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Lalit390, tareef ke liye bahut shukriya. Yeh ek erotic thriller kahani hai, jisme mystery aur family drama ka tadka hai, ummeed hai tumhe pasand aayegi. Update 2 aaj raat ko post kar raha hoon, padhkar zaroor batana.
Subah jab meri aankh khuli toh pehle kuch pal samajh nahi aaya ki main kahan hoon. Phir takiye ke neeche rakhi tasveer yaad aayi, aur raat ka woh rone jaisa shor, aur darwaze ke neeche se sarki hui woh tasveer. Main bistar par uth baitha. Ghadi mein subah ke saat baj rahe the.
Raat bhar theek se neend nahi aayi thi. Har aahat par kaan lag jate the. Ek baar toh aisa laga jaise corridor mein koi chalte hue ruka ho, mere darwaze ke saamne. Lekin jab maine uthkar dekha toh wahan koi nahi tha. Sirf wohi sannata tha jo purani buildings mein raat ko hota hai, pankhe ki ghungrun, door kahin paani ki tapakti boond.
Main bathroom gaya, munh dhoya, aur chai banayi. Kitchen mein purana gas stove tha, us par ketli rakhi. Chai ki khushboo jab uthi toh laga jaise is sunsaan flat mein pehli baar koi zindagi aayi ho. Maine diary nikali aur raat ki ghatnaon ko tafseel se likha, har chhoti baat, taaki koi nuks na reh jaye.
Tasveer ko maine dobara dekha. Din ki roshni mein woh aur saaf dikh rahi thi. Roopali ke chehre par woh muskurahat thi jo tasveeron mein aksar hoti hai, thodi banawati, thodi asli. Aur uske peeche Karan, mera bhai, uska haath Roopali ke kandhe par. Dono ke beech jo nazdeeki tasveer mein dikh rahi thi, woh sirf dostana nahi lag rahi thi. Mere seenay mein ek ajeeb sa dard utha. Saat saal se main yehi sochta aaya tha ki Karan ne mujhse kya chhupaya tha. Ab lag raha tha ki jawab is building ki deewaron mein dafan hai.
Tabhi darwaze par dastak hui, aur saath mein ek khushnuma awaaz, "Devar ji, darwaza kholo, nashta hazir hai."
Kavita.
Maine darwaza khola. Woh khadi thi, haath mein steel ka tiffin, chehre par wahi garm muskurahat. Aaj usne halki neele rang ki saree pehni thi, baal geele the, lagta tha abhi naha kar aayi hai. Uske maathe par bindi, haathon mein choodiyan. Subah ki roshni mein woh aur bhi khili hui lag rahi thi.
"Andar aaun?" usne poocha, lekin jawab ka intezaar kiye bina hi andar aa gayi. "Maine socha, pehli subah hai, akele aadmi ko nashta kaun dega. Garam parathe hain, aloo ke, aur saath mein dahi. Khao, phir batana kaisa laga."
"Tumne takalluf kyun kiya, Kavita," maine kaha, lekin sach yeh tha ki mujhe bhookh lagi thi, aur uske haath ke parathon ki khushboo ne mera iraada kamzor kar diya tha.
"Takalluf kaisa," woh boli, tiffin mez par rakhte hue. "Padosi ka farz hai. Waise bhi tumhare jaise kunware ladke ko dekhkar har bhabhi ka dil pighal jaata hai." Usne mujhe aankh mari. "Baithe kyun ho, khao."
Main betha aur paratha toda. Pehla niwala munh mein gaya toh laga jaise ghar yaad aa gaya ho. "Bahut badhiya," maine kaha. "Tumhare haath mein jaadu hai."
"Jaadu toh bahut kuch mein hai," woh halki si hansi, aur mere saamne wali kursi par baith gayi. "Waise suno, tumhe society ke baare mein kuch zaroori baatein batani hain. Yahan rehna hai toh logon ko pehchanna padega."
Aur phir shuru hua uska unofficial character map.
"Neeche B-1204 mein Meera rehti hai, tum mil chuke ho. Cultural committee ki secretary hai, har function, har puja, har meeting, sab uske haath mein. Uska pati Rajesh, bank mein hai, din bhar bahar, shaam ko ghar. Thoda... " woh ruki, lafz dhoondte hue, "thoda shakki mizaaj ka hai. Biwi par nazar rakhta hai. Tum naye ho, jawaan ho, usse zara sambhal kar rehna."
Maine sar hilaya, paratha khate hue. "Aur kaun?"
"B-1302 mein Sharma uncle, retired teacher, poore din balcony mein baithe rehte hain, building ka CCTV hain woh. A- wing mein Mrs. D'Souza, unke yahan har Sunday choir practice hoti hai. Aur haan, hamare secretary Patil sahab, B-1001, unse bachkar rehna, har cheez mein ungli karte hain." Woh ruk kar hansi. "Bas, itna kaafi hai shuruaat ke liye. Baaki dheere dheere samajh jaaoge."
Baat karte karte uski nazrein mere flat mein ghoom rahi thin. Purana camera mez par pada tha, us par uski nazar atki. "Yeh camera, tum photographer ho?"
"Shauk hai," maine kaha. "Redevelopment ka kaam hai, purani buildings ki tasveerein lena achha lagta hai."
"Redevelopment," usne lafz ko jaise chakha. "Haan, suna hai. Society mein charcha hai ki building tootegi, naya tower banega." Usne camera uthaya, use ulta pulta karke dekha. "Bahut purana model hai. Tum isse ab bhi chalate ho?"
"Chalta hai," maine camera wapas liya, thoda jaldi. Shayad meri jaldi usne mehsoos ki, kyunki uski bhoon halki si upar uthi.
Phir uski nazar almari ki taraf gayi, jahan neeche wale khane mein woh lock wala dibba tha. "Aur yeh, itna bada suitcase, itna lock, kya khazaana laaye ho, devar ji?"
Mere dil ki dhadkan ek pal ke liye tez hui, lekin chehre par maine muskurahat banaye rakhi. "Kuch khaas nahi. Zaroori kagzaat hain, kaam ke. Isliye lock lagaya hai."
"Kagzaat," usne dohraya, aur uski aankhon mein ek chamak thi, jaise woh mere jawab ko taul rahi ho. "Kunwara aadmi, purana camera, lock wala suitcase, raazdaar consultant. Tum toh kisi film ke hero lagte ho."
"Hero nahi, bas aam aadmi hoon," maine kaha, chai ka cup uthate hue.
Woh kuch pal chup rahi. Phir usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha, "Tumhe ek baat bataun, Arjun? Woh flat, B-1304, saat saal se band tha. Jaante ho kyun?"
"Meera ne ishara kiya tha," maine sambhal kar kaha. "Poori baat nahi batayi."
"Poori baat koi nahi batata," Kavita boli. "Police ne kaha khudkushi. Lekin..." woh ruki, idhar udhar dekha, jaise deewaron ke bhi kaan hon, "lekin us raat maine corridor mein kisi mard ki awaaz suni thi. Takreeban aadhi raat ko. Koi behas kar raha tha, dheemi awaaz mein, lekin gusse mein. Maine apne pati ko jagaya, lekin jab tak woh bahar aaye, awaaz band ho chuki thi."
Mere haath mein pakda chai ka cup halka kaanpa. "Tumne police ko bataya?"
"Nahi," usne sar jhukaya. "Darr gayi thi. Socha, kyun phasun. Aur phir sabne keh diya khudkushi hai, toh maine bhi chup rehna behtar samjha." Usne meri taraf dekha. "Tum kisi ko mat batana ki maine tumhe yeh bataya."
"Nahi bataunga," maine kaha. Mere zehen mein tufaan chal raha tha. Roopali ki maut wali raat corridor mein ek mard ki awaaz, behas, aur Kavita ne police ko kuch nahi bataya. Yeh woh tukda tha jo police file mein kahin nahi tha.
Kavita uthi, bartan sametne lagi. "Chalo, main chalti hoon. Tum aaram karo, shifting poori karo." Darwaze tak pahunchkar woh ruki. "Aur haan, shaam ko chai peene aana, mere ghar. Patidev office se late aayenge, akele bore ho jaungi."
Uske jaane ke baad main der tak wahin baitha raha. Phir main balcony mein gaya. Wahan se saamne A wing dikhta tha, aur neeche compound. Maine apni nazar ghumayi aur ek baat mehsoos ki jo pehle dhyaan nahi aayi thi. Mere flat ki balcony se, thode kon par, B wing ke us hisse ka kuch hissa dikhta tha jahan saat saal pehle Roopali rehti thi. Aur usi tarah, Kavita ke flat ki balcony, jo mere theek saamne thi, us kon se Roopali ke flat ka darwaza aur corridor ka ek hissa saaf dikhta hoga.
Matlab Kavita ne jo kaha tha, woh mumkin tha. Woh us raat corridor mein hone wali har aahat sun sakti thi, dekh sakti thi.
Main wapas andar aaya aur apna camera uthaya. Society office jaana tha, redevelopment ke kagzaat ke bahane. Lekin asal mein mujhe Roopali ki file dekhni thi, society ke purane records.
Dopahar ko main neeche utra. Society office B wing ke ground floor par tha, ek chhota kamra, andar ek buddha clerk, Ramu kaka, jo bees saal se yahan kaam kar rahe the. Maine apna parichay diya, redevelopment documentation consultant. Unhone mujhe purani files dikhayin, nakshon ke kagzaat, meeting minutes.
Files palatte hue meri nazar ek tasveer par padi, deewar par tangi hui, society ke das saal purane annual function ki. Bheed mein ek chehra mujhe pehchana laga. Maine gaur se dekha. Woh Roopali thi, sabke beech khadi, halki si muskurahat ke saath. Aur us tasveer ko dekhte hue mujhe mehsoos hua jaise peeche se koi mujhe dekh raha ho. Main palta, lekin office mein sirf Ramu kaka the, apne register mein magan.
Shaam ko main wapas apne flat aaya. Thaka hua tha, lekin dimaag chal raha tha. Maine kapde badle, aur balcony mein khada hokar sochne laga.
Tabhi saamne wali balcony mein halchal hui. Kavita bahar aayi, haathon mein kapdon ka tokra. Woh kapde sukhane lagi, ek ek karke taar par daal rahi thi. Saree, blouse, aur phir... meri nazar ek pal ke liye atki aur maine turant nazar hata li. Taar par uske kuch niji kapde bhi the, jo shaam ki hawa mein halke halke hil rahe the. Mujhe apne kaan garm mehsoos hue. Main andar jaane laga, lekin tabhi uski awaaz aayi.
"Devar ji, chori chori kya dekh rahe ho?"
Main thithak gaya. Woh taar ke us paar khadi muskura rahi thi, uski aankhon mein shararat. "Main... main kuch nahi, bas hawa kha raha tha," maine hadbadakar kaha.
"Hawa toh idhar bhi aa rahi hai," woh hansi, khilkhilakar. "Sharmao mat. Kunware ladke ho, samajhti hoon. Lekin itna ghabraoge toh SukhSagar mein kaise rahoge? Yahan toh har balcony se kuch na kuch dikhta hai."
Meri haalat dekhkar woh aur hansi. Phir usne apna dupatta theek kiya, jo hawa mein ud raha tha, aur boli, "Chai yaad hai na, shaam ko. Aana zaroor. Main intezaar karoongi."
Woh andar chali gayi, lekin uski hansi mere kaanon mein der tak goonjti rahi. Maine apna maattha pakad liya. Yeh aurat khatarnaak thi, apne andaaz mein. Uske har jumle mein ek chhed thi, har nazar mein ek dawat, lekin us dawat ke peeche kya tha, yeh samajhna mushkil tha. Kya woh sirf ek zinda dil padosan thi, ya kuch aur?
Shaam ko main uske ghar gaya. Uska flat mere flat jaisa hi tha, lekin saja hua, garm. Deewaron par tasveerein, ek kone mein mandir, sofa par rangeen chadar. Usne chai banayi, aur hum balcony mein baithe.
"Arjun," usne achanak kaha, uski awaaz ab halki si sanjeeda thi, "tumne kabhi socha hai ki log apne raaz kahan chhupate hain?"
"Matlab?"
"Matlab yeh ki SukhSagar mein har koi kuch na kuch chhupa raha hai. Meera apne pati se, Rajesh apni biwi se, Sharma uncle apne bete se." Woh ruki. "Aur main... main bhi."
Maine use dekha. "Tum kya chhupati ho, Kavita?"
Usne meri aankhon mein dekha, der tak. Phir dheere se boli, "Us raat, jis raat Roopali mari, maine sirf awaaz nahi suni thi. Maine use dekha bhi tha."
Mere haath mein pakda chai ka cup ruk gaya. "Kise dekha tha?"
"Karan ko." Usne lafz ko aahista kaha, jaise woh uska wazan mehsoos kar rahi ho. "Roopali ka dost tha, aksar aata tha. Us raat maine use building mein dekha tha, corridor ki taraf jaate hue. Takreeban gyarah baje."
Mera dil zor zor se dhadakne laga. "Tumhe yakeen hai?"
"Poora yakeen," woh boli. "Lekin ajeeb baat yeh hai ki police ke record mein likha hai ki Karan us waqt sheher mein tha hi nahi. Woh toh do din pehle hi bahar gaya tha, official taur par."
Hum dono ke beech khamoshi chha gayi. Chai thandi ho rahi thi. Mere zehen mein tasveer ghoom rahi thi, woh purani tasveer, Karan ka haath Roopali ke kandhe par, aur uske peeche likha woh sawal.
Usne uthkar mere paas aayi, mere kandhe par haath rakha, ek pal ke liye. Uske haath ki garmi mere kurte ke paar mehsoos hui. "Kyunki tumhari aankhon mein maine wohi bechaini dekhi hai jo us raat Karan ki aankhon mein thi. Aur kyunki..." woh ruki, mere chehre ke bahut kareeb aakar, itna kareeb ki uski saanson ki khushboo mujhe mehsoos hui, "kyunki mujhe lagta hai tum Karan ko dhoondne aaye ho."
Meri saans ruk gayi. Usne mera kandha chhoda aur wapas apni kursi par baith gayi, jaise kuch hua hi na ho. Lekin uski aankhon mein ek jeet ki chamak thi.
"Chai thandi ho gayi," usne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha. "Nayi banati hoon."
Main wahan se jab nikla toh raat ke nau baj rahe the. Corridor mein sannata tha. Maine apne flat ka darwaza khola, andar aaya, aur darwaza band kiya.
Tabhi meri nazar neeche gayi. Darwaze ke neeche se ek kagaz sarka hua tha.
Mere haath kaanpne lage. Maine use uthaya. Ek chhoti si parchhi thi, us par tedhe medhe aksharon mein likha tha: "Roopali ne khudkushi nahi ki thi."
Mumbai ki us shaam hawa mein ek ajeeb si nami thi, jaise baarish hone wali ho lekin badal faisla na kar pa rahe hon. SukhSagar Residency ka lohe ka gate mere saamne khula toh laga jaise main kisi imaarat mein nahi, kisi purane raaz ke andar kadam rakh raha hoon. Auto wale ko paise dekar maine apna suitcase uthaya, ek bada suitcase, ek chhota bag, aur kandhe par latka woh purana camera jo mere saath har jagah jaata hai.
"Naam?" watchman ne register aage badhate hue poocha. Uski aankhein mere chehre par kuch zyada der tiki rahin.
"Arjun Rane. B-1304. Naya kirayedar."
Usne likha, phir mujhe upar se neeche tak dekha. "Redevelopment wale ho na? Consultant?"
Maine halki si muskurahat ke saath sar hila diya. Haan, official taur par main yahi tha, redevelopment documentation consultant, society ke purane kagzaat, nakshon aur records ko digitize karne aaya hua. Lekin asal wajah sirf main jaanta tha, aur shayad woh shakhs bhi jo saat saal pehle is building mein mari Roopali Pradhan ki maut ke baare mein sab kuch jaanta tha. Aur mera bhai Karan, jo usi case ke baad se laapata hai.
Watchman ne chabhi ka guchha meri taraf badhaya. "Tarahvi manzil. Lift se jayenge toh doosri wali lena, pehli wali kabhi kabhi beech mein atak jaati hai."
Maine suitcase uthaya aur andar badh gaya.
SukhSagar Residency, saat manzilon ki do buildings, A wing aur B wing, beech mein ek chhota sa garden jismein shaam ko bachche khelte honge, lekin us waqt wahan sannata tha. Building ki deewaron par seelan ke daag the, kuch balconies mein kapde sookh rahe the, aur hawa mein shaam ke khane ki khushboo ghuli hui thi, tadke ki, tali hui cheezon ki. Ek aam middle-class Mumbai society, jaisi hazaaron hain. Lekin iski deewaron ne saat saal pehle kuch dekha tha, aur main yahan wahi dekhne aaya tha.
Lift ka darwaza khula. Andar ek mahila khadi thi, umar takreeban tees-battees, simple si cotton saree, baal joode mein bandhe, haath mein sabzi ka thaila. Usne mujhe dekha, phir mere suitcase ko, phir halki si muskurahat ke saath thoda side mein hat gayi.
"Naye ho?" usne poocha.
"Ji. B-1304. Arjun Rane."
"Meera," usne apna naam bataya. "B-1204. Tumhare theek neeche." Usne button dabaye, 12 aur 13. "Redevelopment wale consultant, hain na? Society mein charcha hai."
Maine hans diya. "Itni jaldi khabar phail gayi?"
"SukhSagar mein khabar hawa se tez chalti hai," woh boli, aur uski aankhon mein ek halki si shararat thi, lekin us shararat ke peeche kuch aur bhi tha, ek sawal, ek aakaalan. Woh mujhe dekh nahi rahi thi, parh rahi thi. "Waise B-1304... woh flat saat saal se band pada tha. Log kehte hain wahan... " Woh ruk gayi.
"Wahan kya?"
"Kuch nahi," usne jaldi se baat badal di. "Bas purana flat hai. Safai karwani padegi. Kuch chahiye ho toh batana."
Lift ke sheeshe mein maine uski parchai dekhi. Woh seedha saamne dekh rahi thi, lekin uski nazrein sheeshe ke zariye mujh par thi. Restrained curiosity, woh dostana banne ki koshish kar rahi thi, lekin uske har jumle mein ek nap-tula hua faasla tha. Jaise woh mujhe aazma rahi ho.
Barahvi manzil par lift ruki. "Phir milenge, Arjun," kehkar woh utar gayi. Mere naam ko usne kuch is andaaz mein kaha jaise woh use yaad rakhna chahti ho.
Terahvi manzil par main bahar nikla. Corridor lamba tha, dono taraf flaton ke darwaze. B-1304 ka darwaza aakhir mein tha. Maine chabhi ghumayi, taala zara atka, phir khula. Andar andhera tha, aur ek band kamre ki boo, dhool, nami aur saat saal ki khamoshi.
Maine switchboard taata. Pehle do switch kaam nahi kiye, teesre par tube light jhilmilakar jal uthi. Flat saamne tha, ek drawing room, andar ek bedroom, kitchen, aur ek chhoti si balcony jo saamne wali building ki taraf khulti thi. Furniture par safed chadar padi thi, jaise laashon par daali jaati hai. Maine chadarein hatayin, sofa, ek deewan, ek lakdi ki almari. Sab par dhool ki teh.
Suitcase bedroom mein rakha. Chhota bag khola, usmein mera asli samaan tha: laptop, kuch files, aur woh purana camera. Camera ko maine meez par rakha. Phir bada suitcase khola, kapde, zaroori cheezein. Suitcase ke andar ek chhota lock wala dibba tha, jismein Roopali Pradhan ki case file ki photocopies thi. Maine use almari ke sabse neeche wale khane mein rakha aur lock kar diya.
Tabhi darwaze par dastak hui.
Maine darwaza khola. Saamne wali flat, B-1303, ka darwaza khula tha, aur uski dahleez par ek mahila khadi thi. Umar pachees-attees ke aaspaas, ghar ke kapdon mein, ek simple si nighty ke upar dupatta, baal khule. Uske chehre par woh muskurahat thi jo pados ki bhaabhiyon ke chehre par aksar hoti hai, garm, thodi shararti.
"Aap hi naye kirayedar hain?" usne poocha, mujhe upar se neeche tak dekhte hue. Uski nazrein mere chehre se phisalkar mere kandhe, meri shirt par gayin, phir wapas chehre par. "Main Kavita. Saamne wali."
"Arjun Rane," maine haath badhaya. Usne haath milaya, uski pakad mazboot thi, aur usne mera haath ek pal zyada der tak pakde rakha.
"Shifting ho gayi?" usne mere peeche flat mein jhanka. "Akele aaye ho? Biwi-bachche?"
"Tab toh tumhe hamari society mein adjust hone mein waqt lagega," woh boli, aur uski awaaz mein ek halki si chhed thi. "Yahan har koi har kisi ki khabar rakhta hai. Abhi tumhara suitcase andar gaya, aur poori building ko pata chal gaya hoga."
"Meera ne bhi yahi kaha tha."
"Meera?" Kavita ki bhoon thodi upar uthi. "Lift mein mili? B-1204 wali? Woh toh sabse pehle pahunchti hai naye logon tak. Cultural committee ki secretary hai, har naye chehre ka bio-data uske paas hota hai." Woh halki si hansi. "Khair, kuch chahiye ho, chai, paani, bijli ka koi kaam, toh bas awaaz de dena. Devar ji."
Devar ji. Us lafz mein apnapan bhi tha aur ek halki si chhed bhi. Maine dekha ki woh mere flat ke andar dekhne ki koshish kar rahi thi, meri shifting par uska poora dhyaan tha. Woh sirf padosi ka farz nibhaane nahi aayi thi. Woh dekhne aayi thi ki main kaun hoon, kya laaya hoon.
"Kavita ji, bahut shukriya," maine kaha. "Abhi toh bas safai karni hai."
"Ji nahi, 'ji' nahi," usne ungli hilayi. "Sirf Kavita. 'Ji' bulaoge toh buddhi lagoongi." Woh palti, phir ruki. "Aur suno, raat ko ventilation ki taraf se ajeeb awaazein aati hain. Darna mat. Purani building hai."
Yeh kehkar woh apne flat mein chali gayi, lekin darwaza poora band nahi kiya. Ek darar khuli reh gayi, jaise woh chahti ho ki mujhe pata chale ki woh dekh rahi hai.
Maine darwaza band kiya aur sofe par baith gaya. Pehli shaam. Pehle do chehre. Meera, nap-tuli, hoshiyar, har lafz taul kar bolne wali. Kavita, khuli, garm, chhedne wali, lekin uski nazrein bhi utni hi tez. Dono ne mujhe aazmaya tha, apne-apne tareeke se.
Maine jeb se ek chhoti si diary nikali aur likha: "Day 1, SukhSagar Residency. Cover intact. Meera (B-1204): cautious, observant. Kavita (B-1303): friendly, watchful. Building alert, residents notice everything."
Uske baad main neeche compound mein utra. Ek taraf chhoti si kirane ki dukaan thi, "SukhSagar General Stores". Maine paani ki bottle aur kuch biscuit liye. Dukaandaar, ek buddha aadmi, ne mujhe gaur se dekha.
"Naye ho? B wing?"
"Ji. B-1304."
Uske haath ek pal ke liye ruke. "Terahvi manzil wala flat... bahut dino baad khula." Usne paise wapas diye aur zyada kuch nahi kaha. Lekin uski khamoshi mein bhi ek kahani thi.
Compound mein bachche cricket khel rahe the. Ek taraf bench par do buddhiya baithe the, unki nazrein mujh par. Garden ke kone mein society ka notice board tha, purane notice, seelan se peele pad gaye. Ek notice par meri nazar atki: saat saal purana, "Shok Sandesh", Roopali Pradhan ke nidhan par society ki taraf se shok. Kagaz aadha phata hua tha, jaise kisi ne jaanboojhkar nochne ki koshish ki ho.
Maine apne phone se uski tasveer le li. Phir building ko dekha, B wing ki terahvi manzil par mera flat, uski khidki se roshni. Neeche se dekhne par building aur bhi purani lag rahi thi. Service lift ka darwaza pichhe ki taraf tha, us par taala laga tha, lekin taale par tel laga hua lag raha tha, matlab use aksar khola jaata tha.
Wapas upar aate waqt lift mein koi nahi tha. Maine apne flat ka darwaza khola aur andar aaya. Tab tak shaam dhal chuki thi.
Raat ke aath baj rahe the. Maine khidki kholi. Saamne A wing ki balconies dikh rahi thin, kuch mein roshni, kuch mein andhera. Ek balcony mein ek aadmi cigarette pee raha tha, uski nazar meri taraf thi. Maine nazar hatayi. Yahan har koi dekh raha tha. Sawal tha, kyun?
Maine khana bahar se mangwaya, ek dabba. Khate waqt main balcony mein khada raha aur building ko dekhta raha. Saat saal pehle Roopali Pradhan isi building mein mari thi. Police file ke mutabiq, khudkushi. Lekin mere bhai Karan ne marne se pehle mujhe ek khat likha tha: "Roopali ne khudkushi nahi ki, Arjun. Aur main ghar nahi aa sakta. Mujhe maaf karna." Uske baad Karan gayab. Saat saal se koi khabar nahi.
Aur ab main yahan tha, usi building mein, jhoothi pehchaan ke saath.
Raat ke gyarah baje maine bistar lagaya. Deewan par chadar bichhayi, takiya rakha. Light band ki. Kuch der tak main chhat ko dekhta raha. Phir neend aane lagi.
Tabhi woh awaaz aayi.
Ventilation shaft ki taraf se, ek dheemi si, rone jaisi awaaz. Jaise koi aurat dabee hui sisaq rahi ho. Main uth baitha. Kaan lagaye. Awaaz aayi, phir ruk gayi, phir dobara aayi, is baar thodi tez. Mere rongte khade ho gaye.
Kavita ne kaha tha, purani building hai, ajeeb awaazein aati hain. Lekin yeh awaaz... yeh toh rone ki awaaz thi. Kisi ke rone ki.
Main utha, darwaze tak gaya. Darwaze ke neeche se corridor ki halki roshni aa rahi thi. Aur usi roshni mein mujhe kuch dikha, ek kagaz ka kona. Koi cheez darwaze ke neeche se sarka di gayi thi.
Maine dheere se darwaza khola. Corridor khaali tha. Koi nahi tha. Maine neeche jhukkar woh cheez uthayi.
Ek purani tasveer thi. Rang thode udd gaye the, kinare mud gaye the. Tasveer mein ek ladki khadi thi, sundar, lambi, halki si muskurahat. Uske peeche, thoda dhundla, ek ladka khada tha, uska haath ladki ke kandhe par tha.
Mere haath kaanpne lage. Saat saal se laapata mera bhai, ek mari hui ladki ke saath tasveer mein. Maine tasveer palti.
Peeche, kale pen se, kisi ne likha tha: "Wapas kyun aaye ho?"
Mere maathe par paseena aa gaya. Koi jaanta tha ki main kaun hoon. Koi jaanta tha ki main wapas kyun aaya hoon. Aur woh koi is waqt isi building mein tha.
Maine darwaza band kiya, lock lagaya. Tasveer ko meez par rakha aur use dekhta raha. Bahar ventilation shaft se woh rone ki awaaz ab band ho gayi thi. Jaise uska kaam khatm ho gaya ho.
Maine diary uthayi aur likha: "Day 1, raat, koi jaanta hai main kaun hoon. Tasveer mili. Karan Roopali ke saath tha. Peeche likha hai: 'Wapas kyun aaye ho?', Investigation shuru hone se pehle hi khatre mein hai."
Karan ka chehra meri aankhon ke saamne ghoom raha tha. Bachpan mein woh hamesha mujhse ek kadam aage rehta tha, ped par chadhne mein, tairne mein, duniya ko samajhne mein. Lekin uski aankhon mein hamesha ek bechaini thi, jaise woh kuch dhoond raha ho jo use kabhi mila nahi. Aakhri baar jab hum mile the, usne meri taraf dekha tak nahi tha. Bas woh khat chhod gaya tha, aur chala gaya tha. Saat saal se main har raat yehi sochta hoon ki kaash us din maine use roka hota, kaash maine poocha hota ki woh kis cheez se bhaag raha hai. Ab wohi sawal mujhe yahan kheench laaya tha. Aur tasveer ne saaf kar diya tha ki Karan ka Roopali se gehra rishta tha, itna gehra ki koi use chhupana chahta tha.
Phir maine diary band ki, tasveer ko takiye ke neeche rakha, aur andhere mein let gaya. Neend ab koson door thi. Mere zehen mein ek hi sawal goonj raha tha, wohi sawal jo tasveer ke peeche likha tha.
Wapas kyun aaya hoon main? Jawab simple tha. Apne bhai ke liye. Roopali ke liye. Sach ke liye.
Lekin SukhSagar Society ke band darwazon ke peeche jo sach chhupa tha, woh mere andaze se kahin zyada gehra tha. Aur pehli raat ne hi yeh saaf kar diya tha, yahan har darwaze ke peeche ek kahani hai, aur har kahani ke peeche ek raaz.
Mumbai ki us shaam hawa mein ek ajeeb si nami thi, jaise baarish hone wali ho lekin badal faisla na kar pa rahe hon. SukhSagar Residency ka lohe ka gate mere saamne khula toh laga jaise main kisi imaarat mein nahi, kisi purane raaz ke andar kadam rakh raha hoon. Auto wale ko paise dekar maine apna suitcase uthaya, ek bada suitcase, ek chhota bag, aur kandhe par latka woh purana camera jo mere saath har jagah jaata hai.
"Naam?" watchman ne register aage badhate hue poocha. Uski aankhein mere chehre par kuch zyada der tiki rahin.
"Arjun Rane. B-1304. Naya kirayedar."
Usne likha, phir mujhe upar se neeche tak dekha. "Redevelopment wale ho na? Consultant?"
Maine halki si muskurahat ke saath sar hila diya. Haan, official taur par main yahi tha, redevelopment documentation consultant, society ke purane kagzaat, nakshon aur records ko digitize karne aaya hua. Lekin asal wajah sirf main jaanta tha, aur shayad woh shakhs bhi jo saat saal pehle is building mein mari Roopali Pradhan ki maut ke baare mein sab kuch jaanta tha. Aur mera bhai Karan, jo usi case ke baad se laapata hai.
Watchman ne chabhi ka guchha meri taraf badhaya. "Tarahvi manzil. Lift se jayenge toh doosri wali lena, pehli wali kabhi kabhi beech mein atak jaati hai."
Maine suitcase uthaya aur andar badh gaya.
SukhSagar Residency, saat manzilon ki do buildings, A wing aur B wing, beech mein ek chhota sa garden jismein shaam ko bachche khelte honge, lekin us waqt wahan sannata tha. Building ki deewaron par seelan ke daag the, kuch balconies mein kapde sookh rahe the, aur hawa mein shaam ke khane ki khushboo ghuli hui thi, tadke ki, tali hui cheezon ki. Ek aam middle-class Mumbai society, jaisi hazaaron hain. Lekin iski deewaron ne saat saal pehle kuch dekha tha, aur main yahan wahi dekhne aaya tha.
Lift ka darwaza khula. Andar ek mahila khadi thi, umar takreeban tees-battees, simple si cotton saree, baal joode mein bandhe, haath mein sabzi ka thaila. Usne mujhe dekha, phir mere suitcase ko, phir halki si muskurahat ke saath thoda side mein hat gayi.
"Naye ho?" usne poocha.
"Ji. B-1304. Arjun Rane."
"Meera," usne apna naam bataya. "B-1204. Tumhare theek neeche." Usne button dabaye, 12 aur 13. "Redevelopment wale consultant, hain na? Society mein charcha hai."
Maine hans diya. "Itni jaldi khabar phail gayi?"
"SukhSagar mein khabar hawa se tez chalti hai," woh boli, aur uski aankhon mein ek halki si shararat thi, lekin us shararat ke peeche kuch aur bhi tha, ek sawal, ek aakaalan. Woh mujhe dekh nahi rahi thi, parh rahi thi. "Waise B-1304... woh flat saat saal se band pada tha. Log kehte hain wahan... " Woh ruk gayi.
"Wahan kya?"
"Kuch nahi," usne jaldi se baat badal di. "Bas purana flat hai. Safai karwani padegi. Kuch chahiye ho toh batana."
Lift ke sheeshe mein maine uski parchai dekhi. Woh seedha saamne dekh rahi thi, lekin uski nazrein sheeshe ke zariye mujh par thi. Restrained curiosity, woh dostana banne ki koshish kar rahi thi, lekin uske har jumle mein ek nap-tula hua faasla tha. Jaise woh mujhe aazma rahi ho.
Barahvi manzil par lift ruki. "Phir milenge, Arjun," kehkar woh utar gayi. Mere naam ko usne kuch is andaaz mein kaha jaise woh use yaad rakhna chahti ho.
Terahvi manzil par main bahar nikla. Corridor lamba tha, dono taraf flaton ke darwaze. B-1304 ka darwaza aakhir mein tha. Maine chabhi ghumayi, taala zara atka, phir khula. Andar andhera tha, aur ek band kamre ki boo, dhool, nami aur saat saal ki khamoshi.
Maine switchboard taata. Pehle do switch kaam nahi kiye, teesre par tube light jhilmilakar jal uthi. Flat saamne tha, ek drawing room, andar ek bedroom, kitchen, aur ek chhoti si balcony jo saamne wali building ki taraf khulti thi. Furniture par safed chadar padi thi, jaise laashon par daali jaati hai. Maine chadarein hatayin, sofa, ek deewan, ek lakdi ki almari. Sab par dhool ki teh.
Suitcase bedroom mein rakha. Chhota bag khola, usmein mera asli samaan tha: laptop, kuch files, aur woh purana camera. Camera ko maine meez par rakha. Phir bada suitcase khola, kapde, zaroori cheezein. Suitcase ke andar ek chhota lock wala dibba tha, jismein Roopali Pradhan ki case file ki photocopies thi. Maine use almari ke sabse neeche wale khane mein rakha aur lock kar diya.
Tabhi darwaze par dastak hui.
Maine darwaza khola. Saamne wali flat, B-1303, ka darwaza khula tha, aur uski dahleez par ek mahila khadi thi. Umar pachees-attees ke aaspaas, ghar ke kapdon mein, ek simple si nighty ke upar dupatta, baal khule. Uske chehre par woh muskurahat thi jo pados ki bhaabhiyon ke chehre par aksar hoti hai, garm, thodi shararti.
"Aap hi naye kirayedar hain?" usne poocha, mujhe upar se neeche tak dekhte hue. Uski nazrein mere chehre se phisalkar mere kandhe, meri shirt par gayin, phir wapas chehre par. "Main Kavita. Saamne wali."
"Arjun Rane," maine haath badhaya. Usne haath milaya, uski pakad mazboot thi, aur usne mera haath ek pal zyada der tak pakde rakha.
"Shifting ho gayi?" usne mere peeche flat mein jhanka. "Akele aaye ho? Biwi-bachche?"
"Tab toh tumhe hamari society mein adjust hone mein waqt lagega," woh boli, aur uski awaaz mein ek halki si chhed thi. "Yahan har koi har kisi ki khabar rakhta hai. Abhi tumhara suitcase andar gaya, aur poori building ko pata chal gaya hoga."
"Meera ne bhi yahi kaha tha."
"Meera?" Kavita ki bhoon thodi upar uthi. "Lift mein mili? B-1204 wali? Woh toh sabse pehle pahunchti hai naye logon tak. Cultural committee ki secretary hai, har naye chehre ka bio-data uske paas hota hai." Woh halki si hansi. "Khair, kuch chahiye ho, chai, paani, bijli ka koi kaam, toh bas awaaz de dena. Devar ji."
Devar ji. Us lafz mein apnapan bhi tha aur ek halki si chhed bhi. Maine dekha ki woh mere flat ke andar dekhne ki koshish kar rahi thi, meri shifting par uska poora dhyaan tha. Woh sirf padosi ka farz nibhaane nahi aayi thi. Woh dekhne aayi thi ki main kaun hoon, kya laaya hoon.
"Kavita ji, bahut shukriya," maine kaha. "Abhi toh bas safai karni hai."
"Ji nahi, 'ji' nahi," usne ungli hilayi. "Sirf Kavita. 'Ji' bulaoge toh buddhi lagoongi." Woh palti, phir ruki. "Aur suno, raat ko ventilation ki taraf se ajeeb awaazein aati hain. Darna mat. Purani building hai."
Yeh kehkar woh apne flat mein chali gayi, lekin darwaza poora band nahi kiya. Ek darar khuli reh gayi, jaise woh chahti ho ki mujhe pata chale ki woh dekh rahi hai.
Maine darwaza band kiya aur sofe par baith gaya. Pehli shaam. Pehle do chehre. Meera, nap-tuli, hoshiyar, har lafz taul kar bolne wali. Kavita, khuli, garm, chhedne wali, lekin uski nazrein bhi utni hi tez. Dono ne mujhe aazmaya tha, apne-apne tareeke se.
Maine jeb se ek chhoti si diary nikali aur likha: "Day 1, SukhSagar Residency. Cover intact. Meera (B-1204): cautious, observant. Kavita (B-1303): friendly, watchful. Building alert, residents notice everything."
Uske baad main neeche compound mein utra. Ek taraf chhoti si kirane ki dukaan thi, "SukhSagar General Stores". Maine paani ki bottle aur kuch biscuit liye. Dukaandaar, ek buddha aadmi, ne mujhe gaur se dekha.
"Naye ho? B wing?"
"Ji. B-1304."
Uske haath ek pal ke liye ruke. "Terahvi manzil wala flat... bahut dino baad khula." Usne paise wapas diye aur zyada kuch nahi kaha. Lekin uski khamoshi mein bhi ek kahani thi.
Compound mein bachche cricket khel rahe the. Ek taraf bench par do buddhiya baithe the, unki nazrein mujh par. Garden ke kone mein society ka notice board tha, purane notice, seelan se peele pad gaye. Ek notice par meri nazar atki: saat saal purana, "Shok Sandesh", Roopali Pradhan ke nidhan par society ki taraf se shok. Kagaz aadha phata hua tha, jaise kisi ne jaanboojhkar nochne ki koshish ki ho.
Maine apne phone se uski tasveer le li. Phir building ko dekha, B wing ki terahvi manzil par mera flat, uski khidki se roshni. Neeche se dekhne par building aur bhi purani lag rahi thi. Service lift ka darwaza pichhe ki taraf tha, us par taala laga tha, lekin taale par tel laga hua lag raha tha, matlab use aksar khola jaata tha.
Wapas upar aate waqt lift mein koi nahi tha. Maine apne flat ka darwaza khola aur andar aaya. Tab tak shaam dhal chuki thi.
Raat ke aath baj rahe the. Maine khidki kholi. Saamne A wing ki balconies dikh rahi thin, kuch mein roshni, kuch mein andhera. Ek balcony mein ek aadmi cigarette pee raha tha, uski nazar meri taraf thi. Maine nazar hatayi. Yahan har koi dekh raha tha. Sawal tha, kyun?
Maine khana bahar se mangwaya, ek dabba. Khate waqt main balcony mein khada raha aur building ko dekhta raha. Saat saal pehle Roopali Pradhan isi building mein mari thi. Police file ke mutabiq, khudkushi. Lekin mere bhai Karan ne marne se pehle mujhe ek khat likha tha: "Roopali ne khudkushi nahi ki, Arjun. Aur main ghar nahi aa sakta. Mujhe maaf karna." Uske baad Karan gayab. Saat saal se koi khabar nahi.
Aur ab main yahan tha, usi building mein, jhoothi pehchaan ke saath.
Raat ke gyarah baje maine bistar lagaya. Deewan par chadar bichhayi, takiya rakha. Light band ki. Kuch der tak main chhat ko dekhta raha. Phir neend aane lagi.
Tabhi woh awaaz aayi.
Ventilation shaft ki taraf se, ek dheemi si, rone jaisi awaaz. Jaise koi aurat dabee hui sisaq rahi ho. Main uth baitha. Kaan lagaye. Awaaz aayi, phir ruk gayi, phir dobara aayi, is baar thodi tez. Mere rongte khade ho gaye.
Kavita ne kaha tha, purani building hai, ajeeb awaazein aati hain. Lekin yeh awaaz... yeh toh rone ki awaaz thi. Kisi ke rone ki.
Main utha, darwaze tak gaya. Darwaze ke neeche se corridor ki halki roshni aa rahi thi. Aur usi roshni mein mujhe kuch dikha, ek kagaz ka kona. Koi cheez darwaze ke neeche se sarka di gayi thi.
Maine dheere se darwaza khola. Corridor khaali tha. Koi nahi tha. Maine neeche jhukkar woh cheez uthayi.
Ek purani tasveer thi. Rang thode udd gaye the, kinare mud gaye the. Tasveer mein ek ladki khadi thi, sundar, lambi, halki si muskurahat. Uske peeche, thoda dhundla, ek ladka khada tha, uska haath ladki ke kandhe par tha.
Mere haath kaanpne lage. Saat saal se laapata mera bhai, ek mari hui ladki ke saath tasveer mein. Maine tasveer palti.
Peeche, kale pen se, kisi ne likha tha: "Wapas kyun aaye ho?"
Mere maathe par paseena aa gaya. Koi jaanta tha ki main kaun hoon. Koi jaanta tha ki main wapas kyun aaya hoon. Aur woh koi is waqt isi building mein tha.
Maine darwaza band kiya, lock lagaya. Tasveer ko meez par rakha aur use dekhta raha. Bahar ventilation shaft se woh rone ki awaaz ab band ho gayi thi. Jaise uska kaam khatm ho gaya ho.
Maine diary uthayi aur likha: "Day 1, raat, koi jaanta hai main kaun hoon. Tasveer mili. Karan Roopali ke saath tha. Peeche likha hai: 'Wapas kyun aaye ho?', Investigation shuru hone se pehle hi khatre mein hai."
Karan ka chehra meri aankhon ke saamne ghoom raha tha. Bachpan mein woh hamesha mujhse ek kadam aage rehta tha, ped par chadhne mein, tairne mein, duniya ko samajhne mein. Lekin uski aankhon mein hamesha ek bechaini thi, jaise woh kuch dhoond raha ho jo use kabhi mila nahi. Aakhri baar jab hum mile the, usne meri taraf dekha tak nahi tha. Bas woh khat chhod gaya tha, aur chala gaya tha. Saat saal se main har raat yehi sochta hoon ki kaash us din maine use roka hota, kaash maine poocha hota ki woh kis cheez se bhaag raha hai. Ab wohi sawal mujhe yahan kheench laaya tha. Aur tasveer ne saaf kar diya tha ki Karan ka Roopali se gehra rishta tha, itna gehra ki koi use chhupana chahta tha.
Phir maine diary band ki, tasveer ko takiye ke neeche rakha, aur andhere mein let gaya. Neend ab koson door thi. Mere zehen mein ek hi sawal goonj raha tha, wohi sawal jo tasveer ke peeche likha tha.
Wapas kyun aaya hoon main? Jawab simple tha. Apne bhai ke liye. Roopali ke liye. Sach ke liye.
Lekin SukhSagar Society ke band darwazon ke peeche jo sach chhupa tha, woh mere andaze se kahin zyada gehra tha. Aur pehli raat ne hi yeh saaf kar diya tha, yahan har darwaze ke peeche ek kahani hai, aur har kahani ke peeche ek raaz.
Subah jab meri aankh khuli toh pehle kuch pal samajh nahi aaya ki main kahan hoon. Phir takiye ke neeche rakhi tasveer yaad aayi, aur raat ka woh rone jaisa shor, aur darwaze ke neeche se sarki hui woh tasveer. Main bistar par uth baitha. Ghadi mein subah ke saat baj rahe the.
Raat bhar theek se neend nahi aayi thi. Har aahat par kaan lag jate the. Ek baar toh aisa laga jaise corridor mein koi chalte hue ruka ho, mere darwaze ke saamne. Lekin jab maine uthkar dekha toh wahan koi nahi tha. Sirf wohi sannata tha jo purani buildings mein raat ko hota hai, pankhe ki ghungrun, door kahin paani ki tapakti boond.
Main bathroom gaya, munh dhoya, aur chai banayi. Kitchen mein purana gas stove tha, us par ketli rakhi. Chai ki khushboo jab uthi toh laga jaise is sunsaan flat mein pehli baar koi zindagi aayi ho. Maine diary nikali aur raat ki ghatnaon ko tafseel se likha, har chhoti baat, taaki koi nuks na reh jaye.
Tasveer ko maine dobara dekha. Din ki roshni mein woh aur saaf dikh rahi thi. Roopali ke chehre par woh muskurahat thi jo tasveeron mein aksar hoti hai, thodi banawati, thodi asli. Aur uske peeche Karan, mera bhai, uska haath Roopali ke kandhe par. Dono ke beech jo nazdeeki tasveer mein dikh rahi thi, woh sirf dostana nahi lag rahi thi. Mere seenay mein ek ajeeb sa dard utha. Saat saal se main yehi sochta aaya tha ki Karan ne mujhse kya chhupaya tha. Ab lag raha tha ki jawab is building ki deewaron mein dafan hai.
Tabhi darwaze par dastak hui, aur saath mein ek khushnuma awaaz, "Devar ji, darwaza kholo, nashta hazir hai."
Kavita.
Maine darwaza khola. Woh khadi thi, haath mein steel ka tiffin, chehre par wahi garm muskurahat. Aaj usne halki neele rang ki saree pehni thi, baal geele the, lagta tha abhi naha kar aayi hai. Uske maathe par bindi, haathon mein choodiyan. Subah ki roshni mein woh aur bhi khili hui lag rahi thi.
"Andar aaun?" usne poocha, lekin jawab ka intezaar kiye bina hi andar aa gayi. "Maine socha, pehli subah hai, akele aadmi ko nashta kaun dega. Garam parathe hain, aloo ke, aur saath mein dahi. Khao, phir batana kaisa laga."
"Tumne takalluf kyun kiya, Kavita," maine kaha, lekin sach yeh tha ki mujhe bhookh lagi thi, aur uske haath ke parathon ki khushboo ne mera iraada kamzor kar diya tha.
"Takalluf kaisa," woh boli, tiffin mez par rakhte hue. "Padosi ka farz hai. Waise bhi tumhare jaise kunware ladke ko dekhkar har bhabhi ka dil pighal jaata hai." Usne mujhe aankh mari. "Baithe kyun ho, khao."
Main betha aur paratha toda. Pehla niwala munh mein gaya toh laga jaise ghar yaad aa gaya ho. "Bahut badhiya," maine kaha. "Tumhare haath mein jaadu hai."
"Jaadu toh bahut kuch mein hai," woh halki si hansi, aur mere saamne wali kursi par baith gayi. "Waise suno, tumhe society ke baare mein kuch zaroori baatein batani hain. Yahan rehna hai toh logon ko pehchanna padega."
Aur phir shuru hua uska unofficial character map.
"Neeche B-1204 mein Meera rehti hai, tum mil chuke ho. Cultural committee ki secretary hai, har function, har puja, har meeting, sab uske haath mein. Uska pati Rajesh, bank mein hai, din bhar bahar, shaam ko ghar. Thoda... " woh ruki, lafz dhoondte hue, "thoda shakki mizaaj ka hai. Biwi par nazar rakhta hai. Tum naye ho, jawaan ho, usse zara sambhal kar rehna."
Maine sar hilaya, paratha khate hue. "Aur kaun?"
"B-1302 mein Sharma uncle, retired teacher, poore din balcony mein baithe rehte hain, building ka CCTV hain woh. A- wing mein Mrs. D'Souza, unke yahan har Sunday choir practice hoti hai. Aur haan, hamare secretary Patil sahab, B-1001, unse bachkar rehna, har cheez mein ungli karte hain." Woh ruk kar hansi. "Bas, itna kaafi hai shuruaat ke liye. Baaki dheere dheere samajh jaaoge."
Baat karte karte uski nazrein mere flat mein ghoom rahi thin. Purana camera mez par pada tha, us par uski nazar atki. "Yeh camera, tum photographer ho?"
"Shauk hai," maine kaha. "Redevelopment ka kaam hai, purani buildings ki tasveerein lena achha lagta hai."
"Redevelopment," usne lafz ko jaise chakha. "Haan, suna hai. Society mein charcha hai ki building tootegi, naya tower banega." Usne camera uthaya, use ulta pulta karke dekha. "Bahut purana model hai. Tum isse ab bhi chalate ho?"
"Chalta hai," maine camera wapas liya, thoda jaldi. Shayad meri jaldi usne mehsoos ki, kyunki uski bhoon halki si upar uthi.
Phir uski nazar almari ki taraf gayi, jahan neeche wale khane mein woh lock wala dibba tha. "Aur yeh, itna bada suitcase, itna lock, kya khazaana laaye ho, devar ji?"
Mere dil ki dhadkan ek pal ke liye tez hui, lekin chehre par maine muskurahat banaye rakhi. "Kuch khaas nahi. Zaroori kagzaat hain, kaam ke. Isliye lock lagaya hai."
"Kagzaat," usne dohraya, aur uski aankhon mein ek chamak thi, jaise woh mere jawab ko taul rahi ho. "Kunwara aadmi, purana camera, lock wala suitcase, raazdaar consultant. Tum toh kisi film ke hero lagte ho."
"Hero nahi, bas aam aadmi hoon," maine kaha, chai ka cup uthate hue.
Woh kuch pal chup rahi. Phir usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha, "Tumhe ek baat bataun, Arjun? Woh flat, B-1304, saat saal se band tha. Jaante ho kyun?"
"Meera ne ishara kiya tha," maine sambhal kar kaha. "Poori baat nahi batayi."
"Poori baat koi nahi batata," Kavita boli. "Police ne kaha khudkushi. Lekin..." woh ruki, idhar udhar dekha, jaise deewaron ke bhi kaan hon, "lekin us raat maine corridor mein kisi mard ki awaaz suni thi. Takreeban aadhi raat ko. Koi behas kar raha tha, dheemi awaaz mein, lekin gusse mein. Maine apne pati ko jagaya, lekin jab tak woh bahar aaye, awaaz band ho chuki thi."
Mere haath mein pakda chai ka cup halka kaanpa. "Tumne police ko bataya?"
"Nahi," usne sar jhukaya. "Darr gayi thi. Socha, kyun phasun. Aur phir sabne keh diya khudkushi hai, toh maine bhi chup rehna behtar samjha." Usne meri taraf dekha. "Tum kisi ko mat batana ki maine tumhe yeh bataya."
"Nahi bataunga," maine kaha. Mere zehen mein tufaan chal raha tha. Roopali ki maut wali raat corridor mein ek mard ki awaaz, behas, aur Kavita ne police ko kuch nahi bataya. Yeh woh tukda tha jo police file mein kahin nahi tha.
Kavita uthi, bartan sametne lagi. "Chalo, main chalti hoon. Tum aaram karo, shifting poori karo." Darwaze tak pahunchkar woh ruki. "Aur haan, shaam ko chai peene aana, mere ghar. Patidev office se late aayenge, akele bore ho jaungi."
Uske jaane ke baad main der tak wahin baitha raha. Phir main balcony mein gaya. Wahan se saamne A wing dikhta tha, aur neeche compound. Maine apni nazar ghumayi aur ek baat mehsoos ki jo pehle dhyaan nahi aayi thi. Mere flat ki balcony se, thode kon par, B wing ke us hisse ka kuch hissa dikhta tha jahan saat saal pehle Roopali rehti thi. Aur usi tarah, Kavita ke flat ki balcony, jo mere theek saamne thi, us kon se Roopali ke flat ka darwaza aur corridor ka ek hissa saaf dikhta hoga.
Matlab Kavita ne jo kaha tha, woh mumkin tha. Woh us raat corridor mein hone wali har aahat sun sakti thi, dekh sakti thi.
Main wapas andar aaya aur apna camera uthaya. Society office jaana tha, redevelopment ke kagzaat ke bahane. Lekin asal mein mujhe Roopali ki file dekhni thi, society ke purane records.
Dopahar ko main neeche utra. Society office B wing ke ground floor par tha, ek chhota kamra, andar ek buddha clerk, Ramu kaka, jo bees saal se yahan kaam kar rahe the. Maine apna parichay diya, redevelopment documentation consultant. Unhone mujhe purani files dikhayin, nakshon ke kagzaat, meeting minutes.
Files palatte hue meri nazar ek tasveer par padi, deewar par tangi hui, society ke das saal purane annual function ki. Bheed mein ek chehra mujhe pehchana laga. Maine gaur se dekha. Woh Roopali thi, sabke beech khadi, halki si muskurahat ke saath. Aur us tasveer ko dekhte hue mujhe mehsoos hua jaise peeche se koi mujhe dekh raha ho. Main palta, lekin office mein sirf Ramu kaka the, apne register mein magan.
Shaam ko main wapas apne flat aaya. Thaka hua tha, lekin dimaag chal raha tha. Maine kapde badle, aur balcony mein khada hokar sochne laga.
Tabhi saamne wali balcony mein halchal hui. Kavita bahar aayi, haathon mein kapdon ka tokra. Woh kapde sukhane lagi, ek ek karke taar par daal rahi thi. Saree, blouse, aur phir... meri nazar ek pal ke liye atki aur maine turant nazar hata li. Taar par uske kuch niji kapde bhi the, jo shaam ki hawa mein halke halke hil rahe the. Mujhe apne kaan garm mehsoos hue. Main andar jaane laga, lekin tabhi uski awaaz aayi.
"Devar ji, chori chori kya dekh rahe ho?"
Main thithak gaya. Woh taar ke us paar khadi muskura rahi thi, uski aankhon mein shararat. "Main... main kuch nahi, bas hawa kha raha tha," maine hadbadakar kaha.
"Hawa toh idhar bhi aa rahi hai," woh hansi, khilkhilakar. "Sharmao mat. Kunware ladke ho, samajhti hoon. Lekin itna ghabraoge toh SukhSagar mein kaise rahoge? Yahan toh har balcony se kuch na kuch dikhta hai."
Meri haalat dekhkar woh aur hansi. Phir usne apna dupatta theek kiya, jo hawa mein ud raha tha, aur boli, "Chai yaad hai na, shaam ko. Aana zaroor. Main intezaar karoongi."
Woh andar chali gayi, lekin uski hansi mere kaanon mein der tak goonjti rahi. Maine apna maattha pakad liya. Yeh aurat khatarnaak thi, apne andaaz mein. Uske har jumle mein ek chhed thi, har nazar mein ek dawat, lekin us dawat ke peeche kya tha, yeh samajhna mushkil tha. Kya woh sirf ek zinda dil padosan thi, ya kuch aur?
Shaam ko main uske ghar gaya. Uska flat mere flat jaisa hi tha, lekin saja hua, garm. Deewaron par tasveerein, ek kone mein mandir, sofa par rangeen chadar. Usne chai banayi, aur hum balcony mein baithe.
"Arjun," usne achanak kaha, uski awaaz ab halki si sanjeeda thi, "tumne kabhi socha hai ki log apne raaz kahan chhupate hain?"
"Matlab?"
"Matlab yeh ki SukhSagar mein har koi kuch na kuch chhupa raha hai. Meera apne pati se, Rajesh apni biwi se, Sharma uncle apne bete se." Woh ruki. "Aur main... main bhi."
Maine use dekha. "Tum kya chhupati ho, Kavita?"
Usne meri aankhon mein dekha, der tak. Phir dheere se boli, "Us raat, jis raat Roopali mari, maine sirf awaaz nahi suni thi. Maine use dekha bhi tha."
Mere haath mein pakda chai ka cup ruk gaya. "Kise dekha tha?"
"Karan ko." Usne lafz ko aahista kaha, jaise woh uska wazan mehsoos kar rahi ho. "Roopali ka dost tha, aksar aata tha. Us raat maine use building mein dekha tha, corridor ki taraf jaate hue. Takreeban gyarah baje."
Mera dil zor zor se dhadakne laga. "Tumhe yakeen hai?"
"Poora yakeen," woh boli. "Lekin ajeeb baat yeh hai ki police ke record mein likha hai ki Karan us waqt sheher mein tha hi nahi. Woh toh do din pehle hi bahar gaya tha, official taur par."
Hum dono ke beech khamoshi chha gayi. Chai thandi ho rahi thi. Mere zehen mein tasveer ghoom rahi thi, woh purani tasveer, Karan ka haath Roopali ke kandhe par, aur uske peeche likha woh sawal.
Usne uthkar mere paas aayi, mere kandhe par haath rakha, ek pal ke liye. Uske haath ki garmi mere kurte ke paar mehsoos hui. "Kyunki tumhari aankhon mein maine wohi bechaini dekhi hai jo us raat Karan ki aankhon mein thi. Aur kyunki..." woh ruki, mere chehre ke bahut kareeb aakar, itna kareeb ki uski saanson ki khushboo mujhe mehsoos hui, "kyunki mujhe lagta hai tum Karan ko dhoondne aaye ho."
Meri saans ruk gayi. Usne mera kandha chhoda aur wapas apni kursi par baith gayi, jaise kuch hua hi na ho. Lekin uski aankhon mein ek jeet ki chamak thi.
"Chai thandi ho gayi," usne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha. "Nayi banati hoon."
Main wahan se jab nikla toh raat ke nau baj rahe the. Corridor mein sannata tha. Maine apne flat ka darwaza khola, andar aaya, aur darwaza band kiya.
Tabhi meri nazar neeche gayi. Darwaze ke neeche se ek kagaz sarka hua tha.
Mere haath kaanpne lage. Maine use uthaya. Ek chhoti si parchhi thi, us par tedhe medhe aksharon mein likha tha: "Roopali ne khudkushi nahi ki thi."
Bahut shukriya Curiousbull! Khushi hui ki shuruaat ka buildup aapko pasand aaya. Regular updates ka pakka vaada hai, aur Update 3 main isi reply ke turant baad post kar raha hoon.
