Update 2
Episode 2
Subah ki halki thandi hawa Dhaarem ke khulay maidanon se takra kar ghodon ke ayalon ko hila rahi thi. Chaar siyah aur safed ghore gard udate hue ek wasi maidani raste par bijli ki raftaar se daur rahe thay.
Sab se aage Kael Varun tha.
Usne zor se hansi lagayi aur gard ke darmiyan cheekha,
"Aj to main hi jeetun ga! Pichle ek maah se tum teeno mujhe hara rahe ho. Aj kisi surat tum logon ko nahi jeetne dunga."
Peechhe se Rhyas Thaal ki pur-sukoon awaaz aayi.
"Pehle ghore ko sambhal lo... baad mein jeet ka khwab dekhna."
Kael hans pada.
"Tum dono talwaren ghuma ghuma kar itne sanjeeda ho gaye ho ke mazaak bhi bhool gaye."
Sab se peeche Zyren Vaelor apne ghore ko pur-sukoon andaaz mein daura raha tha.
Usne muskurate hue kaha,
"Kael... pichli martaba bhi tumne yehi kaha tha."
Kael ne gard ke darmiyan haath hila kar jawab diya,
"Is baar Malik-ul-Azal bhi meri taraf hoga."
Vaelan Ruun jo ab tak khamoshi se apne ghore ko sambhale hue tha, halki si muskurahat ke sath bola,
"Malik-ul-Azal sab ke sath hota hai... lekin sust sawar ke sath nahi."
Kael ne foran jawab diya,
"Achha? To phir dekhte hain Sach Dhundne Wale... aj kis ka sach samne aata hai."
"Daud!"
Bas itna kehna tha ke chaaron ghore hawa ko cheerte hue aage nikal gaye.
Raste ke dono taraf darakht bijli ki raftaar se peeche chhutne lage. Chashmon ki halki si awaaz aur ghodon ki taapon ki goonj mil kar ajeeb sa manzar paida kar rahi thi.
Kael ne achanak apna ghora aage nikala.
"Dekha! Bola tha na..."
Uski baat mukammal bhi na hui thi ke Vaelan ne apne ghore ki lagam halki si kheench kar usay ek nayi raftaar di.
Ghoda hawa ki tarah nikla.
Ek lamhe mein dono barabar thay.
Doosre lamhe mein Vaelan aage nikal chuka tha.
Rhyas ne sirf itna kaha,
"Ab khatam."
Kael cheekha,
"Abhi nahi!"
Lekin uske ghore ne halka sa phisal kar raftaar kho di.
Zyren bhi uske barabar aa gaya.
Aakhri nishan tak pohanchte pohanchte Vaelan sab se pehle line paar kar chuka tha.
Uske baad Rhyas.
Phir Zyren.
Aur sab se aakhir mein Kael.
Kael ne ghore se utarte hi dono haath aasman ki taraf uthaye.
"Yeh na-insafi hai!"
Rhyas ne poocha,
"Kis baat ki?"
"Mera ghora bhi tum teeno ke sath mila hua hai."
Vaelan zor se hans pada.
"Har dafa naya bahana."
Kael ne ghore ki gardan par haath pherte hue kaha,
"Bechara... isay bhi pata tha ke malik haarne wala hai."
Chaaron doston ki hansi maidani fiza mein goonj uthi.
Lekin Zyren nahi hasa.
Woh kuch der tak Vaelan ko dekhta raha.
Uske zehan mein subah ka woh lamha ghoom gaya jab Vaelan ne Vaarethaan mein usay ek purani kitab ka warq dikhaya tha.
"Aaj ghodon ki daud mein tum (vaelen) jeetogy."
Us waqt Zyren ne us baat ko mazaak samjha tha.
Lekin ab...
Bilkul waise hi hua tha.
Usne dil hi dil mein socha,
"Ye sirf ittefaq tha... ya Rizq ki kitab mein waqai kuch aur bhi likha hai?"
Magar usne apne khayalat zuban par na laaye.
Vaelan ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kya hua?"
Zyren ne foran muskurahat odh li.
"Kuch nahi... chalo der ho rahi hai."
Chaaron ne dobara ghodon par sawari ki aur Ruuneth ke mashhoor mashq ghar ki taraf rawana ho gaye.
Kuch hi dair baad unke saamne ek azeem sangi imarat numayan hui.
Buland deewarein.
Khulay maidani hisse.
Teer andazi ke nishan.
Talwar bazi ke chabootre.
Ghode daurane ke alag meydan.
Aur har taraf jawan sipahi mashq mein masroof.
Is maqam ko Aerythaan mein "Thaerak" kaha jata tha.
Ma'ni:
"Jahan jangju apni quwwat aur hunar tarashte hain."
Thaerak ke andar talwaron ki takrahat ki awaaz, dhalon par padte waar aur ustadon ki buland awaazen goonj rahi thin.
Jaise hi Vaelan aur uske dost andar dakhil hue, kai naujawan sipahiyon ne adab se sar jhuka kar kaha,
"Aelun!"
Vaelan ne muskurate hue jawab diya,
"Aelun."
Kael ne apni kamar se khanjar nikala aur muskuraya.
"Aj dekhte hain... kis ka hath sab se tez hai."
Rhyas ne dono talwaren nikaal kar ek hi lamhe mein hawa mein ghumayen.
Dono dhaaren suraj ki roshni mein chamak utheen.
Zyren ne apna bhaari kulhara kandhe se utara.
Aur Vaelan ne apni talwar miyaan se nikaali...
Talwar ki dhaar se nikalti halki si chamak dekh kar aas paas kharay sipahi ek lamhe ke liye khamosh ho gaye.
Thaerak ke buzurg ustad ne apni lambi asa zameen par maari.
"Shuru karo."
Ek hi lamhe mein Vaelan aur Rhyas aamne saamne aa gaye.
Rhyas Thaal dono haathon mein talwar liye hamesha ki tarah pur-sukoon khara tha. Uska chehra kisi jazbe ka izhar nahi karta tha. Jo usay pehli martaba dekhta, use lagta ke shayad woh dheema jangju hai... lekin jo uske saamne ladta, woh janta tha ke Rhyas ki asal taqat uski raftaar nahi, uska tawazun tha.
Vaelan ne talwar ko halka sa jhukaya.
"Taiyar?"
Rhyas ne sirf itna kaha.
"Hamesha."
Agla hi lamha tha ke dono ki talwarein takraayin.
Tanggg!
Awaaz poore Thaerak mein goonj uthi.
Ek waar...
Do waar...
Teen...
Phir dekhte hi dekhte dono ki talwarein itni tez chalne lagen ke aas paas kharay sipahi sirf chamakti dhaaren dekh pa rahe thay.
Rhyas dono talwaron se ek sath hamla karta.
Ek talwar Vaelan ki talwar rok leti, jabke doosri seedha uske kandhe ki taraf badhti.
Lekin Vaelan har waar se baal baal bach nikalta.
Kabhi jhuk kar.
Kabhi ghoom kar.
Kabhi sirf ek qadam peeche hat kar.
Ustad ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
"Isi liye isay Sach Dhundne Wala kehte hain... pehle dushman ki niyyat parhta hai, phir uska waar."
Doosri taraf Kael Varun ne apna dhanush uthaya.
Door lakri ke paanch nishan lagaye gaye.
Usne pehla teer chhoda.
Teer seedha beech nishan par ja laga.
Doosra...
Teesra...
Chautha...
Paanchwa...
Paanchon teer bilkul markaz yani nishane mein.
Kael ne fakhr se dhanush kandhe par rakha aur bola,
"Kya kisi aur ko bhi sharminda hona hai?"
Ek naujawan sipahi hans pada.
Kael ne foran apna chhota khanjar nikala aur hawa mein uchhal diya.
Khanjar ghoomta hua door ja kar ek lakri ke patle takhte mein bilkul beechon beech ja ghusa.
Sipahi taaliyan bajane lage.
Kael ne jhuk kar adaab kiya.
"Dekha? Main sirf daud hi nahi haarta."
Sab hans pade.
Zyren Vaelor tab tak apna bhaari kulhara utha chuka tha.
Kulhara dekh kar naye sipahi aksar samajhte thay ke isay chalana dheema hoga.
Lekin jab Zyren ne pehla waar kiya to hawa tak cheer gayi.
Ek lakri ka mota tana sirf ek waar mein do tukde ho gaya.
Phir usne kamar se do khanjar nikale.
Ek hi waqt mein dono ulte haath se pheke.
Dono khanjar alag alag nishanon mein ja lage.
Kael ne seeti bajayi.
"Tum kulhara chalate ho ya aandhi?"
Zyren muskuraya.
"Aandhi sirf raste saaf karti hai."
Phir sab ki nazar dobara Vaelan par gayi.
Ab woh akela paanch sipahiyon ke darmiyan tha.
Ek ne samne se waar kiya.
Vaelan ne talwar ghuma kar rok liya.
Doosra peeche se aaya.
Vaelan ne baghair mudhe kohni maari.
Teesra neechay se jhapta.
Vaelan hawa mein uchhal kar uske sir ke upar se nikal gaya.
Uske pair zameen par padte hi talwar teesre sipahi ki gardan se ek ungli door ruk chuki thi.
Sipahi muskura diya.
"Main mar chuka hota."
Vaelan ne talwar neeche kar di.
"Thaerak sikhata hai... marna nahi."
Ustad ke chehre par fakhr aa gaya.
"Isi liye ek din Ruuneth tumhare hawale hoga."
Mashq kai ghanton tak chalti rahi.
Talwar bazi.
Teer andazi.
Ghode ki sawari.
Dhal ki mashq.
Aur phir aakhir mein ustad ne aaj ki mashq khatam kar di.
Sipahi apni apni jagah se hatne lage.
Kael ne paseena pochhte hue kaha,
"Ab agar kisi ne mujhe nashta na khilaya na... to main isi meydan mein gir jaunga."
Rhyas ne jawab diya,
"Tum larte kam ho... bolte zyada ho."
Kael hans pada.
"Bolne mein bhi taqat lagti hai."
Vaelan aur Zyren ek dusre ko dekh kar muskura diye.
Chaaron dost Thaerak se bahar nikle aur mahal ki taraf chal diye.
---
Ruuneth ke mahal ke andar aaj bhi kal ki shaadi ki ronak baqi thi.
Mahal ke sab se bade deewan khane mein shahi nashta saj chuka tha.
Yeh deewan itna wasee tha ke do sau afrad aaram se ek sath baith sakte thay.
Buland sangi sutoon.
Chhat se latakte noor ke fanus.
Deewaron par Ruuneth ke purkhon ki naqashi.
Beech mein lambi sang-e-marmar ki mezain.
Har mez par rang birange anguron ke gucchay.
Surkh seb.
Meethay anaar.
Baghon se laye gaye taza phal.
Mukhtalif mashroobat jo baagh ke phalon se tayyar ki gayi thin.
Aur sab se aakhir mein...
Hiran ke gosht ka rogni shorba.
Ruuneth mein kaha jata tha:
"Jis ne subah ka rogni shorba piya... uska jism din bhar pahad ki tarah mazboot rehta hai."
Deewan ke ek sire par takht bana hua tha.
Us takht par baithne wale hukmaran ko Aerythaan mein "Thoryor" kaha jata tha.
Thor = Takht.
Yor = Malik ya Nigehbaan.
Yani...
"Takht ka nigehbaan."
Aaj us takht par Vaelan ke walid, Thoryor Azel Ruun, shaan se baithe thay.
Unke chehre par sakhti bhi thi aur hikmat bhi.
Unke barabar mein baithi thin Ruuneth ki malika.
Qile aur tamam shahi nizaam ki muhafiz.
Aerythaan mein unka laqab tha...
"Vaelora."
Ma'ni:
"Qile aur khandan ki nigehbaan."
Unka naam tha...
Elyra Vaelora.
Unki nigah sirf khane par nahi hoti thi.
Do sau afrad ke is azeem deewan mein kis mehman ko kya chahiye...
Kaun mehman kis qile se aya hai...
Kaun si mez par kis cheez ki kami hai...
Sab unki nazar mein tha.
Ek taraf tamam mard aur jawan baithte thay.
Doosri taraf aurtein aur larkiyan.
Beech mein khidmatgar khamoshi se aate jate rehte.
Vaelan ne andar dakhil hote hi tamam buzurgon ko adab se jhuk kar kaha,
"Aelun."
Aur deewan mein maujood kai awaazon ne ek sath jawab diya...
"Aelun."
Vaelan ne pehle apne walid, Thoryor Azel Ruun ke haath ko adab se chuma. Azel Ruun ne uske kandhe par haath rakha.
"Aj bhi Thaerak mein sab ko hara diya?"
Kael Varun foran beech mein bol pada.
"Thoryor... humein to lagta hai Vaelan bachpan se hi dhoka deta aa raha hai."
Puri mez par halki si hansi goonj uthi.
Azel Ruun ne muskurate hue poocha,
"Dhoka? Kaise?"
Kael ne sanjeedgi ka naatak karte hue kaha,
"Yeh raat ko chhup kar sitaron se mashwara karta hoga."
Rhyas ne foran jawab diya,
"Nahi... kitabon se."
Ab ki baar Zyren bhi muskura diya.
Vaelan ne sir hilaya.
"Tum log kabhi nahi sudhro ge."
Kael ne hans kar kaha,
"Jab tak tum jeette rahoge, hum bhi nahi sudhrenge."
Sab hans pade.
Thoryor Azel Ruun ne ishara kiya aur khidmatgaron ne nashta pesh karna shuru kar diya.
Hiran ke rogni shorbe ki mehak poore deewan mein phail gayi.
Sunehri pyalon mein phalon se tayyar ki gayi mashroobat daali gayin.
Angoor ke itne rang thay ke mehman unke naam tak nahi jante thay.
Surkh...
Sabz...
Sunehri...
Aur gehre jamni rang ke gucchay sang-e-marmar ki mez par sajay hue thay.
Vaelan ke qareeb uske tamam cousin baithe thay.
Kuch Ruuneth ke asli khandan se thay.
Aur kuch aise bhi thay jo dusre qilon se is gharane mein Aelvar ke zariye shamil hue thay.
Ruuneth ki purani riwayat yahi thi.
Malik-ul-Azal ne insaanon ko alag alag qabeelon mein paida kiya tha...
Magar unke nazdeek izzat nasab se nahi...
Kirdar se hoti thi.
Isi liye Ruuneth ke buzurg aksar dusre qilon se bhi rishtay qaim karte thay.
Unka yaqeen tha...
"Jahan bharosa Malik-ul-Azal par ho, wahan khoon ki deewarein nahi banayi jatin."
Vaelan ki nazar deewan ke doosre sire par baithe mehman hukmaranon par padi.
Atheron ka hukmaran.
Vaelor ka hukmaran.
Khaelor ka hukmaran.
Aur kuch aur shahi khandan.
Sab apne apne libaas aur nishan ke sath maujood thay.
Unke darmiyan guftagu chal rahi thi.
Kahin tijarat ki baat ho rahi thi.
Kahin naye baagh lagane ki.
Kahin sarhadi nigraani ki.
Vaelan adab ke sath unke paas gaya.
Har hukmaran ne usko mubarakbaad di.
Ek buzurg hukmaran ne muskurate hue kaha,
"Vaelan... suna hai tum purani kitabon se zyada mohabbat karte ho."
Vaelan ne adab se jawab diya,
"Kitaben kabhi jhoot nahi boltin... sirf unhein samajhne wala kam milta hai."
Buzurg hukmaran ne gehri nazar se usay dekha.
"Bas isi aadat se dar lagta hai."
Vaelen: "Dar?"
Buzurg: "Har sach... sukoon nahi deta."
Vaelan kuch bolne hi wala tha ke uske walid ne doosre mehman se baat shuru kar di aur guftagu ka rukh badal gaya.
---
Deewan ke doosre hissay mein Naerya apni saas, Vaelora Elyra ke qareeb baithi thi.
Elyra har mez par nazar rakh rahi thi.
Kis mehman ko kya darkar hai...
Kaun si khidmatgar kis taraf jayegi...
Sab unke ishare par chal raha tha.
Naerya ki nazar achanak ek jawan aurat par ja kar ruki.
Uska chehra khoobsurat tha...
Magar uski muskurahat aankhon tak nahi pahunch rahi thi.
Woh baaki aurton ki tarah hans to rahi thi...
Lekin uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb si thakan basi hui thi.
Naerya uske paas gayi.
"Aelun."
Aurat ne halka sa sar jhukaya.
"Aelun."
"Main Naeryya hun."
"Main Sylra."
Dono ne chand mamooli baatein ki.
Lekin Naeryya ko mehsoos hua ke Sylra har baat soch samajh kar kar rahi hai.
Jaise woh apne dil ka darwaza band rakhna chahti ho.
Naeryya ne muskurate hue kaha,
"Agar tum chaho... nashtay ke baad mere kamre mein aa jana ya main ajao gi."
Sylra ne pehli dafa dil se muskurane ki koshish ki.
"Main aaungi."
---
Nashta khatam hua.
Mehman apni apni guftagu mein masroof ho gaye.
Kuch baagh ki taraf nikal gaye.
Kuch mahal ke burjon ki sair karne lage.
Aur kuch Thoryor Azel Ruun ke sath deewan mein baith kar qilon ke mustaqbil par mashwara karne lage.
---
Isi waqt...
Ruuneth se kai meel door...
Ek sunsaan wadi mein ghore ki taiz taapon ki awaaz goonj uthi.
Ek sawar gard udata hua pahari raste se guzra.
Usne siyah chadar odh rakhi thi.
Chehra dhaka hua tha.
Kuch hi der mein woh ek purani ghaar ke samne ruk gaya.
Andar wohi naqab posh log maujood thay.
Unhone sar jhuka diya.
Sawar ne dheere dheere apna naqab utara.
Uska chehra sakht tha.
Aankhen sard.
Honton par halki si muskurahat.
Ye tha...
Thoryn.
Thoryn ne un sab ko dekha.
"Kya tumhara kaam ho gaya?"
Ek naqab posh ne adab se jawab diya.
"Haan... Thoryn."
"Humne un logon ko Rizaan ke paas jane se rok diya."
"Sirf itna hi nahi..."
"Humne unhein doosron ko bhi rokne ke liye razi kar liya hai."
Thoryn ke honton par dheemi si muskurahat ubhri.
Usne aasman ki taraf dekha.
"Beej bo diya gaya hai..."
Phir usne apni ungliyon mein ek safed moti ghumaya.
"Aur jab beej zameen pakad leta hai..."
"...to darakht banne se koi nahi rok sakta."
Uski hansi dheere dheere ghaar mein goonj uthi.
Khamosh...
Magar dehshat se bhari hui.
Naqab posh bhi uske sath muskurane lage.
Unhein andaza bhi nahi tha...
Ke jis fitne ka beej boya gaya tha...
Woh sirf chaar logon tak mehdood nahi rehne wala tha.
Aur door...
Ruuneth Qila apni shaan ke sath ab bhi waise hi khara tha...
Be-khabar...
Ke uski deewaron ki taraf andhera pehla qadam utha chuka hai.
---
Naerya abhi bethi thi k kamre me dastak hoi, sylra ijazat le kar andar aa gyi,
Pehle kuch der dono khamosh baithi rahin.
Kamre ki khirki se aati halki dhoop sang-e-marmar ke farsh par phail rahi thi, lekin Sylra ke chehre par andhera ab bhi utna hi gehra tha.
Naeryya ne dheemi awaaz mein poocha,
“Tumhari aankhon mein itna dard kyun hai, Sylra?”
Sylra ki palkon ne laraz kar aansuon ko rokna chaha, magar woh na ruk sake.
“Tum Ruuneth se ho… is liye shayad tum samajh bhi na sako.”
Naeryya uske qareeb aa kar baith gayi.
“Koshish to kar sakti hun.”
Sylra ne gehri saans li.
“Hamare qile mein Aelvar ab rawayat nahi raha… ek sauda ban chuka hai.”
Naeryya ki bhawein sikud gayin.
Sylra ki nazar khirki se bahar chali gayi, aur uski aankhon ke saamne guzra hua waqt zinda hone laga.
---
Flashback:
Atheron Qila:
Ek wasee shahi kamra…
Deewaron par qeemti naqashi. Beech mein paanch bade palang. Har palang ke gird bhaari makhmali parde latak rahe thay. Kamra itna bada tha ke kisi mehmaan ko dekh kar hairani hoti, magar us kamre mein rehne walon ke liye woh ek qaid khana tha.
Paanch behne… sab ki shadi ek hi mard se ho chuki thi. Ek hi Aelvar. Ek hi shohar.
Parde nazron ko rok sakte thay… awaazon ko nahi.
Raat dhalti to kamre mein charagh bujha diye jate. Phir sirf khamoshi hoti. Aur us khamoshi ko kuch hi der baad kisi ek parde ke peeche se aati halki si guftagu tod deti.
Roz sirf ek behan ka number hota. Lekin asliyat yeh thi ke humbistari sirf do bari behnon ke saath hota tha. Woh dono ne apne husn, apne arivasha, apne elythara ke gile-shile jaal mein usay aise phansa rakha tha ke woh chhoti teen behnon ke paas kabhi jaane hi nahi paata tha. Bari behnein usay pehle se hi apne qaboo mein le leti thin. Unke parde ke peeche se aane wali awaazein baaki teen ko raat bhar sone nahi deti thin.
Pehli raat…
Bari se bari behan, jiska naam Lira tha, apne parde ke peeche leti thi. Usne pehle hi shohar ko ishare se bulaya. Woh uske paas aaya to Lira ne usay apne soft thighs ke beech kheench liya. Uske lips uske gale se lag kar usay chuma, phir uske arivasha uske haathon mein daba diye. Uske arivasha bade aur naram the, nipples pehle se sakht. Usne uske haath apne arivasha par dabaye rakhe aur dheere se kaha,
“Aaj sirf main… un chhotiyon ko mat sochna…”
Usne uske kaelvyr ko apne haath mein liya. Woh pehle se hard tha. Lira ne usay apne elythara ke upar se ragda, uske wet folds ke beech tip ko phiraya. Phir dheere-dheere uska kaelvyr uske elythara ke andar ghusne laga. Lira ki awaaz pehli hi dhakke par toot gayi,
“Ahhh… haan… andar… pura… ahhh Lira ki elythara kitni gehli hai na…”
Woh uske upar leti, apne arivasha uske chehre ke upar jhulate hue, uske nipples uske mouth mein thoonsti rahi. Har dhakke ke saath uske elythara se gili awaaz aati, slap-slap, wet. Lira ke moans tez hote gaye,
“Ummph… ahh… aur tez… bas aise hi… meri elythara ko phaad do… ahhh… kaelvyr itna bada… andar tak… haan… haan…”
Uske hips uske against hilte, uska kaelvyr uske elythara ke andar bar bar dhakka khata. Kabhi woh usay side se letati, apna ek pair uske kandhe par rakh kar uske kaelvyr ko aur gehra lene deti. Kabhi woh uske upar se utar kar apne Nareth ko uske saamne kar deti, lekin phir se elythara hi mangti. Uske Nareth ko uske haath se masalti, lekin asli maza elythara mein hi leti.
“Ahhh… Lira ki elythara tumhari hai… bas yahin raho… un chhotiyon ko mat jaana… ahhh… main unhein nahi jaane dungi… ummph… aur andar… aur…”
Uske moans itne loud the ke baaki chaar palangon par leti behnein aankhen band kar leti. Koi takiye mein chehra chhupa leta. Koi chhat ko takti rehti. Koi aansu ponchti rehti. Sylra apni sab se chhoti behen ka haath mazbooti se pakad leti. Uski ungliyan kaanp rahi hotin. Uski chhoti behen dheemi si siskari lekar poochti,
“Api… kya hum mein koi kami hai…?”
Sylra ke paas koi jawab nahi hota. Woh sirf sunti rehti. Lira ke parde ke peeche se aati awaazein kamre ki deewaron se takra kar wapas aati,
“Ahhh… main aa rahi hoon… kaelvyr… elythara… ahhh… haan… pura andar… fill kar do… ahhhhh…”
Lira ki awaaz toot kar loud cry mein badal jati. Uske baad kuch der sirf saansein sunayi deti. Phir woh uske kaelvyr ko phir se hard karti, apne arivasha se usay ragadti, apne elythara mein dubara le leti. Raat bhar yahi chalta. Kabhi slow, kabhi tez. Kabhi woh uske upar, kabhi woh uske neeche. Har baar uske elythara se gili awaaz, uske arivasha ke dabne ki awaaz, aur uske loud moans.
Subah hone se pehle Lira ne usay apne se chipka kar kaha,
“Kal bhi main. Un teen ko mat sochna. Woh sirf dekhne ke liye hain.”
Dusri raat…
Doosri bari behan, Mira. Usne bhi pehle se hi shohar ko apne qaboo mein le liya tha. Lira ne usay ishare se rok diya tha ke chhotiyon ke paas na jaye. Mira ne usay apne parde ke andar kheench liya. Uske arivasha Lira se bhi bade the. Usne usay apne chest pe litaya, apne nipples uske lips mein thoonste hue kaha,
“Aaj Mira ki baari… un chhotiyon ko bhool jao…”
Usne uske kaelvyr ko apne mouth mein liya. Uske lips uske tip ke around tight the, zubaan uske shaft par phirti, kabhi uske balls ko chusti. Phir woh usay neeche leti, apne elythara ke upar se uske kaelvyr ko ragadti, tip ko apne wet folds ke beech phirati. Phir dheere-dheere uska kaelvyr uske elythara ke andar ghusne laga. Mira ki awaaz pehli hi sankh se toot gayi,
“Ummph… ahhh… itna gehra… Mira ki elythara… ahhh… pura… bas aise hi…”
Woh uske upar se uthi, uske kaelvyr ko apne elythara mein baithaye hue upar-neeche hone lagi. Uske arivasha uske chehre ke upar jhulte, nipples uske mouth mein chusaye jate. Har baar jab woh neeche baithti, uska kaelvyr uske elythara ke end tak chhoo jata. Uske moans tez se tez hote,
“Ahhh… haan… aur tez… meri elythara ko phaad do… ahhh… kaelvyr itna bada… andar… fill… ummph… ahhh…”
Kabhi woh usay peeche se letati, apna Nareth uske saamne karti, lekin phir se elythara hi mangti. Uske Nareth ko uske haath se masalti, lekin asli maza elythara mein hi leti. Uske hips tez-tez hilte, uska kaelvyr uske elythara ke andar bar bar dhakka khata, wetness ki awaaz kamre mein gunjti.
“Ahhh… Mira ki elythara tumhari hai… bas yahin raho… un chhotiyon ko mat jaana… main unhein nahi jaane dungi… ahhh… aur andar… aur… haan… haan…”
Baaki behnein phir se aankhen band kar leti. Sylra apni chhoti behen ka haath aur mazbooti se pakad leti. Uski ungliyan kaanp rahi hotin. Uski chhoti behen dheemi si siskari lekar poochti,
“Api… woh humare pas kabhi nahi aayenge…?”
Sylra ke paas phir koi jawab nahi hota. Woh sirf sunti rehti. Mira ke parde ke peeche se aati awaazein kamre ki deewaron se takra kar wapas aati,
“Ahhh… main aa rahi hoon… kaelvyr… elythara… ahhh… haan… pura andar… fill kar do… ahhhhh…”
Mira ki awaaz toot kar loud cry mein badal jati. Uske baad kuch der sirf saansein sunayi deti. Phir woh uske kaelvyr ko phir se hard karti, apne arivasha se usay ragadti, apne elythara mein dubara le leti. Raat bhar yahi chalta. Kabhi slow, kabhi tez. Kabhi woh uske upar, kabhi woh uske neeche. Har baar uske elythara se gili awaaz, uske arivasha ke dabne ki awaaz, aur uske loud moans.
Kabhi-kabhi jab shohar chhoti behnon ki taraf dekhne ki koshish karta, to Lira ya Mira usay pehle se hi rok deti. Unke parde ke peeche se unki awaaz aati,
“Nahi… aaj nahi… unhein mat jao… meri elythara abhi bhi gehli hai… aao…”
Woh usay wapas kheench leti, apne arivasha uske chehre par daba deti, apne elythara mein uska kaelvyr dubara utaar leti. Unke moans phir se shuru ho jate,
“Ahhh… bas yahin… sirf hamare paas… un chhotiyon ko mat sochna… ahhh… kaelvyr… elythara… haan… haan…”
Teesri, chauthi, paanchvi raat… chhoti behnon ka number aata to bari behnein pehle se hi shohar ko apne qaboo mein le chuki hoti. Woh usay unke paas jaane se rok deti. Kabhi-kabhi jab woh zabardasti unke paas jaane ki koshish karta, to Lira ya Mira usay peeche se pakad kar wapas le aati. Unke parde ke peeche phir se unke loud moans shuru ho jate,
“Ahhh… bas yahan raho… sirf hamare paas… unki elythara ki zaroorat nahi… meri elythara tumhari hai… ahhh… kaelvyr… andar… fill… ummph…”
Unke thighs uske around tight, unke hips uske against hilte, unke wet folds uske kaelvyr ko bar bar nigalte. Unke moans itne zor ke the ke kamre ki deewarein bhi goonj uthti. Chhoti behnein takiye mein chehra chhupa kar siskari leti. Sylra apni sab se chhoti behen ko apne se chipka leti, uske aansu ponchti, lekin khud bhi aansu rok nahi paati.
Har subah woh paanchon ek hi kamre se nikalti thin. Libaas shahi hota. Chehron par muskurahat sajai jati. Magar unki aankhon ki be-rang khamoshi kisi se chhupi na rehti. Mahal ke log samajhte thay ke yeh qurbani rawayat ke liye hai. Lekin Sylra har din mehsoos karti thi ke rawayat ke naam par kisi ne unke dilon ko qaid kar diya hai. Bari behnein apne husn ke jaal mein shohar ko aise phansa rakhti thin ke chhoti teen behnon ko sirf awaazein hi sunne ko milti thin. Unke elythara ki tarap, unke arivasha ki bhook, unke dil ki siskari… sab parde ke peeche chhup jati. Sirf Lira aur Mira ke loud moans kamre mein goonjte rehte.
Kabhi-kabhi raat ke beech mein jab Lira ya Mira ki awaaz thodi dheemi padti, to Sylra sochti ke shayad ab unka number aayega. Lekin phir se wohi awaaz,
“Ahhh… aur ek baar… meri elythara abhi bhi chahati hai… aao… unhein mat jao…”
Aur phir se wet awaazein, slap-slap, loud moans. Raat bhar yahi. Subah tak chhoti behnein ansoo se sisakte hue pyar ko tarapti aur machalti rehti thin. Unke elythara gehle hote, unke arivasha sakht, lekin koi unke paas nahi aata. Bari behnein unhein dekh kar muskura deti, jaise keh rahi hon ke yeh sab unka haq hai.
---
Flashback toot gaya.
Naeryya ki aankhon se bhi aansu beh nikle. Usne aage badh kar Sylra ke dono haath apne haathon mein le liye.
“Malik-ul-Azal ne insaan ko izzat di hai… uska dard nahi.”
Sylra ne tooti hui muskurahat ke sath poocha,
“Phir hamare sath yeh sab kyun hua?”
Naeryya ne uski aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha,
“Kyun ke jab log Malik-ul-Azal ke qanoon se zyada apni khwahishon ko qanoon bana lete hain… tab isi tarah zulm paida hota hai.”
Sylra ki palkon se ek aur aansu tapak pada.
“Kya kabhi yeh sab badlega?”
Naeryya ne usay apni baahon mein bhar liya.
“Main wada to nahi kar sakti… lekin itna yaqeen hai ke jhooth hamesha nahi jeetta. Aur jab tak sach ki talash karne wale log zinda hain… umeed bhi zinda hai.”
Kamre mein phir khamoshi chha gayi.
----
Ruuneth Qila ke purane hissay mein ek aisi jagah thi jahan aam logon ke qadam bohat kam parte thay.
Woh jagah thi...
Ruuneth ki qadim library.
Qile ki baqi imaraton se mukhtalif, yeh library zameen ke andar kai manzilon tak phaili hui thi. Sang-e-marmar ki purani seedhiyan neeche ki taraf jati thin. Deewaron par jalti hui roshniyan hawa ke baghair bhi halki halki larazti rehti thin, jaise woh bhi sadiyon purane raazon ki hifazat kar rahi hon.
Har taraf kitaben thin.
Kuch itni purani ke unke warq waqt ki gard se peelay par chuke thay.
Kuch par Aerythaan ke woh alfaaz likhe thay jo ab aam zuban ka hissa nahi rahe thay.
Kuch kitabon par sirf purane nishan thay...
Jaise unhein likhne wala apna naam bhi waqt ke hawale kar gaya ho.
Vaelan Ruun ek purani sangi mez ke paas baitha tha.
Uske samne kai kitaben khuli hui thin.
Ek haath mein uska bareek bini wala chashma tha jo woh purane warq ke chhote se chhote nishan dekhne ke liye istemal karta tha.
Uski ungli ek purane safhe par ruk gayi.
Wahan ek jumla Aerythaan mein likha tha:
"Vareth nai zyren aelun..."
Vaelan ne dheemi awaaz mein parhna shuru kiya.
"Taqdeer waqt se alag nahi..."
Usne apni diary kholi aur kuch alfaaz likhne laga.
Uski aadat thi ke woh har baat ko sirf sun kar qabool nahi karta tha.
Woh dhoondta tha.
Samajhta tha.
Phir yaqeen karta tha.
Usne doosri kitab kholi.
Phir teesri.
Phir ek bohat purani kitab nikali jo baqi sab se zyada purani lag rahi thi.
Uske cover par sirf ek nishan bana hua tha.
Ek daira...
Jiske andar ek toota hua sitara tha.
Vaelan ne usay dekh kar bhonwen sikor leen.
"Yeh nishan..."
Usne apni ungli us par rakhi.
"Yeh to purane rizaan / Aethari record mein tha."
Usne kitab kholi.
Pehle kuch safhe khaali thay.
Phir achanak purane alfaaz samne aaye.
"Jab rawayat kamzor hoti hain, nizaam mein darar paida hoti hai."
Vaelan ki nazar agle jumle par gayi.
"Fitna hamesha talwar lekar nahi aata... kabhi kabhi woh insaan ko uski apni khwahishon ke zariye badalta hai."
Vaelan khamosh ho gaya.
Usne kitab aur qareeb kar li.
Aage likha tha:
"Azrakh ka pehla qadam ilm tha."
Uska dil ek lamhe ke liye ruk sa gaya.
Azrakh.
Yeh naam usne pehle bhi suna tha.
Magar hamesha aadhi kahaniyon mein.
Kisi purane buzurg ki zuban se.
Kisi purani kitab ke hawale se.
Lekin aaj pehli dafa woh naam kisi wazeh record mein likha tha.
Vaelan ne parhna jari rakha.
"Azrakh ne ilm ko burai nahi samjha. Usne ilm ko apna haq samjha."
"Usne kaha ke agar insaan waqt ke raaz ko samajh le, to woh apni qismat khud likh sakta hai."
Vaelan ki aankhon mein gehri soch aa gayi.
Waqt.
Taqdeer.
Ikhtiyar.
Yeh woh sawalat thay jo hamesha uske zehan mein rehte thay.
Usne agla safha palta.
Lekin wahan sirf ek jumla tha.
"Waqt amanat hai... milkiyat nahi."
Vaelan ne is jumle ko kai martaba parha.
Jaise woh alfaaz kisi purane likhne wale ki awaaz ban kar uske kaan mein goonj rahe hon.
Usne dheere se kaha,
"Agar yeh sach hai... to phir log isay bhool kyun gaye?"
Library ki khamoshi ne koi jawab nahi diya.
Sirf purane warq ki halki si awaaz aayi.
Vaelan ne aur kitaben kholni shuru ki.
Usne Azrakh ke bare mein mazeed dhoondna shuru kiya.
Kuch jagahon par uska zikr tha...
Magar har jagah ek hi baat thi.
Azrakh ilm ka dushman nahi tha.
Woh ilm ka ghulam ban gaya tha.
Usay yaqeen ho gaya tha ke jis ke paas ilm hai, us ke paas hukm hona chahiye.
Aur yahin se uska rasta badal gaya tha.
Vaelan ne kitab band ki.
Uski nazar library ki buland almariyon par gayi.
Hazaron kitaben.
Hazaron raaz.
Aur un sab ke darmiyan ek sawal...
"Kya insaan sach ko samajhne ke liye paida hua hai..."
"Ya sach par qabza karne ke liye?"
Usi waqt library ke bahar se halki si ghanti ki awaaz aayi.
Vaelan ne sar uthaya.
Woh qile ki aam ghanti nahi thi.
Woh purane hisse ki ghanti thi.
Jo sirf tab bajti thi jab koi qadim record khola jata tha.
Vaelan dheere se khara hua.
Uski nazar dobara us purani kitab par gayi.
Us kitab ke aakhri safhe par ab ek naya jumla nazar aa raha tha...
Jo pehle wahan nahi tha.
"Jis din waqt ka raaz dobara jagay ga..."
"Us din Azrakh ka saya bhi wapas lautay ga."
Vaelan ki aankhen us jumle par jam gayin.
Aur pehli dafa...
Sach Dhundne Wale ko mehsoos hua...
Ke shayad kuch raaz sirf dhoondne ke liye nahi hote.
Kuch raaz...
Insaan ko dhoond lete hain.
Episode 2 ---- Khatam