Update 7
Grishm hritu me din kahi lamba aur ratri uski apeksha aadhi he rehti hai. Samanya janjiwan aksar tapti dopehari me araam karne ke baad apne karya ki bharpaai surya ki tapish kam hone se saanjh dalne tak mehnat karte hue poori karta hai. Yaha Paatan gaanv me bhi nabh ab halka neelapan lene lage tha. Dopehar ke baad mausam ki tapish ab ghatne lagi thi jo raat hone tak thandak me badalni nishchit thi. Chandan apni naani ke kahe anusaar Sukhiya aur uski beti Kaali ke sath unhe ghar tak chhodne aur wapis lautne par Laali ke pariwar ka haalchal lene ke aadesh ko maanta hua vastra badal kar apne sath Kavita ko liye ghar se nikal chuka tha. Gaanv ka vistaar rihaaish aur jansankhya ke viprit kuch jyada tha jiski pramukh wajah gharo ka ek dusre se dur dur hona aur beech beech me pashuon ke baade, saag-sabji ke bagiche bhi the. Sukhlal ka ghar chai ke adde wali raah par sabse aakhir me tha jo aage chal kar kahi kahi khet-khalihan se pati thi aur kahi poori nirjan. Yaha peeche ghar me ab sirf 3 he jann bache the jinme Gulaabo apni badi amma ko bata kar ghar ke peeche lage aam ke vriksh par bandhe jhoole par ja baithi thi. Aksar wo khushnuma shaam me yahi karti thi jab Kavita vyast ho aur Gulaabo ke pas samay.
"Maa, din me Bhanwari kya keh rahi thi? Maine toh itna he suna tha ke wo Bijju se pareshan thi aur uski beti ka gauna hone me deri hoti ja rahi hai.", Anuradha sarkande ke chhaaj se daliya saaf karti hui aangan ke pakke hisse me jameen par he baithi thi aur Jaanki devi hari mircho ko beech se kaat kar unme raai-namak bhar ke martbaan me jama karne me juti thi. Apni bitiya ki baat sunn kar kuch pal toh wo yahi sochti rahi ki poori baat kahe ya nahi lekin aakhir beti se kehne me harj he kya tha.
"Mooye Bijju ne Lachmi par hath rakh diya tha thode bakhat pehle. Uske baad Bhanwri ne jab apni bitiya ko bachane ki koshish ki toh Bijju gaare me gir gaya. Karam Singh ne Bhanwri se maar-peet shuru kar di Bijju ki lagaai aag sunn kar. Baad me pata chala ki uske dost ne ye harkat ki thi isliye mamla rafa dafa kar diya. Par iska dusra pehlu ye bhi hai ki Karam Singh khud dabaav de raha hai Bhanwari par uski bitiya ke liye. Filhaal toh baat gaune tak tall gayi hai lekin Lachmi wapis maayke aayegi toh Bhanwri ko he apni beti uske saamne parosni padegi. Dekh jara in jamindaaro ko Anuradha.. Inke ghar ka paani nahi peene ka dikhawa karenge lekin asmat lootna shaan hai, mardaangi. Meri majboori hai ki main is maamle me nahi bol sakti kyonki parde ke peeche ye jamindaar aur sewadaar sabhi nange hai. Kuch laalach me Bhanwri Karme ke neeche ja leti aur ab Karma uski beti ki chahat rakhe hai. Baaki kuch kapde latte pade the aur 4-6 bartan jo maine usko diye Lachmi ke liye.", Jaanki devi ne purush-pradhaan samaaj me apni ekmatra vivashta jataai toh itna kadwa sach sunn kar Anuradha tukur tukur apni maa ko he dekhne lagi jaise unhone koyi choti moti baat kahi ho.
"Ye kaise mumkin hai ki Bhanwari khud sarpanch ke sath maan gayi ye paap karne ke liye? Maa aap isko itna halke me kaise le sakti ho ye jaante hue bhi ki paraye marad ke sath jismani... matlab ye apraadh hai.. inhe bhagwaan ka jara bhi darr nahi?"
"Apraadh.. paap.. Bitiya bhagwan se pooch kar sambandh bante hai kya duniya me? Ya wo aa kar kaan me keh dete hai ki is se shaadi karwa do bachi ki ya falana galat hai? Nahi na..? Manushya pehle janwar he tha aur janwar samajhte hai sirf bhookh. Bhojan ki chahat aur jism ki tripti he sarvopari hai, khaas kar purush ke liye. Bhanwari ka marad nahi hai aur kehne ko jo marad hai wo uske diwangat pati ka chhota bhai. Ye jamindaar majdoor aadmiyon se itna kaam lete hai ki phir 4 niwale khaane ke baad unhe khaat aur bister tak ka hosh nahi rehta neend ke aage. Bhanwari ka haal dekh kar Karme ne laalach diya hoga aur us laalach ke sath sath gareeb aurat ko sahara bhi mile toh uske liye wo bahot hai. Paap tab hai jab wo apne pati ke hote hue ye sab karti? Apradh tab kehlata jab Karam Singh jor-jabardasti karta Bhanwri ke sath. Haan uske laalach ne aur Karam Singh ki hawas ke saamne ab Lachmi aa gayi hai. Bhanwari yahi chahti hai ki phir uski beti sasural se kabhi wapis na laute.", Apni maa ke tark ke saamne antarmukhi si Anuradha ki ab kya bisaat thi. Wo paap-punya ki baat kar rahi thi jabki Jaanki devi ne jo aaina apni beti ko dikhaya usme toh sabkuch apni apni laalsa ki purti ke liye ho raha tha.
"Phir bhi maa.. Hai toh galat he aur kal ko sachmuch sarpanch ne uski beti ke sath galat kiya tab? Tab bhi aap yahi kahengi ki aap kuch nahi kar sakti?"
"Dekh bitiya is gaanv me bhagwaan se jyada log bhoot-pret ko maante hai lekin aadhe shaitaan wo khud hai. Ab Phulwa aur Bandana ko he le le jinke marad na rahe aur peeche byaahne ke liye dono ke paas 2-2 ladkiyan aur ek ek ladka hai. Umar he kya thi Chhagan aur Jhamru ki? Unki aurate ab mere sahare par roti toh kha lengi aur sone ko chhat bhi hai sar pe lekin koyi aur Karam Singh jaisa aayega aur wo dono apni jismani jarurat ya kuch laalach me wahi kar baithengi jo Bhanwari ne kiya. 30 se 40 ki umar aisi he rehti hai aksar jisme ek aurat pariwar toh sambhal sakti hai pati ke bina lekin khudko sambhalna bahot mushkil hota hai. Bijju darinda tha jo ye sab jaan kar Laali ki asmat lootne nikla tha Karme ke khet se. Bhanwri ne yahi bataya mujhe aur dekh Laali ke paas jata jata wo kaha pahuch gaya. Uski hawas ne usko mara aur jo samjhauta kar lenge wo aise jokhim nahi lenge.", Jaanki Devi ne martbaan ka dhakkan lagane ke paschaat sameep he rakhe laute ke paani se hath dhone ke baad angocha utha kar hath sukhate hue ek nigaah apni beti ko dekha jo vismit aur gehri soch me doobi lagi.
"Kya soch rahi hai? Main kaise itni badi badi baatein tere saamne kar rahi hu? Dekh Anuradha, mera jiwan toh atche se nikal gaya tujhe byaah diya, tere pita ji bhi bina dard-dukh jhele chale gaye aur 2-2 pyaari ladkiyon ke sath is gaanv ki dekhrekh ne mujhe kabhi akelapan mehsoos na hone diya. Tere maamle me ye gaanv itna sakratmak nahi lagta mujhe.", Apni maa ki haalat se sahi tarike se toh Anuradha ab kahi ru-ba-ru hui thi kyonki yaha aane se pehle toh wo khud he swayam ko duniya se prithak kiye the, itni pyaari aur parwaah karne wali maa ko bhi.
"Mere maamle me? Aisa kya hai maa mujhme jo aap aisa keh rahi hai?", Hairat se Anuradha ki aankhen badi badi ho kar kahi jyada khoobsurat lagne lagi. Upar se jab jab wo chhaaj hilati toh kurti me qaid uske dono bhaari uroj upar niche thirakne lagte. Ek paanv mode aur dusra jameen par rakh kar ghutna uthaaye Anuradha ghagre se apni gori chikni pindaliya beparda he kiye thi.
"Tujhme toh kudrat ki vishesh kripa hai Anuradha. Jitni khoobsurat tu hai, utni poore gaanv me koyi mahila toh kya yuvti tak nahi. Par mujhe is par garv hai aur chinta hai tera bholapan, tera ye dabbu charitra. Koyi agar nirjan jagah teri kaalai pakad le toh tu virodh na kar sakegi aur uske baad kuch unch neech hui toh tera yahi swabhaav wo jaahir nahi karne dega. Khud ko he kosti rahegi band kamre me lekin un janwaro ko farak nahi padega jo tera swabhaav jaan gaye honge. Main toh itna sab bhi soch chuki thi ki agar tu maa nahi bani hoti.."
"Maa, bas kijiye. Ye sab galat hai aur main maanti hu main aapke jaisi nidar aur saahsi nahi hu. Ghar ke bhitar he reh lungi aur bahar agar jana pada toh mere paas aap ho aur Chandu hai, jo meri dekhbhal kar sakta hai. Baaki kisi me himmat nahi hai ki wo aapke rehte aisa kuch karne ki gustaakhi kare. Honge yaha ke log janwar lekin mujhe unse koyi vasta nahi aur main jaisi hu main thik hu. Vidhwa jiwan me kya buraai hai?"
"Haan.. tu kehti hai toh sahi he hoga. Kal raat sabke sone ke baad andhere me tu he naha rahi thi peeche. Phir savere bhi tera he jism garmi maan raha tha lekin tujhe kaha pata hai ki ye kyun ho raha hai. Kamre me khudko band rakhti hai aur agar yahi samadhaan hai toh meri bachi, tu ghutan ke sath jeene ka jokhim le rahi hai. Vidhwa jiwan me buraai nahi hai, khoobsurat vidhwa ka jaalim giddho se bache rehna bahot mushkil. Main aaj hu, kal nahi. Chandu tujhe sambhalega ya apni biwi ko jab byaah degi? Main sirf yahi chahti hu ki tu nidar bane aur samaaj ke saamne Chandu tera sahara nahi tu uski taaqat ho jaise tu mujhe keh rahi thi. Baaki meri baatein na tere pita ne kabhi maani aur tune toh khud unki haan me haan milaai. Marad ka hona jaruri hai Anuradha phir chahe teri najar me Bhanwri galat ho ya meri soch. Chal ja ke naha le, main rakhti hu saag chulhe par.", Jaanki devi ne aage apni beti ko kuch kehne ka mauka diye bagair ek taraf kaat kar rakhi sabjiyon ki paraat uthate hue rasoighar ka rukh kiya aur peeche Anuradha abhi hui saari baatchit ko yaad karti hui apni maa ki najro ke ishaare samajhne lagi. Kyonki Jaanki devi lagatar apni beti ke jism ko he nihaar rahi thi. Garan jhuka kar niche dekha toh stanno ka ubhaar toh kya uski chuchi ka bhoora ghera aur chuchak bhi lagbhag ujagar ho chuke the paseene ki wajah se, jheeni kurti se. Ghaghra gore ghutne par tika tha lekin is mudra me yakinan saamne baithi uski maa ne faili jaangho ke bhitar tak wo hissa bhi dekha hoga jo barso se parde me raha tha.
'Ye Gulaabo bhi.. ab usko kya kahu jab pehne maine hai aur shukar hai ki sirf maa he thi yaha... Tha toh Chandu bhi pehle aur us waqt... Hey bhagwaan.. matlab wo mujhe nahi mere jism ko dekh kar pareshan lag raha tha?', Kareeb he farsh par rakha daaman uthati hui Anuradha bahar wale aangan se he apne kaksh ki aur tej kadmo se chal padi. Ab uska seena kahi jyada hil raha tha ye soch kar he ki uska beta kitne samay tak usko he dekhta raha tha. Aur pehle he wo pashopesh me thi jabse Chandan aur uske beech ye anjaane me ek dusre ke badan dekhne dikhane ka ankaha sa khel shuru tha. Darwaja laga kar Anuradha us se he peeth tikaye gehri saansein lene lagi. Kaksh me halka andhera is baat ka prateek tha ki saanjh dhalne lagi hai. Kuch vyavasthit hone ke baad jab Anuradha ne laalten dekhi toh usme ek boond teil na tha. Khindit mann se wo jaise taise apni saaf dhoti aur choli nikaal kar snaan ke liye he chali gayi. Gulaabo bhi abtak badi amma ke paas rasoighar me pachuch chuki thi, peeche wale raste ka darwaja band karke. Samaaj me aurat aur purush ke beech bante anaitik sambandho ki charcha ne kahi na kahi Anuradha ke mann par gehri chot di thi lekin Jaanki devi ne apni beti ko saksham hone ko bhi prerit kiya.
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"Aapka ghar toh kuch jyada he dur hai aur yaha toh aaspas koyi aur ghar bhi nahi dikhta.", Jaise taise Chandan Kaali ki kaamuk harkate jhelta hua Kavita sang Sukhiya ke ghar pahucha tha. Gara mitti aur pathar se bani dedh gaj unchi diwaar ke bhitar kache khule aangan me jaha ek taraf 4-5 bakriyan bandhi chara khaa rahi thi wahi dusri taraf ghare banane ki mitti ka taja dher adde par jama tha. Saamne he sarkando ki chhatt ke neeche khule me rasoi bani thi jaha ek ladki chulha phoonkne ke baad us par degchi chadha kar khadi hui toh ektak Chandan ko he dekhne lagi. Kaali matakti hui 2 kamro ke aage bani unchi dehleej par ja baithi. Chalte chalte uske pehle se he garam jism me kuch adhik he paseena behne laga tha jisko sukhane ka dikhawa karti hui wo ek khaas adaa se kabhi apna patla sutwa peit paunchti toh kabhi gardan ke niche se kathor urojo ki ghaati tak ka hissa.
"Ae muniya, bhaiya jiji ke liye mudha toh leke aao. Ab dur hai ya paas, bas yahi ghar hai beta hamara. Tumhare kaka ne din-raat mehnat karke jhopdi ko badal 2 kamre dalwa diye aur uparwale ki daya se gujara thik-thaak chalta hai. Haan je baat bhi hai ke raat-andhere nikalna mushkil hai thoda par itni aafat bhi nahi aayi kabhi. Ye aage jo jameen aur vann hai wo bhi badi amma ka he hai. Aur idhar aate samay baayi taraf ke khet bhi unke hai jaha fasal boyi jaati hai. Kal tumhara aana hoga toh apne kaka ke sath dekh lena atche se.", Muniya apni maa ki baat sunn kar kamre se turant he 2 mudhe bahar aangan me liye aayi. Reh reh kar Chandan ki najar Kaali par padti toh wo waise he kaamuk andaaj me ghoorti milti. Kavita toh poore samay he khamosh thi lekin ab Chandan ka dhyaan Kaali se hatt kar Kavita par aaya.
"Baitho Kavita. Waise kaaki, maine toh suna hai ki yaha se aage jo pokhar hai.. wo shrapit hai. Aapka ghar jyada dur hai kya us jagah se?", Ab yaha Chandan dwara apni sudh lena Kavita ko bhala laga jisne pehle usko baithaya aur fir Kaali se mooh modd kar Sukhiya ki taraf dekhte hue Kavita ke kareeb he raha. Par uske sawaal se teeno maa beti ke sath he Kavita bhi aashcharya se Chandan ko dekhne lagi.
"Es baare me toh hume kuch maloom nahi beta aur pokhar is pichle vann se bhi aage hai jidhar koyi aata jata nahi. Ab mara hua toh kya kisi ko maarega ulta jo zinda hai wo jyada khatarnaak hai. Raat me jeev-jantu ghoomte firte idhar, jiswajah se kheto me pehra rehta hai. Baaki bhagwaan se badhkar koyi shakti nahi. Kaali, chai rakh de chulhe par agar araam ho gaya ho. Tere baapu bhi aate he chai maangenge aur ye log pehli baar toh aaye hai idhar.", Ab Sukhiya ki baat par Chandan se pehle Kavita ne jawaab diya.
"Kaaki, chai ho chuki hai pehle he ghar par. Ye bhi jyada chai nahi peete aur abhi din dhalne laga hai toh wapis jana he thik rahega. Kal aayenge tab pila dena chai."
"Haan kaaki, ab ghar dekh liya hai toh kaka se milne khud he aa jaunga. Jaate waqt thoda jaruri kaam bhi hai aur deri hui toh maa aur daadi chinta karengi.", Chandan bhi Kavita ka samarthan karte hue hath jodd kar uth khada hua. Kaali jaise is baat se thoda bura maan gayi lekin seedha jawaab dena bhi uchit nahi tha unka darja dekhte hue.
"Kal tum dono he aaoge?"
"Haan.. Akele itni dur aana mere bas ka toh nahi hai. Bina baatchit ke rasta nahi katega isliye dono he aayenge ya phir Gulaabo bhi sath aa sakti hai agar ghar pe jyada kaam na hua. Kaaki, wo jhaar bhi main kal he le lunga jab bailgaadi hogi. Ab aagya dijiye, andhera hone se pehle pahuchna bhi hai.", Kaali mooh chidati hui unse pehle he ghar se bahar nikal gayi. Sukhiya sab dekh rahi thi lekin samajh usko bhi nahi thi ki uski beti aakhir kar kya rahi hai.
"Thoda apne pita ki sar-chadhi hai na beta isliye Kaali ki baat ka bura matt maan na. Muhfatt hai aur ab byaah ke 2 baras baad ghar aayi hai toh thoda laad-pyaar.."
"Koyi baat nahi kaaki aur waise bhi usne toh bas poocha he tha. Chalte hai.", Dono jab mudd kar aangan se bahar apne raaste ko badhe toh Kaali aage he pagdandi se niche kachhe me baithi hui mitti ka londha goondhti dikhi. Najre abhi bhi in dono par he sthir thi lekin jaane kyaa bhaav the uski aankhon me par Kavita ne uske saamne he Chandan ka hath thaam kar najre raaste par kar li.
'Chote maalik, tum milo toh sahi ek baar. Jungle aur jameen main dikhati hu tumhe.'
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"Din me toh keh rahi thi ki main tumhe pasand nahi hu?", Chandan ne khudse he Kavita ka komal hath apni hatheli me thoda majbooti se pakad liya. Sooraj doob chuka tha ab tak aur kache raaste ke dono taraf kahi khet aur kahi vriksho ka jhurmutt. Panchi bhi apne apne ghonsle par pahuchne ke jaldi me the jaise is gaanv ke andhkaar ka darr unhe bhi ho. Chandan ki baat sunn kar apna hath chhuadne ki koshish karti Kavita mand mand muskura rahi thi lekin chehra dusri taraf kiye. Aakhir Chandan ne bhi haalat aur jagah dekh kar hath dheela chhod diya. Kavita ko jaise ye bhi na bhaya.
"Main kab kaha tha ki aap mujhe pasand nahi? Ye kaha tha ki badi amma ko dukh nahi pahuchana chahti. Aur aaj phir din dhalne ke baad ghar pahuchenge.", Kavita ne khudse he hatheli se hatheli takrate hue jaise ishara diya ki Chandan wapis hath thaam le. Aur ek baar dono ne ek duje ko dekha jaha Chandna muskura raha tha wahi Kavita ne phir se sharam ki wajah se chehra saamne kar liya. Ab ungliyon me ungliyan fanste hue ek dusre ke hath ko majboot se thaam chuke the.
"Mujhe nahi lagta isme dhokhe jaise kuch hai. Aur abhi hume ghar pahuchne me waqt bhi lag sakta hai. Wo Bandana kaaki ke yaha bhi toh jana hai.", Chandan ne aisa kehte hue khudko Kavita ke thoda aur kareeb kiya jis se uski kohni Kavita ki gudaaj baah se satne lagi. Reh reh kar Chandan Kavita ke gaal ki taraf dekhte hue uska hilta seena bhi taad leta. Par dono he shayad is maamle me kuch kache he the jo bas itne me khush the jaise Kavita hath pakde jaane se aur Chandan usko niharne maatra se.
"Ye wale khet ki dekhrekh Shabhu kaka he karte hai. Iske aage Daulat kaka jo khet hai waha se puliya jyada dur nahi hai. Hum yaha se chalenge toh Laali ke yaha jaldi pahuchenge. Nahi toh jitni dur chauraha hai uske aage utni he dur puliya.", Kavita ke kehne ka arth tha ki agar kheto ke beech se jaya jaaye toh wo seedha puliya par pahuchenge jisme unhe aadha samay he lagega. Ek pal ko Chandan ne is lambe chaude khet ko dekha jo Shambhu kaka sambhalte the aur yaha par filhaal mitti naram he ki gayi thi. Beech beech me kahi kahi ghane vriksh the ek dusre se uchit duri par. Lekin agle khet me ek gaj uncha hara chara khada tha.
"Pehli gayi ho kya idhar se? Mujhe rasta nahi pata aur tumhe darr bhi bahot lagta hai. Batao kya kare? Maine kaha tha na jaisa tum kahogi main wahi karunga.", Chandan ke aise jawaab par aur har taraf sannatta dekh Kavita ne bina kuch kahe uska hath thaam kar khet ke beecho beech bani sankari pagdandi par paanv badha diye, jaise wo aage chalti Chandan ko le ja rahi ho.
"Gulaabo ke sath dekha toh poora gaanv hai lekin idhar toh uske sath bhi andhere me nahi jaane wali. Aur aapke sath darr nahi lagega.", Chandan uske jawaab se khush hota hua ab satt kar chalne laga jaha dono ke hath hilte toh jaane anjaane he wo Kavita ki naram baah ke sath he kamar tak ka sparsh paa leta. Pagdandi ke dono he taraf paani pahuchane ke liye naali bani thi jisko dhyaan me rakhte hue wo ek dusre se lagte dhire dhire us khet ke kareeb ja pahuche jisko paar karke unhe puliya wale raste pahuchna tha.
'Sarr-sarr', ye dhwani bahot dhyaan dene par he unhe sunaai padi jo kuch aage he chaare ke jhurmutt se aati lagi. Kavita sakpakati hui Chandan ka hath majbooti se pakad kar tej kadmo se aage badhne lagi toh Chandan ne usko ishare se he dhire chalne ko kaha.
'Jungle jaanwar tabhi peeche bhaagte hai jab hum unse peeth phira lete hai ya khud bhaagne lage. Main tumhe kuch nahi hone dunga, daro nahi. Koyi neelgaye ya siyaar ho sakta hai.', Ye baat Chandan ne Kavita ke bilkul kareeb aa kar fusfusate hue kahi thi. Ab Kavita bina awaaj kiye dabe paanv dhimi chaal chalte hue Chandan ko majbooti se pakde rahi. Pagdandi saaf thi aur aage badhte hue unhe pehle wali awaaj ke sath sath kisi ke karaahne ka swar sunaai dene laga jaise koyi atyaadhik peeda me ho. Ab Kavita ka gala sookhne laga tha aur Chandan ka bhola mann us musibat me fanse insaan ki madad karne ko aatur ho utha. Dono apne sthaan par thitak chuke the aur Chandan ne aaspas nigaah ghumaai toh swayam-suraksha ke liye kuch khaas najar na aaya. Thoda aur gor se jameen ko tarasha toh peeche wali naali ke kareeb he kudaal me lagne wala lakdi ka danda mil gaya.
'Pagalpan matt karo. Kuch ho gaya toh hum bhi maare jaayenge..", Kavita se hath chhuda kar Chandan us dande ko majbooti se thaame jhurmutt ki taraf bhadne laga toh Kavita ne dabi awaaj me anunaya sa kiya. Baat uski bhi uchit thi ki kahi lene ke dene na padd jaye.
'Aaj main uski madad nahi karunga toh kal bhagwan meri madad ke liye kisi ko nahi bhejnewale. Tum yahi ruko Kavita, main aata hu.', Chandan ne hath chhudate hue aage badhna chaha toh Kavita ne sar naa me hila diya.
'Sath chalungi aapke.', Uski hatth dekh kar Chandan ke gambhir chehre par bhi muskaan teir gayi.
'Peeche rehna bas aur koyi awaaj nahi.', Idhar kuch raasta tha bhitar dabe paanv jaane ko jaha se aati wo karaahne ki awaaje aur hilte chaare tak pahucha ja sakta tha. Dono he apni saansein roke aise chal rahe the jaise wo maut ko gherne chale ho. Kavita ke vastro ke sath sath jism bhi bhitar tak paseene se tarr ho chuka tha. Unche chaare ke beech jaise umas bhi kuch adhik thi lekin jald he Chandan us awaaj tak aa pahucha aur jaise he jhurmutt dande se hataya aankhen hairat se phail gayi. Uske peeche aati Kavita ne bhi jab saamne ka drishya dekha toh wo mooh par hath rakhti hui Chandan ki peeth se ja lagi. Yaha toh manzar he in dono ki umeed se alag tha. Ek atche khaase hisse se chara kaat kar samtal jameen ke upar taat ki boriyan bichaayen ek jawaan vyakti hum-umar si mahila ke upar chadha sambhograt tha. Wo karahne ki awaaj us mahila ki he thi jiski choli ko khol kar uske stann pakde dhakke lagata vyakti bhi Chandan ke aane par apne sthan par he atak gaya.
"Ae kaun ho tum?", Wo yahi keh saka aur niche leti mahila ne kareeb padi us vyakti ki dhoti apne chehre par audh li. Chandan toh abhi bhi jas ka tass tha lekin uske badle jawaab kisi aur ne diya.
"Arre Dinu, ye mera he dost hai Chandan. Waise tum yaha kya kar rahe ho dost aur tumhare peeche kaun hai?", Sushil dusri taraf se inke samne aaya tha jiske hath me desi sharaab aur sulagti beedi thi. Jism par sirf dhoti aur aankhen andhere me us chehre ko dekhne ko aature jo Chandan ke peeche chhipa tha.
"Maaf karna Sushil bhai, mujhe laga yaha koyi insaan musibat me hai. Fasal unchi hai na toh dekh nahi paya aur socha ki jitni mumkin ho utni madad kar du. Maaf karna vighna daalne ke liye. Chalta hu.", Chandan ne danda niche karne ke sath he Kavita ka chehra unhe dikhaye bina ghoomna chaha toh wo aurat par chadha yuvak Dinu ab uddandta se uth khada hua.
"Sushil ka mitra toh fir mera bhi mitra hua na? Waise lagta hai kaam toh tum bhi kuch aisa he karne aaye the aur ab bahana bana rahe ho madad karne ka. Akele akele he maja karoge kya is kamsin jawaani ke sath? Mil baat kar khaane me jyada maja aata hai, chaho toh Sushil se pooch lo.", Ab jaise Sushil ko hosh aaya jo ye sunte he apne dost ko uski dhoti pakdata hua Chandan ke saamne aa khada hua.
"Iska toh dimaag he kharaab hai Chandan. Wo tumhe nahi jaanta na isliye kuch bhi bol gaya. Tum jao bhai, hum kal milte hai.", Aisa kehne ke sath he Sushil ne apna ek hath peeche dost ko dikhate hue khamosh he rehne ka ishara dia aur wo us ladki ka chehra dekhne ki koshish karne laga jo Chandan ke peeche abhi bhi dubki si khadi thi. Lambe chaude Chandan ke saamne toh swayam Sushil he 2 gith chhota tha.
"Apne mitra se aap keh dijiyega ki baatchit sthiti ke anusaar he ki jaaye toh behtar hai. Aur jisko baantne ki baat inhone kahi hai, uski taraf agar aankh utha kar bhi dekha toh aise kaatunga ki laash thaile me ekatrit karni padegi. Main toh sirf musibat me fanse vyakti ki madad ke liye aaya tha lekin aapke mitra ke vichaar bhi utne he gande hai jitni harkate. Chalta hu Sushil bhai, agli mulakaat ke samay shrimaan Dinu na he ho toh behtar rahega.", Chandan ne bhi jaise Kavita par khudka aavran dhak liya tha mudte hue aur Sushil ne bas uske bhaari lafz sunn kar he ladki ko dekhne ka vichaar tyaag kar kadam peeche le liye. Beshak wo vyakti kasmasa kar reh gaya jisko Sushil ne yathasthaan roke rakha. Jhurmutt se jab ye dono he nikal chuke toh Dinu taish se Sushil par barasne laga.
"Waah dost kya yaari nibhaai tune. Yaha main tere liye seedha apni sasuraal se saali ko chudwaane le aaya aur tu ek naye naye bane dost ke badle mujhse he yaar-maar karne laga. Sharam na aayi tujhe jab wo pehalwan mujhe kaatne ki bol gaya wo bhi meri saale ke saamne?", Niche padi wo mahila apni choli band karne lagi toh Sushil ne uske kareeb baithte hue ek stann mutthi me daboch liya.
"Rehan de tu kyun pinjra band karne lagi? Dinu, wo dost nahi hai aur na maine yaar-maar ki. Jiski hasrat tu aur main 2 baras se liye baithe hai, ye ladka us jawani ke taale ke karamati chaabi hai. Tu toh teri sasuraal me apni is saali ki chaasni chaat raha tha, idhar badi amma ka ye naati gaanv aa pahucha. Chandan badi amma ka waaris hai aur agar main uske saamne tere khilaaf na jata toh Kavita hum dono ke liye sapna he reh jaati. Ab uske saamne tu kuch din mujhse dur rahiyo, phir dekh kaise yahi hum us gadraai ghodi ko nanga karke hari karte hai. Waise tujhe ye bhi bata du ki ladka diler hai toh jor ki jagah dimaag se he kaam lena padega. Sunil aur Sarju ko akele ne he nehar me fenk diya tha. Chal meri rani, khol tera ghagra. Is chodu ke bas ka nahi tujhe thanda karna. Ye kaam toh mera danda he badhiya karta hai.", Uski baat sunn kar Dinu toh apna murjhaya lund liye ek taraf he ja baitha. Ab beedi uske hath thi aur apni dhoti utaar kar Sushil us mahila ke upar aa chadha. Ek baar fir wahi karahne ki awaaj mahol me dhire dhire goonjne lagi jisne Kavita aur Chandan ka dhyaan idhar khincha tha.
"Sach kahu toh main uska akaar dekh kar darr gaya tha be Sushil. Koyi aur hota toh pakka bhidd jata lekin ab maamla thoda tedha ho gaya hai. Jaldi thanda ho, phir isko ghar chhod kar main wapis aata hu. Mere paas ek badhiya tarkeeb hai jis se hamari chahat bhi poori hogi aur ye pehalwan khud mujhse dosti karega.", Jaane ab Dinu ke paas kaisi tarkeeb thi aur ye shayad uska jarurat se adhik vishwaas tha jo Chandan ko wapis dosti karwane ki baat keh gaya. Agle 20-25 dhakko me Sushil bhi us mahila ke upar se uth kar ek taraf aa baitha. Wo mahila apni jaangho ke beech Sushil ka veerya kapde se saaf karti hui itni der me pehli baar kuch boli thi.
"Tum na dono he chutiya ho aur mujhe nahi lagta ke tumhari biwiyan kabhi tumse santusht hui hongi. Chhed me daalne ka pata hai bas, aurat ko maja dene ka nahi. Ab na hath lagana mere kabhi aur jao us pehalwan se apna pichwada thukwao aur apni apni lugaai bhi. Bade aaye Kavita ke sapne lene wale.", Usko aise bhadakte dekh dono he purn dhitaai se hansne lage aur wo mahila andhere me he apne vastra sahi karti hui inki taraf dekhne bina apne raste nikal chali. Dinu uska jija tha aur apni behan ka sasural wo bhali bhanti jaanti thi.
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Yaha Laali ke ghar sandesha dene tak poore safar me Chandan aur Kavita khamosh he rahe the. Jabse unhone wo drishya dekha tha, dono ke he mann mastishk me aneko tarah tarah ke vichaar ghoomne lage. Jaha Kavita ne Gulaabo se suna hua aurat-aadmi ke sansarg ka ek katra bhar dekha tha wahi Chandan ke mann me Dinu ki he baat goonj rahi thi. Usne mil baant kar maja lene ka kaha tha aur waha wo ek aurat par nirvastra chadha hua kamar hila raha tha jab Chandan unke paas pahucha. Puliya paar karne ke baad dono he nehar kinaare jaane ke sthaan par gaanv ke bhitar wale chaurahe ki taraf kadam badhate gaye. Aaj utna andhkaar mehsoos nahi ho raha tha aur na he Kavita ko is samay kisi pret-daayan ka darr sata raha tha. Wo kuch na kuch karke baatchit shuru karna chahti thi lekin himmat he nahi hui. Aakhir dono ki he najar eksath us gadha gaadi par gayi jo inke kareeb se nikli thi.
"Yahi hai Sukhiya kaaki ke pati, Sukhlal kaka. Dekho kitne samay aa ghar ja rahe hai aur inka intjaar karte toh hum abhi bhi inke he ghar hote."
"Huhhh.. Mehnati vyakti lagte hai ye kaka jo aise samay wapis laut rahe hai. Waise mujhe maaf kar dena Kavita. Aaj dusri baar maine tumhari baat nahi maani aur wo ghatna ho gayi. Maa ya naani ko mat batana is baare me nahi toh wo mujhe he..", Chandan ne neeli-gehri raat me Kavita ke chehre ko dekhte hue badi he masoomiyat se aisa kaha tha jis par lajjate hue Kavita ne naa me sar hila kar jaise usko aur pareshaan kar diya.
"Matlab tum unhe bataogi?"
"Aapko sab baat bol kar he batani padegi? Aisi baat kisi ko batate thodi na hai aur maafi maangne ki jarurat nahi hai kyonki galat aap nahi wo log hai. Waise aapne kuch jyada he nahi bol diya?", Kavita fir se aage dekhne lagi thi aur Chaurahe ke kareeb aate he usne Chandan ka hath pakadte hue usko sadak se thoda itar khinch liya.
"Maine jo bola so bola par abhi tumne ye kya kiya?"
"Chaurahe ke beech se nahi nikalte. Dikhta nahi lekin pehle ka kiya hua tona bhi asar kar deta hai agar chauraha laangh do toh. Ab batao aapne waha waisa kyun bola? Us din bhi Sarju ko kaha tha ki jungle wale chaurahe par taang doge agar unhone meri raah roki toh. Main toh aapki koyi bhi nahi lagti chahe Gulaabo ko aapne behan bana liya ho.", Ghar ki sadak par chalte hue abhi bhi Chandan ka hath Kavita ke hath me he bandha tha. Aur uski baat sunn kar Chandan ne thoda majbooti se Kavita ki hatheli ko thama.
"Main nahi jaanta lekin kuch hai tumhare sath mera jo ajeeb hai. Tum mujhe tabhi pasand aa gayi thi jab rasoi me chulhe ke saamne baithi pasena sukha rahi thi. Uske baad main khudse kuch nahi kehta lekin agar koyi bhi tumhe .. pata nahi lekin agar kisi ne tumhe galat iraade se chhone ki koshish ki toh main yakinan wahi karunga jo maine kaha tha.", Kavita ne chalte hue sharam se sar jhuka liya par wo khush thi ye jaan kar ki Chandan usko dil se chahata hai.
"Par Gulaabo ke sath toh aapne rishta jodd rakha hai, main toh koyi bhi nahi. Jab haq na ho toh kya waisa karna uchit hoga? Aur aap hamesha toh mere paas nahi honge.", Chandan wahi thithak gaya ye sunn kar aur ab Kavita thoda vichlit si ho uthi. Usko laga jaise kuch galat baat keh gayi ho apni he row me beh kar. Thi toh wo bhi bholi he aur Chandan ke sath apnepan se bolti bolti wo jaise apne dil ki he baat kar gayi.
"Maine kaha na ke jab pehli baar tumhe dekha tabhi tum mujhe bhaa gayi thi? Jiwanbhar tumhare sath rehna chahta hu Kavita aur ... aur.. raat .. matlab har raat tum mere sath.."
"Aap ghar chalo.. Aapko he nahi pata ke mere aur aapke beech kya hai toh phir .."
"Phir bas shaadi he ho sakti hai hamari, jaise maa ki baba se hui thi.", Kavita itna sunte he awaak si reh gayi aur Chandan ka dil joro se dhadakne laga jaise usne koyi bahot bada apraadh kar diya ho ye bol kar. Usko hosh tab aaya jab Kavita hath chhuda kar ghar ki aur bhaag chali jo chand kadmo ke faansle par he tha aur laalten liye gulaabo darwaje ke bahar he khadi thi. Chandan toh jaise bebas he ho chala apraadhbodh se aur udhar bhaagti hui Kavita ki baah pakad kar Gulaabo ne wahi rok liya.
"Ae mutalli, tu toh aise bhaag rahi hai jaise tere peeche pret pada ho lekin tu sharma rahi hai ya khush hai? Kahi... Aur bhai kaha reh gaya?"
"Wo aate he honge.. Chhodo mera hath.. jaldi se hath chhod na Gulaabo.. baad me baat karte hai."
"Teri chummi le li kya bhai ne? Hahaha..", Kavita toh itna sunn kar bekaabu si hoti hui seedha seedhiyon se hoti hui khuli chhat par ja chadhi. Wo khush thi aur udhar Chandan Gulaabo ke paas pahucha toh uska gusse me dekh apna sar jhukaye bhitar jaane laga.
"Bhai, tumne mutalli ke sath kuch kiya hai?", Aur Chandan ke kandhe itna sunte he jhuk gaye. Aankhon me paani aa chuka tha jo laalten ki roshni me Gulaabo ne dekha toh turant he apne dupatta uski aankhon par rakh diya.
"Majaak kar rahi thi tumse. Mutalli toh hansti hui gayi bhitar lekin lagta hai tumhe kisi baat se dukh pahucha hai."
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