Mera naam Javed hai. Pachpan saal ka ho chuka hoon. Naukri se chhutkara mil chuka hai, ab poora din is ghar ki chaar diwari mein hi guzarta hai. Pehle jism mein dum tha, ab nahi. Jo cheez pehle seedhi khadi ho jati thi, ab badi mushkil se uth’ti hai. Kabhi uth bhi jaye toh bas thodi der, phir dheeli pad jati hai. Is baat pe biwi bohot bigdi rehti hai. Kabhi-kabhi toh seedhe munh pe bol deti hai ke ab mardangi naam ki cheez bachi nahi, sirf dekhne layak reh gaya hai. Main sun leta hoon, jawab nahi deta. Kya jawab doon?
Ghar do manzil ka hai. Neeche hum dono miyan-biwi. Ek kamra khali pada hai, ek samaan rakhne ka kamra, rasoi aur gusalkhana. Upar do kamre hain. Ek mein bahu rehti hai, dusre mein choti beti.
Biwi Farida. Athalis saal ki. Pehle se hi garam mizaj ki aurat thi, ab bhi hai. Jism uska bhari ho gaya hai. Pet thoda nikal aaya hai, lekin usse uski husn kam nahi hui. Sine uske itne bhari aur bade hain ke kapdon ke upar se bhi unka wazan saaf nazar aata hai. Jab chalti hai toh unke hilne se saari ki silwatein tan jati hain. Pichhwada uska mota aur gol hai. Saari pehen ke jab chalti hai toh uske do hisse alag-alag lehraate hain, jaise andar koi cheez bharii hui ho. Raat ko jab bistar pe let’ti hai toh kabhi-kabhi uska pichhwada mere jism se chipak jata hai. Main mehsoos karta hoon, lekin jo cheez pehle turant jawabi hoti thi, ab nahi hoti. Woh gusse mein karwat badal leti hai aur munh pher leti hai.
Badi beti Shabnam. Athais saal ki. Shadi ho chuki hai, sasural mein rehti hai. Apni Ammi ki tarah hi jism hai uska. Sine bhari, kamar patli, pichhwada mota aur tight. Shadi ke baad thoda aur bhari ho gayi hai, lekin abhi bhi dekhne layak hai. Kabhi-kabhi ghar aati hai toh uske kapdon se uska poora jism saaf dikhta hai. Main dekh leta hoon, lekin phir nazar hata leta hoon.
Beta Arab desh mein rehta hai. Ek-do saal mein ek baar aata hai. Uski biwi Zeenat yahin rehti hai. Chaubees saal ki. Iske jism ka kya kahu. Bilkul katil. Qad theek-thaak, jism patla lekin usme aisi golaiyan hain ke nazar na jaye toh bhi dil dekh leta hai. Sine itne bade nahi jitne Farida ke, lekin unka jaam bilkul gol aur khinchahua hai. Jab kasi hui qameez pehenti hai toh unka poora ubhaar nikal aata hai. Kamar patli, pet bilkul chikna. Pichhwada uska kasa hua aur thoda upar uthha hua hai. Jab patloon pehen ke chalti hai toh uske dono hisse alag-alag uchhalte hain. Chehra bhi khubsurat hai, badi-badi aankhein, bhare hue hont. Main aksar usko chupke se dekhta rehta hoon. Kabhi rasoi mein kaam karte hue, kabhi seedhiyon pe chalte hue. Woh jaanti hai ke meri nazar uspe hai, lekin kuch nahi bolti. Kabhi-kabhi bas halki si muskurahat de deti hai.
Choti beti Aliya. Bees saal ki. Padhai karti hai. Abhi jawani mein hai. Jism abhi ban raha hai. Sine abhi darmiyane size ke hain, lekin gol aur kase hue. Kamar patli, pichhwada abhi itna bada nahi, lekin uska jaam achha hai. Jab chhoti si nicker pehen ke ghar mein ghumti hai toh uski tangon ka lambapa aur chiknapan saaf nazar aata hai. Kabhi subah gusalkhane se nikalte hue geele baalon aur kasi hui qameez mein dikhti hai toh uske sine ke ubhaar ke saath unke sire bhi kapde ke upar se nazar aa jate hain. Main nazar pher leta hoon dekhkar.
Yeh hai mera ghar. Neeche main aur Farida. Upar Zeenat aur Aliya. Shabnam kabhi-kabhi aa jati hai to hamare bagal waale kamre me so jaati hai..
Raat ka waqt tha. Kamre mein sirf ek chhoti si batti jal rahi thi. Main bistar pe leta hua tha, aankhein band kiye. Neend nahi aa rahi thi. Tabhi bistar hilne laga. Farida meri taraf aa rahi thi.
Usne apne kapde utaar di thi. Poori nangi ho chuki thi. Main aankhein khol kar dekha. Uske bhari sine andhere mein bhi saaf nazar aa rahe the. Unke sire thode se ubhre hue the. Pet thoda nikal aaya hua, lekin uske neeche uska pichhwada bilkul gol aur mota tha. Woh meri taraf aayi aur dheere se mere upar chadhh gayi. Uske dono pair mere kamar ke dono taraf aa gaye. Uske sine mere seene se chipak gaye. Unka wazan mujhe mehsoos ho raha tha.
Usne apna munh mere kaan ke paas laaya aur dheemi awaaz mein boli, “Aaj thoda mehnat karni padegi shayad…”
Main chup raha. Usne apna haath neeche le jaakar meri langot ke upar rakh diya. Andar jo cheez thi, woh dheeli padi thi. Usne usko sehlana shuru kiya. Pehle bohot dheere, jaise kisi naazuk cheez ko chhu rahi ho. Phir thoda zor se. Uske haath ki garmi mujhe mehsoos ho rahi thi.
Farida ne apna munh mere gale pe rakh diya aur halki si chummi lene lagi. Uske hont geele the. Woh boli, “Pehle toh itni der nahi lagti thi… ab intezaar karna padta hai.”
Usne meri langot dheere se neeche sarka di. Ab uska haath seedha us cheez pe tha. Woh usko pakad kar upar-neeche karne lagi. Kabhi uski topi ko ungliyon se sehlati, kabhi poori mutthi mein le kar dheere-dheere dabati. Main mehsoos kar raha tha ke thodi si garmi paida ho rahi hai, lekin woh abhi bhi dheeli thi.
Farida ne apna pichhwada thoda peeche kiya aur apni geeli jagah ko us dheeli cheez pe ragarne lagi. Uski garmi aur geelapan mujhe mehsoos ho raha tha. Woh dheere-dheere hilne lagi. Uske sine mere seene pe ragad kha rahe the. Unke sire kabhi mere seene se takrate, kabhi mere munh ke paas aa jate.
Woh phir se mere kaan ke paas aayi aur boli, “Thoda sa jawabi do na… main itni mehnat kar rahi hoon.”
Usne apna munh neeche laaya aur mere honton pe apne hont rakh diye. Dheere-dheere chusne lagi. Uske hont narm the. Usne apni jeebh mere munh mein daal di. Main bhi uska jawab dene ki koshish kar raha tha.
Usne phir se neeche haath le jaakar us cheez ko pakda. Ab thodi si jaan aa rahi thi. Woh dheere-dheere khadi hone lagi thi. Farida ne mehsoos kiya toh uske munh se ek halki si saans nikal gayi. “Haan… ab thoda sa hua… aur thoda…”
Usne apni geeli jagah ko uske upar rakh diya aur dheere-dheere baithne lagi. Uske andar ka garam pani meri us cheez pe gir raha tha. Woh bilkul andar nahi le paayi kyunki woh abhi poori tarah se taiyar nahi thi. Bas uski topi uske labon ke beech mein dab gayi.
Farida ne apne dono haath mere seene pe rakh diye aur hilne lagi. Uske bhari sine mere munh ke bilkul upar aa gaye. Unka wazan meri saanson ko rok raha tha. Woh boli, “Inko thoda pyar do… pehle toh ispe hi toot padte the.”
Main ne apna munh khola. Uske sine ka ek sira mere munh mein aa gaya. Main ne usko chusna shuru kiya. Farida ke munh se ek lambi saans nikal gayi. “Haan… aise hi… thoda aur…”
Woh hilti rahi. Uske pichhwade ke dono hisse mere ranon pe ragad kha rahe the. Uske andar ki garmi badhti ja rahi thi. Meri us cheez mein ab thodi si jaan aa chuki thi, lekin abhi bhi woh pehle jaisi mazboot nahi thi.
Farida ne apna munh mere seene pe rakh diya aur halki si chummi lene lagi. Phir uthkar meri aankhon mein dekhte hue boli, “Aaj thoda sabr se… chahe jitni der lage… main yahin hoon.”
Woh phir se hilne lagi… is baar thoda tez. Uske sine mere munh pe ragad kha rahe the. Main unko chusta ja raha tha. Farida ke munh se dheemi-dheemi awaazein nikalne lagi thin.
Kamre mein bas uski saansein aur mere munh se nikalne wali dheemi awaazein thi. Main aankhein band kiye uske neeche leta hua tha. Uske jism ki garmi, uske sine ka wazan, uske andar ki geeli garmi… sab kuch mehsoos kar raha tha.
Farida ne apne dono haath mere baalon mein daal diye aur dheere se boli, “Bas thoda aur… abhi toh sirf shuru hua hai…”
Woh hilti rahi.
Farida ab bhi mere upar thi. Woh hilti ja rahi thi, uske sine mere munh pe ragad kha rahe the. Main unko chusta ja raha tha. Uske andar ki garmi badhti ja rahi thi. Meri us cheez mein ab thodi si jaan aa chuki thi, lekin woh abhi bhi pehle jaisi mazboot nahi thi.
Main mehsoos kar raha tha ke andar se kuch ubalne laga hai. Farida ko bhi pata chal gaya. Usne tez-tez hilna shuru kiya. Uske pichhwade ke maas mere ranon pe dastak de rahe the. Main apne aap pe kaabu nahi rakh paya. Ek jhatke ke saath mera pani nikal gaya… uski jaanghon ke beech hi.
Farida ruk gayi. Usne neeche dekha. Uske chehre pe mayusi saaf nazar aa rahi thi. Woh dheere se mere upar se utri. Bina kuch bole apni taraf karwat le li. Uske sine ab meri taraf nahi the. Pichhwada meri taraf tha, lekin usme koi garmi nahi thi. Woh chupchaap let gayi. Main bhi uske peeche leta raha. Kuch der baad uski saansein gehri ho gayin. Woh so gayi thi. Main aankhein khule late raha. Dimagh mein uski mayusi ghumti rahi.
Subah hui. Main utha. Farida ab bhi soyi hui thi. Main ne kapde pehne aur bahar nikal aaya.
Rasoi mein Farida aur Zeenat dono kaam kar rahi thin. Farida khadi kaam kar rahi thi. Zeenat aate ka goondha hua aata bel rahi thi. Usne ek kasi hui salwar qameez pehni hui thi. Qameez uske pichhwade pe kasi hui thi. Uska pichhwada bilkul kamsin aur gol tha. Jab woh aage jhuk kar belan chala rahi thi toh uske pichhwade ke dono hisse alag-alag ubhar rahe the. Kapde ke upar se unka jaam saaf nazar aa raha tha. Kamar uski patli thi, uske upar qameez ki silwatein tan rahi thin.
Main wahi khade-khade dekhte raha. Meri us cheez ne ek jhatka maara. Pehli baar itni subah itna tez jawaab diya tha. Main chupchaap baith gaya. Zeenat ne meri taraf dekha, halki si muskurahat di, phir se apne kaam mein lag gayi. Woh phir jhuk gayi. Uske pichhwade ka wohi gol ubhaar phir nazar aa gaya.
Farida ne roti banani shuru ki. Zeenat aata belti rahi. Main unke saamne baitha hua tha. Haath mein roti liye, lekin nazar Zeenat ke pichhwade pe hi atki hui thi. Har baar jab woh jhukti, uske dono hisse thoda sa hilte. Meri us cheez andar hi andar phir se jhatke maarti.
Main chupchaap khana khata raha… aur dekhte raha.
Khana kha kar main utha. Zeenat abhi bhi rasoi mein thi. Uske pichhwade ka woh gol ubhaar meri aankhon mein ghum raha tha, lekin main ne nazar hata li. Bahar nikal aaya.
Seedha Nadeem ke ghar ki taraf chal diya. Woh mere hi umar ka tha. Saalon se jaan-pehchaan thi. Uske ghar ke bahar hi ek chauki pe baitha hua tha. Mujhe dekhte hi usne haath hila kar bulaya.
“Aa ja, baith.”
Main uske paas baith gaya. Kuch der tak aas-paas ki baatein hoti rahi. Tabhi meri nazar thodi door par bathe ek aadmi par gyi gayi. Wahan ek aadmi baitha hua tha. Umra karib chalis ke qareeb. Kapde phate hue, chehra mayus. Sir jhukaye baitha tha.
Main ne Nadeem ki taraf dekha aur dheere se pucha, “Yeh kaun hai?”
Nadeem ne bhi us taraf dekha. “Bechara kaam dhoondh raha hai. Kai din se yahin aas-paas ghum raha hai. Koi kaam nahi mil raha.”
Main kuch der chup raha. Sochta raha. Ghar mein kaam toh hai. Farida akeli sab sambhalti hai. Zeenat madad karti hai, lekin phir bhi. Ek aadmi ho toh bohot si cheezein asaan ho jayein.
Main ne kaha, “Ek kaam karta hoon. Isko apne ghar pe rakh leta hoon. Teri bhabhi ko kaam mein aasani ho jayegi.”
Nadeem ne meri taraf dekha. Phir us mazdoor ki taraf. “Achha khayal hai. Is bechare ko bhi madad mil jayegi. Aur ghar ka kaam bhi chal jayega.”
Main ne us mazdoor ko ishara kiya. Woh uth kar hamare paas aaya. Sir jhukaye khada ho gaya. Main ne usse pucha, “Kaam karega?”
Usne sir upar uthaya. Aankhon mein halki si ummeed thi. “Haan… karunga.”
“Mere ghar pe. Jo kaam milega, woh karna. Khana-peena milega, mehnatana bhi.”
Woh jhat se jhuk kar salam karne laga. “Bahut meherbani… bahut meherbani.”
Main ne Nadeem se aankhein milayin. Woh muskura diya.
Main ne kaha, “Main tujhe kaam pe rakh lunga. Lekin imaandari se kaam karna hoga. Koi chori-chakari nahi, koi susti nahi. Jo kaam milega, dil laga kar karna.”
Woh jhat se jhuk gaya. “Ji malik. Aap jo kahenge, wohi karunga. Imaandari se.”
Main ne usse dekha. “Naam kya hai tera?”
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha, “Ramesh… malik.”
Main ne thodi der chup rehkar pucha, “Ghar mein kaun-kaun hai?”
Ramesh ne sir jhukaya. “Biwi hai malik… aur ek beti. Jawan ho gayi hai.”
Main ne aage pucha, “Woh kahan hain ab?”
Usne saans bhari. “Gaanv mein hain malik. Beti ki shaadi karni hai. Is liye yahan kaam dhoondhne aaya hoon. Kuch paise jama kar ke unke paas bhej sakun.”
Main ne uski baat suni. Uske chehre pe mayusi ke saath ek bojh sa nazar aa raha tha. Main ne kaha, “Theek hai. Aaj se tu mere ghar pe hai. Jo kaam milega, karna. Khana-peena milega, mehnatana bhi dunga. Imaandari se kaam kiya toh hamesha ke liye rakh lunga.”
Ramesh ne phir se jhuk kar salam kiya. “Bahut meherbani malik… bahut meherbani. Aapki meherbani kabhi nahi bhoolunga.”
Main ne Nadeem ki taraf dekha. Woh muskura raha tha. Main ne Ramesh se kaha, “Chal, ab mere saath. Ghar chalte hain.”
Woh mere peeche-peeche chal diya. Sir ab bhi thoda jhuka hua tha, lekin aankhon mein ab mayusi ke bajaye thodi si ummeed thi.
Main Ramesh ko lekar ghar aa gaya. Woh mere peeche-peeche chal raha tha, sir thoda jhukaye hue. Ghar ke andar aate hi Farida aur Zeenat dono rasoi se nikal kar aa gayin. Unki nazar pehle mujhpe gayi, phir mere peeche khade Ramesh pe.
Farida ne pucha, “Yeh kaun hai?”
Main ne sab kuch bata diya. “Yeh Ramesh hai. Kaam dhoondh raha tha. Main ne isko ghar pe rakh liya hai. Jo kaam milega, karega. Tum logo ki madad ho jayegi.”
Zeenat ne Ramesh ko upar se neeche tak dekha. Uske kapde phate hue the, haath-paon mitti se litte hue, baal bikhre hue. Zeenat ke chehre pe saaf nafrat si nazar aa rahi thi. Usne munh banaya aur thoda sa peeche hat gayi. Jaise uske paas se koi gandi cheez guzar rahi ho. Woh kuch boli nahi, bas apni nazar hata li aur rasoi ki taraf dekhne lagi.
Lekin Farida ki nazar alag thi. Woh Ramesh ko ghoor rahi thi. Uske sine, uske kandhe, uske haath… dheere-dheere dekh rahi thi. Ramesh ka jism mazboot tha. Din bhar mehnat karne wale aadmi ka jism. Kandhe chaudi, baahen moti, seene pe kapde ke neeche maas saaf ubhar raha tha. Farida ki aankhein uske jism pe atki hui thin. Uske chehre pe ek ajeeb si bhook si nazar aa rahi thi.
Woh dheere se aage badhi aur Ramesh se puchne lagi, “Naam kya hai tera?”
“Ramesh… maalkin.”
“Ghar mein kaun hai?”
“Biwi hai… aur ek beti. Gaanv mein hain.”
Farida ne uski baahon pe nazar daali. “Kaam kar lega? Mehnat wala kaam?”
Ramesh ne sir jhukaya. “Ji… sab kar lunga”
Farida ne uske seene pe nazar ghumayi. Kapde ke phate hue hisse se uska maas dikh raha tha. Woh thoda sa muskurayi, lekin woh muskurahat Zeenat wali nafrat wali nahi thi. Kuch aur thi.
Main khada dekh raha tha. Zeenat ab bhi munh banaaye khadi thi. Farida Ramesh ke bilkul qareeb aa gayi thi. Uske sawalon mein ek ajeeb si garmi thi.
Ramesh sir jhukaye khada tha. Farida uske jism ko aise dekh rahi thi jaise koi naya khilona dekh rahi ho.
Farida ne Ramesh ko saath liya aur ghar ka kaam samjhana shuru kiya. Pehle rasoi dikhayi. “Yahan bartan saaf karne hain, subah-shaam. Phir aangan jhadu-pochha. Upar ke kamron ki safai. Jo samaan bahar se lana ho, woh bhi.”
Ramesh sir jhukaye sun raha tha. “Ji maalkin.”
Farida uske bilkul qareeb khadi thi. Jab woh aage badh kar kuch dikhati toh uska jism Ramesh ke jism se thoda sa takra jata. Uske sine kabhi-kabhi Ramesh ke baazu se chipak jate. Farida ko iska hosh tha, lekin woh peeche nahi hatti. Uske chehre pe wohi ajeeb si muskurahat thi.
Main thodi door khada dekh raha tha. Farida ki aankhein Ramesh pe se hat hi nahi rahi thin. Jab woh usse baat karti toh uski nazar uske seene pe, uski baahon pe, uske gale pe ghumti rehti. Jaise woh sirf kaam nahi, uske jism ko bhi dekh rahi ho.
Farida ne Ramesh ko store room dikhaya. “Yahan samaan rakha hai. Jab jo chahiye, nikal lena.” Phir usne usse neeche ke khali kamre ki taraf le gayi. “Raat ko yahin so jaana. Bistar daal denge.”
Ramesh ne jhuk kar salam kiya. “Bahut meherbani bhabhi.”
Farida uske saamne khadi thi. Uske sine uske saans lene se upar-neeche ho rahe the. Uski aankhein Ramesh ki aankhon mein ghusne ki koshish kar rahi thin. Main dekh raha tha. Uske chehre pe jo bhook thi, woh ab saaf nazar aa rahi thi.
Mera dil ek ajeeb si bechaini se bhar gaya. Main sochne laga… kahin main galat toh nahi kar raha? Is aadmi ko ghar mein rakh kar. Farida ki aankhein dekh kar mujhe aisa lag raha tha jaise main ne koi aisi cheez ghar mein la di hai jo ab control se bahar ja sakti hai.
Farida ne Ramesh se kaha, “Ab jao, haath-munh dho lo. Phir kaam shuru kar dena.”
Ramesh chala gaya. Farida meri taraf mudi. Uske chehre pe ab bhi wohi muskurahat thi. Main uski aankhon mein dekh raha tha… aur andar hi andar ek khauf sa paida ho raha tha.
Ghar do manzil ka hai. Neeche hum dono miyan-biwi. Ek kamra khali pada hai, ek samaan rakhne ka kamra, rasoi aur gusalkhana. Upar do kamre hain. Ek mein bahu rehti hai, dusre mein choti beti.
Biwi Farida. Athalis saal ki. Pehle se hi garam mizaj ki aurat thi, ab bhi hai. Jism uska bhari ho gaya hai. Pet thoda nikal aaya hai, lekin usse uski husn kam nahi hui. Sine uske itne bhari aur bade hain ke kapdon ke upar se bhi unka wazan saaf nazar aata hai. Jab chalti hai toh unke hilne se saari ki silwatein tan jati hain. Pichhwada uska mota aur gol hai. Saari pehen ke jab chalti hai toh uske do hisse alag-alag lehraate hain, jaise andar koi cheez bharii hui ho. Raat ko jab bistar pe let’ti hai toh kabhi-kabhi uska pichhwada mere jism se chipak jata hai. Main mehsoos karta hoon, lekin jo cheez pehle turant jawabi hoti thi, ab nahi hoti. Woh gusse mein karwat badal leti hai aur munh pher leti hai.
Badi beti Shabnam. Athais saal ki. Shadi ho chuki hai, sasural mein rehti hai. Apni Ammi ki tarah hi jism hai uska. Sine bhari, kamar patli, pichhwada mota aur tight. Shadi ke baad thoda aur bhari ho gayi hai, lekin abhi bhi dekhne layak hai. Kabhi-kabhi ghar aati hai toh uske kapdon se uska poora jism saaf dikhta hai. Main dekh leta hoon, lekin phir nazar hata leta hoon.
Beta Arab desh mein rehta hai. Ek-do saal mein ek baar aata hai. Uski biwi Zeenat yahin rehti hai. Chaubees saal ki. Iske jism ka kya kahu. Bilkul katil. Qad theek-thaak, jism patla lekin usme aisi golaiyan hain ke nazar na jaye toh bhi dil dekh leta hai. Sine itne bade nahi jitne Farida ke, lekin unka jaam bilkul gol aur khinchahua hai. Jab kasi hui qameez pehenti hai toh unka poora ubhaar nikal aata hai. Kamar patli, pet bilkul chikna. Pichhwada uska kasa hua aur thoda upar uthha hua hai. Jab patloon pehen ke chalti hai toh uske dono hisse alag-alag uchhalte hain. Chehra bhi khubsurat hai, badi-badi aankhein, bhare hue hont. Main aksar usko chupke se dekhta rehta hoon. Kabhi rasoi mein kaam karte hue, kabhi seedhiyon pe chalte hue. Woh jaanti hai ke meri nazar uspe hai, lekin kuch nahi bolti. Kabhi-kabhi bas halki si muskurahat de deti hai.
Choti beti Aliya. Bees saal ki. Padhai karti hai. Abhi jawani mein hai. Jism abhi ban raha hai. Sine abhi darmiyane size ke hain, lekin gol aur kase hue. Kamar patli, pichhwada abhi itna bada nahi, lekin uska jaam achha hai. Jab chhoti si nicker pehen ke ghar mein ghumti hai toh uski tangon ka lambapa aur chiknapan saaf nazar aata hai. Kabhi subah gusalkhane se nikalte hue geele baalon aur kasi hui qameez mein dikhti hai toh uske sine ke ubhaar ke saath unke sire bhi kapde ke upar se nazar aa jate hain. Main nazar pher leta hoon dekhkar.
Yeh hai mera ghar. Neeche main aur Farida. Upar Zeenat aur Aliya. Shabnam kabhi-kabhi aa jati hai to hamare bagal waale kamre me so jaati hai..
Raat ka waqt tha. Kamre mein sirf ek chhoti si batti jal rahi thi. Main bistar pe leta hua tha, aankhein band kiye. Neend nahi aa rahi thi. Tabhi bistar hilne laga. Farida meri taraf aa rahi thi.
Usne apne kapde utaar di thi. Poori nangi ho chuki thi. Main aankhein khol kar dekha. Uske bhari sine andhere mein bhi saaf nazar aa rahe the. Unke sire thode se ubhre hue the. Pet thoda nikal aaya hua, lekin uske neeche uska pichhwada bilkul gol aur mota tha. Woh meri taraf aayi aur dheere se mere upar chadhh gayi. Uske dono pair mere kamar ke dono taraf aa gaye. Uske sine mere seene se chipak gaye. Unka wazan mujhe mehsoos ho raha tha.
Usne apna munh mere kaan ke paas laaya aur dheemi awaaz mein boli, “Aaj thoda mehnat karni padegi shayad…”
Main chup raha. Usne apna haath neeche le jaakar meri langot ke upar rakh diya. Andar jo cheez thi, woh dheeli padi thi. Usne usko sehlana shuru kiya. Pehle bohot dheere, jaise kisi naazuk cheez ko chhu rahi ho. Phir thoda zor se. Uske haath ki garmi mujhe mehsoos ho rahi thi.
Farida ne apna munh mere gale pe rakh diya aur halki si chummi lene lagi. Uske hont geele the. Woh boli, “Pehle toh itni der nahi lagti thi… ab intezaar karna padta hai.”
Usne meri langot dheere se neeche sarka di. Ab uska haath seedha us cheez pe tha. Woh usko pakad kar upar-neeche karne lagi. Kabhi uski topi ko ungliyon se sehlati, kabhi poori mutthi mein le kar dheere-dheere dabati. Main mehsoos kar raha tha ke thodi si garmi paida ho rahi hai, lekin woh abhi bhi dheeli thi.
Farida ne apna pichhwada thoda peeche kiya aur apni geeli jagah ko us dheeli cheez pe ragarne lagi. Uski garmi aur geelapan mujhe mehsoos ho raha tha. Woh dheere-dheere hilne lagi. Uske sine mere seene pe ragad kha rahe the. Unke sire kabhi mere seene se takrate, kabhi mere munh ke paas aa jate.
Woh phir se mere kaan ke paas aayi aur boli, “Thoda sa jawabi do na… main itni mehnat kar rahi hoon.”
Usne apna munh neeche laaya aur mere honton pe apne hont rakh diye. Dheere-dheere chusne lagi. Uske hont narm the. Usne apni jeebh mere munh mein daal di. Main bhi uska jawab dene ki koshish kar raha tha.
Usne phir se neeche haath le jaakar us cheez ko pakda. Ab thodi si jaan aa rahi thi. Woh dheere-dheere khadi hone lagi thi. Farida ne mehsoos kiya toh uske munh se ek halki si saans nikal gayi. “Haan… ab thoda sa hua… aur thoda…”
Usne apni geeli jagah ko uske upar rakh diya aur dheere-dheere baithne lagi. Uske andar ka garam pani meri us cheez pe gir raha tha. Woh bilkul andar nahi le paayi kyunki woh abhi poori tarah se taiyar nahi thi. Bas uski topi uske labon ke beech mein dab gayi.
Farida ne apne dono haath mere seene pe rakh diye aur hilne lagi. Uske bhari sine mere munh ke bilkul upar aa gaye. Unka wazan meri saanson ko rok raha tha. Woh boli, “Inko thoda pyar do… pehle toh ispe hi toot padte the.”
Main ne apna munh khola. Uske sine ka ek sira mere munh mein aa gaya. Main ne usko chusna shuru kiya. Farida ke munh se ek lambi saans nikal gayi. “Haan… aise hi… thoda aur…”
Woh hilti rahi. Uske pichhwade ke dono hisse mere ranon pe ragad kha rahe the. Uske andar ki garmi badhti ja rahi thi. Meri us cheez mein ab thodi si jaan aa chuki thi, lekin abhi bhi woh pehle jaisi mazboot nahi thi.
Farida ne apna munh mere seene pe rakh diya aur halki si chummi lene lagi. Phir uthkar meri aankhon mein dekhte hue boli, “Aaj thoda sabr se… chahe jitni der lage… main yahin hoon.”
Woh phir se hilne lagi… is baar thoda tez. Uske sine mere munh pe ragad kha rahe the. Main unko chusta ja raha tha. Farida ke munh se dheemi-dheemi awaazein nikalne lagi thin.
Kamre mein bas uski saansein aur mere munh se nikalne wali dheemi awaazein thi. Main aankhein band kiye uske neeche leta hua tha. Uske jism ki garmi, uske sine ka wazan, uske andar ki geeli garmi… sab kuch mehsoos kar raha tha.
Farida ne apne dono haath mere baalon mein daal diye aur dheere se boli, “Bas thoda aur… abhi toh sirf shuru hua hai…”
Woh hilti rahi.
Farida ab bhi mere upar thi. Woh hilti ja rahi thi, uske sine mere munh pe ragad kha rahe the. Main unko chusta ja raha tha. Uske andar ki garmi badhti ja rahi thi. Meri us cheez mein ab thodi si jaan aa chuki thi, lekin woh abhi bhi pehle jaisi mazboot nahi thi.
Main mehsoos kar raha tha ke andar se kuch ubalne laga hai. Farida ko bhi pata chal gaya. Usne tez-tez hilna shuru kiya. Uske pichhwade ke maas mere ranon pe dastak de rahe the. Main apne aap pe kaabu nahi rakh paya. Ek jhatke ke saath mera pani nikal gaya… uski jaanghon ke beech hi.
Farida ruk gayi. Usne neeche dekha. Uske chehre pe mayusi saaf nazar aa rahi thi. Woh dheere se mere upar se utri. Bina kuch bole apni taraf karwat le li. Uske sine ab meri taraf nahi the. Pichhwada meri taraf tha, lekin usme koi garmi nahi thi. Woh chupchaap let gayi. Main bhi uske peeche leta raha. Kuch der baad uski saansein gehri ho gayin. Woh so gayi thi. Main aankhein khule late raha. Dimagh mein uski mayusi ghumti rahi.
Subah hui. Main utha. Farida ab bhi soyi hui thi. Main ne kapde pehne aur bahar nikal aaya.
Rasoi mein Farida aur Zeenat dono kaam kar rahi thin. Farida khadi kaam kar rahi thi. Zeenat aate ka goondha hua aata bel rahi thi. Usne ek kasi hui salwar qameez pehni hui thi. Qameez uske pichhwade pe kasi hui thi. Uska pichhwada bilkul kamsin aur gol tha. Jab woh aage jhuk kar belan chala rahi thi toh uske pichhwade ke dono hisse alag-alag ubhar rahe the. Kapde ke upar se unka jaam saaf nazar aa raha tha. Kamar uski patli thi, uske upar qameez ki silwatein tan rahi thin.
Main wahi khade-khade dekhte raha. Meri us cheez ne ek jhatka maara. Pehli baar itni subah itna tez jawaab diya tha. Main chupchaap baith gaya. Zeenat ne meri taraf dekha, halki si muskurahat di, phir se apne kaam mein lag gayi. Woh phir jhuk gayi. Uske pichhwade ka wohi gol ubhaar phir nazar aa gaya.
Farida ne roti banani shuru ki. Zeenat aata belti rahi. Main unke saamne baitha hua tha. Haath mein roti liye, lekin nazar Zeenat ke pichhwade pe hi atki hui thi. Har baar jab woh jhukti, uske dono hisse thoda sa hilte. Meri us cheez andar hi andar phir se jhatke maarti.
Main chupchaap khana khata raha… aur dekhte raha.
Khana kha kar main utha. Zeenat abhi bhi rasoi mein thi. Uske pichhwade ka woh gol ubhaar meri aankhon mein ghum raha tha, lekin main ne nazar hata li. Bahar nikal aaya.
Seedha Nadeem ke ghar ki taraf chal diya. Woh mere hi umar ka tha. Saalon se jaan-pehchaan thi. Uske ghar ke bahar hi ek chauki pe baitha hua tha. Mujhe dekhte hi usne haath hila kar bulaya.
“Aa ja, baith.”
Main uske paas baith gaya. Kuch der tak aas-paas ki baatein hoti rahi. Tabhi meri nazar thodi door par bathe ek aadmi par gyi gayi. Wahan ek aadmi baitha hua tha. Umra karib chalis ke qareeb. Kapde phate hue, chehra mayus. Sir jhukaye baitha tha.
Main ne Nadeem ki taraf dekha aur dheere se pucha, “Yeh kaun hai?”
Nadeem ne bhi us taraf dekha. “Bechara kaam dhoondh raha hai. Kai din se yahin aas-paas ghum raha hai. Koi kaam nahi mil raha.”
Main kuch der chup raha. Sochta raha. Ghar mein kaam toh hai. Farida akeli sab sambhalti hai. Zeenat madad karti hai, lekin phir bhi. Ek aadmi ho toh bohot si cheezein asaan ho jayein.
Main ne kaha, “Ek kaam karta hoon. Isko apne ghar pe rakh leta hoon. Teri bhabhi ko kaam mein aasani ho jayegi.”
Nadeem ne meri taraf dekha. Phir us mazdoor ki taraf. “Achha khayal hai. Is bechare ko bhi madad mil jayegi. Aur ghar ka kaam bhi chal jayega.”
Main ne us mazdoor ko ishara kiya. Woh uth kar hamare paas aaya. Sir jhukaye khada ho gaya. Main ne usse pucha, “Kaam karega?”
Usne sir upar uthaya. Aankhon mein halki si ummeed thi. “Haan… karunga.”
“Mere ghar pe. Jo kaam milega, woh karna. Khana-peena milega, mehnatana bhi.”
Woh jhat se jhuk kar salam karne laga. “Bahut meherbani… bahut meherbani.”
Main ne Nadeem se aankhein milayin. Woh muskura diya.
Main ne kaha, “Main tujhe kaam pe rakh lunga. Lekin imaandari se kaam karna hoga. Koi chori-chakari nahi, koi susti nahi. Jo kaam milega, dil laga kar karna.”
Woh jhat se jhuk gaya. “Ji malik. Aap jo kahenge, wohi karunga. Imaandari se.”
Main ne usse dekha. “Naam kya hai tera?”
Usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha, “Ramesh… malik.”
Main ne thodi der chup rehkar pucha, “Ghar mein kaun-kaun hai?”
Ramesh ne sir jhukaya. “Biwi hai malik… aur ek beti. Jawan ho gayi hai.”
Main ne aage pucha, “Woh kahan hain ab?”
Usne saans bhari. “Gaanv mein hain malik. Beti ki shaadi karni hai. Is liye yahan kaam dhoondhne aaya hoon. Kuch paise jama kar ke unke paas bhej sakun.”
Main ne uski baat suni. Uske chehre pe mayusi ke saath ek bojh sa nazar aa raha tha. Main ne kaha, “Theek hai. Aaj se tu mere ghar pe hai. Jo kaam milega, karna. Khana-peena milega, mehnatana bhi dunga. Imaandari se kaam kiya toh hamesha ke liye rakh lunga.”
Ramesh ne phir se jhuk kar salam kiya. “Bahut meherbani malik… bahut meherbani. Aapki meherbani kabhi nahi bhoolunga.”
Main ne Nadeem ki taraf dekha. Woh muskura raha tha. Main ne Ramesh se kaha, “Chal, ab mere saath. Ghar chalte hain.”
Woh mere peeche-peeche chal diya. Sir ab bhi thoda jhuka hua tha, lekin aankhon mein ab mayusi ke bajaye thodi si ummeed thi.
Main Ramesh ko lekar ghar aa gaya. Woh mere peeche-peeche chal raha tha, sir thoda jhukaye hue. Ghar ke andar aate hi Farida aur Zeenat dono rasoi se nikal kar aa gayin. Unki nazar pehle mujhpe gayi, phir mere peeche khade Ramesh pe.
Farida ne pucha, “Yeh kaun hai?”
Main ne sab kuch bata diya. “Yeh Ramesh hai. Kaam dhoondh raha tha. Main ne isko ghar pe rakh liya hai. Jo kaam milega, karega. Tum logo ki madad ho jayegi.”
Zeenat ne Ramesh ko upar se neeche tak dekha. Uske kapde phate hue the, haath-paon mitti se litte hue, baal bikhre hue. Zeenat ke chehre pe saaf nafrat si nazar aa rahi thi. Usne munh banaya aur thoda sa peeche hat gayi. Jaise uske paas se koi gandi cheez guzar rahi ho. Woh kuch boli nahi, bas apni nazar hata li aur rasoi ki taraf dekhne lagi.
Lekin Farida ki nazar alag thi. Woh Ramesh ko ghoor rahi thi. Uske sine, uske kandhe, uske haath… dheere-dheere dekh rahi thi. Ramesh ka jism mazboot tha. Din bhar mehnat karne wale aadmi ka jism. Kandhe chaudi, baahen moti, seene pe kapde ke neeche maas saaf ubhar raha tha. Farida ki aankhein uske jism pe atki hui thin. Uske chehre pe ek ajeeb si bhook si nazar aa rahi thi.
Woh dheere se aage badhi aur Ramesh se puchne lagi, “Naam kya hai tera?”
“Ramesh… maalkin.”
“Ghar mein kaun hai?”
“Biwi hai… aur ek beti. Gaanv mein hain.”
Farida ne uski baahon pe nazar daali. “Kaam kar lega? Mehnat wala kaam?”
Ramesh ne sir jhukaya. “Ji… sab kar lunga”
Farida ne uske seene pe nazar ghumayi. Kapde ke phate hue hisse se uska maas dikh raha tha. Woh thoda sa muskurayi, lekin woh muskurahat Zeenat wali nafrat wali nahi thi. Kuch aur thi.
Main khada dekh raha tha. Zeenat ab bhi munh banaaye khadi thi. Farida Ramesh ke bilkul qareeb aa gayi thi. Uske sawalon mein ek ajeeb si garmi thi.
Ramesh sir jhukaye khada tha. Farida uske jism ko aise dekh rahi thi jaise koi naya khilona dekh rahi ho.
Farida ne Ramesh ko saath liya aur ghar ka kaam samjhana shuru kiya. Pehle rasoi dikhayi. “Yahan bartan saaf karne hain, subah-shaam. Phir aangan jhadu-pochha. Upar ke kamron ki safai. Jo samaan bahar se lana ho, woh bhi.”
Ramesh sir jhukaye sun raha tha. “Ji maalkin.”
Farida uske bilkul qareeb khadi thi. Jab woh aage badh kar kuch dikhati toh uska jism Ramesh ke jism se thoda sa takra jata. Uske sine kabhi-kabhi Ramesh ke baazu se chipak jate. Farida ko iska hosh tha, lekin woh peeche nahi hatti. Uske chehre pe wohi ajeeb si muskurahat thi.
Main thodi door khada dekh raha tha. Farida ki aankhein Ramesh pe se hat hi nahi rahi thin. Jab woh usse baat karti toh uski nazar uske seene pe, uski baahon pe, uske gale pe ghumti rehti. Jaise woh sirf kaam nahi, uske jism ko bhi dekh rahi ho.
Farida ne Ramesh ko store room dikhaya. “Yahan samaan rakha hai. Jab jo chahiye, nikal lena.” Phir usne usse neeche ke khali kamre ki taraf le gayi. “Raat ko yahin so jaana. Bistar daal denge.”
Ramesh ne jhuk kar salam kiya. “Bahut meherbani bhabhi.”
Farida uske saamne khadi thi. Uske sine uske saans lene se upar-neeche ho rahe the. Uski aankhein Ramesh ki aankhon mein ghusne ki koshish kar rahi thin. Main dekh raha tha. Uske chehre pe jo bhook thi, woh ab saaf nazar aa rahi thi.
Mera dil ek ajeeb si bechaini se bhar gaya. Main sochne laga… kahin main galat toh nahi kar raha? Is aadmi ko ghar mein rakh kar. Farida ki aankhein dekh kar mujhe aisa lag raha tha jaise main ne koi aisi cheez ghar mein la di hai jo ab control se bahar ja sakti hai.
Farida ne Ramesh se kaha, “Ab jao, haath-munh dho lo. Phir kaam shuru kar dena.”
Ramesh chala gaya. Farida meri taraf mudi. Uske chehre pe ab bhi wohi muskurahat thi. Main uski aankhon mein dekh raha tha… aur andar hi andar ek khauf sa paida ho raha tha.
