Update 111
Waqt aur Badlaav (1)
Takriban saadhe 6 ka samaya hua tha aur Arjun car se utar kar bade gate ko kholne laga. Seat par Pandit ji he the aur Arjun ke chehre par khushi bata rahi thi ki uska samay atcha gujra hai. Lekin yaha aangan me ye 4x4 Mahindra Classic khadi dekh woh apne dada ko dekhne laga jo gaadi ko bahar he ek taraf laga kar andar chale aaye.
"Ab itni savere kiski jeep aai hai yaha dada ji?", Rameshwar ji Arjun ke kandhe par hath rakhte hue sath he andar liye chal diye. Chaabi Arjun ko pakda di thi unhone aur bheetar aangan se aati awaaje bata rahi thi ki koi khaas he hai jo aaya hai. Saamne wale ko dekh kar Arjun uchal he pada.
"Chacha.", Woh bina kisi par dhyaan diye is datyakar sharir wale vyakti ke gale ja laga. Ye Umed Singh the, jinke paanv par suraksha ke liye gulabi kavach laga tha aur saamne ye bada gilas doodh ka jo woh pee he rahe the.
"Bhatije, tu mere chacha ko budhape me kyu dukhi kare rakhta hai? Charan sparsh chacha ji.", Rameshwar ji ne kandhe par hath rakhte hue Umed ko baithe he rehne ko kaha aur Shankar ki bagal me aa gaye.
"Tu thik tha tab tere grah-dosh khatam ni ho rahe the aur ab tooti taang liye aaj idhar aa gaya. Parshad sahab ki team nazar nahi aa rahi? Aur Shankar tumne CM se darkhast ki thi kya jo ye aaj yaha aa gaya?", Umed Singh unke aise meethe tanj sunn kar muskura raha tha aur Shankar ji bhi khush the apne pita ka mood dekh kar. Arjun abhi tak Umed ki goad me he baitha tha.
"Papa maine he bulaya hai isko, nashte ke baad aapne bhi chalna hai hamare sath. Waisa kaisa raha aaj itne saal baad gaadi chalana? Kuch seekha bhi isne ya bas tafri maar ke aa gaya aapke sath?", Umed garam doodh pee raha tha aur Kaushalya ji bhi Pandit ji ke liye chai aur Arjun ka doodh liye udhar aa baithi. Arjun bhi Umed ke bagal wali kursi par baitha tha lekin kuch fusfusa raha tha.
"Yar tu toh jaanta he hai ye automatic gaadiyan. Isme kya sikhaun main isko ye bata? Steering sambhal leta hai lekin kal se tu he leke jana sikhane agar time ho tere pas aur koi jaruri nahi subah he jana hai. Jab dono ek dusre se milo toh nikal jana. Main toh isliye chala gaya tha ke shart haar gaya aur badle me bahu se chabi leni padi aur car chalani padi.", Rameshwar ji ne apni dharampatni se chota toliya lete hue chehre saaf kia toh Shankar ji hairat se Arjun aur apne baap ko dekhe ja rahe the. Kaushalya ji bhi hairaan thi.
"Kaisi sharat ji? Aur budhape me is bache ke sath sharte lagate firte ho aap?"
"Oh thanedarni ji, tera beta aaya hua hai thodi uski sewa karo ye dada-paute ke beech me kya rakha hai. Waise Shankar ek petrol pump lena tha, kam paise me aur kishto par. Karwa do bhai ye kaam toh mujhe araam milega.", Pandit ji ajeeb se baatein kar rahe the jo Arjun samajh raha tha ya ab Shankar ji samjah gaye the.
"Mooh laga ke teil peeti hai na ye gaadi? Koi na jo chalayega woh bharwayega. Pump le he lena chahiye waise, demand me hai ye kaam.", Shankar ji ne Umed ki taraf dekh kar kaha.
"Chacha galat baat hai ye. Main koi ghotala toh ni karta jo mere business me Shankar hath fansane ki keh raha aur upar se aap he de rahe ho sujhav.", Umed Singh ke kayi vyapaar bhi the jinme se ek uske petrol pump ka kaam bhi tha. Aaspas ke teen sheharo me kareeb 10 pump ka woh akela maalik tha aur itne he me saanjhedar bhi jo agle shehar the.
"Khote ye majaak kar raha hai. Waise tu aaya sahi time par hai. Nashte ke baad chal he rahe hai toh 6-6 nishane bhi laga lenge.", Rameshwar ji ki ye baat aur josh dekh kar Kaushalya ji badbadati hui uth gayi aur Arjun araam se doodh peeta raha.
"Haan kyo ni, main toh aaya bhi tha ye soch kar. Shankar apna kaam karta rahega itne hum range par chal padenge fir Shankar ke sath aage jana hai lekin pehle aap ko wapis chhod jarur denge."
"Main bhi soch raha hu aaj range par chalu. Lekin aap dono me se golf toh koi khelta nahi.", Shankar ji ne baat thodi badalni chahi shayad Arjun ki wajah se ya unka dil tha khelne ka.
"Kapoor ko bol dena abhi ke shaam ki chai uske sath lenge. Satish bhi keh raha tha toh aaj Golf bhi sahi. Waise Pawan (horse) bhi aa jayega aaj, bahar wale farm par.", Shankar ji hairat ke sath thoda khush bhi the. Subah se pehli baar unke chehre par he khushi aai thi jisme woh dil se prasann the.
"Kal aapke sath Arjun bhi chal padega. Isko bhi thoda bahot sikha sakte hai.", Shankar ji ne khushi me apne bete ko shumaar karna chaha.
"Abhi nahi shaadi ke baad. Aur thoda ab duty par bhi dhyaan dena hai isliye aaj kar lo jo dil karta hai. Fir shaadi-byaah ke kaam bhi dekhne hai. Raat ke 8 agar ghar se bahar baje toh fir savere he aana barkhurdar. Tumhari maa abhi bol kar gayi hai ke main budha ho gaya hu toh usko bhi apne bacho ko batana padega woh 2 dashak se baap bane hue hai aur jald nana-dada bhi honge.", Shankar ji pita ki aakhiri baat sunn kar jhemp se gaye lekin Umed khush ho gaya. Woh nahane ke liye chale gaye toh Umed ne Arjun ke kandhe par baaju daalte hue apne bhai samaan dost se kaha.
"Ye drama abhi tak chalta hai be? Waise main mahine ke rest pe hu, tu aa sakta hai agar dil kare toh.", Shankar ji ne hath mooh ke saamne rakh lia.
"Jo bolke gaye hai suna na dhyaan se. Baaki dekhte hai, tu chutti pe hai toh kharaab toh hone nahi denge. Narinder bhi aa jayega 2 hafte tak. Arjun, apni maa se kaho ke chacha aur mera nashta laga de. Tumne school nahi jana aaj?", Rupali ko tayaar dekh kar unhone Arjun se bhi pooch lia.
"Nahi, ye hafte aur school hai fir summer vacation hai lekin mere toh pehle he application gayi hui hai papa. Aaj card chapne deke aane hai jo bua ne kal tayar karwaya tha wahi wala. Uske baad taaiji ne ek list di aur ek daadi ji ne toh woh samaan bhi lana. Fir purane ghar ki marammat ke liye thekedar se jaankari leni hai aur kal se waha kaam shuru karwana hai.", Arjun ne jitne kaam bataye the woh Shankar ji ko bhi maloom nahi the ke itna kuch Arjun dekh raha hai.
"Thik hai. Meri jarurat ho toh bata dena.", Shankar ji ne sar hilate hue sehmati jatai.
"Ji jarurat toh hai, woh agar aapko samay mile toh.", Arjun kursi se uth chuka tha aur apni baat kehte kehte ruk gaya.
"Jo kehna hai kaho. Mujhe atcha lagega agar kuch mere matlab ka kaam main kar saka toh."
"Ji waha ka naksha aur andar ki sajawat aap bata paaye toh. Bua aur daadi keh rahe the ki us ghar ko aap apne hisaab se banana chahte the aur bua ka naya ghar bhi aapne he tayaar karwaya tha.", Arjun ne najre neechi kar li thi. Shankar ka ye bhi ek shauk tha jo sirf kareebi logo ko he pata tha. Ghar toh har koi bana sakta hai lekin us aashiyane ki khaas sajawat aur har choti badi cheej ko mehatva anusaar lagane ka pata tha Shankar ko. Apni behan ke ghar ka naksha khud unhone banaya tha aur baad me aantrik saaj-sajja unke kahe anusaar he karwai thi unke jija Ashok ne.
"Hamari haveli bhi pehle sirf haveli thi beta. Shankar ne ek mahine me apne 5 ravivar waha jaya kiye the lekin aaj jo bhi andar se dekhta hai woh pehla sawaal yahi karta hai ke kaam kis se karwaya hai. Haan ye alag baat hai ke hamara Bholenath kaam apni marji se he karta hai aur fees itni ki har koi afford nahi kar sakta.", Umed ke aise kehne ke baad hansne se Shankar ji bhi hans diye.
"Tere chacha ki yahi aadat hai, lekin abhi tum marammat karwao hum sunday ko dekhte hai aur fir Sanjiv aa jayega toh samaan bhi mangwa lenge.", Arjun haami bhar ke chala gaya apni ma ko batane ke papa ka nashta lagwa de lekin uske kehne se pehle he Aarti didi ne 2 plate table par laga di thi. Woh itni subah kaam kar rahi thi, Arjun ko yakeen nahi hua. Fir woh bhi upar chala gaya naha kar tayaar hone. Aaj aur bhi bahot kaam the.
Idhar thodi he der me nashte se dono farig hue toh Rameshwar ji aa baithe aur unhe Kaushalya ji he nashta karwati thi. Shankar apne kamre me gaye the rumal aur baaki saman lene jo woh rakhte the. Yaha sab samaan Rekha ji ne nikaal kar abhi table par rakha he tha ke Shankar ji ne baat shuru ki.
"Kal raat main aaya tha. Lekin yaha Ritu aur Rupali soyi hui thi."
"Ji kal pehla din tha toh tabiyat thik nahi thi. Isliye aaj rasoi me bhi nahi gayi.", Rekha ji ne apni maasik ki pareshani bataai toh Shankar ji ab kya kehte.
"Dr Kanta se mil lo, Arjun ya koi bhi sath chala jayega. Ye gambhir bhi ho sakta hai kyonki pichle 5-6 mahine se aisa hone laga hai."
"Ji.", Rekha ji ne jyada bada jawaab na dia aur Shankar ji bahar chale gaye. Rekha ji ke sath kuch samay se he aisa hone laga tha ke maasik-chakra ke pehle din kamjori ke sath atirikt bahaav ki samasya hoti thi. Apne pati ke jaane ke baad woh apne ghutne dabati bister ke kinare baith gayi.
"Maa, aap thik toh ho na?", Idhar Arjun tayaar ho kar seedha apni maa ke he pas chala aaya tha. Rupali ko school chhodne jaane se pehle woh bas dekhne aaya tha ke maa aaj rasoi me kyo nahi dikhi. Aur unhe aise dekh woh saamne aa khada hua.
"Mujhe kya hona beta, bilkul thik hu main.", Rekha ji ne apna dard chehre par na jahir hone dia tha.
"Aap subah samay se pehle uthi hui thi aur uske baad se aap fir bahar nahi dikhai di. Sach sach batao maa ke kya baat hai? Didi bhi yahi so rahi thi papa ke ghar hone ke bawjood.", Arjun unke ghutne par hath rakhta hua farsh par ukdu baith gaya tha. Rekha ji mamta se uske sar par hath ferne lagi.
"Mujhe kuch nahi hua hai beta, ja didi intjaar kar rahi hai tera usko school chhod de.", Arjun jaanta tha ke maa usko nahi bata rahi aur woh unhe kuredna nahi chahta tha. Woh unke maathe ko choom kar bahar nikal gaya lekin Komal didi ke pas.
"Maa thik nahi hai didi, aap baat kijiye aur dekhiye unhe kya hua hai.", Komal didi jaise jaanti thi lekin Arjun ne jitni gambhirta se kaha tha woh samajh gayi thi poora sach unhe bhi nahi pata.
"Ja tu Rupali ko chhod ke aa main maa se baat karti hu. Aur fir aane ke baad sath he nashta karte hai.", Didi ne Arjun ko nishchint kia aur woh Rupali didi ko le kar nikal gaya.
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Arjun motorcycle pe Rupali didi ko liye Akanksha ke ghar ke pas he pahucha tha ke yaha Purvi aur Akanksha bahar he khadi dikh gayi. Motorcycle barabar me rokte he Akanksha ki billori aankhon me woh khaas chamak aa gayi apne pyaar ko dekhte he. Purvi thoda narajgi se Arjun ko dekh rahi thi.
"Tum ek din pehle aa gayi? Kaisi ho Purvi?", Rupali didi ne Akanksha se gale lagne ke baad Purvi se hath milaya. Arjun khada bas dekh raha tha aur woh kehta bhi kya didi ke samne.
"Papa ko kaam tha toh hum pehle aa gaye. Waise ye janaab chutti par kaise hai?", Akanksha ne Arjun ko aise kapdo me dekhte hue poocha.
"Iski life toh mat he pooch. Sanjiv bhaiya aur Madhuri didi ki shaadi hai 21 ko, aur sara kaam iske jimme. Baba toh keh rahe thi ki shaadi wale din tak bhi kaam khatam ho jaye toh bhi ganimat hogi. Waise Purvi tum aai thi na shaniwar ko toh tumhe toh pata he hoga?", Ab Purvi ki jhooti narajgi furr ho chuki thi.
"Ye na maar khayega. Agar itna he kaam hai toh bata bhi sakta hai, kahi kahi toh help kar he sakti hu. Ab nashta karne chaloge ghar?"
"Abhi table par nashta intjaar kar raha hai mera. Aap log karo baatein main chalta hu fir shehar bhi jana hai. Geeta aunty ko kehna ke jald he aaunga main aur dusre ghar ke liye Solanki uncle ne he thekedar bhijwaya hai, pooch lena. Bye Akanksha, notes lene kar aaunga.", Arjun ne motorcycle start he ki thi ki Sandeep pichli seat par aa baitha.
"Eid ke chaand chal ab school tak chhod he de.", Arjun hansta hua usko liye seedha nikal lia.
"Ae tum dono ka koi chakkar chal raha hai kya?", Rupali didi ke aise sawaal par Purvi bhi dhyaan se Akanksha ko dekhne lagi jiske chehre par halki laali thi lekin koi sharam ya pareshani nahi.
"Best friend hai mera, tumse ek saal pehle se. Ab isko chakkar toh mat he kaho aur Arjun ke sath main comfortable hu. Bas itna he hai, chahe maa se pooch lena. Ab chale aur didi aap jara bua ki help karwa dena agar time mile toh.", Purvi ko wahi chhod kar dono ladkiya apne school ki taraf chal di baatein karti hui. Rupali didi ko atcha laga tha sunn ye sunn kar ki Akansksha aur Arjun best friend hai.
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"Bhatiji, tumse milne koi aaya hai.", Umed Singh is neeji hospital ke khaas kamre me akele dakhil hua tha jaha Shabnam Singh upchaar ke sath he 24 ghante najar me bhi thi. Dekh rekh ka uchit prabandh bata raha tha jaise dushmani se jyada saamne wale ko is ladki ki parwah thi. Umed Singh ko aise almunium ki chhadi ke sath andar aate aur apne pas baithte dekh Shabnam ke chehre par kayi bhaav ubhar aaye. Iske bhi paanv ki haddi me fracture hua tha lekin kismat atchi thi jo Sushila jitni chotil na hui. Mamuli jakhm bhar rahe the jinpar aai papdi dawa se lipi thi.
"Mujhe kisi se nahi milna aur main koi bhatiji nahi hu ek hatyare ki.", Abhi tak uske tevar kamm nahi hue the ya Shabnam dikhava kar rahi thi ki woh majboot hai.
"Yaha tumse ijajat nahi li ja rahi bhatiji. Bataya ja raha hai ke araam bahut ho chuka aur ab kaam ki baat ki jayegi. Samajhdari nahi dikhane ki surat me ye kamra khali ho jayega aur shamshan me 4 mann (40 kg- 1 mann) lakdi kharaab ho jayegi. Koshish karna ke galti na he ho, woh baat utni he samjhta hai jitni usko samajh aaye.", Umed Singh ki baat khatam hote he ek kone me khadi nurse sar haan me hilati bahar chali gayi aur saamne se kameej ki aasteen kohni tak upar kiye Shankar Sharma is kamre me dakhil hone ke sath he darwaja band karke Shabnam ke dusri taraf aa baithe. Aujaar ki trolly apni taraf kheench kar woh bareek si chandrakaar (C) taanke lagane wali sui uthate hue unhone koi haal-chaal na puchte hue Shabnam ka hath apne haath me pakad lia.
"Woh 7 log tumhara sath dene wale the. Kaise pehchaan hui un peshewar kaatilo ke sath?", Shankar ji ka ye sawaal aur apni pehli ungli par majboot pakad dekh kar Shabnam ke sundar chehre par paseena ubhar aaya.
"Main..main aise kisi bhi aadmi ko nahi jaanti. Main sach keh rahi hu. aahhhhh.. maaaa.. please ruko ruko..", Woh steel ki bareek sui kitni paini thi iska andaja Umed ko bhi lag gaya tha jab ungli ke aarpar woh nakhoon se bahar nikal aai. Shabnam ka ek paanv bandha tha aur dusre par Umed ka hath tha. Ungli ke bhindne ke 5 second baad he rakt ki boond niche tapki thi. Dard se chehre safed padd gaya tha.
"Aana-kani ki toh 20 ungliyo ka nishaan mita duna bina behosh kiye. Kaun tha tumhare sath aur kaise mili tum.?"
"Mohar Singh ne milwaya tha mujhe us se. Asli naam nahi pata bas usko Lohaan bolte hai. UP aur Haryana border par woh yahi kaam karta hai. Paise ke badle me giroh saaf karne ka. Tum mere chacha lagte ho, aisa matt karo mere sath.", Shabnam jo bhi dikha rahi thi woh utni kamjor toh nahi thi.
"20 lakh Mohar Singh ke pas toh pade nahi honge, rivolver woh bhi swachalit jo asaani se nahi milti woh bhi tumhare pas thi. Peeche se kaun madad de raha tha tumhe?", Is baar woh sui ungli me he chhod kar Shankar ji ne daant ukhadne wala jamura is hath ke anghuthe ki jadd par laga dia tha.
"Meri maa ke bahot paise hain. aahhhhhhhh...maaaa..", Is baar khoon nahi nikla tha lekin 'kadaak' ki awaaj se woh najuk angutha apni jagah se latak chuka tha. Shabnam bister par hath paanv patakti cheekhe maar rahi thi. Lekin na Umed Singh ke chehre par koi bhaav aaya aur na Shankar ne ko pratikriya di.
"Maar dalo mujhe .. aahhh.. jallaad ho tum.. main rishtey me tum dono ki bhatiji lagti hu aahhh maa... please try to understand. Main kuch bhi kahungi toh yaha se nikalte he woh log mujhe maar denge. aaahh.. please spare me.", Shabnam tadapne ke baad kuch sambhli toh woh gidgida rahi thi.
"Naam aur pata.", Is baar Umed ne sawaal dohraya. "Aur tumhe vada karta hu ke main khud tumhe surakshit tumhari jagah pahucha dunga."
"Tarachand aur MLA Tomar. Aahhh.. Ek aur bhi tha lekin woh dono uska naam nahi lete the. Paisa, gaadi, pistol Tarachand arrange karke deta tha aur Tomar mere rehne khaane ke sath safe traveling arrange karta tha, maa Tarachand ki rakhi-behan hai. Lekin tum log badi galti kar rahe ho. Beshak woh sab isme shamil nahi hue lekin unki pahunch aur taqat kahi jyada hai."
"Teri maa randi thi Tarachand ki aur tune bhi toh wahi sab kia hai na uske sath. Gaand me goli maari thi maine uske aur pata hai woh kamre me teri photo pakad kar hila raha tha. Chal ab agla sawaal puch raha hu lekin galti ki saja hogi chakshu-bhidan. I will stitch your eyes in case you do not answer my question.", Shankar ji ne jaha pehle Shabnam ko jaleel kia tha ab woh bata rahe the ke agla dard kaisa dene wale hai.
"Tum jallaad he ho.. Main ladki hu aur woh bhi tum dono ki bhatiji."
"Randirona bilkul nahi. Waha ghar me tera sath dene wala kaun hai jo har khabar tujhe deta rehta tha Chandro Taai ki aur is kaam ke baad tera agla kadam kya hone wala tha.?", Is baar sooi me dhaga daalte hue Shankar ka swar thoda sakht tha wahi Umed ne dono hath atche se jakad liye the Shabnam ke. Kaal he toh tha jo aise tadpa raha tha. Hatyara hota toh maar ke dafan kar deta.
"Please ruko main bata rahi ho. Pehle he meri haalat kya kar di hai dekho. Main bata rahi hu sab.", Rote hue Shabnam gidgida rahi thi ki jo bhi poochna hai araam se. Aankho ki silai ka sunn kar he peshaab nikalne wala tha. Sharir ke roye khade ho chuke the aur dhadkan ast-vyast. Saans le kar usne bolna shuru kia.
"Sarpanch Zile Singh ka ghar haveli ke he sath hai. Wahi ek vyakti hai jo roj daadi se milta hai aur ghar bhi aana jana hai."
"Woh tere jhanse me kaise aaya?", Shankar ji ne baat beech me he kaat kar ye sawaal kia. Woh sarpanch ko atche se jaante the jo shuru se he taai ka padosi raha hai.
"Wo..wo main nahi bata sakti lekin keemat ke badle woh kaam kar raha tha mera. Tumhe jawaab se matlab hai main de rahi hu na. Zile Singh mujhe waha ki har baat batata tha aur Daadi ke baaki pariwar ko maarne ke baad maa ne kaha tha ke ## Modal Town, ##### shehar me Krishna aur uski dono betiyon ko maarna hai. Agla kaam yahi tha."
"Teri maa kii..... Saali 2 kaudi ki randi mere bhai ke ghar tak jayegi... Bindu ka address bol abhi ke abhi maa ki lodi. Yahi gale se choot tak ek lakeer bana dunga agar ab kuch bhi alag bataya toh. Ek baar me poora address aur galti ki saja main aisi dunga ke kothe par tere 10 rupaye nahi milne wale.", Shankar kabhi aise halaat me aapa khone wala vyakti nahi tha isliye usko Rameshwar ji ne chuna tha Shabnam se sab ugalwane ke liye lekin Narinder ke baare me sunte he chehre laal aur aankho me aag utar aai thi. Shabnam ko mehsoos hua ke gale par sachmuch he woh teekha operation blade Shankar laga chuka hai aur ab bister geela ho chuka tha. Umed kisi aur he mitti ka tha jo abhi bhi sukoon se baitha tha.
"Vila ##, Street xx near Old Trafford, Manchester. Aur ek farm hai jaha mom jyadatar rehti hai countryside me Rochdale. Mirza family. Main sirf wahi kar rahi hu jis se meri maa ko sukoon mile. Aapne bhi toh apni maa ke liye itna kuch kar dia tha. Spare me please, I don't wanna die uncle.", Shankar ji ne woh blade farsh par fenk dia aur fir se kursi par baith kar khud ko shaant karne lage. Shabnam sabkuch apni maa ke liye kar rahi thi.
"Meri maa galat nahi thi Shabnam aur maine sirf unke liye woh nahi kia tha. Iska bhi toh pariwar ujad gaya tha, kya galti thi Raghuvir Tauji ki. Tumhe koi dukh nahi dega lekin bas abhi yahi rehna aur ho sake toh koi galti matt karna jis se mujhe Sombir kaka se maafi maangni pade ek aur apradh ki.", Shankar ji bhi alag he insaan the. Thodi he der pehle is ladki aur maa ko randi tak bol dia tha aur ab uska sar sehla rahe the. Umed bhi unke kathan par haami bhar raha tha.
"Yaha tum apne chacha ki sharan me ho agar wafadar ho toh.", Umed Singh ne woh betaar ghanti bajate hue Nurse ko bulaya aur uske aane se pehle Shabnam ne rote hue kaha.
"Maa Muskaan ko marwa degi. Uska is sab se kuch lena dena nahi hai woh ladki begunaah aur masoom hai. Uske pita bhi bahot atche insaan hai jinki jeene ki wajah sirf Muskaan hai. Please usko bacha lo.", Shabnam ne pehli baar apni sauteli behan ke prati fikar dikhai thi. Aankhon me abhi bhi aansu the aur Shankar ji ne woh sooi nikal kar spirit ka faha waha laga dia tha.
"Muskaan surakshit hai Rammehar ke ghar aur Arjun uska dhyaan rakh raha hai.", Umed Singh ke is khulase se Shankar ji hairat se dekhne lage apne is bhai ko. Wahi Shabnam ne kuch pal ke liye aankhen moond li lekin fir bhi mooh se awaaj nikal aai.
"Arjun usko kuch nahi hone dega. Arjun ne meri zindagi bachai hai toh Muskaan ko woh kaise kuch hone dega. Arjun aap logo jaisa bilkul nahi hai. Woh unme se hai jo jung khatam karne ke evaj me khud ko bhi bhent kar sakta hai lekin dusra pehlu toh aapne bhi dekha tha na Umed uncle. Woh kaal hai jo apno ke liye yamraj se bhi bhidd sakta hai. Arjun us Menaka ke liye gala katwane ko tayaar tha, kitni maar khai thi usne Bheem se lekin uff tak nahi ki thi. Kya kia fir Bheem ke sath dekha tha na aapne?", Baat hone se pehle he nurse andar aa gayi.
"Sister kisi ortho ko bula kar thumb ka treatment kara dena. Pehle bedsheet aur kapde change karne hai. Ye agle 3 hafte tak yahi hai.", Shankar ji ne khade hone ke sath he kaha aur Umed ke sath bahar chal diye.
"Arjun ka tumhe kaise pata Gajju?", Ye dono ke beech pyaar ka naam tha Umed ka.
"Woh mera shishya hai Shankar, khoon tera hai lekin maine pala hai usko. Har baat woh mere sath karta hai. Muskaan maine goad le li hai uske kehne par, Bijender ki shaadi ke baad woh mere ghar rahegi. Waha mere aadmi suraksha karte hai aur hostel me kahi jyada suraksha hai Muskaan ke liye. Ab tu bas chacha ji se baat karke unhe bata kya karna hai. Tomar main dekh lunga lekin Zile Singh ko tu nibta. Baaki England apni hadd me nahi aata yaad rakhna. Is ladki ko toh filhal yahi rakhte hai.", Umed ne tasvir saaf ki lekin Shankar ji toh bas Arjun par he atke hue the.
"Tu us ladke ki shamta se vaakif hai na Umed?"
"Nahi. Koi wakif nahi hai uski shamta se aur woh khud nahi jaanta ke woh kya kar sakta hai. Iska jawaab bhabhi ya Chacha ji de sakte hai agar unhe tere par Arjun jitna he aitbaar ho toh. Aath (8) jamaat me usne mujhe patak dia tha woh bhi sadharan tarike se aur jaha tak main jaanta hu asadharan toh bas jhalak bhar saamne aaya hai Sudarshan ya Bheem ki roop me. Waha connection tha kuch aur aisa he ke baar hostel me bhi hua tha yaha aane se pehle lekin Shankar woh uski poori shamta nahi hai. Teeno me bas ke samaanta hai ke Arjun ke kareeb rahe honge ye log jo woh aape se bahar ho gaya, niyantran me. Bas ye soch ke sabse jyada pyaar woh kis se karta hai. Bhool kar bhi us par sankat nahi aana chahiye.", Umed Singh ki baat se Shankar ji bhi ek hadd tak wakif the. Sudarshan ne Preeti ka hath pakda tha toh woh saal bhar ke liye apahiz kar dia gaya. Waha Bheem toh alag he mansube paale tha lekin agar aisa baat hai toh Arjun Ritu ke sath kuch hone par kya kar gujrega?
"Woh ghar me thik hai Gajju. Papa se ye England wali baat karte hai aur tu iske baad tera kaam kar main mera karta hu. Waise Tomar mere liye asaan shikaar hai."
"Tomar mere liye sahi shikaar hai ladle. Sala ply ki market pe kabza kiye baitha hai Baghpat se Yamunanagar tak. Woh teesra Tarachand bata sakta tha lekin tu kisi se poochta kaha hai kuch? Aur is Tomar ko waqt dene ki galti main nahi karne wala. Reh gayi uljhan.", Umed ne sochte hue kaha aur apni almunium ki laathi ke sahare araam se chalta woh lift tak aa gaya.
"Ye chunaav me koi paisa toh lagata hoga na Gajju?", Shankar ji ka sawaal sateek tha aur Umed ke chehre par muskaan aa gayi.
"Bhole tu na kabhi kabhi Inder jaisa soch leta hai. Le mere chunav fund ka intjaam ho gaya samajh le.", Umed ne lift ka button dabaya aur dono neeche aane lage.
"Gajju tujhe bura nahi lagta? Pehle tu main aur Inder har waqt sath hote the aur ab toh milna mahine me hone laga hai.", Shankar ji ne ye baat bina soche kahi thi. Kabhi ye trimoorti the aur aaj halaat badal gaye the.
"Dekh Bhole, tu hamesha he aisa tha. Jab jiske sath uske sath. Inder aur mera alag hisab hai jaisa uske sath tera hai. Pata hai hum log bhai hai aur bhai alag nahi hote bas unke dost badal jaate hai. Tujhse alag hone ke baad mujhe Arjun mil gaya toh teri yaad nahi aai utni. Haan kabhi kabhi akhade me teri kami lagti hai. Inder toh mujhe patakta tha lekin tu mere barabar tha. Itna matt socha kar bhai, bas ye dhyaan rakhna ke Chacha apna bada nek aadmi hai. Bahot laanchan lag gaye unke upar hamrai wajah se.", Umed ateet se bahar aaya lift ka darwaja khulte he aur baat khatam karta woh Shankar ke sath bahar nikal chala. Firing range me report deni thi abhi aur aage ke baare me baatchit abhi tak pakki nahi hui thi. Din ki shuruwaat ummeed se behtar hui thi dono ki.
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Arjun nashte se farig hua toh Kaushalya ji usko kuch samjha rahi thi aur idhar Rajkumar ji bhi hath-mooh dho kar unke sameep baithe vartalap sunn rahe the. Aankhe halki laal thi, shayad aparyapt neend ya kisi khaas wajah se.
"Card aaj chhapne dega toh woh parso se pehle toh dene wala nahi hai. Aur 3 hafte me kitna kaam hai ye bas tu aur main jaante hai. Baaki sabko toh apne mel-milap se fursat nahi. Ye rashan aur teri khaas khurak ka samaan bhi lena hai. Stadium jana mushkil lagta hai is beech toh apne sector ki vyayamshala (Gym) me mahina laga le. Samay nikalna ab tere hath me hain.", Kaushalya ji Arjun ko sab samjha rahi thi.
"Daadi woh sab baad me dekhenge. Stadium ke time konsa kuch aur kaam ho sakta hai, main kar lunga kuch na kuch. Fufa ji ne bhi aana hai aaj, dada ji toh shaam ko golf khelne ka jikar kar rahe the? Bas maa ko dikha ke main market chala jata hu, fufa ji ke liye bhi toh kuch lena he padega.", Arjun ne Ashok ji ka jikar kia toh Rajkumar ji khud he jhemp gaye kyonki unki maa ghoor kar dekhne lagi thi apne bade bete ko.
"Yaha damaad se jaruri sabke apne kaam hai. Mauj-masti ki manahi nahi karti lekin jimewari bas tu utha. Main riks nahi leti ab koi.", Kaushalya ji ne apne chote se batue se woh ek aur parchi nikaal kar Arjun ko pakdai aur idhar Madhu bua bhi Arjun ki bagal me aa baithi.
"Kya hua hai Rekha ko? Aur inke aane ke liye konse samaan ki baat ho rahi hai.?", Madhu bua ne baat kehte hue Arjun ke hath se parchi le li.
"Bua, ghar me shaadi hai toh fufa ji akele damaad hai yaha ke. Unka pariwar sabse pehle aamantrit karna padega na dada ji ko? Aur aapke bina toh jaise ye pariwar poora nahi hota toh woh bhi nahi hoga.", Arjun ne bua ka ek hath apne dono hath me thaam kar jaise vinti kar di thi.
"Is sabka kya matlab hai Arjun? Maa ye kya keh raha hai aapko samajh aa raha hai?"
"Bua, dada ji sabse jyada pyaar aapse karte hai. Woh hamesha aapko khush dekhna chahte hai lekin iske badle thoda sa pyaar aur koshish aapki bhi banti hai. Beti apne pati-pariwar ke sath maayke me sewa karwaye bas yahi itcha hai daadi aur dada ji ki.", Arjun kya keh kar chala gaya tha woh Madhu ko bhi samajh na aaya lekin Rajkumar ji bhi apne bhatije ke sath he uth gaye the. Woh Arjun ke sath he ja rahe the Rekha ko dikhane aur fir market se samaan lene.
"Dekh Madhu, tere papa kabhi tujhe kuch nahi kahenge kyonki unka lagaav tere sath sabse jyada hai. Arjun jaane kaise unke dil ki har baat samajh jata hai aur wo jo keh raha tha shayad uski umar aur rishta ijajat nahi deta khul kar kehne ki.", Kaushalya ji ne kursi se uth kar apne kamre ki taraf chalte hue kaha aur Madhu bhi apni maa ke peeche peeche chal di.
"Aap toh keh sakti hai ya aapko bhi ijajat nahi hai?", Kamre ki light jalate hue Madhu bhi bister par apni maa ke pas baith gayi.
"Ashok tere liye laparwah ho raha hai. Factory, videsh aur paisa usko jyada vyast rakhta hai. Bache bhi ghar nahi rehte aur tu akeli itni dur Himachal rehti hai. Tere papa bahot khush hai aaj tujhe pehle ki tarah khush dekh kar. Kitne saalo baad ye dekha hai unhone. Woh toh Ashok se baat karna chahte the ki tujhe ab yahi chhod de. Kya woh sahi karenge aisa kar ke?", Kaushalya ji ne fainsala na sunate hue bas Madhu ki mansha jaan na chaha.
"Is ghar me sab mera dhyaan rakhte hai na maa aur waha toh koi hota he nahi mere pas."
"Yahi unki chinta hai beti. Arjun ko pata hai ke woh is baat se pareshan hai, savere 4 baje woh tere papa se bas yahi baat kar raha tha. Arjun ko tujh par bharosa hai ke tu Ashok ke pariwar ko yaha ki bahuo se jyada behtar sambhal sakti hai, jaane kaise usne ye kaha lekin mujhe Arjun par utna he vishwas hai jitna main in par karti hu. Woh tere papa se keh raha tha ke uski bua chahe toh ek kya 10 pariwaro ko jodd sakti hai.", Kaushalya ji ne tulsi ki mala ko hath par kapda pehante hue utha lia. Madhu ka dil alag dhadak raha tha aur dimaag alag.
"Usne ek baat kahi thi apne baat rakhte hue beti. Jo insaan dukh ko gehrai se jaanta hai wahi sukhi pariwar ki neev rakh sakta. Gussa ek aavran bhar hai kyonki kuch mehnat toh saamne wale ko bhi karni chahiye us aavran ko hatane ki. Uski bua apne papa ki laadli sirf ladki hone bhar se nahi hai, woh unke jaisi he hai. Anushashan, behtar prayaas, lakshya aur gambhirta se log darte hai toh log galat hai, uski bua nahi. Wo us pariwar ko sambhal sakti hai agar unke pati ek baar vishwas dikhaye toh.", Kaushalya ji ne sara vivran de dia tha Madhu ko jo bhi Arjun ne kaha tha.
"Usne ye sab papa se kaha?", Madhu ki aankhon me halki nami aur thodi hairat thi.
"Usne toh ye bhi kaha ke charo bacho me sirf tum he ho jo dil ki sabse naram bhi hai aur akeli bhi. Arjun tujhe itna kaise jaan gaya beti? Mujhe lagta hai jaise teri parwarish maine nahi usne kari ho."
"Kabhi kabhi parwarish bade hone ke baad bhi ho jaati hai maa, jaruri toh nahi bachpan me sab seekha jaye. Arjun chahta hai ke main sasural me rahu toh thik hai, bhabhi ko bol dena ke mere samaan bhi pack kar dengi kal tak."
"Woh badmash mujhe bol kar gaya hai ke uski bua ko byaah ke shagun toh baad me dene hai, pehle wo yaha maa-baap ke ghar akeli aai hai toh is baari ka samaan aur tohfe sath he leke jayengi. Koi ye na kahe ke shaadi me shagun ke waqt he kapde-latte deke kaam chala de. Tere papa ne bhi savere check sign karke de dia tha usko, chali jana shaam ko bazaar."
"Woh sab pehle he karke baitha hai toh mujhe salah kyo de raha tha thodi der pehle? Woh umar se dugna nahi jee raha maa? Ek baar hath lagne do is Arjun ke bache ko, mere ghar se mujhe nikaal raha hai. Aur meri saas aur Sasur ke kapde sath deke bhejna, pehle keh deti hu.", Madhu ne purane andaaj me gusse se kaha toh Kaushalya ji ne apne ladli ko gale se laga lia. Woh khush thi aur Madhu ki aankhon ne unse najre bacha kar woh aansu baha diye jo kuch der se ruke hue the.
"Hey prabhu Raam, shat-shat naman. Bhagwaan mere pariwar ko, bacho ko aise he khush rakhna. Apni sharan me bulane tak ye ghar aise he abaad rakhna prabhu.", Kaushlya ji kuch der apni beti ko aise he seene se lagay uparwale ka shukriya karti rahi. Madhu bhi jald he alag ho kar bahar nikal gayi chehra dhone aur us shaitan ko dhoondne jo kab ka ghar se ja chuka tha.
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9 baj rahe the subah ke aur Rameshwar ji ke sath Bade Sangwan ji kaan par dhwani-rodhak lagaye nishanebaji ka lutf le rahe the. Shankar thodi duri par baitha woh kaali coffee cup me udelta Umed ko apni pistol tayaar karte dekh raha tha. Woh dono bhi idhar he chale aaye the muskurate hue aur Shankar ne 2 cup me unke liye bhi chai daal di, dusri ketli se.
"Maan-na padega bhai sahab 70 ki umar me bhi 10 meter se aapka nishana achook hai. Mere toh 4 nishane ghere me he mushkil se aaye aur 2 toh board se bahar.", Sangwan ji ne toliye se chehra saaf karte hue ek kursi Rameshwar ji ke liye kheenchi aur dusri par khud baith gaye.
"Dharamvir bhai, 10 meter se thoda aage mere bhi nishane fail he hai. Police range ki yahi seema nirdharit rehti hai na lekin doctor hone ke bawjood pistol par pakad badi umda hai yaar.", Rameshwar ji ne bhi hatho ko saaf karte hue pehle paani ka ghoont lia aur fir Umed ko dekhne lage.
"Ye janaab hamesha bas dur se mile hai, pehchaan purani hai lekin lagta hai ghulte milte nahi. Bhai hum bhi tumhare chacha lagte hai Umed Singh."
"Chacha ji, kyo yaad dilate rehte ho aap ye baat. Jitni baar mila hu aapko ghar aane ka nyota dia lekin khud bataye ke kabhi vichar tak kia aapne? Haan Shankar ke liye toh aap 24 ghante uplabdh rehte hai.", Umed ne bhi hansi hansi me tanz kass dia tha.
"Bhai tum jawaan log aur main boodha doctor, kya karta batao haveli par aake?"
"Jo yaha kar rahe hai wahi karte. Waise aapke khansama se atcha murga bhi bana leta hu main aur kutto ka shauk aapke jitna he rakhta hu, shayad nasli lagaav alag hoga bas. Aa bhai Bhole, dekhe tere nishane jara.", Ek pistol Shankar ki taraf sarkate hue Umed ne apne baaye hath me safed kapde ka dastana pehna toh Rameshwar ji ne bina bole kuch ishara kia bade Sangwan ji ko aur Shankar-Umed ke jaate he unhone najre peeche ghuma li. Shankar ke kaan par aadhunik sa headphone jaisa yantra laga tha aur 2 gaj samanantar khade Umed ke kaan ujagar the jaise usko ye shor pasand ho.
"Aap keh rahe the ki ye ladka khaas hai. Hathiyaar chalane bhi daksh hai ye?", Chai ki chuski lete hue bade Sangwan ji ne poocha toh Rameshwar ji ne haami bhari. Sadhe 6 feet ka Umed us vajni pistol ko kalam ki tarah uthaye tha aur Shankar ki mansal kalai bata rahi thi ki uski pakad bhi kahi kamjor nahi thi. 3 Gol ghere ko beech kendra 1, bahri ghera 2-5, aur sabse bahari 6-9 se ankit tha. Shankar ka pehla nishana us dusre ghere me laga aur Umed ka sateek us gol bindu ke beech. Range se bahar baithe bade Sangwan ji dekhte he rahe un dono ko. Umed ki sateekta ka andaja unhe ho gayatha jab 6 me 5 us ek inch ke gole me ja dhanse, aur jo chooka tha woh bhi 2 inch par. Lekin Shankar ke nishane bhi kisi hisab se jyada chooke nahi the, har nishana us 2-5 inch ke daayre me raha tha.
"Ye Umed meri soch se kahi jyada he vilakshan hai Pandit ji. Shankar ka toh pata hai ke woh jo bhi karta hai usme poora utar jata hai lekin is ladke ki pratibha nahi pata thi. Aap jaante hai ye college aur hostel me bhi Shankar-Narinder ke sath pada rehta tha. Shayad Narinder ke sath iska jyada lagaav hai.", Waha woh dono abhi apni banduke badal rahe the jaise mann nahi bhara ho dono ka aur yaha Pandit ji Sangwan ji ki baat sunn rahe the.
"Ye 4 the Dharamvir aur inki duniya bas aapas me he thi. Raghubir ka dusra beta tha Arjun Singh, jisme Narinder ki jaan basti thi. Umed shuru se he Shankar ke jyada kareeb tha lekin tumne collge me isko Narinder ke sath isliye dekha hoga kyonki dono he akhade ke shaukeen the. Arjun Singh ki hatya me Fateh aur Rammehar ke ladko ka hath tha kyonki woh aisa kuch jaan gaya tha jiska pata agar in teeno ko lagta toh aaj halaat kuch aur he hote. Umed us ghatna aur badla lene ke baad pariwar me chala gaya kyonki Raghubir ke baaki dono bache toh duniya me rahe nahi the, baap ne bister pakad lia toh Umed ko he pariwar sambhalna tha. Shankar khud ko dosh deta tha Umed ke dono bhaiyo ki maut ka lekin Umed ne sachaai khud batai aur uske kehne ke baad Narinder ko Shankar ne dur kia. Umed chahta tha ke Shankar ka pariwar woh sab na dekhe jo unke sath hua.", Rameshwar ji ateet me doob gaye the, chai thandi ho chuki thi aur Sangwan ji ko aaj ye pata chal raha tha ke Shankar ki zindagi me Umed ke kya maayne hai.
"Matlab Arjun ka naam? Aur Shankar Umed ko bhi isliye dur rakhta hai ke us par koi aanch na aaye?"
"Haan lekin Umed dur nahi rehta aur Narinder ki itcha thi ki Arjun Singh ki yaad me Shankar ke bete ka naam wahi rakha jaye. Narinder ka toh zinda reh nahi paya tha.", Rameshwar ji ke itna batate he Bade Sangwan ji ne apna hath unke hath par rakh dia.
"Bhai sahab, niyati ko toh koi badal nahi sakta lekin itna kahunga ke aapne sab kuch khamoshi se manjoor kia aur hamesha pariwar ko pehle rakha. Aapke sath upar wala bura nahi kar sakta. Aur mujhe bhi Umed ke baare me itna kuch nahi pata tha. Pariwar toh sabhi jaanta hu lekin us daur me hamari itni baatein nahi ho paai thi. Arjun toh ye bhi bada nek aur samajhdar hai."
"Haan Daharmvir, woh bhi aisa he tha kuch lekin ye ladka sab sahi kar dega. Umed uska dattak pita hai aur Arjun ka bhi uske sath utna he pyaar hai. Milte kam hai lekin Umed dhyaan rakhta hai atche se uska.", Dharmvir ji ko itne kam samay me he aaj bahot kuch pata chala tha aur woh ab Umed ke baar me sabkuch jaan-ne ko utsuk the.
"Toh ab Umed raajneeti ke sath aur kya karta hai?"
"Rajneeti toh bas naam ke liye hai jis se Umed duniya me shamil rahe. Woh pariwar aur business ke sath sath anaath bacho ko atchi zindagi dene ki koshish me laga rehta hai isliye itna vyast dikhta hai. Lekin Shankar ke sath woh fir se duniya se alag ho jata hai. Aur toh kuch hai nahi uske pas.", Rameshwar ji ne chai ki taraf dhyaan dia toh muskura diye. Fir paani se gala geela karne ke baad laghushanka ka bata kar ek taraf bane bathroom ki aur chal diye. Yaha Dharamvir ji ab un dono ko dekh rahe the jo bacho ki tarah ladd rahe the. Ek pistol jameen par rakhi thi dusri me dono goli bharte hue kheench-taan kar rahe the. Shankar aisa bhi hai ye toh unhe bhi aaj maloom chala tha. Fir dono ne he pistol cover me band kar di.
"Lagta hai tum dono ka dil bhara nahi aaj?", Umed aur Shankar idhar chale aaye toh Dharamvir ji ne hanste hue poocha.
"Chacha ye na haarne ke baad hamesha aisa he karta hai. Pistol bhi badal li lekin fir haar gaya. Sanjhi pistol se bhi haar gaya toh ab keh raha hai ke ghode ke daud lagayenge. Pata hai ke waha ye jeet jayega lekin mukabla toh nishanebaji ka tha. Iski aadat kabhi nahi jayegi isliye Inder is se jyada atcha hai."
"Haan woh tujhe patak-patak ke maarta hai toh atcha he lagega. Kal tu farm pe aayega fir dekhta hu tujhe.", Shankar ji paani ki bottle mooh ke lagaye Umed ko ghoor rahe the.
"Tum Shankar ko Bhole kyu bulate ho? Bholenath ka paryaye hai isliye?", Bade Sangwan ji ke sawaal par Shankar ke mooh se paani bahar nikal gaya aur Umed hansne laga.
"Kuch nahi chacha, aise he iski aadat hai.", Shankar ji bidak gaye the thoda.
"Aisa hai na chacha ji, ye duniya ke saamne jaisa marji ho lekin apna Shankar ullu minute me bann jata hai. Inder aur Ajju iski aise he khinchai karte rehte the aur ek baar toh Ajju nehar me doob gaya toh ye dahade maar ke rone laga tha. Khel tha Inder aur Ajju ka lekin Shankar ka bura haal ho gaya tha kyonki Ajju school se bina bataye in dono ke sath aaya tha. Meri maa ko ye kya jawaab dega agar Ajju ko kuch ho gaya toh? Ye bilkul waisa nahi hai jaisa dikhta hai ya kam se kam hamare sath ye woh nahi hai.", Umed ne baat toh kehne ko keh di lekin Shankar ke chehre par ekaek itna dukh ubhar aaya tha ke woh uth kar bahar chala gaya. Umed ko bhi galti ka ehsaas ho gaya tha ke usne galat jikar kar dia tha apne bhai ka.
"Main aata hu chacha ji, sorry.", Umed apni almunium ki chhadi liye Shankar ke peeche peeche bahar nikal gaya. Bade Sangwan ji ne gehri saans li aur us bottle ko hath me pakad kar kuch sochne lage. Idhar Rameshwar ji bhi sab dekh chuke the aur apni jagah aa baithe.
"Yahi dil hai Shankar ka Dharamvir jo maine apne bache se itna pyaar karta hu. Shankar laakh bura sahi kyonki woh shuru se he kanoon ya samaaj ki parwah nahi karta. Jis se dil lag jaye uske liye Shankar mom hai. Chandro Devi, aap, Kaushalya, Umed, Ritu aur Madhulata woh log ho jinke parwah Shankar sabse jyada karta hai. Banwari (mama) raha nahi aur Narinder ko is se alag maine kabhi samjha nahi. Itna he daayra hai us naram-dil Shankar ka.", Rameshwar ji ke mooh se Madhulata ka naam sunn kar Dharamvir ji hairat se unhe dekh rahe the.
"Kya karta batao main? Mera bacha sawaal nahi karta mere fainsle par, agar woh sabke saamne liye gaye ho toh. Baat ek ladki ki nahi thi, uske pita ki marji, Sombir bhai ki pasand aur biradari ki thi. Main brahman aadmi kaise unki he biradari me us ladki ke pariwar ko khada kar deta? Sombir ke sath Raghubir, Rammehar aur poora hansta khelta pariwar agar mere fainsle se abaad rehta toh woh jaruri tha. Niyati ko kuch aur he manjoor tha ke ye fainsla lene ke baad bhi kuch nahi bacha."
"Chalo bhai sahab, baatein bhi ho gayi aur dil bhi halka ho gaya. Shabnam wala mamla dekhte hai thoda aur uske baad aapne ghar ke kaam bhi dekhne hai aur main Shankar ko thoda vyast karta hu.", Dono he bujurg is jagah se bahar ki aur chal diye jaha ab Umed fir se Shankar ke sath kisi baat par maan-manuhar kar raha tha.
"Ho gaya tumhara bachpana khatam toh gaadi nikal lo bhai. Nirmal Singh se milne ke baad mujhe ghar chhod dena aur Umed bhabhi ji ko bahu ke sath ghar bhej dena.", Unki baat ka turant he palan hua. Umed ne jaane se pehle dono bujurgo ka aashirwad lia toh is bar bade Sangwan ne apne se bhi lambe-chaude is vyakti ko seene se laga lia.
"Is baar hum aayenge beta tumhare pas."
"Intjaar rahega chacha ji. Aur Shankar raat mere ghar aane wala hai Chacha ji.", Apni jeep me baithne se pehle Umed ne Shankar ko bhi bahon me kass lia tha. Uske saamne Shankar ji ka tagda sharir bhi sokshm lagta tha.
"Haan, ab ye yahi hai toh raatein tere sath gujarega. Bas taang thik hone tak ghode ke aas-pas dikhai matt dena, ye apne chakkar me tumhari taang pehle bhi aadha darzan baar tudwa he chuka hai.", Shankar ji toh najre jhukaye car ki taraf chal diye unke bachpan ki baatein sunn kar. Umed araam se jeep ka gear lagata apne yar ko hath hilate hue yaha se nikal chala. Aur kaali mercedes me Shankar driver ki tarah aage, peeche Pandit ji ke sath bade Sangwan yaha se apne agle gantavya ki taraf badh gaye.
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Rekha ji aur Komal didi ko ghar wapis chhodte hue 9 baj chuke the. Woh mahila doctor kareeb he rehti thi aur unhone nirikshan ke baad kuch dawa dene ke sath he 2 din ka araam karne ko kaha tha. Ghar ke bahar car se dono ke utarte he Arjun bhi bahar nikal aaya.
"Didi, maa ko kaam mat karne dena koi bhi aur Ritu didi ko bhi bol dena ke inke pas rahe."
"Beta, doctor ne kaha hai na ke koi badi baat nahi hai.", Rekha ji ne ghar me pravesh karte hue apne bete ko samjhana chaha.
"Mujhe kuch nahi pata maa. Aap bas kamre me araam karengi aur agar bahar najar aai toh fir main aapki taraf nahi aane wala shaadi tak.", Arjun ne ye baat apni didi ki taraf dekhte hue kahi.
"Maa araam he karengi aur Ritu inke pas rahegi. Dawai aur khaane ki jimmewari meri hai. Tum bas baaki kaam karo tauji ke sath.", Komal didi ke ashwast karne par Arjun ne sehmati jatai toh Rekha ji thodi naraaj dikhi.
"Haan toh tik ke kamre me na baitha jata tere se? Aangan me bewajah dikhi toh tere bhai ko bula ke sath vida kar dungi hafte ke liye. Kaam karne ke liye andar poori fauj hai. Aur ye mustanda baaki sab dekh lega.", Kaushalya ji ne bhi sameep aate hue apni bahu ka hath thama aur Arjun hansta hua apne tau ji ke sath nikal chala. Car me he dono aaj pehli bar thoda khul kar baatein kar rahe the.
"Tau ji pichli baar bhi aap savere jaldi chale gaye the aur is baar toh aane ke baad aap ghar me dikhe he nahi."
"Beta tu 2 din bahar tha aur main baaki kaamo ko poora karne ke baad aaj farig ho gaya hu. Ab poora mahina main yahi dikhunga. Waise mujhe toh aaj pata chala ke mera ye chota beta itna bada ho gaya hai ke maa kisi aur ko kaam ke liye kuch kehti he nahi.", Car chalate hue Rajkumar ji ne ek hath se Arjun ke kandhe ko thapthapaa toh woh bas muskura dia.
"Itna bhi koi kaam nahi karta main tauji. Ghar me toh itne log hai jo sab karte rehte hai. Taai ji- maa toh subah 5 se lekar raat 10 baje tak kabhi fursat he nahi rakhti. Maadhuri didi, Priyanka didi aur Komal didi bhi poore ghar ke kaam karti rehti hai. Bas Sanjiv bhaiya kuch samay se nahi hai idhar toh thoda bahot kaam mujhe de dete hai dada-daadi. Waise toh main khali firta rehta hu.", Rajkumar ji ke dil me halki si tees mach gayi ye sunn kar ke unke biwi-bache pariwar me shamil rehte hai aur ek woh hai jo raat ko nashe me apni biwi ko jaane kya kuch keh gaye the.
"Haan pariwar aisa he toh hota hai bete. Sab jaha sukh-dukh me shamil rahe aur mil-baant kar kaam karte rahe. Chal ye badi list yaha kiryane wale ko de de fir Modal Town me bhi ek bada pansari hai. Samaan udhar se he le lenge aur thekedar se bhi mil kar shaam ka waqt rakh lenge.", Arjun unka kaha maan kar us badi dukaan me parchi de aaya aur ghante tak wapis aane ka bol dia. Rajkumar ji car hamesha ehtiyaat se aur dheemi he chalate the shehar ke beech aur aaj bhi waise he shishe niche kiye woh apne bhatije se baatein karte hue aage badh rahe the.
"Aapke pas pehle woh hare rang ka Priya scooter hota tha na tauji? Alka didi ke sath aap mujhe bhi uspe bade park ghumane le jaate the.", Arjun ki baat sunn kar Rajkumar bhi hansne lage.
"Tu konsa utne se he maan jata tha. Roj subah mere ghar se nikalne se pehle he scooter par khada milta tha, dipsi-frooti ke liye. Pehle dukaan se tujhe woh sab dilata, fir tini-mini tab kahi jaa pata tha kaam pe main. Din jald he badal jaate hai beta, vyast rehna shayad itna bhi thik nahi hai.", Rajkumar ji baatein karte hue gujre jamane ki bhi yaadein taja kar rahe the.
"Aapko pata hai main aur Sanjiv bhaiya toh abhi bhi bante wali bottle peene jaate hai. Bas ab woh athanni ki jagah 2 rupaye ki ho gayi hai aur nimbu wali 5 rupaye ki.", Arjun ne jaisa mooh banaya tha Rajkumar ji hansne lage.
"Bhai tum bhi toh ab har mahine mere se 500 lene lage ho, pehle toh har roj ka ek rupaya fees hoti thi. Suna hai pita ji bhi utne he dete hai aur baaki sab bhi.", Arjun unki baat sunn kar khush ho gaya.
"500 aap toh 500-500 Sanjiv bhaiya aur taiji se bhi milte hai. Maa-papa se bhi aur dada ji dete hai pension ka daswa hissa. Daadi deti hai sabse jyada 2000 lekin kharch he nahi hote kyonki har roj kisi na kisi bahane paisa milte rehte hai. Aapne 50000 kyo diye the waise? Unme se abhi bhi bahot sare baaki reh gaye hai mere pas.", Arjun ko Rajkumar ji ne woh paise nanihal jaane se pehle diye the.
"Woh tere he the beta. 3 mahine ke munafe ka tera hissa lekin aage se woh bank me rakhna kyonki mujhe pata hai tu unhe apni behno par kharch karta rahega. Le tu jara Totaram se samaan le main jara thekeder se mulakaat karke aata hu. Shaam ko main he dekh lunga dusri kothi ka kaam aur tere layak kuch hoga toh batata hu.", Rajkumar ji jidhar Arjun ko chhod kar gaye the is market me toh woh aata he rehta tha. Saamne he pansari ki dukaan dekh woh udhar ho lia. List me alag alag samaan tha jis se Pansari bhi thoda hairat se dekhta hua apne ladko ko naam le le kar bataai matra me samaan nikalne ko kehne laga. Agle 20 minute me ye sab kuch thaile me bhar ke Arjun ko usne pakda dia.
"Kitne paise hue uncle?"
"Beta 4830 rupaye. Waise ye kon vaid ji jo aisa durlabh samaan mangwa rahe hai? Bura matt maan-na beta lekin dukan meri 1960 se yaha hai aur tumari list me se kuch samaan aisa hai jo itne saalo me gini-chuni baar he kisi ne lia hoga.", Ye bujurg sa vyakti umar me adhik tha lekin jubaan saaf aur sharir patla-robila tha. Arju bhi rakam sunn kar hairaan tha. Lagbhag 5000 rupaye ka samaan woh bhi is thaile me.
"Ji meri daadi ji ne mangwaya hai ye sab. Waise aisa kya khaas samaan hai ye?"
"Woh vaidh hai kya?", Bujurg ne agla sawaal kia Arjun ko jawaab na de kar.
"Ji unke pita ji matlab mere pad-dada ji vaid the. Swargiya Kanshiram ji."
"Tumhari daadi ka naam Kaushalya toh nahi? Vaidh Kanshiram ji ke 2 bete aur ek beti thi, Banwari- Hansmukh aur Kaushalya, jinke yahi naam the jitna yaad hai mujhe.", Ye Totaram toh bahot kareeb se jaanta tha matlab.
"Ji meri daadi ji wahi hai."
"Jug jug jiyo beta, unke pita ji ke sath jawani me 10 saal kaam seekha tha maine lekin jadi-booti toh yaad rahi lekin ilaaj karne ka jigra nahi tha mere me. Dukaan khol li aur yahi thik raha. Waise Kaushalya behan us samay 13-14 baras ki rahi hongi jab main unke pita ji ke pas jata tha. Us umar me bhi woh majboot dil ke sath sath honhar thi apne pita ji ke nakshe kadam me. Lekin waqt aur tha beta jo ladki ko vaidh ban-ne se rok gaya. Unhe kehna ke bade bhai ne shubhkamneye bheji hai.", Pansari ne us lohe ke galle se 500 ka note wapis karte hue Arjun ke sar par hath fer dia.
"Ji bilkul kahunga.", Arjun ne car ka horn sunte he hath jodd kar vida li aur apne tauji ke sath baith gaya. Pansari bas jaate hue dekhne ke baad apni gaddi par baith gaya tha.
"Mil gaya sara samaan?"
"Ji, sara mil gaya tauji. Ab chalte hue rashan utha lete hai fir mujhe bhi dost ke pas jana hai thodi der ke liye.", Arjun ne aisa batana he thik samjha. 10 toh yahi baj gaye the aur aage 11 baje ka usne samay dia hua tha. Thodi he der me dono sab samaan liye ghar aa chuke the. Arjun ne daadi se samaan ke baare me baad me he poochna thik samjha. Niche se farig hote he woh daud kar apne kamre me aa kar kapde badalne he laga tha ke peeche se Madhu bua ne usko apne bahupash me bhar lia.
"Tu itna samjhdar kaise ho gaya re? Main toh samajhti thi tu dimag aur dil ke mamle me he aage hai lekin tujhe toh baaki sab bhi kahi atche se pata hai.", Unke motte stann Arjun ki peeth me dhans rahe the.
"Meri pyaari bua, aap alag nahi hui toh fir najariya badal logi mere baare me. Kuch atcha lag raha hai mere peeche."
"Kar le jo karna hai, main toh tujhe mana nahi karti. Karega toh mujhe he khushi dega na.", Arjun unki baat par palat kar unke maathe ko choom kar bola.
"Aapki khushiya abhi adhuri hai bua. Pata hai mujhe woh din dekhna hai jab aap na daadi ki tarah ek majboot pariwar ki bagdor apne hath me lengi. Us se pehle meri maa-taai ji ya kisi bhi aisi bahu se jyada badi pehchaan banayengi jo sabko sath rakhne ke sath he sahi raste par chalati hai. Aapme woh khaas baat hai bua kyonki aapke pita ji waise he hai. Aur aapka ye beta hamesha aapko khush rakhega.", Arjun is waqt sirf jeans aur baniyaan me he tha. Madhu bua uske seene se lagi khushi ke aansu baha rahi thi. Aur dono he is baat se anbhigh the ke Shankar ji shayad Madhu se milne he abhi idhar aaye the. Woh bas khamoshi se khade the aur unhone is drishya ke alawa sirf Arjun ki aakhiri baat he suni thi.
"Tu sachmuch mera pyara beta hai re. Janam na de paai toh kya hua lekin ab lagta hai ke sabse badi khushi bas tu he hai. Itni parwah karta hai ke aaj andhere me tu papa se ye gambhir baat kar raha tha? Maa ne bataya kaise tu unhe vishwas dila raha tha ke meri zindagi thik ho jayegi aur tujhe mujhpar kitna bharosa hai. Sach kahu toh main khud he nahi jaanti thi ki meri me koi khoobi hai bhi ya sab kori baatein kahi hai tune. Lekin ye sab meri, papa aur baaki sabki khushi se juda hai toh fir main mere bete ko vishwas doobne nahi dungi."
"Atcha ab rona band karo bua, koi dekhega toh kuch aur he samajh lega. Aur mujhe abhi jaruri jana hai, shaam ko aapki shopping bhi karwani hai. Tab karene baatein aur abhi aap neeche jao, dada ji aa gaye hai.", Arjun ke aisa kehte he Madhu bua ne apna khoobsurat chehra uski taraf kia toh Arjun ne saaf tshirt se woh aansu paunch diye.
"Gandi kar di na ye tshirt. Chal mujhe de main dho kar rakh dungi. Samay se wapis aa jana.", Madhu bua bahar wale darwaje se he nikal gayi thi aur Arjun ke mudne se pehle he Shankar ji bhi kamre se bahar ja chuke the. Woh pehle jaha hairat me the ab thode dukhi-khush ke mishran me sadhe kadmo ke sath niche utar rahe the. Unka beta savere unke baap se jo baatein kar raha tha woh ye thi. Unki behan ki behtar zindagi ke liye. Maa jis baat ke liye chetawani de rahi thi woh ye mamla tha. Ghar ko suraksha dene ke chakkar me woh aantarik jimmewariyon se bhaag rahe the aur unka beta ye gambhir masle apne dada se sanjhe kar raha tha. Yaha woh Madhu ki chokhat par kamagni me ja khade hue the aur unka beta us stree ke jiwan ko sukhi karne ke liye neem-andhere ye sab pareshaniya liye baitha tha.
"Shankar, kaha khoya hua hai?", Woh chalte chalte rasoi me aa khade hue toh apni maa ki awaaj se hosh me aate idhar udhar dekhne lage.
"Woh.. woh main aapke pas he aa raha tha.", Rasoi me is waqt koi na tha un dono ke siwa. Kaushalya ji khud apne pati aur devar ke liye chai banane aai thi.
"Haan toh pareshan kyo hai? Umed se jhagad baitha kya tu? Har baar ka kaam hai tum dono ka.", Kaushalya ji maahm-daste me adrak elaichi koot rahi thi chai ke liye.
"Nahi woh chalta rehta hai, koi jhagda nahi mera us hathi ke sath. Madhu ki baat Arjun ne pita ji ke sath ki?", Saari baat ek taraf rakhte hue Shankar ji ne seedha prashan kia.
"Teri laadli ki zindagi me agar pareshaniya hai toh tera farz hai ye ki sab thik kare, Madhu se baat karke usko samjhana. Apne jija se baat karni aur kahi adchan ho toh apne baap aur mere sath baith kar iska hal nikalna. Woh nasamajh sa ladka school ke dino me apna bachpan khatam kar chuka hai Shankar. Iska kasoorwar kaun hai? Madhu maan gayi, tere pita bhi chain se so sakenge aur isliye he aaj woh itna khush hai subah se. Arjun ne unse shart ye lagai thi ki woh unki parshani sahi sahi bata dega. Aur bata bhi di. Kaan khol ke sunn le ab jara meri baat nahi toh is umar me maar khata tu atcha na lagega. Daaru pee ke raat andhere me ghar nahi aana, pee toh jaha peeyega wahi so jaya kar. Bache bade ho rahe hai ghar me aur der raat tak padhte bhi hai.", Kaushalya ji ne ubalte paani me patti, adrak aur elaichi daalne ke baad patili hilai.
"Bhai ko kyo daant rahi ho aap?", Madhu ne andar aate he sawaal kia. Shayad maa ki awaaj sunai de gayi thi.
"Iski biwi bimar hai, ye doctor ho ke bhi college ki duniya se bahar na nikal raha toh aarti utaru. Tu ja ke apni bhabhi ke pas baith. Aai bhai ki chamchi.", Kaushalya ji ka gussa dekh kar Madhu waise he bahar nikal gayi.
"Rekha thik hai maa."
"Haan woh leke gaya tha apni maa ko doctor ke pas. Rekha ke mooh me toh juban hai nahi jo tujhse koi baat kahe woh. Tere se itni he binti hai ke thoda sudhar ja beta, kal ko Narinder ke aate he tu usko bhi liye awara saand sa ghumta najar aaya toh bahravi me toh sirf tere pe mitti ka teil chhidka tha ab tilli laga dungi.", Unki aisi baat sunn kar Shankar ji ne peeche se apni maa ko baahon me bhar lia.
"Maa tu na gussa karti hai toh jyada pyari lagti hai. Chal nahi pareshan karta main tere ko jyada.", Kaushalya ji ka gaal choom kar woh apni maa ka gussa kam karne lage.
"Beta mana ni kar rahi main. Tu mera atcha bacha hai lekin bada ho ja thoda. Tera jo dil karta hai tu kia kar lekin yaha tu bhi 4 bacho ka baap hai bas yaad rakha kar. Narinder aayega toh mujhe bhi khushi milegi kyonki tu uske sath he khush reh sakta hai. Woh tujhe galat raste par nahi jaane deta. Tanki pe beer ki bottle jitni marji chupa le kyonki yahi toh tum dono ka parda hai mere se. Bas jab bahar teri mehfil lagi ho toh bahar raha kar. Arjun ka bachpana khatam hone ka dukh mujhe bhi hai lekin woh hamare sath khush hai aur yaha woh sabka dhyaan rakhta hai. Tere aur usme bahot farak hai jis se kabhi koi matbhed na ho jaye. Main tera sath nahi dungi beta, kyonki us ladke ne tum teeno bhaiyo ke farz abhi se nibha diye hai. Tera baap bhi Arjun me apna sabkuch dekhta hai. Bas tu bacho ki padhai, apna kaam aur jo jaruri jimmewariya hai woh nibha.", Chai ubal gayi toh Kaushalya ji ne 4 cup me chhan di thi jiska matlab tha ke Shankar ji ki bhi pyali thi.
"Uske raste me nahi aata maa. Jaan gaya hu ke woh bacha nahi hai aur woh ghar ke andar he khush hai sabke sath. Lekin matbhed kyon hone lage apne he bete ke sath?", Shankar ji ne khud he tray utha li toh Kaushalya ji sath chalne lagi.
"Woh tu apne baap se pooch lio. Sab pata hai tujhe ke usko bhi policia naak lagi hai apne dada jaisi. Aur mera beta toh doodh ka dhula hai. Galti se tu uske sath dosti karne baith gaya na toh woh tere baap ko niruattar kar deta hai sawaal pooch pooch ke, teri firki pehle sawal par atak jayegi bata deti hu.", Dono he baithak me chale aaye toh Col sahab ne aate he pooch lia.
"Konsi firki atakne lagi hai mere sher ki bhabhi ji? Shankar ke saamne toh atche atche firki ho jate hai.", Unhone Shankar ko gale lagate hue apne barabar he baitha lia. Rameshwar ji mand mand muskura rahe the aur unki biwi bagal me baithi sabki taraf chai ki pyali rakhne lagi.
"Shankar keh raha tha ke thoda samay Arjun ke sath ghuma fira karega. Usko samay dega. Toh main bata rahi thi ki samay ki firki waise he ghomne de nahi toh atak jayegi.", Kaushalya ji ne itna he kaha toh Rameshwar ji ke hath se thoda paani dull gaya peete peete. Woh hans rahe the aur Kaushalya ji ke bhi chehre par hansi aa gayi thi.
"Dekh lia, ye bhi hans rahe hai baat sunn kar."
"Satish bhai, agar Shankar aisa chahta hai toh atchi baat hai. Main toh kehta hu ye usko apne dosto se milwaye, logo se jaan-pehchan karwaye apne bete ki.", Rameshwar ji ki baat par Col sahab gambhir chehre se Shankar ko dekhne lage.
"Bhai sahab aapko majaak lag raha hai? Aisa matt karna Shankar, tumhare dost fir uske dost bann jayenge.", Aur woh bhi thahka laga kar hansne lage. Shankar ji in bado ke beech baithe bas muskura rahe the aur unhe apni maa ki baat samajh aa chuki thi. Lekin dusri baat abhi tak unhe pareshan kiye thi ki Madhu ne raat itna kuch kehne ke bawjood thodi der pehle maa ke saamne bhai ki vakalat karne ki koshish ki thi. Us anaitik rishtey ke pare Madhu abhi bhi usko apna wahi pyara bada bhai maanti thi. Sabhi ka dhyaan bhang hua jab motorcycle ki dug-dug hawa me goonji.
"Lo bhai nawaabsahab ki sawari bhi chali gayi. Iske paanv me ko til-vil toh nahi hai Kaushalya?", Rameshwar ji ne hanste hue kaha.
"Na ji, kaam se he gaya hai woh. Damaad ne aana hai toh mithai, phal aur baaki samaan bhi lana hai. Dharampal (Sandeep ke pita) ne bhi university bulaya tha isko, koi nayi kism ke amrood ke paudhe dene ke liye. Aur bhi bail-boote lete aayega dekhna. Atcha bagicha hawale kia aapne uske."
"Ye padhta likhta kab hai maa? Aur Dharampal mera dost hai lekin Arjun uske sath university tak jaane laga hai.?"
"Padhne ka toh tu rehne de. Ritu khaal utaar le agar is se koi galti bhi ho jaye toh. Apni kitabe tak ratwa di is ladke ko usne. Baaki abhi Satish bhai sahab ne bataya tha na ke tere dost woh apne bana lega. Dharampal khud iske sath bete aur dost sa vyavahar rakhta hai. Baag-bagiche ke alawa uski beti ke roke par bhi Dharampal ne Arjun ko nimantrit kia tha. Tera woh Solanki tha na, uske ghar me bhi iski dakhal hai. Geeta ne Arjun ko beta maan lia hai apne bete ke jaane ke baad. Aai thi uski beti bhi is se milne jab ye Punjab tha. Kothi ka thekedar Solanki ne bheja hai aur sath he Geeta ne mere aur inke liye suit-saree bhijwai thi.", Shankar ji ko toh in sab ki bhanak tak na thi.
"Solanki aadmi thik nahi hai, waisa dil ka bura bhi nahi hai."
"Arjun hai woh. Pehle thik he karta hai sabkuch.", Kaushalya ji ne jaise tarer kar ye kaha toh Shankar ji muskura diye. Unhe ye bhaan ho chuka tha ki ladka galat logo se dur he rehta hai.
"Chalo atchi baat hai ke woh bahar bhi maa aur behan ke rishtey nibha raha hai. Geeta depression me thi jab ladke ki maut ke baad woh Mehul se checkup karwane gaye thi. Manovigyan wala doctor bhi hamara dost hai jis se Solanki ilaaj karwa raha tha Geeta ka. Atcha hai ke iski wajah se un logo me sudhar ho raha hai. Ye sota kab hai?"
"Sab aaj he puchega? Tune kahi jana bhi hai."
"Haan. Bhool gaya tha maa. Chalta hu aur aapse kal milunga chacha.", Shankar ne khade hote hue Col sahab se kaha.
"Aaj?"
"Nahi. Aaj Umed ke ghar jana hai aur pehle thode kaam hai toh 8 waise he baj jayenge.", Shankar ji ne ijajat lete hue kaha aur bahar jaane lage.
"Arjun wali gaadi le ja Shankar. Rawa ho jayegi thodi aur din me 1-2 baar chalti bhi rehni chahiye.", Shankar ji baat sunn kar chabi ke liye dekhne lage.
"Tere he kamre me chabi rehti hai uski.", Kaushalya ji ke kehte he woh andar chale gaye lekin agle kamre me he Madhu saamne se unki he taraf aa rahi thi.
"Sorry. Raat ke vyavahar ke liye. Tumne sahi kaha ke ab hosh me rehna he thik hai, asli rishtey ke sath. Raat ke liye mujhe maaf kar dena.", Shankar ji ne bade naram swar me najre jhukaye apne baat kahi.
"Jaha galti dono ki ho waha bas peeche hatt jana chahiye Shankar. Main isliye he toh aakhiri baar aai thi."
"Lekin tumne kuch aur bhi kaha tha. Sacha pyaar majboor nahi karta, hawas se koso dur woh khayal rakhta hai. Dard khatam karta hai.. shayad aisa he kuch tha na? Is umar me sacha pyaar jana tumne?", Shankar ji ke maafi maangne me bhi sawaal jarur the.
"Umar bas ek gujarta samay hai. Kisi ka jaldi toh kisi ka deri se gujarta hai. Tum atche bhai ho, duniya ke shayad sabse atche lekin tumne aakarshan ko pyaar saabit karne me 20 saal se jyada vyarth kar diye aur raha fir bhi ek aakarshan jisme dono ko hawas, apne apne kaaran se shamil thi. Meri toh khatam ho gayi jab samajh me aaya ke jidd, jajbaat aur parwah wahi samajh sakta hai jo doobne se rok le. Saath doobna toh galat hai na Shankar, usme ek bach bhi jaye lekin dusra? Chalo khatam karo is baat ko. Mujhe maa ke sath Malhotra ji ke jana hai. Baad me baat karti hu."
"Arjun. Arjun ne tumhari taklif khatam ki jaisa tumhare shabdo se lag raha hai?"
"Arjun bacha hai Shankar, ek samajhdar pyara beta. Jalan mat rakhna koi uske liye, maine dekha tha tumhe kamre me khade lekin tumne bhi dekha hoga."
"Haan. Woh atcha ladka hai aur tumhare liye woh kia jo shayad mujhe karna chahiye tha. Uske liye bhi maaf karna."
"Koi baat nahi, main khush hu toh pichli harek baat ke liye koi maafi nahi. Tumhara beta pehle hai woh, toh mujhe shikayat nahi koi.", Madhu ne jaise ye kaha tha ke Arjun Shankar ka he beta hai toh ye sunn kar atcha laga ke Arjun jaise bhi kar raha hai aur jo bhi kar raha hai, woh Shankar ke he naam ko behtar karta ja raha hai. Halke mann se Shankar apni biwi ke kamre me chala aaya jaha Rekha dawa khaane ke baad so gayi thi. Halka bukhar tha lekin Ritu aur Alka wahi baithi dhyaan rakh rahi thi aur Aarti koi kitab padhne me vyast thi.
"Chabi pata hai tum me se kisi ko nayi car ki?", Shankar ji ne dheemi awaaj me poocha toh Ritu ne he muskurate hue daraj se chabi nikal kar apne papa ko di aur gale me baahen daal kar khadi ho gayi.
"Arjun ki gaadi me abhi tak hum me se koi nahi baitha. Pata hai usne kaha tha ke dada ji ke baad papa aur fir jab woh seekh jayega tab humko bithayega. Jaldi sikha do usko.", Shankar ji ke dil ko chain aaya tha apni is pari ki muskaan dekh kar.
"Aisi baat hai toh us ullu ko main 5 din me he sikha dunga. Waise sabse pehle woh kisko bithane wala hai?"
"Komal didi ko.", Teeno ne he ye kaha toh unhe hairani hui.
"Mujhe laga tha ke woh tum teeno me se kisi ko pehle bithayega ya fir apni maa ko."
"Maa ko toh aapne he us car me sabse pehle bitha ke Arjun ki wish poori kar di. Lekin jab woh chalayega toh didi ko he sabse pehle bithayega kyonki sabse jyada toh unhe he manta hai."
"Aur uske baad mujhe bade papa.", Aarti ke itna kehte he Ritu jhoothe gusse se hansti hui Aarti ko dekhne lagi.
"Dekh rahe ho, ye bhi bolne lagi hai papa. In sabko baithne do fir bol deti hu agli seat par mera naam likhwa dungi. Haan abhi bata deti hu.", Ritu ne ye baat laad me he kahi thi jis par baaki dono hans rahi thi aur bahar se Shankar ji bhi. Andar he andar woh bas wahi soch rahe the jo unhe mehsoos ho raha tha.
"Atcha, apni maa ka dhyaan rakhna. Main shaam ko ek baar aaunga lekin raat bahar rahunga kaam hai thoda.", Itna keh kar woh bahar chal gaye.
'Ye pyaar jaane kya din dikhayega samajh se bahar hai meri toh. Ladka pagal ho toh samajh me aata hai kuch lekin yaha toh ulta he ho raha hai. Sala apna he beta damaad banana padega. Namumkin sa he hai lekin maa-papa ko agar bhanak hai toh apne aap hal kare iska nahi toh Rekha rok sake toh rok le. Bhaad me jaye jo hona hai woh tab ki tab dekha jayega bas sab aise he rahe jaise hain.', Sar ko khujate hue Shankar ji ne gaadi me baithne se pehle challe ko dekha tha us morpankh ke peeche ye naya sticker laga tha. Dil ke beech me 'R'.
'Hey bhagwan ye ladki bhi na. Beda garak ho is pyaar ka, sala baap ho kar bebas hu is pagal ladki ke saamne.' Aur dhyaan se challe ka woh hissa halka hilate he laal 'R' ki jagah neele rang ka 'P' ubhar aaya. Shankar ka dimag apni jagah se khisakne he laga toh woh seat peeche karke ab is 'Dil' ko bade dhyaan se dekhne lage. 3D sticker tha ye jisme akshar disha ke sath badal raha tha. Bas sidha hone par 'R' dikhta tha aur baayen karne par 'P'. Kuch soch kar daayen ghumaya toh gala sookh gaya.
'Ye behanchod ab 'A' se kiski maasi ka naam shuru hota hai. Sticker toh Ritu ne he lagaya hai matlab usko ye teeno naam pata hai. Kya khel ho raha hai is umar me ye sab? Ek fasaad kam tha Preeti ke baad, apni he beti bete ke sath aur yaha ye 'A'.. Oh teri jyada he dimag chal gaya. A matlab Arjun. Shak bhi na kaise he ho jata hai.', Shankar ke chehre par halki muskaan aai toh paseena saaf karte hue yaad aaya ke band gaadi me itni der se matha-pachi kar rahe hai woh. Thoda nischint hone ke baad chabi lagai aur sath he AC on kar lia. Challe ko itna dekhne ke baad bhi unhe woh sunehra bada A na dikha jiske beech me dil bana tha.
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Kramash
