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Ek dark comedy love story. Jahan shaadiyan bachayi jaati hain, aur ek ladki apne boss se pyaar kar baithti hai.
Janvi Kapoor, 29, ek marriage counselling clinic ki receptionist hai. Uska boss, Dr Jiger Patel, din bhar ajnabiyon ko sikhata hai ki shaadi kaise nibhayi jaati hai. Janvi ko usse pyaar ho gaya hai. Aur phir wo ek aisi cheez karti hai jo chhupane se bhi buri hai - wo uski biwi se dosti kar leti hai. Asli wali dosti.
Clinic khulne me abhi paanch minute baaki the, aur main Jiger ke cabin ka darwaza apne hisaab se set kar chuki thi.
Thoda sa khula chhod diya tha, itna ki unki awaaz waiting room tak pahunche. Ye mera roz ka ritual tha. Log subah uthke chai banate hain, main darwaza khula chhodti hoon. Sabki apni apni aadat hoti hai.
Mera naam Janvi Kapoor hai, umar 29, aur main Patel Wellness Centre ki receptionist hoon. Waise visiting card pe "Office Manager" likha hai, jo Jiger ne khud suggest kiya tha. "Receptionist sounds too small for what you actually do, Janvi." Unhone aise kaha tha, ek file sign karte karte, bina meri taraf dekhe. Maine wo line apne phone ke notes me likh rakhi hai. Date ke saath.
Desk pe meri duniya set thi - appointment register, do pen (ek kaam karta hai, ek sirf backup ke liye, kyunki patients ke saamne pen na chale to meri izzat ka sawaal hai), brass bell jo bajti nahi kyunki uska andar ka gola kahin kho gaya hai teen saal pehle, aur ek chhota sa mirror jo maine drawer me chhupaya hua tha. Mirror isliye taaki jab Jiger cabin se nikle to main pehle se dekh sakun aur aisa lage ki main kaam me busy thi.
Nau bajne se ek minute pehle Malhotra uncle aur aunty aa gaye.
"Anand, AC kam karo, mujhe thand lag rahi hai," aunty ne aate hi announce kiya, jaise ye koi national emergency ho.
"Ritu, bahar 34 degree hai, tumhe thand lag rahi hai?" uncle ne apna newspaper fold kiya.
"Ye clinic ka AC hai, ghar ka nahi. Yahan bimaar hone aaye hain, bimaar hoke jayenge kya?"
"Hum yahan shaadi bachane aaye hain, Ritu. AC se shaadi nahi bachti."
"AC se mood banta hai, Anand. Aur mood se baat banti hai-"
"Bas," maine apni sabse professional smile nikali. "Aap dono baithiye, main AC adjust kar deti hoon. 24 pe set kar dun?"
Dono ne ek dusre ko dekha, phir mujhe dekha, phir ek saath bole, "Theek hai."
Tabhi andar se Jiger ki awaaz aayi. Darwaza khula chhodne ka faayda.
"-toh aap dono ko lagta hai ki problem ye hai ki wo sunti nahi. Lekin main aapse ek sawaal puchhun? Jab aap bolte hain, to aap sunne layak baat bol rahe hote hain?"
Maine apni chai ka sip liya. Thandi ho gayi thi. Hamesha thandi ho jaati hai, kyunki main us waqt peeti hoon jab Jiger bolna band karte hain. Aur Jiger bolna band kabhi nahi karte.
Dekho, mujhe pata hai main kya kar rahi hoon. Unhone mujhse kabhi kuch kaha nahi. Kabhi koi promise nahi kiya, kabhi koi line cross nahi ki. Bas... jab main unke aas-paas zyada der rukti thi, unhone kabhi mujhe bheja bhi nahi. Aur pata hone aur maan ne me fark hota hai. Wo fark main bahut acche se maintain karti hoon.
Pyaar koi ek din nahi hua tha. Bas chhoti chhoti cheezein judti gayin. Mera birthday - bina Facebook reminder ke, kyunki main Facebook pe birthday chhupati hoon. Us din unhone mujhe "happy birthday, Janvi" kaha tha, aur phir apne cabin me chale gaye the, jaise ye koi badi baat na ho. Mere liye thi.
Aur ek cheez hai jo main kisi ko nahi batati. Jab wo apne cabin me akele hote hain aur koi file padh rahe hote hain, to pen se table pe taal bajate hain. Teen-taal. Aur jab main knock karti hoon to turant ruk jaate hain, jaise koi bachcha pakda gaya ho. Pata nahi kyun, par ye mujhe... ye meri favourite cheez hai unke baare me. Iska koi matlab nahi hai. Shayad isiliye.
"Janvi."
Main chaunki. Priya mere desk ke saamne khadi thi, arms crossed.
"Kya?" Maine mirror drawer me sarka diya. Bahut jaldi. Itni jaldi ki usne dekh liya.
"Mirror? Seriously?"
"Mere paas patients hain, Priya."
"Haan, aur tere paas problems bhi hain," usne kaha, aur apne cabin ki taraf chal di.
Tabhi phone baja. Landline. Maine uthaya.
"Patel Wellness Centre, Janvi speaking."
"Hi Janvi! Main Saumya bol rahi hoon."
Pen mere haath me ruk gaya. Uski awaaz phone pe bhi utni hi warm thi jitni uski workshop ki photos me lagti thi. Notice board pe "Dobara Se" ka flyer laga tha - usme wo has rahi thi, aise jaise duniya me koi tension hai hi nahi.
"Haan, boliye?" Meri awaaz ek octave upar chali gayi. Kyun hota hai ye, mujhe nahi pata.
"Jiger cabin me hain? Actually rehne do, main khud-"
"Main puch lungi," maine jaldi se kaha. Bahut jaldi se. "Aap tension mat lo."
Ek second ka pause. Phir wo hasi. "Tum to badi helpful nikli. Jiger sahi kehte hain tumhare baare me."
Unhone mere baare me baat ki thi. Ghar pe. Apni biwi se. Mere baare me.
Maine phone rakha. Bahar Malhotra uncle newspaper padh rahe the. Aunty apne phone pe apne bete ki photo dekh ke muskura rahi thin. Wo abroad rehta hai, kam call karta hai.
Maine register me next appointment likha. AC ab bhi 24 pe tha. Chai ka aakhri sip liya. Thandi thi. Hamesha ki tarah.
"Dobara Se" ka matlab log aksar galat samajhte hain. Unhe lagta hai ye un couples ke liye hai jinki shaadi tootne wali hai. Arre nahi. Ye un couples ke liye hai jinki shaadi theek chal rahi hai aur wo chahte hain ki theek hee chalti rahe. Prevention, cure se better hai. Ye meri workshop ki sabse popular line hai. Log haste hain, phir ghar jaake sochte hain. Maine ye line Jiger se churayi thi. Usne notice nahi kiya. Theek hai, ab ye meri line hai.
Workshop Saturday ko tha. Andheri me ek rented studio, fairy lights jo maine khud lagayi thin kyunki event wale bande ne "mood lighting" ke naam pe tubelight laga di thi. Barah couples. Exercise simple tha. Apne partner ko ek aisi baat batao jo tumne unhe kabhi nahi batayi, lekin koi badi baat nahi honi chahiye. Chhoti baat. Jaise, tumhe unke khaane me kaunsi cheez pasand nahi.
Ek aadmi ne kaha, "Mujhe tumhare haath ka paneer pasand nahi." Uski biwi ne paanch second tak use dekha, phir boli, "Teen saal se bana rahi hoon." Poora room has pada. Wo dono bhi has rahe the, lekin us hasi me kuch tha. Main ye kaam itne saalon se kar rahi hoon ki ab mujhe farak dikh jaata hai, kaunsi hasi asli hai aur kaunsi practice ki hui.
Ghar aake maine Jiger ko ye story sunayi. Wo sofa pe tha, laptop god me, phone side me. Usne suna, hansa bhi, phir bola, "Paneer wala couple... unka real issue paneer nahi hai, obviously."
"Obviously," maine kaha. "Tumhe kaise pata?"
"Kyunki kisi ka real issue kabhi paneer nahi hota."
Hum dono has diye. Ye humaara purana game hai. Wo therapist brain on karta hai, main uspe joke marti hoon. Pehle ye game zyada lamba chalta tha. Ab do line me khatam ho jaata hai.
Khaana maine garam kiya. Usne khaaya. Maine apne workshop ke baare me baat ki. Usne apne patients ke baare me baat nahi ki, kyunki wo kabhi nahi karta. Confidentiality. Main jaanti hoon ye sahi hai, professional hai, phir bhi mujhe chid hoti hai. Jaise uske paas mujhe bahar rakhne ki ek ready-made wajah hai, aur wo wajah bilkul sahi hai, isliye main uspe gussa bhi nahi kar sakti. Ye sabse irritating part hai.
Raat ko bistar me maine uska haath pakda. Usne pakad ke rakha, phone doosre haath me tha. "Tum mujhe sun rahe ho ya process kar rahe ho?" Ye line maine apne dimaag me teen baar boli, phir khud pe hasi aayi. Main logon ko sikhati hoon apne partner se baat karo, aur khud apne pati se ek sawaal nahi puch pa rahi.
Agli subah maine clinic phone kiya. Lunch ka puchna tha, wo ghar aayega ya nahi. Simple sawaal, lekin apne pati se ye puchne ke liye mujhe uski receptionist ko phone karna padta hai. Ye baat mujhe funny lagti hai. Thodi si sad bhi. Dono ek saath.
Phone Janvi ne uthaya. "Patel Wellness Centre, Janvi speaking."
"Hi Janvi, main Saumya bol rahi hoon. Jiger cabin me hain? Actually rehne do, main khud..."
Main kehne wali thi, main khud puch lungi. Lekin usne beech me hee bol diya, "Main puch lungi, aap tension mat lo." Itni jaldi, itni warmth ke saath, jaise main uski koi purani dost hoon.
Ek second ruki, phir hasi aayi. "Tum to badi helpful nikli. Jiger sahi kehte hain tumhare baare me."
Phone rakhne ke baad meri nazar dining table pe padi. Jiger ki file wahin padi thi, subah se. Maine uthayi, bag me daali. Plan ban gaya. File de aati hoon, aur lunch ka sawaal saamne se puch lungi. Do kaam ek trip me. Apne hee pati se milne ke liye mujhe file ka bahana chahiye, ye sochke main khud pe has di. Phir thoda bura bhi laga. Phir maine socha, chhod, chalti hoon.
Clinic me Janvi apne desk pe thi, register me kuch likh rahi thi. Mujhe dekhte hee khadi ho gayi. "Aap Saumya hain na? Flyer se pehchana."
Humne baat ki. Usne apne desk ki brass bell ki taraf dekha aur boli, "Ye bajti nahi. Andar ka gola teen saal pehle kho gaya. Lekin desk pe rakhi hai, taaki patients ko lage main bahut important hoon."
Main itna zor se hasi ki waiting room me baithe ek uncle ne akhbaar neeche karke mujhe dekha. Janvi ne apna muh haath se dhak liya, jaise use khud pe sharam aa rahi ho ki usne apne boss ki biwi ko hasa diya.
Usne mujhse kuch nahi manga. Na advice, na number, na Jiger ke baare me gossip. Bas pucha, chai lengi?
Jiger apne cabin se nikla, mujhe dekhke surprised hua, phir khush. Humne saath me chai pi. Janvi do baar andar aayi, puchne kuch aur chahiye? Itni attentive thi ki maine socha, is ladki ko apne kaam se pyaar hai.
Ghar aate waqt maine khud ko akele car me haste hue pakda. Bell wali baat yaad aa gayi thi. Log aise hee pagal hote honge.
Us raat Jiger se maine kaha, "Tumhari receptionist bahut sweet hai."
Usne file dekhte dekhte kaha, "Haan, wo bahut achhi hai."
Bas. Usne aage kuch nahi kaha. Maine bhi nahi.
Raat ko bistar me, Jiger ke phone ki roshni me, wo bell wali baat phir yaad aayi. Main has di. Jiger ne pucha kya hua. Maine kaha kuch nahi. Pata nahi kyun, maine use Janvi ke baare me nahi bataya. Jaise wo meri apni chhoti si cheez ho.
Saumya ke clinic se jaane ke baad, maine apne aap me ek nayi aadat pakdi. Jab bhi landline bajta tha, main uthane se pehle ek second ruk jaati thi.
Ye aadat mujhe theek nahi lagi. Isliye maine use kaam me badal diya. Mera ye purana tareeka hai. Dimaag khaali ho to galat cheezein sochta hai. Use kaam do, wo chup ho jaata hai.
Dobara Se ka next workshop do hafte baad tha. Flyer notice board pe laga tha. Maine Jiger ke cabin me jaake kaha, "Agar aapko theek lage to main workshop ki registrations sambhal leti hoon. Mere paas system hai."
Unhone file se nazar uthayi. "Tumhare paas har cheez ka system hai."
"Isliye clinic time pe chalta hai," maine kaha.
Unhone haan kar di. Phir wapas file me kho gaye. Unke haan kehne ka tareeka bhi aisa tha jaise unhone koi decision nahi liya, bas raasta chhod diya.
Maine Saumya ko phone kiya. Usne itni zor se "Haan!" kaha ki mujhe phone kaan se door karna pada. "Janvi, tum to angel ho. Sach me. Meri pichli volunteer ne aakhri minute pe mana kar diya tha, main pagal ho rahi thi."
Angel.
Humne date aur time fix kiya. Phone rakhne ke baad maine use table pe ulta rakh diya, screen neeche.
Uske baad ke do hafte maine us workshop pe itna kaam kiya jitna meri job description me kahin nahi likha tha. Registration spreadsheet, chaar columns, color coding. Name tags print kiye, ek extra set bhi, kyunki hamesha koi na koi apna naam galat spell karke aata hai. Reminder messages draft kiye, teen version, formal se friendly tak.
Ek shaam Priya mere desk pe aayi aur meri drawer se biscuit nikaal ke khaane lagi. "Tu abhi tak yahin hai?"
"List khatam karni hai."
Usne mere laptop me jhanka. "Ye kya hai? Khaane ki preferences? Tune likha hai Mehta uncle ko samosa nahi, dhokla chahiye?"
"Snacks ka order dena hai."
"Janvi, ye log ek workshop ke liye aa rahe hain." Usne ek aur biscuit uthaya. "Waise mera Saturday kharab hai. Mera wala phir busy hai. Kehta hai weekend pe call karega. Weekend kab aayega, ye nahi batata."
"Mere paas emergency contacts ka column bhi hai," maine kaha.
Priya ne apna sar hilaya. "Tu aur tera system." Wo jaane lagi, phir mudke boli, "Biscuit khatam ho gaye. Kal naye laana."
Uske jaane ke baad maine ek column aur add kiya. Phir biscuit ka packet apne bag me daal diya, taaki kal yaad rahe.
Workshop wale din main subah nau baje studio pahunch gayi. Saumya wahan pehle se thi, fairy lights ki ek ladi haath me, stool pe khadi. "Janvi! Tum aa gayi! Idhar aao, pakdo isko."
Humne milke lights lagayi. Usne mujhe apne volunteers se milwaya, do college ladkiyan jo lagatar apne phone pe thin. "Ye Janvi hai," Saumya ne kaha, "ye meri... ye hamari registration head hain. Inke bina aaj kuch nahi hota."
Registration desk pe main akeli thi. Couples aate gaye. Main naam tick karti gayi, tags deti gayi, smile karti gayi. Ek aadmi ne apna naam galat spell kiya tha, maine extra set se nikaal ke de diya. Usne kaha, "Aap to bahut prepared hain." Maine kaha, "Mera kaam hai."
Phir workshop shuru hua aur main peeche khadi ho gayi. Saumya stage pe thi, ya stage jaisi jagah pe. Wo bol rahi thi aur room has raha tha. Wo apne element me thi. Maine use clinic me dekha tha, Jiger ke saath chai peete hue, polite aur thodi si tired. Yahan wo alag thi. Louder. Jaise uske andar koi volume ka button ho jo sirf yahan on hota hai.
Beech me Jiger aaya. Das minute ke liye, do patients ke beech ka gap nikaal ke. Wo peeche khada ho gaya, arms crossed. Saumya bol rahi thi, room has raha tha. Jiger ke chehre pe ek smile aayi, aisi jo maine clinic me kabhi nahi dekhi thi.
Saumya ne use dekha. Aadhe second ke liye uski speed badal gayi, jaise usne apni line thodi jaldi khatam kar di ho. Phir wapas normal. Room me kisi ne notice nahi kiya.
Maine kiya.
Usne Jiger ko stage pe nahi bulaya. Maine socha, achha hai. Ye uski jagah hai.
Workshop khatam hua. Saaf safai ke time Saumya ne bache hue samose ka dibba uthaya. "Ye mere hain. Maine subah se kuch nahi khaaya." Usne khade khade teen samose khaaye. Phir ek volunteer se boli, "Tum log jao, main aur Janvi sambhal lenge." Jaise hum dono koi purani team hon.
Phir usne dibba neeche rakha. "Mujhe coffee chahiye. Abhi ke abhi. Chal, pila mujhe." Ek second ruki. "Tumhe kahin jaana to nahi hai? Tum free ho na?"
Maine haan kar di. Bahut jaldi.
Ghar aake maine apna bag khola. Usme wo name tag tha jo maine apne liye banaya tha. "JANVI - REGISTRATION". Maine use drawer me rakha, mirror ke paas.
Saumya ke clinic se jaane ke baad, maine apne aap me ek nayi aadat pakdi. Jab bhi landline bajta tha, main uthane se pehle ek second ruk jaati thi.
Ye aadat mujhe theek nahi lagi. Isliye maine use kaam me badal diya. Mera ye purana tareeka hai. Dimaag khaali ho to galat cheezein sochta hai. Use kaam do, wo chup ho jaata hai.
Dobara Se ka next workshop do hafte baad tha. Flyer notice board pe laga tha. Maine Jiger ke cabin me jaake kaha, "Agar aapko theek lage to main workshop ki registrations sambhal leti hoon. Mere paas system hai."
Unhone file se nazar uthayi. "Tumhare paas har cheez ka system hai."
"Isliye clinic time pe chalta hai," maine kaha.
Unhone haan kar di. Phir wapas file me kho gaye. Unke haan kehne ka tareeka bhi aisa tha jaise unhone koi decision nahi liya, bas raasta chhod diya.
Maine Saumya ko phone kiya. Usne itni zor se "Haan!" kaha ki mujhe phone kaan se door karna pada. "Janvi, tum to angel ho. Sach me. Meri pichli volunteer ne aakhri minute pe mana kar diya tha, main pagal ho rahi thi."
Angel.
Humne date aur time fix kiya. Phone rakhne ke baad maine use table pe ulta rakh diya, screen neeche.
Uske baad ke do hafte maine us workshop pe itna kaam kiya jitna meri job description me kahin nahi likha tha. Registration spreadsheet, chaar columns, color coding. Name tags print kiye, ek extra set bhi, kyunki hamesha koi na koi apna naam galat spell karke aata hai. Reminder messages draft kiye, teen version, formal se friendly tak.
Ek shaam Priya mere desk pe aayi aur meri drawer se biscuit nikaal ke khaane lagi. "Tu abhi tak yahin hai?"
"List khatam karni hai."
Usne mere laptop me jhanka. "Ye kya hai? Khaane ki preferences? Tune likha hai Mehta uncle ko samosa nahi, dhokla chahiye?"
"Snacks ka order dena hai."
"Janvi, ye log ek workshop ke liye aa rahe hain." Usne ek aur biscuit uthaya. "Waise mera Saturday kharab hai. Mera wala phir busy hai. Kehta hai weekend pe call karega. Weekend kab aayega, ye nahi batata."
"Mere paas emergency contacts ka column bhi hai," maine kaha.
Priya ne apna sar hilaya. "Tu aur tera system." Wo jaane lagi, phir mudke boli, "Biscuit khatam ho gaye. Kal naye laana."
Uske jaane ke baad maine ek column aur add kiya. Phir biscuit ka packet apne bag me daal diya, taaki kal yaad rahe.
Workshop wale din main subah nau baje studio pahunch gayi. Saumya wahan pehle se thi, fairy lights ki ek ladi haath me, stool pe khadi. "Janvi! Tum aa gayi! Idhar aao, pakdo isko."
Humne milke lights lagayi. Usne mujhe apne volunteers se milwaya, do college ladkiyan jo lagatar apne phone pe thin. "Ye Janvi hai," Saumya ne kaha, "ye meri... ye hamari registration head hain. Inke bina aaj kuch nahi hota."
Registration desk pe main akeli thi. Couples aate gaye. Main naam tick karti gayi, tags deti gayi, smile karti gayi. Ek aadmi ne apna naam galat spell kiya tha, maine extra set se nikaal ke de diya. Usne kaha, "Aap to bahut prepared hain." Maine kaha, "Mera kaam hai."
Phir workshop shuru hua aur main peeche khadi ho gayi. Saumya stage pe thi, ya stage jaisi jagah pe. Wo bol rahi thi aur room has raha tha. Wo apne element me thi. Maine use clinic me dekha tha, Jiger ke saath chai peete hue, polite aur thodi si tired. Yahan wo alag thi. Louder. Jaise uske andar koi volume ka button ho jo sirf yahan on hota hai.
Beech me Jiger aaya. Das minute ke liye, do patients ke beech ka gap nikaal ke. Wo peeche khada ho gaya, arms crossed. Saumya bol rahi thi, room has raha tha. Jiger ke chehre pe ek smile aayi, aisi jo maine clinic me kabhi nahi dekhi thi.
Saumya ne use dekha. Aadhe second ke liye uski speed badal gayi, jaise usne apni line thodi jaldi khatam kar di ho. Phir wapas normal. Room me kisi ne notice nahi kiya.
Maine kiya.
Usne Jiger ko stage pe nahi bulaya. Maine socha, achha hai. Ye uski jagah hai.
Workshop khatam hua. Saaf safai ke time Saumya ne bache hue samose ka dibba uthaya. "Ye mere hain. Maine subah se kuch nahi khaaya." Usne khade khade teen samose khaaye. Phir ek volunteer se boli, "Tum log jao, main aur Janvi sambhal lenge." Jaise hum dono koi purani team hon.
Phir usne dibba neeche rakha. "Mujhe coffee chahiye. Abhi ke abhi. Chal, pila mujhe." Ek second ruki. "Tumhe kahin jaana to nahi hai? Tum free ho na?"
Maine haan kar di. Bahut jaldi.
Ghar aake maine apna bag khola. Usme wo name tag tha jo maine apne liye banaya tha. "JANVI - REGISTRATION". Maine use drawer me rakha, mirror ke paas.
Coffee ke liye jagah maine chuni thi. Bandra ka ek cafe, jahan coffee achhi hai aur shor itna hai ki tumhari table ki baat agli table tak nahi pahunchti. Mujhe aise cafes pasand hain. Privacy ka sasta version.
Janvi wahan pehle se thi. Time se paanch minute pehle. Mere liye paani ka glass pehle se mangwa rakha tha. Ye ladki kisi ka wait karna bhi efficiently karti hai.
"Toh," maine kaha, baithte hee, "tumne meri workshop bacha li. Ab tum meri permanent volunteer ho. Salary me milegi meri eternal gratitude aur bache hue samose."
Usne haske kaha, "Mujhe samose se allergy nahi hai."
Humne ek ghanta baat ki. Matlab maine ek ghanta baat ki. Janvi beech beech me aise one-liners marti thi ki main haste haste rone lagti thi. Wo kam bolti hai, lekin jab bolti hai to lagta hai usne pehle se taiyaar rakha tha.
Maine pucha tum rehti kahan ho. Flatmate ke saath, Rohan, college ka dost. Mummy Kandivali me, schoolteacher. Maine pucha papa. Usne apni coffee ki taraf dekha. "Wo practically kabhi the hee nahi."
Usne ye aise kaha jaise weather report de rahi ho. Maine topic change kar diya. Kuch baatein pehli coffee me nahi khodi jaati.
Phir maine use agle weekend ke intensive ke baare me bataya. Do din, naya batch. "Tum aaogi na?"
Usne kaha usne chhutti le li hai. Apne kaam se chhutti, mere workshop ke liye. Thoda ajeeb laga. Achha bhi.
Intensive ka pehla din. Main bees minute late pahunchi.
Mere defence me sirf itna kahungi ki main late nahi thi, traffic zyada tha. Ye jhooth hai. Main late thi. Main hamesha late hoti hoon. Meri khud ki workshop me, jahan main boss hoon, main late hoti hoon.
Janvi wahan pehle se thi. Registration desk laga chuki thi. Name tags lage hue the. Usne mujhe dekha, kuch nahi kaha, bas apni kalaai ki taraf dekha. Jahan ghadi hoti, agar wo ghadi pehenti.
"Maine traffic me ek ghanta bitaya," maine kaha.
"Studio tumhare ghar se bees minute door hai," usne kaha.
Lunch time pe pata chala main khana order karna bhool gayi thi. Tees log, aur mere paas unke liye paani bhi nahi tha. Janvi ne apne phone pe kuch kiya, aur aadhe ghante me khana aa gaya. Usne meri taraf dekha bhi nahi, bas boli, "Kal se main kar lungi."
Poora volunteer group has pada. Main bhi. Mujhe hasi isliye aayi kyunki ye sach tha.
Doosre din shaam ko Jiger aaya. Tiffin leke. Maine subah breakfast skip kiya tha, use yaad tha. Usne dabba khola, pehle Janvi ki taraf badhaya. "Tumne bhi subah se kuch nahi khaaya hoga," usne kaha.
Janvi ne ek roti li. "Thank you," usne kaha, aur apne register me kuch likhne lagi.
Maine Janvi se kaha, "Ye hamesha yaad rakhta hai." Pata nahi maine ye kyun kaha. Shayad isliye kyunki ye sach hai.
Usne smile kiya. Phir wapas likhne lagi.
Doosre din sabke jaane ke baad, hum dono studio ke farsh pe baithe the. Bache hue snacks, khaali chai ke cup, ek toota hua name tag. Maine kaha, "Saaf safai kal karenge."
Janvi ne kamre ko dekha. Uske chehre pe waisa expression aaya jaisa logon ke chehre pe aata hai jab unhe public toilet use karna padta hai.
"Tum rehne do," maine kaha. "Tumhare bas ka nahi hai ye dekhna."
"Main ruk ke saaf kar deti hoon," usne kaha, aur khadi hone lagi.
"Baitho," maine kaha. "Kal subah main aaungi. Pakka. Is baar late nahi houngi." Mujhe khud pe bharosa nahi tha, lekin maine confident face banaya.
Wo baithi rahi. Lekin usne ek khaali cup uthake dustbin me daal diya. Bas ek. Jaise apni aatma ko shaant kar rahi ho.
Maine haske kaha, "Tumhare chehre pe abhi spreadsheet ban rahi thi."
Maine use bataya mere papa ki transferable job thi, main do shehron me badi hui. "Mujhe do tarah ki homesickness hoti hai," maine kaha. "Ek us ghar ki jo chhod aayi, ek us ghar ki jahan kabhi gayi hee nahi."
Janvi ne kaha, "Ye tumhari workshop ki line honi chahiye."
"Maine try kiya tha. Log ro pade the. Maine hata di."
Wo hasi. Phir usne kaha, "Meri mummy kehti hain, ghar wahi hota hai jahan tumhare kapde dhoye jaate hain."
"Ye line rakh lo," maine kaha. "Ye achhi hai."
"Ye unki hai, meri nahi."
Hum dono chup ho gaye. Ajeeb wali chuppi nahi thi. Aaram wali thi.
Humne studio lock kiya. Neeche auto ka wait karte hue maine kaha, "Tum agle Sunday ko ghar aao na. Dinner pe."
Usne haan kar di. Maine shutter neeche kiya, taala lagaya. Bas. Din khatam.
Sunday subah maine apni almari ke saamne bees minute bitaye. Ye mere liye unusual hai. Main aam taur pe pehla saaf kurta uthati hoon aur nikal jaati hoon. Lekin ye pehli baar tha jab main unke ghar jaa rahi thi. Unke ghar. Jahan wo rehte hain.
"Oh, workshop wali." Usne apna phone uthaya. "Sun, wapas aate hue dahi le aana."
"Main dessert le jaa rahi hoon," maine kaha.
"Apne liye nahi, ghar ke liye," usne kaha.
Maine ek simple chocolate cake liya. Phool lene ka mann tha, phir laga phool zyada ho jaayega. Cake safe hai. Cake ka koi matlab nahi hota.
Unka ghar Andheri me hai, ek purani society me. Teesri manzil. Lift kaam kar rahi thi, maine phir bhi seedhi li. Kuch karne ke liye.
Saumya ne darwaza khola. "Aa gayi!" Usne mujhe andar kheench liya. Ghar chhota tha, saaf tha, aur har cheez pe Saumya ki ungliyon ke nishan the. Ek deewar pe framed photos, ek shelf pe workshop ke awards, flower vase me phoolon ki jagah workshop ke markers, sofa pe ek kambal jo teh karke rakha tha lekin phir bhi bikhra lag raha tha.
"Jiger!" Saumya ne aawaz lagayi. "Dekho kaun aaya!"
Wo kitchen se aaya, haath me kadchhi. "Janvi! Aao, baitho." Usne smile kiya. Clinic wali smile se alag.
Maine cake use diya. "Ye kyun laayi?" Saumya ne kaha.
"Khaali haath aana achha nahi lagta," maine kaha.
"Meri mummy bhi yehi kehti hain," Saumya ne kaha, aur hum dono has pade. Jiger ne hume dekha, jaise hum koi inside joke share kar rahe hon. Shayad kar rahe the.
Khana Saumya ne banaya tha. Simple, ghar jaisa. Hum teeno dining table pe baithe. Beech me Saumya ne bina puche Jiger ka paani ka glass bhar diya. Chhoti si cheez.
Saumya ne Jiger ki ek story sunayi. Pichle mahine society meeting me usne padosi uncle ko unki shaadi pe advice dena shuru kar diya tha. "Uncle ne pucha tha lift kab aayegi, isne kaha 'aapki biwi se baat karke dekho, shayad wo bhi intezaar me hain.'"
Jiger ne kaha, "Maine aisa nahi kaha."
"Tumne bilkul aisa kaha," Saumya ne kaha. "Uncle ab lift me mujhe dekh ke doosri taraf dekhte hain."
Main has padi. Zor se. Jiger ne apna sar hilaya, lekin wo bhi has raha tha.
Phir Saumya ne kaha, "Ye apne patients ko kehte hain, 'khana khaate time phone neeche rakho.' Kal raat ye khana khaate khaate email padh rahe the."
"Maine padha nahi, scan kiya," Jiger ne kaha.
"Same cheez," Saumya ne kaha, aur mujhe dekh ke aankh maari.
Maine has diya. Mere dimaag me uski workshop ki ek line aayi. "Jis cheez ko tum ignore karte ho, wo badi hoti jaati hai." Maine use wapas bhej diya.
Khane ke baad Jiger chai banane utha. "Main banata hoon," usne kaha. Saumya ne use rokne ki koshish nahi ki. Shayad ye unka system tha.
Wo teen cup leke aaya. Mera cup mere saamne rakha. Maine ek sip liya. Kam cheeni, adrak zyada. Bilkul waisi jaisi main clinic me banati hoon.
Saumya ne pucha, "Tumhe kaise pata usko kaisi chai pasand hai?"
Jiger ne kaha, "Clinic me dekha hai. Ye apni chai me adrak daalti hai, phir thandi karke peeti hai."
"Main thandi karke nahi peeti," maine kaha. "Wo bas thandi ho jaati hai."
"Same cheez," Jiger ne kaha.
Saumya hasi. "Tum dono clinic me chai pe charcha karte ho?"
"Kabhi kabhi," Jiger ne kaha.
Maine apne cup ko dekha. Maine ek aur sip liya.
Beech me Saumya boli, "Janvi, kitchen se wo bade chammach le aao na. Wo upar wale dabbe me hain, oven ke upar."
Main uthi, kitchen me gayi. Oven ke upar do dabbe the. Maine pehla khola. Masale. Band kiya. Doosra khola. Chammach wahin the.
Wapas aake Saumya ne pucha, "Mil gaye?"
"Mil gaye," maine kaha.
Khana paroste time Saumya ne kaha, "Janvi, ye bowl Jiger ko de do na, tum paas ho."
Maine bowl uthaya, Jiger ki taraf badhaya. Usne liya. "Thanks," usne kaha, bina dekhe. Wo chawal parosne me busy tha.
Do second. Bas do second ka kaam tha. Mere haath bilkul steady the.
Ek baar Saumya phone pe gayi, kisi volunteer ka call tha. Kitchen me main aur Jiger akele reh gaye, tees second ke liye. Wo bartan dho raha tha. Maine kaha, "Main help karoon?"
"Rehne do," usne kaha. "Tum mehmaan ho."
"Main mehmaan nahi hoon," maine kaha. "Main staff hoon."
Usne haske kaha, "Tum dono ho."
Saumya wapas aa gayi. Tees second khatam.
Jaate time Saumya ne mujhe darwaze tak chhoda. Usne mujhe gale lagaya. "Agle Sunday phir aana," usne kaha.
"Dekhti hoon," maine kaha.
Auto me maine apna phone nikala. Saumya ka message tha. "pahunch ke batana."
Ghar pahunch ke maine reply kiya. "pahunch gayi."
Rohan sofa pe soya tha. Maine dahi fridge me rakha, apne joote utaare, aur apne kamre me chali gayi.
