Peer ki subah har doosre office ki tarah wahan bhi kaamo ki afratfari phaili thi. Jawahirat barik heels se corridor mein chalti aa rahi thi. Guzarte logo ke salam ka muskra kar sar ke khum se jawab deti woh hamesha ki tarah damak rahi thi. Rahdari ke sire par usne darwaza khatkhataya.

Phir khol kar andar aayi toh raaste bhar ki masnoi muskrahat ghayab hui aur uski jagah tashweesh ne le li.

Laptop pe kuch type karte Hashim ne ek nazar usse dekha. Phir wapas type karne laga. Uska coat stand par latka aur woh masroof lag raha tha.

"Kheiriyat?"

"Meri samajh mein nahi aa raha hai ke woh larka do din se tumhara saara data le kar baitha hai aur tum itne sukoon se kaam kar rahe ho." Meiz pe haath rakh kar jhukte hue woh tashweesh se boli.

"Pehli baat mere documents security ki teho mein thay jinhain woh nahi tod sakta. Main abhi chaar bando ke saath uske ghar pe dhawa bol sakta hoon. Uske saare computers aur files nikal sakta hoon. Magar main usko yeh taa'sur nahi dena chahta ke uske paas meri koi kamzori hai." Kursi ghuma kar maa ko dekhte hue Hashim taham'mul se keh raha tha.

"Aur mujhe yaqeen nahi hai ke woh itni jaldi mera itna saara data copy bhi kar sakta hai, Khair jo bhi ho woh mere paas sabse pehle aayega. Aur bil-farz agar uske paas kuch hai bhi toh usko khamosh karne ke aik so aik tareeqe aate hain mujhe. Ab apni pareshani ki doosri wajah batayein mujhe."

Jawahirat ne gehri saans li. Ungli se baal peeche kiye aur kursi pe baithi.

"Tumhara bhai kahan hai?"

"Woh aaj par nahi aaya? Khair ghar pe so raha hoga."

"Woh ghar nahi hai. Dosto ke saath bhi nahi hai. Mujhe uski fikar ho rahi hai."

Hashim ne mobile uthaya aur ek number milaya. "Haan? Sheru kidhar hai, usay dhund kar khabar do mujhe"

Phone maiz par daal kar maa ko dekha. "Mil jayega, aakhir kaha Jana hai usne ?"

"Woh disturb hai sherry ki wajah se. Usay samjhao Hashim!"

"Main sambhal loonga. Kyun fikar karti hai?"

"Saadi ko bhi tumhein sambhalna hoga. Kyunki jab tak Saadi ko saza nahi milegi, sheru ka gussa halka nahi hoga. Mujhe dar hai woh kuch galat na kar bethe."

"Mummy kya yeh behtar nahi hoga ke hum sheru ko uska gussa nikalne ki bajaye uska gussa kam karna sikhaye?"

"Main is behas mein nahi padhna chahti. Tum Saadi ka kuch karo. Wah waise bhi usse pasand nahi karta. Jitna Saadi uska rasta kaatega utna hi Sheru hyper hoga."

Hashim kuch kehne laga tha, magar mobile baja. Usne call uthali. "Haan theek hai." Phir maa ki taraf mutawajeh hua.

"Woh shooting club gaya hai. Aur woh theek hai. Main mil loonga usse. Be-fikar rahiyw." Narmi se muskara kar woh aage jhuka aur Jawahirat ka haath dabaaya. Woh ba-dikkat muskarayi. Hashim phir se kaam ki taraf mutawajeh ho gaya.

☆☆☆

"دوست ہے دل میں، ذہن میں دشمن۔ کوئی بھی مجھ سے دور نہیں ہے۔"

"Dost hai dil me, zehen me dushman. Koi bhi mujhse door nahi hai."

∘❀∘

Saadi ne glass door khola. Andar office mein Sara kursi pe brajman, gardan tirchhi kiye ek file pe kuch likh rahi thi. Bas nigah uthakar, usay aakar dekha aur wapis likhne lagi. Baal jude mein bandhe thay aur rukhsar (cheeks) surkh gulabi ho rahe thay.

"Doctor Sara! Main ne yeh kaam mukammal kar liya hai. Folder report tayaar hai."

Usne salaam ke baad kehte hue kaaghazo ka bundle mez pe rakha.

"Aap ki tareef?" Sara ne likhte hue poocha. Saadi ne 'achha' wale andaaz mein abroo uthaye.

"Aap aksar karti rehti hain." Keh kar woh kri kheench kar baitha.

Sara ne sara uthakar usse dekha. Phir ungli se uthne ka ishara kiya. Woh pehle seedha hua phir khada ho gaya. Sara ne qalam ki pasht labo se lagaye, usse dekh kar yaad karne ki koshish ki.

"Aap ki shakal dekhi bhali hai. Aur... Jahan tak mujhe yaad padta hai aap is project ke senior engineer hain."

"Jee ma'am aur jahan tak mujhe yaad padta hai maine ek chhutti ki darkhwast di thi jo approve bhi hui thi."

"To aapne chhuti khatam hone se pehle aane ki zehmat kyu ki?"

"Pehle main baith jau"? Usne poocha. Woh usi tarah khafgi se usse dekhte rahi. Saadi phir se beida aur bundle uski taraf dakhaila.

"Aap ka kaam waqt se pehle kar diya hai. Field pe jaane ki saari tayari bhi mukammal kar li hai. Ab aap woh shikayat bataye jo aapko Mujh se hai." Sara ne file band ki. Tek lagayi aur sanjeedgi se usse dekha.

"Tumhe pata hai Saadi! Thar ke is field pe hazaaro log kaam kar rahe hain. Aur in sab ke upar is ohde par pahuchne wali main wahid aurat hoon. Aur iski wajah maloom hai kya hai?"

"Mere jaise zahin aur qabil senior engineer ka saath hona?" Saadi ki zaban phaili.

"Apne kaam se committed ho kar rehna aur bila wajah ke naago se parhez karna."

"Aapko pata hai main bila wajah chhuttiya nahi karta. Ab bhi kai kaam thay to.." woh khaamosh ho gaya aur sanjeeda bhi.

"Itne ahem kaam ke tum ne mujhe Faris ke riha hone ka nahi bataya?"

"Aap ne poocha hi nahi." Usne sadgi se shaane uchkaye.

"Pocha tha maine. Tum ne to baat taal di thi."

"Achha na... Ab to pata chal gaya aap ko." Woh khushgawar andaaz mein guftagu ki noiyat badalne laga. Sara ab fikarmandi se usko dekh rahi thi.

"Tum bohot pur israar hote ja rahe ho. Ab to kuch batate hi nahi ho."

"Har cheez ka ek waqt hota hai. Main ne kaha tha na is bande ke laptop tak pahuch jau. Phir.."

"Kaun hai woh? Kya usi ne Waris ko?" Sara shikayaat bhool kar, aage hote huye ehtiyaat se poocha. Saadi ne asbat me sar hilaya.

"Bas thoda sa intezaar kar lein aur yeh sab mujhe sambhalne de." Muskara kar bashashat se kehta woh uth khada hua. Sara ki aankho mein shikayat phir se oud kar aayi.

"Ladke tum agle mah mujhe field pe apne saath chahiye ho. Tayari kar lo."

"Roger boss" muskara kar mathe tak haath le ja kar salam kiya aur jaane ko mud gaya.

Sara ne bamuskil muskaraahat dabaye sar jhatka. "Yeh Saadi bhi na."

☆☆☆

"یہ ہیں اہلِ دنیا کے دلچسپ دھوکے۔ کسی کو کسی سے محبت نہیں ہے۔"

"Yeh hain ahl-e-duniya ke dilchasp dhoke. Kisi ko kisi se mohabbat nahi hai."

∘❀∘

Nosherwan shooting point pe khada tha. Uski lane mein ek patla phad phad raha tha. Usne dono haatho se pistol pakde baazu seedhe kiye. Ek aankh band kiya nishana banda. Kaano pe pehle hi headphone type ear protection pehne hue tha aur aankho pe zard glasses taaq kar usne fire kiya. Ek do teen chaar sab dil ke aas paas lage. Dil tootne aur phatne se bacha raha.

"Haath seedha rakho. Kandhe mat jhatko. Is point ko dekho." Apne qareeb Hashim ki madham awaaz sun kar woh chonk kar muda. Glasses lagaaye, Cap pehne, Hashim usse dekhe bina aage ho kar uske haath ko seedha kar raha tha.

Nosherwan ne hole se sar jhatka. Bezaari zahir karne ki koshish ki. Magar chuke, wo Hashim ki aamad se bezaar nahi hua tha. So na-kaam raha. Uska baazu seedha kar ke Hashim peechay hata.

"Hmm, ab nishana lo, puri yaksoi hai." Uske kandhe ke peeche khade hue, woh putle ko dekh kar bola. Nosherwan ne putle ko dekha. Palke sukudi, Gehri saans andar khenchhi aur fire kiya.

Dil ab bhi nahi phata.

Woh ukta kar sar jhatkta aik taraf ho gaya. Machine ne woh putla peeche kar ke fresh patla samne kiya. Hashim uski jagah pe aa khada hua. Pistol ka upri hissa peeche kar ke load kiya.

"Shehrin na itni khoobsurat hai na itni mutasir kun ke tum abhi tak is sadme se bahar nahi nikle." Dono haatho mein pakda pistol taak kar nishane pe rakhte woh bola.

"Woh aap ki biwi rahi hai." Sheru sar jhuka kar joote se farsh masalne laga. Woh is mozu se bachna chahta tha.

"Mujhe is se fark nahi padta. Tum batao tumhari woh pasand thi, mohabbat thi ya ishq thi?" Samne dekhte hue Hashim ne fire kiya. Goliyo ki tard tarahat shooting range ke is andarooni kamre mein gonji. Aik ke baad aik, do goliya putle ke dono haatho par lagi.

"Is se kya fark padta hai?" Sheru ne bezaari se shaane uchkaye.

"Fark padta hai. Agar yeh pasandeedgi thi to shaam tak tumhe theek ho jana chahiye." Kehte hue usne phir fire kiya. Dono aankho ke peech goli ne soorakh kar diya.

"Agar mohabbat thi to kuch din lagenge." Zor daar goonj ke saath agli goli peshaani pe maari.

"Aur agar ishq tha to.." putle ka nishana liye nazro ke samne surkh romal sa lehraya. Red. Surkh.

"To phir yeh la ilaaj hai." Aakhri goli dil pe maari. Dil phat gaya. Hashim ne glasses utare. Aankhein sikud kar tanqeedi nigaho se pehle ka jaiza liya, jise ab peeche le jaya ja raha tha. Phir alamati tor par pistol ki naali par phoonk maari. Usay paint ki peeche jibe mein ud aur pursukoon sa Nosherwan ki taraf mud gaya.

"Pasand se zyada mohabbat se kam." Woh joote se musalsal farsh masal raha tha.

"Ya shaayad shehrin ke tumhein istemaal karne se zyada sadme tumhein Saadi ke kehne par istemaal kiye jaane pe hua hai." Nosherwan ke jhuke chehre pe maare aahnt ki surkhiya dorne lagin. Mithiyan bhinch li. Hashim ne bohot ghour se usay dekha.

"Saadi ko duniya mein sab se zyada mohabbat kis se hai, maloom hai?"

Nosherwan ne sakti nigahe utha kar usse dekha. "DA zumar se?"

Hashim ne asbat mein gardan hilayi.

"Aur uski nazar mein hum usay gira chuke hain. Unke kharaab talluqat necklace baramdagi ke baad mazeed kharaab ho jayenge. Jald Saadi, mere paas aayega aur main apne tareeke se usay sambhal loonga. Agar woh mere liye kaam karne lag jaye to socho humara ghulam ban kar woh hame kitna faida dega."

"Woh kabhi humara ghulam nahi banega. Namumkin!" Aur itna to Nosherwan usay janta hi tha.

"Main usay an dekhi zanjeero me jakad loonga sheru! Ek din woh mere liye kaam karega. Uska talent humare haq mein istemaal hona chahiye."

"Matalab aapko abhi bhi Saadi ki fikr hai?" Nosherwan ke andar gusse ki nayi lehar dori.

"Woh saari zindagi mujhse muqabla karta aaya hai. Har jagah mujhe peeche karke khud logo ki tahseen batorta aaya hai. Uske samne kabhi main kuch nahi hota. Har koi uska motarif hota hai. Aakhir kyun?"

"Kyunki woh ek khuddar aur zahin naujawan hai. Usme waqar hai aur woh rishte ka paas (nibhana) karna janta hai. Woh logo ke liye accha sochta hai aur mushkil mein unki madad karta hai. Insaan ko izzat karani padti hai."

"Or you know what, main yahan khada hoke Saadi ki salahiyato pe do ghante aur bhi bol sakta hoon. Magar mujhe tumhari fikr hai. Kyunki mere bhai tum ho. Isliye us shehrin trauma se niklo. Aaj poora din uska sog mana lo aur kal subah tum mujhe mazboot asaab ke sath wapas office me nazar aao. Aur is baare mein main aur ek lafz nahi sununga."

Sakhti aur drushti se usne kaha to sheru ka gussa jhaag ki tarah baith gaya. Usne "jee" kehkar sar jhukaya. Hashim uske barabar se guzarta aage badh gaya. Nosherwan ne glasses ab haath mein pakad rakhe the. Duniya ab zara wazeh nazar aa rahi thi.

☆☆☆

"اب تو سیلِ درد تھم جائے، سکون دل کو ملے، زخمِ دل میں آ چکی ہے، اب تو گہرائی بہت۔

"Ab to sail-e-dard tham jaye, sukoon dil ko mile, Zakhm-e-dil mein aa chuki hai, ab to gehrai bohut."

∘❀∘

Lounge ki chorhi khidki ke baahar dhoop pighal rahi thi. Kitchen mein talte kebabon ki khushbu yahan tak aa rahi thi. Wheelchair par baithe bade Agha bohot mohabbat aur apnayet se sofa par sar jhukaye Faris ko dekh rahe the. Kareeb hi Saadi khada file ke safhe palat raha tha.

"Um hmm" nafi mein sar hilaate Saadi ne unka dawaiyo ka box kholkar dekha.

"Mujhe achhi tarah yaad hai main kitni goliya chhod kar gaya tha. Aapne do hafte mein sirf gyarah din ki dawa khai hai."

Faris ne khamoshi se bas nigah utha kar use dekha. Albatta unhone muskurate hue tafteeshi karte ladke par nazar daali.

"Woh khatam ho gayi thi. Yeh nai mangwayi hain. Sadaqat se pooch lo."

"Bete aur ghulaam ki gawaahi qabil-e-qabool nahi hoti."

"Mera pota aata jata hai, usse acchi dawa kya hogi mere liye?" Unhone Saadi ka baazu chhukar Faris se taeed chahi.

Faris, jo ab tak hoshiyaar hokar alert sa baitha tha, zabardasti muskuraya. Phir wahi sanjeedgi taari kar li. Woh be-aaraam sa baitha tha.

"Main is baat ko abhi taal raha hoon, khatam nahi kar raha." Saadi tanbeeh karte khidki taraf aaya aur bahar dekhne laga jahan porch mein uski car khadi thi. Doosri koi car nahi thi. Zumar medical check-up ke liye gayi thi aur usko aate aate bhi do teen ghante lag jaane the. So, woh befikr tha.

"Aage kya karoge, Faris?" Woh ab narmi se usse dekhte hue pooch rahe the.

"Purani naukri wapas lene ki koshish karunga." Woh rasmi se andaz mein batane laga.

"Agar koi madad..." Faris ne halka sa haath uthaaya.

"Mere paas kuch savings hain. Bohot hain mere liye. Aapne pehle hi bohot ehsaan kiye hain mujh par. Mazeed na loonga, na lete accha lagoonga." Bina kisi taa'sur ke woh sanjeedgi se keh raha tha.

"Main jaanta tha tum riha ho jaoge. Judge ko tumhari begunahi ka yakeen aa jaayega."

Faris ne tirchi nazro se baahar dekhte Saadi ko dekha. "Jee, Saadi bhi jaanta tha."

Jebo mein haath daale, chewing gum chabate Saadi ne mude bina kaha, "Maine suna nahi, kya kisi ne mera naam liya?"

Aur kisi ne sir jhatak kar chehra wapas mod liya.

"Mujhe tumse bohot si baatein karni hain. Accha lag raha hai tumhein apne saamne dekh kar."

"Ohh!" Saadi ne be-ikhtiyaar chewing gum thooki aur dustbin mein phenki. Phir ghabrahat se baahar dekha. Neeli car uski car ke peeche ruki thi. Driving seat ka darwaza khul kar woh baahar nikal rahi thi. Ghungriyale baal half bandhe the, aur apna purse uthate hue ek jhoolti lat ko kaan ke peeche urus rahi thi.

"Aap ne to kaha tha woh do baje se pehle nahi aayengi?" Saadi halka sa bol paya.

Faris ne chonk kar use dekha, magar usse wahan se woh nahi nazar aa raha tha jo Saadi dekh raha tha.

Zumar uski gaadi ke paas ruki, phir achambhe se lounge ki khidki ko dekha. Saadi udhar khada nazar aaya kyunki woh sheeshe ke bohot qareeb tha. Zumar halka sa muskurai aur aage barh aayi. Saadi muskura bhi nahi saka.

Woh raahdaari mein daakhil ho rahi thi ke trolley lata Sadaqat use dekh kar bokhla gaya.

"Baaji! Aap itni jaldi?"

"Haan, appointment cancel ho gayi. Doctor ko kahin jaana tha. Saadi aaya hai?"

Woh seedhi drawing room ki taraf aa rahi aur uski awaaz pehle hi udhar pahunch gayi thi. Bare abba ne be-ikhtiyaar Saadi ko dekha.

Faris ek dum khada ho gaya. Uske maathe par bal pad gaye the.

"Aaj to hamara Saadi itne arse baad..."

Chokhaṭ par Zumar ke alfaaz toot gaye.

Faris saamne khada tha. Bare Abba wheelchair par, Saadi khidki ke saath. Faris ko dekh kar uski bhoori aankho mein pehle be-yaqeeni ubhri, phir sadma, aur aakhir mein shadeed gussa. Uske lab bheench gaye, itni sakhti se ke gardan ki nasain ubharne lagi. Tez nigaho se Saadi ko dekha jaise jawab maanga.

Faris tezi se uske paas se guzar kar baahar ki taraf badha.

"YEH AADMI MERE GHAR MEIN KYA KAR RAHA HAI?"

Woh abhi mukammal bhi na hui thi ke jawab talab nazro se Bare Abba ko dekhte hue oonchi awaaz mein boli.

Faris lamha bhar ruka, phir tezi se nikal gaya.

"Use maine bulaya tha, Zumar!" Bare abba ne malaal se usse jaate dekha.

"AAP MERE SAATH AISA KAISE KAR SAKTE HAIN? AAP NAHI JAANTE KE WOH KAUN HAI?"

Woh be-yaqeeni, hairat aur sadme se itni buland boli ke Sadaqat raahdaari mein hi tham gaya.

"Woh be-gunah hai."

"AUR MAIN BE-GUNAH NAHI THI? AAP KO IS SAARE MAAMLE MEIN MAIN MASOOM NAHI LAGTI?"

"Zumar..." Saadi ne kuch kehna chaha.

"TUM TOH BILKUL KHAMOSH RAHO!" Ungli utha kar use chup karaya. Saadi ne sir jhuka liya.

Markazi darwaza khulne aur band hone ki awaaz aayi.

"AGAR AINDA YEH AADMI MERE GHAR MEIN DAAKHIL BHI HUA TOH MAIN YAHAN NAHI RAHUNGI, ABBA!"

Faris porch aboor karta dikhai de raha tha. Lahnt aur zabt se uske kaan surkh ho gaye the. Bare Abba ka dil buri tarah dukha.

"Woh mere israar pe aaya tha. Uska kya kasoor?"

"YEH.. YEH SAB" (Zumar ne purse se reports ka lifafa nikal kar zor se mez par uchal diya. Woh sab bikhar kar neechay gir gaye.) "YEH SAB USKA KASOOR HAI! AAP KE DO BACHE EK EK GURDA KHO CHUKE HAIN TO IS AADMI KI WAJAH SE. AUR AAP USE APNE LOUNGE MEIN BITHAA RAHE THE? ABBA! USNE MUJHE GOLI MAARI THI! YEH WOHI AADMI HAI!"

"Tumne use yeh karte hue nahi dekha tha tum..."

"Mujhe pata hai yeh wohi tha! Mujhe kisi wazahat ki zaroorat nahi hai!"

Woh gulabi surkh aankhon ke saath phate dil se bolti palat gayi. Sadaqat sar jhukaye trolley ko andar le aaya. Saadi ne gehri saans bhari, aage aaya, kebab uthaya, sofa par barajman hua aur usay chakha

"Maze ka hai! Aap bhi lein na?"

Bare Abba abhi tak dil masos kar baithe the. Gardan daayein taraf giraye, zard rangat ke saath.

"Woh kya sochta hoga... aur tum bhi use le kar nahi gaye... bechara taxi pe gaya hoga."

"Oh chhodiye Bare Abba, woh bohot rough and tough hai! Chaar saal jail mein chakki pees kar aaye hai, taxi pe ja kar ghul nahi jayega!"

Saadi uth kar doosra kebab utha raha tha.

"Woh mera mehmaan tha. Ghar aaye ke saath koi aise karta hai? Aur woh toh tha bhi masoom."

"Aap aisa karein," usne kebab tod kar munh mein rakhte hue kaha, "Phupho ki shaadi kara de."

Bare Abba ne shaqqi nazro se usay dekha.

"Main kara sakta hoon?"

Saadi ne chabate hue aankhein sikud kar dekha, "technically haan, hypothetically shayad... aur practically toh bilkul bhi nahi!"

Ummed shuru ki hui baat ke aakhir mein jharjhiri le kar usne sir jhatka.

Bare Abba wheelchair chalate uske qareeb aaye.

"Parhi likhi ladkiyan jab 30 aboor kar jaaye aur unke paas na khatam hone wale dalaail hon, toh unko koi shaadi ke liye majboor nahi kar sakta aur.."

Ghamzada muskurahat se Saadi ka chehra dekha.

"Aur wo to usay ghar mein bardaasht nahi kar sakti, zindagi mein kaise karegi?"

Kebab mein koi haddi thi shayad jo Saadi ke halq mein phans gayi. Woh beikhtiyar aage jhuk kar khaansa. Phir chehra utha kar udi rangat ke saath Bare Abba ko dekha.

"Maine, yeh, yeh toh nahi kaha..."

"6 foot ka pota pachees saal ka ho kar bahar se degree la kar samajhta hai ke woh dada ki dawaiyo ki parchi padh sakta hai... aur dada uska zehan nahi padh sakta?"

Saadi ne boikhla kar darwaze ko dekha.

"Aahista boliye, main aaq kar diya jaunga."

Bare Abba udaasi se muskuraye. "Yeh meri bhi khwahish hai, hamesha se, magar woh kabhi nahi manegi."

Saadi bilkul chup ho gaya. Tabhi raahdaari se qadam ki awaaz aayi. Saadi ne jaldi se kebabo ki plate wapas rakhi aur seedha baitha.

"Job par nahi ja rahe ho aaj kal?"

Zumar andar aayi. Samne tang par tang rakh kar baith gayi. Libaas badal kar fresh aur sambhli hui thi.

"Monday tak off liya hai. Kuch kaam niptane the."

Woh bazahir sarsari lehje mein kehte huye, ghaye baghaye mohtaat nazar us par dalta.

"Agar tumhein mera woh rawaiyya bura laga hai toh main maazrat karti hoon. Magar mujhe iska koi afsos nahi. Kyunki agar tum khud ko meri jagah rakh kar socho toh tumhein main haq bajanib nazar aungi."

Nihayat thande lehje mein woh shuru hui.

"Meri zindagi ke kuch usool hain. Main jin ko pasand nahi karti unse bhi mil leti hoon. Magar jin se nafrat karti hoon, bilkhusoos kisi aise shakhs se jisne mujhe nuksan diya ho, toh.. usko main apne ird gird bardaasht nahi kar sakti. Is baare mein mujhe apne jazbaat chhupane ki zaroorat nahi hai."

Aakhir mein halke se shaane uchkaye.

Saadi ne sir hilaaya. Woh jazbaat nahi, magar dheron karb chhupa kar aayi thi.

"Ainda kuch bhi aisa nahi hoga jo aap ko takleef de, Zumar.! Aur jo de chuke hain, woh zaroor bhugtenge."

"Mujhe unke bhugatne se gharz nahi hai."

"Magar aap toh insaaf, qisas pe yaqeen rakhti thi?"

"Maaf maine abhi bhi nahi kiya, Saadi. Magar main zindagi mein aage badhna chahti hoon, mein khud ko mazeed takleef se bachaana chahati hoon."

Woh sanjeedgi se keh rahi thi.

"Abba, aap ko usse milna hai toh zaroor milein, magar meri mojoudgi mein yeh mat kiya kijiye."

"Humne toh yahi samjha tha na..." Saadi ne mushkil se khud ko kehne se roka.

"Saadi chahta hai hum kal raat uski taraf khana khana khaye." Bare Abba ne baat badal di. Na taeed ki na inqaar Kiya.

Zumar ne Saadi ko dekha jo mutazabzib sa use dekh raha tha. Woh zara si muskurayi.

"Sure! Hum zaroor aayenge."

Saadi ki rangat wapas aayi. Woh muskurata hua utha.

"Hum sab intezaar karenge."

Zumar ki muskurahat uski aankhon mein bhi thi. Woh ab behtar mehsoos kar rahi thi.

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"تم جسے نورِ صبح کہتے ہو، میں اسے گردِ شام بھی نہ کہوں۔"

"Tum jise noor-e-subah kehte ho, main use gard-e-shaam bhi na kahun."

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Raat ki siyah afsha poore shehar pe jagmaga rahi thi.

Kardars ke azeem-o-shaan qasr ke samne lawn nasheb mein jata toh aage annexy thi. Faris darwaze pe khara chaabiyo ke gucchay se ek tala khol raha tha.

Jeans pe button wali shirt pehne, cuff kalai par mode, uska chehra be-ta’asar tha.

Darwaza khula. Usne andar qadam rakha, bina dekhe deewar pe haath maara aur seedha doosra button dabaya. Daakhli hisse ki batti jal uthi. Woh chhote-chhote qadam uthata andar aaya. Gardan ghuma kar chhat, khidkiyo, deewaro ko dekhta raha. Woh raahdaari se guzar raha tha.

Ghar baahar se paint shuda tha kyunki Kardars jab apna ghar paint karate to iska bhi bahari hissa karwa dete, kyunki unke lawn se ye nazar aata tha. Albatta andar se ghar mamooli tha, normal furniture, chips ka farsh, aur deewar aur chhat ke milne ki jagah par ukda paint.

Woh aage badhta gaya. Jawahirat ne yahan ki safaai karwa di thi. Aaj ghar saaf-suthra tha, magar phir bhi purana aur mamooli lag raha tha. Lounge chhota sa tha. Ek taraf gol dining table rakhi thi. Drawing room alag tha. Seedhiya upar jati thi. Ek taraf ek darwaza tha jahan se sidiya basement ki taraf jati.

Basement tehkhana ki tarah thi, jo poore ghar ke area pe phaila kamra tha. Jisme sutoon the, magar deewarein nahi thi… uss tehkhane mein sirf kaath-kabaad tha. Faris udhar nahi gaya.

Woh upar ke manzil pe aaya. Aage ek terrace bhi tha, aur andar ek deewar par tasveer lagi thi. Tasveer mein wo halka sa muskara raha tha, bilkul halka sa. Ash grey dinner suit me malboos tha. Uske baal ab bhi waise hi the. Saath ek ladki thi jo saree pehne khadi thi.

Step me kate baal, bade jhumke. Jaazib nazar woh bhi muskura rahi thi.

Faris palat gaya. Uska chehra be-taasur tha. Baathroom me aakar usne nal khola, aur asteen modh kar wazu karne laga.

Baahar roshni mein nahaaya qasr dikhai de raha tha. Andar mulazimo ki chahal-pahal jaari thi. Jawahirat ek badi kursi par barjmn nazakat se chhuri-kaante se steak ka tukda kat rahi thi. Daye haath betha Hashim tha, jo plate pe jhuka khaane mein masroof tha. Uske mobile ki message tone waqfe-waqfe se baj rahi thi. Jawahirat ke doosre haath betha Nosherwan be-dili se kaanta plate mein ulat-pulat kar raha tha. Uski shave badi hui thi.

"Tum aaj phir office nahi aaye?" Jawahirat ne bas use nigahe Utha kar dekha usne be zari se chehra uthaya.

"Ap log kuch lamhe ke liye mujhe akela nahi chorh sakte? "

"Mummy" Hashim ne nigaho se jawahirat ko tanbeeh ki usne jara se Shane uchkaye.

"Mera khayal tha tum ab tak apne bhai ko samjha chuke hoge magar ye hanooz yeh us aurat ke gham main hai Jo ise ghada samajh ke isemal kar ke chali gayi."

"Ap chahti hai main table se uth jau?" Uska chehra surkh parne laga.

"Sheru badtameezi mat karo wo hamari Maa hai!"

Or jis tarah Hashim ne sirf nigah Utha kar sakti se kaha tha Nosherwan ne gardan jhuka li. Jawahirat ne gehra sans le kar glass labo se lagaya.

"Main uss din ka intezaar kar rahi hoon jab tumhein ehsaas hoga ki tumhari maa aur tumhara bhai tumhein protect karne ke liye kya-kya karte hain. Aur yeh poora hafta humne tumhare kham khamsa ghussa bardasht kiya hai, aur tum humein hi mord-e-ilzaam tehra rahe ho? Agar Saadi ne (aur us naam pe Nosherwan ki kanpattiya phatne ko thi) kuch bura kiya bhi hai to tumahare bhai ke sath aur jab wo keh raha hai ke wo usay sambhal lenga, to tum KYU apna khoon jala rahe ho?" Nosherwan ne kaanta rakh diya. Bas kha chuka tha wo.

"Faris chala gaya?" Hashim ne daansta maa ko dekhte huye mouzu badla.

Wo abhi thande andaaz me sheru ki mazeed class le sakti thi magar Hashim ke musalsal nigaho se tanbeeh karne pe gehri saans le kar boli.

"Mehmaan se chaar din baad badbu aane lagti hai. So aaj uska ghar tayar karwa diya tha."

Nosherwan uthne ke liye par tol raha tha, magar behrhaal usmein itni jur’at na thi ke bade bhai aur maa ke samne yun uth jaye. Hashim ka mobile phir baja. Usne ek haath se kaanta labo tak le jate huye, doosre haath se phone kaan se lagaya.

"Jee? jee aap ka kaam ho gaya tha. Main subah tak case file aapko bhijwa dunga. Ji bilkul."

Usne plate pare ki aur doosra number milane laga. Hashim ke har waqt bajte phone ke wo aadi the.

"Jee, Zumar, kaisi hain aap?"

Undono ne chonk kar usay phone par kehte suna.

"Maine aapko ek case file ka kaha tha. Ok, woh copy ho gayi? Acha, main driver ko bhej deta hoon, aapke ghar se pick kar lega."

Usne ruk kar suna.

"Aap kidhar hain? Khairiyat? Saadi ki taraf? Acha..."

Hashim baat dohrane ka aadhi nahi tha, magar kyunki yeh uske liye bhi ghair mutawaqqa tha, so dohrata gaya. Nigah uthakar Sheru ko dekha, wo bhanwe bhinche usay hi dekh raha tha.

"Chalein, jab aap wapas aayengi. Acha, subah wahin se court jayengi? Ok, koi masla nahi. Ahn, Saadi qareeb hai to meri baat karwa dein."

Woh kehta hua apne chhote bhai ko dekh raha tha. Jawahiraat bhi napkin se lab thapthapati udhar hi mutawajjah thi.

"Kya haal hai, Saadi?"

Woh bola to aankho mein sard mehri dar gayi. Nosherwan ne 'huh' kehkar istehzaiya sar jhatka.

"Main to bilkul theek hoon. Aisa hai ke subah meri secretary tumhe call karke kal ki appointment de degi. Zaroor aana, main intezaar karunga."

Kehkar usne phone rakh diya.

"Yeh giraya aapne usey D.A. ki nazron se, ke woh ek dafa phir family ban gaye hai?"

"Woh kal aayega. Main usse baat karunga aur mein, sab sambhal loonga. Ab waqt aa gaya hai ke tum, Saadi Yousuf, ke obsession, se, nikal, aao."

Har fikra Hashim ne bade tahammul se ada kiya.

"Nosherwan... relax."

Jawahirat ne abke narmi se uska haath dabaya. Usne ba-zahir khud ko normal rakhte hue sir hilaya. Baharhaal, taa'surat chhupane mein maa aur bhai jaisa maahir nahi tha.

"Yeh koi itni badi baat nahi hai. Badi baat tab hoti agar Saadi ke haath kuch aisa lagta jo hame nuksan de."

"Main samajh gaya. Main theek hoon."

Woh apna mobile nikalte hue uth gaya. Jawahirat ne qadr-e-tashweesh se gardan uthakar usay dekha.

"Kahan ja rahe ho?"

"Sarmad waghera ne baahar khane ka program banaya tha. Pehle inkar kar diya tha, ab chala hi jata hoon. Mood acha ho jayega. Warna jab tak yeh Saadi Yousuf zinda hai, meri zindagi masail ka shikar hi rahegi."

Sar jhatak kar kehta hua ruk gaya. Phir jaise apni hi baat ne soch ka ek naya dar dikhaya.

"Mar kyun nahi jata yeh Saadi aakhir! Itne to bomb blast hote hain roz..."

Woh to kehkar nikal gaya, magar Hashim be-ikhtiyar saans roke usko dekhne laga.

"SOCH SAMAJH KAR BOLA KARO!"

Usne aqab se qadr-e-barhami se pukara. Sheru ne bina mude baghair 'bye' ka haath hilaaya aur aage badhta gaya.

"Mujhe yaqeen nahi hai woh dosto ke paas ja raha hai."

"Agar aap isi tarah har waqt usko manfi rukh dikhati rahi, to woh waqai kisi ke paas jane ke qabil nahi rahega."

"Tumhare khayal mein main uski bhalai nahi chahti?"

"Kya hum sukoon se khana kha sakte hain?"

Hashim wapas plate ki taraf mutawajjah hua.

"Sure!"

Jawahirat ne nazakat se shaane uchkaaye, ungli se samne gire baal peeche kiye aur ghoont ghoont juice peene lagi.

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