CHAPTER - 06

Paani Se Gaadha

- پانی سے گاڑھا-

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𝑨𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒚𝒂 𝒌𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒉𝒍𝒆 𝒒𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒌𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒛𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒚𝒊 𝒕𝒉𝒊 𝒌𝒉𝒖𝒅 𝑴𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒇-𝒆-𝒂𝒂'𝒍𝒂𝒂 𝒏𝒆.

𝑲𝒚𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊?

𝑵𝒂𝒉𝒊! 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊 𝒘𝒐𝒉 𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒈𝒊 𝒕𝒉𝒊...

𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒌𝒆𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒚𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒂 𝑲𝒉𝒖𝒅𝒂 𝒏𝒆 𝒌𝒆 -

"𝑨𝒆 𝑸𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒍! 𝑻𝒖𝒎 𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒐 𝒈𝒆 𝒛𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒓, 𝒃𝒂𝒅𝒏𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒃, 𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒏-𝒛𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒉 𝒉𝒐 𝒌𝒂𝒓, 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊 𝒑𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒊 𝒌𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒉𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒂 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒂." 𝑨𝒖𝒓 𝒚𝒆𝒉 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒌𝒆 "𝑲𝒐𝒊 𝒒𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑸𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒌𝒐 𝒌𝒚𝒖𝒏 𝒌𝒆... 𝑱𝒐 𝒌𝒐𝒊 𝒒𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒂 𝑸𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒌𝒐, 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒌𝒉𝒖𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒛𝒂 𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒂—𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒕 𝒈𝒖𝒏𝒂 𝒛𝒚𝒂𝒅𝒂..."

∘❀∘

Jawahirat bilkul sun si hui, Zumar ko dekh rahi thi.

Go ke woh yahi chahti thi ke Zumar Faris se inteqaam le, magar phir bhi itni tezi se hota sab kuch use muztarib kar raha tha.

Usne bazahir muskara kar samne dekha, jahan shadi ka function aur roshniyan nazar aa rahi thi... aur Hammad aur Kiran bhi.

"Off course! Main tumhari madad karungi. Lekin yeh inteqaam Faris se hai ya khud apne aap se?"

"Agar pehla poora ho jaye to doosra bhi qubool hai mujhe."

Zumar bhi sapat nazron se samne dekh rahi thi.

"Kya tum iska muqadma re-open nahi kar sakti? Agar adalat usko saza de to zyada behtar..."

"Aap meri madad karengi ya main kisi aur ke paas jau?"

"Aap ko yaad ho ga, aap ne mere paas aakar mujhe peshkash ki thi ke agar kabhi mera... iradah badla to aap mere inteqam mein meri madad karein gi."

Us ne sard sapat lehje mein kaha.

Andaz mein usay dekha to Jawahirat foran muskurai. Jawahirat ne agay barh kar narami se us ka haath dabaya.

"Sure! Main apni baat pe qaim hoon. Yeh sab qudrati tareeqay se hoga. Woh bohat jald tumhare ghar tumhara rishta lene aaye ga. Bas tum is amal ko yaqini banana ke tumhare walid inkaar na karein."

"Thanks!" Zumar ka lehja thanda tha. Jawahirat khamoshi se samnay dekhne lagi. Zehan mein aik naya layah amal tarteeb de rahi thi. Function ab apne ikhtitam ki janib rawan dawan tha.

Saadi, Haneen ke saath khamoshi se baitha, gahe bagahe door khadi, halki awaaz mein baatein karti Zumar aur Jawaharat pe nazar daal leta. Jawahirat ne usay khud ko dekhta paya to nazaakat se muskurayi. Saadi jabran muskuraya aur rukh phera to Haneen nazar pari. Woh gardan zara mor kar door Hashim ko dekh rahi thi. Aankhon mein na pasandeedgi ubhri. Chehra Haneen ke qareeb kiya.

"Ainda in se zyada baat karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, Haneen. In ki kisi baat ka aitbaar karna."

Haneen ne chonk kar usay dekha, qadray dil girifta si.

"Woh jhoot nahi keh rahe thay. Un ko waqai afsos hai." Qadray ruki. "Un ko Alicia ke liye waqai afsos hai."

"Janay bhi do, Haneen!" Woh bezar sa peeche hua. Phir wahan se uth aya.

Hall ke konay mein khulte darwazay par woh ruka. Woh mardo ke liye mukhtas rest rooms thay. Andar sheeshe se dhaki deewar aur samne lage basin ki qataar us ke aagay haath rooms thay.

Saadi aik basin ke samnay aa khara hua. Tap khola, chehra pe chhente maare, tal band kiya. Saath rakhe tissue uthaye, haath saaf kiye. Chehra uthaya to thathak kar ruka. Aaine mein apne aqab mein Hashim khara nazar aa raha tha. Dono haath paint ki jeebon mein daale, fitted coat ka button band, naram si balm muskurahat ke saath usay dekhta.

"Tum mere office nahi aaye. Meri secretary ne dobara tumhain phone kiya, magar tum ne nahi uthaya."

"Main masroof tha." Woh sar jhukaye, haath saaf karte hue bola.

Hashim sochti hui nazron se us ka chehra dekhta raha.

"Kya is haftay aaoge?"

"Ji, aaon ga. Mujhe aur aap ko baat karne ki waqai zaroorat hai." Tissue dustbin mein phenk kar Saadi sanjeedgi se kehte hue bola.

"Tumhare paas kuch hai, Saadi, jo mera hai. Tumhein chahiye ke tum mujhe woh pur-aman tareeqe se loota do."

"Nahin to kya karein ge aap?" Saadi qadam qadam chalta us ke samne aaya aur us ki aankhon mein dekha.

Hashim yak-tak usay dekhta raha. Chaar saal pehle jis masoom larkay se woh mila tha, woh yeh nahin tha. Hashim ke maathe pe bal aaye.

"Main kuch bhi nahin karoon ga, bachay, siwaye aik naseehat ke. Jis shakhs ke khandan ke do log qatal ho chuke hon, us ko ehtiyaat se kaam lena chahiye ke kahin agla number us ka na ho."

Saadi ke chehre par ajeeb sa dukh ubhra. Aankhain suked kar us ne qadray tajjub se Hashim ko dekha.

"Kya aap mujhe jaan se marne ki dhamki de rahe hain? Kya aap meri jaan le sakte hain?"

Hashim ne jeb se haath nikaal kar aadatan Saadi ka shana thapthapane ko aagay barhaya, magar jaise hi us ka haath Saadi ke kandhay ko chhua, woh current kha kar aik qadam peeche hua. Dono haath utha diye aur bohat zabt se aik aik lafz chaba kar bola,

"Apne in haathon se mujhe mat chhuiye ga."

Hashim ka haath hawa mein muallaq reh gaya. Phir us ne sakht tasuraat ke saath sar ko jhuka diya, haath wapas neeche kar liya, aur hatt kar khara ho gaya. Saadi mod ke bahar nikal gaya.

Hashim ne aik nazar apne khaali haath ko dekha. Woh safaid tha. Pehli ungliyan baqaidgi se manicure shuda. Us ne halka sa sar jhatka. Dil mein gehra karb utra.

Kya woh dono waqai wapas nahi ja sakte thay? Achay waqto mein wapas?

Woh bahar aaya to Nosherwan bezar sa khara door kursi par baithi Haneen aur Saadi ko ghoor raha tha. Jaise bas na chalta ho dono behan bhai ko goli maar de.

"Kya bakwas ki thi main ne? Us ki behan ka peecha chor do," us ne aakar sakhti se kaha to Sheru ne garbara kar bhai ko dekha. Phir la parwai se shanay uchka diye.

"Mujhe kya hunh!"

Hashim ne ghoor kar usay dekha. "Tum abhi tak is shehri farmate hain likhe Sheru? Bohat ho gaya."

"Nahi ho gaya! Is ki wajah se main Shehreen ko kabhi nahi paa sakoon ga. Pichlay aik haftay se yahi soch soch kar mera dimaag khaul raha hai. Aur aap kehte hain main bohat ho gaya?"

"Oh Please." Hashim ne bezar sa hokar sar jhuka. "Humare paas is se baray masail hain."

"Aur kya masla hai? Aap ne kaha tha woh aap ke documents nahi khol sake ga. Phir?" Nosherwan hairan hua.

"Magar woh jaanta hai ke mere haath pe kis kis ka khoon hai." Kehte hue apne haathon ko dekh raha tha.

Nosherwan ke abroo tajjub me tane, "woh waris Ghazi ki files waghera me peeche tha. Faris ko bahar lane ki koshish kar raha tha, magar usay yeh kese pata chal sakta hai ke aap kisi qatl me mulawwis hai?"

"Usay maloom hai, Sheru! Aur filhal yahi sab se bara masla hai. Magar haan, tum us ko nahi chhedo ge. Main sab sambhal loon ga. Tum kuch nahi karo ge." Barhami se us ko tanbeeh ki.

Nosherwan ne la parwai se shanay uchka diye. "Okay."

Aur phir se un hi nazron se door baithay Saadi ko dekhne laga.

Woh log ab ghar janay ki tayyari kar rahe thay. Function dhalte chaand ki tarah dam tor raha tha. Aagay andheri raat thi.

☆☆☆

کب سے ہیں ایک حرف پہ نظریں جمی ہوئی... وہ پڑھ رہا ہوں جو نہیں لکھا کتاب میں۔

Kab se hain aik harf pe nazrein jami hui... Woh parh raha hoon jo nahi likha kitaab mein.

∘❀∘

Zumar shaadi ki taqreeb se looti to us ki hidayat ke mutabiq Sadaqat, Prosecutor Baseerat se case files le aaya tha. Woh aik bara sa box tha jo us ke kamray ke farsh pe rakha tha.

Woh aba ko salaam aur shab bakhair aik hi saans mein keh aayi. Darwaza maqfal kiya, purse paray pheka, phir almaari kholi. Nichlay khane se aik chhota dabba nikala, jis mein se akhbar ke tarashe us subah nikal kar bahar ja gire thay, jab Faris bari hua tha. Woh subah sab kuch badal gaya tha.

Dabba us ne baray box ke qareeb ondha kar diya. Kaghaz tarashe, notes ka dhair lag gaya. Phir us ne box ko bhi ulta kar diya. Jhuk kar jooton ke strap khol kar unhein paray uchala. Ghunghriyale balon ka gol mol jora bana kar woh neeche baith gayi.

Jaldi jaldi un cheezon ko ulat-pulat karti, woh kuch talaash kar rahi thi. Abroo bhinche hue, lab sakhti se piwast, aankhon mein ghussa. Phir dhair tale se us ne aik tasveer nikali aur dobara haath maara.

"Yeh rahi doosri tasveer."

Zabt bhari saans li. Tasveerein le kar uthi. Nange paon chalti deewar tak gayi, jahan ooncha aur chora sa green board aawizaan tha.

Zumar ne aik pin utaari aur pehli tasveer wahan samne lagayi. Phir doosri bhi. Qadray peeche hatt kar tundi se un ko dekha.

Zartasha Ghazi aur Waris Ghazi.

Woh wapas palat aayi. Neeche dhair lagi cheezon ko utha kar study table pe rakha. Tarteeb se, saleeqe se. Andar uthta ubaal kuch kam hua tha.

Usay maloom tha usay kya karna hai. Magar pehle hujjat tamaam karni thi. Apne zameer ko mutma'in karna tha ke haan, waqai har raasta band hone ke baad main ne yeh qadam uthaya.

Yeh us ka board tha. Aur abhi usay yeh bharna tha.

"Ke darwazay band hue to main intizam ki taraf aayi."

Sapat, munjida chehre ke saath kursi pe baith gayi. Kaghazat ka plunda samne rakha. Table lamp on kiya. Pehle safhay ki peshani par darj tha:

Sarkar Banaam Faris Ghazi

Zumar ki nigahain lafz lafz uboor karti gayin.

Khidki ke bahar raat gehri thi. Aur har guzarta pal us ko mazeed andhera karta ja raha tha.

Yahan tak ke woh ja raha tha.

Tareeki ki inteha ko pohanch gayi.

Itni siyaah, itni siyaah ke jaise saari roshniyan dam tor gayi hon.

... Aur phir po phat gayi.

Subah ki pehli kiran numoodar hui. Roshni ko jaise koi rozn mil gaya. Woh phailti gayi qatra qatra, kiran kiran. Aur phir roshni bhi khoob tez ho kar purani hoti gayi.

Safaid T-shirt aur neeli jeans mein malboos Saadi ne jab Zumar ke kamray ka darwaza khatkhataya to sooraj sawa neze pe tha. Itwaar ki subah aaj bhi sust thi.

Us ko pichlay itwaar ki subah yaad aayi, jab Zumar us ke restaurant aayi thi aur us se gurday ke baare mein sawal kiya tha. Woh udaasi se muskuraya, phir sar jhatka. Darwaza dobara bajaya.

Koi jawab nahi.

Saadi ne aahista se darwaza dhakela to woh khulta chala gaya. Andar ka manzar wazeh hua, farsh par beshumaar kaghaz bikhre hue thay. Tasveerein, photos the...

Woh aahista se chalta andar aaya. Tajjub se sar utha kar deewar ko dekha.

Board bhara hua tha. Ooper Waris aur Zartasha ki tasveerein, aur un ke aagay-peechay, ooper-neeche beshumaar tarashe, kagzaat aur sticky notes chipke thay. Sarkar Banaam Faris Ghazi se mutaliq shahadatein, saboot, na tamaam jawabat, na kafi gawahiyaan, sab wahan mukhtasir sajay thay.

Saadi ne gardan mor kar study table ki taraf dekha.

Wahan bhi files bikhri thin aur aik khuli file par sar rakhe woh so rahi thi. Aankhein band, naak ki loong chamakti hui, aur dheela jora khul kar bikhar chuka tha.

Woh halka sa muskuraya, phir qareeb aaya. Meiz ke kinare haath rakh kar jhuka.

"Phupho!" Saadi ne narmi se uske har pe haath rakha.

"Aap ki tabiyat theek hai? Main aap ka sar daba doon?"

"Hm."

Keh kar sar uthane lagi to woh seedha ho gaya. Band aankhon se chehre se baal hataaye, seedhi ho baithi. Latey kaan ke peechay ki aur ankhon ko poron se masla.

Phir chehra mor kar gulabi khwabeeda aankhon se usay dekha. Halka sa muskurayi.

"Tum kab aaye?"

"Abhi. Mujhe raat ko laga tha aap theek nahi hain. Aap kuch pareshan lag rahi thin."

Zehan ke parde pe Jawahirat se baat karni Zumar bhari. Phir aik fikr mand nigah bikhre kagzaat par daali.

"Aap kya kar rahi hain, Zumar?"

"Oh, yeh..." Us ne idhar udhar dekha. "Yeh Prosecutor Baseerat ne bhijwaye hain."

Woh kasal mandi se uthi aur cheezein sametne lagi.

"Derh saal pehle main bhi yehi kar raha tha. Magar aapko yahan kuch bhi nahi milega."

"Tum theek keh rahe ho."

Khilaf-e-tawaqqo, Zumar ne sanjeedgi se usay dekh kar kaha. Saadi ek dum chup sa hokar usay dekhne laga.

"Waqai yeh case murda hai. Koi bhi cheez yeh saabit nahi karti ke Faris guilty hai."

Woh ab file mein safhay tarteeb se laga rahi thi.

"Siwaaye aapki gawahi ke. Matlab..."

Woh ihtiyaat se ek ek lafz keh raha tha.

"Matlab jo aapne court mein kaha. Ya'ni ke... firing se pehle Faris Ghazi ke number se Faris Ghazi ki aawaz mein aapko call ki gayi thi."

"Aur tumne..."

Zumar ne pur-sukoon, thandi nigahon se uska chehra dekha.

"Apne wakeel ke zariye court mein yeh saabit kar diya ke woh call jaali thi. Koi software use karke Faris se mushabih aawaz banai gayi thi."

"Ji, kyunke woh jaali thi aur isi liye judge ne mamu ko riha kar diya."

"You know, Saadi, tum theek keh rahe ho."

Zumar ne samajhne wale andaaz mein aasaf mein sar hilaaya.

"Ho sakta hai mujhe waqai set-up kiya gaya ho. Sab jhoot ho. Meri ghalat gawahi ki wajah se Faris—" (naam lena bhi azmat naak tha) "—ne chaar saal jail mein guzaare."

"Yeh case mukammal tor par parhne ke baad, ghair jaanibdari se mujhe waqai yeh lag raha hai ke main ghalat hoon. Mujhe nahi pata, lekin Mera nahi khayal ke ab mere paas koi wajah baqi reh gayi hai tumhare mamu ko maurad-e-ilzam thehrane ki."

"Is liye, go ke mera dil poori tarah saaf nahi hua, magar main apne ilzamat se peeche hatne lagti hu."

Maidaagi se kehti, woh ab fatafat kamray ki cheezein apni jagah par wapas la rahi thi.

"Agar main ghalat hoon aur tum sab theek ho, aur shayad aisa hi ho, to main haar maanti hoon."

"Main yeh nahi chahta ke aap haar maanein." Isay sun kar usko dukh hua tha.

"Good, to tum mujhe ek baat batao. Faris ne jo mujhe call ki thi, jo tumhare khayal se jaali aawaz thi, whatever uski recording tumhein kahan se mili?"

"Recording!!" Saadi ke halq mein kuch phansa.

"Dedh saal pehle tumhare wakeel ne woh recording adalat mein pesh ki thi, aur tumhare expert gawah ne yeh sabit kiya tha ke is aawaz ka voice print Faris ki aawaz ke voice print se mukhtalif hai. Aur is recording ka source tum logo ne bhi zahiran nahi kiya tha. Kya tum mujhe bataoge ke woh tumhein kahan se mili?"

Uski sanjeeda bhuri aankhein Saadi par ghir rahi thi. Saadi ne usko dekhte hue lab khole, phir band kiye. Zara sa socha, phir theher theher kar bola,

"Main jawab dene se inkaar karta hoon. Is buniyad par ke mera jawab mujhe murtakib-e-jurm zahir kar sakta hai. Qanoon-e-shahaadat, Article 15 ke tehat tumhein yeh istisna hasil nahi hai, kyunki aise jawab tumhare khilaf karwai ki ja sakti hai."

"Chunanchah, hum court mein nahi hain, isliye main jawab na dene ka haq rakhta hoon."

"Ok." Zumar ne gheri saans le kar muskuraya, sar ko thoda jhuka diya, aur bahar aakar Sadaqat ko chai ke liye aawaz di.

Saadi uljha hua khada raha. Phir let kar usay dekha.

"Kya aap Faris Ghazi ko begunah keh rahi hain?"

"Main yeh keh rahi hoon ke main dobara is pe ilzaam nahi lagaoongi."

Woh mutma'in hi kehti, raahdari mein chalti gayi.

Saadi ne nazrein mor kar board ko dekha, jo mukhtalif qaghazaat se bhara tha. Zumar ne case padha, shahadatein, saboot, woh sab dekha jisse woh hamesha munh phir kar chali jaati thi aur usay yaqeen aa gaya ke Faris begunah hai.

Seedhi si baat thi. Usay toh khush hona chahiye tha.

Magar puzzle ka kaunsa tukda ghayab tha?

Saada si baat mein chhupi kaunsi pechidaigi usay uljha rahi thi?

Saadi ne kai saal is lamhe ka intezar kiya tha, jab Phupho tasleem kar len ke Faris begunah tha.

Woh lamha aaya aur guzar gaya, magar woh mutma'in kyun nahi tha?

Kya is liye ke woh kai saal pehle wala masoom Saadi nahi tha?

Aur aaj ka Saadi ka dimaag usay bata raha tha ke Zumar itni aasani se mudne wali shanakht nahi thi.

Phir...?

Woh khud se uljhta, baahar aa gaya. Abhi usay ek jagah aur bhi jaana tha.

☆☆☆

ہر ایک قدم اجل تھا، ہر ایک غم زندگی۔ ہم گھوم پھر کے کوچۂ قاتل سے آئے ہیں۔



Har ek kadam ajal tha, har ek gham zindagi. Hum ghoom phir ke kuchah-e-qaatil se aaye hain.

• Kūcha-e-Qātil : "the alley of the murderer" or "the assassin's street."

∘❀∘

Kardar e Qasr pe woh itwaar, maamool ki chusti aur gahmaa-gahmi ke saath taloo hui thi.

Saadi ne pachi chaar diwari pe horn diya. Use dekh kar guards ne darwaza khola. Car mukhsus check point se guzar kar aage aayi, dhalan ubhoor ki, aur woh raha samne ooncha mahal, aur uske aqab mein chhoti si annexi.

Woh car us raah par aage le gaya jo oonche-neeche sabzay ke darmiyan se guzar kar annexi tak jati thi. Dafatan, usne raftaar aahista kar di.

Hashim ki aqbi balcony ka manzar saamne aaya. Woh neeche baaray pe khada tha, trouser aur aadhi aasteen ki T-shirt mein, jaante hue, jhuk kar apne paaltu Labrador kutte ke baalon ko sahla raha tha.

Saath be-ikhtiyaar hansi par josh si Sonia khadi thi. Woh dono madhm aawaz mein baatein karte ja rahe the.

Gaari ki aawaz pe Hashim ne sar uthaya, driving seat par baithe Saadi ko dekha, phir doosri car ke rukh par nazar daali (matlab, woh annexi ja raha tha).

Phir muskura kar seedha hua, halka sa haath hilaya.

Saadi ne jawab mein bina muskuraaye daayan haath uthaya, peshani ke qareeb le ja kar sar khum diya—khamosh salaam (Adab pehla qareena hai dushmani ke qareeno mein).

Aur car aage le gaya.

Hashim sard muskaraahat se use door jate dekhta raha, phir sar jhatak kar Sonia ki taraf mutawajjeh ho gaya, jo use kuch keh rahi thi.

Saadi ne car annexi ke qareeb khadi ki. Peechhe dekhe bagair baramde mein aaya.

Ghanti dabayi, bijli nahi thi, tabhi ghani nahi bachi.

Usne darwaza khatkhataya jawab nadarad.

Usne intezaar nahi kiya. Chabi uske paas thi. Faris ne jail ke zamane se use de rakhi thi.

Andar aaya to ghar khamosh khada tha. Woh qadre hairan sa ek kamre se doosre tak gaya.

Baahar Faris ki car to khadi thi. Phir...?

"Idhar hoon, neeche," Faris ki aawaz aayi to woh chonka. Phir gehri saans le kar basement ko jati seedhiyon tak aaya.

Neeche, poore ghar ke raqbe jitna bada sa kamra tha, jis mein bade-bade sutun the. Ird gird kaath, kabad, purana freezer, gaari ka saman waghera rakha tha.

Ek diwaar par khaali racks the.

Yahaan kisi zamane mein Faris ki pistolon aur banduko ki collection hoti thi.

Jab police ne use giraftar kiya, toh sab le gayi. Kuch bhi wapas nahi kiya.

Saadi zeenay utarta tehkhaane ke farsh tak aaya. Andar safed bulb jal rahe the, phir bhi roshni kam lagti thi.

Faris deewar se lagi meez ke aage khada tha. Uski Saadi ki taraf peeth thi. Sar jhuka kar munh mein kuch barta, kuch kaagazat ulat-pulat kar raha tha.

Magar Saadi ne use nahi dekha.

Woh meez ke peeche maujood deewar ko dekhte qadam-qadam aage aaya.

Wahan koi board waghera nahi tha. deewar pe hi tasaveer, qaghaz, cuttings waghera chaspaan thi. Upar-neeche, daain-baain... yeh Zamar ki deewar se bhi zyada bhari hui thi.

Saadi ke abroo fikr-mandi se ikatthe hue. Zara akhtagi se rukh pher kar usay dekha.

"Toh aap do hafte se yeh kar rahe the?"

"Koi aitraaz?" Woh piyalay mein rakhi saunf ke dane utha kar munh mein dalta, bina mude bola. Abhi tak Saadi ko nahi dekha tha.

"Magar aap kar kya rahe hain?" Woh iske saath aakhra hua.

Aankhein suket kar uska daahina rukh dekha, chhote kiye baal aur sanjeedgi se malari sunehri-zard aankhein, jo ab bhi jawab deewar pe jami thi.

"Jo saari zindagi kiya hai—tafteesh."

Woh surkh marker lekar deewar tak gaya, ek pin chaspaan ki, aur marker se upar sawaliya nishaan banaya. Phir wapas mur kar Saadi ko sanjeedgi se dekhne laga.

"Tum kaise aaye?"

Magar woh ab gardan mor kar meez ke kinare par rakhe bag ko dekh raha tha jismein uski taza-taza mangwai gayi thi... aur goliyaan.

Aur yeh sab kuch dekhte hue, Saadi ko gussa aane laga.

Woh iski begunahi ke saboot deta thak gaya tha, aur idhar aakar koi yeh sab dekh le toh...?

" yeh aap ke naam par license-shuda hain?"

Na-pasandeedgi se guns ko dekh kar usne mushkook nazron se Faris ka chehra dekha.

"Nahi. Agar giraftar karna hai, toh kar lo."

Talkhi se kehta, woh meez tak wapas aaya aur kaaghaz uthakar doosri taraf rakhne laga.

Saadi ne be-basi se usay dekha.

"Dedh saal pehle main yehi kar raha tha. Magar ye aapko kahin nahi le kar jayega. Iske aage band gali hai."

"Toh phir tum mujhe sikha do ke tafteesh kaise karte hain. Main saari classes attend karunga."

Naak se makhi udata, woh asar liye bina bola. Saadi uff kar ke reh gaya, phir ghoom kar iske saamne aaya.

"Agar aapko pata chal bhi gaya ke ye sab kisne kiya hai, toh aapne ye asla is liye liya hai na take isko ja kar goli maar dein?"

"Tum khoon ke badle khoon par yaqeen nahi rakhte?"

"Bilkul rakhta hoon, magar inteqam lene ke bhi tareeqe hote hain. Aap usko maar denge, kal ko iske khandan wale kisi aur ko maar denge, aur ye cycle of revenge kabhi nahi khatam hogi."

Usne fikr-mandi se samjhate hue aahista se Faris ki kehni thami.

"Mamu! Hum unko saza zaroor dilwaenge, magar qanooni tareeqe se. Is tarah nahi."

Faris teekhi aankhein kar ke use dekhte raha.

"Aur un mein kaun kaun shamil hai, wazahat karoge?"

Saadi ne kehni chhodi, peeche hote hue thook nigla. Zara se shaane uchaake.

"Mujhe kaise pata ho sakta hai?"

"Yahi toh pooch raha hoon. Jo tumhe pata hai, wo kaisa pata hai?"

Saadi ne thehr-thehr kar nazar milaye bina deewar ko dekhte hue jawab diya.

"Main jawab dene se inkaar karta hoon. Is buniyad par ke mera jawab mujhe murtakib-e- jurm sabit kar sakta hai."

"Oh come on! Tumhe ye istisna Qanoon-e-Shahadat Article 15 ke tahat hasil nahi hai waghera waghera. Mujhe pata hai."

Woh muskuraya.

Faris ne waqai abrow utha kar tajjub se use dekha.

Saadi ne kandhe uchaake.

"Zumar Phupho ka bhatija hoon, aakhir itna qanoon toh mujhe bhi aata hai."

Faris ke ta’asurat qadray phir gaye. Woh mujida sa wapas muskaraaya.

Saadi ki muskurahat madham hui. "Kya hua?"

"Jo tumhari Phupho ne mere saath kiya, woh main nahi bhoola. Is liye behtar hai hum is taraf na jayein. Chai piyoge?"

Saadi kaol buri tarah dikha, magar usne lab khol kar phir band kar liye. Phir sir hilaaya. "Ji piyoga." Aur kisi ko khinchne laga.

"Upar kitchen mein saamaan rakha hai, bana lo. Do cup. Mere mein chini na ho."

Woh jo baithne laga tha, ruka, narazgi se use dekha aur "Bohot acha" keh kar sidiyo ki taraf barh gaya. Faris badastoor gardan jhukaaye kaaghzaat khangal raha tha.

Annex ka kitchen lounge se mulhiq tha, bilkul open. Usne saamaan dhoonda, chulha jalaya, pani mein bhi goya jhoogi. Phir khidki ko dekha.

Uspe koi parda waghera nahi tha. Khidkiyon ke shishe pe gift paper laga kar bhondi si bachat ki gayi thi. Aur ye toh sab ko pata tha ke Zartasha ek intehai gift phor ladki thi.

Saadi ne khidki kholi toh samne qasr ka aqbi hissa numayan hua. Hashim ball kutte ki taraf uchhalta, woh use munh mein bhej kar Sonia ki taraf bhagta. Sonia has-has ke dohari ho rahi thi.

Saadi ke chehre par zakhmi sa ta’asur aaya. Usne khidki band kar di. Zor se thakk.

Ek hafta ho gaya tha. Basham ki files woh le kar bhi be-basi se baitha tha. Use jald az jald saboot ikattha kar ke Hashim ke paas jana tha taake Zumar aur Faris ki aapas ki Allah nahi door ho jaye.

Zehan mein aage kaala toh amal tarteeb deta chai bana kar neeche laya to, Faris apni bhari deewar ko dekh raha tha. Chala lab daant se raha, aankhein sikod kar kuch sochta.

"Yeh aadmi..." Usne Ilyas Fatimi ki tasveer pani se dastak di. "Yeh Waris ke boss tha aur isne Waris se istifa maanga tha. Har bandagi ka sira is shakhs tak jata hai. Yeh yaqeenan kuch jaanta hai."

Usne ta'idii nazron se Saadi ko dekha.

Saadi ne shaane uchaake aur cup Faris ki taraf barha diya.

Faris ne ghont bhara, phir badmazgi se use dekha. "Is mein chini hai."

"Aur main bhool gaya. Sorry." Saadi ne masoomiyat se maazrat ki. Kursi pe baitha aur apne aap se ghont ghont bharne laga.

Faris ne use ghoor kar sir jhatka, phir dobara deewar ko dekhne laga. Wahan chaspaan tasveer black and white thi. Phir aik hi aik in mein rang bharne lage.

Koi qaus-e-qazah chha gayi aur zard mausam mein bahar utar aayi.

Faris bilkul khamosh sa un tasveeron ko dekhta gaya, yahan tak ke do chalne phirne lagi, goya chaar saal pehle ke manazir abhi unke aas paas pesh aa rahe hon.

☆☆☆

شہر ہواؤں میں جلتے رہنا...

اندیشوں کی چوکھٹ پر رات گئے تک الجھے رہنا ہے...

Sheher hawao mein jalte rehna... Andesho ki chaukhat par raat gaye tak uljhe rehna hai...



∘❀∘

Chaar saal qabal. (Waris Ghazi ke qatal ke saat din baad.)

Qasr-e-Kardaar ke lounge room ki unchi khidkiyon se dhoop chhan kar aa rahi thi. Aur takhreeb-kardaar bigray ta’assur aur khafa aankhon ke saath phone par baat kar ke bethay, phir mobile phenakne ke andaaz mein sofa pe uchala. Tie ki knot dheeli ki zabt karte hue sofa ke aage do teen chakkar kaate.

Daf’atan heel ki tak-tak sunai di. Aurangzeb ne palat kar khashmgeen nigahon se dekha.

Raahdari se Jawahriat chalti aa rahi thi—band galay ka safed lamba gown pehne, dubli, patli smart, jawaan aur khoobsurat. Yakeen abhi kahin se loti thi. Kohni pe inka press muskurate hue maiz pe rakha aur qareeb aayi.

"Good evening." Gown ke galay ke dory chheidti, woh meethi muskurahat ke saath Aurangzeb ko dekh rahi thi.

"Yeh Faris ke bhai ke qatal ka kya chakkar hai? Police mere ghar kyun aa rahi hai?"

Woh sakht nazron se use dekh kar poochne lagi.

"Tumhara matlab hai tumhare bhanje ke sotele bhai ka kya chakkar hai? Aur yeh ke police tumhare ghar ki annexe mein kyun aa rahi hai?"

"Oh sorry, woh to tum kayi saal pehle apne bhanje ko de chuke ho."

"JAWAHIRAT!" Woh bazahir tais se ghurraye magar us jahiriyat mein mudaafiana ki jhalak thi.

"Be fikar ho, koi masla nahi hai. Kuch log uske bhai ki khudkushi ko qatal qarar de rahe hain aur iska ilzam Faris pe hai. Theek hai ke Faris qatal ke waqt party mein nahi tha..."

Wo narmi se kehti, aage aayi aur corner mein nasb aquarium tak ruk gayi. Gardan jhuka kar us mein jhanka.

"Aur theek hai, Waris ka mobile Faris ki car se mila hai..."

Do ungliyon se aquarium ka sheesha bajaya. Machhliyon mein halchal si machi. Jawahirat halki si muskurayi.

"Aur haan! Woh rassi, jis se Waris ke haath-pair baandhe gaye, woh bhi uske paas se mili hai. Aur woh tha bhi Faris ka soutela bhai, magar..."

Sidhi huyi, stand mein rakhe jar se khurak mutthi bhari aur paani ke upar khol di. Saare daane paani mein gir gaye.

"Magar is sab se kya farq padta hai? Tumhare bhanje ko guns jamaa karne ka shauq hai, istemal karne ka thodi hai. Yaqeenan yeh ek khudkushi hogi, na ke qatal."

Daana daal kar haath tissue se saaf kiya, chamakti aankhon se muskurayi aur unke saamne aayi.

"Haina?"

Aur ghusse se kholte Aurangzeb, is se pehle ke mazeed kuch keh sakta, woh unko wahi chhod kar aage barh gayi.

Tez tez chalte hue raahdari mein aayi, to muskurahat iztirab mein tabdeel ho gayi. Control room ke darwaze ko khola to andar maujood Khawar aur Hashim dono chauke.

Woh darwaza band kar ke Hashim ke saamne aakhri huyi aur sakhti nazron se use ghora.

"Tumhare baap ki campaign disturb ho rahi hai is sab se aur woh khush nahi hai."

"Dekh chuka hoon," Hashim ne bezari se deewar par nasb screens mein se ek ki jaanib ishara kiya, jahan lounge ke TV camera ki nighaabandi chal rahi thi—bina aawaz ke video.

Baaki screens par doosre manazir the—lounge ke ilawa gate, lawn, ba’irooni baramda, jahan chand maqamat par hi yeh cameras nasb the.

"Main nahi chahti ke woh Faris ke saath khada ho jaye. Is liye jo karna hai, jaldi karo."

"Hashim sambhal lega. Aap kyun fikar karti hain?"

Woh muztarib sa yeh keh kar aage aaya aur Khawar ki kursi ke paas jhuk kar laptop ko dekhne laga, jis pe Khawar thak-thak kaam kiye ja raha tha.

"Aaj tum Saadi aur Faris ke saath prosecutor ke paas gaye the. Kya kaha usne?"

"Use Faris ki begunahi ka yaqeen hai, kyunki Faris ke paas qatal ki wajah nahi hai."

"Toh tumhein Hashim pehle Faris ko qatal karwane ki wajah dhoond kar yeh sab plant karna chahiye tha," Jawahirat gurrayi thi. Woh taish se uski taraf muda.

"Main corporate lawyer hoon, kiraye ka qatil nahi. Aur maine kuch bhi planning se nahi kiya tha. Aap ko maloom hai yeh ek ghalti thi, aur mujhe isay fix karna hai."

Ruk kar usne gusse se maa ko dekha, phir ek do saanse li.

"Aur yeh sab itne aaraam se fix nahi hoga. Sirf Faris nahi, aur bhi qatal ke waqt party mein nahi tha."

Is pal darwaza rassi ki dastak ke saath khula. Hashim aur Jawahirat current kha kar us taraf ghoom gaye. Khawar bhi be-ikhtiyar kursi se uth khada hua.

"Oh, I'm sorry... main—uncle ne bulaya tha to.." woh Zaratasa thi.

Chaukhat par ruk kar wapas jaane lagi.

"Aap log busy hain, it's okay. Main baad mein aa jaoongi."

Qadr-e tazabbuz se maazrat karte hue ek kadam peeche hataa. Baari baari sab ke chehre dekhe jo safed pad gaye the.

"Nahi, hum bas... baat kar rahe the," Hashim ne thook nigla.

Chehre par zabardasti muskurahat laane ki koshish ki, magar udi hui rehmat aur aankhon mein aayi pareshani chhupa nahi pa raha tha.

"Sorry, main aise hi aa gayi."

Woh zara sharminda, zara sochti, uljhti nazron se unko dekh rahi thi. Woh aapas mein itne uljhe hue the ke uske aate hi screens ki footage nahi hata sake.

"Uff! Koi baat nahi. Hum ek hi khandan hain," Jawahirat pheeka sa muskurayi.

Apni jagah se woh ek inch bhi nahi hil pa rahi thi. Kahin usne kuch sun to nahi liya?

"Hum Faris ke baare mein pooch rahe the. Waris bhai ke case ki peshraft waghera."

"Main yahi aap se poochne aayi thi. Mujhe to koi kuch batata hi nahi hai," kehte kehte usne tarchi nazar Khawar par daali jo bilkul dam sadhe khada tha.

Soundproof darwaza kholte waqt aakhir fiqra kaan mein pada tha.

"Sirf Faris nahi, Khawar bhi us waqt party mein nahi tha."

"Hoonhh," Hashim khankhar kar gala saaf karta bahar aaya. Zartashah bhi chaukhat se hatt kar raahdari mein aa khadi hui.

Hashim ne baat shuru karne se pehle zara ehtiyaat se use dekha. Woh 24-25 saal ki, khush-shakal, siyah baalon wali ladki thi, jiske baal step cut mein katay hue the. Is waqt woh abroz-ra uljhan se squint karte hue use dekh rahi thi.

"Hum sab ko pata hai ke Faris be-gunah hai. Uski gaari se kuch milne se kuch sabit nahi hota," Hashim kaafi sambhal kar uski aankhon mein dekh kar keh raha tha.

"Rahi baat uski turkey ki, to woh khud Faris par shakk kar rahi hai aur usko baar baar sawal jawab ke liye apne paas bula rahi hai. Prosecutor zumar You know? Saadi ki phupho. Abhi dopehar ko bhi Faris wahi tha."

Zartashah ki uljhan madhm hui. Uski jagah nagawari ubhri.

"Woh Faris par shakk kar rahi hain?"

"Usne Faris ko kaha hai ke woh use apni alibi ladki se milwaaye. Usko Faris ki begunahi ka saboot chahiye. Ab maloom nahi kitne din woh bechara uske office ke chakkar lagata rahega. Magar Zumar ko kaun samjhaye?"

"Toh jab tak usko yaqeen nahi aaye ga, woh Faris ko apne paas bulaati rahegi?" Woh tezi se use dekhte boli.

"Oh Come on!" Hashim ne be-parwai se sar jhatka. "Roz ke chand ghante uske saath guzaar lene se unke darmiyan koi purani baat dobara se nahi shuru ho jaegi."

"Bharosa karo apne shauhar par."

Aur Hashim ke liye alfaaz taash ke patte theaage peechay ulat palat kar ke unko tarteeb diya, marzi ke saamne laya, marzi ke chhupa gaya, aur marzi ka matlab nikaal liya.

Zartasha lab bhinche zabt se wapas mod gayi. Woh foran uske peeche aaya.

"Suno, tumhein bhi Faris pe shakk hai? Be-shak woh party mein us waqt nahi tha magar.."

woh dono saath saath raahdari mein chal rahe the. Hashim ne patte phir se sajaye, magar Zartasha tezi se uski taraf ghoomi aur ugal diya.

"Sirf Faris kyun? Khawar bhi to party mein nahi tha. Phir police sirf Faris ke peeche kyun aa rahi hai?"

Usne jo suna tha, woh ab Hashim ke saamne tha.

Magar Hashim tayar tha. Bazahir hairat se marasbat mein sar hilaaya.

"Waqai, ajeeb baat hai! Main bhi abhi se yahi keh raha tha ke Khawar bhi us waqt nahi tha. Aur bhi kuch log nahi the, magar-"

"Aur kaun?"

Usne tezi se baat kaati.

"Yahi hamare kuch dost..."

"Magar meri party koi aisi jagah to nahi thi jo is me nahi hoga. Wahi qatil hai, lehaza us pe shakk kiya jaye?"

"You know what? Yeh Faris pe shakk prosecutor uspe tafteesh yeh sab jaanbhuj kar kiya jaa raha hai!"

"Mujhe nahi pata." Woh uljhti hui baahar nikal gayi.

Hashim khada use jaate dekhte raha.

Woh wapas aaya to dam sadhe khari Jawahirat tab tak nahi boli jab tak usne darwaza band kar ke lock na kar diya.

Phir gehri saans lekar un dono ki taraf ghoomi.

"Usne koi nuqsan pohanchane wali baat nahi suni."

"Mere aasab jawab de rahe hain, Hashim!" Jawahirat cheekh padhi. Is sab ko khatam karo! Faris pe sab ilzaam sabit karwao. Usay jail bhijwao taake main sukoon ki neend so saku!"

"Jaanta hoon." Woh sanjeedgi se keh raha tha.

Khawar ke laptop tak aaya aur sawali nazron se use dekha.

"Kahan tak pahuncha kaam?"

"Ho gaya hai, sir." Woh tabedari se screen par use kuch dikhane laga.

Jawahirat saamne khari thi, ab bhi fikarmand si.

"Tum log kya plan kar rahe ho?"

Baahar lawn mein Zartasha seene pe baazu lete, sar jhukaye kisi ajeeb kashmakash mein chalti ja rahi thi.

Daf'atan awaazo par woh ruki. Gardan ghuma.

Lawn ke kinare ek masnoi aabshar thi. Woh is waqt band thi aur uske step par Shehreen baithi thi, nineties ke style ka surkh kaftan numa shirt pehne, chewing gum chabate, sar jhukaye mobile pe button daba rahi thi.

Zartasha ne lamha bhar socha ke uski shirt, gardan ki mala, kalai ka kadha aur oh! Yeh long shoes... yeh kis kis brand ke honge?

Magar phir usne sar jhatka aur us taraf aayi.

"Shehreen!" Shehreen ne chonkar sar uthaya. Phir aankhein sikud kar ke usse dekha, chehre pe saamne ko aaye sunahri baal peeche hataaye.

"Hello, Zartasha!" Woh krofur se muskurayi.

"Kya tum mujhe Sony ki birthday party ki video de sakti ho? Mujhe apni cousins ko tumhari saari dikhani hai. Extra copy hogi na tumhare paas?"

"Sure! Khawar ne bohat si CD's mujhe di thi. Main Mery engilo ke haath bhijwati hoon." Tafakurana (proudly) shane uchakaye

Zartasha Narmi se "Thanks" keh kar aage badh gayi.

☆☆☆

"Tum ek teer se kitne shikaar karna chah rahe ho, Hashim? Agar kuch ghalat ho gaya toh?"

"Phir se sun lo plan. Kuch ghalat nahi hoga. Hum Zumar pe firing karenge, gun Faris ki istemal hogi. Hotel ke jis kamre se goli chalegi, woh bhi usi ke naam pe hoga. Gun par Faris ke fingerprints bhi milenge."

"Aur agar woh mar gayi toh?" Jawahirat ko hol uth rahe the.

"Usko nahi marna, humne mummy..."

Woh ruk gaya.

"Woh bazahir Faris se tafteesh kar rahi hai, us pe shakk kar rahi hai. Aise mein Zumar ko yeh hamla ek mujrim ko khud ko chhupane ka harba lagega. Woh yahi samjhegi ke giraftari ke khauf se Faris ne yeh sab kiya hai."

"Aur agar usne usay Faris ke khilaf sazish samjha toh?"

"Um hmm!" Hashim pehli dafa khul kar muskuraya aur Khawar ko dekha. Woh bhi muskuraya.

Jawahirat ne baari baari dono ko dekha.

"Kya main kuch miss kar rahi hoon?"

"Zumar kabhi bhi nahi samjhegi ke yeh Faris ke khilaf sazish hai. Woh Faris ko hi kasoorwar samjhegi, kyunki yeh baat usay Faris khud kahega."

"Okay aur Faris usay yeh baat kyun kahega?" Jawahirat ab zara uktane lagi thi.

"Woh is tarah keh rahi hai ke hum Faris ki taraf se Zumar ko yeh baat kahelwaege."

"Hargiz nahi, Hashim!" Jawahirat ne koft se sar jhatka. "Zumar ko aaj bhi Faris ki be-gunaahi ka yaqeen hai, kal bhi hoga."

"Hum usko Faris ki taraf se call karenge," kehate hue Hashim ne Khawar ki taraf ishaara kiya.

Khawar ne laptop screen Jawahriat ke saamne ki. Woh mushtabah nazron se use dekhti, qareeb aayi.

"Kya tum dono wazahat karna pasand karoge?"

Khawar ne sar ko asbat mein hilaaya aur screen ko dekhte hue modib andaaz mein samjhane laga.

"Maine is software mein Faris ki tamam recordings daal di hain jo mere paas hain. Hum pichhle ek hafte se iska phone tap kar rahe the. Ab dekhiye."

Woh chand button daba kar mazeed safhe kholne laga. Jawahirat badastoor mushkooki se use dekh rahi thi.

"Main jo bhi type karunga, woh Faris ki aawaz mein ubhar kar saamne aaye ga. Hum Faris ke phone se prosecutor ko call karenge. Aur hamara kaha hua script uski aawaz mein padha jaega."

"Woh yehi samjhegi ke yeh Faris hai jo is par hamla karne se pehle aitiraaf-e-jurm kar ke apni tareef ki aakhri shaan nikal raha hai, aur isko khatam kar ke aakhri saboot bhi mitana chahta hai."

"Lekin woh zinda bach jaegi, is liye woh isi call ko Faris ke khilaf istemal karegi."

"Off course, Zumar ke paas yeh recordings nahi hongi. Lekin isko Faris ke yeh alfaaz saari zindagi yaad rahenge. Is buniyad par woh isay ilzam bhi bhijwaegi aur woh iske khilaf sabse badi gawahi hogi. Humein kuch bhi nahi karna padega. Woh dono ek dusre ke sabse bade dushman ban jayenge."

Jawahirat qadray achambhay se dono ke chehre dekhne lagi. Lab daant se kaat-te hue woh kaafi mutfakkir nazar aa rahi thi.

"Hashim! Agar kuch ghalat ho gaya? Agar Zumar hamari chaal mein na aayi? Agar usne is sab ko ek socha-samjha ya plan samjha toh?"

"Toh phir hamari qismat ka faisla usi ke haath mein hoga. Magar main apne khandan ke liye achi umeed rakhna chahta hoon." Woh shaane uchka kar sapat sa nazar aane laga.

Jawahriat ne bedili se muskurakar sir hilaaya, magar woh abhi bhi khush nahi thi. Aankhon mein shadid iztarab tha. Phir yakayak kisi khayal ke tahat usne chonk kar Hashim ko dekha.

"Lekin ek baat meri samajh mein nahi aayi. Agar Faris ne waqai Waris ka qatal kiya hai aur woh Zumar ke saamne apni call mein aitiraaf-e-jurm bhi kar lega, toh bhi wajah qatal kya hogi? Kam az kam is saare plan mein mujhe wajah-e-qatal nazar nahi aa rahi."

Hashim ke tasurrat qadray sakht ho gaye. Uski aankhein sukad gayin aur un mein ek ajeeb sa jazba pulkore lene laga. Usne gardan mor kar darwaze ki taraf dekha, jahan se abhi abhi Zartasha wapas gayi thi, aur phir dobara maa ki taraf rukh phaira. Jab woh bola, toh uski aawaz mein zakhmipan sa tha.

"Wajah e qatal saamne hai, aur main usko is sab mein fit kar loonga. Bharosa rakhiye, Hashim har cheez sambhal sakta hai."

Jawahriat bas usay dekh kar reh gayi. Usne socha ke woh Hashim se poochhe ke woh yeh qatal kya bana raha hai? Lekin phir usne poocha nahi. Dil par pade bojh badhte ja rahe the. Woh be-dili se uth kar wahan se chali gayi.

Bahar aayi toh Aurangzeb lounge mein baithe the. Unke saamne Jawahriat ne chehre par masnoi muskurahat waise hi sajayi aur badi tamaknat se aakar bade sofa par baith gayi. Tang par tang rakhi, baazu sofa ke hathe par jamaya, aur muskurakar unhein dekhne lagi.

Unke tanay taa'surat mazeed tan gaye. Qadray madafana ki jarhiyat se woh usay dekh kar bole…

"Hashim se kaho jaldi se jaldi yeh maamla khatam kare. Main is waqt is tarah ka koi scandal afford nahi kar sakta."

Jawahriat ne muskurakar asbaat mein sar hila diya. Kam az kam is maamlay mein woh dono muttafiq the.

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