وہ کانٹا ہے جو چبھ کر ٹوٹ جائے۔ محبت کی بس اتنی داستان ہے۔

Woh kaanta hai jo chubh kar toot jaaye. Mohabbat ki bas itni daastan hai.

∘❀∘

Haneen bade apna ki wheelchair dhakelti aspatal ki raahdaari mein aage la rahi thi. Woh afsurdah se gardan ek jaanib jhukaye baithe the. Zumar ko samjhaya, minnat ki, maan jitaya, magar woh hamesha ki tarah hatt dharm apni baat par ad chuki thi. Kyunki usne keh diya tha ke woh Faris tha, toh ab kya matlab tak ke woh Faris hi tha jisne use call ki thi. Woh ek inch bhi apne mawqif se peeche hatne ko tayar nahi thi.

Kyunki madam Rimsha usse milne aayi thi, is liye unhone Haneen se kaha ke woh unhein baahar le jaye. Aur ab woh dono baahar ja rahe the. Haneen bhi khamosh thi, aur bade leta bhi. Phir usne aahista se poocha:

"Bade itna! Kya kabhi cheeze theek hongi?"

Unhone gardan uthaye bagair kaha, "Shaayad."

Woh wheelchair dhakelti aage nikalti gayi.

Raahdaari mein Sheikh pe sar haatho mein giraye Saadi ne pahiyon ki awaaz suni, magar chehra nahi uthaya. Woh pehle se bhi zyada upset tha. Nadrit usko pur-umeed nazron se dekh rahi thi ke wohi phupho ko samjhaye. Faris ka rawayya, Hashim ki tamaam koshishe, kuch bhi unke haq mein jaata nazar nahi aa raha tha.

Zumar ke baar-baar apne bayan par date rehne ke baad Nadrit aspatal nahi aayi thi. Bahaana Sara ka tha, "Bhai mara hai, bhabhi akeli hai, bachchiyo ka khayal."

Woh jaanta tha ke woh Faris ki wajah se phupho se khich si gayi hain. Magar apni jagah woh bhi theek thi. Shayad apni jagah Zumar bhi theek thi. Magar theek toh woh bhi tha. Sirf halaat ghalat the.

Woh usi tarah sar jhukaye baitha raha jab tak madam Rimsha baahar na aayi. Woh uske qareeb aayi, ruki. Kisi ehsas ke taht Saadi ne sar uthaya. Phir sate hue chehre ke saath muskara kar khada ho gaya.

"Assalamu Alaikum, ma'am." Adab se sar ko kham dekar salaam kiya. Unhone muskara kar jawab diya

"Bohat afsos hua Zumar ka, Allah use sehat de."Saadi ne afsurdagi se haan mein gardan hilaayi.

"Parhai kaisi ja rahi hai? Kitne saal reh gaye hain?"

"Bas do."

"Aur kitne din ki chhutti pe aaye ho?" Woh saath hi bench par baith gayi.

Saadi doosre kinare par alert sa baith gaya. Us bench ki teen hi nishistain thi, ab darmiyan ki khaali thi.

"Bas do hafte reh gaye hain, phir wapas jana hai."

"Aapke mamu ka bhi abhi suna, bohot afsos hua beta." Woh shaista aur lihaaj se ta'ziyat kar rahi thi.

Saadi sunta raha, chand ek tafseelat bataayi. kis tarah hua? Kya hua? Aur phir na chahte hue bhi guftagu ka rukh Faris ki taraf mud gaya.

"Kya aap Zumar ko samjha nahi sakti? Ke woh maamun ke khilaf diya gaya bayan wapas le le? Woh aap ki bohot manti hai."

Thodi der baad, Saadi ne qadre umeed aur lajajat se aage hokar kaha. Madam Ramsha khamosh nazron se use dekhti rahi, phir halka sa gala saaf kar ke abroo chukaye.

"Mera nahi khayal ke kisi shakhs ko uski atal raaye se modna aasan hota hai."

Saadi bad-dil sa hokar peeche ho gaya. Madam ki taraf kiya gaya rukh bhi, samne ko munh mod liya. Ab woh ghutnon pe kohniyan rakhe, sar haathon pe giraye unse la-talluq ho gaya tha. Madam Rimsha gehri nazron se uske haathon mein aadhe chhupe chehre ke utaar-chadhaav dekhti rahi. Phir khud bhi seedhi hokar baith gayi, god mein rakha purse darmiyani khaali nishist par rakha aur samne deewar ko dekhte hue aahista se boli.

"Mera bada bhai aeronautical engineer hai. Hum teen saal se ek doosre se nahi mile, baat bhi nahi ki. Na woh hamare baccho ki shaadi par aaya, na hum uski. Meri first cousin meri bachpan ki dost thi. gynecologist hai, isi sheher mein rehti hai. Humne saat saal se ek doosre ki shakal nahi dekhi. Koi fotgi hui toh chale gaye, zindo ke liye nahi gaye. Meri sabse chhoti behan aur mere doosre number ke bhai ki aapas mein pichle saadhe paanch saal se naraazgi hai. Dono ek doosre ki shakal dekhne ke bhi rawadaar nahi hain. Meri Ammi is saari soorat-e-haal se bohot khoufjada rehti hain."

Woh samne deewar ko dekhte hue halke-halke se kehte jaa rahi thi. Saadi usi tarah sar haatho mein diye be-dhiyaani se sunta raha, use laga ho shayad woh khud se bol rahi hain.

"Magar mujhe umeed hai ke meri maa ke marne pe saare behan bhai aa jayenge, mil bhi mil lenge. Kyunki naraaz rishton ko aam tor par kisi naam dene ka intezar hota hai. Magar kya tum jaante ho ke yeh saari azaaiyan, yeh saari naraazgiya shuru kaise hui thi?"

Saadi ne haath giraaye, chehra uthaya, aur mud kar aankhon mein uktaahat bhari pareshaani liye madam ko dekha. Halka sa iti mein sar hilaaya. Use koi dilchaspi nahi thi.

Woh samne deewar ko dekhte kehti gayin:

"Yeh sab tab shuru hua jab har ek fareeq ne apni sahi ya ghalat baat ke liye daleele pesh karni shuru ki. Jab doosre ki baat sirf behas ke liye suni gayi, maamle ko hal karne ke liye nahi. top koi nahi chalata, patthar koi nahi maarta. Baatein, sirf baatein hi gharon mein daraarein daalti hain, unko todti hain, rishte kaat-ti hain. Sirf baatein."

Saadi phir se samne dekhne laga.

"Main samajh raha hoon, agar aapka ishaara meri phupho se ki gayi badtameezi ya behas ki taraf hai, toh please mujhe clear karne dein, yeh kisi ki zindagi aur maut ka maamla hai, main sirf-"

"Meri ek dost thi. Bohot achi, bohot qabil. Aam si shakal ki thi, magar uski shakhsiyat mein koi aisi kashish thi, aisa roab tha ke log usse maroob ho jaate."

Woh uski baat sune baghair samne dekhte hue goya khud-kalami ke andaaz mein kehti ja rahi thi. Saadi ko ab bezari hone lagi.

"Main uske paas ek case ke silsile mein gayi thi. Woh wakeel thi. Bohot achi, bohot qabil. Usne mera masla bhi hal kar diya. Aur tab se kisi bhi qanooni mashwarat ke liye main uske paas jaati hoon. Bohot bhaari fees leti hai, ek paayi nahi chhodti, magar achhi ladki hai. Apne maslon ke liye kabhi mere paas nahi aayi, siwaaye ek dafa ke, jab uske bhateeje ko scholarship chahiye thi."

Be-dhiyaani se sunte Saadi ne ek dum chonak kar gardan modi, istejaab se aankhein sikeed kar Madam ko dekha. Woh badastoor samne deewar ko dekhti kahe ja rahi thi.

"Uske bhateeje ko scholarship nahi mil saka. Na woh itna laaiq tha, na itna gareeb ke woh hamare mayar par poora utarta. Magar wo samjhi thi ke uska naam un students ki list mein isliye nahi tha, kyunki yeh fehrist maine commission le kar tayar ki hai."

"Woh mere paas aayi, ek lambi taqreer ki, ke kis kis tarah woh mujhe barbaad kar sakti hai, badnaam kar sakti hai, aur har qeemat par yeh baat yaqini bana sakti hai ke uska bhateeja woh scholarship jeete."

"Main har baat tahammul se sunti gayi. Aakhir mein, maine use bataya wahi jo sach tha ke yeh scholarship uske bhateeje ko bhi nahi milega."

Saadi Yousuf bilkul mutaharir sa sunta ja raha tha, use apni saans lene ki awaaz bhi sunai nahi aa rahi thi.

"Woh sunti gayi, aur uske chehre ka rang nichadta gaya. Aise jaise kisi saanp ne kaat liya ho. Wo ye manne ko tayyar nahi thi ke uska bhatija kisi se kam ho sakta hai, bahut der lagi uski apni atal raye se hatne ke liye, Chaahe woh ghalat thi, magar woh kisi ki mohabbat mein hi ghalat thi. Kisi ki mohabbat mein ghalti karna, pata nahi ghalat hota hai ya nahi. Aur phir, zindagi mein pehli dafa, meri us dost ne mujh se ek favor manga."

"Main jhoot nahi bolti, bolna nahi chahiye. Magar uske liye maine jhuth bol diya, us ladke se."

"Woh mere paas aaya, toh maine kaha ke use kisi dil ke ameer aadmi ne scholarship ke liye sponsor kar diya hai. Shayad yeh jhoot bhi nahi tha, magar uski phupho mujhe paband kar chuki thi ke main usse nahi bataungi ke wahi uski fees de rahi hai."

"Bas ek baat pe mujhe hairat hui."

Woh bolti ja rahi thi, aur Saadi saans roke unko dekh raha tha. Saari duniya khatam ho gayi thi. Bas baatein reh gayi thi. Jo woh sun raha tha, aur jo Woh us din Zumar se keh aaya tha.

"Yahi ke woh itni ameer nahi hai, phir itni bhaari fees kaise adaa karegi?"

"Mere israar par usne bataya ke uske paas ek plot hai, jo uske walid ne uske naam kar rakha hai. Uski shaadi, uske future ki saari security us plot ke upar hai. Usne kaha ke woh us plot ko bech degi."

"Natural si baat hai, maine use mana kiya ke agar ek ladka apni zahant ya mehnat ke balboote par ek badi university nahi ja sakta, toh kya zaroori hai ke uske peeche apni aaraam-deh zindagi ki security ko daav par laga do?"

"Tab usne mujhe ek baat kahi.

"Saari zindagi toh nahi, magar chand saal toh main zaroor yaad rakhungi. Usne kaha, 'Mere khandan ki security woh paise nahi hai. Hamari security hamare khandan ka woh pehla bacha hai jisko maine ungli pakad kar chalna sikhaya tha. Ab jab woh bhaagne ke qareeb aaya hai, toh mujhe uske liye raasta toh banane do.'"

"Aur phir, usne woh plot bhi de diya."

"Ab woh musalsal mere paas raqam jama karwati hai. Main is raqam ko ek scholarship donation fund ke taur par us ladke ki fees ke liye uske hawale kar deti hoon."

"Zara sa jhoot, aur kisi ki zindagi ban gayi. Bura sauda nahi tha."

"Magar qurbani thi. Kyuki mohabbat ek bohot saada, aur ek bohot pechida jazba hai."

Saadi ka rang aise safed ho raha tha jaise saans tak nikal chuki ho. Woh Bina palak jhapke unko bas dekh raha tha.

Shocked, hairat-zada mutajajib.

"Kya yeh sach hai? Kya phupho ne-" uske alfaaz halq mein hi atak gaye.

Madam Rimsha ne chonk kar use dekha, aur hairat se puchte hue apna purse uthate hue khadi ho gayin.

"Kya?"

"Maine toh pichle paanch minute mein tumse koi baat nahi ki. Main toh kuch soch rahi thi. Shayad main ooncha sochne lag gayi hoon. Boodhe hone waale logo ko yeh masla hota hai. Lekin mera nahi khayal ke kisi dimaagi marz ki wajah se kisi insaan ko confidentiality todne par murd-e-ilzam tehrana chahiye. Aur yeh ooncha bolna bhi ek dimaagi marz hi toh hai. Uh hmm"

Unhone mobile purse mein dalte hue, sir nafi me hilate jaise apne hi sankipan ka afsos karti hue unhone usko muskara kar Khuda Hafiz kaha aur aage badh gayi.

Woh aahista se utha aur chhote chhote qadam uthata corridor mein aage badhta gaya. Safed chehra, khaali veeran aankhein liye woh chalta raha. Yahan tak ke hospital ke darwaze aa gaye.

Bahar lawn mein rawish par baday Leya ki wheelchair dhakelti Haneen ne chonk kar use yun dheela dheela sa chalte huye dekha, aur phir ruk kar dekhti rahi, yahan tak ke woh mukhalif simt chalta door hota gaya. Koi mod aaya aur woh nazro se ojhal ho gaya.

Haneen ke chehre par fikarmandi dar aayi.

Woh wheelchair ko mod kar ek doosri simt le gayi, saath mein be-dhiyaani se bade abba kon sun bhi rahi thi.

"Aurangzeb Kardar ko Faris ke upar se haath yun kheenchna nahi chahiye tha. Unko ek dafa humse baat karni chahiye thi."

"Woh Zumar phupho ke ilaaj ka saara kharcha utha rahe hain, yahi bohot hai."

Woh mutalashi nazron se idhar udhar dekhti wheelchair aage laa rahi thi.

"Yani woh Faris ko qasoorwar samajhte hain, tabhi madawa kar rahe hain."

Bade Abba afsos se sar hilaate keh rahe the.

Haneen ne tawajju nahi di, woh aage badhti rahi.

Yahan darakht the, belo ki baarh thi, aur kone mein water cooler laga tha. Sabze mein thanda meetha paani.

Haneen ke qadam ruke nahi aahista ho gaye. Aankhon mein shadeed sadma sa utara.

Cooler ke daaye taraf darakht tha, darmiyan mein thodi si jagah thi, wahan sukad kar rukh deewar ki taraf kiye Saadi do-zank baitha tha. Sar ghutno par liye woh aahista aahista ro raha tha. Saath hi baar baar shirt ki aasteen se aansu saaf karta, phir se chehra jhukaaye rone lag jaata.

Haneen ke dil par kisi ne pair rakh diya.

Woh rukna chahti thi, magar bade abba ka usko yun rote huye dekhne ka khauf tha, ya Saadi ke khud ko yun dekhe jaane par sharmindagi ka darr.

Woh bojhal qadam uthate aage badhti gayi. Bade Abba gardan jhukaaye afsurdah se apni baatein kehte rahe.

Haneen ki aankhein dheere dheere gulabi padti gayin.

Woh ro raha hai. Bhai ro raha hai. Magar kyun?

"Kya phupho theek ho jaayengi, bade Leya?"

Usne khud ko kehte suna.

"Bhai unki bimari pe bohot upset hai."

Wheelchair chalti rahi. Ab cooler peechay chhod kar woh door ja rahi thi. Saath hi awaaz bhi madham padti gayi.

Bade Abba ne jawab mein kya kaha, darakhto tak awaaz nahi pahuchi. Woh door hote gaye.

Saadi akela baitha badastoor ro raha tha.

☆☆☆

لوگ ٹوٹ جاتے ہیں ایک گھر بنانے میں، تم ترس نہیں کھاتے بستیاں جلانے میں۔

Log toot jaate hain ek ghar banane mein, Tum taras nahi khaate bastiyan jalaane mein.

∘❀∘

Woh shaam Saadi ke dil ki saari sogwariyat apne andar samoye utri thi.

Woh Sara ke ghar ke kitchen mein rakhi kursi pe khamosh baitha tha.

Nudrat munh hi munh mein kuch badbada rahi thi, samne khana rakh rahi thi.

"Zumar ko khayal karna chahiye tha. Jab Zartasha ke walid aur Waaris ki biwi, Faris ko be-gunah samajhte hain, toh woh kyun aisa kar rahi hai?"

Saadi sar jhukaaye sanjeedgi se khaali plate ko dekhta raha.

Nudrat ne uski plate mein salan dala, roti nikaal kar di.

"Khao beta."

Usne be-dili se roti li, luqma toda, phir nazrein utha kar maa ko dekha.

Woh pur-umeed thi pareshaani liye usko dekh rahi thi.

"Tum phupho se baat karo na, woh apna bayan wapas le."

Phir thatki, ghor se uske chehre ko dekha.

"Tumhein kya hua? Aankhein kyun surkh par rahi hain?"

"Kuch nahi, flu hai." Wo geeli awaaz mein keh kar sar jhatkata plate pe jhuk gaya.

"Main joshanda bana dungi, iske baad pee lena. Theek ho jayega."

Kash! dil ki bimariyon ka bhi koi taryaak hota, ghol kar pee lo aur sab khush-baash ho jaye. Usne talkhi se socha tha.

"Kya tumne dobara phupho se baat ki?"

"Nahi."

"Koshish to karo. Faris mera bhai hai Saadi, mujhe uski fikr hai."

"Zumar meri phupho hain aur mujhe unki fikr hai."

"Uska ilaaj ho raha hai, woh InshaAllah jald sehat yaab..."

Saadi ne bad-dili se plate par se hath hata diya.

"Unke ilaaj pe jo kharcha ho raha hai, woh Aurangzeb Kardar utha rahe hain, hai na?" Nudrat ko talkhi se dekh kar woh ek dum poochhne laga. Woh thehr kar usse dekhne lagi.

"Haan, bade lena chaah kar bhi inkaar nahi kar sake. Kaise karte? Unka sab to Zumar ke jahez aur zevar pe kharch ho gaya."

"Aur woh plot? Phupho ke paas tha na ek plot, woh kahan gaya? Shadi ka kharcha to bade abba ne main market mein apne naam ki wahid dukaan girwi rakh kar uthaya tha. Yeh bhi mujhe pata na chalta agar aap na batati."

"Haan, woh Zaeem bhai (Nudrat ke cousin brother) ko bechi thi, isliye mujhe pata chal gaya. Plot to Zumar ne pehle hi bech diya tha."

Woh ab apni plate mein salan daal rahi thi.

"Kisi muqadame waghera ke liye use paison ki zaroorat thi to bech diya. Bade abba ne ek dafa mere poochhne par bataya tha."

Saadi ne karb se aankhein band kar li, phir ek dum uth khada hua. Nudarat ne roka ke "Khaana to khaa le," magar woh lounge mein aa gaya.

Saadi ne dekha, ab bade sofa ke kone pe Sara baithi thi. Pairo pe hath rakhe, bhoore rang ka dupatta sir pe liye, woh thaili pe chehra jhukaaye diwaar ko dekh rahi thi... ya shayad uske paar.

Usse aate dekh kar chehra seedha kiya, udaas si muskuraayi.

"Kaisi hain aap?"

Woh muskura bhi na saka, uske saamne khada ho gaya. Sar jhukaye, beqasoor magar mehsoosat se bharpoor.

"Behtar hoon, tum theek ho?" Usne asbaat mein sar hilaaya. Chand lamhe khamoshi mein sarak gaye.

"Faris kaisa hai? Uske saath yeh sab kya ho raha hai?"

"Unko mamu ke qatl ke ilzaam mein pakda gaya hai magar hum sab jaante hain yeh sab ghalat hai. Aap bhi aisa hi sochti hain na?" Zara der ko woh dara hua laga.

"Mujhe nahi pata Saadi. Tum sab kehte ho to aisa hi hoga. Faris... aur qatl..."

Usne sar jhatak kar jharjhiri li. Saadi ki atki saans bahal huyi, pheeka sa muskuraya.

"Hum asli qatilo ko zaroor saza dilwayenge. Khala!"

aur Saara ke chehre ki azeeyat barh gayi.

"Is se kya hoga? Waris wapas nahi aayega."

Aaj phir Saadi ke paas is sawaal ka jawab nahi tha. Woh khamoshi se bahar nikal gaya.

Lawn mein, kiyari ke saath, amal baithi, ghaas me ungliyan chalati, kuch likh rahi thi. Nadeedah alfaaz, ankahi baatein...

Saadi qadam qadam chalta Amal tak aaya.

Jo ghutne Amal ke haathon ke qareeb hue to usne sar uthaya, aankhein muskurahat se pheli.

"Saadi bhai!"

"Kya tum baba ke liye dua karti ho?" Har dafa ki tarah aaj phir poocha.

Amal ne jhat asbaat mein sar hilaaya. "Roz karti hoon."

"Good." Wo muskara kar palat gaya. Garage ki taraf jaate hue uske dil se bhi dua nikali maghfirat ki, jannat milne ki, aur jahannum se azaadi ki.

Ek dum wo ruk gaya. Amal ko kya pata jannat aur jahannum ka? Maafi aur bakhshish ka?

Wo ulte qadam wapas aaya. Uske muqaabil panjo ke bal baitha, aankhein suked kar uska chehra dekha.

"Tum kya dua karti ho Amal, baba ke liye?"

Wo jo ghaas pe phir se likh rahi thi, nazrein utha kar saadgi se use dekhne lagi.

"Yahi ke baba wapas aa jaaye." Ruk kar poocha, "Woh wapas aa jaayenge na, Saadi bhai?"

Saadi sal sa use dekhta raha. Hairband mein jakde baalo wali Amal umeed se usko dekh rahi thi.

Usne khud ko kehte suna, "Woh kabhi bhi wapas nahi aayenge. Tum dua kiya karo ke woh jahan rahein, khush rahein."

Amal chand lamhon ke liye bilkul khamosh ho gayi. Phir chehra raazdari se qareeb kiya.

"Agar main baba ki qabar khodu, to kya woh neeche honge?" Hichkichate hue boli.

"Haan, magar unki jo rooh thi, woh upar chali gayi hai aasmano mein. Magar woh qabar mein bhi hain."

Wo soch soch kar alfaaz chun raha tha. Amal ke abroow achambhe se ikatthe hue.

"Baba do ho gaye hain?" Usne do ungliyon ki 'V' bana kar hairat se poocha.

Sada sawaal, pechida jawab.

Wo uth khada hua. Dua ki phir se takeed ki aur garage ki jaanib badh gaya.

Ek qatl kitne khandaan tabaah kar deta hai, kitni zindagiyan ujaad deta hai.

Ek qatl sab badal deta hai.

☆☆☆

ہم بھی کن جنگلوں میں بستے ہیں، بن جن میں تمام راستے ہیں...

Hum bhi kin jangalo mein baste hain, ban jan mein tamaam raste hain...

∘❀∘

Hospital mein wahi baasi phoolo ki mehak rachi basi thi. Zumar, takiyo ke sahare tek laga kar baithi thi. Baal upar bandhe hue aur chehre par sanjeedgi chhayi thi.

Khamosh nazron se kabhi saamne wheel chair par baithe aadmi ko dekhti, kabhi saath wali kursi pe aage ko jhuke Hashim ko, jo ek file mein khole keh raha tha.

"Sirf ek rasmi karwai hai. Aapke kidney transplant aur iske baad ke tamaam medical bills Aurangzeb Kardar uthayenge. Aur agar kal ko Faris Ghazi begunah sabit ho jata hai, tab bhi koi is amal ko reverse nahi kar sakta."

Cheque aur doosre kaagzaat ooper neeche kar ke moti moti baat samjhate hue usne sar uthaya.

Baal gel se peechhe kiye, grey coat, cufflinks, tie pin, aankhon ki sanjeedgi wo hamesha ki tarah achhe se tayar tha.

"Of course, unko mere medical bills pay karne chahiye. Unke bhanje ne meri zindagi tabah ki hai!" Zumar ka andaaz khushk tha.

Hashim ne gehri saans le kar sar hilaaya.

"Aur jawab mein aap Aurangzeb Kardar ke baare mein kisi qisam ka manfi bayan nahi dengi."

"Adalat mein?"

"Press mein!"

Bade Abba na-pasandidgi se gardan mod kar Hashim ko baat karte dekhte rahe.

"Sure, magar..." Zumar ne aankhon ki putliyan sikud kar teekhi nazro se Hashim ko dekha.

"Kya is kaaghaz pe yeh likha hai ke yeh madhava Kardar sahab is liye kar rahe hain kyunki unke bhanje ne mujhe nuksan pahunchaaya hai?"

"Bilkul!" Usne uth kar file aur chain Zumar ke saamne rakha.

Woh zard kaaghaz uthakar bareek beeni se ek ek shafa parhne lagi. Phir qalam khola, dastakht kiye, aur wapas uski taraf barhate hue usi sapaṭ rukhe andaaz mein boli.

"Mujhe Kardar sahab se koi gila nahi, lekin agar aapne kabhi yeh muaahida toda aur mera koi medical bill pay na hua, to main bhi in tamaam shafo ko raddi mein daal dungi."

"Sure, Madam Prosecutor." Woh bohot tahammul se kaghaz wapas file mein lagate hue baitha, taang par taang charhai.

Bade Abba ne na-pasandidgi se use dekha.

"Yeh madhavw se zyada khud ko Faris par lage ilzamaat ki gard se bachaane ka muahida lag raha hai mujhe."

"Bilkul aisa hi hai." Kafi rukhai se kehte hue usne briefcase uthaya, khola, kaaghaz usme dale.

Bade Abba ne kadwahat se rukh pher liya. Hashim unko waise bhi nahi dekh raha tha.

"Main chalta hoon." Briefcase band karke woh utha, ek rasmi muskurahat se Zumar ko dekh kar sar ko kham diya aur darwaze ki taraf badh gaya.

Uske jaate hi bade Abba ne sanjeedgi se Zumar ko dekha.

"Humein unke paiso ki zaroorat nahi thi."

"Mujhe thi. Baqi aapka bank balance kitna reh gaya hai main jaanti hoon." Woh zyada khadwi ho rahi thi.

"Agar main mazoor na hua hota to main yeh madhava qabool na karta."

"Yeh unka farz tha. Unke bhanje ne jo mere saath kiya hai, iske baad unke khandaan ko isse bhi zyada karna chahiye."

"Zumar..." Woh jaise thak kar bole. "Tum ek dafa Faris ki baat sun lo."

"Uski jo aakhri baat suni thi wahi kaafi hai mere liye ta-umr! Mawzu khatam Abba."

Dono haath uthakar goya khud hi faisla suna diya. Woh gardan jhuka kar khaamosh ho gaye.

Phir jab Haneen aayi to unki wheelchair baahar le aayi.

Nikalte waqt usne gardan mod kar Zumar ko dekha.

Woh takiyo ke sahare neem daraaz chehra mod kar khidki ko dekh rahi thi. Aankhon mein soch thi, peshaani pe bal the. Ek dafa bhi Haneen ko nahi dekha.

Woh yaaseet se sar jhatakti bade Abba ko baahar le aayi.

☆☆☆



رکھتے جاں کوئی لٹانے اِدھر ابھی نہ سکے، اُسے مشکل تو نہیں دشتِ وفا کے جانے۔

Rakhte jaan koi lutaane idhar abhi na sake, Use mushkil to nahi dasht-e-wafa ke jaave.

∘❀∘

Dining room mein Saadi kursi pe baitha tha. Sar jhukaaye apne haatho ko baaham maslta.

Bade Abba ko aate dekh kar woh seedha hua aur sanjeedgi se unki aankho me dekha.

"Maine test karwaye the. Abhi reports aa jaayengi."

"Kis cheez ka test?" Haneen chonki, bade Abba ne bhi hairat se use dekha.

"Kidney donor nahi mila. Doctor ne kaha hai qareebi rishtedaro ka gurda zyada behtar rahega."

"Bhai!" Haneen ka saans atak gaya.

"Saadi!" Baday apni mutahayyir aankhon se use dekhte reh gaye, phir dehshat se aage badhe.

"Tum nahi! Bilkul bhi nahi! Abhi tumhari umar hi kya hai?"

"Doctor ne kaha hai main donate kar sakta hoon. Mera dil bhi yahi kehta hai."

Woh aankhein sikud kar teekhi nazron se dada ko dekh kar chaba chaba kar keh raha tha. Unhone achambhe se use dekha.

"Kya tum kisi baat pe khafa ho?"

"Isko chhodiye. Mujhe sirf ek guarantee dein. Agar mera gurda match kar gaya to aap Zumar ko nahi bataayenge ke yeh main de raha hoon."

"Bilkul nahi! Zumar kabhi tumse gurda nahi legi. Tum aisa nahi karoge!" Woh tadap gaye the. Haneen jo wheelchair thaam ke khadi thi, hanuuz shock mein thi.

"Haneen, kya tum baahar ja kar sister Humaira se pooch sakti ho ke reports aayi ya nahi?"

Woh sar utha kar sapaṭ andaaz mein kehne laga. Haneen ne shal zehen ke saath asbaat mein sar hilaaya aur baahar nikal gayi.

Saadi ne dobara wohi nazar bade Abba ko dekhi.

"Is waqt unko kidney chahiye. Main de raha hoon. Magar aap unko nahi batayenge."

Bada Abba ko gussa chadhne laga.

"Main awwal to tumhe yeh karne nahi dunga. Aur agar tumne zidd ki, to main Zumar ko yeh baat bata dunga. Phir woh sari zindagi dialysis karwati rahegi magar tumse gurda nahi legi. Koi apne bacho se qurbani maangta hai kya?"

Saadi ne lab bhinche, asbaat mein gardan hilai aur peechhe ho kar baitha.

"Mujhe maaloom hai ke meri fees wohi deti hain."

Bade Abba ko jhatka laga, be-yaqeeni se use dekhne lage.

"Kyun? Kya woh nahi deti? Kar de inkaar!"

Wo bas usay dekh kar reh gaye. Sadma sa sadma tha. Uski aankhein gulabi pad rahi thi.

"Deti haina?" Ek aas phir se jodi, qadre halki aawaaz mein darte darte poocha.

Bade Abba ne halka sa asbat mein sar hilaaya.

Saadi ne naak se geeli saans andar kheench kar samajhne wale andaaz mein sar hilaaya. Nami andar utari.

"Thank you, bade Abba. Ab agar aapne Zumar ko kuch bataya, to main bhi unhein bata dunga ke yeh fees wali baat aapne mujhe batayi hai."

Wo haq-daqq reh gaye.

"Maine kab?"

"Abhi bataya haina."

Khud ko sambhal kar itminaan bhari be-niaazi se keh kar woh peechhe ho gaya.

Woh bilkul hakka-baka use dekh rahe the.

Aaj laga, Saadi bara ho gaya hai.

"Yani doosra blackmailer aulaad? Ek Zumar kam thi kya?"

Haneen wapas andar aayi, nafi mein sar hilaaya.

Kuch kehne se filhal ma'zoor thi.

"Mujhe pata hai mera kidney match kar jaayega. Magar aap dono mein se koi bhi Zumar ko nahi batayega."

Woh qatiyat se baari-baari unka chehra dekhta, tanbih kar raha tha.

"Aur Ammi?" Bil-akhir woh boli.

"Unko main samjha dunga, be-fikr raho."

"Magar Zumar ko kya kahenge kis ka gurda hai yeh?" Bade Abba ka lehja ab kamzor tha.

"Woh kaun sa dekh rahi hain? Kisi se milwa denge unhein, kahenge ke yeh iska gurda hai."

"Yeh baat hamesha nahi chhupegi, Saadi. Use batana padega. Tum khud bata do. Woh to ab tak tumse khafa hai."

"Agar maan gayi to puchengi nahi ke main kidhar hoon? Milne kyun nahi aata? Bas unhein keh dena main wapas chala gaya hoon."

Woh sab tay kar chuka tha. Do din se yahi soch raha tha. Bade Abba ko afsos sa hone laga.

"Aise woh dil saaf nahi karegi. Main use jaanta hoon."

"Main bhi jaanta hoon unhe, Woh jald theek ho jaayengi."

Magar woh ghalat tha.

"Usey bata do, Saadi. Operation ke baad bata dena beshak."

Woh ab neem raza-mand lag rahe the.

"Yeh mera test hai. Main tamar daari kar ke number bana loon ya parhai ke bahaane nazron se gaayab ho kar apna farz ada kar loon, aur agar bura banta hoon to ban jau, magar mujhe is test mein fail nahi hona!"

"Tum usse baat to kar ke dekho!"

"Nahi na! Agar Phupho ko pata chala ke yeh mera gurda hai, to woh kabhi nahi lengi. Phupho mujhse bohot mohabbat karti hain. Main unka bhai bhi hoon, dost bhi aur beta bhi. Woh mujhe kabhi is takleef se nahi guzarne dena chaahengi."

"To hum Phupho ko kya kahenge?"

Soi soi si Haneen jaise jaag gayi. Dimagh kaam karne laga.

"Kisi se milwa denge, kisi ko raazi kar lenge is kaam pe."

Yeh Saadi ko masla nahi lag raha tha. Woh baar-baar bechaini se ghari dekh raha tha. Use report ka intezaar tha.

"Magar kis se?"

Saadi ne ukta kar Haneen ko dekha.

"Yeh baad ki baat hai."

Tabhi darwaza halka sa baja.

Haneen chonk kar mudhi.

Chaukhat mein Alicia khadi thi. Muskurati hui. Safed trouser aur bhoori shirt mein, kohni pe bag tanga tha.

"Main tumhari Aunty ko dekhne aayi thi," woh narmi se kehti aage aayi.

"Bhai, kya aap bhi wahi soch rahe hain jo main soch rahi hoon?"

Haneen ne Saadi ko dekha, Saadi ne haneen ko.

Phir dono ne Alicia ko dekha.

"Kya yeh maan jaayegi thodi si adakari pe"

Dono ne dabi dabi aawaaz mein fikro ka tabadla kiya.

Alicia ne baari baari unke chehre dekhe.

"Kya sab theek hai?"

"Of course."

Haneen ka dimagh tezi se kaam karne laga.

Jaldi se ek kursi se cheeze hata kar use jagah bana kar di.

Saadi uth kar chaukhat pe ja khada hua.

Nigaahein raahdaari mein lage clock par tiki thi.

Bade Abba apni socho mein uljhe the.

Alicia nazaakat se baithi, ghutne mila kar, purse zameen par rakha.

Haneen saath wali kursi pe aage ho kar bechain si baithi.

"Mujhe tumse ek kaam hai, Alicia. Kuch der mein batati hoon."

Woh bhi Saadi ki nigahon ke ta'aqub mein dekh rahi thi.

"Okay." Alicia ne shaane uchka diye.

"Agar kidney match na kiya to?" Bade Abba ne apni hi soch mein sawaal kiya.

"To phir kisi aur ko dena padega."

"Magar kis ko?"

Woh Haneen se sawaal kar ke khud hi khamosh ho gaye.

Haneen ne nazrein jhuka kar khud ko dekha, phir apne baazu ko. Aasteen zara tang thi. Usne do ungliyan wrist band par rakh li, jaise use khol kar aasteen upar chadhane ko tayar ho. Anghute se baazu ke ooper ek lakeer kheench di. kaunsi rag hai jisse test ke liye khoon nikala jata hai?

"Tumne bataya nahi, mera gift kaisa laga?" Alicia mobile pe button dabate hue pooch rahi thi.

Haneen ne khaali khaali nazron se use dekha, phir pheeka sa muskurai.

"Woh locket... Uspe bhi tumhare keychain wali ibarat darj thi." (Ants Ever After)

Waris ke qatal ki raat jab woh aur Faris, Alicia ke kamre se nikle the, tab usne Haneen ko jo dibba thamaya tha, usme se siyah heere ki shakal ka kata pathhar tha. Usne bohot din baad khola.

"Mujhe woh bohot acha laga. Magar iska kya matlab hua? Hamesha ke liye cheentiyan? (Ants Ever After?)"

Woh ungli abhi tak baazu ki rag par rakhke baithi thi.

Alicia ne aahista se mobile rakha, use dekh kar thakan se muskurai.

"Tumne mujhse koi kaam kehna tha?"

"Haan, woh... Kya tum meri Aunty ko yeh keh sakti ho ke tum unko apni marzi aur khushi se kidney donate kar rahi ho? Dar asal jo rishtedaar donate kar raha hai, woh usse lena nahi chahti..." Haneen jaldi jaldi saari baat samjhati gayi.

"Magar main to raat ki flight se wapas ja rahi hoon!"

"Oh, kya tum ruk nahi sakti? Kya tumhara kaam ho gaya jiske liye tum aayi thi?"

"Nahi, woh to nahi hua. Main bhi kis umeed pe chali aayi..." Talkhi si muskara kar khud par afsos kiya.

Haneen bechaini se aage hui.

"Tum bas paanch minute ke liye Aunty se mil lo. Baad mein hum keh denge ke tumhe doosre hospital shift kar diya gaya hai."

"Okay!"

Woh mutama'il thi magar shaane uchka diye.

Haneen phir se muzterib si darwaze ki simt dekhne lagi.

"Transplant par to kaafi kharcha aa raha hoga?" Alicia ne baraye baat poocha.

"Pata nahi, woh sab Aurangzeb Uncle ka sardard hai."

Alicia ka saans ruk gaya. Bina palak jhapke woh Haneen ko dekhne lagi.

"Tumhare wohi Uncle jinka tum bohot zikar karti ho?"

"Haan. Pata nahi, hamari aksar baato mein unka zikar kyun nikal aata hai?"

Yeh sawaal sochne ka waqt zaheen Haneen ke dimagh ko kabhi nahi mila tha. Ab bhi keh kar bhool gayi.

"Wohi ilaaj ka kharcha utha rahe hain. Magar kyun?"

Hairat zada Alicia mushkil se pooch pai.

Haneen ne shaane uchka diye, abhi tak chaukhat ko dekh rahi thi.

"Woh Faris Mamu ke baap ki jagah hain. Aur Phupho musalsal Faris Mamu ko is sab ka zimmedar tehra rahi hain, to Aurangzeb Uncle apne bhanje ki taraf se madawa karna chah rahe hain."

Alicia ne agla saans nahi liya. Usne chehra samne ko pher liya, thook nigli, aankhon mein aati nami andar utari.

"Unse kisi ne raqam nahi maangi, woh phir bhi de rahe hain, sirf isliye ke woh Faris ke baap ki jagah hain, Haneen? Kitni rahem dili haina?"

Haneen ne asbaat mein sar hila diya. Alicia zakhmi si muskurayi, sar jhuka kar ungliyo mein pakde keychain ko dekha.

"Kya tum jaanti ho, hashrat-ul-ardh mein sabse zyada zahreela keeda kaunsa hota hai?"

Haneen ne nafi mein sar hila diya. Chaukhat mein khada Saadi gardan mod kar dekhne laga. Woh Haneen ke saath baithi, sar jhukaye keychain par ungli phairti ja rahi thi.

"Cheenti - Maricopa Harvester Ant - duniya ka sabse zahreela keeda hai. Is keede ko inteqam par nahi uksana chahiye, warna iska katne se taqatwar se taqatwar insaan ko bhi maar jaye, Pata hai, ek dafa kisi ne mujhse yeh baat kahi thi... ke tum saari umar cheenti raho gi."

"Mujhe woh baat pehle bohot buri lagi, phir acchi lagne lagi. Kyunki main cheenti hi toh hoon. Sab kamzor aur bebas log cheentiyon ki tarah hote hain."

Haneen be-dhiyani se sun rahi thi. Woh khamosh hui toh Haneen jaldi se boli:

"Kya tum meri aunty se mil logi? Itna waqt hoga na tumhare paas?"

Alicia ne sar uthaya, muskara kar nam aankhon se use dekha.

"Sure! Maine iraada badal diya hai. Main kuch din aur mazeed thehar sakti hoon, apna kaam bhi mukammal kar lungi."

Haneen ka chehra farhat-e-musarrat se chamak utha. Usne khushi se Alicia ka haath dabaya.

"Thank you, Alicia! Tum meri sabse acchi dost ho. Kitna ajeeb ittefaq hai na, ke ain un dino mein tum aayi ho jab hum itne crisis mein the, magar tum hamare saath rahi."

Alicia ka rang safed pada, halaq mein kuch atak gaya. Woh toh Aurangzeb Kardar ke election ka sun kar aayi thi. Aur woh khud bhi be-khabar thi ke agar yeh election na hote, toh Waris ko shayad mohlat mil jaati.

Magar yahan ke actions, America se bohot mukhtalif the. Aur Haneen is sab ko sirf ek ittefaq samajh rahi thi.

"Haneen, main tumhe kuch batana chahti hoon..."

Magar Saadi kisi ko aate dekh kar foran aage chala gaya. Toh Haneen, umeed aur khauf ke mile jule asar se khadi ho gayi. Usne apni baazu ki rag par phir se doosra haath rakh liya.

"Phir kabhi sahi..."

Alicia ne uska dhyan na paa kar dheeli si wapas baith gayi.

Haneen chaukhat tak aayi, fikarmandi se samne dekha. Saadi chand kagaz khol kar padhta hua nazara aa raha tha. Baazu par rakha uska haath mazboot hota gaya. Touch button khol liya.

Ab bas aasteen modna tha.

"Pehle blood match hota hai kya?"

Usse ilm bhi nahi tha!

Saadi ne gehri saans lekar, safhaat neeche kiye aur lambi musafat ki thakan se Hannah ka chehra dekha. Phir sar asbaat mein hilaya.

"Positive!"

Haneen ka baazu par rakha haath be-dam sa pehlu mein gir gaya. Usne zard rangat ke saath sar ko kham diya.

Saadi ab palat kar tezi se aage ja raha tha. Usse bohot se kaam karne the.

وَالسَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ ۝ أُو۟لَٰئِكَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ

Tarjuma: "Aur jo sabqat le jaane wale hain, wahi to sabqat le jaane wale hain. Yehi hain jo Allah ke muqarrab (qareebi) hain."

Surah Al-Waqi'ah (56:10-11)

Har qurbani ka ek waqt hota hai, aur us waqt ki ek expiry date bhi hoti hai.

ㅤ ㅤ

☆☆☆