کیوں دادِ غم ہم ہی نے طلب کی؟ بُرا کیا۔ ہم سے جہاں میں سیکھنے کے غم اور کیا کیا نہ تھے۔

Kyun daad-e-gham ham hi ne talab ki? bura kiya. Hum se jahaan mein sikhshta-e-gham aur kya kya na the.

• Dad-e-Gham ( دادِ غم ) : Acknowledgment of sorrow" or "appreciation of grief".

• Sikhshta-e-Gham (سِکھشتۂ غم) : "trained by sorrow", "taught by grief".

∘❀∘

Hospital ke kamre mein, kursi par baithi Alicia ko mashkook andaaz mein ghoorti, takiye se tek lagaye, wo Zumar Yousuf thi, aur woh itni jaldi maan jaati-namumkin tha.

"Aur aap mujhe apna gurda kyun dena chahti hain?" Usko hazam nahi hua tha, isliye tafteeshi andaaz mein poochhna shuru kar diya.

Jawab mein Alicia ne kaafi be-niyazi se shaane uchkaaye.

"Main is waqiye ki zimmedar khud ko samajhti hoon. Agar main aapke office aa jaati to na aap udhar jaatin, na dehshatgardi ka nishana banti. Maine test karwaye hain. Goke mujhe kam umri se dame ki shikayat hai, magar iske ilawa main bilkul sehatmand hoon, aur donate kar sakti hoon."

"Aur aap chahti hain ke main is wajah pe yaqeen kar lu?" Zumar ne teekhi nazron se musalsal uska chehra ghurte huye kaha.

"Na karein, aapki marzi. Magar main doosri wajah bhi zaroor batana chahungi." Alicia Zara ruki saamne bechain si khadi, Haneen aur kareeb baithay, muztarib se Bare Abba ko dekha, phir usi aitmaad se prosecutor ki aankhon mein aankhein daal kar boli:

"Mujhe is qurbani ke ewaz aapki family ek acchi qeemat de rahi hai, jise main wapas jaa kar university fees ke liye istemal karungi. Apni zindagi banane ka itna accha mauqa main zaya nahi karungi. Agar mazeed paisay chahiye hue to main is qurbani ko kisi TV show mein apni kahani chalwa kar cash karwa loongi." Aakhir mein usne be-fikri se shaane uchkaaye.

Haneen ke lab khul gaye, woh haka baka Alicia ko sun rahi thi. (Kya usne farz kar liya tha ke adaakari sirf Zumar par khatam ho jati hai?)

"Magar yeh illegal hai." Zumar ke fiqre pe sab chonke.

"Qanoon ke mutabiq doctor kabhi bhi transplant nahi kar sakta agar gurda khoon ke rishtedar ka na ho. Aap sab log mil kar ek ghair-qanooni kaam kaise kar sakte hain?" abroo bhinche kar tazubi andaz me usne bari-bari uj tino ke chhere dekhe.

Aur Bare Abba ne kai dafa ki sochi gayi khwahish dil mein dohraayi 'kaash unhone kabhi is larki ko qanoon na parhaya hota'.

"Yeh aurat to ghair mulki hai, magar aapko to qanoon ka ilm hona chahiye tha Abba!"

"Hamne iska hal bhi nikal liya hai," Haneen himmat kar ke boli to Zumar gardan mod kar use dekhne lagi. "Hum papers par Saadi bhai ka naam likhwayege."

Zumar ke taa'suraat badle. Woh dehl kar reh gayi thi.

"Saadi ka kyun?" Woh ek dum tadap kar mutawajjih si boli, phir gusse se Bare Abba ko dekha. "Saadi ka naam kidney donor ke tor par kabhi bhi nahi likhege aap log!"

"Theek hai, nahi likhte,Magar agar yeh French-American aurat nahi degi.." Bare Abba ne Alicia ki taraf ishara karte hue sanjeedgi se kehna shuru kiya. "To kisi khoon ke rishtedar ko dena padega. Fehrist batate hain- pehle number pe main hoon, mera match nahi hua to phir Saadi hoga, aur phir Haneen, agar uska bhi match nahi hua to Usama to haina!"

"Abba!?" Uske dil pe kisi ne pair rakh diya tha. Sadme se aankhein gulaabi padne lagi.

"Bilkul bhi na kehna Zumar! Ke tum tandurust nahi hona chahti! Har koi tandrust hona chahta hai, tum alag nahi ho. Iske ilawa koi option nahi hai tumhare paas."

Zumar bilkul chup ho gayi. Bebasi se sar jhukaaye, lab kaatne lagi. Dil bohot bure andaaz mein dukhaya tha Haneen ki baat ne.

"Magar, Yeh ghair qanooni hai." Uski awaaz ab ke kamzor thi.

"Haan, aur jo tumhare saath hua, woh bhi ghair qanooni tha."

Zumar ki aankhon mein karb ke saath taish ubhra.

"Hua nahi, jo mere saath Faris ne kiya, woh ghair qanooni tha!"

"Phupho, main idhar hi thi. Mamu ne aapko koi call nahi ki. Main jhooth nahi bol rahi," uske bed ke dayein taraf khadi Haneen bebasi se boli.

Zumar ne gehri saans lekar khud ko normal karte hue sar jhatka aur peeche hui. Ab ke boli to awaaz sambhli hui thi.

"Mujhe maloom hai tum jhooth nahi bol rahi. Faris bohot smart hai, usse nahi dodge karne ke hazaar tareeqe aate hain."

Haneen ko dhachka laga. Bohot be-yaqeeni se phaili aankhon se usne Zumar ko dekha, jo ab apna lehaaf durust kar rahi thi.

"Yani aap mujhe jhootha nahi samajhti? Balki aap mujhe bewakoof samajhti hain!" Yeh sadma zyada bada tha.

Zumar ne ansuna karti, lehaaf theek karke peeche ho gayi. Haneen ke lab bhich gaye. Bare Abba ki maazrati nazron ko dekhe bina, woh sard nazro se boli.

"OK, phupho. Hum Saadi bhai ka naam likhva kar aapko hurt nahi karenge. Hum Haneen Yousuf ka naam likhwa denge. Ab theek hai na?"

Woh keh kar ek dum mudhi aur goya usne dekha bhi ke Zumar be-sakhta naram padi thi, use mana karne ko kuch kehne wali thi, magar Haneen un teeno ko wahi chhod kar baahar nikal aayi.

Saadi ka corridor mein khada tha. Be-sakhta seedha hua. Umeed se usay dekha.

"Kya unhon ne yaqeen kar liya?"

"Kar lengi. Apni sehat ke liye sab kar lete hain," woh talkhi se boli.

Saadi ka dimaag kahin aur uljha tha. Gour kiye bina Zumar ka band darwaza dekhne laga.

Woh sar jhatak kar aage chalti gayi. Corridor aboor karke reception desk cross kiya.

Phir Bahar aayi. Lawn mein mareezo aur unke azeez-o-aqarib ki chahal-pahal waisi hi thi. Haneen khafgi se munh hi munh mein kuch badbadaati ghaas ki bichi rawees par aage chalti ja rahi thi. Phir ek dum thehri.

Koi use dekh raha tha. Magar kaun aur kidhar?

Woh mudi, ghoom kar idhar udhar dekha. Aur phir tabhi dur ek bench par tang par tang jamaye, ek baazoo peechay phailaye baithe Hashim ne muskara kar use haath hilaaya.

Haneen ki aankhein apne aap se sikud gayin. Behar haal, woh qadam qadam chalti bench ke qareeb aayi.

"Saadi bhai andar hain." Usne apne tayi Hashim ko durust simt dikhayi. Woh bas muskura kar bas use dekhe gaya.

"Abhi mil kar aa raha hoon usse. Usne bataya ke donor kidney mil gaya hai, magar jis shakhs se kharida hai, uske baare mein Zumar ko batane ki bajaye tumhari koi friend…," Hashim ne fiqra adhoora chhod diya.

Yeh cover story sirf Hashim ke liye ghadi gayi thi. Saadi is pe laakh aitmaad karta, magar yeh uske khandan ka andarooni maamla tha. Aur Hashim ko batane ka matlab tha ke Zumar ko kabhi na kabhi wo bata dega.

Usko sirf Haneen ki dost gurda de rahi hai keh kar ke bhi nahi tal sakte the. Kyunki Alicia is adaakari ke liye dobara muh'hya nahi hogi. Hashim aata jata rahega, agar khatk gaya to khoj lagayega. Aur pata chalne par Saadi se bad-aitmaad ho jayega. So pehle hi use mutma'in kar diya.

Woh ho bhi gaya.

Uski bala se kidney ghair qanooni tareeqe se kharidi ho.

Uska masla to sirf Alicia thi, jisne apni flight aage karwa li thi.

"Meri friend Alicia usne Phupho ko convence kiya hai, magar aap yeh baat Phupho ko mat batayiyega." Woh seena pe baazu lapete uske samne khadi, sanjidgi se usay keh rahi thi.

"Kya yeh kehne ki baat hai?" Hashim ne hairat se poocha, phir gardan pher kar hospital ko dekhne laga.

"Alicia! Um Kya tum mujhe us se milwa sakti ho? Abhi isi waqt?"

"A... OK!" Woh mutazabzib thi.

"Aur haan, tum bhi usko nahi bataogi ke tum use mujhse milwane baahar la rahi ho."

"Sure!" Palke sikud kar se usay mujtaba nazro se dekh kar, wo mudi aur andar chali gayi.

Saadi ab wahan nahi tha. Usne darwaze se andar jhaanka aur Zumar se baatein karti Alicia ko ishara kiya. Woh maazrat karti uth aayi.

"Aao, baahar chalte hain," Haneen ne kaha, toh dono saath-saath chalne lagi.

Ainak aur French choti wali, soch mein gum Haneen aur sath daraz qad, khule baalon wali khoobsurat Alicia.

Unhone raahdari aboor ki. Tab Alicia ne apne purse se inhaler nikala, labo me rakha aur spray andar ki taraf bhara.

Haneen ruk kar usay dekhne lagi.

"Kya wo sab adakaari nahi thi?"

"Siwaye dame ke, sab farzi tha." Muskara kar usne kehte huye aur inhaler wapas rakha.

"Tumhein kya lagta hai, tumhari aunty ne mera yaqeen kar liya hoga?"

"Unke paas koi doosra option hai kya?" Woh uljhi uljhi si, matalashi nazaro se lawn ko dekhti baahar aayi. 'Hashim kidhar gaya?'

"Mujhe bohot afsos hai jo unke saath hua. Kya hamlawar abhi tak nahi pakda gaya?"

"Pakda jayega."

Woh ab gardan pher kar idhar udhar dekhne lagi. Apna aap ek dum bewaqoof sa lagne laga. 'Yeh Hashim mujhe bula kar khud kidhar?'

"Hello again, Alicia!"

Woh dono ek saath ghoomi.

Hashim muskurata hua reception desk ki simt se chalta aa raha tha.

Haneen ne gehri saans li.

Aur Alicia ka rang nichad gaya. Woh safed, sakhit saans rokey khadi thi.

"Alicia, yeh mere—" Haneen ne taaruf karwane ke liye alfaaz talashe hi thay ke woh usay ignore karke, gehri sard nazro se Alicia ko dekh kar, kareeb aate huye bola:

"Dobara mil kar khushi hui, Alicia."

Alicia ki khauf se sakhit aankhon mein harkat hui. Woh jaldi se Haneen ki taraf ghumi.

"Hannah K-kya tum akele mein meri baat sun sakti ho?"

"Kyun? Mujh se kya masla hai? Aakhir hum ek family hain, Alicia."

Woh sard muskurahat se kehta, Haneen ke uljhe chehre ke taa'suraat baghowr note kar raha tha.

"Hannah, Please, meri baat sun lo pehle."

Woh bechaini se uska haath pakar kar use wahan se door le jaane lagi, magar Haneen apni jagah se na hili. Bas ta'ajub se un dono ko baari baari dekha.

"Family?"

"Haan, Haneen. Alicia mere walid ki ghair qanooni americi beti hai. Isliye to woh tumhein jaanti hai aur tumhari itni achi dost hai. Abhi uss din jab Alicia mujhe aur mere baap ko dhamki dene hamare office aayi thi, tab hi to usne mujhe bataya tha ke kis tarah usne tumhara account hack Kiya aur— Oh sorry! Shayad ye baat Alicia ne tumhe nahi batayi thi." Aakhir me afsos se ijafa Kiya.

Wo jo abhi tak uljhi uljhi si khadi thi lafz hack par carrent kha kar piche hati. Be-yaqeeni se Alicia ko dekha jane kab haath se haath chhuta.

"Asal me Alicia mere dad ke baare mein kaafi ehsaas (sensitive) hai. Kyunke dad isse mukhatib tak hona pasand nahi karte, toh yeh har us shakhs ke peechay parr jaati hai jisse woh baat karte hain, jaise ke tum, Haneen."

"Hashim, please!" Alicia miNam hoti aankhon se minnat karne lagi.

Hashim ke chehre ki sakhti badi maskurat ek dam gayab hui. "Kyun? Kya yeh jhoot hai? Kya tum hacker nahi ho? Kya tumne mere dad ka account hack nahi kar rakha tha? Kya tumne unki aur Haneen ki mails parh kar Haneen ka account bhi hack nahi kiya tha? Kya tumne Haneen ki tawajjo lene karne ke liye wohi game nahi khelni shuru kardi jo yeh khelti thi?"

"Hashim bas kar do!" Uski aankhon se aansu girne lage. Beikhtiyar Hannah ko dekha, jo phatti phatti nigahon se use dekh rahi thi.

Ird gird reception par guzarte log un teeno ko nazar nahi aa rahe thay.

"Haneen, maine yeh sab sirf yeh dekhne ke liye kiya tha ke tum kon ho, warna uske baad hum waqai dost the. Woh sab haqeeqat thi, maine tumhe kabhi nuksan nahi diya."

"Tumne mere baap ke liye mere khandan ki bacchi ko target kiya aur phir bhi tum me itne guts hai Alicia ke keh sako ke tumne kuch ghalat nahi kiya?"

Magar woh sirf Haneen ko dekh rahi thi, khaufzada nam aankhon se.

"Hannah, main tumhein sab batane wali thi. Please, woh sab real tha. Woh ghanto ki baatein, woh dramas discuss karna, woh teams, woh sab real tha."

"Tum yeh keh rahi ho ke tumne meri family ki is bacchi se mere baap ke baare mein kabhi koi sawaal nahi puchha?"

Alicia bolte bolte lajawab ho gayi, Haneen yak tik usay dekhe jaa rahi thi. Hashim ko ab uski musalsal khamoshi se kofatt ho rahi thi. Woh na mahsoos andaz mein Haneen ke paas ja kar khada ho gaya. Ab woh dono ek taraf thay, aur wo lab apas me maa karti, pareshan bheegi aankho wali Alicia doosri taraf.

"Alicia mere dad ko blackmail kar ke unse paise lene aayi thi. Usne tumse dosti bhi dad ke baare mein khabrein hasil karne ke liye ki thi. Apne dimaagh par zor do, Haneen. Kitni hi dafa tum logon ne baat be baat unka zikar kiya hoga, haina?" Woh katili nigahon se Alicia ko dekhte hue, Haneen ko bata raha tha.

Magar Haneen woh bilkul chup khadi thi.

"Hannah, please, meri niyat buri nahi thi. Please, meri baat toh samajhne ki koshish karo."

Aur Haneen ke pathar lab hile. "Is game ka kya, Alicia?"

"Kya?" Alicia ke behte aansu ruk gaye.

"Main paanch mah tak is Jewel's wali game (candy crush) mein pehle number par thi, top score. Phir mahej do din mein tum pehle number par aa gayi. Tumne yeh kaise kiya, Alicia?"

Hashim ne ba mushkil uktahat par qaboo paaya. (Woh kahan siyasat, skandals, aur blackmailing ki baat kar raha tha, aur kahan un ladkiyo ke dimaag se games nahi nikalti thin.)

Alicia nadamat bhare aansuon se use dekhti rahi.

"Woh kuch pooch rahi hai… jawab do."

"Maine..." woh rondhi hui awaaz mein kehne lagi, umeed aur khauf se mili jhuli nazrein hanooz Hannah ke chehre par thi. "M-Maine kuch... Cheat Codes. istemal kiye the aur.."

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" Haneen ne ghusse se sar jhatka. "To tum cheating karke jeet-ti thi?! Oh Alicia, mujhe bhi maloom tha ke bemani kese karni hai, magar maine nahi ki. Sirf mehnat ki. Teen saal me lagi rahi dusre se pehle number nahi aa saka, magar cheating nahi ki. Kyunki main Haneen Yousuf thi. Bhai ne mujhe Quran ka aakhri para aur paanch badi surte (surah) hifz karwai thi, kyunki main Bani Israel me se thi, Aal-e-Yusuf... Ambiya ki aulad Maine bemani nahi ki. AUR TUM? TUM TEEN SAAL SE YAHI KARTI AAYI!"

Dard se phat-te lehje mein kehti, gusse se use dekhkar nafi mein sar hilati wo kadam kadam peeche hat rahi thi. "Tumne mujhe istemal kiya. Hum ittefaq se nahi mile. Sab kuch tumne plan kiya. Faris Mamu theek kehte the tumahare bare me." Woh piche hat-ti rahdari ke qareeb ho rahi thi.

Alicia ne karb se aankhein band kar li. Garam aansu behte rahe. Aamaal ke nataij hote hain aur bhugatna padte hain.

"Log kehte hain, Alicia, ke koi ladka kisi ladki ka dost nahi ho sakta. Aaj dil chah raha hai unse poochne ka ke kya koi ladki bhi kisi ladki ki dost ban sakti hai?" Nafi mein sar hilati, woh mudi aur tez tez andar chali gayi.

Mutma'in se khade Hashim ne abke baar rukh pher kar fursat se Alicia ko dekha, jo aankhein band kiye khadi thi. Phir use kohni se thaama, aur dheere dheere saath lekar baahar aaya. Ek kone mein, nisbatan sunsan jagah paa kar usne Alicia ki kohni chhodi.

"I am really sorry, Alicia. agar tumne yeh samjha tha ke tum Hashim Kardar ko blackmail kar sakti ho, to tum galat thi."

Alicia ne bheegi aankhein kholi. Dukh se use dekha.

"Wo meri dost hai!"

"THI. Ab nahi rahi, Aindah." ungli utha kar sakhti se tanbeeh ki, "Agar tumne us se koi bhi rabta kiya, to main is se bhi zyada kar sakta hoon, tumhare saath."

"TUM SHAITAN HO!" Woh nafrat se use dekhti rahi. Aansu ab tham rahe the, gussa uski jagah le raha tha.

"Thank you~ is compliment ke liye~ Ab tum aansu saaf karo aur jao. Baahar nikal kar pehli kaali gaadi mein baith jao, woh tumhe hotel le jaayegi. Samaaan pack karo aur airport jao, warna tumhari aaj raat ki flight ka waqt nikal jaayega. Yeh kuch raqam isme hai ye rakhlo." Coat ki andaruni jeb se ek khaki lifafa nikal kar badhaya.

Alicia ne tanaffur se us lifaafe ko dekha. "Mujhe yeh khairaat nahi chahiye University ki fees nahi de sakte to iski bhi kya zaroorat thi?"

"Darasal yeh khairaat nahi hai, Yeh tumhari maa ke hospital ke bills jitni raqam hai. Oh, I am so sorry, shayad aaj tumhari apni maa se baat nahi hui?" Woh ek dum bohot hi hamdardi se bola.

Alicia ne chonk kar use dekha. Woh mobile pe kuch nikalne laga.

"Maine suna hai ke chand ghante qabal tumhari maa ko kisi neem tareek sadak par ek car ne takkar maar di thi. Ittifaq se us gali ke CCTV cameras kharab the, aur moqe ka koi gawah bhi nahi hai. Bahar haal, jis hospital mein woh daakhil hai, jahan uski haalat khatre se muqammal tor par bahar nahi hai, wahan kaam karne wale mere ek dost ne ye mujhe bheja tha."

Saath hi narmi se muskurate hue mobile screen saamne ki.

Woh jo dam bakhud si sunti ja rahi thi, tezi se aage huyi. Screen pe hospital ke bistar par uski maa thi, gardan mein collars ek baazu plaster me. Alicia ne be ikhtiyaar chikh rokne ko munh pe haath rakha.

"So Alicia, ye khairat nahi hai, ye tumhare kaam aayega." Mobile wapas rakha aur woh lifafa uski kohni pe tange purse mein gira diya. Phir coat ki andaruni jeb se ek kaaghaz aur qalam nikal kar uske saamne kiya.

"Yeh tumhara bayaan halfi hai, jiske tehat tum maa ki bimari ke bais wapas ja rahi ho aur ye bhi ke tumhara Faris Ghazi ke case se koi taluq nahi hai. Na tum qatal ke waqt uske saath thi, na hi tum usko be-gunah samajhti ho. Aur agar tum yeh sign nahi karogi to mera dost jo is hospital mein tumhari maa ke saath hai, woh bohot kaam ka banda hai. Tum jaanti ho woh kya kya kar sakta hai. Mujhe aise alfaaz kehne pe majboor na karo."

Be-lachak andaz mein kehte hue Hashim ne qalam khol kar uske haath mein thamaya, aur kaaghaz saamne kiya.

Alicia ke bebas aansu beh rahe the, aur itni hi nafrat se Hashim ko dekh rahi thi. "Main american shehri hoon, main abhi apne safarat-khane phone kar sakti hoon aur is sab ke baare mein bata sakti hoon."

"Bilkul isi tarah karo. Balki ye karne ke liye mera phone number istemal kar lo."

Foran se Hashim ne apna mobile uski taraf badhaya. "American consulate ki first secretary ka number mere speed dial pe 25th number pe mehfooz hai. Meri bohot achi jaan-pehchaan hai usse. Oh shayad tum bhool gayi ho ke main, mera bhai, meri maa! Hum sab bhi american shehri hain!"

"Yahan karna hai dastakhat~" Saath hi bohot sahulat se kaaghaz pe ishaara kiya.

Alicia bebasi se use dekhti rahi, phir baayen haath ki pusht se aansu saaf kiye, kaaghaz deewar se lagaya aur dastakhat karte gayi.

"Yaad Rakhna Hashim, Tum Bhugtoge. Khuda Tumhe Kabhi Maaf Nahi Karega."

Ye keh kar woh aankhon mein aansu liye palat gayi. Hashim ne qalam band kiya, kaaghaz samet jeb mein rakha aur use door jaate dekhta raha. Phir gehri saans li.

"Chalo, yeh baab to khatam hua."

☆☆☆

یہ کون لوگ ہیں جو روشنی پر ہیں معمور، دیے بجھائے ہیں کتنوں نے، جلائے نہیں۔

Yeh kaun log hain jo roshni par hain ma'moor, diye bujhaaye hain kitno ne, jalaaye nahi.

• Ma'moor" (معمور) : "entrusted," "appointed," or "filled with a duty responsibility."

∘❀∘

Agli subah Hashim aur Jawahirat, hasaas basas aur khushgawar mood mein baatein karte hue hospital ki raahdari mein chalte huye aa rahe the.

Haneen ne waiting room ke darwaze se unko aate dekha aur phir wapas andar ho gayi. Hashim ne bhi use dekh liya tha, phir Jawahirat se kaha, "Aap thehriye, main aata hoon."

Woh wahi khadi ho gayi, aur Hashim matlaashi nazron se dekhta aage badhta aaya. Yahan tak ke waiting room ke samne aa ruka. Andar kursi pe Haneen baithi nazar aa rahi thi, ghutne milaaye, sar jhuka kar, veeran nazron se apne haathon ko dekhti hui. Woh bilkul shal thi.

Alicia pichli raat ki flight se wapas ja chuki thi, aur Haneen ghaliban abhi tak shock mein thi.

"Haneen, beta, aap theek ho?" Woh narmi se poochta do qadam andar aaya.

Haneen ne chehra uthakar khaali khaali aankhon se use dekha. "I am so sorry, mujhe pehle pata hota ke woh tumhari dost hai to main tumhe khabardaar kar deta. Magar pareshaan mat ho, woh ab tumhein hargiz tang nahi karegi." Tasalli dete hue woh mazeed aage aaya.

Haneen bas aankhon mein khamoshi liye use dekhti rahi.

"Woh aisi hi ladki hai. Humein kaafi arse se tang kar rahi hai. Yaqeen karo, Dad usko itne paise de chuke hain magar uska dil nahi bharta. Wo mohabbat lene hamare paas aati to hum use apne saath rakh lete, magar woh hamesha paiso ke liye aati hai."

Haneen bas use dekhti gayi. Chup chaap.

"Agar woh dobara tumhein koi nuksaan dene ki koshish kare, tab tum sabse pehle mujhe bataogi. Main use sambhal lunga, okay Beta?"

Wo hamdardi se batata ja raha tha, magar Haneen usi tarah use dekhe gayi. Yahan tak ke Hashim chup ho gaya.

Tabhi Jawahirat wahan aati dikhai di. Hashim ne muskara kar maa ko dekha aur gardan pher kar Hannah se bola, "Yeh baat hum dono ke darmiyan, okay?"

Jawahirat ab qareeb aa chuki thi. Usne kuch nahi suna tha, bas Hashim ko sawaliya nazron se dekha.

"Aao, Zumar intezaar kar rahi hogi."

"Aap jaaiye, maine kal mil liya tha. Bas use kahiye ga ke apna phone mujhe bhijwa de, police record ke liye dobara se chahiye."

Woh baat karte karte baahar jaane ko palte ke-

"Kya aapko maaloom hai, Mrs. Kardar, ke aapke shauhar ki doosri beti kal yahan thi?"

Hashim ek jhatke se muda aur be-yaqeeni se Haneen ko dekha jo tez nazro se use ghoorti uth kar un dono ke muqabil aa khadi hui. Seena pe bazu lapete aur teekhe andaz mein Jawahirat ko mukhatib kiya.

"Kya aapko maaloom hai ke kal Hashim bhai ne use yahan se nikala tha? Maine khidki se dekha tha, woh rote hue ja rahi thi."

Hashim ki maloomat mein izafa kiya.

Jawahirat ke taa'suraat nahi badle. Woh sard si muskurati rahi. Hashim ne pareshaani aur gusse se Haneen ko dekha, phir maa ko.

"Haneen! Yeh kya tareeqa hai meri maa se baat karne ka?"

"Mujhe sab pata hai, bacche."

Jawahirat ne muskara kar uska gaal thapthapaya, ek kateeli nazar Hashim pe daali aur baahar nikal gayi.

Woh be-had taish se unki taraf ghooma.

"YEH KYA THA?!"

Magar Haneen be-khaufi aur tandhi se use dekh rahi thi.

"Agar aapko bhool gaya tha to yaad dila doon, Hashim bhai, ke main Zumar Yousuf ki bhateeji hoon. Haneen Yousuf. Aur main bhi maaf nahi karti. Aur main bilkul bhi Saadi bhai jaise logo mein shaamil nahi hoon jo aapki achhi looks aur achhe manners ki wajah se aap se mutasir rahte hain. Mujhe aap pehle bhi naa-pasand the, aur kal jo aapne kiya, uske baad to main aapko aur zyada naa-pasand karne lagi hoon!"

Chaba chaba kar bolti, uski awaaz unchi nahi thi.

Hashim ghussa zabt kiye apni jagah bhincha khada raha.

"Aapne mujhe istemal kiya! Apna aur Alicia ka jo bhi jhagra tha, isme se apna maqsad nikaalne ke liye! Aapko pata tha woh meri dost hai, magar aapne us waqt nahi bataya jab use laane ko mujhe andar bheja tha! Main Saadi bhai nahi hoon jo aapki har baat ko sahi samajh lugi!"

Phir ungli uthakar uski aankhon mein aankhein daal kar tandhi se warning di:

"AINDA MUJHE KABHI ISTEMAL KARNE KI KOSHISH KI AAPNE, TO MAIN IS SE BHI BURA KAR SAKTI HOON. KYUNKI MUJHE AUR AAP ABHI NAHI JAANTE."

Ghoor kar use dekhti, woh saath se nikal kar aage badh gayi.

Aur Hashim zabt se gehri saans leta wahi khada kholta raha.

Kuch der tak to use yaqeen hi nahi aaya.

'Yeh kaise ho sakta hai? Woh shock ke aalam mein nahi baithi thi kya? Woh ghusse mein baithi thi!?'

Phir tezi se usne phone nikala.

Khawar ne pehli ghanti par call uthali.

"Yes sir?"

"Kya Alicia ka dobara rabta hua saadi ki behan se?"

"Nahi sir, main monitor kar raha hoon. Woh Alicia ke kisi message ka jawab nahi de rahi."

"Okay."

Ek tasalli baksh ehsaas sa andar utar aaya.

Jab woh baahar aaya to Haneen bare Abba ki wheelchair Zumar ke kamre se nikaal rahi thi. Usne ek tez nigah Hannah par daali, aur wo bhi jawab mein utni hi shola baar nazron se use ghoorti palat gayi, aur wheelchair door le jaane lagi.

Dil uska abhi tak zor zor se dhadak raha tha.

'Kya usne raat se soche gaye saare points keh diye na? Kuch reh to nahi gaya na? Hoonh! Aaye the mujhe istemal karne!'

Hashim tez tez chalta doosri jaanib mud gaya. Use ab baahar car mein baith kar Jawahirat ke aane ka intezaar karna tha.

Jawahirat andar Zumar ke samne kursi par baithi, gusse se keh rahi thi:

"Main soch bhi nahi sakti thi ke Hammad aisa karega! Main ne tumhein bataye baghair ke tum ise izzat-e-nafs ka masla na bana do Hammad ko Australia mein apni company mein job bhi offer ki bas Sheher badalna padta, magar teen guna zyada kama leta. Aur usne kya kiya? Jis manager se use milwaya, uski beti ko phans liya!"

Woh goya abhi tak warṭa-e-hairat mein thi.

Takiye se tek lagaye neem daraaz Zumar bas chup si use dekhi gayi.

"Tum kaho ho to main us manager ko abhi fire kar deti hoon! Usko maaloom tha ke Hammad ki shaadi hone wali hai, phir bhi usne apni beti ke aage hathiyar daal diye! Duniya kitni khudgarz hai!" Jawahirat ne jhar jhari li.

"Iski zaroorat nahi hai. Hammad ne durust faisla kiya. Use yahi karna chahiye tha."

Woh veraan aankhon se khidki ko dekhne lagi.

"Magar tum kaise is zyadti par khamosh reh sakti ho? Woh tumhara mangetar tha, tumhein stand lena chahiye!"

"Usne kuch ghalat nahi kiya, Mrs. Kardar. Main jaanti hoon... main kabhi maa nahi ban sakungi. Meri kabhi koi family nahi ho sakegi. Aise mein, uski jagah koi bhi hota, to yahi karta."

Kursi pe baithi Jawahirat ke chehre pe hamdardi ubhri. Dil mein dard sa jaaga.

"I am really sorry, har us cheez ke liye jo tumhare saath ki gayi."

Haath badha kar uske pair ko zara sa dabaya.

"Bas tum kisi ko baddua na dena. Karne wale ko kisi baat ne majboor kar diya hoga. Warna itna zulm koi hansi khushi nahi kar sakta."

Zumar ne aankhein uthakar thakan se use dekha.

"Yahi to samajhne se qasir hoon. Itne din se yahi to soch rahi hoon... ke Faris ne mere saath aisa kyun kiya? Na koi dushmani thi na koi purana bugz, mein to uski teacher thi, mere kitne kaam karke deta tha. Phir ek dum woh kaise badal gaya?"

Jawahirat ki aankhon mein chhayi hamdardi ghaib hui. Uski jagah bechaini ne le li.

Usne apne pair se haath hata liya.

"Ho sakta hai koi purana anad ho. Koi rishte wagera ka chakkar..."

Woh ehtiyaat se har lafz ada kar rahi thi. Zumar ki himayat kisi qeemat par nahi khoni thi.

"Aisa kuch bhi nahi tha! Kabhi bhi nahi!"

Woh naghawari se chirh kar boli.

"Woh mera student tha, bas!"

Jawahirat jaldi se muskurai.

"Main to bas ek khayal ka izhar kar rahi thi. Aam tor par qatal teen baton par hote hain- zan, zar, zameen. Yani ishq, dolat ya apni taqat ka ghuroor. Lekin ho sakta hai wajah wahi ho jo woh keh raha tha apne pehle qatal ko chhupana."

"Nahi." Woh lab daant se kuchalti nafi mein gardan hilaane lagi. "Sirf yeh baat nahi thi. Us roz woh Faris lag hi nahi raha tha. Usne bhi aise mujhse baat nahi ki. Phir ek dum se mere saath aisa kyun kiya?"

Woh palken suked kar khidki ko dekhte sochne lagi. Phir aankhon mein yaasiyat ubhri. "Kya maloom waqai woh Faris na ho? Kisi ne Faris ban kar mujhse baat ki ho? Shayad main hi..."

Jawahirat ne bechaini se pehlu badla. "Aur uske finger prints? Waris ke DNA wali rassi ka uski car se milna? Uski gun? Hotel mein uske naam ka kamra? Is sab ki wazahat kaise karogi? Oh, shayad tum apne walid aur bhabhi ki baato ka asar le kar kamzor pad rahi ho. Main samajh sakti hoon, apno ke liye insaan ko bohot kuch karna padta hai." Samajhne wale andaz mein Jawahirat ne sir ko jhuka diya.

"Main na kamzor hoon, na kisi ka asar le rahi hoon," woh naghawari se tezi se boli. "Main sirf unke mafruzo ko dohra rahi thi. Woh Faris hi tha. Usne mujhe shoot kiya, main aaj bhi apne bayan par qayam hoon."

Shaane uchka kar woh khafgi se rukh mod gayi.

Jawahirat ke labk par ek muskurahat ubhari. Sataish se usay dekha, "Good! tum ek bahadur ladki ho. Tumhe khandaan walon ka dabao nahi lena. Tumhe Faris se apna intaqam lena hai."

"Main procescutor hoon, insaaf par yakeen rakhti hoon. Inteqam par nahi, kam az kam tab tak nahi jab tak insaaf ki umeed baqi rahe. Maine bayan dena tha, de diya. Ab aur kuch nahi karna mujhe."

Jawahirat ko hairat ka jhatka laga. "Tum... tum isko court mein prosecute nahi karogi?"

"Nahi. Ek doosra prosecutor is case ko plead karega."

"Magar tumhe Faris ko is tarah nahi chhodna chahiye. Uski wajah se tumhari shaadi..."

"Main apni marzi ki malik hoon, Mrs. Kardar. Jaise khandan ka dabao nahi liya, waise hi aap ka bhi nahi loongi. Aap chahti hain main Faris ko saza dilwau kyunki is mein aap ka bhi faida hai. Main jaanti hoon aap logon ke jaidad ke masle hain. Dushman ka dushman dost hota hai, so ab hum dost hain?"

Woh kaafi sanjeedgi se Jawahirat ko dekh kar keh rahi thi jo aage se pheeka sa muskara di.

"Aur main aapki jagah hoti to yahi karti. Main samajh sakti hoon ke tumhe baar-baar uske khilaf action lene par majboor kyun kar rahi hoon. Magar mera bhi ek khandan hai. Aur woh shakhs Saadi ka mamu hai. Maine bayan dena tha, de diya. Ab aage adalat jaane aur police. Faris ka mujhse koi zaati jhagra nahi tha, usne yeh kisi aur wajah se kiya. Mumkina tor par wohi jo usne bataayi thi. Isliye main zaati tor par iske khilaf kuch nahi karungi."

Jawahirat mushkil se muskara payi. "Main samajh sakti hoon. Bohot si cheezo mein hum ek jaise hain, Zumar. Khair, tumne faisla durust kiya. Agar tum uske khilaf muhaj khol aati to Nudrat ya uske bachay tumhari shakal dekhne se bhi reh jaate. Magar main umeed karti hoon ke tum is case ko khud lene se aitraaz is wajah se nahi barat rahi, kyuke tum andar kahi usko be-gunah samajhti ho."

Zumar lamha bhar ke liye bilkul chup si hokar Jawahirat ka chehra dekhne lagi.

"Kya tum andar se hi bayan par khud mashkook ho gayi ho? Magar chunke khud ko galat manne me tumhari naak aade aati hai, so tum is pe dati huyi ho."

"Aisa nahi hai," woh ab ke kaafi mazbooti se boli. "Kabhi kabhi mujhe mutazaad khayalat aate hain, magar mera yakeen inke muqable mein zyada pukhta hai. Woh Faris hi tha. Koi bhi cheez mujhe is bayan se nahi hila sakti. Apni naak azeez hai mujhe, magar be-insaafi ki hadd tak nahi... Agar mujhe lagta woh begunah hai to main khamosh rehti. Woh mera student tha. Shayad agar mere Abba ko agar falij na hua hota to bhi main khamosh reh jaati, magar ab nahi."

Jawahirat gehri saans le kar uth khadi hui, muskara kar uske shaane pe ek haath rakha aur doosre se apna bag uthaya. "Dushman ka dushman dost hota hai, so tum mujhe hamesha apna dost paogi."

Zumar ne sir asbaat me hilaya Jawahirat bag kandhe pe latkati bahar nikal gayi. Darwaza band hua to Zumar ke taa'suraat badle. Sapat chehre pe bepanaah karb ubhar aaya.

Usne muthi honton pe rakhi, aankhein band kar ke jabt karna chaha, magar aansu umat umat kar aa rahe the. Woh khabar jispe woh saara waqt zabt karke baithi rahi thi, ab phir se tamache ki tarah aa lage the.

Hammad ki shaadi ho rahi thi. Hammad kahin aur shaadi kar raha tha.

Yeh sehna itna asaan nahi tha jitna usne abhi Jawahirat ke saamne zahir kiya tha. Gardan jhukaaye, haath honto pe daba karke, woh musalsal band aankhon se aansu rokne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Tabhi darwaza baja.

Zumar ne tezi se chehra khidki ki taraf pher liya aur ungli se aankhon ke Gile kirane jaldi jaldi saaf karne lagi. Zara khankar kar apni awaaz ka geela pan dabana chaha aur boli, "Aajaye."

Darwaza khulne ki awaaz aayi. Haneen, bare Abba ki wheelchair andar la rahi thi. Zumar rukh mod kar side table pe kuch talashne lagi, saath hi baar baar palken jhapak kar unka gulaabi pan door karne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

"Kya tum surgery ke liye tayyar ho?"

Pusht se Abba ki awaaz aayi.

Wo "Ji." Kehti sanjeedgi se seedhi hui. Aankhein ab bhi halki gulaabi thi. Haneen khamoshi se bade Abba ki kursi ke aqab mein khadi rahi.

"Tum theek ho jaogi." Unhon ne nam aankhon se muskara kar use tasalli dena chahi.

Woh pheeka sa muskurayi. "Mujhe pata hai."

Phir qadar bechaini se band darwaze ko dekha. "Saadi kahan hai? Use bhi bula le."

Bare Abba ki muskurahat simti. Uski zara zara gili aankhon ko gour se dekha aur unse jhalkti betabi ko lab khole magar band kar diye.

"Woh aajaye to main uske saamne Haneen ko bata dungi ke main tumhare Mamu ke khilaf case nahi ladungi, na uske case ko follow karungi."

"Bhai England chala gaya tha. Unka test tha aik phupho." Haneen ne sanjeedgi se bataya.

Zumar bas usko dekh kar reh gayi. Bilkul aik tik, saans roke.

"Saadi... chala gaya?"

Lafz toot toot kar nikle. Halaq me kuch atakne laga.

"Hum to haina beta! Uski majboori thi."

Magar wo hanooz sasdar si Haneen ko dekh rahi thi.

"Kya usse mere operation ka pata tha?"

"Bhai se zyada kise pata hoga?" Usne asbaat mein sir hila diya.

Zumar ke lab bheench gaye. Abru mil kar aapas mein jakar gaye. Woh khafgi se doosri jaanib dekhne lagi.

"Nudrat bhi aanay wali hai. Hum sab tumhare saath honge surgery ke dauraan. Saadi bhi call karta rahega."

"Call karna parwah karne ke mutradif nahi hota, Abba." Magar woh lab siye doosri janib dekhti rahi.

Haneen na-gawari se palat gayi. Uska har cheez se dil uth raha tha.

Woh bahar aayi to Saadi muntazir khada tha. Woh khamoshi se uske saath ja khadi hui. Dono ki pusht deewar se lagi thi aur nazrein samne thi.

"Kya aap ek dafa unko Khuda Hafiz kehne bhi nahi ja sakte the?"

"Maine unse bohot badtameezi ki thi, ab nahi samne jaunga. Woh meri shakal dekh kar dil ki baat jaan lengi."

"To phir zubaan ki baat ka yaqeen kyun nahi karti?" Woh dabe dabe gusse se boli.

"Sirf mil hi lein."

Saadi ne sir ko daayen baaye hilaa. "Um hmm. Mujhe darr hai, unke samne ja kar main rone lag jaunga."

Goya Haneen ka dil kisi ne daba diya ho. Usne be-ikhtiyar mur kar Saadi ka chehra dekha. Woh udaasi se samne dekh raha tha. Jeans par aadhi sleeves ki maroon shirt, chhote kate baal jo samne se seedhe aur sir ki pusht se ghunghriyale the. Chehre pe chhaya ek masoom sa taa'assur.

"Aap England jaane ke baad pehli dafa ghar aaye to hum sab ne kaha tha ke aap badal gaye hain. Pehle se zyada smart aur aqilmand, magar... Aap to aaj bhi waise hi hain."

Saadi ne nazrein pher kar sawaliya andaaz mein use dekha.

"Masoom." Woh udaasi se muskurayi to woh bhi muskara diya.

"Masoom! Kya yeh mera doosra naam hai?"

"Pehla kya tha?"

"Humara Saadi!"

Aur dono hans pare. Udaas mahaul mein zindagi ki koi taal kisi ne chedi thi.

"Alicia ka kuch pata chala?" Ye sawal Haneen ki hasi thami. sir nafi mein hilaya.

"Maine uski saari mails aur messages baghair padhe mita diye. Har jagah se use block kar diya. Usne mujhe dhoka diya hai. Main dobara usse kabhi baat nahi karna chahta."

"Tumne sahi kiya."

"Aur aapne dekha kis tarah woh apna bayan badal kar chali gayi? Usne mera gussa Mamu par utaar diya. Shayad main uski call uthaa leti agar mujhe yeh pata chalta ke usne apni gawahi badal di hai. Apne baap se masla tha to un tak hi rakhti, mujhe kyun darmiyan mein laayi?"

Woh sakht ranjida lag rahi thi.

"Chalo ab tum dobara Hashim bhai se is baare mein koi baat na karna. Unka usse khoon ka rishta hai. Woh log ek din phir akhatte ho jayenge, hum darmiyan mein kyun aayein?"

Woh narmi se samjhata raha. Haneen bedili se sir hilati rahi.

"Usne kaha tha, cheentiyan inteqam lene pe aayein to unhe koi nahi hara sakta. Magar phir woh kyun haar gayi, bhai? Usko baghair paise diye Hashim bhai ne bhej to diya na wapas!"

Bas ek yahi uljhan thi jo use sata rahi thi.

Saadi kuch der ke liye bilkul khamosh ho kar sochta raha. Haneen muntazir thi.

"Kya tum sara waqt dramas dekhti rehti ho, ya Quran bhi parhti ho? Jese England jaane se pehle, jab hum ekhatte padha karte the."

"Kya bhai, padhti huna." ek dum bohot susti se kehte hue do idhar udhar dekhne lagi.

"Aur kya tumhe, woh surte (surah) yaad hain jo humne hifz ki thi?"

Haneen ne ungli se kaan ke peechhe baal khujaye.

"Jee, yaad mein mein dara saad hara kar sakti hoon." (Kahi woh abhi ke abhi sun hi na le.)

"Bohot accha.." khafgi se usko dekha. Woh ek dum bohot masoomiyat se sar jhukaaye apni ainak utaar kar sheeshe se kuch saaf karne lagi thi.

"Bahar haal, humne ek surah hifz ki thi. Surah Namal yaad hai?"

"Ji bilkul." Ainak saaf kar ke aankhein pe lagate hue usne zehen par zor dalna chaha. Ke pehli aayat kahan se shuru hoti thi?

'Uff, yaad kyun nahi aa raha...'

"Aur 'Namal' ka matlab kya tha?"

Haneen ek dum khul kar muskara di. Suqar bhai ne Surat nahi suni thi, ye sawal to bahut aasan tha. Hospital ka corridor ek dum khushgawar lagne laga.

"Namal yani cheenti!" Bohot aitmaad se muskura kar jawab diya.

Saadi ne pehle ta'ajjub aur phir khafgi se usay dekha. "Yani ke tumne arsay se Qur'an nahi khola?"

Haneen hakka bakka reh gayi. "Magar maine sahi bataya hai..."

"Galat bataya hai, 'Namal' ka matlab cheenti nahi hota."

"Toh phir kya hota hai?"

"Cheenti ko 'Namlata' kehte hain. 'Namal' ka matlab hota hai 'cheentiyaan'."

Haneen ke tane aasab dhile pade ruthepan bhai ko dekha. "Wohi na, ek hi baat hui."

"Agar ek baat hoti, toh Allah Ta'ala is surah ka naam namlata rakh deta, magar nahi cheenti aur cheentiyaan mein bohot farq hota hai. Dekho, baki bhi surate hain jin ke naam hashrat-ul-ard ke naam ki woh wahid hain. 'al-anqbut' yani ek makdi. 'Nahl' yaani aik sehad ki makhhi, lekin cheentiyo ke surat jam'a ke sidhe me hai. Pata hai kyun?" Usne abhi abhi sochi gayi baat bohot exited ho kar kahi.

Woh bohot dhyaan se sun rahi thi, be-tabi se boli, "Kyun?"

"Kyunki akele cheenti hoti hi nahi hai. Kabhi dekhi hai koi akeli cheenti?"

"Um hmm..."

"Cheentiyaan hamesha apni qatar mein, apne khandan ke saath hoti hain. Akeli haar jaati hai, per tale masali jaati hai. Aur jo ikathi hoti hain, woh kabhi nahi haarti. Alicia bhi akeli thi, aur tumne bhi uski madad nahi ki, toh woh kaise jeet sakti thi?"

Wo khamosh hua toh Haneen bilkul chup si ho gayi.

"Agar wo mujh pe pehle bharosa karti, toh main uski madad karti. Magar ab main us se la talluq rehna chahti hoon."

"Tumhein aisa hi karna chahiye."

Dono phir se khamosh ho gaye.

"Magad woh meri best friend thi... ab nahi hai. Phupho ne bhi mujhe akela kar diya."

"Chalo, main bhi toh hoon na tumhara best friend?" Woh narmi se muskuraya, toh Haneen bhi muskara di aur zara si bhai ke qareeb khisak aayi. Kandhe se kandha mila, Hannah ki chhoti ungli se uski chhoti ungli takrai.

Ek tahaffuz ka ehsaas... koi nahi hoga, tab bhi bhai hoga. Marte dum tak. Aakhri saans tak. Bhai saath rahega.

Ab phir se raahdaari mein log guzarte ja rahe the, aur woh dono deewar se tek lagaye khamosh khade the.

☆☆☆