لگا ہو دل تو خیالات کب بدلتے ہیں... یہ انقلاب تو ایک بے دلی میں ملتے ہیں....

Laga ho dil to khayalat kab badalte hain, yeh inquilab to ek be-dili mein milte hain.

∘❀∘

Shaam ek thandi ki chhaya ke saath qasr-e-kardar utar rahi thi. Lounge deewar francisi khidkiyo se bahar ka sabza-zar jhalak raha tha. Kone mein do kursiya saath-saath rakhi thi, dono ke baazuo ke darmiyan guldaste wali chhoti meiz thi. Ek kursi pe Jawahirat thi. Baal jude me, khni kursi ke hatth pe aur chehre par muskurahat liye, woh apni mehmaan ko dekh rahi thi.

Woh mehmaanon ko saamne baithane ke bajaye barabar kursi par baithaya karti, usey gardan baye taraf mod kar mehmaan ko dekhna zyada pasand tha. Gaye barso mein us kursi par Saadi aksar bitha deta tha. Ab bhi kabhi udhar Zumar hoti, aaj bhi wahin thi.

Cup ke munh par ungli phairti, woh tang par tang jamaye, sanjeedgi se baithi thi. Bina muskurahat ke bhuri aankhein, aur catcher me half bandhe ghungralay baal jo ek taraf samet diye the, dupatta gardan me lapete dono pallu saamne rakhe the.

"Kya tum pachhta rahi ho?" Jawahirat uske ta'suraat dekh rahi thi.

"Hargiz nahi, balki main zeheni taur par tayyar hoon."

"Yeh azeeyat-naak hoga. Jis se nafrat ki jaye, us se shaadi." Jawahirat ne jhurr-jhuri le kar ungli se gaal tak aaye baal hataye.

Zumar ne cup utha kar ghoont bhara.

"Main bohot azeeyat se guzri hoon. Aur sabse zyada takleef-deh be-aitbaari thi." Cup neeche kar ke woh khidki ki taraf dekhne lagi.

Yahan sabza-e-zaar dikhai deta. Annexe aqbi taraf thi. Udhar se dikhai na deti.

"Us waqt kisi ne bhi mera aitbaar nahi kiya. Magar ab karenge."

"Tum apne rishtedaro ke dabao ki wajah se uska case lene se inkaar na karti, to aaj woh jail mein hota."

"Baat rishtedaro ki nahi hai. Main ek public prosecution mein zaati anaad ko nahi la sakti thi."

"Yeh zaati jung nahi thi."

Woh khidki se nazar hata kar Jawahirat ko dekhte hue talkhi se boli. "Woh ek wife-killer tha serial killer. Usne mujhe istemal kiya, pehli dafa tab jab mujh pe goli chalayi. Doosri dafa dedh saal pehle, jab usne mere kandhe per hath rakh kar rihaayi hasil karni chahi. Yeh qanooni jung thi. Sirf ek tasalli thi mujhe... ki Faris ka maine kuch nahi bigaada tha. Main be-gunah thi—magar nahi." Aakhri talkh ghoont andar utaar kar usne cup perch mein rakha.

"Woh mujh se inteqam le raha tha. Yeh aaghaz se hi zaati jung thi. Shuru usne ki, khatam main karungi." Usne aage ho kar pyaali wapas trolley mein rakh di.

"Magar tum karogi kya? Shaadi kar ke tumhe kya faida hoga?"

"Nahi, Mrs. Kardar." Zumar ne gehri saans kharij ki aur nafi mein sar hilaya. "Main aur aap mehram-raaz nahi hain. Maine madad maangi thi, laayha-e-amal batane ka waada nahi kiya tha." Jawahirat ne muskura kar sar jhatka.

"Tum yeh keh rahi ho ke tumhe mujh pe aitbaar nahi hai?"

"Madad ki had tak? Ji hai. Magar apne plans mein, khud tak hi mehdood rakhti hoon." Wo sard sa muskurayi.

Jawahirat ne asbaat mein gardan ko jambish di.

"Tumhari marzi. Bahar-haal, main apna waada poora karungi. Tumne us se shaadi karni hai, main karwa doongi. Aur kal main tumhare walid se milne aaungi."

"Sure!" Usne kandhe uchka diye.

"Kya tum jaana chahti ho ke main yeh kaise karungi?"

"Nahi. Main qudrati tareeke se hairan hona pasand karungi." Wo ruki, "Aap ko is se kya milega?"

"Kis se?"

"Hum dono jaante hain ke aap meri madad apne faide ke liye kar rahi hain. Agar aisa na hota, to aap kabhi mera saath na deti."

Jawahirat ne halka sa haans di. "Faris ke qanooni shares hain hamari jaidad mein. Jab tak woh doosri cheezon mein uljha rahega, mera mehfooz rahega. Magar tum yeh jaanti ho ke main tumhe istemal kar rahi hoon, to mera saath kyun de rahi ho?"

"Taake aap ko wapas istemal kar saku." Zumar muskara kar uthi, purse ki strap kandhe par latkaayi. "Aakhri baat jo mujhe kehni thi... Main tayyar hoon."

"Main bhi." earrings par ungli pherti, ek gehri muskurahat ke saath muskurayi.

Uske jaane ke baad us kursi pe baithne Jawahirat ne mobile pe number dial kiya.

"Yousuf Khan sahab."

"Assalamu Alaikum." Woh kaafi der baad phone utha paaye.

"Wa Alaikum Assalam, Yousuf sahab. Umeed hai aap khairiyat se honge."

"Allah ka shukar hai." Wo chand rasmi jumlo ke baad woh kehne lagi.

"Aapne do dhai mah qabl mujhe call karke kaha tha ke main Zumar ko samjhaun taake woh shaadi kar le."

"Ji, main yeh har us shakhs se kehta hoon jo Zumar ke kareeb ho." Woh sanjeeda aur kadre khushk the.

Jawahirat ka trops ko hilta haath ruka, zara der ko usne socha.

"Agar aap mere guard ki us necklace ke liye talashi waali baat pe humse khafa hain toh main maazrat karti hoon. Woh sab ek galatfehmi thi."

"Nahi, koi baat nahi."

"Okay, toh main yeh batana chah rahi thi ke kal raat function mein meri Zumar se baat hui thi. Maine use bohot samjhaya hai. Umeed hai woh jald maan jaayegi."

Bade Abba chonke. "Toh aapne baat ki thi Zumar se?"

"Ji, maine aapse waada kiya tha. Bas mauqa kal raat mila."

"Acha." Unke lehje ki thandak dheere dheere pighalne lagi. "Zumar ne mujhse subah baat ki thi. Woh shaadi ke liye razamand hai."

"Good, magar mujhe hairat nahi hai. Main nakaam nahi hoti."

"Aapka shukriya, Mrs. Kardar."

"My pleasure!" muskuraate hue ab bhi apne earring pe ungli pher rahi thi, khidki ke paar dekh rahi thi.

"Koi rishta dhoonda aapne?"

"Nahi, abhi toh Nudrat se baat ki hai. Woh shayad koi bataaye."

"Okay, maine bhi kuch logon se keh rakha tha. Do rishte hain jo dilchaspi rakhte hain. Aap tafseelat jan-na chahenge?"

"Ji, bataiye." Bade Abba mushkil se apni awaaz ki zaeef khushi chhupa rahe the.

"Ek session court ke judge sahab ka rishta hai. Biwi se alehdhgi ho chuke hain aur teeno bache boarding mein padte hain."

Zara der ko waqfa diya. Bade Abba ki line khamosh thi.

"Doosra rishta meri company ke ek ohde-dar ka hai. Pehli shaadi kam umri mein hui thi. Wo Biwi aur usse huwe dono bete gaon mein rehte hain. Woh sahab khud isi shehar mein akela, accha ghar hai, umar zara zyada hai... pachaas se upar."

"Aap sun rahe hain?"

"Ji haan." Unki awaaz ba-dikkat nikli thi, usme taklif bhi thi.

"Yousuf sahab, haqeeqat pasandi se kaam lijiye. Aapki beti 30-32 saal ki hai, uske gurday zaya ho chuke hain, woh beemar hai. Aise mein kisi no jawan aur khoobsurat ladke ka rishta milna to mo'jiza hoga. Aur mo'jize kam hi hua karte hain."

"Main jaanta hoon Magar—" woh khud hi ruk gaye. "—kya kahe ab.."

"Haan, ek shakhs aur bhi hai. Hashim ki umar ka hai, handsome bhi hai. Pehli biwi mar chuki hai, magar—"

"Magar kya?" Bade Abba tezi se bole. Umeed ki kiran chamki thi.

"Magar aap ki kya guarantee? Aap us se shayad rishta na hi karein." Usne zara sa waqfa diya. Bade Abba bechaini se muntazir the.

"Main Faris ki baat kar rahi hoon."

Aur Bade Abba ko itwaar ke us garam din mein lagne wala yeh doosra jhatka tha.

"Fa-ris?" Woh atke. Aankhein hairat se phail gayi.

"Nudrat aaj kal Faris ke liye ladki dhoond rahi hain. Toh aap usse Zumar ki baat kyun nahi kar lete? Isse accha option aapko nahi milne wala."

"Magar Faris ke liye Zumar...?"

"Kya Zumar? Use adalat ne bari kar diya hai aur ab Zumar usko murd-e-ilzam thehrana chhod chuki hai. Purani baaton ko bhool jaiye." Usne khafgi se toka.

"Mrs. Kardar, aap samajh nahi rahi hain. Faris ka... woh abhi abhi riha hokar aaya hai. Woh abhi khud maslo mein ghira hai. Aise mein..."

"Aapne pehle bhi uske rishte se inkaar kar diya tha. Tab kya wajah thi?"

Woh chup se ho gaye.

"Aap shayad usko hamesha se apni beti se kamtar samajhte rahe hain."

"Aisi baat nahi hai. Mujhe woh bohot pasand hai. Magar... woh khud nahi maanega. Zumar bhi nahi maanegi."

"Aap maan jaayein toh woh bhi maan jaayenge."

"Zumar kabhi bhi nahi maanegi. Woh toh uska hamare ghar aana tak bardaasht nahi kar sakti."

"Woh toh shaadi ke liye bhi nahi maanti thi. Maine mana liya na? Bahar haal, main Faris ke saath do-chaar roz mein aapki taraf chakkar lagaungi. Aap teeno rishte ke baare mein soch lein. Teen bachon ka baap judge 55 sala company ka ohde-dar, ya Faris! Aur agar teeno nahi qubool toh is dafa apni beti ke mujrim aap honge. Take care!"

Muskuraate hue phone rakh diya aur bohot tamaniyat se khidki ke baahar sabza-e-zaar ko dekhne lagi jahan Fiona apni nigraani mein mulazimo se gumle rakhwa rahi thi.

Jawahirat ko mausam zyada khushgawar lagne laga tha.

Sab theek ja raha tha.

☆☆☆

خُدایا، تیرے دم سے اپنا گھر اب تک سلامت ہے، وگرنہ دوستوں اور دشمنوں ہمارے ایک جیسے ہیں۔

Khudaya, tere dum se apna ghar ab tak salamat hai. Wagarna doston aur dushmanon hamare aik jaise hai.

∘❀∘

Raat khane ke baad woh chhote Baagiche wale ghar se baahar nikal aaya.

Sarak kinare chalte, kaano mein safed handsfree lagakar woh mobile ko haatho mein pakde number mila raha tha.

"Saadi, tumhari Hashim se baat hui?"

Shehreen ne call uthate sath poocha. AirPods mein goonjti uski awaaz mein sadeed izteraab tha.

"Kyun na pehle aap mujhe yeh bataiye ke aap ki Hashim bhai se kya baat hui?" Woh sakhti aur dhurishti se kehta qadam qadam chalta ja raha tha.

"Meri baat? Kya matlab?"

"Aapne unko bata diya ke maine unse woh churaya hai jo unhone humse churaya tha?"

"Maine aise nahi...(Woh atki)... Woh mujh pe chilla raha tha, mujhe dhamki de raha tha, mujhe maloom bhi nahi tha ke main kya keh rahi thi... Balke maine toh yeh kaha bhi nahi ke tumne—"

"MAGAR AAPNE MERI BAAT TOH DOHRA DI NA UNKE SAAMNE?" Taish se uski awaaz buland thi.

"Isse kya hota hai?"

"Isse yeh hota hai ke maine pehli dafa aap pe aitbaar karke ghalti ki Balke nahi, aitbaar toh is dafa bhi nahi kiya tha, bas kaam ka keh kar ghalti ki... Aur isse yeh bhi hota hai ke Shehreen begum, aaj se aap akele hain. Mujhe ratti bhar bhi parwaah nahi hai ke Sonia aapke saath jaye ya nahi... Isliye aap apni tamaam junge akele ladengi."

"Tum mere saath aisa kaise kar sakte ho? Tumne mujhe is kaam mein phansaya aur..."

"Main aapke isse bade kaam kar chuka hoon, aur yeh kaam maine aapko isliye diya kyunki aap bhi Hashim bhai se inteqam lena chahti thi. Kam az kam kehti toh rahi hain aap... Lekin aaj se hum ek team nahi hain. Allah Hafiz."

Zor se surkh button daba kar call kaat di.

Aankhon mein shadeed ghussa aur khafgi liye woh wapas ghar ki taraf mud gaya.

Shehreen ki teen-chaar calls aayi, usne sab kaat di. Phir tang aakar phone silent par laga diya.

Wapas andar aaya toh Ammi khamoshi se lounge mein baithi thi. TV chal raha tha. Haneen paon upar karke baithi, hathheliyo pe chehra tikaye shauq se drama dekh rahi thi. Ab woh sirf wahi drame dekhti thi jo TV par lag jaate.

Ammi albatta kisi gehri soch mein thi.

Woh airpods utaarte hue Nudrat ke saath dhap se sofa par gira. Woh phir bhi nahi chonki. Saadi ne palken sikood kar gaur se unhein dekha.

"Nudrat behen, pareshaan lag rahi hain aap?" Masoomiyat se poocha. Unhone khafgi se usko dekha.

"Kuch nahi."

"Kuch toh hua hai, batayein. Main hal karta hoon abhi aapka masla." Woh sanjeeda hote hue seedha ho kar baitha.

"Main soch rahi hoon, Faris ki shaadi kar deni chahiye."

Haneen aur Saadi dono ne chonk kar unko dekha. Woh soch-soch kar bol rahi thi, Hannah ke mathe par bal pade.

"Mamu ki shaadi? Magar Ammi, woh abhi toh bahar aaye hain, unko saans toh lene dein!"

"Haneen theek keh rahi hai, Ammi. Woh pehle hi doosre chakkaro mein hain, unko abhi tang na kare."

"Chup karo tum dono. Pata chalta nahi hai kisi baat ka aur maa ko mashware de rahe ho?" Woh khafgi se keh kar uth gayi aur mez par rakhe bartan utha kar kitchen me le gayi.

Jab wapas aayi toh dono bhool bhal kar TV dekh rahe the.

"Bade Abba ka phone aaya tha. Keh rahe the, Zumar shaadi ke liye maan gayi hai. Function mein jaana aur rishtedaro se milne ka uspe masbat asar hua hai." Woh cushion theek kar ke rakhti, sarsari andaaz mein bata rahi thi. Haneen aur Saadi ne ek dum ek doosre ko dekha.

"Achhi baat haina." Nudrat ke faltu cushion uth kar bedroom ki taraf jate hua poocha.

"Ji." Haneen bezari se keh kar wapas TV dekhne lagi.

"..Ji" Saadi albatta dheema sa bola. Chahne ke bawajood woh khush nahi ho saka. Kahin kuchh ghalat tha.

☆☆☆

میں دوستوں کے ایک ایک امتحان سے گزرا ہوں، بکھر گیا ہوں، کئی راستے بناتا ہوا۔

Main doston ke aik aik imtihan se guzra hoon, Bikhar gaya hoon, kayi raste banata hua.

∘❀∘

Qasr-e-Kardar pe agli subah pehle se bhi zyada garam taloo hui thi. Hashim baramde ke step utarta neeche khadi car ki taraf ja raha tha. Chauffeur ke salaam ka, sapat chehre aur sir ke kham se jawab deta Woh andar baitha to chauffeur ne darwaza band kar diya.

Jawahirat ne sotun ke saath khade yeh manzar dekha, yahaan tak ke uski car rawish par chalti hui gate paar kar gayi.

"Ma'am, car tayyar hai." Fiona ne samne khadi car ke baare mein yaad dilate hue use pukara, jo apni gardan mein motiyon ki ladi par ungli pher rahi thi.

Baal jude mein bandhe, aur lambi qameez par safed fitted mini coat pehne woh soch mein gum khadi thi. Phir yakayak zeene utarne lagi.

Fiona peeche aayi toh Jawahirat ruki, ghoor kar usay dekha. Fiona ke qadam munjamid ho gaye. Woh foran sir jhuka kar peeche ho gayi.

Jawahirat zeene utri, sabza-e-zaar aboor kiya, mod kar ghar ke aqab mein aayi. Sabz pahadi yahan nasheb mein dhal jati thi. Woh qadam qadam utarti neeche annexe tak aayi. Darwaza khatkhataya.

Chand hi lamho mein darwaza khula toh woh samne nazar aaya. Woh trouser aur poori aasteen ki T-shirt mein malboos tha. Kaafi pehle ka utha hua lagta tha. Use dekh kar ankhain sikudi achambhe se, phir peeche hua.

"Aaiye."

"Subah-ba-khair." Woh muskurate hue andar daakhil hui. Bareek heel se chalte hue rahdari aboor karke living room mein aa gayi, jiske saath open kitchen tha. Ghoom kar atraf ka jaiza liya.

"Ghar ko kaafi renovation ki zaroorat hai. Aur safai ki bhi. Tum ijaazat do toh main Fiona ko bhej diya karu?" Kitchen counter ke saath tek laga kar khade hote, usne Faris ko mukhatib kiya.

"Zaroorat nahi." Woh aage aaya, chai tale aanch band ki aur upar cabinet se sheeshe ka glass nikala Zartasha ke jahez ke bartan, jinmein se aksar ab bhi dabba-pack the.

Glass nal se dhoya aur ulta karke stand par rakha. Phir fridge tak aaya. Jawahirat seene par baazu liye, ek haath badastoor gardan ke motiyon par pherti, muskara kar usay dekhti rahi.

"Ek kaam tha tumse. Dopehar ko mujhe Zumar ke ghar le jaoge?"

Fridge se juice ka dabba nikalta Faris lamha bhar ko ruka, phir darwaza band karta counter tak aaya. Chehra waise hi sapat raha.

"Kyun? Driver kahan gaya aapka?"

"Tumhein mera driver banne par aitraaz hai kya?"

"Nahi. Mujhe kaam se jana hai dopehar mein." Woh sheeshe ke glass mein juice ka dabba undhel raha tha. Naranji ras se glass bharta gaya.

"Kidhar jana hai?"

"Ek dost se milne."

"Yeh toh aur bhi achi baat hai. Jaate hue mujhe drop kar dena aur wapas pe pick kar lena."

Faris ne glass use pes kiya, toh usne pakadte hue shaane uchka kar goya baat khatam kar di.

"Bahut acha." Woh mud kar choolhe tak aaya aur mug mein apni chai undhelne laga.

"Maine Yousuf sahab ko bataya tha ke tum mere saath aaoge. Woh chahte hain tum aur main khana unke saat khaayein. Kaafi khush hue the tumhara sun kar."

Faris ne chonk kar use dekha aur kettle wapas choolhe par rakhi.

"Aap Yousuf sahab se milne ja rahi hain?"

"Hmm." Juice ka ghoont bhar kar muskurai. "Zumar ke rishte ke liye unhone mujhe keh rakha tha. Do proposals hain, wahi batane hain unko."

Woh muqabil counter se tek lagaye khada tha, nazrein chai par jhukaate hue ek ghoont bhara. Bola kuch nahi, andaz albatta sust tha. Jawahirat uski aankhon par nigah jamaye huyi thi.

"Ek judge ka hai, umar pachaas saal se upar, pehli biwi ko talaq de chuka hai, teen bachay bhi hain. Doosra meri company mein mulazim hai, umar uski bhi itni hi hai, magar pehli biwi aur bachay gaon mein rehte hain."

keh kar usne apne halaq me siri ghoont utara, aur Faris ne kadhwa ghoont. Dono ne apne apne jaam neeche kiye. To annexe me khamoshi chha gayi.

"Tumhein toh maaloom hai, Zumar ke walid bimaar rehte hain. Apni beti ki bohot fikr hai unko. Woh hai bhi gurda ki mareez hai. Jaane kab tak yeh atiya shuda gurda chal paye."

Faris ne kuch nahi kaha. Ek ghoont mazeed bhara. Jawahirat ne qadre bechaini se uski aankhon mein dekhi.

"Tumhe Shayad meri baat mein dilchaspi nahi? Oh, yeh mat kehna ke tum abhi tak Zumar se purana bughz paale huwe ho. Ab toh woh tumhare khilaf bayan wapas le chuki hai. Ab toh bhool jao."

Faris ne chonk kar use dekha. Jawahirat ne masnoi herat khud par tari ki.

"Oh... tumhe nahi maaloom tha? Judge ne tumhe bari kar diya toh usne bhi tumhare baare mein kahin har baat wapas le li. Uske walid... Nudrat... Saadi... Sab ke aage kahi usne ye baat ke ab wo tumpe ilzaam nahi lagayegi."

"Isi liye usne pichle hafte mujhe apne ghar se nikala tha?"

Woh sanjeeda talkhi se bola toh Jawahirat lamha bhar ke liye chup ho gayi. Phir la-parwahi se shaane uchkaaye.

"Yeh insani fitrat hai. Yaqeen ke qareebtar ho kar bhi shak aakhri jhatka zaroor lagata hai... poori quwwat se. Magar iske baad... aman ho jata hai."

"Whatever!"

Chand lamhe mazeed khamoshi mein guzar gaye. Phir woh zara si khankhari.

"Tumhara aage ka kya iraada hai?"

"Nahi, main yeh ghar nahi chhod raha, agar aap yeh poochhne aayi hain to."

"Kaisi baatein karte ho honey? Main tumhein yahan dekh kar sabse zyada khush hoon. Tumhein yahin rehna chahiye, balki job start karo koi, shaadi karo, zindagi ko settle karo. Woh ek toofaan tha, aaya aur guzar gaya. Us sab ko bhool jao."

"Mrs. Kardar, toofaan ke guzar jaane se jad se ukhadey darakht wapas nahi lag jaaya karte."

"To naye beej do. Naye rishte banao. Shaadi kar lo, Faris. Warna kabhi aage nahi badh sako ge."

"Mere paas aur bohot kaam hain." Woh talkhi se kehta aakhri ghoont andar undhelta mud gaya.

Jawahirat ne zara juice bacha kar glass counter par rakha, uska shaana thapka aur "Dopehar ko milte hain" keh kar aage nikal gayi. Faris aankhon mein na-pasandeedgi liye use jaate dekhta raha.

☆☆☆

ہر سمت سپیرے ہیں جمائے ہوئے ڈیرے، اس شہر میں سانپوں کے خریدار بہت ہیں۔

Har simt sapere hain jamaaye hue dere, is shehar mein saanpo ke kharidaar bohot hain.

∘❀∘

Dopehar tuloo hui to itni sunhari ke har chamkti shay sona dikhne lagi. Yousuf sahab ka ghar bhi dhoop mein jhuls raha tha jab Zumar files aur purse pakde andar daakhil hui. Raahdari se guzarte hue woh drawing room ke jaali daar parde ke paas ruki. Jali ke paar sofa par taang jamaye Jawahirat tamkinat se baithi nazar aa rahi thi.

Ungli par musalsal locket keychain lapet-ti wo muskura kar bade Abba ko sun rahi thi, jo muqabil wheelchair par baithe madham awaaz mein kuch keh rahe the. Zumar ne saamne se aate Sadaqat ko chize thamayi aur khankharti huyi andar daakhil huyi. Jawahirat ne muskara kar gardan uthai, Zumar ne sanjeedgi se salaam kiya aur single sofa par baith gayi.

Umro ke farq ke bawajood dono auraton mein kuch bohot mushtarik tha. Shayad tani hui gardan, shayad gehri aankhein.

"Tumhare walid ne mujhe acchi khabar sunai hai. Tum shaadi ke liye raza-mand ho."

Zumar ne khamosh nigaah bade abba par daali. Woh mutma’in aur khush nazar aa rahe the.

"Agar koi mujhse shaadi par raza-mand hua to sure!"

"Aur tum yeh faisla apne walid par chhod chuki ho?"

"Bilkul." Usne shane uchkaye.

"Waqai, Zumar?" Jawahirat ne teekhi muskurahat bhari aankhon se use dekha. "Woh jisse chahein, tumhari shaadi karwa dein, yeh baat dil se kahi ya upar upar se?"

"Jab keh diya hai, to poora karungi." Woh be-taasur thi.

"Aur agar tumhare walid Faris ko muntakhib kar lein tumhare liye? Kya kar logi usse shaadi?"

Bade abba ek dum pareshaan ho kar Jawahirat ko dekha, goya use rokna chaha, magar woh locket keychain ungliyon pe lapet ti Zumar ko muskara kar dekhe jaa rahi thi.

Bade abba ne mujrimana andaaz mein gardan mori. Zumar lab bhinche Jawahirat ko dekh rahi thi. Khilaaf-e-ma’mool usne is baat par khade khade Jawahirat ko ghar se nahi nikala tha.

"Tumhari khamoshi se main kya samjhun? Yehi ke tumne raza-mandi ka izhar sirf upar se kiya tha? Dar haqeeqat tum apne walid ko haq nahi de rahi. Kya yeh tumhare walid ke saath dhoka nahi hai?"

"Aisa nahi hai." Woh tezi se boli, phir chup ho gayi.

"Mera aur tumhare abba ka khayal hai ke Faris tumhare liye behtareen intikhab hai. Please woh purani baatein mat dohrana, tum khud bhi jaanti ho ke wo sach nahi tha. Ab batao, apni zubaan pe qaim ho?"

Bare Abba bechargi se use tak rahe the. Magar khilaaf-e-tawaqqo, Zumar sapat nazron se Jawahirat ko dekhti rahi.

"Qaim hoon. Jaanti hoon, Abba mere liye ghalat faisla nahi karenge." Zabt se alfaaz ada kiye.

"Tum soch lo, yeh to bas humare yunhi khayal mein aaya to.." Woh sharminda se wazahat kar rahe the.

"Soch chuki sab. Jo marzi aaye karein."

"Aur haan, Faris abhi mujhe pick karne aayega. Agar tumhara dobara usko ghar se nikalne ka irada hai to abhi bata do taa ke main use mana kar du."

Zumar ne bohot zabt se khud ko bharakne se roka aur aahista se boli, "Maine us din ghalat kiya tha, mujhe aise nahi karna chahiye tha. I’m sorry, Abba."

Woh ek dum uthi aur bahar nikal gayi. Rahdaari mein aakar gehre saans le kar khud ko normal karna chaha, magar purani baatein, yaadein sab ubal ubal kar bahar aa raha tha. Usne dil par haath rakhe, aankhein band ki aur diwar ke saath khadi ho gayi.

Andar Jawahirat sahulat se keh rahi thi,

"Isey manana mushkil nahi tha."

"Isse maanna nahi kehte, ehtijaaj kehte hain." Wo nafi mein sar hilate afsos kar rahe the. Jawahirat ne ba mushkil nagawari chehre se mitaayi.

"Zumar ko koi majboor nahi kar sakta. Woh apna acha-bura soch kar hi jawab de rahi thi. Use Faris se shaadi par koi aitraaz nahi hoga."

Pichhle dedh ghante se woh bol bol kar thak gayi thi, magar yeh abhi wahi atke the.

Tabhi uska mobile baja. Jawahirat ne nahi uthaya, isi tarah baithi rahi.

"Faris bahar lene aaya hai mujhe. Aap yun kyun nahi karte ke bahar darwaze tak chale jaayein aur usse andar le aayein? Mere kehne pe to woh kabhi nahi aayega."

Bare Abba ne asbaat mein sar hilaya aur wheel-chair chalate mud gaye. Saath mein Sadaqat ko bhi awaz di.

Jab woh wapas aaye to Faris unke saath tha. (Zumar is dauraan andar ja chuki thi.)

Woh aaraam deh nahi tha, magar majboor tha. Khamoshi se us single sofa par baith gaya jahan se abhi Zumar uth kar gayi thi.

"Tabiyat kaisi hai aapki?" Woh madham awaaz mein pooch raha tha, dayi taang baayen ghutne par rakhe, kohni sofa ke hatth par. Bas jaldi se yahan se nikal jaayein.

"Acha hoon. Mujhe khushi hai ke tum aaye. Tumhara bohot shukriya, Faris."

Woh dono chand rasmi kalimaat ka tabadla kar rahe the. Jawahirat ne bore si ho kar aankhein ghumayi. Chand lamhe aur guzre. Sadaqat chai la kar serve kar ke jaa chuka to Jawahirat zara sa khankari.

"Mera khayal hai ki yeh ek achha mauka hai tumse baat karne ka, Faris!"

Bare Abba buri tarah chonke. Faris bhi dhyan se sunne laga.

"Yousuf sahab ka tum kitna ehtraam karte ho, unke tumpe kitne ehsaanat hain, kitne bure waqto mein unhone tumhari madad ki – hum sab isse waqif hain."

Zumar phir se raahdaari mein aa khadi hui. Dharakte dil se woh deewaar se lagi sun rahi thi.

"Ji!" Faris ne achanbhe se Jawahirat ko dekhte hue sar hilaaya.

"Aise mein Yousuf sahab ka haq hai ki woh apne bete ki tarah samajh kar tumse ek sawaal kar sake."

Bare aba ne bechaini se Jawahirat ko aankh se ishaara kiya – baaz rehne, khamosh rehne ka ishaara. Yeh sab bahut jaldi ho raha tha, magar woh unko dekhe bina Muskurate hue Faris se keh rahi thi.

"Main sun raha hoon. Aap kuch bhi keh sakte hai."

"Mein toh-" wo jaldi se baat banana chahte the, magar...

"Woh chahte hain ki Zumar ka jo rishta tumne chand saal pehle maanga tha, uska jawab woh aaj dein, kyunki us waqt ka jawab unse pooche bina diya gaya tha. Agar unse poocha jata, to unka jawab mukhtalif hota."

Jawahirat ko rokte-rokte bare Abba khamosh ho gaye. Baahar khadi Zumar ke lab hairat se khul gaye. Yeh sab yun nahi hona tha.

Faris bilkul ruk kar unhein dekhne laga, jaise samajh na aa raha ho.

"Yousuf sahab yeh chahte hain ki tumhari aur Zumar ki shaadi ho jaaye."

Uska saans waqai tham gaya. Be-ikhtiyaar apne Abba ko dekha. Unhone be-chaargi se chehra jhuka liya.

"Koi jaldi nahi hai, tum soch-samajh kar jawab dena," Jawahirat ne tezi se kaha, mabada woh inkaar hi na kar de.

Bare Abba ne sar uthaya, "Aur koi zabardasti bhi nahi hai beta. Bas ek khayal tha, jo de diya. Tum haan kaho ya na, hamare talluqat waise hi rahenge."

Faris ne mushkil se sar asbaat mein hilaaya. Woh kuch bolne ke qaabil nahi raha tha.

"Yousuf sahab bahut pareshaan rehte hain Zumar ke liye. Unko apni zindagi ka bhi koi bharosa nahi, woh apne samne apni beti ko kisi aise shakhs ke sop kar jana chahte hain jispar woh aitbaar karte ho. Aur tum woh waahid shakhs ho, Faris," Jawahirat narmi se samjha rahi thi.

"Mein? Mujhe... kuch waqt dein," ba-dikkat se woh keh paaya, phir ek sulagti nazar Jawahirat par daali.

"Main baahar intezaar kar raha hoon aapka."

Aur uth khada hua, jaise aur zyada wahan baithna do-bhar ho. Bare Abba ne yaasiat se usse jaate dekha. Woh unse nigah milaye bina dheema sa salaam kehkar baahar nikal aaya.

Raahdaari mein woh thethka. Samne wali deewaar ke saath Zumar khadi thi. Saakit, zard-safed chehra liye, zabt ki inteha par. Bas ek lamhe ko ruk kar usne Zumar ko dekha, magar woh chehra pher gayi.

Woh bhi nahi ruka. Tez-tez kadmo se chalta dehleez paar kar gaya.

Jawahirat chand dafa aur bare Abba ko tasalli deti rahi, aur jab baahar nikli, toh Zumar hanooz khadi thi. Uska safed chehra ab ahan se gulabi padta jaa raha tha.

"Yeh kya tha?"

Woh dabi dabi si garrayi thi. Aawaaz bahut dheemi rakhi Abba sun nahi sakte the.

"Tumhara pachaas feesad kaam ho gaya."

"Magar use mera rishta le kar aana chahiye tha, na ke mera baap uski minnat karta." Woh zabt ke maare phat bhi nahi sakti thi. "Yeh plan ka hissa nahi tha."

"Tumne plan suna hi kab tha?" Woh shaane uchka kar mobile pe button dabane lagi. Zumar aankho mein tapish liye use ghoor rahi thi. Jawahirat ne thaki hui saans andar khechi.

"Tum kyun ghoor karti ho? Shaadi karni hai toh ho jaayegi. Chahe jaise bhi ho."

"Dekho, main zyada Quran nahi padhti, magar ek aayat bohot Khushi se main har jagah quote karti hoon." Zara sa muskurai. "Aur woh yeh ke aurton ki chaale bohot azeem hoti hain."

Uske gaal ko hole se chhoo kar, woh muskurati hui baahar nikal gayi.

Zumar ne unhi sulagti nazro se use jaate dekhti rahi.

Front seat par baithte hi, jaise hi Jawahirat ne darwaza band kiya, Faris ne tezi se car reverse ki, back gate se nikaali aur road par dal di. Uska jabda bhincha hua tha. Waqfe-waqfe se ek qahr bhari nazar Jawahirat par daal deta.

"Yeh Sab Kya Tha, Mrs. Kardar?"

"Ek maazoor aur bebas aadmi tumse darkhwast kar raha tha apni beti ke liye."

"Main bacha nahi hoon." Faris ne be-iktiyaari se kaha. "Aap unke munh mein alfaaz daal rahi thi." Uktahat se usne sar jhatka. "Subah aap mere paas aayi aur aapko meri shaadi ki fikr hone lagi. Aur ittefaq se aaj hi Yousuf sahab ne yeh baat keh di?"

"Samne ki baat hai tumse behtar daamad unko nahi milega."

"Yeh khayal bhi aapne hi daala hoga unke zehan mein. Main toh jaise aapko jaanta hi nahi hoon." Ghusse se bolta, woh accelerator par dabao badha raha tha. Car ki raftaar tez hoti gayi.

"Mujhe tumhari fikr hai, Faris!"

"Pehle toh saari zindagi aapko meri fikr nahi hui."

"Yahi toh point hai, Faris. Maine ya Aurangzeb ne saari zindagi tumhari fikr nahi ki, magar jis shakhs ne ki jo tumpe ehsaan kiye, jo tumhe achhi naukri dilwane mein madad na karta toh aaj tum sadko par aawara phir rahe hote. Ab woh shakhs maazoor hai, uski beti beemaar hai, aur woh tumse sirf ek cheez maang raha hai—ke uski beti se shaadi kar lo. Toh tum use bhi inkaar kar doge? Kya yeh hota hai ehsaan ka badla?" Talkhi se wo usey dekhte keh rahi thi.

Faris usi tarah tez drive karta raha. Albatta, khamoshi ka lamba waqfa dono ke beech haail ho gaya.

"Unki beti kabhi nahi maanegi." Bohot der baad Faris bola.

"Maan jaayegi."

"Kabhi nahi."

"Woh maan chuki hai, yaar." Jawahirat ne bezaari se sar jhatka aur kalai par bandhi ghadi dekhi. Use der ho rahi thi.

Aur Faris Ghazi ne ek dum usey chonk kar dekha, phir samne dekhne laga.

Uske chehre ka ghussa ek naye soch mein dhalta gaya.

Lab kat-te aankhen sukude

Woh chand minute khamoshi se drive karta raha.

"Aap unse kahiye main soch kar bataunga." Ab ke woh bola toh awaaz madham thi. Jawahirat ne gehri mutma’in saans khaarij ki.

Kaam takirban ho gaya tha.

Faris ne use ghar utaara aur khud car se nikal kar Annexe ki taraf ho liya. Qasr ki aqbi simt mein, Fiona trey me kuch cheezein lade, Hashim ki balcony ke bairooni zine se neeche utar rahi thi. Faris car se utra aur wahi khada raha. Jab woh qareeb se guzarne lagi toh use roka.

"Ae… baat suno!" Ungli se ishaara kiya.

Woh muaddib magar pur-aitmaad chalte hue qareeb aayi.

"Yes, sir?"

"Tumhari itni himmat kab se hui ke tum meri ijaazat ke baghair mere ghar mein daakhil ho?"

Fiona ka munh shock ke maare khul gaya.

"Main toh kabhi bhi nahi… Aap kya keh rahe hain?"

"Kya jab Prosecutor Zumar aayi thi toh tum use mere ghar nahi laayi thi haan?" Tafseeli aankhon se woh use ghoor raha tha.

"Kal shaam?"

"Nahi toh! Prosecutor toh aadhe ghante ke liye aayi thi. Sara waqt woh Mrs. Kardar ke paas baithi rahi aur phir wapas chali gayi. Woh toh us taraf aayi bhi nahi." Woh hairan-parashan safai de rahi thi.

"Sach keh rahi ho?"

Fiona ne jaldi se sir asbaat mein hila diya.

"Hm, theek hai. Mujhe galatfehmi hui thi." Woh mudne laga phir ruka. "Yahan pe meri engilo hua karti thi, kidhar gayi?"

"Woh… usne Mrs. Kardar ka necklace churaya tha, so use nikaal diya."

"Aur tumne uski jagah le li? Hm?"

"Ji, main ab yahan ki head staff hoon." Gardan zara akda kar boli.

"Theek hai. Aindah mere ghar ke qareeb mat phatakna." Ungli utha kar tanbeeh karta hua aage badh gaya. Chehre ke ta’suraat phir se ghussa chhalkhne laga. Jo ugalwana tha Fiona se wo ugalwa liya tha.

"Toh madam Prosecutor idhar aayi thi aur sara waqt Jawahirat se baatein karti rahi."

"Sawaal yeh hai ke yeh Faris aur Zumar ki shaadi ka khayaal kis ne kis ke zehan mein aaya? Jawahirat ne? Ya Zumar ne? Ye kichdi kisne pakayi? Hm?"

Sabza-e-zaar par chalte hue usne tanaffur se sir jhatka. "Kya yeh dono auratein mujhe bewakoof samajhti hain?"

Apne darwaze par ruk kar usne mobile nikala aur call mila kar kaan se lagaya.

"Ji farmaiye." Saadi ki masroof awaaz goonji.

"Kidhar ho tum?"

"Amooman is waqt shareef log apne office mein hote hain, magar… oh, sorry, aapki chunke koi job hai nahi aur chaar saal se aap bekaar hain, toh aapko kya maloom!"

"Bak bak mat karo. Fauran apne dada ke ghar jao!"

"Ji bilkul, main toh baitha hi farigh hoon, aur office bhi mere marhoom Abba jaan ka hai na, jo main jab chahe munh utha kar nikal jaun!" wo jala bhuna baitha tha. Aagey peeche kaaghazo ka dhair, computer pe khule kaam ki bharmaar, upar se taaza taaza padhi boss se daant.

"Tum ja rahe ho ya nahi?"

"Dedh ghante se pehle nikla toh dobara yeh log daakhil nahi hone denge, aur jo meri boss hain na, woh pehle hi—"

"Tumhare dada ne mujhse kaha hai ke main tumhari Zumar phupho se shaadi kar loon. Kya ho gayi zubaan bandh?"

"Ab Ammi ko le kar unki taraf jao, aur jo bhi munasib lage karo."

Doosri taraf Saadi ki zubaan waqai bandh ho gayi thi. Faris ne phone rakha aur andar chala gaya.

Jawahirat qareeb Qasr-e-kardar ke lounge mein apni makhsoos oonchi kursi par baithi thi. thhodi taley hatheli jamaye, woh khidki se bahar dekh rahi thi. Seh peher me aas paas sannata tha. Hashim, Nausherwan, Sonia – koi bhi ghar par nahi tha.

Woh Bohot arsey baad kisi weekday par is waqt ghar pe thi, aur yeh sannata kaat khane ko daud raha tha. Bajaye Office wapas jaane ke, woh yahin baithi rahi. Aaj ki karwai ne use thaka diya tha.

Pichle ek hafte mein usne baar baar maazi ke kai abwaab ko zehan mein dohraaya tha.

Saat saal pehle – jab woh sab pehli dafa mile the.

Paanch saal pehle – jab woh khushi se ek doosre pe inayaat kiya karte the.

Chaar saal pehle – jab unke khandaano mein khooni lakeer aa khenchi thi.

Magar maazi ke abwaab ka aakhri hissa abhi rehta tha. Aur Jawahirat Kardar ke liye yahi sabse takleefdeh tha.

Dedh saal pehle kya hua tha? Saadi ab unke ghar kyun nahi aata tha? Aur woh tamaam masle jo Hashim nahi sambhal saka tha?

Woh na chahne ke bawajood bhi yaad karne lagi…

Uski nam aankhein khidki par jami thi, aur uske sheeshe pe puraani kahaniyan ubhar ubhar kar doobne lagi.

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