سب نے ملائے ہاتھ یہاں ترغی کے ساتھ۔ کتنا برا مذاق ہوا روشنی کے ساتھ۔

Sab ne milaye haath yahan tergi ke saath. Kitna bura mazaak hua roshni ke saath.

∘❀∘

itwaar ko siwaye suraj ke sab kuch hi susti se tulu hua tha. Zumar fajr ke baad soyi toh dair se uthi. Aur uski aankhein abhi tak surkh thi.

Ghungriyale baal haatho se samet-te hue, sirhane padhe phone ki taraf mutwajje hui jo baj raha tha. Gahri saans le kar usne call le li.

"...Kahiye Hashim"

Wo jo apne ghar ke andaruni gym mein trademill par bhag raha tha, be-ikhtiyar ruka. Handsfree kaan me lagaya aur toliya se chehra khushk karte hue bola.

"Main apne mulazim ki bewakoofi par maazrat karna chahta hoon. Jo hua, us mein mera qasoor nahi tha."

Zumar ki aankhein phir se bhar aayi. Saadi ka aakhri chehra yaad aaya. Uski aankho mein aansu the. Usko paala tha, usko badha kiya tha. Usko dukh mein dekh kar dukh badh jata tha. Aik galti par itna to na sunati. Wo khamosh rahi.

Hashim ne towel se gardan ki pusht ragadte hue dobara kaha, "Aur me kisi bhi aise waqiye ki wajah se apne aur aapke working relationship ko kharab nahi karna chahta."

Phir juice ki bottle uthai aur munh se laga li. Tamtamate chehre pe tanav tha, ehtiyaat bhi thi.

Zumar ne bed se pao'n utare. Phone kandhe aur kaan ke darmiyan rakha, aur uni mein pony me baal jhakde.

"Mera aur aap ka working relationship 1-2-3 pe mabni hai, Hashim. One, hum ek doosre ko achi tarah jaante hain. Two, hum ek doosre ko bilkul pasand nahi karte. Aur three, iss sab ke bawajood hum bahut izzat se ek doosre ke kaam aate rehte hain. So, is ta'alluq ko qaim rakhne ke liye behtar hai ke hum ye zahir karein ke kal kuch bhi nahi hua."

Chappal pehn kar uth khadi hui.

"Durust," wo jara sa muskuraaya.

"Mrs. Jawahirat ka necklace mil gaya?" Usne jara beizzati se pucha.

Aur Hashim ki aankho mein bohot kuch samjhtu hui muskurahat utri.

"Meri taraf se woh necklace jahannum mein chala jaye."

"Good!" Zumar ne phone band kiya.

toh woh muskurate hue muda Nosherwan gym me dakhil ho raha tha. Woh raat wale libaas mein tha. bikhara muzmahid, jabke T-shirt aur trouser mein malboos Hashim ko dekh kar lagta tha ke woh ek pursukoon neend ke baad jaaga hai.

"Bhai, mujhe maaf kar de. Yeh sab meri wajah se hua."

Woh qareeb aaya toh uska sar jhuka hua tha. Hashim ne handsfree kaan se nikalte hue narmi se usay dekha.

"Is mein tumhara koi qasoor nahi hai. Sherry ne tumhein istemaal kiya hai."

Yeh naam sunte hi Nosherwan ki aankho mein malal ubhra. Uski chot sadme se gham ke marahil mein daakhil ho chuki thi. Isse agla marhala gussa, aur phir intiqaam tha.

"Woh mujhe yun exploit karegi, maine kabhi nahi socha tha."

Woh ek din mein jama "ta'zeem" ke sighay se wahid "ghair-ta'zeem" par gira di gayi.

"Yeh baat tumhein mujhse nahi, usse kehni chahiye."

"Main Sonia ko drop karne udhar ja raha hoon. Change karo aur mere saath chalo." Hashim ne uska kandha thapthapaya. Nosherwan ne bara bhai ko shikwa bhari nazar se dekha.

"Aur woh Saadi? Uski kya saza hogi?"

"Uski saza shuru ho chuki hai. Woh pakda gaya hai. Zumar ne necklace uski jeb se baramad kar liya hai. Abhi call ki thi usko."

"DA ne khud bataya?" Woh hairan hua.

"Uske lehje ne bataya. Usne khud necklace ka poocha. Uski awaaz se pata chal raha tha ke Saadi apna aitbaar kho chuka hai."

"Tayyar ho jao."

Hashim ne Nosherwan ke shane ko thapthpa kar aage barh gaya.

Udhar Zumar ke ghar mein, Sadaqat bade Abba ke liye chai le kar unke kamre tak aaya toh dekha ke woh phone par baat kar rahe the. Unka chehra jhuka hua tha, aur awaaz thaki-thaki si lag rahi thi. Sadaqat chai rakh ke khamoshi se chala gaya.

Udhar phone pe woh keh rahe the, "Kya waqai aisa hua?"

Tum lamhe bhar ke liye yaha se dur wake, chote bagheeche Wale ghar me aao to, lounge mein Haneen sofa pe baithi, phone kaan se lagaye barhami se keh rahi thi.

"Abba! Zumar phupho ne bhai ki bohot insult ki. Unko iska haq nahi tha!"

"Woh necklace aaya kahan se?"

"Kisi ne daal diya hoga bhai ki jeb mein! Mera bhai koi chor thodi hai!"

"Hashim..."

Abba ne sar jhatka. "Mujhe woh Hashim napasand raha hai, magar main soch bhi nahi sakta tha ke woh ghar aaye mehmaano ke saath yeh karega."

"Hashim bhai ka isme koi qasoor nahi hai!" Woh turant boli thi.

"Zumar phupho ka qasoor hai! Woh Faris mamu ki rihaai ka badla bhai se le rahi hain!"

"Unko mamu se bohot.. bahottt" Haneen ke andar kuch dukh ubhra. Samajh nahi aaya kaunsa lafz istemal kare... aur ise kya ta'beer de. Phir dil ko sakht kar ke boli.

"Unko mamu se bohot nafrat hai. Is liye woh aisa karti hai."

"Usne Faris ke khilaf gawahi tak wapas le li thi, Haneen. Aur woh kya kare?"

"Magar kya isse Mamu ki zindagi ke chaar saal wapas aa jayenge? Aap mile unse? Nahi na? Dekha hai kaise ukhray-ukhray, zindagi se bezaar lagte hain? Pehle toh jokes bhi karte the, maze ki baatein karte the. Kam-go thay, magar jab bhi bolte, maza aata tha. Ab sirf dil dukhta hai."

Woh azardagi se keh rahi thi.

"Zumar ki jagah khud ko rakh kar dekho toh woh haq ba janeeb hai. Usko jo jis tarah dikhaya gaya, woh kaise yaqeen na karti?"

"...Baat yeh hai, Bade Abba, ke Mamu unse zyada haq ba janeeb hai."

Yeh woh aakhri baat thi jo Haneen ne kahi thi.

"Aur aap kab tak Phupho ke pighlne ka intezaar karenge? Mera bhai kehta hai ke haath pe haath dhar ke baithana kul koi tawwaqu nahi susti hota hai. Kuch toh karna padta hai, Abba."

"Bhai ki aankhon mein aansu dekhe maine kal raat. Kya woh ab kabhi bhai se acche se baat nahi karengi? Bohot mohabbat karta hai bhai unse. Sirf bhai."

Aakhri alfaaz kehte waqt usne khud se bhi nazar churai thi. Abba ne khamoshi se phone rakh diya tha.

Ab unko kuch karna tha.

☆☆☆

"خوشی کی بات نہیں ہے کوئی افسانے میں، ورنہ عذر نہ تھا آپ کو سنانے میں۔"

"Khushi ki baat nahi hai koi fasane mein, wagarna uzr na tha aap ko sunane mein."

∘❀∘

Zumar call khatam karke bahar aayi toh Bade Abba lounge mein akhbaar parh rahe the. Woh khamoshi se samne wale sofa pe aai baith gayi.

Bade Abba ne ainak ke oopar se usay dekha. Uski aankhein aur naak gulabi pad rahi thi. Sadaqat ne chai la kar rakhi toh usne sir jhukaye chini milanne lagi.

"Party kaisi rahi? Tum raat bina baat kiye andar chali gayi thi."

"Kya main yeh samajhu ke aap ke hote hue aap ki poti ne sawere hi phone karke saari baat nahi batai?"

Uski awaaz bhaari thi. Shayad raat ko royi thi. Woh kisi ke samne nahi roti thi. Woh mazboot thi.

Bade Abba ko har mazboot insaan pe ab taras aata tha.

"Haneen ne bataya hai sab. Ghar mein tumhare munh se sunna chahta hoon."

Zumar ne cup lips se lagaya aur TV ki taraf dekhne lagi. Uska rangeen shor jaari tha. Lounge mein phir bhi khamoshi mehsoos hoti thi. Dono muntazir thay.

Phir wohi boli uthi. "Agar usko paise chahiye tha toh mujhse maangta. Koi masla tha toh mujhe batata magar..." Shiddat-e-zabt se uski aankho mein gulabi lakeer ubhrne aayi.

"Tumhe lagta hai usne chori ki hai? woh necklace uske paas se mila hai. Woh andar kamro me bhi gaya tha. Woh sirf is wajah se aane pe raazi hua tha ke party ghar pe hai, warna pehle usne saaf inkaar kar diya tha. Mujhe iske baad kya lagna chahiye siwaye iske ke usne mujhe dhoka diya?"

Bade Abba thak kar asbat me sar hilaane lage.

"Haan, woh bada ho gaya hai. Dhoka dene lag gaya hai. Farebkaar ban gaya hai. Aisa hi hai, bilkul?"

Zumar ke dil pe kisi ne pair rakh diya. Farebi? Aur Saadi?

Kuch andar tadpa tha.

"Aise mat kahiye... Tanz me bhi nahi."

"Nahi, tanz nahi sach hai ye, Woh kitne aaraam se sabko dhoka de deta haina, Aur tumhein toh pehli dafa dhoka nahi diya usne."

Woh jo do Ungliyo se kanpatti masalne rahi thi. Chonk kar unhe dekhne lagi.

"Kya kehna chah rahe hain aap?"

"WOH DHOKEBAZ HAI. USSE DHOKE HI TAWWAQU KARO, ZUMAR!"

Unki awaaz buland hone lagi. Alfaaz ki nisbat lehja mukhtalif tha. Chonka Dena wala tha.

"MAT KAHIYE... KUCH MAT KAHIYE!"

Woh mutohash hokar unko rokna chahti thi. Woh kuch bhi nahi sunna chahti thi.

"Tumne usse kaha ke woh tumhari takleef nahi samajh sakta. Zahir hai, kaise samajh sakta hai? Usne toh tab bhi tumhe dhoka hi diya hai!"

Zumar ke lab adh khulay reh gaye. Tootay kaanch se uska dil zakhmi kiya ja raha tha.

Bade Abba apni jagah se aage hue. Jara jhuke. Zumar ki aankho mein jhaank kar kehne lage.

"Yaad hai woh european aurat jisne tumhe gurda diya tha?"

Zumar ne sir bhi asbat mein bhi nahi hilaya.

Woh sirf unko dekh rahi thi.

"Zumar... us aurat ne gurda nahi diya tha. tumhe Woh gurda Saadi ne diya tha."

Woh ek dam khadi hui phir mudi. Khidki ke pat zor se dhakele. Taaza hawa me dame ke mareez tarah, muh khol kar, aankhein band karke saans lene ki koshish ki.

"Woh ladka kitna jhoota haina?"

"Usne tumse jhoot bola. Dhoka diya. Sab usne plan kiya tha. Uska khoon, gurda, sab tumhare jaisa tha... magar dil tumse bada tha. Woh kehta tha yeh mera test hai. Main tamardari karke number bana loon ya parhai ke bahaane nazaro se gaayab ho kar apna farz ada karu... aur agar bura banta hoon toh ban jau. Magar is test me fail nahi hona chahiye mujhe."

"kamar ko kaat kar gurda nikalne ki takleef kya hoti hai, Zumar? Usko pata hai."

"Woh ladka aaj aik gurde pe hai. Jab tum hospital mein thi, toh woh bhi qareebi kamre mein admit tha. Magar usse toh hamdardi bhi nahi mili. Woh chaar saal se khamoshi se tumhari sard-mahri bardasht karta aa raha hai."

"AUR TUM KEHTI HO KE WOH TUMHARI TAKLEEF NAHI SAMAJHTA?"

Zumar ne tez tez saans lete hue aankhein kholi. Uska rang safed pad raha tha. Shayad ab woh neeli padne wala tha. Sirf dame se rang neela nahi padta.

"...M-Mujhe... kyu ...nahi bataya?"

Ruk ruk kar alfaaz nikle. Usse saans nahi liye Jaa raha tha. Woh khidki ko pakde hue khadi thi. Thakan se aankhe bojhal ho rahi thi.

"Bohot khuddar hai mera beta, Zumar."

"Maine kitni minnat ki thi uski. Magar woh kehta tha, agar Phupho ko pata chala ke yeh mera gurda hai toh woh kabhi nahi lengi. Phupho mujhse bohot mohabbat karti hain. Main unka bhai bhi hoon, dost bhi, beta bhi. Woh mujhe takleef se nahi guzarne sakti. Aise me wo kabhi theek nahi hogi. Main aaj bhi na batata agar tum raat usko yeh na jatati."

Usne kard se aankhein band kar li. Gurda katne ki takleef zyada badi thi, ya dil katne ki? Is sawal ko jawab ki zarurat hi na tha.

Woh pusmarda naeef chehre ke sath uski pusht dekh rahe the.

"Agar aaj tumhare paas ek gurda hai, toh iski wajah Saadi hai."

Wo dheere se palti. Uski aankhon ki gulabi lakeere surkh pad chuki thi. Shayad unmein nami bhi thi. Bhale hi woh unhe na girne de, magar wo bahar haal aansu thay.

"Aap yeh keh rahe hain ke agar aaj uske paas ek gurda hai to iski wajah main hoon?"

Aur yeh sawal nahi tha. So, iska koi jawab bhi na tha. Woh nam aankho se usko dekhte rahe. Jawab ka intezar usse bhi na tha. Woh tezi se apne kamre ki taraf chali gayi.

Khidki ab poori khul chuki thi aur taza hawa bohot umeed afzah thi.

☆☆☆

"محبت کے سودا کون کرے، نفرت کی جھولی کون بھرے؟ ہم کاروباری دنیا میں بیگانے ہی بیگانے ہیں۔"

"Ulfat ke saude kaun kare, nafrat ki jholi kaun bhare? Hum karobari duniya mein begaane hi begaane hain."

∘❀∘

Siyah BMW us bungalow ke porche me ruki. Chauffeur ne foran darwaza khola. Hashim baahar nikla aur Sonia ki ungli pakad kar use bhi baahar nikala. Glasses utare kar ke apni garebaan me atkate huye daakhili darwaze ki taraf dekha jahan Shehrin khadi thi. Woh abhi bhi uthi thi magar bob cut baal bilkul set the.

"Bye Baba!" Sonia se milne ke liye woh jhuka to usne apne baap ke dono gaal choome. Phir peechhe mur kar Nosherwan ko haath hilaaya.

"Bye Sheru!"

Woh jo khasmagi nigaho se sirf Shehrin ko dekh raha tha, ba-dikkat muskara kar sar ko khum diya. Sonia bhagti hui apni maa ke gale lag gayi jo uske liye jhuki thi. Un dono se katre be-niyaaz.

"Mera baby!" aankhein mundhe wo bacchi ko sath kiye budbadayi. Hashim ek haath jeb mein daal kar muskuraate hue dono ko dekh raha tha.

"Bataya hai mujhe Sonia ne raste mein ke usay kitni khwahish thi hamare honeymoon ki tasaveer dekhne ki!"

Shehrin be-ikhtiyaar seedhi hui. nigahe phisal kar khudko chubti huyi aankho se dekhte huye Nosherwan ki taraf gayi. Uski gardan mein gilti si ubhar kar madhum huyi.

"To?"

Woh bazahir la-parwah thi. Sonia ko sir ke ishaare se andar bheja.

"To tumhein lagta tha tum mujhe bewakoof bana logi?"

Woh muskaraate hue aage aaya. Uske bilkul mukabil khada hua aur aankho mein dekh kar bola.

"Tum kya keh rahe ho?" Wo uktai.

"Shehrin, insaan mein itni guts hone chahiye ke apne amal ki zimmedari lele, Tumse achha to Saadi nikla!"

"Do haath lagaye mere guard ne to sab bak diya ke tumne kaise usse password diya. Aur haan, woh bhi meri hi beti ke cake pe! Tum achi jasus ban sakti ho waise. Tumne ISI ke liye apply kyun nahi kiya?"

Shehrin ke abroo hairat se uthe.

"Saadi ne?"

"Oh, tumhe laga tha woh nahi batayega?"

Shehrin ki aankho mein gussa aur be-zari ubhri.

"Main tumse itni ukta chuki hoon ke tumhare khilaf madad mangne wale ko inkar nahi kar sakti. Aur kisi acche dost ko to bilkul nahi!"

"Oh, acha dost? Kya tumne note kiya?"

Mude bina usne Nosherwan se sawal kiya, aur usko doosri dafa use sadma hua tha. abhi tak umeed thi ke shayad... magar ab nahi. gam, gusse mein badalne laga.

Woh apne bhai ke peechhe se nikal kar aage aaya.

"Kya tumhe main hi mila tha istemal karne ke liye?"

Nosherwan bhanwe bhinche gusse se keh raha tha.

"Woh bhi us loser Saadi ke liye? Usko to main Chhorunga Nahi Aur Badla To Main Tumse Bhi Loonga"

Goke Hashim yahi chahta tha, magar Nosherwan ka para ki tarah tez ghussa qabu karne ke liye uski kohni thamni padhi. Phir wo sir jhatak kar rukh modh gaya. Shehrin bas zabt se dono ko dekh jaa rahi thi.

"Ainda mere khilaf kisi ki madad karne se pehle yeh soch lena ke phir tumhe sari zindagi apni beti ki shakal nahi dekhne dunga. Aur agar koi shaq ho to pehli qist tum teen din baad tab dekhogi jab tum chhuttiyo par akeli jaogi. Sonia ko isliye chhod raha hoon ke do din guzar lo uske saath."

Shehrin ke ta'assuraat badalne. Bechaini, pareshaani... Woh tez se aage badhi.

"Hashim! Sonia mere saath jaayegi. Yehi tay hua tha!"

"Tay karne wala main tha, mansookh bhi main kar raha hoon."

Hashim ki muskurahat gaayab thi, aur woh darashti se chaba chaba kar keh raha tha.

"Khula ke waqt maine apni beti tumhare hawaale ki thi kyunki tum maa thi. So, maine tumpar ehsaan kiya tha. Tab se har hafte do din apni beti ko lekar jaata hoon, baaqi din woh hamare saath rehti hai. Tumhe meri taraf se koi pareshani nahi milti. Aur iska sila tumne mujhe peeth pe vaar karke diya?"

Uski awaaz unchi hone lagi thi. Nosherwan ab thodi kam shiddat se usko dekh raha tha. Andar se pareshaani bhi thi... Sherry beti ke baghair kaise rahegi?

"Main Sonia ke baghair kaise rahungi? Tum yeh nahi kar sakte!"

Uska sara ghussa jaise jhaag ban kar baith gaya.

"Ye to pehle sochne wali baat thi. Do din guzaar lo aur teesre din meri beti ko wapas chhod jao. Aur yeh to tum jaanti hi ho ke meri beti ko meri marzi ke bina tum duniya ke kisi bhi mulk le jana to kya is mulk se bhi nahi nikal sakti."

"Usne sirf password manga tha. Use woh wapas chahiye jo tumne usse liya tha. Mujhe nahi pata woh kis cheez ki baat kar raha tha. Tum mere saath yun mat karo, Hashim!"

Hashim chauka. Phir sir jhatka.

"Nahi pata tha to uski madad kyun ki? tumhari beti ka baap hoon main, aur yeh tumhari beti ka chacha hai, jisko tumne use kiya. So tum ab Sonia ko nahi leke Jaa rahi."

Kadwe andaz me kehte wo mud gaya. Dono tez tez kadam se darwaze tak wapas aaye. Darwaze zhatt khole gaye, Shehrin wahin khadi be-basi aur pareshaani se lab kaat-ti.

"Maine Saadi ko underestimate kiya tha."

Hashim ne baithte hi budbudaaya. Nosherwan ne beikhtiyar usay dekha.

"Matlab?"

"Kya tum sun nahi rahe the? Usse woh chahiye tha jo maine usse liya tha, waris ke laptop ke documents. Woh mere paas the."

Hashim ne chauffeur ko ishara kiya. Woh sir hilata hua driving seat ki taraf aaya.

"Magar 15 minute mein woh kitne documents padh sakta hai?"

"Shayad ek bhi nahi... magar 15 minute mein woh un sab copy zaroor kar sakta hai."

Keh kar Hashim jaise sari duniya par laanat bhej kar khidki se bahar dekhne laga.

Nosherwan khamosh ho gaya. Use sherry ki halat dekh kar khushi nahi huyi hi. Shehrin ka kasoor nahi tha. Yeh Saadi tha jo har cheez ke darmiyan aaya tha. Uska kashoorwar hamesha Saadi niklta tha.

☆☆☆

"ہم ہی نہیں تھے، ہماری طرح کے اور بھی لوگ عذاب میں تھے، جو دنیا سے سوچتے تھے الگ۔"

Hum hi nahi the, hamari tarah ke aur bhi log azaab mein the, jo duniya se sochte the alag.

∘❀∘

Subah ki sunehri safedi mein garmi ki had'dat barhti ja rahi thi. Marhoom Zulfiqar Yousuf ke ghar mein chalte Air Cooler ne TV wale kamre ko qadre thanda kar rakha tha. Nudrat idhar udhar bikhri cheeze samet rahi thi, saath saath raahdari ki gol maiz par baithe Haneen aur Usama ko lecture bhi jaari tha.

"Itna nahi hota ke jo cheez uthao, usay jagah par rakho?"

"Ammi, main sab kuch jagah par wapas rakhta hoon!" Sam ne ehtijaj kiya.

"Ji, magar kisi aur ki jagah pe," Hussain ne baat mukammal ki, woh saath chai bhi pee rahi thi.

"Tum to jaise sab theek rakhti ho na! Abhi tumhari almaari kholu to kapron ka Mount Everest neeche girega!"

"Aur jaise tum us Mount Everest tale dab kar zakhmi ho jaoge!" Usne sukoon se doosra ghoont bhara. Aaj French choti banane ki zehmat nahi ki thi. Khule baal seedhe magar zara bikhre hue the.

Nudrat mazeed dono kuch kahe baghair raahdari se guzar kar saadi ke kamre tak gayi. Itna to dekh chuki thi ke woh fajr tak kaam karta raha tha, phir so kar nau baje uth bhi gaya. Bed par baitha joggers ke lace baandh raha tha. Nudrat ne pyar se use dekha. Woh bada ho gaya tha aur lamba bhi, magar uske chehre par ek nau-umar ladko wali sadgi aur masoomiyat ab bhi thi.

Woh seedha hua to maa ko khada paaya. Sati huyi aankhon se muskuraya.

"Kya baate huyi Bade Abbu se?"

Woh uth kar laptop bag mein sametne laga.

"Wohi unki purani fikr, Zumar ki shaadi," unhone thaki hui saans khenchi. Saadi khamoshi se cheeze samet-ta raha.

"Woh usko samjha samjha kar thak gaye hain, magar woh nahi maanti. Saadi, tum samjhao na! Ab to tumhari baat-cheet hoti hai Phupho se. Aur tumhari baat to woh hamesha maanti hai!"

Saadi ne bag ka strap kandhe par dala. Chehre par chhupi udaasi ko chupane ki nakaam koshish karte hue kuch kehne laga tha ke phone baj utha. Jaise jaan bach gayi.

Nudrat baat bhool kar wapas chali gayi aur usne anjana number utha liya.

"Milna hai mujhe isi waqt. Kidhar aau?"

Faris ke alfaaz bhi usi ki tarah the thak thak thak.

"Main to nikal raha tha. Restaurant aa jaye," usne darmiyani rasta nikala.

"Aadhe ghante tak," aur phone band.

"Yeh Mamu bhi na! Aage peechay ki baat nahi karenge kabhi!" Usne muskara kar sir jhatka.

Phir Nudrat ki baatein yaad aayi. "Phupho kya ab bhi uski maanti thi? Unhm..."

Woh bahar aaya to Haneen haath hila kar purjosh tareeke se Sam se keh rahi thi.

"Aur itne bade bade khule lawns! Same, tumhara dil nahi chahta ke hamara bhi itna bada ghar ho? Aur khoob daulat ho hamare paas bhi? Nahi ye nahi ke hame hamara chhota ghar bura lagta hai ye sab bhi achha hai, magar zyada bada ghar socho sam."

Sam ne peechay se Saadi ko aate dekh liya tha, so jawab nahi diya. Use sahi jawab maloom hi nahi tha.

"Tum to ho hi kuwe ke mendak!" Wo afsurdah ho gayi.

"Agar main yeh baat apni kisi dost se karti to woh kehti ke lalach buri bala hai. Kya zyada paise ki khwahish hona buri cheez hai?"

"Bilkul bhi nahi." Aqab se aate Saadi ne kehte hue uska cup uthaya aur ghoont bhara.

Haneen chonki magar bhai ko dekh kar mazeed purjosh si poochhne lagi. "Magar kaise bhai?"

"Har kisi ka dil chahta hai ke uske paas bohot paisa ho, magar log yeh aitraaf karne se darte hain ke kahin unko galat ya lalachi bhi na samjha jaye. Aur na maal ki mohabbat buri baat hai. Zindagi mein oonche goals hone chahiye. Yeh insaan ko mutaharrik rakhte hain. Bas unko haasil karne ke liye galat tareeqa nahi istemaal karne chahiye. Sulaimanؑؔ alehisalam ne bhi to Allah ki yaad ke liye maal ki mohabbat ikhtiyar ki thi na?"

Haneen khule dil se muskra di. Woh aisa bhai tha jisse ba asaani sab kaha ja sakta tha aur woh aapko bilkul judge nahi karta tha.

☆☆☆

نہ تکلف، نہ احتیاط، نہ الزام۔ دوستی کی زبان سادہ تھی۔

Na takalluf, na ehtiyaat, na zaam. Dosti ki zubaan saada thi.

∘❀∘

Restaurant neem veeran tha. Unka karobar waise bhi koi bohot faide mein nahi tha. Phir bhi guzara ho jata tha. Usne apni makhsoos mez par bag rakha hi tha ke phone bajne laga.

"Sunday ko bhi logo ko chain nahi aata." Kehte hue jab number dekha to alert sa ho gaya.

"Saadi! Shehrin baat kar rahi hoon." Woh bezar magar zabt se boli thi.

"Jee... Mere paas hai aapka number. Sorry, main aapka shukriya ada nahi kar saka."

"Ab iski bilkul zarurat nahi hai. Kyunke Hashim abhi abhi yahan se nikla hai. Woh Sonia ko mere saath chhuttiyo par nahi jaane de raha."

"Magar kyun?"

"Yeh tum bataoge. Kya is liye mujh se madad maangi thi ke pakde jaane par sara malba mujh par gira do?" Woh tezi se boli. Saadi ki aankhon mein uljhan ubhri.

"Kya?"

"Tumne Hashim ke samne mera naam kyun liya?"

"Maine? ..Hashim ke samne? kisne kaha yeh aapko?" Woh shocked tha. Chand lamho ki khamoshi chha gayi.

"Kya Hashim ke guard ne jab tum par tashaddud kiya to tumne mera naam nahi ugal diya?"

"Kyaaa? Yeh Hashim.. uff..!" Wo chakra kar reh gaya tha. "Is aadmi ko kawwe kyun nahi kat-te? Iske jhoot par yaqeen kar ke aapne eitraaf kar liya? Uff, lakaam..(uff hai aap pe) uska mood sakht kharaab ho chuka tha.

"Maine kuch nahi bataya, na mujhe kisi ne chhua. Is se zyada main apni safai nahi doonga."

Shehrin ne gehri saans li.

"Mujhe tum par yaqeen hai. Woh waqai jhoot bol raha tha. Be-har haal, woh jaante hain ke ismein tumhara haath hai aur Nosherwan mujhe sangin nataij ki dhamki de kar gaya hai."

"Nosherwan kyun?" Woh chonka.

"Main ne uske zariye password liya tha."

Saadi kuch lamho ke liye khamosh ho gaya tha. Usse kuch bura laga tha.

"Aapko Nosherwan ko use nahi karna chahiye tha."

"OKAY! SARI GALTI MERI. MUJHE TUMHARI MADAD HI NAHI KARNI CHAHIYE THI. AIK TO MAINE ITNA KHATRA MOL LEKAR TUMHARA KAAM KIYA SIRF IS LIYE KE TUM MUJHE FAVOR DE CHUKE HO AUR AAGE SE TUM MUJHE IKHLAQIYAT KI TALQEEN KAR RAHE HO?" Woh thodi si buland awaaz mein kahe jaa rahi thi.

"Main Nosherwan ko pasand nahi karta aur uski bilkul bhi izzat nahi karta. Magar is qisse mein woh direct involved nahi tha. Is liye use istemal karne pe mujhe afsos hua hai, bas yahi saari baat hai."

"AUR YEH SAARA QISSA HAI KYA?" Shehrin ne poocha. Sadi khamosh ho gaya.

"Khair jo bhi hai, mujhe meri beti chahiye Saadi. Tumhari wajah se woh usse mere saath nahi jaane dega."

"Aap uski maa hain. Use khamoshi se le kar nikal jaaye."

"Taake woh agle 24 ghante mein mere sar pe aa kar meri beti cheen le aur kabhi mujhe uski shakl bhi na dekhne de? Main usse le kar duniya ke kisi bhi hisse mein chali jaati agar mujhe yaqeen hota ke woh wahan nahi pahuch sakta. Aur phir main kyun bhagu? Meri zindagi yahan settle hai. Dost, maa baap sab yahan hain. Aur main is routine mein khush thi magar..." uska gala thak gaya. Woh saans lene ko ruk gayi."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry kaafi nahi hai. Tum Hashim se baat karo, tumne uska jo churaya hai usay wapas kar do."

"Yeh to main kabhi nahi karunga. Lekin agar aap Nosherwan se excuse karle toh shayad woh kuch kar sake."

"Tum kyun kuch nahi kar sakte?"

"Main aapko jhooti tasalli nahi dena chahta. Imaandari se bata raha hoon. Meri baat Hashim nahi maanega. Aap sheru nahi to Soniya ko raazi kare. Woh zidd karegi toh Hashim maan jaayega."

Woh kursi pe baitha glass wall ko dekhte hue kahe jaa raha tha. Aikdam koi jhalak dikhayi di. Gehre bhure ghunghriyale baal. Usne chonk kar gardan modhi. Phir ajalat se Khuda Hafiz keh kar phone rakhte hue khada hua.

Woh usse dekhte hue aa rahi thi. Aankho ka gulabi rang ab madham tha. Saadi saans roke khada tha. Woh khaufzada tha pur umeed tha. Woh pareshan tha khush tha.

Zumar khamoshi se kursi pe baithi thi. Chehra bina taa'sur ka tha. Baal jude mein the. Ek lat gardan ko chhu rahi thi.

"Bhabhi ne bataya tum idhar miloge." Saadi ko dekhte hue woh mutawazan lehje mein boli.

"To Zumar ghar gayi thi? Ek hafte mein doosra chakkar?" Saadi bhi sar hilaata baitha.

"Chhutti pe hoon aaj kal. Kaam wagaira idhar le aata hoon."

"Aage ka kya irada hai?" Zumar lamhe bhar ke liye bhi usse nazrein nahi hata rahi thi.

"Kuch arse baad PhD ke liye jaaunga. Magar abhi nahi. Haneen ki kisi achi jagah shaadi ho jaaye, phir aunty aur Sam ko saath le jaunga." Woh ehtiyaat se bol raha tha. Zumar ka koi bharosa nahi, kis baat se raat wale waqayeh ka zikar chhed diya.

"Aur tumhari shadi?"

Sadi ne muskurane ki koshish ki. Magar Zumar ki khud ko andar tak dekhti pur sukoon nighahe dara rahi thi.

"Woh to ammi aur aap hi tay karenge, jisse bhi kar dein." Sar jhatak kar Saadi apne haatho ko dekhne laga. Phir chehra uthaya to woh abhi bhi usse dekh rahi thi.

"Aap keh dein, Phupho, jo kehne aayi hai."

"Tumne aisa kyun kiya?" Uski aankho mein phir se gulabi lakeer mein ubharne lagi.

"Maine aisa kuch nahi kiya. Main chor nahi hoon. Yun dhoka nahi de sakta. Unke ghar se kuch liya hai maine? Usi ko talash karne ke liye woh meri talashi lena chahte the. Magar woh Mrs. Jawahirat ka necklace nahi."

Sadi ruk gaya. Zumar ki bheegi nigahen us par waise hi markuz thi. Saadi ne aankhein sikudi. Zumar ko dekhta raha, dekhta raha yahan tak ke ek dam usse jaise dhakka laga. Aankhon mein shock sa phaila. Zumar chori ki baat nahi kar rahi thi.

"Ammi ne... ya Haneen?" Woh qasoorwar ka naam janna chahta tha.

"Bade Abba ne." Zumar ne bhege lehje mein tasweeh ki. Saadi kuch bolne ke qabil nahi raha. Lab bheench kar doosri simt dekhne laga. Phir sar jhatka.

"Main unko is ke liye maaf nahi karunga. Woh buri tarah hurt hua tha." Zumar ki aankho mein dekhne ki himmat nahi thi. Andhere mein aise shakhs ki tarah koi ne field lights roshan kar di thi.

"Mujhe kyun nahi bataya Saadi? Mujhe kyun dhoke mein rakha?" Sirf Saadi ke samne woh ro sakti thi. Aansoo uski aankhon se anay lagay the. Saadi ne counter par khade ladkon ko ishaara kiya. Un sab ne foran shakle kitchen mein gum kar li.

"Agar mujhe pata hota to tumhe aise bhi nahi karne deti. Kyun nahi bataya? Kyun nahi jataaya? Ek dafa to kaha hota. Ghusse se keh dete. Lad kar keh dete, hamare darmiyan to bahut dosti thi."

"Main jatane wala nahi hoon." Usne mujrim ki tarah sar jhuka liya.

"Apna kyun nahi socha? Is umar mein koi gurda deta hai kya? Aage lambi zindagi padi hai tumhari. Shadi karoge, bacche honge. Aik gurde ke saath kese rahoge?" Uska dil buri tarah dukha hua tha.

"Woh to koi masla nahi. Walk karta rahoon, sugar wagaira na ho to sab theek rahega." Jhuke huye sar se sadah wazahat di.

"Mujhe kyun nahi bataya? Main tumhe yeh bhi na karne deti. Yeh gurdah to kya pata, us waqt zaya ho jaata. Kya pata kuch saal baad zaya ho jaaye. Aur is stage par aa jaungi. Apne liye tumhari sehat ke saath itna bara nuqsan main tumhe kabhi na karne deti Saadi."

"Isi liye nahi bataya." Usne gehri saans le kar sar uthaya. Zumar ka chehra aansoo se geela tha. Woh chaar saal pehle wali Zumar thi. Woh phir se wapas Zumar ban gayi thi.

"Main hum dono mein se pehla dhoke baaz nahi hoon Zumar! Kya aapne kabhi mujhe dhoke mein rakh kar kuch nahi kiya? Kya mere liye, aapne kuch nahi kiya? Yaad hai jab hum school mein the main..."

"Saadi!" Usne rokna chaaha.

"Nahi Mat Rokiye.. suniye Main Chhota Tha. Aap Mujh 8 Saal Badi Thi. 8 saal Aage thi. Hamara Ek Hi School Tha. Ammi Aur Dadi Ki Nahi Banti Thi. Hum Alag Rehte The. Abu Ke Haalaat Achhe Nahi The. Magar khuddaar The. Bade Abu Ko hawa Nahi lagne dete The. Phir Main Unhi Ka Beta Tha. Unse School Le Jaane Ko Paise Nahi Maangta Tha. Ammi Aur Abu Apne Maali Masail Mein Itne Uljhe huye The Ke Khud Se Apne Ka Khayal Bhi Na Aata. Main Ghar Se Aadhi Cheezo Ke baghair Aata Tha. Magar assembly Se Class Mein Wapas Aata To Meri Geometry Box Mein Pencil Aur Sharpener, Ruler Aur kya tha? Haan! Protractor Sab Pura Hota Tha. Aap Roz Subah Mera Bag Check Kar Ke Cheeze Rakh Jaati Thi. Aur Aap Assembly Se Late Bhi Ho Jaati Thi. Is Liye Daant Bhi Khatu. Magar Zumar Aap Hamesha Se Bohat Determined Rahi Hain. Jo thhan li usay karna hai."

Woh Bheegi Aankho Se Muskurayi. Usse Yun Sar Jhuka Kar Bolte Sunna Acha Lag Raha Tha.

"Aur Har Break Mein Mujhe Saath Le Jayein. Jab Do rupaye Ka Samosa Aur Ek Rupaye Ki minco Hoti Thi. Aap kehti Main Teen Rupaye Laayi Hoon. Main cheez Le Kar Khalugi Ki Tum Mera lunch Kha Lo. Un Dino Mein Na lunch Lata Tha Na paise. Aap Kehti ammi Ne Jo kabab Diya Hai Woh Mujhe Nahi pasand Tum Le Lo. Aur Main Yaqeen Kar Ke Kha leta. Bahut Din Baad Khayal Aaya Ke kabab To Aap Ko Bohut Pasand The. Bohut Saalo Baad Khayal Aaya Kabhi Aap Ko Canteen Se Kuch Kharid Kar Khate Nahi Dekha."

Zumar Ne Hathili Se Aansoo ragde. Phir Udasi Se Muskurayi. "Un Dino Bade abba Ki Nokri Chali Gayi Thi. Humare Haalaat Bhi Achhe Nahi The. Dono Baap Beta khuddaar The. Main Dono Ka Bharam Rakhna Chahti Thi."

"Haan Main Bohut Der Se Samjha Ke Aap paise nahi lati mere liye Aap Sara Din Bhookhi Rehti Thi. Jab ammi ne Karobar Ka Socha To Maine Kaha Ke Restaurant Khole. Kisi ko khana khilane se bhi payara ehsaan kya hoga."

"Sab apne ghar ke baccho ke liye ye karte hai, isme koi buri baat nahi hai." Magar wo nahi sun raha tha.

"Main chhutti ke bad class fellows ke sath Barf Pani khel raha Jis ladke ki Bari Thi. usne Mujhe Barf kar diya aur is se pahle ki mujhe koi Pani Karta Kisi Baat per do teen ladko Ne Mujhe Bahut Mara main kamjor tha Chhota tha vo bare the Mujhe maar maar kar Gira Diya Mere Munh per kapdo per Khoon aur Mitti Lagi Thi ab pata nahin kahan se ayi aapne Mujhe uthaya Mera Chehra saaf Kiya Apne uniform ki patti se Khoon saaf Kiya phir pakad kar bench per Sath baithaya aur poochha in ladko Ka Naam batao class aur section. main dar Gaya Kahan Ke Jaane De magar aap to na Shuru Se Hi prosecutor thi. aap To ardgayi wo Koi Aur log Hote Honge jinke saadi ko koi Maar Jaaye aur wo chup Karke baith jayien Main To galat chiz per chup Nahin Rahungi Hamare saadi ko kisne mara hai. Aap mujhe isi Tarah Kaha karti thi 'Hamara saadi' aur us Waqt aapke Yahi teen Alfaaz the Naam, Class, Section mujhe batane Pare tab Mujhe Pata Chala aap Kitni mustakil mijaj Hain aur head strong bhi aap ladko ke pass Gai unko Kuchh Nahin Kaha sirf Pyar Se unke maa bap ke Patte Puche. Allah Jaane Kaise aapne unke Walidain ko school Bulaya vo ladke Mujhe teachers principal Sabko Ek Kamre Mein ekattha Kiya aur aapne woh lambi takrir ki Sharminda Kiya unko ki mujhe yakeen hai ghar jakar un ladko ko Mujhse zyada Maar Pari Hogi."

Zumar narmi haanse jaa rahi thi. Saadi ne Arse Baad Usay Yun Bante Dekha Tha.

"Main Das Saal Ka Tha Jab Aap Ki mangni Hui Thi. Pehli mangni." Uske Agle Alfaaz Ne Zumar Ki haasi thehra di. Woh Sar Jhuka Kar Kehne Laga.

"Unko shaadi ki jaldi thi bare Abba ne Sara jahez Jama kar liya tha aapneinter ke bad parhaai bhi bas kar di thi. Shaadi ki taiyariyan uruj per thi DadiNe Sara Saman store Mein Rakha tha, kapde furniture sab. upar nicheghusaya tha. main aur aap wahan Baithe baten kar rahe the aap mujhe bahutshauk se apni chijen dikha rahi thi. maine zindagi mein dobara apko kabhi Itna Khush nahidekha jitna tab Dekha Tha."

"Chhodo is Baat Ko "Zumar ne zakhmi dil se kaha

"Mujhe To vo Sab Yad hai aap Chali Gai Thi main Akela tha Maine Kuchhjalaya tha ya pata nahin Kya Main Bahar aa Gaya magar Aag Nahin bujhi Sarastore jal kar Rakh Ho Gaya, Agar wo store alag na banaa Hota To Sara GharJal Jata Bare Abba ke pas dubara wo jahez banane ki rakam na thi ladkeWalo ke pass Mohlaat Dene Ka zurf na tha aapki mangni Tut Gai Dadi koshak tha ke ismein Mera Hath Hai Magar aapne sabse kaha ki aapse hua haiaapne Mujh tak baat na Aane Di. Maine poochha Kyon Jhooth bol rahi haito aapne Kaha saadi Mein Tumhen protect kar rahi hun main Hamesha Tumhen protect karungi, ismain Tumhara koi kasur nahi tha. THA! aur aapki dusri Mangni khatm hone Mein Bhi Mera Kasur tha maine aapko majbur kiya tha, Waris mamu ke case ke liye maine aapko usmein phasaya tha kya is Sab kebad bhi aur dusri anginat kurbaniyo ke bad bhi jo aapne Hamare liye Diaapke liye itna sa bhi nahin kar sakta tha "

Zumar ne nafi main sar hilaya.

"Kuchh Bhi Tumhari wajah se nahin Hua yeh Meri Kismat thi, mein char saal galat wajah se tumse khafa rahi. Ya shayad me intezar karti rahi ke tum khud... Tumne bhi to meri moujudgi me aana chhorh diya tha."

"Main Chahta tha Ham narazgi Mein kam se kam Samna Karen Mujhe PataTha Ek Din Hamari Sulah ho jayegi, Khoon Ke Rishte Mein Sulah ho hi JaatiHai Magar main Darmiyan ki takleef Se Bachna Chahta tha "

Zumar Nam Aankho Se Muskura kar usey Dekha Jo Sar jhukaye lab Kat taKeh Raha Tha Ye wahi baccha tha Jisko ungali pakadkar Chalna Sikhayatha ye Itna Bada Kab Hua?

"Kya Aap kal Raat Ke Liye abhi bhi naraz hai? "Saadi ne Sar Utha Kar darte darte poochha.

"Main kal bhi naraz Nahi thi main bas upset thi."

"Nikalne se pahle Unki naukrani Mujhse takraai Thi Buri Tarah, usi hi neMere kot mein Dala Hoga Mujhe yakeen hai "

"Hmm ho sakta hai usne churaya ho magar pakre Jane ke khouf se aisa kiya ho."

Wo tissue se apni aankho ka kinara saaf karte andaza laga rahi thi.

" Zumar Mulazim Malik ke Kahe bagair Itna Bada step Nahin lete ye sabHashim Ne karwaya Hai."

magar zumar jo kal Hashim se badguman ho rahi thi ab vo badgumani Jayalho chuki thi.

"Hashim ko necklace chahie tha isliye woh talashi Lena Chahta tha shayad Mujhse Bhi Koi Bhula Basara Badla bhi utarana Chahta Ho Magar wo ItnaBura nahin hai ki yah Khud rakhwata Subah mujhe phone karke maajrat nakarta "

Wo rasan se Samjha rahi thi.

"Usko pata tha ki necklace Tumhari Jeb Mein tha, Magar phir Bhi usneHamen jane diya usne hame beizzat nahi hone diya main uske is Amal kiKadar karti hun ab tum ho kaise use Wapas Karoge?"

"Khud Jaunga aurDe kar aaunga. Wo itne bure Nahin Hai To Mere is amal ke KadarKarenge." Bazahir Saadi ne narmi se kaha ki wo matnazeem mauju ko zumar ke sath Chhed kar taaja taajamundamil hue zakhm phir se nahi kuredna chahta tha.

Restaurant ka darwaza khulne ki awaaz aayi. Saadi chonka. Phir be-ikhtiyar khada ho gaya. Zumar ne gardan modhi. Fares wahi ruk gaya tha. Zumar ne rukh wapis modh liya tha. Tissue se aankhein thapthapa kar saaf ki thi aur uthi.

Bojhal si khamoshi ne sab ko ghere liya tha.

"Phir milenge." Narmi se usne Saadi ka kandha thapka aur mud gayi. Faris teekhi nazro se uski pusht ko dekh raha tha. Uske mudne par shishe se baahar dekhna shuru kar diya.

Woh matanasib chaal chalti darwaze tak aayi. Faris hatt gaya. Zumar ne bas ek sard nafrat aamez nigah us par daali aur baahar nikal gayi. Faris ki peshaani par bal pade. Usne ukhde hue taa'surat ke saath usey jaate dekha aur sar jhatak kar aage aaya.

"Aayein baithiye," Saadi ne ehteram se ishaara kiya. Magar woh khade khade tane abroo ke saath usse ghoorta raha.

"Aik dafa poochunga. Sach na bataya toh ugalwane ke saare tareeke aate hain mujhe."

"Kya hua?" Saadi hairaan hua.

"Jis roz mein riha hua tha us raat tum mere case ke judge se kyun mile thay?"

Saadi ne kuch kehna chaaha magar zubaan ne saath nahi diya. Woh waqai shocked tha. Be-yaqeen tha.

"M-Main.. aapko kaise pata chala mein usse mila tha?"

Faris ne gehri saans li.

"Toh tum waqai usse mile thay. Mera andaaza theek tha."

Aur Saadi ko ek dum apni bewakoofi ka ehsaas hua. Zaahir hai agar usne judge ko majboor kiya tha toh faisle wali raat ko hi mila hoga. Uff......

"Inkaar mat karna. Ab der ho chuki hai." Faris ne kursi kheench kar tang par tang rakh kar baitha aur sanjeedgi se usse dekha. Afratfari phailakar usne Saadi ko gadhbadh diya tha.

"Kya diya hai usko mujhe riha karane ka?" woh sanjeedgi se pooch raha tha.

"Aap be-gunah thay."

"Maine poochha kya diya hai?" Uski ankhon mein sakhti badhi.

"Unke kuch khufiya raaz maloom thay mujhe. Unko expose karne ki dhamki di. Woh maan gaye.." Faris unhi sakht tewaro se usse dekh raha tha.

"Tumse mujhe yeh umeed nahin thi."

"Mujhe bhi qanoon se yeh umeed nahin thi ke woh ek be-gunah ko phansi tak dhakelega. Mere paas judge ko dene ke liye lambi chaudi raqam nahin thi. Yeh mera wahid option tha. Jo qanoon roti nahin de sakta woh haath bhi nahin kaat sakta. Aur woh judge itna masoom nahin tha. Usne phansi sadir karne ke liye paise le rakhe thay. Maine usko is shey se roka, kabhi kabhi achhe ko bura karna padta hai taake woh bure ko saza dilwa sake." Usne mashhoor maqoola dohraya. Phir iztirab se Faris ka chehra dekha.

"Kis ne paise diye thay judge ko?" Woh putliya sikude ke Saadi ko dekh raha tha.

Saadi ne socha keh de Hashim Kardar ne, magar awal toh uske paas saboot nahin thay. 2nd Faris yaqeen kyun karta? Kyunki giraftari ke baad se ab tak Hashim ne munh zabaani hamesha bazahir Faris ka saath diya tha. Aur Faris usse jitna na-pasand karta ho, woh Hashim ko apne bhai aur biwi ka qaatil nahin manta. Aur agar maan bhi le toh uska gussa jo intelligence ki naukri ne daba diya tha, jail ke chaar saal wapas le aaye thay. Udhar Faris ko yaqeen aata idhar ja kar woh Hashim ka girebaan pakad leta. Kya itni jaldi yun usse Hashim ko khabar daar kar dena chahiye? Ya sab tayari kar ke ek hi dafa hamla karna chahiye? Woh files abhi tak decode nahin hui thi. Saadi ne faisla karne mein lamhe lagaye.

"Judge ne nahin bataya. Magar main pata karwaunga." Woh nigah milaye bina larkon ko awaaz mein dene laga. "Kya lenge aap?"

"Suno Saadi." Phir usse sakhti se samjhaya. "Yeh mere masle hain. Mere dushman hain. Inko main khud handle karunga. Aindah tum in maamlo se khud ko door rakhoge. Baat samajh mein aayi hai ya nahin?"

"Magar coffee to lenge na aap?" Woh itni hi masoomiyat se bola tha.

"Le chuka main sab." Faris ne naak se makhi udaayi aur uth gaya.

"Mamu.. ruke. Baday Abba ne aap se milna hai."

Faris jaate jaate mudha. Mathe ke bal dheele huay sheeshey ki deewar par nazar daali. Woh kab ki ja chuki thi.

"Kal unke ghar chalenge."

"Ghar?" Usne nagawari se abroo uthayi aur dobara sheeshay ki deewar ko dekha.

"Woh is waqt ghar nahi hongi. Unki doctor se appointment hai. Aap ne inkaar kiya toh baday Abba ka dil toot jaayega."

Faris ne lab khol kar band kiye. Mutazab sa sir jhatka. Achha kal dekhenge. "Aur haan woh mawzu abhi khatam nahi hua." Tanbi kar ke woh lambe lambe dag bharte bahar nikal gaya.

Saadi ne gehri saans le kar asaab dheele chhod diye.

❏❏❏