Uski Ankahee Baatein

Conference room ke sheeshay ki deewaron ke bahar poora sheher chamak raha tha, lekin andar ka mahaul bilkul thanda aur khamosh tha, Table par baithe directors ki saanse tak ruk gayi thi. 

Projector screen par ek red graph lagataar chamak raha tha. Company ka sabse bada deal sirf ek chhoti si galti ki wajah se crash ho chuka tha.

Tabhi conference room ka automatic door khul gaya.

Black suit, silver watch, perfectly set hair… aur uski wo brown aankhein jo kisi ko bhi deewana ban sakti thi, uski ek nazar kaafi thi sabko dara ne ke liye ,Woh dheere dheere andar aaya, lekin uske har kadam ke saath kamre ka pressure badhta ja raha tha.

Ye tha MIRAN SIDDIQUI.

SIDCORP ka CEO. Twenty-eight years, itni si umar mein bhot badicompany ko establish karna koi mamuali si baat nahi thi.

“Kisne approve kiya tha ye file?”

Uski awaaz zyada unchi nahi thi… phir bhi poore boardroom mein gunj rahi thi,

Kisi ne jawab nahi diya.

Sabki nazrein neeche jhuk gayi,

Usne table par file pheki

“Three Billion ka loss…”

Usne gussa mei bola, “...aur tum logon ko lagta hai silence se problem solve ho jayegi?”

Kisi ki himmat nahi hui uski taraf dekhne ki.

Uski nazrein poore kamre par tiki hui thi.

Aisa lag raha tha jaise bas ek galti... aur kisi ka career wahin khatam.

“From today,” usne sard lehje mein kaha, “either work like you deserve this company… or leave before I throw you out myself.”

Kamre mein ek pal ki khamoshi chaa gayi, Aur uss khamoshi ke beech sirf uski ghadi ki halki si ticking sunayi de rahi thi.

“UNDERSTOOD??”

Usne zor ke chila kar kaha sab ne “yes, sir” mein jawab diya.

“Go get back to your work” – usne dheemi awaz mei kaha sab uth kade hue jaane ke liye.

Thodi he der mei sab chale gaye.

Hamesha ki tarah usne apni favourite black coffee order ki.

Aapni mumma ke baad agar wo kisi ko pasand karta tha toh who tha ZOHAN QURESHI uska cousin,

wo uska cousin hone ke saath saath uska bestfriend bhi tha.

Agar wo kisi ki suntan tha toh wo tha Zohan apne mama ka beta.

Jab MIRAN 6 saal ka tha...

Woh apne dadu ke saath khel raha tha, tabhi achanak usne apne papa ki cheekhne ki awaaz suni.

Woh ghabra kar bhaagte hue unki taraf gaya.

Wahan jaakar usne dekha ki ghar ke saare bade log aapas mein baat kar rahe the.

Use kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Woh itna chhota tha ki rishton ki siyasat nahi samajhta tha.

Bas itna jaanta tha ki uske chachu ne uske papa ki masoomiyat ka faayda uthakar unka hissa bech diya tha.

Ek hi din mein Miran ki poori family sadak par aa gayi.

Uske papa ko samajh nahi aa raha tha ki woh kya karein.

Unhe pehle se hi heart ki problem thi aur woh zyada stress bardasht nahi kar paate the.

Ussi sadme ne unhe heart attack de diya... aur kuch hi der mein woh duniya chhod kar chale gaye.

Unke inteqal ke baad Miran ki maa, Miran aur uski badi behen ko lekar apne mayke chali gayi.

Kuch hi waqt baad Miran ke mama un sab ko hamesha ke liye Turkey le gaye.

Is tarah Miran ko Kolkata chhodna pada... woh sheher jahan uska poora bachpan guzra tha.

Uske baad unhone kabhi mudkar uss sheher ko nahi dekha aur Turkey mein hi apni nayi zindagi basa li.

Us mushkil daur mein Zohan har kadam par Miran ke saath khada raha.

Shayad isi liye woh aaj bhi woh wahid shakhs tha jo Miran ke gusse ke peeche chhupe dard ko samajhta tha.

“Istanbul sirf ek sheher nahi… ek ehsaas hai. Jahan har shaam Bosphorus ke pani par doobta suraj aise lagta hai jaise aasman ne khud mohabbat likhi ho. Purani masjidon ki azaan, baarish se bheegi sadkein, chai ki khushboo aur hazaaron roshniyon ke beech… Istanbul un logon ko bhi apna bana leta hai jo toot kar wahan pahuchte hain”.

“Miran ko Istanbul kabhi pasand nahi tha. Uske liye woh sheher bas ek majboori tha… ek aisi jagah jahan woh apna toot chuka dil lekar aaya tha. Na usse yahan ki bheed achhi lagti thi, na anjaan zubaan, na baarish se bheegi woh tanha sadkein.

Lekin dheere dheere… pata nahi kab sab badalne laga.

Subah Bosphorus ke kinaare milne wali thandi hawa usse sukoon dene lagi, Raat ko chamakti roshniyan usse akela mehsoos nahi hone deti thi. Aur phir ek din usse ehsaas hua…

Usse Istanbul se pyaar ho gaya hai.

“Miran ko baarish bilkul pasand nahi thi, Log kehte the baarish sukoon deti hai… par pata nahi kyun use baarish se nafrat thi.

Baarish Istanbul ki sadkon par dheere dheere aur tez hone lagi thi.

SIDCORP building ke bahar log jaldi jaldi nikal rahe the. Miran chid-chide pan ke saath apni gaadi ki taraf badh raha tha, ki achanak kisi ne usse takra diya.

Uske haath sephone zameen par gir gaya.

“Can’t you see?” Usne gusse mein kaha.

Saamne khadi ladki turant sharminda ho kar neeche jhuk gayi.

“I’m really sorry…” usne halki si ghabrahat mein kaha aur phone uthane lagi.

Wo phone de he rahi thi tab Miran ki nazar uspe padi,

safed hijab baarish ki boondon se halka sa bheeg chuka tha, Usne jaldi se phone uske haath mein di aur bina uski taraf dekhe wahan se chali gayi.

Miran chid chida hokar apni gaadi ki taraf badhne laga…

Lekin kuch kadam chalne ke baad woh achanak ruk gaya.

Woh ladki thodi door sadak ke kinaare khadi thi.

Aur… woh baarish mein bheeg rahi thi.

Jaise usse baarish se mohabbat ho.

Jaise wo baarish ko phele baar dekh rahi ho.

Jaise wo baarish use sukoondeta hai.

Usne apne haath aasman ki taraf badhaye hue the, aankhein band thi, aur uske chehre par ek choti si sukoon bhari muskaan thi. Istanbul ki chamakti roshniyan baarish ki boondon ke saath uske aas paas kisi khwaab jaisi lag rahi thi.

Miran bas usse dekhta reh gaya.

Ajeeb baat thi…

Jis baarish se usse nafrat thi, aaj pehli baar who useutni buri nahi lag rahi thi.

Fir jhat se Miran hosh mei akar bola, “stupid girl!!”, Miran ne chidte hue lehje mein bola aur aasman ki taraf dekha.

“Kisko pasand hoti hai ye baarish…” usne dheeme lekin chidte hue andaaz mein kaha. “Sab kuch kharab kar deti hai.”

Woh kuch der tak bheegti sadkon ko dekhta raha, phir halki si saans chhod kar bola, “Never mind…”

Aur apni gaadi ki taraf badh gaya.

Kuch hi der mein uski jet black M5 competition, ek huge mansion ke saamne ruk gayi.

Miran gaadiyon ka bhot shaukeen tha, uske paas har tarah ki gaadi hai. Istanbul ke sabse posh areas mein bani woh haveli kisi royal palace se kam nahi lagti thi.

Huge black iron gates. Tight security. Har corner par cameras. Aisa lagta tha jaise Miran Siddiqui ki ijazat ke bina ek makhi bhi andar nahi ja sakti.

Darwaza khulte hi gaadi sangmarmar ke raaste se guzarti hui andar badhi.

Dono taraf tarashe hue baagh, khoobsurat fawware aur sunehri roshniyan poori jagah ko kisi haseen khwaab jaisa bana rahi thi.

Ghar ki baahari deewarein halke safed aur beige rang mein thi. Badi-badi sheeshe ki khidkiyan, lakdi ki khoobsurat nakkashi aur halki roshni ghar ko mehnga aur shandaar dikhane ke saath-saath ek ajeeb sa sukoon bhi de rahi thi.

Lekin itni roshniyon ke baad bhi… pata nahi kyun us ghar mein ek ajeeb si khamoshi rehti thi.

Miran poori tarah baarish mein bheeg chuka tha. Uske bheege baal baar baar uski aankhon par aa rahe the aur chid chidahat uske chehre se saaf dikh raha tha.

Woh seedha seediyon ki taraf badha hi tha ki saamne se uski maa aa gayi.

Uska chehra dekhte hi Miran ka lehja fauran naram ho gaya.

“As-salamu alaikum, Mumma,” usne halki si thaki hui awaaz mein kaha.

“Wa alaikum assalam, beta,” unhone muskurate hue jawab diya.

Phir Miran ne chid chid hokar apni geeli sleeves ki taraf dekha.

“Ye baarish… huhhh… God, kyun hoti hai ye baarish?” Usne bachon ki tarah chidte hue kaha.

Uski maa halki si muskura di.

“Beta, baarish toh Allah ki rehmat hoti hai,” unhone pyaar se uske baal theek karte hue kaha. “Aisa nahi bolte. Kuch log isi baarish ke liye dua karte hain.”

Miran ne bas halki si aah bhari.

“Fine…” usne dheeme se kaha aur apne kamre ki taraf chala gaya.

Kuch der baad woh simple black t-shirt aur grey pants pehen kar dinner table par aaya.

Dining area bhi poore ghar ki tarah ekdum shandaar tha.

Lambi sangmarmar ki mez, sheeshe ka khoobsurat jhoomar, halke beige rang ki sajawat aur kone mein jalti khushbudaar mombattiyan poori jagah ko ek garmahat aur sukoon de rahi thi.

Uski maa pehle se hi uska intezaar kar rahi thi.

Dinner ke dauraan donohansi mazq aur aam si baatein karte rahe. Kaam, meetings, health… sab kuch.

Phir achanak uski maa ne uski taraf dekha.

“Beta…” unhone dheemi awaaz mein kaha, “ab toh shaadi kar lo.”

Miran ne khaana khate khate unki taraf dekha aur halki si hansi chhodi.

“Mumma, aap jaanti hain na… mujhe ye shaadi-vaadi mein koi dilchaspi nahi hai.”

Unhone pyaar se uski taraf dekha.

“Aise nahi bolte, Miran,” unhone naram lehje mein kaha. “Insaan kitna bhi successful kyun na ho… ek waqt ke baad usse ghar nahi, kisi apne ki zarurat hoti hai.”

Miran chup chaap sunta raha.

“Paise sukoon nahi dete, beta,” unhone aage kaha. “Din ke khatam hone par agar tumhari khushi baantne wala koi na ho… toh itni badi zindagi bhi khaali lagne lagti hai.”

Tumne ghar toh bana liya aab basa ne ki baari hai, wo dheeme awaz mein usko pyaar se smjhati rahi,

Hamesha ki tarah usne sirf mundi hila raha tha.

Miran ne nazrein jhuka kar plate ki taraf dekha.

Uski maa halki si muskurayi.

Khana khatam karke usne sabko good night kaha aur apne kamre ki taraf chala gaya.

Miran ne jaise hi apne kamre ka darwaza khola, hamesha ki tarah ek thandi si khamoshi ne uska istaqbaal kiya.

Kamra bilkul uski shakhsiyat jaisa tha — nafees, shandaar… aur thoda sa khauf paida karne wala.

Darwaze ke saamne wali deewar par uski ek badi si siyah-o-safed tasveer lagi hui thi.

Sharp jawline, intense brown eyes aur cold expression… Woh photo kisi magazine cover se kam nahi lagti thi.

Poore kamre mein siyah, beige aur halki surmai rangon ka mel tha.

Minimal furniture, soft hidden lights aur expensive wooden detailing room ko classy aur sophisticated feel de rahe the.

Bada sa king size bed bilkul saleeqe se saja hua tha.

Side tables par kuch kitaabein bade saleeqe se rakhi hui thi, aur unke paas mehngi ghadiyon ka ek khoobsurat box bhi rakha tha.

Lekin us kamre ki sabse khoobsurat cheez thi uski balcony.

Badi sheeshe ki khidkiyon ke us paar poora Istanbul roshniyon se jagmaga raha tha.

Door tak faili roshniyan… baarish se bheegi sadkein… Door Bosphorus ke paani par shehar ki roshniyon ka aks nazar aa raha tha…

aisa lag raha tha jaise poora sheher raat mein bhi zinda ho.

Miran dheere se balcony ki taraf badha.

Thandi hawa uske baalon se takraayi.

Usne railing par haath rakha aur khamoshi se Istanbul ko dekhne laga.

Pata nahi kyun…

Jis sheher ko woh kabhi majboori samajhta tha, aaj wahi sheher usse ghar jaisa lagne laga tha.

Subah ki halki Roshni parde se hoti hui Miran ke kamre mein fail rahi thi. Poora Istanbul abhi dheere dheere jaag raha tha.

Neeche bagiche se fountains ki halki si awaaz aa rahi thi, aur door kahin se aati azaan ki awaaz hawa ke saath uske kamre tak pahunch rahi thi.

Ye Miran Siddiqui ki har subah ka hissa tha.

As usual… uska routine wahi tha.

Gym. Black coffee. Meetings. Calls. Work.

Lekin ek cheez thi jo roz hoti thi… aur roz adhuri reh jaati thi.

Namaz.

Uski maa namaz ki bohot paband thi. Wo tahajjud bhi nahi chodhti thi. Har waqt unki zubaan par dua rehti thi.

Woh hamesha Miran ko bhi samjhati rehti thi.

“Beta, duniya ke kaam kabhi khatam nahi hote,” woh aksar pyaar se kehti, “lekin Allah ko yaad karne ke liye waqt nikala jaata hai.”

Ye paisa ye status ye ruthba sirf duniya mein he kaam aati hai beta, akhirat mei humko humare amal se jaante hai, khuda ko yaad karna uska shukar ada karne bhot zaoori hota hai beta, wohi toh hai jo hume rizq aata karta hai!!

Lekin Miran hamesha wahi jawab deta.

“Mumma, baad mein…” “Meeting hai…” “Time nahi hai…”

Aur baat taal deta.

Uski maa bas khamoshi se usse dekhti rehti.

Unhe duniya ki koi kami pareshaan nahi karti thi… na paisa, na business, na status.

Agar unhe kisi cheez ki fikr thi… toh woh sirf apne bete ki thi.

Har namaz ke baad woh Allah se ek hi dua maangti thi.

“Ya Allah… mere bete ke dil ko sukoon aur hidayat de dena”.

Miran ko agar business ke baad kisi cheez ka sabse zyada shauk tha… toh woh gaadiyan thi.

Luxury. Sports. Vintage classics. Har woh gaadi jo kisi aur ke liye sirf ek khwaab thi… Miran ke garage ka hissa thi.

Uske mansion ke neeche bane garage ko dekh kar koi bhi samajh sakta tha ki woh sirf ameer nahi tha… balki gaadiyon ka deewana tha.

Matte black Lamborghini. Dark blue Rolls Royce. Silver Ferrari. Aur uski favourite black Mercedes… jise woh aksar khud drive karta tha.

Har gaadi perfectly maintained. Jaise showroom se abhi nikli ho.

Jab bhi Miran ko neend nahi aati thi, woh bina kuch soche apni favourite black Mercedes ki keys uthata aur Istanbul ki sadkon par nikal jaata.

Raat ke waqt Istanbul aur bhi khoobsurat lagta tha. Bosphorus ke kinaare chamakti golden lights, halka thanda mausam, door se aati azaan ki awaaz aur baarish ke baad bheegi sadkein… poora sheher kisikhwaab jaisa lagta tha.

Uski Mercedes istabul ke un sadkon par hawa ki tarah daudti thi, aur Miran bas khamoshi se steering pakde door tak drive karta rehta.

Kabhi Galata Bridge ke paas… kabhi empty highways par… aur kabhi un tang galiyon mein jahan purani buildings ki warm lights raat ko aur haseen bana deti thi.

Pata nahi kyun, Istanbul ki raaton mein ek ajeeb sa sukoon tha.

Jaise sheher usse samajhta ho.

Miran ko gaadiyon ka sirf shaukh he nahi, Racing uska bachpan ka sapna tha.

Bachpan mein jab bhi woh TV par car races dekhta, uski aankhein chamak uthti thi. Uska sapna tha ek din world’s best racers mein apna naam dekhna.

Lekin zindagi ne usse steering wheel se zyada business files pakda di.

Aur dheere dheere… Waqt ke saath uske sapne, zimmedariyon ke bojh tale dabte chale gaye.

Subah ka mausam halka thanda tha.

Istanbul ki sadkein abhi poori tarah se jaag nahi paayi thi. Hawa mein subah ki thandak thi aur shehar dheere-dheere apni raunak mein laut raha tha.

Miran tayari karke neeche aaya. Black fitted shirt, silver watch aur hamesha ki tarah khushk Andaaz. Uski personality mein ek ajeeb sa dominance tha… bina kuch kahe bhi log usse serious lena shuru kar dete the.

Breakfast karte waqt hi uski phone par Zohan se baat hui thi.

“Jo kaam bola tha, ho jaana chahiye,” Miran ne coffeeki ek sip lete hue kaha.

Dusri taraf se Zohan hasta hua bola, “Tu kehta aur main na karta?

Miran ne bas halki si “hmm” ki aur call cut kar diya.

Garage mein aate hi uski nazar apni gaadiyon ke collection par padi.

Kuch pal sochne ke baad usne dark grey Aston Martin chun li.

Engine start hote hi poora garage uski bhari awaz se gunj utha.

Kuch hi der mein woh SIDCORP ke saamne tha.

Badi si sheeshe ki imaarat, jiske oonche-oonche manzil aasman ko chhoote hue lagte the…

Istanbul ki sabse ba-asar aur badi companies mein SIDCORP ka naam shumar hota tha.

Aur us imaarat ka har kona Miran Siddiqui ki perfection aur sakhti ki gawahi deta tha.

Jaise hi woh andar daakhil hua, saare employees ek taraf ho gaye.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Morning, sir.”

“Apna ek haath jeb mein daale, jet black blazer apni secretary ke haath mein thamaaye, Miran poore confidence ke saath office corridor se guzra. Uske polished shoes ki awaaz marble floor par saaf sunayi de rahi thi.

Har employee ki nazar ek pal ke liye us par zaroor tik jaati thi.

Kuch log izzat se… aur kuch log khauf se usse dekhte the.

Uske chehre ke bhaav hamesha ki tarah sakht the, lekin uski brown aankhon mein woh tezi thi jo saamne wale ko ek pal mein ghabra de.

Woh bina idhar udhar dekhe seedha apni cabin ki taraf badh raha tha… jaise poori duniya ka control uske haath mein ho.

Lekin Miran ne bas halka sa apna sar hila kar , seedha elevator ki taraf badh gaya.

Woh apni cabin ki taraf ja hi raha tha ki peeche se kisi ne awaaz lagayi.

“MIRAN!”

Usne mud kar dekha.

Zohan chehre par halki si muskurahat liye uski taraf badh raha tha.

Safed kameez, bikhre hue baal aur beparwah andaaz… Woh Miran ki sanjeeda shakhsiyat ke bilkul ulat tha.

Miran ne seedha poocha,

“Jo kaam diya tha, hua?”

Zohan ne mazakiya andaaz ke saath kaha,

“Tu kehta aur main na karta? Aisa kabhi hua hai kya?”

Usne ek file Miran ke haath mein thama di.

Miran ne bina kuch kahe file open karke ek nazar dali.

“Fifteen minutes,” usne sard lehjeh mein kaha. “Mere cabin mein chahiye .”

“Ji huzoor,” Zohan ne mazakiya andaz mei kaha.

Miran usse nazarandaaz karta hua aage badh gaya.

Uska cabin poore daftar ki sabse shandaar jagah thi,

jahan kadam rakhte hi ek ajeeb sa dabdabahat mehsoos hota tha.

Huge floor-to-ceiling sheesh ke deeware jahan se poora Istanbul nazar aata tha. Black and beige theme. Minimalistic interiors. Ek huge wooden desk, expensive leather chairs aur side wall par luxury watche aur vintage car models ka collection.

Kamre mein halki coffee aur oud ki khushboo hamesha basi rehti thi.

Har cheez mein ek alag hi nazaakat thi… Miran ko nafees aur purane andaaz ki cheezein pasand thi.

Cabin ka mahaul hamesha ki tarahek sannaata chha gaya tha. Sheeshe ki deewaron ke bahar poora Istanbul nazar aa raha tha, lekin andar sirf keyboard ki halki si awaaz aur thandi hawa ka ehsaas tha.

Tabhi cabin ke bahar ek ladki aakar ruk gayi aur gehri saans lene lagi.

Woh kaafi dari hui lag rahi thi.

Uske maathe par pareshani ki lakeerein saaf nazar aa rahi thi aur ghabrahat ki wajah se uske haath halki si kapkapi ke saath kaanp rahe the.

Usne dheere se door knock kiya.

Knock… knock…

“Excuse me, sir…”

Andar se bina nazar uthaye ek thandi aur sakht awaaz aayi—

“Come in.”

Usne dheere se door khola aur andar aayi.

Saada libaas pehne aur lavender color ka hijab bandhe, files ko seene se lagaye woh khamoshi se khadi rahi.

Jaise use lag raha ho ki woh galat jagah aa gayi hai.

Miran us waqt apne haath mei wo file jo Zohan ne di thi wo study kar raha tha.. Usne bina uski taraf dekhe hi baat shuru ki.

“So… you are Ms. Jahan.”

Uski awaaz mein koi jazbaat nahi tha.

“Jiski ek choti si galti ki wajah se company ko three billion ka loss hua.”

Uski baatein sunkar ladki ka dil tezi se dhadakne laga.

Wo darke maare apne ungliyon ko kuch iss qadar bheencha ki uske nakhun hatheliyon par apna gehra nishaan chhod gaye.

Cabin ki khamoshi aur bhi bhaari lagne lagi.

Miran ne file ke pages dheere dheere palatte hue uski details padhi. Uske chehre par narazgi saaf dikh rahi thi.

“So…, Ms. Jahan,” usne halki si tanz bhari awaaz mein kaha,

“Boğaziçi University se MBA complete kiya hai aapne.”

Usne file band ki aur kursi par halka sa peeche hua.

“Impressive…”

Lekin uska andaaz tareef se zyada tana lag raha tha.

Ms. Jahan chup chaap khadi rahi. Uski ungliyan ghabrahat mein ek-doosre ko kas kar pakde hui thi.

Miran ne sard nigahon se uski taraf dekha.

“Mujhe ek baat samajh nahi aati,” usne dheemi lekin teekhi awaaz mein kaha, “itni achi university se padhne ke baad bhi aap itni badi laparwahi kaise kar sakti hain?”

Usne file table par rakh di.

“Aapko zara bhi andaza hai…” uski awaaz ab pehle se zyada sanjeeda ho gayi thi,

“aapki ek choti si ghalti ne company ko kitna bada nuqsaan diya hai?”

Cabin mein phir se khamoshi chaa gayi.

“Ye koi mazaak nahi hai, Ms. Jahan.”

Miran ne apna jabda bheench kar kaha,

“SIDCORP mein zara si bhi laparwahi ki keemat billions mein chukani padti hai.”

Ladki ne dheere se nazrein jhuka li.

Woh kuch kehna chahti thi… Lekin Miran ki shakhsiyat ke saamne uski awaaz jaise kahin dab kar reh gayi thi.

Wo sharminda thi aapne galti par.

Miran apni chair se utha aur dheere dheere uski taraf aaya. Uske har kadam ke saath Ms. Jahan ki ghabrahat aur badhti ja rahi thi.

“Batayiye, Ms. Jahan…” usne thande lehje mein kaha, “main aapke saath kya karun?”

Ladki ne nazrein jhuka li.

“Sirf paanch mahine hue hain aapko yahan join kiye,” Miran ne file uthate hue kaha. “Maine aapko aapki qabliyat dekh kar hire kiya tha.”

Uski aankhon mein disappointment saaf nazar aa rahi thi.

“Lekin ab mujhe lagne laga hai…” woh halki si kadwi muskurahat ke saath bola, “shayad aapko pehchanne mein galti kar di maine.”

Ye sunte hi us ladki ka chehra aur utar gaya.

Usne dheere se apni ungliyon ko aur kas kar pakad liya.

“i’m… sorry, sir,” usne mushkil se kaha.

Uski awaaz mein sharmindagi saaf mehsoos ho rahi thi.

Woh apni galti par sharminda thi. Lekin uski aankhon mein sirf darr nahi tha… majboori bhi thi.

Jaise ye job uske liye sirf ek naukri nahi… zarurat ho.

Aur agar ye chali gayi… toh shayad uski zindagi aur mushkil ho jaaye.

Miran ne kuch der tak usse khamoshi se dekha. Phir bina kisi jazbaat ka izhaar kiye woh apni kursi ki taraf mud gaya.

“Now leave.”

Bas itna hi kaha usne.

Uski awaaz na zyada unchi thi, na gusse bhari… Lekin phir bhi uski baaton mein ek ajeeb sa dabav tha.

Ms. Jahan ne dheere se sarhilaaya.

“Thank you, sir…” usne halki si awaaz mein kaha.

Shayad usse umeed nahi thi ke Miran usse itni aasani se jaane dega.

Woh jaldi se mud kar cabin se bahar nikal gayi.

Door band hote hi cabin mein phir wahi gehri khamoshi chaa gayi.

Miran apni chair par baith gaya, lekin pata nahi kyun… uske dimaag mein ab bhi us ladki ki sehmi hui aankhein ghoom rahi thi.

Cabin se bahar aate hi uski saansein dheere dheere tez hone lagi.

Uske haath halki si kaanp rahe the. Dil itni tezi se dhadak raha tha jaise abhi seene se bahar aa jayega.

Anxiety attacks uske liye naye nahi the. Bahut chhoti umr mein hi pareshaniyon aur mushkilon ne usse itna thaka diya tha ki ab zara si bhi fikr uske dil-o-dimaag par bojh ban jaati thi.

Usne washroom jaakar thande paani se apna chehra dhoya, kuch der khud ko sambhalne ki koshish ki… aur phir office se nikal gayi.

Istanbul mein ek jagah thi jahan woh har baar chali jaati thi— Emirgan park.

Usse woh jagah ajeeb sa sukoon deti thi.

Bahat bade bade darkht, thandi hawa, phoolon ki halki khushboo aur door se sunayi deti parindon ki awaaz… jaise sheher ke saare shor se door ek choti si duniya ho.

Shaam ke waqt jab suraj ki roshni pedon ke darmiyaan se chhan kar guzarti thi, toh poora baagh kisi khoobsurat tasveer jaisa lagta tha.

Woh hamesha ki tarah jaakar ek bench par baith gayi.

Uski aankhein ab bhi halki si nam thi.

“Alhamdulillah…” usne dheere se khud se kaha. “Job se toh nahi nikala…”

Usne gehri saans li aur aasman ki taraf dekha.

Woh apni galti par bohot sharminda thi. Lekin haar maanne walon mein se nahi thi.

“Main theek kar dungi sab…” usne dheemi lekin mazboot awaaz mein khud se kaha. “Main apne aap ko sabit karungi.”

Hawa dheere se uske hijab ko chhoo kar guzri.

Waqt teezi se quzar raha tha.

Sab kuch hamesha ki tarah hi tha.

Miran ka wahi disciplined routine. Early morning workout, black coffee aur poori khamoshi ke saath breakfast.

Woh tayar ho karneeche aaya. white shirt, black pant, ek dum formal look, expensive watch aur usual serious expression.

Jaise hi usne apne driver ko bola gaadi nikalo , uska phone bajne laga.

Screen par naam flash hua—

Zohan Calling…

Miran ne call receive ki aur gaadi ki taraf badhne laga.

“Bol.”

Dusri taraf se Zohan ki fikr bhari awaaz sunayi di.

“MIRAN, problem ho gayi hai!”

Miran ne sard lehejeh mein bola.

“Kya hua?”

“Orvex Group wali five billion ki deal…” Zohan ne jaldi jaldi kaha, “woh log iss baar contract hume dene ke saath saath Veltora Enterprises ko bhi consider kar rahe hain!”

Miran kuch der tak chup raha.

Uske chehre ke bhaav dheere-dheere aur sanjeeda hote gaye.

“If our presentation goes wrong…” Zohan ne kashmakash hote huekaha, “toh samjho ye deal haath se gayi.”

Miran ne car door khola aur gusse mein bola—

“Conference room ready rakho.”

Uski aankhon mein gussa ubhar kar aa raha tha-

“Because we are NOT losing this deal.

Thodi hi der mein poora conference room employees se bhar chuka tha. Lekin mahaul bilkul khamosh tha.

Sab apni seats par seedhe baithe hue the, jaise kisi tufaan ka intezaar kar rahe ho.

Tabhi conference room ka door khula.

Miran andar aaya.

Apna ek haath jeb mein daale, sharp black suit mein woh hamesha ki tarah gusse mein lag raha tha. Uske andar aate hi sab employees turant khade ho gaye.

“Good morning, sir.”

Miran ne bas halka sa apne sarko hila ya fir bola-

“Sit.”

Uska bolne ka andaaz itna sakht hai ke uska normal hona bhi gussa lagta hai,fir room mein tension aur badh gayi.

Projector screen on hui aur ek presentation saamne aayi.

Orvex Group — Europe aur Middle East ki fastest growing infrastructure companies mein se ek. Agar SIDCORP ko unka contract milta, toh Istanbul market mein unki position aur powerful ho jaati.

Sirf profit nahi… reputation bhi.

Ye deal lock hona company ke future ke liye bohot zaroori hai.

Miran screen ki taraf dekhte hue bola,

“Ye deal sirf ek mamuli deal nahi hai” “Is project ke baad SIDCORP ka naam international level par aur strong ho jayega.”

Usne dheere se mez par ungliyan thapthapayi.

“Toh main chahta hoon…” aab wo sard lehejeh mei kaha- “ye deal humare haath se nahi jaani chahiye.”

Room mein phir se khamoshi chaa gayi.

“Aayi baat samajh mein?”

“Yes, sir,” sabne ek saath jawab diya.

Miran ne kuch pal sabko gaur se dekha, phir bola—

“So… koi apni qabliyat prove karna chahega?” “Anyone willing to take the risk?”

Poore room mein khamoshi phail gayi.

Kaafi logon ne nazrein neeche kar li.

Kuch der baad sirf do logo ne dheere se haath uthaya.

Unmein se ek… Ms. Jahan bhi thi.

Miran ki nazar ek pal ke liye us par ruki.

Phir usne doosre employee ki taraf dekha.

“Arham Sheikh,” usne sakth lehje mein kaha, “you have to do it.”

Arham ne nervous hokar sarhila diya.

“Kaise bhi karke…” Miran ne apni teekhi nazron ke saath kaha, “ye deal humare haath se nahi jaani chahiye.”

Usi waqt Miran ki nazar phir Ms. Jahan par gayi.

Usne dheere se apna haath neeche kar liya tha. Uske chehre par halki si mayusi saaf nazar aa rahi thi.

Miran kuch der tak usse dekhta raha… phir khushk andaaz mein bola—

“If someone else is also interested…”

Usne poore kamre par nazar daali.

“…then feel free to try.”

Conference room se sab employees dheere dheere bahar nikalne lage. Kamre mein ab bhi tanav ka mahaul tha.

Miran ne apni ghadi par ek nazar dali aur bina kuch kahe bahar nikal gaya. Zohan bhi uske saath tha.

Dono corridor se guzarte hue seedha uski cabin ki taraf badhne lage. Miran ke paas se guzarte hi saare employees khud-ba-khud ek taraf ho jaate the.

Jaise hi woh cabin ke paas pahucha, usne bina mudhe kaha—

“Mr. Arham.”

Arham turant seedha khada ho gaya.

“Come to my cabin in fifteen minutes.”

“Y-yes sir,” Arham ne jaldi se kaha.

Miran aage badhne hi wala tha ke uski nazar ek pal ke liye Ms. Jahan par padi.

Woh ab bhi chup chaap khadi thi, files apne haathon mein pakde hue.

Miran ne kuch der usse dekha… phir naram lejeh mein kaha—

“You too.”

Bas itna kehkar woh mud gaya aur cabin ke andar chala gaya.

Ms. Jahan, aab wo ulijhan mei thi.

Usse samajh nahi aaya… ye sirf ek meeting thi ya uski qabiliyat sabit karne ka maukha, wo aab soch mei chali gayi.

Theek pandrah minute baad dono Miran ki cabin ke bahar khade the.

Arham Sheikh ne halki si ghabrahat ke saath darwaze par dastak di.

“Come in.”

Dono dheere se andar aaye.

Cabin hamesha ki tarah poori tarah saleeqe se saja hua tha.

Sheeshe ki deewaron se poora Istanbul nazar aa raha tha aur kamre mein coffee aur oud ki halki si khushboo faili hui thi.

Miran apni chair par baitha laptop screen dekh raha tha. Jaise hi dono andar aaye, usne ek nazar un par dali.

“Sit.”

Dono saamne wali kursi par baith gaye.

Miran ne table par rakhi ek file uthayi aur unki taraf badayi,

“Ye copies hain Orvex Group ki reports aur project details ki,” Usne rasmi lehje mein kaha.

“Isme saari important information hai.”

Ab woh apni ungliyon se mez par halki-halki thapki de raha tha.

“I want both of you to go through everything carefully.” “Ek bhi detail miss nahi honi chahiye.”

Arham ne turant file utha li.

“Sure, sir.”

Ms. Jahan ne bhi dheere se file pakdi.

Miran ki tez nazar ek pal ke liye us par ruki.

“Especially you, Ms. Jahan,” usne thoda talkh lehjeh mein kaha. “Is baar mujhe kisi bhi tarah ki negligence nahi chahiye.”

Usne halki si ghabrahat mein sar hila diya.

“Yes, sir…”.

Dono apni apni desks par jaakar files study karne lage.

Orvex Group ki deal itni important thi ke koi bhi risk lena possible nahi tha. Har page mein detailed reports, financial graphs aur future project plans the.

Time bohot kam tha. Aur pressure usse bhi zyada.

Poora office iss deal ke tension mein dooba hua tha. Sab apne kaam mein lage hue the.

Shaam hote hote Miran bhi office se nikal gaya.

Uski black Mercedes Istanbul ki uss sadkon par guzarti hui dheere dheere mansion ki taraf badh rahi thi. Bahar halkisi thandi hawa chal rahi thi aur sheher ki roshniyan hamesha ki tarah khoobsurat lag rahi thi.

Ghar pahunchte hi usne andar dakhil hua aur apni maa ko salam kiya.

“As-salamu alaikum, Mumma.”

“Wa alaikum assalam, beta,” unhone pyaar se jawab diya.

Woh kuch der unse idhar udhar ki baatein karta raha, phir seedha apne kamre ki taraf chala gaya.

Raat ka waqt tha. Poora Istanbul roshniyon se jagmaga raha tha, lekin ek kamre mein ab bhi roshni jal rahi thi, aur pareshani ka mahual bhi tha ,

Ms. Jahan apne laptop ke saamne baithi thi. Desk par files bikhri hui thi, chai ke do khaali cups side mein pade the aur screen par presentation ki last slide open thi.

Usne thaki hui aankhon se time dekha.

2:17 AM.

Usne gehri saans li aur apna maatha halka sa dabaaya.

Pareshani uske chehre se saaf nazar aa rahi thi.

Kal ka din uske liye bohot important tha.

Agar kal bhi usse koi galti ho gayi… toh shayad woh sab kuch kho degi jiske liye itni door tak aayi thi.

Usne laptop band karne ki koshish ki… lekin phir achanak dobara khol diya.

“Nahi…” usne dheeme se khud se kaha. “Ek baar aur check kar leti hoon.”

Usne poori presentation dobara dekhni shuru ki. Har slide. Har graph. Har line.

Uski aankhon mein neend thi… lekin darr usse sone nahi de raha tha.

Kuch der baad usne laptop side par rakha aur khidki ke paas jaakar khadi ho gayi.

Bahar halki baarish ho rahi thi.

Istanbul ki bheegi sadkein raat mein aur bhi khoobsurat lag rahi thi. Door Bosphorus bridge ki roshni paani par chamak rahi thi.

Uske chehre par halki si udaasi aa gayi.

“Ya Allah…” usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha. “Iss baar mujhe sharminda mat hone dena.”

Hawa dheere se uske baalon ko chhoo kar guzri.

Usne aankhein band kar li.

Aur phir khud ko sambhalte hue wapas desk par baith gayi.

Usi waqt Istanbul ki doosri taraf…

Miran ko phir neend nahi aa rahi thi.

Woh kuch der bistar par leta raha, phir jhunjhla kar uth baitha aur seedha garage ki taraf chala gaya.

Uski nazar apni cars collection par padi.

Lekin jaise hamesha hota tha… usne apni favourite black Mercedes ki keys uthayi.

Kuch hi der mein uski gaadi Istanbul ki raaton mein daud rahi thi.

Raat ke waqt ye sheher bhot khubsurat lagta tha. Bosphorus ke kinaare chamakti roshniyan, thandi hawa aur baarish ke baad sadkon par bikhri roshniyon ki parchhaiyan… sab kuch kisi filmi manzar jaisa lag raha tha.

Miran steering pakde khamoshi se drive kar raha tha.

Lekin uska dimaag main kuch chal raha tha wo samjh na saka,

Pata nahi kyun…

Usse baar baar woh ladki ka chehra aajata,

Uski sehmi hui aankhein. Uska yun pareshan hokar kehna“I’m sorry, sir.” Aur conference room mein uska mayus hokar haath neeche kar lena.

Miran ne chidte hue kaha “ whatever…”

Aab wo apne ghar ki taraf jaa raha tha, aab wo pursukoon andaz mei tha.

Meetings, preparations aur presentations ke beech aakhir woh din aa hi gaya jiska sabko intezaar tha.

Subah ka waqt.

Mansion ke dinning area mein subah ki halki dhoop utar rahi thi.

Mez par nashta pehle se hi laga hua tha.

Woh ready hokar neeche aaya. Dark charcoal suit, perfectly set hair aur usual confident personality.

Uski maa usse aab dekh rahi thi. Wo kuch pareshan sa lag raha tha.

“Kya hua?” Miran ne coffee uthate hue poocha.

“Tum thak gaye ho, beta,” unhone pyaar se kaha.

Miran halki si muskuraht ke saath kaha .

“I’m fine, Mumma.”

Unhone dheere se uske baal peeche kiye.

“Har waqt kaam…” unhone naram lehje mein kaha. “Insaan machine nahi hota, miran.”

Miran ne bas nazrein chura li.

Shayad woh khud bhi nahi samajh pa raha tha ke uske andar itni bechaini kyun thi.

Tabhi uska phone baja.

Zohan.

“MIRAN!” Call uthate hi usne lagbhag cheekhte hue kaha.

“Orvex Group ke representatives expected time se pehle pahunch rahe hain!”

Miran ki sanjeedgi foran uske chehre par aa gayi.

“I’m coming.”

Aaj ka din SIDCORP ke liye bohot important tha.

Orvex Group ke saath deal lock hona sirf ek business achievement nahi thi… ye company ko international level par aur powerful bana sakta tha.

Jaise hi woh ghar se nikalne wala tha, peeche se uski maa ne awaz lagayi,

“Miran…”

Woh ruk gaya aur mud kar unki taraf dekha.

Unhone pyaar se uske paas aakar uske kandhe par haath rakha. Phir dheere se us par kuch padh kar phoonka.

“Allah tumhe aaj ke kaam mein kamyab kare, In Sha Allah,” unhone naram muskurahat ke saath kaha.

Uske baad unhone pyaar se apne bete ke maathe ko chuma.

Ek pal ke liye Miran Dheere se muskuraya ,

“Duaon mein yaad rakhiye ga, Mumma,” usne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha.

“Humesha,” unhone pyaar se jawab diya.

Aur phir Miran apni gaadi ki taraf badh gaya.

Aaj sirf ek deal ka din nahi tha… shayad kisi naye safar ki shuruaat bhi thi.

Miran aab office pauhunch chuka tha.

Subah se hi poore office mein pareshani ka mahaul tha.

Miran bhi Ghair-mamooli tor par mutawajja lag raha tha.

Employees idhar udhar bhaag rahe the. Presentation screens check ho rahi thi. Conference room prepare kiya ja raha tha.

Ms. Jahan bhi apni mez par baithi, pichhli baar ki tarah apni presentation ko dobara dekh rahi thi.

Uske haath thode thande pad rahe the.

Woh confident thi… lekin andar hi andar kaafi ghabraayi hui bhi thi.

Tabhi uske saamne Arham aakar khada ho gaya.

“Tum theek ho?” usne beparwahi se poocha.

Ms. Jahan ne halki si muskuraht ke saath kaha.

“Yeah…”

Arham hasta hua bola, “Relax. Itna stress logi toh presentation se pehle hi be-hosh ho jaogi.”

Woh halki si muskura di.

Lekin sach toh ye tha ke uska dil bohot zor se dhadak raha tha.

Aab wo dil mein he dil mein dua maang rhi thi.

Poora office tension ka mahaul tha, lekin ek insaan tha jise iss waqt bhi mazaak sujh raha tha—

Zohan.

Woh coffee cup haath mein liye employees ke beech ghoom raha tha.

“Relax guys,” usne filmi tarike mein kaha, “agar deal nahi mili toh zyada se zyada Miran sirf tum logon ko zinda kha jayega.”

Do employees darr ke maare seedhe ho kar baith gaye.

Kuch der phele is miran office mein aaya tha.

Miran office pahunch chuka tha.

Jaise hi woh andar aaya, poori lobby mein log ek dum khade ho gaye.

“Good morning, sir.”

Wo Zohan ki taraf badha usne puri baat sunli thi.

Peechye se awaz aayi-

“Interesting.”

Zohan jam gaya.

Dheere se mud kar dekha toh Miran bilkul uske peeche khada tha.

Dark charcoal suit. aapni teekhi nazrein.

Employees turant apni hansi control karne lage.

Zohan ghabrate hue kaha-

“Main toh bas office ka stress kam kar raha tha…”

Miran ne be-taassur chehre ke saath uski taraf dekhta raha.

“ ohh Really?”

“Ji…”

“Kyunki mujhe toh lag raha hai tum khud stress mein ho.”

Employees ne halki si hansi chupayi.

Zohan ne Jhooti narazgi ka chehra banana diya.

“Dekha?” Usne employees ki taraf point karte hue kaha, “ye aadmi mera emotional damage karta hai roz.”

Miran ne uski baat nazarandaaz kar di.

“Meeting room ready hai?”

Zohan foran sanjeeda ho gaya.

“Yes boss.”

Phir dheere se uske paas aakar bola—

“Waise ek baat bolun?”

Miran ne chidte hue uski taraf dekha.

“Jaldi.”

Zohan halki si Muskurahat dabatehue bola—

“Tu jab gussa karta hai na… kasam se Turkish mafia lagta hai.”

Lobby mein baithe do employees ki hansi nikal gayi.

Miran ne bas usse Palkein jhapkaye bina ghoorte hue bola

“Get out.”

Zohan haste hue peeche hata.

“Dekha? Maine kaha tha na emotional damage.”

Conference room ki taraf badhte hue Miran ki chaal hamesha ki tarah pur-sukoon thi. Employees usse dekhte hi ek taraf hat ja rahe the.

Zohan ab bhi uske peeche halki si muskurahat ke saath chal raha tha.

Tabhi Miran ki nazar achanak Ms. Jahan par padi.

Woh apni desk ke paas khadi thi. Haath mein presentation ki file mazbooti se pakde hue… jaise khud ko himmat dene ki koshish kar rahi ho.

White hijab bohot saleeqe se bandha tha, lekin uske chehre ki pareshani chhup nahi rahi thi. Woh baar baar dil hi dil mein apni presentation revise kar rahi thi.

Ek pal ke liye Miran ki nazar us par padi.

Bas ek pal.

Usne mehsoos kiya ke uske haath halki si kaanp rahe the.

Jaise woh andar hi andar bahut pareshan ho.

Pata nahi kyun…

Miran ko phir wahi masoomiyat mehsoos hui jo usne pehle bhi uski aankhon mein dekhi thi.

Lekin agle hi pal usne apni nazar hata li.

Uska chehra phir se sanjeeda ho gaya.

Aur bina kuch kahe woh wahan se chala gaya.

Ms. Jahan ne bas usse jaate hue dekha…

Aur gehri saans lekar file ko aur mazbooti se pakad li.

Thodi hi der mein Orvex Group ke guests office pahunch chuke the.

Poora mahaul ekdum rasmi aur shandaar lag raha tha.

Employees poori ehtiyaat ke saath apna kaam kar rahe the.

Miran aur Zohan ne personally unki khatirdari ki. Coffee serve ki gayi, formal greetings hue aur sabko executive lounge mein bithaya gaya.

Miran ki shakhsiyat mein ek ajeeb sa asar tha.

Jab woh business baatein karta, toh saamne wala khud-ba-khud usse mutasir ho jaata.

“SIDCORP believes in long-term partnerships,” Miran ne pur-sukoon lehje mein kaha. “We don’t just build projects… we build trust.”

Guest halki si muskurahat ke saath uski baat sun rahe the.

Unn mein se ek shaksh ne apna sarhilate hue kaha-

“That’s exactly why we wanted to meet you personally, Mr. Siddiqui.”

Miran ne bas halka sa sar hila diya.

“Glad to hear that.”

Usne Zohan ki taraf dekha aur dheeme se kaha—

“Ek baar conference setup check kar lo.”

“On it,” Zohan ne foran jawab diya aur wahan se chala gaya.

Miran phir guests ke saath normal business discussion mein lag gaya.

“The market expansion in Middle East has huge potential,” usne confidently kaha. “And SIDCORP is fully prepared for that scale.”

Sab kuch bilkul be-fikri se chal raha tha…

Lekin kuch der baad peeche khada Zohan ajeeb ajeeb ishare karne laga.

Kabhi aankhon se ishare karta… kabhi haath hila kar kuch samjhaane ki koshish karta.

Miran usse dekh kar halka sa pareshan hua.

“Ye kehna kya chahta hai?”

Zohan ne phir zor se ishara kiya—

Phone!

Miran ne halka sa pareshan ke saath apna mobile nikala.

Screen par naam flash hua—

Zohan Calling…

Miran ek pal ke liye uljhan mein pad gaya.

Usne foran guests ki taraf dekha.

“Excuse me.”

Woh thoda side mein gaya aur call receive ki.

“Haan bol.”

Dusri taraf se Zohan ki jaldi jaldi saans leti hui awaaz aayi—

“Bhai… gadbad ho gayi…”

Miran ne foran guests se maazrat ki aur cabin se bahar nikal gaya.

Jaise hi woh corridor mein aaya, Zohan tezi se uski taraf badha. Uske chehre par pareshani saaf nazar aa rahi thi.

“Bhai…” woh dheemi lekin jaldi bhari awaaz mein bola, “tera shaq sahi tha…”

Miran ki aankhein ekdum sanjeeda ho gayi.

“Are you sure?”

Zohan ne bas halka sa sar hila diya.

“Bilkul.”

Dono bina ruke tezi se corridor se guzarte hue aage badhne lage. Unke chehron se hi lag raha tha ke koi badi baat hui hai… lekin asal masla kya tha, ye kisi ko samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Tabhi woh conference section ke paas pahunchay.

Wahan ka manzar dekh kar poora mahaul aur bhaari lagne laga.

Saare employees ek jagah khade the. Sab ke chehron par pareshani aur hairani thi.

Beech mein Arham Sheikh khada tha… aur security guards ne usse pakda hua tha.

Arham baar baar kuch kehne ki koshish kar raha tha, lekin koi uski baat sun nahi raha tha.

Miran ne uski taraf gusse bhari nazar dali.

Uski jawline sakht ho gayi.

“Take him to my cabin.”

Uski awaaz itni tez thi ke wahan maujood sab log ekdum chup ho gaye.

Usne gusse me kaha-

“Now.”

Security foran Arham ko le kar wahan se chali gayi.

Employees ab bhi hairani se wahin khade the. Kisi ko kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha ke aakhir hua kya hai.

Tabhi Miran ki nazar Ms. Jahan par padi.

Woh doosre employees ke beech khadi thi, chehre par ghabrahat saaf nazar aa rahi thi.

Ek lamhe ke liye Miran usse dekhta raha… phir usne pur-sukoon lehje mein kaha—

“Ms. Jahan.”

Woh foran seedhi ho kar khadi ho gayi.

“Ji… sir?”

“Is your presentation ready?”

Usne halki si ghabrahat ke saath jawab diya—

“Yes, sir.”

“Good.”

Miran ne dheeme se sar hilaaya aur aage badhte hue bola—

“Be confident, Ms. Jahan.” “I know you can do it.”

Ye sun kar woh ek pal ke liye hairan reh gayi.

Shayad usse umeed nahi thi ke Miran kabhi usse is tarah himmat bhi dega.

Lekin Miran bina ruke aage badh gaya.

“Everyone, conference room.”

Uski awaaz poore floor mein gunji.

Aur kuch hi lamhon mein sab log conference room ki taraf badhne lage.

Ab sab conference room mein maujood the.

Lekin mahaul pehle se bilkul alag tha. Khamoshi ab bhi thi… lekin iss baar usme pareshani bhi shamil thi.

Sab employees ek dusre ki taraf dekh rahe the. Har kisi ke zehan mein wahi sawaal tha—

Aakhir hua kya hai?Arham ko security kyun le gayi?

Lekin kisi ki himmat nahi ho rahi thi kuch poochne ki.

Miran guests ke saath baitha tha. Uska chehra hamesha ki tarah sanjeeda tha.

Usne ek nazar poore room par dali… phir dheeme lehje mein kaha—

“Ladies and gentlemen…”

Usne apna haath Ms. Jahan ki taraf badhaya.

“Meet Ms. Jahan.”

Saari nazrein ek saath uski taraf uth gayi.

Woh halki si ghabrahat ke saath khadi hui. Haath mein presentation remote tha aur dil itni tezi se dhadak raha tha ke usse khud apni saansein sunayi de rahi thi.

Miran ne uski taraf dekha.

“You may start.”

Usne gehri saans li…

Aur presentation shuru kar di.

Pehle kuch lamhon tak uski awaaz halki si thi … lekin dheere dheere uska confidence wapas aane laga.

Har slide perfectly explain ki gayi. Market analysis. Future projections. Expansion plans.

Conference room mein poori tawajjo ke saath uski baat suni ja rahi thi.

Aur sirf kuch hi der mein…

Presentation khatam ho gayi.

Room kuch der tak bilkul khamosh raha.

Ms. Jahan ka dil zor se dhadakne laga.

Phir achanak—

Clap.

Ek guest ne taali bajayi.

Uske baad doosre ne.

Aur phir poora room taaliyon se gunj utha.

“Impressive.”

“Very well presented.”

“We loved the vision.”

Orvex Group ke representatives saaf taur par mutasir nazar aa rahe the.

Unmein se ek ne foran muskurate hue kaha—

“I think we’ve made our decision.”

Sab employees ek dum mutawajja ho gaye.

“We would like to lock this deal with SIDCORP.”

Ye sunte hi room ka mahaul ekdum badal gaya.

Employees ke chehron par khushi aa gayi. Kuch log Sukoon ki saans li.

Zohan ne toh khushi mein lagbhag mez par haath maar hi diya.

Miran bhi kuch lamhon ke liye khamosh raha…

Phir uske chehre par halki si muskurahat aayi.

Bohot halki. Lekin asli.

“Thank you,” usne rasmi lehje mein kaha. “It’s an honour working with you.”

Usne unhe cabin ki taraf chalne ka ishara kiya.

Sab dheere dheere room se bahar nikalne lage.

Miran bhi nikalne hi wala tha…

Ke uski nazar phir Ms. Jahan par padi.

Woh ab bhi wahi khadi thi. Chehre par sukoon aur khushi saaf nazar aa rahi thi.

Jaise uske kandhon se koi bohot bada bojh utar gaya ho.

Miran kuch lamhon tak usse dekhta raha… phir uski taraf badha.

“Good job, Ms. Jahan.”

Uski awaaz pur-sukoon thi.

Ms. Jahan ek pal ke liye hairan reh gayi.

Shayad usse umeed nahi thi ke Miran Siddiqui kabhi uski tareef karega.

Usne dheeme se muskurate hue kaha—

“Thank you, sir…”

Formalities complete hote hote kaafi waqt guzar gaya tha. Contracts sign ho chuke the, media team bhi jaa chuki thi aur aakhir kaar Orvex Group ke guests bhi SIDCORP se rukhsat ho gaye.

Deal successful hone ki wajah se poore office mein sukoon aur khushi ka mahaul tha.

Lekin…

Miran ka chehra ab bhi utna hi sanjeeda tha.

Jaise uske zehan mein ab bhi koi baat chal rahi ho.

Thodi der baad usne corridor ke beech ruk kar kaha—

“Bring him.”

Kuch hi lamhon mein security guards Arham Sheikh ko le kar wahan aa gaye.

Arham buri tarah ghabraya hua tha. Woh baar baar apna haath chhudane ki koshish kar raha tha.

“Leave me!” woh zor zor se bol raha tha. “Please… sir, galti ho gayi… I’m sorry!”

Saare employees corridor mein jama ho gaye. Sab hairani aur uljhan mein ek-dusre ko dekh rahe the.

Kisi ko ab tak samajh nahi aaya tha ke asal mein hua kya hai.

Miran bas khamoshi se Arham ko dekh raha tha.

Lekin uski aankhon mein jo gussa tha… woh kisi ko bhi dara dene ke liye kaafi tha.

Tabhi achanak Zohan aage badha.

Aur bina kuch soche usne Arham ko zor ka thappad maara.

Poora corridor ekdum khamosh ho gaya.

“Dhokebaaz insaan!” Zohan gusse mein chillaaya. “Jis company ne tujhe itna sab diya, usi ke saath gaddari kar raha tha?”

Employees ekdum Hakka Bakka reh gaye.

Ms. Jahan bhi peeche khadi sab kuch hairani mein dekh rahi thi.

Arham ki nazrein jhuk gayi thi. Uske chehre par darr aur sharmindagi dono saaf nazar aa rahe the.

Aur Miran…

Woh ab bhi usse wahi sakht nazron se dekh raha tha.

Poora corridor khamosh tha.

Sirf Arham ki tez saansein aur employees ki dheemi fuspusahat sunayi de rahi thi.

Arham ne darr ke maare nazrein jhuka li thi. Uske chehre ka rang udd chuka tha.

Tabhi Miran dheere dheere uski taraf badha.

Uski aankhon mein itna gussa tha ke saamne khada insaan khud ko sambhal nahi pa raha tha.

“Gaddari ki hai tumne,” Miran ne pur-sakht lehje mein kaha. “Sirf company ke saath nahi… mere bharose ke saath bhi.”

Arham foran bol pada—

“Sir please… meri baat suniye—”

“ENOUGH!”

Miran ki buland awaaz poore corridor mein gunji.

Sab employees ekdum se seedhe khade ho gaye.

Miran ne usse teekhi nazron se dekhte hue kaha—

“Tumne jaan boojh kar Orvex Group ki incomplete details prepare ki.” “Presentation ko itna weak banaya ke clients reject kar dein…”

Uski jawline sakht ho gayi.

“Taake contract Veltora Enterprises ko mil jaaye.”

Employees hairani mein ek dusre ko dekhne lage.

Ab sabko samajh aa raha tha ke aakhir hua kya tha.

Arham ne ghabrahat mein kaha—

“Sir… majboori thi..”

Lekin Miran ke chehre par koi asar nahi hua.

“Har ghalti majboori nahi hoti,” usne sard lehje mein kaha. “Kuch cheezein insaan ki niyyat bata deti hain.”

Tabhi office ke entrance se police officers andar aaye.

Poore corridor mein aur zyada khamoshi chaa gayi.

Ek officer ne aakar kaha—

“Mr. Arham Sheikh?”

Security ne usse police ke hawale kar diya.

“Sir, please…” Arham lagbhag rote hue bola.

“Mujhse galti ho gayi…”

Miran ne uski taraf dekha bhi nahi.

“Gaddari ki saza toh milegi hi,” usne dheeme lekin sakht lehje mein kaha.

Police usse le kar wahan se chali gayi.

Employees ab bhi hairani mein khade the.

Aur Ms. Jahan…

Woh chup chaap Miran ko dekh rahi thi.

Pehli baar usse samajh aa raha tha…

Log Miran Siddiqui se sirf darte nahi the. Uski wafadari aur usool bhi utne hi sakht the.

Police ke jaate hi poora corridor ek baar phir khamosh ho gaya.

Bas door jaate kadmon ki awaaz dheere dheere gayab ho rahi thi.

Miran kuch lamhon tak wahi khada raha. Phir dheere se palat kar usne saare employees ki taraf dekha.

Sab chup chaap khade the. Kisi ki himmat nahi ho rahi thi uski aankhon mein dekhne ki.

Office ka mahaul ekdum bhaari ho chuka tha.

Miran ki nazrein ek ek employee par ghoom rahi thi. Uske chehre par ab bhi wahi sakhti thi.

Phir usne sakht lehje mein kaha—

“Next time…”

Uski awaaz itni sanjeeda thi ke sab ki saansein ruk si gayi.

“Agar kisi ne bhi company ke saath gaddari karne ki koshish ki…”

Woh ek pal ke liye ruka.

“Toh uska haal isse bhi bura hoga.”

Poore corridor mein sannata chaa gaya.

“Aayi baat samajh mein?”

“Yes, sir…” sabne darte darte ek saath jawab diya.

Miran ne kuch der tak sabko dekha.

Phir uska lehja dobara rasmi ho gaya.

“Good.”

Usne apni ghadi ki taraf ek nazar dali aur pur-sukoon andaaz mein kaha—

“Now go… get back to your work.”

Jaise hi usne kaha, employees foran wahan se hatne lage.

Kuch log ab bhi dheemi awaaz mein Arham ke baare mein baat kar rahe the. Kuch ab bhi hairani mein the.

Aur un sab ke beech…

Ms. Jahan chup chaap khadi Miran ko dekh rahi thi.

Aaj usne Miran Siddiqui ka ek aur roop dekha tha—

Ek aisa insaan jo apni company aur usoolon ke liye kisi bhi hadd tak ja sakta tha.

Corridor dheere dheere khaali hone laga tha. Employees apne apne desks ki taraf laut rahe the, lekin har kisi ke zehan mein bas ek hi sawaal chal raha tha—

Miran ko aakhir pata kaise chala?

Miran aur Zohan bhi cabin ki taraf badh rahe the.

Dono ki chaal tez thi, lekin mahaul ab bhi sanjeeda tha.

Kuch lamhe khamoshi mein guzre.

Phir Zohan ne aakhir pooch hi liya—

“Bhai… tujhe pata kaise chala?”

Miran ne uski taraf dekha nahi.

Zohan phir bola,

“Matlab tune mujhe uspe nazar rakhne ko kyun bola?” “Arham toh humara best employee tha.”

Miran ke honton par halki si tanz muskurahat aayi.

“Exactly,” usne dheeme lehje mein kaha. “Best employee.”

Zohan uski taraf dekhne laga.

Miran ne aage dekhte hue baat jaari rakhi—

“Jab maine deal ke baare mein sabko bataya tha…” “poora room dara hua tha.”

Uski awaaz pur-sukoon thi, lekin har lafz mein gehra matlab tha.

“Sab tension mein the…” “ke kya hoga… kaise hoga…”

Woh ek lamhe ke liye ruka.

“Lekin jab maine poocha ke kaun zimmedaari lega…”

Uski aankhein halki si teekhi ho gayi.

“Sabse pehle haath Arham ne uthaya.”

Zohan ne dheere se sar hilaaya.

“Us waqt mujhe ajeeb laga,” Miran ne kaha. “Kyuki woh pareshan nahi tha.”

“Bilkul bhi nahi.”

“Jaise usse pehle se pata ho sab kuch kaise hone wala hai.”

Dono cabin ke paas pahunch chuke the.

Miran ruk gaya.

“Phir jab maine uska naam liya…” “woh bohot khush nazar aa raha tha.”

Usne sard muskurahat ke saath kaha—

“Jaise exactly wahi hua ho jo woh chahta tha.”

Zohan ab ghaur se uski baat sun raha tha.

Miran ne dheere se kaha—

“Lekin…”

“Jab maine Ms. Jahan ka naam liya…”

Uski nazrein ek pal ke liye sanjeeda ho gayi.

“Uske tasuraat badal gaye.”

“Usne foran react kiya.” “Us waqt mujhe yaqeen ho gaya ke kuch toh galat hai.”

Zohan ne hairani se kaha—

“Sirf itna dekh kar tune shaq kar liya?”

Miran halki si hansa.

“Business aise he nahi chalta, Zohan…” “Insaanon ko padhna bhi aana chahiye.”

Phir usne cabin ka door khola aur andar jaate hue kaha—

“Usse laga tha Ms. Jahan ye nahi kar payegi.”

“Woh bohot confident tha.”

“Isi liye maine tujhe uspe nazar rakhne ko bola.”

Zohan kuch der tak usse dekhta raha… phir dheere se muskuraya.

“Kasam se…” usne hansi dabaate hue kaha, “kabhi kabhi tu mujhe dara deta hai.”

Cabin mein aate hi Miran seedha apni kursi par baith gaya. Usne coat ka button khola aur files dekhne laga.

Zohan saamne wali chair par baith kar ab bhi usse dekh raha tha.

Kuch der tak woh chup raha…

Phir achanak bola—

“Ek doubt hai.”

Miran ne bina upar dekhe sard lehje mein kaha—

“Ek toh tujhe doubts bohot aate hain.” “Jaldi pooch… mujhe kaam bhi hai.”

Zohan seedha ho kar baitha.

“Tu itna confident kaise tha ke Ms. Jahan kar legi?”

Miran ne file se nazar uthayi.

Zohan ne baat jaari rakhi—

“Matlab kuch din pehle hi uski ek galti ki wajah se three billion ka loss hua tha…” “phir bhi tujhe itna yaqeen kaise tha unpe?”

Ye sun kar Miran ek lamhe ke liye khamosh ho gaya.

Uski ungliyan file par ruki reh gayi.

Sach toh ye tha…

Usse khud nahi pata tha.

Kyun usse lag raha tha ke woh kar legi.

Kyun usse us par bharosa tha.

Kuch der baad usne pur-sukoon lehje mein kaha—

“Maine uski aankhon mein woh qabiliyat dekhi.”

Zohan bhanwein uchkain karke usse dekhne laga.

Miran ne dheeme se kaha—

“Mujhe laga… ek mauka dena chahiye.”

Cabin mein kuch pal ki khamoshi chaa gayi.

Phir achanak Zohan ke honton par shaitani muskurahat aayi.

“Ohooo…” usne mazakiya andaaz mein kaha, “aankhon mein qabiliyat dekhi thi?”

Miran ne chidte hue uski taraf dekha.

“Seedhi baat kar.”

Zohan drama karte hue chair par peeche hua.

“Bhai tera toh kaam ho gaya.”

Miran samjha nahi.

“Kya bakwaas kar raha hai?”

Zohan zor se hasa.

“Tujhe ladki mil gayi na!”

Miran ka tasurat foran sakht ho gaya.

“Zohan.”

“Arre sach bol raha hoon!” woh hansi rok kar bola. “Tu kisi ki aankhon ki tareef kare… ye toh history mein pehli baar hua hai.”

Miran ne jhunjhla kar file band kar di.

“Ho gaya tera?”

“Ab kaam pe jaa.”

Zohan uthte hue bhi hasa jaa raha tha.

Door tak pahunch kar usne mud kar kaha—

“Deny bhi nahi kiya…” “Matlab baat serious hai.”

“GET OUT.”

Zohan zor se haste hue cabin se bahar chala gaya.

Door band hote hi cabin mein khamoshi chaa gayi.

Miran kuch der tak wahi baitha raha.

Uske zehan mein Zohan ki baat ghoom rahi thi.

“Tujhe ladki mil gayi…”

Usne halki si saans li aur khud par hi chida aur kaha-

“Ridiculous…”

Phir usne foran apna dhyaan files ki taraf kar liya.

Lekin pata nahi kyun…

Uski aankhon ke saamne phir wahi masoom aankhein aa gayi.

Ms. Jahan ab apni desk par baithi thi.

Poora din jaise ek khwaab ki tarah guzra tha.

Usne dheere se aankhein band ki aur dil hi dil mein kaha—

“Alhamdulillah…”

Sabse pehle usne khuda ka shukar ada kiya.

Aaj bohot arse baad uske dil ko sukoon mila tha. Jaise uske kandhon se koi bohot bada bojh utar gaya ho.

Uske chehre par halki si muskurahat thi. Woh aaj sach mein khush nazar aa rahi thi.

Thodi der baad employees dheere dheere office se nikalne lage.

Koi deal ki baatein kar raha tha, koi celebration ki.

Poora office aaj pur-sukoon mein tha.

Miran bhi kuch der baad cabin se bahar aaya.

Usne apni ghadi dekhi aur building ke darwaze ke paas jaakar khada ho gaya.

Driver gaadi lane gaya hua tha.

Tabhi usne bahar dekha—

Baarish ho rahi thi.

Uska chehra foran chid sa gaya.

“Huh… phir se baarish,” usne dheeme se kaha.

Usse baarish kabhi pasand nahi thi.

Kuch hi der baad uski black Mercedes entrance ke saamne aakar ruki.

Miran gaadi mein baithne hi wala tha…

Ke achanak uski nazar thodi door ek kone mein khadi ek ladki par padi.

Woh chup chaap baarish mein bheeg rahi thi.

Jaise usse aas paas ki duniya se koi matlab hi na ho.

Light lavender hijab, bohot saleeqe aur pur-haya andaaz mein pehna hua long dress… sab kuch bohot saadgi bhara tha.

Lekin uske chehre par jo sukoon tha…

Woh Miran ko ek pal ke liye rok gaya.

Woh baarish ki boondon ko aankhein band karke mehsoos kar rahi thi. Uske honton par halki si muskurahat thi.

Jaise baarish uske liye rehmat ho. Sukoon ho.

Aur Miran…

Pata nahi kyun uski nazar us par se hat hi nahi paayi.

Woh koi aur nahi…

Ms. Jahan thi.

Kuch der baad Miran wahan se nikal gaya.

Ghar pahunchte hi usne andar aakar apni maa ko dekha.

Aaj woh sach mein bohot khush tha.

Jaise bohot dino baad uske dil se koi parehsani kam hui ho.

“Mumma…”

Usne aage badh kar unhe gale laga liya.

Unki aankhon mein foran hairani aur phir muskurahat aa gayi.

“Aaj mera beta bohot khush lag raha hai,” unhone pyaar se kaha.

Tabhi peeche se Zohan bhi andar aaya.

“As-salamu alaikum, Bua jaan.”

“Wa alaikum assalam,” woh muskurate hue boli.

Sab dining area mein baith gaye.

Miran ghair-mamooli tor par pur-sukoon nazar aa raha tha.

“Aaj meeting successful ho gayi,” woh shortcut mein sab batane laga. “Deal lock ho gayi… clients impressed the… everything went smooth.”

Uski maa sukoon se uski baat sun rahi thi.

Tabhi Zohan hasa padhya aur bola.

“Haan Bua…” usne coffee ka cup uthate hue kaha, “lekin ye sab Ms. Jahan ki wajah se hua hai.”

Miran ne foran uski taraf dekha.

Zohan hansi rok raha tha.

Uski maa ne ajeeb si muskurahat ke saath poocha—

“Ye kaun hai?”

Miran chup raha.

Lekin Zohan foran bol pada—

“Aap haan kar dein toh iss ghar ki malkin bhi ban sakti hain.”

Do pal ki khamoshi…

Phir uski maa halki si muskura di.

Aur Miran ne lagbhag uska katl karne he wala tha—

“ZOHAN.”

Zohan zor se hasa.

“Arre mazaak kar raha hoon!”

Uski maa ab Miran ko bade gaur se dekh rahi thi. Jaise unhe apne bete ke chehre par kuch naya mehsoos ho raha ho.

“Waise…” woh dheeme se boli, “main office aaun kal?”

Miran ne foran jawab diya—

“Of course, Mumma. Kyun nahi?”

Zohan ne turant muskurahat chupayi.

Uski maa ne sar hila diya…

Lekin asal mein woh Ms. Jahan ko dekhna chahti thi.

Woh dekhna chahti thi…

Aakhir kaun hai woh ladki jo itne waqt baad unke bete ke chehre par itni khushi le aayi thi.

Subah ho chuki thi.

Aaj Miran thoda late office jaane wala tha… kyunki aaj uski maa bhot din baad SIDCORP aane wali thi.

Aaj usne driver ko bhi mana kar diya.

“Aaj main khud drive karunga,” usne keys uthate hue kaha.

Uski maa halki si muskurayi. Unhe samajh aa raha tha ke unka beta aaj thoda achhe mood mein hai.

Kuch der baad teeno office pahunch chuke the.

Miran. Asiya. Aur Zohan.

Lobby mein enter hote hi employees Adab se khade hone lage.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning, ma’am.”

Teeno saath corridor se guzarte hue aage badh rahe the ke tabhi saamne Ms. Jahan nazar aayi.

Aaj usne pastel blue hijab pehna hua tha, bohot saleeqe aur saadgi ke saath. Haath mein files thi aur woh shayad aapni desk ke taraf ja rahi thi.

Usne Miran sab ko dekha.

Lekin usse kuch kehne ka mauka milta…

Usse pehle hi Zohan zor se chillaaya—

“MS. JAHAN!”

Poora corridor ek pal ke liye uski taraf dekhne laga.

Ms. Jahan halki si ghabra gayi.

“J-ji?”

Zohan foran usse apni Bua ke paas le aaya.

“Bua, ye hain Ms. Jahan!”

Asiya zohan ko dekhi. Jaise khamoshi se pooch rahi ho—

“Toh ye hai woh?”

Tabhi Zohan drama karte hue bola—

“Arre Bua… malkin!”

Miran ne foran usse ghura.

“Zohan.”

Lekin Zohan apni hansi control nahi kar paa raha tha.

Ms. Jahan bechari kuch samajh hi nahi paayi.

Usne sirf adab se salam kiya.

“As-salamu alaikum.”

Asiya ke chehre par foran pyaari si muskurahat aa gayi.

“Wa alaikum assalam, beta.”

Ms. Jahan halki si Ajeeb si muskurahat ke saath wahan se apne desk ki taraf chali gayi.

Lekin jaate jaate bhi Asiya usse he dekh rahi thi.

“Bohot pyaari bachchi hai…” unhone dheeme se kaha.

“Na?” Zohan foran bola.

“Kitni saleeqe wali aur sharmeeli bhi.”

Dono Bua-bhatija uski tareef pe tareef kiye ja rahe the.

Aur Miran…

Usse waqai aisa lag raha tha jaise woh wahan beech mein bekaar hi khada ho.

Usne aakhirkaar thode sakht lehje mein kaha—

“Aap dono ka ho gaya ho toh cabin chalein?”

Dono ek dusre ki taraf dekh kar dheere se hans diye.

Phir dono seedhe hote hue ek saath bole—

“Haan zaroor.”

Din dheere dheere guzarte gaye.

Sab kuch ab mamool ke mutabiq chal raha tha…

lekin ek cheez zaroor badal gayi thi.

Asiya ko Ms. Jahan bohot pasand aa gayi thi.

Itni ke ab woh aksar usse office mein mil leti, uske saath chai peeti aur choti choti baatein bhi karne lagi thi.

Kabhi kabhi toh Zohan bhi mazaak mein kehta—

“Bua, aap office Miran se milne aati hain ya Ms. Jahan se?”

Aur har baar Asiya bas muskura deti.

Unhone ek din usse ghar par dawat bhi di thi. Ms. Jahan pehle bohot jhijhki… lekin phir maan gayi.

Dheere dheere woh dono kaafi close ho chuki thi.

Lekin Miran ke saamne…

Woh ab bhi usse thoda darti thi.

Aaj Miran apni Europe business trip ki preparations mein busy tha.

Uski cabin mein files, travel schedules aur meeting documents pade hue the.

Woh laptop par kaam kar raha tha ke tabhi cabin ke door par halki si knock hui.

“Come in.”

Door dheere se khula.

Ms. Jahan andar aayi.

Aaj usne sage green hijab pehna hua tha, bohot saadgi aur pur-haya andaaz mein. Chehre par har baar ki tarah sharafat aur aankhon mein halki si jhijhak thi.

Miran ne ek nazar us par dali… aur phir dobara file ki taraf dekhne laga.

“Ji, Ms. Jahan?”

Woh dheeme qadmon se aage badhi.

“Sir…” usne halki si ghabrahat mein kaha, “kya mujhe one week ki leave mil sakti hai?”

Miran ne is baar uski taraf dekha.

Uska chehra halka sa ghabrahat lag raha tha. Woh apni fingers ko bechaini se ek dusre mein fasa rahi thi.

“Reason?” Miran ne seedha poocha.

Woh ek pal ke liye ruk gayi… phir jaldi se boli—

“Actually… meri behen aa rahi hai.” “So I wanted to spend some time with her… please sir.”

Uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb si umeed thi.

Miran kuch der tak usse dekhta raha.

Pata nahi kyun…

Uski aankhon mein apni family ke liye woh excitement dekh kar usse halka sa khush hua.

Phir usne pur-sukoon lehje mein kaha—

“Okay.”

Ms. Jahan ki aankhein halka sa chamak uthi.

“Leave letter bhej dijiye.” “I’ll approve it.”

Ek pal ke liye usse yakeen hi nahi hua.

“Really, sir?”

Miran ne halka sa bhanwein uchkain-

“Did I stutter?”

Woh foran halka sa muskura di.

“Thank you so much, sir!”

Uske chehre ki khushi itni saaf thi ke cabin ka mahaul tak halka lagne laga.

Phir woh jaldi se thank you keh kar wahan se chali gayi.

Aur Miran…

Usse jaate hue dekhta raha.

Aaj Miran Europe ke liye nikal raha tha.

Poora schedule pehle hi masroof tha, isliye subah se hi woh calls aur meetings mein uljha hua tha.

Zohan uske saath nahi jaa raha tha. Usse Istanbul mein reh kar SIDCORP sambhalna tha.

“Office tension free rehna chahiye mere wapas aane tak,” Miran ne airport pahunchte waqt usse sakht lehje mein kaha.

Zohan ne mazaak mein salute kiya.

“Yes boss.”

Thodi der baad Miran airport pahunch chuka tha.

Black coat, sunglasses aur usual sanjeeda shakhsiyat ke saath woh seedha apni private jet ki taraf badh raha tha.

Phone uske kaan par tha aur woh kisi important business call mein busy tha.

“Yes, schedule the Paris meeting first…” “No delays.”

Woh tezi se chal raha tha ke tabhi—

THUD.

Kisi se zor se takra gaya.

Dono ke bags neeche gir gaye aur samaan idhar udhar bikhar gaya.

“Watch it!” Miran lagbhag jhunjhla kar bolne hi wala tha…

Lekin saamne wala shaks usse pehle hi jaldi jaldi jhuk kar samaan uthane laga.

Woh ek ladka tha. Cap aur hoodie pehne hue, kaafi ghabraya hua lag raha tha.

“Sorry sir, I’m really sorry,” woh jaldi jaldi bol raha tha.

Miran ne bas ek nazar neeche daali.

Bag ke andar se kuch cheezein bahar gir gayi thi—

Ek lavender pouch. Kuch books. Aur ladkiyon ka kaafi saara samaan.

Miran ke maathe par halka sa bal aaya… lekin us waqt woh already phone call aur flight ki jaldi mein tha.

Us ladke ne foran saara samaan dobara bag mein daala.

“Sorry again, sir.”

Aur phir woh jaldi jaldi wahan se chala gaya.

Miran ne zyada dhyaan nahi diya.

Usne bas apna bag uthaya aur dobara call par focus karte hue private jet ki taraf badh gaya.

Usse bilkul andaaza nahi tha…

Ke ye choti si takraar uski zindagi ka rukh badalne wali thi.

Europe pahunchte hi Miran seedha meetings mein busy ho gaya.

Ek ke baad ek business discussions, contracts aur formal dinners… poora din itna masroof tha ke usse khud ko aaram karne ka waqt tak nahi mila.

Agli important meeting ke liye woh conference hall mein baitha files arrange kar raha tha ke tabhi usne apna bag khola.

Aur uski nazar ek anjaan diary par padi.

Siyah rang ka cover,

jis par sunehri kinari ka naqsh tha.

Aur poora andaaz behad shandaar tha.

Miran halki si uljhan mein diary ko dekhne laga.

“Ye…?”

Phir achanak usse airport wala waqia yaad aaya.

“Shayad us ladke ke bag se galti se aa gayi…”

Usne diary ko haath mein liya, kuch der dekha… phir ghadi ki taraf nazar dali.

Meeting already start hone wali thi.

“Later.”

Usne diary wapas bag mein rakh di aur kaam mein lag gaya.

Kuch din baad…

Miran Istanbul wapas aa chuka tha.

Poora safar aur meetings usse buri tarah thaka chuke the.

Ghar aate hi usne bas apna coat side par pheka aur seedha room mein chala gaya.

Uska chehra se saaf pata chal raha hai ke wo bohat thaka hua lag raha tha.

Woh bed par girne hi wala tha ke achanak usse woh diary yaad aayi.

Usne halki si saans li aur bag ki taraf badha.

Diary ab bhi wahi rakhi thi.

Woh bed par baith kar kuch der usse bas dekhta raha.

Siyah cover.

Kinaaron par sunehri naqashi.

Aur ek ajeeb si dilkash nazakat.

Jaise woh koi normal diary nahi… kisi ki bohot khaas cheez ho.

Miran ne dheere se usse khola.

Pehla safha khulte hi uski nazar bade-bade khoobsurat haroof par padi—

INAYA

Naam itne pyaare andaaz mein likha hua tha jaise likhne wala us naam ko mehsoos karta ho.

Aur uske neeche chote lafzon mein likha tha—

“Meri Ankahee Baatein.”

Room ek dum khamosh tha.

Aur pata nahi kyun…

Miran ne diary ko aur dhyaan se pakad liya.

Kamre mein halki si khamoshi chhayi hui thi.

Miran bed ke kone par baitha diary ko dekhe jaa raha tha.

“INAYA…”

Usne dheeme se naam padha.

Pata nahi kyun us naam mein ajeeb si kashish thi.

Lekin agle hi lamhe uske zehan mein ek aur baat aayi—

Kya kisi ki personal diary padhna munasib hoga?

Usne halki si saans li aur diary band kar di.

“Maybe I shouldn’t…”

Lekin phir taajus ne usse dobara diary kholne par majboor kar diya.

“Bas dekh leta hoon koi contact information ho toh…” usne khud se kaha.

Woh dheere dheere safhon ko idhar udhar palatne laga.

Kabhi phela safha. Kabhi akhri.

Shayad kahin number ho… address ho… ya koi detail jisse pata chale diary kiski hai.

Lekin usse kuch nahi mila.

Miran kuch der tak un safhon ko khamoshi se dekhta raha.

Pata nahi kyun…

Us diary mein ek ajeeb si udaasi mehsoos ho rahi thi.

Lekin iss waqt woh itna thak chuka tha ke uska dimaag aur kuch sochne ki haalat mein nahi tha.

Usne diary dheere se band ki aur side table par rakh di.

Phir bed par let gaya.

Aankhein band karte hi neend ne usse apni taraf kheench liya.

Aur kamre ke ek kone mein…

Woh siyah rang ki diary khamoshi se wahin rakhi thi.

Jaise apne andar kisi ki poori duniya chhupa kar baithi ho.

Subah ho chuki thi.

Lekin aaj Miran ka office jaane ka bilkul dil nahi tha.

Shayad safar ki thakaan… ya phir lagataar meetings.

Uski tabiyat kuch theek nahi lag rahi thi.

Usne bed se uthte hi phone uthaya aur Zohan ko call ki.

“Important kaam ho toh mujhe call kar dena,” usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.

Zohan ne foran poocha—

“Tu theek hai na?”

“Haan… bas rest chahiye.”

“Fine, take care.”

Call cut hote hi Miran neeche breakfast ke liye chala gaya.

Asiya ne bhi dekha ke woh ghair-maamooli taur par chup hai.

“Sab theek hai, beta?”

“Haan Mumma, bas thoda tired hoon.”

Breakfast ke baad woh wapas apne kamre mein aa gaya.

Kamre mein halki si dhoop parde ke darmiyan se andar aa rahi thi.

Aur tabhi…

Uski nazar side table par rakhi us siyah rang ki dairy par padi.

Woh kuch lamhon tak usse dekhta raha.

Pata nahi kyun…

Aaj uska dil us diary ko kholne ko chaah raha tha.

Usne dheere se diary uthayi aur bed ke sahare baith gaya.

Phir usne pehla safha khola.

Khoobsurat aur bade bade huroof mein likha tha—

“Aaj mera 15th birthday hai…”

Miran ki nazar lafzon par tik gayi.

Usne aage padhna shuru kiya—

“Har saal ki tarah mujhe Mamma aur Baba ne surprise diya. Hum bohot khush the. Meri duniya un dono mein basti thi. Baba mujhe kisi cheez ki kami mehsoos nahi hone dete the… unki laadli jo thi. Mere ek baar kehne par woh sab kuch la kar rakh dete the…”

Miran dheere dheere woh lafz padh raha tha.

Diary ki handwriting bohot pyaari thi. Masoom si. Jaise likhne wali har baat dil se mehsoos karti ho.

Usne agla jumla padha—

“Mamma hamesha kehti hain ke main bohot ziddi hoon… lekin Baba ko meri har zidd pyaari lagti hai.”

Miran ke honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.

Us diary mein ek ajeeb si garm-joshi thi. Ek aisa ghar… ek aisi family… jo bohot mukammal lag rahi thi.

Aur Miran…

Kab ka apni thakaan bhool chuka tha.

Miran diary ko bade ghaur se padh raha tha.

Har page ke saath usse aisa lag raha tha jaise woh kisi anjaan insaan ki zindagi ke bohot kareeb aata ja raha ho.

Usne agla safha palta.

Khoobsurat handwriting mein likha tha—

“Party mein sab aaye the… mere dost, Khala-Khalu aur unki beti Zubi bhi.”

Neeche ek choti si smiley bani hui thi.

“Zubi mujhe zyada khaas pasand nahi karti thi. Pata nahi kyun woh mujhse hamesha chidti thi. Seedhe muh baat bhi nahi karti thi.”

Miran halka sa muskuraya.

Diary likhne wali har baat itni imandari se likh rahi thi ke padhte waqt sab aankhon ke saamne aane lagta tha.

Usne aage padha—

“Phir aaye Sidra Maasi…” “Mumma ki childhood best friend.”

“Aur unki beti Fariha!”

Naam ke aage usne chota sa heart bana rakha tha.

“Fariha meri sabse achi dost hai. Hum dono same school mein padhte the.”

“Lekin phir ek din uske Abba ka transfer Turkey ho gaya… aur woh log wahan shift ho gaye.”

Miran ki nazar ek pal ke liye ruk gayi.

Turkey…

Usne phir padhna jaari rakha.

“Sidra Maasi mujhse bohot pyaar karti hain. Jab bhi aati hain mere liye chocolates aur gifts zaroor laati hain.”

“Aur Fariha…” “Allahhh!”

Neeche muskurate hue chehre jaisa ek pyara sa sketch bana hua tha.

“Woh toh itni chapad chapad karti hai ke ek saans mein poori duniya ki baatein bata deti hai.”

“Hum bohot khush hua karte the…”

Aakhri jumla padh kar Miran kuch der chup ho gaya.

Diary ke lafzon mein ek ajeeb si masoomiyat thi. Jaise likhne wali sach mein bohot khush bachpan jee rahi thi.

Usne diary band nahi ki.

Bas dheere se next page palat diya.

Pata nahi kyun…

Ab woh jaan na chahta tha ke iss “Inaya” ki kahani aage kya thi.

Miran ne diary ka agla safha palta.

Jaise jaise woh aage padh raha tha… “Inaya” naam uske zehan mein aur gehra hota ja raha tha.

Page ke upar choti si heading bani hui thi—

“College Days”

Usne padhna shuru kiya—

“Aaj college ka pehla din tha.”

“Main Jai Hind College mein admission le chuki hoon.”

“College bohot bada nahi tha… lekin Mumbai ke best colleges mein uska naam aata tha.”

Neeche usne chota sa doodle banaya hua tha— ek graduation cap.

“Zubi bhi wahi college mein padhti thi…” “Bas uska section alag tha.”

“Kabhi kabhi main usse baat karne ki koshish karti…” “lekin woh muh pher kar chali jaati.”

“Maine bohot baar socha usse poochun ke woh mujhse itni chidti kyun hai…” “par woh seedhe muh kabhi baat hi nahi karti thi.”

Miran diary padhte hue sanjeeda hota ja raha tha.

Har line mein ek halka sa akelapan mehsoos ho raha tha.

Usne aage padha—

“College mein mere koi khaas dost nahi the.”

“Main zyada tar apne aap mein rehti thi…” “aur sirf studies par mutawajjah rehti thi.”

“Baba ka sapna tha ke main MBA karun…” “woh bhi kisi bohot badi university se.”

Neeche ek line alag se likhi hui thi—

“Aur main Baba ka har sapna poora karna chahti thi.”

Miran ne dheere se saans li.

Diary ke lafzon mein apne maa baap ke liye jo mohabbat thi… woh bohot saaf mehsoos ho rahi thi.

Usne padhna jaari rakha—

“Baba Mumbai mein ek textile export business chalate hain.” “Unhone bohot mehnat se sab kuch banaya hai.”

“Woh hamesha kehte hain—”

Neeche likha tha—

‘Meri beti kisi se kam nahi hogi.’

Ye line padh kar Miran kuch der ke liye khamosh ho gaya.

Usse apne pappa ki yaad aa gayi.

Diary mein aage likha tha—

“Mujhe padhna hamesha se pasand tha. Shayad isi liye har saal ache numbers aa jaate the. Baba result ke din mujhse zyada khush nazar aate the. Unki aankhon ki chamak dekh kar lagta tha jaise maine duniya jeet li ho.”

“Sab kuch sahi chal raha tha…”

Uske baad aisa laga… ke kahani badalne wali ho.

Miran ne dheere se agla safha palta.

Is baar handwriting pehle se thodi alag lag rahi thi. Jaise likhte waqt haath halka se kaanp rahe ho.

Usne padhna shuru kiya—

“Kuch saal tak sab theek chalta raha.”

“Main doosri college mein shift ho gayi thi…” “Studies bhi achi chal rahi thi aur Baba ka business bhi.”

“Zindagi bohot sukoon se guzar rahi thi.”

Phir neeche ek line likhi thi—

“Kaash waqt wahi ruk jaata…”

Miran ki nazar us line par theher gayi.

Usne dheere se aage padha—

“Ek din hum teeno trip par ja rahe the.” “Main, Baba aur Mamma.”

“Mujhe raste mein bohot bhook lag rahi thi.”

“Maine Baba se kaha—”

Neeche likha tha—

‘Baba mujhe bohot bhook lag rahi hai…’

“Baba foran muskura diye.”

‘Acha… meri beti ko bhook lag rahi hai?’

Miran ke honton par halki si muskuahat aayi.

Woh tasavvur kar paa raha tha…

Ek laad se bhara baap. Aur uski laadli beti.

Diary mein aage likha tha—

“Tabhi Baba ne road ke side ek choti si shop dekhi.”

“Woh gaadi rok kar neeche utarne hi wale the ke maine peeche se kaha—”

‘Baba main chali jaati hoon na.’

“Baba foran bole—”

‘Tu abhi bhi meri choti bacchi hai.’

Neeche ek chhoti si muskurahat ka naqsh bana hua tha.

“Maine foran muh bana kar kaha—”

‘Baba! Main next year nineteen ki hone wali hoon… aur aap keh rahe ho main choti bacchi hoon?’

“Aur phir main khud hi gaadi se utar gayi.”

Miran diary bohot dhyaan se padh raha tha ab.

Usse mehsoos ho raha tha ke kuch bura hone wala hai.

Diary mein aage likha tha—

“Main shop ke andar gayi…”

“Aur kuch snacks lekar wapas gaadi ki taraf aa rahi thi…”

Lafz yahan thode tedhe medhe ho gaye the.

Jaise likhne wali us pal ko yaad karte hue toot rahi ho.

“Tabhi…”

“Peeche se ek bohot bada truck…”

“Hamari gaadi se takra gaya.”

Miran ka haath diary par ruk gaya.

Kamre mein ek dum khamosh ho gaya.

Aur uski nazar us aakhri jumle par jam gayi.

Us ek pal ne Inaya ki poori zindagi badal di.

Truck ki zor daar takraar ke baad sab kuch bikhar gaya tha. Road par cheekhein thi… tootey hue sheeshe the… aur har taraf afra tafri.

Aur un sab ke beech…

Inaya wahi sadak par behosh padi thi.

Pata nahi kitna waqt guzra.

Jab usne dheere dheere aankhein kholi, usse sab dhundla dhundla nazar aa raha tha.

Safed chhat. Tez dawayion ki khushboo. Machines ki halki halki awaazein.

Hospital.

Uski saansein ekdum tez ho gayi.

Usne halka sa sarghumaya…

Uske paas uski Khala baithi thi. Aankhein ro ro kar laal ho chuki thi.

Jaise hi unhone dekha ke Inaya ko hosh aa gaya hai, woh foran uske kareeb aayi.

“Beta…” unki awaaz buri tarah kaamp rahi thi, “tum theek ho?”

Lekin Inaya ne unki baat suni hi nahi.

Uski nazrein poore kamre mein kisi ko dhoond rahi thi.

“Mamma…?”

Uski awaaz bohot kamzor thi.

“Baba kahan hain…?”

Khala ki aankhon se aansu gir pade.

Inaya ekdum ghabra gayi.

“Mamma?!”

Is baar uski awaaz unchi ho gayi.

“Baba kahan hain?!”

Lekin kisi ne jawab nahi diya.

Bas khamoshi.

Woh khamoshi jo insaan ki rooh tak tod deti hai.

Inaya ne bed se uthne ki koshish ki.

“MUJHE UNKE PAAS JANA HAI!”

Uske haathon mein cannula lagi hui thi, lekin usse kuch hosh nahi tha.

Woh bas baar baar ek hi baat keh rahi thi—

“Mamma ko bulao…” “Baba ko bulao please…”

Uski Khala roti hui usse rokne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

“Inaya beta…”

Lekin Inaya sunne ki haalat mein nahi thi.

“Mere Baba mujhe aise akela nahi chhod sakte…” “Woh promise karke aaye the…” “Woh mujhe chhod ke nahi ja sakte…”

Uski cheekhein poore kamre mein gunj rahi thi.

Har lafz ke saath uska dil toot raha tha.

“Aap sab jhoot bol rahe ho…” “Mujhe Mamma ke paas jana hai…”

Phir achanak uski nazar Khala ki aankhon par padi.

Woh aankhein… jo sach chhupa nahi paa rahi thi.

Aur ussi pal…

Jaise Inaya ko sab samajh aa gaya.

Uski saansein ruk si gayi.

“...Nahi…”

Usne dheere se sar hilaya.

“Nahi…”

Aansu uski aankhon se lagataar behne lage.

“Mere mamma Baba ko kuch nahi ho sakta…”

Uski awaaz toot chuki thi.

“Unhone kaha tha…” “woh hamesha mere saath rahenge…”

Aur phir…

Woh bachi jo kuch ghanton pehle tak apne mamma baba ke saath hass rahi thi…

Hospital ke us bed par toot kar bikhar gayi.

Inaya itna ro chuki thi… ke ab usmein rone ki bhi taaqat nahi bachi thi.

Uski aankhein soojh chuki thi. Honth kaamp rahe the. Aur saansein baar baar toot rahi thi.

Hospital se ghar tak ka safar usse yaad bhi nahi raha.

Sab kuch jaise dhundla pad gaya tha.

Aaj us ghar mein, jahan kabhi hansiyon ki awaaz gunjti thi… sirf rote hue logon ki siskhiyaan thi.

Inaya chup chaap zameen par baithi thi. Bilkul apni Mamma aur Baba ke paas.

Safed kafan mein lipte hue dono uske saamne the.

Aur Inaya…

Bas unhe dekhe jaa rahi thi.

Jaise ab bhi usse yakeen na aa raha ho ke ye sab sach hai.

Kabhi woh dheere se apni Mamma ka haath pakad leti… kabhi Baba ke paas sar jhuka kar baith jaati.

“Baba uth jaiye na…”

Uski awaaz itni toot chuki thi ke sun kar har kisi ki aankhein bhar aa rahi thi.

“Aapne kaha tha na…” “aap mujhe kabhi akela nahi chhodoge…”

Lekin jawab mein sirf khamoshi thi.

Woh khamoshi jo Inaya ko andar se maar rahi thi.

Kuch hi der mein log unhe le jaane ke liye aage badhe.

Aur tabhi—

Door se Sidra aur Fariha jaldi jaldi andar aaye.

Jaise hi Inaya ki nazar unpar padi…

Woh khud ko rok nahi paayi.

Woh bhaag kar seedha Sidra ke gale lag gayi.

“MAASIII…”

Uski cheekh poore ghar mein gunj uthi.

Aisi cheekh… jo seedha dil cheer de.

“Maasi mere mamma Baba ko le ja rahe hain…” “Unhe rokiye na…” “Please unhe boliye mujhe chhod kar mat jaayein…”

Sidra Maasi khud buri tarah ro rahi thi.

Unhone Inaya ko zor se apne se laga liya.

“Bas beta…” “Bas…”

Lekin Inaya ruk hi nahi pa rahi thi.

“Mujhe bhi unke saath jaana hai…” “Mujhe akela nahi rehna…”

Uski awaaz har lafz ke saath toot rahi thi.

Fariha bhi rote hue uske paas baith gayi aur usse gale laga liya.

“Inaya…” “Please sambhal khud ko…”

Lekin Inaya sambhalne ki haalat mein hi nahi thi.

Uski poori duniya uske saamne ja rahi thi.

Aur phir…

Kuch log dheere dheere uske Mamma aur Baba ko le gaye.

Inaya bas wahi zameen par baithi reh gayi.

Khali aankhon se door jaate un janazon ko dekhti hui.

Us din…

Sirf uske mamma baba nahi gaye the.

Uske saath Inaya ki bachpana, uski muskurahat… aur uska sukoon bhi chala gaya tha.

Kamre mein gehri khamoshi chhayi hui thi.

Sirf diary ke safhe palatne ki halki si awaaz aa rahi thi.

Aur Miran…

Woh bilkul chup baitha tha.

Uski nazar diary ke un lafzon par jami hui thi, lekin uska zehan kahin aur chala gaya tha.

Inaya ki cheekhein… uska tootna… uska “Baba” keh kar rona…

Sab uske kaanon mein gunj raha tha.

Pata nahi kyun…

Uske dil mein ajeeb si bechaini uthne lagi.

Usne dheere se diary band kar di.

Aur sar peeche sofa se laga diya.

Kuch lamhon ke liye usne aankhein band kar li.

Lekin aankhein band karte hi…

Usse apna guzra hua waqt yaad aa gaya.

Apne pappa ki woh aakhri cheekh. Apni maa ka rona. Aur woh chota sa Miran… jo kuch samajh hi nahi paa raha tha.

Uski saansein halki si bhaari ho gayi.

Bohot dino baad…

Woh iss tarah se sehmaa hua mehsoos kar raha tha.

Jaise kisi ne uske purane zakhm dobara khol diye ho.

Miran roya nahi.

Shayad woh bachpan mein hi rona bhool chuka tha.

Lekin uska chehra ajeeb sa ho gaya tha. Aankhon mein ajeeb si nami thi. Aur nazrein bilkul khoyi hui.

Woh bas khamosh baitha raha.

Pehli baar…

Usse ajeeb si bechani mehsoos ho rahi thi.

Jaise us diary ke lafz sirf padhe nahi ja rahe the… balki seedha uske dil mein utar rahe the.

Diary band karne ke baad bhi Miran ka dil ajeeb sa bhaari tha.

Woh kuch der tak bas bed par baitha chhat ko dekhta raha.

kamre bilkul khamosh tha… lekin uske zehan mein Inaya ki awaaz ab bhi gunj rahi thi.

“Baba mujhe akela mat chhodiye…”

Miran ne aankhein band kar li.

Usse himmat nahi ho rahi thi aage padhne ki.

Us diary ka har lafz uske andar tak utar raha tha.

Lekin saath hi woh yeh bhi jaan na chahta tha—

Aakhir Inaya ke saath aage hua kya?

Kya woh sambhal paayi? Kaise jee paayi itna sab hone ke baad?