Qaid Mein Chuppi Azadi
: Qaid Mein Chhupi Azadi.
Sofia woh larki thi jise dekh kar log ruk jaate the — jaise kisi ne zindagi ke har dard ko husn mein chhupa diya ho. Uske chehre pe aisi roshni thi ke dil se sirf ek hi lafz nikalta: “Wahh… jaise husn ka safar yahin ruk gaya ho.” Magar uski aankhon mein... ek purani kahani soyi hoti thi.
Har baat mein tahzeeb. Har jawab mein soch. Na kabhi kisi se zyada bola, na kisi ki nazar ka bura matlab samjha.
Magar jo koi dil se dekhta — wo samajh jata ke ye khamoshi koi aadat nahi, aik chhupa hua zakham hai. Woh raaz jo sirf uske dil ke ek kone mein daba tha: Jab wo sirf 5 saal ki thi, uske maa-baap ne useh chor diya… kaise aur kyun, yeh raaz abhi tak usi mein dafan hai. Woh bachpan ki cheekhein, jinki goonj ab bhi uske khwabon mein rawan hai.
Aaj wo ek parayi duniya mein kaam karti hai — Ek aise ghar mein jahan sirf ek dost hai: Ayzal, jo useh behen se barh kar chahti hai. Aur ek grandfather, jo dono larkiyon ko muskarahaton se sawar dete hain. Lekin Ayzal ki maan — Sofia se har waqt kaam leti hai, us pe chilati hai.
Aur fir hota hai wo waqt — jab ek saal baad Jabir wapas aata hai — Ayzal ka walid, ek pehlu mein narm, doosre pehlu mein be-parwah. Sofia ke liye wo sirf aik samajdari bhara naam hai — jo kabhi usay dekhta nahi, sirf kabhi kabar “tum theek ho?” keh kar farz nibha leta hai.
Sofia sab ko lagti hai mazloom. Lekin uske andar chhupa hai ek toofan. Jo kisi din, kisi pal, kisi lafz se phat sakta hai… Aur duniya ko bataye ga ke woh sirf aik naukrani nahi… Woh ek kahani hai — jise kabhi kisi ne suna hi nahi.
Subah ka waqt tha — lekin Sofia ke liye yeh koi naye din ka aghaaz nahi tha. Yeh sirf ek aur din tha… jahan har lamha ek imtihaan hota tha.
Uske naazuk haath ek purani chai ki pyaali ko pakre hue the, jise usne kal raat peene se pehle bhi dhoya tha, peene ke baad bhi. Chulhe pe chai ubal rahi thi — usi tarah jaise Sofia ke andar kuch jazbaat ubalte the, par kabhi kisi ne dekha nahi.
Achanak kitchen ke darwaze ke us paar se ek teekhi si awaaz gunji:
“Kahan hai ladki?! Chai banane ko kaha tha, sogaayi kya?!”
Sofia ka haath hil gaya — lekin uski masoomiat ne cheekhne ke bajaye sirf jhuk kar jawab diya:
“J-ji... aa aayi Addi... bas... ban gayi...”
Uska lehja aisa tha jaise har lafz apne wajood ke liye ijaazat maang raha ho. Aankhon mein halki si ghabrahat thi, aur aankhon ke neeche raat bhar ki thakan ki lakeerein. Magar phir bhi, usne chai pyaali mein daali.
Usne apni aankhon se ek baar Ayzal ki photo ki taraf dekha jo fridge ke kone pe chipki thi, aur dil mein sirf yeh dua nikli:
“Bas Ayzal uth jaaye, uske saath baat ho jaaye... to din ka bojh halka lage.”
Magar Sofia jaanti thi… Is ghar mein har din uska nahi hota, Sirf waqt hota hai — jise guzarna padta hai.
Addi ne jaise hi chai ka cup haath mein uthaya, uska gussa bhi ubal utha — Chai garam thi, lekin Addi ka lehja usse bhi zyada teekha.
“Ye kya hai Sofia?! Itni der laga di?! Har kaam mein deeri, har baat mein bebaki! Kaam karne ayi ho ya sone?!”
Sofia ka sir jhuk gaya. Uske hont hil rahe the — wo kuch kehna chahti thi, magar har lafz uske gale mein hi thama reh gaya.
Magar usi waqt — Ek narmi bhari awaaz hallway se aayi… “Mama…”
Ayzal enter hui — neend se halke phulke baalon mein, aankhon mein halka gussa, aur awaaz mein woh pehli baar dikhi Sofia ke liye jurrat.
“Mama… kya ho gaya? Kar hi to rahi thi. Thori dair ho gayi to kya uska izzat se jawab nahi diya ja sakta?”
Addi ne palat kar dekha, kuch kehne ko thi — Lekin Ayzal ka lehja is dafa usse rok gaya.
“Aap ka kehna sir aankhon par… lekin har baat mein daantna zaroori thodi hota hai. Sofia ka bhi din bhar kaam hota hai — nashta karne do usay.”
Addi ne na-pasandida si nazar daali, lekin kuch nahi bola. Ayzal ne Sofia ki taraf dekha, halka sa muskurayi — wo muskurahat jismein Sofia ko apni izzat ki tasalli mehsoos hui.
“Chalo, Sofia. Chalo nashta karo, main le aati hoon.”
Sofia ne sukoon ka saans liya. Dil mein ek halka se shukr guzar jazba tha — Ayzal ke liye, us ek lamhe ke liye, Jisne uski khamoshi ki taraf pehli baar koi bolne wala bheja tha.
Kitchen ka kaam mukammal nahi hua tha, ke Addi — Sadia — phir se apni usual lehar mein aa gayi:
“Sofia, theek se safai karna! Kal bhi tumne table ke kone mein safai chor di thi — mujhe sab yaad rehta hai!”
Sofia ne aankhen jhukai, aur dhire dhire se jawab diya:
“J-jee Addi… ab ki dafa achi kar doon gi.”
Uski awaaz mein dil se maafi thi, lekin izzat ki talash bhi.
Addi ne kuch aur kehna tha, ke usi waqt uska phone baj utha. Screen par naam chamak raha tha: “Jabir Calling...”
Uska lehja fori badal gaya — Teekhi si Sadia ab ek lehrati hui biwi ban gayi thi. Phone ka speaker chalu hua, aur “haan jabir… aap kab wapas aa rahe hain?” jese alfaaz room mein gunjne lage.
Lekin isi masroofiyat ke darmiyan, ek kamzor si awaaz hall ke us kone se uthi:
“Sadia… zara meri baat suno.” Yeh awaaz thi Dadda ki — ghar ke wahid buzurg, sab se pyarr krne wale.
Unki tangon mein Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) tha — Ek bimari jismein taangon mein khoon ki supply theek se nahi hoti, jiski wajah se chalna mushkil ho jata hai. Unki taange ab sath nahi deti thi, aur wheelchair unki hamesha ki saathi ban chuki thi.
Magar unki beti — Sadia — ab bhi us awaaz ko be-ehmiat samajhti thi. Wo phone mein ghul gayi, “haan jaabir... woh sab theek hai...” aur Dadda ki pukar hawa mein kho gayi.
Sofia ne ye sab dekha… Ek pal ruki… Aur phir khud aage barh kar Dadda ke paas chali gayi.
“Ji Dadda, mein idhar hoon.”
Unki aankhon mein ek muskarahat chamak uthi — wo muskarahat jo kisi apne ko dekh kar aati hai.
“Pata tha mujhe… tum ya Ayzal mein se koi zaroor aaye ga. Sadia meri awaaz to sunna hi chor chuki hai…” Unki awaaz mein thoda gila, thoda dard, aur thoda sukoon bhi tha.
Sofia jhuki — jaise apne jazbaat chhupa rahi ho — aur pyar se boli:
“Koi baat nahi Dadda… aap mujhe batayein, mein aap ka kaam kar don.”
Unki aankhon mein nami thi.
“Jeeti raho, beta.”
“Mujhe zara libraray tak le chalo… aaj thori books dekhni hain. Mujhe lagta hai main kuch cheezein bhoolne laga hoon... aur likhne ka dil kar raha hai.”
Sofia ne unki wheelchair pakdi — aur sambhal sambhal kar unhein libraray ki taraf le chal padi.
Unke bejaan jism ko le jaate hue, Sofia ka dil zyada bhaari hua — kyunki usay lagta tha ke Dadda jaise log sunne ke laayak hain… lekin unhein koi sunta nahi.
Raat ka waqt tha. Ghar ke har kone mein khamoshi ka ek saaz baj raha tha — Har koi apne apne kamre mein soya hua tha, Magar ek kamra tha jahan neend se zyada soch ka basera tha.
Sofia apne kamre mein akele baithi thi. Haath mein ek purani si kanghi — jiske daant toot gaye the, Magar uske haathon ki narmi ne use kabhi mehsoos hone nahi diya.
Uski kali zulfein, jo uske gaalon ko chhoo rahi thi, Har taar mein ek alag si chamak thi — Jese andheron mein bhi roshni ki koi kiran ho.
Chehra noorani tha, lekin udaasi ki jhalak thi. Zulfon ke darmiyan uski aankhen khaali nahi thi — bharpur thi. Lekin wo bharpur khushi se nahi, ek purani kami se thi.
Woh kanghi karti ja rahi thi, aur sochti ja rahi thi…
“Kaash… kaash is waqt mein apne ghar hoti. Apni maa ke paas — jahan har sawal ka jawab sirf aik muskurahat hota. Apne walid ke saaye mein, jahan har khauf ek pal mein mit jata…”
Uska dil chaha ke koi use gale lagaaye — bina kisi wajah ke, sirf is liye ke wo Sofia hai. Na naukrani, na zimmedari — sirf ek beti, ek larki, ek insaan.
Magar phir usne apni soch ko jhatka… Zindagi ne use ye seekha diya tha ke “jo nahi milta, uske liye raat bhar rone se kuch nahi milta.”
Usne kanghi side pe rakhi, aur apne aap se narmi se kaha:
“Bas… ab so jaa Sofia. Kal subah phir se wohi kaam, wohi awaazein, Magar tum kamzor nahi… tum ab bhi chal rahi ho.”
Usne palang par let kar, blanket se khud ko dhak liya Jaise har jazbaat ko ek chadar mein lapet diya ho. Aur us raat, neend to na sahi — par sukoon ka ek pal zaroor uske paas aaya.
“Baba… baba mat jaiye! Bohot andhera hai… khuda ke liye mat jaiye…”
Sofia ki awaaz neend mein kaanp rahi thi. Uske hont hil rahe the, saans tez thi — Aur aankhon se aansuon ki ek baarish chal rahi thi… jo khwab se pehle se thi, ya baad mein — kuch kehna mushkil tha.
Achanak wo uth baithi — Saans phuli hui, dil dhadak raha tha jaise kisi ne andar se zor se jhatka diya ho. us ne uth kar dekha to — kamra andheray mein dooba hua tha. Sirf ek purani tube light ka halka sa bulb bahar se chamak raha tha.
Aur Sofia ka chehra… wahi dar, wahi uljhan — jo us ke khwab mein tha.
Ye khwab uska peechha nahi chhorda tha. Har doosri, teesri raat nahi — Har raat. Roz ek jaisi tasveer. Wo khud — sirf 2 mahine ki Aur uske baba, jinhon ne usay god mein uthaya hua tha.
Khush the, muskuraye… Phir ek pahadi ke kinare le gaye. Neeche ek gehri nadi thi — Aik aisi gahrayi jahan se chehre wapas nahiaate, sirf yaadein rehti hain.
Aur baba ne… Sofia ko wahan rakh diya — aur bina kuch kahe wapas mud gaye. Kahi chale gaye. Andheray mein. Bina palat kar dekhe. Aur Sofia… Bas dekhti reh gayi. Neend mein cheekhti rahi. Auron ke kuwab khushi laate hain, Sofia ke kuwab bas sawal chor jaate hain.
Is waqt — raat ke teen baj rahe the. Sab so rahe the. Magar Sofia — paglon ki tarah ro rahi thi. Aankhon mein dard tha, mooh se koi awaaz nahi nikal rahi thi.
Usay samajh nahi aata tha ke ye khwab kya tha? Kyun aata tha? Kya kehna chahta tha? Magar ek baat wo jaanti thi — ye khwab, uske dil mein kisi tooti hui yaad ka jism tha…
Subha ki halki dhoop kamray ke sheesho pe nach rahi thi, lekin Sofia ke chehre pe koi asar nahi tha. Wo pehle ki tarah chup chaap kitchen mein kaam kar rahi thi ke achanak Addi ki sakht awaaz sunai di:
“Sofia! Aaj tumhe special safai karni hai. Har cheez ko sahi jagah pe set karna hai. Aur suno, maine khaas menu tayyar kiya hai — ache se banana!”
Sofia ne halka sa muskuratehue poocha:
“Kyun Addi? Aaj aisi kya baat hai?”
Addi ne thoda ghamand se jawab diya:
“Aaj Ayzal ke rishte wale aa rahe hain.”
Sofia ne sir jhuka kar kaha: “Theek hai Addi. Fikr mat krein sab kuch acha sa tayyar kar doon gi.”
Usi waqt Ayzal ki awaaz upar se aayi — wo awaaz jo Sofia ke liye hamesha sukoon ban jaati thi. Us awaaz mein aj kuch aur tha... kuch naya. Sofia turant uske kamray ki taraf chali gayi.
Ayzal muskura kar boli:
“Sofia... aaj mere rishte wale aa rahe hain. Tum khush ho na?”
Sofia ne aankhon mein chamak le aate hue kaha: “Jee, Addi ne bataya tha.”
Ayzal ne uska haath pakr kar kaha:
“Dekho tum meri behno jaisi ho. Aur main nahi chahti ke tum in purane kapron mein guests ke samne jao. Yeh lo — mera suit pehen lo.”
Usne aik black silk ka mehnga suit nikaala. Sofia ne dekha to uski aankhon mein halki si hairani thi. Suit mehnga tha... aur khoobsurat bhi.
“Nahi Ayzal... main itna mehnga suit nahi pehenti...”
“Main de rahi hoon na, pehen lena. Tum pe acha lagega.”
Sofia ne uski khushi dekh kar sirf itna kaha: “Theek hai, khushi se.”
Phir wo wapas kitchen ki taraf chali gayi. Waqt kam tha — 5 baj chuke the, aur guests dinner par aane wale the. Har cheez perfect honi chahiye thi.
Mehmaan drawing room mein aa chuke thay. Kamray mein narmi se mehka hua ittar tha, halki halki khusboo, narm roshni, aur ek aise khaandani khamoshi jo sirf rishte wali mehfilon ka hissa hoti hai.
Ayzal sharam se nazrein jhukaaye sofay par baithi thi, uske dupatte ka pala uske haathon mein masroof tha, jaise woh apni ghabrahat usi mein lapet rahi ho. Mehmaan usay dekh kar impress ho rahe thay — uski tameez, uska andaaz, sab pasand aaya. Aik aunty ne muskurate hue kaha:
“MashAllah, larki bohot tameez daar hai... chehra bhi roshan hai, aur baat karne ka tareeqa bhi!”
Isi beech Sofia kitchen se tray mein chai, biscuits aur samosay le kar nikalti hai...
Aur tab hi sab kuch ruk sa gaya.
Sofia ne aaj pehli baar purani faded frock ki jagah aik deep black silk ka suit pehna tha. Suit uske naazuk jism par aise tha jaise chand ko kali raat ki zarurat hoti hai. Uske khule bal kandhon se gir rahe thay, aur uski aankhon mein hamesha ki tarah masoomiyat aur khamoshi ka samundar tha.
Uski entry itni khamosh thi ke kisi ne uska kadam chalna nahi suna — magar uski mojoodgi ne mehfil ka rawayya badal diya.
Guests ki nazrein jaise ek pal ke liye Ayzal se hat kar Sofia pe ja tik gayin.
Aik aunty ne halka sa jhukti hui Sofia ki taraf muskara kar kaha:
“Yeh larki kaun hai? Kitni pyaari hai... chehra noor se bharpoor.”
Doosri aunty ne bhi ghoor kar dekha, “Aankhon mein kitni safaai hai... bilkul paak dil larki lagti hai. Tumhari choti behn hai?”
Ayzal ne muskurate hue kaha:
“Nahi, lekin behn se kam bhi nahi.”
Sofia ne nazar jhuka kar salaam kiya, aur tray table pe rakh kar side mein khadi ho gayi. Uska lehja, uska andaz, har baat mein ek sakoon tha — jaise wo duniya ke shor sharabe se bilkul alag ho.
Lekin uss waqt Addi ka chehra dekhne layak tha.
Uski aankhon mein hairani thi, jaise usay yeh tasawwur hi nahi tha ke Sofia bhi ek din kisi ki taareef ban sakti hai. Uske dil mein jalan ka zehar ubal raha tha — usay Ayzal ki tareef sun ne ki aadat thi, lekin aaj... aaj mehmaanon ka ruk Sofia ki taraf tha.
Usne tez nazar se Ayzal ko dekha, jaise keh rahi ho:
“Yeh sab kya kiya?”
Lekin Ayzal ki muskurahat mein sirf khushi thi — us ke rishte wale aaye thay, sab khush the, aur sab kuch plan ke mutabiq jaa raha tha. Usay Sofia ki tareef se jalne ki zarurat mehsoos nahi hui... Uska dil to apni ek nayi shurwaat ke khwab se bhara hua tha.
sofia Wo phir se wapas kitchen ki taraf chali gayi — bina jaane ke aaj uski khamoshi ne mehfil ka raukh badal diya tha.
Rishtey wale chale gaye thay, lekin unki akhri baat ne ghar mein soch ka aik silsila chhed diya tha:
“Hum soch ke batayein ge, phir ayenge.”
Agle din shaam ke 5 baj rahe the, drawing room mein ek chhoti si mehfil lagi hui thi. Grandpa, Ayzal aur Sofia — teeno ek dastarkhwan ke ird gird baithe thay. Table par motichoor ke laddoo, cards aur coffee mugs thay. Hansi mazaak, shararat bhari baatein, aur woh saath jo waqt ka thakapan bhula de — sab kuch us lamhe mein mujood tha.
Ayzal: “Suno grandpa, agar mein luddoo jeet gayi to aap dono mujhe dinner mein biryani khilaenge!”
Grandpa (muskurate hue): “Aur agar mein jeet gaya to tum dono kal subha 6 baje morning walk pe chaloge!”
Sofia (hanste hue): “Ye to na-insafi hai… mujhe luddoo to chahiye, walk nahi!”
Sab haans rahe thay, mazaak kar rahe thay, Sofia ki aankhon mein kuch dair ke liye woh tanhaayi nahi thi.
Lekin…
Doosri taraf Sadia (Addi) coffee ka cup haath mein liye, lunch ke bartan uthaye, ghar mein idhar udhar ghoom rahi thi. Us ka chehra abhi bhi kal raat ki tafreeq mein gum tha. Usay ab tak samajh nahi aaya tha ke mehmaanon ne Sofia ko itna pasand kyun kiya.
Tabhi phone ki ghanti baji. Usne ja kar receiver uthaya:
Sadia: “Assalamualaikum, kaisi hain aap?”
Aunty: “Jee main theek hoon. Aap kaisi hain? Ayzal aur Sofia dono bachiyaan kaisi hain?”
Sadia ka chehra ek dum se thanda pad gaya. Usne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ke koi kabhi Sofia ka naam bhi poochega. Hamesha log sirf Ayzal ke liye poochte thay.
Lekin usne apna gussa control kiya aur professional lehje mein kaha:
“Jee dono bachiyaan theek hain. Khairiyat? Aap ne call kaise ki?”
Aunty: “Jee wo darasal... hum ne faisla kar liya hai ke humein ‘an kan’ aana hai.” “Hum kal aapke ghar rishta le kar aa rahe hain.”
Sadia ne zyada khushi dikhate hue kaha:
“Jee jee, khushi se... kal hi aa jaayen.”
Aunty: “Jee wo to theek hai... lekin ek baat kehni thi...”
Sadia: “Jee jee, ab to rishtedari ho rahi hai, kya baat chhupani?”
Aunty: “...wo darasal... hum Ayzal ka nahi... Sofia ka rishta lene aa rahe hain. Hamare ghar mein sab Ayzal se zyada Sofia pasand aayi hai...”
Sadia ke haathon se phone girta girta bacha.
Us ke chehre ka rang udh gaya. Jis ladki ko wo sirf aik ‘naukrani’ samajhti thi... aaj wo uski beti ki jagah le rahi thi.
Us ne gusse mein aakar Sofia ki buraiyan shuru kar di — phone par bola:
“Sofia? Wo meri beti jesi nahi... sirf kaam wali hai. Na uski family ka pata, na uska kirdar ka. Usne to aapke samne kuch aur hi chehra dikhaya ho ga. Wo to hamesha roti rehti hai, ghar mein sab ke khilaf baatein karti hai...”
Aunty ne silence mein sirf itna kaha:“Theek hai, agar aapki beti aisi hai to... hum Sofia ka rishta lena bhi nahi chahein ge. Khuda Hafiz.”
Call band ho gayi. Lekin Sadia ke andar ka zeher abhi tak ubal raha tha. Usne socha:
“Agar Sofia ne mujhe itna neecha dikhaya hai... to ab mein uska sab kuch cheen loongi.”
Us ne turant kadam uthaye aur drawing room mein gayi, jahan ab bhi hansi chal rahi thi. Sofia loddoo haar gayi thi, aur sab use chhidaye ja rahe thay.
Sadia ne enter karte hi na saans li, na salaam kiya — seedha Sofia par chadh gayi.
“Tum ne aunty ko kya kaha? Kya kya ulta seedha bol diya hamare baare mein? Kya ye bataya ke mein tum se zulm karti hoon? Kya bataya ke Ayzal ka kirdar kharab hai?!”
Sofia aik dum se khamosh ho gayi. Uske haath se luddoo gir gaya. GrandPa aur Ayzal dono shocked thay.
Grandpa ki nazrein Sofia pe ja tikiin — unmein wo bharosa nahi tha jo kal tak tha.
Ayzal ka chehra ek dam se udaas ho gaya. Uske dil mein ek teer ja kar chubha. Us ne kabhi nahi socha tha ke Sofia uski peeche baatein karegi.
“Kya ye sach hai Sofia…?” Us ki awaaz toot rahi thi.
Sofia ne aankhon mein aansoon le kar bas itna kaha:
“Mein ne kuch nahi kaha…”
Lekin GrandPa aur Ayzal dono ka chehra sawaalon aur shikwon se bhara hua tha. Unki aankhon mein ab Sofia ki izzat nahi thi… bas gussa, confusion aur doori thi.
GrandPa ne garaj kar kaha:“Humne tumhe beti jesa samjha… lekin tum ne hamesha peeche se chhura maara…”
Aur wo dono uth kar apne kamron mein chale gaye.
Sadia ka dil andar hi andar khush tha.Uski chaal ne kamal kar diya tha.
Ab Sofia akeli thi. Na uska koi tha, na us par ab kisi ka bharosa..
Room mein khamoshi thi... lekin Ayzal ke andar tufaan chal raha tha.
Wo baramday mein akeli baithi thi, haathon mein coffee ka cup tha jo kab ka thanda ho chuka tha. Uske zehan mein Sofia ki aankhon ka wo masoom dard baar baar ghoom raha tha — “Mein ne kuch nahi kaha…”
Lekin us waqt wo kuch samajh nahi paayi. Grandpa ki gusse bhari baat, Addi ka chehra, aur guests ki baat — sab kuch mila kar uska dil confuse ho gaya tha.
“Sofia jhooti to nahi thi...” “Lekin agar us ne kuch kaha hota to? Phir aunty ne itna bada faisla kyun liya?”
Ayzal ka dil shikwa bhi karta, aur Sofia ki dosti ko yaad bhi karta. Wo pal, wo laddoo wali hansi, wo chhoti chhoti baatein… sab us ke zehan mein aaj qatl ki tarah goonj rahi thi.
Room mein andhera tha. Sirf ek choti roshni jag rahi thi — jaise kisi zinda lash ki saans ka saboot ho.
Sofia bistar par baithi thi. Aankhon se aansoon ruk nahi rahe thay. Uska haath kabhi takiye ko dabaata, kabhi apni choti si diary ko ghoorta.
Phir achanak… wo psyco style mein bacho ki tarah rone lagi. Jaise koi 5 saal ki bachi apne maa baap ke bina reh gayi ho… Jaise zindagi ne use har jaga thukra diya ho.
“Main buri nahi hoon... sach bolti hoon... phir bhi sab mujhe chor dete hain…” “Mujhe koi bhi pyar nahi karta… Mujhe koi dosti nahi rakhta… main kis se kahun ke mujhe bhi apne maa baap ki yaad aati hai?”
Us ne bistar se uth kar almari ka darwaza khola — aik purana blue bag nikala. Bina kisi plan ke, bas aik jazbaat mein — us ne faisla le liya: Wo ghar chor kar chali jaayegi.
Kapray rakhte waqt, us ke tootay hue dil se kuch alfaaz nikal gaye:
“Mama… agar aap hoti to mujhe gale laga leti…” “Baba… agar aap hote to mujhe bata dete ke mein sach mein buri nahi hoon…” “Mujhe yaad hai wo raat jab mujhe aap se alag kiya gaya tha… mujhe sab yaad hai…” “Aaj mein dobara tanha ho gayi hoon — lekin is baar mein khud ja rahi hoon…”
Us ne bag ki zip band ki. Ek pal ko uski nazar Ayzal ke diye hue black suit par padi… Us ne use chhuwa — phir sir jhuka ke wapis rakh diya.
“Wo rishta bhi sirf aik khwab tha…”
Aankhon mein aansoon, kadmon mein thakan, aur dil mein bas aik jazba tha: Kahin door chali jaaye — jahan us ka sach sirf Allah sunay… aur koi nahi.
Us raat har cheez chup thi — sirf Sofia ka dil cheekh raha tha.
Usne apna blue bag uthaya. Wo halki si roshni mein chhup kar seedhiyon se utri, jaise kisi jail se apni saza ka intezaar nahi balki azaadi ka dard le kar nikal rahi ho. Har kadam pe uske dil ki dhadkan tez hoti ja rahi thi — lekin usne ruka nahi.
Gate ke bahar nikalte hi, raat ka andhera us ke samne darwaze ki tarah khula tha. Wo andhera jisse bachpan se usay bohot darr lagta tha.
Magar aaj… us darr se zyada dil ka toota bharosa bhaari tha. Us ne bag ka strap kas ke pakra, aur bina peechay dekhe lambe road par nikal gayi.
Sarak suni thi, chaand pichhle baadalon mein chhup gaya tha. Raasta sirf lamba tha… lekin manzil ka pata nahi tha.
Sofia ro rahi thi… chup ke aansoon nahi, bachpan ke roone jaise… hichkiyon wale.
“Mama…”“Baba…” “Aap mujhe kyun chor gaye…”
Us ke pair kabhi kabhi dagmagate, kabhi ruk jate. Andhera badh raha tha, aur uska darr bhi. Tabhi usay ek darakht nazar aaya. Ek purana, akela, andheron mein dhooba hua darakht — jese usi ki tarah duniya se kaata hua.
“Mujhe andhere se darr lagta hai…” Us ne khud se kaha, lekin aaj wo kisi ka dar nahi sun rahi thi.
Wo darakht ke paas gayi — us ne peechay se tek lagayi… bag uske saath gir gaya… aur wo dheere se baith gayi…
uski aankhon ke samne sab kuch dhundhla ho gaya.
Uska dil tez dhadak raha tha, lekin saans… dheere dheere halki pad rahi thi. Ek pal ko usay laga ke us ke andar ka sab kuch khali ho gaya hai…
Aur phir…
usne aankhein band kar li… aur behosh ho gayi.
Andhera uske ird gird tha… aur wo andhere mein bas aik masoomi si rooh ban chuki thi — jo duniya se bhag kar sirf sukun dhoondhne nikli thi, lekin sukun ne usse phir chor diya tha.
“Baba baba… mat jaayein… andhera hai… mujhe chorh ke mat jaayein…” Sofia cheekhti hai, lekin phir achanak uski aankh khulti hai. Wo ghabrahat bhari saans leti hai — aur dekhti hai ke wo phir ussi darakht ke neeche baithi hai, jahan wo behosh hui thi.
“Woh khwab phir se…” Woh khwab jo uska peechha nahi chhodta. Raat ke 1:30 baj rahe hain. Har taraf andhera hai, aur kahin se kuttay ke bhonknay, hawaa ke cheekhnay, aur darakht ki patiyon ke hilanay ki awaz aa rahi hai.
Sofia ka chehra poora sehma hua hai. Wo ghoorti hai andhere mein — phir apne haathon ko pakar kar, aankhein band kar leti hai… aur sab kuch yaad karne lagti hai.
5 saal ki chhoti si Sofia apne room mein khilone se khel rahi thi. Teddy bear, plastic tea set, aur ek mini school board — uska apna jahan tha. Achanak uski maa ki awaaz aayi: “Beta, aj result day hai… chalo school jaana hai!”
Sofia choti choti chaal mein apni maa ke saath school chali gayi. Result day tha — sab bachay excited the.
Phir naam announce hua: “1st Position — Sofia Khan!”
Saari class taaliyon se goonj uthi. Uski teacher ne usay stage pe bulaya, medal pehnaya aur kaha: “Sofia is our brightest star!”
Uske parents ne usay gale lagaya — uske baba ki aankhon mein fakhar tha: “Tum meri shaan ho Sofia.”
Sofia ne masoomi se kaha: “Baba mujhe Hunza Valley jaana hai.” Baba muskuraye, “Qasam se le chalta hoon tumhe wahan.”
Agle hafte woh family Hunza Valley chali gayi. Snow-covered peaks, Neelum jese paani, fresh hawa, bache khel rahe, local shops mein cheezein, chai ka dhaaba, sab kuch tha jahan zindagi muskarayi thi.
Hunza ke Altit aur Baltit forts, aur Apttabad lake — har jagah ki khoobsurti Sofia ki aankhon mein chamak ban gayi. Uske parents ne har pal usay apne saath mehsoos karwaya.
Phir wo ek shop ke paas rukay — Sofia ne kaha: “Baba mujhe ice cream chahiye.”
Uske baba shop ki taraf chale gaye. Uski maa ne haath pakra — lekin phir attention kisi cheez par chali gayi. Sofia peechay mori — usne dekha kuch bachay khel rahe hain — wo unhe dekhne lag gayi.
Achanak usne dekha — ek aurat bus mein chadh rahi thi — scarf bilkul uski maa jesa. Usne socha, “Mummy ja rahi hain!”
Wo bina soche samjhe bus mein chadh gayi. Aur jab wo seat pe bethi — usne dekha: “Yeh meri mummy nahi hain!”
Wo roti hui utarne lagi… Magar… Bus chal padi.
Sofia cheekh rahi thi… “Mama! Baba! Mujhe neeche utarna hai!” Kisi ne na suna. Phir ek aurat ne dekha — “Yeh bachi akeli hai!”
Bus ke driver aur manager ko bataya gaya. Sofia ko chocolate di gayi, front seat par bithaya gaya — aur sola diya gaya. Shaam dhal chuki thi.
Uske parents idhar udhar pagal ho gaye. Announcements, police complaint, logon se poochhna — sab kuch kiya. Magar Sofia... nahi mili.
Driver aur manager ne kaha: “Yeh bachi akeli hai… aur humse nahi sambhalegi.” Unhone faisla kiya — use ek sunsaan jungle ke qareeb chhod aaye.
Darakhton ke darmiyan… ek chhoti si 5 saal ki bachi chorh di gayi.
Sofia ki aankh khuli… Wo jhaadion pr baithi thi… raat ke andhere mein.
Magar sabse bada dar — uske saamne teen mask pehne hue aadmi kharay thay.
Unke chehre darawne thay: Ek ka mask par poora khoon tha, doosre ka half burnt face jesa, teesra aise dekhta jese bina aankhon ke mask ho.
Wo dheere dheere Sofia ke qareeb aaye.
Ek bola: “Kidney fresh hai…” Phir usne jeb se khanjar nikala.
Sofia cheekhne lagi: “Mujhe mat maaro… mujhe chor do…”
Ek ne zor se thappar maara — wo behosh ho gayi. Unhon ne khanjar uske pait par rakha — lekin...
Ek awaaz aayi... footstep... flashlight...
Wo teenon bhag kar darakht ke peechay chhup gaye.
Ayzel aur Grandpa aaye — flashlight le kar. Unhone Sofia ko uthaya, use lekar wapis ghar aaye.
Wahan Javed Sahab bhi the.
Addi ne tamasha banaya: “Yeh ladki ye ladki, isse yahan kyun laye ho, is ka na koi ata pata hy, ye kon hy, hamein isse ghar nahi rakhna chahye jahan se laye hn wahin chod aate hn!”
Magar Sofia ne chup chap roti hui bataya: “Main bus mein chali gayi… wo meri maa nahi thi… fir jungle… fir…”
Grandpa ne usay galay lagaya: “Ab tum yahan safe ho, hum tumhara naya ghar hain.”
Ayzel — jo us se 6 saal badi thi — use apni chhoti behn bana liya.
8 saal ki hote hi — Addi ne usse kaam karwana shuru kiya. “Tum nukar ho… aur isi layak ho.” Sofia har din jhukti, saafai karti, aur chup rehti.
Aaj… jab Grandpa aur Ayzel ne bhi us par yakeen nahi kiya — uska dil toot gaya.
Ek teez gaari guzri. Sofia ne aankhen kholi. Thodi der baad — wahi gaari wapis aayi.
Usme se 3 log utare: Ek ladki aur do ladke. Ladki ne muskurate hue kaha: “Arey beta, tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?”
Police ki gaari aayi — tezi se gaari gher li.
“Signal toda, rash driving, is waqt awaargi!” Teenon ko giraftar kiya — Sofia ko bhi unke saath samjha gaya.
Police station le jaa kar danta, phir rishwat li aur chhod diya.
Bahar nikalte hi Sofia ne kaha: “Mera bag?” aik Ladka hans ke bola: “Tum ghar chhod ke aayi ho? Itni si umar mein dhoka bhi le liya?”
Dusra bola: “Nahi bhai, yeh to masoom lagti hai.”
Tab ladki aage aayi: “Bas karo tum dono, beta chalo mere saath.”
Ghar ke bahar gari ruki us ne dekha ke us ke samne — ek shaandar luxurious bungalow. Andar har cheez classy thi — paintings, marble floor, chandeliers.
Ladke cherne lagein, magar Maryam — 25 saal ki, taekwondo champ, archery expert — ne unhe dant diya.
“Zahir — hacking ka ustaad.” “Saim — shararti, fail hone wala, aik nikamma aur avereg student.”
Ye teenon behen bhai the,or maryaam inki bari behen thi, wo donon sofia ko tang kr rahe the,to maryaam ne unhein dant kr apne apne rooms mein bhej diya.
Maryam ne Sofia ko khana khilaya, ek soft room mein le gayi. “Abhi kuch mat socho. Bas aram karo. Subah baat kareinge.”
Room — bed halki roshni mein tha, wooden frame ka. Neeche chhupa hua secret door jahan Maryam ka personal warrior room tha.
Sofia ne aankhein band ki… aur thora sukun mehsoos kiya.
Subah ka roshan din tha. Sofia ab tak thodi mehfooz, magar bohot udaas thi. Dining table par Maryam breakfast laga rahi thi, jab Saim cheekhta hua aaya:
“Zahir bhai! Tumhara blue wala jam main laga raha hoon — woh blueberry waala!” Zahir ne aankhein ghoomayi, “Woh mera brain booster hai... haath lagaya to coding mein bug daal dunga!”
Saim ne toast uthaya aur jam aise phaila diya jese canvas pe painting kar raha ho. “Ye dekho! Jam art! Isay kehte hain Bread Vinci!"
Zahir ne uska toast utha kar khud ke face par ragad diya: “Le — blueberry facepack! Ab tu glowing lag raha hai!”
Sofia chup thi... Aankhon mein udaasi thi, zindagi ke dard abhi tak honton tak the.
Maryam ne un dono ko aankhon se daanta: “Behuda mat bano, Sofia tumhari mehmaan hai!”
Saim ne masoom chehra banaya: “Mehmaan nahi Maryam... ye to humari chhoti behen jaisi hai... aur jese hi Maryam ne aankh dikhayi, waise hi Sofia ko kaha — ‘dekha, meri mummy ka clone hai!’“**
Phir achanak — Saim ne chair se uchal kar ek tomato uthaya aur bola: “Main tomato ka speech doon ga — ‘Main ek sabzi nahi, ek jazba hoon! Mujhe ketchup mat banao… mujhe pyaar do!’” Aur phir usne tomato se kiss kar liya.
Zahir cheekha: “Pagal aadmi! Ye meri salad ka tomato tha!”
Sofia — pehle to seedhi baithi rahi... lekin phir uske honton ka kona halka sa hil gaya. Thoda aur, thoda aur... Aur phir wo chhup kar hansi... Woh hansi — jaise andheron mein chhupi roshni — jaise dard ke baad ek narm marham...
Aur Maryam ne dur se dekh kar socha:“Is bachi ka dil phir se jeet lenge — saath mil kar, hans kar.”
Maryam ne do hafte tak har subah Sofia ke liye ek naya routine banaya.
Subah ke 6 bajte hi woh Sofia ke kamre ka darwaza khatkha deti: “Utho warrior, roz zindagi se ladna seekhna hai.” Sofia aankhein malti... neend mein doobi dobi, lekin Maryam ka tone usmein discipline tha — aur pyaar bhi.
Dono lawn mein aate... taaza hawa, sard thandi zameen... aur phir Maryam usse taekwondo ke basic kicks aur stance sikhaati.
“Zindagi mein har waqt koi tumse larhne nahi aayega... kabhi kabhi tumhe apne dard se bhi ladna hota hai. Aur sabse pehle ladna hota hai... apne andar ke dar se.”
Sofia ne pehli baar kick mari, to apne aap se poocha: “Shayad main bhi lad sakti hoon?”
Maryam uske haath seedhe karti, pair ka angle sahi krti, aur phir kehti: “Ek din tum sirf apne liye nahi, kisi aur ke liye bhi ladogi.”
Phir shaam mein archery ka waqt hota. Maryam ne Sofia ke liye ek chhoti si professional bow aur kuch arrows tayar rakhe the.
“Archery mein sab kuch hota hai — focus, breathing, patience. Arrow tumhari niyat hai — aur target tumhara maqsad. Agar niyat seedhi ho, to nishaana kabhi chookta nahi.”
Sofia pehla teer chhodti... Wo target se door ja girta... Maryam sirf muskurati: “Itna hi kaafi hai... pehla teer lagna zaroori nahi, pehla teer chodna zaroori hota hai.”
Zahir, jo zahiri tor pe cool hacker tha, lekin andar se ek nerdy teacher, usne Sofia ko hacking ka tareeqa sikhaana shuru kiya.
Wo Sofia ke saamne laptop rakhta, aur kehta: “Dekho, hacking koi choron ka kaam nahi — ye soch ka kaam hai.”
Sofia ne pehli dafa jab command line dekha, to dar gayi: “Ye to black screen hai, kuch samajh nahi araha...”
Zahir hansa: “Haan, zindagi bhi to black screen jesi lagti hai na... magar agar commands sahi daal do — to har file khul jati hai.”
Usne basic ethical hacking sikhaayi: “Reconnaissance — yani pehle maloom karo system ka environment kya hai. Jese tum kisi insaan ko samajhne se pehle uska haal maloom karti ho.”
Sofia haansi: “To matlab mein bhi kisi ka password crack kar sakti hoon?” Zahir: “Haan, lekin sirf tab jab us insaan ke dil ka firewall khula ho!”
Doosri shaam woh library mein thi — Zahir usse kitaabein uthane ko keh raha tha. Ek kitaab uthayi: “The Art of War” Zahir ne kaha:
“Har jang jeetne ke liye sabse zaroori cheez kya hoti hai?” Sofia sochi. “Taqat?” “Nahi. knowledge.” “To pehli jang knowledge se jeeti jaati hai?”
Zahir ne muskurakar kaha: “Tum seekhne lagi ho.”
Saim, hamesha ki tarah, bomb tha — funny, crazy, aur drama ka shehzada.
Jab bhi ghar mein koi udaas serious hota, Saim apni crazy harkaton aur shararat se use hansa kr hi dam leta!”
Kabhi kehta “Agar tum rote raho ge, to zindagi bhi bore ho jaye gi... Thoda hanso — warna mein tumhare liye joke ban jaunga!”
Aur us din jab Sofia ne pehli baar hansi... Wo hansi... jo us ke rooh ke andheron mein goonjti thi... mein bhi haans haans ke pagal ho gaya.
Lekin... raat mein jab woh akeli hoti...
To woh apne khwabon se haar jaati thi. Wo khwab — jis mein uske baba use chhod ke jaa rahe hote.
“Main janti hoon ke mere parents mujhse Hunza mein chhoot gaye the... lekin ye khwab kyun aata hai? Baba baba mat jaayein... Mujhe andhere se darr lagta hai... Kya ye mere andar koi baat ab bhi adhoori hai?”
Uske dil mein dard barhta jata tha. Wo apne haathon ko dekhti — jin mein kabhi uski maa ka haath tha. Wo andheron mein aankhein band karti — par andhera phir bhi uske andar rehta tha.
Maryam har din uske paas aati, poochti:
“Sofia… tumhare sath kya hua tha? Apne mama baba ke baare mein batao…” Sofia sirf aankhen chura leti — kabhi keh deti: “Kuch yaad nahi…”
Maryam ne uska sar apne kandhe pe rakha: “Kabhi na kabhi… tumhe sab kehna hoga.
Sofia ne aankhon se pani bahaaya — lekin zubaan se kuch nahi kaha
Raat ka aakhri peher tha. Maryam balcony mein thandi hawa mehsoos kar rahi thi jab achanak usse Sofia ka kamra roshan dikhai diya. Itne dino baad pehli baar uss kamre se roshni aa rahi thi. Aaj kuch tha… aaj kuch alag tha…
Woh dheere se andar gayi. Sofia window ke paas baithi thi — aankhon mein kisi aur duniya ka rang. Aankhon mein aansu nahi, lekin uska chehra purani dard bhari kitaab jaisa tha… jise kisi ne kabhi poora nahi padha.
Maryam uske paas ja baithi, bina kuch pooche.
Thodi dair tak khamoshi chaayi rahi, phir Sofia bol padi — uski awaaz itni halki thi ke Maryam ne saans lena bhi rok diya.
“Main 5 saal ki thi…”
Maryam ka dil ek pal ko ruk gaya.
“Hum Hunza valley gaye the — mama, baba aur main. Sab kuch itna haseen tha… jese aasman zameen se milne aya ho… pehle result ke baad ka trip tha… first position layi thi main… mere parents ki aankhon mein woh fakhr… shayad usi pal mein meri saari zindagi bhar gayi thi.”
Sofia ki aankhon mein ab ek sapne jesa chamak tha… ya tooti hui tasveer ka tukda.
“Mujhe ice cream chahiye thi... baba ne kaha: ‘beta yahin rukna, main bas abhi aaya.’ Mama ne mera haath pakda hua tha... lekin ek pal ke liye unka dhyan hata... aur meri nazar padi ek aurat pe... uska scarf mama jesa tha... main sochi ye mama hain... main bhaag ke uske peeche chali gayi…”
Uski awaaz ruk gayi.
“Wo aurat bus mein chadhi… main bhi chadh gayi. Jab uska chehra dekha, samjha ye meri mama nahi... bhaag ke wapis utarna chaha... par bus chal padi… aur main... us bus mein akeli reh gayi…”
Maryam ki aankhon mein aansu tharthara gaye.
“Buss ke driver aur manager ne mujhe ek jungle jese area mein chor diya... kehkar ke ‘ye humara masla nahi’. Aur fir... main nahi jaanti... kisi ne mujhe uthaya, ya chor diya... mujhe sirf itna yaad hai — main darakhton ke darmiyan thi... andhera tha... aur meri cheekh sirf mujhe sunayi de rahi thi...”
Sofia ka gala bhar gaya.
“Us din se le kar aaj tak… main wahi hoon. Waqt guzra, log badle… lekin wo andhera… wo raat… wo khwab... woh roz aata hai... jaise kuch ab bhi poora nahi hua... jaise koi tukra ab bhi adhoora hai…”
Maryam ne uska haath pakda. Aur pehli dafa — Sofia ne us pakad ko chhoda nahi.
Maryam ne usse seedhe apne se lagaliya. “Tum zinda ho Sofia… tum sirf bachi nahi thi, tum ek jang jeeti hui rooh ho.” Uske aansu Maryam ke dil mein bhi chubh rahe the.
Shaam ka waqt tha. Hawa mein halka sa thandak ka ehsas, sadkon par sheher ki roshniyaan jalne lagi thi. Maryam, Sofia, Zahir aur Saim ek street café ke bahar bench par beth kar fries kha rahe the.
Saim usual shararti andaaz mein tha, “Suno Maryam! Agar aik din 4 log mujhe cute kehen, to kya mein modelling shuru kar doon?”
Zahir ne hansi roki, “Haan, lekin agar wo 4 mein se ek bhi aankhon wala ho, to pehle doctor ko dikhao.”
Sofia hansi se hil gayi. Maryam ne fries ka box Saim ke sar par mara. “Bas kar.”
Tabhi ek buzurg aurat, thori door se guzri. Uska chehra mehnat bhari zindagi ki misaal lagta tha. Sofia ne uski aankhon mein dekha — thakawat thi, lekin izzat bhi.
Achaanak ek admi uske paas se daudta hua guzra — aur uska purse cheen kar bhaag gaya!
“Aye chor!” Buzurg aurat cheekhi.
Log dekhtay reh gaye… lekin koi hilta nahi.
Sofia ne bina soche daud lagayi. Maryam ne turant kaha, “Zahir, back side se ghumo!” Saim ne bola, “Mein bhi us chor ki halat kharab karta hoon!”
Chor galli mein ghus gaya. Sofia seedha uske peechay thi — lekin rasta tang tha, or andhera bhi barh raha tha. Uska dam ghut raha tha, lekin wo nahi ruki.
Zahir opposite side se gaya — uske haath mein aik chhoti hacking-device thi jo GPS trace karti thi. “Uska phone signal lock hogaya, wo corner mein ghusa hai,” usne Maryam ko bola.
Saim ek rikshaw ko rokte hue bola, “Bhaiya jaldi! Ek chor pakarna hai, discount milega agar abhi chalao!”
Galli ke end mein chor ruk gaya — usne dekha ke teen raaste band ho gaye, aur peechay se Sofia aa rahi thi.
“Wapas karo purse!” Sofia ne kahaan, uski awaaz theek thi — lekin uske andar ka darr uski rooh ko jala raha tha.
Chor hansa, “Choti si ladki ho... kya kar logi?”
Us pal Maryam aayi — aik solid punch uske peet par maara, Saim ne uske haath se purse chheen liya.
Zahir ne mobile se video banayi, “Chalo bhai, ab tumhara YouTube debut bhi hoga — ‘Live Chor Pakray Gaya’!”
Jab purse wapis us buzurg aurat ko diya gaya, uski aankhon mein aansu thay.
“Beti… tum log farishte ho,” usne Sofia ka sar chuma. Sofia ki aankhon mein kuch bheeg gaya — usne bohot arsay baad kisi buzurg ka pyar mehsoos kiya tha.
Maryam ne dheere se Sofia ke kaandhe par haath rakha.
“Aaj tumne sirf kisi ka purse nahi… apni himmat bhi wapas lai hai.”
Sofia ne thoda sa muskurate hue kaha, “Pehli baar darr ke bawajood kuch kiya…”
Zahir aur Sofia library ke corner mein baithay thay, laptop unke saamne khula tha. Zahir ne soft smile ke sath kaha, “Hacking sirf system todna nahi hota, soch ka framework samajhna hota hai.” Sofia ne hairani se dekha, “Jese kisi ka zehan kholna?” Zahir hansa, “Exactly. Har password ke peeche ek kahani hoti hai.” Usne Sofia ko basic commands sikhayi — Linux terminal, Kali tools, aur ethical hacking ka farq. Sofia jaldi seekhne lagi. Zahir ne kaha, “Tumhara dimaag sharp hai, hacker material ho tum.” Sofia ne pehli baar khud par bharosa mehsoos kiya.
Raat ka waqt tha. Kamray mein sirf aik halki si warm light jal rahi thi. Maryam sofia ke liye chamomile tea bana kar layi thi — jaise har raat layi jaati thi. Sofia apne bed ke ek kone mein knees ghoot kar baithi thi, aankhen neechay aur chehra thoda udaas.
Maryam ne cup uske haath mein diya aur us ke paas baith gayi. “Kya tum kuch soch rahi ho?”
Sofia ne kuch der chup reh kar sir hila diya. Aaj uska chehra aur bhi zyada udasi mein dubaa lag raha tha.
“Aur agar main poochun ke kya soch rahi ho?” Maryam ne pyar se kaha.
Sofia ki aankhon mein kuch kaamp gaya, jaise koi purani yaad ka paani un aankhon tak aa gaya ho.
“Wo… wo khwab… jo mujhe roz aata hai,” usne dheere se kaha. “Main cheekhti hoon… ‘Baba, mat jayein… bohot andhera hai… mujhe chhod kar mat jayein’… lekin phir meri aankh khul jaati hai. Aur main samajh nahi pati — mujhe wo sab yaad bhi nahi, to phir wo khwab kyun aata hai?”
Maryam ne ghoor kar uske chehre ko dekha, jahan confusion aur takleef dono saath thi.
“Main to sirf paanch saal ki thi jab unse alag hui… to mujhe yaad bhi nahi ke wo mujhe le kar ghoomte thay… ya mujhe chhod ke jaate huay kaisa laga tha. Phir bhi… us khwab mein meri cheekh asli hoti hai Maryam… itni asli ke jaise main wapas usi andhere mein phansi hoon.”
Maryam ne uske haath pakray, “Kabhi kabhi dard yaad nahi hota, lekin rooh tak rehta hai… aur rooh sapno mein bolti hai, Sofia.”
Sofia ne aankh band kar ke sir hila diya — usay aaj thoda halka mehsoos hua
Shaam ka waqt tha, garden mein halki si hawa chal rahi thi. Phoolon ki khushboo aur door se maghrib ki azaan ki awaaz aa rahi thi. Sofia aur Saim lawn ke ek kone mein baithay “Loddo” khel rahe thay — wohi purana desi game jismein hansna bhi hota hai aur haar ka gussa bhi.
Saim har round mein jeet raha tha… ya kam az kam dikhawa kar raha tha.
“Wait! Tumne phir do baar ginti ki!” Sofia ne uska haath roka.
Saim beparwahi se bola, “Woh toh sirf ‘practice move’ tha.”
Sofia ne aankhein choti kar ke dekha, “Practice ke naam pe cheating karna band karo. Warna mein Maryam ko bata dungi ke tumne uske protein shake mein namak milaya tha!”
Saim ne aankhen phaad ke dekha, “Tumhein kaise pata chala?!”
Sofia hans padi, “Main tumhari tarah dumb nahi hoon.”
Saim ne mooh bana ke kaha, “Tum bhi kabhi kabhi meri life ka bug ho. Fix hoti hi nahi!”
Sofia ne loddo ke pieces us par phainke. “Aur tum meri patience test ho, jo roz fail hote ho!”
Wo dono hans hans ke lotpot ho gaye. Us shaam, cheekh cheekh ke hansi unke dard ko kuch der ke liye bhula gayi.
Shaam ke waqt Sofia Maryam ke kamray mein aayi. Uske haath mein ek purana sa diary ka panna tha — jismein uske baba ka likha hua ek jumla tha: ““Hunza ki yaadon mein tum meri muskaan ho.”
Maryam ne uski aankhon mein dekha — usmein jazba bhi tha, dard bhi, aur ab ek thos irada bhi.
Sofia ne halke lekin qadam rakh kar kaha, “Maryam... mujhe unhein dhoondhna hai. Mujhe pata lagana hai ke wo mujhe chhod kar gaye ya... main unse chhoot gayi.”
Maryam ne chup chaap uski baat suni. Fir usne saath rakhi coffee sip ki, socha, aur bas ek jumla kaha, “Toh chalo. Dhoondhte hain.”
Sofia ne hairani se dekha, “Tum… bina kuch puche…?”
Maryam ne uska haath pakra, “Tum hamesha kisi aur ke faislon ka hissa rahi ho. Ab jab pehli baar tumhara apna faisla hai — to main pehla kadam kaise peeche le sakti hoon?”
Tabhi Zahir aur Saim room mein aaye. Zahir ne Maryam ke haath mein diary dekhi, “Kya scene chal raha hai?”
Maryam ne ek nazar mein sab samjha diya. Zahir ne diary uthai, aur turant bola, “Is paper ka texture aur handwriting purani hai, par ink fresh hai. Matlab… ya to ye diary kisi ne abhi sambhal ke rakhi, ya…”
“Ya koi isay kisi wajah se chhupaye rakha tha,”
Saim ne taali bajayi, “Toh basically hum mystery solve karne ja rahe hain! Sofia’s Secret Saga! Mein hoon Comic Relief!”
Zahir ne usay thappak ke kaha, “Aur mein hoon Smart Hacker Sherlock.”
Maryam ne Sofia ki taraf dekha — “Tum ready ho?”
Sofia ne gehri saans li, “Nahi… lekin jana padega.”
Zahir ne plan banaya, “Sabse pehle, jis jagah se tum mili thi — uske aas paas ke CCTV records nikaalna honge. Bus station ke purane records — agar safe hain — to unmein koi clue mil sakta hai.”
Saim ne bola, “Aur agar nahi mile to mein apne banaye hue cartoons se logon ki aankhien dard kara kar unse raaz nikalwa lunga.”
Sofia muskurayi. Aaj pehli baar uska bojh halka tha — kyunke ab uske paas dard nahi, dosti thi.
Maryam ne diary band ki aur kaha, “Kal se mission shuru hota hai.”
Hunza ka safar ek faisla nahi, ek jazba tha. Sofia ne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ke us jagah wapas jaayegi jahan se uska sab kuch chhoot gaya tha — lekin is dafa wo akeli nahi thi. Maryam — uska silent guard, Zahir — uska digital dimagh, aur Saim — uska ulta-seedha comic relief — sab uske saath thay.
Day 1: Hunza Arrival – Yaadon Ki Galiyon Mein Hunza ke pahadon ka saans rok dene wala husn un ke saamne tha. Narm dhup, sard hawa, aur charon taraf sabz pahadiyan. Sofia ne ek lambi saans li — jaise wo mitti uske dil ki dhadkan se judi ho. “Yahan kuch chhuta tha… aur mujhe umeed hai yahin kuch milega,” usne dheere se kaha.
Zahir ne pehle se arrange kiya hua guest house check-in kiya. Maryam ne route map nikala — pehli jagah jahan jana tha: Old Hunza Bus Stop — wohi jahan se bachpan mein Sofia bus mein chadhi thi.
Day 2: Talaash Ka Pehla Qadam Bus stop ab ek market ban chuka tha, lekin kuch purane dukan walay ab bhi wahan thay. Maryam ne bat cheet ki. Zahir ne old CCTV locations trace kiye, jo ab active nahi thay — lekin ek purana photo booth ab bhi tha.
Saim ne dukaan walon se poocha, “Unni sau aath (198) mein koi chhoti si bachi kho gayi thi kya? Aap logon ko yaad hoga — bilkul chocolate jaisi, seedhi seedhi aankhon wali!”
Zahir ne usay kooni maari, “Unni sau aath (198) nahi… 12 saal pehle…”
Photo booth ka malik ek boudha aadmi tha, jiska naam Ghulam Din tha. Usne kaha, “Ek baar ek bachi yahan khoi thi. Police bhi ayi thi, lekin kuch pata nahi chala. Ek sketch bhi banwaya gaya tha… ho sakta hai mere paas ho.”
Zahir ne laptop nikaala aur image scan start kiya. “Sketch mein resemblance hai Sofia se,” usne kaha. “This is not random. Yeh lead sahi ho sakti hai.”
Day 3 Usi raat, jab ye chaaron bazar mein local miso soup le rahe thay, Maryam ne mehsoos kiya ke kuch log un ka peecha kar rahe hain. Zahir ne quietly kaha, “Do aadmi left alley mein baar baar humari taraf dekh rahe hain.”
Saim ne aakhri sip le kar bola, “Mujhe laga tha wo mujhe dekh rahe hain… meri jacket pe likha tha ‘Hot Stuff’.”
Maryam ne usay ignore kiya aur Sofia ke kaan mein kaha, “Chup chaap back alley se nikalna hai.” Chaaron ne quietly dusri gali se nikalne ki koshish ki — lekin gunday samajh gaye. Corner turn karte hi woh samne aa gaye — teen thay, haathon mein rod aur chhuriya.
“Yahan kya khoj rahe ho, shehri logon?” ek ne growl kiya. “Peeche mudh jao.”
Maryam ne bag rakh diya. “Zahir, Sofia aur Saim ko side pe karo.”
Agla scene aik proper dhulai ka tha. Maryam ne aik ko roundhouse kick mara, doosra rod le kar aya to Sofia ne Zahir ke sikhaye moves se uska hath pakra aur uski gardan ghumayi. Saim ne chhoti chhoti patthar chhorke unko distract kiya, aur Zahir ne aik gunday ke pair mein lat maari.
Paanch minute mein scene reverse ho gaya. Gunday jameen pe thay — chot, mooh, aur beizzati sab mila kar. Saim ne victory pose banaya, “Level completed!”
Day 4: Investigation Starts Next morning Sofia ke samne wahi sketch rakha gaya — Zahir ne usay bada kar ke face recognition algorithm mein daala.
“Main data run kar raha hoon — ho sakta hai is sketch ka match mil jaye kisi lost child report mein,” Zahir ne kaha.
Maryam ne Sofia se kaha, “Tumhara bag, tumhari yaadein, aur yeh sketch — sab kuch mil kar kuch keh rahe hain. Tum ek aur step door ho… un tak.”
Sofia ne diary kholi — usmein baba ke kuch purane words thay: “Agar kabhi kho jao, to us jaga lautna jahan tum pehli dafa hansay thay.”
Sofia ne kaha, “Wo valley… jahan main ice cream ke liye ruki thi — us jagah jana hai.”
Zahir ne local map dekha. “Woh location Altit Fort ke peeche ke side mein aati hai… wahan ab bhi tourist jaate hain. Let’s go.”
Day 5: Wo jagah ab bhi waisi hi thi — ek purani bench, peechay choti si shop. Sofia ne aas paas dekha, phir neeche baith gayi. Usay woh sari yaadain flashback ki tarah wapas aayi — mama ka haath, baba ka ice cream lana, aur phir…
Saim ne dhyan se dekha — bench ke neeche kuch likha tha. Usne mitti saaf ki — “W.A 2012”
“W.A?” Sofia ne dheere se kaha. “waqqar akbar”— mere baba ka naam tha…”
Zahir ne usay dekha, “Yani tumhare baba ne tumhe dhundhne ki koshish ki thi… yahan aakar chhoda tha kuch.”
To Be Continued… Next mission: Ghulam Din ke diya gaya sketch, Altit Fort ke aas paas milne wale logo se DNA verification, aur Hunza ke ek orphanage ka record — jahan kisi “naamaloom” bachi ko report kiya gaya tha.
Maryam ne Sofia ke kandhe pe haath rakha: “Hum sirf tumhare maa baap nahi, tumhari kahani bhi dhoondhne aaye hain — aur ye kahani kisi aur mod pe ja rahi hai.”
Zahir ne files close kiye. “Agle do din mein, ya to hum answers le kar jaenge — ya naye sawaal.”
Sofia ne narm si muskurahat ke saath kaha, “Mujhe farq nahi padta — bas is dafa, mein akeli nahi hoon.”
To be continued… Hunza Valley ke raaz abhi khule nahi — par chaaron ke jazbaat har mod pe mazboot hain.
Garmi ki wo pehar thi jab dhoop aur chhaaon aik dosray se lar rahe the. Bazaar ke kone mein ek purani si rehri thi, jahan se chaye ki khushbu poore ilaqe mein fail rahi thi.
Sofia, Zahir, Maryam aur Saim — chaaron aik naye sheher mein thay. Tofel uncle ki talaash unhein yahaan le aayi thi. (tofel uncle sofia ke baba ke dost the jo hunza ki trip mn un ke saath the)
“Yeh jagah kuch zyada hi purani lag rahi hai,” Saim ne nakhrey se kaha, jaise ganda kapra choo liya ho.
“Purani jagah mein hi asli log chhupe hotay hain. Malls mein sirf shopping bags milte hain, log nahi,” Zahir ne be-niyazi se kaha aur apna haath akhri bar jacket ki jeb mein mara.
Maryam ki nazar achanak ek chaye wale pe jaa lagi. Saath (60) saal ka mard, jiski aankhon mein andheron ka ghar tha, aur haathon mein thakan ki lakeerein. Magar uska chehra... kuch jaana pehchaana sa tha.
Sofia ka dil zor se dharka. Saans aik pal ke liye ruk gayi.
“Yeh... yeh unhi jaise lagtay hain,” usne dheere se kaha.
“Kaun?” Maryam ne foran poocha.
“Tofel uncle…” Sofia ne kahin door se awaaz mein kaha.
Naam sunte hi teenon chok gaye.
“Are you sure?” Zahir ne foran phone nikala, chhupke se tasveer lene laga. Magar rehri ke peechay se aik bari gaari nikal aayi. Dhuwan chha gaya. Jab dhuwan hata… toh chaye wala wahan nahi tha.
“KYA!?” Saim ne chilla ke kaha, “Wo toh yahin tha abhi!”
Sofia ne aankhon se aansuon ko rokne ki koshish ki. Wo foran us jagah bhaagi jahan kuch der pehle Tofel khara tha. Magar ab sirf aik khaali cup tha, aik tooti hui ketli… aur chaye ki wohi purani khushbu.
Agle do din chaaron ne har galli, har rehri, har chaye ki dukan chhaan mari.
Har kisi se poocha:
“Yahan koi Tofel naam ka chai wala tha?”
“Nahi behn, yahan roz naye aate hain, naam kaun yaad rakhe…”
“Uski daari thi… halka langraata tha… uski chaye mein hamesha elaichi hoti thi…”
Phir aik din aik budha aadmi mila, jisne chup kar ke kaha:
“Haan... Tofel... pura naam nahi pata... lekin aik aadmi tha, waisa hi jaise tum keh rahe ho. Pehle yahin tha, phir achanak chala gaya.”
“Phir? Kahan gaya?” Maryam ne poocha.
“Kehte hain train pakar ke chala gaya. Lekin kuch log kehte hain kisi ne usay bula liya...”
“Kisne?” Zahir ne bechaini se poocha.
“Yeh to koi nahi jaanta... bas gaya... aur dobara kabhi nahi dikha.”
Sofia ki aankhon mein aansu tairne lage. Uski choti si umeed phir se toot gayi. Wo ab tak sirf yaadon mein Tofel ko jaanti thi — jab wo use godh mein uthata tha, pahariyon pe le jata tha, uske baba ke saath hansi hansi mein kho jata tha.
Lekin ab... sirf ek saya reh gaya tha.
Paanch din baad, wo ek chhoti si jagah ke railway station par pohanchay. Sannata, garmi aur mitti — lekin iradon mein zara bhi thakan nahi thi.
Achanak samne se aik chai wala aata nazar aaya.
Purani shalwar qameez, kandhe pe romal, mathe pe paseena, aur chehre pe sukoon.
Sofia pathar ki tarah ruk gayi.
“Yeh... yeh to wahi hain!” usne halki si cheekh se kaha.
Is dafa wo unke bilkul samne se guzra. Ek lamha, sirf ek lamha... uski aankhon ne Sofia ki aankhon ko chhua. Magar... khaali. Jaise kuch bhi yaad na ho.
“Uncle! Uncle rukiye!” Zahir aur Saim dono bhaage... magar usi waqt ek tez train aa gayi. Halla, dhuwan, logon ka rush — aur Tofel... phir se gayab.
Us din ke baad, unhone CCTV footage tak dekhni shuru kar di. Har jagah ki photos, video, social media groups… sab search kar daale.
Sofia ne apne hacking skills lagaye. Zahir ne logon se baat ki. Maryam ne aik purana naqsha banaya — Tofel ke guzare har sheher ka. Aur Saim? Hamesha ki tarah uska andaaz halka, lekin dil mein umeed se bhara:
“Yaar agar wo mil gaya na, to pehle usay gale lagaunga… phir kehta hoon: ‘Kya yeh meri Sofia ki khushboo nahi thi?’”
Sofia chup thi… uske dil mein ab bhi wohi 5 saal ki bachpan wali yaadain chal rahi thi. Jahan uske Baba aur Tofel hans rahe thay… jahan sab the… magar ab koi nahi tha.
Zahir ne laptop apni jholi mein rakha hua tha, aankhon mein thakaan thi magar jazba zinda tha. Wo Tofel uncle ke kisi bhi digital nishaan ko dhoondhne ki koshish kar raha tha — Facebook, CNIC records, purane number, kuch bhi jo mil jaye.
“Yaar kuch to hoga... koi email, koi purana address...” usne apne aap se kaha.
Usne ek purani railway workers list download ki — aur wahan aik naam ne uski soyi nazar ko jaga diya: Tofail Ahmad – Retired chai contractor – Balochistan sector.
Usi file mein ek aur cheez thi: ek purana landline number. Zahir ne foran note kiya aur usay trace karne laga.
Sofia uske peechay khamoshi se dekh rahi thi.
Zahir ne bina dekhe kaha, “Sofia, tum bahar jao zara coffee le aao. Tumhara dimagh bhi fresh ho jayega.”
Sofia ne thoda hairan ho kar dekha, lekin phir muskan maar ke uth gayi. “Theek hai, lekin agar mein gayi na... toh tumhara laptop hack ho gaya toh meri zimmedari nahi,” usne mazaak mein kaha.
Zahir ne hans ke jawab diya, “Tum sirf coffee le aao... hacker toh mein hoon.”
Sofia ne Zahir ko halki si muskurahat ke saath dekha, bag uthaya aur coffee lene nikal gayi. Bahar mausam mein thandak thi, magar uske dil mein ajeeb si bechaini. Sheher ki wo chhoti si coffee shop, jahan se wo roz guzarti thi, aaj kuch alag lag rahi thi.
Shop ka naam tha “Sip & Sit” — ek chhoti si jagah jahan hamesha halki music bajti thi, aur ek middle-aged muskurata hua man jo “Shafiq Bhai” ke naam se mashhoor tha, counter pe khara hota tha.
“Assalamualaikum beta Usual order?” Shafiq bhai ne muskurate hue poocha.
“Waalaikumassalam… haan bas wohi. Lekin thora time lagega. Mein bas kuch der mein aati hoon. Coffee tayyar rakhna,” usne kaha aur aankhon se kuch door ki taraf ishaara kiya.
Shafiq bhai ne hairan ho kar dekha. “Kahan ja rahi hain?”
Sofia ne sirf itna kaha, “Bas woh do log hain... keh rahe hain baat karni hai. Lagta hai kisi ko khoj rahe hain... mein sun ke aati hoon.”
Shafiq bhai ne kuch kehna chaha, magar Sofia chal padhi. Uski chaal mein halki si jhijhak thi.
Do ajnabi log ek kone ki bench par baithe thay. Dono ke chehre pe chashme, ek ne cap pehni thi, dusra halke safed baalon ke saath zyada umar ka lagta tha. Unki aankhon ne Sofia ka peechha us waqt se karna shuru kar diya tha jab wo street ke mod par mudi thi.
Sofia ne dheere se poocha, “Jee? Aap mujhe kyun bula rahe thay?”
Ek ne kaha, “Beta hum Tofel ke purane dost hain. Tumhara naam suna tha, milne ka shauq hua.”
Sofia thoda piche hati. “Mere paas waqt kam hai. Agar kuch kehna hai to jaldi kahiyen.”
Dusre ne narmi se kaha, “Bas ek choti si baat. Sirf 2 minute chalte ho… us side mein khamoshi hai. Idhar bheed hai.”
Sofia ne ghabra ke aas paas dekha. Coffee shop ka konna door tha. Usne ek baar phir peeche murh ke dekha… aur chal pari.
Agle lamhe mein… sab kuch dhundhla ho gaya.
Ek gari, ek kaala shisha, ek haath jo uske muh par gaya… aur phir sirf andhera.
Sofia ne cheekhne ki koshish ki… magar awaz... uske gale mein hi ghut gayi.
