Chapter Anjaani Raahon Ka Safar
Kabhi kabhi ek safar sirf manzil tak nahi le jata... balki kisi aise insaan tak le jata hai jo poori zindagi badal deta hai.
Subah ke 5:45 baj rahe thay. Shehar abhi poori tarah jaaga nahi tha. Thandi hawa chal rahi thi aur aasman par suraj ki pehli kirnein nazar aa rahi thi.
Office ke bahar ek white coaster aur ek mini truck khara tha jisme project ka samaan rakha ja raha tha. Posters, awareness charts, medicine boxes aur stationery sab ehtiyaat se arrange ki ja rahi thi.
Aaj un sab ke liye ek khaas din tha. Ek mahine ka Village Social Awareness Project. Office ke tamam volunteers ek ek karke pahunch rahe thay. "Guys, jaldi karo! Humein saat baje tak nikalna hai." Team Leader Sir Salman ne buland awaaz mein kaha.Sab log apne bags lekar bus mein baithne lage.Itne mein office ke gate se ek larki andar aayi.White cotton shirt... Blue jeans... White joggers... Aur sar par bandha hua red bandana.Uske kandhe par black backpack tha.Uski badi bhuri aankhen, halki si pink lipstick, aur saaf sutre light pink nail polish lage naakhun uski saadgi ko aur bhi khoobsurat bana rahe thay.Woh kisi model ki tarah tayyar nahi hui thi...Bas saaf, simple aur confidence se bharpoor.Uska naam tha...Mahi
"Sorry, Sir... traffic ki wajah se thori late ho gayi." Sir Salman muskura diye. "Bas tum hi reh gayi thi." Mahi halki si muskura kar bus mein chadh gayi.
Bus ki last window seat khali thi.
Usne bag side par rakha aur khidki ke bahar dekhne lagi.
Bus chal pari. Shehar ki unchi buildings dheere dheere peeche reh gayin.
Ab dono taraf haryale khet thay. Door pahariyan nazar aa rahi thin.Mitti ki khushboo hawa ke saath bus ke andar mehsoos ho rahi thi.Mahi ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.Usne dheere se kaha,"Kitna sukoon hai yahan..."Uski dost Areeba muskura kar boli,"Pata nahi gaon wale humein dekh kar khush honge ya nahi."
Mahi hans pari.
"Hum madad karne ja rahe hain... In Sha Allah sab theek hoga."
Usay kya pata tha...
Ke jis gaon ki taraf woh muskurate hue ja rahi thi...
Wahan koi uska intezar muskurahat ke saath nahi kar raha tha.
Dusri Taraf...
Usi gaon ke beech ek purana bargad ka darakht tha.
Uske neeche chaar dost baithe thay.
Shahveer... Hamza... Saad... Aur Fahad.
Tabhi gaon ka ek aadmi tez saans leta hua unke paas aaya.
"Shahveer... shehar se kuch log aa rahe hain."
Shahveer ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kis liye?"
"Suna hai hamari zameen par koi bara project banana chahte hain."
Ye sunte hi Shahveer ka chehra sakht ho gaya.
Uski gehri siyah aankhon mein gussa saaf nazar aa raha tha.
Usne zameen se uthte hue kaha,
"Jab tak Shahveer zinda hai... koi hamare gaon ko nuksan nahi pohncha sakta."
Baaki teeno dost foran uske saath kharay ho gaye.
Hamza bola,
"Pehle unse baat karte hain."
Shahveer ne sar hila diya.
"Baat bhi hogi... aur agar zarurat pari to unhein yahan se wapas bhi bhej dunga."
Usay bilkul nahi pata tha...
Ke jin logon ko woh dushman samajh raha tha...
Unmein ek larki bhi thi...
Jo sirf logon ki madad karne aa rahi thi.
Aur woh larki...
Uski zindagi ka sabse khoobsurat hissa banne wali thi.
Bus gaon ke bilkul qareeb pahunch chuki thi.
Mahi ne khidki se bahar dekha.
Road ke kinare laga board hawa mein hil raha tha.
"Khush Aamdeed..."
Usne muskurate hue us board ki tasveer kheench li.
Usay bilkul andaza nahi tha...
Ke ye tasveer uski zindagi ke sabse yaadgaar safar ki pehli yaad banne wali hai...
Chapter 2 – Badgumani
"Kabhi kabhi sach se zyada asar ek afwah ka hota hai."
Bus dheere dheere gaon ke andar dakhil ho rahi thi. Khidkiyon se aati thandi hawa sab ke chehron ko chhoo rahi thi. Har taraf haryale khet, mitti ke ghar aur bachon ki masoom hansi gunj rahi thi.
Mahi khidki ke bahar dekhte hue dheere se boli,
"Yeh jagah tasveeron se bhi zyada khoobsurat hai..."
Areeba hans kar boli,
"Bas dua karo gaon wale bhi itne hi achhe hon."
Mahi ne muskura kar jawab diya,
"Hum unki madad ke liye aaye hain... In Sha Allah sab theek hoga."
Bus gaon ke entrance par ruk gayi.
Sir Salman ne sab volunteers ko ek jagah jama kiya.
"Sab log dhyan se suno. Hum yahan sirf awareness dene aaye hain. Kisi se badtameezi nahi karni. Gaon walon ka ehteram karna aur bina ijazat kisi ki tasveer nahi leni."
Sab ne ek saath kaha,
"Ji Sir."
Sab apna apna samaan uthakar chalne lage.
Dusri Taraf...
Shahveer aur uske teen dost gaon ke dusre raste par khade thay.
Door se unhein shehar walon ki bus nazar aa gayi.
Hamza ne dheere se kaha,
"Yaar... mujhe ye log bure nahi lag rahe."
Shahveer ne uski baat kaat di.
"Chehre dekh kar niyat ka pata nahi chalta."
Saad bola,
"Lekin agar waqai ye sirf madad ke liye aaye hon?"
Shahveer ne gehri saans li.
"Agar madad ke liye aaye hain to sabit kar denge... aur agar hamare gaon par nazar hai to unhein yahan tikne nahi dunga."
Uski awaaz mein apne gaon ke liye mohabbat bhi thi... aur gussa bhi.
Idhar Mahi apni diary mein project ke notes likh rahi thi.
Uski nazar achanak ek chhoti si bachi par padi jo door khadi unhein dekh rahi thi.
Mahi muskura kar uske paas gayi.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum."
Bachi sharma kar apni maa ke peeche chhup gayi.
Mahi hans padi.
"Darne ki zarurat nahi."
Lekin bachi ki maa ne Mahi ka jawab dene ke bajaye uska haath pakra aur foran ghar ke andar chali gayi.
Mahi kuch lamhon tak wahin khadi reh gayi.
Usay ajeeb sa mehsoos hua.
Udhar Shahveer gaon walon se keh raha tha,
"Koi bhi in shehar walon ki baaton mein mat aana."
"Hum apna gaon kisi ko nahi denge."
Gaon walon ne bhi uski baat par yaqeen kar liya.
Kisi ne pani tak offer nahi kiya.
Mahi aur uski team ye sab dekh kar hairan thi.
Sir Salman ne dheere se kaha,
"Lagta hai kisi ne pehle hi hamare baare mein galat baat phaila di hai."
Thodi der baad Sir Salman ne kaha,
"Sab log alag alag groups mein awareness posters lagao."
Mahi aur Areeba ek raste ki taraf chal padi.
Isi dauran Shahveer ne Hamza ko ishara kiya.
"Unhein purane raste ki taraf bhej do."
Hamza ek pal ke liye hichkichaya.
"Shahveer... agar koi nuksan ho gaya to?"
Shahveer ne sakht lehje mein kaha,
"Kuch nahi hoga."
Hamza majbooran Mahi ke paas gaya.
"Madam... school ka rasta idhar nahi, udhar hai."
Mahi ne muskura kar kaha,
"Shukriya."
Aur bina kisi shak ke woh usi raste par chal padi.
Usay bilkul andaza nahi tha...
Ke woh rasta usay uski team se door le ja raha tha.
Door aasman par siyah badal jama hone lage.
Tez hawa chalne lagi.
Pedon ke patte zor zor se hilne lage.
Mahi ne peeche mud kar dekha...
Na Areeba nazar aa rahi thi...
Na office ki team.
Sirf khamoshi...
Aur anjaan rasta.
Usne halki si ghabrahat ke saath awaaz lagai,
"Areeba... Sir... koi hai?"
Lekin jawab mein sirf hawa ki sarsarahat sunai di.
Mahi ne apna bag mazbooti se pakda aur dheere dheere aage chalne lagi...
Usay bilkul andaza nahi tha...
Ke agla qadam uski zindagi ka sabse bada imtehan banne wala hai.
Chapter 3 Anjaan Rasta
Shaam dheere dheere gaon par utar rahi thi.
Shehar se aaye sab volunteers wapas jama ho chuke thay, lekin ek chehra abhi tak nazar nahi aa raha tha.
"Mahi kahan hai?" Areeba ne pareshani se poocha.
Sir Salman ne foran sab ki taraf dekha.
"Kya kisi ne use dekha hai?"
Sab ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha, lekin kisi ke paas jawab nahi tha.
Ye baat dheere dheere gaon mein phail gayi ke ek volunteer larki abhi tak wapas nahi aayi.
Hamza ne jab ye baat Shahveer ko batayi to woh ek dum khamosh ho gaya.
"Wohi larki... Mahi?"
Hamza ne hairani se dekha. "Tum uska naam jante ho?"
Shahveer ne dheere se jawab diya, "Subah jab Sir Salman sab volunteers ka taaruf karwa rahe thay, tab suna tha."
Uske zehan mein Mahi ka woh chehra aa gaya jo gaon walon ke rawaiye ke bawajood muskurahat ke saath sab se baat kar rahi thi.
Hamza ne kaha, "Sab use dhoond rahe hain."
Shahveer ne kuch lamhe socha, phir purane raste ki taraf dekha.
"Woh rasta..."
Usay yaad aaya ke Hamza ne use bataya tha ke woh group us taraf gaya tha.
Shahveer ne gehri saans li.
"Main dekhta hoon."
Aur woh Mahi ko dhoondne nikal pada.
Dusri taraf...
Mahi abhi bhi usi raste par thi.
Usne phone dobara nikala aur network dhoondne lagi.
"Bas ek baar signal aa jaye..."
Woh phone upar kar ke chal rahi thi ke achanak uska paon pathar se takraya.
"Aah!"
Woh zameen par gir gayi.
Uske paon mein zor ki chot lagi.
Kuch lamhon ke liye woh wahin baithi rahi, phir gusse aur dard mein boli,
"Main tumhein chhorungi nahi... Shahveer."
Usay samajh aa gaya tha ke ye rasta usay jaan boojh kar dikhaya gaya tha.
Woh mushkil se khari hui aur dheere dheere chalne lagi.
Achanak purani jagah ki taraf se kisi cheez ke girne ki awaaz aayi.
Mahi ruk gayi.
Uska dil tez dhadakne laga.
"Kaun hai?"
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Woh thoda ghabra gayi, lekin phir himmat kar ke aage barhi.
Kuch door ja kar uska paon dobara ladkhadaya.
Woh girne hi wali thi ke kisi ne foran uska haath pakar liya.
Mahi ek dum se ruk gayi.
Shahveer ne use sambhal liya tha.
Kuch pal ke liye dono bilkul khamosh rahe.
Phir Mahi ne apna haath chhuraya aur gusse se boli,
"Tum!"
Shahveer ne kaha, "Dhyan se."
Mahi ne gusse mein kaha,
"Ye rasta tumne bataya tha na? Ye kya mazaak tha?"
Shahveer chup raha.
Mahi ka gussa aur barh gaya.
"Tumhein pata bhi hai main kitni der se yahan akeli ghoom rahi hoon?"
Woh bolti rahi...
Aur phir achanak uski nazar apne haath par gayi.
Abhi kuch seconds pehle tak uska haath Shahveer ke haath mein tha.
Woh foran peeche hati.
Dono ke darmiyan ek ajeeb si khamoshi aa gayi.
Shahveer ne nazrein hata li.
"Mujhe laga tum gir jaogi."
Mahi ne kuch kehna chaha, lekin alfaaz nahi mile.
Phir usne gusse se kaha,
"Phir bhi... tumhari wajah se main yahan phansi."
Shahveer ne dheere se kaha,
"Shayad... meri ghalti thi."
Ye pehli baar tha jab Mahi ne uski awaaz mein gusse ke bajaye pachtawa mehsoos kiya.
Aur shayad...
Ye un dono ki kahani ka pehla mod tha.
Chapter 4
Badalte Nazariye
Raat ka andhera dheere dheere gaon par chha raha tha.
Mahi aur Shahveer khamoshi se wapas chal rahe thay. Dono ke darmiyan ajeeb si khamoshi thi.
Mahi baar baar apne zakhmi paon ko dekhti aur phir Shahveer ko.
Uske dil mein abhi bhi gussa tha.
"Sirf ek sawal hai..."
Shahveer ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumne mujhe galat rasta kyun bataya tha?"
Shahveer kuch der chup raha.
"Kyuki mujhe laga tha ke tum log hamare gaon ko samajhne nahi aaye."
Mahi ne hairani se poocha,
"Aur tumne bina jaane faisla kar liya ke hum bure hain?"
Shahveer ne nazrein jhuka li.
"Shayad."
Mahi ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Shayad nahi... tumne kar liya tha."
Shahveer ke paas koi jawab nahi tha.
Pehli baar kisi ne uske gusse ke peeche chhupi soch par sawal uthaya tha.
Thodi door chalne ke baad Shahveer ruk gaya.
"Paon zyada dard kar raha hai?"
Mahi ne foran jawab diya,
"Nahi."
Lekin uske chehre par dard saaf nazar aa raha tha.
Shahveer ne kuch nahi kaha, bas apni raftaar dheemi kar di taake Mahi asaani se chal sake.
---
Jab dono gaon ke paas pohanche to sab log unki taraf dekhne lage.
Areeba foran Mahi ke paas aayi.
"Mahi! Tum theek ho?"
Usne Mahi ko gale laga liya.
"Hum sab kitna pareshan ho gaye thay."
Mahi ne muskura kar kaha,
"Main theek hoon."
Lekin sab ki nazrein Shahveer par thin.
Sir Salman ne sakht lehje mein poocha,
"Shahveer... tumhein Mahi kahan mili?"
Kuch pal ke liye khamoshi chha gayi.
Mahi ne Shahveer ki taraf dekha.
Woh chahti to sab ke saamne keh sakti thi ke Shahveer ki wajah se woh wahan pohanchi thi.
Lekin usne aisa nahi kiya.
"Mujhe rasta nahi mila tha... Shahveer ne meri madad ki."
Sab hairan reh gaye.
Shahveer ne Mahi ki taraf dekha.
Usay umeed nahi thi ke Mahi uska naam bachayegi.
Sir Salman ne bas itna kaha,
"Madad karna achhi baat hai... lekin kisi ko mushkil mein dalna nahi."
Shahveer ne khamoshi se sar jhuka liya.
---
Us raat Mahi apne kamre mein baithi apne zakhmi paon ko dekh rahi thi.
Uske zehan mein baar baar ek hi baat aa rahi thi.
"Shahveer bura insaan nahi lagta..."
Phir usne khud ko roka.
"Nahi... usne galat kiya tha."
Lekin dil kabhi kabhi woh dekh leta hai jo aankhein nahi dekh paatin.
Udhar Shahveer bhi apne ghar ke bahar baitha aasman ko dekh raha tha.
Usay pehli baar mehsoos hua ke shayad har shehar se aane wala insaan dushman nahi hota.
Magar uske paas abhi bhi ek sawal tha...
"Kya Mahi aur uski team waqai sirf madad ke liye aaye hain?"
Aur is sawal ka jawab...
Waqt hi dene wala tha.
Chapter 5
Chhupe Hue Zakhm
Subah ki pehli roshni gaon ki galiyon mein phail rahi thi.
Mahi jaldi uth kar bahar aayi. Kal ka din uske liye bohat ajeeb tha. Ek taraf usay apni team ka maqsad poora karna tha, aur doosri taraf ab usay samajhna tha ke gaon wale itne door kyun thay.
Woh apni diary lekar school ki taraf chal padi.
Raaste mein uski nazar kuch bachon par padi jo door kharay usay dekh rahe thay.
Mahi muskura kar unke paas gayi.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum."
Is baar bachon ne chupne ke bajaye dheere se jawab diya.
"Walaikum-Assalam."
Mahi ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Shayad chhoti chhoti koshishon se hi dilon ke darmiyan faaslay kam hote hain.
---
Dusri taraf...
Shahveer apne dost Hamza ke saath baitha tha.
Hamza ne kaha,
"Kal tumne us larki ki madad kyun ki?"
Shahveer ne kuch der khamoshi ikhtiyar ki.
"Kyuki woh akeli thi."
Hamza muskura diya.
"Sirf itni si baat?"
Shahveer ne uski taraf dekha.
"Har baat ka koi aur matlab zaroori nahi hota."
Lekin Hamza samajh gaya tha ke Shahveer ke andar kuch badal raha hai.
---
Mahi school ke bahar kuch bachon se baat kar rahi thi ke ek buzurg aadmi wahan se guzra.
Usne kaha,
"Tum log waqai bachon ke liye aaye ho?"
Mahi ne hairani se poocha,
"Ji... kyun?"
Buzurg ne gehri saans li.
"Kyuki pehle bhi kuch log aaye thay. Unhon ne wada kiya tha ke gaon ki madad karenge... lekin baad mein sirf apna faida dekha."
Mahi khamosh ho gayi.
Ab usay samajh aa raha tha ke gaon walon ke dil mein itni badgumani kyun thi.
---
Shaam ko Mahi ki mulaqat phir Shahveer se hui.
"Tum log humse itna door kyun rehte ho?"
Shahveer ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kyuki humne bohat baar bharosa kiya hai... aur har baar toot gaya."
Mahi ne dheere se poocha,
"Har shehar wala ek jaisa hota hai kya?"
Shahveer chup ho gaya.
Uske paas is sawal ka jawab nahi tha.
Mahi ne kaha,
"Kisi ek insaan ki ghalti ki wajah se har kisi ko galat samajhna bhi toh theek nahi."
Shahveer uski baat sunta raha.
Usay mehsoos hua ke Mahi sirf baatein nahi kar rahi thi...
Woh sach mein samajhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
---
Usi waqt gaon ke kuch log door se ye sab dekh rahe thay.
Un mein se ek aadmi ne dheere se kaha,
"Shahveer badal raha hai..."
Dusre ne jawab diya,
"Ya phir shehar walon ka asal chehra abhi samne nahi aaya."
Hawa mein phir se ek naya sawal tha.
Kya bharosa dobara ban sakta tha?
Ya purani nafratein sab kuch khatam kar dengi?
Chapter 6
Dil Ki Pehli Aahat
Subah ki roshni jab gaon ki galiyon mein phaili to har cheez pehle se zyada khoobsurat lag rahi thi.
Mahi school ke bahar bachon ke saath baithi thi. Woh unhein kuch nayi cheezein sikha rahi thi aur bachon ki masoom hansi poore aangan mein goonj rahi thi.
Door khara Shahveer khamoshi se ye sab dekh raha tha.
Usay samajh nahi aa raha tha ke kal tak jis larki ko woh sirf "shehar wali" samajhta tha...
Aaj uski muskurahat uski nazron mein kyun reh reh kar aa rahi thi.
Hamza ne uske paas aa kar kaha,
"Bas dekhte hi rehna hai ya baat bhi karni hai?"
Shahveer ne foran nazar hata li.
"Main sirf dekh raha tha ke ye log kya kar rahe hain."
Hamza muskura diya.
"Haan... sirf yehi dekh rahe thay."
Shahveer ne use ghoor kar dekha, lekin khud bhi apni muskurahat nahi chhupa saka.
---
Kuch der baad Mahi ek box uthaye hue ja rahi thi.
Box thoda zyada bhaari tha.
Shahveer ne dekha to foran aage barha.
"Do, main utha leta hoon."
Mahi ne foran kaha,
"Zaroorat nahi. Main khud kar sakti hoon."
Shahveer ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha,
"Mujhe pata hai tum khud kar sakti ho... lekin iska matlab ye nahi ke har cheez akelay uthani hai."
Mahi ek pal ke liye chup ho gayi.
Phir boli,
"Tum hamesha itne serious kyun rehte ho?"
Shahveer ne jawab diya,
"Aur tum hamesha itna muskuraati kyun rehti ho?"
Mahi hans padi.
"Kyuki zindagi sirf pareshaniyon ke liye nahi hoti."
Shahveer uski baat sunta raha.
Shayad pehli baar kisi ne usay itni asaani se samjhaya tha.
---
Achanak hawa tez hui aur Mahi ki diary ke kuch pages udd gaye.
"Meri diary!"
Woh pages ke peeche bhaagi.
Shahveer ne ek page pakar liya.
Us par kuch likha tha:
"Kabhi kabhi ajnabi log bhi humein apne aap se milwa dete hain."
Shahveer ne woh line padhi.
Mahi ne foran diary uske haath se le li.
"Tum meri diary padh rahe thay?"
Shahveer ne kaha,
"Galti se nazar aa gaya."
Mahi ne aankhein choti kar ke kaha,
"Jhoot bolna tumhein aata nahi."
Shahveer pehli baar khul kar muskuraya.
"Shayad."
Mahi ne hans kar kaha,
"Ye 'shayad' tumhari aadat hai kya?"
Dono hans diye.
---
Shaam ko dono gaon ke paas wale raste par kharay thay.
Mahi ne kaha,
"Shahveer, tum pehle mujhe galat samajhte thay na?"
Shahveer ne dheere se kaha,
"Haan."
"Aur ab?"
Shahveer kuch pal khamosh raha.
"Ab lagta hai... har kisi ko samajhne ka mauqa dena chahiye."
Mahi ne muskura kar kaha,
"Ye tumhari taraf se bohat badi improvement hai."
Shahveer ne uski taraf dekha.
"Shayad tumhari wajah se."
Ek pal ke liye dono khamosh ho gaye.
Hawa chal rahi thi...
Aur dono ke dil mein kuch aisa tha jiska naam abhi dono nahi jaante thay.
Chapter 7
Ek Hi Chhat Ke Neeche
Gaon mein kuch din guzar chuke thay.
Ab dheere dheere shehar se aaye volunteers aur gaon walon ke darmiyan faaslay kam hone lage thay. Bachay Mahi ko dekh kar khush ho jate aur buzurg bhi ab pehle ki tarah ajnabi nazron se nahi dekhte thay.
Lekin ek masla abhi baqi tha...
Rehne ka.
Sir Salman ne sab volunteers ko jama kiya.
"Project ka kaam kuch din aur chalega. Lekin ab sab logon ko alag alag gharon mein rehna hoga taake gaon ke logon ke saath behtar rabta ban sake."
Sab ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha.
Sir Salman ne list nikali.
"Kuch log school ke paas rahenge aur kuch log gaon ke gharon mein."
Phir unki nazar list par ruki.
"Mahi..."
Mahi ne foran dekha.
"Tum Shahveer ke ghar raho gi."
Ek pal ke liye sab khamosh ho gaye.
Mahi ne hairani se kaha,
"Kya?"
Areeba ne bhi surprise se Shahveer ki taraf dekha.
Shahveer khud bhi hairan tha.
"Sir... mere ghar?"
Sir Salman ne muskurate hue kaha,
"Haan Shahveer. Tumhare ghar mein jagah hai aur tum gaon ko achhi tarah jante ho. Is se Mahi ko kaam samajhne mein bhi asani hogi."
Shahveer ke paas mana karne ki koi wajah nahi thi.
Lekin dono ke chehron par ajeeb si jhijhak thi.
---
Shahveer ka ghar simple lekin khoobsurat tha.
Mahi ne andar aate hue kaha,
"Tumhara ghar bohat sukoon wala hai."
Shahveer ne jawab diya,
"Gaon ki cheezein simple hoti hain."
Mahi ne muskura kar kaha,
"Simple cheezein hi aksar sabse khoobsurat hoti hain."
Shahveer ne uski taraf dekha.
Usay mehsoos hua ke Mahi har cheez ko ek alag nazariye se dekhti hai.
---
Shaam ko Mahi apne notes bana rahi thi.
Shahveer bahar se aaya to dekha ke Mahi abhi tak kaam kar rahi thi.
"Tum thakti nahi ho?"
Mahi ne diary se nazar uthaye baghair kaha,
"Thak jati hoon... lekin jab kisi ke liye kuch acha karne ka mauqa mile to thakan kam lagti hai."
Shahveer kuch der chup raha.
Phir bola,
"Tum hamesha dusron ke baare mein sochti ho?"
Mahi ne muskura kar kaha,
"Shayad."
Shahveer hans diya.
"Ye lafz tumhara hai ya mera?"
Mahi bhi hans padi.
---
Raat ko achanak bijli chali gayi.
Poora ghar andhere mein doob gaya.
Mahi thodi ghabra gayi.
"Yahan hamesha aisa hota hai?"
Shahveer ne kaha,
"Haan... aadat ho jati hai."
Phir usne ek diya jalaya aur table par rakh diya.
Diye ki halki roshni mein dono kuch der khamosh baithe rahe.
Mahi ne dheere se kaha,
"Shahveer..."
"Hmm?"
"Tum pehle bohat alag thay."
Shahveer ne poocha,
"Aur ab?"
Mahi ne muskura kar kaha,
"Ab lagta hai tum itne bure nahi ho."
Shahveer ne uski taraf dekha.
"Sirf lagta hai?"
Mahi hans di.
"Abhi test chal raha hai."
Dono muskurane lage.
Lekin dono nahi jaante thay...
Ke ek hi chhat ke neeche guzarta ye waqt unke darmiyan ek aisa rishta bana raha tha jise dono abhi samajh nahi pa rahe thay.
Chapter 8
Pehli Barish
Raat ka waqt tha.
Gaon khamoshi mein dooba hua tha. Door kahin se jhinguron ki awaaz aa rahi thi aur thandi hawa dheere dheere chal rahi thi.
Mahi ghar ke bahar aa kar khari ho gayi. Usne aasman ki taraf dekha. Chand badalon ke peeche chhup raha tha aur hawa mein mitti ki halki si khushboo mehsoos ho rahi thi.
Shahveer bhi kuch der baad bahar aaya.
Usne Mahi ko aasman ki taraf dekhte hue poocha,
"Kya dekh rahi ho?"
Mahi ne muskura kar kaha,
"Lagta hai barish hone wali hai."
Shahveer ne aasman ki taraf dekha aur halki si muskurahat ke saath bola,
"Yahan? Nahi... yahan bas hawa chalti hai, barish nahi hoti."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
"Lekin mujhe lag raha hai... aaj hogi."
Shahveer ne kaha,
"Nahi hogi."
Mahi ne shararat se poocha,
"Agar ho gayi to?"
Shahveer ne uski taraf dekha.
"To?"
Mahi ne muskurate hue kaha,
"To tum mujhe poora gaon ghumao ge."
Shahveer ne halki si hansi ke saath jawab diya,
"Done."
Mahi ne foran kaha,
"Pakka?"
Shahveer ne kaha,
"Pakka."
---
Kuch lamhon tak dono chup chap aasman dekhte rahe.
Phir achanak hawa tez ho gayi.
Pedon ke patte zor zor se hilne lage.
Shahveer ne aasman ki taraf dekha.
Aur phir...
Ek boond Mahi ke haath par aa giri.
Mahi ki aankhon mein khushi chamak uthi.
"Shahveer..."
Ek aur boond...
Phir dekhte hi dekhte barish shuru ho gayi.
Shahveer kuch pal ke liye khamosh reh gaya.
Mahi hans padi.
"Maine kaha tha na!"
Shahveer ne muskurate hue kaha,
"Ye pehli baar hai jab tum sahi nikli ho."
Mahi ne foran jawab diya,
"Matlab baqi baar main galat hoti hoon?"
Shahveer ne muskura kar kaha,
"Shayad."
Mahi hansne lagi.
"Ye shayad tumhari aadat ban gayi hai."
---
Barish ki awaaz sun kar dheere dheere poora gaon gharon se bahar nikalne laga.
Bachay khushi se barish mein bhaagne lage.
Kuch log aasman ki taraf dekh kar dua kar rahe thay.
Kisi ke chehre par saalon baad aisi khushi thi.
Mahi ne apna camera nikala.
Usne un sab ki muskurahatein capture karna shuru kar diya.
Bachon ki hansi...
Buzurgon ki khushi...
Aur un logon ke chehre jin ke dilon mein ab pehle jaisa faasla nahi raha tha.
Phir uski nazar Shahveer par ruki.
Woh bhi barish mein khara tha.
Pehli baar Mahi ne uske chehre par gusse ki jagah ek masoom si muskurahat dekhi.
Usne camera uthaya aur us pal ko capture kar liya.
Shahveer ne poocha,
"Meri tasveer kyun?"
Mahi ne muskura kar kaha,
"Kyunki kuch lamhe dobara nahi aate."
Shahveer kuch nahi bola.
Bas uski taraf dekhta raha.
Barish girti rahi...
Aur us raat sirf zameen nahi bheegi thi.
Kuch dilon ke darmiyan faaslay bhi kam ho rahe thay.
Chapter 9
Gaon Ka Safar
Barish ke baad gaon ka manzar bilkul badal gaya tha.
Mitti ki khushboo, pedon par chamakti boondein aur thandi hawa ne poore gaon ko ek nayi khoobsurti de di thi.
Agli shaam Mahi ghar ke bahar khari thi.
Usne Shahveer ko dekha aur muskura kar boli,
"Toh yaad hai tumhara wada?"
Shahveer ne hairani se poocha,
"Kaunsa wada?"
Mahi ne aankhein choti kar ke kaha,
"Barish wala... tumne kaha tha poora gaon ghumao ge."
Shahveer ke chehre par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Tumhein sab yaad rehta hai?"
Mahi ne jawab diya,
"Apne haq ki cheezein nahi bhoolti."
Shahveer hans diya.
"Chalo phir."
---
Shahveer Mahi ko poora gaon dikhane laga.
Woh use purane darakht, khet, chhoti si nadi aur gaon ki woh jagahen dikhata gaya jahan uski bachpan ki yaadein judi thin.
Mahi har cheez ko dilchaspi se dekh rahi thi.
"Kabhi kabhi lagta hai log jagahon ki khoobsurti dekhna bhool jate hain."
Shahveer ne kaha,
"Kyuki woh sirf cheezein dekhte hain... kahaniyan nahi."
Mahi muskura di.
---
Dono gaon ke bazaar ki taraf gaye.
Mahi bachon ke liye kuch cheezein dekh rahi thi ke achanak uski nazar ek aadmi par padi.
Woh ek larki se badtameezi se baat kar raha tha.
Larki pareshan thi aur wahan se jana chahti thi.
Mahi ye dekh kar foran aage barhi.
"Aap tameez se baat karein."
Aadmi ne gusse se Mahi ko dekha.
"Tum beech mein kyun aa rahi ho?"
Mahi ne sakhti se jawab diya,
"Kyuki ghalat ko ghalat kehna zaroori hota hai."
Aadmi ne gusse mein larki ko aur pareshan karne ki koshish ki.
Mahi se bardasht nahi hua.
Usne usay thappar maar diya.
Poora bazaar ek dum khamosh ho gaya.
Aadmi gusse mein Mahi ki taraf barha aur use dhakka dene laga.
Lekin is se pehle ke woh kuch aur karta...
Kisi ne uska haath pakar liya.
Shahveer tha.
Uski aankhon mein gussa saaf nazar aa raha tha.
"Bas."
Usne sakht awaaz mein kaha.
Aadmi ne chhurne ki koshish ki, lekin Shahveer ne usay rok liya.
"Ek larki ki izzat karna seekho."
Phir usne usay chhor diya aur kaha,
"Aaj sirf is liye ja raha hai kyunki Mahi ne rok diya... warna main tumhari ye harkat kabhi bardasht nahi karta."
Aadmi chup chap wahan se chala gaya.
Shahveer ne Mahi ki taraf dekha.
"Tumhein khud ko mushkil mein dalne ki aadat hai?"
Mahi ne jawab diya,
"Aur tumhein har baar bachane ki."
Dono kuch pal ek dusre ko dekhte rahe.
Phir Mahi muskura di.
---
Wapas aate hue Shahveer khamosh tha.
Mahi ne poocha,
"Kya soch rahe ho?"
Shahveer ne dheere se kaha,
"Ye ke tum jitni nazuk dikhti ho... utni ho nahi."
Mahi hans padi.
"Aur tum jitne sakht lagte ho... utne ho nahi."
Shahveer ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Dono nahi jaante thay...
Ke unki ye chhoti chhoti mulaqatein kab ek khoobsurat ehsaas mein badal rahi thin.
Chapter 10
Kuch Ankahe Ehsaas
Raat ka waqt tha.
Gaon mein khamoshi thi. Chand ki roshni mitti ke raston par bikhri hui thi.
Mahi ghar ke bahar baithi apni diary mein kuch likh rahi thi.
Usne likha:
"Kabhi kabhi kuch log zindagi mein achanak aate hain... aur dheere dheere apni jagah bana lete hain."
Woh likh kar ruk gayi.
Uske zehan mein Shahveer ka chehra aa gaya.
Uska gussa...
Uski sakhti...
Aur phir woh chhoti chhoti baatein jahan usne Mahi ki parwah ki.
Mahi ne khud se kaha,
"Main itna kyun soch rahi hoon?"
---
Dusri taraf Shahveer bhi so nahi pa raha tha.
Hamza ne usay dekha aur muskura kar bola,
"Kya baat hai? Aaj kal bohat khamosh rehte ho."
Shahveer ne nazar hata li.
"Kuch nahi."
Hamza hans diya.
"Jab tum 'kuch nahi' kehte ho na, tabhi sabse zyada kuch hota hai."
Shahveer ne usay ghoora.
"Lagta hai tumhara kaam sirf mazaak karna hai."
Hamza ne kaha,
"Aur tumhara kaam sirf chhupana."
Shahveer kuch na bola.
Lekin uske chehre ki muskurahat sab bata rahi thi.
---
Agli subah Mahi bachon ke saath kaam kar rahi thi.
Ek chhoti bachi ne usay ek phool diya.
"Ye aap ke liye."
Mahi ne khushi se poocha,
"Mere liye?"
Bachi ne muskurate hue kaha,
"Aap jab aati hain to sab khush ho jate hain."
Mahi ki aankhon mein halki si nami aa gayi.
Usne socha...
Shayad kisi ki zindagi mein chhoti si khushi banna bhi bohat badi baat hoti hai.
Door khara Shahveer ye sab dekh raha tha.
---
Shaam ko Shahveer ne Mahi se kaha,
"Aaj tumhein ek jagah dikhani hai."
Mahi ne hairani se poocha,
"Kahan?"
"Bas chalo."
Dono gaon se thoda door ek purani jagah par pohanche.
Wahan ek purana sa ped tha.
Mahi ne poocha,
"Ye jagah?"
Shahveer ne dheere se kaha,
"Jab main udaas hota tha... yahan aata tha."
Mahi chup ho gayi.
"Pehli baar kisi ko yahan laya hai."
Mahi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kyun?"
Shahveer ne nazrein hata kar kaha,
"Pata nahi."
Dono ke darmiyan ek khamoshi aa gayi.
Lekin woh khamoshi ajeeb nahi thi...
Woh sukoon wali thi.
---
Achanak Mahi ka phone baj gaya.
Woh hairan hui.
"Network aa gaya!"
Phone par Sir Salman ka message tha.
"Kal subah sab volunteers ko wapas shehar jana hai."
Mahi ka chehra ek pal ke liye badal gaya.
Usne phone band kar diya.
Shahveer ne poocha,
"Kya hua?"
Mahi ne dheere se kaha,
"Kal... humein wapas jana hai."
Shahveer khamosh ho gaya.
Pehli baar dono ko mehsoos hua...
Ke kuch mulaqatein jitni khoobsurat hoti hain, unka khatam hona utna hi mushkil hota hai.
Chapter 11
Alvida Se Pehle
Jab Shahveer ko pata chala ke Mahi aur uski team kal subah wapas shehar ja rahi hai...
Toh kuch pal ke liye usay laga jaise waqt ruk gaya ho.
Woh kuch kehna chahta tha, lekin alfaaz nahi mil rahe thay.
Udhar Mahi bhi khamosh thi.
Jo kuch din pehle ek anjaan gaon tha, ab woh uski yaadon ka hissa ban chuka tha.
Aur Shahveer...
Jo pehle sirf ek sakht mizaj insaan laga tha, ab uski fikr aur uski baatein Mahi ke dil mein ek alag jagah bana chuki thin.
Dono aksar ek dusre ke paas hotay hue bhi khamosh rehte.
Jaise dono jaante thay ke kuch baatein kehne se zyada mehsoos ki jati hain.
---
Gaon walon ne volunteers ke liye ek chhota sa function rakhne ka faisla kiya.
Sab chahte thay ke unki rukhsati ek khoobsurat yaad ban jaye.
Gaon mein ronak thi.
Bachay khush thay, buzurg duaen de rahe thay aur har taraf apnapan mehsoos ho raha tha.
Sab ko riwayati kapray pehne thay.
Shahveer bhi tayyariyon mein masroof tha.
Lekin uske zehan mein sirf ek hi baat thi...
"Mahi kal chali jayegi."
---
Shaam ko Shahveer Mahi ke kamre ke darwaze par aaya.
Uske haath mein ek khoobsurat sa dress tha.
Mahi ne darwaza khola to hairan reh gayi.
"Ye kis liye?"
Shahveer ne nazrein jhuka kar kaha,
"Function ke liye."
Mahi ne dress dekha aur muskura di.
"Tum laye ho?"
Shahveer ne halka sa sar hila diya.
"Gaon ki riwayat hai... mehmanon ko khaas mehsoos karwana."
Mahi ne dheere se kaha,
"Thank you, Shahveer."
Kuch lamhon ke liye dono khamosh rahe.
Phir Shahveer ne kaha,
"Tum par acha lagega."
Ye keh kar woh foran wahan se chala gaya.
Mahi usay jate hue dekhti reh gayi.
---
Raat ko jab function shuru hua to poora gaon roshniyon se jagmaga raha tha.
Mahi ne wohi dress pehna jo Shahveer laya tha.
Jab woh bahar aayi...
Toh Shahveer ki nazar ek pal ke liye us par ruk gayi.
Woh kuch keh nahi saka.
Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya ke kuch log sirf zindagi mein aate nahi...
Balki dil mein apni jagah bana lete hain.
Hamza ne usay dekha aur muskura kar bola,
"Kya hua? Bolna bhool gaye?"
Shahveer ne foran nazar hata li.
"Kuch nahi."
Hamza hans diya.
"Phir wahi kuch nahi."
---
Function mein sab khush thay.
Mahi bachon aur gaon walon ki muskurahatein apne camera mein capture kar rahi thi.
Har chehra ek kahani tha.
Achanak usay yaad aaya ke uski diary room mein reh gayi hai.
Woh Shahveer se boli,
"Main abhi aati hoon."
Aur room ki taraf chali gayi.
---
Kamre mein khamoshi thi.
Mahi ne diary uthayi aur wapas mudne lagi.
Tabhi...
Peeche se kisi ne achanak uske chehre par haath rakh diya.
Mahi ghabra gayi.
Usne mudne ki koshish ki.
Us shakhs ki awaaz sun kar uska dil ruk sa gaya.
"Yaad hai mujhe?"
Mahi ne pehchan liya.
Ye wahi aadmi tha...
Jise usne bazaar mein ek larki se badtameezi karte hue roka tha.
Uski aankhon mein gussa tha.
"Us din sab ke saamne meri beizzati ki thi tumne."
Mahi ne khud ko chhurane ki koshish ki.
Lekin woh use wahan se le gaya.
---
Udhar function mein...
Shahveer ki nazar baar baar darwaze ki taraf ja rahi thi.
Pata nahi kyun...
Uska dil bechain ho raha tha.
"Mahi abhi tak wapas kyun nahi aayi?"
Woh foran uske kamre ki taraf chal pada.
Usay nahi pata tha...
Ke ye raat un dono ke rishte ka sabse bada imtehan banne wali thi.
Chapter 12
Talaash
Function ki awaaz abhi bhi gaon mein goonj rahi thi.
Log hans rahe thay, bachay khush thay...
Lekin Shahveer ka dil ajeeb si bechaini mehsoos kar raha tha.
Woh Mahi ke kamre ke bahar pohancha.
Darwaza halka sa khula hua tha.
"Mahi?"
Usne awaaz lagayi.
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Shahveer ne andar dekha.
Kamra khaali tha.
Table par Mahi ki diary padi thi, lekin Mahi nahi thi.
Uska dil zor se dhadka.
"Mahi kahan gayi?"
---
Kuch hi der mein sab ko pata chal gaya ke Mahi wahan nahi hai.
Areeba ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Wo bina bataye kahin nahi ja sakti."
Sir Salman ne kaha,
"Sab log alag alag jagah dekho."
Shahveer khamosh khara tha.
Uske zehan mein sirf ek baat chal rahi thi...
"Mahi..."
Usay pehli baar kisi ko kho dene ka darr mehsoos hua.
---
Hamza ne Shahveer ke paas aa kar kaha,
"Shahveer, hum dhoond lenge use."
Shahveer ne gehri saans li.
"Lekin agar der ho gayi to?"
Hamza ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Usay samajh aa gaya tha ke baat sirf ek mehman ki nahi rahi thi...
Mahi ab Shahveer ke liye bohat khaas ban chuki thi.
---
Shahveer ne Mahi ke kamre ko dobara dekha.
Zameen par ek chhota sa kapray ka tukra pada tha.
Usne uthaya.
Usay foran yaad aaya...
Bazaar wala aadmi.
Uska gussa.
Uski dhamki.
Shahveer ki aankhon mein sakhti aa gayi.
"Ye uska kaam hai."
Hamza ne poocha,
"Kiska?"
Shahveer ne jawab diya,
"Us aadmi ka... jise Mahi ne sab ke saamne roka tha."
---
Shahveer foran bahar nikla.
Raat gehri ho chuki thi.
Lekin uske kadam nahi ruke.
Woh usi raste ki taraf gaya jahan se gaon ka purana rasta shuru hota tha.
Uske dil mein sirf ek dua thi.
"Mahi theek ho."
---
Dusri taraf...
Mahi ek purani jagah par thi.
Usne himmat nahi hari thi.
Woh apne aap ko sambhalne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Us aadmi ne kaha,
"Tumhein laga tha tum mujhe sab ke saamne zaleel karogi aur bach jaogi?"
Mahi ne gusse se jawab diya,
"Mujhe ab bhi yaqeen hai ke ghalat ke khilaf kharay hona galat nahi tha."
Us aadmi ne gusse se dekha.
Lekin Mahi ki aankhon mein darr nahi tha.
---
Wahin door...
Shahveer ko kuch qadmon ke nishan nazar aaye.
Woh ruk gaya.
Uska dil keh raha tha...
Ke Mahi yahin kahin hai.
Usne awaaz lagayi,
"Mahi!"
Khamoshi.
Phir dobara...
"Mahi!"
Is baar bohat halki si awaaz aayi.
"Shahveer..."
Shahveer ke kadam tez ho gaye.
Usne awaaz ki taraf daurna shuru kar diya.
Usay nahi pata tha ke agle kuch lamhe...
Chapter 13
Waqt Par Aaya
Raat ka andhera gehra hota ja raha tha.
Purani jagah par sirf hawa ki awaaz thi aur Mahi ki himmat uske saath khari thi.
Woh aadmi gusse mein tha. Uske dil mein badla lene ki aag thi, lekin Mahi ne darr ke saamne haar nahi mani.
Uska paon zakhmi tha, jis ki wajah se uske liye khud ko sambhalna mushkil ho raha tha. Lekin phir bhi woh apni izzat aur apni hifazat ke liye poori taqat se koshish kar rahi thi.
Uski aankhon mein aansu thay, lekin awaaz mein himmat thi.
"Chhor do mujhe!"
Woh khud ko bachane ki koshish karti rahi.
---
Ussi waqt...
Door se Shahveer ko awaaz sunai di.
"Mahi!"
Uska dil zor se dhadka.
Woh bina soche samjhe awaaz ki taraf bhaga.
Jab woh wahan pohancha to uski aankhon mein gussa bhar gaya.
Usne foran aage barh kar Mahi ko us aadmi se door kiya.
"Bas!"
Shahveer ki awaaz mein itni sakhti thi ke woh aadmi ek pal ke liye ruk gaya.
Shahveer ne usay sakhti se roka.
"Tumne bohat badi ghalti ki hai."
Uski aankhon mein gussa tha, lekin Mahi ki halat dekh kar uska pehla khayal sirf Mahi thi.
Woh us aadmi ko wahan se door kar deta hai aur foran Mahi ke paas aata hai.
---
"Mahi..."
Uski awaaz mein pehli baar sirf fikr thi.
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu thay.
Woh kuch kehna chahti thi, lekin guzra hua waqt aur darr us par bohat bhari tha.
Shahveer ne dheere se kaha,
"Main aa gaya hoon... ab tum theek ho."
Ye sunte hi Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.
Uski himmat toot gayi aur woh behosh ho gayi.
---
Shahveer ne foran use sambhala aur ghar le aaya.
Poora gaon pareshan tha.
Areeba ki aankhon mein aansu thay aur sab Mahi ke liye dua kar rahe thay.
Agle do din...
Mahi hosh mein nahi aayi.
Shahveer har waqt uske paas raha.
Usay bas ek hi fikr thi...
"Mahi theek ho jaye."
---
Teesri raat...
Kamre mein khamoshi thi.
Mahi ne neend mein achanak ghabra kar aankhein band hi rakhte hue kaha,
"Mujhe jana do..."
Uski saans tez ho gayi.
"Shahveer... please mujhe bachao..."
"Kahan ho tum? Please Shahveer... aa jao."
Shahveer jo paas hi tha, foran uske paas aaya.
"Mahi..."
Usne dheere se kaha,
"Main yahan hoon."
"Shhh... chup ho jao. Ab kuch nahi hoga."
Mahi ne aankhein kholin.
Shahveer ko dekhte hi uska darr thoda kam hua.
Woh aansuon ke saath uske gale lag gayi.
Us lamhe mein usay sirf ek cheez chahiye thi...
Ek aisa ehsaas ke woh mehfooz hai.
Shahveer ne khamoshi se usay sambhala.
Kuch der baad Mahi usi ke sahare rote rote dobara behosh ho gayi.
Shahveer ne bohat ehtiyat se use bed par lita diya.
Usne usay dekha aur dheere se kaha,
"Tumhein kuch nahi hone dunga, Mahi."
Aur us raat Shahveer ne pehli baar mehsoos kiya...
Ke kisi ki hifazat karna sirf zimmedari nahi hoti...
Kabhi kabhi woh dil ki sabse gehri fikr ban jati hai.
Chapter 14
Dil Ki Sukoon
Subah ki pehli kiran khidki se kamre mein dakhil hui.
Mahi ne dheere dheere aankhein kholin.
Uska sar bohat bhaari tha.
Usne idhar udhar dekha to yaad aaya ke woh Shahveer ke ghar mein hai.
Darwaze ke paas kursi par koi baitha tha...
Woh Shahveer tha.
Uski aankhen neend se bhari hui thin, lekin woh wahin baitha baitha so gaya tha.
Mahi usay kuch lamhon tak dekhti rahi.
Uske dil mein ek ajeeb sa sukoon tha.
Itne mein Shahveer ki aankh khul gayi.
Jab usne Mahi ko hosh mein dekha to uski aankhon mein rahat aa gayi.
"Mahi..."
Usne foran poocha,
"Kaisi ho?"
Mahi ne halka sa muskura kar kaha,
"Theek hoon..."
Lekin uski awaaz ab bhi kamzor thi.
Shahveer ne naram lehje mein kaha,
"Jhoot mat bolo."
"Tum theek nahi ho."
Mahi ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
"Main bohat dar gayi thi..."
Shahveer uske paas aaya aur bed ke qareeb baith gaya.
Usne dheere se kaha,
"Ab main hoon na."
"Ab tumhein kisi se darne ki zarurat nahi."
Ye alfaaz sunte hi Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.
Usne nazrein jhuka lein.
---
Kuch der baad doctor ne Mahi ka check-up kiya.
"Ab khatra nahi hai."
"Bas inhein aaram ki zarurat hai."
Ye sunte hi sab ne sukoon ki saans li.
Areeba foran Mahi ke gale lag gayi.
"Pagal larki... kitna dara diya tha."
Mahi halki si muskura di.
---
Shaam ko Mahi kamre ke bahar aangan mein baithi thi.
Hawa chal rahi thi.
Shahveer uske liye chai lekar aaya.
Mahi ne cup lete hue kaha,
"Thank you."
Shahveer muskura diya.
"Tum bohat 'thank you' bolti ho."
Mahi ne mazaak mein kaha,
"Aur tum bohat 'shayad' bolte ho."
Dono halki si hansi hans pade.
Kaafi dinon baad Mahi ke chehre par sachchi muskurahat aayi thi.
---
Kuch der baad Mahi ne dheere se poocha,
"Us raat..."
"Main neend mein kuch bol rahi thi?"
Shahveer kuch pal khamosh raha.
Phir usne halka sa muskura kar kaha,
"Haan."
Mahi ghabra gayi.
"Kya?"
"Tum baar baar keh rahi thi..."
'Shahveer... mujhe bachao.'
Mahi ka chehra ek dum surkh ho gaya.
Usne sharmindagi se nazrein jhuka lein.
"Main... woh..."
Shahveer ne uski baat kaat di.
"Us waqt tum bohat dari hui thi."
"Usmein sharmane ki koi baat nahi."
Mahi ne dheere se uski taraf dekha.
Uski aankhon mein pehli baar sirf sukoon tha.
---
Raat ko Mahi ne diary kholi aur likha,
"Kabhi kabhi Allah kisi ajnabi ko hamari hifazat ka zariya bana deta hai."
Usne diary band ki.
Khidki se bahar dekha.
Aangan mein Shahveer khamoshi se aasman dekh raha tha.
Mahi ke honton par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
Aur Shahveer...
Usay mehsoos ho chuka tha ke Mahi sirf ek mehmaan nahi rahi.
Woh uske dil ki dua ban chuki thi.
Chapter 15
Hamesha Ke Liye
Teen din baad...
Mahi bilkul theek ho chuki thi.
Aaj woh din tha...
Jab volunteers ko gaon chhor kar wapas shehar jana tha.
Poora gaon unhein rukhsat karne ke liye jama tha.
Bachon ki aankhon mein udaasi thi.
Buzurg duaen de rahe thay.
Areeba ne dheere se kaha,
"Lagta hai is gaon ne humein apna bana liya."
Sir Salman muskura diye.
"Kuch jagahen sirf dekhi nahi jati... mehsoos ki jati hain."
---
Mahi ne ek ek gaon wale se milkar alvida kaha.
Uski aankhen baar baar Shahveer ko dhoond rahi thin.
Lekin woh kahin nazar nahi aa raha tha.
Uske dil mein ajeeb si bechaini thi.
"Kya woh bina mile hi chala gaya...?"
Jab sab bus mein baithne lage...
Tabhi door se kisi ki awaaz aayi.
"Mahi!"
Mahi ne mud kar dekha.
Shahveer tha...
Woh tez saans leta hua uski taraf aa raha tha.
Uske haath mein Mahi ki diary thi.
"Tum ye bhool gayi thi."
Mahi ne diary li aur halki si muskura di.
"Thank you."
Dono kuch pal tak sirf ek dusre ko dekhte rahe.
Jaise waqt ruk gaya ho.
---
Mahi ne dheere se kaha,
"Shahveer..."
"Hmm?"
"Main shayad is gaon ko kabhi nahi bhool paungi."
Shahveer ne muskurate hue jawab diya,
"Gaon ko..."
"Ya kisi aur ko?"
Mahi halki si sharma gayi.
Usne nazrein jhuka lein.
---
Bus ka horn baja.
Sir Salman ne awaaz lagayi,
"Mahi... chalna hai."
Mahi ne ek gehri saans li.
Phir Shahveer ki taraf dekha.
"Allah Hafiz."
Shahveer ne dheere se kaha,
"Allah Hafiz..."
Lekin jaise hi Mahi bus ki taraf murne lagi...
Shahveer ne uska haath pakar liya.
"Mahi... ruk jao."
Mahi ne hairani se uski taraf dekha.
Shahveer ki aankhon mein aansu chamak rahe thay.
"Main zindagi mein kabhi kisi ko rokna nahi chahta tha..."
"Lekin aaj agar tum chali gayi na..."
"Toh mera dil bhi tumhare saath chala jayega."
Mahi ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.
Shahveer ne himmat kar ke kaha,
"Main tumse mohabbat karta hoon."
"Pata nahi kab hui..."
"Lekin itni zaroor hui ke ab tumhare bina apni zindagi ka tasawwur nahi kar sakta."
Poora gaon khamosh ho gaya.
Sab ki nazrein un dono par thin.
Mahi rote hue muskura di.
Usne dheere se kaha,
"Mujhe laga tha sirf main hi darr rahi hoon."
"Main bhi tumse mohabbat karti hoon, Shahveer."
Ye sunte hi Shahveer ke chehre par woh muskurahat aa gayi jo pehle kabhi kisi ne nahi dekhi thi.
Hamza zor se bola,
"Aray bhai! Itni der se isi baat ka intezar tha."
Poora gaon hans pada.
---
Sir Salman Shahveer ke paas aaye.
Unhone uske kandhe par haath rakha.
"Beta... agar tumhari niyyat itni saaf hai, to shehar aana."
"Mahi ke walid se izzat ke saath uska haath maangna."
Shahveer ne foran jawab diya,
"Main zaroor aaunga."
---
Ek saal baad...
Ussi gaon mein phir se ronak thi.
Lekin is baar wajah aur bhi khoobsurat thi.
Phoolon se saja hua aangan...
Har taraf muskurahat...
Aur nikah ka intezam.
Qazi sahib ne poocha,
"Mahi Fatima bint... kya aap ko ye nikah qubool hai?"
Mahi ne muskura kar kaha,
"Qubool hai."
Teen baar...
Phir Shahveer ki baari aayi.
"Qubool hai."
"Qubool hai."
"Qubool hai."
Har taraf "Mubarak ho!" ki awaazein goonj uthin.
Barish ki halki halki boondein phir se girne lagin.
Mahi ne aasman ki taraf dekh kar muskura kar kaha,
"Dekha..."
"Maine kaha tha na... barish zaroor hogi."
Shahveer hans pada.
"Shayad..."
Mahi ne hans kar uski baat kaat di.
"Ab bhi 'shayad'?"
Shahveer ne uska haath thaam kar kaha,
"Nahi..."
"Ab yaqeen hai."
Dono muskura diye.
Kuch kahaniyan ittefaq se shuru hoti hain...
Aur duaon par khatam.
✨ The End ✨
