Dopehar mein rawangi ka plan tha. Mukammal tayariyo ke sath gaari mein sawar hone lagi toh Aqsa ne ro kar bura haal kar liya.
"Please Aapi!"
"Tum chhuttiyo me gawo nahi jana chahti thi aur kaha jaogi?" Jannat hairan huyi.
"Jahan aap ja rahi hai, mujhe bhi saath le jaye. Mujhe ghar nahi jana. Aapko nahi pata amma phir se shaadi rishte ka zikr chhed deingi. Woh zaide se mangni karna chahti hain aur zaida Shazia ko pasand karta hai."
Faris Wajdan se ahkamat lete huye adeel Ahmad ke kaan khade ho gaye.
"Abhi toh maine bohot saara parhna hai. Aapi, main doctor banoon gi."
"Haan toh kaun mana kar raha hai?" Uske kandho par haath rakhe pyar se boli.
"Gao jaoongi toh nikah mangni kuch na kuch yeh log mera kar denge. Phir aage se khala ki alag demand aayegi ke rishta pakka ho gaya hai, hamare bete ko nahi pasand hai larki parhne jaye."
"Lekin tumhare Baba toh tumhare saath hi hain na!"
"Lekin amma se woh haar gaye toh? Please Aapi, saath le jaye. Abba se keh dein Aqsa ki bohot zarurat hai aapko, please! Pehle bhi Faris sahab ne hi Abba ko kaha tha mujhe parhne dein," haath pakar kar minnat ki.
Jannat confuse ho gayi. Adeel ke chehre par ab pareshani si nazar aa rahi thi. Jannat usay tasalli deti Faris ke paas chali gayi. Woh aqbi nashist par Rayyan ko car chair par bitha kar belt bandh raha tha. Faris se baat ki toh usne sar uthakar Aqsa ko hi dekha. Woh modib sar jhuka gayi. Usne sar hilaya toh quarters ki taraf chali gayi. Kuch dair baad wapas aayi toh labo par muskurahat nazar aa rahi thi.
"Maine tumhare Abba se baat ki hai, woh toh keh rahe hain jab tak unki beti doctor nahi ban jaati, woh iska rishta kahin par tay nahi karenge."
"Sach mein, Aapi?"
"Haan! Ab aram se ghar jao, chhuttiya guzaro, maze karo!"
Aqsa khushi se uske gale lag gayi. "Thank you, Aapi! Thank you so much!"
Adeel Ahmed ke chehre par mukammal itminan utar aaya.
Faris ki nazar pari toh usne foran se muskurahat sambhali. Modib sa darwaza khol kar peeche hota gaya. Faris ki pur soch nigahe door Aqsa tak gayi, phir sar jhatak kar gaari mein sawar ho gaya tha.
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Quetta ka safar taweel aur khushgawar sa raha tha, ke dauraan-e-safar woh waqfe waqfe se gaari rukwa kar qudrati haseen manazir ka maza lete, tasveere kheenchte aur apni pasand ki cheeze khate rahe. Doctor ki bhi hidayat thi ke chehal qadmi zaroori hai, so yeh safar bohot aram, tasalli aur kaafi takheer se tay hua tha. Beech mein hotel par bhi rukka gaya aur Jannat ne khaasa enjoy kiya, ke Jamila Dawood bhi saath thi.
Jis waqt gaari Shirazi Mansion ke ihate mein daakhil hui, us waqt saare barah ka waqt tha. Jannat neend ki wadiyo mein thi. Bahar mausam theek nahi tha; tez barish ho rahi thi. Woh itni thaki hui thi ke shiddat se barasti barish ka shor aur kadakti bijli bhi uske aaram mein koi khalal nahi daal sake the.
Passenger seat par barajman mrs. Shirazi ne sir utha kar Shirazi Mansion ko dekha. Aalishan qasar raat ki is tareeki mein roshniya bikher raha tha. Mulazim muntazir kharay the. Aik ke baad aik andar daakhil hoti teen gaariya sadar darwaze ke ain samne porch mein rok di gayi thi.
"Jannat beta, uth jao. Hum pahunch gaye hai." Mrs. Shirazi ne usay awaz di magar woh neend mein aisi gharq thi ke farq hi na pada.
Faris unki taraf ka darwaza khol chuka tha. Wheelchair paas hi thi. Woh ehtiyaat se unhein utha kar kursi par bitha raha tha. Mudhat doosri gaari se nikal kar unke paas aa gayi thi. Ab unhein andar le ja rahi thi.
"Mohtarma uthiye!" Usne aqbi nashist ka darwaza khola.
Rayyan apni car chair mein tha. Woh uska belt kholne laga.
"Sone do mujhe," neend mein burburaai.
Usse behtar toh Rayyan tha. Shor sharaba sun kar foran alert ho kar uth gaya. Usne Rayyan ko mulazim ke hawale kar diya ke usay andar le jaye. Garaj chamak aur barish ki bochhaar se woh khauf zada ho kar rone laga tha.
"Jannat."
"Hmm?" Badqat aankhein kholi.
"Hum pohanch gaye hain!"
"Kahan?"
"Quetta."
"Quetta kyu?"
"Aur kahan jaate the humne?" Tahammul se poocha.
Ab ke neend se bojhal aankhein kholte idhar udhar dekha. Zara sa hosh aaya to jooto ki fikar hui.
Dupatta shawl har cheez sambhalti uska sahara liye bahar aa gayi.
"Rayyan, Rayyan kahan hai?" mazeed hosh aaya to poocha.
"Wo andar hai!"
Uske bazoo par girift jamaye, wo uske saath sadar darwaza aboor kar gayi thi. Ek to thakan, upar se neend ka ghalba aisa tha ke baar baar jhool rahi thi.
"Kya kar rahi ho?" Rahdari se guzarte huye usne aahista se jhurka to zara si bedar hui.
"Daant kyu rahe ho tum?"
Lift se upar ke manzil par pohanchte hi usne kamre ka rukh kiya. Andar dakhil hote hi bed par so gayi. Doosre hi pal harbada kar uthi.
"Rayyan!"
"Main usay dekhta hoon, tum aaram karo."
Takiya durust karte, shawl lihaf odhate woh bahar aa gaya.
Rayyan Shirazi ne ro ro kar hashar kar liya tha. Ajnabi se chehre the. Na usay Dadu nazar aa rahi thi, na Jannat. Phir Faris nazar aaya to jaan mein jaan aayi. Faris ne usay mulazim se le liya. Seene se lag kar fori chup ho gaya. Aankho mein aansu hanooz thehre hue the.
"Begum Sahiba keh rahi hain aap aaram kare,. Unke saath Mudhat hai." Mulazima ne Rayyan ka pair pakadate hue agah kiya to wo sir hila kar apne kamre mein chala gaya.
Aasman par bijli zor se chamki thi. Shirazi Mansion ke tareek kamre aur rahdariyo ko roshan karti phir se andhero mein doobo gayi thi.
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Hawas bedar hue to Maheen hospital mein thi. Sar par, baazu par, haathon par sakht chote aayi thi. Gaari ka sheesha toota tha. Wo zinda salamat thi. Burhan bhi khairiyat se tha. Magar ek khabar thi jo bata di gayi thi. Ek report thi jo dikha di gayi thi.
Burhan dukh aur sadme mein tha. Uske aas paas jaise dhamaake hote mehsoos ho rahe the. Sama'at par yaqeen nahi aa raha tha. Nafi mein sar hilati mutawahosh hone lagi. Use apni zindagi, apni duniya ne.
Yeh kya ho gaya tha? Yeh kaise ho gaya tha? Wo to bilkul theek thi. Uska bacha bhi theek tha. Yeh haadsa... haadsa kyun kar pesh aaya? Uske saath yeh sab kaise ho gaya? Yaqeenan koi mazaaq kar raha hai. Yaqeenan uske hawaso se khelna chahta hai. Uske labon par sakta thehar gaya tha. Uska dimaag maflooj ho gaya tha. Uski aankhein pathhara kar reh gayi thin.
Woh haadsa koi mamooli haadsa na tha.
"Tum banjh ho, Jannat! Aur banjh aurat mard par ek bojh ke siwa kuch nahi hoti."
Usay bohot azamm tha, ghuroor tha ke wo maa banne wali hai. Usne Jannat ko haqeer samajh liya tha. Qudrat ki tamam mehrbaniya khud par tasawwur karke khud ko Bani Israel ki tarah ladla kar liya. Pakad nahi hogi, saza nahi milega, azaab nahi aayega.
Woh Jannat Kamal ko banjh pan ka taane dene wali, wo ab maa nahi ban sakti thi.
Report ab uske haatho mein thi. Bilkul waise hi jaise Jannat Kamal ke haathon mein hua karti thi. Jo jawab Jannat ko diya tha, wohi usay mil gaya tha. Usne bhi wohi alfaaz sun liye jo usne Jannat ko kahe thay. Barha kahe thay. Jata kar, takabbur se tamaskhur udate huye kayi martaba kahe thay.
Usne Jannat Kamal ko bojh kaha tha.
Us ne khud ko Khuda samajh liya tha.
Us ne ata aur jaza, karam aur naimaton ke maamle apni zaat se jor liye the.
Us ne ek mehroom shakhs ko un atao se aziyat pohanchayi thi jo Allah ki taraf se thin.
Jismein us ka bazate khud na koi kamal tha na dil, woh to woh rizq tha jo upar kahin aasman par tay hua tha.
Jo de raha tha, woh lene par bhi qudrat rakhta tha.
Bulandiyo se uthakar zameen mein dhansa sakta tha.
Yeh sab maamlaat to us ke the.
Usay pehli warning Jannat ki shaadi ke doosre mahine hi mil gayi thi.
Us ka chheh mah ka bacha zaya ho gaya tha.
Sadma khaa kar woh ek dum se sambhali thi.
Usay chand maheeno baad phir se khush khabri mili thi.
Aur yeh khush khabri bhi teen maheeno baad chhin gayi thi.
Us ki maa ko, khandan bhar mein sab ko yeh lagta tha ke Jannat hi kuch karwa rahi hai.
Koi sifli amal, koi jadoo.
Apne zameer ko murda karke us ne bhi yeh samajh liya.
Ab ki baar chaar maah tak hamal thehra Aur is haadse mein us ne hamesha hamesha ke liye maa banne ki salahiyat ko hi kho di.
Woh wohin aa gayi thi, us maqam par jahan kabhi us ne Jannat ko khada dekha tha.
Us raat us ne khud apna haath zakhmi kiya tha.
Ab ki baar gaadi ke sheeshe se hua tha.
Us raat to na phor us ne khud ki thi.
Ab ki baar kar di gayi thi.
Pehle warning mili thi, phir saza.
Pehle pukar aayi thi, phir faisla.
Us ne ek saath kai ghar, kitni zindagiya, kai dil ujaar diye.
Pur sukoon zindagiyo ko jahannum bana diya.
Apne gharoor aur takabbur mein apni hi khushiyo ka soda kar diya.
Bhala koi aurat apne hi bachon ki qatil hoti hai?
Woh ho gayi thi.
Us ne sab khatam kar diya tha.
Apne haatho se, apni soch, apni tadbeero se, apne dhokay, jhoot aur fraud se.
Jinhein girane ki koshish ki thi, woh gir kar uth gaye the.
Jahan girana chaha tha, wahan woh khud gir gayi thi.
Woh andar hi andar apni siyahiyo mein gum hoti paagal ho rahi thi.
Sakte mein be-yaqeeni ke, apne aap mein bikhar ti ja rahi thi.
Yeh us ke saath kya ho gaya tha?
Dimagh hanuz sawalat par inka tha. Apna jurm phir bhi nazar nahi aa raha tha.
Abhi bhi woh sakte mein, be-yaqeeni ke denial mein thi.
Shab ki tareeki aankhon mein utar kar us ke wujood ko saakin karne lagi.
Burhan bahar tha. Apne gham aur sade se nidhal woh toot kar bikhar ta ja raha tha.
Woh raat un ke liye tareek aur be-had taweel kar di gayi thi.
Na seene se bojh hat raha tha, na mission ka ehsaas khatam ho raha tha.
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Barasti hui barish ki madhur awaaz sunte us ki aankh khul gayi thi.
Aankhein masal kar peshani par haath rakhe phir jamahi lete hue koshish se uth kar baith gayi.
Qeemti furniture se aarasta wasee o ariz kamre mein us ki nigahen chaaron taraf gayi.
Deewar, gaya khidkiyo par phaile hue parde, Irani qaleen, ceiling ki sajawat. Deewaron ki paintings, sofa us ne aali shan kamre ka jaiza lete hue apne pehlu mein dekha.
Faris ki pusht us ki taraf thi.
Us ki doosri jaanib Rayyan tha. Us ke baazu ke neeche us ka nanha baazu doosri taraf se nikla hua tha. Tang kisi aur taraf thi.
Be-tarteeb baalo ko kaan ke peeche karte hue woh uth kar doosri taraf aa gayi.
Labo par muskaraahat bikhar gayi. Jis tarah se woh soye hue the, usay woh manzar pyara laga.
Be-had ehtiyaat se usne Faris ke baazu zara sa neeche kiya.
Rayan ki taange seedhi kar ke lehaaf theek kiya.
Phir khidki se parde sarka kar bahar dekha to aasman par ghataayen chhayi hui nazar aayin. Barish hanuz Baras rahi thi.
Door tak had-e-nigaah dhundhi thi. Sabzay mein kahin kahin darakhto ka bhi gumaan ho raha tha.
Shawl odh kar woh aahista se darwaza khol kar bahar aayi.
Kushada raahdariyo mein khamoshi si chhayi thi. Dheere qadam uthate har taraf dekh rahi thi.
Phir lift se neeche aayi.
Kitchen ki doosri taraf lounge tha aur us ke ain samne spiral staircase nazar aa raha tha.
Us ghar ki deewargir khidkiyon par latakte pardo se le kar har aik cheez qeemti thi.
Woh ab un paintings ko dekh rahi thi jo deewaro par lagi hui thin.
Woh qeemti decoration pieces jo showcase mein sajay hue the.
Study room mein ruk kar us ne rack mein tarteeb se lagi hui kitabo ko dekha.
Phir darwaza khol kar gallery mein aa gayi.
Gehri saans le kar door tak had-e-nigaah sabzar ko dekha.
Mausam theek ho jaye to woh Faris se kahegi ke use Nana ke ghar le jaye. Soch kar andar aa gayi.
Ek baar phir sar utha kar us ne spiral staircase ko dekha. Woh goya ek mahal mein thi.
Upar tak kitna khoobsurat architecture tha Shirazi Mansion ka. Aur kitna qeemti aur nafees furniture tha jo nazar aa raha tha.
Carpet, sofas, qaleen, paintings, tiles aur ceiling, har aik cheez nafees aur munfarid thi.
Kitchen mein nashtay ka intezam ho raha tha.
Woh kuch der baad kamray mein wapas chali gayi.
Bag se kapray nikale, shower le kar kamray mein aayi to zara si hairan ruk gayi.
Rayyan jaag gaya tha, aur itne sukoon se woh chup chaap letha hua tha. (Faris ka baazu us par tha) Majal hai jo zara sa shor kiya ho ya roya ho.
Bohat ehtiyaat se Faris ka baazu hata kar use bed se utaar diya.
Faris ki aankh khul gayi.
Adh khuli aankhon se Jannat ko dekhte waqt ka poocha phir uth kar bahar chala gaya.
"Tumhari tabiyat kaisi hai?" Woh Rayyan ka munh haath dhulwa kar samne sofa par baithi us ke kapray badal rahi thi jab poocha.
"Main theek hoon, bas zara si thakawat ho gayi hai."
Darwaze par dastak hone lagi. Nashta lag chuka tha. Mrs. Shirazi neeche aa gayi theen. Unhein bulaya ja raha tha.
"Tum jao! Main fresh ho kar aata hoon..."
Woh Rayyan ko saath le kar wasi o areez dining hall mein chali gayi. Mrs. Shirazi se mil kar unke paas baith gayi. Ajeeb si fikar ne ghera, unki aankhein mutawarram si lag rahi theen. Is ghar mein unhone ek muddat guzari thi. Shohar, baap jese sasur aur bete ki yaad ghamzada kar rahi thi. Unhone Rayaan ko god mein le liya. Uske gaal aur maatha chooma aur phir apne haatho se usay Cerelac khilane lagi.
Kuch hi dair mein Faris aa gaya toh nashta shuru kar diya gaya. Chhuri kaanon ki awaaz ke saath dining hall mein guftagu hoti rahi. Ghoomne phirne ka plan banaya ja raha tha aur is plan mein Jannat Kamal shamil nahi thi.
"Rayaan... uski daado, uska chachu, bas yeh teen!"
"Aur main?"
"Tum ghar mein aaram karo.
Meri delivery tak apne saare plans cancel kar tum!" Woh bhi urd gayi.
"Ab tumhari wajah se hum bhi apni zindagi enjoy na kare?" Faris ne poocha.
Jameela dawood hans pari. "Kya hai Faris! Hum intezaar kar lete hain."
Woh muskura kar plate par jhuk gaya.
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Apne pur soch khayalaat mein galta Hafsa gum sum hi kamre mein baithi theen. Guzishta kai dino se unka dil pareshan tha. Sakeena ki baatein zehan mein goonjti theen toh be-sukooni barhti jati thi. Bahut se sawal se aane lagte thay. Jannat ka chehra aankhon mein aa jata tha.
Abhi bhi unhein kuch sochte, kuch samajhte apni saanso par ek wazan sa mehsoos ho raha tha.
Side table par rakha mobile bajne laga toh unhon ne haath barhakar uthaya.
Taayi Ammi ki call thi. Unki aankho mein izteraab aa gaya.
Receive karna chahti thin, kar na payi.
Phir message bheja gaya jise parhte hi unke andar dukh ki lehar dour gayi.
Unhe, ab ghar mein bulaya ja raha tha.
Haadse ki kuch maloomat Imaan ke paas bhi thi.
Us se baat karne ke baad bacho ko Masi ke hawale kiya aur woh ussi waqt rawana ho gayi.
Taayi Ammi ke ghar pohanch kar unke ehsaasat ek baar phir badalne lage.
Jannat ki talaq ke baad jaise ab wahan qadam rakh rahi thi.
Markazi darwaze se andar lounge mein taqreeban khandan ke sab bade mard aur khawateen mojood thi.
Saira Khala ko bhi bulaya gaya tha.
Unki aamdan se jo guftagu jaari thi, khatam ho gayi.
Jo sannata chhaya, woh unki raftaar ko sust karne laga.
Sab ki aankhon mein unke liye jo gussa aur nafrat ka t'assur tha, woh unhein andar tak zakhmi kar gaya.
Jannat ke gunaho aur ghaltiyon ki saza woh chhe behnein pichhle solah mahino se bhugat rahi thi.
Burhan samne hi seene par baazu bandhe khada tha.
Us ka sar jhuka hua tha. Uske t'assuraat mein hairani utri hui thi.
Uski aankho mein gham thehra hua tha.
Faiza Chachi ki un par nazar pari toh ek dum se gusse aur ishtiaal mein apni jagah se uth gayin.
"Aa gayi badbakht! Dekho tumhari manhoos behen ne kya kiya meri bachi ke saath?"
"Dayan ghar chor gayi lekin apne hathkandon se baaz na aayi..."
"Meri Maheen ka yeh teesra bacha zaya hua hai..."
"Uski wajah se meri chhati ki god baar baar ujad rahi hai..."
"Woh jhooti makkar, taweez ganday karwati phir rahi hai..."
"Kuch na kuch kar gayi hai is ghar ke saath jo uske jaate hi itna kuch ho gaya."
Ab woh dukh aur sadme se ro rahi thi.
Ek baar pehle bhi woh yeh ilzam Jannat Kamal ke sar daal chuki thi. Ab phir wohi kar rahi thin. Tab gusse mein woh uske ghar Islamabad tak chali gayi thi. Ab bhi shayad woh kuch karne wali thi. Baat chhoti thi na haadsa mamooli tha.
Tayi ka chehra bhi gusse se laal ho raha tha. Unka Burhaan kitni aziyat se guzar raha tha. Uski tabahiyo ki zimmedar sirf aur sirf Jannat thi.
Darwaza khul gaya toh Maheen ki dost Farah, siyah suit mein malboos, bag kandhe par daale, doosre haath mein mobile liye, udi rangat ke saath andar daakhil hui thi. Lamhe bhar ke liye apni jagah ruk gayi thi ke usay logon ki mojoodgi ki tawaqqu nahi thi. Mushtarka salaam karti woh Maheen se milne ke liye raahdaari ki taraf barh gayi thi.
"Abhi ke abhi usay call karo. Aur bolo band kare woh yeh tamasha!" Taayi Ammi bharak kar boli. Raaste mein Farah ki raftaar seham gayi. Mur kar usne samne khadi Hafsa ko dekha. Sab ki nigahe un par thin. Sab ka gussa bhi un par tha.
Maheen ki saas mushtail ho kar bohot kuch keh rahi thi. Jannat ka kirdar ek baar phir zair-e-bahas aa raha tha.
"Jannat taweez-gandho ke chakron mein kabhi nahi pari, Taayi!" Hafsa ke lab aahista se hilay. "Jab woh kabhi apni aulaad ke liye kisi mazaar ya kisi peer ke paas nahi gayi, kisi aur ke liye kaise ja sakti hai?"
Baat haqeeqat thi. Labo par aa gayi. Jannat Kamal ne toh apni saas ke kehne par bhi kisi mazaar ka rukh nahi kiya tha, na kisi peer se mulaqat ki thi.
"Achaa, toh yeh jo hamare saath ho raha hai, yeh aise hi ho raha hai?" Woh cheekh pari. Farah ke uthte hue qadam ek baar phir tham gaye the. Uske seene par bojh barh gaya. Uski gardan jaise kisi apni shikanjay mein aagai. Bag ki straps par is ki girift itni mazboot ho gayi ke ungliyo ke poor surkh hone lage.
"Tumhein kya lagta hai hum andhay hain? Humein kuch nazar nahi aa raha? Jab se woh yahan se gayi hai, saare nuqsaan ho rahe hain hamare. Pehle Burhan ki job chali gayi. Phir gaari ka khsara hua. Mishi ko talaq ho gayi. Bari mushkil se halaat kuch theek huye to yeh baar baar ho raha hai aur tum hum se keh rahi ho ke woh kuch nahi kar rahi."
Unka bas nahi chal raha tha ke Jannat kisi tarah inke samne ho aur woh uska gala ghont dein.
"Jannat yeh nahi kar sakti!" Muzrim bank Hafsa ke lab hilay.
Woh jaanti thi apni behan ko. Shirk woh nahi kar sakti thi. Jadu, taweez, gandho ke chakro mein apna imaan khatre mein kabhi nahi daal sakti thi. Itna jaanti thein woh use. Nana ki yeh tarbiyat... khud apni aankho se dekhi thi usne.
"Yeh hi to main keh rahi hoon. Iss tarah bagair kisi saboot ke us par ilzam lagana durust nahi hai," Saira khala apne taur par samjha chuki thi, magar wahan koi kuch samajhne ko tayar hi nahi tha.
"Saboot? Abhi hum bade Peer sahab se baat karke aaye hai. Jannat ka naam liya usne. Bol rahe the wohi sab karwa rahi hai."
"Tayi, please!" Hafsa ne kuch be-basi se unhein dekha. Aankhein nam ho gayi thin. Awaaz kapkapaa rahi thi.
"Bari himayat mein bol rahi ho behan ke. Bhool gayi ho kya nahi kiya usne? Maheen ko nuqsan pohnchane ki jo koshish ki usne, yeh koi zyada purani baat to nahi hai. Aur tumhari maa... woh kiski maut mari thi bhala?"
Farah ke chehre par ek saaya sa lehra gaya. Maheen ka kamra samne tha. Aage badhne ki himmat wahi khatam ho gayi.
Phupho foran se maidan mein kud gayi. "Aur ab yeh teesri dafa Maheen ka nuqsaan hua hai. Woh apni koshisho mein lagi hui hai. Nahi basne de rahi woh hamare Burhan ka ghar."
Ungliya masalte hue unhon ne iztirab chupane ki koshish ki. Bas woh yehi aakar lajawab ho jaati thi. Kuch keh nahi paati thi.
Kisi qadar koshish se aage barhte hue Farah ne Maheen ke bedroom ka adh khula darwaza andar ko dhakel diya.
Maheen sofa bed par baithi thi. Uska sar jhuka hua tha. Uski bhatakti hui nigahe un reports par thin jo usne abhi abhi bag se nikali thin. Woh Burhan ke saath Islamabad gayi thi. Uska miscarriage wahi hua tha. Phone par ghar walon ko ittila to kar di gayi thi, magar woh khabar nahi batayi gayi jo is waqt uski reports mein likhi hui thi. Woh khabar jisne Burhan Wasif ko gham aur sakte mein daal diya tha, jisne use mukammal fana kar diya tha.
Aahat par sar utha kar usne Farah ko dekha. Uske taasuraat mein ek wehsat si nazar aa rahi thi.
"Farah! Dekho yeh mere saath kya ho gaya?" Aankhon se aansu toot kar gire. Aur rahdaari ke us jaanib lounge se ek wazeh awaaz phir se goonji.
"Woh to hai hi banjh. Woh bhala kyun chahegi Maheen ka bacha ho. Khud ghar nahi basa saki to kisi aur ka kyun basne degi. Arey! Usne to apne doosre shohar ka ghar bhi chhod diya tha."
Hafsa aapi ne larazti palko ko uthate phupho ko dekha.
Aur andar kamre mein Maheen Farah ke samne subak pari.
"Farah! Mera teesra bacha bhi zaya ho gaya aur ab main kabhi maa nahi ban sakti."
Jo baat abhi tak maa ko, sas ko bhi nahi bata saki thi, apni azeez dost aur razdaan ko bata di.
Farah ke kande se bag phisal kar neeche gir gaya. Uski aankhein saakit ho gayi. Uska chehra safed ho gaya.
Woh apni dost ko dekh rahi thi aur use pehchanne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Woh aankhein jin mein hamesha fatah ka taassur hota tha, woh tareek nazar aa rahi thin. Jo gardan hamesha ghuroor aur takabbur se akri rehti thi, woh jhuki hui thi. Jo khuda ki naimato ko apna khusoosi inaam samajhti thi, woh ab khaali haath tehi daman ho gayi thi.
"Yahan aap ghalat hain, Aapa. Woh apna ghar chhod kar kahin nahi gayi. Woh maa banne wali hai," Saira khala ne bar waqt jawab diya. Lounge mein har taraf har kisi ko sakta ho gaya. Be-yaqeeni har aankh mein utar aayi thi. Takhir se unhein dekha gaya.
"Mazaq kar rahi ho, Saira! Woh maa kaise ban sakti hai?"
"Zaroor tumhein koi ghalti fehmi hui hai."
Unhein is baat ka zyada sadma tha ke aisa kyun ho gaya. Woh maa kaise ban gayi. Is ke yahan yeh khush khabri kaise aayi. Jis larki ko woh barbad dekhna chahte the, uska ghar abad kaise ho gaya. Jiski mehroomiyo ka hisaab rakhna chahte the, us par naimato ka nuzool kaise ho gaya?
Burhan khamosh raha.
Aur andar sofa par baithi Maheen ne Farah ko dekha. Woh is tarah munjamid si darwaze mein hi kyun khadi thi. Woh abhi tak andar kyun nahi aayi thi.
"Yeh humne kya kiya, Maheen?" Farah ke lab hile.
Maheen apni jagah se uth khadi hui.
"Allah barbad kare use. Allah gharath kare usay!" Faiza chachi ki awaaz buland hui.
Woh lafz goya teer ki tarah Farah ke seene ke aar paar huye. Yun laga jaise woh bad-dua us ke liye ho. Nafi mein sar hilaate, woh surkh padti aankho ke saath ulte qadam peeche hatti. Us ke taasuraat woh? Se aglay qadam ka andaza lagate, Maheen Abdul Kareem ko apne pairo tale zameen nikalti hui mehsoos hui.
Woh use awaaz deti, tezi se peeche lapki, magar Farah nahi ruki thi. Usne Maheen ko barbad hota dekh liya tha. Khud nahi ho sakti thi.
"Jannat be-gunah hai! Usne kuch nahi kiya." Lounge mein pohanch kar us ke bhaari saanso ke darmiyan qadam wahin thamm gaye. Sab ki gardane Farah ki taraf ghoom gayin. Hafsa ne aahista se sar uthaya.
Faiza aunty jholi bhar bhar kar Jannat ko bad-duaen de rahi thi.
"Bas karein aunty! Aur bad-duaen na de. Yeh Jannat ko nahi lag rahi, yeh aap ki apni beti ko lag rahi hain, mujhe lag rahi hain."
Ghar ke baro ko sakta ho gaya. Maheen sadme se patthar ho gayi. Uski zaban ko tala lag gaya tha. Uski himmat, quwwat salb kar li gayi thi.
"Jannat bad-kirdar nahi thi," Farah ke wujood par ek kapkapi si tari thi. Woh aise khauf ki zad mein thi jo us ki buniyad andar tak hila gaya tha.
"Uska kisi ke saath koi affair nahi tha. Uska phone number maine phailaya tha. Mujhe Maheen ne aisa karne ko kaha. Use wrong calls meri wajah se aati thi. Ghar mein phool, khat thay, woh sab main bhijwati rahi thi. Uske mobile par jitne messages the, woh mere aur Maheen ke darmiyan thay. Woh sab hum dono ne mil kar kiya tha."
Burhan Wasif sadmay se, be-yaqeeni se phati phati aankhon se use dekh kar reh gaya tha.
Hafsa Kamal pathar ho gayi thin.
"Main ne un bando ko hire kiya tha, jo darwaze par aate the, jo uska rasta rokte thay. Woh sab, woh maine Maheen ke saath mil kar kiya tha."
Maheen Abdul Kareem ka dimagh ma'oof hone laga. Taange bejaan hone lagin. Uske aas paas jaise dhamake ho rahe thay. Use apna ghar, apni zindagi, apni duniya fana hoti hui nazar aa rahi thi.
Tayi ami ko sakta ho gaya tha. Phuppho khamosh ho gayi thin, aur Faiza baji ko jaise ab saans nahi aa raha tha.
"Maheen chahti thi ke Jannat, Burhan se talaaq le kar is ghar se chali jaye, aur woh ja nahi rahi thi..."
"Phir usne kaha ke woh usey jane par majboor kar degi. Us raat Maheen ne usey khud kamre mein bulaya tha. Darwaza andar se lock kar ke saari tod phod usne khud ki thi. Haath bhi khud zakhmi kar liya. Yeh sab humne pehle se tay kiya tha."
Woh bhaari dil se sab kuch batai ja rahi thi. Sakhit wa viran khadi Hafsa ke qadam ladkhada gaye. Arz-o-sama unhe girta hua mehsoos hua. Unke sar par jaise pahaad toota tha.
"Woh be-gunah thi. Uske saath jo hua, humne kiya." Farah siski bhar kar boli.
Bejaan mujasama hoti Maheen ki bhatakti hui dehshat zada nigahen Burhan tak gayin, aur uske andar ka jamoot toot gaya.
"Ghalat keh rahi hai! Jhoot bol rahi hai! Bakwas kar rahi hai yeh!" Woh halaq ke bal chillai. Uska andaaz hizyani tha. Woh hawaso mein nahi lag rahi thi.
Farah ro rahi thi. Maheen ne ek haadse ka drama kiya, lekin uske saath sach much ka haadsa ho gaya. Kisi ki mehroomi ka mazaq uraya, wohi mehroomi uske hisson mein aa gayi. Ab uski baari thi. Ab uske saath kuch hone wala tha. Ab woh hi tabahi ke dorahe par aane wali thi.
Tayi sofa par baithi reh gayin. Faiza chachi viran si khadi thin. Phuppho ka mooh band ho chuka tha. Sab ko jaise saanp soongh gaya tha. Burhan Wasif ki pathrai hui nigahen Maheen par jam gayi.
Woh tezi se uske paas aayi thi. Woh ek lamhe ke liye bhi Burhan ki aankho mein apne liye shak, sadma, nafrat, aur bardasht nahi kar pai thi.
"Nahi, nahi Burhan! Farah jhoot bol rahi hai. Aisa nahi hua. Maine aisa kuch nahi kiya. Taayi ami, Burhan, main aisa kuch kar hi nahi sakti. Yeh bakwas kar rahi hai," woh bokhlahat ka shikaar, dehshat ke aalam mein kehne lagi. Uska chehra faq ho chuka tha.
"Bas kar do, Maahi!" Farah cheekh padi thi. "Ab bas kar do khuda ke liye. Ab aur kuch na karo. Maine saath diya hai tumhara, main is sab mein tumhare saath thi. Main ne..."
"Pagal ho gayi ho tum? Kya keh rahi ho sabko? Jhooti, makkaran! Mera ghar barbad karna chahti ho? Paagal ho gayi ho," Maheen usse jhunjhoda kar cheekhne lagi.
Farah ne tassuf se usse dekha. Itna kuch ho janay ke baad bhi, itni tabahi aur barbadi ke baad bhi, woh wahi thi. Na usne warning se kuch samjha, na ikraar-e-jurm ki koshish ki.
"Burhan! Yeh sach nahi hai," phir tadap kar Burhan ki taraf lapki. Uska haath pakad liya. "Farah jhoot bol rahi hai. Aap mujhe jaante hain, main aisa kar hi nahi sakti. Main aisa kuch..." Aankho se aansu behte ja rahe the.
Uska haath jhatak kar, woh bejaan qadmon ke saath peeche hata. Aankho mein gham, sadma, aur dukh liye...
"Kya aapki biwi ko hamesha se Jannat par keechad uchhalne ka shauq hai, ya yeh shaadi ke baad hua hai?"
Usay laga dimagh ki nas phat jayegi.
"Kyunke maine apni biwi ke kirdar mein aaj tak koi jhol nahi dekha."
Poore yaqeen se apni biwi ke kirdar par hone wali har baat ko ek hi sawal se radd karta, uska shauhar hawaso par chha gaya.
"Kyunke maine apni biwi ke kirdar mein aaj tak koi jhol nahi dekha."
Rote, siskte, ghabra kar uska samna karti Jannat Kamal...
"Burhan! Yeh, yeh jhoot bol rahi hai?"
Uske alfaaz, talaq se pehle khauf ki halat mein kapkapati awaaz mein ada kiye gaye, woh aakhri alfaaz!
Kamray ka manzar, toota hua aaina, thapar se ladkhada kar kanch ke tukdo par girti Jannat Kamal...
Usay saans lene mein dushwari hone lagi thi. Sar pakad kar woh panjo ke bal farsh par jhuka.
"Ye usse kya ho gaya."
Hafsa apni jagah sadme se sakht khadi thin. Palko par uske aansu, gaal par phelne lage.
"Aapi, aapi! Maine kuch nahi kiya. Mera yaqeen karein, aapi!" Hafsa ki saansen bhaari hone lagin.
"Yeh tumne kya kar diya, Maheen? Yeh tumne kya kiya?"
"Allah" mutohash ho kar Maheen ko pakad liya, rote hue jhunjhoda dala.
Saira khaala ne unhein pakad kar peeche hataya.
"Hafsa, sambhaal lo khud ko!"
"Aapi! Mujhe ammi ko dekhne dein. Please! Ammi ko aakhri baar, aapi!"
Unka dil ek dum se phatne laga. Woh sach bol rahi thi.
Woh sara waqt apni safai mein sach bol rahi thi.
Woh Jannat Kamal, jo janwaro ke gham mein bojhal ho jaati thi, kisi insaan ki jaan kaise le sakti thi?
Jo Itni hasas thi ke billiyo ke liye ro padti thi. Woh kisi insaan ke liye kaise be-hiss ho sakti thi. Kisi ke saath bura kaise kar sakti thi?
Unhone kyun na suni baat, kyun yaqeen na kiya. Kyun Nana ki tarbiyat par shak kar liya. Kyun us par zulm hone diya. Beghar hone diya. Kyun unhone usay bhari duniya mein tanha chhod diya. Chhe sogi aur shaadi shuda behnoun ke hotay hue bhi uski zindagi ka faisla doosron ne kiya. Unke hote hue bhi woh lawaaris ki tarah rahi.
"Main tumhein kabhi maaf nahi karungi Maheen, main tumhein kabhi maaf nahi karungi!" Woh cheekh rahi thi.
"Hafsa" Saira khala unhein utharahi thin. Woh shadeed ghusse aur ishtiaal mein apna aap chura rahi thi. nse zulm ho gaya.
"Maine kuch ghalat nahi kiya," Maheen phat parhi. "Jab maine usse keh diya tha Burhan se talaq le kar alag ho jao, toh kyun usne meri baat nahi mani? Kyun zidd ki usne, usne mujhe majboor kiya."
Woh keh rahi thi. Woh ab aur bhi bohot kuch keh rahi thi. Farah ko laga woh hawas kho chuki hai. Tai Ami ka chehra veeran ho raha tha. Faiza chachi mein jaise ab jaan nahi rahi thi.
Saira khala, Hafsa ko sahara dete hue bahar le gayi thi. Maheen abhi bhi cheekh rahi thi.
Parda yun chaak hoga, haqeeqat yun a'yaan hogi, yeh toh usne kabhi socha hi nahi tha.
Abhi bhi uska ghussa Jannat par hi tha. Abhi bhi tabahi ka sabab uska wujood hi tha. Hasad ki aag mein jal kar raakh hote usay apna hi nuqsan nazar aa raha tha.
Burhan ka wajood ek andekhi aag mein jal raha tha. Taa'suraat mein junoon aur wahshat si thi.
"Burhan! Please, mera yaqeen karein, main aap se... main aap se bohot mohabbat karti hoon, maine..."
Woh uska haath jhank kar shadeed ghusse mein do qadam peeche hua. Uski aankhon mein angare se nazar aa rahe the.
"Burhan please meri baat sune," tadap kar aage badhi. Bazoo pakra. Munt ki.
"Tai Ami kehti thin ke yeh na-hoosat jab tak is ghar se nahi niklegi, kuch bhi theek nahi hoga. Maine toh bas wohi kiya jo woh chahti thin. Maine tohâ¦"
Apni aankhon mein karb liye, Burhan ne apni maa ko dekha. Woh nafi mein sar hilate, labo ko jumbish dete. Kuch bhi kehne ke qabil nahi rahi thi.
"Burhan! Main aap se pyarâ¦"
"Bas kar do Maheen!" Woh is par baras pada. Haath bhi uthaa deta agar waqt par phupho beech mein aakar usay rok na leti. Usay lag raha tha ke agar woh mazeed wahan rukta, toh pagal ho jayega. Woh usi waqt dukh aur sadma mein mushtahal ghar se nikal gaya.
Maheen Abdul Karim usay aawaze deti reh gayi thi.
âââ