Chapter 41: •CHP40•

کِسٹ نمبر 9

mobile par faris ka message moshul huwa tha. jannat apni bua ke paas thi, woh usey wapas laa raha tha. Message parhte hi saira jaye namaz par tasbeeh liye be sakhta sajde mein gir gayi theen. yeh sajda, sajda e shukar tha palatne ke liye simtne ke liye aur badalne ke liye tha. woh apna ehatasab kar rahi theen. aik yateem bachi ke liye un se bhool hui thi.

unhen woh waqt achhi tarah se yaad tha jab bemari ke dinon mein un ke waalid ne unhe phone kar ke apne ghar bulaya tha. apne paas bitha kar unhon ne jannat kamaal ke mutalliq wasiyat karte hue apne queta wale makaan ke kaghzat ke sath sath aik band lifafa un ke hathon mein pakra diya tha.

"Agar kabhi khandan mein jannat ki zindagi tang ho jaye to isey khol lena."

woh lifafa aglay paanch saloon tak un ki almaari mein mehfooz aur band para raha tha.

is lifafe ko kholne ka khayaal unhe poore paanch saal baad is waqt aaya tha jab Burhan usey Talaq de chuka tha, aur Nafisa wafaat pa chuki theen. sage chacha ne jannat par tasallut jama liya tha, woh uska rishta Zaman Safdar

Ke sath tey kar rahay the. woh jannat ke har mamle mein khud ko qatee be bas tasawwur karti theen. so unhen aik yahi hal nazar aaya tha.

band lifafe mein aik kaghaz tha jis par Jamila dawood shirazi ka naam aur shirazi mension ka address likha tha. neeche kahin shirazi interprise ka number bhi tha. sunehri huroof ka aik qeemti business card, jo yaqeenan qareebi sathiyo ko ataa kiya jata hai, aur chand dawat naame un mein aik dawat nama kisi Hammad shirazi ki saalgirah ka tha. agle kayi lamho tak woh unhe haath mein liye baithi reh gayi thi. Shirazi khandan ke sath Dr. mustafa ke taluqaat kitne darina  gehray rahe the, uska andaza un card se bakhoobi hor ha tha. chunke shirazi khandan aik naamwar khandan tha so is aik lamhe mein kayi khabrain, kayi qisse aur kayi baatein un ke zehen mein ghoom gayi thi.

lifafe mein aik chhota sa kaghaz tha jis mein Jamila dawod ke naam aik tehreer likhi thi .

‘Meri nawasi jannat kamaal ab aap ki amanat hai.’

Mukhtasar ibaarat, mazeed koi hawala kisi tarah ka koi ishara na tha.

pehle pehal to woh kuch samajh hi na payen magar phir shaam tak unhone apne bete ki madad se Jamila dawood se mutaliq maloomat haasil kar li.

Jamila dawood aaj kal Islamabad mein apne bete ke sath rehaish Pazeer theen. address milte hi aglay din woh mulaqaat ke liye islamabad se milne chali gayi thi.

wajdan house ke gate par sakht security thi. baghair kisi taaruf ya jaan pehchan ke unhen andar daakhil hone ki ijazat nahi mil sakti thi.

"Aap mrs. shirazi se keh de, dr mustafa ki beti un se milne aayi hai."

unhone woh lifafa bhi andar bhijwa diya jis mein kuch cards aur woh khat tha. kuch hi der baad gate khol diya gaya. aik bawar di mulazim unhen andar le gaya. shaan daar ghar ke androoni ihatay se hotay hue lounge se woh prtaysh drawing room mein aagai theen. samne hi aik so buri khoob soorat khatoon wheel chair par aatish daan ke samne baithi theen. card haath mein liye, kuch herat, kuch tarap aur kuch sadme se inhen dekhte hue.

"Dr mustafa!"

unhen yun laga jaise yeh naam un khatoon ke andar aik zindagi ki dora gaya ho. rasmi taaruf ke baad unhon ne jannat kamaal ka zikar chher diya. woh bachi jisey Dr. mustafa ne paala tha, do Talaq aur maa ki wafat ke baad sakht tareen halaat se guzar rahi thi. un ke lehjey aur andaaz se be basi jhalakti thi. jaise woh jannat ke liye kuch bhi karne ki salahiyat na rakhti ho. woh un ke paas sirf is liye aayi theen kyunki khat mein un ka naam likha tha.

Jamila dawood shirazi ne poori baat bahut khamoshi aur tawajuh se suni thi. kuch der tak woh khamosh rehti thi, phir jaise unho ne baghair kisi taraddud ke jannat kamaal ka rishta maang liya.

Saira apni jagah bilkul khamosh aur sakit baithi reh gayeen. woh is liye yahan nahi aayi thi. yeh soch kar to hargiz nahi aayi thi.

aur jis no jawan ke liye woh khatoon rishta maang rahi thi woh no jawan to. un ka dimagh maoof huwa. kitni hi der tak woh kuch keh na saki.

aik taraf Zaman tha to doosri taraf unhon ne sar utha kar Jamila dawood ko dekha.

Jamila dawod koi mamooli khatoon nahi thi, nahi  shirazi khandan koi aam sa khandan tha. aur jis ke liye woh rishta maang rahi thi woh naamwar business tiecon Azam shirazi ka pota Faris wajdan tha. kitni hi der tak do soch mein farq gum sum baithi rahi.

bohat si baatein thi, sawalat the, khadshe the. magar chunke yeh rasta, yeh ghar unhen unke waalid ne  dekhaya tha so na chahte hue bhi woh is rishte par ghhor karne lagi thi.

Faris wajdan ka proposal qubool karte waqt inhen laga tha, woh theek kar rahi hain. un ki niyat mein koi khot nahi, iraadon mein koi jhool nahi, faislo mein koi matlab, koi gharz nahi. lekin farq tha. har cheez mein farq tha. aisa rishta sidra ke liye aata to yaqeenan woh inkaar kar deti. jis insaan ki zaat shubhat ke daire mein ghoom rahi ho, uska intikhab woh apni beti ke liye hargiz na karti.

taa hum Zaman ke muqable mein unhen woh munasib laga tha. unhon ne har khayaal pas pusht daal diya tha. har manfi soch ki tardeed kar di thi. unhon ne risk le liya tha. woh usey apni oola daal kehti theen, aur bhool gayi theen, aulaad ke mamle mein risk nahi liye jate. unhone Jamila dawood ko jannat ke bare mein ziyada aagah nahi kiya tha, woh uska maazi, uski Talaq ki wajah tak chhupa gayi thi. sab hi mamlat tay kar ke woh Lahore wapas aa gayi. do din baad nikah aur rukhsati sar anjaam pa gayi.

Aur jannat kamaal is ghutan zada mahol aur apne sage rishto ke tasallut se azad ho kar Islamabad chali gayi. bazahir sab theek tha magar ujlat mein kiye gaye is rishte ko le kar woh kabhi kabhar fikar mand zaroor ho jati thi. Ammar ke sawalaat, uska gussa, Faris wajdan shirazi se muttaliq milne wali afwahe, qissw, qasihe, waswase.

magar woh jaise tise khud ko mutmaein kar leti. apne zameer ke samne datt jati, apne nafs ka haath thaam leti. aur yaqeenan thame hi rakhti agar jannat ke ghar chhore daine ki khabar nahi millti. Us aik lamhe mein unhe ehsas huwa tha ke aag se bachane ke liye unhon ne usey gehray samandar mein dhakel diya hai. aagahi ka woh lamha un par apni zaat ke hawale se bohat si haqeqte aashkaar kar gaya tha. un ke waalid ne aik rasta dekhaya tha. woh aakhri rasta tha, aakhri option, aakhri chance, aakhri rah.  jab khandan mein kuch na rahe, kahin na rahay. koi jagah, koi maqam, koi aasmani, koi rishta koi ehsas na rahe . aur woh khud ko har kisi se judda aur allag samjhti rahi. mukhlis aur hassas kardarti rahi magar ab un par aur ik huwa tha ke woh bhi usi khandan ka hissa theen jis ne jannat kamaal ke sath zayadati ki thi. unhone bhi apna faida, apni Maslehat , apni aasani dekhi thi. unhone bhi jannat kamaal se chhutkara paana chaha tha. woh lifaafa, woh khatt, woh kabhi kholna nahi chahiye tha. woh aakhri option sirf aik option hi rehna chahiye tha. woh kayi nadaan theen. apne waalid ki mohabbat, un ki wasiyat, un ka ahsaan, un ki khwahish, un ka imtehaan samajh hi nahi payi.

unhone khud ko jannat ke mamle mein be bas samjha tha magar woh be bas nahi thi. khandan bhar ki narazi to unhone waise bhi mol le li thi. phir uska intikhab woh apne kisi bete ke liye kyun nahi kar saki thi? agar woh waqai mein reham dil aur hassas thi to jannat kamaal ki jagah unke apne ghar mein, un ki apni aulaad ki zindagi mein kyun nahi ban payi thi? woh apne kisi bhi bete se uska nikah karwa sakti thi. Ammar to khud keh raha tha.

magar Jannat kamaal, aik Talaq Yafta banjh larki unhe apni aulaad ke liye kionkar qubool ho sakti thi? yeh aik talkh sachaai thi. saanp jaisi, wujood ko girift mein le kar se jakarnay wali, aik talkh, aik

be reham sacchai, purey satais din unhone jannat ki kheriyat mangte, uski wapsi ki dua karte guzaar diye the. aur ab jab wo mil gayi thi to woh uska saamna karne ki himmat nahi kar parhi thi. shayad ye zameer hi tha jo zaat ke aahiino ko shafaaf karta ja raha tha, niyat par pari hui khud gharzi ki dhool matti ko be dardi se urataa ja raha tha. Jannat kamaal un ke waalid ki amanat thi. aur unhe laga, woh us amanat ka paas nahi rakh payi hain. wasiyat par amal nahi huwa hai. aur yeh dard, yeh kasak, yeh ehsas nadamat taa-umr ke sath rehne wala tha.

•••

khidkio par tabrez makhmi parde gire hue the. kamre mein AC ki thandak thi maljagi si roshni ka tabrez sa ta-assur kamre ki har aik shai ko numaya kar raha tha. Pankhe par nazrain jamaye chand lamho tak woh palken jhapkaati rahi phir kohniyo ke bal uth baithi. reshmi, mulaem shehad rang baal poni se nikal kar chehre ke aitraaf mein aur kandhe par dheele hone lage. takiye ke sahare bed crown se take lagate usne baazu phela kar angrai li.

safar ki thakaan utar chuki thi. neend mukammal, zehen kuch had tak pur sukoon tha, aur tab tak pur sukoon hi raha tha.

jab tak usey barabar mein kisi ki mojudgi ka ehsas nahi huwa tha. balo ko samaitt kar jore ki shakal deti woh apni jagah ban hui. subah ke teen bajey jab woh ghar puhanche the to woh zid par ar gyi thi ke usey alag kamra hi chahiye. aur Faris ne yeh ke kar bed room chhore diya tha ke woh kahi aur so jayega. usey nahi pata tha kahin aur asal mein wohi bed room hai jo uske hawale Kiye jaa raha hai. woh to is baat par bhi heran hui thi ke Faris ne itni aasani se apna kamra usey kyun de diya hai. aqda to ab khula tha. usey zich karne se woh kaise baz aa sakta hai?

Ghar uska kamrah uska, darwaze uske, khidkiya uski. jannat ki aankhon mein na gawari aur chehre par sakhti dar aayi. chand lamho tak baazu ki darz se jhankti uski band aankho ko dekhti rahi, phir sar utha kar madham roshni mein etraaf ka jaiza liya. kamre ki setting waisi hi thi jaisi woh chhore kar gayi thi. sirf bed numa sofa gayab tha jo samne deewar ke sath laga huwa tha. uski jagah do single Shahi sofe aur aik coffee table rakhi thi. dressing table par uski chain, uske catchers, hair pins rakhe the.

woh heran hui. perfume, brush aur face powder bhi. safri bag hanooz wardrobe ke sath mojood tha. kisi khayaal ke tehat woh bed se utar kar wardrobe ki janib barh gayi. slight kar ke patt khole dono haath utha kar ba kis girift me liya, phir ehthiyat se deewar geer khidki ke paas panjo ke bal baith gayi. parda halka sa sarka kar usne box khol diya tha. taiz roshni ki laakiro nim tareqi ko chirti hui bed tak pahuch gayi. soya huwa  wajood zara sa kasmasaya ke roshni seedha band aankhon par par rahi thi. woh kuch be qarari se apni cheezon ko ulat palat kar dekhne lagi.

Khat, diaries, talwar, ghadi, chandi ki zanjeer, nanha sa locket, cards, stickers , tasaveer sad shukar ke uski har aik shai saliqe aur hifazat se mojood thi.

usne apne nana ki tasweer mein bahar nikale num aankhon se unhe dekha, unhe chhuva, phir seene se lagaya. kuch der tak woh usi position mein baithi rahi. phir tasalii kar ke box almaari mein rakhne ke baad mazi aur apni jagah ruk gayi.

bed par pusht ke bil aara tirchha laita Faris zara sa sar uthaye usey hi dekh raha tha. ankhen abhi bhi neend se boujhal aur dobara band hone ko mukammal be qarar thi. woh jannat ka chehra dekh chuka tha, woh shadeed ghusse mein lag rahi thi.

"Mein ne tum se kaha tha, mujhe room share nahi karna."

"Guest room ka AC theek se cooling nahi kar raha tha."

paanch chay ghanton tak musalsal gaari  drive karne wale ki aawaz taa haal thakawat se chur aur khumar bhari thi.

"Aur tum chahate ho, mein is baat par yaqeen karlu?"

woh uski statment par acchi khasi tap gayi.

"Nahi"

Faris ne apna sar wapas nafi mein garh liya.

"Nahi?"

jannat muh khula, phir ankhen philin. phir chup charhi tan fun karti paas aayi sakhti se Ameed banaya, lehaaf khincha, phir uska bazu hilaya. magar majaal hai jo uski neend mein zara sa bhi khlal para ho. aise be hoshi ki neend bhala kon hota hai? uska Para mazeed charh gaya. magar zabt kar ke washroom mein khais gayi. aaina samne tha. usne khud ko dekha. rangat zard, sehat kamzor, aur aankhon ke gird halqe kaafi gehre lag rahay the. arsa huwa, usne aaina dekhna chhore diya tha ke dekhne par ajeeb si takleef ka ehsas huwa karta tha lekin

ab jab khud ko dekha to idraak huwa, woh apna khayaal waqai mein nahi rakh rahi thi. Bua theek hi kehti theen. woh zindagi se bhatak gayi thi. apne aap se be parwa ho gayi thi. kuch hi der mein woh fresh ho kar bahar thi. aik kari nigah soye hue wujood par daali. khud hi apni himmat barhai, mazbooti pakri, iraday bandhe.

'kamra to woh bilkul share nahi kere gi. bilkul bhi nahi. ab Faris wajdan ki marzi nahi chalay gi. nah to woh uski dhamkiyo ka assar le gi aur nah hi uske roab mein aaye gi.'

usne socha, 'woh mrs Shirazi ke kamre mein shift ho jaye gi. haan yeh theek rahay ga.' faris ka kya bad guest room ka AC ki kharab kar de. woh mansoobe banati seedhiyan utar rahi thi. aur aitraaf ka jaiza lete jarahi thi.

Indoor plants mein ubharti hui khamosh zindagi. safaid tiles se jhalakta siling ki roshiniyo ka aqs simte hue makhmali pardo ke us paar nazar aata, bahar ka parson manzar yeh swimming pool ka sakit pani aur aasman ka neela rang.

"Mrs. shirazi kahan hain ?"

"woh apne studio mein hain."

mulazma is ke samne modab si khadi ho gayi thi.

"Ma'am! Aap nashta karle"

aik haath se dhakelta hall ka rasta dikhata usne bohat adab se sar jhuka kar kaha tha. uski nigahe raahdari ke ekhtatam par studio ke wasee darwaze tak gayi. phir kuch soch kar woh  hall ki taraf barh gayi.

Nashte se farigh hone ke baad usne kuch waqt mrs. shirazi ke sath un ke studio mein guzashta satais din ki kuch shikayte thi, udasiyaan thi, ehsasat the jo dono ne aik doosre se share kiye.

"Tumhare chale jane se yeh ghar bahut khamosh, bahut veraan ho gaya tha."

woh keh rahi theen.

"Dining table par koi baat nahi hoti thi. chai par koi saathi nahi hota tha. studio mein aati hi nahi thi me."

woh andar hi andar bohat pasheman aur sharminda hui.

"I'm sorry…"

aik baar phir moazrat ki.

"Bahut ajeeb se khayal aate the, pareshani hoti thi. mujhe to yeh dar tha kahin tumhe kisi ne agwah kar liya ho."

unhone ruk kar aik gehra saans liya. Jannat ka sar mazeed jhuk gaya.

"Wada karo mujhse."

unhone uske haath par girift jamai to usne sar utha kar un ki aankhon mein dekha.

"Is tarah dobara kabhi nahi karo gi. koi bhi masla ho, pareshani ho, pehle khud koshish kare samjhne ki nahi samajh raha to kisi bare se kaho lekin is tarah khamoshi se ghar chore dena theek nahi."

usne sar ko asbat mein junbish di.

"haan farar kisi bhi masle ka hal nahi."

"Auntie mein yahan" uska khauf, uski fikar, uski pareshani abhi bhi wahin thi.

"Delivery ke baad jaisa tum chaho gi waisa hi hoga. filhaal kuch mat socho. gaal par haath rakh kar samjhaya. apni sehat ka khayaal rakho, bahut kamzor ho gayi ho."

samne hi Canvas par un ki painting adhuri thi. phool ki chand pankhuriya rangeen to chand be rang ki theen. itne dinon tak unho ne rango ko haath tak nahi lagaya tha. usey dukh huwa. uth kar canvas stand un ke samne rakha. colour tubes, pallate, aur dhair saare brush table par ikathe kiye.

"Yeh aise na mukammal si bilkul achi nahi lag rahi."

usne kaha. woh muskarayi.

"To yeh tay tha us painting ne poore aik mah baad mukammal hona hai."

usne chok kar unhen dekha. aankhon mein aik chamak liye woh bhi usey hi dekh rahi theen.

"Jis tarah hum apne ikhtiyar mein aayi hui cheezon ke liye waqt muqarrar karte hain, bilkul is tarah jis ke ikhtiyar mein hum hain, woh hamare liye karta hai. hamein sirf us par bhrosa rakhna hota hai."

woh colour plate par rang phelane lagi.

"Maine tumhari reserch work parha tha tum ne kaafi mehnat kar ke bahut achi tarah se ayaat ko samjha."

jannat ki aankhon mein nami si tehri.

"Apne liye umeed dhoondi. apne liye yaqeen dhoonda. Allah taala ki qudrat, us ki hikmat, uske iraado par bharosa kiya."

Aansoo palko mein shagaaf daalte is ke gaal par phailay. dil gham se, dard se bhar gaya. mrs. Shirazi ki nazar us par pari to pareshan hogai.

"kya huwa beta? tum theek ho ?"

woh un ke paas aayi. unke samne panjo ke bal baith gayi. un ke ghutno par haath rakhay kuch den tak baithi rahi.

"Mein paanch saal tak be aulad  rahi. mein ne paanch salo tak is baat par yaqeen rakha ke mein banjh hoon. paanch salo tak mein ne…"

uski aawaz bheegi bulb kapkpayi. mz shirazi usay dukh se dekh kar reh gayi.

"Mein saari zindagi halaat ko saza samjhti rahi. azaab, baddua. mujhe lagta tha mere sath kabhi acha nahi hoga, kabhi khusi nahi milegi, me duae chorh chuki thi. Maine yakeen khatam kar diya tha magar aap ne mujhe yeh sab dobara sikhaya. yaqeen, husn e zan , aur dua aur phir Allah ne aap ko sabab banaya. taa ke mein, mein is aziyat se nikal saku."

bahut arse tak roti rehne wali aankhe aik baar phir num ho rahi thi.

khushi aur gham ki mili jali kefiyat liye dil phir se ro rha tha.

"Meri taraf dekho." unhone colour palette rakh kar uska haath thaama.

"andar hi andar jab hum toot kar bikharte hain to sab se pehla khayaal hamein Allah ka hi aata hai magar hame yeh samajh mein nahi aa raha hota ke ab khud ko samait kar jorna kaise hai aur zindagi ka safar naye sire se shuru kaise karna hai. is soorat mein Qur'an ki ayaat hamein zindagi se jurna aur sambhlna sikhati hain. yeh hamare andar musbat soch peda karti hain. kis mayoosi ki chot par, umeed ka konsa marham rakhna hai aur kaisey rakhta hai, yahan quran hamein batata hai."

unhone uske ansoo poche.

"Hum sab insaan hain. hum sab toot-te hain, hum sab bikharte hain, magar hum mein se kamiyab woh hai jisne khud ko samaitt kar sanbhala aur uth khada huwa. kaamil azm aur yaqeen ke sath"

woh unhen dekh rahi thi. woh unhen sun rahi thi. woh unhen samajh rahi thi.

"Log yeh baat nahi samajhte. ya shayad samjhna nahi chahte. lekin aik hamari planning hoti hai aur aik Allah ki hoti hai. aik rasta hum apne liye chahte hain, aur aik rasta Allah hamare liye chunta hai. hamare liye kahan kitni khair, aur kitna shar hai, Allah yeh dekh kar faisla karta hai taake wo hamein barri takleef se bacha sake. aur hamein hamare sabr ke badle kuch behtareen ataa kar sake."

yaka yak unka mobile bajne laga. apne ansoo saaf karte hue woh uth khadi hui. side table se mobile utha kar unhen diya, jab tak woh baat karti rahi, woh studio mein yahan wahan nhti paintings dekhti rahen. Faris ka box almaari ke upri khanae mein mojood nahi tha. woh dekh kar lamha bhar ke liye choki. phir kuch yaad aa jane par mrs shirazi ki taraf muri.

"Auntie?"

woh baat khatam kar chuki thi. mobile rakh kar mutwajjah huien.

"Jee beta!"

"Aap logon ko kaise pata chala ke mein bua ke paas hoon?"

yeh sawal woh faris se nahi poochna chahti thi.

"Aqsa ne bataya tha mere khayaal se. tum Bua ke bete ke ghar gayi thi shayad!"

"Aqsa!" jannat ka muh khula.

shocked si kefiyat ho gayi. phir kuch kehne ka irada tark karte hue woh un se muazrat chahti bahar aagai. samat par yaqeen nahi aa raha tha ke aqsa is tarah koi baat Faris ko bata sakti hai. Uske samne to kayi wade kiye the usne kasme khayi thi.

tan fun karti woh aqsa ke sar par pahonch gayi.

"Maine kaha tha mera har raaz tumhare sath qabar tak jana chahiye?"

aqsa ruhan si hui. ab woh Malkin ko kaisay samjhti ke itni si Umar mein woh qabar mein nahi utarna chahti thi.

"Tum se aik choti si baat nahi chhupayi gayi aqsa?"

"Jannat aapi! Please maaf kar de."

usne baqaida haath jore.

"Aindah kabhi bhi nahi bataugi. kuch bhi nahi bataugi. bhaley se faris sahib mujhe phansi par charha de, bilkul bhi zabaan nahi kholugi."

"Tum ne mera dil, mera maan, mera bharosa toda hai Aqsa!"

Jannat had se ziyada jazbati hui. aqsa ko rona aaya.

"Aapi unhen pata tha pehle se, woh jante the aap wahan gayi thei. mujhe to bas woh confirm karne ke liye le gaye the."

woh wazahate daina lagi. jannat ka gussa kisi soorat kam na huwa.

"Mujhe tum se yeh umeed nahi thi. bilkul bhi umeed nahi thi. nafi mein sar hilati gayi.

"Aapi!"

"Aur kya bta ya tum ne apne Faris sahab ko?"

daant kar poocha.

"Bas wo ‫aik zara si baat batayi thi."

Usne dar kar aitraaf kya. jannat ka dil zor se dharka.

'aur konsa raaz faash ho gaya tha uska?'

"kya bataya?" khushk honton ko tar kar ke poocha.

"Yahi ke jab hum park gaye the to aap roti rahi aur aap ne kaha, bhaar mein jaye faris wajdan!"

jannat palke jhapkana bhool gayi. jis rukh khadi thi, jis andaaz mein khadi thi, khadi reh gayi. dimagh ne samjhaya, statment kamaal ki thi so dil mein sukoon utar gaya. yaka yak fiza achi ho gayi. mood acha ho gaya. 'aisey raaz to bilkul faash hone chahiye lekin aqsa ki baat abhi khatam nahi hui thi.'

"Aur jab hum mall gaye the to aapne, un ke liye gift khareeda tha. aur neele rang ke bare bare dilo wala card bhi banwaya tha. aur us par aap ne likhwaya tha, love you my dearest Faris wajdan."

Jannat shocked usey dekh kar reh gayi. yeh kab huwa tha? kaisay huwa tha? usne kab likhwaya yeh jumla? kab card banwaye? kab gift khareeda? woh hakka bakka khari reh gayi.

"woh us din, shaam mein mall gaye the hum"

aqsa ne ghabra kar yad dilaya.

"ab aap ne woh siyah rang ka suit pehnta tha, aur aap ke joote ka strip toot gaya tha?"

Dimagh par muntazir taaza huwa aur jannat ka dil chaha, zameen phate aur woh usme sama jaye. lekin zameen mein samane se pehle aqsa ka gala dabana zaroori tha.

"Aapi maaf kar de."

usey apni taraf lapkta dekh kar woh surkh eento ki kiyari par charh gayi.

Upar kahi balcony ka darwaaza slight huwa. gehri saans le kar balo mein haath phera gaya. phir rating par kahniyan aitraaf ka jaiza laine ki koshish ki gayi aur tab hi nigah lawn ke is hisse par thehr gayi jaha jannat kamaal athi ke sath mojood thi. aawaz to nahi aa rahi thi magar andaaz se wazeh tha larai ho rahi hai.

"aqsa tum, uff! mere Allah ! kya karoon ab mein tumahra?"

woh sae pakar kar Danni aawaz mein chillayi.

"To kya nahi likhwaya tha?" Usne zindagi hui aawaz mein dahai di.

"Wo faris ke liye nahi tha. usey rona araha tha. mein ne Zaid ke liye card banwaya tha. tum ne dekha tha faris ka naam likha huwa? haan?"

nafi mein sar hilaate hue aqsa ne ungelia mun mein daba li.

"Lekin woh… mein samjhi ke aap ne, un ke liye"

"Tumhare faris sahab remote control car  se khailte hain? " woh bhunnayi.

"Mujhe laga woh decorations piece hai un ki study ke liye."

aqsa ke paseene chhut rahe the.

"Tum khud se kya kya mafrooje karti rahi ho aqsa" usey jee bhar kar rona aaya.

"Ab woh kya samjhta raha hoga ke mein uski mohabbat mein mari ja rahi thi? card likhwati phir rahi thi?

"Aapi!"

maskeen ki soorat bana kar aqsa ne kaan pakdae.

"Aindah nahi bataugi."

"Aindah to mein tumhe kuch bataugi bhi nahi. tum faris ki jasoosa sirf uske sath hi sincere ho"

woh ghusse se palat gayi. Aqsa ne ankhen phaar kar Malkin ko dekha. laqab achha tha. Faris ki jasoosa! lekin malikan ziyada ahem thi. foran usey uske peechay bhagee.

"Aapi! maaf kar den please!"

saddar darwaze ke paas ruk kar jannat jhatke se uski taraf muri. haath utha kar usey roka.

"Sab khatam!"

aqsa ke seene par haath para. kandhe jhuk gaye shakal rone ho gayi. jannat andar chali gayi thi. maskeen si soorat banaye aqsa wahi khadi reh gayi.

woh kamre mein aayi to Faris mojood nahi tha. attached washroom se pani girne ki aawaz aa rahi thi. usne bed side table ki talashi le kar apna mobile uthaya aur neeche aagai. kitchen counter table par baithte hue mobile on kiya. missed calls ke sath kaafi notifications the.

Gallery bilkul saaf thi. Adina Zubair ki taraf se WhatsApp par masool hone wali tasaveer aur messages mitaye ja chuke the. woh faris ki is harkat par ab bhinch kar reh gayi.

be sumar undekhe massages Aima ki taraf se moshool the, saira khaala aur sidra ke massages bhi. usne mrs. Lakhari ki WhatsApp chats kholi. neeche se upar tak scroll karti gayi.

kitni 'Good morning aur good night' ki ibartain thi, sawal the, phool aur rang biranghe dil the. Recordings thi. woh aik aik kar ke sunthee gayi. Zaid ki baatein, uske qissey, doston se larai, apni nanhi behan ki sharartein, maa se narazi, aur faris ki shikayate to itni theen ke bas. wo sunti gayi aur heran hoti gayi ke uski taraf se

-ok fine, don’t worry!

jaisey mukhtasir massages bhi beje gaye the. aakhri recordings mein woh mangni ki angothi ke bare mein pooch raha tha. aik neele rang ki thi aur doosri gulaabi rang ki. faris ne gulaabii rang wali angothi ko done kar ke woh number block kya huwa tha. aur woh apni jagah sastar si baithi thi.

"Samjhta kya hai yeh khud ko?"

Tadap kar number unblock Kiya. Zaid ko rerecording bhaije. shukriya adaa Kiya. muazrat bhi ki ke woh usse baat nahi kar saki. phir Aima ke massages ka jawab diya. Usi waqt is ki call aagai.

"o my god jannat tum kaha se zinda hogai?"

woh khafeef sa hasdi .

"Faris bhai ne bataya tha tum apne maike gayi hui ho."

"Haan! woh mein khaala ki taraf thi."

khankhar kar kaha. sath hi glass mein pani undela.

"Mujhe to poora shak tha, lar kar gayi ho, isi liye faris bhai udaas phir rahe the."

Pani peete hue jannat ko zay daur ka thaska laga. Khaste hue glass table par rakha.

"Udaas phir rahe the?"

"Sadma! masla hal ho gaya kya?"

Aima ki aawaz mein shararat thi.

"ma masla to koi nahi tha."

woh ghabrayi.

"Oh come on jannat! Shayad tum bhool rahi ho, meri aik Adad bhabhee bhi hain. woh jab bhi maike jati mein aik hafte se ziyada nahi rehti. bhai pahonch jate hain lainay. lekin aik baar jab un dono ki larai hogayi thi to bhabhi poora maheena maike rahi theen"

woh batate hue hasi aur Jannat ne be sakhta apni peshani ko chuva.

"Yeh Aima kitni pohanchi hui cheez thi."

"Haan magar aisa kuch nahi tha."

"Phir tumhara mobile kyun off tha? messages ke jawab kyun nahi diye tum ne?"

"woh darasal…"

woh sahih maeno mein phas gayi. doosri taraf Aima aankhon mein shararat liye baithi thi.

"Achha chhoro!"

usey jaise taras agaya.

"Mein tumhari nand bhi to hoon. kisi muamle mein meri help chahiye ho to mein haazir hu! mein to apni bhabi ka bhi poora poora  sath deti hoon. naraaz ho kar jab sike jati hain to un ki tayari mein khud karwati hoon. bhai ki saari khabre bhi mein hi pahuchati hoon. kahan se aa rahe. ab kahan jaa rahe  hain, kya kha rahe hain, kitney udaas hain ya kitney khush nazar aa rahe hain. sab!"

"Tumahra koi ilaaj nahi." jannat hans di.

Aima ko baat kar ke acha laga. ajeeb si ansiyat hoti thi usey jannat se.

"Shaam ka kya plan hai? kahin bahar chalein?"

woh apni roz marrah ki routine, parhai aur aakhri semester ke rona dhona share karne ke baad pooch rahi thi. jannat ko mrs. Shirazi ke sath kuch waqt guzaarna tha, phir tabiyat bhi kuch theek nahi thi, is liye muazrat kar li.

"Mein khud bataugi tumhe, phir plan karen ge kuch.."

Aima se baat karne ke baad kuch der tak saira khaala ko soch kar fikar mand hoti rahi. kayi baar ka contact number nikala aur har baar call karte karte ruk jati. un hi uljhano mein ghiri baithi thi ke Zaid apni nanhi behan ka haath tha se school uniform mein hi school se wapsi par seedha usse milne agaya. woh bohat khush hui. Bacche mrs shirazi se mil kar aur un ki paintings ka nazarah kar ke aaye to woh kitchen mein thi.

apne nanhe mehmanon ki khatir madarat mein halkaan hoti woh dining table par platen rakh rahi thi jab usne faris wajdan ko sidiya utarte dekha. Nili jeans par safaid tshirt mein malboos, bheege baal kuch saliqey se jame hue, aankhon mein halki si soojan abhi bhi mojood thi.

Zaid ki nazar us par pari to uska phoola huwa chehra mazeed phool gaya.

"Good morning!"

Dining hall se guzarte hue usne keh diya.

"Good afternoon kaho." jannat ke muh se be sakhta nikla.

Masoof ne kalayi mourr kar waqt dekha, phir peshani masli, jhuk ke plate se French fries uthaye aur raahdaari ki taraf barh gaya. Shikayato ki patari khil gayi. Zaid shuru ho gaya.

"Kehte the aap ghar par nahi hain bhi kehte the, aap so rahi hain kabhi kehte thay, aap bari hain. mein ne aap ko card bhi likha tha. candy bhi bhaije thi. mein Suzie ko bhi laya tha. unhon ne mujhe daat diya."

jannat ne barri mushkil se usey samjha bujha kar uska gussa thanda kya.

"Usdin hum bahar khail rahay the. unhon ne mera football mujhe wapas nahi kiya."

Ye aik aur qissa tha. jannat ne kuch herat se usey dekha. yeh to woh bhi janti thi ke Faris bachon se ulajh parta hai, magar aisey ulajhta ho ga, iski tawaqqa nahi thi.

"Aap ko yeh bhi to batana chahiye ke football mere sar par laga tha."

Faris ki aawaz par jahan Zaid chonkha, wahan itne qareeb se uski aawaz aane par woh gar barayi. woh uski kursi ke peeche, bohat qareeb se jhuka huwa tha. haath barha kar Zaid ki plate se mazeed french fries uthaliye. Zaid ne lurakha aurton ki tarah keena to zay nazron se usey ghora. phir apni plate par dono haath rakh liye ke ab utha kar dikhao. uski nanhi behan barre maze mein thi. pur tajassus nigahon se kabhi bhai ko kabhi Faris ko dekhatii phir doosre niwalay ke liye muh khol kar jannat ki taraf rukh kar leti.

woh jaib mein wallet rakhta ya har chala gaya.

"Mujhe yeh bilkul bhi, zara sa bhi achhe nahi lagte."

Zaid ne aik hazaar baar kahe jane wala jumla aik tha. woh gehri saans le kar reh ki thi.

❏❏❏