Chapter 44: •CHP-43•

•••

Deewar gir khidkiyon ke samne woh sofa par aalti paalti maar ke baithi hui thi. Kuch kaghazat table par bikhre hue the aur kuch uske barabar mein sofa par rakhe the. Chand ek haathon mein the jinhe woh yaksoi se padh rahi thi. Har thodi der baad uski aankhon ka taasur badal sa jaata tha, nami chhod jaati thi, dil thum jaata tha. Woh ek ek lafz, ek ummeed, ek tasalli, ek paigham samjha kar padh rahi thi. Usne sara uthakar Munh Shirazi ko dekha. Woh canvas ki taraf mutawajjih thi, aur kaye, bagaya hai, use bhi dekh leti thi. Uske tassurat unhein ek anokhi si khushi dete the, jaise woh kuch samajh rahi hai, badal rahi hai.

"Aap is tarah ayat ko kaise samajh leti hain?" Woh kaise bandh rahe sakti thi.

Wheelchair ko harkat dete hue woh kuch aage ho gayi. Uske qareeb phir haath badhakar kuch safhay utha liye. Yun par madham si muskurahat ubhar kar maqdoom ho gayi.

Jo safha haath mein tha woh mukammal zard rang ka tha. Zard rang ke safhay par woh hamesha ayat likhti thi. Gulabi safhay par unka research work hota tha. Halke sabzi mayil safhay par to the point woh baat jo tahqiq ka hasil hoti thi. Aur phir yeh safhay file mein ek tarteeb se lagay rehte the.

"Tumhare khayal se ek aurat ke liye sabse badi do aazmaishe kaun si ho sakti hain?"

Unka sawal sun kar uski nazreyn be khud yeh zard safa ki taraf uthi gayi jo unhone uski taraf badhaya tha. Usne safa thaam liya. Mrs. Shirazi ne yeh kya poocha tha? Woh kya likh rahi thi jise unhone adhoora chhod diya tha? Kya samajh rahi thi jo aankhe itni nam aur dil bhar gaya tha.

Safhay par do ayat likhi thi. Ek ayat Umme Musa ؑ ؑ  ki thi jab unhone Musa alaihis salam ko samundar ke hawale kiya tha. Dusri ayat Maryam alaihis salam ki thi jab unhein hamal thehre tha. Dono ko  "أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي" "gum na karo" kaha gaya tha. Aur dono hi us waqt takleef ki inteha se guzar rahi thi.

"Kirdaar ki pakizgi aur aulad ka gam"

Zehan ne foran kaam kiya tha. Usne be khud sar uthaya. "Bas Allah ka yahi paigham dhoondh rahi thi main."أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي"

(gham na karo) woh jaanta hai ek aurat ka dil kitna kamzor hai, khasusan ek maa kisi takleef se guzarti hai. Kis dard ko sehati hai. Is ke siwa aur koi jaan hi kaise sakta hai."

Woh keh kar khamosh ho gayi aur Jannat ki rahm bhari nigaahon se unhein dekh kar reh gayi. Jawaan aulad ki maut ka gham sehati hui maa!

Use Mrs. Shirazi ke betay aur phir yateem pote ka khayal aaya. Be ikhtiyaar dil me karb khul gayi. Woh maa betay ke is maamle mein bilkul nahi aana chahti thi magar…

"Aap Faris se baat kyun nahi karti?"

"Kis baare mein?"

"Apne pote ke baare mein."

Mrs. Shirazi ne ruk kar use dekha. "Yeh baat usse karne wali nahi hai beta!". Woh be bas si se Mrs. Shirazi ko dekh kar reh gayi. Woh aisa kaise keh sakti thi. Is tarah Faras ko laataaluk kaise samajh sakti thi.

"Woh uska chacha hai aunty! Baap ki jagah hai." Mrs. Shirazi nazar jhuka gayi.

"Woh aapse itni mohabbat karta hai, aapka koi bhi kaha nahi taalata, to phir kaise woh kaise?" Wo atak gayi. Yeh maamla uska nahi tha. Yeh behas uski nahi thi. Mrs. Shirazi nazar jhukaaye bilkul khamosh baithi Rahi. Woh hamesha aise hi apne dard aur apne gham ko parde mein rakhti thi. Na toh woh kuch sunti thi, na hi himaayat mein kuch kehti thi. Unhone jaise khud ko seal band kar diya tha. Jannat fikr mandi se uth kar unke paas aa gayi. “I’m sorry! Main ne aapko pareshan kar diya na?” Mohabbat se keh kar unke gird baazoo daala. “Main milaungi aapko usse” Woh nam aankhon se mushkil se muskurayi. “Aap is painting ko jaldi mukammal kijiye. Kyunki mujhe apne naye bedroom mein bed ke upar yehi painting lagwani hai.”

Unhone khayalat ko jhataka de kar brush uthaya. Woh jaise khud ko is haalat se nikalna chahti thi. Jannat table par rakhi paintings dekhne lagi. Unmein se do to usne apne kamre ke liye nikal li thi. Teesri ka jaayza le rahi thi. Use kamre ke interior ke hisaab se wahi rang select karne the jo kamre ki deewaron par the.

“Jo usri Yusra ka kya hua Jannat?” Kuch yaad aane par unhone poocha to Jannat ne murh kar unhe dekha. Khafif si ho kar hasdi “Abhi safar mein hoon, jaldi samajh loongi.” Mrs. Shirazi muskurate hue canvas ki taraf mutawajjih rahe. Brush harkat mein tha.

Kuch yaad aane par Jannat unke paas floor cushion par aa baithi. “Aunty! Surah At-Talaq mein bhi to ‘عسر یسرا’ ki ek ayat hai.

‘Inna ma’al usri yusra’ (Al-Talaq, 7)

"An karib allah tangi ke baad aasani kar dega."

"Surah Inshirah ke baraks is ayat mein usar ke sath alif ke sath lam nahi hai. Aur usme Ba, te aur ma bhi nahi hai.” Unhone ashbat mein sar hilaaya.

“Haan! Magar sawal yeh bhi hai. Yeh mushkil aur aasaani wali ayat Surah Al-Talaq mein hi kyun hai?”

"Jee?" Jannat chonki. Unhone brush rakh diya. Rumal se haath saaf kiye. Phir table se Quran uthaa liya. Matlubah safha khola to Jannat unke barabar mein sofa par baith gayi. “Ab dekho. Surah ka naam Al-Talaq hai. Jisse hum ek maiub, ek aziyat bharay lafz samajhte hain. Is ek lafz mein humein rishton ka ikhtitam, judai, takleef, rawayon ka dukh, sabr ka gham, haalaat ki fikar, muashray ki nazar, even apne kirdaar ki pakizgi ka khauf nazar aata hai. Lekin jis Surah ka naam Al-Talaq hai, us surah mein aise kisi bhi khauf, na umidi aur mayusi ki jagah nahi hai. Kuch ahkaamat hain, aur in ahkaamat ke saath ummeed hai, tasalli hai, zindagi ke hawale se ek positive paigham hai aur sarkash logon ke liye wa’eed hai.” Ek lamha ruk kar unhone Jannat ko dekha jo bahut tawajjo aur ghour se unhe sun rahi thi.

“Main sochti thi ke Quran mein har insaan ke liye, har kaifiyat, har haalaat ke hawale se tasalli hai, ummeed hai, ajar ka wa’ada hai. Jaise ek maa ke liye Umme Musa ki woh ayat. Ke Allah kaise dil ko jod deta hai. Aur kaise unhein naseehat karta hai ke woh gham na karein. Bimari ke waqt Ayyub alaihis salam ki dua, machhli ke batan mein Yunus alaihis salam ki pukar, Ya’qub alaihis salam ki faryad, Zakariya alaihis salam ki aulad ki khwahish aur Maryam alaihis salam ki pakizgi ka wa’ada. Isi tarah aur bhi bahut se maamlaat hain, magar ek mazloom talaq yafta mard ya aurat ke liye kya hoga?”

Jannat dum sadhe unhein dekh rahi thi, unhein sun rahi thi. “Mushkil aur sakht haalaat ki tasalli aur ummeed to Quran mein har jagah hai. Azmaish ka zikar bhi hai. Ajr ka wa’ada bhi hai lekin main talaq ke hawale se is ummeed aur tasalli ko isi surah se samajhna chahti thi jo mahez is topic ke liye nazil hui hai.”

Woh lamha bhar ke liye ruk gayi.

“Ab dekho. Surah Al-Talaq ki baarah ayat hain. Unmein se chhe ayaton ke ikhtitam par har toota hua, ghamgeen insaan ke liye chhe ummeed bharay messages hain.” Sanjeedgi se kehte hue ab woh seedha uski aankhon mein dekh rahi thi.

“Agar hum tafseer ke saath poori ayat ko samjhenge to phir iska ma’ani aur mafhoom humein is ahkaamat ke saath jura hua nazar aayega jo ayat mein talaq, iddat, rida’aat waghera ke hawale se waaz hai. Lekin jab hum har ayat ke aakhir mein us ek khaas hissa par ghour karenge to humein zindagi aur apne haalaat ke hawale se ek mukammal aur munfarid paigham nazar aayega. Khususan ek talaq yafta ke liye.” Ruk kar uski taraf dekha. “Aur kyunki is surah mein taqwa ka lafz baar baar istemaal hua hai to hum is ek lafz ko bhi apne zehan mein rakh kar gehraai mein utarenge.”

Quran haath mein tha. Khol kar phir ungli rakh kar ba-tarteeb woh ayaton ki nishandahi karne lagi.

“Yeh pehli ayat ke aakhir mein likha hai: ‘Wa ma tadri, la’allahu yuhdith ba’da dhalik amra’ "Aur tum kya jano, sayad Allah uske baad koi nayi baat paida karde. (Surah At-Talaq, Ayat 1)”

“Jab aapko apni zindagi andher lag rahi ho, sab khatam ho chuka ho, darwazay band hon, na umidi nazar aaye aur na aasaani ka koi sabab bacha ho to is waqt Allah aapke liye, aapki zindagi mein kuch naya kar sakta hai. Ek lamhe mein sab badal sakta hai. Gham khushiyon mein, mehroomiyan aata mein, sabr ajar mein aur khwab haqeeqat mein.”

"Lekin shart yeh hai ke aap ke andar taqwa ho. Rawani se bolte hue woh ek lamhe ke liye ruke. Ab yeh taqwa kin mamalat mein hota hai? Ek khaliq ke mamalat mein, doosra uski makhluq ke mamalat mein. Rishta chahe Allah ke saath ho ya uski makhluq ke saath. Ise nibhaane ke liye aap ki soch, aap ki niyat, aap ke aamal bohot ahmiyat rakhte hain. Kyunki unhi se Allah ki adalat mein is baat ka tayein hota hai ke aap zalim theheraye gaye hain ya phir mazloom? Aap had mein rahe hain ya phir sarkash hue hain? Aap ne apne faraiz bhi anjaam diye hain ya phir apne haq ka hi mutabla karte rahe hain?"

Jannat kamal ki nigahein ayat par thehr gayi thin. Quran ke paigham marham ki tarah the. Seenay ki thandak aur dil ka sukoon.

“phir doosri ayat ke ikhtitam par hai, "Aur jo Allah se darta hai, Allah us ke liye nijat ki surat nikal deta hai." Mukhraj, bahar nikalne ka rasta is tangi, pareshani, gham ya museebat ke daire se bahar ka rasta makhraj - exit. Aap is daire, us aazmaish, is museebat se ek lamhe mein bahar honge. Yahan bhi taqwaayi laazmi shart hai.”

Sanjidgi se keh kar ungli ko agli ayat par rakha.

“Teesri ayat mein ek saath teen messages hain.” “Aur use wahan se rizq deta hai jahan se usne guman bhi na kiya ho aur jo Allah par bharosa karta hai, wohi usko kafi hai, be shak Allah apna hukam pura karne wala hai. Allah ne har cheez ke liye ek pemaish muqarrar kar diya hai." (3) Shadi, mohabbat, khushi, sukoon, izzat, aulaad... ye rizq hai. Aur ye rizq apne sahab tak Allah ki marzi se har haal mein pohanchta hai. Jannat! Aur wahan se pohanchta hai jahan se guman bhi na ho. Baat sirf Allah par tawakkul ki hai, ummeed ki hai, yaqeen ki hai. Aap Allah ke bataye hue raaste par Allah ki hi marzi se qadam uthayenge to Allah apna hukam zaroor pura karega. Jahan asaniyon ka wada hai, wahan asaniyan zaroor milengi. Ruk kar kaha. Phir aage likha hai: “Aur jo Allah se darta hai woh uske kaam asaan kar deta hai.”(4) Is mein usri Yusra ka istemal hua hai. Alef ke saath. Yahan "usra" ko taqwa se joda gaya hai. Ab tawajjo ka markaz agli ayat thi. “Jo Allah se darta hai to Allah us se uski buraiyan door kar deta hai aur usse bara ajar bhi deta hai.”

"Ab zara hum ruk kar is par ghour karte hain. Taqwa ke zariye sayyiyat ka mit jana, buraiyan, gunaah ya jo bhi kuch hum zindagi ke mushkil tareen haalaat se isi liye guzarte hain taake hamari tamam sayyiyat mitai jaa sakein. Aur jab sayyiyat na rahe to phir ajar reh jata hai aur ye ajar sirf aakhirat se jura hua nahi hota Jannat! Ye duniya mein bhi milta hai. Asaniyon ki surat."

Phir chhatti ko chhod kar saatvin ayat ke ikhtitam par hai: “Inqareeb Allah Ta'ala ke baad asaani kar dega.”(7) Aur jaisa ke tumne kaha, yahan baad hai. "Ma" nahi hai. Kuchal istemal hua to iska matlab hai confirm baat hai ke aisa hi hoga.”

"To kya ye koi aur 'usar' hai?" Sawal kar ke uski aankhon mein dekha.

Jannat ke paas filhaal koi jawab nahi tha. "Aur dekho, in tamaam lafzon ke aakhir mein alef hai. Umara kharaja, qadraa, ajra, mera sab ke aakhir mein alef hai."  Aur is nuqte par aakar Jannat ek lamhe ke liye bilkul sun si ho gayi thi.

"Mujhe mujhe andaza nahi, aisa koi hint is surat se mil sakta hai"

Mrs. Shirazi  muskurayein.

"Jab tum yusra ko jaan logi to ye saare lafz tumhe behtar samajh mein aa jayenge." Baath khatam ho gayi. Jannat ki nigahen safhe par, ayat par, aur haroof par thehr gayi.

"Kya soch rahi ho?"

"Zindagi ke digar sakht haalaat ki tarah talaq bhi insaan ko todti hai auntie! Aur afsos ki baat yeh hai ke ek talaq yafta ko zindagi aur rishton ke hawale se koi umeed nahi dilata. Magar jis ke haath mein hamari jaan hai, hamara naseeb hai, hamari khushiyan aur hamara rizq hai, woh dila raha hai. Is surat mein jis ka naam Al-Talaq hai."

Apne andar ke gham se ladte hue woh keh rahi thi. "Jab mujhe talaq hui to mujhe laga tha meri poori zindagi ab khatam ho gayi hai. Meri haisiyat mitti ho chuki hai. Ab main saari umar aisi ro rahi hoon gi ya shayad kisi bade umar ke shakhs se meri shadi kar di jayegi. Khandan ke log baatein karte the. Mujhe doosron ki aankhon mein apne liye izzat nazar nahi aati thi. Mere itne sabr aur bardasht ke bawajood sab ko kasoor mera hi nazar aa raha tha. Aur main."

Waqt jaise palat aaya tha. Woh jaise is tension zada mahaul mein qaid ho gayi thi. "Main ek kamre mein band ho gayi. Mayoos ho gayi. Main jhoot nahi bolungi agar main aap se kehu ke main apni talaq ke baad sach mein mar gayi thi." Usne kaha. "To phir kya waisa hua, jaisa tumne socha tha?" Unhone narmi se poocha. Jannat ki aankhein nam ho gayi thi. Nafi mein sar hilaaya. "Main ne is zindagi ka to tasawwur bhi nahi kiya tha."

"Yahi to main point hai Surah at-Talaq ka" unhone kaha. "Yahi to umeed aur yaqeen hai jise humne apne mushkil tareen haalaat mein qaim rakhna hai." Ruk kar uski aankhon mein dekhne lagi. "Mujhe ek baat batao. Woh saari ki saari manfi soch, khayal, waswase aur na umedi tumne kahan se li thi?"

Jannat ne sar uthakar unhein dekha. Sawal wazeh tha. Woh be tarah se choonki thi ke baat sirf un sargoshiyo ki nahi thi jo shaitaan uske andar karta tha. Baat un sargoshiyo ki bhi thi jo insaanon ke zariye us tak pohanchti thi.

"Toxic relation se azaad hone ka matlab har guz nahi ke ab aap kamtar ho chuke hain ya aap ka rizq, aap ke hisse ki barkatein, aap ke hisse ki khushiyan aasman ki taraf utha lee gayi hain. Nahi bilkul bhi nahi. Jo aap ka hai, woh aap ka hi hai. Poori duniya mil kar bhi aap ko us ne'mat se mehroom nahi kar sakti jo Allah ne aap ke liye likh di hai. Aap ki shadi bhi hogi. Aap ka ghar bhi abad hoga. Logo ki baatein, unke tanze, unke taane, unki nigahen, unke sawal, unke ishaare aap se aap ka rizq nahi cheen sakte."

Woh use dekhte hue keh rahi thi. Woh jaise us Jannat se mukhatib thi jo apni pehli talaq par ek woh se band kamre mein gham zada aur mayoos baithi thi. Us Jannat se jo bisra ke ma'ni talash karti Surah Al-Talaq tak pohanch gayi thi. Jo apni zindagi ke har pehlu ke hawale se ek positive paigham, ek umeed dhoond rahi thi.

"Logon ke haathon mein aap ka naseeb nahi hota Jannat! Woh aap ke maalik nahi hain. Woh aap ke raziq nahi hain. Unhone aap ko takhleeq nahi kiya hai. So unhe is baat Kyun di jaye ke woh aap ke andar mayoosi ka zeher bhar dein? Aap se aap ke khwab cheen lein? Aap ko aap ki apni nazron mein be-waqaat kar dein? Aap ne sirf Allah par hi bharosa rakhna hai jis ne aap se khud aasmaniyo ka wada kiya hai." Unka ek ek lafz usay dil ki gehraiyon mein utarta hua mehsoos hua tha. Mrs. shirazi ne Quran uski hathiliyon par rakh diya tha. "Talaq is baat ki alamat hai ke aap ka ek talluq, ek rishta, aap ki apni behtari ke liye khatam hua, is baat ki nahi ke aap khatam ho chuke." Unhon ne brush utha liya. "Har ikhtitam ek naye aghaz se jud jata hai. Yeh hum hain jo apna end khud kar lete hain! Un logon ki wajah se jinka humari zindagi par koi ikhtiyar nahi." Teen rangon ko aik dosray mein zam kar ke ek naya achhota rang takhleeq karne lagi theen woh adhoori painting ko mukammal karne lagi theen.

Jannat sar jhukaye safhay par nazrein jamaye baithi thi.

"Aam tor par mein kisi bhi surah ko samajhte hue is baat par bhi ghour karti hoon ke is mein Allah ki kin sifat ka zikr kiya gaya hai. Jaise ke is mein Allah "Allah" aur "Qadir" (Qudrat rakhne wala) istemal hua hai. Yeh bhi ek nishani hai. Neeche ki baaqi ayat parho gi to tumhain yeh bhi samajh mein aayega ke jo had se tajawuz karte hain, ehkamaat ki khilaf warzi karte hain, zulm karte hain to unke hisse mein shadeed azaab aata hai. So is baat ka to sawaal hi paida nahi hota ke koi kisi par zulm dha kar khush reh sakta hai ya kisi ko barbaad kar ke apni zindagi abaad kar sakta hai." Baat jaise ab khatam ho chuki thi magar woh chahti thi ke Mrs. Shirazi bolti rahain aur woh sunti rahay. Buhat dafa us surah ko parha tha us ne aur kitni hi dafa isay sirf ehkaam ke hawalay se jaana tha. Kabhi bhi iski nazar un ayat par nahi gayi thi. Is paigham, is umeed par nahi gayi thi. "Ab tum kab tak mujhe mera ke maani batane wali ho?" Khush gawar lehjay mein poocha to woh nam aankhon ke saath muskara di.

Insha Allah bohat jald! Phir aap ko bas mujhe address dena ho ga aur main aap ke pote se milne jaoon gi. Aur sirf itna nahi, main usay yahan bhi laoon gi, dekhna aap. Woh un se lipat kar keh rahi thi. Woh dheere se muskara kar reh gayin. Magar aankhon ki nami kuch aur barh gayi thi.

•••

Woh Germany se teesre din hi aa gaya tha. Jannat us ke jaldi aajane par hairan hui magar koi sawal na kiya. Aaj kal waise bhi woh apne naye kamre ki setting mein masroof thi. Furniture taqreeban set ho chuka tha.

Ab bas usay kamre ko rehaish ke qabil banana tha. Kuch saamaan rakhna tha, kuch cheezein khareedni thi. Abhi bhi woh Aqsa ke saath almari mein kapre rakhwa rahi thi jab woh dastak de kar andar aaya tha.

Ek sataishi nigah poore kamre mein daudai.

"Safed rang waise bhi mera favorite hai."

Usay pata tha kab kaise Jannat kamal ki khushi ko ghaarat karna hai. Woh andar hi andar sholoon ki zad mein aagai magar zabardasti ki muskurahat honto par sajaye uski taraf muri.

"Oh! Mujhe maloom nahi tha. Waise aunty ka kamra bilkul samne hai."

Woh uske jawab par muskaraye bina na reh saka. Phir haath mein pakra hua card uski taraf barhaya, jise lete hue Jannat ne sawaliya nigahon se usey dekha.

"Mere dost ki shadi hai, hum haftay ko London ja rahe hain."

Woh usay dekh kar reh gayi. Phir mulazimon ka lehaaz kar ke woh uske peeche bahar aayi.

"Hum kyun ja rahe hain?"

Lehjay mein dabaa dabaa sa ghussa tha.

"Tum khud jao."

"Chala jata lekin card par Mr. & Mrs. Faris likha hua hai."

Jannat ne daant pish kar usay dekha.

"Lekin main tumhare saath kahin nahi jaoon gi."

Woh apni zid par ad gayi. Aur yeh zid shaam tak khud hi khatam ho gayi jab Mrs. Shirazi ne apne paas bitha kar usay shadi attend karne ke liye raza mand kiya. Woh unhe inkar nahi kar saki thi aur chunanchay baat Faris ke dost ki thi to formality poori karne ko hi sahi, uski shirkat zaroori thi. Woh upar kamre mein aayi to chehra acha khaasa phoola hua tha.

"Waise packing ki to zaroorat nahi padegi?"

Ishara us bag ki taraf tha jo wardrobe ke saath khada tha aur jise do maah pehle woh tayyar kar chuki thi.

"Mujh se koi baat mat karo tum."

Ek qaher nazar us par daalte woh washroom mein ghus gayi. Woh zere lab muskara kar reh gaya.

•••

Woh London pohnche to us waqt subah ke saat baj rahe the. Airport se bahar gaari pehle se mojood thi. Intezaar mein guard aur secretary bhi kharay the. Usay London ki fiza mein sardi ka shiddat se ehsas hua tha. Gaadi ka safar kuch khamoshi se kiya tha, albata Faris waqfay waqfay se aane wali call tar receive karta raha tha.

Uska apartment London ke ek posh area ki chodhvi manzil par tha. Woh safar se kuch had tak thaki hui thi ke pohnchte hi so gayi thi. Dopahar mein aankh khuli toh Faris mojood nahi tha. Albata maid kitchen mein khanay ka intezam kar rahi thi. Usne ghoom kar poore ghar ka jaiza liya. Luxury apartment ka sara interior safed rang ka tha. Har cheez nafees aur qeemti thi. Be inteha pur-tayash bedroom ek tha, magar aisa shahana aur khubsurat ke woh sarahaye bina na reh saki. Ek Musalman maid thi jo ghar ki dekhbhaal aur khanay ka intezam sambhale hue thi. Usne khidkiyon se parde hata kar London ki falakbos imaratein dekhi aur raat tak waqfay waqfay se yehi sargarmi daurati rahi. Pehle din toh Faris apne business ke mamlaat mein kaafi masroof raha, aur woh bhi ghar mein raj ke bore hui. Doosre din woh shaam ko dair se ghar aaya tha, aur teesre din toh woh ghar se kahin gaya hi nahi. Masroof itna ke jaise sar khujane ki bhi fursat nahi.

Maid ne shaam ke khanay ke liye kuch grocery ka samaan lena tha toh usay bahar jaate dekh kar woh khud bhi tayyar ho gayi. Zaroori hai ke ab woh Lat Sahab ki minnat kare ke ab London le hi aaye ho toh thoda ghooma phira do. Aur waise bhi woh kaun sa khushi se laya tha. Mohtaram ki majboori thi. Shaadi card par "Mr. and Mrs. Faris" jo likha hua tha. Kaise jata kar kaha tha usne. Jaise agar sirf "Mr. Faris" likha hota toh woh akela hi aata.

"Kahin ja rahi ho?"

Woh lounge mein laptop aur files ke darmiyan ghar betha tha jab usne kamre se coat mein aur dastanon mein tayyar sher si bahar nikalte dekha.

Usay Faris ka sawal bhi ajeeb laga. Bag mein mobile aur paani ki bottle rakhte hue uski taraf dekha.

"Maid ke saath market tak jana chah rahi hoon. Outing ke liye."

"Is waqt?"

Faris ne kalai mor kar waqt dekha. Shaam ke paanch baj rahe thay.

"Kyun, is waqt nahi ja sakti hoon?"

Uski aankhon mein nagwari si dar aayi.

Woh uth kar uske paas aaya.

"Main kal tak free ho jaunga toh chalenge."

"Maine tumse ijazat toh nahi maangi."

"Lekin main mana kar raha hoon." Faris ka lehja hanooz naram tha.

"Kis haq se mana kar rahe ho?"

Woh sawaliya nishan ban gayi. Woh khamosh ho gaya. Uska andaaz, uska lehja, uska rawayya ab woh kaise kahe ke fikr mein mana kar raha hai? Jabke usay kisi bhi baat par yaqeen nahi aata tha.

"Shayad maine kabhi zikr nahi kiya lekin..." Usay jumla mukammal karne mein kuch diqat hui.

"Mere dushman zyada hain."

"Toh?" woh yun dekh rahi thi jaise usay Faris ki baat samajh hi mein na aayi ho. Woh chand lamhon tak usay dekhta raha.

"Main nahi chahta, koi tumhein nuqsan pohchaye. Sirf is liye ke tum meri biwi ho."

Agle kai lamhon tak Jannat saakit si khadi reh gayi thi.

"Biwi ab hoon? Paanch maheene pehle tak kya thi?"

Woh ek sawal kaari zarb jaisa tha. Usay laga woh zameen ki tehon mein utar gaya hai.

"Pehle toh tumhein kabhi fikr nahi hui. Kabhi rok tok nahi ki. Ghanton tumhare office ke bahar ijazat ke liye khadi rehti thi, sirf is liye ke tum mana karo aur main ruk jaun. Taake mujhe ehsas "Mujhe apni zimmedari samajhte ho. Magar tum kya karte the? Jawab tak nahi dete the, kabhi mana nahi kiya, kabhi mohtaat rehne ko nahi kaha, kabhi parwah nahi ki. Aur ab achanak tumhara khayal hai ke mujhe ijazat bhi leni chahiye aur tumhare mana karne ke baad ruk bhi jana chahiye. Is liye ke main tumhari biwi hoon?" Uska lehja tanz mein ghul gaya magar aankhon ki nami, awaaz ki kamzori, uske jazbaat, uski takleef ayaan kar rahi thi. "Mujhe woh car accident ke waqt tumhare ta’asuraat nahi bhoolte. Tab tum chahte the ke main mar jaaun. Meri haadsaati maut tumhare bohat se maslay hal kar deti, hai na?" Woh uski aankh mein apne liye shak, gussa, badgumani, be’aitbaari jaise ta’asuraat dekhta bilkul khamosh khada tha.

"Ab baat bachay ki hai toh tumhain fikr ho rahi hai. Lekin tumse zyada fikr mujhe hai." Bag ek kandhe se doosray kandhe par dala. Hamesha ki tarah Faris ke ta’asuraat uski samajh se bahar thay magar uski aankhein, Faris wajdaan ki aankhein…

Woh darwaza khol kar bahar nikal gayi.

Band darwazay ke us paar lift ke ain saamne woh sar jhukaaye khadi rahi. Aankhein aansuon se labalab bhar gayi thi. Chehra jazbaat ki shiddat se surkh ho raha tha. Usay bohat rona aa raha tha magar woh rona nahi chahti thi. Faris ki maid ke saamne toh bilkul bhi nahi. Aankhein saaf karke itraf mein girti lato ko peeche ursa kar manzar ko achi tarah se lete huye aage badh gayi. Woh maid ke saath Bark Lane market mein aa gayi thi. Bhant bhant ke log thay, sarak aur mukhtalif dukaon par kaafi rush tha. Ek halchal aur shor sa macha hua tha. Kharid o farokht jari thi. Coat ki jebein mein haath daale itraf ka jaiza lete huye woh aage barhti rahi. Maid har thodi dair baad kalai mor kar waqt dekhti thi aur phir usay jiske chehre par ab gham ya khauf ka koi ta’asur na tha. Aankhein jane kab ki sukhi ho chuki thi. Maid ko wapas ki jaldi thi ke shaam ke khane ka intezam bhi dekhna tha magar Jannat uski bhi nahi sun rahi thi. Woh bas tehal rahi thi, cheezein dekh rahi thi, ghoom rahi thi. Aur kahin agar haath mein haath daale ghoomte jode par nazar padti toh badbada bhi rahi thi. Is qadar khuli fiza aur mahol mein, itne saare logon ke beech mein usay ek baar phir shiddat se tanhai ka ehsas hua tha. Ajeeb sa dukh tha. Hasrat thi. Gham tha aur gussa tha. Dayen taraf murtay hue uski nazar claw machine par ja thehri. Glass box ke andar be tahasha roye ke rang birangay khilone thay magar uski tamam tar tawajjo us sabzi mael dinosaur par thi jo usay bohat khoobsurat laga tha.

"Main yeh try karna chahti hoon." Maid se keh kar aage badh gayi. Har tarah ki manfi soch aur khayalat ko jhatka, dil ko sambhala ke kya hua agar woh akeli hai? Iska matlab yeh toh nahi ke woh apne lamhat ko yaadgar nahi bana sakti?

Maid ka mobile baj utha. Usne jeeb se nikal kar screen ko dekha toh chehre ke ta’asuraat badal gaye.

Jannat uski taraf pusht kie khadi thi. Ab chunke bag ke saath claw machine se dinosaur nikalne mein diqat ho rahi thi so usne apna handbag maid ko thamaya aur shuru ho gayi. Pehli koshish mein naakaam, doosri mein bhi naakaam, teesri koshish mein dinosaur haath mein tha. Uski khushi dekhne layak thi. Maid bhi dekhte

Woh badqat muskurai. "Insaan ko apne saath zindagi basar karni chahiye. Zaroori nahi ke koi saath ho tabhi aap jeeyenge, muskurayenge." Usne dil hi dil mein khud ko shabash di. Phir khilona maid ke hawalay karti doosre stall se nanhi muni si ashya dekhne lagi. Use Aqsa ke liye ek aaina pasand aaya. Aur tabhi jab apna purse lene ke liye murri toh apni jagah tham gayi. Maid wahan kahin nahi thi. Usne ghabrahat ke aalam mein ghoom kar chaaron taraf dekha. Aas paas bohot door tak dekha magar woh use kahin bhi nazar na aayi. Jannat ka dil tezi se dhadakne laga, saansein phoolne lagi. Ba’ajlat qadam uthaye woh aage badhi.

Dayen taraf, phir baayen taraf. Uske baad seedha qadam uthaya. Woh bhatak gayi thi, bichhad gayi thi. Itne baday sheher mein yakaayak tanha ho gayi thi. Itne saare logon ke darmiyan, ek baar phir adam, ek baar phir nafi ho gayi thi.

Hajoom mein suraj mukammal ghuroob ho chuka tha. Neelgon aasman rang badal raha tha. Street lights ki roshniyaan chahar so nazar aa rahi thi.

Uski samajh mein nahi aa raha tha ab kya kare? Kahaan jaye? Faris ka number use yaad nahi tha. Apna mobile bhi paas nahi tha. Apna bag maid ke hawalay karne par woh pachtaya rahi thi, magar ab kya ho sakta tha? Muffler gardan ke gird achi tarah se lete hue dastanon mein maqeed haathon ko munh par rakha. Ab woh diwaar se lagi khadi thi. Aate jaate logon ko kuch khauf aur ghabrahat se dekhti hui. Saamne hi ajeeb se halye mein do ladke khade thay, unhon ne baar baar rukh mor kar uski taraf dekha toh andar tak laraz gayi. Aankhon ka khauf ayaan tha. Tabhi nazron mein aa rahi thi. Ek baar phir qadam uthati aage badhi. Ghanta dedh ghanta woh talaash mein ghoomti rahi. Na paise thay, na ghar ka address maloom tha, aur na kisi se jaan pehchan. Roti siskti ek gali mein khadi ho gayi.

Woh maid Faris ki thi. Yaqeenan yeh Faris ka hukum hoga. Yaqeenan usne hi saza ke liye yeh harkat ki hogi. Woh uski ghaltiyan nazar andaz nahi karta tha. Woh badlay leta tha. Woh sazaayen dene walon mein se tha. Rote siskate apna sar ghutnon par rakha. Wujood sardi ki shiddat se kapkapa raha tha.

"Woh aisa kaise kar sakta hai? Kiyun? Woh bhi tab jab woh is haalat mein hai?"

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