Chapter 81: ּ ֶָ֢. CH80

•••

Shaam mein Raahim ghar pahuncha to Faris so chuka tha. Subah uth kar baat karna chahi toh woh nazar andaz kar gaya. School chala gaya. Ghar wapas aaya toh Jamila Waha saamne khadi thi.

"Aapko yahan nahi aana chahiye tha." Uske lab hile nazre jhuki hui thi. Uske andaaz aur lehje mein khauf nahi tha magar woh mohtaat ho kar baat kar raha tha. Woh nahi chahta tha ke Jamila Dawood uski wajah se kisi pareshani ka shikar ho. Ya Azam Shirazi un par koi dabao daalein.

"Tumhara kya khayal hai meri tumse mulaqat hogi aur, aur dada ko is ka ilm nahi hoga?" Unhone narmi se poocha tha.

"Woh mere dada nahi hain." Uska sar hanooz jhuka hua tha. Jamila ko dukh hua. Woh uske paas aayi.

"Meri taraf dekho Faris!"

"Aap mujhe pareshan kar rahi hain." Uski awaaz ek dum se kamzor pad gayi. Unhein laga wo abhi ro dega.

"Please aap jayein yahan se." Usne baazu chhura liya. Qadam peeche hata liye.

"Aap apne ghar jaye. Apne bete ke paas jaye."

"Mera ek beta to yahan bhi hai."

Faris ne chehre ka rukh modte apni aasteen se aansu saaf kiye.

"Main kisi ka beta nahi, Mera aap se koi rishta nahi hai." Peeche ho kar wo mez par haath jamaye khada ho gaya.

"Abhi tak naraz ho?"

"Main kisi se naraz nahi hoon." Khushk labo ko tar karte nazar farsh par gaad di.

"Azam Shirazi ko pata chalega to wo....."

Unhein ek dam se sadma ho gaya. Wo unse khaufzada nahi tha. Wo bas unki sazao se bachna chah raha tha.

Jamila Dawood ko apna dil khatta mehsoos hua. Azam Shirazi ko andaza hi nahi tha ke wo is bache ke saath kya kar chuke the.

Unhone use kandho se tham liya. Pehle sar jhuka kar dekhti thi. Aaj sar uthakar dekhna pad raha tha. Unka Faris kitna bada ho gaya tha. Uske gaal ko chhua. Baalo mein haath pheraa.

"Ek baar meri taraf dekho!"

Uski bheegi hui hazel aankhein unke chehre par thehr gayi. Kitna dard tha un aankhon mein, kitni tarah, kitna huzn aur be-basi thi. Wo lab kaat kar reh gaya.

"Maae apne bacho ko nahi chhodti. Wo datt jaye to Allah raasta nikaal hi deta hai."

Wo lab bhinche chup raha. Yun jaise khud par zabt kiya ho.

"Aao!" Unhone baazu phailaye, toh wo unke galay se lag gaya. Wo unhein bata nahi paaya, is tamam arsey mein wo unhe kitna yaad karta raha hai. Aur usse unki kitni zarurat rahi hai. Wo kitna pareshan hua hai.

Usne lab siye rakha. Use ab unke samne kamzor nahi padna tha. Un par inhisaar nahi karna tha. Unka aadi nahi hona tha. Wo akela tha. Use akela hi rehna chahiye. Wo soch raha tha. Wo le kar raha tha. Magar Jameela dawood ne use aisa karne nahi diya tha.

Wo do hafto tak London mein rahi aur is dauran roz usse milne aati rahi. Chand ek baar unhone bahar khana bhi khaya. Wo usse shopping par bhi le kar gayi. Kuch sayahati maqamat ki sair bhi karayi. Wo khamosh aur kuch had tak apne khol mein band tha. Unse khul kar koi baat nahi kar raha tha. Sirf saath de raha tha.

Wo America wapas chali gayi lekin uske saath musalsal raabta mein rahi. Roz phone karti thi. Haal chaal poochti thin. Padhayi ka zikar karti thin. Uski pasand na-pasand ko zair-e-bahas laati thi, Aahista aahista wo use apne itmaad mein lene mein kamyab ho gayi thi. Jo faasla unke darmiyan aa gaya tha wo faasla khatam ho gaya. Wo pehle ki tarah unse apni har baat share karne laga. Zyada tar hawaala roz marra ke mamoolat ka hota tha ya phir Raahim ki shikayate.

*Wo bohot accha larka hai. Raqim unhein pasand tha. Bohot zimmedar, mature aur confident!"

Uski tareef sunte usne raqim ko dekha jo James ko kisi video game mein hara kar yun khush ho raha tha jaise usne koi azeem kaarnama sar anjam diya ho.

"Mature aur zimmedar?" Usay ikhtilaf hua magar izhaar nahi kiya.

"Rahim tumhare dada ke paas interview ke liye jab aaya tha, tab 17 saal ka tha. Bohat zahanat aur thodi si dar hai. Unhon ne foran usay chun liya."

Usne khamoshi se suna.

Shaam mein Haider milne aaya to usne khane ki table par jaan-bujh kar baat chhed di.

"Bhala 17 saal ke larki se ek business tycoon kaise interview le sakta hai? Aur kis bunyad par le sakta hai?" Raahim ko achi khaasi khansi aa gayi. Halaa mein kuch phans gaya. Pani ka glass peene se bhi koi faida nahi hua.

"Hum isey laaye the. Yahan se pakad kar!" Haider ne apni gardan ke piche haath rakh kar Faaris ko bataya. Rahim ne aankhon hi aankhon mein Haider ko dhamkian di to wo muskurahat rok kar plate par jhuk gaya. Faris ko pehli baar andaza hua, kaam sirf wo nahi tha jo Rahim zahiri tor par karta tha. Kaam kuch aur bhi tha.

Jo wo dar-parda Azam Shirazi ke liye karta tha. Magar usne kabhi bhi tafseelaat mein jaane ki koshish nahi ki thi. Wo Azam Shirazi ke kisi bhi mamle mein dilchaspi nahi rakhta tha.

•••

Aur phir jaise ye ek mamool ban gaya. Jameela Dawood har teesre mahine London ka chakkar zaroor lagati thi. Nabila Shirazi ki family wahan abadi thi. Ek bahana rishtedaron se mulaqat ka tha aur doosra engagement ka, magar wo wahan sirf aur sirf Faaris ke liye aati thi. Wo jaanta tha. Hairat angez tor par Azam Shirazi ne mudakhalat nahi kiya tha, na hi Jameela Dawood ko mana kiya tha. Wo kuch dafa Bagonia House bhi aa chuke the, lekin uski mulaqat nahi ho saki thi.

Usne school se wapis aane par gadi darwaze par dekh li thi aur ghar nahi gaya tha. Doosri baar ghar mein tha aur aqbi darwaze se baahar nikal gaya tha. Teesri baar wo apne kamre mein band raha tha.

Wo kyun aate the? Kis liye aate the? Usne Rahim se kabhi nahi poocha. Rahim ne bhi kabhi zikar nahi kiya. Zindagi apni raah par chal rahi thi. Usne apna poora focus padhai par kar liya tha.

•••

Weekend par Raahim Afaq ne usse poore ghar ki safai mein bore kar diya tha. Jo kaam maid ke zimma the wo bhi uske sar dal diye. Khudai hammant mein ghusa hua tha. Phir kitchen cabinet ki safai ke baad oopri manzil ka rukh kiya aur wahan se farigh hone ke baad ab wo lawn mein maujood the. Podho ki kaat chhat ho rahi thi.

Phoolo ke zikar par tafseelaat se aagaah karta Raahim apni fitrat se majboor kisi aur taraf chal nikla. Intehai sanjidaagi se Bagonia phool ki is ghar ke saath judi hui roodaarsanai to Faaris achambe se usay dekh kar reh gaya.

"Tum ne is wajah se ghar ka naam Bagonia rakha ke Bagonia phool marjha jaate hain?" Tasdeeq ke liye dobara poocha.

"Haan, bilkul!"

"Tumhari is soch ke mutabiq to qabaristan ka naam Zindagistan hona chahiye." Raqam ne gardan mod kar usay dekha. Hairan aur mutasir hokar.

"Wow, ye naam to mere zehan mein aaya hi nahi."

"Yaqeen nahi hota tum IT ke student ho," usne ta'asuf se sar hilaya.

"Kyun yaqeen nahi hota?"

"Uske liye dimaag nahi chahiye?" Cutter se unnecessary branches kaat-te hue Raam ne mujhe bina apna sar hilaya, jaise keh raha ho,

"Theek keh rahe ho."

"Bilkul dimaag chahiye." Lekin jab baat samajh mein aayi, toh haath ruka. Gussa chadh gaya.

"Main plants kyun kaat raha hoon? Mujhe toh tumhara sar kaatna chahiye."

Cutter utha kar uske peeche bhaga tha, aur us din Mrs. Grande ne pehli baar Faris ko hanste dekha. Woh baahar lawn mein hi newspaper aur chai ka cup haath mein liye bethi thi. Muskurate hue unhone use dekha aur kaha,

"Tum haste bhi ho...?"

Rahim gussa gayab ho gaya.

Uski hasi ekdum ruk gayi, jaise galti ho gayi ho. Woh usi waqt serious ho kar andar chala gaya. Raahim ne gehri saans le kar usse dekha, phir Mrs. Grande ko door se haath hilaya, lekin unhone naraazgi mein mooh pher liya. Aaj kal unki phir se naraazgi chal rahi thi.

•••

Uski zindagi ke siyah aur andhere chapters mein se ek chapter Alizeh Shirazi ka tha. Woh Azam Shirazi ki behen ki poti thi. Shirazi khandan ki ek ladli, sir phiri aulad, jise apni har cheez par bahut naaz tha.

Woh apne akad akdate andaaz mein chalti thi, baahar se kisi ko ghaas na daalne ka impression dete hue bhi, andar se sab par nazar rakhti thi.

Alizeh Shirazi ke saath uski pehli mulaqat Begonia House mein hui thi.

Jab ek din woh achanak usse milne aa gayi thi.  Yeh mulaqat khaas kuch khaas ya pleasant nahi thi, jo woh apne dimaag ke kisi kone mein sambhal ke rakhta. albatta, Raahim ke saath uski achi hello-hi thi, woh zyada friendly ho kar baat karti thi.

"God me woh waqt bhool nahi sakti. Tumhe yaad hai? Meri college ki ladkiya tumahri bahut badi fans thi"

"Mein bura waqt yaad nahi rakhta miss" usne drink ka glass dete hue kaha, khud sofa par baith gaya.

Woh hasdi, "Kahiye! Kaise aana hua?" Uska lehza ba zaahir khushgawar, magar andaaz  mohtat tha.

"Main toh bas yeh dekhne aayi thi ki tum ab bhi yahan ho." Glass se ek sip le kar usne Faris ki taraf dekha, jo kitchen mein tha. Raahim ki nazrein uska peecha kar rahi thi.

"Main yaqeen nahi kar sakti," woh muskuraya.

"Mujhe Aamir ne phone kiya tha phonography ke liye. Shayad yahin meri zarurat thi."

"Aap se baat chahiye hoti toh main zarur aapse hi baat karta," usne ek gehri muskurahat ke saath jata diya. Woh halki si sharma se muskurayi.

"Mujhe pata hai tum aisa kabhi nahi karte, isliye maine socha khud hi help kar doon. Waise bhi main aaj kal free hoon. Offer par deal toh hogi, aur kuch din ke liye tum khasare mein nahi jaoge."

Apni thodi ko haath se masalte hue Raem ne ek pal socha.

"Theek hai, waise aaj time nahi hai mere paas. Agar aap kal aa jaayein toh?"

"Zaroor." Uski nazar ek baar phir kitchen ki taraf chali gayi thi.

"Yeh kaun hai? Maine pehle kabhi isse nahi dekha."

"Mera chhota bhai hai," usne taang par taang jama kar ta'aruf karwaya.

"Tumhara? chhota bhai?" Alizeh ki aankhein hairat se phail gayi.

"Shakal toh kahin se nahi milti."

"Zaroori toh nahi ke behan-bhaiyo ki shakal bhi mile," usne sanjeedgi se jawab diya.

"Ek bhai maa par chala jata hai, ek bhai baap par."

"Oh, I see." Usne samajh kar sar hilaya.

Jaane se pehle usne Faris se baat karne ki koshish ki, woh Harry ke pinjre mein khaana daal raha tha. Faris ne use poori tarah nazarandaz kar diya. Woh chunki, phir sar jhatak kar chali gayi.

Agle din woh apni kisi dost ke saath dobara aayi. Basement mein rakhe house model ke mukhtalif angles se tasveerain kheench rahi thi. Saath-saath woh Raem ko dikhati ja rahi thi. Har tasveer ko achhe se frame karke, light, background texture aur ghar ke andhar ke angles ko khoobsurti se capture karte hue usne ek tasveer par ishara kiya.

"Kamal!" woh uski mehnat ko sarahe bina nahi reh saki.

"Yeh wala mujhe de sakte ho?" Usne kone mein rakhe safed Victorian ghar ki taraf ishara kiya.

"Order par tayar kiya hai," Raahim ne kaha.

Kaam khatam karke woh upar aayi. Coffee peete hue usne Raem ko apna album dikhaya. Uska album kaafi unique tha. Ismein khaas tasveerain thi jo uske dil ke kareeb thi, ya jinse koi yaad ya waqiya juda tha.

Woh duniya ke kai mulkon mein ghumi hui thi aur unke natural sceneries ki tasveerain usne sambhal kar rakhi thi.

Raahim pages palat raha tha. Faris uske barabar mein hi baitha tha. Alizeh ki saari tawajjo Faris par thi uski aankhon ka rang, uske forehead par bikhre baalon ka curve, aur uska sanjeeda aur sapaat chehra. Uska dil chaaha ke Faris ke is chehre ko apne camera mein capture karne ko chaha.

"I remember this girl!" Raahim ne ek do poniyon wali ladki ki tasveer par ungli rakhi.

"Yeh bagh mein apne dosto ke saath pari dhoondh rahi thi!" Album dekhte hue Raem ko yaad aaya aur woh hans kar bolne laga,

"Mujhe wahan dekh kar kehne lagi, 'Aap yahan se jaaiye, aapko dekh kar pari darr jayegi!'"

Alizeh ko bhi ek purana manzar yaad aa gaya Shirazi Mansion mein guzara hua waqt, aur woh shararti bache. Usse girta dekh kar kitna hanse the. Munh ke zaaviye bigaarti usne sar jhatka.

"Mainne yeh pic sirf isliye sambhal kar rakhi hai, kyunki views zyada pyaara aaya hai." Album mein ek aur tasveer ko dekhte hue Faris apni kursi ki back se sidha ho kar baith gaya.  Woh khamosh tha, aur unki baat-chit mein shamil nahi ho raha tha.

"Tumhara bhai kitna ajeeb hai, koi baat hi nahi karta," Alizeh jaane se pehle Raahim se boli.

"Woh kisi se baat kyun kare?" Raahim ne ulta sawaal kiya.

"Tumne isey bataya nahi, main kaun hoon ya kis family se mera taluq hai?"

Raahim ne jeb se haath nikalte hue bhanwein uthayi.

"Yeh batane se kya hoga?"

"I mean usse bhi kuch respect show karni chahiye," usne kaha.

Raahim ki bhonwein be-ikhteyar sikud gayi thi. Be-wastaa taur par woh keh rahi thi ke usse uske aage Peechey phirna chahiye. Usse baat karni chahiye. Use sar aankhon par bithana chahiye. Aakhir woh itne ameer khandaan ki ladki hai. Aise kaise use nazarandaaz kiya ja sakta hai?

"Miss Alizeh!" Raahim banawati muskaan ke saath aage ko jhuka.

"Shayad aap bhool rahi hain ke main aapka guard tha, mera bhai nahi."

Woh bhi muskaraayi, "Jaanti hoon." Phir apna bag kandhe par daal kar chali gayi.

Uski aankhon ke tassur ne Raahim ko ajeeb si uljhan mein daal diya tha.

"Bohot chaalaak ladki hai yeh. Isse bach kar rehna," andar ja kar usne Faris se kaha.

"Pehle tum toh bach kar dikhao," Faris ne jawab diya.

Do-took jawab dene par Raahim ruk kar mud gaya, "Kya kaha?"

"Jab iska dil karta hai, aa jati hai," Faris bola.

"Kaam se aati hai."

Chand din baad woh phir aayi, aur uske baad bhi. Phir usne yeh maamool bana liya. Photography ka kaam khatam ho gaya, lekin usne aana band nahi kiya.

"Tum use mana nahi kar sakte?"

"Kise?" Raahim ne sar utha kar dekha.

"Alizeh Shirazi ko," is din Faris gusse mein tha. Shayad woh Raahim ki non-maujoodgi mein aayi thi.

"Kya hua?"

"Pehle usne tumhara poocha. Maine bata diya ke tum ghar par nahi ho. Main lawn mein ghaas kaat raha tha"

"Okay?"

"She tried to take my pictures."

"And then?" Raahim apni jagah se uth kar khada ho gaya. Uske liye ye koi badi bat nahi thi.

"Hamari ladaai ho gayi."

"What?!" Raem ka munh khul gaya.

"Usne meri ijazat ke bagair meri tasveere li. Maine usse camera maanga delete karne ke liye. Usne nahi diya. Woh mujhe irritate kar rahi thi, pata nahi kya funny tha. Has bhi rahi thi."

Faris bol raha tha, lekin uske lahze aur chehre se ab bhi gussa saaf dikh raha tha.

"Aur phir?"

"Phir maine uska camera tod diya."

Raahim ne be-ikhtiyar apna sar pakad liya.

"Sirf is liye ke usne tasveer li?Tumne tumne uska camera tod diya?!"

"Usse ijazat kisne di ke woh meri ijazat ke bagair meri tasveer le? Woh bhi gusse se phat pada.

"Oh God, Faris! Tumhe jaante bhi hai uske camera ki kitni keemat hogi?" Raem ke hosh ude hue the.

"Camera kimti hai toh Kya use ijazat hai ke woh bina pooche doosro ki tasveer le?" Faris bhi jazbati tha.

Raahim usey bebasi se dekh kar reh gaya.

"Yaar Faris..."

"woh yahan kyun aati hai? Tum use mana kyun nahi karte?"

Faris ko Raahim par gussa aa gaya,

"Woh Azam Shirazi ki rishtedaar hai. Achhe se jaanti hai ke yeh ghar unka hai. To Mujhe yeh munasib nahi lagta ke main use is tarah mana karu."

Faris ki mutthiya sakhti se bheench gayi thi.

"So what? Ghar unka hai toh kya usey pass mil gaya hai aane jaane ka? Dekh nahi rahe, yahan hum rehte hain. Aur tumne toh kaha tha kiraya dete ho?"

Raahim kuch hairat se usse dekh raha tha. Usse mehsoos hua ke pehli baar Faris itna khul kar baat kar raha tha. Jawaab pe jawaab de raha tha, aitraaz utha raha tha.

"Okay fine. Main baat karunga. Woh yahan nahi aayegi."

"Kis se baat karoge?"

"Haider se, of course!"

Faris ka gussa phir se bharak utha.

"Haider se poochhe bina tumse koi kaam nahi hota?"

Sar pe haath pherta hua woh badi masoomiyat se sofa par baith gaya aur gardan hila di, "Nahi! Bilkul nahi hota."

Faris barbadataa karta hua upar chala gaya.

Pata nahi Raahim ne kis se baat ki, ya phir Alizeh Shirazi ko hi uske rawaiye ka gussa tha, ke woh agle do hafton tak nahi aayi. Teesre hafte dopehar ko woh phir se darwaze par khadi thi, aur us par nazar padte hi Faris ka gussa dobara bharak utha. Lekin woh handle par mazbooti se grip banaye sabar se khada raha.

Uske haatho mein phoolon ka bouquet tha, aur ek chocolate ka box bhi. Bahar halki halki boonda baandi ho rahi thi.

"Raahim ghar par hai?"

"Nahi!" Keh kar Faris ne darwaza band karna chaha.

Alizeh Shirazi ko ekdum se beizzati ka ehsaas hua, lekin apne jazbaat daba kar zabardasti muskaraayi.

"Mujhe usne bulaya hai," keh kar yeh jata diya ke woh is tarah wapas nahi jaa sakti. Faris ne gehri saans lekar darwaza khola aur use aane diya.

Maid kitchen mein khana bana rahi thi. Alizeh samne sofa par baith gayi. Usne apna purse aur bouquet bhi rakh diya.

"kab tak aayega?"

"Usne time diya hai toh bataya bhi hoga." Dining table par haath rakh kar Faris ne thande lehze mein poocha.

Alizeh usse ghurti rahi, lekin kuch nahi bola. Phir uth kar uske paas aayi.

"Main jaanti hoon tum mujhse naraz ho maine us din..."

"Main Raahim ko phone karta hoon," Faris ne uski baat puri hone se pehle seedhiya chadhna shuru kar di.

Alizeh ka chehra gusse se laal ho gaya.

"Gharoor kis bat ka hai is ladke ko!?"

Uska rawaiya aur is tarah ignore karna Alizeh ko sakht nagawaar guzar raha tha.

Maid khana ka intezam kar ja chuki thi. Alizeh ne ghadi dekh kar waqt jaana aur phir ek nazar Faris ki taraf daali. Woh fridge khol kar khada tha.

"Tum London Business School mein padh rahe ho?" Usne poocha, kyunki samne table par kuch pamphlets aur Faris ki kitaabein rakhi thi. Student ID bhi thi.

Faris, jo pani ka glass bhar raha tha, uski baat suni anjaani kar gaya. Apni masroofiyat dikhane ke liye cabinets khol kar kuch dhoondhne laga.

Amooman Raahim ab tak aa jata tha, lekin aaj der ho rahi thi. Phone bhi nahi utha raha tha. Alizeh ne kuch messages bhi bheje the, lekin unka jawab bhi nahi aaya. Woh counter ke us paar khadi thi, apne aap se baatein karti hui.

Apne khandan aur apn Karobar ka hawala deti, woh jaise apni dhaak bithane ki koshish kar rahi thi. Faris uski taraf peeth kiye kitchen mein salad kaat raha tha. Azam Shirazi ki tarah, use bhi apni haisiyat par bahut naaz tha. Fakhr tha, aur gurur bhi. Alizeh ko lagta tha ke aise baatein karke woh uski tawajjo hasil kar legi, lekin Faris par iska koi asar nahi ho raha tha.

Isi dauraan uska phone vibrate hua. Usne mobile utha kar dekha.

"~Alizeh aayi hai?"

"~kyu?"

"~Kis liye?"

Raahim ka hairat bhara message aaya. Faris ek lamha ke liye ruka, phir reply kiya:

"~Keh rahi hai tumne bulaya hai."

"~Maine nahi bulaya," Raahim ka jawab aaya.

Faris ke hoth sakhti se bheench gaye. Usne phone rakh diya aur chhuri bhi...

"Mere khayal se ab aapko chale jaana chahiye," usne mud kar kaha. Lehza khardar tha aur aankhon mein sakhti thi.

"Aur agar main na jaana chahoon toh?" Alizeh ne aankhon mein mohabbat bhar kar kaha.

"Phir mujhe aapko is ghar se nikalna padega."

Woh hans padi. "Mere apne ghar se?"

Faris ka sabr jawab de gaya aur woh kitchen se bahar aaya. Alizeh uske samne aa khadi hui.

"Us din tumne meri insult ki, mera camera tod diya. Agar tumse mohabbat na karti, toh bohot bura badla leti," woh keh rahi thi.

Faris ek lamha ke liye sakt reh gaya.

"Jaiye yahan se!" Usne tahammul se darwaze ki taraf ishara kar diya.

"Tumhara chehra har waqt meri aankhon mein thaama rehta hai. Itna chaahne lagi hoon ke tumhare liye kuch bhi kar sakti hoon. Magar tum ho ke...."

"Yeh aapki bhool hai ke main is drama ko haqeeqat samajh lunga. Please, aap jaiye yahan se." Faris ki awaaz ab oonchi aur ghussa se bhari hui thi. Alizeh ek lamha ke liye thithak gayi.

"Drama? Meri mohabbat ka mazaak uda rahe ho? Aazma kar dekh lo, main toh tumhare liye apne khandan se bhi takkar le sakti hoon."

"Mujhe tum mein aur tumhare khandan mein koi dilchaspi nahi hai," woh aap se ab tum par aa gaya tha. Uska chehra ghussa se laal ho gaya tha.

Alizey ne paas aane ki koshish ki, lekin Faris ne haath utha kar use rok diya.

"Don't you dare!" Hath uthakar usey rok diya. Uske aankho se nafrat fut rahi thi, alizeh ko apna aap jhulajsta mehsoos ho raha tha.

"Begonia House mein tum Raahim ki wajah se aati thi, us tak mahdood raho. I've nothing to do with you." Ghusse se keh kar jane ke liye muda. agar wo ghar se nahi nikal rahi thi toh khud hi Jane ka iraada kar chuka tha.

"Faris! Please, meri baat toh suno," Alizeh ne aage badh kar uska raasta roka, uska bazu aur phir uski shirt pakad li. Faris Wajdan ka dimag ghoom Gaya tha. Dusre hi pal, usne apne aap ko chhuraya aur Alizeh ko baazu se pakad kar kheenchte hue darwaze tak laya. Ek hi jhatke se darwaza khol kar usse bahar dhakel diya. usne koi lihaaz aur murawat nahi rakhi thi.

"Dobaara yahan kabhi mat aaiyega," usne darwaza uske muh par band kar diya.

Alizeh is harkat par sadme se ghum khadi thi. Woh hamesha chup rehne wala, shant dikhne wala ladka itna gusse mein tha ke jaise sab kuch bhasm kar dega. Usne Alizeh ki mohabbat ka jawab apni nafrat ke tamache se diya tha. Alizeh Shirazi ka chehra ghusse aur toheen se kaala pad gaya.

Woh ek oonche badhe khandan ki ladki thi, uska apni hi nazro me tamasha ban gaya tha.

"Faris ki yeh jurrat!" Uska wujood sholon ki lapait mein aagaya.

"Usey ghuroor kis baat ka tha aakhir?"

"Kis azam mein tha woh ladka?"

"Usne samjha kya tha apne aap ko?"

Ghar ja ke jale pair ki billi bani apne kamray mein ghoomti rahi. Uska gussa kisi taur kam nahi ho raha tha, na hi beizzati ka ehsas  ke tahat chalne wali aag bujhne ka naam nahi le rahi thi. Uske saath aisa sulook pehle kabhi kisi ne nahi kiya tha. Na kabhi koi usey nazar andaaz kar saka tha, aur na hi koi uski beizzati kar saka tha.

Usne khud ko Faris Wajdan ke samne jhuka diya tha, apni izzat mitti mein mila di thi. Kisi taur ab yeh gussa kam nahi ho raha tha.

"Main tum se, main tum se is beizzati ka aisa badla loongi ke tum sari umar yaad rakhoge," usne inteqaam ki aag mein jalte hue faisla kiya tha.

•••

"Alizeh kahan hai?" Raahim ghar pohoncha toh pehla sawaal yeh kiya.

"Ja chuki hai," Faris ne jawab diya. Woh apne kamre mein writing table par baitha tha, sar aage ko jhuka hua tha, aur notebook par qalam tezi se harkat kar raha tha.

"Kis liye aayi thi? Kuch bataya usne?"

Usne nafi mein sar hila diya. Raahim uski khamoshi se ulajhan ka shikar hota kuch der tak wahi khada raha. Usay maloom tha ke Faris, Alizeh Shirazi ki aamad se kuch zyada khush nahi hota tha. Woh pehle bhi usey mana kar chuka tha.

Pichle do hafton se woh nahi aayi thi, toh woh bhi is baat ko lagbhag bhool hi gaya tha. Neeche jaa ke ghar ka jaiza liya toh phool dustbin mein gire mile. Woh kuch der tak wahi khada raha, phir usne apni peshaani masli aur dobara Faris ke kamray mein aagaya.

"Kya baat hai? Koi masla hai kya?"

"Nahi"

Alizeh Shirazi uske khandan ki ladki thi, rishte mein cousin. Woh is waqiye ka kisi taur bhi uske samne zikar nahi karna chahta tha. Jo aag uske andar jal rahi thi, usey khud tak hi mehdood rakhna chahta tha. Shirazi khandan se uski nafrat Alizeh Shirazi ki is harkat ke baad mazeed barh chuki thi.

Magar woh khud ko zabt kar ke beparwah banne ki koshish kar raha tha. Raahim use dekh raha tha, uske tasurrat samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha. Jab usne Alizeh ko call ki toh uska mobile band mila. Jaane kya baat thi, Raahim ko kuch theek nahi lag raha tha.

Us din ke baad se Alizeh Shirazi dobara begonia House nahi aayi thi, na hi usne Rahem Afaaq se rabta karne ki koshish ki thi.

Alizeh ek mahine ki chhuttiyon par America chali gayi thi. Halanke Nabeela Shirazi chahti thi ke woh unke saath Pakistan jaye, magar usne unki baat nahi maani. Apne badlay aur intezam ke liye uska America jaana zaroori tha.

Woh ache tarah jaanti thi ke Azam Shirazi aur Nabeela Shirazi ke darmiyan uske aur Hammad ke rishte ki baat chal rahi hai. Maamlaat takreeban tay the. December tak baqaida mangni hone wali thi.

Sab kuch jaante boojhte huye bhi, usne apni beizzati ka badla lene ke liye ek risk lene ka faisla kar liya tha. Woh shuru se aisi hi thi nidar aur bebaak. Jahan jazbaat aur izzat ki baat hoti thi, wahan kisi taur woh samjhota nahi karti thi. Maaf karna to jaise usne seekha hi nahi tha. Saza aur inteqam se aage uski soch kahin nahi jaati thi.

Woh America mein poora ek mah rahi aur is dauraan woh khud ko bujha bujha sa aur bohot dukhi pose karti rahi. Hammad uske liye bohot sensitive tha. Woh usse roz hi bahar le jata tha taake uska mood fresh ho jaye. Jamila Dawood bhi uski bohot fikr karti thi. Aur Azam Shirazi ki to woh waise bhi bohot laadli thi.

Jane se do din pehle usne Azam Shirazi se baat karne ka faisla kar liya tha. Us din Jamila Dawood aur Haroon Shirazi kisi dawat par gaye hue the. Hammad bhi ghar par nahi tha. Ye acha mauka tha. Woh itminan se unse sab kuch keh sakti thi.

Us waqt woh apne office room mein baithe kuch files dekh rahe the jab woh dastak de kar unke kamre mein aayi. Kuch der tak unke samne baith kar apne upar ek dukhi aur majboor si shakal tarash karke rakhi. Aise dikhaya jaise unse baat karna uske liye mushkil ho rahi ho. Phir aise dikhaya jaise unki himmat dilane wali baat ne usse hausla de diya ho.

Usne khul ke bata diya ke woh Hammad Shirazi ke saath is rishte par razi nahi hai. Woh kisi aur se mohabbat karti hai aur usse shaadi karna chahti hai.

Azam Shirazi kuch der tak usse sakit nazaro se dekhte rahe. Unhe is ladki ki himmat par hairani hui thi. Woh apne maa baap se kuch kehne ke bajaye unse baat kar rahi thi. Azam Shirazi khandan ke bade the. Hammad ke saath uske rishte ka faisla unhone hi kiya tha. Woh unki hi pasand thi. Raahim Afaq bhi unhi ka aadmi tha. Woh isi tarah apni beizzati ka badla le sakti thi.

Office room ke darwaze ke us paar dastak deta Hammad apni jagah tham gaya tha. Uska ye iqraar uske hoslon par bijli ki tarah gira tha. Woh uski bachpan ki dost thi. Dono saath pale bade the. Woh uske liye bohot important thi. Woh usse mohabbat karta tha aur dada ke is faisle ko usne dil se qabool kiya tha.

"Kaun hai woh?" Zabt karke unhone tahammul se wohi sawal kiya jo Alizeh chahti thi usse poocha jaye.

Raahim Afaq ek jaana pehchana naam tha. Uske through woh us ladke tak pahunch sakte the. Apne khandan ki aurato ke saath affair chalane walo ka woh bura haal kar sakte the. Alizeh ko koi aam sa badla ya saza nahi chahiye thi.

Ab woh tafseelaat mein ja rahi thi. Guzishta ek saal se woh Raahim ke bhai Faris Wajdan ke saath rabte mein thi. Woh usse mohabbat karta tha. Usse shaadi bhi karna chahta tha. Alizeh Shirazi is ijaazat ke liye aayi thi.

"Meri khushi aur raza bhi ismein hai. Main uske saath hi shaadi karna chahti hoon." Azam Shirazi shadeed shock mein baithe the. Darwaze ke us paar Hammad bhi patthar bana khada tha.

"Tumhein andaza bhi hai tum kya keh rahi ho?" Woh gusse ke alam mein sirf itna hi keh paaye.

"Main jaanti hoon, aapka faisla hum sab ke liye muqaddam hai. Mujhe aapki izzat ka bhi ehteram hai. Par Baba! Ye mere dil ka maamla hai. Hum dono ek dusre se mohabbat karte hain. Shaadi karna chahte hain. Main usse bohot mohabbat karne lagi hoon aur uske bina jeene ka tasavvur bhi nahi kar sakti. Agar aap ek baar usse mil lein..."

"ALIZEH," unhone ek dam se haath utha kar usey mazeed kuch kehne se rok diya tha. Shayad woh ladki hosh mein nahi thi. Usey pata nahi tha woh kya keh rahi thi. Unhe uski ye koi shararat ya mazaak laga tha.

Woh aisi hi thi, itna to woh usey jaante the. Magar jis tarah woh ro ro kar unse apni mohabbat ki bheek maang rahi thi, waqt jaise tham sa gaya tha.

Faris Wajdan! Haal hi mein woh ladka atharah baras ka hua tha aur usne abhi se yeh khel shuru kar diya? Unka chehra surkh ho gaya, peshaani ki ragain ubhar aayi thi. Unki aankhon mein ghazab ka samandar tha jo thaathein maar raha tha. Alizeh ka khayal tha ke shayad woh us ladke ke mutaliq usse mazeed sawaal poocheinge. Magar woh kuch bhi nahi pooch rahe the. Zabt karte hue unhone darwaze ki taraf ishara kiya. Woh chahte the ke Alizeh wahan se uth jaye.

"Aaj to jo tumne keh diya, so keh diya. Aindah aisi koi bhi baat karne ki jurrat mat karna. Main samjhoonga ke tumne mujhse aisi koi baat nahi ki. December mein tumhari aur Hammad ki mangni hai," unhone hatmi lehje mein keh diya.

Unki nazro se bach kar Alizey ne ek jaanchti hui nigah unpar daali. Andaza lagane ki koshish ki ke woh Faris naam ke us ladke ke saath kya kar sakte the. Phir wahi masoomiyat aur dukh bhare tasurrat ke saath aansoo saaf karti uth kar chali gayi.

Hammad apne kamre mein band ho gaya.

"Faris Wajdan!" Uska dimaag jaise phatne ko tha. Uske andar-bahar aag si lag gayi thi. Jis ladki se woh mohabbat karta tha, jise apna saathi banana chahta tha, usi cousin ke saath Faris Wajdan ne affair chala diya tha. Aaj wahi Alizeh uske dada ke saamne bebaak ho kar apne pyaar ke liye ro rahi thi.

"Faris Wajdan to Pakistan mein tha. London mein kya kar raha tha? Uske dada ne ab tak usse apni kifalat mein rakha hua tha? Ho kya raha tha aakhir?" Uske andar ka ghussa tha ke kisi taur kam hi nahi ho raha tha.

Haider ne usse phone kiya tha. Azam Shiraz London aaye hue the aur kuch hi der mein Begonia House pahunchne wale the.

"Is tarah achanak? Khairiyat hai?" Lollipop muh mein dale Arham deewar par paint kar raha tha.

Usne hairan ho kar poocha.

"Maloom nahi! Par bohot ghusse mein hain."

Deewar par paint brush phirte uska haath ruk gaya. Usne mobile rakh diya, dastane utaar diye, aur paint ke liye rakha gaya libaas bhi utaar diya. Darwaze par ghanti baji to usne foran khol diya.

Samne hi Azam Shirazi khade the. Unke tasurrat kuch ache nahi the. Faris seedhiya utar kar neeche aa raha tha. Azam Shirazi par nazar padte hi woh thithak kar ruk gaya. Raahim ko apne raste se hatate hue unhone aage badh kar uske gaal par poori taqat se thappad jadh diya. Raahim apni jagah tham gaya.

Faris ne gaal par haath rakhe unki taraf dukh bhari nazar se dekha. Poore chaar saal baad hone wali mulaqat ka aaghaz ek thappad se hua tha. Azam Shirazi ke tasurrat pathar ki tarah sakt ho gaye the. Aankho mein khoon utar aaya tha. Unka bas nahi chal raha tha ke woh uski jaan nikal lein.

"Janta tha! Jo ganda khoon tumhari ragoon mein daud raha hai, woh ek na ek din apna asar zaroor dikhayega."

Qahar bhare lehje mein, nafrat aur haqaarat ke saath unhone kaha. Unki baarob aawaaz mein chinghaad thi.

Faris mutohash sa apni jagah pathar bana khada tha.

"Naqab lagane mila bhi to hamara khandan! Chaalen chalne mein tumhari maa se zyada tez aur shaatir dimaag aur kisi ka nahi tha."

Unhone uska grebaan pakad kar daboch liya.

"Kya samajh rakha tha? Alizeh ko phansa kar use matnfar karke tum is khandan ka hissa ban jaoge aur main aisa hone duga? Aukat kya hai tumhari? Alizeh se shadi Karoge? Hammad ki fiancé se? Tumne aisa socha bhi kaise?"  Woh kisi sher ki tarah dhaare.

Faris Wajdan saakit nigaho se apne dada ko dekh raha tha. Aankho mein wehasht thi, ek ajeeb si khaamoshi ka nazara. Dukh ki leher thi, magar be-yaqeeni ka asar nahi tha. Dukh unke rawaiye ka tha, aur shayad us thappad ka bhi nahi.

Sadmey ka sabab woh ilzam tha jo uspe lagaya gaya tha. Saalo baad bhi unhein usmein uski maa ka hi kirdar nazar aaya tha.

"Woh unki daulat ko hathiyane ki koshish kar raha hai, unki izzat ko mitti mein milana chahta hai, aur unke pote ki khushiya cheen lena chahta hai." Unhone ek jhatke se peeche dhakel diya aur usse chor diya.

"Mujhe pata tha, main ek saanp ko doodh pila raha hoon. Mujhe pata tha tum ek din apni asliyat zaroor dikhaoge." Kitna yaqeen tha unke lehje mein, kitna wazan tha unki awaaz aur alfaaz mein.

"Chahiye to yeh tha ke jab tumhara accident hua tha, to main tumhe wahi marne ke liye chor deta." Woh apne shiddat-e-ghazab mein nafrat se kuch bhi kehte ja rahe the.

"Aarzoo Jahangir ka beta is qabil nahi tha ke iske saath koi achhai ki jaye."

Woh apni jagah saans roke khada tha. Nigahain Azam Shirazi ke chehre par jami hui thi.

"Aindah," unhone ungli uthakar dhamki di, "agar mere khandan ke aas paas bhatkne ki bhi koshish ki to jaan nikal loonga tumhari." Woh uspe dhaare, unki awaaz buland thi. Pinjre mein baitha Harry bhi sahm gaya tha.

"Main ne tumhe is par nazar rakhne ka kaha tha. Yeh Alizey se milta raha, aur tumne kabhi yeh baat report nahi ki," phir woh palat kar Rahim par baras pare.

"Sir, aisa kuch nahi hai," Raahim hosh mein aate hi aage badha. "Bas bohot hua, Rahim! Tumne mujhe bohot mayoos kiya hai."

Raahim kuch kehne ki koshish kar raha tha magar Azam Shirazi ne ek nahi suni. Woh ussi waqt wahan se chale gaye.

Faris apni jagah murda sa khada raha. Shirazi khandan ki ek ladki ne uske inkaar ka badla usse le liya tha.

Aur kya gazab ka badla liya tha.

Azam Shirazi, Raahim Afaq se sakht naraz the. Woh kisi taur usse milna nahi chahte the. Haider se baat karke woh pehle unke apartment aur agli subah unke office pohanch gaya. Usne unke samne apna laptop khol kar rakha.

Begonia House mein do cameras lage hue the. Ek camera baahir ke aangan ko cover karta tha aur doosra lounge ke area, seedhiyo aur kitchen ko. Pichle do mahinon ki recorded videos thein, khaas tor par un dinon ki jab Alizeh wahan aati rahi thi.

Ghar ke andar ki kisi ek video mein bhi Faris Wajdan Alizeh se baat karta nazar nahi aaya. Woh uske kareeb tak nahi khada tha. Table par ek baar kisi masle par baat ho rahi thi, tab bhi woh chup chaap aur kaafi faasle par khincha-khincha sa baitha tha.

Haan, lekin har baat-bebaat Alizeh zarur usse mukhatib hoti nazar aayi thi. Woh uska raasta bhi rok leti thi, hansti muskurati kuch na kuch kehne ki koshish karti thi. Kabhi ice cream, chocolate, ya biscuits offer karti thi. Har baar woh sirf ek nazar dalta aur wahan se uth jata tha, uske raaste se hatt jata tha.

Baahir ke aangan mein dono ka aamna saamna sirf chand baar hi hua hoga. Aur har jagah Faris ka rawaiya ek sa tha:

sard, mohtaat, aur ignore karne wala.

Lawn mein tasaveer lene par camera todne ka woh manzar bhi mehfooz tha. Dono ki is par talkh kalami bhi hui thi. Azam Shirazi lab bheenche khamoshi se screen par dekhte ja rahe the. Ek video khatam hoti thi to doosri chalne lagti thi. Doosri khatam hoti to teesri. Aur sab se aakhri video ek mah pehle ki thi.

Us raat jo hua tha, woh unke samne tha.

Alizeh, jis se mohabbat aur shaadi ka dawa kar rahi thi, usne bohot nafrat se dhutkaar kar use ghar se bahar nikaal diya tha.

“Kuch bhi karne se pehle agar aap mujh se baat kar lete to main aapko sab bata deta! Balki videos bhi dikhata!” Raahim bohot sabr se keh raha tha.

“Faris university se seedha ghar aata hai. Aaj tak uske hawale se mujhe kabhi bhi kahin se shikayat nahi mili. Kaisi nature aur character ka hai, mujhse behtar aur koi nahi jaanta. Aap hamare pados mein kisi se bhi pooch sakte hain. Main Haider ko har report deta hoon. Jab Alizeh iske liye bhi Begonia House nahi aayi to main yeh baat kaise mention kar sakta tha? Alizeh photography ke liye aati rahi hai. Faris ka is mein na koi dakhal tha aur na hi woh kabhi uske saath free hua.” Usne saans lene ke liye ek lamha ka waqfa liya.

“Uska kaam khatam ho gaya, woh phir bhi aati rahi. Phir maine use khud hi mana kar diya. Woh is par bohot gusse mein thi ke meri yeh jurrat ke main usse is ghar mein aane se mana karoon jo aapka hai. Kya main andha hoon? Kya main Alizeh ke kisi bhi amal se yeh nahi samajh sakta tha ke woh kis tarah ki pesh pahel kar rahi thi?”**

Uske tahummul bharay lehje ke bawajood uske chehre se lag raha tha ke use Azam Shirazi ke rawaiye se sakht ikhtilaf tha. Poori situation par gussa tha. Woh bohot sabr aur tehammul se baat kar raha tha magar uski aankhein...

Azam Shirazi pehli baar chup the. Jis haath se unhone Faris ko thappad mara tha, woh haath ab muthi band hua tha.

"Aur aap kya keh rahe thay, ek saal tak affair? Do mahine bhi nahi hue mohtarma ko Begonia House ka chakkar lagate hue!” Keh kar usne laptop band kar diya. Raahim Afaaq ne Alizeh ki asliyat unke samne khol kar rakh di thi. Unke office mein ek sukoon sa cha gaya tha.

“Faris ne ghar chhod diya hai. Main use har jagah dhoond chuka hoon magar woh mujhe nahi mila. Uske class fellows bhi uske baare mein nahi jaante.” Usne ruk kar apni peshani masli, aur balon mein haath phira.

“Aap ne yeh zimmedari mujh par daali thi. Aapko pehle mujh se baat karni chahiye thi. Aapko Alizeh ke baare mein sawaal mujhse karna chahiye tha.” Keh kar woh chala gaya tha. Azam Shirazi apni jagah bethe reh gaye.

---- •♡• ----