[Greenwood]

Update 48




Subah ke 7:42 baj rahe the.
Reyansh ke bedroom mein alarm teesri baar baj chuka tha.
Pehli baar usne aankhein khole bina band kar diya tha.
Doosri baar usne takiye ke neeche haath daalkar phone dhoondha tha, lekin haath phone ki jagah bed ke doosre kone mein pade cushion par pada.
Teesri baar alarm bajte hi usne aankhein kholi aur seedha chhat ko dekhne laga.
"Monday ko itni jaldi kyun aana hota hai?"
Phone uthakar alarm band kiya. Phir screen par nazar padi.
Jheel ka koi message nahi tha.
Kal raat dono ne goodnight kaha tha. Uske baad baat khatam ho gayi thi.
Reyansh ne phone wapas rakh diya.
Paanch second baad phir utha liya.
Usne khud ko pakad liya.
"Yeh kya ho raha hai?"
Woh bed par baith gaya.
"Main kisi ka message check nahi kar raha. Main bas time dekh raha hoon."
Usne ghadi dekhi.
7:43.
"Time toh dekh liya."
Phir bhi phone haath mein hi tha.
Aakhir usne Jheel ki chat kholi.
Pichhli raat ka aakhri message saamne tha.
Jheel: Bas itna kaafi hai.
Reyansh ne use padhkar halki si muskurahat di aur phone rakh diya.
Aaj usne pehle message nahi kiya.
Koi khaas wajah nahi thi. Bas uske mann mein aaya ki dekha jaaye, kya Jheel bhi kabhi khud usse baat shuru karti hai.
Doosri taraf Jheel pehle se jaag rahi thi.
Woh apne flat mein chai bana rahi thi aur phone kitchen counter par rakha tha. Usne screen do baar check ki, phir khud ko samjhaya ki subah-subah har insaan phone lekar nahi baitha rehta.
Phir usne socha ki Reyansh ko message karne mein kya burai hai.
Usne chat kholi.
Type kiya.
Jheel: Good morning.
Phir message bhejne se pehle ruk gayi.
Kal raat usne hi aakhri message kiya tha.
Aaj bhi woh hi kare?
Usne text delete kar diya.
"Rehne do," woh khud se boli.
Phir chai ka cup uthakar living room mein chali gayi.
Un dono ke beech kisi ne koi rule nahi banaya tha.
Lekin kabhi-kabhi chhoti si baat bhi mann mein ek ajeeb sa hisaab khol deti hai.
Kaun pehle message karta hai?
Kaun zyada yaad karta hai?
Kaun pehle milne ki baat karta hai?
Aur kaun in sab baaton ko lekar sochta hi nahi?
Reyansh aur Jheel abhi apne-apne jawab dhoondh rahe the.


Reyansh taiyar hokar kitchen mein aaya toh Shalu breakfast bana rahi thi.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning."
Shalu ne uske saamne plate rakhi.
"Sir, aaj aap jaldi uth gaye."
Reyansh ne toast uthaya.
"Main roz jaldi uthta hoon."
Shalu ne uski taraf dekha.
"Achha?"
"Haan."
"Kal bhi?"
Reyansh ne toast ka bite lete hue kaha, "Kal ka record confidential hai."
Shalu hans padi.
Reyansh ne coffee banne ka intezaar karte hue phone check kiya.
Koi message nahi.
Usne phone pocket mein rakh liya.
Shalu ne coffee uske saamne rakhte hue poochha, "Sir, aap kisi ka wait kar rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne turant jawab diya, "Nahi."
"Achha."
"Achha matlab?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Shalu, tumhare yeh do shabdon wale jawab bahut dangerous hain."
Shalu muskurayi.
"Aapne hi toh kaha tha ki kam bolo, kaam zyada karo."
"Yeh kab kaha maine?"
"Jab main kaam karte hue zyada baat kar rahi thi."
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
"Main apne hi ghar mein apne khilaaf gawahi sun raha hoon."
Shalu ne breakfast ki plate uski taraf sarka di.
"Aap nashta kar lijiye, sir."
Reyansh hans diya.
Lekin ghar se nikalte waqt usne ek baar phir phone check kiya.
Ab bhi kuch nahi tha.
Is baar usne khud ko samjhaya ki Jheel busy hogi.
Woh bhi toh aksar apne kaam mein lag jaata tha.
Har waqt message ki umeed karna zaroori nahi tha.
Usne phone pocket mein rakha aur lift ki taraf badh gaya.


Office pahunchkar Reyansh ne laptop khola.
Neha pehle se apni desk par thi.
Usne Reyansh ko dekha aur kaha, "Aaj toh time par aa gaye."
"Main hamesha time par aata hoon."
"Bilkul. Aur main office ki CEO hoon."
Reyansh ne bag chair ke paas rakha.
"Promotion kab mila?"
"Jab tumne apni punctuality ka certificate khud banaya."
Dono hans pade.
Neha ne uske desk par ek file rakh di.


"Client ne revised draft approve kar diya. Bas final presentation dekh lena."

"Thanks."
Reyansh kaam mein lag gaya.
Kuch der tak sab theek chala. Usne presentation check ki, do corrections kiye aur team ko updated file bhej di.
Phir phone screen par nazar gayi.
Koi notification nahi.
Usne phone ulta rakh diya.
Do minute baad ek email aaya. Usne email khola, padha aur reply kar diya.
Phir nazar phone par gayi.
Ab bhi kuch nahi.
"Reyansh?"
Neha ki awaaz se uska dhyaan toota.
"Haan?"
"Main tumse ek question pooch rahi thi."
"Kya?"
"Client meeting ke liye tum aa rahe ho ya tumhara phone tumhari jagah attend karega?"
Reyansh ne phone uthakar drawer mein rakh diya.
"Main bilkul focused hoon."
Neha ne uski taraf dekha.
"Good. Toh batao, campaign ke final slide mein kya change karna hai?"
Reyansh ne sahi jawab diya.
Neha ne haath utha diya.
"Theek hai. Tum abhi bhi kaam ke laayak ho."
"Thank you for your confidence."
"Welcome. Personal life ka audit baad mein kar lena."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main koi audit nahi kar raha."
"Achha hai. Kyunki tumhare chehre par wohi expression hai jo kisi ka message aane ka wait karte waqt hota hai."
Reyansh ne turant jawab nahi diya.
Neha muskurayi.
"Don't worry. Main kuch nahi poochhungi."
"Thank you."
"Waise, agar message nahi aa raha toh tum kar sakte ho."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main kisi ke message ka wait nahi kar raha."
Neha ne dono haath utha diye.
"Of course, Mr. Not Waiting."
Woh apni desk par laut gayi.
Reyansh ne kuch pal screen ko dekha.
Phir drawer khola.
Phone nikala.
Aur aakhirkaar Jheel ko message kar diya.
Reyansh: Good morning, neighbour.
Message bhejne ke baad usne phone table par rakh diya.
Is baar usne khud ko baar-baar screen dekhne se rokne ki koshish ki.
Kaam par dhyaan diya.
Meeting attend ki.
Team ke saath discussion kiya.
Aur lagbhag bees minute baad phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Good morning, sir.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Sir?
Jheel: Ji, sir.
Reyansh: Yeh nayi promotion kab mili?
Jheel: Jab aapne mujhe kal se message nahi kiya.
Reyansh ka expression badla.
Usne message dobara padha.
Reyansh: Maine toh abhi message kiya hai.
Jheel: Exactly.
Reyansh chair par peeche ho gaya.
Ab baat samajh aane lagi thi.
Reyansh: Tum subah se wait kar rahi thi?
Jheel: Maine aisa kab kaha?
Reyansh: Toh phir yeh sir wali narazgi kyun?
Jheel: Koi narazgi nahi hai.
Reyansh: Jheel.
Jheel: Reyansh.
Woh hans pada.
Phir usne message kiya.
Reyansh: Shaam ko mil sakte hain?
Kuch der baad reply aaya.
Jheel: Dekhenge.
Reyansh ne phone ko dekha.
"Bas. Ab toh pakka naraaz hai."
3. Arshad Ki Adalat
Dopahar ko Reyansh lunch ke liye neeche cafeteria mein gaya.
Arshad bhi wahin mil gaya. Woh apne laptop par kisi advertisement ki line likh raha tha.
Reyansh uske saamne baith gaya.
"Ek problem hai."
Arshad ne screen se nazar nahi hatayi.
"Paise chahiye?"
"Nahi."
"Job chahiye?"
"Nahi."
"Toh phir problem chhoti hogi."
Reyansh ne tray table par rakhi.
"Meri girlfriend naraaz hai."
Arshad ne pehli baar uski taraf dekha.
Phir laptop band kar diya.
"Baith. Paani piyega? Court ki karwai lambi chalegi."
Reyansh ne aankhein ghumayi.
"Tu serious ho sakta hai?"
"Bilkul. Bata, kiya kya tune?"
"Kuch nahi."
Arshad ne turant jawab diya, "Yahi kiya hoga."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Matlab?"
"Jab koi kehta hai ki usne kuch nahi kiya, toh aam taur par usne kuch toh kiya hota hai. Ya phir kuch nahi kiya hota, jo karna chahiye tha."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
"Subah maine pehle message nahi kiya."
Arshad ne table par haath maara.
"Case solved!"
"Chup kar."
"Reyansh, tune girlfriend ko good morning nahi bola?"
"Maine baad mein bola."
"Kitne baje?"
Reyansh ne time bataya.
Arshad ne sar hila diya.
"Late good morning. Yeh toh serious offence hai."
"Tu meri help karega ya nahi?"
"Kar raha hoon. Sun. Har relationship mein log kabhi-kabhi chhoti cheezon ko lekar sensitive ho jaate hain. Iska matlab yeh nahi ki koi badi problem hai."


Reyansh uski baat sunta raha.

Arshad ne aage kaha, "Lekin agar Jheel ko achha lagta hai ki tum subah usse baat karo, toh kabhi-kabhi pehle message kar dene mein kya jaata hai?"
"Main har roz report karun?"
"Report nahi. Bas yaad karna dikha."
Reyansh ne paani ka glass uthaya.
"Tu toh bahut relationship expert ban raha hai."
Arshad hans diya.
"Main copywriter hoon. Har audience ke liye sahi line dhoondhta hoon."
"Apni girlfriend ke liye bhi?"
Arshad ki muskurahat thodi kam hui.
"Haan. Aur kabhi-kabhi sahi line mil jaaye, tab bhi waqt par bolna zaroori hota hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Arshad ne apna laptop dobara khol liya.
"Chal, ab khaana kha. Aur haan, sorry bolne se pehle samajh lena ki saamne wala kis baat par upset hai. Warna sorry bhi advertisement lagta hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Tu kabhi-kabhi kaam ki baat bhi kar leta hai."
"Main talented hoon. Tum log meri talent ko jokes mein waste kar dete ho."


Shaam ko Reyansh ghar lauta toh usne lift mein hi Jheel ko message kiya.

Reyansh: Ghar aa gaya.
Jheel: Congratulations.
Reyansh: Thank you. Tum ghar par ho?
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Milne aa jaun?
Jheel: Kis liye?
Reyansh ne message padha.
Phir usne ek seedha sa jawab diya.
Reyansh: Tumse milne ke liye.
Is baar reply jaldi aaya.
Jheel: Aao.
Reyansh lift se nikla aur 304 ke saamne pahunch gaya.
Bell bajayi.
Darwaza khula.
Jheel ne simple blue kurta pehna hua tha. Baal ek loose clip mein bandhe the. Uske chehre par narazgi se zyada ek dabayi hui muskurahat thi.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Hello."
"Hello."
"Main andar aa sakta hoon?"
"Darwaza isi liye khola hai."
Reyansh andar aaya.
Jheel wapas living room ki taraf chali gayi.
Woh sofa par baith gayi aur saamne rakhi notebook utha li, jaise woh bahut zaroori kaam kar rahi ho.
Reyansh uske paas aakar khada ho gaya.
"Kya kar rahi ho?"
"Kaam."
"Kaisa kaam?"
"Zaroori kaam."
"Notebook khaali hai."
Jheel ne notebook dekhi.
Phir use band kar diya.
"Ab khaali nahi hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha, lekin apni muskurahat chhupa li.
Reyansh sofa par uske paas baith gaya.
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Phir usne kaha, "Achha, batao. Subah se kya problem hai?"
"Koi problem nahi hai."
"Jheel."
"Reyansh."
Woh muskura diya.
"Theek hai. Main guess karta hoon."
Jheel ne notebook apni god mein rakhi.
"Good luck."
"Main subah message nahi kar paya."
"Kar sakte the."
"Haan."
"Toh kiya kyun nahi?"
Reyansh ne ek pal socha.
"Main dekhna chahta tha ki tum pehle message karti ho ya nahi."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Seriously?"
"Haan."
"Tumne mujhe test kiya?"
Reyansh ko apni galti ka ehsaas hua.
"Test nahi. Bas..."
"Bas kya?"
"Bas dekhna chahta tha."
Jheel ne nazar hata li.
"Relationship koi competition nahi hai, Reyansh."
Uski awaaz mein ab mazaak nahi tha.
Reyansh seedha baith gaya.
"I know."
"Nahi, shayad tumhe pata hai. Lekin kabhi-kabhi tum chhoti baaton ko game bana dete ho."
Reyansh chup raha.
Jheel ne aage kaha, "Mujhe har subah tumhara message chahiye, aisa nahi hai. Tum busy ho sakte ho. Main bhi busy ho sakti hoon. Lekin agar tum jaanbujhkar message nahi karte, sirf yeh dekhne ke liye ki main karti hoon ya nahi, toh mujhe achha nahi lagta."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Is baar usne beech mein koi joke nahi kiya.
"You're right."
Jheel ko shayad umeed nahi thi ki woh itni jaldi maan lega.
Woh uski taraf mud gayi.
"Bas?"
"Bas kya?"
"Tum argue nahi karoge?"
Reyansh hans diya.
"Karun?"
"Nahi."
"Toh phir tumne poochha kyun?"
Jheel ne uske kandhe par halki si thapki maari.
"Reyansh!"
Woh hans pada, phir uska expression sanjeeda ho gaya.
"Sorry, Jheel. Sach mein. Mujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha."
Jheel ne kuch pal use dekha.
Phir dheere se boli, "Theek hai."
Reyansh ne haath aage badhaya.
"Friends?"
Jheel ne uska haath dekha.
"Hum girlfriend-boyfriend hain. Friends kab bane?"
"Promotion ke liye application de sakta hoon?"
Jheel hansi rok nahi paayi.
"Bilkul nahi."
"Achha, toh phir ek hug mil sakta hai?"
Jheel ne kuch pal uski taraf dekha, phir apni baahen uske gird rakh di.
Reyansh ne bhi use gale laga liya.
Koi dramatic apology nahi thi.
Koi lambi speech nahi.
Bas ek hug, jisme dono ki narazgi dheere-dheere pighal gayi.


Kuch der baad Jheel ne use chhod diya.
Reyansh ne poochha, "Ab sab theek?"
"Almost."
"Almost kyun?"
"Saza baaki hai."
Reyansh ne hairani dikhayi.
"Yeh toh court se bhi khatarnak nikla."
Jheel ne sofa ke paas rakha cushion uthaya aur uski god mein rakh diya.
"Aaj tum chai banaoge."
Reyansh ne cushion ko dekha.
"Bas?"
"Aur kitchen tum saaf karoge."
"Jheel, main tumhara boyfriend hoon ya domestic staff?"
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Subah se mujhe test kar rahe the. Ab practical exam do."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Theek hai. Chai main banaunga."
Jheel ne turant kaha, "Aur achhi honi chahiye."
"Abhi toh tumne mujhe maaf kiya tha."

"Maaf kiya hai. Certificate nahi diya."

Reyansh uthkar kitchen mein chala gaya.
Jheel uske peeche aayi aur counter ke paas khadi ho gayi.
Reyansh ne chai banane ke liye pan nikala.
"Kitni chai?"
"Do cup."
"Cheeni?"
"Thodi."
"Thodi matlab?"
"Jitni tumhe samajh aaye."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh instruction hai ya puzzle?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Chai banao, Reyansh."
Usne chai banani shuru ki.
Paani, doodh, patti aur cheeni.
Sab kuch theek lag raha tha.
Phir usne Jheel ki taraf dekhkar poochha, "Adrak daalun?"
"Thodi."
Reyansh ne adrak uthaya.
"Jheel, tumhari life mein har cheez thodi hi kyun hoti hai?"
"Kyuki tum har cheez zyada kar dete ho."
Reyansh hans pada.
Chai ban gayi.
Dono cups lekar living room mein aaye.
Jheel ne pehla sip liya.
Reyansh uska chehra dekhne laga.
"Kaisi hai?"
Jheel ne kuch pal socha.
"Theek hai."
"Bas theek?"
"Haan."
Reyansh ne apna cup uthaya.
"Main apne talent ko pehchanta hoon. Tumhari taste buds kharab hain."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Chai tumne banayi hai. Taste buds meri kharab kaise ho gayi?"
"Main scientific explanation de sakta hoon."
"Nahi chahiye."
Dono hans pade.
Jheel ne apna cup table par rakha aur Reyansh ke kandhe par sar tika diya.
"Waise, thank you."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kis liye?"
"Sorry bolne ke liye. Aur meri baat sunne ke liye."
Reyansh ne uske baalon par halki si nazar daali.
"Main seekh raha hoon."
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
"Good."
Kuch pal dono bina bole baithe rahe.
TV par koi show chal raha tha, lekin awaaz halki thi. Bahar corridor mein kisi ke chalne ki awaaz aayi, phir sab shaant ho gaya.
Reyansh ko achha lag raha tha ki Jheel uske paas itni aaraam se baithi thi.
Uske liye har pal ko special banana zaroori nahi tha.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi ka paas baithna hi kaafi hota hai.


Raat hone lagi toh Reyansh uthkar jaane laga.
Jheel use darwaze tak chhodne aayi.
"Kal subah message karoge?" usne poochha.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Karunga."
"Sirf good morning?"
"Good morning, beautiful neighbour."
Jheel ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
"Thoda zyada ho gaya."
"Toh good morning, strict neighbour."
"Yeh bhi nahi."
"Good morning, meri favourite neighbour?"
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir usne nazar jhuka kar kaha, "Yeh theek hai."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Done."
Jheel ne uska haath pakda.
"Ek baat aur."
"Bolo."
"Har baat ko game mat banana. Kabhi-kabhi seedha bol diya karo ki tumhe kya chahiye."
Reyansh ne uski ungliyon ko halka sa dabaya.
"Jaise?"
"Jaise agar tum mujhe miss karte ho, toh keh sakte ho."
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Main tumhe miss karta hoon."
Jheel ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
Is baar woh uske jawab ko mazaak mein nahi badalna chahti thi.
"Main bhi," usne dheere se kaha.
Reyansh ne uske maathe par kiss kiya.
"Goodnight, Jheel."
"Goodnight."
Woh apne flat ki taraf badha.
Jheel darwaze par khadi use jaate dekhti rahi.
Lift ke paas pahunchkar Reyansh ne palatkar dekha.
"Kal message ka wait mat karna!"
Jheel ne aankhein badi kar di.
"Reyansh!"
Woh hanskar lift mein ghus gaya.
Jheel ne darwaza band karte hue khud se kaha, "Ek din iski saari nautanki band karwaungi."
Lekin uske chehre par muskurahat thi.


Reyansh apne flat mein aaya.

Phone table par rakha, shirt badli aur paani peene kitchen mein chala gaya.
Jab wapas aaya, phone vibrate kar raha tha.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh ne message padha aur hans diya.
Reyansh: Haan. Tumne toh mujhe apni aankhon se lift mein jaate dekha tha.
Jheel: Safety check.
Reyansh: Aajkal girlfriend bahut responsible ho gayi hai.
Jheel: Boyfriend ko sambhalna padta hai.
Reyansh ne kuch pal screen ko dekha.
Phir type kiya.
Reyansh: Goodnight, meri favourite neighbour.
Jheel ka reply aaya.
Jheel: Goodnight, Mr. Learning To Improve.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj usne koi bada promise nahi kiya tha.
Bas ek chhoti si galti samjhi thi.
Aur us galti ko theek karne ki koshish ki thi.
Usne mehsoos kiya ki kisi ke kareeb aane ka matlab sirf uske saath khush rehna nahi hota. Kabhi-kabhi iska matlab apni aadaton ko dekhna bhi hota hai, khaaskar woh aadatein jo doosre ko chot pahucha sakti hain.
Jheel bhi seekh rahi thi.
Reyansh bhi.
Aur unka rishta kisi perfect couple ki tarah nahi, balki do aam logon ki tarah aage badh raha tha.
Thoda pyaar.
Thoda ego.
Thodi si narazgi.
Aur phir ek hug, ek cup chai, ek honest apology.
Shayad isi ka naam saath tha.



Raat ke kareeb gyarah baje Reyansh ka phone phir vibrate hua.
Wahi unknown number.
Unknown Number: Aaj kisi ki naraazgi door kar di?
Reyansh ka chehra sanjeeda ho gaya.
Usne message padha.
Phir chat kholi.
Usne type kiya:
Reyansh: Aapko kaise pata ki koi naraaz tha?
Message send ho gaya.
Is baar reply kuch der mein aa gaya.
Unknown Number: Kuch cheezein chehre par likhi hoti hain. Bas har koi padh nahi paata.
Reyansh ne screen ko dekha.
Yeh koi seedha jawab nahi tha.
Na hi koi aisi baat jo uski curiosity khatam kar sake.
Usne dobara type kiya.
Reyansh: Aap hamesha aadhi baat kyun karte hain?
Is baar koi jawab nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone neeche rakh diya.
Kuch der tak woh us number ke baare mein sochta raha.
Phir usne apne aap ko rok diya.
Aaj ki shaam Jheel ki thi.
Woh kisi anjaan insaan ke sawaalon ko apne dimaag mein jagah nahi dena chahta tha.
Usne lights band kar di.
Bed par letkar usne aankhein moond li.
Kuch der tak use Jheel ka chehra yaad aata raha, jab usne kaha tha ki relationship competition nahi hai.
Woh baat uske dimaag mein reh gayi.
Is baar usne use mazaak mein badalne ki koshish nahi ki.
Bas yaad rakha.
Aur dheere-dheere neend us par haavi hone lagi.
Lekin kuch raaton mein insaan sirf aaj ke baare mein nahi soota. Kabhi-kabhi guzre hue lamhon ki koi dhundhli si parchai bhi uske saath bistar tak aa jaati hai.
Us raat Reyansh ko koi sapna yaad nahi raha.
Subah uthne par bhi uske paas bas ek aam si raat ki yaad thi.

[Greenwood]

Update 49




Subah Reyansh ki aankh alarm se pehle khul gayi.
Usne phone uthaya. Screen par time tha 7:06.
Woh kuch pal chupchaap leta raha, phir apne aap se bola, "Aaj kuch toh gadbad hai. Main alarm se pehle uth gaya."
Phone unlock kiya.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Good morning, meri favourite neighbour.
Reyansh ki aankhon mein neend ke beech muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Yeh toh mera dialogue tha.
Jheel: Copyright khatam ho gaya.
Reyansh: Royalty toh milegi.
Jheel: Kitni?
Reyansh: Ek date.
Jheel ne message padha aur kuch der tak screen dekhti rahi.
Jheel: Date ka plan tum banaoge?
Reyansh: Haan.
Jheel: Toh mujhe darr lag raha hai.
Reyansh: Tumhare paas option hai. Cancel kar do.
Jheel: Nahi. Ab dekhna hai tum kya karte ho.
Reyansh bed se uth gaya.
"Challenge accepted."
Usne phone rakhkar bathroom ki taraf kadam badhaye, lekin uske dimaag mein date ke ideas ghoomne lage.
Dinner? Bahut aam.
Movie? Wahan baat hi nahi ho paayegi.
Long drive? Bengaluru ka traffic unki date ka teesra member ban jaayega.
Coffee? Woh toh waise bhi karte rehte the.
Reyansh ne brush karte hue khud ko mirror mein dekha.
"Mr. Senior Brand Manager, aaj tumhari creativity ka asli test hai."
Phir usne khud ko yaad dilaya ki woh office mein campaign bana raha hota toh is waqt teen ideas aur do backup plans ready hote.
Lekin Jheel ke liye plan banate hue use ajeeb si nervousness ho rahi thi.
Aur yeh baat use khud par hansi dila rahi thi.


Kitchen mein Shalu breakfast bana rahi thi.
Reyansh andar aaya, coffee machine on ki aur fridge kholkar kuch dhoondhne laga.
Shalu ne poochha, "Sir, kya dhoondh rahe ho?"
"Date ideas."
Shalu ka haath ruk gaya.
"Kya?"
Reyansh ko turant ehsaas hua ki usne apni baat zor se bol di thi.
"Kuch nahi."
Shalu ne muskurate hue kaha, "Aapne date ideas kaha."
"Main calendar ki date dekh raha hoon."
"Calendar fridge mein hai?"
Reyansh ne fridge band kar diya.
"Shalu, tumhare sawaal din-ba-din dangerous hote ja rahe hain."
Shalu hans padi.
"Achha, toh aap kisi ko bahar le ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne coffee mug uthaya.
"Main kisi ko nahi le ja raha. Woh apni marzi se aayegi."
"Ji, sir."
"Yeh ji sir kyun bol rahi ho? Tumhari smile kuch aur keh rahi hai."
Shalu ne toast plate mein rakha.
"Main toh bas khush hoon ki aapko office ke alawa bhi kuch interesting kaam mil raha hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main bahut interesting aadmi hoon."
"Ji, sir."
"Phir se!"
Shalu hansne lagi.
Reyansh ne nashta kiya aur bag uthaya. Darwaze tak pahunchkar woh ruka.
"Shalu, ek sawaal."
"Ji?"
"Agar tum kisi ko date par le jao, toh kahan jaogi?"
Shalu kuch pal sochti rahi.
"Main?"
"Haan, tum."
"Main toh aisi jagah jaungi jahan main aaraam se baith sakun, kuch naya dekh sakun aur kisi se bina jaldi ke baat kar sakun."
Reyansh ne uski baat par dhyaan diya.
"Bas?"
"Bas. Har jagah mehengi ya special honi zaroori nahi."
Reyansh ne sar hilaya.
"Interesting."
Shalu ne hansi dabayi.
"Sir, aapne mujhse idea liya aur mujhe thank you bhi nahi bola."
Reyansh ne darwaze se hi kaha, "Thank you, Shalu. Tumhari consultancy fees agle mahine se."
"Sir!"
Darwaza band ho gaya.
Shalu muskurati hui apne kaam mein lag gayi.
Reyansh lift ki taraf badha toh uske paas date ka ek idea tha.
Aur is baar usne decide kiya ki plan ko zaroorat se zyada complicated nahi banayega.


Office mein Reyansh ne pehle apna kaam khatam kiya.
Client presentation ki final file check ki, team ke saath chhoti si meeting ki aur lunch se pehle apne calendar mein shaam ka waqt block kar diya.
Neha uski desk ke paas aayi.
"Yeh kya kar rahe ho?"
"Calendar."
"Woh toh mujhe bhi dikh raha hai. Itni secrecy kyun hai?"
"Personal appointment."
Neha ne uski screen ki taraf dekha.
"Personal appointment? Tumne toh poore do ghante block kar rakhe hain."
Reyansh ne laptop ka angle badal diya.
"Neha, tumhara kaam khatam ho gaya?"


"Ho gaya. Ab tumhara kaam interesting lag raha hai."

"Toh apne kaam ko interesting banao."
Neha hans padi.
"Date par ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne jawab nahi diya.
Neha ne dono haath utha diye.
"Samajh gayi. Main kuch nahi poochh rahi."
Woh jaane lagi, phir palatkar boli, "Bas ek advice."
"Bolo."
"Plan ko itna perfect mat banana ki tum khud hi enjoy karna bhool jao."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Yeh baat Shalu ki baat se milti-julti thi.
Usne muskurakar kaha, "Aaj office mein sab relationship counsellor bane hue hain?"
Neha ne kandhe uchkaye.
"Shayad tumhari shakal par likha hai ki tumhe advice ki zaroorat hai."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne apne plan ko dobara dekha.
Usne ek purani bookstore ke paas wale art café ke baare mein socha tha, jahan ek chhoti si exhibition lagi hui thi. Wahan baithkar coffee bhi pee sakte the, aur aas-paas ki paintings dekh sakte the.
Na zyada shor.
Na jaldi.
Aur baat karne ke liye kaafi jagah.
Usne Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh: Aaj shaam 6 baje ready rehna.
Jheel: Kahan jaana hai?
Reyansh: Surprise.
Jheel: Mujhe surprise pasand nahi.
Reyansh: Achha. Toh main bata deta hoon. Ek jagah le ja raha hoon jahan tumhe aaraam se baithne aur baat karne ka time milega.
Jheel: Yeh toh achha lag raha hai.
Reyansh: Bas achha?
Jheel: Abhi review pending hai.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Aaj final rating de dena.
Jheel: Tumhari rating abhi 9.1 hai.
Reyansh: Main 10 ke liye apply kar raha hoon.
Jheel: Application ke saath supporting documents bhi dena.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj ka din achha ja raha tha.


Shaam ke kareeb paanch baje Jheel apne flat mein almari ke saamne khadi thi.

Bed par do outfits rakhe the.
Ek simple kurta aur doosra ek halka pastel top, jise usne kuch din pehle hi kharida tha.
Woh dono ko dekhti rahi.
"Main bas coffee peene ja rahi hoon," usne khud se kaha.
Phir bhi usne kapde badal kar mirror mein dekha.
Use outfit pasand aaya, lekin usne apne baal dobara theek kiye aur halka sa kajal lagaya.
Phone vibrate hua.
Reyansh: Main 10 minute mein nikal raha hoon.
Jheel: Main ready hoon.
Reyansh: Itni jaldi?
Jheel: Tumhe kya laga, main tumhari tarah last minute tak sochti rahungi?
Reyansh: Main strategic planning karta hoon.
Jheel: Tum shirt ki matching socks dhoondhne mein bhi strategic planning karte ho.
Reyansh ne phone dekhkar hansi chhodi.
Usne message kiya:
Reyansh: Neeche milo. Aur haan, aaj tum bahut achhi lag rahi ho.
Jheel ne message padhkar mirror mein khud ko dekha.
Usne abhi tak ghar se bahar kadam bhi nahi rakha tha.
Phir bhi uska chehra khil gaya.
Jheel: Tumne mujhe dekha bhi nahi.
Reyansh: Kuch compliments advance mein bhi diye ja sakte hain.
Jheel: Aur agar main achhi nahi lagi toh?
Reyansh: Toh main apni aankhon ki complaint file kar dunga.
Jheel hans padi.
Usne bag uthaya aur darwaze ki taraf badh gayi.


Café ek purani bookstore ke paas tha. Andar soft music chal raha tha aur deewaron par alag-alag artists ki paintings lagi hui thi.
Reyansh ne Jheel ke liye darwaza khola.
Jheel andar aayi aur aas-paas dekhne lagi.
"Yeh jagah achhi hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Sirf achhi?"
Jheel ne hansi rok kar kaha, "Abhi review pending hai."
Dono ek khidki ke paas wali table par baith gaye.
Waiter ne coffee aur kuch snacks ka order liya.
Jheel ek painting ko dekh rahi thi. Usmein ek shehar ki sadak bani thi, lekin logon ke chehre nahi the. Sirf unki parchaiyan aur unke aas-paas ki roshni dikh rahi thi.
"Tumhe kya lagta hai, is painting mein artist kya kehna chahta hai?" usne poochha.
Reyansh ne painting dekhi.
"Shayad yeh ki log apni zindagi mein itne busy hain ki ek-doosre ko dekhna bhool jaate hain."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh tumhara answer hai ya tumne kahin padha hai?"
"Main itna bhi intellectual hoon ki painting par apni opinion de sakun."
"Achha. Toh iska title kya hona chahiye?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
"People in a Hurry."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Thoda common hai."
"Toh tum batao."
Jheel ne painting ko dobara dekha.
"Shayad... Passing By."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh achha hai."
Jheel muskurayi.
"Thank you."
Coffee aa gayi.
Dono ne cups uthaye aur kuch der apne-apne din ke baare mein baat karte rahe.
Jheel ne apne kaam ka ek chhota sa incident bataya. Reyansh ne office mein hui ek funny meeting ka kissa sunaya.
Phir Jheel ne poochha, "Tumne yeh jagah kaise dhoondhi?"
"Internet."
"Bas?"
"Ek dost ne bhi suggest ki thi."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kaun?"
"Shalu."
Jheel hairan hui.
"Shalu?"
"Haan. Maine usse poochha tha ki date par kaisi jagah achhi hoti hai."
Jheel ke chehre par ek alag si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Tumne sach mein usse poochha?"
"Haan. Usne kaha tha ki aisi jagah honi chahiye jahan aaraam se baithkar baat kar sakein."
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir boli, "Achha advice diya usne."
Reyansh ne coffee ka sip liya.
"Usne mujhse consultancy fees bhi maangi hai."
Jheel hans padi.
"De dena."
"Main soch raha hoon usko tumhare review board mein bhi shamil kar loon."
"Bilkul nahi. Phir tumhare marks aur kam ho jayenge."
Dono hansne lage.
Aur us shaam, café ki us chhoti si table par, Reyansh ko mehsoos hua ki usne sahi jagah chuni thi.
Kyunki Jheel uske saamne baithi thi, khulkar hans rahi thi aur use kisi aur jagah hone ki jaldi nahi thi.


Coffee ke baad dono bookstore ke andar gaye.
Jheel alag-alag shelves dekh rahi thi. Reyansh uske saath dheere-dheere chalta raha.
Ek shelf par travel books rakhi thi.


Jheel ne ek kitab uthayi aur pages palatne lagi.

"Tumhe travel karna pasand hai?" Reyansh ne poochha.
"Pasand hai. Lekin maine bahut kam jagah dekhi hain."
"Kahan jaana chahti ho?"
Jheel ne kuch der socha.
"Pata nahi. Koi aisi jagah jahan main kuch din bina kisi jaldi ke reh sakun. Subah uthun, ghoomun, kuch naya dekhun aur phir shaam ko aaraam se baith jaun."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh toh achha plan hai."
"Tum?"
"Mujhe bhi kabhi-kabhi aisa hi lagta hai. Bas kaam ki wajah se plan bante-bante reh jaate hain."
Jheel ne kitab band ki.
"Har baar kaam ko pehle rakhna zaroori hai?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Pehle shayad woh koi joke maar deta.
Lekin aaj usne sachcha jawab diya.
"Nahi. Zaroori nahi."
Jheel ne uske chehre ko dekha.
"Phir?"
"Phir kabhi-kabhi aadat ban jaati hai. Lagta hai ki kaam khatam ho jaaye, phir aaraam karenge. Lekin kaam kabhi poora khatam nahi hota."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Bilkul."
Reyansh ne uski taraf haath badhaya.
"Chalo, aaj ke liye kaam khatam."
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Abhi toh tumhara office kal bhi khulega."
"Kal ki kal dekhenge."
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Yeh hui na baat."
Dono bookstore se bahar aa gaye.
Shaam ki hawa halki thi. Sadak par traffic tha, lekin woh dono bina jaldi ke chal rahe the.
Jheel ne Reyansh ka haath pakde rakha.
Kuch kadam baad usne kaha, "Aaj mujhe achha laga."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Date pass ho gayi?"
"Abhi final marks nahi diye."
"Jheel!"
Woh hans padi.
"Achha, haan. Pass ho gayi."
"Kitne marks?"
"9.3."
Reyansh ne rukkar use dekha.
"Sirf 0.2 ka improvement?"
"Improvement toh improvement hota hai."
"Main itni mehnat karke sirf 0.2 badha?"
Jheel hansne lagi.
"Next time aur achha plan banana."
Reyansh ne uska haath thoda mazbooti se pakda.
"Challenge accepted."
6. Ghar Lautne Se Pehle
Reyansh ne Jheel ko uske flat ke neeche drop kiya.
Dono kuch der building ke entrance ke paas khade rahe.
"Thank you," Jheel ne kaha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kis liye?"
"Aaj ki shaam ke liye. Tumne achha plan banaya."
"Shalu ko thank you bolna. Idea uska tha."
Jheel ne hanskar kaha, "Tumhe bhi thank you. Tumne use seriously liya."
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
"Main tumhari baatein bhi seriously lene ki koshish kar raha hoon."
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Mujhe pata hai."
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel uske kareeb aayi aur use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ne bhi use baahon mein le liya.
Woh hug kuch pal lamba raha.
Jab Jheel peeche hati, toh usne Reyansh ko dekha.
"Goodnight."
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, "Goodnight."
Jheel darwaze ki taraf badhi, phir palatkar boli, "Aur haan, next date ka plan tum hi banaoge."
Reyansh ne hairani dikhayi.
"Abhi toh tumne 9.3 diye!"
"Isliye toh next chance mil raha hai."
Woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal wahin khada raha, phir muskurata hua apne flat ki taraf badh gaya.
Aaj use kisi badi jeet ka ehsaas nahi tha.
Bas itna tha ki Jheel ke saath waqt bitana use achha lagta tha.
Aur woh ab is baat ko chhupane ki koshish nahi kar raha tha.


Reyansh apne flat mein aaya aur phone table par rakh diya.

Kuch der baad Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh: Haan. Tum bhi?
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Aaj ki date ka final review?
Jheel: 9.3/10.
Reyansh: Missing 0.7?
Jheel: Woh next date mein earn karna.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Lekin next time meri bhi ek condition hogi.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Tum apni favourite jagah choose karogi.
Jheel: Done.
Reyansh: Goodnight, Jheel.
Jheel: Goodnight, Reyansh.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par muskurahat thi.
Lekin raat ki khamoshi mein, jab woh sone ki taiyari kar raha tha, ek pal ke liye use apne bedroom ka woh kona yaad aaya jahan kabhi ek doosri zindagi ki cheezein rakhi hoti thi.
Usne nazar hata li.
Woh yaad abhi dhundhli thi, bas ek guzre hue waqt ka ehsaas.
Usne usse pakadne ki koshish nahi ki.
Aaj ki shaam uske liye kaafi thi.
Usne lights band kar di.


Raat ke kareeb gyarah bajkar bees minute par phone vibrate hua.
Unknown number.
Unknown Number: Kuch logon ke saath waqt guzarna aasaan hota hai. Mushkil tab hoti hai jab woh waqt khatam ho jaata hai.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Usne turant reply nahi kiya.
Kuch pal baad usne type kiya:
Reyansh: Aap hamesha baat ko adhoora kyun chhod dete hain?
Message send ho gaya.
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya.
Is baar usne us number ke baare mein zyada sochne ki koshish nahi ki.
Lekin message ke lafz uske dimaag mein kuch der tak ghoomte rahe.
Waqt khatam ho jaata hai.
Usne aankhein band kar li.
Har khushi ke baad koi udaasi aayegi, yeh zaroori nahi tha.
Har achhe lamhe ko khona bhi zaroori nahi tha.
Filhaal, Jheel uski zindagi mein thi.
Aur Reyansh pehli baar kaafi waqt se kisi pal ko sirf isliye jee raha tha kyunki woh pal achha tha.
Usne apne aap se koi wada nahi kiya.
Koi future plan nahi banaya.
Bas kal subah Jheel ko message karne ka socha.
Is baar kisi test ke liye nahi.
Sirf isliye kyunki uska mann tha.
Kuch rishte bade vaadon se nahi, chhoti-chhoti aadaton se gehre hote hain. Aur kabhi-kabhi ek simple sa “Good morning” bhi kisi ke din ka sabse khoobsurat hissa ban jaata hai.

[Greenwood]

Update 50



Subah 7:18.
Reyansh ke phone par alarm baj raha tha.
Ek baar.
Do baar.
Teesri baar.
Phir alarm band ho gaya.
Lekin Reyansh nahi utha.
Saat minute baad uska phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Good morning.
Reyansh ne aadhi band aankhon se message padha aur reply kar diya.
Reyansh: Good morning, beautiful.
Jheel apne flat mein chai ka cup lekar baithi thi. Message padhte hi uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Phir usne doosra message bheja.
Jheel: Uth gaye?
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Bilkul.
Jheel: Toh aaj subah ki photo bhejo.
Reyansh ki aankhein khul gayin.
Usne bed, bikhre hue baal aur saamne pade takiye ko dekha.
Phir phone par type kiya.
Reyansh: Photo ki kya zaroorat hai? Meri personality imagine kar lo.
Jheel: Mujhe tumhari personality nahi, tumhari aankhon mein neend dekhni hai.
Reyansh: Tumhe meri aankhon se itna pyaar hai?
Jheel: Abhi toh sirf aankhon ka sawaal hai. Zyada khush mat ho.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne jaldi se ek selfie li. Baal bikhre hue, chehra neend se bhara aur aankhon mein halki si shikayat.
Photo bhej di.
Jheel ne dekha aur zor se hans padi.
Jheel: Yeh insaan raat ko date plan karta hai aur subah khud ko sambhaal nahi paata.
Reyansh: Main natural beauty ko promote karta hoon.
Jheel: Tum natural laziness ko promote karte ho.
Reyansh: Tumhari zubaan din-ba-din tez hoti ja rahi hai.
Jheel: Tumhari neend din-ba-din lambi hoti ja rahi hai.
Reyansh bed se uth gaya.
"Is ladki ko subah-subah mujhe kaam par lagane mein bahut maza aata hai."
Usne phone par aakhri message bheja.
Reyansh: Shaam ko milna. Tumhe ek baat batani hai.
Jheel ka reply turant aaya.
Jheel: Kya baat?
Reyansh: Surprise.
Jheel: Reyansh!
Reyansh: Good morning, meri favourite neighbour. Ab mujhe nahane do.
Jheel ne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par muskurahat abhi bhi thi.
Lekin uske dimaag mein ek sawaal ghoom raha tha.
Shaam ko aisi kya baat batani hai?


Reyansh bathroom se nikla toh darwaze ki bell baj chuki thi.
Shalu kitchen mein jaakar nashta taiyar karne lagi.
Reyansh shirt ke button lagata hua bahar aaya.
"Shalu, aaj nashta jaldi mil sakta hai?"
"Mil jayega, sir. Lekin aaj itni jaldi kyun?"
"Office mein kaam hai."
Shalu ne use dekha.
"Office mein toh roz kaam hota hai."
Reyansh ruk gaya.
"Shalu, tum har baat ka cross-question kyun karti ho?"
"Main toh bas poochh rahi hoon."
"Achha, toh aaj se tumhara naam Shalu nahi, Interview Board hai."
Shalu hans padi.
Reyansh ne table par baithkar toast uthaya.
Shalu ne poochha, "Kal ki date kaisi rahi?"
Reyansh ne toast par butter lagate hue kaha, "Achhi thi."
"Bas?"
"Bahut achhi thi."
"Madam khush thi?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhe Jheel ki chinta mujhse zyada hai."
Shalu ne bina ruke jawab diya, "Aapki nahi hogi toh kiski hogi? Aap toh bas apni tareef karte rehte ho."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Jheel khush thi."
"Achha hai."
Shalu ke chehre par sachchi khushi thi. Usne koi aur sawaal nahi poochha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekhkar kaha, "Waise, tumhare diye hue idea ne kaam kiya."
Shalu ne haath kamar par rakh liye.
"Maine kaha tha na, meri fees banti hai."
"Kitni?"
"Abhi decide nahi ki."
"Jaldi decide karna. Company ka budget limited hai."
Shalu ne muskurakar kaha, "Aap apni company ka budget sambhalo. Main apni fees khud decide kar lungi."
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Confidence aa raha hai tummein."
Shalu ki muskurahat halki si badal gayi.
"Thoda-thoda."
"Achhi baat hai."
Reyansh ne apna bag uthaya aur darwaze ki taraf badh gaya.
Aaj usne Shalu ke computer course ke baare mein dobara sawaal nahi kiya. Use yaad tha ki usne pehle hi kaha tha ki woh apne liye options dekh rahi hai.
Har baat ko roz dohrana zaroori nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi ko apni raftaar se aage badhne dena bhi madad hoti hai.


Office pahunchte hi Reyansh ko pata chala ki client ne presentation ke ek section par changes maange hain.


Neha uske paas aayi.
"Client ko headline pasand nahi aayi."
Reyansh ne laptop khola.
"Kaunsi headline?"
Neha ne screen par point kiya.
Reyansh ne use dekha, kuch der socha aur phir bola, "Headline buri nahi hai. Bas message clear nahi hai."
"Toh?"
"Toh ise simple karte hain."
Dono ne milkar kuch alternatives banaye. Reyansh ne team se feedback liya aur final option select kar liya.
Kaam khatam hone ke baad Neha ne kaha, "Aaj tum unusually patient ho."
Reyansh ne laptop band kiya.
"Main hamesha patient hota hoon."
Neha ne use aisi nazar se dekha jaise usne koi bahut bada joke suna ho.
"Reyansh, main tumhare saath kaam karti hoon. Mujhe sach pata hai."
Woh hans diya.
Neha jaane lagi, phir rukkar boli, "Waise, kal ki date kaisi thi?"
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Office mein tum logon ka koi secret group hai kya?"
"Kaunsa group?"
"Jahan meri personal life par discussion hota hai."
Neha hans padi.
"Nahi. Tumhari shakal hi kaafi information de deti hai."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Ek din main tumhari bhi shakal padhunga."
"Try kar lena. Lekin lunch break mein, working hours mein nahi."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ke phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Lunch kiya?
Usne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Abhi karunga. Tumne?
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Kya khaya?
Jheel: Yeh sawaal tum roz poochhoge?
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Reyansh: Nahi. Aaj se tum mujhse sawaal poochhna.
Jheel: Theek hai. Tum khush ho?
Reyansh ka angutha screen par ruk gaya.
Sawaal chhota tha.
Jawab dena mushkil nahi hona chahiye tha.
Woh kuch pal sochta raha, phir likha.
Reyansh: Haan. Aajkal zyada khush rehta hoon.
Jheel ne message padha.
Usne turant reply nahi kiya.
Kuch der baad uska message aaya.
Jheel: Achha laga yeh padhkar.
Reyansh ne screen dekhi aur phone rakh diya.
Uske paas kehne ke liye aur bhi bahut kuch tha.
Lekin filhaal, itna kehna kaafi tha.


Shaam ko Reyansh ne Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh: Neeche aa jao.
Jheel: Kahan ja rahe hain?
Reyansh: Tum aa toh jao.
Jheel: Tumhare surprises se mujhe thoda darr lagne laga hai.
Reyansh: Pichhli baar tumne 9.3 diye the.
Jheel: Isi liye toh tumhe dobara mauka mil raha hai.
Kuch der baad Jheel neeche aa gayi.
Usne simple blue kurta pehna tha aur baal khule the. Reyansh ne use dekhkar muskuraya.
"Good evening."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Good evening. Ab batao, kahan jaana hai?"
"Chalo."
Dono gaadi ki taraf badhe.
Reyansh use ek chhote se lakeside walking area mein le gaya. Shaam dhal rahi thi. Paani par roshni ki halki lakeerein ban rahi thi aur aas-paas log dheere-dheere walk kar rahe the.
Jheel kuch pal wahin khadi rahi.
"Yeh jagah bahut achhi hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Review pending?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Nahi. Is baar sach mein achhi hai."
Dono paani ke kinaare bani walkway par chalne lage.
Kuch der tak unhone aam baatein ki. Office, khane, Bengaluru ke mausam aur ek restaurant ke baare mein jahan Reyansh ka kehna tha ki uski coffee duniya ki sabse achhi coffee hai.
Jheel ne turant challenge kar diya.
"Kal mujhe wahan le chalo."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Tumhe meri baat par bharosa nahi?"
"Bilkul nahi."
"Yeh toh relationship mein trust ki kami hai."
Jheel hans padi.
"Relationship mein trust hai. Tumhari coffee recommendations mein nahi."
Reyansh bhi hansne laga.
Woh dono ek bench par baith gaye.
Jheel ne apne haath god mein rakhe aur paani ki taraf dekha.
"Reyansh?"
"Hmm?"
"Tumne aaj subah kaha tha ki shaam ko ek baat batani hai."
Reyansh ko yaad aaya.
"Haan."
"Toh batao."
Woh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne kaha, "Main tumhare saath waqt bitane ke liye plans banata hoon. Lekin aajkal mujhe lagta hai ki main plans se zyada tumhare saath hone ka intezaar karta hoon."
Jheel ne dheere se uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh ne nazar nahi hatayi.
"Pehle main sochta tha ki achha waqt tab hota hai jab kuch special ho. Koi outing, koi achhi jagah, koi interesting activity. Lekin tumhare saath kabhi-kabhi sirf baithna bhi achha lagta hai."
Jheel kuch nahi boli.
Uske chehre par ek narm si muskurahat thi.
Reyansh ne halka sa hanskar kaha, "Bas. Yehi baat batani thi. Ab tum chaho toh is par bhi marks de sakti ho."
Jheel ne uske haath par apna haath rakh diya.
"Is baar marks ki zaroorat nahi."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kyun?"
"Kyunki mujhe samajh aa gaya."
"Achha?"
"Haan. Tum kabhi-kabhi bahut achhi baat kar lete ho."
Reyansh ne seene par haath rakha.
"Yeh meri zindagi ka sabse bada compliment hai."
Jheel hans padi.
Phir usne apna sir Reyansh ke kandhe par rakh diya.
Reyansh kuch pal shaant baitha raha.
Usne Jheel ka haath apne haath mein le liya.
Shaam ki hawa chal rahi thi.
Dono ke paas kehne ke liye baatein thi, lekin kisi ko jaldi nahi thi.


Kuch der baad Jheel seedhi baith gayi.
"Ek baat poochhun?"
"Poochho."
"Agar main kabhi tumhare saath kahin jaana chahoon aur tum busy ho, toh tum mujhe seedha bataoge?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Haan."
"Sirf haan mat bolo. Mera matlab hai, tum mujhe baad mein time dene ka wada karke phir kaam mein busy toh nahi ho jaoge?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Usne mehsoos kiya ki Jheel sirf aaj ki shaam ki baat nahi kar rahi thi. Woh usse apne waqt ke baare mein ek seedhi si baat keh rahi thi.
"Main koshish karunga ki aisa na ho. Aur agar kabhi kaam ki wajah se plan badalna pada, toh tumhe pehle bataunga. Tumhe wait nahi karwaunga."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Bas. Mujhe perfect boyfriend nahi chahiye."
Reyansh ne muskurakar poochha, "Toh phir kya chahiye?"
"Ek aisa insaan jo jo keh raha hai, uski koshish bhi kare."
Reyansh ne uska haath daba diya.
"Fair enough."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Aur tumhe mujhse kuch chahiye?"
Reyansh ne mazaak karne ke liye munh khola, lekin phir ruk gaya.
"Jab koi baat pareshaan kare, toh mujhe batana. Yeh mat sochna ki main khud samajh jaunga."


Jheel ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
"Theek hai."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Reyansh ne uski taraf haath badhaya.
Jheel ne uski ungliyon mein apni ungliyan phansa di.
Dono kuch der yun hi baithe rahe.
Yeh koi bada faisla nahi tha.
Bas do log the jo dheere-dheere seekh rahe the ki ek-doosre ke saath rehna sirf achhe lamhe baantna nahi, balki chhoti-chhoti baatein samajhna bhi hai.


Wapas building pahunchkar dono lift ka intezaar karne lage.
Jheel ne Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
"Aaj ki shaam achhi thi."
"Kitne marks?"
"Reyansh!"
"Achha, nahi poochhta."
Lift aa gayi.
Dono bahar nikle aur apne flats ke saamne ruk gaye.
Jheel ne kaha, "Goodnight."
Reyansh ne muskurakar jawab diya, "Goodnight."
Woh mudne hi wala tha ki Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Ek minute."
Reyansh palta.
"Kya hua?"
Jheel uske kareeb aayi aur uske gaal par ek chhota sa kiss diya.
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Jheel ne hansi dabate hue poochha, "Kya hua? System hang ho gaya?"
Reyansh ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Nahi. Main bas soch raha hoon ki aaj ki rating kitni badh gayi."
Jheel hans padi.
"Ab tumne phir marks ki baat kar di. Ek point kam."
"Yeh kaisa insaaf hai?"
"Review board ka faisla hai."
Reyansh ne uske kareeb jhukkar dheere se kaha, "Toh appeal file kar sakta hoon?"
Jheel ne muskurate hue uske honton par ek chhota sa kiss diya.
Phir woh peeche hati.
"Appeal accepted. Ab goodnight."
Reyansh ki muskurahat aur gehri ho gayi.
"Goodnight, Jheel."
Jheel apne flat mein chali gayi.
Reyansh apne darwaze ke saamne kuch pal khada raha.
Phir usne apne aap se kaha, "Meri zindagi mein pehli baar koi rating system itna complicated hai."
Lekin uske chehre se muskurahat nahi gayi.


Apne flat mein aakar Reyansh ne lights on ki aur kitchen se paani lekar living room mein baith gaya.
Phone par Arshad ka message aaya.
Arshad: Zinda ho?
Reyansh: Haan.
Arshad: Aajkal replies bahut short ho gaye hain. Girlfriend ke saath saari vocabulary khatam kar dete ho kya?
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Tumhe kaam nahi hai?
Arshad: Hai. Lekin dost ki barbaadi dekhna bhi ek social responsibility hai.
Reyansh: Meri barbaadi nahi ho rahi.
Arshad: Abhi tum yahi kahoge. Phir ek din mujhe phone karke poochhoge ki flowers ke saath kya likhna chahiye.
Reyansh: Tum copywriter ho. Tumhara kaam hi yahi hai.
Arshad: Wah! Dosti ka istemaal.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakh diya.
Usne living room mein nazar daudayi.
Flat wahi tha.
Furniture wahi.
Khidki ke bahar Bengaluru ki raat bhi wahi thi.
Lekin kuch waqt se ghar lautne ka ehsaas badal raha tha.
Ab uske paas kisi ko goodnight kehne ki wajah thi.
Kisi ke message ka intezaar tha.
Kisi ke saath agle din ki chhoti si planning thi.
Usne phone uthaya aur Jheel ko message bheja.
Reyansh: Ghar pahunchkar ek baat bhool gaya.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Thank you.
Jheel: Kis liye?
Reyansh: Aaj ki shaam ke liye. Aur meri baaton ko samajhne ki koshish karne ke liye.
Jheel ne message padha.
Usne kuch pal baad reply kiya.
Jheel: Thank you tumhe bhi. Mujhe waqt dene ke liye.
Reyansh ne screen dekhi.
Phir type kiya.
Reyansh: Goodnight, Jheel.
Jheel: Goodnight. Kal subah alarm se pehle uthna.
Reyansh ne phone dekha aur hans diya.
Reyansh: Romance ke beech alarm kyun aa jaata hai?
Jheel: Kyunki tumhara romance snooze button ke neeche daba hua hai.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj raat use neend ka intezaar nahi karna pada.
Woh aaraam se bistar par leta aur kuch der baad so gaya.
Usne kal ke liye koi bada plan nahi banaya tha.
Bas ek subah thi, ek message tha, aur ek aisi ladki thi jiske saath woh dheere-dheere apne din baantna seekh raha tha.
Aur filhaal, uske liye itna kaafi tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 51


Subah ke 7:12 baj rahe the.
Reyansh ke bedroom mein parde ke beech se aati dhoop bed ke ek kone tak pahunch chuki thi. Phone bedside table par pada tha aur alarm kab ka bajkar band ho chuka tha.
Reyansh ne karwat badli.
Phir aankhein kholkar phone dekha.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Good morning, sleepyhead. ?
Reyansh muskuraya.
Reyansh: Good morning, meri personal alarm clock.
Jheel: Alarm clock paise lekar kaam karti hai. Main free mein tumhari zindagi sudhaar rahi hoon.
Reyansh: Tum meri zindagi sudhaar rahi ho ya meri neend barbaad?
Jheel: Dono mein farq samajhne ke liye pehle uthna padega.
Reyansh hans pada.
Woh bed se utha, bathroom gaya aur kuch der baad kitchen mein pahunch gaya.
Shalu nashta taiyar kar rahi thi.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning."
Shalu ne use dekha.
"Aaj jaldi uth gaye."
Reyansh ne coffee machine chalu ki.
"Mujhe apni zindagi sudhaarni hai."
Shalu ne palatkar dekha.
"Yeh naya resolution hai?"
"Bilkul."
"Kal se?"
Reyansh hans diya.
"Tum dono milkar meri izzat ka nashta kyun karte rehte ho?"
Shalu bhi hans padi.
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya. Phone par Jheel ka naya message aaya.
Jheel: Aaj shaam free ho?
Usne jawab diya.
Reyansh: Tumhare liye toh calendar mein jagah banani hi padti hai.
Jheel: Toh bana lo. Aaj mujhe tumhare saath waqt bitana hai.
Reyansh ki muskurahat kuch pal ke liye shaant ho gayi.
Usne message dobara padha.
Jheel ne seedha kaha tha ki woh uske saath waqt bitana chahti hai.
Koi mazaak nahi.
Koi rating nahi.
Koi chhupa hua sawaal nahi.
Bas ek seedhi si baat.
Reyansh: Aaj shaam tumhari.
Jheel: Sirf shaam?
Reyansh: Madam, poora din office ko bhi zinda rehne ka haq hai.
Jheel: Theek hai. Shaam tumhari. Lekin plan mera hoga.
Reyansh ne coffee ka sip liya.
Reyansh: Ab darr lag raha hai.
Jheel: Lagna bhi chahiye. ?


Office mein Reyansh apni team ke saath meeting kar raha tha.
Presentation screen par thi aur team ek naye campaign ke final points discuss kar rahi thi.
"Is line ko simple rakho," Reyansh ne kaha. "Message clear hona chahiye. Agar audience ko samajhne ke liye do baar padhna pade, toh humne apna kaam mushkil bana diya."
Neha ne sar hilaya.
"Agreed. Main revised version bhej deti hoon."
Meeting khatam hui toh Reyansh apni desk par laut aaya.
Usne laptop khola hi tha ki phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Lunch kiya?
Reyansh: Abhi nahi.
Jheel: Kyun?
Reyansh: Kaam.
Jheel: Tumhare office mein lunch break naam ki koi cheez nahi hai?
Reyansh: Hai. Main hi kabhi-kabhi uska istemaal nahi karta.
Jheel: Toh aaj istemaal karo.
Reyansh ne phone dekha aur hans diya.
Neha uske paas se guzri.
"Phir se smile?"
"Main generally khush rehta hoon."
"Bilkul. Aur main generally logon ke jhooth par bharosa kar leti hoon."
Reyansh ne laptop ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Kaam karo."
Neha apni desk par jaate hue boli, "Lunch kar lena, Mr. Generally Happy!"
Reyansh ne uski baat ko nazarandaaz karne ki acting ki.
Lekin agle hi minute usne lunch order kar diya.
Jheel ko message bheja.
Reyansh: Lunch order kar diya. Khush?
Jheel: Bahut.
Reyansh: Tum mujhe itna control karogi toh meri independent personality ka kya hoga?
Jheel: Woh safe rahegi. Bas bhookhi nahi rahegi.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne phone rakh diya aur kaam mein lag gaya.
Lekin aaj uske din mein ek chhota sa farq tha.
Shaam ko uske paas kuch aisa tha jiska woh intezaar kar raha tha.


Shaam ko Reyansh building ke neeche pahuncha toh Jheel pehle se khadi thi.
Usne halka pastel rang ka kurta pehna tha, baal khule the aur chehre par wohi shaant si muskurahat thi jo Reyansh ko ab pehchaani hui lagne lagi thi.
Reyansh uske paas aaya.
"Hello, madam."
"Hello, sir."
"Aaj kahan jaana hai?"
Jheel ne haath aage badhaya.
"Phone do."
"Kyun?"
"Map dekhna hai."
Reyansh ne phone de diya.
Jheel ne uska haath pakadkar use apni taraf kheench liya.
"Phone mein map dekhne ki zaroorat nahi. Main jaanti hoon."


Reyansh ne hairani se poochha, "Toh phone kyun maanga?"
Jheel ne uska haath aur mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Bas tumhara haath pakadna tha."
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir uske chehre par dheemi si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Jheel, tum aaj bahut dangerous ho."
"Kyun?"
"Seedha attack kar rahi ho."
Jheel hans padi.
"Chalo ab."
Woh use ek shaant se garden café ke paas le gayi. Wahan khuli jagah mein tables lagi thi, pedon ke beech chhoti lights thi aur ek taraf music bahut halki awaaz mein chal raha tha.
Reyansh ne aas-paas dekha.
"Achhi jagah hai."
Jheel ne garv se kaha, "Maine choose ki hai."
"Impressive."
"Bas impressive?"
"Bahut impressive."
Dono ek table par baith gaye.
Jheel ne menu uthaya aur kuch der dekhne ke baad order diya.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Tumne mere liye bhi order kar diya?"
"Haan."
"Aur agar mujhe kuch aur chahiye hota?"
"Toh tum bata dete."
"Matlab tumne meri choice ka bhi dhyaan rakha?"
Jheel ne menu band kiya.
"Reyansh, tum har chhoti baat ko itna bada kyun bana dete ho?"
Woh muskuraya.
"Kyunki tumhari chhoti baatein bhi mujhe achhi lagti hain."
Jheel kuch pal chup ho gayi.
Phir usne nazar jhuka li.
"Achha, ab zyada romantic mat bano. Coffee aane do."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Lekin compliment toh maine diya."
"Compliment accept kar liya. Ab chup."
Dono hans pade.


Coffee aur snacks ke baad dono garden mein walk karne lage.
Hawa halki thi. Kuch log apne doston ke saath baat kar rahe the, kuch couples bench par baithe the aur ek chhota bachcha apni cycle chalane ki koshish kar raha tha.
Jheel us bachche ko dekhkar muskurayi.
"Kitna khush hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tum bhi toh khush ho."
Jheel ne uski taraf nazar ghumayi.
"Haan."
"Kyun?"
Jheel kuch der chup rahi.
Phir boli, "Pata nahi. Tumhare saath mujhe har waqt kuch interesting karna zaroori nahi lagta."
Reyansh ne uska haath pakda.
"Matlab main boring nahi hoon?"
Jheel ne hansi dabayi.
"Thoda boring ho."
"Jheel!"
"Lekin achhe wale boring."
"Yeh kaunsi category hoti hai?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Jahan insaan ke saath chup rehna bhi achha lage."
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
Usne Jheel ki taraf dekha.
"Yeh baat mujhe yaad rahegi."
Jheel ne uska haath pakde rakha.
"Reyansh, tumhe pata hai mujhe tumhari kaunsi baat sabse achhi lagti hai?"
"Ab toh sunna hi padega."
"Tum mere saamne hamesha confident bante ho. Har baat ka jawab, har situation mein koi joke. Lekin jab tum sach mein kisi baat ko samajhne ki koshish karte ho na, tab tum bahut achhe lagte ho."
Reyansh ne uski baat dhyaan se suni.
Jheel ne aage kaha, "Mujhe yeh nahi chahiye ki tum har waqt perfect raho. Mujhe bas yeh achha lagta hai ki tum meri baat sunte ho."
Reyansh ne kuch pal uska haath apne dono haathon mein liya.
"Main tumhari har baat ka sahi jawab shayad na de paun."
"Mujhe har baar jawab nahi chahiye."
"Phir?"
"Kabhi-kabhi bas itna ki tum mere saath raho."
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Main koshish karunga."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Mujhe pata hai."
Woh kuch kadam aur chale.
Phir Reyansh ruk gaya.
"Ab meri baari."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Kya?"
"Tumhe pata hai mujhe tumhari kaunsi baat sabse achhi lagti hai?"
Jheel ke honton par muskurahat aa gayi.
"Batao."
"Tum mere saath hoti ho toh mujhe har waqt kuch saabit karne ki zaroorat nahi lagti."
Jheel ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
Reyansh ne kaha, "Main tumhe impress karne ki koshish karta hoon, tumhe hansane ki koshish karta hoon. Lekin jab tum mere saath hoti ho, toh kabhi-kabhi bas Reyansh hona kaafi lagta hai."
Jheel ne uska haath aur mazbooti se pakad liya.
Uski aankhon mein ek narmi thi.
"Toh bas Reyansh hi rehna."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Mujhe wahi pasand hai."


Garden ke ek kone mein music thoda tez hua.
Jheel ne us taraf dekha.
Reyansh ne uska haath apni taraf kheenchkar poochha, "Dance?"
Jheel hairan hui.
"Yahan?"
"Haan."
"Log dekh rahe hain."
"Log apni zindagi mein busy hain."
"Reyansh, mujhe dance nahi karna."
"Theek hai."
Usne turant haath chhod diya.
Jheel kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Phir usne khud uska haath pakad liya.
"Ek minute."
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Ji, madam?"
"Bas thoda sa."
Woh dono garden ke ek khaali hisse mein khade ho gaye. Koi dance floor nahi tha, koi special arrangement nahi tha.
Reyansh ne ek haath Jheel ki kamar ke paas rakha aur doosre haath se uska haath thaam liya. Jheel uske kareeb aayi.
Dono dheere-dheere music ki rhythm par hilne lage.
Jheel ne uske kandhe par haath rakha.
"Main achha dance nahi karti."
Reyansh ne kaha, "Main bhi nahi."
"Tum toh bade confident lag rahe ho."
"Confidence aur talent ka alag-alag department hai."
Jheel hans padi.
"Pagal."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Tumhara."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Is baar usne koi mazaak nahi kiya.
Bas apna sir uske kandhe par rakh diya.
Reyansh ne use apne kareeb kar liya.
Music chalta raha.
Dono kuch pal tak yun hi rahe.
Jheel ko laga ki duniya mein bahut si cheezein aisi hain jinhe samajhne ke liye shabdon ki zaroorat nahi hoti.
Aur Reyansh ko laga ki kabhi-kabhi kisi ko apne kareeb mehsoos karna hi poore din ki sabse khoobsurat baat ban sakta hai.


Garden se nikalte waqt Jheel thodi shaant thi.


Reyansh ne notice kiya.
"Kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Jheel."
Woh ruk gayi.
"Hmm?"
"Tum mujhe bata sakti ho."
Jheel ne kuch pal uska chehra dekha.
Phir boli, "Main bas soch rahi thi ki hum kitne badal gaye hain."
Reyansh ne poochha, "Achhe ya bure?"
"Achhe."
Woh muskurayi.
"Pehle hum milte the toh har baat mein thoda sa hesitation hota tha. Ab main tumhare saamne bina soche bol deti hoon. Tumhare saath hasti hoon, naraaz hoti hoon, phir khud hi tumhe message kar deti hoon."
Reyansh ne mazaak kiya, "Haan, message karne mein tumhara contribution kaafi bada hai."
Jheel ne uske kandhe par halka sa maara.
"Sun toh lo!"
"Achha, sorry. Aage bolo."
Jheel phir muskurayi.
"Mujhe achha lagta hai ki main tumhare saath apni tarah reh sakti hoon."
Reyansh ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Tumhe mere saath badalne ki zaroorat nahi hai, Jheel."
Woh uski taraf dekhne lagi.
"Main tumhare saath hoon kyunki tum tum ho. Tumhe kisi aur jaisa banne ki zaroorat nahi."
Jheel ki aankhon mein nami si chamki, lekin uske honton par muskurahat bani rahi.
"Yeh baat tum kabhi mat bhoolna."
Reyansh ne uski ungliyon ko apni ungliyon mein phansa liya.
"Nahi bhoolunga."
Jheel ne uske kareeb aakar use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ne bhi use baahon mein bhar liya.
Us hug mein koi jaldi nahi thi.
Jheel kuch der uske seene se lagi rahi.
Phir dheere se boli, "I love you, Reyansh."
Reyansh ki baahon ka ghera halka sa mazboot hua.
Usne Jheel ke baalon par apna gaal tikaya.
"I love you too, Jheel."
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
Aur Reyansh ne use apne kareeb rehne diya.


Raat ho chuki thi.
Reyansh Jheel ko uske flat ke saamne chhodne aaya.
Jheel ne darwaza kholne se pehle uski taraf dekha.
"Aaj ka din yaad rahega."
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Achha hai. Main bhi chahta hoon ki tum mujhe yaad rakho."
Jheel ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Main tumhe bhoolne ke liye toh tumhare saath nahi hoon."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne Jheel ke gaal ko pyaar se chhua.
"Goodnight."
Jheel ne uske haath par apna haath rakh diya.
"Goodnight."
Woh andar jaane lagi, phir palatkar uske paas aayi aur use ek baar phir gale laga liya.
Reyansh hans pada.
"Abhi toh goodnight bola tha."
Jheel ne uske seene se lage-lage kaha, "Toh?"
"Toh mujhe lag raha hai tum mujhe jaane nahi dena chahti."
Jheel peeche hati aur uski aankhon mein dekhkar boli, "Aaj nahi."
Reyansh ki muskurahat kuch pal ke liye tham gayi.
Usne Jheel ke maathe par ek narm kiss diya.
"Main yahin hoon."
Jheel ne uska haath chhod diya.
Is baar woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch der darwaze ko dekhta raha, phir apne flat mein laut aaya.


Raat ko Reyansh bed par leta tha.
Phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: So gaye?
Reyansh: Nahi.
Jheel: Aaj ki shaam achhi thi.
Reyansh: Mere liye bhi.
Jheel: Tumhe pata hai, mujhe tumhare saath sabse achha kya lagta hai?
Reyansh: Aaj toh tumne bata diya tha.
Jheel: Woh alag baat thi.
Reyansh: Achha, batao.
Kuch pal baad reply aaya.
Jheel: Tumhare saath mujhe future ke baare mein sochne se pehle present mein khush rehna achha lagta hai.
Reyansh ne message ko dobara padha.
Usne jawab diya.
Reyansh: Toh phir aaj ki khushi ko kal tak le chalte hain.
Jheel ne ek dil wala emoji bheja.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakh diya.
Uske chehre par ek sukoon bhari muskurahat thi.
Woh nahi jaanta tha ki zindagi aage kya lekar aayegi.
Lekin us raat use har cheez ka jawab nahi chahiye tha.
Jheel uski zindagi mein thi.
Woh usse pyaar karti thi.
Aur woh bhi usse pyaar karta tha.
Filhaal, yahi sach uske liye kaafi tha.
Kuch log hamaari zindagi mein aakar hamaare din nahi badalte, hamaare din jeene ka tareeka badal dete hain.
Aur Reyansh ke liye, Jheel ab sirf ek khoobsurat rishta nahi thi.

[Greenwood]

Update 52


Reyansh ki aankh khuli toh sabse pehle usne phone uthaya.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Good morning, Mr. Perfect. ❤️
Reyansh ne muskurakar reply kiya.
Reyansh: Aaj promotion mil gaya? Kal tak main sirf Mr. Generally Happy tha.
Jheel: Woh temporary designation tha.
Reyansh: Aur Mr. Perfect permanent hai?
Jheel: Bilkul nahi. Abhi probation par ho.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Tumhari company mein promotion milna mushkil hai.
Jheel: Lekin ek baar permanent ho gaye toh benefits bahut hain.
Reyansh ne message padhkar kuch pal socha.
Reyansh: Benefits mein kya-kya milega?
Jheel: Achhi coffee, meri company, kabhi-kabhi hugs aur bahut saari complaints.
Reyansh: Last wala package mein compulsory hai?
Jheel: Haan. Non-refundable.
Reyansh bed par baithkar hansne laga.
Phir usne likha:
Reyansh: Toh mujhe yeh job manzoor hai.
Jheel ne dil wala emoji bheja.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya aur khidki ke paas chala gaya.
Bengaluru ki subah apni raftaar se chal rahi thi. Sadak par traffic badhne laga tha, aas-paas ki buildings mein log apne din ki shuruaat kar rahe the.
Usne coffee banayi aur socha ki shaam ko Jheel ke saath kuch waqt bitaya jaaye.
Lekin aaj woh sirf outing plan nahi karna chahta tha.
Woh chahta tha ki Jheel ko mehsoos ho ki uski zindagi mein uski jagah kitni khaas hai.


Office pahunchne se pehle Reyansh ne Arshad ko call kiya.
Arshad ne phone uthate hi kaha, "Bol, aaj kiski yaad aa gayi?"
"Teri."
"Jhooth bolne se pehle kam se kam do second ruk jaaya kar."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Shaam ka koi plan hai?"
"Tha. Lekin ab mujhe darr lag raha hai ki tu mujhe apni love story ka unpaid assistant banane wala hai."
"Bas ek advice chahiye."
Arshad ki awaaz mein turant dilchaspi aa gayi.
"Bata."
"Jab tum kisi ke saath ho aur tumhe lage ki woh tumhari zindagi mein bahut important ho gayi hai, toh use kaise bataoge?"
Doosri taraf kuch pal ki khamoshi rahi.
Phir Arshad bola, "Seedha bol dega."
"Bas?"
"Haan. Tu presentation bana raha hai kya? Introduction, body, conclusion?"
Reyansh hans pada.
Arshad ne aage kaha, "Dekh, agar woh tere liye important hai toh use kisi grand gesture ki zaroorat nahi. Kabhi-kabhi saamne baithkar sach bolna hi kaafi hota hai."
Reyansh kuch der chup raha.
"Tu kabhi-kabhi kaam ki baat bhi kar leta hai."
"Main copywriter hoon. Kaam ki baat meri speciality hai. Bakwaas mera passion."
Dono hans pade.
Call khatam hone ke baad Reyansh kuch der phone dekhta raha.
Usne decide kar liya ki shaam ko woh Jheel se apne dil ki baat kahega.
Bina kisi joke ke.
Bina kisi rating ke.


Shaam se pehle Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Aaj tumhare ghar aa sakti hoon?
Reyansh ne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh: Tumhe mujhse appointment leni padegi?
Jheel: Nahi. Bas poochh rahi thi.
Reyansh: Tumhara ghar hai. Jab mann kare aa jao.
Kuch pal baad usne doosra message bheja.
Reyansh: Waise, aaj dinner mere ghar par karte hain?
Jheel: Tum banaoge?
Reyansh: Haan.
Jheel: Pichhli baar wali egg bhurji?
Reyansh: Tumhare saamne meri culinary skills ka mazaak udana band karo.
Jheel: Main toh bas apni jaan ki safety check kar rahi hoon.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Aaj tumhari favourite dish banane ki koshish karunga.
Jheel: Koshish?
Reyansh: Main insaan hoon, restaurant nahi.
Jheel: Achha. Main 7 baje aa jaungi.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj shaam uske ghar par Jheel aane wali thi.
Aur is baar use kisi café ki table reserve nahi karni thi, na traffic ka plan banana tha.
Bas apna ghar thoda sa theek karna tha aur dinner banana tha.
Use pata nahi kyun, lekin yeh baat kisi bhi outing se zyada personal lag rahi thi.


Saat bajne mein abhi aadha ghanta tha.
Reyansh kitchen mein khada tha. Counter par sabziyan, masale aur do recipe videos khule hue the.
Usne ek video dekha, phir doosra.
"Ek hi dish ke chaar tareeke kyun hain?" woh khud se bola.
Phone vibrate hua.


Jheel: Main nikal rahi hoon.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Dinner almost ready hai.
Jheel ne turant reply kiya.
Jheel: Iska matlab abhi shuru bhi nahi hua?
Reyansh: Tum mere talent par bharosa hi nahi karti.
Jheel: Main tumhare confidence par bharosa karti hoon. Talent ka result dinner ke baad pata chalega.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne phone rakhkar cooking shuru kar di.
Kuch der baad darwaze ki bell baji.
Reyansh ne haath saaf kiye aur darwaza khola.
Jheel saamne khadi thi.
"Hello, chef."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Welcome to my restaurant."
Jheel andar aayi aur living room par nazar daudayi.
"Restaurant toh achha hai."
"Food critic, please kitchen mein aaiye."
Jheel kitchen mein pahunchi toh counter par bikhra samaan dekhkar hans padi.
"Yahan khana ban raha hai ya cooking competition chal raha hai?"
"Main experiment kar raha hoon."
"Kis cheez ka?"
"Apni girlfriend ko impress karne ka."
Jheel ki hansi dheemi ho gayi.
Woh uske kareeb aayi.
"Impress karne ke liye itni mehnat karne ki zaroorat nahi hai."
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Phir kis liye karun?"
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Mujhe khush karne ke liye."
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Mission accepted."
Jheel ne uske gaal par ek chhota sa kiss diya.
"Ab main help karun?"
Reyansh ne turant kaha, "Haan. Warna mission fail ho jayega."
Dono hans pade.
Jheel ne sabzi kaatne mein uski madad ki. Reyansh kabhi masala dhoondhta, kabhi spoon, aur kabhi recipe video ko dobara dekhta.
Jheel ne ek baar use dekha aur kaha, "Tum office mein itne confident kaise rehte ho?"
"Office mein sab kuch PowerPoint se solve ho jaata hai."
"Aur kitchen mein?"
"Yahan PowerPoint ki kami hai."
Jheel hans-hanskar dohari ho gayi.
Reyansh use dekhta raha.
Uski hansi use achhi lagti thi.
Aur aaj use use hansane ke liye koi joke ya plan banane ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Bas dono ek saath the.


Sabzi mein namak thoda kam tha aur rotiyan ek taraf se zyada sik gayi thi.
Lekin Jheel ne plate mein khana liya aur pehla niwala khaaya.
Reyansh uska chehra dekh raha tha.
"Kaisa hai?"
Jheel ne kuch der sochne ka natak kiya.
Reyansh ki aankhein sikud gayin.
"Jheel, seedha jawab do."
Usne doosra niwala khaaya.
"Achha hai."
"Sach mein?"
"Haan. Thoda namak kam hai."
Reyansh ne sar pakad liya.
"Mujhe pata tha!"
Jheel hans padi.
"Lekin tumne banaya hai. Isliye aur achha lag raha hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh consolation prize hai?"
"Nahi. Sach hai."
Woh dono dinner karte rahe. Beech-beech mein office ke kisse, bachpan ki chhoti yaadein aur rozmarra ki baatein hoti rahi.
Dinner ke baad Jheel ne plates uthani shuru ki.
Reyansh ne uska haath rok diya.
"Guest ho tum."
"Main tumhari girlfriend hoon. Guest nahi."
Reyansh ne muskurakar plates uske haath se le li.
"Achha, toh girlfriend ko sofa par baithne ka order hai."
Jheel ne aankhein ghumayi.
"Ji, chef."
Woh living room mein baith gayi.
Reyansh kitchen saaf karke aaya toh Jheel sofa par uski favourite kitab dekh rahi thi.
"Tum yeh padhte ho?" usne poochha.
"Kabhi-kabhi."
"Tumhare baare mein ek nayi baat pata chali."
"Abhi toh bahut kuch pata chalna baaki hai."
Jheel ne kitab band ki.
"Achha hai. Mujhe tumhe jaan-na pasand hai."
Reyansh uske paas baith gaya.
"Mujhe bhi tumhe jaan-na pasand hai."
Jheel ne apna sir uske kandhe par rakh diya.
Kuch der dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel ne kaha, "Aaj ka dinner mujhe bahut achha laga."
Reyansh ne poochha, "Khana?"
Jheel ne uske kandhe par halka sa maara.
"Poora waqt, Reyansh."
Usne Jheel ka haath pakad liya.
"Achha."
Woh uske kareeb baitha raha.
Kabhi-kabhi ek seedha sa jawab bhi bahut kuch keh deta hai.


Raat thodi aur gehri ho gayi thi.
Living room mein sirf ek lamp jal raha tha. Baahar se traffic ki awaaz ab kam aa rahi thi.
Jheel Reyansh ke paas baithi thi, uska haath apne haathon mein liye.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Jheel, ek baat kahun?"
"Haan."
"Main tumhare saath bahut khush hoon."
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Yeh toh mujhe pata hai."
"Nahi. Mera matlab... tumhare aane ke baad meri zindagi mein kuch chhoti-chhoti cheezein badli hain."
Woh kuch pal ruka.
"Ab subah uthkar phone check karne ki wajah hoti hai. Kisi ko din ke baare mein batane ka mann karta hai. Kabhi koi achhi baat hoti hai toh sabse pehle tumhe batana chahta hoon."
Jheel chupchaap sunti rahi.
Reyansh ne uska haath apne haathon mein liya.
"Main pehle bhi apni zindagi jee raha tha. Kaam tha, dost the, apna routine tha. Lekin tumhare saath mujhe lagta hai ki main sirf din guzaar nahi raha. Main kuch achhe pal bhi jee raha hoon."
Jheel ki aankhon mein nami si chamak uthi.
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, "I love you, Jheel. Sirf isliye nahi ki tum mujhe khush karti ho. Isliye bhi kyunki tumhare saath main apni asli feelings ko chhupana nahi chahta."
Jheel kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Phir woh uske kareeb aayi aur use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ne bhi use apni baahon mein bhar liya.
Jheel ne uske kandhe par chehra tikakar kaha, "I love you too."
Reyansh ne uske baalon ko pyaar se sehlaaya.
Jheel peeche hati aur uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Ek baat aur."
"Bolo."
"Mujhe tumhare saath aise hi waqt bitana hai. Kabhi bahar, kabhi ghar par. Kabhi bahut saari baatein, kabhi bilkul khamoshi."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Mujhe bhi."
Jheel ne uske gaal par haath rakha.
Phir usne use kiss kiya.
Reyansh ne bhi uske honton par ek narm kiss diya.
Dono kuch pal ek-doosre ke kareeb rahe.
Jab woh alag hue, Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Tumhari cooking ko 8/10."
Reyansh ne hairani se use dekha.
"Abhi hum itna romantic moment share kar rahe the aur tumhe cooking yaad aa rahi hai?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Main honest reviewer hoon."
Reyansh ne use dobara gale laga liya.
"Agli baar 10/10."
"Challenge accepted."


Raat ke kareeb das baj rahe the.
Jheel ne phone dekha.
"Mujhe ab chalna chahiye."
Reyansh ne sar hilaya.
"Haan."
Lekin uska haath abhi bhi Jheel ke haath mein tha.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Reyansh."
Woh muskuraya.
"Bas mann kar raha hai ki tum thodi der aur ruko."
Jheel ke chehre par ek narm si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Toh pehle hi keh dete."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Rukogi?"
Jheel ne uska haath daba diya.
"Thodi der."
Woh dono phir sofa par baith gaye.
Is baar kisi ne phone nahi uthaya.
Koi naya plan nahi bana.
Koi rating nahi di gayi.
Jheel ne Reyansh ke kandhe par sir rakha aur usne uska haath thaam liya.
Kuch der baad Jheel ne dheere se kaha, "Tumhe pata hai, mujhe tumhare ghar par achha lagta hai."
Reyansh ne poochha, "Kyun?"
"Kyunki yahan tum mere saath hote ho. Aur mujhe lagta hai ki main tumhari zindagi ka hissa hoon."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tum ho, Jheel."
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
Reyansh ne uske maathe par kiss kiya.
Woh kuch der aur wahin rahi.
Phir aakhirkar uthkar darwaze ki taraf badhi.
Reyansh use chhodne aaya.
Darwaze par Jheel palti aur uske kareeb aa gayi.
"Goodnight."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Goodnight."
Jheel ne use ek baar phir gale lagaya.
Phir uske honton par ek narm kiss diya.
Reyansh ne uska haath pakadkar dheere se kaha, "Take care."
Jheel ne muskurakar jawab diya, "Tum bhi."
Darwaza band ho gaya.
Reyansh kuch der wahin khada raha.
Aaj ki shaam kisi grand date jaisi nahi thi.
Lekin usne Jheel ke saath kuch aisa mehsoos kiya tha jo kisi special location ya perfect dinner se nahi milta.
Apnapan.


Jheel apne flat mein aayi toh uske chehre par abhi bhi muskurahat thi.
Usne phone table par rakha, paani piya aur bed par baith gayi.
Kuch der baad Reyansh ka message aaya.
Reyansh: Ghar pahunch gayi?
Jheel: Haan, Mr. Perfect.
Reyansh: Aaj ka final review?
Jheel: Dinner 8/10. Company 10/10.
Reyansh ne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh: Toh overall rating?
Jheel: Overall... tum mere favourite ho.
Reyansh kuch pal screen dekhta raha.
Phir usne likha:
Reyansh: Tum bhi meri favourite ho.
Jheel ne dil wala emoji bheja.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Woh bed par leta aur aankhein band kar li.
Uske dimaag mein Jheel ki hansi, uski baatein aur living room mein saath bitaaye hue woh shaant pal ghoomne lage.
Use laga ki woh dheere-dheere kisi ko apni zindagi mein jagah dena seekh raha hai.
Sirf milne ke liye nahi.
Sirf khush rehne ke liye nahi.
Balki apne din, apni aadatein aur apni khamoshi tak baantne ke liye.
Usne karwat badli.
Aaj use kisi sawaal ka jawab nahi dhoondhna tha.
Bas ek baat use saaf mehsoos ho rahi thi.
Woh Jheel se pyaar karta tha. Aur Jheel usse.

[Greenwood]

Update 53



Subah ke 7:18 baj rahe the.
Reyansh ke bedroom mein alarm ki awaaz teesri baar baj chuki thi. Usne takiye ke neeche haath daal kar phone nikala, aankhein aadhi khol kar alarm band kiya aur phir se aankhein band kar li.
Do second baad phone vibrate hua.
Jheel ?:
Good morning, Mr. Perfect.
Reyansh ke chehre par neend ke beech ek halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh:
Perfect logon ko bhi sone diya jaata hai, Miss Trouble.
Jheel:
Perfect log time par uthte hain.
Reyansh:
Main uth gaya hoon.
Jheel:
Proof?
Reyansh ne apne bikhre hue baalon aur aadhi band aankhon ke saath ek selfie bhej di.
Do minute tak koi reply nahi aaya.
Phir Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel:
Tumhari shakal dekhkar lag raha hai ki tumne abhi tak apni aankhon ko bhi relationship ke liye convince nahi kiya.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh:
Tum subah-subah meri beizzati karne ke liye uthti ho?
Jheel:
Nahi. Tumhari aadat kharab karne ke liye.
Reyansh ne phone se nazar hata kar saamne ki deewar dekhi.
Pehle subah uthna uske liye bas din shuru hone ka naam tha. Ab subah ki shuruaat mein ek chhota sa message hota tha, jiska intezaar use khud bhi rehta tha.
Usne Jheel ko type kiya.
Reyansh:
Shaam ko milogi?
Jheel ka reply jaldi aa gaya.
Jheel:
Kahan?
Reyansh:
Tum decide karo.
Jheel:
Tumhare ghar par.
Reyansh ne message dobara padha.
Reyansh:
Dinner ke liye?
Jheel:
Haan. Lekin is baar cooking ki zimmedari meri hogi.
Reyansh:
Ek minute. Pichhli baar maine dinner banaya tha aur tumne mujhe 8/10 diye the.
Jheel:
Haan, toh aaj tumhe pata chalega ki 8/10 milna kitna mushkil hai.
Reyansh:
Main emotional support ke liye ready rahunga.
Jheel:
Tum bas kitchen se door rehna.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakha aur uthkar baith gaya.
Uski muskurahat abhi bhi bani hui thi.
Shaam ka plan chhota tha.
Lekin use us chhote se plan ka intezaar hone laga tha.


Office pahunchte hi Reyansh ko pata chal gaya ki din uske hisaab se nahi chalne wala.
Ek client meeting reschedule ho gayi thi, campaign ke kuch changes pending the aur presentation ko lekar team ko ek baar phir baithna tha.
Reyansh ne apna laptop khola aur kaam mein lag gaya.
“Good morning,” Neha ne apni coffee desk par rakhte hue kaha.
“Good morning.”
Neha ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tum aaj bhi muskura rahe ho.”
“Main generally khush insaan hoon.”
“Tum generally meeting ke pehle teen minute tak khush rehte ho. Uske baad tumhari aankhon mein sirf deadlines dikhai deti hain.”
“Tum meri aankhon ka itna analysis kyun karti ho?”
“Kyuki tumhare expressions tumhare emails se zyada informative hain.”
Reyansh hans diya.
Neha apni chair kheenchkar baith gayi.
“Anyway, client ne feedback bheja hai. Do changes aur chahiye.”
“Sirf do?”
“Tumhari tone mein jo umeed thi, woh main todna nahi chahti.”
“Thanks. Bahut supportive colleague ho.”
“Anytime.”
Dono kaam mein lag gaye.
Agla ek ghanta calls, edits aur discussions mein nikal gaya. Reyansh ne presentation ke kuch points revise kiye, team ke saath changes final kiye aur client ko updated version bhej diya.
Meeting khatam hui toh usne ghadi dekhi.
Shaam hone mein abhi waqt tha.
Phone screen par Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel:
Main 7:30 tak aa jaungi. Kuch chahiye tumhe?
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Haan. Tum.
Kuch pal tak typing ka indicator dikhta raha.
Phir message aaya.
Jheel:
Cheezein order karne ki aadat mat daalo, Mr. Perfect.
Reyansh:
Tum cheez nahi ho.
Is baar Jheel ka reply thoda der se aaya.
Jheel:
Pata hai.
Uske baad ek chhota sa yellow heart tha.
Reyansh ne phone lock kiya aur laptop ki taraf mud gaya.
Lekin uske chehre ki muskurahat chhup nahi paayi.


Shaam ko ghar pahunchte hi Reyansh ne dekha ki Shalu living room ki table saaf kar rahi thi.
Uske paas ek chhoti si notebook khuli hui thi.
Reyansh ne bag sofa par rakha.
“Kya chal raha hai? Aajkal notebook tumse zyada important ho gayi hai.”


Shalu ne jaldi se notebook band kar di.
“Kuch nahi.”
“Achha. Toh main maan loon ki tum secret diary likhti ho?”
“Sir, aapko har baat mein mazaak karna zaroori lagta hai?”
“Bilkul nahi. Kabhi-kabhi main serious bhi hota hoon.”
Shalu ne use dekha.
“Jaise?”
Reyansh kuch pal sochta raha.
“Jaise abhi. Main bahut serious hoon.”
Shalu ke chehre par hansi aa gayi.
Reyansh ne kitchen ki taraf dekhte hue poochha, “Waise aaj itni jaldi kaam khatam?”
“Haan. Aaj thoda pehle aa gayi thi.”
“Achha hai. Tumhara course wala kaam kaisa chal raha hai?”
“Thoda-thoda samajh aa raha hai. Ab main computer par document khol leti hoon. Aur English mein kuch sentences bhi practice kar rahi hoon.”
“Nice.”
Shalu ne pehli baar khud se ek baat kahi.
“Sir, mujhe lagta hai main seekh sakti hoon. Bas abhi pata nahi ki aage kya karna hai.”
Reyansh ka andaaz halka raha, lekin jawab mein mazaak nahi tha.
“Abhi sab kuch pata hona zaroori nahi. Tumhe bas agla step pata hona chahiye. Phir uske baad wala.”
Shalu ne dheere se sir hilaya.
“Main koshish karungi.”
“Koshish nahi. Practice. Koshish kabhi-kabhi ek din chalti hai. Practice aadat ban jaati hai.”
Shalu ne apni notebook uthayi.
“Yeh baat likh leti hoon.”
“Copyright fees lagegi.”
“Kitni?”
“Ek cup chai.”
“Woh toh main waise bhi bana deti hoon.”
“Phir toh mera business model fail ho gaya.”
Shalu hans padi.
Thodi der baad woh apna kaam khatam karke chali gayi.
Reyansh ghar mein akela reh gaya.
Usne living room ko dekha, phir kitchen ki taraf nazar daali.
Aaj raat Jheel aa rahi thi.
Aur is baar use kuch special karne ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Bas ghar ko ghar jaisa rehne dena tha.


Doorbell theek 7:32 par baji.
Reyansh ne darwaza khola.
Jheel saamne khadi thi. Usne simple sa kurta pehna hua tha, baal khule the aur haath mein ek bag tha.
“Do minute late,” Reyansh ne kaha.
“Lift ruk gayi thi.”
“Excuses.”
“Darwaza band kar doon?”
“Please andar aaiye.”
Jheel hansi aur andar aa gayi.
Usne bag kitchen counter par rakha.
“Tumne kuch khaya?”
“Nahi.”
“Good. Matlab tum meri cooking ke baare mein abhi koi negative review nahi de sakte.”
Reyansh ne kitchen mein jhaank kar dekha.
“Tum sach mein cooking karogi?”
“Nahi, main yahan tumhare curtains dekhne aayi hoon.”
“Waise curtains achhe hain.”
“Reyansh!”
“Okay, okay. Main chup.”
Jheel ne ingredients nikaalne shuru kiye. Reyansh uske aas-paas ghoomta raha, kabhi paani dene ke bahaane, kabhi koi bartan nikaalne ke liye.
Aakhir Jheel ne use dekha.
“Tumhe kuch kaam hai?”
“Haan.”
“Kya?”
“Tumhe dekhna.”
Jheel ke haath ruk gaye.
Usne uski taraf dekha. Reyansh ke chehre par wohi shararti muskurahat thi, lekin aankhon mein mazaak se zyada sach tha.
“Tum har baat itni aasani se kaise keh dete ho?” Jheel ne poochha.
“Har baat nahi keh pata.”
“Kaunsi baat nahi keh paate?”
Reyansh ne kuch pal use dekha.
“Woh jo kehne ke baad insaan ko saamne wale ke aur kareeb le aaye.”
Jheel ki muskurahat dheemi pad gayi.
“Phir keh diya karo.”
“Tum sun liya karna.”
“Main sunti hoon.”
Dono kuch pal chup rahe.
Phir Jheel ne uske haath mein ek pyaaz thama diya.
“Ab yeh kaat do.”
Reyansh ne pyaaz dekha.
“Romantic conversation ka yahi anjaam hona tha?”
“Bilkul.”
“Tumhare saath meri life mein emotions aur vegetables dono bahut badh gaye hain.”
“Pyaaz kaatne mein rona mat. Mujhe sympathy nahi milegi.”
“Tumhare saamne toh main aansu bhi nahi baha sakta.”
“Bilkul nahi.”
Reyansh ne knife uthaya.
Paanch minute baad uski aankhon mein paani tha.
Jheel itna hansi ki use counter pakadna pada.
“Please,” Reyansh ne aankhein ponchte hue kaha, “meri emotional vulnerability ka mazaak mat udaao.”
“Tum pyaaz ki wajah se ro rahe ho!”
“Har kahani mein ek villain hota hai. Meri kahani mein pyaaz hai.”
Jheel ki hansi kitchen mein goonjti rahi.
Aur Reyansh ne mehsoos kiya ki kisi ke saath khush rehne ke liye har pal khoobsurat hona zaroori nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi aankhon mein paani bhi aa sakta hai.
Bas saamne wala tumhe dekhkar hans raha ho, toh tumhe bhi hansi aa jaati hai.


Dinner table par aaj khana sach mein achha tha.
Reyansh ne pehla bite liya aur Jheel ki taraf dekha.
“Okay. Main maan gaya.”
“Kya?”
“Tum mujhse achha khaana bana leti ho.”
Jheel ne chamach rakh diya.
“Yeh baat main record kar rahi hoon.”
“Main written statement bhi de sakta hoon.”
“Kal tum mukar gaye toh?”
“Tumhare paas evidence hoga.”
Jheel ne phone uthaya aur uski taraf camera kar diya.
“Repeat karo.”
Reyansh seedha baith gaya.
“Main, Reyansh, apni poori samajh aur hosh mein yeh maanta hoon ki Jheel mujhse achha khaana banati hai.”
Jheel ne recording band kar di.
“Saved.”
“Ab toh meri izzat tumhare haath mein hai.”
“Tumhari izzat kab thi?”
“Yeh relationship bahut one-sided lag raha hai.”
Jheel hansi.
Dinner ke baad dono ne milkar table saaf ki. Reyansh ne bartan dhone ki zimmedari le li aur Jheel ne kitchen counter saaf kiya.
Kaam khatam hone ke baad woh living room mein aa gaye.
TV band tha.
Bahar traffic ki halki awaaz aa rahi thi. Room mein bas lamp ki roshni thi aur dono ke beech ek aaram bhari khamoshi.
Jheel sofa par baithi thi. Reyansh uske paas aakar baith gaya.
“Kya soch rahi ho?” usne poochha.
Jheel ne apne haath ki ungliyon ko dekha.
“Yahi ki tumhare saath mujhe bahut aasani mehsoos hoti hai.”
“Kaisi aasani?”
“Main yahan aakar yeh nahi sochti ki mujhe kaise baithna chahiye, kya bolna chahiye, kitna hasna chahiye. Main bas... main hoti hoon.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Achha hai. Mujhe bhi tumhare saath kisi aur tarah ka insaan banne ki zaroorat nahi padti.”

“Tum waise bhi bahut bolte ho.”
“Main apni natural personality ki baat kar raha tha.”
“Woh bhi bahut bolti hai.”
Reyansh hans diya.
Phir usne dheere se Jheel ka haath apne haath mein le liya.
“Jheel?”
“Hmm?”
“Mujhe tumhare saath yeh sab achha lagta hai.”
“Kaunsa sab?”
“Yeh ghar. Yeh dinner. Tumhara mujhse ladna. Tumhara mere jokes par hansna, chahe woh achhe na hon.”
“Main har joke par nahi hansti.”
“Tumhare dil mein jagah banane ke liye main kaafi mehnat kar raha hoon.”
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
“Jagah toh tumne bana li hai.”
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
“Sach?”
Jheel ne uska haath thoda aur mazbooti se pakad liya.
“Sach.”
Kuch pal baad woh uske kandhe par sir rakhkar baith gayi.
Reyansh ne apna gaal uske baalon se laga diya.
Kisi ko kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi thi.


Raat dheere-dheere aage badh rahi thi.
Jheel ne phone dekha. Waqt ho chuka tha, lekin uska ghar jaane ka mann nahi kar raha tha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Thak gayi?”
“Thodi.”
“Ghar chhod doon?”
Jheel ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
“Tum chahte ho main chali jaaun?”
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
“Nahi.”
“Phir?”
“Main chahta hoon tum wahi karo jo tum chahti ho. Sirf isliye mat rukna kyunki main tumhe rokna chahta hoon.”
Jheel ke chehre par ek narm si muskurahat aa gayi.
“Main apni marzi se yahan hoon, Reyansh.”
“Pakka?”
“Pakka.”
Reyansh ne uske maathe ko chooma.
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
Jab usne dobara aankhein kholi, toh dono ek doosre ke bahut kareeb the.
Reyansh ne uske chehre ko dekha, jaise uski aankhon mein koi aisi baat padh raha ho jo abhi lafzon mein nahi aayi thi.
Jheel ne apna haath uske gaal par rakha.
“Tum kya soch rahe ho?”
“Ki main tumhare saath jaldi nahi karna chahta.”
Jheel ki ungliyan uske gaal par thehar gayin.
“Main bhi nahi chahti ki hum kisi cheez ko jaldi mein karein.”
“Good.”
“Lekin iska matlab yeh bhi nahi ki hum har achhe pal ko soch-soch kar kharab kar dein.”
Reyansh ke chehre par halki si hansi aa gayi.
“Tumne abhi mujhe overthinking ka taana diya?”
“Pyaar se.”
“Tumhara pyaar bhi kaafi dangerous hai.”
Jheel uske kareeb aayi aur uske hothon par ek narm sa kiss diya.
Is baar Reyansh ne usse door hone ki jaldi nahi ki.
Usne uske chehre ko dono haathon mein thaama aur use dobara chooma. Jheel ne apni baahen uske kandhon ke gird rakh di.
Unke beech ki doori dheere-dheere kam hoti gayi.
Koi jaldi nahi thi.
Koi dikhawa nahi tha.
Bas do log the, jo ek doosre ko chahte the aur ab apni chahat ko chhupane ki koshish nahi kar rahe the.
Kuch der baad Jheel ne uske seene par apna sir rakh diya.
Reyansh ne uske baalon mein ungliyan phirate hue poochha, “Tumhe ghar par koi call toh nahi karega?”
“Abhi nahi.”
“Tumhe rukna hai?”
Jheel ne sir uthakar use dekha.
“Haan.”
“Sirf aaj?”
Jheel ki aankhon mein shararat laut aayi.
“Kal ka kal dekhenge, Mr. Perfect.”
Reyansh hans diya.
“Tum kabhi seedha jawaab nahi deti.”
“Tumhe suspense pasand hai.”
“Main romantic suspense ki baat kar raha tha. Tum toh poori thriller ho.”
Jheel uske seene se lagkar hansne lagi.
Aur Reyansh ne use apni baahon mein samet liya.



Kuch der baad Jheel ne kaha ki use fresh hona hai.
Reyansh ne use guest bathroom dikha diya aur ek saaf towel nikaal kar de diya.
“Tum aaram se fresh ho jao. Main tumhare liye kuch comfortable kapde nikaal deta hoon. Agar tum chaho toh.”
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
“Thank you.”
“Ismein thank you ki kya baat hai?”
“Har baat mein nahi hota. Kabhi-kabhi hota hai.”
Reyansh ne bas muskurakar sir hila diya.
Jheel bathroom ki taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh bedroom mein aaya. Usne almari kholi, kuch der kapdon ko dekha aur phir ek saaf T-shirt aur track pants nikaal liye.
Kapde bed par rakhkar woh kuch pal khada raha.
Uske andar ek ajeeb si khushi thi, lekin saath hi ek zimmedari ka ehsaas bhi.
Woh Jheel ko chahta tha.
Lekin woh chahta tha ki Jheel uske saath har kadam par apni marzi se chale. Use kisi bhi pal yeh mehsoos na ho ki sirf uski feelings ki wajah se use kuch karna pad raha hai.
Bathroom ka darwaza khula.
Jheel bahar aayi toh usne Reyansh ki T-shirt aur track pants pehne hue the. Baal abhi bhi halke geele the.
Reyansh use dekhkar kuch pal chup raha.
Jheel ne apne kapdon ki taraf dekha.
“Kya hua?”
“Kuch nahi.”
“Tum aise kyun dekh rahe ho?”
“Bas soch raha hoon ki meri T-shirt tum par mujhse zyada achhi lag rahi hai.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Tumhe har baat mein tareef karni hoti hai?”
“Jab saamne tareef ke laayak koi ho, toh rokna mushkil ho jaata hai.”
Jheel ne nazrein jhuka kar muskuraya.
Phir woh uske paas aayi aur uska haath pakad liya.
“Reyansh?”
“Hmm?”
“Aaj raat mujhe tumhare saath rehna achha lagega.”
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
“Tum sure ho?”
Jheel ne bina nazar hataye kaha, “Haan. Aur agar kisi bhi waqt mujhe kuch theek nahi laga, toh main tumhe bata dungi.”
“Bilkul. Aur main bhi.”
Jheel ne uska haath apne dono haathon mein le liya.
“Phir itna socho mat.”
Reyansh ki aankhon mein muskurahat aa gayi.
“Tumhe idea bhi nahi hai ki tum mere saath kya kar rahi ho.”
“Achha hai. Thoda surprise tumhare liye bhi rehna chahiye.”
Woh dono ek doosre ke kareeb aaye.
Reyansh ne uske maathe par kiss kiya. Jheel ne uski baahon mein apna chehra chhupa liya.
Bahar Bengaluru ki sadkon par gaadiyan ab bhi chal rahi thi. Kisi ghar mein TV ki awaaz aa rahi thi, kisi balcony mein der tak jalti light thi, aur kisi flat mein agle din ki taiyari shuru ho chuki thi.
Lekin Flat 303 mein waqt jaise apni raftaar dheemi kar raha tha.
Reyansh ne lamp ki roshni kam kar di.
Jheel ne uska haath nahi chhoda.
Aur us raat ke baaki palon ko un dono ne apne liye rehne diya.
Kuch kareebiyan lafzon se shuru hoti hain. Kuch bharose se. Aur kuch tab, jab do log ek doosre ke paas rehne ka faisla bina kisi dabaav ke karte hain.
Us raat Reyansh ko laga, shayad sukoon kisi badi cheez ka naam nahi tha.
Shayad kabhi-kabhi woh bas kisi apne ka haath tha, jo andhere mein bhi chhoot nahi raha tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 54


Flat 303 mein raat gehri ho chuki thi.
Bedroom ke kone mein lamp ki halki roshni thi. Khidki ke parde ke paar Bengaluru ki sadkein ab pehle se khaali nazar aa rahi thi.
Jheel bed ke kinaare baithi thi. Reyansh uske paas aakar ruk gaya.
Dono ke beech kuch hi kadmon ka faasla tha, lekin unki aankhon mein chal rahi baat kisi bhi conversation se zyada gehri thi.
Reyansh ne apna haath aage badhaya.
Jheel ne uska haath thaam liya.
“Tum theek ho?” usne dheere se poochha.
Jheel muskurayi. “Haan. Tum?”
“Main bhi.”
“Phir itne serious kyun ho?”
Reyansh uske saamne baith gaya.
“Kyuki tum mere liye important ho. Aur main nahi chahta ki hum kisi bhi pal mein kuch aisa karein jiske baare mein humne ek doosre se baat hi na ki ho.”
Jheel ki aankhon mein narmi aa gayi.
“Reyansh, main yahan apni marzi se hoon.”
“Pata hai. Bas chahta hoon ki tumhe har pal yeh mehsoos ho.”
Jheel ne uski ungliyon mein apni ungliyan uljha di.
“Tum mujhe safe feel karate ho.”
Reyansh ne uska haath apne hothon ke paas laakar chooma.
“Tum bhi.”
Jheel uske kareeb aayi aur apna haath uske gaal par rakh diya.
Is baar kiss dheere se shuru hua. Jheel ne apni aankhein band kar li aur Reyansh ke kandhe par haath rakh diya.
Kuch pal baad dono alag hue, lekin unke chehre ab bhi kareeb the.
Jheel muskurayi.
“Tum itna sochte kyun ho?”
“Professional habit.”
“Tum ghar par bhi Senior Brand Manager ho?”
“Nahi. Ghar par main tumhara boyfriend hoon.”
“Achha? Toh boyfriend sahab, ek baat batao.”
“Poochho.”
“Tum mujhe kitna chahte ho?”
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheere-dheere gayab ho gayi. Usne Jheel ki aankhon mein dekha.
“Jitna shayad main khud bhi poori tarah samajh nahi paaya.”
Jheel ne uska haath apne seene ke paas thaam liya.
“Filhaal itna kaafi hai.”
2. Ek Sach Jo Chhupna Nahi Chahiye Tha
Reyansh ne Jheel ke maathe par ek kiss diya.
Phir achanak woh thoda peeche ho gaya.
Jheel ne uske chehre ko dekha.
“Kya hua?”
Reyansh ne kuch pal apne haath dekhe, phir uski taraf nazar uthayi.
“Jheel, mujhe tumhe ek baat batani hai.”
“Batao.”
“Main tumhare saath aage badhna chahta hoon. Lekin usse pehle tumhe meri zindagi ki ek important baat pata honi chahiye.”
Jheel chupchaap sunti rahi.
Reyansh ne saans li.
“Main divorced hoon.”
Kamre mein khamoshi chha gayi.
Usne jaldi se kuch aur nahi kaha. Na koi safai di, na apni purani zindagi ka koi hissa samjhane ki koshish ki.
Usne bas Jheel ko sach bataya aur use apni pratikriya ke liye waqt diya.
Jheel ne uska chehra dekha.
“Tum mujhe pehle bhi bata sakte the,” usne dheere se kaha.
Reyansh ne sir jhuka liya.
“Pata hai. Shayad mujhe darr tha ki tum mujhe alag nazar se dekhogi.”
“Reyansh…”
“Main nahi chahta ki tum mere baare mein koi important baat jaane bina mere kareeb aao. Tumhe poora haq hai apne faisle khud lene ka.”
Jheel kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Phir usne dono haathon se uska chehra thaam liya.
“Idhar dekho.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Main tumse pyaar karti hoon,” Jheel ne kaha. “Tumhari zindagi mein mujhse pehle kya tha, usse tumhari woh feelings jhoothi nahi ho jaati jo tum aaj mere liye rakhte ho.”
Reyansh ki aankhon mein ek pal ke liye hairani ubhri.
“Tumhe is baat se koi problem nahi?”
“Main tumse sawaal pooch sakti hoon. Tumse baatein kar sakti hoon. Jab zaroorat hogi, hum ek doosre ko samajhne ki koshish karenge. Lekin sirf tum divorced ho, is wajah se main tumhare liye apni feelings badal doon, aisa zaroori nahi.”
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, “Thank you.”
Jheel ne uske maathe se apna maatha laga diya.
“Ek baat yaad rakhna. Mujhe tumse sach chahiye, perfection nahi.”
Reyansh ne use apni baahon mein bhar liya.
Is baar uski pakad mein sirf pyaar nahi tha. Usmein woh rahat bhi thi jo kisi ko apna sach batane ke baad milti hai, jab saamne wala us sach ko tumhare khilaaf istemaal nahi karta.
Jheel ne uske seene se lage hue kaha, “I love you, Reyansh.”
Usne uske baal sehlaaye.
“I love you too, Jheel.”


Kuch der tak woh ek doosre ko thaame baithe rahe.
Phir Jheel ne apna chehra uthaya aur Reyansh ko choom liya.
Is baar Reyansh ne usse apni taraf kheenchne se pehle uski aankhon mein dekha.
Jheel ne halki si muskurahat ke saath uska haath pakad liya.
“Main yahin rehna chahti hoon.”
Reyansh ne dheere se poochha, “Sure ho?”
“Haan.”
“Tum kisi bhi waqt apna mann badal sakti ho. Mujhe bura nahi lagega.”
Jheel ne uske gaal par haath phiraya.
“Aur tum bhi. Hum dono ek doosre ko sunenge. Theek?”
“Bilkul.”
Jheel uske kareeb aayi.
Unke hoth mile, pehle narmi se, phir us qurbat ke saath jise dono ab tak apni muskurahaton, chhote kisses aur adhoori baaton mein mehsoos karte aaye the.
Reyansh ne use baahon mein thaam liya. Jheel ne uske kandhe par apna chehra rakhkar kuch pal aankhein band kiye rakhi.
Us raat kisi ko kuch saabit nahi karna tha.
Na pyaar ko, na bharose ko, na apni ahmiyat ko.
Woh dono ek doosre ko chahte the. Aur ab dono ne khulkar apni marzi se is kareebi ko chuna tha.
Reyansh ne uske maathe ko chooma.
Jheel muskurayi aur uske seene se lag gayi.
Bahar shehar ki roshniyaan jal rahi thi. Kamre mein waqt dheere-dheere beet raha tha.
Unke beech kabhi halki si hansi hoti, kabhi koi dheemi baat, aur kabhi aisi khamoshi jismein kisi jawaab ki zaroorat nahi padti.
Raat aage badhti rahi.
Aur jab woh ek doosre ke aur kareeb aaye, toh kahani ne unke beech ki qurbat ko nazron, chhooti hui ungliyon, maathay par diye gaye kisses aur unke chehron par ubharti narmi mein rehne diya.
Us raat ki baaki kahani un dono ki apni thi.



Reyansh fir se jheel ko yaad dilata hai ki agar wo chahe to wo yahi ruk sakte hain, or wo use uske flat tak chhod sakta hai...
Lekin jheel uski aankhon me dekhti hai. Usko sachai, uska pyaar, uski loyalty or uska wo soft heart jise har koi ladki pasand karna chahegi...

Main bas funny Reyansh se pyaar karti hu, is tension me doobe corporate mithhu se nahi,

Main bas tumhe apne bare me bata raha tha, main har cheez sach rakhna chahta hu humare bich , na sirf aaj or balki humesha

To aaj ka sach sunlo corporate wale, aaj jheel yahi hai

Or jheel ka hath Reyansh ke gaal se fisalta hua uske gale se hote pet ko chhoo kar uske trouser ke button tak chale jata hai or is doran wo Reyansh se eye contact banaye rakhti hai...

Do pal ki chuppi dono ke bich hoti hai or fir dono ek dusre ko honto ko chumane lagta hai jaise koi diwar unke bich toot gayi ho...
Jheel apne kiss me passionately thi or koi yeh nahi bata sakta tha ki yeh iska first time tha
Wahi Reyansh apni ex wife ke sath sab kuch kar chuka tha lekin jheel usse 20 hi thi aaj...
Jheel kuch seconds rukti hai or apne baal jo uske face par aa rahe they unhe pichhe karti hai or fir dono fir se shuru ho jate hai lambe kiss me... Pure room me ummm ummm ummm ki aawaz gunjne lagti hai.
Kissing ke sath jheel Reyansh ke upar aa jath hai or ab dono ki kissing wild tak pahuch jati hai, dekhne se aisa lagta ho mano ki mahino ke pyaar ka sabr aaj toot chuka ho.
Jheel ka hath jo Reyansh ke toruser ke button par tha ab wo waha se khisak kar Reyansh ki chest tak aa jata hai or tshirt ke upar se hi uske chest ko sehlane lagta hai or is bich unki kissing or jyada hard hone lagti hai...
Reyansh jo pahle apne guilt me tha ki usne divorce ki baat jheel se nahi batai wo ab jheel ke badan ki garmi se charge up ho jata hai or uske badan ka khoon raftar se uske jism ke niche wale hisse me behne lagta hai
Jheel is waqt Reyansh ke dono or per karke leti thi or dono ki kissing ab bhi chalu thi ummm ummm ummm ummmm
Reyansh ke hath ab jheel ki pith par aate hai or use sehlane lagta hai, jheel ek muh se ek halki ahhh nikalti hai  jise Reyansh sunta hai or uske badan ki garmi ab or badhne lagti hai...
Yeh jheel ki wo pahle moaning thi or ek erotic andaz me jo Reyansh ke dimag me charo or goonjane lagti hai...
Jheel ab apne per thode stretch karti hai or apni body ka pura wajan Reyansh ki body par daalti hai or dono kiss khatm karte hai....
Dono ki saansein foolne lagti hai dono ek dusre ko lust me dekhte hai or dono ke hi chehre par ek smile aa jati hai jo shayd aaj se pahle dono feel nahi ki ho...
Reyansh ke hath jheel ki pith par charo or ghumte rehte hai or Reyansh fir se ek baar apni aankhon se jheel permission leta hai ki kya wo sach me tayar hai, jheel sharm or smile ke sath apni dono aankhein band kar leti hai or Reyansh ke liye itna hi indication kafi tha... Wo fir se jheel ke honto ko choomne lagta hai or ab bari Reyansh ki thi apne badan ki takat dikhane ki
Wo jheel ko apni baho me tight jakad leta hai or uske honto par attack kar deta hai,
Is baar jheel apni body ko pura dheela chhod deti hai or kissing me Reyansh ka sath deti hai uske chehre or expression se saaf zahir hota hai ki ab us lamhe ke liye puri tarah tayar hai jab ek ladki aurat banti hai... Jheel ke expression or sexy ho jate hai or Reyansh uske honto ko chhod kar uske face ko pakad leta hai or jaha chahe uspe apne chummo ki barish kar deta hai jheel bhi ab apne honto se garam saansein nikalne lagti hai... Uske muh ki garam saanso se Reyansh ko or heat up milta hai or ab uska dick pure tightness me aane lagta hai, uske divorce ke baad yeh pehla moka tha jab use yeh energy feel hui thi... Wo jheel ka ek hath pakad kar use dabane lagta hai or uske hont ab jheel ke neck ki taraf chal padte hai, wo jheel ki us surahi jaisi gardan me apne hont rakhta hai to jheel ke muh se achank hi ek or siski nikal jati hai or yeh aawaz Reyansh ko puri tarah se tayar karne ke liye kafi thi...
Wo jheel ka hath pakad kar apne trouser ki taraf le jata hai or uske hath se apni thighs ko sehlane lagta hai, uske hont abhi bhi jheel ke gardan ka
Safar kar rahe they,
Wo apne hath se jheel ka hath apne dick par apne trouser ke upar se le jata hai or jheel yeh hardness feel karke Samajh jati hai ki yeh kya chiz hai uske chehre par ek alag hi rang chhane lagta hai Reyansh ke dick ko chho kar ,
Reyansh ab jheel ki gardan ko lick karne lagta hai or apne hath se jheel ko hath ko apne dick par rub karne lagta hai kuch der ke rub ke baad jheel samajh jati hai ki uska boyfriend usse kya chahta hai or wo khud se hi Reyansh ke dick ko uske trouser ke upar se rub karne lagti hai...

Room ka temperature badhne lagta hai or Reyansh jheel ke gardan se hote huye uske earlobe par aa jata hai , apne kaano par Reyansh ki garam saansein padte hi jheel machal jati hai or Reyansh ke dick ko hardly pakad leti hai uske kapdo ke upar se... Although yeh jheel ka first time tha lekin uski body language se wo aise lag rahi thi jaise wo aaj raat apne boyfriend ko bilkul bhi naraz nahi karna chahti ho....

Apne dick par jheel ke hatho ki pakad ko feel karke Reyansh bhi ek garam moan karta hai or pal bhar me hi jheel ko apne niche le leta hai,
Ab jheel Reyansh ke niche thi or Reyansh ab apne pure mood me tha... Aisa lag raha tha ki mahino ki kasar wo aaj hi puri karne wala ho, wo jheel ko honto par fir se toot padta hai unhe chabane lagta hai... Jheel ke hath ab Reyansh ke gale se hote use jakad lete hai or uski aankhein abhi bhi band thi...
Reyansh uske pure honto ko aise choos raha tha jaise koi bhookhe ko rasmalai hath lagi ho, or aisa ho bhi kyu na jheel dikhne me bhi ek madmast jawan mada jo thi... Reyansh ab apne honto se jheel ke pure face, gale, gardan or shoulder par rub karta hai or kiss karne lagte hai
Uske yeh kiss itne touchy or strong hote hai ki jheel har kiss me tadapne lagti hai... Uski aankhein abhi bhi band thi, wo is raat ke liye tayar to thi lekin apne premi se nazrein milane me bhi sharma rahi thi...
Reyansh kuch der tak uske chehre ko choomne ke baad rukta hai jheel ke chehre ko dekhta hai, jheel ke chehre par ek alag hi chamak thi us waqt jo uske pyaar ko bayan kar rahi thi... Jheel apni aankhein kholti hai or Reyansh se jaise apni aankho se puch rahi ho ki wo kyu ruk gaya,
Reyansh ek pal ke liye uthta hai or uth kar room ki light off karke ek dim light on karta hai or bed me aane se pahle, pahle apna tshirt nikal deta or dekhte hi dekhte apni trouser bhi... Jheel uski yeh harkat se sharm se laal ho jati hai or pent nikalte hi uske undergarment me uska bulge dekh kar jheel sharm se bed me ghus jati hai... Reyansh der na karte huye jheel ko sidha letata hai pahle uski trouser uske pero se alag karne lagta hai
Wo uske pero ki ungliyon se shuru karta hai or usne kiss karne lagta hai ,apne aahsiq ko aise karta dekh jheel maze me aa jati hai or fir se apni aankhein band karke is lamhe ko enjoyy karne lagti hai...
Reyansh kuch der me hi uski taango se wo trouser alag kar deta hai ab jheel ke pero par koi bhi kapda nahi bacha tha halanki uske lambe tshirt se uska wo area puri tarah se cover tha jo shayd jyada der tak na reh payega...  Reyansh fir se jheel ke upar aata hai or ab uske kiss hard nahi lekin steady they, pehle wo jheel ke dono galo ko chumta hai or fir ek chota sa lekin strong kiss uske honto par karta hai, fir uske dono aankho par or fir gale se hota hua wo niche ki taraf badhta hai... Wo uske gale se kiss karta hua uske tshirt ko upar ki taraf khichne lagta hai or pal bhar me hi jheel ki taango se wo tshirt upar hote huye uske vaksh tak aa jata hai
Uska chikna pet ab pura saaf nazar aa raha tha Reyansh ko or wo uske pet par kisses karne lagta hai... Pal bhar me hi jheel maze se dohari ho jati hai or use sabse jyada lust tab feel hoti hai jab Reyansh tshirt ko uske vaksh se hata kar uske gale tak kar deta hai or kiss karte huye hi bra ke upar se uske vaksho ko pakad leta hai... Jheel ne abhi ek designer net ki bra peheni hui hai jiska color maroon tha... Reyansh uske pet ko kiss karne me laga rehta hai or uske hath ab jheel ke vaksh sthal ka bhugol naap rahe they, wo jheel ke vaksho ko sehlane lagta hai aahishta aahista or uske bra line ko apni ungli se


Chhedne lagta hai jheel is humle le liye ready nahi thi wo apni kamar ko utha deti hai or mano uske vaksh sthal me ek tarang paida ho gayi ho... Uske muh se ek siski nikalti hai jo is baat tej thi or Reyansh apna sir uske pet se hatata hai or wo jheel ka madmast reaction dekh kar masti se bhar jata hai, aaj jheel pehli baar uske samne sirf undergarments me thi or ab paheli baar uski nazar jheel vaksh shtal ki taraf badhti hai to wo muh se ek siski nikal deta hai, jheel ke height or weight se kabhi maloom nahi hua ki wo ek dilkash figure ki malika hai, halanki wo loose kurta hi pehenti thi jisse uska badan dhaka hua hi rehta tha... Reyansh apni aankho se uske vaksh sthal ko check karta hai or uski wo badi cleavage dekh kar wo us taraf apne lips badha deta hai
Jheel is chiz ke liye tayar nahi thi or wo Reyansh ke sir ko apne vaksho me dabane lagti hai, Reyansh ek hath se jheel ke ek vaksh ko ab thoda strongly hold karta hai or dusra hath uske pet ko sehlane lagta hai or uske hont jheel ke vaksho me kahi kho se jate hain... Wo uski cleavage ko test karta hai lick karta hai or strong kissing karta hai... Jheel ab yeh tin tarfa humla jhel nahi pati or apni body ko fir se dhila Reyansh ke hawale chhod deti hai... Reyansh apna sir uthata hai or jheel ke vaksho ko dono hatho se pahle gently dabata hai or jheel ka expression dekhta hai,jheel ke chehre par ek dard or sukoon ka bhav nazar aata hai Reyansh is baar thoda jor se uske vaksh daba deta hai or is baar jheel ke chehre par bas ek dard ki leher uthti hai or Reyansh ke chehre par ek smile aa jati hai apni mehbooba ke boob ko daba kar... Wo apne hont fir se jheel ke honto par rakhta hai or use choosne lagta hai or uske hath abhi bhi jheel ke vaksho se khelte ja rahe they,
Jheel apne hath aage karke Reyansh ke gale me daal deti hai or dono fir se ek lambe kiss me mashgool ho jate hain...

Is baar Reyansh kiss ke sath uske vaksho ka naap bhi le raha tha jo uske hatho se bas thode hi kam they... Reyansh kiss todta hai or aisa lagta ki dono se hi sabr nahi ho raha tha, Reyansh uske lips par ek kiss karke , uske gardan, uske vaksh (bra ke upar se) , uske upper chest , uske shoulder, uske pet or kiss karte huye uski yoni tak jane hi lagta hai ki jheel use pakad kar apne upar khinch leti hai,... Jheel kuch pal ke liye apni aankhein kholti hai or Reyansh ki aankho me dekh kar use jaise ki rok rahi ho ki ab sabr nahi hota..
Reyansh bhi jaldi se uthta hai or jheel ki panty nikalne lagta hai, jheel bhi apni taangein utha kar uski help karti hai... Jheel bas apna dil thame sab chize hoti hui dekh rahi thi, penty nikalte hi wo sharm se laal hone lagti hai or agle pal ka intezar karti hai... Reyansh ek minute ke liye apne dono per jheel ke dono side karke khade hota hai or ek jhatke me apna underwear niche khiska deta hai... Underwear utarte hi jheel ke samne jo drishya tha uss ek jheel ek pal ke liye masti se bhi bhar jati hai or dusre hi pal wo ektaki Reyansh ke dick ko dekthe rehti hai jo underwear nikalte hi popup karke bahar aa uchalta hai... Wo sakht or bada dick jo aaj se pahle jheel ne kabhi nahi dekha tha aise samne se, ab uski heartbeat tez daudne lagti hai jisse uske vaksh upar niche hone lagte hai, Reyansh apne dick ko apni muthi me pakadta hai or ek do stroke deke hilata hai or dick se kuch precum ki drops niche girti hai jo sidha jheel ke gaalo par aati hai... Jheel ki body me is drishya se ek siharan uthti hai, or wo ek moan nikalti hai... Or agle hi pal Reyansh niche Beth jata hai... Wo apne dick ko jheel ki yoni ki darar par dhire dhire ragadne lagta hai or jheel ke muh se ab garam saanson ke alawa garam aawazein bhi aane lagti hai... Ahhh ahhhh uhhhh ufff ouchhj ahhhh.... Reyansh in aawazo se or machalne lagta hai or wo apne dick se jheel ki yoni par dabav banane lagta hai jheel ka muh khul jata hai or Reyansh apne dick ko waha se hata leta hai... Ab wo apne hatho se jheel ki taangein felata hai or apne dick ko jheel ke yoni ke muh par rakhta hai or let jata hai, jheel ke upar or uski aankho me dekta hai jo ki band thi, wo apna muh uske kaano ke pas le jata hai bolta hai


Aankhein kholo jheel or apne pyaar ko pura hote dekho ,uski aawaz jheel ko bahut kamuk lag rahi thi or jaise hi jheel aankhein kholti hai Reyansh apne dick se dabav deta hai or yoni ka muh khulne lagta hai... Jheel ke badan me ek jhurjhuri nikalti hai, or wo ek baar ki karah jati hai
Reyansh fir se jor lagta hai or is baar yoni ke muh se sath, jheel ka muh bhi khula reh jata hai or Reyansh ke tisre jhatke se uska pura dick jheel ke andar sama jata hai... Jheel ke badan me dard ki leher daud jati hai or wo kaamp jati hai, uska muh khula reh jata hai or wo tez tez saansien lene lagti hai... Reyansh ke muh se bhi ek aah nikalti hai or wo apne hont jheel ke honto se jod leta hai... Kuch der tak wo jheel ke honto ko chooste rehte hai jheel bhi jyada reaction na dekar apni pehli baar ko apne aashiq ke liye aasan banane deti hai or fir kuch der baad jab jheel ka dard kam hota hai wo Reyansh ke chehere ko pakadti hai or uski aankho me dekhti hai or bolti hai ki
Reyansh I loveee youuu
I lovee you too girlfriend
Kabhi mujhse door to nahi jaoge
Humesha humesha tumahre is bade se dil ke paas

Reyansh yeh baat double meaning me bolta hai or jheel ke chehre par sharm ke sath smile aa jati hai... Reyansh isi pal ko dekh kar apni apni kamar hilane lagta hai or jheel ke muh se aahein nikalti jati hai.

Reyansh ke har jhatke par jheel apne andar kuch bada sa feel karti hai or Reyansh bhi ab apni speed badhane lagta hai... Kuch hi der me room me thap thap thap or ahhh ahhh uhhh ki aawazein aane lagti hai, jheel ke liye yeh pehla experience tha or wo iska bharpoor maza lene lagi thi lekin Reyansh ke liye yeh pahla mouka tha pichle 10 mahino me jab usne kisi khet me khudai ki ho... Wo apne pure rang me aa jata hai or apne jhatke ki speed badha deta hai, jheel dard se, maze se, pyaar se dohari ho jati hai... Har jhatka use apne pichle kuch mahino ki yaad dilata hai or uske chehre par ab lust,smile or sukoon dikhai dene lagta hai... Reyansh ka bhi yeh pehli baar tha kafi mahino se or wo kuch jhatke or tej tej marta hai or fir kuch 10 minute ke khel ke baad wo jheel ki jheel me apni jheel chhod deta hai... Dono ke muh se trupti ki aah nikalti hai or Reyansh jheel ke upar hi let jata hai...

Aaj ki raat kuchh khas thi, ek aisi raat jaha pyaar ke jode ne apni udan bhari or aasman ki ser ki... Lekin abhi raat puri nahi hui thi


Kuchh minute baad saansein normal hone ke baad Reyansh jheel se uthta hai or sidha washroom ki tarah jata hai...
Jheel Reyansh ke hilne se uth jati hai or Reyansh ke jane ke baad wo sharm se blush karne lagti hai, halanki usko dard ho raha tha lekin wo kis sukoon me thi yeh bhi use nahi maloom tha... Jheel Reyansh ke jane ke baad uthti hai or dekhti hai ki uski yoni se pani ab bhi bahar nikal Raha hai or bed par wo laal dhabbe bhi they jo ki ek ladki ke aurat banne ke saboot they... Jheel wo dhabbe dekh kar sharma gayi or bed se uthti hai or apne baal bandhti hai... Uske badan par tshirt or uske andar bra ab bhi thi... Lekin niche se sirf uski taangein nazar aa rahi thi... Wo uth kar mirror me apna chehra dekhti hai or fir use wo drop jami hui dikhai deti hai jo uske gaalo par giri thi kuch ghante pahle... Wo sharma jati hai or washroom ke darwaze par jakar khadi ho jati hai, uski nazrein abhi bhi niche hi thi... Kuch der baad Reyansh washroom se bahar aata hai or wo jheel ko bina dekhe sharm se bed ki taraf chala jata hai...
Jheel bhi jhat se washroom me ghus jati hai or andar jake fresh hone lagti hai, use is baar bahut dard mehsoos hota hai...
Bahar Reyansh jo bhi hua iske bare me sochne lagta hai... Aaj kafi dino baad use sukoon mila tha or Aisa lag raha tha ki uska bojh khatm sa ho gaya....
Na sirf tann ka bojh balki mann ka bojh bhi jab usne apne divorce ka zikr jheel se kiya...


Subah Se Pehle Ka Sukoon
Raat ke aakhri pehar mein Jheel Reyansh ke kandhe par sir rakhe leti thi.
Reyansh ki ungliyan uske baalon mein dheere-dheere chal rahi thi.
“Reyansh?” Jheel ne neend bhari awaaz mein kaha.
“Hmm?”
“Tum jaag rahe ho?”
“Abhi toh tumne mujhse sawaal poochha.”
Jheel halki si hansi.
“Tum kabhi serious nahi reh sakte?”
“Tumhare saath mushkil hai.”
Usne aankhein kholkar Reyansh ko dekha.
“Ek baat bolun?”
“Bolo.”
“Mujhe tumhare saath aise hi rehna achha lagta hai. Bina kisi pressure ke. Bina har baat ka matlab nikaale.”
Reyansh ne uske maathe ko chooma.
“Mujhe bhi.”
Jheel ne apni ungliyon ko uski ungliyon mein phansa diya.
“Promise karo, hum baat karna kabhi band nahi karenge. Chahe koi bhi baat ho.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Promise. Agar kuch pareshaan karega, toh hum ek doosre se baat karenge.”
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
Kuch hi der mein uski saansein dheemi aur barabar ho gayin.

Reyansh ne ek nazar ghadi par daali or fir jheel ke kano me bol padta hai ki agar aise hi rehna hai to kyu na aaj se shuruaat karle, jheel uski baat samajh jati hai or uske chehre par blush or sharm se smile aa jati hai
Reyansh der na karte huye jheel ke upar aa jata hai or uski panty ko nikal deta hai, jheel ko dard to tha lekin apne aashiq ki baat wo mana nahi kar sakti thi... Jheel ne apne per fela diye or Reyansh ne apne dick ko jheel ki darar par fir ragadna start Kiya, jheel ke muh se bhi fir se ahhh ahhh ufff ishhh nikalne laga or kuch hu pal me Reyansh ka dick fir tayar tha apne hardness ke sath... Reyansh ne apna dick jheel ke yoni par tikaya or is baar bina kisi der or rehem kiye bina sidha uske andar utar diya, jheel ke badan me ek halchal or tiss uthi jo uske honto se hote huye ahhhhhhhh ke roop me nikli or aankho or chehro ne apna roop badal liya... Jheel ki aawaz se Reyansh pure josh me aa gaya or fir se usne jheel ke khet me khudai shuru kardi
Is baar uske dhakke gehre or tez they or pura room thap thap thap thap thap ki aawaz or jheel ke aahhh uhhh se bhar utha... Reyansh ne jheel ke vaksh ko uske tshirt ke upar se pakde or fir danadan apne dhakke diye or kuch minutes ke baad usme apna sara maal fir se jheel ki gehrari me khali kar diya... Jheel use jakad kar wese hi let gayi or wo bhi jheel ke upar wese hi leta raha


Kuch hi der mein uski saansein dheemi aur barabar ho gayin.
Woh so gayi thi.
Reyansh kuch der use dekhta raha.
Uske chehre par ek aisi muskurahat thi jo kisi jeet se nahi, kisi badi khushi se nahi, bas kisi apne ke paas hone se aati hai.
Usne lamp band kar diya.
Kamra andhere mein doob gaya.
Aur kai mahino baad Reyansh ko laga ki uske din ka aakhri khayal kisi khaali kamre, kisi adhoori baat ya kisi anjaan bechaini ka nahi tha.
Uska aakhri khayal Jheel thi.
Usne aankhein band kar li.
Kal subah jab woh uthega, toh zindagi apni raftaar mein phir chalne lagegi.
Filhaal, us raat mein dono ke paas ek doosre ka saath tha.


Subah ki roshni parde ke kinaare se kamre mein utarne lagi.
Reyansh ki aankh khuli toh Jheel ab bhi so rahi thi.
Usne phone uthakar waqt dekha. Use office ke liye nikalna tha.
Kuch pal woh chupchaap baitha raha, phir dheere se utha taaki Jheel ki neend na khule.
Usne tayyar hokar apna bag uthaya. Darwaze tak jaane se pehle woh ek baar phir bedroom ki taraf muda.
Jheel kambal mein simti hui so rahi thi.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Usne bedside table par ek chhota sa note rakh diya.
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Breakfast kitchen mein hai. Aaram se uthna.
Aur haan, tumhari cooking ko abhi bhi 10/10 nahi diye hain.
Love,
Reyansh.
Woh darwaza band karke nikal gaya.
Flat mein phir khamoshi chha gayi.
Jheel abhi so rahi thi.

[Greenwood]

Update 55



Subah ki halki dhoop parde ke kinaaron se guzarti hui bedroom mein utar rahi thi.
Kamre mein khamoshi thi. Bed ke paas rakhi bedside table par ek phone tha, aur uske bagal mein Reyansh ka chhota sa note.
Jheel ki aankhein dheere-dheere khuli.
Kuch pal tak woh samajh hi nahi paayi ki woh kahan hai. Phir uski nazar saamne ki deewar par padi, usne apna sir takiye se thoda uthaya aur kamre ko dekha.
Reyansh ka bedroom.
Reyansh ka ghar.
Aur kal raat ki yaadein.
Woh kambal mein simti hui thi, uske kandhe ka kuch hissa khula tha aur baal takiye par bikhre hue the. Usne kambal ko apne seene tak kheench liya.
Phir achanak uske gaalon par laali aa gayi.
Kal raat ka ek pal uske zehan mein laut aaya.
Reyansh ka uski aankhon mein dekhna.
Uska dheere se poochhna, “Tum sure ho?”
Aur phir uska khud Reyansh ka haath thaamkar kehna, “Main yahin rehna chahti hoon.”
Jheel ne apne hothon ko daanton ke beech daba liya, jaise apni muskurahat ko chhupana chahti ho.
Lekin muskurahat chhup nahi paayi.
“Pagal hai bilkul…” usne khud se dheere se kaha.
Uske chehre par sharmili si hansi aa gayi.
Phir ek aur yaad.
Reyansh ka use baahon mein bharna.
Uski awaaz, jab usne kaha tha, “Mujhe tumhare saath jaldi nahi karni.”
Aur uske baad woh baat, jisne Jheel ke dil mein ek alag jagah bana li thi.
“Mujhe tumse sach chahiye, perfection nahi.”
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
Uske liye kal raat sirf do logon ke kareeb aane ki raat nahi thi. Woh raat thi jab usne apne dil ko bina kisi bahaane ke kisi ke saamne rakh diya tha.
Woh Reyansh ko chahti thi.
Bahut zyada.
Aur sabse khoobsurat baat yeh thi ki ab use apni feelings samjhane ke liye har baar lafzon ki zaroorat nahi padti thi.
Usne kambal thoda hataya aur bed par baith gayi.
Uski nazar saamne rakhi T-shirt par padi. Usne use pehchaan liya.
Reyansh ki T-shirt.
Jheel ne use apne kareeb kheenchkar dekha, phir uske chehre par dobara muskurahat aa gayi.
“Ab isko bhi yaad rakhna padega,” woh khud se boli, “warna yeh sahab baad mein bolenge ki meri T-shirt ki care nahi karti.”
Usne apne baal sametkar ungliyon se suljhaaye. Kuch baal phir bhi chehre par aa gaye.
Woh unhe kaan ke peeche karte hue bedroom mein nazar daudane lagi.
Bedside table par ek folded paper tha.
Jheel ne use uthaya.
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Breakfast kitchen mein hai. Aaram se uthna.
Aur haan, tumhari cooking ko abhi bhi 10/10 nahi diye hain.
Love,
Reyansh.
Jheel pehle note ko dekhti rahi.
Phir hans padi.
“Isko na…”
Usne note ko apne seene se laga liya.
Kuch pal baad usne phone uthaya. Screen par waqt dekhkar use yaad aaya ki Reyansh office ke liye nikal chuka hoga.
Usne message type kiya.
Jheel:
Good morning, Mr. Perfect.
Phir kuch sochkar usne ek aur message likha.
Jheel:
Aur meri cooking ko 10/10 nahi diye toh agli baar tumhe khud banana padega.
Usne message bhej diya.
Ab woh uske reply ka intezaar karne lagi.
Lekin usi waqt phone ki screen par ek doosra notification aa gaya.
Papa Calling...
Jheel ki muskurahat bani rahi.
Usne call receive nahi kiya, kyunki call ab band ho chuki thi. Agle hi pal ek message aaya.
Papa:
Jheel, beta, jab uth jao toh message karna. Tumse ek zaroori baat karni hai.
Jheel ne screen dekhi.
Usne socha, shayad papa bas uska haal poochhna chahte hain.
Usne reply kiya.
Jheel:
Good morning, Papa. Main uth gayi hoon. Sab theek hai na?
Kuch seconds baad reply aaya.
Papa:
Haan beta. Sab theek hai. Bas ab tumse ek baat share karni hai.
Jheel ne phone apni god mein rakh liya.
Uski nazar phir Reyansh ke note par gayi.
Woh abhi bhi muskurayi hui thi.
Use kya pata tha ki agle kuch messages uske andar ek aisi halchal paida karne wale the, jiska saamna karne ke liye woh bilkul tayyar nahi thi.


Phone phir vibrate hua.
Jheel ne screen unlock ki.
Papa:
Beta, tumhe yaad hai na, hum Bengaluru aane se pehle tumse kya baat hui thi?
Jheel ki ungli screen par ruk gayi.
Uski muskurahat dheere-dheere kam hone lagi.
Woh baat use yaad thi.
Bahut achhe se yaad thi.
Usne message ka jawaab nahi diya.
Ek aur message aaya.
Papa:
Tumne humse kaha tha ki tum kuch waqt yahan kaam karogi, apne pairon par khade hone ki koshish karogi aur ghar ki pareshaani kam karne mein hamari madad karogi.
Jheel ne phone thoda neeche kar liya.
Uski nazar ab note par nahi thi.
Woh saamne deewar ko dekh rahi thi, lekin uski aankhon ke saamne Bengaluru ka bedroom nahi, uska purana ghar ubharne laga tha.
Papa ki awaaz.
Mummy ka chehra.
Ghar ka woh chhota sa kamra jahan kabhi-kabhi sab baithkar kharchon ka hisaab karte the.
Aur woh din, jab usne pehli baar apne parivaar ko pareshaan dekha tha aur samjha tha ki bade hone ka matlab sirf apni marzi se jeena nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi iska matlab hota hai apni marzi ko kuch waqt ke liye peeche rakh dena.
Phone vibrate hua.
Papa:
Beta, tumne apni taraf se bahut koshish ki. Humein tum par fakhr hai.
Jheel ki aankhon mein nami aa gayi.
Woh apne papa ko jaanti thi.
Woh jaanti thi ki unke liye apni beti ko ghar se door bhejna aasaan nahi raha hoga.
Woh yeh bhi jaanti thi ki papa apni pareshaani use batane se pehle kai baar sochte the.
Jheel ne type kiya.
Jheel:
Papa, aap aise kyun baat kar rahe ho? Kya hua hai?
Is baar reply aane mein kuch waqt laga.
Phir screen par woh message aaya jisne Jheel ke chehre se bachi-khuchi muskurahat bhi mita di.
Papa:
Beta, ghar ka karza ab khatam ho gaya hai.
Jheel bilkul chup ho gayi.
Usne message dobara padha.
Phir teesri baar.
Ghar ka karza ab khatam ho gaya hai.
Uske hoth halke se khule, jaise woh kuch kehna chahti ho, lekin awaaz na nikli.
Ek pal ke liye uske dil mein rahat ki lehar uthi.
Ghar ka bojh kam ho gaya tha.
Papa ko ab har kharch se pehle itna nahi sochna padega.
Mummy ko har chhoti zaroorat ke liye hisaab nahi lagana padega.
Usne kitni baar yahi toh chaha tha.
Phir agla message aaya.
Papa:
Harshit ne poora karza chuka diya hai.
Jheel ki ungliyan phone par jam gayin.
Kamre ki khamoshi achanak bahut bhaari lagne lagi.
Usne phone ko apne kareeb kar liya, jaise use yakeen karne ke liye message ko aur nazdeek se padhna zaroori ho.
Harshit.
Naam dekhte hi uske zehan mein ek saath kai yaadein ubhar aayi.
Woh chehra.
Woh din.
Woh wada jo usne apne parivaar ke saamne kiya tha.
Aur woh rishta jise woh apni zindagi ka hissa maanne ke liye kabhi poori tarah tayyar nahi ho paayi thi.
Uski aankhon se pehla aansu nikal kar gaal par aa gira.
Usne jaldi se use ponch diya.
“Abhi nahi…” usne khud se kaha.
Lekin aansu rukne ke liye tayyar nahi the.


Kuch mahine pehle.
Ghar ke drawing room mein sab log baithe the.
Table par chai rakhi thi, lekin kisi ka dhyaan chai par nahi tha.
Papa ke chehre par thakaan thi. Mummy baar-baar apne dupatte ka kona ungliyon mein lapet rahi thi.
Jheel saamne baithi thi.
Uske haath ek doosre mein bandhe hue the.
Woh ghar ki pareshaaniyon se anjaan nahi thi. Pichhle kai mahino se woh har badalte chehre ko dekh rahi thi, har rukti hui baat ko sun rahi thi.
Papa jab phone par kisi se dheemi awaaz mein baat karte, toh Jheel samajh jaati ki baat paison ki hai.
Mummy jab apni koi zaroorat taal deti, toh Jheel ko samajh aa jaata ki ghar mein phir hisaab bigad gaya hai.
Us din bhi baat wahi thi.
“Jheel,” papa ne kaha, “hum tum par koi bojh nahi daalna chahte.”
Jheel ne unki taraf dekha.
“Phir aap mujhse baat kyun chhupaate ho?”
Papa chup ho gaye.
Mummy ne uski taraf dekha.
“Beta, tum jaanti ho na ki hum tumhare liye kitna achha chahte hain.”
“Jaanti hoon, Mummy. Lekin main bhi aap logon ke liye kuch karna chahti hoon.”
Papa ne dheere se kaha, “Har cheez tumhare haath mein nahi hoti.”


Jheel ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
“Par jo mere haath mein hai, woh toh main kar sakti hoon na?”
Us din usne Bengaluru jaane ka faisla kiya tha.
Apne liye bhi.
Apne parivaar ke liye bhi.
Woh jaanti thi ki ghar se door rehna aasaan nahi hoga. Naye shehar mein kaam dhoondhna, logon se baat karna, apni jhijhak se ladna, har din khud ko sambhalna, yeh sab uske liye naya tha.
Lekin usne socha tha ki woh kar legi.
Us waqt uske saamne zindagi ka ek seedha sa sawaal tha.
Agar main apne parivaar ke liye kuch kar sakti hoon, toh kya mujhe koshish nahi karni chahiye?
Usne koshish ki thi.
Aur dheere-dheere uski koshish uski aadat ban gayi thi.
Woh apni pareshaani chhupakar kaam par jaati.
Thak jaati, phir bhi agle din uthti.
Kabhi apne aap par gussa karti ki use aur achha karna chahiye tha.
Kabhi chupchaap ro leti.
Phir apne aansu ponchkar khud se kehti, “Thoda aur. Bas thoda aur.”
Usne kabhi nahi socha tha ki usi shehar mein use Reyansh milega.
Ek aisa insaan jiske saath woh sirf zimmedari nibhaane wali beti nahi thi.
Woh Jheel thi.
Hansi-mazaak karne wali.
Kabhi bachchon ki tarah zid karne wali.
Kabhi bina kisi wajah ke khush ho jaane wali.
Kabhi apni chhoti-chhoti baaton ko lekar sharmane wali.
Aur kabhi kisi ke kandhe par sir rakhkar yeh mehsoos karne wali ki use har waqt mazboot banne ki zaroorat nahi.
Reyansh ne uski zindagi ki saari pareshaaniyan khatam nahi ki thi.
Usne uske liye koi jaadu nahi kiya tha.
Bas uske saath rehkar use apne aap ka ek aisa hissa mehsoos karaya tha, jise woh zimmedariyon ke beech kahin peeche chhod aayi thi.
Woh hissa jo sirf pyaar karna chahta tha.


Jheel ki yaad ek aur din ki taraf chali gayi.
Woh din jab uske parivaar ne Harshit ke saath uski engagement tay ki thi.
Ghar mein log aaye hue the. Baatein ho rahi thi. Sab kuch itna jaldi aage badh raha tha ki Jheel ko kai baar lagta tha jaise woh khud apni zindagi ka faisla door se dekh rahi ho.
Harshit ek aise parivaar se tha jahan paison ki kami nahi thi.
Uske paas apna business tha, achhi zindagi thi aur woh cheezein haasil karne ki taqat thi jinke liye Jheel ke parivaar ko saalon tak mehnat karni pad sakti thi.
Jheel ne use pehle bhi dekha tha.
Woh uske saath tameez se baat karta tha. Usne kabhi Jheel ko neecha dikhane ki koshish nahi ki thi. Woh uski baat sunta tha aur apni taraf se use comfortable rakhne ki koshish karta tha.
Lekin Jheel ke dil mein uske liye woh ehsaas kabhi paida nahi hua tha jise woh pyaar keh sakti.
Us din bhi jab sab log khush the, Jheel ke andar ek khamosh sawaal tha.
“Kya main is rishte mein khush reh paaungi?”
Usne apne aap se kai baar yeh sawaal poochha tha.
Har baar jawaab dene se pehle uske zehan mein ghar ki pareshaaniyan aa jaati.
Papa ki fikr.
Mummy ki thakaan.
Parivaar ki umeedein.
Aur phir woh khud se kehti, “Shayad waqt ke saath sab theek ho jaaye.”
Engagement ke din jab uski ungli mein ring pehnayi gayi thi, toh sabke chehre par khushi thi.
Jheel ne bhi muskurane ki koshish ki thi.
Lekin uski muskurahat ke peeche ek anjaana darr chhupa hua tha.
Use pata nahi tha ki woh apne parivaar ke liye ek zimmedari poori kar rahi hai ya apni zindagi ke ek aise raaste par chal padi hai jahan se lautna aasaan nahi hoga.
Usne us din apne parivaar ko dukhi nahi karna chaha tha.
Isliye usne apne sawaal apne paas rakh liye.
Aur waqt aage badhta gaya.
Phir Bengaluru aaya.
Kaam aaya.
Akele rehna aaya.
Apne pairon par khade hone ki koshish aayi.
Aur usi safar mein Reyansh aa gaya.
Pehle ek padosi.
Phir ek dost.
Phir woh insaan jiske message ka intezaar Jheel bina kisi wajah ke karne lagi.
Woh insaan jiske saamne woh apni baat galat keh dene se nahi darti thi.
Woh insaan jiske saath woh chup rehkar bhi akeli mehsoos nahi karti thi.
Aur dheere-dheere, bina kisi din ya tareekh ko pehchaane, Jheel usse pyaar kar baithi.
Woh pyaar jise usne plan nahi kiya tha.
Woh pyaar jise usne apne parivaar ki pareshaaniyon ke hisaab se nahi chuna tha.
Woh pyaar jo bas ho gaya tha.

Jheel ki aankhein khul gayin.
Woh ab bhi Reyansh ke bedroom mein thi.
Uske haath mein phone tha.
Uske saamne bedside table par wahi note rakha tha.
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Usne note ki taraf dekha.
Kal raat ka sukoon abhi bhi uske andar tha, lekin us sukoon ke saath ek naya bojh jud gaya tha.
Usne papa ka message phir se khola.
Papa:
Harshit ne poora karza chuka diya hai.
Uske baad ek aur message tha.
Papa:
Ab tumhe Bengaluru mein itni mehnat karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, beta. Tum ghar laut aao. Hum chahte hain ki tum apni zindagi aage badhao aur Harshit ke saath apna ghar basaao.
Jheel ne phone ko dono haathon se pakad liya.
Uska seena bhaari hone laga.
Ghar ka karza khatam ho gaya tha.
Woh baat jiske liye usne itni mehnat ki thi, aakhirkaar poori ho gayi thi.
Use khush hona chahiye tha.
Uske papa ki pareshaani kam ho gayi thi.
Uske parivaar ko ab pehle jaisa bojh nahi uthana padega.
Lekin uske andar khushi ke saath ek dard bhi uth raha tha.
Kyunki ab woh apne aap se yeh nahi keh sakti thi ki use abhi kaam karna hai, abhi ghar ki madad karni hai, abhi use waqt chahiye.
Woh bahaana nahi tha, lekin ab uske saamne ek naya sawaal khada tha.
Jab parivaar ki zaroorat poori ho gayi, toh ab woh apni zindagi ka faisla kis tarah karegi?
Usne phone apni god mein rakh diya.
Aankhon se aansu behne lage.
Woh zor-zor se nahi royi.
Bas uske chehre par aansu aate rahe aur woh unhe ponchti rahi.
Jaise har aansu ke saath woh khud ko samjhaane ki koshish kar rahi ho.


Kuch der baad Jheel bed se uthi aur khidki ke paas jaakar khadi ho gayi.
Bengaluru ki subah shuru ho chuki thi.
Neeche sadak par log apne-apne kaam ke liye nikal rahe the. Kisi ke liye aaj ka din ek aam din tha. Kisi ke liye nayi shuruaat.
Lekin Jheel ke liye aaj ki subah ek aisa mod lekar aayi thi jiska saamna karne ke liye usne khud ko kabhi taiyaar nahi kiya tha.
Usne apne haath dekhe.
Kal raat isi haath ko Reyansh ne thaama tha.
Usne uske saamne apna sach rakha tha.
Aur Jheel ne use bataya tha ki woh usse pyaar karti hai.
Woh jhooth nahi tha.
Uska pyaar sach tha.
Uski khushi sach thi.
Uska Reyansh ke saath bitaya hua har pal sach tha.
Phir bhi, uske phone par aaye messages bhi sach the.
Uske parivaar ki pareshaaniyan sach thi.
Uski engagement sach thi.
Aur woh zimmedari, jise woh kabhi poori tarah apne dil se apna nahi paayi thi, woh bhi uski zindagi ka hissa thi.
Jheel ne apne aap se poochha.
“Main kya karun?”
Koi jawaab nahi aaya.
Usne dobara poochha.
“Kya main itni selfish ho gayi hoon ki apni khushi ke aage sab kuch bhool jaaun?”
Uski aankhon mein aansu phir bhar aaye.
“Lekin maine toh kabhi kisi ko dukh dena nahi chaha…”
Uski awaaz kamre mein hi dab gayi.
Woh bed ke kinaare wapas aakar baith gayi.
Usne Reyansh ka note uthaya.
Uski ungliyan us kagaz ke kinaare par chalne lagi.
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Woh muskurayi, lekin is baar muskurahat mein dard tha.
“Tumhe kya pata, Reyansh…” usne dheere se kaha. “Tumhare saath rehkar main kitni khush hoon.”
Usne note ko apni god mein rakh diya.
“Tumhare saath main apne ghar ki pareshaaniyon ke baare mein sochna bhool jaati hoon. Main bhool jaati hoon ki mujhe har waqt kisi ke liye mazboot banna hai. Main bas tumhare saath rehna chahti hoon.”
Uski aankhon se ek aur aansu gira.
“Lekin kya sirf isliye ki main tumse pyaar karti hoon, main apni baaki zindagi se aankhein band kar sakti hoon?”
Woh chup ho gayi.
Kuch pal baad usne apne aap se ek aur sawaal poochha.
“Aur agar main apni zimmedari nibhaane ki koshish karun, toh kya iska matlab yeh hoga ki mera pyaar sach nahi tha?”
Usne turant sir hila diya.
“Nahi…”
Uske hoth kaanp gaye.
“Nahi, mera pyaar sach hai.”
Woh apne aap ko samjha rahi thi.
“Main Reyansh se pyaar karti hoon. Main uske saath rehna chahti hoon. Main uske saath apni zindagi ke chhote-chhote pal jeena chahti hoon.”
Usne aankhein band kar li.
“Lekin main apne parivaar ko bhi dukh nahi dena chahti.”
Yahi toh uski pareshaani thi.
Woh kisi ek se nafrat karke doosre ko nahi chun sakti thi.
Uske papa uske apne the.
Uski maa uski apni thi.
Aur Reyansh…
Reyansh bhi ab uske dil ka hissa ban chuka tha.
Usne kabhi socha nahi tha ki zindagi mein ek din aisa bhi aayega jab use apne dil ki sabse sachchi feeling aur apne parivaar ki umeedon ke beech khadi hona padega.
Woh kisi ko galat nahi keh pa rahi thi.
Na apne papa ko.
Na apne aap ko.
Na Reyansh ko.
Aur shayad isi liye uska dard aur badh raha tha.

Jheel ne phone uthaya.
Usne Reyansh ka chat khola.
Uska subah wala message abhi bhi screen par tha.
Reyansh:
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Jheel ne message ko dekha aur uske hothon par ek halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
Woh reply type karne lagi.
Good morning, jaan.
Usne message ko dekha.
Phir saari line delete kar di.
Dobara type kiya.
Kal raat bahut achhi thi.
Woh kuch pal us message ko dekhti rahi.
Phir use bhi delete kar diya.
Uski aankhon se aansu phir behne lage.
Woh Reyansh se apni khushi chhupana nahi chahti thi.
Woh use apni pareshaani batana chahti thi.
Woh chahti thi ki Reyansh uske paas baithe, uska haath thaame aur use kahe ki woh dono milkar sab samajhne ki koshish karenge.
Lekin uske andar ek darr bhi tha.
Agar usne Reyansh ko sab bata diya, toh kya hoga?
Kya woh uski pareshaani samjhega?
Kya woh uske parivaar ke baare mein sochkar uski majboori ko samjhega?
Ya phir woh uski aankhon mein woh dard dekh legi jo woh kisi bhi tarah use dena nahi chahti thi?
Jheel ne phone apne seene se laga liya.
“Main tumhe dukh nahi dena chahti, Reyansh…”
Uski awaaz toot gayi.
“Main sach mein nahi chahti.”
Woh kuch der tak roti rahi.
Phir usne apne aansu ponchhe aur khidki ke paas jaakar khadi ho gayi.
Usne khud se kaha:
“Mujhe abhi koi faisla nahi karna.”
“Mujhe pehle khud samajhna hoga ki main kya chahti hoon.”
“Main apne parivaar se pyaar karti hoon. Main Reyansh se bhi pyaar karti hoon.”
“Lekin main kab tak dono taraf dekhkar khud se nazar churaati rahungi?”
Usne gehri saans li.
Aaj use pehli baar apni zindagi ke do alag raaston ke beech khade hone ka ehsaas hua.
Ek taraf woh zindagi thi jiske liye usne apne parivaar ke saath ek wada kiya tha.
Doosri taraf woh zindagi thi jiske baare mein usne kabhi socha bhi nahi tha, lekin jise ab woh apne dil se nikaal nahi sakti thi.
Aur beech mein woh khud thi.
Jheel.
Ek beti.
Ek mangetar.
Aur ek aisi ladki jo kisi se sachcha pyaar kar baithi thi.
Usne phone ki screen band kar di.
Reyansh ko abhi kuch nahi bataya.
Papa ko bhi koi jawaab nahi diya.
Woh bas khidki ke paas khadi rahi, apne dil ki awaaz sunne ki koshish karti hui.
Kyunki kabhi-kabhi sabse mushkil faisla yeh nahi hota ki hum kisse pyaar karte hain.
Sabse mushkil faisla yeh hota hai ki jab humari zindagi mein kai logon ki umeedein judi hon, tab hum apne pyaar ke saath kya karte hain.
Aur Jheel abhi usi sawaal ke saamne khadi thi.
Usne abhi koi faisla nahi kiya tha.
Na Reyansh ke baare mein.
Na Harshit ke baare mein.
Na apne ghar lautne ke baare mein.
Aaj ki subah bas itna badal kar gayi thi ki ab woh apne dil ki baat se anjaan nahi reh sakti thi.
Woh Reyansh se pyaar karti thi.
Aur uske saamne ek aisi zimmedari thi jise woh nazarandaaz nahi kar sakti thi.
Dono baatein ek saath sach thi.
Aur filhaal, isi sach ke saath use saans lena seekhna tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 56


Jheel bed ke kinaare baithi thi.
Uske saamne ek khaali sheet thi, haath mein pen aur aankhon mein woh thakaan jo sirf raat bhar jaagne se nahi aati.
Woh kai baar likhne ki koshish kar chuki thi.
Har baar pehli line likhti, phir use kaat deti.
Kabhi pen rakh deti. Kabhi aankhein band kar leti. Kabhi Reyansh ka chehra uske zehan mein aa jaata aur uske haath ruk jaate.
Usne phone uthaya.
Reyansh ka chat khola.
Uska aakhiri message ab bhi wahin tha.
Reyansh:
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Jheel ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye.
Usne screen par ungli phirai, jaise us message ko chhoo sakti ho.
“Kaash tumhe sab bata paati, Reyansh…”
Uski awaaz kamre mein hi dab gayi.
Woh use sach bata sakti thi.
Woh keh sakti thi ki uske papa ka karza chuk gaya hai. Woh keh sakti thi ki uski engagement pehle se tay hai. Woh keh sakti thi ki uske saamne ek aisi zindagi khadi hai jiska faisla usne khud nahi kiya tha, lekin jisse woh apne parivaar ki wajah se alag bhi nahi kar paa rahi.
Lekin phir use Reyansh ki aankhein yaad aati.
Woh aankhein, jinmein usne apna sach rakhne ki himmat paayi thi.
Woh awaaz, jisne use kaha tha ki use perfection nahi, sach chahiye.
Aur Jheel jaanti thi ki agar woh sach batayegi, toh Reyansh usse baat karega. Sawaal poochhega. Shayad uska haath thaamkar kahega ki dono milkar koi raasta nikaal sakte hain.
Aur shayad tab Jheel ke liye jaana aur mushkil ho jaata.
Usne pen dobara uthaya.
Is baar usne faisla kar liya.
Woh Reyansh ko ek khat likhegi.
Ek aisa khat jismein woh apne jaane ki wajah degi, lekin woh wajah nahi jo uske dil mein sach mein thi.
Kyunki woh nahi chahti thi ki Reyansh uske liye apne aap ko zimmedaar samjhe.
Aur woh khud ko uski nazron mein aisi ladki bhi nahi banana chahti thi jo ek rishte mein hote hue doosre rishte ki sachchai chhupakar jeeti rahi.
Usne pehli line likhi.
Phir doosri.
Phir kuch der rukkar aage likhne lagi.


Reyansh,
Pata nahi mujhe yeh baat tumse saamne baithkar kehni chahiye thi ya nahi. Shayad kehni chahiye thi. Shayad tum mujhse sawaal poochhte aur main tumhe jawaab deti.
Lekin mujhmein itni himmat nahi hai ki tumhari aankhon mein dekhkar woh sab keh sakun jo ab mujhe kehna pad raha hai.
Main tumse pyaar karti hoon, Reyansh.
Yeh baat aaj bhi sach hai.
Tumhare saath bitaya hua waqt mere liye sirf kuch achhe din nahi the. Tumhare saath maine khud ko ek alag tarah se jaana. Main tumhare saath hasti thi, tumse ladti thi, tumhari baaton par sharmati thi aur kabhi-kabhi bina kisi wajah ke bas tumhare paas rehna chahti thi.
Tumne mujhe kabhi badalne ke liye nahi kaha. Tumne mujhe meri tarah rehne diya. Shayad isi wajah se main tumhare itne kareeb aa gayi.
Lekin ab mujhe ek aisi baat ka ehsaas ho raha hai jisse main aankhein nahi chura sakti.
Tumhari zindagi mein mujhse pehle bhi koi tha.
Tumhari ek shaadi thi. Tumne kisi ke saath apni zindagi shuru karne ka faisla kiya tha. Tumne kisi ko apna maana tha.
Main jaanti hoon ki tumne mujhe apne baare mein sach bataya tha. Tumne mujhse kuch chhupaya nahi. Iske liye main tumhari izzat karti hoon.
Lekin main khud ko samajhne ki jitni koshish kar rahi hoon, utna hi ek darr mere andar badhta ja raha hai.
Main sochti hoon ki kya koi insaan apne pehle pyaar ko kabhi poori tarah bhool paata hai? Kya kisi ke saath bitaya hua itna waqt, usse judi yaadein aur us rishte ka asar dil se poori tarah nikal jaata hai?
Aur agar nahi nikalta, toh kya insaan apni zindagi mein aane wale kisi naye insaan ko poori tarah pyaar kar paata hai?
Main nahi jaanti ki iska jawaab kya hai.
Shayad tum kehoge ki har insaan alag hota hai. Shayad tum kahoge ki beet chuki zindagi ko peeche chhodkar aage badha ja sakta hai.
Ho sakta hai tum sahi ho.
Lekin main apne dil ko is baat ke liye taiyaar nahi kar paa rahi.
Main tumhari zindagi mein woh insaan nahi banna chahti jo tumhare ateet ke saath har roz muqaabla karta rahe. Main tumse tumhari yaadein chheenna nahi chahti. Main tumse yeh bhi nahi keh sakti ki tum apni zindagi ke kisi hisse ko bhool jao, sirf isliye kyunki main tumse pyaar karti hoon.

Lekin main khud ko bhi is darr ke saath nahi jeena sikha paa rahi.
Isliye main ja rahi hoon, Reyansh.
Tumse door jaana mere liye aasaan nahi hai. Shayad tum sochoge ki agar main tumse pyaar karti hoon, toh phir ja kyun rahi hoon.
Kaash mere paas iska koi aisa jawaab hota jo tumhe samajh aa jaata.
Main bas itna jaanti hoon ki main tumhare saath rehkar khush thi. Bahut khush thi.
Aur shayad isi wajah se ab tumse door jaana aur bhi mushkil hai.
Main nahi chahti ki tum mujhe dhoondho. Main nahi chahti ki tum mujhse jawaab maango. Jo bhi tha, woh mere liye sach tha. Lekin ab main is rishte ko aage nahi le ja sakti.
Please, apna khayal rakhna.
Khud ko meri wajah se galat mat samajhna. Tumne mere saath bura nahi kiya.
Tumne mujhe pyaar diya. Aur main us pyaar ko kabhi jhooth nahi keh sakti.
Bas main tumhare saath aage chalne ki himmat nahi juta paayi.
Alvida, Reyansh.
Jheel
Khat poora karte hi Jheel ka haath ruk gaya.
Usne pen table par rakh diya.
Kuch der tak woh apni likhi hui baaton ko dekhti rahi.
Har line mein Reyansh tha.
Uski muskurahat.
Uska pyaar.
Uski woh aadat, jisse Jheel ne dheere-dheere apni rozmarra ki zindagi ka hissa bana liya tha.
Lekin us khat mein ek baat nahi thi.
Woh sach, jiski wajah se woh ja rahi thi.
Jheel ne khat ko fold kiya aur ek envelope mein rakh diya.
Uski aankhon se aansu girte rahe.
“Maaf kar dena, Reyansh…”
Usne envelope ko apne haathon mein pakad liya.
“Main tumhe sach bata nahi paayi.”
Phir usne aankhein band kar li.
“Lekin jo pyaar tumse kiya, woh jhooth nahi tha.”

Jheel ne apna bag uthaya.
Flat mein ab khamoshi thi.
Usne ek baar bedroom ki taraf dekha.
Bed par bikhra hua kambal ab theek kar diya gaya tha. Bedside table par rakha Reyansh ka note usne sambhaal kar apne bag mein rakh liya.
Woh note wapas chhodne ki himmat nahi kar paayi.
Kuch yaadein aisi hoti hain jinhe insaan apne saath nahi rakhna chahta, lekin chhod bhi nahi paata.
Jheel living room mein aayi.
Uski nazar sofa par padi.
Wahin woh Reyansh ke kandhe par sir rakhkar baithi thi.
Wahin dono ne ek doosre se apni baatein share ki thi.
Wahin usne kaha tha ki use Reyansh ke saath apni tarah rehna achha lagta hai.
Uske hothon par ek pal ke liye muskurahat aayi.
Phir aankhein bhar gayin.
Woh kitchen ki taraf badhi.
Dining table par uski nazar ruk gayi.
Yahin dono ne saath dinner kiya tha.
Yahin Reyansh ne uski cooking ki tareef ki thi aur phir use das mein se das dene se inkaar kar diya tha.
Jheel ke zehan mein uski awaaz goonj gayi.
“Tumhare saath meri life mein emotions aur vegetables dono bahut badh gaye hain.”
Jheel ke hothon se halki si hansi nikli.
Agli hi pal woh hansi aansuon mein badal gayi.
Usne apne hothon par haath rakh liya.
“Bas, Jheel…”
Usne khud ko samjhaya.
“Ab chalo.”
Lekin uske pair aage nahi badhe.
Woh kitchen ke darwaze par khadi rahi aur ek baar phir poore ghar ko dekha.
Yeh ghar ab bhi waisa hi tha.
Sofa, table, kitchen, lamp, deewarein.
Kuch bhi nahi badla tha.
Bas woh khud badal gayi thi.
Woh is ghar mein ek padosi ki tarah aayi thi.
Phir ek dost bani.
Phir usne yahin apna dil rakh diya.
Aur ab woh apne hi dil ka ek hissa yahin chhodkar ja rahi thi.
Jheel dining table ke paas aayi.
Usne envelope ko table ke beech mein rakha.
Kuch pal tak uska haath envelope par tika raha.
Jaise woh abhi bhi use utha sakti thi.
Jaise abhi bhi woh darwaza kholkar Reyansh ke lautne ka intezaar kar sakti thi.
Jaise woh abhi bhi usse keh sakti thi ki use sab kuch bataana hai.
Lekin phir usne haath hata liya.
Woh darwaze ki taraf chali.
Darwaze ke paas pahunchkar ek baar phir peeche mudi.
Uski aankhon mein aansu the.
“Khush rehna, Reyansh.”
Usne dheere se kaha.
Phir darwaza kholkar bahar nikal gayi.
Darwaza band ho gaya.
Aur Flat 303 mein uske kadmon ki aakhiri aahat bhi khatam ho gayi.


Dopehar se shaam tak Reyansh ka din aam dino jaisa hi raha.
Office mein meetings hui, kuch emails aaye aur kaam ke beech use baar-baar phone dekhne ka mann hota raha.
Jheel ka subah wala message ab bhi uske chat mein tha.
Usne do baar use padha.
Phir usne khud message bheja.
Reyansh:
Madam, aaj itni khamoshi kyun hai?
Koi reply nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne socha, shayad Jheel apne kaam mein busy hogi.
Usne phone rakh diya.
Kuch der baad phir uthaya.
Ab bhi koi reply nahi tha.
Uske chehre par halki si muskurahat aayi.
“Achha. Aaj madam busy hain.”
Usne phone lock kar diya aur kaam mein lag gaya.
Lekin uska dhyaan baar-baar phone ki taraf ja raha tha.
Ek baar usne Jheel ka chat khola.
Phir band kar diya.
Phir kuch der baad dobara khola.
Koi naya message nahi.
Usne khud ko samjhaya ki har waqt message karna zaroori nahi hota. Jheel ko bhi apna waqt chahiye hota hai.
Phir bhi uske andar ek chhoti si khushi thi.
Kal raat Jheel uske saath thi.
Aaj subah woh uske ghar mein uthi hogi.
Usne uske liye note chhoda tha.
Woh soch raha tha ki shaam ko milne par Jheel use dekhkar kya kahegi.
Shayad uske khat ki baat karegi.
Shayad uski cooking ko lekar phir se chidhayegi.
Ya phir usse kahegi ki aaj woh dinner banayegi.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Usne apni ghadi dekhi.
Abhi office se nikalne mein kuch waqt tha.
Lekin aaj use ghar jaldi jaana tha.
Use Jheel se milna tha.
Bas use dekhna tha.


Shaam ko office se nikalte waqt Reyansh ne apna phone check kiya.
Koi message nahi.
Usne Jheel ko call karne ka socha, phir ruk gaya.
“Ghar pahunchkar karta hoon,” usne khud se kaha.

Office se ghar jaate waqt ek dukaan par uski nazar chocolates par padi.
Woh ruk gaya.
Jheel ko chocolate pasand thi.
Usne ek box utha liya.
Phir saamne flower shop dekhi.
Woh kuch pal khada raha, phir andar chala gaya.
“Bhai, ek achha sa bouquet dena.”
Dukaan wale ne kuch flowers dikhaye.
Reyansh ne ek bouquet pasand kiya.
Phool haath mein lete hue uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
“Yeh madam ko achhe lagenge.”
Phir use yaad aaya ki Jheel ko ice cream bhi pasand thi.
Usne paas ki shop se ice cream li aur use sambhaal kar bag mein rakh diya.
Ab uske haath mein chocolates thi, flowers the aur ice cream ka packet tha.
Woh apni gaadi ki taraf badha.
Phone ek baar phir check kiya.
Koi message nahi.
Reyansh ne Jheel ka chat khola.
Uska aakhiri message ab bhi wahi tha.
Reyansh:
Madam, aaj itni khamoshi kyun hai?
Usne ek aur message type kiya.
Reyansh:
Main ghar aa raha hoon. Tumhare liye kuch la raha hoon.
Message bhejkar usne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par khushi thi.
Woh soch raha tha ki Jheel ko yeh sab dekhkar kitni hansi aayegi.
Shayad woh use chidhayegi ki ab use flowers laane ki aadat pad rahi hai.
Shayad woh chocolates apne paas rakh legi aur ice cream uske saath share karegi.
Usne gaadi start ki.
Aaj ka din use bahut achha lag raha tha.
Use nahi pata tha ki jis ghar mein woh itni khushi lekar laut raha hai, wahan uske liye ek aisa khat rakha hai jo uski poori shaam badal dega.


Reyansh building mein pahuncha.
Lift se nikalte hi uski nazar saamne wale darwaze par padi.
Flat 304.
Jheel ka ghar.
Darwaza band tha.
Reyansh ne ghadi dekhi.
“Madam abhi tak nahi aayi?”
Usne ek pal socha, shayad Jheel bahar gayi hogi.
Woh aksar kabhi-kabhi kisi kaam se nikal jaati thi.
Reyansh ne khud hi jawaab de diya.
“Koi baat nahi. Ghar aayegi toh mil lenge.”
Usne apne flat ka darwaza khola.
Andar aate hi usne awaaz lagayi.
“Shalu!”
Koi jawaab nahi aaya.
Usne chocolates aur flowers dining table par rakhe.
“Shalu, kahan ho?”
Phir bhi koi jawaab nahi.
Reyansh ko laga shayad woh kitchen mein hogi aur awaaz nahi sun paayi.
Woh khud kitchen ki taraf badha.
“Shalu, sunai nahi de raha kya?”
Kitchen ke darwaze par pahunchkar uske kadam ruk gaye.
Shalu saamne khadi thi.
Lekin woh apne kaam mein nahi lagi thi.
Uske haath neeche the, nazar dining table ki taraf thi aur chehra bilkul khaali.
Jaise woh kaafi der se kisi ek hi baat ke baare mein soch rahi ho.
“Shalu?”
Usne sar uthaya.
Reyansh ne uske chehre ko dekha.
“Kya hua? Tabiyat theek hai?”
Shalu ne jawab dene ki koshish ki, lekin awaaz nahi nikli.
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheere-dheere kam ho gayi.
“Shalu, kya baat hai?”
Shalu ne dining table ki taraf dekha.
Wahan ek envelope rakha tha.
Reyansh ki nazar bhi udhar gayi.
Usne envelope dekha.
Us par uska naam likha tha.
Reyansh.
Uska chehra badal gaya.
“Yeh kisne rakha?”
Shalu ne dheere se kaha, “Jheel madam…”
Bas do lafz.
Lekin Reyansh ko laga jaise uske andar kuch achanak ruk gaya ho.
“Jheel ne?”
Shalu ne sir hila diya.
“Woh aayi thi?”
“Ji.”
“Kab?”
“Dopehar mein.”
Reyansh ne envelope ki taraf dekha.
“Usne kuch kaha?”
Shalu ne nazar neeche kar li.
“Nahi, sir.”
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir usne poochha, “Shalu, tumhe kya hua hai?”
Shalu ki aankhon mein nami aa gayi.
Woh kuch kehna chahti thi, lekin uske paas kehne ke liye kuch nahi tha.
Usne bas envelope uthaya aur Reyansh ki taraf badha diya.
“Yeh aapke liye chhod gayi thi.”
Reyansh ne envelope le liya.
Shalu ne uski taraf dekha.
“Sir…”
Woh ruk gayi.
Reyansh ne poochha, “Kya?”
Shalu ne sir hila diya.
“Kuch nahi.”
Phir woh chupchaap kitchen se bahar nikal gayi.
Reyansh ne uske jaate hue kadmon ki taraf dekha.
Uske haath mein envelope tha.
Aur pehli baar us shaam uski khushi ke beech ek aisa darr utar aaya tha jiska naam woh abhi nahi jaanta tha.


Reyansh kitchen se bahar aaya.
Living area mein aakar woh ruk gaya.
Dining table par rakhe flowers uski nazar mein aaye.
Chocolates.
Ice cream.
Aur uske haath mein Jheel ka khat.
Usne envelope ko palatkar dekha.
Koi aur cheez nahi thi.
Bas uska naam.
Usne dheere se envelope khola.
Andar se ek folded letter nikla.
Reyansh ne pehli line padhi.
Reyansh,
Uske chehre par ek pal ke liye muskurahat aayi.
“Madam ne letter likha hai…”
Lekin agali line padhte hi uski muskurahat ruk gayi.
Woh khat padhne laga.
Ek-ek line.
Dheere-dheere.
Jaise use yakeen hi nahi ho raha tha ki saamne likhe lafz sach mein Jheel ke hain.
Main tumse pyaar karti hoon, Reyansh.
Uski aankhon mein ek pal ke liye umeed chamki.
Phir woh aage padha.
Tumhari zindagi mein mujhse pehle bhi koi tha.
Tumhari ek shaadi thi.
Main tumhari zindagi mein woh insaan nahi banna chahti jo tumhare ateet ke saath har roz muqaabla karta rahe.
Reyansh ki ungliyan kagaz par kas gayin.
Woh aage padhta gaya.
Main ja rahi hoon, Reyansh.
Usne ek baar khat se nazar uthayi.
Kamra wahi tha.
Table wahi thi.
Flowers wahi the.
Lekin kuch pal pehle jis ghar mein woh khushi lekar aaya tha, ab wahi ghar use ajnabi lag raha tha.
Usne dobara khat ki taraf dekha.
Shayad usne galat padha tha.
Shayad Jheel mazaak kar rahi thi.
Shayad yeh koi aisi baat thi jise samjha ja sakta tha.
Woh phir se padhne laga.
Lekin har line ka matlab wahi tha.
Jheel ja rahi thi.
Aur usne uske liye koi jagah nahi chhodi thi jahan woh usse poochh sake ki kyun.
Reyansh ke chehre se saare rang utar gaye.
Uske haath dheere-dheere neeche aa gaye.
Khat ab bhi uski ungliyon ke beech tha.
Woh kuch pal bilkul seedha khada raha.
Na usne kuch kaha.
Na woh hila.
Bas uski aankhein khat ke aakhiri lafzon par tiki rahi.
Alvida, Reyansh.
Usne khat ko neeche kar liya.
“Yeh…”
Uski awaaz bahut halki thi.
“Yeh kya hai?”
Koi jawaab nahi tha.
Usne phir se pehli line padhi.
Phir aakhiri.
Phir beech ki kuch lines.
Jaise woh kisi ek aise lafz ko dhoondh raha ho jo uske liye is sab ko samajhna aasaan kar de.
Lekin use kuch nahi mila.
Uske dimaag mein Jheel ka chehra ubhar aaya.
Kal raat ka chehra.
Uski muskurahat.
Uska haath thaamna.
Uska kehna, “Main tumse pyaar karti hoon.”
Phir aaj subah ka note.
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Reyansh ne aankhein band kar li.
“Tumne toh kaha tha…”
Uski awaaz toot gayi.
“Tumne toh kaha tha ki tum mere saath ho.”
Woh kuch pal khada raha, phir achanak living area mein chalne laga.
Ek taraf se doosri taraf.
Phir wapas.
Uske kadam tez ho gaye.
Woh baar-baar khat ko dekhta, phir nazar hata leta.
“Divorce…”
Usne dheere se kaha.
“Yeh sab sirf isliye?”
Woh ruk gaya.
Uske dimaag mein Jheel ke likhe lafz ghoomne lage.
Main tumhari zindagi mein woh insaan nahi banna chahti jo tumhare ateet ke saath har roz muqaabla karta rahe.
Reyansh ne apne baal peeche kiye.
“Lekin maine tumse kuch chhupaya toh nahi tha…”
Usne khat ko dekha.
“Main toh tumhe sab bata chuka tha.”
Uski awaaz mein ab dard tha.
“Tumne kaha tha tum samajhti ho.”
Woh phir chalne laga.
Is baar uske kadam bechain the.
Usne apni jeb se phone nikala.
Jheel ka naam screen par tha.
Usne call button daba diya.
Phone uske kaan se laga tha.
Woh bas ring ka intezaar kar raha tha.
Lekin kuch seconds baad screen par message aaya.
The number you are trying to reach is invalid.
Reyansh ne phone ko apne kaan se hata kar dekha.
Usne dobara number milaya.
Wahi jawaab.
Invalid number.
Uske chehre par hairani aur badh gayi.
“Invalid?”
Usne number ko dhyaan se dekha.
Phir dobara call kiya.
Wahi message.
Usne Jheel ka chat khola.
Uska aakhiri message saamne tha.
Reyansh:
Main ghar aa raha hoon. Tumhare liye kuch la raha hoon.
Uske neeche koi reply nahi tha.
Reyansh ki nazar dining table par gayi.
Flowers.
Chocolates.
Ice cream.
Woh cheezein jinhe lekar woh ghar aaya tha, kyunki use lagta tha ki aaj raat bhi Jheel uske saath hogi.


Usne phone dheere se neeche kar liya.
Uske pairon mein jaise taqat nahi bachi thi.
Woh sofa ke kinaare baith gaya.
Khat ab bhi uske haath mein tha.
Usne ek baar phir Jheel ko call karne ki koshish ki.
Invalid number.
Uski ungliyan phone par ruk gayin.
Woh jhukkar baith gaya aur dono haathon se apna sir pakad liya.
Kamre mein koi awaaz nahi thi.
Na Jheel ki hansi.
Na uske kadmon ki aahat.
Na uska phone.
Bas dining table par rakhe woh flowers the, jo ab use kisi adhoore mazaak ki tarah lag rahe the.
Reyansh ne aankhein band kar li.
Uske zehan mein sirf ek sawaal baar-baar laut raha tha.
Agar Jheel usse pyaar karti thi, toh woh use chhodkar kyun chali gayi?
Uske paas khat tha.
Lekin jawaab nahi.
Aur is baar uski zindagi mein koi aisa nahi tha jise woh phone karke apni baat bata sake.
Woh wahi baitha raha.
Sir haathon mein jhuka hua.
Phone uske paas.
Jheel ka khat uski mutthi mein.
Aur saamne woh ghar, jahan kuch hi ghante pehle tak use lagta tha ki uski zindagi mein sukoon wapas aa raha hai.
8. Shehar Se Door
Train chal padi thi.
Khidki ke baahar platform dheere-dheere peeche chhoot raha tha.
Jheel apni seat par baithi thi, dono haath apne bag par rakhe hue.
Uski aankhein laal thi.
Woh khidki ke paar dekhne ki koshish kar rahi thi, lekin aansuon ki wajah se sab dhundhla nazar aa raha tha.
Usne bag khola.
Andar Reyansh ka note tha.
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Jheel ne use bahar nikala aur apni ungliyon mein thaam liya.
Uske hoth kaanpe.
“Main tumse pyaar karti hoon, Reyansh…”
Usne dheere se kaha.
Phir apna chehra khidki ki taraf kar liya.
Train apni raftaar pakad chuki thi.
Bengaluru peeche chhoot raha tha.
Aur Jheel ro rahi thi.
Woh Reyansh se door ja rahi thi, lekin uska dil ab bhi usi ghar mein reh gaya tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 57


Raat ke kareeb gyarah baj chuke the.
Bengaluru ki sadkon par gaadiyon ki awaazein dheere-dheere kam ho rahi thi, lekin Flat 303 ke andar waqt jaise ek hi jagah ruk gaya tha.
Dining table par Jheel ka letter pada tha.
Uske paas chocolates ka dabba, flowers ka bouquet aur ice cream ka packet rakha tha. Reyansh ne ghar aate waqt kitne pyaar se yeh sab khareeda tha. Usne socha tha, Jheel darwaaza kholegi, use dekhkar muskuraayegi aur phir shayad usse poochhegi ki itni saari cheezein laane ki kya zaroorat thi.
Woh uske sawaal par apna wahi confident jawaab deta.
Tumhare liye hai. Ab sawaal mat karo.
Lekin aaj darwaaza khula toh tha, magar Jheel ke liye nahi.
Woh ja chuki thi.
Aur apne peeche ek aisa letter chhod gayi thi jiske har lafz ne Reyansh ko andar tak hila diya tha.
Reyansh dining chair par baitha tha. Uski nazrein letter par tiki hui thi.
Woh use pehle bhi kai baar padh chuka tha.
Phir bhi usne use dobara utha liya.
Jaise shayad agli baar padhne par lafz badal jaayenge.
Jaise shayad kisi line ke beech use koi aisi baat mil jaaye jo abhi tak uski samajh mein nahi aayi.
Lekin letter wahi tha.
Jheel ja chuki thi.
Aur uska number band nahi, balki invalid aa raha tha.
Reyansh ne apna phone uthaya.
Contacts mein Jheel ka naam khola.
Kuch seconds tak screen dekhta raha.
Phir call button daba diya.
The number you have dialed is invalid.
Usne call kaat di.
Dobara milaya.
Wahi jawaab.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya aur dono haathon se apna chehra dhak liya.
"Yeh kya kar diya tumne, Jheel?"
Uski awaaz khaali kamre mein do pal tak ruki, phir khamoshi mein kho gayi.
Kisi ne jawaab nahi diya.
Usne kabhi nahi socha tha ki ek din woh kisi aise insaan ko call karega jisse woh kal tak apne din ka sabse khoobsurat hissa maanta tha, aur saamne se uske wajood ka koi nishaan bhi nahi milega.
Uske dimaag mein letter ki ek line baar-baar ghoom rahi thi.
Tum apni pehli zindagi ko kabhi poori tarah bhula nahi sakoge.
Reyansh ne aankhein band kar li.
"Maine toh tumse kuch chhupaya nahi tha..."
Woh khud se bol raha tha.
"Jab tumhe bataya, tab bhi darr tha ki kahin tum door na ho jao. Lekin tumne toh kaha tha ki tum samajhti ho."
Usne saamne rakhe bouquet ki taraf dekha.
Phool ab bhi taaze the.
Bas jin haathon mein dene ke liye khareede the, woh haath ab uske paas nahi the.
Reyansh ne bouquet uthaya aur kuch pal tak use dekhta raha. Phir use wapas table par rakh diya.
Uska mann hua ki sab kuch hata de.
Chocolates, flowers, ice cream, letter.
Har woh cheez jo uske saamne Jheel ki yaad lekar aa rahi thi.
Lekin usne kuch nahi kiya.
Woh bas kursi par baitha raha.
Us raat usne dinner nahi kiya.
Ice cream freezer mein rakh di, chocolates ka dabba band kar diya aur bedroom mein chala gaya.
Bed par letne ke baad bhi uski nazrein chhat par tiki rahi.
Uska phone paas hi pada tha.
Har kuch minute baad woh use uthata, screen dekhta aur phir rakh deta.
Koi message nahi tha.
Koi missed call nahi.
Kuch bhi nahi.
Raat ke kareeb do baje usne phone silent karke side mein rakh diya.
Lekin neend usse ab bhi door thi.
Usne karwat badli.
Aankhein band ki.
Phir khol di.
Aur aakhirkaar, thak kar apna haath aankhon par rakh liya.
Us ghar mein sab kuch apni jagah par tha. Bas Reyansh ki zindagi mein ek jagah khaali ho gayi thi.


Subah saat baje alarm baja.
Pehle roz ki tarah Reyansh ne haath badhakar use band kar diya.
Aankhein kholne ki koshish ki, lekin palkein bhaari thi.
Usne dobara aankhein band kar li.
Saat bajkar das minute.
Phone phir vibrate hua.
Office ka reminder screen par chamak raha tha.

9:30 AM | Brand Review Meeting
Reyansh ne notification dekha aur phone bed par gira diya.
"Bas paanch minute..."
Woh aadat ke mutabik bol gaya.
Lekin paanch minute baad bhi woh wahi pada tha.
Aakhirkaar usne uthkar baithne ki koshish ki. Baal bikhre hue the, chehre par thakaan saaf thi aur aankhon mein woh chamak nahi thi jo aam taur par subah-subah bhi uske chehre par rehti thi.


Woh bathroom gaya.
Mirror ke saamne khada hua toh kuch seconds tak apne reflection ko dekhta raha.
Phir nal kholkar chehre par paani maara.
Do baar.
Teen baar.
Usne towel se chehra ponchha aur khud ko dekhte hue halki si muskurahat laane ki koshish ki.
"Come on, Reyansh. Get up."
Uski awaaz mein pehle jaisi shararat nahi thi.
Woh taiyaar hone laga.
Shirt pehni, baal set kiye aur ghadi baandhi. Phir bedroom se nikal kar dining area mein aaya.
Table saaf nahi hui thi.
Letter ab bhi wahin pada tha.
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir usne nazrein hata li.
Kitchen mein jaakar paani piya. Fridge khola, andar rakhi ice cream dekhi aur bina kuch nikale fridge band kar diya.
Uska pet khaali tha, lekin bhookh nahi thi.
Phone uthakar cab book karne ke liye app khola. Phir use yaad aaya ki use office ke liye kuch documents bhi lene hain.
Woh bedroom mein wapas gaya.
Laptop bag uthaya aur darwaaze ki taraf badha.
Lekin ghar se nikalne se pehle uski nazar ek baar phir dining table par padi.
Usne ek lambi saans li aur darwaaza band kar diya.
Aaj pehli baar use apne hi ghar se nikalte waqt aisa laga jaise woh kisi aisi jagah se door ja raha ho jahan lautkar aane ka koi matlab nahi bacha.


Subah kareeb aath baje Shalu Flat 303 pahunchi.
Usne bell bajayi.
Koi jawaab nahi.
Usne dobara bell bajayi.
Phir use yaad aaya ki Reyansh aam taur par is waqt office nikalne ki taiyaari mein hota hai.
Usne apna phone nikala aur use message karne hi wali thi ki darwaaza khul gaya.
Reyansh saamne tha.
"Good morning, sir."
"Morning, Shalu."
Shalu ne uske chehre ki taraf dekha.
"Tabiyat theek hai?"
Reyansh ne chaabi uthate hue jawaab diya, "Haan. Kyun?"
"Aise hi. Aap thode thake hue lag rahe ho."
"Neend poori nahi hui."
"Kal der se soye the?"
Reyansh ek pal ke liye ruka.
"Haath mein kaam tha."
Shalu ne use dekha, lekin kuch aur nahi poochha.
"Achha, aap jao. Main ghar dekh lungi."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Dining table par kuch cheezein rakhi hain. Unhe abhi rehne dena."
Shalu ki nazar uske kandhe ke paar dining area ki taraf gayi.
Woh samajh gayi ki Reyansh kis cheez ki baat kar raha hai.
"Ji."
Reyansh ne darwaaza band karne se pehle kaha, "Aur haan, aaj lunch banane ki zaroorat nahi. Kuch khaane ka mann hua toh office mein kha lunga."
"Par aapne subah bhi kuch nahi khaya."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhe kaise pata?"
"Kitchen mein kuch bana hi nahi tha. Aur aapki chai bhi waise hi rakhi thi."
Reyansh kuch seconds chup raha.
Phir halki si muskurahat ke saath bola, "Tumhari observation skills din-ba-din badh rahi hain."
Shalu ne bhi halki si smile ki.
"Practice kar rahi hoon."
"Achha hai. Bas meri attendance mat lagane lag jaana."
"Aap time par office pahunch jao, phir attendance ki zaroorat hi nahi padegi."
Reyansh ke honton par is baar sach mein ek chhoti si muskurahat aayi.
"Very funny."
"Thank you, sir."
Woh darwaaze se bahar nikal gaya.
Shalu kuch pal wahin khadi rahi.
Phir usne darwaaza band kiya aur dheere-dheere kitchen ki taraf badh gayi.
Uska mann kaam shuru karne ka nahi ho raha tha.
Kal shaam jab woh ghar aayi thi, tab usne Jheel ka letter dekh liya tha. Usne poora letter padha tha. Isi liye jab Reyansh ghar lauta, toh woh kitchen mein chupchaap khadi thi.
Woh Reyansh ko kuch kehna chahti thi.
Lekin kya?
Woh Jheel ke jaane ki wajah nahi jaanti thi. Use bas letter mein likhi baatein pata thi.
Aur use yeh bhi pata tha ki Reyansh ne woh letter padhne ke baad kis tarah usse baar-baar phone karne ki koshish ki thi.
Shalu ne dining table ki taraf dekha.
Letter ab bhi wahin pada tha.
Usne use chhoone ki koshish nahi ki.
Bas table ke doosre hisse par rakha ek khaali cup uthaya aur sink mein rakh diya.
Phir apna kaam shuru kar diya.
Kuch dard aise hote hain jinmein madad karne ka mann toh hota hai, lekin samajh nahi aata ki shuruaat kahan se ki jaaye.
Shalu ke liye yeh unhi mein se ek tha

Office ke reception par pahunchte hi Reyansh ne apna usual confident expression laane ki koshish ki.
Usne security desk par entry ki, lift mein gaya aur apne floor par utar gaya.
"Good morning, sir!"
Ek junior employee ne use dekhkar greet kiya.
"Morning."
Reyansh apni desk tak pahunch gaya. Laptop khola aur emails check karne laga.
Kuch hi minute baad Neha ek file lekar uske paas aayi.
"Good morning, Mr. Senior Brand Manager."
Reyansh ne screen se nazar nahi hatayi.
"Good morning, Ms. Employee of the Month."
Neha ne file uski desk par rakhi.
"Employee of the Month toh nahi, lekin aapki meeting ka data ready hai."
"Excellent. Mujhe pata tha tum mujhe disappoint nahi karogi."
"Sir, aap mujhe kaam ke liye appreciate kar rahe ho ya apna kaam mujh par daal rahe ho?"
"Depends. Tumhari file kitni achhi hai."
Neha hans padi.
"File achhi hai. Aapki kismat bhi achhi hai ki maine time par bana di."
Reyansh ne file kholi.
"Isliye toh tumhe team mein rakha hai."
Neha ne uske chehre ko gaur se dekha.
Uski smile dekhne mein normal thi, lekin uski aankhon mein kuch kami thi.
"Waise, aap theek ho?"
Reyansh ne file se nazar uthayi.
"Sab mujhe aaj yahi kyun poochh rahe hain?"
"Matlab?"
"Subah Shalu ne poochha. Ab tum poochh rahi ho. Kya mere chehre par koi notice chipka hua hai?"
Neha ne apni hansi rokne ki koshish ki.
"Notice toh nahi, lekin aapke chehre par aaj usual confidence ka attendance short hai."
Reyansh ne chair par peeche hote hue kaha, "Mera confidence late aayega. Traffic mein phansa hai."
Neha muskuraayi.
"Achha. Jab aa jaaye toh use meeting room mein bhej dena."
"Sure. Aur tum apna kaam karo."
Neha ne file ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Isi liye toh aayi thi."
Woh wapas apni desk ki taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal uske jaane ki taraf dekhta raha.
Phir usne file kholi aur kaam mein lag gaya.
Meeting shuru hui.
Numbers, campaign performance, upcoming launch aur client feedback par discussion chalta raha. Reyansh ne har sawaal ka jawaab diya. Jahan zaroorat thi, decisions liye aur team ko instructions diye.
Bahar se dekho toh koi nahi keh sakta tha ki uske andar kuch theek nahi chal raha.
Lekin meeting ke beech ek pal aisa aaya jab client presentation ke ek slide par uski nazar ruk gayi.
Slide par ek line thi:
Some connections change the way we see everything.
Woh line campaign ke concept ka hissa thi.
Lekin Reyansh ko use padhte hi Jheel ki yaad aa gayi.
Usne turant nazar hata li.
"Reyansh?"
Neha ki awaaz se woh wapas present mein aaya.
"Haan?"
"Client is point par aapki opinion maang rahe hain."
Reyansh ne screen ki taraf dekha.
"Right. We should keep the message simple. Emotional, but not over-explained. Audience ko feel hona chahiye, samajhne ke liye unhe instructions nahi chahiye."
Client ne sir hilaya.
"Agreed."
Meeting aage badh gayi.
Lekin Reyansh ke dimaag mein woh line reh gayi.
Some connections change the way we see everything.
Usne socha, shayad yeh sach tha.
Kuch log zindagi mein aate hain aur sab kuch pehle jaisa nahi rehne dete.
Aur phir jab woh chale jaate hain, toh unke baad bhi kuch pehle jaisa nahi hota.


Dopahar ke kareeb ek baje Reyansh apni desk par baitha tha jab phone vibrate hua.
Arshad Calling...
Reyansh ne call receive ki.
"Bol, berozgaar aadmi."
Doosri taraf se turant jawaab aaya, "Berozgaar nahi hoon. Main creative freedom ka maalik hoon."
"Achha? Toh creative freedom mein lunch bhi free milta hai?"
"Nahi, uske liye bank balance chahiye. Waise tu bata, zinda hai?"
"Filhaal."
Arshad ki awaaz ka andaaz badla.
"Filhaal matlab?"
Reyansh ne saamne rakhi file band kar di.
"Kuch nahi. Bas thoda tired hoon."
"Kal raat soya nahi kya?"
"Neend nahi aayi."
"Office ka kaam?"
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir bola, "Nahi."
Arshad ne bhi kuch seconds tak jawaab nahi diya.
"Jheel?"
Reyansh ki ungli phone ke kinare par ruk gayi.

"Haan."
Arshad ki awaaz ab pehle se dheemi thi.
"Kya hua?"
Reyansh ne aankhein band ki.
"Chali gayi."
"Matlab?"
"Matlab, Arshad, woh chali gayi. Apne flat se bhi. Meri zindagi se bhi, shayad."
Doosri taraf khamoshi chha gayi.
Arshad ne turant koi joke nahi maara.
"Tu theek hai?"
Reyansh ke honton par ek thaki hui muskurahat aayi.
"Sab yahi kyun poochh rahe hain?"
"Kyunki tu jab theek nahi hota, tab bhi bolta hai ki tu theek hai."
Reyansh ne desk par ungliyon se halki tapping ki.
"Usne letter chhoda hai."
"Letter mein kya likha hai?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Phir bola, "Usne likha hai ki main apni pehli zindagi ko kabhi bhula nahi sakta. Ki woh meri zindagi mein doosri aurat bankar nahi reh sakti."
Arshad ne dheere se saans li.
"Usne aisa kaha?"
"Haan."
"Tu usse kya kehta tha?"
"Main usse kuch chhupana nahi chahta tha. Maine use sab bataya tha jo batana zaroori tha. Maine kabhi usse yeh nahi kaha ki woh kisi aur ki jagah le."
Reyansh ki awaaz aakhri jumle par bhaari ho gayi.
"Phir bhi woh chali gayi."
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
"Rey..."
"Hmm?"
"Main abhi tujhe koi lecture nahi dunga. Na yeh bolunga ki sab theek ho jaayega, na yeh ki tu use bhool ja."
Reyansh chupchaap sunta raha.
"Bas itna bolunga ki abhi jo kuch usne letter mein likha hai, usi ko apne baare mein final sach mat bana lena. Tu hurt hai. Tujhe waqt chahiye. Baaki baatein baad mein."
Reyansh ne aankhein khol di.
"Tu kabse itni samajhdaar baatein karne laga?"
"Jabse meri girlfriend ne mujhe samjha diya ki har baat ka joke nahi banana chahiye."
Reyansh ke chehre par halki si smile aayi.
"Toh tu sudhar gaya?"
"Nahi. Bas kuch situations mein acting kar leta hoon."
Reyansh hans diya.
Bahut zor se nahi.
Bas ek chhoti si hansi.
Lekin pichhli raat ke baad woh pehli baar tha jab uske chehre par kuch pal ke liye sachchi muskurahat aayi thi.
Arshad ne bhi uski hansi sunkar rahat ki saans li.
"Achha sun, shaam ko milte hain?"
Reyansh ne apni diary kholi.
"Aaj mushkil hai. Kaam hai."
"Kaam ya akela rehna hai?"
Reyansh ne jawaab dene mein waqt liya.
"Shayad dono."
Arshad ne use force nahi kiya.
"Theek hai. Lekin phone uthana. Main message karunga."
"Tu message nahi karega. Tu paanch reels bhejega."
"Quality content ko reels kehte hain, dost."
"Achha, content creator. Ab mujhe kaam karne de."
"Kar le. Aur haan..."
"Haan?"
"Khud ko us letter ke lafzon mein mat naapna."
Reyansh chup raha.
Arshad ne call end kar di.
Reyansh ne phone desk par rakh diya.
Kuch der tak woh screen ko dekhta raha.
Phir usne apna laptop khola aur kaam par wapas lag gaya.
Arshad ki baat se uska dard khatam nahi hua tha.
Lekin kam se kam ab use yeh toh mehsoos hua ki woh apni takleef ke saath bilkul akela nahi tha.


Shaam ke saat baje Reyansh office se nikla.
Aaj usne overtime karne ka bahaana nahi banaya. Kaam jitna ho sakta tha, usne khatam kar diya tha.
Ghar pahunchkar usne darwaaza khola.
Andar aate hi uski nazar dining table par gayi.
Shalu apna kaam khatam karke ja chuki thi. Ghar saaf tha. Kitchen mein bartan apni jagah par the.
Lekin letter ab bhi table par pada tha.
Shalu ne use chhua nahi tha.
Reyansh ne laptop bag sofa par rakha aur table ke paas aakar khada ho gaya.
Usne letter uthaya.
Ek baar phir padha.
Phir use fold karke table par rakh diya.
Uske baad woh kitchen mein gaya, fridge se paani ki bottle nikali aur seedha sofa par aakar baith gaya.
TV ka remote saamne pada tha.
Usne TV chala diya.
Screen par koi comedy show chal raha tha. Audience hans rahi thi. Host jokes maar raha tha.
Reyansh ne kuch minute dekha.
Phir TV band kar diya.
Ghar phir khamosh ho gaya.
Usne phone uthaya aur contacts mein Jheel ka naam khola.
Call karne ka mann hua.
Lekin number invalid aane ka jawaab use pehle se pata tha.
Usne phone lock kar diya.
Phir WhatsApp khola.
Jheel ki chat ab bhi wahi thi.
Unki purani baatein.


Uske messages.
Jheel ki chhoti-chhoti replies.
Ek jagah uski nazar ek message par ruk gayi.
Tum meri favourite ho.
Reyansh ne screen ko kuch der dekha.
Phir phone neeche kar liya.
"Favourite..."
Uske honton se lafz bahut dheere nikla.
"Phir chhodkar kyun chali gayi?"
Koi jawaab nahi tha.
Usne phone sofa par rakh diya aur apna sir peeche tika liya.
Aankhein band karte hi use Jheel ki hansi yaad aayi.
Uska chai ka cup pakadne ka tareeka.
Dinner ke waqt uska chhoti-chhoti baaton par hansna.
Woh pal jab usne kaha tha ki woh uske saath apni tarah reh sakti hai.
Reyansh ne aankhein khol di.
Usne khud ko yaad dilaya ki use kal office jaana hai. Kaam karna hai. Logon se milna hai.
Zindagi ko aage chalna hai.
Lekin dil ko samjhana itna aasaan nahi tha.
Usne phone uthaya aur Arshad ka chat khola.
Ek message type kiya:
Bhai, tu free hai?
Woh kuch seconds tak message ko dekhta raha.
Phir send kar diya.
Kuch hi pal baad reply aaya.
Arshad: Haan. Kya hua?
Reyansh ne likha:
Bas baat karni thi.
Arshad ka jawaab turant aaya.
Arshad: Call kar.
Reyansh ne call button daba diya.
Aur is baar jab Arshad ne phone uthaya, toh Reyansh ne apne dard ko mazaak mein chhupane ki koshish nahi ki.
Woh bolta raha.
Arshad sunta raha.
Kabhi beech mein kuch poochhta, kabhi chup ho jaata.
Raat dheere-dheere aage badhti rahi.
Aur Reyansh ke ghar mein, Jheel ke jaane ke baad pehli baar, khamoshi ke beech ek dost ki awaaz thi.


Usi waqt, Bengaluru ke doosre hisse mein Arshad apne apartment ki balcony mein khada tha.
Phone par Reyansh se baat khatam ho chuki thi.
Usne phone neeche kiya aur kuch der sadak ki taraf dekhta raha.
Andar se Sakshi ki awaaz aayi.
"Arshad, dinner order karna hai ya nahi?"
Arshad ne palatkar dekha.
"Haan, karta hoon. Kya khaogi?"
"Jo tumhe theek lage."
Arshad ne phone par food delivery app khola.
"Pizza?"
"Nahi."
"Chinese?"
"Nahi."
"Dosa?"
"Arshad, mujhe kuch light khana hai."
Arshad ne use dekha.
"Achha, toh light mein kya options hain?"
Sakshi ne apna laptop band kiya.
"Soup aur sandwich le lete hain."
Arshad ne order kar diya.
"Done. Ab khush?"
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main khush ya naraaz hone ki baat nahi kar rahi."
"Toh phir?"
"Bas itna ki tum kabhi-kabhi meri baat poori sun liya karo."
Arshad ke chehre par hairaani aayi.
"Arre, maine toh tumhare kehne par hi order kiya."
"Order karne se pehle bhi toh main tumhe bata rahi thi ki mujhe kya chahiye."
"Toh maine sun liya na."
Sakshi ne gehri saans li.
"Chhodo. Ab is baat par bhi behas nahi karni."
Arshad ne haath utha diye.
"Theek hai, madam. No debate."
Sakshi ne laptop dobara khol liya.
Arshad kuch seconds use dekhta raha, phir balcony ki taraf mud gaya.
Usne socha, shayad Sakshi ka din kharaab raha hoga.
Aakhir har kisi ke bure din hote hain.
Woh is chhoti si baat ko wahi chhodkar apna phone check karne laga.
Usne Reyansh ka chat khola aur message type kiya:
Kal subah call karunga. Aur haan, breakfast kar lena.
Phir usne phone lock kar diya.
Andar Sakshi apne laptop par kaam kar rahi thi.
Woh ab bhi naraaz thi, lekin usne Arshad se kuch aur nahi kaha.
Dono ek hi ghar mein the.
Unke beech koi bada jhagda nahi hua tha.
Na kisi ne rishta khatm karne ki baat ki thi.
Na kisi ne gusse mein darwaaza patka tha.
Bas ek chhoti si baat thi, jo kuch der pehle tak aasani se sulajh sakti thi.
Lekin kabhi-kabhi rishte ek bade jhagde se nahi, balki un chhoti baaton se badalne lagte hain jinhe dono baar-baar nazarandaaz kar dete hain.
Arshad ne abhi is baat par dhyaan nahi diya.
Aur Sakshi ne bhi kuch nahi kaha.
Filhaal, dono ki zindagi apni raftaar se chal rahi thi.


Raat ke kareeb gyarah bajkar tees minute par Reyansh ki Arshad se baat khatam hui.
Usne phone charging par lagaya aur bedroom mein chala gaya.
Aaj bhi woh Jheel ko bhoola nahi tha.
Letter ka dard ab bhi tha.
Uske sawaal ab bhi wahi the.
Lekin usne aaj ek chhoti si baat samjhi thi.
Woh Jheel ko call kar sakta tha, uske messages padh sakta tha aur uske saath guzre pal yaad kar sakta tha.
Lekin woh use wapas aane ke liye majboor nahi kar sakta tha.
Usne light band ki aur bed par let gaya.
Aankhein band karne se pehle usne phone ki screen ek baar dekhi.
Koi naya message nahi tha.
Usne phone side mein rakh diya.
"Kal dekhenge..."
Woh dheere se bola.
Is baar usne apne aap se yeh vaada nahi kiya ki kal sab theek ho jaayega.
Bas itna socha ki kal ek naya din hoga.
Aur filhaal, uske liye itna soch paana bhi kaafi tha.
Bengaluru ki raat apne aakhri pehar mein thi.
Ek ghar mein Reyansh apne toote hue dil ke saath sone ki koshish kar raha tha.
Doosre ghar mein Arshad aur Sakshi apni chhoti si narazgi ke saath raat guzaar rahe the.
Aur kahin, kisi anjaan jagah par, ek aisi zindagi chal rahi thi jiske baare mein Reyansh ko kuch pata nahi tha.
Uske liye abhi sirf ek hi sach tha.
Jheel chali gayi thi.

[Greenwood]

Update 58


Subah ke aath bajkar pandrah minute ho chuke the.
Reyansh ki aankhein khul gayi thi, lekin woh abhi bhi bed par leta hua tha. Parde se chhankar aati dhoop kamre ke ek hisse ko roshan kar rahi thi. Phone bedside table par rakha tha aur alarm kab ka band ho chuka tha.
Usne karwat badli.
Phir phone uthaya.
Screen par kuch notifications the. Office ke emails, ek promotional message aur Arshad ka WhatsApp message.
Arshad: Zinda ho toh reply kar. Warna main teri property ka legal heir banne ki planning shuru kar doon?
Reyansh ke chehre par halki si muskurahat aayi.
Usne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Meri property mein ek sofa, do chairs aur aadha khaali fridge hai. Soch le.
Arshad: Fridge mein kya hai?
Reyansh: Ice cream.
Arshad: Bas. Dosti apni jagah, lekin ice cream ke liye main kuch bhi kar sakta hoon.
Reyansh ne phone neeche rakh diya.
Kuch pal ke liye uska dhyaan letter ki taraf gaya, jo ab bhi dining table par pada tha. Kal raat usne use kai baar padhne ke baad wahi chhod diya tha.
Woh bed se utha, bathroom mein gaya aur taiyaar hone laga.
Aaj usne khud se koi bada vaada nahi kiya. Na khush rehne ka, na Jheel ko bhoolne ka.
Bas office jaana tha.
Kaam karna tha.
Din guzaarna tha.
Kabhi-kabhi insaan ke paas aage badhne ka koi bada plan nahi hota. Woh bas agla kadam utha leta hai, phir uske baad wala.
Reyansh ke liye aaj ka din bhi kuch aisa hi tha.


Reyansh kitchen se paani lekar nikla hi tha ki doorbell baj uthi.
Usne darwaaza khola.
Shalu saamne khadi thi, kandhe par apna bag latkaaye.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning. Aaj tum time se pehle aa gayi."
"Roz ke time par hi aayi hoon. Aap late taiyaar hue ho."
Reyansh ne ghadi dekhi.
"Subah-subah personal attack?"
"Main toh sirf observation kar rahi hoon."
"Achha. Tumhari observations ki fees kitni hai?"
Shalu ne sochne ka natak kiya.
"Abhi trial period chal raha hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Very good. Tumhari consultancy grow kar rahi hai."
Shalu andar aayi aur seedha kitchen ki taraf chali gayi.
"Sir, chai bana doon?"
"Nahi, aaj rehne do."
Shalu ruk gayi.
"Breakfast?"
"Nahi chahiye."
"Kal bhi aapne theek se nahi khaya tha."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Shalu, tum ghar saaf karne aati ho ya meri food habits ki report banane?"
"Dono mein se jo zyada zaroori ho."
"Achha! Yeh toh service package mein nahi tha."
Shalu ne halka sa smile kiya, lekin is baar usne mazaak aage nahi badhaya.
"Sir, aapko bhookh nahi hai toh alag baat hai. Lekin bina kuch khaaye mat jaiye."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne kitchen counter par rakhe bread packet ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Ek toast bana do. Bas."
"Do bana doon?"
"Negotiation skills bhi seekh li tumne?"
"Thodi-thodi."
"Fine. Two."
Shalu ne toast banana shuru kar diya.
Reyansh kitchen ke darwaaze ke paas khada use dekh raha tha.
"Waise, tumhara course kaisa chal raha hai?"
Shalu ne palatkar dekha.
"Abhi admission final nahi kiya. Fees aur timings compare kar rahi hoon."
"Achha. Koi help chahiye ho toh bata dena."
"Ji."
Toast taiyaar hua toh Shalu ne plate uske saamne rakh di.
Reyansh ne pehla bite liya.
"Perfect."
Shalu ne bhauhein uthayi.
"Toast hai, sir. Five-star review dene ki zaroorat nahi."
"Customer satisfaction naam ki bhi koi cheez hoti hai."
"Toh phir breakfast poora karna bhi customer responsibility hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main tumhari salary badhaane ke baare mein soch raha tha. Ab reconsider karna padega."
Shalu hans padi.
"Salary ki baat aayi hi kahan se? Aap toh sirf toast kha rahe ho."
Reyansh bhi hans diya.
Kuch seconds ke liye ghar ka mahaul halka ho gaya.
Lekin jab uski nazar dining table ki taraf gayi, uski muskurahat dheere-dheere kam ho gayi.
Shalu ne bhi uska badalta chehra dekh liya.
Usne kuch nahi poochha.
Bas khaali plate utha li.


Subah kareeb nau bajkar chaalis minute par Reyansh office pahunch gaya.


Lift se nikalte hi uski nazar Neha par padi. Woh apni desk par laptop khole baithi thi aur ek document padh rahi thi.
Reyansh ne paas aakar kaha, "Good morning, hard-working citizen."
Neha ne screen se nazar uthayi.
"Good morning. Aaj aap time par aa gaye?"
"Main hamesha time par aata hoon."
Neha ne ghadi dekhi.
"Office ka clock alag time zone mein chalta hai kya?"
Reyansh ne apna laptop bag desk par rakha.
"Tum logon ko meri punctuality se itni problem kyun hai?"
"Problem nahi hai. Bas aapki punctuality ek rare species hai. Research kar rahi hoon."
"Toh paper publish kar dena. Title rakhna: The Myth of Reyansh's Late Arrival."
Neha hans padi.
"Done. Author ka naam mera."
"Royalty ka kya?"
"Uske liye pehle aap time par aana seekh lo."
Reyansh ne chair kheenchkar baithte hue kaha, "Mujhe lagta hai tumhari salary mein sarcasm allowance add karna padega."
Neha ne document uski taraf badha diya.
"Salary department se baat kar lijiye. Filhaal yeh report review kar dijiye."
Reyansh ne file le li.
"Yes, ma'am."
Neha apni desk par wapas chali gayi.
Kuch der tak Reyansh report padhta raha. Usne corrections kiye, ek email bheja aur upcoming campaign ke points note kiye.
Kaam mein dhyaan lag raha tha.
Lekin beech-beech mein phone ki taraf nazar chali jaati.
Jab bhi screen jalti, uska dil ek pal ke liye tez hota.
Phir pata chalta ki message kisi aur ka hai.
Dopahar se pehle usne phone drawer mein rakh diya.
Kam se kam kaam ke waqt use baar-baar screen nahi dekhni chahiye thi.
Neha ek baar phir uski desk par aayi.
"Reyansh, client ne revised timeline bheji hai."
"Okay. Share kar do."
"Already email kar diya."
"Great."
Neha kuch seconds wahin ruki.
"Ek baat poochhun?"
Reyansh ne nazar uthayi.
"Poochho."
"Aap aajkal thode quiet ho. Sab theek hai?"
Reyansh ne pen table par rakh diya.
"Main quiet hoon?"
"Compared to your usual version? Definitely."
"Ho sakta hai main mature ho raha hoon."
Neha ne turant jawaab diya, "Agar yeh maturity hai toh mujhe apni purani personality hi pasand hai."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Fair enough."
Neha ne uske chehre ko ek pal aur dekha.
"Anyway, agar kuch kaam mein help chahiye ho toh bata dena."
"Sure. Thanks."
Neha chali gayi.
Woh personal sawaalon par zor dene wali insaan nahi thi. Usne poochha, Reyansh ne jitna batana chaha, utna suna. Filhaal uske liye itna kaafi tha.
Reyansh ne laptop ki taraf dekha aur kaam jaari rakha.
Aaj woh khud ko busy rakhna chahta tha.
Kyunki jaise hi kaam rukta, uske dimaag mein Jheel ke jaane ka sawaal phir khada ho jaata.


Dopahar ke kareeb ek baje Arshad ka message aaya.
Arshad: Lunch?
Reyansh: Office mein hoon.
Arshad: Mujhe bhi pata hai. Teri location share nahi maangi. Pooch raha hoon lunch kiya ya nahi.
Reyansh ne apni desk par rakhe paani ke glass ko dekha.
Reyansh: Abhi nahi.
Arshad: Excellent. Main bhi nahi. Chal milte hain.
Reyansh: Tu yahan aa raha hai?
Arshad: Nahi, tu mere ghar aa. Main telepathy se khana bhej dunga.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Pagal hai kya?
Arshad: Haan. Lekin tera dost hoon. Isliye lunch ke liye nikal.
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Phir apni desk se uth gaya.
Neha ne use bag uthate dekha.
"Lunch break?"
"Haan."
"Good. Aaj toh aap time par ek kaam kar rahe ho."
Reyansh ne uski taraf ungli dikhayi.
"Ek din tumhari saari observations ka audit karunga."
"Main ready hoon. Bas appointment le lena."
Reyansh muskurate hue office se nikal gaya.
Arshad ne paas ke ek casual restaurant mein table book nahi ki thi. Usne bas message bheja tha ki woh wahan pahunch raha hai.
Jab Reyansh restaurant mein aaya, Arshad pehle se baitha menu dekh raha tha.
"Welcome, welcome! Hamare corporate celebrity aa gaye."
Reyansh saamne baith gaya.
"Tu mujhe lunch par bula raha tha ya award dene?"
"Dono. Award ghar par reh gaya."
"Achha hua. Teri acting ke liye jagah kam pad jaati."
Arshad hans pada.
Waiter aaya toh dono ne order diya. Arshad ne apne liye kuch spicy manga, jabki Reyansh ne simple meal choose kiya.
Arshad ne menu band karke use dekha.
"Toh, Mr. Reyansh. Kaisa chal raha hai?"
"Office chal raha hai."
"Main office ka nahi poochh raha."
Reyansh ne paani ka glass uthaya.
"Pata hai."
"Phir?"
Reyansh kuch der chup raha.
"Kal raat bhi neend theek se nahi aayi."
Arshad ne mazaak nahi kiya.
"Jheel ki wajah se?"
"Haan."
Reyansh ne glass table par rakh diya.
"Main baar-baar uska letter padh raha hoon. Samajhne ki koshish kar raha hoon ki use aisa kyun laga. Maine use bataya tha ki meri pehle shaadi ho chuki hai. Maine usse yeh bhi nahi kaha tha ki woh kisi ki jagah le."
Arshad dhyaan se sun raha tha.
"Usne apne letter mein likha hai ki main apni pehli zindagi ko bhula nahi sakta. Ki woh meri zindagi mein doosri aurat bankar nahi reh sakti."
Reyansh ne ek thaki hui saans li.
"Main samajh nahi paa raha ki usne mere baare mein aisa kaise soch liya."
Arshad ne apni ungliyon ko table par jod liya.
"Rey, main ek baat bolun?"
"Bol."
"Ho sakta hai usne apni feelings ke hisaab se decision liya ho. Ho sakta hai uske paas koi aisi baat ho jo tujhe nahi pata. Lekin jo bhi hai, tu abhi uske letter ki har line ko apni personality ka certificate mat samajh."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Arshad aage bola, "Usne jo likha, woh uska kehna hai. Iska matlab yeh nahi ki tu waise hi insaan hai."
Reyansh ne nazar neeche kar li.
"Par agar use mere saath rehna hi nahi tha, toh woh mujhe bata sakti thi."
"Haan. Yeh baat main samajh sakta hoon."
"Main usse kuch maang bhi nahi raha tha. Bas itna chahta tha ki woh mere saath rahe."
Arshad ne dheere se sir hilaya.
"Tu usse pyaar karta tha."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Karta tha?"
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
"Sorry. Karta hai. Feelings koi switch nahi hoti ki ek insaan chala gaya aur tu unhe off kar de."
Reyansh ki aankhon mein dard ubhar aaya, lekin usne nazar hata li.
Waiter khana lekar aa gaya.
Arshad ne jaanbujhkar conversation ko kuch der ke liye rok diya.
Dono khaane lage.
Kuch minute baad Arshad ne apni plate se ek piece uthakar Reyansh ki taraf badhaya.
"Yeh try kar."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Apni plate se kyun de raha hai? Alag order kar le."
"Friendship mein sharing hoti hai."
"Friendship mein hygiene bhi hoti hai."
Arshad ne haath wapas kheench liya.
"Achha, madam! Main toh pyaar se de raha tha."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Tu pyaar se nahi, apna khana khatam karne ke liye de raha tha."
Arshad ne ungli se uski taraf ishara kiya.

"Exactly! Tujhe samajh aana shuru ho gaya hai."
Dono hans pade.
Kuch der tak baat office, advertising campaigns aur Arshad ke ek client ke baare mein hoti rahi, jisne ek simple product ke liye itne complicated slogans maange the ki Arshad khud unka matlab bhool gaya tha.
Reyansh ko kuch pal ke liye apna dard yaad nahi raha.
Lekin lunch khatam hone ke baad jab dono restaurant se bahar nikle, uske andar ka khaali-pan phir mehsoos hone laga.
Arshad ne uske kandhe par haath rakha.
"Sun. Main tujhe har roz lunch par nahi bula sakta. Meri apni bhi zindagi hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Thank you. Bahut emotional tha."
"Isliye bol raha hoon ki jab mann kare, khud bhi call kar liya kar. Har baar main hi tera customer care nahi ban sakta."
Reyansh ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Theek hai."
Arshad ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Achha. Ab office ja. Aur haan, aaj dinner skip mat karna."
Reyansh ne haath hila diya.
"Ji, mummy."
Arshad ne turant kaha, "Mummy nahi, premium friendship package."
Reyansh hans pada aur apni gaadi ki taraf badh gaya.
Us din use ek baat mehsoos hui.
Kabhi-kabhi dost dard ka solution nahi dete.
Bas itni jagah de dete hain ki insaan apna dard lekar kuch der saans le sake.


Shaam ke kareeb saat baje Arshad apne apartment mein pahunch gaya.
Sakshi living room mein baithi laptop par kaam kar rahi thi. Table par kuch documents aur ek notebook rakhi thi.
Arshad ne shoes utaare aur sofa par baith gaya.
"Madam, main aa gaya."
Sakshi ne screen se nazar uthayi.
"Hmm."
Arshad ne use dekha.
"Bas hmm? Itni mehnat karke ghar aaya hoon."
Sakshi ne laptop band kiya.
"Arshad, mujhe kal subah ek important presentation deni hai. Main usi ki taiyaari kar rahi hoon."
"Achha, toh main chup ho jaata hoon."
Woh do seconds chup raha.
Phir bola, "Ab bol sakta hoon?"
Sakshi ne aankhein band karke ek saans li.
"Arshad, please."
"Okay, okay."
Arshad ne phone nikaal liya.
Kuch der baad usne poochha, "Waise kal shaam free ho?"
Sakshi ne apni notebook kholi.
"Kal nahi. Mujhe presentation ke baad bhi kuch kaam complete karna hai."
"Achha. Toh parson?"
"Parson bhi shayad nahi."
Arshad ne phone neeche kar diya.
"Hum kaafi din se saath mein kahin gaye nahi hain."
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Mujhe pata hai."
"Toh phir koi plan bana lete hain na."
"Arshad, har baar plan banane se pehle yeh bhi dekhna chahiye ki saamne wale ke paas time hai ya nahi."
Arshad ne bhauhein sikodi.
"Main toh poochh hi raha hoon."
"Haan, lekin jab main mana karti hoon toh tum aise react karte ho jaise main tumhare saath waqt bitana hi nahi chahti."
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
"Main aisa react karta hoon?"
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kabhi-kabhi."
Arshad ne apna phone table par rakh diya.
"Okay. Mujhe laga tha hum bas koi plan discuss kar rahe hain."
"Hum discuss hi kar rahe hain. Lekin main har baar apna kaam side mein nahi rakh sakti."
"Main tumse kaam chhodne ko nahi keh raha."
"Phir tumhe samajhna chahiye ki har baar haan kehna possible nahi hota."
Arshad ne gehri saans li.
"Theek hai, Sakshi. Main samajh gaya."
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Really?"
"Haan."
Arshad ne apna phone uthaya aur doosri taraf dekhne laga.
Sakshi kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Woh chahti thi ki Arshad samjhe ki uska kaam uske liye important hai. Woh apni career growth ko lekar serious thi. Uske liye relationship ka matlab apne plans aur ambitions ko chhod dena nahi tha.
Lekin Arshad ko us pal yeh laga ki usne bas ek simple plan suggest kiya tha aur baat zaroorat se zyada badh gayi.
Dono ne kuch aur nahi kaha.
Kuch der baad Sakshi apna laptop lekar bedroom mein chali gayi.
Arshad sofa par baitha raha.
Usne phone khola aur Reyansh ka chat dekha.
Woh use message karne wala tha, lekin phir socha ki Reyansh ko aaj thoda aaram karne de.
Usne phone lock kar diya.
Uske liye yeh bas ek chhota sa disagreement tha.


Kal sab normal ho jaayega, usne socha.
Sakshi bhi bedroom mein baithi apni presentation par kaam kar rahi thi. Usne Arshad se naraz rehne ka koi plan nahi banaya tha.
Lekin uske dimaag mein ek baat atki hui thi.
Kya Arshad sach mein uski baat samajhna chahta tha, ya bas tab tak sunta tha jab tak uski apni baat se disagreement na ho?
Woh abhi is sawaal ka jawaab nahi jaanti thi.
Aur usne us raat Arshad se dobara baat bhi nahi ki.

Reyansh raat kareeb aath baje apne flat mein lauta.
Darwaaza khola, lights on ki aur bag sofa par rakh diya.
Aaj ghar aate hi usne dining table ki taraf dekha.
Letter ab bhi wahin tha.
Woh uske paas gaya, lekin is baar use uthaya nahi.
Bas kuch seconds khada raha.
Phir kitchen mein gaya aur fridge khola.
Kal ki ice cream ab bhi rakhi thi.
Usne packet bahar nikala, ek bowl mein thodi si ice cream daali aur sofa par baith gaya.
TV on kiya.
Is baar usne channel badalte rehne ke bajaye ek comedy show laga diya.
Kuch jokes par woh halka sa hansa.
Kuch par nahi.
Lekin kam se kam usne screen band nahi ki.
Khaana order karne ke liye phone uthaya. Menu dekhte hue uski nazar Jheel ke chat par padi.
Usne chat kholne ke liye ungli badhayi.
Phir rok li.
Phone lock kar diya.
Aaj woh uske purane messages nahi padhna chahta tha.
Woh nahi jaanta tha ki kal kya hoga. Na yeh ki Jheel ke jaane ka dard kitne din rahega.
Lekin aaj usne apne liye ek chhota sa kaam kiya.
Dinner order kiya.
Khaana khaya.
Aur sone se pehle office ka alarm set kar diya.
Zindagi kaafi badal gayi thi.
Lekin Reyansh ne abhi usse poori tarah chhod nahi diya tha.


Raat ke gyarah bajkar das minute par Reyansh bed par leta hua tha.
Usne phone uthaya aur ek baar notifications check kiye.
Office ka ek email tha.
Arshad ka message tha.
Arshad: Dinner kiya?
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Haan, sir.
Arshad: Good. Ab so ja. Kal phir duniya ko apni brand management skills se bachana hai.
Reyansh: Aur tu apne clients ko confusing slogans se bachana.
Arshad: Main artist hoon. Meri creativity ko samajhna har kisi ke bas ki baat nahi.
Reyansh muskuraya.
Phir usne phone side mein rakh diya.
Jheel ki chat kholne ka mann ab bhi ho raha tha.
Uska number dobara try karne ka mann bhi.
Lekin usne khud ko rok liya.
Aankhein band karte hue usne dheere se kaha, "Kal dekhenge."
Uske paas abhi koi jawaab nahi tha.
Koi explanation nahi.
Koi closure nahi.
Bas ek letter tha, kuch yaadein thi aur ek aisa rishta jo khatam ho chuka tha, lekin jiska asar abhi uske andar zinda tha.
Aur shayad filhaal, use bas itna hi accept karna tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 59


Subah ke 7:15 baj rahe the.
Phone ka alarm baj raha tha.
Reyansh ne aankhein khole bina haath badhaya aur alarm band kar diya.
Paanch minute baad alarm phir baja.
Is baar usne takiya apne kaanon par rakh liya.
"Bas paanch minute aur..."
Phone par teesri baar alarm baja toh usne aankhein khol di.
"Yaar, tumhari bhi zindagi hai. Mere peeche kyun pade ho?"
Phone ne jawaab nahi diya.
Reyansh khud hi halki si hansi hans diya.
Woh bed se utha, bathroom mein gaya aur taiyaar hone laga. Aaj usne apni shirt khud iron ki. Breakfast ke liye bread nikali, toaster mein daali aur chai banane ke liye paani chadha diya.
Kitchen mein khade-khade uski nazar dining table par padi.
Jheel ka letter ab bhi wahin tha.
Usne ek pal ke liye use dekha.
Phir nazar hata li.
Pichhle kuch dino se woh letter uske ghar ka ek aisa hissa ban gaya tha jise woh dekhna bhi nahi chahta tha aur hata bhi nahi paa raha tha.
Chai taiyaar hui toh usne cup uthaya aur table par baith gaya.
Phone ki screen par Arshad ka message chamak raha tha.
Arshad: Aaj office time par pahunchna. Mujhe apni aankhon se yeh historical event dekhna hai.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Apna kaam kar.
Arshad: Kar raha hoon. Teri punctuality par documentary likh raha hoon.
Reyansh: Title kya hoga?
Arshad: Ek aadmi, ek alarm aur haar maan chuki ghadi.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne chai khatam ki, bag uthaya aur flat se nikal gaya.
Aaj bhi woh khush nahi tha.
Lekin aaj usne udaasi ko apne poore din ka schedule nahi banane diya.


Office pahunchte hi Reyansh ne apna laptop khola aur pending emails check karne laga.
Pichhle hafte se chal rahe ek campaign ke final changes client ne bheje the. Presentation ko revise karna tha aur team ke saath short meeting bhi scheduled thi.
Reyansh ne document khola.
Pehle headline padhi.
Phir subheading.
Phir poora paragraph.
Ek jagah rukkar usne khud se kaha, "Nahi, yeh line kaam nahi karegi."
Usne sentence delete kiya aur naya version type kiya.
Kuch der baad Neha uski desk ke paas aayi.
"Morning."
Reyansh ne screen se nazar uthayi.
"Morning."
Neha ne uske laptop par nazar daali.
"Already working? Yeh kaun hai aur hamare Reyansh ko kahan chhupa diya?"
"Main hi hoon."
"Proof?"
"Employee ID dikhaun?"
Neha hans padi.
"Nahi, woh bhi fake banwa sakte ho."
Reyansh ne laptop ki screen uski taraf thodi ghumayi.
"Yeh dekho. Campaign ka revised draft. Tumhare paas isse better kuch hai toh batao."
Neha ne document padhna shuru kiya.
Kuch seconds baad usne kaha, "Yeh line achhi hai."
"Bas achhi?"
"Kaafi achhi."
"Thoda aur enthusiasm dikhao. Main appreciation ka bhookha insaan hoon."
Neha ne seedha jawaab diya, "Toh canteen se sandwich le lo."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Very funny."
"Thank you. Main apni comedy par kaam kar rahi hoon."
Neha ne draft ke do points suggest kiye. Reyansh ne unhe note kar liya.
Dono kuch der campaign ke baare mein baat karte rahe.
Kaam ki baat karte waqt Reyansh ka andaaz ab bhi pehle jaisa tha. Woh suggestions sunta, zaroorat padne par argue karta aur achhe idea ko bina ego ke accept bhi kar leta.
Neha ne yeh sab notice kiya.
Lekin usne ek aur cheez bhi notice ki.
Pichhle kuch hafton mein Reyansh kaafi baar apna phone check karta tha. Ab woh phone ko ulta rakhkar kaam kar raha tha.
Aur jab bhi koi baat uski personal life ki taraf jaati, woh mazaak karke use doosri taraf mod deta.
Neha ko itna samajh aa gaya tha ki kuch badla hai.
Lekin kya badla hai, yeh poochhne ka usne abhi faisla nahi kiya.

Das baje team meeting shuru hui.
Conference room mein chaar log baithe the. Screen par campaign ke visuals dikh rahe the aur table par notebooks khuli hui thi.
Reyansh presentation ke ek section ko explain kar raha tha.
"Hum product ko sirf ek daily-use item ki tarah position nahi karenge. Campaign ka focus us moment par hoga jab customer ko product ki zaroorat mehsoos hoti hai."


Team ka ek member bola, "Toh emotional angle zyada rakhein?"
"Emotional, lekin overdramatic nahi. Humein relatable rehna hai."
Reyansh ne agla slide khola.
Screen par tagline aayi:
"Some connections change the way we see everything."
Uski awaaz ek pal ke liye ruk gayi.
Bas ek pal.
Lekin us ek pal mein uske dimaag mein Jheel ki hansi ubhar aayi.
Woh shaam yaad aayi jab usne uski baat par hanskar kaha tha ki Reyansh har simple cheez ko complicated bana deta hai.
Phir ek aur yaad.
Jheel ka uski taraf dekhna.
Uska kehna, "Tum kabhi-kabhi bahut irritating ho."
Aur uske baad khud hi hans dena.
Reyansh ki ungli presentation ke remote par ruk gayi.
"Sir?"
Team member ki awaaz se uska dhyaan wapas aaya.
"Haan?"
"Is slide ke baad hum audience segmentation par ja rahe hain na?"
Reyansh ne screen ki taraf dekha.
"Yes. Sorry. Audience segmentation."
Usne agla slide khol diya aur meeting jaari rakhi.
Kisi aur ke liye yeh bas ek chhota sa pause tha.
Reyansh ke liye nahi.
Usne presentation poori ki, team ke questions ke jawaab diye aur meeting khatam hone par apni notebook band kar di.
Sab log bahar nikal gaye.
Woh kuch seconds wahi baitha raha.
Usne khud se kaha, "Focus, Reyansh."
Phir laptop uthaya aur room se bahar aa gaya.
Usne koi dramatic decision nahi liya.
Bas apne agle kaam ki taraf badh gaya.


Meeting ke baad Neha uske paas aayi.
"Coffee?"
Reyansh ne apni screen se nazar uthayi.
"Free hai?"
"Main tumhe coffee offer kar rahi hoon, loan nahi."
"Toh phir haan."
Dono office pantry ki taraf chale gaye.
Neha ne coffee machine on ki aur do cups nikaale.
"Meeting mein ek second ke liye kho gaye the."
Reyansh ne cup uthaya.
"Main presentation ka next slide yaad kar raha tha."
"Achha? Slide ko dekhkar?"
"Multitasking kehte hain ise."
Neha ne use dekha.
"Reyansh."
Uske tone mein is baar mazaak nahi tha.
Reyansh ne cup neeche kar diya.
"Kya?"
"Main tumse personal details nahi poochh rahi. Bas itna keh rahi hoon ki agar kuch chal raha hai, toh har baar sab kuch normal dikhane ki zaroorat nahi."
Reyansh kuch der chup raha.
Uske paas do options the.
Woh mazaak karke baat badal sakta tha.
Ya phir ek chhoti si sachchai accept kar sakta tha.
"Sab normal nahi hai," usne aakhir kaha.
Neha ne kuch nahi poochha.
Reyansh ne coffee ka ek sip liya.
"Bas kuch personal cheezein hain. Thoda time lagega."
"Okay."
Bas itna hi.
Na sawaalon ki baarish.
Na zabardasti ki sympathy.
Na koi lamba lecture.
Neha ne apna cup uthaya.
"Waise, tumhara revised draft mujhe pasand aaya."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Thank you."
"Is baar genuinely bol rahi hoon."
"Main bhi genuinely thank you bol raha hoon."
Neha muskuraayi.
"Good. Ab wapas kaam karo. Client ko tumhare emotional development se zyada campaign ki deadline mein interest hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Finally, someone who understands corporate priorities."
Dono apni-apni desk par laut gaye.
Neha ne uska dard door nahi kiya tha.
Lekin usne usse yeh mehsoos nahi hone diya ki office mein har kisi ke saamne use apni udaasi chhupane ke liye acting karni padegi.
Kabhi-kabhi itni si jagah bhi kaafi hoti hai.


Dopahar ke kareeb ek baje Reyansh ka phone baja.
Arshad ka call tha.
"Bol, copywriter."
"Tu lunch kar raha hai?"
"Karne wala hoon."
"Matlab abhi tak nahi kiya."
"Reyansh, tu mere dost se zyada meri attendance sheet kyun bana hua hai?"
"Experience."
Arshad hans pada.
"Achha sun. Kal raat Sakshi thodi irritated thi."
Reyansh apni chair par peeche tik gaya.
"Kyun?"
"Bas, kal hum plan discuss kar rahe the. Maine poochha tha ki weekend par kahin chalte hain. Uske paas kaam tha."
"Toh?"
"Toh maine kaha theek hai. Baat khatam."
Reyansh ne kuch seconds chup rehkar poochha, "Sach mein baat khatam?"
Arshad ne jawaab dene se pehle ek chhoti si saans li.
"Haan. Matlab... maine uske baad kuch nahi kaha."
"Par dimaag mein toh abhi bhi chal raha hai."
"Tu dost hai ya mind reader?"
"Main bas tujhe kaafi saalon se jaanta hoon."
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
"Yaar, main samajhta hoon ki uska kaam important hai. Lekin kabhi-kabhi mujhe lagta hai ki hum dono ke liye time nikaalna bhi important hona chahiye."
Reyansh ne is baar uski baat ko mazaak mein nahi udaaya.
"Bilkul. Lekin uske liye dono ko milkar time nikaalna padega. Agar uske paas abhi time nahi hai, toh baad mein poochh le. Aur agar tujhe bura laga hai, toh woh bhi bata."
"Main har chhoti baat par discussion nahi karna chahta."
"Toh phir usse umeed kyun kar raha hai ki woh bina bataye samajh jaayegi?"
Phone ke doosri taraf kuch der khamoshi rahi.
Phir Arshad bola, "Yeh line tune kahan se seekhi?"
"Zindagi naam ki ek free online class hai. Bas fees thodi zyada hai."
Arshad hans pada.
"Achha, professor. Tu apna lunch kar. Main bhi karta hoon."
"Done."
Call kat gaya.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakha.
Arshad ke saath baat karke use apne dard se kuch der ke liye doori mili thi. Lekin usne yeh bhi mehsoos kiya ki uska dost apni hi baat ko samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha.
Arshad doosron ke liye achhe words dhoondh leta tha.
Apne liye sahi words dhoondhna shayad utna aasaan nahi tha.


Shaam ko Arshad apne ghar par tha.
Sakshi kitchen se paani lekar living room mein aayi. Usne Arshad ko laptop par kaam karte dekha.

"Kal ki presentation ke baare mein poochhna tha," Arshad ne kaha. "Tumhe kisi help ki zaroorat hai?"
Sakshi ne use dekha. Shayad woh is sawaal ki ummeed nahi kar rahi thi.
"Nahi, slides complete hain. Bas final practice karni hai."
"Okay."
Arshad ne laptop band kiya.
"Aur weekend ke liye... hum koi chhota sa plan bana sakte hain. Tumhari presentation ke baad."
Sakshi ne kuch pal socha.
"Saturday shaam shayad free ho jaaun. Lekin abhi confirm nahi kar sakti."
Arshad ne sir hila diya.
"Theek hai. Jab confirm ho jaaye, bata dena."
Sakshi uski taraf dekhti rahi.
"Bas?"
Arshad ne bhauhein uthayi.
"Ab kya hua?"
"Pichhli baar tum naraaz ho gaye the."
"Main naraaz nahi tha."
Sakshi ne use dekha.
Arshad ne apni baat sudhaari.
"Okay, thoda bura laga tha. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki tum galat thi."
Sakshi ka chehra kuch halka hua.
"Main tumhare saath waqt bitana chahti hoon, Arshad. Bas kabhi-kabhi mere paas bahut kuch hota hai."
"Samajhta hoon."
"Main nahi chahti ki tumhe lage ki tum mere liye important nahi ho."
Arshad ne uski taraf dekha.
"Achha hai. Kyunki kabhi-kabhi mujhe aisa lag jaata hai."
Sakshi kuch kehne hi wali thi ki Arshad ne apni usual smile ke saath kaha, "Lekin tension mat lo. Main emotionally available hoon. Bas kabhi-kabhi meri availability ka server down ho jaata hai."
Sakshi hans padi.
"Tumse serious baat karna mushkil hai."
"Main serious hoon. Mera face bas meri personality ke against kaam karta hai."
"Yeh toh mujhe pehle din se pata hai."
Dono ke beech ka tanaav kuch kam hua.
Lekin poori tarah khatam nahi hua tha.
Sakshi apni presentation ki taiyaari karne chali gayi aur Arshad apne laptop par laut aaya.
Unhone baat ki thi.
Kuch samjha bhi tha.
Lekin kuch baatein abhi bhi aisi thi jinhe dono sahi waqt par dobara kehna chahte the.
Aur shayad unhe woh waqt abhi nahi mila tha.

Reyansh raat ko ghar lauta toh flat pehle ki tarah shaant tha.
Usne lights on ki, bag sofa par rakha aur shirt ki sleeves fold karte hue kitchen mein chala gaya.
Aaj usne khaana khud banane ka faisla kiya.
Kuch complicated nahi.
Bas simple dinner.
Cooking karte waqt uska dhyaan ek baar phir Jheel ki taraf gaya.
Use yaad aaya ki Jheel ne ek baar uske banaye khaane ko taste karke kaha tha, "Tum cooking karte ho ya ingredients ko ek doosre se milwa dete ho?"
Reyansh hans pada tha.
Usne jawaab diya tha, "Main creative hoon. Har dish ek experiment hai."
Jheel ne kaha tha, "Toh main tumhari laboratory se door hi rahungi."
Woh yaad ab bhi use hansa sakti thi.
Aur agle hi pal uske seene mein ek halka sa dard bhar sakti thi.
Reyansh ne chammach rakh diya.
Kuch seconds tak woh bas gas par rakhe bartan ko dekhta raha.
Phir usne flame kam ki aur khaana poora kiya.
Dinner ke baad woh sofa par baith gaya. Phone paas hi tha.
Usne Jheel ka chat khola.
Purane messages ab bhi wahin the.
Usne kuch der screen dekhi, lekin is baar neeche tak scroll nahi kiya. Na usne uske purane voice notes dhoondhe, na last conversation ko baar-baar padha.
Usne chat band kar diya.
Phir phone table par rakh diya.
Yeh bhool jaana nahi tha.
Yeh maaf kar dena bhi nahi tha.
Aur na hi iska matlab tha ki uska dil ab theek ho gaya tha.
Bas aaj ki raat usne apne dard ko aur kholkar dekhne se inkaar kar diya.
Woh balcony mein gaya.
Bengaluru ki sadak par gaadiyan aa-ja rahi thi. Kuch log apne gharon ki taraf laut rahe the, kuch apni shaam shuru kar rahe the.
Har kisi ki zindagi apni raftaar se chal rahi thi.
Reyansh railing ke paas khada raha.
Uske paas abhi bhi kai sawaal the.
Lekin aaj usne un sabka jawaab dhoondhne ki koshish nahi ki.
Woh andar aaya, alarm set kiya aur bed par let gaya.
Sone se pehle usne khud se bas ek baat kahi.
"Kal ka din kal dekhenge."


Raat ke kareeb gyarah bajkar pachaas minute par phone ki screen jal uthi.
Ek unknown number se message aaya tha.
Reyansh ki aankhein aadhi band thi. Usne phone uthaya.
Message padha.
Unknown Number:
Kabhi-kabhi kisi ke chale jaane se zyada takleef us wajah ki hoti hai, jo woh bata kar jaata hai.
Reyansh seedha hokar baith gaya.
Usne message dobara padha.
Phir teesri baar.
Uske dimaag mein Jheel ka letter aa gaya.
Uski likhi hui baatein.
Woh wajah jo usne Reyansh ko di thi.
Aur woh sawaal jiska jawaab Reyansh ko ab tak nahi mila tha.
Usne message box khola aur type kiya:
Reyansh:
Aapko kaise pata ki meri zindagi mein kya hua hai?
Usne message send kar diya.
Screen par message deliver ho gaya.
Reyansh kuch der phone ko dekhta raha.
Koi reply nahi aaya.
Usne chat band nahi ki.
Bas phone apne paas rakh diya.
Kuch minute beet gaye.
Phir aur kuch minute.
Koi jawaab nahi.
Aakhirkaar usne phone lock kiya aur bed par let gaya.
Uske dimaag mein ab do alag sawaal the.
Ek Jheel ke jaane ka.
Doosra ek aise insaan ka jo uski zindagi ke baare mein kuch jaanta hua lagta tha, lekin kabhi poori baat nahi karta tha.
Reyansh ko nahi pata tha ki us unknown number ke peeche kaun hai.
Na hi use pata tha ki agla message kab aayega.
Filhaal, usne phone side mein rakha aur aankhein band kar li.
Bengaluru mein raat aage badh rahi thi.
Flat 303 mein ek aadmi sone ki koshish kar raha tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 60



Subah 7:40 baje.
Reyansh ki aankh khuli toh sabse pehle usne apna phone dekha.
Kal raat usne unknown number par message bheja tha.
Aapko kaise pata ki meri zindagi mein kya hua hai?
Ab tak koi reply nahi aaya tha.
Usne chat kholi, kuch seconds tak screen dekhi aur phir phone side mein rakh diya.
"Reply karna hai toh karo. Main tumhara intezaar karte hue retirement nahi lene wala."
Woh bed se utha aur bathroom ki taraf chala gaya.
Kuch der baad kitchen mein breakfast bana raha tha. Bread toaster mein thi aur chai stove par.
Uski nazar dining table par padi.
Jheel ka letter ab bhi wahin tha.
Reyansh ne kuch pal use dekha. Phir letter ko uthakar ek drawer mein rakh diya.
Usne use phaada nahi.
Na hi usse chhupakar apne aap ko yeh samjhaya ki sab khatam ho gaya.
Bas woh nahi chahta tha ki har subah uthte hi uski nazar sabse pehle usi par pade.
Drawer band karke woh wapas kitchen mein aaya.
"Ek problem solve."
Usne chai ka cup uthaya.
"Ab baaki duniya ki problems solve karni hain."
Phone baja.
Arshad ka call tha.
Reyansh ne call receive kiya.
Reyansh: "Good morning, berozgaar copywriter."
Arshad: "Good morning, dukhi brand manager."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha, phir hans diya.
Reyansh: "Tere paas koi normal greeting nahi hai?"
Arshad: "Hai. Lekin tere liye special subscription hai."
Reyansh: "Kitne paise leta hai?"
Arshad: "Dosti mein paise nahi leta. Bas kabhi-kabhi teri gaadi mein petrol bharwa diya kar."
Reyansh: "Achha, toh asli agenda yeh hai!"
Dono hans pade.
Kuch der baad Arshad ne poochha, "Aaj kaisa hai?"
Reyansh ne chai ka sip liya.
"Kal se thoda better."
"Good."
"Bas, abhi bhi kabhi-kabhi dimaag wahi atak jaata hai."
Arshad ki awaaz naram ho gayi.
"Atakne de. Jab tak tu apna poora din usi mein nahi guzaar raha, tab tak dheere-dheere cheezein settle hongi."
Reyansh ne halki si saans li.
"Tu kabse itni samajhdari ki baatein karne laga?"
"Jabse mere clients ne meri creativity ki kadar karni band kar di."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Chal, main office ke liye nikal raha hoon."
"Ja. Aur lunch karna."
"Ji, attendance officer."
Call kat gaya.
Reyansh ne bag uthaya aur flat se nikal gaya.
Drawer mein rakha letter apni jagah tha.
Lekin aaj subah Reyansh ki nazar us par nahi ruki thi.
Yeh koi badi jeet nahi thi.
Bas ek chhota sa badlaav tha.


Office pahunchkar Reyansh ne apna laptop khola.
Kuch emails check kiye, ek presentation revise ki aur team ke saath upcoming campaign ki short meeting attend ki.
Woh kaam mein laga hua tha, lekin phone ki taraf uska dhyaan baar-baar chala jaata.
Aakhirkaar, kareeb gyarah baje phone ki screen jal uthi.
Unknown number.
Reyansh ne message khola.
Unknown Number:
Kabhi-kabhi insaan ki baaton se zyada uski khamoshi bata deti hai ki woh kis daur se guzar raha hai.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Uski aankhon mein uljhan ubhar aayi.
Yeh kaun tha?
Aur is insaan ko uski zindagi mein itni dilchaspi kyun thi?
Usne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Aap meri khamoshi ko samajhne ka daawa karte hain, lekin apni pehchaan batane se darte hain?
Message send ho gaya.
Kuch seconds baad usne doosra message type kiya.
Reyansh:
Aakhir aap chahte kya hain?
Is baar bhi message deliver ho gaya.
Reyansh screen dekhta raha.
Ek minute.
Do minute.
Paanch minute.
Koi reply nahi.
Usne phone table par rakh diya.
"Perfect. Sawaal main poochhun, jawaab yeh apni marzi se denge."
Woh laptop ki taraf mud gaya.
Lekin ab uske dimaag mein ek naya sawaal tha.
Kya yeh unknown insaan sach mein uske baare mein kuch jaanta tha, ya sirf uski zindagi ke kuch aam andaaze laga raha tha?
Abhi uske paas koi jawaab nahi tha.
Aur woh is mystery ko suljhane ke liye apna kaam chhodkar baithna bhi nahi chahta tha.


Dopahar ke kareeb Neha ek file lekar Reyansh ki desk par aayi.
"Yeh client ke revised points hain. Ek baar dekh lena."
Reyansh ne file le li.
"Okay."


Neha jaane lagi, phir ruk gayi.
"Waise, tum aajkal phone bahut check karte ho."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Office mein phone check karna allowed nahi hai kya?"
"Allowed hai. Bas tum pehle har notification ko itni importance nahi dete the."
Reyansh ne phone ko ulta rakh diya.
"Shayad ab mujhe technology ki kadar hone lagi hai."
Neha hans padi.
"Achha? Kal tak toh tum kehte the ki phone sirf kaam ke liye hai."
"Insaan badal sakta hai."
"Bilkul. Lekin har badlaav ke peeche koi interesting story hoti hai."
Reyansh ne file kholi.
"Tum apna kaam karo, detective."
Neha ne haath utha diye.
"Theek hai, Mr. Secretive."
Woh apni desk par laut gayi.
Reyansh ne file padhni shuru ki.
Neha ne sawaal toh poochha tha, lekin usne uske jawaab ke peeche padne ka faisla nahi kiya.
Woh jaanti thi ki Reyansh jab apni personal life ke baare mein baat karna chahega, tab khud karega.
Filhaal, dono ke beech kaam tha.
Aur kaam ke maamle mein Reyansh ab bhi utna hi focused rehne ki koshish kar raha tha jitna pehle hua karta tha.

Dopahar ek baje Reyansh office cafeteria mein baitha tha.
Usne lunch ka order diya aur phone table par rakh diya.
Koi naya message nahi aaya tha.
Woh unknown number ki chat kholne hi wala tha ki Arshad ka call aa gaya.
Reyansh: "Bol."
Arshad: "Khaana kha raha hai?"
Reyansh: "Haan."
Arshad: "Photo bhej."
Reyansh ne hairaani se phone dekha.
Reyansh: "Kya?"
Arshad: "Proof chahiye. Pichhle kuch dino se tu khaane ke naam par hawa kha raha tha."
Reyansh ne apni plate ki photo kheenchkar bhej di.
Arshad: "Good. Ab mujhe sukoon mila."
Reyansh: "Mere khaane se tujhe sukoon kyun milta hai?"
Arshad: "Kyunki agar tu bhookha raha toh mujhe teri taraf se emotional calls zyada aayengi."
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: "Tu dost hai ya customer care ka budget department?"
Arshad: "Dono. Lekin overtime charge alag hai."
Dono kuch der baat karte rahe.
Arshad ne apne ek client ka kissa sunaya, jisne usse ek advertisement ki line badalne ke liye kaha tha, lekin khud yeh nahi bata paa raha tha ki use line mein kya galat lag raha hai.
"Usne kaha, 'Arshad, kuch missing hai.' Maine poochha, 'Sir, kya?' Woh bola, 'Woh toh tumhara kaam hai.'"
Reyansh hans-hanskar apna sir hilaane laga.
"Phir tune kya kiya?"
"Maine usse kaha, 'Sir, aapki feedback bhi missing hai.'"
Reyansh zor se hans pada.
Paas wali table par baithe do logon ne palatkar dekha.
Reyansh ne haath se maafi ka ishara kiya aur apni awaaz dheemi kar li.
Arshad bhi hans raha tha.
Kuch der baad Arshad ne kaha, "Waise, aaj Sakshi ki presentation hai. Subah se busy thi."
"Toh tune usse wish kiya?"
"Obviously."
"Achha."
"Reyansh, main relationship mein hoon. Itna toh kar hi sakta hoon."
Reyansh ne mazaak kiya, "Bas kabhi-kabhi relationship ke terms and conditions padhna bhool jaata hai."
Arshad ki hansi halki pad gayi.
"Kal wali baat abhi bhi dimaag mein hai."
Reyansh ne uski baat ko dhyaan se suna.
"Toh usse baat kar."
"Karunga. Bas presentation ke baad."
"Good."
Arshad ne topic badal diya.
"Achha, ab lunch kar. Mujhe ek aur client ka phone aa raha hai. Lagta hai aaj meri creativity ka post-mortem hone wala hai."
Call kat gaya.
Reyansh ne phone neeche rakha aur khaana khane laga.
Usne mehsoos kiya ki pichhle kuch dino mein Arshad ki company uske liye kitni important ho gayi thi.
Arshad uske saare sawaalon ke jawaab nahi jaanta tha.
Lekin woh uske saath baitha reh sakta tha, uski bakwaas sun sakta tha aur zaroorat padne par use hansaa bhi sakta tha.
Filhaal, Reyansh ko isi ki zaroorat thi.


Doosri taraf Sakshi conference room mein apni presentation shuru kar chuki thi.
Usne laptop connect kiya, slides kholi aur apna introduction diya.
Pehle do slides ke baad uska confidence aur badh gaya.
Usne apne ideas explain kiye, questions ke jawaab diye aur ek jagah apne proposal ke support mein additional data bhi dikhaya.
Meeting khatam hone par uske manager ne kaha, "Good work, Sakshi. Tumne points clearly present kiye."
Sakshi ke chehre par genuine smile aa gayi.
"Thank you."
Meeting room se bahar nikalte hi usne phone check kiya.
Arshad ka message tha.
Arshad: Presentation ke liye good luck! Aur agar kisi ne sawaal poochhkar tumhe confuse karne ki koshish ki, toh usse bolo ki woh apna sawaal pehle khud samjhe.
Sakshi hans padi.
Usne reply kiya.
Sakshi: Presentation ho gayi. Achhi gayi.
Arshad ka jawaab turant aaya.
Arshad: I knew it. Treat kab de rahi ho?
Sakshi ne screen dekhi.
Sakshi: Abhi office ka kaam baaki hai. Shaam ko baat karti hoon.
Arshad: Theek hai, boss.
Sakshi ne phone bag mein rakha aur apni desk par laut gayi.
Arshad ka message padhkar use achha laga tha.
Lekin pichhli shaam ki baat abhi poori tarah uske dimaag se gayi nahi thi.
Woh Arshad se pyaar karti thi aur uske saath waqt bitana chahti thi.
Lekin apne career ko lekar uski seriousness bhi utni hi sach thi.
Woh nahi chahti thi ki har baar busy hone par use apni priorities justify karni padein.
Usne apna laptop khola aur kaam mein lag gayi.
Shayad shaam ko dono aaram se baat kar paayenge.
Filhaal, Sakshi ke liye apni presentation ka achha jaana ek badi baat thi.
Aur woh us khushi ko poori tarah mehsoos karna chahti thi.

Office se ghar lautne ke baad Reyansh ne apna bag sofa par rakha aur kitchen mein paani lene chala gaya.
Wapas aakar usne phone check kiya.
Unknown number se koi naya message nahi tha.
Usne chat kholi.
Uske bheje hue dono messages ab bhi unanswered the.
Reyansh ne type kiya:
Reyansh: Agar aapko mujhse kuch kehna hai, toh seedha kahiye. Paheliyan mujhe pasand nahi hain.
Usne message send kar diya.
Phir kuch der screen dekhta raha.
Koi reply nahi aaya.
Usne phone lock kar diya.
"Bas. Aaj ke liye kaafi mystery ho gayi."
Woh sofa par baithkar TV on karne laga.
Lekin uske dimaag mein ek baat baar-baar aa rahi thi.
Unknown number ke messages mein kuch aisa tha jo use pareshan kar raha tha.
Woh insaan uski khamoshi, uske badalte hue andaaz aur uski zindagi mein hone wali cheezon ki baat karta tha.
Lekin kya yeh sab usne waqai notice kiya tha?
Ya woh bas kuch aise jumle likh raha tha jinmein har insaan apni kahani dhoondh sakta hai?
Reyansh ne remote table par rakh diya.
Woh abhi kisi natije par nahi pahunchna chahta tha.
Uske paas pehle se hi kaafi uljhan thi.
Use ek aur uljhan ki zaroorat nahi thi.


Raat ko Arshad ghar aaya toh Sakshi dining table par baithi apna laptop band kar rahi thi.
"Presentation kaisi rahi?" Arshad ne poochha.
Sakshi ke chehre par smile aa gayi.
"Achhi rahi. Manager ne appreciate kiya."
"See! Maine kaha tha na, tum kar logi."
Sakshi hans padi.
"Thanks."
Arshad ne bag sofa par rakha.
"Toh ab treat?"
Sakshi ne ghadi dekhi.
"Aaj bahut thak gayi hoon. Ghar par hi dinner kar lete hain?"
Arshad ne kuch pal use dekha.
Pichhli shaam ki baat use yaad aayi.
Usne apni pehli instinct ko rok liya.
"Theek hai. Ghar par hi karte hain."
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Pakki baat?"
"Haan. Tum thaki hui ho. Har baar bahar jaana zaroori thodi hai."
Sakshi ke chehre par rahat aayi.
"Thank you."
Arshad ne phone nikaala.
"Waise, ghar par dinner ka matlab yeh nahi ki mujhe cooking karni padegi."
Sakshi hans padi.
"Main bhi tumse yahi kehne wali thi."
"Toh order karte hain."
"Done."
Dono ne milkar dinner order kar diya.
Khaana aane tak Arshad ne Sakshi ko apne client ki ek aur ajeeb demand sunayi. Sakshi ne uski baat sunte hue do baar use roka aur kaha ki client ki baat mein ek point toh tha.
Arshad ne turant kaha, "Tum meri girlfriend ho ya us client ki brand consultant?"
Sakshi hans padi.
"Main bas sach bol rahi hoon."
"Yahi toh problem hai. Tum sach bahut bolti ho."
"Toh tum jhooth sunna chahte ho?"
"Bilkul nahi. Lekin kabhi-kabhi thoda flattering feedback bhi diya ja sakta hai."
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Achha, Mr. Copywriter. Tum bahut talented ho, tumhare clients tumhari kadar nahi karte aur tumhare jokes duniya ke liye ek gift hain."
Arshad ne seene par haath rakh liya.
"Bas. Aaj ki raat safal ho gayi."
Sakshi hans padi.
Dono ke beech ka mahaul halka tha.
Lekin unki pichhli baat poori tarah gayab nahi hui thi.
Abhi dono ek doosre ko samajhne ki koshish kar rahe the.
Abhi tak unke beech itni doori nahi aayi thi ki woh saath baithkar hans na sakein.
Lekin kuch sawaal aise the jinhe sirf ek achhi shaam se hamesha ke liye khatam nahi kiya ja sakta.


Raat ke kareeb gyarah baje Reyansh apne bedroom mein aaya.
Phone bedside table par rakha aur alarm set kar diya.
Usne ek baar phir unknown number ki chat kholi.
Koi naya message nahi tha.
Usne apna bheja hua aakhri message padha.
Agar aapko mujhse kuch kehna hai, toh seedha kahiye. Paheliyan mujhe pasand nahi hain.
Reyansh ne phone lock kar diya.
"Ab reply aaya toh dekhenge."
Woh bed par let gaya.
Aaj ka din poori tarah aasaan nahi tha.
Meeting ke beech Jheel yaad aayi thi. Unknown number ke messages ne uski uljhan badha di thi. Lekin usne kaam kiya, lunch kiya, Arshad se baat ki aur raat ka khaana bhi khaaya.
Zindagi abhi bhi uske liye mushkil thi.
Lekin woh har mushkil ko ek hi din mein solve karne ki koshish nahi kar raha tha.
Usne aankhein band kar li.
Kuch der baad phone ki screen ek baar phir jal uthi.
Unknown Number:
Har sawaal ka jawaab dena aasaan nahi hota, Reyansh.
Message ke neeche koi aur line nahi thi.
Reyansh ne aankhein kholkar screen dekhi.
Is baar uske chehre par muskurahat nahi thi.
Usne dheere se message dobara padha.
Us anjaan insaan ko uska naam pata tha.
Yeh baat pehle bhi sach thi, lekin aaj usne use alag tarah se mehsoos kiya.
Reyansh ne reply type kiya:
Reyansh: Aap mujhe jaante hain?
Usne send kar diya.
Is baar usne phone ko table par rakhne ke bajaye haath mein hi pakde rakha.
Kuch seconds beet gaye.
Phir ek minute.
Koi jawaab nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone lock kar diya aur use bedside table par rakh diya.
Woh nahi jaanta tha ki yeh anjaan insaan kaun tha.
Na hi use pata tha ki uske sawaalon ke peeche koi sach tha ya sirf ek khel.
Lekin ab ek baat saaf thi.
Yeh unknown number sirf uski zindagi par comments nahi kar raha tha. Woh Reyansh ko naam se jaanta tha.
Aur Reyansh ab yeh jaanne ke liye pehle se zyada curious tha ki us screen ke doosri taraf aakhir kaun baitha hai.

[Greenwood]

Update 61


Bengaluru ki subah apni raftaar pakad chuki thi.
Sadkon par traffic badh raha tha. Cafes mein log apne laptops kholkar baithne lage the. Kisi ko office ki meeting ki jaldi thi, kisi ko apni cab pakadni thi aur kisi ke liye din ki shuruaat abhi coffee ke pehle sip se honi thi.
Flat 303 mein Reyansh apni shirt ke buttons band kar raha tha.
Aaj uski ek client presentation thi. Kaam mushkil nahi tha, lekin use waqt par pahunchna tha.
Usne wallet uthaya, phone check kiya aur darwaaze ki taraf badha.
Tabhi doorbell baj gayi.
Reyansh ne darwaaza khola.
Shalu saamne khadi thi.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning. Aaj koi nayi observation?"
Shalu ne use upar se neeche tak dekha.
"Aaj aap taiyaar lag rahe ho."
Reyansh ne apni shirt ki taraf dekha.
"Main roz taiyaar hota hoon."
"Roz aap taiyaar hone ki koshish karte ho. Aaj sach mein lag rahe ho."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Tumhare confidence ka graph roz upar ja raha hai."
"Practice kar rahi hoon."
"Kis cheez ki?"
"Logon se baat karne ki. Course mein admission se pehle bhi practice zaroori hai."
Reyansh ne approval mein sir hilaaya.
"Good. Aur fees?"
Shalu ne turant kaha, "Aapki taraf se pending hai."
"Kaunsi fees?"
"Consultancy fees. Main aapko roz subah motivate karti hoon."
Reyansh ne darwaaze ke paas rakha apna bag uthaya.
"Main tumhe salary deta hoon. Motivation us package mein included hai."
Shalu muskurayi.
"Terms and conditions mein yeh likha nahi tha."
Reyansh hanskar bahar nikal gaya.
"Contract revise karna padega."
"Ji, sir. Main draft bana dungi."
Darwaaza band hua toh Shalu kuch pal muskurati rahi.
Phir woh apne kaam mein lag gayi.
Uski apni zindagi mein bhi dheere-dheere kuch badal raha tha. Ab woh sirf doosron ke gharon mein kaam karne wali ladki nahi rehna chahti thi. Uske paas abhi poora plan nahi tha, lekin usne apne liye ek sawaal tay kar liya tha.
Woh aage kya kar sakti hai?
Aur is baar woh iska jawaab dhoondhne ke liye taiyaar thi.


Reyansh kareeb das baje client ke office pahunch gaya.
Meeting room ki badi glass windows se shehar ki buildings dikh rahi thi. Table par presentation copies rakhi thi aur screen par campaign ke initial concepts khule hue the.
Client ki marketing team mein do naye log bhi shamil the.
Reyansh ne sabse introduction liya aur presentation shuru kar di.
"Humara focus teen cheezon par rahega. Product ki utility, customer ki daily life aur brand ki long-term identity."
Usne har point ko seedhe aur aasaan tareeke se explain kiya.
Meeting ke dauraan ek client ne poochha, "Aapko nahi lagta ki hum campaign ko thoda zyada bold bana sakte hain?"
Reyansh ne jawaab diya, "Bold hona aur unnecessarily loud hona alag baat hai. Agar hum customer ko pehle hi second mein sab kuch bata denge, toh uske paas aage dekhne ki wajah nahi bachegi."
Client ne kuch pal socha.
"Fair point."
Reyansh ne presentation ka agla section khola.
Meeting achhi rahi. Kuch changes discuss hue aur agle hafte ke liye follow-up decide ho gaya.
Bahar nikalte waqt uske phone par Neha ka message aaya.
Neha: Meeting bach gayi? Ya client ne tumhari creativity ko custody mein le liya?
Reyansh: Meeting successful rahi.
Neha: Disappointing. Mujhe gossip chahiye tha.
Reyansh: Apni job par dhyaan do.
Neha: Main tumhari job par bhi dhyaan de rahi hoon. Someone has to.
Reyansh muskuraya aur phone pocket mein rakh liya.
Meeting ke baad use office lautna tha, lekin traffic ki wajah se usne socha ki pehle paas ke cafe se coffee le le.
Usne gaadi ek commercial complex ke parking area mein laga di.
Use bilkul andaaza nahi tha ki isi complex mein kisi aur ki subah uski subah se bilkul alag chal rahi thi.


Commercial complex ki teesri manzil par ek modern co-working space tha.
Glass cabins, open desks, meeting rooms aur deewaron par lage project boards.
Ek cabin mein Myra apne laptop ke saamne baithi thi.
Uski age mid-twenties ke aas-paas thi. Dressing sharp thi, andaaz confident aur chehre par woh expression jo aksar tab aata hai jab insaan ke paas apna plan ho aur woh doosron ki permission ka intezaar na karta ho.


Uske saamne laptop par ek presentation khuli thi.
Project: Independent Lifestyle Platform
Myra ne slide badli.
"Yeh numbers dobara check kiye gaye hain?"
Uske saamne baitha colleague bola, "Haan. Kal raat final verification kar li thi."
Myra ne spreadsheet kholi.
Kuch seconds tak data dekha.
Phir boli, "Nahi. Yahan conversion rate galat calculate hua hai."
Colleague ne screen ki taraf jhukkar dekha.
"Kaise?"
"Total registrations ko active users ke saath compare kiya hai. Dono same category nahi hain."
Woh apni chair se peeche hui.
"Presentation mein yeh number gaya toh investor ko lagega ki hum apne hi product ko samajhte nahi."
Colleague ne spreadsheet dobara check ki.
Uska chehra badal gaya.
"You're right."
Myra ne laptop apni taraf kheench liya.
"Isko fix karo. Aur agli baar final bolne se pehle final check kar lena."
Uski awaaz unchi nahi thi.
Lekin baat bilkul saaf thi.
Woh apni team ko neecha dikhane ke liye mistakes nahi pakadti thi. Woh chahti thi ki kaam sahi ho. Aur agar kisi ko uska tareeka pasand nahi aata tha, toh woh sirf is wajah se apna standard kam nahi karti thi.
Meeting mein ek senior consultant ne kaha, "Myra, tum har detail ko personally leti ho. Kabhi-kabhi thoda flexible bhi hona chahiye."
Myra ne uski taraf dekha.
"Flexible hona aur galat numbers accept kar lena ek hi baat nahi hai."
Consultant ne kuch kehne ke liye munh khola, lekin Myra ne presentation ka agla slide dikha diya.
"Chaliye, next point discuss karte hain."
Meeting aage badh gayi.
Myra ne kisi ko impress karne ke liye apni baat ko soft nahi banaya.
Use pata tha ki uske paas abhi bahut kuch seekhna baaki hai.
Lekin use yeh bhi pata tha ki woh kis direction mein jaana chahti hai.
Uske sapne sirf ek achhi job, achhe kapdon ya ek comfortable life tak simit nahi the.
Woh apne decisions khud lena chahti thi.
Apne naam se kuch banana chahti thi.
Aur sabse zaroori baat, woh apni zindagi ka direction kisi doosre insaan ke haath mein nahi dena chahti thi.
Uske liye relationship zindagi ka ek hissa ho sakta tha.
Lekin zindagi ka poora purpose nahi.
4. Pyaar Se Pehle Career
Meeting khatam hone ke baad Myra apni desk par laut aayi.
Usne laptop band kiya, phone uthaya aur apne calendar mein agle hafte ke tasks check kiye.
Ek friend ka message aaya hua tha.
Friend: Weekend par mil rahe hain?
Myra ne reply kiya.
Myra: Saturday ko client meeting hai. Sunday afternoon possible hai.
Friend: Tumhari life mein kaam ke alawa kuch hai bhi?
Myra ne screen dekhkar halki si bhauhein uthayi.
Myra: Haan. Neend.
Doosri taraf se turant reply aaya.
Friend: Aur love life?
Myra ne phone table par rakh diya.
Kuch seconds baad phir uthaya.
Myra: Uske liye alag department kholna padega.
Usne message send kiya aur laptop dobara khol liya.
Uske liye yeh mazaak se zyada ek simple reality thi.
Use kisi relationship ke khilaaf koi personal mission nahi chalana tha.
Na hi woh har us ladki ko kamzor samajhti thi jo pyaar ko apni zindagi mein important maanti thi.
Lekin Myra khud apni life ko us tarah nahi dekhna chahti thi.
Woh apne goals ko postpone karke kisi ke aane ka intezaar nahi karne wali thi.
Agar kabhi uski zindagi mein koi aata bhi, toh use uski ambition se compete nahi karna chahiye tha.
Use uske saath chalna aana chahiye tha.
Aur agar aisa koi insaan kabhi mila hi nahi?
Myra ke liye woh bhi koi tragedy nahi thi.
Uski zindagi phir bhi uski apni hoti.
Usne laptop par kaam jaari rakha.
Uske liye aaj ka sabse important sawaal yeh nahi tha ki koi use pasand karega ya nahi.
Sawaal yeh tha ki woh apne project ko agle level tak kaise le jaaye.


Dopahar ke kareeb baarah bajkar tees minute par Reyansh complex ke cafe mein pahunch gaya.
Usne coffee order ki aur window ke paas ek table par baith gaya.
Laptop khola, office ke do emails ka jawaab diya aur apne phone par calendar check kiya.
Coffee aayi toh usne cup uthaya.
Tabhi cafe ke entrance se Myra andar aayi.
Uske haath mein laptop sleeve aur ek notebook thi. Woh seedha counter par gayi aur coffee order ki.
Barista ne poochha, "Anything else?"
"Bas itna hi."
Payment karne ke baad Myra side mein khadi hokar apne phone par ek document check karne lagi.
Kuch der baad uska naam pukara gaya.
Woh coffee lekar palti aur cafe se nikalne ke liye entrance ki taraf badh gayi.
Reyansh ne usi waqt apna laptop band kiya.
Uski nazar achanak Myra par padi.
Woh kuch pal ke liye ruk gaya.
Usne use pehchaan liya.
Wahi chehra.
Wahi confident andaaz.
Wahi ladki jise usne kuch waqt pehle ek club mein dekha tha.
Woh ladki jiska card uske saamne gira tha.
Jiske saath uski chhoti si, ajeeb-si baat hui thi.
Myra.
Reyansh ko ab bhi uska naam nahi pata tha, kyunki club mein dono ne apna introduction nahi diya tha.
Lekin uska chehra use yaad tha.
Myra ne Reyansh ko nahi dekha.
Woh apne phone par calendar check karte hue cafe se bahar nikal gayi.
Reyansh ne uske peeche dekha.
Bas kuch seconds.
Phir usne apna coffee cup uthaya.
"Yeh wahi ladki thi..."
Usne khud se kaha.
Uske chehre par ek pal ke liye hairaani thi.
Lekin usne na use awaaz di, na uske peeche gaya.
Wajah bhi koi nahi thi.
Woh ek hi jagah par the, lekin dono ki zindagi ke beech abhi koi raasta nahi bana tha.
Myra apni meeting ke liye aayi thi.
Reyansh coffee aur office ke kaam ke liye.
Ek ne doosre ko dekha tak nahi.
Aur phir bhi, unke raaste ek baar phir ek hi jagah se guzre the.


Complex ke doosre wing mein Myra lift ka intezaar kar rahi thi.
Uska phone baja.
Client ka call tha.
"Myra, presentation ke kuch points par discussion karna hai."
"Sure. Main paanch minute mein cabin mein pahunch rahi hoon."
Call khatam hua toh lift ka darwaaza khul gaya.
Woh andar gayi aur apne laptop sleeve ko theek se pakad liya.
Uske dimaag mein agle project ke points chal rahe the.
Ek naye collaboration ka proposal aaya tha. Agar deal final ho jaati, toh uske liye apne kaam ka scope badhane ka mauka mil sakta tha.
Woh jaanti thi ki uske liye aasaan nahi hoga.
Use aur seekhna padega.
Zyada kaam karna padega.
Kuch decisions mein risk bhi lena padega.
Lekin woh taiyaar thi.
Uski zindagi mein filhaal kisi romantic story ki jagah khaali thi, lekin woh us khaali jagah ko bharne ki jaldi mein nahi thi.
Woh apni duniya bana rahi thi.
Aur us duniya mein uske goals, uski choices aur uski identity sabse pehle aate the.
Lift khuli.
Myra bahar nikli aur seedha apne cabin ki taraf chali gayi.
Uske liye din abhi khatam nahi hua tha.


Doosri taraf Reyansh ne coffee khatam ki aur parking ki taraf badh gaya.
Gaadi mein baithkar usne seat belt lagayi.
Engine start karne se pehle uska dhyaan phir us ladki par chala gaya.
Club mein uske saath hui baat yaad aayi.
Us waqt woh Arshad ke saath tha. Music chal raha tha, log apni duniya mein busy the aur us ladki ka card gir gaya tha.
Usne card uthakar diya tha.
Dono ke beech kuch chhote, confident aur thode teasing words exchange hue the.
Phir woh apne-apne raaste chale gaye the.
Na number exchange hua tha.
Na kisi ne dobara milne ka plan banaya tha.
Aur ab woh ladki achanak yahan nazar aa gayi thi.
Reyansh ne steering par haath rakha.
"Interesting."
Bas itna kaha.
Usne gaadi parking se nikaal li.
Uske dimaag mein Jheel ki yaadein ab bhi thi. Uska jaana ab bhi chubhta tha. Myra ko dekhne se uske andar koi nayi feeling paida nahi hui thi.
Na hi usne Myra ke baare mein koi kahani sochni shuru ki.
Woh bas ek chehra tha jise woh pehle dekh chuka tha.
Aur filhaal, itna hi tha.

Shaam ko Reyansh apne flat mein lauta.
Shalu ja chuki thi. Kitchen saaf tha aur dining table par uske liye rakha ek chhota note pada tha.
Sir, aaj aapka lunch box dhokar rakh diya hai. Aur course ki timings mil gayi hain. Kal aapse ek baat poochhni hai.
Reyansh ne note padha aur muskuraya.
"Kal poochh lena, madam consultant."
Usne note fridge par magnet se laga diya.
Phir apna bag sofa par rakha aur kitchen mein chala gaya.
Aaj ka din lamba tha.
Client meeting, office ka kaam, Neha ke messages aur cafe mein Myra ko achanak dekhna.
Lekin ghar aate hi usne mehsoos kiya ki uska dimaag pehle se thoda kam bhaari hai.
Jheel ki yaad ab bhi thi.
Uska letter ab bhi drawer mein rakha tha.
Lekin zindagi ke baaki hisse bhi dheere-dheere apni jagah le rahe the.
Shalu apne future ke baare mein soch rahi thi.
Arshad aur Sakshi apne relationship ko samajhne ki koshish kar rahe the.
Neha apne kaam aur ambitions mein busy thi.
Aur Myra apni duniya mein aage badh rahi thi, bina kisi ka intezaar kiye.
Reyansh ko abhi nahi pata tha ki in sabki zindagiyan aage chal kar kitne alag mod lengi.
Filhaal, uske liye kal ka din taiyaar karna hi kaafi tha.
Usne dinner banaya, khaana khaya aur balcony mein kuch der khada raha.
Bengaluru ki lights ek-ek karke jal rahi thi.
Shehar mein kitni hi kahaniyan chal rahi thi.