Adultery kya mere patnee RANDI hai?

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Cinema theater 

Theater bilkul cinema ka mandir tha yaar — andhere corridors se andar jaate hi sapnon aur masti ki duniya khul jaati thi. Ganga aur Srinu andar ghuse toh upar ki halki roshni ne lobby mein garam chamak faila di.


Butter popcorn ki meethi khushboo hawa mein faili hui thi, taza-taza popped dana ki lajawab boo ke saath mil ke. Ek taraf snacks ka counter khada tha — rang-birange nashte aur thande peene wale movie dekhne walon ko lalach de rahe the, “le lo yaar, maza aa jayega”.

Deewaron pe film ke posters lage hue the — purane blockbuster se leke naye-naye releases tak, har poster chandi ke parde ke yaadgaar palon ki rang-birangi shaan tha. Sabke dil mein excitement aur bechaini jagaa rahe the.

Ganga aur Srinu screen wali taraf badhe toh neeche naram farsh tha, velvet rassi rows ko guide kar rahi thi. Hawa mein halki baatein thi, beech-beech mein hasi aur excitement ke thahake, sab apni film shuru hone ka intezaar kar rahe the.

Andar pahunchte hi cushioned kursiyon ki lambi qaataar dikhi — har kursi kisi ko baithne ka wait kar rahi thi. Kamra andhera tha, sirf exit ki halki roshni raste dikha rahi thi.

Saamne screen bada sa manzar tha — saaf aur bulaava deta hua, door ki duniyaon aur dilchasp safar pe le jaane ko taiyaar. Aas-paas speakers bhi intezaar mein gunguna rahe the, awaaz ka poora jadoo dene ko ready.

Roshniyan dheemi hui, screen zinda ho gaya, audience ke chehron pe halki chamak daal di. Ganga apni kursi pe baith gayi, dil dhadak raha tha film shuru hone ka. Srinu daayin taraf baitha tha, sahara deta hua.

Par baayin taraf Javed baitha tha, bagal mein Chacha. Entry se hi dono ka zor ka hasna aur baatein shuru — paas wale logon ko chidha rahe the. Ganga ne Srinu ki taraf chinta bhari nazar daali, samajh gayi shor machne wala hai.

Film shuru hui, pehle scenes chal rahe the, par Ganga ka dhyan screen aur side ke hungame mein baant gaya. Javed ki zor ki commentary aur Chacha ka dhamakedaar hasna film ko dabane ki koshish kar rahe the.

Srinu ne jhuk ke poocha, awaaz shor mein dubti hui. “Theek ho tum?” woh dheeme se bola, chehre pe chinta saaf dikhi.

Ganga ne sir hila diya, par bechaini saaf mehsoos ho rahi thi. Kursi mein hilti rahi, film pe dhyan lagane ki koshish kar rahi thi jabki side ke shor ko ignore karne ki koshish mein thi.

Javed ne Ganga ke upar jhuk ke Chacha se bola, awaaz film ki awaaz se upar ja rahi thi. “Arre Chacha, dekha yeh? Kya mazak hai!”

Chacha ne zor se has diya, hasi poore theater mein goonj gayi. “Haan yaar, yeh film banane wale ko kuch samajh hi nahi!”

Srinu ne pareshan nazar se Ganga ko dekha — dono chahte the shanti se film dekhein, par yeh dono shor macha rahe the.

Pehla hissa chal raha tha, Ganga kahani mein kho gayi thi — khoobsurat manzar aur dil ko chhoo lene wali awaaz ne dil jeet liya tha. Srinu bhi poora dub gaya tha film mein.

Par waqt guzarta gaya toh Ganga ne side ke mahaul mein halka badlav mehsoos kiya. Baayin taraf baitha Javed har pal thoda paas aata ja raha tha, har harkat jaan-boojh ke.

Pehle shoulder ka halka sa chhuna — Ganga ne socha galti se hua. Par film chalti gayi, chhuna baar-baar hone laga, jaan-boojh ke feel hone laga. Ganga ko kursi mein bechaini hone lagi.

Srinu film mein kho tha, side ki harkaton ko notice nahi kiya. Par Ganga ko har baar Javed ki nazdeeki mehsoos ho rahi thi — pet mein ghabrahat si ho rahi thi.

Phir jaise galti se Javed ka haath armrest pe aa gaya, ungliyan Ganga ke haath ko chhoo gayi — thoda zyada der tak ruki. Ganga ka dil zor se dhadka, saans ruk gayi, khud ko sambhalne ki koshish ki.

Srinu ne kursi mein hilte hue dhyan diya, chinta se Ganga ko dekha. Par Javed ne haath hata liya, masoom smile ke saath.

Ganga ne zor se film pe dhyan lagaya, Javed ki unwanted harkaton ko nazarandaaz karne ki koshish ki. Par bechaini badhti gayi, dimaag mein yeh sab ghum raha tha.

Ganga ne gusse se Javed ki taraf dekha — dil zor se dhadak raha tha, aankhon mein gussa aur tanav. Usne nazar seedhi karke dekha, chehra gusse se tight, bina bole disapproval dikha diya.

Javed ki aankhon mein alag jazba tha — lust aur ghamand se bhari, shikaari nazar se ghoor raha tha. Hothon pe chhoti si muskaan thi, jaise badtameezi ki himmat dikha raha ho.

Us pal Ganga ke andar gussa ubal pada. Yeh ajnabi kaun hai jo mere pati ke saamne aise badtameezi kar raha hai? Jaise challenge de raha ho ki kuch karo toh sahi.

Par woh peeche nahi hati. Poore dil se virodh dikha diya, uski badtameezi se darr nahi dikhaya. Bechain feel kar rahi thi, par darr usko nahi dikhaane diya.

Srinu ne bagal mein tanav mehsoos kiya. Nazrein Ganga aur Javed ke beech ghum rahi thi, chehre pe chinta saaf thi. Par pehle hi Ganga mud gayi, Javed ko apne tareeke se samajhane ki thaan li.

Roshniyan dheemi hui, film dobara shuru. Ganga ke dimaag mein bagal wale ajnabi ke baare mein soch chal rahi thi. Woh kaun hai, aur aisi badtameezi se kya haasil karna chahta hai? Jawab nahi the, par ek baat pakki thi — woh is shaam ko aur kharab nahi hone dega.

Ganga ne dhyan film pe wapas lagaya, Javed aur Chacha ke pareshan karne wale wajood ko nazarandaaz karne ki thaan li, par unki shararati hasi se dhyan bhatak gaya. Woh andhere theater mein goonj rahi thi, baaki logon ki dheemi baaton se bilkul alag.

Screen pe dhyan lagane ki poori koshish ke bawajood Ganga ke kaan unki chhoti baaton mein lag gaye. Javed ki dheemi awaaz sunai de rahi thi, beech-beech mein hasi ke thahake, Chacha ke saath baatein kar raha tha, maza har pal badh raha tha.

Gusse ka ubaal aaya, Ganga ne unki taraf mud ke dekha, nazar tez thi. Turant unka hasna band ho gaya, masoomiyat ka naatak karte hue screen pe dhyan lagane lage.

Par Ganga ko chhupa nahi. Jaise mud gayi, senses tez ho gaye, unki nazrein mehsoos ho rahi thi, jahan nahi dekhna chahiye wahan tik rahi thi. Pet mein ghabrahat hui, samajh aaya unki hasi ka kaaran kya tha.

Aankh ke kone se dekha toh Javed chupke-chupke uski taraf dekh raha tha, nazar chehre pe nahi balki neeche thi. Ek pal laga samajhne mein, aur jab samajh aaya toh gussa ubal pada.

Woh uska chhati ka hissa tha, bharpoor chhati se bana hua, film ki halki roshni mein saaf dikhai de raha tha. Gaal sharam aur gusse se laal ho gaye jab unki gandi mazaak ka ehsaas hua.

Ganga ne samajh liya Javed aur Chacha kya dekh rahe the aur kya baat kar rahe the, ghin ka saagar ubal pada. Itni besharmi, bagal mein baith ke aisi gandi baatein — dil mein gahri nafrat paida ho gayi.

Us pal insaaniyat pe bada dukh hua. Kaise yeh log, jinhone kabhi dekha nahi, meri izzat aur samman ko aise pairon tale rakh dete hain? Jaise main unke liye khel ka saamaan hoon, gande mazaak aur nazron ka nishana.

Yeh soch ki yeh log jhuggi ke saste mazdoor hain, low-life kaam karte hain, gusse mein aur tel daal diya. Par ghin ke bawajood Ganga jaanti thi — yeh sab social status ka bahana nahi banta. Background jo bhi ho, unka koi haq nahi tha mujhe ya kisi aurat ko aise neeche girane ka.

Film chalti rahi, Ganga ki bechaini badhti gayi, jism mein ghin ki larzish — soch kar ki Javed aur Chacha ke bagal mein aur baithna padega. Har pal unki badtameezi dil pe bojh ban rahi thi, simple shaam ko zehreela bana rahi thi.

Ulti si feeling ubalne lagi. Ganga ne Srinu ki taraf jhuk ke dheeme se bola, “Srinu, kursi badal lete hain? Yahan baith ke bahut bechaini ho rahi hai.”

Srinu ne turant haan kaha, haath pakad ke kursiyan badal di. Ganga ko thodi rahat mili, par sach batane mein guilty feel hua — ladai se darti thi.

Par Srinu ko sab pata tha — shuru se notice kar raha tha, par saboot nahi tha toh chup raha.

Nayi kursi mein baith ke Ganga ne socha — Srinu ke saath safe lag raha tha. Usne faisla kiya — yeh bura experience bhool jaungi, husband ke saath maze loongi.

Srinu ne Ganga ki tareef ki — “Kitni mazboot aur imandar hai meri biwi.” Baah daal ke close kiya, sar uske kandhe pe rakha.

Film ke saath dono ek dusre ke paas the — rishta mazboot feel ho raha tha.

Film chalti rahi, Ganga ki bechaini aur badhti gayi, jism mein ghin ki larzish — soch kar ki Javed aur Chacha ke bagal mein aur baithna padega. Har pal unki badtameezi dil pe bojh ban rahi thi, simple shaam ko zehreela bana rahi thi.


Ulti si feeling ubalne lagi. Ganga ne Srinu ki taraf jhuk ke dheeme se bola, awaaz sirf uske kaan tak pahunchti hui. “Srinu,” urgency ke saath shuru kiya, “kursi badal lete hain? Yahan baith ke bahut bechaini ho rahi hai.”

Srinu ne uski taraf mud ke dekha, chehre pe chinta saaf dikhi jab uski awaaz mein pareshani mehsoos ki. “Bilkul, Ganga,” dheeme se bola, haath pakad ke tasalli deta hua. “Kursi badal lete hain. Main chahta hoon tu araam se baith sake.”

Ganga ko rahat ka ehsaas hua, Srinu ki samajh aur sahare ke liye shukriya mehsoos kiya. Jaise kursiyan badli, usne guilty feel kiya Javed aur Chacha ki badtameezi ke baare mein sach na batane ka. Par jaanti thi sach batane se ladai-jhagda hoga, shaam aur kharab nahi karna chahti thi.

Par woh nahi jaanti thi ki Srinu entry se hi Javed aur Chacha ko ghoor raha tha. Unki saari badtameezi poori tarah nahi dekhi thi, par samajh gaya tha kuch galat hai. Par pakka saboot na hone aur saamne se ladne ke bina, chup rehne ka faisla kiya, public mein baat bada nahi karna chahta tha.

Ganga nayi kursi pe Srinu ke bagal mein baith gayi, bechaini ab bhi dil mein thi. Par Srinu ke paas hone se araam aur suraksha mehsoos ho rahi thi, jaanti thi woh hamesha uski hifazat karega — theater mein bhi aur baahar bhi. Film pe dhyan wapas laate hue Ganga ne thaan li — Javed aur Chacha wala bura waqt bhool jaungi, husband ke saath khushi pe dhyan doongi.

Srinu ne Ganga ki tareef ki — usne kitni khubsurati se situation sambhala Javed aur Chacha ke saath. Dil mein fakhr ubal pada. Wife pe gehri tareef aur mohabbat mehsoos ki, uski wafadari aur mazbooti dekh ke hairaan hua.

Us pal, jab Ganga ne bechaini dheeme se batayi aur aankhon mein halki pareshani dekhi, Srinu ka dil pyar aur izzat se bhar gaya. Uski zindagi mein hone ka shukriya ada kiya, jaanta tha kitni mazboot aur sharif aurat mili hai.

Kursiyan badalne ke baad dono saath baith gaye, Srinu ne pyar se baah uske kandhon pe daali, close kheench liya. Ganga ne sar uske kandhe pe tika diya, garmahat mehsoos hui.

Us chhote se pyar bhare ishaare mein Srinu ko tasalli aur bharosa mila. Jaanta tha mushkilein jo bhi aaye, hamesha ek dusre ka sahara rahenge, zindagi ke utaar-chadhaav mein saath denge aur uthayenge.

Film saath dekhte hue Srinu bagal ki aurat pe hairaan ho raha tha. Bechaini aur sharam sahne ke bawajood Ganga shant aur sharif rahi, har harkat aur saans mein taakat dikha rahi thi.

Us pal Srinu ne samajh liya kitna khushnaseeb hai Ganga jaisi biwi paake. Woh sirf saathi nahi, sahara thi, raazdaar thi, beinteha pyar aur support ka zariya thi. Cheek uske sar pe tika ke garmahat savor karte hue, dil hi dil mein qasam li — zindagi bhar uski izzat aur hifazat karega. Saath milkar har toofan ka saamna kar lenge, rishta aur mazboot ho jayega.

Film ka pehla hissa khatam hone pe screen kaala ho gaya, break shuru hone ka ishara diya. Charon taraf log uth gaye, taange seedhi karne aur nashte ke liye line mein lag gaye.

Srinu ne Ganga ko pyar bhari smile di, aankhon mein break ka intezaar dikha. “Main popcorn aur thande peene wale laata hoon,” bola, haath pyar se dabaya aur kursi se uth gaya.

Ganga ne smile wapas kiya, uski soch samajh ke shukriya ada kiya. “Shukriya Srinu,” dheeme se boli, awaaz mein ehsaas tha.

Jaise Srinu counter ki taraf badha, Javed aur Chacha ne break ka fayda uthaya. Ek nazar mila ke kursi se uth gaye, bahar jaane ki taraf badhe, taange seedhi karne aur shayad cigarette peene ke liye.

Row mein akeli reh gayi Ganga ne Srinu ki khali kursi ki taraf jhuk ke dekha, dil shaam ke waqiyon ke bojh se bhari hui thi. Bechaini ab bhi thi, Javed aur Chacha ki badtameezi ki yaad simple shaam pe saya daal rahi thi.

Par baith ke soch mein khoyi hui thi, pareshaniyan Srinu ke saath na hone ki garmahat mein dheere-dheere kam hone lagi. Jaanti thi woh jaldi wapas aayega, bechaini ke beech sahara ban ke.

Is taraf Srinu counter pe bheed mein se rasta bana raha tha, dimaag sirf Ganga ke liye nashta laane pe tha. Line mein khade hue wife ki taakat aur himmat pe fakhr mehsoos kar raha tha. Mushkilein face karne ke bawajood woh shant aur sharif rahi, uska asli chehra dikha rahi thi.

Srinu line mein khada tha, narrow corridor mein bheed dekh ke hairaan ho raha tha. Weekend tha, theater masti se bhar gaya tha, log nashte-peene ke liye ek dusre pe chadh rahe the.

Har minute ke saath sabr ki imtehaan ho rahi thi, line bahut dheemi chal rahi thi. Ghadi dekhi, dil baith gaya — poora 15 minute ka break khatam hone laga, aur order bhi nahi hua.

Par Srinu peeche nahi hata. Chehre pe himmat dikhai, wahan khada raha, Ganga se waada poora karne ka faisla kiya chahe kitna bhi waqt lage.

Aakhir mein bohot intezaar ke baad Srinu line ke aage pahuncha. Dil ko rahat mili, jaldi se order diya — bada cheese popcorn aur do thande peene wale.

Order tayyar hone ka wait karte hue Srinu counter ke aas-paas dekhta raha, bheed ki masti aur awaaz le raha tha. Hungame ke bawajood logon mein ek saath ka ehsaas tha, sab film ke maza ke liye ek saath the.

Nashta-peena haath mein leke Srinu theater ke darwaze ki taraf badha, chehre pe santushti ki muskaan thi. Break lambi line aur bechaini mein guzar gaya, par jo laane aaya tha woh pa liya.

Darwaza khol ke andhere corridor mein kadam rakha, kaam poora hone ka ehsaas hua. Break poora laga tha, par Ganga ke chehre pe muskaan dekhne ke liye worth tha. Soch ke tez kadam badhaye, biwi ke paas jaldi pahunchne aur film ka baaki hissa saath dekhne ke liye.

Srinu theater mein ghus gaya, popcorn aur thande haath mein leke, rahat mehsoos hui. Par apni row ki taraf jaate hue dil ek pal ke liye ruk gaya — Javed aur Chacha wapas apni kursiyon pe baith gaye the, unki zor ki awaazein andhere kamre mein goonj rahi thi.


Par jo sach mein jhatka laga woh Ganga ka purani kursi pe baithna tha Javed ke bagal mein. Srinu ko laga zameen khisak gayi, confusion aur aitbaar na rehne ka saagar ubal pada jab situation samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Poora hairaan, Srinu dheere se apni kursi ki taraf gaya, kaampte haathon se Ganga ko uska peena wala diya. Kursi pe baithte hue dil mein chinta ka ganth bandh gaya. Kuch galat lag raha tha, par samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Ganga ki taraf mud ke himmat juta ke poocha, awaaz dheemi se upar. “Kya hua? Sab theek hai? Kyun wapas us kursi pe baith gayi?”

Ganga ne shant muskaan ke saath nazar milaayi, aankhon mein uska andar ka toofan chhupa rahi thi. “Arre kuch nahi,” dheele se boli, awaaz halki. “Teri kursi comfortable nahi thi.”

Srinu ke dimaag mein sawaal daud rahe the, par mehsoos hua Ganga break ke dauran jo bhi hua uske baare mein baat karne ko tayyar nahi thi. Bhari dil ke saath screen ki taraf dhyan diya jab film ka doosra hissa shuru hua, bechaini dil ko kha rahi thi.

Film chal rahi thi, par Srinu ka dhyan kahani se zyada bagal ke waqiye pe tha. Nazrein Ganga aur Javed ke beech idhar-udhar ho rahi thi, har baat aur har chhoti harkat ko gaur se dekh raha tha.

Par hairani hui jab Javed aur Chacha ekdum shant ho gaye. Zor ki awaazein aur hasi gayab, jagah ek ajeeb shanti ne le li jo bheed-bhaad wale theater mein bilkul alag lag rahi thi. Ganga ki taraf koi badtameezi nahi, koi gandi nazar nahi, sirf aam si baatein.

Shant dikhai dene ke bawajood Srinu ki bechaini kam nahi hui. Jaanta tha kuch galat hai, par pakad nahi pa raha tha. Kya Ganga ka purani kursi pe wapas aana sirf bechaini ki wajah se tha, ya kuch aur?

Film khatam hone lagi, Srinu ke dimaag mein sawaal goonj rahe the. Ganga ne kursi kyun badli? Sach mein kursi uncomfortable thi, ya koi aur wajah thi? Break ke 15 minute mein Ganga aur Javed ke beech kya hua jo itna bada badlav laaya?

Soch mein khoya Srinu ne credits dekhe aur roshniyan on hui, film khatam hone ka ishara. Baaki log bahar nikal rahe the, par Srinu kursi pe baitha raha, dimaag ab bhi sawaalon se bhar gaya tha. Jaanta tha jawab chahiye, par abhi intezaar karna padega aur ummeed ki Ganga khud sach batayegi.

Credits khatam hue, theater ki roshniyan tez hui, film khatam hone ka ishara diya. Log kursiyon se uth gaye, bahar jaane ko tayyar. Srinu ne bheed se pehle nikalne ke liye jaldi ki, aisle mein kadam rakha aur bahar ki taraf badha, ummeed ki Ganga peeche peeche aayegi.

Par bheed mein aage badhte hue dekha Ganga peeche reh gayi. Kandhe pe nazar daali toh chehron ke samundar mein uska chehra mushkil se dikha. Bhari bhaun ke saath kadam dheeme kiye, uski taraqqi pe nazar rakhi.

Har kuch kadam pe peeche mud ke dekhta, Ganga ke jaane-pehchaane chehre ki jhalak dhundta. Har baar dikhti toh sir hila deti, chupke se ishara ki “aa rahi hoon”. Par har pal door hoti ja rahi thi.

Chinta dil ko kha rahi thi jab dekha Ganga bheed mein se rasta banaane mein pareshan ho rahi thi. Haath badha ke pukarna chahta tha, sure karna chahta tha theek hai ki nahi, par bahar nikalne wale logon ka shor ne awaaz daba di.

Srinu bheed ke saath zor lagate hue chinta aur badh gayi har kadam ke saath. Dheeme hone aur nazar rakhne ki koshish ke bawajood faasla badhta ja raha tha. Bheed mein uska chehra mushkil se dikhai de raha tha, doori har pal lambi hoti ja rahi thi.


Dil baithte hue tez kadam badhaye, bahar pahunch ke wait karne ka faisla kiya. Umeed thi woh jaldi aa jayegi, par bheed ke dabav se rasta banana mushkil tha. Aakhir bahar nikal ke lobby mein kadam rakha, peeche mud ke Ganga ko dhundha, dil zor se dhadak raha tha.

Par hairani hui — koi nishaan nahi tha. Ghabrahat badhne lagi jab bheed ko ghoor raha tha, biwi ka koi pata nahi.

Ghabrahat ubalne lagi jab ehsaas hua Ganga sach mein gayab hai. Dil zor se dhadak raha tha jab har chehra check kar raha tha, dimaag mein hazaron khaufnaak soch daud rahi thi.

Bheed mein kho gayi? Kuch hua kya? Sawaal ubal rahe the, har ek pehle se zyada khaufnaak.

Jaise bheed kam hone lagi, Srinu ka dil aur baith gaya jab ehsaas hua na sirf Ganga gayab thi, balki Javed aur Chacha bhi gayab the. Teeno ka na hona dil mein khauf paida kar raha tha, dimaag mein darawni soch daud rahi thi.

Pehle shor-sharaaba wala lobby ab sunsaan sa lag raha tha jab bahar nikalne wale kam ho gaye. Kam bheed ke bawajood Ganga ya bagal wale dono ka koi nishaan nahi.

Khauf aur bechaini dil pe kabza kar rahi thi jab darawni soch se lad raha tha. Kya Javed aur Chacha ne Ganga ko behka ke le gaye? Unka isme haath tha? Yeh soch ne jism mein sardi daud di.

Sabse bura soch kar ghabrahat aur badh gayi. Kya unho ne kidnap kar liya? Kuch nuksaan pahunchaya? Sirf soch se pet mein ulti si feeling.

Waqt guzarta gaya, Srinu ka dimaag pareshani aur khauf ka toofan ban gaya. Bilkul bebas feel kar raha tha, dil ko khaane wali bechaini ruk nahi rahi thi.

Par itne bade khauf ke bawajood Srinu ne ummeed nahi chhodi. Bachi hui ummeed pe pakad kar thaan li theater ka har kona dhundega jab tak Ganga nahi mil jaati, faisla kiya biwi ko surakshit laane ka chahe kitna bhi kharcha lage. Bhari dil aur khauf se bhare dimaag ke saath bade kaam ke liye tayyar hua, jaanta tha kuch bhi rok nahi sakta.

Dil zor se dhadak raha tha aur bechaini aage badha rahi thi, Srinu ka jism apne aap chal raha tha Ganga ko dhundte hue. Theater lobby mein daudta hua, ehsaas ho raha tha ki shayad exit karte waqt miss kar diya usko.

Khali corridors mein pairon ki awaaz goonj rahi thi jab parking lot mein bahar nikla, gaadiyon ki qaataar ghoor raha tha ghabrahat mein. Par gaadiyon mein Ganga ka koi nishaan nahi, ghabrahat dil pe zor se kha rahi thi jab ehsaas hua woh wahan nahi thi.

Ek pal bhi nahi laga, Srinu theater mein wapas daud pada, dimaag mein sawaal daud rahe the. Shayad late ho gayi aur theater room se aakhri thi bahar nikalne wali. Par andhere kamre mein ghus ke ummeed toot gayi — kamra khali tha, biwi ka koi pata nahi.

Dil baith gaya jab soch raha tha woh kahan aur ho sakti hai. Kaampte pairon se lounge area ki taraf gaya, dil zor se dhadak raha tha. Par kamra ghoor ke sabse bura khauf sach ho gaya — Ganga kahin nahi thi.

Dard ne pakad liya jab zameen ko ghoor raha tha, dimaag khauf aur mayoosi ke toofan mein dub gaya.

Hil nahi pa raha tha, soch nahi pa raha tha, Srinu bechaini ke bhari bojh se dab gaya.

Jaise wahan khada tha khauf aur bechaini se ghera, lambi corridor ke end pe ummeed ki halki kiran dikhi. Dil khushi se uchhal pada jab mahila bathroom se ek shakhs bahar aaya — Ganga thi.

Rahat ka saagar ubal pada, jaldi se khada hua, aankhein biwi ke aate hue chehre pe tiki hui thi. Har kadam ke saath dil ka ganth dheela hota gaya, shukriya aur rahat se bhar gaya.

Ganga uski taraf chal rahi thi, kadam mazboot aur sure, chehra shant aur nirmal. Paas aate hi Srinu ne dekha uske hothon pe muskaan thi, pareshani ke andhere mein roshni ki tarah.

Haath upar kar ke baal peeche bandh rahi thi, Srinu ke liye jaana-pehchaana aur tasalli dene wala ishara. Chehra dhone ke baad geela tha.

Jaise Ganga paas aayi, Srinu ne use zor se jakad liya, itna tight jaise dar tha woh phir gayab ho jayegi. “Ganga, shukriya safe hai tu,” dil se socha.

Srinu: Ganga, bas yahi khushi hai tu safe hai. Par exit pe mil kyun nahi? Aur corridor ke end wala bathroom kyun gayi, theater ke paas wale ke bajaye?

Ganga: Arre Srinu, sorry pareshan kiya. Main… bas thodi der apne liye chahiye thi, samjha na? Aur theater ke paas wala bathroom bahut bheed tha, socha kam log wala dhund lun.

Srinu: Par Ganga, mere liye wait kar sakti thi. Saath ja sakte the. Aur bathroom ja rahi thi toh bata kyun nahi diya?

Ganga: Jaanti hoon, jaanti hoon, batana chahiye tha. Sorry, bas… ekdum se mann kiya. Aur bother nahi karna chahti thi. Tu shayad mujhe dhundhne mein busy tha.

Srinu: (saans chhod ke) Ganga, tu kabhi bother nahi karti. Jaanti hai main hamesha tere liye hoon na? Bahut darr lag gaya tha jab nahi mil rahi thi. Socha kuch bura ho gaya.

Ganga: Jaanti hoon, aur sorry. Baat achhi tarah karni chahiye thi. Agli baar behtar karungi, promise.

Srinu: (naram hote hue) Theek hai Ganga. Bas tu safe hai yahi kaafi hai. Bhool jaate hain aur ghar jaane pe dhyan dete hain, theek?

Ganga: Theek hai Srinu. Samajhne ke liye shukriya.

Srinu: Hamesha, Ganga. Hamesha.

Srinu aur Ganga theater ke bahar ki taraf chal rahe the, Srinu ke dimaag mein uljhan bhari soch daud rahi thi. Ganga ke safe hone ki tasalli ke bawajood dil ke ek kone mein shak baitha tha.

Srinu baar-baar peeche mud ke darwaze ki taraf dekhta, aadha ummeed aur aadha darr ki Javed aur Chacha kahin se nikal aayenge. Sir hila diya, apne hi shak pe hairaan — yeh soch kyun aa rahi thi? Biwi pe shak kyun?

Khud ko daantta raha, Ganga ki wafadari aur taakat yaad dilata raha. Woh sharif aur mazboot aurat thi, uski zindagi ka sahara. Koi wajah nahi shak karne ki, khas kar Javed aur Chacha jaise 3rd class mazdooron pe bebaak soch ke.

Par kitna bhi koshish kare, pet ke neeche baithi bechaini shake nahi kar pa raha tha. Javed aur Chacha ka chehra dimaag mein ghum raha tha, film ke dauran unki gandi harkaton ne shak ka saya daal diya tha.

Jaise bahar pahunche, Srinu ne dil hi dil mein qasam li — yeh bekar ke shak chhod doonga aur Ganga ki wafadari pe bharosa rakhunga. Jo bhi shak the, dil ke andar jaanta tha Ganga uska sahara hai, bechaini ke samundar mein langar. Uske saath har toofan ka saamna kar lenge.

Srinu aur Ganga theater se bahar nikle, raat ki thandi hawa ne Srinu ke dil pe chadhi bechaini ko kam nahi kiya. Aankhein parking lot mein ghoom rahi thi, bike dhund rahe the gaadiyon ki qaataar mein. Par baayin taraf nazar gayi toh woh jam gaya, dil ek pal ke liye ruk gaya.


Wahan bathroom ki deewar ke peeche andhere mein chhupke khade the Javed aur Chacha. Unki shaklein andhere mein bhayanak lag rahi thi, aankhein Srinu aur Ganga pe tiki hui thi — itni tez nazar ki Srinu ke jism mein sardi daud gayi.

Ehsaas ne jaise paththar ki tarah maara — Javed aur Chacha usi bathroom ki deewar ke peeche khade the jahan se Ganga abhi nikli thi kuch pal pehle. Is baat ke maayne ne Srinu ke dimaag mein bijli dauda di, aitbaar toot gaya, hairani se behosh hone laga.

Srinu ke dimaag mein bijli si chamki jab saari baatein jod li, sawaal daudne lage. Woh wahan kya kar rahe the? Kya bathroom ke andar jhaank rahe the jab Ganga andar thi? Kya Ganga jaanti thi woh wahan the?

Srinu ki nazar Ganga pe gayi, chehra chinta se sakht ho gaya. Ganga ne bhaun utha ke poocha bina bole, uski pareshani ko samajhne ki koshish ki. Srinu ne halka sa sir hila diya, dimaag shak aur gumaan se bhar gaya.

Ek pal ke liye socha Ganga se sawaal kare is darawne nazare ka, par ruk gaya. Kya zyada soch raha hoon? Kya koi pakka saboot hai Ganga ya Javed-Chacha pe ilzaam lagane ka? Bhari dil aur uljhe dimaag ke saath chup raha, abhi ke liye shak ko dil mein hi rakha.

Scene se muh mod ke apne kaam pe dhyan diya, Ganga ke saath bike ki taraf chal pada. Dimaag ab bhi pareshan tha, par thaan li shak chhod doonga aur Ganga ki imandari pe bharosa rakhunga jab tak pakka saboot na mile.

Srinu aur Ganga parking lot mein bike pe pahunche, dono pe rahat ka saagar ubal pada. Srinu jaldi se bike pe chadh gaya, haath kaampte hue chaabi dhundhi. Ek jhatke se chaabi ignition mein daali aur ghumayi, engine ki pehchaani awaaz goonj gayi.

Par jaise kick maarne laga, bechaini dil mein baith gayi. Engine zid kar raha tha, jaise usually zindagi mein aata tha woh zor se nahi jaag raha tha. Ek baar kick maara, doosri baar, phir bhi kuch nahi.

Ganga ki taraf dekha toh uske chehre pe darr saaf tha, aankhein khuli hui. Pehle hi kuch bol paati, Srinu ke sar ke peeche zor ka jhatka laga, dard ne aankhon ke saamne andhera kar diya.

Dard se cheekh nikal gayi, Srinu aage ladkhadaya, bike pe pakad chhut gayi aur zameen pe gir pada. Aankhon ke saamne taare chamak rahe the, duniya ghoom rahi thi, samajh nahi aa raha tha kya hua.

Ganga ki awaaz dard ke andhere mein se aayi, cheekh aur ghabrahat ke saath scene ka hungama mix ho raha tha. Srinu ne zameen se uthne ki koshish ki, par haath-pair bhaari aur bekaar the, jism hukm nahi maan raha tha.

Wahan pade hue, ghabraya aur bebas, Srinu ke dimaag mein sawaal daud rahe the. Kisne maara? Kyun? Aur Ganga kahan thi? Ghabrahat ne dil pe zor laga diya jab ehsaas hua woh bhi khatre mein thi, parking ke hungame mein suraksha ka pata nahi.

Zameen pe pada Srinu bebas tha, hil nahi pa raha tha. Jism bhaari aur bekaar, dire zaroorat ke waqt dhokha de raha tha. Aankhein andhere mein dub rahi thi, behosh hone ka mann kar raha tha, par Srinu lad raha tha, aankhein khuli rakhne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Dard aur uljhan ke andhere mein Srinu ke dimaag ne waqiye jodne shuru kiye. Phir bijli si chamki — Chacha ne maara tha, lohe ki rod se war kiya tha jo usko bebas kar diya. Aur Javed, uska dost samjha tha, ab Ganga ko kheench ke theater ke peeche under-construction building ki taraf le ja raha tha, uski cheekhein raat mein goonj rahi thi. Srinu ne dekha Ganga Javed ke against lad rahi thi, door bhagne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Ghabrahat aur mayoosi ke saath Srinu ne Ganga tak haath badhane ki koshish ki, usko khatre se bachane ki. Par koshish bekaar, jism hukm nahi maan raha tha, zameen pe bebas pada tha.

Pehle hi poori samajh aane se pehle Srinu ne mazboot haath apni baanh pe mehsoos kiya, zor se zameen pe kheench raha tha. Chacha tha, usko peeche construction wale building ki taraf le ja raha tha jo theater ke peeche andhere mein bhayanak khada tha.

Jaise manzil ke paas pahunch rahe the, Srinu ka dil khauf aur himmat ke saath dhadak raha tha. Jaanta tha ladna padega, in shaitani taqaton ka muqabla karna padega jo usko aur Ganga ko alag karna chahti thi. Poore jism se qasam li — biwi ki hifazat karega, chahe kitna bhi daam lage.

Aur jaise andhere mein gayab hue, Srinu ka irada chamak raha tha, khaufnaak khatre ke saamne ummeed ki roshni. Jaanta tha jaise saans chal rahi hai, us aurat ke liye ladta rahega jo pyar karta tha, chahe andhere mein kitne bhi darinde intezaar kar rahe hon.

Behosh hone se pehle, sab kuch andhera ho gaya.