07-12-2024, 07:44 PM
Update - 1
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Subah ke 5 baj rahe the aur dhoop ki halki laali se aasman kaafi khubsurat lag raha tha. Ek taraf suraj ki laali thi aur doosri taraf neela ambar, in dono ka sangam kisi chitrakar ki kalpana se bhi pare lag raha tha. Thandi hawa chal rahi thi aur suraj ki pehli kirnein dharti ko pyaar se choom rahi thi.
In sab khoobsuratiyon ke beech, Muskan apne kitchen mein akele bartan dhone mein vyast thi. Uske chehre par tanav tha aur dimag sirf ek hi baat soch raha tha: jaldi se bartan khatam karna, phir nasta banana aur uske pehle ghar mein jhadu lagana hai. Muskan tezi se haath chala rahi thi. Apne kaam mein wo nipun thi, aakhir pichle 12 saal se wahi toh kar rahi thi. Jaldi se bartan dhoke unhe ulta bartan wale cabin mein lagane ke baad jab usne ghadi dekhi, toh sirf 6 baje the.
Muskan ne apne sir se pasine poche aur turant jhadu le kar safai shuru kar di. Jab wo jhuki, toh use kamar mein halki dard mehsoos hui, lekin use nazarandaaz karte hue wo tezi se jhadu maarne lagi. Isi vyasta mein thi ki achanak uski saas ki awaaz aayi:
"Arre ri Muskan, sunti ho? Zara mere liye ek glass paani le aana na."
Muskan ne apna jhadu bed ke kone mein tikaya aur jaldi se khadi ho gayi. "Aayi, Ammi! Do minute rukiye," kehte hue wo kitchen mein daud gayi aur ek glass mein fridge ka thanda paani daalne lagi. Tabhi usse yaad aaya ki doctor ne saas ko fridge ka paani pine se mana kiya hai. Isliye usne adha glass fridge ka paani aur adha filter ka paani milaya aur tez kadmon se jaakar saas ko de diya.
Uski saas paani lete hue peene lagi aur phir ishare se Muskan ko wahan se jaane ko keh diya. Muskan wapas dusre kamre mein gayi, jhadu uthai aur safai dubara shuru kar di. Thodi hi der ke baad, ek tez awaaz ne uska dhyan toda — paadne ki awaaz! Muskan ne aankh tirchi karke dekha toh uska sauhar, Imran, aadhi neend mein aakhein mal raha tha.
Muskan gusse mein naak sikod kar boli:
"Imran, bathroom jaiye... jaldi se!"
Imran ne Muskan ki baat suna zarur, lekin nazarandaaz karke ek aur paad diya. Ab Muskan ka gussa aur badh gaya. Usne Imran ko ghoor ke dekha, jis par Imran ko hosh aaya aur wo turant bathroom ki taraf daud gaya. Muskan ne sir pakad ke hilaya aur wapas jhadu dene lagi.
Jhadu khatam karne ke baad Muskan nashta banane mein lag gayi. Usne fridge se jaldi se beans aur aloo nikale aur unhe kaatne aur dhone ke liye sink ke paas khadi ho gayi. Tabhi uske sasur ki awaaz aayi:
"Bahu, itni der ho gayi hai! Kahan hai meri chai?"
Yeh sunke Muskan irritate ho gayi aur sasur ki baat ko bina awaaz ke dohraya:
"Kahan hai meri chai?"
Phir usne zor se bola:
"Abbu, abhi laati hoon! Aap tab tak fresh ho jaiyein."
Ye kehkar Muskan ek bartan mein paani dal ke gas pe chadha diya. Sabziyon mein lagne hi wali thi ki use yaad aaya ki ghar mein doodh nahi hai. Usne apna sir pakda aur sasur se kaha:
"Abbu, doodh to khatam hai. Mother Dairy se lana padega."
Ye sunke uski saas ki awaaz aayi:
"Oh ho! Ab doodh lene mein aadha ghanta lag jayega. Bahu, Imran se kaho jaldi le aaye."
Tabhi Imran bathroom se nikalta hai aur puchhta hai:
"Kya hua, Ammi?"
Imran ki maa kehti hai:
"Beta, doodh khatam ho gaya hai. Chai kaise banegi?"
Imran apne kapde thik karta hai aur Muskan ki taraf dekhte hue kehta hai:
"Muskan, main jaldi se doodh le aata hoon. Aur kuch chahiye?"
Muskan sir na mein hilati hai aur wapas kitchen mein chale jaati hai. Jaldi-jaldi sabzi kaatne ke baad wo apne bachchon ko jagane chali jaati hai.
Kareeb aadhe ghante mein Imran doodh le aata hai. Tab tak Muskan idhar-udhar daud rahi thi—kabhi nashta banate hue, kabhi bachchon ki madad karte hue aur kabhi saas-sasur ki baatein sunte hue. Kisi tarah usne nashta tayyar kar diya, apne bachchon aur bade bachche (jo ki uska sauhar tha) ko tayyar kar diya aur nashta khilake college bhej diya.
Is bhagambhag mein Muskan kaafi thak gayi thi. Wo dining room ke sofe pe baith gayi aur tezi se kuch der ke liye saans lene lagi. Lekin isi bich, uske saas-sasur uske paas aate hain. Unhe dekh Muskan turant unhe nashta karne ke liye baithne ko kehti hai aur jaldi-jaldi garam roti banakar paros deti hai. Phir wo unse kehkar apne kamre mein chali jaati hai, ki agar kisi cheez ki zarurat ho, toh use bula lein.
Muskan apne kamre mein 5-6 minute ke liye sustati hai. Phir wo cupboard se towel aur kapde nikal kar bathroom chali jaati hai. Geyser adjust karne ke baad, wo halke garam paani se nahaane lagti hai. Kuch der baad, naha dho kar fresh kapde pehenti hai aur phir bartanon ko ikattha karti hai. Uske baad, apne liye thoda khana nikalti hai aur jaldi se TV on karke khana khane lagti hai.
Achanak se, jo ghar ab tak halchal se bhara tha, usmein sannata chha gaya. Saas-sasur apne kisi kaam se bahar nikal gaye the aur saas Muskan ke saath TV dekh rahi thi. Saas ko dheere-dheere neend aane lagi. Muskan ne ghadi dekhi, toh 11 baj rahe the. Wo uthkar jaldi se kitchen mein gayi aur bartan dhona shuru kar diya. Bartan dhone ke baad, usne saare kapde ikattha kiye aur khidki se bahar dekha. Aasmaan saaf tha; kaale baadal kahin nahi dikhe.
Usne apni saas ko kapde dene ke liye kaha aur phir sare kapde semi-automatic washing machine mein daal diye. Timer set karke Muskan wapas sofe pe baith gayi. Tabhi, uski saas ek kagaz leke harbarahat mein uske paas aayi aur boli:
"Muskan, aaj post office waali scheme mein paise daalne ka aakhri din hai."
Muskan ne kagaz liya aur tarikh dekhi:
"Haan ammi, aap sahi keh rahi hain. Abbu-jaan ko call kariye, shayad wo khud daal dein."
Saas tez saans chhodti hui boli:
"Muskan, wo toh purani bazaar gaye hain. Der se aayenge."
Muskan samajh gayi ki ab use hi saas ke saath post office jaana padega. Usne saas se kaha ki tayaar ho jaayein aur khud bhi tayaar hone lagi.
Thodi der baad, dono saas-bahu tayaar hoke post office ke liye nikal padein. Ek auto kar ke daak ghar pahunch gaye. Wahan ek counter par jaakar apni baat batayi. Staff ne ek form diya aur bharne ko kaha. Saath hi, ek cancelled cheque bhi maanga.
Yeh sunkar Muskan asmanjas mein pad gayi. Check toh dono ghar pe hi bhool aaye the. Saas thodi mayus hui, lekin Muskan ne turant kalam saas ke haath mein thama di:
"Ammi, aap yeh form bhariye. Main jaldi se ghar se cheque le aati hoon."
Saas thodi shant hui, aur Muskan jaldi se wahan se nikal kar ek auto pakad ke ghar ke liye nikal gayi.
Auto tez raftaar mein Muskan ko ghar le aaya. Muskan ne jaldi se cheque nikala, apne purse mein rakha aur wapas road ki taraf daudi. Lekin is baar, usse door-door tak koi auto nahi dikh raha tha. Garmi ki tez dhoop uske kaale burkhe ko tappa rahi thi. Apne aap ko kos rahi thi:
"Mujhe wahi auto waale ko extra paise deke rukwa lena chahiye tha."
Yeh sochti hui, Muskan ek bade chadhaai waale raaste ki aur chal padti hai. Wahan se main road tha, jahan aksar auto asani se mil jaate hain. Tez kadmon se chal kar Muskan wahan pahunchi aur ek auto khada dekha. Lekin driver ka kahin pata nahi tha.
Kareeb 10 minute ke intezaar ke baad, ek aadmi auto ki taraf aata dikhai diya. Muskan ke andar khushi ki lehar si daud gayi. Zindagi mein pehli baar, ek auto driver ko dekh kar use itni khushi mili thi.
Wo aadmi ganji mein tha aur ek towel se apne muh ka paseena poch raha tha. Auto ke paas aate hi Muskan bol padi:
"Bhaiya, mujhe daak ghar jaana hai. Jaldi pahuncha doge kya? Emergency hai."
Auto waala Muskan ko upar se neeche dekh kar bola:
"Nahi, madam ji. Humein udhar nahi jaana hai. Aap koi aur auto kar lo."
Muskan thodi udaas aur gussa bhi ho gayi, lekin usse kuch kehne ka mauka milta, isse pehle hi auto driver badbadata hua bola:
"Saali, post office ko kaand le jayegi!"
Aur turant auto le kar bhaag gaya. Muskan dhoop me susan khadi reh gayi. Raaste par bas kabhi-kabhi koi gaadi nikal rahi thi, aur autos jaise gayab ho gaye the.
Tez dhoop mein Muskan raste ko pakad kar post office ke liye paidal chal rahi thi. Usne tay kiya ki raste mein koi na koi auto mil hi jaayega, isliye ek jagah rukna sahi nahi hoga. Lekin dhoop ki tezi se uska kaala burqa tapne laga tha, aur uski halat kharab hone lagi. Uska gala sukne laga, aur thak kar usne burqe ko sir se piche ki aur dhakel diya. Ek jagah ruk kar hanfhate hue man hi man bubudayi:
"Kya ho gaya hai aaj? Abhi ek ghante pehle tak itne auto dikh rahe the, ab sab gayab ho gaye?!"
Ye kehkar Muskan phir se chalne lagi. Tabhi uske bagal mein piche se ek auto ruka aur ek awaaz aayi:
"Madam, kahin chalna hai kya?"
Muskan, jo ab tak bure haal mein thi, peeche mudti hai. Auto dekhte hi usne haath jod kar mann mein dua padhi. Tabhi auto wala phir awaaz lagata hai:
"Chalna hai ya main jaun, madam?"
Jaise hi driver ne accelerator pe haath rakha, Muskan jaldi se bol padti hai:
"Daak ghar!"
Bina driver ke jawab ka intezaar kiye, wo auto mein baith jaati hai. Auto chal deta hai, aur chalti hawa uske chehre ko choone lagti hai. Tab usse ehsaas hota hai ki wo aadha rasta toh paidal hi tai kar chuki thi. Khair, Muskan ye baat nazarandaz kar apne burqe ko theek karne lagti hai. Tabhi uski nazar auto ke rear-view mirror pe padti hai, aur wo dekhti hai ki auto wala use ghur raha hai.
Ye dekh Muskan gusse se bhar jaati hai. Wo driver ko kuch sunane hi wali thi ki uski nazar dhyan se auto driver ke chehre par jaati hai... aur wo hiraan reh jaati hai.
Uske hosh ud jaate hain. Muskan jaldi se apna burqa theek kar leti hai aur auto ke bahar ki taraf dekhne lagti hai, jitni door tak nazar ja sake. Uska mann manane ko tayar hi nahi tha ki usne apne bhule hue ateet ko aise raste mein phir se pa liya.
Muskan ko lag raha tha ki garmi ke asar se uski aankhen dhokha de rahi hain. Fir bhi, wo phir se mirror mein driver ke chehre par nazar daalti hai... aur uska shak pakka ho jaata hai.
"Ho na ho, ye wahi harami hai, jise maine apne ateet mein kab ka dafnaya tha."
Muskan ko darr lagne laga ki kahin kuch galat na ho jaaye. Driver ki ghurna usse aur bhi bechain kar rahi thi. Wo apne sharir ko jakad leti hai. Tabhi awaaz aayi:
"Madam ji, aa gaya daak ghar. Aapke 20 rupaye hue."
Muskan bina soche auto se utar gayi aur apne purse mein paise dhoondhne lagi. Usne driver ki taraf dekha, jo ab apne mobile par busy tha. Uske purse mein 20 rupaye the, lekin jaan bujh kar usne 50 ka note nikal kar driver ko diya aur dheere se boli:
"Bhaiya, change nahi hai."
Driver ne halka sa sir utha kar 50 rupaye liye aur bina kuch bole 30 rupaye wapas de diye. Phir jaldi se auto le kar nikal gaya.
Muskan kuch der tak wahi khadi rahi, samajhne ki koshish karte hue ki abhi-abhi kya hua. Tabhi usse cheque yaad aata hai, aur wo jaldi se apni saas ke paas pahuchti hai. Lekin badnaseebi aisi thi ki jaise hi wo pahuchi, lunch break shuru ho gaya.
Muskan apne auto na milne ki baat saas ko batati hai, lekin usne driver ka zikar nahi kiya. Usne socha ki ye baat wahin chhod dena hi sahi hoga. Dheere-dheere wo us insaan ko apne zehan se hata bhi deti hai.
Kabhi-kabhi, mushkil mehnat ke baad kaam poora hota hai.
Muskan aur uski saas 3 baje ke kareeb free hoti hain. Iss baar kismat se unhe turant auto mil jaata hai, aur dono ghar pahunch jaati hain. Muskan fridge se thanda paani nikal kar apne liye aur normal paani apni saas ke liye laati hai. Pani peene ke baad, dono parda utaar kar relax karte hain.
Muskan ko kapdon ki yaad aati hai, lekin der ho chuki thi. Wo faisla karti hai ki kapde agle din dhulegi. Thak kar, wo apne kamre mein naye kapde nikalti hai aur dubara nahaane chal padti hai. Uski saas tab tak sofe par hi so jaati hai.
Bathroom mein, Muskan bilkul thande paani se naha rahi thi. Tabhi jaise hi usne aankhen band ki, us auto wale ka chehra uske saamne aa gaya. Muskan ka sharir darr ke kanpne laga.
Usse laga ki paani thanda hone ke wajah se aisa hua hoga. Lekin paani band karne ke baad bhi, uska sharir kaanp raha tha. Muskan bathroom mein rakhe stool par baith gayi. Uska soch wapas auto driver ki taraf ghoomne laga.
Ab ek naya sawaal uske zehan mein uth raha tha.
"Agar wo wahi insaan tha, toh usne mujhe pehchana kyun nahi? Usne mujhe dekha bhi, ghura bhi, fir mujhe nazarandaz kaise kar diya?"
Muskan asmanjas mein thi. Uska darr dheere-dheere gusse mein tabdeel hone laga.
Muskan naha kar bahar nikli, aur uske gaal par gussa saaf maloom pad raha tha. Yeh ek aurat ka sabse mamooli sa gussa tha—nazarandaz hone ka. Muskan lekin kuch kar to sakti nahi thi, isliye woh bistar par gayi, aur jakar sustane lagi. Dheere-dheere use neend aa gayi.
Muskan ki neend khuli to uske bachche ghar mein shor macha rahe the, aur uska shauhar uske saath bistar mein sust raha tha. Muskan sust awaz mein poochti hai, “Kab aaye aap, Imran?”
Imran apni nazar Muskan ki taraf karta hai aur kehta hai, “Muskan ji, garma-garam chai milegi kya?”
Imran ki muskaan dekh Muskan bhi muskati hai aur cheekh kar bolti hai, “Ji, malik!”
Phir Muskan apne shauhar aur saas ke liye chai aur bachchon ke liye chuda bhujane lagti hai. Der tak, woh apne teenon bachchon ko nashta karwati hai aur khud apne shauhar aur saas ke saath chai peeti hai. Iske baad Muskan bachchon ke saath playground mein chali jaati hai, jahan use mohalle ki kuch aur auratein milti hain. Unhe dekh Muskan gappein ladane lagti hai, aur uske bachche baaki ke bachchon ke saath khelne lagte hain.
Kareeb 6 baj rahe the, aur sadkon par night wali lights jal chuki thi. Muskan apne bachchon, jo ab tak gande-sande ho chuke the, ko lekar ghar laut aayi. Unke kapde badalwa kar, usne apne shauhar se kaha ki woh unka homework karwa de, aur khud raat ke khane ki tayyari ke liye market nikal gayi. Uski saas kaafi thak gayi thi, isliye Muskan ne akele hi jaane ka faisla kiya. Ek bag leke woh market chali gayi.
Market mein shaam ke waqt acchi chahal-pahal thi. Muskan ne pehle market ka numayana kiya, aur isi beech uski nazar ek ladke par padi. Use dekh kar Muskan ka mood off ho gaya. Muskan is ladke ko achhi tarah jaanti thi, aur jaane bhi kyun na—yeh ladka uske peeche haath-pair muh dho ke pada tha. Pichhle 10-12 mahine se woh uske kareeb aane ki koshish kar raha tha.
Muskan ko pata tha ki aisa kabhi kuch nahi hone wala, lekin use thoda exciting lagta tha ki uske peeche ek ladka lattu bana hua tha. Muskan is wajah se jaan-bujhkar anjaan bani rehti thi.
Usne ghar ke liye saamaan kharida aur wapas ghar chali gayi. Jaane se pehle uski nazar us manchale ladke par padi, jo apne doston ke saath baith kar use hi dekh raha tha aur baatein kar raha tha. Muskan andar hi andar muskai aur phir ghar ki taraf chal di.
Ghar pahunch kar usne khane ki tayyari shuru ki, lekin uske zehan mein baar-baar wahi auto driver ghoom raha tha. Use na chaah kar bhi gussa aa raha tha. Uska sawaal sidha tha: akhir usne mujhe nazarandaz kaise kiya? Uski himmat kaise hui?
Isi gusse mein Muskan kaam kar rahi thi, aur isi wajah se uska haath ek kaanch ke glass se takra gaya, jo chakna-choor ho gaya. Aawaz sun kar uski saas bhi kitchen mein aayi. Muskan ke pair ke paas kaanch ke tukde bikhre the. Ye dekh kar saas ne use wahan se jaane ko kaha, aur khud jhaadu lagane lagi.
Muskan ka kaanch todna uske liye daraavne sanket jaisa laga. Kitchen saaf hone ke baad usne phir se khana banaya aur sabko khilakar khud sabse aakhri mein khana khaya. Bachchon ko sula kar, woh apne shauhar ke saath bistar mein aayi. Imran tab tak so chuka tha.
Muskan Imran ke chehre ko dekhti rahi. Uska haath Imran ke bache baalon mein gaya, aur woh unhein sehlane lagi. Tabhi soyi hui awaz mein Imran bolta hai, “Muskan, chhodo na. So jaaaooo...”
Imran phir se so gaya, aur Muskan bhi aankhein band karke sone hi wali thi ki usse woh auto driver wali baat yaad aane lagi. Lekin usne khud ko sambhal kar woh baat man se mita di aur jabardasti so gayi.
Raat ke beech Muskan ka shareer kanp raha tha. Pasine mein lathpath, uski aankh khuli, aur uske muh se zor se cheekh nikal gayi: “Chhod do, Chotu! Tujhe ,.' ka waasta!”
Uski cheekh sun kar Imran ki bhi aankh khul gayi, lekin saas-sasur ke kamre tak awaaz nahi pahunchi. Imran ne ghabra kar poocha, “Kya hua, Muskan? Tumhari tabiyat theek hai? Aur yeh Chotu kaun hai?”
Kanpte haathon se Muskan aage badhi aur apne honth Imran ke honth par rakh diye. Haule-haule usne Imran ko chuma, lekin andar se woh dar chuki thi. Is darr ki wajah tha sapna jo usne dekha tha—aur us sapne ka mukhya kirdar wahi auto driver tha.
Kareeb 5 minute me hi Imran ke hosh nikal gaye, aur wo turant dubara neend me chala gaya. Wahin Muskan bistar pe leti andhere me ceiling ko dekh rahi thi. Uska zehen wapas us auto driver aur apne is darawane sapne ki taraf chala gaya. Muskan ki neend ud chuki thi.
Wo apne salwar se Imran ka paani poch kar khadi hui aur apne kamre se attached ek chhoti balcony ki taraf gayi. Wahan wo din me hui mulaqat ke bare me sochne lagi. Muskan ka dhyaan apne sapne ki taraf gaya, aur wo dubara se sihar uthi. Uska ek haath apne chut ki taraf gaya, jahan Imran ka maal laga hua tha. Muskan ne ek ungli andar daal ke wapas apne muh me laayi aur jeebh se swad lene ki koshish ki. Swad aur mehek se uska naak mud gaya:
"Che, kitna ganda swad hai... thu thu..."
Phir uska haath apne pet par gaya, jo thoda chubby sa lag raha tha. Halka sa dabate hue use ehsaas hua ki wo thodi moti ho gayi thi. Phir uska haath apne chehre par gaya, aur apne chehre ko mehsus karte hue Muskan badbadai:
"Kya main badsurat ho gayi hoon? Kya main ab... ab..."
Wo apne aap se jawab khojne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Uska dimag ghoom raha tha ki us jaise galeech aadmi ne use kaise thukra diya, kaise nazar andaaz kar diya.
Yahi sochte-sochte, Muskan room me jaa kar ek drawer kholti hai. Tatol ke usme se ek kagaz nikalti hai. Ye kagaz aam nahi tha—isme ek number likha hua tha. Muskan ne ghadi me dekha; kareeb 3 baj rahe the. Kanpte haathon se usne wo number phone me daala aur kuch der tak ghurti rahi. Phir himmat karke number mila diya.
Kaafi der tak phone bajta raha, lekin koi jawab nahi aaya. Himmat toot chuki thi, isliye Muskan phone kaatne hi wali thi ki tabhi usi number se call wapas aa gaya. Muskan ki halat aur patli ho gayi, lekin darte hue phone utha liya.
Muskan ki zabaan se shabdon ne saath chhod diya tha, lekin saamne se "Hello, hello" ki awaaz aa rahi thi. Muskan bol nahi pa rahi thi, aur phone kaatne ki sochi hi thi ki saamne se awaaz aayi:
"Mujhe malum tha tum kisi na kisi din mujhe phone zaroor karogi."
Ye sun kar Muskan hakka-bakka ho gayi, aur anayas hi bol uthi:
"Tumhe kaise malum ki maine phone milaya?"
Saamne se hansi ki awaaz aayi:
"Truecaller ka zamana hai, madam ji."
Muskan ko samajh aa gaya ki ab phone kaatne ka koi fayda nahi hai. Isliye usne baat ko aage badhaya:
"Tumhe mujhse kya chahiye? Tumhe pata hai na ki main ek shaadi-shuda aurat hoon?"
Abhi Muskan baat puri kar hi rahi thi ki saamne se awaaz aayi:
"Dekho aunty..."
Muskan gusse se bol padi:
"Main tumhari aunty nahi hoon!"
Ispe saamne se fir hansi ki awaaz aayi:
"Khair, madam ji to hain na?"
Ye sun kar Muskan muskara di, lekin kuch boli nahi. Samne wala bola:
"Main aap se pyaar karta hoon."
Ispe Muskan ka gussa aur badh gaya:
"Pagal ho kya tum? Koi pyaar-vyaar nahi hai tumhe."
Samne se phir hansi ki awaaz aayi:
"Phir ye kya hai?"
Muskan chillayi:
"Tum ek galeech, hawasi naali ke keede ho! Mujhe tumse nafrat hai!"
Ye sun kar saamne thodi der ki chuppi chha gayi. Phir awaaz aayi:
"Dekho madam, tum jaise maine kai dekhe hain. Aur tum, saali... raat ke 3 baje kaun sharafat ka dhong rach rahi hai? Saali raand."
Muskan ke hosh udd gaye. Usne turant phone kaat diya. Phone kaatne ke baad turant fir se call aaya, jise Muskan ne ignore kiya. Jab teesri baar call aaya, to Muskan ne phone off kar diya.
Wo balcony me jaa kar baith gayi aur rone lagi. Use lag raha tha ki wo pagal ho chuki hai. Asman ki taraf dekhte hue wo ,.' se kuch samajhne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Phir wo bistar par jaakar zabardasti so gayi.
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Subah ke 5 baj rahe the aur dhoop ki halki laali se aasman kaafi khubsurat lag raha tha. Ek taraf suraj ki laali thi aur doosri taraf neela ambar, in dono ka sangam kisi chitrakar ki kalpana se bhi pare lag raha tha. Thandi hawa chal rahi thi aur suraj ki pehli kirnein dharti ko pyaar se choom rahi thi.
In sab khoobsuratiyon ke beech, Muskan apne kitchen mein akele bartan dhone mein vyast thi. Uske chehre par tanav tha aur dimag sirf ek hi baat soch raha tha: jaldi se bartan khatam karna, phir nasta banana aur uske pehle ghar mein jhadu lagana hai. Muskan tezi se haath chala rahi thi. Apne kaam mein wo nipun thi, aakhir pichle 12 saal se wahi toh kar rahi thi. Jaldi se bartan dhoke unhe ulta bartan wale cabin mein lagane ke baad jab usne ghadi dekhi, toh sirf 6 baje the.
Muskan ne apne sir se pasine poche aur turant jhadu le kar safai shuru kar di. Jab wo jhuki, toh use kamar mein halki dard mehsoos hui, lekin use nazarandaaz karte hue wo tezi se jhadu maarne lagi. Isi vyasta mein thi ki achanak uski saas ki awaaz aayi:
"Arre ri Muskan, sunti ho? Zara mere liye ek glass paani le aana na."
Muskan ne apna jhadu bed ke kone mein tikaya aur jaldi se khadi ho gayi. "Aayi, Ammi! Do minute rukiye," kehte hue wo kitchen mein daud gayi aur ek glass mein fridge ka thanda paani daalne lagi. Tabhi usse yaad aaya ki doctor ne saas ko fridge ka paani pine se mana kiya hai. Isliye usne adha glass fridge ka paani aur adha filter ka paani milaya aur tez kadmon se jaakar saas ko de diya.
Uski saas paani lete hue peene lagi aur phir ishare se Muskan ko wahan se jaane ko keh diya. Muskan wapas dusre kamre mein gayi, jhadu uthai aur safai dubara shuru kar di. Thodi hi der ke baad, ek tez awaaz ne uska dhyan toda — paadne ki awaaz! Muskan ne aankh tirchi karke dekha toh uska sauhar, Imran, aadhi neend mein aakhein mal raha tha.
Muskan gusse mein naak sikod kar boli:
"Imran, bathroom jaiye... jaldi se!"
Imran ne Muskan ki baat suna zarur, lekin nazarandaaz karke ek aur paad diya. Ab Muskan ka gussa aur badh gaya. Usne Imran ko ghoor ke dekha, jis par Imran ko hosh aaya aur wo turant bathroom ki taraf daud gaya. Muskan ne sir pakad ke hilaya aur wapas jhadu dene lagi.
Jhadu khatam karne ke baad Muskan nashta banane mein lag gayi. Usne fridge se jaldi se beans aur aloo nikale aur unhe kaatne aur dhone ke liye sink ke paas khadi ho gayi. Tabhi uske sasur ki awaaz aayi:
"Bahu, itni der ho gayi hai! Kahan hai meri chai?"
Yeh sunke Muskan irritate ho gayi aur sasur ki baat ko bina awaaz ke dohraya:
"Kahan hai meri chai?"
Phir usne zor se bola:
"Abbu, abhi laati hoon! Aap tab tak fresh ho jaiyein."
Ye kehkar Muskan ek bartan mein paani dal ke gas pe chadha diya. Sabziyon mein lagne hi wali thi ki use yaad aaya ki ghar mein doodh nahi hai. Usne apna sir pakda aur sasur se kaha:
"Abbu, doodh to khatam hai. Mother Dairy se lana padega."
Ye sunke uski saas ki awaaz aayi:
"Oh ho! Ab doodh lene mein aadha ghanta lag jayega. Bahu, Imran se kaho jaldi le aaye."
Tabhi Imran bathroom se nikalta hai aur puchhta hai:
"Kya hua, Ammi?"
Imran ki maa kehti hai:
"Beta, doodh khatam ho gaya hai. Chai kaise banegi?"
Imran apne kapde thik karta hai aur Muskan ki taraf dekhte hue kehta hai:
"Muskan, main jaldi se doodh le aata hoon. Aur kuch chahiye?"
Muskan sir na mein hilati hai aur wapas kitchen mein chale jaati hai. Jaldi-jaldi sabzi kaatne ke baad wo apne bachchon ko jagane chali jaati hai.
Kareeb aadhe ghante mein Imran doodh le aata hai. Tab tak Muskan idhar-udhar daud rahi thi—kabhi nashta banate hue, kabhi bachchon ki madad karte hue aur kabhi saas-sasur ki baatein sunte hue. Kisi tarah usne nashta tayyar kar diya, apne bachchon aur bade bachche (jo ki uska sauhar tha) ko tayyar kar diya aur nashta khilake college bhej diya.
Is bhagambhag mein Muskan kaafi thak gayi thi. Wo dining room ke sofe pe baith gayi aur tezi se kuch der ke liye saans lene lagi. Lekin isi bich, uske saas-sasur uske paas aate hain. Unhe dekh Muskan turant unhe nashta karne ke liye baithne ko kehti hai aur jaldi-jaldi garam roti banakar paros deti hai. Phir wo unse kehkar apne kamre mein chali jaati hai, ki agar kisi cheez ki zarurat ho, toh use bula lein.
Muskan apne kamre mein 5-6 minute ke liye sustati hai. Phir wo cupboard se towel aur kapde nikal kar bathroom chali jaati hai. Geyser adjust karne ke baad, wo halke garam paani se nahaane lagti hai. Kuch der baad, naha dho kar fresh kapde pehenti hai aur phir bartanon ko ikattha karti hai. Uske baad, apne liye thoda khana nikalti hai aur jaldi se TV on karke khana khane lagti hai.
Achanak se, jo ghar ab tak halchal se bhara tha, usmein sannata chha gaya. Saas-sasur apne kisi kaam se bahar nikal gaye the aur saas Muskan ke saath TV dekh rahi thi. Saas ko dheere-dheere neend aane lagi. Muskan ne ghadi dekhi, toh 11 baj rahe the. Wo uthkar jaldi se kitchen mein gayi aur bartan dhona shuru kar diya. Bartan dhone ke baad, usne saare kapde ikattha kiye aur khidki se bahar dekha. Aasmaan saaf tha; kaale baadal kahin nahi dikhe.
Usne apni saas ko kapde dene ke liye kaha aur phir sare kapde semi-automatic washing machine mein daal diye. Timer set karke Muskan wapas sofe pe baith gayi. Tabhi, uski saas ek kagaz leke harbarahat mein uske paas aayi aur boli:
"Muskan, aaj post office waali scheme mein paise daalne ka aakhri din hai."
Muskan ne kagaz liya aur tarikh dekhi:
"Haan ammi, aap sahi keh rahi hain. Abbu-jaan ko call kariye, shayad wo khud daal dein."
Saas tez saans chhodti hui boli:
"Muskan, wo toh purani bazaar gaye hain. Der se aayenge."
Muskan samajh gayi ki ab use hi saas ke saath post office jaana padega. Usne saas se kaha ki tayaar ho jaayein aur khud bhi tayaar hone lagi.
Thodi der baad, dono saas-bahu tayaar hoke post office ke liye nikal padein. Ek auto kar ke daak ghar pahunch gaye. Wahan ek counter par jaakar apni baat batayi. Staff ne ek form diya aur bharne ko kaha. Saath hi, ek cancelled cheque bhi maanga.
Yeh sunkar Muskan asmanjas mein pad gayi. Check toh dono ghar pe hi bhool aaye the. Saas thodi mayus hui, lekin Muskan ne turant kalam saas ke haath mein thama di:
"Ammi, aap yeh form bhariye. Main jaldi se ghar se cheque le aati hoon."
Saas thodi shant hui, aur Muskan jaldi se wahan se nikal kar ek auto pakad ke ghar ke liye nikal gayi.
Auto tez raftaar mein Muskan ko ghar le aaya. Muskan ne jaldi se cheque nikala, apne purse mein rakha aur wapas road ki taraf daudi. Lekin is baar, usse door-door tak koi auto nahi dikh raha tha. Garmi ki tez dhoop uske kaale burkhe ko tappa rahi thi. Apne aap ko kos rahi thi:
"Mujhe wahi auto waale ko extra paise deke rukwa lena chahiye tha."
Yeh sochti hui, Muskan ek bade chadhaai waale raaste ki aur chal padti hai. Wahan se main road tha, jahan aksar auto asani se mil jaate hain. Tez kadmon se chal kar Muskan wahan pahunchi aur ek auto khada dekha. Lekin driver ka kahin pata nahi tha.
Kareeb 10 minute ke intezaar ke baad, ek aadmi auto ki taraf aata dikhai diya. Muskan ke andar khushi ki lehar si daud gayi. Zindagi mein pehli baar, ek auto driver ko dekh kar use itni khushi mili thi.
Wo aadmi ganji mein tha aur ek towel se apne muh ka paseena poch raha tha. Auto ke paas aate hi Muskan bol padi:
"Bhaiya, mujhe daak ghar jaana hai. Jaldi pahuncha doge kya? Emergency hai."
Auto waala Muskan ko upar se neeche dekh kar bola:
"Nahi, madam ji. Humein udhar nahi jaana hai. Aap koi aur auto kar lo."
Muskan thodi udaas aur gussa bhi ho gayi, lekin usse kuch kehne ka mauka milta, isse pehle hi auto driver badbadata hua bola:
"Saali, post office ko kaand le jayegi!"
Aur turant auto le kar bhaag gaya. Muskan dhoop me susan khadi reh gayi. Raaste par bas kabhi-kabhi koi gaadi nikal rahi thi, aur autos jaise gayab ho gaye the.
Tez dhoop mein Muskan raste ko pakad kar post office ke liye paidal chal rahi thi. Usne tay kiya ki raste mein koi na koi auto mil hi jaayega, isliye ek jagah rukna sahi nahi hoga. Lekin dhoop ki tezi se uska kaala burqa tapne laga tha, aur uski halat kharab hone lagi. Uska gala sukne laga, aur thak kar usne burqe ko sir se piche ki aur dhakel diya. Ek jagah ruk kar hanfhate hue man hi man bubudayi:
"Kya ho gaya hai aaj? Abhi ek ghante pehle tak itne auto dikh rahe the, ab sab gayab ho gaye?!"
Ye kehkar Muskan phir se chalne lagi. Tabhi uske bagal mein piche se ek auto ruka aur ek awaaz aayi:
"Madam, kahin chalna hai kya?"
Muskan, jo ab tak bure haal mein thi, peeche mudti hai. Auto dekhte hi usne haath jod kar mann mein dua padhi. Tabhi auto wala phir awaaz lagata hai:
"Chalna hai ya main jaun, madam?"
Jaise hi driver ne accelerator pe haath rakha, Muskan jaldi se bol padti hai:
"Daak ghar!"
Bina driver ke jawab ka intezaar kiye, wo auto mein baith jaati hai. Auto chal deta hai, aur chalti hawa uske chehre ko choone lagti hai. Tab usse ehsaas hota hai ki wo aadha rasta toh paidal hi tai kar chuki thi. Khair, Muskan ye baat nazarandaz kar apne burqe ko theek karne lagti hai. Tabhi uski nazar auto ke rear-view mirror pe padti hai, aur wo dekhti hai ki auto wala use ghur raha hai.
Ye dekh Muskan gusse se bhar jaati hai. Wo driver ko kuch sunane hi wali thi ki uski nazar dhyan se auto driver ke chehre par jaati hai... aur wo hiraan reh jaati hai.
Uske hosh ud jaate hain. Muskan jaldi se apna burqa theek kar leti hai aur auto ke bahar ki taraf dekhne lagti hai, jitni door tak nazar ja sake. Uska mann manane ko tayar hi nahi tha ki usne apne bhule hue ateet ko aise raste mein phir se pa liya.
Muskan ko lag raha tha ki garmi ke asar se uski aankhen dhokha de rahi hain. Fir bhi, wo phir se mirror mein driver ke chehre par nazar daalti hai... aur uska shak pakka ho jaata hai.
"Ho na ho, ye wahi harami hai, jise maine apne ateet mein kab ka dafnaya tha."
Muskan ko darr lagne laga ki kahin kuch galat na ho jaaye. Driver ki ghurna usse aur bhi bechain kar rahi thi. Wo apne sharir ko jakad leti hai. Tabhi awaaz aayi:
"Madam ji, aa gaya daak ghar. Aapke 20 rupaye hue."
Muskan bina soche auto se utar gayi aur apne purse mein paise dhoondhne lagi. Usne driver ki taraf dekha, jo ab apne mobile par busy tha. Uske purse mein 20 rupaye the, lekin jaan bujh kar usne 50 ka note nikal kar driver ko diya aur dheere se boli:
"Bhaiya, change nahi hai."
Driver ne halka sa sir utha kar 50 rupaye liye aur bina kuch bole 30 rupaye wapas de diye. Phir jaldi se auto le kar nikal gaya.
Muskan kuch der tak wahi khadi rahi, samajhne ki koshish karte hue ki abhi-abhi kya hua. Tabhi usse cheque yaad aata hai, aur wo jaldi se apni saas ke paas pahuchti hai. Lekin badnaseebi aisi thi ki jaise hi wo pahuchi, lunch break shuru ho gaya.
Muskan apne auto na milne ki baat saas ko batati hai, lekin usne driver ka zikar nahi kiya. Usne socha ki ye baat wahin chhod dena hi sahi hoga. Dheere-dheere wo us insaan ko apne zehan se hata bhi deti hai.
Kabhi-kabhi, mushkil mehnat ke baad kaam poora hota hai.
Muskan aur uski saas 3 baje ke kareeb free hoti hain. Iss baar kismat se unhe turant auto mil jaata hai, aur dono ghar pahunch jaati hain. Muskan fridge se thanda paani nikal kar apne liye aur normal paani apni saas ke liye laati hai. Pani peene ke baad, dono parda utaar kar relax karte hain.
Muskan ko kapdon ki yaad aati hai, lekin der ho chuki thi. Wo faisla karti hai ki kapde agle din dhulegi. Thak kar, wo apne kamre mein naye kapde nikalti hai aur dubara nahaane chal padti hai. Uski saas tab tak sofe par hi so jaati hai.
Bathroom mein, Muskan bilkul thande paani se naha rahi thi. Tabhi jaise hi usne aankhen band ki, us auto wale ka chehra uske saamne aa gaya. Muskan ka sharir darr ke kanpne laga.
Usse laga ki paani thanda hone ke wajah se aisa hua hoga. Lekin paani band karne ke baad bhi, uska sharir kaanp raha tha. Muskan bathroom mein rakhe stool par baith gayi. Uska soch wapas auto driver ki taraf ghoomne laga.
Ab ek naya sawaal uske zehan mein uth raha tha.
"Agar wo wahi insaan tha, toh usne mujhe pehchana kyun nahi? Usne mujhe dekha bhi, ghura bhi, fir mujhe nazarandaz kaise kar diya?"
Muskan asmanjas mein thi. Uska darr dheere-dheere gusse mein tabdeel hone laga.
Muskan naha kar bahar nikli, aur uske gaal par gussa saaf maloom pad raha tha. Yeh ek aurat ka sabse mamooli sa gussa tha—nazarandaz hone ka. Muskan lekin kuch kar to sakti nahi thi, isliye woh bistar par gayi, aur jakar sustane lagi. Dheere-dheere use neend aa gayi.
Muskan ki neend khuli to uske bachche ghar mein shor macha rahe the, aur uska shauhar uske saath bistar mein sust raha tha. Muskan sust awaz mein poochti hai, “Kab aaye aap, Imran?”
Imran apni nazar Muskan ki taraf karta hai aur kehta hai, “Muskan ji, garma-garam chai milegi kya?”
Imran ki muskaan dekh Muskan bhi muskati hai aur cheekh kar bolti hai, “Ji, malik!”
Phir Muskan apne shauhar aur saas ke liye chai aur bachchon ke liye chuda bhujane lagti hai. Der tak, woh apne teenon bachchon ko nashta karwati hai aur khud apne shauhar aur saas ke saath chai peeti hai. Iske baad Muskan bachchon ke saath playground mein chali jaati hai, jahan use mohalle ki kuch aur auratein milti hain. Unhe dekh Muskan gappein ladane lagti hai, aur uske bachche baaki ke bachchon ke saath khelne lagte hain.
Kareeb 6 baj rahe the, aur sadkon par night wali lights jal chuki thi. Muskan apne bachchon, jo ab tak gande-sande ho chuke the, ko lekar ghar laut aayi. Unke kapde badalwa kar, usne apne shauhar se kaha ki woh unka homework karwa de, aur khud raat ke khane ki tayyari ke liye market nikal gayi. Uski saas kaafi thak gayi thi, isliye Muskan ne akele hi jaane ka faisla kiya. Ek bag leke woh market chali gayi.
Market mein shaam ke waqt acchi chahal-pahal thi. Muskan ne pehle market ka numayana kiya, aur isi beech uski nazar ek ladke par padi. Use dekh kar Muskan ka mood off ho gaya. Muskan is ladke ko achhi tarah jaanti thi, aur jaane bhi kyun na—yeh ladka uske peeche haath-pair muh dho ke pada tha. Pichhle 10-12 mahine se woh uske kareeb aane ki koshish kar raha tha.
Muskan ko pata tha ki aisa kabhi kuch nahi hone wala, lekin use thoda exciting lagta tha ki uske peeche ek ladka lattu bana hua tha. Muskan is wajah se jaan-bujhkar anjaan bani rehti thi.
Usne ghar ke liye saamaan kharida aur wapas ghar chali gayi. Jaane se pehle uski nazar us manchale ladke par padi, jo apne doston ke saath baith kar use hi dekh raha tha aur baatein kar raha tha. Muskan andar hi andar muskai aur phir ghar ki taraf chal di.
Ghar pahunch kar usne khane ki tayyari shuru ki, lekin uske zehan mein baar-baar wahi auto driver ghoom raha tha. Use na chaah kar bhi gussa aa raha tha. Uska sawaal sidha tha: akhir usne mujhe nazarandaz kaise kiya? Uski himmat kaise hui?
Isi gusse mein Muskan kaam kar rahi thi, aur isi wajah se uska haath ek kaanch ke glass se takra gaya, jo chakna-choor ho gaya. Aawaz sun kar uski saas bhi kitchen mein aayi. Muskan ke pair ke paas kaanch ke tukde bikhre the. Ye dekh kar saas ne use wahan se jaane ko kaha, aur khud jhaadu lagane lagi.
Muskan ka kaanch todna uske liye daraavne sanket jaisa laga. Kitchen saaf hone ke baad usne phir se khana banaya aur sabko khilakar khud sabse aakhri mein khana khaya. Bachchon ko sula kar, woh apne shauhar ke saath bistar mein aayi. Imran tab tak so chuka tha.
Muskan Imran ke chehre ko dekhti rahi. Uska haath Imran ke bache baalon mein gaya, aur woh unhein sehlane lagi. Tabhi soyi hui awaz mein Imran bolta hai, “Muskan, chhodo na. So jaaaooo...”
Imran phir se so gaya, aur Muskan bhi aankhein band karke sone hi wali thi ki usse woh auto driver wali baat yaad aane lagi. Lekin usne khud ko sambhal kar woh baat man se mita di aur jabardasti so gayi.
Raat ke beech Muskan ka shareer kanp raha tha. Pasine mein lathpath, uski aankh khuli, aur uske muh se zor se cheekh nikal gayi: “Chhod do, Chotu! Tujhe ,.' ka waasta!”
Uski cheekh sun kar Imran ki bhi aankh khul gayi, lekin saas-sasur ke kamre tak awaaz nahi pahunchi. Imran ne ghabra kar poocha, “Kya hua, Muskan? Tumhari tabiyat theek hai? Aur yeh Chotu kaun hai?”
Kanpte haathon se Muskan aage badhi aur apne honth Imran ke honth par rakh diye. Haule-haule usne Imran ko chuma, lekin andar se woh dar chuki thi. Is darr ki wajah tha sapna jo usne dekha tha—aur us sapne ka mukhya kirdar wahi auto driver tha.
Kareeb 5 minute me hi Imran ke hosh nikal gaye, aur wo turant dubara neend me chala gaya. Wahin Muskan bistar pe leti andhere me ceiling ko dekh rahi thi. Uska zehen wapas us auto driver aur apne is darawane sapne ki taraf chala gaya. Muskan ki neend ud chuki thi.
Wo apne salwar se Imran ka paani poch kar khadi hui aur apne kamre se attached ek chhoti balcony ki taraf gayi. Wahan wo din me hui mulaqat ke bare me sochne lagi. Muskan ka dhyaan apne sapne ki taraf gaya, aur wo dubara se sihar uthi. Uska ek haath apne chut ki taraf gaya, jahan Imran ka maal laga hua tha. Muskan ne ek ungli andar daal ke wapas apne muh me laayi aur jeebh se swad lene ki koshish ki. Swad aur mehek se uska naak mud gaya:
"Che, kitna ganda swad hai... thu thu..."
Phir uska haath apne pet par gaya, jo thoda chubby sa lag raha tha. Halka sa dabate hue use ehsaas hua ki wo thodi moti ho gayi thi. Phir uska haath apne chehre par gaya, aur apne chehre ko mehsus karte hue Muskan badbadai:
"Kya main badsurat ho gayi hoon? Kya main ab... ab..."
Wo apne aap se jawab khojne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Uska dimag ghoom raha tha ki us jaise galeech aadmi ne use kaise thukra diya, kaise nazar andaaz kar diya.
Yahi sochte-sochte, Muskan room me jaa kar ek drawer kholti hai. Tatol ke usme se ek kagaz nikalti hai. Ye kagaz aam nahi tha—isme ek number likha hua tha. Muskan ne ghadi me dekha; kareeb 3 baj rahe the. Kanpte haathon se usne wo number phone me daala aur kuch der tak ghurti rahi. Phir himmat karke number mila diya.
Kaafi der tak phone bajta raha, lekin koi jawab nahi aaya. Himmat toot chuki thi, isliye Muskan phone kaatne hi wali thi ki tabhi usi number se call wapas aa gaya. Muskan ki halat aur patli ho gayi, lekin darte hue phone utha liya.
Muskan ki zabaan se shabdon ne saath chhod diya tha, lekin saamne se "Hello, hello" ki awaaz aa rahi thi. Muskan bol nahi pa rahi thi, aur phone kaatne ki sochi hi thi ki saamne se awaaz aayi:
"Mujhe malum tha tum kisi na kisi din mujhe phone zaroor karogi."
Ye sun kar Muskan hakka-bakka ho gayi, aur anayas hi bol uthi:
"Tumhe kaise malum ki maine phone milaya?"
Saamne se hansi ki awaaz aayi:
"Truecaller ka zamana hai, madam ji."
Muskan ko samajh aa gaya ki ab phone kaatne ka koi fayda nahi hai. Isliye usne baat ko aage badhaya:
"Tumhe mujhse kya chahiye? Tumhe pata hai na ki main ek shaadi-shuda aurat hoon?"
Abhi Muskan baat puri kar hi rahi thi ki saamne se awaaz aayi:
"Dekho aunty..."
Muskan gusse se bol padi:
"Main tumhari aunty nahi hoon!"
Ispe saamne se fir hansi ki awaaz aayi:
"Khair, madam ji to hain na?"
Ye sun kar Muskan muskara di, lekin kuch boli nahi. Samne wala bola:
"Main aap se pyaar karta hoon."
Ispe Muskan ka gussa aur badh gaya:
"Pagal ho kya tum? Koi pyaar-vyaar nahi hai tumhe."
Samne se phir hansi ki awaaz aayi:
"Phir ye kya hai?"
Muskan chillayi:
"Tum ek galeech, hawasi naali ke keede ho! Mujhe tumse nafrat hai!"
Ye sun kar saamne thodi der ki chuppi chha gayi. Phir awaaz aayi:
"Dekho madam, tum jaise maine kai dekhe hain. Aur tum, saali... raat ke 3 baje kaun sharafat ka dhong rach rahi hai? Saali raand."
Muskan ke hosh udd gaye. Usne turant phone kaat diya. Phone kaatne ke baad turant fir se call aaya, jise Muskan ne ignore kiya. Jab teesri baar call aaya, to Muskan ne phone off kar diya.
Wo balcony me jaa kar baith gayi aur rone lagi. Use lag raha tha ki wo pagal ho chuki hai. Asman ki taraf dekhte hue wo ,.' se kuch samajhne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Phir wo bistar par jaakar zabardasti so gayi.
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