Adultery Meri Maa Ke Chhupe Raaz

[Mahendra_]

Us raat, hamare ghar mein ek ajeeb, sukhad pratiksha maujood thi. Maa ne Vinay Uncle ko bulaya tha. Main lagbhag nischit tha; komal, gupt muskurahatein jo woh dinon se pehen rahi thi, jis tarah se woh bartan dhote samay dheere-dheere gungunati thi, uski aankhen door, vicharon mein khoyi hui.

Mere pita ji door, videsh mein kaam kar rahe the, aur bhale hi Maa ne is aadmi ke baare mein mere pitaji ko kuch nahi kaha tha, main jaanta tha ki unke aur Vinay Uncle ke beech kuch chal raha hai. Unki dosti badhi thi, ek aisi nikatata jo kaamuk mehsoos hui.

Mujhe uske liye khushi hui, lekin mera ek chota sa hissa, ek hissa jise main poori tarah se nahi samajh paaya, thoda asahaj bhi mehsoos hua.

Main: "Maa, Vinay Uncle aaj raat raat ke khaane ke liye aa rahe hain?"

Maa: "Haan, beta. Maine use bulaya."

Main: "Sachmuch? Lekin… maine socha tha ki jab Pita ji yahaan nahi hote hain toh aap aam taur par hamare ghar mein doosre purushon ko rakhna pasand nahi karti hain."

Maa: (Saans lete hue, uske honthon par ek chhoti si muskurahat) "Khair, cheezen badalti hain, beta. Aur Vinay Uncle alag hain. Woh… ek achha vyakti hai."

Main: "Haan, woh hai. Woh achha hai."

Maa: (Chamkate hue) "Maine bhi aisa hi socha. Woh achha hai"

Main: "Haan, woh hai! Woh yahaan aane par hamesha itna khaata hai. Woh hamesha kehta hai ki aap duniya ki sabse achhi rasoiya hain."

Maa: (Aankhen chamakte hue) "Woh aisa kehta hai?"

Main: "Haan, Maa. Woh aapki rasoi aur recipes se pyaar karta hai. Aur woh hamesha kehta hai ki aap isme sabse achhi hain. Woh kehta hai ki aap ek adbhut rasoiya hain."

Maa: (Sharmaate hue, lagbhag sharmeeli) "Kya woh sachmuch aisa kehta hai? Kya use meri banayi hui dishes pasand hain?"

Main: "Haan, Maa. Har baar jab woh yahaan hota hai. Woh yeh bhi kehta hai ki use swaad pasand hai. Yeh sab bahut swadisht hai aur aapki dishes avishwasniya hain."

(Viraam)





Main: "Aur… kya woh raat ko rukne waala hai?"

Maa: "Haan. Maine use aamantrit kiya. Woh thaka hua lag raha tha aur maine socha ki main use yahaan sahaj mehsoos kara sakta hoon aur use rukne ke liye bhi kaha."

Main: "Kya? Sachmuch? Woh raat bita raha hai? Yahaan?" (Mera muh khul jaata hai)

Maa: (Sir hilati hai) "Haan, beta. Maine use bataya ki woh ruk sakta hai. Hame use aamantrit karna chahiye, mujhe laga ki shaayad woh hamara saath de sakta hai"

Main: "Lekin... lekin woh kahaan soyega?" (Mera dimaag daudta hai)

Maa: "Woh sofa par soyega, beta."

Main: "Lekin… Maa, sofa use fit nahi aayega"

Maa: (Narm se, lekin dridhata se) "Yeh theek hai, beta. Yeh sirf ek raat ke liye hai. Aur hum ek saath film dekh sakte hain."

Mujhe lagta hai ki meri Maa mujhse jhooth bol rahi thi. Mujhe lagta hai ki kuch yojana banayi ja rahi thi lekin mujhe yakeen nahi tha.

Main: "Theek hai, Maa. Main thoda hairan hoon."

Maa: (Muskurate hue) "Mujhe pata hai ki yeh thoda badlav hai, lekin yeh mazedaar hoga."

Main: "Theek hai, Maa... agar aapko theek hai."

Maa: (Muskurate hue, uski aankhon mein rahat) "Dhanyavaad, beta." (Woh mujhe gale lagati hai) "Main tumhe iska bhugtan karungi."

Main: "Yeh theek hai, Maa."

Maa: "Aap sabse achhe beta hain"




Jab aakhirkar darwaaze ki ghanti baji, toh main hairan tha, lekin utsahit bhi tha. Vinay Uncle pehle se hi hamare jeevan ka hissa the. Woh ek dost the, woh jinke saath mujhe samay bitana achha lagta tha. Woh ek aaramdaayak upsthiti the, ek aise vyakti jo achhe chutkule sunana jaante the, ek aisa vyakti jo hamesha meri Maa ko hansaata tha.

Woh sofa par baith gaya, aur main uske paas gaya. Humne college, mere shauk, tatkaalin cricket match ke baare mein baat ki. Yeh samaanya lag raha tha, lekin hamare ghar ke mahaul mein ek sukshm badlav aaya tha. Ek gunj, ek shaant uttejana, apeksha ki bhaavana thi jise main puri tarah se paribhashit nahi kar saka.

Jaise hi hum baat kar rahe the, maine apni Maa ki aur dekha. Woh rasoi mein thi, khana tayaar karte samay ek besuri dhun gunguna rahi thi. Lekin Vinay Uncle nirantar uski taraf dekh rahe the. Uski nigahen uski har harkat ka anusaran karti thi, lekin yeh sirf ek saamaanya nazar nahi thi.

Yeh... irada tha. Aur, ajeeb tarah se, yeh uske gaand par kendrit tha.

Woh uski gaand se mohit lag raha tha. Har baar jab usne socha ki main nahi dekh raha tha, toh woh uski aur mud jaata tha. Woh use dekhta tha jaise woh sabziyan kaatti hai, jaise woh stove par ek bartan hilati hai, jaise woh masaalon ki aur haath badhati hai.

Woh apne gaand par dhyan kendrit karta tha. Ve sundar aur bade gaand the. Ve ek aisi mahila ke gaand the jisne kadi mehnat ki, jisne ek ghar banaya, jisne sab kuch sambhala.






Kabhi kabhi, woh peeche palat kar dekhti, usko woh karte hue pakad leti. Woh sharma jaati, aur phir woh door chali jaati, lagbhag sharmili. Vinay Uncle sirf uski taraf dekhkar muskuraate rehte. Woh cooking karti rehti, lekin main samajh sakta tha ki kuch alag chal raha hai.

Mujhe samajh nahi aaya. Mujhe Vinay uncle ka uski गांड mein itna gehri ruchi, jis tarah woh unse jaise mohit ho gaya tha, samajh nahi aaya.

Dinner ka samay aaya, aur Mom ne ek sundar dish lagayi thi. Usne uski pasandeeda dishes banayi thi, aur maine uski taraf muskurate hue dekha, jaise woh khana serve kar rahi thi. Usne pehle meri taraf ek plate laayi, aur phir Vinay Uncle ke saamne ek plate rakhi. Aisa karte hue, usne uska haath thodi der ke liye pakda, uski ungliyan uske haathon ko chhu rahi thi.

Uske andar ek dikhai dene waala kampan daud gaya. Yeh ek jhatke se, halka sa kampan tha, lekin maine use dekha. Usne turant apna haath peeche kheench liya, aur uski muskurahat aur vishal ho gayi, thoda tanav ke saath. Woh bechain thi. Vinay Uncle ne bhi uski taraf muskuraya. Main jaanta tha ki woh jaanti thi ki main dekh raha tha.

Main samajh nahi paaya ki yeh aadmi meri Maa ko waise hi bahut khush kyun kar raha tha, jaise mere Papa meri Maa ko khush karte the, lekin Vinay uncle meri Maa ko mere Papa ke yahaan hone se zyada khush kar rahe the. Lekin kyun?

Hum table ke aas paas ikattha hue. Meri Mom Vinay Uncle ke saamne baithi thi, aur main bhi uske saamne baitha tha. Hawaa ankahe baaton se bhari hui thi, ek tanav jo hamari vinamra baat cheet ki satah ke neeche gunjta tha.

Vinay Uncle ne shuru kiya, uski aawaaz smooth, vishwas se bhari. "Tum jaanti ho, tum aaj raat bilkul radiant dikh rahi ho, Meena. Bohot samay ho gaya hai jab maine tumhe itna… khush dekha hai."

Mom sharma gayi, uske gaalon ka rang halka gulaabi ho gaya. "Oh, yeh kuch bhi nahi hai. Bas… ek achhi shaam hai."

"Nahi, tum jaanti ho ki main kya baat kar raha hoon Meena," Vinay Uncle ne haske kaha, uski aankhen uski aankhon se mili. "Mujhe lagta hai ki tum tab aur bhi chamakdar dikhti ho jab main tumhare aas paas hota hoon."

Main khud ko rok nahi saka. Maine bhi baat ki. "Mom, tum sachmuch khush lagti ho. Tum aaj raat itni… muskurati kyun ho, khaas kar jab Vinay Uncle yahaan hain?"

Uski aankhen badi ho gayi, hairaani ki jhalki uske chehre par aa gayi. Usne Vinay Uncle ki taraf dekha, phir meri taraf. Usne halka sa sir hilaaya, jaise use jawab dene ke liye utsaahit kar raha ho.

"Main… main nahi jaanti, beta," woh ladkhadaayi, uski nigaah phisalti hui. "Main bas… main khush mehsoos kar rahi hoon, main andaza lagati hoon."

Vinay Uncle meri Mom ki taraf muskuraye, aur phir usne uski taraf aankh mari, jaise mere sawaal ki tareef kar raha ho, uski masoomiyat ki. Woh jaanta tha ki main andha nahi hoon, aur use woh pasand aa raha tha.

Phir maine jawaab diya, "Woh bahut achha hai, Mom. Hum khush hain agar tum khush ho."

Maine sachmuch iska matlab samajh liya. Meri khushi hamesha uski khushi par nirbhar karti thi.

Jaise humne khaya, baatchit aasaan aur halki thi, lekin satah ke neeche, tanav ghutta raha. Ek point par, main ne galati se apna chammach gira diya. Woh floor par, table ke neeche gir gaya. Main use lene ke liye neeche jhuka.

Tabhi maine use dekha.

Table ke neeche, najar se door, Vinay Uncle ka haath meri Maa ki moti jaanghon par chala gaya tha. Woh wahin thehra, uski ungliyan faili hui, uski jaangh ke vistar ko dhak rahi thi. Meri Mom, bina koi shabd kahe, usne uska haath halka sa thappad maara. "Vinay, bas karo! Kya tumhe nahi dikh raha hai Kabir table ke neeche hai?" usne usse fhisafisaaya.

Usne turant apna haath hata liya, lekin kuch hi der baad, maine uska haath wapas uski jaangh par upar jaate hue dekha. Meri Mom hasi, ek asli, be-rok hasi, aur phir se uske haath par playfully thappad maara, aur phir se kaha, "Vinay Please!" aur woh chalu rahe. Unki aankhen table par mili.

Woh playfully the, mujhe samajh nahi aaya. Mujhe haath pakadne, jhapakne, lagatar, gaur se dekhne ka matlab samajh nahi aaya. Lekin main jaanta tha ki kuch ho raha hai.

Main confuse tha, thoda. Aur, main samajhna chahta tha kyunki maine kabhi meri Mom ko mere Papa ke alawa kisi aur aadmi ke saath itna playful nahi dekha tha.



"Good night, beta," usne dheere se kaha, uski aawaaz pyaar se bhari hui thi.

"Good night, Mom," maine jawab diya, meri aawaaz neend se bhari hui thi.

Woh ek pal ke liye ruki, meri aankhon mein kuch dhoondhti rahi, phir neeche jhuki aur mere maatha chuma. Phir, woh mud kar chali gayi, mujhe mere khayalon ke saath akela chod kar.

Maine apni aankhein band kar li, aur raat ke ghatnaayein mere dimaag mein ghoomti rahi. Vinay Uncle ka meri maa ki taraf aankh maarna. Wo nazrein. Wo muskurahat. Mez ke neeche haathon ka sparsh, uski jaanghon par. Sab kuch ek ajeeb si uljhan aur jigyaasa ka mila-jula bhawar tha.

Yeh sab ka matlab kya tha? Kya maine galat samjha? Kya yeh sab sirf mere mann ka waham tha? Ya yeh ek aam baat thi jo bade log karte hain?

Jaise hi neend ne mujhe apni baahon mein le liya, maine in sawaalon ko chhod diya. Main so gaya. Yeh sawaal subah tak rukh sakte the.

Subah ki dhoop rasoi ki khidki se andar aa rahi thi, hawa mein udte dhool ke kanchko chamka rahi thi aur meri maa ke baalon mein ek sunehra rang bhar rahi thi. Main dheere-dheere andar aaya, abhi bhi apni aankhon se neend hata raha tha. Rasoi ek sukoon bhari jagah thi – choolhe par kuch swaadisht pak raha tha, aur taazgi bhari coffee ki sugandh hawa mein thi.

Par jo cheez mujhe sabse zyada moh liya tha, woh thi meri maa. Uski twacha, jo hamesha komal aur halki si saanwli dikhti thi, aaj ek alag hi chamak se bhari thi. Sirf roshni nahi, jaise usme koi alag prakash tha, ek nayi urja, jo maine pehle kabhi itni tezi se mehsoos nahi ki thi. Maine apne aap se poocha ki kal raat aisa kya hua jo unki twacha aise chamak rahi thi?

Maa dheere se gaane ga rahi thi, apni peeth meri taraf kar ke, choolhe par kuch hilate hue. Jaise uski chhati ka uthaav-patna, uski kamar ka jhukav... sab kuch ek ajeeb khoobsurti se bhara tha. Kal ki shaam ke thakaan se bhari maa ki tasveer se bilkul alag, aaj woh ekdum zinda lag rahi thi.

"Good morning, beta," usne bina paltay kaha, uski aawaaz pyaar aur halkaapan se bhari hui thi, jo turant hi mere mann ko halka kar gayi.

"Morning, Mom," maine neeend bhari aawaaz mein kaha, darwaze ke kinare se tek lagate hue.

"Aao na, soone wale babu," usne hansi bhari aawaaz mein kaha. "Coffee tayaar hai, aur breakfast bhi bas hone hi wala hai."

Phir usne mud kar mujhe dekha, aur uski muskurahat aur badi ho gayi. "Achha soye?"

"Haan," maine aankhein malte hue kaha. "Woh... woh Vinay Uncle kahan hain?" Maine socha tha ki woh drawing room mein honge, shayad akhbaar padh rahe honge. Kal raat maa ne kaha tha ki woh sofa par soyenge.

Maa ki muskurahat ek pal ke liye ruki. Uske chehre par kuch aaya – ek chhoti si hairani, aur shayad thodi si bechaini. Usne aankhein hata li, choolhe par dhyan dete hue. "Oh, Vinay Uncle? Woh... woh abhi bhi... uh..."

Woh ek pal ko ruki, sahi shabd dhoondhne lagi. "...Woh mere kamre mein hain."

Meri bhauney uthi. "Aapke kamre mein?" Ek ajeeb si uljhan mere andar umad aayi. "Kya unhone... wahin par raat guzari?"

Maa ne gala saaf kiya, phir meri taraf dekha, firse muskurahat laane ki koshish ki, par ab woh thodi zabardasti lag rahi thi. "Haan beta, woh... uh... unhe rehne ki jagah chahiye thi, aur yeh sabse... convenient tha. Sofa unke liye thoda thanda lag raha tha," usne kaha, jaise apne shabdon se khud ko samjha rahi ho.

Maine sir hila diya. "Oh," maine kaha, ab bhi thoda soch mein pada hua. "Kya main... kya main unse mil sakta hoon?"

"Nahi abhi nahi, beta," usne turant kaha, shayad zaroorat se zyada jaldi. Uske haath achanak se vyast ho gaye, chammach ko choolhe par ghoomate hue.

"Kyun nahi?" maine poocha, sacchi jigyaasa se.

"Woh... woh abhi so rahe hain," usne jawab diya, uski aawaaz thodi unchayi par thi.

"Oh, theek hai," maine keh kar kaafi casually coffee daali aur table par baith gaya, maa ko dekhte hue.

Uski perfume ki sugandh poore kamre mein thi, vanilla aur kisi phool ki sugandh ka ek ajeeb aur madhur mishran.

Mujhe samajh nahi aaya ki maa ne itni sundar sugandh kyon lagayi thi. Yeh kuch alag tha. Maine socha ki kal raat maa aur Vinay Uncle ne kamre mein kya kiya hoga.

Tabhi, unke kamre ka darwaza khula.

Meri aankhein phat gayi.

Vinay Uncle bahar aaye, unke baal thode bikre hue the, sirf boxers pehne hue. Woh kaafi aaramdah aur halka thake hue lag rahe the.




Maa ki aankhein badi ho gayi, uska chehra ek pal mein hairat se bhar gaya. Usne haath hila kar ishaara kiya ki woh wapas andar chale jaye, ek chup chaap prarthna jaisi.

Par Vinay Uncle ne dhyaan nahi diya. Woh sidha rasoi mein chale aaye, ek badi si hasi ke saath.

"Good morning, Kabir! Good morning, Meena!" unhone hum dono ko greet kiya, unki aawaaz taazgi aur khushi se bhari hui thi. Unhone coffee li aur counter se takra kar khade ho gaye.

"Good morning, Vinay," maa ne jawab diya, par uski aawaaz ab bhi thodi shaky thi. Woh ab bhi unko dekh rahi thi, ek ajeeb si sharam, hairani aur kuch aur – jo mujhe samajh nahi aaya – unke chehre par tha.

"Aaj ka kya plan hai?" Vinay Uncle ne coffee peete hue poocha. Phir meri taraf dekha, phir maa ki taraf, unki aankhon mein ek chamak thi. "Kabir, main aaj raat tumhari maa ke kamre mein soya tha. Unke liye ek project par kaam kar raha tha aur yahin par raat ho gayi. Mujhe ummeed hai tumhe bura nahi laga?"

Maine muskura kar kaha, "Bilkul nahi, Uncle Vinay! Maa kitni achhi hain jo aapko apne kamre mein jagah di."

Maa ki aankhein ek pal ke liye aur bhi badi ho gayi. Usne turant meri taraf dekha, jaise ki kuch aur hi soch rahi ho.

"Uh, haan!" maa ne haansi mein kaha. "Woh... unhe rehne ki jagah chahiye thi, maine bas space offer kar diya. Sofa thanda tha."

Vinay Uncle hansi mein keh uthe, "Maa ki company hamesha achhi hoti hai, Kabir. Humne baatein ki, aur…"

Woh ek pal ke liye ruke, jaise kehna chah rahe ho, par nahi kaha.

Maa ne unki taraf dekha. Aur ek shararati si muskurahat unke hothon par thi.

"Vinay!" Maa boli, uski aawaaz hasi aur ek halki si chetavni ka mishran thi.

"Ruko!" usne kaha, uski aawaaz pyaar se bhari hui thi, lekin woh uski aankhon mein seedha nahi dekh pa rahi thi.

"Oh, tum dono!" maine kaha, sir hilaate hue aur muskurate hue. "Mujhe tumhari dosti bahut pasand hai. Tum dono best ho!"

Maa ka chehra naram pad gaya, uski muskurahat sachchi thi. Usne aage badhkar pyaar bhare andaaz mein mera haath halka sa chhua.

"Hume ek doosre ka saath milna bahut naseeb ki baat hai, beta." Usne Vinay Uncle ki taraf dekha, ek aisi nazar se jo pyaar aur lagav se bhari thi.

Vinay Uncle ne aage badhkar mera haath zor se dabaya. "Aur hume tum mil gaye, bacchu, yeh bhi hamari khushnaseebi hai."

Maine hasi se kaha, "Toh, breakfast mein kya hai?"

"Pancakes aur kuch swaadisht sabziyaan!" Maa ne uthsaahit hokar kaha, jaise ki pehle ki ghabraahat kahin udd gayi ho. "Aur yeh sabse best pancakes hone wale hain jo tumne kabhi taste kiye hain!"

Nashta karne ke baad, Vinay Uncle nahaane chale gaye aur kaam ke liye tayar hone lage. Kuch der baad, woh naye, taza dikhai diye – ek badhiya button-down shirt aur slacks pehne hue. Woh sidha living room ki taraf chale gaye, jahan main tha.

"Toh, Kabir," unhone muskurate hue kaha, "Mujhe nikalna hoga. Aaj bahut kaam hai. Accha bacha banna, theek hai?"

"Haan, Uncle! Bye, Uncle Vinay!" maine muskurakar kaha. "Aapka din accha rahe!"

"Rahega," unhone kaha, mera kandha tapkate hue. "Shaam ko milte hain."

Phir woh rasoi ki taraf gaye, maa se alvida kehne ke liye.

Main apni plate uthane aur use rasoi tak le jaane laga. Jaise hi main hallway se guzra, maine hasne ki awaaz suni.

Maa ki hasi.

Ek halka, shararat bhara hasna jo maine kaafi samay se nahi suna tha.

Meri jigyaasa aur badh gayi, main dheere-dheere darwaze ki taraf badha, par ekdam se wahin rukh gaya.

Woh dono paas khade the.

Maa aur Vinay Uncle.

Maa unki taraf dekh rahi thi, uski aankhein chamak rahi thi... kisi jazbaat se.

Wahi nazar jo maine bachpan mein papa ke liye dekhi thi.

Ek nazar jo sirf tab aati hai jab koi kisi mein pura ka pura kho jaye.

Maa muskurayi, ek komal, halka sa sharmaaya hua muskurahat. Uske haath Vinay Uncle ke kandhon par the. Unke haath maa ke haathon ko thaame hue the, unki ungliyan ek doosre ke haathon ko mehsoos kar rahi thi. Unke jism ek-doosre ke itne kareeb the ki sparsh ho raha tha.

Maine unhe aise dekhkar ek ajeeb si uljhan mehsoos ki.

Yeh sirf unki nazdeekiyan nahi thi. Na hi sirf haathon ka sparsh.

Yeh maa ki nazar thi... woh tareeka jis tarah woh Vinay Uncle ko dekh rahi thi.

Jaise... jaise woh unse pyaar karti ho.

Aur shayad karti thi.




Maa: (hanaste hue) Vinay, mujhe kehna hoga, mujhe kal raat tumhara sparsh bahut pasand aaya.

Vinay Uncle: (bhaun chadate hue) Oh? Aur tumhen sabse zyada kya pasand aaya, hmm? Kya yeh tarika tha jisse maine tumhen pakda, ya jis tarah se maine tumhen chuma?

Maa: (khelte hue) Oh, ruko! Tum mujhe sharmaa rahe ho. Lekin agar mujhe chunna hota, toh main kahti ki yeh woh tarika tha jisse tumne mujhe mehsoos karaya ki main duniya mein akeli hoon.

Vinay Uncle: (muskurate hue) Aaah, aisa isliye hai kyunki tum meri duniya mein akeli ho, mere pyaar. Aur mujhe kehna hoga, tum kal raat kaafi... pratikriyasheel thin. (vah use palak jhapkaata hai)

Maa: (hanaste hue) Vinay, tum sharaarti ho rahe ho! Lekin mujhe puchhna hai, kya tumhen utna hi pasand aaya jitna mujhe?

Vinay Uncle: (paas jhukate hue) Iska aanand liya? Mere pyaar, main abhi bhi anubhav se ubar raha hoon. Lekin mujhe batao, kya tumne iska aanand liya? (vah uski aankhon mein ek sharaarti chamak ke saath use dekhta hai)

Maa: (ek chhoti ladki ki tarah sharmate hue) Oh, Vinay... (vah neeche dekhti hai, uske gaal laal ho jaate hain)

Vinay Uncle: (hanaste hue) Aaah, aao, Meena. Mujhe batao. Kya tumne kal raat ka aanand liya? (vah use chhedta hai, uski awaaz neechi aur bhaari hai)

Maa: (upar uski or dekhte hue, abhi bhi sharmate hue) Haan... (vah sir hilati hai, uski aankhen chamak rahi hain)

Vinay Uncle: (muskurate hue) Aaah, mujhe pata tha! Tum ek jangli ho, hai na? (vah uske kaan mein phusphusata hai) Mujhe woh tarika pasand hai jisse tum karaahti ho jab main tumhen chhuta hoon, jis tarah se tum mere neeche ghoomti ho... (vah uski gardan ko sahelata hai)

Maa: (hanaste hue) Vinay, ruko! Tum bahut zyada rukhe ho rahe ho! (vah use khel-khel mein door dhekhel deti hai)

Vinay Uncle: (muskurate hue) Aaah, lekin tum ise pasand karti ho jab main rukha hota hoon, hai na? (vah use palak jhapkaata hai) Tum ise pasand karti ho jab main niyantran karta hoon, jab main tumhen mehsoos karata hoon ki tum meri ho.

Maa: (chalaaki se muskurate hue) Theek hai, theek hai. Tum khud ka thoda zyada aanand le rahe ho, hai na? (vah khel-khel mein bhaun chadati hai)

Vinay Uncle: (muskurate hue) Tumhara kya matlab hai? Main sirf company ka aanand le raha hoon, Meena. (vah use maasooomiyat se dekhta hai)

Maa: (chhedte hue) Mujhse jhoot mat bolo, Vinay! Tum iska bahut zyada aanand le rahe ho. (vah hansti hai) Tum thode sharaarti aadmi ho, hai na? Dusre aadmi ki patni ka aanand le rahe ho... (vah use palak jhapakti hai)

Vinay Uncle: (sharmate hue) Aaah, shayad thoda sa, meri raani...

Maa: (hanaste hue) Sharaarti aadmi! Lekin mujhe yeh pasand hai jab tum sharaarti hote ho. (vah paas jhukti hai aur phusphusati hai) Yeh un cheezon mein se ek hai jo mujhe tumhare baare mein pasand hai.

Vinay Uncle: (muskurate hue) Aaah, mujhe samajh aa gaya. Khair, us maamle mein, shayad main bhavishya mein thoda aur... sharaarti... ho jaunga. (vah use palak jhapkaata hai)

(Vinay Uncle use choomne ke liye jhukta hai, lekin Maa use hanste hue door dhekhel deti hai.)

Maa: (hanaste hue) Aaah, nahin tum nahin! Vinay, tumhen kaam par bhaagna hoga! Tum der se ho jaoge!

Vinay Uncle: Kya mujhe jaana hoga? Kya main yahaan tumhare saath pura din nahin rah sakta? (vah uski gardan ko chhuta hai)

Maa: (use door dhekhelte hue) Nahin, tumhen jaana hoga! Lekin tum aaj raat vapas aa sakte ho, theek hai?

Vinay Uncle: (muskurate hue) Oh, main vapas aaunga, theek hai. Aur main yeh sunishchit karunga ki yeh tumhare liye layak ho. Yeh hamara doosra satr hoga, sirf tum aur main. (vah use palak jhapkaata hai)

Maa: (muskurate hue) Main iska intezaar kar rahi hoon.

Vinay Uncle: (paas jhukate hue) Ek aur chummaan, Meena... bas ek aur. (vah usse minnat karta hai, uski aankhen ichchha se jal rahi hain)

Maa: (sir hilate hue) Nahin, Vinay! Tumhen jaana hoga! Kabir hamhen dekh sakta hai

Vinay Uncle: (munh banate hue) Lekin bas ek aur... (vah use pareshaan karta rehta hai, ek aakhiri chummaan paane ki koshish karta hai)

Maa: (hanaste hue) Nahin, Vinay! Mera matlab hai! (vah use door dhekhel deti hai, khel-khel mein)

Vinay Uncle: (aah bharte hue) Theek hai, theek hai. Main jaunga. Lekin main aaj raat vapas aaunga, aur agali baar, tum itni bhagyashali nahin hogi. Main aaj raat atirikt rukha hounga (vah use palak jhapkaata hai, jisse vah hansti hai)

Maa: (muskurate hue) Main iska intezaar kar rahi hoon. (vah uski or muskurati hai, uski aankhen pyaar se chamak rahi hain)

(Vinay Uncle aakhirkaar rasoi chhod deta hai, jaate hue ek khush geet siiti bajata hai. Maa use jaate hue dekhti hai, chehre par muskaan abhi bhi bani hui hai.)

Kuch minute baad Vinay Uncle ke jaane ke, main rasoi mein gaya aur main apni maa se baat karna shuru kar diya.

"Maa, kya main tumse kuch puch sakta hoon?" maine kaha, jigyaasa mujh par haawi ho rahi thi.

"Kya hua, mere pyaare?" usne jawab diya, rasoi ke counter se upar dekhte hue jahaan vah vyanjan dho ne mein vyast thi.

"Vinay Uncle ne abhi-abhi tumse kuch kaha, aur mujhe samajh nahin aaya." maine kaha, sathik shabdon ko yaad karne ki koshish karte hue. "Usne kaha ki use tum par rukha hona pasand hai. Uska kya matlab tha?"

Maa ki aankhen sadme se chhodi ho gayi, aur usne jaldi se rasoi ke charon or dekha. "Uh, tum kis baare mein baat kar rahe ho, Kabir?" usne puchha, apni awaaz ko halka rakhne ki koshish karte hue.

"Vinay Uncle ne kaha! Jab tum rasoi mein usse baat kar rahi thin, toh main tumhen hanste hue sun sakta tha jab usne kaha ki use tum par rukha hona pasand hai." maine kaha, samajh nahin aa raha tha ki vah itni ajib kyon abhinay kar rahi thi.

Maa ka chehra gulaabi ho gaya, aur usne jaldi se ise door karne ki koshish ki. "Oh, mere pyaare, main bas... uh... us mazaak par hans rahi thi jo usne mujhe bataya tha. Bas itna hi. Mujhe nahin pata ki tum kis baare mein baat kar rahe ho."

Maine use bhramith hokar dekha. "Lekin usne kaha ki tum meethi ho... aur use tum par rukha hona pasand hai."

Maa ne jaldi se dhakne ki koshish ki, "Oh, vah! Vah bas... uh... keh raha tha, lekin iska koi matlab nahin hai. Bas itna hi. Chinta mat karo, mere pyaare."

Maine use abhi bhi thoda hairan hokar dekha, lekin vah muskura rahi thi, aur uski aankhen khushi se chamak rahi thin. Maine iske baare mein zyada nahin socha aur ise chhodne ka faisla kiya.

"Maa, tum Vinay Uncle ke saath itna kyun muskura rahi thin?" maine puchha, vishay badalte hue.

Maa ki muskaan aur bhi badi ho gayi, aur vah phusphusane ke liye jhuki. "Kyuki, mere pyaare, Vinay Uncle jab ghar par hote hain toh hamaare saath bahut achchhe hote hain. Aur vah cheezon mein hamari bahut madad karte hain. Main bas khush hoon ki vah hamaare paas hai, bas itna hi."

Maine sir hilaaya, uske liye khush mehsoos karte hue, bhale hi mujhe abhi bhi samajh nahin aaya ki kya ho raha tha.



"Main bhi khush hoon jab vah yahaan hota hai. Kya Vinay Uncle aaj raat tumhaare bedroom mein soyega, Maa?" maine poochha, jigyaasa se bhara hua.

Maa ki aankhen ek pal ke liye jhilmil uthi, aur vah ghabraate hue kamre mein dekha phir jaldi se jawab diya. "Haan, pyaare, shayad. Kyunki sofa uske liye thoda thanda hai, aur use mere bedroom mein sona pasand hai. Lekin chinta mat karo, tum hamesha jaakar usse baat kar sakte ho agar tumhen zaroorat ho."

Maine sir hilaaya, abhi bhi thoda confused tha, lekin Maa aur zyada muskurati hui lag rahi thi, aur mujhe laga shayad theek hai. Maa yeh sochti rehti hai ki mujhe kuch nahin pata hoga kyuki main abhi bhi chhota hoon un dono ke beech ki baaton ko samajhne ke liye.

"Maa, Vinay Uncle ka kya matlab tha jab unhone kaha ki tum unhen company dene mein itni achchi ho?" maine poochha, thodi jigyaasa se bhara hua.

Maa ne jaldi se topic badal diya, "Arre, pyaare, itne sawaal kyun puch raha hai? Aisa nahin hai ki kuch bura hua hai, theek hai? Chalo, hum Vinay Uncle ke saath apna time enjoy karne par focus karte hain, theek hai?"

Main hans diya, abhi bhi thoda confused tha, lekin soch raha tha shayad yeh sirf ek khel hai jo hum khel rahe hain.

"Yeh sab bade logon ki baaten hain, pyaare," Maa ne kaha, muskurate hue aur mujhe gale lagaya. "Chinta mat karo. Bas yaad rakho ki sab kuch theek hai, aur Vinay Uncle hamari madad karne ke liye yahaan hai."

Maine sir hilaaya, khush aur safe feel karte hue, bhale hi mujhe abhi bhi samajh nahin aa raha tha ki kya ho raha hai.

"Maa, kya main Papa ko Vinay Uncle ke baare mein bata sakta hoon? Main unhen batana chahta hoon ki Vinay Uncle, hamare nayen padosi, hamare achche dost ban gaye hain" maine poochha, un sab waqt ke baare mein sochta hua jab Papa mujhe hamesha baaten bataya karte the.

Maa ki muskaan sakht ho gayi, aur usne jaldi se kaha, "Nahin, pyaare, apne papa ko mat batana theek hai? Itna zaroori nahin hai."

Maine sir hilaaya, thoda curious feel karte hue, lekin abhi bhi Maa par bharosa karte hue.

"Maa, aaj raat tum Vinay Uncle ke saath kya karoge?" maine poochha, sach mein plan nahin samajhta hua.

Maa muskurayi aur paas jhuki. "Vinay Uncle kuch kaam ke kaam mein meri madad karenge, pyaare. Hum unke documents par kaam karenge, aur vah mujhe kuch nayi cheezein sikhayenge."

Maine sir hilaaya, khush feel karte hue ki vah dono saath time bita rahe hain.

"Theek hai, Maa, main Papa ko nahin bataungi. Aur main tum dono ko apne documents par kaam karne ke liye chhod dungi." maine kaha, thoda confused feel karte hue, lekin Maa ko khush dekhkar khush.

Main apne bedroom mein gaya apni maa ke samjhaav ke dwara kam convinced feel karte hue. Mujhe pata tha kuch chal raha tha.

Maine intezaar karne ka faisla kiya. Main aaj raat tak intezaar karunga. Main intezaar karunga aur dekhunga ki Maa aur Vinay Uncle band darwaze ke peeche kya kar rahe hain. Phir, main aakhir mein samajh jaunga.

Main apne bedroom mein gaya, mera dimag meri Maa ke mystery se bhara hua tha. Lekin mere room tak pahunchne se pehle, main Maa ke bedroom ke samne ruk gaya. Maine andar dekha.

Jo nazara meri aankhon ke samne aaya vah hairan karne wala tha. Yeh bilkul aisa nahin tha jaisa maine kabhi dekha tha.

Maa ka kamra ek andaaz mein tha. Bed, jo normal neatly made tha, chaadar aur kambal ka ek uljha hua dher tha, takiya zameen par bikhre hue the. Kapde har jagah bikhre hue the, bed par, zameen par, kursi par latke hue. Parday be-dard the, jaise kisi ne unhen zor se kheencha ho. Jaise koi aandar aa gaya ho aur usne sab gadbad kar di ho.

Main vaheen khade reh gaya, beimaan se dekhta hua. Maine kabhi Maa ka kamra aisa nahin dekha tha. Un dono ke beech yahaan kya hua hoga?

Main apne kamre mein laut gaya aur apne bed par baith gaya, mera dimag tej chal raha tha. Maa aur Vinay Uncle ne bedroom mein kya kiya tha jisse yeh itna ganda aur be-dard ho gaya tha?

Main jigyaasa andar nahin rakh sakta tha. Kuch der baad, maine bedroom mein vapas jaane ka faisla kiya. Maine apni Maa ko phone karne ka faisla kiya.

"Maa?" maine pukara, darwaze ke bahar khade hokar.

Vah jaldi se andar aayi, uski aankhen chhodi hui thi. "Kabir! Tum kya kar rahe ho?"

"Maine tumhara kamra dekha, Maa. Yeh itna ganda kyun hai?" maine poochha, samajhne ki koshish karte hue.

Maa ka chehra lal ho gaya. Vah ghabraate hue muskurayi, apna dhyan rakhne ki koshish karte hue. "Oh, woh... um..." vah hathat bolne lagi. "Theek hai, Vinay Uncle aur main... um... cheezon ko arrange kar rahe the."


"Arrange kar rahe the? Lekin aisa lag raha hai jaise tornado aa gaya ho!" maine kaha, hairan hokar.

"Theek hai, hum kuch purani papers dhund rahe the, aur humein har cheez dekhni padi." Maa ne kaha, samjhaav kam aur kam convincing lag raha tha. "Humein unhen dhundhne ke liye gehri khudai karni padi."

"Toh, aapne apna bed gadbad kar diya aur apne kapde bikher diye?" maine poochha, abhi bhi confused.

Maa ne ek gahri saans li, aur phir, hairani se, hansne lagi. "Theek hai, theek hai, tumne mujhe pakad liya, Kabir," usne kaha, abhi bhi muskurati hui lekin saaf ghabrai hui. "Hum thoda zyada hi le gaye. Hum... ek khel khel rahe the, aur cheezain thodi wild ho gayi."

"Ek khel?" maine poochha, sir jhuka kar. "Kya tarah ka khel?"

Maa ek pal ke liye ruk gayi, apne haathon ki taraf dekhti hui, aur phir muskurayi. "Theek hai," usne kaha, "hum ek aisa khel khel rahe the jismein humein chhupe hue notes dhundhne the. Aur humein notes har jagah dhundhne the, har kone mein, har drawer mein. Hum khel rahe the, un notes ko dhundhne ki koshish kar rahe the."

Mujhe abhi bhi lag raha tha ki kuch miss hai, lekin yeh kaafi tha. Maine sir hilaaya.

"Kya tum pakka ho ki sirf yeh hi tum kar rahi thi?" maine poochha, casual lagne ki koshish karte hue.

Maa muskurayi, aur phir usne mujhe gale lagaya. "Haan, pyaare, sirf yeh hi hum kar rahe the. Ab, chalo aur bahar morning walk karte hain. Main ready hoon, nahin?"

"Haan, Maa," maine jawab diya. "Lekin mujhse bas yeh waada karo ki tum phir se aisa gadbad nahin karoge."

Maa hansne lagi aur boli, "Main waada karti hoon. Chalo."

Phir woh raat aa gayi, Uncle Vinay aur main baithak mein relax kar rahe the, meri Maa khana bana rahi thi.

Apna khana khatam karne ke baad, maine Maa se kaha ki main sone ja raha hoon. Usne kaha theek hai. Lekin aaj raat, maine apne aap se kaha ki main nahin soonga, main pata karunga ki meri Maa aur Vinay Uncle uske kamre mein kya khel khel rahe honge. Phir aashirna midnight ke aas paas, main jaag gaya........................