Dopehar ka waqt tha. Purani colony ki un tang galiyon mein dhoop bikhri hui thi. Shobhit ki "Shobhit General Store" par grahako ki bheed toh nahi thi, par woh hamesha ki tarah apne hisaab-kitab ke registers mein khoya hua tha. 49 saal ki umar mein uski pehchan bas ye dukan aur uska parivaar hi tha.
Wahi do gali chhod kar, unka chota sa ghar tha jahan Shalini rozana ki tarah ghar ke kaamo mein vyast thi. 42 ki umar mein bhi Shalini ki khubsurti aisi thi ki nazar na hate. Sasti si sooti (cotton) saree, maathe par ek choti si bindi, aur aankhon mein hamesha rehne wali ek ajeeb si sharam. Woh kitchen mein khadi Soham ke liye nasta bana rahi thi, par uski raftaar dheemi thi—woh apni hi duniya mein magan rehne wali mahila thi.
"Mummy! Mera white shirt kahan hai? Aaj mujhe college jaana hai admission ki baaki formalities ke liye," Soham ne apne kamre se chillate hue pucha.
Soham 18 saal ka ho chuka tha, B.Tech mein admission milne ki khushi uske chehre par saaf dikhti thi.
Shalini ne kitchen se nikalte hue dheere se kaha, "Wahi rakha hai beta, press kar ke cupboard mein tang diya tha." Usne apni saree ka pallu sarr par thoda aur kheench liya, halaki ghar mein sirf uska beta hi tha.
Dukan par Shobhit ke paas uska purana dost, Khanna, betha chai pee raha tha. "Aur Shobhit, sab badhiya? Suna hai sarkar ab naye sire se sabka registration kar rahi hai? Wo digital ID wala chakkar," Khanna ne pucha.
Shobhit ne chashma naak par tikate hue kaha, "Haan, suna toh hai. Par apne paas toh saare kaghaz pakke hain Khanna bhai. Dada-laayi dukan hai, baap-daadon ka ghar hai. Humein kya dar?"
Dopehar ka waqt tha, ghar ke baaki kaam khatam ho chuke the. Soham college ke silsile mein bahar gaya tha aur Shobhit dukan par. Shalini ne thak kar purane wooden sofa par baithte hue subah ka bacha hua akhbar uthaya.
Jaise hi usne panna palta, teesre panne par ek bade se rangin ishtihar (ad) ne uski nazrein thama li.
"ROSE-PETALS: Naya Posh Boutique & Lifestyle Store"
Ad mein ek bahut hi sundar model ne ek resham ki lambi nightdress pehni hui thi. Wo tasveer itni chamakdar aur 'modern' thi ki Shalini ne pehle toh sharam ke maare jaldi se panna palatne ki koshish ki, lekin phir kuch soch kar ruk gayi.
Usne apne aap ko dekha—wahi purani sooti saree, wahi hamesha wala dhang. Phir usne us model ko dekha. Ad ke niche bade aksharon mein likha tha:
Shalini ne ungliyon se us ad par bani designer nighty ko chhua. Usne socha, "Kya main sach mein itni purani lagne lagi hoon? Agar main kuch aisa pehnu, toh kya Shobhit ji mujhe phir se unhi nazron se dekhenge jaisa hamari nayi-nayi shaadi mein dekhte the?"
Uski dhadkan thodi tez ho gayi. Ek middle-class, sharmili aurat ke liye aisi dukan par jana hi bahut badi baat thi, par us ad ne uske andar ek 'nayi aurat' ko jagane ki koshish kar di thi. Usne akhbar ko mod kar thoda sa chhupa kar rakh diya, jaise koi chori pakdi gayi ho, lekin uske dimaag mein ab bas wahi resham ka libas ghoom raha tha.Wo ek aisi mahila thi jo hamesha dusron ki zarooraton ka pehle sochti thi. Par aaj, na jane kyun, uska mann kuch apne liye lene ka tha.
Ghar mein kaam khatam karne ke baad Shalini ne thodi der ke liye TV chalaya. Uska pasandida serial chal raha tha, par uska dhyan bar-bar whi akhbar mein chhappe uss vigyapan par ja raha tha. Wo nayi showroom wala ad jo unki colony se thoda door khula tha.
Shalini ne lambi saans li aur apni purani sooti saree ke pallu ko sahi kiya.
Shaam ka waqt, Suraj dhalne ko tha.
Shalini ke liye us din ki shaam rozana jaisi nahi thi. Uske mann mein uthal-pukhal machi thi, aur wahi bechaini uske taiyar hone ke dhang mein bhi dikh rahi thi.
Suraj ki sunehri kirnein jab unke purane ghar ke aangan se dhal rahi thi, tab Shalini apne kamre mein khadi aaine ke saamne khud ko nihar rahi thi. Shalini 42 ki umar mein bhi kisi khubsurat tasveer jaisi lagti thi. Woh moti bilkul nahi thi, balki uska shareer ek bhari-puri bhartiya naari jaisa tha—jahan maas ki jarurat thi, wahan kudrat ne use khul kar nawaaza tha.
Usne apni purani saree utaari aur snan ke baad jab woh aaine ke saamne aayi, toh uski gori rangat halki thandak se gulabi ho rahi thi. Usne apni bhari-bhari aur unchi chuchiyon ko sambhalte hue ek gehre rang ka blouse pehna, jo uske jism par bilkul fit baith raha tha. Uske ubhaar uski har saans ke saath halka sa hilte, jo uski jawaani ki maujoodgi ka ehsas karate.
Uski kamar aur pet par halka sa maas tha, jo ek do bachon ki maa hone ki nishani thi, lekin wahi naram ehsas use aur bhi zyada aakarshak banata tha. Jab usne saree ka pallu apni kamar par lapeta, toh uske gol aur bade nitamb saree ke patle kapde ke niche se apni puri banawat dikha rahe the. Uska nichla hissa kafi bhari tha, jo uski chal mein ek ajeeb si lachak aur garima lata tha.
Usne apne lambe kaale baalon ko suljhaya aur ek dheela sa jooda banaya, jisse uski gori gardan saaf chamak rahi thi.
Usne aaine mein dekhte hue ek badi laal bindi lagayi aur maang mein sindoor bhara. Ye dono cheezein uske sharmile chehre par ek suhagan ka garv la deti thin.
Usne halka sa kaajal lagaya, jisse uski badi aur gehri aankhon mein ek ajeeb si kashish aa gayi.
Taiyar hone ke baad usne ek baar phir aaine mein apna aap ko dekha. Uska shareer us sasti saree mein bhi kisi khilti hui kali jaisa dikh raha tha. Usne ek gehri saans li, thali uthayi aur darrte-darrte kamre se bahar nikli. Uske man mein ab bhi wahi kashmakash thi—ki kya wo waqayi uss showroom mein ja payegi?
Shalini ki saadgi aur uski apne pati ke prati nishtha waqayi prashansniya thi. Jab woh ghar se nikli, toh uski har ek chaal mein ek sughad grihini ki maryada saaf dikh rahi thi.
Shalini jab gali se guzri, toh logon ki nazrein uski sundarta aur uske shaant swabhaav par ruk si jati thin. Jab woh Shobhit ki dukan ke paas pahunchi, toh usne dur se hi dekha ki dukan grahakon se khachakhach bhari hui thi. Shobhit registers mein hisaab likhne aur logon ko saamaan pakdane mein itna mashghool tha ki uski saansein fulti dikh rahi thin.
Shalini wahi rasta par khadi reh gayi. Usne dukan ke andar kadam nahi rakha. Woh itni sharmili aur 'pativrata' thi ki usne kabhi Shobhit ka naam tak nahi liya tha; woh hamesha unhe "ji" ya "Soham ke papa" keh kar hi pukarti thi.
Usne mann hi mann socha, "Abhi bahut bheed hai, unhe pareshaan karna theek nahi hoga. Mandir se hokar aati hoon, tab tak shayad kaam thoda kam ho jaye."
Mandir mein ghanti ki awaaz aur dhoop-batti ki khushboo ne Shalini ke bhatakte hue mann ko thoda sukoon diya. Usne aankhein moond kar bhagwan ke saamne sar jhukaya. Uski har dua mein bas parivaar hi hota tha.
Pooja khatam karke jab woh bahar aayi, toh usne apni thali mein rakha prasad liya aur dobara dukan ki taraf rukh kiya. Ab suraj dhire-dhire aur niche ja raha tha, aur asmaan mein halki laalima chha gayi thi.
Mandir se wapas aate waqt jab usne dekha ki Shobhit abhi bhi dukan ke kaamon mein uljhe hain, toh usne unhe tokna thik nahi samjha. Woh itni suljhi hui aur gambhir mahila thi ki pati ke kaam mein khalal dalna use gunah lagta tha.
Ghar pahunch kar usne thali rakhi aur seedhe kitchen mein dakhil ho gayi. Usne dekha ki Soham wapas aa chuka hai aur apne kamre mein shayad college ki files dekh raha hai.
Tabhi uski sasti si keypad phone ki ringtone baji. Screen par "Beti Sonali" chamak raha tha.
Shalini ne muskurate hue phone uthaya aur apne pallu se paseena ponchte hue kitchen ke ek kone mein thodi jagah banakar khadi ho gayi.
Sonali: "Hello Mummy! Kaise ho aap? Aur Papa kaise hain? Soham ne admission le liya?"
Shalini: "Haan bitiya, hum sab theek hain. Soham toh abhi aaya hai thaka-hara. Tere Papa dukan par hain, aaj bahut bheed hai wahan. Tu bata, teri padhai kaisi chal rahi hai? Khana time par khati hai na? Bahar ka kachra mat khaya kar."
Sonali: (Haste hue) "Arre Mummy, aap wahi purani baatein shuru kar deti ho! Main bilkul theek hoon. Papa ko mera pranaam kehna aur Soham ko bolna zyada hero na bane naye college mein."
Dono maa-beti ke beech ki ye guftagu Shalini ke saare din ki thakavat mita deti thi. Sonali chulbuli thi, bilkul Shalini ke ulat—bebaak aur naye zamane ki. Kuch der hansi-mazaak ke baad Shalini ne hichkichate hue pucha, "Bitiya... woh, shehar mein naye fashion ki nighty kaisi chalti hain?"
Sonali thoda hairan hui, "Mummy aap aur nighty? Wahan toh log aajkal satin aur silk ki designer nighties pehente hain, bahut sundar lagti hain. Kyun? Aapko leni hai kya?"
Shalini ke gaal ek dum se garam ho gaye, "Nahi-nahi, bas aise hi pooch liya. Chal tu padhai kar."
Call cutne ke baad Shalini ka dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Usne phone side mein rakha aur fir se sabzi kaatne lagi. Par uska dimaag ab us 'Rose-Petals' showroom ki taraf jane laga tha. Usne faisla kar liya tha— ki aaj raat soham ke papa se baat karungi kal dopahar jab Shobhit dukan par honge aur Soham college, tab wha jaungi.
Raat ko jab Shobhit thake-hare ghar aaye, Shalini ne unhe garam-garam rotiyan parosi. Soham bhi table par tha. Ghar mein wahi purani khamoshi aur sukoon tha.
Raat ke sannate mein Shalini ka mann ummido aur thodi si mayoosi ke beech jhool raha tha. Shobhit thake-hare dukan se laute aur khana khakar sidha bistar par let gaye.
Shalini ne kitchen ka sara kaam niptaya aur apne kamre mein aayi. Usne dekha ki Shobhit ki aankhein band hone ko thi. Usne darrte-darrte bistar ke kone par baithte hue unke pairon ke paas hath rakha. Woh chahti thi ki aaj Shobhit thodi der usse baat karein, uski taraf dekhein.
"Sunte hain..." Shalini ne bahut dheemi aur komal awaaz mein kaha.
Shobhit ne bina aankhein khole haraarat mein jawab diya, "Hmm... bolo Shalini, bahut thak gaya hoon aaj."
Shalini ne unke kandhe par hath rakhte hue thoda nazdik hone ki koshish ki. Uske jism ki thandak aur uski khubsurat banawat Shobhit ke bilkul kareeb thi, par Shobhit ka dhyan dukan ki thakavat mein tha.
"Woh... kal mujhe bazaar jaana tha. Ghar ka kuch zaroori saaman lena hai, thode paise chahiye the," Shalini ne showroom ka naam chhupate hue kaha. Uska dil dharak raha tha ki kahin wo pooch na lein ki kya saaman.
Shobhit ne karwat badli aur nind mein hi bola, "Galle mein paise rakhe hain, jitne chahiye le lena... ab sone do, subah jaldi dukan kholni hai."
Itna keh kar Shobhit ne chadar odh li aur thodi hi der mein unke kharraton ki awaaz aane lagi. Shalini wahi baithi reh gayi.
Shobhit ne paise ki koi kami nahi chhodi thi. Shalini ke ghar mein har wo sukh-suvidha thi jo ek ameer middle-class ghar mein honi chahiye—bada TV, har kamre mein AC, aur saari sahuliyat. Bas kami thi toh Shobhit ke us waqt ki, jo ab sirf dukan ke registers mein khota ja raha tha.
Usne apne bhari-pure jism ko aaine mein dekha aur phir sote hue pati ko. Uske mann mein ek kasak si jagi—kya main ab sirf ghar ki ek zaroorat ban kar reh gayi hoon?
Usne tey kar liya ki kal wo us showroom mein zaroor jayegi. Use laga ki shayad wo naye zamane ka libas uske aur Shobhit ke beech ki is khamoshi ko khatam kar dega. Wo raat bhar karwate badalti rahi, us resham ki nighty aur us anjaane showroom ke khayalon mein.
Subah hui, Shobhit dukan chale gaye aur Soham apne college ke liye nikal gaya. Ghar ab khali tha. Shalini ne fatafat ghar ka kaam khatam kiya. Usne aaj apni sabse achhi saree nikaali—ek halke gulabi rang ki saree jo uske gore badan par khil rahi thi.
Usne almari se paise nikale aur apna purana keypad phone lekar ghar ko tala lagaya. Uski chaal mein aaj ek ajeeb si tezi thi. Woh sidha us posh ilake ki taraf badhne lagi jahan 'Rose-Petals' showroom tha.
Shalini jab 'Rose-Petals' ke bade se kanch ke darwaze ke saamne pahunchi, toh ek pal ko ruki. Usne darwaza dhakela aur andar ki thandi hawa ne uska swagat kiya. AC ki wahi thandak jo uske apne ghar mein bhi thi, par yahan ki hawa mein ek ajeeb si mehengi perfume ki khushboo ghuli thi jo use thoda ghabra rahi thi.
Showroom ke floor par chamchamata marble tha jisme Shalini ko apna aks saaf dikh raha tha.
Shalini ne jaise hi showroom ke andar kadam rakha, uski nazrein kisi mahila karmchari ko dhoondhne lagin. Usne socha tha ki koi ladki hogi toh woh dhire se apni pasand bata degi, par saamne wahi young dukandar khada tha.
Dukandar, jiska naam Aryan tha, usne jab Shalini ko dekha toh dekhta hi reh gaya. Shalini ne gulabi saree pehni thi, jiske niche uski bhari-bhari kaaya aur gol nitambh saree ke har mod ke saath apni maujoodgi jata rahe the. Uske gore rang par gulabi saree ka nikaar qayaamat dha raha tha.
Shalini wahi darwaze ke paas thithak gayi. Usne apna purse kas kar pakad liya aur nazrein neeche jhuka lin.
Aryan (dukandar): "Ji madam, aaiye na! Kya dekhna chahengi aap?"
Shalini ki zubaan jaise talve se chipak gayi thi. Woh kaise bolti ki use 'nighty' chahiye? Usne idhar-udhar dekha, uska dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Usne socha wapas nikal jaye, par phir use Shobhit ki wahi berukhi yaad aa gayi.
Shalini (ladkhadati awaaz mein): "Woh... yahan koi... ladki nahi hai kya?"
Aryan chalak tha, woh samajh gaya ki madam sharma rahi hain. Usne ek gehri muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Madam, hamari female staff abhi lunch par gayi hain. Par aap fikar mat kijiye, main yahan ka manager hoon. Aap mujhe bataiye, main aapko sabse behtareen cheez dikhaunga. Hamare paas designer suit, saree aur... special nightwear bhi hai."
'Nightwear' shabd sunte hi Shalini ke kaan laal ho gaye. Usne dheere se apni ungliyan moli aur bahut hi dheemi, halki awaaz mein kaha, "Woh... nighty dikhaiye."
Aryan ne dekha ki kaise Shalini ki bhari chatiyan uski tez saanson ki wajah se upar-niche ho rahi hain. Usne bahut hi 'professional' banne ka natak karte hue counter par kuch box rakhe.
Aryan: "Madam, hamare paas cotton wali toh hai hi, par aajkal aap jaisi khubsurat ladies ke liye ye nayi designer nighties aayi hain."
Usne box khola aur ek kaale rang ki (black) satin nighty bahar nikaali. Wo kapda itna barik aur chamakdar tha ki Shalini ne kabhi sapne mein bhi nahi socha tha.
"Nahi-nahi... ye toh bahut... ajeeb hai. Mujhe simple chahiye," Shalini ne sharmate hue kaha. Usne apna pallu thoda aur kheench kar apne ubhaaron ko dhakne ki koshish ki, par uski ye koshish Aryan ki nazron ko aur bhi zyada bhatka rahi thi.
Aryan (kareeb aate hue): "Madam, aap bholi hain, isliye simple keh rahi hain. Ek baar isse chhu kar toh dekhiye. Isse pehen kar jab aap aaine mein khud ko dekhengi, toh aapko khud se pyaar ho jayega. Aur rahi baat 'simple' ki, toh ye pehne ke baad itni 'sober' lagti hai ki aapki saadgi aur khil uthegi."
Aryan ne jaan-boojhkar nighty ka wo naram kapda Shalini ke hath ke paas rakha. Shalini ne darrte-darrte us par apni ungli pheri. Wo itna thanda aur chikna ehsas tha ki Shalini ke jism mein ek sihran daud gayi.
Aryan ne dekha ki Shalini us kaale satin ke kapde ko dekh kar thoda thithak rahi hai, par uski aankhon mein ek anjaani si chamak bhi hai. Woh jaanta tha ki aisi sharmili auraton ko thoda sa hausla dena padta hai.
"Madam," Aryan ne apni awaaz ko aur bhi naram aur bharosemand banate hue kaha, "Aap fikar kyun kar rahi hain? Hum yahan rozana kitni hi ladies ko ye sab dikhate hain. Par sach kahun toh, ye black color aapki gori rangat par itna khilega ki aap khud hairan reh jayengi."
Shalini ne hichkichate hue kaha, "Nahi... ye bahut barik lag raha hai. Aur mujhe toh bas... bas simple chahiye tha."
Aryan ne chalaki se ek kadam aur badhaya, "Madam, ye bahar se lagta hai aisa, par pehne ke baad iska fall bahut sundar aata hai. Aur dekhiye, aapka jism itna bhara-pura hai, agar fitting sahi nahi hui toh ye bekar lagega. Main aapko apne VIP trial room mein bhej deta hoon. Wahan charo taraf aaine hain, aap khud dekh lijiye ki aap kitni sundar lag rahi hain. Agar pasand na aaye, toh mat lijiyega."
Shalini ne ek baar darwaze ki taraf dekha aur phir us chamchamate satin ki taraf. Uske dimaag mein Shobhit ka thaka hua chehra ghoom gaya. Usne socha, 'Ek baar dekhne mein kya harz hai? Ghar mein toh wahi purani sasti nighties pehenti hoon.'
"Theek hai... kahan hai?" Shalini ne nazrein jhuka kar pucha.
Aryan ke chehre par ek fateh ki muskurahat aayi. Usne nighty ko ek sundar hanger mein lagaya aur Shalini ko showroom ke pichle hisse mein bane ek bade se kanch ke cabin ki taraf le gaya.
Wahi do gali chhod kar, unka chota sa ghar tha jahan Shalini rozana ki tarah ghar ke kaamo mein vyast thi. 42 ki umar mein bhi Shalini ki khubsurti aisi thi ki nazar na hate. Sasti si sooti (cotton) saree, maathe par ek choti si bindi, aur aankhon mein hamesha rehne wali ek ajeeb si sharam. Woh kitchen mein khadi Soham ke liye nasta bana rahi thi, par uski raftaar dheemi thi—woh apni hi duniya mein magan rehne wali mahila thi.
"Mummy! Mera white shirt kahan hai? Aaj mujhe college jaana hai admission ki baaki formalities ke liye," Soham ne apne kamre se chillate hue pucha.
Soham 18 saal ka ho chuka tha, B.Tech mein admission milne ki khushi uske chehre par saaf dikhti thi.
Shalini ne kitchen se nikalte hue dheere se kaha, "Wahi rakha hai beta, press kar ke cupboard mein tang diya tha." Usne apni saree ka pallu sarr par thoda aur kheench liya, halaki ghar mein sirf uska beta hi tha.
Dukan par Shobhit ke paas uska purana dost, Khanna, betha chai pee raha tha. "Aur Shobhit, sab badhiya? Suna hai sarkar ab naye sire se sabka registration kar rahi hai? Wo digital ID wala chakkar," Khanna ne pucha.
Shobhit ne chashma naak par tikate hue kaha, "Haan, suna toh hai. Par apne paas toh saare kaghaz pakke hain Khanna bhai. Dada-laayi dukan hai, baap-daadon ka ghar hai. Humein kya dar?"
Dopehar ka waqt tha, ghar ke baaki kaam khatam ho chuke the. Soham college ke silsile mein bahar gaya tha aur Shobhit dukan par. Shalini ne thak kar purane wooden sofa par baithte hue subah ka bacha hua akhbar uthaya.
Jaise hi usne panna palta, teesre panne par ek bade se rangin ishtihar (ad) ne uski nazrein thama li.
"ROSE-PETALS: Naya Posh Boutique & Lifestyle Store"
Ad mein ek bahut hi sundar model ne ek resham ki lambi nightdress pehni hui thi. Wo tasveer itni chamakdar aur 'modern' thi ki Shalini ne pehle toh sharam ke maare jaldi se panna palatne ki koshish ki, lekin phir kuch soch kar ruk gayi.
Usne apne aap ko dekha—wahi purani sooti saree, wahi hamesha wala dhang. Phir usne us model ko dekha. Ad ke niche bade aksharon mein likha tha:
Quote:"Apne rishte mein wapas wahi purani chamak layein. Kya aapka pehnawa wahi hai jo 20 saal pehle tha? Badaliye apne aap ko, aur dekhiye unki nazron mein naya jaadu."Ye chand shabd seedhe Shalini ke dil par lage. Use yaad aaya ki Shobhit ab aksar dukan ke registers aur hisaab-kitab mein hi khoye rehte hain. Raat ko jab wo aate hain, toh dono ke beech bas ghar aur bacho ki hi baatein hoti hain. Wo purana romance jaise dukan ki bheed mein kahin kho gaya tha.
Shalini ne ungliyon se us ad par bani designer nighty ko chhua. Usne socha, "Kya main sach mein itni purani lagne lagi hoon? Agar main kuch aisa pehnu, toh kya Shobhit ji mujhe phir se unhi nazron se dekhenge jaisa hamari nayi-nayi shaadi mein dekhte the?"
Uski dhadkan thodi tez ho gayi. Ek middle-class, sharmili aurat ke liye aisi dukan par jana hi bahut badi baat thi, par us ad ne uske andar ek 'nayi aurat' ko jagane ki koshish kar di thi. Usne akhbar ko mod kar thoda sa chhupa kar rakh diya, jaise koi chori pakdi gayi ho, lekin uske dimaag mein ab bas wahi resham ka libas ghoom raha tha.Wo ek aisi mahila thi jo hamesha dusron ki zarooraton ka pehle sochti thi. Par aaj, na jane kyun, uska mann kuch apne liye lene ka tha.
Ghar mein kaam khatam karne ke baad Shalini ne thodi der ke liye TV chalaya. Uska pasandida serial chal raha tha, par uska dhyan bar-bar whi akhbar mein chhappe uss vigyapan par ja raha tha. Wo nayi showroom wala ad jo unki colony se thoda door khula tha.
Shalini ne lambi saans li aur apni purani sooti saree ke pallu ko sahi kiya.
Shaam ka waqt, Suraj dhalne ko tha.
Shalini ke liye us din ki shaam rozana jaisi nahi thi. Uske mann mein uthal-pukhal machi thi, aur wahi bechaini uske taiyar hone ke dhang mein bhi dikh rahi thi.
Suraj ki sunehri kirnein jab unke purane ghar ke aangan se dhal rahi thi, tab Shalini apne kamre mein khadi aaine ke saamne khud ko nihar rahi thi. Shalini 42 ki umar mein bhi kisi khubsurat tasveer jaisi lagti thi. Woh moti bilkul nahi thi, balki uska shareer ek bhari-puri bhartiya naari jaisa tha—jahan maas ki jarurat thi, wahan kudrat ne use khul kar nawaaza tha.
Usne apni purani saree utaari aur snan ke baad jab woh aaine ke saamne aayi, toh uski gori rangat halki thandak se gulabi ho rahi thi. Usne apni bhari-bhari aur unchi chuchiyon ko sambhalte hue ek gehre rang ka blouse pehna, jo uske jism par bilkul fit baith raha tha. Uske ubhaar uski har saans ke saath halka sa hilte, jo uski jawaani ki maujoodgi ka ehsas karate.
Uski kamar aur pet par halka sa maas tha, jo ek do bachon ki maa hone ki nishani thi, lekin wahi naram ehsas use aur bhi zyada aakarshak banata tha. Jab usne saree ka pallu apni kamar par lapeta, toh uske gol aur bade nitamb saree ke patle kapde ke niche se apni puri banawat dikha rahe the. Uska nichla hissa kafi bhari tha, jo uski chal mein ek ajeeb si lachak aur garima lata tha.
Usne apne lambe kaale baalon ko suljhaya aur ek dheela sa jooda banaya, jisse uski gori gardan saaf chamak rahi thi.
Usne aaine mein dekhte hue ek badi laal bindi lagayi aur maang mein sindoor bhara. Ye dono cheezein uske sharmile chehre par ek suhagan ka garv la deti thin.
Usne halka sa kaajal lagaya, jisse uski badi aur gehri aankhon mein ek ajeeb si kashish aa gayi.
Taiyar hone ke baad usne ek baar phir aaine mein apna aap ko dekha. Uska shareer us sasti saree mein bhi kisi khilti hui kali jaisa dikh raha tha. Usne ek gehri saans li, thali uthayi aur darrte-darrte kamre se bahar nikli. Uske man mein ab bhi wahi kashmakash thi—ki kya wo waqayi uss showroom mein ja payegi?
Shalini ki saadgi aur uski apne pati ke prati nishtha waqayi prashansniya thi. Jab woh ghar se nikli, toh uski har ek chaal mein ek sughad grihini ki maryada saaf dikh rahi thi.
Shalini jab gali se guzri, toh logon ki nazrein uski sundarta aur uske shaant swabhaav par ruk si jati thin. Jab woh Shobhit ki dukan ke paas pahunchi, toh usne dur se hi dekha ki dukan grahakon se khachakhach bhari hui thi. Shobhit registers mein hisaab likhne aur logon ko saamaan pakdane mein itna mashghool tha ki uski saansein fulti dikh rahi thin.
Shalini wahi rasta par khadi reh gayi. Usne dukan ke andar kadam nahi rakha. Woh itni sharmili aur 'pativrata' thi ki usne kabhi Shobhit ka naam tak nahi liya tha; woh hamesha unhe "ji" ya "Soham ke papa" keh kar hi pukarti thi.
Usne mann hi mann socha, "Abhi bahut bheed hai, unhe pareshaan karna theek nahi hoga. Mandir se hokar aati hoon, tab tak shayad kaam thoda kam ho jaye."
Mandir mein ghanti ki awaaz aur dhoop-batti ki khushboo ne Shalini ke bhatakte hue mann ko thoda sukoon diya. Usne aankhein moond kar bhagwan ke saamne sar jhukaya. Uski har dua mein bas parivaar hi hota tha.
Pooja khatam karke jab woh bahar aayi, toh usne apni thali mein rakha prasad liya aur dobara dukan ki taraf rukh kiya. Ab suraj dhire-dhire aur niche ja raha tha, aur asmaan mein halki laalima chha gayi thi.
Mandir se wapas aate waqt jab usne dekha ki Shobhit abhi bhi dukan ke kaamon mein uljhe hain, toh usne unhe tokna thik nahi samjha. Woh itni suljhi hui aur gambhir mahila thi ki pati ke kaam mein khalal dalna use gunah lagta tha.
Ghar pahunch kar usne thali rakhi aur seedhe kitchen mein dakhil ho gayi. Usne dekha ki Soham wapas aa chuka hai aur apne kamre mein shayad college ki files dekh raha hai.
Tabhi uski sasti si keypad phone ki ringtone baji. Screen par "Beti Sonali" chamak raha tha.
Shalini ne muskurate hue phone uthaya aur apne pallu se paseena ponchte hue kitchen ke ek kone mein thodi jagah banakar khadi ho gayi.
Sonali: "Hello Mummy! Kaise ho aap? Aur Papa kaise hain? Soham ne admission le liya?"
Shalini: "Haan bitiya, hum sab theek hain. Soham toh abhi aaya hai thaka-hara. Tere Papa dukan par hain, aaj bahut bheed hai wahan. Tu bata, teri padhai kaisi chal rahi hai? Khana time par khati hai na? Bahar ka kachra mat khaya kar."
Sonali: (Haste hue) "Arre Mummy, aap wahi purani baatein shuru kar deti ho! Main bilkul theek hoon. Papa ko mera pranaam kehna aur Soham ko bolna zyada hero na bane naye college mein."
Dono maa-beti ke beech ki ye guftagu Shalini ke saare din ki thakavat mita deti thi. Sonali chulbuli thi, bilkul Shalini ke ulat—bebaak aur naye zamane ki. Kuch der hansi-mazaak ke baad Shalini ne hichkichate hue pucha, "Bitiya... woh, shehar mein naye fashion ki nighty kaisi chalti hain?"
Sonali thoda hairan hui, "Mummy aap aur nighty? Wahan toh log aajkal satin aur silk ki designer nighties pehente hain, bahut sundar lagti hain. Kyun? Aapko leni hai kya?"
Shalini ke gaal ek dum se garam ho gaye, "Nahi-nahi, bas aise hi pooch liya. Chal tu padhai kar."
Call cutne ke baad Shalini ka dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Usne phone side mein rakha aur fir se sabzi kaatne lagi. Par uska dimaag ab us 'Rose-Petals' showroom ki taraf jane laga tha. Usne faisla kar liya tha— ki aaj raat soham ke papa se baat karungi kal dopahar jab Shobhit dukan par honge aur Soham college, tab wha jaungi.
Raat ko jab Shobhit thake-hare ghar aaye, Shalini ne unhe garam-garam rotiyan parosi. Soham bhi table par tha. Ghar mein wahi purani khamoshi aur sukoon tha.
Raat ke sannate mein Shalini ka mann ummido aur thodi si mayoosi ke beech jhool raha tha. Shobhit thake-hare dukan se laute aur khana khakar sidha bistar par let gaye.
Shalini ne kitchen ka sara kaam niptaya aur apne kamre mein aayi. Usne dekha ki Shobhit ki aankhein band hone ko thi. Usne darrte-darrte bistar ke kone par baithte hue unke pairon ke paas hath rakha. Woh chahti thi ki aaj Shobhit thodi der usse baat karein, uski taraf dekhein.
"Sunte hain..." Shalini ne bahut dheemi aur komal awaaz mein kaha.
Shobhit ne bina aankhein khole haraarat mein jawab diya, "Hmm... bolo Shalini, bahut thak gaya hoon aaj."
Shalini ne unke kandhe par hath rakhte hue thoda nazdik hone ki koshish ki. Uske jism ki thandak aur uski khubsurat banawat Shobhit ke bilkul kareeb thi, par Shobhit ka dhyan dukan ki thakavat mein tha.
"Woh... kal mujhe bazaar jaana tha. Ghar ka kuch zaroori saaman lena hai, thode paise chahiye the," Shalini ne showroom ka naam chhupate hue kaha. Uska dil dharak raha tha ki kahin wo pooch na lein ki kya saaman.
Shobhit ne karwat badli aur nind mein hi bola, "Galle mein paise rakhe hain, jitne chahiye le lena... ab sone do, subah jaldi dukan kholni hai."
Itna keh kar Shobhit ne chadar odh li aur thodi hi der mein unke kharraton ki awaaz aane lagi. Shalini wahi baithi reh gayi.
Shobhit ne paise ki koi kami nahi chhodi thi. Shalini ke ghar mein har wo sukh-suvidha thi jo ek ameer middle-class ghar mein honi chahiye—bada TV, har kamre mein AC, aur saari sahuliyat. Bas kami thi toh Shobhit ke us waqt ki, jo ab sirf dukan ke registers mein khota ja raha tha.
Usne apne bhari-pure jism ko aaine mein dekha aur phir sote hue pati ko. Uske mann mein ek kasak si jagi—kya main ab sirf ghar ki ek zaroorat ban kar reh gayi hoon?
Usne tey kar liya ki kal wo us showroom mein zaroor jayegi. Use laga ki shayad wo naye zamane ka libas uske aur Shobhit ke beech ki is khamoshi ko khatam kar dega. Wo raat bhar karwate badalti rahi, us resham ki nighty aur us anjaane showroom ke khayalon mein.
Subah hui, Shobhit dukan chale gaye aur Soham apne college ke liye nikal gaya. Ghar ab khali tha. Shalini ne fatafat ghar ka kaam khatam kiya. Usne aaj apni sabse achhi saree nikaali—ek halke gulabi rang ki saree jo uske gore badan par khil rahi thi.
Usne almari se paise nikale aur apna purana keypad phone lekar ghar ko tala lagaya. Uski chaal mein aaj ek ajeeb si tezi thi. Woh sidha us posh ilake ki taraf badhne lagi jahan 'Rose-Petals' showroom tha.
Shalini jab 'Rose-Petals' ke bade se kanch ke darwaze ke saamne pahunchi, toh ek pal ko ruki. Usne darwaza dhakela aur andar ki thandi hawa ne uska swagat kiya. AC ki wahi thandak jo uske apne ghar mein bhi thi, par yahan ki hawa mein ek ajeeb si mehengi perfume ki khushboo ghuli thi jo use thoda ghabra rahi thi.
Showroom ke floor par chamchamata marble tha jisme Shalini ko apna aks saaf dikh raha tha.
Shalini ne jaise hi showroom ke andar kadam rakha, uski nazrein kisi mahila karmchari ko dhoondhne lagin. Usne socha tha ki koi ladki hogi toh woh dhire se apni pasand bata degi, par saamne wahi young dukandar khada tha.
Dukandar, jiska naam Aryan tha, usne jab Shalini ko dekha toh dekhta hi reh gaya. Shalini ne gulabi saree pehni thi, jiske niche uski bhari-bhari kaaya aur gol nitambh saree ke har mod ke saath apni maujoodgi jata rahe the. Uske gore rang par gulabi saree ka nikaar qayaamat dha raha tha.
Shalini wahi darwaze ke paas thithak gayi. Usne apna purse kas kar pakad liya aur nazrein neeche jhuka lin.
Aryan (dukandar): "Ji madam, aaiye na! Kya dekhna chahengi aap?"
Shalini ki zubaan jaise talve se chipak gayi thi. Woh kaise bolti ki use 'nighty' chahiye? Usne idhar-udhar dekha, uska dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Usne socha wapas nikal jaye, par phir use Shobhit ki wahi berukhi yaad aa gayi.
Shalini (ladkhadati awaaz mein): "Woh... yahan koi... ladki nahi hai kya?"
Aryan chalak tha, woh samajh gaya ki madam sharma rahi hain. Usne ek gehri muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Madam, hamari female staff abhi lunch par gayi hain. Par aap fikar mat kijiye, main yahan ka manager hoon. Aap mujhe bataiye, main aapko sabse behtareen cheez dikhaunga. Hamare paas designer suit, saree aur... special nightwear bhi hai."
'Nightwear' shabd sunte hi Shalini ke kaan laal ho gaye. Usne dheere se apni ungliyan moli aur bahut hi dheemi, halki awaaz mein kaha, "Woh... nighty dikhaiye."
Aryan ne dekha ki kaise Shalini ki bhari chatiyan uski tez saanson ki wajah se upar-niche ho rahi hain. Usne bahut hi 'professional' banne ka natak karte hue counter par kuch box rakhe.
Aryan: "Madam, hamare paas cotton wali toh hai hi, par aajkal aap jaisi khubsurat ladies ke liye ye nayi designer nighties aayi hain."
Usne box khola aur ek kaale rang ki (black) satin nighty bahar nikaali. Wo kapda itna barik aur chamakdar tha ki Shalini ne kabhi sapne mein bhi nahi socha tha.
"Nahi-nahi... ye toh bahut... ajeeb hai. Mujhe simple chahiye," Shalini ne sharmate hue kaha. Usne apna pallu thoda aur kheench kar apne ubhaaron ko dhakne ki koshish ki, par uski ye koshish Aryan ki nazron ko aur bhi zyada bhatka rahi thi.
Aryan (kareeb aate hue): "Madam, aap bholi hain, isliye simple keh rahi hain. Ek baar isse chhu kar toh dekhiye. Isse pehen kar jab aap aaine mein khud ko dekhengi, toh aapko khud se pyaar ho jayega. Aur rahi baat 'simple' ki, toh ye pehne ke baad itni 'sober' lagti hai ki aapki saadgi aur khil uthegi."
Aryan ne jaan-boojhkar nighty ka wo naram kapda Shalini ke hath ke paas rakha. Shalini ne darrte-darrte us par apni ungli pheri. Wo itna thanda aur chikna ehsas tha ki Shalini ke jism mein ek sihran daud gayi.
Aryan ne dekha ki Shalini us kaale satin ke kapde ko dekh kar thoda thithak rahi hai, par uski aankhon mein ek anjaani si chamak bhi hai. Woh jaanta tha ki aisi sharmili auraton ko thoda sa hausla dena padta hai.
"Madam," Aryan ne apni awaaz ko aur bhi naram aur bharosemand banate hue kaha, "Aap fikar kyun kar rahi hain? Hum yahan rozana kitni hi ladies ko ye sab dikhate hain. Par sach kahun toh, ye black color aapki gori rangat par itna khilega ki aap khud hairan reh jayengi."
Shalini ne hichkichate hue kaha, "Nahi... ye bahut barik lag raha hai. Aur mujhe toh bas... bas simple chahiye tha."
Aryan ne chalaki se ek kadam aur badhaya, "Madam, ye bahar se lagta hai aisa, par pehne ke baad iska fall bahut sundar aata hai. Aur dekhiye, aapka jism itna bhara-pura hai, agar fitting sahi nahi hui toh ye bekar lagega. Main aapko apne VIP trial room mein bhej deta hoon. Wahan charo taraf aaine hain, aap khud dekh lijiye ki aap kitni sundar lag rahi hain. Agar pasand na aaye, toh mat lijiyega."
Shalini ne ek baar darwaze ki taraf dekha aur phir us chamchamate satin ki taraf. Uske dimaag mein Shobhit ka thaka hua chehra ghoom gaya. Usne socha, 'Ek baar dekhne mein kya harz hai? Ghar mein toh wahi purani sasti nighties pehenti hoon.'
"Theek hai... kahan hai?" Shalini ne nazrein jhuka kar pucha.
Aryan ke chehre par ek fateh ki muskurahat aayi. Usne nighty ko ek sundar hanger mein lagaya aur Shalini ko showroom ke pichle hisse mein bane ek bade se kanch ke cabin ki taraf le gaya.
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