28-12-2025, 10:00 PM
Trial room kafi bada tha, upar ek halki peeli (warm) light jal rahi thi jo chamdi ko aur bhi chamkadar banati hai. Aryan ne darwaza khola aur nighty andar tang di.
"Madam, aayiye. Main bahar hi hoon, agar koi bhi dikkat ho—jaise zip phas jaye ya size check karna ho—toh bas ek awaaz dijiyega," Aryan ne bahut 'helpfully' kaha, lekin uski nazron mein ek gandi chamak thi jo Shalini ki samajh se bahar thi.
Shalini andar gayi aur darrte hue bhari kanch ka darwaza andar se lock kiya. Uska dil kisi hathode ki tarah seene mein baj raha tha. Usne apni gulabi saree ka pallu kandhe se hataya aur aaine mein apne aap ko dekha. AC ki thandak uske nange kandhon ko chooh rahi thi.
Usne dheere-dheere apni saree utari aur us kaale resham ke libas ko apne haath mein liya. Woh itna halka tha ki Shalini ko lag raha tha jaise usne hawa pakdi ho. Usne wo nighty apne jism par dali...
Trial room ke andar ki peeli roshni Shalini ke gori rangat par sunehra nikaar la rahi thi. Jab usne wo kaali satin ki nighty apne jism par dali, toh use mehsoos hua ki wo kapda hawa ki tarah naram tha, jo uske shareer ki har banawat se chipak gaya tha.
Shalini ne darrte-darrte aaine ki taraf dekha aur uski apni hi saansein ruk gayin. Aaine mein jo aurat khadi thi, wo wahi sharmili Shalini nahi lag rahi thi jo hamesha saree ke pallo mein dubki rehti thi.
Kaale satin ne uske bhari aur unche ubhaaron ko aisi shape di thi jo usne pehle kabhi mehsoos nahi ki thi. Nighty ka gala thoda gehra tha, jahan se uski gori chatiyon ka oopri hissa saaf chamak raha tha. Har saans ke saath wo resham halka sa hilta, jo uski khubsurti mein ek ajeeb si kashish bhar raha hota.
Satin ka kapda uske pet ki narmi aur uski patli kamar se aise lipat gaya tha jaise koi dusri chamdi ho. Uske badan ki har lachak aaine mein saaf numaya ho rahi thi.
Jab wo thoda mudi, toh usne dekha ki wo nighty uske gol aur bade nitambon par itni fit baith rahi thi ki unka bhari-pan aur unka ubhaar pehle se kahin zyada qayaamat-dhah raha tha.
Shalini ne apne dono hath apne chehre par rakh liye. Uske gaal sharam se tamtama uthe the. Usne socha, "Kya ye sach mein main hoon? Agar unhone (Shobhit ne) mujhe is roop mein dekh liya, toh pata nahi unka kya haal hoga."
Uska dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Use khud se hi darr lag raha tha, par saath hi ek ajeeb si khushi bhi ho rahi thi ki wo abhi bhi itni jawan aur sundar dikh sakti hai.
Tabhi, trial room ke kanch ke darwaze par halki si dastak hui. Shalini hadbada kar piche hati.
"Madam... sab theek hai na? Fitting sahi aa rahi hai?" Aryan ki awaaz bahar se aayi. Woh bahar khada sirf awaaz nahi de raha tha, balki kanch ke darwaze ke barik gap se andar ki jhalak paane ki koshish kar raha tha.
Shalini ne apne hatho se apne seene ko dhakne ki koshish ki. "Haan... haan, main bas... nikal rahi hoon."
Aryan (dheere se): "Madam, agar zip ya shoulder strap mein koi problem ho toh batayiye, main set kar deta hoon. Sharmaiye mat, ye hamara kaam hai."
Shalini ki halat kharab ho rahi thi. Ek taraf aaine mein uska apna qatilana roop aur dusri taraf bahar khada wo young mard jo uske bilkul kareeb hone ki koshish kar raha tha.
Shalini ka dil seene mein kisi hathode ki tarah baj raha tha. Usne jaldi-jaldi wo kaali satin nighty utari aur apni gulabi saree pehenne lagi, lekin ghabrahat mein uske hath kaanp rahe the. Usne socha ki agar woh thodi der aur andar ruki, toh Aryan shayad kisi bahane andar hi na aa jaye.
Jaise hi Shalini ne trial room ka bhari kanch ka darwaza khola aur bahar nikli, uske gaal sharam se laal tamtama rahe the. Usne apni nazrein zameen par tika rakhi thin, par use mehsoos ho raha tha ki Aryan ki nazrein uske jism ke ek-ek mod ko ghoor rahi hain.
Aryan wahi darwaze ke bilkul paas khada tha. Jaise hi Shalini bahar aayi, woh thoda aur kareeb ho gaya.
Aryan (neech nazron se dekhte hue): "Arre madam, aap toh bahar aa gayin? Maine toh aaine mein dekha... aap par wo black color bilkul 'fit' baith raha tha. Sach kahun toh, hamari model bhi usme itni sundar nahi lagti jitni aap lag rahi thin."
Shalini ne hichkichate hue apna purse kas liya. "Nahi... woh, mujhe nahi lagta ki main wo le paungi. Kuch zyada hi... ajeeb hai woh."
Aryan (chalaki se): "Ajeeb nahi madam, 'khaas' hai. Dekhiye, aapka jism itna bhara-pura aur sundar hai, use aisi sasti cotton ki cheezon mein chhupa kar rakhna gunah hai. Aapke pati toh aapko dekh kar dhang reh jayenge."
Shalini ne wahan se nikalne ki koshish ki, "Nahi, mujhe jana hoga."
Lekin Aryan ne rasta nahi chhoda. Usne badi hoshiyari se ek box uthaya aur kaha, "Madam, aap sharma rahi hain isliye aisa keh rahi hain. Main aapko ek aur cheez dikhata hoon jo isse bhi zyada soft hai. Aayiye mere saath piche wale counter par, wahan thodi 'privacy' hai, wahan koi nahi dekhega."
Shalini ne mana karna chaha, par Aryan ki baaton mein ek ajeeb sa jadu tha, ya shayad Shalini ke andar ki wo dabi hui khwahish use rok rahi thi. Woh Aryan ke piche-piche showroom ke us kone mein chali gayi jahan light thodi madhyam (dim) thi aur bahar se koi unhe nahi dekh sakta tha.
Wahan pahunch kar Aryan ne ek bahut hi patli, safed resham ki nighty nikaali. Usne jaan-boojhkar use Shalini ke haath par rakha. Uska hath touch hote hi Shalini piche hati, par Aryan ne hath nahi hataya.
Aryan (dheemi awaaz mein): "Madam, aap itni sharmili kyun hain? Itni khubsurat aurat ko toh dunya par raaj karna chahiye. Kya aapke pati aapko kabhi batate hain ki aapke ye... (usne nazrein Shalini ke ubhaaron par tika di)... ye sab kitna qatilana hai?"
Shalini ki saansein tez ho gayin. Usne aaj tak apne pati ke alawa kisi gair mard se aisi baatein nahi suni thin. Uski sharam use bhagne ko keh rahi thi, par uski 'aurat' Aryan ki is tareef se kahin na kahin pighal rahi thi.
Shalini (ladkhadati awaaz mein): "Aap... aap ye kya keh rahe hain? Main ja rahi hoon."
Aryan ne dheere se uski saree ka pallu jo niche girne ko tha, use pakda aur bola, "Rukiye toh... abhi toh maine aapko asli cheez dikhayi hi nahi."
Shalini ki dhadkanein us waqt rukne wali thin jab Aryan uske behad kareeb aa gaya tha. Uski baaton mein chhupi tharkas aur uski nazron ki garmi Shalini ko andar tak ghabra rahi thi. Aryan ne jaise hi apna hath badhaya, tabhi showroom ke main gate ka sheesha khulne ki awaaz aayi aur do female salesgirls hasti-muskurati hui lunch se wapas andar dakhil huin.
Unke aane ki aahat sunte hi Aryan jhat se piche hata aur normal hone ka natak karne laga.
Shalini ko jaise zindagi mil gayi ho. Usne na aao dekha na tao, bina Aryan ki taraf dekhe woh tezi se darwaze ki taraf bhagi. Uska pura badan paseene se tar-batar tha aur gaal sharam se laal ho chuke the. Uska dimag sunn tha, bas ek hi khayal tha—"Yahan se nikalna hai."
Woh tezi se kanch ka darwaza dhakel kar bahar nikli aur posh area ki chamakti sadak par tez qadmon se chalne lagi.
Jab woh apne ilake ki pehchan wali galiyon mein pahunchi, tab usne chain ki saans li. Par jaise hi usne apne ghar ke darwaze par pahunch kar chabi nikaalne ke liye hath badhaya, uske hosh ud gaye.
Uski bagal mein tangne wala wo purana sa purse (bag) uske paas nahi tha. Aur sirf bag hi nahi, uska keypad phone bhi usi bag ke andar tha.
Shalini wahi darwaze par thithak kar khadi reh gayi. Uska chehra saphed pad gaya. "Hey bhagwan! Main apna bag aur phone wahin counter par bhool aayi!"
Uski halat kharab ho rahi thi. Us bag mein:
Shobhit ke diye hue baaki paise the.
Uska phone tha, jisme Sonali aur Shobhit ke number the.
Sabse bada darr—agar Shobhit ne phone kiya aur Aryan ne utha liya toh? Ya agar Aryan ne bag khol kar uski pehchan dekh li toh?
Idhar 'Rose-Petals' mein, Aryan ne dekha ki counter par Shalini ka bag aur phone pada hai. Usne ek gehri muskurahat ke saath bag uthaya aur uske andar hath dala. Usne Shalini ka wo purana keypad phone bahar nikaala aur use ghoorne laga.
Usne socha, "Bholi murgi ne toh apna pura thikana hi yahan chhod diya. Ab toh tujhe wapas aana hi padega, Shalini ji..."
Aryan ne phone on kiya aur 'Call Logs' check karne laga. Usne dekha ki Shalini ne itni sharam ke bawajood wahan se nikalte waqt kitni jaldbaazi ki thi.
Shalini ka bag aur phone Aryan ke haath lagna, maano us shikari ko uski sabse badi kamyabi mil gayi ho. Aryan ne bade sukoon se counter ke peeche beth kar Shalini ka wo sasta sa bag khola. Usne dekha ki andar kuch naye note rakhe the aur ek purana keypad phone.
Aryan ne phone apne haath mein ghuma hi raha tha ki achanak woh vibrate karne laga. Screen par naam chamak raha tha— "Ji".
Aryan ki aankhon mein ek shaitani chamak aa gayi. Woh samajh gaya ki ye Shalini ke pati, Shobhit ka phone hai. Usne ek gehri saans li aur badi dheetayi se 'Answer' ka button daba diya.
Shobhit (dusri taraf se): "Hello? Shalini? Arre kahan ho tum? Ghar pahunchi ki nahi? Kitni baar phone kiya hai... sun rahi ho?"
Shobhit ki awaaz mein thodi chinta aur thodi jhunjhalahat thi. Aryan ne thoda ruk kar, bade dheere aur namm (soft) awaaz mein jawab diya.
Aryan: "Hello... Shobhit ji bol rahe hain?"
Phone par mard ki awaaz sunte hi Shobhit ke kaan khade ho gaye. Uske registers par chalta pen ruk gaya. Shobhit: "Haan... main bol raha hoon. Par... aap kaun? Aur meri biwi ka phone aapke paas kaise?"
Aryan (chalaki se): "Ji namaste. Ghabraiye mat, main 'Rose-Petals' showroom se manager bol raha hoon. Darasal, madam yahan aayi thi kuch saaman dekhne... shayad jaldi mein woh apna bag aur phone yahin counter par bhool gayi hain. Main toh bas unhe phone karne hi wala tha par aapka call aa gaya."
Shobhit ko thoda sukoon mila par usne hairani se pucha, "Rose-Petals? Woh naya showroom? Shalini wahan kya kar rahi thi? Aur woh abhi kahan hai?"
Aryan: "Woh toh nikal gayi hain ji. Shayad raaste mein hongi. Aap chinta mat kijiye, unka bag aur phone bilkul safe hai. Maine cupboard mein lock kar diya hai. Agar aap kahein toh main ghar bhijwa doon? Ya phir madam khud aa jayengi?"
Shobhit: "Nahi-nahi, aap kyun takleef karenge. Main toh dukan par hoon... main Shalini ko bol dunga, woh kal subah ya jab bhi ho, chakkar laga legi. Bahut-bahut shukriya aapka."
Aryan ne phone kaatne se pehle kaha, "Koi baat nahi ji, hamara farz hai. Waise madam kaafi... 'disturbed' lag rahi thin. Aap fikar mat kijiye."
Idhar Shalini ghar ke andar kisi pinjre mein band chidiya ki tarah tadap rahi thi. Usne socha ki agar Shobhit ne phone kiya aur Aryan ne kuch ulta-pulta keh diya toh uska ghar ujaad jayega.
Tabhi ghar ki bell baji. Shalini ne ghabrate hue darwaza khola. Samne Soham khada tha.
"Mummy, aapka phone kahan hai? Papa ka mere paas phone aaya tha, keh rahe the ki aap apna bag dukan par bhool gayi ho kisi showroom mein?" Soham ne hairat se pucha.
Shalini ke paon ke niche se zameen nikal gayi. Use laga ki ab sab khatam ho gaya.
Shalini (haklate hue): "Woh... haan beta... woh dukan badi thi na, toh shayad dhyan nahi raha. Papa ne... papa ne aur kuch kaha?"
Soham: "Nahi, bus bola ki aap kal ja kar le aana. Par Mummy, aap itni ghabrayi hui kyun ho? Paseena aa raha hai aapko."
Shalini ne pallu se apna munh dhaka aur kitchen ki taraf bhagi, "Nahi kuch nahi... bas thodi garmi hai."
Raat ko jab Shobhit ghar aaya, usne Shalini se us showroom ke baare mein pucha. Shalini ne jhoot bol diya ki woh bas raste mein thi toh andar chali gayi. Par Shalini jaanti thi ki kal use dobara wahan jana padega.
Aur is baar Aryan ke paas uska bag aur phone tha... yaani uske paas Shalini ko rokne ka ek pukhta bahana!
Raat bhar Shalini ko nind nahi aayi. Uske dimaag mein bas wahi Aryan ki nazrein aur Shobhit ka bholapan ghoom raha tha. Use lag raha tha jaise usne koi bahut bada paap kar diya ho, lekin ab uske paas koi raasta nahi tha.
Subah hui, Shobhit dukan chale gaye aur Soham apne college. Shalini ne ghar ka kaam aise kiya jaise koi robot kar raha ho. Uska mann baar-baar keh raha tha ki mat ja, par bag mein rakhe paise aur phone ke bina uska kaam nahi chalne wala tha.
Usne aaj wahi purani, sadharan sooti saree pehni aur maathe par ek choti bindi lagayi, taaki woh bilkul "simple" lage. Lekin uske chehre ki ghabrahat aur uske bhari-pure jism ki lachak ko koi bhi saree nahi chhupa sakti thi.
Jab woh 'Rose-Petals' pahunchi, toh dukan abhi khuli hi thi. Aryan counter par baitha kisi file mein dekh raha tha. Jaise hi usne Shalini ko andar aate dekha, usne file band ki aur ek gehri, vijayi (victorious) muskurahat di.
Aryan: "Aaiye Shalini ji... humein pata tha aap sabse pehle yahin aayengi."
Shalini ne apni nazrein neeche rakhi aur bahut dheere se kaha, "Mera... mera bag?"
Aryan ne counter ke niche se bag nikaala, par use Shalini ki taraf badhaya nahi. Usne bag ko apne haath mein thama rakha.
Aryan: "Bag toh yahin hai madam, par kal aap itni jaldi mein kyun bhagi? Aapke pati ka phone aaya tha... maine unse baat kar li. Bahut bhale manas hain woh, par shayad unhe pata nahi ki unki biwi kitni 'shaukeen' hai."
Shalini ka chehra saphed pad gaya. "Aapne... aapne unhe kuch kaha toh nahi?"
Aryan (kareeb aate hue): "Abhi toh nahi kaha... par ye depend karta hai. Kal aapne woh black nighty try ki thi, maine dekha tha... aap par bahut jach rahi thi. Par aapne use khareeda nahi."
Shalini ne ghabrate hue kaha, "Mujhe woh nahi chahiye, bas mera bag de dijiye, mujhe der ho rahi hai."
Aryan (thoda gambhir hokar): "Aise kaise jane doon? Kal aapne hamara itna waqt kharab kiya... aur waise bhi, aapka phone mere paas hai, usme bahut saare 'personal' numbers hain. Agar main chahun toh..."
Usne baat adhuri chhod di. Shalini samajh gayi ki Aryan use black-mail kar raha hai. Uski saansein phoolne lagin aur uske unchay ubhaar tez saans lene ki wajah se tezi se upar-niche hone lage. Aryan ki nazrein wahi gadi hui thin.
Aryan: "Ek kaam kijiye... mere piche wale cabin mein aaiye. Hum baith kar baat karte hain. Agar aapne meri baat maan li, toh bag aur phone abhi de dunga... aur aapke pati ko kabhi pata bhi nahi chalega ki aap yahan kyun aayi thin."
Shalini thar-thar kaanp rahi thi. "Nahi... main yahan se nahi jaungi."
Aryan: "Theek hai, toh main abhi aapke pati ko dobara phone karta hoon aur batata hoon ki unki 'pativrata' biwi kal yahan kya-kya dekh rahi thi aur kaise bhagi."
Aryan ne phone uthane ka natak kiya. Shalini toot gayi. Usne darrte hue kaha, "Nahi... rukiye. Main... main aati hoon."
Aryan ne use rasta diya aur use piche bane manager ke cabin ki taraf le gaya. Jaise hi Shalini andar dakhil hui, Aryan ne darwaza band kiya aur kundi (lock) laga di.
"Madam, aayiye. Main bahar hi hoon, agar koi bhi dikkat ho—jaise zip phas jaye ya size check karna ho—toh bas ek awaaz dijiyega," Aryan ne bahut 'helpfully' kaha, lekin uski nazron mein ek gandi chamak thi jo Shalini ki samajh se bahar thi.
Shalini andar gayi aur darrte hue bhari kanch ka darwaza andar se lock kiya. Uska dil kisi hathode ki tarah seene mein baj raha tha. Usne apni gulabi saree ka pallu kandhe se hataya aur aaine mein apne aap ko dekha. AC ki thandak uske nange kandhon ko chooh rahi thi.
Usne dheere-dheere apni saree utari aur us kaale resham ke libas ko apne haath mein liya. Woh itna halka tha ki Shalini ko lag raha tha jaise usne hawa pakdi ho. Usne wo nighty apne jism par dali...
Trial room ke andar ki peeli roshni Shalini ke gori rangat par sunehra nikaar la rahi thi. Jab usne wo kaali satin ki nighty apne jism par dali, toh use mehsoos hua ki wo kapda hawa ki tarah naram tha, jo uske shareer ki har banawat se chipak gaya tha.
Shalini ne darrte-darrte aaine ki taraf dekha aur uski apni hi saansein ruk gayin. Aaine mein jo aurat khadi thi, wo wahi sharmili Shalini nahi lag rahi thi jo hamesha saree ke pallo mein dubki rehti thi.
Kaale satin ne uske bhari aur unche ubhaaron ko aisi shape di thi jo usne pehle kabhi mehsoos nahi ki thi. Nighty ka gala thoda gehra tha, jahan se uski gori chatiyon ka oopri hissa saaf chamak raha tha. Har saans ke saath wo resham halka sa hilta, jo uski khubsurti mein ek ajeeb si kashish bhar raha hota.
Satin ka kapda uske pet ki narmi aur uski patli kamar se aise lipat gaya tha jaise koi dusri chamdi ho. Uske badan ki har lachak aaine mein saaf numaya ho rahi thi.
Jab wo thoda mudi, toh usne dekha ki wo nighty uske gol aur bade nitambon par itni fit baith rahi thi ki unka bhari-pan aur unka ubhaar pehle se kahin zyada qayaamat-dhah raha tha.
Shalini ne apne dono hath apne chehre par rakh liye. Uske gaal sharam se tamtama uthe the. Usne socha, "Kya ye sach mein main hoon? Agar unhone (Shobhit ne) mujhe is roop mein dekh liya, toh pata nahi unka kya haal hoga."
Uska dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha. Use khud se hi darr lag raha tha, par saath hi ek ajeeb si khushi bhi ho rahi thi ki wo abhi bhi itni jawan aur sundar dikh sakti hai.
Tabhi, trial room ke kanch ke darwaze par halki si dastak hui. Shalini hadbada kar piche hati.
"Madam... sab theek hai na? Fitting sahi aa rahi hai?" Aryan ki awaaz bahar se aayi. Woh bahar khada sirf awaaz nahi de raha tha, balki kanch ke darwaze ke barik gap se andar ki jhalak paane ki koshish kar raha tha.
Shalini ne apne hatho se apne seene ko dhakne ki koshish ki. "Haan... haan, main bas... nikal rahi hoon."
Aryan (dheere se): "Madam, agar zip ya shoulder strap mein koi problem ho toh batayiye, main set kar deta hoon. Sharmaiye mat, ye hamara kaam hai."
Shalini ki halat kharab ho rahi thi. Ek taraf aaine mein uska apna qatilana roop aur dusri taraf bahar khada wo young mard jo uske bilkul kareeb hone ki koshish kar raha tha.
Shalini ka dil seene mein kisi hathode ki tarah baj raha tha. Usne jaldi-jaldi wo kaali satin nighty utari aur apni gulabi saree pehenne lagi, lekin ghabrahat mein uske hath kaanp rahe the. Usne socha ki agar woh thodi der aur andar ruki, toh Aryan shayad kisi bahane andar hi na aa jaye.
Jaise hi Shalini ne trial room ka bhari kanch ka darwaza khola aur bahar nikli, uske gaal sharam se laal tamtama rahe the. Usne apni nazrein zameen par tika rakhi thin, par use mehsoos ho raha tha ki Aryan ki nazrein uske jism ke ek-ek mod ko ghoor rahi hain.
Aryan wahi darwaze ke bilkul paas khada tha. Jaise hi Shalini bahar aayi, woh thoda aur kareeb ho gaya.
Aryan (neech nazron se dekhte hue): "Arre madam, aap toh bahar aa gayin? Maine toh aaine mein dekha... aap par wo black color bilkul 'fit' baith raha tha. Sach kahun toh, hamari model bhi usme itni sundar nahi lagti jitni aap lag rahi thin."
Shalini ne hichkichate hue apna purse kas liya. "Nahi... woh, mujhe nahi lagta ki main wo le paungi. Kuch zyada hi... ajeeb hai woh."
Aryan (chalaki se): "Ajeeb nahi madam, 'khaas' hai. Dekhiye, aapka jism itna bhara-pura aur sundar hai, use aisi sasti cotton ki cheezon mein chhupa kar rakhna gunah hai. Aapke pati toh aapko dekh kar dhang reh jayenge."
Shalini ne wahan se nikalne ki koshish ki, "Nahi, mujhe jana hoga."
Lekin Aryan ne rasta nahi chhoda. Usne badi hoshiyari se ek box uthaya aur kaha, "Madam, aap sharma rahi hain isliye aisa keh rahi hain. Main aapko ek aur cheez dikhata hoon jo isse bhi zyada soft hai. Aayiye mere saath piche wale counter par, wahan thodi 'privacy' hai, wahan koi nahi dekhega."
Shalini ne mana karna chaha, par Aryan ki baaton mein ek ajeeb sa jadu tha, ya shayad Shalini ke andar ki wo dabi hui khwahish use rok rahi thi. Woh Aryan ke piche-piche showroom ke us kone mein chali gayi jahan light thodi madhyam (dim) thi aur bahar se koi unhe nahi dekh sakta tha.
Wahan pahunch kar Aryan ne ek bahut hi patli, safed resham ki nighty nikaali. Usne jaan-boojhkar use Shalini ke haath par rakha. Uska hath touch hote hi Shalini piche hati, par Aryan ne hath nahi hataya.
Aryan (dheemi awaaz mein): "Madam, aap itni sharmili kyun hain? Itni khubsurat aurat ko toh dunya par raaj karna chahiye. Kya aapke pati aapko kabhi batate hain ki aapke ye... (usne nazrein Shalini ke ubhaaron par tika di)... ye sab kitna qatilana hai?"
Shalini ki saansein tez ho gayin. Usne aaj tak apne pati ke alawa kisi gair mard se aisi baatein nahi suni thin. Uski sharam use bhagne ko keh rahi thi, par uski 'aurat' Aryan ki is tareef se kahin na kahin pighal rahi thi.
Shalini (ladkhadati awaaz mein): "Aap... aap ye kya keh rahe hain? Main ja rahi hoon."
Aryan ne dheere se uski saree ka pallu jo niche girne ko tha, use pakda aur bola, "Rukiye toh... abhi toh maine aapko asli cheez dikhayi hi nahi."
Shalini ki dhadkanein us waqt rukne wali thin jab Aryan uske behad kareeb aa gaya tha. Uski baaton mein chhupi tharkas aur uski nazron ki garmi Shalini ko andar tak ghabra rahi thi. Aryan ne jaise hi apna hath badhaya, tabhi showroom ke main gate ka sheesha khulne ki awaaz aayi aur do female salesgirls hasti-muskurati hui lunch se wapas andar dakhil huin.
Unke aane ki aahat sunte hi Aryan jhat se piche hata aur normal hone ka natak karne laga.
Shalini ko jaise zindagi mil gayi ho. Usne na aao dekha na tao, bina Aryan ki taraf dekhe woh tezi se darwaze ki taraf bhagi. Uska pura badan paseene se tar-batar tha aur gaal sharam se laal ho chuke the. Uska dimag sunn tha, bas ek hi khayal tha—"Yahan se nikalna hai."
Woh tezi se kanch ka darwaza dhakel kar bahar nikli aur posh area ki chamakti sadak par tez qadmon se chalne lagi.
Jab woh apne ilake ki pehchan wali galiyon mein pahunchi, tab usne chain ki saans li. Par jaise hi usne apne ghar ke darwaze par pahunch kar chabi nikaalne ke liye hath badhaya, uske hosh ud gaye.
Uski bagal mein tangne wala wo purana sa purse (bag) uske paas nahi tha. Aur sirf bag hi nahi, uska keypad phone bhi usi bag ke andar tha.
Shalini wahi darwaze par thithak kar khadi reh gayi. Uska chehra saphed pad gaya. "Hey bhagwan! Main apna bag aur phone wahin counter par bhool aayi!"
Uski halat kharab ho rahi thi. Us bag mein:
Shobhit ke diye hue baaki paise the.
Uska phone tha, jisme Sonali aur Shobhit ke number the.
Sabse bada darr—agar Shobhit ne phone kiya aur Aryan ne utha liya toh? Ya agar Aryan ne bag khol kar uski pehchan dekh li toh?
Idhar 'Rose-Petals' mein, Aryan ne dekha ki counter par Shalini ka bag aur phone pada hai. Usne ek gehri muskurahat ke saath bag uthaya aur uske andar hath dala. Usne Shalini ka wo purana keypad phone bahar nikaala aur use ghoorne laga.
Usne socha, "Bholi murgi ne toh apna pura thikana hi yahan chhod diya. Ab toh tujhe wapas aana hi padega, Shalini ji..."
Aryan ne phone on kiya aur 'Call Logs' check karne laga. Usne dekha ki Shalini ne itni sharam ke bawajood wahan se nikalte waqt kitni jaldbaazi ki thi.
Shalini ka bag aur phone Aryan ke haath lagna, maano us shikari ko uski sabse badi kamyabi mil gayi ho. Aryan ne bade sukoon se counter ke peeche beth kar Shalini ka wo sasta sa bag khola. Usne dekha ki andar kuch naye note rakhe the aur ek purana keypad phone.
Aryan ne phone apne haath mein ghuma hi raha tha ki achanak woh vibrate karne laga. Screen par naam chamak raha tha— "Ji".
Aryan ki aankhon mein ek shaitani chamak aa gayi. Woh samajh gaya ki ye Shalini ke pati, Shobhit ka phone hai. Usne ek gehri saans li aur badi dheetayi se 'Answer' ka button daba diya.
Shobhit (dusri taraf se): "Hello? Shalini? Arre kahan ho tum? Ghar pahunchi ki nahi? Kitni baar phone kiya hai... sun rahi ho?"
Shobhit ki awaaz mein thodi chinta aur thodi jhunjhalahat thi. Aryan ne thoda ruk kar, bade dheere aur namm (soft) awaaz mein jawab diya.
Aryan: "Hello... Shobhit ji bol rahe hain?"
Phone par mard ki awaaz sunte hi Shobhit ke kaan khade ho gaye. Uske registers par chalta pen ruk gaya. Shobhit: "Haan... main bol raha hoon. Par... aap kaun? Aur meri biwi ka phone aapke paas kaise?"
Aryan (chalaki se): "Ji namaste. Ghabraiye mat, main 'Rose-Petals' showroom se manager bol raha hoon. Darasal, madam yahan aayi thi kuch saaman dekhne... shayad jaldi mein woh apna bag aur phone yahin counter par bhool gayi hain. Main toh bas unhe phone karne hi wala tha par aapka call aa gaya."
Shobhit ko thoda sukoon mila par usne hairani se pucha, "Rose-Petals? Woh naya showroom? Shalini wahan kya kar rahi thi? Aur woh abhi kahan hai?"
Aryan: "Woh toh nikal gayi hain ji. Shayad raaste mein hongi. Aap chinta mat kijiye, unka bag aur phone bilkul safe hai. Maine cupboard mein lock kar diya hai. Agar aap kahein toh main ghar bhijwa doon? Ya phir madam khud aa jayengi?"
Shobhit: "Nahi-nahi, aap kyun takleef karenge. Main toh dukan par hoon... main Shalini ko bol dunga, woh kal subah ya jab bhi ho, chakkar laga legi. Bahut-bahut shukriya aapka."
Aryan ne phone kaatne se pehle kaha, "Koi baat nahi ji, hamara farz hai. Waise madam kaafi... 'disturbed' lag rahi thin. Aap fikar mat kijiye."
Idhar Shalini ghar ke andar kisi pinjre mein band chidiya ki tarah tadap rahi thi. Usne socha ki agar Shobhit ne phone kiya aur Aryan ne kuch ulta-pulta keh diya toh uska ghar ujaad jayega.
Tabhi ghar ki bell baji. Shalini ne ghabrate hue darwaza khola. Samne Soham khada tha.
"Mummy, aapka phone kahan hai? Papa ka mere paas phone aaya tha, keh rahe the ki aap apna bag dukan par bhool gayi ho kisi showroom mein?" Soham ne hairat se pucha.
Shalini ke paon ke niche se zameen nikal gayi. Use laga ki ab sab khatam ho gaya.
Shalini (haklate hue): "Woh... haan beta... woh dukan badi thi na, toh shayad dhyan nahi raha. Papa ne... papa ne aur kuch kaha?"
Soham: "Nahi, bus bola ki aap kal ja kar le aana. Par Mummy, aap itni ghabrayi hui kyun ho? Paseena aa raha hai aapko."
Shalini ne pallu se apna munh dhaka aur kitchen ki taraf bhagi, "Nahi kuch nahi... bas thodi garmi hai."
Raat ko jab Shobhit ghar aaya, usne Shalini se us showroom ke baare mein pucha. Shalini ne jhoot bol diya ki woh bas raste mein thi toh andar chali gayi. Par Shalini jaanti thi ki kal use dobara wahan jana padega.
Aur is baar Aryan ke paas uska bag aur phone tha... yaani uske paas Shalini ko rokne ka ek pukhta bahana!
Raat bhar Shalini ko nind nahi aayi. Uske dimaag mein bas wahi Aryan ki nazrein aur Shobhit ka bholapan ghoom raha tha. Use lag raha tha jaise usne koi bahut bada paap kar diya ho, lekin ab uske paas koi raasta nahi tha.
Subah hui, Shobhit dukan chale gaye aur Soham apne college. Shalini ne ghar ka kaam aise kiya jaise koi robot kar raha ho. Uska mann baar-baar keh raha tha ki mat ja, par bag mein rakhe paise aur phone ke bina uska kaam nahi chalne wala tha.
Usne aaj wahi purani, sadharan sooti saree pehni aur maathe par ek choti bindi lagayi, taaki woh bilkul "simple" lage. Lekin uske chehre ki ghabrahat aur uske bhari-pure jism ki lachak ko koi bhi saree nahi chhupa sakti thi.
Jab woh 'Rose-Petals' pahunchi, toh dukan abhi khuli hi thi. Aryan counter par baitha kisi file mein dekh raha tha. Jaise hi usne Shalini ko andar aate dekha, usne file band ki aur ek gehri, vijayi (victorious) muskurahat di.
Aryan: "Aaiye Shalini ji... humein pata tha aap sabse pehle yahin aayengi."
Shalini ne apni nazrein neeche rakhi aur bahut dheere se kaha, "Mera... mera bag?"
Aryan ne counter ke niche se bag nikaala, par use Shalini ki taraf badhaya nahi. Usne bag ko apne haath mein thama rakha.
Aryan: "Bag toh yahin hai madam, par kal aap itni jaldi mein kyun bhagi? Aapke pati ka phone aaya tha... maine unse baat kar li. Bahut bhale manas hain woh, par shayad unhe pata nahi ki unki biwi kitni 'shaukeen' hai."
Shalini ka chehra saphed pad gaya. "Aapne... aapne unhe kuch kaha toh nahi?"
Aryan (kareeb aate hue): "Abhi toh nahi kaha... par ye depend karta hai. Kal aapne woh black nighty try ki thi, maine dekha tha... aap par bahut jach rahi thi. Par aapne use khareeda nahi."
Shalini ne ghabrate hue kaha, "Mujhe woh nahi chahiye, bas mera bag de dijiye, mujhe der ho rahi hai."
Aryan (thoda gambhir hokar): "Aise kaise jane doon? Kal aapne hamara itna waqt kharab kiya... aur waise bhi, aapka phone mere paas hai, usme bahut saare 'personal' numbers hain. Agar main chahun toh..."
Usne baat adhuri chhod di. Shalini samajh gayi ki Aryan use black-mail kar raha hai. Uski saansein phoolne lagin aur uske unchay ubhaar tez saans lene ki wajah se tezi se upar-niche hone lage. Aryan ki nazrein wahi gadi hui thin.
Aryan: "Ek kaam kijiye... mere piche wale cabin mein aaiye. Hum baith kar baat karte hain. Agar aapne meri baat maan li, toh bag aur phone abhi de dunga... aur aapke pati ko kabhi pata bhi nahi chalega ki aap yahan kyun aayi thin."
Shalini thar-thar kaanp rahi thi. "Nahi... main yahan se nahi jaungi."
Aryan: "Theek hai, toh main abhi aapke pati ko dobara phone karta hoon aur batata hoon ki unki 'pativrata' biwi kal yahan kya-kya dekh rahi thi aur kaise bhagi."
Aryan ne phone uthane ka natak kiya. Shalini toot gayi. Usne darrte hue kaha, "Nahi... rukiye. Main... main aati hoon."
Aryan ne use rasta diya aur use piche bane manager ke cabin ki taraf le gaya. Jaise hi Shalini andar dakhil hui, Aryan ne darwaza band kiya aur kundi (lock) laga di.


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