03-04-2026, 08:11 PM
Us shaam living room bahut shaant tha, woh aaram bhari khamoshi jo lambe din ke shor aur bheed ke baad baith jaati hai. Shaadi ki reception kai ghante pehle khatam ho chuki thi. Ab Aisha — meri Ammi — bade sectional sofa par baithi thi, taangein modest tareeke se neeche lapeti hui, lamp ki naram roshni uske chehre par garam chhayaen daal rahi thi.
Woh abhi bhi woh sundar navy blue abaya pehne hui thi jo event mein pehni thi, halanki usne gardan ke aas-paas ka scarf thoda dhila kar diya tha, jo ab uske kandhon par aaram se latak raha tha. Uske kaale baal, jo aam taur par achhe se pin kiye hote the, ab kuchh lattein nikal aayi thi jo uske chehre ko aise frame kar rahi thi ki woh aur naram, aur chamakti hui lag rahi thi. Lekin yeh sirf yahi nahi tha.
Uske chehre par kuchh aur bhi tha — gaalon par unchi laali, honth thode khule aur aam se zyada bhare hue, aankhein aadhi band aur door ki khushi se chamak rahi thi. Woh ek aurat ki tarah lag rahi thi jo garam ho rahi ho, woh post-passion chamak jo koi bhi composure poori tarah chhupa nahi sakti, chahe woh sochti ho ki woh bilkul mask kar rahi hai.
Main uske saamne wali armchair mein baith gaya, wohi jo Abbu late shifts se ghar aane par aam taur par lete the. Woh abhi tak wapas nahi aaye the — office mein koi kaam ka emergency tha, jo aajkal aam baat ho gayi thi. Ammi ka phone cushion ke paas muh neeche rakhkar rakha tha, aur woh thande paani ka glass sip kar rahi thi, uski harkatein dheemi aur santusht.
Main us par muskuraya, awaaz halki aur casual rakhte hue, jaise hum family events ke baad hamesha karte the. “Ammi, woh shaadi sach mein kuchh khaas thi na? Poora maamla bina kisi gadbad ke khatam hua. Sab bahut khush lag rahe the.”
Woh mere taraf ghumi, aur uske chehre par woh laali thodi aur gehri ho gayi jab usne muskurahat wapas ki — upar se garam aur sachchi. “Arre beta, woh shaadi bahut khoobsurat thi.
Sabko ek saath laane ka tareeka… bahut achha din tha. Sach mein bahut achha.” Uski awaaz mein woh naram, surila lahja tha jo hamesha hota tha, jo hazaron bachpan ki kahaniyon aur daanton ko sukoon deta tha.
Woh sofa par thoda hili, abaya ke neeche taangein cross ki, aur main notice kiye bina nahi reh saka ki uski aankhein ek pal ke liye chamak uthi, jaise woh dimag mein koi private cheez dohra rahi ho. “Tere Abbu ko bhi bahut pasand aati agar woh zyada der ruk paate, lekin kaam to kaam hai. Kam se kam hum family ke taur par maze le sake.”
“Haan bilkul,” maine kaha, ghutnon par kohniyan tek kar aage jhukte hue, saath saath sir hilaate hue. “Khana bhi zabardast tha. Maine to teen logon jitna biryani kha liya. Aur music — sab aise naach rahe the jaise kal duniya khatam hone wali ho. Kya tum sab auntyon se baat kar paayi? Maine dekha tum pehle kuchh se baat kar rahi thi.”
Ammi dheere se hans padi, ek halki, surili awaaz jo kamre mein bhar gayi. Usne haath badha kar sofa ke paas wali jagah par thapki di, mujhe paas bulati hui.
“Idhar aa kar baith beta. Itni door kyon baitha hai? Haan, baat ki thi. Aunty Fatima apni nayi poti ke baare mein bata rahi thi — bahut pyari si. Aur decoration bhi bahut sundar the na? Simple lekin shaandaar. Sach mein shaadi ki rooh ko pakad liya tha.” Woh ruk gayi, phir se paani ka sip liya, ungliyan glass par ek pal extra der tak atki rahi.
Uski woh post-glow chehre par usko aur jawan, aur zinda dikha rahi thi, jaise roz ki zindagi ka bojh kuchh der ke liye uth gaya ho. Hum kuchh aur minute aise hi baatein karte rahe, aasaan aur beh rahi thi — wohi back-and-forth jo sau baar ho chuka tha.
Usne mere doston ke baare mein poocha jo wahan the, maine uske outfit ke baare mein chheda ki usne aadhe guests ko peeche chhod diya tha, aur woh sharmate hue halke se hans di. “Arre beta, tu bahut zyada tareef kar raha hai. Woh to sirf simple abaya thi. Lekin haan, poora mahaul… sabke andar garamahut bhar deta tha.”
Baatein aage badhti rahi, jaise hamesha hoti thi. Maine kaha ki bacche idhar udhar daudte hue mujhe apni bachpan ki shaadi ki harkaton ki yaad dila rahe the, aur woh pyar se yaad karti hui boli ki maine ek baar cousin ki shaadi mein dulhan ki dress par juice giraya tha.
Hum dono hans pade, din ka tension pighalta ja raha tha — kam se kam uske liye to aisa lag raha tha. Lekin jaise jaise minute guzarte gaye, mere seene mein woh shaant sawaal badhta gaya. Reception ke kaafi hisse mein maine usko nahi dekha tha. Ek minute woh sweets table ke paas thi, muskurati hui rishtedaaron ko haath hila rahi thi, aur agle hi pal… gayab.
Aisa uske saath aam nahi tha, khas kar family function mein bina bataye gayab ho jaana. Woh hamesha anchor hoti thi, sabko sambhaalti thi. Maine natural lull ka intezaar kiya, achanak poochna nahi chahta tha.
“Ammi,” maine akhirkaar kaha, abhi bhi casual awaaz mein, taangein aage stretch karte hue, “shaadi ki baat karte hue… sach bataun to bahut tezi thi. Bahut kuchh ho raha tha, bahut log the. Main ceremonies aur toasts ke waqt aas-paas dekhta raha, lekin tum kahin nazar nahi aayi thodi der ke liye. Sab theek tha na? Kya tum chupke se chai pine chali gayi thi ya kuchh?”
Uski reaction pehle halki thi, lekin maine pakad li — uske kandhe abaya ke neeche thode se tan gaye, ungliyan ruk gayi jab woh glass rakhne wali thi.
Woh pretend karti rahi jaise kuchh nahi, wohi garam muskurahat dikhaati hui jo college exams aur teenage dil tootne par mujhe sukoon deti thi. “Arre beta,” usne smoothly kaha, awaaz steady lekin shuru mein halka sa hitch tha, jaise saans rokni padi ho.
“Tu jaanta hai aisi shaadiyan kaisi hoti hain. Itni bheed, itne chehre. Shayad main peeche auntyon ke saath mil gayi thi. Ya shayad thodi fresh air ke liye bahar nikal gayi thi — hall lights aur bheed se thoda ghut raha tha. Koi fikar ki baat nahi, sach mein. Main koi important cheez miss nahi karna chahti thi.”
Maine sir hilaaya, shabdon ko thoda der tak latkaane diya, usko dekhta hua. Woh bahut achhe se pretend kar rahi thi — cushion par peeth tek kar, scarf theek karti hui jaise sab kuchh bilkul normal ho. Lekin main apni Ammi ko jaanta tha. Woh kabhi jhooth nahi bolti thi. Meri zindagi mein ek baar bhi nahi.
Aisha hamesha sachchai ki misaal thi, woh aurat jo bazaar mein extra paisa wapas kar deti thi chahe cashier ko pata na chale, jo khana jalne par pehle hi qabool kar leti thi, jo mujhe bacche ki tarah baitha kar yeh sikhati thi ki sach zindagi ki buniyaad hai — family, imaan, khud ki izzat.
“Jhooth deewar mein crack ki tarah hota hai beta,” woh kehti thi, aankhein serious lekin pyar bhari. “Chhota shuru hota hai, lekin failta jaata hai jab tak poora ghar hilne na lage.” Woh kabhi kuchh chhupati nahi thi, chhote se chhote white lies bhi nahi. Agar dress usko suit na karti to tailor ko seedha bol deti.
Agar community center ke lambe din ke baad thak gayi hoti to jhoothi muskurahat ke bajaye maanti thi. Wohi meri Ammi thi — seedhi, akhlaqi, apne _ values aur family ke pyar se anchored. Abbu hamesha mazak karte the ki woh “duniya ke liye bahut paak hai,” aur yeh sach tha. Usne mujhe bhi isi principle par pala tha, aur maine kabhi usko dagmagate nahi dekha tha.
Lekin ab yahan woh ek chhoti si clever deflection bana rahi thi. Uski aankhein meri aankhon se seedhi mil rahi thi, koi gunah ki parchhai nahi. Sabse zyada yahi baat ne mujhe chhuya — bilkul koi gunah nahi. Uska chehra wohi laali bhara, santusht mask bana hua tha, jaise jo raaz woh chhupa rahi thi woh usko andar se chamka raha tha, bojh nahi de raha tha.
Koi nazar neeche nahi, koi nervous harkat nahi us pehle tension ke baad jo usne jaldi smooth kar diya. Jaise woh affair — woh smooth baat karne wala Indian aadmi Vishal groom side se jo usko shaadi ke dauran le gaya tha — uske conscience par ek bhi saya nahi chhodta.
Usne uske saath wahan hi chudai kar li thi, kisi shaant kone ya khali kamre mein jab shaadi ka jashn chal raha tha, aur ab yahan baithi woh shaant, garam khushi se chamak rahi thi. Chehre par koi pachtawa nahi, muh neeche nahi, aankhon mein koi sata hua look nahi. Yeh dekhna almost mesmerizing tha ki woh kitni untouched lag rahi thi, uski khoobsurati afterglow se aur badh gayi thi, uski baithak aaram se jaise yeh koi ordinary shaam ho.
Woh phir topic badalne lagi, woh practiced grace se jo family dinner mein subjects change karne ke liye use karti thi. “Chhod na meri bhatakne ki baat — apne doston ke baare mein bata. Kya Rahim ne akhirkaar us ladki ko dance ke liye poocha jise woh dekhta rehta tha? Maine dekha woh baat kar rahe the, woh bahut nervous lag raha tha, bechara ladka.” Uski hanssi halki thi, mujhe safe ground par wapas laane ki dawat.
Lekin main poora chhod nahi sakta tha, abhi nahi. Maine dheere se press kiya, awaaz curious rakhte hue na ki ilzaam bhari. “Samajh gaya Ammi — bheed overwhelming ho sakti hai. Lekin sach bataun, main har jagah dekha. Stage ke paas, entrance ke paas, garden area mein bhi jahan log photos le rahe the. Peak time mein kam se kam aadha ghanta tum nazar nahi aayi. Asal mein kahan gayi thi? Mujhe thodi chinta hone lagi thi.”
Wohi tension phir aayi. Uski ungliyan sofa ke cushion ke kinaare par jakad gayi, aur ek pal ke liye woh hakla gayi, jawab mein sirf halka sa stutter.
“Main… beta, kuchh khaas nahi tha. Shayad ladies area mein fresh hone gayi thi. Tu jaanta hai hall mein garmi kitni badhti hai, aur abaya ke saath thoda zyada ho jaata hai. Phir masjid group ki purani dost se mil gayi — asal mein Vishal ki behen — aur community projects ke baare mein baat karte karte waqt nikal gaya.”
Yeh clever jawab tha, kuchh masoom cheez se jod kar, imaan se related jo woh jaanti thi main izzat karunga. Woh phir muskurayi, jaise sab settle ho gaya ho, lekin main dekh sakta tha uske gale par pulse kaise dhadak rahi thi, abaya ke neckline ke upar saaf dikhai de rahi thi. Woh ab jhooth bolne lagi thi, zaroorat ke wajah se — kyonki mujhe pata nahi chalna chahiye tha.
Mujhe affair ke baare mein, shaadi ke jashn ke beech dhoka ke baare mein pata nahi chalna chahiye tha. Woh raaz humare beech invisible parde ki tarah latka hua tha, aur usko usko bachana tha, chahe uske liye woh sachchai ko modna padta jo usne hamesha muqaddas maana tha.
Hum thodi der aur baith gaye, baatein phir halki taraf mud gayi jab usne weekend ke plans ke baare mein poocha, aur maine doston ke saath upcoming cricket match ke details bataye. Phir se normal flow ban gaya, lekin mere dimag mein woh undercurrent baaki tha.
Woh badal rahi thi, ya kam se kam yeh pal uski woh taraf dikha raha tha jo maine kabhi nahi dekhi thi. Achanak cushion ke paas wala phone vibrate hua, halka sa buzz jo khamoshi mein fisfisahat ki tarah kaata. Woh chaunk gayi, poora jism thoda sa hil gaya, aankhein turant neeche phone par gayi phir usne jaldi se palat kar screen neeche kar diya aur thoda door sarka diya jaise garam ho.
Main turant samajh gaya — yeh Vishal hi hoga. Woh aadmi jo shaadi ke dauran usko choda tha, ab shayad aur messages bhej raha tha jo uske chehre par yeh garamahut laaya tha.
“Ammi, woh utha kyon nahi rahi ho?” maine poocha, awaaz innocent lekin probe karti hui, phone ki taraf sir hilaate hue. “Kai baar buzz kar chuka hai ab tak. Sab theek hai na? Kya Abbu check kar rahe hain?”
Usne achhe se chhupaya, phone ko throw pillow ke neeche aur gehra sarka diya, haath thoda der tak wahan rakha taaki chhupa rahe. “Arre, kuchh important nahi beta. Sirf bank ka spam ya wedding planners ka group chat. Woh photos aur updates bhejte rehte hain — pareshan karne wale. Abhi usme nahi padna chahti. Hum to achhi Ammi-beta ki baat kar rahe hain na?”
Uska bahana jhootha tha, wohi pretended nonchalance se diya gaya, lekin maine upar se accept kar liya, sir hilaate hue jaise bilkul sense ban raha ho. “Haan, sahi kaha. Woh group messages kabhi khatam hi nahi hote. Shaam ko usse kharab karne ki zarurat nahi.”
Andar se main jaanta tha yeh jhooth tha. Jaise aaj raat ke baaki jhooth. Woh apna phone chhupa rahi thi, screen par jo bhi messages aa rahe the unko guard kar rahi thi — shayad Vishal ke, woh lafz jo wedding ke chori waqt ki aag ko zinda rakh rahe the.
Shaam aise hi guzarti rahi, hamari baatein university ke dinon ki stories aur uske jawani ke events ki yaadon tak pahunch gayi. Hum purane family quirks par hanse, Abbu ke kal wapas aane ke liye kya pakana hai is par bahas ki, aur usne yeh bhi suggest kiya ki raat ko tablet par chhoti si ---c lecture clip dekh len taaki spiritual note par khatam ho.
Sab normal lag raha tha, almost zyada normal, lekin main usme badlaav mehsoos kar sakta tha — woh ab nayi, unspoken confidence ke saath khud ko le ja rahi thi. Aakhirkaar main utha, stretch kiya. “Theek hai Ammi, main apne room mein jaa kar relax karta hoon. Lambe din tha. Zyada der mat jagna, theek hai?”
Usne sir hilaaya, muskurate hue haath hilaati hui. “Achhi neend lena beta. Main thodi der aur yahan baith kar aaram kar lungi. Goodnight.” Main living room se nikla, kadam hallway mein goonj rahe the, lekin seedha apne darwaze ki taraf nahi gaya, balki adjacent alcove ke andhere mein chala gaya — woh tall bookshelf wala jahan se jhuk kar living room ka partial view mil sakta tha. Mera dil thoda tez dhadak raha tha jab main wahan chhup gaya, gap se jhaankte hue.
Ab woh akeli thi, aur usne waqt waste nahi kiya. Usne pillow ke neeche se phone nikaala, screen ki naram blue roshni se uska chehra chamak utha. Aur oh, uska chehra kaise badal gaya.
Usne neeche honth ko dheere se kaat liya jab padh rahi thi, gaal aur gehre laal ho gaye, aur woh sofa par hili, taangein cross-uncross karti hui ek chhoti si saans ke saath jo shaant kamre mein pahunch gayi. Uski ungliyan keyboard par tez tez chal rahi thi, responses type kar rahi thi jis speed aur eagerness se maine usko kabhi nahi dekha tha.
Woh bilkul shameless thi isme, poori tarah absorbed, uski body language khuli aur inviting thi chahe woh akeli hi kyon na ho. Koi hallway ki taraf dekhti nahi, koi hesitation nahi uski harkaton mein. Jaise affair ne uske andar kuchh unlock kar diya ho — ek bhook jo woh khud se bhi chhupane ki koshish nahi kar rahi thi.
Us pal usko Abbu ki koi parwah nahi thi, bilkul nahi. Woh aadmi jo is ghar ko uske saath banaya tha, jo us par poora bharosa karta tha, jo thick aur thin mein saath tha — kuchh bhi uske chehre par register nahi ho raha tha.
Sirf yeh thrill tha, yeh excitement usme se nikal raha tha jab woh Vishal ko text kar rahi thi, shayad wedding ke dauran usne usko kaise liya tha har detail dohraati hui, aur aur waadon ki fisfisahat.
Uski saansein thodi tez ho rahi thi, uska free haath absently abaya ke collarbone ke paas edge par trace kar raha tha, jaise sirf yaad hi usko phir se garam kar rahi ho. Bekhayal, bilkul bekhayal apne private duniya mein, family ki paakizaagi se zyada un gande, thrilling lafzon ko priority de rahi thi jo woh bhej raha tha.
Main bahut der tak dekhta raha, mera chhupne ka spot secure tha lekin dimag tez chal raha tha. Aakhirkaar raat aur gehri ho gayi. Deewar ki ghadi midnight ke upar tick kar chuki thi, aur Ammi, shayad Vishal ke jo bhi meethi ya seductive lafz the — jo usko aur chamka rahe the — ke sahare bedroom mein nahi gayi jahan woh Abbu ke saath soti thi.
Uski bajaye woh sofa par let gayi, halki blanket khud par kheench li, phone seene se chipka kar jaise koi secret khazana. Woh jaldi so gayi, chehre par abhi bhi santusht muskurahat thi, saansein steady aur gehri. Shayad uske achhe lafzon ne usko itni shaant neend di thi, jo routine shadi ki zindagi ke saalon mein nahi aayi thi.
Main apne room mein aur aadha ghanta intezaar karta raha, chupke se pace karta hua, meri curiosity kabhi itni tez nahi thi. Mujhe jaanna tha usne usko kya bataya tha — kaunse messages ne meri sachchi, wafadar Ammi ko is excited, jhoothi version mein badal diya tha. Ghar bilkul shaant tha sirf door fridge ki halki awaaz ke alawa.
Main neeche chupke se utra, nange pair thande tiles par bilkul silent. Living room andhera tha, sirf curtain se chhante moonlight se roshan. Ammi sofa par leti hui thi, chest blanket ke neeche uth gir rahi thi, ek haath aankhon par pada hua.
Uska phone ab side table par tha, haath pahunchne layak lekin khatarnak tareeke se paas. Use bina jagaye uthana pehle impossible laga — mera dil itna zor se dhadak raha tha ki lag raha tha woh jag jayegi. Main inch by inch aage badha, saaye ki tarah, saans rok kar. Meri ungliyan hover ki, thodi kaanp rahi thi jab maine phone uthaya.
Woh uske jism ki garmi se garam tha. Woh ek baar hili, neend mein kuchh asafal bolti hui, aur main freeze ho gaya, har muscle tan gaya, dua kar raha tha ki woh aankhein na khole. Seconds lambe ho gaye, lekin woh phir se settle ho gayi, saansein gehri ho gayi. Main chupke se saans chhodi aur kitchen alcove mein chala gaya, itna door ki safe ho lekin utna paas ki agar jagi to react kar sakun.
Mere haath kaanp rahe the jab maine uska phone unlock kiya — usne saalon se wohi simple PIN use kiya tha, jo main jaanta tha jab maine set up karne mein madad ki thi. Screen chamak utha, aur main seedha messages mein gaya. Kuchh recent innocent group chats pehle aaye — rishtedaaron ke wedding photos share karte hue, masjid se Friday prayers ka reminder, Abbu ka sweet goodnight text ki woh late aayenge.
Normal cheezein. Lekin jab main aur scroll kiya, to woh tha: Vishal ke saath chat. Main jo dekha usse bahut shocked ho gaya.
Woh abhi bhi woh sundar navy blue abaya pehne hui thi jo event mein pehni thi, halanki usne gardan ke aas-paas ka scarf thoda dhila kar diya tha, jo ab uske kandhon par aaram se latak raha tha. Uske kaale baal, jo aam taur par achhe se pin kiye hote the, ab kuchh lattein nikal aayi thi jo uske chehre ko aise frame kar rahi thi ki woh aur naram, aur chamakti hui lag rahi thi. Lekin yeh sirf yahi nahi tha.
Uske chehre par kuchh aur bhi tha — gaalon par unchi laali, honth thode khule aur aam se zyada bhare hue, aankhein aadhi band aur door ki khushi se chamak rahi thi. Woh ek aurat ki tarah lag rahi thi jo garam ho rahi ho, woh post-passion chamak jo koi bhi composure poori tarah chhupa nahi sakti, chahe woh sochti ho ki woh bilkul mask kar rahi hai.
Main uske saamne wali armchair mein baith gaya, wohi jo Abbu late shifts se ghar aane par aam taur par lete the. Woh abhi tak wapas nahi aaye the — office mein koi kaam ka emergency tha, jo aajkal aam baat ho gayi thi. Ammi ka phone cushion ke paas muh neeche rakhkar rakha tha, aur woh thande paani ka glass sip kar rahi thi, uski harkatein dheemi aur santusht.
Main us par muskuraya, awaaz halki aur casual rakhte hue, jaise hum family events ke baad hamesha karte the. “Ammi, woh shaadi sach mein kuchh khaas thi na? Poora maamla bina kisi gadbad ke khatam hua. Sab bahut khush lag rahe the.”
Woh mere taraf ghumi, aur uske chehre par woh laali thodi aur gehri ho gayi jab usne muskurahat wapas ki — upar se garam aur sachchi. “Arre beta, woh shaadi bahut khoobsurat thi.
Sabko ek saath laane ka tareeka… bahut achha din tha. Sach mein bahut achha.” Uski awaaz mein woh naram, surila lahja tha jo hamesha hota tha, jo hazaron bachpan ki kahaniyon aur daanton ko sukoon deta tha.
Woh sofa par thoda hili, abaya ke neeche taangein cross ki, aur main notice kiye bina nahi reh saka ki uski aankhein ek pal ke liye chamak uthi, jaise woh dimag mein koi private cheez dohra rahi ho. “Tere Abbu ko bhi bahut pasand aati agar woh zyada der ruk paate, lekin kaam to kaam hai. Kam se kam hum family ke taur par maze le sake.”
“Haan bilkul,” maine kaha, ghutnon par kohniyan tek kar aage jhukte hue, saath saath sir hilaate hue. “Khana bhi zabardast tha. Maine to teen logon jitna biryani kha liya. Aur music — sab aise naach rahe the jaise kal duniya khatam hone wali ho. Kya tum sab auntyon se baat kar paayi? Maine dekha tum pehle kuchh se baat kar rahi thi.”
Ammi dheere se hans padi, ek halki, surili awaaz jo kamre mein bhar gayi. Usne haath badha kar sofa ke paas wali jagah par thapki di, mujhe paas bulati hui.
“Idhar aa kar baith beta. Itni door kyon baitha hai? Haan, baat ki thi. Aunty Fatima apni nayi poti ke baare mein bata rahi thi — bahut pyari si. Aur decoration bhi bahut sundar the na? Simple lekin shaandaar. Sach mein shaadi ki rooh ko pakad liya tha.” Woh ruk gayi, phir se paani ka sip liya, ungliyan glass par ek pal extra der tak atki rahi.
Uski woh post-glow chehre par usko aur jawan, aur zinda dikha rahi thi, jaise roz ki zindagi ka bojh kuchh der ke liye uth gaya ho. Hum kuchh aur minute aise hi baatein karte rahe, aasaan aur beh rahi thi — wohi back-and-forth jo sau baar ho chuka tha.
Usne mere doston ke baare mein poocha jo wahan the, maine uske outfit ke baare mein chheda ki usne aadhe guests ko peeche chhod diya tha, aur woh sharmate hue halke se hans di. “Arre beta, tu bahut zyada tareef kar raha hai. Woh to sirf simple abaya thi. Lekin haan, poora mahaul… sabke andar garamahut bhar deta tha.”
Baatein aage badhti rahi, jaise hamesha hoti thi. Maine kaha ki bacche idhar udhar daudte hue mujhe apni bachpan ki shaadi ki harkaton ki yaad dila rahe the, aur woh pyar se yaad karti hui boli ki maine ek baar cousin ki shaadi mein dulhan ki dress par juice giraya tha.
Hum dono hans pade, din ka tension pighalta ja raha tha — kam se kam uske liye to aisa lag raha tha. Lekin jaise jaise minute guzarte gaye, mere seene mein woh shaant sawaal badhta gaya. Reception ke kaafi hisse mein maine usko nahi dekha tha. Ek minute woh sweets table ke paas thi, muskurati hui rishtedaaron ko haath hila rahi thi, aur agle hi pal… gayab.
Aisa uske saath aam nahi tha, khas kar family function mein bina bataye gayab ho jaana. Woh hamesha anchor hoti thi, sabko sambhaalti thi. Maine natural lull ka intezaar kiya, achanak poochna nahi chahta tha.
“Ammi,” maine akhirkaar kaha, abhi bhi casual awaaz mein, taangein aage stretch karte hue, “shaadi ki baat karte hue… sach bataun to bahut tezi thi. Bahut kuchh ho raha tha, bahut log the. Main ceremonies aur toasts ke waqt aas-paas dekhta raha, lekin tum kahin nazar nahi aayi thodi der ke liye. Sab theek tha na? Kya tum chupke se chai pine chali gayi thi ya kuchh?”
Uski reaction pehle halki thi, lekin maine pakad li — uske kandhe abaya ke neeche thode se tan gaye, ungliyan ruk gayi jab woh glass rakhne wali thi.
Woh pretend karti rahi jaise kuchh nahi, wohi garam muskurahat dikhaati hui jo college exams aur teenage dil tootne par mujhe sukoon deti thi. “Arre beta,” usne smoothly kaha, awaaz steady lekin shuru mein halka sa hitch tha, jaise saans rokni padi ho.
“Tu jaanta hai aisi shaadiyan kaisi hoti hain. Itni bheed, itne chehre. Shayad main peeche auntyon ke saath mil gayi thi. Ya shayad thodi fresh air ke liye bahar nikal gayi thi — hall lights aur bheed se thoda ghut raha tha. Koi fikar ki baat nahi, sach mein. Main koi important cheez miss nahi karna chahti thi.”
Maine sir hilaaya, shabdon ko thoda der tak latkaane diya, usko dekhta hua. Woh bahut achhe se pretend kar rahi thi — cushion par peeth tek kar, scarf theek karti hui jaise sab kuchh bilkul normal ho. Lekin main apni Ammi ko jaanta tha. Woh kabhi jhooth nahi bolti thi. Meri zindagi mein ek baar bhi nahi.
Aisha hamesha sachchai ki misaal thi, woh aurat jo bazaar mein extra paisa wapas kar deti thi chahe cashier ko pata na chale, jo khana jalne par pehle hi qabool kar leti thi, jo mujhe bacche ki tarah baitha kar yeh sikhati thi ki sach zindagi ki buniyaad hai — family, imaan, khud ki izzat.
“Jhooth deewar mein crack ki tarah hota hai beta,” woh kehti thi, aankhein serious lekin pyar bhari. “Chhota shuru hota hai, lekin failta jaata hai jab tak poora ghar hilne na lage.” Woh kabhi kuchh chhupati nahi thi, chhote se chhote white lies bhi nahi. Agar dress usko suit na karti to tailor ko seedha bol deti.
Agar community center ke lambe din ke baad thak gayi hoti to jhoothi muskurahat ke bajaye maanti thi. Wohi meri Ammi thi — seedhi, akhlaqi, apne _ values aur family ke pyar se anchored. Abbu hamesha mazak karte the ki woh “duniya ke liye bahut paak hai,” aur yeh sach tha. Usne mujhe bhi isi principle par pala tha, aur maine kabhi usko dagmagate nahi dekha tha.
Lekin ab yahan woh ek chhoti si clever deflection bana rahi thi. Uski aankhein meri aankhon se seedhi mil rahi thi, koi gunah ki parchhai nahi. Sabse zyada yahi baat ne mujhe chhuya — bilkul koi gunah nahi. Uska chehra wohi laali bhara, santusht mask bana hua tha, jaise jo raaz woh chhupa rahi thi woh usko andar se chamka raha tha, bojh nahi de raha tha.
Koi nazar neeche nahi, koi nervous harkat nahi us pehle tension ke baad jo usne jaldi smooth kar diya. Jaise woh affair — woh smooth baat karne wala Indian aadmi Vishal groom side se jo usko shaadi ke dauran le gaya tha — uske conscience par ek bhi saya nahi chhodta.
Usne uske saath wahan hi chudai kar li thi, kisi shaant kone ya khali kamre mein jab shaadi ka jashn chal raha tha, aur ab yahan baithi woh shaant, garam khushi se chamak rahi thi. Chehre par koi pachtawa nahi, muh neeche nahi, aankhon mein koi sata hua look nahi. Yeh dekhna almost mesmerizing tha ki woh kitni untouched lag rahi thi, uski khoobsurati afterglow se aur badh gayi thi, uski baithak aaram se jaise yeh koi ordinary shaam ho.
Woh phir topic badalne lagi, woh practiced grace se jo family dinner mein subjects change karne ke liye use karti thi. “Chhod na meri bhatakne ki baat — apne doston ke baare mein bata. Kya Rahim ne akhirkaar us ladki ko dance ke liye poocha jise woh dekhta rehta tha? Maine dekha woh baat kar rahe the, woh bahut nervous lag raha tha, bechara ladka.” Uski hanssi halki thi, mujhe safe ground par wapas laane ki dawat.
Lekin main poora chhod nahi sakta tha, abhi nahi. Maine dheere se press kiya, awaaz curious rakhte hue na ki ilzaam bhari. “Samajh gaya Ammi — bheed overwhelming ho sakti hai. Lekin sach bataun, main har jagah dekha. Stage ke paas, entrance ke paas, garden area mein bhi jahan log photos le rahe the. Peak time mein kam se kam aadha ghanta tum nazar nahi aayi. Asal mein kahan gayi thi? Mujhe thodi chinta hone lagi thi.”
Wohi tension phir aayi. Uski ungliyan sofa ke cushion ke kinaare par jakad gayi, aur ek pal ke liye woh hakla gayi, jawab mein sirf halka sa stutter.
“Main… beta, kuchh khaas nahi tha. Shayad ladies area mein fresh hone gayi thi. Tu jaanta hai hall mein garmi kitni badhti hai, aur abaya ke saath thoda zyada ho jaata hai. Phir masjid group ki purani dost se mil gayi — asal mein Vishal ki behen — aur community projects ke baare mein baat karte karte waqt nikal gaya.”
Yeh clever jawab tha, kuchh masoom cheez se jod kar, imaan se related jo woh jaanti thi main izzat karunga. Woh phir muskurayi, jaise sab settle ho gaya ho, lekin main dekh sakta tha uske gale par pulse kaise dhadak rahi thi, abaya ke neckline ke upar saaf dikhai de rahi thi. Woh ab jhooth bolne lagi thi, zaroorat ke wajah se — kyonki mujhe pata nahi chalna chahiye tha.
Mujhe affair ke baare mein, shaadi ke jashn ke beech dhoka ke baare mein pata nahi chalna chahiye tha. Woh raaz humare beech invisible parde ki tarah latka hua tha, aur usko usko bachana tha, chahe uske liye woh sachchai ko modna padta jo usne hamesha muqaddas maana tha.
Hum thodi der aur baith gaye, baatein phir halki taraf mud gayi jab usne weekend ke plans ke baare mein poocha, aur maine doston ke saath upcoming cricket match ke details bataye. Phir se normal flow ban gaya, lekin mere dimag mein woh undercurrent baaki tha.
Woh badal rahi thi, ya kam se kam yeh pal uski woh taraf dikha raha tha jo maine kabhi nahi dekhi thi. Achanak cushion ke paas wala phone vibrate hua, halka sa buzz jo khamoshi mein fisfisahat ki tarah kaata. Woh chaunk gayi, poora jism thoda sa hil gaya, aankhein turant neeche phone par gayi phir usne jaldi se palat kar screen neeche kar diya aur thoda door sarka diya jaise garam ho.
Main turant samajh gaya — yeh Vishal hi hoga. Woh aadmi jo shaadi ke dauran usko choda tha, ab shayad aur messages bhej raha tha jo uske chehre par yeh garamahut laaya tha.
“Ammi, woh utha kyon nahi rahi ho?” maine poocha, awaaz innocent lekin probe karti hui, phone ki taraf sir hilaate hue. “Kai baar buzz kar chuka hai ab tak. Sab theek hai na? Kya Abbu check kar rahe hain?”
Usne achhe se chhupaya, phone ko throw pillow ke neeche aur gehra sarka diya, haath thoda der tak wahan rakha taaki chhupa rahe. “Arre, kuchh important nahi beta. Sirf bank ka spam ya wedding planners ka group chat. Woh photos aur updates bhejte rehte hain — pareshan karne wale. Abhi usme nahi padna chahti. Hum to achhi Ammi-beta ki baat kar rahe hain na?”
Uska bahana jhootha tha, wohi pretended nonchalance se diya gaya, lekin maine upar se accept kar liya, sir hilaate hue jaise bilkul sense ban raha ho. “Haan, sahi kaha. Woh group messages kabhi khatam hi nahi hote. Shaam ko usse kharab karne ki zarurat nahi.”
Andar se main jaanta tha yeh jhooth tha. Jaise aaj raat ke baaki jhooth. Woh apna phone chhupa rahi thi, screen par jo bhi messages aa rahe the unko guard kar rahi thi — shayad Vishal ke, woh lafz jo wedding ke chori waqt ki aag ko zinda rakh rahe the.
Shaam aise hi guzarti rahi, hamari baatein university ke dinon ki stories aur uske jawani ke events ki yaadon tak pahunch gayi. Hum purane family quirks par hanse, Abbu ke kal wapas aane ke liye kya pakana hai is par bahas ki, aur usne yeh bhi suggest kiya ki raat ko tablet par chhoti si ---c lecture clip dekh len taaki spiritual note par khatam ho.
Sab normal lag raha tha, almost zyada normal, lekin main usme badlaav mehsoos kar sakta tha — woh ab nayi, unspoken confidence ke saath khud ko le ja rahi thi. Aakhirkaar main utha, stretch kiya. “Theek hai Ammi, main apne room mein jaa kar relax karta hoon. Lambe din tha. Zyada der mat jagna, theek hai?”
Usne sir hilaaya, muskurate hue haath hilaati hui. “Achhi neend lena beta. Main thodi der aur yahan baith kar aaram kar lungi. Goodnight.” Main living room se nikla, kadam hallway mein goonj rahe the, lekin seedha apne darwaze ki taraf nahi gaya, balki adjacent alcove ke andhere mein chala gaya — woh tall bookshelf wala jahan se jhuk kar living room ka partial view mil sakta tha. Mera dil thoda tez dhadak raha tha jab main wahan chhup gaya, gap se jhaankte hue.
Ab woh akeli thi, aur usne waqt waste nahi kiya. Usne pillow ke neeche se phone nikaala, screen ki naram blue roshni se uska chehra chamak utha. Aur oh, uska chehra kaise badal gaya.
Usne neeche honth ko dheere se kaat liya jab padh rahi thi, gaal aur gehre laal ho gaye, aur woh sofa par hili, taangein cross-uncross karti hui ek chhoti si saans ke saath jo shaant kamre mein pahunch gayi. Uski ungliyan keyboard par tez tez chal rahi thi, responses type kar rahi thi jis speed aur eagerness se maine usko kabhi nahi dekha tha.
Woh bilkul shameless thi isme, poori tarah absorbed, uski body language khuli aur inviting thi chahe woh akeli hi kyon na ho. Koi hallway ki taraf dekhti nahi, koi hesitation nahi uski harkaton mein. Jaise affair ne uske andar kuchh unlock kar diya ho — ek bhook jo woh khud se bhi chhupane ki koshish nahi kar rahi thi.
Us pal usko Abbu ki koi parwah nahi thi, bilkul nahi. Woh aadmi jo is ghar ko uske saath banaya tha, jo us par poora bharosa karta tha, jo thick aur thin mein saath tha — kuchh bhi uske chehre par register nahi ho raha tha.
Sirf yeh thrill tha, yeh excitement usme se nikal raha tha jab woh Vishal ko text kar rahi thi, shayad wedding ke dauran usne usko kaise liya tha har detail dohraati hui, aur aur waadon ki fisfisahat.
Uski saansein thodi tez ho rahi thi, uska free haath absently abaya ke collarbone ke paas edge par trace kar raha tha, jaise sirf yaad hi usko phir se garam kar rahi ho. Bekhayal, bilkul bekhayal apne private duniya mein, family ki paakizaagi se zyada un gande, thrilling lafzon ko priority de rahi thi jo woh bhej raha tha.
Main bahut der tak dekhta raha, mera chhupne ka spot secure tha lekin dimag tez chal raha tha. Aakhirkaar raat aur gehri ho gayi. Deewar ki ghadi midnight ke upar tick kar chuki thi, aur Ammi, shayad Vishal ke jo bhi meethi ya seductive lafz the — jo usko aur chamka rahe the — ke sahare bedroom mein nahi gayi jahan woh Abbu ke saath soti thi.
Uski bajaye woh sofa par let gayi, halki blanket khud par kheench li, phone seene se chipka kar jaise koi secret khazana. Woh jaldi so gayi, chehre par abhi bhi santusht muskurahat thi, saansein steady aur gehri. Shayad uske achhe lafzon ne usko itni shaant neend di thi, jo routine shadi ki zindagi ke saalon mein nahi aayi thi.
Main apne room mein aur aadha ghanta intezaar karta raha, chupke se pace karta hua, meri curiosity kabhi itni tez nahi thi. Mujhe jaanna tha usne usko kya bataya tha — kaunse messages ne meri sachchi, wafadar Ammi ko is excited, jhoothi version mein badal diya tha. Ghar bilkul shaant tha sirf door fridge ki halki awaaz ke alawa.
Main neeche chupke se utra, nange pair thande tiles par bilkul silent. Living room andhera tha, sirf curtain se chhante moonlight se roshan. Ammi sofa par leti hui thi, chest blanket ke neeche uth gir rahi thi, ek haath aankhon par pada hua.
Uska phone ab side table par tha, haath pahunchne layak lekin khatarnak tareeke se paas. Use bina jagaye uthana pehle impossible laga — mera dil itna zor se dhadak raha tha ki lag raha tha woh jag jayegi. Main inch by inch aage badha, saaye ki tarah, saans rok kar. Meri ungliyan hover ki, thodi kaanp rahi thi jab maine phone uthaya.
Woh uske jism ki garmi se garam tha. Woh ek baar hili, neend mein kuchh asafal bolti hui, aur main freeze ho gaya, har muscle tan gaya, dua kar raha tha ki woh aankhein na khole. Seconds lambe ho gaye, lekin woh phir se settle ho gayi, saansein gehri ho gayi. Main chupke se saans chhodi aur kitchen alcove mein chala gaya, itna door ki safe ho lekin utna paas ki agar jagi to react kar sakun.
Mere haath kaanp rahe the jab maine uska phone unlock kiya — usne saalon se wohi simple PIN use kiya tha, jo main jaanta tha jab maine set up karne mein madad ki thi. Screen chamak utha, aur main seedha messages mein gaya. Kuchh recent innocent group chats pehle aaye — rishtedaaron ke wedding photos share karte hue, masjid se Friday prayers ka reminder, Abbu ka sweet goodnight text ki woh late aayenge.
Normal cheezein. Lekin jab main aur scroll kiya, to woh tha: Vishal ke saath chat. Main jo dekha usse bahut shocked ho gaya.
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