Misc. Erotica सम्मान और बदला: Hindi Version Of Honor and Vengeance

[Deepak.kapoor]

Khauf Aur Saazish—4

Gaadi jaise hi kothi ke aalishan porch mein aakar ruki, Sartaj Singh ne ek lambi aur gehri saans li. Usne apne chehre par haath phera aur apne bheetar ke us pareshan pati aur pita ko peechhe dhel diya.

Ab uske bheetar ka purana, manjha hua pulisiya dimag poori tarah jaag chuka tha.

Usne tay kar liya tha ki vah apni is nayi theory ya shak ki bhanak ghar ke kisi bhi sadasya ko, yahan tak ki Meera ko bhi, nahin lagne dega.

Usne apne chehre par samanya bhaav laate hue gaadi ka darwaza khola aur robeele kadmon se kothi ke bheetar dakhil hua.

Sartaj Singh (man hi man, khud ko shant karte hue): "Agar Sher waqai koi khel khel raha hai, toh meri zara si bhi badli hui chaal use satark kar degi. Main uski wafadari ka tamasha bhi dekhoonga aur uske har ek kadam par apni nazar bhi rakhoonga. Doodh ka doodh aur paani ka paani yahin isi kothi mein hoga."

Sartaj tez kadmon se us kamre ki taraf badha, jahan abhi kuchh hi der pehle farsh se kaanch saaf kiya gaya tha.

Kamre ka darwaza kholte hi uski nazar seedhe Jyoti aur uske paas hi Baba Ji ki us bina kaanch wali tasveer ko seene se lagaye baethi Meera par padi.

Meera ki aankhen abhi bhi sooji hui theen aur uska huliya bikhra hua tha. Sartaj ko dekhte hi Jyoti ke chehre par ek rahat bhari muskaan aa gayi.

Jyoti (kamzor aawaz mein, haath uthate hue): "Papa! Aap aa gaye..."

Jyoti ki aawaz sunte hi Meera jaise sudh-budh kho baethi aur bhagkar seedhe Sartaj ke seene se jaakar lipat gayi. Uske sabr ka paimana poori tarah toot chuka tha aur vah phoot-phootkar rone lagi.

Meera (Sartaj ki chhati mein apna munh chhupakar, buri tarah siskate hue): "Sartaj... Aap aa gaye... Mujhe bahut dar lag raha tha Sartaj!"

Sartaj (Meera ko apni baahon mein kaste hue, uske sir ko dheere-dheere sehlane laga): "Shshsh... Shant ho jao Meera, main aagaya hoon na. Ab rona band karo."

Meera (hichkiyan lete hue, uski wardi ki shirt ko ungliyon mein bheenjkar): "Main... Main bahut kamzor pad gayi thi, mujhe laga main sab kho doongi..."

Sartaj (uske aansoo ponchhte hue, behad shant aur dilasa deti aawaz mein): "Main yahan hoon Meera, tumhare aur Jyoti ke paas. Ab koi aafat hamein chhoo bhi nahin sakti."

Sartaj (Meera ke chehre ko apne haathon mein lete hue, pyaar se muskuraya): "Pagli, apni bacchi ki aisi haalat dekhkar tumhara aisa haal ho raha hai? Abhi toh Waheguru ki mehar se vah bilkul theek hai."

Sartaj (uske maathe ko choomte hue, hausla badhate hue): "Tum toh meri Sardarni ho Meera, aur Sardarniyan aise chhoti-chhoti baaton par dara nahin karti."

Meera (sacchai chhupate hue, Sartaj ke seene par sir rakhkar siski): "Sartaj... Bas mera dil bahut chhota ho raha tha, main khud ko sambhal hi nahin paa rahi thi."

Meera (man hi man, ghor glani aur khauf se kaampte hue): "Main Sartaj ko kaise bataoon ki main Jyoti ke liye nahin, balki apni looti hui asmat ke liye ro rahi hoon? Aaj us kameene Sher ne mere saath kya-kya ghinauna kaam kiya, yeh baat main apni zubaan par kaise laoon?"

Sartaj (Meera ki peeth ko sehlate hue, Jyoti ki taraf dekhkar): "Chalo, ab rona band karo aur apni bahadur beti ka chehre dekho."

Sartaj Singh (jhukkar Jyoti ko gale lagate hue, behad pyaar aur tasalli se): "Haan meri bacchi, meri laadli! Waheguru ka laakh-laakh shukr hai ki tu bilkul salamat hai. Chot zyaada toh nahin lagi beta? Dard kaisa hai ab?"

Jyoti (dheere se muskurate hue): "Main theek hoon Papa, bas pair mein thodi si moch hai. Mommy ne patti baandh di hai aur dawa bhi di hai. Wo toh Sher bhaiya agar ain waqt par gaadi ke aage na koodte, toh aaj main..."

Sartaj Singh (Jyoti ke sir ko sehlate hue, apni aankhen Meera ke chehre par gadaakar): "Main jaanta hoon beta, guard ne mujhe sab bataya. Sher ne bahut bada kaam kiya hai."

Sartaj ne Jyoti se baat karte hue apni paini nazron se Meera ko oopar se neeche tak jaancha. Vah Sartaj ki aankhon mein aankhen daalne se katra rahi ti.

Sartaj Singh (Meera ke kaampte hothon ko taadte hue, man hi man): "Meera ka yeh huliya sirf Jyoti ke dar ka nahin hai. Iski aankhon mein chor hai, aur yeh mujhse kuchh aisa chhupa rahi hai jo ise andar hi andar khaaye jaa raha hai."

Meera (Sartaj ki teekhi nigahon se bachne ke liye apni aankhen neeche jhukate hue, kaampti aawaz mein): "Sar... Sartaj, aap baethiye na. Main aapke liye rasoi se paani lekar aati hoon."

Sartaj Singh (uske haath ko halke se pakadkar rokte hue, chehre par ek sahajta laakar): "Ruk jao Meera, paani toh baad mein bhi aa jayega."

Sartaj ne Meera ke kareeb jaakar uske kandhe par haath rakha. Meera uski chhuan se pal bhar ke liye sihar uthi, jise Sartaj ke khoji dimag ne turant note kar liya.

Sartaj Singh (Meera ka haath thaamkar): "Koi baat nahin bhagyawan, apshagun tal gaya. Waheguru ne hamari bacchi ko bacha liya. Acchha, yeh batao ki Sher kahan hai? Guard keh raha tha ki use bahut gehri choten aayi hain aur tum khud yahan uski marham-patti kar rahi theen? Vah kahan hai is waqt? Main khud milkar uska dhanyawad karna chahta hoon."

Meera (Sher ka naam sunte hi ghabrakar, thook nigalte hue): "Wo... Vah abhi-abhi apne quarter ki taraf gaya hai. Use aaram ki zaroorat thi..."

Sartaj Singh: "Chalo, acchha kiya. Use aaram karne do."

Sartaj Singh (Meera ki aankhon mein dekhte hue): "Shaam hote hi main khud uske quarter jaakar usse miloonga aur uski is bahaduri ka inam doonga."

Sartaj Singh (Meera ki aankhon mein dekhte hue, dheemi aur gambheer aawaz mein): "Meera... Yeh Baba Ji ki tasveer... Iska kaanch kaise toot gaya? Kamre ka mahaul kuchh badla-badla sa kyun lag raha hai? Tum theek toh ho na?"

Meera (nazren churakar): "Haan... Jee, main theek hoon. Vah bas... Achanak khidki se tez hawa ka jhonka aaya aur deewar par tangi yeh tasveer neeche gir gayi."

Meera (ghabahrat chhupane ke liye apni ungliyon ko aapas mein bheenjte hue): "Aawaz bahut tez thi, isliye Jyoti bhi jaag gayi aur main bhi dar gayi thi. Bas... Aur koi baat nahin hai. Aaj apshagun pe apshagun ho rahe hain."

Sartaj Singh (man hi man): "Hawa ka jhonka? Kothi ke is band kamre mein itna tez hawa ka jhonka ki bhaari frame gir jaaye?"

Sartaj Singh (tasveer ke toote hue frame ko gaur se dekhte hue, achanak poochha): "Yeh photo deewar se neeche kis waqt giri, Meera?"

Meera (ghabahrat mein apne shookhe hothon par jeebh pherte hue, ghadi ki taraf bina dekhe boli): "Ahan... Yahin koi das-pandrah minute pehle. Par... Par aap is tarah samay kyun poochh rahe hain, Sartaj?"

Sartaj Singh (apne chehre par ek jhoothi muskaan laate hue): "Nahin, kuchh nahin... Bas waise hi poochh liya."

Sartaj Singh (man hi man, samay ka ganit bithaate hue): "Das-pandrah minute pehle? Yeh toh theek wahi waqt tha jab main gurudware mein maatha tek raha tha aur mere man mein ajeeb si bechaini uth rahi thi."

Sartaj Singh (achanak Meera ke bilkul kareeb kadam badhate hue): "Jab yeh photo giri... Toh Sher kahan tha, Meera?"

Meera (yeh sawal sunte hi uska chehra poori tarah peela pad gaya, pair kaampne lage): "W... Vah... Sher toh us waqt isi kamre mein... Is saamne wale sofa par gehri neend mein so raha tha."

Meera (man hi man, us ghinaune sach ko yaad karke andar tak kaamp uthi): "So nahin raha tha Sartaj! Vah haiwan mere is nange shareer ko noch raha tha, apni gandi zubaan se mere angon ke saath khel raha tha."

Meera (apni aankhen band karke Baba Ji ka shukriya ada karte hue, man hi man): "Vah toh shukr hai sacche Paashah ka ki ain waqt par aapki yeh bhaari photo neeche gir gayi, jiski aawaz se vah darinda dar gaya aur meri aabroo poori tarah lootne se bach gayi..."

Sartaj Singh (apni paini nazren Meera ki gardan par jami laalima par tikaate hue, man hi man): "Meera ka yeh dar... Yeh sirf accident ka dar nahin hai, yeh kuchh aur chhupa rahi hai."

Sartaj Singh (man hi man): "Iski zubaan jhoot bol rahi hai, aur iska badan khauf se kaamp raha hai. Kamre mein kuchh aisa hua hai jisse Meera dar rahi hai. Aamtaur par is type ka dar aurat mein tab dekha jaata hai, jab uske saath koi anhoni hui ho, jaise koi unwanted touch... Kya Sher ne kuchh aisa kiya?"

Sartaj Singh (Meera ke utre hue chehre aur uski jhuki hui nazron ko dekhte hue, man hi man): "Meera toh kabhi bhi mere saath jhoot nahin bolti. Hamari shaadi ko itne saal ho gaye, par aaj tak isne mujhse ek chhoti si baat bhi nahin chhupayi."

Sartaj Singh (man hi man): "Aakhir aisa kya ho gaya hai yahan... Aisi kaun si baat hai jise batane se yeh is kadar dar rahi hai?"

Apne quarter ke kamre mein Sher khaat par peeth ke bal leta hua tha.

Uske jism par lagi choton mein halki tees uth rahi thi, lekin uska dhayan un zakhmon par bilkul nahin tha. Kamre ki chhat ko ghoorte hue uske dimag mein baar-baar Meera ke us gore badan, uski bebasi aur us adhoori reh gayi dopahar ki vaasana ke manzar ghoom rahe the.

Jaise hi use yaad aaya ki vah jeet ke kitne kareeb tha aur ain mauke par maalik Sartaj ke ek phone ki ghanti ne lagbhag saara khel kirkira kar diya, uska khoon khaul utha.

Sher (bistar par uthkar baethte hue, gusse mein apne honth chabaakar khud se badbadaate hue): "Saala Sartaj! Ain mauke par phone karke usne lagbhag rang mein bhang daal hi diya tha."

Sher (ek kameeni muskaan ke saath): "Wo toh maine sahi waqt par baat sambhal li."

Sher (khaat par peechhe ki taraf jhukte hue, ek behad wahshi aur neech attahasa ke saath): "Are kasam se... Kya nazara tha wo aur kya maza aa raha tha! Saala udhar phone par Sartaj mujhse poochh raha tha ki 'Sher, memsahib kahan hain?'"

Sher (apni chhati par haath maarkar hawa mein thookte hue, kaamuk hansi ke saath): "Aur idhar main bhi Sher hoon... Saale ko phone par keh raha hoon ki 'Maalik, memsahib toh bahar doodh lene gayi hain mere liye'..."

Sher (madhoshi mein apni aankhen aadhi band karte hue, apni jeebh ko hothon par pherkar): "Aur theek usi time... Phone kaan par laga hone ke bawajood, mera munh seedhe Meera ke un sudaul stanon par jama hua tha. Main kisi bhookhe bacche ki tarah uske un bade-bade mammon ko choos raha tha, aur wo bebas hoker siskiyan daba rahi thi."

Sher (apni mutthiyan bheenjte hue, jeet ke ahankar mein choor hoker): "Kasam se, maza aa gaya! Maalik aur malkin... Dono ko ek saath apni ungliyon par nachane ka!"

Sher (sochte hue, uski aankhen achanak kroorta se chamak uthti hain): "Aur sabse bada kaam toh maine ye kiya ki us haadse ka fayda uthakar Meera se uski laadli Jyoti ki kasam khilwa li."

Sher (khaat se neeche pair latkaate hue, ek gehri aur darawni hansi hanste hue): "Ab wo chahkar bhi Sartaj ko kuchh nahin bata sakti aur na hi peechhe hat sakti hai. Ab toh jab bhi mera man karega, main uske us gore jism ko sehlaoonga, choosoonga... Aur wo choon tak nahin karegi!"

Sher (deewar par tange calendar ko ghoorte hue, thodi jhunjhalahat mein): "Lekin wo Baba Ji ki tasveer ka ain waqt par girna... Dimag kharab kar gaya. Saali aisi dari ki seedhe mere changul se chhitak gayi."

Sher (achanak ek agyaat dar se sihante hue, apne maathe ka paseena ponchhkar): "Kahin yeh mere liye bhi koi ishara toh nahin? Kya main kuchh zyaada hi bada jua khel raha hoon, ya phir mujh par koi bura waqt aane wala hai?"

Sher (bistar par letne ke liye waapas peechhe hote hue, khud ko samajhhte hue): "Lagta hai kuchh din bilkul shareef aur seedha bankar rehna hi theek rahega. Chalo dekhte hain ki aane wale din kya mod lete hain."

Kamre mein chaaron taraf sannata pasra hua tha. Bed ke ek taraf Sartaj Singh sone ka natak kar raha tha, lekin haqeeqat mein vah jaga hua tha aur mehsus kar raha tha ki Meera ko koi baat andar hi andar buri tarah pareshan kar rahi hai, jabki doosri taraf leti Meera ki aankhon se neend koson door thi.

Vah karwat badalkar deewar ki taraf munh kiye khamosh aansoo baha rahi thi. Kamre ke andhere mein use baar-baar apni deh par Sher ki un ungliyon ka dabaav, uske daanton ke teekhe nishan aur uske munh ki wahshi laar ka ehsaas ho raha tha.

Vah jitni baar un yaadon ko jhatakne ki koshish karti, uska dam utna hi ghutne lagta.

Meera (man hi man, shoonya mein ghoorti hui, atyadhik khauf aur glani ke saath): "He Waheguru... Aaj mere saath yeh kya ho gaya? Main... Main Sartaj ki patni, Jyoti ki maa... Aaj ek naukar ke saamne is kadar bebas ho gayi? Sach toh yeh hai ki agar aaj vah tasveer na girti, toh main... Main poori tarah uske saamne ghutne tek chuki thi."

"Us wahshi ki taqat aur apni beti ki jaan ke ehsan ke bojh tale main is kadar dab gayi thi ki mere bheetar ka virodh khatm ho chuka tha. Main apni aabroo ka sauda karne ki kagar par pahunch gayi thi..."

Meera (siskakar): "Par ab... Ab main ek aise bhayanak daldal mein phans chuki hoon jahan se nikalne ka koi raasta nahin dikh raha. Us paapi ne mujhse meri hi maasoom bacchi ki kasam khilwa li. Jyoti ki kasam... Main is kasam ko kaise todoon? Agar maine use apne is jism ko chhoone se mana kiya, aur meri bacchi ko kuchh ho gaya toh main jeete ji mar jaoongi. Usne meri mamta ko hi mere khilaf hathiyar bana liya."

Meera (bhay se apni aankhen band karte hue, uska poori badan sihar uthta hai): "Aaj uski aankhon mein jo bhookh thi, jo wahshipan tha... Use dekhkar ab mujhe 100% yakeen ho chuka hai ki Sher sirf itne par nahin rukega. Uski gandi nazren sirf aur sirf meri is jawani par tiki hain. Vah tab tak nahin thamega jab tak vah mujhe poori tarah apni hawas ka shikar nahin bana leta..."

Meera (andhere mein apne kaampte haathon se apni chhati ko dhankte hue, khauf aur sihran se bhari siski ke saath): "Kitna kameena aur shatir hai vah Sher, ek taraf phone par Sartaj se jhoot bol raha tha ki memsahib doodh lene gayi hain, aur theek usi waqt vah kisi bhookhe bacche ki tarah mere stanon ko noch-noch kar pee raha tha; uske daanton aur honthon ki us wahshi ragad ne toh jaise meri jaan hi nikal di thi, aur meri lachari aisi thi ki Sartaj ki aawaz phone par sunte hue bhi main na cheekh sakti thi aur na hi apni deh ko uske is teekhe prahaar se rok paa rahi thi."

Meera (sote hue Sartaj ki taraf mudkar dekhte hue, gehri heenbhavna aur dar ke saath): "Aap paas so rahe hain aur main chahkar bhi aapko kuchh bata nahin sakti. Aapka yeh pulisiya rutba, yeh kothi, yeh daulat... Sab dhari ki dhari reh gayi. Aapka hi naukar aapki naak ke neeche aapki patni ki aabroo se khel raha hai aur main apni hi beti ki kasam ke jaal mein aisi bandhi hoon ki cheekh bhi nahin sakti. Waheguru... Mujhe is narak se nikalo... Main us ka saamna kaise kroongi..."

Sartaj (karwat badalne ka natak karte hue, man hi man gehri chinta aur shak ke saath): "Meera ki yeh tadpan aur uske ye khamosh aansoo saaf bata rahe hain ki koi bahut bhayanak baat use andar hi andar khaaye jaa raha hai jise vah mujhse chhipane ki koshish kar rahi hai."

Shaam ko kothi ke pechhle hisse mein bane Sher ke quarter ka mahaul bilkul shant tha. Sher apni khaat par baetha hua tha aur dopahar ko thande dimag se sochne ke baad usne ek shatir chaal chali thi—usne tay kiya tha ki vah kuchh dinon tak Meera ko bilkul pareshan nahin karega aur na hi uski taraf dekhega.

Use bhi kahin na kahin Baba Ji ki tasveer ke achanak girne se dil ke ek anjana sa dar lag raha tha.

Vah jaanta tha ki achanak peechhe hat jaane se Meera ka dar thoda kam hoga aur Sartaj ka us par bharosa aur gehra ho jayega.

Tabhi kamre ke darwaze par saaye ubhre. Sartaj Singh aur unke theek peechhe sehmi hui Meera kamre ke bheetar dakhil hue. Sher ne jaise hi unhein dekha, vah dard ka bahana karte hue turant khaat se uthne ki koshish karne laga.

Sher (chehre par dard ka mukhauta odhkar, ladkhadaate hue uthne ka natak karte hue): "Are... Maalik! Aap... Aap yahan quarter mein kyun aaye? Mujhe bula liya hota. Aur memsahib aap bhi..."

Sartaj Singh (aage badhkar Sher ke kandhe par haath rakhnd, behad samanya aur dostana aawaz mein): "Are baetho, baetho Sher! Hilne ki bilkul zaroorat nahin hai. Tumhari choten bahut gehri hain."

Sher (haath jodkar, apni nazren poori tarah neeche jhukaye hue): "Maalik, aap bade log hain, aapka is gareeb ke quarter mein aana hi mere liye bahut badi baat hai. Chot ka kya hai, do din mein theek ho jayegi."

Sartaj Singh (gambheerta aur gehri aawaz mein): "Sher... Aaj main yahan ek maalik ki haisiyat se nahin, balki ek pita ki haisiyat se aaya hoon. Aaj subah agar tum ain mauke par apni jaan daanw par lagakar gaadi ke aage na koodte... Toh aaj meri Jyoti is duniya mein nahin hoti. Tumne jo is parivar par upkar kiya hai, uska mol main zindagi bhar nahin chuka sakta. Bahut-bahut shukriya tumhara."

Sher (apni nazren farsh par hi tikaaye rakhkar, behad saadgi aur vinamrata se): "Aisa mat boliye maalik! Ye toh mera farz tha. Aapne mujhe is kothi mein panah di, itna maan-samman diya. Agar main apni jaan dekar bhi bitiya ki raksha na kar paata, toh mera yeh jeevan kis kaam ka? Ismein koi ehsan nahin hai maalik, yeh toh mera karm tha."

Sher: "Maalik, jaise aap shukriya keh rahe the, subah malkin bhi aisa hi keh rahi theen. Ulta mujhe malkin ka shukriya kehna chahiye, unhone meri itni seva ki. Malham lagayi, patti ki."

Sher: "Sabse acchhi baat toh yeh hai ki Jyoti bitiya ki jaan bach gayi."

Sher jab yeh sab bol raha tha, tab Meera kamre ke ek kone mein deewar se satkar khadi thi. Uska dil zor-zor se dhadak raha tha aur vah dar ke maare kaamp rahi thi ki kahin Sher apni aankhon se koi ganda ishara na kar de.

Lekin vah hairan reh gayi—poore samay Sher ki aankhen neeche ki taraf theen ya vah Sartaj ki aankhon mein dekh kar baat kar raha tha. Usne ek baar bhi apni gandi ya vaasana bhari nazron se Meera ki taraf nahin taaka. Uska yeh badla hua roop dekhkar Meera ke bheetar uljhan aur badh gayi.

Udhar, Sartaj Singh Sher ki is bemisaal wafadari aur saadgi bhare shabdon ko sun raha tha, lekin uske dimag ke bheetar ek alag hi jang chal rahi thi.

Sartaj Singh (aantrik samvaad, Sher ke chehre ko gaur se dekhte hue): "Yeh insan jis saadgi se baat kar raha hai, use dekhkar koi paapi nahin keh sakta. Jab se yeh aaya hai, isne sirf hamari bhalai ki hai. Chorni se Meera ko bachaya, Meera ko gaadi se girne se roka aur aaj Jyoti ke liye apni jaan ki parvah nahin ki... Iske ye zakhm toh asli hain."

"Kahin... Kahin main Waheguru ke us ishaare ka galat matlab toh nahin nikal raha? Kya main ek aise wafadar bande par shak karke gunaah kar raha hoon jisne mere bacche ke liye khoon bahaya hai? Kya main waqai itna ehsanfaramosh ho chuka hoon ki iski is kurbani ke peechhe bhi saazish dhoondh raha hoon?"

Sartaj ka dimag asamanjas ke bhanwar mein phans chuka tha. Sher ke jism ke zakhm aur uski yeh namrata cheekh-cheekh kar keh rahi thi ki vah nirdosh hai. Lekin gurudware ka wo gira hua prasad Sartaj ke dil mein ek khatke ki tarah baetha hua tha.

Sartaj Singh (bahar se apni jeb se ek lifafa nikaalte hue): "Yeh lo Sher, yeh tumhari bahaduri ke liye ek chhota sa inam hai. Aur aaj se tumhari salary doguni ki jaati hai. Jab toh tum poori tarah theek nahin ho jaate, kothi ka koi kaam nahin karoge. Meera... Sher ki dawa aur khaane ka poora dhayan rakhna."

Meera (sehamkar, bina Sher ki taraf dekhe): "Jee... Jee, main rakhungi."

Sher (lifafa lete hue, sir jhukakar kutilta se man hi man muskuraya): "Bahut shukriya maalik. Waheguru aapka bhala kare."

Sartaj Singh ne jab apni baat khatm karte hue Meera ki taraf dekha aur Sher ki dekhbhal ki zimmedari use saunpi, toh Sher ne turant paasa palta.

Vah jaanta tha ki Sartaj ek chaalak pulisiwala hai aur zaroorat se zyaada nazdeeki shak paida kar sakti hai.

Saath hi, vah Meera ko kuchh dinon ke liye ek jhoothi rahat dena chahta tha taki uska dar kam ho aur uska shikanja aur mazboot ho sake. Usne badi hi maasoomiyat aur adab se apne haath jod liye.

Sher (ghabraye hue lehje ka natak karte hue, turant sir hilakar): "Nahin, nahin maalik! Iski koi zaroorat nahin hai maalik. Memsahib bhala is adne se naukar ki dekhbhal kyun karengi? Kahan aap log kothi ke raja-rani aur kahan main ek maamooli naukar. Memsahib ka mere quarter mein aana-jaana acchha nahin lagega maalik, kothi ke baaki naukar-chaakar kya sochenge? Samaj mein aapki izzat hai."

Sartaj Singh (bhaunhein sikodkar, Sher ki is baat ko taulte hue): "Par Sher, tumne hamare liye apna khoon bahaya hai. Is haal mein tumhari teemardari..."

Sher (beech mein hi behad vinamrata se baat kaatte hue): "Maalik, aap bas Ram Singh ya kisi aur guard ko beech-beech mein mera haalchaal lene ke liye bhej diya kijiyega. Wo aakar mujhe dawa aur khaana de jaya karenge, utna mere liye bahut hai. Waise bhi Waheguru ki meharbani hai, choten utni gehri nahin hain... Main do-teen din mein bilkul theek ho jaoonga aur phir se aapki seva mein haazir ho jaoonga. Aap memsahib ko takleef mat dijiye."

Sher jab yeh sab bol raha tha, toh kone mein khadi Meera ne rahat ki ek bahut lambi saans li.

Usne man hi man socha ki shayad Sher waqai apni had aur maryada ko samajh raha hai. Sher ki aankhen abhi bhi zameen par hi gadi theen, usne Meera ki taraf aankh uthakar bhi nahin dekha.

Udhar Sartaj Singh, jo Sher ke chhipe hue maksad ko dhoondhne ki koshish kar raha tha, Sher ki is baat ko sunkar poori tarah soch mein pad gaya.

Meera ki haalat dekhkar uske man mein khyal aaya tha, ki kya Sher ne koi aisi herkat ki hai, jisse vah dar gayi thi. Meera pe use poora bharosa aur bhrashtachari tha. Amooman aurat apni izzat pe aayi baat chhupane ki koshish karti hai.

Sartaj Singh (aantrik samvaad): "Jo insan badniyat hota hai, wo toh malkin ke kareeb aane ke bahane dhoondhta hai. Yahan main khud Meera ko iski seva ke liye keh raha hoon, aur yeh apni maryada ka hawala dekar khud hi mana kar raha hai. Kothi ki izzat ki fikr mujhse zyaada is naukar ko hai. Kya waqai mera shak bebuniyad hai? Koi itna shatir kaise ho sakta hai ki apni jaan bhi daanw par laga de aur saamne mil rahe fayde ko bhi thukra de? Shayad gurudware mein jo hua, wo mahaz ek ittefaq hi tha..."

Sartaj Singh: "Theek hai Sher, jaisi tumhari marzi. Ram Singh hi tumhari dekhbhal karega. Chalo Meera, ise aaram karne do."

Sartaj aur Meera kamre se baahar nikal gaye. Sartaj ka shak ab dheere-dheere kamzor pad raha tha, aur Sher ki chaal bilkul sahi nishane par baeth chuki thi.

Sher ke quarter se nikalkar jab Meera aur Sartaj Singh waapas mukhya bangle ki taraf badh rahe the, toh Meera ke kadmon mein ek ajeeb si bhaaripan thi.

Sher ka malkin ki seva ko saaf mana kar dena oopar se toh ek wafadar naukar ki nishani lag raha tha, jisne Sartaj ka dil jeet liya tha; lekin Meera ke bheetar ek alag hi uthal-pethal machi hui thi. Vah is apratyashit badlav se poori tarah ulajh gayi thi.

Aaspaas pasre sannate ko todte hue Sartaj ne gehri saans li aur Meera ki taraf dekha.

Sartaj: "Chalo, Sher ko dekhkar ab thoda sukoon mila. Patti bandhne ke baad Sher ab pehle se kaafi theek lag raha tha, hai na?"

Meera (khoi-khoi si): "Hoon..."

Sartaj (aage badhte hue): "Ram Singh ko bol dena ki Sher ki accchhe se dekhbhal kare. Aakhir usne hamari bacchi ki jaan bachayi hai, uske khaane-peene aur dawaiyon mein koi kami nahin rehni chahiye."

Meera (dheemi aawaz mein): "Jee, main subah hi Ram Singh ko samajha doongi."

Mukhya bangle ke bheetar kadam rakhte hi Meera seedhe apne kamre ki khidki ke paas jaakar khadi ho gayi, jahan se Sher ka quarter saaf nazar aata tha.

Meera (man hi man, tez dhadkanon ke saath, gehri uljhan mein): "Sher ne mujhe seva karne se itni saafgoi se mana kar diya? Wo bhi seedhe Sartaj ke saamne? Yeh kaise mumkin hai... Aaj subah jo insan ek bhookhe bhediye ki tarah mujh par jhapat raha tha, jisne meri chhati ko berahmi se masla, mere jism ka ras peene ke liye apni gandi raal tapka raha tha... Vah achanak itna bada shareef aur izzatdar kaise ban gaya? Uski aankhen poori tarah farsh par jhuki theen, maano usne mujhe kabhi is tarah nagna aur bebas dekha tak na ho..."

Meera (ek thandi sihran ke saath): "Lekin Bhagwan ka laakh-laakh shukr hai ki usne khud hi mana kar diya. Waheguru... Agar usne Sartaj ki baat maan li hoti aur mujhe uski dekhrekh ke liye akele uske quarter mein jaana padta, toh mera kya hota? Main toh yeh sochkar hi andar se kaamp rahi thi ki agar mujhe uske zakhmon par patti lagani padti, uske bistar ke paas baethna padta, toh vah band kamre mein mere saath kya sulook karta! Vah toh apni vaasana ki aag mein andha ho chuka hai... Vah zaroor meri laadli Jyoti ki kasam ka waasta dekar mujhe wahin daboch leta aur main cheekh bhi nahin paa rahi hoti."

Meera (apne haathon ko aapas mein bheenjte hue, ek gehre khauf ke saath): "Par... Kya yeh sachmuch uska sudharna hai? Nahin, Sher itna seedha nahin hai. Uski us shatir khamoshi aur jhuki hui nazron ke peechhe koi bahut gehri chaal chhipi hai. Yeh khamoshi kisi bahut bade aur bhayanak toofan se pehle ki hai... He sacche Paashah, mujhe us shaitan ke agle waar se bachana..."

Agle do din kothi mein ek ajeeb si, bhaari khamoshi ke saath guzre.

Sher chupchap apne quarter mein leta apni choton se ubar raha tha. Ram Singh din mein teen se chaar baar aakar uski dawa-goli aur khaane-peene ka poora khyal rakh raha tha. Sartaj Singh aur Meera bhi din mein kam se kam ek baar aakar uski sehat ka haalchaal le jaate the.

Sartaj ki nazron mein Sher ke liye izzat aur bharosa har beette ghante ke saath mazboot ho raha tha, kyunki Sher ka vyavahar kisi tapaswi ki tarah shant tha. Vah kothi ke kaam-kaaj se door sirf apne quarter tak seemit tha.

Kothi ka vah dhundhla kamra Meera ko apne bheetar kheencho raha tha. In do dinon mein Sher ne jo sanyam aur anushasan dikhaya tha, vah Sartaj Singh ke liye bhale hi wafadari ki misal ho, lekin Meera ke liye yeh ek maansik tanaav ban chuka tha.

Vah Sher ke is naye, rahasyamayi roop ke peechhe chhipe sach ko bhaanpne ke liye majboor ho gayi thi.

Jab vah dabe paanw Sher ke quarter ki chaukhat par aakar khadi hui, toh uska dil apni hi pasliyon se takra raha tha. Kamre ke bheetar ka sannata bhaari tha, jismein Sher khaat par chit leta hua tha.

Meera ne shookhte hue gale se thook nigala aur apni ghabrahat ko 'malkin' wale lehje ke peechhe chhipane ki nakaam koshish karte hue kaha—

Meera (darwaze ke paas sehmi hui khadi hoker, behad dheemi aur kaampti aawaz mein): "Sher... Kaise ho ab tum? Chot ka dard kuchh kam hua?"

Sher (bistar par seedha lete hue, aawaz mein gajab ki narmi samete hue): "Jee memsahib... Waheguru ki badi mehar hai aur maalik ki duaen hain. Yeh shareer toh bas huzoor ki seva ke liye hai, zakhm ab dheere-dheere bhar raha hai."

Kamre mein phir se wahi bhaari sannata pasar gaya.

Sher ne ab bahut dheere se karwat badli aur behad aazizi, lagbhag ek lachar yaachak ki tarah Meera ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhon mein ek aisi kashish thi jo saamne wale ko katghare mein khada kar de.

Sher (atyant dheemi, sambhli hui aur aadaryukt aawaz mein): "Memsahib... Agar is naukar ki ek gustaakhi maaf ho... Toh kya main aapse kuchh arz kar sakta hoon?"

Meera ka dil is achanak aaye sawal se zor se dhadka. Uske man mein dar ki ek lahar daud gayi ki kahin vah phir se apni aukaat par na aa jaaye, lekin khud ko mazboot karte hue vah aage badhi.

Meera (apne kaampte haathon ko saari ke pallu mein chhipate hue): "Haan... Kaho Sher. Jo kehna hai saaf-saaf kaho."

Sher ne apni nazren jhuka leen. Uske chehre par aatmaglani aur pachtave ka ek aisa dhong tha, jise dekhkar koi bhi adalat use begunaah maan le. Usne ek gehri, lachar saans li.

Sher (nazren neechi kiye hue, aawaz mein dard aur sharmindagi ka put laakar): "Memsahib, main us din ki apni naapaak herkat ke liye khud ko kabhi maaf nahin kar paoonga. Mujhe aapke ke saath aisa sulook nahin karna chahiye tha. Main apni aukaat bhool gaya tha."

Meera ne rahat ki ek lambi saans lene ki koshish ki. Use laga naukar apni hadon ko pehchan gaya hai. Lekin theek isi pal, Sher ne apni gardan thodi oopar uthayi. Uske chehre ki deenta achanak ek behad baareek, shatir muskaan mein badal gayi.

Sher (dheeme se phusphusate hue, aankhon mein ek ajeeb si chamak laakar): "Par kya kroon malkin... Jab aap neeche jhukkar apne in komal haathon se is abhage ke zakhmon ko sehla rahi theen... Toh aapki kameez ke us dheele gale se aapke we gore-gore, bhaari mumme poori tarah se baahar jhaank rahe the. Meri aukaat toh mitti ki thi memsahib, par vah husna dekhkar yeh ganwar khud par qaaboo kho baetha."

'Mumme' shabd sunte hi Meera ke kaan garam ho gaye. Use apne jism par ek ajeeb si rengan mehsus hui. Sher jaanbhoojhkar is gande, dehaati shabd ka istemaal kar raha tha taki Meera ke bheetar ke sankoch aur maryada ko taar-taar kar sake.

Meera (ghabrakar, jhijhak aur gusse ke mile-jule swar mein): "Please Sher... Aisi behooda baaten mat karo. Jo ho gaya, use bhool jao."

Meera ki aawaz ki yeh thartharahat Sher ke liye hari jhandi ki tarah thi. Use samajh aa gaya ki malkin ke bheetar ka dar ab uske vash mein hai.

Vah bistar par thoda uthkar baeth gaya. Usne apni aankhen poori tarah se Meera ki chhati par tika deen—bina kisi sankoch ke, ek maalik ki tarah haq se.

Sher (chehre par ek banawati lachari aur maasoomiyat banaye rakhte hue, aankhon se Meera ke jism ko naapte hue): "Are malkin, main toh thehra adna sa ganwar... Zyaada padha-likha toh hoon nahin ki saleeke ki bhasha boloon. Jo aankhon ne dekha aur jo is jaahil dimag mein aaya, wahi munh se nikal gaya."

Meera (ghabrakar): "Please Sher aur nahin."

Sher: "Sach kahoon memsahib, aapke un raseele aur bhare hue mummon ka vah nazara... Vah toh kisi jannat se kam nahin tha. Waisi kayamat jawani is naukar ne zindagi mein kabhi nahin dekhi thi. Ab aap hi bataiye, ismein is gareeb ka kya kasoor?"

Meera ka dam ghutne laga. Sher ka har ek lafzh uski chhati par teer ki tarah chubh raha tha. Vah is baat se behad असहज (asahaj) aur apmanit mehsus kar rahi thi ki Sher baar-बार (baar) uske stanon ko itne ghatiya aur phoohad shabd 'mumme' se pukaar raha tha, aur yahi Sher ka asli maksad tha—use maansik roop se ghutne tekne par majboor karna.

Meera (apni saari ke pallu ko chhati par aur kaste hue, kaampti aawaz mein): "Sher... Bas! Ab ek lafzh bhi mat bolna."

Meera ka dil Sher ke us aakhiri shabd 'mumme' ke prahaar se abhi kaamp hi raha tha ki achanak kamre ka mahaul badal gaya.

Sher ke chehre ke tevar pal bhar mein badal gaye, aur uski aankhon mein vaasana ki jagah pachtave ke jhoothe aansoo taerne lage.

Sher (behad lachar aur roni aawaz mein): "Dekha malkin... Main toh apne is dil ka bojh halka karne ke liye aapse maafi maangna chahta tha, par apni is ganwar zaban ki wajah se maine aapko phir se naraaz kar diya; main insan hi aisa neech hoon, mera toh paida hona hi bekaar tha..."

Yeh kehte hue Sher apni khaat par sir jhukakar zor-zor se siskiyan lene laga, maano vah sachmuch glani ki aag mein jal raha ho.

Uski is haalat ko dekhkar Meera ka komal aur mamta se bhara dil pighalne laga; uska dar thoda kam hua aur uski jagah ek aurat ki hamdardee ne le lee. Vah anjaane mein hi uski chaal mein phanskar dabe paanw uski khaat ke bilkul nazdeek chali gayi.

Meera (Sher ke kareeb baethkar, dheeme se apna naram haath uske kaampte hue haath par rakhte hue): "Sher... Please, roo mat. Tum toh bahut bahadur ho, is tarah bacchon ki tarah aansoo mat bahao."

Jaise hi Meera ka makhmali gora haath Sher ke haath par tika, Sher ke bheetar chhupe bhediye ne ek chhipi hui karwat lee, lekin oopar se usne khud ko aur zyaada lachar dikhaya. Usne dheere se apna munh uthaya, uski aankhen aansuon se geeli theen.

Sher (badi ummeed se Meera ke chehre ki taraf dekhte hue, subakte hue): "Toh... Toh iska matlab aapne mujhe maaf kar diya malkin? Aap ab mujhse nafrat toh nahin karengi?"

Meera ne ek gehri saans li. Sher ka yeh badla hua roop dekhkar vah abhi bhi poori tarah aashwast nahin thi, lekin vah mahaul ko aur tanaavpoorna nahin banana chahti thi.

Meera (apna haath peechhe kheenchne ki halki si koshish karte hue, sambhalkar): "Dekho Sher, jo kuchh bhi us din hua... Use itni jaldi bhool jaana mere liye aasaan nahin hai. Main tumhein maaf karne ki koshish zaroor kroongi, lekin is sab mein abhi thoda waqt lagega."

Meera ki baat poori bhi nahin hui thi ki Sher ne Meera ke dono naazuk haathon ko apni badi, sakht aur taqatwar hatheliyon ke beech pakad liya.

Sher ki ungliyon ki majboot aur garm pakad Meera ki kalai par kas gayi, jisse Meera ka badan ek baar phir dar se sihar utha.

Sher (uski aankhon mein gadaakar): "Please malkin... Apne is gareeb naukar ko maaf kar do, warna main jiyoonga kaise? Main achchhi tarah jaanta hoon ki aapka yeh saaf dil bhi... Aapke in makhmali aur behad soft haathon ki tarah hi bahut naram hai, aap mujh par itni berahm nahin ho sakteen."

Sher ki ungliyon ka vah jaana-pehchana dabaav aur uske jism ki garmee ek baar phir Meera ki deh mein khauf ke saath-saath ek ajeeb si bechaini paida karne lagi thi.

Quarter ki us tanhai mein Sher ki is badhti himakat se Meera ka dil buri tarah baethne laga. Is khaufnaak shikanje se peechha chhudaane ke liye usne turant haar maanne mein hi bhalai samajhi.

Meera (apne haathon ko chhudaane ki nakaam koshish karte hue, haanfti hui aawaz mein): "Theek hai, theek hai Sher... Maine tumhein dil se maaf kiya, par meri ek shart hai ki aaj ke baad aisi ghatiya aur wahshi herkat dobara kabhi nahin honi chahiye."

Meera ke munh se maafi ki baat sunte hi Sher ke chehre par ek gehri, kameeni muskaan taer gayi. Usne dheere se apni pakad ko dheela kiya, lekin Meera ke dono haathon ko poori tarah chhodne ke bajay apni ungliyon se uski hatheliyon ko sehlane laga.

Sher (ek gehri, saazish bhari saans lete hue): "Bahut-bahut dhanyawad memsahib... Aapka yeh ehsan yeh gareeb zindagi bhar nahin bhoolega, lekin aage kya hoga... Yeh toh poori tarah aap par hi depend karta hai."

Meera (apni bhaunhein sikodte hue, gehri uljhan aur thartharahat ko chhipane ki nakaam koshish mein): "Main... Main kuchh samajhi nahin Sher... Bhala yeh sab mere oopar kaise depend karta hai? Maine toh tumhein saaf lafzhon mein maaf kar hi diya hai na?"

Sher (apni aankhon mein ek neech, bhookhi muskaan laate hue, seedhe apni asli aukaat par utar aata hai): "Wo aise memsab... Ki aage se mere bheetar ka yeh jaanwar tabhi soye rahega, jab aap phir kabhi mere saamne us madhosh karne wali haalat mein nazar nahin aayengi."

Yeh kehte hi Sher ne jaanbhoojhkar apni nazren Meera ke chehre se hatayin aur seedhe neeche ki ore le gaya.

Uski gandi aankhen Meera ke blouse ke bheetar kaskar qaid uski bhaari aur ubharti hui chhati par aakar tik gayin. Dopahar ki garmee mein Meera ka blouse paseene ki halki namee se uski tvacha par chipka hua tha, jisse uske stanon ka ubhaar aur bhi teekha aur saaf nazar aa raha tha. Sher ki nazron mein wahi purani bhookh aur hawas laut aayi thi, maano vah apni aankhon se hi uske kapdon ko cheer raha ho.

Meera ka poori badan is achanak hue hamle se akad gaya. Dar ke maare uski saansen tez chalne lagin, jisse uski chhati aur bhi zyaada oopar-neeche hone lagi. Use mehsus ho raha tha ki Sher ki nazren uske jism ko kitni gehrai se tatol rahi hain.

Meera (dar aur hadbadahat mein): "Sher...!"

Sher (apni aankhen waapas Meera ke chehre par tikaate hue): "Are... Waise... Hamari Jyoti beti kaisi hai ab? Bhagwan ka laakh-laakh shukr hai ki us din sacche Paashah ne mujhe itni himmat di ki main samay rehte apni jaan par khelkar us bacchi ko bacha paya."

Sher ke munh se apni beti Jyoti ka naam sunte hi Meera ke bheetar jaise ek thanda current daud gaya. Vah achchhi tarah jaanti thi ki yeh Sher ka koi laad-pyaar nahin, balki seedhe-seedhe us khaufnaak kasam ki yaad dilana tha, jiske jaal mein usne Meera ko baandh rakhha था (tha).

Beti ka zikr aate hi Meera ke virodh ki saari taqat jaise pal bhar mein hawa ho gayi.

Meera (behad dheemi aawaz mein): "Vah... Vah theek hai."

Sher (ek gehri aur santoshjanak saans lete hue, jabki uski sakht ungliyan abhi bhi Meera ke dono naazuk haathon ko apni giraft mein dabaye hue theen): "Chalo, bahut acchha hai memsahib. Bhagwan kare meri gudiya hamesha aisi hi hansti-khelti aur sukhi rahe... Hamari Jyoti beti ko kabhi kisi ki buri nazar na lage."

'Buri nazar na lage' kehte hue Sher ne jaanbhoojhkar Meera ke haathon par apni pakad ko thoda aur bheenj diya.

Uski aankhon mein ek behad shatir chamak thi, jo saaf keh rahi thi ki Jyoti ki salamati ab poori tarah is baat par tiki hai ki Meera is quarter ke bheetar Sher ki har jaayaz-najaayaz baat ke aage kitni jaldi ghutne teketi hai.

Sher ne Meera ke gore haathon ko apni dono sakht hatheliyon ke beech dabaya. Vah apni herkaton mein koi jaldbaazi nahin kar raha tha. Uska bhaari angootha bahut hi aahista se, rengte hue Meera ki kalai ki naazuk tvacha ke oopar se guzra.

Sher (ek madhosh kar dene wali dheemi phusphusahat mein): "Kitne komal hain aapke haath memsahib... Aur kitne gore! Jaise makhmali rui ho... Koi bhi inke sparsh ka dewana ho jaaye."

Uski nazren dheere-dheere Meera ki bhaari chhati par aakar thehar gayin.

Meera ki saansen is dheeme torture ki wajah se buri tarah ukhad rahi theen, jisse blouse ke bheetar qaid uski bhari-poori chhati ka har ek उतार-चढ़ाव (utaar-chadhav) Sher ki aankhon ke theek saamne ek asahniya gati se oopar-neeche ho raha tha. Tang blouse ke kapde mein aate khinchaav se stanon ka vah ubhaar aur bhi saaf, aur bhi kada nazar aane laga.

Apni nazar ko thoda aur neeche le jaate hue, Sher ne Meera ki naabhi aur saari ke pallu ke beech se jhalakte uske gore, chikne aur nange pet ko dekha. Dopahar ki umas mein us goore badan par paseene ki baareek boonden chamak rahi theen. Sher ki jeebh ne shookhe honthon par pherte hue us bheege badan ko apni aankhon se hi pee lena chaha.

Meera ka dam ghutne laga tha. Vah Sher ke is behad kareebi aur seedhe hamle se itni seham gayi thi ki usne apni aankhen band kar lee theen.

Sher (apni aankhen aadhi moondkar, Meera ke gore haath ko uthakar apne chehre ke kareeb laate hue): "Dariye mat malkin... Aapka yeh sevak toh bas apni maafi ka suboot maang raha hai."