Do Roop Ki Bhookh

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Paanchve din Suman park mein thodi der se pahunchi.
Ayaan pehle se wait kar raha tha. Usne Suman ko dekhte hi uth kar uski taraf kuch kadam badhaye, lekin ruk gaya. Jaise har baar permission maang raha ho.
Suman ne uske kareeb jaakar kaha,
“Aaj main…
thodi der baad aayi.”
Ayaan ne halka sa muskura diya.
“Koi baat nahi.
Main yahin tha.”
Dono bench par baith gaye.
Is baar unke beech ki doori pehle se kam thi.
Ayaan ka haath bench par tha. Suman ka haath uske haath ke bohot kareeb tha. Thodi der baad Suman ne khud se apna haath aage badha kar Ayaan ki ungliyon ko chhoo liya.
Ayaan ne uska haath pakad liya.
Garam. Naram.
“Aapke haath aaj bhi thande hain,” usne dheere se kaha.
Suman ne jawaab diya,
“Ab hamesha thande rehte hain.”
Ayaan ne uske haath ko apne dono haathon mein le liya aur sahlaane laga.
Uske angoothhe se lekar hatheli tak. Jaise kisi keemti cheez ko sambhal raha ho.
“Main aapke baare mein sochta rehta hoon,” usne kaha.
“Raat bhar.
Ki aap kahaan ho, kya kar rahi ho, kya soch rahi ho.
Main jaanta hoon main chhota hoon.
Lekin…
jab aapke paas hota hoon toh main chhota nahi mehsoos karta.”
Suman ne uski taraf dekha.
Uske andar kuch kheench sa gaya.
Is 19 saal ke ladke ki aankhon mein itni saaf, itni seedhi baatein thin ki usse takna mushkil ho raha tha.
“Tu mujhe nahi jaanta, Ayaan,” usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
“Agar jaan le…
toh shayad tu khud door chala jaye.”
Ayaan ne uske haath ko zor se pakad liya.
“Phir bhi batana mat.
Main aapse aapke andheron ka hisaab nahi maang raha.
Main sirf yeh chahta hoon ki jab aap andhere mein ho…
toh main aapke paas baith sakoon.”
Suman ki aankhein bhar aayi.
Usne muh pherne ki koshish ki, lekin Ayaan ne uska chehra dheere se apni taraf kar liya.
“Ro sakti ho,” usne kaha.
“Main yahin hoon.”
Suman ne aankhein band kar li.
Ek boond pani nikal kar uski aankh se beh gaya.
Ayaan ne use apne anghootе se poonch diya.
Phir usne Suman ke kareeb aake uske honthon ko chooma.
Yeh choomban pehle dono se alag tha.
Ismein ek gehra, dheema, bhaavuk taras tha.
Ayaan ke honth kaamp rahe the. Suman ke bhi.
Usne Suman ke baalon mein haath daal diya. Suman ne uske gale ko pakad liya.
Choomban lambaa hota gaya.
Jeebh ne dheere se jeebh ko chhua.
Suman ke muh se ek bahut dabi hui siskari nikalii —
“Hmm… aahh…”
Ayaan ne usse aur kareeb khinch liya.
Suman ka seena uske seene se sat gaya.
Dono ki dhadkanen ek dusre ko mehsoos ho rahi thin.
Jab unhone alag kiya toh dono ki saans phool rahi thi.
Ayaan ne Suman ke maathe ko apne maathe se lagaaye hue kaha,
“Main aapse pyar nahi maang raha.
Abhi nahi.
Bas…
aapke paas rehne do.”
Suman ne aankhein band karke uska jawab diya.
Usne Ayaan ke honthon ko phir se dhoondha.
Is baar usne khud choomban gehra kiya.
Uske haath Ayaan ke baalon mein the.
Ayaan ke haath uski kamar par the — naram, sahlaate hue, bina kisi lalach ke.
Park mein ab dheere-dheere andhera chha raha tha.
Log ja chuke the.
Sirf woh dono bache the.
Ayaan ne Suman ko apne kandhe se laga liya.
Suman ne aankhein band karke uski saans ko mehsoos kiya.
Uske t-shirt se saaf sabun aur halki si coffee ki khushboo aa rahi thi.
Bahut der baad Suman ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
“Main tujhe dukh doongi, Ayaan.
Main…
har kisi ko dukh deti hoon.
Jo bhi mere kareeb aata hai…
toot jaata hai.”
Ayaan ne uske baal sehlaate hue kaha,
“Phir bhi main yahin hoon.
Aap jab bhi door jaana chaho, jaa sakti ho.
Lekin jab tak aap yahaan ho…
main nahi jaaunga.”
Suman ne uske t-shirt ko pakad liya.
Itna zor se ki uski ungliyan kaampne lagi.
“Main darti hoon,” usne kaha.
“Ki main tujhe bhi…
usi tarah kho doongi
jaise maine pehle logon ko khoya.”
Ayaan ne uska chehra uthaya.
Uske aankhon mein pani tha, lekin woh muskura raha tha.
“Phir mujhe mat khona.
Bas aaj raat…
mujhe yahin rehne do.”
Suman ne aankhein band kar li.
Usne Ayaan ko apne seene se laga liya.
Uske dil ki dhadkan uske kaan mein gunj rahi thi.
Us raat woh dono der tak bench par baithe rahe.
Chupchaap.
Kabhi-kabhi ek dusre ke honthon ko dheere se chhoote hue.
Kabhi sirf haath pakde hue.
Jab Suman ne aakhir mein ghar jaane ka kaha, toh Ayaan ne uske haath ko apne honthon se chhua.
“Kal aaogi?”
Suman ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Uske andar bhook ab bhi saans le rahi thi.
Lekin us bhook ke upar ek naya, naram sa parda sa aa gaya tha.
Usne kaha,
“Aaungi.”
Ayaan ne usse ek aakhiri, lambaa choomban diya.
Phir chhod diya.
Suman jab apne flat pahunchi toh usne light nahi jalayi.
Woh andhere mein sheeshe ke saamne khadi rahi.
Usne apne honthon ko chhua —
ab bhi Ayaan ke choomban ki narmi unpar thi.
Usne dheere se kaha,
“Yeh kya kar rahi hoon main…
Is chhote se ladke ke saath…
main kya karne ja rahi hoon?”
Uske andar do cheezein lad rahi thin.
Ek bhook thi —
thandi, andheri, jo sirf shareer maangti thi.
Aur ek naya ehsaas tha —
jo sirf is 19 saal ke ladke ke kareeb baithne se jag uthta tha.
Suman ne aankhein band kar li.
Us raat pehli baar
usne bhook ko
thoda sa
haar te hue mehsoos kiya.

Saatve din Suman ne park jaane se pehle hi faisla kar liya tha.
Woh aur din bench par baith kar sirf choomban nahi karna chahti thi.
Yeh narmi uske andar kuch ajeeb kar rahi thi. Ek aisa hissa jo bahut dinon se soya hua tha, ab jag raha tha. Aur woh hissa usse dara raha tha.
Jab woh park pahunchi toh Ayaan pehle se wait kar raha tha.
Usne Suman ko dekhte hi muskura diya, lekin Suman ka chehra aaj thoda alag tha.
“Aaj…
tum mere saath chaloge?” Suman ne seedha poocha.
Ayaan thoda hairaan hua.
“Kahaan?”
“Mere flat.
Bahut door nahi hai.
Agar tumhe…
aana ho.”
Ayaan ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Usne koi jaldbazi nahi dikhai.
Bas dheere se sir hilaaya.
“Chalo.”
Suman ka flat chhota tha.
Ek room, chhoti si kitchen, aur ek bathroom.
Deewarein khaali thin. Koi photo nahi, koi nishan nahi ki yahaan koi rehta hai. Bas ek bed, ek chair, aur khidki ke paas ek chhoti si table.
Ayaan andar aate hi thoda ruk gaya.
Usne room ko dekha.
“Aap…
yahin rehti ho?”
Suman ne bag ek taraf rakhte hue kaha,
“Haan.
Akeli.”
Ayaan ne door se hi use dekha.
“Yeh room…
bahut khali lagta hai.”
Suman ne muskuraane ki koshish ki.
“Jaise main.”
Ayaan ne uske kareeb jaakar uska haath pakad liya.
“Ab main yahaan hoon.
Thoda kam khali hoga.”
Suman ne uski taraf dekha.
Uske andar bhook hilti hui mehsoos hui.
Woh thandi, andheri bhook jo kehti thi — is ladke ko bhi use kar lo.
Lekin uske upar ek naya hissa tha jo kehta tha — mat chhoo. Yeh alag hai.
Suman ne Ayaan ko apne kareeb khinch liya.
Usne uske honthon ko chooma.
Pehle dheere se.
Phir thoda gehra.
Ayaan ne uske baalon mein haath daal diya.
Suman ne uske gale ko pakad liya.
Choomban ab park wale choombanon se alag tha.
Ismein ek bhook thi… lekin woh bhook sirf shareer ki nahi thi.
Suman ne Ayaan ko bed ki taraf le gayi.
Dono bed ke kinare baith gaye.
Ayaan ne Suman ke chehre ko apne haathon mein liya.
“Aap kaamp rahe ho,” usne kaha.
Suman ne aankhein neeche ki.
“Main darti hoon.”
“Kis cheez se?”
“Ki main tujhe…
barbaad kar doongi.
Jaise maine auron ko kiya.”
Ayaan ne uske maathe ko apne maathe se lagaaya.
“Phir mujhe barbaad mat karna.
Bas aaj raat…
mujhe yahin rehne do.
Bina kuch kiye.
Sirf…
aapke paas.”
Suman ne aankhein band kar li.
Uske aankhon se pani nikalne laga.
Usne Ayaan ko apne seene se laga liya.
Zor se.
Jaise koi doobta hua aadmi last sahara pakadta hai.
Ayaan ne uske baal sehlaaye.
Uske peeth par haath pheraa.
Koi jaldbazi nahi.
Koi lalach nahi.
Sirf saath.
Bahut der baad Suman ne dheemi awaaz mein kaha,
“Tu so ja.
Main…
yahin hoon.”
Ayaan ne uske liye bed par jagah banayi.
Dono lit gaye.
Suman ne Ayaan ka sir apne kandhe par rakh liya.
Ayaan ne uska haath pakad liya.
Andhera tha.
Sirf unki saansein thin.
Suman ne aankhein kholi hui rakhi.
Woh ceiling ko dekh rahi thi.
Uske dimaag mein do awaazein lad rahi thin.
Ek kehti thi —
Is ladke ko bhi le lo.
Shareer do.
Bhook shant hogi.
Doosri kehti thi —
Mat chhoo.
Yeh alag hai.
Yeh tujhe nahi maang raha.
Yeh tujhe mehsoos kar raha hai.
Suman ne Ayaan ke baal sehlaaye.
Woh so chuka tha.
Uske chehre par ek shaanti thi jo Suman ne bahut dinon se nahi dekhi thi.
Usne dheere se kaha,
sirf apne liye,
“Main tujhe nahi todoongi, Ayaan…
try karungi.
Kitna bhi mushkil ho.”
Lekin uske andar bhook
ab bhi
jaag rahi thi.
Aur is baar
woh bhook
sirf shareer nahi
chahti thi.
Woh is narmi ko
bhi
kha jaana chahti thi.

Raat gehli hoti gayi.
Kamre mein koi light nahi thi. Sirf khidki se shehar ki door ki roshni aa rahi thi, jo deewar par ek dhindhla sa noor bana rahi thi. Ayaan Suman ke kandhe par sir rakh kar so raha tha. Uski saans dheemi aur ek jeisi thi. Haath ab bhi Suman ke haath mein tha, jaise neend mein bhi use pakde rakhna chahta ho.
Suman ne aankhein kholi hui rakhi.
Woh Ayaan ke baalon ko dheere-dheere sehla rahi thi.
Uske ungliyon ke neeche yeh baal bahut naram the. Bahut saaf.
Is 19 saal ke ladke ke shareer se koi bhook nahi aa rahi thi. Sirf ek narmi aa rahi thi jo Suman ke liye ab ajnabi ban chuki thi.
Uske andar bhook hilti rahi.
Isse bhi le lo.
Iske honth pehle se hi tere muh par hain.
Bas thoda aur gehra chhoo lo.
Yeh bhi toh shareer hai.
Suman ne aankhein band kar li.
Usne is awaaz ko dabaane ki koshish ki.
Lekin awaaz peeche nahi hati.
Woh dheere se Ayaan ki taraf mudi.
Uske soye hue chehre ko dekha.
Maathe par ek-do baal gire hue the. Honth halka sa khule hue the.
Suman ne un honthon ko dekha.
Phir apne honth unke kareeb le gayi.
Bas chhua.
Halka sa.
Ayaan ne neend mein hi hothon ko thoda sa hilaaya.
Usne Suman ka naam nahi liya. Bas ek dabi hui siskari si nikalii.
Suman ne doosri baar chooma.
Is baar thoda gehra.
Ayaan ki aankhein dheere se khuli.
Andhere mein bhi usne Suman ko pehchan liya.
Usne kuch nahi kaha.
Bas uske baalon mein haath daal diya aur choomban ko jawab diya.
Yeh choomban ab park wale choombanon jaisa nahi tha.
Ismein ek bhook thi.
Suman ki bhook.
Jo dheere-dheere uske control se bahar nikal rahi thi.
Suman ne Ayaan ko apne upar khinch liya.
Uske shareer ka wazan apne upar mehsoos kiya.
Ayaan ka seena uske seene se sat gaya.
Dono ki dhadkanen ek dusre mein ghulne lagi.
Ayaan ne Suman ke kaan ke paas dheere se kaha,
“Aap…
kaamp rahi ho.”
Suman ne uske honthon ko phir se dhoondha.
“Chup…
bas choomte raho.”
Ayaan ne usse aur gehra chooma.
Uske haath Suman ki kamar par the.
Kapdon ke upar.
Koi neeche nahi gaya.
Lekin uske haath kaamp rahe the.
Suman ne Ayaan ka haath pakad kar apne seene par rakh diya.
Kapdon ke upar.
Uske doodh ki narmi Ayaan ke hatheli ke neeche thi.
Ayaan ki saans ruk si gayi.
Usne haath nahi hataya.
Lekin usne Suman ke chehre ko dekha.
“Aap…
sach mein yeh chahti ho?” usne dheemi awaaz mein poocha.
Suman ne aankhein kholi.
Andhere mein uski aankhein gehli thin.
“Main nahi jaanti,” usne kaha.
“Main…
kuch nahi jaanti ab.
Bas itna jaanti hoon ki jab tu mere kareeb hota hai…
toh meri bhook thodi der ke liye chup ho jaati hai.”
Ayaan ne uske maathe ko chooma.
“Phir main yahin rehta hoon.
Jitni der aap chahein.”
Suman ne usse apne seene se laga liya.
Zor se.
Uske aanson ne Ayaan ke t-shirt ko bhigona shuru kar diya.
“Main tujhe barbaad kar doongi,” usne dohraaya.
“Main har kisi ko barbaad karti hoon.”
Ayaan ne uske baal sehlaate hue kaha,
“Phir try mat karna.
Bas aaj raat…
mujhe apne paas rehne do.
Bina kuch tode.”
Suman ne aankhein band kar li.
Usne Ayaan ke dil ki dhadkan ko sunna shuru kiya.
Ek jeisi.
Shaant.
Zinda.
Uske andar bhook ab bhi thi.
Woh deewar ke peeche khadi hokar dekh rahi thi.
Intezar kar rahi thi.
Lekin aaj raat
Suman ne usse
andar nahi aane diya.
Woh Ayaan ko pakde hue litte rahi.
Kabhi uske baal sehlaati.
Kabhi uske honthon ko dheere se choomti.
Kabhi sirf uski saans ko mehsoos karti.
Subah ke 4 baj rahe the.
Ayaan so chuka tha.
Suman ab bhi jaag rahi thi.
Usne Ayaan ke chehre ko dekha.
Phir dheere se kaha,
“Tu mujhe bacha nahi sakta, Ayaan…
lekin
aaj raat
tu ne mujhe
thoda sa
insaani banaya.”
Uske aankhon se pani behte raha.
Aur uske andar
bhook
pehle se zyada
bhookhi
hoti gayi.

Subah ka ujala dheere-dheere khidki se andar aaya.
Ayaan abhi bhi soya hua tha. Uske baal Suman ke seene par bikhre hue the, ek haath uski kamar par tha. Saans dheemi thi. Chehre par wohi shaanti thi jo raat bhar Suman ko takti rahi thi.
Suman ne aankhein kholi hui rakhi thi.
Usne raat bhar bilkul nahi soya tha.
Uske andar bhook ab pehle se kahin zyada teez thi.
Jaise usne raat bhar usse dabaye rakha, toh ab woh aur bhi bhookhi hokar wapas aa gayi ho. Woh pet ke neeche se uth kar uske seene, uske honthon, uske haathon tak fail rahi thi. Har baar jab Ayaan ki saans uske shareer se takrati, bhook aur teez ho jaati.
Suman ne dheere se Ayaan ka haath apni kamar se hataya.
Uth kar baith gayi.
Baal uske chehre par gir rahe the. Aankhon ke neeche gehre nishaan the.
Ayaan ne aankhein kholi.
Usne Suman ko bed ke kinare baithi dekhte hue turant uth kar baith gaya.
“Aap…
soyi nahi?” usne dheemi awaaz mein poocha.
Suman ne sir hilaaya.
“Nahi.”
Ayaan ne uske kareeb hote hue kaha,
“Main…
yahaan mat rehta agar aapko takleef ho rahi ho.”
Suman ne uski taraf dekha.
Uske aankhon mein thakan thi, lekin uske peeche kuch aur bhi tha — ek ajeeb si jang.
“Tu takleef nahi de raha,” usne kaha.
“Main khud se lad rahi hoon.”
Ayaan ne uska haath pakad liya.
“Kis se lad rahi ho?”
Suman ne thodi der chup raha.
Phir boli,
“Ek aisi cheez se jo main tujhe nahi bata sakti.
Jo mere andar hai.
Jo mujhe…
barbaad karti hai.
Aur jo bhi mere kareeb aata hai…
usse bhi.”
Ayaan ne uske haath ko apne dono haathon mein le liya.
“Phir mujhe bhi barbaad kar do.
Main darta nahi.”
Suman ne aankhein band kar li.
Usne Ayaan ka haath chhodne ki koshish ki, lekin Ayaan ne nahi chhoda.
“Mat keh aise,” Suman ne kaamp’ti awaaz mein kaha.
“Tu nahi jaanta main kya hoon.”
Ayaan ne uske kareeb aake uske maathe ko chooma.
Phir aankhon ko.
Phir honthon ko.
Suman ne pehle toh rukne ki koshish ki, lekin uske honthon ne jawab de diya.
Choomban dheere-dheere gehra hota gaya.
Ayaan ka haath uski kamar par tha.
Suman ka haath uske baalon mein.
Thodi der baad Suman ne Ayaan ka haath pakad kar apne seene par rakh diya.
Kapdon ke upar.
Uske doodh ki narmi Ayaan ki hatheli ke neeche thi.
Ayaan ki saans tez ho gayi.
Lekin usne haath nahi badhaya.
Sirf wahi rakha.
Suman ne uske kaan ke paas dheere se kaha,
“Main chahti hoon tu mujhe chhooе…
lekin main darti hoon.
Ki agar tu ne mujhe sach mein chhoo liya…
toh main wahi kar baithungi
jo main hamesha karti aayi hoon.”
Ayaan ne uske chehre ko apne haathon mein liya.
“Toh mat karna.
Main aapse kuch nahi maang raha.
Na aapka shareer, na aapka andhera.
Sirf…
aapke paas baithne do.”
Suman ki aankhein bhar aayi.
Usne Ayaan ko apne seene se laga liya.
Zor se.
“Tu bahut seedha hai, Ayaan…
bahut naram.
Main tujhe kha jaaungi.”
Ayaan ne uske baal sehlaate hue kaha,
“Phir bhi main yahin hoon.”
Suman ne aankhein band kar li.
Uske andar bhook ab chilaa rahi thi.
Ise bhi le lo.
Abhi.
Iske naram haath, iske honth, iska shareer…
sab tumhara ho sakta hai.
Suman ne daant pees liye.
Usne Ayaan ko aur zor se pakad liya, jaise usse khud se bacha rahi ho.
“Jaane de mujhe aaj,” usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
“Main…
khud se lad rahi hoon.
Agar tu aur kareeb aaya…
toh main haar jaaungi.”
Ayaan ne uska chehra uthaya.
Uske aankhon mein samajh thi.
Usne Suman ke maathe par ek lambaa choomban diya aur kaha,
“Theek hai.
Main jaata hoon.
Lekin main door nahi jaaunga.
Jab bhi aap ready ho…
main milne aa jaaunga.”
Suman ne sir hilaaya.
Uske aanso ab ruk nahi rahe the.
Ayaan ne kapde pehne.
Darwaze par jaate hue usne ek baar phir mud kar dekha.
“Main intezaar karunga.”
Darwaza band hote hi Suman bed par gir gayi.
Usne muh mein pillow daboch liya aur royi.
Zor se.
Uske andar bhook ab khul kar hans rahi thi.
Dekha?
Tu usse bhi nahi bacha paayi.
Jald hi
tu use bhi
kha jaayegi.
Suman ne pillow ko aur zor se pakad liya.
Lekin is baar
uske roone mein
sirf dard nahi tha.
Ek naya, khatarnak sa ehsaas bhi tha —
ki shayad
yeh ladka
usse
sach mein
badal sakta hai.
Aur yahi baat
uski bhook ko
sabse zyada
dara rahi thi.

Raat ke barah bajne se pehle hi dard shuru ho gaya tha.
Suman bathroom ke sheeshe ke saamne khadi thi. Dono haath sink pakde hue. Shareer ke andar haddi-haddi mein khichav ho raha tha. Chamdi tanav mehsoos kar rahi thi. Yeh dard ab naya nahi tha, lekin is baar woh usse zyada nahi lad rahi thi.
Usne aankhein band kar li.
Ayaan ka chehra aankhon ke peeche aa gaya.


Uske naram haath, uski soft awaaz, uska woh kehna — “Main aapse kuch nahi maang raha.”
Suman ne daant pees liye.
“Maaf kar dena,” usne dheere se kaha.
“Ek hafte…
bas ek hafte.”
Dard teez hua.
Shareer badalne laga.
Subah jab usne aankhein kholi, toh sheeshe mein Aarav khada tha.
Wahi chehra.
Wahi aankhein.
Lekin ab un aankhon mein woh narmi nahi thi jo Suman ke last kuch dinon mein aa rahi thi.
Ab wapas woh thandi, andheri bhook thi.
Aarav ne apne haath ko dekha.
Phir sink ke paani se munh dhoya.
Usne phone uthaya.
Ayaan ka number Suman ne save karke rakha tha.
Usne message type kiya:
“Ayaan, main Suman ki taraf se likh rahi hoon.
Mujhe ek hafte ke liye dusre shehar jaana pad raha hai, kaam se.
Main theek hoon.
Tension mat lena.
Wapas aake milungi.”
Send kar diya.
Phir Aarav ne kapde pehne — simple shirt, jeans.
Chehre par koi expression nahi tha.
Woh jaanta tha ki Ayaan park mein wait karega.
Isliye woh khud wahaan gaya.
Park mein Ayaan bench par baitha tha.
Haath mein phone.
Bar-bar screen check kar raha tha.
Aarav uske saamne jaakar khada ho gaya.
Ayaan ne sir uthaya.
Pehli nazar mein woh thoda confuse hua.
Yeh aadmi usse nahi jaanta tha.
Aarav ne seedha kaha,
“Tu Ayaan hai?”
Ayaan ne slow se sir hilaaya.
“Haan…
aap?”
“Main Aarav.
Suman ka beta.”
Ayaan ki aankhein thodi phail gayi.
Woh uth kar khada ho gaya.
“Suman…
aapki maa?”
Aarav ne sir hilaaya.
“Haan.
Woh aaj subah nikal gayi hain.
Ek hafte ke liye dusre shehar.
Kaam se.
Unhone kaha tha ki agar tu park aaye toh tujhe bata doon.”
Ayaan ne thodi der kuch nahi kaha.
Phir usne dheere se poocha,
“Woh…
theek hain na?”
Aarav ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Uske andar kuch hilaa, lekin usne usse dabaya.
“Haan.
Theek hain.
Bas kaam aa gaya tha.”
Ayaan ne neeche dekha.
Uske haath kaamp rahe the.
“Unhone…
mera number save kiya tha.
Maine message kiya tha.
Reply nahi aaya.”
Aarav ne pocket se phone nikaal kar dikhaya.
“Yahi se message gaya hai unke phone se.
Unhone kaha tha ki tu pareshan mat hona.”
Ayaan ne phone ki taraf dekha, phir Aarav ki taraf.
Uske chehre par ek ajeeb sa expression tha —
jaise woh kuch samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho, lekin samajh nahi paa raha.
“Aap…
unke beta ho?” usne phir se poocha.
Aarav ne thoda sa muskuraane ki koshish ki.
Woh muskaan nahi bani.
“Haan.
Main unke saath hi rehta hoon.
Kabhi-kabhi.”
Ayaan ne sir hilaaya.
“Theek hai.
Jab woh aayein…
toh unse kehna ki main intezaar kar raha hoon.”
Aarav ne usse dekha.
Is 19 saal ke ladke ki aankhon mein wohi narmi thi jo Suman ko chhoo gayi thi.
Us narmi ko dekh kar Aarav ke andar bhook thodi si hil gayi.
Lekin usne sirf itna kaha,
“Keh doonga.”
Phir woh wahaan se chal diya.
Ayaan uske peeche dekhte raha.
Uske dimaag mein ek ajeeb sa sawaal ghum raha tha —
Suman ke beta ki aankhein…
bilkul Suman jaisi kyoon hain?
Aarav flat wapas aaya.
Usne sheeshe mein apne aap ko dekha.
“Ek hafte,” usne khud se kaha.
“Bas ek hafte.
Uske baad…
dekhte hain.”
Usne window se bahar dekha.
Naya shehar ki roshni thi.
Ab Suman nahi thi.
Ab sirf Aarav tha.
Aur Aarav ki bhook
ek hafte baad
wapis Suman banne se pehle
kuch aur
khaana chahti thi.

Aarav ne us din flat se bahar nikalne ki koshish nahi ki.
Woh khidki ke paas kursi par baitha raha. Neeche shehar ki traffic ki awaazein aa rahi thin, lekin uske kaan un awaazon ko nahi sun rahe the. Uske dimaag mein sirf do cheezein ghum rahi thin —
Ayaan ki aankhein,
aur Suman ka woh aakhiri choomban.
Usne aankhein band kar li.
Ayaan ka chehra saaf aa gaya.
Us 19 saal ke ladke ne Suman ko jis tarah se dekha tha, us tarah se kisi ne nahi dekha tha. Na Rina ne, na Kavita ne, na Meera ne. Usne Suman ke andhere ko nahi maanga tha. Usne sirf uske paas baithna maanga tha.
Aarav ne mutthi band ki.
“Ek hafte,” usne phir se khud se kaha.
“Bas ek hafte.
Uske baad Suman wapas aayegi.
Phir…
dekh lenge.”
Lekin uske andar bhook is baat se sehmat nahi thi.
Bhook ab pehle jaisi nahi rahi thi.
Shanti Vihar wali bhook mein ek tarah ka khel tha, ek tarah ki pyas thi.
Ab jo bhook thi, woh sukhi thi.
Andheri thi.
Aur bilkul akeli thi.
Shaam ko Aarav ne finally flat se nikalne ka faisla kiya.
Usne simple black shirt aur jeans pehne.
Chehre par koi expression nahi tha.
Woh shehar ke us hisse mein gaya jahaan raat ko bhi log milte the — bars, lounges, thodi si bheed wale corners.
Ek lounge mein usne counter par jaakar whisky maangi.
Pehla ghoont lete hi uske gale mein jalan hui. Usne doosra ghoont bhi liya.
Tabhi uske bagal mein ek aurat aa kar khadi ho gayi.
Umar shayad 29-30. Tight maroon dress. Baal khule. Aankhon mein woh nazar thi jo seedha invitation deti hai.
Usne Aarav ko upar se neeche tak dekha aur boli,
“Akele pi rahe ho?”
Aarav ne uski taraf dekha.
Uske andar bhook hilti hui mehsoos hui.
Lekin is baar usmein koi uttejana nahi thi. Sirf ek thandi si zaroorat thi.
“Haan,” usne kaha.
“Akele hi hoon.”
Aurat ne muskura kar apna glass uske glass se takraya.
“Main bhi.
Naam hai Naina.”
Aarav ne apna naam nahi bataya.
Bas itna kaha,
“Aaj naam ki zaroorat nahi.”
Naina thodi hairaan hui, lekin uski aankhon mein bhook dekh kar usne aur kuch nahi poocha.
Usne apna haath Aarav ke haath ke kareeb rakha.
“Toh phir…
sirf aaj raat?”
Aarav ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Uske dimaag mein ek second ke liye Ayaan ka chehra aa gaya — woh naram si muskaan, woh kehna ki “Main aapse kuch nahi maang raha.”
Aarav ne us chehre ko daba diya.
Usne Naina ki taraf dekhte hue kaha,
“Haan.
Sirf aaj raat.”
Naina ne apna glass rakh diya.
“Chalo phir.”
Naina ka flat lounge se 15 minute ki doori par tha.
Andar aate hi usne light kam kar di aur Aarav ki shirt ke button kholne lagi.
Aarav ne uske haath pakad liye.
Ek second ke liye.
Phir chhod diye.
Usne khud apni shirt utaar di.
Phir Naina ke dress ka zipper neeche kiya.
Dress farsh par gir gaya.
Neeche black lingerie thi.
Aarav ne usse bed tak dhakel diya.
Koi choomban nahi.
Koi narmi nahi.
Sirf ek thandi, seedhi bhook.
Usne Naina ki bra khol di.
Doodh bahar aaye.
Usne unhein haath mein liya, dabaya, lekin uske chehre par koi ehsaas nahi tha.
Naina ne uska belt khola.
Pant neeche ki.
Aarav ka lund bahar aaya — sakht, lekin uski aankhon mein koi maza nahi tha.
Usne Naina ko litaya.
Panty ek jhatke mein khinch li.
Phir bina kisi der ke apna lund uski choot mein daal diya.
Naina ki siskari nikalii —
“Aahhh…”
Aarav ne dhakke shuru kiye.
Tez.
Gehre.
Koi baat nahi.
Koi gaali nahi.
Sirf shareer ki awaazein.
Naina ke muh se siskariyan nikal rahi thin, lekin Aarav unhein nahi sun raha tha.
Uske dimaag mein ek doosri awaaz thi —
Yeh nahi hai.
Yeh woh narmi nahi hai.
Yeh woh ladka nahi hai.
Usne aankhein band kar li aur dhakke aur tez kar diye.
Naina jhadne lagi.
Aarav ne bhi thodi der baad apna pani uske andar gira diya.
Phir woh uske upar se hat gaya.
Seedha bathroom chala gaya.
Jab woh wapas aaya toh Naina bed par litte hue thi.
Usne Aarav ko dekhte hue kaha,
“Tum…
bahut thande ho.
Jaise kuch mehsoos hi nahi karte.”
Aarav ne apni shirt uthate hue kaha,
“Aaj raat bas itna hi tha.”
Woh flat se nikal gaya.
Raat ke 1 baj rahe the.
Aarav apne flat ki taraf chal raha tha.
Uske shareer ne bhook toh shant kar li thi.
Lekin uske andar woh khali pan
ab pehle se zyada
gehr a
ho gaya tha.
Usne aankhein uthar kar shehar ki roshni ko dekha.
“Ek hafte,” usne phir se kaha.
“Bas ek hafte.
Phir Suman aayegi.
Phir…
us ladke ke paas.”
Lekin uske andar ek awaaz ne jawaab diya —
Agar Suman wapas gayi…
toh tu usse bhi
barbaad kar dega.
Aarav ne mutthi band ki.
Is baar
uske paas
koi jawaab
nahi tha.

Doosre din Aarav ne phir se park jaane ka faisla kiya.
Is baar woh Suman ka message lekar nahi gaya tha.
Woh khud Ayaan se milna chahta tha.
Uske andar ek ajeeb si bechaini thi. Ayaan ki narmi uske dimaag se nahi nikal rahi thi. Woh narmi uski bhook ko irritate kar rahi thi, lekin usse kheench bhi rahi thi.
Park mein Ayaan wahi wali bench par baitha tha.
Haath mein kitaab thi, lekin woh padh nahi raha tha. Sirf soch raha tha.
Aarav uske saamne jaakar khada ho gaya.
Ayaan ne sir uthaya.
“Aap…
Aarav bhai?”
Aarav ne sir hilaaya.
“Haan.
Kal jo baat hui thi…
uske baare mein soch raha tha.
Tu akela hi rehta hai yahaan?”
Ayaan ne kitaab band ki.
“Nahi.
Ghar par maa hai, badi sister hai, aur Tai ji bhi saath rehti hain.
Papa nahi rahe.”
Aarav ne thoda sa interest dikhaya.
“Accha.
Main…
naya hoon is shehar mein.
Koi jaan-pehchaan nahi.
Agar tujhe koi problem na ho toh…
kabhi-kabhi milte raha karte hain?”
Ayaan thoda surprise hua, lekin usne muskura diya.
“Haan, bilkul.
Aap Suman…
matlab aapki mummy ke beta ho.
Unse related ho toh mujhe achha hi lagega.”
Aarav ne andar hi andar daant pees liye.
Lekin chehre par koi expression nahi aaya.
“Chal,” usne kaha.
“Aaj free hai toh ghar chalte hain.
Teri family se mil leta hoon.”
Ayaan thoda soch mein pad gaya, phir sir hilaaya.
“Theek hai.
Chalo.”
Ayaan ka ghar shehar ke ek purane but clean colony mein tha.
Do floor ki building. Neeche chhota sa garden.
Andar step rakhte hi ek soft itr ki khushboo aayi.
Pehle jo mili, woh Ayaan ki badi sister thi.
Naam: Ishita
25 saal. College mein final year.
Lambi, gori, seedhi kamar. Baal shoulder tak. Simple kurti mein thi. Chehre par halki si seriousness thi, lekin aankhein teez thin. Usne Aarav ko upar se neeche tak dekha aur dheere se boli,
“Ayaan, yeh?”
“Yeh Aarav bhai hain.
Suman aunty ke beta.
Unse milne aaye the park.”
Ishita ne sir hilaaya.
“Hello.”
Uske baad drawing room mein Maa aayi.
Naam: Mrs. Malhotra (Ayaan ki maa)
45 saal.
Lekin shareer dekh kar koi 45 nahi kehta.
Bhari hui, gadraayi hui figure.
Badi-badi aankhein, bharе hue honth, aur neeche badi, gol, tight gaand jo uske simple saree ke neeche bhi saaf dikh rahi thi.
Blouse thoda tight tha, jisse uske bade doodhon ka shape clear tha.
Chalne mein bhi uske shareer ka wazan mehsoos hota tha.
Ek tarah ki mature, garam si presence thi usmein.
Usne Aarav ko dekhte hi muskura diya.
“Aao beta.
Ayaan ne bataya nahi ki koi aa raha hai.”
Aarav ne haath jodte hue kaha,
“Namaste aunty.
Main Aarav.
Suman ka beta.”
Mrs. Malhotra ne usse gaur se dekha.
Uski badi aankhon mein ek second ke liye kuch ruka.
Phir usne kaha,
“Suman…
woh wali jo park mein Ayaan se milti thi?”
“Haan.”
Usne sir hilaaya.
“Accha.
Baitho beta.
Kya loge? Chai? Coffee?”
Tabhi andar se ek aur awaaz aayi.
Tai ji nikal kar aayi.
Umar: 65
Lekin dekhne se bilkul 35 ki lagti thi.
Shareer itna tight aur maintained tha ki yakeen nahi hota tha.
Lambi frame, kamar patli, doodh ab bhi uthе hue, aur gaand goli hui.
Baal mein thodi si safedi thi, lekin chehra tight tha.
Usne light pink colour ka gown pehna tha jo uske shareer se chipka hua tha.
Usne Aarav ko dekhte hi ek alag si nazar se dekha.
Jaise woh sirf dekh nahi rahi, jaanch rahi ho.
“Yeh kaun hai?” usne dheemi, thodi si husky awaaz mein poocha.
Ayaan ne jaldi se bataya,
“Tai ji, yeh Aarav bhai hain.
Suman aunty ke beta.”
Tai ji ne Aarav ko upar se neeche tak dekha.
Uski nazar uske kandhon, phir chehre, phir aankhon par ruki.
“Suman…
uska beta,” usne dohraaya.
Phir halka sa muskura diya.
“Baitho.”
Aarav ne baithte hue un teenon ko ek baar phir se dekha.
Ishita — 25, teez, controlled.
Maa — 45, bhari hui, gadraayi, badi aankhein, badi gaand, mature garam presence.
Tai ji — 65, lekin shareer bilkul jawan, tight, aur aankhon mein ek alag hi andaz.
Uske andar bhook dheere se jagti hui mehsoos hui.
Lekin is baar woh bhook
sirf ek shareer nahi
maang rahi thi.
Woh is ghar ki
hawa
ko
soongh rahi thi.
Ayaan ne chai laane ke liye kitchen ki taraf chal diya.
Aarav sofe par baitha tha.
Mrs. Malhotra uske saamne kursi par baithi thi.
Tai ji uske bagal wali kursi par.
Ishita door se khadi hokar dekh rahi thi.
Mrs. Malhotra ne Aarav ki taraf dekhte hue kaha,
“Tumhari maa…
bahut akeli lagti thi Ayaan ko.
Woh roz baat karta tha uske baare mein.”
Aarav ne sir hilaaya.
“Haan.
Woh…
akeli hi hain.”
Tai ji ne tab bolna shuru kiya.
Uski awaaz mein ek ajeeb si narmi thi,
“Akeli auratein…
kabhi-kabhi bahut khatarnak hoti hain.
Ya phir…
bahut tooti hui.”
Aarav ne uski taraf dekha.
Tai ji usse dekh rahi thi.
Uski aankhon mein ek aisi baat thi jaise woh kuch aur hi padh rahi ho.
Ayaan chai lekar aa gaya.
Ghar mein ek ajeeb si khamoshi chha gayi thi.
Aarav ne chai ka cup haath mein liya.
Lekin uski nazar
baar-baar
Mrs. Malhotra ki bhari hui figure
aur
Tai ji ke tight shareer
par
chali ja rahi thi.
Uske andar bhook
ab
muskura rahi thi.

Aarav ne us raat ghar wapas aakar sofa par baithte hue clear faisla le liya tha.
Ayaan ki family ordinary nahi thi.
Yeh koi bar ya lounge ki auratein nahi thin jo ek drink ke baad paas aa jaayein.
Yahaan sab kuch dheere hona tha.
Soch-samajh kar.
Bina kisi jaldbazi ke.
Usne apne dimaag mein teen alag targets banaaye:
Ishita (25) — Controlled, thodi serious, college girl. Isse impress karne ke liye dimaag aur seriousness dikhani hogi.
Mrs. Malhotra (45) — Mature, gadraayi hui, bhari figure. Isse respect, thodi si madad, aur controlled attention se kaam chalega.
Tai ji (65, looks 35) — Sabse mushkil. Aankhein teez hain, sehti hui nahi dikhti. Isse sabse zyada careful rehna hoga.
Aarav ne decide kiya — agle 5 din sirf impress karne ke liye use karega.
Sex ki koi jaldbazi nahi.
Din 1
Subah Aarav ne Ayaan ko message kiya:
“Kal ghar aaya tha. Achi family hai teri. Agar free ho toh aaj shaam ko phir aa jaaun? Akela rehta hoon, baat karne ko koi nahi.”
Ayaan ne turant reply kiya — “Haan bhai, aana.”
Shaam ko Aarav phir se unke ghar pahuncha.
Is baar usne haath mein mithai ka ek chhota sa packet liya tha.
Mrs. Malhotra ne darwaza khola.
Usne Aarav ko dekhte hi halki si muskaan di.
“Aayo beta. Phir aa gaye?”
Aarav ne jode haath se namaste kiya aur packet aage badhaya.
“Aunty, kal achanak aa gaya tha. Aaj socha kuch leke aata hoon. Bahut simple hai.”
Mrs. Malhotra ne packet liya.
Uske bade, bharе hue honthon par halki si muskaan thi.
“Itni takleef nahi karni thi. Chalo andar baitho.”
Andar Ishita laptop par kuch type kar rahi thi.
Usne sirf ek nazar maari aur wapas screen par dekhne lagi.
Tai ji drawing room mein magazine padh rahi thi.
Usne Aarav ko dekha, lekin kuch nahi kaha.
Sirf uski aankhein uspar thodi der rukii.
Aarav ne is baar Ayaan ke saath hi zyada time bitaya.
College, shehar, books ke baare mein baatein ki.
Beech-beech mein Mrs. Malhotra bhi aa jaati thi. Aarav har baar uth kar unhe respect deta tha. Cup unke haath se khud le leta tha.
Ek baar jab Mrs. Malhotra kitchen se nikal rahi thi, toh Aarav ne dheere se kaha,
“Aunty, aap itna sab khud karti hain. Thoda rest bhi kar liya kijiye.”
Mrs. Malhotra ne uski taraf dekha.
Uski badi aankhon mein ek second ke liye kuch soft sa guzra.
“Aadat ho gayi hai beta. Kaam kiye bina nahi reh paati.”
Aarav ne sirf itna kaha,
“Phir bhi.
Kabhi-kabhi baith bhi liya kijiye.”
Tai ji ne yeh baat sun li thi.
Usne magazine se nazar uthayi, Aarav ko dekha, aur phir se magazine mein dekhne lagi.
Lekin uski aankhon mein ek chhoti si assessment thi.
Din 2
Is baar Aarav ne Ishita ke liye approach change kiya.
Ayaan se pata chala ki Ishita history mein masters kar rahi hai aur uska ek assignment pending hai.
Shaam ko jab Aarav gaya, toh usne Ishita se seedha poocha,
“Ayaan bata raha tha aapka assignment chal raha hai. Agar koi help chahiye ho toh bataana. Main bhi history background se hoon thoda.”
Ishita ne pehli baar usse dhyan se dekha.
“Aapko history aati hai?”
“Thodi bahut.
Sources nikalne mein madad kar sakta hoon.”
Ishita thodi der sochti rahi, phir boli,
“Kal apna laptop le aana.
Dekhte hain.”
Yeh pehli baar tha jab Ishita ne usse ek se zyada sentence mein jawab diya tha.
Mrs. Malhotra ne yeh baat sun li.
Usne kitchen se nikal kar kaha,
“Ishita kabhi kisi se help nahi maangti.
Tumhari kismat achhi hai.”
Aarav ne bas muskura kar sir hilaaya.
Tai ji ne phir se kuch nahi kaha.
Lekin us din usne Aarav ko do baar tezi se dekha.
Din 3
Aarav ne ab Tai ji ko soft target banaya.
Usne notice kiya tha ki Tai ji roz shaam ko terrace par 15-20 minute walk karti hain.
Us din Aarav thodi der pehle pahuncha aur Ayaan se kaha,
“Main upar terrace dekh kar aata hoon. Thodi hawa le loon.”
Terrace par Tai ji pehle se thi.
Pink gown mein.
Baal thode se khule hue.
Shareer ki making ab bhi tight thi.
Aarav ne thodi door se kaha,
“Tai ji, aap roz yahaan aati hain?”
Tai ji ne mud kar dekha.
“Haan.
Hawa lene.
Tum?”
“Main bhi.
Neeche thoda heavy laga.”
Tai ji ne usse upar se neeche tak dekha.
Phir boli,
“Tumhari umar mein log heavy nahi feel karte.
Tum zyada sochte ho.”
Aarav ne halka sa muskura diya.
“Shayad.
Aap…
bahut active dikhti hain apni umar se.”
Tai ji ne ek second ruk kar kaha,
“Umar sirf number hoti hai.
Shareer aur dimaag alag chalte hain.”
Itni baat karke woh chup ho gayi.
Lekin usne Aarav ko wahaan se jaane nahi kaha.
Dono 10 minute tak chupchaap terrace par khade rahe.
Neeche Mrs. Malhotra ne notice kiya ki Aarav Tai ji ke saath terrace se utar raha hai.
Uske chehre par ek halka sa sawaal tha, lekin usne kuch nahi poocha.
Din 4 aur 5 ka base
Aarav ne yeh samajh liya tha ki:
Ishita ko intellectual respect chahiye.
Mrs. Malhotra ko care aur thodi si importance chahiye.
Tai ji ko force nahi, balki space ke saath presence chahiye.
Usne agle do din bhi yahi pattern follow kiya.
Kabhi Ishita ke assignment mein madad ki.
Kabhi Mrs. Malhotra ka bag kitchen tak le gaya.
Kabhi Tai ji ke saath terrace par 10 minute chup chaap khada raha.
Koi overt move nahi kiya.
Koi flirt nahi kiya.
Koi unnecessary smile nahi diya.
Lekin har din
teenon ki nazar
uspar
thodi der zyada
rukne lagi thi.
Particularly Mrs. Malhotra ki badi aankhein
aur
Tai ji ki teez nazar.
Aarav raat ko flat mein aakar sofe par baithte hue sochta tha —
“Yeh log asaan nahi hain.
Lekin
darwaza
dheere-dheere
khil raha hai.”
Uske andar bhook
ab
sabr
se
intezaar
kar rahi thi.

Din 4
Aarav aaj thoda pehle pahuncha tha.
Ayaan college gaya hua tha. Ishita apne room mein assignment bana rahi thi. Drawing room mein sirf Mrs. Malhotra thi. Woh sofe par baithi hui thi, pair fold kiye hue, saree ka pallu kandhe par tha. Uske bade shareer ka wazan sofe par saaf mehsoos ho raha tha. Badi aankhein thaki hui thin, lekin unmein wohi mature softness thi.
Aarav ne andar aate hi namaste kiya.
“Aunty, Ayaan nahi hai kya?”
“College gaya hai beta.
Baitho.
Chai laati hoon.”
Aarav ne turant kaha,
“Main le aata hoon aunty.
Aap baithi rahiye.”
Mrs. Malhotra ne uski taraf dekha.
Ek second rukii.
Phir dheere se boli,
“Theek hai.
Kitchen mein rakhii hui hai.”
Aarav kitchen gaya.
Usne tray mein chai ka cup, thodi si namkeen aur ek glass paani arrange kiya. Wapas aakar table par rakha.
Mrs. Malhotra ne cup haath mein liya.
Uske bharе hue honthon ne halka sa touch kiya cup ko.
“Tumhari maa ne achhe se values di hain tumhe,” usne kaha.
Aarav ne sir hilaaya.
“Unhone hi sikhaya hai.”
Thodi der khamoshi rahi.
Phir Mrs. Malhotra ne dheere se poocha,
“Tumhari maa…
kab aa rahi hain?”
Aarav ne controlled awaaz mein kaha,
“Is hafte ke end tak.
Kaam thoda phail gaya hai.”
Mrs. Malhotra ne sir hilaaya.
Usne Aarav ko ek nazar aur dekha.
Is baar uski nazar sirf chehre par nahi, thodi der uske haathor aur tarike par bhi ruki.
Tabhi Tai ji andar aayi.
Usne light blue colour ka salwar suit pehna tha. Shareer uske kapdon mein bhi tight aur set dikh raha tha.
Usne dono ko dekhte hue kaha,
“Chai ho rahi hai?”
Aarav turant khada ho gaya.
“Tai ji, main aapke liye bhi le aata hoon.”
Tai ji ne usse dekha.
Is baar uski aankhon mein pehli baar thoda sa surprise tha.
Usne mana nahi kiya.
Aarav ne doosri chai laakar unhe di.
Tai ji ne cup liya aur dheere se boli,
“Tum bahut service wale ho.”
Aarav ne halka sa jawaab diya,
“Aadat hai.”
Tai ji ne kuch nahi kaha.
Lekin usne baithte waqt Aarav ke bagal wali kursi nahi, uske thoda sa saamne wali kursi chooni.
Ishita shaam ko hi bahar aayi.
Usne Aarav ko dekhte hi kaha,
“Aapne jo sources kal bheje the, unse kaam ho gaya.
Thank you.”
Yeh pehli baar tha jab Ishita ne khud se thank you kaha tha.
Aarav ne bas itna kaha,
“Koi baat nahi.
Agar aur kuch chahiye ho toh bataana.”
Ishita ne sir hilaaya aur wapas apne room mein chali gayi.
Lekin uske jaane se pehle uski nazar ek second ke liye Aarav par ruki thi.
Din 5
Aaj Aarav ne thoda alag approach try kiya.
Usne Ayaan se pehle hi baat kar li thi ki woh ghar ke kuch chhote kaam mein madad kar dena chahta hai. Ayaan ne maa se pooch liya tha, unhone mana nahi kiya.
Shaam ko Aarav ne Mrs. Malhotra ka heavy grocery bag gate se uthaya aur kitchen tak le gaya.
Mrs. Malhotra peeche-peeche aa rahi thi.
“Beta, itna heavy hai, main khud le leti,” usne kaha.
Aarav ne bag neeche rakhte hue kaha,
“Aunty, aap itna sab manage karti hain.
Yeh chhoti si baat hai.”
Mrs. Malhotra ne uski taraf dekha.
Is baar uski badi aankhon mein ek clear soft expression tha.
Usne dheere se kaha,
“Tumhari maa ne sach mein achha beta pala hai.”
Aarav ne andar hi andar woh baat dil mein daal li.
Baad mein terrace par Tai ji phir se walk kar rahi thi.
Aarav ne is baar unse permission leke unke saath walk kiya.
Dono chupchaap chal rahe the.
Thodi der baad Tai ji ne kaha,
“Tum roz aa rahe ho.
Koi kaam-dhandha nahi hai kya?”
Aarav ne seedha jawaab diya,
“Abhi naya shehar hai.
Kaam dhundh raha hoon.
Tab tak time pass ho jaata hai yahaan.”
Tai ji ne uski taraf dekha.
“Time pass…
ya kuch aur?”
Aarav ne unki aankhon mein dekha.
Is baar usne nazar nahi hatayi.
“Abhi toh bas time pass.”
Tai ji ne halka sa muskura diya.
Woh muskaan pehli baar thi.
Usne kuch nahi kaha, lekin uske chehre par ek ajeeb si pehchaan si thi.
Neeche Ishita ne notice kiya ki Aarav Tai ji ke saath terrace se utar raha hai.
Usne apne laptop se nazar uthayi aur un dono ko dekha.
Kuch socha.
Phir wapas screen par dekhne lagi.
Shaam ke last mein jab Aarav nikalne laga, toh Mrs. Malhotra ne usse gate tak chhodа.
“Kal bhi aa jaana beta,” usne kaha.
“Ayaan bhi chahta hai.
Aur…
ghar mein bhi koi naya chehra dekhne ko mil jaata hai.”
Aarav ne namaste kiya.
“Zaroor aunty.”
Jab woh sadak par chal raha tha, toh usne peeche mud kar ek baar ghar ko dekha.
Khidki se Mrs. Malhotra ab bhi usse dekh rahi thi.
Uski badi aankhein.
Bhari hui figure.
Upar terrace ki taraf Tai ji ki pink gown ki jhalak bhi dikhi.
Aarav ne apne haath ko mutthi mein band kiya.
Paanch din ho gaye the.
Ab
darwaza
thoda
aur
khul chuka tha.
Lekin abhi bhi
sex
se
kaafi
door
tha.
Uske andar bhook
sabr
ke
saath
muskura
rahi
thi.

Saatve din ki raat.
Aarav flat mein floor par baitha tha.
Pathar ab drawer mein band tha, lekin uski zaroorat nahi rahi thi. Shareer khud samajh raha tha ki waqt aa gaya hai.
Pehle haddiyon mein khichav hua.
Phir chamdi tanav.
Dard ab pehle jaisa teez nahi tha, lekin gehra zaroor tha.
Subah jab usne aankhein kholi, toh sheeshe mein Suman khadi thi.
Wahi bhari hui chhatiyan, wahi patli kamar, wahi aankhein.
Lekin is baar un aankhon mein do cheezein thin —
ek thandi bhook,
aur ek narmi jo Ayaan ne chhodi thi.
Suman ne apne honthon ko chhua.
Phir dheere se kaha,
“Ab…
uske paas jaana hoga.”
Usne simple light pink kurti aur white leggings pehne.
Makeup halka. Baal thode se khule.
Chehre par ek controlled soft expression.
Pehle usne Ayaan ko message kiya:
“Main aa gayi.
Park mat aana.
Main khud aati hoon.”
Phir woh seedha Ayaan ke ghar chali gayi.
Darwaza Mrs. Malhotra ne khola.
Unki badi aankhein Suman ko dekhte hi thodi si phail gayi.
“Suman…
aap aa gayi?”
Suman ne narm muskaan ke saath namaste kiya.
“Haan aunty.
Kaam se wapas aa gayi.”
Mrs. Malhotra ne usse upar se neeche tak dekha.
Unke chehre par ek ajeeb sa expression tha —
jaise woh Aarav ko miss kar rahi hon, lekin ab uski “maa” ke saamne yeh baat nahi nikal sakti.
“Aao, aao andar,” unhone kaha.
“Ayaan college gaya hai.
Thodi der mein aayega.”
Andar Tai ji bhi thin.
Unhone magazine se nazar uthayi aur Suman ko dekha.
Is baar unki teez aankhon mein ek clear assessment thi.
Woh Suman ko dekh rahi thin jaise pehle Aarav ko dekhti thin.
Ishita bhi room se nikal kar aayi.
Usne Suman ko dekhte hue sirf itna kaha,
“Hello aunty.”
Suman ne sabko soft smile di.
Phir dheere se boli,
“Aunty, ek baat bataani thi.
Mere saas-sasur…
matlab Aarav ke dada-dadi…
doosre shehar mein rehte hain.
Unki tabiyat thik nahi rehti.
Isliye hum dono baari-baari se unke paas jaate hain.
Ek hafte main unki dekhbhal karti hoon,
ek hafte Aarav jaata hai.
Isliye kabhi main hoti hoon, kabhi Aarav.
Aap log confuse mat hona.”
Mrs. Malhotra ne sir hilaaya.
“Achha…
isliye Aarav itne din yahaan tha.”
Unki awaaz mein halki si tadap thi.
Jaise unhe yeh sun’na thoda sa bura laga ho ki Aarav ab nahi aayega is hafte.
Tai ji ne tab bolna shuru kiya.
“Matlab
ab is hafte
Aarav nahi aayega?”
Suman ne soft lekin clear awaaz mein kaha,
“Haan.
Is hafte main hoon.
Agle hafte woh aayega.”
Tai ji ne magazine band ki.
Unhone kuch nahi kaha, lekin unke chehre par ek halka sa sukha expression aa gaya.
Ishita ne bhi yeh baat sun li thi.
Usne apne room ki taraf jaate hue ek baar Suman ko dekha.
Uske chehre par koi clear expression nahi tha, lekin uski aankhein thodi der ke liye rukii thin.
Thodi der baad Ayaan aa gaya.
Usne Suman ko dekhte hi ruk gaya.
Aankhein thodi badi ho gayi.
Phir uske chehre par ek clear, soft, khushi wali muskaan fail gayi.
“Aap…
aa gayi,” usne dheemi awaaz mein kaha.
Suman ne usse dekhte hue halka sa sir hilaaya.
“Haan.
Aa gayi.”
Ayaan ke chehre par itni saaf khushi thi ki Mrs. Malhotra aur Tai ji dono ne notice kar liya.
Mrs. Malhotra ne halki si muskaan ke saath kaha,
“Chalo, ab tum log baat karo.
Main kitchen mein hoti hoon.”
Tai ji bhi uth kar andar chali gayi.
Jaate-jaate unhone ek baar Suman ko dekha.
Unki nazar mein ek ajeeb sa sawaal tha.
Ab drawing room mein sirf Suman aur Ayaan the.
Ayaan ne uske kareeb aake dheere se kaha,
“Main roz sochta tha.
Ki aap kab aaogi.
Aarav bhai se milke…
aur bhi yaad aati thi aapki.”
Suman ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Uske andar bhook hilti hui mehsoos hui.
Lekin uske saath-saath woh narmi bhi thi jo is ladke ne di thi.
Usne dheere se kaha,
“Main bhi…
sochti thi.”
Ayaan ne uska haath pakad liya.
Is baar ghar ke andar.
Thoda risk ke saath.
Suman ne haath nahi chhoda.
Bahar kitchen se Mrs. Malhotra ki awaaz aa rahi thi.
Tai ji ke kamre se magazine ke panne ulatne ki awaaz.
Lekin is pal
Suman sirf Ayaan ke haath
ko
mehsoos
kar rahi thi.
Uske dimaag mein ek baat saaf thi —
Is hafte
woh Ayaan ke saath
apni narmi wali story
aage
badhayegi.
Aur agle hafte…
Aarav
wapas
aayega.
Tab
in teeno auraton ki
tadap
ka
faayda
uthaya
jaayega.

Suman ke wapas aane ke baad pehla poora din dheere-dheere guzra.
Ayaan college se jaldi wapas aa gaya tha. Usne bag side mein rakhte hi Suman se kaha,
“Chalo bahar ghumne?
Park nahi…
thoda aage, jahaan log kam hote hain.”
Suman ne sir hilaaya.
Mrs. Malhotra kitchen se nikal kar boli,
“Jaldi aa jaana.
Shaam tak ghar pe hi rehna.”
Unki awaaz mein wohi soft care thi, lekin unki badi aankhon mein ek chhoti si kami bhi dikh rahi thi.
Jaise woh Aarav ke “beta” wale attitude ko yaad kar rahi hon.
Tai ji ne magazine se nazar nahi uthayi, lekin unhone clear sun liya tha.
Ishita apne room se nikal kar unhein jaate hue dekh rahi thi. Uske chehre par koi expression nahi tha, lekin uski nazar Suman par thodi der ruki.
Park se thoda aage ek chhota sa garden area tha.
Wahaan benches kam thin, log almost nahi the.
Ayaan ne Suman ko ek bench par bithaya.
Khud uske bagal mein baitha.
Is baar unke beech ki doori bahut kam thi.
Thodi der chup rehne ke baad Ayaan ne dheere se kaha,
“Jab aap nahi thin…
toh ghar thoda ajeeb lagta tha.
Aarav bhai aate the, madad karte the, lekin…
aapki jagah nahi le sakte the.”
Suman ne uski taraf dekha.
“Woh…
achha hai na?”
“Haan,” Ayaan ne kaha.
“Lekin alag hai.
Aapke saath baithne mein…
ek alag sukoon hai.”
Usne Suman ka haath pakad liya.
Is baar thoda aur himmat ke saath.
Suman ne haath nahi chhoda.
Ayaan ne uske kareeb hote hue poocha,
“Kya main…
phir se choom sakta hoon?”
Suman ne aankhein band kar li.
Usne sir hilaaya.
Ayaan ne dheere se uske honthon ko chhua.
Pehle halka.
Phir thoda gehra.
Suman ke honthon ne jawab diya.
Unka choomban ab pehle jaisa nahi tha.
Ismein ek hafte ki duri thi, ek hafte ka intezaar tha.
Suman ne Ayaan ke baalon mein haath daal diya.
Ayaan ne uski kamar par haath rakha — kapdon ke upar, naram se.
Choomban lambaa hota gaya.
Kabhi rukta, kabhi phir shuru ho jaata.
Suman ke muh se ek dabi hui siskari nikalii —
“Hmm…”
Ayaan ne usse alag hote hue kaha,
“Main aapse kuch nahi maang raha.
Bas…
aapke itna kareeb rehna chahta hoon.”
Suman ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Uske andar bhook hilti hui mehsoos hui.
Lekin is baar usne usse peeche dhakel diya.
“Main jaanti hoon,” usne dheere se kaha.
“Isliye main bhi…
tere paas aa rahi hoon.”
Dono thodi der aur baithe rahe.
Haath ek dusre ke haath mein.
Kabhi-kabhi ek dusre ke maathe se maathe ko sataate hue.
Shaam ko jab woh ghar wapas aaye toh Mrs. Malhotra ne unhein dekhte hi kaha,
“Itni der kar di.
Chai thandi ho gayi.”
Unki awaaz mein normal care thi, lekin unhone Suman ke baal thode se bikhre hue dekhe aur unki nazar ek second ke liye ruk gayi.
Tai ji drawing room mein baithi thi.
Unhone Suman ko dekhte hue kaha,
“Aaj tum dono bahut delayed ho.”
Suman ne soft smile ke saath kaha,
“Thodi hawa le rahe the Tai ji.”
Tai ji ne sir hilaaya.
Lekin unki aankhein Suman ke chehre par thodi der ruki.
Jaise woh kuch dhoondh rahi hon — Aarav jaisi koi jhalak.
Ishita ne dinner ke time table par aate hue Suman se poocha,
“Aapke beta…
Aarav bhai…
aglege hafte aayenge na?”
Suman ne normal tone mein kaha,
“Haan.
Agle hafte woh aayenge.
Main unki jagah dada-dadi ke paas chali jaaungi.”
Ishita ne bas “hmm” kaha.
Lekin usne plate mein dekhte hue ek baar aur Suman ki taraf nazar daali.
Raat ko jab Suman ghar se nikalne lagi toh Ayaan ne use gate tak chhodа.
Usne dheere se kaha,
“Kal…
phir milenge?”
Suman ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
“Haan.
Milenge.”
Ayaan ne uska haath ek second ke liye pakda, phir chhod diya.
Suman jab apne flat ki taraf chal rahi thi, toh usne socha —
Is hafte
woh Ayaan ko
aur kareeb
laayegi.
Aur agle hafte…
jab Aarav aayega…
toh yeh ghar
uski kami
ko
thoda
zyada
mehsoos
karega.
Uske andar bhook
ab
do alag
direction
mein
kaam
kar
rahi
thi.