Adultery I Lost Mom to the Boy Next Door

[Joker44]

Muhurat lock hone ke theek do din baad is ghar ne pehli baar Vaishali ko gol-mol baaton mein nahi, balki ekdam seedhe shabdon mein bol diya — shaadi ab poori tarah fix ho chuki hai.

Yeh line kisi hall mein ya khane ki table par nahi kahi gayi thi. Yeh baat unhone seedha uske apne kamre mein aakar, darwaza andar se band karke kahi, taaki Priya ko poori tasveer ka ek bhi tukda na mil sake. Ramesh palang ke kinare khali-khali aankhon se baitha hua tha. Arjun bilkul samne khada tha. Aur Vaishali chupchap apni window ke paas khadi thi — gale mein mangalsutra tha, maang mein sindoor bhara tha, aur woh dekhne mein bilkul aisi lag rahi thi jaise woh abhi bhi isi ghar ki ek aam patni aur maa ho.
Arjun ne aage badhkar kaha, “Ma, ab yeh koi theatre ya natak nahi raha. Unhone date bilkul pakki kar di hai. Vikram ne tujhe dekh kar khud haan bola hai. Uncle ne baju wale flat ka token bhi de diya hai. Ab tu sirf do hafte ke liye ‘Meera’ ban kar yeh sab nikal de, uske baad hum aakhri moment pe switch kar denge.”
Vaishali ne palat kar un dono baap-beton ki taraf dekha, aur is baar usne koi adhura jawab nahi diya, balki poori saaf line mein kaha:
“Tum dono sach mein mujhe kya samajhte ho? Main isliye bilkul khush nahi hoon ki koi 24 saal ka ladka meri photo dekh kar mujhpe lattu ho gaya hai. Main sach mein darti hoon. Lekin ab main yeh bahut achhi tarah samajh chuki hoon ki maine unke samne chai rakh di, pohe paros diye, apni maang ka sindoor hata diya aur unke samne Meera ban kar chupchap baith gayi. Ab yahan se peeche hatne ka koi rasta nahi bacha hai. Priya yahan se apna haq maang kar kabhi nahi jayegi. Yeh log paisa wapas nahi karenge. Unke uncle ek bade lawyer hain. Jo kuch bhi maine unke samne dikha diya hai, ab mujhe use poori tarah nibhana hi padega.”
Ramesh ne dheere se apna sir hila kar kaha, “Hum sab tere hi sath hain, Vaishali. Yeh humara aakhri option hai. Mausi is ghar se hamesha ke liye nikal jayegi, aur tu wapas apni jagah par aa jayegi.”
Vaishali ne un dono ko dekha aur andar hi andar usne ghut kar is sach ko maan liya — poori tarah se nahi, balki ek gehri thakaan aur majboori ke sath. Us ladke ne uski photo like ki thi. Uski family ne demand ke naam par koi drama ya khich-kich nahi ki thi. Naye kapde aur jewellery ke packet ghar aane shuru ho chuke the. Priya ka woh zehreela shor hamesha ke liye thand ho sakta tha. In saari cheezon ne mil kar uske saare gusse ko ek ajeeb si thaki hui ‘haan’ mein badal diya tha. Woh is rishte se kisi jawan ladki ki tarah khush nahi thi. Woh bas is baat se thoda halka mehsoos kar rahi thi ki uske samne ek rasta dikh raha tha — maana ki woh ek behad ganda aur paap se bhara rasta tha, par ek rasta toh tha hi.
Usne aakhirkar kaha, “Theek hai. Main act karugi. Register par main apna koi sign nahi karungi, aur phere bhi aakhri moment par Mausi ke hi honge. Lekin uss se pehle jo bhi naap-tola, blouse aur chalne-firne ka natak hai, woh main sab kar dungi. Uske baad meri chain aur mangalsutra mujhe wapas mil jana chahiye.”
Arjun ne apna sir hila diya. Uske dimaag mein woh purana jhootha switch abhi bhi zinda tha. Aur Vaishali ke dimaag mein woh switch ek aisi rassi thi jisse woh khud ko bachane ki koshish kar rahi thi. Dono ne alag-alag siron se wahi rassi pakdi hui thi.
Iske baad unhone poore pados aur rishtedaron mein yeh kahani faila di ki Vaishali kuch dino ke liye apni ek saheli Savita ke ghar Parel ja rahi hai, kyunki wahan uski shadi ke kuch kapde aur naap ka kaam hona hai. Savita sach mein Parel mein rehti thi, par Vaishali wahan raat ko kabhi nahi soti thi. Woh din mein do-teen ghante ke liye Savita ke yahan chali jaati, wahan apne naye kapde rakhti, aur wapas ghar aa jati thi. Bahar ke logon ke liye yeh shadi ki taiyari thi. Andar ke logon ke liye yeh ek parda tha, taaki Priya har ghante ‘Meera’ ke baare mein sawal na pooch sake.
Savita ne ek din akele mein tok kar pooch hi liya, “Tu aisi umar mein achanak yeh delayed shaadi kyun kar rahi hai, Vaishali? Aur suna hai woh ladka tujhse umar mein behad chhota hai?”
Vaishali ne is jhooth ko ek poore aur pakke sentence mein sambhala:
“Ramesh ke parivar ki taraf se ek rishta aa gaya tha. Main apne is ghar aur parivar ke liye yeh sab kar rahi hu. Isse zyada mujh se kuch mat pooch, Savita.”



Savita ne uske baad aur koi khod-khed nahi ki. Usne bas itna kaha, “Apne blouse ka naap theek se karwa liyo. Tere jaise heavy bust aur jism par sleeveless blouse mein tera jism bilkul chhupne wala nahi hai.”

Teesri subah Vikram ki apni maa, unka trusted tailor, ek kapde ki thaili, aur ek inch-tape lekar seedha inke ghar aa gayi. Ek aam traditional Marathi ghar ka yeh rivaaj bhi hota hai ki honewali saas khud apne haathon se bahu ka naap leti hai, taaki shadi ke din blouse kahin se phate nahi aur pallu chota na pade.
Priya ko ek baar phir se zabardasti andar wale kamre mein bitha diya gaya. Wahan yeh kahani chal rahi thi ki “Savita ki mummy aayi hui hain.” Priya andar baith kar cheekh rahi thi aur maan nahi rahi thi, par darwaza uske gusse se zyada mazboot aur band tha.
Vaishali hall mein uth kar aayi aur unhe hath jod kar namaskar kiya. Aaj usne maang mein sindoor nahi bhara tha, gale mein mangalsutra bhi nahi tha. Baal aaram se khule hue the. Usne ek simple cream saree pehni thi — sleeveless nahi, balki ek sadharan sleeved blouse, lekin uske andar bhi uski heavy aur bhari chhati saaf ubhar rahi thi. Vikram ki maa ne use upar se neeche tak ek aisi nazar se naapa jaise ek aurat doosri aurat ke jism ki har ek fit ko dekhti hai.
Unhone muskura kar kaha, “Meera, tu zara bhi tension mat le beta. Vikram ne photo mein bhi tujhe pasand kiya tha, aur ghar par dekh kar bhi wahi baat boli. Kundli aur patrika bhi poori tarah sath de rahi hai. Tu itni simple aur bholi hai, yeh sabse badi acchhi baat hai. Chal, ab jaldi se naap le lete hain.”
Vaishali ne dheere se “haan” kaha. Yahi se un dono saas-bahu ke beech ki pehli lambi aur khamosh baat shuru hui.
Tailor ne apna inch-tape nikala. Sabse pehle shoulder ka naap liya, phir bust ka. Tape jab Vaishali ki chhati ke sabse ubhare hue aur mote hisse par aakar ruki, toh tailor ki nazar notebook par chali gayi, aur honewali saas ki nazar seedhi us blouse ke gher par jam gayi. Vaishali ne apni saans andar rok li. Uske heavy, rasile breasts ne us tape ko baahar ki taraf ek zor ka dhakka diya. Uski umar ki us “38 saal ki unmarried simple ladki” ke mukable woh naap kahin zyada bhari aur mota tha.
Saas ne halka sa muskura kar tailor se kaha, “Blouse mein andar se lining thodi heavy aur extra lagana. Gale ko pehle din bilkul deep mat rakhna. Uske baad... jaisa Vikram ka mann hoga, waisa kar lenge.”
Yeh aakhri line bohot dheere se kahi gayi thi, par Vaishali ke kaano mein aakar ek lohe ki sikh ki tarah ruk gayi. Usne iska koi jawab nahi diya. Usne bas chupchap apni kamar ki peti ka naap diya, hips ka naap diya, aur blouse ki length mark karwai. Uski soft pet, wide aur heavy hips, aur thick waist ka har ek figure us notebook mein saaf-saaf likh liya gaya. Tailor ne maroon silk aur cream tissue ke kapde ko alag se mark karke rakh diya.
Saas ne aage badhkar pyaar se Vaishali ke baalon ko chua, jaise woh use apna banane ki pehli koshish kar rahi ho.
“Baal tere bohot acche hain, Meera. Muhurat ke din inhe khula hi rakhna. Sindoor... woh sirf shadi wale din hi lagegi. Abhi iski koi zaroorat nahi hai.”



Vaishali ka haath khud-b-khud apne gale ki taraf gaya jahan hamesha mangalsutra hua karta tha, par wahan sirf nangi skin thi. Usne poore sentence mein kaha, “Mujhe aaj-kal aisi cheezon ki aadat nahi hai, mummy ji. Main apne ghar mein hamesha bohot simple rehti hu.”

Saas ne apna haath uthakar Vaishali ke kaapte hue haath par rakh diya.
“Ab tu kisi simple ghar ki nahi, hamari ghar ki bahu banne ja rahi hai. Kisi bhi cheez ka act mat kar, bas iski aadat daal le. Vikram ko mature auraten hi pasand hain. Chhoti ladkiyon ki tarah uchalna-koodna use nahi suhata. Tu jaise chupchap baithi hai, bilkul waise hi theek hai.”
Yahan tak toh saas aur bahu ki baatein ek pyar bhare rishte jaisi lag rahi thi. Lekin uske theek peechhe ek behad sakt control aur hukum chhipa hua tha. Vaishali yeh baat poori tarah samajh chuki thi. Usne pehle hi us anjaani family ke samne bride ban kar chai paros di thi. Ab naap bhi poora ho chuka tha. Ab is ghar ke andar ‘nahi’ bolna sirf ek bekaar shabd ban kar reh gaya tha — bahar ki duniya ke liye woh ab poori tarah ‘Meera’ ban chuki thi.
Saas ke wahan se jaane ke thodi hi der baad Ramesh aur Arjun ne Vaishali ke samne ek chamakti hui kapde ki thaili la kar rakhi. Uske andar ek khoobsurat maroon silk ki saree thi, ek matching cream blouse piece tha, ek medium weight ka sone ka haar tha, sone ke jhumke the, aur kuch chote bangle the. Yeh sab Vikram ki family ka poora dahej ka set nahi tha — yeh un dono baap-beton ne usi shagun ke mile hue paise mein se kuch hissa nikaal kar Vaishali ko ‘manane’ aur chup karane ke liye kharida tha.
Arjun ne aage badhkar kaha, “Ma, ise pehen kar ek baar mirror mein dekh toh sahi. Apni zindagi mein tujhe aisi cheezein kab aur kahan naseeb hui thi?”
Vaishali ne us sone ke haar ko apne haath mein uthaya. Ek halka sa wazan uske kaapte hue haathon mein mehsoos hua. Shaadi ke itne saalon mein Ramesh ne use kabhi aisa koi keemti gehna ya mehanga kapda nahi diya tha. Uske pehle ke kapde hamesha bazaar ke saste aur aam hua karte the. Lekin yeh maroon silk kapda haath mein aate hi bilkul alag mehsus ho raha tha. Yeh sona uske haath mein chamak raha tha. Uske honth par pehle ek halki si khushi aayi, phir ek gehri sharm aayi, aur aakhir mein woh dono aapas mein mil gayi.
Usne ekdam saaf aur poore sentence mein kaha:
“Main is sone ke haar ke liye ‘Meera’ nahi bani hu, Arjun. Lekin itne saal beet jaane ke baad agar kisi ne meri taraf dekh kar mujhe kuch diya hai, toh is sach se main inkar nahi karugi. Main yeh sab pehunuhi, kyunki ab mujhe is natak ko poori tarah act karna padega. Lekin apne andar se main aaj bhi yahi sochti hu ki aakhri moment par wahan Priya jayegi, aur main hamesha ki tarah yahin apke ghar mein rahungi.”
Ramesh ne apni aankhen zameen par jhuka li aur dheere se bola, “Haan... aakhri mein wahi hoga.”
Vaishali ne us maroon blouse ko apne bathroom mein le jakar pehan kar dekha. Sleeveless maroon piece jab usne pehna, toh lining ke baad bhi uske heavy breasts aur unka bhari ubhaar us kapde ke andar poori tarah se qaid nahi ho pa raha tha. Woh sona uske collarbone ke us kaale til ke theek upar aakar ruk gaya tha. Uske baal khule hue the. Sheeshe ke andar dekhne par woh phir se wahi 38 saal ki jawan aurat lag rahi thi.
Usne is baar apni aankhen sheeshe se nahi pheryi. Pehli baar zindagi mein usne khud ko itni der tak ghaur se dekha tha. Uske andar gussa ab kam ho chuka tha, darr thoda baaki tha, aur ek ajeeb si chhupi hui khushi bhi thi jise woh apne bete ke samne kisi bhi keemat par zahir nahi karna chahti thi.
Bahar se achanak Priya ne apne kamre ke darwaze par dastak dekar poocha, “Andar yeh naye kapde kiske aaye hain aur kiski aawaz aa rahi hai?”
Vaishali ne thoda sa uncha bol kar jawab diya, “Yeh Savita ke kapde hain, thodi der mein wapas chale jayenge.”
Zindagi mein pehle jo jhooth uske munh se tut-tut kar nikalte the, ab woh ekdam poore aur pakke sentence ki tarah aaram se bahar aa rahe the. Jhooth ab is ghar ki zabaan ban chuka tha.
Raat ke waqt sone se theek pehle usne apna woh naya sona ka haar ek alag dabbe mein rakha, aur apna purana mangalsutra uske paas hi rakh diya. Do alag-alag zindagiyan ek hi choti si shelf par aakar chupchap so gayi thi. Palang par let kar usne socha — saas ne uska naap le liya hai, tailor ne uske jism ke sare numbers likh liye hain, uske bete aur pati ne use sona de diya hai, Priya abhi bhi doosre kamre mein apna haq aur hissa maang rahi hai, aur idhar wahi baju wala flat ab poori tarah saaf aur taiyar ho raha hai.
Usne andhere mein let kar khud se ekdam saaf shabdon mein kaha:
“Main yeh bilkul nahi chahti thi. Lekin ab maine unhe apna sab kuch dikha diya hai. Ab mujhe yeh poora act karna padega. Aur uske baad... main wapas yahin apne ghar aa jaungi.”
Landing par abhi bhi wahi do darwaze khade the.
Right wale flat ke andar se abhi bhi naye rang-roghan aur paint ki mehak aa rahi thi.
Left wale ghar ke andar ek aisi maa soyi thi jiske jism ka har ek naap aur figure ab kisi anjaani family ki notebook mein hamesha ke liye likha ja chuka tha.
Woh jhootha switch abhi bhi unke dimaag mein ek umeed ki tarah zinda tha.
Lekin tailor ke liye naape gaye un numbers ke hisaab se... woh dulhan banne ka khel sachmuch shuru ho chuka tha

Maroon silk ki thaili subah theek dus baje unke flat ki chaukhat pe aayi.

Tailor ke ladke ne bhari, chamakti thaili dining table ke kinare pe rakhi, paise liye aur chala gaya. Ramesh ne darwaza kheencha, purani kundi aahiste se lagayi taaki koi awaz na ho. Priya ke kamre ka darwaza andar se lock tha, par us bandh darwaze ke peeche se bhi uske kaan poore ghar ki aahat sunte the.
Vaishali ne thaili ki taraf dekha. Uske haath aage badhe jaise kisi naye kapde ko nahi, balki kisi darr ko chhoone ja rahe hon. Kapda bhaari tha — pure banarasi-cut silk, zari ki chamak dhoop mein aisi jaise asli sona pighla ke taaron mein piroya gaya ho. Uske sath sleeveless blouse nikla, double lining ke sath, wahi naap jo saas ne us subah apne haathon ke tape se Vaishali ke nange aur ubhre jism pe kheencha tha. Cream tissue ka second bridal set alag transparent polythene mein bandha tha. Koi gehna nahi aaya tha abhi, par sirf kapde ki khushbu aur uski mehak ne poore 2BHK flat ki khatti hawa ko achanak badal kar rakh diya tha.
Arjun kitchen ke kone mein khada tha, aankhon mein excitement aur thoda jhijhak. "Ma... pehen ke dekh le. Agar fitting galat hui toh abhi tailor ko bol dunga."
Vaishali ne ek shabd nahi kaha. Thaili uthayi aur apne bedroom mein chali gayi. Darwaza lagaya.
Purani, dhuli hui cotton saree ko usne kamar se khola. Kapda phisal kar zameen pe gira. Purane simple cotton blouse ke hooks peeth se ek-ek karke khule. Jab usne apni gharelu bra utari, uske dono heavy, rasile breasts azaad hokar aage ki taraf jhuk gaye — unka bhaari wazan, unke dark nipples ka halka sa tanav, aur collarbone ke theek neeche ka gehra kaala til peeli tube-light mein chamak utha.
Usne sheeshe ke samne khade hokar naya sleeveless maroon blouse uthaya.
Pehla hook laga. Dusra. Teesri hook pe aate-aate kapde ne uske pure bust ko neeche se utha kar upar ki taraf squeeze kar diya. Double lining ne kapde ko support toh diya, par uske jism ke bhaari gher ko chhupa na saki. Dono gore, rasile stan blouse ke deep sweetheart cut ke upar se nikal kar aage ko ubhar aaye. Cleavage itni gehri aur saaf ho gayi ki gale se lekar chhati ke beech tak ek lambi, garam ghaati ban gayi. Left collarbone ka til us nange gale pe bilkul akele chamak raha tha.
Usne maroon silk saree ko apni choudi, gol kamar pe baandha. Silk ka sarsarahat uski smooth thighs aur hips se ragad khata hua neeche tak gaya. Pallu ko usne kandhe pe daala, par sleeveless hone ki wajah se uski gori, bhari arms aur armpit ke paas ka nanga curve saaf jhalak raha tha. Usne apne jet-black wavy baal khole, jo peeth ke beech tak bikhar gaye. Maang mein sindoor nahi tha. Gale mein mangalsutra nahi tha — sirf ek choti si laal bindi maathe pe.
Sheeshe ke samne jo aurat khadi thi, woh 42 saal ki kisi ladke ki Ma nahi thi.
Sheeshe mein 38 saal ki ek behisaab jawan, bhari-poori, aur pyasi aurat khadi thi — wheatish glow, bhare hue rasile hoth, aur ek aisi khuli jawani jise dekh kar koi bhi mard apna sab kuch bhool jaye. Wahi jism jise us matrimonial site pe 'Meera' keh kar becha gaya tha.
Vaishali ko khud ke jism se achanak darr lagne laga. Uska dil zor se dhadka. Natak itna sach aur itna nanga nahi lagna chahiye tha. Agar natak itna saaf aur khubsoorat dikhega, toh samne wala mard kabhi kisi aurat se switch karne ko raazi nahi hoga.
Usne ghabra kar pallu ko kheencha, chahti thi ki apne bhari ubhaar ko dhak le. Par chikna silk saree ka kapda baar-baar phisal kar uske breasts ke kinare gir jata, uski bhari chhati ko aur zyada nanga dikhate hue. Usne sheeshe mein apni aankhon mein dekhte hue poore control se khud se kaha:
"Yeh main nahi hoon. Yeh unki banayi hui Meera hai. Sirf do hafte ka tamasha hai. Phir meri chain aur sindoor wapas mere gale
mein hoga."

Bahar se Arjun ki aawaz aayi, "Ma... ho gaya kya?"
Vaishali ne ek gehri saans li aur darwaza khola.
Hall mein khade Ramesh ki nazar jaise hi apni biwi ke is naye, bhare hue, aur aadhi nangi chhati wale roop pe padi, usne foran apni aankhen neeche kar li — jaise apni hi aurat ko kisi gair mard ke liye aise sajte dekhna ek jinda paap ho. Par Arjun ne apni nazar turant nahi hatai. Uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb si sharam thi, ek mardana hisaab tha, aur yeh zehreele sach ki tasveer thi ki screen ki photo se kahin zyada yeh zinda jism kisi bhi ladke ko paagal kar sakta tha.
Vaishali ne dono haathon se pallu ko sambhalte hue thandi aawaz mein kaha, "Size theek hai. Ab main ise utaar rahi hoon."
Woh bina unki taraf dekhe kamre mein wapas aayi. Blouse ke hooks ek jhatke mein khole. Ek thaki hui, bhaari saans uske seene se nikli. Wahi purana cotton kapda pehna. Maroon silk ko wapas thaili mein pack kiya. Sheeshe mein Ma wapas aa gayi. Til chhup gaya. Purani chain gale mein gayi aur maang mein adhoori sindoor usne unglee se poori kheenchi.



Theek usi pal Ramesh ka phone vibrating table pe bajne laga.

Screen pe Vikram ki maa ka number chamak raha tha.
Ramesh ne thar-tharate haathon se call uthayi. Aawaz itni meethi thi jaise shehad mein zeher lapeta ho, par us meethas ke theek neeche ek pakka hukumat aur order chhupa tha:
"Rameshji, kapde aur bridal set tailor ne time pe pahuncha diya na? Ek zaroori baat karni thi... Meera ko kal shaam tak humare yahan bungalow pe bhej dijiye. Haldi, mehendi, aur unke saare bridal rituals yahin humare ghar pe honge. Yeh humare khandaan ka riwaaz hai. Hum dulhan ko shaadi se do din pehle mayke mein nahi rehne dete. Family ki ladies dekh lengi, dulhan ki walk aur rasmein theek se set ho jayengi. Vikram bhi kal se ghar pe hi hai, toh kisi baat ki tension nahi hai."
Ramesh ne speaker on nahi kiya tha, par Vaishali kitchen ke darwaze ke paas khadi ek-ek lafz sun rahi thi. "Do din pehle" aur "Vikram ghar pe hai" — yeh shabdh uske kaano mein garam sikh ki tarah ghus gaye.
Usne aage badhkar Ramesh ka haath pakad ke phone ko neeche kiya aur seedhe kaan ke paas zor se boli:
"Main kisi anjaan ghar mein do din pehle jaakar raat nahi guzarungi! Haldi karni hai toh yahan ho, prep yahan ho. Main unke ghar mein shaadi se pehle ek kadam nahi rakhungi."
Arjun aage badha, uske chehre pe tension thi. "Ma, samajh na! Sirf do din ki baat hai. Main subah-shaam wahan chakkar marunga. Aur switch karne ke liye hume yahan Mausi ko ready karna padega... agar tu wahan nahi gayi toh unhe shaq—"
"Maine kaha NAHI!" Vaishali ki aawaz bhari aur teekhi thi. "Maine chaha-pohe parose, naap ke liye apna jism khol diya, Meera ban ke baith gayi. Ab is se aage main nahi jaungi. Kisi anjaan mard ke ghar mein raat guzaarna... yeh nahi hoga."
Ramesh ne phone pe kaanpate hue kaha, "Bhabhiji... hum thoda aapas mein baat karke batate hain."
Call cut ho gayi. Hall ke ceiling fan ki ghoomti hui awaz ke siwa wahan sannata chha gaya. Teeno wahan aise khade rahe jaise abhi bhi unke haath mein koi faisla lene ki taqat bachi ho.
Do ghante baad unhe samajh aaya ki unke haath kab ke bandh chuke the.
Dopahar ke theek do baje Lawyer Uncle ka call seedha Arjun ke phone pe aaya.
Arjun ne jaise hi call pick kiya, Uncle ki aawaz mein na koi gussa tha, na shor. Ek dam thandi, kanooni aur dabi hui aawaz:
"Arjun beta... main ghuma-phira ke baat karne ka aadi nahi hoon. Agar ghar ki auraton ko nahi sunana toh side mein ho ja, aur agar sunana chahta hai toh speaker on kar le. Better yahi hoga ki sab sun lein."
Arjun ne speaker on nahi kiya, par usne phone ko kaan se thoda alag rakha. Vaishali table ke theek samne aakar khadi ho gayi, uski saansein ruki hui thi.
"Tumhare baap ke account mein shagun aur flat ka token milakar kareeb aath se das lakh rupaye transfer ho chuke hain. Profile tumhare email aur IP address se bani hai. Photos, messages, Meera ka khud humare samne baith kar haan bolna, pohe khilana — yeh sab record pe hai. Aur ab Vikram ki mummy keh rahi hain ki dulhan do din pehle rasm ke liye aane se mana kar rahi hai? Yeh seedha-seedha peeche hatna hai, beta."
Uncle ne ek second ka pause liya, aur agla teer chalaya:
"Kanoon ki bhasha mein ise 'Criminal Breach of Trust' aur 'Cheating' kehte hain — Section 420. Agar Meera aaj shaam saat baje tak humare bungalow pe nahi aayi, toh main yeh file security officer station bhej dunga. Aur ek baat achhi tarah yaad rakhna, Arjun... aisi internet aur matrimonial frauds mein court sabse pehle us ladke ko custody mein leta hai jiske computer ya phone se id bani hoti hai. Beta pehle andar jata hai, baap baad mein. Judge ke samne jab yeh aayega ki tum log paise lekar dulhan ko ghar mein chhipa rahe ho, toh pehli peshi pe bail bhi nahi milti."
Ramesh ke haath se pani ka gilaas chhoot gaya. "Uncle... yeh bas galat fehmi hai—"
"Galat fehmi bank accounts mein nahi hoti, Rameshji. Main saat baje tak Meera ka wait kar raha hoon. Faisla aapka hai."
Call cut ho gayi.
Poore kamre mein sirf ek hi line cheekh rahi thi:
Beta pehle andar jata hai.
Vaishali ne deewar ka sahara liya. Uske blouse ke hooks peeth pe kas kar khinch gaye. Saans itni bhaari ho gayi jaise chhati pe pahaad rakh diya gaya ho. Usne Arjun ki taraf dekha — yeh wahi 23 saal ka beta tha jisne uski tasveer ko crop kiya tha, bio likhi thi, dahej ki line banayi thi, aur har baat pe 'Chill Ma' bolta tha. Uske andar gusse ki aag bhadki, par us gusse ke aage uski mamta aur jail ka khauf kahin zyada bada tha. Woh chahe kitni bhi gussa ho, apne jigar ke tukde ko security officer ke dande khate aur hawalaat mein sadte nahi dekh sakti thi.
Arjun ne ghutne tek diye, uski aawaz rone jaisi ho gayi, "Ma... hum phass gaye hain. Uncle sach mein lawyer hai, woh sach bol raha hai. Sirf do din ki baat hai Ma... main roz wahan aaunga. Barahwein din subah main Mausi ko lekar mandap mein khada milunga. Tu bas wahan do din rasmein sambhal le... register pe koi sign nahi hoga, phero se pehle hum switch kar lenge... please Ma, mujhe bacha le!"
Ramesh ne dono haath jod diye. Ek kamzor aur majboor baap ki aakhri be-bas bhasha:
"Vaishali... main itne lakh wapas nahi kar sakta. security officer aayi toh hum mooh dikhane laayak nahi rahenge. Do raat ki baat hai... do raat Meera ban ke reh le, hum tujhe wapas nikaal lenge."
Vaishali ne un dono ko upar se neeche tak dekha. Uske honth kaanpe, par jab woh boli, uski aawaz mein ab koi toota hua lafz nahi tha — ek be-reham, thandi aur saaf line thi:
"Main is shaadi ke liye nahi ja rahi hoon. Main us 24 saal ke anjaan ladke ke liye nahi ja rahi hoon. Main sirf isliye ja rahi hoon kyunki agar main nahi gayi, toh mera beta hawalaat ki rotiyan todega. Jo photo tum dono ne bazaar mein bechi thi, uski keemat ab meri raat ban chuki hai. Main do din wahan rahungi. Barahwein din subah agar tum Priya ko lekar mandap mein nahi pahuche, toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Aur sun lo... mera asli mangalsutra aur sindoor yahin shelf pe rahega. Jo wahan jayegi, woh Meera hogi. Aur main wapas aakar apna suhaag yahin pehanungi."
Arjun ne jaldi-jaldi apna sar hila diya. Uske chehre pe achanak jo relief aur aaram aaya, uske peeche wahi sharam aur Vikram ke bungalow ki daulat ka nasha saaf dikh raha tha. Vaishali ne uske chehre ka woh lalach ek pal mein padh liya, par usne ab kuch nahi kaha.
Dopahar ke teen baje ek chhota bag pack hua.
Do simple blouse. Undergarments. Comb. Cold cream. Maroon silk aur sleeveless blouse ka set ek alag thaili mein gaya. Sone ka haar box mein bandha.
Vaishali ne apne gale se purana mangalsutra utara. Kaale moti aur sona haath mein thande lage. Usne use ek safed cotton ke kapde mein lapeta, choti dibbi mein band kiya, aur bedroom ki purani lakdi ki shelf ke bilkul peeche, purani saariyon ke dher ke peeche chhupa diya — jahan Priya ki nazar kabhi na pahuche. Sindoor ki dibbi bhi wahi rakh di.
Bag ke sabse aakhri side pocket mein usne Arjun ke bachpan ki ek chhoti si college wali photo daal li. Woh photo 'Meera' nahi le ja rahi thi. Woh photo ek bebas 'Maa' apne sath le ja rahi thi.
Darwaza khula aur Priya saamne khadi thi. Uski teekhi aankhen Vaishali ke haath ke bag pe jam gayi.
"Tu phir Savita ke yahan ja rahi hai? Itna bada bag lekar? Itne saare kapde?"
Vaishali ne apni aankhon mein bina dare jhooth ko ek poore sentence mein phera:
"Haan. Savita ke ghar shaadi ki prep chal rahi hai, do din wahan rukna padega kapdon ki fitting ke liye. Tu ghar sambhal lena."
Priya ki nazar thaili ke kone se jhankte hue maroon silk ke chamak pe ruki. Usne aage kuch nahi poocha, par uske dimaag ki shaq wali file aur zyada moti ho gayi.
Shaam ke theek sahe-chhe baje cab society ke compound mein aakar ruki.
Landing pe do darwaze the. Right wale flat ka paint poori tarah sookh chuka tha, nameplate abhi bhi anjaani thi. Left wale darwaze se Vaishali bahar nikli — sadharan cotton saree, baal tight clip mein bandhe hue, gala bilkul soona aur nanga, maang mein koi sindoor nahi. Sheeshe ke andar jo 38 saal ki jawan aurat chamki thi, woh us bag ke andar band thi.
Arjun bag uthaye aage chal raha tha. Ramesh lift ka button dabaye khada tha. Koi shadi ki dholak nahi thi, koi vidaai ka geet nahi tha, koi chawal piche nahi phenke gaye. Sirf society ke watchman ki anjaani nazar thi, jo samajh raha tha ki shayad kisi rishtedaar ke yahan koi function hai.
Vaishali ne lift mein ghuste waqt aakhri baar apne ghar ki deewar ko dekha. Us andhere flat ki shelf pe uski asli pehchan, uska 20 saal purana suhaag chhoot chuka tha.
Cab mein baithe waqt Arjun ne aage dekhte hue kaha, "Ma... main tere sath bungalow tak chalunga. Gate pe chhod ke aaunga. Main roz subah phone—"
"Phone woh log le lenge," Vaishali ne uski baat beech mein hi kaat di, uski nazar car ki khidki se bahar bhaagti Bombay ki sadko pe thi. "Tujhe phone nahi karna hai, Arjun. Tujhe bas barahwein din subah Priya ko taiyar karke wahan mandap pe pahunchna hai. Ek second bhi late mat hona."
Arjun ke phone pe Uncle ka message flash hua:
Meera should be here by 7 PM sharp.
Shaam ke saat bajne mein paanch minute baaki the jab cab ek bade lohe ke gate ke samne ruki.
Gate khula. Andar safed marble ka aangan, lawn, aur do badi luxury gaadiyan khadi thi. Vikram ke do-manzila bungalow ki lights itni tez thi ki unke Dadar wale 2BHK flat ki zindagi achanak bohot andheri aur gareeb lagne lagi.
Vaishali ne bag ko apni god mein kas ke pakad liya. Uske dimaag mein tezi se hisaab dauda — Barahwan din... Priya ka maroon joda... shelf pe chhoota hua mangalsutra... aur beta jo jail se bach gaya.
Car ka darwaza khula.
Bungalow ki stairs se nikal kar ek jawan mard neeche utra — fit dark shirt, chhati pe buttons pe khichav, haath mein mehangi ghadi, aur wahi gandi, bhookhi mardana nazar jo uski photo ke din se lekar aaj tak Vaishali ke jism ke ubhaar ko naap rahi thi. Vikram.
Vaishali ne ek aakhri kaanpti hui saans li aur car se apna paon zameen pe rakha.
Andar haldi kal subah hone wali thi.
Andar uska phone kal chhinne wala tha.
Andar uske hisaab se switch ka plan abhi bhi zinda tha.
Par baahar... Dadar ke us purane flat ki andheri shelf pe, ek Ma ka suhaag chupchap laash ki tarah soya hua tha.


Cab unke Dadar wale chawl-jaise complex se nikal kar Bandra-Khar ke us posh pocket mein ghusi jahan sadkein achanak chaudi, shaant, aur pedon ki chhaon se thandi ho jaati thi.

Dadar wali society ki tooti hui lohe ki railing aur paan ke laal thook se sani hui narrow seedhiyan yahan door-door tak nahi thi. Yahan security cabin ke bahar do uniformed guards the. Ek ne visitor register khola, car ka number likha, aur doosre ne heavy iron boom barrier ko hydraulic aawaz ke saath utha diya.
Car jaise hi aage badhi, andar ka driveway white Italian marble ki tarah dhoop aur garden lights mein chamak raha tha. Ek side do luxury gaadiyan khadi thi — ek safed Mercedes SUV aur ek lambi black sedan jiske alloy wheels pe chamak thi. Makaan koi aam 2BHK flat nahi tha; ground plus one floor ka ek aalishan modern bungalow tha. Badi glass windows pe heavy dark curtains the, aur neeche ground floor ke modular kitchen se desi ghee ke tadke, mehendi ke tel, aur mehnge room-freshener ki gehri, meethi khushbu driveway tak aa rahi thi. Unke apne ghar ki geeli daal aur khatti deewaron wali ghutan yahan nahi thi.
Vaishali ne apni god mein rakha hua purana kapde ka bag ek inch bhi neeche nahi utaara. Usne pehle car ki khidki se aati hui us ameer hawa ko soongha. Uske gale mein darr ka ek bhaari gola atka hua tha.
Arjun car ki doosri seat pe baitha tha. Car rukte hi uske pair zameen pe baad mein pade, uski bhookhi aankhon ne pehle scan shuru kiya. Badi ceiling, terrace ka wooden deck, entrance pe laga brass ka heavy nameplate — Deshmukh. Arjun ke calculator wale chhotey dimaag ne un saare figures ko jodna shuru kiya jo usne us matrimonial site pe 'Demand' ke box mein type kiye the. 30 lakh cash, jewellery, flat assistance. Woh saare numbers ab screen pe jalti hui lines nahi the; woh daulat ban kar is bungalow ke patthar aur lawn pe khadi thi.
Verandah ki polished stairs pe Vikram khada tha. Fit navy-blue shirt jiske upar ke do buttons khule the, chhati pe gym ka tight ubhaar, haath mein golden dial wali expensive watch, aur baal gel se set kiye hue. Photo mein dikhne wala 24 saal ka ladka ab asli physical size mein samne tha — Arjun se do-teen inch lamba, chauda, aur ek aisi mardana confidence ke saath jo sirf andhi daulat se aati hai.
Vikram ne car rukte hi pehle Arjun ko nahi dekha. Uski bhookhi, cheel jaisi nazar seedhi car ke khulte darwaze pe gayi. Vaishali jab car se baahar aane ke liye aage jhuki, uski nazar seedhi uske cleavage aur pallu ke curve pe giri. Phir usne Arjun ko dekha, aur phir wapas Vaishali pe aa gaya. Woh nazar kisi mehmaan ka swagat karne wali nahi thi; woh kisi khareedi hui keemti cheez ko pehli baar apne aangan mein utarte dekhne ka hisaab thi.
“Aao,” Vikram ne aage badhte hue bhari aawaz mein kaha. “Mummy andar hi wait kar rahi hain.”
Vaishali car se neeche utri. Sadharan cream-brown cotton saree, sleeved blouse jo uske bhaari breasts ke weight ko poori tarah chhupa nahi pa raha tha, baal ek aam clip mein bandhe hue, maathe pe chhoti si bindi, aur nange gale pe sirf ek behad patli, aam gold chain. Maroon silk saree aur sleeveless blouse wali thaili Arjun ke haath mein thi. Vikram ki nazar Vaishali ke us nange, soone gale pe ruki — jahan se mangalsutra hataya gaya tha. Uske honthon pe ek dabi hui, gandi muskaan aayi, jaise woh soch raha ho ki yeh khaali gala kal uske haathon se bhara jaayega.



Andar ka main hall behad vishal tha. Central AC ki halki si thandak room mein phaili hui thi. Italian leather sofa set, deewaron pe expensive oil paintings, aur ek kone mein safed sangmarmar ka mandir jahan peetal ka bada diya jal raha tha. Do house-helps ne aage badhkar unke joote ek side kiye aur slippers aage badha diye.

Vikram ki maa aage aayi. Kaano mein heavy diamond studs, gale mein motiyon ki mala, aur chehre pe wahi meethi par poore control wali muskaan.
“Meera aa gayi! Aur Arjun beta, tum bhi. Bohot accha kiya jo time se pehle hi nikal aaye.” Unhone Vaishali ka haath apne dono naram haathon mein pakad liya, aur ek baar phir use upar se neeche tak naapa — uske nange gale se lekar uski choudi kamar aur bhari hips tak. “Thak gayi hogi safar mein. Pehle thoda sharbat aur paani lo, phir aaram se apna room dekh lena.”
Lawyer Uncle bhi drawing room ke ek bade single sofa se uthkar khade hue. Yeh wahi shant, polished aur polite aawaz thi jisne dopahar ko phone call pe Section 420 aur security officer station ka khauf dikhakar is poore ghar ko ghutno pe la diya tha. Par yahan is aalishan hall mein, unki aawaz ekdam aam mehmaan-nawazi wali ban chuki thi.
“Rameshji nahi aaye saath mein?” Uncle ne poocha.
Arjun ne aage aakar thoda jhukte hue kaha, “Papa... Papa thoda society ke kaam se atke the. Woh kal subah seedha Haldi ke time pe pahuchenge.”
Uncle ne ek halka sa nod kiya. Unke dimaag mein saari files, IP records, aur bank slips band thi. Aaj shaam unke liye koi case nahi tha; aaj shaam ek aisi khubsoorat, mature dulhan thi jise unke bhatije ne photo dekhte hi lock kar diya tha.
Drawing room mein pehle se hi kuch ladies rishtedaar baithi hui thi. Ek umar-daraaz bua, ek jawan cousin ladki, aur ek door ki aunty. Unhone Vaishali ke andar aate hi use aise ghoorna shuru kiya jaise mandap se pehle dulhan ki body, uski rangat aur uske chalne-phirne ka live inspection chal raha ho.
“Kitni seedhi aur suljhi hui lagti hai Meera.”
“Chehre pe koi faaltu ka makeup nahi hai, natural wheatish glow hai.”
“38 ki toh lagti hi nahi, sach mein. 30-32 se zyada nahi dikhti.”
“Vikram ne aise hi thodi photo dekhte hi haan kar diya tha!”
Har ek sentence us 42 saal ki maa ke kaano pe kisi pathhar ki tarah gir raha tha. Un logon ke liye yeh ek aisi sharmili, unmarried aurat thi jo apne bhai ke ghar se nayi shadi ke liye aayi thi. Unke liye yeh 'Meera' thi. Vaishali ne dono haath jodkar dheere se “namaskar” kiya, aankhen sharm aur darr se zameen pe tiki hui. Usne pallu ko dono haathon se kas ke pakad rakha tha, par jab woh saans le rahi thi, uske dono heavy, rasile breasts cotton blouse ke fabric ko stretch kar rahe the. Left collarbone ka woh gehra til blouse ke gale ke kinare dhoop-chhaon ki tarah chamak raha tha. Is naye, ameer kamre mein woh til pehle se kahin zyada nanga aur sensual dikh raha tha.
Cousin ladki ne aage badhkar Vaishali ke haath se bag lene ki koshish ki, “Bhabhi, yeh bag mujhe de dijiye. Main guest room mein rakh aati hoon, wahi room aapka hai kal tak.”
Vaishali ka pehla instinct tha ki bag ko jhatak kar peeche kar le — kyunki us bag ke andar Arjun ke bachpan ki wahi college wali photo chhupi thi. Par usne apne haath dheele chhod diye. Is bheed mein bag ke liye jhagadna hazaaron sawaal khade kar deta.
Vikram ki maa ne meethi aawaz mein kaha, “Meera, aaj raat bas halka khana aur thoda aaram. Kal subah se Haldi ki rasmein shuru hongi. Aur haan beta, tumhara phone hum abhi le rahe hain taaki muhurat aur pooja ki shanti mein koi disturb na kare. Pandit ji ka sakht niyam hota hai. Tension bilkul mat lena.”
Vaishali ne darr kar achanak Arjun ki taraf dekha. Par Arjun uski taraf nahi dekh raha tha. Woh deewar pe lagi mehangi Italian oil painting aur corner ke bar-cabinet ko dekh raha tha. Uske chehre pe darr aur lalach dono ek saath chipke hue the.
Help ne fine bone-china cups mein garam chai aur dry-fruits laaye. Dadar ke unke purane steel ke glasses yahan nahi the. Vaishali ko yahan serve karne nahi diya gaya; yahan unhone dulhan ko sofa ke beech bitha kar ek rani ki tarah dikhaya. Woh sofa ke bilkul edge pe baithi thi, cup uske kaanpte hue haathon mein halka sa chhanak raha tha.
Vikram uske theek samne nahi baitha; woh bilkul side wale single sofa pe baith gaya, taaki uski nazar seedhi Vaishali ke jism aur uske thar-tharate hue seene pe pad sake.
Woh nazar lagataar apna kaam kar rahi thi. Vikram ki bhookhi aankhen Vaishali ke nange gale ke curve, uske cotton blouse ke andar qaid bhaari stanon, aur uske gore, bhare hue rasile honthon pe fisal rahi thi. Living room ke beech mein, sabke saamne baithe hone ke bawajood Vikram ke jism ke andar wahi gandi aag daud rahi thi jo photo zoom karte waqt jaagi thi. Usne apna ek pair doosre ghutne pe chadhaya taaki apni pant ka achanak badhta hua tanav aur khichav chhupa sake. Chehre pe usne ek polite muskaan banaye rakhi, par andar se woh poori tarah utawla ho chuka tha.
Vaishali ne cup table pe rakh diya. Usne man hi man ghadi gini — Barahwan din... Dadar wali purani shelf... aur yeh 24 saal ka ladka jo umar mein uske apne bete Arjun se do-teen saal hi bada hai.
Mummy ne cousin ko ishara kiya, “Beta, Meera ko unka room dikha do. Thoda fresh ho lein.”
Main hall se nikal kar left side mein ek lamba, dimly-lit corridor jata tha. Wahan se guest room ka rasta tha. Guest room ka darwaza khula toh andar ka nazara kisi luxury five-star hotel jaisa tha — bada king-size bed, dim warm lights, AC ki soft cooling, attached bathroom aur badi sliding window. Cousin ne maroon thaili wardrobe mein rakhi, muskura kar all the best bola aur baahar chali gayi.
Sirf do second beete the.
Vaishali abhi bed ke paas khadi hokar apni saans theek kar hi rahi thi ki piche se corridor ki light halki si cut hui.
Vikram bina kisi aahat ke andar aa gaya tha, jaise bas aam paani lene nikla ho. Hall ki bheed aur aawazein peeche door chhoot chuki thi. Usne aate hi room ka darwaza poora nahi, par aadh-khula chhod kar khud ko seedha frame ke beech khada kar liya.
Koi doori nahi bachi thi.
Vikram seedha uske itna kareeb aa gaya ki uske body-spray ki mehak Vaishali ki saanson mein bhar gayi. Uski chhati Vaishali ke kandhe se bas do inch door thi. Uski nazar pehle Vaishali ke soone gale pe, phir blouse ke bhaari gher pe, aur aakhir mein us collarbone ke til pe aakar chimat gayi.
Usne itni dheemi aur gandi phusphusahat mein kaha ki aawaz sirf Vaishali ke kaan ke parde ko chhoo sake:
“Shaam ko milte hain... Akele mein. Short time ke liye.”
Vaishali ka poora jism ek pal mein pathar ban gaya. Uske haath bag ke handle pe kas gaye. Yeh ladka kisi shadi ki rasam ka intezar nahi kar raha tha; yeh us jism ko pehle hi din apne bed pe lene ke liye bechain tha.
Vaishali ne darr aur sharm ko daba kar, ek thandi aur poori line mein kaha:
“Aisa kuch nahi hone wala. Main yahan sirf rasmon ke liye aayi hoon. Kal Haldi hai humari.”
Vikram ke honthon pe ek be-sharm, mardana muskaan phail gayi. Uske chehre pe zara si bhi jhijhak ya sharm nahi thi.
“Rasmon ke liye hi toh bol raha hoon... Shaam ko milte hain.”
Peeche corridor se cousin ke pairon ki aahat aayi, aur Vikram achanak do kadam peeche hua. Usne haath mein rakha paani ka glass aise ghumaya jaise woh bas paani peene wahan aaya tha, aur seedha hall ki taraf nikal gaya.
Vaishali ne jhatke se guest room ka darwaza band kiya aur kundi laga di. AC ki thandi hawa uski paseene se bheegi peeth pe lagi toh woh kaanp uthi. Usne jaldi se bag khola, Arjun ki bachpan wali photo nikaali aur use bed ke pillow ke theek neeche daba diya. Uske haath thar-thar kaanp rahe the.
Shaam dhal chuki thi. Bungalow ke peechhe wale passage aur balcony area mein halka andhera utar aaya tha.
Vaishali bathroom se fresh hokar, apna munh thande paani se dhokar nikal rahi thi. Hall mein mehmaanon ka shor tha, kitchen mein bartano ki aawaz thi. Woh passage se hokar apne room ki taraf tezi se badh rahi thi taaki kisi ki nazar mein na aaye.
Tabhi ek andhere kone se achanak do mazboot haathon ne use peeche se daboch liya.
Vaishali ke munh se ek cheekh nikalne hi wali thi ki ek chauda, garam haath uske munh pe rakh diya gaya. Uska jism ek jhatke mein kisi ki pathar jaisi chhati se chipak gaya.
Vikram tha.
Uski shirt ke upar ke buttons abhi bhi khule the. Usne Vaishali ko peeche se poori tarah apni bahon mein jakad rakha tha. Uske dono chaude haath Vaishali ki patli, gori kamar pe the — blouse aur saree ke beech ka nanga hissa Vikram ki garam ungliyon ke neeche dab raha tha. Uski chhati Vaishali ki peeth aur uske baalon se ragad kha rahi thi.
Par sabse khaufnak aur ganda ehsaas woh tha jo Vaishali ko apni hips ke theek peeche mehsoos hua.
Vikram ki pant ke andar ka bhaari, lohe jaisa sakht ling poore tanaav ke saath Vaishali ki choudi hips aur uske soft peticote ke curve pe aakar zor se dab raha tha. Uski mardangi ki aag itni tez thi ki Vaishali ke kapdon ke paar se bhi woh sakhti uski gaand ke beech ki line pe mehsoos ho rahi thi.
Vaishali ka dam ghutne laga. Sharm, gussa aur ghin ek saath uske seene mein phat padi. Usne apne dono kohniyon se Vikram ko peeche dhakelne ki poori koshish ki, par 24 saal ke gym wale jawan ladke ke samne ek 42 saal ki aurat ki taqat kuch bhi nahi thi.



Usne munh se Vikram ka haath jhatakte hue, dabi hui aur thar-tharati aawaz mein kaha:

“Yeh... yeh aap kya kar rahe hain? Chhodiye mujhe! Abhi toh humari theek se pehchan bhi nahi hui hai... shadi tak toh sharm kijiye!”
Vikram uske jhatakne se ruka nahi; balki usne apni kamar ko aadha inch aur aage dhasate hue apna sakht ling Vaishali ke hips pe aur gehraai se daba diya. Uski garam saansein seedhi Vaishali ke kaan ke neeche, uski gori nangi gardan pe pad rahi thi.
“Pehchan hi toh bana raha hoon, Meera...” Vikram ki aawaz mein gandi bhookh thi, usne ek haath kamar se sarakakar Vaishali ke blouse ke side curve pe rakh diya, jahan uske heavy bust ka ubhaar tha. “Photo dekhi thi tab se yeh neeche chain se nahi baitha hai. Tumhara yeh bhara hua jism dekh kar kaun mard ruk sakta hai? Ek baar chhoo lene do... kal waise bhi meri biwi banne wali ho.”
“Chhodiye!” Vaishali ne is baar poori taqat se uske pair pe apna pair maara aur khud ko jhatak kar alag kiya.
Uski saans phool rahi thi, cotton saree ka pallu kandhe se phisal kar neeche latak gaya tha, aur blouse ke andar uski bhari chhati tezi se upar-neeche ho rahi thi. Collarbone ka til paseene se chamak raha tha. Uski aankhon mein rona aur darr saaf tha.
Vikram peeche hata, par uske chehre pe koi dar ya pachtawa nahi tha. Usne bas apni pant ke ubhaar ko ek baar haath se theek kiya, ek gandi muskaan ke saath Vaishali ke seene ko ghoora, aur bina kuch bole wahan se andhere mein nikal gaya.
Vaishali bhaagte hue apne guest room mein aayi aur darwaza andar se band karke zameen pe baith gayi. Uske poore jism pe abhi bhi us ladke ki mardangi ki woh sakht garmahat mehsoos ho rahi thi. Uski hips kaanp rahi thi.
Usne taanv mein aakar room mein rakha purana landline uthaya. Darrte hue usne Arjun ka number dial kiya.
Teen ring ke baad Arjun ne phone uthaya, “Hello?”
Vaishali ki aawaz rone jaisi ho gayi, woh phusphusate hue chillayi:
“Arjun! Tu mujhe yahan se abhi nikaal! Sun raha hai tu? Main ek pal yahan nahi ruk sakti! Woh ladka... woh bilkul sahi nahi hai, Arjun! Usne abhi mere saath... tu mujhe le ja yahan se, warna sab barbaad ho jaayega!”
Phone ke doosri taraf se Arjun ki aawaz aayi, thodi hichkichati hui, “Ma... Ma, shaant ho na. Kya hua? Kisine kuch bola kya?”
“Woh ladka... usne mujhe peeche se pakad liya tha! Uska dimaag kharab hai Arjun, woh mujhe shadi se pehle hi chhoone ki koshish kar raha hai! Tu gaadi lekar aa aur mujhe le chal!”
Arjun phone pe do second ke liye chup raha. Phir uski aawaz aayi — wahi kamzor, laachar aur lalach mein dabi hui:
“Ma... tu samajh na, abhi Uncle ghar pe hain. Agar main abhi wahan aaya aur tamasha hua, toh Uncle seedha security officer ko call kar denge. Hamara poora plan khatam ho jaayega. Sirf kal ka din baaki hai Ma... parson subah main Mausi ko lekar mandap mein khada rahunga. Tu bas apna kamra andar se band rakh, kisi ke samne akeli mat ja. Please Ma... sirf kal ka din jhel le mere liye!”
“Arjun, tu samajh kyun nahi raha—”
“Ma, main line kaat raha hoon, Papa bula rahe hain. Tu darwaza band rakh!”
Click. Line cut ho gayi.
Vaishali ne receiver ko haath mein pakde hue dekha. Uske apne bete ne use usi bhediye ke aage chhod diya tha. Usne receiver patka aur bed ke kone pe baith kar rone lagi.
Raat ke khane pe dining table saja. Bada sa spread tha — mehnge dry-fruits ka pulao, mutton ka saalan, paneer, aur dher saari sweets. Vaishali ko zabardasti bahar laya gaya. Usne sirf do niwale gale se utaare. Arjun ne plate mein dher saara meat aur pulao liya jo unke ghar mein mahino mein ek baar banta tha. Uncle table pe business aur real-estate ki baatein kar rahe the.
Vikram table ke doosre kone pe baitha tha. Khana khate waqt uski aankhein ek baar bhi Vaishali ke jism se nahi hati. Har baar jab Vaishali paani ka gilaas uthati, Vikram use aise dekhta jaise woh shaam wali baat yaad dila raha ho.
Khana khatam hote hi Vikram ne aage badhkar Arjun ke kandhe pe haath rakha, “Arjun bhai... thoda upar terrace pe chalte hain. Hawa khate hain, do minute baat karte hain.”
Arjun ne foran haan keh diya. Vaishali ne door se Arjun ki aankhon mein dekha — uski aankhein cheekh rahi thi: Mat ja uske saath! Mujhe yahan se leke chal! Par Arjun ne ek baar bhi apni maa ki taraf mudkar nahi dekha.
Mummy aayi aur Vaishali ko pakad kar room ki taraf le gayi, “Chalo Meera, rest karo beta. Kal subah che baje beautician aa jaayegi. Aur haan, yeh phone yahan side table pe rakh do, pandit ji muhurat ki list verify karenge.”
Vaishali ne apna phone table pe chhod diya. Vikram ki maa ne use itne aaram se utha liya jaise koi chori na ho, bas ek rivaaj ho. Par Vaishali jaanti thi ki yeh aakhri rassi thi jo ab kaat di gayi thi.
Bungalow ki terrace pe hawa thandi thi. Mumbai ki lights neeche chamak rahi thi. Table pe ek mehngi single-malt scotch whiskey ki bottle rakhi thi, aur do crystal glasses the.
Arjun ne pehla ghoont bina kisi hichkichahat ke andar utara. Uski aadat nahi thi aisi mehngi drink ki, par is aalishan terrace pe khade hokar na bolna uski aukaat ke baahar tha.
Vikram railing pe aakar khada hua, haath mein glass ghumate hue. Uski shirt ka gala khula tha.
“Bohot tension mein dikh raha hai tu, Arjun?”
Arjun ne glass ko thoda ghumaya, “Nahi... bas ghar mein achanak sab itna jaldi ho raha hai toh thoda ajeeb lagta hai.”
Vikram ek zordar hasi hasa. Usne aage badhkar apna bhaari, chauda haath Arjun ke kandhe pe rakh diya. Woh haath kisi dost ka nahi tha; woh ek maalik ka haath tha jo apne ghulam ke kandhe pe rakha jata hai.
“Tension mat le mere bhai! Tumhari bua ab meri biwi banne wali hai. Aur tu ab se mera saga chhota bhai hai. Tujhe jo bhi chahiye ho aage — naye kapde, branded watch, ghoomna-phirna, kaam-dhandha ya paisa... bas ek baar bolna. Main sab arrange karwa dunga.”
Arjun ke kaano mein woh do shabdh kisi tezaab ki tarah ek saath daud gaye:
Tumhari Bua... Meri Biwi.
Neeche usi bungalow ke ek band kamre mein uski apni saga maa, jisne use janam diya tha, bina phone ke bebas baithi thi. Aur yahan terrace pe yeh 24 saal ka ameer ladka uski maa ko 'bua' bolkar use apni biwi ghoshit kar raha tha, aur Arjun ko apna 'bhai'.
Scotch ka garam ghoont Arjun ke gale se neeche utra. Greed aur lalach ne uski aatma pe parda daal diya — driveway pe khadi Mercedes, Bandra ka bungla, 30 lakh ka token, aur baju wala flat. Uski aatma mein ek ulti jaisi ghin aayi, par usne us ghin ko whiskey ke saath nigal liya.
Uske munh se ek ajeeb si, late aane wali hasi nikli. Ek khokhli, tooti hui hasi. Kitab ki pehli asli cuckson ki aawaz yahi thi — jahan ek beta apni hi maa ka sauda sunkar terrace ki thandi hawa mein has raha tha.
“Haan... theek hai Vikram bhai.”
Vikram ne apna glass Arjun ke glass se takraya. Chhan ki aawaz aayi.
“Kal Haldi hai. Parson subah tak date finalize ho jaayegi. Tu subah time se aa jana. Bua ko bilkul akela mat samajhna, ab hum hi unki family hain.”
Arjun ne doosra ghoont liya, uski aawaz thodi ladkhadayi, “Main subah aaunga... aur barahwein din hum unhe proper lene aayenge.”
Vikram ko us “proper” ka asli matlab samajh nahi aaya. Usne bas ek bhatije ka aadar samjha.
“Haan haan, jo marzi bol. Waise tere liye main ek achhi job bhi nikaal sakta hoon apne dost ke firm mein. Dekhte hain shaadi ke baad.”
Arjun ke dimaag mein woh 'Job' ka shabd aakar chipak gaya. Aur usi job ke theek peechhe uski maa ka woh roota hua chehra bhi dhab gaya. Dono ek hi crystal glass ke andar ghoom rahe the.
Neeche guest room mein Vaishali darwaze ke paas khadi hokar ghadi ke second gin rahi thi. Aakhirkar Arjun neeche aaya. Darwaze pe halki si dastak hui.
Vaishali ne darwaza khola. Arjun ke munh se whiskey ki mehak aa rahi thi, aankhen thodi laal aur bhaari thi.
Vaishali ne aage badhkar uski shirt pakad li, aawaz dabi hui par kaanpti hui:
“Phone le liya unhone mera... Arjun, tu kal subah jaldi aana. Aur barahwein din subah ek second bhi late mat hona! Mausi ko tayyar karke mandap mein khada karna!”
Arjun ne bas apna sar hila diya, uski nazar jhuki hui thi.
“Main nikaalunga tujhe, Ma. Bas do din... do din manage kar le.”
Yahi woh line thi jo aage chal kar hafto aur mahino ki line banne wali thi. Par aaj yeh sirf do din ka jhootha wada thi.
Arjun wahan se nikal gaya. Iron gate band hua. Cab aayi aur woh Dadar ki taraf chala gaya.
Vaishali corridor se thoda baahar aayi. Hall mein Vikram table pe glass rakh raha tha. Usne mudkar Vaishali ki taraf dekha. Dono ki nazrein takrayi. Shaam wali woh gandi phusphusahat aur uski hips pe dabta hua woh sakht jism abhi bhi Vaishali ki chamdi mein aag laga raha tha.
Vikram ki maa ne peeche se aakar aahiste se kaha, “So jao Meera beta. Kal subah chhe baje beautician aa jaayegi Haldi ke liye.”
Vaishali wapas room mein aayi. Darwaza andar se lock kiya. Khidki pe lohe ki jaali thi. Pillow ke neeche Arjun ki photo thi.
Usne socha — Mera beta sharaab peekar chala gaya.
Usne socha — Is ghar mein ab mujhe bua aur dulhan bana diya gaya hai.
Usne socha — Sirf barahwan din baaki hai.
Is raat Vikram ne dobara guest room ka darwaza nahi khatkhataya. Sham ka woh ganda touch aur phusphusahat apna kaam kar chuki thi. Asli jism ke liye uske paas kal ki Haldi, kal raat ke phere, aur baju wale flat ki deewar baaki thi.
Bahar safed marble dhoop aur light mein chamak rahi thi.
Andar ek 42 saal ki maa soyi — bina phone ke, bag ke paas, apne dimaag mein us switch ke jhooth ko zinda maanti hui.
Aur udhar Dadar ke flat mein Arjun ne Priya ke kamre ka darwaza dekha aur socha ki kal subah us aurat ko ek naya jhooth bolkar dulhan ka joda pakdana hai.
Us naye jhooth ka chapter agla tha.


Next day.

Dadar ke flat mein jab Arjun pahuche, tab raat ke do baj rahe the.
Ramesh hall mein bina aawaz ke TV khole baitha tha. Priya ka darwaza band tha.
Arjun ne joota utara aur seedha bola, “Maa theek hai, guest room mein hai. Subah Haldi hai. Humein abhi Mausi se baat karni hogi, warna kal subah der ho jaayegi.”
Ramesh ne darte hue Priya ka darwaza khatkhataaya.
Priya ne nightie mein darwaza khola. Chehre pe roz wali chidh thi. “Itni raat ko kya hai? Aur bhabhi kahan hai?”
Arjun seedha andar gaya. Uske haath mein maroon silk saree, matching blouse piece aur gehne ka wahi bag tha jo unhone switch ke liye alag rakha tha. Usne bag Priya ki god mein rakh diya.
“Mausi, shant ho kar suno. Humne tumhare liye rishta pakka kar diya hai. 24 saal ka ameer ladka hai, Vikram naam hai. Andheri mein bada bungalow aur gaadiyan hain.”
Priya ne hairani se bag aur phir Arjun ko dekha. “24 saal? Dimaag kharab hai tera? Meri umar 43 hai!”
“Wahi toh baat hai,” Arjun ne foran jhooth joda. “Pandit ne uski kundli mein bhaari dosh bataya hai. Chhoti ladki se shadi ki toh uski jaan ko khatra hai. Pandit ne saaf bola hai ki 30-plus, mature aurat hi chahiye. Unhone tumhari photo dekh kar haan bol diya hai.”
Priya ki aankhon mein saalon ki bhookh jag uthi. Umar 43, aur samne 24 saal ka ameer ladka. Uski vanity ko is dosh wali baat ne ek pal mein jeet liya.
“Photo dekh kar haan bola? Sach mein?”
Ramesh ne dheere se kaha, “Haan Priya, baat pakki hai.”
Arjun ne aage ka plan samjhaya: “Parson subah nau baje hum wahan chalenge. Tum normal kapdon mein chalogi aur yeh bag sath rakhogi. Wahan guest room mein change karke mandap mein aana hai. Zyada bheed nahi hai, bas shaanti se shadi hogi. Bhabhi wahan pehle se tayyari dekh rahi hai, isliye wahan ruki hai.”
Priya ne silk ki saree ko haath lagaya. Zari ki chamak dekh kar uske chehre pe saalon baad ek asli muskaan aayi. Property ka jhagda aur hisse ki ladai ek jhatke mein bhool gayi.
“Vikram naam hai na?” Usne aaine mein khud ko dekha. “Main parson subah theek nau baje ready rahungi.”
Bahar hall mein aakar Ramesh ne darwaza band kiya. “Maan gayi woh.”
Arjun ne sink pe thande paani se munh dhoya. “Parson Mausi maroon pehan kar mandap mein baithegi, aur Maa chupchap wapas aa jaayegi. Uncle ko kuch pata nahi chalega.”
Kamre ke andar Priya ne saree pillow ke paas rakhi aur naye ameer ghar ke sapne dekhne lagi.
Doosri taraf, bungalow ke guest room mein Vaishali bina phone ke leti thi, pillow ke neeche Arjun ki photo chhupaye, isi aas mein ki parson subah uska beta swap karwake use yahan se nikaal lega.
Teeno ke dimaag mein alag-alag sach tha. Aur Day 12 ki subah aane mein ab bas thoda sa waqt baaki tha.