1 hour ago
Update 13
Bengaluru ki subah apni raftaar pakad chuki thi. Khidkiyon se aati halki dhoop Reyansh ke bedroom ke parde par pad rahi thi. Uska phone bedside table par lagataar vibrate kar raha tha.
7:42 AM
Alarm band tha, lekin phone ki screen par notifications ki line lagi hui thi.
Reyansh ne aankhein khole bina phone uthaya.
Arshad: uth gaya sale ya bhindi ko bheju
Reyansh ne aadhi khuli aankhon se reply kiya.
Reyansh: Subah ke aath bhi nahi baje aur teri bakwaas shuru.
Arshad: Dosti mein waqt nahi dekha jaata. Sirf dost ki barbaadi dekhi jaati hai.
Reyansh: Block kar raha hoon.
Arshad: Pehle breakfast kar le. Bhookhe pet block karne se dosti mein badhazmi ho jaati hai.
Phone side mein rakhkar woh bistar se utha aur dheere-dheere bathroom ki taraf chala gaya.
Kuch der baad woh fresh hokar living room mein aaya. Kitchen se bartan rakhne ki awaaz aa rahi thi.
Shalu breakfast bana chuki thi. Dining table par toast, omelette aur chai rakhi thi.
Reyansh ne chair kheenchkar baithte hue poochha, "Aaj itni jaldi kaise aa gayi?"
Shalu kitchen se bahar aayi.
"Roz isi time aati hoon. Aaj aap late uthe hain."
"Main late nahi utha. Aaj subah thodi der se shuru hui hai."
Shalu ne uski taraf dekha.
"Achha. Matlab galti subah ki hai."
"Bilkul."
"Toh kal se subah ko bol dena ki aapke hisaab se shuru ho."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Shalu, tum har baat ka jawab taiyaar rakhkar aati ho kya?"
"Nahi. Aapke ghar aane ke baad practice ho gayi hai."
Woh table par paani ka glass rakhkar doosre kaam mein lag gayi.
Reyansh breakfast karte hue phone dekhne laga. Office ke kuch messages the, ek client ki mail thi aur Neha ka reminder.
Neha: Presentation ki revised file dekh lena. Aaj client ke feedback par baat karni hai.
Reyansh: Breakfast ke baad dekh lunga.
Neha: Tumhare breakfast ka time fixed hai ya tumhara reply dene ka mood?
Reyansh: Dono ka apna-apna schedule hai.
Neha: Convenient.
Reyansh ne chai ka cup uthaya aur muskurate hue phone rakh diya.
Tabhi Shalu uske paas aayi.
"Sir, ek baat poochhun?"
"Poochho."
"Aapke office mein sab log phone par itna kaam karte hain? Ya aapko ghar par bhi office ko yaad dilana padta hai ki aap zinda hain?"
"Hum log kaam karte hain. Kabhi-kabhi phone par, kabhi laptop par."
"Achha. Aur jo log office nahi jaate, woh kya karte hain?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kaafi kuch karte hain. Ghar sambhalte hain, apna kaam karte hain, padhai karte hain. Har kisi ki zindagi alag hoti hai."
Shalu kuch pal chup rahi.
"Main bhi kabhi kuch alag karna chahti hoon."
Reyansh ne toast ka aakhri tukda uthaya.
"Toh karna."
"Kya?"
"Jo bhi tumhe karna hai."
"Sir, aise thodi na hota hai. Pehle pata toh ho kya karna hai."
Reyansh ne uski baat samajhte hue sir hilaya.
"Yeh baat sahi hai. Lekin jab tak pata nahi chalta, tab tak sochna band bhi nahi karna."
Shalu ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Bas table saaf karne lagi.
Reyansh ne apna bag uthaya.
"Main nikal raha hoon. Lunch time par kha lena tum bhi."
"Ji. Aur aaj dinner mein kya khayenge?"
"Jo tum banaogi."
"Bahut badhiya. Aapke paas choice bhi hai aur zimmedari bhi nahi."
Reyansh darwaze tak pahunchkar palta.
"Is ghar mein meri izzat naam ki bhi koi cheez hai?"
Shalu ne bina ruke jawab diya.
"Hai sir. Bas kitchen mein nahi milti."
Office mein dopahar se pehle ka waqt meetings aur emails mein nikal gaya.
Reyansh apni desk par baitha revised presentation dekh raha tha. Kuch slides par client ke comments the, aur Neha apni chair lekar uske paas aa baithi.
"Yeh wala point change karna padega," Neha ne screen ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Kyun?"
"Client ko lag raha hai ki hum product ke features zyada bata rahe hain aur customer ki problem kam samajh rahe hain."
Reyansh ne slide dobara padhi.
"Hmm. Baat toh sahi hai."
Neha ne bhaunhein uthaayin.
"Record kar lo. Reyansh ne meeting mein kisi aur ko sahi maan liya."
"Please, apni khushi ko control mein rakho."
"Main toh bas historical moment document kar rahi hoon."
Reyansh ne laptop uski taraf thoda ghuma diya.
"Achha, madam historian. Batao, isko kaise change karein?"
Neha ne kuch der socha.
"Features ki list ke badle ek simple customer situation se start karte hain. Pehle problem, phir product usmein kaise help karta hai."
"Good."
"Bas? Sirf good?"
"Bahut good."
"Ab theek hai."
Dono kaam mein lag gaye.
Kuch der baad revised slide saamne thi. Pehle se simple, seedhi aur samajhne mein aasaan.
Neha ne screen dekhi.
"Yeh better hai."
Reyansh ne file save ki.
"Client ko bhi yahi lage, toh aaj ka din safal."
Neha apni chair par peeche hui.
"Waise tum ek ajeeb insaan ho."
"Yeh baat tum pehle bhi keh chuki ho."
"Isliye toh keh rahi hoon. Tum kaam mein busy rehte ho, logon se milte ho, doston ke saath ghoomte ho. Tumhari life dekhkar lagta hai sab normal hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Normal hona buri baat hai?"
"Nahi. Bas kabhi-kabhi lagta hai tum har cheez ko normal kehkar aage badh jaate ho."
Reyansh ne laptop band nahi kiya. Bas uski nazar screen se hat gayi.
"Har cheez par rukna bhi toh zaroori nahi hota, Neha."
"Bilkul. Lekin har cheez se jaldi nikal jaana bhi zaroori nahi."
Kuch pal dono ke beech khamoshi rahi.
Phir Neha ne apni notebook uthayi.
"Anyway, main client ko updated version bhej deti hoon. Tum apni philosophical meeting continue karna."
Reyansh halka sa hansa.
"Thank you, Neha."
"Welcome, normal insaan."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne ek baar phir screen ki taraf dekha aur phir apne agle kaam mein lag gaya.
Neha ki baat uske dimaag mein kitni der rahi, yeh usne khud bhi tay nahi kiya.
Har baat ko naam dena zaroori nahi hota.
Shaam ko Reyansh ghar lauta toh corridor mein Jheel apne flat ke bahar khadi thi.
Uske haath mein ek chhota sa carton tha. Darwaze ke paas ek paper bag rakha tha aur woh apni chaabi dhoondhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Reyansh ne lift se nikalte hue poochha, "Aaj phir koi nayi delivery?"
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Ji. Lekin is baar carton mein utensils hain, koi mysterious cheez nahi."
"Achha hai. Pichhli baar ke parcel ko dekhkar mujhe laga tha aapne ghar mein koi secret laboratory khol li hai."
Jheel hans di.
"Aap har parcel ko itna suspicious kyun samajhte hain?"
"Experience."
"Kaisa experience?"
"Main khud apne ghar mein rakhe kuch containers ka purpose nahi jaanta."
Jheel ne carton ko dekha, phir uski taraf.
"Toh aapke ghar mein containers hain ?
Baap re itne container ka kya karogi, us bhindi ka achar dalogi kya
Jheel ne ghoor kar dekha jaise ki ye ek bakwas pj ho
Jheel ne chaabi nikaali aur darwaza khol diya.
Carton andar rakhne ke liye woh jhuki, lekin paper bag uske haath se phisal kar neeche gir gaya.
Reyansh ne aage badhkar bag utha liya.
"Lo."
"Thank you."
"Ismein bhi containers hain?"
"Nahi, kitchen ke liye kuch samaan hai."
"Achha. Matlab aaj aapka kitchen mujhse zyada productive hone wala hai."
Jheel ne muskurate hue bag le liya.
"Aapka kitchen toh waise bhi bahut kam competition deta hai."
"Yeh personal attack tha."
"Observation thi."
"Observation ke naam par log kuch bhi bol dete hain."
Jheel ne darwaze ke paas khade-khade poochha, "Waise aap aaj office se jaldi aa gaye?"
"Jaldi? Saat bajne wale hain."
"Mera matlab, pichhli baar jab lift mein mile the, tab bhi aap late aaye the."
"Toh aap meri timing observe karti hain?"
Jheel ek pal ke liye ruki.
"Building mein rehte hain. Kabhi na kabhi saamna ho hi jaata hai."
Reyansh ne halka sa sir hilaya.
"Bilkul. Main bhi bas building ki observation kar raha tha."
Jheel ko uski baat samajh aa gayi. Woh hans padi.
"Achha, Mr. Observation, aaj dinner mein kya banega?"
"Yeh sawaal aap mujhse kyun pooch rahi hain?"
"Kyuki pichhli baar aapne bataya tha ki aapko cooking ki basic knowledge hai."
"Anda maggie basic nahi hote"
"Matlab aapko nahi aata."
"Katai hi nahi"
"Achha hai. Aap apni skills ko secret hi rakhiye."
Reyansh ne apne flat ki taraf badhte hue kaha, "Aap bhi apne containers ko secret rakhiye. Warna kal poori building mein unki charcha hogi."
"Good evening, Reyansh."
"Good evening, Jheel."
Dono apne-apne darwazon ki taraf mud gaye.
Koi lambi baat nahi hui thi. Na kisi ne kisi ko rukne ke liye kaha, na kisi ne agali mulaqat ka plan banaya.
Lekin ab unki baaton mein woh pehli mulaqat wali formal distance kam hone lagi thi.
Reyansh apne flat mein pahunchkar bag rakh hi raha tha ki corridor se tez awaaz aayi.
"Excuse me! Maine specifically bola tha ki parcel mere darwaze par rakhna hai!"
Gungun ki awaaz thi.
Reyansh ne aankhein band karke ek lambi saans li.
"Lo. Building ka evening entertainment shuru."
Woh darwaze ke paas aaya.
Flat 404 se neeche aayi Gungun lobby mein delivery boy se baat kar rahi thi. Uske haath mein ek parcel tha. Delivery boy baar-baar phone ki screen dikha raha tha.
"Ma'am, address yahi tha. Maine reception par poochha, unhone bola aap fourth floor par rehti hain."
Gungun ne parcel ki taraf dekha.
"Maine delivery instructions mein likha tha ki call karna."
"Ma'am, call kiya tha. Aapne receive nahi kiya."
"Toh dobara karte!"
Delivery boy ne thaka hua sa chehra banaya.
"Ma'am, mere paas aur bhi deliveries hain."
Gungun ne uski baat kaat di.
"Toh uska matlab yeh nahi ki aap apni marzi se kuch bhi karenge."
Reyansh lobby mein aate hue bola, "Gungun, parcel mil gaya na? Ab delivery boy ko ghar jaane bhi do. Bechare ki bhi koi personal life hogi."
Gungun ne palatkar use dekha.
"Aapko har jagah commentary karni hoti hai?"
"Har jagah nahi. Sirf un jagahon par jahan free entertainment mil raha ho."
Delivery boy ke chehre par muskurahat aate-aate ruk gayi.
Gungun ne use dekha.
"Aap has kyun rahe hain?"
"Sorry, ma'am."
Reyansh ne turant kaha, "Arre, sorry kyun bol rahe ho? Hansi par abhi tak koi delivery charge nahi lagta."
Gungun ne parcel apne haath mein mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Reyansh, aapko apne ghar mein koi kaam nahi hai?"
"Hai. Dinner karna hai."
"Toh jaiye."
"Ja raha hoon. Bas socha aapke dinner se pehle yeh parcel wala episode complete karwa doon."
Gungun ne use aisi nazar se dekha jaise uske paas jawab ho, lekin use dena apni energy waste karna lag raha ho.
Usne delivery boy se parcel le liya aur seedhiyon ki taraf badh gayi.
Jaate-jaate usne kaha, "Aapko ek din bahut problem hogi apni is aadat se."
Reyansh ne muskurakar jawab diya, "Aap appointment lekar batana. Main diary mein note kar lunga."
Gungun bina palte chali gayi.
Delivery boy ne dheere se kaha, "Sir, aapko darr nahi lagta inse?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Thoda lagta hai."
"Phir bhi mazaak karte ho?"
"Dar aur mazaak ek hi ghar mein reh sakte hain. Bas rent time par dena padta hai."
Delivery boy hans pada.
"Achha sir, main chalta hoon."
"All the best. Agli delivery mein phone receive ho jaaye, yahi dua hai."
Delivery boy chala gaya.
Reyansh apne flat mein laut aaya.
Usne darwaza band kiya toh use mehsoos hua ki ghar ke andar shaanti thi.
Lekin uske chehre par abhi bhi muskurahat thi.
Kitchen se khane ki khushboo aa rahi thi.
Shalu ne dinner taiyaar kar diya tha. Dining table par roti, sabzi aur dal rakhi thi.
Reyansh haath dhokar aaya aur baith gaya.
Shalu kitchen se bahar aayi.
"Aaj building mein phir Gungun ma'am ka program tha?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhe kaise pata?"
"Main nikal rahi thi toh neeche awaaz aa rahi thi. Aapki awaaz bhi pehchaan mein aa gayi."
"Matlab meri bhi building mein reputation hai."
"Ji. Aapki awaaz se pata chal jaata hai ki kahin na kahin koi pareshan hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Shalu, tum kabhi kisi serious profession mein gayi toh log tumse darenge."
"Main abhi bhi logon ko dara sakti hoon. Aapko dekhiye."
"Main dara hua lagta hoon?"
"Nahi. Aapko aadat ho gayi hai."
Shalu ne table par paani ka jug rakha.
"Achha, main chalti hoon. Kal subah milte hain."
"Ruko. Tumne khana khaya?"
"Ji, kha liya."
"Achha. Ghar jaate waqt dhyaan se jaana."
Shalu ne sir hilaya aur apna bag lekar nikal gayi.
Reyansh ne araam se dinner kiya. Khana khatam karne ke baad woh living room mein aaya aur sofa par baith gaya.
Phone par Arshad ka message tha.
Arshad: Aaj kya kiya?
Reyansh: Office, ghar, dinner.
Arshad: Bhai... matlab dost. Teri zindagi mein koi naya feature launch nahi hoga kya?
Reyansh: Har din launch event nahi hota.
Arshad: Theek hai. Jab launch ho, press release bhej dena.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Tujhe media coverage chahiye ya invitation?
Arshad: Dono. Aur khana free hona chahiye.
Reyansh: Teri dosti mehengi padti ja rahi hai.
Arshad: Quality product ka price hota hai.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Kuch der baad usne Jheel ka message dekha. Usne pehle kabhi message nahi kiya tha, lekin aaj corridor mein baat karte hue usne kaha tha ki agar use kisi easy recipe ki zaroorat ho toh woh bhej sakti hai.
Jheel: Aapne kabhi simple poha banaya hai?
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Reyansh: Sach bolun?
Jheel: Nahi, jhooth bolkar recipe competition jeet lijiye.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Nahi banaya.
Jheel: Mujhe pehle se pata tha.
Reyansh: Aapko mere talent par bahut bharosa hai.
Jheel: Talent ka pata nahi. Honesty par hai.
Reyansh: Yeh compliment tha?
Jheel: Aap apni convenience ke hisaab se samajh sakte hain.
Reyansh ne reply karne se pehle thoda socha.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Kabhi time mila toh recipe bhej dena. Dekhte hain kitna difficult hota hai.
Jheel: Recipe bhej dungi. Lekin banane ki zimmedari aapki hogi.
Reyansh: Deal.
Usne phone side mein rakh diya.
Yeh koi romantic conversation nahi thi. Bas do padosiyon ke beech ek chhoti si baat thi, jisme dono ko ek-doosre se baat karna aasaan lagne laga tha.
Reyansh ne TV chala diya.
Kuch der tak woh ek programme dekhta raha, phir channel badal diya. Uske baad phone uthakar agle din ke calendar par nazar daali.
Ek meeting, do calls aur kuch pending work.
Zindagi apne aam hisaab se chal rahi thi.
Lekin uske aas-paas ke log ab sirf building mein dikhne wale chehre nahi rahe the. Kuch logon ke saath baat karna aadat ban raha tha. Kuch logon ke messages dekhkar chehre par muskurahat aa jaati thi.
Aur kuch log abhi bhi apni pehchaan banane ke safar mein the.
Jheel apne flat mein kitchen containers set kar rahi thi. Gungun apne parcel ko kholkar uski cheezein check kar rahi thi. Shalu ghar lautne ke liye apni bus ka intezaar kar rahi thi. Neha shayad client ki mail ka reply likh rahi thi. Arshad apni taraf se kisi naye joke ki taiyaari kar raha tha.
Har kisi ki apni duniya thi.
Aur Reyansh ki duniya bhi dheere-dheere apni rozmarra ki raftaar mein aage badh rahi thi.
Bengaluru ki subah apni raftaar pakad chuki thi. Khidkiyon se aati halki dhoop Reyansh ke bedroom ke parde par pad rahi thi. Uska phone bedside table par lagataar vibrate kar raha tha.
7:42 AM
Alarm band tha, lekin phone ki screen par notifications ki line lagi hui thi.
Reyansh ne aankhein khole bina phone uthaya.
Arshad: uth gaya sale ya bhindi ko bheju
Reyansh ne aadhi khuli aankhon se reply kiya.
Reyansh: Subah ke aath bhi nahi baje aur teri bakwaas shuru.
Arshad: Dosti mein waqt nahi dekha jaata. Sirf dost ki barbaadi dekhi jaati hai.
Reyansh: Block kar raha hoon.
Arshad: Pehle breakfast kar le. Bhookhe pet block karne se dosti mein badhazmi ho jaati hai.
Phone side mein rakhkar woh bistar se utha aur dheere-dheere bathroom ki taraf chala gaya.
Kuch der baad woh fresh hokar living room mein aaya. Kitchen se bartan rakhne ki awaaz aa rahi thi.
Shalu breakfast bana chuki thi. Dining table par toast, omelette aur chai rakhi thi.
Reyansh ne chair kheenchkar baithte hue poochha, "Aaj itni jaldi kaise aa gayi?"
Shalu kitchen se bahar aayi.
"Roz isi time aati hoon. Aaj aap late uthe hain."
"Main late nahi utha. Aaj subah thodi der se shuru hui hai."
Shalu ne uski taraf dekha.
"Achha. Matlab galti subah ki hai."
"Bilkul."
"Toh kal se subah ko bol dena ki aapke hisaab se shuru ho."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Shalu, tum har baat ka jawab taiyaar rakhkar aati ho kya?"
"Nahi. Aapke ghar aane ke baad practice ho gayi hai."
Woh table par paani ka glass rakhkar doosre kaam mein lag gayi.
Reyansh breakfast karte hue phone dekhne laga. Office ke kuch messages the, ek client ki mail thi aur Neha ka reminder.
Neha: Presentation ki revised file dekh lena. Aaj client ke feedback par baat karni hai.
Reyansh: Breakfast ke baad dekh lunga.
Neha: Tumhare breakfast ka time fixed hai ya tumhara reply dene ka mood?
Reyansh: Dono ka apna-apna schedule hai.
Neha: Convenient.
Reyansh ne chai ka cup uthaya aur muskurate hue phone rakh diya.
Tabhi Shalu uske paas aayi.
"Sir, ek baat poochhun?"
"Poochho."
"Aapke office mein sab log phone par itna kaam karte hain? Ya aapko ghar par bhi office ko yaad dilana padta hai ki aap zinda hain?"
"Hum log kaam karte hain. Kabhi-kabhi phone par, kabhi laptop par."
"Achha. Aur jo log office nahi jaate, woh kya karte hain?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kaafi kuch karte hain. Ghar sambhalte hain, apna kaam karte hain, padhai karte hain. Har kisi ki zindagi alag hoti hai."
Shalu kuch pal chup rahi.
"Main bhi kabhi kuch alag karna chahti hoon."
Reyansh ne toast ka aakhri tukda uthaya.
"Toh karna."
"Kya?"
"Jo bhi tumhe karna hai."
"Sir, aise thodi na hota hai. Pehle pata toh ho kya karna hai."
Reyansh ne uski baat samajhte hue sir hilaya.
"Yeh baat sahi hai. Lekin jab tak pata nahi chalta, tab tak sochna band bhi nahi karna."
Shalu ne koi jawaab nahi diya. Bas table saaf karne lagi.
Reyansh ne apna bag uthaya.
"Main nikal raha hoon. Lunch time par kha lena tum bhi."
"Ji. Aur aaj dinner mein kya khayenge?"
"Jo tum banaogi."
"Bahut badhiya. Aapke paas choice bhi hai aur zimmedari bhi nahi."
Reyansh darwaze tak pahunchkar palta.
"Is ghar mein meri izzat naam ki bhi koi cheez hai?"
Shalu ne bina ruke jawab diya.
"Hai sir. Bas kitchen mein nahi milti."
Office mein dopahar se pehle ka waqt meetings aur emails mein nikal gaya.
Reyansh apni desk par baitha revised presentation dekh raha tha. Kuch slides par client ke comments the, aur Neha apni chair lekar uske paas aa baithi.
"Yeh wala point change karna padega," Neha ne screen ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Kyun?"
"Client ko lag raha hai ki hum product ke features zyada bata rahe hain aur customer ki problem kam samajh rahe hain."
Reyansh ne slide dobara padhi.
"Hmm. Baat toh sahi hai."
Neha ne bhaunhein uthaayin.
"Record kar lo. Reyansh ne meeting mein kisi aur ko sahi maan liya."
"Please, apni khushi ko control mein rakho."
"Main toh bas historical moment document kar rahi hoon."
Reyansh ne laptop uski taraf thoda ghuma diya.
"Achha, madam historian. Batao, isko kaise change karein?"
Neha ne kuch der socha.
"Features ki list ke badle ek simple customer situation se start karte hain. Pehle problem, phir product usmein kaise help karta hai."
"Good."
"Bas? Sirf good?"
"Bahut good."
"Ab theek hai."
Dono kaam mein lag gaye.
Kuch der baad revised slide saamne thi. Pehle se simple, seedhi aur samajhne mein aasaan.
Neha ne screen dekhi.
"Yeh better hai."
Reyansh ne file save ki.
"Client ko bhi yahi lage, toh aaj ka din safal."
Neha apni chair par peeche hui.
"Waise tum ek ajeeb insaan ho."
"Yeh baat tum pehle bhi keh chuki ho."
"Isliye toh keh rahi hoon. Tum kaam mein busy rehte ho, logon se milte ho, doston ke saath ghoomte ho. Tumhari life dekhkar lagta hai sab normal hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Normal hona buri baat hai?"
"Nahi. Bas kabhi-kabhi lagta hai tum har cheez ko normal kehkar aage badh jaate ho."
Reyansh ne laptop band nahi kiya. Bas uski nazar screen se hat gayi.
"Har cheez par rukna bhi toh zaroori nahi hota, Neha."
"Bilkul. Lekin har cheez se jaldi nikal jaana bhi zaroori nahi."
Kuch pal dono ke beech khamoshi rahi.
Phir Neha ne apni notebook uthayi.
"Anyway, main client ko updated version bhej deti hoon. Tum apni philosophical meeting continue karna."
Reyansh halka sa hansa.
"Thank you, Neha."
"Welcome, normal insaan."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne ek baar phir screen ki taraf dekha aur phir apne agle kaam mein lag gaya.
Neha ki baat uske dimaag mein kitni der rahi, yeh usne khud bhi tay nahi kiya.
Har baat ko naam dena zaroori nahi hota.
Shaam ko Reyansh ghar lauta toh corridor mein Jheel apne flat ke bahar khadi thi.
Uske haath mein ek chhota sa carton tha. Darwaze ke paas ek paper bag rakha tha aur woh apni chaabi dhoondhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Reyansh ne lift se nikalte hue poochha, "Aaj phir koi nayi delivery?"
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Ji. Lekin is baar carton mein utensils hain, koi mysterious cheez nahi."
"Achha hai. Pichhli baar ke parcel ko dekhkar mujhe laga tha aapne ghar mein koi secret laboratory khol li hai."
Jheel hans di.
"Aap har parcel ko itna suspicious kyun samajhte hain?"
"Experience."
"Kaisa experience?"
"Main khud apne ghar mein rakhe kuch containers ka purpose nahi jaanta."
Jheel ne carton ko dekha, phir uski taraf.
"Toh aapke ghar mein containers hain ?
Baap re itne container ka kya karogi, us bhindi ka achar dalogi kya
Jheel ne ghoor kar dekha jaise ki ye ek bakwas pj ho
Jheel ne chaabi nikaali aur darwaza khol diya.
Carton andar rakhne ke liye woh jhuki, lekin paper bag uske haath se phisal kar neeche gir gaya.
Reyansh ne aage badhkar bag utha liya.
"Lo."
"Thank you."
"Ismein bhi containers hain?"
"Nahi, kitchen ke liye kuch samaan hai."
"Achha. Matlab aaj aapka kitchen mujhse zyada productive hone wala hai."
Jheel ne muskurate hue bag le liya.
"Aapka kitchen toh waise bhi bahut kam competition deta hai."
"Yeh personal attack tha."
"Observation thi."
"Observation ke naam par log kuch bhi bol dete hain."
Jheel ne darwaze ke paas khade-khade poochha, "Waise aap aaj office se jaldi aa gaye?"
"Jaldi? Saat bajne wale hain."
"Mera matlab, pichhli baar jab lift mein mile the, tab bhi aap late aaye the."
"Toh aap meri timing observe karti hain?"
Jheel ek pal ke liye ruki.
"Building mein rehte hain. Kabhi na kabhi saamna ho hi jaata hai."
Reyansh ne halka sa sir hilaya.
"Bilkul. Main bhi bas building ki observation kar raha tha."
Jheel ko uski baat samajh aa gayi. Woh hans padi.
"Achha, Mr. Observation, aaj dinner mein kya banega?"
"Yeh sawaal aap mujhse kyun pooch rahi hain?"
"Kyuki pichhli baar aapne bataya tha ki aapko cooking ki basic knowledge hai."
"Anda maggie basic nahi hote"
"Matlab aapko nahi aata."
"Katai hi nahi"
"Achha hai. Aap apni skills ko secret hi rakhiye."
Reyansh ne apne flat ki taraf badhte hue kaha, "Aap bhi apne containers ko secret rakhiye. Warna kal poori building mein unki charcha hogi."
"Good evening, Reyansh."
"Good evening, Jheel."
Dono apne-apne darwazon ki taraf mud gaye.
Koi lambi baat nahi hui thi. Na kisi ne kisi ko rukne ke liye kaha, na kisi ne agali mulaqat ka plan banaya.
Lekin ab unki baaton mein woh pehli mulaqat wali formal distance kam hone lagi thi.
Reyansh apne flat mein pahunchkar bag rakh hi raha tha ki corridor se tez awaaz aayi.
"Excuse me! Maine specifically bola tha ki parcel mere darwaze par rakhna hai!"
Gungun ki awaaz thi.
Reyansh ne aankhein band karke ek lambi saans li.
"Lo. Building ka evening entertainment shuru."
Woh darwaze ke paas aaya.
Flat 404 se neeche aayi Gungun lobby mein delivery boy se baat kar rahi thi. Uske haath mein ek parcel tha. Delivery boy baar-baar phone ki screen dikha raha tha.
"Ma'am, address yahi tha. Maine reception par poochha, unhone bola aap fourth floor par rehti hain."
Gungun ne parcel ki taraf dekha.
"Maine delivery instructions mein likha tha ki call karna."
"Ma'am, call kiya tha. Aapne receive nahi kiya."
"Toh dobara karte!"
Delivery boy ne thaka hua sa chehra banaya.
"Ma'am, mere paas aur bhi deliveries hain."
Gungun ne uski baat kaat di.
"Toh uska matlab yeh nahi ki aap apni marzi se kuch bhi karenge."
Reyansh lobby mein aate hue bola, "Gungun, parcel mil gaya na? Ab delivery boy ko ghar jaane bhi do. Bechare ki bhi koi personal life hogi."
Gungun ne palatkar use dekha.
"Aapko har jagah commentary karni hoti hai?"
"Har jagah nahi. Sirf un jagahon par jahan free entertainment mil raha ho."
Delivery boy ke chehre par muskurahat aate-aate ruk gayi.
Gungun ne use dekha.
"Aap has kyun rahe hain?"
"Sorry, ma'am."
Reyansh ne turant kaha, "Arre, sorry kyun bol rahe ho? Hansi par abhi tak koi delivery charge nahi lagta."
Gungun ne parcel apne haath mein mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Reyansh, aapko apne ghar mein koi kaam nahi hai?"
"Hai. Dinner karna hai."
"Toh jaiye."
"Ja raha hoon. Bas socha aapke dinner se pehle yeh parcel wala episode complete karwa doon."
Gungun ne use aisi nazar se dekha jaise uske paas jawab ho, lekin use dena apni energy waste karna lag raha ho.
Usne delivery boy se parcel le liya aur seedhiyon ki taraf badh gayi.
Jaate-jaate usne kaha, "Aapko ek din bahut problem hogi apni is aadat se."
Reyansh ne muskurakar jawab diya, "Aap appointment lekar batana. Main diary mein note kar lunga."
Gungun bina palte chali gayi.
Delivery boy ne dheere se kaha, "Sir, aapko darr nahi lagta inse?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Thoda lagta hai."
"Phir bhi mazaak karte ho?"
"Dar aur mazaak ek hi ghar mein reh sakte hain. Bas rent time par dena padta hai."
Delivery boy hans pada.
"Achha sir, main chalta hoon."
"All the best. Agli delivery mein phone receive ho jaaye, yahi dua hai."
Delivery boy chala gaya.
Reyansh apne flat mein laut aaya.
Usne darwaza band kiya toh use mehsoos hua ki ghar ke andar shaanti thi.
Lekin uske chehre par abhi bhi muskurahat thi.
Kitchen se khane ki khushboo aa rahi thi.
Shalu ne dinner taiyaar kar diya tha. Dining table par roti, sabzi aur dal rakhi thi.
Reyansh haath dhokar aaya aur baith gaya.
Shalu kitchen se bahar aayi.
"Aaj building mein phir Gungun ma'am ka program tha?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhe kaise pata?"
"Main nikal rahi thi toh neeche awaaz aa rahi thi. Aapki awaaz bhi pehchaan mein aa gayi."
"Matlab meri bhi building mein reputation hai."
"Ji. Aapki awaaz se pata chal jaata hai ki kahin na kahin koi pareshan hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Shalu, tum kabhi kisi serious profession mein gayi toh log tumse darenge."
"Main abhi bhi logon ko dara sakti hoon. Aapko dekhiye."
"Main dara hua lagta hoon?"
"Nahi. Aapko aadat ho gayi hai."
Shalu ne table par paani ka jug rakha.
"Achha, main chalti hoon. Kal subah milte hain."
"Ruko. Tumne khana khaya?"
"Ji, kha liya."
"Achha. Ghar jaate waqt dhyaan se jaana."
Shalu ne sir hilaya aur apna bag lekar nikal gayi.
Reyansh ne araam se dinner kiya. Khana khatam karne ke baad woh living room mein aaya aur sofa par baith gaya.
Phone par Arshad ka message tha.
Arshad: Aaj kya kiya?
Reyansh: Office, ghar, dinner.
Arshad: Bhai... matlab dost. Teri zindagi mein koi naya feature launch nahi hoga kya?
Reyansh: Har din launch event nahi hota.
Arshad: Theek hai. Jab launch ho, press release bhej dena.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Tujhe media coverage chahiye ya invitation?
Arshad: Dono. Aur khana free hona chahiye.
Reyansh: Teri dosti mehengi padti ja rahi hai.
Arshad: Quality product ka price hota hai.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Kuch der baad usne Jheel ka message dekha. Usne pehle kabhi message nahi kiya tha, lekin aaj corridor mein baat karte hue usne kaha tha ki agar use kisi easy recipe ki zaroorat ho toh woh bhej sakti hai.
Jheel: Aapne kabhi simple poha banaya hai?
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Reyansh: Sach bolun?
Jheel: Nahi, jhooth bolkar recipe competition jeet lijiye.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Nahi banaya.
Jheel: Mujhe pehle se pata tha.
Reyansh: Aapko mere talent par bahut bharosa hai.
Jheel: Talent ka pata nahi. Honesty par hai.
Reyansh: Yeh compliment tha?
Jheel: Aap apni convenience ke hisaab se samajh sakte hain.
Reyansh ne reply karne se pehle thoda socha.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Kabhi time mila toh recipe bhej dena. Dekhte hain kitna difficult hota hai.
Jheel: Recipe bhej dungi. Lekin banane ki zimmedari aapki hogi.
Reyansh: Deal.
Usne phone side mein rakh diya.
Yeh koi romantic conversation nahi thi. Bas do padosiyon ke beech ek chhoti si baat thi, jisme dono ko ek-doosre se baat karna aasaan lagne laga tha.
Reyansh ne TV chala diya.
Kuch der tak woh ek programme dekhta raha, phir channel badal diya. Uske baad phone uthakar agle din ke calendar par nazar daali.
Ek meeting, do calls aur kuch pending work.
Zindagi apne aam hisaab se chal rahi thi.
Lekin uske aas-paas ke log ab sirf building mein dikhne wale chehre nahi rahe the. Kuch logon ke saath baat karna aadat ban raha tha. Kuch logon ke messages dekhkar chehre par muskurahat aa jaati thi.
Aur kuch log abhi bhi apni pehchaan banane ke safar mein the.
Jheel apne flat mein kitchen containers set kar rahi thi. Gungun apne parcel ko kholkar uski cheezein check kar rahi thi. Shalu ghar lautne ke liye apni bus ka intezaar kar rahi thi. Neha shayad client ki mail ka reply likh rahi thi. Arshad apni taraf se kisi naye joke ki taiyaari kar raha tha.
Har kisi ki apni duniya thi.
Aur Reyansh ki duniya bhi dheere-dheere apni rozmarra ki raftaar mein aage badh rahi thi.
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