[Joker44]

Vaishali ki aankh subah paanch baje khuli. Kamra abhi andhera tha. Vikram uske bagal mein soya hua tha, ek haath uski kamar par, saans seedhi. Uske jism par kal raat ab bhi thi. Gale par daant ka nishan garam lag raha tha. Honth sooje hue the. Munh mein ab bhi ek halka sa swad tha jo usne nigla tha. Usne dheere se uska haath hataya aur uthi. Bathroom gayi, darwaza band kiya, aur light jalaayi.

Aaine mein jo aurat dikhi, use usne pehle nahi dekha tha. Baal bikhre, lipstick miti hui, honth laal aur sooje, gale aur seene par do-teen nishan jo concealer se poori tarah nahi chhupne wale the. Usne ungli se ek nishan chhua. Dard nahi tha, lekin yaad thi. Usne paani se munh dhoya, baal bandhe, aur ek purani cream rang ki saree nikaali. Blouse full-sleeve tha, gale ka ghera band. Usne use pehna, hook band kiye, petticoat kasaa, aur saree lapeti. Aaine mein ab woh seedhi lag rahi thi. Andar se nahi.

Jab woh bahar aayi, Vikram jaag chuka tha. Woh bed par baitha tha, kurta pehne, aur usne use dekha. “Soya theek? Kal raat lambi thi.”

Vaishali ne sir hila diya. “Haan.”

“Cigarette ka packet le aaya tha. Table par hai.” Usne koi aur baat nahi ki. Landing ka zikr nahi, thappad ka nahi, kaali saree ka nahi. Woh utha, bathroom ki taraf gaya, aur darwaze par ruk kar kaha, “Tu bhi aa. Paani garam kar diya hai.”

Vaishali ne kuch nahi kaha. Woh jaanti thi mana karne se baat lambi hogi, aur woh jo chahega karega. Usne cream saree utaari, blouse khola, aur nangi hokar bathroom mein gayi. Vikram pehle se shower ke neeche khada tha. Usne use haath pakda aur apni god mein bitha liya, paani dono par gir raha tha. Usne sabun liya, uske kandhon par lagaya, gale par, seene par, nishanon ke upar dheere. Vaishali ne aankhen band kar li. Uski saans tez thi, lekin usne nahi kaha. Woh jaanti thi yahan nahi ka koi matlab nahi hai.



Vikram ne uske baal geele kiye, unhe peeche kiya, aur uske kaan ke paas kaha, “Kal achha laga. Tu sharma rahi thi, lekin kar liya.” Usne uske boobs par sabun lagaya, dheere, nipple ko ungliyon mein liya. Vaishali ki peeth uske seene se lagi hui thi. Usne kuch nahi kaha. Paani uske jism se beh raha tha, sabun uski chut tak aa gaya, aur Vikram ne wahan bhi haath phiraya, ek baar, jaise dhul raha ho. Phir usne use uthaya, khud nahaaya, aur towel diya.

Bahar aakar Vaishali ne cream saree phir se pehni. Pallu kas ke. Vikram ne chai banayi, use di, aur kaha, “Aaj ghar par hi rehna. Mummy kal aa rahi hain. Do din. Tu unke liye kuch bana dena.”

Vaishali ne cup uthaya. “Theek hai.”




Usne landing ki taraf nahi dekha. Arjun agle flat se bahar nahi aaya. Na subah, na dopahar. Priya ek baar chain hila kar gayi, lekin darwaza nahi khatkhataya. Vaishali kitchen mein rahi. Cream saree uske jism par seedhi thi, full blouse, koi cleavage nahi. Usne sabzi kaati, chawal dhoye, aur beech-beech mein aaine mein apna gale dekha. Nishan ab bhi the. Concealer se chhupe the, lekin use pata tha. Vikram office chala gaya. Usne darwaze par kaha, “Shaam ko jaldi aunga. Mummy ko call kar lena.”

Vaishali ne sir hila diya. Jab darwaza band hua, tab usne phone uthaya. Arjun ka naam khola. Message likha. Mitaaya. Phir likha. *Kal jo hua, uske baare mein mat poochna.* Usne bhej diya. Jawab nahi aaya. Woh kitchen mein wapas gayi. Cream saree ki pallu uske haath se sarak rahi thi. Usne use theek kiya, aur socha ki kal saas aayegi, aur use phir se seedhi dikhna hoga, jaise kal raat ka kuch bhi uske jism par nahi hai.


Arjun subah aam dino ki tarah jaldi nahi uth saka. Uska jism aur dimaag dono kisi bhari bojh ke neeche dabe hue the. Raat bhar woh theek se so nahi paaya tha—aankh lagte hi wahi manzar, landing par hui beizzati, aur Vikram ka woh bhaari haath uske chehre par yaad aa jaata tha.
Jab woh aakhirkaar bistar se utha aur bathroom ke chhote aaine ke samne khada hua, toh subah ki thandi peeli roshni mein sachai saaf nazar aayi. Uske baayein gaal par chaar ungliyon ke laal nishaan saaf ubhre hue the. Skin halki si phooli hui thi, aur chhoone par ek jalan-bhari kasak uth rahi thi. Arjun ne turant jhijhak kar light band kar di, jaise andhere mein woh sachai chhap sakti ho.
Usne almari se ek dheeli shirt nikaali. Kaanpte haathon se button lagaye, par jaldbazi mein upar-neeche ho gaye. Dobara theek kiya, pallu theek se jhada, aur ek gehri saans lekar hall mein kadam rakha.
Hall ke purane dining table par Ramesh pehle se baitha tha. Samne thandi pad chuki chai ka cup aur haath mein khula hua akhbaar. Jaise hi Arjun aage badha, Ramesh ne akhbaar ke upar se nazar uthayi. Uski thaki hui, bujhi aankhein seedhe Arjun ke baayein gaal par tik gayi. Ek pal ke liye sannata chha gaya. Ramesh ne dhere se akhbaar ko modkar table par rakha aur chai ka cup thoda aage sarka diya.
"Yeh kya hua hai gaal par?" Ramesh ki aawaz mein ek thaka hua, lachaar darr tha.
Arjun ne seedhe uski aankhon mein dekhne se bachaav kiya. Nazar zameen par rakhte hue bola, "Kuch nahi. Raat ko andhere mein seedhiyon par pair phisla tha. Railing aur deewar ke kone se lag gaya."
Ramesh ne use gehri nazron se dekha. Woh apne bete ke jhooth ko pehchaanta tha—pichhle bees saalon se har bahaane ko jaanta tha. Lekin is waqt usme sach sunne ya sach ka saamna karne ki himmat bachi hi nahi thi. Agar sach saamne aata, toh use apni lachari aur bezati ka hisaab dena padta. Usne bas ek thandi saans chhodte hue kaha, "Sarson ka tel ya thodi barf laga le. Soojan badhegi toh society mein log bekar ke sawaal poochenge."
Tabhi kitchen ka parda hata aur Priya bahar aayi, haath mein naashte ki plate liye. Uski teekhi nazron ne ek hi second mein Arjun ke chehre ka kona naap liya. Priya ke honthon par wahi purani, zehreeli aur adhoori muskaan tair gayi—aisi muskaan jo aankhon tak nahi pahunchti thi, sirf taana maarne ke liye aati thi.
"Arre bhaiya, aapka ladka sach mein gir gaya ya kisi ne seedhiyon par achhe se dhakka de diya?" Priya ne plate table par patakte hue aawaz ko halka kheench kar kaha.
"Kaha na bua, pair phisla tha," Arjun ne daant pees kar jawab diya.
Priya ne plate ko ghooma kar rakha aur apne pallu se haath ponchte hue boli, "Achha... phisal gaya. Aur hamari Meera didi upar theek-thaak hain na? Kal raat landing par unki saree badi ajeeb lag rahi thi... poori bikhri hui, dhang se sambhali bhi nahi ja rahi thi. Pata nahi naye shauhar ke sath itna kaun sa drama chal raha hai."
Ramesh ka chehra sakht ho gaya. Usne jaldi se akhbaar phir se khola, chehre ke aage karte hue dabi aawaz mein toka, "Priya, unka flat alag hai, unki zindagi alag hai. Hamein pados ke maamlon mein padne ki zaroorat nahi hai."
Priya ne ek halke se thahake ke sath naak sikodi, "Haan haan, main kahan kuch keh rahi hoon. Padosi hi toh hain ab woh." Woh muskurati hui wapas kitchen ki taraf mud gayi.
Arjun ne table par rakha poha ka ek nivala muh mein daala, lekin gale se neeche utaarna namumkin lag raha tha. Uska gala sookh chuka tha. Usne chupchap jeb se apna phone nikala. Screen on karte hi wahi aakhri message dikha jo subah aaya tha: Kal jo hua, uske baare mein mat poochna.
Arjun ke angoothe screen par kaanpne lage. Usne likha: Maa, main kal raat wahan— Mita diya. Phir likha: Aap theek ho na? Usne kuch zyada toh nahi— Phir se poora mita diya. Aakhri baar likha: Main bilkul theek hoon, aap apna dhyan rakhna. Lekin is baar bhi use send karne ki himmat nahi hui. Usne poora text clear kiya, phone screen ko table par ulta patak diya, aur aadhi chodi hui chai pee kar seedhe apne kamre mein ghus gaya. Darwaza andar se band kar liya.
Dopahar ke qareeb baahar landing se bhaari kadmon ki aahat aayi. Vikram ki aawaz saaf, loud aur poore haq ke sath goonji: "Meera, darwaza kholo, main aa gaya." Kadi khulne aur darwaza band hone ki awaaz aayi. Arjun ne apne kamre mein bistar par baithe-baithe mutthi bheenchi. Pehle ki tarah usne is baar deewar se kaan lagane ki galti nahi ki. Woh bas bed ke kone par baitha raha, gaal ke garam nishaan ko ungliyon se dabata raha.
Shaam hote-hote landing aur deewar ke us paar se phir se aawazein aane lagin. Vikram ki halki, beparwah hasi sunai di, aur uske piche Vaishali ki bilkul dheemi, dabi hui aawaz: "Aap dheere boliye na... kal Mummy ji aa rahi hain, ghar theek se tayaar karna hai."
Yeh aawaz Arjun ke kaanon mein kisi kante ki tarah chubhi. Uski apni maa kisi aur ki marzi par chalne ke liye poori tarah tayaar ho chuki thi. Arjun ghutan se bardasht na kar saka. Usne kamre ka darwaza khola, bina kisi se kuch kahe chappal pehni aur building se neeche utar gaya.
Society ke compound mein shaam ki thandi hawa chal rahi thi. Usne boundary wall ke sath do-teen chakkar lagaye. Mann mein hazaaron sawaal ghoom rahe the—kya woh security officer station chala jaye? Par kis muh se? Fraud toh unhone hi shuru kiya tha. Vikram ne toh sirf paise diye the aur ab apna haq vasool raha tha.
Jab ghanton baad Arjun wapas flat par lauta, toh corridor bilkul shaant tha. Vikram ke flat ke andar se koi aawaz nahi aa rahi thi—sirf kitchen ke bartanon ki halki si khanak thi, jo bata rahi thi ki Meera raat ka khana bana rahi hai.
Hall mein Ramesh abhi bhi wahin baitha tha, aankhein band kiye, jaise kisi gusse ya lachari ko daba raha ho. Usne Arjun ke aane par aawaz sunkar pucha, "Kahan chala gaya tha?"
"Bas aise hi... thoda bahar gaya tha."
"Gaal kaisa hai ab?"
"Theek hai ab," Arjun ne ruka-ruka sa jawab diya.
Dono baap-bete ke beech ek lambi, dam-ghotne wali khamoshi fail gayi. Kisi ke paas doosre ke liye koi dilasa nahi tha. Arjun ne socha ki theek is deewar ke doosri taraf, Vaishali ab cream rang ki seedhi saree pehankar, gale ke saare nishaan concealer mein dhoondh-dhoondh kar chhupa chuki hogi. Aur Vikram chain se table par baith kar uske haath ki bani chai pee raha hoga, jaise kal raat unke parivaar par uthaaya gaya hath koi maayne hi na rakhta ho.
Arjun ne apne gaal ko dobara chhua. Thappad ki garmahat abhi bhi wahan maujood thi. Usne apna phone nikaala, screen kholi, aur bina kuch type kiye bas us aakhri message ko ghoorta raha: Kal jo hua, uske baare mein mat poochna.
Bahar corridor mein Priya ki chappalon ki ghaseetne wali aawaz aayi, Vikram ke darwaze ke paas ek pal ke liye ruki, aur bina kuch kahe wapas mud gayi. Arjun ne chupchap aankhein moond li. Gaal par pada woh thappad sirf chamdi par laal nahi tha—uski aatma aur izzat par ek aisa nishaan chhod gaya tha jiska dard gaal ke dard se kahin zyada gehra tha.


Subah theek nau baje flat ki doorbell baji. Ghanti ki aawaz sunte hi Vaishali ke dil ki dhadkan ek pal ke liye tez ho gayi. Usne jaldi se aaine ke samne khade hokar apni cream rang ki saree theek ki, full-sleeve blouse ke hooks check kiye, aur pallu ko kandhe par ache se kaskar baandha taaki gale ke daag poori tarah chhupe rahein. Ek gehri saans lekar usne darwaza khola.
Darwaze par Vikram ki maa khadi thi—haath mein ek chhota sa purana suitcase, safed cotton saree, baalon ka saaf-suthra juda, aur chehre par lambe safar ke baad aane wali halki thakaan. Unki umar Vaishali se mushkil se char ya paanch saal badi hogi, lekin unke aate hi Vaishali ne bina kisi jhijhak ke jhuk kar unke pair chhue.
“Aaiye, Maa. Vikram keh raha tha aap aane wali hain.”
Saas ne foran jhuk kar dono haathon se Vaishali ke kandhe thame aur use upar uthaya. “Arre Meera, itna jhukne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Main saas zaroor hoon, par humari umar mein itna farq nahi hai ki tu itna dare. Seedhi khadi reh.” Unhone Vaishali ke gaal par halke se haath fera, aur unki mamtayi nazar ne ek pal ke liye Vaishali ke chehre ko ghaur se dekha. “Ghar kitna saaf-suthra aur shaant lag raha hai. Vikram phone par kehta tha ki Meera ne poora ghar sambhal liya hai... bilkul sach keh raha tha.”
Tabhi bedroom se Vikram nikla, naye kurte mein, aur aage badhkar maa ke pair chhue. “Maa, train late thi kya? Aap thak gayi hongi. Baithiye sofe par, Meera abhi chai banakar laati hai.”
Vaishali bina der kiye kitchen ki taraf badh gayi. Gas par paani chadhate waqt uske haath halki thartharahat ke sath chal rahe the. Dimag mein wahi baat ghoom rahi thi—jo aurat umar mein uske lagbhag barabar hai, woh use "bahu" keh rahi hai, aur use "Maa" bolna pad raha hai. Ek ajeeb si kashmakash thi, lekin chehre par shanti ka mukhauta lagana zaroori tha. Usne adrak aur elaichi daal kar chai banayi, tray mein do steel ke cup sajaye aur hall mein le aayi.
Saas sofe par baithi thi, suitcase abhi bhi paas mein rakha tha. Cup uthate hi unhone ek ghoont liya aur muskurayi. “Kamaal ki chai banayi hai. Asli ghar ki chai, bina kisi dikhawe ke.”
“Aap safar se aayi hain, pehle aaraam kar lijiye,” Vaishali ne nazrein neeche rakhte hue dheemi aawaz mein kaha. “Main guest room ka bistar theek kar deti hoon.”
“Arre nahi, pehle yahan mere paas baith,” Saas ne sofe par apne bagal mein jagah banate hue uska haath pakad kar bitha liya. “Main tujhe dhang se dekhna chahti thi. Vikram ne bataya tha ki tu bohot suljhi hui aur seedhi hai. Main soch rahi thi ki kahin ladka shuruwat mein tareefein toh nahi kar raha. Par tu sach mein waisi hi hai. Itni umar hone ke baad bhi tere chehre par yeh sharm aur tehzeeb hai. Yeh bohot achhi baat hai. Aaj-kal ki nayi ladkiyon mein kahan aisi tehzeeb hoti hai.”
Vikram samne khada hokar halke se hasa. “Maa, yeh humesha aisi hi sharmati rehti hai. Kuch bhi bolo, pehle nazrein jhuka leti hai.”
Vaishali ne apne saree ke pallu ko ungliyon mein bheenchte hue kaha, “Aap dono aise mat kahiye... main bas apna farz nibha rahi hoon.”
“Farz hi toh sabkuch hota hai,” Saas ne uske haath par thapki di. “Tu Vikram ki biwi hai, is ghar ki bahu hai. Main bohot chain mein hoon. Vikram ne kisi jawan, bachkani ladki ko chun kar koi galati nahi ki. Agar koi bohot chhoti ladki aati, toh roz ke nakhre hote, saas-bahu ke kalesh hote, bartan toot-te, aur mera beta beech mein pis jaata. Tu samajhdar hai, bade-chhote ka lihaaz jaanti hai. Isi wajah se yeh ghar itna sambhla hua lag raha hai.”
Vaishali ka gala sookh gaya. Uski umar ka zikr saas ke muh se itne aam aur taareef bhare lahze mein sun kar uske andar ek ajeeb sa dard ubhra. Usne bas dheere se sir jhuka diya. “Aapki meherbani hai, Maa.”
“Aur ek baat dhyan se sun le,” Saas ne cup table par rakha aur seedhi hokar baithi. “Ab sabkuch settle hai. Vikram ka business chal raha hai, ghar hai, tu hai. Ab mujhe bas ek pota ya poti chahiye. Teri umar ke hisaab se der karna theek nahi hoga. Jitna jaldi khushkhabri degi, utna acha hai. Main hamesha door gaon mein nahi baithi reh sakti, mujhe bache ko khilana hai.”
Vikram ne ek gehri muskaan ke sath Vaishali ki taraf dekha. “Maa, abhi toh shaadi ko thoda hi waqt hua hai. Meera sharma rahi hai, dheere-dheere sab hoga.”
Vaishali ki ungliyan kapkapane lagin. Pota-poti aur family planning ki baat achanak itni khulkar samne aayegi, usne socha na tha. Usne jaldi se baat badalne ke liye cup uthaya. “Maa, aap haath-munh dho lijiye, main dopahar ke khane ki taiyaari karti hoon. Aapko kya pasand hai?”



“Jo tu banaye. Main koi nakhre wali saas nahi hoon,” Saas uthte hue boli. “Lekin jo maine kaha, use bhoolna mat. Nati ki baat yaad rakhna.”
Vaishali kitchen mein aayi aur sabzi kaatne lagi. Haath dheere-dheere chal rahe the. Hall se Vikram aur uski maa ki purani baaton aur hansi ki aawazein aa rahi thin. Vaishali ne socha ki kismat ne kaisa khel khela hai—jo aurat usse chaar saal badi hai, woh use nati ka taqaza kar rahi hai, aur woh bina inkaar kiye ek aagyakari bahu ki tarah sar jhuka kar khadi hai.
Dopahar ko khana laga. Daal, chawal, roti aur sabzi. Saas ne har nivala swad lekar khaya. “Bohot lazeez bana hai Meera. Vikram sach mein lucky hai jo use tere jaisi biwi mili. Main do din yahan aaram se rahungi. Tujhe koi bhi pareshani ho toh bejhijhak bolna. Main saas hoon, par hum umar mein paas hain toh tu mujhe behan ya dost ki tarah bhi samajh sakti hai.”
“Ji Maa, aap jitne din chahein aaram se rahiye,” Vaishali ne plate aage karte hue kaha.
Shaam ko jab Vikram market aur kaam se lauta, toh Saas ne darwaze par hi use tok diya. “Teri biwi ne din bhar ek pal aaram nahi kiya. Chai, paani, khana, sab samay par. Aisi bahu kismat se milti hai, ise sambhal kar rakhna.”
Vikram ne ek lambi, gehre arth wali nazar Vaishali par daali. “Main jaanta hoon Maa, bohot ache se sambhal kar rakh raha hoon.”
Raat ke waqt jab pura flat shaant ho gaya, Saas dusre kamre mein gehri neend so gayi. Vaishali ne kitchen ka aakhri bartan saaf kiya, hall ki lights band keen, aur chupchap bed par aakar baithi.
Usne dheemi, kaanpti aawaz mein Vikram se kaha, “Aapki maa nati ki baat kar rahi thin...”
“Haan, suna maine. Woh chahti hain ki humara apna parivaar aage badhe,” Vikram ne aage badhkar uski kamar par apna bhari haath rakha aur use apne kareeb kheench liya. “Tu jis tarah unke samne sharma rahi thi, bohot pyaari lag rahi thi. Maa khush hain, aur unhe khush rakhna ab teri zimmedari hai.”
Vaishali ne chupchap apni aankhein moond leen. Cream saree abhi bhi uske jism par lipti thi. Deewar ke us paar se, Arjun ke kamre ki taraf se koi aawaz nahi aa rahi thi—poora Dadar sannate mein tha. Us flat mein sirf do aawazein thin: ek bagal ke kamre mein soti hui saas ki gehri saans, aur doosra uske bilkul kareeb Vikram ke kadmon aur uske haath ka bhaari haq. Vaishali ne mehsoos kiya ki ab Meera ka roop sirf ek natak nahi raha, woh dhundla hokar uski aadhi haqeeqat banta ja raha tha.



Kamre ki light band thi. Saas agle kamre mein so chuki thi. Unki saans ki dheemi awaaz door se aa rahi thi, ek rhythm mein. Vaishali bed par leti thi, cream saree ab bhi uske jism par, pallu kas ke. Vikram uske bagal mein aaya. Usne kuch nahi kaha. Usne uski saree ka pallu side kiya, petticoat upar uthaya, aur panty neeche sarka di. Vaishali ne uska haath pakda.

“Aap ruk jaiye,” usne dheere se kaha. “Mummy ji sun lengi. Agle kamre mein hain.”

Vikram ne jawab nahi diya. Woh neeche sarak gaya, uski jaanghon ke beech, aur apna munh uski chut par rakh diya. Pehli lick dheemi thi. Usne jeebh se uske honthon ko alag kiya, upar se neeche, ek lambi, naram chaat. Vaishali ki saans atak gayi. Usne apna haath uske sir par rakha, use hatane ke liye, lekin hataya nahi. “Aap… dheere. Woh jaag jaayengi.”

Vikram ne hasa, munh uski chut se lagaa hua. Hasi dheemi thi, garam. Usne phir se lick kiya, is baar aur dheere, clit ke gird ghera banate hue. Vaishali ki jaanghein kaanp gayi. Woh unhe band karna chahti thi, lekin uska sir beech mein tha. Uski jeebh naram thi, garam, aur woh use chaat raha tha jaise koi cheez dheere se pee raha ho. “Mmm,” usne kaha, dheere, uski chut ke khilaaf. “Tera swad achha hai. Meetha.”

Vaishali ne aankhen band kar li. Uski moan nikal gayi, patli, “Ahh… aap mat boliye aise…” Usne pillow pakad liya, use apne munh par rakhna chaaha, lekin rakh nahi paayi. Vikram ne uski clit ko jeebh se dabaaya, dheere, phir chaata, upar se neeche, phir wapas. Har lick par ek geeli awaaz hoti, chhoti si, aur Vaishali ki saans tez hoti jaati. “Uff… ahhh… ruk jaiye… mummy ji—”

“Woh so rahi hain,” Vikram ne kaha, jeebh ab bhi uske upar. “Tu dheere bol. Main sun raha hoon.” Usne do ungliyan uski chut ke andar ki, dheere, aur saath hi clit ko chuste raha. Vaishali ki peeth bed se ubhar gayi. Ek lambi, dabi hui moan uske gale se nikal gayi, “Ahhh—”, jo usne turant apne honth kaat kar rok li. Uski chut geeli ho rahi thi, uski jeebh par, uski ungliyon par. Vikram ne use piya, dheere, jaise koi cheez khatam nahi karni ho.

“Kitni geeli hai tu,” usne kaha, awaaz munh ke andar se. “Mummy ji ko pata bhi nahi. Unki bahu yahan leti hai, aur main unka beta unki chut chaaat raha hoon.”

Vaishali ne uske baal pakde. “Aap aise mat kahiye… please… main—” Uski awaaz tooti. Vikram ne ungliyan tez ki, jeebh clit par rakhi, aur chaatna jaari rakha. Vaishali ki jaanghein uske sir ke gird kas gayi. Uski saans ab ruk-ruk kar aa rahi thi. “Ahhh… ohhh… aap… main aa rahi hoon… ruk—”



Woh nahi ruka. Usne aur gehra chusa, ungliyan andar-bahar ki, aur Vaishali ka jism kaanp gaya. Ek lambi, kaanpti hui moan uske gale se nikal gayi, dabi hui, “Ahhh— haaye—” aur uski chut ne uski jeebh aur ungliyon par ras chhod diya. Woh bed par leti rahi, saans tez, aankhen band, pillow ab uske munh par. Vikram ne dheere se lick jaari rakhi, soft, jab tak uski kaanpan ruk nahi gayi. Phir usne upar uth kar uske honthon par ek chhoti si kiss ki, usi swad ke saath.

“Achha laga,” usne kaha, dheere. “Mummy ji nahi jaagi. Tu dheere thi.”

Vaishali ne aankhen kholi. Agle kamre se ab bhi saas ki saans aa rahi thi, seedhi. Uske gaal garam the. Uski chut ab bhi geeli thi, uski jeebh ki yaad ke saath. Usne kuch nahi kaha. Vikram uske bagal mein let gaya, haath uski kamar par, aur kamra phir se chup ho gaya.



Vikram ne uske upar uthne se pehle uski panty uthayi. Woh ab bhi geeli thi, uski chut ke ras se. Usne use Vaishali ke honthon par rakha. “Muh mein le. Koi awaaz nahi.”

Vaishali ne aankhen kholi. Agle kamre se saas ki saans ab bhi aa rahi thi, seedhi, gehri. Usne sir hila diya, dheere. “Aap… main nahi—”

Usne panty ko uske honthon ke beech dhakel diya. Kapda uske munh mein chala gaya, geela, uska apna swad. Vaishali ne aankhen band kar li. Uski saans naak se tez ho gayi. Vikram ne uski jaanghein kholi, apna lund uski chut par set kiya, aur dheere se andar kiya. Poora nahi. Aadha. Vaishali ki peeth bed se ubhar gayi. Ek dabi hui gasp uske gale se nikal gayi, panty ke peeche se, “Mmm—”

“Aankhen khol,” usne kaha, dheere. “Mujhe dekh.”

Vaishali ne aankhen kholi. Vikram uske upar tha, uski aankhon mein dekh raha tha. Usne ek aur inch andar kiya. Lund uski geeli chut mein dheere se gaya, supada uski deewar se takra gaya. Vaishali ki aankhen badi ho gayi. Uski saans atak gayi, phir tez ho gayi. Panty uske munh mein thi, isliye moan nahi nikli. Sirf ek lambi, kaanpti hui gasp, “Hhh—” jo uske naak se nikal gayi.

Vikram ne dheere se bahar nikala, phir andar. Soft. Gehra. Har dhakka uske pet tak ja raha tha, lekin tez nahi. Bed nahi hil raha tha. Agle kamre ki deewar ke us paar saas so rahi thi. Vaishali ne uski kalaiyan pakdi. Uski ungliyan kas gayi. Har baar jab lund andar jaata, uski chut use pakad leti, geeli marod ke saath, aur ek chhoti si geeli awaaz hoti, phach, jo sirf un dono ke beech sunai deti. Vaishali ki aankhen uski aankhon mein thi. Paani aa raha tha, sharm se, aur us mehnat se jo use karna pad raha tha awaaz rokne mein.

“Tu kitni garam hai,” Vikram ne kaha, awaaz bilkul dheemi. “Mummy ji so rahi hain. Unki bahu unke bete ke neeche leti hai, panty munh mein, aur chup.” Usne ek aur gehra dhakka maara. Vaishali ki aankhen band ho gayi. Ek tez gasp uske gale se nikal gayi, “Ahh— mmm—” panty ke andar dabi hui. Uski jaanghein kaanp gayi. Lund uske andar poora tha, garam, mota, aur woh dheere-dheere bahar aa raha tha, phir andar ja raha tha.

Vikram ne uske ek boob ko haath se pakda, blouse ke upar se, nipple ko ungliyon mein liya. Vaishali ki peeth phir se ubhar gayi. Uski saans ab ruk-ruk kar aa rahi thi. Har thrust par ek gasp, chhoti, kaanpti hui, “Hhh… mmm… hhh—” jo woh rok nahi pa rahi thi. Panty uske munh mein geeli ho rahi thi, uski laar se, uski saans se. Uski aankhen Vikram ki aankhon se mil rahi thi, phir band ho jaati thi, phir khul jaati thi. Sharm uske poore jism mein thi. Saas agle kamre mein thi. Aur uska jism uske dheere, gehri dhakkon ka saath de raha tha.

Usne speed thodi badhayi. Ab bhi soft. Lekin gehra. Thrust lamba. Lund bahar aata, tip tak, phir poora andar. Vaishali ki chut har baar use kas ke pakadti, phir chhodti. Geeli awaaz ab thodi saaf thi, lekin bed ab bhi nahi hil raha tha. Vaishali ne uski peeth pakdi. Uski ungliyan uske kurte mein ghus gayi. Ek aur gasp, lambi, “Mmm— ahhh—” panty ke peeche se nikal gayi. Uski aankhon se ek aansu nikal aaya, uske gaal se hotа hua takiya par. Vikram ne use chaata, jeebh se, bina dhakka roke.

“Rona mat,” usne kaha, dheere. “Bas chup reh. Main tujhe dekh raha hoon.”

Vaishali ne aankhen band kar li. Uski saans ab sirf gasp thi. Har heavy thrust par ek. Lund uske andar jaata, uske pet tak mehsoos hota, aur woh apne munh mein panty daba kar awaaz rok leti. Kabhi-kabhi ek chhoti si siski nikal jaati, “Hhh…”, jo woh turant nigal leti. Vikram uski aankhon mein dekh raha tha. Uski saans bhi tez thi. Woh dheere-dheere tez hota gaya, lekin ab bhi soft. Bed dheemi dheemi hilne laga. Vaishali ki jaanghein uski kamar ke gird kas gayi. Uski chut ab aur geeli thi, lund har baar aasaan andar ja raha tha, aur har baar ek geeli phachak ki awaaz hoti jo unke jism ke beech dabi reh jaati.

Woh aise hi chalta raha. Ek minute. Do. Vaishali ki aankhen band thi, munh mein panty, saans tez, aur har thrust par uska jism ek chhoti si gasp ke saath upar uth raha tha. Vikram ne uske dono haath upar kiye, takiya ke upar, aur unhe pakad liya. Ab woh poori tarah uske neeche thi. Lund gehra ja raha tha. Soft. Silent. Lekin poora. Vaishali ki moan ab sirf uske gale mein thi, dabi hui, aur uski aankhon se aansu dheere-dheere nikal rahe the, jabki saas agle kamre mein ab bhi so rahi thi, bina jaane.


Vikram ne uske haath chhode. Vaishali ne turant apni taangein uski kamar ke gird kas li, pair uski peeth par, aur use aur paas khinch liya. Lund uske andar aur gehra chala gaya. Supada uski aakhri deewar se takra gaya. Vaishali ki aankhen khul gayi. Panty ab bhi uske munh mein thi, lekin ek tez moan nikal gayi, dabi hui, “Mmm— ahhh—”

Vikram ne dheere nahi kiya. Usne uski kamar pakdi aur tez dhakke maarne laga. Heavy. Gehra. Har thrust uske pet tak ja raha tha. Bed ab hilne laga, dheemi dheemi. Vaishali ki taangein uski hips par kas gayi, use aur andar kheench rahi thi. Uski chut uske lund ko pakad rahi thi, geeli, garam, aur har baar jab woh bahar aata toh ek lambi geeli awaaz hoti, phachak, phir andar dhas jaata.

“Ahhh— mmm— ahhh—” Vaishali ki moan ab ruk nahi rahi thi. Panty uske honthon se sarak rahi thi. Usne use munh se nikaal diya, saans lene ke liye, aur turant ek lambi gasp nikal gayi, “Ahhh— aap— bahut gehra—” Vikram ne uske honthon par apna munh rakh diya, kiss kiya, gehra, aur neeche se dhakke jaari rakhe. Uski jeebh uski jeebh se mili. Vaishali ki moan uske munh mein ghul gayi. Uski taangein aur kas gayi. Woh use apne andar aur gehra chahti thi, chahe saas agle kamre mein ho.



Vikram garam ho gaya. Uske dhakke tez ho gaye, heavy, bina ruke. Thap. Thap. Thap. Bed ki awaaz ab saaf thi, lekin dheemi. Vaishali ki boobs har thrust par hil rahe the. Mangalsutra uske seene par baar-baar hit kar raha tha. Uski saans tooti hui thi. “Ahhh… ohhh… ahhh… main— aap andar hi—” Vikram ne uski kamar aur kas ke pakdi, aakhri kuch dhakke aur gehre maare, aur ruk gaya. Uska jism sakht ho gaya. Garam virya uski chut ke andar chhoota, gehra, lambi dhaar mein. Vaishali ki aankhen band ho gayi. Ek lambi, kaanpti hui moan uske gale se nikal gayi, “Ahhh—”, aur uski taangein uski hips par aur kas gayi, use andar hi rokne ke liye.

Vikram uske upar leta raha, saans tez, lund ab bhi uske andar, dheere-dheere naram hota hua. Usne uske maathe par kiss kiya, phir honthon par. “Andar hi,” usne kaha, dheere. “Poora.”

Vaishali ne aankhen kholi. Uski saans ab bhi tez thi. Uski chut uske virya se bhari hui thi, garam. Agle kamre se saas ki saans ab bhi aa rahi thi, seedhi. Usne apni taangein dheere se kholi. Vikram uske bagal mein sarak gaya. Usne use apni taraf khinchha, uski kamar par haath rakha, aur kaha, “Mummy ji nahi jaagi. Tu achhi thi.”

Vaishali ne kuch nahi kaha. Uski aankhen band ho gayi. Uska jism ab bhi kaanp raha tha, dheere. Virya uski jaanghon se beh raha tha. Woh uske seene se lagi hui leti rahi, saas ki saans sunti hui, aur sochti rahi ki yeh raat bhi nikal gayi, bina kisi awaaz ke jo agle kamre tak pahunch sake.


Arjun poori raat ek pal ke liye bhi nahi so saka. Uske baayein gaal par laga thappad ka nishaan ab halka pad chuka tha, lekin us beizzati aur lachari ki jalan uske seene mein abhi bhi aag ki tarah sulag rahi thi. Subah ke lagbhag saat baje, jab Priya kitchen mein chhan-chhan karte hue nashta banane mein lagi thi, Arjun ne dabe paon hall mein aakar Ramesh ko aawaz di.
"Papa, humein ek aur lawyer ke paas chalna chahiye. Puraane wale ne bina poori baat sune hi keh diya tha ki case nahi banega. Dadar station ke paas ek civil lawyer ka office hai, shayad koi doosra rasta nikal aaye."
Ramesh ne chai ka cup kaanpte haathon se table par rakha. Uski aankhon mein bepanah thakan aur ek gehri haar thi. "Arjun, baat ko samajhne ki koshish kar. Pehle wale ne bhi toh yahi samjhaya tha na? Marriage register mein uske sign hain. Token ka saara paisa humne apne haath se liya tha. Agar hum court ki dehleez tak bhi gaye, toh kanoon unhe baad mein pakdega, pehle hum dono par hathkadi lagegi."
"Phir bhi, Papa!" Arjun ki aawaz dabi hui thi, lekin usme ek aakhri aashaa ki zidd thi. "Hum unhe saari sachai khulkar nahi batayenge. Hum sirf itna kahenge ki meri bua ka rishta tay hua tha, aur shaadi ke aakhri din dhokhe se meri maa wahan phans gayi. Hum yeh sabit karne ki koshish karenge ki register par jo sign hue woh zabardasti karwaye gaye the. Bas kisi tarah unhe wahan se alag karna hai... bina yeh khulasa kiye ki aapas mein hamara kya plan tha."
Ramesh ne der tak apne jawan bete ke murjhaye hue chehre ko dekha. Ek gehri, thandi saans chhodte hue usne sir hilaya. "Theek hai, chalte hain. Lekin khuda ke vaaste yeh baat Vaishali ko mat batana. Woh us flat mein pehle hi pal-pal toot rahi hai. Agar use pata chala ki humne phir se koi haath-pair maara aur woh bhi nakaam ho gaya, toh uske bache-khuche hausle ki aakhri dor bhi toot jayegi."
Dopahar ke lagbhag do baje dono Dadar ke ek purane commercial complex ke chhote se office mein pahunche. Kamre mein dhoop-dhool se bhari moti files ke dher lage the, aur table ke piche safed baalon wale ek buzug lawyer chashma theek karte hue baithe the. Arjun ne chair par baithte hi ruk-ruk kar baat shuru ki.
"Sir, humari ek bohot badi pareshaani hai. Meri bua ka rishta tay hua tha, aur shart ke mutabiq unki jagah meri... meri ek rishtedaar ko aage kiya gaya tha. Par baat aisi phans gayi ki shaadi wale din register mein unka naam chadh gaya. Ab woh ladka unhe wahan se aane nahi de raha aur woh unhi ke sath reh rahi hain. Hum bas unhe kanooni taur par wahan se baahar nikaalna chahte hain."
Vakeel ne Arjun ke chehre ke badalte rang aur Ramesh ke jhuke hue kandhon ko dhyan se dekha. Usne samne khuli file ko band kiya aur pen ko table par patak diya.
"Beta, kanoon itna aasan nahi hota. Marriage register court ka official record hota hai. Agar do baaligh logon ne us par khud sign kiye hain, toh us rishte ko zabardasti nahi toda ja sakta. Sach sach batao, tum logon ne us ladke se ya uske parivaar se koi mota paisa liya tha?"
Ramesh ne sharm se apni nazrein zameen par tika leen. "Haan vakeel sahab... shagun aur bharpai ke naam par paisa transfer hua tha."
"Toh phir pehle wahi baat samne aayegi," vakeel ne sakht aawaz mein kaha. "Agar tum kanoon ke paas jaoge, toh Vikram ka parivaar palat kar tum par Section 420 aur criminal cheating ka case thonk dega. Woh saaf kahenge ki tum logon ne pehle paisa liya aur ab mukar rahe ho. Aur agar baat thodi bhi aage badhi aur court mein yeh saaf hua ki aurat ka tumhare sath kya rishta hai, toh samaj aur security officer dono tumhare khilaaf khade honge. Khoon ka rishta chhupana namumkin hai, beta."
Arjun ka gala sookh gaya. "Par sir... agar hum unka saara paisa byaaj ke sath wapas lautane ko taiyaar hon toh? Kya koi aapsi agreement nahi ho sakta jisse woh alag ho jayein?"
"Paisa wapas karne se register ki seal nahi mit-ti," vakeel ne safai se jawab diya. "Main yeh case nahi le sakta, kyunki iska ant sirf tumhare parivaar ke jail jaane par hoga. Meri maano toh jo jaisa chal raha hai, use waisa hi rehne do. Aurat ab doosre ke ghar ki bahu ban chuki hai, faisla use khud karne do."
Office se bahar aate hi Dadar ki dhoop dono ke sar par aag ki tarah lagi. Ramesh ne aage chalte hue dabi aawaz mein bas itna kaha, "Maine subah hi kaha tha na tujhse, Arjun..."
Arjun ke paas kehne ke liye koi lafz nahi bache the. Auto mein wapas aate waqt dono ke beech bas ek bhari sannata tha. Flat par pahunchte hi Arjun ne kisi se baat nahi ki aur seedhe apne kamre mein jaakar darwaza andar se band kar liya. Usne jeb se phone nikala aur wahi purana chat khola: Kal jo hua, uske baare mein mat poochna.
Usne kaanpte angoothon se type kiya: Maa, main aaj phir ek kanooni rasta dhoondhne gaya tha, par sab bekaar nikla... hum haar gaye hain. Usne screen dekhi, aur foran mita diya. Phir type kiya: Maa, aap wahan kaisa mehsoos kar rahi ho? Use bhi mita diya. Aakhri mein usne phone ko bed par ulta phenk diya aur dono haathon se apna sir pakad liya.
Shaam hote-hote landing se bhaari jooton ki aahat aayi aur Vikram ki buland aawaz goonji: "Meera, darwaza kholo, main aa gaya." Kadi khuli, darwaza band hua. Kuch hi der mein pados ke flat se khilkhilati hui aawazein aane lagin—Vikram ki hansi, aur uski maa ki santusht aawaz.
Arjun ne is baar deewar ki taraf dekha tak nahi. Woh bas chhat ko taakta raha. Gaal ka thappad ab bilkul theek ho chuka tha, par aatma par lagi chot pehle se zyada nasoor ban chuki thi. Kanoon ke saare darwaze hamesha ke liye band ho chuke the. Aur theek upar wale kamre mein Vaishali cream saree pehankar apni saas ke pair daba rahi thi—is baat se poori tarah bekhabar ki neeche uske bete ne use bachaane ki aakhri koshish bhi haar di thi.


Dopahar ke lagbhag do baje Vikram achanak office se jaldi laut aaya. Hall ka darwaza khula toh usne dekha Vaishali wahi roz wali dabi hui cream rang ki cotton saree mein kitchen ke paas khadi thi, pallu ko kandhe par lapete hue. Vikram ke chehre par ek ajeeb sa roab aur confidence tha.
"Meera, kapde badal le. Bahar nikalna hai," Vikram ne car ki chaabi table par ghumate hue kaha. "Agle hafte building society ka saalana function hai. Tujhe naye aur behtar kapde lene hain. Main khud pasand karwaunga."
Vaishali ne jhijhakte hue haath mein pakda bartan platform par rakha. "Mere paas kapde hain... aap faltu ke paise kharch mat kijiye. Jo hai, woh theek hai."
"Paise ki chinta tu mat kar," Vikram do kadam aage badha aur uske naram haath ko apni mazboot ungliyon mein jakad liya. Uski aawaz mein ek mardana haq tha. "Tu ab kisi aam ghar ki aurat nahi hai, Vikram Deshmukh ki biwi hai. Main chahta hoon tu aisi dikhe jise dekh kar log nazar na hata sakein. Jo tu roz pehenti hai, woh purana aur bejaan lagta hai. Aaj main dikhaunga ki tujh par kya jachta hai. Chupchap chal."
Bandra ke ek bade, chamchamate designer boutique ke bahar gaadi ruki. Charo taraf bade-bade aaine, tez warm lights aur mehange kapdon ki khushboo thi. Vaishali apni purani zindagi mein aisi jagahon par kadam rakhne ka soch bhi nahi sakti thi. Dadar ke us purane flat mein ek saree ko dho-dho kar saalon pehna jaata tha. Yahan har ek kapda chamakdaar, aadhunik aur uske jism ko alag dhang se pesh karne ke liye bana tha.
Vikram ne racks par hath pherte hue ek gehre green (bottle-green) rang ki pure silk saree nikaali, jisme golden border tha. Uske sath match karta hua ek blouse tha—sleeveless, jiska gala aage aur peeche dono taraf se kaafi gehra aur bold kata hua tha.
"Yeh le, trial room mein jaakar pehen ise," Vikram ne saree uske haath mein thama di.
Trial room ke band darwaze ke peeche, aaine ke samne khadi Vaishali ne kaanpte haathon se apni purani saree utaari aur woh naya kapda pehna. Blouse ka fabric bilkul tight tha; uske poore curve ko upar ki taraf ubhar raha tha aur collarbone ke paas ka chhota sa kaala mole bilkul khulkar saaf dikh raha tha. Saree ka resham uski kamar aur hips ke sath chipak gaya.
Jab woh darwaza khol kar bahar aayi, toh Vikram samne sofe par baitha tha. Uski bhookhi, daavedaar nazrein Vaishali ke gale se shuru hokar uske ubhre hue seene, patli kamar aur saree ke ghere tak dheere-dheere phirin. Vikram ke honthon par ek santusht muskaan phail gayi.
"Kamaal lag rahi hai," Vikram uthkar uske bilkul paas aa gaya. Uski aankhon mein jism ko dekhne ki chamak saaf thi. "Tu chahe jitna sharmaye, par sach yeh hai ki yeh kapde tere hi liye bane hain."
"Bohot... bohot zyada khula hai," Vaishali ne sharm aur darr se nazrein jhuka li, pallu ko kheench kar seene par dhaanpne ki naakam koshish ki. "Main aisi halat mein society ke logon ke samne nahi ja sakti."
"Bilkul jaayegi," Vikram ne aage badhkar boutique staff ke samne hi bejhijhak apna hath uski nangi kamar ke curve par tika diya, jahan blouse khatam ho raha tha. "Yeh green wali pack karo. Aur woh neele rang wali designer saree bhi nikaalo, uska blouse thoda aur deep cut rakhna."
Vaishali ne uska hath pakad kar rokna chaha, aawaz mein ek minnat thi. "Aap itna kharch kyun kar rahe hain? Yeh sab bohot mehanga hai..."
"Pehle ki ghutan aur gareebi ko bhool ja," Vikram ne boutique ke beechon-beech uske thande gaal par apna garam hath rakha. "Ab tu meri hai. Tujhe jo chahiye, jahan ghumna hai, sab main dunga. Tu bas pehen. Function mein society ke har aadmi ki nazar tujh par hogi, aur main chahta hoon sab dekhein ki meri biwi kitni khoobsurat hai."
Billing counter par jab card swipe hua, toh Vaishali ki nazar machine ki screen par padi. Itni badi raqam mein unke purane flat ka pure teen mahine ka kharcha nikal sakta tha. Uske haath mein chamakdaar shopping bags thama diye gaye. Car ki taraf badhte waqt Vikram ne uske kandhe par hath daalte hue pucha, "Ab khush hai? Tujhe bechari ban kar rehne ki zaroorat nahi hai."
Vaishali ne apni palkein jhuka leen. Ek taraf sharm aur apradhbodh tha, lekin doosri taraf ek ajeeb si garmahat bhi thi jise woh pehchaanna nahi chahti thi. Uski poori zindagi lachari aur taano mein beeti thi; Ramesh ne kabhi use ek nayi saree tak khushi se nahi dilayi thi. Aur yahan yeh jawan, mazboot mard bina hisaab ke uspar lutaye ja raha tha, uspar poora haq jata raha tha. Uske seene mein dabi hui ek naazuk si narmi pighalne lagi, jise usne jaldi se daba diya. "Aap bohot kuch karte hain... main bas theek hoon."
Dadar flat ki landing par jab dono pahunche, toh bags floor par rakhe gaye. Theek usi waqt Arjun apne flat ke darwaze se bahar nikla tha, haath mein paani ki bottle liye. Uski nazar foran un branded bags aur transparent wrapper se jhalak rahi us gehre green kapde par padi. Arjun ke gale mein jaise kuch phas gaya; uski aankhein pathra gayi.
Vikram ne ek jhatke mein Arjun ki taraf dekha aur beparwah dhang se bola, "Arjun! Dekh, teri nayi Bhabhi ke liye agle hafte ke function ke kapde le aaya. Tu bhi function mein zaroor aana, dekhna Bhabhi kaisi lagti hai."



Arjun ne apne sookhe honth bheenchte hue bas itna kaha, "Theek hai..."
Tabhi andar se Priya bua bhi nikal aayi. Uski zehreeli nazron ne pehle bags ko naapa, phir Vaishali ke chehre aur uski bikhri hui sharm ko dekha. "Arre wah didi! Naya rang, naye tevar? Lagta hai blouse ka gala is baar kaafi gehra banwaya hai. Vikram ji toh aap par dil khol kar lutaa rahe hain."
Vaishali ne ghabra kar apna pallu aur kaskar lapeta. "Function hai bua... bas isiliye."
Ghar ke andar jaakar Vaishali ne un bhari bags ko bed par rakha. Vikram ne foran piche se aakar uski kamar ko dono haathon se jakad liya aur apna chehra uski naram gardan mein chupa diya. "Tu aaj alag lag rahi hai Meera. Thodi khush. Maine kaha tha na, main tera dhyan rakhunga."
Vaishali ne apni aankhein kas ke band kar leen. Vikram ke badan ki garmahat uski peeth par mehsoos ho rahi thi. Woh jaanti thi ki yeh sab ek jhooth ke upar khada hai, lekin un naye kapdon ki chamak, yeh lutf, aur Vikram ka yeh mardana sahara use ek naye nasha jaisa lagne laga tha. Ek pal ke liye uske mann mein khayal aaya ki agar woh purani Vaishali ko hamesha ke liye bhool jaye, toh kya yeh galat hoga?
Usne halki si kapkapahat ke sath aankhein kholi. "Aap fresh ho lijiye... main khana garam karti hoon."
Vikram ne uske kaan ke paas halki si chuski lekar dheere se kaha, "Raat ko woh green saree pehen kar mere samne aana. Main dekhna chahta hoon ki tu mere kamre mein kaisi lagti hai."
Vaishali ne chupchap haan mein sar hila diya. Naye kapde bed par bikhre the; Arjun deewar ke us paar ghutan mein duba baitha tha; Priya ki zehreeli muskaan corridor mein chhoot chuki thi. Aur Vaishali ab us jaal mein dheere-dheere khud ko somp rahi thi—yeh maante hue ki uska mann ab us jawan shauhar ke haq aur uski dekhbhal ki taraf jhukne laga tha.


Shaam theek paanch baje Dadar ki society ke ground-floor hall mein sabhi flat owners ki aam meeting bulayi gayi thi. Upar flat mein khadi Vaishali ne aaine ke samne gehri saans li. Usne wahi bottle-green silk saree pehni thi jo Vikram ne boutique se pasand karwayi thi. Blouse sleeveless tha, kandhon se bilkul khula aur gale ka gehra cut uske ubhre hue curve aur collarbone ke kaale mole ko saaf dikha raha tha. Reshmi kapda uski kamar aur hips ke gird bilkul chipak gaya tha.
Usne apne baalon ko modern dhang se khula chhodte hue aage ki taraf giraya, maang mein taaza laal sindoor bhara, aur gale mein Vikram ka bhaari gold mangalsutra saja liya. Aaine mein jo aurat dikh rahi thi, use dekhkar khud Vaishali ka dil kaanp gaya. Pichhle bees saalon se is society ne use sirf ek thaki hui, purani sooti saree mein, jhuki hui gardan ke sath sabzi laate ya kachra phenkte dekha tha. Aaj jo aurat khadi thi, woh ek ameer, aadhunik aur be-inteha aakarshak nayi dulhan lag rahi thi. Makeover ne uske wajood ko poori tarah badal diya tha, phir bhi uski chhaati ke andar ek thanda darr baitha tha—kya pados ki koi chachi ya uncle use pehchaan lenge? Kya koi keh dega, "Arre, yeh toh wahi Ramesh ki biwi Vaishali hai!"
Vikram room mein aaya, dark blue shirt aur trousers mein bilkul tayaar. Usne Vaishali ki nangi peeth par apna mazboot hath rakhte hue use kareeb kiya. "Kamaal lag rahi ho Meera. Aaj society ke har shakhs ko pata chalna chahiye ki Vikram Deshmukh ki biwi kaun hai. Chalo neeche."
Dono seedhiyan utarkar ground floor ke hall mein pahunche. Hall mein purani plastic ki safed kursiyan lagi thin, fan ki ghurghurahat thi, aur beech mein ek folding table par register aur paperwork rakha tha. Jaise hi Vikram ne Vaishali ka hath thame hall mein kadam rakha, wahan baithe buzurgon aur mahilaon ki baat-cheet achanak tham si gayi.
Vikram use aage ki row mein le gaya aur bade fakhr se sabke samne introduce karwaya: "Namaste sabhi ko. Yeh meri biwi hain—Meera Deshmukh. Hum pichhle mahine hi 302 number flat mein shift hue hain."
Ek middle-aged aunty ne aage badhkar muskurate hue dekha, "Arre waah Vikram ji, bahu toh behad sundar hai! Kitne dino se yahan hain aap log?"
"Bas ek mahine se," Vikram ne chauda hokar jawab diya. "Ghar ka thoda interior aur furniture set ho raha tha, isiliye sabke samne aane mein thoda waqt lag gaya."
Vaishali ne dabi hui sharm aur ghabrahat ke sath nazrein jhuka kar haath jode. Uski nazar darrte-darrte hall ke pichhle hisse mein gayi. Theek teesri row mein Ramesh baitha tha, purana dhabbedar kurta pehne, uske theek bagal mein Arjun baitha tha. Ramesh ne bas ek second ke liye upar dekha—uski bujhi hui aankhein Vaishali ke is naye, chamakdaar aur be-parda roop par thami, aur agle hi pal usne sharm aur bebasii se apna sar zameen ki taraf jhuka liya.




Arjun ne bhi nazar uthayi. Uski aankhein bottle-green silk saree, uske gehre blouse aur uski maa ke gale mein chamak rahe bhaari mangalsutra par padi. Arjun ke seene mein ek dard bhari chubhan uthi aur usne turant nazar pher li. Dono baap-bete mein se kisi ke munh se ek lafz tak nahi nikla. Makeover, naye kapdon aur high-society ke is libaas ne purani Vaishali ko aisa dafan kar diya tha ki koi teesra shakhs shaq bhi nahi kar sakta tha. Samaj ke liye woh ab sirf Meera Deshmukh thi.
Secretary uncle ne chai ka cup table par rakhte hue pucha, "Vikram beta, flat ka griha-pravesh kab kar rahe ho? Society mein ek chhoti si puja aur meetha toh banta hai."
Vikram ne bina hichkichaye Vaishali ke kandhe par hath rakhte hue kaha, "Bas jald hi uncle. Meri Maa gaon se aayi hui hain, unhi ke rehte pooja rakh lenge. Meera poora intezam dekh legi."
Vaishali ka gala bilkul sookh chuka tha. Usne chupchap sar hila diya. Uski purani zindagi, uski tees saal ki grihasti isi society ke inhi logon ke beech guzri thi. Yahi log use roz 'Ramesh ki bhabhi' ya 'Vaishali behen' kehte the. Aur aaj woh sab use ek ajnabi samajh kar uske naye shauhar ki daulat aur uske roop ki tareefein kar rahe the. Aur uska apna purana parivaar piche doosri row mein baitha uspar apna koi haq tak nahi jata sakta tha.
Meeting khatam hone ke baad chai aur biskoot bante gaye. Society ki ek purani padosan aunty chai ka cup lekar Vaishali ke kareeb aayi aur use sar se paon tak dekhte hue boli, "Aap sach mein behad sanskari aur shaant hain Meera ji. Vikram beta bohot kismat wala hai. Waise, pichhle saal tak isi floor par ek Vaishali rehti thi... Ramesh ji ki biwi. Woh bhi badi seedhi aur gharelu thi, par bechari hamesha thaki-thaki si rehti thi. Pata nahi aaj-kal kahan chali gayi hain, dikhti hi nahi."
Vaishali ke hath mein pakda steel ka cup kaanp gaya. Uske gale mein saans atak si gayi. Usne palkein jhukaye hue dabi aawaz mein bas itna kaha, "...Pata nahi aunty ji."
Vikram ne halke se haskar aunty ki baat kaat di, "Ab purani baaton ko chhodiye aunty. Ab yahan Meera hain, aur humara parivaar yahan hai."
Kisi ne koi doosra sawaal nahi pucha. Modern styling, khule baal, gehre blouse aur aadhunik libaas ne purani gareeb aurat ko poori tarah mita diya tha. Vaishali ne thandi pad chuki chai ka ek ghoont bhara aur socha ki samaj kitna andha hota hai—sirf kapde, thoda sa gehna aur ek mard ka roab badalte hi insaan ki poori pehchaan badal jaati hai. Vikram uske sath khada hokar logo se batiyaye ja raha tha, bekhabar is baat se ki uski yeh nayi 'Meera' isi society ke chulhe-chauke mein pichhle kitne saalon se pis rahi thi.
Meeting khatam hone par jab dono seedhiyon ki taraf badhe, toh Arjun peeche se tezi se chalte hue unke kareeb aaya. Usne dheemi, kaanpti hui aawaz mein pucha: "Maa... aap theek toh hain na?"
Vaishali ne mud kar uski taraf dekha tak nahi. Usne bilkul shaant, sapat aawaz mein kaha, "Haan. Tum upar jao apne flat mein."
Vikram ne achanak peeche ghoom kar dekha. "Arjun! Teri bhabhi thak gayi hain, unhe aaraam karne de. Tu aage ja."
Arjun ke kadam wahin seedhiyon ke pehle payedan par jam gaye. Uski nazron ke samne bottle-green silk saree sarakti hui upar chadh rahi thi. Uski apni maa kisi aur ki bahu aur biwi ban kar ja rahi thi, aur poori duniya ke samne unka rishta ab khatam ho chuka tha. Arjun be-awaaz seedhiyan chadh gaya.
Neeche hall ab poori tarah khali ho chuka tha. Ramesh abhi bhi us purani plastic ki kursi par akele baitha tha, haath mein thanda cup liye. Uski nazar khali darwaze par tiki thi, aur dimaag mein sirf ek hi baat goonj rahi thi—unki lachari ne Vaishali ko hamesha ke liye Meera Deshmukh bana diya tha, aur ab poore jahaan ne use usi roop mein apna liya tha.