[Joker44]

"Thank you" wali raat ko kuch din beet chuke the, par flat mein uski garmi abhi tak kahin deewaron mein chhupi hui si lagti thi. Us subah balcony ki jaali se dhoop tirchhi ho kar andar aa rahi thi aur farsh par chhote-chhote sunehre chaukor bana rahi thi. Kitchen mein adrak wali chai ubal rahi thi, aur uski khushboo dheere-dheere poore ghar mein phail chuki thi. Vaishali ne apni hari cotton saree ka pallu kamar mein khonsa hua tha, baal ek dheele se jooday mein bandhe the jinmein se do-teen geeli latein gardan par chipki hui thi, aur maang mein subah ka taaza sindoor itna laal chamak raha tha jaise abhi-abhi kisi ne bhara ho. Haan, bhara bhi toh tha, aaine ke saamne, ek aise aadmi ke naam par jise woh do mahine pehle jaanti tak nahi thi. Uski jaanghon ke beech ab bhi kal raat ki dheemi si geelapan yaad aa rahi thi, aur blouse ke neeche nipples thode tight the, jaise jism ab bhi us raat ko yaad rakh raha ho.

Usne do cup tray mein rakhe aur dining table tak aayi hi thi ki Vikram ne peeche se aakar uski kamar mein haath daala aur use ek jhatke mein apni god mein kheench kar bitha liya. Tray hila, chai cup ke kinaare tak chhalak aayi. Uske seene par Vikram ka garam haath pada, aur usne mehsoos kiya ki uski chut mein ek dheemi si geelapan aa gayi.

"Vikram… chai gir jaayegi," usne dheemi aawaz mein kaha, lekin uthne ki koi koshish nahi ki. Uski jaangh ke neeche Vikram ki sakht, garam jaangh thi, aur peeth par uske chaude seene ki dhadkan. Usne mehsoos kiya ki uska lund shorts mein thoda sakht ho raha hai, uski gaand se takra raha hai.

"Girne de," Vikram ne uske kaan ke bilkul paas muskura kar kaha, aur uski gardan par, jahan geeli lat chipki thi, ek halka sa chumban chhod diya. Uski jeebh se halka geela chhua. "Meri Meera ke haath ki chai se zyada meethi toh Meera khud hai."

Vaishali ke gaal laal ho gaye. Usne uska haath apni kamar se halke se hataya, uthi, pallu theek kiya aur saamne wali kursi par baith gayi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi. Vikram ne cup uthaya, ek lamba ghoont liya, aankhein band karke "aah" kiya, aur phir achanak bilkul seedhe, saaf shabdon mein bola, "Sun jaan. Parson festival hai. Is baar tu mere ghar aayegi. Proper tarike se. Shaadi ke baad pehli baar. Maa bhi wait kar rahi hai, aur poori family bhi. Festival ke din ghar ki bahu ghar par hi honi chahiye."

Vaishali ke haath mein pakda cup hothon tak pahunchne se pehle hi wahin hawa mein ruk gaya. Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.

Usne kuch nahi kaha. Bas chupchap use dekhti rahi, aur uska dil achanak itni tezi se dhadakne laga ki use laga Vikram bhi woh aawaz table ke us paar se sun lega. Uski aankhon ke saamne ek-ek karke tasveerein ghoomne lagi. Woh bada sa shandar bungalow, oonche lohe ke gate, sangmarmar ki seedhiyan. Saas ki woh tez, sab kuch naapne wali nazrein. Aur dher saare rishtedaar, jo har cheez ko gaur se dekhte hain aur phir rasoi ke kone mein khade ho kar dheere se phusphusaate hain. Wahi ghar jahan woh sirf ek baar gayi thi, shaadi ke waqt, maroon joday mein, poori tarah darr ke saaye mein lipti hui, register ke panne aur pandit ke mantron ke beech saans tak rok kar. Uske baad kabhi wapas nahi gayi thi. Aur ab use wahan "Meera Deshmukh" ban kar jaana tha. Mehmaan nahi, bahu. Ek asli bahu ki tarah, jiske har kadam, har nivaale, har muskaan par nazar rakhi jaayegi. Usne socha, uski chut. Usne socha, raat ko.

"Kya hua? Chup kyun ho gayi?" Vikram ne cup neeche rakh kar poocha.

"Kuch nahi… bas, itne log honge na wahan," usne dheere se kaha, nazrein chai ki satah par tikaaye. "Main theek se sab sambhal paungi ya nahi." Usne mehsoos kiya ki uski nipples tight thin.

"Tu sab sambhal legi. Maa toh pehle se teri deewani hai." Phir usne aise joda jaise koi chhoti si baat ho, "Aur haan, Arjun ko bhi saath le chalte hain. Uske college ki holidays chal rahi hain, aur next month se uski internship bhi shuru hai. Family ke beech rahega toh accha connect banega. Saale jaisa hai mera, akela yahan kya karega?"

Vaishali ke honthon se ek behad halki, kaanpti hui aawaz nikli, "Arjun… bhi?" Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uski moan.

"Haan, kyun nahi? Teri hi toh family hai, tere bhai ka beta. Ab woh ghar ka hi hissa hai." Vikram ne beparwaahi se kandhe uchkaaye aur phone uthaa liya. Usne uski taraf dekha, aankhon mein wohi possessiveness.

Vaishali ne nazrein cup mein gaada di. Uske andar jaise kuch toot kar bikhar gaya. *Mera beta wahan hoga. Apni aankhon se dekhega ki uski maa kisi aur ghar ki bahu bani ghoom rahi hai… kisi aur ki saas ke pair chhu rahi hai… kisi aur ke naam ka sindoor laga kar sabke saamne muskura rahi hai.* Yeh sochte hi uske pet mein ek bhaari sa dard utha, jaise kisi ne andar se mutthi bheench li ho. Aur uske saath uski chut mein ek dheemi si geelapan aa gayi, bina wajah ke. Flat mein toh phir bhi deewarein thi, darwaze the, ek chhoti si duniya thi jismein woh kabhi-kabhi chupke se "Ma" ban sakti thi. Wahan, us bungalow mein, use poore din, har pal, sirf Meera rehna tha. Aur Arjun ko poore din, har pal, use Bhabhi bolna tha. Usne socha, uski panty. Usne socha, uske haath mein.


Tab tak Vikram number mila chuka tha, aur usne speaker on kar diya tha jaise yeh koi khushi ki baat ho jo sabko sunni chahiye. Ghanti teen baar baji. Phir Ramesh ki thaki hui, neend se bhari aawaz aayi, "Haan… haan Vikram ji, boliye."

"Ramesh ji, namaste! Parson festival hai. Aap aur Priya ji dono aaiye bungalow pe. Family hain aap log, Meera ke apne. Ek din ke liye toh aana banta hai."

Line ke us paar ek lamba sannata raha. Itna lamba ki Vikram ne "Hello? Ramesh ji?" bola. Vaishali ki saans jaise gale mein atak gayi. Woh us khamoshi ko pehchaanti thi. Bees saal se pehchaanti thi. Yeh woh khamoshi thi jo kehna toh bahut kuch chahti thi, par keh kuch nahi paati thi. Use laga woh dekh sakti hai ki Ramesh is waqt kahan khada hoga, neeche wale flat ki chhoti si kitchen mein, ek haath se slab pakde, aankhein band kiye. Aakhir mein Ramesh ne bas itna kaha, "Haan… aa jaayenge." Usne socha, unhone suni hai.

"Badhiya!" Vikram ne kaha aur phone kaat diya. Vaishali ne mehsoos kiya ki uski hatheliyan geeli ho gayi hain. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Priya ko phone kiya toh pehle usne taane maare. "Hum kaun hote hain ab, bade logon ke festival mein? Hum toh gareeb rishtedaar hain." Par Vikram ke do meethe shabd aur "aapke bina adhoora lagega, Priya ji, aap Meera ki sabse kareebi ho" sun kar woh bhi maan gayi. Phone rakhne se pehle uski aawaz mein jo ek halki si hansi thi, woh Vaishali ko bahut der tak chubhti rahi. Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.

Phone rakh kar Vikram uthaa, Vaishali ke peeche aaya aur uske kandhon par dono haath rakh kar jhuk gaya. Uski ungliyan dheere-dheere blouse ki kinaar ke paas khisakti hui collarbone ke us kaale til tak pahunchi, jise woh hamesha aise chhoota tha jaise woh uski apni koi nishani ho, koi mohar jo usne khud lagaayi ho. Usne uski gardan par halka sa chumban diya. "Dekh, sab set ho gaya. Ab tu bas tayyari kar. Maa ke saamne meri Meera sabse khoobsurat dikhni chahiye."

Vaishali ne aankhein band kar li. Uske sparsh se badan mein woh jaani-pehchaani si garmi utri, til se shuru ho kar seene tak, phir pet ke neeche tak. Aur saath hi andar ek ajeeb sa gunaah bhi utra, thanda aur bhaari. Usne uska haath pakad kar halke se hataya. "Office ke liye late ho jaoge." Usne mehsoos kiya ki uski nipples tight thin.

Vikram hans pada, uske gaal par ek chumban chhoda aur nikal gaya. Darwaza band hote hi Vaishali wahin baithi rahi, thandi hoti chai ke saamne, bahut der tak, jab tak cup ke upar malaai ki ek patli, jhurriyon wali parat nahi jam gayi. Usne socha, uski chut. Usne socha, Arjun.

Woh poori dopahar ek ajeeb si bechaini mein beeti. Vaishali ne bartan dhoye, jo pehle se saaf the. Farsh pochha, jo kal hi pochha tha. Phir balcony mein kapde tah karte-karte woh achanak ruk gayi aur ek Vikram ki shirt haath mein liye wahin khadi reh gayi, kyunki uske dimaag mein ek aur darr ne sir uthaa liya tha. Yeh darr Arjun wala nahi tha. Yeh alag tha, aur shaayad zyada purana, kyunki yeh har us aurat ka darr tha jo kabhi kisi ke ghar dulhan ban kar gayi ho. Usne socha, uski moan.

Use apni pehli sasural yaad aayi. Bees-baais saal pehle, Ramesh ki maa ka woh chhota sa ghar. Pehle hi din saas ne uske haath ki roti tod kar dekhi thi, "yeh kachchi hai." Ghoonghat ek inch khisak gaya toh nanad ne ishaare se theek karwaya tha. Subah paanch baje uthna, sabse aakhir mein khaana, aur kisi ke saamne zor se hasna ek gunaah. Tab woh bees saal ki thi, bholi thi, sab seekh gayi thi. Par ab? Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

*Ab main bayaalis ki hoon,* usne socha, aur shirt ko itni zor se mutthi mein bheencha ki uspar silvatein pad gayi. *Aur unki nazar mein adtees ki. Aur Vikram atthaais ka.* Das saal ka farak. Das saal badi bahu. Usne kalpana ki ki bungalow ki chachiyan aur bua sofa par baithi, chai ke cup ke peeche se ek doosre ko dekh kar muskura rahi hain. *Itni badi umar ki ladki, aur kabhi shaadi nahi hui? Kuch toh kami hogi. Ladke ko phaansa hai, paisa dekh ke.* Har ek kalpanik shabd uske kaan mein itna saaf goonja ki use laga koi sach mein bol raha hai. Usne socha, uski moan.

Phir rivaazon ki fehrist uske dimaag mein apne aap banne lagi. Saas ke saamne sir dhaka rehna chahiye. Kitna ghoonghat? Pura chehra, ya sirf maang tak? Kya un logon mein ghoonghat ka chalan hai bhi? Usne kabhi poocha hi nahi tha. Shaadi wale din toh woh sirf ek gudiya thi jise utha kar yahan-wahan rakha gaya tha. Pair kis-kis ke chhune hain? Bua ke, chachiyon ke, aur us budhi aurat ke jo shaadi mein kone mein baithi thi? Kya sabse badi chachi pehle, ya bua pehle? Kahin galat order ho gaya toh? Khaana kab parosna hai, kaise parosna hai, kya pehle mardon ko? Aur rasoi. Sabse bada imtihaan. Har ghar mein nayi bahu ki pehli rasoi hoti hai. Kya banaana hoga? Kitne logon ke liye? Agar namak zyada ho gaya, ya halwa jal gaya, toh woh baat saal bhar har shaadi aur har tyohaar mein uthaai jaayegi. *Deshmukh ki bahu ko halwa bhi nahi aata.* Usne socha, uski chut.

Aur saas ki aankhein. Vaishali ko woh aankhein shaadi wale din se yaad thi. Pyaar se bhari, haan, par unke peeche ek taraazu bhi tha, jo chupchap har cheez tol raha tha. Saas usse sirf chaar-paanch saal hi badi thi, aur shaayad isiliye unki nazar aur bhi tez thi, kyunki ek aurat doosri aurat ki umar, uski thakaan, uski aankhon ke neeche ki halki si kaalimaa, sab kuch ek pal mein padh leti hai. *Agar unhone pakad liya ki main adtees ki nahi hoon? Agar kisi ne poochh liya ki Meera tumhara bachpan kahan beeta, tumhare papa kya karte the?* Uske paas jawaab toh the, Arjun aur Ramesh ne ratwaaye the, par jhooth ki har eent ke neeche ek darar hoti hai. Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.

Usne shirt tah karke rakh di, aur balcony ki railing pakad kar neeche society ke aangan ko dekhti rahi. Neeche baccha cycle chala raha tha. Kisi ki maa use aawaz de rahi thi. *Main bhi kabhi kisi ko aise aawaz deti thi,* usne socha. *Arjun… khaana kha le.* Aur ab woh usi Arjun ko, ek pure parivaar ke saamne, apni sasural ki dehleez par, "Bhabhi" kehte hue sunegi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.


Agli raat Vaishali bedroom mein almirah khole khadi thi. Bed par sarees ka dher laga tha — gehri maroon silk, hari Banarasi, ek simple peach cotton-silk, ek cream rang ki, aur kuch halki chiffon. Har saree woh uthaati, aaine ke saamne apne kandhe par lagaati, ek baar seedha dekhti, ek baar tirchha, aur phir wapas rakh deti. Usne socha, uski moan.

*Bahu ko kya pehenna chahiye?* Maroon bahut bhaari thi, shaadi ki yaad dilaati thi, aur use maroon se ab darr lagta tha. Chiffon bahut halki thi, bahut "modern", aur use chachiyon ki bhauhein upar uthti hui dikh gayi. Cream sundar thi, par festival par cream? Kisi ne ise saada samjha toh? *Kitna dhakna chahiye? Kitna sajna chahiye? Agar zyada saji toh kahenge naye ghar mein dikhaawa kar rahi hai. Kam saji toh kahenge Vikram ki biwi ko pehenna nahi aata.* Bees saal pehle jab woh Ramesh ki dulhan ban kar aayi thi, tab kisi ne itna poocha bhi nahi tha. Tab bas jo maa ne baksa bhar diya, wahi pehen liya. Usne socha, uski chut.

Aakhir usne hari Banarasi ko alag kiya. *Safar ke din yahi. Gehri hari, sone ki zari, festival ka rang. Koi ungli nahi utha sakta.* Phir peach wali saree ko alag rakh diya. *Yeh pehli rasoi ke liye theek rahegi, simple aur saaf.* Uske saath do aur sarees, apna mangalsutra ka dabba, sindoor ki dibiya, chudiyon ka laal-hara set, chandi ki payal, aur ek chhota sa makeup pouch. Usne socha, uski moan.

Vikram gym gaya hua tha. Flat mein sirf AC ki halki si aawaz thi aur bahar kahin door kisi ke ghar se aate pataakhon ki pehli, jaldbaaz aawazein. Usne mehsoos kiya ki uski chut ab bhi thodi geeli thi.

Tabhi darwaze par halki si dastak hui. Vaishali ne mud kar dekha. Arjun khada tha, haath mein ek chhota sa bag, jaise khud bhi pack karke aaya ho aur ab samajh na pa raha ho ki aage kya kahe. Uski T-shirt par college ka faded logo tha, wahi jo usne pichhle saal Vaishali ke saath market jaa kar khareedi thi. Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uski panty. Usne socha, uske haath mein.

Vaishali ne aankhen uthayi. Ek second ke liye unki nazar mili, aur phir tut gayi. Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar. Aur uski chut mein ek dheemi si geelapan aa gayi, bina wajah ke.




"Andar aa jaa," usne dheere se kaha. Vikram ki gair-maujoodgi mein hi woh "beta" wali aawaz mein baat kar paati thi, aur woh aawaz ab uske apne kaanon ko bhi ajeeb lagti thi, jaise kisi purani almirah se nikla hua kapda. Usne mehsoos kiya ki uski chut ab bhi thodi geeli thi.

Arjun andar aaya aur bed ke kinaare saree ke dher ke paas khada ho gaya. Uski nazar hari Banarasi par padi, phir peach saree par, phir maa ke chehre par. Kuch pal dono chup rahe. Pankha ghoomta raha. Phir usne bahut halke se poocha, "Aap theek ho?" Usne socha, uski moan.

Is ek sawaal ne Vaishali ke andar kuch hila diya. Pichhle kai hafton mein kisi ne yeh sawaal nahi poocha tha. Vikram poochta tha "khush hai na?", saas phone par poochti thi "khaana khaaya?", par "theek ho" kisi ne nahi poocha tha. Usne ek fiki si muskaan di. "Main theek hoon beta. Tu chinta mat kar." Usne socha, uski chut.

"Wahan… sab log honge," Arjun ne nazrein jhuka kar kaha. "Aapko… kuch bhi karna pade, main…" Woh baat poori nahi kar paaya. Uska gala atak gaya, aur usne bag ki strap ko ungliyon mein lapet liya. Usne socha, usne dekha.

Vaishali ne aage badh kar uske baalon mein haath phera, bilkul waise hi jaise woh bachpan mein karti thi jab woh exam se pehle darta tha. "Sun. Wahan main teri bua hoon, tere papa ki behen, Meera. Sab ke saamne mujhe 'Bhabhi' bolna, Vikram ki wajah se, jaise ab tak bolta aaya hai. Bhool ke bhi 'Ma' mat bolna, samjha? Ek galti, aur sab khatam. Tu, main, tere papa, sab." Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.

Arjun ne sir hilaaya. Uski aankhon mein ek dard tha jise woh chhupa nahi paa raha tha. "Pata hai."

"Aur wahan agar koi kuch bole… meri umar ko leke, ya kuch bhi… tu chup rehna. Gussa mat karna. Main sambhal lungi."

"Aap kab tak sambhalogi?" uske munh se nikal gaya, aur foran usne honth bheench liye. Usne socha, uski panty.

Vaishali ne jawaab nahi diya. Bas uske gaal par ek pal hatheli rakhi. Usne mehsoos kiya ki uski nipples tight thin.

Neeche lift ki aawaz aayi. Dono ek jhatke se door ho gaye. Arjun bina kuch kahe bahar nikal gaya, aur Vaishali ne jaldi se pallu se aankhon ke kone pochhe aur sarees tah karni shuru kar di. Jab Vikram pasine mein bheega andar aaya, T-shirt seene se chipki hui, aur bed par saree ka dher dekh kar bola, "Arre waah, meri bahu toh full tayyari mein hai," toh usne ek bilkul normal si muskaan ke saath jawab diya, "Aapki maa ke ghar ja rahi hoon, tayyari toh karni padegi." Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Vikram ne hari Banarasi uthaayi, use dekha, aur aankh maari. "Yeh. Kal yahi pehenna. Hare mein tu ekdam patakha lagti hai." Usne uski taraf dekha, aankhon mein possessiveness.

"Chhee, kaisi bhasha hai," usne saree uske haath se chheen li, par uske honthon ke kone hil gaye. Usne socha, uski moan.


Us raat Vikram jaldi so gaya. Gym ki thakaan thi, aur kal subah drive bhi karni thi. Uska bhaari haath neend mein uski kamar par aa kar tik gaya, jaise roz tikta tha. Usne mehsoos kiya ki uska lund uski gaand se takra raha hai.

Vaishali chhat ko taakti rahi. Pankhe ke teen pankh, ek ke baad ek, ek ke baad ek. Deewar ke us paar, apne puraane flat mein, Ramesh shaayad jaag raha hoga. Aur yahan, is flat ke doosre kamre mein, Arjun. *Woh bhi so nahi raha hoga.* Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uski panty.

Usne man hi man kal ka din ek-ek pal mein jee kar dekha. Gate. Aarti. Pair chhoona. Sab ki nazrein. Kahin ek pal ko bhi woh Vaishali ban gayi, ek pal ko bhi uske chehre par woh purani thakaan aa gayi, toh? Aur phir, sabse aakhir mein, ek aur khayal aaya jisne use chaunka diya. Kal pehli baar Arjun use poore saaj-singaar mein, kisi aur ki dulhan ki tarah, sasural jaate hue dekhega. Shaadi wale din woh bhaagdaud mein tha, darr mein tha. Kal woh aaraam se, din ki roshni mein, use dekhega. Usne socha, uski moan.

*Woh mujhe kaise dekhega?*

Teen baje tak uski aankh nahi lagi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.


Subah paanch baje alarm se pehle hi uski aankh khul gayi. Vikram ab bhi so raha tha, chehra takiye mein dhansa hua. Vaishali ne chupchap uska haath hataya aur bathroom mein chali gayi. Usne socha, uski chut.

Garam paani der tak uske kandhon par girta raha. Usne baalon mein shikakai lagaayi, jo uski maa lagaati thi, aur phir ubtan, jo Vikram ki saas ne shaadi ke waqt bheja tha aur jo abhi tak bacha hua tha. Haldi aur chandan ki halki khushboo uske badan se uthne lagi. Naha kar jab woh nikli, toh bathroom ka aaina bhaap se dhundhla tha. Usne hatheli se ek chakkar mein bhaap pochhi aur us gol saaf hisse mein apna chehra dekha. Bina kisi singaar ke. Geele baal. Aankhon ke neeche halki si kaalimaa, raat bhar ki jaag ki. Usne socha, uski moan.

*Yeh Vaishali hai,* usne socha. *Ek ghante baad Meera hogi.*

Bedroom mein, almirah ke bade aaine ke saamne, usne shuruaat ki.

Pehle petticoat. Gehra hara, saree se mel khaata, jiska naada usne naabhi se do ungli neeche kas kar baandha, jaise saas ki peedhi ki aurtein baandhti thi, na zyada neeche na zyada upar. Phir blouse. Hari raw silk ka, kohni tak ki baahein jinke kinaar par patli sunehri patti thi, aur gala aage se gol aur sadha hua, par peeche se thoda gehra, jahan do sunehre latkan lage the. Usne hook ek-ek karke lagaaye, aur aakhri do hook, jo peeth ke beech mein the, wahan tak uska haath nahi pahuncha. Usne kandha mod kar, saans rok kar, koshish ki. Ungli phisal gayi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Tabhi peeche se do garam haath aaye.

"Main kar deta hoon," Vikram ki neend se bhaari, khurdari aawaz aayi. Woh kab utha tha, use pata hi nahi chala. Bas shorts mein tha, baal bikhre hue, aur uske nange seene ki garmi uski peeth tak aa rahi thi. Usne hook lagaaya, ek, phir doosra, par har hook ke baad uski ungli blouse ki kinaar se phisal kar uski nangi peeth par ek lakeer kheench deti, reedh ki haddi ke saath, dheere se, neeche tak. Usne mehsoos kiya ki uska lund uski gaand se takra raha hai.

"Vikram… late ho rahe hain," usne kaha, par uski aawaz mein woh dum nahi tha. Usne socha, uski moan.

"Hook laga raha hoon, jaan. Seva kar raha hoon apni biwi ki." Usne uske kandhe par, blouse ki kinaar se zara upar, apne honth tika diye aur ek pal wahin rakhe. Aaine mein Vaishali ne dekha ki uski apni aankhein band ho gayi thi. Usne foran khol li. Usne socha, uski chut.

"Jao, naha lo," usne kaha, aur uske seene par peeche haath rakh kar halke se dhakela. Vikram hansa, uske nitamb par ek halki si thapki maari, aur bathroom mein chala gaya. Uska dil der tak dhak-dhak karta raha. Usne socha, uski moan.

Phir saree. Hari Banarasi, gehra mehendi jaisa hara, jismein sone ki zari se chhote-chhote butte bune hue the, aur chaudi sunehri kinaar jismein kairi aur mor ki aakritiyan thi. Usne pehla lapet kamar par liya, kinaar ko zameen se bas aadha inch upar rakha, taaki chalte waqt payal dikhe par kapda na ghise. Phir pleats. Ek, do, teen… saat. Har pleat ko ungliyon ke beech daba kar seedha kiya, nakhoon se uski dhaar banaayi, aur saaton ko ek saath pakad kar petticoat mein khons diya, naabhi ke thoda sa baayein. Phir pallu. Usne use kandhe par chadhaya, ek baar lamba chhoda, phir chhota kiya, phir aur chhota, jab tak woh ghutnon ke theek peeche tak na aa gaya. Ek safety pin kandhe par, blouse ke andar, chhupa kar. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Phir gehne.

Usne mangalsutra ka dabba khola. Kaale motiyon ki do ladiyan aur beech mein sone ka chhota sa vati wala locket. Yeh woh mangalsutra nahi tha jo Ramesh ne pehnaaya tha. Woh wala almirah ke sabse neeche wale khaane mein, ek purane rumaal mein lipta pada tha. Yeh Vikram ka tha. Usne ise gale mein dala, aur thanda sona uske seene par, kaale til ke theek neeche, aa kar tik gaya. Ek pal ke liye uski saans ruki. *Do mangalsutra. Ek gale mein, ek rumaal mein.* Usne socha, uski moan.

Phir chudiyan. Laal aur hari kaanch ki, beech-beech mein sone ki do patli kangan. Usne ek-ek karke unhe chadhaaya, haath ko sikod kar, ungliyon ko jod kar, aur har chudi ke kalaai se guzarne par halki si khanak hoti. Dono haathon mein baarah-baarah. Jab usne haath hilaaya, toh poore kamre mein ek meethi, ghabraayi si jhankaar goonji, aur use laga jaise woh jhankaar ab uski har harkat ki chugli karegi. Usne socha, uski chut.

Phir payal. Chandi ki, ghungroo wali, Vikram ne shaadi ke baad di thi. Woh bed ke kinaare baithi, saree ko ghutnon tak uthaaya, aur ek-ek pair mein payal pehni. Pair zameen par rakhe toh chhan-chhan hui. Usne socha, uski moan.

Phir chehra. Usne halki si cream lagaayi, phir thoda sa compact, sirf aankhon ke neeche ki kaalimaa dhakne ke liye. Phir kaajal. Usne aaine ke paas jhuk kar, munh halka sa khol kar, kaajal ki pencil ko neeche ki palak ke andar se kheencha, ek aankh, phir doosri, aur kone par use zara sa bahar khinch diya, ek patli si dum. Aankhein achanak badi, gehri aur kaali dikhne lagi, jaise unmein koi raaz chhupa ho. Honthon par halka gulaabi-bhoora rang, zyada nahi. Maathe par laal bindi, ekdam beech mein, dono bhauhon ke beech, use do baar hata kar dobara lagaana pada kyunki pehli baar woh ek bal ki chaudai jitni tirchhi lagi thi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Baal. Usne unhe sukhaaya, kanghi ki, beech se maang nikaali, ekdam seedhi, aur peeche ek bhaari juda banaaya, jismein usne chameli ka gajra lapet diya jo Vikram kal raat society ke gate se laaya tha. Gajre ki khushboo uske gale tak utar aayi. Usne socha, uski moan.

Aur sabse aakhir mein, sindoor.

Usne dibiya kholi. Chandi ki patli salaai sindoor mein dubaayi, aaine mein apni maang dekhi, aur use maang ki shuruaat par rakha. Haath kaanpa. Ek pal ke liye woh ruk gayi. Bees saal tak yeh rasm uske liye ek aadat thi, subah ki chai jaisi. Par aaj, aaine mein, salaai ko apni maang par tikaaye, use pata tha ki yeh laal rang kis ke naam ka hai, aur kis ghar mein jaa raha hai. Usne salaai ko maang ke saath peeche kheencha, ek lambi, gaadhi, laal lakeer, aur thoda sa sindoor uski naak par jhad gaya. Purani kahawat yaad aayi: *naak par sindoor gire toh pati bahut pyaar karta hai.* Woh muskura nahi paayi. Usne use pallu ke kone se pochh diya. Usne socha, uski chut.

Phir woh ek kadam peeche hati, aur aaine mein poori dekhi.

Ek aurat khadi thi. Gehri hari saree mein lipti, sunehri kinaar uske kadmon ke paas chamakti hui, pallu kandhe se girta hua, blouse ke gol gale ke neeche mangalsutra ke kaale moti, aur unke upar, collarbone par, woh kaala til, jo ab ek gehne jaisa lag raha tha. Chudiyan kalaaiyon par laal-hari aag ki tarah. Kajal se bhari aankhein. Maang mein itna sindoor ki door se bhi dikhe. Woh sundar thi. Woh khud jaanti thi ki woh sundar thi, aur yeh jaanna hi sabse zyada dard deta tha. Usne socha, uski moan.

*Yeh kaun hai?* usne socha. *Meera? Ya woh Vaishali jo bees saal pehle bhi aise hi saji thi, aur jise kisi ne itna dhyaan se dekha bhi nahi tha?*

Aaine wali aurat ne palkein jhapkaai. Uske honthon par ek halki si, sharmaayi si muskaan aayi, jo Vaishali ne nahi laayi thi. Woh apne aap aa gayi thi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.



Bathroom ka darwaza khula. Vikram tauliya kamar par lapete, baalon se paani tapkaata hua bahar aaya, aur ek kadam chal kar wahin ruk gaya.
Kuch pal woh kuch nahi bola. Bas dekhta raha. Oopar se neeche tak. Maang ke sindoor se, kajal, honth, mangalsutra, kamar ka woh hissa jahan pallu aur blouse ke beech saanwali tvacha ki ek patli si patti dikh rahi thi, aur phir neeche, payal tak. Phir dheere se, bahut lambi si seeti bajaai. Usne socha, uski chut.
"Uff," usne kaha. "Maa ne toh bahu maangi thi. Main toh apsara le ja raha hoon." Usne uski taraf dekha, aankhon mein hunger.
"Bas karo," Vaishali ne nazrein jhuka li, par uske gaal tamatar ki tarah laal ho gaye. Usne socha, uski moan.
Vikram paas aaya. Abhi bhi geela, uske badan se sabun aur paani ki khushboo aa rahi thi. Usne uski thodi ungli se uthaayi aur uski kajal bhari aankhon mein dekha. "Sach bol raha hoon, jaan. Agar abhi tujhe chhoo liya na, toh hum festival kya, kal tak bungalow nahi pahunchenge." Usne uski jaangh par haath rakha.
"Toh mat chhoona," usne phusphusa kar kaha. Usne mehsoos kiya ki uski nipples tight thin.
"Bas ek." Usne jhuk kar uske til par, mangalsutra ke kaale motiyon ke theek upar, honth tika diye, aur halke se choosa. Vaishali ki saans tooti, aur uski chudiyan khanak uthi jab uska haath apne aap uske geele kandhe par chala gaya. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.
"Vikram! Nishaan pad jaayega," usne ghabra kar use dhakela. "Maa ke saamne…"
"Nahi padega, itna halka tha." Usne aankh maari aur peeche hata. "Baaki raat ko. Bungalow mein. Mera kamra bada hai, aur darwaza moti lakdi ka." Phir almirah ki taraf mudte hue bola, "Aur haan, Arjun ko jaga de. Saala ab tak so raha hoga." Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, uske haath mein.




Vaishali ne aaine mein phir apna til dekha. Halka sa gulaabi tha, bas. Usne pallu ko zara aur upar kheench diya. Usne socha, uski chut ab bhi thodi geeli thi.

Arjun soya nahi tha. Woh kab ka taiyaar baitha tha, apne kamre mein, ek saadhe sky-blue kurte aur jeans mein, bed ke kinaare, phone haath mein, screen band. Usne bagal ke kamre se chudiyon ki khanak suni thi, payal ki chhan-chhan, aur ek baar, bahut dheere, maa ki hansi. Usne woh hansi suni thi, aur phone itni zor se pakda tha ki uski ungliyan safed pad gayi thi. Usne socha, uski moan.

Hall mein qadmon ki aawaz aayi. Chhan… chhan… chhan. Woh utha aur darwaza khola.

Vaishali gallery mein khadi thi, hall ki khidki ki dhoop uske peeche se aa rahi thi, aur ek pal ke liye Arjun ko sirf ek parchhaai dikhi, hari aur sunehri, chamakti hui. Phir uski aankhein roshni ki aadi hui, aur usne use dekha. Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uski panty.

Woh wahin khada reh gaya.

Usne apni maa ko hazaar baar saree mein dekha tha. Karva Chauth par, Diwali par, cousin ki shaadi mein. Par yeh alag tha. Is aurat ki maang mein jo sindoor tha, woh uske papa ke naam ka nahi tha. Is gale mein jo mangalsutra latak raha tha, woh uske papa ka nahi tha. Yeh chudiyan, yeh payal, yeh gajra, sab kisi aur ke ghar se aaye the, kisi aur ke liye pehne gaye the. Aur woh aurat, jo bachpan mein usse "Arjun, khaana kha le" kehti thi, jo uske exam se pehle raat ko uske baalon mein tel lagaati thi, aaj ek doosre ghar ki bahu bani, uski sasural jaane ke liye saji khadi thi. Aur yeh sab, Arjun ne socha, *maine kiya. Meri profile. Mera Photoshop. Mere demands.* Usne socha, uski chut.

Use laga jaise kisi ne uske seene par se zameen kheench li ho. Ek ajeeb, ulta sa garv bhi utha, ki woh kitni sundar lag rahi thi, aur foran uske peeche ek sharam aayi us garv par. Phir ek aur cheez, jise woh naam nahi de paaya: ek bachche jaisa darr, ki shaayad yeh aurat ab kabhi wapas uski maa nahi banegi. Ki shaayad aaine mein usne khud ko dekh kar jo muskaan di thi, woh asli thi. Usne socha, uski moan.

Vaishali ne bhi use dekha. Kuch kaha nahi. Uski kajal bhari aankhon mein ek sawaal tha, *kaisi lag rahi hoon?*, aur uske peeche ek maafi. Dono ke beech gallery ke chaar kadam the, aur ek poori duniya. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Arjun ke honth hile. Kuch nahi nikla. Usne nazrein neeche ki, payal par, jo uske pairon par chandi ki tarah chamak rahi thi, aur phir mud kar apne kamre mein wapas chala gaya, darwaza aadha khula chhod kar. Usne socha, uske haath mein.

Vaishali wahin khadi rahi. Uske andar kuch kaanp gaya. *Mera beta… mujhe aise dekh raha hai, jaise main koi ajnabi hoon.* Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.

Paanch minute baad, jab Vikram, sky-blue jaisa hi ek bhaari kurta pehne, gaadi ki chaabi ghumaata hua hall mein aaya, toh Arjun bhi apna bag le kar bahar nikla. Vikram ne Vaishali ki taraf ishaara kiya, garv se, jaise koi apni nayi gaadi dikhaata hai. Usne socha, uski chut.

"Dekh saale, teri Bhabhi ko. Maa toh aaj behosh ho jaayegi."

Arjun ne ek pal Vaishali ko dekha. Uska gala sookha tha, aawaz bhaari. "Bhabhi… bohot sundar." Usne socha, usne dekha.

Bas itna. Do shabd. Vaishali ne muskura kar "thank you" kaha, ek bahu wali, ek bua wali muskaan, par uski chudiyan us pal itni zor se khanki ki use apni kalaai pakadni padi. Usne socha, uski moan.


Neeche society ke aangan mein do aunty sabzi wale se mol-bhaav kar rahi thi. Vaishali ko dekhte hi dono chup ho gayi. "Haaye Meera, kitni pyaari lag rahi hai! Sasural?" Usne sir hilaaya, pallu sir par theek kiya, aur gaadi mein baith gayi. Uske peeche aangan mein phusphusahat shuru ho gayi, aur use pata tha ki shaam tak poori society jaan jaayegi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Gaadi mein Vikram drive kar raha tha, Vaishali uske bagal mein, aur Arjun pichhli seat par akela, khidki ke saath, apna bag god mein rakhe. Dadar ki tang galiyon se nikalte hue Vikram ne music chalaaya, purane Hindi gaane, aur aam baatein karta raha — office ki, festival ki, maa ki tayyariyon ki. "Maa ne teen din se ghar sir pe uthaa rakha hai. Naya parda, naye diye, aur tere liye kuch surprise bhi hai. Mujhe bhi nahi bataya." Usne socha, uski moan.

*Surprise.* Vaishali ka pet phir sikud gaya. Woh haan-hoon karti rahi, par uska man kahin aur tha. Khidki ke bahar Mumbai bhaag rahi thi. Phoolon ki dukaanein, jinke bahar genda aur aam ke patton ki tornein latak rahi thi. Ek mandir ke bahar lambi line. Ek aurat apne bachche ka haath pakde sadak paar kar rahi thi. Vaishali ne us aurat ko tab tak dekha jab tak woh nazar se ojhal nahi ho gayi. Usne socha, uski chut.

*Gate par saas khadi hongi. Aarti hogi. Pehle unke pair, phir bua ke… ya chachi ke?* Usne man mein ratta lagaya. *Sir dhaka rakhna. Zor se mat hasna. Jab tak koi na kahe, baithna nahi. Pehle paani poochhna.* Use laga woh phir se bees saal ki ho gayi hai, ek naye ghar ki dehleez par, par is baar jhooth ke ek pahaad ke saath. Usne socha, uski moan.

Highway par pahunchte hi traffic khul gaya. Vikram ne gear badla aur apna haath wapas steering par le jaane ke bajaaye uski jaangh par rakh diya. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Banarasi ke bhaari resham ke upar se uski garam hatheli ka bhaar saaf mehsoos ho raha tha. Pehle bas rakha hua. Phir uski ungliyan dheere se phaili, jaangh ke ghumaav ke saath, aur uska angootha kapde par ek chhota sa, dheema chakkar banaane laga. Ek chakkar. Phir doosra. Resham sarsaraaya. Vaishali ne chaunk kar uski taraf dekha. Vikram seedha road dekh raha tha, honthon par ek halki si muskaan thi, jaise kuch hua hi na ho. Usne socha, uska lund.

Vaishali ne dheere se uska haath pakda, jaise hataane ke liye. Par Vikram ne apni ungliyan uski ungliyon mein phansa kar aur kas di, aur dono haath ab saath mein uski jaangh par the. "Rehne de na jaan. Apni biwi ki jaangh pe haath rakhna bhi gunaah hai kya?" Usne uski taraf dekha, aankhon mein possessiveness.

"Peeche…" usne phusphusa kar kaha. Usne socha, usne dekha.

"Peeche apna saala hai. Ghar ka hai. Usse kya sharam?" Vikram ne bina mude, zor se kaha, "Kyun Arjun? Tujhe koi problem?"

Ek pal ki chuppi. "Nahi bhai." Usne socha, uski panty.

Vaishali ki aankhein band ho gayi. Usne kuch nahi kaha, na haath hataaya. Vikram ka angootha phir chalne laga, is baar thoda upar, thoda andar ki taraf, aur uski jaangh ki naram maans-peshiyaan apne aap kas gayi. Us garmi ne uske pet ke neeche ek dheemi si lau jala di, aur woh apne hi badan se naraaz ho gayi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi. Usne socha, uski moan.

Usne nazar uthaai, aur rear-view mirror mein use do aankhein dikhi. Arjun ki. Woh chupchap dekh raha tha, uska chehra sakht tha aur jabda bhincha hua. Dono ki nazrein ek pal ke liye shishe mein mili. Ek pal. Usmein Vaishali ne dekha ek beta, jo apni maa ko bachana chahta tha aur nahi bacha sakta tha. Arjun ne foran khidki ki taraf munh pher liya, aur shishe mein sirf uska kaan aur uske baalon ka ek hissa reh gaya. Usne socha, uske haath mein.

Vaishali ke seene mein jaise kuch jal utha. *Usne dekh liya. Woh sab dekhta hai.* Phir bhi usne Vikram ka haath nahi hataaya. Aur sabse zyada sharam use isi baat ki thi ki ek chhota sa hissa uske andar us garam hatheli ka bhaar chhodna bhi nahi chahta tha. Woh hissa chup tha, sharmaaya hua, par wahan tha, aur use pata tha ki woh hissa har din thoda aur bada ho raha hai. Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.

Gaana badla. "Babul ki duaayein leti ja…" kisi purane radio station se. Vikram hans pada. "Lo, timing dekho." Usne channel badal diya. Vaishali ne apni ungliyan uski ungliyon mein aur kas li, bina jaane kyun. Usne socha, uski chut.

Aadhe ghante baad gaadi highway se utri, aur Bandra ki chaudi, ped-lagi sadkon par aa gayi. Ghar bade hote gaye, gate oonche. Vikram ne haath hata kar dono haathon se steering pakda, aur Vaishali ne turant apna pallu sir par kheench liya, kinaar ko maathe tak, aaine mein sindoor dekha, bindi theek ki, aur chudiyon ko kalaai par seedha kiya. Uski saans tez thi. Usne socha, uski moan.

Peeche se Arjun ki aawaz aayi, bahut dheemi, sirf itni ki Vikram music mein na sun sake. Shabd nahi, bas ek khaansi, jaise koi kuch kehna chahta ho aur kehne ki himmat na ho. Vaishali ne mirror mein nahi dekha. Use pata tha ki agar dekha, toh usmein se Vaishali nikal aayegi, aur yahan, is mod par, use sirf Meera rehna tha. Usne socha, usne dekha.

Gaadi mudi. Saamne woh oonche, kaale lohe ke gate the, jinpar genda aur aam ke patton ki moti toran latak rahi thi, aur zameen par rangoli ke rang dopahar ki dhoop mein chamak rahe the. Gate ke us paar bungalow ki safed deewarein, aur un par din mein bhi jalti chhoti-chhoti lights. Aur gate ke andar, aangan mein, rangeen saadiyon ka ek jhund, jinke beech ek aurat haath mein aarti ki thaali liye khadi thi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Vikram ne horn bajaaya. Do baar.

Saare chehre gaadi ki taraf mud gaye.

Vaishali ne apni god mein rakhe haathon ko dekha, mehendi ke halke ho chuke nishaan, laal-hari chudiyan, aur Vikram ki di hui angoothi. Usne ek lambi saans li, aur dheere se, apne aap se, kaha, *Main Meera hoon.* Usne socha, uski moan.

Gate khulne laga.

Lohe ke bhaari gate dheere-dheere, ek lambi si cheen-cheen ki aawaz ke saath, beech se khulne lage. Har inch ke saath andar ka aangan thoda aur saaf dikhne laga, aur har inch ke saath Vaishali ka dil thoda aur tez dhadakne laga. Gaadi abhi wahin khadi thi, engine dheeme se ghurghura raha tha, aur Vikram steering par ungliyan thapthapa raha tha, jaise use koi jaldi na ho. Uske liye yeh apna ghar tha. Vaishali ke liye yeh ek imtihaan tha, jiska koi syllabus nahi tha. Usne socha, uski chut.

Gate ke us paar woh aurat, jiske haath mein aarti ki thaali thi, ab saaf dikh rahi thi. Gehri laal saree, sir par pallu, aur thaali mein jalta hua ek chhota sa diya, jiski lau dopahar ki dhoop mein bhi kaanp rahi thi. Peetal ki thaali par dhoop padti toh ek pal ke liye chamak Vaishali ki aankhon mein aa lagti, aur woh palkein jhapka leti. Us aurat ke aas-paas rangeen saadiyan sarakne lagi, kisi ne kisi ko kohni maari, kisi ne haath uthaa kar ishaara kiya, aur hawa mein ek halki si hansi tair gayi. Woh sab usi ki raah dekh rahi thi. Usne socha, uski moan.

Vaishali ne apni hatheliyon ko saree par dheere se poncha. Woh geeli ho chuki thi. Usne socha, bees saal pehle bhi uski hatheliyan aise hi geeli thi, jab woh ek chhoti si laal saree mein, ek chhote se ghar ki dehleez par khadi thi. Tab woh baais saal ki thi, aur use lagta tha ki zindagi bas ek baar hi aisa darwaza kholti hai. Aaj zindagi ne doosra darwaza khola tha, bada, ooncha, phoolon se saja hua. Aur woh nahi jaanti thi ki is darwaze ke paar use kya milega. Izzat, ya ek aisa jhooth jise use har roz, har chehre ke saamne, muskura kar nibhaana hoga. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Peeche ki seat se koi aawaz nahi aayi. Arjun bilkul chup tha. Vaishali ne mud kar nahi dekha, par use uski maujoodgi apni peeth par mehsoos ho rahi thi, ek garam, bhaari si chhaaya ki tarah. Usne man hi man kaha, *Aaj ke baad tu mujhe Bhabhi bolega, sabke saamne. Aur main sun lungi. Muskura dungi.* Yeh soch kar uska gala bhar aaya, aur usne jaldi se apne honth daanton ke beech daba liye, taaki lipstick na bigde aur aankhein na bhar jaayein. Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uske haath mein.

Vikram ne uski taraf dekha aur halke se muskuraaya. "Tayyar?"

Vaishali ne sir hilaaya. Woh tayyar nahi thi. Shayad kabhi nahi hogi. Par usne apni chudiyan ek baar phir seedhi ki, pallu ka kinara maathe par thoda aur neeche kheencha, aur chameli ke gajre ki halki si khushboo ko ek gehri saans ke saath andar bhar liya. Woh khushboo use apne flat ki yaad dila gayi, subah ki, aaine ki, aur us pal ki jab usne khud ko pehli baar is roop mein dekha tha. Usne socha, uski moan.

Gate ab poora khul chuka tha. Aarti ki thaali wali aurat ek kadam aage aayi. Diye ki lau seedhi ho gayi.

Aur Vaishali ke andar, kahin bahut gehre, ek ajeeb si shaanti utar aayi. Darr ab bhi tha, sharam ab bhi thi, par unke neeche ek chhota sa, ziddi sa khayal bhi tha. *Jo hona hai, ho chuka. Ab bas nibhaana hai.* Usne apni god mein rakhe haath khole, ungliyon ko dheere se phailaaya, aur sir uthaa kar seedha saamne dekha, us roshni ki taraf, us ghar ki taraf, jo aaj se uska tha. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Vikram ne gear daala, aur gaadi dheere se aage badh chali. Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.



Raat ke saadhe gyaarah baj chuke the jab Ramesh aur Priya ke nikalne ka waqt aaya. Porch ki peeli lights jal rahi thi, garden mein lagi chhoti-chhoti fairy lights ab bhi tim-tima rahi thi, aur gate ke bahar Ramesh ki purani grey Wagon R khadi thi, jo Vikram ki chamakti hui black Fortuner ke bagal mein aur bhi chhoti aur thaki hui lag rahi thi. Saas, Kamla bua, Mahesh chacha, Sunita chachi aur Pinky sab gate tak chhodne aaye the, kyunki is ghar ka niyam tha ki mehmaan ko darwaze se nahi, gate se vida kiya jaata hai. Usne socha, uski chut ab bhi thodi geeli thi.

Vaishali saas ke bagal mein khadi thi. Shaam ki aarti ke baad saas ne use ek baar phir kamre mein le jaa kar kapde badalwaaye the, "Raat ko halki cheez pehen, din bhar bhaari saree mein thak gayi hogi," keh kar. Par jo saree unhone di thi, woh halki zaroor thi, simple bilkul nahi thi. Gehre wine-red rang ki sheer chiffon saree thi, itni patli aur mulayam ki hawa chalte hi uske jism se chipak jaati thi, aur uske kinaare par chhote-chhote silver sequins ki ek patli si border thi jo porch ki roshni mein taaron ki tarah chamak rahi thi. Saree naabhi se kaafi neeche baandhi gayi thi, saas ne khud pleats bana kar kaha tha, "Aaj kal aise hi pehente hain beta, tu ab Deshmukh ghar ki bahu hai," aur ab Vaishali ki gori, naram kamar aur gehri naabhi khule mein thi, jiske theek upar ek patli si diamond ki kamarband chamak rahi thi. Blouse sleeveless tha, aage se gehra sweetheart neck, aur peeche se poori peeth khuli, bas do patli dori se bandha hua jiske sire par chhote-chhote moti latak rahe the. Pallu ek patli si lakeer ki tarah pin karke baayein kandhe par daala gaya tha, aur woh pin itna kamzor tha ki har doosre pal pallu khisak kar uski baah par aa jaata, aur Vaishali use dheere se wapas uthaati. Usne socha, uski moan.

Gale mein halka sa diamond ka solitaire pendant tha, kaanon mein chhote diamond studs, kalaai mein patli diamond bangles ke saath laal-sone ki chudiyan, pairon mein chaandi ki payal aur do inch ki nude heels, jinpar chalne ki aadat use abhi bhi theek se nahi thi. Uske baal khule the, blow-dry kiye hue, ek kandhe par girte hue, aur hothon par gehri wine lipstick thi jo saas ki beti jaisi Pinky ne zid karke lagaayi thi. Uske jism se ek mehangi French perfume ki khushboo aa rahi thi, jo Vikram ne pichhle hafte gift ki thi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Gate ki taraf chalte hue Vaishali ke mann mein baar-baar ek hi baat aa rahi thi. *Ramesh ke ghar mein toh pallu sir se nahi hatta tha…* Dadar ke us chhote se ghar mein woh bees saal tak sooti saree pehen kar, sir dhak kar, chupchap rasoi aur kamre ke beech ghoomti rahi thi. Aaj wahi Ramesh uske saamne khada tha, aur woh uske saamne aisi khadi thi jaise kisi film ki heroine ho, kamar khuli, peeth khuli, aur pallu baar-baar kandhe se fisalta hua. Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, usne dekha.

Priya pehle aage aayi. Usne saas ke pair chhue, sab se namaste kiya, aur phir Vaishali ke saamne aakar ek pal ke liye ruk gayi. Uski aankhen upar se neeche tak Vaishali ke poore roop par ghoomi, us diamond kamarband par thodi der tiki, aur phir uske chehre par wahi sakht si muskaan aa gayi. "Bahut sundar lag rahi hai, Meera," usne kaha, aur 'Meera' par thoda sa zor diya. "Ab apna khayal rakhna. Yahan sab kuch hai tere paas." Usne socha, uski chut.

"Haan Didi," Vaishali ne dheere se kaha, aur Priya ke gale lag gayi. Priya ne gale lagte waqt uske kaan mein sirf itna kaha, "Maze kar," aur peeche hat gayi. Usne socha, uski moan.

Phir Ramesh aage aaya. Usne safed kurta-pajama pehna tha, jo din bhar mein thoda sa sikud gaya tha, aur uske baalon mein safedi porch ki roshni mein aur zyada dikh rahi thi. Woh Vaishali ke saamne aakar ruka, aur ek pal ke liye kuch bol nahi paaya. Sab log dekh rahe the. Saas, chacha, chachi, Pinky, aur sabse paas Vikram, jo Vaishali ke theek bagal mein khada tha, haath jeb mein daale, chehre par ek aaram bhari, maalik jaisi muskaan liye. Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uski panty.

Ramesh ne apna kaanpta hua haath uthaaya aur Vaishali ke sir par rakha, bilkul waise jaise ek bada bhai apni choti behen ko vida karte waqt rakhta hai. Vaishali ne turant sir jhuka diya, aur ek pal ke liye uske pair chhune ko jhuki. Ramesh ne use beech mein hi rok liya. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

"Khush rehna, Meera…" Ramesh ne kaha, aur uski aawaz beech mein hi atak gayi. Usne gala saaf kiya, Vikram ki taraf ek nazar dekha, aur phir bola, "…dono. Dono khush rehna."

Vaishali ki aankhon mein ek pal ke liye nami aa gayi. Bees saal ka saath, shaadi ki raat, Arjun ka paida hona, chawl ki woh tang galiyan, sab kuch ek saath uske seene mein ghoom gaya. Aur aaj wahi aadmi, uska asli pati, uske sir par haath rakh kar use ek doosre mard ke saath khush rehne ka aashirwaad de raha tha. Usne socha, uski moan.

Usi pal Vaishali ko apni kamar par ek garam, bhaari haath mehsoos hua. Vikram ne apna haath jeb se nikaala tha aur dheere se uske pallu ke neeche sarka diya tha, seedha uski nangi kamar par, jahan diamond kamarband thandi thi aur uski chamdi garam. Uski ungliyan kamar ke naram maans mein halke se dabi, phir naabhi ke paas tak sarki, aur wahin ruk gayi, bina kisi sharm ke, sabke saamne, jaise yeh uska haq ho. Vaishali ki saans ek pal ke liye ruk gayi. Pallu thoda aur khisak gaya. Usne socha, uska lund. Usne socha, uski chut.

Ramesh ki nazar neeche gayi. Usne dekha ki Vikram ka haath uski biwi ki kamar par, uske pallu ke andar, kaise aaram se rakha hua hai, aur kaise Vaishali ne use hataaya nahi. Ek pal ke liye uski aankhen wahin ruki, phir usne jaldi se nazar hata li aur gate ki taraf dekhne laga, jaise wahan kuch zaroori ho. Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uske haath mein.

Vikram ne yeh dekha, aur hans kar bola, "Arre bhaiya, itne udaas kyun ho rahe ho? Behen ko sasural chhod ke ja rahe ho, koi pardes thodi bhej rahe ho." Phir usne Vaishali ki kamar ko aur kas kar pakda, use apni taraf kheencha, aur zor se bola taaki sab sun sakein, "Bhaiya, fikar mat karo. Din mein Maa khayal rakhengi, aur raat ko main achhe se khayal rakhunga. Bilkul achhe se." Usne socha, uski moan.

Ek pal ki chuppi ke baad Mahesh chacha zor se hans pade. "Waah beta, waah!" Sunita chachi ne munh par haath rakh kar hansi dabaayi, Kamla bua ne "Besharam!" keh kar Vikram ke kandhe par halki si chapat maari, aur Pinky khilkhila kar hans padi. Saas ne bhi muskura kar sir hilaaya, "Iski zubaan pe lagaam hi nahi hai." Sab hans rahe the. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Vaishali ka chehra laal ho gaya. Usne sir jhuka liya aur apne pairon ki taraf dekhne lagi, jahan payal porch ki roshni mein chamak rahi thi. Usne socha, uski moan.

Ramesh bhi hansa. Ek chhoti, khokhli si hansi, jo uske gale se nikli hi nahi, bas hothon tak aa kar reh gayi. "Haan… haan, kyun nahi," usne kaha. Par uske andar kuch aur hi chal raha tha. Vikram ke woh shabd, *raat ko main achhe se khayal rakhunga*, uske kaanon mein baar-baar goonj rahe the, aur unke saath uske dimaag mein woh tasveer aa rahi thi jo woh dekhna nahi chahta tha. Uski biwi, us wine-red saree mein, us jawan mard ki baahon mein, aaj raat, isi ghar mein. Uske pet mein ek ajeeb si gaanth bandh gayi. Sharm thi, gussa tha, beizzati thi, aur in sab ke neeche kuch aur bhi tha, ek garam, gandi si sihran, jo uski reedh ki haddi se neeche utar kar uske pajame ke andar tak pahunch gayi. Woh khud par hairaan tha, khud se nafrat kar raha tha, aur phir bhi us garmi ko rok nahi pa raha tha. Usne kurta neeche kheencha aur ek kadam peeche hat gaya. Usne socha, uska lund. Usne socha, usne dekha.

Phir Ramesh Arjun ki taraf mudaa, jo thoda alag, garden ke kinaare khada tha, haath jebon mein, chehra sakht. "Arjun," Ramesh ne kaha, aur uske kandhe par haath rakha. "Sambhal ke rehna, beta. Bua ka khayal rakhna… aur apna bhi."

Arjun ne Papa ki aankhon mein dekha. Dono ke beech ek lamba, khamosh pal guzra, jismein sab kuch keh diya gaya aur kuch bhi nahi kaha gaya. "Haan Papa," Arjun ne bas itna kaha. Usne socha, uski panty.

Vikram ne Arjun ki taraf dekh kar kaha, "Tu kahan ja raha hai abhi? Itni raat ho gayi hai. Yahin ruk ja, upar guest room ready hai, mere kamre ke bagal wala. Kal subah saath mein chalenge, Maa ne nashte mein tere liye aloo paratha banwane ka bola hai."

Saas ne turant haami bhari, "Haan Arjun beta, tu yahin ruk. Ghar ka bachcha hai tu." Arjun ne ek pal Vaishali ki taraf dekha, jo ab bhi Vikram ke haath ke ghere mein khadi thi, aur phir dheere se sir hila diya. "Theek hai, bhai." Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uske haath mein.

Ramesh aur Priya gaadi mein baithe. Engine start hua, headlight ki roshni garden par padi, aur Vaishali ne haath hilaaya. Ramesh ne khidki se ek aakhri baar dekha. Vikram ka haath ab bhi uski kamar par tha, aur Vaishali ka pallu ab poori tarah kandhe se utar kar uski baah par latak raha tha. Gaadi mudi aur andhere mein chali gayi. Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.


Highway par gaadi chal rahi thi, aur gaadi ke andar ek bhaari chuppi thi. Ramesh steering pakde seedha saamne dekh raha tha, aur uski ungliyan steering par itni kasi hui thi ki uski ungliyon ki haddiyan safed ho gayi thi. Radio band tha. Bas engine ki aawaz aur bagal se guzarte trucks ki ghurghuraahat. Usne socha, uski chut.

Uske dimaag mein baar-baar wahi tasveer aa rahi thi. Vikram ka haath. Woh mazboot, gym wala, jawan haath, jiski nasen ubhri hui thi, uski Vaishali ki nangi kamar par, pallu ke neeche, aur Vaishali ka woh sharmaana, sir jhukaana, par haath na hataana. Bees saal mein Ramesh ne kabhi sabke saamne uski kamar par haath nahi rakha tha. Kabhi nahi. Chawl mein maa-baap the, padosi the, sharm thi, aur phir dheere-dheere aadat ban gayi thi ki biwi ko sirf raat ko, andhere mein, chupchap, jaldi-jaldi chhua jaata hai, aur phir karwat le kar so jaaya jaata hai. Usne socha, uska lund. Usne socha, usne dekha.

Usne socha Vikram ke baare mein. Chaubees-pachchees saal ka ladka, chaudi chhaati, patli kamar, baahen itni moti ki kurta tight ho jaata tha, chehre par woh bharosa jo sirf paise aur jawani dono saath hone par aata hai. Aur phir usne khud ke baare mein socha. Pachaas paar ki umar, pet bahar nikla hua, ghutno mein dard, baalon mein safedi, aur ek aisi naukri jismein bees saal mein kuch nahi badla. Usne socha, uski moan.

*Bees saal…* Ramesh ne mann hi mann socha, aur uska gala bhar aaya. *Bees saal maine use apne paas rakha, aur maine kabhi use aise nahi chhua. Kabhi aise nahi dekha jaise woh aaj usko dekh raha tha. Kabhi aisi saree nahi dilaayi, kabhi uski kamar khuli nahi dekhi sabke saamne. Aur aaj woh ladka sabke saamne keh raha tha ki raat ko achhe se khayal rakhega… aur sab hans rahe the… aur main bhi hans raha tha.* Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.

Priya ne khidki se bahar dekhte hue achanak kaha, "Dekha, bhaiya?"

Ramesh ne jawab nahi diya.

"Dekha kitni khush thi?" Priya ne mud kar uski taraf dekha, aur uski aawaz mein ek tez, kaatne wali dhaar thi. "Woh saree dekhi? Woh diamond ki kamarband? Kamar poori nangi thi, peeth poori nangi thi. Hamare ghar mein toh kabhi blouse ka gala bhi itna gehra nahi hua uska. Aur jab us ladke ne uski kamar pakdi na, toh ek baar bhi hataaya nahi usne. Sharmaa rahi thi, par muskura bhi rahi thi. Main sab dekh rahi thi." Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uski panty.

"Priya, chup kar," Ramesh ne dheere se kaha.

"Kyun chup karun?" Priya hansi, ek chhoti, kadwi si hansi. "Sach hi toh keh rahi hoon. Ab woh uski biwi hai, bhaiya. Uske ghar ki bahu. Uski maa usko gehne pehna rahi hai, uske rishtedaar usko 'Meera bhabhi' bula rahe hain. Aur aaj raat…" usne jaan boojh kar baat adhoori chhodi, aur phir dheere se boli, "aaj raat woh uske kamre mein hogi. Uske bistar mein. Aur tumne khud aashirwaad diya. 'Khush rehna, dono.'" Usne socha, uski moan.

Ramesh ne kuch nahi kaha. Uska chehra garam ho gaya tha, kaan laal ho gaye the, aur uske pet mein woh gaanth aur kas gayi thi. Sabse buri baat yeh thi ki Priya ke har shabd ke saath uske jism mein woh gandi garmi aur badh rahi thi. Uska pajama tight ho gaya tha, aur woh steering ke neeche apne aap ko chhupaane ki koshish kar raha tha. Usne khud ko kosaa. *Kya ho gaya hai mujhe? Meri biwi kisi aur ke paas hai, aur main…* Usne woh khayal poora nahi hone diya. Usne socha, uska lund. Usne socha, uske haath mein.

Priya ne shaayad dekh liya tha, ya shaayad nahi. Usne bas phir se khidki ki taraf munh kar liya aur bola, "Jo hua, woh hamari wajah se hua. Ab sehna bhi padega."

Baaki raasta khamoshi mein kata. Ramesh ki aankhon ke saamne baar-baar wahi wine-red saree, woh khuli peeth ki dori, aur Vikram ka woh haath aata raha. Usne jeb se phone nikaala, ek signal par, aur WhatsApp khola. Vaishali ki purani DP ab bhi wahi thi, ek phool ki tasveer. Uski ungli keyboard par ruki, aur woh soch nahi paaya ki kya likhe. Usne phone wapas jeb mein rakh diya. Abhi nahi. Usne socha, uski chut. Usne socha, uski moan. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.




Gate band hone ke baad sab log andar aa gaye. Saas ne Kamla bua aur Sunita chachi ke saath drawing room mein baith kar kal subah ki rasoi ki baat shuru kar di, Mahesh chacha TV par late night news laga kar sofe par pasar gaye, aur Pinky phone mein aaj ki photos dekh kar khilkhilaati rahi. Neeche abhi bhi roshni thi, aawazein thi, chai ke cup ki khanak thi. Usne socha, uski chut ab bhi thodi geeli thi.
"Main upar jaati hoon Maa, thodi thak gayi hoon," Vaishali ne saas se kaha.
"Haan beta, ja. Aaram kar." Saas ne muskura kar uske gaal par haath pheraa, aur phir dheere se, sirf uske sunne ke liye, boli, "Aur sun, zyada der tak jaagna mat. Kal subah rasoi hai teri pehli." Usne socha, uski moan.
Vaishali sharma kar mudi aur zeene ki taraf chali. Bungalow ka zeena bada aur ghumaavdaar tha, sangmarmar ka, aur upar ki light kisi ne band kar di thi, isliye pehle mod ke baad sirf neeche se aati halki peeli roshni thi aur phir lagbhag andhera. Heels ki tak-tak aur payal ki chhan-chhan us khamoshi mein bahut zor se goonj rahi thi. Usne pallu ko kandhe par sambhaala aur railing pakad kar dheere-dheere upar chadhne lagi. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.
Doosre mod par pahunchte hi peeche se kisi ne uski kalaai pakdi. Vaishali chaunk kar mudi, aur andhere mein Vikram ka chehra uske itna kareeb tha ki uski saans uske hothon par lag rahi thi. Woh uske peeche-peeche chupchap upar aaya tha. Usne socha, uska lund.
"Vikram…" usne fusfusaaya.



Vikram ne kuch nahi kaha. Usne use dheere se, par mazbooti se, deewar se laga diya. Thandi sangmarmar ki deewar uski nangi peeth se lagi, aur Vaishali ke munh se ek halki si siskaari nikal gayi. Vikram ne apna ek haath uske sir ke bagal mein deewar par rakha, aur doosra haath seedha uske pallu ke neeche, uski nangi kamar par. Phir usne apne hoth uske hothon par rakh diye. Usne socha, uski moan.
Woh koi halka chumban nahi tha. Vikram ne uske neeche wale hoth ko apne hothon mein pakad kar choosa, phir apni zubaan uske munh mein daal di, gehra, bhookha, dheere-dheere, jaise poore din ka intezaar ek saath nikaal raha ho. Uski wine lipstick dono ke hothon par phail gayi. Vaishali ke haath pehle uske seene par the, use rokne ke liye, par kuch hi pal mein uski ungliyan uske kurte ko mutthi mein pakadne lagi. Usne socha, uski chut.
Neeche se Mahesh chacha ki hansi aayi, TV par kisi neta ki aawaz, aur Saas ka "Pinky, ab so ja" kehna. Sab kuch itna paas tha ki lagta tha koi bhi abhi zeene par aa jaayega. Usne socha, usne dekha.
Vikram ka haath uski kamar par kas gaya. Usne uski kamar ke naram maans ko mutthi mein bhar kar dabaaya, kamarband ki thandi chain uski hatheli mein chubhi, aur phir uska haath upar sarka, pallu ke neeche, blouse ke upar, aur seedha uske bhaari, bhare hue doodh par aa gaya. Usne poora mamma apni hatheli mein bhar kar zor se masla, aur patle silk blouse ke andar uska nipple turant sakht ho gaya. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.
"Aahh… Vikram…" Vaishali ki siskaari uske munh mein hi dab gayi. "Pagal ho kya? Chhodo… sab jaag rahe hain neeche… koi aa jaayega…" Usne socha, uski moan.
"Aane do," Vikram ne uske kaan ke paas fusfusaaya, aur uske kaan ki lau ko daanton se halke se kaata. "Meri biwi hai. Apne ghar mein, apne zeene par chum raha hoon. Kisko kya problem hai?"
"Vikram, please…" Usne dono haathon se uske seene par dhakka diya, aur is baar sach mein zor lagaaya. Vikram ek kadam peeche hata, hansa, aur uske hothon par ek aakhri chhota sa chumban de kar bola, "Theek hai. Kamre mein chal. Wahan koi bahana nahi chalega." Usne socha, uska lund. Usne socha, uske haath mein.
Vaishali ne kaanpte haathon se apna pallu theek karne ki koshish ki, jo ab poori tarah kandhe se utar chuka tha aur ek taraf latak raha tha. Pin khul chuki thi. Blouse ka ek hissa thoda khisak gaya tha, aur uske seene ka gora ubhaar andhere mein bhi chamak raha tha. Usne pallu ko jaldi se dabaaya aur saans sambhaali. Usne socha, uski chut geeli thi.
Tabhi usne neeche dekha.




Zeene ke sabse neeche, jahan peeli roshni khatam hoti thi, Arjun khada tha. Uske haath mein paani ki ek bottle thi, jo shaayad woh guest room ke liye le kar aa raha tha. Woh ek pal ke liye wahin ruk gaya tha, aur upar dekh raha tha. Usne shaayad kuch dekha tha, shaayad sirf parchhaaiyaan, shaayad sirf aawazein suni thi. Par jab Vaishali aur Vikram upar ke mod se nikal kar thodi roshni mein aaye, toh Arjun ne saaf dekha. Bhabhi ka bikhra hua pallu, jo woh ek haath se seene par dabaaye hue thi. Uske phaile hue hoth, lipstick hothon ke kinaare tak bikhri hui. Uski kamar par laal ungliyon ke nishaan. Aur Vikram ke hothon par wahi wine rang. Usne socha, usne dekha. Usne socha, uski panty.
Arjun ke seene mein kuch jalne laga. Usne bottle itni zor se pakdi ki plastic chatak gaya. Maa… uske mann mein ek hi shabd aaya, aur phir use jaldi se dabaana pada. Usne socha, uski moan.
Vikram ne upar se hi haath hilaaya. "Arre Arjun! Upar aa ja, bagal wala kamra tera hai. Towel-vowel sab rakha hai. Good night, saale!"
"Good night, bhai," Arjun ne kaha, aur uski aawaz itni sapaat thi ki khud use ajeeb lagi. Usne ek aakhri baar Vaishali ki taraf dekha. Vaishali ne nazar chura li. Phir Vikram ne uska haath pakda aur use galiyaare ki taraf le gaya, aur Arjun neeche khada reh gaya, sunta hua ki kaise payal ki chhan-chhan dheere-dheere door hoti gayi aur phir ek darwaza band hone ki aawaz aayi. Usne socha, uske haath mein. Usne socha, wall ke us paar.