31-10-2026, 04:28 PM
Update 30
Monday, 7:35 AM | Flat 303
Alarm bajne se pehle hi Reyansh ki aankh khul gayi.
Kuch seconds tak woh seedha leta raha. Parde ke kinaare se dhoop ka ek patla sa tukda bedroom ki deewar par pad raha tha. Bahar se traffic ki halki awaaz aa rahi thi.
Usne phone uthaya.
Saat bajkar paintis minute.
“Wah. Aaj toh zindagi mein kuch achha ho gaya.”
Woh bistar se utha, bathroom gaya aur taiyaar hone laga. Kitchen mein Shalu breakfast rakh chuki thi. Table par poha, chai aur ek chhoti plate mein kate hue fruits the.
Reyansh kursi par baitha hi tha ki Shalu ne apne bag se ek folded paper nikala.
“Yeh kya hai?” usne poochha.
“Trial class ka feedback.”
“Tumne khud ko feedback diya?”
“Wahan se diya hai.”
Shalu ne paper uske saamne rakh diya.
Class mein use basic computer interface dikhaya gaya tha. Trainer ne students ko ek simple document banane aur use save karne ko kaha tha. Shalu ko kuch cheezein samajh aayi thi, kuch mein madad leni padi thi.
“Achha laga?” Reyansh ne poochha.
“Haan. Lekin mujhe laga tha computer chalana seekhna aasaan hoga.”
“Seekhna aasaan tha ya tumne socha tha aasaan hoga?”
Shalu ne use dekha.
“Dono mein kya farq hai?”
“Bahut. Pehli cheez seekhne ke baad pata chalti hai. Doosri cheez seekhne se pehle.”
Shalu ne paper fold kar liya.
“Teacher achhe the. Unhone bola ki agar main regular rahun toh documents, email aur basic office work seekh sakti hoon.”
“Phir?”
“Fees aur timing ghar jaakar decide karungi.”
Reyansh ne poha khate hue kaha, “Sahi hai.”
Shalu ne uske chehre ko gaur se dekha.
“Tumhe sach mein lagta hai main kar paungi?”
Reyansh ne is baar mazaak nahi kiya.
“Mujhe lagta hai tum seekh sakti ho. Lekin kitna aage jaogi, woh tumhari practice, waqt aur maukon par depend karega. Main guarantee nahi de sakta.”
Shalu ne dheere se sir hilaya.
“Yahi answer chahiye tha.”
“Guarantee wala?”
“Nahi. Sach wala.”
Woh apna bag lekar jaane lagi, phir darwaaze ke paas ruk gayi.
“Waise, maine document save bhi kar liya tha.”
Reyansh ne haath jod diye.
“Madam, yeh toh breaking news hai.”
“Tum hans lo. Ek din tumhari saari files main hi theek karungi.”
“Us din se mujhe darr lag raha hai.”
Shalu hanskar chali gayi.
Reyansh ne chai ka aakhri sip liya aur apni watch pehen li.
Subah bilkul aam thi.
Lekin Shalu ke liye ek nayi cheez ab sirf khwaab nahi rahi thi. Usne use chhoona shuru kar diya tha.
Monday, 11:20 AM | Office
Reyansh apni desk par ek presentation dekh raha tha jab Neha uske paas aayi.
“Ek favour chahiye.”
“Pehle batao favour hai ya extra work.”
“Dono ho sakte hain.”
“Phir toh rate double.”
Neha ne uske saamne laptop ghuma diya.
Unki team ko agle mahine ke campaign ke liye ek junior team member ki zaroorat thi. Ek internal transfer ke liye kisi employee ka naam suggest karna tha, lekin Neha ko lag raha tha ki candidate ko uski current role se alag kaam mein interest hai.
“Main ise recommend karna chahti hoon,” Neha boli. “Lekin usne abhi tak apne manager se baat nahi ki.”
Reyansh ne profile dekhi.
“Usne tumse khud kaha?”
“Haan. Woh creative work karna chahti hai, lekin use lagta hai ki manager mana kar dega.”
“Tumne use kya kaha?”
“Ki pehle manager se baat kare. Agar main bina uski permission ke naam aage badhaungi toh uske liye situation awkward ho sakti hai.”
Reyansh ne laptop band kiya.
“Phir tumne sahi kaha.”
Neha ne use dekha.
“Tumhe nahi lagta humein talent ko push karna chahiye?”
“Push karna aur kisi ke liye faisla kar dena alag cheezein hain. Tum use opportunity dikha sakti ho. Lekin uski taraf se bolne ki zaroorat nahi.”
Neha ne kuch pal socha.
“Tum aajkal kaafi sensible baatein kar rahe ho.”
“Main hamesha karta hoon. Tum pehle sunti nahi thi.”
“Main tumhe credit dene ki galti nahi karungi.”
Woh laptop lekar wapas jaane lagi, phir ruki.
“Waise, mujhe bhi ek naya project mila hai. Client ke saath direct coordination karna hoga.”
“Congratulations.”
“Bas? Koi joke nahi?”
“Har baat par joke zaroori nahi.”
Neha ne aankhein sikodi.
“Tumhari company mein kuch toh badal raha hai.”
“Company mein nahi. Main coffee kam pee raha hoon.”
“Impossible.”
Woh hanskar chali gayi.
Reyansh ne dobara presentation khol li.
Use Neha ke naye project ke baare mein aur jaanne ka mann tha, lekin usne usse wahi poochhne ka faisla kiya jab woh khud batana chahe.
Har dost ko apni har baat batana zaroori nahi hota. Kabhi-kabhi dosti ka matlab yeh bhi hota hai ki saamne wale ko apni jagah di jaaye.
Monday, 8:10 PM | Flat 304
Jheel apne laptop ke saamne baithi thi. Screen par uska video introduction khula tha.
Usne record button dabaya.
“Hello, my name is Jheel. I am learning communication and digital skills because…”
Woh ruk gayi.
Video band kiya.
Phir dobara shuru kiya.
Is baar usne poora introduction bol diya, lekin aakhri sentence mein uski awaaz dheemi ho gayi.
Usne video save kiya aur kursi par peeche ho gayi.
Pehle woh apni awaaz sunne se bhi ghabraati thi. Ab woh khud apni recording dekhkar galtiyan dhoondh rahi thi.
Usne notebook kholi aur likha:
“Aaj maine poora introduction bina ruke record kiya. Kuch galtiyan hain, lekin main dobara kar sakti hoon.”
Usne pen rakh diya.
Phone par Reyansh ka message aaya.
Reyansh: “Aaj practice hui?”
Jheel: “Haan. Video bhi record kiya.”
Reyansh: “Kaisa raha?”
Jheel: “Theek. Lekin apni recording dekhna ajeeb lagta hai.”
Reyansh: “Sabko apni awaaz pehli baar sun kar ajeeb lagta hai.”
Jheel: “Tumhari awaaz tumhe ajeeb lagti hai?”
Reyansh: “Meri awaaz se zyada meri recordings mein meri shakal disturb karti hai.”
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: “Tum serious baat ko bhi apne upar le aate ho.”
Reyansh: “Main versatile hoon.”
Kuch der baad Jheel ne ek aur message bheja.
Jheel: “Tumne kabhi kuch naya seekhne ki koshish ki thi, lekin beech mein chhod diya?”
Reyansh ne message padha.
Usne socha ki kya jawab de.
Phir likha:
Reyansh: “Haan. Kaafi cheezein.”
Jheel: “Phir bura nahi laga?”
Reyansh: “Kabhi laga. Lekin har chhodi hui cheez failure nahi hoti. Kabhi woh tumhare liye sahi cheez nahi hoti. Aur kabhi tum bas mehnat karne se pehle hi ruk jaate ho.”
Jheel ka reply kuch der baad aaya.
Jheel: “Mujhe lagta hai main pehle hi ruk jaati thi.”
Reyansh: “Ab nahi ruk rahi.”
Jheel ne message padha aur phone apne paas rakh diya.
Usne video ek baar aur chalaya.
Aakhri sentence par awaaz ab bhi thodi dheemi thi.
Lekin is baar usne video delete nahi kiya.
Usne notebook mein ek aur line likhi:
“Agli baar aakhri sentence bhi confidence se bolna hai.”
Tuesday, 6:45 AM | Airport
Sakshi ne suitcase ki zip band ki aur ek baar apne documents check kiye.
Flight mein abhi kaafi waqt tha, lekin woh ghar se jaldi nikalna chahti thi. Business trip uske liye routine assignment nahi tha. Is baar use ek client ke saath presentation deni thi aur agle phase ke liye unki team ko coordinate karna tha.
Arshad ne use airport par drop karne ki zid nahi ki thi. Sakshi ki flight subah jaldi thi, aur Arshad ka apna kaam tha.
Usne raat ko hi Sakshi ko message bheja tha:
“Presentation, charger, documents, confidence. Kuch bhoolna mat.”
Sakshi ne jawab diya tha:
“Tumne sabse important cheez bhool di.”
“Kya?”
“Passport.”
“Woh toh documents mein aata hai.”
“Tumhare saath travel karna pade toh alag checklist banani padegi.”
Ab airport ke waiting area mein baithi Sakshi ne Arshad ko call kiya.
“Main pahunch gayi.”
“Good. Sab hai?”
“Passport, laptop, presentation, documents.”
“Confidence?”
Sakshi muskurayi.
“Thoda sa.”
“Baaki wahan pahunchkar khareed lena.”
“Confidence airport par milta hai?”
“Business class mein free hota hoga.”
Sakshi hans padi.
Phir kuch pal dono chup rahe.
“Arshad?”
“Haan?”
“Main wahan sirf presentation dene nahi ja rahi. Main dekhna chahti hoon ki main kitna handle kar sakti hoon.”
Arshad ki awaaz is baar narm thi.
“Tu handle kar legi.”
“Bas itna?”
“Tu chahti hai main speech doon?”
“Nahi.”
“Toh phir. Tu handle kar legi. Aur agar kuch gadbad hui toh usse seekh legi.”
Sakshi ne khidki ke bahar khade aircraft ki taraf dekha.
“Thanks.”
“Trip se lautkar treat teri taraf se.”
“Main business trip par ja rahi hoon. Holiday par nahi.”
“Client se bill kar dena.”
“Tumhe kabhi serious hona aata hai?”
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
“Jab tu sach mein mujhse kuch poochhti hai, tab.”
Sakshi ke chehre par halki si muskurahat aayi.
“Achha. Ab phone rakho. Boarding hone wali hai.”
“Safe flight.”
Call kat gaya.
Sakshi ne phone bag mein rakh diya.
Uske saamne ek naya shehar tha, naye log the aur ek aisa kaam tha jahan use apni baat khud rakhni thi.
Woh nervous thi.
Lekin is baar usne apne darr ko kisi aur ke bharose chhupane ki koshish nahi ki.
Usne apni presentation kholi aur pehli slide dekhne lagi.
Tuesday, 1:30 PM | Client Office
Sakshi ne meeting room mein apni presentation shuru ki.
Pehle kuch minute usne apne notes par nazar rakhi. Phir jaise-jaise discussion aage badha, usne laptop se nazar uthakar saamne baithe logon se baat karni shuru kar di.
Client ne ek sawaal poochha jiska jawab uski presentation mein seedhe taur par nahi tha.
Sakshi ek pal ko ruki.
Woh chahti toh koi general jawab de sakti thi. Lekin usne seedha kaha, “I don't have the exact figure with me right now. I can confirm it after checking the latest report.”
Client ne sir hilaya.
“That's fine. Please send it tomorrow.”
Meeting khatam hone ke baad Sakshi apne documents samet rahi thi, jab uske saath aaye senior colleague ne kaha, “You handled the questions well.”
“Thank you.”
“Next phase mein tumhe coordination ka zyada kaam milega. Agar interested ho toh main tumhara naam recommend kar sakta hoon.”
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
“Definitely. I'd like to take that up.”
“Good. We'll discuss it tomorrow.”
Woh aadmi apne agle meeting ke liye chala gaya.
Sakshi kuch der wahi khadi rahi.
Uske dimaag mein pehli baar sirf aaj ki presentation nahi, agle project ki zimmedari bhi ghoomne lagi.
Woh ghar par aksar apne kaam ke baare mein sochti thi, lekin yahan use apni capability ka ek naya pehlu dikh raha tha. Use logon se baat karna pasand tha. Woh planning kar sakti thi. Pressure mein apne jawab sambhal sakti thi.
Shayad woh sirf apna kaam achhe se karne tak seemit nahi rehna chahti thi.
Shayad woh aage badhna chahti thi.
Usne apna laptop band kiya aur hotel ke liye nikal gayi.
Raaste mein usne Arshad ko ek chhota sa message bheja:
“Presentation achhi gayi. Unhone next phase mein bhi involve karne ki baat ki hai.”
Arshad ka reply aaya:
“I knew it. Ab treat ka budget badha de.”
Sakshi muskurayi.
Phir usne phone rakh diya aur car ki khidki se shehar ko dekhne lagi.
Uski khushi mein ek naya rang tha.
Yeh sirf is baat ki khushi nahi thi ki meeting achhi gayi.
Yeh is baat ki bhi khushi thi ki usne apne liye ek aisi possibility dekhi thi jiske baare mein pehle itna nahi socha tha.
Wednesday, 9:15 PM | Reyansh aur Arshad
“Bhai, ek sawaal hai.”
Reyansh ne phone speaker par rakha aur laptop band kiya.
“Tumhare sawaal ka subscription kab khatam hoga?”
“Jab tak tu jawab deta rahega.”
“Bolo.”
“Client ne call schedule kar di. Agle Tuesday.”
“Achha hai.”
“Lekin ab mujhe actual proposal banana padega.”
“Woh toh hona hi tha.”
“Main jaanta hoon. Lekin ab tak idea bhejna tha. Ab deliverables, timeline, revisions, payment sab likhna padega.”
Reyansh ne kursi par peeche hote hue kaha, “Toh likh.”
“Tu har problem ka solution ek verb mein kyun deta hai?”
“Tum problem ko das paragraph mein kyun samjhate ho?”
Arshad hans pada.
“Achha, sun. Maine socha hai ki agency ke kaam ke saath ek client le lunga. Agar manage hua toh doosra.”
“Pehle ek ko achhe se manage kar. Apni capacity se zyada kaam mat lena.”
“Haan, professor.”
“Payment advance ya milestone ke hisaab se clear rakhna. Aur revisions unlimited mat likh dena.”
Arshad ne turant kaha, “Unlimited revisions? Main pagal hoon?”
“Tumne pichhle hafte ek client ko teen extra versions free mein bheje the.”
“Woh relationship building thi.”
“Woh free labour thi.”
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
“Yeh baat mat bol. Dil dukhta hai.”
“Contract likh. Dil baad mein sambhalna.”
Dono hans pade.
Phir Arshad ne poochha, “Waise, Jheel kaisi hai?”
Reyansh ne laptop dobara kholte hue jawab diya, “Achhi hai. Course kar rahi hai. Video introduction banana tha, practice kar rahi thi.”
“Tu uska personal trainer ban gaya?”
“Bas help ki.”
“Accha hai. Kisi ko aage badhne mein help karna achhi baat hai.”
Reyansh ne uski awaaz mein mazaak ki kami notice ki.
“Tum theek ho?”
“Main bilkul theek hoon. Main toh ab businessman banne wala hoon.”
“Businessman banne se pehle invoice banana seekh lo.”
“Dosti mein aise taane?”
“Professional development.”
Arshad hans diya.
Phir usne ek pal rukkar kaha, “Sakshi ki presentation bhi achhi gayi. Usne message kiya tha.”
“Good.”
“Woh apne kaam ko lekar serious hai. Main chahta hoon woh aage badhe.”
“Phir support karna.”
“Kar raha hoon.”
“Bas.”
Arshad ne kuch der baad kaha, “Kabhi-kabhi lagta hai, hum dono apni-apni zindagi mein kuch badalne ki koshish kar rahe hain.”
Reyansh ne screen par khuli file ki taraf dekha.
“Haan. Shayad waqt aa gaya hai.”
“Tu itni seedhi baat kaise kar leta hai?”
“Tumhari wajah se practice ho gayi.”
Arshad hans pada.
Call khatam hua toh Reyansh ne apna kaam dobara shuru kiya.
Us raat usne na koi purani chat kholi, na kisi ko message kiya.
Usne bas apna kaam poora kiya, laptop band kiya aur so gaya.
Thursday, 7:00 PM | Ek chhota sa badlav
Jheel building ke neeche se grocery bags lekar aa rahi thi. Ek bag ka handle haath mein chubh raha tha aur doosre mein doodh ka packet tha.
Lift khuli toh Reyansh andar tha.
“Help?” usne poochha.
“Ek bag pakad loge?”
Reyansh ne bag le liya.
“Tumne aaj poora supermarket khareed liya?”
“Offer tha.”
“Offer ka naam batao. Main bhi kal wahi jaunga.”
Jheel hans padi.
Lift mein dono kuch pal chup rahe. Phir Jheel ne kaha, “Mera video submit ho gaya.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Achha? Kaisa raha?”
“Teacher ne kaha introduction clear tha. Bas main end mein bahut jaldi bolne lagti hoon.”
“Yeh toh practice se theek ho jayega.”
“Unhone ek aur baat kahi.”
“Kya?”
“Ki mujhe class ke discussion mein zyada participate karna chahiye.”
“Karogi?”
Jheel ne bag ka handle theek kiya.
“Karne ki koshish karungi.”
Lift unki floor par ruki.
Dono bahar nikle. Reyansh ne grocery bag Jheel ko diya.
Woh apne flat ke darwaaze par pahunchi, phir palatkar boli, “Reyansh, Sunday ko tum free ho?”
“Abhi tak toh hoon. Kyun?”
“Mere course ke kuch students milkar ek chhota sa practice session kar rahe hain. Hum log ek doosre ke saamne introductions aur questions practise karenge. Mujhe laga main bhi jaaun.”
“Achha idea hai.”
“Lekin mujhe wahan kisi ko nahi jaanti.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tumne pehle din class mein bhi kisi ko nahi jaana tha.”
Jheel ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha, “Haan.”
“Phir?”
“Phir bhi gayi thi.”
“Exactly.”
Jheel ne darwaaza khola.
“Main jaungi.”
“Good luck.”
Woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh apne flat mein aaya toh uske phone par Aarohi ka message tha.
“I finished the book you recommended me.”
Reyansh ne message dobara padha. Phir use yaad aaya ki usne Aarohi ko koi kitab recommend nahi ki thi.
Usne reply kiya:
Reyansh: “Maine tumhe koi book recommend nahi ki.”
Aarohi ka jawab aaya:
Aarohi: “I know. Main tumhari reaction check kar rahi thi.”
Reyansh: “Tumhare paas kaam nahi hai?”
Aarohi: “Hai. Lekin tumhe irritate karna side project hai.”
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: “Side project ko abhi tak approval nahi mila.”
Aarohi: “Main next meeting mein proposal present karungi.”
Reyansh ne phone table par rakha.
Usne mehsoos kiya ki Aarohi ke saath baat karna ab use pehle se zyada aasaan lagne laga tha.
Woh uske sawaalon se bach sakta tha, usse mazaak kar sakta tha, aur kabhi-kabhi bina kisi khaas wajah ke uske message ka intezaar bhi kar sakta tha.
Lekin usne abhi tak apne liye is connection ka koi naam nahi chuna.
Har achhi mulaqat ko turant rishta banana zaroori nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi do logon ko pehle ek doosre ki company pasand aani chahiye.
Baaki baatein baad mein samajh aati hain.
Friday, 11:55 PM | Sakshi ka hotel room
Sakshi ne apna laptop band kiya.
Agle din ek aur meeting thi. Usne calendar check kiya, alarm set kiya aur phone charging par laga diya.
Arshad ka message screen par tha.
“Kal ki meeting ke liye all the best. Aur haan, khana kha lena. Sirf presentation se energy nahi milti.”
Sakshi ne smile emoji bheja.
Phir usne hotel ke desk par rakha apna notebook khola.
Usmein usne agle chhe mahine ke liye kuch professional goals likhe the. Kuch bade, kuch chhote. Ek course, ek naya project, aur apne kaam ka portfolio behtar banana.
Usne ek naya point add kiya:
“Take more ownership.”
Woh kuch der us line ko dekhti rahi.
Phir usne notebook band kar diya.
Uske paas Arshad tha. Unke beech pyaar tha, hasi thi, apni baatein thi. Lekin uski apni zindagi bhi thi, jise woh ab aur zyada jagah dena chahti thi.
Yeh dono baatein ek doosre ke khilaaf nahi thi.
Filhaal.
Usne light band ki aur bistar par let gayi.
Uske dimaag mein agle din ki meeting thi, presentation ke points the, aur woh nayi zimmedari jiske liye usne haan kaha tha.
Arshad ke baare mein usne socha, toh uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Lekin us raat uske sapnon mein koi romantic scene nahi tha.
Usne khud ko ek meeting room mein dekha, jahan woh table ke doosri taraf baithkar apni team ko direction de rahi thi.
Aur uske saamne baithe log uski baat dhyaan se sun rahe the.
Monday, 7:35 AM | Flat 303
Alarm bajne se pehle hi Reyansh ki aankh khul gayi.
Kuch seconds tak woh seedha leta raha. Parde ke kinaare se dhoop ka ek patla sa tukda bedroom ki deewar par pad raha tha. Bahar se traffic ki halki awaaz aa rahi thi.
Usne phone uthaya.
Saat bajkar paintis minute.
“Wah. Aaj toh zindagi mein kuch achha ho gaya.”
Woh bistar se utha, bathroom gaya aur taiyaar hone laga. Kitchen mein Shalu breakfast rakh chuki thi. Table par poha, chai aur ek chhoti plate mein kate hue fruits the.
Reyansh kursi par baitha hi tha ki Shalu ne apne bag se ek folded paper nikala.
“Yeh kya hai?” usne poochha.
“Trial class ka feedback.”
“Tumne khud ko feedback diya?”
“Wahan se diya hai.”
Shalu ne paper uske saamne rakh diya.
Class mein use basic computer interface dikhaya gaya tha. Trainer ne students ko ek simple document banane aur use save karne ko kaha tha. Shalu ko kuch cheezein samajh aayi thi, kuch mein madad leni padi thi.
“Achha laga?” Reyansh ne poochha.
“Haan. Lekin mujhe laga tha computer chalana seekhna aasaan hoga.”
“Seekhna aasaan tha ya tumne socha tha aasaan hoga?”
Shalu ne use dekha.
“Dono mein kya farq hai?”
“Bahut. Pehli cheez seekhne ke baad pata chalti hai. Doosri cheez seekhne se pehle.”
Shalu ne paper fold kar liya.
“Teacher achhe the. Unhone bola ki agar main regular rahun toh documents, email aur basic office work seekh sakti hoon.”
“Phir?”
“Fees aur timing ghar jaakar decide karungi.”
Reyansh ne poha khate hue kaha, “Sahi hai.”
Shalu ne uske chehre ko gaur se dekha.
“Tumhe sach mein lagta hai main kar paungi?”
Reyansh ne is baar mazaak nahi kiya.
“Mujhe lagta hai tum seekh sakti ho. Lekin kitna aage jaogi, woh tumhari practice, waqt aur maukon par depend karega. Main guarantee nahi de sakta.”
Shalu ne dheere se sir hilaya.
“Yahi answer chahiye tha.”
“Guarantee wala?”
“Nahi. Sach wala.”
Woh apna bag lekar jaane lagi, phir darwaaze ke paas ruk gayi.
“Waise, maine document save bhi kar liya tha.”
Reyansh ne haath jod diye.
“Madam, yeh toh breaking news hai.”
“Tum hans lo. Ek din tumhari saari files main hi theek karungi.”
“Us din se mujhe darr lag raha hai.”
Shalu hanskar chali gayi.
Reyansh ne chai ka aakhri sip liya aur apni watch pehen li.
Subah bilkul aam thi.
Lekin Shalu ke liye ek nayi cheez ab sirf khwaab nahi rahi thi. Usne use chhoona shuru kar diya tha.
Monday, 11:20 AM | Office
Reyansh apni desk par ek presentation dekh raha tha jab Neha uske paas aayi.
“Ek favour chahiye.”
“Pehle batao favour hai ya extra work.”
“Dono ho sakte hain.”
“Phir toh rate double.”
Neha ne uske saamne laptop ghuma diya.
Unki team ko agle mahine ke campaign ke liye ek junior team member ki zaroorat thi. Ek internal transfer ke liye kisi employee ka naam suggest karna tha, lekin Neha ko lag raha tha ki candidate ko uski current role se alag kaam mein interest hai.
“Main ise recommend karna chahti hoon,” Neha boli. “Lekin usne abhi tak apne manager se baat nahi ki.”
Reyansh ne profile dekhi.
“Usne tumse khud kaha?”
“Haan. Woh creative work karna chahti hai, lekin use lagta hai ki manager mana kar dega.”
“Tumne use kya kaha?”
“Ki pehle manager se baat kare. Agar main bina uski permission ke naam aage badhaungi toh uske liye situation awkward ho sakti hai.”
Reyansh ne laptop band kiya.
“Phir tumne sahi kaha.”
Neha ne use dekha.
“Tumhe nahi lagta humein talent ko push karna chahiye?”
“Push karna aur kisi ke liye faisla kar dena alag cheezein hain. Tum use opportunity dikha sakti ho. Lekin uski taraf se bolne ki zaroorat nahi.”
Neha ne kuch pal socha.
“Tum aajkal kaafi sensible baatein kar rahe ho.”
“Main hamesha karta hoon. Tum pehle sunti nahi thi.”
“Main tumhe credit dene ki galti nahi karungi.”
Woh laptop lekar wapas jaane lagi, phir ruki.
“Waise, mujhe bhi ek naya project mila hai. Client ke saath direct coordination karna hoga.”
“Congratulations.”
“Bas? Koi joke nahi?”
“Har baat par joke zaroori nahi.”
Neha ne aankhein sikodi.
“Tumhari company mein kuch toh badal raha hai.”
“Company mein nahi. Main coffee kam pee raha hoon.”
“Impossible.”
Woh hanskar chali gayi.
Reyansh ne dobara presentation khol li.
Use Neha ke naye project ke baare mein aur jaanne ka mann tha, lekin usne usse wahi poochhne ka faisla kiya jab woh khud batana chahe.
Har dost ko apni har baat batana zaroori nahi hota. Kabhi-kabhi dosti ka matlab yeh bhi hota hai ki saamne wale ko apni jagah di jaaye.
Monday, 8:10 PM | Flat 304
Jheel apne laptop ke saamne baithi thi. Screen par uska video introduction khula tha.
Usne record button dabaya.
“Hello, my name is Jheel. I am learning communication and digital skills because…”
Woh ruk gayi.
Video band kiya.
Phir dobara shuru kiya.
Is baar usne poora introduction bol diya, lekin aakhri sentence mein uski awaaz dheemi ho gayi.
Usne video save kiya aur kursi par peeche ho gayi.
Pehle woh apni awaaz sunne se bhi ghabraati thi. Ab woh khud apni recording dekhkar galtiyan dhoondh rahi thi.
Usne notebook kholi aur likha:
“Aaj maine poora introduction bina ruke record kiya. Kuch galtiyan hain, lekin main dobara kar sakti hoon.”
Usne pen rakh diya.
Phone par Reyansh ka message aaya.
Reyansh: “Aaj practice hui?”
Jheel: “Haan. Video bhi record kiya.”
Reyansh: “Kaisa raha?”
Jheel: “Theek. Lekin apni recording dekhna ajeeb lagta hai.”
Reyansh: “Sabko apni awaaz pehli baar sun kar ajeeb lagta hai.”
Jheel: “Tumhari awaaz tumhe ajeeb lagti hai?”
Reyansh: “Meri awaaz se zyada meri recordings mein meri shakal disturb karti hai.”
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: “Tum serious baat ko bhi apne upar le aate ho.”
Reyansh: “Main versatile hoon.”
Kuch der baad Jheel ne ek aur message bheja.
Jheel: “Tumne kabhi kuch naya seekhne ki koshish ki thi, lekin beech mein chhod diya?”
Reyansh ne message padha.
Usne socha ki kya jawab de.
Phir likha:
Reyansh: “Haan. Kaafi cheezein.”
Jheel: “Phir bura nahi laga?”
Reyansh: “Kabhi laga. Lekin har chhodi hui cheez failure nahi hoti. Kabhi woh tumhare liye sahi cheez nahi hoti. Aur kabhi tum bas mehnat karne se pehle hi ruk jaate ho.”
Jheel ka reply kuch der baad aaya.
Jheel: “Mujhe lagta hai main pehle hi ruk jaati thi.”
Reyansh: “Ab nahi ruk rahi.”
Jheel ne message padha aur phone apne paas rakh diya.
Usne video ek baar aur chalaya.
Aakhri sentence par awaaz ab bhi thodi dheemi thi.
Lekin is baar usne video delete nahi kiya.
Usne notebook mein ek aur line likhi:
“Agli baar aakhri sentence bhi confidence se bolna hai.”
Tuesday, 6:45 AM | Airport
Sakshi ne suitcase ki zip band ki aur ek baar apne documents check kiye.
Flight mein abhi kaafi waqt tha, lekin woh ghar se jaldi nikalna chahti thi. Business trip uske liye routine assignment nahi tha. Is baar use ek client ke saath presentation deni thi aur agle phase ke liye unki team ko coordinate karna tha.
Arshad ne use airport par drop karne ki zid nahi ki thi. Sakshi ki flight subah jaldi thi, aur Arshad ka apna kaam tha.
Usne raat ko hi Sakshi ko message bheja tha:
“Presentation, charger, documents, confidence. Kuch bhoolna mat.”
Sakshi ne jawab diya tha:
“Tumne sabse important cheez bhool di.”
“Kya?”
“Passport.”
“Woh toh documents mein aata hai.”
“Tumhare saath travel karna pade toh alag checklist banani padegi.”
Ab airport ke waiting area mein baithi Sakshi ne Arshad ko call kiya.
“Main pahunch gayi.”
“Good. Sab hai?”
“Passport, laptop, presentation, documents.”
“Confidence?”
Sakshi muskurayi.
“Thoda sa.”
“Baaki wahan pahunchkar khareed lena.”
“Confidence airport par milta hai?”
“Business class mein free hota hoga.”
Sakshi hans padi.
Phir kuch pal dono chup rahe.
“Arshad?”
“Haan?”
“Main wahan sirf presentation dene nahi ja rahi. Main dekhna chahti hoon ki main kitna handle kar sakti hoon.”
Arshad ki awaaz is baar narm thi.
“Tu handle kar legi.”
“Bas itna?”
“Tu chahti hai main speech doon?”
“Nahi.”
“Toh phir. Tu handle kar legi. Aur agar kuch gadbad hui toh usse seekh legi.”
Sakshi ne khidki ke bahar khade aircraft ki taraf dekha.
“Thanks.”
“Trip se lautkar treat teri taraf se.”
“Main business trip par ja rahi hoon. Holiday par nahi.”
“Client se bill kar dena.”
“Tumhe kabhi serious hona aata hai?”
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
“Jab tu sach mein mujhse kuch poochhti hai, tab.”
Sakshi ke chehre par halki si muskurahat aayi.
“Achha. Ab phone rakho. Boarding hone wali hai.”
“Safe flight.”
Call kat gaya.
Sakshi ne phone bag mein rakh diya.
Uske saamne ek naya shehar tha, naye log the aur ek aisa kaam tha jahan use apni baat khud rakhni thi.
Woh nervous thi.
Lekin is baar usne apne darr ko kisi aur ke bharose chhupane ki koshish nahi ki.
Usne apni presentation kholi aur pehli slide dekhne lagi.
Tuesday, 1:30 PM | Client Office
Sakshi ne meeting room mein apni presentation shuru ki.
Pehle kuch minute usne apne notes par nazar rakhi. Phir jaise-jaise discussion aage badha, usne laptop se nazar uthakar saamne baithe logon se baat karni shuru kar di.
Client ne ek sawaal poochha jiska jawab uski presentation mein seedhe taur par nahi tha.
Sakshi ek pal ko ruki.
Woh chahti toh koi general jawab de sakti thi. Lekin usne seedha kaha, “I don't have the exact figure with me right now. I can confirm it after checking the latest report.”
Client ne sir hilaya.
“That's fine. Please send it tomorrow.”
Meeting khatam hone ke baad Sakshi apne documents samet rahi thi, jab uske saath aaye senior colleague ne kaha, “You handled the questions well.”
“Thank you.”
“Next phase mein tumhe coordination ka zyada kaam milega. Agar interested ho toh main tumhara naam recommend kar sakta hoon.”
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
“Definitely. I'd like to take that up.”
“Good. We'll discuss it tomorrow.”
Woh aadmi apne agle meeting ke liye chala gaya.
Sakshi kuch der wahi khadi rahi.
Uske dimaag mein pehli baar sirf aaj ki presentation nahi, agle project ki zimmedari bhi ghoomne lagi.
Woh ghar par aksar apne kaam ke baare mein sochti thi, lekin yahan use apni capability ka ek naya pehlu dikh raha tha. Use logon se baat karna pasand tha. Woh planning kar sakti thi. Pressure mein apne jawab sambhal sakti thi.
Shayad woh sirf apna kaam achhe se karne tak seemit nahi rehna chahti thi.
Shayad woh aage badhna chahti thi.
Usne apna laptop band kiya aur hotel ke liye nikal gayi.
Raaste mein usne Arshad ko ek chhota sa message bheja:
“Presentation achhi gayi. Unhone next phase mein bhi involve karne ki baat ki hai.”
Arshad ka reply aaya:
“I knew it. Ab treat ka budget badha de.”
Sakshi muskurayi.
Phir usne phone rakh diya aur car ki khidki se shehar ko dekhne lagi.
Uski khushi mein ek naya rang tha.
Yeh sirf is baat ki khushi nahi thi ki meeting achhi gayi.
Yeh is baat ki bhi khushi thi ki usne apne liye ek aisi possibility dekhi thi jiske baare mein pehle itna nahi socha tha.
Wednesday, 9:15 PM | Reyansh aur Arshad
“Bhai, ek sawaal hai.”
Reyansh ne phone speaker par rakha aur laptop band kiya.
“Tumhare sawaal ka subscription kab khatam hoga?”
“Jab tak tu jawab deta rahega.”
“Bolo.”
“Client ne call schedule kar di. Agle Tuesday.”
“Achha hai.”
“Lekin ab mujhe actual proposal banana padega.”
“Woh toh hona hi tha.”
“Main jaanta hoon. Lekin ab tak idea bhejna tha. Ab deliverables, timeline, revisions, payment sab likhna padega.”
Reyansh ne kursi par peeche hote hue kaha, “Toh likh.”
“Tu har problem ka solution ek verb mein kyun deta hai?”
“Tum problem ko das paragraph mein kyun samjhate ho?”
Arshad hans pada.
“Achha, sun. Maine socha hai ki agency ke kaam ke saath ek client le lunga. Agar manage hua toh doosra.”
“Pehle ek ko achhe se manage kar. Apni capacity se zyada kaam mat lena.”
“Haan, professor.”
“Payment advance ya milestone ke hisaab se clear rakhna. Aur revisions unlimited mat likh dena.”
Arshad ne turant kaha, “Unlimited revisions? Main pagal hoon?”
“Tumne pichhle hafte ek client ko teen extra versions free mein bheje the.”
“Woh relationship building thi.”
“Woh free labour thi.”
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
“Yeh baat mat bol. Dil dukhta hai.”
“Contract likh. Dil baad mein sambhalna.”
Dono hans pade.
Phir Arshad ne poochha, “Waise, Jheel kaisi hai?”
Reyansh ne laptop dobara kholte hue jawab diya, “Achhi hai. Course kar rahi hai. Video introduction banana tha, practice kar rahi thi.”
“Tu uska personal trainer ban gaya?”
“Bas help ki.”
“Accha hai. Kisi ko aage badhne mein help karna achhi baat hai.”
Reyansh ne uski awaaz mein mazaak ki kami notice ki.
“Tum theek ho?”
“Main bilkul theek hoon. Main toh ab businessman banne wala hoon.”
“Businessman banne se pehle invoice banana seekh lo.”
“Dosti mein aise taane?”
“Professional development.”
Arshad hans diya.
Phir usne ek pal rukkar kaha, “Sakshi ki presentation bhi achhi gayi. Usne message kiya tha.”
“Good.”
“Woh apne kaam ko lekar serious hai. Main chahta hoon woh aage badhe.”
“Phir support karna.”
“Kar raha hoon.”
“Bas.”
Arshad ne kuch der baad kaha, “Kabhi-kabhi lagta hai, hum dono apni-apni zindagi mein kuch badalne ki koshish kar rahe hain.”
Reyansh ne screen par khuli file ki taraf dekha.
“Haan. Shayad waqt aa gaya hai.”
“Tu itni seedhi baat kaise kar leta hai?”
“Tumhari wajah se practice ho gayi.”
Arshad hans pada.
Call khatam hua toh Reyansh ne apna kaam dobara shuru kiya.
Us raat usne na koi purani chat kholi, na kisi ko message kiya.
Usne bas apna kaam poora kiya, laptop band kiya aur so gaya.
Thursday, 7:00 PM | Ek chhota sa badlav
Jheel building ke neeche se grocery bags lekar aa rahi thi. Ek bag ka handle haath mein chubh raha tha aur doosre mein doodh ka packet tha.
Lift khuli toh Reyansh andar tha.
“Help?” usne poochha.
“Ek bag pakad loge?”
Reyansh ne bag le liya.
“Tumne aaj poora supermarket khareed liya?”
“Offer tha.”
“Offer ka naam batao. Main bhi kal wahi jaunga.”
Jheel hans padi.
Lift mein dono kuch pal chup rahe. Phir Jheel ne kaha, “Mera video submit ho gaya.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Achha? Kaisa raha?”
“Teacher ne kaha introduction clear tha. Bas main end mein bahut jaldi bolne lagti hoon.”
“Yeh toh practice se theek ho jayega.”
“Unhone ek aur baat kahi.”
“Kya?”
“Ki mujhe class ke discussion mein zyada participate karna chahiye.”
“Karogi?”
Jheel ne bag ka handle theek kiya.
“Karne ki koshish karungi.”
Lift unki floor par ruki.
Dono bahar nikle. Reyansh ne grocery bag Jheel ko diya.
Woh apne flat ke darwaaze par pahunchi, phir palatkar boli, “Reyansh, Sunday ko tum free ho?”
“Abhi tak toh hoon. Kyun?”
“Mere course ke kuch students milkar ek chhota sa practice session kar rahe hain. Hum log ek doosre ke saamne introductions aur questions practise karenge. Mujhe laga main bhi jaaun.”
“Achha idea hai.”
“Lekin mujhe wahan kisi ko nahi jaanti.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tumne pehle din class mein bhi kisi ko nahi jaana tha.”
Jheel ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha, “Haan.”
“Phir?”
“Phir bhi gayi thi.”
“Exactly.”
Jheel ne darwaaza khola.
“Main jaungi.”
“Good luck.”
Woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh apne flat mein aaya toh uske phone par Aarohi ka message tha.
“I finished the book you recommended me.”
Reyansh ne message dobara padha. Phir use yaad aaya ki usne Aarohi ko koi kitab recommend nahi ki thi.
Usne reply kiya:
Reyansh: “Maine tumhe koi book recommend nahi ki.”
Aarohi ka jawab aaya:
Aarohi: “I know. Main tumhari reaction check kar rahi thi.”
Reyansh: “Tumhare paas kaam nahi hai?”
Aarohi: “Hai. Lekin tumhe irritate karna side project hai.”
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: “Side project ko abhi tak approval nahi mila.”
Aarohi: “Main next meeting mein proposal present karungi.”
Reyansh ne phone table par rakha.
Usne mehsoos kiya ki Aarohi ke saath baat karna ab use pehle se zyada aasaan lagne laga tha.
Woh uske sawaalon se bach sakta tha, usse mazaak kar sakta tha, aur kabhi-kabhi bina kisi khaas wajah ke uske message ka intezaar bhi kar sakta tha.
Lekin usne abhi tak apne liye is connection ka koi naam nahi chuna.
Har achhi mulaqat ko turant rishta banana zaroori nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi do logon ko pehle ek doosre ki company pasand aani chahiye.
Baaki baatein baad mein samajh aati hain.
Friday, 11:55 PM | Sakshi ka hotel room
Sakshi ne apna laptop band kiya.
Agle din ek aur meeting thi. Usne calendar check kiya, alarm set kiya aur phone charging par laga diya.
Arshad ka message screen par tha.
“Kal ki meeting ke liye all the best. Aur haan, khana kha lena. Sirf presentation se energy nahi milti.”
Sakshi ne smile emoji bheja.
Phir usne hotel ke desk par rakha apna notebook khola.
Usmein usne agle chhe mahine ke liye kuch professional goals likhe the. Kuch bade, kuch chhote. Ek course, ek naya project, aur apne kaam ka portfolio behtar banana.
Usne ek naya point add kiya:
“Take more ownership.”
Woh kuch der us line ko dekhti rahi.
Phir usne notebook band kar diya.
Uske paas Arshad tha. Unke beech pyaar tha, hasi thi, apni baatein thi. Lekin uski apni zindagi bhi thi, jise woh ab aur zyada jagah dena chahti thi.
Yeh dono baatein ek doosre ke khilaaf nahi thi.
Filhaal.
Usne light band ki aur bistar par let gayi.
Uske dimaag mein agle din ki meeting thi, presentation ke points the, aur woh nayi zimmedari jiske liye usne haan kaha tha.
Arshad ke baare mein usne socha, toh uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Lekin us raat uske sapnon mein koi romantic scene nahi tha.
Usne khud ko ek meeting room mein dekha, jahan woh table ke doosri taraf baithkar apni team ko direction de rahi thi.
Aur uske saamne baithe log uski baat dhyaan se sun rahe the.