[Greenwood]

Update 31



Sunday ki shaam thi.
Reyansh apna laptop bag lekar building se bahar nikla hi tha ki uski nazar gate ke paas khadi Jheel par padi.
Woh phone par cab ki location check kar rahi thi. Aaj uski communication class ke kuch students ka practice session tha, lekin jis student ke saath use jaana tha, usne aakhri waqt par mana kar diya tha.
Jheel ne cab cancel kar di.
“Sab theek?” Reyansh ne poochha.
Jheel ne phone neeche kiya. “Haan. Bas meri partner nahi aa rahi. Ab soch rahi hoon jaun ya nahi.”
“Tumhara session uske saath hai ya tumhare saath?”
Jheel ne use dekha.
“Tum har baat ka aisa jawab kyun dete ho?”
“Taaki tum khud hi jawab de do aur mujhe mehnat na karni pade.”
Woh hans padi.
“Achha, Mr. Smart. Main jaa rahi hoon.”
“Good decision.”
Jheel ne cab dobara book ki. Reyansh apni gaadi ki taraf badha, phir ruk gaya.
“Waise, jagah kahan hai?”
Jheel ne location batayi. Woh jagah Reyansh ke raaste se zyada door nahi thi.
“Main tumhe drop kar deta hoon. Mujhe bhi us taraf jaana hai.”
Jheel ek pal hichkichayi.
“Tumhe sach mein wahin jaana hai?”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Jheel, main itna bhi free nahi hoon ki har Sunday kisi ko drop karne nikal jaun.”
“Achha!”
“Lekin aaj hoon.”
Uski aankhon mein shararat thi.
Jheel muskura di.
“Fine. Lekin petrol ke paise nahi dungi.”
“Main tumse maang bhi nahi raha.”
“Good. Kyunki mere paas chhutte nahi hain.”
Dono hans pade.
Gaadi mein baithne ke baad Jheel ne apna bag peeche rakha aur seat belt laga li.
Reyansh ne gaadi start ki.
“Waise, tum nervous ho?” usne poochha.
“Thoda.”
“Kis baat ka?”
“Wahan sab log mujhse English mein baat karenge. Mujhe samajh aa jaata hai, lekin kabhi-kabhi jawab dete waqt words nahi milte.”
Reyansh ne road par nazar rakhte hue kaha, “Toh unhe thoda waqt lene do.”
“Aur agar woh hans diye toh?”
“Phir samajh jaana ki tumhari English se zyada unki maturity kamzor hai.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Tumhare saath baat karna aasaan hai.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf ek nazar dekhi.
“Achha?”
“Haan. Tum mujhe har baat par judge nahi karte.”
Is baar Reyansh ne turant koi joke nahi kiya.
“Shayad isliye kyunki main jaanta hoon ki har insaan ki apni speed hoti hai.”
Jheel khidki se bahar dekhne lagi.
“Kaash main bhi apni speed ko lekar itni patient ho paun.”
“Ho jaogi.”
Gaadi practice centre ke saamne ruki.
Jheel ne bag uthaya, phir darwaaza kholne se pehle uski taraf dekha.
“Thank you.”
“Session ke baad bhi thank you bolna. Ho sakta hai tum mujhe phir se drop karne ko keh do.”
“Tumhe toh main driver bana kar hi chhodungi.”
“Pehle apni English improve karo. Phir meri job chheen lena.”
Jheel hanskar gaadi se utar gayi.
Reyansh use andar jaate hue dekhta raha.
Use khud nahi pata chala ki uske chehre par muskurahat kab tak rahi.

Practice session mein chhe students the.
Sabne apna introduction diya. Jab Jheel ki baari aayi, usne notebook kholi, phir use band kar diya.
Woh kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir bolna shuru kiya.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Jheel. I am learning communication and digital skills because I want to become more confident and independent.”
Pehle sentence ke baad uski awaaz thodi kaanpi, lekin woh ruki nahi.
Usne apne interests ke baare mein bataya, apni learning ke baare mein baat ki aur aakhir mein kaha ki woh ab pehle se zyada logon se baat karne ki koshish kar rahi hai.
Jab woh baithne lagi, trainer ne poochha, “Jheel, what do you find most difficult about learning something new?”
Jheel ne socha.
“Sometimes, I feel that other people are already better than me. Then I become afraid of making mistakes.”
“And what do you do now?”
Jheel ne halki si muskurahat ke saath jawab diya.
“I try anyway.”
Trainer ne sir hilaya.
“That's a good start.”
Session ke baad ek student uske paas aaya.
“Your introduction was nice. You spoke clearly.”
“Thank you,” Jheel ne kaha.
Pehle woh shayad is tareef ke jawab mein khud hi apni kamiyaan ginane lagti. Aaj usne bas thank you kaha.
Centre se bahar nikalte hi usne Reyansh ko message kiya.
Jheel: “Session achha gaya!”
Reyansh: “Mujhe pata tha.”
Jheel: “Tumhe kaise pata tha?”
Reyansh: “Kyunki tum gayi thi. Agar ghar par baithkar nervous hoti toh result bhi nahi milta.”
Jheel ne phone dekhkar muskurate hue reply kiya.
Jheel: “Aaj ek student ne meri tareef bhi ki.”
Reyansh: “Bas? Abhi toh tumhe meri taraf se bhi certificate milna baaki hai.”
Jheel: “Kis baat ka?”
Reyansh: “Mujhe Sunday ko itni jaldi ghar se nikalne par majboor karne ka.”
Jheel: “Maine toh tumse help maangi hi nahi thi.”
Reyansh: “Exactly. Tumhari company mein rehkar meri generosity badh rahi hai.”
Jheel hans padi.
Usne message band kiya aur cab book karne lagi.
Tabhi ek aur message aaya.
Reyansh: “Cab cancel kar do. Main paas hi hoon. Drop kar deta hoon.”
Jheel ne aas-paas dekha.
Sadak ke doosri taraf Reyansh apni gaadi ke saath khada tha.
Woh use dekhkar muskurayi.
Aur is baar usne khud se yeh sawaal nahi poochha ki use itni khushi kyun ho rahi thi.

“Tumhara office ka kaam khatam ho gaya?” Jheel ne gaadi mein baithte hue poochha.
“Almost.”
“Matlab?”
“Matlab agar main abhi office jaata toh kaam karta. Lekin main tumhe pick karne aaya hoon, toh abhi kaam nahi kar raha.”
Jheel ne aankhein sikodi.
“Tumne mujhe pick karne ke liye office miss kiya?”
“Jheel, meri company ka business mere bina band nahi hoga.”
“Achha. Mujhe laga tum bahut important ho.”
“Main hoon.”
Dono hans pade.
Kuch der baad Reyansh ne gaadi ek café ke saamne rok di.
Jheel ne board padha.
“Yahan kyun?”
“Coffee.”
“Maine toh ghar jaana tha.”
“Ghar bhaag nahi raha.”
Jheel uski taraf dekhne lagi.
“Tum mujhe coffee pilane ke liye itna ghooma rahe ho?”
Reyansh ne seat belt kholi.
“Tum aa rahi ho ya main akele coffee peeker tumhari English ki burai karun?”
Jheel ne bag uthaya.
“Tum meri English ki burai nahi kar sakte.”
“Dekhte hain.”
Café mein unhe window ke paas ek table mil gayi.
Jheel ne coffee order ki aur menu dekhte hue ek dessert bhi choose kar liya.
Reyansh ne eyebrow uthayi.
“Madam, coffee ke saath dessert?”
“Tumne kaha tha coffee.”
“Maine yeh nahi kaha tha ki poora café order kar lo.”
Jheel ne menu band kiya.
“Tumne mujhe invite kiya. Ab bill se darr rahe ho?”
Reyansh hans pada.
“Tum dheere-dheere bahut dangerous hoti ja rahi ho.”
“Good.”
Coffee aane tak dono apne din ke baare mein baat karte rahe. Jheel ne session ki chhoti-chhoti baatein batayi. Kaun nervous tha, kisne funny introduction diya, aur kaise ek student apna naam bolkar hi atak gaya tha.
Reyansh uski baat dhyaan se sun raha tha.
Jheel ne achanak poochha, “Tum bore toh nahi ho rahe?”
“Nahi.”
“Sach?”
“Jheel, agar main bore ho raha hota toh main apne phone mein busy ho jaata. Main tumhari baat sun raha hoon kyunki mujhe sunni hai.”


Jheel chup ho gayi.
Coffee table par aa chuki thi.
Usne cup uthaya, lekin uski nazar Reyansh par hi thi.
“Kya hua?” Reyansh ne poochha.
“Kuch nahi.”
“Tumhare kuch nahi mein kaafi kuch hota hai.”
Jheel muskura di.
“Tum kabhi-kabhi bahut achhi baat keh dete ho.”
“Main roz kehta hoon. Tum notice aaj karti ho.”
“Overconfidence.”
“Natural talent.”
Dono hans pade.
Lekin us hansi ke beech Jheel ko ek baat samajh aane lagi thi.
Reyansh ke saath waqt bitana ab uske liye sirf achha nahi tha. Woh us waqt ka intezaar bhi karne lagi thi.
Aur shayad yahi badlav tha jise woh ab tak naam dene se bach rahi thi.


Dessert khatam hone ke baad Jheel ne apna cup table par rakh diya.
“Reyansh, ek baat poochhun?”
“Poochho.”
“Tum mere saath itna waqt kyun bitate ho?”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Sawaal kaafi seedha hai.”
“Jawab bhi seedha chahiye.”
Woh kuch pal chup raha.
Jheel ko laga shayad usne kuch zyada hi poochh liya.
“Chhodo. Rehne do.”
“Nahi,” Reyansh ne kaha. “Tumne poochha hai toh jawab deta hoon.”
Usne apni coffee ka cup table par rakh diya.
“Mujhe tumhare saath achha lagta hai, Jheel. Tumhari baatein sunna, tumhara chhoti-chhoti cheezon par khush hona, tumhara mujhse bina dare sawaal karna. Tumhare saath mujhe har waqt kuch prove nahi karna padta.”
Jheel uski taraf dekhti rahi.
“Bas isliye?”
Reyansh halka sa muskuraya.
“Abhi ke liye itna bhi kam nahi hai.”
Jheel ki ungliyan cup ke kinaare par ruk gayin.
Usne nazar neeche kar li.
“Tumhare saath mujhe bhi achha lagta hai.”
Reyansh ne kuch nahi kaha.
Woh uski baat ko mazaak mein nahi udaana chahta tha. Na hi us pal ko kisi bade elaan mein badalna.
Kuch feelings ko bolne ke baad thodi jagah chahiye hoti hai.
Dono kuch der khamoshi se baithe rahe.
Phir Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
“Ab ghar chalein?”
Reyansh khada ho gaya.
“Chalo.”
Café se bahar nikalte waqt Jheel ka haath uske haath se halka sa takraya.
Dono ek pal ko ruke.
Jheel ne haath peeche nahi kheencha, lekin Reyansh ne bhi uska haath pakadne ki jaldi nahi ki.
Woh bas uske saath gaadi tak chala.
Kuch dooriyan aisi hoti hain jinhe kam karne ke liye ek kadam kaafi hota hai.
Lekin us kadam ka matlab dono ke liye ek jaisa hona chahiye.


Building mein lautkar dono lift se apni floor par aaye.
Reyansh ne Jheel ke haath se uska bag lene ke liye haath badhaya.
“Main le lungi,” Jheel ne kaha.
“Pata hai.”
“Phir?”
“Offer karna mana hai kya?”
Jheel ne bag uske haath mein de diya.
“Achha, le jao.”
Woh dono uske darwaaze tak pahunche.
Jheel ne chaabi nikaali, phir Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
“Aaj ka din achha tha.”
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
“Haan. Tha.”
“Tumhare saath.”
Is baar usne apni nazar nahi hatayi.
Reyansh ka chehra narm pad gaya.
“Mere liye bhi.”
Jheel ne chaabi lock mein lagayi, lekin darwaaza kholne se pehle ek pal ruk gayi.
“Good night, Reyansh.”
“Good night, Jheel.”
Woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh apne flat mein aaya aur bag se nikli hui ek chhoti receipt dekhi. Café ki receipt uske pocket mein reh gayi thi.
Usne use table par rakh diya.
Phir phone uthaya.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: “Aaj mujhe nervous hone ke bawajood achha laga.”
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: “Mujhe bhi.”
Kuch seconds baad usne ek aur message likha, phir mita diya.
Dobara likha.
Reyansh: “Agli baar coffee tumhari taraf se.”
Jheel ka reply turant aaya.
Jheel: “Agli baar bhi?”
Reyansh screen ko dekhta raha.
Phir usne likha:
Reyansh: “Haan. Agli baar bhi.”
Jheel ne message padhkar phone apne seene ke paas rakh liya.
Uske chehre par ek aisi muskurahat thi jise woh khud bhi poori tarah samajh nahi paa rahi thi.
Woh ab Reyansh se sirf milna nahi chahti thi.
Woh chahti thi ki yeh mulaqatein jaari rahen.
Aur Reyansh bhi pehli baar is baat se bachne ki koshish nahi kar raha tha ki uske dil mein Jheel ke liye kuch badal raha hai.


Raat ko Reyansh apni balcony mein khada tha.
Saamne Bengaluru ki lights chamak rahi thi.
Usne phone par Jheel ki chat kholi. Aakhri message ab bhi screen par tha:
“Agli baar bhi?”
Usne woh message dobara padha aur muskuraya.
Use abhi nahi pata tha ki woh Jheel ko kab apne dil ki baat kahega.
Lekin pehli baar usne khud se yeh nahi kaha ki use kisi naye rishte ki zaroorat nahi.
Aur Jheel ne bhi apne notebook mein aaj ki practice ke baare mein likhne ke baad ek chhoti si line aur likhi:
“Kuch logon ke saamne galti karne se darr nahi lagta.”
Usne pen band kiya.
Dono apne-apne gharon mein the.
Dono ke beech abhi koi relationship nahi thi.
Lekin ab unki agli mulaqat sirf ek padosi se milne jaisi nahi hone wali thi.
Kabhi-kabhi pyaar shuru hone se pehle, insaan bas kisi ek shakhs ke liye apne din mein jagah banana shuru karta hai.