05-11-2026, 11:04 AM
Update 49
Subah Reyansh ki aankh alarm se pehle khul gayi.
Usne phone uthaya. Screen par time tha 7:06.
Woh kuch pal chupchaap leta raha, phir apne aap se bola, "Aaj kuch toh gadbad hai. Main alarm se pehle uth gaya."
Phone unlock kiya.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Good morning, meri favourite neighbour.
Reyansh ki aankhon mein neend ke beech muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Yeh toh mera dialogue tha.
Jheel: Copyright khatam ho gaya.
Reyansh: Royalty toh milegi.
Jheel: Kitni?
Reyansh: Ek date.
Jheel ne message padha aur kuch der tak screen dekhti rahi.
Jheel: Date ka plan tum banaoge?
Reyansh: Haan.
Jheel: Toh mujhe darr lag raha hai.
Reyansh: Tumhare paas option hai. Cancel kar do.
Jheel: Nahi. Ab dekhna hai tum kya karte ho.
Reyansh bed se uth gaya.
"Challenge accepted."
Usne phone rakhkar bathroom ki taraf kadam badhaye, lekin uske dimaag mein date ke ideas ghoomne lage.
Dinner? Bahut aam.
Movie? Wahan baat hi nahi ho paayegi.
Long drive? Bengaluru ka traffic unki date ka teesra member ban jaayega.
Coffee? Woh toh waise bhi karte rehte the.
Reyansh ne brush karte hue khud ko mirror mein dekha.
"Mr. Senior Brand Manager, aaj tumhari creativity ka asli test hai."
Phir usne khud ko yaad dilaya ki woh office mein campaign bana raha hota toh is waqt teen ideas aur do backup plans ready hote.
Lekin Jheel ke liye plan banate hue use ajeeb si nervousness ho rahi thi.
Aur yeh baat use khud par hansi dila rahi thi.
Kitchen mein Shalu breakfast bana rahi thi.
Reyansh andar aaya, coffee machine on ki aur fridge kholkar kuch dhoondhne laga.
Shalu ne poochha, "Sir, kya dhoondh rahe ho?"
"Date ideas."
Shalu ka haath ruk gaya.
"Kya?"
Reyansh ko turant ehsaas hua ki usne apni baat zor se bol di thi.
"Kuch nahi."
Shalu ne muskurate hue kaha, "Aapne date ideas kaha."
"Main calendar ki date dekh raha hoon."
"Calendar fridge mein hai?"
Reyansh ne fridge band kar diya.
"Shalu, tumhare sawaal din-ba-din dangerous hote ja rahe hain."
Shalu hans padi.
"Achha, toh aap kisi ko bahar le ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne coffee mug uthaya.
"Main kisi ko nahi le ja raha. Woh apni marzi se aayegi."
"Ji, sir."
"Yeh ji sir kyun bol rahi ho? Tumhari smile kuch aur keh rahi hai."
Shalu ne toast plate mein rakha.
"Main toh bas khush hoon ki aapko office ke alawa bhi kuch interesting kaam mil raha hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main bahut interesting aadmi hoon."
"Ji, sir."
"Phir se!"
Shalu hansne lagi.
Reyansh ne nashta kiya aur bag uthaya. Darwaze tak pahunchkar woh ruka.
"Shalu, ek sawaal."
"Ji?"
"Agar tum kisi ko date par le jao, toh kahan jaogi?"
Shalu kuch pal sochti rahi.
"Main?"
"Haan, tum."
"Main toh aisi jagah jaungi jahan main aaraam se baith sakun, kuch naya dekh sakun aur kisi se bina jaldi ke baat kar sakun."
Reyansh ne uski baat par dhyaan diya.
"Bas?"
"Bas. Har jagah mehengi ya special honi zaroori nahi."
Reyansh ne sar hilaya.
"Interesting."
Shalu ne hansi dabayi.
"Sir, aapne mujhse idea liya aur mujhe thank you bhi nahi bola."
Reyansh ne darwaze se hi kaha, "Thank you, Shalu. Tumhari consultancy fees agle mahine se."
"Sir!"
Darwaza band ho gaya.
Shalu muskurati hui apne kaam mein lag gayi.
Reyansh lift ki taraf badha toh uske paas date ka ek idea tha.
Aur is baar usne decide kiya ki plan ko zaroorat se zyada complicated nahi banayega.
Office mein Reyansh ne pehle apna kaam khatam kiya.
Client presentation ki final file check ki, team ke saath chhoti si meeting ki aur lunch se pehle apne calendar mein shaam ka waqt block kar diya.
Neha uski desk ke paas aayi.
"Yeh kya kar rahe ho?"
"Calendar."
"Woh toh mujhe bhi dikh raha hai. Itni secrecy kyun hai?"
"Personal appointment."
Neha ne uski screen ki taraf dekha.
"Personal appointment? Tumne toh poore do ghante block kar rakhe hain."
Reyansh ne laptop ka angle badal diya.
"Neha, tumhara kaam khatam ho gaya?"
"Ho gaya. Ab tumhara kaam interesting lag raha hai."
"Toh apne kaam ko interesting banao."
Neha hans padi.
"Date par ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne jawab nahi diya.
Neha ne dono haath utha diye.
"Samajh gayi. Main kuch nahi poochh rahi."
Woh jaane lagi, phir palatkar boli, "Bas ek advice."
"Bolo."
"Plan ko itna perfect mat banana ki tum khud hi enjoy karna bhool jao."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Yeh baat Shalu ki baat se milti-julti thi.
Usne muskurakar kaha, "Aaj office mein sab relationship counsellor bane hue hain?"
Neha ne kandhe uchkaye.
"Shayad tumhari shakal par likha hai ki tumhe advice ki zaroorat hai."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne apne plan ko dobara dekha.
Usne ek purani bookstore ke paas wale art café ke baare mein socha tha, jahan ek chhoti si exhibition lagi hui thi. Wahan baithkar coffee bhi pee sakte the, aur aas-paas ki paintings dekh sakte the.
Na zyada shor.
Na jaldi.
Aur baat karne ke liye kaafi jagah.
Usne Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh: Aaj shaam 6 baje ready rehna.
Jheel: Kahan jaana hai?
Reyansh: Surprise.
Jheel: Mujhe surprise pasand nahi.
Reyansh: Achha. Toh main bata deta hoon. Ek jagah le ja raha hoon jahan tumhe aaraam se baithne aur baat karne ka time milega.
Jheel: Yeh toh achha lag raha hai.
Reyansh: Bas achha?
Jheel: Abhi review pending hai.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Aaj final rating de dena.
Jheel: Tumhari rating abhi 9.1 hai.
Reyansh: Main 10 ke liye apply kar raha hoon.
Jheel: Application ke saath supporting documents bhi dena.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj ka din achha ja raha tha.
Shaam ke kareeb paanch baje Jheel apne flat mein almari ke saamne khadi thi.
Bed par do outfits rakhe the.
Ek simple kurta aur doosra ek halka pastel top, jise usne kuch din pehle hi kharida tha.
Woh dono ko dekhti rahi.
"Main bas coffee peene ja rahi hoon," usne khud se kaha.
Phir bhi usne kapde badal kar mirror mein dekha.
Use outfit pasand aaya, lekin usne apne baal dobara theek kiye aur halka sa kajal lagaya.
Phone vibrate hua.
Reyansh: Main 10 minute mein nikal raha hoon.
Jheel: Main ready hoon.
Reyansh: Itni jaldi?
Jheel: Tumhe kya laga, main tumhari tarah last minute tak sochti rahungi?
Reyansh: Main strategic planning karta hoon.
Jheel: Tum shirt ki matching socks dhoondhne mein bhi strategic planning karte ho.
Reyansh ne phone dekhkar hansi chhodi.
Usne message kiya:
Reyansh: Neeche milo. Aur haan, aaj tum bahut achhi lag rahi ho.
Jheel ne message padhkar mirror mein khud ko dekha.
Usne abhi tak ghar se bahar kadam bhi nahi rakha tha.
Phir bhi uska chehra khil gaya.
Jheel: Tumne mujhe dekha bhi nahi.
Reyansh: Kuch compliments advance mein bhi diye ja sakte hain.
Jheel: Aur agar main achhi nahi lagi toh?
Reyansh: Toh main apni aankhon ki complaint file kar dunga.
Jheel hans padi.
Usne bag uthaya aur darwaze ki taraf badh gayi.
Café ek purani bookstore ke paas tha. Andar soft music chal raha tha aur deewaron par alag-alag artists ki paintings lagi hui thi.
Reyansh ne Jheel ke liye darwaza khola.
Jheel andar aayi aur aas-paas dekhne lagi.
"Yeh jagah achhi hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Sirf achhi?"
Jheel ne hansi rok kar kaha, "Abhi review pending hai."
Dono ek khidki ke paas wali table par baith gaye.
Waiter ne coffee aur kuch snacks ka order liya.
Jheel ek painting ko dekh rahi thi. Usmein ek shehar ki sadak bani thi, lekin logon ke chehre nahi the. Sirf unki parchaiyan aur unke aas-paas ki roshni dikh rahi thi.
"Tumhe kya lagta hai, is painting mein artist kya kehna chahta hai?" usne poochha.
Reyansh ne painting dekhi.
"Shayad yeh ki log apni zindagi mein itne busy hain ki ek-doosre ko dekhna bhool jaate hain."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh tumhara answer hai ya tumne kahin padha hai?"
"Main itna bhi intellectual hoon ki painting par apni opinion de sakun."
"Achha. Toh iska title kya hona chahiye?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
"People in a Hurry."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Thoda common hai."
"Toh tum batao."
Jheel ne painting ko dobara dekha.
"Shayad... Passing By."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh achha hai."
Jheel muskurayi.
"Thank you."
Coffee aa gayi.
Dono ne cups uthaye aur kuch der apne-apne din ke baare mein baat karte rahe.
Jheel ne apne kaam ka ek chhota sa incident bataya. Reyansh ne office mein hui ek funny meeting ka kissa sunaya.
Phir Jheel ne poochha, "Tumne yeh jagah kaise dhoondhi?"
"Internet."
"Bas?"
"Ek dost ne bhi suggest ki thi."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kaun?"
"Shalu."
Jheel hairan hui.
"Shalu?"
"Haan. Maine usse poochha tha ki date par kaisi jagah achhi hoti hai."
Jheel ke chehre par ek alag si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Tumne sach mein usse poochha?"
"Haan. Usne kaha tha ki aisi jagah honi chahiye jahan aaraam se baithkar baat kar sakein."
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir boli, "Achha advice diya usne."
Reyansh ne coffee ka sip liya.
"Usne mujhse consultancy fees bhi maangi hai."
Jheel hans padi.
"De dena."
"Main soch raha hoon usko tumhare review board mein bhi shamil kar loon."
"Bilkul nahi. Phir tumhare marks aur kam ho jayenge."
Dono hansne lage.
Aur us shaam, café ki us chhoti si table par, Reyansh ko mehsoos hua ki usne sahi jagah chuni thi.
Kyunki Jheel uske saamne baithi thi, khulkar hans rahi thi aur use kisi aur jagah hone ki jaldi nahi thi.
Coffee ke baad dono bookstore ke andar gaye.
Jheel alag-alag shelves dekh rahi thi. Reyansh uske saath dheere-dheere chalta raha.
Ek shelf par travel books rakhi thi.
Jheel ne ek kitab uthayi aur pages palatne lagi.
"Tumhe travel karna pasand hai?" Reyansh ne poochha.
"Pasand hai. Lekin maine bahut kam jagah dekhi hain."
"Kahan jaana chahti ho?"
Jheel ne kuch der socha.
"Pata nahi. Koi aisi jagah jahan main kuch din bina kisi jaldi ke reh sakun. Subah uthun, ghoomun, kuch naya dekhun aur phir shaam ko aaraam se baith jaun."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh toh achha plan hai."
"Tum?"
"Mujhe bhi kabhi-kabhi aisa hi lagta hai. Bas kaam ki wajah se plan bante-bante reh jaate hain."
Jheel ne kitab band ki.
"Har baar kaam ko pehle rakhna zaroori hai?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Pehle shayad woh koi joke maar deta.
Lekin aaj usne sachcha jawab diya.
"Nahi. Zaroori nahi."
Jheel ne uske chehre ko dekha.
"Phir?"
"Phir kabhi-kabhi aadat ban jaati hai. Lagta hai ki kaam khatam ho jaaye, phir aaraam karenge. Lekin kaam kabhi poora khatam nahi hota."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Bilkul."
Reyansh ne uski taraf haath badhaya.
"Chalo, aaj ke liye kaam khatam."
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Abhi toh tumhara office kal bhi khulega."
"Kal ki kal dekhenge."
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Yeh hui na baat."
Dono bookstore se bahar aa gaye.
Shaam ki hawa halki thi. Sadak par traffic tha, lekin woh dono bina jaldi ke chal rahe the.
Jheel ne Reyansh ka haath pakde rakha.
Kuch kadam baad usne kaha, "Aaj mujhe achha laga."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Date pass ho gayi?"
"Abhi final marks nahi diye."
"Jheel!"
Woh hans padi.
"Achha, haan. Pass ho gayi."
"Kitne marks?"
"9.3."
Reyansh ne rukkar use dekha.
"Sirf 0.2 ka improvement?"
"Improvement toh improvement hota hai."
"Main itni mehnat karke sirf 0.2 badha?"
Jheel hansne lagi.
"Next time aur achha plan banana."
Reyansh ne uska haath thoda mazbooti se pakda.
"Challenge accepted."
6. Ghar Lautne Se Pehle
Reyansh ne Jheel ko uske flat ke neeche drop kiya.
Dono kuch der building ke entrance ke paas khade rahe.
"Thank you," Jheel ne kaha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kis liye?"
"Aaj ki shaam ke liye. Tumne achha plan banaya."
"Shalu ko thank you bolna. Idea uska tha."
Jheel ne hanskar kaha, "Tumhe bhi thank you. Tumne use seriously liya."
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
"Main tumhari baatein bhi seriously lene ki koshish kar raha hoon."
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Mujhe pata hai."
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel uske kareeb aayi aur use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ne bhi use baahon mein le liya.
Woh hug kuch pal lamba raha.
Jab Jheel peeche hati, toh usne Reyansh ko dekha.
"Goodnight."
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, "Goodnight."
Jheel darwaze ki taraf badhi, phir palatkar boli, "Aur haan, next date ka plan tum hi banaoge."
Reyansh ne hairani dikhayi.
"Abhi toh tumne 9.3 diye!"
"Isliye toh next chance mil raha hai."
Woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal wahin khada raha, phir muskurata hua apne flat ki taraf badh gaya.
Aaj use kisi badi jeet ka ehsaas nahi tha.
Bas itna tha ki Jheel ke saath waqt bitana use achha lagta tha.
Aur woh ab is baat ko chhupane ki koshish nahi kar raha tha.
Reyansh apne flat mein aaya aur phone table par rakh diya.
Kuch der baad Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh: Haan. Tum bhi?
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Aaj ki date ka final review?
Jheel: 9.3/10.
Reyansh: Missing 0.7?
Jheel: Woh next date mein earn karna.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Lekin next time meri bhi ek condition hogi.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Tum apni favourite jagah choose karogi.
Jheel: Done.
Reyansh: Goodnight, Jheel.
Jheel: Goodnight, Reyansh.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par muskurahat thi.
Lekin raat ki khamoshi mein, jab woh sone ki taiyari kar raha tha, ek pal ke liye use apne bedroom ka woh kona yaad aaya jahan kabhi ek doosri zindagi ki cheezein rakhi hoti thi.
Usne nazar hata li.
Woh yaad abhi dhundhli thi, bas ek guzre hue waqt ka ehsaas.
Usne usse pakadne ki koshish nahi ki.
Aaj ki shaam uske liye kaafi thi.
Usne lights band kar di.
Raat ke kareeb gyarah bajkar bees minute par phone vibrate hua.
Unknown number.
Unknown Number: Kuch logon ke saath waqt guzarna aasaan hota hai. Mushkil tab hoti hai jab woh waqt khatam ho jaata hai.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Usne turant reply nahi kiya.
Kuch pal baad usne type kiya:
Reyansh: Aap hamesha baat ko adhoora kyun chhod dete hain?
Message send ho gaya.
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya.
Is baar usne us number ke baare mein zyada sochne ki koshish nahi ki.
Lekin message ke lafz uske dimaag mein kuch der tak ghoomte rahe.
Waqt khatam ho jaata hai.
Usne aankhein band kar li.
Har khushi ke baad koi udaasi aayegi, yeh zaroori nahi tha.
Har achhe lamhe ko khona bhi zaroori nahi tha.
Filhaal, Jheel uski zindagi mein thi.
Aur Reyansh pehli baar kaafi waqt se kisi pal ko sirf isliye jee raha tha kyunki woh pal achha tha.
Usne apne aap se koi wada nahi kiya.
Koi future plan nahi banaya.
Bas kal subah Jheel ko message karne ka socha.
Is baar kisi test ke liye nahi.
Sirf isliye kyunki uska mann tha.
Kuch rishte bade vaadon se nahi, chhoti-chhoti aadaton se gehre hote hain. Aur kabhi-kabhi ek simple sa “Good morning” bhi kisi ke din ka sabse khoobsurat hissa ban jaata hai.
Subah Reyansh ki aankh alarm se pehle khul gayi.
Usne phone uthaya. Screen par time tha 7:06.
Woh kuch pal chupchaap leta raha, phir apne aap se bola, "Aaj kuch toh gadbad hai. Main alarm se pehle uth gaya."
Phone unlock kiya.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Good morning, meri favourite neighbour.
Reyansh ki aankhon mein neend ke beech muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Yeh toh mera dialogue tha.
Jheel: Copyright khatam ho gaya.
Reyansh: Royalty toh milegi.
Jheel: Kitni?
Reyansh: Ek date.
Jheel ne message padha aur kuch der tak screen dekhti rahi.
Jheel: Date ka plan tum banaoge?
Reyansh: Haan.
Jheel: Toh mujhe darr lag raha hai.
Reyansh: Tumhare paas option hai. Cancel kar do.
Jheel: Nahi. Ab dekhna hai tum kya karte ho.
Reyansh bed se uth gaya.
"Challenge accepted."
Usne phone rakhkar bathroom ki taraf kadam badhaye, lekin uske dimaag mein date ke ideas ghoomne lage.
Dinner? Bahut aam.
Movie? Wahan baat hi nahi ho paayegi.
Long drive? Bengaluru ka traffic unki date ka teesra member ban jaayega.
Coffee? Woh toh waise bhi karte rehte the.
Reyansh ne brush karte hue khud ko mirror mein dekha.
"Mr. Senior Brand Manager, aaj tumhari creativity ka asli test hai."
Phir usne khud ko yaad dilaya ki woh office mein campaign bana raha hota toh is waqt teen ideas aur do backup plans ready hote.
Lekin Jheel ke liye plan banate hue use ajeeb si nervousness ho rahi thi.
Aur yeh baat use khud par hansi dila rahi thi.
Kitchen mein Shalu breakfast bana rahi thi.
Reyansh andar aaya, coffee machine on ki aur fridge kholkar kuch dhoondhne laga.
Shalu ne poochha, "Sir, kya dhoondh rahe ho?"
"Date ideas."
Shalu ka haath ruk gaya.
"Kya?"
Reyansh ko turant ehsaas hua ki usne apni baat zor se bol di thi.
"Kuch nahi."
Shalu ne muskurate hue kaha, "Aapne date ideas kaha."
"Main calendar ki date dekh raha hoon."
"Calendar fridge mein hai?"
Reyansh ne fridge band kar diya.
"Shalu, tumhare sawaal din-ba-din dangerous hote ja rahe hain."
Shalu hans padi.
"Achha, toh aap kisi ko bahar le ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne coffee mug uthaya.
"Main kisi ko nahi le ja raha. Woh apni marzi se aayegi."
"Ji, sir."
"Yeh ji sir kyun bol rahi ho? Tumhari smile kuch aur keh rahi hai."
Shalu ne toast plate mein rakha.
"Main toh bas khush hoon ki aapko office ke alawa bhi kuch interesting kaam mil raha hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main bahut interesting aadmi hoon."
"Ji, sir."
"Phir se!"
Shalu hansne lagi.
Reyansh ne nashta kiya aur bag uthaya. Darwaze tak pahunchkar woh ruka.
"Shalu, ek sawaal."
"Ji?"
"Agar tum kisi ko date par le jao, toh kahan jaogi?"
Shalu kuch pal sochti rahi.
"Main?"
"Haan, tum."
"Main toh aisi jagah jaungi jahan main aaraam se baith sakun, kuch naya dekh sakun aur kisi se bina jaldi ke baat kar sakun."
Reyansh ne uski baat par dhyaan diya.
"Bas?"
"Bas. Har jagah mehengi ya special honi zaroori nahi."
Reyansh ne sar hilaya.
"Interesting."
Shalu ne hansi dabayi.
"Sir, aapne mujhse idea liya aur mujhe thank you bhi nahi bola."
Reyansh ne darwaze se hi kaha, "Thank you, Shalu. Tumhari consultancy fees agle mahine se."
"Sir!"
Darwaza band ho gaya.
Shalu muskurati hui apne kaam mein lag gayi.
Reyansh lift ki taraf badha toh uske paas date ka ek idea tha.
Aur is baar usne decide kiya ki plan ko zaroorat se zyada complicated nahi banayega.
Office mein Reyansh ne pehle apna kaam khatam kiya.
Client presentation ki final file check ki, team ke saath chhoti si meeting ki aur lunch se pehle apne calendar mein shaam ka waqt block kar diya.
Neha uski desk ke paas aayi.
"Yeh kya kar rahe ho?"
"Calendar."
"Woh toh mujhe bhi dikh raha hai. Itni secrecy kyun hai?"
"Personal appointment."
Neha ne uski screen ki taraf dekha.
"Personal appointment? Tumne toh poore do ghante block kar rakhe hain."
Reyansh ne laptop ka angle badal diya.
"Neha, tumhara kaam khatam ho gaya?"
"Ho gaya. Ab tumhara kaam interesting lag raha hai."
"Toh apne kaam ko interesting banao."
Neha hans padi.
"Date par ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne jawab nahi diya.
Neha ne dono haath utha diye.
"Samajh gayi. Main kuch nahi poochh rahi."
Woh jaane lagi, phir palatkar boli, "Bas ek advice."
"Bolo."
"Plan ko itna perfect mat banana ki tum khud hi enjoy karna bhool jao."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Yeh baat Shalu ki baat se milti-julti thi.
Usne muskurakar kaha, "Aaj office mein sab relationship counsellor bane hue hain?"
Neha ne kandhe uchkaye.
"Shayad tumhari shakal par likha hai ki tumhe advice ki zaroorat hai."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne apne plan ko dobara dekha.
Usne ek purani bookstore ke paas wale art café ke baare mein socha tha, jahan ek chhoti si exhibition lagi hui thi. Wahan baithkar coffee bhi pee sakte the, aur aas-paas ki paintings dekh sakte the.
Na zyada shor.
Na jaldi.
Aur baat karne ke liye kaafi jagah.
Usne Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh: Aaj shaam 6 baje ready rehna.
Jheel: Kahan jaana hai?
Reyansh: Surprise.
Jheel: Mujhe surprise pasand nahi.
Reyansh: Achha. Toh main bata deta hoon. Ek jagah le ja raha hoon jahan tumhe aaraam se baithne aur baat karne ka time milega.
Jheel: Yeh toh achha lag raha hai.
Reyansh: Bas achha?
Jheel: Abhi review pending hai.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Aaj final rating de dena.
Jheel: Tumhari rating abhi 9.1 hai.
Reyansh: Main 10 ke liye apply kar raha hoon.
Jheel: Application ke saath supporting documents bhi dena.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj ka din achha ja raha tha.
Shaam ke kareeb paanch baje Jheel apne flat mein almari ke saamne khadi thi.
Bed par do outfits rakhe the.
Ek simple kurta aur doosra ek halka pastel top, jise usne kuch din pehle hi kharida tha.
Woh dono ko dekhti rahi.
"Main bas coffee peene ja rahi hoon," usne khud se kaha.
Phir bhi usne kapde badal kar mirror mein dekha.
Use outfit pasand aaya, lekin usne apne baal dobara theek kiye aur halka sa kajal lagaya.
Phone vibrate hua.
Reyansh: Main 10 minute mein nikal raha hoon.
Jheel: Main ready hoon.
Reyansh: Itni jaldi?
Jheel: Tumhe kya laga, main tumhari tarah last minute tak sochti rahungi?
Reyansh: Main strategic planning karta hoon.
Jheel: Tum shirt ki matching socks dhoondhne mein bhi strategic planning karte ho.
Reyansh ne phone dekhkar hansi chhodi.
Usne message kiya:
Reyansh: Neeche milo. Aur haan, aaj tum bahut achhi lag rahi ho.
Jheel ne message padhkar mirror mein khud ko dekha.
Usne abhi tak ghar se bahar kadam bhi nahi rakha tha.
Phir bhi uska chehra khil gaya.
Jheel: Tumne mujhe dekha bhi nahi.
Reyansh: Kuch compliments advance mein bhi diye ja sakte hain.
Jheel: Aur agar main achhi nahi lagi toh?
Reyansh: Toh main apni aankhon ki complaint file kar dunga.
Jheel hans padi.
Usne bag uthaya aur darwaze ki taraf badh gayi.
Café ek purani bookstore ke paas tha. Andar soft music chal raha tha aur deewaron par alag-alag artists ki paintings lagi hui thi.
Reyansh ne Jheel ke liye darwaza khola.
Jheel andar aayi aur aas-paas dekhne lagi.
"Yeh jagah achhi hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Sirf achhi?"
Jheel ne hansi rok kar kaha, "Abhi review pending hai."
Dono ek khidki ke paas wali table par baith gaye.
Waiter ne coffee aur kuch snacks ka order liya.
Jheel ek painting ko dekh rahi thi. Usmein ek shehar ki sadak bani thi, lekin logon ke chehre nahi the. Sirf unki parchaiyan aur unke aas-paas ki roshni dikh rahi thi.
"Tumhe kya lagta hai, is painting mein artist kya kehna chahta hai?" usne poochha.
Reyansh ne painting dekhi.
"Shayad yeh ki log apni zindagi mein itne busy hain ki ek-doosre ko dekhna bhool jaate hain."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh tumhara answer hai ya tumne kahin padha hai?"
"Main itna bhi intellectual hoon ki painting par apni opinion de sakun."
"Achha. Toh iska title kya hona chahiye?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
"People in a Hurry."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Thoda common hai."
"Toh tum batao."
Jheel ne painting ko dobara dekha.
"Shayad... Passing By."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh achha hai."
Jheel muskurayi.
"Thank you."
Coffee aa gayi.
Dono ne cups uthaye aur kuch der apne-apne din ke baare mein baat karte rahe.
Jheel ne apne kaam ka ek chhota sa incident bataya. Reyansh ne office mein hui ek funny meeting ka kissa sunaya.
Phir Jheel ne poochha, "Tumne yeh jagah kaise dhoondhi?"
"Internet."
"Bas?"
"Ek dost ne bhi suggest ki thi."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kaun?"
"Shalu."
Jheel hairan hui.
"Shalu?"
"Haan. Maine usse poochha tha ki date par kaisi jagah achhi hoti hai."
Jheel ke chehre par ek alag si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Tumne sach mein usse poochha?"
"Haan. Usne kaha tha ki aisi jagah honi chahiye jahan aaraam se baithkar baat kar sakein."
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir boli, "Achha advice diya usne."
Reyansh ne coffee ka sip liya.
"Usne mujhse consultancy fees bhi maangi hai."
Jheel hans padi.
"De dena."
"Main soch raha hoon usko tumhare review board mein bhi shamil kar loon."
"Bilkul nahi. Phir tumhare marks aur kam ho jayenge."
Dono hansne lage.
Aur us shaam, café ki us chhoti si table par, Reyansh ko mehsoos hua ki usne sahi jagah chuni thi.
Kyunki Jheel uske saamne baithi thi, khulkar hans rahi thi aur use kisi aur jagah hone ki jaldi nahi thi.
Coffee ke baad dono bookstore ke andar gaye.
Jheel alag-alag shelves dekh rahi thi. Reyansh uske saath dheere-dheere chalta raha.
Ek shelf par travel books rakhi thi.
Jheel ne ek kitab uthayi aur pages palatne lagi.
"Tumhe travel karna pasand hai?" Reyansh ne poochha.
"Pasand hai. Lekin maine bahut kam jagah dekhi hain."
"Kahan jaana chahti ho?"
Jheel ne kuch der socha.
"Pata nahi. Koi aisi jagah jahan main kuch din bina kisi jaldi ke reh sakun. Subah uthun, ghoomun, kuch naya dekhun aur phir shaam ko aaraam se baith jaun."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh toh achha plan hai."
"Tum?"
"Mujhe bhi kabhi-kabhi aisa hi lagta hai. Bas kaam ki wajah se plan bante-bante reh jaate hain."
Jheel ne kitab band ki.
"Har baar kaam ko pehle rakhna zaroori hai?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Pehle shayad woh koi joke maar deta.
Lekin aaj usne sachcha jawab diya.
"Nahi. Zaroori nahi."
Jheel ne uske chehre ko dekha.
"Phir?"
"Phir kabhi-kabhi aadat ban jaati hai. Lagta hai ki kaam khatam ho jaaye, phir aaraam karenge. Lekin kaam kabhi poora khatam nahi hota."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Bilkul."
Reyansh ne uski taraf haath badhaya.
"Chalo, aaj ke liye kaam khatam."
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Abhi toh tumhara office kal bhi khulega."
"Kal ki kal dekhenge."
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Yeh hui na baat."
Dono bookstore se bahar aa gaye.
Shaam ki hawa halki thi. Sadak par traffic tha, lekin woh dono bina jaldi ke chal rahe the.
Jheel ne Reyansh ka haath pakde rakha.
Kuch kadam baad usne kaha, "Aaj mujhe achha laga."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Date pass ho gayi?"
"Abhi final marks nahi diye."
"Jheel!"
Woh hans padi.
"Achha, haan. Pass ho gayi."
"Kitne marks?"
"9.3."
Reyansh ne rukkar use dekha.
"Sirf 0.2 ka improvement?"
"Improvement toh improvement hota hai."
"Main itni mehnat karke sirf 0.2 badha?"
Jheel hansne lagi.
"Next time aur achha plan banana."
Reyansh ne uska haath thoda mazbooti se pakda.
"Challenge accepted."
6. Ghar Lautne Se Pehle
Reyansh ne Jheel ko uske flat ke neeche drop kiya.
Dono kuch der building ke entrance ke paas khade rahe.
"Thank you," Jheel ne kaha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kis liye?"
"Aaj ki shaam ke liye. Tumne achha plan banaya."
"Shalu ko thank you bolna. Idea uska tha."
Jheel ne hanskar kaha, "Tumhe bhi thank you. Tumne use seriously liya."
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
"Main tumhari baatein bhi seriously lene ki koshish kar raha hoon."
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Mujhe pata hai."
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel uske kareeb aayi aur use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ne bhi use baahon mein le liya.
Woh hug kuch pal lamba raha.
Jab Jheel peeche hati, toh usne Reyansh ko dekha.
"Goodnight."
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, "Goodnight."
Jheel darwaze ki taraf badhi, phir palatkar boli, "Aur haan, next date ka plan tum hi banaoge."
Reyansh ne hairani dikhayi.
"Abhi toh tumne 9.3 diye!"
"Isliye toh next chance mil raha hai."
Woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal wahin khada raha, phir muskurata hua apne flat ki taraf badh gaya.
Aaj use kisi badi jeet ka ehsaas nahi tha.
Bas itna tha ki Jheel ke saath waqt bitana use achha lagta tha.
Aur woh ab is baat ko chhupane ki koshish nahi kar raha tha.
Reyansh apne flat mein aaya aur phone table par rakh diya.
Kuch der baad Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh: Haan. Tum bhi?
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Aaj ki date ka final review?
Jheel: 9.3/10.
Reyansh: Missing 0.7?
Jheel: Woh next date mein earn karna.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Lekin next time meri bhi ek condition hogi.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Tum apni favourite jagah choose karogi.
Jheel: Done.
Reyansh: Goodnight, Jheel.
Jheel: Goodnight, Reyansh.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par muskurahat thi.
Lekin raat ki khamoshi mein, jab woh sone ki taiyari kar raha tha, ek pal ke liye use apne bedroom ka woh kona yaad aaya jahan kabhi ek doosri zindagi ki cheezein rakhi hoti thi.
Usne nazar hata li.
Woh yaad abhi dhundhli thi, bas ek guzre hue waqt ka ehsaas.
Usne usse pakadne ki koshish nahi ki.
Aaj ki shaam uske liye kaafi thi.
Usne lights band kar di.
Raat ke kareeb gyarah bajkar bees minute par phone vibrate hua.
Unknown number.
Unknown Number: Kuch logon ke saath waqt guzarna aasaan hota hai. Mushkil tab hoti hai jab woh waqt khatam ho jaata hai.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Usne turant reply nahi kiya.
Kuch pal baad usne type kiya:
Reyansh: Aap hamesha baat ko adhoora kyun chhod dete hain?
Message send ho gaya.
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya.
Is baar usne us number ke baare mein zyada sochne ki koshish nahi ki.
Lekin message ke lafz uske dimaag mein kuch der tak ghoomte rahe.
Waqt khatam ho jaata hai.
Usne aankhein band kar li.
Har khushi ke baad koi udaasi aayegi, yeh zaroori nahi tha.
Har achhe lamhe ko khona bhi zaroori nahi tha.
Filhaal, Jheel uski zindagi mein thi.
Aur Reyansh pehli baar kaafi waqt se kisi pal ko sirf isliye jee raha tha kyunki woh pal achha tha.
Usne apne aap se koi wada nahi kiya.
Koi future plan nahi banaya.
Bas kal subah Jheel ko message karne ka socha.
Is baar kisi test ke liye nahi.
Sirf isliye kyunki uska mann tha.
Kuch rishte bade vaadon se nahi, chhoti-chhoti aadaton se gehre hote hain. Aur kabhi-kabhi ek simple sa “Good morning” bhi kisi ke din ka sabse khoobsurat hissa ban jaata hai.