[Greenwood]

Update 16


Sunday, dopahar ke kareeb 12:40 baje.
Bengaluru ki sadkon par weekend wali susti thi. Reyansh apni car mein baitha Shivani ke ghar ki taraf ja raha tha. Ek haath steering par tha aur doosre mein phone, jiski screen par Arshad ke teen messages chamak rahe the.
Arshad: Oye, kal raat ghar pahunch gaya tha ya kisi aur party mein ghus gaya?
Reyansh: Ghar pahunch gaya tha. Subah uthte hi tu kyu phone kar deta hai
Arshad: bad dekh liya tera pyaar, har baat meri izzat ka janaja nikalta hai
Reyansh: Teri izzat thi kahan jo janaza nikalta?
Arshad: Wah! Dosti ke naam par zehar. College mein bhi aisa hi tha tu.
Reyansh: Aur tu tab bhi itna hi bolta tha. Kuch log degree ke saath badhte hain, kuch sirf volume.
Arshad ka reply turant aaya.
Arshad: Chal nikal. Aur haan, agli party mein main dance nahi karunga.
Reyansh: Achha hai. Public safety ke liye zaroori hai.
Reyansh hans pada. Signal green hua toh phone side mein rakh diya.
Kuch hi der mein woh Shivani ke ghar pahunch gaya.
Door khulte hi saamne Shivani thi. Haath mein kitchen towel, chehre par wohi badi behen wali nazar, jo insaan ko dekhte hi uski aadhi pol khol deti hai.
"Janab aa gaye!"
Reyansh ne sunglasses utaarte hue kaha, "Ji haan. Aapke invitation ki izzat rakhne aa gaya."
"Invitation ki izzat? Maa ne subah se chaar baar pooch liya ki tu kab aayega. Papa ne toh ek baar balcony se road bhi check kar li."
Peechhe se papa ki awaaz aayi, "Maine road nahi check ki thi. Bas dekh raha tha traffic kaisa hai."
Reyansh ne andar aate hue kaha, "Haan, aur traffic mein meri shakal dikh gayi hogi."
Papa hans diye.
"Mere bete ko apni shakal kaafi pasand hai. Isliye har baat mein wahi le aata hai."
"Papa, aap meri side hain ya opposition mein?"
"Main toh bachpan se opposition mein hoon. Teri mummy ruling party hain."
Drawing room mein baithe sab hans pade.
Maa kitchen se bahar aayi.
"Achha, ab baap-bete ki parliament band karo. Reyansh, haath-muh dho le. Khana lagne wala hai."
Reyansh ne maa ke pair chhuye aur unke gale lag gaya.
"Kaisi ho, Maa?"
"Main theek hoon. Tu bata, chehra kyun utara hua hai?"
"Chehra utara hua nahi hai. Ye mera natural handsome look hai."
Shivani ne uske kandhe par halki si chapat maari.
"Isko dekho! Do minute ghar mein aaya nahi aur apni tareef shuru."
"Di, talent ko chhupana bhi toh talent ki beizzati hai."
"Talent?" Shivani ne use upar se neeche tak dekha. "Kal raat ke photos dekhe maine."
Reyansh ek pal ke liye ruk gaya.
"Kya photos?"
Shivani ne phone nikala aur Arshad ki story khol di. Screen par Arshad dance floor par ajeeb se expressions ke saath haath hila raha tha. Peechhe Reyansh bhi nazar aa raha tha, jo hans-hanskar dohra hua ja raha tha.
Shivani ne screen uske saamne kar di.
"Tu apne dost ko bachane ke bajaye uska mazaak uda raha tha?"
"Di, main uski performance dekhkar emotional ho gaya tha."
"Kis baat par?"
"Ki itna confidence insaan mein aata kahan se hai?"
Papa zor se hans pade.
Maa ne sir hila diya. "Tum dono abhi bhi college mein hi atke hue ho."
Reyansh sofa par baith gaya.
"College ke din achhe the, Maa. Tab Monday se pareshani hoti thi. Ab toh Monday khud ghar aa jaata hai."
Shivani ne uske saamne paani ka glass rakh diya.
"Achha, Mr. Monday Se Pareshan, ab bata. Office kaisa chal raha hai?"
"Badhiya."
"Bas? Ek shabd?"
"Office mein poora din bolta hoon. Ghar aakar meri battery low ho jaati hai."
Shivani uske paas baith gayi.
"Achha hai. Kabhi-kabhi chup bhi raha kar. Teri battery ke saath humari bhi jaan bach jayegi."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Di, aapko pata hai na, main aapse kitna pyaar karta hoon?"
"Jab tujhe mujhse kuch kaam hota hai tab pata chalta hai."
"Galat. Main toh bina kaam ke bhi aapko yaad karta hoon."
"Kitni baar?"
Reyansh ne sochne ka natak kiya.
"Jab-jab kisi ko paise dene hote hain aur mere paas nahi hote."
Shivani ne cushion uthakar uski taraf phenka.
"Chup kar!"
Ghar mein hansi phir se goonj uthi.
Kuch pal aise hote hain jahan kisi ko kuch samjhana nahi padta. Saamne wale ko bas itna pata hota hai ki tum apne ho.
Reyansh ke liye yeh ghar unhi jagahon mein se ek tha.


Dining table par ghar ka bana khana laga tha. Maa ne Reyansh ki pasand ki sabzi banayi thi aur papa apni usual aadat ke mutabik TV par chal rahe cricket match ki commentary ka zikr kar rahe the, jabki match khatam hue ghante bhar se zyada ho chuka tha.
"Papa, aapko match ki har ball yaad rehti hai," Reyansh ne roti todte hue kaha, "bas ye yaad nahi rehta ki aapne chashma kahan rakha hai."
Papa ne turant jawab diya, "Tera bachpan bhi yaad hai mujhe. Jab tu college mein apna lunchbox bhool jaata tha."
Shivani beech mein boli, "Lunchbox? Ek baar toh apni notebook ghar par chhodkar college pahunch gaya tha aur teacher se keh raha tha ki aaj homework notebook mein hi nahi tha."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Di, aap meri biography likh rahi ho ya lunch karne aayi ho?"
"Biography likhungi toh title hoga Ek Ladka, Hazaar Bahane."
Papa ne ungli uthayi. "Ismein ek chapter mera bhi hoga. Maine Isko Itna Sar Par Kyun Chadhaaya."
Maa ne sabko daantne ka natak kiya.
"Bas bhi karo. Bechare ko khana toh kha lene do."
Reyansh ne maa ki taraf kritagyata se dekha.
"Thank you, Maa. Is ghar mein aap hi meri izzat karti ho."
Maa ne uski plate mein ek aur roti rakh di.
"Roti kha. Izzat ka baad mein dekhte hain."
Sab phir hans diye.
Khana khatam hone ke baad papa balcony mein chale gaye. Maa kitchen mein thi. Shivani aur Reyansh drawing room mein chai lekar baith gaye.
Shivani ne cup table par rakhte hue poochha, "Waise, teri weekend life mein aajkal chal kya raha hai?"
"Weekend life?"
"Haan. Office, ghar, Arshad. Iske alawa bhi duniya hai."
Reyansh ne chai ka ghoont liya.
"Di, aapko lagta hai main ghar mein band rehta hoon?"
"Maine aisa kab kaha? Main bas pooch rahi hoon."
"Toh jawab bhi simple hai. Kabhi doston ke saath nikal jaata hoon. Kabhi akele coffee peene. Kabhi ghar par aaram."
Shivani ne uske chehre ko gaur se dekha.
"Aur kabhi kisi padosi ke saath chai?"
Reyansh ka cup hothon tak jaate-jaate ruk gaya.
"Ye padosi wala department aapko kisne kholne diya?"
Shivani ne masoom chehra bana liya.
"Maine toh bas chai ki baat ki."
"Di, aapki aankhon mein sawal hai aur zubaan par chai."
"Achha ji! Toh chai peene wale logon ki list ban gayi hai?"
Reyansh hans diya.
"Ek neighbour hai. Jheel. Achhi ladki hai. Humari building mein rehti hai."
"Achha."
Bas ek shabd.
Lekin Shivani ke chehre par jo chhoti si muskurahat aayi, Reyansh ne use dekh liya.
"Di!"
"Kya?"
"Ye jo aapne 'achha' bola na, iske peeche poora paragraph tha."
Shivani ne chai uthayi.
"Tujhe har baat mein paragraph kyun nazar aata hai?"
"Corporate aadmi hoon. Har chhoti baat ko presentation bana deta hoon."
Shivani hans padi.
"Chal, theek hai. Main kuch nahi poochti."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Do second baad woh phir boli, "Waise, Jheel naam achha hai."
Reyansh ne aankhein band kar li.
"Di, aapka promise bhi aapki tarah zyada der nahi tikta."
Shivani ki hansi ruk hi nahi rahi thi.
Reyansh ne bhi muskurate hue chai khatam kar di. Usne Jheel ka naam pehli baar ghar mein liya tha aur baat bas itni hi thi. Uske liye woh abhi bhi pados mein rehne wali ek ladki thi, jiske saath baat karna dheere-dheere aasaan ho raha tha.
Kam se kam, filhaal toh itna hi.


Shaam dhalne lagi thi jab Reyansh apne parents ke ghar se nikla.
Maa ne gate tak aakar kaha, "Agli baar itni jaldi mat jaana. Raat ka khana kha kar jaana."
Reyansh ne unhe gale lagaya.
"Agli baar pakka."
Maa ne uski peeth thapthapayi.
"Har baar yahi bolta hai."
"Is baar sach mein."
Peechhe se Shivani ki awaaz aayi, "Maa, iske 'pakka' ko likhkar mat rakhna. Warranty nahi milti."
Reyansh ne mudkar kaha, "Di, aapko main ek din apni life se block kar dunga."
Shivani ne haath hila diya.
"Kar dena. Phir Maa ke phone se call karungi."
Papa gate ke paas khade muskura rahe the.
"Chal beta, dhyaan se jaana."
Reyansh car mein baitha aur unhe haath hila kar nikal gaya.
Kuch door jaane ke baad usne music chala diya. Gaana purana tha, lekin use pasand tha. Woh gaane ke saath dheere-dheere gungunane laga.
Signal par car ruki toh phone ki screen jagmagayi.
Arshad calling...
Reyansh ne Bluetooth par call receive ki.
"Bol, copywriter saab."
Arshad ki awaaz aayi, "Kya haal hai, parivaar ke laadle? Maa ne kitne dabbe pack kar diye?"
"Ek bhi nahi."
"Jhooth. Teri mummy ko pata hai tu akele rehta hai. Unhone kuch na kuch toh diya hoga."
"Do parathe diye hain."
"Bas do?"
"Ek tere liye bhi rakhun?"
Arshad ne turant kaha, "Dosti mein aisi baatein nahi karte. Dono de de."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Tu kabhi sudhrega nahi."
"Main kyun sudhrun? Duniya ko mere jaise original pieces ki zaroorat hai."
"Original piece toh hai. Bas thoda defective."
"Defect hi toh personality hai, mere bhai."
Reyansh ne sir hila diya.
"Achha sun, aaj shaam ka kya plan hai?"
"Abhi toh ghar ja raha hoon. Aage dekhenge."
"Free hai toh mil lete hain."
"Aaj nahi, ustad. Aaj ghar par hi rahunga."
Arshad ne awaaz mein nakli udaasi bhar li.
"Samajh gaya. Ab doston ki jagah padosiyon ne le li hai."
Reyansh ne turant jawab diya, "Tujhe kisne bataya? Teri building mein bhi koi nayi neighbour aayi hai kya?"
"Tu topic mat badal."
"Main topic nahi badal raha. Teri research weak hai."
Dono hans pade.
Call khatam hui toh Reyansh ne music ki volume badha di.
Ghar jaane ka matlab hamesha kisi khaas jagah pahunchna nahi hota. Kabhi-kabhi bas din ke shor se nikal kar apni raftaar par lautna hota hai.
Aur aaj Reyansh ko shaam aaram se guzaarni thi.
Lekin Bengaluru mein uski building ke corridor mein ek aur chhoti si kahani uska intezaar kar rahi thi.


Shaam ke kareeb saat baje.
Reyansh lift se nikla toh uske haath mein car ki keys aur phone tha. Corridor mein halki si khushboo thi, shayad kisi ke ghar mein chai bani thi.
Flat 304 ke saamne Jheel jhukkar apne grocery bags se kuch nikaal rahi thi. Usne light blue cotton kurti aur off-white palazzo pehna tha. Baal dheele se bandhe hue the, kuch lattein chehre ke paas aa rahi thi. Kaam karte waqt uske maathe par halki si shikan thi, jaise kisi packet ne uski planning kharab kar di ho.
Reyansh apne flat ki taraf badha, phir ruk gaya.
"Madam, aapke grocery bags ne phir se ghar ke bahar protest shuru kar diya?"
Jheel ne palatkar dekha.
"Main bas samaan nikaal rahi hoon."
"Achha. Mujhe laga building association se permission nahi mili hogi, toh aapne samaan corridor mein rakh diya."
Jheel ke hothon par muskurahat aa gayi.
"Aapko har cheez mein joke kaise mil jaata hai?"
"Practice. Bachpan mein ghar wale serious hone hi nahi dete the."
"Toh aap kabhi serious nahi hote?"
"Salary aane ke baad hota hoon. Woh bhi paanch minute ke liye."
Jheel hans padi.
Reyansh ne grocery bags ki taraf dekha.
"Kaafi samaan hai."
"Haan. Kuch cheezein khatam ho gayi thi."
"Main help kar doon?"
Jheel ek pal ko ruki, phir boli, "Agar aapko problem nahi hai toh ye wala bag andar rakh denge?"
"Bilkul."
Reyansh ne bag uthaya. Usmein sabziyan, kuch packets aur ek bada sa cereal box tha.
"Madam, aap akele rehti hain ya kisi restaurant ka stock manage karti hain?"
Jheel uske peeche flat ke andar aayi.
"Main akele rehti hoon, lekin iska matlab ye nahi ki main roz hawa khaungi."
"Bilkul nahi. Hawa bhi aajkal mehengi ho gayi hai."
Jheel ne bag kitchen counter par rakhwaya.
"Thank you."
"Welcome. Waise aapne mujhe recipe dene ka promise kiya tha."
Jheel ne palatkar use dekha.
"Kaunsi recipe?"
"Poha. Aapne kaha tha na ki mujhe sikha dengi."
Jheel ne aankhein sikodi.
"Aapko sach mein poha banana seekhna hai?"
"Seekhna nahi, bas apni reputation bachani hai. Aapke saamne har baar cooking ke naam par meri beizzati ho jaati hai."
"Toh aapko lagta hai recipe seekhne se reputation bach jayegi?"
"Kam se kam mere paas jawab toh hoga."
Jheel ne hansi rokne ki koshish ki.
"Achha, theek hai. Main aapko message kar dungi."
Reyansh ne phone ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Recipe WhatsApp par? Ya phir aap mujhe handwritten notes dengi, taaki main future generations ko bata sakun ki poha kaise banta hai?"
"WhatsApp par hi bhej dungi. Future generations ko aap khud sambhal lena."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Fair enough."
Woh darwaze ki taraf badha, phir palatkar bola, "Waise, aapko pata hai na ki poha banane ke baad uski photo bhi bhejni padegi?"
Jheel ne hairani se poochha, "Kyun?"
"Proof. Aajkal kisi par bharosa nahi kar sakte."
"Reyansh ji, aapko poha banana hai ya audit karna hai?"
"Corporate aadmi hoon. Documentation zaroori hai."
Jheel phir hans padi.
"Achha, jaaiye ab. Aapki documentation baad mein karenge."
"Ji, madam."
Reyansh apne flat mein aa gaya.
Darwaza band karte waqt uske chehre par halki si muskurahat thi. Jheel se baat karna ab kisi formal introduction jaisa nahi lagta tha. Unke beech chhote-chhote jokes banne lage the, aur dono ko pata tha ki saamne wala baat ko samajh lega.
Kabhi-kabhi dosti ki pehli seedhi koi badi baat nahi hoti.
Bas itna hota hai ki saamne wale ke saath khamoshi se zyada baat karna achha lagne lagta hai.


Raat kareeb nau baje.
Reyansh sofa par baitha laptop par ek email dekh raha tha. Kaam khatam karne ka irada tha, lekin uski nazar baar-baar phone ki screen par ja rahi thi.
Aakhir phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Recipe bhejne wali thi, yaad hai na?
Reyansh ne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh: Mujhe laga aap bhool gayi hongi.
Jheel: Aapko lagta hai main har baat bhool jaati hoon?
Reyansh: Nahi. Bas mujhe surprise dena pasand hai.
Jheel: Toh ye raha surprise. Poha banane ke liye pehle poha chahiye hota hai.
Reyansh screen ko dekhkar hans diya.
Reyansh: Wah. Aisi knowledge ke liye toh cooking classes join karni padengi.
Jheel: Aap mazaak uda lijiye. Kal ko jab achha poha banayenge na, toh yaad karenge.
Reyansh: Kal? Itni jaldi meri capabilities par bharosa?
Jheel: Bharosa nahi hai. Bas dekhna hai ki aap kitni jaldi haar maante hain.
Reyansh: Aap toh kaafi dangerous teacher nikli.
Jheel: Aur aap kaafi difficult student.
Kuch der baad Jheel ne sach mein recipe bhej di. Saath mein ek chhota sa note bhi tha:
Jheel: Namak apne taste ke hisaab se. Aur please, pehli baar mein poore ghar ke liye mat banana.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Aapko meri cooking par itna kam bharosa kyun hai?
Jheel: Experience ke bina bharosa karna risky hota hai.
Reyansh: Toh experience dilane ki zimmedari teacher ki hai.
Jheel ne message padha. Uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Jheel: Pehle student toh homework kare.
Reyansh ne phone sofa par rakh diya aur laptop ki taraf mud gaya. Email ab bhi khula tha, lekin uska mood pehle se halka tha.
Doosri taraf Jheel ne phone side mein rakha aur kitchen mein jaakar apne grocery bags se samaan nikaalne lagi. Woh bhi muskurati rahi, phir khud hi apne aap se boli, "Kitna bolte hain!"
Lekin usne chat delete nahi ki.
Na hi phone ko silent karke door rakha.
Bas kuch der baad ek baar phir screen check kar li, jaise shayad koi naya message aa gaya ho.
Us raat koi badi baat nahi hui thi.
Na kisi ne apne dil ki baat kahi, na kisi ne koi waada kiya.
Bas ek padosi ne doosre padosi ko poha ki recipe bheji thi.
Aur phir bhi, dono ki raat mein ek chhoti si muskurahat jud gayi thi.

[Greenwood]

Update 17


Agle chaar din Bengaluru mein aam raftaar se guzre.
Reyansh ki zindagi mein koi bada waqia nahi hua, lekin kuch chhoti aadatein badalne lagi thi.
Ab jab woh office se lautkar lift mein chadhta, toh kabhi-kabhi uski nazar teesri manzil ke display par ruk jaati. Flat 304 ke saamne se guzarte waqt agar darwaza khula hota, toh ek aadh nazar udhar chali jaati. Aur phone par Jheel ka message aata, toh woh har baar turant jawab nahi deta tha, lekin jawab dena bhoolta bhi nahi tha.
Jheel ne abhi tak poha banane ki practical class nahi rakhi thi.
Is baat ko lekar dono ke beech chhoti si behas chal rahi thi.
Jheel: Aapne recipe padh li?
Reyansh: Teen baar.
Jheel: Banaya?
Reyansh: Main knowledge collect kar raha hoon.
Jheel: Matlab banaya nahi.
Reyansh: Aap itni jaldi conclusion par kaise pahunch jaati hain?
Jheel: Kyunki aapke answers mein sach se zyada decoration hota hai.
Reyansh: Aapko corporate mein hona chahiye tha. Presentation zabardast deti hain.
Jheel: Aur aapko cooking competition mein nahi hona chahiye. Wahan presentation se pet nahi bharta.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usi waqt Shalu breakfast table par plates rakh rahi thi.
"Kya hua? Phone mein kisi ne joke bheja hai?"
"Joke nahi, meri beizzati ka written record hai."
Shalu ne chai uske saamne rakh di.
"Achha hai. Kam se kam koi toh aapko sach batata hai."
Reyansh ne phone se nazar uthayi.
"Shalu, tumhari salary mein extra paise kis baat ke judte hain? Meri insult karne ke?"
"Sir, aapki insult karna toh meri job description mein bhi nahi hai. Woh toh main apni khushi se karti hoon."
"Waah. Ab tum bhi Jheel ki team mein ho?"
Shalu ne plate uske saamne sarka di.
"Jheel ji ka toh pata nahi, lekin breakfast thanda ho raha hai. Pehle woh kha lijiye."
Reyansh hanskar khane laga.
Shalu ab roz subah apne English-learning video ke liye das minute nikaal rahi thi. Kabhi-kabhi woh naye words bolkar Reyansh se pronunciation pooch leti. Us din bhi usne ek sentence bolne ki koshish ki.
"Sir, I am... improving my... communication skills."
Reyansh ne taali bajayi.
"Very good! Ab isko confidence ke saath bolo."
Shalu ne dobara sentence bola, is baar zyada saaf awaaz mein.
"Perfect," Reyansh ne kaha. "Roz thoda karogi toh farq padega."
"Sir, agar main achhi English bolne lag gayi toh aage kya kar sakti hoon?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Ye tumhe decide karna hai. English ek skill hai, poora career nahi. Pehle samjho ki tumhe kis tarah ka kaam pasand hai."
Shalu kuch sochne lagi.
"Abhi toh mujhe bas itna pata hai ki main hamesha yahi kaam nahi karna chahti."
"Toh filhaal itna hi kaafi hai. Aage ka raasta dheere-dheere saaf hoga."
Shalu ne muskurakar haan mein sir hilaya.
Reyansh ne phone uthaya. Jheel ka ek aur message aaya tha.
Jheel: Waise, aapne abhi tak apni cooking ka proof nahi diya.
Reyansh: Aapko meri capability par bharosa hi nahi hai.
Jheel: Bharosa karne layak evidence bhi toh dijiye.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Ek din aapko surprise dunga.
Jheel: Main pehle se warning de rahi hoon. Main bahut jaldi impress nahi hoti.
Reyansh: Achha hai. Mujhe bhi impress karne ki aadat nahi.
Jheel ka jawab aaya.
Jheel: Toh phir ye challenge kisliye?
Reyansh kuch seconds tak screen dekhta raha.
Phir usne likha:
Reyansh: Bas dekhte hain kaun pehle haar maanta hai.
Jheel ne laughing emoji bhej diya.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya aur office ke liye nikal gaya.
Usse khud nahi pata tha ki ek padosi ke saath chalne wali ye chhoti si baat uske din ka achha hissa banne lagi thi.
Aur shayad use abhi is baat ko naam dene ki zaroorat bhi nahi thi.


Shukravaar ki shaam.
Reyansh office se nikalne hi wala tha ki Arshad ka phone aa gaya.
"Janab, aaj shaam aapka darshan chahiye."
Reyansh ne laptop bag uthaya.
"Appointment milega. Reason batao."
"Reason personal hai."
"Toh phir toh fees double lagegi."
"Bakwas band kar. Coffee pe mil. Koramangala wale cafe mein hoon."
Reyansh ko uski awaaz mein kuch alag laga.
Arshad aam taur par phone uthate hi koi na koi dialogue maar deta tha. Aaj bhi usne mazaak kiya tha, lekin uske baad ki khamoshi kuch zyada lambi thi.
"Sab theek hai?" Reyansh ne poochha.
"Saamne aa. Phir batata hoon."
"Bees minute."
"Pandrah mein aa."
"Main car chalata hoon, helicopter nahi."
"Creative field mein rehkar bhi imagination kam hai teri."
Call kat gayi.
Reyansh muskuraya, lekin uske mann mein ek sawal reh gaya.
Arshad bina kisi khaas wajah ke itni jaldi milne nahi bulata tha.
Aur agar bulata bhi tha, toh uske paas bolne ke liye das baatein hoti thi.
Aaj pata nahi kyun, uski awaaz mein das ki jagah sirf ek baat bachi hui lag rahi thi.


Cafe mein Arshad khidki ke paas baitha tha. Uske saamne coffee thi, jise shayad woh kaafi der se chhoo bhi nahi raha tha.
Reyansh aakar saamne baith gaya.
"Toh huzoor, kisne aapki creative freedom par pabandi laga di?"
Arshad ne halki si muskurahat di.
"Client ne. Ek tagline par chhe logon ki committee bana di hai. Ek ko emotional chahiye, doosre ko premium, teesre ko funny. Chautha keh raha hai ki competitor jaisa nahi lagna chahiye, paanchwa bol raha hai competitor se zyada familiar lagna chahiye."
Reyansh ne coffee menu uthaya.
"Chhatha kya chahta hai?"
"Chhatha khud nahi jaanta. Lekin approval usi ke paas hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Ye toh tumhari industry ka daily soap hai."
"Daily soap mein kam se kam episode ke end par kuch toh hota hai. Yahan end par revised presentation aati hai."
"Achha, toh ye problem hai?"
Arshad ne uski taraf dekha.
"Nahi. Ye toh bas shuruaat hai."
Reyansh ne menu table par rakh diya.
"Bol."
Arshad kuch der chup raha. Phir usne phone nikala aur ek message khola.
Sakshi ka message tha.
Sakshi: Aaj ghar aakar baat kar sakte hain? Kuch important discuss karna hai.
Reyansh ne message padha aur phone wapas table par rakh diya.
"Kab se?"
"Do din pehle message kiya tha. Maine kaha tha weekend par baat karenge."
"Phir?"
"Kal poochha toh maine kaha kaam zyada hai."
"Kaam zyada tha?"
Arshad ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Tha bhi. Lekin sirf kaam nahi tha."
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Tu usse baat karne se bach raha hai?"
Arshad ne jawab nahi diya.
Reyansh ne kursi par peeth tika li.
"Achha, ab main kuch bolunga toh tu kahega ki main relationship expert ban raha hoon."
"Tu waise bhi har cheez mein expert hai. Bas apni life ka syllabus nahi milta tujhe."
Reyansh halki si hansi ke baad chup ho gaya.
"Point hai," usne kaha. "Lekin baat ghuma mat. Sakshi kya poochna chahti hai?"
Arshad ne khidki ke bahar dekha.
"Future."
Ek lafz.
Aur uske baad phir khamoshi.
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Samajh gaya."
"Nahi samjha tu. Aur samajhne ki koshish bhi mat kar. Mere dimaag mein khud clarity nahi hai."
"Toh usse clarity hone ka natak kyun kar raha hai?"
Arshad ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kyuki main use khona nahi chahta."
Is baar Reyansh ne mazaak nahi kiya.
Arshad ne aage kaha, "Sakshi ke saath sab achha hai. Woh mujhe samajhti hai, meri bakwas sunti hai, mere saath khush rehti hai. Main bhi uske saath khush hoon. Lekin jab woh aage ki baat karti hai na, toh mujhe lagta hai jaise main kisi aise sawaal ke saamne baitha hoon jiska jawab mere paas hai hi nahi."
"Toh jawab dhoondh."
"Har sawaal ka jawab dhoondhna zaroori hai?"
"Jab sawaal kisi aur ki zindagi se bhi juda ho, toh haan."
Arshad ne nazrein jhuka li.
"Tu jaanta hai na, hamare ghar mein ye sab kitna complicated ho sakta hai."
Reyansh ne dheere se sir hilaya.
Woh jaanta tha ki Arshad ke liye ye sirf do logon ke beech ka faisla nahi tha. Family, expectations aur un baaton ka bhi sawaal tha jinse woh dono abhi tak bachkar nikalte aaye the.
Lekin Reyansh ye bhi jaanta tha ki Sakshi ke liye anishchitata mein rehna aasaan nahi hoga.
"Arshad," usne kaha, "main tujhe shaadi karne ya na karne ko nahi bol raha. Main bas itna keh raha hoon ki jo baat tu khud se chhupa raha hai, woh Sakshi se kitne din chhupayega?"
Arshad ne apni ungli se cup ke kinare ko chhua.
"Tu kab se itni samajhdari ki baatein karne laga?"
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Jab se tere jaise bewakoof dost mil gaye."
Arshad hans diya, lekin is baar hansi ke baad uska chehra phir sanjeeda ho gaya.
"Main use hurt nahi karna chahta."
"Toh usse sach bol. Ho sakta hai woh hurt ho. Ho sakta hai tum dono ka nazariya alag ho. Lekin kam se kam woh apni zindagi ke baare mein faisla toh kar sakegi."
Arshad ne dheere se saans chhodi.
"Tu jaanta hai na, mujhe darr lagta hai?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Haan. Lekin darr ko driver bana dega toh gaadi kahin nahi pahunchegi."


Arshad kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir usne table par haath maara.
"Bas! Isi liye main tujhe bulata hoon. Do minute mein aadmi ko motivational speaker bana deta hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Fees double."
"Chup kar. Coffee ke paise tu dega."
"Emotional support alag charge hota hai."
"Main tera college ka dost hoon."
"Isiliye discount ke baad bhi paise dene padenge."
Dono hansne lage.
Lekin Reyansh samajh gaya tha ki Arshad ki problem coffee khatam hone se khatam nahi hone wali.
Aaj pehli baar usne apne dost ko kisi relationship se door bhaagte hue nahi, balki uske saamne rukkar faisla karne se darte hue dekha tha.


Usi shaam, Arshad apne ghar pahunchne se pehle Sakshi se milne gaya.
Sakshi ek chhote se cafe ke bahar uska intezaar kar rahi thi. Usne dark blue jeans ke saath off-white top pehna tha, baal khule the aur kandhe par ek tan-coloured bag tha.
Arshad ko dekhte hi usne phone bag mein rakh diya.
"Finally."
Arshad ne haath jod diye.
"Maaf kar do, huzoor. Aapka ghulam traffic mein phans gaya tha."
Sakshi ne ghadi dekhi.
"Traffic mein ya apne dimaag mein?"
Arshad ka chehra ek pal ko badla, lekin usne muskurahat bana li.
"Dono mein. Bengaluru ka traffic aur mera dimaag, dono ka koi bharosa nahi."
Sakshi halki si muskurayi.
"Chalo. Andar baithte hain."
Dono ek kone wali table par baith gaye.
Kuch der unhone aam baatein ki. Sakshi ne apne kaam ka zikr kiya, Arshad ne ek client ki ajeeb demand sunayi. Dono hase bhi.
Phir Sakshi ne apna cup neeche rakh diya.
"Arshad, mujhe tumse ek baat karni hai."
Arshad ne cup uthaya, phir bina piye wapas rakh diya.
"Bolo."
Sakshi ne kuch pal use dekha.
"Hum kitne waqt se saath hain?"
Arshad ne socha.
"Kaafi waqt se."
"Exact date yaad hai?"
"Bilkul. Main toh apne dimaag mein calendar lekar ghoomta hoon."
Sakshi ki muskurahat gayab nahi hui, lekin uski aankhon mein sanjeedgi thi.
"Main mazaak nahi kar rahi."
Arshad ne nazar jhuka li.
"Sorry."
Sakshi ne apne bag ki strap ko ungli se seedha kiya.
"Main tumse aaj hi koi bada decision nahi maang rahi. Mujhe bas ye samajhna hai ki tum is relationship ko kis tarah dekhte ho."
Arshad ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main tumhare saath khush hoon, Sakshi. Tu jaanti hai."
"Jaanti hoon."
"Phir?"
"Phir ye ki jab bhi main future ki baat karti hoon, tum joke kar dete ho. Kabhi client ka bahana, kabhi kaam, kabhi koi nayi bakwas. Main tumhare jokes se pareshaan nahi hoon, Arshad. Main tumhare un jawaabon se pareshaan hoon jo tum dete hi nahi."
Arshad chup raha.
Sakshi ne aage kaha, "Main apni life mein aage badhna chahti hoon. Apne career mein, apne personal goals mein. Main ye bhi chahti hoon ki jis insaan ke saath hoon, uske saath apne future ke baare mein baat kar sakun. Mujhe har cheez ka final answer aaj nahi chahiye. Lekin har baar sawaal poochhne par tumhara peeche hat jaana achha nahi lagta."
Arshad ne apni hatheli table par rakh di.
"Main peeche nahi hat raha."
Sakshi ne turant jawab nahi diya.
Phir boli, "Toh mere saath khade hokar baat karo."
Ye baat Arshad ke paas koi mazaak banane ke liye nahi chhodi gayi thi.
Usne kuch pal socha.
"Main koshish karunga."
Sakshi ne sir halka sa jhuka liya.
"Mujhe koshish se problem nahi hai. Bas ye mat kehna ki sab theek hai jab tum khud nahi jaante ki sab theek hai ya nahi."
Arshad ne dheere se kaha, "Theek hai."
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Promise mat karo. Bas agli baar jab main baat karun, toh mujhse baat karna. Mujhe joke suna kar ghar mat bhej dena."
Arshad ke hothon par halki si muskurahat aayi.
"Ek joke bhi nahi?"
Sakshi ne use dekha.
"Arshad."
"Achha, ekdum serious."
Sakshi hansi rok nahi paayi.
"Pagal ho tum."
"Certified."
Is baar dono hase, lekin baat khatam nahi hui thi.
Sakshi ne uska haath pakda aur kuch pal uski ungliyon par apna angutha phiraya.
"Main tumhare saath hoon. Lekin main apne aap ko bhi nahi khona chahti. Ye dono baatein ek saath sach ho sakti hain."
Arshad ne uski taraf dekha.
"Haan."
Sakshi ne uske haath ko halka sa dabaya.
"Bas, mujhe itna hi chahiye tha. Ki tum suno."
Arshad ne is baar koi dialogue nahi maara.
Usne bas uska haath pakde rakha.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi rishte mein sabse mushkil kaam pyaar jatana nahi hota.
Sabse mushkil hota hai, us pyaar ke saath aane wale sawaalon se bhaagna band karna.


Raat ke kareeb gyarah baje Arshad apne ghar par tha.
Laptop khula tha, lekin screen par agency ka pending document waise ka waisa pada tha. Woh phone haath mein lekar Sakshi ki chat dekh raha tha.
Usne message type kiya.
Arshad: Aaj jo baat hui, uske liye thank you.
Usne message padhkar delete kar diya.
Phir type kiya.
Arshad: Main jaanta hoon ki main future ki baat se bach raha hoon. Main tumhe hurt nahi karna chahta.
Woh kuch seconds tak screen dekhta raha.
Phir ye message bhi delete kar diya.
"Yaar, message likh raha hoon ya constitution?"
Usne phone bed par rakh diya.
Tabhi uski ammi kamre ke darwaze par aayi.
"Arshad, khana kha liya?"
"Haan, Ammi."
"Jhooth mat bol. Teri plate waise hi rakhi hai."
Arshad ne laptop band kar diya.
"Abhi kha leta hoon."
Ammi andar aakar uske paas baith gayi.
"Kya hua? Aaj kuch pareshaan lag raha hai."
Arshad ne muskurane ki koshish ki.
"Kuch nahi, Ammi. Kaam ka pressure hai."
Ammi ne use dekha.
"Kaam ka pressure ho toh tu das logon ko phone karke pareshaan karta hai. Aaj chup baitha hai."
Arshad hans pada.
"Ammi, aapko meri har aadat kaise pata hai?"
"Jab se paida hua hai, tab se dekh rahi hoon. Abhi tak samajh nahi aaya toh kab aayega?"
Arshad ne unke kandhe par sir rakh diya.
"Bas thoda soch raha hoon."
Ammi ne uske baal se haath phiraya.
"Soch le. Lekin jo bhi baat ho, usse andar rakhkar apne aap ko pareshaan mat kar."
Arshad ne aankhein band kar li.
"Ji, Ammi."
Woh unhe apni relationship ki poori baat nahi bata saka. Abhi uske paas khud bhi saare jawaab nahi the.
Lekin us raat usne ek kaam kiya.
Usne Sakshi ko call kiya.
Sakshi ne doosri ring par phone utha liya.
"Haan?"
"Busy ho?"
"Nahi. Bolo."
Arshad ne ek gehri saans li.
"Kal mil sakti ho?"
Sakshi kuch pal chup rahi.
"Mil sakti hoon. Kyun?"
"Kal main baat karna chahta hoon. Properly. Bina jokes ke."
Phone ke doosri taraf halki si hansi sunayi di.
"Ye toh dekhna padega."
"Main serious hoon, Sakshi."
"Jaanti hoon."
Arshad ne dheere se kaha, "Aur haan... aaj jo kaha, uske liye thank you."
Sakshi ki awaaz naram ho gayi.
"You're welcome."
Call khatam hone ke baad Arshad kuch der phone dekhta raha.
Uske paas abhi bhi koi final answer nahi tha.
Lekin pehli baar usne jawaab na hone ki baat se bhaagne ke bajaye, us par baat karne ke liye agla kadam uthaya tha.
Aur kabhi-kabhi, filhaal ke liye itna hi kaafi hota hai.


Agle din, Saturday ki shaam.
Reyansh apne flat mein client presentation khatam kar raha tha. Laptop band karte hi usne kandhe ghumaye aur sofa par peeth tika di.
Phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Aaj aap ghar par hain?
Reyansh: Haan. Kyun?
Jheel: Ek cheez poochhni thi.
Reyansh: Phone par poochh sakti hain.
Jheel: Ye wali saamne poochhni hai.
Reyansh ne message padhkar bhauen uthayi.
Reyansh: Kya main interview dene aaun ya aap yahin aa rahi hain?
Jheel: Aapko interview ka itna shauk hai toh aa jaiye.
Reyansh: Bas paanch minute. Main apna resume lekar aata hoon.
Jheel ne laughing emoji bheja.
Kuch hi der baad Reyansh Flat 304 ke darwaze par tha.
Jheel ne darwaza khola. Usne simple peach-coloured kurti aur dark blue jeans pehni thi. Baal khule the aur ek taraf kandhe par aa rahe the. Chehre par ghar wali saadgi thi, lekin uski aankhon mein aaj kuch kehne ki utsukta thi.
"Aaiye," usne kaha.
Reyansh andar aaya.
"Toh madam, kya sawaal hai?"
Jheel ne use dining table ke paas bithaya aur ek notebook uske saamne rakh di.
Reyansh ne notebook kholi.
Andar kuch English sentences likhe the. Kuch ke saamne Hindi meaning tha, kuch ke saamne question marks.
"Ye kya hai?"
"Main English improve karne ki koshish kar rahi hoon," Jheel ne kaha. "Office ke kuch kaam mein English use karni padti hai. Samajh toh aa jaata hai, lekin bolte waqt kabhi-kabhi ruk jaati hoon."
Reyansh ne notebook ke panne palte.
"Aap mujhse poochhna chahti thi?"
"Haan. Aap toh poora din English mein calls karte hain. Socha aapse poochh loon."
Reyansh ne notebook band kar di.
"Bilkul. Lekin pehle ek baat."
Jheel thodi satark ho gayi.
"Kya?"
"Main teacher bahut kharab hoon."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Aapko apni har kami pehle se batana zaroori lagta hai?"
"Nahi. Bas baad mein complaint na aaye."
Jheel hans padi.
"Achha, sir. Ab padhai shuru karein?"
Reyansh ne notebook kholi.
Pehle sentence par usne ungli rakhi.
"Achha, ye sentence bolo."
Jheel ne sentence padha. Beech mein ek word par ruk gayi.
Reyansh ne uski pronunciation samjhayi aur sentence dobara bolne ko kaha.
Is baar Jheel ne poora sentence sahi kaha.
"Very good," Reyansh ne kaha. "Ab isi ko normal conversation mein use karo."
Jheel ne socha, phir sentence banaya.
Reyansh ne use correct kiya.
Dheere-dheere uski jhijhak kam hone lagi. Woh ek sentence bolti, galti hoti, dono hans dete, phir dobara koshish karti.
Kareeb bees minute baad Jheel ne notebook band kar di.
"Bas. Aaj ke liye itna kaafi hai."
Reyansh ne ghadi dekhi.
"Main toh abhi warm-up kar raha tha."
"Aapko padhana achha lag raha hai ya mujhe pareshaan karna?"
"Dono mein farq hai?"
Jheel ne uski taraf notebook badha di.
"Kal se aapki fees lagegi."
Reyansh ne notebook lete hue kaha, "Kya fees?"
"Poha banana seekhna hai na? Ek class English ki, ek class cooking ki."
Reyansh ne hairani se use dekha.
"Matlab main student bhi, aur fees bhi main hi doon?"
"Bilkul."
"Ye toh education system ki loot hai."
Jheel hansne lagi.
Reyansh bhi hans pada.
Phir usne notebook ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Waise, aapko English kyun improve karni hai? Office ke liye toh theek hai, lekin aapka koi aur plan hai?"
Jheel ne kuch pal socha.
"Bas... main chahti hoon ki jab mujhe kisi cheez ki zaroorat ho, toh main kisi aur par depend na rahun. Kaam ki baat ho ya kisi se kuch kehna ho, main khud kar sakun."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Achhi baat hai."
Jheel ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Aapko lagta hai main kar sakti hoon?"
"Bilkul. Aapko bas practice chahiye. Har cheez pehle din perfect nahi hoti."
Jheel ne sir hilaya.
"Ye baat aap apne poha par bhi apply karna."
Reyansh ne haath jod liye.
"Please, mere future poha ko abhi se judge mat kijiye."
Jheel ki hansi phir se nikal gayi.
Kuch der baad Reyansh uthkar jaane laga.
Darwaze par Jheel ne kaha, "Thank you. Aaj achha laga."
Reyansh ne palatkar dekha.


"English class?"
"Haan. Woh bhi."
"Woh bhi?"
Jheel ek pal ko ruki, phir boli, "Aapse baat karke bhi."
Reyansh ke chehre par halki si muskurahat aayi.
"Same here."
Usne haath hilaya aur apne flat mein aa gaya.
Darwaza band hua toh Jheel kuch seconds tak wahi khadi rahi. Phir usne notebook uthayi aur pehle panne par likhe sentence ko dobara padha.
Uske hothon par muskurahat thi.
Reyansh apne flat mein aakar sofa par baith gaya. Phone uthaya toh Arshad ka message tha.
Arshad: Kal ka plan cancel mat karna. Tujhe ek important baat batani hai.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Teri important baatein kabhi khatam nahi hoti?
Arshad: Dosti ka subscription lifetime hai.
Reyansh: Refund mil sakta hai?
Arshad: Nahi. Terms and conditions mein likha hai.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne phone side mein rakh diya.
Pichhle kuch dino mein uski zindagi mein koi bada badlav nahi aaya tha. Office wahi tha, building wahi thi, dost wahi the.
Lekin ab Arshad ki pareshani uske saamne ek aise sawaal ki tarah thi jise woh nazarandaaz nahi kar sakta tha.
Aur Flat 304 mein Jheel ke saath guzare bees minute ne use ye ehsaas dilaya tha ki kisi ke kareeb aane ke liye har baar dil ki baat karna zaroori nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi ki madad karte hue, uski galtiyon par hanskar aur uske sapnon ko bina judge kiye sunte hue bhi do log ek-doosre ko samajhne lagte hain


.

[Greenwood]

Update 18



Agla Sunday.
Pichhle update ke baad ek din guzar chuka tha. Reyansh ki zindagi mein weekend ka woh hissa aa gaya tha jahan office ke emails kuch der ke liye band kiye ja sakte the, lekin Arshad jaise dost ke messages se bachna namumkin tha.
Subah kareeb gyarah baje Reyansh apne living room mein baitha coffee pee raha tha. Shalu breakfast bana kar ja chuki thi. Table par uska laptop khula tha, lekin uski nazar screen par kam aur phone par zyada thi.
Arshad ka message aaya.
Arshad: Aaj free hai?
Reyansh: Nahi. Main international conference mein hoon.
Arshad: Achha. Toh wahan se ek coffee mere liye bhi bhej dena.
Reyansh: Conference mein coffee nahi, bewakoofiyon ka distribution ho raha hai. Tere liye special quota rakha hai.
Arshad: Mazak uda le. Do baje mil. Baat karni hai.
Reyansh ne phone uthakar call kar diya.
"Kal bhi toh baat hui thi. Ab kya naya crisis aa gaya?"
Arshad ki awaaz aayi, "Kal Sakshi se dobara mila tha."
Reyansh seedha baith gaya.
"Achha. Phir?"
"Phir kya? Baat hui."
"Arshad, main tere saath antakshari nahi khel raha. Bata kya hua."
"Usne kaha ki woh chahti hai hum dono apne future ko lekar honestly baat karein. Maine bhi usse kaha ki main ab baat ko taalunga nahi."
"Good."
"Lekin ab mujhe sach mein baat karni padegi."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Yaar, tu problem solve karne ke baad bhi problem se pareshaan ho jaata hai."
"Main creative aadmi hoon. Mere dimaag mein ek saath bahut saare tabs khule rehte hain."
"Bas ek tab mein kaam karna seekh le."
Arshad ne gehri saans li.
"Do baje mil raha hai na?"
"Haan, aa jaunga."
"Late mat hona."
"Tu mujhe jaanta hai."
"Isi liye bol raha hoon."
Call kat gayi.
Reyansh ne coffee ka aakhri ghoont liya. Phir laptop band kar diya.
Uski nazar saamne wali building par padi. Khidki ke us paar kisi ne kapde sukhane ke liye daale hue the. Bengaluru ka Sunday apni normal raftaar se chal raha tha.
Usne phone uthaya aur Jheel ki chat kholi.
Pichhli raat Jheel ne English practice ke baad ek sentence bheja tha.
Jheel: I am getting better at speaking English.
Reyansh ne us waqt reply kiya tha, You are. Keep practising.
Aaj usne ek naya message bheja.
Reyansh: Aaj homework kiya?
Jheel ka jawab kuch minute baad aaya.
Jheel: Sunday ko bhi?
Reyansh: English ko Sunday nahi milta.
Jheel: Teacher ko bhi nahi?
Reyansh: Teacher ko coffee mil sakti hai.
Jheel ne message padha.
Jheel: Ye English class ka part hai ya aapka koi naya business model?
Reyansh muskura diya.
Reyansh: Abhi research chal rahi hai.
Jheel ka jawab aaya.
Jheel: Research complete ho toh batana.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Kuch der baad woh taiyar hokar ghar se nikal gaya.
Aaj uske do plans the. Ek dost ke saath, jise uski zaroorat thi.
Doosra ek aise rishte ke saath, jise abhi kisi naam ki zaroorat nahi thi.


Dopahar do baje, Koramangala ke ek cafe mein.
Arshad pehle se baitha tha. Uske saamne coffee aur ek notebook thi. Notebook ke ek panne par kuch points likhe the.
Reyansh uske paas aakar baitha aur notebook apni taraf kheench li.
"Ye kya hai? Sakshi ke saath meeting ka agenda?"
Arshad ne notebook wapas kheench li.
"Haath mat laga. Personal hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tu relationship discuss karne ke liye notes bana raha hai?"
"Main apni baat theek se rakhna chahta hoon."
Reyansh ki hansi dheere-dheere kam hui.
"Achhi baat hai."
Arshad ne notebook band kar di.
"Kal Sakshi ne mujhse ek baat poochhi."
"Kya?"
"Usne poochha ki agar hamare ghar wale hamare rishte ko lekar agree na karein, toh main kya karunga."
Reyansh chup raha.
Arshad ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Maine us waqt kaha ki pehle dekhte hain. Lekin usne bola ki hum har mushkil ko aane ke baad nahi dekh sakte. Kuch cheezon ke baare mein pehle bhi sochna padta hai."
"Galat toh nahi kaha usne."
"Jaanta hoon."
Arshad ne cup wapas rakh diya.
"Mujhe Sakshi se koi problem nahi hai, Rey. Main uske saath khush hoon. Woh meri life mein apni jagah rakhti hai aur main uski. Lekin family ke saamne baat aayegi toh cheezein complicated ho sakti hain."
Reyansh ne dheere se poochha, "Aur tu kya chahta hai?"
Arshad ne turant jawab nahi diya.
Yahi toh sawaal tha jisse woh bach raha tha.
"Main chahta hoon ki sab theek rahe."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Ye toh har insaan chahta hai. Lekin agar sab apne aap theek ho jaata, toh duniya mein aadhe lawyers aur poore therapists berozgaar hote."
Arshad hans pada.
"Tu har emotional conversation mein joke kyun maar deta hai?"
"Taaki tu ro na pade. Tera rona dekhkar main bhi emotional ho jaunga, phir hum dono ka bill kaun bharega?"
Arshad ne napkin uski taraf phenki.
"Saale!"
Dono hans diye.
Phir Reyansh ne apni awaaz sanjeeda ki.
"Dekh, main tujhe koi decision nahi de sakta. Ye tera relationship hai. Lekin tu Sakshi ko itna toh bata sakta hai ki tere dimaag mein kya chal raha hai. Usse ye mat feel hone de ki woh akele future ke baare mein soch rahi hai."
Arshad ne sir hilaya.
"Kal main usse milunga. Is baar bina kisi excuse ke."
"Good."
"Tu bhi saath chalega?"
Reyansh ne hairani se use dekha.
"Main kyun?"
"Support ke liye."
"Main tera dost hoon, relationship ka legal guardian nahi."
Arshad hans pada.
"Achha, mat aa. Main khud sambhal lunga."
Reyansh ne uske kandhe par haath rakha.
"Tu sambhal lega. Bas pehli baar baat ko joke se cover mat karna."
Arshad ne haan mein sir hilaya.
Kuch pal baad uska chehra phir khil gaya.
"Waise, teri padosan kaisi hai?"
Reyansh ne aankhein band kar li.
"Lo. Ab aa gaya asli agenda."
"Main toh bas pooch raha hoon."
"Tu har serious baat ke baad meri zindagi mein ghusne ki koshish kyun karta hai?"
"Kyuki teri zindagi mein entry fee nahi lagti."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Jheel theek hai. Apni English improve kar rahi hai."
"Tu padha raha hai?"
"Thodi help kar raha hoon."
Arshad ne uski taraf dekha.
"English?"
"Haan."
"Sirf English?"
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Arshad, aaj teri relationship counselling free mein ki hai. Ab mujhse cross-questioning mat kar."
Arshad ki hansi cafe mein goonj uthi.
Lekin uski aankhon mein pehle se thoda sukoon tha.
Kam se kam ab woh apne sawaal ko pehchan raha tha. Jawaab abhi bhi baaki tha.

Shaam ke kareeb paanch baje Reyansh apni building mein lauta.
Lift se nikalte hi usne dekha ki Jheel apne flat ke bahar khadi thi. Uske haath mein ek chhota sa cardboard box tha aur woh use kholne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Reyansh ne paas aakar poochha, "Kya hua? Parcel ne phir se aapke khilaaf case kar diya?"
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Iska tape khul hi nahi raha."
Reyansh ne box ki taraf dekha.
"Scissors?"
"Andar hain."
"Toh phir problem kya hai?"
Jheel ne seedha jawab diya, "Andar ka samaan hil raha hai. Main box ko ulta nahi karna chahti."
Reyansh ne haath aage badhaya.
"Dijiye."
Usne box ko ek taraf se sambhala aur Jheel ne scissors se tape kaata. Kuch hi seconds mein box khul gaya.
Andar ek chhota sa desk lamp aur kuch stationery thi.
Reyansh ne lamp dekha.
"Naya lamp?"
"Haan. Raat ko padhne ke liye. Room ki light se kabhi-kabhi aankhein thak jaati hain."
Reyansh ne lamp ko box mein wapas rakhne mein uski madad ki.
"Achha hai. English homework ke liye?"
"English ke liye bhi. Aur kuch aur cheezon ke liye bhi."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kuch aur cheezein?"
Jheel ne box uthaya.
"Har baat ka interview kyun lete hain aap?"
"Corporate aadmi hoon. Curiosity professional hazard hai."
Jheel muskurayi.
"Bas, itna samajh lijiye ki main apne liye kuch naya karne ke baare mein soch rahi hoon."
Reyansh ka expression thoda sanjeeda hua.
"Kya karna chahti hain?"
"Abhi decide nahi kiya. Lekin main nahi chahti ki meri zindagi bas ghar aur office ke beech hi reh jaaye."
Reyansh ne uski baat dhyan se suni.
"Toh pehle chhoti cheezon se shuru kijiye. Koi course, koi skill, ya jo bhi aapko genuinely pasand ho. Zaroori nahi ki pehle din hi poora plan ready ho."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Aap bhi aise hi sochte hain?"
"Main?"
"Haan. Aapko apni life mein jo chahiye, uske baare mein pehle se pata hota hai?"
Sawaal simple tha, lekin Reyansh ko jawab dene mein ek pal laga.
"Har cheez ke baare mein nahi," usne kaha. "Kuch cheezein waqt ke saath samajh aati hain."
Jheel ne dheere se sir hilaya.
"Fair enough."
Woh box lekar andar jaane lagi, phir palatkar boli, "Waise, aapki English class ke liye thank you."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Welcome. Lekin fees abhi bhi pending hai."
Jheel ne aankhein sikodi.
"Kaunsi fees?"
"Coffee."
Jheel ne box ko counter par rakhne ke baad darwaze se kaha, "Aapko coffee chahiye ya company?"
Reyansh ek pal ke liye chup hua.
Jheel ke chehre par shararat bhari muskurahat thi.
Phir usne jawab diya, "Dono mil jaayein toh bura nahi hai."
Jheel ki muskurahat thodi badh gayi.
"Kal shaam?"
Reyansh ne haan mein sir hilaya.
"Kal shaam."
"Main time bata dungi."
"Ji, madam."
Darwaza band hone se pehle Jheel ne ek baar phir kaha, "Aur haan, English ka homework bhi karna."
Reyansh ne apne flat ki taraf badhte hue jawab diya, "Aapko lagta hai main homework nahi karta?"
Jheel ne darwaza band kar diya.
Andar se uski hansi sunayi di.
Reyansh bhi muskurata hua apne flat mein aa gaya.
Coffee ka plan ban gaya tha.
Bas coffee hi thi.
Kam se kam, usne apne aap se yahi kaha.


Monday ki shaam.
Office mein din lamba raha tha. Ek client ne presentation mein aakhri waqt par changes maange aur Neha ke saath Reyansh ko kuch der extra rukna pada.
Office se nikalte waqt Neha ne apna bag uthaya.
"Kal wali slide tumne change kar di?"
"Haan. Updated file mail kar di hai."
"Good. Warna client phir se bolta ki humne uski baat samjhi nahi."
Reyansh ne laptop bag kandhe par daala.
"Client ki baat samajhna aur client ki baat maan lena, dono alag cheezein hain."
Neha hans padi.
"Ye line meeting mein bol dete toh achha hota."
"Phir meeting ek ghanta aur chalti."
Dono lift ki taraf badhe.
Neha ne casually poochha, "Weekend kaisa tha?"
"Achha tha. Arshad se mila. Thoda family time bhi."
"Nice."
Usne Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
"Aaj tum jaldi nikal rahe ho?"
"Ek coffee ka plan hai."
Neha ne muskurakar kaha, "Office ke bahar wali coffee?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Coffee toh coffee hoti hai."
"Bilkul. Bas company badal jaati hai."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Neha, tum bhi na."
"Main toh bas pooch rahi hoon."
Lift aa gayi. Dono alag-alag floors ke buttons ki taraf badhe.
Neha ne haath hila kar kaha, "Kal milte hain."
Reyansh ne bhi haath hila diya.
Office ke bahar aate hi usne Jheel ka message dekha.
Jheel: Main 6:30 tak ready ho jaungi. Aapko convenient hai?
Reyansh: Haan. Kahan milna hai?
Jheel ne ek cafe ka naam bheja, jo building se kuch hi door tha.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Main wahin milta hoon.
Usne phone pocket mein rakha aur car ki taraf badh gaya.
Cafe mein Jheel pehle se maujood thi.
Aaj usne muted green top ke saath straight-fit blue jeans pehni thi. Baal khule the aur kaan mein chhote silver earrings the. Woh menu dekh rahi thi, lekin waiter se kuch poochhne ke liye nazar uthate hi uski nazar Reyansh par pad gayi.
"Finally," usne kaha.
Reyansh saamne wali chair par baith gaya.
"Main sirf do minute late hoon."
"Main toh bas dekh rahi thi ki corporate punctuality asal mein hoti kya hai."
"Corporate punctuality ka matlab hai ki meeting mein late ho, toh pehle se ek achha excuse ready ho."
Jheel hans padi.
Waiter aaya. Dono ne coffee order ki. Jheel ne ek sandwich bhi mangwaya.
Reyansh ne menu band karte hue poochha, "Toh aaj English homework check hoga?"
Jheel ne bag se notebook nikaali.
"Bilkul."
Reyansh ne haath jod liye.
"Coffee pe bula kar exam lena? Aapka teaching method kaafi strict hai."
"Abhi toh sirf homework hai. Test baad mein hoga."
"Main apna lawyer bula sakta hoon?"
"Bilkul. Lekin fees aapko hi deni padegi."
Dono hans pade.
Jheel ne notebook kholi aur kuch sentences dikhaye. Reyansh ne ek-do corrections kiye. Phir usne notebook band kar di.
"Achha, ab aap bataiye," Jheel ne kaha, "aapko apna kaam pasand hai?"
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Haan. Interesting hai. Har din kuch naya hota hai."
"Lekin kabhi bore nahi hote?"
"Hota hoon. Har kaam mein hota hai."
"Phir aap kya karte hain?"
"Thoda break leta hoon. Doston se milta hoon. Kabhi akele kahin baith jaata hoon."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Akele rehna aapko pasand hai?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
"Pasand hai. Har waqt nahi, lekin haan. Kabhi-kabhi apne saath rehna achha lagta hai."
Jheel ne dheere se sir hilaya.
"Mujhe bhi. Lekin kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki poora din kisi se baat hi nahi hui."
"Phir phone kar leti hain apne ghar par?"
"Haan. Maa se baat ho jaati hai. Lekin har baat phone par nahi hoti."
Reyansh ne uski baat samajhte hue kaha, "Sahi hai."
Jheel ne coffee ka ghoont liya.
"Aapko kabhi aisa lagta hai ki aap apni life mein busy toh hain, lekin kuch cheezein bas chal rahi hain? Jaise unke baare mein sochne ka waqt hi nahi milta?"
Sawaal sun kar Reyansh kuch der chup raha.
"Shayad," usne kaha. "Kabhi-kabhi busy rehna aasaan hota hai."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha, lekin uske chehre ko padhne ki koshish nahi ki.
"Ho sakta hai," usne bas itna kaha.
Phir usne sandwich ka ek tukda uthaya aur baat badal di.


"Waise, aapko pata hai? Main ek online course dekh rahi hoon."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kis cheez ka?"
"Abhi options compare kar rahi hoon. Ek communication ka hai aur ek digital skills ka. Soch rahi hoon pehle kaunsa karun."
"Achha hai. Dono ke baare mein thoda aur jaan lo. Jo tumhare kaam aur interest se match kare, woh choose karna."
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Aap phir se advice dene lage."
"Sorry. Professional hazard."
"Iska treatment nahi hai?"
"Hai. Ek aur coffee."
Jheel hans padi.
"Phir toh aap kabhi theek nahi honge."
Reyansh bhi hans diya.
Coffee khatam hote-hote unki baat course se movies, phir Bengaluru ke traffic aur aakhir mein building ke ajeeb residents tak pahunch gayi.
Jheel ne Gungun ka zikr kiya.
"Kal lift mein mili thi. Kisi se phone par baat kar rahi thi aur itni gusse mein thi ki mujhe laga lift ke button bhi daant degi."
Reyansh zor se hans pada.
"Uska mood dekhkar toh button khud hi floor change kar dete honge."
Jheel hansi rok nahi paayi.
"Please, uske saamne ye mat bol dena."
"Main itna bhi bewakoof nahi hoon."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Is baat par abhi final verdict nahi diya ja sakta."
Reyansh ne apna cup table par rakha.
"Madam, aapki company mein rehkar meri izzat roz kam ho rahi hai."
"Achha hai. Thodi zameen par rahiye."
Dono ek baar phir hans pade.
Cafe se nikalte waqt hawa mein halki thandak thi. Dono building ki taraf paidal chalne lage.
Raaste mein ek jagah footpath thoda uneven tha. Jheel ka pair halka sa atka, toh Reyansh ne instinctively uski kohni sambhal li.
"Careful."
Jheel ne khud ko sambhal liya.
"Thank you."
Reyansh ne haath hata liya.
"Footpath bhi aajkal surprises deta hai."
Jheel muskurayi.
"Har cheez ko joke mein badalna zaroori hai?"
"Bilkul nahi."
Usne ek pal rukkar kaha, "Kabhi-kabhi thank you bhi bol deta hoon."
Jheel hans padi.
Building ke entrance par dono ruk gaye.
"Aaj achha laga," Jheel ne kaha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Mujhe bhi."
"Phir kabhi?"
"Jab aap homework complete kar lengi."
Jheel ne aankhein ghumayi.
"Main aapko kabhi coffee nahi pilaungi."
"Main yaad rakhunga."
"Good night, Reyansh."
"Good night, Jheel."
Woh dono lift ki taraf badhe.
Ek hi building, do alag flats.
Lekin ab unke beech ki doori sirf teen-chaar kadmon ki nahi reh gayi thi. Unke paas ek-doosre se judi hui chhoti-chhoti baatein bhi thi.
Aur kuch baatein, jo pehle sirf padosiyon ke beech hoti thi, ab din ka achha hissa banne lagi thi.

Usi raat Arshad ne Sakshi ko call kiya.
Is baar usne pehle se koi joke taiyar nahi kiya tha.
Sakshi ne phone uthaya.
"Hello?"
"Hi. Free ho?"
"Haan. Kya hua?"
Arshad ne gehri saans li.
"Kal humne jo baat ki thi na... main uske baare mein soch raha tha."
Sakshi ki awaaz naram ho gayi.
"Achha."
"Main abhi har sawaal ka jawab nahi de sakta. Lekin main ye nahi chahta ki tumhe lage main tumhare saath future ke baare mein sochna hi nahi chahta."
Sakshi kuch pal chup rahi.
"Phir tum kya chahte ho, Arshad?"
"Main chahta hoon ki hum is baare mein honestly baat karein. Family, expectations, sab kuch. Ho sakta hai humein kuch cheezon par waqt lage. Lekin main har baar baat ko taalna nahi chahta."
Sakshi ne dheere se saans chhodi.
"Ye sunna mere liye important tha."
Arshad ne poochha, "Kal mil sakte hain?"
"Haan."
"Is baar main late nahi honga."
Sakshi hans padi.
"Ye promise main record kar rahi hoon."
Arshad ki hansi bhi nikal gayi.
"Achha, ab thoda toh mazaak kar sakta hoon na?"
"Kar sakte ho. Bas har baat ka jawaab mazaak mein mat dena."
"Deal."
Call khatam hone ke baad Arshad kuch der chup baitha raha.
Usne apni notebook kholi. Jo points usne likhe the, unmein se kuch kaat diye aur neeche ek nayi line likhi:
Pehle sunna hai. Phir bolna hai.
Woh khud par hans diya.
"Copywriter se life writer ban gaya hoon."
Lekin is baar usne notebook band nahi ki.
Usne use table par khula rehne diya.
Raat ke kareeb gyarah baje Reyansh apne bedroom ki light band karne se pehle phone dekh raha tha.
Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Aaj ki coffee ke liye thank you.
Reyansh: Aapne coffee ke paise diye the. Thank you mujhe bolna chahiye.
Jheel: Coffee ke liye nahi. Company ke liye.
Reyansh ne message padha aur kuch pal screen dekhta raha.
Phir reply kiya.
Reyansh: Same here. Good night, Jheel.
Jheel: Good night ?
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakh diya.
Uski zindagi mein abhi bhi kaam tha, dost the, family thi aur woh saari cheezein bhi jo kabhi-kabhi use apne hi khayalon mein uljha deti thi.
Lekin aaj ka din achha tha.
Arshad ne apne rishte se bhaagne ke bajaye uski taraf ek kadam badhaya tha.
Jheel ne apne liye kuch naya karne ka socha tha.
Aur Reyansh ne ek shaam kisi ke saath bitayi thi, bina ye soche ki us mulaqat ka koi naam hona chahiye

.

[Greenwood]

Update 19



Subah ke kareeb aath baj rahe the.
Reyansh apni shirt ke buttons band karte hue bedroom se bahar aaya. Dining table par breakfast laga hua tha, aur Shalu kitchen mein apna bag sambhalte hue kuch dhoondh rahi thi.
Reyansh: "Shalu, tumhare ghar mein koi cheez apni jagah par bhi rehti hai ya sab meri tarah independent hain?"
Shalu ne palatkar dekha.
Shalu: "Aapki tarah independent? Matlab bina kisi ko bataye gayab?"
Reyansh: "Main gayab nahi hota. Main apni privacy maintain karta hoon."
Shalu: "Achha. Toh kal jo aapki meeting ka time nikal gaya tha aur aap phone dhoondh rahe the, woh privacy thi?"
Reyansh ne use dekha.
Reyansh: "Tumhari memory bahut tez hai. Kabhi kisi competition mein participate karna."
Shalu: "Pehle English seekh leti hoon. Phir aapki saari beizzati English mein karungi."
Reyansh: "Progress! Bas mujhe apna pehla student mat banana. Main fees nahi de sakta."
Shalu: "Aapko kaun padha raha hai? Main toh practice kar rahi hoon."
Shalu ne table par ek chhoti si notebook rakh di.
Reyansh ki nazar notebook par gayi. Usmein kuch English sentences likhe the. Har sentence ke neeche Hindi mein uska matlab aur do-tin shabdon ki spelling alag se likhi hui thi.
Reyansh: "Yeh sab khud likha?"
Shalu: "Haan. Video dekhkar."
Reyansh: "Good. Aaj ka sentence kya hai?"
Shalu ne notebook kholi aur thoda sochkar kaha.
Shalu: "I want to learn something new."
Reyansh ne taali bajane ka natak kiya.
Reyansh: "Wah! Kal tak breakfast aur bartan, aaj international ambition!"
Shalu: "Aap mazaak uda lo. Ek din main aapse achhi English bolungi."
Reyansh: "Mujhe toh abhi bhi tumse darr lag raha hai."
Shalu muskura di.
Reyansh breakfast karne laga. Shalu ne uske liye tiffin counter par rakha aur apna bag uthaya.
Darwaze tak pahunchkar woh ruki.
Shalu: "Ek baat poochun?"
Reyansh: "Poochho. Lekin agar paise maangne hain toh jawab pehle hi na hai."
Shalu: "Mujhe koi course karna ho toh kaise pata chalega ki kaunsa sahi hai?"
Is baar Reyansh ne mazaak nahi kiya.
Reyansh: "Pehle yeh pata karo ki tumhe kya karna pasand hai. Sirf isliye course mat karna kyunki kisi aur ne bola ki usmein scope hai. Aur paise lagane se pehle free mein seekhne ke options dekhna."
Shalu: "Aapko lagta hai main kuch kar sakti hoon?"
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup table par rakha.
Reyansh: "Shalu, tum roz apni zindagi sambhalti ho. Ab bas apne liye bhi thoda waqt nikaalna seekho. Baaki, shuru karne ke liye perfect hona zaroori nahi hai."
Shalu ne dheere se sar hilaya.
Shalu: "Theek hai. Main options dekhti hoon."
Reyansh: "Aur haan, meri English ki beizzati wala plan cancel mat karna. Mujhe motivation milti rahegi."
Shalu: "Aap tension mat lo. Aapka number pehla hai."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne tiffin uthaya, apni watch dekhi aur darwaze ki taraf badh gaya.
Uski zindagi mein kuch log apne sapnon ki shuruaat kar rahe the.


Arshad ke laptop par ek campaign ki headline khuli hui thi.
Screen par likha tha:
“Make Every Moment Count.”
Usne use dekha, phir backspace daba diya.
Arshad: "Moment count karne se pehle client ko apne suggestions count karne se rokna padega."
Bagal mein baitha Kabir apni chair ghumakar uski taraf aaya.
Kabir: "Kya hua, shayar? Aaj lafz rooth gaye?"
Arshad: "Lafz nahi. Client rootha hua hai. Usko tagline chahiye jo emotional bhi ho, funny bhi ho, premium bhi lage aur aam aadmi ko samajh bhi aaye."
Kabir: "Toh likh de, 'Aapka product, aapki marzi.'"
Arshad ne use ghura.
Arshad: "Teri wajah se advertising industry ka bhavishya andhere mein hai."
Kabir hans pada.
Arshad ka phone vibrate hua.
Sakshi: Aaj 7 baje mil sakte ho?
Arshad ki ungliyan keyboard par ruk gayin.
Usne kuch der message dekha, phir type kiya.
Arshad: Haan. Kahan?
Sakshi: Wahi café jahan hum pehli baar properly baithe the.
Arshad: Theek hai. Seven.
Message bhejne ke baad Arshad ne phone table par rakh diya.
Kabir ne uska chehra dekha.
Kabir: "Girlfriend ka message tha?"
Arshad: "Nahi. Electricity department ka tha. Meri zindagi ki light check karne aa rahe hain."
Kabir: "Toh bill bhar de."
Arshad: "Tu chup reh. Main already financial aur emotional dono tarah se under maintenance hoon."
Kabir hanskar apni seat par laut gaya.
Arshad ne dobara laptop khola.
Is baar usne headline likhne se pehle phone ki taraf nahi dekha.
Shaam ko use ek aisi baat karni thi jiska koi clever punchline nahi tha.
Aur pehli baar use samajh aa raha tha ki har problem ko funny bana dena, uska solution nahi hota.



Saat bajne mein paanch minute the jab Arshad café pahucha.
Sakshi pehle se wahan baithi thi. Usne blue shirt ke saath black trousers pehne the. Baal khule the, aur saamne rakhe coffee mug ke paas uska phone ulta pada tha.
Arshad ko dekhte hi usne haath hilaya.
Sakshi: "Aaj time par. Koi calendar reminder lagaya tha?"
Arshad: "Nahi. Main emotionally punctual ho raha hoon."
Sakshi: "Kitne din ka trial hai?"
Arshad: "Pehle coffee order karne do. Phir subscription plans discuss karenge."
Sakshi muskura di.
Arshad baith gaya. Dono ne coffee order ki.
Kuch der unhone office ki baatein ki. Sakshi ne apne course ke baare mein bataya, jismein agle hafte se ek naya module shuru hone wala tha. Arshad ne usse project ke baare mein poochha aur uski baat dhyaan se suni.
Phir Sakshi ne mug table par rakh diya.
Sakshi: "Arshad, main tumse ek baat clear karna chahti hoon."
Arshad: "Haan, bolo."
Sakshi: "Main tumse kal hi shaadi karne ko nahi keh rahi. Na hi main chahti hoon ki tum aaj mere saamne baithkar apni poori zindagi ka plan bana do."
Arshad chup raha.
Sakshi: "Lekin main yeh bhi nahi chahti ki hum sirf tab tak saath rahein jab tak future ke baare mein sochna na pade."
Usne Arshad ki aankhon mein dekha.
Sakshi: "Mujhe pata hai hum dono ke gharon mein differences ho sakte hain. Shayad problems bhi. Lekin mujhe tumhari taraf se yeh jaanana hai ki tum un problems ko face karna chahte ho ya nahi."
Arshad ne apni ungli se coffee mug ka handle ghumaya.
Uske paas jawaab tha, lekin woh jawaab dene se pehle uske consequences gin raha tha.
Arshad: "Main tumhare saath rehna chahta hoon, Sakshi."
Sakshi: "Abhi?"
Arshad: "Haan."
Sakshi: "Aur jab ghar walon se baat karne ka waqt aayega?"
Arshad ne nazar nahi churayi.
Arshad: "Mujhe darr lagta hai."
Sakshi ke chehre par koi bada reaction nahi aaya. Bas uski aankhon mein ek chhota sa badlav hua.
Sakshi: "Kis baat ka?"
Arshad: "Ki baat kharab ho gayi toh? Ki main tumhe aisi situation mein le aaun jahan tumhe baar-baar apni jagah samjhani pade? Ki main sab sambhalne ka promise kar doon aur baad mein pata chale ki main kar hi nahi pa raha?"
Woh kuch pal ruka.
Arshad: "Aur shayad isliye main baat hi nahi karta. Jab tak baat nahi hoti, tab tak lagta hai sab theek hai."
Sakshi ne halki saans li.
Sakshi: "Lekin sab theek hone ka matlab yeh nahi ki hum us baare mein baat hi na karein."
Arshad: "I know."
Sakshi: "Aur ek baat. Main tumhare saath kisi ke khilaaf ladne ke liye relationship mein nahi aayi. Main tumhare saath apni zindagi banane aayi hoon. Agar kabhi mushkil hui, toh hum dekhenge. Lekin pehle tumhe mere saath khade hone ka decision toh lena padega."
Arshad ki aankhon mein is baar halka sa sukoon tha. Saari problem solve nahi hui thi, lekin baat pehli baar beech mein latki nahi thi.
Arshad: "Main tumhare saath hoon. Bas mujhe har cheez ka answer abhi nahi pata."
Sakshi: "Mujhe har answer abhi nahi chahiye. Mujhe bas yeh nahi chahiye ki tum apne darr ko mera answer bana do."
Arshad ne dheere se sar hilaya.
Arshad: "Fair."
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
Sakshi: "Aur ab tum koi joke maaroge toh main coffee tumhare upar gira dungi."
Arshad ne mug se haath hata liya.
Arshad: "Mujhe lagta hai humari relationship mein pehli baar kisi ne meri creative freedom par direct attack kiya hai."
Sakshi hans padi.
Sakshi: "Dekha? Tum seekh rahe ho."
Arshad: "Kya?"
Sakshi: "Har baat ka joke zaroori nahi hota. Lekin kabhi-kabhi joke ke baad bhi serious rehna padta hai."
Arshad ne uska haath table par pakad liya.
Arshad: "Main try karunga."
Sakshi ne uska haath nahi chhoda.
Sakshi: "Bas try karte rehna. Main bhi karungi."
Woh dono café se nikle toh unke paas koi final plan nahi tha.
Na family ki approval mili thi, na future ka koi guarantee card.
Lekin ab Arshad ke paas ek nayi zimmedari thi: apne darr ko sach samajhkar uske peeche chhupna band karna.
Aur Sakshi ke paas ek aisi baat thi jo woh kaafi waqt se sunna chahti thi.
Woh uske saath tha.
Ab dekhna yeh tha ki mushkil waqt aane par woh kitni door tak saath chal paata hai.



Wednesday | Office, Bengaluru
Client presentation ke baad Reyansh conference room se bahar nikla toh Neha corridor mein laptop bag sambhaal rahi thi.
Neha: "Congratulations. Client ne finally presentation approve kar di."
Reyansh: "Finally? Aise bol rahi ho jaise humne unka passport banwaya ho."
Neha: "Unke revisions dekhkar toh mujhe lag raha tha woh passport ke saath citizenship bhi maang lenge."
Reyansh hans diya.
Dono lift ki taraf badhe.
Neha: "Waise, aaj lunch ka kya plan hai?"
Reyansh: "Jo mil gaya."
Neha: "Tumhare plans aur tumhari life mein kaafi similarity hai."
Reyansh: "Dono mein flexibility hai?"
Neha: "Dono mein advance planning ki kami hai."
Reyansh: "Main spontaneous hoon."
Neha: "Tum bas calendar se emotional attachment nahi rakhte."
Lift aa gayi. Dono andar chale gaye.
Neeche lobby mein pahunchkar Neha ko ek call aaya. Woh baat karte hue reception ki taraf mud gayi.
Reyansh parking ki taraf badh hi raha tha ki phone par Aarohi ka message aaya.
Aarohi: Hi! Ek recommendation chahiye thi. Tumne jo café bataya tha, wahan coffee achhi hai ya sirf laptop ke liye jagah achhi hai?
Reyansh ne message padhkar smile ki.
Reyansh: Coffee bhi achhi hai. Lekin agar tum wahan laptop lekar gayi toh coffee se zyada kaam ho sakta hai.
Aarohi: Toh phir tum hi bata do. Is weekend free ho?
Reyansh kuch pal screen dekhta raha.
Usne pichhle kuch dino mein Jheel ke saath coffee pi thi, usse baat ki thi, aur ab uske messages ka intezaar kabhi-kabhi khud ko bhi mehsoos hone laga tha.
Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi tha ki uski duniya mein doosre logon ke liye jagah khatam ho gayi thi.
Aarohi se milna ek alag baat thi. Usse abhi kisi label ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Reyansh: Saturday afternoon? Coffee aur laptop dono allowed hain.
Aarohi: Deal. Lekin laptop band bhi karwa sakte ho?
Reyansh: Uski guarantee nahi. Main khud bhi kabhi-kabhi kaam karne lagta hoon.
Aarohi: Great. Matlab hum dono milkar productive hone ka natak karenge.
Reyansh: Ab samajh aaya, tumne mujhe kyun choose kiya.
Aarohi: Maine abhi choose nahi kiya. Sirf coffee ke liye poochha hai, Mr. Confident.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Noted, Ms. Very Clear.
Usne phone pocket mein rakh diya.
Kuch mulaqatein kisi badi umeed ke saath shuru nahi hoti. Bas do log milte hain, baat karte hain, aur dekhte hain ki unke beech baat karne layak kuch hai bhi ya nahi.
Filhaal Aarohi ke saath bas itna hi tha.
Aur Reyansh ko itni si baat mein koi dikkat nahi thi.



Wednesday Evening | Flat 304
Shaam ko Reyansh office se lauta toh corridor mein Jheel apne flat ke bahar khadi thi.
Uske haath mein ek chhota sa cardboard box tha. Woh lock kholne ki koshish kar rahi thi, lekin box baar-baar uske haath se phisal raha tha.
Reyansh ne lift se nikalte hue dekha.
Reyansh: "Madam, parcel hai ya ghar badalne ka final round?"
Jheel ne palatkar dekha.
Aaj usne off-white kurti ke saath blue jeans pehni thi. Baal ek loose clip se peeche bandhe the, aur kaanon mein chhote silver studs the. Chehre par din bhar ke kaam ki halki thakaan thi, lekin Reyansh ko dekhte hi uske honton par muskurahat aa gayi.
Jheel: "Aapko har cheez mein commentary deni zaroori lagti hai?"
Reyansh: "Bilkul nahi. Kabhi-kabhi main chup bhi rehta hoon."
Jheel: "Kab?"
Reyansh: "Jab main so raha hota hoon."
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: "Achha, zara yeh pakadna."
Reyansh ne box le liya.
Reyansh: "Ismein hai kya? Pichhli baar ke containers ka sequel?"
Jheel: "Nahi. Ek chhota sa desk organiser aur kuch stationery."
Reyansh: "Tum stationery khareedti ho ya stationery ki population badha rahi ho?"
Jheel: "Mujhe kaam karne ke liye cheezein chahiye hoti hain."
Reyansh: "Aur mujhe kaam karne ke liye coffee. Har insaan ki apni majboori hai."
Jheel ne lock khola aur darwaza dhakel diya.
Jheel: "Andar rakh do, please."
Reyansh box lekar andar gaya.
Flat pehle se zyada settled lag raha tha. Living room ke ek kone mein chhota sa desk tha, jis par laptop, notebook aur ek glass mein do pens rakhe the. Khidki ke paas ek indoor plant tha. Table ke upar kuch printed pages bhi pade the.
Jheel ne box desk ke paas rakhwaya.
Reyansh: "Yeh sab course ke liye?"
Jheel: "Abhi toh bas dekh rahi hoon. Ek online course mila hai communication aur digital skills ka. Pehle uske baare mein padhungi, phir decide karungi."
Reyansh: "Achha hai. Pehle research, phir investment."
Jheel: "Aapko har baat mein investment kyun yaad aata hai?"
Reyansh: "Corporate aadmi hoon. Har cheez mein return dhoondhta hoon."
Jheel: "Toh mere course ka return kya hoga?"
Reyansh ne desk par rakhe pages dekhe.
Reyansh: "Agar tum usse kuch seekh leti ho, toh woh return hai. Agar tumhe samajh aa jaata hai ki yeh tumhare liye nahi hai, toh woh bhi return hai. Bas paise dene se pehle dekh lena ki course genuine hai."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: "Aap har baar itni practical baat kaise kar lete ho?"
Reyansh: "Main ghar par boring hoon. Office mein bhi boring hoon. Bas logon ko abhi pata nahi chala."
Jheel: "Mujhe toh pata chal gaya."
Reyansh: "Bahut jaldi judgement pass kar diya."
Jheel hans di.
Woh box kholne lagi toh uski ungli par cardboard ka ek kona chubh gaya.
Jheel: "Ouch!"
Reyansh ne turant uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: "Kya hua?"
Jheel: "Kuch nahi. Bas halka sa cut hai."
Ungli par ek patli si laal lakeer ubhar aayi thi.
Reyansh ne table par rakha tissue uski taraf badhaya.
Reyansh: "Pehle isse daba lo. First-aid box hai?"
Jheel: "Haan, kitchen mein."
Reyansh: "Theek hai. Main le aata hoon?"
Jheel: "Nahi, main le lungi."
Woh kitchen ki taraf gayi, lekin do kadam baad hi Reyansh ne dekha ki usne tissue ko ulta pakad rakha tha aur doosre haath se box kholne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Reyansh: "Ek minute. Tumhare paas do haath hain, lekin dono ko ek saath teen kaam dene ki aadat hai."
Jheel ne use dekha.
Jheel: "Aap help kar rahe ho ya performance review le rahe ho?"
Reyansh: "Dono. Corporate package."
Woh first-aid box le aaya aur table par rakh diya.
Jheel ne chhota sa bandage nikala.
Jheel: "Thank you."
Reyansh: "Iske liye thank you ki zaroorat nahi hai."
Jheel: "Phir bhi."
Uski awaaz mein is baar mazaak nahi tha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha. Jheel ne bandage lagaya, phir apni notebook utha li.
Jheel: "Waise, aapko kabhi aisa lagta hai ki aapko kuch naya seekhna chahiye, lekin shuru karne mein hi bahut waqt nikal jaata hai?"


Reyansh: "Haan. Mere paas bhi aisi kaafi cheezein hain jo main seekhna chahta hoon."
Jheel: "Jaise?"
Reyansh: "Abhi bata diya toh tum list banwa dogi."
Jheel: "Main sirf poochh rahi thi."
Reyansh: "Aur main sirf bach raha hoon."
Jheel ne hansi rokne ki koshish ki.
Jheel: "Aapko har baat ka jawab dena zaroori nahi hai."
Reyansh: "Dekha? Tum bhi seekh rahi ho."
Jheel: "Kya?"
Reyansh: "Mujhse baat karne ka tareeka."
Jheel ne uski taraf ek chhota sa cushion uthane ka natak kiya.
Jheel: "Ab jaaiye. Aapki commentary ki daily limit khatam ho gayi."
Reyansh darwaze ki taraf badha.
Reyansh: "Theek hai. Lekin course ka naam bhej dena. Main dekh lunga genuine hai ya nahi."
Jheel: "Sach mein?"
Reyansh: "Nahi, bas aise hi bol diya. Tumhare desk organiser ki tarah main bhi decorative hoon."
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: "Bhej dungi."
Reyansh apne flat mein laut aaya.
Kuch der baad phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Course ka link bhej diya hai. Aur haan, bandage ke liye thank you.
Reyansh ne message dekha.
Reyansh: Welcome. Agli baar parcel kholne se pehle usse apni jaan-pehchaan kara dena.
Jheel: Aapko har baat par joke karna zaroori hai?
Reyansh: Nahi. Lekin tum hans deti ho, toh practice jaari rakhta hoon.
Jheel ne message padha.
Uske chehre par apne aap muskurahat aa gayi.
Usne koi romantic reply nahi bheja. Bas ek laughing emoji bhej diya.
Reyansh ne bhi phone rakh diya.
Unke beech abhi koi vaada nahi tha. Na koi confession, na koi aisa pal jise dono apne dil mein naam dene lage hon.
Bas itna tha ki Jheel ko kuch chhoti cheezon mein Reyansh ki madad maangna aasaan lagne laga tha.
Aur Reyansh ko uske darwaze par rukna, kuch der baat karna, phir apne flat mein laut aana achha lagta tha.
Kabhi-kabhi kareebi ka pehla nishaan yeh nahi hota ki koi tumhare bina reh nahi sakta.
Kabhi bas itna hota hai ki tumhari maujoodgi uske din ko thoda aasaan bana deti hai.


Thursday Night | Arshad Ka Phone
Raat kareeb saadhe das baje Reyansh sofa par baitha laptop band kar raha tha, tab Arshad ka phone aaya.
Reyansh: "Haan, copywriter saab. Aaj kiski zindagi mein comma lagakar aaye ho?"
Arshad: "Aaj toh full stop lagane ka mann tha."
Reyansh ne laptop side mein rakh diya.
Reyansh: "Kya hua?"
Arshad: "Kuch nahi. Bas Sakshi se milkar aaya tha. Usne ek baat boli."
Reyansh: "Aisi kaunsi baat jo tumhare paas uska joke nahi hai?"
Arshad kuch pal chup raha, phir bola.
Arshad: "Usne kaha ki use mere saare answers abhi nahi chahiye. Bas woh nahi chahti ki main apne darr ko uska answer bana doon."
Reyansh ne baat suni.
Reyansh: "Galat toh nahi bola."
Arshad: "Nahi. Galat nahi bola."
Reyansh: "Phir?"
Arshad: "Phir main soch raha hoon ki main kitni baar pehle hi haar maan leta hoon. Baat hone se pehle. Problem aane se pehle."
Reyansh: "Welcome to the club. Membership free hai, lekin exit mushkil."
Arshad: "Tu apne club ka president ban. Main abhi apni membership cancel nahi kar raha."
Dono hans diye.
Phir Arshad ki awaaz thodi sambhli.
Arshad: "Mujhe nahi pata aage kya hoga, Rey. Lekin ab main usse yeh toh nahi keh sakta ki sab theek rahega. Main bas itna keh sakta hoon ki main koshish karunga."
Reyansh: "Kabhi-kabhi itna kehna hi kaafi hota hai. Bas baad mein apni baat par khade rehna."
Arshad: "Tu aajkal kaafi samajhdaar baatein karne laga hai."
Reyansh: "Main pehle bhi samajhdaar tha. Tumhari company mein meri reputation kharab hui."
Arshad: "Achha? Toh kal se mujhse baat band kar de. Reputation bach jaayegi."
Reyansh: "Dosti mein itna bada sacrifice nahi kar sakta."
Arshad: "Emotional ho gaya, saale?"
Reyansh: "Nahi. Bas phone kaatne ka mann kar raha hai."
Arshad hansne laga.
Arshad: "Chal, milte hain weekend par. Aur is baar tu jagah decide karega."
Reyansh: "Kyun?"
Arshad: "Pichhli baar tu mujhe party mein le gaya tha, phir meri dancing ki beizzati ki. Ab hisaab barabar karna hai."
Reyansh: "Tu dance karna band kar de, hisaab apne aap barabar ho jaayega."
Call khatam hui toh Reyansh kuch der phone haath mein liye baitha raha.
Arshad ki baat uske dimaag mein ghoom rahi thi.
Darr ko answer bana dena.
Kabhi-kabhi insaan kisi cheez se bachne ke liye itna kuch kar leta hai ki use pata hi nahi chalta, woh apni zindagi ke kitne hisse se bach raha hai.
Reyansh ne laptop dobara khola.
Screen par ek email khula tha, jiska reply use bhejna tha. Usne do lines likhin, phir send kar diya.
Zindagi ke kuch sawaalon ke jawaab abhi bhi uske paas nahi the.
Lekin har sawaal ka jawaab usi raat dhoondhna zaroori bhi nahi tha.
Usne phone uthaya. Jheel ka bheja hua course link abhi bhi chat mein tha.
Usne link kholkar details dekhni shuru kar di.
Kuch minute baad usne Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh: Course theek lag raha hai. Fees dene se pehle syllabus aur reviews thoda aur check kar lena. Ek free introductory session bhi hai.
Jheel ka reply kuch der baad aaya.
Jheel: Aapne itni jaldi dekh bhi liya?
Reyansh: Mujhe shak tha tum poochhkar khud hi bhool jaogi.
Jheel: Main nahi bhoolti.
Reyansh: Achha hai. Phir apne sapne bhi yaad rakhna.
Is baar Jheel ka reply jaldi nahi aaya.
Kuch minute baad message aaya.
Jheel: Yaad rakhungi. Good night, Reyansh.
Usne pehli baar message mein uska naam is tarah likha tha, bina kisi joke ke, bina kisi sawaal ke.
Reyansh ne screen dekhi aur type kiya.
Reyansh: Good night, Jheel.
Usne phone rakh diya.
Bengaluru ki raat apni raftaar se chal rahi thi.
Ek taraf Arshad apne darr ke bawajood aage badhne ki koshish kar raha tha. Doosri taraf Jheel apni zindagi mein kuch naya shuru karne ki taiyaari kar rahi thi. Aur Reyansh, jo aksar doosron ko aage badhne ki salah de deta tha, apni zindagi ko abhi bhi chhote-chhote hisson mein jee raha tha.
Usse nahi pata tha ki aane wale dino mein kaun uske kareeb aayega, kaun door ho jaayega, aur kaun uski zindagi mein aakar kuch badal dega.


Filhaal uske paas ek dost tha jo pehli baar apne jawaabon se bhaag nahi raha tha.
Ek padosan thi jiske sapnon ko woh thoda sa sahara de raha tha.
Aur Saturday ko ek coffee thi, jiske baare mein usne abhi tak zyada socha nahi tha.
Aur kuch log abhi bhi apne jawaabon se bach rahe the.

[Greenwood]

Update 20



Saturday ki subah Reyansh ke liye office ke alarm se azaad thi.
Aath bajkar bees minute par uski aankh khuli. Usne takiye ke neeche haath daalkar phone nikala, notifications dekhe aur phir phone wapas rakh diya.
Aaj koi early meeting nahi thi. Koi presentation nahi thi. Aur sabse zaroori baat, kisi client ko subah nau baje tak duniya badalne wala idea nahi chahiye tha.
Woh aaram se uthkar bathroom ki taraf badha.
Kareeb aadhe ghante baad, shower lekar nikla toh doorbell baj gayi.
Reyansh: "Aa gaya Saturday ka pehla assignment."
Usne darwaza khola.
Shalu haath mein apna bag liye khadi thi.
Shalu: "Good morning!"
Reyansh: "Itni khushi? Salary badh gayi tumhari?"
Shalu: "Nahi. Aaj maine English mein ek poora video bina Hindi subtitles ke samjha."
Reyansh ne darwaze se hatkar use andar aane diya.
Reyansh: "Wah! Matlab ab main tumse Hindi mein baat karne ke liye appointment loonga?"
Shalu: "Aap pehle English mein seedha sentence bolna seekh lo."
Reyansh: "Mere ghar mein meri hi izzat khatre mein hai."
Shalu kitchen mein chali gayi.
Reyansh dining table par baith gaya. Usne phone uthaya toh Aarohi ka message dikha.
Aarohi: Good morning! Aaj bhi coffee plan on hai na?
Reyansh: Good morning. Bilkul. Main apni social responsibilities ko seriously leta hoon.
Aarohi: Achha? Pichhli baar lunch mein tumne aadhe logon se baat bhi nahi ki thi.
Reyansh: Woh family gathering thi. Main wahan food review dene gaya tha.
Aarohi: Aaj food review nahi chalega. Coffee par focus karna.
Reyansh: Understood, madam.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Kitchen se Shalu ki awaaz aayi.
Shalu: "Aaj kahin ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh: "Haan, coffee pe."
Shalu: "Doston ke saath?"
Reyansh: "Ek dost se milna hai."
Shalu ne kitchen se hi jawab diya.
Shalu: "Achha. Toh aaj breakfast time par kar lena. Baad mein bhookhe rehkar mujhe phone mat karna."
Reyansh: "Tum mujhe jaanti hi kitna ho?"
Shalu: "Kaafi. Aapki bhookh ka schedule aapke office calendar se zyada unpredictable hai."
Reyansh hans diya.
Kuch der baad Shalu breakfast table par rakhkar jaane lagi toh usne use yaad dilaya ki introductory course ka link usne dekh liya tha aur uske free session ki details bhi note kar li thi.
Reyansh: "Good. Pehle free session attend karna. Uske baad decide karna ki aage kya karna hai."
Shalu: "Haan. Aur aap apni coffee enjoy karna."
Reyansh: "Main toh karunga. Tum apni English enjoy karo."
Shalu chali gayi.
Reyansh ne breakfast khatam kiya aur apne kamre ki taraf badh gaya.
Aaj ka din uske paas tha.
Aur filhaal, usne use kisi khaas expectation ke bina jeene ka faisla kiya.

Saturday Afternoon | Café
Café Bengaluru ke ek busy commercial area mein tha. Andar halki music chal rahi thi, kuch log laptops par kaam kar rahe the aur khidki ke paas wali tables par weekend ka aaram saaf nazar aa raha tha.
Reyansh kareeb do minute pehle pahunch gaya tha.
Usne light blue shirt ki sleeves kohni tak fold kar rakhi thi, dark jeans aur casual sneakers pehne the. Woh menu dekh raha tha jab Aarohi saamne aakar ruki.
Aarohi: "Mr. Social Responsibility!"
Reyansh ne nazar uthayi.
Aarohi ne white top ke saath olive-green trousers pehne the. Baal khule hue the aur ek patli si watch uski kalai par thi. Uske haath mein laptop bag tha.
Reyansh: "Tum laptop lekar aayi ho?"
Aarohi: "Haan. Main apni productive personality ko ghar par akela nahi chhod sakti."
Reyansh: "Mujhe laga tha aaj tum mujhe coffee par focus karne ka lecture dogi."
Aarohi: "Dungi. Lekin pehle coffee."
Dono hans pade.
Woh table par baith gaye.
Aarohi: "Waise, tumne jo café suggest kiya tha, woh kaafi achha hai."
Reyansh: "Thank you. Main kabhi-kabhi achhe suggestions bhi deta hoon."
Aarohi: "Kabhi-kabhi?"
Reyansh: "Zyada tareef karogi toh meri personality bigad jaayegi."
Aarohi ne menu khola.
Dono ne coffee order ki. Aarohi ne laptop bag chair ke paas rakh diya, lekin laptop nahi nikala.
Reyansh ne notice kiya.
Reyansh: "Laptop nahi kholna?"
Aarohi: "Pehle tumhara interview le leti hoon. Phir kaam karungi."
Reyansh: "Interview? Main kisi company mein apply nahi kar raha."
Aarohi: "Relax. Bas lunch wale din tum bahut kam bole the. Main dekhna chahti thi ki tum hamesha aise hi ho ya sirf family functions mein."
Reyansh: "Family functions mein main apni energy save karta hoon."
Aarohi: "Kisliye?"
Reyansh: "Dessert ke liye."
Aarohi zor se hans padi.
Aarohi: "Tum kaafi ajeeb ho."
Reyansh: "Aur tum kaafi jaldi conclusions nikaalti ho."
Aarohi: "Profession ki aadat hai."
Reyansh: "Tum karti kya ho exactly? Shivani ne bas itna bataya tha ki tum kaam karti ho."
Aarohi ne coffee ka intezaar karte hue apna phone table par rakha.
Aarohi: "Main ek design consultancy mein kaam karti hoon. Mostly client projects, presentations aur unke ideas ko actual workable design mein badalna."
Reyansh: "Matlab tum logon ke ideas ko dekhkar batati ho ki woh achhe hain ya nahi?"
Aarohi: "Nahi. Main pehle unhe sun leti hoon. Phir batati hoon ki woh kitne impractical hain."
Reyansh: "Tum aur Neha achhi dost ban sakti ho."
Aarohi: "Neha kaun?"
Reyansh: "Meri colleague. Uske paas bhi kisi ke idea ki dhajjiyan udaane ke professional reasons hote hain."
Aarohi: "Toh tum dono ki job ek hi hai?"
Reyansh: "Nahi. Woh meri presentation ki dhajjiyan udaati hai. Main uske coffee choices ki."
Coffee aa gayi.
Aarohi ne cup uthaya.
Aarohi: "Achha, ek baat batao. Tum kaam ke alawa karte kya ho?"
Reyansh: "Yeh sawal bahut personal hai."
Aarohi: "Coffee cancel kar doon?"
Reyansh: "Doston se milta hoon, kabhi bahar chala jaata hoon, movies dekh leta hoon. Kabhi kuch plan karta hoon, kabhi bina plan ke nikal jaata hoon."

Aarohi: "Aur?"
Reyansh: "Aur kya? Main apni biography nahi likh raha."
Aarohi: "Tumse baat karne ke liye information nikaalni padti hai."
Reyansh: "Tum design consultancy mein ho. Mujhe laga tumhe information nikaalne ki aadat hogi."
Aarohi ne coffee ka sip liya.
Aarohi: "Mujhe naye logon ko samajhna pasand hai. Lekin main unse har cheez pehle din hi nahi poochhti."
Reyansh: "Achha hai. Warna mujhe interview ke baad feedback bhi bharna padta."
Aarohi muskura di.
Dheere-dheere baat kaam se nikal kar travel, Bengaluru ke favourite spots aur un jagahon tak pahunchi jahan dono kabhi jaana chahte the.
Aarohi ko purani buildings aur unki architecture mein interest tha. Reyansh ko naye restaurants aur aise raaste pasand the jahan woh bina kisi destination ke drive kar sake.
Aarohi: "Tum bina destination ke drive karte ho?"
Reyansh: "Kabhi-kabhi."
Aarohi: "Mujhe toh bina destination ke ghar se nikalne mein hi anxiety hoti hai."
Reyansh: "Tum Google Maps ke saath emotional attachment rakhti ho?"
Aarohi: "Haan. Kam se kam woh mujhe batata hai ki main kahan ja rahi hoon."
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: "Mujhe bhi kabhi-kabhi bata dena chahiye."
Aarohi: "Kyun?"
Reyansh: "Taaki mujhe pata chale main apni zindagi mein kahan ja raha hoon."
Baat kehne ke baad usne coffee ka cup utha liya.
Aarohi ne use dekha, phir muskurakar boli.
Aarohi: "Tum mazaak kar rahe ho ya serious ho?"
Reyansh: "Main khud bhi decide nahi kar paaya."
Aarohi ne is baat ko kheenchne ki koshish nahi ki.
Aarohi: "Theek hai. Jab decide kar lena, bata dena."
Woh dono kuch der chupchaap coffee peete rahe. Chup rehna awkward nahi tha. Har khamoshi ko bharne ke liye joke zaroori nahi tha.
Kareeb ek ghante baad Aarohi ne apna laptop bag uthaya.
Aarohi: "Mujhe ab ek presentation complete karni hai. Warna Monday ko mera boss mujhe design ke saath-saath life decisions bhi samjhayega."
Reyansh: "All the best. Main tumhare liye dua karunga."
Aarohi: "Tum presentation mein help kar sakte ho."
Reyansh: "Dua budget mein included hai. Professional help extra chargeable hai."
Aarohi hans padi.
Dono café ke bahar aaye.
Aarohi: "Coffee achhi thi."
Reyansh: "Main yaad rakhunga."
Aarohi: "Agli baar tum apni favourite jagah choose karna."
Reyansh: "Agli baar?"
Aarohi ne ek pal ke liye use dekha.
Aarohi: "Haan. Agar tumhe aaj ki coffee buri nahi lagi toh."
Reyansh: "Coffee achhi thi. Company bhi theek thi."
Aarohi: "Theek thi?"
Reyansh: "Main zyada tareef nahi karta. Personality bigad jaati hai."
Aarohi ne hanskar use bye kaha aur apni taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal wahin khada raha, phir parking ki taraf badh gaya.
Aarohi ke saath waqt achha guzra tha. Uski apni personality thi, apni soch aur apni duniya.
Lekin Reyansh ke liye yeh abhi bas ek achhi mulaqat thi.
Na koi promise.
Na koi naya label.
Aur na hi koi wajah ki woh is ek coffee ko usse zyada bana de.


Saturday Evening | Building Corridor
Shaam ko Reyansh building lauta toh lobby mein Prakash Bhatia ek delivery boy ko samjha rahe the ki parcels reception par bina entry ke nahi chhodne chahiye.
Prakash Bhatia: "Maine pehle bhi bola hai. Society ka system follow karna chahiye."
Delivery boy ne thake hue andaaz mein sar hilaya.
Delivery Boy: "Sir, main bas parcel dene aaya hoon."
Prakash Bhatia: "Toh parcel do, lekin procedure ke saath."
Reyansh paas se guzarte hue ruk gaya.
Reyansh: "Bhatia ji, agar parcel ke saath uska Aadhaar card bhi mangwa loge toh system aur strong ho jaayega."
Prakash ne use dekha.
Prakash Bhatia: "Tum har baat ko mazaak mein kyun lete ho?"
Reyansh: "Main toh aapki efficiency badhane ki koshish kar raha hoon."
Delivery boy ne mushkil se apni hansi roki.
Prakash Bhatia: "Tum logon ki wajah se hi society mein discipline nahi rehta."
Reyansh: "Aap fikr mat kijiye. Main ghar jaakar apne discipline ko samjha dunga."
Woh lift ki taraf badh gaya.
Third floor par pahunchkar usne dekha ki Jheel apne flat ke bahar khadi thi. Uske paas ek chhota sa packet aur notebook thi.
Reyansh: "Aaj kya aaya? Stationery ka agla generation?"
Jheel ne use dekha.
Jheel: "Nahi. Course ke introductory session ka schedule print karwaya hai."
Reyansh: "Achha! Toh ab tum officially student banne wali ho?"
Jheel: "Pehle session toh attend kar lene dijiye."
Reyansh: "Bilkul. Main toh pehle din se tumhari success story ka witness hoon."
Jheel: "Aap har baat mein apna naam kyun jod dete ho?"
Reyansh: "Future mein interview dena padega. Bolunga, 'Main wahan maujood tha jab Jheel ne apna pehla course shuru kiya.'"
Jheel hans di.
Jheel: "Waise aap kahan gaye the?"
Reyansh: "Coffee pe."
Jheel: "Office ke kisi friend ke saath?"
Reyansh: "Nahi, Aarohi ke saath. Shivani ke ghar par mili thi na, usi se."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
Jheel: "Achha. Kaisi rahi?"
Reyansh: "Achhi thi. Kaafi baatein hui."
Jheel: "Good."
Usne apne packet ko sambhala aur darwaza kholne lagi.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
Reyansh: "Bas? Koi aur sawaal nahi?"
Jheel ne palatkar use dekha.
Jheel: "Kya poochhun?"
Reyansh: "Kuch bhi. Jaise coffee kaisi thi, jagah kaisi thi, main bore toh nahi hua."
Jheel: "Aap bore hue hote toh abhi tak mujhe poori report de chuke hote."
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: "Point hai."
Jheel ne darwaza khola.
Jheel: "Achha, main schedule dekh loon. Kal session hai."
Reyansh: "All the best."
Jheel: "Thank you."
Woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh apne flat mein aa gaya.
Jheel ne Aarohi ke baare mein poochha tha, lekin uski awaaz mein koi khaas badlav nahi tha. Reyansh ne bhi usse kuch chhupaya nahi tha.
Filhaal, unke beech itni hi familiarity thi ki woh ek-doosre se apne din ke baare mein poochh sakte the.
Aur yeh apne aap mein ek achhi baat thi.


Sunday Morning | Jheel Ka Introductory Session
Sunday subah Jheel apne desk par baithi thi.
Laptop khula hua tha. Screen par online introductory session ka page tha. Usne notebook ke pehle panne par likha:
My Goals
Neeche teen points the.
Improve communication.
Learn digital skills.
Become more independent.
Usne pen se pehle point ke neeche ek chhoti line kheench di.
Phir apna phone silent par rakha aur session join kar liya.
Shuruaat mein instructor ne course ka structure samjhaya. Kuch der baad participants se apne goals ke baare mein poochha gaya.
Jheel ne microphone on kiya.
Instructor: "Would anyone like to share what they hope to learn from this course?"
Jheel ne ek pal ke liye apni notebook dekhi.
Jheel: "I want to improve my communication skills. And I want to learn something that can help me become more independent."
Uski awaaz mein halki si nervousness thi, lekin usne apni baat poori ki.
Instructor ne uska thank you kaha aur agle participant ki taraf badh gaye.
Session khatam hua toh Jheel ne laptop band nahi kiya. Woh kuch der apne notes dekhti rahi.
Usne abhi koi bada decision nahi liya tha. Lekin usne pehla step le liya tha.
Usne phone uthaya aur Reyansh ko message kiya.
Jheel: Introductory session ho gaya.
Reyansh ka reply kuch minute baad aaya.
Reyansh: Aur duniya badal gayi?
Jheel: Abhi nahi. Bas ek ghanta laptop ke saamne baithi thi.
Reyansh: Har revolution ki shuruaat ek ghante se hi hoti hai.
Jheel: Aap kabhi seedha congratulations nahi bol sakte?
Reyansh: Congratulations, Jheel. Sach mein. Achha kiya tumne.
Jheel ne message padha.
Is baar usne turant reply nahi kiya. Usne phone table par rakha, apni notebook kholi aur teesra point dobara padha.
Become more independent.
Usne uske saamne ek chhota sa tick mark bana diya.
Phir message type kiya.
Jheel: Thank you. Agla session bhi attend karungi.
Reyansh: Bas. Ab tumhe koi nahi rok sakta.
Jheel: Aapko toh main rok sakti hoon. Jab aap zyada bolte ho.
Reyansh: Meri success story ka witness banne se pehle hi mujhe silence kar diya.
Jheel hans padi.
Usne phone rakh diya aur apne notes sambhalne lagi.


Sunday Afternoon | Reyansh Aur Arshad
Dopahar ko Reyansh ne Arshad ko call kiya.
Arshad: "Hello, Bengaluru ke sabse busy aadmi. Aaj kis meeting mein ho?"
Reyansh: "Apne ghar mein. Apni hi company ke saath."
Arshad: "Matlab aaj bhi single-player mode?"
Reyansh: "Haan. Aur tu?"
Arshad: "Main multiplayer game mein hoon. Bas rules abhi samajh raha hoon."
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: "Sakshi se baat hui?"
Arshad: "Haan. Kal wali conversation ke baad aaj bhi baat hui. Humne decide kiya hai ki future ko lekar ek-do practical cheezon par dheere-dheere baat karenge. Har baar ek hi din mein saari duniya solve nahi karni."
Reyansh: "Good. Progress."
Arshad: "Aur tu? Saturday kaisa raha?"
Reyansh: "Coffee achhi thi."
Arshad: "Bas? Coffee achhi thi? Ladki ka review nahi dega?"
Reyansh: "Aarohi achhi hai. Smart hai, funny hai. Baat karna easy hai."
Arshad: "Toh phir?"
Reyansh: "Toh phir kuch nahi. Ek coffee pi, baat ki. Har achhi mulaqat ko relationship ka trailer banana zaroori hai kya?"
Arshad kuch pal chup raha, phir bola.
Arshad: "Nahi. Lekin tu kabhi-kabhi itni jaldi kisi cheez ko normal declare kar deta hai ki mujhe shak hone lagta hai."
Reyansh: "Tujhe har cheez mein plot twist chahiye."
Arshad: "Main advertising mein hoon. Plot twist na ho toh client ko kaise samjhaun ki product yaad kyun rahega?"
Reyansh: "Tu apni job ko apni zindagi se alag rakh."
Arshad: "Tu bhi toh apni zindagi ko office ki tarah manage karta hai. Har cheez ko alag folder mein daal deta hai."
Reyansh ne halki hansi ke saath sar peeche tikaya.
Reyansh: "Aaj tu philosopher kyun ban raha hai?"
Arshad: "Sakshi ka asar hai. Serious conversations se mera vocabulary improve ho raha hai."
Reyansh: "Bas ab mujhe apni progress report mat bhejna."
Arshad: "Bhejunga. Har hafte. Subject: How to Survive a Relationship Without Making Jokes Every Five Minutes."
Reyansh: "Us course mein admission fees kitni hai?"
Arshad: "Teri dosti."
Reyansh: "Refund policy?"
Arshad: "Non-refundable."
Dono hans pade.
Kuch der baad baat weekend plans aur office ke kaam par aa gayi. Arshad ne apne ek naye campaign ka zikr kiya. Reyansh ne use ek idea diya, aur Arshad ne us idea ko turant reject karne ka natak kiya.

Call khatam hone tak dono ka mood halka ho chuka tha.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakha.
Aarohi ke saath ek achhi coffee thi. Jheel apne liye kuch naya seekh rahi thi. Arshad apni relationship mein pehle se zyada honest hone ki koshish kar raha tha.
Har kisi ki zindagi apni raftaar se aage badh rahi thi.
Aur Reyansh ki zindagi bhi.
Bas abhi tak kisi ek raaste ko usne apna final destination nahi maana tha


Sunday Evening | Flat 303
Shaam ko Reyansh balcony mein khada tha. Neeche road par traffic ki awaaz thi aur saamne wali buildings ki lights jalne lagi thi.
Usne phone nikala.
Aarohi ka message tha.
Aarohi: Presentation complete. Tumhari coffee recommendation ne kaam kar diya.
Reyansh: Mujhe lagta hai mujhe consulting business shuru karna chahiye.
Aarohi: Pehle apne kaam ke clients sambhalo.
Reyansh: Tum logon ko support karne ki jagah demotivate zyada karti ho.
Aarohi: Main bas realistic hoon.
Reyansh: Yeh line maine pehle bhi suni hai.
Aarohi ne ek laughing emoji bheja.
Reyansh ne phone pocket mein rakh diya.
Kuch der baad Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Kal se course ka proper module start hai. Thoda nervous hoon.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Nervous hona allowed hai. Session miss karna allowed nahi.
Jheel: Aap instructor kab ban gaye?
Reyansh: Jab se tumne mujhe apni success story ka witness banaya hai.
Jheel: Maine aisa kab kaha?
Reyansh: Tumne nahi. Maine khud decide kar liya.
Jheel: Convenient.
Reyansh: Bahut.
Jheel ne hansne wala emoji bheja.
Reyansh balcony ki railing par haath rakhkar khada raha.
Uske liye Aarohi ke saath coffee ek achhi mulaqat thi. Jheel ke saath baat karna ab rozmarra ki zindagi ka ek familiar hissa ban raha tha. Dono connections alag the, aur unhe alag rehne dena hi filhaal sahi tha.
Woh kisi ko koi promise nahi kar raha tha.
Kisi se kuch chhupa bhi nahi raha tha.
Bas apni zindagi ko aage badhne de raha tha.
Usne aasman ki taraf dekha. Bengaluru ke aasman mein shehar ki roshni ki wajah se taare kam nazar aa rahe the.
Phir bhi aasman khaali nahi tha.
Shayad zindagi bhi aisi hi thi.

[Greenwood]

Update 21



Monday ki subah Reyansh apni wardrobe ke saamne khada do shirts ke beech faisla kar raha tha.
Ek white shirt.
Ek light blue shirt.
Dono saaf thi. Dono iron ki hui thi. Dono pehenne layak thi.
Lekin Reyansh ke liye asli sawaal yeh tha ki aaj uska mood kis shirt ke saath zyada match karta hai.
Phone par Arshad ka voice note aaya.
Arshad: "Janab, agar aap abhi bhi kapdon ke saath emotional attachment mein hain, toh yaad dila doon ki duniya mein kuch log office pahunch bhi gaye hain."
Reyansh ne voice note ka reply record kiya.
Reyansh: "Kuch log office pahunchkar bhi kaam nahi karte. Bas doosron ko disturb karte hain. Tum unmein se ho."
Usne blue shirt nikaali aur pehen li.
Dining table par Shalu breakfast rakh rahi thi.
Shalu: "Aaj late ho jaoge."
Reyansh: "Abhi toh time hai."
Shalu: aapke andar ek aisa aadmi jo har kaam aakhri minute par karta hai."
Reyansh baithkar breakfast karne laga.
Reyansh: "Waise, tumhara course kab shuru ho raha hai?"
Shalu: "Main abhi options dekh rahi hoon. Pehle samajh loon ki mujhe kya seekhna hai."
Reyansh: "Good. Koi jaldi nahi. Lekin dekhte rehna."

Reyansh ne tiffin uthaya aur darwaze ki taraf badha.
Shalu: "All the best!"
Reyansh: "Kisliye?"
Shalu: "Aapke Monday ke liye. Bechara har hafte aapko jhelta hai."
Reyansh ne darwaza band karne se pehle use dekha.
Reyansh: "Tumhari English improve ho rahi hai. Insults bhi upgrade ho gaye."
Shalu: "Thank you!"
Darwaza band ho gaya.
Shalu muskuraate hue kitchen mein laut gayi.
Aur Reyansh apne Monday se ladne nikal pada.



Lunch ke baad office mein kaam apni raftaar se chal raha tha.
Reyansh apne desk par client ke revised campaign points dekh raha tha. Neha uske saamne ek file lekar aayi.
Neha: "Ek chhoti si problem hai."
Reyansh ne screen se nazar nahi hatayi.
Reyansh: "Kitni chhoti?"
Neha: "Client ko apna approved concept ab pasand nahi aa raha."
Reyansh ne dheere se laptop band kar diya.
Reyansh: "Toh phir approval kis baat ka liya tha?"
Neha: "Unka kehna hai ki unhone approve toh kiya tha, lekin ab unhe ek aur direction try karni hai."
Reyansh: "Matlab shaadi bhi kar li aur ab keh rahe hain ki pehle dating options dekhne chahiye the."
Neha hans padi.
Neha: "Tumhare metaphors kabhi-kabhi bahut disturbing hote hain."
Reyansh: "Main creative hoon. Mere metaphors ko respect do."
Neha ne file uski taraf badha di.
Neha: "Chalo, ab seriously dekhte hain. Humein poora campaign dobara nahi banana. Bas presentation mein alternative direction add karni hai."
Reyansh ne file kholi.
Dono ne agle aadhe ghante mein revised structure tayyar kar liya. Neha ne ek slide par suggestion diya, Reyansh ne usmein do changes kiye, aur presentation dobara workable ho gayi.
Kaam khatam hone par Neha apni chair se uthne lagi.
Neha: "Waise, weekend kaisa raha?"
Reyansh: "Achha tha."
Neha: "Bas achha?"
Reyansh: "Coffee pi, dost se baat ki, ghar aaya. Weekend successful."
Neha: "Tumhare weekend ka annual report bhi isi format mein aata hai?"
Reyansh: "Haan. Short, clear aur unnecessary details se free."
Neha ne laptop uthaya.
Neha: "Theek hai. Kabhi-kabhi unnecessary details hi interesting hoti hain."
Reyansh: "Aur kabhi-kabhi log doosron ki life mein unnecessarily interested hote hain."
Neha: "Main toh bas conversation kar rahi thi."
Reyansh: "Main bhi."
Neha ne use ek amused look diya aur apni desk ki taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh ne presentation save ki.
Uske phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Aaj mera pehla proper session tha.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Aur kitne logon ko impress kiya?
Jheel: Main seekhne gayi thi, impress karne nahi.
Reyansh: Galat strategy. Dono saath-saath karne chahiye.
Jheel: Aap har cheez ko competition kyun bana dete ho?
Reyansh: Corporate conditioning.
Jheel: Aapko dekhkar lagta hai.
Reyansh hans diya.
Neha apni desk se uski taraf dekhkar boli.
Neha: "Kya hua? Client ne campaign approve kar diya?"
Reyansh: "Nahi. Ek aur client mil gaya hai."
Neha: "Kaun?"
Reyansh: "Abhi confidential hai."
Neha ne aankhein ghumayi aur apne kaam mein lag gayi.
Reyansh ne phone pocket mein rakh diya.
Kaam abhi baaki tha.


Tuesday ko Jheel ka doosra session tha.
Is baar usne session khatam hone se pehle hi notebook band nahi ki. Instructor ne participants ko ek chhota sa task diya tha: apna introduction English mein taiyar karna aur agle session mein share karna.
Jheel ne notebook mein kuch lines likhin.
My name is Jheel.
I work from home.
I want to improve my communication skills.
Woh ruk gayi.
Phir usne ek aur line likhi.
I want to become more confident.
Usne sentence ko do baar padha aur phir notebook band kar di.
Kuch der baad doorbell baji.
Jheel ne darwaza khola toh saamne Reyansh tha. Uske haath mein ek chhota sa parcel tha.
Jheel: "Yeh kya hai?"
Reyansh: "Tumhara nahi hai."
Jheel: "Toh mere darwaze par kyun khade ho?"
Reyansh: "Tumhare darwaze ke paas network achha hai. Main call karne aaya hoon."
Jheel ne use dekha.
Jheel: "Aapko kabhi normal baat karna aayega?"
Reyansh: "Umeed toh hai."
Woh hans padi.
Reyansh ne parcel dikhaya.
Reyansh: "Delivery wale ne galti se mere parcel ke saath tumhara ek envelope bhi reception par chhod diya. Bhatia ji ne dono ko ek hi register mein likh diya. Yeh tumhara hai."
Jheel ne envelope le liya.
Jheel: "Thank you. Ismein course ki workbook hai."
Reyansh: "Achha. Ab toh tum officially student ban gayi."
Jheel: "Aapko yeh baat kitni baar batani padegi?"
Reyansh: "Jab tak tum mujhe graduation ceremony mein invite nahi karti."
Jheel ne hansi dabayi.
Jheel: "Aapko pehle se invitation chahiye?"
Reyansh: "Main apni importance establish kar raha hoon."
Jheel ne envelope khola aur workbook check ki.
Jheel: "Achha hua mil gaya. Mujhe laga tha delivery late hogi."
Reyansh ne uske haath mein notebook dekhi.
Reyansh: "Homework?"
Jheel: "Introduction prepare karna hai."
Reyansh: "Sunao."
Jheel: "Abhi nahi."
Reyansh: "Kyun? Main examiner thodi hoon."
Jheel: "Aap examiner se zyada difficult ho."
Reyansh ne seene par haath rakhkar fake hurt expression banaya.
Reyansh: "Itni beizzati. Main toh bas tumhari help karna chahta tha."
Jheel kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Jheel: "Theek hai. Suno."
Usne notebook kholi aur dheere-dheere apna introduction padhne lagi.
Shuruaat mein uski awaaz halki thi. Ek sentence ke beech woh ruk gayi, phir dobara boli. Reyansh ne beech mein interrupt nahi kiya.
Jab Jheel ne padhna khatam kiya, usne notebook band kar di.
Jheel: "Kaisa tha?"
Reyansh: "Achha tha."
Jheel: "Bas?"
Reyansh: "Tumhe sach chahiye ya woh answer jo tum sunna chahti ho?"
Jheel: "Sach."
Reyansh: "Tumhari English samajh aa rahi thi. Bas kuch jagah tum bahut jaldi bol rahi thi, aur do sentences mein confidence kam ho gaya. Lekin tumne poora introduction complete kiya. Woh important hai."
Jheel ne dheere se sar hilaya.
Jheel: "Mujhe bolte waqt lagta hai ki kahin galat na bol doon."
Reyansh: "Galat bologi toh correct kar logi. Agar bolna hi band kar dogi toh improve kaise karogi?"
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: "Aapko kabhi kisi cheez mein aisa darr lagta hai?"
Sawaal seedha tha.
Reyansh ne ek pal socha.
Reyansh: "Haan. Lekin har darr ka solution ek hi nahi hota."
Jheel ne uske chehre ko dekha, jaise uske jawab ke peeche kuch aur samajhna chahti ho. Phir usne sawaal ko aage nahi badhaya.
Jheel: "Theek hai. Main practice karungi."
Reyansh: "Bas. Agli baar thoda aur confidence."
Jheel: "Aur aap?"
Reyansh: "Main kya?"
Jheel: "Aap agli baar bina joke ke bhi feedback de sakte ho."
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: "Main koshish karunga. Lekin guarantee nahi."
Jheel bhi muskura di.
Usne envelope aur notebook sambhaal kar rakhe.
Jheel: "Thank you. Parcel laane ke liye bhi, aur sunne ke liye bhi."
Reyansh ki muskurahat is baar thodi halki ho gayi.
Reyansh: "You're welcome."
Woh apne flat ki taraf badh gaya.
Jheel darwaze par kuch pal khadi rahi, phir andar chali gayi.
Usne notebook kholi aur apne introduction ke neeche ek chhoti si line likhi:
Speak slowly. Don't stop.
Phir usne notebook band kar di.


Wednesday Afternoon | Building Lobby
Wednesday ko building mein ek chhota sa hungama ho gaya.
Gungun lobby mein khadi thi. Uske haath mein ek parcel tha aur saamne Prakash Bhatia.
Gungun: "Maine clearly delivery instructions mein likha tha ki parcel flat par dena hai. Reception par chhodne ko kisne bola?"
Prakash Bhatia: "Madam, society ke rules hain. Har delivery ka record maintain hota hai."
Gungun: "Toh record maintain kijiye. Mujhe har baar reception se parcel collect karne ka time nahi hai."
Prakash Bhatia: "Aapko bhi society ke system ke saath cooperate karna chahiye."
Gungun ne parcel apne haath mein adjust kiya.
Gungun: "Aap mujhe cooperate karna sikha rahe hain? Main teen saal se yahan reh rahi hoon."
Reyansh lift se nikla aur scene dekhkar ruk gaya.
Reyansh: "Kya hua? Parcel ki custody battle chal rahi hai?"
Gungun ne use dekha.
Gungun: "Tum beech mein mat bolo."
Reyansh: "Main toh bas jaan raha hoon ki parcel jeetega ya society ke rules."
Prakash Bhatia ne use ghura.
Prakash Bhatia: "Reyansh, tumhe har jagah commentary karni zaroori hai?"
Reyansh: "Nahi. Lekin aap dono itni achhi discussion kar rahe hain ki audience banna pada."
Gungun ne parcel uthaya.
Gungun: "Mujhe apna parcel mil gaya. Bas."
Woh lift ki taraf badhi.
Do kadam baad rukkar palti.
Gungun: "Aur tum, Reyansh. Har baar mujhe irritate karna zaroori nahi hai."
Reyansh: "Main toh building ki community bonding badha raha hoon."
Gungun ne use ek thandi nazar di aur lift mein chali gayi.
Prakash Bhatia ne gehri saans li.
Prakash Bhatia: "Is building mein shaanti naam ki cheez nahi hai."
Reyansh: "Aap secretary hain. Shaanti ko bhi maintenance charges ke saath register karwa dijiye."
Reyansh aage badh gaya.
Lobby se nikalte hue usne dekha ki Gungun lift ke andar apne phone par kisi se baat kar rahi thi. Uske chehre par ab gussa nahi tha, bas ek thaki hui si expression thi.
Reyansh ne us taraf dobara nahi dekha.
Har kisi ka mood, har kisi ka din aur har kisi ki pareshani ek jaisi nahi hoti.
Aur har cheez ko joke mein badal dena bhi zaroori nahi tha.


Thursday ko office se nikalte waqt Neha ne Reyansh ko message kiya.
Neha: Kal client presentation final hai. Please revised file check kar lena.
Reyansh: Kar lunga.
Neha: Aur is baar koi last-minute joke nahi. Client already difficult hai.
Reyansh: Mera humour hi toh team ko difficult situations mein zinda rakhta hai.
Neha: Tumhara humour hi kabhi-kabhi situation difficult banata hai.
Reyansh hans diya aur phone pocket mein rakh liya.
Parking ki taraf jaate hue uski nazar ek café ke bahar khadi Aarohi par padi. Woh phone par baat kar rahi thi aur ek haath se apna laptop bag sambhaal rahi thi.
Reyansh ne paas jaakar haath hilaya.
Aarohi ne call khatam ki.
Aarohi: "Tum yahan?"
Reyansh: "Main Bengaluru mein rehta hoon. Kabhi-kabhi office se bahar bhi nikalta hoon."
Aarohi: "Very funny."
Reyansh: "Thank you. Tumhara presentation complete hua?"
Aarohi: "Haan. Lekin client ne ek aur change maang liya."
Reyansh ne fake shock dikhaya.
Reyansh: "Clients? Aise kaise kar sakte hain?"
Aarohi hans padi.
Aarohi: "Tum bhi toh client-facing job mein ho. Tumhe toh pata hi hoga."
Reyansh: "Pata hai. Isliye toh main tumhare dukh mein shareek ho raha hoon."
Aarohi ne apni watch dekhi.
Aarohi: "Mujhe ab jaana hoga. Ghar pahunchkar ek aur file check karni hai."
Reyansh: "All the best."
Aarohi: "Thanks. Waise, agle hafte kabhi free ho toh coffee phir pi sakte hain."
Reyansh ne halka sa smile kiya.
Reyansh: "Haan, bata dena."
Aarohi: "Theek hai. Bye!"
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh apni gaadi ki taraf badha.
Aarohi ke saath dobara coffee ka plan bana tha. Yeh achhi baat thi. Uske saath baat karna aasaan tha aur woh apni duniya mein busy bhi thi.
Reyansh ko uski taraf se kisi badi expectation ka ehsaas nahi hua.
Aur usne bhi koi expectation create nahi ki.
Kuch connections ko bas waqt dena padta hai.



Friday ki raat Reyansh ghar lauta toh Shalu dinner bana kar ja chuki thi. Usne kitchen mein khana dekha, phir dining table par baith gaya.
Khana khate hue usne Arshad ko call kiya.
Arshad: "Bol, kya haal hai? Aaj kisi client ne teri creativity ka murder kiya?"
Reyansh: "Client ne nahi. Bas ek presentation ne meri patience test ki."
Arshad: "Same thing."
Dono hans pade.
Reyansh: "Tera kya chal raha hai?"
Arshad: "Sakshi ke saath weekend ka plan hai. Uska course bhi chal raha hai, toh shayad uske project mein help karunga."
Reyansh: "Wah. Ab tu supportive boyfriend ban gaya?"
Arshad: "Main pehle bhi tha. Bas ab apni responsibilities ko officially recognise kar raha hoon."
Reyansh: "Promotion mil gaya?"
Arshad: "Haan. Junior Boyfriend se Senior Boyfriend."
Reyansh hansne laga.
Reyansh: "Salary badhi?"
Arshad: "Nahi. Workload badha hai."
Reyansh: "Corporate life mein welcome."
Arshad ne bhi hansi ke saath jawab diya.
Phir usne poochha.
Arshad: "Aur tera kya scene hai? Aarohi se dobara mil raha hai?"
Reyansh: "Shayad agle hafte. Abhi kuch fix nahi hua."
Arshad: "Aur Jheel?"
Reyansh ne ek pal socha.
Reyansh: "Woh apna course kar rahi hai. Kabhi-kabhi baat ho jaati hai."
Arshad: "Bas?"
Reyansh: "Haan. Bas."
Arshad kuch pal chup raha, phir bola.
Arshad: "Theek hai. Main bas poochh raha tha. Har cheez ko naam dena zaroori nahi."
Reyansh ne muskurakar jawab diya.
Reyansh: "Aaj tu bahut samajhdaar baatein kar raha hai. Sakshi ne training di hai kya?"
Arshad: "Haan. Agla session tera hai."
Reyansh: "Main absent rahunga."
Arshad: "Attendance compulsory hai."
Dono hans pade.
Call khatam hone ke baad Reyansh ne dinner khatam kiya aur plate kitchen mein rakh di.
Usne phone uthaya.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Aaj practice ki. Introduction pehle se better tha.
Reyansh: Good. Dekha, practice kaam karti hai.
Jheel: Aapne bhi kabhi kuch aise seekha hai?
Reyansh ne message padha.
Reyansh: Kaafi cheezein. Kuch achhi tarah, kuch galat tareeke se.
Jheel: Example?
Reyansh ne type kiya.
Reyansh: Abhi itni lambi kahani nahi sunani. Kabhi saamne baithkar.
Kuch der baad Jheel ka reply aaya.
Jheel: Theek hai. Kabhi saamne baithkar.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par halki si muskurahat thi.
Unke beech ab baat karna aasaan hota ja raha tha. Jheel apni zindagi mein kuch naya kar rahi thi, aur Reyansh uski koshishon ka hissa ban raha tha.
Lekin abhi bhi dono ke beech bahut kuch aisa tha jo waqt ke saath hi saamne aana tha.
Reyansh ne light band ki aur bedroom ki taraf chala gaya.
Kal Saturday tha.
Office ka pressure kam hoga, lekin zindagi apne naye sawaal lekar phir aa jaayegi.

[Greenwood]

Update 22


Saturday ki subah Bengaluru mein halki dhoop ke saath shuru hui.
Flat 303 mein alarm bajne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Reyansh ki aankhein khud khul gayi thi, lekin uthne ka mann abhi bhi nahi tha.
Usne side table par rakha phone uthaya.
9:16 AM
Reyansh: "Wah. Aaj toh zindagi mein pehli baar bina alarm ke utha hoon."
Do second baad usne takiye par sar rakh diya.
Reyansh: "Ab uthne ka kya fayda? Subah toh nikal hi gayi."
Phone par Arshad ka message aaya.
Arshad: Zinda hai ya weekend ke naam par coma mein chala gaya?
Reyansh ne aankhein sikodkar reply kiya.
Reyansh: Zinda hoon. Teri tarah doosron ki zindagi mein dakhal dene ka kaam nahi karta.
Arshad: Achha. Toh aaj mil raha hai?
Reyansh: Kyun?
Arshad: Kuch kaam hai.
Reyansh: Paise chahiye toh seedha bol.
Arshad: Tujhse paise maangne se achha main apni kidney bech doon.
Reyansh: Buyer milna bhi toh chahiye.
Arshad ne message ka jawab nahi diya.
Reyansh muskura diya.
Usne phone side mein rakha aur aakhirkaar bistar chhod diya.
Bathroom se nikalne ke baad woh T-shirt aur shorts mein kitchen ke paas aaya. Shalu kuch der mein aane wali thi, isliye usne fridge se paani nikala aur living room ke parde hata diye.
Tabhi doorbell baj gayi.
Reyansh ne darwaza khola.
Saamne Shalu thi. Ek haath mein bag, doosre mein notebook.
Reyansh ne notebook dekhi.
"Madam, aaj college yahin lagega?"
Shalu ne andar aate hue kaha, "Nahi. Aaj bas ek form bharna hai."
"Kiska form?"
"Course ka."
Reyansh ka expression thoda badla.
"Achha! Toh madam ne admission lene ka pakka kar liya?"
Shalu ne bag sofa ke paas rakha.
"Abhi pakka nahi kiya. Pehle fees aur timing dekhni hai."
"Bilkul. Sirf video dekhkar kisi course mein paise nahi daalne chahiye. Pehle check karna ki course kya sikha raha hai, certificate milta hai ya nahi, aur classes ka time tere kaam ke saath manage ho sakta hai ya nahi."
Shalu ne notebook kholi.
"Maine teen course likhe hain. Ek mein computer sikhate hain, doosre mein English aur communication, teesre mein office ka kaam."
Reyansh ne notebook ki taraf dekha.
"Teesra wala kya hai?"
"Usmein email likhna, documents banana aur basic computer ka kaam sikhate hain."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Achha hai. Lekin pehle apna goal decide kar. Tujhe kis tarah ka kaam karna hai? Sirf certificate lene ke liye course karegi toh kuch din baad bore ho jayegi."
Shalu kuch sochne lagi.
"Abhi toh mujhe itna pata hai ki main aage chal kar sirf gharon mein kaam nahi karna chahti."
Usne yeh baat dheere se kahi, lekin usmein pehli baar jhijhak se zyada yakeen tha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Toh theek hai. Abhi tujhe apni poori zindagi ka plan banane ki zaroorat nahi. Bas agla kadam sahi chunna hai."
Shalu ke chehre par halki si muskurahat aayi.
"Ek baat poochhun?"
"Pooch."
"Aapko kabhi aisa lagta hai ki aap jo kar rahe hain, usse zyada kuch kar sakte the?"
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir sofa par baithte hue bola, "Lagta hai. Kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki kuch aur kar sakta tha. Kabhi lagta hai ki jo kar raha hoon, woh bhi theek hai. Har sawaal ka jawab turant milna zaroori nahi."
Shalu ne uski baat notebook mein nahi likhi, bas yaad rakhne ki koshish ki.
Reyansh ne mahaul halka kar diya.
"Waise, itni serious baatein subah-subah? Chai bana de. Dimaag par load pad gaya."
Shalu hans padi.
"Aapka dimaag chai ke bina chalta hi nahi."
"Bilkul. Main ek highly chai-dependent professional hoon."
"Iska bhi certificate banwa doon?"
"Banwa de. Naam likhna: Reyansh , Senior Manager of Chai."
Dono hans pade.
Subah apni raftaar se aage badh gayi.
Lekin Shalu ki notebook mein likhe teen courses ab sirf teen naam nahi the. Unmein uske liye teen alag raaste chhupe the.
Aur pehli baar, woh un raaston ko sach mein dekh rahi thi.


Dopahar ke kareeb Arshad apne office mein baitha laptop ki screen ghoor raha tha.
Uske saamne ek naya advertising campaign tha. Client ko apne naye product ke liye aisa tagline chahiye tha jo chhota ho, yaad rahe aur logon ko turant pasand aaye.
Arshad ne screen par likha:
Simple choice. Better life.
Do second baad delete kar diya.
Phir likha:
Life, made easy.
Phir delete.
Usne kursi par peeth tika di.
Arshad: "Client ko tagline chahiye ya meri aatma ka antim sanskar?"
Bagal wali desk se Kabir bola, "Bhai, client ne sirf tagline maangi hai. Tu har baar apni zindagi ko beech mein kyun le aata hai?"
Arshad: "Kyuki meri zindagi hi ek aisa campaign hai jiska target audience mujhe khud nahi pata."
Kabir hans pada.
Tabhi Arshad ke phone par Sakshi ka message aaya.
Sakshi: Aaj shaam free ho?
Arshad: Tere liye? Hamesha.
Sakshi: Achha? Kal toh keh raha tha ki weekend par kaam hai.
Arshad: Kaam bhi tere liye hi karta hoon. Ek din shaadi hogi toh ghar ka budget kaun banayega?
Sakshi: Pehle shaadi ka naam sunte hi tumhara processor hang hona band ho, phir budget banana.
Arshad kuch der message dekhta raha.
Pichhle kuch hafton mein unke beech ek badlav aaya tha. Badi-badi baatein karne se zyada woh chhoti-chhoti cheezon par sach bolne lage the.
Sakshi apne course aur career ko lekar serious thi. Arshad bhi uski baaton ko pehle ki tarah mazaak mein udaane ke bajaye dhyaan se sunne laga tha.
Lekin unka rishta abhi bhi ek sawaal ke saamne khada tha.
Unhe saath rehna tha, magar saath rehne ke liye sirf chahna kaafi nahi hota.
Arshad: Haan, free hoon. Bata, kya plan hai?
Sakshi: Mujhe ek workshop ke baare mein pata chala hai. Mere course se related hai. Sunday ko session hai.
Arshad: Toh jaa na.
Sakshi: Jaane ka hi plan hai. Bas socha tumhe bata doon.
Arshad ne message dobara padha.
Pehle shayad woh poochhta ki uske saath kaun ja raha hai, kitne baje lautegi, ya phir koi aisa mazaak karta jisse baat doosri taraf chali jaati.
Is baar usne bas likha:
Arshad: Achha hai. Jaakar dekhna. Pasand aaye toh aage continue karna.
Kuch seconds baad Sakshi ka reply aaya.
Sakshi: Thank you for not making it a big deal.
Arshad ne screen ko dekha.
Phir usne likha:
Arshad: Teri life hai, Sakshi. Har decision par meri permission ki zaroorat nahi.
Sakshi ka reply aaya:
Sakshi: Permission nahi chahiye. Bas kabhi-kabhi tumhara saath chahiye hota hai.
Arshad ki ungliyaan keyboard par ruk gayin.
Usne is baar koi joke nahi maara.
Arshad: Woh dena seekh raha hoon.
Sakshi ne ek simple sa heart bhej diya.
Arshad ne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par muskurahat thi, lekin is baar us muskurahat mein sirf girlfriend ka message padhne wali khushi nahi thi.
Usse ehsaas ho raha tha ki rishta sambhalna hamesha bade vaade karne ka naam nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi saamne wale ko apni zindagi jeene ki jagah dena bhi saath hone ka hissa hota hai.


Shaam ke chaar baje Jheel apne living room mein baithi thi.
Table par uska course workbook, notebook aur ek glass paani rakha tha. Laptop par agle session ki details khuli hui thi.
Usne notebook mein likha:
My name is Jheel. I want to improve my communication skills.
Phir usne line ko dekha.
"Improve my communication skills..."
Woh dheere se dohrane lagi.
"My name is Jheel. I want to improve my communication skills because..."
Aage aakar woh ruk gayi.
Kyun?
Wajah toh use pata thi, lekin English mein apni baat poori tarah kehna abhi aasaan nahi tha.
Usne dobara koshish ki.
"Because I want to become... independent."
Sentence poora karte hi uske chehre par chhoti si khushi aayi.
Phir usne phone uthaya.
Reyansh ko message likha.
Jheel: Aaj practice karte waqt ek sentence khud se poora kiya.
Reyansh ka reply kuch hi der mein aa gaya.
Reyansh: Congratulations. Ab certificate ki photocopy mujhe bhej dena.
Jheel muskura di.
Jheel: Abhi ek sentence bola hai, poora course nahi kiya.
Reyansh: Mujhe toh laga appointment letter bhi aa gaya.
Jheel: Aap mazaak bahut karte hain.
Reyansh: Aur tum progress report bahut achhi deti ho.
Jheel ne phone table par rakh diya.
Woh apne aap se muskura rahi thi ki tabhi uski nazar laptop ki screen par chali gayi.
Workshop ke registration form mein ek sawaal tha:
What do you expect to learn from this course?
Jheel ne kuch likha, phir mita diya.
Dobara likha.
Phir mita diya.
Use apna jawab English mein sahi banana tha, lekin usse bhi zyada woh yeh chahti thi ki uska jawab uski apni soch ko sahi tarah bayan kare.
Usne notebook kholi aur Hindi mein likhna shuru kiya:
Mujhe apni baat bina dare kehna seekhna hai.
Main naye logon se baat karna chahti hoon.
Main apne decisions khud lene layak banna chahti hoon.
Kuch der woh un teen lines ko dekhti rahi.
Phir usne pehli line ka English version likhne ki koshish ki.
I want to speak without fear.
Is baar usne sentence ko kaata nahi.
Bas uske neeche ek chhota sa nishaan bana diya.
Uske liye woh sahi jawab tha.
Shaam kareeb chhe baje Jheel kachra phenkne ke liye bahar nikli toh corridor mein Reyansh mil gaya.
Woh office se lautkar apne flat ki taraf ja raha tha. Aaj usne dark blue shirt ki sleeves kohni tak mod rakhi thi aur ek haath mein laptop bag tha.
Jheel ko dekhkar ruk gaya.
"Madam, aaj ki report?"
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Aaj ek naya sentence seekha."
"Kaunsa?"
"I want to speak without fear."
Reyansh ki muskurahat halki si badli.
Usne sentence ko dohraya.
"Good."
"Bas good?"
"Bahut good bolunga toh tum agle hafte speech dene lagogi."
Jheel hans padi.
"Main serious hoon."
"Main bhi."
Kuch pal dono corridor mein khade rahe.
Phir Reyansh ne poochha, "Waise, tumne yeh kyun likha?"
Jheel ne turant jawab nahi diya.
"Kyuki mujhe kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki mujhe apni baat kehne se pehle bahut sochna padta hai. Galat bol diya toh? Koi hans diya toh? Koi samajh nahi paaya toh?"
Reyansh ne dhyaan se suna.
Jheel ne baat jaari rakhi.
"Main jaanti hoon ki galti karungi. Lekin main har baar galti se bachne ki koshish karungi toh seekhungi kaise?"
Reyansh ne halka sa sir jhukaya.
"Yeh baat toh kaafi samajhdaar hai."
Jheel ne aankhein sikodi.
"Matlab baaki baatein samajhdaar nahi hoti?"
"Main aisa kuch keh raha hoon?"
"Aapka chehra keh raha hai."
"Achha, toh ab tum chehre bhi padhne lagi?"
"Thoda-thoda."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Phir toh sambhal kar rehna padega."
Jheel bhi hans padi.
Lekin jaane se pehle usne ek baat aur kahi.
"Reyansh?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"Kisliye?"
"Har baar meri baat sunne ke liye. Aap mujhe aise feel nahi karate ki mujhe kuch nahi aata."
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir usne aaram se kaha, "Jheel, kisi ko kuch nahi aata, isliye toh woh seekhta hai. Aur tujhe sab kuch aana bhi nahi chahiye."
Jheel ke chehre par ek shaant si muskurahat aayi.
"Good night."

"Abhi toh shaam hai."
"Toh good evening."
"Ab sahi hai."
Jheel apne flat mein chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch seconds corridor mein khada raha, phir apne ghar ki taraf badh gaya.
Uske liye yeh ek chhoti si baat thi.
Jheel ke liye shayad nahi.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi ka saath humein badal nahi deta. Bas humein apne andar chhupe us insaan ko saamne laane ki himmat deta hai, jise hum khud bhi theek se nahi jaante.


Sunday ki subah Reyansh ke ghar mein aaram se shuru hui.
Shalu apna kaam nipta kar jaane wali thi, jab usne dekha ki Reyansh dining table par baitha phone par kuch padh raha hai.
"Sir, nashta table par rakh diya hai."
Reyansh ne phone se nazar uthayi.
"Thanks, Shalu."
Shalu apna bag uthane lagi, phir kuch yaad aaya.
"Sir, woh computer wale course ki fees maine check ki. Abhi toh thodi zyada hai."
"Achha. Doosre options dekhe?"
"Haan. Ek jagah weekend classes hain. Main agle hafte jaakar poochhungi."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Theek hai. Pehle saari details samajh lena."
Shalu ne haan mein sir hilaya aur darwaze ki taraf badh gayi.
Jaane se pehle woh palti.
"Sir, aapko lagta hai main kar paungi?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Seekhne ke liye pehle se aana zaroori nahi hota, Shalu. Bas seekhne ke liye waqt nikalna aur mushkil aane par lage rehna zaroori hota hai."
Shalu ne halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Theek hai, sir."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne nashta kiya, phir apni behen Shivani ka call receive kiya.
"Good morning, chhote."
"Good morning, didi."
"Uth gaya ya abhi bhi weekend ke saath emotional attachment chal rahi hai?"
Reyansh hans diya.
"Aapko kisne bataya ki main late uthta hoon?"
"Teri awaaz bata rahi hai. Aur mujhe yaad hai bachpan mein Sunday ko tujhe bistar se nikaalne ke liye kitni mehnat karni padti thi."
"Woh bachpan tha."
"Ab kya badal gaya?"
"Ab main khud uth jaata hoon."
"Kitne baje?"
Reyansh ne phone se nazar hata kar ghadi dekhi.
"Is sawaal ka jawab dena zaroori hai?"
Shivani hans padi.
Dono kuch der idhar-udhar ki baatein karte rahe. Phir Shivani ne apne ghar ke kuch kaam bataye aur poochha ki Reyansh agle weekend milne aa sakta hai ya nahi.
Reyansh ne kaha ki woh apna schedule dekhkar bata dega.
Call khatam hone ke baad woh balcony mein aa gaya.
Neeche sadak par log apne-apne Sunday mein busy the. Koi family ke saath bahar ja raha tha, koi grocery bags lekar laut raha tha, aur kuch bachche society ke entrance ke paas cycle chala rahe the.
Reyansh railing ke paas khada raha.
Uski zindagi mein aise pal pehle bhi aate the. Jab koi khaas pareshani nahi hoti thi, phir bhi mann mein ek ajeeb sa khaali-pan reh jaata tha.
Usne phone uthaya.
Arshad ka message tha.
Arshad: Aaj shaam mil. Ek jagah chalna hai.
Reyansh: Jagah ka naam?
Arshad: Surprise.
Reyansh: Pichhli baar bhi surprise bolkar mujhe teri agency ke client ki birthday party mein le gaya tha.
Arshad: Woh professional networking thi.
Reyansh: Wahan bachche cake kha rahe the.
Arshad: Future clients the.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Time bhej.
Phone pocket mein rakhkar woh andar aa gaya.
Usse nahi pata tha ki shaam ka plan kya tha.
Aur sach kahen toh is baar usne poochhne ki zyada koshish bhi nahi ki.
Kabhi-kabhi bina plan jaane kahin nikal jaana bhi achha lagta hai.


Shaam saat baje Arshad ki gaadi Reyansh ke apartment ke bahar ruki.
Reyansh passenger seat par baitha aur seat belt laga li.
"Ab bata bhi de, kahan le ja raha hai?"
Arshad ne gaadi aage badhai.
"Ek dost ne naya creative space khola hai. Aaj wahan chhota sa get-together hai."
"Creative space?"
"Haan. Artists, photographers, writers, designers. Alag-alag log aayenge."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tu mujhe wahan kyun le ja raha hai?"
"Kyuki tu ghar par baithkar Netflix dekhne wala tha."
"Main Netflix nahi dekhta."
"Achha, toh TV par YouTube kholkar wahi teen interviews dekhta hai?"
Reyansh ne uske kandhe par halka sa mukka maara.
"Gaadi chala."
Arshad hans pada.
Kuch der baad woh ek purani commercial building ke bahar pahunche. Building ka ground floor ek naye studio mein badla gaya tha. Bahar simple sa board laga tha:
THE COMMON ROOM Art. Ideas. People.
Andar warm lights thi, deewaron par photographs aur paintings lagi hui thi. Ek taraf chhota sa stage tha, doosri taraf coffee counter. Kuch log baat kar rahe the, kuch apni artwork ke paas khade the.
Reyansh ne aas-paas dekha.
"Achha hai."
Arshad ne use dekha.
"Bas? Itni tareef?"
"Main har jagah jaakar tere jaise speech nahi deta."
"Tu emotional ho gaya hai, mujhe pata hai."
"Chup."
Dono andar chale gaye.
Arshad ne apne dost se Reyansh ka introduction karaya. Kuch logon se milne ke baad woh coffee counter ki taraf badhe.
Wahan ek table par kuch brochures rakhe the. Reyansh ki nazar ek poster par padi.
OPEN CALL: REAL STORIES, REAL PEOPLE
Neeche likha tha ki studio ek nayi audio-visual series ke liye aam logon ki zindagi se judi kahaniyan collect kar raha tha. Series ka focus tha rozmarra ke faisle, badlav, relationships aur woh chhote pal jo kisi ki zindagi ka rukh badal dete hain.
Reyansh ne poster padhkar Arshad ki taraf dekha.
"Yeh kya hai?"
Arshad ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Ek independent project hai. Mere dost ke dost ka. Log apni kahaniyan share karenge, phir team unmein se kuch ko audio ya short-film format mein develop karegi."
"Matlab log apni personal life lekar camera ke saamne baithenge?"
"Zaroori nahi. Koi apni identity private rakh sakta hai. Koi sirf voice recording de sakta hai. Sab consent aur comfort par depend karta hai."
Reyansh ne poster dobara dekha.
Usse idea bura nahi laga.
Lekin uske liye apni zindagi ko kahani banakar kisi ke saamne rakhna aasaan baat bhi nahi thi.
Arshad ne uska chehra dekha.
"Kya soch raha hai?"
"Kuch nahi. Bas interesting idea hai."
"Toh form bhar de."
"Main?"
"Nahi, main. Tujhe toh bas poster padhna hai."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Main apni kahani dene nahi aaya."
Arshad ne kandhe uchkaye.
"Theek hai. Kisi ne zabardasti nahi ki."
Dono aage badh gaye.
Thodi der baad studio ke host ne sabko chhote stage ke paas bulaya. Usne project ke baare mein bataya aur kaha ki jo log apni kahani share karna chahte hain, woh registration desk par ja sakte hain.
Reyansh crowd ke peeche khada sunta raha.
Kisi ne apni naukri chhodkar naya business shuru karne ki baat ki.
Ek ladki ne apne shehar se doosre shehar aakar padhai karne ka experience share kiya.
Ek buzurg aadmi ne bataya ki retirement ke baad unhone photography seekhna shuru kiya.
Kahaniyan alag thi.
Kisi mein khushi thi, kisi mein darr, kisi mein pachtawa, aur kisi mein bas ek nayi shuruaat.
Reyansh ko ek baat mehsoos hui.
Log apni zindagi mein aage badhte rehte hain, chahe unke paas har sawaal ka jawab ho ya nahi.
Kuch log apni kahani sunakar halka mehsoos karte hain.
Kuch use apne andar rakhna pasand karte hain.
Dono hi tareeke apne-apne hain.
"Chalein?" Arshad ne poochha.
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
Dono exit ki taraf badhe.
Darwaze ke paas registration desk tha. Reyansh ki nazar wahan rakhe ek khaali form par padi.
Woh ek pal ke liye ruka.
Arshad aage nikal gaya, phir palatkar use dekha.
"Kya hua?"


Reyansh ne form se nazar hata li.
"Kuch nahi. Aa raha hoon."
Woh Arshad ke saath bahar aa gaya.
Lekin gaadi mein baithne ke baad bhi uske dimaag mein woh poster ghoom raha tha.
Real Stories, Real People.
Use apni kahani duniya ko sunane ki koi ichha nahi thi.
Kam se kam abhi toh nahi.
Phir bhi, pehli baar usne socha ki har kahani ka matlab yeh nahi hota ki use kisi ko sunana hi pade.
Kabhi-kabhi bas apne aap ko samajhna bhi kaafi hota hai.


Raat kareeb das baje Reyansh apne flat mein laut aaya.
Usne phone charging par lagaya, shirt badli aur living room mein baith gaya.
Kuch der TV chalta raha, lekin uska dhyaan screen par nahi tha.
Phir phone vibrate hua.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Aaj registration form submit kar diya.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Wah! Congratulations, madam.
Jheel: Abhi sirf registration hua hai. Course shuru bhi nahi hua.
Reyansh: Tumhare liye har achievement ke saath disclaimer zaroori hai kya?
Jheel: Mujhe bas sach bolna pasand hai.
Reyansh ne message padha aur reply kiya.
Reyansh: Achhi aadat hai. Isse chhodna mat.
Jheel ne kuch der baad likha:
Jheel: Aaj form bharte waqt thoda darr lag raha tha. Phir socha, agar ab nahi kiya toh baad mein bhi bas sochti rahungi.
Reyansh ne phone haath mein pakde-pakde uska message padha.
Usne likha:
Reyansh: Kabhi-kabhi pehla kadam lene ke baad hi pata chalta hai ki raasta kaisa hai.
Jheel: Aapko bhi kabhi aisa laga hai?
Reyansh ki ungliyaan keyboard par ruk gayin.
Uske dimaag mein studio ka poster aaya.
Real Stories, Real People.
Phir usne jawab likha.
Reyansh: Haan. Kaafi baar.
Jheel: Phir aapne kya kiya?
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Reyansh: Kabhi aage badh gaya. Kabhi ruk gaya. Kabhi galat decision bhi liya. Insaan seekhta rehta hai.
Jheel ka reply aaya.
Jheel: Aapki baatein kabhi-kabhi kaafi serious ho jaati hain.
Reyansh muskura diya.
Reyansh: Aur tum kabhi-kabhi bahut zyada sawaal poochhne lagti ho.
Jheel: Toh main kal se sawaal nahi poochhungi.
Reyansh: Itni badi saza mat do. Main mazaak kar raha tha.
Jheel ne hansne wala emoji bheja.
Phir uska aakhri message aaya.
Jheel: Good night, Reyansh. Kal se nayi practice.
Reyansh: Good night, Jheel. Kal se naya sentence.
Phone screen dheere-dheere dark ho gayi.
Reyansh ne use table par rakh diya.
Uske chehre par halki si muskurahat thi.
Pados ke flat mein Jheel apni notebook band kar rahi thi. Usne registration confirmation ka screenshot save kiya aur use apne course wale folder mein rakh diya.
Do alag flats.
Do alag zindagiyan.
Ek taraf ek aadmi, jo apni zindagi ko dobara samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha.
Doosri taraf ek ladki, jo pehli baar apni zindagi ka agla kadam khud chun rahi thi.
Dono ke beech abhi koi bada vaada nahi tha.
Koi confession nahi.
Koi aisi baat nahi jise naam dena zaroori ho.
Bas ek aisi pehchaan thi jo roz thodi aur aasaan hoti ja rahi thi.
Aur kabhi-kabhi, rishton ki shuruaat kisi bade pal se nahi hoti.
Woh shuru hote hain un chhoti baaton se, jinhe hum us waqt bas ek aam din ka hissa samajhkar aage badh jaate hain.

[Greenwood]

Update 23



Monday ki subah Reyansh ke alarm ne apni duty poori imaandari se nibhayi.
Alarm bajta raha.
Reyansh sota raha.
Alarm band hua.
Reyansh ne aankh kholi, phone dekha aur turant bistar par seedha baith gaya.
8:12 AM.
"Shit!"
Woh uthkar bathroom ki taraf bhaaga.
Kuch hi der baad, aadhe geele baalon aur safed shirt ke saath living room mein aaya. Tie sofa ke handle par padi thi, laptop bag dining table ke paas aur uski ghadi jaane kahan gayab thi.
Tabhi doorbell baji.
Reyansh ne darwaza khola.
Shalu saamne khadi thi.
Usne Reyansh ko dekha, phir deewar par lagi ghadi ko.
"Sir, aaj office nahi jaana?"
Reyansh ne use aise dekha jaise usne koi bahut personal sawaal poochh liya ho.
"Nahi, aaj office walon ko meri bahut yaad aayegi. Main ghar par baithkar unki yaadon ka samman karunga."
Shalu hans padi.
"Achha, toh main nashta wapas le jaati hoon."
"Ruk! Itni bhi buri haalat nahi hai."
Shalu kitchen ki taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh apni ghadi dhoondhne laga.
"Shalu, meri watch dekhi hai?"
"Kal aapne sofa par rakhi thi."
"Wahan nahi hai."
"Toh dining table par dekhiye."
Reyansh ne table par dekha.
Ghadi wahin padi thi.
Usne ghadi uthakar pehni aur Shalu ki taraf dekha.
"Tu mere ghar mein kaam karti hai ya meri memory ka backup hai?"
Shalu ne plate mein nashta rakhte hue jawab diya, "Dono kaam ka alag paisa lagega."
Reyansh ruk gaya.
Phir usne haath jod diye.
"Madam, salary revision ke liye HR se baat karni padegi."
"HR kaun hai?"
"Main hi hoon."
"Toh baat kar lijiye."
Shalu ki hansi chhoot gayi.
Reyansh bhi hans pada.
Nashta karte hue usne phone check kiya. Office ke do messages aur Neha ka ek text tha.
Neha: Good morning, Mr. Weekend Lover. Aaj time par aa rahe ho ya client ko bhi tumhari tarah wait karna pasand hai?
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Main time par aata hoon. Bas ghadi kabhi-kabhi mere khilaaf saazish kar leti hai.
Neha: Ghadi ko blame karne se pehle use pehenna seekho.
Reyansh ne message padhkar muskura diya.
Reyansh: Tum office aati ho ya meri personal investigation karti ho?
Neha: Dono. Multitasking meri speciality hai.
Reyansh ne phone pocket mein rakha.
"Shalu, nashta pack kar de. Main nikal raha hoon."
Shalu ne plate ki taraf dekha.
"Sir, nashta toh aapne abhi aadha hi khaya hai."
Reyansh ne ek pal socha.
Phir bachi hui toast uthakar kha li.
"Ab poora. Happy?"
Shalu ne sir hilaya.
"Bahut."
Reyansh bag lekar nikal gaya.
Shalu ne darwaza band kiya aur apni notebook nikaali.
Aaj usne ek naya sentence likhna tha.
I am learning something new every day.
Usne sentence ko do baar padha.
Phir notebook band karke kaam mein lag gayi.


Office pahunchte-pahunchte Reyansh ki chaal mein phir se wahi confidence aa gaya tha.
Usne apni desk par bag rakha, laptop khola aur emails check karne laga.
Kuch der baad Neha coffee lekar uski desk ke paas aayi.
"Lo."
Reyansh ne cup dekha.
"Mere liye?"
"Nahi, apne liye laayi thi. Tumhari desk par rakhkar peene ka plan hai."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Subah-subah itni aggression?"
"Main toh pyaar se baat kar rahi hoon."
"Achha hai. Tumhara gussa dekhne ka time nahi hai mere paas."
Neha ne saamne wali chair kheenchkar baithte hue kaha, "Client ne kal wale campaign par feedback bheja hai. Do changes chahiye."
Reyansh ne screen uski taraf ghumayi.
"Dikhao."
Dono kuch der revisions dekhte rahe. Kaam zyada complicated nahi tha, lekin client ko wording aur visual presentation mein thoda badlav chahiye tha.
Neha ne ek line par ungli rakhi.
"Yeh headline mujhe pehle se weak lag rahi thi."
Reyansh ne kaha, "Tumne kal approve ki thi."
"Kal mujhe bhi weak nahi lagi thi."
"Matlab tumhara opinion weather forecast se bhi zyada unpredictable hai."
Neha ne coffee ka sip liya.
"Difference yeh hai ki weather forecast galat ho toh baarish hoti hai. Main galat hoon toh tumhe kaam karna padta hai."
"Bahut khoob. Corporate philosophy."
Neha muskura di.
Kuch der baad usne poochha, "Weekend kaisa tha?"
Reyansh ne laptop se nazar nahi hatayi.
"Achha tha."
"Kuch interesting kiya?"
"Arshad ke saath ek creative studio gaya tha."
Neha ki dilchaspi badhi.
"Seriously? Tum aur creative studio?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main itna boring lagta hoon?"
Neha ne sochne ka natak kiya.
"Main diplomatic answer doon ya honest?"
"Coffee wapas le lo."
Neha hans padi.
"Achha, batao kya tha wahan?"
Reyansh ne use project ke baare mein bataya. Log apni zindagi ke experiences share kar rahe the aur team unmein se kuch ko audio-visual stories mein badalne wali thi.
Neha ne dhyaan se suna.
"Interesting hai. Real people, real experiences. Kabhi-kabhi logon ki ordinary stories bhi kaafi powerful hoti hain."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Haan, idea achha tha."
"Toh tumne apni story di?"
"Nahi."
"Kyunnn?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Har jagah apni personal life ka form bharna zaroori nahi hota."
Neha ne dono haath upar kar diye.
"Fair enough. Main bas poochh rahi thi."
Reyansh ne coffee uthayi.
"Waise tum deti apni story?"
Neha kuch pal sochti rahi.
"Depends. Agar mujhe lage ki usse kisi ko kuch samajhne mein madad milegi, toh shayad. Lekin sirf attention ke liye nahi."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Valid answer."
Neha uthkar jaane lagi, phir palti.
"Aur haan, aaj lunch skip mat karna."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Yeh office ka instruction hai?"
"Nahi. Tumhara mood lunch ke baad zyada manageable hota hai."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal uski taraf dekhta raha.
Phir apne laptop ki taraf mud gaya.
Neha ki baat use achhi lagi thi, lekin creative studio ka khayal ab bhi uske dimaag mein kahin pada tha.
Usne apne aap se kaha, "Interesting idea tha. Bas."
Aur kaam mein lag gaya.


Usi dopahar Jheel apne laptop ke saamne baithi thi.
Screen par online class ka link khula tha. Notebook uske saamne thi aur usne ek glass paani bhi paas mein rakh liya tha.
Class shuru hone mein paanch minute the.
Jheel ne apni introduction dobara padhni shuru ki.
"My name is Jheel. I live in Bengaluru. I want to improve my communication skills..."
Woh ruk gayi.
Phir dheere se boli, "I want to become more independent."
Is baar sentence bolte hue uski awaaz pehle se zyada saaf thi.
Laptop par notification aaya.
Your session is about to begin.
Jheel ne seedha baithkar headphones lagaye.
Class shuru hui.
Trainer ne sabhi students ka welcome kiya aur bataya ki course mein sirf English bolna nahi, balki apne thoughts ko clear tarah se express karna bhi seekhenge.
Phir unhone ek simple activity di.
Introduce yourself and share one thing you want to improve.
Ek-ek karke students bolne lage.
Kisi ki English fluent thi. Koi atak raha tha. Ek ladka apna introduction bhool gaya aur hanskar dobara shuru karne laga.
Jheel ka number aaya.
Usne ek gehri saans li.
"My name is Jheel. I live in Bengaluru."
Woh ruki.
Screen par trainer muskura rahe the.
Jheel ne apni notebook dekhi aur phir bolna shuru kiya.
"I want to improve my communication skills. Sometimes, I feel nervous when I speak to new people. I want to become more confident and independent."
Sentence poora hote hi usne saans chhodi.
Trainer ne kaha, "Good, Jheel. You explained your goal clearly. Keep practising. You don't need perfect English to express a meaningful thought."
Jheel ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Class aage badh gayi.
Session ke baad usne notebook mein apni galtiyan likhin. Kuch words ka pronunciation dobara check kiya aur introduction ek baar phir bola.
Phir usne Reyansh ko message kiya.
Jheel: Aaj pehla session ho gaya.
Reyansh ka reply aaya.
Reyansh: Aur madam ne class mein sabko impress kar diya hoga.
Jheel muskura di.
Jheel: Impress nahi kiya. Bas apna introduction diya.
Reyansh: Wahi toh. Pehle introduction, phir impression, phir duniya par raaj.
Jheel: Aap har baat ko film kyun bana dete hain?
Reyansh: Kyunki meri zindagi mein background music ki kami hai.
Jheel hans padi.
Phir usne ek voice note record kiya.
"My name is Jheel. I live in Bengaluru. I want to improve my communication skills because I want to become more confident and independent."
Usne voice note bhej diya.
Reyansh us waqt meeting mein jaane wala tha. Usne earphones lagakar voice note suna.
Awaaz mein ab bhi halki jhijhak thi, lekin har sentence ke beech ka darr thoda kam tha.
Usne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Good improvement. Bas “communication” ki pronunciation ek baar aur practise karna. Baaki confidence achha tha.
Jheel ne turant reply kiya.
Jheel: Aapne sach mein suna?
Reyansh: Nahi, maine voice note ke saath aankh band karke meditation ki.
Jheel: Reyansh!
Reyansh: Haan, suna. Achha bola tumne.
Jheel ne phone se nazar hatayi.
Woh khush thi.
Isliye nahi ki Reyansh ne uski tareef ki thi.
Balki isliye ki usne jo kaam darr ke bawajood shuru kiya tha, usmein pehla kadam utha liya tha.
Aur is baar, woh apni progress ko kisi aur ki nazar se nahi, khud apni nazar se bhi dekh paa rahi thi.


Tuesday ko office se nikalte waqt Reyansh ke phone par Aarohi ka message aaya.
Aarohi: Hey! Kal tumne old buildings ke baare mein jo baat kahi thi, uske baad ek jagah yaad aayi. Is week coffee ke liye free ho?
Reyansh ne message padha.
Unki pehli coffee achhi rahi thi. Conversation easy thi, bina kisi pressure ke. Aarohi apni baat achhe se rakhti thi aur saamne wale ko bolne ka space bhi deti thi.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Thursday evening?
Aarohi: Works for me. Ek café hai jo mujhe pasand hai. Wahan milte hain?
Reyansh: Done. Location bhej dena.
Aarohi: Sending it now.
Reyansh ne phone pocket mein rakh diya.
Usne is meeting ko lekar koi khaas expectation nahi banayi.
Bas ek coffee thi.
Ek aur conversation.
Aur kisi naye insaan ko thoda aur jaanne ka mauka.
Thursday ki shaam woh café pahunch gaya.
Aarohi pehle se wahan thi. Usne light blue shirt ke saath beige trousers pehne the, baal khule the aur table par ek chhoti notebook rakhi thi.
Reyansh ko dekhkar woh muskuraayi.
"You're on time."
Reyansh chair kheenchkar baitha.
"Yeh surprise hai ya complaint?"
"Observation."
"Achha. Tum observations bahut karti ho."
Aarohi ne menu uthaya.
"Profession ki aadat hai. Design mein details miss kar do toh poora project bigad sakta hai."
Reyansh ne coffee order ki.
"Waise, tumhari notebook mein kya hai?"
Aarohi ne notebook kholi.
"Ek old building ka sketch. Abhi complete nahi hua."
Reyansh ne dekha. Notebook par ek purani building ka rough outline tha, jismein khidkiyon aur balconies ki details bani hui thi.
"Yeh achha hai."
"Abhi toh rough hai."
"Main bhi rough feedback hi de raha hoon."
Aarohi hans padi.
Unki baat architecture se shuru hui, phir Bengaluru ke purane areas aur naye developments tak pahunch gayi.
Aarohi ne bataya ki use purani buildings pasand hain kyunki unmein waqt ke alag-alag daur ke nishaan dikhte hain.
Reyansh ne kaha, "Mujhe buildings se zyada unmein rehne wale log interesting lagte hain."
Aarohi ne cup table par rakha.
"Matlab tum har building ko dekhkar sochte ho ki andar kaun rehta hoga?"
"Nahi. Itna free time nahi hai mere paas."
"Achha hai. Mujhe laga tum secretly writer ho."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Writer hota toh abhi tak apni autobiography likh raha hota."
"Title kya hota?"
Reyansh ne bina soche jawab diya.
How to Survive Mondays.
Aarohi hans padi.
"Iski toh bestseller banne ki poori possibility hai."
"Bas tum endorsement de dena."
Coffee ke beech Aarohi ne apne kaam ke baare mein bhi bataya. Uski company ek naye project par kaam kar rahi thi, jismein ek purani commercial building ko renovate karke naye use ke liye tayyar karna tha.
Reyansh ne dilchaspi se sawaal poochhe.
Aarohi ko achha laga ki woh sirf haan mein haan nahi mila raha tha, balki sach mein samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha.
Kuch der baad baat personal life ki taraf mud gayi.
Aarohi ne apna cup uthaya.
"Ek baat poochhun?"
"Depends. Tax ka sawaal hai toh main accountant nahi hoon."
"Har serious baat se pehle joke zaroori hai?"
Reyansh muskura diya.
"Ab poochho."
Aarohi ne kaha, "Tum generally logon se jaldi comfortable ho jaate ho ya time lagta hai?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
"Depends on the person. Kuch logon ke saath baat aasaan hoti hai. Kuch ke saath waqt lagta hai."
Aarohi ne sir hilaya.
"Fair enough."
Usne aage koi sawaal nahi poochha.
Reyansh ne bhi uski personal life ke baare mein zabardasti kuch nahi jaana chaha.
Coffee khatam hone ke baad dono bahar nikle.
Aarohi ne kaha, "I had a good time."
Reyansh ne muskurakar jawab diya, "Me too."
"Next time, maybe we can explore that old market area I was telling you about."
"Sure. Tum guide ban jaana. Main bas commentary karunga."
Aarohi hans padi.
"That sounds dangerous."
Dono apne-apne raaste chale gaye.
Reyansh gaadi tak aate hue soch raha tha ki Aarohi ke saath waqt achha guzarta hai.
Na koi pressure.
Na kisi ko impress karne ki zaroorat.
Bas ek aasaan si conversation.
Lekin achhi conversation aur kisi ke liye khaas mehsoos karna, dono alag cheezein hoti hain.
Filhaal, woh sirf pehli cheez thi.
Aur Reyansh ko use waise hi rehne dena theek laga.


Friday evening ko Arshad aur Sakshi ek chhote se restaurant mein mile.
Sakshi apne course ke baad seedha aayi thi. Usne bag chair ke paas rakha aur paani ka glass uthaya.
Arshad ne poochha, "Workshop kaisi thi?"
Sakshi ka chehra khil gaya.
"Achhi thi. Kaafi useful. Kuch log industry mein pehle se kaam kar rahe the, kuch meri tarah learning stage mein hain."
"Toh?"
"Toh main agle session ke liye register kar rahi hoon."
Arshad ne muskurakar kaha, "Good. Mujhe pata tha tujhe pasand aayega."
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumne pehle hi maan liya tha ki mujhe pasand aayega?"
"Main optimistic insaan hoon."
"Kal tak tum apni hi life ke baare mein optimistic nahi the."
Arshad ki muskurahat halki si kam hui, lekin usne baat se nazar nahi churayi.
"Kal tak main bahut saari cheezon ko ek saath sochkar confuse ho jaata tha."
Sakshi ne cup rakh diya.
"Aur ab?"
"Ab bhi confuse hota hoon. Bas ab har baar usse bhaagne ki koshish nahi karta."
Sakshi kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
"That's progress."
Arshad ne sir hilaya.
Phir usne kaha, "Maine ghar par ek baat sochi thi."
Sakshi ne uski taraf dhyaan diya.
"Kaunsi baat?"
"Main chahta hoon ki hum apne future ke baare mein practical cheezein discuss karein. Ek hi din mein sab decide karne ke liye nahi. Bas dheere-dheere."
Sakshi ne turant jawab nahi diya.
Arshad ne baat jaari rakhi.
"Jaise career, rehne ki jagah, family se kab aur kaise baat karni hai. Aur agar kisi cheez mein disagreement hua toh usse kaise handle karenge."
Sakshi ki aankhon mein sanjeedgi thi.
"Main bhi yahi chahti hoon. Lekin ek baat clear hai, Arshad. Main apne career ko beech mein chhodkar kisi ke decision ka intezaar nahi karungi. Mujhe apni life bhi build karni hai."
Arshad ne bina der kiye kaha, "Aur tujhe karni bhi chahiye."
Sakshi ne use gaur se dekha.
"Pakka?"
Arshad hans diya.
"Madam, tumhara career mere relationship ke against nahi hai. Main bas chahta hoon ki hum dono ki life mein ek-doosre ke liye jagah ho."
Sakshi ka expression naram hua.
"Phir humein wahi karna chahiye. Ek-doosre ki life mein jagah banana. Ek-doosre ki poori life banne ki koshish nahi."
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne muskurakar kaha, "Yeh line main apne agle campaign mein use kar sakta hoon?"
Sakshi ne uske haath par halka sa tap kiya.
"Bilkul nahi. Copyright mera hai."
Dono hans pade.
Dinner ke baad Arshad ne use ghar tak chhodne ki peshkash ki. Sakshi maan gayi.
Gaadi mein music chal raha tha.
Signal par gaadi ruki toh Sakshi ne uska haath pakad liya.
Arshad ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Phir haath kyun pakda?"
Sakshi ne muskurakar kaha, "Har cheez ka reason zaroori hota hai kya?"
Arshad ne uska haath halka sa daba diya.
"Nahi."
Signal green hua.
Gaadi aage badh gayi.
Unke saamne abhi bhi sawaal the. Family, future aur woh saari practical baatein jinhe sirf pyaar ke bharose chhoda nahi ja sakta.
Lekin is baar woh dono un sawaalon se bhaag nahi rahe the.
Aur filhaal, itna kaafi tha.


Saturday ki raat Reyansh apne living room mein baitha tha.
TV par ek purani comedy film chal rahi thi, lekin uska dhyaan baar-baar phone par ja raha tha.
Arshad ka message aaya.
Arshad: Aaj ka plan?
Reyansh: Ghar. Film. Aaram.
Arshad: Teri life ka trailer bhi itna slow hai toh film kitni lambi hogi?
Reyansh: Kam se kam meri film mein unnecessary background music nahi hota.
Arshad: Teri film mein toh heroine bhi nahi hai.
Reyansh ne hanskar phone side mein rakh diya.
Kuch minute baad phone dobara vibrate hua.
Is baar ek unknown number se message tha.
Unknown Number: Tum abhi bhi waise hi ho?
Reyansh ne screen dekhi.
Number save nahi tha.
Usne reply karne se pehle message dobara padha.
Reyansh: Sorry, who is this?
Kuch der tak koi reply nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya aur film dekhne laga.
Do minute baad message aaya.
Unknown Number: Itni jaldi logon ko bhool jaate ho?
Reyansh ne bhauen sikodi.
Usne number dobara dekha. Koi naam ya profile photo nahi.
Reyansh: Agar aap apna naam bata dein toh meri memory ko thodi madad mil sakti hai.
Reply aaya.
Unknown Number: Naam bata diya toh tumhara dimaag chalana band ho jayega.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aayi.
Reyansh: Mera dimaag Saturday night ko off rehta hai. Monday ko try karna.
Is baar reply jaldi aaya.
Unknown Number: Excuses dena abhi bhi nahi chhoda.
Reyansh ne phone ko gaur se dekha.
Yeh koi random promotional message nahi tha.
Saamne wala use jaanta tha.
Ya kam se kam, aisa dikhana chahta tha.
Reyansh ne type kiya:
Reyansh: Achha, ek hint de do.
Kuch seconds baad jawab aaya.
Unknown Number: Hint dena meri responsibility nahi hai. Yaad karna tumhara kaam hai.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Madam, yeh koi competitive exam hai kya?
Unknown Number: Tum hote toh shayad answer sheet bhi khaali chhod dete.
Reyansh ne sir peeche sofa par tika diya.
"Interesting..."
Usne message type kiya.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Main guess karta hoon. Arshad?
Reply turant aaya.
Unknown Number: Agar main Arshad hoti toh tumhe ab tak teen voice notes aur chaar gaaliyan mil chuki hoti.
Reyansh zor se hans pada.
Usne Arshad ko message karne ka socha, phir ruk gaya.
Pata nahi kyun, use laga ki is unknown number ke saath baat karna abhi zyada interesting hai.
Reyansh: Fair point. Toh tum mujhe kahan se jaanti ho?
Is baar jawab aane mein thoda waqt laga.
Unknown Number: Socho. Tumhare paas waqt hi waqt hai.
Reyansh ne message dekha.
Phir type kiya:
Reyansh: Mere paas waqt hai, lekin patience limited hai.
Unknown Number: Achha hai. Thoda exercise ho jayegi.
Reyansh muskura diya.
Woh abhi bhi nahi jaanta tha ki saamne kaun hai.
Aur uske paas koi pakka andaaza bhi nahi tha.
Usne aakhri message bheja.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Abhi ke liye tum Unknown Madam ho.
Reply aaya.
Unknown Number: Aur tum wahi purane Reyansh.
Reyansh ne message padhkar phone ko dekha.
Wahi purana Reyansh?
Kya matlab tha iska?
Koi college ka dost?
Koi purani jaan-pehchaan?
Ya bas koi jo use chidhane mein maza le raha tha?
Usne dobara type kiya.
Reyansh: Tumhara naam pata chal sakta hai ya mujhe poori raat CID khelna padega?
Message read ho gaya.
Reply nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne kuch der intezaar kiya, phir phone table par rakh diya.
TV par film khatam hone wali thi.
Usne remote uthaya, volume kam kiya aur sofa par aaram se baith gaya.
Uski zindagi mein koi naya rishta shuru nahi hua tha.
Koi naya vaada nahi tha.
Bas ek unknown number tha, ek ajeeb sa conversation, aur ek sawaal jiska jawab abhi uske paas nahi tha.
Lekin is baar, usne phone ko baar-baar uthakar message check nahi kiya.
Usne film poori dekhi.
Phir light band karke sone chala gaya.
Phone table par hi pada raha.
Screen par aakhri message chamak raha tha.
Unknown Number: Aur tum wahi purane Reyansh.

[Greenwood]

Update 24


Monday Morning: Ek Message Ka Intezaar?
Monday ki subah Reyansh ki aankh khuli toh sabse pehle usne phone uthaya.
Koi naya message nahi tha.
Usne screen ko do second dekha, phir khud par hi hans diya.
"Waah, Reyansh sahab. Ab unknown numbers ke message ka intezaar hone laga?"
Phone table par rakhkar woh bathroom ki taraf badh gaya.
Lekin kuch der baad, jab woh shirt ke buttons laga raha tha, usne phir phone check kiya.
Is baar bhi kuch nahi.
"Jo bhi hai, badi busy personality hai."
Usne phone pocket mein rakha aur office ke liye nikal gaya.
Lift mein Jheel mil gayi.
Uske haath mein notebook aur ek chhota sa bag tha.
"Good morning," Jheel ne kaha.
"Good morning, student sahiba. Aaj ka English lesson kya hai?"
Jheel muskuraayi.
"Aaj mujhe apne baare mein ek minute tak bolna hai."
"Sirf ek minute? Itni saari baatein hain tumhare paas."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Aapko kaise pata?"
Reyansh ne seedha chehra banaya.
"Main padosi hoon. Building mein information network chalta hai."
"Achha? Toh building ke information network ko yeh bhi pata hoga ki aap apni ghadi aksar kahan rakhte hain?"
Reyansh hans pada.
"Personal attack subah-subah?"
Lift ground floor par ruk gayi.
Jheel bahar nikalte hue boli, "Practice karungi. Shaam ko bataungi kaisa gaya."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Done. Lekin ek condition."
"Kya?"
"Galti ho toh usse galti samajhna, apni personality ka review nahi."
Jheel kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Phir muskurakar boli, "Theek hai."
Dono alag-alag raaston par nikal gaye.
Reyansh parking ki taraf badha, lekin gaadi tak pahunchne se pehle usne phone nikala.
Screen khaali thi.
Usne khud ko yaad dilaya ki use farq nahi padta.
Phir phone wapas rakh diya.
Kam se kam usne khud se yahi kaha.


Office mein Reyansh apni desk par baitha client presentation check kar raha tha.
Neha ek file lekar aayi.
"Yeh final draft hai. Ek baar dekh lo."
Reyansh ne file li.
"Thanks."
Neha wahin khadi rahi.
Reyansh ne kuch seconds baad nazar uthayi.
"Kuch aur?"
Neha ne aankhein sikodi.
"Nahi. Bas dekh rahi hoon."
"Kya?"
"Ki tum phone ko kitni baar dekhte ho."
Reyansh ka haath turant phone se hat gaya.
"Main phone nahi dekh raha."
Neha ne uski desk par rakhe phone ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Achha? Toh yeh tumhara phone khud hi baar-baar tumhari taraf dekh raha hai?"
Reyansh hans diya.
"Madam, aapko apne kaam se kaam rakhna chahiye."
"Main apne kaam se hi kaam rakh rahi hoon. Tumhari productivity ka observation kar rahi hoon."
"Bahut achha. Report mein likh dena ki employee excellent hai."
"Employee distracted hai."
"Employee coffee ke bina underperform kar raha hai."
Neha ne coffee cup uski taraf badha diya.
"Lo. Ab koi excuse nahi."
Reyansh ne cup le liya.
"Thank you."
Neha chair par baith gayi.
"Waise, koi naya scene hai kya?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kaisa scene?"
"Jo bhi tumhare phone ko itna important bana raha hai."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha, phir bola, "Ek unknown number se message aaya tha."
Neha ki aankhon mein dilchaspi chamki.
"Oh!"
Reyansh ne ungli uthayi.
"Bas ek 'oh'. Iske aage koi investigation nahi."
Neha hans padi.
"Achha, kya likha tha?"
"Bas kuch random baatein. Lagta hai koi mujhe jaanta hai."
"Aur tumhe nahi pata kaun hai?"
"Nahi."
Neha ne coffee ka sip liya.
"Interesting."
"Yeh word tum log har cheez ke liye kyun use karte ho?"
"Kyuki interesting cheezein interesting hoti hain."
Reyansh ne sar pakad liya.
"Main yeh conversation record karwaunga."
Neha uthkar khadi ho gayi.
"Karwa dena. Lekin agar uska message aaye toh mujhe batana."
"Bilkul nahi."
"Toh phir mujhe khud guess karna padega."
Woh hansi ke saath chali gayi.
Reyansh ne laptop ki taraf dekha.
Presentation abhi bhi khuli thi.
Usne phone ko drawer mein rakh diya aur kaam mein lag gaya.
Lekin uske chehre par aayi muskurahat kuch der tak gayab nahi hui.

Shaam ko Jheel apne flat mein baithi thi.
Usne laptop band kar diya tha. Notebook saamne khuli thi aur uske introduction ke neeche kuch naye words likhe the.
Woh subah se practice kar rahi thi.
Kabhi sentence bhool jaati, kabhi pronunciation mein atak jaati, aur kabhi apni hi awaaz sunkar hansne lagti.
Lekin aaj usne decide kiya tha ki practice chhodni nahi hai.
Usne phone ka camera on kiya aur recording shuru ki.
"My name is Jheel. I live in Bengaluru. I want to improve my communication skills because I want to become more confident..."
Woh ek pal ruki.
Phir usne sentence poora kiya.
"I want to learn new things and become independent."
Recording khatam hui.
Jheel ne video dekha.
Use apni awaaz ab bhi thodi ajeeb lag rahi thi. Lekin is baar usne video delete nahi kiya.
Usne phone par message likha.
Jheel: Aaj practice achhi gayi.
Reyansh ka reply aaya.
Reyansh: Kitni achhi? Five-star rating ya customer complaint?
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: Aaj ek minute tak bina ruke boli.
Reyansh: That's genuinely good. Congratulations.
Jheel ne kuch der message dekha.
Phir likha:
Jheel: Mujhe pehle lagta tha ki English achhi bolne wale log hi confident hote hain.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Confidence aur English alag cheezein hain. English ek skill hai. Confidence apni baat kehne ki himmat.
Jheel ne message padha.
Usne notebook mein dono words likhe:
Skill. Confidence.
Phir neeche likha:
I can learn a skill. I can build confidence.
Usne notebook band kar di.
Aaj usne apne aap ko koi bada vaada nahi diya tha.
Bas itna ki kal bhi practice karegi.
Aur kabhi-kabhi chhote vaade hi sabse zyada kaam aate hain.


Usi shaam Arshad apne office se nikalne ki taiyaari kar raha tha, jab Sakshi ka call aaya.
"Free ho?"
"Abhi ho jaunga. Bata."
"Weekend par mere course ka ek aur session hai. Uske baad main apni friend ke saath ek project discuss karungi."
Arshad ne bag kandhe par daala.
"Okay. Enjoy."
Sakshi kuch pal chup rahi.
"Bas itna?"
Arshad ruk gaya.
"Kya matlab?"
"Mujhe laga tum poochhoge ki project kya hai."
Arshad ko apni galti samajh aayi.
"Achha, sorry. Bata, kya project hai?"
Sakshi ne samjhaya ki uski friend ek chhota sa professional portfolio banana chahti hai aur use bhi usmein contribute karne ka mauka mil sakta hai.
Arshad ne dhyaan se suna.
"Yeh toh achha opportunity hai."
"Haan. Lekin mujhe thoda darr lag raha hai. Abhi experience zyada nahi hai."
Arshad ne kaha, "Darr lagna normal hai. Lekin agar tujhe lagta hai ki tu seekh sakti hai, toh try kar."
Sakshi muskuraayi.
"Tum aajkal kaafi sensible baatein karne lage ho."
Arshad ne turant jawab diya, "Main pehle bhi sensible tha. Bas duniya meri intelligence ke liye ready nahi thi."
Sakshi hans padi.
"Lo, wapas aa gaye."
"Main apni asli personality zyada der chhupa nahi sakta."
Dono kuch der baat karte rahe.
Call khatam hone se pehle Sakshi ne kaha, "Arshad, Sunday ko milte hain? Main tumhe project dikhaungi."
"Bilkul."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Sakshi ne call band kar diya.
Arshad kuch der phone dekhta raha.
Use khushi thi ki Sakshi apne liye naye opportunities dhoondh rahi thi. Aur woh bhi pehli baar sirf uski khushi mein shaamil hone ke bajaye, uske goals ko samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha.
Usne Reyansh ko message kiya.
Arshad: Sunday ko free hai?
Reyansh: Depends. Koi kaam hai?
Arshad: Sakshi ka project dekhna hai. Tu bhi chal.
Reyansh: Teri girlfriend ka project dekhne main kyun aaun?
Arshad: Kyuki tu mera dost hai.
Reyansh: Yeh friendship hai ya unpaid consultancy?
Arshad: Dono.
Reyansh ne hanskar phone rakh diya.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Time bata dena.
Arshad muskura diya.
Kuch rishton mein badlav bahut dheere aata hai.
Lekin jab aata hai, toh woh chhoti baaton mein dikhne lagta hai.


Raat kareeb nau baje Reyansh ghar lautkar sofa par baitha tha.
Usne dinner kar liya tha aur ab ek series dekh raha tha.
Phone table par pada tha.
Tabhi message aaya.
Unknown Number: Aaj kisi ko yaad kiya?
Reyansh ne screen dekhi.
Uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Haan. Apni grocery list ko. Doodh lana bhool gaya.
Reply aaya.
Unknown Number: Tumse serious baat karna hi bekaar hai.
Reyansh: Tumne kab serious baat ki? Tum toh naam bhi nahi batati.
Unknown Number: Naam jaan kar kya karoge?
Reyansh: Kam se kam phone mein save toh kar sakta hoon.
Unknown Number: Kis naam se?
Reyansh ne kuch seconds socha.
Reyansh: Unknown Madam.
Reply turant aaya.
Unknown Number: Bahut creative ho.
Reyansh: Advertising copywriter mera dost hai. Uska asar hai.
Unknown Number: Apne dost ko blame karna bhi nahi chhoda.
Reyansh hans diya.
Usne type kiya:
Reyansh: Achha, ek sawaal. Hum college mein mile the?
Is baar reply aane mein waqt laga.
Phir message aaya.
Unknown Number: Tumhe kya lagta hai?
Reyansh ne aankhein sikodi.
Reyansh: Mujhe lagta hai tum jaan-boojhkar mujhe confuse kar rahi ho.
Unknown Number: Finally, ek sahi jawab.
Reyansh kuch der screen dekhta raha.
College ke doston ke chehre dimaag mein aaye. Kuch yaad the, kuch bas naam ke taur par. Kuch logon se saalon se baat nahi hui thi.
Lekin is number ke peeche kaun tha, uska andaaza abhi bhi nahi tha.
Usne likha:
Reyansh: Ek hint aur de do. Koi common friend?
Message read ho gaya.
Reply nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone sofa par rakh diya.
Kuch minute baad usne dobara dekha.
Koi naya message nahi.
"Madam ko suspense ka paisa milta hoga."
Usne phone side mein rakh diya aur series dekhne laga.
Is baar usne message ka intezaar nahi kiya.
Lekin uske dimaag mein ek baat reh gayi.
Saamne wala use purane waqt se jaanta tha.
Aur kisi wajah se, woh chahta tha ki Reyansh khud yaad kare.


Friday afternoon ko Reyansh apne desk par kaam kar raha tha, jab Aarohi ka message aaya.
Aarohi: Hey, Saturday ko ek small design exhibition hai. Main soch rahi thi dekhne jaaun. Interested?
Reyansh ne message padha.
Usne calendar check kiya. Saturday ka din khaali tha.
Reyansh: Sure. What time?
Aarohi: Around 5 PM? Main venue bhej deti hoon.
Reyansh: Done.
Aarohi ka message aaya.
Aarohi: Great. See you there.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Usse Aarohi ke saath waqt guzarna achha lag raha tha. Lekin usne abhi tak is connection ko kisi khaas naam mein fit karne ki koshish nahi ki thi.
Woh use jaan raha tha.
Aur shayad Aarohi bhi use jaan rahi thi.
Filhaal, dono ke beech itna hi tha.
Office se nikalte waqt Neha uske paas aayi.
"Weekend plans?"
"Saturday ko ek exhibition hai."
"With?"
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Tum HR mein ho ya gossip department mein?"
Neha hans padi.
"Main bas poochh rahi hoon."
"Aarohi ke saath."
Neha ne sir hilaya.
"Achha. Enjoy."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Bas? Koi teasing nahi?"
Neha ne muskurakar kaha, "Har cheez par joke maarna zaroori nahi hota, Reyansh."
Woh apni desk ki taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir apna bag uthakar office se nikal gaya.


Exhibition ek art gallery mein thi.
Andar paintings, photographs aur design installations lage hue the. Kuch log artwork ko dekh rahe the, kuch artists se baat kar rahe the.
Aarohi entrance ke paas khadi thi.
Usne Reyansh ko dekhkar haath hilaya.
"Hey!"
Reyansh uske paas aaya.
"Sorry, traffic."
Aarohi ne ghadi dekhi.
"You're two minutes late."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Ab toh mujhe punctuality ka certificate lena padega."
Dono gallery ke andar chale gaye.
Pehli wall par photographs lagi thi, jo shehar ke purane aur naye hisson ko dikhati thi.
Aarohi ek photograph ke saamne ruk gayi.
Usmein ek purani building ke saamne nayi glass buildings dikh rahi thi.
"Look at this," usne kaha. "Ek hi frame mein do alag time periods."
Reyansh ne photograph dekhi.
"Ek taraf purana shehar, doosri taraf naya."
Aarohi ne sir hilaya.
"Exactly. Mujhe yeh contrast pasand hai. Purani cheezein hamesha bekaar nahi hoti aur nayi cheezein hamesha better nahi hoti."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Tum buildings ki baat kar rahi ho ya logon ki?"
Aarohi uski taraf mudi.
"Dono ki ho sakti hai."
Kuch pal dono ek-doosre ko dekhte rahe.
Phir Aarohi hans padi.
"Sorry, professional habit."
Reyansh ne kaha, "Koi baat nahi. Main bhi har baat mein marketing ghusa deta hoon."
Dono aage badh gaye.
Ek corner mein young artists ke sketches rakhe the. Aarohi har artwork ko dhyaan se dekh rahi thi, jabki Reyansh kabhi-kabhi uske expressions dekhkar muskura deta.
Aarohi ne use pakad liya.
"Kya?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Tum mujhe dekhkar kyun muskura rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne seedha jawab diya.
"Kyuki tum apne kaam ki baat karte waqt kaafi excited ho jaati ho."
Aarohi ka expression naram ho gaya.
"Mujhe apna kaam pasand hai."
"Achhi baat hai."
"Tumhe apna kaam pasand hai?"
Reyansh ne socha.
"Haan. Har din nahi. Lekin overall, haan."
Aarohi ne sir hilaya.
"Honest answer."
"Marketing mein kaam karta hoon. Har waqt brand statement dena zaroori nahi."
Dono hans pade.
Exhibition khatam hone ke baad woh paas ke café mein baith gaye.
Aarohi ne coffee order ki aur kaha, "Aaj achha laga."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Mujhe bhi."
"Next time tum koi jagah suggest karna."
"Done. Lekin warning hai, meri recommendations mein chai ki tapri bhi aa sakti hai."
Aarohi hans padi.
"That's fine. Main judge nahi karungi."
Reyansh ne cup uthaya.
"Good. Kyunki meri personality ka aadha hissa chai par dependent hai."
Aarohi ne muskurakar kaha, "Yeh baat mujhe pehle bhi bata chuke ho."
"Achha? Matlab tum meri baatein yaad rakhti ho."
Aarohi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main interesting baatein yaad rakhti hoon."
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir muskura diya.
"Fair enough."
Us shaam dono alag hue toh unke beech pehle se thodi zyada familiarity thi.
Lekin koi jaldi nahi thi.
Kisi ko kisi ko impress karne ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Aur dono ke liye, shayad yahi baat is connection ko achha bana rahi thi.


Sunday raat Reyansh apni balcony mein khada tha.
Bengaluru ki hawa halki thandi thi. Neeche road par traffic kam ho gaya tha.
Usne phone nikala.
Unknown Madam ka koi message nahi tha.
Aarohi ne exhibition ki ek photograph bheji thi, jismein woh dono ek artwork ke paas khade the. Photograph kisi doosre visitor ne li thi.
Aarohi: Aaj ki memory.
Reyansh ne photo dekhi aur reply kiya.
Reyansh: Photographer ne meri best side choose ki hai.
Aarohi: Tumhari best side kaunsi hai?
Reyansh: Jo camera ke peeche hoti hai.
Aarohi ne laughing emoji bheja.
Reyansh muskura diya.
Phir usne Jheel ka message dekha.
Jheel: Aaj maine apna introduction bina notebook dekhe record kiya.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Ab toh celebration banta hai.
Jheel: Kal class mein phir bolna hai. Thoda nervous hoon.
Reyansh: Nervous rehna allowed hai. Bas nervousness ko decision mat lene dena.
Jheel ne jawab diya.
Jheel: Aap har baar aisi baat bol dete hain ki mujhe notebook mein likhni padti hai.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Notebook ka copyright bhi mera hoga phir.
Jheel: Bilkul nahi.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakha.
Uski zindagi mein ab alag-alag logon ke saath alag-alag tarah ki baatein ho rahi thi.
Aarohi ke saath ek nayi pehchaan thi.
Jheel ke saath ek aaram bhara padosipan, jismein ab bharosa bhi thoda badh raha tha.
Arshad aur Sakshi apni zindagi ko saath lekar chalna seekh rahe the.
Neha office ki duniya mein uski dost aur colleague thi.
Aur ek unknown number tha, jo kabhi-kabhi uske phone par aakar uski curiosity ko jaga deta tha.
Reyansh ne balcony se aasman ki taraf dekha.
Uski zindagi abhi bhi poori tarah samajh mein nahi aayi thi.
Lekin har cheez ko ek hi din mein samajhna bhi zaroori nahi tha.
Woh andar aaya, light band ki aur sone chala gaya.
Phone table par pada raha.
Is baar bhi unknown number se koi message nahi aaya.
Aur Reyansh ne intezaar karne ke bajaye apni aankhein band kar li.

[Greenwood]

Update 25

Monday ki subah Reyansh ke liye kisi motivational quote se nahi, balki phone ki lagataar bajti alarm tone se shuru hui.
Usne takiye ke neeche haath maara.
Phone nahi mila.
Doosri taraf haath badhaya.
Wahan bhi nahi.
Aakhirkaar usne aankh kholkar dekha. Phone bistar ke paas zameen par pada tha aur alarm poori imaandari se apna kaam kar raha tha.
Reyansh ne alarm band kiya.
"Monday ko banane wale insaan se mujhe personal problem hai."
Woh uthkar bathroom ki taraf gaya.
Kuch der baad, shirt pehne aur baal set karte hue, woh living room mein aaya. Doorbell baj chuki thi.
Shalu bahar khadi thi.
Darwaza khulte hi usne Reyansh ko dekha aur muskurakar boli, "Good morning, sir."
Reyansh ne ghadi dekhi.
"Good morning. Aaj main late nahi hoon."
Shalu ne bhi ghadi dekhi.
"Abhi toh aapko office ke liye nikalna hai."
"Yahi toh keh raha hoon. Main late nahi hoon, bas waqt mujhse aage chal raha hai."
Shalu hans padi.
Woh kitchen mein chali gayi, jabki Reyansh apna laptop bag check karne laga.
Kuch minute baad breakfast table par tha.
Reyansh ne phone dekha. Aarohi ka message aaya hua tha.
Aarohi: Kal ki exhibition ki photos bhej rahi hoon. Ek photo mein tum aise dekh rahe ho jaise artwork ne tumse udhaar maanga ho.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Main bas artwork ki depth samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha.
Aarohi: Sure. Tumhari aankhon mein toh poori philosophy thi.
Reyansh: Tum design consultancy mein kaam karti ho ya logon ke expressions ka audit?
Aarohi: Dono mein career opportunities hain.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Shalu ne use muskurate dekha.
"Kya hua, sir?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Achhi news hai?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Shalu, tumhara course shuru hone se pehle hi tum interview lena seekh gayi?"
Shalu hans padi.
"Nahi, sir. Bas aapko muskuraate dekhkar poochh liya."
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Achhi baat hai. Insaan ko kabhi-kabhi bina wajah bhi muskuraana chahiye."
Shalu ne uski baat par sir hilaya aur apne kaam mein lag gayi.
Reyansh office ke liye nikal gaya.
Lekin lift mein khade hue usne ek baar phir Aarohi ki bheji hui photo dekh li.
Usne photo save karne ka socha, phir phone lock kar diya.
"Bas photo hai, bhai... photo hai."
Lift ground floor par ruk gayi.
Woh bahar nikal gaya.


Office mein Monday ki usual bhaag-daud thi.
Kisi team ko presentation chahiye thi, kisi ko revised copy, aur kisi ko aisa answer jo client ko bhi pasand aaye aur budget ko bhi.
Reyansh conference room mein Neha ke saath baitha tha.
Neha ne presentation ke kuch slides khole.
"Yeh wala section thoda aur simple kar sakte hain. Client ko message samajhne mein time nahi lagna chahiye."
Reyansh ne screen dekhi.
"Agreed. Headline short karte hain aur details next slide par shift kar dete hain."
Dono kaam mein lag gaye.
Kuch der baad Neha ne coffee ka cup table par rakha.
"Waise weekend kaisa raha?"
Reyansh ne laptop se nazar nahi hatayi.
"Achha tha."
"Exhibition?"
"Haan."
"Aarohi ke saath?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhare paas koi secret camera hai kya?"
Neha hans padi.
"Nahi. Tumne khud bataya tha ki Saturday ko exhibition jaa rahe ho."
"Achha. Main bhool gaya tha."
"Yeh bhi tumhari speciality hai."
Reyansh ne screen ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Kaam karein?"
Neha ne haath utha diye.
"Kar rahe hain, boss."
Kuch der dono chupchaap slides check karte rahe.
Phir Neha ne kaha, "Waise, tum log dobara miloge?"
Reyansh ne jawab dene se pehle socha.
"Shayad. Usne ek purane market area mein chalne ka kaha tha."
Neha ne sir hilaya.
"Achha hai."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Bas?"
"Ab kya chahiye? Main tumhare liye phoolon ka bouquet order karun?"
Reyansh hans pada.
"Bilkul nahi. Office mein bouquet aaya toh log samajhenge client ne complaint bheji hai."
Neha ki hansi nikal gayi.
Meeting khatam hone ke baad dono apni desks ki taraf chale gaye.
Reyansh ke liye Aarohi ke saath dobara milna ek simple plan tha.
Lekin Neha ki ek baat uske dimaag mein reh gayi.
Tum log dobara miloge?
Usne khud se poochha ki kya woh Aarohi se milne ke liye genuinely excited tha.
Jawab tha, haan.
Lekin woh excitement abhi kisi bade label ki mohtaaj nahi thi.


Jheel ke course ka agla session dopahar mein tha.
Is baar trainer ne students ko chhote groups mein baant diya tha. Har student ko apne baare mein bolne ke baad doosre student se ek sawaal poochhna tha.
Jheel ka turn aaya toh usne apni notebook ek taraf rakh di.
"My name is Jheel. I live in Bengaluru. I want to improve my communication skills because I want to become more confident and independent."
Is baar usne sentence ke beech mein rukkar notebook nahi dekhi.
Trainer ne muskurakar kaha, "Good improvement, Jheel."
Phir uske group mein ek ladki, Ritu, ne apna introduction diya.
Jheel ko usse ek sawaal poochhna tha.
Woh kuch pal sochti rahi.
Phir boli, "What do you like to learn?"
Ritu ne jawab diya ki use computer skills aur graphic design seekhna pasand hai.
Dono ki baat aage badhi. Jheel ne kuch aur sawaal poochhe aur Ritu ne bhi usse uske goals ke baare mein jaana.
Session ke end tak Jheel pehle se zyada comfortable mehsoos kar rahi thi.
Class khatam hui toh usne apni notebook kholi.
Aaj usne galtiyon ki list ke saath ek aur cheez likhi:
I asked questions without being afraid.
Woh kuch der us line ko dekhti rahi.
Phir usne Reyansh ko message kiya.
Jheel: Aaj class mein maine ek naye student se baat ki.
Reyansh: Aur student bhaag gaya ya abhi tak dost hai?
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: Aap na...
Reyansh: Achha, seriously. Kaisa laga?
Jheel ne jawab diya.
Jheel: Achha laga. Pehle main soch rahi thi ki sawaal sahi hoga ya nahi. Phir maine poochh hi liya.
Reyansh: See? Practice kaam kar rahi hai.
Jheel: Haan. Lekin abhi bahut kuch seekhna hai.
Reyansh: Bilkul. Aur ab tumhe pata hai ki tum seekh sakti ho.
Jheel ne phone rakh diya.
Usne khidki se bahar dekha.
Bengaluru ki sadak par log apne-apne kaam mein lage hue the.
Jheel ko pehle lagta tha ki independent banne ke liye koi bahut bada mauka chahiye hoga.
Ab use samajh aane laga tha ki shuruaat chhote kadmon se bhi ho sakti hai.
Ek sawaal poochhne se.
Ek nayi class attend karne se.
Ya apni awaaz ko bina delete kiye sun lene se.
Usne notebook band ki aur chai banane ke liye kitchen mein chali gayi.
Aaj ki chai usne khud ke liye banayi thi.
Aur aaj woh chai peete hue apne agle session ke baare mein soch rahi thi.


Wednesday ko Arshad apne ghar par laptop lekar baitha tha.
Uske saamne teen documents khule the. Ek client ki copy, ek pending proposal aur ek personal note jismein usne agle mahine ke kaam ki planning likhi thi.
Phone par Sakshi ka message aaya.
Sakshi: Portfolio ka first draft ready hai. Dekhoge?
Arshad: Of course. Send it.
Kuch hi der mein file aa gayi.
Arshad ne document khola.
Sakshi ne apne course se judi skills, kuch practice projects aur apne goals ko simple layout mein arrange kiya tha.
Arshad ne dhyaan se dekha.
Usne ek-do jagah suggestions likhe aur reply bheja.
Arshad: Structure achha hai. Do projects ke descriptions thode aur clear kar sakti ho. Baaki, first draft ke liye solid hai.
Sakshi ka reply aaya.
Sakshi: Thank you. Main kal changes karungi.
Arshad ne phir likha:
Arshad: Aur ek baat. Apne goals wale section ko hataana mat. Woh tumhari direction dikhata hai.
Sakshi ne jawab diya.
Sakshi: Main hata nahi rahi. Bas wording improve karungi.
Arshad muskura diya.
Usne phone uthakar call kar li.
Sakshi ne kuch rings ke baad call receive ki.
"Haan, Mr. Copywriter?"
Arshad hans pada.
"Madam, aapke portfolio par professional feedback dena tha."
"Email kar dete."
"Email mein meri personality kaise dikhti?"
"Waise hi jaise tumhari har tagline mein tumhari personality zabardasti ghus jaati hai."
Arshad ne seene par haath rakha.
"Yeh ilzaam hai."
"Evidence ke saath."
Dono hans pade.
Phir Sakshi ne poochha, "Waise, tumne apna pending proposal complete kar liya?"
Arshad ne laptop ki taraf dekha.
"Almost."
"Almost ka matlab?"
"Bas last section."
Sakshi ne kaha, "Aaj complete kar lena. Phir kal client ke saamne last-minute panic nahi hoga."
Arshad ne fake salute kiya.
"Yes, ma'am."
Call khatam hone ke baad woh dobara laptop par jhuk gaya.
Sakshi ne uske kaam mein help nahi ki thi, na hi uske liye proposal likha tha.
Bas usse yaad dilaya tha ki apne kaam ko bhi utni hi importance de jitni woh doosron ke kaam ko deta hai.
Arshad ne document complete kiya, file save ki aur laptop band kar diya.
Phir usne Reyansh ko message kiya.
Arshad: Kal mil sakta hai?
Reyansh: Kyun?
Arshad: Ek kaam hai.
Reyansh: Paise chahiye toh seedha bol.
Arshad: Teri personality mein koi software update nahi aaya kya?
Reyansh ka reply aaya.
Reyansh: Nahi. Main original version hoon.
Arshad hans pada.
Arshad: Kal shaam chai. Important baat karni hai.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Time bhej dena.
Arshad ne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par ab bhi muskurahat thi.
Lekin is baar uske dimaag mein sirf mazaak nahi tha.
Usse Reyansh se ek practical baat discuss karni thi.
Aur woh chahta tha ki is baar woh baat adhoori na chhode.


Thursday shaam Reyansh aur Arshad apni purani chai ki tapri par mile.
Bengaluru ki traffic apni poori taaqat se chal rahi thi. Road ke paas log chai ke cups lekar khade the aur tapri wala ek saath teen orders sambhaal raha tha.
Reyansh ne chai ka cup uthaya.
"Ab bata. Kya important baat hai?"
Arshad ne pehle chai pi.
"Main soch raha tha ki apne kaam ko thoda expand karun."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Matlab?"
"Agency ke saath kaam toh chal raha hai. Lekin main kuch independent clients bhi lena chahta hoon. Apna portfolio update kar raha hoon aur do jagah baat bhi ki hai."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Good idea. Lekin agency ke kaam aur independent clients ke beech time manage kar paayega?"
"Yahi toh dekhna hai."
Reyansh ne cup neeche rakha.
"Sabse pehle apni capacity dekh. Kitne hours de sakta hai? Phir decide kar ki kitna extra kaam lena hai. Sirf zyada clients hone ka matlab zyada success nahi hota."
Arshad ne uski baat suni.
"Tu sahi keh raha hai. Main soch raha tha ki shuru mein ek ya do clients hi loon."
"Better. Aur contract clear rakhna. Payment, deadlines, revisions, sab."
Arshad ne muskurakar kaha, "Kabhi-kabhi bhool jaata hoon ki tu marketing ke saath business ki bhi baatein kar sakta hai."
Reyansh ne bhaun uthayi.
"Main sirf coffee peene aur presentation banane ke liye salary nahi leta."
"Achha? Mujhe laga corporate duniya mein sab log bas meetings mein baithkar serious faces banate hain."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Yeh skill bhi hai. Tu seekh le."
Dono kuch der kaam aur future plans ke baare mein baat karte rahe.
Phir Arshad ne kaha, "Ek aur baat hai."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Bol."
"Main aur Sakshi agle mahine ek din baithkar apne practical plans discuss karne wale hain. Career, family, future. Sab kuch ek saath decide nahi karenge, lekin ek proper conversation karenge."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Achha hai."
Arshad ne chai ka cup ghumaya.
"Thoda darr bhi lag raha hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Is baar darr ko pehle se jawab mat banne dena."
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne halka sa sir hilaya.
"Haan. Koshish karunga."
Reyansh ne mahaul halka karne ke liye kaha, "Aur agar conversation mein kuch samajh na aaye toh mujhe call kar lena. Main background mein baithkar PowerPoint bana dunga."
Arshad hans pada.
"Tu mere relationship ka project manager banega?"
"Extra charge lagega."
"Tu mera dost hai!"
"Friendship discount alag hota hai."
Dono hansne lage.
Chai khatam hone ke baad woh alag-alag raaston par nikal gaye.
Arshad ke paas ab ek plan tha, lekin us plan ko zindagi mein utarne ke liye use abhi bhi himmat chahiye thi.
Reyansh ne usse koi guarantee nahi di thi.
Bas ek dost ki tarah uski baat suni thi.
Kabhi-kabhi itna hi kaafi hota hai


Friday ko Jheel apni online class ke baad course ke discussion group mein messages dekh rahi thi.
Ritu ne group mein ek resource share kiya tha, jismein basic computer skills aur communication practice ke free videos the.
Jheel ne use open kiya aur kuch der dekha.
Phir usne Ritu ko personal message bheja.
Jheel: Thank you for sharing these resources. I will check them.
Ritu ka reply aaya.
Ritu: You're welcome! I found them useful. We can practise together sometime if you want.
Jheel kuch pal message dekhti rahi.
Phir usne reply kiya.
Jheel: Yes, that would be helpful.
Ritu ne poochha ki kya woh agle session se pehle online practice kar sakti hain.
Jheel ne haan kar di.
Usne phone rakhkar apni notebook kholi aur agle hafte ke liye ek chhota sa schedule banaya.
Daily 10 minutes English practice.
Course videos.
Basic computer lessons.
Weekly revision.
Usne schedule ko dekha.
Phir neeche likha:
Don't try to learn everything in one day.
Yeh line usne khud ke liye likhi thi.
Shaam ko woh corridor mein Reyansh se takra gayi.
Reyansh office se lauta tha aur haath mein grocery bag tha.
Jheel ne bag ki taraf dekha.
"Aaj khud shopping?"
Reyansh ne bag upar uthaya.
"Main bhi kabhi-kabhi responsible citizen ban jaata hoon."
Jheel hans padi.
"Aaj kya liya?"
"Doodh."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Bas?"
"Is baar yaad raha. Achievement celebrate karo."
Jheel ki hansi nikal gayi.
"Congratulations, Reyansh."
Reyansh ne fake bow kiya.
"Thank you. Main apne fans ka shukriya ada karta hoon."
Jheel ne apna notebook bag adjust kiya.
"Waise, aaj meri class mein ek nayi friend bani."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Achha? Naam?"
"Ritu. Hum next week saath practice karenge."
"That's good. Saath mein practice karne se confidence badh sakta hai."
Jheel ne sir hilaya.
"Haan. Mujhe lagta hai ab main sirf videos dekhne ke bajaye kisi se baat bhi kar sakungi."
Reyansh muskura diya.
"Perfect. Seekhne ka maza tabhi hai jab tum use real life mein try karo."
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Aapki advice aaj free mein mil gayi."
"Kal se consultation fee lagegi."
"Main kisi aur se poochh lungi."
Reyansh ne seene par haath rakha.
"Yeh toh professional betrayal hai."
Jheel hans padi aur apne flat mein chali gayi.
Reyansh apne darwaze ki taraf badha.
Usne mehsoos kiya ki Jheel ab pehle se zyada khulkar baat karne lagi thi.
Lekin uska badlav sirf un dono ke beech ki conversations tak limited nahi tha.
Woh apni class mein naye logon se mil rahi thi, apne liye resources dhoondh rahi thi aur apne goals ko khud manage karna seekh rahi thi.
Reyansh ko yeh dekhkar achha laga.
Usne kabhi Jheel ke liye koi raasta chunne ki koshish nahi ki thi.
Woh bas kabhi-kabhi uske raaste par ek chhota sa signboard ban jaata tha.
Chalna Jheel ko khud hi tha.

Saturday ki shaam Reyansh ghar par tha.
Usne dinner ke baad balcony mein chai lekar baithne ka plan banaya tha.
Phone par Aarohi ka message aaya.
Aarohi: Hey, next week old market explore karne ka plan abhi bhi on hai?
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Of course. Saturday afternoon?
Aarohi: Works for me.
Reyansh: Done.
Usne phone side mein rakh diya.
Kuch der baad building ke corridor se awaaz aayi.
Prakash Bhatia kisi delivery person se baat kar rahe the. Is baar issue parking ka nahi, balki society ke common area mein rakhe kuch cartons ka tha.
"Yeh cartons yahan nahi reh sakte. Fire exit block hota hai!"
Delivery person ne kaha, "Sir, bas paanch minute ke liye rakhe hain. Flat mein koi nahi hai."
Prakash ne haath se corridor ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Paanch minute mein bhi problem ho sakti hai. Inhe side mein rakhiye."
Reyansh darwaze se bahar nikla.
"Kya hua, Mr. Bhatia? Aaj kiski class lag rahi hai?"
Prakash ne use dekha.
"Reyansh, yeh cartons common area mein rakhe hain. Maine kaha hai ki inhe hatao."
Reyansh ne cartons dekhe.
"Yeh toh sahi keh rahe hain. Fire exit clear rehna chahiye."
Prakash ne hairaani se use dekha.
"Thank you. Aakhir kisi ne toh meri baat samjhi."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Main bas aaj aapki side par hoon. Kal phir opposition mein mil sakta hoon."
Prakash ne aankhein ghumayi.
Delivery person ne cartons side mein kar diye.
Jab sab theek ho gaya, Prakash apne flat ki taraf badhe.
Reyansh bhi ghar lautne laga.
Tabhi Jheel apne darwaze se bahar aayi.
Usne poochha, "Kya hua tha?"
Reyansh ne bataya.
Jheel ne sir hilaya.
"Achha hua aapne unki baat support ki. Common area clear rehna chahiye."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Madam, aaj toh tum aur Mr. Bhatia ek hi team mein ho."
Jheel hans padi.
"Har baat par unse disagree karna bhi zaroori nahi."
Reyansh ne fake serious expression banaya.
"Yeh baat agar Mr. Bhatia ne sun li toh kal se tumhe society committee mein recruit kar lenge."
Jheel hansne lagi.
"Main nahi aa rahi."
"Main bhi yahi keh raha hoon. Ek Bhatia kaafi hain."
Dono hans pade.
Phir Jheel apne flat mein chali gayi.
Reyansh balcony mein laut aaya.
Chai thandi ho chuki thi.
Usne cup uthaya aur ek sip liya.
"Perfect. Chai bhi ab society committee ki tarah thandi ho gayi."
Usne cup andar rakha aur TV on kar diya.
Zindagi mein har din koi bada twist nahi aata.
Kabhi-kabhi ek ordinary Saturday bhi apni chhoti-chhoti baaton ke saath yaad reh jaata hai.
Aur Reyansh ki zindagi mein ab aise din pehle se thode zyada ho rahe the.

[Greenwood]

Update 26



Subah ke 7:42 baj rahe the.
Reyansh ke bedroom mein parde ke beech se dhoop ki ek patli si lakeer andar aa rahi thi. Bed ke ek taraf takiya zameen par pada tha, doosri taraf blanket aadha latak raha tha.
Alarm band ho chuka tha.
Reyansh ab bhi so raha tha.
Uske phone ki screen par teen notifications thi. Ek office email, ek promotional message aur Aarohi ka WhatsApp.
Aarohi: Saturday ko old market chalne ka plan abhi bhi zinda hai ya exhibition ke baad tumhari cultural quota poori ho gayi?
Reyansh ne aadhi band aankhon se message padha. Uske hothon par halki si muskurahat aayi.
Reyansh: Main toh ready hoon. Bas tumhe purani buildings dekhte dekhte kisi 200 saal purane darwaze se pyaar na ho jaaye.
Aarohi: Tum tension mat lo. Darwazon mein tumse zyada personality ho sakti hai, lekin conversation tumse behtar nahi hogi.
Reyansh ne message padhkar sar hila diya.
Reyansh: Personal attack subah-subah?
Aarohi: Good morning to you too.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakha aur uthkar baith gaya.
"Ek din," usne khud se kaha, "main bhi subah alarm se pehle uthunga."
Tabhi darwaze par bell baji.
Ting-tong!
Reyansh ne ghadi dekhi.
"Shalu!"
Darwaze ke bahar se awaaz aayi.
"Ji, mujhe bhi pata hai mera naam Shalu hai. Darwaza kholenge?"
Reyansh ne baal theek karne ki koshish ki, jo kisi bhi koshish se theek hone ke mood mein nahi the. Phir darwaza khola.
Shalu saamne khadi thi. Ek haath mein sabzi ka bag aur doosre mein apna chhota sa purse.
Usne Reyansh ko dekha.
Phir ghadi dekhi.
Phir dobara Reyansh ko.
"Sir, aapka office Monday ko band hota hai kya?"
"Nahi."
"Toh phir aapka chehra Sunday jaisa kyun hai?"
Reyansh ne darwaze se hatkar use andar aane diya.
"Shalu, tumhare andar ek chhoti si news reporter chhupi hui hai."
"Achha hai sir. Kam se kam koi toh sach bolta hai is ghar mein."
"Main bhi sach bolta hoon."
"Ji. Aapke alarm ke baare mein toh sach poori building jaanti hai."
Shalu kitchen mein chali gayi.
Reyansh bathroom ki taraf badha, lekin raste mein ruk gaya.
"Shalu!"
"Ji?"
"Aaj breakfast mein kya hai?"
"Poha."
"Nice."
"Saath mein aapka attitude bhi serve kar doon?"
"Uski zaroorat nahi. Woh complimentary hai."
Shalu hansi rok nahi paayi.
Kuch der baad kitchen se poha ki khushboo aane lagi. Reyansh naha kar nikla, shirt pehni aur dining table par baith gaya.
Shalu ne plate rakhte hue kaha, "Sir, ek baat poochun?"
"Poochho."
"Woh course ke baare mein jo aapne bataya tha, maine uske baare mein aur information dekhi."
Reyansh ne plate se nazar uthayi.
"Haan? Kya pata chala?"
"Ek jagah computer aur office work ka course hai. Lekin timing thodi problem wali hai. Doosri jagah fees kam hai, par class ghar se door hai."
"Toh?"
"Toh samajh nahi aa raha kaunsa choose karun."
Reyansh ne paani ka glass uthaya.
"Shalu, sirf fees kam hone se course achha nahi ho jaata. Aur sirf certificate milne se job bhi nahi milti."
"Matlab?"
"Matlab pehle dekho ki wahan actually sikhate kya hain. Computer par kaam karna, emails likhna, documents banana, ye sab practical cheezein seekhne ko milengi ya sirf certificate pakda denge?"
Shalu ne socha.
"Main ek din jaakar dekh sakti hoon?"
"Bilkul. Admission lene se pehle centre dekhna. Kisi student se baat karna. Aur ghar aakar araam se decide karna."
Shalu ne sir hilaya.
"Main is hafte dekhungi."
Reyansh ne poha ka ek niwala liya.
"Good."
Shalu kitchen ki taraf mudne lagi, phir palti.
"Waise sir, aap bhi kabhi koi naya course karoge?"
"Kyun?"
"Bas. Aap doosron ko bahut advice dete ho."
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
"Main apni job mein itna busy rehta hoon ki kabhi-kabhi lagta hai kuch naya seekhna chahiye. Lekin phir wahi routine."
Shalu ne pehli baar uski baat par mazaak nahi kiya.
"Toh phir seekh lijiye."
"Achha? Tum mujhe motivate kar rahi ho?"
"Ji. Aapki fees main nahi bharungi, bas itna clear kar doon."

Reyansh hans pada.
"Jao, apna kaam karo."
"Kar hi rahi hoon, sir. Aapki tarah motivation ke naam par sirf baatein nahi."
Woh kitchen mein chali gayi.
Reyansh ne apni plate dekhi, phir phone uthaya.
Aarohi ka ek aur message aaya tha.
Aarohi: Saturday, 11 baje. Aur please late mat hona.
Reyansh: Main late nahi hota. Main bas waqt ko apne hisaab se chalne deta hoon.
Aarohi: Great. Main bhi tumhare hisaab se nahi chalungi. 11 baje milte hain.
Reyansh ne phone lock kar diya.
Uske chehre par abhi bhi muskurahat thi.
Lekin uski nazar kuch pal ke liye khidki se bahar tik gayi.
Zindagi mein kuch cheezein aisi hoti hain jo bina kisi badi wajah ke achhi lagne lagti hain. Ek conversation. Kisi ka mazaak. Kisi ka dobara milne ka plan.
Aur kabhi-kabhi insaan unhe bas achha lagne deta hai.
Har cheez ka naam rakhna zaroori nahi hota.


Dopahar se pehle office ka conference room khaali ho chuka tha.
Reyansh apne laptop par presentation ke final slides dekh raha tha. Client meeting agle din thi, aur uski team ko ek naya campaign present karna tha.
Neha apni chair kheenchkar uske paas baith gayi.
"Slide seven mein problem hai."
Reyansh ne screen se nazar nahi hatayi.
"Good morning, Neha. Tum bhi kaisi ho?"
"Main bahut achhi hoon. Tumhari slide seven kharab hai."
"Kitni emotional opening hai."
"Presentation dekh lo, poet."
Reyansh ne slide kholi.
Neha ne screen par ek graph ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Yahan humne jo data rakha hai, uska comparison previous quarter se hai. Lekin neeche caption mein annual growth likha hai."
Reyansh seedha baith gaya.
"Seriously?"
"Haan. Agar client ne notice kar liya toh hamari poori presentation ka confidence ek slide mein khatam."
Reyansh ne file check ki.
Neha sahi thi.
"Good catch."
"Thank you. Compliment ko email mein bhej do. Main appraisal ke time dikhaungi."
"Main tumhe ek chocolate de sakta hoon."
"Chocolate tum khao. Credit slide par mera naam daalna."
Reyansh ne caption theek kiya aur doosri slides bhi dobara check karne laga.
Kuch minute baad Neha ne poochha, "Saturday ka kya plan hai?"
"Old market."
Neha ne use dekha.
"Kaunsa old market?"
"Bengaluru mein ek hi thodi hai."
"Achha. Aur saath mein kaun ja raha hai?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tum office mein kaam karti ho ya CID mein?"
"Main sirf pooch rahi hoon. Tumne khud bataya tha ki Aarohi ke saath exhibition gaye the."
"Toh?"
"Toh ab market bhi ja rahe ho. Progress report maangne ka mann kar raha hai."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Aarohi ko architecture pasand hai. Mujhe bhi purani jagahon par ghoomna achha lagta hai. Bas."
"Fine."
Neha wapas apni screen ki taraf mud gayi.
Phir boli, "Waise old market mein achhi filter coffee milti hai. Agar tum dono architecture dekhte-dekhte bhookhe ho jao toh."
Reyansh ne eyebrow uthayi.
"Yeh information tumne pehle kyun nahi di?"
"Kyuki tumne pehle poochha nahi."
"Location bhejna."
"Please bolo."
"Neha, tum meri colleague ho ya Bengaluru tourism department?"
"Main woh insaan hoon jo tumhari galtiyan pakadta hai aur tumhe coffee shops bhi batata hai. Respect do."
"Ji, ma'am."
Usne location bhej di.
Kaam aage badh gaya.
Meeting ke baad Reyansh apni desk par lauta toh ek aur email tha. Client ko presentation ke saath ek chhota sa sample concept bhi chahiye tha, jo pehle discussion mein nahi aaya tha.
Reyansh ne calendar dekha.
Deadline tight thi.
Usne team ko message kiya, tasks divide kiye aur khud concept ke first draft par kaam shuru kar diya.
Shaam hone tak woh thak chuka tha, lekin presentation ab pehle se behtar thi.
Laptop band karte waqt usne Neha se kaha, "Slide seven bachane ke liye thanks."
Neha ne bag uthaya.
"Welcome. Chocolate pending hai."
"Main kal launga."
"Screenshot le liya hai. Tumhari har commitment ka record rakhti hoon."
"Office mein kisi ko meri personal life se zyada meri chocolate ki fikr hai."
Neha hans padi.
"Personal life ki fikr karne ke liye pehle tumhe personal life mein entry toh deni padegi."
Reyansh ne jawab mein bas apna bag uthaya.
"Good night, Neha."
"Good night, Mr. Complicated Calendar

Usi shaam Jheel apne laptop ke saamne baithi thi.
Table par course workbook, ek notebook aur paani ki bottle rakhi thi. Notebook ke pehle panne par usne apne haath se likha tha:
"I want to speak without fear."
Usne line ko ek baar padha.
Phir dheere se bola, "I want to speak without fear."
Is baar awaaz pehle se zyada saaf thi.
Uske phone par Ritu ka message aaya.
Ritu: Kal class mein pair activity hai. Teacher ne bola hai ki kisi unknown person se ek chhoti conversation start karne ki practice karni hai.
Jheel ne message padha.
Jheel: Unknown person matlab kisi aise insaan se baat karni hai jise hum jaante nahi?
Ritu: Haan. Real life mein. Sirf class ke andar nahi.
Jheel ne phone table par rakh diya.
Class ke andar kisi se baat karna alag tha. Bahar kisi anjaan insaan se khud baat shuru karna alag.
Usne apni notebook kholi aur kuch sentences likhne lagi.
Excuse me, could you help me?
Is this seat available?
Could you please tell me the way?
Woh har sentence ko dheere-dheere bolti rahi.
Phir uski nazar khidki ke bahar gayi.
Neeche building ke entrance par ek delivery person kisi buzurg aadmi ko kuch samjha raha tha. Aadmi ke haath mein ek parcel tha, aur woh baar-baar phone ki screen dekh rahe the.
Jheel ne pehle socha ki shayad unka apna kaam hoga.
Phir usne dekha ki buzurg aadmi parcel par likha address samajhne ki koshish kar rahe the. Delivery person jaldi mein tha aur unki baat dhang se sun nahi raha tha.
Jheel ne notebook band ki.
Woh neeche aayi.
"Excuse me," usne delivery person se kaha.
Dono ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel ke dil ki dhadkan achanak tez ho gayi.
Usne ek pal ke liye apni ungliyan aapas mein phansayi, phir buzurg aadmi se poochha, "Uncle, can I help you?"
Aadmi ne rahat ki saans li.
"Beta, main is address par parcel dhoondh raha hoon. Lekin delivery wale keh rahe hain ki flat number galat hai."
Jheel ne parcel par likha address dekha. Us par building ka naam sahi tha, lekin flat number ke aakhri do digits dhundhle ho gaye the.
"Uncle, aap recipient ko call kar sakte hain?"
"Woh phone nahi utha raha."
Delivery person ne bechaini se kaha, "Madam, mere paas aur deliveries hain. Address clear nahi hai toh main kya karun?"
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Ek minute. Aap parcel ki booking details check kar lijiye. Ho sakta hai phone number se flat number confirm ho jaaye."
Delivery person ne app kholi. Kuch seconds baad usne address dobara check kiya.
"Achha, haan. Flat 206 hai. Maine 208 padh liya."
Buzurg aadmi ne muskurakar kaha, "Thank you, beta."
Jheel ne sir hilaya.
"No problem, uncle."
Delivery person parcel lekar aage badh gaya.
Jheel kuch pal wahi khadi rahi.
Kisi ne taali nahi bajayi thi.
Koi badi baat nahi hui thi.
Lekin usne ek anjaan situation mein khud aage badhkar baat shuru ki thi. English ke do sentences bole the. Apni awaaz kaanpte hue bhi baat poori ki thi.
Woh upar lautne lagi toh saamne se Reyansh aa raha tha.
Uske haath mein office bag aur ek chhota sa grocery packet tha.
"Kya hua?" usne poochha. "Tum aise kyun muskura rahi ho?"
Jheel ne apni muskurahat chhupane ki koshish ki.
"Kuch nahi."
"Achha. Toh phir tumhare chehre par jo victory celebration chal raha hai, woh building maintenance ka hai?"
Jheel hans di.
"Maine aaj ek anjaan aadmi se English mein baat ki."
Reyansh ne apna bag doosre haath mein liya.
"Achha? Kya keh diya usse? Bengaluru chhodkar jao?"
"Reyansh!"
"Sorry, sorry. Batao."
Jheel ne use poori baat batayi. Parcel, buzurg aadmi, delivery person aur apni ghabrahat.
Reyansh dhyaan se sunta raha.
Jab woh khatam hui, usne kaha, "Dekha? Tumhe perfect English aane ka wait nahi karna pada. Tumne situation samjhi, baat ki aur problem solve karne mein help ki."
Jheel ne dheere se sir hilaya.
"Par main nervous thi."
"Nervous hona aur ruk jaana, dono alag cheezein hain."
Woh kuch pal use dekhti rahi.




"Yeh line aapne kahin padhi hai?"
Reyansh ne sochne ka natak kiya.
"Nahi. Abhi banayi. Royalty lagegi."
Jheel ne aankhein ghumayi.
"Kitni?"
"Ek cup chai."
"Bas?"
"Abhi introductory offer chal raha hai."
Dono hans pade.
Jheel ne apne haath mein pakdi notebook dikhayi.
"Main practice kar rahi thi. Kal class mein bhi batana hai ki humne real life mein kya kiya."
"Toh kal bata dena. Tumne jo kiya, wahi bataana. English ko itna decorate mat karna ki asli baat hi chhup jaaye."
Jheel ne notebook apne seene ke paas kar li.
"Main try karungi."
"Try nahi. Practice."
Usne muskurakar kaha, "Ji, sir."
Reyansh lift ki taraf badha.
Jheel ne use roka.
"Ek minute."
Woh palta.
"Thank you."
Reyansh ne kandhe uchkaye.
"Maine kya kiya?"
"Bas... aap baat ko itna difficult nahi banate."
Is baar Reyansh ne mazaak nahi kiya.
"Achha hai. Zindagi mein difficult cheezein waise hi kaafi hain."
Lift aa gayi.
Jheel apne flat ki taraf mud gayi aur Reyansh lift mein chala gaya.
Flat 304 mein wapas aakar Jheel ne notebook kholi.
Usne apne likhe hue sentences ke neeche ek nayi line jodi:
"Today, I started a conversation with a stranger."
Usne line ko do baar padha.
Phir uske neeche chhota sa tick bana diya.

Saturday aane mein abhi kuch din baaki the, lekin Reyansh ne Aarohi ke saath plan ko lekar pehle hi thodi research kar li thi.
Use Bengaluru ke purane bazaaron mein ghoomna achha lagta tha. Wahan ki bheed, dukaanon ke purane board, chhoti si chai ki tapri, kisi kone mein baitha mochi, aur saalon purani buildings ke beech se nikalti rozmarra ki zindagi.
Aarohi ko architecture pasand tha, isliye usne ek aisi jagah choose ki thi jahan purani buildings aur local market dono dekhne ko mil sakein.
Thursday ki shaam uska message aaya.
Aarohi: Ek important question.
Reyansh: Agar question ka answer haan hua toh kya prize milega?
Aarohi: Depends. Question hai, tum comfortable shoes pehenoge ya woh shoes jo sirf photos mein achhe lagte hain?
Reyansh: Mere saare shoes photogenic hain.
Aarohi: Tumhare confidence ko dekhkar lagta hai tum shoes se zyada apni tareef karte ho.
Reyansh: Main balanced personality ka aadmi hoon.
Aarohi: Saturday ko pata chal jayega. Mujhe aadhe raste mein kisi ke blisters ka drama nahi chahiye.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Comfortable shoes. Happy?
Aarohi: Very. 11 baje milte hain.
Reyansh: Done.
Usne phone table par rakh diya.
Kuch hi der baad Shalu kitchen se nikli.
"Sir, aap aajkal phone dekhkar zyada muskura rahe hain."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Shalu, tum apna kaam karti ho ya ghar ke andar CCTV lagi hui hai?"
"Main toh bas observe karti hoon."
"Kya observe kiya?"
"Ki aapke phone mein ab sirf office ke messages nahi aate."
Reyansh ne apna phone uthakar pocket mein rakha.
"Office ke messages kaun muskura kar padhta hai?"
Shalu ne turant jawab diya, "Aap. Jab client approval de deta hai."
"Very funny."
"Thank you, sir."
Shalu kitchen mein laut gayi.
Reyansh sofa par baithkar TV chalaane laga, lekin kuch der baad remote side mein rakh diya.
Saturday ka plan simple tha.
Kisi ko impress karne ka pressure nahi.
Kisi ko kuch prove karne ki zaroorat nahi.
Bas ek jagah ghoomna, baat karna aur dekhna ki do log ek doosre ki company mein kitne comfortable ho sakte hain.
Usne khud se kaha, "Bas normal outing hai."
Phir ek pal baad khud hi muskuraya.
"Normal outing ke liye itna soch kaun raha hai?"
Usne TV ki awaaz badha di.
Jawab dene wala koi nahi tha.


Friday ki shaam Reyansh office se laut raha tha jab uska phone baja.
Unknown number nahi tha.
Is baar call building ke security desk se thi.
"Sir, aap ghar aa gaye hain?"
"Bas paanch minute mein. Kya hua?"
"Sir, aapke naam se ek courier aaya hai. Lekin delivery wale ne parcel reception par chhodne se mana kar diya hai. Signature chahiye."
"Toh main aakar le lunga."
"Sir, ek aur baat hai. Parcel ka outer cover thoda damage hai. Delivery person bol raha hai ki aapke saamne hi handover karega."
Reyansh ne traffic signal par gaadi roki.
"Thik hai. Main aa raha hoon."
Building pahunchkar usne reception par courier liya. Box ka ek kona dab gaya tha, lekin andar se koi awaaz nahi aa rahi thi.
Delivery person ne kaha, "Sir, aap ek baar check kar lijiye. Agar andar ka item damaged hua toh app par complaint kar sakte hain."
Reyansh ne box ko dekha.
Naam uska tha.
Address bhi sahi tha.
Lekin sender ka naam kisi aisi company ka tha jise woh pehchaan nahi pa raha tha.
Usne parcel ki photo li aur apne phone mein order details check ki.
Kuch bhi yaad nahi aaya.
"Yeh maine order nahi kiya," usne kaha.
Delivery person ne screen dekhi.
"Sir, order aapke naam par hi hai."
"Naam mera hai, lekin order mujhe yaad nahi."
"Ho sakta hai kisi ne gift bheja ho."
Reyansh ne box dobara dekha.
"Gift bhejne wale ko mera address pata hai, lekin mujhe uska naam nahi pata. Bahut hi organised surprise hai."
Delivery person hans diya.
"Sir, main toh bas parcel deliver kar raha hoon."
"Bilkul. Tumhara kaam mujhse zyada straightforward hai."
Usne parcel receive kar liya, lekin turant kholne ke bajaye Flat 303 mein le gaya.
Shalu us waqt kitchen saaf kar rahi thi.
"Sir, kya aaya hai?"
"Yahi toh pata karna hai."
"Gift hai?"
"Ya phir kisi ne mujhe bina poochhe koi responsibility bhej di hai."
Shalu ne box ko dekha.
"Khola kyun nahi?"
Reyansh ne tape par ungli rakhi.
"Khola ja raha hai, madam."
Usne box khola.
Andar ek compact desk lamp tha, saath mein ek chhota sa handwritten note.
Reyansh ne note uthaya.
Hope this makes your late evenings a little easier.
Neeche ek naam tha.
Shivani.
Reyansh kuch pal note ko dekhta raha.
Phir usne apni behen ko call kiya.
Shivani ne doosri ring par phone uthaya.
"Haan, bol."
"Di, tumne mere liye lamp bheja?"
"Haan. Kyun?"
"Ek message bhi bhej sakti thi."
"Message bhejti toh tum kehte, zaroorat nahi hai. Isliye lamp bhej diya."
Reyansh ne lamp ko box se bahar nikala.
"Main late evenings mein kaam karta hoon, iska matlab yeh nahi ki mere paas light nahi hai."
"Purani wali light theek hai?"
"Haan."
"Phir yeh extra rakh lo."
Reyansh ne uski baat mein chhupa concern samajh liya.
"Di, main theek hoon."
Shivani ki awaaz naram hui.
"Maine kab kaha ki tum theek nahi ho?"
Reyansh chup raha.
Shivani ne baat ko halka kar diya.
"Waise lamp achha hai. Mujhe pasand aaya tha."
"Matlab tumhe pasand aaya toh mere ghar bhej diya?"
"Bilkul. Tumhare ghar mein meri pasand ki cheezein rakhne ka haq hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Achha, madam. Main rakh leta hoon."
"Good. Aur kabhi-kabhi apni taraf se bhi call kar liya karo."
"Ji."
"Sirf ji mat bolo."
"Main call karunga."
"Ab theek hai."
Call khatam ho gayi.
Reyansh ne lamp table par rakha aur plug laga diya. Kamre ke kone mein ek warm light phail gayi.
Shalu ne dekha.
"Achha lag raha hai."
"Haan."
"Di ne bheja hai, isliye?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Shalu, tumhe har cheez ka emotional angle kyun chahiye?"
Shalu ne kapda uthaya.
"Mujhe nahi chahiye. Aapke ghar mein cheezein toh bahut hain, sir. Bas kuch cheezein log bhejte hain toh unki value alag ho jaati hai."
Reyansh ne jawab nahi diya.
Usne lamp ki roshni mein apni desk ko dekha.
Kamra wahi tha.
Desk wahi.
Laptop wahi.
Lekin ek chhoti si cheez ne jagah ko thoda kam khaali kar diya tha.
Usne note ko sambhalkar drawer mein rakh diya.


Raat ke kareeb 10 baje Reyansh apne laptop par Saturday ke plan ke liye kuch jagahon ki photos dekh raha tha.
Phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Aaj maine class mein apna experience share kiya.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Aur phir class ne tumhe certificate de diya?
Jheel: Nahi!
Reyansh: Toh phir education system mein abhi bhi kami hai.
Jheel: Aap har baat ka mazaak kyun banate ho?
Reyansh: Main mazaak nahi banata. Main boring baaton ko interesting banata hoon.
Jheel: Achha. Toh meri baat interesting bana kar bataiye.
Reyansh ne phone ko dono haathon mein pakda.
Reyansh: Madam Jheel ne ek anjaan aadmi ki help ki, bina perfect English ka wait kiye. Phir class mein apna experience share kiya. Aur ab woh apni achievement ko chhota samajh rahi hain.
Kuch der tak Jheel ka reply nahi aaya.
Phir screen par message dikha.
Jheel: Maine pehle kabhi aisa nahi kiya tha.
Reyansh: Mujhe pata hai.
Jheel: Kaise?
Reyansh ne kuch seconds socha.
Reyansh: Kyunki agar tum pehle se aisa karti, toh aaj mujhe itni khushi ke saath nahi batati.
Jheel ne message padha.
Usne phone side mein rakha, phir dobara uthaya.
Jheel: Aapko sach mein lagta hai main improve kar rahi hoon?
Reyansh ne is baar bina mazaak kiye reply kiya.
Reyansh: Haan. Lekin sirf isliye nahi ki tumhari English better ho rahi hai. Tum ab woh kaam kar rahi ho jisse pehle ghabraati thi.
Jheel screen dekhti rahi.
Jheel: Thank you.
Reyansh: Ab thank you bolkar so jaana. Kal phir practice karna.
Jheel: Good night, Reyansh.
Reyansh: Good night, Jheel.
Jheel ne phone rakh diya.
Usne apni notebook kholi aur aaj ki date ke saamne likha:
I can speak even when I feel nervous.
Phir usne pen band kar diya.
Aaj usne koi bada faisla nahi liya tha.
Koi nayi zindagi shuru nahi ki thi.
Bas ek chhota sa darr paar kiya tha.
Kabhi-kabhi shuruaat itni hi hoti hai.


Reyansh ne laptop band kar diya.
Desk lamp ki warm light ab bhi jal rahi thi.
Usne Shivani ka note drawer se nikaala aur ek baar phir padha.
Hope this makes your late evenings a little easier.
Woh note ko kuch pal haath mein liye baitha raha.
Phir use wapas rakh diya.
Usne khidki kholi. Bahar Bengaluru ki raat apni raftaar se chal rahi thi. Door road par traffic ki halki awaaz, kisi flat se TV ki aawaaz aur corridor mein lift ke darwaze band hone ki dhun sunayi de rahi thi.
Phone par Aarohi ka message aaya.
Aarohi: Saturday ke liye ready?
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Ready. Tum bas mujhe kisi museum ke andar lock mat kar dena.
Aarohi: Promise nahi kar sakti.
Reyansh: Mujhe pehle hi apne ghar walon ko inform kar dena chahiye tha.
Aarohi: Ab late ho gaya. Saturday ko milte hain.
Reyansh hans diya.
Usne phone table par rakha aur lamp band kar diya.
Kamra phir andhere mein doob gaya.
Kuch seconds baad woh bed ki taraf badha.
Raat shaant thi.
Lekin sone se pehle uske dimaag mein din ki chhoti-chhoti baatein ghoom rahi thi. Office ki presentation, Neha ka mazaak, Shalu ka course, Jheel ka message aur Shivani ka bheja hua lamp.
Usne karwat badli.
Aankhein band ki.
Neend aane mein kuch waqt laga.
Aur jab neend aayi, toh uske saath ek dhundhli si tasveer bhi aayi.
Ek kamra.
Kisi ki awaaz.
Kuch aisa jo samajh mein aane se pehle hi bikhar gaya.
Reyansh ne neend mein apni ungliyan sikod li.
Phir tasveer gaayab ho gayi.
Subah uthne par use bas itna yaad rehna tha ki raat ki neend poori tarah aaraamdeh nahi thi.
Abhi ke liye, zindagi apni chhoti-chhoti raftaar se aage badh rahi thi.

[Greenwood]

WEEKEND SPECIAL DOUBLE UPDATES....

[Greenwood]

Update 27



Alarm bajne se pehle hi Reyansh ki aankh khul gayi.
Usne kuch seconds tak chhat ko dekha, phir side mein rakhe phone ki screen check ki.
9:12 AM.
Phone par Aarohi ka message tha.
Aarohi:
Good morning! Aaj ke architectural expedition ke liye taiyaar ho?
Reyansh ne aankhein malte hue reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Good morning. Expedition? Main old market dekhne aa raha hoon ya kisi khoi hui sabhyata ki khudai karne?
Aarohi:
Tumhe dekhkar lagta hai tum history ke naam par sirf purane bills sambhalte hoge.
Reyansh:
Main bills nahi sambhalta. Main unhe financial trauma kehte hue delete kar deta hoon.
Aarohi:
Very responsible citizen.
Reyansh:
Thank you. Main desh ki economy ko personally support karta hoon.
Aarohi:
Bas 11 baje late mat hona.
Reyansh:
Main punctual hoon.
Aarohi:
Tum apne baare mein keh rahe ho ya kisi imaginary Reyansh ke baare mein?
Reyansh hans pada.
Phone side mein rakhkar woh bed se utha. Aaj office nahi jaana tha, koi client presentation nahi thi, aur kisi ko Monday tak campaign report bhi nahi chahiye thi.
Uske paas ek poora Saturday tha.
Aur filhaal usne decide kiya ki woh is Saturday ko emails se barbaad nahi karega.
Bathroom se nikalne ke baad usne ek navy-blue casual shirt aur beige chinos pehne. Ghadi baandhi, perfume lagaya aur wallet uthaya.
Tabhi doorbell baj gayi.
Ding-dong!
Reyansh ne darwaza khola.
Saamne Shalu thi, apna bag kandhe par latkaye.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning. Aaj tumne doorbell bajane se pehle announcement kyun nahi ki?"
Shalu ne hairani se dekha. "Kaunsi announcement?"
"Ki Flat 303 mein ek aadmi abhi-abhi naha-dhokar insaan bana hai. Thoda waqt do, personality bhi aa jayegi."
Shalu hans di.
"Sir, personality toh aapki pehle se hai. Bas kabhi-kabhi use bhi neend aa jaati hai."
Reyansh ne ek pal use dekha.
"Shalu, tumhari English improve ho rahi hai ya tum mere khilaaf naye-naye sentences seekh rahi ho?"
"Dono, sir."
"Excellent. Multitasking."
Shalu andar aayi aur apna kaam shuru karne lagi.
Kitchen mein jaate hue usne poochha, "Aaj office nahi jaana?"
"Nahi. Aaj old market jaa raha hoon."
"Kisi dost ke saath?"
"Haan."
"Ladki dost?"
Reyansh ruk gaya.
"Yeh sawaal tumne English course mein seekha hai?"
"Nahi. Yeh toh bina course ke samajh aa jaata hai."
"Shalu, tumhari padhai ka direction bahut khatarnak hota ja raha hai."
Woh hans padi.
Reyansh ne coffee banane ke liye machine chala di. Shalu ne uske liye breakfast tayyar karna shuru kar diya.
Kuch der baad uski nazar dining table par rakhe ek pamphlet par padi. Shalu ne computer skills aur communication ke do courses ki details print karwayi thi.
"Yeh dono courses dekh rahi ho?" Reyansh ne poochha.
"Haan. Ek jagah fees kam hai, lekin timing mere liye difficult hai. Doosri jagah thodi mehengi hai, par classes convenient hain."
"Course mein kya sikhayenge, woh compare kiya?"
"Ji. Basic computer, email, documents aur thoda spoken English. Doosre mein computer ke saath office work bhi hai."
"Good. Ab bas yeh dekhna ki jo seekho, uski practice bhi kar sako."
Shalu ne pamphlet fold kiya.
"Sir, aapko kabhi lagta hai ki insaan apni life mein bahut late shuru kar raha hai?"
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Kis cheez ke liye?"
"Apne liye kuch karne ke liye."
Woh kuch pal chup raha.
"Late tab hota hai jab insaan decide kar leta hai ki ab shuru hi nahi karna. Baaki har age mein kuch naya seekha ja sakta hai."
Shalu ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh baat main notebook mein likh loon?"
"Bilkul. Lekin neeche mera naam likhna. Kal ko famous ho gayi toh royalty lunga."
"Sir, pehle aapki advice ka result toh aa jaane do."
Reyansh hans diya.
Usne breakfast kiya, phone uthaya aur nikalne laga.
Darwaze tak pahunchkar Shalu ne awaaz lagayi.
"Sir!"
"Haan?"
"Eleven bajne mein abhi pachpan minute hain. Aaram se jaana. Aaj late hone ka bahana mat banana."
Reyansh ne darwaze se hi jawab diya.
"Tum maid ho ya meri personal scheduling manager?"
"Filhaal unpaid manager."
"Salary increment ki application likh dena."
"English mein?"
Reyansh ne ungli uthakar kaha, "Ab tum mujhe blackmail kar rahi ho."
Shalu ki hansi uske peeche tak aayi.


Saturday, 10:58 AM | Bengaluru Old Market
Aarohi pehle se wahan khadi thi.
Usne off-white cotton top ke saath blue jeans pehni thi. Kandhe par ek medium-sized sling bag tha aur baal aadhe peeche clip se bandhe hue the. Haath mein phone tha, jis par woh kisi purani building ki photograph dekh rahi thi.
Reyansh uske paas aaya.
"Good morning, punctual citizen."
Aarohi ne phone lock kiya.
"Do minute late."
"Traffic."
"Tum paidal aaye ho?"
"Traffic mere dimaag mein tha."
Aarohi ne usse upar se neeche tak dekha.
"Achha outfit hai."
Reyansh ne collar theek kiya. "Thank you. Main chahta tha ki aaj purani buildings ke beech ek modern monument bhi hona chahiye."
"Confidence ka koi course hota hai?"
"Hota hoga. Lekin meri fees bahut zyada hai."
"Main afford nahi kar sakti."
"Discount de dunga."
Aarohi muskurayi.
"Chalo, monument. Pehle yeh gali dekhte hain."
Dono market ke andar chal diye.
Wahan dukaanon ki purani nameplates, rang utre hue wooden shutters, chhoti balconies aur tang galiyon mein apni alag hi duniya basi thi. Kahin chai ban rahi thi, kahin kapdon ki dukaan par customers bargain kar rahe the, aur kahin ek buzurg aadmi apni chhoti si dukaan ke bahar kursi par baitha akhbaar padh raha tha.
Aarohi har kuch kadam par ruk jaati.
Kabhi kisi balcony ki photograph leti, kabhi purane darwaze ke design ko dekhne lagti.
Reyansh ne teesri baar usse ek hi building ki taraf dekhta paaya toh poochha, "Ismein aisa kya hai?"
"Yeh balcony dekho. Wooden railing, chhote columns aur upar ka overhang. Nayi buildings mein aksar sab kuch straight lines mein hota hai. Yahan decoration bhi hai, functionality bhi."
Reyansh ne building ko dekha.
"Mujhe toh lag raha hai balcony ko paint ki zaroorat hai."
Aarohi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhe architecture se koi personal problem hai?"
"Nahi. Main bas building ke practical needs identify kar raha hoon."
"Great. Tum building contractor ban jao. Main apna career badal leti hoon."
"Partnership karenge. Tum design banana, main paint ka budget kaat dunga."
Aarohi zor se hans padi.
Kuch der baad dono ek purane courtyard ke paas pahunche. Andar ek chhota sa bookstore tha, jiske entrance par wooden sign latak raha tha.
Aarohi ki aankhon mein chamak aa gayi.
"Yeh toh mujhe dekhna hi hai."
Reyansh ne sign padha.
"Kitabein, purani buildings aur coffee. Tumhara ideal Saturday toh yahin mil gaya."
"Coffee kahan hai?"
"Abhi missing hai. Kahani mein ek problem toh honi chahiye."
Bookstore ke andar halki si purane kagaz ki khushboo thi. Shelves par architecture, travel, literature aur photography ki kitabein rakhi thi.
Aarohi seedha architecture section mein chali gayi.
Reyansh doosri shelf dekhne laga. Wahan use Bengaluru ke purane neighbourhoods par ek illustrated book mili. Usne kitab kholkar kuch pages dekhe.
Aarohi uske paas aayi.
"Tumhe pasand aayi?"
"Haan. Ismein city ke purane aur naye areas ka comparison hai."
"Tumhe architecture mein interest hai?"
"Interest hai, knowledge kam hai. Dono mein farq hota hai."
Aarohi ne kitab uske haath se li aur ek page khola.
"Yeh dekho. Kabhi-kabhi ek building ko samajhne ke liye uske andar rehne wale logon ko samajhna padta hai."
Reyansh ne page par bani photograph dekhi.
"Matlab building ki story uske residents likhte hain?"
"Partly. Baaki uska waqt, uska design aur uske aas-paas badalta shehar."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Interesting."
Aarohi ne use dekha.
"Yeh tum sach mein keh rahe ho ya bas polite ban rahe ho?"
"Main polite banne ke liye itni der bookstore mein khada nahi rehta."
"Fair point."
Aarohi ne ek photography book khareedne ke liye select ki. Reyansh ne apni illustrated city book counter par rakh di.
Bahar nikalte waqt Aarohi ne poochha, "Tumne yeh book kyun li?"
"Taaki agli baar tum kisi building ko dekhkar das minute ruk jao, toh main kam se kam uski history ka ek fact bata sakun."


Aarohi kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
"That's actually thoughtful."
Reyansh ne turant jawab diya, "Please, is baat ko market mein announce mat karna. Meri image kharab ho jayegi."
"Kaunsi image? Tumhari toh koi fixed image hi nahi hai."
"Exactly. Mystery maintain rehni chahiye."
Dono phir hans pade.
Ek Chhota Sa Break
Market ki ek gali ke kone par unhe chhota sa café mila. Bahar do wooden tables thi aur andar vintage photographs lagi hui thi.
Aarohi ne menu dekha.
"Coffee?"
"Finally. Kahani mein missing element mil gaya."
Dono ek table par baith gaye.
Coffee aane tak unki baat purane market se office life par aa gayi.
Aarohi ne bataya ki uski consultancy ek purani commercial building ke renovation project par kaam kar rahi thi. Project interesting tha, lekin client baar-baar design badal raha tha.
Reyansh ne kaha, "Client ko final result chahiye hota hai, lekin final decision lene ka mann nahi hota."
Aarohi hans di.
"Tumhare clients bhi aise hain?"
"Mere clients toh kabhi-kabhi ek line approve karne ke liye chaar meetings kar lete hain."
"Phir tum karte kya ho?"
"Meeting ke baad meeting ka summary bhejta hoon. Uske baad summary par meeting hoti hai."
Aarohi ne coffee ka cup table par rakh diya.
"Yeh toh tragic hai."
"Corporate life mein tragedy ko calendar invite bhejkar manage karte hain."
Aarohi hans padi, phir uski nazar Reyansh ki kitab par gayi.
"Tumne apne liye kuch karne ka waqt nikaala. Achha laga dekhkar."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Matlab?"
"Matlab tumhare paas kaam toh hamesha rahega. Lekin tum apne liye kya karte ho, woh bhi important hai."
Usne baat bahut casually kahi thi. Na koi lecture, na koi personal sawal.
Reyansh ne coffee ka ek sip liya.
"Isliye toh aaj office se door hoon."
"Good."
Kuch pal dono chup rahe. Café ke bahar ek bachcha apne father ka haath pakadkar dukaan ki taraf bhaag raha tha. Do college students ek hi phone par kuch dekhkar hans rahe the.
Aarohi ne cup uthaya.
"Mujhe aaj achha laga."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Market?"
"Market bhi. Company bhi."
Uske chehre par halki si smile thi.
Reyansh ne jawab dene se pehle ek pal liya.
"Mujhe bhi."
Koi dramatic silence nahi hua. Koi achanak badalti hui duniya nahi thi.
Bas do log the jinhone ek Saturday ko saath bitaya tha aur jinhe ek-doosre ki company pasand aayi thi.
Filhaal itna kaafi tha.


Saturday, 1:36 PM | Market Se Wapsi
Café se nikalne ke baad dono thodi der aur ghoome. Aarohi ne ek chhoti stationery shop se postcards khareede, aur Reyansh ne uska mazaak udaya ki woh 2026 mein bhi postcards likhne ka iraada rakhti hai.
"Sab kuch message par hi kyun bhejna hai?" Aarohi ne kaha. "Kabhi kisi ko kuch likhkar bhejne mein bhi maza aata hai."
"Achha. Toh mere liye postcard likhogi?"
Aarohi ne seedha jawab diya, "Abhi decide nahi kiya."
"Matlab interview process chal raha hai?"
"Probation period samjho."
"Terms and conditions kya hain?"
"Time par aana. Har baat ka joke mat banana. Aur kabhi-kabhi saamne wale ki baat bhi sun lena."
Reyansh ne haath jod liye.
"Teen conditions? Yeh toh permanent employment se bhi difficult hai."
Aarohi muskurayi.
"Toh resign kar do."
"Abhi toh joining hui hai."
Dono market ke entrance tak saath aaye.
Aarohi ki cab kuch minute mein aane wali thi.
"Next time tum jagah suggest karna," usne kaha.
"Main?"
"Haan. Har baar meri choice nahi chalegi."
Reyansh ne sochne ka natak kiya.
"Ek jagah hai. Wahan purani buildings bhi hain, greenery bhi aur walking ke liye achha route bhi."
Aarohi ki aankhon mein curiosity aayi.
"Kahan?"
"Abhi bata diya toh surprise khatam."
"Tumhe khud location pata bhi hai?"
"Personal attack."
Aarohi hans di.
Uski cab aa gayi. Jaane se pehle usne haath hilaaya.
"Take care, Reyansh."
"You too, Aarohi."
Cab nikal gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal wahin khada raha, phir apni gaadi ki taraf chal diya.
Usne phone check kiya.
Arshad ke chaar missed messages the.
Arshad:
Zinda ho?
Arshad:
Ya kisi heritage building ne tumhe adopt kar liya?
Arshad:
Reply kar de. Main emotional ho raha hoon.
Arshad:
Aur haan, agar date thi toh bata dena. Main apne aap ko maturely behave karne ke liye mentally prepare kar lunga.
Reyansh ne call laga diya.
Arshad ne pehli ring par phone utha liya.
"HAAN BHAI, KAHAN HAI TU?"
"Market mein tha. Phone silent tha."
"Kaisa raha?"
"Achha tha."
"Achha tha matlab?"
"Market achha tha. Coffee achhi thi. Company achhi thi."
Doosri taraf kuch seconds ki khamoshi rahi.
Phir Arshad ki awaaz aayi.
"Company achhi thi."
"Haan."
"Coffee achhi thi."
"Haan."
"Market achha tha."
"Haan."
Arshad ne gehri saans li.
"Ek minute. Main notebook nikaalta hoon. Aaj ki historical development record karni padegi."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Tu kya kar raha hai?"
"Main ghar par hoon. Thoda kaam karna hai. Ek potential freelance client ne brief bheja hai."
"Achha. Kaam kaisa lag raha hai?"
"Interesting hai. Lekin brief dekhkar lag raha hai client ko copywriter nahi, magician chahiye."
"Scope clear kar lena. Revisions, deadlines aur payment sab."
"Ji, Senior Brand Manager sahab."
"Joke mat kar. Freelance mein apna time bhi protect karna padta hai."
Arshad ki awaaz thodi serious hui.
"Haan. Is baar main pehle hi terms clear karunga."
"Good."
"Waise ek baat bata."
"Ab kya?"
"Aarohi ke saath next plan kya hai?"
Reyansh ne gaadi start ki.
"Abhi kuch decide nahi kiya. Bas next time main jagah choose karunga."
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
"Achha hai. Enjoy kar. Har achhi conversation ko turant relationship ka naam dena zaroori nahi."
Reyansh ne halka sa smile kiya.
"Yeh baat tune kab seekhi?"
"Main intelligent hoon. Bas logon ko doubt mein rakhne ke liye kabhi-kabhi chhupata hoon."
"Tu intelligent hai, is baat ka evidence abhi tak nahi mila."
"Call kaat raha hoon."
"Kaatt."
Arshad hansne laga.
"Shaam ko mil raha hai?"
"Dekhta hoon."
"Matlab mil raha hai. Main location bhej raha hoon."
Call kat gaya.
Reyansh ne phone passenger seat par rakha aur gaadi aage badha di.
Aaj ka din abhi khatam nahi hua tha.


Saturday, 2:18 PM | Flat 304
Jheel apni study table par baithi thi.
Laptop khula tha. Screen par course ka assignment tha, jisme use apna introduction aur ek chhota sa paragraph type karna tha.
Usne pehle notebook mein likha, phir screen par type karne lagi.
My name is Jheel. I am learning communication and basic digital skills. I want to become more confident when I speak with people.
Woh ruk gayi.
Sentence ko dobara padha.
Phir ek word delete karke doosra likha.
Uske phone par Ritu ka message aaya.
Ritu:
Assignment complete?
Jheel:
Almost. Ek paragraph mein atki hoon.
Ritu:
Send kar. Saath mein dekhte hain.
Jheel ne paragraph bhej diya.
Kuch hi der mein reply aa gaya.
Ritu:
Yeh toh sahi hai. Bas last line mein tense change karna.
Jheel ne correction ki aur document save kar diya.
Uske chehre par satisfaction tha.
Chhota sa assignment tha. Koi badi achievement nahi thi.
Lekin kuch mahine pehle agar kisi ne use laptop par English paragraph likhne ko kaha hota, toh woh shayad shuru karne se pehle hi ghabra jaati.
Ab woh galti karti thi, use theek karti thi aur phir aage badh jaati thi.
Doorbell baji.
Jheel ne laptop save kiya aur darwaza khola.
Saamne Reyansh tha.
Uske haath mein ek paper bag tha.
"Hello, neighbour."
Jheel muskurayi.
"Hello. Market se wapas aa gaye?"
"Haan. Aur main ek important cheez lekar aaya hoon."
Jheel ne bag ki taraf dekha.
"Kya?"
Reyansh ne bag uski taraf badhaya.
"Yeh dekho."
Andar ek chhota sa packet tha, jisme local bookstore ka bookmark aur ek postcard tha. Reyansh ne galti se nahi, jaan-boojhkar liya tha. Bookstore ke counter par complimentary postcards rakhe the aur usne ek utha liya tha.
Jheel ne postcard dekha.
"Yeh mere liye?"
"Nahi, building ke secretary ke liye. Lekin unke paas pehle hi bahut complaints hain, toh socha tumhe de doon."
Jheel hans padi.
"Reyansh!"
"Achha, haan. Tumhare liye."
Jheel ne postcard haath mein liya. Us par Bengaluru ki ek purani street ki photograph thi.
"Bahut achha hai."
"Bookstore mein mila. Tumhe old places pasand hain na?"
Jheel ne postcard ko dobara dekha.
"Haan. Thank you."
Reyansh ne uske chehre par aayi khushi dekhi. Woh chhoti si cheez thi, lekin usne sahi yaad rakha tha ki Jheel ko aisi photographs pasand aati hain.
"Waise assignment chal raha tha?" usne poochha.
Jheel ne darwaza thoda aur khola.
"Haan. English paragraph likhna tha."
"Complete hua?"
"Almost."
"Almost ka matlab aadha ya complete?"
"Complete. Bas mujhe lag raha tha ki ek sentence galat hai."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Toh tumne check kiya?"
"Ji."
"Correct kiya?"
"Ji."
"Submit kar diya?"
Jheel ne fakhr se kaha, "Ji."
"Toh phir problem kya hai?"
Jheel ek pal ruki, phir hans di.
"Ab koi problem nahi hai."
"Excellent. Tumhari problem-solving speed improve ho rahi hai."
Jheel ne postcard apni notebook ke paas rakh diya.
"Aapka din kaisa raha?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
"Achha tha. Old market gaya tha. Kaafi purani buildings dekhi."
"Aarohi ke saath?"
"Haan."
Jheel ne normal si smile ke saath kaha, "Achha. Aapko pasand aaya?"
"Haan. Usse architecture kaafi achhe se samajh aata hai. Mujhe bhi kuch naya seekhne ko mila."
"Phir toh achha hua."
Uske lehje mein sachchi dilchaspi thi. Na koi banaawati excitement, na koi anjaani udaasi. Jheel apni zindagi mein busy thi aur Reyansh ki zindagi ko bhi apni jagah de rahi thi.
Reyansh ne uske laptop ki taraf dekha.
"Waise agar tumhe assignment mein kabhi help chahiye toh bata dena. Lekin pehle khud try karna."
Jheel ne turant kaha, "Ab toh main pehle khud hi karti hoon."
"Good."
Usne jaane ke liye kadam badhaya.
"Achha, main chalta hoon. Arshad bula raha hai."
Jheel ne haath hilaaya.
"Enjoy your evening."
"You too."
Darwaza band hone ke baad Jheel apni study table par lauti.
Usne postcard ko notebook ke andar rakhne ki jagah table ke paas ek chhote stand par laga diya.



Phir laptop khola aur assignment ka final version ek baar aur check kiya.
Screen par uska introduction tha.
I want to become more confident when I speak with people.
Jheel ne use padha aur dheere se muskura di.
Ab yeh sirf assignment ki line nahi thi.
Yeh uski apni zindagi ka ek chhota sa hissa ban rahi thi.



Saturday, 7:42 PM | Café Near Indiranagar
Arshad ek corner table par baitha laptop par kuch likh raha tha.
Uske saamne coffee thi, phone par Sakshi ka message aur laptop screen par freelance client ka brief.
Reyansh aakar uske saamne baith gaya.
Arshad ne screen se nazar nahi hatayi.
"Late."
Reyansh ne ghadi dekhi.
"Main time par hoon."
"Main emotional taur par pehle se intezaar kar raha tha."
"Tu therapist ke paas ja."
"Paise dega?"
"Nahi."
"Phir tu hi meri problem hai."
Reyansh hans pada aur waiter ko order de diya.
Arshad ne laptop uski taraf ghumaya.
"Yeh dekh. Client ko ek product ke liye campaign copy chahiye. Brief mein likha hai, 'Make it emotional, youthful, premium, relatable, bold, subtle and universally appealing.'"
Reyansh ne screen padhi.
"Matlab inhe sab kuch chahiye."
"Exactly! Aur budget aisa diya hai jaise main unke liye ek WhatsApp status likh raha hoon."
"Toh scope clear kar. Kitne concepts, kitne revisions aur delivery date."
"Kar liya. Kal unhe proposal bhejunga."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Good. Agency ke kaam ke saath manage ho jayega?"
"Shuru mein ek client hi loonga. Dekhta hoon workload kitna hota hai."
"Smart."
Arshad ne laptop band kiya.
"Ab tumhari baari."
"Kis baat ki?"
"Aaj ki outing ki."
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Kya bataun?"
"Start se. Outfit kya tha? Weather kaisa tha? Coffee ka temperature? Building ki height? Aarohi ne kitni baar tumhe intelligent samjha?"
"Tu kahani sunna chahta hai ya security officer report?"
"Details important hoti hain."
Reyansh ne use poora incident bataya. Old market, bookstore, architecture, café aur Aarohi ke saath hui baatein.
Arshad is baar beech-beech mein mazaak karta raha, lekin usne dhyan se suna bhi.
Jab Reyansh ne bataya ki dono ne next outing ka plan khula chhoda hai, Arshad ne kaha, "Achha hai. Dheere chal. Kisi ko impress karne ke chakkar mein apna asli version mat badalna."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh baat tu apne liye bhi follow kar sakta hai."
Arshad ki smile thodi halki ho gayi.
"Sakshi ka message aaya tha."
Reyansh chup raha aur use bolne diya.
"Uska next week business trip hai. Do-teen din ke liye."
"Kahan?"
"Usne ek client meeting ka mention kiya tha. Details baad mein batayegi. Kaafi excited thi. Uske portfolio par bhi kaam chal raha hai."
"Achhi baat hai."
"Haan. Main bhi yahi chahta hoon ki woh apne career mein aage badhe."
Arshad ne coffee ka cup ghumaya.
"Bas kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki hum dono apni-apni zindagi ko aage le ja rahe hain, lekin future ki baat abhi bhi poori tarah clear nahi hai."
Reyansh ne turant koi lecture nahi diya.
"Kya tumne usse baat karne ka time decide kiya?"
"Abhi nahi. Uska trip hone do. Wapas aane ke baad baithenge."
"Toh filhaal uska trip enjoy karne de. Aur tu apna kaam kar. Har cheez ko ek hi din mein solve karne ki zaroorat nahi."
Arshad ne use dekha.
"Tu kabhi-kabhi achhi advice de deta hai."
"Kabhi-kabhi?"
"Zyada tareef se tumhara dimaag kharab ho jayega."
"Late ho chuka hai."
Dono hans pade.
Thodi der baad Sakshi ka call aaya. Arshad ne phone uthaya.
"Hello, madam."
Sakshi ki awaaz phone se sunai di.
"Madam mat bolo. Aur haan, maine trip ki dates final kar di hain."
"Achha! Sab set hai?"
"Mostly. Bas ek presentation revise karni hai. Kal tum free ho toh mujhe ek baar dekhkar feedback de dena."
"Bilkul. Bhej dena."
"Thanks. Aur tumhara freelance project?"
Arshad ne Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
"Proposal bana raha hoon. Kal bhej dunga."
"Good. Bas agency ke kaam aur freelance ke chakkar mein khud ko overbook mat kar lena."
Arshad muskuraya.
"Main itna bhi irresponsible nahi hoon."
Sakshi hans di.
"Yeh statement evidence ke bina accept nahi karungi."
"Fine. Kal proof bhej dunga."
Dono ne kuch aur practical baatein ki aur call khatam ho gaya.
Arshad ne phone rakhkar kaha, "Dekha? Meri life mein bhi romance hai."
Reyansh ne poochha, "Yeh call tha ya project-management meeting?"


"Modern relationships mein dono ek hi package mein aate hain."
"Terms and conditions?"
"Unlimited affection, limited patience."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Achha hai. Bas renewal date miss mat kar dena."
"Tu apni Aarohi sambhaal."
"Main kisi ko sambhaal nahi raha. Hum bas mile the."
"Bilkul. Aur main bas coffee pee raha hoon. Mere saamne laptop kyun khula hai, yeh bhi ek alag mystery hai."
Dono ki hansi café ke shor mein ghul gayi.


Sunday ki subah Reyansh ko alarm ne nahi, balcony se aati awaaz ne jagaya.
Koi bachcha apne father se keh raha tha ki use breakfast mein dosa chahiye, lekin sirf woh wala jo restaurant mein milta hai.
Reyansh ne takiye mein chehra chhupaya.
"Hey malik, mujhe bhi aisi chhoti problems de do."
Phone screen par ek message chamka.
Aarohi:
Kal ki photos bhej rahi hoon. Tumhari ek photo bhi hai, unfortunately.
Reyansh ne aankhein kholi.
Reyansh:
Unfortunately? Main toh frame mein value add karta hoon.
Aarohi ne market ki ek photograph bheji. Uske baad café ke bahar ki ek candid picture thi, jisme Reyansh kitab pakde kisi purani building ko dekh raha tha.
Aarohi:
Yeh photo achhi hai. Tum sach mein interested lag rahe ho.
Reyansh ne photo ko kuch pal dekha.
Reyansh:
Main interested tha. Bas tumhari tarah har building ke saamne rukne ki training nahi mili.
Aarohi:
Practice se sab ho jaata hai.
Reyansh:
Phir agli baar tum mujhe training dena.
Aarohi:
Dekhte hain. Pehle tum apni location reveal karo.
Reyansh ne smile ki.
Reyansh:
Agli outing ka plan bana raha hoon. Is baar tum bas comfortable shoes pehenna.
Aarohi:
Yeh warning hai?
Reyansh:
Experience.
Aarohi:
Fine. Surprise me.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakh diya.
Usne apni zindagi ke baare mein koi bada faisla nahi kiya tha. Aarohi ke saath ek achha Saturday guzra tha, aur ab ek aur outing ka idea tha.
Bas.
Lekin kabhi-kabhi zindagi ko aage badhne ke liye bade announcements ki zaroorat nahi hoti.
Kabhi ek achhi conversation, ek nayi jagah aur agle weekend ka chhota sa plan bhi kaafi hota hai.
Kitchen se Shalu ki awaaz aayi.
"Sir, breakfast ready hai!"
Reyansh bed se uthte hue bola, "Aa raha hoon!"
"Jaldi aaiye. Thanda ho jayega!"
"Main aa raha hoon, tum announcement band karo!"
Shalu hans padi.
Reyansh ne phone uthaya, ek baar Aarohi ka message dekha aur phir kitchen ki taraf chal diya.
Uska Sunday shuru ho chuka tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 28


Monday, 8:36 AM | Flat 303
"Sir, aapki coffee thandi ho rahi hai!"
Shalu ki awaaz kitchen se aayi.
Reyansh dining table par baitha apne laptop ki screen dekh raha tha. Uski coffee saamne rakhi thi aur phone par office ke messages aa rahe the.
"Coffee thandi nahi ho rahi. Main use emotional support de raha hoon."
Shalu kitchen se bahar aayi. "Coffee ko?"
"Haan. Itni subah-subah kisi ko bhi attention chahiye hoti hai."
"Toh phir pee lijiye. Attention ke saath breakfast bhi thanda ho jayega."
Reyansh ne laptop band kiya aur coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Shalu, tumhari language mein ab confidence aa gaya hai."
"Ji. Ab main sirf English nahi seekh rahi, aapki baaton ka jawab dena bhi seekh rahi hoon."
"Ek din tum meri job le logi."
"Sir, aapki job mein salary kitni hai?"
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Yeh interview kaun le raha hai?"
Shalu hans padi aur kitchen mein wapas chali gayi.
Kuch der baad woh apna bag uthane lagi. Usne apne course ke pamphlets bhi sambhal kar rakhe the.
"Sir, maine ek institute mein phone kiya tha. Unhone kaha ki weekend batch bhi hai."
"Achha. Timing poochhi?"
"Ji. Fees bhi aur syllabus bhi."
"Trial class hai?"
"Agli Saturday ko."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya. "Attend kar lena. Sirf brochure dekhkar admission mat lena."
Shalu ne muskurakar kaha, "Aapko har cheez mein practical answer hi dena hota hai?"
"Emotional answer bhi hai."
"Kya?"
"Trial class mein samosa milta ho toh admission turant le lena."
Shalu ne uske haath se coffee ka cup lene ka natak kiya.
"Bas, aap rehne dijiye."
Dono hans pade.
Shalu kaafi der tak uske ghar mein kaam karti rahi thi, lekin ab unki baaton mein ek naya badlav tha. Pehle woh har chhoti cheez ke liye Reyansh se poochhti thi. Ab apne options khud research karti, sawaal taiyaar karti aur phir usse salah leti.
Reyansh ne apna bag uthaya.
"All the best for Saturday."
Shalu ne darwaze ke paas se kaha, "Thank you, sir."
Reyansh lift ki taraf badh gaya.
Monday shuru ho chuka tha.


Monday, 10:15 AM | Office
"Good morning, team."
Reyansh conference room mein aaya toh Neha pehle se laptop kholkar baithi thi. Uske saamne do coffee cups aur presentation ke printouts rakhe the.
Reyansh ne cups ki taraf dekha.
"Do coffee? Kisi ka intezaar hai?"
Neha ne ek cup apni taraf kheench liya.
"Ek meri hai. Doosri us insaan ke liye thi jo subah-subah time par aane ka natak karta hai."
"Main time par aaya hoon."
"Meeting das baje thi."
"Abhi 10:15 hain."
"Exactly."
Reyansh kursi par baith gaya.
"Monday ko fifteen minutes late hona professional culture ka hissa hai."
"Yeh line HR ko bhej doon?"
"Please. Mere naam se."
Neha ne laptop uski taraf ghumaya.
"Jokes apart, client ne campaign ke opening visuals approve kar diye hain. Bas final copy aur do product shots revise karne hain."
Reyansh ne slides dekhin.
"Yeh wala shot rehne do. Ismein product clear hai aur background bhi clean hai."
"Agreed. Lekin headline thodi generic lag rahi hai."
"Do alternatives try karte hain. Ek simple, ek thoda playful."
Neha ne notes banana shuru kiya.
Agla aadha ghanta kaam mein guzra. Dono ne headlines par discussion kiya, ek visual replace kiya aur presentation ka flow thoda better banaya.
Meeting khatam hone par Neha ne laptop band kiya.
"By the way, Saturday kaisa raha?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Saturday?"
"Calendar mein Saturday naam ka din hota hai. Usmein log office ke alawa bhi kuch karte hain."
"Main old market gaya tha."
"Kis ke saath?"
"Aarohi."
Neha ke chehre par halki si smile aayi.
"Achha. Kaisa raha?"
"Achha tha. Purani buildings dekhin, bookstore gaye, coffee pi."
"Sounds nice."
"Haan."
Neha ne papers sambhale.
"Good. Tumhe office ke bahar bhi kisi cheez mein interest lete dekhna achha hai."
Reyansh ne eyebrow uthayi.
"Main office ke bahar kuch nahi karta?"
"Mainne aisa kab kaha?"
"Tumhare sentence ka hidden meaning tha."



"Har sentence mein hidden meaning nahi hota, Reyansh."
"Yeh baat tumne hidden meaning ke saath hi kahi hai."
Neha hans padi.
"Bas karo. Client ko final copy bhejni hai."
Woh apni desk ki taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh ne presentation dobara kholi. Uske chehre par abhi bhi halki si smile thi.
Office mein Monday ka apna hi rhythm tha. Emails, revisions, calls aur deadlines.
Aur in sabke beech chhoti-chhoti baatein, jinse din thoda aasaan ho jaata tha.



Tuesday, 7:20 PM | Flat 304
Jheel laptop ke saamne baithi assignment submit karne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Usne document upload kiya, phir ek baar preview dekha.
File uploaded successfully.
Jheel ke chehre par khushi aa gayi.
"Finally!"
Usne turant Ritu ko message kiya.
Jheel:
Assignment submit ho gaya!
Ritu:
Congratulations! Ab next assignment ke liye ready rehna.
Jheel:
Tum congratulations de rahi ho ya warning?
Ritu:
Dono. Friendship package.
Jheel hans padi.
Usne laptop band kiya aur paani lene kitchen mein gayi. Wapas aate waqt uski nazar table par rakhe postcard par padi. Purani Bengaluru street ki photograph ab bhi uske table ke paas lagi thi.
Usne use seedha kiya.
Tabhi phone par Reyansh ka message aaya.
Reyansh:
Assignment war jeet li?
Jheel muskurayi.
Jheel:
Ji. Successfully submit kar diya.
Reyansh:
Congratulations. Ab tum officially ek dangerous category mein aa gayi ho.
Jheel:
Kaunsi category?
Reyansh:
Jo log kaam khud kar lete hain aur phir help maangna band kar dete hain.
Jheel:
Toh aapki tension badh gayi?
Reyansh:
Bilkul. Meri free advice service ka future khatre mein hai.
Jheel:
Main kabhi-kabhi aapko pareshaan karne aa sakti hoon.
Reyansh:
Permission granted. Lekin appointment lekar.
Jheel hans padi.
Kuch pal baad usne ek aur message bheja.
Jheel:
Waise thank you.
Reyansh:
Kis liye?
Jheel:
Pichhle kuch dino mein aapne mujhe kaafi encourage kiya. Jab main English bolne mein nervous hoti thi, tab aapne galtiyon par hansne ke bajaye correct karna sikhaya.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Usne turant koi funny reply nahi diya. Kuch seconds baad type kiya.
Reyansh:
Credit tumhara hai, Jheel. Practice tumne ki, assignment tumne complete kiya. Main bas beech-beech mein lecture deta raha.
Jheel ke chehre par ek narm si smile aa gayi.
Jheel:
Lecture kabhi-kabhi useful bhi hota hai.
Reyansh:
Yeh screenshot karke rakh raha hoon. Future mein tumhari kisi complaint ke waqt kaam aayega.
Jheel:
Good night, Reyansh.
Reyansh:
Good night, Jheel. Aur kal class mein confidence ke saath bolna.
Jheel ne phone side mein rakha.
Usne apni notebook kholi aur aaj ki date ke neeche likha:
I can learn new things if I keep trying.
Woh sentence padhkar kuch pal ruki.
Phir notebook band kar di.
Uski zindagi mein abhi koi bada badlav nahi aaya tha. Lekin har guzarte din ke saath woh apne aap par thoda aur bharosa karna seekh rahi thi.


Wednesday, 8:05 PM | Arshad Ka Apartment
Arshad laptop ke saamne baitha tha. Screen par freelance client ke liye banaya gaya proposal khula tha.
Usne ek baar document padha, phir apne aap se kaha, "Theek hai. Is baar client ko magician nahi, copywriter hi milega."
Phone vibrate hua.
Sakshi ka message tha.
Sakshi:
Presentation bhej rahi hoon. Jab free ho, ek baar dekh lena.
Kuch der baad presentation aa gayi.
Arshad ne use khola aur slides dekhne laga. Sakshi ne apne portfolio ke liye ek chhota sa professional project tayyar kiya tha. Usmein uske ideas, research aur design references the.
Arshad ne use message kiya.
Arshad:
First impression: kaafi clean hai. Do slides par text thoda zyada hai. Baaki flow achha hai.
Sakshi:
Thanks. Main kal revise karungi.
Arshad:
Aur trip ki preparation?
Sakshi:
Almost done. Bas kuch documents aur presentation final karni hai.
Arshad:
Excited?
Kuch pal baad reply aaya.
Sakshi:
Haan. Nervous bhi hoon. Lekin achha opportunity hai.
Arshad ne screen ki taraf dekha aur smile kiya.
Arshad:
You’ll do well. Apni preparation par trust rakhna.
Sakshi:
I will. Tum bhi apne freelance project ke liye overthink mat karna.
Arshad:
Main overthink nahi karta. Main possibilities ka detailed analysis karta hoon.
Sakshi:
Same thing, better vocabulary.
Arshad hans pada.
Usne laptop par proposal final kiya aur client ko bhej diya.
Send button dabane ke baad woh kuch seconds screen dekhta raha.
Pehla freelance proposal.

Chhoti si baat thi, lekin uske liye important thi.
Usne Reyansh ko message kiya.
Arshad:
Proposal sent.
Reyansh ka reply turant aaya.
Reyansh:
Good. Ab laptop band kar aur dinner kar.
Arshad:
Tu mera dost hai ya meri mother ka outsourced version?
Reyansh:
Dono ka combined subscription.
Arshad ne phone rakh diya aur khud hi hansne laga.
Uski zindagi mein bhi kuch cheezein dheere-dheere apni jagah bana rahi thi.
Abhi sab kuch clear nahi tha.
Lekin har cheez ko clear hone se pehle shuru toh karna hi padta hai.


Friday, 6:35 PM | Bengaluru, Ek Chhota Sa Bookstore
Office se nikalte waqt Reyansh ko Aarohi ka message mila.
Aarohi:
Kal free ho?
Reyansh:
Depends. Kya mujhe kisi aur building ki history yaad karni hai?
Aarohi:
Is baar building nahi. Ek small photography exhibition hai. Architecture aur street photography dono hain.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Timing?
Aarohi:
Saturday, 4 PM. Agar tum free ho toh mil sakte hain.
Reyansh ne calendar dekha. Subah koi office meeting nahi thi. Shalu ki trial class ke baare mein bhi use yaad tha, lekin woh agle Saturday thi.
Reyansh:
4 PM works. Milte hain.
Aarohi:
Great. Main details bhej dungi.
Reyansh ne phone pocket mein rakha aur lift ki taraf badha.
Tabhi Neha uske saath aa mili.
"Weekend plan?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tum logon ne meri personal calendar committee bana rakhi hai?"
Neha hans di.
"Nahi. Bas tum pehle Friday ko office ke baad seedha ghar chale jaate the. Ab kabhi bookstore, kabhi old market, kabhi exhibition."
"Main ab bhi ghar jaata hoon."
"Bilkul. Bas ab ghar jaane se pehle duniya mein do-teen jagah aur bhi hain."
Reyansh ne lift ka button dabaya.
"Ismein problem kya hai?"
"Koi problem nahi. Achhi baat hai."
Lift aa gayi.
Neha andar gayi aur uske baad Reyansh bhi.
"Waise," Neha ne kaha, "Monday tak client ke final comments aa jayenge. Tab tak weekend enjoy kar lo."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Tum bhi."
Lift ground floor par ruki.
Dono apne-apne raaste nikal gaye.


Saturday, 3:52 PM | Photography Exhibition
Exhibition ek renovated building ke andar thi. White walls par Bengaluru ki purani galiyon, balconies, markets aur street life ki photographs lagi thi.
Aarohi entrance ke paas khadi thi. Usne dark-green kurta aur straight-fit jeans pehni thi, saath mein small silver earrings. Baal khule the aur haath mein exhibition ka brochure tha.
Reyansh ko dekhkar usne kaha, "Aaj time par."
"Main apni reputation improve kar raha hoon."
"Good. Progress visible hai."
Dono andar chale gaye.
Pehli gallery mein purane residential areas ki photographs thi. Ek picture mein baarish ke baad gali ke beech paani jama tha, aur dono taraf ki buildings ki balconies usmein reflect ho rahi thi.
Aarohi kuch der uske saamne ruki.
"Yeh photograph mujhe bahut pasand hai."
Reyansh ne frame dekha.
"Ismein toh aadhi building paani mein hai."
Aarohi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Reflection hai, genius."
"Main check kar raha tha ki tum attentive ho ya nahi."
"Of course."
Dono hans pade.
Aage ek photograph mein ek purani dukaan ke bahar teen buzurg aadmi baithe the. Unke peeche ek nayi glass building dikh rahi thi.
Aarohi ne kaha, "Mujhe aisi photographs pasand hain. Ek hi frame mein shehar ke do alag waqt dikh jaate hain."
Reyansh ne tasveer ko gaur se dekha.
"Purana shehar khatam nahi hota. Bas uske aas-paas naya shehar ban jaata hai."
Aarohi ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh line tumne abhi banayi?"
"Haan."
"Not bad."
"Main apni creative services bhi offer karta hoon."
"Payment?"
"Ek coffee."
Aarohi muskurayi.
"Approved."
Dono agle room ki taraf badh gaye.
Wahan ek young photographer apne kaam ke baare mein visitors ko bata raha tha. Uski photographs ordinary streets aur everyday people par thi. Reyansh kuch der uski baat sunta raha.
Baad mein Aarohi ne poochha, "Tumhe kya lagta hai, ordinary life interesting hoti hai?"
Reyansh ne kaha, "Depend karta hai ki kaun dekh raha hai."
"Matlab?"
"Ek hi din kisi ke liye boring ho sakta hai aur kisi aur ke liye memorable. Kabhi-kabhi event se zyada important hota hai ki us waqt tumhare saath kaun tha."
Aarohi ne uski baat suni, phir muskurayi.
"Yeh bhi abhi banaya?"
"Is baar nahi. Experience se aaya hai."
Usne uske chehre ko dekha, jaise samajhna chahti ho ki woh kitna serious tha.
Phir usne baat badal di.
"Chalo, ab coffee. Mujhe tumhari philosophical speech ke liye caffeine chahiye."

Reyansh hans pada.
"Finally, meri asli audience mil gayi."
Exhibition ke baad dono paas ke café mein baith gaye.
Unhone photographs, work aur apni pasand ki jagahon ke baare mein baat ki. Aarohi ne ek baar apne college ke project ka funny incident sunaya, jisme uske group ne galti se ek purani building ka entrance hi galat identify kar liya tha.
Reyansh itna hansa ki coffee ka cup table par rakhna pada.
"Tum log poori research ke baad galat building par presentation de aaye?"
"Humne presentation nahi di. Humein galti samajh aa gayi thi."
"Achha hua. Warna tumhari consultancy ka naam hota: Confidently Incorrect."
Aarohi ne tissue uski taraf phenka.
"Shut up."
Reyansh hansne laga.
Kuch der baad Aarohi ne poochha, "Tumhari family Bengaluru mein hi hai na?"
"Haan. Parents aur meri sister. Sab apni-apni jagah."
"Weekend par milte ho?"
"Kabhi-kabhi. Shivani toh call karke bhi meri attendance laga leti hai."
Aarohi muskurayi.
"Older sister?"
"Haan."
"Meri bhi ek cousin sister hai jo bilkul aisa hi karti hai. Bas uske hisaab se main apni life ke saare decisions galat time par leti hoon."
Reyansh ne cup uthaya.
"Family ka kaam hi hota hai tumhe yaad dilana ki tumhari life unke management ke bina chal nahi sakti."
Aarohi hans di.
Dono ne apni coffee khatam ki aur café se bahar nikle.
Shaam dhal rahi thi.
Aarohi ne kaha, "Aaj bhi achha laga."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Mujhe bhi."
Is baar unke beech kuch zyada familiar sa tha. Pichhli outing ki tarah sirf ek nayi jagah explore karne ki excitement nahi, balki ek-doosre ke saath waqt bitane ki aadat banne ki shuruaat.
Lekin dono ne uska koi naam nahi rakha.
Aarohi ne cab book ki.
"Next time tumhari choice."
Reyansh ne kaha, "Done."
"Ab sach mein koi achhi jagah suggest karna."
"Main har baar achhi jagah hi suggest karta hoon."
Aarohi cab mein baithte hue boli, "Yeh confidence ka course mujhe bhi karna padega."
Reyansh ne haath hilaaya.
"Discount mil jayega."
Cab chali gayi.
Reyansh ne apni gaadi ki taraf kadam badhaye. Uske chehre par halki si smile thi.
Saturday achha guzra tha.
Aur ab uske paas agle weekend ke liye ek aur plan banane ka reason tha.


Sunday ki subah Reyansh apni balcony mein coffee lekar khada tha.
Phone par Shivani ka message aaya.
Shivani:
Next Sunday lunch par aa raha hai?
Reyansh:
Invitation hai ya attendance notice?
Shivani:
Dono. Mummy ne poochha hai.
Reyansh:
Aa jaunga.
Shivani:
Good. Aur is baar late mat hona.
Reyansh ne aankhein ghumayi.
Reyansh:
Tum sabne milkar meri punctuality ke khilaaf campaign chala rakha hai.
Shivani:
Campaign nahi. Public awareness.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne phone side mein rakha aur coffee ka sip liya.
Neeche parking mein ek delivery van aakar ruki. Mrs. D'Souza apne balcony ke paudhon ko paani de rahi thi. Do bachche cycle lekar gate se bahar nikle.
Building mein zindagi apne usual rhythm mein chal rahi thi.
Kahin kisi ko office jaana tha, kahin kisi ko grocery laani thi, kahin kisi ki weekend ki planning chal rahi thi.
Flat 304 mein Jheel apni next class ke notes dekh rahi thi. Flat 404 mein Gungun apne phone par kisi se baat karte hue balcony ka darwaza band kar rahi thi. Shalu apne ghar par course ke trial class ki details dobara check kar rahi thi.
Aur Reyansh?
Woh bas apni coffee pee raha tha.
Uske saamne abhi koi bada sawaal nahi tha jiska jawab usi din dena zaroori ho.
Uski zindagi mein kuch log the, kuch plans the, kuch responsibilities thi aur kuch aise din the jo bina kisi dramatic event ke bhi achhe guzar sakte the.
Usne cup khali kiya aur andar chala gaya.
Phone screen par Aarohi ka ek aur message tha.
Aarohi:
Next time tumhari choice. I'm trusting you.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Risky decision.
Aarohi:
I know.
Reyansh muskuraya.
Phir phone table par rakh diya.

[Greenwood]

Update 29


Monday, 8:42 AM | Flat 303
Reyansh ki gaadi apartment ke basement mein khadi thi, lekin woh abhi tak usmein baitha phone dekh raha tha.
Screen par teen notifications the.
Neha ka message:
“Client ne kal raat revised brief bheja hai. Please tell me tumne padha hai.”
Arshad ka message:
“Proposal bhej diya. Ab client ka reply aane tak main officially berozgaar hone ki practice kar raha hoon.”
Aur Aarohi ka:
“Next outing tum plan kar rahe ho. Main bas itna bata doon ki mujhe bheed, loud music aur bina matlab ki lambi drives se allergy hai.”
Reyansh ne Aarohi ko reply kiya.
Reyansh: “Tumhari requirements dekh kar lag raha hai outing nahi, government tender bhar raha hoon.”
Aarohi: “Reject ho sakta hai.”
Reyansh: “Mere proposals reject nahi hote.”
Aarohi: “Achha? Divorce ke baad bhi itna confidence?”
Message bhejne ke baad Aarohi ne turant ek aur message bhej diya.
Aarohi: “Sorry. Thoda personal ho gaya. Mujhe woh line nahi bolni chahiye thi.”
Reyansh ki ungliyan screen par ruk gayin.
Usne message do baar padha. Phir phone lock kar diya.
Kuch der baad usne dobara phone khola.
Reyansh: “It's okay. Bas tumhari government tender wali application abhi pending hai.”
Aarohi: “Application withdraw kar doon?”
Reyansh: “Ab itni mehnat se form bhara hai toh interview toh do.”
Aarohi: “Fine. Lekin interview mein personal questions allowed nahi hain.”
Reyansh: “Phir toh tumhari selection pakki hai.”
Reyansh muskura diya.
Baat khatam ho gayi thi, lekin uske dimaag mein Aarohi ka sawaal thodi der tak raha.
Usne us sawaal ko koi khaas naam nahi diya. Na use bura kehkar hataaya, na uska matlab nikaalne baitha.
Bas gaadi start ki aur office ki taraf nikal gaya.
Har baat ka jawaab usi waqt dena zaroori nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi jawaab se pehle insaan ko khud samajhna padta hai ki sawaal ne use roka kyun.


Monday, 10:15 AM | Office
Conference room mein presentation khuli thi. Neha laptop ke paas baithi thi, jabki Reyansh whiteboard par campaign ke teen options likh raha tha.
“Option one is safe,” Neha ne kaha. “Option two is interesting, but client ko thoda risky lag sakta hai.”
“Option three?”
“Option three tumhara favourite hai, isliye tum mujhe bolne hi nahi doge.”
Reyansh ne marker band kiya.
“Tum mujhe itna galat samajhti ho?”
“Main tumhe itna jaanti hoon.”
“That's worse.”
Neha hans padi.
Meeting ke dauraan client ne ek nayi condition rakh di. Presentation ka poora structure badalne ki zaroorat nahi thi, lekin unhe campaign ka central idea aur simple karna tha.
Pehle Reyansh ko irritation hui. Phir usne Neha ki taraf dekha.
“Ek kaam karte hain. Jo cheez hum client ko samjhaane mein paanch minute laga rahe hain, shayad woh idea hi zyada complicated hai.”
Neha ne use dekha.
“Tum khud apne idea ko simplify karne ko keh rahe ho?”
“Haan. Is moment ko record kar lo. Agle appraisal mein kaam aayega.”
“Main toh isse framed certificate banwaungi.”
Dono ne presentation dobara kholi.
Is baar Reyansh ne apna favourite concept bachane ki koshish nahi ki. Usne uska woh hissa rakha jo sach mein kaam ka tha aur baaki hata diya.
Meeting khatam hui toh client ne revised direction approve kar di.
Neha apna laptop band karte hue boli, “Aaj tumne apne idea se shaadi nahi ki.”
“Har achhi cheez ko zindagi bhar nibhana zaroori nahi hota.”
Neha ki muskurahat ek pal ko halki si badli.
“Fair point.”
Phir usne bag uthaya aur apni desk ki taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh ko baad mein ehsaas hua ki usne ek aam si line keh di thi. Neha ne bhi use wahin chhod diya.
Har conversation ko gehra banana zaroori nahi tha.
Kabhi ek simple baat bhi apni jagah poori hoti hai.


Monday, 7:10 PM | Flat 303
Shaam ko Reyansh ghar aaya toh dining table par khana rakha tha. Shalu kitchen ka kaam samet rahi thi.
“Shalu, tumhara Saturday wala trial class confirm hai?”
“Haan. Message aa gaya.”
..

“Achha. Kya seekhne ko milega?”
“Pehle din toh shayad basic computer aur documents. Unhone bola hai notebook le aana.”
“Fees bata di?”
“Trial free hai. Uske baad poora course samjhayenge.”
Reyansh ne sir hila diya.
“Good. Pehle dekh lena ki teacher kaise samjhata hai, class mein kitne students hain aur jo sikhane ka promise kar rahe hain, woh actual mein sikhate bhi hain ya nahi.”
Shalu ne haath ponchkar use dekha.
“Main itni bhi bewakoof nahi hoon.”
“Main kab bola?”
“Tumhara chehra bol raha tha.”
“Tum mere chehre ki language bhi seekh rahi ho?”
“Woh toh bina fees ke seekh li.”
Reyansh hans diya.
Shalu ne table par rakha glass uthaya, phir kuch sochkar ruk gayi.
“Ek baat poochun?”
“Poochho.”
“Agar course karne ke baad bhi mujhe koi achhi job nahi mili toh?”
Reyansh ka jawab turant nahi aaya.
Woh kursi par baith gaya.
“Toh tumne ek course kiya hoga. Usse tumhe pata chalega ki kya aata hai aur kya nahi. Phir doosra step decide karogi.”
“Matlab time waste ho sakta hai.”
“Ho sakta hai. Lekin bina try kiye bhi toh tum isi sawaal mein phansi rahogi.”
Shalu chup ho gayi.
Uski aankhon mein abhi bhi darr tha, lekin us darr ke saath ek aur cheez aa gayi thi. Apni zindagi mein pehli baar woh kisi faisle ke liye permission nahi, information jama kar rahi thi.
“Saturday ko class se aakar bataungi,” usne kaha.
“Main result ka wait karunga.”
“Result exam ka nahi hai.”
“Tumhare liye hai.”
Shalu ne nazar jhuka kar muskurahat chhupayi.
“Achha, ab khana kha lo. Thanda ho raha hai.”
Woh kitchen mein chali gayi.
Reyansh ne plate apni taraf kheench li.
Uske liye yeh ek chhoti si conversation thi. Shalu ke liye shayad woh apne future ki taraf badhaya gaya pehla kadam tha.
Dono ek hi ghar mein the, lekin unki zindagiyan alag-alag dishaon mein chal rahi thi.
Aur filhaal, dono ko yahi theek lag raha tha.


Tuesday, 6:35 PM | Arshad ka office
Arshad apne monitor ko aise dekh raha tha jaise screen ke andar baitha client uska paisa nahi, uski personal khushi rok kar baitha ho.
Kabir uski desk ke paas aaya.
“Reply aaya?”
“Nahi.”
“Follow-up?”
“Draft kiya hai.”
“Bheja?”
“Draft kiya hai, Kabir. Bhejne aur draft karne ke beech ek emotional process hota hai.”
Kabir ne uske kandhe par haath rakha.
“Tu client ko follow-up bhej raha hai ya rishta maang raha hai?”
Arshad ne use ghoora.
“Ja. Apni zindagi mein jaakar pareshaan ho.”
Kabir hanskar chala gaya.
Arshad ne follow-up message dobara padha. Usmein koi desperate line nahi thi, na extra flattery. Bas project ke baare mein ek seedha sawaal aur agle step ke liye availability.
Usne send kar diya.
Phir phone uthakar Reyansh ko call kiya.
“Ek professional sawaal hai.”
“Tumse?”
“Dekho, isliye main tujhe call karta hoon. Tu mere talent ki kadar hi nahi karta.”
“Bolo.”
“Client reply nahi kar raha. Kitna wait karna chahiye?”
“Kitna time hua?”
“Ek din.”
“Arshad.”
“Haan?”
“Ek din.”
“Main bas market dynamics samajh raha tha.”
“Market dynamics ya apni anxiety?”
Arshad kursi par peeche hua.
“Dono ka merger ho gaya hai.”
Reyansh hans pada.
“Do-teen working days de. Phir ek follow-up. Uske baad aage badh. Ek client ka reply tumhara career decide nahi karta.”
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
“Tu sahi keh raha hai.”
“Is baat ko record karun?”
“Bilkul. Tere ghar mein certificate ka frame hoga. Mere ghar mein teri baaton ka museum banega.”
“Entry ticket rakhna. Income generate hogi.”
“Dekh, yahi wajah hai ki main tujhe dost maanta hoon. Business partner nahi.”
Call khatam hone se pehle Arshad ne poochha, “Aur tu? Life mein kuch naya chal raha hai?”
“Office, ghar, khana.”
“Boring.”
“Tumhara client reply nahi karta, meri life boring hai. Dono ke paas problems hain.”
“Ek din tu maanega ki main teri zindagi mein entertainment department hoon.”
“Budget cut karne ka soch raha hoon.”
Arshad zor se hans pada.
Call ke baad usne apne proposal ki file dobara nahi kholi.
Usne ek purane contact ko message kiya jiske saath woh pehle ek chhota campaign kar chuka tha. Usne seedha poochha ki kya agle mahine koi freelance requirement ho sakti hai.
Reply aaya:
“Possibly. Next week call karte hain.”
Arshad ne phone table par rakha.
Koi badi jeet nahi thi.
Bas ek darwaaza band hone ka intezaar karne ke bajaye usne doosre darwaaze par knock kar diya tha.


Wednesday, 8:20 PM | Flat 304 ke bahar
Jheel ke flat se halki si awaaz aa rahi thi. Kabhi woh ek sentence bolti, kabhi ruk jaati, phir use dobara bolti.
Reyansh apne ghar ka darwaaza band kar raha tha, tabhi uski nazar Jheel par padi.
Woh phone ko haath mein pakde hue thi aur screen par kuch dekhkar bol rahi thi.
“Good evening. Today I want to talk about…”
Woh ruk gayi.
Phir usne apna sir halka sa jhatka.
“No. Again.”
Reyansh ne muskurate hue kaha, “Audience difficult hai kya?”
Jheel ekdam palti.
“Tum kab aaye?”
“Jab tumne apne audience ko doosra chance diya.”
Uske gaal halki si laali se bhar gaye.
“Main speaking practice kar rahi thi.”
“Pata chal raha hai.”
“Tum mazaak uda rahe ho?”
“Nahi. Bas yeh soch raha hoon ki tumne practice ke liye mirror choose kiya ya phone?”
“Phone. Ismein recording hoti hai. Main baad mein dekh sakti hoon ki kahan galti hui.”
Reyansh ki muskurahat thodi badli.
“That's actually smart.”
Jheel ne phone ki screen lock kar di.
“Course mein humein ek short video introduction banana hai. Apne baare mein bolna hai. Main likh leti hoon toh theek hota hai, lekin camera on hote hi sab bhool jaati hoon.”
“Kitni der ka video?”
“Do minute.”
“Abhi kitna hua?”
“Ek minute se kam.”
“Perfect. Pehle ek minute ko achha karo. Do minute apne aap aa jayenge.”
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tumhe kabhi camera ke saamne bolna pada hai?”
“Client presentations mein. Lekin wahan slides hoti hain, aur agar main bhool jaun toh blame karne ke liye PowerPoint hota hai.”


Jheel hans padi.
“Tum serious baat bhi mazaak mein karte ho.”
“Har waqt nahi.”
“Achha? Kab serious hote ho?”
Reyansh ne ek pal uski aankhon mein dekha.
“Jab zaroorat hoti hai.”
Jawab seedha tha. Jheel ne uske chehre par kuch aur padhne ki koshish nahi ki.
“Ek kaam karo,” Reyansh ne kaha. “Mujhe apna introduction suna do. Main bataunga ki kya clear hai aur kahan tum khud ko unnecessary difficult bana rahi ho.”
Jheel ne hichkichakar phone khola.
“Abhi?”
“Tum practice hi toh kar rahi thi.”
“Lekin tum saamne khade ho.”
“Main camera nahi hoon. Mere paas recording ka button bhi nahi hai.”
“Tumhare paas comments ka button hai.”
“Woh permanent feature hai.”
Jheel phir hans di.
Usne phone side mein rakha, saans li aur bolna shuru kiya.
“Hello. My name is Jheel. I am learning communication and digital skills because I want to become more confident…”
Pehli baar uski awaaz thodi dheemi thi. Doosre sentence mein woh ek shabd par atak gayi. Usne khud ko roka, phir sentence dobara bola.
Is baar usne apni galti par maafi nahi maangi.
Introduction khatam hua toh Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
“Achha tha.”
Jheel ne aankhein sikodi.
“Bas achha?”
“Tumne teen baar apni baat khud correct ki. Pehle tum ruk jaati thi. Aaj tumne continue kiya. Mere liye woh important hai.”
Jheel ka chehra dheere-dheere khil gaya.
“Main kal phir practice karungi.”
“Kal camera ke saamne.”
“Pehle mirror.”
“Deal.”
Woh dono apne-apne darwaazon ki taraf badhe.
Phir Jheel ne use awaaz di.
“Reyansh?”
Woh palta.
“Thank you. Tum mujhe galti karne par awkward feel nahi karwate.”
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
“Galti karna awkward nahi hota, Jheel. Galti ke baad khud ko chhota samajhna awkward bana deta hai.”
Jheel ne uski baat chupchaap suni.
“Good night,” usne kaha.
“Good night.”
Reyansh apne flat mein chala gaya.
Jheel kuch pal darwaaze par khadi rahi, phir andar jaakar apne phone mein ek naya video record karne lagi.
Is baar usne pehle se likha hua introduction saamne nahi rakha.


Thursday, 9:40 PM | Reyansh ka bedroom
Raat ko Reyansh ne phone charging par lagaya aur alarm set kiya.
Usne kal ke kaam ki list dekhi. Do meetings, ek presentation, aur Friday tak complete karna wala review.
Sab kuch seedha tha.
Phir woh light band karke let gaya.
Neend aane mein waqt laga.
Aakhirkaar aankhein band hui toh woh ek aise kamre mein tha jise pehchaanne ki koshish karte hi tasveer dhundhli hone lagi.
Kahin paas se kisi ki awaaz aayi.
Kuch kaha gaya tha.
Woh lafz pakad nahi paaya.
Phir ek halki si awaaz, jaise table par rakhi koi cheez hil gayi ho.
Reyansh ne sapne mein palatkar dekha.
Saamne ka chehra saaf nahi tha.
Usne kuch kehna chaha, lekin uski awaaz jaise gale mein hi atak gayi.
Agle hi pal uski aankh khul gayi.
Kamra andhera tha.
Phone par waqt tha: 2:46 AM.
Reyansh seedha letkar chhat ko dekhta raha. Dil ki dhadkan kuch tez thi, lekin dheere-dheere normal hone lagi.
Usne paani piya.
Phone uthaya, phir wapas rakh diya.
Kisi ko call karne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Kisi ko message bhejne ka bhi mann nahi hua.
Woh dobara let gaya.
Is baar neend jaldi nahi aayi.
Subah jab alarm baja, usne use band kiya aur kuch der tak bistar par hi pada raha.
Phir khud ko uthaya.
Bathroom ki light on ki, chehre par paani maara aur mirror mein apni aankhon ko dekha.
“Bas neend poori nahi hui,” usne khud se kaha.
Woh sentence bolna aasaan tha.
Aur filhaal, usne usi ko maan liya.


Friday, 6:05 PM | Bengaluru, ek chhota sa bookstore café
Aarohi ka message dopahar ko aaya tha.
Aarohi: “Tumhari outing application ka kya hua?”
Reyansh: “Shortlisting chal rahi hai.”
Aarohi: “Kitne candidates hain?”
Reyansh: “Ek.”
Aarohi: “Phir itna time kyun lag raha hai?”
Reyansh: “Candidate bahut sawaal poochti hai.”
Aarohi: “Candidate ko clarity pasand hai.”
Reyansh ne use ek jagah ka naam bheja. Ek chhota bookstore café, jahan woh pehle ek baar office ke baad gaya tha. Wahan kitabon ka section tha, lekin log sirf coffee peene nahi, thodi der baithkar padhne bhi aate the.
Aarohi ka reply aaya:
“This sounds acceptable.”
“Acceptable? Main itni mehnat kar raha hoon.”
“Final approval location dekhne ke baad milega.”
Friday shaam ko dono wahan mile.
Aarohi ne simple blue shirt aur cream trousers pehne the. Baal khule the, aur uske kandhe par ek bada sa tote bag tha. Reyansh ne use dekhkar kaha, “Tum apna ghar saath laayi ho?”
Aarohi ne bag neeche rakha.
“Notebook, laptop, charger, wallet, book.”
“Bas ghar ki chaabi reh gayi.”
“Woh bhi hai.”
Reyansh hans pada.
Dono ne coffee order ki. Aarohi ne bookstore ke ek shelf se kitab uthayi aur cover dekhne lagi.
“Tum fiction padhte ho?” usne poochha.
“Kabhi-kabhi.”
“Kabhi-kabhi matlab?”
“Jab koi mujhe book recommend karta hai aur phir poochhta hai ki padhi ya nahi.”
“Tum book padhte ho ya accountability se bachne ki koshish karte ho?”
“Dono.”
Aarohi ne kitab uski taraf badha di.
“Yeh try karna.”
Reyansh ne cover dekha.
“Tumne padhi hai?”
“Haan.”
“Achhi hai?”
“Tum padhkar bata dena.”
“Tum bhi na, review ka kaam reader par daal deti ho.”
“Main design karti hoon. Review tumhara department hai.”
Reyansh ne kitab khareed li.
Phir dono café ke ek kone mein baith gaye. Is baar unki baat architecture ya exhibition ke baare mein nahi thi. Aarohi ne apne kaam ke ek naye project ka zikr kiya, jahan client usse har baar design badalne ko keh raha tha, magar yeh nahi bata pa raha tha ki use chahiye kya.
“Sabko pata hota hai ki unhe kya pasand nahi,” Aarohi boli. “Lekin jab poochho ki kya chahiye, toh jawab nahi hota.”
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
“Corporate duniya mein welcome.”
“Tumhare clients bhi aise hi hain?”
“Some of them. Lekin kabhi-kabhi hum bhi wahi karte hain. Humein kisi cheez se problem hoti hai, lekin hum khud nahi samajh paate ki asal mein chahiye kya.”
Aarohi ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tum apne baare mein bol rahe ho?”


“Main general statement de raha hoon.”
“Convenient.”
“Professional habit.”
Aarohi muskurayi, magar is baar usne uski baat ko aage nahi kheencha.
Kuch der baad usne poochha, “Tumhe yahan aakar achha laga?”
Reyansh ne café ke aas-paas nazar ghumayi. Do students ek hi kitab ko lekar behas kar rahe the. Ek aadmi window ke paas baitha tha aur har kuch minute mein apni coffee bhool jaata tha. Counter par kaam kar rahi ladki kisi customer ke liye kitab dhoondh rahi thi.
“Haan,” Reyansh ne kaha. “Yahan kisi ko jaldi nahi hai.”
“Tumhe jaldi rehti hai?”
“Kaam mein, haan.”
“Kaam ke bahar?”
Reyansh ne cup table par rakh diya.
“Kaam ke bahar kabhi-kabhi pata hi nahi hota ki jaana kahan hai.”
Aarohi ne uska chehra dekha. Is baar usne koi personal sawaal nahi poochha.
Bas kaha, “Toh kabhi-kabhi aisi jagah aa jaana chahiye jahan pahunchkar kuch karna zaroori na ho.”
Reyansh ne halki si muskurahat ke saath sir hilaya.
“Yeh recommendation bhi tumhari list mein add kar leta hoon.”
“Book ke saath?”
“Book ke saath.”
Jab woh café se nikle toh raat hone lagi thi.
Aarohi ne apna bag kandhe par rakha.
“Next time tumhe koi aur jagah choose karni hogi.”
“Tumne abhi approval diya hi kahan hai?”
“Location approved. Host under review.”
“Review kab tak complete hoga?”
“Depend karta hai.”
“Kis par?”
Aarohi ne gaadi ki taraf badhte hue palatkar kaha, “Agli outing par.”
Reyansh hans diya.
Unke beech abhi koi waada nahi tha. Na kisi ne doosre ko apni zindagi mein koi jagah dene ka elaan kiya tha.
Lekin unki mulaqatein ab sirf pehli mulaqat ki formalities nahi rahi thi.
Dono ko ek doosre ki company pasand aane lagi thi.
Filhaal itna kaafi tha.


Saturday, 11:30 AM | Shalu ka trial class
Shalu ne apna notebook bag mein rakha, phir use nikala, phir dobara rakha.
Reyansh breakfast ke baad apni watch pehen raha tha jab usne use dekha.
“Notebook ghar par chhodkar jaana hai kya?”
Shalu ne use ghoora.
“Check kar rahi hoon.”
“Teesri baar?”
“Tum apna kaam karo.”
Reyansh ne haath upar kar diye.
“Best of luck.”
Shalu darwaaze tak gayi, phir palatkar boli, “Agar mujhe kuch samajh nahi aaya toh?”
“Toh teacher se poochhna.”
“Agar teacher ko bura laga toh?”
“Toh doosra sawaal poochhna.”
Shalu ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tumhare liye sab itna simple kyun hota hai?”
“Simple nahi hota. Main bas har problem ka answer pehle se imagine karke pareshaan nahi hota.”
Shalu ne ek lambi saans li.
“Achha. Main ja rahi hoon.”
“Jaao.”
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne darwaaza band kiya aur kuch pal wahin khada raha.
Usse yaad aaya ki jab Shalu ne pehli baar English practise karni shuru ki thi, tab woh ek sentence bolne se pehle kai baar rukti thi. Ab woh course dhoondh rahi thi, fees compare kar rahi thi, aur class attend karne ja rahi thi.
Usne apne phone par koi motivational quote nahi khola.
Na hi Shalu ko doosra message bheja.
Uska kaam ab Shalu ke liye har kadam aasaan banana nahi tha.
Kabhi-kabhi uska kaam sirf itna tha ki jab woh khud kadam badhaye, toh koi usse wapas na kheench le.


Saturday, 8:15 PM | Arshad ka message
Shaam ko Reyansh apne laptop par ek report dekh raha tha jab Arshad ka message aaya.
Arshad: “Client ne reply kar diya.”
Reyansh: “Congratulations. Kya bola?”
Arshad: “Call next week. Brief discuss karna hai.”
Reyansh: “Good. Ab overthink mat karna.”
Arshad: “Main overthink nahi karta. Main possibilities ka detailed analysis karta hoon.”
Reyansh: “Haan. Anxiety ka corporate naam.”
Arshad ne ek voice note bheja. Usmein woh client call ke liye teen alag introductions practise kar raha tha. Pehle mein woh bahut formal lag raha tha, doosre mein aisa jaise client se paise udhaar maang raha ho, aur teesre mein woh apni hi line par hans pada.
Reyansh ne voice note poora suna aur reply kiya:
“Doosra wala mat use karna. Baaki dono ko mila kar natural bolna.”
Arshad: “Tu dost hai ya unpaid consultant?”
Reyansh: “Invoice bhej dunga.”
Arshad: “Sakshi ko bolunga. Woh tumhara invoice audit karegi.”
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Kuch hi der baad usne apni desk par rakhi Aarohi ki recommend ki hui kitab uthayi. Pehle do pages padhe, phir teesra.
Usne phone silent kar diya.
Kaafi waqt baad use ehsaas hua ki woh bina kisi ka message check kiye, bina kisi plan ke, bas baitha hua tha.
Aur us pal use is khaali waqt ko bharne ki zaroorat mehsoos nahi hui.
Shayad sukoon hamesha kisi bade badlav ka naam nahi hota.
Kabhi woh ek shaant shaam bhi hoti hai, jahan insaan ko khud se bhaagne ki zaroorat nahi padti.
Lekin Reyansh ki zindagi ab sirf uski apni raftaar se nahi chalne wali thi.
Kuch log apni zindagi mein naye darwaaze khol rahe the.
Kuch log apne liye pehli baar khade ho rahe the.
Aur kuch rishte, bina kisi elaan ke, dheere-dheere apni jagah bana rahe the.

[Greenwood]

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.

[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.

[Greenwood]

Update 32



Reyansh ki meeting expected time se pehle khatam ho gayi thi. Woh office se nikalne hi wala tha ki phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: “Aaj tum busy ho?”
Reyansh ne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh: “Depends. Kaam poochh raha hai ya koi mujhe coffee pilana chahta hai?”
Jheel: “Tumhe har baat mein coffee kyun chahiye?”
Reyansh: “Kyunki tumne abhi tak pichhli coffee ka badla nahi diya.”
Jheel: “Mujhe laga tum bhool gaye.”
Reyansh: “Main dessert ka hisaab bhi rakhta hoon.”
Kuch seconds baad Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: “Theek hai. Aaj shaam mere saath chaloge?”
Reyansh ne screen dekhi.
Is baar usne mazaak karne se pehle socha.
Reyansh: “Kahan?”
Jheel: “Surprise.”
Reyansh: “Tum mujhe kidnap toh nahi kar rahi?”
Jheel: “Agar kar rahi hoti toh location nahi poochhne deti.”
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: “Seven baje lobby mein.”
Jheel: “Done.”
Usne phone pocket mein rakha aur lift ki taraf badh gaya.
Pichhle kuch hafton mein usne kai logon ke saath waqt bitaya tha. Aarohi ke saath uski conversations interesting thi, Arshad ke saath har mulaqat mein mazaak tha, aur office mein apni jagah bani hui thi.
Lekin Jheel ke message ka intezaar karna alag tha.
Usmein koi badi baat nahi thi. Bas ek chhota sa invitation.
Phir bhi Reyansh ne apne baaki kaam jaldi nipta diye.


Shaam7:05 PM | Surprise
Jheel lobby mein khadi thi.
Usne dusty-pink kurti ke saath white trousers pehne the. Baal khule the, kaanon mein chhote silver earrings the aur haath mein ek chhota sa sling bag.
Reyansh uske paas aaya toh uski nazar ek pal ko Jheel par thehar gayi.
“Tum aaj kahin jaane ke liye taiyaar hui ho ya mujhe impress karne ke liye?”
Jheel ne use dekha.
“Tumhare paas har waqt itna confidence kahan se aata hai?”
“Natural talent.”
“Tumhara talent thoda kam ho sakta hai?”
“Tum try karke dekh lo.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Chalo.”
“Ab bataogi bhi ki jaana kahan hai?”
“Ek art market hai. Wahan kuch handmade cheezein aur paintings hoti hain. Mere course ki ek friend ne bataya tha.”
“Tumhe art pasand hai?”
“Bahut zyada samajh nahi aata. Lekin dekhna achha lagta hai.”
Reyansh ne gaadi ki chaabi ghumayi.
“Perfect. Mujhe bhi art ke baare mein zyada nahi pata. Hum dono milkar galat opinions denge.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Tumhare opinions toh bina art ke bhi galat hote hain.”
“Madam, aaj tum bahut bold ho rahi ho.”
“Tumhari company ka asar hai.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel ko apne hi lafz ka ehsaas hua. Usne turant gaadi ki taraf rukh kar liya.
Reyansh muskurata hua uske peeche chal diya.


Market chhota tha, lekin har taraf rang the.
Ek stall par handmade jewellery thi, doosre par paintings aur teesre par ceramic mugs. Kahin log tasveerein le rahe the, toh kahin ek artist apni painting par aakhri brush strokes laga raha tha.
Jheel ek painting ke saamne ruk gayi.
Usmein ek khidki bani thi. Khidki ke bahar baarish thi aur andar ek chhoti si table par jalti hui lamp rakhi thi.
“Tumhe yeh pasand aayi?” Reyansh ne poochha.
Jheel ne sir hilaya.
“Pata nahi kyun. Ismein sab kuch itna shaant lag raha hai.”
Reyansh ne painting dekhi.
“Baarish ho rahi hai, phir bhi shaant?”
“Baarish ka matlab hamesha pareshani nahi hota.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel ko uski nazar mehsoos hui.
“Kya?”
“Kuch nahi. Tumhari baat achhi thi.”
“Tum mazaak nahi udaoge?”
“Har achhi baat par mazaak udaana zaroori hai?”
Jheel muskurayi.
Woh aage badhne lagi, lekin kuch kadam baad ek stall par ruk gayi. Wahan chhote handmade bookmarks the. Ek bookmark par neele aur safed rang se aasman banaya gaya tha.
Jheel ne use haath mein uthaya.
“Yeh kitna achha hai.”
“Kitab padhne ke liye ya kitab ko sundar banane ke liye?” Reyansh ne poochha.
“Dono ke liye.”
“Tum khareedogi?”
Jheel ne price tag dekha aur bookmark wapas rakh diya.
“Nahi. Bas dekh rahi thi.”
Reyansh ne kuch nahi kaha.
Woh dono market ke aakhri hisse tak gaye, jahan ek chhota sa food counter tha. Jheel ne lemonade li aur Reyansh ne coffee.
Wapas aate waqt Reyansh ne wahi neela bookmark khareed liya.
Jheel ko pata nahi chala.
Parking ke paas pahunchkar usne bookmark uski taraf badha diya.
Jheel ne hairani se dekha.
“Yeh mere liye?”
“Tumhe pasand aaya tha.”
“Lekin maine toh khareeda nahi.”
“Notice kiya tha.”
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
“Tum itni chhoti-chhoti baatein yaad rakhte ho?”
Reyansh ne kandhe uchkaye.
“Jab koi cheez important lage toh yaad reh jaati hai.”
Jheel ne bookmark apne haath mein liya.
Uske chehre par muskurahat aayi, lekin is baar woh pehle jaisi halki muskurahat nahi thi.
“Thank you, Reyansh.”
“Welcome.”
Jheel ne bookmark bag mein rakh liya.
Woh gift mehenga nahi tha. Na usmein koi badi romantic baat likhi thi.
Lekin Jheel ko laga ki Reyansh ne uski baat sirf suni nahi thi. Usne use yaad bhi rakha tha.
Aur kabhi-kabhi kisi ka yaad rakhna hi dil ko chhoo jaata hai.


Ghar lautte waqt traffic zyada tha.
Gaadi ek signal par ruki toh Jheel ne khidki ke bahar dekhte hue poochha, “Reyansh, tum hamesha akele ghoomne chale jaate ho?”
“Har baar nahi.”
“Lekin tumhe akele rehna pasand hai?”
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
“Pasand hai. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki mujhe har waqt akele rehna hai.”
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tumhare dost hain, family hai. Phir bhi?”
“Haan. Dost aur family apni jagah hain. Aur kabhi-kabhi kisi ke saath waqt bitana bhi achha lagta hai.”
“Jaise aaj?”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Bilkul jaise aaj.”
Jheel ki nazar uski nazar se mili.
Woh kuch kehna chahti thi, lekin shabd nahi mile.
Signal green ho gaya.
Reyansh ne gaadi aage badha di.
Kuch minute baad Jheel ne dheere se kaha, “Mujhe bhi tumhare saath achha lagta hai.”
Reyansh ne uski baat suni.
“Yeh toh tum pehle bhi keh chuki ho.”
“Tum har baar yaad dilaoge?”
“Jab tak tum dobara nahi kehti.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Tum impossible ho.”
“Lekin tumhare saath hoon.”
Jheel ne khidki ke bahar dekhna shuru kar diya, lekin uske chehre par muskurahat bani rahi.
Usne pehli baar apne dil ki baat ko sirf ek friendly compliment samajhkar taalne ki koshish nahi ki.
Uske liye Reyansh ab ek aisa insaan ban raha tha jiske saath woh apni khushi baantna chahti thi.
Aur shayad apni udaasi bhi.


Building pahunchkar Reyansh ne gaadi park ki.
Dono lift se apni floor par aaye.
Jheel ne apna bag sambhala aur darwaaza kholne lagi, phir ruk gayi.
“Reyansh?”
“Haan?”
“Agli baar tumhe mujhe invite karne ka wait nahi karna padega.”
Reyansh ne use dekha.
“Matlab?”
Jheel ke gaal laal hone lage, lekin is baar usne nazar nahi churayi.
“Matlab… tum jab chaho poochh sakte ho. Agar main free hui toh aa jaungi.”
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheere-dheere badhi.
“Achha. Toh ab invitation system mutual ho gaya?”
“Bilkul.”
“Terms and conditions bhi hain?”
“Haan.”
“Batao.”
Jheel ne ungli uthayi.
“Pehli baat, har baar tum hi jagah decide nahi karoge.”
“Accepted.”
“Doosri baat, tum meri choice ka mazaak nahi udaoge.”
“Yeh difficult hai.”
“Reyansh!”
“Achha baba, accepted.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Teesri baat…”
Woh ruk gayi.
Reyansh uski taraf dekh raha tha.
“Teesri baat?”
Jheel ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
“Tum mere saath aise hi rehna.”
Reyansh ki muskurahat halki pad gayi. Usne us baat ko mazaak mein nahi badla.
“Kaisa?”
“Jaise abhi ho. Bina mujhe badalne ki koshish kiye. Bina mujhe kam samjhe.”
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, “Main tumhe badalna nahi chahta, Jheel.”
Woh kuch pal chup raha.
“Main bas tumhe aur achhe se jaan-na chahta hoon.”
Jheel ki aankhon mein ek narmi aa gayi.
“Main bhi.”
Dono kuch der ek doosre ko dekhte rahe.
Phir Jheel ne darwaaza khola.
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
Is baar Jheel andar jaane ke baad turant darwaaza band nahi kar paayi. Usne ek baar peeche mudkar Reyansh ko dekha.
Woh apne flat ki taraf ja raha tha.
Jheel muskura di.
Phir usne darwaaza band kiya aur bag se bookmark nikaal kar apni kitaab mein rakh diya.


Reyansh apne flat mein aakar sofa par baith gaya.
Usne phone uthaya. Jheel ki chat kholi.
Woh use message karna chahta tha.
Kuch aisa jo uske dil mein chal raha tha, lekin jise abhi tak usne lafzon mein nahi kaha tha.
Usne likha:
“Aaj tum bahut achhi lag rahi thi.”
Phir ruk gaya.
Message delete kar diya.
Dobara likha:
“Aaj ka din achha tha.”
Yeh message usne bhej diya.
Jheel ka reply aaya.
“Mujhe bhi.”
Kuch seconds baad ek aur message aaya.
“Aur bookmark ke liye thank you. Main ise apni favourite book mein rakhungi.”
Reyansh ne reply kiya:
“Phir mujhe tumhari favourite book bhi jaan-ni padegi.”
Jheel:
“Kyun?”
Reyansh:
“Taaki agli baar tumhe uske baare mein baat karte hue sun sakun.”
Jheel phone ko dekhti rahi.
Uske chehre par muskurahat thi, lekin is baar uske dil mein ek nayi si ghabrahat bhi thi.
Woh Reyansh ko pasand karne lagi thi.
Sirf isliye nahi ki woh uski madad karta tha, ya uski baatein sunta tha.
Balki isliye ki uske saath woh apne aap ko chhupane ki koshish nahi karti thi.
Usne reply likha:
“Kabhi-kabhi tum bahut sweet ho jaate ho.”
Reyansh ka jawab aaya:
“Kisi ko toh hona padega.”
Jheel hans padi.
Phir usne phone side mein rakh diya.
Us raat usne apni notebook mein course ke notes nahi likhe.
Usne bas ek line likhi:
“Mujhe lagta hai, main Reyansh ko sirf apna dost nahi samajhti.”
Woh line likhne ke baad kaafi der tak use dekhti rahi.
Phir notebook band kar di.


Agli subah Reyansh ko Jheel ka message mila.
Jheel: “Good morning. Sunday ko tum free ho? Is baar main plan banaungi.”
Reyansh ne muskurate hue jawab diya.
Reyansh: “Tum plan banao. Main aa jaunga.”
Jheel: “Pakka?”
Reyansh: “Pakka.”
Jheel ne phone rakh diya.
Ab woh usse milne ke liye sirf mauka nahi dhoondh rahi thi.
Woh khud mauke bana rahi thi.
Aur Reyansh bhi uske har invitation ko sirf padosi ki taraf se aayi hui ek friendly request samajhkar accept nahi kar raha tha.
Dono ke beech abhi tak pyaar ka izhaar nahi hua tha.
Lekin ek baat badal chuki thi.
Ab mulaqat ka intezaar sirf Jheel nahi kar rahi thi. Reyansh bhi kar raha tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 33


Sunday ki subah thi. Bengaluru ki sadkon par abhi bheed poori tarah nahi utri thi, lekin Reyansh ke phone par notifications ki bheed lag chuki thi.
Woh bed par aadha leta, aadha baitha apna phone dekh raha tha. Ek haath mein coffee ka mug tha, doosre mein phone.
Screen par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Good morning.
Reyansh: Good morning, neighbour ji.
Jheel: Aaj neighbour nahi. Aaj aapko mere saath chalna hai.
Reyansh: Hukm ki tameel hogi. Lekin pehle destination toh bata do, madam.
Jheel: Surprise.
Reyansh: Mujhe surprises se problem nahi hai. Bas unmein subah-subah running ya trekking nahi honi chahiye.
Jheel: Aapko dekhkar lagta nahi ki aap itne aalsi honge.
Reyansh: Main apni personality ke kai raaz chhupakar rakhta hoon.
Jheel: Theek hai. Ek ghante mein ready ho jaiye.
Reyansh: Dress code?
Jheel: Normal.
Reyansh: Mere normal ke alag-alag versions hain. Thoda specific ho sakta hai?
Jheel: Reyansh!
Reyansh: Ji, Jheel ji. Ek ghante mein hazir.
Usne phone side mein rakha aur coffee ka aakhri sip liya.
Pichhle kuch hafton mein Jheel uski zindagi ka ek aisa hissa ban gayi thi jiske liye use koi khaas wajah nahi chahiye hoti thi. Na koi kaam, na koi zaroorat. Kabhi lift mein do minute ki baat, kabhi messages, kabhi saath mein bahar jaana.
Aur ab Sunday ki subah uske paas ek plan tha jiske baare mein woh khud bhi nahi jaanta tha.
Reyansh muskuraya.
Phir almari kholkar kapde nikaalne laga.


Saat-aath minute baad Reyansh Flat 304 ke saamne khada tha.
Usne bell bajayi.
Darwaza khula toh saamne Jheel thi. Aaj usne halka pista-green kurta, off-white palazzo aur chhote silver jhumke pehne the. Baal khule the, jinmein se kuch lattein chehre ke paas aa rahi thi. Makeup bahut halka tha, bas aankhon mein kajal.
Reyansh ki nazar ek pal ke liye us par ruki.
Jheel ne uske chehre ko dekh liya.
Jheel: Kya hua?
Reyansh: Kuch nahi.
Jheel: Toh dekh kya rahe hain?
Reyansh: Main bas check kar raha tha ki surprise ke saath aapka mood bhi aaya hai ya woh ghar par reh gaya.
Jheel hansi.
Jheel: Aap na, seedha compliment de hi nahi sakte.
Reyansh: Compliment dene ki zaroorat hai?
Jheel: Nahi.
Reyansh: Toh phir problem kya hai?
Jheel ne nazrein jhuka kar darwaza band kiya.
Jheel: Chaliye.
Reyansh: Ek minute. Aapne bataya nahi ki jaana kahan hai.
Jheel: Aapko bhookh lagi hai?
Reyansh: Yeh sawaal meri zindagi ke sabse aasaan sawaalon mein se ek hai. Jawab hamesha haan hota hai.
Jheel: Toh bas.
Woh parking ki taraf badh gayi.
Kuch der baad Reyansh ki car Bengaluru ki ek busy street par pahunchi. Wahan weekend food festival laga hua tha. Chhote-chhote stalls, rang-birange banners, live music aur har taraf khaane ki khushboo.
Reyansh ne car park karte hue uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: Madam, aap mujhe khilane laayi hain ya meri diet barbaad karne?
Jheel: Aapki diet hai?
Reyansh: Dil par mat lijiye. Sawal meri izzat ka hai.
Jheel: Aapki izzat ko pehle ek plate momos ki zaroorat hai.
Woh hans pada.
Reyansh: Aaj toh aap kaafi dangerous mood mein hain.
Jheel: Aapke saath rehkar thoda seekh gayi hoon.
Yeh sunkar Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: Achha? Toh meri sangat ka asar hone laga hai?
Jheel: Abhi itna khush mat hoiye. Bura asar bhi ho sakta hai.
Dono hanste hue festival ke andar chale gaye.
Jheel ne pehle ek Gujarati food stall ki taraf ishara kiya. Wahan dhokla, khandvi, fafda aur jalebi rakhi thi.
Reyansh: Gujarat ki yaad aa gayi?
Jheel ek pal ke liye ruki, phir muskurayi.
Jheel: Haan. Kabhi-kabhi kuch khaane ki khushboo se purani jagah yaad aa jaati hai.
Reyansh: Aur kabhi kisi jagah se koi insaan yaad aa jaata hai.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: Aap har baat mein aisi line kyun maarte hain?
Reyansh: Kyunki har baat mein aap sun rahi hoti hain.
Jheel ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi. Usne turant stall wale se do plates order kar di.
Jheel: Aapko pata hai, jab main chhoti thi na, toh mujhe lagta tha ki bade hone ke baad life bahut simple ho jaayegi.


Reyansh: Aur ab?
Jheel: Ab lagta hai ki bade hone ke baad bas problems ke naam badal jaate hain.
Reyansh ne uski baat ko mazaak mein udaane ke bajaye dhyaan se suna.
Reyansh: Yeh baat toh sahi hai.
Jheel: Lekin ek cheez achhi hai.
Reyansh: Kya?
Jheel ne plate uski taraf badhai.
Jheel: Ab main apni problems ke beech bhi aise din plan kar sakti hoon.
Reyansh ne plate le li.
Reyansh: Aur mujhe bula sakti ho.
Jheel ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Jheel: Haan. Aapko bhi.
Bas do lafz the. Lekin is baar Jheel ne nazrein nahi churayi.


Khaane ke baad dono festival ke doosre hisse mein ghoomne lage.
Wahan ek chhota sa carnival zone tha. Ring toss, shooting games aur kuch stalls par ajeeb se prizes latak rahe the.
Jheel ek stall ke saamne ruk gayi. Wahan ek soft, cream-coloured teddy bear rakha tha, jiski gardan mein neela ribbon tha.
Jheel: Yeh kitna cute hai.
Reyansh ne teddy ko dekha, phir Jheel ko.
Reyansh: Aapko teddy bear pasand hain?
Jheel: Pasand toh hain. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki main khareedne wali hoon.
Reyansh: Maine khareedne ki baat kab ki?
Jheel: Aapke chehre par likha hai ki abhi koi joke aane wala hai.
Reyansh: Aap mujhe bahut achhe se samajhne lagi hain.
Woh stall wale ke paas gaya.
Reyansh: Bhaiya, yeh game kaise khelna hai?
Stall wale ne rules samjha diye. Kuch bottles par rings daalni thi. Jeetne par prize milta.
Reyansh ne paise diye aur pehli ring uthayi.
Pehli ring seedha bottle ke paas se nikal gayi.
Jheel ne hansi rokne ki koshish ki.
Doosri bhi miss.
Teesri bhi.
Jheel: Brand manager sahab, aapka aim itna kharab hai?
Reyansh: Main brands manage karta hoon, bottles nahi.
Jheel: Bahut achha excuse hai.
Chauthi ring bhi miss hui toh Jheel zor se hans padi.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: Aapko bahut maza aa raha hai?
Jheel: Bahut.
Reyansh: Toh ab aap try kijiye.
Jheel: Main? Mujhse nahi hoga.
Reyansh: Aapne try kiye bina decide kar liya?
Jheel ne ring le li.
Usne pehli baar nishana lagaya aur ring bottle ke gale mein atak gayi.
Dono kuch pal chup rahe.
Phir Reyansh ne taali bajayi.
Reyansh: Wah! Yeh toh unfair hai. Main paise dekar bhi nahi jeeta aur aap free mein jeet gayi.
Jheel: Maine kab kaha ki main aapse kam hoon?
Usne doosri ring uthayi. Woh bhi lag gayi.
Stall wala muskura kar teddy bear le aaya.
Jheel ne use haath mein liya. Uski aankhon mein ek bachchon jaisi khushi thi.
Reyansh: Toh yeh aapka hua.
Jheel: Maine jeeta hai.
Reyansh: Bilkul. Main toh bas moral support dene aaya tha.
Jheel teddy ko pakde hue chalne lagi.
Kuch door jaakar usne teddy Reyansh ki taraf badha diya.
Jheel: Pakdenge?
Reyansh: Main?
Jheel: Nahi, peeche khade uncle se keh rahi hoon.
Reyansh ne teddy le liya.
Reyansh: Aapko pata hai, kisi ne mujhe itna cute gift aaj tak nahi diya.
Jheel: Yeh maine aapko diya hi nahi.
Reyansh: Lekin ab mere paas hai.
Jheel: Temporary custody mein hai.
Reyansh: Main isse sambhal kar rakhunga.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha. Woh teddy ko aise pakde hue tha jaise sach mein koi keemti cheez ho.
Uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Dono ek bench par baith gaye. Aas-paas music baj raha tha, log hans rahe the, aur bachche apne prizes lekar bhaag rahe the.
Jheel ne teddy apni god mein rakha.
Jheel: Reyansh, aapko kabhi aisa lagta hai ki aapne apni life mein bahut kuch miss kar diya?
Sawaal achanak tha.
Reyansh kuch der saamne dekhte raha.
Reyansh: Kabhi-kabhi.
Jheel: Kis tarah ka?
Reyansh: Pata nahi. Kabhi lagta hai ki main kaam mein busy raha. Kabhi lagta hai ki jo waqt kisi ke saath bitana chahiye tha, woh kahin aur nikal gaya. Aur kabhi lagta hai ki abhi bhi waqt hai, bas samajh nahi aata ki uska karna kya hai.
Jheel chupchaap sunti rahi.
Jheel: Mujhe bhi kabhi-kabhi lagta hai ki main bahut si cheezein baad ke liye chhod deti hoon.
Reyansh: Jaise?
Jheel: Jaise khulkar hasna. Bina soche kuch karna. Kabhi kisi ko khud se milne ke liye kehna.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: Aakhri wali cheez toh aapne kar li.
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Aur kaisa laga?
Jheel ne teddy ke ribbon ko seedha kiya.
Jheel: Achha laga.
Ek chhota sa pause aaya.
Jheel: Shayad isliye kyunki aapne mana nahi kiya.
Reyansh: Mujhe mana karne ki wajah hi nahi mili.
Jheel: Har cheez ke liye wajah zaroori hoti hai?
Reyansh ne halka sa sar hilaaya.
Reyansh: Nahi. Kabhi-kabhi kisi ke saath waqt achha guzarta hai, toh bas utna hi kaafi hota hai.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.

Jheel: Aur agar waqt achha guzarna band na ho toh?
Is baar Reyansh ke paas turant koi funny jawab nahi tha.
Woh uski aankhon mein dekhta raha.
Reyansh: Toh shayad us insaan ko apni zindagi mein thodi aur jagah deni chahiye.
Jheel ki ungliyan teddy ke ribbon par ruk gayin.
Usne dheere se kaha.
Jheel: Mujhe bhi aisa hi lagta hai.


Dopahar tak festival mein bheed badhne lagi thi. Dono ne wapas jaane ka faisla kiya.
Parking tak pahunchte-pahunchte aasman par baadal ghane ho gaye. Pehli boondein girne lagi.
Reyansh ne car unlock ki, lekin Jheel ne use rok diya.
Jheel: Ek minute.
Reyansh: Kya hua?
Jheel: Baarish.
Reyansh: Ji, woh toh dikh rahi hai.
Jheel: Aapko kabhi baarish mein chalna achha lagta hai?
Reyansh: Jab ghar paas ho aur kapde expensive na hon.
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: Aap har romantic moment ka insurance kyun karwa dete hain?
Reyansh: Experience hai.
Jheel: Toh aaj experience badaliye.
Usne apna haath aage kar diya.
Reyansh ne pehle uske haath ko dekha, phir uske chehre ko.
Reyansh: Aap sure hain?
Jheel: Haan.
Usne Jheel ka haath thaam liya.
Dono parking ke paas bani covered walkway se aage badhe. Baarish tez nahi thi, bas halki boondein thi jo hawa ke saath chehre ko chhoo rahi thi.
Jheel ka haath uske haath mein tha.
Na koi dramatic music tha, na duniya ruk gayi thi. Paas se gaadiyan guzar rahi thi, koi apni chhatri sambhal raha tha, aur ek bachcha baarish mein apni maa ko kheenchkar le ja raha tha.
Lekin Jheel ke liye us waqt sabse khaas cheez Reyansh ka haath tha.
Usne apni ungliyan uski ungliyon mein thodi aur mazbooti se phansa di.
Reyansh ne mehsoos kiya, lekin kuch kaha nahi.
Kuch kadam baad Jheel khud hi ruk gayi.
Jheel: Reyansh?
Reyansh: Hmm?
Jheel: Main aapse ek baat poochun?
Reyansh: Aaj aap jitne sawaal poochna chahein pooch sakti hain.
Jheel ne ek gehri saans li.
Jheel: Kya aap mere saath aise hi milte rahenge?
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: Aise hi matlab?
Jheel: Bina kisi expectation ke. Bina yeh soche ki mujhe jaldi kisi decision par pahunchna hai. Bina mujhe badalne ki koshish kiye.
Uske chehre par ab mazaak nahi tha.
Reyansh ne uska haath chhoda nahi.
Reyansh: Jheel, main aapse koi jaldi nahi karwana chahta. Main khud bhi kisi race mein nahi hoon.
Jheel: Aur agar kabhi mujhe lage ki main aapse zyada waqt maang rahi hoon?
Reyansh: Toh maang lena.
Jheel: Aur agar aap busy hue?
Reyansh: Toh bata dunga. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki aap poochna band kar do.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: Aap har baat ko itna simple kaise bana dete hain?
Reyansh: Main simple nahi banata. Bas aapko har sawaal ka jawab akele dhoondhne ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Jheel ki aankhon mein ek narmi aa gayi.
Woh uske thoda kareeb aayi.
Jheel: Thank you.
Reyansh: Kis baat ke liye?
Jheel: Mere saath itna achha hone ke liye.
Reyansh ne halki muskurahat ke saath kaha.
Reyansh: Aapke saath achha rehne ke liye mujhe koi extra effort nahi karna padta.
Jheel ki nazar uske chehre par tik gayi.
Kuch pal dono ke beech khamoshi rahi.
Phir Jheel ne uska haath dobara thaam liya.
Jheel: Chaliye. Warna aapke expensive kapde kharab ho jaayenge.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Romance ka postmortem karna zaroori tha?
Jheel: Bilkul.
Woh dono car ki taraf badh gaye, haath ab bhi ek-doosre mein tha


Shaam hone se pehle Reyansh ne car building ke parking area mein laga di.
Jheel ke haath mein teddy bear tha. Usne car se nikalte waqt use apne seene se laga liya.
Reyansh: Iska naam rakha?
Jheel: Nahi.
Reyansh: Itni der se saath hai, abhi tak introduction bhi nahi hua?
Jheel: Aap rakh dijiye.
Reyansh ne kuch socha.
Reyansh: Professor.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: Professor?
Reyansh: Haan. Iska kaam hai aapko yaad dilana ki kabhi-kabhi life mein serious hone ki zaroorat nahi hoti.
Jheel: Aapko lagta hai teddy bear mujhe yeh samjhayega?
Reyansh: Mere samjhane se toh aap samajhti nahi hain.
Jheel hans padi.
Lift se nikal kar dono apne flats ki taraf badhe. Flat 304 ke saamne pahunchkar Jheel ne chaabi nikali, lekin darwaza kholne se pehle ruk gayi.
Jheel: Reyansh?
Reyansh: Ji?
Jheel: Aaj ka din achha tha.
Reyansh: Sirf achha?
Jheel ne sar halka sa tedha kiya.
Jheel: Bahut achha.
Reyansh: Better.
Woh darwaza kholne lagi, phir palatkar uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: Aur ek baat.
Reyansh: Aaj aapke paas baaton ka stock khatam nahi hoga?
Jheel: Nahi.
Usne teddy ko ek haath mein sambhala aur doosre haath se Reyansh ki ungliyon ko halka sa chhoo liya.
Jheel: Agli baar outing aap plan karenge.
Reyansh: Done.
Jheel: Aur is baar main surprise nahi poochungi.
Reyansh: Main bhi nahi bataunga.
Jheel: Dekhte hain.
Woh muskurayi aur andar chali gayi.
Darwaza band hone se pehle Reyansh ne kaha.
Reyansh: Jheel!
Woh palti.
Jheel: Haan?
Reyansh: Aaj aap bahut khush lag rahi thi.
Jheel ne use dekha. Is baar usne apni muskurahat chhupane ki koshish nahi ki.
Jheel: Kyunki main thi.
Darwaza dheere se band ho gaya.
Reyansh kuch pal wahin khada raha.
Phir apne flat ki taraf mud gaya.
Uske chehre par ek aisi muskurahat thi jise kisi message, kisi joke ya kisi khaas wajah ki zaroorat nahi thi.


Raat ko Jheel apne bed par baithi thi. Professor naam ka teddy uske takiye ke paas rakha tha.
Usne phone uthaya.
Jheel: Ghar pahunchkar kya kar rahe hain?
Reyansh ka reply turant aaya.
Reyansh: Ghar pahunchkar? Main toh ghar par hi tha.
Jheel: Matlab apne flat mein jaakar.
Reyansh: Abhi dinner ka intezaar kar raha hoon. Shalu ne khana rakha hai. Aapne khaya?
Jheel: Haan. Aur aaj ka din yaad kar rahi hoon.
Reyansh ne message padha aur kuch pal screen dekhta raha.
Reyansh: Kya yaad aa raha hai?
Jheel ne type kiya, phir delete kar diya.
Dobara type kiya.
Jheel: Baarish.
Reyansh ne jawab diya.
Reyansh: Mujhe bhi.
Jheel ne phone apne seene par rakh liya aur takiye se tek laga li.
Uske dil mein ab ek naya sawaal tha. Woh Reyansh ke saath waqt bitana chahti thi, usse aur jaan-na chahti thi, uske saamne apni khushi aur pareshani dono rakhna chahti thi.
Lekin ab sirf uski company achhi lagne ki baat nahi thi.
Woh uske kareeb aana chahti thi.
Aur pehli baar, is khayal se use darr se zyada khushi ho rahi thi.
Doosri taraf Reyansh dinner ke baad balcony mein khada tha. Bengaluru ki sadkon par lights chamak rahi thi. Usne Jheel ka message dobara padha.
Baarish.
Woh halki si muskurahat ke saath phone lock karne laga, phir ruk gaya.
Usne khud message type kiya.
Reyansh: Jheel?
Jheel: Ji?
Reyansh: Aaj haath pakadna achha laga.
Jheel ne message dekha toh uske gaal par muskurahat phail gayi. Usne kuch pal socha, phir jawab diya.
Jheel: Mujhe bhi.
Kuch seconds baad uska ek aur message aaya.
Jheel: Isliye toh haath chhoda nahi tha.
Reyansh screen dekhkar hans diya.
Reyansh: Good night, Jheel.
Jheel: Good night, Reyansh.
Dono ne phone rakh diya.
Us raat kisi ne apne dil ki poori baat nahi kahi.
Lekin ab dono ko yeh samajhne ke liye kisi aur ishare ki zaroorat nahi thi ki unke beech kuch badal raha tha.
Dosti ab bhi thi.
Bas uske saath ek naya ehsaas bhi jud gaya tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 34


Monday ki shaam thi.
Reyansh office se ghar laut chuka tha. Laptop par ek presentation khuli thi, lekin uska dhyaan baar-baar phone ki taraf ja raha tha. Aaj poore din Jheel se baat nahi hui thi. Subah sirf ek chhota sa message aaya tha, jismein usne bataya tha ki woh apni class ke assignment mein busy rahegi.
Reyansh ne presentation band ki.
Reyansh (khud se): Assignment uska hai, bechain main kyun ho raha hoon?
Phone uthaya aur message type kiya.
Reyansh: Madam student, assignment ne aapko kidnap toh nahi kar liya?
Kuch der tak reply nahi aaya.
Woh phone table par rakhkar paani lene gaya. Wapas aaya toh screen par notification chamak raha tha.
Jheel: Nahi. Lekin aapka message aane se concentration zaroor kharab ho gaya.
Reyansh: Matlab meri importance badh rahi hai.
Jheel: Matlab aap disturb kar rahe hain.
Reyansh: Achha, main chala jaata hoon.
Jheel: Maine aisa kab kaha?
Reyansh muskuraya.
Reyansh: Toh phir kal shaam mere saath dinner par chaliye.
Is baar Jheel ne turant jawab nahi diya.
Usne phone haath mein liya aur message dobara padha.
Dinner.
Sirf woh dono.
Pichhli baar ki tarah koi food festival nahi, koi game nahi, koi aisi activity nahi jiske peeche baat chhup jaaye.
Yeh ek proper date jaisa lag raha tha.
Usne reply type kiya.
Jheel: Kahan?
Reyansh: Yeh sawaal poochkar aapne haan bol di hai ya abhi interview chal raha hai?
Jheel: Pehle jagah bataiye.
Reyansh: Ek achhi jagah hai. Quiet, achha food, aur saamne ek aisi ladki jiske sawaal khatam hi nahi hote.
Jheel: Toh aap kisi aur ko le jaiye.
Reyansh: Koshish ki thi. Woh ladki aap hi nikli.
Jheel apni hansi nahi rok paayi.
Jheel: Theek hai. Kal milte hain.
Reyansh: Seven?
Jheel: Seven.
Phone rakhne ke baad Jheel kuch der chup baithi rahi.
Uske saamne assignment ki notebook khuli thi, lekin ab uske dimaag mein English ke sentences nahi, kal shaam ke khayal ghoom rahe the.
Usne almari kholi.
Do kurtiyan nikaali.
Phir ek teesri.
Aur khud hi apni harkat par hans padi.
Jheel (khud se): Bas dinner hai, Jheel. Shaadi nahi ho rahi.
Woh ruk gayi.
Phir dheere se muskurayi.
Jheel: Lekin achha lag raha hai.


Agli shaam office se nikalne se pehle Reyansh ne Arshad ko phone kiya.
Arshad apne agency office mein ek client ke liye copy likh raha tha. Screen par teen headlines khuli thi aur chauthi likhne ka uska bilkul mann nahi tha.
Arshad: Bol, zindagi mein kya naya kaand kiya?
Reyansh: Kal nahi, aaj ka kaand hai. Dinner par ja raha hoon.
Arshad: Akela?
Reyansh: Nahi.
Do second ki khamoshi.
Arshad: Oho! Toh apne janab ab dinner bhi calendar mein block karne lage hain.
Reyansh: Bas dinner hai.
Arshad: Haan, aur main advertising copywriter nahi, shayar hoon.
Reyansh: Arshad, please.
Arshad: Achha bata, pehen kya raha hai?
Reyansh: Shirt aur trousers.
Arshad: Kamaal hai. Main itne saalon se tujhe jaanta hoon aur tu aaj bhi kapdon ke naam par government form bhar raha hai.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Dark blue shirt, beige trousers. Happy?
Arshad: Bahut. Ab ek baat yaad rakh.
Reyansh: Kya?
Arshad: Uske saamne apni poori personality ek hi shaam mein mat khol dena. Thoda suspense bhi zaroori hota hai.
Reyansh: Teri personality mein suspense nahi, pending updates hain.
Arshad zor se hans pada.
Arshad: Ja, ja. Aur haan, agar ladki achhi lage toh usse bata dena. Har cheez ka trailer nahi chalate rehna chahiye.
Reyansh ki muskurahat halki pad gayi.
Reyansh: Haan. Soch raha hoon.
Arshad: Bas. Ab phone rakh aur jaakar ready ho. Client ka kaam mujhe karne de, romance ka kaam tu kar.
Call cut ho gaya.
Reyansh kuch pal phone dekhta raha.
Arshad ki baat seedhi thi.
Lekin kisi ko pasand karna aur uske saamne yeh maan lena ki woh tumhare liye khaas hai, dono alag baatein hoti hain.
Reyansh ko ab doosri baat karni thi.



Restaurant Bengaluru ke ek shaant hisse mein tha. Warm lights, badi khidkiyan aur background mein halki instrumental music.
Reyansh saat bajne se kuch minute pehle pahunch gaya.
Usne corner table choose ki, jahan se khidki ke bahar sadak ki lights dikh rahi thi.
Saat bajkar do minute par uska phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Main aa gayi hoon. Entrance par hoon.
Reyansh uthkar entrance ki taraf gaya.
Jheel wahan khadi thi.
Aaj usne deep blue kurti ke saath ivory trousers pehne the. Baal aadhe pin kiye hue the aur baaki kandhon par khule the. Chhote silver earrings, aankhon mein kajal aur chehre par halki si nervous smile.
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Jheel: Kya hua?
Reyansh: Aapko ek baat bataun?
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Aaj main apne outfit ko lekar bahut confident tha. Ab lag raha hai ki mujhe thodi aur mehnat karni chahiye thi.
Jheel ke gaal halki si laali se bhar gaye.
Jheel: Aap na, kabhi seedha bol diya kijiye.
Reyansh: Seedha bolunga toh aap sharma jaayengi.
Jheel: Main nahi sharmati.
Reyansh: Achha?
Jheel: Bilkul nahi.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Aap bahut khoobsurat lag rahi hain.
Jheel chup ho gayi.
Reyansh ki muskurahat gehri ho gayi.
Reyansh: Kya hua? Network chala gaya?
Jheel: Aap baithiye.
Woh aage badh gayi aur Reyansh uske peeche.
Dono table par baith gaye.
Shuruaat khaane aur rozmarra ki baaton se hui. Jheel ne apne assignment ke baare mein bataya. Reyansh ne office mein ek client presentation ke dauraan hui chhoti si funny situation sunayi.
Jheel hans rahi thi, lekin aaj woh pehle se zyada chup bhi thi.
Reyansh ne notice kiya.
Reyansh: Aaj kuch soch rahi hain?
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Bata sakti hain.
Jheel ne glass se paani piya.
Jheel: Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki aapke saath cheezein itni aasaan kyun lagti hain.
Reyansh ne apna fork table par rakh diya.
Reyansh: Aasaan lagna buri baat hai?
Jheel: Nahi. Bas... main har kisi ke saath itni comfortable nahi hoti.
Reyansh: Mujhe pata hai.
Jheel: Aur jab aap mere saath hote hain na, toh mujhe baar-baar yeh sochna nahi padta ki mujhe kya kehna chahiye, kaise baithna chahiye, ya saamne wala mere baare mein kya sochega.
Woh thoda ruki.
Jheel: Main bas apne jaisi reh sakti hoon.
Reyansh use dekhta raha.
Reyansh: Toh phir mere saath apne jaisi hi rahiye.
Jheel: Itna simple hai?
Reyansh: Mere liye toh hai.
Jheel ne muskurakar nazrein jhuka li.
Khaana aa gaya, lekin ab table par ek alag hi khamoshi thi. Aisi khamoshi jismein dono ko pata tha ki kuch kehna baaki hai.
Aur dono mein se koi bhi use phir se mazaak mein badalna nahi chahta tha.


Dinner ke baad restaurant se bahar nikle toh hawa thandi thi. Baarish nahi ho rahi thi, lekin sadak par din ki nami ab bhi thi.
Reyansh ne car ki taraf jaane ke bajaye footpath par chalne ka ishara kiya.
Reyansh: Thoda walk karenge?
Jheel: Haan.
Dono saath chalne lage.
Kuch door tak baat nahi hui. Phir Jheel ne khud hi khamoshi tod di.
Jheel: Reyansh, aapne kabhi socha hai ki do logon ke beech relationship shuru kaise hota hai?
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: Bahut baar.
Jheel: Aur aapke hisaab se?
Reyansh: Mujhe lagta hai, jab do log ek-doosre ke saath rehna chahte hain aur dono ko pata hota hai ki woh sirf waqt nahi guzaar rahe, tab shayad relationship shuru hota hai.
Jheel ne dheere se sar hilaaya.
Jheel: Aur agar unmein se ek ko darr lagta ho?
Reyansh: Toh doosre ko uska darr samajhne ki koshish karni chahiye.
Jheel: Aur agar dono ko darr lagta ho?
Reyansh halki si hansi hansa.
Reyansh: Toh dono milkar thoda darr sakte hain.
Jheel hans padi, phir uski hansi dheere-dheere shaant ho gayi.
Jheel: Main aapse kuch kehna chahti hoon.
Reyansh ruk gaya.
Reyansh: Kahiye.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha. Aaj woh nazrein chhupana nahi chahti thi.
Jheel: Mujhe aapka intezaar rehne laga hai.
Reyansh ka chehra shaant raha, lekin uski aankhon mein ek pal ke liye kuch badla.


Jheel ne baat jaari rakhi.
Jheel: Jab aapka message aata hai toh achha lagta hai. Jab aap saamne hote hain toh main chahti hoon ki baat jaldi khatam na ho. Aur jab hum alag hote hain toh main kabhi-kabhi sochti hoon ki agli baar kab milenge.
Usne halki si saans li.
Jheel: Mujhe nahi pata ki is sab ko kya naam dena chahiye. Lekin main yeh nahi keh sakti ki aap mere liye bas ek dost hain.
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Jheel ki aankhon mein ab nervousness thi.
Jheel: Aap kuch bolenge?
Reyansh ne ek kadam uski taraf badhaya.
Reyansh: Main soch raha hoon ki aapne meri baat keh di.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: Matlab?
Reyansh: Matlab, main bhi aapke message ka intezaar karta hoon. Aapke saath waqt guzarta hai toh mujhe achha lagta hai. Aur jab koi plan nahi hota, toh kabhi-kabhi main khud hi sochne lagta hoon ki aapse milne ka koi bahana dhoondhun.
Jheel ki aankhon mein muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Aur ek baat.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Main aapko pasand karta hoon, Jheel.
Woh lafz aakhirkaar keh diye gaye.
Na kisi bade speech ke saath, na kisi dramatic andaaz mein.
Bas seedhe, saaf aur bina kisi bahane ke.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: Kitna?
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Abhi se measurement?
Jheel: Important sawaal hai.
Reyansh: Itna ki aapke saath agli baar milne ka plan banane ke liye mujhe kisi festival, market ya assignment ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Jheel ne muskurakar nazrein jhuka li.
Jheel: Mujhe bhi aap pasand hain.
Reyansh ne dheere se uska haath thaam liya.
Is baar Jheel ne uski taraf dekha aur apni ungliyan uski ungliyon mein phansa di.
Kuch pal dono bas wahin khade rahe.
Phir Jheel ne dheere se kaha.
Jheel: Toh ab kya?
Reyansh: Ab?
Usne ek pal socha.
Reyansh: Ab hum yeh decide kar sakte hain ki hum is rishte ko ek mauka dena chahte hain ya nahi.
Jheel ne uska haath thoda aur mazbooti se thaam liya.
Jheel: Main dena chahti hoon.
Reyansh ki muskurahat badh gayi.
Reyansh: Main bhi.


Car tak pahunchne se pehle Jheel ruk gayi.
Jheel: Reyansh?
Reyansh: Ji?
Jheel: Aaj mujhe ghar jaane ka mann thoda der se hai.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
Reyansh: Toh thodi der aur chal lete hain.
Dono footpath ke paas ek chhote se garden area ki taraf badh gaye. Wahan ek bench khaali thi. Woh baith gaye, unke kandhe ek-doosre ke kareeb the.
Jheel ne apne haath god mein rakh liye.
Reyansh uski taraf dekh raha tha.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Kuch nahi.
Jheel: Aaj aap bahut dekh rahe hain.
Reyansh: Aaj kuch naya hua hai.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Aaj mujhe pata chala hai ki aap mere liye kya mehsoos karti hain.
Jheel muskurayi.
Jheel: Aur ab?
Reyansh: Ab main yeh soch raha hoon ki aapko gale laga sakta hoon?
Jheel ki muskurahat ek pal ko thami. Usne uski aankhon mein dekha, phir dheere se sar hila diya.
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh ne apna haath uske kandhe ke gird rakha aur use apni taraf kheench liya.
Jheel uske kareeb aa gayi.
Usne apna sar Reyansh ke kandhe par rakh diya. Reyansh ki baahon mein use ek ajeeb si rahat mehsoos hui. Na use kuch kehna tha, na kuch saabit karna tha.
Bas kuch pal aise hi rehna tha.
Reyansh ne dheere se poochha.
Reyansh: Comfortable?
Jheel: Bahut.
Kuch der baad Jheel ne apna sar uthaya.
Dono ki nazrein mili.
Unke chehre ab pehle se kaafi kareeb the.
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekhte hue dheere se poochha.
Reyansh: Kya main aapko kiss kar sakta hoon?
Jheel ke gaal surkh ho gaye.
Usne nazrein nahi churayi.
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh dheere se uske kareeb aaya.
Unke hoth ek narm, chhote se kiss mein mile.
Koi jaldi nahi thi. Reyansh ne use waqt diya aur Jheel ne bhi uske kareeb rehna chuna.
Jab woh alag hue, Jheel ki aankhon mein sharmili si muskurahat thi.
Reyansh ne uske chehre se ek lat ko dheere se kaan ke peeche kiya.
Reyansh: Ab aap kuch nahi kahengi?
Jheel ne halki si hansi ke saath uske kandhe par ek chhoti si thapki di.
Jheel: Aapko har moment mein commentary karni zaroori hai?
Reyansh: Nahi. Lekin aapko sharmate hue dekhna achha lagta hai.
Jheel: Main sharma nahi rahi.
Reyansh: Bilkul nahi.
Jheel ne apna chehra uske kandhe mein chhupa liya.
Reyansh hans pada aur use phir se apni baahon mein le liya.
Is baar dono ko pata tha ki unke beech ki nazdeeki sirf ek pal ki baat nahi thi.
Woh ek nayi shuruaat thi.


Raat thodi aur gehri ho chuki thi jab Reyansh ne Jheel ko uske flat ke saamne chhoda.
Flat 304 ke darwaze ke paas dono kuch pal khade rahe.
Jheel: Aaj ka din main yaad rakhungi.
Reyansh: Sirf aaj ka?
Jheel: Aage ke din achhe rahe toh woh bhi.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: Toh phir koshish karte hain ki aage ke din achhe rahein.
Jheel ne muskurakar haan mein sar hilaaya.
Darwaza kholne se pehle woh uski taraf palti.
Jheel: Good night, Reyansh.
Reyansh: Good night, Jheel.
Woh andar chali gayi.
Kuch minute baad Reyansh ke phone par message aaya.
Jheel: Ek baat poochun?
Reyansh: Aaj bhi?
Jheel: Last question.
Reyansh: Poochiye.
Jheel: Toh ab hum relationship mein hain?
Reyansh screen dekhkar muskuraya. Usne is baar mazaak mein baat taalne ki koshish nahi ki.
Reyansh: Agar aap chahti hain, toh haan. Main aapke saath relationship mein rehna chahta hoon.
Jheel ne message padha.
Uske chehre par ek gehri, sukoon bhari muskurahat aa gayi.
Jheel: Main bhi chahti hoon.
Reyansh: Toh officially, Miss Jheel, you are my girlfriend.
Jheel hansi.
Jheel: Aur aap mere boyfriend.
Reyansh: Yeh title mujhe suit karta hai?
Jheel: Abhi trial period hai.
Reyansh: Wah! Corporate duniya se relationship mein bhi appraisal aa gaya.
Jheel: Performance achhi rakhiye.
Reyansh: Ji, madam.
Phone rakhne ke baad Jheel ne apni notebook kholi.
Kuch pal sochne ke baad usne likha:
“Aaj maine kisi ko apne kareeb aane diya. Aur pehli baar mujhe laga ki shayad kisi ke kareeb aana apne aap se door jaana nahi hota.”
Usne notebook band ki aur Professor teddy ko apne paas kheench liya.


Doosri taraf Reyansh apne flat ki balcony mein khada tha. Bengaluru ki lights door tak phaili hui thi.
Usne phone par Jheel ka naam dekha.
Ab woh sirf ek padosi nahi thi.
Na hi bas woh ladki jiske saath uska waqt achha guzarta tha.
Ab unke beech ek rishta tha, ek vaada tha ki woh ek-doosre ko jaanne ki koshish karenge, aur ek naya safar tha jiska agla mod abhi kisi ko nahi pata tha.
Reyansh ne phone lock kiya aur halki si muskurahat ke saath andar chala gaya.
Uski zindagi mein ek naya rishta shuru ho chuka tha.