[Greenwood]

Update 35



Subah ke 8 baj rahe the.
Reyansh ki aankh alarm se pehle khul gayi. Woh kuch der bed par leta raha, phir phone uthaya. Screen par sabse pehle Jheel ka naam dikhai diya.
Koi naya message nahi tha.
Usne kal raat ki conversation kholi aur aakhri message padha.
Jheel: Good night, boyfriend ji. ❤️
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Usne message type kiya.
Reyansh: Good morning, girlfriend ji. Umeed hai aap apne naye boyfriend se khush hongi.
Kuch hi der mein reply aa gaya.
Jheel: Abhi tak toh theek lag rahe hain.
Reyansh: Sirf theek?
Jheel: Thoda overconfident hain.
Reyansh: Lekin handsome bhi toh hain.
Jheel: Kisne kaha?
Reyansh: Aapki aankhon ne.
Jheel: Meri aankhon ko beech mein mat laaiye.
Reyansh: Achha, aaj milkar pooch leta hoon.
Jheel: Aaj?
Reyansh: Haan. Girlfriend banne ke baad boyfriend ko milne ka haq toh milta hai.
Jheel: Haq milta hai, lekin appointment lena padta hai.
Reyansh: Appointment kab milegi, madam?
Jheel: Shaam ko. Saat baje.
Reyansh: Itni der?
Jheel: Office jaiye. Kaam kijiye. Desh ko aapki zaroorat hai.
Reyansh: Desh ko pata nahi, mujhe toh aapki zaroorat hai.
Jheel kuch pal phone ko dekhti rahi. Uske hothon par muskurahat thi aur gaalon par halki si laali.
Jheel: Aap subah-subah bahut bolte hain.
Reyansh: Aur aap subah-subah bahut achhi lagti hain. Ab kya karein?
Jheel ne phone side mein rakh diya.
Uska mann hua ki woh use call kare, uski awaaz sune aur phir kuch der bina kisi wajah ke baat karti rahe.
Lekin usne khud ko roka.
Abhi toh din shuru hua tha.
Aur aaj pehli baar use mehsoos ho raha tha ki kisi se milne ka intezaar bhi din ka hissa ban sakta hai.


Office mein Reyansh apni desk par baitha tha. Ek client presentation ka final version check kar raha tha. Neha uske paas kuch documents lekar aayi.
Neha: Reyansh, client ne campaign ke second concept ko approve kar diya hai. Bas tagline mein ek minor change chahiye.
Reyansh: Achha. Change bhej do, main dekh lunga.
Neha ne documents table par rakhe, lekin jaane ke bajaye wahin khadi rahi.
Reyansh: Aur kuch?
Neha: Haan. Aaj aap bahut khush lag rahe hain.
Reyansh ne laptop se nazar uthayi.
Reyansh: Main roz khush lagta hoon.
Neha: Nahi. Roz aap aise lagte hain jaise duniya ko manage kar sakte hain. Aaj lag raha hai ki duniya mein koi aisa bhi hai jo aapko manage kar raha hai.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Aapka observation department kaafi active hai.
Neha: Main sirf keh rahi hoon.
Reyansh: Toh kehna complete ho gaya ho toh kaam bhi complete kar lein?
Neha muskurayi.
Neha: Bilkul, sir.
Woh jaane lagi, phir palatkar boli.
Neha: Waise, aapki smile achhi hai. Isse office mein thoda zyada use kiya kijiye.
Reyansh: Aap performance review likh rahi hain ya compliment de rahi hain?
Neha: Dono mein farq hota hai?
Reyansh: Mere department mein hota hai.
Neha hanskar chali gayi.
Reyansh ne dobara laptop ki taraf dekha, lekin uska dhyaan ek pal ke liye phir phone par chala gaya.
Usne khud ko yaad dilaya ki office mein kaam bhi hota hai.
Jheel uski zindagi mein aayi thi, lekin iska matlab yeh nahi tha ki baaki zindagi ruk jaaye.
Woh apne kaam par laut aaya.
Aur pehli baar use laga ki zindagi ke do alag hisse ek saath achhe chal sakte hain.


Saat bajne mein das minute baaki the jab Reyansh Flat 304 ke saamne pahuncha.
Usne bell bajayi.
Jheel ne darwaza khola. Aaj woh simple white top aur blue jeans mein thi. Baal khule the aur chehre par halki si muskurahat.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
Reyansh: Hello, girlfriend ji.
Jheel: Hello, boyfriend ji.
Dono ek pal ek-doosre ko dekhte rahe. Kal tak jo baat unke beech ek naya ehsaas thi, aaj use kehna zyada aasaan lag raha tha.
Jheel ne use andar aane ka ishara kiya.
Jheel: Aaj bahar nahi jaana.
Reyansh: Kyun? Boyfriend ka budget pehle din hi khatam ho gaya?
Jheel: Aapko sirf khaane ki padi rehti hai?
Reyansh: Bilkul nahi. Kabhi-kabhi dessert ki bhi.
Jheel hansi.
Usne bataya ki woh ghar par hi kuch simple khaana mangwa legi. Dono living room mein baith gaye.
Reyansh ki nazar shelf par rakhe teddy bear par padi.
Reyansh: Professor sahab bhi ghar par hain.
Jheel: Aapko inse kya problem hai?
Reyansh: Koi problem nahi. Bas soch raha hoon ki inki jagah ab mujhe milni chahiye.
Jheel: Aapko har jagah jagah chahiye?
Reyansh: Aapki life mein thodi si jagah mil jaaye, toh kaafi hai.
Jheel ki hansi dheemi pad gayi. Usne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: Aap kabhi-kabhi bahut achhi baat keh dete hain.
Reyansh: Kabhi-kabhi?
Jheel: Zyada khush mat hoiye.
Dono hans pade.
Kuch der baad khaana aa gaya. Unhone saath dinner kiya, phir Jheel ne chai banayi. Woh cups lekar aayi toh Reyansh sofa par thoda side hokar baith gaya, taaki uske liye jagah ban sake.
Jheel uske paas baith gayi.
Unke kandhe halki si chhoan ke saath mile.
Jheel: Reyansh?
Reyansh: Hmm?
Jheel: Ek baat poochun?
Reyansh: Aapko permission kab se chahiye hone lagi?
Jheel: Main serious hoon.
Reyansh ne cup table par rakh diya.
Reyansh: Poochiye.
Jheel ne apni ungliyon ko cup ke handle par ghumaya.
Jheel: Hum dono ek-doosre ko pasand karte hain. Lekin main chahti hoon ki hum ek-doosre ko samajhne ka waqt bhi dein. Sirf relationship mein aa jaane se sab kuch automatically achha nahi ho jaata.
Reyansh ne uski baat dhyaan se suni.
Reyansh: Main bhi yahi chahta hoon.
Jheel: Aur agar kabhi hum mein se kisi ko koi baat buri lage?
Reyansh: Toh batayenge. Chup rehkar doosre se mind-reading ki umeed nahi rakhenge.
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: Yeh rule aapke liye zyada zaroori hai.
Reyansh: Mujhe kyun?
Jheel: Kyunki aap kabhi-kabhi joke ke peeche serious baat chhupa dete hain.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha. Uski muskurahat halki si kam ho gayi.
Reyansh: Ho sakta hai.
Jheel: Main aapko badalna nahi chahti. Bas jab aapko kuch kehna ho, toh aap mujhse keh sakein.
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne apna haath uske haath par rakh diya.
Reyansh: Main koshish karunga.
Jheel ne uski ungliyan thaam li.
Jheel: Bas. Mujhe itna hi chahiye.
Woh dono kuch der aise hi baithe rahe.
Na koi badi declaration, na koi filmy promise.
Bas ek chhoti si understanding, jo unke naye rishte ki pehli buniyad ban rahi thi.


Chai khatam hone ke baad Jheel ne phone uthaya.
Jheel: Ek photo lein?
Reyansh: Kis khushi mein?
Jheel: Aise hi.
Reyansh: Nahi, nahi. Yeh toh important moment hai. Caption bhi sochna padega.
Jheel: Caption nahi chahiye.
Reyansh: Toh photo kaise pata chalegi ki important hai?
Jheel ne uske haath se phone le liya.
Jheel: Aap bas idhar dekhiye.
Woh dono sofa par paas baith gaye. Jheel ne camera khola. Reyansh ne uski taraf dekhte hue muskuraya, lekin shutter dabane se pehle hi woh uski taraf mud gaya.
Click.
Photo mein Jheel ki hansi aadhi capture hui thi aur Reyansh use dekh raha tha.
Jheel ne tasveer dekhi.
Jheel: Aap camera mein kyun nahi dekh rahe?
Reyansh: Main dekh raha tha.
Jheel: Camera mein nahi. Meri taraf.
Reyansh: Toh problem kya hai?
Jheel ne photo dobara dekhi. Uske chehre par narmi aa gayi.
Jheel: Kuch nahi.
Usne photo save kar li.
Reyansh ne apna haath uski taraf badhaya.
Reyansh: Dikhao.
Jheel ne phone uske saamne kar diya.


Kuch pal dono tasveer dekhte rahe.
Reyansh: Achhi hai.
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Send karogi?
Jheel ne tasveer uske phone par bhej di.
Kuch seconds baad Reyansh ke phone par notification aaya.
Jheel: Sirf apne paas rakhna. Abhi kahin post nahi karni.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: Bilkul. Yeh hamari hai.
Jheel ne phone apne paas rakh liya.
Uske liye yeh sirf ek photo nahi thi. Yeh us din ki nishani thi jab usne kisi ko apne kareeb aane diya tha aur us nazdeeki ko chhupane ki zaroorat mehsoos nahi ki thi.
Abhi duniya ko kuch batana zaroori nahi tha.
Un dono ko pata hona kaafi tha.


Raat hone lagi toh Reyansh uth khada hua.
Reyansh: Chalta hoon. Kal office bhi hai.
Jheel use darwaze tak chhodne aayi.
Dono ke beech ek chhoti si khamoshi aa gayi.
Reyansh ne muskurakar poochha.
Reyansh: Hug milega ya abhi bhi appointment leni padegi?
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: Aapko toh har cheez ka haq chahiye.
Reyansh: Sirf woh jo aap khushi se dena chahein.
Jheel ki muskurahat narm ho gayi.
Woh uske kareeb aayi aur use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ne bhi apni baahon mein use le liya. Jheel kuch pal uske seene se lagi rahi, phir dheere se alag hui.
Usne uske gaal par ek chhota sa kiss kiya.
Reyansh ek pal ke liye hairaan reh gaya.
Jheel ne uska chehra dekha aur hans padi.
Jheel: Kya hua? Network chala gaya?
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Nahi. Bas aaj girlfriend ne surprise de diya.
Jheel: Aadat daal lijiye.
Reyansh: Ji, madam.
Woh apne flat ki taraf chala gaya.
Kuch hi der baad dono ke beech messages shuru ho gaye.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh: Haan. Aapke saamne wale flat mein hoon.
Jheel: Phir bhi pooch rahi thi.
Reyansh: Achha lagta hai jab aap poochti hain.
Jheel ne message padha aur muskurayi.
Jheel: Good night, Reyansh.
Reyansh: Good night, Jheel. Kal milenge?
Jheel: Kal bhi?
Reyansh: Abhi toh aapne kaha tha aadat daal loon.
Jheel: Dekhenge.
Reyansh: Iska matlab haan hota hai na?
Jheel: Good night!
Reyansh hans pada aur phone side mein rakh diya.


Agli subah dono apni-apni zindagi mein busy the.
Reyansh office ke liye nikla, Jheel apne assignment par kaam karne baithi. Beech-beech mein messages aate rahe. Kabhi koi funny photo, kabhi khaane ka sawaal, kabhi sirf ek chhota sa “Miss you”.
Dopahar mein Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Aaj shaam ko thoda free hain?
Reyansh: Aapke liye time nikal sakta hoon. Kyun?
Jheel: Mujhe kuch dikhana hai.
Reyansh: Kya?
Jheel: Surprise.
Reyansh ne screen dekhkar muskuraya.
Reyansh: Ab mujhe samajh aa gaya hai ki aapko surprises dene ka shauk hai.
Jheel: Aur aapko unke peeche aane ka.
Reyansh: Sirf aapke.
Jheel ne phone rakh diya, lekin uske chehre par muskurahat bani rahi.
Usne apne assignment ke papers samete aur shelf par rakhe teddy ko dekha.
Jheel (dheere se): Professor, ab meri life mein ek aur pareshani aa gayi hai.
Woh hans padi.
Jheel: Aur yeh wali mujhe achhi lagti hai.
Doosri taraf Reyansh office ki khidki ke paas khada tha. Usne phone par Jheel ka naam dekha aur use message bheja.
Reyansh: Ek baat bataun?
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Mujhe lagta hai ki main aapke saath khush rehna seekh raha hoon.
Jheel ne message padha.
Is baar usne koi mazaak nahi kiya.
Jheel: Aur mujhe lagta hai ki main aapke saath khud ko aur achhe se jaan rahi hoon.
Reyansh ne message dobara padha.
Phir phone rakhkar kaam par laut gaya.
Unka rishta abhi naya tha. Aage dates hongi, chhoti nok-jhonk hogi, ek-doosre ki aadaton se pyaar bhi hoga aur kabhi unhi aadaton se pareshani bhi.
Lekin filhaal, dono ek-doosre ko chun rahe the.
Har din, thoda aur.
Aur kabhi-kabhi zindagi ko badalne ke liye kisi bade waade ki zaroorat nahi hoti. Bas kisi ka message aana, uska intezaar rehna, aur uske saamne apne jaisa reh paana hi kaafi hota hai.

[Greenwood]

Update 36


Subah ke 7:18 baj rahe the.
Reyansh ka alarm pichhle paanch minute se baj raha tha, lekin uska alarm band karne ka koi iraada nahi tha. Woh kambal ke andar aankhein band kiye pada tha, jaise duniya ke saare corporate clients ko ek saath message bhejkar keh sakta ho ki aaj unki meetings cancel hain.
Aakhirkaar usne haath badhakar phone uthaya.
Alarm band hua.
Screen par ek notification tha.
Jheel ❤️
Good morning, boyfriend ji.
Reyansh ke chehre par neend ke beech hi muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Good morning, girlfriend ji.
Jheel: Uth gaye?
Reyansh: Haan.
Jheel: Jhooth. Tum abhi bhi bed mein ho.
Reyansh ne turant kambal hata kar baithne ki acting karte hue selfie bhejne ke liye camera khola. Phir khud hi ruk gaya.
Reyansh: Tumhe kaise pata?
Jheel: Kyunki tumhari good morning ka reply usually teen minute baad aata hai. Aaj do minute mein aa gaya. Matlab alarm band karke phone dekha hai, lekin uthe nahi ho.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Madam, aap relationship mein aate hi meri investigation karne lagi hain?
Jheel: Ab boyfriend ho. Thoda haq toh banta hai.
Reyansh: Achha ji. Toh girlfriend hone ke kya duties hain?
Jheel: Tumhe time par uthana.
Reyansh: Aur boyfriend ki duties?
Jheel: Woh baad mein bataungi.
Reyansh: Mujhe abhi se darr lag raha hai.
Jheel: Lagna bhi chahiye. Ab uth jao. Office nahi jaana?
Reyansh ne message padha, phir bed se uthkar khidki ka parda hata diya.
Bengaluru ki subah dheere-dheere jaag rahi thi. Sadak par traffic badhne laga tha aur aas-paas ki buildings ki khidkiyon mein roshni nazar aane lagi thi.
Usne ek baar phir phone dekha.
Reyansh: Uth gaya. Khush?
Jheel: Bahut.
Reyansh: Ab ek baat batao.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Aaj shaam free ho?
Jheel ne message padhkar phone ko kuch pal dekha.
Phir uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Jheel: Kyun?
Reyansh: Girlfriend ke saath date par jaana hai.
Jheel: Hum toh kal hi mile the.
Reyansh: Toh?
Jheel: Kuch nahi. Kitne baje?
Reyansh: Saat baje. Main tumhe pick kar lunga.
Jheel: Theek hai, boyfriend ji.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj office jaane ki wajah sirf Monday ki meeting nahi thi.
Shaam ko uski girlfriend uska intezaar karne wali thi.
Aur filhaal, uske liye itna hi kaafi tha.


Reyansh conference room mein baitha presentation dekh raha tha. Screen par campaign ke naye concepts the aur saamne team ke kuch members apne suggestions discuss kar rahe the.
Meeting usual thi.
Client ki requirements, revised copy aur agle hafte ki deadlines.
Reyansh apne kaam ko lekar serious tha. Usne do suggestions reject kiye, ek mein correction karwaya aur teesre concept ko aage badhane ki permission de di.
Meeting khatam hui toh Neha uske saath corridor mein aa gayi.
"Ek baat poochhun?" Neha ne kaha.
"Poochho."
"Tum aajkal kaafi khush rehne lage ho."
"Achha? Pehle kya tha?"
"Pehle tum meeting ke baad seedha apne cabin mein jaate the. Ab meeting ke baad bhi phone dekhkar muskuraate ho."
"Main apne phone par smile bhi nahi kar sakta?"
"Kar sakte ho. Bas reason jaanne ka mann karta hai."
"Reason private hai."
Neha ne bhaunhein uthayi.
"Private? Matlab koi hai!"
Reyansh ne jawab nahi diya.
Uski khamoshi hi kaafi thi.
Neha hans padi.
"Oh baap re! Reyansh ki life mein koi aa gaya!"
"Neha, please. Office hai."
"Main toh sirf khush ho rahi hoon. Waise congratulations in advance."
"Kis baat ke?"
"Jab tum officially bataoge, tab congratulations dungi."
Neha apne desk ki taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh ne sir hila diya.
Use apni personal life ko office gossip banana pasand nahi tha. Lekin woh yeh bhi jaanta tha ki uske chehre ki muskurahat ab pehle se zyada aasani se nazar aane lagi thi.

Jheel ka ek aur message aaya tha.
Jheel: Date ke liye kya pehenkar aaun?
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Reyansh: Jo tumhe achha lage.
Jheel: Wah! Kya creative suggestion hai.
Reyansh: Main creative department mein hoon. Fashion department mein nahi.
Jheel: Achha. Toh aaj main tumhe surprise karungi.
Reyansh: Ab shaam saat baje tak intezaar karna mushkil ho jayega.
Jheel: Office par dhyan do, boyfriend ji.
Reyansh ne phone lock kar diya.
Lekin uske chehre ki muskurahat kuch der tak bani rahi.


Shaam 5:42 PM | Jheel ka Flat
Jheel apni almari ke saamne khadi thi.
Bed par do outfits rakhe the. Ek simple kurti aur doosra dark-green top, jiske saath usne black jeans nikaali thi.
Usne dono ko dekha.
Phir phone uthaya.
Reyansh ka message screen par tha.
Jo tumhe achha lage.
"Bahut helpful hain aap," woh khud se boli.
Aakhirkaar usne dark-green top aur black jeans choose ki. Baal khule rakhne ka faisla kiya, kaanon mein chhote silver earrings pehne aur bas halka sa kajal lagaya.
Woh mirror ke saamne khadi hokar apne baal theek karne lagi.
Uske chehre par ek alag si khushi thi.
Pichhle kuch hafton mein uski zindagi mein bahut kuch badla tha. Communication class mein confidence badha tha, naye logon se baat karna aasaan hua tha aur ab uski zindagi mein Reyansh bhi tha.
Reyansh ne kabhi usse aisa mehsoos nahi karwaya tha ki use kisi aur ki tarah banne ki zaroorat hai.
Woh jaisi thi, uske saath rehkar waise hi reh sakti thi.
Aur shayad isi wajah se uska saath Jheel ko itna achha lagta tha.
Phone par message aaya.
Reyansh: Main nikal raha hoon. Das minute.
Jheel ne turant jawab diya.
Jheel: Theek hai.
Phir kuch sochkar usne ek aur message bheja.
Jheel: Aur haan, aaj dinner main choose karungi.
Reyansh: Mujhe koi problem nahi.
Jheel: Aur bill?
Reyansh: Woh main pay karunga.
Jheel: Maine kab kaha?
Reyansh: Tumne poochha nahi, phir bhi bata diya. Experience hai mujhe.
Jheel: Mujhe apna bill khud pay karna pasand hai.
Reyansh ne kuch pal baad jawab diya.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Apna bill tum pay karna. Lekin dessert meri taraf se.
Jheel muskurayi.
Jheel: Deal.

Reyansh ki gaadi building ke bahar ruki.
Jheel kuch hi der mein neeche aa gayi.
Reyansh ne use dekha toh ek pal ke liye chup ho gaya.
Dark-green top, black jeans, khule baal aur chehre par wohi shaant si muskurahat.
Jheel ne gaadi ka darwaza kholte hue poochha, "Kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Tum mujhe aise kyun dekh rahe ho?"
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Bas dekh raha hoon."
"Kya?"
"Apni girlfriend ko."
Jheel ki muskurahat aur gehri ho gayi.
"Achha? Toh dekh liya?"
"Nahi. Abhi toh date shuru hui hai."
Woh gaadi mein baith gayi.
Reyansh ne seat belt lagayi aur gaadi aage badha di.
Kuch minute tak dono Bengaluru ki shaam ko dekhte rahe. Sadkon par traffic tha, dukaanon ke boards roshan the aur restaurants ke bahar logon ki bheed badh rahi thi.
Jheel khidki se bahar dekh rahi thi.
"Ek baat bataun?" usne kaha.
"Haan."
"Mujhe pehle lagta tha ki relationship mein aane ke baad sab kuch bahut alag ho jaata hoga."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Aur ab?"
"Ab lagta hai ki kuch cheezein alag hoti hain, lekin kuch cheezein waise hi rehni chahiye."
"Jaise?"
"Jaise humara aise baat karna. Ek-doosre ko chhedna. Apni baat keh paana."
Reyansh ne sar hilaya.
"Main bhi chahta hoon ki hum aise hi rahein."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Promise?"
Reyansh ne uska haath pakadne ke liye apna haath aage badhaya. Jheel ne apni ungliyan uski ungliyon mein phansa di.
"Promise."
Gaadi restaurant ke parking area mein jaakar ruki.


Restaurant zyada formal nahi tha. Warm lights, wooden tables aur halki music ke beech ek comfortable sa mahaul tha.
Dono ko window ke paas table mil gayi.
Jheel ne menu uthaya aur bade dhyan se dishes dekhne lagi.
Reyansh use dekhkar muskuraya.
"Kya padh rahi ho? Menu hai, competitive exam ka paper nahi."
Jheel ne menu neeche kiya.
"Tumhe har cheez mein joke karna zaroori lagta hai?"
"Har cheez mein nahi."
"Achha, batao kis cheez mein nahi?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
"Jab tum mujhse naraaz hoti ho."
Jheel hans padi.
"Main tumse naraaz nahi hoti."
"Abhi tak."
"Reyansh!"
"Achha, achha. Order karo."
Jheel ne do dishes choose ki aur waiter ko order de diya.
Kuch der baad baat unki relationship par aa gayi.
Jheel ne apna glass table par rakhte hue kaha, "Reyansh, mujhe tumse ek baat kehni hai."
"Haan, bolo."
"Main chahti hoon ki hum relationship ko lekar ek-doosre se honest rahein. Agar kabhi kisi baat se problem ho, toh hum baat karein. Chup rehkar assume na karein."
Reyansh uski baat dhyan se sun raha tha.
"Main bhi yahi chahta hoon."
"Main perfect nahi hoon. Kabhi overthink kar sakti hoon, kabhi kisi baat par chup ho sakti hoon. Lekin main chahti hoon ki tum mujhse poochho. Main koshish karungi ki tumhe bata sakun."
Reyansh ne halka sa sar jhukaya.
"Deal."
Jheel ne uski taraf haath badhaya.
"Deal?"
Reyansh ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Deal."
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Waise ek aur baat hai."
"Ab kya?"
"Tum mujhe girlfriend toh bana chuke ho, lekin abhi tak mujhe koi achha nickname nahi diya."
Reyansh ne bhaunhein sikodi.
"Tumhara naam Jheel hai. Usse achha nickname kya hoga?"
"Yeh toh cheating hai."
"Achha, sochta hoon."
"Abhi socho."
Reyansh ne use kuch der dekha.
"Jheel."
"Yeh mera naam hai!"
"Pata hai. Lekin mujhe tumhara naam pasand hai."
Jheel chup ho gayi.
Uske chehre par ek halki si sharmili muskurahat aa gayi.
Kabhi-kabhi seedhi si baat bhi dil ko chhoo jaati hai.
Aur Reyansh ko yeh baat dheere-dheere samajh aa rahi thi.



Dinner ke baad waiter dessert menu lekar aaya.
Reyansh ne menu Jheel ki taraf badha diya.
"Madam, apni pasand ka dessert choose kijiye. Bill meri taraf se."
Jheel ne menu dekha.
"Ek chocolate brownie with ice cream."
"Bas?"
"Haan."
Reyansh ne waiter ko order diya.
Jab dessert aaya toh Jheel ne pehla spoon liya aur khushi se aankhein band kar li.
Reyansh use dekhta raha.
"Kya hua?" Jheel ne poochha.
"Kuch nahi. Tum dessert khaate waqt bahut khush lagti ho."
"Kyuki mujhe chocolate pasand hai."
"Noted."
Jheel ne spoon uski taraf badhaya.
"Tum bhi khao."
Reyansh ne ek bite li.
"Achha hai."
"Maine kaha tha na."
Dono ne dessert share kiya. Beech-beech mein chhoti-chhoti baatein hoti rahi. Kisi ne agle weekend ka plan poochha, kisi ne movie ki recommendation di aur phir baat ek funny video par pahunch gayi jo Jheel ne pichhle din dekha tha.
Date kisi film ke grand romantic scene jaisi nahi thi.
Na koi bada surprise tha, na expensive gift.
Bas dinner, kuch hasi-mazaak aur do log jo ek-doosre ke saath rehna seekh rahe the.
Aur kabhi-kabhi relationship ki khoobsurati isi mein hoti hai.


Raat ke kareeb 9:20 baje Reyansh ne gaadi building ke bahar roki.
Jheel ne seat belt kholi, lekin utarne se pehle uski taraf dekha.
"Aaj achha laga."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Mujhe bhi."
"Thank you."
"Kisliye?"
"Date ke liye."
Reyansh ne uska haath apne haath mein le liya.
"Thank you tumhe bhi."
"Kyun?"
"Meri life mein aane ke liye."
Jheel ki aankhon mein ek pal ke liye narmi aa gayi.
Woh uske kareeb hui aur uske gaal par ek chhota sa kiss diya.
"Good night, boyfriend ji."
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Good night, girlfriend ji."
Jheel gaadi se utarkar building ki taraf chal di.
Lift ke andar pahunchkar usne phone nikala.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gayi.
Reyansh: Main abhi parking mein hoon. Tum toh mujhse pehle pahunch gayi.
Jheel: Main fast hoon.
Reyansh: Haan, especially jab dessert khane ke baad ghar jaana ho.
Jheel: Good night, Reyansh.
Is baar usne nickname ya mazaak nahi kiya.
Bas uska naam likha.
Reyansh ne message dekha aur jawab diya.
Reyansh: Good night, Jheel. ❤️
Jheel ne phone apne seene ke paas rakh liya aur kuch pal muskurati rahi.
Uske liye yeh raat ek achhi yaad ban chuki thi.
Aur Reyansh ke liye bhi.
Dono ko abhi nahi pata tha ki zindagi mein aage kitne mod aane wale hain.
Filhaal, unke paas ek-doosre ka saath tha.
Aur dono us saath ko samajhne ki koshish kar rahe the.


Reyansh apne flat mein laptop band kar raha tha, jab phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: So gaye?
Reyansh: Nahi. Tum?
Jheel: Main bhi nahi.
Reyansh: Date ke baad neend nahi aa rahi?
Jheel: Shayad.
Reyansh: Shayad?
Jheel: Achha laga aaj.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Reyansh: Mujhe bhi, Jheel.
Kuch pal baad ek aur message aaya.
Jheel: Reyansh?
Reyansh: Haan?
Jheel: I'm happy.
Reyansh ne screen ko dekha.
Usne koi lamba jawab nahi likha.
Reyansh: Me too. ❤️
Us raat dono apne-apne flats mein soye.
Ek hi building mein, kuch hi kadmon ki doori par.
Unki kahani abhi shuru hi hui thi.
Aur filhaal, dono ke dil mein ek hi baat thi.
Shayad zindagi har baar aasaan nahi hoti, lekin kisi ke saath usse jeena thoda aasaan ho sakta hai.

[Greenwood]

Update 37


Bengaluru | Tuesday | Subah 7:32 AM
Reyansh ke bedroom mein alarm baj raha tha.
Pichhle kuch dino se uski subah mein ek naya element jud gaya tha. Alarm band karne ke baad woh phone zaroor check karta tha.
Aaj bhi usne aankhein khole bina phone uthaya.
Koi naya message nahi tha.
Usne screen par waqt dekha aur phir khud se kaha, "Kal toh good night ke baad bhi baat kar rahi thi. Aaj madam so rahi hain."
Woh bed se utha, bathroom ki taraf gaya aur taiyaar hone laga.
Kuch der baad kitchen se Shalu ke bartan rakhne ki awaaz aayi.
"Sir, chai table par rakh di hai."
Reyansh drawing room mein aaya. Shalu kitchen saaf kar rahi thi.
"Shalu, tumne kabhi notice kiya hai ki subah-subah chai insaan ko kitna important bana deti hai?"
Shalu ne palatkar dekha.
"Sir, chai banane wala important hota hai ya chai peene wala?"
Reyansh ruk gaya.
"Yeh sawaal tumhare computer course mein padhaya ja raha hai kya?"
"Nahi sir. Yeh mera apna experience hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Achha, tumhari comedy bhi improve ho rahi hai."
Shalu ne muskurakar apna kaam jaari rakha.
Reyansh chai lekar sofa par baith gaya aur phone khola.
Is baar Jheel ka message aa chuka tha.
Jheel: Good morning.
Reyansh: Good morning, sleeping beauty.
Jheel: Main abhi-abhi uthi hoon.
Reyansh: Mujhe pata tha.
Jheel: Kaise?
Reyansh: Kyunki tumne mujhe good morning bolne se pehle apni neend poori karna zaroori samjha.
Jheel: Tumhe problem hai?
Reyansh: Bilkul nahi. Main toh tumhari neend ki izzat karta hoon.
Jheel: Bahut achhe boyfriend ho.
Reyansh: Certificate WhatsApp par bhej dena.
Jheel ki taraf se laughing emoji aaya.
Reyansh ne chai ka aakhri sip liya.
Uske din ki shuruaat achhi ho chuki thi.


10:20 AM | Reyansh ka Office
Reyansh apne cabin mein ek presentation review kar raha tha.
Client ke liye agle hafte ka campaign final karna tha. Usne team ko kuch changes bheje aur laptop band karne hi wala tha ki Neha cabin ke darwaze par aa gayi.
"Free ho?"
"Do minute ke liye."
"Bas do minute hi chahiye."
Neha saamne wali chair par baith gayi.
"Kal tum jaldi nikal gaye the."
"Haan."
"Kahin gaye the?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Neha, tum meri colleague ho ya building association ki secretary?"
Neha hans padi.
"Main bas pooch rahi hoon."
"Dinner par gaya tha."
"Kiske saath?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal uski taraf dekha.
"Ek dost ke saath."
Neha ne aankhein chhoti kar li.
"Ladki dost?"
Reyansh ne jawab nahi diya.
Neha ki muskurahat badh gayi.
"Samajh gayi."
"Kya samajh gayi?"
"Ki mujhe ab tumse kuch poochhne ki zaroorat nahi."
Reyansh ne laptop dobara khol liya.
"Great. Toh ab kaam kar lein?"
Neha uthkar darwaze tak gayi, phir palatkar boli, "Waise, tum khush lag rahe ho. Achha hai."
Is baar Reyansh ne mazaak nahi kiya.
"Thanks, Neha."
Neha chali gayi.
Reyansh ne kuch der screen dekhi, phir phone uthaya.
Jheel ko message bhejne ka mann hua.
Reyansh: Lunch kiya?
Jheel: Abhi nahi.
Reyansh: Kyun?
Jheel: Kaam tha.
Reyansh: Khana kha lo. Baaki duniya thodi der ruk sakti hai.
Jheel ne message padha.
Uske chehre par halki si muskurahat aa gayi.
Jheel: Ji, sir.
Reyansh: Good girl.
Jheel: Zyada khush mat ho.
Reyansh: Main toh pehle se khush hoon.
Jheel ne phone rakh diya.
Usne apna lunch nikala aur khana shuru kar diya.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi ka chhota sa message bhi yaad dilata hai ki tumhari fikr karne wala koi hai.


Jheel apne laptop par communication course ka assignment complete kar rahi thi.
Pichhle kuch hafton mein uska confidence kaafi badha tha. Pehle woh English mein koi sentence bolne se pehle kai baar sochti thi. Ab woh galti hone ke darr se rukti nahi thi.
Usne assignment submit kiya aur kursi par peeche tik gayi.
Tabhi phone par Reyansh ka message aaya.
Reyansh: Aaj shaam kya plan hai?
Jheel: Kuch khaas nahi.
Reyansh: Toh walk par chalein?
Jheel ne kuch pal socha.
Jheel: Haan, lekin ek condition hai.
Reyansh: Phir se?
Jheel: Aaj main jagah choose karungi.
Reyansh: Done.
Jheel: Aur tum complain nahi karoge.
Reyansh: Abhi se terms and conditions?
Jheel: Relationship hai, contract nahi. Lekin thodi conditions toh hongi.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Madam, aap location bhejiye. Main haazir ho jaunga.
Jheel ne Bengaluru ke ek lakeside walking area ka naam bhej diya.
Jheel: Saat baje.
Reyansh: Ji, madam.
Jheel ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj usne khud plan banaya tha.
Chhoti si baat thi, lekin uske liye important thi. Woh nahi chahti thi ki unke relationship mein har baar Reyansh hi plans banaye ya saari zimmedari uthaye.
Use apni taraf se bhi kuch karna tha.


Reyansh parking se nikla toh Jheel thodi door khadi uska intezaar kar rahi thi.
Aaj usne light-blue kurti aur white trousers pehne the. Baal khule the aur chehre par shaam ki halki hawa ka asar tha.
Reyansh uske paas aaya.
"Madam, aapne toh poora Bengaluru choose karne ke baad yeh jagah select ki hai."
Jheel muskurayi.
"Achhi hai na?"
"Haan."
"Bas haan?"
Reyansh ne aas-paas dekha.
"Bahut achhi hai."
"Ab theek hai."
Dono lakeside path par chalne lage.
Kuch log jogging kar rahe the, kuch families bench par baithi thi aur door paani par shaam ki roshni pad rahi thi.
Jheel ne kaha, "Mujhe yahan aana pasand hai."
"Akeli aati ho?"
"Kabhi-kabhi. Jab ghar mein zyada der baithne ka mann nahi karta."
Reyansh ne sar hilaya.
"Achhi jagah hai thoda dimaag clear karne ke liye."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tum bhi kabhi akele aate ho?"
"Kabhi. Lekin ab shayad company mil jayegi."
Jheel ne nazrein hata kar muskurahat chhupane ki koshish ki.
"Achha, toh main tumhari walking partner ban gayi?"
"Temporary appointment hai."
"Excuse me?"
"Permanent appointment ke liye application deni padegi."
Jheel ne uske haath par halka sa maara.
"Bahut bolte ho."
Reyansh hans pada.
Phir usne apna haath aage badhaya.
Jheel ne bina kuch kahe uska haath pakad liya.
Dono kuch der khamoshi se chalte rahe.
Is khamoshi mein koi awkwardness nahi thi.
Unhe har pal baat karne ki zaroorat nahi thi.


Kuch der baad dono lake ke paas ek bench par baith gaye.
Jheel ne apne haath mein pakdi water bottle ka dhakkan band kiya.
"Reyansh?"
"Hmm?"
"Ek baat poochhun?"
"Poochho."
"Tum relationship mein sabse important kya samajhte ho?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Sach bolun?"
"Obviously."
"Comfort. Trust. Aur yeh feeling ki saamne wala insaan tumhare saath rehna chahta hai, kisi majboori ki wajah se nahi."
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir usne poochha, "Aur agar kabhi kisi ko apni feelings samajhne mein time lage toh?"
"Toh time dena chahiye."
"Har baar?"
"Jab tak dono log honestly try kar rahe hon."
Jheel ne uski baat dhyan se suni.
"Achha jawab hai."
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Interview khatam?"
"Haan."
"Selection ho gaya?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Abhi probation period chal raha hai."
Reyansh ne seene par haath rakhkar nakli dukh dikhaya.
"Relationship mein bhi probation!"
"Bilkul."
"Yeh toh employment law ke khilaaf hai."
Jheel ki hansi ruk nahi rahi thi.
Reyansh use dekhkar muskurata raha.
Use Jheel ki yeh baat pasand thi ki woh uske saamne apni baat kehne se darti nahi thi.
Aur Jheel ko pasand tha ki Reyansh uski baat ko chhota samajhkar taal nahi deta tha.
Unke beech yahi chhoti-chhoti baatein ek rishta bana rahi thi.


Raat 8:35 PM | Apartment Lobby
Reyansh aur Jheel building mein wapas aaye.
Lift ka intezaar karte hue Jheel apne phone par kuch dekh rahi thi.
Tabhi lobby ke doosre kone se ek awaaz aayi.
"Excuse me! Yeh parcel mera nahi hai."
Gungun delivery counter ke paas khadi thi. Uske haath mein ek medium-sized box tha aur chehre par wahi jaana-pehchaana irritation.
Delivery boy receipt dekh raha tha.
"Madam, address toh yahi hai."
"Address yahi hai, naam mera nahi hai!"
Prakash Bhatia bhi wahan aa gaye.
"Please, lobby mein awaaz mat uthaiye. Aap logon ko building ke rules follow karne chahiye."
Gungun ne unki taraf dekha.
"Mr. Bhatia, parcel mera nahi hai. Main isse apne ghar le jaakar kya karungi?"
Prakash ne chashma theek kiya.
"Main keh raha hoon na, procedure follow kijiye."
Gungun ne thandi saans li.
"Procedure ke naam par aap logon ko aur koi kaam nahi hai?"
Reyansh ne Jheel ki taraf dekha.
Jheel ne dheere se kaha, "Humein beech mein nahi padna chahiye."
"Bilkul," Reyansh ne jawab diya. "Main apni girlfriend ke saath peaceful evening enjoy kar raha hoon. Main apni marzi se kisi aur ke parcel mein kyun padun?"
Jheel ne use kohni maari.
"Chup raho."
Gungun ki nazar un dono par pad gayi.
"Achha! Aap log bhi yahin hain."
Reyansh ne polite smile di.
"Hello, Gungun."
Gungun ne Jheel ko dekha, phir Reyansh ko.
"Kahin ja rahe the?"
"Bas walk se aaye hain," Jheel ne kaha.
Gungun ne box delivery boy ko wapas de diya.
"Isse sahi address par bhejiye. Aur please, agli baar parcel dene se pehle naam check kar liya kijiye."
Woh apna phone uthakar lift ki taraf chal di.
Prakash ab bhi delivery boy ko procedure samjha rahe the.
Reyansh ne dheere se Jheel se kaha, "Dekha? Humari date ka extension lobby mein mil gaya."
Jheel hans padi.
"Har jagah tumhe joke mil jaata hai."
"Talent hai."
Lift aa gayi.
Dono andar chale gaye.
Gungun ka chhota sa scene khatam ho gaya, lekin uske chehre ki irritation ke peeche ki zindagi abhi bhi kahin anjaani thi.


Lift se nikalne ke baad dono apne flats ki taraf badhe.
Jheel ke darwaze ke paas pahunchkar Reyansh ruk gaya.
"Aaj achha laga."
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Mujhe bhi."
"Kal milenge?"
"Kal bhi?"
"Relationship mein daily attendance zaroori hai kya?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Nahi. Lekin kal main busy ho sakti hoon."
Reyansh ne nakli serious expression banaya.
"Samajh gaya. Meri appointment cancel."
"Drama mat karo."
"Main toh bas apne emotions express kar raha hoon."
Jheel ne uska haath pakadkar ek pal ke liye apni taraf kheencha aur uske gaal par kiss kar diya.
"Good night."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir muskuraya.
"Good night, Jheel."
Jheel apne flat mein chali gayi.
Reyansh apne darwaze tak aaya, lekin andar jaane se pehle usne phone check kiya.
Jheel ka message aa chuka tha.
Jheel: Aaj ki walk achhi thi. ❤️
Reyansh: Walking partner ka probation successful?
Jheel: Filhaal.
Reyansh: Main is result ke khilaaf appeal karunga.
Jheel: Kal office jao. Appeal baad mein karna.
Reyansh hans pada.
Phone rakhkar woh andar chala gaya.



Raat 11:16 PM | Reyansh Ka Flat
Reyansh bed par baitha phone dekh raha tha.
Jheel se good night ho chuki thi. Usne alarm set kiya aur phone rakhne hi wala tha ki ek notification aaya.
Unknown Number:
Bengaluru mein sab kuch badal raha hai, ya tum bhi badal rahe ho?
Reyansh ka haath ruk gaya.
Usne message dobara padha.
Number pehchana hua nahi tha.
Kuch mahine pehle bhi ek unknown number se use ajeeb se messages aaye the. Woh us ladki ko nahi pehchaan paaya tha, aur phir messages band ho gaye the.
Usne conversation kholi.
Purane messages wahin the.
Unknown Number: Tum abhi bhi waise hi ho?
Reyansh: Aap kaun hain?
Us waqt koi jawab nahi aaya tha.
Reyansh ne naya message type kiya.
Reyansh: Aap phir se aa gayi?
Message send ho gaya.
Woh kuch der screen dekhta raha.
Koi reply nahi.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakh diya.
"Jo bhi hai, saamne toh aao kabhi," woh dheere se bola.
Usne light band kar di.
Uske paas ab ek naya rishta tha, ek nayi khushi thi aur ek purana sawaal phir se uske phone par laut aaya tha.
Lekin us unknown number ke peeche kaun tha, iska jawab abhi kisi ke paas nahi tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 38


Scene 1: Subah Ka Pehla Attack
Bengaluru | Wednesday | 8:06 AM
Reyansh office ke liye taiyaar ho raha tha, tabhi phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Good morning, Mr. Busy!
Reyansh: Good morning, Miss Missing Me!
Jheel: Maine kab kaha ki main tumhe miss kar rahi hoon?
Reyansh: Tumne nahi kaha. Tumhare message ke timing ne bata diya.
Jheel: Wah! Ab tum messages ka analysis bhi karte ho?
Reyansh: Brand manager hoon, madam. Har cheez ka pattern pakad leta hoon.
Jheel: Achha? Toh mera pattern batao.
Reyansh ne muskurate hue type kiya.
Reyansh: Tum subah good morning bhejogi. Phir poochhogi ki maine breakfast kiya ya nahi. Phir kahogi ki main kaam mein busy rehta hoon. Aur phir khud hi mujhe miss karogi.
Jheel ne message padha aur hansi rokne ki koshish ki.
Jheel: Tum bahut overconfident ho.
Reyansh: Tumhari wajah se.
Jheel: Meri wajah se?
Reyansh: Haan. Girlfriend itni cute ho toh boyfriend ka confidence badh hi jaata hai.
Jheel kuch pal screen dekhti rahi.
Jheel: Subah-subah shuru ho gaye!
Reyansh: Abhi toh sirf trailer hai.
Jheel: Picture cancel kar dungi.
Reyansh: Ticket non-refundable hai, madam.
Jheel zor se hans padi.
Phir usne phone rakh diya aur apne kaam mein lag gayi.
Lekin uske gaalon par aayi muskurahat kuch der tak nahi gayi.
Scene 2: Ek Hug Ki Demand
Shaam 6:25 PM | Flat 303
Reyansh ghar lauta toh kaafi thaka hua tha.
Din bhar meetings aur client revisions ke baad uska dimaag bilkul khaali ho chuka tha. Usne shirt ki sleeves fold ki, sofa par baitha aur aankhein band kar li.
Kuch minute baad doorbell baji.
Darwaza khola toh saamne Jheel thi.
"Hi," usne muskurakar kaha.
Reyansh ke chehre par bhi muskurahat aa gayi.
"Hi, girlfriend ji. Aaj kaise yaad kiya?"
Jheel ne bhaunhein uthayi.
"Matlab main tumse milne bhi nahi aa sakti?"
"Arre, aa sakti ho. Main toh chahta hoon ki tum aati raho."
"Achha?"
"Bilkul. Lekin ek problem hai."
"Kya?"
Reyansh ne apne dono haath thode se khol diye.
"Entry ke saath ek hug free milta hai kya?"
Jheel use dekhti rahi.
Phir hans padi.
"Tumhe har baat mein hug kyun chahiye?"
"Kyuki tumhare hugs kaafi achhe hain."
Jheel ka chehra halka sa laal ho gaya.
"Reyansh!"
"Ji?"
"Darwaza band karo pehle."
Reyansh ek taraf hat gaya. Jheel andar aayi aur usne darwaza band kar diya.
Phir Jheel khud uske paas aayi aur apni baahen uske gird rakh di.
Reyansh ne bhi use pyaar se gale laga liya.
Kuch pal dono waise hi khade rahe.
Koi joke nahi.
Koi teasing nahi.
Bas ek shaant sa hug.
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, "Aaj ka din bahut lamba tha."
Jheel ne uske kandhe par apna sir tikaya.
"Ab kaisa lag raha hai?"
"Better."
"Bas?"
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Kaafi better."
Jheel ne use thoda aur kas kar gale laga liya.
"Toh jab bhi din bura ho, bata dena."
Reyansh ne uske baalon par halka sa haath phera.
"Tum bhi."
Us pal dono ko kisi badi romantic baat ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi apne ke paas khade rehna hi kaafi hota hai.


Kuch der baad dono sofa par baithe the.
Jheel ne phone par ek video dikhaya. Ek ladka apni girlfriend ke liye poora kamra balloons se saja raha tha.
Jheel ne kaha, "Kitna cute hai!"
Reyansh ne video dekha.
"Main bhi tumhare liye aisa kar sakta hoon."
Jheel ne turant uski taraf dekha.
"Sach mein?"
"Haan. Bas ek condition hai."
"Kya?"
"Tum safai karne mein meri help karogi."
Jheel ne cushion uthakar uski taraf badhaya.
"Reyansh!"
Woh hans pada.
"Achha, achha! Main mazaak kar raha hoon."
Jheel ne cushion apni god mein rakh liya.
"Tumhe pata hai, romantic log aise nahi hote."
"Romantic log kaise hote hain?"
"Jo apni girlfriend ke liye kuch special karein."
Reyansh ne use kuch pal dekha.
Phir usne apna haath aage badhaya.
"Idhar aao."
"Kyun?"
"Ek baat batani hai."
Jheel thoda kareeb aayi.
Reyansh ne uska haath pakda aur muskurakar kaha, "Mujhe decoration karna nahi aata. Lekin tumhare liye waqt nikalna aata hai."
Jheel ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
Woh kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Phir usne apna sir uske kandhe par rakh diya.
"Yeh line achhi thi."
"Note kar loon? Agli baar kaam aayegi."
Jheel hans padi.
"Bilkul nahi. Har baar nayi line chahiye."
Reyansh ne gehri saans li.
"Girlfriend rakhna aasaan hai. Girlfriend ko impress karna full-time job hai."
Jheel ne uske kandhe par halka sa mukka maara.
"Resignation allowed nahi hai."
"Contract mein likha tha kya?"
"Ab likh diya."


Raat ko Jheel apne flat mein thi aur Reyansh apne.
Dono ne dinner kar liya tha.
Reyansh: Ghar pahunch gayi, madam?
Jheel: Main toh apne ghar mein hi hoon!
Reyansh: Haan, lekin abhi kuch der pehle mere ghar par thi.
Jheel: Toh?
Reyansh: Toh ab ghar thoda khaali lag raha hai.
Jheel ne message padha.
Uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Jheel: Itni jaldi meri aadat pad gayi?
Reyansh: Tumhe kya lagta hai?
Jheel: Mujhe lagta hai tum bahut filmy ho.
Reyansh: Aur mujhe lagta hai tumhe meri filmy baatein pasand hain.
Jheel: Kisne kaha?
Reyansh: Tum abhi bhi reply kar rahi ho.
Jheel: Main bas tumhari galatfehmi door kar rahi hoon.
Reyansh: Achha. Toh kal milkar door kar dena.
Jheel: Kal kya karoge?
Reyansh ne jaanbujhkar kuch seconds rukkar reply kiya.
Reyansh: Pehle hug. Phir chai. Phir dekhenge madam ka mood kya kehta hai.
Jheel ne takiye mein chehra chhupakar hansi.
Jheel: Tum bahut naughty ho.
Reyansh: Sirf apni girlfriend ke saath.
Jheel: Aur agar girlfriend sharma gayi toh?
Reyansh: Toh usse aur nahi chhedunga.
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir usne likha:
Jheel: Good answer. ❤️
Reyansh ne phone dekha aur muskuraya.
Use Jheel ko chhedna pasand tha, lekin usse bhi zyada zaroori tha ki Jheel uske saath comfortable rahe.
Unki masti tabhi khoobsurat thi jab dono usmein khush hote the.



Raat 10:47 PM
Jheel apne bed par baithi thi.
Usne phone uthaya aur Reyansh ko message kiya.
Jheel: Reyansh?
Reyansh: Haan, bolo.
Jheel: Tum mere saath itna comfortable kaise ho gaye?
Reyansh ne message padha.
Is baar usne turant joke nahi kiya.
Reyansh: Shayad kyunki tumhare saamne mujhe har waqt strong banne ki zaroorat nahi lagti.
Jheel ki ungliyan screen par ruk gayin.
Jheel: Matlab?
Reyansh: Matlab, kabhi din kharab ho toh tumhe bata sakta hoon. Kabhi chup rehna ho toh tumhare saath chup reh sakta hoon. Har waqt entertaining banna zaroori nahi lagta.
Jheel ne message dobara padha.
Jheel: Mere saath bhi aisa hi hai.
Reyansh: Sach?
Jheel: Haan. Tumhare saath mujhe har baat par perfect answer dene ki zaroorat nahi lagti. Galti ho jaaye toh bhi main bol sakti hoon. Aur agar kabhi bas gale lagkar baithna ho, toh woh bhi keh sakti hoon.
Reyansh ke chehre par halki muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Toh kal ek aur hug reserve kar loon?
Jheel: Tum sudharoge nahi.
Reyansh: Tum chahogi bhi nahi.
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: Good night, Mr. Naughty.
Reyansh: Good night, Miss Blushing.
Jheel: Main blush nahi kar rahi!
Reyansh: Maine dekha hi nahi, phir bhi pata hai.
Jheel: Pagal.
Reyansh: Tumhara.
Jheel kuch pal screen dekhti rahi.
Phir usne phone side mein rakh diya aur kambal odh liya.
Uski muskurahat dheere-dheere shaant ho gayi.
Woh khush thi.
Reyansh ke saath use sirf excitement nahi milti thi. Use ek aisa comfort bhi mil raha tha jahan woh apni baat keh sakti thi, hans sakti thi aur kabhi-kabhi bina wajah chup bhi reh sakti thi.
Aur Reyansh ke liye bhi Jheel ke saath bitaye gaye yeh chhote pal uski rozmarra ki zindagi ka ek khoobsurat hissa ban rahe the.
Dono ko abhi bahut kuch seekhna tha.
Lekin filhaal, unke beech pyaar tha, masti thi aur ek-doosre ke paas lautne ki khushi thi.

[Greenwood]

Update 39



Ek Message, Aur Reyansh Ki Smile Gayab Hone Ka Naam Hi Na Le!
Raat ke kareeb 11 baj rahe the.
Bengaluru ki sadkon par gaadiyon ki awaaz ab dheere-dheere kam ho rahi thi. Flat 303 mein Reyansh sofa par aadha letkar phone chala raha tha. TV par koi random show chal raha tha, lekin uska dhyaan screen par kam aur phone par zyada tha.
Kyunki phone par ek khaas insaan online thi.
Jheel ?
Reyansh:
Madam, so gayi kya?
Jheel:
Nahi.
Reyansh:
Achha. Toh reply karne mein itna time kyun laga?
Jheel:
Main tumhari tarah poora din phone lekar nahi baithi rehti.
Reyansh:
Bilkul. Tum toh bas har do minute mein mera last seen check karti ho.
Jheel:
Jhooth!
Reyansh:
Achha ji?
Jheel:
Haan ji.
Reyansh:
Toh abhi mera last seen kya hai?
Kuch seconds tak Jheel ka reply nahi aaya.
Reyansh ke chehre par dheere-dheere shararti muskaan aa gayi.
Phir notification aaya.
Jheel:
Tum bahut irritating ho.
Reyansh:
Aur phir bhi boyfriend main hi hoon. Kya karein, kismat achhi hai tumhari.
Jheel:
Tumhari zyada achhi hai. Itni pyaari girlfriend mili hai.
Reyansh seedha hokar baith gaya.
Reyansh:
Ek minute.
Jheel:
Kya hua?
Reyansh:
Screenshot le raha hoon. Zindagi mein pehli baar tumne meri tareef ki hai.
Jheel:
Rehne do! Delete karo!
Reyansh:
Ab toh family group mein bhejunga.
Jheel:
REYANSH! ?
Woh hans pada.
Uski hansi mein aajkal ek alag hi aasani thi. Use har waqt kisi baat ka jawaab dhoondhne ki zaroorat nahi padti thi. Kabhi-kabhi bas kisi ka message padhkar muskura dena bhi kaafi hota hai.
Phone phir vibrate hua.
Jheel:
Waise…
Reyansh:
Ji, girlfriend sahiba?
Jheel:
Kal miloge?
Reyansh ne bina soche type kiya.
Reyansh:
Kal? Main toh abhi bhi mil sakta hoon.
Jheel:
Raat ke gyarah baje?
Reyansh:
Pyaar mein waqt nahi dekha jaata.
Jheel:
Aur neend?
Reyansh:
Woh tumhare saath aayegi toh so jaaunga.
Jheel ne phone apne chehre ke saamne kar liya.
Jheel:
Tum na… ?
Reyansh:
Main kya?
Jheel:
Tumhari baaton ka koi ilaaj nahi hai.
Reyansh:
Ilaaj mat karwana. Mujhe aisa hi rehne do.
Jheel muskurate hue takiye par gir gayi.
Usne phone side mein rakha, lekin kuch hi seconds baad phir utha liya.
Jheel:
Good night, Mr. Naughty.
Reyansh:
Good night, Miss Blushing.
Jheel:
Main blush nahi karti!
Reyansh:
Achha. Kal milkar check kar lunga.
Is baar Jheel ne reply nahi kiya.
Bas ek red heart bhej diya. ❤️
Aur Reyansh ko laga ki uska din achhe note par khatam hua hai.


Agli Subah: Darwaze Par Jheel, Aur Chehre Par Shararat
Subah Reyansh abhi apni coffee lekar dining table par baitha hi tha ki doorbell baj gayi.
Ding-dong!
Usne darwaza khola.
Saamne Jheel khadi thi. Simple top, jeans, baalon ko dheele se baandha hua, aur chehre par woh seedhi-si muskaan jise dekhkar Reyansh ko aksar shak hota tha ki madam kuch na kuch sochkar aayi hain.
Reyansh ne darwaze se hatne ke bajaye wahin khade rehkar use dekha.
Reyansh:
“Good morning, girlfriend.”
Jheel:
“Good morning.”
Reyansh:
“Bas?”
Jheel:
“Kya bas?”
Reyansh:
“Kal raat toh badi-badi baatein kar rahi thi. Aaj saamne aakar formal good morning?”
Jheel ne aankhein sikodi.
Jheel:
“Tumhe subah-subah kya chahiye?”
Reyansh ne apni baahen halka sa khol di.
Reyansh:
“Ek hug. Aur kuch nahi.”
Jheel ne ek pal use dekha.
Phir bina kuch kahe uske paas aayi aur use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ke chehre par turant muskaan aa gayi. Usne bhi use aaraam se baahon mein le liya.
Kuch seconds tak dono waise hi khade rahe.
Phir Jheel ne dheere se kaha, “Ab chhodoge bhi?”
Reyansh:
“Main toh chhod doon. Dil ko kaise samjhaun?”
Jheel:
“Tumhara dil bahut filmy hai.”
Reyansh:
“Tumhari wajah se hua hai.”
Jheel peeche hati aur uske seene par halki si thapki maari.
Jheel:
“Achha, bas. Mujhe kuch kaam hai.”
Reyansh:
“Kaisa kaam?”
Jheel:
“Tumse milna tha.”
Reyansh ne use dekha.
“Matlab… sirf mujhse milne aayi ho?”
Jheel ne apni muskaan chhupane ki koshish ki.


“Haan. Koi problem?”
“Problem toh hai.”
Uska chehra ekdum badal gaya.
“Kya problem?”
Reyansh uske kareeb jhukkar bola, “Ab roz tumse milne ki aadat pad gayi toh?”
Jheel ke gaal gulaabi ho gaye.
Jheel:
“Tum jaan-boojhkar aisi baatein karte ho!”
Reyansh:
“Bilkul. Mehnat karta hoon apne relationship par.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Tum impossible ho!”
“Lekin tumhare hoon.”
Is baar Jheel ke paas koi funny jawaab nahi tha. Usne bas muskurakar uska haath pakad liya.
Aur Reyansh ne bhi uska haath nahi chhoda.


Jheel kitchen ki taraf badhi toh uski nazar dining table par padi.
Ek coffee mug. Do bread slices. Aur ek plate mein aadha kata hua apple.
Usne Reyansh ko dekha.
Jheel:
“Tumne breakfast kar liya?”
Reyansh:
“Kar raha hoon.”
Jheel:
“Yeh breakfast hai?”
Reyansh:
“Haan. International breakfast.”
Jheel ne plate uthakar dekhi.
“International? Do bread aur aadha apple?”
“Minimalism, madam.”
“Tumhari cooking bhi minimal hogi.”
Reyansh ne seene par haath rakh liya.
“Dil tod diya tumne.”
Jheel ne fridge khola aur andar jhaanka. Kuch basic groceries, doodh, eggs aur kuch vegetables rakhi thi.
Jheel:
“Tum ghar par kuch dhang ka banate bhi ho?”
Reyansh:
“Main bahut kuch banata hoon.”
Jheel:
“Jaise?”
Reyansh:
“Coffee.”
Jheel ne use dekha.
“Bas?”
“Achhi coffee.”
“Reyansh!”
Woh hans pada.
Jheel ne bread toaster mein rakhi aur eggs nikaal liye.
“Baitho. Main bana deti hoon.”
Reyansh kitchen counter ke paas aakar khada ho gaya.
“Ek baat poochun?”
“Poocho.”
“Tum meri girlfriend ho ya meri personal chef?”
Jheel ne spatula uthakar uski taraf ishara kiya.
“Zyada bole toh aaj tumhe sirf coffee milegi.”
Reyansh ne turant dono haath upar kar diye.
“Ji, chef sahiba. Main chup hoon.”
Lekin woh chup rehne waalon mein se tha hi nahi.
Jab Jheel eggs bana rahi thi, usne peeche se kaha, “Waise tum kitchen mein bhi achhi lagti ho.”
Jheel ne palatkar dekha.
“Main har jagah achhi lagti hoon.”
Reyansh do seconds ke liye chup ho gaya.
Phir usne taali baja di.
“Confidence! Wah! Yeh meri girlfriend hai!”
Jheel khud bhi hans padi.
“Tumne hi toh kaha tha ki mujhe apne aap par confidence rakhna chahiye.”
Reyansh ki muskaan thodi naram ho gayi.
“Haan. Aur tum rakh sakti ho.”
Jheel ne plate mein breakfast rakha aur uske saamne rakh diya.
“Lo. Ab khaao.”
Reyansh ne pehla bite liya.
Jheel uske chehre ko dhyaan se dekhne lagi.
“Kaisa hai?”
“Achha hai.”
“Sach?”
“Bahut achha.”
Jheel ke chehre par khushi aa gayi.
Phir Reyansh ne agla sentence bola.
“Ab roz banaogi toh aur practice ho jayegi.”
Jheel ki smile gayab.
“Khud bana lena!”
Reyansh zor se hans pada.
“Arre, mazaak kar raha hoon!”
“Tumhara mazaak kabhi khatam nahi hota?”
“Tumhari smile ke saamne toh bilkul nahi.”
Jheel ne nazrein jhuka li.
Uske liye compliments ab bhi thode naye the. Lekin Reyansh ke saath woh dheere-dheere unse bhaagna band kar rahi thi.


Breakfast ke baad dono living room mein baithe the.
Jheel sofa ke kone par pair sametkar baithi thi, jabki Reyansh uske paas baitha coffee pee raha tha.
“Kal kahaan chalna hai?” Jheel ne poochha.
Reyansh ne cup table par rakha.
“Tum batao.”
“Main?”
“Haan. Har baar main hi plan banaun?”
Jheel kuch der sochti rahi.
“Bookstore?”
“Bookstore?”
“Haan. Mujhe wahan jaana achha lagta hai.”
Reyansh ne sir hila diya.
“Done.”
Jheel ne hairani se use dekha.
“Bas? Tumhe boring nahi lagega?”
“Tumhare saath bookstore boring kaise hoga?”
“Wahan toh bas books hongi.”
Reyansh thoda uski taraf jhuka.
“Aur tum hogi.”
Jheel ne apna chehra haathon se chhupa liya.
“Please! Har baat par flirt karna zaroori hai?”
“Bilkul nahi.”
“Good.”
“Lekin tum saamne ho toh control mushkil hai.”
Jheel ne cushion uthakar uske kandhe par maara.
Reyansh hansne laga.
Phir usne cushion side mein rakha aur Jheel ka haath apne haath mein le liya.
“Sach mein, tum plan banao. Mujhe achha lagta hai jab tum apni pasand batati ho.”
Jheel ki hansi dheere-dheere shaant ho gayi.
“Pehle main itna nahi sochti thi,” usne kaha. “Kahin jaana ho toh lagta tha ki pata nahi doosre ko pasand aayega ya nahi. Phir main apni choice batati hi nahi thi.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Ab bata diya karo.”
“Aur agar tumhe pasand nahi aaya?”
“Toh hum doosra plan bana lenge.”
“Bas itna simple?”
“Har baat ko complicated karna zaroori thodi hai.”
Jheel ne uski ungliyon ko apni ungliyon mein phansa liya.
“Tumhare saath kabhi-kabhi cheezein sach mein simple lagti hain.”


Reyansh ne uske haath par apna angutha dheere se phiraya.
“Achha hai. Mujhe bhi tumhare saath aisa hi lagta hai.”
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Kisi ko kuch prove nahi karna tha. Na koi bada promise, na koi dramatic dialogue.
Bas ek sofa, do coffee mugs aur do log jo ek-doosre ke paas baithkar apne din ka shor bhool sakte the.
Shayad sukoon hamesha kisi badi jagah ya badi khushi mein nahi milta. Kabhi-kabhi woh kisi ke paas chupchaap baithne mein bhi mil jaata hai.


Dopahar ke aas-paas Reyansh ka phone baja.
Screen par naam chamka.
Arshad Calling…
Reyansh ne call uthaya.
Reyansh:
“Haan, bol.”
Arshad:
“Bade busy lag rahe ho aajkal.”
“Kaam hai.”
“Kaam ya koi aur kaam?”
Reyansh ne aankhein band karke gehri saans li.
“Tu seedha baat karega?”
“Main toh seedha hi hoon. Teri awaaz tedhi ho gayi hai.”
Jheel paas baithi apni hansi rokne lagi.
Arshad ne phone par poochha, “Tu akela hai?”
Reyansh ne Jheel ki taraf dekha.
“Ky—”
Jheel ne turant apne hothon par ungli rakhkar use chup rehne ka ishara kiya.
Reyansh ne muskurate hue kaha, “Haan.”
Arshad kuch seconds chup raha.
Phir bola, “Jhooth bolte waqt teri awaaz itni seedhi kyun ho jaati hai?”
Jheel ka control chhoot gaya. Woh hans padi.
Phone ke doosri taraf Arshad ne turant pakad liya.
“Ek minute! Yeh hansi kiski thi?”
Reyansh ne maatha pakad liya.
“TV chal raha hai.”
“Achha? TV par ladkiyan bhi hansne lagi hain?”
Jheel ne apna chehra cushion ke peeche chhupa liya.
Arshad ki awaaz mein shararat badh gayi.
“Reyansh sahab, Bengaluru mein hawa badal gayi hai ya aapki zindagi?”
“Tu apna kaam kar.”
“Kar raha hoon. Lekin ab samajh aaya ki tu phone par itna kyun muskura raha tha.”
Reyansh ne call khatam karne ke liye phone kaatne ka natak kiya.
Arshad turant bola, “Achha sun! Ek freelance client ka kaam mil sakta hai. Proposal bhejna hai. Shaam ko baat karte hain.”
Reyansh ka andaaz turant normal ho gaya.
“Sure. Details bhej dena. Main dekh lunga.”
“Wah! Kaam ki baat par asli Reyansh wapas aa gaya.”
“Arshad…”
“Achha, achha. Ja. Apna international breakfast kha.”
Call kat gaya.
Jheel zor se hans padi.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
“Bahut maza aa raha hai?”
“Bahut!”
“Achha. Toh ab tumhe bhi ek naam diya jaayega.”
Jheel ne bhaunhein utha di.
“Kya naam?”
Reyansh:
“Mrs. International Breakfast.”
Jheel ne cushion seedha uske chehre par maar diya.
“Tum bilkul pagal ho!”
Aur Reyansh ke liye shayad yahi us dopahar ka sabse achha pal tha.



Kuch der baad Jheel ko apne flat mein jaana tha.
Woh darwaze ke paas khadi hokar apna bag theek kar rahi thi, jab Reyansh uske paas aaya.
“Kal bookstore pakka?”
Jheel ne sir hila diya.
“Pakka.”
“Time?”
“Shaam ko.”
“Kitne baje?”
“Reyansh, hum mil rahe hain. Court hearing nahi hai.”
Woh hans pada.
“Bas schedule clear kar raha hoon.”
Jheel ne darwaza khola, lekin jaane se pehle ruk gayi.
“Ek baat kahun?”
“Bolo.”
“Tum jab mere saath hote ho na… toh mujhe har waqt kuch bolna zaroori nahi lagta.”
Reyansh ki shararat bhari muskaan dheere se halki ho gayi.
Jheel ne baat aage badhai.
“Main chup bhi rahun, toh tumhe lagta nahi ki main bore ho rahi hoon. Aur main kuch galat bol doon toh tum mera mazaak udaate ho, lekin mujhe bura feel nahi hota.”
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, “Kabhi-kabhi toh tum khud hi mujhe mauka deti ho.”
Jheel ne aankhein ghumayi.
“Main serious hoon!”
“Achha, sorry. Bolo.”
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
“Bas… thank you.”
“Kis liye?”
“Pata nahi. Mere saath aise rehne ke liye.”
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir usne dheere se use apni baahon mein le liya.
Is baar hug mein koi naughty line nahi thi. Koi teasing nahi. Koi jaldi nahi.
Jheel ne apna sar uske kandhe par rakh diya.
Reyansh ne uski peeth par pyaar se haath phiraya.
“Thank you tum bhi,” usne dheere se kaha.
Jheel ne sar uthaya.
“Kis liye?”
“Tumhare saath main har waqt funny banne ki koshish nahi karta. Kabhi chup rehne ka mann ho toh chup reh sakta hoon.”
Jheel ki aankhon mein ek naram si chamak aa gayi.
“Tum chup bhi reh sakte ho?”
Reyansh ne use dekha.
“Ek minute pehle emotional moment tha. Tumne khud barbaad kiya.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Sorry, Mr. Naughty.”
“Maafi tab milegi jab ek aur hug milega.”
“Tumhari demands kabhi khatam nahi hongi?”
“Relationship mein negotiation zaroori hai.”
Jheel ne muskurate hue use dobara gale laga liya.
“Lo. Ab khush?”
Reyansh ne use baahon mein sambhalte hue kaha, “Kaafi.”


“Kaafi?”
“Kal bookstore ke baad review dunga.”
Jheel ne use peeche se halki si thapki maari aur darwaze se bahar nikal gayi.
“Bye, Reyansh!”
“Bye, girlfriend!”
Darwaza band hone se pehle Jheel ne palatkar use ek flying kiss di.
Reyansh ek second ke liye wahin khada reh gaya.
Phir usne hawa mein kiss pakadne ka natak kiya aur apne seene par haath rakh liya.
“Gaya main.”
Flat mein ab phir se khamoshi thi.
Lekin is baar khamoshi khaali nahi lag rahi thi.
Reyansh ne darwaza band kiya aur muskurate hue apne phone ki taraf badha.
Uski screen par ek naya message aaya tha.
Unknown Number:
Lagta hai aajkal aapke paas muskurane ki wajah hai.
Reyansh ki muskaan ek pal ke liye ruk gayi.
Usne message dobara padha.
Phir type kiya.
Reyansh:
Aapko meri muskurahat se itni dilchaspi kyun hai?
Message deliver ho gaya.
Is baar saamne se turant reply nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya.
Woh abhi us paheli ko suljhaane ke mood mein nahi tha.
Aaj uske paas ek bookstore date thi, ek shararti girlfriend thi, aur ek aisi shaanti thi jise woh bina naam diye bhi pehchaan sakta tha.
Usne coffee ka aakhri sip liya.
Aur khud se kaha:
“Filhaal, itna kaafi hai.”

[Greenwood]

Update 40


Shaam ke chaar baj rahe the.
Jheel apne flat mein almari ke saamne khadi thi. Bed par do outfits rakhe hue the. Ek simple kurti aur jeans, doosra ek casual top aur trousers.
Usne pehle outfit ko dekha, phir doosre ko.
“Bookstore hi toh jaana hai,” usne khud se kaha. “Koi fashion show nahi.”
Phir bhi usne doosra outfit uthaya.
Kuch der baad mirror ke saamne khadi hokar baal theek kiye, aankhon mein halka sa kajal lagaya aur lip balm laga liya.
Phone par message aaya.
Reyansh:
Madam, taiyaar hain ya bookstore band hone ka wait kar rahi hain?
Jheel:
Main time par hoon.
Reyansh:
Tumhare time par ya duniya ke time par?
Jheel:
Main aa rahi hoon. Zyada smart mat bano.
Reyansh:
Boyfriend hoon. Thoda smart toh hona padega.
Jheel muskura di.
Usne bag uthaya aur darwaza band karne se pehle ek baar mirror mein khud ko dekha.
“Bas bookstore jaana hai,” usne phir kaha.
Lekin is baar uski muskaan kuch aur keh rahi thi.


Reyansh building lobby ke paas khada phone dekh raha tha.
Aaj usne casual shirt aur jeans pehni thi. Baal usual se thode zyada set the, aur chehre par woh confident expression tha jo Jheel ko dekhte hi shararat mein badal jaata tha.
Jheel lift se bahar aayi.
Reyansh ne phone neeche kiya.
Kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Jheel uske saamne aakar ruk gayi.
“Kya hua?”
“Ek problem hai.”
Jheel ka chehra serious ho gaya. “Kya problem?”
Reyansh ne halka sa sir tedha kiya.
“Tum itni achhi lag rahi ho ki ab mujhe bookstore jaane ka mann nahi kar raha.”
Jheel ne aankhein ghumayi.
“Tumhe toh waise bhi books padhne ka mann nahi karta.”
“Dekho, personal attack mat karo.”
“Sach bol rahi hoon.”
Reyansh uske paas aaya aur dheere se bola, “Achha, toh aaj tum mujhe books padhne ki aadat lagwaogi?”
“Pehle tum ek page bina phone dekhe padh lena. Phir aage sochenge.”
“Ek page?”
“Haan.”
“Tum bahut demanding girlfriend ho.”
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
“Chalo, Mr. Complaining Boyfriend.”
Reyansh ne unke haathon ki taraf dekha, phir uski taraf.
“Yeh toh achha hai.”
“Kya?”
“Tum ab khud mera haath pakadne lagi ho.”
Jheel ne uska haath chhodne ka natak kiya.
Reyansh ne turant uski ungliyan dobara thaam li.
“Arre, mazaak kar raha tha!”
Dono hanste hue parking ki taraf chal diye.


Bookstore zyada bheed-bhaad wala nahi tha.
Andar halki music chal rahi thi. Shelves par novels, biographies, self-help books aur travel guides lagi hui thi. Ek kone mein chhota sa reading area tha, jahan kuch log coffee lekar baithe padh rahe the.
Jheel andar aate hi thodi khush ho gayi.
Uski nazar alag-alag shelves par ghoomne lagi.
Reyansh ne uska chehra dekha.
“Tumhe sach mein yahan aana pasand hai?”
Jheel ne sir hila diya.
“Bahut.”
“Yahan itni saari books hain. Tum decide kaise karti ho ki kaunsi padhni hai?”
“Jo book mujhe apni taraf kheenchti hai.”
Reyansh ne ek shelf se book nikali.
“Yeh mujhe kheench rahi hai.”
Jheel ne cover dekha.
“Yeh toh cooking ki book hai.”
“Tumhare liye research kar raha hoon.”
Jheel ne book uske haath se le li.
“Tumhe cooking seekhne ki zaroorat hai.”
“Main seekh lunga. Lekin tum teacher banogi.”
“Main kyun?”
“Tumhe mere saath rehna hai na? Toh meri training bhi tumhari responsibility hai.”
Jheel ne book shelf par rakh di.
“Tumhare saath rehne ka contract kab sign kiya maine?”
Reyansh ne ek second ke liye uski taraf dekha.
Phir uski muskaan naram ho gayi.
“Abhi toh bas girlfriend-boyfriend ka contract hai.”
Jheel ke gaal gulaabi ho gaye.
“Tum har baat ka kuch aur matlab nikaal lete ho.”
“Main? Bilkul nahi.”
“Jhooth.”
“Proof?”
Jheel ne uski taraf ungli dikhayi.
“Yeh jo tumhare chehre par smile hai na, wahi proof hai.”
Reyansh hans pada.
“Madam, aap mujhe bahut achhe se samajhne lagi hain.”
Jheel ne shelf se ek novel nikali.
“Tumse bachne ke liye zaroori hai.”


Kuch der baad Jheel ek shelf ke saamne ruk gayi.
Usne ek novel uthayi aur pichhle cover par likha description padhne lagi.
Reyansh uske paas aa khada hua.
“Kaunsi hai?”
“Ek relationship story.”
“Happy ending?”
“Abhi nahi pata.”
“Toh phir kyun padhogi?”
Jheel ne use dekha.
“Har kahani sirf ending ke liye thodi padhi jaati hai. Kabhi-kabhi safar bhi achha lagta hai.”
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir bola, “Yeh line achhi thi.”
Jheel muskurayi.
“Book ki line hai.”
“Lekin tumne boli.”
Usne novel apne haath mein le li.
“Tum har baat ko compliment mein kyun badal dete ho?”
“Talent hai.”
“Overconfidence hai.”
“Dono mein farq bahut kam hai.”
Jheel hans padi.
Woh reading area ki taraf badhe aur ek table par baith gaye. Jheel novel ke kuch pages padhne lagi, jabki Reyansh saamne baithkar use dekh raha tha.
Kuch der baad Jheel ne nazar uthayi.
“Tum padh kyun nahi rahe?”
“Padh raha hoon.”
“Kya?”
“Tumhare expressions.”
Jheel ne book band kar di.
“Reyansh!”
“Achha, achha. Ab sach mein padhta hoon.”
Usne saamne rakhi ek book kholi.
Do minute baad usne phone nikaal liya.
Jheel ne bina kuch kahe apna haath aage badhaya.
Reyansh ne phone uske haath mein de diya.
“Yeh kya?”
“Phone confiscated.”
“Madam, main adult hoon.”
“Lekin harkatein collegeboy wali hain.”
Reyansh ne kursi par peeche hote hue kaha, “Mujhe apne hi relationship mein freedom nahi mil rahi.”
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tumhe freedom bahut pasand hai na?”
Reyansh ki muskaan ek pal ke liye halki pad gayi.
Usne Jheel ki taraf dekha, phir aaraam se kaha, “Haan. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki main har waqt akela rehna chahta hoon.”
Jheel ka expression badal gaya.
Reyansh ne baat ko bhaari nahi banaya. Usne bas saamne rakhi book kholi.
“Kabhi-kabhi achha lagta hai ki koi paas baitha ho. Apni book padh raha ho, aur tum apni. Har waqt baat karna bhi zaroori nahi.”
Jheel ne kuch nahi kaha.
Bas apni kursi thodi uski taraf kar li.
Phir usne novel dobara khol li.
Kuch der dono chupchaap padhte rahe.
Aur is baar Reyansh ne phone nahi nikala.


Bookstore ke andar hi chhota sa café tha.
Dono coffee lekar khidki ke paas wali table par baith gaye.
Jheel apni coffee mein sugar mila rahi thi, jab Reyansh ne poochha, “Ek baat batao.”
“Haan?”
“Tum mujhe pehli baar kab pasand karne lagi thi?”
Jheel ka haath ruk gaya.
“Yeh achanak kya sawaal hai?”
“Boyfriend hoon. Kuch rights toh hain.”
“Tumhe har baat ka answer chahiye?”
“Har baat ka nahi. Bas important baaton ka.”
Jheel kuch der sochti rahi.
“Shayad jab mujhe laga ki tum mere saamne mujhe impress karne ki koshish nahi karte.”
Reyansh ne bhaunhein utha di.
“Main toh tumhe roz impress karta hoon.”
“Woh toh ab karte ho.”
“Pehle nahi karta tha?”
“Pehle tum bas… tum the.”
Reyansh ne coffee ka sip liya.
“Yeh compliment tha ya insult?”
“Tum decide kar lo.”
Woh hans pada.
“Ab meri baari. Tumhe kya lagta hai, main tumhe kab pasand karne laga?”
Jheel ne turant jawab diya, “Jab tumhe pata chala ki main tumhare next-door flat mein rehti hoon.”
“Galat.”
“Jab tumne pehli baar meri help ki?”
“Galat.”
“Jab humne pehli baar saath time spend kiya?”
Reyansh ne sar hila diya.
“Tumhe yaad hai jab tum kisi baat par nervous ho jaati thi aur phir bhi koshish karti thi?”
Jheel ne use dekha.
“Tumhe woh yaad hai?”
“Of course.”
“Lekin woh toh koi badi baat nahi thi.”
“Har important cheez badi nahi hoti, Jheel.”
Uske chehre par ek shaant muskaan aa gayi.
“Tum kabhi-kabhi bahut achhi baat kar lete ho.”
Reyansh ne turant coffee table par rakh di.
“Screenshot le loon? Tumne doosri baar tareef ki hai!”
Jheel hans padi.
“Tumhara kuch nahi ho sakta.”
“Tum ho na. Tum dekh lena.”
Jheel ne uske haath par apna haath rakh diya.
“Dekh lungi.”


Udhar Arshad apne office ke baad ek café mein baitha laptop par kaam kar raha tha.
Uske saamne ek freelance project ka brief khula hua tha. Client ko ek naye lifestyle brand ke liye campaign concept chahiye tha.
Arshad ne do ideas likhe, phir teesra.
Usne pehla draft padha aur khud hi sar hila diya.
“Yeh toh client ko bhi samajh nahi aayega.”
Usne lines delete kar di.
Phir phone uthakar Reyansh ko message bheja.
Arshad:
Proposal ka brief bhej diya. Jab free ho dekh lena.
Kuch hi der mein Reyansh ka reply aa gaya.
Reyansh:
Bhej. Aaj raat dekhunga.
Arshad ne laptop band nahi kiya.
Woh kuch seconds screen ko dekhta raha.
Agency ki job uske liye buri nahi thi, lekin use lagta tha ki woh sirf doosron ke ideas ko polish karte-karte apne ideas ko peeche chhod raha hai.
Freelance kaam shuru karna aasaan nahi tha. Time bhi chahiye tha aur risk bhi tha.
Lekin pehli baar usne sirf sochne ke bajaye kuch karna shuru kiya tha.
Usne document save kiya.
Campaign_Concept_Draft_01
Phir khud se kaha, “Chalo, Arshad miyaan. Dekhte hain tumhare lafzon mein kitna dum hai.”
Usne laptop dobara khol liya.
Is baar woh kaam ke liye baitha tha, sirf waqt guzaarne ke liye nahi.


Bookstore se nikalte waqt Jheel ne ek shelf ke saamne rukkar apni book haath mein pakdi.
“Reyansh, ek photo lein?”
Reyansh ne turant phone nikaal liya.
“Finally! Meri girlfriend ko yaad aaya ki boyfriend ke saath photos bhi leni chahiye.”
“Tum har baat par commentary kyun karte ho?”
“Natural talent.”
Jheel uske paas khadi ho gayi.
Reyansh ne phone upar kiya.
Pehli photo mein Jheel camera ki taraf dekh rahi thi aur Reyansh uski taraf.
Doosri mein dono hans rahe the.
Teesri photo mein Jheel ne jaan-boojhkar funny face banaya.
Reyansh ne phone dekhkar kaha, “Yeh wali delete karo.”
“Nahi!”
“Main ismein ajeeb lag raha hoon.”
“Tum hamesha aise hi lagte ho.”
Reyansh ne use hairani se dekha.
Jheel hansne lagi.
“Achha, sorry!”
“Ab tumhari photos ka bhi badla liya jaayega.”
Usne ek aur photo kheench li, jab Jheel hans rahi thi.
Is baar Jheel ne phone lene ki koshish nahi ki.
Usne photo dekhi aur muskurayi.
“Yeh achhi hai.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Haan. Yeh wali rehne dete hain.”
Bookstore ke bahar aakar dono kuch der khade rahe.
Jheel ne apni book bag mein rakhi.
“Thank you. Aaj achha laga.”
Reyansh ne kaha, “Mujhe bhi.”
“Sach?”
“Jheel, agar mujhe achha nahi lagta toh main tumhe batata.”
Usne ek pal rukkar kaha, “Main chahta hoon ki hum dono ek-doosre ke saath apni pasand ki cheezein share karein. Sirf isliye nahi ki saamne wala khush ho jaaye. Balki isliye ki hum ek-doosre ki duniya ko thoda aur samajh sakein.”
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
“Phir agle weekend meri choice.”
“Done.”
“Is baar main decide karungi ki kahaan jaana hai.”
“Done.”
“Aur tum complain nahi karoge.”
Reyansh ne sochne ka natak kiya.
“Is condition par ek clause add karna padega.”
“Kya?”
“Har date ke end mein ek hug compulsory.”
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, “Yeh clause pehle se approved hai.”
Reyansh ne use dekha.
“Achha?”
“Haan.”
“Phir toh contract kaafi achha hai.”
Jheel hans padi aur uske kareeb aakar use gale laga liya.
Sadak par log apni-apni manzil ki taraf ja rahe the. Gaadiyon ki awaaz, dukaanon ki roshni aur shehar ki roz ki bhaag-daud unke aas-paas thi.
Lekin us chhote se hug mein dono ko kuch der ke liye kahin aur jaane ki zaroorat nahi thi.


Raat ko apne flat mein lautkar Reyansh ne bookstore wali photos dekhin.
Ek photo par uski nazar ruk gayi.
Jheel hans rahi thi. Uski aankhon mein woh khulapan tha jo Reyansh ko uske saath waqt bitaate hue dheere-dheere dikhne laga tha.
Usne photo Jheel ko bhej di.
Reyansh:
Yeh meri favourite hai.
Jheel:
Ismein main hans rahi hoon.
Reyansh:
Exactly.
Jheel:
Tumhe meri hansi itni pasand hai?
Reyansh:
Tumhari hansi, tumhari baatein, tumhara mujhe daantna…
Jheel:
Aur?
Reyansh:
Tumhara mujhe hug karna.
Jheel ne message padha aur muskura di.
Jheel:
Tumhari list bahut lambi hai.
Reyansh:
Abhi toh shuru ki hai.
Jheel:
Good night, naughty boy.
Reyansh:
Good night, pretty girl. Kal milte hain?
Jheel:
Kal bhi?
Reyansh:
Problem?
Jheel:
Nahi. Bas pooch rahi thi.
Reyansh:
Toh phir kal bhi.
Jheel ne ek heart bheja.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakha aur sofa par aaraam se baith gaya.
Kuch hi pal baad phone phir vibrate hua.
Wahi unknown number.
Unknown Number:
Kabhi socha hai, kuch log zindagi mein aakar humein badal dete hain?
Reyansh ne message padha.
Usne kuch der socha, phir jawab diya.
Reyansh:
Haan. Lekin har badlaav bura nahi hota.
Is baar reply jaldi aaya.
Unknown Number:
Aur har achha lagne wala badlaav hamesha rehta bhi nahi.
Reyansh ki ungliyan screen par ruk gayin.
Usne reply type kiya, phir mita diya.
Dobara type kiya.
Reyansh:
Aap kehna kya chahti hain?
Message deliver ho gaya.
Kuch seconds.
Ek minute.
Phir paanch minute.
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone lock kar diya.
Woh aaj apni khushi ko kisi anjaan sawaal ke hawale nahi karna chahta tha.
Usne Jheel ki bheji hui heart emoji dobara dekhi.
Aur uske chehre par halki si muskaan laut aayi.

[Greenwood]

Update 41



Subah ke kareeb 10 baje Reyansh apne office ke liye nikalne ki taiyaari kar raha tha.
Shirt ki sleeves fold karte hue usne phone uthaya aur Arshad ko message bheja.
Reyansh:
Bhai, aaj shaam free hai?
Arshad ka reply kuch hi seconds mein aa gaya.
Arshad:
Paise udhaar chahiye ya emotional support?
Reyansh:
Tujhse dono nahi chahiye.
Arshad:
Toh phir zaroor koi serious baat hai. Bol, kya hua?
Reyansh:
Shaam ko mil. Dinner karte hain.
Arshad:
Tu aur main?
Reyansh:
Nahi, main aur tera laptop.
Arshad:
Badtameez. Time aur location bhej.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne phone rakh diya, lekin phir kuch sochkar Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh:
Madam, aaj shaam ka kya plan hai?
Jheel:
Abhi toh koi plan nahi hai.
Reyansh:
Dinner par chalogi?
Jheel:
Tumhare saath?
Reyansh:
Nahi, restaurant ke waiter ke saath.
Jheel:
Reyansh! ?
Reyansh:
Haan, mere saath. Aur ek dost bhi hoga.
Jheel kuch pal ruki.
Jheel:
Kaunsa dost?
Reyansh:
Arshad. College ka dost hai. Bahut bolta hai, lekin dil ka achha hai.
Jheel:
Tumhari tarah?
Reyansh:
Main toh limited edition hoon.
Jheel:
Achha ji.
Phir Jheel ka ek aur message aaya.
Jheel:
Theek hai. Milte hain.
Reyansh ne smile karte hue reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Good. Waise woh meri taang kheenchne mein expert hai.
Jheel:
Toh main bhi tumhari kheench lungi. Competition barabar ka rahega.
Reyansh ne phone ki screen dekhi aur muskura diya.
Madam abhi se Arshad ki team mein jaane ki taiyaari kar rahi hain.


Dopahar ko office mein lunch break ke waqt Arshad ka phone baja.
Reyansh calling.
Arshad ne call uthaya.
Arshad:
“Haan, bol. Restaurant book kar diya?”
Reyansh:
“Kar dunga. Ek baat aur hai.”
Arshad:
“Ab kya? Teri shaadi ki date bhi bata de, main calendar block kar loon?”
Reyansh kuch seconds chup raha.
Phir seedha bola, “Meri girlfriend hai.”
Doosri taraf khamoshi chha gayi.
Arshad ne phone screen dekhi, jaise use yakeen hi nahi hua ho ki call sach mein Reyansh ka hai.
“Ek minute.”
“Kya?”
“Tu dobara bol.”
“Girlfriend hai meri.”
Arshad ne kursi par seedha baithkar kaha, “Bhai, network toh theek hai na? Teri awaaz aa rahi hai, lekin baat samajh nahi aa rahi.”
Reyansh hans pada.
“Drama band kar.”
“Drama main kar raha hoon? Tu itne mahino se single-life ka brand ambassador bana ghoom raha tha!”
“Main abhi bhi apni life enjoy kar raha hoon.”
“Achha! Toh madam ka naam kya hai?”
“Jheel.”
Arshad ne naam dohraya.
“Jheel…”
Phir uski awaaz thodi naram ho gayi.
“Achha naam hai.”
“Haan.”
“Kab se?”
“Kuch time se mil rahe the. Ab relationship mein hain.”
Arshad kuch pal chup raha, phir bola, “Aur tune mujhe ab bataya?”
Reyansh ne khidki se bahar dekha.
“Yaar, pehle sab naya tha. Khud bhi samajh raha tha ki kya feel kar raha hoon. Ab laga tujhe bata dena chahiye.”
Arshad ne halki si saans chhodi.
“Samajh gaya.”
Phir agle hi second uski awaaz badal gayi.
“Lekin ek baat bata, bhai. Girlfriend banne ke baad tu aur zyada irritating toh nahi ho gaya?”
Reyansh hans pada.
“Tu shaam ko mil. Khud pata chal jayega.”
“Milunga zaroor. Mujhe apni hone wali bhabhi se milna hai.”
“Bhabhi nahi. Jheel.”
“Achha, achha. Jheel bhabhi.”
“Arshad!”
“Bas kar, khush hoon tere liye!”
Is baar Reyansh chup ho gaya.
Arshad ne uski khamoshi samajh li.
“Sach bol raha hoon, Rey. Achha laga sunke.”
Reyansh ne halki si muskaan ke saath kaha, “Thanks, bhai.”
“Ab emotional mat kar. Restaurant achha hona chahiye. Main apni izzat ka sawaal samajhkar aaunga.”
“Tu bas time par aa jaana.”
“Woh toh main aa jaunga. Dekhna hai teri girlfriend kitni himmatwali hai jo tujhe jhel rahi hai.”
Call katne se pehle dono hans pade.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya.
Usne apne dost ko apni zindagi ka ek naya hissa bata diya tha.
Aur use achha lag raha tha.


Shaam hone se kuch pehle Arshad apne apartment mein tha, jab uska phone vibrate hua.
Screen par naam tha:
Sakshi ❤️
Usne call uthaya.
“Madam! Aakhirkaar yaad aa hi gayi meri?”
Doosri taraf se Sakshi ki hansi sunayi di.
“Hello to you too, Arshad.”
“Business trip kaisi rahi?”
“Kaafi hectic. Meetings, deadlines, travel. Ab ghar aakar bas aaraam karna hai.”
“Good. Toh main tumhe aaraam karne deta hoon.”
Sakshi ne turant kaha, “Tum kuch chhupa rahe ho.”
Arshad hans pada.
“Main? Kabhi nahi.”
“Arshad.”
“Achha, sun. Aaj shaam dinner ka plan hai. Reyansh ke saath.”
“Reyansh? Tumhara college wala dost?”
“Haan.”
“Kaafi time se tum dono ki proper meeting nahi hui.”
“Is baar ek khaas wajah hai.”
Sakshi ki awaaz mein dilchaspi aa gayi.
“Kaisi wajah?”
Arshad ne jaan-boojhkar ek second rukkar kaha, “Reyansh ki girlfriend hai.”
Sakshi kuch pal chup rahi.
“Really?”
“Ji haan. Mere dost ki zindagi mein romance aa chuka hai aur mujhe khabar aaj mili hai.”
Sakshi hans padi.
“Tum log bhi na!”
“Ab tum bhi aa jao. Chaar log milkar dinner karenge.”
Sakshi ne apne schedule ke baare mein socha.
“Main aa sakti hoon. Bas mujhe thoda fresh hone ka time chahiye.”
“Bilkul. Main location bhej deta hoon.”
Call khatam hone ke baad Arshad ne Reyansh ko message kiya.
Arshad:
Ek update hai. Sakshi bhi aa rahi hai.
Reyansh:
Perfect. Jheel ko bhi bata deta hoon.
Arshad:
Aur haan, aaj main tum dono ki love story ka interview loonga.
Reyansh:
Pehle apni love story sambhaal.
Arshad:
Woh toh sambhali hui hai, mere sher.
Arshad ne message bhejkar phone rakh diya.
Sakshi wapas aa gayi thi.
Aur uske aane se shaam ka plan ab sirf do doston ki mulaqat nahi raha tha.


Shaam ke kareeb 8 baje restaurant ki lights jal chuki thi.
Jagah zyada shor-sharaabe wali nahi thi. Warm lighting, comfortable seating aur halki music ke beech chaar logon ke dinner ke liye ek achha sa table reserve tha.
Reyansh pehle pahunch gaya tha.
Kuch minute baad Jheel aayi.
Usne use dekhte hi haath hilaya.
Reyansh khada hua aur uske paas aaya.
“Hi, girlfriend.”
“Hi.”
“Ready?”
Jheel ne restaurant ki taraf dekha.
“Thodi nervous hoon.”
Reyansh ne hairani se poochha, “Kyun?”
“Pata nahi. Tumhare dost se pehli baar mil rahi hoon.”
Reyansh ne uska haath pakad liya.
“Jheel, Arshad koi interview panel nahi hai. Woh bas bahut bolta hai.”
“Tum bhi toh bahut bolte ho.”
“Haan, lekin main charming hoon.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Chalo, Mr. Charming.”
Dono table ki taraf badhe.
Arshad abhi nahi aaya tha, lekin kuch hi der mein woh restaurant ke entrance par dikhai diya. Uske saath Sakshi bhi thi.
Arshad ne door se hi Reyansh ko dekhkar haath hilaya.
“Rey!”
Reyansh khada hua.
Dono dost gale mile.
Arshad ne use peeche hatkar dekha.
“Bhai, tu toh sach mein khush lag raha hai!”
Reyansh ne uske kandhe par haath maara.
“Ab shuru mat ho jaana.”
“Main toh abhi warm-up kar raha hoon.”
Phir Arshad ki nazar Jheel par gayi.
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, “Jheel, yeh Arshad. College ke time se dost hai. Aur Arshad, yeh Jheel.”
Arshad ne friendly smile ke saath haath badhaya.
“Hi, Jheel. Aakhirkaar mil hi liye.”
Jheel ne haath milaya.
“Hi. Reyansh ne aapke baare mein bataya hai.”
Arshad ne turant Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
“Achha? Kya bataya? Sirf achhi baatein ya meri asli personality bhi?”
Jheel muskurayi.
“Usne kaha tha aap bahut bolte hain.”
Arshad ne apne seene par haath rakh liya.
“Bas? Itni si information? Reyansh, yeh toh meri personality ka sirf introduction hai!”
Jheel hans padi.
Reyansh ne chair kheenchkar uske liye rakhi.
“Baitho, warna yeh apni autobiography shuru kar dega.”
Arshad bhi baithte hue bola, “Autobiography ka title hoga: Ek Dost, Ek Girlfriend Aur Ek Bewakoof Reyansh.”
“Bewakoof kaun?” Reyansh ne poochha.
Arshad ne seedhe uski taraf ungli kar di.
“Tu.”
Jheel ki hansi chhoot gayi.
Aur Reyansh ne mann hi mann socha ki shayad dono ko ek saath laana galti nahi thi.



Introductions ke baad Arshad ne Sakshi ki taraf ishara kiya.
“Jheel, yeh Sakshi. Meri girlfriend, meri critic aur meri unpaid life consultant.”
Sakshi ne use dekha.
“Unpaid? Pichhle hafte tumne mujhse apne client ka proposal review karwaya tha.”
Arshad ne turant kaha, “Woh relationship ka benefit tha.”
“Relationship ka benefit nahi, meri mehnat thi.”
Jheel hans padi.
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha aur muskurayi.
“Tum iski baaton mein mat aana. Yeh har cheez ko joke bana deta hai.”
Jheel ne Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
“Yeh bhi.”
Reyansh ne hairani se kaha, “Main? Main toh bahut serious insaan hoon.”
Chaaron ek saath hans pade.
Dinner order karne ke baad Sakshi aur Jheel ki baat shuru ho gayi.
“Tum Bengaluru mein kab se ho?” Sakshi ne poochha.
Jheel ne apne baare mein basic baatein batayin. Shehar mein rehna, apni routine, aur apni pasand ki kuch cheezein.
Sakshi dhyaan se sunti rahi.
“Achha hai. Naye shehar mein apni jagah banana aasaan nahi hota.”
Jheel ne sir hila diya.
“Haan. Kabhi-kabhi thoda waqt lagta hai.”
“Lekin jab achhe log mil jaate hain, toh shehar thoda apna lagne lagta hai.”
Jheel ne anjaane mein Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
Sakshi ne uski nazar pakad li aur muskurayi.
“Samajh gayi.”
Jheel ne turant nazrein hata li.
“Kya?”
“Kuch nahi.”
Arshad ne saamne se awaaz lagayi, “Sakshi, tum Jheel ko mere khilaaf toh nahi kar rahi?”
Sakshi ne bina palte jawab diya, “Abhi toh introduction chal raha hai. Chargesheet baad mein banegi.”
Reyansh ne table par ungliyon se halki tapping ki.
“Arshad, mujhe lagta hai aaj hum dono minority mein hain.”
Arshad ne uski taraf dekha.
“Kaise?”
“Yeh dono mil gayin na, toh humari sunwai band.”
Sakshi ne muskurakar kaha, “Tumhe pehle se aadat daal leni chahiye.”
Jheel ne dheere se Reyansh ke kaan ke paas kaha, “Tumhare dost ki girlfriend kaafi smart hai.”
Reyansh ne bhi dheere se jawab diya, “Abhi toh tumne trailer dekha hai.”


Khaana aane ke baad baat-cheet kuch der chaaron ke beech chalti rahi.
Phir Sakshi aur Jheel menu ke ek dessert ko lekar baat karne lagin, toh Arshad ne Reyansh ko mauka dekhkar side mein kheench liya.
“Achha, ab sach-sach bata.”
“Kya?”
“Jheel ke saath sab kaisa chal raha hai?”
Reyansh ne ek nazar Jheel ki taraf dekha.
Woh Sakshi ke saath hanskar kuch bata rahi thi.
“Achha chal raha hai.”
Arshad ne use gaur se dekha.
“Sirf achha?”
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, “Bahut achha.”
Arshad ka expression halka sa serious ho gaya.
“Tu khush hai na, Rey?”
Is baar Reyansh ne turant mazaak nahi kiya.
Usne kuch pal socha.
“Haan. Main khush hoon.”
Arshad ne sir hila diya.
“Good.”
Phir usne ek halki si muskaan ke saath kaha, “Aur agar kabhi kuch pareshani ho, toh batana. Main sirf teri taang kheenchne ke liye dost nahi hoon.”
Reyansh ne uske kandhe par haath rakha.
“Pata hai, bhai.”
Arshad ne uski peeth thapthapayi.
“Bas. Ab emotional quota khatam. Warna dessert se pehle dono ro padenge.”
Reyansh hans pada.
“Tu ek minute bhi serious nahi reh sakta.”
“Reh sakta hoon. Lekin phir tu mujhe boring bol dega.”
Dono wapas table par aa gaye.
Reyansh ke liye Arshad ko Jheel se milwana sirf ek formal introduction nahi tha.
Yeh uski zindagi ke do alag hisson ko ek hi table par laane jaisa tha.
Aur use achha lag raha tha ki dono ke beech koi deewar khadi karne ki zaroorat nahi thi.


Dinner ke baad dessert order hua.
Jheel ne chocolate dessert choose kiya, jabki Reyansh ne kaha ki woh share karega.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
“Maine apne liye order kiya hai.”
“Relationship mein sharing hoti hai.”
“Tum apna order kar lo.”
“Lekin tumhare wale ka taste zyada achha hoga.”
Arshad ne turant beech mein kaha, “Sakshi, note karna. Isko apni plate se zyada doosron ki plate pasand hai.”
Sakshi ne kaha, “Tumhe bhi.”
Arshad chup ho gaya.
Jheel hansne lagi.
Reyansh ne dessert ka ek chhota sa bite liya aur Jheel ki taraf badha diya.



“Lo.”
Jheel ne bite le liya.
Arshad ne dono ko dekha aur sir hila diya.
“Bhai, yeh wahi Reyansh hai jo college mein kisi ke notes bhi share nahi karta tha?”
Reyansh ne kaha, “Waqt ke saath insaan badalta hai.”
Arshad ne Sakshi ki taraf dekha.
“Tumne suna? Isne khud accept kar liya ki yeh badal gaya hai.”
Sakshi ne smile ke saath kaha, “Achha badlaav ho toh hone dena chahiye.”
Jheel ne bhi sir hila diya.
“Bilkul.”
Reyansh ne dono ko dekha.
“Tum logon ki meeting pehle hui thi kya?”
Arshad ne jawab diya, “Nahi. Lekin lagta hai hum dono ko aaj se sambhal kar rehna padega.”
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tumhe toh waise bhi sambhalne ki zaroorat hai.”
Chaaron phir hans pade.
Dinner ka aakhri hissa halki-phulki baaton aur mazaak mein guzra.
Kisi ko jaldi nahi thi.
Aur Reyansh ko mehsoos hua ki Jheel ka uske dost se milna uske liye jitna important tha, usse kahin zyada aasaan bhi raha.


Restaurant se bahar nikalte waqt Arshad ne Reyansh ko gale lagaya.
“Achha laga, bhai.”
Reyansh ne kaha, “Mujhe bhi.”
Arshad ne Jheel ki taraf dekhkar kaha, “Jheel, isko zyada sar par mat chadha dena. Pehle hi bahut hawa mein rehta hai.”
Jheel ne muskurakar jawab diya, “Main koshish karungi.”
Reyansh ne turant kaha, “Tum dono ki dosti kuch zyada hi jaldi ho gayi.”
Sakshi hans padi.
“Reyansh, ab tumhe bhi aadat daalni padegi.”
Chaaron ne ek-doosre ko bye kaha.
Arshad aur Sakshi apni taraf chale gaye. Reyansh aur Jheel parking ki taraf badhe.
Kuch der dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel ne kaha, “Tumhara dost achha hai.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Haan. Thoda pareshan karta hai, lekin achha hai.”
“Usne tumhare baare mein bahut kuch bataya.”
Reyansh ruk gaya.
“Kya bataya?”
Jheel ne shararti muskaan ke saath kaha, “Abhi nahi bataungi.”
“Jheel!”
“Ghar jaakar message karungi.”
Reyansh hans pada.
“Tum dono ne milkar meri life difficult kar di.”
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
“Lekin interesting toh bana di.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Woh toh hai.”
Dono gaadi tak pahunche.
Jheel baithne se pehle uske paas aayi aur ek chhota sa hug diya.
“Thank you. Aaj achha laga.”
Reyansh ne use baahon mein lekar kaha, “Mujhe bhi. Aur ab tum officially meri life ke important logon mein se ek se mil chuki ho.”
Jheel ne dheere se kaha, “Aur tum meri life mein important ho.”
Reyansh ne uske maathe par ek halka sa kiss diya.
“Chalo, Miss Blushing. Ghar chalte hain.”
Jheel muskurayi.
“Chalo, Mr. Naughty.”


Raat ko Arshad aur Sakshi apne ghar pahunche.
Sakshi sofa par baithkar apne shoes utaarne lagi, jab Arshad kitchen se paani lekar aaya.
“Thak gayi?”
“Thodi. Lekin dinner achha tha.”
Arshad uske paas baith gaya.
“Jheel achhi lagi?”
Sakshi ne sochkar jawab diya, “Haan. Woh comfortable hone mein thoda waqt leti hai, lekin genuine lagti hai.”
Arshad ne sir hila diya.
“Reyansh ke liye achha hai.”
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tum apne dost ke liye khush ho.”
Arshad ne halki muskaan ke saath kaha, “Haan. Kaafi time baad use itna relaxed dekha.”
Sakshi ne apna sar uske kandhe par rakh diya.
“Kabhi-kabhi kisi apne ko khush dekhna bhi achha lagta hai.”
Arshad ne uska haath thaam liya.
“Tum wapas aa gayi ho. Ab main bhi thoda khush ho sakta hoon.”
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
“Main sirf kuch din ke liye gayi thi.”
“Pata hai. Lekin tumhare bina ghar thoda khaali lagta hai.”
Sakshi ne uska haath daba diya.
“Main yahin hoon.”
Arshad ne use apne kareeb kar liya.
Dono kuch der waise hi baithe rahe.
Unki zindagi mein bhi sab kuch perfect nahi tha. Arshad apne career ko lekar naye faisle lene ki koshish kar raha tha, aur Sakshi apne kaam mein aage badh rahi thi.
Lekin aaj ki raat unhone kisi problem ko solve karne ki koshish nahi ki.
Bas ek-doosre ke saath waqt bitaya.
Aur filhaal, itna kaafi tha.


Raat ke kareeb 11:30 baje Reyansh apne flat mein tha.
Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel:
Ghar pahunch gayi.
Reyansh:
Good. Aaj ki date kaisi lagi?
Jheel:
Achhi thi.
Reyansh:
Bas achhi?
Jheel:
Bahut achhi thi, Mr. Needy.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh:
Main needy nahi hoon.
Jheel:
Achha ji.
Reyansh:
Tumhe Arshad pasand aaya?
Jheel:
Haan. Woh tumhari bahut taang kheenchta hai.
Reyansh:
Woh uska janamsiddh adhikaar hai.
Jheel:
Aur tumhara?
Reyansh:
Tumhe pareshan karna.
Jheel ne ek laughing emoji bheji.
Phir uska message aaya.
Jheel:
Good night, Reyansh. Aaj tumhe apne dost se milte dekhkar achha laga.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Good night, Jheel. Mujhe bhi achha laga ki tum meri zindagi ke us hisse se mili jo mere liye important hai.
Jheel ne ek heart bheja.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj ki shaam mein koi badi ghatna nahi hui thi.
Na koi dramatic confession, na koi jhagda, na koi naya vaada.
Bas ek dost ne apne dost ko apni girlfriend se milwaya tha. Ek purani dosti ke beech ek naya rishta aaya tha. Aur ek door se lautkar aayi girlfriend ne bhi us shaam ka hissa banne ka faisla kiya tha



“Lo.”
Jheel ne bite le liya.
Arshad ne dono ko dekha aur sir hila diya.
“Bhai, yeh wahi Reyansh hai jo college mein kisi ke notes bhi share nahi karta tha?”
Reyansh ne kaha, “Waqt ke saath insaan badalta hai.”
Arshad ne Sakshi ki taraf dekha.
“Tumne suna? Isne khud accept kar liya ki yeh badal gaya hai.”
Sakshi ne smile ke saath kaha, “Achha badlaav ho toh hone dena chahiye.”
Jheel ne bhi sir hila diya.
“Bilkul.”
Reyansh ne dono ko dekha.
“Tum logon ki meeting pehle hui thi kya?”
Arshad ne jawab diya, “Nahi. Lekin lagta hai hum dono ko aaj se sambhal kar rehna padega.”
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tumhe toh waise bhi sambhalne ki zaroorat hai.”
Chaaron phir hans pade.
Dinner ka aakhri hissa halki-phulki baaton aur mazaak mein guzra.
Kisi ko jaldi nahi thi.
Aur Reyansh ko mehsoos hua ki Jheel ka uske dost se milna uske liye jitna important tha, usse kahin zyada aasaan bhi raha.


Restaurant se bahar nikalte waqt Arshad ne Reyansh ko gale lagaya.
“Achha laga, bhai.”
Reyansh ne kaha, “Mujhe bhi.”
Arshad ne Jheel ki taraf dekhkar kaha, “Jheel, isko zyada sar par mat chadha dena. Pehle hi bahut hawa mein rehta hai.”
Jheel ne muskurakar jawab diya, “Main koshish karungi.”
Reyansh ne turant kaha, “Tum dono ki dosti kuch zyada hi jaldi ho gayi.”
Sakshi hans padi.
“Reyansh, ab tumhe bhi aadat daalni padegi.”
Chaaron ne ek-doosre ko bye kaha.
Arshad aur Sakshi apni taraf chale gaye. Reyansh aur Jheel parking ki taraf badhe.
Kuch der dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel ne kaha, “Tumhara dost achha hai.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Haan. Thoda pareshan karta hai, lekin achha hai.”
“Usne tumhare baare mein bahut kuch bataya.”
Reyansh ruk gaya.
“Kya bataya?”
Jheel ne shararti muskaan ke saath kaha, “Abhi nahi bataungi.”
“Jheel!”
“Ghar jaakar message karungi.”
Reyansh hans pada.
“Tum dono ne milkar meri life difficult kar di.”
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
“Lekin interesting toh bana di.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Woh toh hai.”
Dono gaadi tak pahunche.
Jheel baithne se pehle uske paas aayi aur ek chhota sa hug diya.
“Thank you. Aaj achha laga.”
Reyansh ne use baahon mein lekar kaha, “Mujhe bhi. Aur ab tum officially meri life ke important logon mein se ek se mil chuki ho.”
Jheel ne dheere se kaha, “Aur tum meri life mein important ho.”
Reyansh ne uske maathe par ek halka sa kiss diya.
“Chalo, Miss Blushing. Ghar chalte hain.”
Jheel muskurayi.
“Chalo, Mr. Naughty.”


Raat ko Arshad aur Sakshi apne ghar pahunche.
Sakshi sofa par baithkar apne shoes utaarne lagi, jab Arshad kitchen se paani lekar aaya.
“Thak gayi?”
“Thodi. Lekin dinner achha tha.”
Arshad uske paas baith gaya.
“Jheel achhi lagi?”
Sakshi ne sochkar jawab diya, “Haan. Woh comfortable hone mein thoda waqt leti hai, lekin genuine lagti hai.”
Arshad ne sir hila diya.
“Reyansh ke liye achha hai.”
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tum apne dost ke liye khush ho.”
Arshad ne halki muskaan ke saath kaha, “Haan. Kaafi time baad use itna relaxed dekha.”
Sakshi ne apna sar uske kandhe par rakh diya.
“Kabhi-kabhi kisi apne ko khush dekhna bhi achha lagta hai.”
Arshad ne uska haath thaam liya.
“Tum wapas aa gayi ho. Ab main bhi thoda khush ho sakta hoon.”
Sakshi ne uski taraf dekha.
“Main sirf kuch din ke liye gayi thi.”
“Pata hai. Lekin tumhare bina ghar thoda khaali lagta hai.”
Sakshi ne uska haath daba diya.
“Main yahin hoon.”
Arshad ne use apne kareeb kar liya.
Dono kuch der waise hi baithe rahe.
Unki zindagi mein bhi sab kuch perfect nahi tha. Arshad apne career ko lekar naye faisle lene ki koshish kar raha tha, aur Sakshi apne kaam mein aage badh rahi thi.
Lekin aaj ki raat unhone kisi problem ko solve karne ki koshish nahi ki.
Bas ek-doosre ke saath waqt bitaya.
Aur filhaal, itna kaafi tha.


Raat ke kareeb 11:30 baje Reyansh apne flat mein tha.
Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel:
Ghar pahunch gayi.
Reyansh:
Good. Aaj ki date kaisi lagi?
Jheel:
Achhi thi.
Reyansh:
Bas achhi?
Jheel:
Bahut achhi thi, Mr. Needy.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh:
Main needy nahi hoon.
Jheel:
Achha ji.
Reyansh:
Tumhe Arshad pasand aaya?
Jheel:
Haan. Woh tumhari bahut taang kheenchta hai.
Reyansh:
Woh uska janamsiddh adhikaar hai.
Jheel:
Aur tumhara?
Reyansh:
Tumhe pareshan karna.
Jheel ne ek laughing emoji bheji.
Phir uska message aaya.
Jheel:
Good night, Reyansh. Aaj tumhe apne dost se milte dekhkar achha laga.
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Good night, Jheel. Mujhe bhi achha laga ki tum meri zindagi ke us hisse se mili jo mere liye important hai.
Jheel ne ek heart bheja.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj ki shaam mein koi badi ghatna nahi hui thi.
Na koi dramatic confession, na koi jhagda, na koi naya vaada.
Bas ek dost ne apne dost ko apni girlfriend se milwaya tha. Ek purani dosti ke beech ek naya rishta aaya tha. Aur ek door se lautkar aayi girlfriend ne bhi us shaam ka hissa banne ka faisla kiya tha

[Greenwood]

Update 42


Subah Reyansh ki aankh alarm bajne se kuch minute pehle khul gayi.
Usne phone uthaya. Jheel ka koi message nahi tha.
Reyansh ne waqt dekha.
7:12 AM
Usne khud se kaha, “Abhi tak madam so rahi hain.”
Woh bed se utha, curtains khole aur kitchen ki taraf chala gaya. Coffee banane ke baad phone lekar sofa par baith gaya.
Aakhir usne message kar hi diya.
Reyansh:
Good morning, Miss Blushing.
Koi reply nahi.
Do minute baad:
Reyansh:
Madam?
Phir ek minute baad:
Reyansh:
Zinda hain ya kal ke dessert ke baad coma mein chali gayi?
Aakhir notification aaya.
Jheel:
GOOD MORNING!
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh:
Itne capital letters? Gussa ho?
Jheel:
Nahi.
Reyansh:
Phir chill kyun rahi ho?
Jheel:
Tum subah-subah itne messages kyun karte ho?
Reyansh:
Tumhara attention lene ke liye.
Jheel:
Mil gaya attention. Ab khush?
Reyansh:
Thoda aur mil jaaye toh din ban jaaye.
Jheel ne ek heart bhej diya.
Reyansh ne phone se nazar uthakar coffee ka sip liya.
“Din ban gaya,” usne khud se kaha.
Lekin agla message aate hi uski smile ruk gayi.
Jheel:
Aaj shaam tum free ho? Mujhe tumse ek kaam hai.
Reyansh ne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Kaisa kaam?
Jheel:
Shaam ko bataungi.
Reyansh:
Yeh suspense kyun?
Jheel:
Boyfriend ho. Thoda patience rakho.
Reyansh ne phone ko dekha.
“Patience toh rakhta hoon. Lekin girlfriend ne suspense de diya toh din bhar dimaag chalega.”
Phir bhi usne sirf itna likha:
Reyansh:
Theek hai, madam. Shaam ko milte hain.


Office mein Reyansh apne desk par baitha ek presentation dekh raha tha.
Neha paas aayi aur ek file uske desk par rakh di.
“Yeh revised brief hai. Client ne do points change kiye hain.”
Reyansh ne file li.
“Thanks. Main dekh lunga.”
Neha jaane lagi, phir rukkar boli, “Waise aaj bade shaant lag rahe ho.”
Reyansh ne screen se nazar nahi hatayi.
“Main roz shaant rehta hoon.”
“Bilkul. Aur main roz tumhari baatein maan leti hoon.”
Reyansh hans pada.
Neha chair kheenchkar baith gayi.
“Dinner kaisa tha?”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Kaunsa dinner?”
Neha ne bhaunhein utha di.
“Wahi jiske baad tum kal poore din phone dekhkar muskura rahe the.”
“Tumhare paas aur koi kaam nahi hai?”
“Kaam hai. Lekin tumhari shakal par jo smile chipki hai, woh bhi office ki productivity ko affect kar rahi hai.”
Reyansh ne file band ki.
“Dinner achha tha.”
“Girlfriend ke saath?”
“Girlfriend aur dost ke saath.”
Neha ke chehre par halki si surprise wali smile aayi.
“Achha! Toh ab dost ko bhi introduction mil gaya?”
“Haan.”
“Good. Waise, tumhe dekhkar lagta hai ki tum finally apni personal life mein kuch time de rahe ho.”
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
“Shayad.”
Neha ne uski taraf dekha.
“Bas, isi tarah. Har cheez ko kaam ki tarah manage karne ki zaroorat nahi hoti.”
Reyansh ne mazaak mein kaha, “Tum meri manager ho ya life coach?”
“Dono ka bill alag bhejungi.”
Woh hans padi aur apni desk ki taraf laut gayi.
Reyansh ne dobara presentation khol li.
Kaam ab bhi zaroori tha. Lekin ab use yeh bhi samajh aane laga tha ki din ke aakhir mein kisi ka intezaar hona kitna achha lag sakta hai.


Doosri taraf Arshad apne agency office mein laptop par kaam kar raha tha.
Uske saamne freelance client ka brief khula tha. Usne kuch lines likhin, unhe padha aur phir do lines delete kar di.
Phone par Sakshi ka message aaya.
Sakshi:
Kal raat ghar pahunchkar so gayi thi. Tumse properly baat nahi ho paayi.
Arshad:
Koi baat nahi. Thak gayi thi tum.
Sakshi:
Aaj shaam free ho?
Arshad ne apna calendar khola. Ek taraf agency ka kaam tha, doosri taraf freelance proposal ki deadline.
Usne kuch pal socha.
Arshad:
Thoda kaam hai. Lekin raat ko free ho jaaunga.
Sakshi:
Theek hai. Phir baat karte hain.
Arshad ne phone rakh diya.
Usne apne kaam ki taraf dekha.
Pehle woh har nayi opportunity ke baare mein sochta rehta tha, lekin ab use ek decision lena tha. Freelance work ke liye waqt nikaalna hoga. Iska matlab kabhi-kabhi apne personal time ko bhi plan karna padega.


Usne document save kiya aur ek naya message client ko bheja.
I’ll share the first draft by tomorrow evening.
Message send karne ke baad usne kursi par peeche hokar saans li.
“Chalo, ab commitment kar hi diya.”
Phir usne Sakshi ko message kiya.
Arshad:
Kal dinner ke baad thoda walk karein? Sirf hum dono.
Sakshi ka reply aaya.
Sakshi:
I’d like that.
Arshad muskuraya.
Kabhi-kabhi relationship ko chalane ke liye bade gestures nahi, bas waqt nikaalne ka sachcha iraada chahiye hota hai.



Shaam ko Reyansh ghar lautkar fresh hua hi tha ki doorbell baj gayi.
Usne darwaza khola.
Jheel saamne khadi thi.
Aaj uske haath mein ek chhota sa paper bag tha.
Reyansh ne use dekha, phir bag ko.
“Hello, girlfriend. Yeh kya hai?”
“Pehle hello toh bol do.”
“Hello, girlfriend.”
“Good.”
Woh andar aayi aur bag dining table par rakh diya.
Reyansh ne darwaza band kiya.
“Ab bataogi ki yeh suspense kya tha?”
Jheel ne bag khola. Andar ek chhota sa board game tha.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
“Yeh kya hai?”
“Game.”
“Woh toh mujhe bhi dikh raha hai. Lekin kyun?”
Jheel ne uske saamne baithkar kaha, “Tum hamesha kehte ho ki hum saath waqt bitayein, lekin har baar bahar jaana zaroori nahi hai. Toh aaj ghar par hi kuch karte hain.”
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir uske chehre par muskaan aa gayi.
“Tum mere ghar par date plan karke aayi ho?”
Jheel ne seedha jawab diya, “Haan.”
Reyansh ne apna haath seene par rakha.
“Madam, aap toh badi dangerous nikli.”
Jheel hans padi.
“Game khelna hai ya nahi?”
“Bilkul. Lekin ek condition hai.”
“Kya?”
“Jo haarega, woh winner ki baat maanega.”
Jheel ne turant kaha, “Manzoor.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tumne itni jaldi haan kyun kar di? Tumhe pata bhi hai main kya maang sakta hoon?”
Jheel ke gaal gulaabi ho gaye.
“Tum kuch bhi maang sakte ho, lekin main sirf wahi karungi jo mujhe theek lage.”
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha, phir muskurakar sir hila diya.
“Fair enough.”
Jheel ne game khola.
“Chalo. Ab dekhte hain kaun jeetega.”
5. Game Kam, Taang-Khinchai Zyada
Pehle kuch rounds mein Reyansh jeet gaya.
Woh har baar jeetne ke baad apni imaginary trophy hawa mein uthata.
“Thank you, thank you. Main apne fans ka shukriya ada karta hoon.”
Jheel ne use dekha.
“Tumhe khud par itna confidence kahan se aata hai?”
“Talent.”
“Overconfidence.”
“Dono ka combination.”
Phir agla round Jheel jeet gayi.
Usne dono haath upar kar diye.
“YES!”
Reyansh ne hairani se kaha, “Yeh kaise ho gaya?”
Jheel ne use dekha.
“Talent.”
Reyansh hans pada.
“Achha, madam. Batao, winner ki demand kya hai?”
Jheel ne sochne ka natak kiya.
“Hmm…”
Reyansh uski taraf jhukkar bola, “Zyada mat sochna. Main bahut gareeb aadmi hoon.”
“Tumne khud hi condition rakhi thi.”
“Ab pachhta raha hoon.”
Jheel hansne lagi.
Phir usne kaha, “Mujhe ek hug chahiye.”
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
“Bas?”
“Haan.”
“Yeh toh bina game ke bhi mil sakta tha.”
Jheel ne muskurakar jawab diya, “Lekin jeetkar lene ka maza alag hai.”
Reyansh ne baahen khol di.
Jheel uske paas aayi aur use gale laga liya.
Usne bhi use pyaar se baahon mein le liya.
Kuch seconds baad Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, “Ek baat bataun?”
“Haan?”
“Tum game haarne ke baad bhi hug maang sakti thi.”
Jheel usse alag hokar boli, “Lekin phir tum jeetne ka credit le lete.”
Reyansh ne hanskar kaha, “Madam, tum toh bahut smart ho gayi ho.”
“Tumhari company ka asar hai.”
“Achha hai. Ab tumhe koi aasani se bewakoof nahi bana sakta.”
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
“Tum toh bana hi nahi sakte.”
Reyansh ne eyebrow utha di.
“Challenge?”
Jheel ne turant game board apni taraf kheench liya.
“Nahi. Agla round!”
Dono hans pade.


Game ke baad Jheel sofa par baith gayi. Reyansh kitchen se do glasses paani lekar aaya.
Ek glass use dete hue usne poochha, “Jheel, tumhe mere saath ghar par aise waqt bitana pasand hai?”
Jheel ne glass table par rakha.
“Bahut.”
“Bahar jaana bhi achha lagta hai?”
“Haan.”
“Dono?”
“Dono.”
Reyansh uske paas baith gaya.
“Good. Main bas yeh nahi chahta ki hum har baar kuch special karne ke pressure mein rahein. Kabhi date, kabhi movie, kabhi game… aur kabhi bas aise hi baithna.”
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
“Mujhe bhi aisa hi relationship chahiye. Jahan har mulaqat ko yaadgaar banane ki zaroorat na ho. Kuch din normal hon, kuch din funny, kuch din boring bhi.”
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, “Boring days mein bhi main tumhe pareshan karta rahunga.”



“Woh toh mujhe pata hai.”
Dono kuch pal chup baithe rahe.
Phir Jheel ne apna sar uske kandhe par rakh diya.
Reyansh ne uska haath thaam liya.
TV par koi comedy show chal raha tha, lekin dono ka dhyaan us par nahi tha.
Woh bas saath baithe the.
Aur us waqt unhe kisi aur cheez ki zaroorat nahi thi.


Jheel apne flat laut chuki thi.
Reyansh ne use message kiya.
Reyansh:
Ghar pahunch gayi?
Jheel:
Haan.
Reyansh:
Aaj ki date ka review?
Jheel:
Achhi thi.
Reyansh:
Bas achhi?
Jheel:
Bahut achhi thi.
Reyansh:
Better.
Jheel:
Tumhe har baat mein rating chahiye?
Reyansh:
Girlfriend ki rating se motivation milta hai.
Jheel:
Toh 10/10.
Reyansh ne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Aur boyfriend ko?
Jheel:
9/10.
Reyansh:
EK NUMBER KAM KYUN?
Jheel:
Kal bataungi.
Reyansh:
Jheel!
Jheel:
Good night, Mr. Naughty.
Reyansh:
Good night, Miss Trouble.
Phone rakhte hue Reyansh muskura diya.
Kal usse pata chalna tha ki ek number kyun kam mila.
Aur woh is baat ko lekar zaroor pareshan hone wala tha.




Raat thodi aur gehri ho gayi.
Reyansh ne living room ki lights band ki aur bedroom ki taraf badha.
Phone par koi naya message nahi tha.
Usne use side table par rakh diya.
Aaj ka din achha tha. Office ka kaam, Jheel ke saath game, uski hansi aur woh aaraam jo uske paas hone se mehsoos hota tha.
Reyansh bed par let gaya.
Kuch der tak woh chhat ko dekhta raha.
Phir usne aankhein band kar li.
Aaj raat uska dimaag shaant tha.
Aur kabhi-kabhi, bina kisi wajah ke, aisi raat mil jaana bhi ek chhoti si jeet hoti hai.

[Greenwood]

Update 43


Bengaluru ki subah apni raftaar pakad rahi thi.
Flat 303 mein alarm bajne se pehle hi Reyansh ki aankh khul gayi. Woh kuch der seedha chhat ko dekhta raha, phir side mein rakhe phone ko uthaya.
Screen par Jheel ka koi message nahi tha.
Reyansh ne waqt dekha.
7:18 AM.
Usne phone takiye par rakha, aankhein band ki aur dobara sone ki koshish ki.
Do second baad aankhein khol di.
Reyansh: "Kal raat khud keh rahi thi ki boyfriend ko kal ek important baat batayegi. Aur ab madam gayab."
Usne phone uthaya aur Jheel ki chat khol li.
Pichhli raat ka aakhri message ab bhi wahi tha.
Jheel: Kal bataungi ki tum 10/10 kyun nahi ho.
Reyansh ne message padhkar sar hilaya.
Reyansh: "Ek point ke liye insaan ki neend kharab karna koi inse seekhe."
Usne message type kiya.
Reyansh: Good morning, Miss Judge.
Message bhejkar woh bathroom ki taraf chala gaya.
Brush karte waqt phone ki notification sunai di.
Reyansh ne turant bathroom se jhaankkar phone dekha.
Jheel: Good morning, Mr. Nine Out Of Ten.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Mujhe lagta hai tumne rating dene mein calculation mistake ki hai.
Jheel: Achha?
Reyansh: Obviously. Main minimum 9.8 deserve karta hoon.
Jheel: Kis baat ke?
Reyansh: Good looks, intelligence, humour, caring nature... list lambi hai.
Kuch seconds tak koi reply nahi aaya.
Phir Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Aur modesty?
Reyansh ne brush karte-karte phone ki taraf dekha.
Reyansh: Woh premium feature hai. Subscription lena padta hai.
Jheel: Cancel kar do. Tumhare budget mein nahi hoga.
Reyansh zor se hans pada.
Reyansh: "Madam, ab toh personal ho rahi hain."
Usne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Aaj milo. Apni complaint register karwa dena.
Jheel: Aaj milna possible nahi hai.
Reyansh ki muskurahat halki si kam hui.
Reyansh: Kyun?
Jheel: Kaam hai. Aur waise bhi, har baat milkar hi thodi hoti hai.
Reyansh: Bilkul. Kuch baatein phone par bhi ho sakti hain.
Jheel: Jaise?
Reyansh: Jaise tum mujhe bata sakti ho ki main 10/10 kyun nahi hoon.
Jheel ne laughing emoji bhej diya.
Jheel: Office jao, Reyansh.
Reyansh: Tum mujhe avoid kar rahi ho.
Jheel: Main tumhe kaam par bhej rahi hoon.
Reyansh: Same thing.
Jheel: Bye!
Reyansh phone ko dekhta raha.
Phir muskurakar bola, "Yeh ladki ek din meri saari arguments jeet jayegi."
Usne phone pocket mein rakha aur taiyaar hone laga.
Usse kya pata tha ki aaj ki subah ka asli surprise abhi baaki tha.

Kuch der baad doorbell baji.
Reyansh ne darwaza khola.
Shalu saamne khadi thi, apna bag sambhalte hue.
Shalu: "Good morning, sir."
Reyansh: "Good morning, Shalu. Aaj jaldi aa gayi?"
Shalu: "Haan, sir. Aaj mujhe shaam ko thoda jaldi jaana hai."
Reyansh: "Koi problem?"
Shalu: "Nahi sir. Bas ek jagah jaana hai."
Reyansh ne raasta chhod diya.
Reyansh: "Theek hai. Aaj ka kaam time se nipta lena. Aur haan, nashta kar lena pehle."
Shalu: "Ji, sir."
Shalu kitchen ki taraf chali gayi.
Reyansh apni watch pehente hue bedroom se nikla, toh uski nazar dining table par padi.
Wahan uski diary khuli hui thi.
Kal raat Jheel ke saath board game khelte waqt usne kuch likhne ke liye diary nikali thi, lekin phir dono baaton mein lag gaye aur diary wahin reh gayi.
Shalu table saaf karne aayi toh uski nazar diary ke paas rakhe ek chhote se paper par padi.
Us par Reyansh ne kal raat mazaak mein likha tha:
BOYFRIEND PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Looks: 10/10
Humour: 10/10
Cooking: 6/10
Patience: Depends on the person
Overall: Under review
Neeche usne ek line aur likhi thi:
Final score pending.
Shalu use padhkar halki si muskura di.
Shalu: "Sir, aap apni bhi rating karte ho?"
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
Reyansh: "Haan. Har insaan ko apna performance review karna chahiye."
Shalu: "Phir cooking mein six kyun diye?"
Reyansh: "Kyunki mujhe cooking mein six se zyada milne ka koi haq nahi hai."
Shalu hans di.
Shalu: "Aap seekh lo toh ten bhi aa sakte hain."



Reyansh: "Main seekh sakta hoon. Lekin phir log mujhse khana banwane lagenge. Itni badi responsibility nahi chahiye."
Shalu ne diary aur paper ek taraf rakh diya.
Uski nazar paper par ek baar phir gayi.
Shalu: "Sir, aap log apne kaam ki bhi aise rating karte ho?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: "Kabhi-kabhi. Kyun?"
Shalu kuch sochne lagi.
Shalu: "Aise hi pooch rahi thi."
Reyansh ne uske chehre par aayi halki si jhijhak notice ki, lekin zyada sawaal nahi kiya.
Reyansh: "Achha, ek baat batao. Agar tumhe kisi cheez mein achha banna ho, toh tum kaise pata karogi ki tum achha kar rahi ho ya nahi?"
Shalu ne sochkar jawab diya.
Shalu: "Shayad kisi se poochungi. Ya dekhungi ki main pehle se behtar kar rahi hoon ya nahi."
Reyansh ne coffee ka sip liya.
Reyansh: "Bas. Wahi toh. Har cheez pehle din perfect nahi hoti."
Shalu ne sir hila diya.
Woh dobara kitchen mein chali gayi, lekin is baar uske chehre par ek chhoti si soch thi.
Kuch banne ka khayal abhi bhi uske liye dhundhla tha.
Magar pehli baar usne yeh socha tha ki shayad uska raasta bhi kisi din saaf ho sakta hai.


Office pahunchte hi Reyansh ne apna laptop khola.
Inbox mein kuch routine emails the. Ek client update, ek campaign review aur do meetings ke reminders.
Usne pehle zaroori emails niptaaye aur phir apni team ke saath chhoti si meeting ki.
Meeting ke baad Neha uske desk ke paas aayi.
Neha: "Aaj bade khush lag rahe ho."
Reyansh: "Main roz khush rehta hoon."
Neha: "Haan, aur main roz tumhari baat sach maan leti hoon."
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: "Tumhe mujh par bharosa karna chahiye."
Neha: "Professional matters mein karti hoon."
Reyansh: "Personal matters mein?"
Neha: "Wahan tumhare against evidence collect kar rahi hoon."
Reyansh: "Kis baat ka?"
Neha: "Ki tumhare phone par message aate hi tumhari smile kyun badh jaati hai."
Reyansh ne laptop ki screen ki taraf dekhne ka natak kiya.
Reyansh: "Tumhe apne kaam par focus karna chahiye."
Neha: "Aur tumhe apni smile par control."
Reyansh: "Meri smile se company ko koi nuksaan nahi ho raha."
Neha: "Abhi tak."
Neha apni file uthakar chali gayi.
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
Reyansh: "Office mein bhi privacy naam ki koi cheez nahi hai."
Usi waqt phone vibrate hua.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Lunch kiya?
Reyansh ne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh: Abhi nahi.
Jheel: Kyun?
Reyansh: Tumhari rating ke baare mein soch raha tha.
Jheel: Mere paas tumhare liye ek suggestion hai.
Reyansh: Finally! Bolo.
Jheel: Lunch time par lunch karna seekho.
Reyansh ne message padhkar aankhein band kar li.
Reyansh: "Yeh girlfriend hai ya meri college principal?"
Usne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Tumhe pata hai na, main tumse bada hoon?
Jheel: Haan. Isliye toh samjha rahi hoon.
Reyansh hans pada.
Is baar Neha ne door se hi use dekh liya.
Neha: "Evidence number two!"
Reyansh: "Neha!"
Neha: "Main kuch nahi boli."
Woh apni desk par laut gayi.
Reyansh ne phone pocket mein rakha aur lunch order kar diya.
Kisi aur ke kehne par apni aadat badalna uski fitrat nahi thi.
Lekin Jheel ke kehne par woh kam se kam ek baar soch toh leta tha.
Aur shayad uske liye filhaal itna hi kaafi tha.


Dopehar ke baad Arshad apne ghar ke chhote se work corner mein baitha laptop ki screen ghoor raha tha.
Uske saamne ek advertising campaign ka proposal khula tha.
Client ko agle din tak initial concept chahiye tha.
Arshad ne ek line type ki.
Phir delete kar di.
Doosri line likhi.
Woh bhi delete.
Usne chair par peeth tika di.
Arshad: "Creative industry mein creativity se zyada creativity ki deadline hoti hai."
Phone vibrate hua.
Sakshi ka message tha.
Sakshi: Proposal kaisa chal raha hai?
Arshad ne reply kiya.
Arshad: Excellent. Client ko abhi tak pata nahi ki main genius hoon.
Sakshi: Client ko kab pata chalega?
Arshad: Jab main proposal bhej dunga.
Sakshi: Aur proposal kab bhejoge?
Arshad screen ko dekhta raha.
Arshad: Tum relationship mein ho ya project management mein?
Sakshi: Dono mein deadlines hoti hain.
Arshad ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Usne laptop ki taraf dekha aur phir phone par message type kiya.
Arshad: Aaj shaam free ho?
Sakshi: Kyun?
Arshad: Tumhe yaad hai na, humne walk ka plan banaya tha?
Sakshi: Yaad hai. Tumhe bhi yaad aa gaya?
Arshad: Main bhoolta nahi. Bas kabhi-kabhi meri priorities laptop ke peeche chhup jaati hain.
Sakshi ka reply aane mein thoda waqt laga.
Sakshi: Theek hai. Kaam khatam karke bata dena.
Arshad ne message padha.
Usne kuch aur likhne ke liye keyboard par haath rakha, phir ruk gaya.
Woh jaanta tha ki Sakshi uske kaam ko samajhti hai.
Lekin samajhne aur hamesha intezaar karne mein farq hota hai.
Usne laptop ki screen dobara apni taraf kheench li.
Is baar usne line delete nahi ki.
Usne likhna shuru kar diya.


Shaam ke kareeb saat baje Reyansh ghar laut aaya.
Din zyada thaka dene wala nahi tha, lekin office se nikalte waqt uske dimaag mein ab bhi Jheel ki rating ghoom rahi thi.
Usne shoes utaare, paani piya aur sofa par baith gaya.
Phone uthaya.
Reyansh: Madam, aaj ka din khatam hone wala hai.
Jheel: Toh?
Reyansh: Mere 10/10 hone ka faisla kab hoga?
Jheel: Tumhe sach mein itni fikr hai?
Reyansh kuch pal screen dekhta raha.
Phir usne jawab diya.
Reyansh: Sach bolun? Haan.
Jheel ne message padh liya.
Is baar usne turant koi mazaak nahi kiya.
Kuch seconds baad uska reply aaya.
Jheel: Achha. Toh ek sawaal ka sach-sach jawab dena.
Reyansh: Poochho.
Jheel: Jab main tumse koi baat share karti hoon, toh tum chahte ho ki tum uska solution do ya bas meri baat suno?
Reyansh ne message dobara padha.
Sawaal ajeeb nahi tha.
Lekin uska jawab dene se pehle use sochna pada.
Reyansh: Depends. Agar tumhe solution chahiye toh main help karunga. Agar bas baat karni hai toh sununga.
Jheel: Aur tumhe kaise pata chalega ki mujhe kya chahiye?
Reyansh ne phone haath mein ghumaya.
Reyansh: Pooch lunga.
Jheel ka reply aaya.
Jheel: Good answer.
Reyansh ne muskurakar likha.
Reyansh: Toh ab 10/10?
Jheel: Nahi.
Reyansh ne sar peeche tika diya.
Reyansh: "Maine aakhir kiya kya hai?"
Jheel: Tum kabhi-kabhi baat ko mazaak mein uda dete ho.
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi pad gayi.
Usne message ko dhyan se padha.
Reyansh: Kab?
Jheel: Jab tumhe samajh nahi aata ki saamne wala kya kehna chahta hai. Ya jab tumhe lagta hai ki baat serious ho jayegi.
Reyansh ne turant jawab nahi diya.
Use apne andar kisi baat ka inkaar karne ki aadat thi. Khaaskar tab, jab koi uski kisi kamzori ko uske saamne rakh deta.
Lekin Jheel us par ilzaam nahi laga rahi thi.
Woh bas use bata rahi thi ki usne kya mehsoos kiya.
Reyansh ne dheere se type kiya.
Reyansh: Ho sakta hai. Main kabhi-kabhi uncomfortable ho jaata hoon toh joke kar deta hoon.
Jheel ne jawab diya.
Jheel: Mujhe pata hai.
Reyansh: Tumhe mere baare mein bahut kuch pata chal raha hai.
Jheel: Abhi toh shuruaat hai.
Reyansh ke chehre par phir muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Aur mere 10/10 hone ki shuruaat kab hogi?
Jheel: Jab tum apni rating khud dena band kar doge.
Reyansh: Impossible. Main apna favourite person hoon.

Jheel: Mujhe pata hai.
Reyansh: Tum jealous ho?
Jheel: Bilkul nahi. Tumhare favourite person ko meri taraf se sympathy.
Reyansh hans pada.
Lekin is baar us hansi ke beech ek baat uske dimaag mein reh gayi.
Kabhi-kabhi mazaak karne se pehle sunna bhi zaroori hota hai.
Yeh koi badi seekh nahi thi.
Na hi koi dramatic realization.
Bas ek chhoti si baat thi, jo usne Jheel se seekhi thi.
Aur Reyansh ko dheere-dheere samajh aa raha tha ki kisi ke saath rehna sirf uske saath achha waqt guzaarna nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi us waqt ko samajhna bhi hota hai, jab saamne wala hans nahi raha hota.


Raat ke kareeb aath baje doorbell baji.
Reyansh ne darwaza khola.
Jheel saamne khadi thi.
Haath mein ek chhota sa paper bag tha aur chehre par wohi shaant si muskurahat.
Reyansh: "Madam! Aapne toh kaha tha aaj milna possible nahi hai."
Jheel: "Maine kaha tha aaj milna possible nahi hai. Yeh nahi kaha tha ki bilkul nahi ho sakta."
Reyansh: "Matlab tumne jaan-bujhkar mujhe tadpaya?"
Jheel ne aankhein ghumayi.
Jheel: "Tum har baat ka galat matlab kyun nikaalte ho?"
Reyansh: "Talent hai."
Jheel hans di aur andar aa gayi.
Usne paper bag table par rakha.
Reyansh: "Yeh kya hai?"
Jheel: "Tumhare liye."
Reyansh ne bag khola.
Andar ek chhota sa chocolate box tha.
Usne Jheel ki taraf dekha.
Reyansh: "Mujhe chocolate dekar meri rating badhwana chahti ho?"
Jheel: "Nahi. Tumhari rating badhane ke liye chocolate kaafi nahi hai."
Reyansh: "Tumhari baatein kabhi-kabhi bahut hurt karti hain."
Jheel: "Tum survive kar loge."
Dono hans pade.
Reyansh ne chocolate box table par rakha aur Jheel ke paas aa gaya.
Reyansh: "Waise, aaj jo tumne kaha... uske baare mein socha."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: "Kis baare mein?"
Reyansh: "Ki main kabhi-kabhi serious baat ko mazaak mein uda deta hoon."
Jheel ka chehra naram pad gaya.
Reyansh: "Main promise nahi karunga ki ab kabhi aisa nahi hoga. Kyunki ho sakta hai main phir kar doon. Lekin agar tum mujhe bataogi, toh main koshish karunga ki tumhari baat ko samjhun."
Jheel kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Uske chehre par ek aisi muskurahat aayi, jo kisi joke ka jawab nahi thi.
Jheel: "Bas, mujhe itna hi chahiye."
Reyansh ne apna haath uski taraf badhaya.
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
Phir Reyansh ne use apni taraf kheenchkar ek pyaar bhara hug diya.
Jheel uske seene se lag gayi.
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Koi romantic dialogue nahi.
Koi badi kasam nahi.
Bas ek aisa pal, jahan dono ko kuch saabit karne ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Thodi der baad Jheel ne usse alag hote hue kaha:
Jheel: "Achha, ek baat bataun?"
Reyansh: "Agar rating ke baare mein hai toh main mentally prepare hoon."
Jheel: "Tum 9/10 isliye ho kyunki tumhare saath mujhe achha lagta hai."
Reyansh ki muskurahat halki si gehri ho gayi.
Jheel: "Aur ek point isliye kam hai kyunki tum abhi seekh rahe ho."
Reyansh: "Kya?"
Jheel: "Kisi ke saath hona aur kisi ko samajhna. Dono alag cheezein hain."
Reyansh ne kuch pal uski aankhon mein dekha.
Reyansh: "Toh jab seekh jaunga, 10/10?"
Jheel ne sochne ka natak kiya.
Jheel: "Dekhenge."
Reyansh: "Yeh relationship hai ya government exam?"
Jheel: "Dono mein patience chahiye."
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: "Tum mujhe barbaad kar dogi."
Jheel: "Nahi. Bas thoda better bana dungi."
Jheel ki baat sunkar Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne uske maathe par ek halka sa kiss kiya.
Jheel sharma kar muskurayi.
Jheel: "Ab zyada khush mat ho. Rating abhi bhi 9 hi hai."
Reyansh: "Koi baat nahi. Agle review mein appeal karunga."
Jheel: "Rejected."
Reyansh: "Tumne suna bhi nahi!"
Jheel: "Mujhe apne decision par bharosa hai."
Dono ki hansi flat ke shaant kamre mein goonj gayi.
Aur Reyansh ne mehsoos kiya ki use Jheel ke saath har pal ko special banane ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Kabhi-kabhi ek chhota sa chocolate box, thodi si nok-jhok aur ek sachchi baat bhi kaafi hoti hai.


Kuch der baad Jheel apne flat mein laut gayi.
Reyansh ne darwaza band kiya, chocolate box khola aur ek piece nikaal liya.
Phir usne phone uthaya.
Reyansh: Ek baat poochun?
Jheel: Poochho.
Reyansh: Tumne mujhe 9/10 diya. Lekin tum khud apne aap ko kitni rating dogi?
Jheel ne message padhkar muskuraya.
Jheel: Main apni rating nahi deti.
Reyansh: Kyun?
Jheel: Kyunki main abhi khud ko samajh rahi hoon.
Reyansh ne message ko kuch der dekha.
Phir likha:
Reyansh: Fair enough.
Jheel ka aakhri message aaya.
Jheel: Good night, Mr. Nine Out Of Ten.
Reyansh: Good night, Miss Under Review.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakha.
Uske din mein aaj kuch extraordinary nahi hua tha.
Na koi grand date.
Na koi expensive surprise.
Na koi aisa pal, jise woh duniya ko dikhana chahta.
Lekin ek chhoti si baat uske andar reh gayi thi.
Kisi ko pasand karna aasaan ho sakta hai. Lekin uske saath khud ko behtar banana, shayad wahi asli kaam hai.
Usne light band ki aur aankhein moond li.
Us raat uske chehre par ek sukoon bhari muskurahat thi.
Aur filhaal, Reyansh ko kisi perfect score ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Use bas yeh achha lag raha tha ki uski zindagi mein koi aisa tha, jiske saamne woh dheere-dheere apna asli roop rakh sakta tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 44


Sunday ki subah thi.
Bengaluru ki sadkon par traffic roz ke muqable kam tha. Kahin log morning walk par nikle the, kahin chai ki dukaanon par din ki pehli charcha shuru ho chuki thi.
Flat 303 mein Reyansh apne bistar par aaram se pada tha.
Uska phone vibrate hua.
Ek baar.
Do baar.
Teesri baar vibration hui toh usne takiye ke neeche haath daalkar phone nikaala.
Shivani Calling...
Reyansh ne screen dekhi aur phone wapas rakh diya.
Do second baad phir phone baja.
Reyansh: "Sunday ko insaan ko jeene bhi nahi dete."
Usne call receive ki.
Reyansh: "Good morning, Didi."
Shivani: "Good morning? Janab, tumhari subah ho gayi?"
Reyansh: "Nahi. Main toh raat se hi jaag raha hoon."
Shivani: "Bahut funny. Aaj ghar aa rahe ho na?"
Reyansh ne aankhein band kar li.
Use yaad aaya ki Shivani ne pichhle hafte Sunday lunch ke liye bulaya tha.
Aur usne haan bhi kaha tha.
Reyansh: "Aa raha hoon."
Shivani: "Kitne baje?"
Reyansh: "Lunch ke time."
Shivani: "Reyansh!"
Reyansh: "Achha baba, batao kitne baje aana hai?"
Shivani: "Ek baje. Aur please, is baar last minute par mat pahunchna."
Reyansh: "Main hamesha time par pahunchta hoon."
Shivani: "Tumhare time par ya duniya ke time par?"
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: "Theek hai, ek baje."
Shivani: "Aur haan, Mumma-Papa bhi honge."
Reyansh: "Didi, tum mujhe lunch par bula rahi ho ya family court mein pesh hone?"
Shivani: "Tum aa jao, phir pata chal jayega."
Call kat gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal phone dekhta raha.
Phir usne chhat ki taraf dekhte hue kaha:
"Ek taraf girlfriend ki rating, doosri taraf family ki attendance. Meri zindagi mein appraisal season chal raha hai kya?"
Usne phone uthaya aur Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh: Good morning, Miss Under Review.
Kuch der baad reply aaya.
Jheel: Good morning. Aaj kya plan hai?
Reyansh: Family lunch. Didi ne bulaya hai.
Jheel: Achha! Enjoy karna.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Woh kuch seconds tak screen ko dekhta raha, phir type kiya.
Reyansh: Tum kya karogi aaj?
Jheel: Abhi kuch khaas nahi socha.
Reyansh: Toh mere saath chalogi?
Message bhejne ke baad usne phone side mein rakh diya.
Do minute baad reply aaya.
Jheel: Tumhare family lunch par?
Reyansh seedha baith gaya.
Use ehsaas hua ki usne bina soche message kar diya tha.
Reyansh: Nahi, mera matlab lunch ke baad kahin coffee peene chal sakte hain.
Jheel ne laughing emoji bheja.
Jheel: Main samajh gayi thi.
Reyansh: Toh phir poochha kyun?
Jheel: Tumhe thoda nervous dekhna tha.
Reyansh muskuraya.
Reyansh: Tumhari himmat kaise hui apne boyfriend ko nervous karne ki?
Jheel: 9/10 boyfriend ko thodi practice chahiye.
Reyansh: Tum meri rating kabhi nahi bhoologi, hai na?
Jheel: Kabhi nahi.
Reyansh ne phone rakha aur bistar se uth gaya.
Sunday ab itna boring nahi lag raha tha.


Taiyaar hote waqt Reyansh ko almari mein ek purani shirt mili, jo usne kaafi waqt se nahi pehni thi.
Usne shirt nikaali, pehenkar mirror mein dekha aur collar theek kiya.
Phir phone uthaya.
Reyansh: Ek sawaal.
Jheel: Tumhare sawaal kab khatam honge?
Reyansh: Jab tum mere saath coffee pe chalogi.
Jheel: Main toh pehle hi haan bol chuki hoon.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Sach mein?
Jheel: Nahi. Main tumhari tarah har baat ka double meaning nikaal rahi hoon.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne message type kiya.
Reyansh: Shaam ko six?
Jheel: Theek hai.
Reyansh: Aur dress code?
Jheel: Normal kapde.
Reyansh: Tum itni difficult kyun ho?
Jheel: Tum itne simple kyun nahi ho?
Reyansh ne phone pocket mein rakha.
Uski muskurahat kuch der tak bani rahi.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi ka ek chhota sa message bhi poore din ke liye kaafi hota hai.
Aur Reyansh ko yeh baat ab samajh aane lagi thi.


Dopahar ke kareeb ek baje Reyansh apni behen Shivani ke ghar pahunch gaya.
Darwaza khula toh Shivani saamne thi.
Usne Reyansh ko upar se neeche tak dekha.
Shivani: "Wah! Aaj toh time par aa gaye."

Lunch ke baad papa aur maa apne kamre mein chale gaye.
Reyansh living room mein sofa par baitha tha, jab Shivani do cups coffee lekar aayi.
Ek cup uske saamne rakhkar woh doosre sofa par baith gayi.
Shivani: "Lo, tumhari favourite."
Reyansh ne cup uthaya.
Reyansh: "Aaj itni service kyun mil rahi hai? Kuch kaam hai kya?"
Shivani: "Har cheez ke peeche koi kaam nahi hota."
Reyansh: "Tum meri behen ho. Main tumhe jaanta hoon."
Shivani hans di.
Kuch der dono coffee peete rahe.
Phir Shivani ne kaha:
Shivani: "Reyansh, ek baat bolun?"
Reyansh: "Bolo."
Shivani: "Mujhe achha lagta hai jab tum yahan aate ho. Lekin main chahti hoon ki tum sirf isliye na aao kyunki maine bulaya hai."
Reyansh ne cup neeche rakha.
Reyansh: "Matlab?"
Shivani: "Matlab jab mann kare, tab bhi aa jaya karo. Bina kisi occasion ke. Bina kisi reason ke."
Reyansh chup raha.
Shivani ne baat aage badhayi.
Shivani: "Har baar family ke paas aane ke liye koi special din zaroori nahi hota."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: "Tumhe lagta hai main tum logon se door ho gaya hoon?"
Shivani: "Mujhe lagta hai tum apni life mein busy ho. Aur busy rehna galat nahi hai."
Woh halki si muskurayi.
Shivani: "Bas kabhi-kabhi yaad rakhna ki tumhare paas kuch aise log bhi hain, jinhe tumhara sirf ghar aa jaana achha lagta hai."
Reyansh ne dheere se saans chhodi.
Reyansh: "Theek hai, Didi. Agli baar bina invitation ke aaunga."
Shivani: "Pehle message kar dena. Main ghar par hui toh tumhare liye khana bana dungi."
Reyansh: "Aur nahi hui toh?"
Shivani: "Fridge mein kuch na kuch mil jayega."
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: "Wah. Kitna emotional invitation tha!"
Shivani ne cushion uski taraf phenka.
Shivani: "Chup karo!"
Dono phir hansne lage.
Lekin Reyansh ke dil mein uski behen ki baat reh gayi.
Zindagi mein kuch rishte aise hote hain jo har roz baat nahi maangte.
Bas itna chahte hain ki jab zaroorat ho, toh insaan unke paas laut sake.


Doosri taraf Arshad apne laptop ke saamne baitha tha.
Proposal ki deadline paas aa rahi thi.
Usne kaafi kaam kar liya tha, lekin presentation ka final section abhi bhi baaki tha.
Phone par Sakshi ka message aaya.
Sakshi: Walk ka plan yaad hai?
Arshad ne screen dekhi.
Arshad: Bilkul yaad hai.
Sakshi: Kitne baje?
Arshad ne laptop par nazar daali.
Uske dimaag mein turant calculation shuru ho gayi.
Agar abhi kaam karta raha toh ek ghante mein proposal complete ho sakta tha. Lekin agar kuch aur changes aaye toh waqt badh bhi sakta tha.
Usne message type kiya.
Arshad: Seven thirty?
Sakshi: Theek hai. Main ready rahungi.
Arshad ne phone rakha aur kaam mein lag gaya.
Saat baje tak proposal lagbhag complete tha.
Tabhi client ka email aa gaya.
Subject: One Small Change
Arshad ne email khola.
Uske chehre ka expression badal gaya.
Arshad: "One small change. Duniya ki sabse khatarnak line."
Usne changes dekhe.
Kaam karna zaroori tha.
Lekin usne Sakshi ko time bhi diya tha.
Usne phone uthaya.
Arshad: Sakshi, client ka last-minute change aa gaya hai. Mujhe thoda aur time lagega.
Kuch der baad reply aaya.
Sakshi: Kitna?
Arshad ne likha:
Arshad: Forty minutes, max.
Sakshi ne message padh liya.
Sakshi: Okay.
Bas ek shabd.
Na gussa, na lambi shikayat.
Arshad ko phir bhi samajh aa gaya ki woh use wait karwa raha tha.
Usne jaldi-jaldi changes kiye, presentation check ki aur file bhej di.
Saat bajkar pachaas minute par usne laptop band kiya.
Arshad: "Done!"
Usne turant Sakshi ko call kiya.
Sakshi ne call receive ki.
Sakshi: "Hello?"
Arshad: "Madam, aapka intezaar khatam hua. Main free ho gaya."
Sakshi: "Congratulations."
Arshad ko uske lehje mein halki si thakaan mehsoos hui.
Arshad: "Tum nikal gayi?"
Sakshi: "Nahi. Abhi ghar par hoon."
Arshad: "Toh main aata hoon. Das minute."
Sakshi kuch pal chup rahi.
Sakshi: "Arshad, aaj rehne do. Mujhe ab bahar jaane ka mann nahi hai."
Arshad ka chehra utar gaya.


Arshad: "Tum naraz ho?"
Sakshi: "Naraz nahi hoon. Bas ab thak gayi hoon."
Arshad: "I am sorry."
Sakshi: "I know."
Phir usne narmi se kaha:
Sakshi: "Kal baat karte hain, okay?"
Arshad: "Okay."
Call kat gayi.
Arshad kuch der phone haath mein liye baitha raha.
Uske paas kaam karne ki wajah thi.
Lekin Sakshi ke paas bhi apna waqt tha.
Aur use pehli baar mehsoos hua ki har baar sorry keh dena, kisi ke intezaar ki bharpai nahi hota.
Usne laptop band hi rehne diya.
Aaj ka kaam khatam ho gaya tha.
Lekin dimaag mein ek naya sawaal shuru ho gaya tha.
Woh apni zindagi mein sab kuch achieve karna chahta tha, lekin kya woh un logon ke liye bhi waqt nikaal paa raha tha jo uski zindagi ka hissa the


Shaam ke chhe baje Reyansh ghar pahunch gaya tha.
Usne shirt badli, fresh hua aur Jheel ko message bheja.
Reyansh: Madam, main ready hoon.
Jheel: Maine tumse poochha tha ready hone ko?
Reyansh ne phone ko dekha.
Reyansh: "Aaj phir shuru."
Reyansh: Tumne six baje coffee ke liye haan kaha tha.
Jheel: Haan toh?
Reyansh: Main punctual boyfriend hoon.
Jheel: Tum apni rating khud hi badha rahe ho.
Reyansh: Koi toh meri value samjhe.
Jheel ne location bhej di.
Ek chhota sa café, jahan dono pehle bhi ja chuke the.
Reyansh wahan pahunchkar ek corner table par baith gaya.
Kuch der baad Jheel aayi.
Aaj usne simple blue kurti aur white trousers pehne the. Baal khule hue the aur chehre par halki si muskurahat thi.
Reyansh use dekhkar khada ho gaya.
Reyansh: "Madam, aap aaj phir achhi lag rahi hain."
Jheel ne chair kheenchkar baithte hue kaha:
Jheel: "Phir?"
Reyansh: "Mera matlab, aap hamesha achhi lagti hain."
Jheel: "Recovery achhi thi."
Reyansh: "Thank you. Main practice kar raha hoon."
Dono hans pade.
Waiter aaya toh unhone coffee order ki.
Jheel ne table par apne haath rakhte hue poochha:
Jheel: "Family lunch kaisa tha?"
Reyansh: "Achha tha. Mumma ne bahut khana khilaya. Papa ne lecture diya. Didi ne meri insult ki."
Jheel: "Matlab normal family lunch."
Reyansh: "Exactly."
Jheel: "Tumhari family tumhe miss karti hai?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: "Haan. Shayad main unke paas utna nahi jaata jitna jaana chahiye."
Jheel ne sir hilaya.
Jheel: "Kabhi-kabhi hum sochte hain ki hum roz baat kar rahe hain, toh sab theek hai. Lekin saamne baithne ka apna alag hi sukoon hota hai."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha:
Reyansh: "Aaj meri behen ne bhi lagbhag yahi kaha."
Jheel: "Toh phir sun lena chahiye."
Reyansh: "Tum dono ne milkar mere khilaaf planning ki hai kya?"
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel: "Tumhe advice dene ke liye planning ki zaroorat nahi hai."
Coffee aa gayi.
Dono ne cups uthaye.
Kuch der tak woh apne-apne din ki chhoti-chhoti baatein share karte rahe.
Jheel ne bataya ki usne ghar par kuch pending kaam niptaaye. Reyansh ne office ki baatein sunayi. Beech-beech mein woh ek doosre ki baaton par hanste rahe.
Phir Jheel ne poochha:
Jheel: "Reyansh, tumhe kabhi aisa lagta hai ki din bahut achha guzra, lekin phir bhi kuch missing hai?"
Sawaal sunkar Reyansh ne coffee ka cup table par rakh diya.
Woh kuch pal sochta raha.
Reyansh: "Kabhi-kabhi."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha, lekin koi agla sawaal nahi kiya.
Reyansh ne khud hi baat aage badhayi.
Reyansh: "Pehle mujhe lagta tha ki agar kaam achha chal raha ho, friends ke saath time mil jaaye aur weekend free ho, toh life set hai."
Jheel: "Aur ab?"
Reyansh muskuraya.
Reyansh: "Ab lagta hai ki kabhi-kabhi bas kisi ke saath baithkar coffee peena bhi kaafi hota hai."
Jheel ki aankhon mein muskurahat aa gayi.
Jheel: "Yeh line tumne kahin se copy ki hai?"
Reyansh: "Meri girlfriend meri sincerity par doubt kar rahi hai."
Jheel: "Main bas confirm kar rahi hoon."
Reyansh ne uska haath table par pakad liya.
Reyansh: "Nahi, madam. Original content hai."
Jheel hans di.
Usne apni ungliyan Reyansh ke haath mein aaraam se rehne di.
Unke beech kuch pal ki khamoshi rahi.
Lekin woh khamoshi awkward nahi thi.
Dono ko har waqt kuch bolne ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Kabhi-kabhi saath hona hi baat hoti hai.


Coffee khatam hone ke baad dono café se bahar nikle.
Bengaluru ki shaam mein halki si thandak thi. Sadak ke kinaare lights jal chuki thi aur log apne-apne gharon ki taraf laut rahe the.
Reyansh aur Jheel dheere-dheere chalne lage.
Jheel: "Aaj tum apni family se milkar khush lag rahe ho."
Reyansh: "Haan. Achha lagta hai unke saath."
Jheel: "Toh phir unse milte raha karo."
Reyansh: "Ji, madam."
Jheel: "Aur apni girlfriend ko bhi time diya karo."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh: "Uske liye toh main hamesha available hoon."
Jheel: "Achha? Agar main kal subah tumhe phone karun toh?"
Reyansh: "Uth jaunga."
Jheel: "Sunday ko bhi?"
Reyansh: "Jheel, tum mujhse pyaar karti ho ya meri neend se dushmani?"
Jheel zor se hans padi.
Reyansh bhi hansne laga.
Kuch kadam chalne ke baad Jheel ne uska haath dabaaya.
Jheel: "Ek baat sach mein keh rahi hoon."
Reyansh: "Bolo."
Jheel: "Mujhe tumhare saath achha waqt chahiye. Lekin main nahi chahti ki tum apni baaki zindagi se door ho jao."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel ne baat jaari rakhi.
Jheel: "Tumhari family, tumhare friends, tumhara kaam. Yeh sab bhi tumhara hissa hain. Main tumhari life ka hissa banna chahti hoon, tumhari poori life ki jagah nahi lena chahti."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne Jheel ka haath apne dono haathon mein le liya.
Reyansh: "Aur main chahta hoon ki tum bhi apni life mein jo karna chahti ho, woh karo. Mujhe har waqt saath rehne ka proof nahi chahiye."
Jheel ki muskurahat gehri ho gayi.
Jheel: "Good."
Reyansh: "Toh ab 9.5?"
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel: "9.1."
Reyansh ne hairaani se munh khol diya.
Reyansh: "Sirf point one?"
Jheel: "Progress toh hui."
Reyansh: "Tumhare standards bahut high hain."
Jheel: "Tum kar loge."
Reyansh ne uske maathe par ek halka sa kiss kiya.
Reyansh: "Tumhare liye koshish karunga."
Jheel ne uske kandhe par sar tika diya.
Jheel: "Mere liye nahi. Apne liye bhi."
Reyansh ne use apni taraf kheenchkar hug kar liya.
Kuch pal dono waise hi khade rahe.
Phir Jheel ne dheere se kaha:
Jheel: "Ab ghar chalein? Mujhe bhookh lag rahi hai."
Reyansh peeche hata.
Reyansh: "Itna emotional moment aur end khane par?"
Jheel: "Emotions se pet nahi bharta."
Reyansh: "Madam, aapki honesty ek din mujhe le doobegi."
Dono hanste hue aage badh gaye.


Raat ko Reyansh apne flat mein tha.
Usne dinner kiya, kuch der television dekha aur phir phone uthaya.
Jheel ka message aaya hua tha.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh: Haan. Tum?
Jheel: Main bhi.
Reyansh: Aaj achha laga.
Jheel: Mujhe bhi.
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha aur phir likha:
Reyansh: Thanks.
Jheel: Kis liye?
Reyansh: Aaj ki coffee ke liye. Aur meri baatein sunne ke liye.
Jheel ka reply aaya.
Jheel: Tum bhi meri baatein sunte ho.
Reyansh: Main try karta hoon.
Jheel: Mujhe pata hai.
Reyansh ne phone ko seene par rakhkar aankhein band kar li.
Kuch waqt baad ek aur message aaya.
Jheel: Good night, Reyansh.
Usne phone uthaya.
Reyansh: Good night, Jheel. Sweet dreams.
Jheel ne ek chhota sa heart bheja.
Reyansh ne screen dekhi aur muskurate hue phone side mein rakh diya.
Uski zindagi mein sab kuch perfect nahi tha.
Uske paas har sawaal ka jawab nahi tha.
Lekin ab woh har khaali pal ko bharne ki koshish bhi nahi karta tha.
Kuch pal bas jeene ke liye hote hain.
Aur kuch log, bina koi bada vaada kiye, un palon ko khaas bana dete hain.
Aaj ka din bhi kuch aisa hi tha.
9. Udhar, Arshad Ke Phone Par...
Raat ke kareeb gyarah baje Arshad apne bed par baitha tha.
Usne din bhar ke emails check kiye, phir Sakshi ki chat kholi.
Aakhri message ab bhi wahi tha:
Sakshi: Kal baat karte hain, okay?
Arshad ne type kiya:
I am sorry about today. I know I made you wait.
Usne message bhejne se pehle ek baar padha.
Phir send kar diya.
Sakshi ka reply kuch der baad aaya.
Sakshi: Thank you for understanding.
Arshad ne message padha.
Woh chahta tha ki bas ek sorry se baat khatam ho jaaye.

Lekin use pata tha ki asal badlaav message se nahi, aadat se aayega.
Usne calendar khola aur agle din ke kaam ke beech ek waqt block kar diya.
Sakshi.
Koi meeting nahi.
Koi client call nahi.
Bas uske liye waqt.
Arshad ne calendar band kiya aur phone side mein rakh diya.
Kal kya baat hogi, use nahi pata tha.
Lekin is baar woh sirf sorry kehne ke liye nahi, sunne ke liye bhi taiyaar rehna chahta tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 45



Shaam ke saat baj chuke the.
Bengaluru ki sadkon par office se lautne walon ki bheed thi. Kisi ko ghar pahunchne ki jaldi thi, kisi ko traffic se ladne ki, aur kuch log aise bhi the jo gaadi chalate hue bas apne favourite gaane ke saath din bhar ki thakaan utaar rahe the.
Flat 303 mein Reyansh apni balcony mein khada tha.
Ek haath mein coffee ka mug, doosre mein phone.
Screen par ek message tha.
Jheel ❤️:
Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh ne coffee ki chuski li aur reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Nahi. Bengaluru ke traffic mein meri gaadi ke saath meri aatma bhi phansi hui hai.
Kuch seconds baad reply aaya.
Jheel:
Tum ghar par ho. Maine tumhari balcony dekhi hai.
Reyansh ne saamne Flat 304 ki taraf dekha.
Jheel apni balcony mein khadi thi. Uske chehre par wohi chhoti si muskurahat thi jo Reyansh ko aksar apni baat ka jawab milne se pehle hi mil jaati thi.
Reyansh ne mug uthakar uski taraf dikhaya.
Jheel ne aankhon se poochha, Kya?
Reyansh ne mug ki taraf ishara kiya.
Jheel ne apne haath jodkar maafi maangne ka natak kiya, phir andar chali gayi.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh (khud se):
"Madam ko lagta hai saamne wale ki balcony mein CCTV laga hua hai."
Phone vibrate hua.
Jheel:
Aaj dinner mein kya kha rahe ho?
Reyansh:
"Jo mil jaaye."
Jheel:
"Matlab order karoge?"
Reyansh:
"Matlab jo delivery wala le aaye."
Jheel:
"Very talented chef."
Reyansh:
"Thank you. Mere talent ki kadar karne wale bahut kam log hain."
Jheel:
"Talent aur tum? Dono ek sentence mein thode ajeeb lag rahe hain."
Reyansh hans diya.
Phir usne message type kiya.
Reyansh:
"Ek kaam karo. Aaj dinner mere saath kar lo."
Jheel ka reply turant nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne screen dekhi, phir coffee ka mug.
Kuch der baad message aaya.
Jheel:
"Kahan?"
Reyansh:
"Yahin. Flat 303. Main kuch banaunga."
Jheel:
"Tum?"
Reyansh:
"Ek minute. Tum girlfriend ho ya food inspector?"
Jheel:
"Dono ban sakti hoon."
Reyansh:
"Toh aa jao. Inspection ke liye sample bhi mil jayega."
Jheel:
"Thik hai. Dus minute mein."
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Phir use ek zaroori baat yaad aayi.
Woh seedha kitchen mein gaya aur fridge khola.
Andar doodh, aadha packet bread, do ande, kuch sabziyan, ek sauce ki bottle aur paani ki bottles thi.
Reyansh kuch seconds tak fridge ko dekhta raha.
Phir usne fridge band kar diya.
Dobara khola.
Jaise shayad doosri baar kholne se samaan badh jayega.
Nahi badha.
Reyansh:
"Shit."
Usne phone uthaya aur Arshad ko call kar diya.
SCENE 1: Ek Dost, Ek Emergency Aur Do Ande
7:27 PM | Phone Call
Arshad:
"Hello, mere bhai. Zinda ho?"
Reyansh:
"Ek important sawaal hai."
Arshad:
"Paise nahi hain."
Reyansh:
"Maine paise maange bhi nahi."
Arshad:
"Experience se bol raha hoon. Tumhari awaaz mein ya toh udhaar hota hai ya udhaar ki wajah."
Reyansh:
"Chup kar. Dinner banana hai."
Do second ki khamoshi.
Phir Arshad zor se hansa.
Arshad:
"Khud?"
Reyansh:
"Haan, khud."
Arshad:
"Kiske liye? Desh ke liye?"
Reyansh:
"Arshad."
Arshad:
"Achha, achha. Samajh gaya. Jheel aa rahi hai?"
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh:
"Haan."
Arshad:
"Toh bhai, aaj toh tumhare flat mein itihaas likha jayega. Ek taraf FMCG ka Senior Brand Manager, doosri taraf kitchen mein do ande."
Reyansh:
"Recipe bata."
Arshad:
"Order kar le."
Reyansh:
"Woh bhi kar sakta hoon. Lekin socha kuch bana loon."
Arshad ki awaaz is baar thodi normal ho gayi.
Arshad:
"Achhi baat hai. Kya-kya pada hai?"
Reyansh ne fridge ka haal bataya.
Arshad:
"Anda bhurji bana le. Pyaaz hai?"
Reyansh:
"Hai."
Arshad:
"Tamatar?"
Reyansh:
"Shayad."
Arshad:
"Shayad matlab?"
Reyansh:
"Ek laal cheez padi hai."
Arshad:
"Ufff teri domestic life. Woh tamatar hai, bhai. Koi chemical sample nahi."
Reyansh hans pada.
Arshad ne use seedhe-seedhe samjhaya ki pyaaz kaise kaatna hai, ande kab daalne hain aur namak kitna rakhna hai.
Phir achanak Arshad ruk gaya.


Arshad:

"Ek baat bataun?"
Reyansh:
"Bata."
Arshad:
"Jheel ko khush karne ke liye master chef banne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Bas jo bana raha hai, dhang se bana. Aur agar kharab ho gaya toh honestly bol dena."
Reyansh:
"Tu apni girlfriend ke saamne bhi itna hi samajhdaar banta hai?"
Arshad kuch pal chup raha.
Arshad:
"Koshish kar raha hoon."
Reyansh ne uske lehje mein chhota sa badlaav mehsoos kiya.
Reyansh:
"Sakshi ke saath sab thik hai?"
Arshad:
"Haan. Sab thik hai."
Jawab mil gaya, lekin usmein woh purani befikri nahi thi.
Reyansh ne baat ko kheenchna zaroori nahi samjha.
Reyansh:
"Achha. Kal milte hain."
Arshad:
"Haan. Aur sun."
Reyansh:
"Ab kya?"
Arshad:
"Anda jal gaya toh smoke alarm band mat karna. Building ke secretary ko waise bhi tumse personal problem hai."
Reyansh:
"Good night, Arshad."
Arshad:
"Best of luck, Chef Sahab!"
Call kat gayi.
Reyansh ne phone counter par rakha, sleeves chadhayi aur kaam shuru kar diya.
Aaj uski kitchen mein koi khaas cheez nahi banne wali thi.
Lekin use achha lag raha tha ki woh kisi ke aane ka intezaar kar raha tha.

7:51 PM
Doorbell baji.
Reyansh ne apron pehna hua tha.
Darwaza khola toh saamne Jheel khadi thi.
Simple kurti, khule baal aur chehre par halki si muskurahat.
Usne pehle Reyansh ko dekha, phir uske apron ko.
Phir dobara Reyansh ko.
Jheel:
"Tumne sach mein khana banaya hai?"
Reyansh:
"Nahi. Apron pehen kar cooking ka photoshoot kar raha hoon."
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel:
"Main andar aa sakti hoon?"
Reyansh:
"Madam, invitation aapko hi diya tha."
Woh andar aa gayi.
Flat mein halki si pyaaz aur masalon ki khushboo thi. Dining table par do plates rakhi thi. Ek taraf paani ke glasses aur doosri taraf sauce ki bottle.
Jheel ne table dekha.
Jheel:
"Tumne table bhi set kiya?"
Reyansh:
"Haan. Main sirf handsome nahi hoon."
Jheel:
"Yeh toh mujhe pehle se pata tha ki tum sirf handsome nahi ho."
Reyansh ne aankhen sikodi.
Reyansh:
"Matlab?"
Jheel:
"Matlab tumhare andar aur bhi bahut saari qualities hain."
Reyansh:
"Jaise?"
Jheel:
"Overconfidence."
Reyansh ne seene par haath rakh liya.
Reyansh:
"Ek din tum meri tareef karte hue pakdi jaogi."
Jheel:
"Us din ki date bata dena. Main calendar mein mark kar lungi."
Woh kitchen ki taraf badhi.
Counter par bhurji, toast aur ek chhota sa bowl salad ka rakha tha.
Jheel ne bhurji ko dekha.
Phir Reyansh ko.
Jheel:
"Yeh tumne banayi?"
Reyansh:
"Haan."
Jheel:
"Recipe?"
Reyansh:
"Secret family recipe."
Jheel:
"Reyansh!"
Reyansh:
"Achha, Arshad ne phone par batayi."
Jheel hansne lagi.
Jheel:
"Tumne apne dost se recipe poochhi?"
Reyansh:
"Main apni girlfriend ko bhookha nahi rakh sakta."
Jheel ki hansi dheere se tham gayi.
Usne Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
Yeh koi bahut badi baat nahi thi. Na hi koi dramatic confession.
Bas ek seedha sa sentence tha.
Lekin kabhi-kabhi rozmarra ki chhoti baatein hi kisi rishte ko apnapan deti hain.
Jheel:
"Thank you."
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Reyansh:
"Kis liye?"
Jheel:
"Kuch nahi. Bas aise hi."
Usne nazar hata li.
Reyansh ne muskurakar plates uthayi.
Reyansh:
"Chalo, taste karke batao ki chef ko promotion milna chahiye ya termination."
Dono table par baith gaye.
Jheel ne pehla niwala liya.
Chehre par koi khaas expression nahi aaya.
Reyansh use dhyan se dekh raha tha.
Reyansh:
"Kaisa hai?"
Jheel:
"Achha hai."
Reyansh:
"Sach?"
Jheel:
"Haan."
Reyansh:
"Thoda aur soch kar batao. Tumhare ek answer par mera poora culinary future depend karta hai."
Jheel ne dobara khaya.
Jheel:
"Thoda namak kam hai."
Reyansh ne plate ki taraf dekha.
Reyansh:
"Bas?"
Jheel:
"Aur pyaaz thodi zyada hai."
Reyansh:
"Bas?"
Jheel:
"Toast thoda jal gaya hai."
Reyansh ne apni plate dekhi.
Reyansh:
"Tum dinner karne aayi ho ya meri annual performance review lene?"
Jheel itna hansi ki use paani peena pada.
Jheel:
"Sorry!"
Reyansh:
"Nahi, ab tumhe hi banana padega agli baar."

Jheel:

"Done."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh:
"Agli baar?"
Jheel ek pal ke liye ruk gayi.
Phir use samajh aaya ki usne kya keh diya.
Jheel:
"Haan, agli baar. Kya?"
Reyansh ke chehre par dheemi si muskurahat aayi.
Reyansh:
"Kuch nahi. Bas achha laga sun kar."
Jheel ne plate ki taraf dekhte hue apni muskurahat chhupane ki koshish ki.
Woh nakaam rahi.


Dinner khatam hote-hote aath bajkar tees minute ho gaye.
Jheel plates uthane lagi toh Reyansh ne uska haath rok diya.
Reyansh:
"Chhod do. Main kar lunga."
Jheel:
"Tumne khana banaya. Main plates le ja sakti hoon."
Reyansh:
"Hum dono kar lenge."
Jheel ne use dekha.
Jheel:
"Har cheez mein partnership?"
Reyansh:
"Relationship hai. Tender process nahi ki aadha kaam tumhara aur aadha mera."
Jheel hans padi.
Dono milkar kitchen saaf karne lage.
Reyansh bartan dho raha tha aur Jheel unhe sukha kar rack mein rakh rahi thi. Beech-beech mein unke haath takra jaate. Har baar koi na koi chhoti si baat keh deta.
Ek baar Jheel ne paani ke chheente se bachne ke liye haath peeche kiya.
Jheel:
"Reyansh! Kapdon par paani gir raha hai."
Reyansh:
"Toh paani se door raho."
Jheel:
"Main kitchen mein khadi hoon!"
Reyansh:
"Toh kitchen se door raho."
Jheel ne use ghoora.
Reyansh hansne laga.
Aakhir mein kaam khatam hua toh dono living room mein aa gaye.
Jheel sofa ke ek kone par baith gayi. Reyansh ne music chala diya. Kamre mein dheemi awaaz mein ek purana romantic gaana bajne laga.
Jheel:
"Tumhe purane gaane pasand hain?"
Reyansh:
"Kuch gaane purane hote hain, unki feeling nahi."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel:
"Yeh line tumne kahin se churayi hai?"
Reyansh:
"Nahi. Main naturally itna achha hoon."
Jheel:
"Phir se overconfidence."
Reyansh uske paas baith gaya.
Dono kuch der gaana sunte rahe.
Bahar sadak ka shor tha, kabhi kisi gaadi ka horn, kabhi kisi bachche ki awaaz. Lekin flat ke andar waqt dheema lag raha tha.
Jheel ne apna sir sofa ke backrest par tika diya.
Jheel:
"Aaj ka din achha tha."
Reyansh:
"Office mein?"
Jheel:
"Nahi. Tumhare saath."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel ne baat jaari rakhi.
Jheel:
"Matlab, kuch special nahi kiya humne. Bas dinner banaya, khaya, baatein ki. Phir bhi achha laga."
Reyansh:
"Har achhi shaam ka restaurant mein hona zaroori nahi hai."
Jheel:
"Haan."
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel:
"Tum pehle bhi aise hi the?"
Reyansh:
"Kaise?"
Jheel:
"Matlab, aise hi. Kabhi serious, kabhi funny. Kabhi bahut baatein karte ho aur kabhi achanak chup ho jaate ho."
Reyansh ne socha.
Reyansh:
"Shayad. Har waqt ek jaisa rehna thoda boring nahi hai?"
Jheel:
"Main personality ki baat kar rahi hoon, mood swings ki nahi."
Reyansh:
"Achha. Toh tum mujhe samajhne ki koshish kar rahi ho?"
Jheel:
"Main tumhe samajhna chahti hoon."
Uski awaaz mein is baar mazaak nahi tha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh:
"Toh samjho. Kabhi-kabhi mujhe khud nahi pata hota ki main kya soch raha hoon. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki main tumse baat nahi karna chahta."
Jheel ne dheere se sir hilaya.
Jheel:
"Thik hai."
Reyansh:
"Aur tum?"
Jheel:
"Main kya?"
Reyansh:
"Tumhe samajhna aasaan hai?"
Jheel ne halki si hansi ke saath kaha.
Jheel:
"Bilkul nahi."
Reyansh:
"Good. Matlab sirf main hi complicated nahi hoon."
Jheel:
"Tum complicated nahi ho. Tum bas kabhi-kabhi apne dimaag mein zyada rehte ho."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Woh baat usne pehle bhi suni thi, lekin Jheel ke munh se sunne par usne use thoda aur dhyan se liya.
Reyansh:
"Ho sakta hai."
Jheel ne apna haath uske haath par rakh diya.
Jheel:
"Jab bhi tumhara mann ho, mujhe bata sakte ho. Har baat ka solution dena zaroori nahi. Kabhi-kabhi main bas sun bhi sakti hoon."
Reyansh ne uski ungliyon ko apni ungliyon mein le liya.
Reyansh:
"Yeh offer permanent hai?"
Jheel:
"Terms and conditions apply."
Reyansh:
"Kya conditions hain?"



Jheel:

"Jab main bolun, tab tumhe bhi sunna padega."
Reyansh:
"Yeh toh kaafi expensive deal hai."
Jheel:
"Cancel kar doon?"
Reyansh:
"Nahi. Sign kar do."
Jheel hans padi.
Usne apna sir Reyansh ke kandhe par tika diya.
Reyansh ne apna haath uske kandhon ke gird rakh liya.
Koi jaldi nahi thi.
Kisi ko yeh prove nahi karna tha ki woh kitna pyaar karta hai. Na koi bada promise, na koi filmi dialogue.
Bas dono ek hi sofa par baithe the.
Aur is waqt, itna kaafi tha.


Bengaluru | 8:56 PM

Doosri taraf Arshad apne laptop ke saamne baitha tha.
Screen par ek advertising campaign ka draft khula hua tha. Client ne shaam ko kuch changes bheje the aur unka jawab dena zaroori tha.
Uska phone table par vibrate hua.
Sakshi ❤️:
Aaj walk par ja rahe hain?
Arshad ne screen ke kone mein waqt dekha.
Phir laptop par khule draft ko.
Usne type kiya.
Bas yeh kaam khatam kar loon, phir chalte hain.
Message bhejne ke baad woh dobara kaam mein lag gaya.
Paanch minute baad ek aur message aaya.
Sakshi:
Kitni der lagegi?
Arshad ne deadline dekhi.
Phir apne calendar mein agle din ka schedule.
Uske paas kaam khatam karne ke liye do raaste the. Ek, Sakshi ko phir intezaar karne ke liye keh de. Doosra, client ko message karke draft bhejne ka samay thoda aage karne ki baat kare.
Usne kuch der socha.
Phir Sakshi ko call kiya.
Sakshi:
"Hello?"
Arshad:
"Sun, aaj walk ke liye nikalne mein late ho sakta hai. Client ne changes bheje hain."
Doosri taraf kuch pal khamoshi rahi.
Sakshi:
"Kitna late?"
Arshad ne sach bataya.
Sakshi ne ek halki si saans chhodi.
Sakshi:
"Arshad, agar aaj nahi ho sakta toh seedha bol do. Main wait karte hue apna poora evening plan nahi rakhna chahti."
Arshad ne aankhen band karke sir peeche tika diya.
Woh uski baat samajh raha tha.
Arshad:
"You're right. Mujhe pehle hi bata dena chahiye tha."
Sakshi:
"Main tumhare kaam ko samajhti hoon. Lekin jab hum koi plan banate hain, toh mujhe bhi us plan par bharosa hota hai."
Arshad:
"I know."
Sakshi:
"Thik hai. Aaj rehne do. Main ghar par hi hoon."
Arshad:
"Kal dinner? Main time block kar deta hoon. Kaam ke liye nahi, tumhare liye."
Sakshi ki awaaz thodi naram hui.
Sakshi:
"Kal dekhte hain. Pehle apna kaam khatam karo."
Arshad:
"Okay. Aur Sakshi?"
Sakshi:
"Hmm?"
Arshad:
"Sorry. Sirf bolne ke liye nahi. Main try karunga ki tumhe baar-baar wait na karna pade."
Sakshi:
"Bas try karna. Mujhe perfect boyfriend nahi chahiye."
Arshad muskuraya.
Arshad:
"Achha hua. Us position ke liye applications bahut kam aayi hain."
Sakshi hans padi.
Sakshi:
"Good night, Arshad."
Arshad:
"Good night."
Call kat gayi.
Arshad ne laptop ki taraf dekha aur phir calendar khola.
Agli shaam ke liye usne ek ghanta block kar diya.
Usne koi bada vaada nahi kiya tha.
Bas ek chhota sa faisla liya tha ki is baar woh apne vaade ko schedule mein bhi jagah dega.


Jheel abhi bhi Reyansh ke saath sofa par baithi thi.
Music khatam ho chuka tha. Ab TV par koi random travel show chal raha tha, lekin dono mein se kisi ka dhyan usmein nahi tha.
Jheel ne ghadi dekhi.
Jheel:
"Mujhe chalna chahiye."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh:
"Abhi?"
Jheel:
"Haan. Kal kaam bhi hai."
Reyansh:
"Main tumhe rok nahi raha."
Jheel:
"Tumhara chehra kuch aur bol raha hai."
Reyansh ne jaan-boojhkar serious expression bana liya.
Reyansh:
"Mera chehra naturally expressive hai. Main kya karun?"
Jheel hans padi.
Woh uthkar darwaze ki taraf badhi. Reyansh uske saath aaya.
Darwaza khulne se pehle Jheel uski taraf mud gayi.
Jheel:
"Ek baat bolun?"
Reyansh:
"Permission granted."
Jheel:
"Aaj tumhare saath rehkar mujhe achha laga."
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
Reyansh:
"Mujhe bhi."
Jheel ne uska haath pakda.
Jheel:
"Agli baar main kuch banaungi."
Reyansh:
"Thik hai. Lekin ek condition hai."
Jheel:
"Kya?"
Reyansh:
"Agar khana kharab hua toh main complain nahi karunga."
Jheel ne hairani se use dekha.
Jheel:
"Sach?"
Reyansh:
"Haan. Lekin order karne ka option open rahega."
Jheel ne uske haath par halki si thapki maari.
Jheel:
"Tum bahut bure ho."
Reyansh:
"Phir bhi boyfriend main hi hoon."
Jheel ke gaal halka sa laal ho gaye.
Usne aas-paas dekha, phir dheere se Reyansh ke paas aayi aur uske gaal par ek kiss kar di.
Reyansh ek pal ke liye chup ho gaya.
Jheel peeche hati.
Jheel:
"Good night."
Reyansh ne uski ungliyan pakad li.
Reyansh:
"Bas?"

Jheel ki aankhon mein shararat bhari muskurahat aa gayi.
Jheel:
"Kya matlab bas?"
Reyansh:
"Main toh soch raha tha ki dinner ke baad dessert bhi milega."
Jheel:
"Dessert khatam ho gaya."
Reyansh:
"Fridge mein ice cream hai."
Jheel hans padi.
Jheel:
"Tumhe sirf ice cream chahiye?"
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
Reyansh:
"Nahi."
Kuch pal dono ek-doosre ko dekhte rahe.
Is baar Jheel ne nazar nahi hatayi.
Woh dheere se uske kareeb aayi aur uske hothon par ek chhota sa kiss kiya.
Reyansh ne uski kamar par haath rakha, lekin use apni taraf kheenchne ki jaldi nahi ki. Jheel khud uske kareeb rahi.
Kiss khatam hua toh dono ke chehron par muskurahat thi.
Jheel:
"Ab dessert mil gaya?"
Reyansh:
"Quality achhi thi."
Jheel:
"Rating?"
Reyansh:
"Nine point nine."
Jheel ne aankhen sikodi.
Jheel:
"Point one kahan gaya?"
Reyansh:
"Agli baar ke liye motivation."
Jheel ne hanskar uske seene par halka sa haath maara.
Jheel:
"Good night, Reyansh."
Reyansh:
"Good night, Jheel."
Woh corridor mein nikal gayi.
Reyansh darwaze par khada use Flat 304 mein jaate hue dekhta raha.
Jheel ne apne darwaze se palatkar haath hilaya.
Reyansh ne bhi haath hila diya.
Phir usne darwaza band kar diya.
Flat mein wahi sofa tha, wahi TV, wahi kitchen aur wahi balcony.
Lekin shaam abhi bhi uske saath thi.
Woh kitchen mein gaya, bache hue bartan check kiye aur phir fridge se ice cream nikaal li.
Ek spoon liya.
Phir khud hi hans pada.
Reyansh (khud se):
"Chef sahab, tumhara future bright hai."
Usne ice cream wapas rakhi aur balcony mein aa gaya.
Saamne Flat 304 ki lights jal rahi thi.
Usne phone uthaya.
Reyansh:
Reached safely?
Jheel ka reply aaya.
Jheel:
Main saamne wale flat mein hoon, Reyansh.
Reyansh:
Safety confirmation is a professional habit.
Jheel:
Senior Brand Manager sahab, good night.
Reyansh:
Good night, girlfriend.
Jheel ne message par ❤️ react kiya.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakha.
Uske chehre par muskurahat thi.
Aur kaafi arse baad, ek aam si Monday ki raat ko usne mehsoos kiya ki zindagi ko khoobsurat banane ke liye har baar kuch bada hona zaroori nahi.
Kabhi-kabhi do plates, thodi si namak kam bhurji, ek gaal par kiss aur saamne wale flat mein jalti hui light bhi kaafi hoti hai.

10:03 PM

Reyansh bedroom mein jaane hi wala tha ki phone phir vibrate hua.
Is baar message Jheel ka nahi tha.
Unknown number.
Wahi number, jisse pehle bhi messages aaye the.
Screen par likha tha:
Unknown Number:
Kabhi-kabhi insaan ko woh mil jaata hai jiska intezaar hota hai. Phir bhi woh khud se ek sawaal poochhna nahi chhodta.
Reyansh ka chehra dheere-dheere serious ho gaya.
Usne message dobara padha.
Phir type kiya.
Reyansh:
Aapko aajkal meri zindagi mein bahut interest hai.
Message send ho gaya.
Woh kuch der screen dekhta raha.
Typing indicator nahi aaya.
Koi reply nahi.
Reyansh ne phone lock kar diya.
Reyansh (khud se):
"Jo bhi ho, madam ya sir, seedha bolne mein kya problem hai?"
Woh phone side mein rakhkar bed par let gaya.
Aaj ki shaam ki yaadein abhi bhi uske dimaag mein chal rahi thi. Jheel ki hansi, kitchen mein uski nok-jhonk, aur darwaze par woh chhota sa kiss.
Unknown number ka message kuch pal ke liye peeche chala gaya.
Lekin mita nahi.
Usne light band ki.
Kamre mein andhera ho gaya.
Aur Bengaluru ki raat apni raftaar se aage badhti rahi.

[Greenwood]

Update 46




Bengaluru | Tuesday | 8:12 AM
Alarm teesri baar baja.
Reyansh ne takiye ke neeche haath daalkar phone dhoondha aur bina aankhein khole alarm band kar diya.
Do second ki khamoshi.
Phir usne ek aankh kholi.
Screen par waqt dekhte hi woh seedha uth baitha.
Reyansh:
"Shit! Aaj phir late."
Woh bed se utra, bathroom ki taraf badha, phir achanak ruk gaya.
Kal raat ka dinner yaad aa gaya.
Jheel ka hansna. Kitchen mein uska mazaak udaana. Darwaze par woh chhota sa kiss.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Phir uski nazar ghadi par padi.
Reyansh:
"Romance ke liye poori raat padi thi. Subah toh office jaana tha!"
Woh jaldi se tayyar hone laga.
Kitchen mein pahunchkar usne coffee machine chala di. Tabhi doorbell baji.
Darwaza khola toh Shalu saamne thi.
Usne Reyansh ko dekha. Phir uske haath mein coffee ka mug dekha.
Shalu:
"Sir, aaj toh aap jaldi mein lag rahe ho."
Reyansh:
"Aaj nahi, Shalu. Aaj toh main apni hi zindagi mein late guest hoon."
Shalu ko uski baat poori tarah samajh nahi aayi, lekin woh muskura di.
Shalu:
"Breakfast bana doon?"
Reyansh:
"Bas toast bana do. Aur coffee ready hai."
Shalu kitchen mein chali gayi.
Reyansh apna laptop bag lene bedroom mein gaya. Wapas aaya toh Shalu table par toast rakh chuki thi.
Usne ek bite liya aur phone check kiya.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel ❤️:
Good morning, sleepyhead.
Reyansh:
Good morning, Miss Food Inspector.
Jheel:
Aaj time par office jaana.
Reyansh:
Tum girlfriend ho ya meri attendance monitor?
Jheel:
Dono roles achhe se nibha sakti hoon.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh:
Kal ke dinner ke baad tumhara confidence kaafi badh gaya hai.
Jheel:
Tumhari cooking ke baad mera confidence badhna hi tha. Kisi ko toh is relationship ko sambhalna padega.
Reyansh ne message padhkar sir hilaya.
Reyansh:
Shaam ko milte hain. Aur haan, aaj dinner order karunga.
Jheel:
Better decision.
Phone pocket mein rakhkar woh darwaze ki taraf badha.
Shalu ne peeche se awaaz lagayi.
Shalu:
"Sir, aapka wallet!"
Reyansh ruk gaya.
Phir palatkar wallet liya.
Reyansh:
"Thank you. Aaj tumne meri naukri bachayi hai."
Shalu:
"Sir, wallet bhoolne se naukri kaise jaati?"
Reyansh:
"Meri company ke clients ko payment kaun karta phirta?"
Shalu hans padi.
Reyansh bhi muskurate hue flat se nikal gaya.
Shalu ne darwaza band kiya aur table saaf karne lagi.
Uski nazar ek pal ke liye us notebook par padi jismein woh kabhi-kabhi naye English words likha karti thi.
Usne notebook uthayi, ek naya page khola aur likha:
"Confidence: Khud par bharosa."
Phir usne neeche ek chhota sa sentence likha.
I can learn new things.
Woh sentence use poori tarah yaad nahi tha, lekin usne do baar padhkar apne dimaag mein bithane ki koshish ki.
Uske liye abhi itna hi kaafi tha.


9:34 AM | Reyansh Ka Office
Reyansh lift se nikla toh Neha apne desk ki taraf ja rahi thi.
Usne Reyansh ko dekha aur muskura di.
Neha:
"Good morning, Mr. Late Entry."
Reyansh:
"Good morning, Ms. Unnecessary Commentary."
Neha:
"Meeting das baje hai. Presentation ready hai?"
Reyansh:
"Bilkul."
Neha ne uske haath mein coffee dekhi.
Neha:
"Breakfast kiya?"
Reyansh:
"Ji, mummy."
Neha ruk gayi.
Neha:
"Mummy?"
Reyansh:
"Office mein koi toh meri health ki fikr karega."
Neha:
"Main tumhari health ki nahi, presentation ki fikr kar rahi hoon. Bhookhe pet tum aur zyada ajeeb ideas dete ho."
Reyansh:
"Toh tum maan rahi ho ki mere ideas interesting hote hain."
Neha:
"Main maan rahi hoon ki tumhe har baat mein apni tareef sunni hoti hai."
Reyansh hans diya aur apne cabin mein chala gaya.
Meeting theek rahi.
Presentation mein kuch changes suggest hue, do points par discussion hua aur agle hafte ke liye action items decide kar liye gaye.
Koi badi problem nahi thi.
Koi dramatic announcement bhi nahi.
Bas kaam ka ek aam din.
Meeting ke baad Reyansh apne desk par baitha tha ki uska phone vibrate hua.


Screen par naam dekhkar usne call utha li.

Reyansh:
"Madam Architect! Aaj Bengaluru ki kaunsi purani building ko nayi zindagi dene ka plan hai?"
Doosri taraf Aarohi ki hansi sunai di.
Aarohi:
"Good morning to you too, Mr. Corporate Hero."
Reyansh kursi par peeche ho gaya.
Reyansh:
"Finally kisi ne meri position ki izzat ki."
Aarohi:
"Position ki izzat hai. Tumhari nahi."
Reyansh:
"Dosti mein itna disrespect?"
Aarohi:
"Dosti mein hi toh asli feedback milta hai."
Reyansh muskura diya.
Aarohi se baat karna hamesha aasaan raha tha. Unke beech ab woh formal sa gap nahi tha jo naye logon ke saath hota hai. Dono ek-doosre ki baat kaat sakte the, mazaak uda sakte the aur phir agle hi pal normal conversation par aa sakte the.
Reyansh:
"Achha, batao. Phone kyun kiya? Koi kaam hai ya meri awaaz sunne ka mann kar raha tha?"
Aarohi:
"Apni khushfahmi ka ilaaj karwao."
Reyansh:
"Appointment tum book karwa dogi?"
Aarohi:
"Bilkul. Lekin fees tum bharna."
Dono hans pade.
Phir Aarohi ne apni baat batayi.
Uski design consultancy ek purani commercial building ke renovation proposal par kaam kar rahi thi. Building ka original structure kaafi dilchasp tha, lekin aas-paas ke naye construction ki wajah se uski pehchaan dheere-dheere khatam ho rahi thi.
Aarohi ko us jagah ki kuch photographs leni thi aur ek chhoti presentation ke liye visual references arrange karne the.
Aarohi:
"Main office ke baad udhar jaane wali hoon. Socha tumhe bhi poochh loon. Tumhe purani jagahon ki photographs lena pasand hai na?"
Reyansh:
"Mujhe pasand hai, lekin tumhe yaad kaise hai?"
Aarohi:
"Kyuki pichhli baar tumne ek coffee shop ke saamne khade hokar bees minute uski khidkiyon ki photographs li thi."
Reyansh:
"Architecture appreciate kar raha tha."
Aarohi:
"Tum coffee ka wait kar rahe the."
Reyansh:
"Architecture aur coffee ek doosre ke virodhi nahi hain."
Aarohi phir hans padi.
Aarohi:
"Chalo, shaam ko milte hain. Saat baje ke aas-paas?"
Reyansh:
"Done. Location bhej dena."
Aarohi:
"Aur haan, time par aana."
Reyansh ne aankhein band kar li.
Reyansh:
"Aaj meri zindagi ki har aurat meri attendance kyun check kar rahi hai?"
Aarohi kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir uski awaaz mein hansi ghul gayi.
Aarohi:
"Har aurat?"
Reyansh ko apni galti ka ehsaas hua.
Reyansh:
"Mera matlab... office mein Neha bhi subah se lecture de rahi hai."
Aarohi:
"Achha. Neha bhi."
Usne jaan-boojhkar bhi par zor diya.
Reyansh samajh gaya ki ab uski khair nahi.
Reyansh:
"Aarohi, koi zaroori kaam hai toh batao."
Aarohi:
"Haan. Saat baje. Late hue toh coffee tumhari taraf se."
Reyansh:
"Coffee toh waise bhi meri taraf se hoti."
Aarohi:
"Toh phir late hone ka koi faayda nahi."
Call kat gayi.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakha.
Uske chehre par ek purani, jaani-pehchaani muskurahat thi.
Aarohi uski zindagi mein kisi naye chapter ki tarah nahi aayi thi. Woh un logon mein se thi jinke saath kahani ke har page par kuch bada hona zaroori nahi hota.
Kabhi ek phone call hi kaafi hoti hai.


Shaam 6:42 PM | Bengaluru
Aarohi building ke bahar khadi photographs le rahi thi.
Purani imarat ke entrance par ab bhi kuch original design elements bache hue the. Darwaze ke upar bani hui patli geometric detailing aur side walls par purane stone panels, naye glass-fronted buildings ke beech alag hi nazar aa rahe the.
Aarohi ne camera neeche kiya aur apni notebook mein kuch points likhe.
Uske liye purani buildings sirf construction nahi thi. Unmein kisi waqt ke logon ki zarooratein, unki choices aur unki soch ka nishaan hota tha.
Woh apne kaam ko lekar serious thi, lekin har cheez ko office presentation ki tarah dekhna use pasand nahi tha.
Kabhi-kabhi woh bas kisi jagah ko dekhna chahti thi.
Usne phone nikala.
Aarohi:
Kahan ho?
Reyansh ka reply aaya.
Reyansh:
Parking.
Aarohi:
Tum sach mein time par aa gaye?
Reyansh:
Screenshot le lo. Aisa din baar-baar nahi aayega.


Aarohi hans di.

Kuch minute baad Reyansh uske paas aa gaya.
Aaj usne office ke kapde badal liye the. Simple shirt, dark jeans aur kandhe par bag.
Reyansh:
"Toh madam, dikhao apni historical property."
Aarohi ne uski taraf dekha.
Aarohi:
"Historical property nahi. Heritage value wali building."
Reyansh:
"Difference?"
Aarohi:
"Kaafi hai."
Reyansh:
"Achha. Aaj meri class bhi lagegi."
Aarohi:
"Free mein."
Reyansh:
"Tab toh main seriously nahi lunga."
Aarohi ne uske kandhe par halka sa dhakka diya.
Dono building ke andar ki taraf badh gaye.
Aarohi use original structure ke baare mein batati rahi. Reyansh kabhi dhyan se sunta, kabhi kisi chhoti detail par sawaal poochhta.
Uski khaasiyat thi ki woh har field ka expert banne ki koshish nahi karta tha. Agar use kuch nahi pata hota, toh poochh leta.
Aarohi ko yeh baat pasand thi.
Reyansh:
"Ek baat batao. Jab renovation hoga toh purani cheezein bachengi kaise? Naya design banate waqt sab kuch change karne ka mann nahi karta?"
Aarohi:
"Karta hai. Lekin har purani cheez hata dena solution nahi hota. Kabhi-kabhi jo pehle se achha hai, use samajhna padta hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh:
"Yeh baat building ke liye boli ya zindagi ke liye?"
Aarohi ne camera bag band kiya.
Aarohi:
"Main building ki baat kar rahi thi. Tum apni taraf se meaning nikaal rahe ho."
Reyansh:
"Meri creativity ka kya kasoor?"
Aarohi:
"Uski toh poori file bani hui hai."
Dono hans pade.
Kaam khatam karte-karte saat bajkar bees minute ho gaye.
Aarohi ne camera bag uthaya.
Aarohi:
"Coffee?"
Reyansh:
"Of course. Tumne mujhe bulaya hi coffee ke liye tha."
Aarohi:
"Main tumhe kaam ke liye laayi thi."
Reyansh:
"Aur main tumhari madad karne aaya tha."
Aarohi:
"Bilkul. Tumne teen photographs li aur baaki waqt sawaal poochhte rahe."
Reyansh:
"Intellectual contribution."
Aarohi ne hanskar sar hila diya.


7:38 PM | Café

Café zyada bheed wala nahi tha.
Khidki ke paas ek table khaali thi. Aarohi ne coffee order ki aur Reyansh ne cold coffee.
Dono baith gaye.
Aarohi apni photographs check kar rahi thi. Reyansh phone par Jheel ka message padh raha tha.
Jheel ❤️:
Aaj dinner ka kya plan hai?
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh:
Aarohi ke saath hoon. Coffee ke baad kuch kha lunga.
Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel:
Achha. Enjoy your evening.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aarohi ne screen ki taraf jaan-boojhkar nahi dekha, lekin usne Reyansh ke chehre par aayi muskurahat zaroor notice ki.
Aarohi:
"Koi khaas baat hai?"
Reyansh:
"Kyun?"
Aarohi:
"Tum phone dekhkar muskura rahe the."
Reyansh:
"Main bina wajah bhi muskura sakta hoon."
Aarohi:
"Bilkul. Lekin tumhari bina wajah wali smile aur message wali smile alag hai."
Reyansh ne cold coffee ka glass uthaya.
Reyansh:
"Tum logon ko doosron ke expressions par research karne ka shauk kyun hota hai?"
Aarohi:
"Hum log?"
Reyansh:
"Matlab... tum."
Aarohi ne apni coffee table par rakhi.
Aarohi:
"Reyansh, tum kisi ko date kar rahe ho?"
Sawaal seedha tha.
Reyansh ne kuch pal use dekha.
Phir usne socha ki baat chhupane ka koi matlab nahi.
Reyansh:
"Haan."
Aarohi ke chehre par hairani aayi, lekin woh sirf ek pal ke liye thi.
Phir woh muskura di.
Aarohi:
"Achha!"
Reyansh:
"Bas achha?"
Aarohi:
"Toh kya main table par chadhkar announcement karun?"
Reyansh:
"Main toh thoda emotional reaction expect kar raha tha."
Aarohi:
"Naam?"
Reyansh:
"Jheel."
Aarohi ne naam dohraya.
Aarohi:
"Jheel. Achha naam hai."
Reyansh:
"Haan."
Aarohi:
"Kab se?"
Reyansh:
"Kuch waqt ho gaya."
Aarohi ne uski taraf dekha.
Aarohi:
"Aur tumne mujhe bataya nahi?"
Reyansh ne thoda sa kandha uchkaya.
Reyansh:
"Har baat turant announce karna zaroori nahi laga. Dheere-dheere chal raha hai."
Aarohi ne sir hilaya.
Aarohi:
"Fair enough."
Uske lehje mein koi naraazgi nahi thi. Na hi koi aisi curiosity jo Reyansh ko uncomfortable kare.
Woh bas uske dost ki zindagi mein aayi ek nayi baat ko samajh rahi thi.
Aarohi:
"Khush ho?"
Reyansh ka jawab is baar bina kisi mazaak ke aaya.
Reyansh:
"Haan. Uske saath achha lagta hai."
Aarohi ne uske chehre ko dekha.
Aarohi:
"Good."
Reyansh:
"Tumne toh interview khatam kar diya."
Aarohi:
"Abhi toh shuru bhi nahi kiya."
Reyansh:
"Aarohi!"
Woh hans padi.
Aarohi:
"Relax. Main bas itna poochh rahi hoon ki tum dono ek-doosre ko samajhne ki koshish kar rahe ho na?"
Reyansh:
"Haan. Hum baat karte hain. Kabhi mazaak, kabhi serious baatein. Abhi toh ek-doosre ko jaan hi rahe hain."
Aarohi:
"Bas phir. Kisi bhi rishte mein sab kuch pehle din samajh aa jaana zaroori nahi."
Reyansh ne coffee ka sip liya.
Reyansh:
"Yeh advice free hai ya iska bill aayega?"
Aarohi:
"Bill toh aayega. Tumhari cold coffee ka."
Reyansh:
"Main tumhe kabhi coffee nahi pilaunga."
Aarohi:
"Kal bhi yahi kaha tha."
Dono hans pade.
Phir Aarohi ne apni photographs uske saamne kar di.
Aarohi:
"Achha, ab kaam ki baat. Inmein se kaunsi photograph presentation ke cover ke liye achhi lagegi?"
Reyansh ne phone ki taraf dekha.
Usne ek photograph select ki jismein purane entrance ka ek hissa aur uske peeche nayi building ka glass façade dono dikh rahe the.
Reyansh:
"Yeh wali."
Aarohi:
"Kyun?"
Reyansh:
"Ismein purana bhi dikh raha hai aur naya bhi. Dono ek hi frame mein hain, lekin ek-doosre ko chhupa nahi rahe."
Aarohi kuch pal photograph dekhti rahi.
Phir usne Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
Aarohi:
"Not bad, Mr. Corporate Hero."
Reyansh:
"Thank you. Mere andar talent ki koi kami nahi."
Aarohi:
"Compliment wapas leti hoon."
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne phone table par rakha.
Dono ki coffee khatam ho chuki thi, lekin baatein abhi baaki thi.
Aarohi ne apne office ke ek funny incident ke baare mein bataya. Reyansh ne meeting mein hui ek chhoti si gadbad sunayi. Dono ne ek-doosre ki taang kheechi.
Unki dosti ko kisi naye naam ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Woh pehle se hi apni jagah par thi.
Aur Reyansh ko achha lag raha tha ki uski zindagi mein aise log bhi hain jinke saamne use har waqt apne mood ka explanation nahi dena padta.



Café se bahar nikalte waqt Aarohi ka phone baja.

Usne screen dekhi aur call utha li.
Aarohi:
"Hello, haan bolo."
Doosri taraf se kuch kaha gaya.
Aarohi ka chehra thoda serious ho gaya.
Aarohi:
"Abhi? Lekin maine toh file bhej di thi."
Woh kuch pal sunti rahi.
Aarohi:
"Achha, mujhe mail forward kar do. Main check karke batati hoon."
Call kat gayi.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh:
"Sab thik?"
Aarohi:
"Office ka kaam hai. Client ko presentation mein ek change chahiye, lekin unhone jo reference diya hai woh original brief se match nahi karta."
Reyansh:
"Toh unse clarify kar lo."
Aarohi:
"Kar liya. Ab woh keh rahe hain ki kal subah tak revised version chahiye."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
Reyansh:
"Classic."
Aarohi hansne ki koshish karne lagi, lekin uske chehre par thakaan saaf thi.
Reyansh:
"Sun, main tumhe ghar tak chhod deta hoon. Raaste mein tum apna mail check kar lena."
Aarohi:
"Zaroorat nahi. Main cab le lungi."
Reyansh:
"Main tumhe chhod raha hoon, koi ehsaan nahi kar raha. Waise bhi mujhe usi taraf jaana hai."
Aarohi ne use dekha.
Aarohi:
"Tum sach mein usi taraf ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh ek pal ruka.
Reyansh:
"Thoda sa detour hai."
Aarohi:
"Matlab tum jhooth bol rahe ho."
Reyansh:
"Main ise friendship convenience kehta hoon."
Aarohi hans padi.
Aarohi:
"Chalo. Lekin petrol ka bill tumhara."
Reyansh:
"Coffee bhi meri, petrol bhi mera. Tum dost ho ya financial liability?"
Aarohi:
"Abhi toh tumne kaha tha dosti mein asli feedback milta hai."
Reyansh ne car unlock ki.
Reyansh:
"Baith jao, madam."
Aarohi passenger seat par baith gayi.
Raaste mein woh apne client ka mail check karti rahi. Reyansh gaadi chala raha tha aur beech-beech mein usse poochhta ki use kis jagah rukna hai.
Kuch der baad Aarohi ne phone neeche rakha.
Aarohi:
"Ek baat kahun?"
Reyansh:
"Bolo."
Aarohi:
"Achha lagta hai ki hum aise normal bhi reh sakte hain. Har baar milne par koi special plan ya badi baat zaroori nahi."
Reyansh ne sadak se nazar hataaye bina jawab diya.
Reyansh:
"Hum dost hain, Aarohi. Har mulaqat ko event banane ki zaroorat nahi."
Aarohi muskura di.
Aarohi:
"Exactly."
Gaadi uske apartment ke paas ruki.
Aarohi ne seat belt kholi.
Aarohi:
"Thanks for the ride."
Reyansh:
"Coffee aur petrol ka bill agle mahine bhej dunga."
Aarohi:
"Main payment kar dungi. Tum bas apni attendance improve karte rehna."
Reyansh:
"Good night, Aarohi."
Aarohi:
"Good night, Reyansh."
Woh gaadi se utar gayi.
Reyansh ne use building ke andar jaate dekha, phir gaadi aage badha di.
Uske phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel ❤️:
Dinner ho gaya?
Reyansh:
Abhi karne ja raha hoon.
Jheel:
Coffee peene gaye the ya dinner bhool gaye?
Reyansh:
Dono alag departments hain.
Jheel:
Tumhare departments kabhi time par kaam karte hain?
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh:
Kal milte hain. Dinner tumhare saath.
Jheel:
Dekhte hain, Mr. Busy.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakh diya.
Aaj ki shaam achhi rahi thi.
Aarohi ke saath dosti ka apna sukoon tha. Jheel ke saath rishte ka apna nayaapan.
Dono alag the.
Aur Reyansh ko abhi kisi ek ko doosre se compare karne ki zaroorat mehsoos nahi hoti thi.

10:17PM
Reyansh ghar pahunchkar seedha kitchen mein gaya.
Fridge khola.
Andar kal ki bachi hui bhurji ka chhota sa container rakha tha.
Usne use bahar nikala, kuch der dekha aur phir microwave mein rakh diya.
Reyansh:
"Chef sahab ki legacy."
Dinner karte waqt usne Aarohi ki bheji hui photographs dobara dekhi. Usne ek message bheja.
Reyansh:
Presentation ke liye woh third photo use karna. Usmein story hai.
Aarohi ka reply aaya.
Aarohi:
Noted, Mr. Creative Consultant.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Kuch minute baad woh balcony mein aaya.
Saamne Flat 304 ki light jal rahi thi.
Usne Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh:
Good night, Jheel.
Jheel:
Good night. Aur kal time par uthna.
Reyansh:
Tumhe meri neend se personal problem hai?


Jheel:

Tumhare alarm se hai. Pichhli baar tumne itni baar snooze kiya tha ki mujhe bhi uthna pad gaya tha.
Reyansh ne aankhein band kar li.
Reyansh:
Okay. Kal se alarm silent.
Jheel:
Kal se tum khud time par uthoge.
Reyansh:
Impossible demands.
Jheel ne ❤️ react kiya.
Reyansh ne phone lock kar diya.
Woh kuch der balcony mein khada raha.
Aaj uska din kaafi normal tha. Office, dost, coffee, thoda sa kaam, thoda sa mazaak.
Lekin shayad zindagi ka ek achha hissa isi normalcy mein chhupa hota hai.
Har din koi naya mod nahi aata.
Kabhi bas purane doston se baat hoti hai, kisi ke saath coffee pi jaati hai, aur kisi ka message dekhkar chehre par muskurahat aa jaati hai.
Reyansh ne balcony ki light band ki aur andar chala gaya.
Usne phone bedside table par rakha.
Screen ek pal ke liye roshan hui.
Koi naya message nahi tha.
Is baar usne phone dobara check nahi kiya.
Woh let gaya aur aankhein band kar li.

[Greenwood]

Update 47



Subah ke 8:17 baj rahe the.
Bengaluru ki sadkon par roz ki tarah gaadiyon ka shor tha. Kahin office jaane ki jaldi, kahin college bus ke peeche bhaagte bachche, toh kahin footpath par khade log apni chai ke saath din ki shuruaat kar rahe the.
Flat 303 mein, lekin, duniya kaafi alag chal rahi thi.
Reyansh apne bed par leta hua chhat ko dekh raha tha.
Uska phone takiye ke paas pada tha. Screen par Jheel ka message chamak raha tha.
Jheel: Good morning.
Reyansh: Bas? Itni si greeting?
Jheel: Good morning, Mr. Complaints Department.
Reyansh: Better. Lekin girlfriend hone ke kuch toh benefits hone chahiye.
Jheel: Haan. Tumhe roz subah tang karne ka haq.
Reyansh: Woh toh tum bina girlfriend bane bhi kar sakti thi.
Jheel: Toh phir relationship mein aane ka fayda?
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Tum mujhe miss karti ho.
Jheel: Subah-subah apni imagination ko control karo.
Reyansh: Matlab raat ko karun?
Kuch seconds tak koi reply nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone ko dekha, phir muskurate hue khud se kaha, "Ab phansi."
Phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Tum na, kabhi-kabhi bahut irritating ho jaate ho.
Reyansh: Aur phir bhi tum mujhe message karti ho.
Jheel: Galti ho gayi.
Reyansh: Milkar maafi maang lena.
Jheel: Kis baat ki?
Reyansh: Yeh toh milne ke baad decide karenge.
Jheel ne message padhkar aankhein ghumayi.
Woh apne flat mein breakfast ki taiyari kar rahi thi. Ek haath mein bread ka packet tha aur doosre mein phone. Usne kuch type kiya, phir delete kar diya.
Phir dobara type kiya.
Jheel: Aaj tumhara office nahi hai?
Reyansh: Hai. Lekin mera dil nahi hai.
Jheel: Tumhare dil ka HR department kaun hai?
Reyansh: Tum.
Jheel: Resignation bhej rahi hoon.
Reyansh: Notice period toh serve karna padega.
Jheel hans padi.
Usne phone kitchen counter par rakha aur apna breakfast banane lagi. Uske chehre par woh halki si khushi thi jo kisi bade surprise se nahi, balki kisi ke rozmarra ka hissa ban jaane se aati hai.
Kabhi-kabhi use khud bhi hairani hoti thi ki ek insaan ke kuch messages uske poore din ka mood badal sakte hain.
Aur phir usne apne aap ko samjhaya ki har khushi ka analysis karna zaroori nahi hota.
Kuch cheezon ko bas jeena chahiye.


Darwaze ki bell baji.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakha aur bed se uthkar darwaza khola.
Shalu saamne khadi thi, kandhe par apna bag latkaye.
"Good morning, sir."
Reyansh ne ghadi dekhi.
"Good morning? Shalu, tumne time dekha hai?"
"Ji. Aath bajkar pachis minute."
"Toh phir itni khushi se good morning kyun bol rahi ho?"
Shalu ne use dekha.
"Sir, aapko good morning bolne ke liye time bhi appointment lekar aayega?"
Reyansh ek pal use dekhta raha.
Phir hans diya.
"Waah. Aajkal jawab bhi dene lagi ho."
"Aapke yahan kaam karte-karte training ho gayi hai."
"Achha? Toh aaj se tumhari salary mein sarcasm allowance bhi add karna padega."
Shalu kitchen ki taraf badh gayi.
"Salary mein add kar dena, sir. Lekin pehle aap brush kar lijiye."
Reyansh ne hairani se use dekha.
"Excuse me?"
"Breakfast banane ke liye kitchen saaf chahiye. Aur aap coffee peene se pehle brush kar lijiye."
"Main ghar ka malik hoon ya college ka bachcha?"
Shalu ne peeche mudkar jawab diya, "Ghar ke malik ko bhi brush karna padta hai."
Reyansh ne dono haath utha diye.
"Theek hai. Is ghar mein meri koi izzat nahi hai."
"Ji, brush kar lijiye."
Woh bathroom ki taraf chala gaya.
Shalu apni hansi rok nahi paayi.
Kuch der baad Reyansh fresh hokar kitchen mein aaya. Shalu ne uske saamne toast aur omelette rakh diya.
Reyansh ne plate dekhi.
"Yeh kya hai?"
"Breakfast."
"Yeh toh mujhe bhi dikh raha hai. Main pooch raha hoon ki itna simple kyun hai?"
"Sir, aapko royal breakfast chahiye toh pehle royal timing par utha kijiye."
Reyansh ne ek bite liya.
"Waise taste achha hai."
"Thank you."
"Bas namak thoda kam hai."


Shalu ne plate ki taraf dekha.

"Mujhe toh theek lag raha hai."
"Har chef apne khane ko achha hi bolta hai."
"Har aadmi apni galti ka blame doosron par hi daalta hai."
Reyansh ka haath hawa mein ruk gaya.
"Shalu!"
"Ji, sir?"
"Tumhari personality develop ho rahi hai."
"Achhi baat hai na?"
"Bilkul. Bas mere saamne zyada mat karna."
Shalu muskura di.
Reyansh ne coffee ka mug uthaya aur phone check karne laga.
Office ke kuch emails the. Ek client ne presentation par comments bheje the aur Neha ka message bhi tha.
Neha: Aaj office time par aa rahe ho ya phir kisi ko tumhari attendance lagani padegi?
Reyansh: Main apni marzi ka malik hoon.
Neha: Client bhi apni marzi ka malik hai. Woh tumhara wait nahi karega.
Reyansh: Tum subah-subah itni practical kyun ho?
Neha: Kyunki tumhari tarah charming hone ke chakkar mein time waste nahi karti.
Reyansh hans diya.
Usne coffee khatam ki aur apna bag uthaya.
Darwaze ke paas pahunchkar use kuch yaad aaya.
"Shalu, tumhara computer course kaisa chal raha hai?"
Shalu ne apna bag theek kiya.
"Abhi toh main fees aur timings compare kar rahi hoon. Ek jagah weekend batch hai."
"Achha hai. Jaldi mein admission mat lena. Pehle dekh lena ki wahan sach mein seekhne ko milega."
"Ji, sir."
"Jab decide kar lo toh mujhe bata dena. Agar course ka schedule tumhare kaam ke time se takraya, toh hum timing adjust karne ki koshish karenge."
Shalu ke chehre par sachchi khushi aa gayi.
"Thank you, sir."
Reyansh ne haath se halka sa gesture kiya.
"Bas padhai karke meri English ki galtiyan mat nikaalne lagna."
Shalu hans padi.
"Uske liye toh mujhe course ki zaroorat hi nahi hai, sir."
Reyansh darwaze par ruk gaya.
"Yeh ghar mere khilaaf saazish kar raha hai."
"Sir, aap late ho rahe hain."
"Ja raha hoon!"
Aur woh nikal gaya.


Office pahunchte-pahunchte nau bajkar bees minute ho gaye.
Reyansh apni desk par baitha hi tha ki Neha coffee ka mug lekar uske paas aa gayi.
"Good morning, superstar."
"Good morning, office ki alarm clock."
"Kal raat der tak jaage the?"
Reyansh ne laptop khola.
"Kyuki?"
"Bas pooch rahi hoon. Aaj tumhare chehre par wohi smile hai jo pichhle kuch dino se gayab nahi ho rahi."
"Ab main smile bhi permission lekar karun?"
"Nahi. Lekin agar iska reason achha hai toh congratulations."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhe har cheez ka reason chahiye?"
"Professional habit."
"Brand manager main hoon."
"Office mein. Meri observations par tumhara designation nahi chalta."
Reyansh hans pada.
Neha ne apni coffee ka sip liya.
"Waise presentation ke updated numbers aa gaye hain. Client ne bas do changes maange hain. Tum dekh lena."
"Send kar do."
"Kar diye."
"Thanks."
Neha jaane lagi, phir ruk gayi.
"Ek baat poochun?"
"Poochho."
"Jab tum kisi ke saath hote ho, toh kya tum waise hi baat karte ho jaise office mein karte ho?"
Reyansh ne bhaunhein sikodi.
"Matlab?"
"Yahan har problem ka solution nikaal lete ho. Har situation mein joke maar dete ho. Lekin kabhi-kabhi lagta hai tum apni baat poori karne se pehle hi uska punchline bana dete ho."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Use Jheel ki woh baat yaad aayi jo kuch din pehle usne kahi thi. Ki woh kabhi-kabhi serious conversation ko mazaak mein badal deta hai.
"Ho sakta hai," usne aakhir kaha.
Neha ne kandhe uchkaye.
"Bas observation thi. Tumhe badalne ka project nahi le rahi."
"Shukr hai. Meri zindagi mein pehle hi ek review committee hai."
Neha hans padi.
"All the best, Mr. Under Review."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne screen par nazar jama di, lekin kuch der tak uska dhyaan kaam mein nahi laga.
Usne pehli baar mehsoos kiya ki alag-alag log uski zindagi ke alag-alag hisse dekhte hain.
Office mein woh confident tha.
Arshad ke saamne uska mazaak aur shararat wala roop tha.
Jheel ke saath woh in dono ke beech kahin tha. Kabhi bilkul aasan, kabhi apne hi jazbaat ko samajhne mein uljha hua.


Aur shayad kisi ke kareeb aane ka matlab yahi tha ki woh tumhare woh hisse bhi dekhne lage jinhe tum khud se bachakar rakhte ho.

Usne laptop ki taraf dhyaan lautaya.
Aaj ka din abhi lamba tha.
3. Ek Chhota Sa Plan
Dopahar ke kareeb Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Aaj shaam free ho?
Reyansh: Depends.
Jheel: Kis baat par?
Reyansh: Tum kya plan kar rahi ho?
Jheel: Kuch khaas nahi.
Reyansh: Toh main bhi free nahi hoon.
Jheel: Achha. Theek hai.
Reyansh ne message dekha.
Do minute beet gaye.
Koi naya message nahi.
Paanch minute beet gaye.
Ab bhi nahi.
Usne phone uthaya.
Reyansh: Tumne plan bataya hi nahi.
Jheel: Tum free nahi ho na.
Reyansh: Main busy hoon, unavailable nahi.
Jheel: Dono mein difference?
Reyansh: Busy aadmi kaam khatam karke mil sakta hai. Unavailable aadmi ko girlfriend ki yaad nahi aati.
Jheel: Tumhe meri yaad aa rahi hai?
Reyansh ki ungliyan screen par ruk gayin.
Woh seedha jawab de sakta tha.
Lekin uski aadat abhi poori tarah badli nahi thi.
Reyansh: Tum sawaal bahut karti ho.
Jheel: Aur tum jawab bahut ghumate ho.
Reyansh muskuraya.
Is baar usne koi mazaak nahi kiya.
Reyansh: Haan. Yaad aa rahi hai.
Jheel apne flat mein sofa par baithi thi.
Message padhkar uske chehre par ek naram si muskurahat aa gayi.
Usne phone ko seene ke paas nahi rakha, na kisi film ki heroine ki tarah aankhein band ki. Bas kuch pal screen ko dekhti rahi, jaise us chhote se jawab ko apne din ka hissa bana rahi ho.
Jheel: Mujhe bhi.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Phir usne type kiya.
Reyansh: Shaam ko milte hain?
Jheel: Kahan?
Reyansh: Tum decide karo.
Jheel: Mere ghar par chai?
Reyansh: Sirf chai?
Jheel: Reyansh!
Reyansh: Achha baba. Chai hi sahi.
Jheel: Aur kuch khaane ko bhi banaungi.
Reyansh: Tum banaogi ya hum order karenge?
Jheel: Tumhe mujh par bharosa nahi?
Reyansh: Khane par hai. Apni jaan par nahi.
Jheel ne zor se hansi chhodi.
Jheel: Shaam ko aana. Phir pata chalega.
Reyansh: Ji, chef sahiba.
Phone side mein rakhkar Jheel uth khadi hui.
Usne apne flat ko dekha. Sofa par ek cushion tedha pada tha. Coffee table par uski notebook khuli thi. Kitchen mein bartan rakhe the.
Aaj koi badi taiyari nahi karni thi.
Phir bhi usne socha ki shaam ko thoda sa achha lagna chahiye.
Woh almari ke paas gayi, kuch kapde nikale, phir wapas rakh diye.
Aakhir mein usne apna roz ka ek simple, comfortable outfit chun liya.
Kapde badalne se zyada use is baat ki khushi thi ki shaam ko Reyansh aane wala tha.
Aur is baar plan usne banaya tha.



Shaam ko Bengaluru ka aasman halka narangi ho gaya tha.

Office se nikalte waqt Reyansh ne Arshad ko call kiya.
"Zinda ho?"
Arshad ki awaaz aayi, "Nahi. Mera bhoot tumse baat kar raha hai."
"Achha, toh ek kaam kar. Bhoot bankar bata, dinner mein kya khaun?"
"Apni girlfriend ke ghar ja raha hai na?"
Reyansh ruk gaya.
"Tujhe kaise pata?"
"Kal se teri typing speed aur smile dono badh gayi hain. Main copywriter hoon. Patterns samajhta hoon."
"Tu apne clients ke patterns samajh. Meri life ka campaign mat bana."
"Campaign toh already chal raha hai. Title hai: Ek Ladka, Ek Ladki Aur Iski Overconfidence."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Chal, baad mein baat karta hoon."
"Ek minute."
"Kya?"
Arshad ki awaaz is baar thodi sanjeeda thi.
"Achha lag raha hai tujhe aise dekhkar. Bas uske saath rehna toh phone se zyada saamne rehna."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
"Samajh gaya."
"Waise dinner mein kya hai?"
"Pata nahi. Jheel bana rahi hai."
"Toh phir dua karna ki—"
Arshad beech mein hi ruk gaya.
"Matlab, umeed karna ki achha bana ho."
Reyansh ne hanskar kaha, "Tu apni zubaan sambhal. Main baad mein call karta hoon."
Call khatam karke woh Jheel ke flat ki taraf badh gaya.
Lift mein khade hokar usne apni shirt theek ki, baal ungliyon se set kiye aur phone check kiya.
Jheel ka message aaya tha.
Jheel: Door unlocked nahi hai. Bell bajana.
Reyansh: Mujhe laga boyfriend ko special entry milti hai.
Jheel: Boyfriend ko bhi bell bajani padti hai.
Reyansh: Relationship mein itne rules?
Jheel: Aur bhi hain. Aana toh bataungi.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Usne lift se bahar nikalte hi 304 ke saamne khade hokar bell bajayi.
Andar se halki si awaaz aayi.
"Ek minute!"
Kuch pal baad darwaza khula.
Jheel saamne thi.
Usne simple kurta pehna hua tha, baal khule the aur chehre par ghar ki shaanti wali ek alag hi softness thi.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Hello, chef sahiba."
Jheel ne uske haath dekhe.
"Khaali haath aaye ho?"
Reyansh ne apne haathon ko dekha, jaise use pehli baar pata chala ho ki woh sach mein kuch lekar nahi aaya.
"Main khud aaya hoon."
"Khud ko dessert samajh rakha hai?"
"Depends. Taste karke bata dena."
Jheel ne uske kandhe par halki si thapki maari.
"Chupchaap andar aao."
Reyansh hansta hua andar aa gaya.


Table par do plates rakhi thi.
Jheel ne simple vegetable pulao banaya tha, saath mein raita aur salad.
Reyansh ne table dekha.
"Yeh sab tumne banaya?"
"Haan."
"Order nahi kiya?"
"Nahi."
"Seriously?"
Jheel ne aankhein chhoti ki.
"Tumhe itna shock kyun lag raha hai?"
"Main bas soch raha tha ki tumne mujhe apne ghar bula kar food experiment karne ka faisla kiya hai."
"Abhi bhi wapas ja sakte ho."
Reyansh ne kursi kheenchkar baithte hue kaha, "Itni achhi company chhodkar? Bilkul nahi."
Jheel ke gaal halki si laali se bhar gaye.
Usne nazar hata kar plates mein khana serve kiya.
Reyansh ne pehla bite liya.
Jheel uska chehra padhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
"Kaisa hai?"
Reyansh ne kuch nahi kaha.
Ek aur bite liya.
Phir paani piya.
Jheel ki aankhon mein shak aa gaya.
"Reyansh, batao na."
Usne dheere se plate neeche rakhi.
"Ek problem hai."
Jheel ka chehra utar gaya.
"Kya?"
"Ab mujhe tumhare ghar dinner ke liye aane ki aadat lag sakti hai."
Jheel kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Phir usne cushion uthakar uski taraf phenka.
"Pagal!"
Reyansh hansne laga.
"Achha hai! Matlab khana pass ho gaya."
"Main agli baar kuch nahi banaungi."
"Phir main banaunga."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Tum?"
"Haan, main."
"Last time tumne egg bhurji banayi thi."
"Arshad ki guidance mein."
"Toh tumne nahi banayi thi."
"Main present tha."
"Kitchen mein?"
"Emotionally."
Jheel itna hansi ki use paani peena pada.
Dinner ke dauran unki baatein kabhi khane par, kabhi office par, kabhi bachpan ki chhoti yaadon par jaati rahin.
Jheel ne bataya ki bachpan mein woh cooking videos dekha karti thi, lekin kabhi-kabhi recipe ke beech hi uska mann kisi aur cheez mein lag jaata.


"Ek baar maine cake banane ki koshish ki thi," usne kaha.

Reyansh ne dilchaspi dikhayi.
"Phir?"
"Phir cake nahi bana."
"Kya bana?"
"Ek ajeeb si cheez."
"Naam rakha tha?"
Jheel ne sharmate hue kaha, "Nahi."
"Galti ki. Har invention ka naam hona chahiye."
"Achha, tum hi batao."
Reyansh ne sochne ka natak kiya.
"Jheel's Mystery Cake."
"Bahut bekaar naam hai."
"Toh phir Reyansh's Last Meal."
Jheel ne hansi ke saath uski taraf napkin phenki.
"Bas karo!"
Uski hansi dheere-dheere shaant hui.
Reyansh use dekh raha tha.
Jheel ne mehsoos kiya toh poochha, "Kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Phir aise kyun dekh rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne nazar nahi hatayi.
"Achha lag raha hai."
"Kya?"
"Yeh sab."
Jheel ka expression badal gaya. Masti ke beech uske chehre par ek narmi aa gayi.
"Khane ki tareef kar rahe ho?"
"Khane ki bhi."
"Baaki?"
Reyansh ne halka sa saans liya.
"Baaki ke liye shayad mujhe aur words seekhne padenge."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Har baat ko explain karna zaroori nahi hota."
"Yeh tum keh rahi ho? Tum toh har baat poochti ho."
"Main poochti hoon. Lekin jab tum jawab dete ho, toh sunna bhi chahti hoon."
Reyansh ki muskurahat halki ho gayi.
Usne apna haath table par rakha.
Jheel ne kuch pal baad apna haath uske haath ke paas rakh diya. Dono ki ungliyan halki si chhoo gayin.
Na koi bada gesture.
Na koi dialogue.
Bas ek chhota sa lamha, jahan dono ko ek-doosre ki maujoodgi ka ehsaas tha.


Dinner ke baad Jheel kitchen mein bartan rakhne lagi.
Reyansh ne plates uthayi.
"Main help karta hoon."
"Tum rehne do."
"Kyun?"
"Tum bartan dhote waqt bhi commentary karoge."
"Main constructive feedback deta hoon."
"Tum har cheez par review dete ho."
"Yeh meri personality ka important part hai."
Jheel ne uske haath se plate le li.
"Toh aaj personality ko sofa par baithne do."
Reyansh ne haath jodkar kaha, "Ji, madam."
Woh living room mein aa gaya.
Kuch minute baad Jheel bhi aa gayi. Usne lights dim kar di aur sofa ke doosre kone par baith gayi.
TV chala, lekin dono ka dhyaan us par zyada der nahi raha.
Jheel ne apne pair sofa par samet liye.
Reyansh ne poochha, "Thak gayi?"
"Thoda."
"Cooking se?"
"Nahi. Bas din lamba tha."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Sab theek hai?"
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Haan. Bas kabhi-kabhi din ke end mein aisa lagta hai ki mujhe kuch karna chahiye, lekin samajh nahi aata kya."
"Kis tarah ka kuch?"
"Pata nahi. Apne liye. Apni life ke liye. Kabhi lagta hai main bahut kuch kar sakti hoon, phir kabhi lagta hai main abhi bahut peeche hoon."
Reyansh ne turant koi solution nahi diya.
Usne bas suna.
Jheel uski taraf dekhne lagi, jaise use aadat thi ki saamne wala abhi kahega ki sab theek ho jayega ya use kya karna chahiye.
Lekin Reyansh chup raha.
Aakhir usne poochha, "Tum kuch bologe nahi?"
Reyansh ne halki muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Tum chahti ho main bolun, ya tum chahti ho main sunun?"
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir usne kaha, "Aaj sun lo."
"Theek hai."
Aur woh sunta raha.
Jheel ne apni chhoti-chhoti chintaon ke baare mein bataya. Apne kaam, apne future, aur is baat ke baare mein ki kabhi-kabhi use apni hi capability par bharosa karne mein waqt lagta hai.
Reyansh ne beech mein apne experiences thopne ki koshish nahi ki.
Na usne har baat ko joke mein badla.
Na hi usne har problem ka turant solution diya.
Jab Jheel ki baat khatam hui, toh kamre mein kuch pal ki khamoshi thi.
Phir Jheel ne uske kandhe par apna sar tika diya.
"Thank you."
Reyansh ne dheere se poochha, "Kis liye?"
"Aaj meri baat sunne ke liye."
Usne Jheel ke haath ko apne haath mein le liya.
"Main koshish kar raha hoon."
Jheel ne sar uthakar use dekha.
"Kis cheez ki?"
"Tumhe samajhne ki. Har baar perfect nahi hoga. Lekin koshish karunga."
Jheel ki aankhon mein ek halki si chamak thi.
"Mujhe perfect nahi chahiye."
"Achha hai. Kyunki main hoon bhi nahi."
"Yeh toh mujhe pehle se pata hai."
Reyansh ne nakli hairani dikhayi.
"Abhi toh emotional moment tha!"
"Tha. Tumne khud kharab kar diya."
Dono hans pade.
Lekin is baar hansi ke baad Jheel ne uska haath nahi chhoda.


Raat kaafi ho chuki thi.

Reyansh uthkar darwaze ki taraf badha. Jheel use chhodne aayi.
Darwaze ke paas dono ruk gaye.
"Achha laga aaj?" Jheel ne poochha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Bahut."
"Food ke liye?"
"Food ke liye bhi."
Jheel muskura di.
"Good."
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, "Aur next time main cooking karunga."
Jheel ne shak bhari nazar se dekha.
"Main fire extinguisher ready rakhungi."
"Bahut confidence hai mujh par."
"Experience bolta hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
Phir kuch pal ke liye dono chup ho gaye.
Jheel ne uska haath pakda.
"Kal miloge?"
Reyansh ne uski ungliyon ko apni ungliyon mein le liya.
"Kal bhi. Parson bhi. Jab tum chaho."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Har baar itna achha jawab mat diya karo."
"Kyun?"
"Phir aadat lag jaati hai."
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
"Shayad kuch aadatein achhi hoti hain."
Jheel ne apna sar halka sa jhuka diya.
Reyansh ne uske maathe par ek narm sa kiss diya.
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
Jab usne aankhein kholi, Reyansh ab bhi uske saamne tha.
"Goodnight," usne dheere se kaha.
"Goodnight, Jheel."
Reyansh corridor mein aa gaya.
Jheel darwaze par khadi rahi. Usne use lift ki taraf jaate dekha. Lift ke darwaze band hone se pehle Reyansh ne palatkar haath hilaya.
Jheel ne bhi haath hila diya.
Phir woh andar aayi aur darwaza band kar diya.
Uske flat mein ab phir wahi shaanti thi.
Lekin ab woh shaanti pehle jaisi nahi lag rahi thi.
Sofa par do cushions ab bhi tedhe the. Table par dinner ki ek chhoti si napkin reh gayi thi. Kitchen mein bartan sookhne ke liye rakhe the.
Sab kuch aam tha.
Bas us aam din ke andar ek aisa lamha jud gaya tha jise Jheel apne saath lekar sone wali thi.



Reyansh apne flat mein aaya, shoes utare aur sofa par baith gaya.

Usne phone nikala.
Jheel ka message pehle se aaya hua tha.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh ne aas-paas dekha, phir screen ki taraf.
Reyansh: Haan. Tumhare ghar se apne ghar tak bahut risky journey thi.
Jheel: Beech mein koi adventure hua?
Reyansh: Lift ne mujhe chhod diya tha. Main kisi tarah bachkar aa gaya.
Jheel: Tumhara dimaag kabhi theek nahi hoga.
Reyansh: Tum saath rahogi toh shayad ho bhi na.
Is baar Jheel ne turant reply nahi kiya.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya aur paani peene chala gaya.
Jab wapas aaya, screen par naya message tha.
Jheel: Goodnight, Reyansh. Aaj achha laga.
Reyansh ne kuch der message dekha.
Phir type kiya.
Reyansh: Mujhe bhi. Aur Jheel?
Jheel: Haan?
Reyansh: Aaj tumne jo bhi share kiya, uske liye thanks. Main hamesha sahi words nahi dhoondh paunga, lekin tumhari baat sunna chahta hoon.
Jheel ne message padha.
Uski aankhon mein wohi naram si chamak aa gayi.
Jheel: Bas itna kaafi hai.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakha.
Aaj uske paas koi grand plan nahi tha.
Koi bada promise nahi.
Koi dramatic confession nahi.
Bas ek shaam thi, do plates mein bana hua simple dinner tha, kuch bekaar jokes the aur ek aisi baat thi jo usne pehle se behtar tareeke se ki thi.
Kabhi-kabhi badlaav isi tarah shuru hota hai.
Insaan ko pata bhi nahi chalta ki woh kab kisi ke liye apni aadat ka ek chhota sa kona badalne lagta hai.


Raat ke kareeb gyarah bajkar chaalis minute par Reyansh apna phone charge par lagane hi wala tha ki ek naya message aaya.
Unknown number.
Usne screen dekhi.
Unknown Number: Aajkal aapki khamoshi bhi badli hui lagti hai.
Reyansh ke chehre ki muskurahat dheere-dheere kam ho gayi.
Usne message dobara padha.
Na koi naam.
Na koi explanation.
Bas ek aur line, jo uske dimaag mein sawaal chhodne ke liye kaafi thi.
Reyansh ne reply type kiya.
Reyansh: Aapko meri khamoshi se bhi problem hai?
Message send ho gaya.
Kuch nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya.
Woh jaanta tha ki is number ke peeche koi aisa insaan tha jo uski zindagi ko door se dekh raha tha. Kabhi-kabhi uski baaton mein koi aisi baat hoti thi jo seedha uske dimaag mein atak jaati.
Lekin aaj Reyansh ne us sawaal ko apni shaam par haavi nahi hone diya.
Usne phone ki screen band ki.
Khidki ke paas jaakar kuch pal bahar dekha.
Bengaluru ki raat apni raftaar mein chal rahi thi.
Aur uske andar, bahut waqt baad, ek chhota sa sukoon tha.
Abhi poora nahi.
Abhi sthir bhi nahi.
Lekin maujood tha.
Reyansh wapas bed par aaya, lights band ki aur aankhein moond li.
Uske dimaag mein Jheel ki hansi thi.
Uska kandhe par sar rakhna.
Uska kehna, “Mujhe perfect nahi chahiye.”
Reyansh ke hothon par halki si muskurahat aayi.
Us raat usne apne aap se koi sawaal nahi poochha.
Bas sone ki koshish ki.
Aur kaafi der baad, bina kisi wajah ko samjhe, uska mann halka mehsoos hua.

[Greenwood]

Update 48




Subah ke 7:42 baj rahe the.
Reyansh ke bedroom mein alarm teesri baar baj chuka tha.
Pehli baar usne aankhein khole bina band kar diya tha.
Doosri baar usne takiye ke neeche haath daalkar phone dhoondha tha, lekin haath phone ki jagah bed ke doosre kone mein pade cushion par pada.
Teesri baar alarm bajte hi usne aankhein kholi aur seedha chhat ko dekhne laga.
"Monday ko itni jaldi kyun aana hota hai?"
Phone uthakar alarm band kiya. Phir screen par nazar padi.
Jheel ka koi message nahi tha.
Kal raat dono ne goodnight kaha tha. Uske baad baat khatam ho gayi thi.
Reyansh ne phone wapas rakh diya.
Paanch second baad phir utha liya.
Usne khud ko pakad liya.
"Yeh kya ho raha hai?"
Woh bed par baith gaya.
"Main kisi ka message check nahi kar raha. Main bas time dekh raha hoon."
Usne ghadi dekhi.
7:43.
"Time toh dekh liya."
Phir bhi phone haath mein hi tha.
Aakhir usne Jheel ki chat kholi.
Pichhli raat ka aakhri message saamne tha.
Jheel: Bas itna kaafi hai.
Reyansh ne use padhkar halki si muskurahat di aur phone rakh diya.
Aaj usne pehle message nahi kiya.
Koi khaas wajah nahi thi. Bas uske mann mein aaya ki dekha jaaye, kya Jheel bhi kabhi khud usse baat shuru karti hai.
Doosri taraf Jheel pehle se jaag rahi thi.
Woh apne flat mein chai bana rahi thi aur phone kitchen counter par rakha tha. Usne screen do baar check ki, phir khud ko samjhaya ki subah-subah har insaan phone lekar nahi baitha rehta.
Phir usne socha ki Reyansh ko message karne mein kya burai hai.
Usne chat kholi.
Type kiya.
Jheel: Good morning.
Phir message bhejne se pehle ruk gayi.
Kal raat usne hi aakhri message kiya tha.
Aaj bhi woh hi kare?
Usne text delete kar diya.
"Rehne do," woh khud se boli.
Phir chai ka cup uthakar living room mein chali gayi.
Un dono ke beech kisi ne koi rule nahi banaya tha.
Lekin kabhi-kabhi chhoti si baat bhi mann mein ek ajeeb sa hisaab khol deti hai.
Kaun pehle message karta hai?
Kaun zyada yaad karta hai?
Kaun pehle milne ki baat karta hai?
Aur kaun in sab baaton ko lekar sochta hi nahi?
Reyansh aur Jheel abhi apne-apne jawab dhoondh rahe the.


Reyansh taiyar hokar kitchen mein aaya toh Shalu breakfast bana rahi thi.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning."
Shalu ne uske saamne plate rakhi.
"Sir, aaj aap jaldi uth gaye."
Reyansh ne toast uthaya.
"Main roz jaldi uthta hoon."
Shalu ne uski taraf dekha.
"Achha?"
"Haan."
"Kal bhi?"
Reyansh ne toast ka bite lete hue kaha, "Kal ka record confidential hai."
Shalu hans padi.
Reyansh ne coffee banne ka intezaar karte hue phone check kiya.
Koi message nahi.
Usne phone pocket mein rakh liya.
Shalu ne coffee uske saamne rakhte hue poochha, "Sir, aap kisi ka wait kar rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne turant jawab diya, "Nahi."
"Achha."
"Achha matlab?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Shalu, tumhare yeh do shabdon wale jawab bahut dangerous hain."
Shalu muskurayi.
"Aapne hi toh kaha tha ki kam bolo, kaam zyada karo."
"Yeh kab kaha maine?"
"Jab main kaam karte hue zyada baat kar rahi thi."
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
"Main apne hi ghar mein apne khilaaf gawahi sun raha hoon."
Shalu ne breakfast ki plate uski taraf sarka di.
"Aap nashta kar lijiye, sir."
Reyansh hans diya.
Lekin ghar se nikalte waqt usne ek baar phir phone check kiya.
Ab bhi kuch nahi tha.
Is baar usne khud ko samjhaya ki Jheel busy hogi.
Woh bhi toh aksar apne kaam mein lag jaata tha.
Har waqt message ki umeed karna zaroori nahi tha.
Usne phone pocket mein rakha aur lift ki taraf badh gaya.


Office pahunchkar Reyansh ne laptop khola.
Neha pehle se apni desk par thi.
Usne Reyansh ko dekha aur kaha, "Aaj toh time par aa gaye."
"Main hamesha time par aata hoon."
"Bilkul. Aur main office ki CEO hoon."
Reyansh ne bag chair ke paas rakha.
"Promotion kab mila?"
"Jab tumne apni punctuality ka certificate khud banaya."
Dono hans pade.
Neha ne uske desk par ek file rakh di.


"Client ne revised draft approve kar diya. Bas final presentation dekh lena."

"Thanks."
Reyansh kaam mein lag gaya.
Kuch der tak sab theek chala. Usne presentation check ki, do corrections kiye aur team ko updated file bhej di.
Phir phone screen par nazar gayi.
Koi notification nahi.
Usne phone ulta rakh diya.
Do minute baad ek email aaya. Usne email khola, padha aur reply kar diya.
Phir nazar phone par gayi.
Ab bhi kuch nahi.
"Reyansh?"
Neha ki awaaz se uska dhyaan toota.
"Haan?"
"Main tumse ek question pooch rahi thi."
"Kya?"
"Client meeting ke liye tum aa rahe ho ya tumhara phone tumhari jagah attend karega?"
Reyansh ne phone uthakar drawer mein rakh diya.
"Main bilkul focused hoon."
Neha ne uski taraf dekha.
"Good. Toh batao, campaign ke final slide mein kya change karna hai?"
Reyansh ne sahi jawab diya.
Neha ne haath utha diya.
"Theek hai. Tum abhi bhi kaam ke laayak ho."
"Thank you for your confidence."
"Welcome. Personal life ka audit baad mein kar lena."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main koi audit nahi kar raha."
"Achha hai. Kyunki tumhare chehre par wohi expression hai jo kisi ka message aane ka wait karte waqt hota hai."
Reyansh ne turant jawab nahi diya.
Neha muskurayi.
"Don't worry. Main kuch nahi poochhungi."
"Thank you."
"Waise, agar message nahi aa raha toh tum kar sakte ho."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main kisi ke message ka wait nahi kar raha."
Neha ne dono haath utha diye.
"Of course, Mr. Not Waiting."
Woh apni desk par laut gayi.
Reyansh ne kuch pal screen ko dekha.
Phir drawer khola.
Phone nikala.
Aur aakhirkaar Jheel ko message kar diya.
Reyansh: Good morning, neighbour.
Message bhejne ke baad usne phone table par rakh diya.
Is baar usne khud ko baar-baar screen dekhne se rokne ki koshish ki.
Kaam par dhyaan diya.
Meeting attend ki.
Team ke saath discussion kiya.
Aur lagbhag bees minute baad phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Good morning, sir.
Reyansh ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Sir?
Jheel: Ji, sir.
Reyansh: Yeh nayi promotion kab mili?
Jheel: Jab aapne mujhe kal se message nahi kiya.
Reyansh ka expression badla.
Usne message dobara padha.
Reyansh: Maine toh abhi message kiya hai.
Jheel: Exactly.
Reyansh chair par peeche ho gaya.
Ab baat samajh aane lagi thi.
Reyansh: Tum subah se wait kar rahi thi?
Jheel: Maine aisa kab kaha?
Reyansh: Toh phir yeh sir wali narazgi kyun?
Jheel: Koi narazgi nahi hai.
Reyansh: Jheel.
Jheel: Reyansh.
Woh hans pada.
Phir usne message kiya.
Reyansh: Shaam ko mil sakte hain?
Kuch der baad reply aaya.
Jheel: Dekhenge.
Reyansh ne phone ko dekha.
"Bas. Ab toh pakka naraaz hai."
3. Arshad Ki Adalat
Dopahar ko Reyansh lunch ke liye neeche cafeteria mein gaya.
Arshad bhi wahin mil gaya. Woh apne laptop par kisi advertisement ki line likh raha tha.
Reyansh uske saamne baith gaya.
"Ek problem hai."
Arshad ne screen se nazar nahi hatayi.
"Paise chahiye?"
"Nahi."
"Job chahiye?"
"Nahi."
"Toh phir problem chhoti hogi."
Reyansh ne tray table par rakhi.
"Meri girlfriend naraaz hai."
Arshad ne pehli baar uski taraf dekha.
Phir laptop band kar diya.
"Baith. Paani piyega? Court ki karwai lambi chalegi."
Reyansh ne aankhein ghumayi.
"Tu serious ho sakta hai?"
"Bilkul. Bata, kiya kya tune?"
"Kuch nahi."
Arshad ne turant jawab diya, "Yahi kiya hoga."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Matlab?"
"Jab koi kehta hai ki usne kuch nahi kiya, toh aam taur par usne kuch toh kiya hota hai. Ya phir kuch nahi kiya hota, jo karna chahiye tha."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
"Subah maine pehle message nahi kiya."
Arshad ne table par haath maara.
"Case solved!"
"Chup kar."
"Reyansh, tune girlfriend ko good morning nahi bola?"
"Maine baad mein bola."
"Kitne baje?"
Reyansh ne time bataya.
Arshad ne sar hila diya.
"Late good morning. Yeh toh serious offence hai."
"Tu meri help karega ya nahi?"
"Kar raha hoon. Sun. Har relationship mein log kabhi-kabhi chhoti cheezon ko lekar sensitive ho jaate hain. Iska matlab yeh nahi ki koi badi problem hai."


Reyansh uski baat sunta raha.

Arshad ne aage kaha, "Lekin agar Jheel ko achha lagta hai ki tum subah usse baat karo, toh kabhi-kabhi pehle message kar dene mein kya jaata hai?"
"Main har roz report karun?"
"Report nahi. Bas yaad karna dikha."
Reyansh ne paani ka glass uthaya.
"Tu toh bahut relationship expert ban raha hai."
Arshad hans diya.
"Main copywriter hoon. Har audience ke liye sahi line dhoondhta hoon."
"Apni girlfriend ke liye bhi?"
Arshad ki muskurahat thodi kam hui.
"Haan. Aur kabhi-kabhi sahi line mil jaaye, tab bhi waqt par bolna zaroori hota hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Arshad ne apna laptop dobara khol liya.
"Chal, ab khaana kha. Aur haan, sorry bolne se pehle samajh lena ki saamne wala kis baat par upset hai. Warna sorry bhi advertisement lagta hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Tu kabhi-kabhi kaam ki baat bhi kar leta hai."
"Main talented hoon. Tum log meri talent ko jokes mein waste kar dete ho."


Shaam ko Reyansh ghar lauta toh usne lift mein hi Jheel ko message kiya.

Reyansh: Ghar aa gaya.
Jheel: Congratulations.
Reyansh: Thank you. Tum ghar par ho?
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Milne aa jaun?
Jheel: Kis liye?
Reyansh ne message padha.
Phir usne ek seedha sa jawab diya.
Reyansh: Tumse milne ke liye.
Is baar reply jaldi aaya.
Jheel: Aao.
Reyansh lift se nikla aur 304 ke saamne pahunch gaya.
Bell bajayi.
Darwaza khula.
Jheel ne simple blue kurta pehna hua tha. Baal ek loose clip mein bandhe the. Uske chehre par narazgi se zyada ek dabayi hui muskurahat thi.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Hello."
"Hello."
"Main andar aa sakta hoon?"
"Darwaza isi liye khola hai."
Reyansh andar aaya.
Jheel wapas living room ki taraf chali gayi.
Woh sofa par baith gayi aur saamne rakhi notebook utha li, jaise woh bahut zaroori kaam kar rahi ho.
Reyansh uske paas aakar khada ho gaya.
"Kya kar rahi ho?"
"Kaam."
"Kaisa kaam?"
"Zaroori kaam."
"Notebook khaali hai."
Jheel ne notebook dekhi.
Phir use band kar diya.
"Ab khaali nahi hai."
Reyansh hans pada.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha, lekin apni muskurahat chhupa li.
Reyansh sofa par uske paas baith gaya.
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Phir usne kaha, "Achha, batao. Subah se kya problem hai?"
"Koi problem nahi hai."
"Jheel."
"Reyansh."
Woh muskura diya.
"Theek hai. Main guess karta hoon."
Jheel ne notebook apni god mein rakhi.
"Good luck."
"Main subah message nahi kar paya."
"Kar sakte the."
"Haan."
"Toh kiya kyun nahi?"
Reyansh ne ek pal socha.
"Main dekhna chahta tha ki tum pehle message karti ho ya nahi."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Seriously?"
"Haan."
"Tumne mujhe test kiya?"
Reyansh ko apni galti ka ehsaas hua.
"Test nahi. Bas..."
"Bas kya?"
"Bas dekhna chahta tha."
Jheel ne nazar hata li.
"Relationship koi competition nahi hai, Reyansh."
Uski awaaz mein ab mazaak nahi tha.
Reyansh seedha baith gaya.
"I know."
"Nahi, shayad tumhe pata hai. Lekin kabhi-kabhi tum chhoti baaton ko game bana dete ho."
Reyansh chup raha.
Jheel ne aage kaha, "Mujhe har subah tumhara message chahiye, aisa nahi hai. Tum busy ho sakte ho. Main bhi busy ho sakti hoon. Lekin agar tum jaanbujhkar message nahi karte, sirf yeh dekhne ke liye ki main karti hoon ya nahi, toh mujhe achha nahi lagta."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Is baar usne beech mein koi joke nahi kiya.
"You're right."
Jheel ko shayad umeed nahi thi ki woh itni jaldi maan lega.
Woh uski taraf mud gayi.
"Bas?"
"Bas kya?"
"Tum argue nahi karoge?"
Reyansh hans diya.
"Karun?"
"Nahi."
"Toh phir tumne poochha kyun?"
Jheel ne uske kandhe par halki si thapki maari.
"Reyansh!"
Woh hans pada, phir uska expression sanjeeda ho gaya.
"Sorry, Jheel. Sach mein. Mujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha."
Jheel ne kuch pal use dekha.
Phir dheere se boli, "Theek hai."
Reyansh ne haath aage badhaya.
"Friends?"
Jheel ne uska haath dekha.
"Hum girlfriend-boyfriend hain. Friends kab bane?"
"Promotion ke liye application de sakta hoon?"
Jheel hansi rok nahi paayi.
"Bilkul nahi."
"Achha, toh phir ek hug mil sakta hai?"
Jheel ne kuch pal uski taraf dekha, phir apni baahen uske gird rakh di.
Reyansh ne bhi use gale laga liya.
Koi dramatic apology nahi thi.
Koi lambi speech nahi.
Bas ek hug, jisme dono ki narazgi dheere-dheere pighal gayi.


Kuch der baad Jheel ne use chhod diya.
Reyansh ne poochha, "Ab sab theek?"
"Almost."
"Almost kyun?"
"Saza baaki hai."
Reyansh ne hairani dikhayi.
"Yeh toh court se bhi khatarnak nikla."
Jheel ne sofa ke paas rakha cushion uthaya aur uski god mein rakh diya.
"Aaj tum chai banaoge."
Reyansh ne cushion ko dekha.
"Bas?"
"Aur kitchen tum saaf karoge."
"Jheel, main tumhara boyfriend hoon ya domestic staff?"
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Subah se mujhe test kar rahe the. Ab practical exam do."
Reyansh hans pada.
"Theek hai. Chai main banaunga."
Jheel ne turant kaha, "Aur achhi honi chahiye."
"Abhi toh tumne mujhe maaf kiya tha."

"Maaf kiya hai. Certificate nahi diya."

Reyansh uthkar kitchen mein chala gaya.
Jheel uske peeche aayi aur counter ke paas khadi ho gayi.
Reyansh ne chai banane ke liye pan nikala.
"Kitni chai?"
"Do cup."
"Cheeni?"
"Thodi."
"Thodi matlab?"
"Jitni tumhe samajh aaye."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh instruction hai ya puzzle?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Chai banao, Reyansh."
Usne chai banani shuru ki.
Paani, doodh, patti aur cheeni.
Sab kuch theek lag raha tha.
Phir usne Jheel ki taraf dekhkar poochha, "Adrak daalun?"
"Thodi."
Reyansh ne adrak uthaya.
"Jheel, tumhari life mein har cheez thodi hi kyun hoti hai?"
"Kyuki tum har cheez zyada kar dete ho."
Reyansh hans pada.
Chai ban gayi.
Dono cups lekar living room mein aaye.
Jheel ne pehla sip liya.
Reyansh uska chehra dekhne laga.
"Kaisi hai?"
Jheel ne kuch pal socha.
"Theek hai."
"Bas theek?"
"Haan."
Reyansh ne apna cup uthaya.
"Main apne talent ko pehchanta hoon. Tumhari taste buds kharab hain."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Chai tumne banayi hai. Taste buds meri kharab kaise ho gayi?"
"Main scientific explanation de sakta hoon."
"Nahi chahiye."
Dono hans pade.
Jheel ne apna cup table par rakha aur Reyansh ke kandhe par sar tika diya.
"Waise, thank you."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kis liye?"
"Sorry bolne ke liye. Aur meri baat sunne ke liye."
Reyansh ne uske baalon par halki si nazar daali.
"Main seekh raha hoon."
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
"Good."
Kuch pal dono bina bole baithe rahe.
TV par koi show chal raha tha, lekin awaaz halki thi. Bahar corridor mein kisi ke chalne ki awaaz aayi, phir sab shaant ho gaya.
Reyansh ko achha lag raha tha ki Jheel uske paas itni aaraam se baithi thi.
Uske liye har pal ko special banana zaroori nahi tha.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi ka paas baithna hi kaafi hota hai.


Raat hone lagi toh Reyansh uthkar jaane laga.
Jheel use darwaze tak chhodne aayi.
"Kal subah message karoge?" usne poochha.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Karunga."
"Sirf good morning?"
"Good morning, beautiful neighbour."
Jheel ke chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
"Thoda zyada ho gaya."
"Toh good morning, strict neighbour."
"Yeh bhi nahi."
"Good morning, meri favourite neighbour?"
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir usne nazar jhuka kar kaha, "Yeh theek hai."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Done."
Jheel ne uska haath pakda.
"Ek baat aur."
"Bolo."
"Har baat ko game mat banana. Kabhi-kabhi seedha bol diya karo ki tumhe kya chahiye."
Reyansh ne uski ungliyon ko halka sa dabaya.
"Jaise?"
"Jaise agar tum mujhe miss karte ho, toh keh sakte ho."
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Main tumhe miss karta hoon."
Jheel ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
Is baar woh uske jawab ko mazaak mein nahi badalna chahti thi.
"Main bhi," usne dheere se kaha.
Reyansh ne uske maathe par kiss kiya.
"Goodnight, Jheel."
"Goodnight."
Woh apne flat ki taraf badha.
Jheel darwaze par khadi use jaate dekhti rahi.
Lift ke paas pahunchkar Reyansh ne palatkar dekha.
"Kal message ka wait mat karna!"
Jheel ne aankhein badi kar di.
"Reyansh!"
Woh hanskar lift mein ghus gaya.
Jheel ne darwaza band karte hue khud se kaha, "Ek din iski saari nautanki band karwaungi."
Lekin uske chehre par muskurahat thi.


Reyansh apne flat mein aaya.

Phone table par rakha, shirt badli aur paani peene kitchen mein chala gaya.
Jab wapas aaya, phone vibrate kar raha tha.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh ne message padha aur hans diya.
Reyansh: Haan. Tumne toh mujhe apni aankhon se lift mein jaate dekha tha.
Jheel: Safety check.
Reyansh: Aajkal girlfriend bahut responsible ho gayi hai.
Jheel: Boyfriend ko sambhalna padta hai.
Reyansh ne kuch pal screen ko dekha.
Phir type kiya.
Reyansh: Goodnight, meri favourite neighbour.
Jheel ka reply aaya.
Jheel: Goodnight, Mr. Learning To Improve.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj usne koi bada promise nahi kiya tha.
Bas ek chhoti si galti samjhi thi.
Aur us galti ko theek karne ki koshish ki thi.
Usne mehsoos kiya ki kisi ke kareeb aane ka matlab sirf uske saath khush rehna nahi hota. Kabhi-kabhi iska matlab apni aadaton ko dekhna bhi hota hai, khaaskar woh aadatein jo doosre ko chot pahucha sakti hain.
Jheel bhi seekh rahi thi.
Reyansh bhi.
Aur unka rishta kisi perfect couple ki tarah nahi, balki do aam logon ki tarah aage badh raha tha.
Thoda pyaar.
Thoda ego.
Thodi si narazgi.
Aur phir ek hug, ek cup chai, ek honest apology.
Shayad isi ka naam saath tha.



Raat ke kareeb gyarah baje Reyansh ka phone phir vibrate hua.
Wahi unknown number.
Unknown Number: Aaj kisi ki naraazgi door kar di?
Reyansh ka chehra sanjeeda ho gaya.
Usne message padha.
Phir chat kholi.
Usne type kiya:
Reyansh: Aapko kaise pata ki koi naraaz tha?
Message send ho gaya.
Is baar reply kuch der mein aa gaya.
Unknown Number: Kuch cheezein chehre par likhi hoti hain. Bas har koi padh nahi paata.
Reyansh ne screen ko dekha.
Yeh koi seedha jawab nahi tha.
Na hi koi aisi baat jo uski curiosity khatam kar sake.
Usne dobara type kiya.
Reyansh: Aap hamesha aadhi baat kyun karte hain?
Is baar koi jawab nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone neeche rakh diya.
Kuch der tak woh us number ke baare mein sochta raha.
Phir usne apne aap ko rok diya.
Aaj ki shaam Jheel ki thi.
Woh kisi anjaan insaan ke sawaalon ko apne dimaag mein jagah nahi dena chahta tha.
Usne lights band kar di.
Bed par letkar usne aankhein moond li.
Kuch der tak use Jheel ka chehra yaad aata raha, jab usne kaha tha ki relationship competition nahi hai.
Woh baat uske dimaag mein reh gayi.
Is baar usne use mazaak mein badalne ki koshish nahi ki.
Bas yaad rakha.
Aur dheere-dheere neend us par haavi hone lagi.
Lekin kuch raaton mein insaan sirf aaj ke baare mein nahi soota. Kabhi-kabhi guzre hue lamhon ki koi dhundhli si parchai bhi uske saath bistar tak aa jaati hai.
Us raat Reyansh ko koi sapna yaad nahi raha.
Subah uthne par bhi uske paas bas ek aam si raat ki yaad thi.

[Greenwood]

Update 49




Subah Reyansh ki aankh alarm se pehle khul gayi.
Usne phone uthaya. Screen par time tha 7:06.
Woh kuch pal chupchaap leta raha, phir apne aap se bola, "Aaj kuch toh gadbad hai. Main alarm se pehle uth gaya."
Phone unlock kiya.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Good morning, meri favourite neighbour.
Reyansh ki aankhon mein neend ke beech muskurahat aa gayi.
Reyansh: Yeh toh mera dialogue tha.
Jheel: Copyright khatam ho gaya.
Reyansh: Royalty toh milegi.
Jheel: Kitni?
Reyansh: Ek date.
Jheel ne message padha aur kuch der tak screen dekhti rahi.
Jheel: Date ka plan tum banaoge?
Reyansh: Haan.
Jheel: Toh mujhe darr lag raha hai.
Reyansh: Tumhare paas option hai. Cancel kar do.
Jheel: Nahi. Ab dekhna hai tum kya karte ho.
Reyansh bed se uth gaya.
"Challenge accepted."
Usne phone rakhkar bathroom ki taraf kadam badhaye, lekin uske dimaag mein date ke ideas ghoomne lage.
Dinner? Bahut aam.
Movie? Wahan baat hi nahi ho paayegi.
Long drive? Bengaluru ka traffic unki date ka teesra member ban jaayega.
Coffee? Woh toh waise bhi karte rehte the.
Reyansh ne brush karte hue khud ko mirror mein dekha.
"Mr. Senior Brand Manager, aaj tumhari creativity ka asli test hai."
Phir usne khud ko yaad dilaya ki woh office mein campaign bana raha hota toh is waqt teen ideas aur do backup plans ready hote.
Lekin Jheel ke liye plan banate hue use ajeeb si nervousness ho rahi thi.
Aur yeh baat use khud par hansi dila rahi thi.


Kitchen mein Shalu breakfast bana rahi thi.
Reyansh andar aaya, coffee machine on ki aur fridge kholkar kuch dhoondhne laga.
Shalu ne poochha, "Sir, kya dhoondh rahe ho?"
"Date ideas."
Shalu ka haath ruk gaya.
"Kya?"
Reyansh ko turant ehsaas hua ki usne apni baat zor se bol di thi.
"Kuch nahi."
Shalu ne muskurate hue kaha, "Aapne date ideas kaha."
"Main calendar ki date dekh raha hoon."
"Calendar fridge mein hai?"
Reyansh ne fridge band kar diya.
"Shalu, tumhare sawaal din-ba-din dangerous hote ja rahe hain."
Shalu hans padi.
"Achha, toh aap kisi ko bahar le ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne coffee mug uthaya.
"Main kisi ko nahi le ja raha. Woh apni marzi se aayegi."
"Ji, sir."
"Yeh ji sir kyun bol rahi ho? Tumhari smile kuch aur keh rahi hai."
Shalu ne toast plate mein rakha.
"Main toh bas khush hoon ki aapko office ke alawa bhi kuch interesting kaam mil raha hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Main bahut interesting aadmi hoon."
"Ji, sir."
"Phir se!"
Shalu hansne lagi.
Reyansh ne nashta kiya aur bag uthaya. Darwaze tak pahunchkar woh ruka.
"Shalu, ek sawaal."
"Ji?"
"Agar tum kisi ko date par le jao, toh kahan jaogi?"
Shalu kuch pal sochti rahi.
"Main?"
"Haan, tum."
"Main toh aisi jagah jaungi jahan main aaraam se baith sakun, kuch naya dekh sakun aur kisi se bina jaldi ke baat kar sakun."
Reyansh ne uski baat par dhyaan diya.
"Bas?"
"Bas. Har jagah mehengi ya special honi zaroori nahi."
Reyansh ne sar hilaya.
"Interesting."
Shalu ne hansi dabayi.
"Sir, aapne mujhse idea liya aur mujhe thank you bhi nahi bola."
Reyansh ne darwaze se hi kaha, "Thank you, Shalu. Tumhari consultancy fees agle mahine se."
"Sir!"
Darwaza band ho gaya.
Shalu muskurati hui apne kaam mein lag gayi.
Reyansh lift ki taraf badha toh uske paas date ka ek idea tha.
Aur is baar usne decide kiya ki plan ko zaroorat se zyada complicated nahi banayega.


Office mein Reyansh ne pehle apna kaam khatam kiya.
Client presentation ki final file check ki, team ke saath chhoti si meeting ki aur lunch se pehle apne calendar mein shaam ka waqt block kar diya.
Neha uski desk ke paas aayi.
"Yeh kya kar rahe ho?"
"Calendar."
"Woh toh mujhe bhi dikh raha hai. Itni secrecy kyun hai?"
"Personal appointment."
Neha ne uski screen ki taraf dekha.
"Personal appointment? Tumne toh poore do ghante block kar rakhe hain."
Reyansh ne laptop ka angle badal diya.
"Neha, tumhara kaam khatam ho gaya?"


"Ho gaya. Ab tumhara kaam interesting lag raha hai."

"Toh apne kaam ko interesting banao."
Neha hans padi.
"Date par ja rahe ho?"
Reyansh ne jawab nahi diya.
Neha ne dono haath utha diye.
"Samajh gayi. Main kuch nahi poochh rahi."
Woh jaane lagi, phir palatkar boli, "Bas ek advice."
"Bolo."
"Plan ko itna perfect mat banana ki tum khud hi enjoy karna bhool jao."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Yeh baat Shalu ki baat se milti-julti thi.
Usne muskurakar kaha, "Aaj office mein sab relationship counsellor bane hue hain?"
Neha ne kandhe uchkaye.
"Shayad tumhari shakal par likha hai ki tumhe advice ki zaroorat hai."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ne apne plan ko dobara dekha.
Usne ek purani bookstore ke paas wale art café ke baare mein socha tha, jahan ek chhoti si exhibition lagi hui thi. Wahan baithkar coffee bhi pee sakte the, aur aas-paas ki paintings dekh sakte the.
Na zyada shor.
Na jaldi.
Aur baat karne ke liye kaafi jagah.
Usne Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh: Aaj shaam 6 baje ready rehna.
Jheel: Kahan jaana hai?
Reyansh: Surprise.
Jheel: Mujhe surprise pasand nahi.
Reyansh: Achha. Toh main bata deta hoon. Ek jagah le ja raha hoon jahan tumhe aaraam se baithne aur baat karne ka time milega.
Jheel: Yeh toh achha lag raha hai.
Reyansh: Bas achha?
Jheel: Abhi review pending hai.
Reyansh hans diya.
Reyansh: Aaj final rating de dena.
Jheel: Tumhari rating abhi 9.1 hai.
Reyansh: Main 10 ke liye apply kar raha hoon.
Jheel: Application ke saath supporting documents bhi dena.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj ka din achha ja raha tha.


Shaam ke kareeb paanch baje Jheel apne flat mein almari ke saamne khadi thi.

Bed par do outfits rakhe the.
Ek simple kurta aur doosra ek halka pastel top, jise usne kuch din pehle hi kharida tha.
Woh dono ko dekhti rahi.
"Main bas coffee peene ja rahi hoon," usne khud se kaha.
Phir bhi usne kapde badal kar mirror mein dekha.
Use outfit pasand aaya, lekin usne apne baal dobara theek kiye aur halka sa kajal lagaya.
Phone vibrate hua.
Reyansh: Main 10 minute mein nikal raha hoon.
Jheel: Main ready hoon.
Reyansh: Itni jaldi?
Jheel: Tumhe kya laga, main tumhari tarah last minute tak sochti rahungi?
Reyansh: Main strategic planning karta hoon.
Jheel: Tum shirt ki matching socks dhoondhne mein bhi strategic planning karte ho.
Reyansh ne phone dekhkar hansi chhodi.
Usne message kiya:
Reyansh: Neeche milo. Aur haan, aaj tum bahut achhi lag rahi ho.
Jheel ne message padhkar mirror mein khud ko dekha.
Usne abhi tak ghar se bahar kadam bhi nahi rakha tha.
Phir bhi uska chehra khil gaya.
Jheel: Tumne mujhe dekha bhi nahi.
Reyansh: Kuch compliments advance mein bhi diye ja sakte hain.
Jheel: Aur agar main achhi nahi lagi toh?
Reyansh: Toh main apni aankhon ki complaint file kar dunga.
Jheel hans padi.
Usne bag uthaya aur darwaze ki taraf badh gayi.


Café ek purani bookstore ke paas tha. Andar soft music chal raha tha aur deewaron par alag-alag artists ki paintings lagi hui thi.
Reyansh ne Jheel ke liye darwaza khola.
Jheel andar aayi aur aas-paas dekhne lagi.
"Yeh jagah achhi hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Sirf achhi?"
Jheel ne hansi rok kar kaha, "Abhi review pending hai."
Dono ek khidki ke paas wali table par baith gaye.
Waiter ne coffee aur kuch snacks ka order liya.
Jheel ek painting ko dekh rahi thi. Usmein ek shehar ki sadak bani thi, lekin logon ke chehre nahi the. Sirf unki parchaiyan aur unke aas-paas ki roshni dikh rahi thi.
"Tumhe kya lagta hai, is painting mein artist kya kehna chahta hai?" usne poochha.
Reyansh ne painting dekhi.
"Shayad yeh ki log apni zindagi mein itne busy hain ki ek-doosre ko dekhna bhool jaate hain."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh tumhara answer hai ya tumne kahin padha hai?"
"Main itna bhi intellectual hoon ki painting par apni opinion de sakun."
"Achha. Toh iska title kya hona chahiye?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
"People in a Hurry."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Thoda common hai."
"Toh tum batao."
Jheel ne painting ko dobara dekha.
"Shayad... Passing By."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh achha hai."
Jheel muskurayi.
"Thank you."
Coffee aa gayi.
Dono ne cups uthaye aur kuch der apne-apne din ke baare mein baat karte rahe.
Jheel ne apne kaam ka ek chhota sa incident bataya. Reyansh ne office mein hui ek funny meeting ka kissa sunaya.
Phir Jheel ne poochha, "Tumne yeh jagah kaise dhoondhi?"
"Internet."
"Bas?"
"Ek dost ne bhi suggest ki thi."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kaun?"
"Shalu."
Jheel hairan hui.
"Shalu?"
"Haan. Maine usse poochha tha ki date par kaisi jagah achhi hoti hai."
Jheel ke chehre par ek alag si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Tumne sach mein usse poochha?"
"Haan. Usne kaha tha ki aisi jagah honi chahiye jahan aaraam se baithkar baat kar sakein."
Jheel kuch pal chup rahi.
Phir boli, "Achha advice diya usne."
Reyansh ne coffee ka sip liya.
"Usne mujhse consultancy fees bhi maangi hai."
Jheel hans padi.
"De dena."
"Main soch raha hoon usko tumhare review board mein bhi shamil kar loon."
"Bilkul nahi. Phir tumhare marks aur kam ho jayenge."
Dono hansne lage.
Aur us shaam, café ki us chhoti si table par, Reyansh ko mehsoos hua ki usne sahi jagah chuni thi.
Kyunki Jheel uske saamne baithi thi, khulkar hans rahi thi aur use kisi aur jagah hone ki jaldi nahi thi.


Coffee ke baad dono bookstore ke andar gaye.
Jheel alag-alag shelves dekh rahi thi. Reyansh uske saath dheere-dheere chalta raha.
Ek shelf par travel books rakhi thi.


Jheel ne ek kitab uthayi aur pages palatne lagi.

"Tumhe travel karna pasand hai?" Reyansh ne poochha.
"Pasand hai. Lekin maine bahut kam jagah dekhi hain."
"Kahan jaana chahti ho?"
Jheel ne kuch der socha.
"Pata nahi. Koi aisi jagah jahan main kuch din bina kisi jaldi ke reh sakun. Subah uthun, ghoomun, kuch naya dekhun aur phir shaam ko aaraam se baith jaun."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh toh achha plan hai."
"Tum?"
"Mujhe bhi kabhi-kabhi aisa hi lagta hai. Bas kaam ki wajah se plan bante-bante reh jaate hain."
Jheel ne kitab band ki.
"Har baar kaam ko pehle rakhna zaroori hai?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Pehle shayad woh koi joke maar deta.
Lekin aaj usne sachcha jawab diya.
"Nahi. Zaroori nahi."
Jheel ne uske chehre ko dekha.
"Phir?"
"Phir kabhi-kabhi aadat ban jaati hai. Lagta hai ki kaam khatam ho jaaye, phir aaraam karenge. Lekin kaam kabhi poora khatam nahi hota."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Bilkul."
Reyansh ne uski taraf haath badhaya.
"Chalo, aaj ke liye kaam khatam."
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Abhi toh tumhara office kal bhi khulega."
"Kal ki kal dekhenge."
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Yeh hui na baat."
Dono bookstore se bahar aa gaye.
Shaam ki hawa halki thi. Sadak par traffic tha, lekin woh dono bina jaldi ke chal rahe the.
Jheel ne Reyansh ka haath pakde rakha.
Kuch kadam baad usne kaha, "Aaj mujhe achha laga."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Date pass ho gayi?"
"Abhi final marks nahi diye."
"Jheel!"
Woh hans padi.
"Achha, haan. Pass ho gayi."
"Kitne marks?"
"9.3."
Reyansh ne rukkar use dekha.
"Sirf 0.2 ka improvement?"
"Improvement toh improvement hota hai."
"Main itni mehnat karke sirf 0.2 badha?"
Jheel hansne lagi.
"Next time aur achha plan banana."
Reyansh ne uska haath thoda mazbooti se pakda.
"Challenge accepted."
6. Ghar Lautne Se Pehle
Reyansh ne Jheel ko uske flat ke neeche drop kiya.
Dono kuch der building ke entrance ke paas khade rahe.
"Thank you," Jheel ne kaha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kis liye?"
"Aaj ki shaam ke liye. Tumne achha plan banaya."
"Shalu ko thank you bolna. Idea uska tha."
Jheel ne hanskar kaha, "Tumhe bhi thank you. Tumne use seriously liya."
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
"Main tumhari baatein bhi seriously lene ki koshish kar raha hoon."
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Mujhe pata hai."
Kuch pal dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel uske kareeb aayi aur use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ne bhi use baahon mein le liya.
Woh hug kuch pal lamba raha.
Jab Jheel peeche hati, toh usne Reyansh ko dekha.
"Goodnight."
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, "Goodnight."
Jheel darwaze ki taraf badhi, phir palatkar boli, "Aur haan, next date ka plan tum hi banaoge."
Reyansh ne hairani dikhayi.
"Abhi toh tumne 9.3 diye!"
"Isliye toh next chance mil raha hai."
Woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch pal wahin khada raha, phir muskurata hua apne flat ki taraf badh gaya.
Aaj use kisi badi jeet ka ehsaas nahi tha.
Bas itna tha ki Jheel ke saath waqt bitana use achha lagta tha.
Aur woh ab is baat ko chhupane ki koshish nahi kar raha tha.


Reyansh apne flat mein aaya aur phone table par rakh diya.

Kuch der baad Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Ghar pahunch gaye?
Reyansh: Haan. Tum bhi?
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Aaj ki date ka final review?
Jheel: 9.3/10.
Reyansh: Missing 0.7?
Jheel: Woh next date mein earn karna.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Lekin next time meri bhi ek condition hogi.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Tum apni favourite jagah choose karogi.
Jheel: Done.
Reyansh: Goodnight, Jheel.
Jheel: Goodnight, Reyansh.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par muskurahat thi.
Lekin raat ki khamoshi mein, jab woh sone ki taiyari kar raha tha, ek pal ke liye use apne bedroom ka woh kona yaad aaya jahan kabhi ek doosri zindagi ki cheezein rakhi hoti thi.
Usne nazar hata li.
Woh yaad abhi dhundhli thi, bas ek guzre hue waqt ka ehsaas.
Usne usse pakadne ki koshish nahi ki.
Aaj ki shaam uske liye kaafi thi.
Usne lights band kar di.


Raat ke kareeb gyarah bajkar bees minute par phone vibrate hua.
Unknown number.
Unknown Number: Kuch logon ke saath waqt guzarna aasaan hota hai. Mushkil tab hoti hai jab woh waqt khatam ho jaata hai.
Reyansh ne message padha.
Usne turant reply nahi kiya.
Kuch pal baad usne type kiya:
Reyansh: Aap hamesha baat ko adhoora kyun chhod dete hain?
Message send ho gaya.
Koi jawab nahi aaya.
Reyansh ne phone table par rakh diya.
Is baar usne us number ke baare mein zyada sochne ki koshish nahi ki.
Lekin message ke lafz uske dimaag mein kuch der tak ghoomte rahe.
Waqt khatam ho jaata hai.
Usne aankhein band kar li.
Har khushi ke baad koi udaasi aayegi, yeh zaroori nahi tha.
Har achhe lamhe ko khona bhi zaroori nahi tha.
Filhaal, Jheel uski zindagi mein thi.
Aur Reyansh pehli baar kaafi waqt se kisi pal ko sirf isliye jee raha tha kyunki woh pal achha tha.
Usne apne aap se koi wada nahi kiya.
Koi future plan nahi banaya.
Bas kal subah Jheel ko message karne ka socha.
Is baar kisi test ke liye nahi.
Sirf isliye kyunki uska mann tha.
Kuch rishte bade vaadon se nahi, chhoti-chhoti aadaton se gehre hote hain. Aur kabhi-kabhi ek simple sa “Good morning” bhi kisi ke din ka sabse khoobsurat hissa ban jaata hai.

[Greenwood]

Update 50



Subah 7:18.
Reyansh ke phone par alarm baj raha tha.
Ek baar.
Do baar.
Teesri baar.
Phir alarm band ho gaya.
Lekin Reyansh nahi utha.
Saat minute baad uska phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Good morning.
Reyansh ne aadhi band aankhon se message padha aur reply kar diya.
Reyansh: Good morning, beautiful.
Jheel apne flat mein chai ka cup lekar baithi thi. Message padhte hi uske chehre par muskurahat aa gayi.
Phir usne doosra message bheja.
Jheel: Uth gaye?
Reyansh ne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Bilkul.
Jheel: Toh aaj subah ki photo bhejo.
Reyansh ki aankhein khul gayin.
Usne bed, bikhre hue baal aur saamne pade takiye ko dekha.
Phir phone par type kiya.
Reyansh: Photo ki kya zaroorat hai? Meri personality imagine kar lo.
Jheel: Mujhe tumhari personality nahi, tumhari aankhon mein neend dekhni hai.
Reyansh: Tumhe meri aankhon se itna pyaar hai?
Jheel: Abhi toh sirf aankhon ka sawaal hai. Zyada khush mat ho.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne jaldi se ek selfie li. Baal bikhre hue, chehra neend se bhara aur aankhon mein halki si shikayat.
Photo bhej di.
Jheel ne dekha aur zor se hans padi.
Jheel: Yeh insaan raat ko date plan karta hai aur subah khud ko sambhaal nahi paata.
Reyansh: Main natural beauty ko promote karta hoon.
Jheel: Tum natural laziness ko promote karte ho.
Reyansh: Tumhari zubaan din-ba-din tez hoti ja rahi hai.
Jheel: Tumhari neend din-ba-din lambi hoti ja rahi hai.
Reyansh bed se uth gaya.
"Is ladki ko subah-subah mujhe kaam par lagane mein bahut maza aata hai."
Usne phone par aakhri message bheja.
Reyansh: Shaam ko milna. Tumhe ek baat batani hai.
Jheel ka reply turant aaya.
Jheel: Kya baat?
Reyansh: Surprise.
Jheel: Reyansh!
Reyansh: Good morning, meri favourite neighbour. Ab mujhe nahane do.
Jheel ne phone rakh diya.
Uske chehre par muskurahat abhi bhi thi.
Lekin uske dimaag mein ek sawaal ghoom raha tha.
Shaam ko aisi kya baat batani hai?


Reyansh bathroom se nikla toh darwaze ki bell baj chuki thi.
Shalu kitchen mein jaakar nashta taiyar karne lagi.
Reyansh shirt ke button lagata hua bahar aaya.
"Shalu, aaj nashta jaldi mil sakta hai?"
"Mil jayega, sir. Lekin aaj itni jaldi kyun?"
"Office mein kaam hai."
Shalu ne use dekha.
"Office mein toh roz kaam hota hai."
Reyansh ruk gaya.
"Shalu, tum har baat ka cross-question kyun karti ho?"
"Main toh bas poochh rahi hoon."
"Achha, toh aaj se tumhara naam Shalu nahi, Interview Board hai."
Shalu hans padi.
Reyansh ne table par baithkar toast uthaya.
Shalu ne poochha, "Kal ki date kaisi rahi?"
Reyansh ne toast par butter lagate hue kaha, "Achhi thi."
"Bas?"
"Bahut achhi thi."
"Madam khush thi?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tumhe Jheel ki chinta mujhse zyada hai."
Shalu ne bina ruke jawab diya, "Aapki nahi hogi toh kiski hogi? Aap toh bas apni tareef karte rehte ho."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Jheel khush thi."
"Achha hai."
Shalu ke chehre par sachchi khushi thi. Usne koi aur sawaal nahi poochha.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekhkar kaha, "Waise, tumhare diye hue idea ne kaam kiya."
Shalu ne haath kamar par rakh liye.
"Maine kaha tha na, meri fees banti hai."
"Kitni?"
"Abhi decide nahi ki."
"Jaldi decide karna. Company ka budget limited hai."
Shalu ne muskurakar kaha, "Aap apni company ka budget sambhalo. Main apni fees khud decide kar lungi."
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya.
"Confidence aa raha hai tummein."
Shalu ki muskurahat halki si badal gayi.
"Thoda-thoda."
"Achhi baat hai."
Reyansh ne apna bag uthaya aur darwaze ki taraf badh gaya.
Aaj usne Shalu ke computer course ke baare mein dobara sawaal nahi kiya. Use yaad tha ki usne pehle hi kaha tha ki woh apne liye options dekh rahi hai.
Har baat ko roz dohrana zaroori nahi hota.
Kabhi-kabhi kisi ko apni raftaar se aage badhne dena bhi madad hoti hai.


Office pahunchte hi Reyansh ko pata chala ki client ne presentation ke ek section par changes maange hain.


Neha uske paas aayi.
"Client ko headline pasand nahi aayi."
Reyansh ne laptop khola.
"Kaunsi headline?"
Neha ne screen par point kiya.
Reyansh ne use dekha, kuch der socha aur phir bola, "Headline buri nahi hai. Bas message clear nahi hai."
"Toh?"
"Toh ise simple karte hain."
Dono ne milkar kuch alternatives banaye. Reyansh ne team se feedback liya aur final option select kar liya.
Kaam khatam hone ke baad Neha ne kaha, "Aaj tum unusually patient ho."
Reyansh ne laptop band kiya.
"Main hamesha patient hota hoon."
Neha ne use aisi nazar se dekha jaise usne koi bahut bada joke suna ho.
"Reyansh, main tumhare saath kaam karti hoon. Mujhe sach pata hai."
Woh hans diya.
Neha jaane lagi, phir rukkar boli, "Waise, kal ki date kaisi thi?"
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Office mein tum logon ka koi secret group hai kya?"
"Kaunsa group?"
"Jahan meri personal life par discussion hota hai."
Neha hans padi.
"Nahi. Tumhari shakal hi kaafi information de deti hai."
Reyansh ne sir hilaya.
"Ek din main tumhari bhi shakal padhunga."
"Try kar lena. Lekin lunch break mein, working hours mein nahi."
Woh chali gayi.
Reyansh ke phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Lunch kiya?
Usne reply kiya.
Reyansh: Abhi karunga. Tumne?
Jheel: Haan.
Reyansh: Kya khaya?
Jheel: Yeh sawaal tum roz poochhoge?
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Reyansh: Nahi. Aaj se tum mujhse sawaal poochhna.
Jheel: Theek hai. Tum khush ho?
Reyansh ka angutha screen par ruk gaya.
Sawaal chhota tha.
Jawab dena mushkil nahi hona chahiye tha.
Woh kuch pal sochta raha, phir likha.
Reyansh: Haan. Aajkal zyada khush rehta hoon.
Jheel ne message padha.
Usne turant reply nahi kiya.
Kuch der baad uska message aaya.
Jheel: Achha laga yeh padhkar.
Reyansh ne screen dekhi aur phone rakh diya.
Uske paas kehne ke liye aur bhi bahut kuch tha.
Lekin filhaal, itna kehna kaafi tha.


Shaam ko Reyansh ne Jheel ko message kiya.
Reyansh: Neeche aa jao.
Jheel: Kahan ja rahe hain?
Reyansh: Tum aa toh jao.
Jheel: Tumhare surprises se mujhe thoda darr lagne laga hai.
Reyansh: Pichhli baar tumne 9.3 diye the.
Jheel: Isi liye toh tumhe dobara mauka mil raha hai.
Kuch der baad Jheel neeche aa gayi.
Usne simple blue kurta pehna tha aur baal khule the. Reyansh ne use dekhkar muskuraya.
"Good evening."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Good evening. Ab batao, kahan jaana hai?"
"Chalo."
Dono gaadi ki taraf badhe.
Reyansh use ek chhote se lakeside walking area mein le gaya. Shaam dhal rahi thi. Paani par roshni ki halki lakeerein ban rahi thi aur aas-paas log dheere-dheere walk kar rahe the.
Jheel kuch pal wahin khadi rahi.
"Yeh jagah bahut achhi hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Review pending?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Nahi. Is baar sach mein achhi hai."
Dono paani ke kinaare bani walkway par chalne lage.
Kuch der tak unhone aam baatein ki. Office, khane, Bengaluru ke mausam aur ek restaurant ke baare mein jahan Reyansh ka kehna tha ki uski coffee duniya ki sabse achhi coffee hai.
Jheel ne turant challenge kar diya.
"Kal mujhe wahan le chalo."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Tumhe meri baat par bharosa nahi?"
"Bilkul nahi."
"Yeh toh relationship mein trust ki kami hai."
Jheel hans padi.
"Relationship mein trust hai. Tumhari coffee recommendations mein nahi."
Reyansh bhi hansne laga.
Woh dono ek bench par baith gaye.
Jheel ne apne haath god mein rakhe aur paani ki taraf dekha.
"Reyansh?"
"Hmm?"
"Tumne aaj subah kaha tha ki shaam ko ek baat batani hai."
Reyansh ko yaad aaya.
"Haan."
"Toh batao."
Woh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne kaha, "Main tumhare saath waqt bitane ke liye plans banata hoon. Lekin aajkal mujhe lagta hai ki main plans se zyada tumhare saath hone ka intezaar karta hoon."
Jheel ne dheere se uski taraf dekha.
Reyansh ne nazar nahi hatayi.
"Pehle main sochta tha ki achha waqt tab hota hai jab kuch special ho. Koi outing, koi achhi jagah, koi interesting activity. Lekin tumhare saath kabhi-kabhi sirf baithna bhi achha lagta hai."
Jheel kuch nahi boli.
Uske chehre par ek narm si muskurahat thi.
Reyansh ne halka sa hanskar kaha, "Bas. Yehi baat batani thi. Ab tum chaho toh is par bhi marks de sakti ho."
Jheel ne uske haath par apna haath rakh diya.
"Is baar marks ki zaroorat nahi."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kyun?"
"Kyunki mujhe samajh aa gaya."
"Achha?"
"Haan. Tum kabhi-kabhi bahut achhi baat kar lete ho."
Reyansh ne seene par haath rakha.
"Yeh meri zindagi ka sabse bada compliment hai."
Jheel hans padi.
Phir usne apna sir Reyansh ke kandhe par rakh diya.
Reyansh kuch pal shaant baitha raha.
Usne Jheel ka haath apne haath mein le liya.
Shaam ki hawa chal rahi thi.
Dono ke paas kehne ke liye baatein thi, lekin kisi ko jaldi nahi thi.


Kuch der baad Jheel seedhi baith gayi.
"Ek baat poochhun?"
"Poochho."
"Agar main kabhi tumhare saath kahin jaana chahoon aur tum busy ho, toh tum mujhe seedha bataoge?"
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Haan."
"Sirf haan mat bolo. Mera matlab hai, tum mujhe baad mein time dene ka wada karke phir kaam mein busy toh nahi ho jaoge?"
Reyansh ne kuch pal socha.
Usne mehsoos kiya ki Jheel sirf aaj ki shaam ki baat nahi kar rahi thi. Woh usse apne waqt ke baare mein ek seedhi si baat keh rahi thi.
"Main koshish karunga ki aisa na ho. Aur agar kabhi kaam ki wajah se plan badalna pada, toh tumhe pehle bataunga. Tumhe wait nahi karwaunga."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Bas. Mujhe perfect boyfriend nahi chahiye."
Reyansh ne muskurakar poochha, "Toh phir kya chahiye?"
"Ek aisa insaan jo jo keh raha hai, uski koshish bhi kare."
Reyansh ne uska haath daba diya.
"Fair enough."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Aur tumhe mujhse kuch chahiye?"
Reyansh ne mazaak karne ke liye munh khola, lekin phir ruk gaya.
"Jab koi baat pareshaan kare, toh mujhe batana. Yeh mat sochna ki main khud samajh jaunga."


Jheel ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
"Theek hai."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Reyansh ne uski taraf haath badhaya.
Jheel ne uski ungliyon mein apni ungliyan phansa di.
Dono kuch der yun hi baithe rahe.
Yeh koi bada faisla nahi tha.
Bas do log the jo dheere-dheere seekh rahe the ki ek-doosre ke saath rehna sirf achhe lamhe baantna nahi, balki chhoti-chhoti baatein samajhna bhi hai.


Wapas building pahunchkar dono lift ka intezaar karne lage.
Jheel ne Reyansh ki taraf dekha.
"Aaj ki shaam achhi thi."
"Kitne marks?"
"Reyansh!"
"Achha, nahi poochhta."
Lift aa gayi.
Dono bahar nikle aur apne flats ke saamne ruk gaye.
Jheel ne kaha, "Goodnight."
Reyansh ne muskurakar jawab diya, "Goodnight."
Woh mudne hi wala tha ki Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Ek minute."
Reyansh palta.
"Kya hua?"
Jheel uske kareeb aayi aur uske gaal par ek chhota sa kiss diya.
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Jheel ne hansi dabate hue poochha, "Kya hua? System hang ho gaya?"
Reyansh ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Nahi. Main bas soch raha hoon ki aaj ki rating kitni badh gayi."
Jheel hans padi.
"Ab tumne phir marks ki baat kar di. Ek point kam."
"Yeh kaisa insaaf hai?"
"Review board ka faisla hai."
Reyansh ne uske kareeb jhukkar dheere se kaha, "Toh appeal file kar sakta hoon?"
Jheel ne muskurate hue uske honton par ek chhota sa kiss diya.
Phir woh peeche hati.
"Appeal accepted. Ab goodnight."
Reyansh ki muskurahat aur gehri ho gayi.
"Goodnight, Jheel."
Jheel apne flat mein chali gayi.
Reyansh apne darwaze ke saamne kuch pal khada raha.
Phir usne apne aap se kaha, "Meri zindagi mein pehli baar koi rating system itna complicated hai."
Lekin uske chehre se muskurahat nahi gayi.


Apne flat mein aakar Reyansh ne lights on ki aur kitchen se paani lekar living room mein baith gaya.
Phone par Arshad ka message aaya.
Arshad: Zinda ho?
Reyansh: Haan.
Arshad: Aajkal replies bahut short ho gaye hain. Girlfriend ke saath saari vocabulary khatam kar dete ho kya?
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Tumhe kaam nahi hai?
Arshad: Hai. Lekin dost ki barbaadi dekhna bhi ek social responsibility hai.
Reyansh: Meri barbaadi nahi ho rahi.
Arshad: Abhi tum yahi kahoge. Phir ek din mujhe phone karke poochhoge ki flowers ke saath kya likhna chahiye.
Reyansh: Tum copywriter ho. Tumhara kaam hi yahi hai.
Arshad: Wah! Dosti ka istemaal.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakh diya.
Usne living room mein nazar daudayi.
Flat wahi tha.
Furniture wahi.
Khidki ke bahar Bengaluru ki raat bhi wahi thi.
Lekin kuch waqt se ghar lautne ka ehsaas badal raha tha.
Ab uske paas kisi ko goodnight kehne ki wajah thi.
Kisi ke message ka intezaar tha.
Kisi ke saath agle din ki chhoti si planning thi.
Usne phone uthaya aur Jheel ko message bheja.
Reyansh: Ghar pahunchkar ek baat bhool gaya.
Jheel: Kya?
Reyansh: Thank you.
Jheel: Kis liye?
Reyansh: Aaj ki shaam ke liye. Aur meri baaton ko samajhne ki koshish karne ke liye.
Jheel ne message padha.
Usne kuch pal baad reply kiya.
Jheel: Thank you tumhe bhi. Mujhe waqt dene ke liye.
Reyansh ne screen dekhi.
Phir type kiya.
Reyansh: Goodnight, Jheel.
Jheel: Goodnight. Kal subah alarm se pehle uthna.
Reyansh ne phone dekha aur hans diya.
Reyansh: Romance ke beech alarm kyun aa jaata hai?
Jheel: Kyunki tumhara romance snooze button ke neeche daba hua hai.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj raat use neend ka intezaar nahi karna pada.
Woh aaraam se bistar par leta aur kuch der baad so gaya.
Usne kal ke liye koi bada plan nahi banaya tha.
Bas ek subah thi, ek message tha, aur ek aisi ladki thi jiske saath woh dheere-dheere apne din baantna seekh raha tha.
Aur filhaal, uske liye itna kaafi tha.

[Greenwood]

Update 51


Subah ke 7:12 baj rahe the.
Reyansh ke bedroom mein parde ke beech se aati dhoop bed ke ek kone tak pahunch chuki thi. Phone bedside table par pada tha aur alarm kab ka bajkar band ho chuka tha.
Reyansh ne karwat badli.
Phir aankhein kholkar phone dekha.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Good morning, sleepyhead. ?
Reyansh muskuraya.
Reyansh: Good morning, meri personal alarm clock.
Jheel: Alarm clock paise lekar kaam karti hai. Main free mein tumhari zindagi sudhaar rahi hoon.
Reyansh: Tum meri zindagi sudhaar rahi ho ya meri neend barbaad?
Jheel: Dono mein farq samajhne ke liye pehle uthna padega.
Reyansh hans pada.
Woh bed se utha, bathroom gaya aur kuch der baad kitchen mein pahunch gaya.
Shalu nashta taiyar kar rahi thi.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning."
Shalu ne use dekha.
"Aaj jaldi uth gaye."
Reyansh ne coffee machine chalu ki.
"Mujhe apni zindagi sudhaarni hai."
Shalu ne palatkar dekha.
"Yeh naya resolution hai?"
"Bilkul."
"Kal se?"
Reyansh hans diya.
"Tum dono milkar meri izzat ka nashta kyun karte rehte ho?"
Shalu bhi hans padi.
Reyansh ne coffee ka cup uthaya. Phone par Jheel ka naya message aaya.
Jheel: Aaj shaam free ho?
Usne jawab diya.
Reyansh: Tumhare liye toh calendar mein jagah banani hi padti hai.
Jheel: Toh bana lo. Aaj mujhe tumhare saath waqt bitana hai.
Reyansh ki muskurahat kuch pal ke liye shaant ho gayi.
Usne message dobara padha.
Jheel ne seedha kaha tha ki woh uske saath waqt bitana chahti hai.
Koi mazaak nahi.
Koi rating nahi.
Koi chhupa hua sawaal nahi.
Bas ek seedhi si baat.
Reyansh: Aaj shaam tumhari.
Jheel: Sirf shaam?
Reyansh: Madam, poora din office ko bhi zinda rehne ka haq hai.
Jheel: Theek hai. Shaam tumhari. Lekin plan mera hoga.
Reyansh ne coffee ka sip liya.
Reyansh: Ab darr lag raha hai.
Jheel: Lagna bhi chahiye. ?


Office mein Reyansh apni team ke saath meeting kar raha tha.
Presentation screen par thi aur team ek naye campaign ke final points discuss kar rahi thi.
"Is line ko simple rakho," Reyansh ne kaha. "Message clear hona chahiye. Agar audience ko samajhne ke liye do baar padhna pade, toh humne apna kaam mushkil bana diya."
Neha ne sar hilaya.
"Agreed. Main revised version bhej deti hoon."
Meeting khatam hui toh Reyansh apni desk par laut aaya.
Usne laptop khola hi tha ki phone vibrate hua.
Jheel: Lunch kiya?
Reyansh: Abhi nahi.
Jheel: Kyun?
Reyansh: Kaam.
Jheel: Tumhare office mein lunch break naam ki koi cheez nahi hai?
Reyansh: Hai. Main hi kabhi-kabhi uska istemaal nahi karta.
Jheel: Toh aaj istemaal karo.
Reyansh ne phone dekha aur hans diya.
Neha uske paas se guzri.
"Phir se smile?"
"Main generally khush rehta hoon."
"Bilkul. Aur main generally logon ke jhooth par bharosa kar leti hoon."
Reyansh ne laptop ki taraf ishara kiya.
"Kaam karo."
Neha apni desk par jaate hue boli, "Lunch kar lena, Mr. Generally Happy!"
Reyansh ne uski baat ko nazarandaaz karne ki acting ki.
Lekin agle hi minute usne lunch order kar diya.
Jheel ko message bheja.
Reyansh: Lunch order kar diya. Khush?
Jheel: Bahut.
Reyansh: Tum mujhe itna control karogi toh meri independent personality ka kya hoga?
Jheel: Woh safe rahegi. Bas bhookhi nahi rahegi.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne phone rakh diya aur kaam mein lag gaya.
Lekin aaj uske din mein ek chhota sa farq tha.
Shaam ko uske paas kuch aisa tha jiska woh intezaar kar raha tha.


Shaam ko Reyansh building ke neeche pahuncha toh Jheel pehle se khadi thi.
Usne halka pastel rang ka kurta pehna tha, baal khule the aur chehre par wohi shaant si muskurahat thi jo Reyansh ko ab pehchaani hui lagne lagi thi.
Reyansh uske paas aaya.
"Hello, madam."
"Hello, sir."
"Aaj kahan jaana hai?"
Jheel ne haath aage badhaya.
"Phone do."
"Kyun?"
"Map dekhna hai."
Reyansh ne phone de diya.
Jheel ne uska haath pakadkar use apni taraf kheench liya.
"Phone mein map dekhne ki zaroorat nahi. Main jaanti hoon."


Reyansh ne hairani se poochha, "Toh phone kyun maanga?"
Jheel ne uska haath aur mazbooti se pakad liya.
"Bas tumhara haath pakadna tha."
Reyansh kuch pal use dekhta raha.
Phir uske chehre par dheemi si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Jheel, tum aaj bahut dangerous ho."
"Kyun?"
"Seedha attack kar rahi ho."
Jheel hans padi.
"Chalo ab."
Woh use ek shaant se garden café ke paas le gayi. Wahan khuli jagah mein tables lagi thi, pedon ke beech chhoti lights thi aur ek taraf music bahut halki awaaz mein chal raha tha.
Reyansh ne aas-paas dekha.
"Achhi jagah hai."
Jheel ne garv se kaha, "Maine choose ki hai."
"Impressive."
"Bas impressive?"
"Bahut impressive."
Dono ek table par baith gaye.
Jheel ne menu uthaya aur kuch der dekhne ke baad order diya.
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Tumne mere liye bhi order kar diya?"
"Haan."
"Aur agar mujhe kuch aur chahiye hota?"
"Toh tum bata dete."
"Matlab tumne meri choice ka bhi dhyaan rakha?"
Jheel ne menu band kiya.
"Reyansh, tum har chhoti baat ko itna bada kyun bana dete ho?"
Woh muskuraya.
"Kyunki tumhari chhoti baatein bhi mujhe achhi lagti hain."
Jheel kuch pal chup ho gayi.
Phir usne nazar jhuka li.
"Achha, ab zyada romantic mat bano. Coffee aane do."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Lekin compliment toh maine diya."
"Compliment accept kar liya. Ab chup."
Dono hans pade.


Coffee aur snacks ke baad dono garden mein walk karne lage.
Hawa halki thi. Kuch log apne doston ke saath baat kar rahe the, kuch couples bench par baithe the aur ek chhota bachcha apni cycle chalane ki koshish kar raha tha.
Jheel us bachche ko dekhkar muskurayi.
"Kitna khush hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tum bhi toh khush ho."
Jheel ne uski taraf nazar ghumayi.
"Haan."
"Kyun?"
Jheel kuch der chup rahi.
Phir boli, "Pata nahi. Tumhare saath mujhe har waqt kuch interesting karna zaroori nahi lagta."
Reyansh ne uska haath pakda.
"Matlab main boring nahi hoon?"
Jheel ne hansi dabayi.
"Thoda boring ho."
"Jheel!"
"Lekin achhe wale boring."
"Yeh kaunsi category hoti hai?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Jahan insaan ke saath chup rehna bhi achha lage."
Reyansh ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
Usne Jheel ki taraf dekha.
"Yeh baat mujhe yaad rahegi."
Jheel ne uska haath pakde rakha.
"Reyansh, tumhe pata hai mujhe tumhari kaunsi baat sabse achhi lagti hai?"
"Ab toh sunna hi padega."
"Tum mere saamne hamesha confident bante ho. Har baat ka jawab, har situation mein koi joke. Lekin jab tum sach mein kisi baat ko samajhne ki koshish karte ho na, tab tum bahut achhe lagte ho."
Reyansh ne uski baat dhyaan se suni.
Jheel ne aage kaha, "Mujhe yeh nahi chahiye ki tum har waqt perfect raho. Mujhe bas yeh achha lagta hai ki tum meri baat sunte ho."
Reyansh ne kuch pal uska haath apne dono haathon mein liya.
"Main tumhari har baat ka sahi jawab shayad na de paun."
"Mujhe har baar jawab nahi chahiye."
"Phir?"
"Kabhi-kabhi bas itna ki tum mere saath raho."
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Main koshish karunga."
Jheel ne sar hilaya.
"Mujhe pata hai."
Woh kuch kadam aur chale.
Phir Reyansh ruk gaya.
"Ab meri baari."
Jheel ne use dekha.
"Kya?"
"Tumhe pata hai mujhe tumhari kaunsi baat sabse achhi lagti hai?"
Jheel ke honton par muskurahat aa gayi.
"Batao."
"Tum mere saath hoti ho toh mujhe har waqt kuch saabit karne ki zaroorat nahi lagti."
Jheel ki muskurahat dheemi ho gayi.
Reyansh ne kaha, "Main tumhe impress karne ki koshish karta hoon, tumhe hansane ki koshish karta hoon. Lekin jab tum mere saath hoti ho, toh kabhi-kabhi bas Reyansh hona kaafi lagta hai."
Jheel ne uska haath aur mazbooti se pakad liya.
Uski aankhon mein ek narmi thi.
"Toh bas Reyansh hi rehna."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Mujhe wahi pasand hai."


Garden ke ek kone mein music thoda tez hua.
Jheel ne us taraf dekha.
Reyansh ne uska haath apni taraf kheenchkar poochha, "Dance?"
Jheel hairan hui.
"Yahan?"
"Haan."
"Log dekh rahe hain."
"Log apni zindagi mein busy hain."
"Reyansh, mujhe dance nahi karna."
"Theek hai."
Usne turant haath chhod diya.
Jheel kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Phir usne khud uska haath pakad liya.
"Ek minute."
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Ji, madam?"
"Bas thoda sa."
Woh dono garden ke ek khaali hisse mein khade ho gaye. Koi dance floor nahi tha, koi special arrangement nahi tha.
Reyansh ne ek haath Jheel ki kamar ke paas rakha aur doosre haath se uska haath thaam liya. Jheel uske kareeb aayi.
Dono dheere-dheere music ki rhythm par hilne lage.
Jheel ne uske kandhe par haath rakha.
"Main achha dance nahi karti."
Reyansh ne kaha, "Main bhi nahi."
"Tum toh bade confident lag rahe ho."
"Confidence aur talent ka alag-alag department hai."
Jheel hans padi.
"Pagal."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Tumhara."
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
Is baar usne koi mazaak nahi kiya.
Bas apna sir uske kandhe par rakh diya.
Reyansh ne use apne kareeb kar liya.
Music chalta raha.
Dono kuch pal tak yun hi rahe.
Jheel ko laga ki duniya mein bahut si cheezein aisi hain jinhe samajhne ke liye shabdon ki zaroorat nahi hoti.
Aur Reyansh ko laga ki kabhi-kabhi kisi ko apne kareeb mehsoos karna hi poore din ki sabse khoobsurat baat ban sakta hai.


Garden se nikalte waqt Jheel thodi shaant thi.


Reyansh ne notice kiya.
"Kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Jheel."
Woh ruk gayi.
"Hmm?"
"Tum mujhe bata sakti ho."
Jheel ne kuch pal uska chehra dekha.
Phir boli, "Main bas soch rahi thi ki hum kitne badal gaye hain."
Reyansh ne poochha, "Achhe ya bure?"
"Achhe."
Woh muskurayi.
"Pehle hum milte the toh har baat mein thoda sa hesitation hota tha. Ab main tumhare saamne bina soche bol deti hoon. Tumhare saath hasti hoon, naraaz hoti hoon, phir khud hi tumhe message kar deti hoon."
Reyansh ne mazaak kiya, "Haan, message karne mein tumhara contribution kaafi bada hai."
Jheel ne uske kandhe par halka sa maara.
"Sun toh lo!"
"Achha, sorry. Aage bolo."
Jheel phir muskurayi.
"Mujhe achha lagta hai ki main tumhare saath apni tarah reh sakti hoon."
Reyansh ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Tumhe mere saath badalne ki zaroorat nahi hai, Jheel."
Woh uski taraf dekhne lagi.
"Main tumhare saath hoon kyunki tum tum ho. Tumhe kisi aur jaisa banne ki zaroorat nahi."
Jheel ki aankhon mein nami si chamki, lekin uske honton par muskurahat bani rahi.
"Yeh baat tum kabhi mat bhoolna."
Reyansh ne uski ungliyon ko apni ungliyon mein phansa liya.
"Nahi bhoolunga."
Jheel ne uske kareeb aakar use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ne bhi use baahon mein bhar liya.
Us hug mein koi jaldi nahi thi.
Jheel kuch der uske seene se lagi rahi.
Phir dheere se boli, "I love you, Reyansh."
Reyansh ki baahon ka ghera halka sa mazboot hua.
Usne Jheel ke baalon par apna gaal tikaya.
"I love you too, Jheel."
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
Aur Reyansh ne use apne kareeb rehne diya.


Raat ho chuki thi.
Reyansh Jheel ko uske flat ke saamne chhodne aaya.
Jheel ne darwaza kholne se pehle uski taraf dekha.
"Aaj ka din yaad rahega."
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Achha hai. Main bhi chahta hoon ki tum mujhe yaad rakho."
Jheel ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Main tumhe bhoolne ke liye toh tumhare saath nahi hoon."
Reyansh kuch pal chup raha.
Phir usne Jheel ke gaal ko pyaar se chhua.
"Goodnight."
Jheel ne uske haath par apna haath rakh diya.
"Goodnight."
Woh andar jaane lagi, phir palatkar uske paas aayi aur use ek baar phir gale laga liya.
Reyansh hans pada.
"Abhi toh goodnight bola tha."
Jheel ne uske seene se lage-lage kaha, "Toh?"
"Toh mujhe lag raha hai tum mujhe jaane nahi dena chahti."
Jheel peeche hati aur uski aankhon mein dekhkar boli, "Aaj nahi."
Reyansh ki muskurahat kuch pal ke liye tham gayi.
Usne Jheel ke maathe par ek narm kiss diya.
"Main yahin hoon."
Jheel ne uska haath chhod diya.
Is baar woh andar chali gayi.
Reyansh kuch der darwaze ko dekhta raha, phir apne flat mein laut aaya.


Raat ko Reyansh bed par leta tha.
Phone par Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: So gaye?
Reyansh: Nahi.
Jheel: Aaj ki shaam achhi thi.
Reyansh: Mere liye bhi.
Jheel: Tumhe pata hai, mujhe tumhare saath sabse achha kya lagta hai?
Reyansh: Aaj toh tumne bata diya tha.
Jheel: Woh alag baat thi.
Reyansh: Achha, batao.
Kuch pal baad reply aaya.
Jheel: Tumhare saath mujhe future ke baare mein sochne se pehle present mein khush rehna achha lagta hai.
Reyansh ne message ko dobara padha.
Usne jawab diya.
Reyansh: Toh phir aaj ki khushi ko kal tak le chalte hain.
Jheel ne ek dil wala emoji bheja.
Reyansh ne phone side mein rakh diya.
Uske chehre par ek sukoon bhari muskurahat thi.
Woh nahi jaanta tha ki zindagi aage kya lekar aayegi.
Lekin us raat use har cheez ka jawab nahi chahiye tha.
Jheel uski zindagi mein thi.
Woh usse pyaar karti thi.
Aur woh bhi usse pyaar karta tha.
Filhaal, yahi sach uske liye kaafi tha.
Kuch log hamaari zindagi mein aakar hamaare din nahi badalte, hamaare din jeene ka tareeka badal dete hain.
Aur Reyansh ke liye, Jheel ab sirf ek khoobsurat rishta nahi thi.

[Greenwood]

Update 52


Reyansh ki aankh khuli toh sabse pehle usne phone uthaya.
Jheel ka message tha.
Jheel: Good morning, Mr. Perfect. ❤️
Reyansh ne muskurakar reply kiya.
Reyansh: Aaj promotion mil gaya? Kal tak main sirf Mr. Generally Happy tha.
Jheel: Woh temporary designation tha.
Reyansh: Aur Mr. Perfect permanent hai?
Jheel: Bilkul nahi. Abhi probation par ho.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Tumhari company mein promotion milna mushkil hai.
Jheel: Lekin ek baar permanent ho gaye toh benefits bahut hain.
Reyansh ne message padhkar kuch pal socha.
Reyansh: Benefits mein kya-kya milega?
Jheel: Achhi coffee, meri company, kabhi-kabhi hugs aur bahut saari complaints.
Reyansh: Last wala package mein compulsory hai?
Jheel: Haan. Non-refundable.
Reyansh bed par baithkar hansne laga.
Phir usne likha:
Reyansh: Toh mujhe yeh job manzoor hai.
Jheel ne dil wala emoji bheja.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya aur khidki ke paas chala gaya.
Bengaluru ki subah apni raftaar se chal rahi thi. Sadak par traffic badhne laga tha, aas-paas ki buildings mein log apne din ki shuruaat kar rahe the.
Usne coffee banayi aur socha ki shaam ko Jheel ke saath kuch waqt bitaya jaaye.
Lekin aaj woh sirf outing plan nahi karna chahta tha.
Woh chahta tha ki Jheel ko mehsoos ho ki uski zindagi mein uski jagah kitni khaas hai.


Office pahunchne se pehle Reyansh ne Arshad ko call kiya.
Arshad ne phone uthate hi kaha, "Bol, aaj kiski yaad aa gayi?"
"Teri."
"Jhooth bolne se pehle kam se kam do second ruk jaaya kar."
Reyansh hans diya.
"Shaam ka koi plan hai?"
"Tha. Lekin ab mujhe darr lag raha hai ki tu mujhe apni love story ka unpaid assistant banane wala hai."
"Bas ek advice chahiye."
Arshad ki awaaz mein turant dilchaspi aa gayi.
"Bata."
"Jab tum kisi ke saath ho aur tumhe lage ki woh tumhari zindagi mein bahut important ho gayi hai, toh use kaise bataoge?"
Doosri taraf kuch pal ki khamoshi rahi.
Phir Arshad bola, "Seedha bol dega."
"Bas?"
"Haan. Tu presentation bana raha hai kya? Introduction, body, conclusion?"
Reyansh hans pada.
Arshad ne aage kaha, "Dekh, agar woh tere liye important hai toh use kisi grand gesture ki zaroorat nahi. Kabhi-kabhi saamne baithkar sach bolna hi kaafi hota hai."
Reyansh kuch der chup raha.
"Tu kabhi-kabhi kaam ki baat bhi kar leta hai."
"Main copywriter hoon. Kaam ki baat meri speciality hai. Bakwaas mera passion."
Dono hans pade.
Call khatam hone ke baad Reyansh kuch der phone dekhta raha.
Usne decide kar liya ki shaam ko woh Jheel se apne dil ki baat kahega.
Bina kisi joke ke.
Bina kisi rating ke.


Shaam se pehle Jheel ka message aaya.
Jheel: Aaj tumhare ghar aa sakti hoon?
Reyansh ne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh: Tumhe mujhse appointment leni padegi?
Jheel: Nahi. Bas poochh rahi thi.
Reyansh: Tumhara ghar hai. Jab mann kare aa jao.
Kuch pal baad usne doosra message bheja.
Reyansh: Waise, aaj dinner mere ghar par karte hain?
Jheel: Tum banaoge?
Reyansh: Haan.
Jheel: Pichhli baar wali egg bhurji?
Reyansh: Tumhare saamne meri culinary skills ka mazaak udana band karo.
Jheel: Main toh bas apni jaan ki safety check kar rahi hoon.
Reyansh hans pada.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Aaj tumhari favourite dish banane ki koshish karunga.
Jheel: Koshish?
Reyansh: Main insaan hoon, restaurant nahi.
Jheel: Achha. Main 7 baje aa jaungi.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Aaj shaam uske ghar par Jheel aane wali thi.
Aur is baar use kisi café ki table reserve nahi karni thi, na traffic ka plan banana tha.
Bas apna ghar thoda sa theek karna tha aur dinner banana tha.
Use pata nahi kyun, lekin yeh baat kisi bhi outing se zyada personal lag rahi thi.


Saat bajne mein abhi aadha ghanta tha.
Reyansh kitchen mein khada tha. Counter par sabziyan, masale aur do recipe videos khule hue the.
Usne ek video dekha, phir doosra.
"Ek hi dish ke chaar tareeke kyun hain?" woh khud se bola.
Phone vibrate hua.


Jheel: Main nikal rahi hoon.
Reyansh: Theek hai. Dinner almost ready hai.
Jheel ne turant reply kiya.
Jheel: Iska matlab abhi shuru bhi nahi hua?
Reyansh: Tum mere talent par bharosa hi nahi karti.
Jheel: Main tumhare confidence par bharosa karti hoon. Talent ka result dinner ke baad pata chalega.
Reyansh hans pada.
Usne phone rakhkar cooking shuru kar di.
Kuch der baad darwaze ki bell baji.
Reyansh ne haath saaf kiye aur darwaza khola.
Jheel saamne khadi thi.
"Hello, chef."
Reyansh ne use dekha.
"Welcome to my restaurant."
Jheel andar aayi aur living room par nazar daudayi.
"Restaurant toh achha hai."
"Food critic, please kitchen mein aaiye."
Jheel kitchen mein pahunchi toh counter par bikhra samaan dekhkar hans padi.
"Yahan khana ban raha hai ya cooking competition chal raha hai?"
"Main experiment kar raha hoon."
"Kis cheez ka?"
"Apni girlfriend ko impress karne ka."
Jheel ki hansi dheemi ho gayi.
Woh uske kareeb aayi.
"Impress karne ke liye itni mehnat karne ki zaroorat nahi hai."
Reyansh ne uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Phir kis liye karun?"
Jheel ne uska haath pakad liya.
"Mujhe khush karne ke liye."
Reyansh muskuraya.
"Mission accepted."
Jheel ne uske gaal par ek chhota sa kiss diya.
"Ab main help karun?"
Reyansh ne turant kaha, "Haan. Warna mission fail ho jayega."
Dono hans pade.
Jheel ne sabzi kaatne mein uski madad ki. Reyansh kabhi masala dhoondhta, kabhi spoon, aur kabhi recipe video ko dobara dekhta.
Jheel ne ek baar use dekha aur kaha, "Tum office mein itne confident kaise rehte ho?"
"Office mein sab kuch PowerPoint se solve ho jaata hai."
"Aur kitchen mein?"
"Yahan PowerPoint ki kami hai."
Jheel hans-hanskar dohari ho gayi.
Reyansh use dekhta raha.
Uski hansi use achhi lagti thi.
Aur aaj use use hansane ke liye koi joke ya plan banane ki zaroorat nahi thi.
Bas dono ek saath the.


Sabzi mein namak thoda kam tha aur rotiyan ek taraf se zyada sik gayi thi.
Lekin Jheel ne plate mein khana liya aur pehla niwala khaaya.
Reyansh uska chehra dekh raha tha.
"Kaisa hai?"
Jheel ne kuch der sochne ka natak kiya.
Reyansh ki aankhein sikud gayin.
"Jheel, seedha jawab do."
Usne doosra niwala khaaya.
"Achha hai."
"Sach mein?"
"Haan. Thoda namak kam hai."
Reyansh ne sar pakad liya.
"Mujhe pata tha!"
Jheel hans padi.
"Lekin tumne banaya hai. Isliye aur achha lag raha hai."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Yeh consolation prize hai?"
"Nahi. Sach hai."
Woh dono dinner karte rahe. Beech-beech mein office ke kisse, bachpan ki chhoti yaadein aur rozmarra ki baatein hoti rahi.
Dinner ke baad Jheel ne plates uthani shuru ki.
Reyansh ne uska haath rok diya.
"Guest ho tum."
"Main tumhari girlfriend hoon. Guest nahi."
Reyansh ne muskurakar plates uske haath se le li.
"Achha, toh girlfriend ko sofa par baithne ka order hai."
Jheel ne aankhein ghumayi.
"Ji, chef."
Woh living room mein baith gayi.
Reyansh kitchen saaf karke aaya toh Jheel sofa par uski favourite kitab dekh rahi thi.
"Tum yeh padhte ho?" usne poochha.
"Kabhi-kabhi."
"Tumhare baare mein ek nayi baat pata chali."
"Abhi toh bahut kuch pata chalna baaki hai."
Jheel ne kitab band ki.
"Achha hai. Mujhe tumhe jaan-na pasand hai."
Reyansh uske paas baith gaya.
"Mujhe bhi tumhe jaan-na pasand hai."
Jheel ne apna sir uske kandhe par rakh diya.
Kuch der dono chup rahe.
Phir Jheel ne kaha, "Aaj ka dinner mujhe bahut achha laga."
Reyansh ne poochha, "Khana?"
Jheel ne uske kandhe par halka sa maara.
"Poora waqt, Reyansh."
Usne Jheel ka haath pakad liya.
"Achha."
Woh uske kareeb baitha raha.
Kabhi-kabhi ek seedha sa jawab bhi bahut kuch keh deta hai.


Raat thodi aur gehri ho gayi thi.
Living room mein sirf ek lamp jal raha tha. Baahar se traffic ki awaaz ab kam aa rahi thi.
Jheel Reyansh ke paas baithi thi, uska haath apne haathon mein liye.
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Jheel, ek baat kahun?"
"Haan."
"Main tumhare saath bahut khush hoon."
Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Yeh toh mujhe pata hai."
"Nahi. Mera matlab... tumhare aane ke baad meri zindagi mein kuch chhoti-chhoti cheezein badli hain."
Woh kuch pal ruka.
"Ab subah uthkar phone check karne ki wajah hoti hai. Kisi ko din ke baare mein batane ka mann karta hai. Kabhi koi achhi baat hoti hai toh sabse pehle tumhe batana chahta hoon."
Jheel chupchaap sunti rahi.
Reyansh ne uska haath apne haathon mein liya.
"Main pehle bhi apni zindagi jee raha tha. Kaam tha, dost the, apna routine tha. Lekin tumhare saath mujhe lagta hai ki main sirf din guzaar nahi raha. Main kuch achhe pal bhi jee raha hoon."
Jheel ki aankhon mein nami si chamak uthi.
Reyansh ne dheere se kaha, "I love you, Jheel. Sirf isliye nahi ki tum mujhe khush karti ho. Isliye bhi kyunki tumhare saath main apni asli feelings ko chhupana nahi chahta."
Jheel kuch pal use dekhti rahi.
Phir woh uske kareeb aayi aur use gale laga liya.
Reyansh ne bhi use apni baahon mein bhar liya.
Jheel ne uske kandhe par chehra tikakar kaha, "I love you too."
Reyansh ne uske baalon ko pyaar se sehlaaya.
Jheel peeche hati aur uski aankhon mein dekha.
"Ek baat aur."
"Bolo."
"Mujhe tumhare saath aise hi waqt bitana hai. Kabhi bahar, kabhi ghar par. Kabhi bahut saari baatein, kabhi bilkul khamoshi."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Mujhe bhi."
Jheel ne uske gaal par haath rakha.
Phir usne use kiss kiya.
Reyansh ne bhi uske honton par ek narm kiss diya.
Dono kuch pal ek-doosre ke kareeb rahe.
Jab woh alag hue, Jheel ne muskurakar kaha, "Tumhari cooking ko 8/10."
Reyansh ne hairani se use dekha.
"Abhi hum itna romantic moment share kar rahe the aur tumhe cooking yaad aa rahi hai?"
Jheel hans padi.
"Main honest reviewer hoon."
Reyansh ne use dobara gale laga liya.
"Agli baar 10/10."
"Challenge accepted."


Raat ke kareeb das baj rahe the.
Jheel ne phone dekha.
"Mujhe ab chalna chahiye."
Reyansh ne sar hilaya.
"Haan."
Lekin uska haath abhi bhi Jheel ke haath mein tha.
Jheel ne uski taraf dekha.
"Kya hua?"
"Kuch nahi."
"Reyansh."
Woh muskuraya.
"Bas mann kar raha hai ki tum thodi der aur ruko."
Jheel ke chehre par ek narm si muskurahat aa gayi.
"Toh pehle hi keh dete."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Rukogi?"
Jheel ne uska haath daba diya.
"Thodi der."
Woh dono phir sofa par baith gaye.
Is baar kisi ne phone nahi uthaya.
Koi naya plan nahi bana.
Koi rating nahi di gayi.
Jheel ne Reyansh ke kandhe par sir rakha aur usne uska haath thaam liya.
Kuch der baad Jheel ne dheere se kaha, "Tumhe pata hai, mujhe tumhare ghar par achha lagta hai."
Reyansh ne poochha, "Kyun?"
"Kyunki yahan tum mere saath hote ho. Aur mujhe lagta hai ki main tumhari zindagi ka hissa hoon."
Reyansh ne uski taraf dekha.
"Tum ho, Jheel."
Jheel ne aankhein band kar li.
Reyansh ne uske maathe par kiss kiya.
Woh kuch der aur wahin rahi.
Phir aakhirkar uthkar darwaze ki taraf badhi.
Reyansh use chhodne aaya.
Darwaze par Jheel palti aur uske kareeb aa gayi.
"Goodnight."
Reyansh ne muskurakar kaha, "Goodnight."
Jheel ne use ek baar phir gale lagaya.
Phir uske honton par ek narm kiss diya.
Reyansh ne uska haath pakadkar dheere se kaha, "Take care."
Jheel ne muskurakar jawab diya, "Tum bhi."
Darwaza band ho gaya.
Reyansh kuch der wahin khada raha.
Aaj ki shaam kisi grand date jaisi nahi thi.
Lekin usne Jheel ke saath kuch aisa mehsoos kiya tha jo kisi special location ya perfect dinner se nahi milta.
Apnapan.


Jheel apne flat mein aayi toh uske chehre par abhi bhi muskurahat thi.
Usne phone table par rakha, paani piya aur bed par baith gayi.
Kuch der baad Reyansh ka message aaya.
Reyansh: Ghar pahunch gayi?
Jheel: Haan, Mr. Perfect.
Reyansh: Aaj ka final review?
Jheel: Dinner 8/10. Company 10/10.
Reyansh ne turant reply kiya.
Reyansh: Toh overall rating?
Jheel: Overall... tum mere favourite ho.
Reyansh kuch pal screen dekhta raha.
Phir usne likha:
Reyansh: Tum bhi meri favourite ho.
Jheel ne dil wala emoji bheja.
Reyansh ne phone rakh diya.
Woh bed par leta aur aankhein band kar li.
Uske dimaag mein Jheel ki hansi, uski baatein aur living room mein saath bitaaye hue woh shaant pal ghoomne lage.
Use laga ki woh dheere-dheere kisi ko apni zindagi mein jagah dena seekh raha hai.
Sirf milne ke liye nahi.
Sirf khush rehne ke liye nahi.
Balki apne din, apni aadatein aur apni khamoshi tak baantne ke liye.
Usne karwat badli.
Aaj use kisi sawaal ka jawab nahi dhoondhna tha.
Bas ek baat use saaf mehsoos ho rahi thi.
Woh Jheel se pyaar karta tha. Aur Jheel usse.