1.

• Introduction •
2. •CHAPTER-01•
3. •CHAPTER-02•
4. •CHAPTER-03•
5. •CHAPTER-04•
6. •CHAPTER-05•
7. •CHAPTER-06•
8. •CHAPTER-07•
9. •CHAPTER-08•
10. •CHAPTER-09•
11. •CHAPTER-10•
12. •CHAPTER-11•
13. •CHAPTER-12•
14. •CHAPTER-13•
15. •CHAPTER-14•
16. •CHAPTER-15•
17. •CHAPTER-16•
18. •CHAPTER-17•
19. •CHAPTER-18•
20. •CHAPTER-19•
21. •CHAPTER-20•
22. •CHAPTER-21•
23. •CHAPTER-22•
24. •CHAPTER-23•
25. •CHAPTER-24•
26. •CHP-25•
27. •CHP-26•
28. •CHP-27•
29. •CHP-28•
30. •CHP-29•
31. •CHP-30•
32. •CHP-31•
33. •CHP-32•
34. •CHP-33•
35. •CHP-34•
36. •CHP-35•
37. •CHP-36•
38. •CHP-37•
39. •CHP-38•
40. •CHP-39•
41. •CHP40•
42. •CHP-41•
43. •CHP-42•
44. •CHP-43•
45. 'CHP-44'
46. ‹CHP-45'
47. < CHP46'
48. CHP47'
49. CHAPTER - 48
50. CHAPTER - 49
51. CHAPTER - 50
52. CHAPTER - 51
53. CHAPTER - 52
54. CHAPTER - 53
55. CHAPTER - 54
56. •CHAPTER-55•
57. •CHAPTER-56•
58. -CHAPTER:57-
59. •CHAPTER-58•
60. CHAPTER - 59
61. CHAPTER - 60
62. •CHAPTER-61•
63. CHAPTER- 62
64. CHAPTER - 63
65. CHAPTER - 64
66. CHAPTER - 65
67. CHAPTER - 66
68. CHAPTER 67
69. CHAPTER - 68
70. CHAPTER - 69
71. •CHAPTER-70•
72. CHAPTER - 71
73. CHAPTER - 72
 74. CHAPTER - 73
75. CHAPTER - 74
76. CHAPTER 75
77. CHAPTER - 76
78. CH-77
79. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH78
80. ּ ֪ ֶָ. CH-79
81. ּ ֪ ֶָ. CH80
82. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH81
83. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH82
84. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH83
85. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH84
86. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH85
87. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH86
88. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH87
89. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH88
90. ּ ֪ ֶָ. CH89
91. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH90
92. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH91
93. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH92
94. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH93
95. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH94
96. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH95
97. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH96
98. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH97
99. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH 98
100. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH99
101. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH100
102. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH101
103. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH102
104. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH103
105. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH104
106. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH105
107. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH106
108. ּ ֪ ֶָ..CH107
109. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH108
110. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH109
111. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH110
112. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH111
113. ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH112
114. ּ ֪ ֶָ. LAST CHAPTER
• Introduction •
•••

‫إِ ﱠن‬

‫َﻣ َﻊ‬

ْ ُ‫ا ْﻟﻌ‬
‫ﺴ ِﺮ‬

‫ﺴ ًﺮا‬
ْ ُ‫ﯾ‬

‫۝‬

" Verily with every hardship comes ease "

‫ﻗﺮآن‬

‫ﮐﯽ‬

‫ﮨﺮ‬

‫آﯾﺖ‬

‫اﯾﮏ‬

"

‫ﺟﻮاب‬

"

‫ﮨﮯ‬

‫اس‬
‫"‬

‫ﺳﻮال‬

‫"‬

‫ﮐﺎ‬

‫ﺟﻮ‬

‫اﻧﺴﺎن‬

‫ﮐﮯ‬

‫اﻧﺪر‬

‫ﺳﮯ‬

‫اﭨﮭﺘﺎ‬

‫ﮨﮯ‬

‫۔۔۔۔‬

‫ﺟﻮاب‬

‫اس‬

‫وﻗﺖ‬

‫ﺗﮏ‬

‫ﺳﻤﺠﮭ‬

‫ﻧﮩﯿﮟ‬

‫آﺳﮑﺘﺎ‬

‫ﺟﺐ‬
‫ﺗﮏ‬

‫ﺳﻮال‬

‫ﺳﻤﺠﮭ‬

‫ﻣﯿﮟ‬

‫ﻧہ‬

‫آﺋﮯ‬

‫۔‬

" Quran ki har aayat ek 'jawab' hai, us 'sawal' ka jo insaan ke andar se

uthta hai...

Jawab us waqt tak samajh nahi aasakta jab tak sawal samajh mein na
aaye."

---- •♡• ----

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey pretties!!

It's Saba here. Before beginning the story, let me share that I do not own
this story. This is a Pakistani novel written by Miss Husna Hussain. There
are girls like me who love to read novels but have not come to Urdu society.
That is why I have translated this novel into Roman Urdu.

Every coping mechanism is valid, so think of this as just me trying to

distract myself by writing on my own. Urdu happens to be my third
language, so you'll find this story filled with grammatical, punctuational,
and spelling mistakes, along with non linear written style .

---- •♡• ----

AUTHOR'S SOCIAL
Mail - sabaaa162@gmail.com

IG - _.sabae

SC - sabaaa162

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-01•
Jannat ! Khuda ke liye....

Dressing table ka samaan bikhra gaya. Deewar geer almirah ke sheeshe

jhamaake se toot gaye. Kaanch ka guldaan jo shadid nafrat aur intezam se
farsh par phenka gaya tha, us ke tukde yahan wahan bikhre gaye the.

"Jannat... jannat... aise na karo ajnabi.... nahi ajnabi... mera bacha ... ajnabi!
Khuda ke liye.... "

Ek tarpaak pukaar ek ilteja us ne palkain jhapak kar dekha. Manzar ek

lamhe ke liye dhundla hua tha. Shayad aankhon ki nami badhi thi. Shayad
roshni madham padi thi.

"Burhan burhan mujhe bacha lein."

Dil kharash cheekh ke saath hi us ki aankh ek jhatke se khul gayi thi. Bed
crown ke saath laga apna sar uthate hue woh har bada kar seedhi ho baithi
thi. Dahaana haath be sakhta maqam-e-qalb par aan thahra tha.

Maqam e qalb , maqam e 'alam' tha.

Maqam e alam , maqam e 'ibtalaa'...

Tanafus bhari, halq khushk aur khof ke apne shikanje mein jakad dimaagh
ma'awuf...!

Nightstand ki zarkaar roshni mein, kaam daar urdi joray ke daman par nazar
padte hi woh apne khwab ke asar se safed aur siyah rang ki taqseem mein
khubsurati aur nafasat se bajay, ek waseeo areez bedroom mein woh jahazi
bahar aagayi. Besakhta sar utha kar us ne matwahish nigahon se atraaf mein
dekha.

King size bed par golden bridal dress mein malboos baithi thi
Yeh ghar us ka nahi tha. Yeh kamra bhi us ka nahi tha.

Second ke hazarvein hisse mein chand ghante pehle nikah aur phir rukhsati
ka manzar us ki aankhon ke samne lehra gaya.

Khushk labon ko tar karte hue aroosi joray ka daman apne haathon mein
sambhal kar woh bed se utar gayi.

Chooriyan khank uthin, band ya mutaharrik hui. Sone ke nafis aawize us ki

surahi numa gardan par aage peeche

jhool jhool gaye."

"Woh insaan ho kar saakit thi. Lakhoon ki jewellery bejaan ho kar

mutaharrik...

Kapkapati ungliyon se darwaza khol kar woh kuch khof, kuch ghabrahat ke
saath bahar aagayi. Master bedroom ki daayeen simt, aen samne gol zeena
tha jo neeche ki taraf jata tha. Usi zeene ki ibtidaai seedhiyon par woh usey
baitha dekhai de gaya tha.

Jannat ki dhadkan ek lamhe ke liye jaise tham si gayi thi.

Sar gira hua, kandhe jhuke hue, aur muthiyan us sakhti se bheenchi hui jaise
woh zabt ke aakhri marahil se guzar raha ho.

Doraan-e-safar us ka mood khushgawar nahi tha, woh jaanti thi. Nikah ke

waqt bhi us ke tevar theek nahi the, wo yeh bhi jaanti thi.

"Bare ajeeb hain yeh Fares bhai

." Sidrah ne khaas tor par tunss kiya tha. "

Nikah ke paper par aise sign kar rahe the jaise"....

kuch kehte kehte woh eka ek khamosh ho gayi thi.

"Jaise?" Us ne ghaneri palkon ki jhaalar utha kar use dekha tha.

'Jaise kuch nahi.'

Labon par muskurahat saja kar us ne baat adhoori chhod di thi. Aur woh
adhoori baat jaise ab mukammal hone ko thi...

Khud par tari is jamood ko todtay hue woh ek jhatke se uth kar us ki taraf
muda tha. Us ki teekhi gehri aankhon mein ghaiz o ghazab ka barhta hua
taassur Jannat bint-e-Kamal ki reerh ki haddi mein sansanahat dauda gaya

"Tum ne abhi tak change nahi kiya?"

Bhari taabir awaz, phir ya sakht lehja...

Lehngay ka qaal sambhale Jannat ki makhrooti ungliyon ki girift itni

mazboot hui ke moti aur keemay hatheliyon mein chubhne lage. Yeh ek
kaghazi rishta hai Jannat Kamal yeh sirf kaghaz tak mehdood rahe ga.

Ek ek lafz nafrat se ada karte hue us ke aur apne mabain chand qadmon ke
faasle ko us ne ek hi lamhe mein paat liya tha. Kaghazi rishta woh phatti
phatti aankhon se use dekh kar reh gayi thi.

"Mummy ek bahu chahiye thi sirf ek bahu!" Baazu se pakar kar khasay
jarhane andaz mein use raaste se hataya gaya.

'Yahan sirf bahu ban kar raho, biwi ban kar mere sar par musallat hone ki
koshish

bhoolay

se bhi mat karna aur na hi bohot bura karoon ga main'

Aankhon mein sakhti se dekhte hue us ne ungli utha kar dhamki di thi, phir
usi Surat se woh kamre mein chala gaya tha.

Tum ne abhi tak change nahi kiya? Bhari taabir awaz, phir ya sakht lehja...

Lehngay ka qaal sambhale Jannat ki makhrooti ungliyon ki girift itni

mazboot hui ke moti aur keemay hatheliyon mein chubhne lage. Yeh ek
kaghazi rishta hai Jannat Kamal yeh sirf kaghaz tak mehdood rahe ga. Ek
ek lafz nafrat se ada

karte hue us ke aur apne mabain chand qadmon ke faasle ko us ne ek hi

lamhe mein paat liya tha. Kaghazi rishta woh phatti phatti aankhon se use
dekh kar reh gayi thi.

Mujhe ek bahu chahiye thi sirf ek bahu! Baazu se pakar kar khasay jarhane
andaz mein use raaste se hataya gaya.

'

Yahan sirf bahu ban kar raho, biwi ban kar mere sar par musallat hone ki
koshish

bhoolay

se bhi mat karna aur na hi bohot bura karoon ga main'

Aankhon mein sakhti se dekhte hue us ne ungli utha kar dhamki di thi, phir
usi surat se woh kamre mein chala gaya tha.

Sade se ma'awuf hote dimagh ke saath Jannat ne mur kar use be yaqeeni se
dekha tha.

Woh jo bohat izzat aur maan se use rukhsat kar ke apne ghar laya tha, woh
ab kuch nafrat aur haqarat se bed par bikhray gulab ki pattiyo ko hata raha
tha. Phool belon ko noch khosot kar phenk raha tha. Taza gulab ke sukhe to
us ne farsh par de maare the.

Woh mushtail tha. Us ka bas nahi chal raha tha, woh kamre ki ek ek cheez
ko Aag laga de. Sab tabah kar de.

Jannat ki shehad aankhon mein armaano ka khoon rich gaya. Kapkapate

labon par sukoot thehr gaya. Woh sarapa huzn bani aankhon mein hairat,
sadma aur be yaqeeni liye use dekh kar reh gayi thi.

Maghribi deewar par Victorian tarz ka ek aaina istada tha. Jo us ka aks khud
mein samaye posheeda haqiqat ko us ke
chehre par le aaya tha.

Haqiqat sachai ka roop dharay ek baddua thi jo us ke peechay peechay

yahan tak chali aayi

thi. Yahan tak Ghar chhodne se, sheher badalne se, naye rishte banane se us
ka naseeb nahi badla tha. Nafrat aur dhutkaar ab bhi us ka muqaddar rahi
thi. Lanat, phitkaar ab bhi us ka naseeb thehri thi.

"

Get lost"

daant pees kar muthiyan bheench kar us ne hukum diya tha. Magar woh
pathar hui khadi thi. Zara sa irtaash bhi us ke wujood mein paida nahi hua
tha.

"

said get lost damn it!"

Ab ki baar woh halq ke bal dhaara tha. Bhaari ka madar libaas ka phaila hua
gheer aur dheeyai hatheliyon mein sambhale woh be ikhtiyar peeche hat
gayi thi. Darwaza ain us ke munh par band hua tha. Khataak ki awaaz ke
saath muqfal bhi hua.

Ek ek kar ke khushgumaani ke tamam diye bujh gaye. Ek ek kar ke saari

umeedein khaak ho gayin. Hamesha acha sochna sab acha hoga. Us ne acha
socha tha, magar acha na hua tha. Har umar ke saath mera hai.

Aur us ke aage, peeche, daayen baayen, oopar neeche har taraf Arabi ussr
tha. Mushkil hi mushkil aazmaish hi aazmaish mehroomi hi mehroomi
mazaari saza...

Woh allay qadam peeche hoti gayi yahan tak ke deewar se ja lagi. Rahdari
ke ek siray par seedhiyan thin to doosre siray par chhota sa lounge jis ki
deewar geer khidkiyon se poora chaand nazar aa raha tha.
'Tum ne Maheen ke saath jo kiya hai jannat khuda tumhein us ki woh saza
de ga jo tum saari umar yaad rakho gi.'

Siskiyaan seene mein machal gayin. Aansoo palkon par larz gaye. Saari
zindagi tum ne Ammi ko dukh diye hain. Saari umar tum un ke liye azab
bani rahi ho... Seene mein dard utha. Tanafus bhaari hone laga. Nigah band
darwaze par thehr gayi.

"Aisi betiyon ko paida hote hi mar jana chahiye." Lafz nishtar the, rooh
ghayal hui thi. Bemushkil qadam uthate us ne lounge ka rukh kiya tha.
Poori tareekhon ke munawar chaand ke samne woh be noor kar shal fanous
ke neeche sofa par baith gayi. Ab woh ek ek kar ke pins nikal rahi thi. Shor
ab bhi tha, awaz mein ab bhi goonj rahi thin.

Woh sar se dupatta utar kar apne hair style ke bal kholne lagi. Hair spray se
baal akde huye the. Bemushkil seedhe ho paaye. Us ne phir kaanon ke
aawize utare. Hamle ko maiks ki girift se azaad kiya. Bindiya utar kar mez
par rakhi.

" Nahi mat utaro woh jannat abhi jee bhar kar dekhne do mujhe." Alalam
halq mein ubharti gulti ko bemushkil neeche utarte us ne lab bheench kar
khayalat ko jhatkna chaha. Afkaar ko banana magar nakam rahi. Aaj ki raat
kuch bhi us ke zehan se mehvo hone wala nahi tha.

Rorah kar ek ek pal, ek bhi chaha ek lamha, ek ek saat yaad aa rahi thi use...

Khuda tumhein us ki woh saza de ga jo tum sari umar yaad rakhogi.

palkon ki deewaron mein shigaaf daalte chand aansoo us ke gaalon par

larhak gaye. "Yeh bhi Burhan ka ehsan hai ke us ne tum par case nahi kiya
warna socho, woh kya nahi kar sakta tha".

Haan.. tum socho!

Ab tum socho!

Aaj tum socho!

Kamre ki har ek shay awaz ban gayi. Qalb o jaan ko azaar kar gayi. Baddua
ab baddua khidkiyon se sard hawaien sarsara kar guzri thin.

Maza chakha! Lawn mein aster aur arctotus ke be shumar phoolon se hoti
hui sada beruni deewaron...Ke us paar street par jhuke Amaltas ke
darakhton par thehr gayi thi. Halq mein ubharti gayi ko bemushkil neeche
utare Jannat ne ghutnon par sar rakh diya. Aaj ki raat ek mushkil raat thi us
ke liye aur us ke liye bhi jo band kamre mein apna sar thaame Khamosh
baitha tha.

Deewar geer khidkiyon se jhaankte sooraj ki kirnein us ke chehre par padi

to us ne kismisa kar aankhon khol di thin. Aftaab ka noor us ke andar nahi
gaya tha. Gharon ki tarah kuch tareekhiyan us ke wujood ka bhi hissa thin.
Uth kar baithte hue us ne kandhon par aage peeche bikhre sheer rang ke
balon ko samet kar daahine kandhe par

daal diya tha. Chehra sata hua tha. Be-khwabi ka shikaar surkh moturam
aankhon mein nami thehri thi. Farsh par qadam jamate hue us ne be-khayali
mein sar uthaya tha aur agle hi lamhe apni jagah tham kar reh gayi thi.

Har siyah cheez par aasmani rang ki shirt mein malboos woh single sofa par
tang par tang jamaye khaase shahana andaz mein baitha tha. Dhoop mein
light brown side dete ghane siyah baal peshani par bikhre hue the. Ragein
tani hui, jeere bheenche hue aur gehri hazel aankhon mein to jaise khoon
utra hua tha. Us ne daahine haath mein ek kitaab utha rakhi thi.

Sard nigahon se mutala'a jaari tha. Jannat ki heartbeat tez hui. Saans to
pehle se ruka hua tha. Us ke wehm o gumaan mein bhi nahi tha ke is tarah
itne sawere woh us ke saamne baitha ho ga. Woh takheer se bedaar hone par
az khud sharminda hogayi.

Kal raat jo kuch hua, us ki bhanak Nomi ko nahi padni chahiye. Kitaab
band ho chuki thi. Bilkul darwaze ki tarah...

Ab woh uth khada hua tha. Be-parwai se jebon mein haath daale jaane ke
liye mur gaya tha.
Jannat ne be-sakhta nigaah uthai thi. "FARIS WAJDAN Shirazi Enterprises
ka CEO..."

Daraaz qamat, chowdey shaaney aur warzishi jisamat ka maalik ek

khoobsurat nojawan... jo gol zameene utar ta ab nazron se oojhal ho chuka
tha, magar us ke qadmon ki aahat thi ke rahdari mein hi thehr gayi thi. Band
darwaze ki awaaz bhi wahi kahin bhatak rahi thi.

Talkh rawaiya sakht lehja aur nikah ki haesiyat ki wazahat karte be-raham
alfaaz mutaharrik hue the. Palat palat kar us par waar karne lage the. Aur
woh saakit o saamit apne tootey bikhrey wujood se la parwa kuch khof,
kuch be-chaargi aur kuch uljhan se naseeb aur qismat ki un bhool bhulaiyon
ko dekhne lagi thi jo har baar hamesha use ek hi maqam par le aati thin.

Woh maqam jis ka taeen kai baras pehle phatti hui ek do pehar mein hua
tha. Woh maqam jo aag ki tarah tha. Sulga sulga kar raakh karta tha. Phir
khaak kar deta tha.

Woh pairon taley rondi jaaney wali usi mitti se ek baar phir janam leti thi.
Har baar us umeed ke saath ke ab kuch mukhtalif hoga, har baar us yaqeen
ke saath ke ab woh qabooli jayegi magar har baar wohi hota jis ki tawaqo
na hoti. Har baar wohi milta jis ki chahat na hoti.

Ek madham si muskaan us ke sakhti se bhaney honton ko nam kar gayi phir

woh jhijhak di. Yoonhi achanak bila-wajah Bilal Wajdan House ke dar-o-
deewar mein us ki hansi ki jhankaar yoon goonji jaise koi zabt karte karte
achanak ro pada ho.

"Hayat mil gaya ho. Rafiq-e-hayat bhi aisa jo apni aan baan mein
shehzadon jaisa ho. Naam ki tarah maidan-e-hayat ka koi shahsawar nazar
aata ho. Magar woh shahsawar shareek-e-hayat ban kar zaban ki do dhari
talwar se ehsasaat aur jazbaat ko qatl karne wala bhi ho to... us ka zehan
phir se bhatak tha. Soch aur khayalat phir se muntashir hue the. Aur us ne
ek bar phir white clutch par giraft mazboot karte hue apni kefiyat par qabu
pa liya tha.

Safaid aur surkh phoolon se decorate kiye gaye khoobsurat hall mein yahan
wahan dekhte, pehlu mein bethe Wajdan ke black three piece suit se uthati
mardana cologne ki khushboo mehsoos karte, woh palkain jhapka kar
aankhon mein abherti nami ko dabane ki sa'y kar rahi thi.

'Tum khush to ho na Jannat?'

barabar mein bhi Saira khala ne bohat mohabbat aur maan se poocha tha.
Jannat ne gardan mor kar unhein dekha, woh jis ehsaas ke bare mein istifsar
kar rahi thin, woh us ke aas paas, us ke andar,

us ke dil mein kahin bhi na tha. Magar woh is bar sahih ma'non mein un ke
liye mehrum rehna chahti thi. Raaz hona chahti thi. Woh unhein aur un ki
family ke ek ek fard ko yeh tasur dena chahti thi ke usay apni Jannat mil
chuki hai, sazaein khatam hui hain, woh jahanum se bahar aa gayi !!

'Bohat'

us ne kaha tha. Us ki awaz kho khali thi magar labon par ubherti khoobsurat
muskurahat har aziyat chhupa gayi thi.

Aankhain bhi kamal ki adakari karti thin, takleef do taqseem mein dhal kar
us ke chehre ko purkashish bana gayin. Us ke kandhon par bazoo daalte hue
apne qareeb kar ke peshani ka bosa le daala. Woh ab bohat khush Saira
khala ne aur mutmain nazar aarahi thin. Shirazi khandan ke saath yeh rishta
un ki tosath se sar anjam paya tha. Yeh shaadi bhi un ki wajah se mumkin
ho payi thi. Yehi wajah thi ke Jannat unhein sukoon bhari us kefiyat se
mahroom nahi karna chahti thi.Bheench kar aur palkain jhapka kar aansuon
ko rokte hue us ne sar uthaya to nigaah mein Mrs. Shirazi se mukar gayin.

Jo ki Maroon sari mein malboos, light sa makeup kiye woh electronic

wheelchair par barajman thin. Chehra nikhra nikhra aur taro taza lag raha
tha. Siyah aankhon mein khushi ki chamak behrahi thi. Labon par zindagi
se bharpoor muskurahat bhi thi. Go ke heart patient thin, falij ke baais
tangon se bhi mazoor magar apne bete ki shaadi par woh bohat sehat mand,
hashash bashash aur khush nazar aarahi thin. Woh use dekhte hue
muskurain to Jannat bhi muskuradi aur koi bhi dekh kar bata sakta tha ke
woh is aurat ke liye kitne dil se muskurai thi...

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-02•
Shaam ka andhera dharti par phail chuka tha. Dewar gir khidkiyon ke parde
doriyon mein bandhe hue the. Pandrahwin ka poora chand (Full moon) us
ke aqab mein tha. Woh kuch der pehle Mrs. Shirazi ke hamrah ghar
pahunchi thi aur ab dressing table ke samne khadi kuch be-dardi aur
jhanjhalahat se apni jewellery utar rahi thi. Aankhon mein nami thi, chehra
shiddat jazbaat se surkh ho raha tha. Walima reception ke dauran woh kitni
pur-aetmad rahi thi aur ab jab tanhai maysar hui thi to kaise tukde tukde ho
rahi thi.

"Zindagi phoolon ki sej kisi ke liye bhi nahi hoti Jannat...!"

Mrs. Shirazi ne kuch der pehle usse paas bitha kar kaha tha.

"Naye mahol, naye rishton mein adjust hone mein kuch waqt lagta hai. Woh
waqt

tahammul

mizaji ki talab rakhta hai, sabr chahta hai....!"

Phir us ka haath tham kar apne haathon mein le kar mohabbat se us ki

aankhon mein dekha tha.

"Duniya ka sab se haseen aur shafaf jazba mohabbat ka hai. Is jazbe mein
salahiyat hai nafrat ki har chata ko paash paash kar dene ki...!"

Jannat ki aankhon mein ek karb thehra tha. Woh us ki muskurahat se uljha

tha. Us ke chehre par bikhar tha. Goya Shirazi jaanti thin apne bete ko achi
tarah se samajhti thi.

" Tumhari Faris se shadi meri wajah se nahi hui hai, na hi tumhari khala ki
wajah se yeh tumhara naseeb hai jo tumhein yahan laya hai."
Baat ghoom phir kar ek baar phir us ke naseeb tak aa gayi thi. Har baar yeh
lafz use dara deta tha. Har baar yeh sachai use tarpa deti thi.

Agar ab bhi naseeb hi yahan laya tha to... wehshat ka saanp gardan se lipta
tha. Zaat ke aaine par pathar barse the. Woh tukde tukde ho kar bikhar gayi
thi.

"Naseeb...!!"

Ulajhe mantashir khayalat ke saath us ne sar utha kar aaine mein us jannat
ko talasha jo lahoo thi magar us ke saamne jo khadi thi, woh to kuch bhi na
thi. Qadmon ki aahat ke saath kamre ka darwaza khul gaya tha. Us ki
jhumke utaarti ungliyan sakt hui thin. Be sakhta nazar utha kar us ne aaine
mein Faris ko hi dekha tha. Tie ki knot dheeli karta, coat utar kar stand par
latka ta ab woh bed par baith kar apne jute utar raha tha. Wrist watch,
cufflinks us ne side table par rakh diye the. Woh masroof mein apne kaam
kar raha tha aur Jannat dressing table ke saamne patthar hui, apne jhumko
mein hi atki khadi thi. Woh Faris Wajdan ko dekh rahi thi aur Faris Wajdan
ne bhoole se bhi ek ghalat nigaah us par nahi dali thi. La be sakhta hi koi
manzar zehn ke pardo par chhaya tha yaka yak us ki aziyat barh gayi thi
haal aaina ban kar maazi ka aks dikhlaye to aziyat barh hi jaati hai.Yeh
ehsas kitna aziyat naak hota hai ke aap mojood hon aur koi aap ko adham
kar de. Aap mawaraai ho jaye nazar na aaye. Koi khayal chot ban kar zehn
mein utar tha, Aankhein jal uthi thin.

Kapde badal kar woh attached bathroom se bahar aa gaya tha. Siyah trouser
par safed rang ki dheeli dhaali si shirt mein

malboos woh apne aam se huliye mein bohat jazib nazar aa raha tha. Apne
irtraf se yaksar be niyaz us ne kamre ki lights off kar di thin. Ab sirf
neelgoon bulb hi tha; jo andhere mein madham si roshni ka tasur de raha
tha. Mobile charge par lagaye woh sone ke liye let chuka to khud par tari is
jamood ko todtay hue Jannat ne mudkar barah-e-raast use dekha. Ab aaine
ka sahara dar karar na tha.

"

Yeh tumhara naseeb hai jo tumhein yahan laya hai..."

Halq mein ubharti guilty ko bamushkil neeche utaarte us ne attach
bathroom ka rukh kiya. Kapray tabdeel kar ke woh kafi kafgi se bahar aayi
thi. Sofa par baith kar royi royi si surkh matoram aankhon ke saath kuch der
tak woh usey hi dekhti rahi thi...

"Naseeb..!"

Safaid shawl khud par phailaye woh sakhtay huye sofa par neem daraz
hogayi. Kuch thakawat ka asar tha aur kuch guzishta shab ki be khwabi thi
ke aankhein band karte hi usey neend ne aaliya tha. Aur ek baar phir woh us
be reham raat ke apni shikanjon mein jakri gayi thi jo bawajood koshish ke
bhi us ke zehan se nikalti nahi thi.

---- •♡• ----

Ghar mein daakhil hote hi Saira ne sar utha kar apne bete ko dekha jo
nidhaal qadam uthata un ke samne aakar ruk gaya tha. Aankhein surkh o
matoram hi thi. Chehra surkh ho raha tha. Sidra ek Nazar bhai par daalti tez
tez qadam uthai andar chali gayi thi magar Saira aisa nahi kar saki thin.

"

Mein samajh raha tha usey saza mil chuki hai magar... us ki saza to jaise ab
shuru hui hai mama"

"Ammar...!?"

Saira ka lehja kaat daar hua tha. Aankhein gham o gussa se phaili thin.
Jannat ka walima end kar ke abhi woh kuch der pehle hi Lahore pahunchi
thin aur abhi se Ammar ka yeh rawaiya aur baatein unhen ishtial dila gaye
thin.

'Faris

Wajdan

ki biwi hai ab woh! Shirazi khandan ki behu.'

Un ka lehja do tok tha.

'Usi Fares

Wajdan

ko Sidra ka rishta kyun nahi diya aap ne?'

Sidra ne besakhta mud kar apne bhai ko dekha. Deewana tha woh Jannat ke
liye ab us ki deewangi ne jaise har had paar kar li thi. Apne bhi usey ab
dushman nazar Aane lage the. Mrs. Shirazi ne Faris ke liye sirf Jannat ka
haath manga tha. Saira ne tahammul se ek baar phir apne bete ki ghalt
fehmi door karne ki koshish ki thi. Woh usey samjha samjha kar thak gayi
thin, aur woh tha ke kuch samjhne ko tayyar hi na tha.

"Agar woh Sidrah ka haath bhi maanti to mein poore yakeen se keh sakta
hoon ke aap inkaar kar deti...."

Saira ne lab bheench kar apne bete ko dekha.

"Shayad..? aap bhool rahi hain ke uske

mutaliq

kisi tarah ki khabrein gardish karti rahi hain...!"

"Woh sirf afwahen thin Fares aisa nahi hai..."

Ammar phis diya. Uski jinsi bhi tanzi thi. Peshani masalte hue uljhe bikhre
balon mein haath chalate hue woh jaise zabt ke marahil par tha.

"Shirazi khandan ko dhoka de kar aap kaise

mutmain

hain mama? meri samajh se bahar hai."

Ammar ab ke unhon ne sakht pathrili nigahon se dekha tha.

"tumhein meri bhanji ke mamle mein padne ki zaroorat nahi hai, woh ab
shadi shuda hai, yeh baat apne dimagh mein daal lo ke woh ab kisi ki izzat
hai."

"Us ne jo kuch bhi kiya hai, usse zair-e-bahas lane ki zaroorat nahi hai,
woh uska mazi tha, mein uski personal life Mrs. Shirazi ke samne kholne ka
koi haq nahi rakhti thi aur na hi unhon ne mujh se is hawale se koi sawal
poocha tha....."

Unhon ne ek lamhe ka tarruf karte hue dobara uski aankhon mein dekha...

"

Mein ne jo bhi faisla kiya hai, soch samajh kar kiya hai. Tumhare dimagh
mein yeh jo mohabbat ka chand

rozah

bhoot sawar hai, yeh utre ga to tumhein sab samajh mein

aajaye

ga!!"

"Haan mein to jaise bacha hoon, pagal hoon, na samajh hoon...!?"

Zair lab badbadate hue woh shadid gusse ke alam mein mez ko thokar
maarta ghar se nikal gaya tha. Saira be basi se usey jata dekh kar reh gayi
thin.

---- •♡• ----

Subah jitni roshan, saaf aur chamak daar thi, uske andar ki duniya utni hi
tareek, veeran aur sunsaan thi. Surkh rang ka qadre halkay kaam wala
nafees jora zaib tan kiye woh dressing table ke samne khadi kuch be dili se
apne Baal bana rahi thi jab darwaze par dastak hui thi. Kamre mein us ne
himmat mujtama kar ke kaha tha.

Darwaza khul gaya. Mulazma samne khadi thi.

'Begum Sahiba aap ka nashte par intezaar kar rahi hain....'

'Mein aa rahi hoon.'

Fresh nazar aane ke liye light sa makeup karke , dupatta saliqe se set kar ke
woh neeche aa gayi thi.

Dining hall mein Mrs. Shirazi wheelchair par Faris Wajdan ke hamrah
mojood thi. Unhon ne brown rang ka sada salwar kameez zeb tan kar rakha
tha.

Safaid rang ki badi si shawl kandhon par thi. Makeup aur jewellery se aaruj
woh is roop mein bhi bohot achi lag rahi thin. Un ki aankhen bohot narm sa
tasur deti thin aur labon par bikheri shafiq aur meharban si muskurahat
seedha dil mein utarti thi.

'Assalamualaikum,'

Mushtaqi sa salam kar ke woh bharpoor etmad ke sath Mrs. Shirazi ke paas
aa gayi thi. Unhen salam kiya tha, un se dua bhi li thi, aur jab jhuki thi to
unhon ne bohot pyar se us ki peshani ka bosa bhi liya tha. Phir unhon ne
haath pakar kar use apne barabar mein hi bitha liya tha.

Faris Wajdan us ke ain samne jhuke sar ke sath apne tablet ki screen par
headlines dekh raha tha.

Nashta shuru kar diya gaya. Desi aur videsi nashte ke lawazmaat se bhari
table se mukhtalif dishes utha utha kar Mrs. Shirazi us ke samne rakhne lagi
thin.

Jannat ne nazrain utha kar Faris ko dekha. Us ka chehra sapat zaroor tha
magar tasurat sakht patharile nahin the. Mrs. Shirazi jab jab us se mukhatib
hotin, woh bohot aram aur tasalli se mukhtasar jawab de kar apni nigahen
tablet par jama leta tha. Nashta karte hue us ke andaz mein ajlat numayaan
thi jaise woh jald az jald yahan se uth jana chahta ho, magar Mrs. Shirazi
use aisa karne nahi de rahi thi. Woh use baton mein uljha rahi thi khabron se
us ka zehan bhatka rahi thi.
"To phir honeymoon ke liye kya plan kiya hai tum dono ne?"

Unhon ne baton ke doran itna achanak poocha ke toast par jam lagate Faris
ke hath ek dam ruk gaye. Jannat ne sar uthaya to nigah mein Faris se do-
char hui. Bas ek lamhe ke liye phir woh nazrein jhuka gai.

"

Abhi kuch socha nahi is bare mein

toqee

r" ke baraks us ne bohat muhtaat andaz mein jawab diya tha.

"To phir soch lo!"

"Ek mahine ka break le lo aur...!"

Faris ne apni maan ke hanste muskurate chehre ko dekha. Us ki shadi se

woh kitni fresh aur sehat mand lag rahi thi. Jaise sare bojh un ke kandhon se
utar gaye hon. Jaise sare qarz ada kar diye gaye hon.

"Haan kuch plan karta hoon.."

Us ne jawab de kar unhen bhi hairan kar diya. Andar hi andar shayad woh
ye toqeer kar rahi thi ke woh taal matol se kaam le ga.

"

Khush raho.."

unhon ne dua di.

"Ab mein chalta hoon, apna khayal rakhiye ga."

Kusri dhakel kar uthte hue us ne Mrs. Shirazi ki taraf jhuk kar un ki peshani
ka bosa liya.

"Tum bhi apna khayal rakhna..."

Woh jane laga to Mr. Shirazi ke sath sath Jannat ki nigahon ne bhi us ka
taaqub kiya tha.

"Shadi ke baad aaj iska office ka pehla din hai tumhein use see off karna
chahiye."

Jannat ne kuch ghabra kar un ki taraf dekha. Unhon ne muskurate hue chai
ka cup utha liya. Woh uth kar bahar agai.

Samne hi woh safed pathron ki rosh par khada tha.. Ruk kar, mur kar usay
dekhnay laga. Woh nervous ho kar ruk gayi. Aankhon mein iztirab thehar
gaya.

Woh Fares se teen chaar steps ki bulandi par thi magar us ki aankhon ke
haqarat ameez tasur se jaise zameen ki tehon mein utar kar reh gayi.

"Nafrat,

Tahqeer

Dhitkar

!"

Nazron ke mafoom janti thi woh nafraton ki pehchan thi usme. Tab hi us ka
dil kata tha. Tab hi aankhein nam hui thin. Woh ek aise insaan ke samne
khadi thi jis ki aankhon mein insiyat to door ki baat, us ke liye izzat bhi nah
thi...

"A-Aunty ne kaha tha ke..."

ungliyan masalte hue us ne apni mojudgi ki wazahat dena chahi.

"ke kya!?"

Us ne sawaliya abro uthai lehja hatmi alamkan sakht hi raha.

"Kya main ne tum se yeh nahi kaha biwi ban kar mere sar par

musallat

hone ki koshish mat karna?"

Woh phunkara.Woh chup rahi. Eitraz aur shikway ka us ke paas koi haq
nahi tha.

Usay tandehi se dekhte Fares ne ungli uthai....

Ain Lafz ada kiye baghair aankhon ke tasur se hi woh us par wazeh kar
gaya tha ke aainda woh usay apne peechay sadar darwaze mein nazar na
aaye.

Jannat nichla lab danton tale kuchalti, apni geeli aankhon ke saath yahan
wahan dekhne lagi. Usay bohat rona aa raha tha. Halankah yeh rawaiya...
yeh dhitkar aur nafrat... yeh kuch naya to nah tha..!!

Siyah shades aankhon par lagaye woh usi waqt jane ke liye mur gaya tha.
Zabt kar ke us ne aansuon ko pi liye the. Nayi zindagi ka aaghaz bhayanak
anjaam se jura hua tha, khof ke ahni shikanje mein jakri woh use bebsi se
dekh kar reh gayi thi."

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-03•
Mrs. Shirazi usay Wajdan House se muta'arif karwatay hue Manjhli Manzil
par hi hall numa aik aise kamray mein layi thi jo dekhne mein kisi artist ka
studio lagta tha.

Watercolor, oil paint, acrylic colours, har tarah ki pencil, mukhtalif brushes,
canvas papers, heavy card stock, ghurz ke har woh material maujood tha, jo
ek artist ko apni takhleeq ke liye darkhwast ho sakta tha. Usne ghoom kar
charon taraf dekha.

Qudrati manzar ki be-panah khubsoorat paintings deewaron par lagi thin

aur kuch peak shuda halat mein deewaron ke paas hi rakhi gayi thin.

Beshqeemati paintings, araishi ashya crystal, lakri aur mitti se bani

munfarid aur mukhtalif decoration thi. Jannat ek ek cheez ishtiaq ke aalam
mein dekh rahi thin.

"Jab hum yahan shift hue to mere mana karne ke bawajood Faris , Shirazi
House se ye sab le aaya tha. Woh chahta tha main is ghar ko apni paintings
se saja dun."

Jannat ne chonk kar un ki taraf dekha.

Electric wheel chair par barajmaan woh us ke paas aakar ruk gayi thin.
Makeup se aari chehra nikhra ankhra asa lag raha tha.

"Aap...Aap artist hain?" Yeh sab paintings dekh woh hairaan hui thin.

"Bas shoqiyah rangon se khail leti thin"

Un ke honthon par madham si muskurahat thehr gayi.

"Shoqiyah aur khail..?" "Yeh kisi professional artist ka kaam hai kya...!?"
Jannat sarhaye bina na reh saki. Kamal ki artist thi, Mrs. Shirazi ne us ki
ankhon mein ubhartay hairat tajassus aur ishtiaq ke melay jale tassurats ko
bohat ghor se dekha tha.

Mrs. Shirazi ki tasweeron ko dekh kar asli qudrati manzar ka gumaan ho

raha tha.

"Ek waqt tha jab mujhe lagta tha agar main painting chhod doon gi to zinda
nahi rahoon gi."

Deewar par Hunza ki buland o baala pahaaron ki tasveer par mutaharrik

Jannat ki ungliyan saakit ho gayin. "Maine painting chhod bhi di aur zinda
bhi rahi....!" Inhone kaha.

Jannat ne murnay ki taraf dekha. Woh apne baayein haath ko ab bhi zara
mushkil se harkat de paati thin.

"Jin se mutalliq hum yeh gumaan kar lete hain ke unke baghair nahi reh
paayenge; to waqt apne taur par sabit kar deta hai ke unke bina bhi raha ja
sakta hai...!"

Woh sun hui thi apni jagah, bhaala jaise dil par laga tha. Wujood-e-maazi
aur haal ke darmiyan pendulum ki tarah jhulne laga tha. Usne azeez bhare
ehsaas ke saath Mrs. Shirazi ko dekha... Unki aankhon mein bhi karb ki
kami thi magar chehre par ek zinda muskan thehri thi.

Electronik chair ko mutaharrik karte hue unhone meez (table ) par rakha,
araishi qalam utha liya. Paas hi patthar par nasb ghari rakhi thi, lakri ka box
bhi jis ke takhtoon par intehaai khubsoorti aur nafasat se phool tarashe gaye
the.

"Waqt behtareen ustaad hai, 'mehroomiyon' ke saath jeena sikha deta hai."

Halaq mein ubharti gilty ko bimushkil neeche utartay hue usne gaal par
phislati lat ko kaan ke peechhe uras kar atrāf mein nigaah daudai thi. Woh
apna zehan bhatkana chahti thi magar zehan tha ke is ek lafz mein ulajh kar
reh gaya tha.
Paintings ke saath hi samaan se bhare cartoon box pade the. Woh panjon ke
bal baith kar crystal ke gul daanon ko dekhne lagi, jin ki chamak aankhon
ko khaira kar rahi thi. Paas hi ek aur box pada tha. Adh khula hua woh jhuk
kar us card ko dekhne lagi jis par teesri class ke Faris Wajdan ki pehli
position stars aur stickers ke darmiyan jhagmagarahi thi.

"Yeh Faris ka samaan hai...! bachpan se is ki aadat hai apni har cheez ko
sambhal sambhal kar rakhne ki. Tum yakeen nahi karogi, is ke khilone bhi
neeche kahin pade honge sahi aur salamat...." apne bete ke liye Mrs. Shirazi
ke liye mohabbat hi mohabbat thi.

Jannat ne result card wapas rakh diya. Neeche hi plastic sheet mein murjhay
hue phoolon ka dheer nazar araha tha. Ek drawing paper bhi tha, fold kiya
hua usne khola dekha. Kate Wilson bachon ki likhai mein bara bara likha
tha.

Mrs. Shirazi ne door khinch kar deewar gir khirkion par se parde hata diye
thay, kamra mazeed roshan hua to deewar ke

paas gol mez par seedhi rakhi friend paintings se apni janib mutawajjah kar
gayin.

"Perfect...!" us ke labon se be ikhtiyar nikla tha. Mrs. Shirazi ne use

muskura kar dekha. Sab se aakhir mein zar kar frame wali bari painting
rakhi thi. Be had ehtiyat se use seedha kiye woh kuch mubhoot ho kar
dekhne lagi thi.

Woh Quran ki aik ayat thi jise siyah painting paper par qudrati manzar ki
jhalkiyon mein intehai khubsoorti aur meharat se likha gaya tha.

"Inna ma'al usri yusra."

Tamam huruf mukhtalif manzar khud mein samuye hue thay.

Phool, aasman, khizaan, rasida darakht, khardar jhaariyan aur hare bhare
darakhton ke jhund, wasee sabza zaar... al-usr lafz mein khizaan ka manzar
tha. Nokile siyah darakht, kaante daar khaar jhaariyan... aur is se aage yeh
sarsabz phoolon, hare bhare darakhton aur wasee sabza zaar ki jhalk
dikhlata hua. Magar yusra ka alif mukhtalif tha,

Hajam mein bhi likhai mein bhi Harf alif aasmani rang ka, aasman ki hi
taraf utha, lehlehate badlon ki khubsoorti ki jhalak dikhlata raha tha. Puri
ayat aik hi likhai, aik hi andaaz mein thi. Out line bhi aik hi rang... magar
alif... jo aasman ki jhalak dikhlata tha, woh sab se alag, sab se numayaan,
sab se munfarid tha.

Jannat kaafi deer tak realistic andaz mein banaye gaye in manzar ko huruf
ke utaar chadhaao aur siyah background par sunehri roshni ki tarah ubharti
is ayat ko dekhti rahi.

"Main bhi yehi chahti thi koi use dekhe, phir dobara dekhe, aur tab tak
dekhtar hai jab tak is ka raaz na paadhle."

"Raaz..?" usne chonk kar Mrs. Shirazi ko dekha tha.

"Kya art bhi apni paintings mein raaz chhupati hain..?" Mrs. Shirazi
muskura di.

"Woh raz mera nahi, is ayat ka hai! Is ayat mein hi chhupa hai...!"

Jannat ki aankhon mein ek ghair mubham sa tassur aakar thehra gaya.

"Quran ki har ayat ek jawab hai, us sawal ka, jo insaan ke andar uthta hai ;
Jawab us waqt tak samajh mein nahi aata jab tak sawal samajh mein na
aaye."

Mrs. Shirazi keh rahi thin - "Ab is ayat ko dekh lo, yeh bhi ek sawal ka
jawab hai. Woh sawal jo ek waqt mein mere andar utha tha aur jawab kisi
wajah se tumhare andar bhi hoga... "Kuch sawal mukhtalif ho sakte hain,
magar un ka jawab ek hi hota hai...."

Na samjhi ke alam mein Mrs. Shirazi ko dekhte Jannat ki muztarib nigahain

sar par aakar thehri. Us ki tamam tawajah ab wahi thi. Khizaan se murjhaye
hue darakhton aur paton par....
"Azmaish ki wadiyon mein bhatkate har insaan ko is ayat par ghor karna
chahiye...!"

" Har mareez ko, har mustaqeem ko, har aleel ko... woh keh rahi thin.
Frame par Jannat ki mukhoti ungliyon ki giraft yaka yaka mazboot hui thi,
lekin phir bhi is ayat ka sirf wohi matlab nahi hai jo hum aksar parh ya
samajh lete hain, is ka ek aur matlab us ke huruf mein kahin chhupa hai.

Us ka lahnja par asrariyat mein dhala tha. "Dusra matlab..?" Jannat ke lab
hile.

Mrs. Shirazi ne hotho par madham si muskurahat liye use chand lamhon tak
dekhti rahi.

"Chalo main tumhein ek minute deti hoon. Main ne jaan boojh kar mera alif
ko numayaan kiya hai. Ta ke meri tarah kisi ko dushwari ka samna na ho,
aur use aghaz pakarne mein kuch aasani ho." Apni baat ke intiqam par
dheere se muskurate hue unhone Electronic chair ka rukh darwaze ki taraf
mod diya tha. Aur Jannat Kamal , painting haathon mein liye apni jagah
khadi rahi thi.

---- •♡• ----

"Jannat..! Khuda ke liye! Jannat...! Jannat mera bacha..!" Shor ek dam se

barha tha. Aawazain tez hui thin. Ek jhannatedar thappar us ke gaal par
pada aur woh lehra kar kanch ke tukron par aan giri.

"Ammi...!" woh rote hue dubi aawaz mein chikhi thi. "Ammi... Ammi..."
Yak aik is ki aankh khul gayi. Woh hard bara kar ek jhatke se uth bethi thi.

"Ammi..!" labon mein halki si jhilmil uthi thi. Kapkapate haathon mein
shaal bheenchte hue us ne kisi ehsas ke tehut sarr uthaya tha. Agley hi
lamhe Faris Wajdan ki shola bargahon aankh ki zadd mein aate hi barf
hogayi. Us ka dil ruk gaya. Aansu tham gaye. Woh jis tarah se use dekh
raha tha, use laga woh saans bhi na le payegi..

Ek bar phir woh us ke aram mein muqil hui thi. Ek bar phir woh us ki awaz
se baidar hua tha. Guzishta kai raaton se yehi ho raha tha. Woh sotay mein
aksar dar jati thi. Ro padti thi, chikhne lagti thi.

Mujrimon ki tarah sharam saari se sar jhuka kar us ne peshani par phislati
lat ko kaan ke peechhe urasa, blanket aur takiya uthaya aur kamre se nikal
gayi.

Laounge mein doubke sofe par beth te hi us ka zabt khatam ho gaya.

Aankhein chhalak pari. Surkh eento par phailta khoon, kareem tiles par dher
hota, wajood us ki aankhein dhundlane lagi, wajood kapkapane laga.

Mazi ek bar phir us ke hawasoon par sawar ho chuka tha.

"Khuda tumhein us ki woh saza dega jo tum saari umar yaad rakho gi...."
Shor ek bar phir utha tha. Aawaz sunai dene lagi thi. Peshani ghatnon par
lagaye woh hichkiyan le kar rone lagi...

Aaht ke saath kamre ka darwaza jhilkay se khul gaya tha. Ajalt mein aansu
ponchte us ne be ikhtiyar sarr uthaya tha. Rahdari mein bed room ke
darwaze mein khara woh qahr bar nazaroon se use hi dekh raha tha.

"Attention seeker.."

Is ki budbadhat wajeh thi , ek nafrat bhari nigah jannat par daalte woh
jhatke se plate gaya tha.

"Hichkiyon ka gala ghoontte siskiya lab tale dabaaye, woh use geeli
aankhon se dekh kar rah gayi thi. Zehan ki iscreen par ab koi manzar nah
tha, nah sannaton se koi aawaz takraar hi thi. Ek jamid sannata tha, jo har
taraf chha gaya tha."

Nafrat bhari ek nigaah hi kaafi thi, use dardnaak maazi se kar banak haal
mein phannay ke liye...

Yeh tumhara naseeb hai jo tumhein yahaan laya hai... Taareeki mein maks
roshan hua, aaina par daraarein padd gayi thin. Mawaazna shuru ho chuka
tha. Do chehre ek ho gaye the. Azeeat phann phulaaye wajood se lapat gayi
thi.
Duniya ka sab se haseen aur shafaaf jazbah mohabbat ka hai, is jazbe mein
salahiyat hai nafrat ki har chattan ko paash paash kar dene ki.

"Mohabbat"

Bohat bhaari aur mushkil tha yeh lafz us ke liye jo labon se ada hota tha,
nah khushi ka ehsaas dilaata tha. Jo umeed jagata tha, nah yaqeen dilaata
tha.

"Mohabbat."

Aaina saamne tha. Aaina wazeh tha. Jannat ne aankhein mitch li, lab
bheench liye. Guzishta kai raaton ki tarah woh raat bhi us ne aankhon mein
hi kaati thi.

Aur Dil maazi ke azhdhon se lapta saari raat rota raha tha.

Woh Faris Wajdan ke liye adamm thi, mawra'i thi , na nazar aane wali aik
aisi takhleeq, jis ke hone ya na hone se usay koi farq nahin parta tha. Farq
parta bhi to kyun? Kya woh us ki marzi aur mansha se is ghar mein laai
gayi thi!?

Nahi, bilkul nahi.. To farq parta bhi to kyun? Kamre mein to jaise taise woh
usay bardasht kar chuka tha, magar apni zatiyat mein na woh kisi qisam ki
muddakhilat bardasht karta tha aur na hi usay apni zindagi mein koi maqam
dene ko tayyar tha. Ghusse ka intehai tez mushtamil yahi wajah thi ke woh
khud bhi muhtat ho gayi thi aur is ghar mein is tarah se rehne lagi thi jaise
woh chahta tha. Ajnabiyon ki tarah musafiron ki tarah jinhein chand roz
yahan thehrna hai aur phir chale jana hai. Magar woh musafir nahi hona
chahti thi. Ajnabi nahi rehna chahti thi. Lekin is ke bas mein tha hi kya?
Woh khud ko itna kamzor, intiqala char mehsoos karti thi ke haq ke liye
awaz tak utha nahi sakti thi.

Faris ne hudood ka taeen kiya tha to woh bhi apne khool mein band ho gayi
thi. Is ne khamoshi ko pasand kiya tha to woh bhi saamet (mute) ho gayi
thi. Magar yeh khamoshi ab usay andar hi andar mitane lagi thi. Is ki uljhan
barhane lagi thi. Aik maeen muddat tak woh nikah ka paband tha. Aik
maeen muddat tak hi woh usay apne ghar mein rakhe huye tha.
Ab jab woh muddat tamam ho gayi, jab woh wajah ikhtitam ho gayi, us ke
baad? Us ke aage kya...?

Talaaq ka tasawwur us ki rooh khinchne lagta tha. Contract ka khayal aziz

bhi ho raha tha. Marwah karti bhi to kya? Nafrat ki is deewar ko dhaati bhi
to kaise? Woh to khud ali daaman thi. Halat se ladne ke liye to ab us ke paas
aik mohum umeed bhi nah rahi thi."

"Excuse me? " park se waapsi par Wajdan house behruni gate se andar
dakhil hote hue chok kar ruk gayi thi , mud kar dekha to samne Wajdan
house ke main gate par jeans or safaid top me malboos ladki use hath se
rukne ka ishara kar ke ujlan me kadam uthate us ke paas hi aa gayi thi .

Bhanwain sookdte hue usne Jannat ko dekha sar se pao tak fir Wajdan
house par Nazar dali jese tassali chah Rahi ho ki iski aankhe ne hargiz
dhoka to nahi khaya . Iske bad paishani par bal or aankho me Shak liye
seene par bazu bandhe hue.

"Aapki Tarif..?"

Jannat ne Bhanwain achka kar us ladki ko hairat se dekha

"Tumhein kya lagta hai?"

Usne kaha to lehje se nagawari jhalak rahi thi.

"Faris bhai ke aage peeche parwaanon ki tarah phirne wali ladkiyon mein se
aik" usne tamskhur uraya..

"To kya tum bhi un mein se ho?"

Jannat ne sawal uthaya. woh jal gayi. Tap si gayi, lekin aage se kuch nahi
boli.

"Kaun ho? Yahan kya kar rahi ho?" Wahi tafteeshi andaaz!

"Tum kaun ho? Aur mujh se kya pooch rahi ho?" Jannat ne ab ke theek
thaak us ki class lenay ki thaani.
"Aima Zaheer hoon main. Faris Wajdan mere dad ka business partner hain,
Sherazi khandan ke saath hamare family terms hain." Gardan aksar is ne
tareef karwaya. Aur tum ruk kar ek baar phir sar ta pair Jannat ka jaiza liya
gaya.

"Tum kaun ho?" Jannat ne chand lamhon tak usay be tassur nigaahon se
dekha, phir andar dakhil ho gayi. Aima Zaheer choki, phir bhi. Is tarah woh
pehli baar nazar andaz hui thi. Sadma gehra tha. Nikalnay mein chand
lamhe lagay. Phir woh sar pat us ke peechay bhagi, safed rosh par us ka
raasta rok kar khari ho gayi.

"I'm engaged" usne haath lehra kar apni ungli Jannat ko dikhayi.

"Good to know!" Ek baar phir Jannat ne usay mukammal nazar andaz kiya.
Aima Zaheer us ke barabar qadam uthanay lagi.

"Vaise kya chal raha hai? Ghar tak aa gayi ho. Kahan tak baat bani?" Lehje
mein ishtiaq tha, tajassus tha, excitement thi.

"Wese me wajeh kar Dena chahti hu ki ye koshishe in par nahi chalti .. Kisi
aur sayare ki fazai makhluk hain. Larkiyon se yeh das qadmon ki doori par
rehte hain. Khare khare munh par be izzati kar dete hain. Intiha ke
maghroor lekin mere saath woh achhe hain, kyunkeh main un ki behan
hoon, matlab asli wali nahi... Lekin woh Azir bhai ke dost hain, is liye woh
mere bhi bhaiyon jaise hain aur sach poocho to mujhe bhi bara armaan hai
un ki shaadi ka."

Woh Jannat ke saath andar aagaye thi.

"Main ne to soch rakha hai ke un ki shaadi par khoob hala gula karoon gi,
aakhir itna intezar karwa rahe hain woh auntie to bas un ki na na se aajzi aa
chuki hain. Ek baar main ne un se kaha tha, yeh aise nahi maanenge, gun
point par nikah karwaien... Ya jazbati blackmail karein unhein. Ya phir
agency walon se baat kar ke pehle unhein aghwa karwaien phir rihaai ki
shart nikah rakhein. Aur anti itni masoom hain, woh mere mashwaron se hi
dar jaati hain."
Jannat ke peechhe woh American tarz ke shandar kitchen mein aagaye.
Zabaan abhi bhi chal rahi thi. "Asal mein woh khaas maghroor waqai hue
hain, unhein koi larki pasand hi nahi aati. Nah woh apni pasand batate hain.
Bas yehi kehte rehte hain, main ne shaadi nahi karni. Dialogue to hum
larkiyon ke hain. Faris bhai ne chura liye. Ab banda pooche, kyun nahi
karni to kehte hain bas nahi karni. Yeh line bhi humari hi hai!"

Cabinet me se Jannat Ne do glass nikale, phir un mein lime juice dala Pusht
Aima Zaheer ki taraf thi, jo counter table ke is paar khadi haath hila hila kar
ke rahi thi. "Aisi aisi larkiyon ke rishte unho ne thukraye hain. Aisi aisi
larkiyon ke, ke main kya bataoon." Jannat ne usay lime juice cake aur
pastry ke saath peesh kiya.

"To tum yahan kaam karti ho?" Poochte huye us ne yahan wahan bhi dekha
ke shayad woh head servant ho ya ghar ki muntazima ya phir mrs. Sherazi
ki koi student.

Jannat ne nafi mein sar hilaya.

"To...?"

"Main Jannat Kamal hoon Faris Wajdan ki biwi!"

Juice peetay hue Aima ko zor ka jhatka lagaa. Glass rakh kar buri tarah se
khanaaste hue usne Jannat ko dekha.

Kuch hairat, sadaa, aur be yaqeeni se phir pehli aur be saakhta hasti chali
gayi.

"Nice Joke! I like it.." kehte hue wo aage hui.

"Dekho! Agar tum in mein interested ho to main tumhari help kar sakti
hoon, Faris bhai ko is shaadi par aamaadah karne ke liye bante bante be
haal hi ho gayi... Phir jinsi zabt kar ke bade hi professional andaaz mein
kahaniyan jama kar ke, baqaida ek plotting ki zaroorat hai, hamein ek jaal
bichhana hoga. Aisa jaal jo unke dil ko qaboo kar le..."
Sar jhukaaye bade hi pur asraar andaaz mein baat karti woh Jannat ke labon
par muskurahat bikhair gayi.

"Arey.. arey.. tum to abhi se sharma rahi ho..."

Aima ke aqab mein seerhiyon par nazar partay hain Jannat ki muskurahat
simat gayi.

"Fiqr na karo, main tumhare saath hoon, milkar game khelte hain Faris bhai
ke saath koi chaal chalte hain....!

Dekhna khud se haan karenge wo shaadi ke liye."

Sar par chapet rasid hui to use yaka yaka khatre ka idraak hua. Lafz ghum
hogaye. Ya woh us ki khufiya guftago sun chuka tha.

"Allah, Faris bhai! Ek to aap bhi na.. poore teen mahine baad wapas aayi
hoon magar mazal hai jo aap achhe se istiqbaal kar len."

"kis ke saath game khelna hai? Aur kis liye chaal chalni hai?"

Us ke tasaavvuraat sakht nahi the,

Aankhon mein Jannat ne pehli baar narmi dekhi.

'Woh main.... asal mein...." Aima haklai

'Hmm... woh, kya?' Zara se sakht tasaavvuraat ke saath poocha gaya.

"Woh main un se ek novel discuss kar rahi thi. Usne Jannat ki taraf ishaarah
kar ke kaha."

Faris ne nazar utha kar Jannat ko dekha. Woh hunuz unhi tasaavuraat ke
saath khamosh khadi thi. Mazeed kuch bhi kahe Baghair woh sar jhatk kar
chala gaya.

"Did you see that?" Aima ne badi amaaon ki tarah Fars ki taraf ishara kar ke
apni peshani ko chhua.
"Aise hi hain yeh, yeh hain ke behan, teen mah baad aayi hai to theek se
salaam dua kar lena, nahi, bas aise hi ghuse Main hi rehna hai." Ek baar
phir saari hamdardiyon se saj kar woh Jannat ki taraf mudi, jo ghoont
ghoont juice pee rahi thi.

"Ek baar phir soch lo, chidiya si to ho , guzaara kar logi is toofan ke saath?"

"AIMA.." lounge se Faris ki awaaz aayi thi.

"Ab kya kar diya maine..?" woh wahin se chillayi . Phir lime juice ek hi
saans mein chadha kar stool se utri.

"Abhi chalti hoon, phir aaoongi, phir mil kar discuss karenge ke is dev ko
kaise qaboo karte hai, and please agar tum Faris bhai ki koi employee ho to
is ke rob mein aane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Just relax, thik hai na...? Aur Miss
Shirazi kahan hogi?"

"Woh is waqt sorhi hogi."

"Unhe bata dena Aima aayi thi. Unse phir milne aaoongi." Flying kiss de
kar woh Faris ke saath maddaf'aana andaaz mein larti uljhti bahar chali gayi
thi. Jannat ki khamosh nigaahon ne glass wall ke us paar Faris ka door tak
taaqub kiya tha.

---- •♡• ----

- Khush ho?

Hand railing pakar kar seedhiyan chadhte, us ke qadmon ki harkat tham

gayi thi. Nigahain screen par ubhartay Masiha par yun thehri ke aas paas se
ghaafil hogayi. Kuch der pehle hi us ki Saira khala aur Sidra ke saath video
call hui thi. Aur ab Ammar ka message aagaya tha. Nah salaam nah dua,
direct sawaal. Woh sawaal jo Saira khala ne bhi us se nahi poocha tha.

- Mama se to kaafi nis nis kar baatein kar rahi thin. (Dusra message)

Halaq mein ubharti gilti ko us ne bimushkil neeche utara.

- Yeh itna hasna muskurana kab seekha tum ne? (Teesra message)

- Acting to kamal ki hai, bohat impress hua hoon main. 😃 (Saath hi hasi
wali emoji)

Mobile haath mein liye woh apni jagah tham kar reh gayi. Ammar ne nikah
mein shirkat ki thi aur na walima attend kiya tha. Ajnabiyyat to nah thi ke
khala ka beta tha. Magar is tarah ke chubte sawal, jo sawal kam, jawab
zyada lag rahe the.

woh is ke liye bhaiyon jaisa tha.

Shafeef.... mehrban... ehsas karne wala.. jara jara si baat par iske liye aape
se bahar ho Jane wala ... is ke liye wo saira khala ke baki members jaisa hi
tha. Magar is ke yeh chubtey sawal. Woh use itna kaise jaan sakta hai? Is
tarah se kaise jaan sakta hai? Us ka zehan uljhan ka shikaar ho gaya tha.

~ Kaise ho Ammar? Us ne sambhal kar message type kiya tha.

- Kya main ise apne sawalat ka jawab samjhon? (Jawab aaya)

Woh kuch hairat se screen ko dekh kar reh gayi. Apne peechhe dher saare
sawalat chhode, agle hi lamhe woh off line ho gaya tha aur Jannat Kamal
tashweesh mein mubtilaa apni jagah khadi rah gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

"Tum dua nahi maangti Jannat..?"

Namaz Maghrib ke baad do Mrs. Shirazi ke barabar jeethi khamoshi se

qaleen ke reshon ko chehr rahi thi, jab Unhon ne sawal pooch kar use
chonkaya tha.

Aik Dua..

Aik pukar...

Aik umeed...
Aik Yaqeen...

Aik sada..

"Maafi to mangti hu.." Woh carpet par ungli se lakeer khinchtay jhuke sar
ke saath aahistagi se boli thi.

"Aur dua?" Ab ke Jannat ne sar utha kar unhein dekha tha. Kuch hairat,
kuch uljhan, kuch ghabrahat se

Mrs. Shirazi ki muyeet mein rehte hue aisa kabhi nahi hua tha ke use ajnabi
ya kisi khof ka ehsas hua ho. Woh aisi hi thin. Itni hi shafeeq, itni hi
mehrban... Narm Haraj, akhlaq husna ki maalik... Magar ab woh us se aik
aise raaste ki baabat istifsaar kar rahi thin jis ke baare mein khud woh bhi
theek Se kuch jaanti nahi thi. Bhool gayi thi woh chhod diya tha sab us ne...
Usne yusra ki ki painting ab saamne deewar par lagi nazar aa rahi thi. Us ki
nigahein wahiin kahin thin. Usr par phalati yusr par bhatkti magar zehan
kahin aur tha. Tawajjuh kahin aur thi.**

"Jannat?" Use sochon mein ghaltan dekh kar unhone pukara tha.

"Kya maangoon?" Us apni awaaz bohat door se aati hui mehsoos hui thi.

Kitni hi der tak Mrs. Shirazi us ki khali aankhon mein dekhti rahi. Koi
umeed, koi yaqeen ya phir zindagi ka hi koi rang kuch to nazar aaye magar
wahaan kya tha. Aik habib tareeki, aik mohib sannata..

"Jo tumhara dil chahe." Unhon ne narmi se kaha tha.

"Jo mera dil chahe....!" Koi shay phaans ki tarah us ke halaq mein unki thi.
Nigah mein usr par jaa thehri thin. "Agar jo Allah na chahe?" Us ke lab
kapkapaye the....

"Aisa nahi hota ke woh na de."

"Kuch duaen qubool nahi hoti, auntie."

Shikayat be-sakhta hi lab par aayi thi.

"Kuch cheezein nahi milti, kuch log nahi milte, kuch khwab adhoore hi reh
jate hain. Kuch nuksan poore nahi hote." Diwar gir khidkiyon ke us paar
shaam ka manzar us ki tareekiyon se uljha gaya tha.

"Duaen radd nahi hoti, jannat! mehfooz ki jati hain. Jo aap maang rahe hain,
woh na mile to bhi.. aap ke haath khali nahi lautaye jate. Allah hamesha
barh kar ata karta hai, woh aap ko hairan kar deta hai."

Ankho mein ubharti nami ko rehte hue jannat ne sir jhuka liya. Kya
maange? zehan shayad ab bhi yahi atak jata tha. Jis ki talab thi ya chaah
rakhti thi, woh use mil nahi sakta tha, jo "mehroomiya" us ka muqaddar
theen woh 'ataa' mein nahi badal sakti thin. Kuch kaam bas takhayyul the.
Namumkin aur kuch mamlaat mein woh be-bas thi, qatai be-bas...

"Aap ki duaen qubool hoti hain?" Yunhi sir utha kar us ne poocha tha.
Aawaz rundhi hui thi.

"Haan..! hoti hain, aur ek khoobsurat dua to hal hi mein qubool hui hai."

Woh muskurayi, "Kaun si dua?"

Ek shauq tajassus sa bhara tha us ki ankho mein...

"Yahi ke... mujhe Faris ke liye ek achi, nek-sirat larki mil jaye."

Jannat ki ankho se shauq gum ho gaya. Tajassus ki jagah aziyat ne le Li sar

jhuka kar fir apne khol me band Hui or kalin par lakiren khichne lagi Mrs.
shirazi ek gehra saas le kar reh gayi..

"Dua mangte rehna chaiye Qubool ho jaye tab bhi na Qubool ho tab bhi ye
duae radd nahi hoti jawab jarur aata hai jholiya khali nahi rehti "

Wo ab jannat ko dekh Rahi thi or jannat sar jhukaye bilkul khamosh bethi
thi .

---- •♡• ----

Hope you guys liked it <3

Do vote & comments !

Take care Cutie..

🎀
•CHAPTER-04•
•••

Afaq se zameen par utarti shaam ke rangon mein aaj sitaron ka raaj tha. Jo
umeed ka roop dhare, us ki ankhon mein jhilmila rahe the. Dining table ko
mukhtalif dishes se sajaane ke baad jab woh paani ka jag liye wapas aayi
thi, to Faris wajdaan sadar kursi sambhal chuka tha. Siyah trousers par
safed shirt mein malboos do aam se jalse mein tha. peshani par baal bikhray
thay. Ankhon mein banti thi, na hi khafgi ka koi tasurat magar woh jaanti
thi ke agle chand lamhon mein us ke chehre ke tasurat kaise hone waale
thay. Woh kursi khinch kar baithi to Faris ki bhanwein sukarr gai. Ghaliban
woh shaam ke khane par us ki maujoodgi ki tawaqo harz nahi kar raha tha.
Amooman woh bhi Mrs. Shirazi ke saath jald hi khana kha liya karti thi,
kyun ke Faris kuch taakhir se ghar aata tha aur unhein waqt par medicine
lena hoti thi. Magar aaj us ne aisa nahi kiya tha. Aaj woh Faris wajdaan ki
muntazir thi.

"Mummy kahan hain?" apni plate mein pulao daalte hue woh mulaazim se
pooch raha tha. Ankhon mein ab be naam si khati ahraari thi.

"Saahib! Woh apne kamre mein hain,"

"khana Gul Khan ne banaya hai?" us ne pehle chhe ke saath hi achank

poocha tha. Us ke andaaz, rawaye aur lehje se kuch khauf ho kar Jannat ne
halaq mein ubharti galti ko bamushkil neeche utara tha. Mulaazim ne ek
nazar Jannat par daali thi, phir us ne nafi mein sar bulaaya.

"Aaj ka khana Jannat madam..." ( jumla mukammal hone se pehle hi woh

plate mein chheecha panch kar uth gaya tha. Jannat ke chehre par saaya saal
hara gaya.)

"Gul Khan kahan hain?" ab woh intehaai ghusse ke aalam mein mulaazim
se pooch raha tha. Zair-e-waqt woh aath baje apne quarter chala gaya tha.
Mulaazim bhi ek lamhe ke liye jaise us ke hisse se khauf hui thi. Zair Lab
kuch bar barate hue woh paon pahunch kar bahar nikla gaya.

Ab Gul Khan ki kher nahi. Mulaazimah ke chehre par bhi hawaiyan uṛi hui
theen. Jannat Kamal apni jagah patthar hui beti theen. Itni nafrat! Us ka
saans ruka tha. Nigahain maiz par ki anwaan o aqsaam ki dishes par ṭhehri
theen.

Nafrat se ladne ke liye mohabbat us ke paas nahi thi, lekin ek koshish ke

shayad rawayye se kaam chal jaaye. Akhlaq aur khidmat se farq par jaaye,
lekin is se farq nahi parta tha. Bilkul farq nahi parta tha. ungliyon se gaal
par phisliti lat ko peeche hatate woh kursi dakhel kar uth gayi thi. khufat,
sharmindagi aur be izzati ke ehsaas ke tehat us ka chehra surkh par gaya
tha. Ujalat mein seerhiyan charhti woh kamre mein band ho gayi thi. Kuch
waqt us ne balcony mein guzaara tha, khuli fazaa mein bhi use saans lenay
mein mushkil ho rahi thi.

"Yeh aik kaaghazi rishta hai, Jannat Kamal..! Yeh sirf kaaghaz tak Mehdood
rahega."

"Mujhe ek bahu chahiye thi. Sirf aik bahu, yahan sirf bahu ban kar raho,
biwi ban kar mere sir pe musallat hone ki koshish bhoolay se bhi mat karna,
warna bahut bura karoon ga ...."

Wash basin par jhuk kar us ne thanday paani ke chheentay apnay chehray
par maare thay. Phir us ne khud ko aaiynay mein dekha tha. Paani ansoo'on
ki tameez mita raha tha. Royi royee ki aankhein gulabi ho rahi theen.

"Woh is rishte se raazi nahi hai..." Wash basin par haath jamaaye woh rote
huay jhuk gayi thi.

"Bilkul bhi raazi nahi hai. Kya tumhe aisa nahi lagta ke woh shuruaat se
shaadi ke liye tayyar nahi tha?" Jannat ne be saakhta nigah uthai thi. Kuch
hairat se apna akas dekha tha.

"Khala bhi yeh baat jaanti theen." Us ke labon mein jumlish hui. Unhon ne
phir bhi tum har baar yeh kyun bhool jaati ho ke is waqt tumhare paas aur
koi option nahi tha, tumhare chacha tumhara rishta zaman se tay kar rahe
the, kya woh tumhein manzoor tha?" Kaat daar lehja usay chhilni kar gaya.
Woh turk se lab bheench kar rah gayi.Ek lamhe se liye sukoon chhaya tha.

"Main is ghar mein sirf us ki mom ki wajah se hoon, auntie heart patient
hain. Khuda na khwasta agar unko kuch ho gaya to woh mujhe is ghar se
nikalne mein ek lamha bhi nahi lagaye ga..!"

Us ki awaz gham se bujhul ho rahi thi.

"To us ki yeh soch aur faislay ko badalna tumhara kaam hai, jannat..!"

"Kya soch aur faislay badalna aasaan hai..??" Woh zair lab bari thi.

"Muhabbat har kaam aasaan kar deti hai." Yeh us ki awaz thi jo maazi ka
safar tay kar aayi thi.

"Mohabbat" wo muskurayi.

"Mohabbat hi to sab mushkil karti hai."

"Tum ne apni ghaltiyon se kuch bhi nahi seekha, tum ab bhi wahi ho," isi
maqam par tazheek urata hua lehja us ki dhajiyan bikhair gaya. Kuch
takleef, be bassi aur azardagi se woh khud ko dekh kar Rahi thi. Har baar

"wohi ghalti..."

"wohi manzil..."

"wohi raasta..."

us ki aankhon mein aankhein daal kar use larza diya gaya.

"Tum nahi samjhsakti..." Nafi mein sar hilate hue woh wash basin par jhuk
kar rone lagi. "Tum bhi nahi samjhsakti."

"Kya tum ne Faaris ko samjhne ki koshish ki hai?"

Woh ek lamhe ke liye chonki, thikti phir saki. "Bas karo..."

"Burhaan abhi tak tumhare hawasoon par sawar hai..." itne achanak se kaha
gaya woh dang reh gayi. Saakit ho gayi.

"A-Aisa nahi hai." Kuch der baad jab woh bolne ke qabil hui to lafz
bemushkil ada huye.

"Aisa hi hai."

Bedroom ka darwaza band hua tha. Qadamoun ki chaap attached bathroom

ke darwaze tak aakar tham gayi thi.

"Burhaan aaj bhi tumhare hawasoon par sawar hai, aur tum is ki wajah se
apne naye ghar mein koi effort nahi

Kar rahi ho, tum aik baar phir khud ko haalaat ke dhare par chhod rahi ho.
Pichli baar khala aayi thin aur tumhein wahan se nikal laayi thin. Is baar
kaun aayega? Allah bhi unki madad karta hai, jo apni madad karna chahte
hain. Aur tum? Tumne in 15 20 dino me Kiya kya hai?"

Jannat ka halaq khushk hone laga. Nichla lab be dard se ragarte hue, usne
rone par qabu paane ki sa'ee ki. "Woh apna har darwaza band kar raha hai,
aur tum use aisa karne de rahi ho? Woh tumhein adimi kar raha hai, aur tum
ho rahi ho? Wahi ghalati...wohi saza...wahi khata...

Andar ka shor barh Gaya tha , Shor Barh hi jaata tha. Woh thanday paani ke
cheentay chehre par maarnay lagi. Phir usne kaanon par haath rakh liye the.

'Wahi Ghalati...!'

'wahi Saza...! '

'Wohi Khata...!'

Aawaz ba dastoor goonj rahi thi.

---- •♡• ----

Dopahar ke waqt deewar gir khirkion ke samnay sofa par neem daraaz
magazine ki varq gardani kartay, us ki aankh lag gayi thi aur khuli tab thi,
jab saman se dil doz cheekh nikraai thi. Hard bada kar uthtay hue, us ki
pehli nazar Aima par padi, jo saday se gaal par haath rakhe, use hi dekh rahi
thi.

"Yeh abhi abhi mere kaanon ne kya suna hai? Tum waqai mein, Oh! God,
Tum waqai un ki wife, Oh! God" us ne chehray ke aagay haath jhulaya,
goya saans lenay mein mushkil ho rahi hai.

Jannat ghabrahat ke aalam mein uth kar baith gayi. Kandhay se phailtay
dupatte ko waapas jamatay uthnay hi wali thi ke, Aima us ke barabar mein
tik gayi.

"Mujhe abhi abhi aunty ne bataya. Bhai aur bhabhi ko bhi ilm tha lekin
unho ne mujh se chhupaye rakha. Kehte hain tumhein surprise dena tha....
Yeh surprise hai ya goli sidha dil se guzar gayi? Mujhe itna dukh ho raha
hai. Maine inki shadi Miss kardi..."

"I can't believe it. unhon ne shadi kar li" gardan mourr kar is ne jannat ko
dekha.

"Aakhir sab ne mere sath aisa kyun kya?" kandhay se lag kar is ne rona
chaha. phir sir uthaye usay aik baar phir dekha.

"kya waqai tumhari shadi aanan faana hui? aik hi din mein rishta tay sun-
hwa, shaam mein nikah aur phir rukhsati? kya waqai aisa hi esa hua?"
jannat ne puzzle ho kar asbat mein gardan hilai .

Aima ne aik baar phir apna haath seenay par rakha. aankhon mein barron ki
si shafqat utar aayi.

"yani tum chand ghantay un ki mangetar rahen, phir mankoha huien, phir
biwi..."

ab ke jannat chup rahi .

"sach kehte hain. Allah ke faislon ke agay insanon ki nahi chalti. faris bhai
jaisay bande ki shadi aisay hi ho sakti thi. aanan fanan..."
"nikah ki tasweer mein to hon gi, zara wohi dikha do mujhe" side table se
mobile utha kar usne tasweere dikhai Allah... Ma sha Allah kitni pyari lag
rahi ho, waqai faris bhai ke sath tum hi saj sakti thi..."

"Aur yeh faris bhai" abki Faris ki tasweero ko zoom karke dekha

"yeh aisay kyun baithy hain jaisay mirchain chabai hui hon..." hai poooray
tufaan hi zara sa muskura dete to kon sa jaan nikal jati thi. taswerain badal
badal kar woh tabsaray kar rahi thi aur jannat usay khamosh nigahon se
takti bilkul chup baithi thi .

"jori to waise kamaal ki hai." Ishtiaq ke aalam mein aik aik tasweer ko
dekhte woh srah rahi thi.

"mein bhai aur bhabhee se sakht khafa hon, aunti se bhi meri bol chaal band
hai, aur faris bhai aaj se mere bhai nahi hain. aisay kaisay kar satke hain yeh
sab mere sath. is ka sadma, dukh jahi nahi raha tha. mujhe pata hota woh
mere dubai jane ke baad shadi kar len ge to mein kabhi nah jati."

"Tum Kab Aayi?" balon ko samaitt kar jora banatay huwe jannat ne poocha.

"Abhi kuch der pehlay, bhabhi bhai ke sath aayi hu, sab neechay hain.
auntie ne mujhe tumhe bulanay ke liye bheja hai"

"maheman aaye hue hai?" jannat ke hosh uray. woh bokhla kar uthi.

"arrey kahan maheman" Aima ne goya naak se makhi udai.

"hamein tum apna hi samjhoo.... waisay tum sofay par kyun so rahi
theen...?"

almirah se apna suit nikaltay jannat choank kar muri. Aima taang par taang
jamaye usay hi dekh rahi thi.

"magazine parhte parhte aankh lag gayi thi. tum jao mein tayyar ho kar aati
hon..."

"Yeh durust hai faris bhai ab mere bhai nahi rahe, lekin tum meri bhabhee
hi ho, jaldi se kapray badal kar aao taa ke mein tumhara acha sa make-up
kar sakoo..."

Jannat ne kuch kehnay ke liye muh khoola, phir sir jhatak kar attached
baath room mein chali gayi. mungya rang (coral green ) ke soonahre
kaamdaar long frock me malboos jab woh bahar aayi to Aima ne magazine
se nigah hata kar usay hi dekha .

"Tumahray baal bohat pyare hain jannat" woh is ke peechay aa khadi hui.
"ab tum betho, mein tumhara make up"

"Nahi Aima pehlay hi kaafi der ho chuki hai"

magar is ne aik nah suni. usay zabardasti kursi par bitha kar dressing table
par nigah dorhayi magar wahan faris ki creams or perfume ke siwa kuch
nah tha. phir is ne ujlat mein daraaz kheinchain magar make up to kahin bhi
nah tha.

"woh abhi mein ne apna samaan set nahi kiya hai! " apni sharmindagi par
qaboo paati woh taizi se uthi aur wordrobe ke nichale khanaay se make up
box nikaal layi. Aima ne phurti se is ka light make up Kiya . baal banaye
phir apni bhi kuch noke palak sanwari...

is ke baad woh dono neechay agaien Lounge mein to goya aik mehfil ka
samaa tha. Aima ke bhai aur bhabhi apne teen beton ke hamrah mojood
thay. woh un sab se khush ikhlaqi se mili. phir mrs. Shirazi ke sath single
sofay par baith gayi.

"Usoolan tumhe faris bhai ke sath baithna chahiye tha." Aima ne sofay ke
hathe par tik kar sir ghoshi ki. is ne muskurany par iktifa kya .

Aima ki bhabhi amina bohat hi milansaar aur khush ikhlaq theen. teen betay
thay. aik 6 saal ka tha, dosra 4 saal ka jab ke sab se chhota wala abhi goad
mein tha. ghar mein to yaqeenan bachay tufaan uthaye rakhtay hoge magar
is waqt woh dono bohat mowtadd se apne baap ke sath baithy thay.

bara wala zara sehat mand tha. sir uthaye jannat ko hi daikhta raha. is ne aik
lamhay ke liye bhi nazron ka zavia na badla. jab salam karne aaya tab bhi
zara sa sharmaya sa laga. jannat ne naam poocha to naam bta kar apni
mama ke pehlu mein mun ko chhupa liya.

"Lo jee Asad ka to kaam ho gaya, uzer bhai! aap ke betay ko aik aur larki
pasand aagai." Aima ne ba qaida elaan kya. sab khilkhila kar hans pare.

dinner bahar lawn mein kya gaya jahan baar barbeque ka intizam Kiya gaya
tha. raat gaye tak khoob mehfil jami rahi thi.

mrs. Shirazi apni medicine le kar so gayi theen magar faris aur jannat ne
mehmanon ka poora poora sath diya tha. Aima ki jannat ke sath un chand
ghanton mein sadiiyon purani dosti ho chuki thi. jatay waqt dono ke
darmiyan phone numbers ka tabadlah bhi ho chuka tha. amina bhabhee ne
to khaas tor par usay apni taraf aane ka kaha tha. maheman ja chuke to ghar
mein aik baar phir khamoshiyan raaj karne lagi. woh kamray mein aayi to
faris ki mojoodgi

mein bhi tanhai aik baar phir usay dasne lagi.

wash room ke aaiine mein is ne khud ko dekha. Aima ne usay bohat achay
se tayyar kiya tha, magar jis ke liye usay tayyar kiya gaya tha, usne to nazar
bhar kar bhi usay nahi dekha tha. jewellery utaartay, chehra dhotay is ki
ankhen phir se num honay lagi.

darwazay par dastak hui, qadmon ki aahat ke sath hi mulazma ki aawaz

ubhri

"sahib! begum sahibaa aap ko bulaa rahi hain."

faris ki madham aawaz ke sath qadmon ki chaap ubhri. woh washroom se

bahar aayi to kamra khaali tha. raat ke baara baj rahay thay, sirf is khayaal
ke tehat ke mrs. Shirazi ki tabiyat kharab na ho, woh ujlat mein qadam
uthaati neechay aagai thi .

"Jo mar chuka hai, is ke sath marna chahti hain? jo zindah hai, is ke sath
jeena nahi chahtain?" bhaari gambheer aawaz kisi posheeda dard ki akkaasi
karti hui mrs Sharazy ke bed room ke samnay jannat thitak kar ruk gayi thi.
dastak ke liye utha ha th fiza mein hi muallaq reh gaya tha .

"Woh tumhara khoon hai!" mrs. Shirazi ki aawaz aanso-on se boujhal ho

rahi thi.

"Woh mera kuch nahi hai!" faris ka andaaz qatiat bhara tha .

is ne adh khulay darwazay se andar dekha .

samnay hi bed par woh mrs Sharazy ke paas sir jukaye betha tha .

"is ka to koi qasoor nahi hai faris!" mrs Sharazy ne minnat bharay lehjey
mein kehte hue is ka haath thaama tha.

"aap mujh se meri jaan kyun nahi maang leti mummy.!" faris ke lehjey mein
be basi thi. aawaz mein dard. .. aankhon mein bebasi ilye Mrs. Shirazi usay
dekh kar reh gayeen. aglay kayi lamhoon tak un ke mabain sukut haal raha .

"Jab tak is ki nani zindah theen, mein kuch mutmaeen thi" woh num
aankhon ke sath bolein mgar ab

faris khamosh raha .

"chhota sa yateem bacha hai woh tum usay aakhir kis baat ki saza day rahay
ho faris? kya tumhe reham nahi aata?"

faris ne jin nigahon se inhen dekha woh andar tak kat kar reh gayeen .

"Mat karen mere sath aisay please!"

woh be basi se keh utha tha.

"aap ne kaha, wapas aajao, mein agaya. aap ne kaha, shadi kar lo, mein ne
kar li. magar yeh nahi Allah ke liye yeh nahi...!"

"Woh tumhara bhatija hai faris tum is ke legal guardian ho."

"kuch nahi hai woh mera!" is ki aawaz yaka yak buland hogayi thi.
Mrs Shirazi karb se usay dekh kar reh gayeen. apna haath churra kar woh
taizi se uth khara huwa tha. jannat ujlat mein

darwazay se hatt kar paar ki oot mein ho gayi thi.

kamray se bahar aa kar woh aik lamhay ke liye ruka tha. is ka mehez bhaari
tha, ankhen surkh ho rahi theen. apni peshani masalte hue woh seerihoon ki
janib barh gaya tha. aur jannat kamaal dam sadhay aglay kayi lon tak apni
jagah khari reh gayi thi .

"apne be jaan khilonon ko sambhaal sambhaal kar rakhnay wala jeetay

jagtay insanon ke muamlay mein itna be rahem... itna safaaq...!"

"yateem bhatija jisay woh apni Custody mein lainay ko tayyar hain? is ne
sir utha kar band darwazay ko dekha. mrs. Shirazi ka chehra aankhon mein
sama gaya. kitni takleef mein lag rahi theen woh

Gehra tanaffus le kar woh ulje zehen ke sath kamray mein aagai thi . Faris
bed crown se take lagaye mobile uthaye betha tha. taizi se kuch type karta
sun-hwa jannat ki aamad se is ke asaab tanao ka shikaar hue thay. aik
sarsari si nigah is par daalti woh wardrobe ki taraf barh gayi. apnablanket
aur takiya nikaal kar jab seedhi hui to mobile side table par rakh kar woh sir
se paiir tak lehaaf tane sonay ke liye late chuka tha .

aankhon mein tanfkrat ki par chaiyan liye woh ab usay hi dekh rahi thi .

"Faris ka bhai... yateem bhatija...?" jisay woh apni Custody mein lainay ko
tayyar nahi ...?"

mrs. Sirazi apne potay se milna chahti theen, magar faris inhen milnay nahi
day raha tha. woh usay apne paas rakhna se milna miley chahti theen magar
faris inhen aisa karne nahi day raha tha. maa se shadeed mohabbat ke
bawajood woh inhen kitni barri aziat se do chaar kiye hue tha.

"Aisi bhi kya be basi aisi bhi kya be hisi..."

"kaisa insaan hai yeh? dil naam ki cheez is ki seenay mein hai bhi ya
nahi...?"
"Tum bhi is se mukhtalif nahi ho jannat...!"

is ki soch ko yak dam hi break lagi thi. khayaal jaamad hue thay. woh jaha
ki taha khari reh gayi thi .

Dressing table ke aaiine mein is ka aks aik hi is ki kefiyat par muskurany

laga tha. aawaz andar se aayi thi. aawaz hamesha andar se aati thi. kabhi
maazi ki sheh par kabhi zameer ki sada par aur woh kitni hi der tak sakit o
jaamad khari reh jati thi.

dastak day kar is ne adh khulay darwazay ko andar ki janib dhakel diya tha.
mrs. Sharazy khirki ke samnay Qur'aan hathon mein liye baithi theen.
mulazma un ke liye saib kaat rahi thi. usay bhej kar woh khud hi un ke paas
baith kar saib katnay lagi. gaahay bagahay un ki aankhon mein bhi dekh
layte. guzashta shab faris ke sath honay wali talkh kalami ka koi ta-assur un
ke chehray par nahi tha. nashtay par bhi dono maa beta mamool ki terhan
baat cheet karte rahay thay jaisay glasses utaar kar side table par rakhtay
hue unhon ne Qur'aan band kar diya. chand lamhe tak woh mohabbat paash
nazron se un ke mabain koi ikhtilaaf raha tha nah koi masla chal raha tha.
usay dekhatii rahi.

"Tumhe raaz mila jannat?" kuch yaad aa jane par unhon ne narmi se poocha
tha.

"kon sa raaz?" be sakhta hi sawal labon par aaya tha .

"Usri yusr ka raaz"

aik lamhay ko ruk kar is ne mrs. Shirazi ko dekha phir ahistagi se gardan
nafi mein hila di .

"Raaz itni aasani se munkashif nahi hotay aunty, ham jaisay gunah garon
par to shayad...! shayad bilkul bhi nahi...!"

"Agar raaz munkashif nah hotay to koi gunah gaar Taib nah hota, kafir
musalman nah hota, bhatkay hue raah nah paate, momin ka khitaab nah
paate."
Coffee table par plate rakh kar woh seedhi ho baithi thi. gaal par phisalti lat
ko kaan ke peechay karte hue is ne mrs. Shirazi ko dekha. labon par
madham si muskurahat sajaye woh usay hi dekh rahi theen .

"ghhor karne ke liye, tadabbur panay ke liye, chupay hue ma-ani ko wazeh
karne ke liye waqt chahiye, himmat chahiye, yaqeen chahiye, talabb
chahiye..."

"apne andar ke sawal ko samjho jannat, you won't regretted." unhon ne saib
ki qaash uthai thi .

jannat khamosh rahi. sir jhuka raha. ungliyan masalte hue ab woh kuch
muztarib nazar aa rahi thi.

"Tum ne duayen kyun chore di?" kayi lamho ki khamoshi ke baad unhon ne
bohat narmi se poocha tha. aur jannat ne bhi jawab dainay mein kuch waqt
liya tha .

"Mein jo maangti rahi hu, Allah ne woh mujhe nahi diya" is ki aawaz gham
se boujhal thi.

"kab tak maangti rahi ho?" jannat ko un ka sawal samajh mein nah aaya. sir
utha kar is ne sawalia nigahon se inhen dekha.

"kab tak? saal, do saal, teen saal, chaar saal, das saal, bees saal, so saal?"

woh dam sadhay inhen dekh kar reh gayi.

"Zakaria alaihi salam ne to himmat nahi haari thi jannat, boorhay ho gaye
thay. biwi banjh thi, tab bhi unhon ne aulaad ki dua maangna tark nahi ki
thi. "

jannat sun hui thi. kon si baat kahan aakar wazeh hui thi. kon sa pegham
kahan aakar mila tha .

"Ambia ikram ki aik khasiyat yeh bhi thi. woh duayen tark nahi karte thay,
sabr karte thay aur mangte rehtay thay. "

jannat ne kuch nahi kaha woh kuch kehnay ke qabil bhi na rahi thi .
"sawal tumhe is aayat tak laaye ga jannat sawal hi tumhe is ke ma-ani
samjhaye ga."

kon keh sakta tha woh is ki saas theen. Aik alema theen jo is ke andar ki
gthyan suljhanay mein jut gayi theen.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-05•
•••

khawab bhayanak tha. aawaze takleef deh.

'ammi..! ammi...! ammi! '

woh cheektey huye jhatkay se uth kar baith gayi thi. sir se paiir tak pasine
mein sharabor. larazta, kanpta wujood aur bhaari tanaffus.

"Ye roz roz ka kya tamasha laga rakha hai tum ne?" aglay hi lamhay woh is
ke sir par dahara tha.

kuch khawab ki wehshat thi aur kuch faris ki dehshat. woh sehem kar reh
gayi. jane woh ab kya ke raha tha. kisi baat par chilla raha tha. usay pata
nahi tha. yaad tha to bas yahi ke baazu se pakar kar is ne usay kamray se
bahar kya tha .

haan yaad thi to darwaaza band honay ki woh aawaz jo kaafi der tak uske
kaanon mein gunjti rahi thi. ki woh woh abhi tak , apne khawab ke assar
mein thi. laraz rahi thi. kpkpa rahi thi. wehshat o be sukooni ki daldal mein
utarti jarahi thi.

'woh raat. woh is ki zindagi se nikal kyun nahi jati?' nangay paiir thanday
farsh par baithtay hue is ne apne gird bazu bandh liye. sir ghutnon par rakh
liya.

'Jannat! Nahi Jannat! Please..! Jannat mera bacha..!'

"Mujhe bakhash do Allah ke liye" apne kaanon par haath rakhtay hue woh
phoot phoot kar ro di

Iski saari bardasht is aawaz par khtam ho jati thi. yahi cheekh yahi pukaar is
ki dhajiyan bekhair deti thi. jee chahta tha woh khud ko noch khasoot
daaley, zakhmi aur lholhan karle.
'saari zindagi tum ne ammi ko dukh diye hain. saari zindagi tum un ke liye
museebat bani rahi ho jannat.' aur ab yeh awazon ka silsila shuru ho gaya
tha.

'ammi...! ammi...! ammi...! Darwaza kholen' woh hawaas bakhta ho kar

darwaaza bajanay lagi.

"Farish darwaaza kholo please!"

Raahdaari ka maljama andhera roshni mein badal gaya tha. March ki woh
shab apni tamam tarikeon ke sath is ke dimagh mein halool kar gayi thi.

"please! darwaaza kholo faris." khuda ke liye woh gur gurai 'bi bi jee!
maheen bi bi ki tabiyat kharab ho gayi hai.' gaari ka horn kahin daur se baja
tha.

"Faris.!" is ki hichikiyaan bndh gayeen. woh darwazay par zor zor se haath
maarny lagi. magar darwaaza nahi khula tha. Us raat bhi nahi khula tha .

'Maheen, Burhan wasif ki doosri biwi.'

woh darwazay se ghisat kar neechay baith gayi. Usne apne mun par haath
rakh liya tha. apni cheekhon ka gala bas woh aisay hi ghoont sakti thi.
tamam manazair film ki terhan dimagh ki screen par chalne lagey. woh
hanpti kaanpti, shiddat se roti study room mein band ho gayi. thanday farsh
par tangon ko seenay se lagaye woh saari raat aik hi position mein baithi
rahi thi .

Aur band darwaaza subah ke saat bujey khula tha. hamesha ki terhan tak
suck se tayyar woh office table ki janib barha tha. jannat darwazay ki baen
taraf farsh par ghatney seenay se lagaye baithi thi. sir uthaye surkh o
mutwaram aankhon se ab usay dekhnay lagi thi .

'Yeh kaghazi rishta hai, kaghaz tak mehdood rahay ga..'

Etraaf se yaksar be nayazi brtte hue is ne laptop case mein laptop rakha,
apni file uthai. kuch Jaruri Documents aur prints ka sarsari jaiza liya aur
phir usay mukammal tor par nazar andaaz karta study se chala gaya.
'Yeh ehsas kitna aziat naak hota hai ke aap mojood hon aur koi aap ko
Adham kar day. aap marwarai ho jayen, nazar hi nah ayen.'

ansoo bohat pehlay khushk ho chuke thay. woh ab ro nahi rahi thi. Aadatan
apne dahinay haath ki kalayi baen haath mein mazbooti se tha se pathar hui
baithi thi.

'Toota insaan ya to saans ki terhan saakin ho jata hai ya phir samandari

lehron ki terhan sarkash!' kis qader koshish se woh uth kar khari hui. ulje
bikhare balon ko samaitt kar study se bahar aagai.

is ka rukh bed room ki taraf tha. kuch hi der mein woh wash besin par jhuki
hui thi. phir woh dressing table ke samnay khari, apne baal bana rahi thi.
fresh ho kar neechay aayi to turning hall mein Mrs. Shirazi aur faris mojood
thay.

Uski roi roi ki ankhen sooji hui aur mutwaram lag rahi theen magar chehray
par Bishashat thi. Labon par muskurahat. aik acting faris kar raha tha. aik
woh kar rahi thi. dono kamaal ke adakar thay.

'woh tumhe Adam kar raha hai, aur tum usay aisa karne day rahi ho?'

Usne faris ko dekha. Uska chehra har tarah ke ta-assur se aari tha .

koi insaan itna be hiss, itna be reham kaisay ho sakta hai ?

'Jb koi apne liye khud be reham aur safaaq ho jaye to usay doosron ki
safaqiyat par sawal nahi uthana chahiye.' wohi aawaz.

Halaq mein ubhartay aanso-on ke phandey ko neechay utaartay hue woh

palat kar jhuk gayi. churee kantay ki madad se cheese omelette khatay hue
is ki ungelian kpkpa rahi theen.

woh faris ko dekhna nahi chahti thi magar nigehain theen ke baar baar uske
par sukoon aur mutmaen chehray ki taraf uth jati theen. woh -apne yateem
bhateejay ko apni sarparasti mein lainay ko tayyar nah tha. woh usay apni
zindagi mein koi maqam dainay ko amaada nah tha. aisay insaan se
mohabbat to daur ki baat. reham ki umeed bhi nahi rakhi ja sakti thi aur
woh tawaqqa kar rahi thi ke is ka dil naram ho jayega!. Wo use sirf or sirf
bardasht kar raha tha. Or Jannat iski bardasht me gunzaish dekh rahi thi?

'Pichhli baar khala aayi thi, is baar koi nahi aayega! Is baar tumhari koi
madad nahi kar sakega!' Usne chai ke ghoot ke sath kayi aansuon ko apne
andar utar liye the.

Nashte ke baad wo Mrs. Shirazi ke sath lown me aa gayi thi. Lown chairs
par unke samne wo dhoop me bethi to wo use baghor dekhne lagi.

"Tum saari raat roti rahi ho?" Unhone itne achanak se pucha ki lamhe bhar
ke liye wo kamzor padh gayi thi. Aankhon ke kinare nam hue, honth
kapkapa ke reh gaye. Dil chaha sab kuch unke gosh guzar karde.

"N-Nahi! Asal me sardard ki wajah se me thik se so nahi payi, nind Puri na

ho to meri aankhein aesi ho jati hai!"

Mrs. Shirazi ne iske wajahti jawab ko khamoshi se suna. Phir wo samne

amaltaj ke patton ko dekhne lagi , jo bairuni deewaron par jhuke hue the.
Mamool ke barak wo jara khamosh si thi.

"Farish tumhare sath kaisa hai?" Chnd Roz kabl unhone puchha tha, aaj
dobara puchh rahi thi. chnd roz kabl Aankhon me jhak kar puchha tha. Aaj
Aankhein chura kar puchh rahi thi.

"Bahut achha hai!" Hamesha ki tarah iski muskurahat aankhon tak nahi
pahunchi thi. Usne Abhi tak Faris ke Jarihana rawaiyye ki bhanak unhe nahi
padhne di thi. Wo heart patient thi, beemar rehti thi. Use ehsaas tha. Yahi
wajah thi ki Faris inke samne mohtat ho jata tha. Aur koi bhi aisi harkat
nahi karta tha jisse ye jahir ho ki inka talluq kis nowwiyat ka hai.

"Aapki tabiyat theek hai?" Jannat ko taswish hui thi. Unhone iski taraf
dekha phir hash di. Na jane unhe hashi kis baat par aayi thi? Magar is hashi
me bhi bebasi thi.

"haan, mein theek hon!" woh jannat ke gaal par haath rakh kar mohabbat se
bolein.
"Tumhari tarah mein bhi theek se so nahi payi." jannat nam aankhon se
inhen dekh kar reh gayi. dono ka apna aik dard tha, aur dono hi aik dosray
se chhupana chaah rahi theen. jannat ne gehra saans le kar hirmaan misri ki
kitaab khol li thi. khaali alzhni ki kefiyat mein woh ab matlooba safha
talaash kar rahi thi .

Jo insaan apne yateem bhateejay ke liye be reham ho, woh is ke liye reham
dil kaisay ho sakta hai? jo nikah jaisay mazboot rishte ka mazaaq bana day,
is insaan se woh kisi achhai ki umeed rakh bhi kaisay sakti hai?

is ne sar utha kar mrs Sharazy ko dekha, woh khoyi khoyi baithi theen.
nigahein daur kahin bhatak rahi theen. chehra kisi posheeda dard ki akkaasi
kar raha tha.

'Tum aik baar phir khud ko halaat ke dhaaray par chore rahi ho jannat! tum
aik baar phir wohi ghalti dohra rahi ho'

kitaab par is ki ungliyo ki girift yaka yak mazboot hui thi. 'Toota hua insaan
ya to saans ki terhan saakin hota hai ya phir samandari lehron ki terhan
sarkis!' Nana aksar use karte thay. magar jo saakin hota hai, usey sarkash
honay mein dair bhi nahi lagti. yeh baat ab woh faris wajdan ko batane wali
thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-06•
•••

Office se wapsi par kamray mein daakhil hotay hi woh thitak kar ruka tha.
aik lamhay ke liye jaisay apni aankhon par yaqeen nahi aaya tha. khirkion
ke parday, bed sheet, deewaron ki paintings, decoration piece, hatta ke woh
sofa tak badal chuka tha jo uske bed room ki mashriqi deewar ke sath rakha
tha.

Dressing table ka cosmetic ke samaan se sazi thi. bed side aur coffee table
par taaza phoolon ke guldaan rakhay thay. zindagi se bhar poor fiza muatter
si thi, magar yahi muattar fiza is ke tanaffus par kitni bhari parh rahi thi ye
sirf wohi janta tha. Samne hi Jannat wordrobe khole uski kuch shirt hath me
liye apne kam me magan khadi thi.

Laptop case bed par patakte hue woh intehai ghussa ke alam me uske janib
badha tha. Baju se pakad kar apne kapde uske hatho se jhapak kar darshti se
uska rukh apne taraf moda tha.

"Ye kya karne ki koshish kar rahi ho tum?"uski aankho me khun ubhra hua
tha.

"Apna kam!" Faris Wajdan ki aankho me dekhte hue jab wo boli to lehja
khamwar tha.

"Meri chijon ko hath lagane ki himmat kese hui?"

"Aise hi! Socha shohar ko apne haq or faraiz ka khayal nahi hai , to me hi
karlu!" Usne jhtke se apna baju chhura liya tha. Ab wo uski ankho me
ankhe dali Hui khadi thi. Na khouf tassur tha na, na wehsat thi aankho me,
aur na ghbrahat.

"Mere mamlat me dakhal andaji band karo! Warna..!" Faris ne wardrobe

slide karke jhor se band kardi thi.
"Warna kya?" Sawaliya aankhe utha kar usse puchha tha. Faris ke chehre ke
tassurat ek lamhe ke liye badle the. Uski aankho me jhak kar pur-etmad ke
sath apna sawal dohrane wali ye wo ladki thi jo sar uthakar usse bat karni ki
ehliyat nahi rakhti thi.

"Mene tumhare shoes ka stock bhi set kar diya hai, tumhari ties is drawer
me hai, three piece suit yaha latka diye hai, cufflink or wrists watchhh..."
Agle hi lamhe uski gardan Faris ke ahini shikanje me thi aur choorio
(bangle) se bhari dahini kalai uske baye hath me. Jannat ka dama bhap se
uda, wo us hamle ke liye hargiz hargiz tayyar nahi thi.

"Haa, to kya keh rahi thi aap?" Uski shakt pathrili awaz or aankho ka tassur
Jannat ki rid ki huddy me sansanat Dora gaya.

"C-Chorho mujhe" uska dam ghutne laga, saas rukne laga.

"Jara dobara kahiye.. mene suna nahi?" Faris ki giript badhti gayi, kalai par
bhi, gardan par bhi. Use laga wo bas Marne ko hai.

"Ho kon tum? Aukat kya hai tumhari?" Jannat ka chehera taklif ki shiddat
se surkh ho gaya. Aankhe bhar aayi or saans, saans to jese use aa hi nahi
raha tha.

"Aakhri baar!" Uski khauf se phaily aankhon ko apni aankhon ke focus

mein letay hue woh gurraya.

"Aakhri baar tumhari is ghalti ko nazar andaaz kar raha hon, agli baar tum
ne aisa kuch bhi karne ki koshish ki to mujh se bura koi nahi hoga!"

aik jhtake se usay chortay hue woh peechay hatt gaya. jannat khaste hue
neechay beth gayi thi.

ghusse mein barr badate hue is ne phoolon ke Gul daan farsh par day
maaray thay. phir woh isi taish ke aalam mein kamray se nikal gaya tha.
jannat ka tanaffus phoola huwa tha. dahna haath gardan par thehra tha,
chehray ka rang ura huwa ankhen wehshat se phaily hui theen.
kuch hi der mein mulazma andar aayi thi. zara ghabrayi hui si ujlat mein
safai karne lagi thi. is ne bhoolay se bhi jannat ki taraf nahi dekha tha. nah
hi baat karne ki koshish ki thi. order sakht tha. faris ke mulazim sirf faris ki
hi suntay thay.

intehai koshish se uth kar woh seedha teris par chali aayi thi. baadalon bhari
shaam kuch ada kuch weraan si thi. daur kahin bhali chipki thi. baadal bhi
gargay thay. Railling par jhuk kar is ne khud par qaboo panay ki sae ki thi.
aankhon mein ubharti nami ko palken jhapka kar roka tha. woh aaj rona
nahi chahti thi. tanhai mein bhi nahi. agar woh pehli chout par hi khud
kozmin bose honay se nah bacha payi to phir kabhi nahi uth paye gi. agar
aaj bhi woh khauf mein aagai to kuch bhi badal nahi paye gi.

usay himmat nahi harni thi. hosla nahi chhorna tha. aik baar phir apne
jazbaat par qaboo paate hue is ne surkh padtee aankhon ko be dardi se ragar
dala tha. siskiyon ko daba liya tha. aziat ko chhupa liya tha aur tab hi kisi
ehsas ke tehat is ne apni choorion bhari kalayi ko chuva tha. taiz hawaon ke
sath barish ki pehli boond is ki peshani par giri. Usne sar utha kar aasman
ko dekha .

'tulu aftaab se pehlay raat kitni tareek hoti hai. aur tufaan se pehlay
khamoshi kitni Moheeb lagti hai.'

'kuch log apni kashtiyan khud jalatay hai or kuch ki jala di jati hain.'

'jin ki jala di jayen, unhen kya karna chahiye?'

'inhen ziyada himmat, ziyada sabr, ziyada qowat dikhani chahiye.' barish
shuru ho chuki thi. woh teris ki seedhiyan utar kar apne kamray ki taraf jane
lagi.

'Ziyada himmat, ziyada sabar, ziyada quwwat...'

apni study se bahar nikalta faris bhi isi taraf araha tha . bed room ke samnay
aik lamhay ke liye ruk kar us ne faris ko dekha phir andar daakhil hotay hi
darwaaza zor se band kar diya. ain uske mun par.
faris ka dimagh bhak se ura. woh uski jurrat par Shakir reh gaya tha. shiddat
se dharaktey dil aur phoolay tanaffus ke sath woh dabey qadam peechay
hatt gayi thi. Muthhiya sakhti se bhinche ab

sar uthaye khari thi.

Faris ne shadeed ghusse ke aalam mein darwaaza dhar dharaya. magar woh
apni jagah se aik inch na hili thi. ab woh apne kisi mulazim par baras raha
tha. jannat takiya aur blanket uthaye sofay ki janib barh gayi. kuch hi der
mein darwaaza khul gaya tha.

"Yeh kya bad tameezi hai?" aandhi tufaan ki tarah woh is ke sir par pahonch
kar dahara tha.

"Tum karo to haq hai tumhara, mein karoon to bad tameezi?" woh murr kar
usay dekhnay lagi. faris shola baar nigahen us par jamaye khara raha.
baadal kuch shiddat se garjey the. bijli bhi chamki thi. deewar geer khirkion
par barish ke qatray ab kuch ziyada hi ravani se girnay lagey thay .

"khair..! Lucky ho tum, chaabi hai tumahray paas...! jin ke paas nahi hoti,
unhen phir kisi dhutkare hue insaan ki terhan kisi tareek kamray ke thanday
farsh par raat guzaarni padtee hai" sar uthaye uski aankho me dekhte hue
kuch is andaaz or lehjey mein is se baat kar rahi thi, woh kuch bhi tha
magar naram nahi tha. lafz jaisey shola the aag pakdae hue zabt ke marahil
se guzarkar tahammul se ada kiye hue.

"Mein tumhe warn kar raha hoon ."

"Warn mein tumhe kar rahi hoon" ungli utha kar is ne faris ki baat durushti
se kaat di thi .

muthiyaan sakhti se bhinche, lab baahum paivest kiye faris bardasht ki

intahaa par khara tha.

"Aakhri baar mein tumhari is ghalti ko nazar andaaz kar rahi hoon. agli baar
tum ne aisa koi bhi scene create kiyaa, ya mujhe apne mamlaat se door
rakhnay ki koshish ki to mein khamosh nahi rahon gi. mein auntie ko sach
mach mein is nikah ki hasiyat se aagah kar dun gi jo tumahray nazdeek
faqat aik contract hai." Usne sakht lehjey aur saaf lafzon mein is par apne
iraday wazeh kar diye thay.

"Mein inhen bta dun gi tum un ki mout ka intzaar kar rahay ho take mujh se
jaan chhura sako"

"Just shut up!" woh halaq ke bal dahada.

"kyun? kya tum aisa nahi chahtay? mein is ghar mein auntie ki wajah se
hon, kya tum ne mujh se yeh nahi kya tum ne mujh se yeh nahi kaha yeh
nikah sirf kaghaz tak mehdood rahay ga? haan?" doosri taraf khamoshi thi.

"Yeh aakhri warning hai, mein bata rhi hu, mein khamosh nahi rahon gi."
sofay par daraaz hotay is ne blanket apne wujood par phela liya. dobarah is
ne faris wajdan ko dekhnay ki koshish nahi ki thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-07•
•••

Jannat kamal apne iraadon mein kitni sanjeeda hai, is ka andaza faris
wajdan ko aglay din hi ho gaya tha jab Mrs. Shirazi ne usay jannat ko
shopping par le jane ka kaha tha. kitni hi der tak to woh sadme ki kefiyat
mein khara raha tha.

meeting, kaarobar, aur company se mutaliq heelay bahanay is ke kisi kaam

nahi asaktay thay ke aaj chhutti ka din tha. aur chhutti ka din woh ziyada
Mrs. Shirazi ke hamrah ghar par guzarta tha. is ne khonkhawar nigahon se
Jannat ko dekha, jo royal blue dress mein is ke sath shopping par jane ke
liye mukammal tayyar khari thi .

muskurahat to mrs. Shirazi ke samnay woh hamesha labon par sajaye rakhti
thi magar aaj Faris wajdan un ko labon ka tabassum apna mazaaq urata
mehsoos huwa tha .

Aankhon mein tezheek nazar aayi. andaaz tanzia laga. magar woh zabt kar
gaya. usay ab zabt hi karta tha. mazeed koi bud mazghi woh nahi chahta
tha. nah hi woh chahta tha ke woh mazeed baghiana andaaz apna le. gaari ki
chaabi aur mobile sambhaalte hue woh utha to jannat bhi mrs. Shirazi se
mil kar uske peechay bahar aagai.

Passenger seat par baithtay hi is ne hand bag goad mein rakh liya tha aur is
ke chehray ke tofani tasurat ko nazar andaaz karti khidki se bahar dekhti
rahi. dorrtay bhagtay manazair ke sath, woh bhi kisi daud mein shaamil
hogayi thi .

lab bheenche, daant peeste aur staring wheel par khatar naak had tak girift
mazboot kiye woh khud par qaboo panay ki koshish kar raha tha warna is
ka jee chaah raha tha woh raftaar bharhaye aur gaari kisi truck mein day
maaray khud bhi mar jaye aur is jannat ko bhi maar daaley .
pandrah beesh minute ki drive ke baad woh shehar ke behtareen mall ki
parking mein gaari rok chuka tha. jannat foran se bahar nikal gayi thi magar
woh gaari mein hi betha raha tha .

"Mere khayaal se tum mujhe yahan shopping ke liye laaye ho!"

Usne jazbaat ki shiddat se surkh hoti aankhon se jannat ko dekha. woh

khirki mein kohniyan jamaye bhar poor muskurahat ke sath usay dekh rahi
thi .

"Ya phir chahtay ho ke mein auntie ko phone kar ke kahoon ke tum mere
sath mall ke andar jane ko tayyar nahi ho?" woh kuch der tak is ki taraf
daikhta raha. woh bhi usay dekhatii rahi. farq sirf itna tha ke woh muskura
thi aur woh daant kach kacha raha tha .

"To yeh tumhara asli rang hai?"

aur jannat hans di. phir kaafi der tak hansti rahi. woh muthiyaan bheenchey
usay sard nazron se daikhta raha.

"Tum apni maa ke hawalay se jane kitni baar mujhe is rishte ki noiyat jata
chuke ho, aur jab mein jatanay par aayi hon to baat mere roop par aagai
hai?"

woh aik baar phir bani jaisay faris ke sawal ne usay kaafi mehfooz kya ho.
na chara se gaari se bahar aana para. phir bigre tewaroon ke sath woh
leather jacket ki jaybou mein haath daaley mukhtalif shaps mein is ke
peechay peechay phirta raha. woh uska sabr azma rahi thi. ghoom rahi thi
aur kuch khareed bhi nahi hi thi. woh baar baar kalayi mourr kar waqt
daikhta tha. mobile nikaal kar scrolling karta tha aur jab sar utha kar usay
daikhta tha to woh

tab bhi usay khaali haath hi nazar aati thi .

usay gussa to bohat charha huwa tha, magar woh zabt kiye raha . Para to is
ka is waqt high huwa jab woh bachon ki shop mein daakhil hogayi thi. aur
ab is ke samnay chhootey to is sun-hwa aur chhotey chhotey bachon ki mini
mini si ashya utha utha kar dekhnay lagi. bachiyon ke portion mein kuch
rush tha. woh bachon ke portion mein khari thi. aur cheeze pasand kar ke ab
trolley mein rakh rahi thi .

faris ki ragein phool gayeen. woh zabt ke aakhri marahil se guzar raha tha .

mozay, kapray, fidder, khilonay aur jane kya kuch khareed kar woh counter
par aagai.

Payment ke liye is ne faris ko dekha jis ne tahammul ka muzahira karte hue

wallet se credit card nikaal kar sales boy ko diya .

"Bas ho gayi meri shopping" payment minute ada kar ke jab woh bahar
niklay to woh bohat khush nazar aa rahi thi .

Faris is lamhay kaisa nazar aa raha tha, yeh dekhnay ki is ne koi koshish
nahi ki thi.

Ab woh taiz taiz qadam uthata agay tha, aur woh is ke peechay. labon par
tabassum tha, aankhon mein shararat. is ki tawaqqa ke ain mutabiq woh
samnay ladies garments ki shop mein daakhil ho chuka tha. stand par latkay
chand ready made brand ke joron ka order day kar is ne credit card nikala
tha.

Jannat glass wall ke is paar khari thi aur apne labon par ubharti muskurahat
ko baar baar dabanay ki sae kar rahi thi. sales boy ne dresses pack kar ke
diye to woh bigre tewaroon ke sath bahar aa gaya .

"Pakdo inhe!" andaaz mun par maarny wala tha. jannat bar waqat nah
pakadati to shopping bags farsh par dhair ho jatay .

"Is ki kya zaroorat thi faris?" is ne bohat laad se poocha.

"Zaroorat to thi!" faris ne daant kachkachaye (zahir hai ghar pahunchte hi

uski mummy ne shopping se mutaliq poochna tha aur jannat ne bachon ke
kapray dikhaane thay ) aur tab hi. haan shayad tab hi jewellery shop se
nikalti jeans aur top mein malbos aik stylish si larki thitak kar ruk gayi thi.
shopping bag par is ki girift aik dam mazboot hui thi. aankhon mein be
yakeeni ka tassur ubhar aaya tha .
Usne pehlay faris ko dekha tha. ab woh jannat ko dekh rahi thi. sadma,
hairat, be yakeeni, shock.

faris jane ke liye murr gaya tha. labon par shararti muskurahat sajaye jannat
bhi ujlat mein qadam uthai is ke peechay lapki thi. aur tab hi usay apne
wujood par be naam ki tapish ka ehsas hua tha. faris ke qadmon ke sath
qadam mila kar chaltay hue usne yuhin murr kar peechay dekha tha. jeans
aur orange rang ki top shirt mein malbos larki ne foran se rukh badal liya
tha. sir jhatak kar jannat faris ke hamrah elevator ki janib barh gayi .

wapsi ka safar bohat khamoshi se kata tha. itni khamoshi se ke jannat ko

laga faris saans bhi nahi le raha. mummy ko yeh sab dikhaane ki zaroorat
nahi hai. porch mein gaari khari karte hue usne khamoshi ka kufl dora tha.
tevar ziyada bigre hue thay, magar woh muthammil lag raha tha .

"Aur jab woh puchen ke shopping dikhao tab kya karoon?" is ne barri
sanjeedgi se mahswara manga.

"kuch bhi dikha dena, magar yeh nahi" faris ne jaisay warn Kiya tha.

kitni ajeeb baat thi ke un ke darmiyan jumlon ka tabadlah ho raha tha.

poooray aik mah baad khamoshi tooti bhi thi to kaisay.

"kyun? yeh kyun nah dikhau?" meri terhan woh yeh sab dekh kar bohat
khush hon gi.

"I swear, agar tum ne aisi koi bhi harkat ki to mein...." woh matthe se akhar
gaya tha.

"Ok Ok Finee!" jannat ne jaisay usay thanda karne ki koshish ki. wohi
shopping dikha dun na jo tum ne apni pasand se karwai hai. aik ada se gaari
ka darwaaza khol kar woh bahar aayi thi aur andar thanda hota faris mazeed
shulon ki lapait mein aaya tha .

"Aaj shaam ka khana hum bahar khayen ge." qadam berhate hue woh kehna
nahi bholi thi. faris wajdan ne shadeed ghusse ke aalam mein apna dahna
haath staring par de mara tha.
---- •♡• ----
•CHAPTER-08•
•••

Aglay din office se wapsi par sadr darwaza khulte hi usay jo pehla chehra
nazar aya tha, woh jannat kamal ka chehra tha. Tayyar, fresh aur nikhre
wajood ke sath woh us ke intezar mein khadi thi. Faris ki peshani par bal aa
gaye.

Mrs. Shirazi Lounge mein hi moujood thi, tabhi apne tasurat narm rakhta
woh dil hi dil mein kurhte hue andar daakhil hua tha. Woh sofa par betha to
mulazimah ko dining hall mein khana lagane ka hukm dete hue Jannat
Kamal bhi us ke paas aakar beth gayi thi. Apne zajbaat zabt kar ke woh
mrs. Shirazi ki taraf mutawajjah ho gaya. Un se baat chit karne laga. Is
dauran Jannat jabarjasti hi gufatgu me apna hissa dalti rahi. Dining table par
to usne inteha hi kardi.

"Faris! Ye fish kabab try karo, mene khas tumhare liye banaye hai!.." uske
barabar me beth kar uske plate me khana nikale, usse wo yu mukhatib ho
rahi thi jesey unke mubail is tarah ki baatchit hoti rehti ho.

Faris ka para aasman ko chhu raha tha. Samne Mrs shirazi moujud thi, ab
na to wo ghussa dikha sakta tha aur nahi uska hath jhatak sakta tha.

"Biryani kaisi lagi..?"

Chamche ko sakti se dabate hue usne daat pisey. "Theek hai..!"

"Sirf theek? Mene itni mehnat se banai hai!" Mrs. shirazi ne muskura kar
dono ko dekha. "aur yeh pasta lona."

"Nahi, bas kaafi hai..!" usne zabt se jannat ko roka lekin woh nahi ruki. apni
manpasand dishes is ki plate mein zabardasti daalti rahi.

shaam ke khanay ke baad woh mushtael asaab ke sath lawn mein kaafi der
tehelta raha tha. gehri sansen letay hue khud par, apne ghusse par control
panay ki har koshish karta raha tha. raat gaye tak jab woh kuch had tak apne
asaab par qaboo pa chuka to usne kamray ka rukh kya tha. aur aik baar phir
is ka Parah charh gaya tha.

bed par darmiyan mein cushion rakh, hatt bandi kiye bed crown se take
lagaye jannat kamaal aaraam se baithi thi. Comforter tangon par phela
rakha tha. mobile hathon mein tha.

"Yahan kya kar rahi ho?" woh dheemi aawaz mein gurraya tha. Jannat ne
sar utha kar usey dekha. woh mushtael nazar araha tha halaanke un mein
teheltay waqt is ke tasurat itnay khauf naak to hargiz na thay .

"Mujhe sofay par theek se neend nahi aati.."

"Yeh mera masla nahi hai!" durushti se baazu se pakar kar faris ne usay bed
se utha diya tha. phir ungli rakh kar usay warn karte hue pehlay sofay ki
taraf ishara kya, phir darwazay ka rasta dikha diya. ke sona hai to wahan so
jao, warna is kamray se dafaa ho jao.

Jannat lab bheenchey apni jagah khari rahi. woh bed se cushion hata kar
yahan wahan phainknay laga .

woh kuch der tak andheray mein khari usey dekhati rahi. phir is ne aankhon
mein ubharti nami ko dabate hue yu kandhay jhatke jaisay keh rahi ho koi
baat nahi! phir cushion waghera uthaye, apne sofay par jaa soyi.

"Mujhe tumhara phone number chahiye" subah sawere woh aik aur mutalbe
ke sath haazir thi. Cufflinks lagatay hue faris wajdan ne lab bhinch kar usay
dekha. safaid printed kamiz par zard rang ke trousers mein malboos woh
nikhri nikhri si bohat fresh lag rahi thi. balon ka oopar se puff bana kar
khulay chhor rakhay thay. chehra make up se aari tha. honton par lip gloves
ki gulaabii chamak.

nazar hata kar is ne rukh badla aur tie ki knot bandhnay laga. woh ghoom
kar samnay aagai. "Kuch kaha hai mene?" woh suni un suni kaisay wrist
watch kalayi par charhaney laga.
"Ab kya mein auntie se tumhara phone number maangti achhi lagoon gi,
kya sochen gi woh tumahray baray mein?"

Faris ki aankhon ki surkhi gehri hui. mobile is ke hathon se kuch sakhti se

jhapat kar taizi se number type kar ke is ne mobile bed par pheink diya.

"shukriya! Waise, mein pehli biwi hu jisey apne shohar ka number shadi ke
poore aik mah baad mila hai.." usne hashte hue yun kaha jaisay yeh bade
aisas ki baat ho.

tie ki knot lagata woh bigre tewaroon ke sath kamray se nikal gaya. zair lab
muskuratay hue woh bhi neechay aagai thi.

Nashtay ki maiz par woh musalsal bolti rahi. mrs. Shirazi ke samne usay
bhi majboor jawab dena par raha tha. tasurat kuch behtar thay magar uski
aankhon mein gussa tha, nafrat thi, hiqarat thi .

Woh office ke liye utha to jannat bhi is ke peechay bahar aagai. ab ki baar
woh sidiyo par nahi ruki thi, balkay is ki gaari ke paas ja kar khadi ho gayi
thi. woh baith raha tha to gussa naak par hi dhara tha. magar jane kyun woh
apne un tasurat ke sath bhi usey hargiz bura na laga .

"Apna bohat khayaal rakhna!" Usne kaha. suni un suni karte woh car
reverse karne laga. jannat tab tak wahan

khadi rahi jab tak woh gaari nikaal kar wahan se chala nahi gaya tha.

Usdin pehli baar is ne faris ko WhatsApp par message kya tha .

~ Kaisay ho?

~ Kya kar rahay ho?

~ Kya khayal hai aaj shaam ka dinner kahin bahar kare?

~Tumhari pasandeeda dishes kon si hai?

~tum coffee ziyada pasand karte ho ya chai ?

~Pasandeeda Colour Kon Sa Hai Tumhara ?

~ Tum apni biwi mein kisi tarah ki khoobiyan dekhna chahtay ho?

Sham tak woh faris wajdan ke WhatsApp par block ho chuki thi. woh ghar
aaya to aik baar phir woh usey, apne intezaar mein sadr darwazay par khari
hui mili thi .

"Ab kya mein auntie ko yeh batati achi lagoon gi, ke tum ne mujhe
whatsapp par block kiya huwa hai ?" masnoi khafgi. ke sath usne tewar
charha kar usse poocha tha .

Faris aik baazu par coat daaley, dosray haath mein tissue ka pack pakde
peshani par bal daale khara tha. safaid shirt shikan liye hue thi. tie ki knot
dheeli. aaj uski kuch foreigners ke sath meeting thi tabhi woh takheer se
ghar pouncha tha. kuch thaka huwa bhi lag raha tha.

Jannat ko mehsoos hua jaise usey zukham ki shikayat ho rahi ho tabhi

tissues ka pack bhi hathon mein hi tha. woh usey koi bhi jawab diye baghair
sidiyon ki janib badh gaya. Dinner bahar se hi kar ke aaya tha.

woh kamre mein aayi to kapray badlay woh bed par aada tirchha laita huwa
tha. Chhekhon (sneeze) se kuch aajiz hokar karvat par karvat badal raha tha.
Pani ka glass aur tablets table par dharay thay.

"Tum theek ho?" fiqarmandi se puchhte hue usne haath barha kar side table
se tablets ki sheeshi uthani chahi magar faris ne kohni ke bal oopar hotay
hue is ka haath jhatak diya.

"Apne kaam se kaam rakho!" is ki aawaz nazla se mutasir lag rahi thi .

jannat ne is ki surkh padtee aankhon mein dekha, jin mein nami tair rahi thi.
Eyelids bhaari aur suje hue lag rahay thay.

"T-Tumahray liye c-chai ya qehwa lau?"

"Ab mujhe tumhari aawaz na aaye" usne ungli utha kar mutambliya kiya,
phir comforter liye apna sar takiye mein garh liya. kuch der tak to woh
chhekho se uljha raha. lekin phir is ki aankh lag gayi. woh pursukoon neend
so raha tha aur idhar sofay par jannat kamaal be sukoon baithi thi .

Usne khamoshi ka qafal tod diya tha magar faris wajdan ki sard Mehri,
nafrat aur hiqarat thi ke kam hone nahi aa rahi thi. 'kitna mushkil tha wo
samjh se katai bahar na nafrat ki koi wajah batata tha, na koi apna narm
rukh dikhlata tha.'

Gehri saans letay hue is ne blanket aur cushion uthaya aur sitting area mein
ja soyi. woh hargiz nahi chahti thi uski wajah se aaj faris Wajdan ki neend
kharab ho.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-09•
•••

"Aima ki call thi, uski friend ki engagement hai, mujhe bhi invite kya hai"

apni baat ke ehtemam par is ne faris ke tasurat jacchay. shayad woh kuch
der tak apna kaam moqoof kar ke is ki zaat ko apni tawajah aur inayat ke
hisaar mein le le. shayad woh inkaar kar de to aur is ka beya nigaar is ke
khayalat ki nafi kar de ya phir khulay dil se ijazat de kar apni zindagi mein
is ki mojoodgi ko ahem kar day. magar doosri taraf aik mukammal
khamoshi thi. nah inkaar, nah iqraar. Usne jaisay kuch suna hi nahi. woh
office table ke samnay khadi rahi. muntazir nigahon se usay dekhatii rahi.
magar doosri taraf khamoshi thi. khamoshi hi rahi.

phir woh bhaari dil ke sath study se bahar aagai. Mrs. Shirazi ko apne
programme se aagah kar ke, Aima 'Done' ka messege bhej diya. tayyari
karte waqt baar baar is ki ankhen bhiig rahi theen. aisa kab tak chalay ga?
aakhir kab tak woh apni izzat ko zillat ki nigah se dekhe ga?

siyah aur golden contrast mein nafees kaam wala fancy drees jis ke ghair,
baazu aur galey par golden kaam huwa tha. matching jewellery siyah heels,
shehad balon ki ponytail banai. atraaf mein kuch laton ko nikala. khud ko
mazboot kiye khayalat jhutla kar is ne mukammal tayari ki. no bajey usay
Aima lainay aagai thi. jatay waqt lamhay bhar ke liye woh is ki study ke
samnay ruki thi. phir sir jhatak kar bahar chali gayi.

shadi ke baad woh pehli baar koi function attend kar rahi thi. yahi wajah thi
ke woh kuch nervous thi. nah to wo is tarah ke azadana mahol ki aadi thi,
aur nah hi is terhan ke malbosaat pehnay thay jin mein beshtar khawateen is
ke samnay ghoom rahi theen.

yeh jagah mahol aur log sab is ke liye naye thay. Aima ne apni doston se is
ka tarruf karwaya to sab ki aankhon mein herat aayi.
"O to yeh hai woh larki jis se faris ne shadi ki hai?" jannat ko faris ki wajah
se guftagu ka markaz banna kuch ziyada acha nahi laga tha. Dulhan ki
behan Nisha is ka haath pakra aur Aima se moazrat karti usay taqreeban
khenchte hue apne sath le gayi .

seedhiyan charh kar woh usay dressing room mein le aayi thi jaha deewar
geer aaiine ke samnay larkiyon ka tola mojood tha. koi liners lga rahi thi to
kisi ko apni lip stick se masla tha, kisi ko gehray gilaay ne tang kar rakha
tha, to koi apne balon ko naye siray se set kar rahi thi.

"Guess what, yeh mere sath kon hai?" nisha ne khade khade elaan kya.
larkiyon ki gardanein ghumi sab ne sar se paiir is ka jaiza liya, kuch
nervous ho kar jannat ne apna haath churra liya.

"Faris ki biwi.. jannat !"

wahan aik dam sannata chhaa gaya. jo jaha khari thi, wahi khadi reh gayi.
un sab ke cheharon par aik se tasurat thay. rashk aur hasad ke miley julay
tasurat. woh sab ki sab elite class se talluq rakhti theen. un ka libaas,
zebaish, atwaar sab mukhtalif tha. jannat ko yakdam apna aap ajeeb laga.
woh in mein miss fit thi .

"ohh to yeh hai woh.." samaat se khnkti hui khoob soorat aawaz takrayi.
jannat ne be sakhta sir uthaya. wo is ke daye taraf bilkul samnay sofay par
taang par taang jamaye baithi thi .

surkh rang ka Maxie numa sleevless libaas soonahre brown baal halka sa
curl liye atraaf mein bikhare, damkti hui si rangat, neeli kach si aankhe, wo
munasib sarapa wo itni khoob soorat or stylish thi ke ik lamhe ke liye jannat
bhi is ke chehray par se nigah nah hata saki. woh uth khari hui tamaskhur
urati nigahon se jannat ka jaiza layte agay barhi.

"To is paindoo se shadi ki hai faris wajdan ne!" lafz paindoo ne un modern
larkiyon ko bara Mahzooz kiya. muskurahat sab ke honton par ring gayi.

"aur wo larkiyon ko to aisay reject karta tha jaisay koi hoor biyah laaye ga."
dabey dabey qehqahey char so goonj utthay. goya is tabsaray ko bhi khoob
enjoy kiya gaya .
jannat ki aankhon mein iztiraab aa thera rangat surkh par gayi. woh nervous
thi. ghabrahat ka shikaar bhi ho gayi. faris ke hawalay se aaj pehli baar uska
aetmaad mutazalzal huwa tha. woh sir utha kar jawab dainay ke bajaye,
apne aap mein hi simat gayi thi. kandhay par is ka haath jo na tha. uska sath
jo na tha. nah mohabbat hamrah thi, nah izzat ka ehsas tha, aetmaad aata bhi
to kaisay woh muqaabla karti bhi to kaisay?

"Finally! tumhe bhi dekh liya.." sej sej qadam uthaati woh uske samnay aa
khadi hui.

"waisay abhi bhi ye samajh me nahi aa raha ke faris wajdan ko tum mein
kya nazar aaya? tum bta do gi to hamein aasani hogi.."

aik baar phir sab hanse thay. is par is ke libaas par, is ki shakal o soorat par.
..

"Wohi jo usey tum sab mein nazar nahi aaya..!!"

sab ki hasi tham gayi. do tak aur khailay lehjey mein jawab day kar woh isi
waqt un ke chungal se nikal kar bahar aagai thi. Us din ke baad se usne
Aima zahir ke sath koi bhi function attend karne se to toba kar li thi.

woh faris ki wajah se nazron mein nahi rehna chahti thi. Judge nahi hona
chahti thi. nah apni shakal or soorat ke aitbaar se, nah class aur libaas ke
hisaab se .

•••

"Tum aakhir itne jatan kis liye kar rahi ho?" woh office table par coffee ka
mug rakh kar palat rahi thi jab faris ne laptop ki screen se nigah hata kar
kaha tha.

woh ruk kar, kuch herat se usay dekhnay lagi thi. woh khud se mukhatib ho
jaye, aisa Shaz o nadir hi hota tha aur in daidh mah mein to shayad do teen
baar hi huwa hoga.

"is rishte ko qaim rakhnay ke liye!" usne bilaa kisi tamheed ke, bilaa kisi
confusion ya ghabrahat ke faris ki aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha tha .
"kis rishte ko qaim karne ke liye? jisey mein siray se tasleem hi nahi karta?"

"Tasleem nah karte to nikah bhi nah karte." ab ke woh muskarayi. woh bhi
muskuraya. ba khuda is ki muskurahat agar tanzia nah hoti to kitni khoob
soorat hoti.

"Tasleem karna kuch aur hai nikah karna kuch aur..."

"khuda ki muqarar karda hudood ki darja bandi karne walay tum kon hotay
ho?" woh sawalia nishaan ban gayi. Kis cheez ne usay itna nidar aur
bahadur bana diya tha? faris bhi sochta ho ga, kis cheez ne usay itna qowi
kar diya hai. woh bhi socha karti thi .

"Tum is ghar mein meri maa ki wajah se ho!" faris ne yaad dilaya tha .

"Ghalat! mein is ghar mein tumhari wajah se hon. mera nikah tum se huwa
hai!"

faris ki aankhon mein sholo ki lapak dekh kar usay andaza huwa woh is ke
kharab mood ka trigger daba chuki hai.

"Mummy ko bahu chahiye thi. woh apni marzi aur pasand se tumhe yahan
le bhi ayi..!" aik lehje ko ruk kar is ke ne sir uthaya.

"mujhe life partner chahiye hota to mein kam az kam tumhara intikhab nahi
karta.!"

"kyun? mujh mein kya kami hai? " usne sawalia abrow uthai.

"mein jawab dane ka paband nahi..!" laptop band kar ke woh fursat se uske
taraf mutwajjah huwa tha.

"Jab tumhe achi tarah andaza ho chuka hai ke mein is rishte mein serious
nahi hu, aur nahi kabhi ho sakta hon to phir yeh sab kis liye?"

"kon bewaqoof tumhe pattiya parha raha hai ke tum is tarah mere agey
peechay phiro gi to mujhe tumhari aadat ho jaye gi, uske baad mein is rishte
ko khatam karne ka yeh fuzool sa idea apne zehen se nikaal dun ga aur hum
dono hansi khushi rehne lag jayen ge."
woh uski zaat ki dhajiyan bekhair kar tamaskhur urati nigahon se ab usay
dekh raha tha aur jannat labon par halka sa tabassum liye baa-mushkil hi
apne jazbaat par qaboo rakh payi thi.

"waisay tumhari yeh adae tumahray pehlay shohar pe kaam nahi ayi? mera
matlab hai tum uske sath paanch saal rahi ho. paanch saal ka arsa koi
mazaaq nahi hai. is ke bawajood tumhe Talaq hui?"

Rooh pehlay se ghayal thi. wujood ke parche ab uray thay. woh heran thi.
woh is ke samnay ab tak kaisay khari thi. apne qadmon par is istehqaq ke
sath kaisay dati hui thi. kaisay sun rahi thi woh uske zeher mein bichey un
lafzon ko jo andar hi andar se use chhalni karte jarahay thay.

"Tumhari aik mushkil aasaan kar deta hoon.." maiz par kohniyan jama kar
woh agay huwa.

"Jis din mein tumhe is ghar se bahar ka rasta dikhao ga, us din tumahray
bank account mein itni raqam hogi ke tum aglay das pandrah saloon tak
ghar mein baith kar bhi urrao gi to khatam nahi hogi. so yeh sochna chhorh
do ke Talaq ke baad tumhara kya banay ga! Itni doulat miley gi to tum
bhool jao gi Burhan kon tha aur faris kon hai.."

lafz thay ya barchhi usay kaat kar guzar gaye thay. Us ke lab kap kapa
utthay thay, ankhen be ikhtiyar num ho gayeen, magar is ne faris se mazeed
kuch na kaha tha. be had khamoshi se jane ke liye uth gayi thi.

aik afsurda si muskurahat faris wajdan ke labon par aa kar thehr gayi. yeh
ehsas hi tasalii bakhash tha ke jo larki is ka sukoon barbaad karne ki
koshish kar rahi thi, woh usay be sukoon karne mein kamyaab ho gaya hai.

magar yeh sukoon bhi is ki khushion ki terhan waqti hi tha ke aglay roz jab
woh jogging ke liye apne guard ki mayt mein ghar se nikla tha to hashash
bashaash chehray ke sath woh bhi is ke peechay peechay aa rahi thi. faris ne
murr kar usay tab dekha jab guard ne tawajah is ki taraf dilwai thi .

"Sir aap ki Mrs.!" siyah trousers par safaid cotton ki kameez par gulaabii
rang ka lamba sa sweeter Zaib tan kiye, galey mein dupattay ko mufler ki
tarah bal de kar daaley, balon ki onche ponytail banaye woh chamkti hui
roshan aankhon ke sath uske paas aakar muskarayi.

"Good morning!"

"What nonsense!" usne dubi aawaz mein jhada.

"heran kar diya na mein ne tumhe? kehte hain insaan naraaz bhi sirf un se
hota hai jin se koi talluq ho, bhala mein kyun tumhari baton ko mind karne
lagi?"

woh lab bhinch sakhti se uski taraf daikhta raha. guzashta shab ki talkh
kalami ke baad bhi is larki mein itni sakt thi ke woh aglay roz hi yunhi usse
mukhatib hogi jaisay kuch huwa hi nahi. woh to yeh tawaqqa kiye hue tha
ke aglay chand dinon tak to woh baat bhi nahi kere gi aur yahan.

"Nafrat bhi aik talluq hota hai. nazar andaaz karne ke liye kisi ko mehsoos
karna zaroori hai. mein heran hon tum pichlle daidh mah se mujhe nazar
andaaz kar rahay ho! yani tum pichlle daidh mah se mujhe mehsoos kar
rahay ho."

"kisi roz tumhe tumhari ye khush fehmiya le doobein gi" usne daant pees
kar kaha.

"Mein bahut achchhi tairak hu Faris!"

"Behtareen tairaak bhi shark ki khuraak ban jaya karte hain."

"shayad is liye ke woh Bar waqt saahil par nahi pahonch paate!"

"Tum pahonch jao gi saahil par?"

"Saahil par hi to khadii hu!"

maathey par teori charhaye wo jogging track par taiz taiz qadam uthany
laga.

"kya tumhe is baat ki fikar hai, kahin mujhe meri khush-fehmiya na le

dube?" woh bhi is ke peechay anay lagi.
"Tumhari fikar aur mujhe hogi?" sawalia abr utha kar is ne jin nigahon se
jannat ko dekha, woh kudh kar reh gayi.

"Waisay self respect kya apne x husband ke ghar baich khayi hai tum ne?"
faris ke qadmon ke sath qadam milati, apna tanaffus qaboo mein karti
jannat ke qadmon ki harkat madham par gayi na chahtay hue bhi woh ruk
gayi thi. woh bhi ruk gaya tha. mehez aik lamhay ke liye.

"Tumhe ajeeb nahi lagta? mujhe bohat ajeeb lagta hai. is tarah apni self
respect ki bhaint charha kar, meri tawajah haasil karne ke liye mere agay
peechay phirna."

tamaskhur urata huwa naram lehja tha uska magar jannat ke gaal par jaisay
kisi ne tamancha dey mara tha. woh behal kar reh gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

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A big thanks to those who voted and added to their reading list..🌷
•CHAPTER-10•
2 ‫ِﮐﺴﭧ ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

" 𝒋𝒊𝒏 𝒌𝒊 𝒌𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒕𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒏 𝒋𝒂𝒍𝒂 𝒅𝒊 𝒋𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒏, 𝒖𝒏𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒛𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒅𝒂 𝑻𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒍,

𝒛𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒅𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒃𝒓 𝒌𝒂 𝒎𝒖𝒛𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊 "

---- •♡• ----

madham si sar sarahate peda karti khank hawae is ke wujood par kapkapi si
taari kar gayeen. faris bohat agey nikal chuka tha. is ne aik baar bhi mud kar
jannat ki taraf dekhne ki koshish nahi ki thi.

Jogging ke baad usne shower liya tha aur kapray badal kar jab neechay aaya
tha to jannat kamaal glass wall ke us paar usey maali se ulajhti aur phoolon
ko torti nazar aayi thi. Uski aankhon mein nagwari ubhar aayi. aik mamool
sa bana liya tha is larki ne ke har roz kamray ko taaza phoolon se muattar
karne ka. sir jhatak kar wrist watch pehante hue woh mrs. Shirazi ke
kamray mein agaya tha.

"Aap tayyar ho gayi mummy?"

"haan beta!" mukammal tayari ke sath woh wheel chair par thi. bas head
scarf le rahi theen. aaj un ki doctor ke yahan appointment thi. weakly check
up ke liye jana tha unhen. pathani bhi un ke sath hi jaya karti thi.

mobile par kisi ka number Dial karte hue uski nigah be sakhta hi deewar
geer khirkion ke samnay rakhi glass table par ja pari. woh thitak kar ruk
gaya.

maiz ke kinaro ke sath gole dairey ki soorat mein tarteeb se rakhay gulaab
ke phoolon par is ki nazar yun thahri ke woh hata hi nah saka. masli hui
pankhudiya, tootay hue pattoun ki lehar aur salamat phoolon ka ghairao.
yaddasht ke kisi konay mein koi bhula basra manzar taaza huwa tha. koi
aawaz gunji thi. parda lehraya tha aur phir aik aik kar ke safaid phool khirki
se andar girtay chalay gaye thay.

'Get well soon'

marker se likha pegham khirki ke sheeshay par ubhar aaya tha.

"Faris!" Mrs. Shirazi ki aawaz par usne choank kar apne khayalat se sar
nikala phir murr kar unhe dekha.

"I'm ready beta!"

sir hila kar woh un ki janib barh gaya. magar woh phoolon ki is tarteeb se,
lehron mein rakhay un patton se, aur flower vase mein rakhi kuch bhikri,
kuch tooti aur kuch masli hui un pankhudiyon se peecha na chhura saka
jinhon ne kuch der ke liye hi sahi, usey maazi ke hawale kar diya tha.

•••

"Hamari is kaghazi shadi ko poooray do mah hone wale hai" woh bed par
nam daraaz laptop par kaam kar raha tha jab hathon par lotion lagatay hue
woh usse mukhatib hui thi .

faris ne nazar utha kar usey dekha. sofay par woh khasay shahana andaaz
mein baithi thi. fikar aur andeshon se paray.

"Kya, tumhara nahi khayaal ab hamein dosti kar leni chahiye? Jogging track
par honey wali guftagu ke baad is ne ab khamoshi ka kufl toda tha. yani
poooray pandrah ghanton ke baad.

"Theek hai.! maan liya yeh kaghazi rishta hai, aik makhsoos muddat tak
rahay ga, is ke baad sab khatam ho jaye ga, lekin is makhsoos muddat tak
kya tum aankhon se teer naizay talware maarna band nahi kar satke?" woh
usey nazar andaaz kiye apna kaam karta raha .

"Agar hamari dosti ho jaye gi to mujhe

zara zara si farmaaish ke liye auntie ke paas nahi jana parre ga, yani ke
mein direct tum se baat kar sakoo gi aur is tarah bohat sahoolat rahay gi
mujhe aur tumhe bhi kya khayaal hai?"

woh khamosh raha. woh ab khamosh hi rehta tha.

"waisay faris! kya tum jantey ho un larkiyon ki kahaaniyon mein kya hota
hai jin ke shohar hazraat tumahray jaisa rawayya rakhtay hain?"

kuch der tak khamosh reh kar, kuch soch kar usne istafsaar kiya tha. woh
nahi jaanta tha aur naahi janna chahta tha. jannat janti thi aur usey bhi
batana chahti thi .

"Yani ke shadi ki pehli raat nayi naveli dulhan ko kamray se bahar nikaal
dena. phir usay dhmkana. Us par roab jamana aur, apne mamlaat se dur
rehne ki sakhti se Talqeen karna aur yeh bhi bawar karwana ke shadi sara
sar marzi ke khilaaf ki gayi hai ya phir intiqam lainay ke liye shadi karna
pari hai. waghera! waghera! pehlay mujhe lagta tha aisa sirf kahaaniyon
mein hota hai.

ab mujhe lagta hai haqeeqi zindagi mein bhi aisa ho sakta hai"

aik lamhay ko ruk kar usne kuch socha, phir apne track par wapas aagai.

"Iske baad hota yeh hai ke bechari masoom si roti sakti heroin apne sareley,
kharus se shohar ki khidmato mein jut jati hai. woh khud ko halaat ke
hawalay kar ke uski sakhtiyan jhelti rehti hai yahan tak ke shohar ka
accident ho jata hai."

faris ne screen se nigehain hata kar sawalia nigahon se usay dekha.

"oh shukar wo sun raha hai" labon par ubharti muskurahat ko jannat ne baa-
mushkil roka. "halka phulka sa accident hota hai faris! kuch ziyada serious
nahi hota" andaaz tasalii dainay wala tha.

"Shohar chand aik haddiyan turwaa kar bistar se lag jata hai. Uske dost
ahbaab, sookhi, sadi girl friends waghera! waghera, sab usey chore deti hain
magar julmo ki maari woh dukhi, be chari aur masoom si heroine usey nahi
chhodhtee; aakhir ko uska shohar hai bhae! koi mazaaq thori hai. halaan ke
heroin ko chahiye woh is bande ki chand haddiyan mazeed toar de, kuch
aur nah sahi, aik Adad thapar hi jarr de magar nahi"

"Khair, yeh hamara masla nahi. ab hamari heroine karti yeh hai ke uski
khidmat mein lag jati hai. Uska khayaal rakhti hai."

"apne hathon se khana khilaati hai. shohar uska zarf dekh kar sharminda ho
jata hai. Pachhatao mein ghir jata hai. afsos karta rehta hai ke itni achi larki
ki woh itna arsa be qadri karta raha usay rulata raha."

Usne ruk kar faris ko dekha, woh ab usey nahi dekh raha tha. keyboard par
is ki ungliya taizi se mutahhrik theen.

"Pachhtawa unsiyat ko jagah deta hai. Unsiyat reham dil bnaditi hai. aur
shayad reham se hi mohabbat janam leti hai; phir woh, apne ravayye ki
maffi mangta hai. aur hamari pyari, dukhi, masoom aur naram dil, farishta
sift heroine usey foran se maaf kar deti hai aur dono hansi khushi rehne
lagtay hain"

faris ne laptop zor se band kar diya. Uska ghaarat shuda mood mazeed
ghaarat ho chuka tha. 'ghaliban usay happy ending nahi, Talaq chahiye thi.'

"Ab mujhe samajh mein nahi aa raha ke tumahray dil aur iraadon ko
badalny ke liye mujhe kya karna chahiye?"

"Ahm! un heroines ki tarah tumhari chand aik haddiyan totney ka intzaar

karna chahiye ya phir mujhe apni zindagi ki kahani ko kisi aur rukh daal
dena chahiye? kyun ke yeh to confirm hai khidmato se tumhara dil pighalne
wala nahi, so..."

Us ne par soch nigahon se faris ko dekha.

"Tum kya mahswara do ge, mujhe kya karna chahiye?" khase soch bichaar
ke baad is ne poocha tha.

"Zeher kha kar mar jana chahiye!"

"Haina! mein ne bhi yahi socha tha ke shayad is tarah tumhare iraadon par
koi farq aaye, magar is tarah hoga yeh ke tumhari dili murad poori ho jaye
gi aur mein khaali khwalid qabar mein utar jaoon gi. jabke mujhe apni life
story mein kuch mukhtalif chahiye. kuch aisa jis se hum dono ki khwahish
poori ho jaye. yani tum mujhe chhorna chahtay ho aur mein tumahray sath
rehna chahti hu"

"Dono ki khwahish, aik hi waqt mein aik sath poori ho jaye." faris ne
achanbhay se is larki ko dekha. hosh o hawaas mein to thi woh. bhala aik hi
waqt mein dono ki mutazaad khwahisaat kaisay poori ho sakti theen?

"Batao bhi"

"MARJAO" uski bardasht ab khatam ho rahi thi.

"Phir bad-rooh ban kar tumahre agey peechay phiron yahi?" woh par josh
hui.

"Ab agar dobara tumhari aawaz aayi to mein tumhe kamray se nikaal dun
ga!" Usay warning day kar woh lehaaf tane sonay ke liye late gaya tha.

"Janwar ke sath bhi insaan kuch waqt betaye to unse unsiyat ho jati hai,
mein to phir insaan hu, mere sath reh kar tumhara dil bhi naram ho jaye ga."

"Bhool hai tumahari!"

"Bhool meri nahi, tumhari hai faris wajdan!"

Usne uth kar lights of kar di. magar jab sofay par baithi to kisi khayaal ke
tehat uski ankhen chamak rahi theen. woh aane wale kal ka soch rahi thi aur
kal is ne kya karna tha, woh programme tarteeb de rahi thi.

•••

aglay din theek gayarah bujey woh shirazi interprisess mein uske office ke
bahar khari thi. shandaar imarat ki 12 manzil tak pounchanay se pehlay woh
mukhtalif floors par mukhtalif staff members se apna taaruf karwati hui
aayi thi.
woh jannat Bint kamaal thi. Shirazi interprisess ke nojawan chairmen or
CEO ki jojza mohatarma. jo bhi usse mila. heran ho kar mila. khaas kar
khawateen staff to kuch ziyada hi sadme mein thi.

"aap ne faris ko bataya to nahi ke mein yaha aayi hon?" Usne Siddiqui sahib
se kaha tha .

"Nahi, filhaal unhen ilm nahi, is waqt woh meeting mein masroof hain."
Finance manager Siddiqui sahab usey jante thay, unhon ne nikah aur
walima mein shirkat ki thi. is waqt bhi wohi uske hamrah thay.

"Achhi baat hai, mein unhen surprise dena chahti hu"

Siddiqui sahib badkat muskuraye. jantay thay un ke boss ko surprise kitney

buray lagtay thay. Fourth floor par wo yuhi tehlne lagi. Usne siddique sahab
se bhi keh diya ke wo faris ke office tak khud hi chali jaye gi.

deewar geer khirkion se shehar ka khoob soorat nazara karti woh agey
barhti gayi. pandrah beesh minute tak wo tahelti rahi aur jab Siddiqui sahab
ki taraf se usey meeting khatam honay ka notice mila to woh chand larkiyon
ke sath lift par sawaar hogayi.

'Suna hai faris wajdan ki mrs. aayi hui hain.'

'mein ne bhi yahi suna hai.'

company ki female staff ke sath hamare boss itnay rude hai, khuda jane
biwi ke sath kya rawayya hoga? biwi par to jaan chhidkte honge. doosri ne
luqmah diya.

Uske aqab mein khadi jannat be sakhta hans di.

Teeno ne mud kar usay dekha. ghalti ka ehsas hotay hi woh masrufiyat
bharay andaaz mein mobile screen par jhuk gayi.

kuch hi der mein woh 12th floor par faris wajdan ke office ke samne khari
thi. secretary ne phone par ittila poucha di thi aur us ki tawaqqa ke baraks
usey foran hi talab kar liya gaya tha. ijazat mlite hi woh darwaaza khol kar
uske office mein daakhil hui aur heran reh gayi.
safaid rang ki theme mein saja uska office intehai shandaar tha. magar
office se bhi shandaar to uske shohar ka gussa tha. shirts ki aasteen kohni
tak moray, peshani par dhair saaray bal daale woh ghusse mein tha. aankhon
mein surkhi thi, jabde bheenchey hue thay. tassurat pathar ki tarah sakht
pathirelay se

"Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho?" sar par pahonch kar woh dubi aawaz mein
dahada tha.

"Apne kaghazi shohar ka office dekhnay aayi thi. is mein koi gunah hai
kya?" faris ko jawab day kar usne Ishtiaq ke aalam mein charon aur nigah
dorhayi. faris ne muthiyaan bhinch li.

office table par dharay kuch decorations pieces ko chhedte hue usne name
plate ko baghore dekha. wall par lagi safaid Buraq ghoray ki painting ko
saraha. shelf mein tarteeb se rakhi files ka jaiza liya. phir aaraam se taang
par taang jamaye couch par baith gayi .

"Kehte hain safaid rang aman aur mohabbat ki alamat hota hai. tumhe kya
lagta"

woh sard nazron se usey daikhta raha. "aur yeh bhi kaha jata hai ke jo log is
rang ko pasand karte hain, un ke mizaaj mein dheema pan hota hai, woh
salah jo aur Burdbar hotay hain. kya aisa hi hai?"

"kyun aayi ho yaha?" faris ne is ke sawalaat nazar andaaz kar diye.

"Chai ya coffee ka nahi pucho ge tum?" jannat ne palken jhhapkayi.

"NAHI"

"halan ke auntie keh rahi thi, tum khasay maheman Nawaz ho"

"Abhi aur is waqt dafaa ho jao yaha se"

"Ab dafaa to mein tumhare sath hi ho sakti hon, driver mujhe drop kar ke ja
chuka hai, auntie se mein keh aayi hoon, ke tum ne hi mujhe apne office
call kar ke bulaya hai aur aaj hum dono kisi achhe restaurants mein lunch
karege."
faris ne khud par baa-mushkil zabt ke pehray bethaye thay .

"Kitni raqam chahiye tumhe?" office ki kursi par baith kar usne be had
mehal se poocha tha.

"Kis liye?" woh heran hui thi.

"Is drama ko khatam karne ke liye!"

"Tumhe lag raha hai mein acting kar rahi hoon?" jannat ko bura laga.

"Tum yeh jo kuch bhi kar rahi ho, isey khatam karne ke liye kya logi?"

"aik cup chai aur italian restaurant mein tumahray sath lunch! "

faris ne baa-mushkil khud par qaboo paaya.

"waise tum ne abhi tak kisi ko bataya nahi ke tum married ho? sab yu heran
hotay hain jaise kisi bhoot ko dekh liya ho" faris ne apni kursi chhor di thi.

"Utho ab!"

"magar mein ne to abhi chai nahi pi.." wo sakhti se baazu mein ungelian
garhe, usay khech kar uthatay hue darwazay par le aaya.

"How rude" jannat ne apna aap churra kar usay tandehli se dekha .

"mein bohat masroof hu, tumhari in jhoot mut ki adakari aur do numbri
farmaishon ki takmeel ke liye waqt nahi hai mere paas, driver call karo aur
yahan se chalti bano"

dabi aawaz mein jhaad kar usne darwaaza khol diya. secretary ne be
ikhtiyar sar uthaya tha.

"Darling!"

secretary ke samnay jannat ka rawayya khasa romantic ho gaya.

"mein yahin baith kar aap ka intzaar karu gi, bhaley se sara din baithi rahu
mujhe koi masla nahi"

aur faris ka bas nahi chal raha tha woh is larki ko shirazi interprisess ki
barvi manzil se neechay pheink day. lab bhinch kar is ne office ka darwaaza
band kar diya tha. kuch ziyada hi qowat se.

"Mein dekhatii hon kab tak mujhe bahar bithaata hai" seenay par bazu
bandhe he woh secretary ke office mein baith gayi thi. ab secretary aur woh
dono hi aik dosray ka jaiza le rahi theen .

aur tab hi call mashool hui. kuch sun kar secretary ne faris wajdan se rabta
kiya.

'Sir, Shah group ke lawyer Burhan laghari ki call aayi hai, aik ghantay baad
aap ki un ke sath meeting hai"

jannat ke chehray ke tasurat badal gaye. Uske soch, uske khayaal jaamad
hue. woh yahan kyun kisi, liye aayi hai, sab bhool bhaal gayi. halaq mein
ubharti gilty ko baa-mushkil neechay utaartay hue is ne gaal par phisalti lut
ko kaan ke peechay ursa. second ke hazarwe hisse mein is ka sukoon
darham-barham huwa tha.

"ma'am! aap chai legi ya coffee?" secretary ab usse pooch rahi thi. shiddat
se dharaktey dil ke sath is ne usay dekha aur uth khari hui .

"kuch nahi" woh jo shaam tak faris ke office mein bethnay ke iraday se aayi
thi, bag ki strip par haath jamaye usi waqt wahan se chali gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-11•
"𝑺𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒂 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒋𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒍𝒏𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒓 𝒋𝒂𝒃
𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒈 𝒋𝒂𝒕𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏"

₊˚𓂃•♡• ⊹𓂅

woh naam jisey woh labon par laane se ghabrati thi, jab samaat mein para
tha to kitni wehshat hui thi usey, aur yahi wehshat aaj phir uski neend
haram karne mein kamyaab hogayi thi. awwal to usey neend aa hi nahi rahi
thi aur jab aayi thi to haqeeqat ne khawab ka roop dhaar kar usey foran se
jaga diya tha.

Pasine se bhige wujood ke sath woh sar thame se kitni hi der tak baithi rahi
thi. aisa nahi tha ke woh khawabo se peecha chhurane mein kamyaab ho
gayi thi magar jab se usne faris ke mamlaat mein dilchaspi lena shuru ki thi,
tab se khawab kisi had tak kam ho gaye the.

magar aaj phir hatheli ki pusht se ansoo saaf karte hue usne be sakhta sir
utha kar faris ko dekha tha. sad shukar ke woh gehri neend mein tha, sad
shukar ke woh uski wajah se be aaraam nahi huwa tha. gehri saans le kar
khud ko compose kar ke woh neechay aagai thi.

pooray ghar mein khamoshi ka raaj tha. lights on kar ke woh namaz wale
kamre mein daakhil hui thi.

Shardr roshiniyon mein kamrah khamoshi mein dooba tha. aawaz uske
phoolay saans ki thi ya uski dharkan ki jo usey kaan mein gunjti hui
mehsoos ho rahi thi. din bhar khud ko mazboot zahir kar ke tanhai mein
woh har naqaab chehray se utaar diya karti thi .

jo waqt us aayat ke sath guzarta tha, woh haqikat me usey andar aur bahar
se aik hi kar deta tha.
woh ab zehen ko maazi se bhataknay ke liye apna focus is aayat par jama
rahi thi aur ghhor kar rahi thi un salawon par jo uske andar sir utha rahay
they.

pichle aik mah se woh apne andar barhatay hue is shore se peecha chhurane
ke liye yahi kar rahi thi. pehle woh naseeb, qismat, zindagi, musaaib,
azmaish aur mehroomion ki bhool bhulyo mein ghum raha karti thi. ab
sukoon ki talaash mein, woh khud ko in nishanion ke supurd karne lagi thi
jo kuch der ke liye hi sahi, usey dukh or

alaam ka dosra rukh dikhaane lagte thay. woh raaz jo huroof mein chhupa
tha, woh abhi us par ayaam nahi huwa tha. woh maani jo samandar ki
terhan gehray thay, un mein woh ghark nah hui thi.

sab kuch muhim tha ghair wazeh chhupa huwa magar is raat aik sawal is
par ayaam huwa tha.

baghair jawab ke bhi woh din ke ujalay ki terhan yun wazeh huwa tha ke
kitni hi der tak woh apni jagah baithi reh gayi thi.

'sawal tumhe is aayat tak laaye ga jannat! sawal hi tumhe is ke ma-ani

samjhaye ga'

alif par nazar jamaye woh apni jagah se uth khari hui thi.

'Azmaish ki wadiyo me bhatkte har insan ko is ayat par ghor karna chahiye,
har mareez ko, har sakin ko, har alir ko, har Aseem ko'

Mrs shirazi ki awaz ise palat kar aane lagi. Is ayat ka sirf wo matlab nahi
hai jo ham yaksar padhte hai, ya samjhte hai. Iska aik aur matlb iske huroof
me kahi chhupa hai. Aur wo huroof par nazar jamaye khadi thi.

'

BESHAK HAR MUSHKIL KE SATH ASANI HAI'

•••
kamray ki deewar geer khirkion par se parday hata kar is ne mrs. shirazi ko
dekha jo samne hi wheel chair par birajman koi kitaab haath mein liye
baithi theen. Sar uthaye ab woh jannat ko dekhne lagi jo single sofa par un
ke samnay baith gayi thi.

"Mein ne kal bohat socha us baray mein woh cup mein chai undhelne lagi.
aur kal raat hi mere zehen mein khayaal aaya. halaanke mein ne is aayat ko
baar ha suna hai. baar ha parha hai aur is ke zariye apne naatva dil ko baar
ha tasalii bhi di hai, magar mein kal pehli baar is par heran hui hoon." Usne
chai ka cup mrs. Shirazi ko paish kiya tha .

woh bohat tawajah aur yaksoi se sunte hue is ki aankhon mein dekh rahi
theen. jannat kahan tak pahonch gayi hai. shayad woh bhi jana chahti theen.

"aayat mein mushkil ke liye lafz usar [‫ ]اُﺳﺎر‬istemaal huwa hai. jis ka matlab
hai aik mushkil.... is hisaab se dekha jaye to aasani ke liye bhi yaha lafz
yusar [‫ ] ﯾﺴﺮ‬istemaal hona chahiye tha. magar Allah ne lafz Yusra [‫] ﯾﻮﺳﺮا‬
istemaal kiya hai, alif ke sath!"

ab woh apne cup mein chaye nikaal rahi thi.

pehlay mujhe laga ke shayad ‫( ﯾﺴﺮا‬Yusra ) usar ki hi jama ho ga, magar jab
mein ne is ke jama mufferedaat waghera dekhe to maloom huwa ke yeh
woh bhi nahi hai. usar aik aasani, yusri do aasaniya aysar do se zayed
aasaniyan. .. to phir yushra kya hai?" Us ne sir utha kar mrs shirazi ko
dekha.

"yeh mera pehla sawal hai. agli baar mein is sawal ka jawab dun gi aap ko"
ab ke woh bhi muskarayi. mrs. Shirazi ne mohabbat se uske gaal par haath
rakha.

"mujhe laga shayad tum kaafi waqt logi"

"Mujhe bhi yahi laga tha. magar kal raat jab mein baar baar usey parh rahi
thi, baar baar use khoj rahi thi to is waqt ehsas huwa, ayaat ke mafhuum bhi
jaisay parton mein chhupay hotay hain. gehra matlab samajhney ke liye
geherai mein utarna parta hai. aap ne theek kaha tha, tadabbur panay ke liye
ayaat ko un ka waqt dena parta hai"
"mujhe yaqeen hai tum uska jawab bhi pa logi..!"

"haan, mein aisa zaroor karlugi, magar aap se aik shart par hi share karoon
gi .

"Aur woh shart kya hai?" unhon ne dilchaspi se poocha. kuch soch kar, is
ne mrs Sharazy ki taraf dekha. nichala lab danoton taley ragadte hue, gehra
saans le kar khud ko jaisay anay walay lamhay ke liye tayyar kya. kuch
himmat mujtma ki.

"mein aap ke potay se milna chahti hoon" Usne itna achanak kaha ke mrs.
Shirazi apni jagah sakit baithi reh gayi. unhon ne jannat ko be yakeeni se
dekha .

"mein ne ghalti se aap ki aur faris ki guftgu sun li thi" jhuki nigahon se
usne apne jurm ka aitraaf kya .

"mein muntazir rahi ke shayad aap khud is silsilay mein mujh se baat karen
gi magar,,,," mrs Sharazy khamosh ho gayeen.

"mein aap ke potay se milna chahti hoon, auntie mein aap ke liye...!" unhon
ne sratha kar jin nigahon se jannat ko dekha, woh chup hogayi. kitna dard
tha un aankhon mein.

"Faris ko bura lagey ga, woh tum se bhi naraaz ho jaye ga" aur jannat unhen
bta nah saki ke faris to roz awwal se khafa hai.

"Mein usey khabar nahi honay dun gi." Usne yaqeen dehani karai.

"usey phir bhi khabar ho jaye gi woh yeh baat bardasht nahi kar paye ga ke
is ki biwi Hamad ke betay se miley."

"aisa kuch nahi hoga, aap fikar nah karen, mein sab sambhaal lon gi, aap
mujhe address bitayen mein khud...!"

"nahi jannat mere bachay nahi. unhon ne usay toak diya,

"Jane do usey" woh jaisay is topic par mazeed koi baat nahi karna chahti
theen. koi wazahat nahi dena chahti theen. kuch batana bhi nahi chahti
theen .

aik hekiyaat un ki bhi to thi. faris ki bhi us ke bhai aur bachay ki bhi.

"Auntie pleaseee"

"Faris ko bohat bura lagey ga, tumhe apne shohar ke ehsasat ka khayaal
hona chahiye." jannat inhen hamdardi se dekh kar reh gayi.

(Aakhir koi insaan apne yateem bhateejay ke liye itna sangdil kaisay ho
sakta hai?)

"Nahi, woh sangdil nahi hai. usay sangdil mat kaho" mrs Sharazy ne jaise
uski soch parh li thi. jannat herat se inhen dekh kar reh gayi.

"Bohat hassas tha woh jab pathar huwa to poori terhan se huwa. be hiss
sun-hwa to har kisi ke liye huwa. usay ilzaam mat do jannat mein bhi nahi
deti."

unhon ne chehray ka rukh mourr liya tha. jannat apni jagah sunn baithi reh
gayi thi.

•••

"Mein billi palne ka soch rahi hu"

Cufflinks utar kar dressing table par rakhte huye Faris Wajdan ne use sard
nazro se dekha. wo abhi-abhi jaroori meeting attend karke ghar pahucha
tha. Aur hamesha ki tarah Jannat kamal uske sar par sawar ho chuki thi.

"Koi jarurat nahi hai!" Jannat ne dekha uski nam aankhe betahasha surkh ho
rahi thi.

"Tumhari zaroorat ki nahi, apni zaroorat ki baat kar rahi hoon."

"is ghar mein koi janwar nahi aa sakta."

Faris ka lehja hatmi tha. inkaar pathar par lakeer jaisa. roz hi woh koi na
koi farmaaish karti thi. roz hi woh be rehmi se radd kar deta tha.

"kyun nahi aa sakta?" woh behas ke mood mein aagai.

"kyun ke mein nahi chahta."

"Aur tum kyun nahi chahtay?"

"Mein jawab daine ka paband nahi."

"Mein jawab daine ka paband nahi." jannat ne hubahu uske andaaz mein
naqal utari. faris wajdan ne ruk kar use kadhe tewaro se ghura. yeh larki ab
apni had se badh rahi thi.

"Saari pabandiyan to sirf mere liye hi hain na?" ruk kar usne tasuf se sir
hilaya.

"mujhe lagta tha tum mere liye hi be reham ho, yaha to bechare janwar bhi
tumhari nafrat se mehfooz nahi hain!"

woh zabt kiye khamosh raha. jannat ko yeh khamoshi nahi chahiye thi.

"To ab mein yeh samjhun ke tum bhi un das percent logon mein shaamil ho
jinhein billiyan achi nahi lgtin" is ne baat barhai .

"haan hoon koi aitraaz?" woh jhnjhlaht ka shikaar sun-hwa tha .

"ba khuda! koi Allah ki itni pyari takhleeq ko na pasand kaisay kar sakta
hai? yaqeenan tum ne billiyon ko haath bhi nahi lagaya ho ga unhen qareeb
se dekha bhi nahi hoga?"

woh wordrobe se kapray nikale wash room mein ghus gaya tha. jannat
darwazay ke paas aakar khadi hogayi thi.

"Tum billiyon ke sath thod sa waqt guzaar kar to dekho, bohat acha
mehsoos karo ge"

andar shirt utarte hue faris wajdan zair lab barbaraya.

"haan! bohat acha mehsoos karoon ga." andaaz mein jhunjhalat numaya thi
.

"Mein janti hoon tumhe mere ehsasat ki koi qader nahi hai. lekin billi wali
baat par mujhe tumhara aitraaz kuch theek nahi lag raha, theek hai! yeh
ghar tumhara hai. lekin mein bhi to tumhari biwi hi hon. kaghazi hi sahi,
itna to haq

rakhti hi hoon ke.." woh ruk gayi.

"Tum sun bhi rahe ho mein kya keh rahi hoon? darwaaza khul gaya tha .

Siyah jeans par siyah shirt mein malbos woh bahar agaya. wardrobe khole
usne safaid rang ka jumper nikala.

"Mein keh rahi hoon ke, aik choti si billi..!"

"Yeh kya billi billi laga rakhi hai tum ne? jab mana kar diya hai ke nahi aa
sakti to nahi aa sakti! aur yeh tumhara ghar nahi hai jahan tum apni marzi
chala sako"

Bigde tewaro ke sath usey daant kar woh kamray se nikal gaya tha. jannat
zabt kiye khari reh gayi. phir dimagh ne thoka diya to tan fun karti is ke
peechay bahar aagai.

"Jab mein tumhari biwi hoon hi nahi, to yeh shohar wala roab kyun dikhata
ho mujhe?" seedhiyan utar te faris wajdan ke qadmon ki harkat thami. ruk
kar sar utha kar is ne ghusili nazron se jannat kamaal ko dekha.

"Mera matlab hai...!" Uske karre tewaro se kuch khaif ho kar is ne foran
baat sambhali.

"Maheman hoon mein chand dinon ki is wajah se hi lehaaz kar liya kro!"

lehjey mein mithaas bhar kar, usne palken jhhapkayi.

"mere nana ke ghar mein mere paas teen billiyan theen. bohat waqt guzaraa
hai mein ne un ke sath. yaqeen karo shor nahi karti hain, gand bhi nahi
machati. pyar deti bhi hain, layte bhi hain. bohat acha waqt guzarta hai un
ke sath."

"Tum billiyo ke sath waqt guzarti ho?" Faris ki aawaz mein ab ke halka sa
sadma tha.

"Nahiii guzara to nahi hai." Usne safai se jhoot bola.

"Lekin ab guzaarna chahti hoon, Mrs. Yazdani ki persion cat ke chhootey

chhootey bacchey"

"BAS!" faris ne haath utha kar usay rok diya.

"Aaj ke baad tum mrs. Yazdani ke ghar nahi jao gi."

jannat ka mun sadme se khula .

"Magar kyun?" woh ahtja ja chillayi.

"MEIN NE KAHA NAHI JAO GI TO BAS NAHI JAO GI" Uska lehja
kaafi se ziyada sakht huwa tha.

"Tum to aise react kar rahe ho, jaise mein billi tumahre sir par laa bithaungi.
itna bara ghar hai tumhara, aur dil ba khuda! tumhara dil choonti jitna bhi
nahi hai."

"Mein bata raha hoon, agar tum ne ghar mein pet lane ki koshish ki to mujh
se bura koi nahi ho ga."

"Tum se bura waise koi ho bhi nahi sakta." uske muh se nikal gaya .

qadam uthatay faris wajdan ne lab bhinch kar usay dekha. woh railling par
jhuki hui thi.

"Mein billi ka naam farisha rakhon gi"

"Faris ki mo'annas farisha hui na ya Faresa?"

Uski aankhon mein shararat thi, labon par muskurahat goya azaim wazeh
thay, woh faris ke hukum ko kisi khatir mein nahi laa rahi thi. woh ruk
gaya. gehri saans le kar jaise apne mushtael asaab par qaboo panay ki
koshish ki. jannat taizi se seedhiyan utar kar uske paas aagai.

"Mein jaan gayi hoon, tum aisay nahi manu ge. ab mein auntie se hi baat
karoon gi."

Itra kar kehte woh seedhiyan utrne hi lagi thi ke faris ne usey baazu se
pakar kar aik jhatkay se roka. Uska poora wujood hil kar reh gaya.

"KYA CHAHTI HO TUM?" daant pees kar khatarnaak tewaro ke sath, zara
sa usks taraf jhuka.

"Billi ke alawa!"

jannat ke labon par fatihana muskurahat bikhar gayi.

"Ahmm!" Use khalaa mein yun nigah dorhayi jaisay kuch soch rahi ho.

"Mujhe kya chahiye? mujhe kya chahiye.."

shahadat ki ungli thorhee par mutharrak thi.

"oh haan! mein chahti hoon aaj tum mujhe dinner par le jao. khud se le jao!
mujhe auntie se na kehna pare."

chand lamho tak usey ghoorte rehne ke baad woh usey jhatkay se chhore
kar sidiyan utar gaya.

"To kya mein isey haan samjhu?" woh aqab mein chillayi.

"Aaj ki raat mein 9 bajey tayyar rahoon gi , fariss!"

Aur faris ujlat mein qadam utha taa saddar darwaaza uboor kar gaya tha.

---- •♡• ----

Thanks for reading!!

Do vote & comment

A huge thanks for those who vote & comment!!

💝
•CHAPTER-12•
•••

siyah rang ka halke kaam wala frock us par kaafi jach raha tha. shehad
balon ko jude ki shakal diye, light sa makeup kiye, woh khush gawaar
tasurat ke sath faris wajdan ke samne italian restaurants mein mojood thi.
Khana serve kiya ja chuka tha.

black two piece suit mein malboos woh pathirelay tasurat ke sath hamesha
ki tarah khamosh betha tha. jannat khana maze le le kar kha bhi rahi thi aur
baatein bhi kar rahi thi.

"Auntie ne honeymoon ki baat ki thi tum ne kaha tha tum socho ge, kuch
plan karo ge, ab jab tak mein yahan hoon, jab tak kuch plan karo yaar, thora
mein bhi enjoy krlon gi, outing ho jaye gi meri bhi"

faris ka sar dukhne laga. Wo adhey ghante se woh uski baatein sun raha tha.
majaal hai jo woh aik lamhay ke liye bhi khamosh hui ho. kuch soch kar
jannat ne bag se mobile nikaal kar, faris ke samnay screen lehrai.

"Guess karo, mein ne tumhara contact number kis naam se save kiya hai?"

band muthi par thorhee jaye woh sard nazron se usey daikhta raha. doosre
haath ki ungaliyan maiz par mutharrak theen. goya woh muntazir tha ke kab
mohtarma khana khatam karen aur woh wapsi ki raah le.

"Tum ne ghalat guess Kiya." khud hi jawab de kar jannat ne screen par
contact list khol kar samne ki. be shumaar neelay pehlay dilon ke darmiyan
likha tha.

"My kaghazi husband"

woh hans di. faris lab bhinch kar reh gaya.

"Tum ne kisi naam se save Kiya hai mera number?" ab woh is se pooch rahi
thi .

"Mein fazool logon ke number save nahi karta." woh seedha ho betha.

"Mein to karti hoon!"

jabray bheenchey woh khirki se bahar dekhne laga. aasman par baadal phail
rahe they.

"Har jagah se mujhe block kiya huwa hai tum ne, number dene ka faida?"
Tissue paper se haath saaf karte hue woh bas chand lamhoon ke liye
khamosh hui thi, phir boli.

"Dosti karo ge mujh se? bohat achi larki hoon mein, aakhri dam tak sath
nibhaun gi." faris ne aik lehze ke liye usey dekha phir maiz par kohniyan
jamate hue agay huwa.

"Aur ye dosti ki offer tum kitney logon ko kar chuki ho?" jannat ke labon se
muskurahat uran chhu ho gayi.

"aisay hi khayaal aaya to socha poochh lon" uski kefiyat se Mahzooz hotay
hue is ne apni baat jari rakhi.

"Kahin tumahre ex husband ne isi wajah se to tumhe divorce nahi de di?"

"Tum ab apni had cross kar rahe ho faris!" Jannat ka chehra jazbaat ki
shiddat se surkh ho chuka tha.

"had cross nahi kar raha, tumhe had mein laane ki koshish kar raha hoon."
kaat daar lehjey mein kehte hue usne jannat ki taraf dekha .

"Talaq usne di thi ya tum ne li thi?"

jannat ko yun mehsoos huwa jaise uski gardan par paon rakh kar musla ja
raha ho. faris ka har sawal aisa hi tha. aziat ki do dahari talwar ki tarah.

"Tumhari badi 6 bahene hain. un mein se koi aik bhi tumhari shadi mein
shareek nahi hui. jahan tak mujhe ilm hai, khasa bara khandan hai tumhara
magar koi aik rishta daar bhi tumhari shadi par nahi tha masiwaye sayra
auntie ke."

muthiyaan bheenchey, lab baaham paiviest kiye woh zabt ke karre marahil
se guzar rahi thi. itnay achay mood ke sath use dinner par laa kar woh is
terhan ki baatein kere ga, agar usay ilm hota to yaqeenan woh nah aati.

"Mere kirdaar par mat aao faris! mein tumhe warn kar rahi hoon." Usne
usey baz rakhnay ki koshish ki thi.

"Warna kya karo gi?" labon par istihiziya muskaan liye usne bhanwain
uchakka kar usay lalkara.

gussa gham be basi jannat ne halaq mein ubhartay aanso-on ke phandey ko

baa-mushkil neechay utaara. Bahar halki halki boonda Bandi shuru ho
chuki thi.

"Tumhari maloomat nikalwana mere baen haath ka khail hai, lekin mein
tum mein itni si bhi dilchaspi nahi rakhta ke apne admion ko tumahray
hawalay se order deta phiru! lekin jis roz aisa karoon ga us roz tum kisi ko
muh dikhaane ke qabil nahi rahogi. is liye aakhri warning de raha hoon
mein tumhe, mere ghar mein rehna hai to apni hudood mein raho! yeh
aakhri warning hai."

waiter ko bulaa kar payment adaa kar ke woh jane ke liye uth gaya tha aur
jannat kamaal apni jagah baithi reh gayi thi. gaal par phisalti lat ko kaan ke
peechay urrat tey hue is ne ansoo peenay ki nakaam koshish ki thi.

woh faris ke sath aayi thi, magar woh faris ke sath wapas nahi gayi thi. woh
restaurants mein apni jagah bilkul khamosh baithi baar baar tissue se
aankhe ponchh rahi thi. peshani par bikhar te balon ko samaitt rahi thi.
khushk labon ko kaat-ti aur khirki se bahar shiddat se barasti barish ko yun
dekh rahi thi jaisay woh yaha aayi hi is liye thi. tan tanha isi barish ko enjoy
karne, jo uspar ab wehshat si taari kar rahi thi.

Bil akhir apna hand bag kandhay par daaltay hue woh zabt kar ke uth gayi
thi. seedhiyan utar kar is ne main road ki janib qadam barha diye. parking
area ki taraf usne jane ki koi koshish nahi ki thi ke woh janti thi faris ab tak
ja chuka ho ga.

agar nah bhi gaya hota to woh tab bhi uske sath jane ke liye fial-waqt
amaada nahi thi. koi aap ke mushkil se theek hote zakhamo ko aik hi
lamhay mein udhair kar rakh day to aap yahi karte hain. woh bhi yahi kar
rahi thi .

rona bhi bohat aa raha tha aur woh rona bhi nahi chahti thi. ghar jane ki bhi
jaldi thi aur ghar pohanchna bhi nahi chahti thi. woh foot path par qadam
uthai agay bherne lagi. mobile bag mein tha. woh driver ko call kar sakti thi
magar driver bhi to faris ka tha.awaz zara taiz hui to us ne bhi raftaar barha
li.

'Allah tumhe is ki tumhe woh saza dega jannat jo tum taa Umar yaad
rakhogi!'

sadak kinare, uske qareeb hi faris ki gaadi ruk gayi thi. woh jhuke sir ke
sath khamoshi se qadam uthaati rahi. beech rastay mein jab faris ne usay
baazu se pakar kar roka to use darashti se apna aap chhoraya tha.

"Adhe ghante se gaadi mein tumhara intezaar kar raha hoon, aur tum!

Uska Para charha huwa tha. gussa, narazgi, khafgi sab bhula kar jannat
sadgi se faris wajdan ko dekh kar reh gayi.

'adhay ghantay se woh is ka intzaar kar raha tha. adhay ghantay se...! yeh
moujza kab, kaisay kyun kar numa huwa?'

"Mein ne soch liya tha ke ab tum se Talaq le kar yaha se chali jaoon gi..!"

kharray kharray barray aaraam se is ne haath ki pusht se ansoo saaf kiye.

"lekin ab iradah multawi kar diya hai. tum intzaar kar rahay thay mera. yeh
aik khush aaind baat hai. Siddiqui uncle ne kaha tha tum intzaar kisi ka nahi
karte."

aik istehqaq se is ne gaari ka darwaaza khoola. aik ada se baith bhi gayi.
faris ki saari dhamkian dhari ki dhari reh gayeen. woh hakka bakka apni
jagah khara reh gaya .

"kya huwa? ghar nahi jana kya?" ab ke gaari ka sheesha neechay kar ke
jannat ne apna sir bahar nikala. lab bhinch kar is ne jannat ko dekha .

"Tumhari wajah se jitne ansoo mere zaya hue hain, un ke badlay aik ice
cream to laazmi banti hai.!" woh keh rahi thi. khud par zabt ke pehray
bithatay hue woh gaadii mein baith gaya. darwaaza qadray zor se band
huwa. apna bag khangaltey hue jannat ne yak dam hi zich ho kar usay
dekha.

"baqsh do in darwazo ko! Allah ke liye!"

"Tum apna mun band rakho."

"haan to mein ne kuch kaha? auntie hi kehti hain tum be jaan cheezon ka
bohat khayaal rakhtay ho. aik kharaash tak nahi aane dete apni gaadi ko;
magar yeh darwaaza kya soutela hai?"

woh lab bheench gaari drive karne laga. jannat bhi khamoshi se bahar
dekhatii rahi thi.

•••

subah ke saat bajey uski aankh apne mobile ki aawaz par khuli thi jo glass
table par para musalsal baj raha tha. uth kar baithtay hue is ne aik tayranh
nigah kamray mein dorhayi. faris abhi tak so raha tha. ghaliban aaj uska off
tha. Usne neendwar aankhon se screen par jagmug karte number ko dekha.
phir call receive karli.

"salam alaikum jannat! kaisi ho?"

"Walaikum salam khaala!" Uljhe bikhare balon ko samaitt kar woh uth
baithi. aawaz neend se bhaari thi.

"Mein theek hoon. aap kaisi hain? sofay ki pusht se kamar tika kar usne
angrai li.

"Tumhari aawaz ko kya huwa hai, tabiyat theek hai tumhari?"

"Tabiyat ko kuch nahi huwa, abhi so kar uthi hoon."

"Mein aisey hi pareshan hogayi." Saira khaala ko tasalii si hui.

"Ghar mein sab theek hai na? faris kaisa hai?"

"achha hai !" " kan akhion se faris ko dekhte hue usne kaha.

"Kheriyat hai khaala? itni subah subah call Kiya aapne?" faris ne takiya
apne muh par rakh liya. woh uth kar balcony mein aagai.

"Agle haftay sidra ki shadi hai jannat! kya tum bhool gayeen?" unhon ne
yaad dilaya, Jannat munjamad hui. khushk lyon ko tar karte hue is ne halaq
mein ubharti gilty ko baa-mushkil neechay utaara.

"Mera khayaal tha tum aik do haftay pehle hi aajao gi magar yahan to
mujhe hi tumhe yaad dilana par raha hai."

"Mujhe yaad tha khaala!" Daena hath railling par thehar gaya. Uske vahm o
gumaan mein bhi nahi tha khaala use sidra ki shadi par invite karen gi. aur
sirf invite hi nahi karen gi, balki yeh umeed bhi rakhen gi ke woh shirkat
bhi kere gi.

"To phir kab aa rahi ho tum?"

Jawaban woh kuch keh nah saki saira khala ke bohat ahsaan they us par aur
ab jab un ki ekloti beti ki khushi ka mauqa tha to....

"Wahan to woh sab bhi to hon ge khaala" uska rukh ab glass door ki taraf
tha. woh andar nahi dekh sakti thi magar andar jo mojood tha woh usey hi
dekh raha tha.

be qarari se nichala lab danoton taley dabay, muztarib nigahon se yahan

wahan dekhte, baen haath se sweeter ke button ko chairtay woh is lamhay
bohat pareshan lag rahi thi.

"bilaa shuba honge magar use tumhe kya lena dena? tum apne shohar ke
sath apni cousin ki shadi attend karne aa rahi ho. akeli nahi ho ke koi" kash
woh syra khaala ko btaskti ke woh ab bhi akeli hi hai. woh un sab ka
saamna aaj bhi nahi kar sakti.

"mere liye yeh bohat mushkil hai."

"Tum aana nahi chahati? Saira khaala ke lehjey mein ab khafgi thi.

"Aana chahti hon khaala magar aap to janti hain sab.." usne muthiyaan
bhinch kar jaise apni kefiyat par qaboo pane ki koshish ki thi.

"Meri ekloti beti ki shadi mein shirkat nahi karo gi tum?" saira khaala
ghamghin ho gayeen.

"jannat! woh tumhari shadi mein tumhara saya bani rahi tumhara har kaam
usne kya, aur jab is ki baari aayi hai to tum tum muh mourr rahi ho?"

jannat ki aankhon ki nami kuch aur gehri hui itni gehri ke har manzar
dhundlaa gaya.

"Mein mein aon gi. mein faris se baat kar ke aap ko batati hoon" usne baat
semathnay ki koshish ki.

"Theek hai..!" chand lamhoon ki khamoshi ke baad unhon ne phone band

kar diya.

jannat kitni hi der tak wahan khadi rahi. palke jhapka kar kar aanso-on ka
har assar mitate hue, jab kamray mein daakhil hui to faris ko dekh kar ruk
gayi. Trouser ki pockets mein haath daaley, neend se baydaari ke marahil
tay kar chuki aankhon ke sath woh usey hi dekh raha tha magar jis cheez ne
jannat ko chonka ya tha woh is ke labon par dahine gaal ki janib uthi hui
muskurahat thi. (Smirk)

aur uski yeh muskurahat jitni bhi khubsoorat thi, jannat kamaal ko
ghabrahat mein mubtala kar gayi. aik uchhkti nigah us par daale woh kamre
se nikal gaya tha.

Uski tanzia nigahain aur muskurahat ka kya matlab? Tarah tarah ke sar
uthatay andeshon ko jutlatay hue woh khaala ke baray mein sochnay lagi.
woh shadi mein shareek bhi nahi hona chahti thi aur khaala ko naraaz bhi
nahi karna chahti thi. be qarari se ungelian Mamodte hue woh tehalne lagi.
kya kere woh ab?

is aik masle ka aik hal tha magar woh hal faris ko challenge karne ke
mutradif tha. guzashta shab hone wali talkh kalami ke baad is ne faisla kya
tha woh is ke mamlaat mein mudakhlat nahi kere gi. magar ab Uski
dhamkian aur chubte sawalo ko woh bholi nahi thi magar phir!

•••

woh pandrah dinon ke liye karobari doray par London ja raha tha. kuch
zaroori meetings attend karni theen aur apni company ki London branch ke
mamlaat ko bhi dekhna tha. ticket confirm hui to is ne jane se do roz pehle
raat ke khanay par mrs. Shirazi ko apne schedule se aagah kiya.

"Akele kyun ja rahay ho, jannat ko bhi sath le jao." unhon ne itna achanak
kaha ke faris ne yak dam sar utha kar jannat ko dekha. woh atraaf se yaksar
be niaz plate mein chaawlon si khailnay lagi.

"Yeh kya kere gi mummy?

"Iski bhi outing ho jaye gi, kaam mein tum itne masroof ho ke honeymoon
bhi plan nahi kar sakay, kyun jannat! theek keh rahi hoon na mein?"

"jee, jee bilkul theek keh rahi hain aap." Usme foran takid ki. faris usey
dekh kar reh gaya. guzashta shab wazeh warning ke bawajood is larki mein
itni himmat thi ke woh aik baar phir uski maa ke zariye apna matlab
nikalwa rahi thi. faris ki aankhon mein khoon utar aaya.

"mummy! mein waha bhi masroof hoon ga. fursat se phir kabhi programme
banalen ge." Usne mrs. Shirazi ko qaail karna chaha. sath hi is ne jannat
kamaal ko khatarnaak tewaro ke sath ghora tha. aankhon mein Ghaiz o
gazabb ki lehar thi. dhamki bhi thi.mere khayaal se woh is ke tasurat se
khaif ho kar bol pari.

"mere khayaal se faris theek keh raha hai auntie!"

"khaak theek keh raha hai" mrs Shirazi khafgi se boli.

"Tum isey nahi janti mein janti hoon, kaam ka bahana yeh baar baar karega,
aur har baar hilay behano se talta rahega. ab ke unhon ne apne bete ko
khasay karre tewaron se ghoora tha.

"Jannat tumahre sath London ja rahi hai aur yeh mera aakhri faisla hai."

"Aap ko yaha akela chhorh kar kaise jaye auntie?"

faris ke tasurat ab is ki reerh ki haddi mein sansnahat dora rahay thay. aaj is
ki kher nahi!

"Nokaro ki fouj ke sath mein akeli nahi hoon" unhon ne jaisay hatmi faisla
sunaya.

"jannat! apni tayari karo, aur tum.." unhon ne faris ki taraf dekha.

"jannat ki ticket book karwao." lehja tahak mana tha. faris ne nahi asbat
mein sir hilaya nahi nafi mein. chand niwale kha kar aur uth kar chala gaya.

Us raat jannat kaafi takheer se kamray mein aayi thi yeh soch kar ke ab tak
woh so chuka ho ga magar na sirf woh jaag balkay aatish fisha bana is ke
intezaar mein tehel bhi raha tha. ab ke woh sahih maeno mein khaif hui thi.

"woh m-mein ne nahi kaha. auntie ne khud hi..."

"Jhoot mat balo!" Faris ne darshti se uski baat kaat di.

"Tumaray in ochhe hathkando se acchi tarah waqif hu me! pichhle do mah

se tum yahi to kar rahi ho."

jannat chup hogayi.

"mein ne tumhe warn kya tha mujh se faaslay par raho.." woh zeher fan
lehjey mein bola.

"woh aakhri warning thi jannat kamaal! aakhri warning!"

halaq mein ubharti gilty ko neechay utaartay hue jannat ne jaisay khud ko
paish anay wali har situation ke liye tayyar kar liya. ziyada se ziyada kya
kere ga woh? gussa dikhayega, jhagda kere ga, kamray se nikaal dega?
Talaq woh de nahi sakta, ghar se woh nikaal nahi sakta.

Uske bhagtay dorrtay zehen ko us lamhay jhatka laga jab faris ne is ke

samnay apne manager ko phone kar ke apni ticket cancel karwane ka kaha.
doosri taraf se ghaliban wajah poochi gayi thi, daleele bhi di gayi theen,
kyunkay jis kaam ke liye woh London ja raha tha, woh kaam be had ahem
tha.

"Meri wife ki cousin ki shadi hai. hamein woh shadi attend karni hai."
jannat ki aankhon mein dekhte hue usne jaisay dhamake kiya tha. woh apni
jagah sakit khari reh gayi thi.

"To miss jannat! umeed hai tumahare sath tumhari tarah khail kar mujhe
maza aaye ga. woh talkhi se muskuraya tha. aur jannat kamaal agle kayi
lamhoon tak palken tak nahi jhapka saki thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-13•
•••

behtareen intizamaa ke sath khubsurati se decorate kiye gaye shadi hall ke

saddar darwaze par mehmanon ka khush ikhlaqi se istaqbaal karti saira
khaala ki nazar jannat par pari to woh heran reh gayeen. aik lehze ke liye to
jaisay inhen yaqeen hi nahi aaya, aglay hi lamhay unhon ne agey barh kar
usey gale laga liya tha.

Faris wajdan ne mobile ki screen se nigah utha kar saira khaala ko dekha.
labon par dahinay gaal ki janib uthti madham muskaan ke sath woh jannat
ke khalu se aur un ke beton se mila. Amaar ke ilawa syra khaala ke teeno
betay khush ikhlaqi se mile.

Navy blue paint coat mein faris ka daraaz qad numaya ho raha tha. apni
shakhsiyat mein shandaar to woh tha hi magar Wajahat ke baais har kisi ki
nazron mein bhi araha tha.

safaid aur gulaabii rang ke imtezaaj ke ka madaar lehenga choli mein

malboos, jannat Bint kamaal sab kuch lag rahi thi magar khush nahi.
zabardasti ki muskurahat bhi uske honton par nahi thi. ankhen surkh
mutwaram jaise woh sara rasta roti rahi ho woh jitni upset thi, faris wajdan
utna hi khush aur mutmaen!

"Tum andar jao mein zaroori call attend kar ke aata hoon. jannat ne mathus
nigahon se usey dekha.

andar bhi woh akeli hi jaye? phir is ne khaala ko dekha jo dosre mehmano
se mil rahi theen. Amaar qadray faaslay par hi bigre tewaroon ke sath khara
tha.

"M-Mein tumhara yahin intzaar kar leti hoon!"

"Koi zaroorat nahi!" aankhon mein sakhti se dekhte hue is ne kaha.

phir qadray faasle par, shadi ke hangame, shor sharabe aur music ki taiz
aawaz se pare, woh phone kaan se lagaye kisi se baat karne laga. muthiyaan
bhinch kar jannat ne jaise apni ghabrahat par qaboo paaya phir himmat
mujtma kar ke hall mein daakhil ho gayi.

shadi ka ka shor sharaba, hungama sab jaisay khatam huwa tha. ya shayad
us ki samaat ne hi kaam karna chore diya tha ke ahistagi se qadam uthatay
hue usay yu laga tha jaise har taraf Moheeb sannata chhaa gaya ho. kayi
nigehain is ki taraf uthi theen, kayi logon ne aankhon hi aankhon mein aik
dosray ko ishare kiye they. aate jate logon ki markaz nigah bani aziat ki do
dahari talwar par qadam jamaye woh shadi hall ke sab se jate logon ki
markaz bani ki do dhari par qadam woh allag thalag hissay mein ja kar
baith gayi thi.

Jin logon ke samnay woh mar kar bhi nahi aana chahti thi, woh ab nazar
bhar kar usey dekh rahe they. usey jaanch rahay the.

'Bad naseebi ka agar koi roop hai to woh jannat kamaal ko daan kar diya
gaya hai. badbakhti agar koi maqam hai to woh jannat kamaal ko inaam kar
di gayi hai.'

us ka sar utha huwa tha magar nigahain jhuki hui theen. woh kisi ko dekhna
na chahti thi magar phir bhi sab usey nazar aa rahe they. behno ko woh
nazar andaz nahi kar saki thi. khusoosan Hafsa aapi ko woh unhe uthte
baithtay atay jatay dekh rahi thi. aur woh thi ke usey mukammal tor par
nazar andaaz kiye hue theen.

woh uski bhanjiyo aur bhanje doosre bachon ke sath khailtay kudte phir
rahay thay. Mubasar to uske paas se guzar gaya tha. yaqeenan behnoon ne
hi mana kar rakha tha tabhi woh iske paas nahi aaye they.

chhotey cha-cha aur phophoo ki family bhi wahan mojood thi. har chehray
par usey dekhte hi na gawari ubhar aayi thi. kuch to woh heran bhi ho rahay
thay ke woh yahan kaisay aagai thi?

"Tum yahan kyun aagai ho?" jannat ne choank kar sar uthaya. Ammar
shadeed ghusse mein lag raha tha.
"Apna tamasha banwane ka bohat shoq hai tumhe." jannat usey dekh kar
reh gayi. zair lab barr badate hue woh wahan se chala gaya. woh janti thi
Ammar yeh baat kisi wajah se keh kar gaya tha. uski bhi majboori thi. woh
kon sa apni marzi se yahan aayi thi.

faris kuch takheer se aaya tha. kursi khech kar is ke hamrah betha to aik
baar phir woh nazron mein aagai thi. to yeh tha jannat Bint kamaal ka
shohar. sab ne aaj dekha tha. sab ne aaj jana tha. apne heran hue thay. un ka
heran hona bantaa bhi tha. bhala koi jannat jaisi larki se shadi ke liye Raza
mand kaisay huwa tha? is ke liye to Zaman jaisay mard hi bachte thay.
naaqis! na mukammal! aisi hi tasweer thi us ki. kuch rang mfqod kiye hue,
woh dil se jo giri so giri, nazron mein bhi nahi rahi thi.

dahinay haath se baen haath ki kalayi mazbooti se pakdae, taang par taang
rakhay woh bazahir mazboot nazar aa rahi thi magar uske andar jo tor phore
ho rahee thi uska aks uski jhilmil karti aankhon mein lehra raha tha.

'kuch agar baqi bhi hai to aaj khatam ho jaye ga!' andar aik hungama barpaa
tha.

dulhan dulha ko stage par bithaya gaya to un ke aas paas apni behno ko
dekh kar aik baar phir dil ko kuch huwa. itni mohabbat o ihtimaam se woh
sidra ke agey peechay theen, uske aroosi jore ka daman set kar rahi theen.
aur khud woh apni shadi par kitni tanha kitni namukammal thi un ke
baghair.

"Mein tumhe hi dhoondti phir rahi hoon, aur tum yahan baithi ho jannat!"

jane kaha se khaala aayi aur zabardasti utha kar apne sath le gayeen.

Ammar ke chehray par aik baar phir na gawari dor aayi thi. woh apni maa
ko kuch khafgi se dekh raha tha. bhaari dil ke sath woh stage par charhi thi.
behne aik aik kar ke wahan se hatt gayi. Cousins bhi dur ho gayi. jo mojood
they woh is ki aamad par nagwari ka izhaar karne lagey they. faris wajdan
seenay par bazoo bandhe jannat ke tasurat se kaafi Mahzooz ho raha tha.

stage par dulhan ke hamrah baithi purkashish nuqoosh ki haamil us larki par
Sajida begum ki nazre yu thehri ke woh ba wujood koshish ke hata nahi
saki. unhon ne aeinak laga kar is ka har terhan se jaiza liya phir dil hi dil
mein usey apne betay ke liye pasand kar liya.

"Mujhe apne farhan ke liye, woh safaid kapron wali larki barri pasand aayi
hai. woh jo dulhan ke paas baithi hai, wohi"

unhon ne apni padosan ki beti shaista ki tawajah stage par baithi larki ki
taraf mahsool karwana chahi thi magar woh maiz ke barabar mein baithy
faris wajdan ko bhi mutwajjah kar baithi theen jis ne mobile screen se nigah
utha kar usi larki ko dekha jo dulhan ke pehlu mein baithi thi .

"arrey! yeh to jannat hai. yeh shadi shuda hai Bua!" shaista ne kaha.

"hain..?" Sajida begum ko aik dhachka sa laga. "Shadi shuda? mein samjhi
college ki student hogi"

"Suna hai shohar se alehadgi ho chuki hai is ki!"

Sajida begum to dhak se reh gayeen. itni mushkilo se unhen koi larki
pasand aayi thi jo na sirf shadi shuda thi balke ab Talaq Yafta bhi saabit
horahee thi.

"Alehedgi kyun ho gayi?" sadma kuch kam huwa to unhon ne kureda.

"Shohar ne doosri shadi jo kar li thi."

"Interesting!" kursi ki pusht se kamar tikaye hue faris seedha ho betha .

nigahe hain jannat par thehri theen. woh dulhan ka haath apne haath mein le
kar, uske kaan mein sargoshi karne lagi thi. Jawaba dulhan ne nah jane usse
kya kaha tha ke uski nigah be ikhtiyar faris ki taraf uth gayi thi. Shadi ke
hall me wo jis alag thalag kone me wo betha tha yaha se har taraf nigah
dohranaa kadre aasan tha.

"Itni khubsurat biwi ke hote hue bhi doosri shadi karli?" Shaista begum ko
yakeen na aaya.

"Aurat agar maa na ban sake to kaha ki khubsurati!"

Faris apni jagah sun betha reh gaya.

"Burhan jo iske Taya ka eklota beta hai, usse shadi hui thi iski! Bachpan ki
mangni thi, shadi mohabbat ki" un khawateen me jo kam umr thi wo bahut
kuch janti thi. "Jab intishkaf hua ki jannat baanjh hai, to maa ke mazboor
karne par apne cha-cha ki beti se doosri shaadi karli"

Jannat apni jagah se uth khadi hui thi. Chehre par khouf, ghbrahat,
pareshani ke tassur liye wo ab stage se utar kar usi ke taraf aa rahi thi.

"Too, phir ise talak kyu hui?" Shaista begum amatan ghoush thi.

"Arrey! Khala isne burhan ki biwi ka baccha jaya karne ki koshish ki thi"
shadi ka hungama, shor sharaba or Faris ki sakit nigahe jannat kamal ke
chehre par taher gayi.

"Khuda ki panah! Shakl se to esi bilkul bhi nahi lagti." Shaista begum darr
si gayi.

"Khalaa, amal shaklo par to nazar nahi aate hai!" Huma ne luqma diya tha.

"Bachpan se hi, ye aafat kisam ki larki hai bua , khuda maaf karey! Na
choto ki taamiz, na bado ka lihaaz. Bahut bad mizaaz or maghroor si. Isi ki
wajah se hi to iski ammi ka inteqal hua tha"

"Phir to iske sath jo hua thik hua!" Jane kisne kaha tha.

"Sirf itna hi nahi , pata nahi kaha kaha affairs chala rakhe the isne, mujhe
uski nand ne bataya tha. Sara din phone calls aati rehti thi. Kayi baar to
usne khud Jannat ko phone par bate karte hue dekha tha."

"Mein ne suna hai is ki harkato ki wajah se uske khandan walon ne uski

doosri shadi ke baad usse qata talluq kar liya tha." Saishta begum ne sir
utha kar aik baar phir usey dekha tha .

"khaala! usay dekhen woh!

huma ne inhen haath ke isharay se mutwajjah kiya. woh sir uthaye uski
taraf dekhne lagi jis taraf huma ishara kar rahi thi.
"woh Burhan hai jannat ka pehla shohar!"

black two piece suit mein malboos aik handsome sa no jawan hafti
muskuratay hue kisi larki ke hamrah andar daakhil ho raha tha.

woh maiz par wapas aayi to faris wahan kahin nahi tha. Usne fiqar mandi se
charon aur nigah dorhayi, phir taiz taiz qadam uthai shadi hall se bahar
aagai. sarsabz lawn se bairooni darwaze ki taraf jatay hue woh musalsal
uska number try kar rahi thi. mobile band bhi nahi tha. call receive bhi nahi
ho rahi thi.

parking area mein usey gadi ke paas khara dekh kar uski atki hui sansen aik
lamhay mein bahaal hui theen. yeh khayaal ke woh usey chhorh kar nahi
gaya, kitna tasalii bakhash tha aur yahi khayaal jin andeshon ko janam de
raha tha, woh kitney aziat naak thay.

woh khud ko compose kar ke uske paas aagai thi. Pockets mein haath
daaley gaadi se take lagaye navy blue paint coat mein malbos woh apni
tamamtar wajahato ke sath usay tareek raat ka hi hissa laga .

"Jitne log hain, itni hi kahaniyan hain aur har kahani aik se barh kar aik
interesting hai." woh barah e raaz uski aankhon mein dekhnay laga labn par
muskurahat thi. aankhon mein tazheek. Jannat ka chehra dhuwan dhuwan
ho gaya.

"To, Burhan wasif tumhare taya ka beta tha, mohabbat ki shadi thi, jo
mehez paanch saal tak rahi. phir usne tumhe chore diya!"

woh apni jagah munjamad usay palken jhhapkaye bina dekhe gayi.

"Tum ne is ke bachhe ko marne ki koshish ki" faris ke lehjey mein sadma

tha. lekin be yakeeni hargiz nahi thi.

"Mujhe herat hai usne tum par police case nahi hone diya. bohat mohabbat
karta hoga. warna kon is qadar sangeen ghalti ko nazar andaaz karta hai?"

Uski aankhon ki nami aik dam gehri hui thi. lab kapkaye they.

"Tum jaisi larkiyon ke liye bhala Talaq bhi koi saza hoti hai?"
jannat ka saans jaisey halaq mein atka tha. aankhon mein wehshat utri thi.
alfaaz goya sulagtey hue angare they, samat me parhte the or wajood ko
raakh kar dete the.

"Waisey Talaq ka sabab tumhara wohi karnaama tha ya phir koi aur wajah
thi?" Pockets se haath nikaltay hue woh seedha hua tha.

jannat baa-mushkil hi uske kaandhon tak pahunchti thi. aur ab to jaisay

qadmon mein hi thi.

'Raakh Khaak Dhool Mitti'

aage ko jhuk kar woh Mahzooz hoti nigahon se usay dekhne laga.
mukammal tor par bheegi hui aankhen surkh chehra kapkapata wujood
nichala lab be dardi se ragadte hue woh sir jukaye khari thi.

"herat hai! aaj tumhari zubaan nahi chal rahi." usay taajjub huwa tha.

'Na wazahat, na safai, na ma-ani ki talabb, nah pachtawe ka ehsas.'

"Suna hai kaafi affairs they tumahre! suna hai wrongs calls aati theen, suna
hai...!" Usne sar gira diya, jhuka diya haar manli, magar woh Faris tha.
hamle se baz phir bhi na aaya.

"Jo kuch sun chuka hoon! woh sab mummy ko batau ga to woh kya sochen
gi? aik aisi larki ko baho bana baithi hain jo unfertile hai. jis ne apni sotan
ke bacche ki jaan laine ki koshish ki hai. jis ke khandan ke log usey achhot
ki tarah treat karte hain. aur jo apni maa ki mout ka sabab bani hai!"

saans rokay, lab bheenchey usne sar utha kar faris ko dekha, woh bhi usey
hi dekh raha tha. sard pathreli nigahon se kuch nafrat, kuch hiqarat se, kuch
be rehmi, kuch bezariyat se.

"Jiske apne pao taley zameen nahi thi, woh mere sir se aasman khenchnay
chali thi!" jannat ki ankhen jhalak pari.

"Amaal agar shaklon par zabt hotay to khubsurat chehray kitney bhiyanak
lagtay."
faris ne chaabi nikaal kar button dabaya. gaari ka lock khul gaya.

'haan bhayanak lagtay bohat bhayanak lagey.'

"Mein kal shaam ki flight se London ja raha hoon, mummy ko phone par ke
dena tum yahan apni marzi se ruk gayi ho, jab tak mein wapas nahi aauga
tum apni khaala ke paas hi raho gi.."

"Aur haan!" Usne ruk kar tanbeehi nigahon se jannat ko dekha, phir ungli
utha kar zeher khand lehjey mein dhamki di.

"Ab agar tum ne mann maani ki to mujh se bura waqai mein koi nahi hoga"

gaadi start ho chuki thi. kuch hi dair mein woh wahan se ja chuka tha. aur
jannat Bint kamaal apni jagah sakit o Samat khari reh gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

'𝒘𝒐𝒉 𝒏𝒂𝒂𝒒𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒊. 𝒎𝒖𝒌𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒉𝒕𝒊 𝒕𝒉𝒊. 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒋𝒊𝒏𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒏

𝒕𝒂𝒒𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒂𝒂𝒒𝒊𝒔 𝒌𝒂𝒓 𝒅𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒉 𝒎𝒖𝒌𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒈𝒆 𐭩'

*ꜰʟᴀꜱʜʙᴀᴄᴋꜱ*

"kisi roz tumhe tumhari ye khush fehmiya le doobein gi." woh ab phoolay
tannafus ke sath andhere mein dekh rahi thi.

"Mein bohat achi tairaak hoon faris! usey laga ab zameen ab qadmo taley
nah rahi ho.

"behtareen tairaak bhi shark ki khurak ban jaya karte hain."

"Shayad is liye ke woh bar waqt saahil par nahi pahonch paate." woh lar
kharayi

"Tum pahonch jao gi saahil par?"

"Saahil par hi to khari hoon mein."

Aur yeh tha uska saahil. Uska kinara! woh apne is kinare se, khush gumani
ke is saahil se dabey qadam peechay hati.

𝑨𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑺𝒆 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓 𝑩𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒂

𝑨𝒊𝒔𝒊 𝑺𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒉 𝑺𝒆 𝑨𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒒 𝑩𝒆𝒉𝒕𝒂𝒓

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-14•
•••

'𝑫𝒊𝒍 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒇𝒂 𝒌𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒃,

𝒍𝒂𝒃 𝒑𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏;

𝒉𝒂𝒎 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒓-𝒆-𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒎𝒆,

𝒖𝒔 𝒌𝒐 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏

𝑾𝒐 𝒋𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒊,

𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒘𝒂𝒇𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏

𝑼𝒔 𝒌𝒊 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏,

𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏

𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒌𝒐 𝒛𝒖𝒃𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒌𝒆

𝒅𝒊𝒍 𝒌𝒂 𝒋𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒌𝒆

𝑬𝒉𝒅-𝒆-𝒘𝒂𝒇𝒂 𝒌𝒐 𝒕𝒐𝒅 𝒅𝒆,

𝒂𝒑𝒏𝒊 𝒎𝒂𝒋𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏

𝑼𝒔 𝒔𝒆 𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒐 𝒌𝒊 𝒅𝒐 𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒊

𝒉𝒂𝒎 𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒐 𝒂𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒉𝒊

𝑴𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒚𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒎𝒖𝒉𝒂𝒍,

𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒂 𝒎𝒖𝒉𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏

!'

❏❏❏

tie ki knot dheeli karte hue usne open kitchen ke samne ruk kar raahdaari
mein nigah dorhayi thi. madham

si roshni thi jo poore ghar mein phaily thi. ajeeb sa sannata tha jo har taraf
chaaya huwa tha. woh pandrah din baad London se lota tha aur ghar par
chhai hui yeh weerani usey ajeeb si kefiyat se do chaar kar gayi thi.

Mrs. Shirazi ke bad room ka darwaaza band tha. woh yaqeenan ab tak so
chuki hongi. woh un ke aaraam mein mukhil nahi hona chahta tha warna
aisa kabhi nahi huwa tha ke woh beron mulk doray se wapas aaya ho aur fil
for unse na mila ho.

woh sidiyon ka rukh karne hi laga tha jab nigah raahdaari ke ekhtatam par
studio ke adh khulay darwaze par par gayi. darwaze ki darz se jhankti zar
car roshni tiles par bhikri hui thi. aahista se qadam uthatay hue woh studio
room mein agaya.

tamam battiya roshan theen. deewar geer khirkion ke parday doriyon mein
bandhay hue they. bahar ka andhera khirkion se andar jhaank raha tha. rim
jhim barish ki madham si aawaz. sar-sara kar guzarti thandhi num hawaon
ka shor. Usne aik tayranah nigah hall mein dorhayi phir agey barhatay hue
mashriqi deewar ke paas rakhay carton par jhuk gaya.

mujhey hue phool kate wilson ka drawing paper, result card, trophies
khilone tasaveer ke album aik aik cheez ka sarsari se andaaz mein jaiza
letay hue uske haath mein apna purana wallet agaya.

wallet khaali tha. Us mein koi aisi cheez na thi jo usay mutwajjah karti
masiwaye uski chain ke jis ke doosre siray par shandar si talwar latak rahi
thi. talwar ke blade ke west mein aik magnetic chip thi jis par ungli phertey
hue usay yaad aaya tha ke is ke sath jari hui aik aur talwar bhi thi.

"Tum aa gaye beta!" Mrs. Shirazi ki aawaz par usne choank kar aqab mein
dekha tha. wheel chair par Barajman siyah shawl mein apna aap chupaye
woh maslak kamray se andar aa gayi theen.

"Mein samjha, aap so rahi hongi." key chain haath mein liye woh uth kar un
ke paas agaya. jhuk kar unki peshani ka bosa liya phir haath pakar kar hi un
ke paas side table par baith gaya tha.

"Tarikh ke according amount transfer kar diya hai meine." woh jaanta tha
mrs. Shirazi ab usse kya puchhne wali theen. magar sawal se pehley hi woh
inhen jawab day chuka tha.

Mrs. Shirazi ne sar utha kar usey dekha. aik karb sa un ki aankhon mein
thehr gaya. har mahinay ki yakam tareekh ko woh kuch aur hi suneney ki
mutamanni rehti, aur har baar faris wajdan ka yeh jumla inhen aziat mein
mubtala kar deta tha. har mah raqam transfer karne wala mohabbat transfer
nahi karta tha.

"Tumhe lagta hai, is nanhe yateem bachay ko tumhare paiso ki zaroorat

hai?" mohtaat andaaz mein unhon ne kuch aziat se poocha tha.

keychain ki talwar faris ki unglio mein mutharrak thi. sar jhuka huwa tha.
chehra hanooz tasurat se aari tha.

"usey tumhari zaroorat hai faris!" unhon ne jaise usey aagahi di thi. aik baar
phir ehsas dilane ki sae ki thi. woh khamosh raha tha. mushtael nahi huwa
tha.

"Usey saza mat do, uska koi qasoor nahi hai!"

"Mein kisi ko saza nahi de raha hoon." bohat ahistagi se is ne kaha.

"Mein sirf jeeney ki koshish kar raha hoon!"

Mrs shirazi ne uski aankhon mein aag dekhi, dard dekha, aziyat dekhi aur
phir jaise un ki har himmat dam tor gayi. yeh zulm hai. inhen ehsas huwa.
woh uske sath zayad-ti kar rahi hain. un ka dil betha. Shwal ke Palu se apne
ansoo ponchhe, phir yeh meem meem muskurahat mun par bikhertay hue
unhon ne mauzo hi badal diya.

"Tour kaisa raha tha tumahara? safar mein koi mushkil to nahi hui? aur
jannat ko kab lao ge faris? Uske baghair to is ghar mein khamoshi si dar
aayi hai."

Usne mrs Shirazi ke teeno sawal theek thaak sune, magar jawab sirf aik ka
diya.

"safar theek raha. bohat bhook lag rahi hai, Mein kuch khana chahta hoon."

woh jane ke liye utha tha.

"Mujhe pehle hi shaq tha. un ki aankhon mein ab bhi nami thehri thi magar
lehje mein khush goriyat lout aayi thi jaise kuch der pehle tak un ke mabain
aisi koi baat hi nah hui ho jis ne inhen hazaar ha tukron mein taqseem kar
diya ho.

"kaisa shaq?" darwaze ki taraf barhate hue usne ruk kar poocha tha.

"Yahi ke tum dono ki larai hui hai." mrs. Shirazi ne itminan se aagah kiya.

"Tum usey Lahore chore aaye magar is liye ke woh tumhare sath London na
ja sakey" unhon ne mashkook nigahon se dekhte hue kureda.

"Aisa to nahi huwa." woh sat pata gaya.

"Woh to apni marzi se.."

"Usey shadi attend karne se ziyada tumhare sath London jane ka shoq tha,
aik do ghanton mein usne mere sath baith kar jane kitney programmes
tarteeb de daale thay. mein maan hi nahi sakti woh apni marzi se ruk gayi
ho

gi" un ka andaaz qatiat bhara tha.

mutharrak wheel chair ke barabar qadam uthatay hue Faris lab bhinch kar
reh gaya.

"Sach-Sach batao larai hui hai tum dono ki?" mrs. Shirazi uske peechay
kitchen mein aagai theen. suni un suni kiye woh freezer khol kar khane ke
liye kuch dekhne laga.

"Mein kuch poochh rahi hoon Faris!"

"Yeh sawal aap ne apni Ladli se pooch liya hota." woh jaise jal kar bola tha.
mrs. Shirazi ne labon par ubharti muskurahat ko baa-mushkil roka.

"Usse bhi poocha tha! kehne lagi apni marzi se ruk gayi hoon"

"Lekin asal masla to wahi ka wahi hai, jab use tumhare sath London jaana
tha to phir shadi attend kar ke woh wapas kyun nahi aayi?"

"Ab mein kya keh sakta hoon?" microwave oven mein pizza garam karte
hue woh ulajh kar bola.

"Iska matlab hai tum dono ki larai hui hai." unhon ne kuch soch kar kaha.

"Larai..?" Timer ki aawaz kitchen mein gunji thi.

"Kaisi larai?" faris ki bhanwe suker gayeen. jabre bheench gaye.

'Jannat kamaal ab bhi baz nah aayi apni harkato se' Uska Parah charha.

"Husband, wife mein kya larai bhi nahi ho sakti?"

"Hamari nahi hoti!"

Agar jannat sun leti to ghash kha kar gir jati. Mrs shirazi ne achambhe se
usey dekha.

"Ab aap kya chahti hain?" woh zich huwa tha.

"Kuch nahi tum pizza khao" mrs. Shirazi ne muskurahat dabayi.

woh un ka hissa nikaalte laga to unhon ne mana kar diya. maiz par kohni
tikaye, band muthi thorhee par jamaye, woh usey bohat ghhor se aur
mohabbat se dekhne lagi. woh kuch uljhan ka shikar huwa tha. Khuli kitaab
to na tha magar mrs. Shirazi usey parh hi liya karti theen.

"Jannat theek hi kehti hai." chand lamho ke baad unhon ne kaha.

Usne chhuri se piece kaat kar muh mein daalte hue unhen dekha. aankhon
mein sawal tha. yani kya, kya kehti hai jannat?

"Yahi ke jab tum confusion ka shikaar hote ho to ziyada dilchasp lagte ho."
niwala faris ke halaq mein ataq gaya. woh be ikhtiyar khansane laga. mrs.
Shirazi ne foran glass mein pani undail kar usey diya. Usne chand aik
ghoont bharay. tanaffus bahaal kiya, phir sir utha kar mrs. Shirazi ko dekha.
woh muskura rahi theen. aur un ki muskurahat zindagi se bhar poor thi.

•••

Lahore ki subah barish ka libada oudh kar utri thi. aasman ki ujli nili rangat
par kuch der pehley tak simat jane wale baadal aik baar phir phail rahay the.
kuch aisi hi kefiyat uski bhi hui thi jab saira khaala ne usey jannat ki ghair
mojoodgi ke baray mein aagah kiya tha.

"Yahan nahi hai?" na lehjey mein fikar thi, na ghabrahat bas aik uljan ke ab
usey intzaar mein rukna parre ga jab ke woh jald az jald Islamabad jana
chahta tha.

"kab tak aaye gi?"

"Jannat ne tumhe nahi bataya?" khaala kuch mutfakkar nazar ayen. Usne
nafi mein sir hila diya. woh apni aaya ke ghar hai.

"Aap mujhe address bata de, mein usey wahi se pick kar laita hoon."

mobile nikalte hue use be had formal lehjey mein kaha tha. Saira khaala ne
kuch herat aur uljan se usey dekha tha. 'kya un pandrah dinon mein is ki aik
baar bhi jannat baat nahi hui hai?' 'ya phir jannat ne hi usey la ilm rakha
hai?' kuch hi der mein woh aaya ka address le kar ghar se nikal gaya tha.
Lahore ki sadko par gaari dorate hue usne ne aik baar phir jannat ka number
try Kiya tha. Uska mobile of jaa raha tha.

aasman par rim jhim barasti barish ne aik dam hi shiddat ikhtiyar kar li.
pandrah bees minute ki drive ke baad woh matlooba address par pahonch
chuka tha. zeli sadak se gaari andar woh le to gaya tha magar tang galiyo ki
bina par ab mazeed jana mumkin nahi tha.

chanar ke darakht taley gaari rok kar us ne samne dekha. Saira khaala ne
teesri gali mein siyah gate ki nishan dahi ki thi. darwaza khol kar bahar
nikalte hue us ne rain coat ka head apne sar par charha liya.

baadal aik dam shiddat se garje they. aawaz aisi thi jaisey aasman toot para
huwa. musla dhaar barish mein dayen mor murte hi woh gali mein siyah
rang ke teesre gate ke samne ruk gaya tha. aam ke ghane darakht ki shaakhe
sehan se bahar gate ke oopar bahar phaily hui theen. barish ka pani patton
se ras ras kar neeche gir raha tha.

Us ne darwaaza bajate hue apne siyah jooton ko dekha jo khichar se latt patt
ho chuke thay. takreeban paanch minute tak to woh gate hi dhar dhar a taa
raha, tab kahin ja kar gate khula tha.

sadah siyah shalwar kameez mein malboos, siyah shawl apne ird gir achhi
tarah se odey, sar par chhata tane jannat kamaal samne khari thi. kuch sakit
aur mutkahir si . rangat zard, hont be rang aur khushk. ankhen surkh o
mutwaram theen. dahine gaal ke oopar, aankh ke baen taraf neel ka gehra
nisaan, kuch soojan bhi thi shayad.
faris ki aankhon ki sard Mehri yak dam barhi. chehre ke tas surat sard ho
gaye. apni ye haalat bana kar woh duniya ke samne kya saabit karna chaah
rahi thi? yahi ke us par zulm wa sitam ke pahar torrey ja rahay hain? yeh
dramebaaz ladki usey zaher lagi thi.

jannat kamaal kuch herat se usey dekh rahi thi. peshani par bikhar kar gaal
par phisalti laton ko aaj woh samait kar peechay nahi hata rahi thi. rat jagey
ki gawahi deti ankhen be tarah se surkh zaroor theen magar num nahi.

chehre par kisi qisam ka ta-assur nahi tha magar aankhon mein aik be naam
ki khafgi lehra rahi thi, gussa bhi tha shayad.

"Laine aaye ho?" Usne yu poocha jaise woh kisi aur wajah se bhi aasakta
tha. lehja be ta-assur magar aawaz kuch bou jhal si thi.

"Majboori hai" daant pees kar intehai burudat se jawab dete hue faris ne
fasali nigahon se usey dekha. Aur use laga tha sayad majboori khatam ho
chuki hai. Ab wo use hamesha ke liye kher bad kehne aaya hai.

"Aur waqt nahi hai mere paas! Do minute mein pahuncho." akhar lehjey
mein hukum day kar woh jane ke liye murr gaya tha. barr barahat jari thi.
jhunjhalahat mein qadam utha taa woh shadeed ghusse mein lag raha tha.

Gadi ke qareeb pahonch kar usne murr kar peechay dekha to jannat chhatri
ke saaye mein ehtiyat se qadam uthaati nazar aayi. bag kandhe se latak raha
tha. Sar jhuka huwa tha aur shaano par bikhare seedhay girte lambe baal
chehre ko dono taraf se ghairay hue thay. Clutcher ab bhi haath mein hi tha
jaisey woh ujlat mein apna sab kuch samait kar foran hi bahar aagai ho .

woh qareeb pahunchi to faris ne Drashti se jannat ka baazu pakar kar uska
rukh apni taraf morra. takleef deh ta-assur chhupate hue jannat ne bazoo
chhurane ki koshish ki thi magar uski takleef mein aur izafa huwa tha .

"Apni yeh haalat bana kar, aakhir kya saabit karna chahti ho tum? tum par
zulm wa sitam ke pahar toar raha hoon mein? Jee jaan laga kar in pandrah
dinon mein apni yeh haalat banai hai taa ke mammy ke samne mera
tamasha bana sako? ab is haalat mein tumhe le kar jaoon mein? is haalat
mein...?" woh dubi aawaz mein dahara tha .
woh dam sadhay kuch sadme se uski aankhon mein dekh kar reh gayi.
baazu ki takleef jaisey aik lamhey mein gayab hui thi.

"Chahti kya ho tum?" woh dabi aawaz mein gurraya. qaher barsati aankhon
mein jaisey khoon bikhra huwa tha.

jannat ke lab bhinch gaye. aankhon mein surkhi phaily. magar usne jawaban
kuch nahi kaha.

"Pata nahi kisi gunah ki paidaish mein tum mere galey par gayi ho." jhatkay
se uska bazoo chhortey hue usne apni side ka darwaaza khola tha.

barr badate hue kuch jhunjhlaht ke aalam mein usne gadi start ki thi. yaka
yak hi usey apni unglio par chip chapahat ka ehsas huwa tha. yuhi daena
haath samne Kiya to woh khoon se surkh tha. woh apni jagah thitak kar ruk
gaya.

darwaaza khol kar jannat barabar mein baithi to usne be sakhta gardan
mourr kar usey dekha. chhatri tangon mein rakhne ke baad ab woh apne
balon ko samait kar clutcher mein jakar rahi thi. bohat ehtiyat aur ahistagi
se.

aik lamhey ke liye faris ki soch aur khayaal muntashir hue thay. aik lehje ke
liye kisi be maienay se khadse me sar uthaya tha. woh apne balon ko samait
chuki to usey laga shayad woh ab fursat se, hamesha ki tarah koi wazahati
jawab jab degi, koi anokha bayan day gi magar woh chup thi. goya muh
mein zuban hi na ho. Khidki ki taraf muh moray usne apni soorat bhi gum
kar li thi.

Faris ki nigah aik lamhe ke liye uske dahine baazu ke us maqam par ki thi
jisey usne intehai sakhti se pakra tha. phir is ne gaadi start kar di thi.

safar khamoshi se katne laga tha. wind screen par mutharrak wipers, kohre
mein lipta road, barish ki aawaz. shadid sardi, aur shawl mein apna aap
chupaye. khidki ki taraf apna rukh kiye, ankhen moonde hue wo baithi thi.
zara der ke liye hi us par ghunodghi chhai thi.
phir is ki aankh khul gayi thi. bukhaar ki shiddat se peeta o jo daal sardi ki
shiddat se kapkapa raha tha.

chehre ka rukh ab bhi khidki ki taraf tha. bhoole se bhi nah rukh badal rahi
thi. aur nahi hi usey dekhne ki ghalti kar rahi thi. woh bhi khamoshi se gadi
drive kar raha tha. herat angaiz tor par usne dobarah koi baat nahi ki thi.
nahi gussa dikhaya tha. nahi jhirkiya pilayi theen. nah hi un gunaaho ka
hawala diya tha jin ki paidaish mein woh uske galey par gayi thi.

Khushk labon ko tar karte hue usne gehra saans liya. faris ne gaadi petrol
pump ke samne sadak ke ain kinare par rok di thi. agey petrol dalwati
gadion ka rush tha. woh rain coat ka head sar par charhaye gaari se nikal
gaya. jannat samney dekhnay lagi. dhund mein malfoof darakht bas chand
qadmon ke faasle tak hi wazeh the. Usne pani ke chand mazeed ghoont
bharay. phir dahinay haath ki unglio se kanpatti dabanay lagi.

woh khana order par pack karwa kar palat hi raha tha jab usne aawaz suni
thi. musalsal bajta horn. tyre ki chir chrahat aur phir tassadam. usne petrol
pump par mojood logon ko dayen simt bhagtay dekha. barish kuch ziyada
hi taiz hogayi thi. har manzar dhundlaa tha. mubhim tha. ghair wazeha !

"Accident ho gaya" koi keh raha tha. barish ke shor mein ab logon ki taiz
aawaz mein bhi shaamil hogayi theen. kisi ehsas, kisi andaishay, kisi
khayaal ke tehat usne ujlat mein qadam uthate hue wahan dekha jahan uski
gadi khadi thi.

agley hi lamhe, uska dil ruka, sase tham gayeen. parcel hath se chhut gaya.
shayad zameen chakrayi thi ya aasman sar par gira tha. woh tassadam, woh
koi aam tassadam to na tha.

be qaboo hoti gaadi is ki gaadi se aakar takrayi thi jis ki wajah se uski gaadi
gumti hui bulandi se neeche ja giri thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-15•
•••

"JANNAT!" Uska saans ruka.

Be ikhtiyar ho kar woh usi taraf barha jis taraf logon ka hajhoom tha. kinare
par uske pounchane se bhi pehley gaari aik zor daar dhamake se aag ki
lapait mein aayi thi. woh pathhar hu to chand lamho tak patthar hi raha.
sakit, samait, jaamed sadme se qowat mili. qadam be sakhta hi us taraf
uthaye. beech raste mein hi kuch logon ne agey badhne se rok liya.

hawaas misl ho rahe the. woh gehre sadme mein tha. apna aap chhurate hue
agay badhna chaah raha tha magar log usey agey badhne nahi de rahe thay.

"Faris.."

aan ki aan mein yeh kya huwa tha? kyun huwa tha? usne yeh to nahi socha
tha. usne yeh to nahi chaha tha .

"FARIS!" ab ke aawaz buland thi. kapkapati hui aur darasht thi. jaisey kisi
ne poori jaan laga kar usey pukara ho.

be jaan hoti tangon ke sath usne aik jhatkay se murr kar peechay dekha. sar
par chhata taane sardi ki shiddat se kapkapati kuch kamzor aur nidhaal si
jannat aankhon mein uljan liye is ke samne hi khari thi. kuch hi faasle par.

Sadme se faris ki nigah dagmagayi woh tham gaya, ruk gaya, thehr gaya.
lamhay bhar ke liye usey apni aankhon par yaqeen nahi aaya tha. aa bhi
kaise sakta tha? woh mujassam haqeeqat bani uske samne kaisay khadi thi?
woh to gaari mein.

aankhon mein be yakeeni aur uljan liye, apne aap ko logon ki girift se azad
karte hue woh uski janib badha. jannat nasamjhi ke aalam mein usey
dekhne lagi. uski tabiyat theek nahi thi. sar dar se phataa ja raha tha. sardi
aziat badha rahi thi magar faris ki ankhen uske tasurat uska khauf aur
ghabrahat us par roshan din ki tarah ayaan tha.

"Mere sar mein dard tha to mein tablet laine ke liye..." usne khwamkhwa
wazahat di.

aasman par bijli chamki. phir ghan garaj ki aawaz har simt gunji. woh us
par nigah jamaye apni jagah khada raha.

ab ke jannat ne uske aqab mein dekha. shayad woh accident ki noiyat aur
nuksaan ke bare mein janna chaah rahi thi. aglay hi pal uska halaq khushk
huwa tha. zameen ne qadam jakar liye they. nigahein sholon par jham kar
reh gayeen.

siyah Prado jo un ki gaadi se takrayi thi us gaadi mein aik hi nojawan tha.
zakhmi tha aur usey gaadi mein daale chand muqami log usi waqt hospital
ke liye rawana ho gaye the. lekin un ki gaadi jo bulandi se giri thi. Us mein
to koi bhi nahi tha. magar phir bhi dono ki haalat aisi thi jaisey un ka
nuksaan ho gaya ho. jaise woh sholon ki lapait mein gaari ke andar hi reh
gaye ho.

Usne phir faris ko dekha. woh kamzor asaab ka shakhs nahi tha. aur aisa bhi
nahi ke gaadi ka nuksaan usey pareshani mein mubtala kar de to phir woh
itna mutfakir kyun lag raha tha? itna be chain aur be qarar kyun dukh raha
tha? is ki aankhon ki surkh dard ki akkaasi kyun kar rahi thi? chehre ke
tasurat muhsme mein kyun daal rahe the?

kya is liye ke woh bach gayi thi? kya is liye ke uske ghair zaroori wujood se
jaan chhurane ka aik mauqa haath se nikal gaya tha? usey sadma huwa.

haan! shayad yahi wajah hai yakeenan yahi wajah hai. lab bhinch kar woh
sakht tasurat ke sath usi waqt jane ke liye murr gayi thi. samne hi store ke
shutter taley rukhte hue usne ghusse se surkh parte chehre ke sath faris
wajdan ko dekha jo us ke barabar mein aa khada huwa tha.

"Andar aa jao sahab!" 13, 14 baras ka larka store ke counter se chillaya tha.
aik lamhe ka tawaquf kiye baghair jannat foran hi seedhi chadh kar andar
chali gayi. kursi khech kar baithte hue usne ne sard nazron se faris ko
dekha. barsati ka head utarte hue usne gardan tak charhi hui zip khech kar
seene par thehra li thi. aik haath musalsal harkat mein tha jaisey usey
ghutan ho rahi ho aur woh shirt ke oopri button khol lena chahta ho sakhti
se daant par daant jamaye jannat ne chehre ka rukh phair liya.

mout ! baddua ! bad naseebi ! saza !

tambiya !

usne ankhen moond li. woh apni kefiyat par qaboo pane ki koshish kar rahi
thi, magar yeh aasaan nahi tha. hargiz aasaan nahi tha. agar woh gaadi mein
hoti to is waqt uska dam ghuta usey laga agar us ne fi al-waqt khud ko na
sambhala to usey kuch ho jayega. pandrah din pehlay bhi us par aisi hi
kefiyat taari hui thi. lekin tab usne khud ko sambhaal liya tha. ab
sambhaalna kuch mushkil lag raha tha.

"Pani dena!" ladka bhaag kar mineral water ki bottle nikaal laya. chand
ghoont bhar kar usne biscuit bhi utha liye thay. juice bhi le liya. apne
associate Aadil Ahmed se phone par baat karte Faris ki nazar yaka yak us
par pari aur woh ruk gaya. Kya keh raha tha yeh bhi bhool gaya.

juice ke sath biscuit khate hue woh cheeze utha utha kar dekh rahi thi. un ki
qeemat pooch rahi thi. apni raye aama se bhi aagahi day rahi thi. terah
chodan saal ka pathan ladk barh charh kar uski khidmat dario mein laga
huwa tha. Faris ki ragein tan gayeen. jabre bhinch gaye .

'kya is be his ladki ko zara sa bhi ehsas hai ke mout usey qareeb se salam de
kar ke gayi hai?'

"Baji! aur kuch chahiye aap ko?" pathan ladka bohat khush tha. mustadi se
apna har kaam sar anjam de raha tha.

"haan, Jara wo lays chips bhi le aao, aur yeh chili mili yeh nai aayi hain
kya? pehley to kabhi nahi dekhi. aur is ka flavour kaisa hai?" ab woh kuch
aur utha kar pooch rahi thi.

"Yeh bacha log khata hai baji! Ham ko nahi maloom"

"Yeh kitney ka hai?"

"Das rupay ka baji!"

"Das rupay? paanch ki do ge to lungi."

"Sir! aap kuch keh rahay the." Aadil Ahmed ki aawaz par woh sir jhatak kar
phone ki taraf mutwajjah huwa.

"Baji! abhi tum bola tumahra sar mein dard hai. hamara amma boltaa hai
sar me dard ho to khatti cheez nahi khaani chahiye."

Aadil Ahmed ko zaroori Hidaayat de kar woh mura to zard rangat aur surkh
padtee aankhon ke sath jannat kamaal teesra chips ka packet khol rahi thi.

"Yeh tumahra store hai Khan?"

"Nahi baji yeh Gul Khan ka store hein, ham to pakore bechta hain.." pakore
baichnay se hi usey kuch yaad aaya to foot se bola.

"Aaj tum bhi bach gaya. Ham bhi bach gaya!".Jannat ne kuch heran ho kar
usey dekha tha.

"Woh jaha tumhara gaadi khada tha na ham idhar roz pakore bachata hai,
lekin aaj barish tha is liye aaj ham nahi baicha agar barish nah hota to ham
idhar khada nah hota. aur phir hamara amma ro raha hota"

saans roke jannat usey dekh kar reh gayi.

"Suqar hai tumahra gaadi bhi khaali tha. Suqar hai, ham bhi wahan nahi
tha" usne sar hila hila kar khushi ka izhaar kiya tha.

"Tumhe lagta hai, Allah ne hame bachaya hai?" bohat mohtaat ho kar, aur
khasi soch o bichaar ke baad is ne bazahir pust aawaz mein poocha tha
magar aawaz itni bhi past na thi ke faris wajdan ki samaaton se na takrati.

"haan! Allah ka boht boht shuqar hain baji !"

"Aisa bhi to mumkin hai ke yeh aik warning ho. mere liye tumhare liye ya
shayad kisi aur ke liye?"

ladke ne achanbhey se jannat ko dekha .

"Warning? Kaisa warning? Wallah! Ham bohat achhe pakore banata hai.
safai ka bhi bohat khayaal rakhta hai, kisi din kha kar dekho"

Faris wajdan ne ain usi waqt uske aur larke ke mabain haal us choti si maiz
par juice patka tha.

"Kitne ka hai?" daant pees kar keemat poochi ja rahi thi.

ladke ne sar utha kar faris ko dekha. is grahak ko to woh yaksar faramosh
kar betha tha. jannat ne gardan seedhi ki. nagwari se usey dekha, phir rukh
badal gayi. pathan larka ab faris ki khidmat darion mein lag gaya tha.

woh pichhle daidh ghante se maiz par head down kiye baithi thi. na neend
aa rahi thi, na sukoon mil raha tha. sulagti hui muttwaram aankhe bhi ab
takleef pahunchane lagi theen.

pathan ladka uske liye chai le aaya tha. Tablet wo le chuki thi magar uski
tabiyat thi ke kisi bhi soorat sambhalne mein nahi aa rahi thi. jism mein ab
maror uth rahe thay. koi aisa intizam bhi nahi tha ke woh daraaz ho kar so
jati.

"Sahab! Tumahara aadmi kab aaye ga?" pathan larka sirf unhi ki wajah se
store band nahi kar raha tha. faris ne kalayi mourr kar waqt dekha. Uske
andaze ke mutabik Aadil ko ab tak pahunch jana chahiye tha.

kuch soch kar usne mobile nikala. aur us se qabal ke woh call karta, siyah
mercedes store ke samne aa khadi thi. head lights ki taiz roshni glass door
par pari. horn bhi baja aur mobile par call bhi aane lagi.

jannat ne be sakhta sar uthate hue bahar dekha. samne do gadiya theen. aik
mein Aadil aur doosri gaari me uske guard sawaar the.

"Is everything all right sir!" Aadil andar aa gaya tha. usey accident ki
tafseelaat se aagah karte hue woh darwaze mein hi khara raha tha.
Aadil Hadayat le kar palat gaya to usne sarsari nigahon se jannat ko dekha
jo apni jagah sar th kar usi taraf aa rahi thi.

Faris ke kareeb se guzarte hue, usey aik dam apna sar ghoomta mehsoos
huwa, is se qabal ke woh larkhara kar girti, faris ne bar waqt usey baazu se
pakar kar sambhaal liya.

faris ki yeh harkat itni ghair mutawaqqa aur achanak thi ke jannat ko
sambhlne mein aur phir sambhal kar samjhne mein chand lamhay lagey.
agley hi lamhe usne shadeed ghusse ke aalam mein badak kar apna baazu
yu chhuraya jaise usey saanp ne pakar liya ho. deewar ka sahara le kar apna
tawazun barkarar rakhte hue usne sakht pathreli nigahon se usey dekha.

"Mera haath kyun pakra tum ne?" ab ke uska sawal, rawayya aur tasurat
faris wajdan ke liye ghair mutawaqqa thay. woh is position mein hargiz nahi
thi ke is se behas mubahise kar sakti. bukhaar ki shiddat se jism tap raha
tha. ankhen dhundla rahi theen. sar ghoom raha tha. aur tab bhi woh samajh
rahi thi ke agar koi bewaqoof usey girne se bacha raha hai to uske haq mein
ghalti kar raha hai. Faris ke Jabrey bheench gaye.

Aadil Ahmed aur guards ke samne jis tarah woh uske sath paish aayi thi,
woh baa-mushkil zabt kiye khada tha warna dil chaah raha tha aik thapar to
laazmi jad de usey.

"Baji! yeh larai warai khatam karo. tumara tabiyat kharab hai. tum gir jaye
ga." pathan larke ne hi usey calm down karne ki koshish ki thi. In do
ghanton mein un ke liye diye rawayye se woh itna to jaan hi chuka tha ke
koi aala aur ghair mamooli qisam ki dushmani hai jo in dono mein jane kab
se chali aa rahi hai.

"Mujhe ab girne se dar nahi lagta Khan!" Faris ki aankhon mein dekhte hue
woh darasti se boli.

"Mein pandrah din pehley parking area mein giri thi, phir khud uth kar aur
khud chal kar bhi gayi thi. ab bhi girungi to khud uth kar jane ki himmat hai
mujh mein!"
"Mein bhi koi mara nahi ja raha tha tumahra haath pakarne ke liye." Faris
ne dabi aawaz mein jhirak kar kaha.

Bigre tewaro ke sath jannat ne fat se chhatri khol di. agar Faris Bar waqt
apna sar peeche na hata ta to noke us ke sar mein zaroor lagti. woh phoolay
tanaffus aur bigre tewaro ke sath sambhal kar qadam uthai bahar nikal gayi.
gaari tak pounchane se pehlay is

ka paon phisla tha. ( halaanke ke woh kitney ehtiyat se qadam utha rahi thi )

aur woh aik baar phir neechey giri thi. bohat buri tarah se sab dabi krah
uske halaq se kharij hui. oopar se barish ki bochhaar jis ne chand second
mein hi usey mukammal bhigo diya tha. chhatri jane kahan gayab hui thi.

"Khadoos se meri himmat bardasht nahi hui, nazar laga di!"

woh apni kohni sehlate hue musalsal ro rahi thi. Jane kya soch kar jane kya
samajh kar aur jane aur kitni takleefo par. halanke usey faris wajdan ke
samne nahi kabhi rona tha, nahi kamzor padna tha lekin yeh gham ke woh
giri aakhir faris wajdan ke samne hi kyun giri? kyun? aur tab hi usne faris
ko zeena utar kar apni taraf aate dekha. labon par tanzia muskurahat thi.
jannat ka chehra

khaft se surkh par gaya. Uske sar par pahonch kar faris ne apna haath
badhaya. khairaat ki tarah ke lo khud se pakdo ke tumhe is situation se
nikala ja sake.

Wo bhi jannat kamal thi. tanaffur se uska haath jhatak kar baghair kisi
madad, baghair kisi sahare ke khud se hi uth khari hui. koi haddi vaddi nahi
tooti thi ke usey ab bhi kisi sahare ki zaroorat padtee. chote hi to aayi theen.
aur chote! woh to usey hamesha aati rehti theen. is se bhi to mushkil tareen
waqt dekha tha usne to phir aise kaise kamzor par jaye. keechar se latt patt
kapron ke sath mukammal tor par bheegi hui ab woh apne qadmon par khari
thi. dil chaha ab to cheekh kar ro parre. lekin usne sabr ka muzahira kiya
aur gaadi ka darwaaza khol kar dahap se andar baith gayi.

Darwaza usne zor se band kya tha. pathan ladke ne sukh bhar saans le kar
glass door band kiye, shutter giraya aur yeh Jah wo ja. aqbi nashist ka
darwaaza khol kar Faris uske barabar mein betha to usne danista apne
chehre ka rukh khidki ki taraf mour liya. Uski shakal aisi ho rahi thi jaisey
woh khoob dil khol kar rona chahti ho magar kisi wajah se ro nahi pa rahi
ho.

"Jee sab theek hai mummy! aap pareshan mat ho." Faris ne ruk kar phone
par kuch suna.

"Kuch log barish mein kartab dikhnana chaah rahe the, to bas wohi dekhte
dair ho gayi." jannat ne zabt kar ke muthiya bhinch li. Faris ne kalayi morr
kar waqt ka hisaab lagaya.

"Hum bas daidh do ghante tak pahonch jayen ge." phir usne Allah Hafiz
kehte hue call kaat di thi. jannat ki rangat safaid ho rahi thi. hont neelay par
rahe the. thandak ka ehsas hadion mein ghusta mehsoos ho raha tha. lekin
woh sar uthaye yun baithi thi jaisey bas shoqia hi kapkapa rahi ho.

Aadil Ahmed ne gaadi start kar di. Main road par gaadi daalne tak sab theek
tha. phir jab gaadi ne sarayat pakri tab bhi woh gardan uthaye sheeshon par
phisalti barish ko bare sukoon ke sath dekh rahi thi. Uske baad jane kya
huwa, uski ankhen band hone lagi. sar dhalak kar sheeshe se jaa laga. haath
be jaan ho kar pehlu mein girey. aur usey apne aas paas ka koi hosh nahi
raha.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-16•
•••

Pakke sehan ki mazboot sidiyon ka manzar tha. safaid tiles par dhair hotay
kisi wujood ki krah sadma. wehshat be yakeeni aur phir wohi aawaz jo is ke
hawaas mukhtal kar diya karti thi. aik jhatke se kanch toota tha. sheeshay ke
tukre bikhare the. cheekhain ubhri theen.

Jannat… N-Nahi jannat… please K-Khuda ke liye... Jannat… mera

baccha...!

Usey saans Laine mein dushwari ho rahi thi. bukhaar ki hiddat se peeta
wujood dard ki lapait mein tha. takleef ki shiddat se krahte hue usne be
cheeni se karvat badli. phir zair lab barr badate hue rone lagi.

zehen aik baar phir ghamdghi mein doob gaya tha. dobara jab usey hosh
aaya to raat ke daidh baj rahe the. usey bhook ka shiddat se ehsas huwa.
muh ka zayeja zahreela sa ho raha tha. usne etraaf mein nigah dorhayi.
kamray ki khirkion par dabeez parday giray hue thay. lights off theen, sirf
nilgon bulb jal raha tha. heater on tha, tab hi kamre mein sardi ka ehsas nahi
ho raha tha. gehra tanaffus lete hue woh kisi qader koshish se uth kar baith
gayi thi. aakhri manzar jo zehen mein mehfooz tha, woh gaari ka tha.

madham si nilgo roshni mein faris usey samne coach par nind daraaz
dikhayi diya. ankhen band theen. tanaffus hamwar. yaqeenan gehri neend
mein tha. jannat ne dahine haath par nigah dorhayi. canolla mojood tha. drip
utar chuki thi.

Usne bad side par rakhi dawaon ko dekha. phir ulje bikhare balon ko
samaitt kar farsh par qadam jamate hue uth khari hui. lamhey bhar ke liye
lar kharayi phir sambhal gayi.

Uska rukh washroom ki taraf tha. wash basin ke samane ruk kar usne khud
ko aaine mein dekha. chehare ki sard jild ko chhuwa. surkh dooron wali
bheegi hui aankhon ko dekha. be sakhta kisi khayaal ke tehat safaid lbade ki
khuli dheeli aasteen ko upar kiya.

bazu par moujood zakham ki bandage ki gayi thi. usne bandage ko hata kar
dekha. chaar tankay lagey the. woh aik baar phir apne aks ki taraf
mutwajjah hui. peshani par neel ka nishaan kuch gehra lagne laga. usey
fikar hui. mrs. Shirazi se chhupana ashad zaroori tha. warna woh dekh kar
sawal karengi. sawal aziat se dochar kere ga. aziat nakayto mein dhal kar
aankhon mein ayaa hogi aur phir uska koi bhi jhoot unhen mutmaen nahi
kar paye ga.

Muh dho kar woh kamre mein wapas aagai. garam shawl kaandho par daalti
be had ehtiyat se bahar nikal gayi. seedhiyan utar kar usne kitchen ka rukh
kiya tha. kuch hi der mein freezer khole surkh mutwaram aankhon se
khanay ke liye kuch dekh rahi thi.

chicken kadahi, fried fish usne microwave mein khana garam Kiya aur abhi
kursi khech kar khane ke liye baithi hi thi ke qadmon ki aahat samaat se
takrayi. niwala toar kar saalan mein dubote hue woh dekhe bina hi jaan gayi
thi ke raat ke is pehar sidhiya utar kar neechay kon araha hai.

Pehley freezer khola gaya. doodh nikala gaya. Cabinet khol kar patti aur
cheeni ke jar talashe gaye. burner jalaya gaya .

aur is douran woh atraaf se yaksar be niaz khamoshi se khana khati rahi.
chaye cup mein daale woh sauad hall lounge mein ja kar baith gaya tha.
open kitcehn se woh baasani dekh sakti thi.

T.V. on kiye, channel surffing karte woh ghoont ghoont chai, apne andar
utar raha tha. jannat ne bas aik lamhey ke liye uski pusht ko dekha, phir
sapat tasurat ke sath, sink mein istemaal shuda plates rakh kar apne kamre
mein aagai. bad side table par dawaon ke sath auqaat ki nishandahi karte
notice bandhe. kon si tablet kis waqt leni hai aur din mein kitni baar leni
hai sab darj tha. lab bhinch kar woh glass mein pani undhelne lagi.

dawa laine ke baad usne apna lehaaf aur takiya uthaya aur aik baar phir apni
Sabiqa jagah, yani sofe par ja kar late gayi.
phir jane kab uski aankh lag gayi thi. aur khuli tab, jab kisi ne kandha
hilaate hue pukara tha. aawaz ghair manoos thi. ankhen khol kar usne khud
par jhuke chehray ko dekha. kuch dhundlaa sa tha.

"Kya baat hai?" aawaz bhaari thi.

"Ab kaisi tabiyat hai aap ki?"

jannat ne us larki ko dekha jo garam kapron par siyah rang ke sweeter mein
malbos, dupatta saliqay se jamaye chamakti roshan aankhon se usay dekh
rahi thi.

"kon ho tum?"

"Mein aqsa hoon jee!"

"Aqsa kon?" hawaas kuch bedaar hue to woh uth kar baith gayi.

"Abdul gafoor ki beti!" Abdul gafoor unke mali the wo Saher me kam karte
the magar family gavo me rehti thi. Aqsa ab kuch mutfakir nigahon se usay
dekhnay lagi.

"Aap theek hain jee?"

"Haan!" chehray par dono atraaf se phisaltay balon ko kaan ke peechay

urrjte hue usne kaha phir sar utha kar khirkion ki taraf dekha. dabeez parday
dooriyon mein bandhay hue the. Sooraj ki taiz roshni chhan kar andar aa
rahi thi. kitne dinon baad Sooraj nikla tha.

"Aap ke liye kuch khane ke liye lau?chicken soop banaya hai jee, meethay
mein kheer bhi banai hai."

jannat ne be sakhta dahinay haath ki pusht par nigah dorhayi. cannula utar
chuka tha.

"Mein yahan kab aayi thi?"

"Parson shaam mein aap ko sahab laaye thay."

"Sahab laaye the? " phaans ki tarah koi shai jannat ke halaq mein atki.

"Kaise laaye thay?"

"Utha kar laaye thay jee aur kaise laate?" woh heran ho kar jannat ko
dekhnay lagi. jannat ka rang ura.

"Aap ki itni tabiyat kharab thi. jism mano aag mein jal raha tha." aqsa ne
baat jari rakhi.

"Mein saari raat baith kar thande pani ki pattiyan hi karti rahi. phir faris
sahab ne dr ko bulaya. tab ja kar aap ka bukhaar kam huwa" bare sansani
khaiz andaaz mein chehray ke tasurat ke utaar charhao ke sath apni baat
mukammal kar ke usne jannat ko dekha. Woh herat se aqsa ko dekh kar reh
gayi.

Guzista chowis ghanto ka uske paas koi hisab hi na tha. Nahi use kuch yaad
tha. wo chand lamhe khali zehni kefiyat se bethi rahi. Phir usne uth kar
shower liya. Kapde badal kar usne mamool ki tarah brush se baalo ko suljha
kar clutcher me jakda. Sweater pehna, shawl odhi. Fir aqsa ke hamraah
niche aa gayi.

Himmat jama karke usne mrs. Shirazi ke kamre ka rukh kiya tha. Dastak de
kar darwaza khola. Wo samne hi bad par bethi dikhai di aankho par glass
lagaye kitab padh rahi thi. jannat par nazar parte hi unhen khush gawaar
herat ne ghair liya.

"Jannat beta! bahar kyun khari ho, andar aao" lehjey mein kitna pyar tha
aur aankhon mein kitni fikar thi. bhaari qadam uthaati woh be had
khamoshi se un ki baho mein sama.gayi thi.

'Jo kuch sun chuka hoon woh sab mein ko batau ga to woh kya sochen gi?
aik aisi larki ko baho bana meethi hain jo infertile hai, jis ne apni sotan ke
bachay ki jaan lainay ki koshish ki hai. jis ke khandan ke log usey achhot ki
tarha treat karte hain. aur jo apni maa ki mout ka sabab bani hai.'

kitni hi der tak woh un ke seene se lagi rahi thi. aur phir kitni hi der tak un
ki aankhon se jhalakti is mohabbat ko bhi dekhatii rahi jo waqti inaam aur
adhoore khawab jaisi thi .

"Ab kaisi tabiyat hai?" unhon ne usk sar uska maatha chooma tha. usne
palke jhapka jhapka kar aankhon mein ubharti nami ko rok liya tha.

"Behtar hai!" unhon ne mazeed kuch na poocha, koi baat na kahi, koi sawal
nah dohraya. bas apne baazu ke hisaar mein liye jane kya kuch parh kar is
par phoonkti rahi.

"Nazar lag gayi hogi. Us din meri beti pyari bhi to bohat lag rahi thi."

jo bad duaon ke zair assar rehte hon, unhen nazar nahi laga karti. magar
woh yeh baat mrs. Shirazi ko nahi bata sakti thi. kuch waqt un ke paas
khamoshi se bita kar woh aaraam ki gharz se kamre mein aagai thi. aik baar
phir usne pur sukoon rehne ki koshish ki thi. aur aik baar phir band aankhon
ne uski har koshish nakaam bana di thi. aur woh phoot phoot kar ro di thi.

woh mrs. Shirazi ko kisi bhi soorat pareshan nahi karna chahti thi. unhen
kisi gehri aziat ya sadme se dochar nahi karna chahti thi. woh un ki aankhon
mein apne liye nafrat, nagwari jaisey tasurat nahi dekh sakti thi aur nahi un
ki duaon mohabbat aur shafqat ke saaye se mahroom hona chahti thi.

woh janti thi faris ne unhen kuch bhi nahi bataya hoga. woh apni maa se be
panah mohabbat karta tha. aur jab yeh tay tha ke kisi deal ki tarah tay kiye
gaye is rishte ne bhi khatam ho hi jata hai to woh ghar mein khwamkhwa ki
tension peda nahi karna chahega. woh ab bhi us par koi dabao nahi daaley
ga. Us par sakhti nahi kere ga. roz maraah maloomat ko waisey hi chalne de
ga jaisay woh pehle se chal rahay the. pichlle teen mah ki routine qaim
rahay gi.

sakht nagwari, na pasandeedgi aur ghusse ke bawajood ab bhi us par koi

roab nahi jamaye ga. woh ab bhi apni maa ki khatir usey apni itna margin
diye rahega ke woh is ghar mein apni marzi wa mansa se waisay hi zindagi
guzaar sake, jaisi woh pehle guzaar rahi thi taakay un ke mabain talluq ki
noiyat ki inhen khabar nah ho. magar kya ab woh pehle ki tarah wajdan
house mein reh paye gi? yeh aik mushkil sawal tha.
Uski saari koshishen is rishte ko barqarar rakhnay ke liye theen. magar ab
usay yeh na mumkin lag raha tha. mustaqbil ke hawalay se usne bohat kuch
soch rakha tha. magar ab usey andheron ke siwa kuch nazar nahi aa raha
tha.

Woh naaqis, adhuri, namukammal woh kisi ki zindagi ka hissa nahi ban
sakti thi. mohabbaton par uska koi haq nahi tha. qudrat us par meharban
nahi thi. zindagi guzaarne ke liye umeed chahiye. aur umeed ko bhi to aik
umeed chahiye. magar uske paas ab kuch bhi baqi nahi raha tha. woh khaali
haath tehi daman thi. ab mustaqbil ka koi manzar, koi khawab, koi khayaal
usey qadam uthane par majboor nahi kar raha tha. woh aik hi maqam par
ruk gayi thi. tham gayi thi. thehr gayi thi. aur jamood ka yeh ehsas usey
andar hi andar se khatam karta ja raha tha.

Raat ka na jane kon sa pehar tha jab uski aankh darwaze ki aawaz se khul
gayi thi. kohni ke bal upar hote hue us ne haath barha kar lamp on kar diya
tha. jannat kamre mein nahi thi. Usne phir table clock par waqt dekha jo
raat ke dhai baja rahi thi. woh usi waqt uth kar kamre se bahar agaya.
raahdaari se lounge ka jaiza lainay ke baad usne study room ka darwaaza
khol diya. phir seedhiyan utar kar neechay agaya. aik baar atraaf ka jaiza
lete usne kitchen ka rukh kya, library, studio, dining hall, setting room usne
har jagah dekh liya magar jannat kahin nahi thi.

jhunjhalahat ke aalam mein woh saddar darwaaza khole bahar agaya tha.
Samne hi woh shadeed sardi mein lehaaf oorhay sidiyon par baithi dikhayi
de gayi thi. faris wajdan ke jabde bheench gaye the. Ankhon mein nagawari
ke sath sath shakti utar aayi thi.

Ghusse se kadam uthate woh uske paas aaya tha. aur phir usi ghusse aur be
dardi se usey baazu se pakar kar khenchte hue andar le aaya tha.

Darwaaza band kar ke woh is ki taraf mura to woh sir jukaye khaali khaali
nazron se farsh ko tak rahi thi.

"Ab kya chahti ho?" Saanp ki tarah phankar kar usne poocha tha.

"Ab kon sa nuqsaan hai jo karna baqi hai? yahi chahti ho yi tumhari wajah
se bimar padh jayen?" baazu se pakar kar usne be dardi se jhanjoora tha.
jannat ka sar tab bhi jhuk raha. labon par qatal tha. aankhon mein weerani
hi weerani thi.

Faris ka bas nahi chal raha tha, woh usey thappar laga de. mrs. Shirazi uski
ghair mamooli khamoshi ko, uski aankhon ki weerani ko, aur chehray ke
maskhi shuda tasurat ko tabiyat ki kharabi par mhmol kar rahi theen lekin
faris jaanta tha woh theek hai. jaan boojh kar aur sirf tawajah laine ke liye
yeh sab kar rahi thi. dramebaaz thi. situation ko apni marzi se istemaal
karna usey aata tha. woh mrs. Shirazi ko is mamle mein involve karna
chaah rahi thi. jane kaisi larki thi? kaisi soch rakhti thi?

"Mein agar khamosh hoon, to sirf is liye ke mein mummy ko tension nahi
dena chahta." Usne shadeed ghusse ke aalam mein us par wazeh kiya tha.

"Tumhe un ka jara sa bhi ehsaas hai?" woh khamosh rahi thi.

"Meri jagah aur koi hota to aik lamhey ke liye bhi tumhe is ghar mein
bardasht nahi karta" usne jhatkay se bazu chhorh kar dabi aawaz mein kaha
tha.

"Aakhri baar keh raha hoon, apna yeh huliya aur rawayya durust karo,
warna mein khud mummy ko tumhari asliyat bata kar is ghar farigh kar dun
ga! kam az kam roz roz ki tension se to jaan chhuut jaye gi" zair lab barr
badate hue woh seedhiyan charhne laga tha.

Jannat ne sar utha kar usey jata dekha. ankhon mein yak dam nami tairne
lagi. faris ki dhamki ka asar tha ya mrs Shirazi ki fikar usne khud se lar kar,
khud ko kisi had tak sambhaal liya tha. woh hashash bashaash aur kuch had
tak fresh nazar ane lagi thi. waise hi unhen waqt daine lagi thi jaisey Lahore
jane se pehlay woh guzashta teen mah se deti aa rahi thi. lawn mein
ghoomna, kitaaben parhna, ikathay namaz parhna, ayaat ko discuss karna,
dunyawi khabron par tabsare karna lekin dar parda bohat se kaam aise bhi
the jo usne chhore diye the.

usne faris ke mamlaat mein mudakhlat hatmi tor par band kar di thi. aur ab
us ka saamna bhi woh kam se kam karne lagi thi. kamre mein tab hi aati jab
woh so chuka hota. subah uske bedaar hone se pehlse hi uth jati. aamna
samna sirf nashte ki table par ya raat ke khane par hota aur us douran woh
bhoole se bhi nazar utha kar usey nah dekhati.

ab faris ke bed room mein nah taaza phool sajtey the, na muattar khushbu
bikhrti thi. na kamre ki setting badalti thi, nah uski ashya ko haath lagaya
jata tha. aahista aahista usne dressing table se apna make up ka samaan bhi
hata diya tha.

dewaron ko bhi paintings se mahroom kya tha. bed sheets, khirkion ke

parde bhi usne bdlwa diye the. aik aik kar ke us ne apni har nishani is kamre
se mitayi thi. aik aik kar ke usne apni har cheez wahan se hatai thi. ab usey
Faris ke kamre mein apni pasand aur marzi ki koi cheez chahiye bhi nahi
thi. ab jab qadam laho lohan hue thae to woh apne hathon se hi har zanjeer
toar kar khud ko azad karna chaah rahi thi.

'Magar ye azadi! Ah! Ye azadi!' soch aur khayalat mein ghalta, woh kab
kaise chalti hui namaz wale kamre mein aagai usey nahi pata tha. sar ba
sajood daal kitni hi der woh siskiya le le kar roti rahi thi. usey andaza nahi
tha. aur jab sir uthatay hue seedhi hui thi to nam aankhon ke sath apni jagah
muqeem kar reh gayi thi. darwaze mein hi Mrs. Shirazi moujood theen.
unhon ne uske aanso-on se tar chehra dekha. aankhon mein tar chehra
dekha.

Jannat apni jagah munjamad hui baithi thi. ansoo aankhon mein thehre the.
dil jaisey ruka huwa tha. shayad woh ab pooch len ke jab se Lahore se aayi
ho, itni khamosh kyun ho? zindagi se khafa kyun ho? kya ho gaya hai
tumhe? kyun badal gayi ho jannat? agar unhon ne pooch liya to woh kya
betaye gi? kya jawab degi?

"Dua maang li bacche coffee ki talabb ho rahi hai. agar tumhare hathon se
bani mil jaye to?"

muskurate hue unhon ne aik dam se yu kaha jaisay unhen iske ansoo nazar
hi na aaye ho. woh ansoo Allah ke samne bahaye gaye thay. woh Allah ke
liye hi the.

Jannat ne khushk labon ko tar karte hue unhen dekha. phir asbat mein baa-
mushkil apne sir ko junbish di.
halaanke usne dua nahi mangi thi. usne bas peshani tikayi thi aur rona shuru
kar diya tha. bhala woh usey kya batati jisey sab ilm tha. jo is ki rag rag se
waaqif tha.

"Mein kitchen mein hoon." unhon ne wheel chair ka rukh mourr diya tha.
ankhen aasteen se ponchhte hue woh woh uth khari hui. nigah usri yusra ki
aayat par ja thehri. bas aik lamhe ke liye phir galoon par se aanso-on ka
nishaan mitati woh kitchen mein aagai thi.

Usne mrs. Shirazi ko dekha. goad mein dhari diary unhone counter par rakh
di thi. aur haath barha kar kuch likh rahi theen.

"Tumahra kya khayaal hai jannat! Mehroomiyo par sabr kaise aata hai?"
Coffee bana kar woh un ke paas aayi to apna muh uthatay hue unhon ne
qalam rakh kar poocha tha. Usne unhen dekha. fori tor par koi jawab uske
zehen mein nahi aa saka.

"kaise aata hai?" Kuch der ke baad usne ghoont bharte hue poocha. woh
janti thi Mrs. Shirazi is topic par kuch likh rahi hongi. jawab un ke paas
hoga. yaqeenan hoga. salawon par ghhor karne walon ko jawab mil hi jaya
karte hain.

"sukoon shuqr se aata hai, shuqr, sabr se hota hai, sabr Allah ki Raza mein
raazi hone ka naam hai aur Raza Allah ki hikmat par bharosa karne se aati
hai. bharosa imaan aur imaan yaqeen se hota hai."

ghoont ghoont coffee apne utarte hue woh unhen khamoshi se dekhne lagi.

"Aik mehroomi ke sath dhair saari aataye bhi to hoti hain. ab mujhe dekh
lo." woh muskarayeen.

"Apahij ho gayi hoon, lekin Allah ne mujhe bolne, sunne aur dekhne ki
salahiyato se mahroom nahi rakha. woh aik mehroomi bohat bhaari hai.
magar is ke sath bhi itni aataye hain ke mein shumaar nahi kar sakti..."
unhon ne aik lamhe ka tawaquf kiya

"Mein jab ataa par ghhor karti hoon to mere andar suqr ka jazba sar uthata
hai. yahi jazba mujhe meri mehroomion par sabr sikha deta hai. sabr Allah
ki Raza se jura hai. Raza Allah ki hikmat par, uski rehmat par bharosa karna
sikhati hai aur mein sochne lagti hoon ke yaqeenan us mein mere liye
bhalai hi hogi. yaqeenan Allah ne mujhe kisi barri museebat se bachane ke
liye is azmaish mein dala hoga. ya mujhe woh in halaat se is liye guzaar
raha hoga taa ke woh badlay mein mujhe kuch accha aur behtareen ataa kar
sake."

Mug par girift mazboot kiye jannat khamosh baithi thi.

"yaqeen se ibtida karti hoon to shuqr pa leti hoon. shuqr se aaghaz karti
hoon to yaqeen mil jata hai!"

Coffee ka khaali mug ka honthon par rakh kar unhon ne diary uthali. jannat
bhi apni jagah se uth khari hui thi.

"Auntie!" wheel cheer ka rukh morty hue unhon ne ruk kar usey dekha.

"Jee beta!"

"Allah ki zameen bohat badi hai. jo uska ho jaye, uske liye kam nahi
padtee. woh usey phir be ghar nahi hone deta, hai na?"

sidiyon se utar te Faris Wajdanke qadmon ki harkat yak takht thami thi.
kitcehn ke counter ke us taraf woh mrs Shirazi se mukhatib thi.

"Beshaq" unhon ne wheel chair ka rukh mora phir kuch soch kar ruk gayi.

"sajdon mein girne walon ko Allah kabhi girne nahi deta jannat!"

Jannat ki aankhon mein nami thehr gayi. Badkat muskurate hue usne unhen
dekha.

woh mrs. Shirazi ko kyun faramosh kar baithi? usne wada kiya tha woh
unhen un ke pote se milwaegi. usne khud se ehad kya tha woh un ka har
lehaaz se khayaal rakhegi. to phir ab kyun himmat chhor baithi thi woh.

'Nikah aik contract! jab tak woh hai. haan tab tak, tab tak usey mrs. Shirazi
ke sath un ki duaon ke saaye taley rehna hai. Mohabbate aisi bhi hoti hain.
aisey bhi millti hain. Allah ke pyaron se! woh sarshari ke aalam mein
sochey jarahi thi.

faris unhen kabhi bhi uske maazi se aagah nahi kerega. unki mohabbat us
ke liye qaim o daaim hi rahay gi. aankhon mein nafrat ka ta-assur nahi
ubhray ga. lab dua se khaali nahi hon ge. woh un ke potay ke liye un ke sath
khari rahegi.

aqab mein saddar darwaaza khol kar faris wajdan bahar chala gaya tha.

jannat kamaal ab bhi mrs. Shirazi ko hi dekh rahi thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-17•
‫ِﮐﺴﭧ‬

‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

𝑯𝒂𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒌 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒏𝒊 𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒂 𝒌𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒛 𝒉𝒖, 𝒂𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒊𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆

𝒎𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒂𝒛 𝒎𝒆 𝒌𝒚𝒖 𝒅𝒉𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒆 𝒌𝒐𝒊

❏❏❏

Uski aankh khuli to raat ka daidh baj raha tha. uth kar baithte hue usne
seenay par dhari kitaab coffee table par rakh di thi. Lahore se wapsi ke baad
aksar aisa hone laga tha ke woh sittting area mein hi so jaya karti thi. aur
ab jab

shadeed sardi ka ehsas huwa tha to woh uth kar kamre mein aagai thi.

kamre ke andar daakhil hote hue use aika aik hi ghair mamooli pan ka ehsas
huwa tha. Zarkar fanoos aur lamp roshan the. bed par be tarteebi se cushion
yaha waha bikhare the. uski nigehain be ikhtiyar wash room ki janib uth
gayi theen. adh khule darwaze se woh Faris ko wash besin par jhuka dekh
sakti thi. woh khanste hue ulti kar raha tha.

Nichala lab yuhin be khayaali mein danoton taley dabatay hue woh sofe par
ja baithi. woh kuch hi der baad bahar aaya tha.

madham si roshni mein uska chehra wazeh tha. muzamahil wujood nidhaal
lag raha tha. rangat udi hui, hont khushk, be rang, nam ankhen betasha
surkh aur kuch sooji hui theen. kapre shikan alooda, huliya bikhra huwa sa
woh qadam utha rhatha to uski chaal mein wazeh larkharaht thi. phir woh
khanste hue bed par dhey gaya tha. tangon par comforter pheilatay hue
jannat usey bed par be qarari se karvat badalte aur be tarah khanste hue
dekh kar kuch be chain hui.

pehla khayaal yahi aaya ke woh uske muamle mein nah hi parre to hi behtar
hai. jaisa ke woh Lahore se wapsi ke baad se iradah kiye hue thi aur dosra
khayaal yeh tha ke usey uth kar uski tabiyat se mutaliq istafsaar karna
chahiye.

magar chahate hue bhi uski himmat nahi hui thi. woh aik baar phir uth kar
wash room mein gaya tha. aik baar phir wash besin par jhuka huwa tha.

jannat ne iztirabi kefiyat mein wall clock par nigah dorhayi. 'kya saari raat
uski yahi haalat rahi hai?' woh bahar aaya to jannat uske samne thi. kuch
mutfakir aur matamail si.

"Is everything alright?" usne himmat kar ke poocha tha .

aik haath se deewar ka sahara lete hue usne darwaze ki knob ko thaame
rakha. baar baar woh palken yun jhapak raha tha jaise aankhon par chhai
hui dhund hataane ki koshish kar raha ho. manzar kuch wazeh huwa to
jannat ko darashti se hatate hue woh agay badha.

agley hi lamhey usa tawazun bigad gaya. usse qabal ke jannat usey
sambhaal paati, woh poorey qad samait farsh par aa gira.

"FARIS, FARIS!." ghuti ghuti cheekh ke sath woh us par jhuk gayi.

Gaal thapthapate hue, aawaz dete hue usey hosh mein laane ki sae karne
lagi. mehez chand lamhoon ke liye paas out honey ke baad usne jhat se
ankhen khol di theen. agley hi pal usay khansi ka shadeed dora para. uske
chehre aur gardan par surkh dhabbay ubhray hue thay. surkh aankhon se
pani beh raha tha.

'allergic reaction' pareshani ke aalam mein jannat ke zehen mein pehla

khayaal yahi aaya tha. phir usne taizi se uth kar side table par rakhi tablets
ka jaiza liya. pani ka aadha glass bhi rakha tha. goya woh allergy ke liye
medicine

le chuka tha magar 'usey abhi tak afaqa kyun nahi huwa tha? agar Bar waqt
afaqa nahi huwa tha to..'

yakdam uske andar khatre ki ghanti baji. side table se usne faris ka mobile
utha liya. uske dahine haath ki finger prints se lock khol kar Dr. bukhari ka
number contacts me se nikala.

baa-mushkil saans lete Faris buri tarhan se khasey jaa raha tha.

woh ab Dr. bukhari se mukhatib thi. unhen uski soorat e haal se aagahi de
rahi thi jabke matli ke shadeed ehsas ke sath hi faris ko yak dam se ubkai
aayi thi. woh uthna chahta tha magar Bar waqt aisa nah kar saka. majbooran
usey farsh par hi jhukna para. Dr. bukhari se baat kar ke woh aik baar phir
uski taraf mutwajjah hui thi.

"It's ok! pareshan mat ho, relax raho"

woh uski pusht thapthapate hue keh rahi thi.

"Dur raho!" kuch ghusse, kuch jhnjhlaht aur kuch bebasi ke aalam mein
usne baen haath se jannat ko paray dhakela. andaaz aur ravaiye se nafrat aur
jhalahat numaya thi.

jannat dukh aur sadme se usey dekh kar reh gayi. bohat koshish se woh
deewar ke qareeb huwa taa ke sahara le kar baith sake. dahina haath gardan
par tha. woh apne sweeter aur shirt ke button kholna chahta tha magar khol
nahi parha tha.

yeh kaam bhi jannat ne sar-anjaam dena chaha tha aur usne aik baar phir,
shadeed ghusse aur chirr chiray pan se usey paray dhakela tha.

"Stay away from me!"

Jannat ka dimagh ghoom gaya. agley hi lamhay is ne faris ke haath jakad

kar pakde the.
"Is haalat mein bhi tumhe apna attitude dikhaane ki pari hai. is haalat mein
bhi?"

Woh uspar phatt padhi, surkh padtee aankhon mein sadma liye faris wajdan
usey dekh kar reh gaya. mehez aik lamhey ke liye usey saktah huwa tha. Us
ke baad use khansi ka dora para to woh haal se be haal ho gaya. jannat ne
taizi se uske sweeter aur shirt ke oopri button khol diye. gardan se neechey
seene par bhi surkh nishaan they.

"Mein ne Dr. bukhari se baat ki hai. woh abhi ate honge." woh is se keh rahi
thi.

"kya tum koi aur dawa lete ho? Severe reaction" faris ka sar jhuk gaya.
nam khuli aankhon mein aik khaali pan tha. chehra safaid khans khans kar
uski haalat ab-tar ho chuki thi.

"Faris ..?" Uska sar uthate hue, gaal thapthapate hue usne aik baar phir usey
mutwajjah kiya tha. magar woh mutwajjah nahi huwa tha. koi jawab bhi
nahi de raha tha.

"Faris meri taraf dekho, meri baat suno" aika yak hi uski gardan dhulak
gayi. wujood be jaan sa ho gaya.

"FARIS?" jannat ke halaq se ghutti ghutti cheekh niklee.

Aankho mein khaufo khraas phail gaya.

dahna haath muh par jamaye woh mathos si ho kar peeche hatt gayi thi.
Faris saans nahi le raha tha. uske wajood mein ab koi harkat nahi rahi thi.

woh ro dainay wali ho gayi. Dr. bukhari abhi tak nahi puhanche the. Uski
kuch bhi samajh mein nahi aa raha tha ab kya kare?

"Jaanat!"

usey yun laga jaisey nana ne kandhe par haath rakha ho. himmat badhayi
ho. hosla diya ho. aik sath kayi manzar uski aankhon mein lehraye the.
khud par taari jamood ko torte hue woh yak dam harkat mein aayi. faris ko
seedha lita te hue usne nabz check ki, phir usey CPR dena shuru kiya.
behti hui aankhon aur leraztey dil ke sath woh usey tab tak CPR deti rahi
jab tak Dr. bukhari nahi aa gaye the. Uski haalat ke paish e nazar usey fori
hospital le jana para.

Emergency room tak wo uske sath sath thi. lekin is ke baad thanday sard
corridor mein khari woh tanha hi doctors ke amle mein afra-tafri dekhne
lagi. waqt badal gaya tha lekin khauf usi andaaz mein usi rastay se aa lipta
tha. ehsasat yun hue thay jaisey wohi aziyat aik baar phir apna aap dohra
rahi ho.

aakhri baar is tarah ki emergency situation mein woh apne nana ke sath aayi
thi. unhen heart attack huwa jo jaan lewa saabit huwa tha. usey yaad tha
woh un ke chehre se safaid chadar hata kar doctors ki minnaten karti rahi
thi ke woh unhen zindagi ki taraf wapas le aaye. Usdin jab usme nana ka
haath pakra tha to woh sard tha. Faris ka haath bhi to kitna thanda ho raha
tha.

usne Dr. bukhari ko ICU se bahar nikalte hue dekha to us mein itni himmat
nahi thi ke woh khud uth kar un ke paas jati.

"Fiqar ki koi baat nahi hai, woh khatre se bahar hai." unhon ne qareeb aakar
kaha to usey laga jaisey kaafi der baad usey saans aaya ho.

"Agar aap usey CPR na deti to ham usey nahi bacha paate." aik lamhay ki
takheer bhi usey mout ke ghaat utaar sakti thi.

"usey kya huwa tha?"

"Cat allergy! is baar reaction ziyada shadeed ho gaya tha."

"Cat allergy?" jannat ki ankhen pheli.

woh ab barah e raast uske sath faris ki condition discuss kar rahe the, sath
sath tasalli aur dilasa bhi de rahe the.

"Mein is ke liye auto injector likh kar duga. is tarah ki emergency situation
mein faida mand saabit hoga. tabiyat is had tak nahi bigre gi. is liye
pareshan hone ki zaroorat nahi hai."
Dr. bukhari ja chuke the. magar woh apni jagah pareshan khari reh gayi thi.
agar woh kamre mein nah jati, bar waqt dimagh kaam na karta aur woh
usey CPR bhi na deti to shayad use agey jannat se kuch bhi socha na gaya.
usne mrs. Shirazi se phone par baat ki jo faris ke liye had darja fiqarmand
nazar aa rahi theen. un ka bas nahi chal raha tha woh abhi uth kar uske paas
hospital aa jaye.

"woh ab khatre se bahar hai auntie! usey jaisey hi hosh aaye ga, mein aap ki
baat karwa dugi, aur aap bilkul pareshan na ho, mein huna uske sath!" Usne
kaha tha.

aur uska yeh kehna hi mrs. Shirazi ko mutmaen kar gaya tha. un se baat
karne ke baad woh kaafi der tak be qarari se corridor mein hi tehlti rahi thi .

usey jab mukammal tor par hosh aaya tha to dharti par andheraa phail chuka
tha. kamre mein nilgo bulb jal raha tha. jis ki madham si roshni mein usey
edraak huwa tha ke woh hospital mein hai. Oxygen mask utaar kar gardan
par thehrte hue uski nigah be sakhta jannat kamaal ki taraf gayi thi. dayen
taraf kursi par baithe bistar ke kinare sar tikaye jane kab uski aankh lag gayi
thi.

apna dahina haath usne ghair mehsoos andaaz mein peeche hata liya tha jo
us ke balon ko chhu raha tha. yaka yak usey seene mein dard ki lehar uthti
mehsoos hui. ankhen moonde woh agley kayi lamho tak gehri sansen laita
raha magar bawajood koshish ke bhi apni krah nah daba saka.

jannat ne harr bara kar sar uthaya. phir foran uth kar uski taraf mutwajjah
hui. Us ke thakan zada, nidhaal chehre ki rangat zard thi. aankhon ke bhaari
papoote (eyelids) suje hue lag rahe the. lekin gardan aur seene par ab rashes
nahi the.

"Ab kaisi tabiyat hai?" woh pooch rahi thi .

"Mummy kaisi hain?" aawaz bhaari aur kuch had tak badli hui thi. jannat
usey kuch herat se dekh kar reh gayi .

nim ghunodghi ke aalam mein usey yaad thi bhi to uski maa! fikar ho bhi
rahi thi to sirf unki.
"Woh bilkul theek hain" jhuk kar usne madham aawaz mein tasalli di.

"Tumhe kuch chahiye?"

"Pani" usne bhaari tanaffus ke beech kaha.

mustadi se glass mein pani undail kar us ne faris ki gardan ko sahara de kar
glass labon se laga diya. usne chand ghoont laine ke baad takleef se chehre
ke zawiye bigharte hue glass dur hata diya. Galey ki soozish aziyat ka baais
ban rahi thi.

chand lamho tak khaali nazron se kisi ghair marayi nuqte ko dekhte rehne
ke baad usne ankhen band kar li dobara usey hosh din ke ujale mein us waqt
aaya tha jab mashriqi deewar ki tamam khirkion par se jannat kamaal ne
parde khech kar hata diye the. dhoop ki sunehri kidnein uske chehre par
parney lagen to soti jaagti kefiyat mein usne ankhen khol di theen. khirki se
bahar sar nikaal kar jane kise zoro shor se haath hila kar woh haste
muskurate chehre ke sath seedhi hui to faris wajdan par nazar parte hi is ki
muskurahat simat gayi.

woh phool jinhein woh haath mein pakde thi, un ki dandiya bhi dhalak si
gayi theen. faris ne button daba kar bistar ko sitting position mein add just
kya. woh apni jagah khari yaka yak ajnabi ho gayi. khamosh ho gayi. sapat
ho gayi. kuch der pehley tak uske chehre par jitne bhi rang bikhare the, woh
ab aankhon mein bhi na rahey the.

shaan be niyazi se usne apna rukh badla guldan mein phool daale aur bahar
nikal gayi. dobara uski aamad dr. bukhari ke hamrah hui thi. magar woh
khud andar nahi gayi thi .

"Mein ab theek hoon, ghar jana chahta hoon." check up ke baad woh dr
bukhari se mukhatib tha. aur woh naakhun ke sath khelti darwaze ke sath
lagi khadi thi.

"Is par hum kal baat karen ge, filhal tum rest karo. dr. bukhari keh rahe the.

"Aap samajh nahi rahay. mujhe kal meeting..!"

"FARIS!" unhone kuch sakhti se uski baat kaati thi.

"Mere khayaal se is waqt tumhe apne liye thori si sanjeedgi dikhani

chahiye. tumhe andaza nahi hai kal tumhe kisi haalat mein hospital laya
gaya hai."

doosri taraf khamoshi chhaa gayi.

"Tumhari biwi bohat bahadur hai, aisi situation mein to family members
hosla chore dete hain, par usne himmat nahi haari!"

darwaze par khari jannat kamaal ne apna dahina haath peshani par mara

'yeh dr. bukhari uff! Credit dena zaroori tha kya?'

"Ambulance ke aane tak is ne tumhe CPR diya." woh tafseelat mein jarahe
the. kuch ghabra kar woh un ki baat qata karne ko taizi se andar aagai. dono
ne sar utha kar usey dekha.

Dr. bukhari muskuraye. woh apni udi hui rangat ke sath muskura tak nahi
saki. us ne faris ki taraf dekhe baghair mrs. Shirazi ka number mila kar
mobile uski taraf barha diya.

"Auntie se baat kar lo." phir isi saraiyat se woh kamre se nikal gayi thi.

Hospital ke VIP room mein woh coach baithi saib kaat rahi thi jab achanak
hi usey apne chehre par nigahon ki tapish ka ehsas huwa tha. be sakhta sar
uthaya to nigahein faris se takra gayeen jo sapat chehre ke sath usey hi dekh
raha tha. usne nazron ka zavia badalney ki koi koshish nahi ki thi. jannat ne
ulajh kar nazre hata li.

aisa pehley to kabhi nahi huwa tha ke us ne yun usey apne hisaar mein liya
ho. chand lamho ke baad usne phir sar uthaya. woh ab bhi usey hi dekh raha
tha. chehra be ta-assur tha magar aankhon ka ta-assur ghair wazeh na gussa,
na narmi, na sakti, na adawat pursoch nigahon mein kuch aur tha jin par
jaib si ghabrahat taari ho gayi. kahin woh uske thapar ko yaad kar ke
intiqam ka to nahi soch raha. Us ke chehre ka rang faq huwa.
yeh baat to woh bhool hi gayi thi. ab woh fikron mein par gayi. 'mein usey
zahir nahi honey dun gi ke aisa ka kuch huwa hai. us ne socha. saaf muqar
jaoon gi. bolon gi tumhara vahm hai. tumhe apna hosh nahi tha to thapar ka
hosh kahan se agaya?'

himmat mujtma kar ke usne faris ki taraf dobara dekha. is baar sahih maeno
mein faris ki nigahon ka ta-assur us par wazeh huwa tha. shayad tehzheek
ka ta-assur tha. Isthijaya nigehain theen. kuch to tha kuch to tha aag aur barf
jaisa munjamid padhta jala kar raakh karta huwa. jannat ke lab bhinch gaye.
bhanwain suker gayeen. Lahore se wapsi ke baad khud se kiye jane wale
saars wade usey aik hi lamhey mein yaad aa gaye. In hudood o quyood aur
faislon ka bhi idraak huwa jin ki Paidaish mein usne wajdan house mein
apni naqal o harkat ko kam kar diya tha. usey yaad aaya. chobees ghantey
pehlay tak woh faris wajdan ki taraf nazar utha kar dekhatii bhi nahi thi aur
yeh bhi ke usne khud ko uske ghar mein ajnabi musafir kar liya tha.

apne talluq ko jaisey mrs. Shirazi se shuru kar ke mrs. Shirazi tak hi
mehdood kar liya tha. magar ab? ab woh pichlle chobees ghanton se uske
sath hospital mein mojood thi aur faris wajdan ki mrs. honey ke naatey
kuch kaam woh bhi sar anjaam de rahi thi. yani ke uske sath sath rehna. yeh
saib

kaatna aur us par bhi faris ki nazrain woh janti thi faris wajdan kabhi bhi
uske bare mein missbit nahi soochey ga. woh har baar aur hamesha ki tarah
uske uthaye gaye har iqdaam ke peechey koi gharz dhoondega. is se qabal
ke woh ab bhi aisa hi kere, usey uski nazron mein giraye, toheen kare ya
phir uski izzat e nafs par chot kare, behtar hai woh kuch baatein khud hi us
par ayaa kar de.

"Yeh mat samjhna ke tumhe impress karne ke liye saib kaat kar de rahi hon,
Dr bukhari ka hukum hai." sakht lehja tha. gussa tha. Kafgi thi.

"Ab mein tumahre dil mein apni jagah banane ki koi koshish nahi kar rahi
hoon, is liye tum mujhe tazheek amaiz nigahon se mat dekho."

bistar par aaraam de haalat mein nim daraaz woh usey khamoshi se dekhe
gaya. usne doosra saib utha liya. usey lab bhinch kar Nafasat se katne lagi.
jaise saza kai jati hai bilkul waise hi.
"Mein ne tumhari jaan nahi bachaai khud ko bewa hone se bachaya hai.
apna bhala socha hai."

"Warna jis tarah tumhe meri koi parwah nahi hai bilkul usi tarah mujhe bhi
tumhari rati barabar parwah nahi hai."

Sar utha kar sard nazro se faris wajdan ko dekhna chaha. mobile screen par
nigah jamaye uska munbassim chehra.

jannat sakit ho gayi.

'woh muskura raha hai? ba khuda woh muskura raha hai? kis liye? koi
lateefa sunaya hai usne?'

"Aur yeh bhi mat sochna ke.."

"Mein kuch nahi soch raha."

apni baat adhuri reh jane par aur Bar waqt is ka response mil jane par woh
chup hui thi. woh apne mobile ki taraf mutwajjah tha. kuch type kar raha
tha. yaqeenan. andaaz ab masrufiyat liye hue tha. kuch der pehlay tak jo aik
lamhay ke liye is ke chehre par tabassum bikhra tha, uski jagah Azli sard
Mehri ne le li thi.

woh muztarab hui phir saib ki plate is ke bistar par rakh kar palatne hi lagi
thi ke is ka dahna haath faris ki girift mein agaya. jannat ka dimagh jaise
bhak se ura jhatke se murr kar usne herat o be yakeeni se usey dekha.

"Isi haath se thapar mara tha?"

jannat ke hosh urr gaye. aankhon mein khauf o khraas phail gaya. oopar se
uski gehri aankhon ka. barf aur aag ka mushtarqa ta-assur. jannat ki reerh
ki haddi mein sard lehar daud gayi. woh jo soochey ta-assur hue thi ke foran
se mukar jaye gi, datt jayegi, la jawab kar degi.

"To.. to.."

"Mera haath chorho!" kuch methus ho kar usne apna haath khincha.
Us haalat mein bhi faris ki girift kisi aahini shikanje jaisi thi. halaanke dr
bukhari usey sirf isiliye discharge nahi kar rahe the ke usey bohat kamzori
mehsoos ho rahi thi.

"Pehlay jawab do!"

"Mein jawab daine ki paband nahi!" zara sa roab dikhana chaha, natijtan
girift sakht ho gayi.

"Nahi, yeh wo wala haath naahi tha." be basi se chillayi. halanke mujrim
haath yahi tha.

"Theek hai! doosra hath do!"

"Pehle tum yeh chhoro!" apni kalayi ghuma kar khinchte hue woh bohat
khauf zada lag rahi thi.

"Pehle tum doosra hath do." girift ke sath sath Faris ka lehja bhi sakht huwa
tha.

jannat ne poora zor laga diya magar faris ne haath nahi chorra. aik lamhay
ke liye jaisey koi manzar aankh ke pardo par lahraya.

sidra ki shadi! parking area! raat ki tareqi aur Zaman Safdar woh chehra
Zaman ka chehra tha. aur girift bhi jaisey uski hi thi. aik lehze ke liye usey
laga agar usne haath na chhuraya to mar jaye gi. aur usne chhurane ki
koshish bhi ki thi. us raat bhi aik tamasha bana tha. Us raat bhi aik kahani
uski zaat se mansoob hui thi.

Zaman ko thukraye jane ka ehsas me us thapar ke mushtael kiye hue tha jo

rohina bachi ke ghar un ke terris par us waqt para tha jab baghair ijazat woh
us ke kamre mein agaya tha. yeh un dinon ki baat thi jab uska rishta Zaman
se takreeban tay ho chuka tha. magar faris se shadi ke baad se woh jaisey
mauqe ke intzaar mein tha ke kab woh jannat kamaal se apni toheen, be
izzati aur thappar ka badla le sake. aur yeh mauqa usey kab mila tha?

kuch der pehley tak woh jo mazboot nazar aa rahi thi to isi saraiyyat se mitti
ke dhair ki tarah bhur bhura bhi gayi.
"Please chhor do please!" Wo chote bacche ki tarah yak dam phoot phoot
kar ro di. uski aankhon ki nami khauf wehshat aur haath chhurane ki
deewana waar justju.

Faris ki girift yak dam dheeli par gayi. roti siskti aankhon ke sath apna
haath churra kar woh isi waqt kamre se nikal gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-18•
•••

uske baad woh andar nahi aayi thi. Dr bukhari ke ilawa chand aik dost bhi
usse milne aa chuke the. Aadil Ahmed bhi company ke kuch mamlaat
discuss karne aaya tha. mrs. Shirazi se bhi uski baat hui thi magar Jannat
kamaal dobara kamre mein nahi aayi thi.

maghrib se pehle hi nurse ne usey drip lagai thi. kuch adwiyaat ka assar tha
aur kuch is mehlool ka bhi jo uski nason mein sarayat kar raha tha ke woh
so gaya tha. aur phir raat ke jane kis pehar jannat ke musalsal bajte mobile
ki aawaz se hi uski aankh khul gayi thi.

dawaon ke zair assar hone ki wajah se usay artkaz pakarney mein kuch
diqqat hui thi. wujood bhaari ho raha tha. baa-mushkil kohaniyo ke bal upar
hote hue usne ehtraaf mein nigah doraayi. jannat kamre mein nahi thi.

unglio se ankhen masalte hue kisi qader koshish se woh uth betha tha. agar
uska hand bag aur mobile glass table par nahi parre hote to woh yahi
samjhta ke woh ghar chali gayi ho gi.

taham woh hospital mein hi mojood thi. magar yahan nahi aa rahi thi. aik
lamhe ke liye uski aankhon ke samne jannat ka rota sakta chehra lehra gaya.
ghar ki tarah ab bhi woh hospital ke kisi kone mein roti payi gayi to.

lab bhinch kar usne be ikhtiyar apni peshani ko masla. kuch soch kar woh
bahar agaya. chand qadam uthane se hi uska tanaffus phool gaya tha.
peshani arq alood hone lagi thi. ward mein woh nahi thi. yaqeenan woh
neeche hogi. ya phir bahar lawn mein. usey gussa ane laga. sidiyan utar kar
us ne waiting area ka rukh kiya tha. aur tab hi woh usey samne baithi
dikhayi de gayi thi.

Etraaf se yaksar be niaz, labon par muskurahat sajaye woh teen chaar mah
ke nanhe se bacche ko baho mein liye fidder se doodh pila rahi thi. baccha
uski goad mein pur sukoon tha. woh har thori der baad uska nanha sa haath,
us ka ma tha, uska gaal choomne lagti thi. etraaf mein bhikri safaid
roshiniyo mein woh us par nigah jamaye khara reh gaya. woh manzar kisi
khawab kisi khayaal sa tha.

"I'm sorry, mein ne aap ko zehmat di." siyah paint shirt mein malboos
chhabbis satais baras ka no jawan chehre par thakan aur pareshani ke
tassurat liye room se nikal kar jannat ke paas agaya tha.

"Aap, apne bacche ko zehmat keh rahe hain?" jannat ne sar utha kar zara si
khafgi dikhayi. Jawaban wo muskura diya. pichlle kayi ghanton se woh
anjaan larki uska baccha sambhaal rahi thi. woh uska be had shukar guzaar
tha.

"Meri mother bhi aati hi hogi." woh keh raha tha.

"it's ok! aap pareshan mat ho, agar koi nahi bhi aaya to mein usey sambhaal
lugi." usne nilgon kambal soye hue bacche par dala.

"Ab aap ki wife ki tabiyat kaisi hai?"

"Behtar hai." woh zara faasle par baith gaya tha.

"Usey aap mujhe de de, aap thak gayi hogi." usne bachay ko lena chaha.
jannat inkaar karne hi wali thi ke nigah faris wajdan par par gayi. kuch der
pehle jab woh kamre mein gayi thi to woh gehri neend so raha tha.

Aur ab kuch kuch herat kuch beyakeeni se usne kalai mod kar waqt dekha ,
bacche ko uske baap ke hawale karke foran se utha khadi hui. Fir usi
saraiyyat se kadam uthate hue uske paas aa gayi. Chehre par subah wale
wakiye ka ab koi ta-assur nahi tha. bas wohi kafgi thi gussa tha, ajanbiyat
thi jo lahor ke wapsi ke bad se uska mamool rahi thi.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?" Usne dabi awaz me jhad kar puchha tha. Wo
khamosh tha. Khamosh hi raha.

"Tumahara hospital se discharge hone ka irada hai bhi ya nahi?" Wo tab bhi
khada raha. uski nigaho or gair tassur khamoshi ko dekh kar jannat uljhan
me padh gayi. Sayad wo ab bhi nind me hi tha. warna utha kar bahar kyu
aata? Bhoot ban kar khada kyu rehta? Wo use ese kyu dekhta? Jese pehli
baar dekh raha ho!

Gehra tanaffus lekar khuda ki panaho me aate hue usne kuch mukhtad
hokar faris ke bazu par grift jamayi or usey apne sath le jane lagi. Uske sath
chlte hue wo bahut ahistgi se kadam utha raha tha. Jese ba-mushkil uthana
padh rahe ho. Usse jada kowwat to jannat ko lagani padhi rahi thi. Bad par
baithate hue jannat ne bulb jala diya. Apna hath bhi hata diya.

"Tum subah se bahar kya kar rahi ho?" awaz bhojan thi lekin sawal pure
hosh o hawas me puchha gaya tha.

Jannat ne darr kar yu jhtka khaya tha jese raat ke sannate me kisi bhoot se
mukhatib kar liya ho. Phir usi saraiyyat se ese pichhe hatti jese pehle wala
Faris koi aur ho aur ab wala Faris koi aur ho gaya ho.

"Tum acting kar rahe the?".aawaz sadme se phatt gayi thi.

"kis baat ki?" jannat ne lab bhinch kar muthiya band kar ke usey intehai
ghusse se dekha.

"Abhi tum aise zahir kar rahe they jaise tumhe apna koi hosh nahi." sard
lehjey mein jurm ki nishaan dahi ki gayi.

"Really? yeh kab ki baat hai?" bed par let te hue usne kuch herat se poocha.
jannat ko jaisey aag lag gayi. achha mazaaq ban raha tha is ka. yahi kami
reh gayi thi ke ab toheen ke sath sath usey be waqoof bhi banaya jaye.

muthiyaan bhinch kar zabt karti woh usi waqt kamre se chali gayi. dobara
uski wapsi nurse ke sath hui thi. khoob shikayaat laga kar layi thi woh uski
mareez ward ke chakkar lagaata phir raha hai aur aaraam karne ke bajaye
baatein banaye ja raha hai. Magar nurse ne dekha. kaise woh mareez gehri
neend so raha tha aur kaise uski biwi

khwamkhwa us par ilzaam lagaye jarahi thi.

Hospital mein admit hone wale beshtar shohar sabir hote hain aur biwiyan
zalim. woh chali gayi to jannat ne lab bhinch kar faris ko dekha. woh karvat
ke bal ankhen band kiye leta tha. Us ne sar nahi uthaya tha. mazeed koi baat
bhi nahi ki thi. woh khafgi ke aalam mein jhatks se murr kar sofe par ja
baithi thi.

siyah jeans ke sath of white shirt par surmai round naik sweeter mein
malboos woh apne siyah sneakers ke shoe less bandh kar jab seedha huwa
to nigah jannat kamaal par ja thehri jo Dr bukhari se kaafi be dili se
interaction le rahi thi. Aaj usey hospital se discharge Kiya ja raha tha aur
jannat is faislay se qatei khush nahi lag rahi thi.

Ajeeb uljha huwa sa andaaz tha uska kofat zada si ho rahi thi woh kuch
kuch pareshan bhi thi. jaise aik mehfooz aashiyina chhut raha ho. gaari
mein bhi woh darwaze ki taraf kaafi simat kar baithi thi. bazu seene par
bandhe rakhe the. haath chhupa rakhe the. Shawl achhi tarah se ourh rakhi
thi.

douran safar unke darmiyan koi baat nahi hui thi. ghar pahonch kar bhi
khamoshi haail rahi thi. khanay ki maiz par mrs. shirazi ke kamre mein,
shaam ki chai par uska andaaz uljha huwa sa tha. jaisey woh mojood hai aur
nahi bhi. uski tamam tar koshish yahi thi ke woh bas kisi tarah idhar udhar
ke kamon mein uljhi rahe.

jab woh aaraam ki gharz se apne kamre mein gaya tha to woh jaan boojh
kar hi neeche lounge mein baithi rahi thi halaanke thakawat usey bhi thi.
Hospital mein be aaraam woh bhi to hui thi. magar usey filhaal kamre mein
nahi jata tha. jane kyun aik anjana sa khauf dimagh par sawaar ho gaya tha.

channel par channel badalte hue usne aqsa ko bhi apne paas hi bethaye
rakha. Dry fruits ki plate samne hi dhari thi. magazine ke safhe khule parre
the. kisi article ko yaksoi se parha ja raha tha. woh sofe par thi aur aqsa
flour cushion par.

"Aqsa!" kuch soch kar usne barre hi raaz daarana andaaz mein usey
mukhatib Kiya tha.

"Jee jannat aapi? Jannat ne hi usey mana kar rakha tha ke woh usey bi bi na
kahe.
"Tumhe kya lagta hai mard is baat ko kitna serious laita hai agar koi aurat
usey thappar maar de."

aqsa ka taizi se chalta muh ruk gaya. TV screen se nazrain hata kar usne
jannat ko dekha. Clutcher mein jakde shehad rang baal. jin ki kuch latey
mutfakir se momi chehray par bhikri hui theen.

"Yeh jo mard hote haina aapi bare hi ajeeb hote hain! Kasam se! kisi aurat
se parnee wale thappar ko apni anaa aur izzat ka masla bana lete hain. aur
soch lete hain ke bas ab har soorat intiqam hi lena hai" aqsa ne apne
makhsoos andaaz mein baat kar ke suspense ki intehaa kar di.

"Kaisa intiqam? jannat ke lab hille woh itni kamzor aur be bas kabhi nahi
hui thi jitni ke ab ho rahi thi. goya usey Faris wajdan se kisi bhi achhai ki
koi tawaqqa nahi thi.

"Ameer zade serial killer hire karte hain. kuch agwa bhi karwa lete hain,
kuch saari Umar ke liye qaidi bana lete hain.."

"Aur kuch?"

jawab Faris wajdan ne diya tha. aur itne achanak se diya tha ke woh maare
bokhlahat ke sofe se uchhal kar uth khari hui thi aur phir usi saraiyyat se us
ne murr kar peechay dekha tha. surmai trousers par halke aasmani rang ke
sweater mein malboos, laa parwa se huliye me.woh pockets mein haath
daley khara tha sard nigahein jannat ke chehre par jami theen. kandhe se
phisalti shawl ko theek se ourte hue jannat ne halaq se ubharti gilty ko baa-
mushkil neeche utaara. aqsa ka lehaaz kar ke apni ghabrahat par qaboo
paaya. khauf ko bhaga kar sar uthaya.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" sawal aqsa se poocha gaya tha aur jara sakti
ke sath poocha gaya tha.

"Jannat aapi ne kaha ke unhen neend nahi aa rahi to.."

"To tum ne socha, baith kar lori suna deti hoon, shayad is tarah aajay!"
aqsa ne garbara kar Faris ko dekha phir sar jhuka liya.
"Jao" hukum mlite hi woh peeron mein chappal urejti , apne magazine
sambhalti foran zarro posh hogayi.

ab lounge mein jannat khari thi aur samne Faris. woh apni kefiyat samajh
nahi parhi thi. khauf kis baat ka tha aakhir. woh usse dar kyun rahi thi? aik
thapar hi to tha? jo ke na guzeer tha. be dardi aur nafrat ke sath do baar
dhakela tha usne jaise woh koi achhot ho. jis ke qareeb aane se uski mout
wakai ho jani thi.

aisi soorat mein agar usne ghusse mein thapar maar bhi diya to kya huwa?
woh bhi to sakhti dekhata raha hai? kamre se nikalta raha hai. woh bhi to
use parking area mein chhor kar aaya tha. taizi se bhagta daud taa zehen ruk
gaya. sukhey patte ki tarah laraz taa dil tham gaya.

himmat mujtma kar ke usne sir uthaya lab bhinch kar, Faris ki aankhon
mein ankhen dalain taakay usey yeh ta-assur day sake ke woh hargiz hargiz
usse khaif nahi. faris agle chand lamhoon tak usey daikhta raha. woh bhi
datt kar khari rahi.

"Thappar ki saza direct mujh se pooch lo." bil akhir usne khamoshi ka qatal
toda tha.

"Sazaye ghaltion ki hoti hain aur mein ne koi ghalti nahi ki."

"yani tumhe koi pachtawa, koi ehsas nahi?" jannat ne ankhen phela kar usey
dekha. yeh pachtawe aur ehsaas ki baat kon kar raha hai?

"Kis baat ka pachtaawa?" lehjey mein qaher bhar kar poocha.

"Shayad tumhe yaad nahi. do baar dhkila tha tum ne mujhe, do baar.."
ungelian khari kar ke dikhayi.

"To phir tum dur kyun nahi hui?"

"oh! haan yaad aaya tumhe darr tha, kahin tum bewa nah ho jao. faris ka

lehja istejaya huwa. jannat ka chehra khaft ke maare surkh ho gaya. kash
waqt usey peechay le jaye aur woh hospital mein saib kaatetay hue khud ko
aik Adad thapar se Nawaz sakay. ae kash ae kash!
"haan! mujhe apni fikar thi. aur bohat ziyada fikar thi. tumhe is se kya?"
datt kar, jam kar, aik baar phir sar utha kar gurrayi.

Pockets mein haath daale. zara sa sar jhuka kar woh baa-mushkil kaandho
tak pahunchti jannat kamaal ko agle chand lamhoon tak daikhta raha. phir
sar jhatak kar jane ke liye murr gaya. uska rukh office room ki taraf tha.
goya woh apne kisi kaam se hi neeche aaya tha.

aik sard nazar uspar daalti woh zeena te karti kamre mein chali gayi. usne
takiya aur kambal uthaya aur phir tan fun karti sittting area mein sofa come
bed par ja soyi. tewar bigre hue the. jabre bheeche hue, aur aankhon mein
ghusse ke sath sath be naam si khafgi lehra rahi thi.

study room mein woh pichlle aik ghants se mojood tha. files dekhte, sign
karte, zaroori reports ka sarsari sa jaiza lete usey coffee ki talabb hui thi to
woh uth kar bahar agaya tha. sidiya utarte hue is ki samaat se jannat ki
aawaz takrayi to raftaar khud hi madham ho gayi. pehlay uska khayaal tha
woh mummy se hi baat kar rahi hogi magar woh to is waqt tak so jati theen.
Kitchen ki taraf dekhte hue woh sidiyon ke paas hi ruk gaya tha. yun ke ab
woh open kitchen Yu ke uqbi hisse se ba aasani dekh sakta tha.

"Ab dekhen mujhe mein kahin se aap ko pareshan ya upset lag rahi hoon?"

mobile kitchen counter table par stand position par rakh kar woh ultay
qadam peeche hote hue muskarayi thi. screen par saira khaala ka chehra
wazeh tha. un ke labon par madham si muskurahat ubhri thi magar aankhon
me fiqr the rahi thi.

counter table ke sath take lagate hue woh ab barah e raast unhen dekhne
lagi thi. poore aik hafte baad jannat ne un ki call receive ki thi. poore aik
hafte baad khud se rabta kiya tha.

"Tum ne faris se baat ki?"

"Kis bare mein?" woh anjaan ho gayi .

"Jo kuch us raat huwa." Khaala mohtaat ho kar poonch rahi theen. jhuke sar
ke sath jannat ne nafi mein sir hila diya.
"Kyun?"

"Mein ne zaroori nahi samjha." ahistagi se murr kar burner band kar diya.
Chai kettle se cup mein Undhelne lagi.

"Ab dekhen ghalti to meri hi hai na! faris ne to kaha tha ke sath hi chalo.
mein ne hi zidd ki ke sidra ka walima attend kar ke hi jaoon gi."

Piller ke peeche sidiyon ke paas pockets.mein haath daaley woh uske

chehre par nazrain jamaye khada raha tha.

"Tumhare khalu Safdar bhai se mile the, baat bhi ki thi. samjhaya bhi tha.
lekin tum to janti ho Zaman kisi nature ka hai. mujhe fikar ho rahee thi ke
woh.."

"Kahin woh mujhe nuqsaan nah pahuncha de?" usne murr kar achambhe se
saira khaala ko dekha, phir hans di. Uski hansi khokli thi. uski ankhen
jhooti theen. uske tasurat masnoi the. uski bahaduri dhoka thi.

"Mein soch rahi thi ke agar mein faris ko aetmaad mein le kar baat karoon
to ho sakta hai woh is masle ka haal.."

"Aap yeh kaisi baatein kar rahi hain khaala?" Jannat ne foran unhen toak
diya.

"Jannat mein janti hoon ke..."

"Aap ne pehley bhi usey dhoka diya. aap ab bhi usey dhoka degi?" uska
rawaiyya badla tha. uski himmat bhikri thi. uska hosla toota tha.

Saira khaala sadme se gung usey dekh kar reh gayeen thi.

"Jannat !" aur phir lafz goya khatam ho gaye. woh mazeed kuch keh hi nahi
saki.

"Wada kare, aap aisi koi bhi baat usse nahi karengi, kabhi bhi nahi." usne
do toak lehjey mein keh diya tha. Saira khaala usey bebasi se dekh kar reh
gayeen.
"Meri zindagi mein sab normal hai. mein nahi chahti ke phir se koi tufaan
utthe aur mera tamasha bane."

"Lekin Zaman chup nahi baithega" saira khaala ko bas yahi fikar thi. jannat
ne agey se koi jawab nahi diya na pareshan hui na khauf ka izhaar kiya aise
jaisey ye masla koi masla raha hi nahi ho.

"Mujhe tumhe shadi attend karne ke liye force nahi karna chahiye tha."
kaafi der tak jab woh kuch na boli to unhone kaha.

"Aap ne force nahi Kiya tha. mein apni marzi se aayi thi." Poore aetmaad ke
sath usne jhoot bola. phir aik lamhe ka tawaquf kiya.

"Aap mere liye is tarah fiqrmand hoti hain to mujhe acha nahi lagta khaala
theek hai bare baba ne aap ko wasiyat ki thi mere bare mein lekin aap yeh
bhi to dekhen meri shadi ho chuki hai, aur ab me apne ghar me bahut khush
hu! Yaha sab mera bahut khayal rakhte hai. Auntie mujhe bahut chahti hai!"
Chai ka ghoot bhar kar phir usne unhe dekha woh khamosh theen.

"Agar Faisal bhai keh rahe hain to canada shift ho jane mein harj hi kya
hai? ab to sidra ki bhi shadi hogayi hai. mein bhi apne ghar ki hogayi hoon.
ab to aap ko mukammal sukoon se chale jana chahiye."

Saira khaala ne poori baat khamoshi se suni phir kuch yaad aa jane par
unhon ne faris se mutaliq poocha. unhen ghaliban mrs. Shirazi ne hi bataya
tha ke woh do din hospital mein admit raha hai. aur baton ke douran unhen
poochna yaad hi na raha.

Jannat ke tasurat aik dam badal gaye. bhanwain ghair mehsoos andaaz mein
suker gayeen.

"Guess what! usey cat allergy hai. kya aap yaqeen kar sakti hain mere
shohar ko cat allergy hai?"

aur is tamam arsay mein saira khaala ke chehre par pehli baar muskurahat
bhikri thi aur phir woh hans pari. jannat billiyon ke liye kitni dewaani thi,
un se behtar aur koi nahi jaan sakta tha.
"Mein ne socha tha yahan set ho jaoon gi to phir billi palun gi. mein ne mrs.
Yazdani se baat tak kar li thi ke un ki irani cat ka aik bacha mein lugi aur ab
gehra tanaffus le kar usne be basi se haath utha kar dheels chhore diye.

"Aap ko kam az kam rishta tay karne se pehle yeh to maloom karwa lena
chahiye tha ke larke ko billiyan pasand hain bhi ya nahi." woh ab un par
khafa ho rahi thi.

"itna serious masla to nahi hoga jannat!" woh hanste hue boli.

"Woh do din hospital mein raha hai khaala. ab aap khud samajh jaye, yeh us
ke liye kitna serious masla hai."

"To thik hai.. door door se billi ko hello hi kar liya karo. Ab shohar ke liye
itna to karna padega!"

Khali cup sink me dhote hue jannat ne jara si kafgi ke sath unhe dekha

"Aap ko mera ghum ghum nahi lag raha hai?"

"Nahi bacche, me apke ghum me Barabar ki Shariq hu" wo hans di.

"Accha ye baat kisi se bhi share mat kijiyega." Dupatte ke sath hath khusk
karte hue wo mobile screen ke taraf jhuki.

"Konsi baat?"

"Yahi ki Faris ko billiyo se Ellery hai! Mujhe lagta hai ghar me mulajimo
ko bhi nahi maloom. Ek tarah se ye thik bhi hai , agar ye baat bahar nikle or
kisi ko pata chal jaye to Faris ka reaction kitna shadid hota hai, yakeenan
uske dushman iska fayda uthana chahenge! Haina?" Khaala uski soch par
angishbanda reh gayi.

"Bade bade karobari logo ke dushman bhi to bade bade hote hoge!" Khaala
uski soch par heran ho rahi thi. Ye khayaal unke zehen me ek lamhe ke liye
bhi nahi aaya tha.

"Aqsa bhi sara waqt mere sath rahi lekin mene use bhi jara bhanak nahi
padne di, ke wo hospital me kis wajah se hai!" Bahoot mohtat andaaz me
sanjidgi or samjhdari se wo unse baat kar rahi thi. Andaaz pur sarar riyat
liye hua tha.

"Haan! Tum thik keh rahi ho" unhone ehtraaf kiya. Aur tabhi dabi kadmo ki
awaaz par usne besakta sar uthaya. Fir ghum kar counter table par aayi. Aur
wahi se usne bohat agey tak dekha. magar wahan koi nahi tha.

"Achha khaala! aap se phir baat hogi." un ko alvida kar ke use kitchen ki
lights off kardi. Sidiyon ki taraf jate hue uski nazar be sakhta hi office room
ki taraf uth gayi thi. Darwaza khula huwa tha. aur Faris wajdan rake se kuch
files nikalta nazar araha tha. Sar jhatak kar woh sidiya charh gayi.

(Flashbacks)

'Mujhe girne se dar nahi lagta Khan! mein pandra din pehle bhi parking area
mein giri thi. aur phir khud uth gayi thi. ab bhi agar girungi ki to uthne ki
himmat hai mujh mein'

Office chair par baithe hue usne file table par rakh di thi. jaib se mobile
nikaal kar number milatas hue woh musalsal apni peshani masal raha tha.
aur phir tareekh ke sath sath shadi hall ki tafseelat se aagah karte hue is ne
aadil Ahmed se das se baara bajey ke darmiyan parking area ki CCTV
footage talab karli thi.

•••

Usne sara din khud ko mrs. Shirazi ke sath masroof rakha. kaafi arse baad
us ke israar par wo qudrati manazair ki aik painting bana rahi theen. un ke
studio mein chhotey size karpt par baith kar woh bhi canvas par aisay hi
rang bekhair ne lagi thi.

'sabz, sunehra, siyah, surkh, gulaabi'

rangon se khailte uski tawwajah aik baar phir faris wajdan ke box ki taraf
chali gayi haath barha kar usne box apni janib ghasit liya. aik baar phir khol
kar woh ashya ka jaiza laine lagi.
neechey, bohat neechey tasweero ka aik album bhi tha. rukh badal kar usne
mrs Shirazi ki taraf dekha. go ke woh

janti thi agar unhon ne dekh bhi liya tab bhi unhen koi aitraaz nahi ho ga
magar phir bhi jane kyun woh kuch mohtaat hi ho rahi thi. usne album khol
diya. pehli tasweer samne thi.

Sunehri aankhon mein balaa ki masomiyat liye woh chaar paanch saal ka
aik khubsurat bacha tha. dhoop mein

uski rangat gulaabi ho rahi thi. shehad rang ki ameezash liye choclate rang
ke naramo mulaem baal qadray lambe the. Uski peshani par bikhare the,
gardan tak atey hue. aankhon mein Ishtiaq aur tazasus liye woh safhe
palatti gayi.

bed par, almaari ke samne, darakht ke neechey, sar sabz maidan ke wast
mein, result card lete hue, trophy jeete hue, khail ke maidan mein, ghode ki
pust par, chhe se solah saal tak, faris wajdan ki tasaveer uske samne theen.
magar kahin bhi woh muskura nahi raha tha. har tasweer mein woh akela
tha. har tasweer mein uske tasurat bhi bhi aik se the. family ka ka koi aik
fard bhi uske sath nahi tha. hatta ke mrs. Shirazi ke sath bhi uski koi
tasweer nahi thi. album ke aakhir mein aik tasweer thi.

sirsabz baagh ka manzar tha. woh Shah baloot ke saaye mein lakdi ki pahad
ke paas khara tha. Ladkhadata huwa football uske paas aa raha tha. Us taraf
paanch chhey saal ki bachi khari thi.

Football uski taraf araha tha. aur jis taraf se araha tha is taraf is ki pusht
camera ki taraf thi. apna sar ouncha kiye usne josh se haath oopar utha
rakhe the. Uski safaid frock par jagah jagah dhabbay lagey thay, safaid
jurabe (socks) mein to mukammal tor par mitti se ati hui theen.

poorey album mein sirf aik yahi tasweer aisi thi jis mein aik teenager Faris
ke labon par muskurahat nazar aa rahi thi. zindagi se bhar poora aik khoob
soorat muskurahat! aisey lagta tha jaisay yeh tasweer is ki be khaberi mein
li gayi ho. yaka yak kisi ne uske hathon se album le liya. usne choank kar
jhatke se sar uthaya. saans ruk sa gaya.
usey nagwari se dekhte hue Faris ne box mein album phenka, jhat se band
Kiya aur usey utha kar almaari ke oopri khane mein rakh diya. ab kam az
kam woh aqsa ki madad ke baghair is box tak nahi pahonch sakti thi. faris
mrs. Shirazi ke paas chala gaya. un ke gird baz o Hamael karte hue jhuka to
mrs. Shirazi ne mohabbat se uske gaal par haath rakha.

"Tum kab aaye?"

"Abhi abhi" stool khech kar woh un ke paas hi baith gaya. ab woh canvas
par safaid phool ko dekh raha tha jis mein mrs. Shirazi surkh lakiron ka
izafah kar rahi theen. usne apni maa ke par Ishtiaq chehre ko dekha. phir
rang se attey us brush ko.

"Bil akhir aap ne brush utha hi liya." woh muskuraya.

"Yeh jannat ki wajah se mumkin huwa, sab kuch set kar ke mujhe bitha diya
ke kuch bana de, usey bed room mein lagana hai. faris ki nigahe be sakhta
jannat tak gayeen. sae jukaye woh aik baar phir bilaa wajah ke rang phelane
lagi thi.

"Goya mujh se ziyada ahem aap ki baho hai." usne shikwa Kiya. jannat ke
kaan kharre ho gaye. Mrs. Shirazi hans di.

"Jealous ho rahe ho?"

"To kya nahi hona chahiye?"

"Hona to chahiye mein apni beti ki koi baat ni taal sakti."

"Agar jo mein aap ko aap ki beti ke kartuto se aagahi dun to kya aap tab bhi
iski koi bat nahi talegi?"

jannat ke chehre ka rang faq huwa. aankhon mein khauf o khraas phail
gaya.

"Haan, tab bhi nahi, by the way, tumhe is se masla kya hai?"

"Abdul alghfor shikayat kar raha tha, ghulaab ki pattiyan khane ka bohat
shoq hai aap ki Ladli ko." Mrs. Shirazi ne zara heran ho kar jannat ko
dekha. woh mathos si apni jagah baithi reh gayi thi. halaanke baat to kuch
aisi na thi magar uske tasurat. Wo hans di.

"Really Jannat? mujhe bhi try karna chahiye." sath hi faris ko apne irade se
aagah kiya. Faris apni maa ko dekh kar reh gaya.

"Aap ki aadate kharab ho rahi hain mummy!" un ki hansi be sakhta thi.

"M-Mein khane ka intizam dekh lu" woh moazrat chahte hue usi waqt uth
kar chali gayi thi. faris ne mrs Sharazy se yeh kya kaha tha, woh shiddat se
dharaktey dil ke sath agle kayi lamho tak raahdaari mein hi khari rahi thi.

Faris wajdan ki nigahon ka ta-assur badal gaya tha. aankhon mein narmi
agar nahi thi to sakhti bhi nahi rahi thi lekin jannat kamaal ke liye woh
ankhen ab bhi azaab bani hui theen. magar jane kya baat thi ke uthte baithte
ate jate woh uski nigahon ka hisaar ab khud par mehsoos karne lagi thi aur
aisa un teen mah mein pehli baar huwa tha. bajaye khush ya mutmaen hone
ke, woh uljhano mein par gayi thi. reh reh kar ya to khayaal thapar ka aata
tha ya phir us maazi ka jo faris wajdan par munkashif huwa tha. aur jis par
usne khul kar apne radd amal ka izhaar nahi kiya tha.

Usne kan akhion se faris ko dekha. bed par takiyo ke sahare nim daraaz,
leptop ki screen par masrufiyat bhare andaaz mein kuch daikhta, kuch type
karta huwa. yaka yak hi parking area ka manzar jannat ki aankhon mein
lerha gaya, chehre ke tassurat badal gaye, gussa naye sirey se ud aaya. sofe
par tangon ke gird baz o bandhte hue is ne tanafur se usey aik nazar dekha
phir rukh phaire deewaro ko ghorne lagi. aisaw be hiss insaan ko aakhir
usne socha bhi to kyun? Faris ne zara si nazrain utha kar usey rakha. kuch
der pehley tak chehra uljhano ki hikayaat suna raha tha, ab ghusse ki jhalak
nazar aa rahi thi. pal pal uska rang, uske tassurat badle the.

"waise mein kuch soch raha tha" leptop aik taraf rakhe woh uski taraf
mutwajjah huwa tha.

"Tum mummy ka bohat khayaal rakhti ho, badle mein tumhe kuch to
chahiye hoga?" Aur Jannat ko laga, december ki sard raton mein kisi ne
thande pani ki bochhar kar ke use hila kar rakh diya ho.
"Aaj ke daur mein sab apna faida dekhte hain. baghair kisi maqsad, baghair
kisi gharz ke koi na kisi ki itni care karta hai aur na itni sakhti aur tauheen
bardasht karta hai. kuch na kuch to tum ne bhi soch rakha hoga. kuch nah
kuch to tumhe bhi chahiye hoga."

"Aankhon mein dukh, sadma, be yakeeni liye woh usey dekh kar reh gayi.
is liye tum bila jhijak kuch bhi maang sakti ho." bed crown se take lagaye,
taang par taang rakhe woh uski aankhon mein dekhte hue keh raha tha.
tasurat sulah jo the. jaisey koi len den mutawaqqa ho. nah sakhti thi, na
gussa tha. Uske liye yeh guftagu bohat aam noiyat ki thi magar jannat par
jaisey pahad toot rahay the. woh fanaa ho rahi thi. kya samjhta tha woh
usey? andar hi andar ghusse se bal khate hue usne lab bhinch kar sar uthaya.

"Tumhe lagta hai, mein auntie ka khayal tumhari wajah se rakhti hoon? agar
tumhe aisa lagta hai to tum apni ghalat fehmi dur kar lo."

"Haan! jaanta hoon, un ka khayaal rakhna, unhen waqt dena tumhari

majboori hai. lekin mein majburiyo se faida nahi uthata. mere ghar mein
baghair muawze ke koi kaam nahi karta. sab ko payment ada karta hoon
mein"

Jannat ka Para charh gaya .

"Mere khayaal se tum bhool rahe ho, mein tumhari koi mulazma nahi hoon
aur nahi tumahre ishare par kaam karti hoon. auntie ke sath mera apna
rishta hai."

"Aur yeh rishta kab tak hai?" Faris ka lehja tanzia huwa. sakut mein dhal
kar woh dam sadhe usey dekh kar reh gayi. woh aik dam se usey bohat
ghair, bohat ajnabi sa laga. halaanke woh uska tha bhi nahi. phir bhi usey
dukh huwa. phir bhi usey bura laga.

"Kya chahte ho tum?" woh mazeed koi sawal koi istafsaar nahi chahti thi.

"Apne sawal ka jawab." Jannat ke liye wahan baithe rehna mushkil ho gaya.

"Tumahre sawal ka jawab mein tumhe de chuki hoon. ab tum yaqeen nahi
karna chahte to mein kuch nahi kar sakti. itna keh kar woh kamre se nikal
aayi thi."

"Mulazimo ko payment ada karta hoon." faris ki naqal utarti woh shadeed
ghusse ke aalam mein sitting room mein jaa bethi. ankhen baar baar bhiig
rahi theen.

"Nikah kar ke mulazmat de rakhi hai mujhe, job kar rahi hoon mein is ke
ghar samjhta kya hai yeh khud ko!" aankhen ragad kar saaf kee. gaal, naak
surkh hone lagi.

Faris ka chehra darwaze ke frame mein namodaar huwa. uski roti basurti
shakal ko bohat ghhor se mulahiza farmaya gaya. Jannat ne sar utha kar
usey qehar baar nazron se dekha. woh chokhat ke sath pusht tikaye khara ho
gaya.

dono haath paint ki pockets mein the. chehra mutabasim tha. aankhon mein
wohi chamak jo Jannat kamaal ko zaleel kar ke kuch aur barh jati thi.

"Aik baar phir soch lo, Dubai mein flat bhi dilwa sakta hoon."

"Tum mujhe zaleel kiye baghair sukoon se Talaq de dena. tumhari barri
meharbani hogi" usne ba qaida haath jore.

"lekin mein tumhe amarat daine ki baat kar raha hoon. ab itna kathor bhi
nahi hoon ke Talaq de kar bas farigh kar dun, bank balance, zameen, ghar
kuch to ho."

"Agar tum is tarah mere sar par musallat rahe to mein auntie ko sab kuch
bata dun gi. " uski bardasht ab khatam ho rahi thi.

"Shoq se jao mein bhi tumahri pol un ke samnay khol dun ga, hisaab
barabar!"

Jannat sadme se usey dekh kar reh gayi. woh kya bol gayi thi, uska ehsaas
use ab hua tha. faris kya keh gaya tha, us ka ehsas bhi jaise ab huwa tha .

"Tum aisa nahi karo ge!" Uske lab hile woh apni jagah se uth khari hui thi.
"Kar sakta hoon. mein to ab un se yeh bhi keh sakta hoon ke meri biwi
banjh hai, mein doosri shadi karna chahta hoon." wo apni jagah tham kar
reh gayi janti thi ki wo agar soch raha hai to karke bhi dikha sakta hai. uske
pas bahut se option the. mehdood to jannat reh gayi thi. woh ain us ke
samne aa khada huwa. agle kayi pal khamoshi ki Nazar hue.

"Mein ab bhi sochon to heran hota hoon, aakhir tum mein itni himmat kaise
aagai thi ke aik bacche ki jaan laine ki koshish ki, tumhe dar nahi laga
tha?" pehle woh uski zaat ki dhajiyan bikherta tha, ab woh uske zakham
udhair raha tha.

"Tumhari narazgi to yaqeenan uske baap se hogi. Us mein bacche ka kya

qasoor?" muthiyaan bheenche woh khamosh rahi.

"Yeh wrong calls ka kya maamla tha?" seenay par bazu bandhe faris uski
aankhon mein dekhne laga. Labon par madham si muskurahat thi jaise woh
us ki kefiyat se mehjooz ho raha ho .

woh jhatke se muri, glass door slight kar ke bahar nikli . khich kar band
karti konay mein jaa khadi hui. ab jab tak woh andar tha, jannat kamaal
bahar hi rehna chahti thi. is takleef se bachney ka sirf yahi aik rasta tha.
kuch hi der mein woh wahan se ja chuka tha, magar jannat raat gaye tak
balcony mein hi khari rahi thi.

"Aik cup chai mere liye bhi"

shadeed ghusse aur jhunjhlaht ke aalam mein woh apne liye chai bana rahi
thi jab aqab mein faris wajdan ki aawaz achanak se gunji thi. jannat ne murr
kar achambhe se usey dekha. kya usey jannat nazar nahi aayi thi? ya phir
usne jannat ko hi made samajh liya tha ?

"Mujh se keh rahe ho?" ungli se apni janib ishara kar ke poocha. herat se be
yakeeni se.

"Tumahare alawa bhi koi yahan hai?" counter table ke sath pusht tikaye,
seene par baazu bandhe woh sanjeedgi se usey hi dekh raha tha.

"Mere hathon ki chaye peenay se tum mar nahi jao ge?"

"Mumkin hai zinda reh jaoon."

jannat ne lab bhinch kar usey dekha. pehle woh khamosh reh kar usey be
izzat karta tha. ab baat kar ke usey be waqat kar raha tha.

"Yeh jo naukro ki fouj hai tumhari, un se banava lo apni chai." bigde

tewaro ke sath khasay jarehana andaaz mein jawab de kar usne mug counter
par patak diya.

"Pehle to khud bana bana kar paish karti rahi ho tum."

"Us waqt mein apne hawaso mein nahi thi."

"Ab tum hawaso mein ho?"

jannat ne baa-mushkil khud par zabt ke pehre bitha kar uske mutabasim
chehre ko dekha. phir gehri saans le kar jaisey apne asaab ko pursukoon
karne ki koshish ki. chand lamhoon ke baad usne burner band kar diya mug
me chai undail kar woh jane ke liye muri hi thi ke Faris rasta rok kar khara
ho gaya.

"Kya chahte ho tum?" woh zich hui thi.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai?"

"Sorry! mein tumhe apni chai nahi de sakti." Mug par girift jama kar usey
ankhen dikhayi.

Wo khamosh khada raha. usne phir dayen taraf se guzar jana chaha to faris
ne baazu phela kar rok liya. kofat se us ne baen simt ka rukh kya to usne
phir wohi Kiya. jannat ka Para charh gaya.

"Hato mere rastay se"

"Sorry! mein tumhe rasta nahi de sakta." woh bhi itna hi sanjeeda tha jitni
ke woh thi.

"Mein phir bhi apni chai tumhe nahi dun gi." Ghoont bhar kar jataya bhi
gaya ke lo ab yeh chai tumahre kisi kaam ki nahi. phir kursi khech kar baith
gayi. ke ab yahan se jane ka mera koi iradah bhi nahi. phir kursi ki back
side par baazu tika kar shane be nayazi se Faris ko dekhte hue ta-assur diya
ke mein Jeeti aur tum haare! aur is se qabal ke woh kuch samajh paati, faris
ne aik hi jist mein haath barha mug utha liya. jannat ka dimagh bhak se
urra.

ghoont lete hue usne jatati nigahon se jannat ko dekha ke lo ab yeh chaye
tumahre bhi kisi kaam ki nahi. phir kursi khech kar shahana andaaz mein
baith gaya ke yaha se jane ka mera bhi koi iradah nahi.

Uske baad kursi ki back side ke sath pusht lagate hue teesra ghoont le kar
aankhon se jataya ke mein jeeta tum haari.

aur woh hakka bakka usey dekh kar reh gayi. kahan woh uske haath ka
khana dekh kar dining table chhore deta tha.

kahan woh uske hathon se chai le kar pi gaya tha. yeh waqt bhi aana tha?
yeh anhoni bhi honi thi ? kahin thappar se is ka dimagh to nahi hil gaya?
kahin Dr bukhari ne usey ghalat adwiyaat to nahi

de di? usey sahih maeno mein tashweesh hui thi. chai ka khaali mug us ke
samne rakh kar woh ja chuka tha. aur woh kitni hi der tak heran o shashdar
baithi rahi.

•••

Thandhi sard hawae pattoun ko aik aik kar ke sabz ihate par girati ja rahi
theen. bheegi hui sarkon par khamoshi thi. park mein bhi ikka dukka log hi
nazar aa rahe the.

siyah rang ke designer track suit mein malbos, sar par hoodie charhaye,
kaanon mein wireless air phones lagaye woh jogging track par tha. chehre
par bhagne ki wajah se surkhi thi. tanaffus phoola huwa tha. usey Dr
bukhari ki call masool hui to woh ruk gaya tha. haal ahwaal puchhte hi woh
seedha mudde par aagaye.

"Jannat ne phone Kiya tha?"

"Achha" usey herat hui.

"Woh un medicine ke side effects ke bae mein maloomat lena chaah rahi thi
jo tum istemaal kar rahe ho!"

faris ki bhanwain ghair mehsoos andaaz mein suker gayeen.

"Usey lagta hai dawaon ka assar tumahray dimagh par ho raha hai."

"What?" samne hi sangee bench par baithe aik udhair Umar sahab ne sar
utha kar usey dekha.

"Aur aap ne kya kaha?" dahinay haath ki unglio se ab woh apni peshani
masal raha tha.

"Yahi ke ghunodghi ke ilawa aur to koi side effects nahi, magar woh misar
thi ke tum mein dizziness ke ilawa bhi side effects zahir ho rahe hain!"

Faris ne be sakhta apne balo me haath fera. Ba-mushkil unhe apne tabiyat
ke hawale se har tarah ki tasalli dene ke bad wo majid jogging ka irada tarr
karte hue usi waqt ghar aa gaya. Jannat use library me mili thi. Kitabo me
uljhi hui.

"Ye doctor bukhari se kya kaha hai tumne?" Saans chada hua, rage fuli hui,
chehre par surkhi, aankho me ghussa. Jannat ne kitab aage kar li, use subah
saware Faris Wajdan ke muh nahi lagna tha.

"Kuch puchha hai maine?" Faris ne kitab jhatak kar maiz par patak di.

"Unhone puchha tum kese ho, maine bata diya tum thik nahi ho!" Kamal
beniazi sa jawab de kar doosri kitab ki warkdani karne lagi.

"Kyun? Mujhe kya hua?" Tewar chada kar puchha. Jannat ne jawab nahi
diya. Able Faris ne doosri kitab bhi khichke hata di.

"Mere khayal se me tumse kuch puchh raha hu?" Wo maiz par hath tikaye
hue jhuka.
"Mere khayal se me bhi jawab de chuki hu!" Jannat ne sar utha kar uski
aankho me dekha.

Isi lamhe aqsa kitabo ka dher bhao me bhare andar dakhil hui.

"Jannat aapi!" Uski aapi plus Malkin ke miya ne uski jin kaher bhaar nazro
se use dekha kitabe to ba mushkil hi usse girte girte bachi. Gadhbadha kar
wo bahot adab se sar jhuka gayi. Jere rab barr barate hue Faris usi waqt
library se nikal gaya tha.

•••

"Faris bhai itne bhi bure nahi hai jitna wo khudko zahir karte hai!"

Mall me shopping ke douran sells par lage hue kapdo ko idhar udhar karte
hue usne sar utha kar aima zaheer ko dekha.

"Idhar mene kaha jannat chalo shopping par chalte hai , udhar Faris bhai ne
wallet se credit card nikal kar tumahare samne rakh diya. Matlab kaha se
milte hai ese shohar? Jo kahe bina hi biwi ke dil ka haal jan le."

Lekin Jannat ye nahi bata sakti thi ki uska haal e dil credit card ke taraf to
hargiz nahi ghumta tha wo to aima ke sath shopping par aaj aana bhi nahi
chahti thi. Sofey ke pichhe kadhe hokar usne mrs Shirazi ko ishare ki niv
me samjhne ke kitne jatan kiye the. Wo kisi tarah koi bhi bahana taras karke
keh de jannat aaj nahi ja sakegi, magar bhala ho Faris Wajdan ka.

Isne open kitchen se bahar niklte hue use esa karte hue dekh liya tha.

"Haan haan, Sure! tum le jao ise, koi masla nahi!" Lounge me sofe par
bethte hue usne credit card samne table par rakh diye the. Ijazat to ese de
raha tha jese wo uske huqam ki muntazir ho. Jannat sulag kar reh gayi thi.

Aima zaheer ke majboor karne par wo uske sath aa to gayi thi magar Faris
ki is harkat par use jo ghussa chada tha wo kisi surat kam nahi ho paa raha
tha. Pehla uska rawaiyya samet se bahar hua tha. Ab har mamle me uski
madakhlat Jannat ko pareshan kar rahi thi.

"Waise Jannat! Ek sawal puchu tumse?"

"Hmm" wo kapdo ka jaiza lete hue bas waqt hi guzar rahi thi.

"Faris bhai ne kabhi tumse mohabbat ka aitraaf kiya?" Ek lamba sa chakkar

kat kar chand ek shirt pasand kiye wo dabe dabe josh ke sath puchh rhi thi.
annat ne palken jhapka kar usey dekha.

"Mohabbat ka aitraaf?"

"Haan!"

"Kaise bhala?" Usne sawalia abr uthaye.

Aima ne bhanwain uchakka kar usey dekha. kya uska sawal itna mushkil
tha ke jannat ki samajh mein nahi aaye?

"Matlab jaise shohar kehte hain. tum meri zindagi ho, saans ho, dil gurda ho
falan falan falan ya simple I love you?"

Aisa koi jumla to jannat kamaal ke tasawwur mein bhi nahi aasakta tha.
mohabbat aur faris ko ho gi? woh bhi jannat kamaal se? Sabey or istehlat (
duniya ke saat na mumkinaat ) khayalat me se ek.

"Kya zindagi guzarne ke liye yeh aitraaf zaroori hota hai?" use poocha.

"Haan zaroori hota hai. infact zaroori hona chahiye."

"Mohabbat aamaal se jhalakti ho to aitraaf ki zaroorat nahi padtee." woh be

sakhta keh gayi. aisi mushkil baatein Aima ke sir par se guzarti theen. usne
jannat ko kuch khafgi se dekha.

"Ye falsafi baatein mere sath mat Kiya karo."

"Yeh colour kaisa rahey ga Aima" usne mauzo badalna chaha.

"Tum mujhe theek se kuch bata kyun nahi rahi ho?" Aima chirr gayi .

woh theek se kuch betaye bhi to kaisay jab kuch bhi sirey se theek hi na ho?

"Aakhir tum mujh se sunna kya chahti ho?" usne ukhta kar kaha.
"Matlab faris bhai ko dekh kar lagta to nahi hai ke woh zara se bhi romantic
honge, lekin.."

"Meri pyari Aima! kya aisa nahi ho sakta ke hum kuch der ke liye faris
nama band kar de."

Baat karte hue is ki nazar Aima ke aqab mein aik ajnabi shanasa chehre par
pari. sahej sahej qadam uthai aik stylish si larki un ke paas aakar ruk gayi
thi.

"Hiee" dilfaraib muskurahat ke sath is ne apna dahna haath agey badhaya

tha.

Jannat ki nigahon ke taqub mein Aima ne murr kar peechay dekha. aankhon
mein herat ka ta-assur ubhra, labon ki muskurahat simattee, chehray ka rang
faq ho gaya.

"Pehchana mujhe ghaliban hamari mishael ki mangni par mulaqaat hui thi."

jeans par safaid full neck shirt mein malboos, balon ka Messy bun banaye,
baghair kisi make up ke woh aam se huliye mein bhi gazabb dhaa rahi thi.
Haseen woh itni thi ke aas paas guzarte log murr murr kar usey dekhte the.

"Jee, bohat achi tarah se" usma rawaiyya lehja aur talkh jumle jannat bholi
nahi thi. tab hi usne haath nahi milaya tha.

"oh hii Aima kaisi ho?" apna haath neeche kar ke ab ke woh Aima Zahir se
mukhatib hui thi jo katu to lahoo nahi ki amli tasweer bani khari thi.

"Tum hi taaruf karwado, ghaliban yeh to mujhe janti hi nahi hai."

"Chalein jannat Aima ne uska baazu pakra aur usey apne sath le jane ke liye
murr gayi." uski unglio ki larzish jannat ko apne baazu par wazeh mehsoos
hui thi.

"Tum janti ho, is larki ko? kon thi?" maal se nikal kar parking ki taraf jatay
hue is ne poocha tha.
"Hai koi!" Aima ka andaaz sarsari tha magar chehrey ke tassurat kuch aur
hi hikayaat suna rahi the.

"Mishael ki mangni par ye tum se mili thi?" chand lamhoon ke baad usne
tafteeshi andaaz mein poocha tha.

"Haan!" Aima ke chehre par aik saya sa lehra gaya.

"Kya, kya keh rahi thi?" Usne sambhal kar poocha .

"Kuch khaas nahi." usne kandhey uchkaye. magar haqeeqat to yeh thi ke
usey mishael ki mangni par hone wali talkh mulaqaat kisi soorat bhuli nahi
thi.

"Dobara kabhi tum se baat karne ki koshish kere to mat karna, achi ladki
nahi hai."

mukhtasir keh kar Aima ne apni taraf ka darwaaza khol diya tha. jannat
kamaal aankhon mein na samjhi liye usey dekh kar reh gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

Don't forget to vote! Jazakallah!

•CHAPTER-19•
•••

Aadil Ahmed ne video email kar di thi. notification mosul hote hi faris ne
video play kar di. screen par manzar wazeh ho chuka tha. Uski gaari
parking area mein us maqam par khari thi jahan aam do raaf kam thi. aqab
mein main road tha jis par ikka dukka gadiya hi guzarti dikhayi de rahi thi
warna road sun saan hi tha.

jis waqt woh gadi se tek lagaye jannat se baat kar raha tha, us waqt doosri
row mein safaid Corolla gaadi ke peeche koi moujood tha.

jab woh gaari nikaal kar wahan se ja chuka to usse kuch hi der baad mobile
par phone karti jannat ke aqab se woh namodaar huwa tha. phir usne jannat
ke qareeb aa kar kuch kaha tha. woh aik jhatke se ghumi thi. khauf aur
pareshani ke aalam mein woh usi saraiyyat se jane ke liye mudi hi thi ke
uski daeni kalayi us shakhs ki girift mein aagai. choorian chur mura kar
tooti thi.

bekhasta hi faris Wajdan ki aankhon mein khoon utara tha. muthiyaan

bhinch gayi thi.

jannat ne apna haath chhurane ki sae ki thi. yeh uske andaaz se wazeh tha,
woh madad ke liye chala rahi thi ghair abad hissa tha. is taraf koi bhi nahi
tha jo uski madad ko aa jata.

woh usey khenchte hue le jane laga. sath hi kuch keh bhi raha tha. apna
haath churate hue aik dam hi jannat ne uska mun noch lena chaha. nakhun
ke nishaan gaal aur gardan par parre. aur agale hi lamhe usne jannat ke gaal
par thappar jadh diya. woh neeche ja giri. ain isi lamhe saira khaala ka beta
Faisal aa gaya tha aur phir dekhte hi dekhte chand aur logon ka majmaa bhi
ekhatta ho gaya.

Usne jannat kamaal ko apne dahina haath ki kalayi thaam kar uthte dekha
aur haath barha kar video rok di. kitne lamhe beet gaye. usey pata hi nahi
chala, phir woh kursi chhore kar utha tha. raahdaari mein bhaari qadam
uthate hue, seedhiyan charh kar apne kamre ka rukh karte waqt uski kefiyat
ajeeb si ho rahi thi. jaise koi saqeel shai uske seene par aan pari ho. jaise
use saans laine mein dushwari ho rahi ho.

kamre ka darwaza dhakel kar woh andar aaya to woh samne baithi thi. Sar
tak lehaaf taane sofe par simat kar baithi laptop par koi film dekh rahi thi.
Popcorn ka packet hathon mein tha. dry fruits ki plate chocolates chai ka
cupp coffee table par rakhe the.

inhamak se koi scene dekhte aankhon mein Ishtiaq tha aur labn par
tabassum easy ho kar baithi thi woh laa parwai liye hue andaaz tha uska
jaise kuch der pehle tak un ke darmiyan koi talkh kalami nahi hui thi. jaise
bees pachis roz pehle koi haadsa paish nahi aaya tha. jaise uski choorian
nahi tooti theen. zakham nahi aaya tha. jaise lawaris samajh kar uski izzat
par haath daalne ki koshish nahi ki gayi thi.

"Tum ne faris ko bta ya nahi?"

"Mein ne zaroori nahi samjha!"

woh sakit o Samat use dekh raha tha aur woh etraaf se yaksar be niaz kisi
scene par be sakhta muskura rahi thi.

"Mujhe girne se dar nahi lagta Khan! mein pandrah din pehlay parking area
mein giri thi. aur phir khud uth kar bhi gayi thi. ab bhi agar girungi to uthne
ki himmat hai mujh mein."

aur tab hi nigahon ki tapish ka ehsas karte hi jannat ne gardan mourr kar use
dekha. Uske tasurat se lamhe bhar ke liye woh choank si gayi.

"Ghalti to meri hi hai na! faris ne to kaha tha ke sath hi chalo, mein ne hi
zid ki ke sidra ka walima attend kar ke hi jaugi!"

lekin agale hi pal aankhon mein khafgi liye usne bhanwain sukairh kar
chehre ka rukh badla aur laptop screen par nigehain jamali . kuch hi der
mein woh kamre se chala gaya tha. jannat kamaal ko andaza hi nahi tha ke
jo message aur voice recording usne pachees roz qabal parking area mein
faris wajdan ko rote hue bheji the, woh aaj scene kar li gayi theen.

•••

Nashte ki table par mrs Shirazi ne faris wajdan ki khamoshi ko kuch ziyada
hi mehsoos kiya tha. aik to woh khasi takheer se aaya tha. upar se tha bhi
aam huliye me. goya aaj uska office jane ka koi irada na tha.

toast par jam lagate hue jannat ne be khasta nazar utha kar use dekha. rat
jage ki gawahi deti aankhon mein thakan utri thi. mamool ke mutabiq na
woh apne tab par head lines dekh raha tha na hi mrs. Shirazi se koi baat kar
raha tha.

Nili jeans par siyah Jarsi numa shirt mein malboos, surkh muffler ko gardan
ke gird dheelay andaaz mein daaley woh zich karne ko use bhi nahi dekh
raha tha.

"Faris?"

"Mein theek hu mummy" usne chaye ka cupp utha liya.

"Aaj office nahi jaoge?" Mrs. Shirazi ne poocha.

Nafi mein sir hilate hue usne ghoont bhara.

"Mujhe kaam se kahin jana hai!"

Mrs. Shirazi ne samajh kar sar hila diya. magar uske tasurat ki wajah se un
ki tasalii ab bhi na hui lekin unhon ne mazeed sawal nahi pooche.

"Medicine to le rahe hona koi problem to nahi?" ab ke faris ne sar utha kar
unhen dekha.

"Bilkul, koi problam nahi hai."

chai ka khaali cup rakh kar woh chala gaya tha. nashta bhi theek se nahi kya
tha. Mrs. Shirazi ne fikar mandi se use sidiyon ki taraf jate dekha. dil na
jane kyun andesho mein ghir gaya tha.
woh kuch aur soch rahi thi, jannat kuch aur faris kuch aur.

"Woh saari raat jaag kar office ke kaam niptata raha hai" unhen pareshan
dekh kar jannat ne foran se baat sambhali .

Mrs. Shirazi ne choank kar use dekha. lamhe bhar ke liye un ki aankhon se
tashweesh gayab hui. yaqeenan woh kuch aur soch kar pareshan ho rahi
theen. Jannat ne un ke dahine haath par apna haath rakh kar tasalli. woh
samajh gayi thi. mrs. Shirazi ki pareshani

Hamad ke bete se mutaliq thi. pase parda koi na koi aisi baat zaroor thi
jawan maa bete ke darmiyan be naam

ki khamoshi hayil kar deti thi.

nashte ke baad woh unhen mamool ki terhan lawn mein le aayi. aur tab hi

usne faris wajdan ko sadar darwaze se bahar nikalta dekha tha. woh saraiyat
se qadam utha taa Porsche ki taraf ja raha tha. andaaz mein ujlat numaya
thi. remote key se gaari ka lock kholte hue usne ruk kar sarsari se andaaz
mein mobile screen par kuch dekha phir gaari mein sawaar ho gaya. jannat
sar jhatak kar mrs. Shirazi ki taraf mutwajjah hogayi thi. Jo ab bhi aankhon
mein fikar aur uljan liye faris ko hi dekh rahi thi.

Us raat woh kaafi takheer se ghar aaya tha. jannat jo uski aamad se pehle
tak mrs. Shirazi ke number se musalsal uska number try kar rahi thi, yak
dam la talluq hui. woh seedha un ke kamre mein chala gaya tha jo bar waqt
phone par rabita na hone ki wajah se kaafi fikar mand nazar aa rahi thi.
jannat darwaze mein hi khadi thi jab woh un ke paas baith kar madham
aawaz mein unhen bta rha tha ke use zaroori kaam ke silsilay mein dosre
shehar jana par gaya tha. ankhen ab bhi gulaabii thi. thakawat ang ang se
ayaa, khana woh bahar se kha kar hi aaya tha

so araam ki gharz se woh moazrat chahte hue foran hi uth gaya tha. jannat
kamre mein aayi to woh kapre badal kar lights off kiye bed par nim daraaz
tha. goya is waqt use mukammal khamoshi aur sukoon ki khwahish thi.
apna mobile uthate jannat ehtiyat se darwaaza band karti bahar aagai thi. ain
isi lamhe uska mobile baj utha.Saira khaala ki call thi. usn call receive kar
li.

"Assalamualaikum khaala kaisi hain aap?" uska rukh faris ki taraf tha.

"Mein bilkul theek hoon Jannat! tum kaisi ho? so to nahi gyi thi?

"Nahi, abhi waqt hi kitna huwa hai." Sidhiya charhte hue woh shawl apne
gird theek se orhane lagi .

"Aap sunaiye, sab khair hai na?"

"Khair to hai! lekin woh Zaman hospital mein hai."

go ke use Zaman Nami shakhs mein sire se koi dilchaspi nahi thi magar
phir bhi jis tarah khaala ne khabar sunai thi, woh chonki zaroor thi.

"Hospital mein magar kyun?"

"Kisi ne use bohat buri tarah se mara pita hai. taang, haath aur bazu tut gaye
hain!" jannat ki ankhen phail gayi.

"Mein abhi hospital se aa rahi hoon. Allah ne karam Kiya, bachat ho gayi,
warna jis haalat ko woh pouncha huwa hai bs!"

aankhon mein taajjub liye woh terrace ki taraf jane ka irada tark kiye
sidiyon par baith gayi.

"Magar yeh sab huwa kaise? kuch bataya usne?"

"Office se wapsi par do gadiyon ne uska rasta rok liya tha. chaar paanch log
the. unhon ne us par tashadud kiya hai. lekin woh kaun log the, Zaman kuch
bata nahi raha. police mein report darj bhi nahi karwane di."

waqiya afsos naak tha magar andar hi andar use be intahaa khushi mehsoos
hui thi. aur is khushi ka izhaar woh chaah kar bhi saira khaala ke samne
nahi kar saki thi.

•••
subah ka ujala har so phail chuka tha. Apne shandaar bed room ki deewar
geer khidkiyo par se usne parde khech kar hata diye the. glass door slight
kar ke, balcony par jhuk kar usne wasee raqbay par phaile sirsabz lawn ko
dekha. nigahein phoolon ki kiyario aur jagah jagah par bane fawwaro se
hoti hui bairooni dewaron par jhuke amaltas ke darakhton par thehr gayi.
dhoop chahar so bhikri thi. mausam acha ho raha tha.

khuli fiza mein gehra saans lete hue usne jhuk kar neeche dekha. nazar
jannat kamaal par ja thahri. woh mrs. Shirazi ke sath lawn mein mojood thi.
hashash bashaash aur hanste muskurate chehre ke sath woh un ke samne
lawn chair par sar uthaye baithi thi. Mrs. Shirazi ke aage Easel par safaid
canvas mojood tha. side table par be shumaar oil painting tubes pari thi.

Plate aur aik brush un ke hathon mein tha aur baqi brush ke dhair samne
parre the. usne pehle apni amma ko aur phir un rangon ko dekha jo kabhi un
ki zindagi ka ahem hissa rahe the.

aur us canvas ko dekh jis par wo professional andaz me rang bikherne lagi
thi. sath hi woh jannat ko bhi dekhte hue hash rahi thi jo haath hila hila kar
musalsal bole jarahi thi. samne bethne ke andaaz se wazeh tha ke use hi
Canvas par utaara ja raha hai aur shayad yahi wajah thi ke woh ab itna rush
lag rahi thi. kitni hi der tak woh un par nazar jamaye apni jagah khada raha
tha.

"Aap ko kitna waqt lagey ga mujhe paint karne mein?" aur neeche bohat
neeche chehre par musarrat shih ke rang liye jannat ne mrs. Shirazi se
poocha tha.

"Is haath ke sath to mein kuch keh nahi sakti." unhon ne surkh o safaid rang
ko plate par mahaarat se mix karte hue jawab diya.

"Kya aisa nahi ho sakta ke mein har paanch minute ke baad uth kar dekh
liya karoon ke aap ne kitna bana liya hai?"

"Nahi, aisa nahi ho sakta." mrs Shirazi ne mana kar diya. be sabri jannat ka
woh waqt barri mushkil se guzra, adhe ghante ke baad jab woh mukammal
bana chuki to unhon ne easel ka rukh us ki taraf mour diya. mrs. Shirazi ne
use heran kar diya tha. unhon ne ghulaab paint kiya tha. jis ke rangon ka
imtizaz esa hi tha jaise barf ne aag pakar li ho.

mein chehare paint nahi karti jannat lekin yaha mein ne tumhe hi paint kya
hai. giili aankhon ke sath woh kaafi der tak ghulaab ko dekhatii rahi. barf
ko pakadati aag ya aag mein hi jam hoti barf.phir sar utha kar usne mrs.
Shirazi ko dekha.

"Yeh me hi hoon, haina?"

"Jannat ho. phoolon jaisi hi nazar aati ho." unhon ne mohabbat paash
nazron se usay dekha.

"Mere nana mera naam Warda yani ghulaab ka phool rakhna chahte the."
kuch yaad kar ke woh inhen bitanay

lagi.

"Kyunke meri paidaiesh se chand roz pehle unhon ne khawab dekha tha ke
aik sarsabz baagh hai, jis mein be shumaar phool hain. aur do parinde hain,
jin mein se aik un ki jholi mein aa girta hai." usne ruk kar kuch socha

"Nana ka aik dost tha, jis ne unhe jannat naam bataya aur tab nana ko laga
ke jannat mein jaise har tarah ke phool sama jate hain, unhen yeh naam
mere liye bohat acha laga aur unhon ne mera naam jannat rakh diya." mrs
shirazi muskuratay hue use khamoshi se takti rahi.

"Abb aap aur kya paint karen gi?" usne poocha.

"Shayad usey.." unhon ne jannat ke aqab mein aankhon se ishara kya. usne
murr kar peeche dekha. faris wajdan phone par baat karte hue Porsche ki
taraf ja raha tha. woh seedhi ho baithi.

'Faris ko zehen mein rakh mrs. Shirazi kya paint karegi?' wo soch me pare
gayi.

'aag, sholey, aandhi, tufaan, berfile pahad' haan woh jannat ke liye aisa hi
tha. uski shakhsiyat ko aise hi kisi manzar mein samoye ja sakta tha.
"Chalein, ab aap kuch rest kar le." usne maiz se kitaab uthali. aur phir
wahein se padhna shuru kar diya jahan se usne chorra tha.

•••

woh aatish daan ke samne easy sofa par tangen seene se lagaye baithi thi.
mishaal se kuch nazar aa raha tha to is ki ankhen. shehad jaisi gehri
purkashish ankhen hain jin ki palkon par nami thehri thi.

glass table par diary, kitaab, qalam aur shits bhi rakhi thi. mobile bhi paas hi
para tha. mrs shirazi ka diya huwa task jaise mukammal hone ko tha. woh
bohat qareeb thi jawab se taqreeban pa hi chuki thi. likh kar notes bhi bana
liye the. apni soch aur samajh ke mutabiq zindagi ke bohat mamlaat ko bhi
is aayat ki nigah se dekh kar jaan chuki thi. lekin phir bhi Yusra wahi tha.
woh abhi tak uski gehraion mein mein utar nahi payi thi. huroof ke raaz ma-
ani samait abhi tak samajh nahi payi thi .

sab se upar jo safha rakha tha is par kuch ayaat ke print rakhe thay. jaise ke
hazrat Zakaria alaihi salam, aur zoja e ibrahim alaihi salam ki ayaat theen.
woh pehle bhi unhen kaafi der tak dekhatii rahi thi. ab bhi apni nigah hain
un ayaat par jamaye baithi thi. mauzo aik hi tha. sitam azeem banjh hona.
woh samjhna chahti thi, ayaat banjh jaise nuqs ko kaise wazeh karti hain.
phir us nuqs ko radd kar ke use mukammal kaise karti hain.

woh yahan sochon mein ghiri baithi thi aur neechay aqsa coffee ka mug
uthaye dahap dahap seedhiyan chadhti upar aa rahi thi.

"Kahan ja rahi ho?" Faris wajdan ne use raahdari mein hi rok diya tha. woh
kaam nipta kar study room se abhi bahar aaya tha.

"Woh jannat aapi ne kaha ke woh bore ho rahi hain to.."

"To? tum ne socha ke kuch kartab dikha deti hoon taa ke woh entertain ho
sake!"

aqsa ne gar bara kar use dekha phir usi saraiyyat se sar hila kar jhuka gayi.
'Yeh faris sahab bhi na ab mein koi kartab dikhane wali lagti hon? halaank
is ke abba kehte thay ke un ke sahib barray suljhe hue, sober aur decent
hain.

zara sa sar uthaya. "mein jaoon sahab? Coffee thandhi ho rahi hai"

"Idhar lao"

"Jee?" woh hanoof ban se dekh kar reh gayi. Faris ne haath barha mug le
liya.

"Ab jao" ghoont bharte hue sidiyo ki taraf ishara kya.

aqsa dekh kar reh gayi. "Yeh jannat aapi ko deeni thi."

uska ishara dosre mug ki taraf tha. faris ne woh bhi le liya. chaaro na char
aqsa ko forn ho kar jana para.

woh sittting room mein daakhil huwa to jannat ne kuch heran ho kar use
dekha. Coffee ka mug uske samne table par rakh kar woh samne single sofe
par Barajman ho gaya. yuhin baithy baithy maiz par bikhare ka kagzat par
sarsari si nigah dorana chahi magar jannat ne kisi Chil ki terhan apni saari
cheeze jhapat kar uthali. aankhon mein khabar daar ka notice lehraane laga.
woh easy ho kar ghoont ghoont coffee apne andar utarta raha. nigehain uske
chehre par markooz rahi.

"Divorce ke baad tumhare konse plans hai?" andaaz sarsari sa tha. jannat ne
achambhe se use dekha. shadeed herat aur be yakeeni se.

"Aur sawal poochhne wale tum kon hote ho?" phir sambhal kar, eyebrows
charha kar poocha.

"Wohi jis ke marne se tum bewa ho sakti ho." jannat ne satpata kar use
dekha, phir zair lab bar bara kar reh gayi. ab is baat ko yeh kabhi bhoolay
ga bhi ya nahi? usne jhunjhula kar mug table par rakh diya. woh sofe ki
pusht se sar tikaye taang par taang rakhe shahana andaaz mein betha tha.
full neck sweater ki zip seene tak khenchi hui thi.
"Mein yeh sawal sirf mummy ki wajah se pooch raha hoon." usey gehri
jhachti nigahon se dekhte hue usne ghoont liya.

"Tum bohat khaas ho un ke liye is liye!"

"Haan un ke liye hoon! tumahre liye to nahi! so tum is terhan ka sawal

puchne ka koi haq nahi rakhte. Tumahare liye bas yahi baat ahem honi
chahiye ke tum ne mujhe khayi se dhakka dena hai. ab neeche girte hue
mein pattharo se takra kar marti hoon, ya naher mein doob kar ya phir
zindah bach jati hoon.!"

"It's none of your concern!"

"It is my concern!" woh be had sanjeeda tha.

"Agar tum zinda bach gayi to?"

jannat use dekh kar reh gayi. aglw hi lamhay uske lab bhinch gaye. aankhen
surkh ho gayi. is arsay mein pehli baar usey ehsas huwa ke yeh uski zabaan
hi hai jo har baar faris wajdan ke samne uska tamasha bana deti hai.

"Allah ke fazl se bohat se back up plans hain mere aur sab hi musbat hain.
nahi mera sir phatega, nahi mein doob kar maroon gi"

"Mein ne kab kaha tumahre satha aisa hona chahiye?" woh sawalia nishaan
ban gaya.

"Dekho!" jannat ne haath ke ishare se use be had mehal se mazeed kuch bhi
kehne se baz rakha. warna dil to chaah raha tha ke koi cheez utha kar uske
sar par de maare lekin!

"Yeh nikah aik contrect hai , yeh contrect hi rahega! mein ne is haqeeqat ko
tasleem kar liya hai, kya ab tum dekh nahi rahe mein ab apni limits mein
hoon?"

"Tumhe apni limits mein aane mein teen mah lag gaye. mein teen din mein
sab bhool jaoon?" jannat apni jagah tham kar reh gayi.
"Tum kya chahte ho, mein tumhe likh kar du? tab ja kar tumhe yaqeen aaye
ga?" woh zich hui .

"Haan! tumhara kya bhrosa, baad mein saaf makr jao"

"Mein aisi nahi hoon." zabt kar ke kaha.

"Yeh baat mujh se behtar kon jaanta hoga?" lehjey mein tamaskhur khil
gaya.

jannat use dekh kar reh gayi. kaise lafzon mein uljha kar woh uski durgat
bana deta tha aur woh kaise pagalon ki tarah har baar uske jaal mein phas
jati thi. aika aik hi use shadeed qisam ka gussa charha. woh is par phatt pari.

"Tum khud ko samajte kya ho? haan?

"Wohi jis ke marne se.."

jannat ne apne kaanon par haath rakh liye.

"Mein kuch nahi sun rahi! mujhe koi aawaz nahi aa rahi! Lalalalala.."

sath hi usne itna shor machaya taa ke Faris ki aawaz us tak na puhanche
phir ghusse se jhunjhalahati apne kagjat samet ti sittting room se hi nikal
gayi. Coffee to uski waise bhi thandhi hogayi thin. Mazeed ki talabb bhi
nahi rahi thi.

Faris ne haath barha kar woh safha utha liya jise woh jald baazi mein chhor
kar gayi thi. lekin usse pehle ke woh kuch parh paata, jannat ne peeche se
jhapat liya.

"Apne kaam se kaam rakho!"

"Yeh baat keh kon raha hai? mazaaq urata huwa lehja, woh mazeed sakti
wahan se walk out kar gayi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-20•
•••

usne wardrobe khol kar apne tamam fancy rang Birange malbosaat ka jaiza
liya. phir nichala khana khol kar jewellery box nikale. nikah nama aur haq
mohar ka cheque bhi neeche hi mojood tha. farsh par baithi wo nikah
naame ko kaafi der tak dekhati rahi. phir usne aik aik kar ke woh jewellery
box nikale jo mrs shirazi ne usey diye the. wo zewraat jo shirazi khandan
ki bahu ka muqaddar thehre the. kuch der wo khayalat mein ghark apni
tamam cheezon ko dekhti rahi. phir usne aik faisla kar liya. Faris wajdan ke
samne apni haliya position, apne haliya maqasid wazeh kar laine ka faisla
.aik baat to tay thi. ab un ke mabain kuch bhi theek nahi ho sakta tha. nahi
woh use apnane ko tayyar tha, aur na hi jannat kamaal ab aisa kuch chahti
thi.

woh jaan gayi thi uska ghar kabhi nahi le ga. Talaq har baar muqaddar
thehre gi. budduae teer ki tarah thi. teer nishane par hi aakar lagti thi. aur
usey achi tarah se andaza ho chuka tha ke us jaisi larki kisi ghar ki zeenat
kisi mard ki izzat nahi ban sakti. woh aik majboori thi. Burhan ne bhi uske
sath is tarah ka rawaiyya rakha tha. faris bhi ab yahi kar raha tha. So ese
mein mojooda soorat e haal se samjhota zaroor kiya ja sakta tha magar woh
khud ko aik baar phir halaat ke dhare par nahi chhorna chahti thi. aik faisla
woh khud bhi karna chahti thi. aik rasta woh apne liye bhi rakhna chahti thi.

study room ke darwaze par madham ki dastak de kar usne darwaaza khol
diya tha. Laptop ki key board par mutharrak Faris ki ungaliya yak dam sakit
hui thi be sakta sar utha kar usne darwaze ki taraf dekha. yeh janne ke liye
ke is waqt kon mukhil huwa hai. lekin agle hi lamhe jannat kamaal par
nazar parte hi woh ruk sa gaya. woh kisi mulazim ki aamad ki tawaqqa
zaroor kar raha tha, magar jannat ki nahi.

aankhon mein khafgi ragein tani hui lab bheenchey hue sar utha huwa
laptop band karte hue faris ne badi fursat se us ka andaaz mulahiza farmaya
tha. Uske hathon mein kuch jewellery box the jo usne office table par rakh
diye. faris ne aik nazar un box ko dekha, phir use lab baham paivest the
magar aankhon mein sawal tha ke yeh kya hai? yeh kis liye hai?

"Auntie ne mujhe nikah par jewellery di thi." Usne saare jewellery box khol
kar sone ke zewraat use dikhaye, "aur yeh haq mohar!" Usne das laakh ka
cheque uske samne rakh diya. band muthi par thodhi jamaye woh ab bhi be
ta-assur nigahon se use dekh raha tha.

"Mujhe kyun de rahi ho?"

"Rakhu bhi to kis liye?" usne ulta sawal kiya.

"Yeh na ho, baad mein tum hisaab kitaab ke liye saira khaala ke paas
pahunch jao, is liye saare mamlaat abhi se clear kar rahi hoon." goya use
apne

kaghazi shohar se achhai ki koi umeed nahi thi.

"Haq mohar ke paanch laakh mere bante hain lekin mein tumhe poore das
wapas kar rahi hoon. ab yeh is liye nahi kar rahi hoon ke tumhari nazar
mein koi devi sevi ban saku, bhae, jab shadi hui hi nahi hai to..." woh
wazahat dena chaah rahi thi. aur yeh wazahat ulta is ke galey par rahi thi .

Faris ne band muthi honton par zamayi thi. jannat ko jane kyun laga, usne
muskurahat zabt ki ho. woh muskuraye ga kyun? aik lamhe ke liye woh
uljhi thi.

lekin ab insaan apni fatah par nahi muskuraye ga to kya roye ga? dimagh ne
toka. woh muskuraye, roye, hashe ,bhad mein jaye. usne khayalat ko jhatak
kar apni baat mukammal ki.

"Agar hamari waqai mein shadi hui hoti aur hum ne is rishte ko nibhaya bhi
hota to mein hargiz hargiz maaf na karti. lekin ab situation kuch aur hai
isliye mujhe yahi munasib lag raha hai. iske ilawa jo tum har mah tum mere
bank account mein nan nafaqa ke tour par raqam transfer kar dete ho, woh
mein ne in teen mah mein aik baar bhi istemaal nahi ki hai. yeh na ho ke
badme tum kehte phiro ke mein tumahre lakhon rupaye udati hoon." aik
lamhe ke tawaquf ke baad usne faris ko dekha. is ki zaheen aankhon ke ta-
assur se woh kuch nervous si hui. woh us par nigahein jamaye betha tha.
khamoshi aur yaksoi se sun bhi raha tha. aisa bhi hona tha? Khair usne us
lat ko kaan ke peeche ursa jo uske gaal par phisal rahi thi.

"Talaq mujhe fori chahiye hogi. tumhe abhi se documents ka intizam kar
lena chahiye taa ke munasib waqt par bana kisi takheer ke sign kar ke aik
dosre se jaan khulasi ki ja sake. lekin agar kuch wajohat ki bana par mujhe
qabal az waqt yeh ghar chhorna par jata hai aur is dauran mera tum se fial
for rabta bhi nahi ho paata to mein aik mah tak ki muddat ko zehen mein
rakhon gi aur us ke baad samajh jaoongi ke mujhe Talaq ho chuki hai."

"so tumhe is baat ka khayaal rakhna ho ga ke mujhe is aik mah ke andar

andar Talaq ho jani chahiye."

aik lamhe ko ruk kar usne yahan wahan nigah dorate kuch socha ke kahin
kuch reh to nahi gaya?

"lambi chorrie tamheed bandh kar aur is terhan jewellery aur haq mohar ki
raqam wapas kar ke tum kya yeh saabit karna chaah rahi ho ke tumahre liye
paise ahem nahi hain? Really? You want to me believe in this rubbish!"

Jannat hakka bakka use dekh kar reh gayi.

"khud ko bohat acha saabit karne ke liye aik aur drama ke dekho mujhe
tumhari doulat ki koi chahat nahi hai. na naam aur status ki mere liye bas
tum hi kaafi ho. aur dekho, mein kitni acchi hoon ke sab kuch wapas kar
rahi hoon bhala mujh jaisi farishta sifat larki tumhe aur kahan miley gi."

theek thaak beizzati ki thi. jannat ka chehra maare khaft ke surkh par gaya.

"Tumhe kya lag raha tha ke is tarah mein bohat impress ho jaoon ga. aur
mujhe lagey ga ke yahi hai woh mohabbat karne wali wafa shohar larki, jise
meri doulat, Wajahat , status se qatan koi gharz nahi hai? Aur.."

jannat ke zabt ka pemana labraiz ho gaya. saari bardasht khatam ho gayi.

jewellery box utha kar is ke sar par maarte maarte woh yak dam ruk gayi.

woh dilchasp nazron se daikhta apni jagah betha raha.

"You know what? Mujhe mera apna haq mehar chahiye poore paanch
laakh." zeher khand lehjey mein kehte hue usne check jhapat kar utha liya.

Faris ke labon par madham sa tabassum ubhra.

"Mere liye yeh kuch bhi nahi hai. chaho to poore das laakh rakh lo? I really
don't care!"

"Kyu rakh lu, bhikari samajh rakha hai? paanch laakh se aik rupiya kam ya
ziyada nahi lugi. saare paise nikalwa kar unhen aag laga dungi magar tumhe
maaf nahi karoon gi. aur yeh jewellery shadeed.." ghusse ke aalam mein
box utha kar Faris ki pahunch se dur kiye gaye.

"Auntie ne diye the. auntie ko hi wapas karoongi. tum is qabil hi nahi ho

ke."

Faris ki hansi chhut gayi. jannat faq chehare ke sath apni jagah pathar hui
khari reh gayi. woh hash raha tha? woh us par hans raha tha. Uski be basi
par? Uska mazaaq ura kar? tamasha bana kar ab woh hans raha tha?

agle hi lamhe aagahi ka woh lamha us par pahad ban kar toota. aur use
ehsas huwa faris woh hakikat hi to use parh kar sun raha tha jise woh pichle
teen mah se likhti rahi hai. woh bhi to wohi kar raha tha jo woh khud karti
rahi hai.

Usne bhi to zich kiya tha usey zabardasti kisi museebat ki tarah musallat
rahi thi. aur phir woh kaise bhool sakti hai ke woh mrs shirazi tavassut se hi
apni marzi o Mansha se is ghar mein rehti rahi hai. use yaka yak hi idraak
huwa, woh apna boya kaat rahi hai. use saza milni hi thi. faris ki khamoshi
ne kabhi to aawaz mein dhalna hi tha. woh uski majboori ka faida uthaati
rahi hai to woh uski kamzori ka haq kyun nahi uthaye ga?

woh us par nigah jamaye kayi lamhoon tak sakit khari rahi. usne pehle kyun
nahi samjha? pehle kyun nahi jana?

"Tumhe ab yeh sab karne ki zaroorat nahi hai." kaafi der baad woh kuch
kehne ke qabil hui to uska lehja kaafi se ziyada sakhti liye hue tha.
"Hamara nikah aik contrect hai. aur yeh contrect hi rahega. mein is haqiqat
ko badalne ki koshish ab kabhi nahi karoongi." poore etmaad aur yaqeen ke
sath usne apne iraday faris wajdan par wazeh kar diye The.

"Jis tarah tum auntie ke liye khush gawaar shadi hone ka natak kar rahe
hona. Usi tarah mein bhi sirf un ki wajah se yahan ruki hui hoon. aur yeh
mera tum se wada hai. jab jane ka waqt aaye ga mein khamoshi se chali
jaoon gi. is liye tumhe yeh sab karne ki zaroorat nahi hai." do tok andaaz
mein tanafur se keh kar woh usi waqt office se nikal gayi thi.

taizi se kursi chhor kar faris ujlat mein qadam uthata uske peeche aaya tha.
beech raah daari mein hi usne kandho se pakar kar jannat ka rukh mora.
woh uski is harkat par heran hue bina na reh saki. phir yaad aaya yahan
gussa karna bantaa hai.

"Ab kya masla hai?" kandhe jhatak kar fankaari.

"Masle ka hal hai! ab tum haq mehar ki poori raqam apne paas rakh sako
gi?"

chhanake se jannat ke andar kuch toota. kirchiya aankhon mein sama

gayeen .

"Magar contrect ki haqeeqat kabhi nahi badlegi."

woh keh kar ja chuka tha aur jannat kamaal jwellery box aur haq mehar ki
raqam liye apni jagah khadi reh gayi thi.

•••

Awail January ki dhoom aluch sakti. Har taraf sannato ka raaz tha. Wo
sitting room me floor par tange samete khamosh bethi thi. Ehtraaf me
zarkar roshni ka halka sa taasur faila tha. Samne glass wall par ubharti uski
safiya adhuri thi. Aadha chehra aaya'n tha to aadha tariqui se uljha hua.
Usne jalalat ke kayi roop dekhe the. Magar ye nahi dekha tha. Lehje kayi
sahe the magar ye nahi saha tha. Dutkar to waise bhi uska muqaddar thi.
Magar isse nafs par chot sabse bhari thi. Maa ki badduao me auk baddua
mout ki bhi to thi. Ye Wahid dua thi jo poori nahi hui thi. baqi Barbadi ka
har chehra usne dekh liya tha. har aziyat chakh li thi. har dhutkar seh li thi.
bas yeh mout hi reh gayi thi. bas yahi.

Sar jhukaye wo nam aankhon se apne khali hatho ko dekhne lagi thi,
nigahein lakeeron se uljhi hui thi, naseeb talkhi se muskuraya tha.

"zindagi kitne hi mushkil adwaar se kyun na guzar rahi ho, dua kisi bhi
soorat, kisi bhi haalat mein nahi chhodni chahiye." mrs. Shirazi ne aaj
subah usey nasihat ki thi.

"Meri duae qabuliat mein bohat waqt leti hain" woh kahe bina na reh saki.

"Jo takheer Rab ki taraf se ho, woh hamesha khair lati hai!" mrs shirazi keh
kar masroof ho gayi magar woh kitni hi der tak apni jagah baithi rahi thi.

"har takheer mein aik khair! Usne khud ko kuch samjhaana chaha.kuch
kuch mehrumiya ataa ka aik roop hoti hain jannat! Allah ke kun ki muntazir
apna roop badalne ko har lamha mustaed, asal imtehaan to us muddat ka
hai. jo is mehroomi mein guzari jati hai."

Glass wall par uski dhund li adhuri saliha ab kuch wazeh hui thi.

"Is dauran hamare sabr ko jancha jata hai. hamare shuqar ko parkha jata hai.
phir imaan ka darja mutayyan hota hai." usne ankhen ragad kar saaf ki.

"Mangti raho aur dekhatii jao Allah ki marzi se tumhari jholi mein kya girta
hai, jo gire use bakhushi apna lo, khuwa woh nuqte jitni khushi ya zarre
jitni barket hi kyun na ho." Musbit soch ne jarr pakri. aansu palkon par
thehr gaye. andar ka shhor tham sa gaya. apne balon ko samaitt kar juda
banati woh banati wo kamre mein aagai.

Ghadi raat ke das baja rahi thi. faris abhi tak nahi aaya tha. sofe par nim
daraaz ho kar floor lamp ki roshni mein magazine ki waraq gardani karte
uski aankh lag gayi thi.

neend ki gehri wadiyon mein utarte use kisi khawab kisi khayaal ki tarah
yaad tha to bas yahi ke magazine hata kar aik taraf rakhte hue kisi ne use
lehaaf udha diya tha.
•••

Park mein aqsa ke hamrah tehelte hue uski nazar siyah track suit mein
malboos shakhs par pari to woh chonk kar wahi ruk gayi. uski gardan ke
gird muffler achi tarah se hothon tak lipta huwa tha jis ki wajah se aadha
chehra mukammal posheeda tha.

Aqsa ka baazu pakar kar foran rukh badalti, woh ujlat mein mukhalif simit
qadam uthane lagi.

"Kya huwa?" aqsa apni Malkin ke bdalte tassurat se pareshan ho jati thi.

"Yeh jo hamare peeche aa raha hai, yeh faris hi hai na?" usne aqsa se
tasdeeq chahi. aqsa ne poori gardan morr kar peeche dekha, phir zor o shor
se sar hilaya.

"Jee Jee, yeh apne faris sahab hi hain."

jannat ke lab bhinch gaye.

"Dekho aqsa! paas paas rehna."

aqsa samajh na saki, Malkan ne aisa kyun kaha hai. lekin kuch hi der baad
jab peeche baar baar murr kar dekhne par faris wajdan ne use idhar idhar ho
jane ka ishara diya to woh be chari confuse ho gayi. samajh mein nahi aaya
ke kis ki mane? faris ki ya phir jannat ki? magar uske college ki fees to
sahab hi dete the. apni maslehto ko mad nazar rakhte hue woh apni raftaar
maddham karte hue wo waqai me idhar udhar ho gayi. Jannat ko uski ghair
mojudgi ka ehsas us waqt huwa jab faris taiz taiz qadam utha taa uske
barabar mein chalne laga tha. zair lab bud badate hue usne apni raftaar
badhayi. magar woh usse phir bhi age na nikal saki.

dono barabar the. jannat ke qadmon mein ujlat numaya thi jab Ke faris ka
andaaz sukoon liye hue tha. phir usne bhagna shuru kar diya. woh tab bhi
aik lamhe ke liye na aage nikla na peeche huwa.

jannat ne dur tak jogging track ko dekha phir thak haar kar phoole tanaffus
ke sath ruk gayi. ghutnon par haath rakh kar jhuk kar sansen hamwar karne
lagi. woh bhi ruk gaya. agle chand lamhay khamoshi ki Nazar hue.

"Pandrah January ki tickets confirm hui hai." honto par se muffler hatate
hue gardan par thehrate hue usne sanjeedgi se kaha. jannat ne sar utha kar
use dekha.

"Theek hai!" bhale se uski jannat ki ticket confirm ho ya jahannum ki. .

woh use kyu bta raha hai. aankhon mein na samjhi ka ta-assur liye sawal
thehr gaya.

"Tum mere sath London ja rahi ho."

jannat sakit hui. ankhen herat o be yakeeni se pheli. samaat par yaqeen na
aaya. ab woh kya kar raha hai? ab woh kya chaah raha hai?

"Tumhe lagta hai tum mujhe apni marzi se kahin bhi le ja sakte ho?" woh
mushtael hui.

"Lahore le ja chuka hoon. London bhi le ja sakta hoon." uska lehja normal
tha. jaise ghair zaroori guftagu mein woh yuhin hissa le raha ho.

"Lahore mein chali gayi thi. London mein nahi jaungi"

Faris ne sawalia aabru uthaye.

"Tumhara kya bharosa mujhe parking area ya road par chhor kar chale jao.
phir das pandrah din baad auntie ke majboor karne par laine aajao. sorry!
mein yeh risk nahi le sakti. bilkul bhi nahi." usne saaf inkaar kar diya.

woh ab Faris ko nahi dekh rahi thi. woh bas nafi mein sar hilaate hue apne
tajziyon par qana ho rahi thi. Lahore woh usey batore saza le kar gaya tha.
batore saza chore kar bhi aaya tha. wo use apni biwi apni izzat nahi samjhta
tha. jis shakhs ki woh biwi thi, nah izzat! us shakhs par ab woh koi bhrosa
nahi kar sakti thi.

"Theek hai!" chand lamhon ke tawaquf ke baad Faris ne kaha. aawaz

gambhir thi. tas surat sanjeeda magar kahin sakhti nahi thi. narmi bhi nahi.
yu jaise inkaar se usey koi khaas farq na para ho. yun jaisey woh aise hi kisi
jawab ka mutamanni ho raha ho. pal pal uske tasurat, uske irade aur ehsasat
badalte the.

"Mummy ke huqam par tickets book karwai hai. inqaar bhi tum unhen
karo."

Uske labon par ubharti fatihana muskurahat jannat ko andar tak shulga gayi.
mrs Shirazi ko faris wajdan inkaar nahi kar sakta tha, uski kya majaal thi.
Kur kar, tap kar, usne sar utha kar faris ko dekha.

"Mein acchi tarah se janti hoon, tum mujhe London kyun le kar jana chahte
ho."

"Kyun le jana chahta hoon?"

"Tum jo marzi mansube bana lo mister shirazi! khudkushi mein nahi

karungi na London burj se na kisi aur jagah se!"

Jogging track par paon patakti woh jane ke liye murr gayi thi. Pockets mein
haath daale faris wajdan munbassim chehre ke sath apni jagah khada reh
gaya tha.

•••

bed par takiyo ke sahare woh nim daraaz koi kitaab haath mein liye betha
tha. mobile paas hi para tha. har thori der baad masool hotay massages ke
notifications ko musalsal nazar andaaz kiye woh bazahir padhne ki koshish
kar raha tha magar uski tamam tar tawajah us uthak pathak ki taraf thi jo
jannat kamaal ki wajah se ho rahi thi. Daraze khinchi jarahi thi. cheezon ko
idhar udhar kiya ja raha tha. jis cheez ki talaash thi, woh use poora kamra
ulat palat karne ke ba wujood nahi mili thi.

thak haar kar woh wardrobe ki taraf muri jo tamam ki tamam khuli hui thi.
safri bag kalin par dhara tha. hanger se kapre nikaal kar teh karti ab woh
shadid ghusse mein lag rahi thi.

chaar din baad un ki London ki flight thi. samaan abhi se pack kiya ja raha
tha. aur kuch ghusse aur jhunjhlaht ke aalam mein Kiya ja raha tha.
"Tum to aise react kar rahi ho jaise mein tumhe zabardasti London le ja raha
hoon." bil akhir faris ne khamoshi ka qatal toda.

"Haan to kya aisa nahi hai?" woh palat kar gurrayi.

"Tumhari har chaal ab mujhe bohat achi tarah samajh mein aa rahi hai."

"Kaisi chaal?" labon par ubharti muskurahat dabay woh seedha ho betha.

"Mere sath London jane ki khwahish to hamesha se tumhari hi thi."

hanger se gulaabi sweeter nikalte jannat kamaal mushtal ho kar uski taraf
muri

"Yeh tum ne khud keh diya 'thi' yani fal maazi past tense! ab meri aisi koi
khwahish nahi rahi."

"Achha mazak hai." woh hansa.

"Mazak nahi, hakikat hai yeh" jannat jal bhun gayi.

"Tumhari hakikate bhi tumhari tarah kuch ajeeb si nahi hain?" uska lehja
mazaaq udane wala tha.

jannat ne palat kar use sard nazron se ghoora.

"Koi khushfehmi hai to dur kar lo mein sirf mumy ki wajah se tumhe
majburan sath le ja raha hoon."

"Mein bhi sirf un ki wajah se sath jarahi hoon. warna tumahare sath to mein
gali ke nuqqadh tak bhi nah jaoon."

"Bohat khoob! woh mehjooz huwa. jannat ko tap charhi. is se qabal ke woh
koi jawabi hamla karti, faris ka mobile baj utha. screen par ubhrte naam par
nazar parte hi woh call receive karta usi waqt uth kar kamre se chala gaya
tha.

woh jo apne kapre haath mein liye khari thi, uski is harkat par thitak si gayi.
faris ki beshar calls karobari nowiyat ki hoti thi jinhein woh hamesha uske
samne hi attend karta tha. dost ahbaab se baat cheet bhi uske samne ho jaya
karti thi, magar pichle kayi dinon se aik makhsus number se aane wali call
attend karne ke liye woh uth kar bahar chala jata tha. har baar uske tas surat
badalte the aur aankhon ki chamak kuch barh si jati thi. pehle to usne koi
khaas notice nahi liya tha magar ab use shak hone laga tha.

kuch soch kar woh be aawaz qadmon ke sath bahar aagai thi. usne phir wahi
se sitting area ki taraf dekha.

"Mein bhala tumhe kaise bhool sakta hoon?" samne victorine tarz ke aaine
mein Faris ka side pose wazeh nazar araha tha.

"Mummy se mein ne filhaal baat nahi ki hai. mein unhen surprise dena
chahta hoon." Usne ruk kar kuch suna. Fir muskuraya.

"Tum keh sakti ho!" khamoshi aik baar phir chhai thi. woh bohat tawajah
aur yaksoi se mukhatib uski baat sun raha tha. aur is douran kayi baar is ke
labon par muskurahat bhikri thi.

"kon? meri biwi?" uski tum fikar mat karoon mein sab sambhaal lunga.

'kya sambhalenga wo?' jannat ka maatha thnka. mukhatib yakeenan aik

ladki thi. uska shak yaqeen mein badal chuka tha.

Magar yeh ladki thi kon? yeh sawal ab woh direct faris wajdan se nahi
pooch sakti thi. puchne ka koi haq bhi nahi rakhti thi. haq rakhti bhi hoti to
puchhna nahi chahti thi. use yahi zahir karna tha ke aisi kisi baat se use koi
farq nahi padta hai. sar jhatak kar woh kuch hi der mein kamre ke andar thi.

haan, usey ab hargiz hargiz farq nahi parna chahiye. usne apne gaal
thapthapa kar khud ko samjhaya. phir apne kaam mein jat gayi .

kon ho sakti hai? kuch hi der baad apna bakhera samete hue woh aik baar
phir sochne baith gyi thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-21•
•••

"aap bahut pyari hai!"

kitchen mein daakhil hote hi ye pehla jumla tha jo Faris wajdan ki samaat
se takarya tha. stool khech kar baithte hue is ne usse is sehat mand bacche
ko dekha jo ka counter table ke dosre kone mein apne kapron mein baa-
mushkil samaya huwa betha tha. khuli dhuli shirt large size ki thi aur tab
bhi use tang ho rahi thi. faris ko bohat ghhor karne aur zehen par zor daine
ke baad yaad aaya ke woh mrs. Yazdani ka nawasa tha. mrs. Yazdani, wohi
jo unke padosh mein rehti aur janwaron se mohabbat ke muamle mein kaafi
mashhoor bhi thi.

"Yeh is liye ke aap khud bohat pyare ho." faris ki aamad se be khabar woh
Tray mein cake Pastries aur jane kya kya sajane mein lagi hui thi.

"kya, kya aap mujh se shadi karen gi?" apni nanhi si surkh car ko table par
yahan wahan dorate bacche ne zara sa jhijakte hue jannat se poocha.

"She is married!" Jawab faris ne diya tha. glass mein strawberry juice
undelte Jannat ke hathon ki harkat lamhe bhar ke liye thi.

"yeh kab aaya?"

bache ne gardan moud kar aik nazar faris wajdan ko aise dekha jaise uski
yeh mudakhlat use hargiz hargiz pasand na aayi ho.

"So what? woh apne husband ko chhor bhi to sakti hain." use lajawab kar
ke us ne apni peshani par bikhare balon ko dono hathon ki madad se peeche
hataya.

"Are you married Jannat Jani?" kuch soch kar usne jannat se poocha.

"Jannat Jani?" faris ne achambhe se use dobara dekha.

"No, I'm single!" lawazmat se saji tray apne nanhe maheman ke samne
rakhte hue jannat ne suna ya kisi aur ko. Bachhe ne faris ko yu dekha jaise
keh raha ho. 'dekha? She is mine, she will be mine!'

faris ne rukh badal kar orange Juice ka glass labon se laga liya. 'yeh jannat
single kabse hui?'

"To phir mein apni mummy ko kab lau?"

"Aik baar hamari baat tay ho jaye to."

"Is he serious?" faris se raha nahi gaya. mushkil se saat saal ka ho ga. age
ke do daant bhi Mosoof ke gayab the.

"Tumhe kya masla hai. mujhe saat saal ka baccha purpose kare ya sattar
saal ka budha?" jannat ko patange lag gaye.

"I am not a baccha!" bacche ko pehli baar apni hone wali mangetar se
ikhtilaaf huwa.

"Dekha! woh khud man raha hai woh baccha nahi hai."

"tumhe kya masla?" ab to jannat ko bhi faris ki mudakhlat pasand nahi aa

rahi thi. faris mehez kandhe uchakka kar reh gaya. ke bhala use kya masla
ho sakta hai?

"Mein bada ho kar pilot banuga. mein aap ko poori duniya ki sair bhi
karwaun ga. Hum dono ikhttey Disney land bhi jayen ge." woh jannat ko
apne future plan se aagah karne laga.

"Jab tak tum jahaaz udane ke qabil ho ge tab tak yeh pachaas baras ki aik
auntie mein badal chuki hogi." Jannat ne jal kar faris ko dekha.

"Age doesn't matter love matters!"

"Whatever!" Usne khaali glass ka counter table par rakha.

"Zaid honey! aap ka jab dil chahe aap apni mummy ko le aao." bohat
muskura kar usne bacche ka gaal khincha.
"Suzie ko bhi sath le aaun?"

"Ab yeh Suzie kon hai?" faris ne aik baar phir un ke darmiyan taang udai
thi.

"Meri billi hai" shaane be nayazi se bataya gaya. Faris ke tasurat badle.

"Nahi, Suzie ko laane ki zaroorat nahi hai. mein usse milne aap ke ghar
aaungi." jannat ne talna chaha.

"Suzie bohat strong hai. uske andar super powers hain. woh mere dushmano
ko jab dekhati hai, to woh usi waqt gir jate hain."

woh dar parda kisi baat par chout kar raha tha, faris pehlu badal kar reh
gaya.

"Aap gire the na us din?" phir woh faris ki taraf mura. kamaal ki yaad das
thi is bacche ki.

daidh saal hone ko tha, magar abhi bhi use woh waqia juzziyat samait yaad
tha.

"Aap gire the na sidhiyo se. Suzie bohat power full hai. jannat jani kal mein
Suzie ko bhi lau ga." Faris ne bhanwain sukairh kar use dekha.

"Mein tumhari us Suzie ki wajah se nahi gira tha."

"Sab maloom hai mujhe." bachay ne gardan seedhi ki.

"Aap ki eyes red hogayi theen. aap ko Sneezing ho rahi thi. aap bohat dar
gaye the meri billi se mujhe sab yaad hai. meri billi bohat power full hai."
khaali glass maiz par rakhte hue faris isi waqt uth kar chala gaya.

"Yeh bohat darte hain meri Suzie se!" Usne phir par asaraar andaaz mein
jannat ki maloomat mein izafah karna chaha. labn par ubharti muskurahat
ko baa-mushkil dabate hue jannat ne faris ki taraf dekha. woh lounge ke
sofe par name daraaz ab channel surffing kar raha tha.

"Achha!" usne bhi aage se shadeed herat ka izhaar kya.

"Aap meri Suzie ko apne paas rakh len. for your own safety!" bacche ne
sargoshi mein kaha. jannat be sakhta hasti chali gayi. jhungula kar remote
pitte hue faris usi waqt uth kar chala gaya tha.

Mrs. Shirazi ke bed room mein woh glass wall ke qareeb floor cushion par
aalti paalti maare baithi thi. Laptop glass table par dhara tha jis par woh un
ka article type kar rahi thi. mrs shirazi paas hi wheel chair par Barajman
theen. woh bahar lawn ke sabze par chalkti is dhoop ka nazara kar rahi
theen jo barah e raast ab un par bhi par rahi thi. darwaaza halki si dastak ke
sath khula to jannat ne be sakhta nazar uthai. black three piece suit mein
malboos, coat laa parwahi se baazu par daley, dosre haath mein mobile
pakdae faris wajdan andar daakhil ho raha tha. uski tayari mukammal thi.
woh do pehar teen baje ki flight se zaroori meeting ke liye Karachi ja raha
tha.

kal shaam tak is ki wapsi mutawaqqa thi. aur phir parson unhen London ke
liye rawana hona tha. thi. aur phir aankhon mein khafgi basaye woh khud
ko masroof zahir karti taizi se typing karti rahi.

aik sarsari si nigah is par dalta woh sofe par ja betha tha. mrs Shirazi ki
mojoodgi mein woh hamesha apni shakhsiyat ka ulat nazar aata. narmi sirf
uski baton se hi nahi, chehre aur aankhon se bhi jhalkane lagti thi.

"Aap ko kisi se milwana chahta hoon, mummy!" jane se pehle usne kuch
yaad aa jane par mrs Shirazi se kaha.

Jannat ke kaan khade ho gaye. usne sar utha kar faris wajdan ko dekha. uski
pusht jannat ki taraf thi, woh uska chehra parhne se mukammal qassir thi.

"Achha woh kis se?" Mrs. Shirazi ne pur Ishtiaq lehjey mein poocha.

"kisi khaas ul khaas hai! aap ko usse mil kar bohat khushi hogi" jannat ke
lab bhinch gaye. gussa naye sirey se ud kar aaya. aaj use Aima Zahir ki
class leni hogi. wohi kehti thi, uske faris bhai ladkiyo se das feet bees feet
ki doori par rehte hain. ab pata nahi yeh kon thi jise woh auntie se milwana
chahta tha.
Uske chehre par doobti ubharti shakki hikayaato ko padhte faris wajdan ne
samane haath lahraya. woh chonki. phir gadh badha kar uth gayi.

Ab apne majazi khuda ko darwaze par chhorne bhi to jaana tha. mrs Shirazi
ke kamre se nikalte hi usne chehre ka rukh mashriq ki simt kiya aur farsh
par paon patak kar yu chalne lagi jaise sara qasoor hi un tiles ka tha jo uske
peeron taley bichhi hui theen.

"Apni packing to badhe josh o kharosh se kar rahi ho, ho sake to mera
samaan bhi pack kar dena"

Kadre faasle se hi remote key se gadi ka lock kholte hue woh bola to uska
lehja mamool ke bar aks khush gawaar tha.

"Tumhe hi na pack kardu mein?" woh ghurrayi.

"Kar sakti ho to kar do." woh uske samne khada ho gaya. pehle gardan
jhukai, phir uska haath pakda.

"Tum!" usne dabak kar haath chhurana chaha. labon par muskurahat sajaye
woh zara sa uski taraf jhuka.

"Mummy hame hi dekh rahi hain."

Jannat ki haath chhurane ki justojoo dam toar gayi. zara sa rukh badal kar
zabardasti muskarayi taa ke mrs. Shirazi jaan len woh un ke bete ko kitni
mohabbat se ‘alvidah’ kar rahi hai. aur yeh bhi ke woh kitni khush gawaar
zindagi basr kar rahi hai. mashaAllah

"Haan, ab theek hai." faris ki muskurahat gehri hui. usne haath chhura kar
gadi ka darwaaza khoola. ab jao bhi sath hi chidak kar aankhen dikhayi.

"Tumahare dar se nahi ja raha hoon, waqt bohat kam reh gaya hai." wrist
watch par time daikhta woh gaadi mein betha to jannat kamaal ne be
ikhtiyar sukh bhara saans liya. magar uski yeh sukoon bhari kefiyat faris
wajdan se kyun kar bardasht ho sakti thi. sheesha neeche karte hue usne
zara sa sar bahar Kiya.

"Mere paas aik surprise hai tumahre liye."

woh puchna chahti thi kaisa surprise ya surprise ki aadh mein chhupi kaisi
saza kaisa badla? kaisa intizam magar lab bheenche seenay par bazu
bandhe taktaki se use chup chaap dekhatii rahi.

"Karachi se jab wapas aon ga tab."

Ignition mein chaabi ghumate hue usne gaadi start kar di. jannat do qadam
peeche hatt gayi. aankhon par siyah glasses lagaye woh gaari reverse karne
laga. chokidaar ne gate khol diye the. ab woh siyah gaadi ko aahini gate se
bahar nikalta dekh rahi thi.

"Surprise?" jane kyun uska dil kisi nagehani ehsas ke tehat dharak utha tha.

Mrs. Yazdani ne apne pote ki saalgirah par invite Kiya tha. faris Karachi
gaya huwa tha. Aima Murree ghoom rahi thi. aur woh akele na pehle koi
function attend kar saki thi, na ab karna chahti thi. dil bojhal, udaas sa tha.
lekin mrs. Shirazi chahti theen woh zaroor jaye.

"Woh bohat pyar se bulaa rahi hain Jannat"

woh aaj kal uski zaroorat se ziyada khamoshi ko had se ziyada mehsoos kar
rahi thi.

"Mera dil nahi chaah raha." sar jhuka kar woh aik baar phir typing karne
lagi thi. mrs. Shirazi ne use baghore dekha. guzashta kayi dinon se woh aisi
hi thi. udaas, khamosh, pareshan!

"Woh kya sochegi?"

"Mein keh dun gi Faris Karachi gaya huwa tha is liye nahi aa saki ." khat
khat key board par uski ungelian taizi se mutharrik thi.

"Mrs. Yazdani ka yeh invitation khaas tumahre liye hai Jannat, faris to aise
functions aur gatherings bohat kam hi attend karta hai." usne sratha kar
unhen dekha.

"Aap hukum de rahi hain?"

"Yahi samajh lo kitne din ho gaye, mein ne tumhe tayyar hote nahi dekha,
make up jwellery kuch bhi nahi zara yaad karo, Lahore jane se pehle tum
kitna tayyar rehti theen. jaise phool khila rehta hai. bilkul aise hi lagti thi
tum mujhe!" nam aankhon ke sath woh pheeka sa muskurai.

"Chalo utho shabash! jaa kar tayari karo, mrs. Yazdani tumhe apne sath hi
apne farm house le kar jayen gi. mein un se baat kar layti hoon."

"Auntie please"

"Jannat! No arguments, fresh ho jaogi beta!" Gehra tanaffus le kar woh usi
waqt uth gayi thi. tayari karte hue uska zehen musalsal uljha huwa tha.
ajeeb be sukooni thi jo wujood mein phaili hui thi.

tayari mukammal karne ke baad usne sar dard ki goliya ki talaash mein bed
side table ki drawers khichi andar rakhi ashya ko ulat palat karte uske
hathon se siyah makhmali dibiya takrayi. woh kuch der tak kisi mujasme ki
tarah sakit si baithi reh gayi. phir usne makhmali dibiya khol kar dekhi.
nafees si Emerald dimond ring chamak rahi thi.

kuch der tak woh saans roke is besh qeemat tohfe ko dekhati rahi. phir
bhaari dil ke sath use rakh kar uth gayi.

jane kyun uski kefiyat ajeeb si ho rahi thi. Aik Anjana sa khauf sar uthane
laga tha. har tarah ke khayalat ko jhatkti wo shawl achi tarah se ourh kar
purse sambhalti kamre se nikal gayi thi. magar jo be sukooni us dibiya ko
dekh kar uske wujood mein utri thi, usse bawajood koshish ke bhi woh
peecha na chhura saki thi.

rest room mein deewar size aaine ke samne ruk kar usne apne sarape ka az
sarno jaiza liya. phir khule balon ko samaitt kar un ka juda banane lagi.
heels ki tak tak ke sath hi deewar geer aaino mein kisi ka aks ubhra. usne
choank kar be sakhta nigah uthai.

siyah rang ki baarik saari mein malboos ik nazakat aur ada se sej sej qadam
uthati woh uske barabar mein aa khadi hui thi. Sunhere brown baal jude
mein muqeed the. kuch ghunghralli latey dodhaiya chehre ke etraaf mein
thi.
kajal se labraiz badi badi aankhon mein jannat kamaal ko dekhte hi taajjub
ubhra tha. surkh labon par aik dil fraib si muskurahat sajh gayi thi.

"What a surprise!" kuch heran ho kar us ne jannat ka sar ta pair jaiza liya.

"Ghaliban yeh hamari teesri mulaqaat hai. aur abhi tak hamara theek se
introduction bhi nahi huwa!" saari ka Palu haath mein pakdae woh aik ada
se muskarayi. Uski muskurahat bhi ajeeb tanzia ki hui thi.

jannat ne sar jhatak kar khamoshi se rukh badla, clutch mein chhotey size ki
makeup kit rakhi. Aima ki tanbeeh apni jagah, magar is ladki se use kuch
achi vibes nahi aati thi.

"I'm Adina Zubair!" apna naam batate hue usne jannat ke tassurat jacche.
jannat kisi Adina Zubair ko nahi janti thi. yeh uske chehre par saaf saaf
likha tha.

"Faris wajdan ki pehli biwi!"

Jannat ne jhatka kha kar use dekha. Nakrai clutch hath se chhut kar farsh
par ja gira. Liners, lip gloves aur maskara yaha waha bikhar gaye.

"You are surprised!" woh uske tasurat se kuch heran hote hue hans pari.

"ghaliban shirazi khandan ke kisi fard ne tumhe abhi tak faris ki pehli shadi
ke bare mein nahi bataya?"

"Faris ki pehli shadi?" aankhon mein sadma liye jannat apni jagah sakit
khari thi.

"To kaisi life guzar rahi hai tumhari mere ex husband ke sath?" Adina ki
tanzia nigahein uske chehre par thehr gayeen.

"Kya usne tumhe bataya nahi, woh mujh se kitni mohabbat karta hai?
alehadgi ke baad bhi woh mere liye kitna deewana raha hai? meri hi wajah
se usne kitni ladkiya reject ki hain? kitney rishton se inkaar kya hai?"

jannat ka dimagh maoof huwa tha. hawas misl ho rahe the. woh yaqeen aur
be yakeeni mein pathrayi hui
nigahon se Adina Zubair ko dekhe ja rahi thi.

"Mrs. laghari ki beti Samrah ke sath to us ki baat takreeban tay ho chuki thi
lekin ain nikah ke waqt usne inkaar kar diya. Can you imagine? Ain nikah
ke waqt aisi mohabbat hai uski bhula nahi hai woh mujhe nahi bhool sakta
hai woh kabhi aaj bhi mein is ke dil mein abad hoon meri jagah nah usne
kabhi kisi ko di hai, nah hi woh de sakta hai!"

jannat ki aankhon mein nami phail gayi. manzar dhundla sa gaya. to yeh
wajah thi faris wajdan ki nafrat, dhutkar aur be aitnai ki. nikah jaise
muqaddas rishte ko aik Moeen muddat tak qaim rakhne ki.

"Woh aaj bhi mujhe apnane ka muntazir hai. inkaar to meri taraf se hai.
faisla to mein nahi badal rahi. lekin socho jannat agar mein usey haan keh
dun. zara socho! tumhari kya hesiyat reh jaye gi?"

woh sawal nahi, goya pahad tha jo jannat ke sar par toota tha. khud se kya
gaya har aik ehad aik lamhay mein fanaa huwa tha. woh jo apna ghar
chhorne ka faisla bohat pehle kar chuki thi, ab ghar ujadta dekh kar satke
mein aagai thi.

"Nice to meet you Jannat" adina Zubair ke labn par aik fatihana muskurahat
raqsa thi.

"Ummid hai hamari agli mulaqaat wajdan house mein bohat jald hogi!"

Wo ja chuki thi aur Jannat kamaal wash besin par girift jamaye maoof hote
zehen ke sath ba-mushkil apne qadmo par khadi thi.

(Flashbacks)

"Mein aap ko kisi se milwana chahta hoon! mummy bohat khaas ul khaas
hai!"

"woh aik surprise hai tumahre liye"

Usne saans laine ki koshish ki magar use saans nahi aa raha tha. seene par
haath rakhe woh neeche baith gayi thi.
phone calls, khush gawaar rawaiyya, side table se bar aamad hone wala ring
case.

"Kar sakta hoon! mein to ab mummy se yeh bhi keh sakta hoon, meri biwi
banjh hai, mein doosri shadi karna chahta hoon."

jannat kamaal ne aziyat se aankhen mitch li thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-22•
woh bed side ke sath pusht tikaye farsh par do zaano baithi thi. kamre mein
nil jagi si roshni ka madham sa taassur tha jo uski aankhon ki weerani ko
ayaa kar raha tha. rangat zard lab baaham paivest. aur aik hi nuqtey par
jame barahemiyat se.

aik aag thi jis mein sab jal raha tha. khawab bhi khwahisaat bhi umeed bhi
yaqeen bhi! paas hi mobile para tha. screen roshan thi. anjaan number se
arsaal ki gayeen faris aur Adina Zubair ki shadi ki tasaveer khuli pari thi.

zindagi bhar se bhar poor muskurahat, sanjeeda magar kuch narmi liye
tasurat, hashash bashaash chehra magar jannat kamaal ki tamam tar tawajah
un Hazel green aankhon par markooz rahi thi jin se jhalakte mohabbat ke
haseen rang use un paanch mah mein aik baar bhi nazar nahi aaye the.
jannat ki sangat mein to jaise woh adhoora tha. mukammal to woh Adina
Zubair ke sath lag raha tha. jodi bhi kamaal ki thi. pehli nazar mein khayaal
aaye to bas yahi ke bane hi aik dosre ke liye hain.

'Agar mein use haan keh du. zara socho! tumhari hesiyat kya reh jaye gi?'
dil mein aik hook si uthi. ankhen mukammal tor par num ho gayi. "hesiyat"
zehen ke parde par lamhe bhar ke liye aik manzar ubhra, phir dosr, phir
teesra, aankhon mein thehre ansoo galoon par larakh gaye. maazi mustaqbil
mein dhalne laga. aziat roop badalne lagi. chehre katmak hone lagey.

maheen ki jagah "Adina" aagai thi. Burhan ki jagah "Faris" le chuka tha.
waqt aik baar phir wohi hekiyaat likh raha tha. jis ka aaghaz be shak
mukhtalif magar anjaam ab bhi aik sa tha. hesiyat jutla kar, aib batla kar,
raste juda kar dena. uske sath aik baar phir wohi ho raha tha. woh aik baar
phir usi takleef se guzarne wali thi. us par khaar raste par chalne wali thi.
khail ab bhi naseeb ka tha. farq sirf itna tha ke ab ki bara se koi khawab
nahi dikhaya gaya tha, umeed nahi dilae gayi thi. na aitbar jatayaa gaya tha,
na mohabbat dikhayi gayi thi. ab ki baar jazbaat me banawat nahi thi, na
andaaz mein Halawat thi. ab ki baar woh sacha khada insaan apni nafraton
mein bohat khalis tha, apne iraadon ka pukhta, apne faislon par aaj bhi qaim
tha.

bhatak to woh gayi thi jo yeh soch baithi thi sab theek ho jaye ga. theek
nahi bhi huwa, to woh sambhal jaye gi. qismat jis raste ka intikhab kare gi,
woh chal padegi. jis manzil ka taayun kere gi, woh us tak pahonch jaye gi.
magar woh saari himmat, woh poora ka poora hosla, woh umeed se bhara
yaqeen, us ka azm, uska faisla sab lamhe mein fanaa huwa tha. woh bikhar
kar simatne ke bajaye mazeed reza reza hone lagi thi. aakhir woh kyun har
baar khaali haath, tahii daman reh jati thi? kyun Adm ho jaya karti thi?
kyun nafi kar di jati thi?

'Mummy ko bahu chahiye thi woh apni marzi aur pasand se tumhe yahan le
bhi aayi, mujhe life partners chahiye hota to mein kam az kam tumhara
intikhab na karta.' andar kahin aawaz gunji thi. sard, khushk, jala kar bhasm
kar daine wali aawaz

'Auk surprise hai tumahre liye.' chehra hathon mein chhupaye woh phoot
phoot kar rone lagi. ghutno par sar rakhe rote siskate usne apne gird bazu
bandh liye. woh apne aap ko, apni girift mein le kar jaise sambhalne ki
koshish kar rahi thi, magar woh sambhal nahi rahi thi. uska dil ro rha tha.
uski rooh tadap rahi thi.

'positive socho bacche!' nana tehelte hue aksar kahe jate the. aaj bhi un ki
aawaz baaz gasht ban kar uske andar gunji thi

"Is haalat mein bhi?" woh hichkiyo ke beech baa-mushkil bol payi.

"Is haalat mein bhi baba? Is haalat mein bhi baba?"

"Dard aur takleef ki intahaa par agar tum positive nahi sochogi to phir kab
sochogi?" woh muskuraye.

usne aansu se tar chehra upar uthaya.

kamre mein uske alawa aur koi nahi tha.

"Roshni mein yeh gumaan rakhna ke rasta mil jaye ga, qadre aasaan hai."
woh khidki ke paas khare bahar dekh rahe thi. "Asal kamaal to us ka huwa
jo azmaish ki tariqi mein us soch par qaim raha, us waqt jab koi rasta tha,
na roshni baqi rahi thi." ab woh uske samne panjoo ke bal baithe the. uska
haath thame, uske ansoo ponch rahe the aur woh be basi se roye jarahi thi.
woh himmat kar ke aaj nana se keh dena chahti thi.

jeene ki har khwahish khatam. ab bas mout mil jaye. aik naye imthehan
mein parney se pehle, aik nai azmaish ko jhelne se pehle. woh bas kisi tarah
mit jaye. ab ki baar woh khaak ho aur phir khaak hi rahe. ab ki baar jab uski
mout ho to jagah qabar hi bane. bas ab aur nahi. ab mazeed aur nahi.

bahar aasman par baadal phail rahe the. hawae taiz ho rahi theen. apne gird
bazu he woh qaleen par simat kar late gayi thi. woh sona chahti thi. apne
dard se laa talluq hona chahti thi, magar andar ka shor hamesha ki tarah Us
khwahish par badh gaya tha.

baadalon ki ghann garaj ke sath hi unki aankh khul gayi thi. golion se
chhalni wujood, khoon se surkh hoti safaid shirt chaal mein larkharaht
wheel chair par Barajman adhe zindah adhe be jaan wujood ke samne
panjoo ke bal jhukta woh.

unhon ne palken jhapkai, sidiyon ki aeni ralling ab sahara ho chuki thi. woh
baa-mushkil apne qadmon par khari theen. baa-mushkil apna focus uske
chehre par jamaye hue thi.

"Jo khail aap ne apni taaqat se shuru kiya tha, uska injaam yahi hota tha."
Ladkhadati, rondhi hui, raiyat waqt mazbooti se kamzoree ki taraf bardhti
hui aawaz.

"Mera mera beta kahan hai?"ab ke woh mathos ho kar aage badhi thi.

manzar badla, roshni andhera hui thi, magar ehsasat wohi rahe the, dard bhi
wohi, aziyat bhi wohi, maazi bhi wohi.

woh takiye ke sahare uth bathain. haath barha kar lamp roshan kar diya.
unka chehra mukammal tor par aanso-on se tar ho raha tha. wujood par aik
kapkapi taari thi.
deewar geer khidkion ke parde doriyon mein bandhe hue the. lawn ki lights
ki jarkar roshiniyon mein barish shiddat se barasti nazar aa rahi thi. andar
aur bahar ka mausam aik ho raha tha.

"Aap ko kabhi mujh se mohabbat nahi thi. aap ko hamesha woh nazar aaya
hai. hamesha uski fiqr rahi hai."wo shishak pari.

"Yateem bachon ko sabr aa jata hai ke woh jante hain, un ke maa baap
qabro mein hain, agar jo wo zindah hote to un ki haalat aisi na hoti lekin jin
bachon ko maloom ho, un ke maa baap zinda hain aur tab bhi un ki yeh
haalat hai. zara socho inhen sabr kaise aata hoga?"

manzar badal rahe the. magar pendulum ki aawaz wohi thi. woh har manzar
mein, har haqeeqat mein, har khayaal mein aik si thi.

'insaan un sawalaat ka kya kere jo neend ura den. be qarari mein baha de.
jinka koi jawab na ho, na mantaq, na Daleel , bas aik sarah jais jung, be
cheeni, be sukooni, bas dard, aziyat,

kar woh hospital ke corridor mein khadi thi.

"Sawal zameer uthata hai. jawab imaan dilata hai, imaan batla raha hai,
mein bhatak rahi hoon! imaan batla raha hai tum ab sahi raste par ho!"

unhon ne aziat se lab bhinch liye. ab woh be aawaz ro rhi theen.

'Mein agar use udaan ke liye par de raha hoon to munasib waqt par laine ka
ikhtiyar bhi rakhta hoon, mein jis waqt usey hudood o quyood se nikalta
daikhon ga, usey wapas uski auqaat mein le aaunga , magar jo tum kar rahi
ho, us par tum bohat pachhtaogi.'

unhon ne Gehra tanaffus le kar apne asaab par qaboo pane ki koshish ki.
zehen ko maazi ki girift se chhurana chaha, magar nakaam rahim

"Mein kya hoon mammy? mein kahan hoon?" Unhen laga wo un ke samne
aan khara huwa hai. aankhon par hath rakhe woh be aawaz roti rahi. deewar
geer khirkion ke us paar barish se num hoti bojhul fiza mein kahin bijli
chamki thi. doosri manzil ke bed room mein carpet par laiti, neend ki gehri
wadiyon mein utarti jannat kamaal ne zara der ke liye ankhen khol kar band
kar li.

mobile silent par tha. andhere mein screen roshan ho rahi thi. aur isi roshni
mein side table par rakhe guldaan mein thehre phoolon ki pattian toot kar
neeche aa giri thi.

sara din aasman baadalon ki lapait mein raha tha. mausam toofani tha.
waqfay waqfay se barish bhi do teen baar baras chuki thi. siyah rang ki ae
line kamij par halke rang ka lamba uni sweater zaib tan kiye, woh us waqt
kitchen mein khansama ke sath raat ke khane ki taiyari kar rahi thi. surkh o
mutwaram aankhon mein khamoshi thehri thi. chehra zard ho raha tha.
tabiyat nidhaal lag rahi thi.

uska zahen uljha huwa sa tha. woh cabinet kholti to kuch lamhoon tak
sochti rehti ke kis liye khoola hai. fridge ke andar se jo cheez nikaal kar lati.
uski zaroorat hargiz na hoti. aur jis ki zaroorat hoti woh cheez ba wujood
talaash ke use na millti. saare kaam usse ghalat ho rahe the.

Mrs. Shirazi bilkul samne glass walls ki taraf rukh kiye baithi thi. sheeshe
par phisalte katro par nigah jamaye kisi soch mein doobi hui theen. kaano
mein air phones lga rakhe the. mobile par yaqeenan woh kuch sun rahi thi.
aur kaafi der se sun rahi thi.

aik nazar un par daalte hue woh aahista se muri aur agle hi lamhe uska sir
chakra gaya. usne bekhasta counter table ko thaam kar khud ko girne se
bachaya tha. mulazma ne uska baazu pakar kar use sahara daine ki koshish
ki.

"Mein theek hoon" bazu chhurate hue usne doosre haath se maiz ka sahara
liye rakha. phir kursi khech kar baith gayi. tashweesh se uski taraf dekhte
hue mulazma ne taizi se glass mein pani

daal kar diya tha. chand ghoont bharne ke baad woh peshani masalne lagi
thi. sar dar se phataa ja raha tha. woh raat bhar so nahi saki thi. Upar se
pareshani ke baais bhook bhi taqreeban khatam ho chuki thi. na woh theek
se nashta kar saki thi, na do pehar ka khana kha saki thi. aur jo khaya tha,
woh ziyada der pait mein thehr nahi saka tha. shadeed depression aur
Anxiety mein us

ke sath yahi hota tha.

chand lamhon tak woh maiz par sir daale baithi rahi thi. phir kisi ehsas ke
tehat is ne sar utha kar mrs shirazi ko dekha tha. sad shukar ke woh uski
taraf mutwajjah nahi theen, warna woh uske liye kitna pareshan ho jati.

guzashta raat jo kuch huwa tha, uska hawala usne mrs Shirazi ko nahi diya
tha. woh Adina Zubair se mutaliq puchne ki himmat nahi kar payi thi. na is
baat ka shikwa karne ki sakt rakhti thi ke yeh baat usse kyu chhupayi gayi
thi. Saira khaala bhi to uski haqeeqat chhupa gayi theen. uska maazi uski
pehli Talaq ki wajah kuch bhi to nahi bataya tha unhone phir woh shikwah
karti bhi to kaise?

yaka yak mrs. Shirazi ka mobile baj utha faris ki call thi. woh airport se
ghar ki taraf rawana ho raha tha. usse baat karne ke baad mrs Shirazi aik
baar phir Sabiqa kaam mein masroof ho gayi theen. woh subah se jane kyun
kuch pareshan aur khamosh hi thi.

bahar ghanti baji thi. Intercom par baat karne ke baad aqsa ne mrs Shirazi
ke paas ja kar unhen kisi khatoon ki aamad ke bare mein aagahi di. mrs.
Shirazi pehle heran hui phir asbat mein sar hila diya. khansama ko zaroori
Hidayat deti woh uth kar lounge ki taraf aane lagi. isi Isna mein saddar
darwaaza khil gaya tha. mulazim ke hamrah daakhil hoti khatoon par nazar
padhte hi Jannat apni jagah patthar ho gayi.

Faiza chachhi maheen ki ammi woh yaha? uska dil ruk sa gaya. sansen
tham gayeen. ghar mein daakhil hote hi un ki pehli nazar jannat padi thi. wo
heziyani andaaz mein chikhte hue uski taraf badhi theen. buddua, dahaiya,
kose dete use par chillane lagi thi. mrs shirazi ke samne woh is ke aik aik
gunah, aik aik ghalti ki pitare khole uski zaat ke parkhacche ura rahi thi.
woh us par jhapatna chahti theen, use jaan se maar daalna chahti theen, yeh
to aqsa hi thi jo aik dam se uske aage aayi thi. wohi unhen peechay hatate
hue use bachane ki koshish kar rahi thi. aur jannat to yun thi jaise us mein
jaan hi na rahi ho.
"Meri bacchi ki khushiyo ki kaatil, is ne jadu karwaya. is ne.." jannat ka
zehen maoof hone laga. kaan saaien saaien karne lagey the.

aasman par kahin bijli chamki thi, badal bhi garje the. barish shiddat se
barsne lagi. aur woh dehshat zada si apni jagah khadi reh gayi thi. uski
himmat na hui woh mrs shirazi ki taraf dekh lati. saari qowat aur sakat jaise
us aik lamhe khatam ho kar reh gayi thi.

woh un ki aankhon mein apne liye herat, sadma, be yakeeni jaise tasurat
nahi dekh sakti thi. wahid hasti jin ki woh nafrat nahi reh sakti thi. usne aik
lamhe ke liye bhi rukh nahi badla. aik lamhe ke liye bhi un ka chehra nahi
dekha. aansoo se num aankhon ke sath roti sakti woh be ikhtiyari ke aalam
mein saddar darwaaza dhakelti bahar nikal gayi.

mausam ab bhi toofani tha. barish ab bhi baras rahi thi. sah pehar ka waqt
tha. Jaise raat ki tariqi jaisa ho raha tha. bairooni darwaaza uboor kar ke
foot path par ujlat mein qadam rakhte hue woh aage badhti gayi. yahi aik
rishta tha, yahi aik aitbaar jise woh khona nahi chahti thi. yahi aik be los
mohabbat reh gayi thi jis se woh mehroom nahi hona chahti thi. woh is ghar
mein un ki wajah se thi. woh is ghar mein un ki wajah se rehna chahti thi.
magar yeh kya hogaya tha? kyun ho gaya tha? uska dil shiddat gham se
phatne laga. woh be ikhtiyar ho kar rone lagi. woh kahan jarahi thi usey
maloom nahi tha. woh kahan chale jana chahti thi use andaza na tha.
dimagh maflooj ho raha tha. sochne samajhne ki salahiyat jaise mafqud ho
kar reh gayi thi. sadak cross karte woh kisi gaari ke taley aate aate bachi thi.
park ke us goshe mein masjid ki uqbi side par deewar ke paas rakhte hue
uska jee chaha to woh cheekh cheekh kar royi magar muh par haath rakhe,
apni cheekhon ka gala ghonte woh neeche baith gayi thi.

zehen ki screen par maazi kisi film ki tarah ubhar ne laga tha. manazair
wazeh hone lage the. zakham udhrne lage the. sansen tham rahi thi. aawaz
doobne ko thi aur dard tha ke badhta hi ja raha tha, Badhta hi ja raha tha!

woh maazi uska maazi uski galtiyan us ke gunah uska ehatasab! ab ke bijli
lamhe bhar ke liye chamki to dharti par andhera badha gayi. sah pehar ka
sooraj mukammal ghuroob ho chuka tha. barish hanooz baras rahi thi.
uski zindagi ki dhundli tasweeron mein kuch ajnabi sanasa sa chehre the.
shanasa is liye ke khooni rishte the. aur ajnabi is liye ke uski pehchan liye
rakhte ths. ammi, abbu aur hasnain. zindagi in teen logon se judi thi. magar
un teeno se kat kar bhi khatam nahi hui.

Husnain uska judwa bhai tha. chhe behno ke baad uske sath peda hone wala
kamaal junaid ka aklotaa beta! jis ki paidaiesh se Nafisa aur kamaal junaid
ki zindagi mein baharen utar aayi theen. har waqt taane aur tanjiya daine
wali dadi ke ravaiye mein mithaas ghul gayi thi. Tarah tarah ki baatein
banane wale apno aur ghairo ke muh bhi band ho gaye the. Nafisa mutmaen
theen ke ab doosri shadi ka mauzo bhi zair behas nahi laya jaye ga, na
betiyo ke taane diye jaye ge. na kamtar samjha jaye ga ke ab woh aik bete
ki maa theen aur saat baityon ke baad aik bete ki maa hona koi choti baat
hargiz nahi thi.

Unhen ab sirf husnain yaad tha. khayaal tha bhi to sirf uska. aur jannat
wahan kahan thi? shayad kahin bhi nahi thi. Nafisa ko to yaad bhi nahi tha
ke unhon ne hasnain ke sath aik beti ko bhi janam diya hai. Husnain ka
naam to is waqt rakh diya gaya tha magar woh apne wujood ki tarah kitne
hi dinon be naam rahi thi.

yeh to nana the jin ki tawajah us par pari thi. naam bhi unhon ne khud rakha
tha aur jane kya soch kar kya samajh kar woh uski badi behan hafsa ko
khaas tor par takeed kar gaye the ke woh uska khayaal rakhe. sada ki shukar
guzaar, sabar karne wali khamosh tabi Hafsa ne yeh baat jaise apni girah se
bandh li. woh jannat ke liye maa ho gayi. doodh usne feeder ka hi piya tha
ke Nafisa ne apna doodh pilane se inkaar kar diya tha. hasnain ke baad na
unhen apna koi hosh raha tha na ghar ke kisi fard ka khayaal raha tha aur
jannat to phir nanhi bachi thi. jis ki mojudgi ka ehsas bhi uske rone ki
aawaz se hota tha.

zindagi ke ibtidayi paanch saal usne be fikri ke aalam mein Hafsa ki sangat
mein guzare the. un paanch saloon mein aisa kabhi nahi huwa tha ke maa
baap ya dadi mein se kisi ne use pyar kiya ho ya bulaa kar apne paas
bithaya ho. kuch kaha ho, ya phir suna hi diya ho. ghar ki un teen hastiyon
ki zindagi to jaisey hasnain se shuru ho kar hasnain par hi khatam thi.
Lekin woh hassas thi. balaa ki samajh daar bhi hasnain ko har waqt maa ke
sath dekhatii to uska bhi dil chahta ke woh use bhi bulayen. use bhi pyar
kare. uske liye bhi qeemti kapre khareede aur dhair saare khilono ka ambaar
laga de. bachi thi. na samajh thi yeh nahi janti thi ke jab yeh khwahisaat
uski doosri behno ki poori nahi hui thi to uski kaise ho jati.

ehsas kamtaree mein ghiri kamaal junaid ki sab hi betiya Adm tawajhi ka
shikaar thi. maa aik aurat hote hue bhi un ka dard, un ki aziyat, un ki
shakhsiyat ke khalaa ko pur karne se qassir! shayad pandrah saloon ki zehni
aziat ne unhen bhi normal nahi rehne diya tha. shayad logon ki zubano ne
un se un ka ehsas bhi chhina tha. woh bas ab aik bete ki maa thi. aik bete ki
maa hi rehna chahti thi.

Jab Hafsa ki shadi hui to uski Umar chhe saal thi. hansi khushi naye kapro
mein is ne har taqreeb dulhan bani Hafsa ki goad sambhale rakhi thi. lekin
jab rukhsati ka waqt aaya to us par yaka yak hi inkishaaf huwa ke woh usey
chhor kar ja rahi hai.

bohat shor machaya tha usne bohat royi aur chillayi thi wo. dulhan bani
Hafsa ke seene se chimti usse judda hone ko bhi tayyar na thi. Uski behno
ne hi use baa-mushkil Hafsa se alag kiya tha. use jhooti tasalliyan dilase bhi
diye gaye the. use bataya gaya tha woh abhi ja rahi hain, kal aa jayegi lekin
wo 'kal'

phir kabhi nahi aayi thi.

Hafsa ke jane ke baad use ehsas huwa woh bhari duniya mein bilkul tanha
reh gayi hai. un ki judai se peda hone wale is khalaa ne jannat ki shakhsiyat
mein ajeeb se rang bhar diye thay. ab imaan usey apni zimmedari samajh
kar sambhaal rahi thi magar woh phir bhi us ka is tarag khayaal nahi rakhti
thi jaisey Hafsa rakha karti thi. uske muamle mein bas yahi zaroori samjha
jata ke use waqt par khila pila diya jata. Nehla dhula kar kapre badal diye
jate. home work karwa diya jata. magar use to mohabbat or dekh bhaal ki
zaroorat thi.

Imaan to use apne sath sulati bhi nahi thi ke is tarah use neend nahi aati thi
jabke usey Hafsa ke seene se lag kar sone ki aadat thi. jab se hafsa ki shadi
hui thi, woh ghar ke aik aik fard mein use talashti phir rahi thi. magar nah
uske jaisa kisi ka rawaiyya tha, na uske jaisi kisi ki mohabbat thi. phone par
usse baat hoti to ro ro kar usey wapas aane ka kehti aur woh dhair saare
khilonon ka wada kar ke uska dil behlaane ki koshish karti. doosre shehar
mein thi. jald aa bhi nahi sakti thi. doosri behno se, khaas tor par maa se bhi
kehti, woh Hasnain ki tarah use bhi kuch waqt de. magar hamesha ki tarah
koi bhi uski baat ko khatir mein nahi lata tha.

Jannat jitni gumsum, hasaas, masoom tarin thi Husnain utna hi shararati,
badtamiz, aflatun kism ka baccha tha. Ladh payar se sar chadha or kuch
hadd tak bigda hua bhi. ghar me kamzor sirf jannat hi thi. uska bas bhi sirf
usi par chalta tha. wo bilawajah se usse ladh padhta, copiya phad deta, jara
jara si bat par sikhayat lagwa kar datt padhwa deta. Baal pakadta, khilone
bhi tod deta.

Jawaban wo use kuch bhi nahi keh sakti thi. Keh deti to hungama barpa ho
jata tha. Nafeesa ulta use hi datt deti thi.

"Ek hi bhai hai tumhara agar kuch keh bhi diya hai to kya ho gaya hai?"

Uski kisi bhi sikhayat ko khatir me nahi laya jata tha. Ulta Husnain ki un
galtiyo ko enjoy kiya jata tha. Uski badtamizi ek masoom si harkat mehsoos
hoti, uski hathdarmi par payar Kiya jata.

jannat ko apna judwa bhai acha nahi lagta tha. woh pehley usse sirf darti
thi, magar ab nafrat bhi karne lagi thi. uski tamam tar koshish yahi hoti ke
woh kisi tarah husnain se dur rahe. kam nuqsan nahi the hi jo wo uske kar
chuka tha. Hafsa jitne bhi khilone uske liye bhejti, woh unhen toar phore
kar rakh deta. Khelne ki nobat hi na aati.

maa ke ghair munsifana ravaiye se wo din badin sher hi hota ja raha tha.
doosri taraf saade chhe saal ki jannat andar hi andar se ghut rahi thi magar
na kisi ko bta sakti thi aur nahi uski shikayat laga sakti thi kyun ke woh saat
behno ka ek lota bhai tha. Nafisa aur kamaal junaid ka ek lota beta!

Uski har ghalti maaf thi. uski har khata par dar guzar, woh jo chahe kar
sakta tha. use koi rok tok na thi. use laad pyar ne use itna bigad diya tha ke
wo ghusse mein ghar ki cheeze bhi tor deta tha. uske ghusse ka ziyada
nishana banti thi. behno se ulajh parta use woh din aaj bhi yaad tha jab
Hafsa aapi purey chhe mah baad Lahore aayi thi. uske liye guriya aur kapre
bhi layi thi. layi to woh bohat kuch husnain ke liye bhi theen magar husnain
se to jaise uski khushi khaas tor par jannat Ki khushi bardasht hi nahi hoti
thi.

Sunhere lambay balon wali baar bi hathon mein liye is din woh be intahaa
khush thi. Bade chhote sab aik doosre se mehv guftagu the. baatein ho rahi
theen. aur woh guriya haath mein liye bramde mein aagai thi. phir wahi se
us ne sidiyo ka rukh kya. upar kamre mein uska trunk para tha. husnain ke
Atab

ka shikaar toote phoote khilono ko tape se jod jod kar usne wahan ekhatta
kar rakha tha. koi aik khilona bhi aisa nahi tha jo salamat raha ho. aur koi
aik khilona bhi aisa nahi tha jise usne kachre mein pheink diya ho. jo cheez
tut ti woh is ke dil ke ziyada qareeb ho jati thi. woh sunhere balon wali is
guriya ko bhi apne is truck mein rakh dena chahti thi. wo khud Hussain se
mehfooz nahi rehti thi magar apni guriya ko mehfooz rakhna chahti thi.
janti thi uska junooni bhai is guriya ko bhi nahi chhorega.

chulhe mein jhonk dega ya phir uski gardan alag kar ke uski tangen tod
maror kar pheink dega. woh zair lab muskarati khushi khushi sidiyan chadh
rahi thi aur Hussain uske peeche peeche chhupke se aa raha tha. kisi ehsas
ke tehat usne ruk kar peeche dekha tha aur phir khauf se wahi tham kar reh
gayi thi.

"Jannat tum ne mujhe apni doll nahi dikhayi?" Jannat ki aankhon mein
haras phail gaya. guriya par girift badh gayi. woh sahih maeno mein apne is
jungli bhai se darti thi jis ka bas us par aur us ke masoom khilono par chalta
tha. aur is lamhe jab woh chhat ki sidiyon par khasi bulandi se is ke haath se
guriya chhin raha tha.

To is waqt usne shayad zindagi mein pehli baar himmat dikhata hue apni
guria bachane ki koshish ki thi isi khincha tani ke douran Hussain ne is ki
guriya ko balon se pakar kar is qowat se khincha tha ke is ke halaq se
cheekh nikal gayi thi. aise jaisa sach sach mein husnain ne uske baal khech
daale ho.
Kuch aisi hi takleef thi jo uske andar utheen thi, ke ab guria ka sar ab
Hussain ke paas tha aur dhar uske hathon mein. aur woh hash raha tha us
par uski be basi par uska nuqsaan kar ke ab hans raha tha. phir woh guriya
ka dhar hthyane ke liye lapka tha.

Taish ke aalam mein kuch ghusse aur be basi se is ne rote hue usne husnain
ko khud se pare dhakela tha. aur tab hi woh ladkhadaya tha. uski aankhon
ke samne bohat achanak khail lamhe ka tha ya phir lamhe se bhi kam
muddat ka tha.

drawing room se nikalti Nafisa ki aankhon ke samne Hussain sidiyo par

ludkta kachi eento ke farsh par ja padha. uska sir phat gaya. khoon behne
laga. ankhen band huien aur jism sakit ho gaya. Nafisa ke halaq se cheekh
nikal gayi. aur jannat tooti hui guriya apne hathon mein liye khauf se thar
thar kaanpti khari reh gayi thi.

husnain mauqe par hi dam toar gaya tha. Nafisa nim pagal si ho gayi. woh
bhool gayi ke jannat bhi un ka khoon hai. unhon ne pehli baar us par haath
uthaya. itna mara ke woh marne ke qareeb ho gayi.

"Yeh bad-bhakt kha gayi mere bacche ko maar diya is ne mere husnain ko
mere bete ko maar diya."

mohabbat to shayad woh pehley bhi nahi karti thi. magar saade chhe saal ki
Umar mein ysne saggi maa ki shadeed

tareen nafrat sahi. un ka dimaghi tawazun durust na raha tha. raat ko roti
tadapti bahar bhaag jati. husnain ki

qabar se lapat jati. kahin aur bas na chalta to jannat par phut parti. kamaal
junaid alag gham se nidhaal the, magar Nafisa ki nisbat kuch muthammil
the magar pehle se ziyada khamosh ho gaye the.

unhon ne pehle din jannat par haath uthaya tha magar ab to nazar utha kar
bhi uski taraf nahi dekhte the. behne bhai ko yaad kar ke alag roti aur sochti
sirf guriya hi to thi magar guriya saade chhe saal ki us bachi ke liye bohat
ahem thi. jis ki zindagi mein pyar mohabbat aur rishton ki be intahaa kami
thi.
"Yeh peda hi kyun hui? yeh peda hote hi mar kyu nahi gayi? mein ne is ka
gala usi waqt kyun nahi ghoont diya."

aur woh dabi dabi si, roi roi si aankhon se unhen dekhati rehti. kamre mein
chhupi rehti. maa agar pagal ho rahi thi to normal woh bhi na rahi thi. aik
din to intahaa ho gayi thi. Nafisa ne gala daba kar use jaan se marne ki
koshish ki thi. agar imaan bar-waqt mudakhlat na karti to shayad woh aisa
kar bhi gujrti.

Unhi dinon nana aaye the. ghar ke mamlaat ki khabar unhen pehle bhi thi
magar jab jannat ki haalat dekhi to raha nahi gaya. beti par baras parre gum
sum damaad ko bhi aade hathon liya. phir uska samaan baandha aur usey
apne sath le jane ke liye tayyar ho gaye.

"Yahan rahegi to husnain ki tarag yeh bhi mar jaye gi."

jate waqt unhon ne imaan se kaha tha. woh aankhon mein nami liye nazre
chura gayi. bhai ka gham taaza tha. sadma gehra tha. sabar kisi ko bhi to
nahi aa raha tha. use kaise aa jata? har chand usne jannat ke liye naram
hona chaha magar na ho payi. Lahore se queta ka safar behad khamoshi se
kata tha. woh bemaar thi, zehni tor par bhi normal na rahi thi.

Nana doctor the. agle chand din woh un ke clinic mein zair e ilaaj rahi thi.
tabiyat sambhli to wo use ghar le aaye. woh itni

khauf zada aur harasa thi ke un se bhi darti thi. bolna to usne taqreeban
chhor diya tha. khana baa-mushkil khati thi.

sote mein chikhte hue uth kar baith jati. un ki girift mein chilla chilla kar
roti rehti. har bara se lagta amma use maar rahi hain. har bara se lagta
husnain sidiyo se uski wajah se gir raha hai. nana ki agosh mein woh kuch
sambhal jati. naram rawaiyya aur mohabbat se woh kuch behal jati. rote
rote wo so jati magar chehre par takleef da asraat neend ki haalat mein bhi
thehray rehte.

"w-wo meri guriya t-todna chahta tha." seene se lag kar, un ki kamij ko
muthiyo mein bhinch kar woh roti.
"M-Mein ne nahi giraya tha, woh K-Khud gir gaya tha baba"

Nana uski zehni haalat ke paish e nazar kaafi pareshan rahe. unhon ne uska
child psychiatrist se muaina karwaya. kuch arse tak sessions hote rahe. ilaaj
chalta raha. rafta rafta woh normal hone lagi. magar raton mein ab bhi rote
hue uth kar baith jati thi.

uska zehen bhatkane ke liye aur zindagi mein use masroof karne ke liye
unhon ne uska school mein admission karwa diya tha. kaafi had tak na sahi,
magar waqt ke sath sath woh kuch had tak zaroor sambhal gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-23•
•••

husnain ki wafaat ke 10 Mah baad car accident mein kamaal junaid ka

inteqal ho gaya tha. use achi tarah se yaad tha nana use apne sath Lahore le
kar nahi gaye the. woh sara waqt un ke mulazim Noor ul deen ki biwi ke
sath ghar mein rahi thi. woh bachi thi. nuqsaan ki itni samajh nahi thi.

kamaal junaid ne, na usse mohabbat ki thi aur nahi uski behno se hamesha
ghusse se jhunjhlaye hue raha karte the. jab husnain peda huwa tha, tab hi
un ke chehre ke tassurat badle the aur wo kuch naram hue the. magar yeh
narmi, khush ikhlaqi aur mohabbat bhara rawaiyya bhi sirf husnain ke liye
hi tha.

Woh saat betiyo ke baap the magar un ko khushi husnain ka baap ban kar
hui thi. jab tak woh un ke sath ghar mein

rahi thi, usey yaad nahi tha ke unhone kabhi usse pyar kiya ho ya naam se
pukara ho. use shak tha shayad unhen uska naam bhi maloom na ho. aisa
baap jab duniya se rukhsat huwa tha to bas zara der ke liye usne mehsoos
karne ki koshish ki thi ke usne zindagi mein aik ahem rishta kho diya hai.
yeh ehsas takleef deh tha.

aankhon mein nami bhi aayi thi. sadma bhi pouncha tha magar woh ro nahi
saki thi. shayad is liye ke woh un ke Kareeb nahi rahi thi. shayad is liye bhi
ke woh sadhe saat saal ki aik kam Umar bachi thi jise abhi in mamlaat ki
theek se samajh na thi ya phir yeh khayaal tasalii bakhash tha ke usne apne
waalid ko sidiyo se nahi giraya tha. waalid uski wajah se nahi mare the.
magar baap ki mout bhi uske khate mein likh di gayi thi. woh husnain ki
mout ki zimmedaar samjhi jati thi, ab woh apne baap ki mout ki bhi
zimmedaar thehra di gayi thi.

wo manhoos, bad bakhat uski hi wajah se is ghar ki ronaqe qabro taley ja

soi theen. saari khatae uske khate mein thi. saare hisaab uski taraf khulte
the.

Nana use sath le kar nahi gaye the. unhon ne in 10 Mah me usey is qader
mushkil se sambhala tha ke ab woh nahi chahate the jannat wapas usi ghar,
usi mahol mein jaye. tab tak nahi tab tak Nafisa ka dil jannat ke liye naram
nahi ho jata. ya woh uske na karta gunaho ko maaf nahi kar deti.

woh maa thi. bete ke qaatil ko maaf nahi kar sakti thi. beta bhi aisa jo aik
lota ho. pandra salon ke taweel intezaar ke baad zindagi mein aaya ho. phir
shohar ki hadshati mout.

Un ke liye yeh bare gehre sadme the. abhi tak to unhen husnain ka sabr nahi
aaya tha to is hadase par kaise sambhal jati? nana ki ammi se phone par baat
huwa karti thi. woh ab bhi Lahore jaya karte the. itna woh janti thi uski maa
pehle se behtar thi aur yeh bhi ke use qaboolne ke liye hargiz hargiz tayyar
nahi thi. behno ka khayaal tha, woh baa-mushkil sambhli he, jannat ko
dekhen gi to unhe husnain yaad aaye ga. aur husnain jise Nafisa nahi bhuli
thi

uska chehra yun jannat ke roop mein samne aaye ga to woh hawaas kho
baithegi.

Nana ko bhi yahi lagta tha ke yeh soorat e haal sirf un ki beti ki na thi.
nawasi ki bhi thi. jannat is tarah ke halaat se dochar thi. aaj bhi woh sote
mein uth kar baith jati thi. dar jati thi aur unhen bhi dara deti thi.

"Apni maa ko samjhaya karo, jannat ko bad dua na diya kare, aulaad hai
uski. itni buri baatein, koi saggi aulaad ke liye bhi aise sakht alfaaz istemaal
karta hai?"

Nana samajhte woh so rahi hai magar woh sun rahi hoti. kabhi woh uski
maa ko hi samjha rahe hote.

"Tumhari beti hai, tumhara khoon tum ne janam diya hai usey aisa kab tak
chalega beta? choti si bachi hai woh. kuch to reham khao us par bachon ki
larai thi. husnain ghalti se gir gaya. itni hi zindagi thi uski." phir ruk jate.

"Aur ghalti tumhari bhi hai. tum ne husnain ko bohat sar charha rakha tha."
jane aage woh rote hue kya kehti ke woh yak dam chup ho jate. kaafi der
tak chup hi rehte, phir phone band kar dete. woh bhi aankhen band kar laiti.

Tapti hui do paher amma ki cheekhain maar dhaar shor kohram aur husnain
us ki peshani se behta khoon aur guriya ka toota huwa sar kambal hathon
mein bhinch kar woh ankhen khol deti.

"kya huwa mere bacche ko?" Nana usey baho mein bhar lete.

"U-Usey mein ne nahi M-Mara tha." seene mein sar diye woh phoot phoot
kar ro deti.

"P-Pehley usne mujhe mara, mere baal kheinchain, M-Meri guriya ko toda.
Mein ne nahi mara usey m-mein ne nahi mara."

"Jaanta hoon." Nana tassali dete.

"woh sab ghalti se huwa tha. Is mein tumhara koi qasoor nahi." woh har
baar kehte. uske nanhe zehen ki girahe suljhane ki koshish karte aur yaqeen
dilate.

"woh sirf aik haadsa tha, jannat ka us mein koi amal dakhal nahi." aur woh
yaqeen kar leti. woh yaqeen karna chahti thi. magar is yaqeen se rishte
daaro ki usse mutaliq raye kabhi nahi badli thi.

woh aaine mein khud ko dekhati, use husnain hi nazar aata. aankhen, chehre
ke khado khaal, shehad rang baal. jannat ke roop mein woh bhi tha.
bachpan ka sadma, trauma ki soorat ikhtiyar kar gaya tha. ik khauf wehshat
bhara ehsas aik pachtawa woh uske sath taa Umar rehne wala tha.

Nana ki sangat mein usne bachpan se larakpan aur larakpan se jawani ki

dehleez par qadam jamaye the. unhon ne maazi se azad kar ke use sambhal
diya tha. Aane wale waqt se mutaliq mumkina masail aur pareshaniyo ke
paish e nazar woh usey pehley se hi tayyar karte rahe the. jab tak woh un ke
sath rahi thi, woh apne bachpan ke maazi ko kisi had tak apni zindagi se
nikalne mein kamyaab ho gayi thi. woh usey yaqeen dilate rahe the ke yeh
aik haadsa tha aur woh is baat par yaqeen kar chuki thi. is arse mein uski do
behno ki shadiyan hui theen magar woh kisi aik ki shadi mein bhi shareek
na ho saki thi.

jab tayyaba ki shadi tey hui to uski Umar pandra saal thi. Poore no saal
baad woh Nana ke hamrah shadi mein shirkat karne ke liye aayi thi lekin yu
ke woh barah e raast apni maa se nahi mili thi aur nah hi unhon ne nazar
utha kar uski taraf dekha tha. Nana ki wajah se hi woh kuch khamosh thei.
ya shayad waqt ne unhe sabr ki rida Udadi thi magar sab kehte the woh
bohat khamosh rehti thi. kisi se ziyada baat cheet nahi karti thi. Zinda hote
hue bhi koi zindagi se kaise dur hota hai, Nafisa is ki Zinda Javed misaal
thi.

bharay purey khandan mein jannat aik ajnabi thi. uske apne to sirf Nana hi
the. usey sirf nana hi kaafi the. bazahir koi usey kuch ke nahi raha tha
magar khojti nigahon mein ajeeb sa ta-assur zaroor jhalakta tha. usey shadi
ke douran mehsoos hota raha tha ke maa usey dekhati rahi hain. uske
chehre ke khado khhaal mein apne husnain ko khojti rahi hain.

Agar aaj husnain zinda hota to woh bhi uski tarah aik khoob soorat teenager
hota. aur shayad yahi khayaal hi un ki tabiyat kharabi ka mojab bana tha.
naye ghar mein, rishta daaron se mil kar, behno se baatein kar ke, un ke sath
shadi ki shopping mein masroof ho kar usey bohat acha laga tha. Mayun
mehndi ke function usne bohat khamoshi aur dilchaspi se attend kiye thay.
yeh Nana ki hi wajah se mumkin ho paya tha ke is ghar mein ab bhoole se
bhi maazi ka qissa kam az kam khule aam nahi chheda ja raha tha. behno ka
rawaiyya uske sath qadre behtar tha.

Taya, chacha aur fufu ki family ka ikhlaq bhi kuch bura na tha. khamoshi
thi to sirf maa ki taraf se thi. faasle the bhi to sirf maa ki taraf se nana ne
mana Kiya tha, tab hi woh chupkay chupkay se, dur dur se hi unhen dekh
liya karti thi magar un ke samne aane se guraiz karti thi. Nafisa ki aankhon
se jo nafrat jhalakti thi, is ki pehchan usey bohat achi tarah thi.

baarat wale din woh siyah aur sunehri frock mein is qader haseen lag rahi
thi ke deegar kayi chacha zaat, taya zaat aur phir fufo zaat bhi achanak se
haazir ho jane wali is cousin par fida hue the. magar woh to jaisey Burhan
ki thi. Burhan ke liye hi banai gayi thi .
Burhan wasif! uske bade taya ka aik lota beta tha. paanch saal bada tha usse
khandan bhar ka ladla aur honahaar sapoot. Aate jaate, woh kahin na kahin
use rok leta. koi na koi sawal jhaad kar, us ke sakht radd amal ko enjoy
karta. woh lift nahi krwa rahi thi. na use na apne khandan ke kisi bhi cousin
ko magar hi dil mein woh Burhan ki shakhsiyat aur Wajahat se mutasir
zaroor hui thi.

jab woh FSC ke exam se farigh hui to taya ne Burhan ke liye uska rishta
maang lia tha. go ke tai is rishte se hargiz khush nahi thi magar bete ki
pasand ke aage majboor ho gayi thi. nana ko bazahir sab theek laga. Burhan
khush shakal aur parha likha tha. apni university ka topper tha.

uska bright future tha. adab, aadaab, tameez or tehjeeb unhon ne soch
vichar ke liye ziyada waqt na liya aur haan kar di. sadgi se nikah kar diya
gaya magar rukhsati jannat ki parhai khatam hone tak ke liye multawi kar di
gayi.

un hi dinon usey Burhan ko janne ka mauqa mila tha. phone par baat cheet
hui. to woh bhi usse mohabbat karne lagi. Nana ke baad uski zindagi mein
aane wala woh dusra mard tha jisse us ne khalis mohabbat ki thi. nana ke
baad ab wohi uska sab kuch tha .

zindagi mein bazahir sab theek hi chal raha tha ke Nana heart attack ke
baad achanak hi duniya se chal base the. woh university ke first air semester
se farigh hui thi ke itna bara dhachka laga. Uski duniya to jaisey weraan
hogayi padhai ko khair bad keh kar usey foran hi Lahore saira khaala ke
paas jana para. Nana unhen wasiyat kar gaye thay so unhon ne usey apni
zimmedaari samajh liya tha.

jannat ko is sadme se nikal kar sambhalne mein kuch waqt laga tha. do mah
baad hi taya ne rukhsati par zor dena shuru kar diya tha. Nana is ki shadi ki
wasiyat kar gaye The magar woh fi al-waqt is ke liye tayyar na thi. Usse
badi do behne ghar baithi theen magar Nafisa ko koi aitraaz na tha. woh bhi
jaisey yahi chahti thi ke woh jald az jald apne ghar ki ho jaye. 18 saal ki
Umar mein woh rukhsat ho kar Burhan ke ghar chali gayi thi.

Zindagi nai dagar par chalne lagi to naye ghar mein naye rishto ko usne
apna bana liya. go ke tai ke sath sath Burhan ki behno ka rawaiya bhi uske
sath khush gawaar nahi tha magar is ne jaisey Burhan ki mohabbat ko hi
apna sab kuch maan liya tha.

Nana sabr aur azm ka sabaq parha kar gaye the use tabhi woh un ke rawaiyo
se dil bardashta nahi hui thi. woh parhai mukammal karna chahti thi.
Burhan ne usey na roka. nana ki judai ka zakham bhi mundamil nahi ho
sakta tha magar zindagi ne khushiyo bhare lamhat diye to woh bhi jeeney ki
koshish karne lagi.

aur yahin se aik kari azmaish ka aaghaz huwa tha.

Shadi ke teen saal guzar jane ke bawajood woh maa nahi ban saki thi. uske
banjh pan ki wajah doctors ko samajh nahi aa rahi thi. marz laa ilaaj ho to
jawab de diya jata hai. usey bhi jawab de diya gaya tha.

Us raat woh ghar aakar bohat roi thi. Burhan kitni der tak usey samajhata
raha tha, tasalli dilase deta raha tha. woh usey shehar ki behtareen
gynecologist ke paas le jane ki baat kar raha tha. woh usey ilaaj ki yaqeen
dehani kara raha tha.

"Tum ne suna nahi, woh doctor kya keh rahi thi! woh mere liye koi ilaaj
tajweez nahi kar sakti." ro ro kar usne apni haalat kharab karli thi.

"Socho jannat! aaj kon si aisi bemari hai jis ka ilaaj science daryaft nahi kar
saki?"

"Banjh hona aik bemari nahi hai. banjh hona aik haqeeqat hai."

woh mayoosi ke andheron mein itna ghark ho chuki thi ke usey Allah ki
zaat nazar aa rahi thi, nahi apni takhleeq ki

haqeeqat samajh aa rahi thi. zehen khaali sa ho gaya tha. Burhan ki koi
Daleel, koi Hujjat uska gham halaak na kar saki. usey umeed nahi dila saki.
yaqeen nahi sikha saki.

yakke baad deegre shehar ke kayi bade hospitals se uske test hue. har test ki
aik hi report thi. aik hi haqeeqat thi jis ka ihata mukhtalif doctors ne apne
makhsoos andaaz mein Kiya tha.
"Mein hi kyun? mere sath hi kyun?" woh apni poori zindagi mein kabhi itna
nahi roi thi jitna ke us raat roi thi. uske ansoo tham hi nehi rahe the. dil
sambhal hi nahi raha tha. yeh mehroomi uske liye kyun?

uthte baithte aate jaate ab usey apni sasural mein saas aur nando se taane
sunne ko milne lage the. nuqs us mein tha to Atab ka nishana bhi wohi ban
rahi thi. doosri shadi ka zikar bhi baar baar uske samnay hi cheda ja raha
tha. Burhan aik lota beta tha aur tayi apne pote potiyo ko goad mein khilane
ka khawab aankhon mein basaye mazeed intezaar ke haq mein nahi thi. woh
bas ab jald az jald Burhan ki doosri shadi kar dena chahti theen magar
Burhan tha ke maan hi na raha tha.

woh kisi tor bhi doosri shadi ka soch hi na raha tha. usey aulaad ki koi jaldi
na thi, na pareshani thi na koi fikar. Parwah thi to sirf jannat ki qader thi to
sirf uske ehsasat ki.

"Agar mere naseeb mein aulad likhi hai to woh mujhe jannat se bhi ho sakti
hai." woh aksar keh deta.

"Banjh hai woh banjh maa nahi ban sakti." tai din mein hazaar baar dohraya
jane wala jumla uske samne bhi dohra deti.

woh chup ho jata. kabhi gussa karta, kabhi jhunjla kar uth jata. woh un se
koi behas nahi kar sakta tha. reports dikha kar un ki raye nahi badal sakta
tha.

Tai ne dil ki bemari seene se lagai aur bistar par padh gayi. Ro ro kar apna
hashar alag kharab Kiya. Burhan ko apni zindagi mout ke waste diye.
jazbati blackmail kiya magar woh phir bhi tass se mass na huwa. woh koi
bhi aisa kaam karne ka soch bhi nahi sakta tha jis se jannat ke jazbaat
majrooh hote ho.

aur uski mohabbat dekh kar jannat aik lamhay ke liye khud ko duniya ki
khush qismat tareen larkiyon mein shumaar karti aur phir apni mehroomi ka
soch kar bad qismat tareen mein shaamil ho jati. woh khud naaqis thi, woh
Burhan ko
kaamil kaise karti? woh khud mahroom thi, woh uski ataa kaise banti? ghar
mein tension bhadne lagi. tai ammi ka rawaiyya uske sath dikkat amaiz ho
gaya. ab uska maazi zehre paish laya jane laga. uski bad naseebi aur bad
bakhti ke saaye us ghar ki khusiyo par mehsoos kiye jane lage. majboor aur
be bas ho kar Burhan ne bil akhir ghar walon ke aage sar jhuka diya tha.

"Theek hai, kar luga doosri shadi magar abhi nahi. aap kuch intezaar kar le
jannat bohat up set hai, mein usey mazeed dukh nahi dena chahta."

jannat ki ankhen karb se num hogai. goya woh irada kar chuka tha magar
usey kuch waqt darkaar tha. kya woh waqt jannat ke zakham ka madawa
kar sakta tha? kya woh waqt jannat ke nuqs ko poora kar sakta tha? Burhan
ko waqt kyun chahiye tha? jab irada kar hi liya hai to phir yeh intezaar
kyun? yeh intezaar kis liye?

"Awe hi aur kitna intezaar karu? paanch saal ka intezaar kam hai kya?"
fazila tai ka Para hi chadh gaya.

"Mera bhi jee chahta hai apne pota ko goad mein khilau, usey apne hathon
se khilaun, jane kitney din baqi hain zindagi ke."

woh jane aur kya keh rahi thi, usne suna nahi. Burhan ko zehni tor par
tayyar karne ke liye woh use mazeed kya aur daleelen de rahi thi, usne nahi
jana. jaan bhi leti to kya kar leti?

Us raat Burhan kaafi takheer se kamre mein aaya tha. woh bed par ghutno
ko seene se lagaye, un ke gird bazu bandhe kisi mujasme ki tarah khamosh
aur sakit baithi thi. uski dhudiya rangat kamla kar reh gayi thi.

Roshan chamakti aankhon ke diye bujh gaye the. un ke neeche halqon ke

andhere the. woh uske barabar mein baith gaya tha.

"Jannat!" Uska haath apne hathon mein le kar, usne pukara tha. woh aik
baar phir suk pari.

"Ye tum ne apni kya haalat karli hai yaar!"

janti thi woh usse shadeed mohabbat karta tha, woh usey kisi bhi soorat us
haalat mein nahi dekh sakta tha. aik mohabbat uski bhi thi. jo shiraakat
daari bardasht nahi kar sakti thi. woh to Burhan ki female colleague se bhi
jealous ho jaya karti thi kuja ki us ki doosri biwi jis ne Burhan ki zindagi
mein aana tha. uska naam lena tha. uske bachhe ki maa bhi banna tha. uski
himmat woh kahan se laaye? uska hosla woh kahan se laaye? yeh aziyat
ziyada badi thi. yeh zakham ziyada gehra tha .

"Meri aik baat gor se suno jannat!"

mohabbat bharay lehjey mein aik azm tha. aik ehad, aik yaqeen.

"Meri zindagi mein jo tumahari jagah hai, use koi aur nahi le sakta."

kamre mein jalte wahid bulb ki roshni taiz hui thi.

"Mohabbat mein ne sirf tum se ki hai, aur sirf tum se hi karta rahuga." woh
uske haath par girift mazboot kiye bohat maan se keh raha tha.

"Hum hamesha sath rahen ge. hamare darmiyan kabhi koi faasla nahi aaye
ga." yeh mera wada hai tum se woh yaqeen dehani karate hue usey aindah
kal ke liye tayyar kar raha tha.

"Mein kal bhi tumhara tha, aaj bhi tumhara hu aur hamesha rahuga."

Aur jannat, jannat kamaal, apni mehroomi par uski mohabbat ki rida
charhaye. uske aik aik lafz par imaan le aayi thi. larakpan se le kar aaj tak
usne yahi to kya tha. usey ab bhi yahi karna tha.

woh tai ka aik lota beta tha. bohat khawab the, umeed mein thi ghar bhar ke
logon ki uske liye uske baccho ke liye. wo ye julm us par nahi hone de sakti
thi. jis se mohabbat ho, uski khushiya apni zaat se badh kar Aziz ho jati hai.
usey bhi woh bohat Aziz tha.

jab hi naseeb ke aage sar jhukate hue usne dil par bhaari pathari rakh liya
tha. tab hi uske wado par bhrosa kar ke doosri shadi ke liye bhi raazi ho
gayi. Jis roz Burhan ka nikah tha, us roz uski tamam tar himmat jawab de
gayi thi. woh kamre mein tayyar ho raha tha aur usne rote siskte uske samne
haath jor diye the.

"Mat jao Burhan! mein mar jaungi."

Uske haath thaam kar usey bed par bithate hue woh uske qadmo mein baith
kar use aik baar phir samajh raha tha. aur woh samajh nahi rahi thi. woh
bachon ki tarah phoot phoot kar roye jarahi thi. kya usne apni poori zindagi
mein kabhi is waqt ko bhi socha tha? aziyat par mushtamil in lamhoon ka
gumaan kiya tha? Burhan ki zindagi mein koi aur aaye gi aur woh usey
aane degi? kuch kar hi na sakegi? woh ghadi jab mohabbat ka wastaa bhi
kaam nahi aaye ga?

"Tum tayyari karo mein tumhe hafsa aapa ke ghar drop kar deta hoon,
wapsi par pick kar luga."

"Nahi, mujhe kahin nahi jana. yahin baith kar tumhara intezaar karna hai."

"Jannat! Zidd mat karo."

"Mein yaha se kahi nahi jaugi." woh hawaso mein nahi lag rahi thi. Nachara
se Hafsa aapi ko phone karna para tha. uski nah nah ke bawajood woh usey
zabardasti apne sath le gayi thi.

shiddat se rote hue kuch be qaboo ho kar woh us raat ammi ke ghar chali
aayi thi. woh un se milna chahti thi. un ke galey lagna chahti thi. un ke
qadmon mein girna chahti thi. magar Hania ne use drawing room se aage un
ke kamre tak jane nahi diya tha.

"Wo tum se nahi milegi!"

"Sirf aik baar! sirf aik baar mujhe un se baat karni hai." Khatak ki aawaz ke
sath Nafisa ke kamre ka darwaaza mukaffil ho gaya tha. aisa pehle bhi ho
chuka tha. Kahin baar ho chuka tha. woh jab bhi aati thi, yahi hota tha.
Nafisa uski shakal tak na dekhna chahti thi. woh khud ko kamre mein band
kar leti thi.
Hania ko raste se hata kar woh un ke band kamray ka darwaaza zor zor se
bajane lagi thi. hamesha ki tarah kuch aziyat, kuch dukh, kuch karb, aur be
basi ke sath.

"Mujhe dua de de ammi! mujhe aik dua de de. sirf aik baar mere liye haath
utha le, sirf aik baar ammi ammi!" woh rote hue un ki minnate kar rahi thi.
girgara rahi thi.

"Mujhe maar len, mera mun noch len, meri jaan nikaal len lekin yeh na kare
please yeh na kare" magar doosri taraf hamesha ki tarah khamoshi chhai
rahi thi.

"Allah ke liye darwaaza khol de ammi. mujhe aap ki zaroorat hai, bohat
zaroorat hai." rote bilakte woh ghutnon ke bal gir si gayi.

"Un ki tabiyat kharab ho jaye gi jannat, ab jao yahan se." Hania ne use
kandhon se pakar kar wahan se hatane ki koshish ki thi magar usne haath
jhatak diye thay. darwaze ko pakar liya tha.

"Aaj uska nikah hai. ammi!" Siskiyon ke beech woh baa-mushkil keh payi.

"Mein abhi tak maa nahi ban saki to is liye woh doosri shadi kar raha hai."
lab bhinch kar, aankhen ragar kar usne darwaze par dastak di.

"Ammi! aap sun rahi hain mujhe?"

bohat pyar, bohat mohabbat aur lajajat se woh darwaze se lag gayi thi.

"Ammi! mein is waqt sirf 6 saal ki thi." Us ka gala betha huwa tha. aawaz
kamzor si thi.

"Sirf 6 saal ki thi ammi!" jism laraz raha tha. dil tarap raha tha. ankhen baar
baar bhig rahi thi. woh kisi nanhe masoom bacche ki tarah toot toot kar apni
safai de rahi thi.

"Mein ne use nahi mara tha, mera yaqeen kare. mein ne use" uski hichikiya
badh gayeen.
"Mujhe maaf kar den. Allah ke liye mujhe maaf kar den. mujhe dua de den.
dekhen Nana bhi nahi rahe. Burhan bhi nahi rahega. mein akeli reh jaugi.
ammi Allah ke liye sirf aik dua, mere liye sirf aik dua."

lekin dua nahi mili. darwaaza bhi nahi khula. hamesha ki tarah us raat bhi
Hafsa aapi use zabardasti wahan se utha kar le gayi thi.

Burhan baar baar phone kar raha tha. uski kheriyat maloom karna chaah
raha tha magar usne phone par usse baat nahi ki thi. neend ki goli le kar
aaraam karna chaha magar uski be cheeni aur be qarari mein kisi soorat
afaqa nahi huwa tha.

"Agar jo ye nuqs uski zindagi mein na hota? agar jo ye mehroomi uska

muqaddar na hoti?" usne laakh koshish

ki wapas ghar jane ki magar Hafsa aapi ne use jane na diya. yeh bhi Burhan
ki hi khwahish thi ke woh kuch roz un ke yaha hi thehre. fazila tai ghar ko
saza rahi thi. nai dulhan ka kamra set ho raha tha, deegar rasme ada ho rahi
thi.

is soorat mein woh jannat ko waha nahi lana chahta tha. Albata office se
wapsi par woh roz hi uske paas aata tha. mohabbat ka yaqeen dilaata tha,
uska khauf, is ke khadshaat ko khatam karne ki koshish bhi karta tha. jab
tak woh paas hota, woh har aik baat par yaqeen karte hue halki phulki si ho
jati. sirf yeh ehsas ke Burhan sirf mera hai, use tamam khadsho se mubara
kar deta, himmat jaga deta, hosla barha deta. aur jon hi woh nazron se
oojhal hota, tanhai use saanp ki tarah dasne lagti.

mehromiyaa naye sirey se sar uthati aur woh khud aziyat ki daldal mein
chali jati.

"Ye aziyat, ye dukh, ye karb, ye mahrumi meri zindagi me kyun?"

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-24•
•••

Burhan ki shadi dhoom dhaam se sar anjaam paa gayi thi. Walima ke baad
hi woh usey agle roz hi laine aa gaya tha. Hafsa aapi usey drawing room
mein bithaye kaafi der tak kuch kehti rahi thi aur woh unhen tasalli deta
raha tha. woh un ki behan ko jaan se bhi barh kar chahta tha. usey takleef
daine ka to woh soch bhi nahi sakta tha.

woh har tarah se uska khayaal rakhne ki yaqeen dehani krwa raha tha.
tayyar ho kar jab woh neeche aayi to Burhan usey bohat fresh aur nikhra
nikhra sa laga.

Jeans par safaid shirt mein malboos, baal saliqe se jamay hue, kalayi par
qeemti ghadi. woh apni mukammal tayari mein hamesha ki tarah bohat acha
lag raha tha.

jannat par nazar parte hi uski aankhon ki chamak uba rahi thi. woh uth
khada huwa. Hafsa aapi ne unhen duaon ke saaye taley rukhsat kiya tha.

driving ke douran woh usse halki phulki baatein karta raha. mamool ke
mutabiq jaisey kuch huwa hi nahi. jaisey koi teesra Fard uski zindagi mein
aaya hi nahi.

yahan se woh seedha usey restaurant le kar gaya tha. uski mann pasand
dishes ka order de kar woh maiz par uski taraf jhuka tha.

"kya khayaal hai lunch ke baad shopping par chalein?"

woh shayad uske sath ziyada se ziyada waqt guzaarna chahta tha. jannat
uski aankhon mein dekh rahi thi. woh uska Burhan tha. woh zarra bhar nahi
badla tha. uski zindagi jannat ki wohi ahmiyat thi. wohi maqam tha. woh
usse aaj bhi utni hi mohabbat karta tha.
"Tum ne mere liye bohat barri qurbani di hai jannat! mein tumhara yeh
ahsaan kabhi chuka nahi paunga!"

lunch ke baad jab woh gaadi ki taraf ja rahe the to usne kaha tha.

"Allah ne agar mujhe aulaad se Nawaza to un par tumhara bhi utna hi haq
hoga jitna mera ya maheen ka."

woh khamosh ho gayi thi. aulaad ka zikar aisey hi us par zamur taari kar
deta tha. shopping bags hathon mein pakdae jis lamhe woh Burhan ke sath
ghar mein daakhil hui, nigah seedhi maheen par gayi.

surkh kamadaar jore mein malboos, nak sqck se tayyar nai naweli dulhan
usse bohat khush ikhlaqi se mili thi.

Albata fazila tai ke tevar kuch bigre hue se lag rahe the. unhen Burhan ka
shadi ke dosre roz hi jannat ko waqt dena bilkul bhi acha nahi lag raha tha.

Jannat moazrat chahtay hue apne kamre ki taraf gayi to Burhan bhi uske
peeche chala gaya tha. Lounge mein samne baithi maheen ke chehre par aik
tariqi si chhaa gayi.

Sartaaj ne to nazar bhar kar use dekha tak na tha. halaanke woh apni saas ke
kehne par uske liye kitne shoq se tayyar ho kar baithi thi.

Fazila tai bhi sara waqt andar hi andar jalti kurhhti rahi thi. unhon ne to
maheen se bhi keh diya tha.

"Sabr se kaam lena beti gulaam hai yeh jannat ka, waqt lagey ga par wo
tumhara bhi ho jaye ga. aakhir tum usey baccha dogi."

apni bahu ka urtta rang unhon ne bhaanp liya tha. maheen badkat muskurayi
thi. magar uski aankhon mein kuch tha, koi aisa ta-assur jo shola ban kar
lehra raha tha.

•••

shadi ke baad Burhan apne haqooq o faraiz ka usi tarah khayaal rakh raha
tha, jaisey woh shadi se qabal rakha karta tha. majboori tale dubi jannat ke
liye soorat e haal kuch aisi thi ke usey bhi samjhota karna para tha.

woh maheen ko pasand nahi karti thi, na hi kar sakti thi magar phir bhi woh
us ke kisi bhi mamlat mein dakhal andazi nahi karti thi. woh usey us ghar
mein mukammal tor par is tarah nazar andaaz karti thi jaisey wahan uska
wujood hai hi nahi.

jis zahani aziat se woh roz guzarti thi, is lehaaz se yeh khayaal uske liye
behtar bhi tha. Shuru ke do mah sab kuch thik raha. na burhan ke rawaiyya
me tabdili aayi na mohabbat me kami wakiya hui thi.

woh aaj bhi usey shiddato se chahta tha. aur us waqt tehi daman jannat ke
liye Burhan ki mohabbat aab e hayaat se kam na thi. lekin jab maheen
umeed se hui to jaha uski soi hui aziyate jaag uthi.

wahan Burhan ka dil bhi badal gaya. maheen pehley uski sirf biwi thi, ab
woh uske bachche ki maa ban'ne wali thi. uska status ouncha ho raha tha.
woh uske dil mein apna maqam banane mein kamyaab ho rahi thi. woh
ziyada waqt maheen ko daine laga tha. Uski pasand na pasand ka khayaal
rakhne laga tha.

Pehle ehsasat mein farq aaya, phir tarjeehat badale lagi. shadi ke paanch
saal usne sirf jannat ke naam kiye the. ab woh kuch waqt khalis apne
bacche ki maa ke liye bhi nikalna chahta tha. aur yahin se faasle badhne
lage the, dooriyon ka aaghaz huwa tha. yahin se badgumani bhi thi aur
siskiyo ka aaghaz huwa tha.

aur phir rafta rafta sab badal gaya tha. jazbaat, ehsasat aur tarjeehat bhi.
jane kaise woh nazron mein reh kar bhi nazron se oojhal hui, jane kaise
Burhan ki mohabbat jab azmaish ki Bhatti se guzar kar niklee to phir
mohabbat na rahi.

woh sidiya utar rahi thi. kandhe mayoosi ke boojh taley jhuke hue the.
aankhen be basi ke ehsas se nam ho rahi thi. uska rukh kitchen ki taraf tha
aur kitchen se Burhan wasif ki aawaz aa rahi thi.

"Kaisi baatein karti ho mahi! tum ne to mujhe mukammal kar diya hai."
woh jo pani peene ki gharz se kitchen ke andar ja rahi thi, uska yeh jumla
sun kar darwaze mein hi ruk gayi thi.

Counter table ke is taraf maheen ka haath apne hathon mein liye woh
sanjeedgi se keh raha tha. muskurata huwa purkashish chehra aur brown
aankhon ki chamak kitna khush lag raha tha woh kitna kamal lag raha
thaama maheen ke sath.

"Aainda aisi baatein mat karna bohat ahem ho tum mere liye!"

"Sirf ahem hoon? pyar nahi karte aap mujh se?"

woh jannat ko darwaze mein dekh chuki thi aur barri lagawat se pooch rahi
thi.

"Ahem wohi hote hain jin se mohabbat hoti hai."

usay pathar nahi hona tha, magar woh hogayi thi.

mohabbat ka aitraaf. haan yeh mohabbat ka aitraaf hi tha. maheen se shadi

ke poore 6 mah baad.

yeh mohabbat ka aitraaf tha. woh jis ki pehli aur aakhri mohabbat jannat thi,
ab uski kul "mohabbat" uske bacche ki maa ho gayi thi.

"Haan mein janti hoon, aap ki mohabbat hi to mera sahara hai."

khush dili se muskurate hue uski aankhon mein ajeeb si chamak ubhri thi.

maheen ko apne baazu ke hisaar mein letay hue usne aahista se rukh badla
tha aur tab uski nigah jannat par pari, aik lahaje ke liye woh ruk sa gaya.
maheen ka haath uske haath se chhota tha. yuhin ghair iradi tor par.

Uski yeh harkat. maheen ko tao dila gayi.

"arrey jannat! tum kab aayi? hamein pata hi na chala."

apne tasurat ko narmi mein dhaltae hue

Usne khush ikhlaqi ka Mazahir kiya. Burhan ke samne uska lehja hamesha
mithaas liye hota tha. woh jo yahan pani peene aayi thi gham par hi iktifa
kar ke palat gayi.

taizi se sidiya charh kar jab woh kamre mein aayi to uska chehra aanso-on
se tar ho raha tha. Usne kamre ka darwaaza band kar diya tha magar lock
nahi lagaya. woh chahti thi jab Burhan uske peechay aaye to usey darwaaza
band na miley.

ab woh bhaari dil ke sath bed par baithi thi. be qarari se ungliya chatkha
rahi thi. ansoo the ke gire ja rahe the, dil tha ke ruka ja raha tha.

"Nobat yahan tak pahonch jaye gi?"

"Mehez chand mah ke andar andar"

woh be yaqeen hi hui nafi mein sir hila kar usne aankhen ragar kar saaf ki.
phir khud ko sambhalte hue nigahein darwaze par markooz kar li.

"Abhi woh bhaga bhaga aaye ga aur kahe ga. meri jannat tumhe sunne mein
ghalti hui hai."

Haath pakde ga, ansoo ponchega, phir uski aankhon mein jhaank kar apna
ehad dohraye ga.

"Bhala mujhe bhi tumahre siwa kisi aur se mohabbat ho sakti hai?"

phir uski aankhon mein nami aayegi aur labon par mohabbat ke naam ki
tasbeeh

"Tum meri pehli aur aakhri mohabbat ho! tumhari jagah mere dil mein aur
koi nahi le sakta."

aur woh foran man jaye gi. koi nakhra nahi dikhayegi. koi aitraaz nahi
uthaye gi.

magar woh hum safar, hum nawa, majazi khuda, woh yeh sab kehne aaya hi
nahi. baar baar aankhen masalte, gaal ragadte woh mutzari baithi rahi magar
Burhan wasif! woh aaya hi nahi.
Siyah shaam ke andheron mein ghark. Uske intezaar mein be qarar. woh aik
baar phir bhool rahi thi ke pichle teen mah se Burhan aik baar bhi to usey
yeh sab kehne nahi aaya tha.

"Tum banjh ho jannat aur banjh aurat mard par aik boojh ke siwa kuch nahi
hoti."

"Banjh aur bojh?"

mehroomi ka ehsas shadeed tar huwa. be basi ka ehsas qowi tar.

usne gaal par phisalti lat ko kaan ke peechay ursa kar maheen ki taraf
dekha. kamadaar suit me malboos, light sa make up kiye, safaid dupatta
apne wujood par phelaaye woh hamesha ki tarah nikhri nikhri si bohat fresh
lag rahi thi.

usne danista apna dahna haath maiz par samne rakha huwa tha jis mein aaj
gold ki aik nayi ring chamak rahi thi.

jannat ne khamoshi se refrigerator kar pani ki bottle nikaali, rack se kanch

ka

glass uthaye aur thanda pani Undhelne lagi. uska baghore jaiza lete hue
maheen ne chai ka sip liya.

"Bohat mohabbat karta hai woh mujh se, bohat khayaal rakhta hai woh
mera aur kyun na rakhe? aakhir mein use aik baccha de rahi hoon."

lehjey mein taqqabur bhara tha, aawaz mein robiyat thi, aankhon se ghuroor
jhalakta tha.

jaisey sara kamaal sirf uska tha, jaise ataa sirf uske haath mein thi. jaisey
qaza ke faisle uski marzi, uski Mansha se hote the.

"Jitni toofani mohabbat woh tum se karta tha aur shadi ke baad bhi jis tarah
woh tumhara khayaal rakhta tha, mein

to yeh samjhi thi ke woh meri taraf dekhe ga bhi nahi."

jannat ki zard rangat mein aik karb sa taher gaya. surkh o mutwaram
aankhon ki nami kuch aur barh gayi.

"Aur ab dekho, itni mohabbat itna pyar aakhir kyun na kare mein uske hone
wale bacche ki maa jo hoon!"

Itra kar kehte hue is ne apni gardan unche ki thi. Sar yu uthaya tha jaise
woh kisi saltanat ki malka ho.

'Bhala woh kaise log hote hain jinhein Allah baghair kisi tadap, baghair kisi
dua, baghair kisi intezaar ke sab ataa kar deta hai?'

Usne khaali glass maiz par rakh diya tha.

"Sach puchho to mein bhi usse mohabbat karti hoon."

"Shirkat daari ab mujh se bardasht nahi hoti."

maheen ne aik aur waar kiya tha. aur us ka har waar theek nishane baithta
tha.

"Jab mein ne shirkat bardasht kar li to tumhe kya masla hai?"

Usne muthammil ho kar poocha tha.

"Tumhari to majboori hai, meri aisi koi majboori nahi hai, mein Burhan ke
bacche ki maa ban'ne wali hoon, mein usey aik bacha de rahi hoon jannat
tum use kya de rahi ho?"

"Pichhle paanch saloon mein tum ne use diya hi kya hai?"

tamaskhar urata huwa lehja.

jannat ka wujood chhalni huwa. Jawaban woh kuch keh na saki. maheen,
Burhan ke hone wale bacche ki maa thi. usma palra bhaari tha. woh usse
koi behas nahi kar sakti thi.

ab yahi munasib tha woh nashte ka irada tark kar de aur bhukhi pyaasi
yahan se chali jaye.
"Tum use chhor kyun nahi deti?"

jannat ke qadmon ki harkat thami. kuch mathos ho kar usne maheen ko

dekha. woh seene par bazu bandhe uske samne khadi thi.

"Tum hosh mein to ho?"

"Haan, hosh mein hu, aur dekhna chahti hoon aik banjh ladki kahan tak lad
sakti hai."

Istehazi andaaz mein kehte hue woh kitchen mein chali gayi aur jannat
sadme se gunj apni jagah khadi reh gayi thi.

'Banjh' wo aik lafz nahi banjar tha dil mein utartaa tha aur laholhan kar deta
tha.

'Banjh'

wo mehroomi ka ehsas nahi, jalta huwa angara tha, wujood par girta tha aur
bhasam kiye jata tha.

shaam ke paanch baj rahe the. sah pehar ka Sooraj ghuroob ho raha tha.
woh apne kapre istri kar rahi thi. Muan kisi khayaal ke zehen mein aate hi
usne istri rakh kar mobile utha liya tha. ab woh Burhan ka number Dial kar
rahi thi. phir khamoshi se agle kayi lamhoon tak ghanti gunjti rahi thi.
mobile shayad silent par tha.

Burhan ne khasi takheer se call receive ki thi.

"Haan bolo"

Uski mohabbat, inayat aur ulfat ki tarah, uske lafz bhi kam par gaye the.
faqat do lafzon ka mustahiq jana gaya tha use jannat ko apna aap be had
arzaan mehsoos huwa jaise woh khaak hai. peero taley rondi ja rahi hai.

"Aik tum ne to mujhe mukammal kar diya hai."

usne zehen mein ubharti is aawaz ko jhatak diya aur dheet ban mano, be
hiss ho gayi. be hiss hui.
"As salam alaikum! kaisey ho?"

ghar mein to baat karne ke moqe kam hi muyassar the. kamre mein aana bhi
taqreeban chhor diya tha usne tamam tar mohabbat, tawajah aur inayate
doosri biwi ke liye reh gayi thi.

"Hmm, theek hoon! lekin masroof hoon."

woh aksar sochti thi, aaj phir sochne gayi thi, kya yeh wohi Burhan hai jo
apni doosri shadi se up set tha? jo uske ehsasat ki itni qader karta tha ke
baa-mushkil doosri shadi ke liye raazi huwa tha? jise jazbaat ki itni fikar thi
ke ghar ko barqu qum qamo se sajane na diya tha. woh jo sirf uska tha, jo
sirf usey chahta tha?

ab to un ke mabain bad gumani ki itni diware khadi ho chuki thi ke woh

kuch kehna bhi chahti to keh nahi sakti thi magar aaj usey kuch kehna tha,
faasley ki is deewar ko todne ke liye aik koshish usey zaroor karni thi.

"Mein soch rahi thi agar aaj tum aur mein, Hafsa aapi ki taraf chale jaye?"

Kya kabhi usne socha tha ke use is qader mohtaat andaaz mein dar dar kar
Burhan se baat karna ho gi?

"Aur maheen ko ghar mein akela chore jaye?"

woh uske mutalbe par bhadak hi to gaya tha.

"Janti bhi ho uski tabiyat theek nahi rehti, aaj shaam doctor ke paas
appointment bhi hai."

"Aal mein Hafsa aapi ne phone Kiya tha, aaj shaam khane par..."

"Unse moazrat kar lo! phir kabhi chale jayen ge."

Usne foran se call cut kr di. jannat mobile kaan se lagaye khadi reh gayi.
khushk labon ko tar karte hue usne mobile rakh diya. aik baar burhan ki
tamam tar tawajah iron stand ki janib markooz ki aur apna woh jora press
karne lagi jis ka rang Burhan ka pasandeeda rang tha aur jisey aaj woh uske
liye pehna chahti thi, uske liye tayyar hona chahti thi.
Aaansu the ke tap tap aankhon se girne lage aur yahi Burhan kaha karta tha.

"Mar jaye ga magar doosri shadi nahi karega!"

kapre press kar ke almaari mein hang kar ke wo bed par baith gayi. kuch
der usne Hafsa aapi se phone par baat kar ke un se moazrat kar li ke aaj raat
woh un ki taraf khane par nahi aa sakegi ke uski tabiyat theek nahi hai. uska
dil tang sa hone laga. woh hawa khori ke liye bahar lounge mein aagai.
samne hi maheen phone kaan par lagaye tehel rahi thi.

"Nahi Burhan! mujhe woh black wala hi chahiye. aap ko har haal mein
mujhe wohi dilana hoga."

Doosri taraf se najane kya kaha gaya tha ke woh khilkhila kar hans pari thi.
aik nazar jannat par daali phir aik ada se hata kar ruk gayi.

"Arrey haan, baby ka naam to abhi tak hum ne socha hi nahi hai."

jannat ko dekh kar hi usey apne hone wale bacche ka khayaal aaya karta
tha.

'Hmm, theek hu lekin mashroof hu!'

jannat ne sar utha kar aasman ki taraf dekha. woh andar ki ghutan se tang
ho kar bahar aayi thi magar bahar ka habs shadeed tha. uska dam ghutne
laga.

"Mere liye ab uske paas chand lamhe bhi nahi rahe?"

"Yahi Burhan tha jise poori duniya mein siwaye jannat ke aur kuch nazar hi
nahi aata tha aur ab sab nazar aata tha siwaye uske!"

halaq mein aanso-on ka phanda sa ataaq gaya. kya maheen theek hi kehti
thi. zindagi mein to woh use rakhe hue tha magar dil se to kab ka nikaal
chuka tha. warna woh kuch to ehsas karta, kuch to khayaal karta.

woh thakey hare andaaz mein wapas palat aayi. mulazma khana ki tayari
kar rahi thi. usne khud ko kamre mein muqeed kar liya.
phir usne gaadi ki aawaz suni aur uth kar khidki mein aagai. maheen khaas
tor par Burhan ke liye tayyar hui thi. uska pasandeeda rang zaib tan kiye
kisi phool ki tarah khuli khuli lag rahi thi.

Tayyari se wazeh tha woh sirf hospital nahi jayege. aaj raat ka khana bhi
kahin bahar tanwil farmaya jaye ga. aaj raat bhi woh takheer se lotege.

mulazma ne dastak de kar usse shaam ke khane se mutaliq poocha to usne

mana kar diya. aaj raat phir usey bhooka hi sona tha. darwaaza khulne ki
aawaz samaat se takrayi to uski aankh khul gayi thi.

ghutnon se sar uthatay hue usne be ikhtiyar samne dekha. Burhan sard
nigahon se use dekhte hue darwaze mein khada tha.

chehre ke tassurat sard the.

"Tum aa gaye Burhan, mein tumhara hi intzaar kar rahi thi."

Burhan ke tasurat hanooz sakht hi rahe. woh uski khamoshi se kuch

pareshan hui.

"kya baat hai, sab theek to hai?"

"Maheen ke sath tum kis tarah ki baatein karti rehti ho?"

"jee?" woh khaak na samjhi.

"hum honeymoon par kahan gaye? kahan ghumte phirte rahe. mein ne
tumhe kya gift diye. hum ne waqt kaise guzaraa?"

"yeh sab.. yeh sab use batane ki kya zaroorat hai? kyun dil jalatii ho uska
jannat, woh up set ho jati hai"

woh ek tak usey dekh rahi thi.

usne ye nahi poocha jannat tum ne kuch khaya ya nahi. mein tumhe roz
akela chhor kar chala jata hoon tumhe dar to nahi lagta? tum khafa to nahi
hoti? tumhe waqt nahi deta tum se baat nahi karta tumhe kahin bura to nahi
lagta? kaha bhi to kya? danta bhi to kis baat par? fikar hui bhi to kis bat ki?
"jannat! aakhir tumhe ho kya gaya hai?

"Kyun apni aur meri zindagi mushkil bana rahi ho yaar!"

woh zich ho raha tha. aur jannat apni jagah sakit baithi thi. 'maheen kuch
bhi kehti hai aur woh yaqeen kar laita hai?'

Kuch bhi batati usne kuch kehne ke liye labon ko harkat di magar aawaz ne
sath na diya. aawaz baaghi hui, aawaz karb hai aur wo madoom hui.

"Mein samajh sakta hoon mehroomi ka ehsas bura hota hai, magar is
mehroomi mein doosron ko aziyat pohanchata, unhen neecha dikhnana kam
az kam us ki tawaqqa nahi kar raha tha mein tum se..."

Jannat ke andar chhan ke se kuch toota tha.woh sar taa pair laho lohan
hogayi.

'Sirf mehroomi hi hai uske andar? aur kuch nahi?'

'Jazbaat, ehsasat, khawab khwahisaat aur kuch bhi nahi?'

"Mujhe apne bacche ki bohat fikar hai aur maheen ke sath tumhara
rawaiyya meri bardasht se bahar ho raha hai."

woh keh kar chala gaya aur jannat sun hote wujood ke sath baithi reh gayi
thi. Is baras jo khizaa utri thi woh sirf dharti par hi nahi uske wujood par bhi
utri thi. woh usey bhi be rang kar rahi thi. Uske hisson ko bhi jhaad rahi thi.

farq sirf itna tha dharti ki khizaa guzar jane wali thi.

magar uske andar ki khizaa uske andar hi rehne wali thi!

---- •♡• ----

•CHP-25•
•••

"Jee aapa!"

"Bilkul theek keh rahi hain aap!"

woh kitchen mein khana bana rahi thi jab phone kaan se lagaye Noreen
aapa se baat karti maheen kitchen mein aakar baith gayi thi.

"Kitni takleef uthana padtee hai, aisey to nahi Allah ne maa ke qadmon tale
Jannat rakhi."

taizi se pyaaz kaate te usne sakeena ke zimme dusra kaam lagaye aur khud
chicken ke liye masala bhunne lagi.

"Magar jin ki aulaad na ho, unhen bhala kya andaaz.."

jannat ne baa-mushkil khud ko sambhala. woh kaam nahi kar rahi hoti to
yaqeenan idhar udhar ho jati.

"Khayaal to bohat rakhti hoon aaya, phir bhi darka sa laga rehta hai."

Jannat ko kin akhion se dekhte hue usne aik aur teer chhora tha.

"arrey nahi, yeh baat nahi nahi aaya! jannat bohat achi hai."

"Meri choti behno jaisi hai, bohat khayaal rakhti hai mera!"

aik marahil ko ruk kar usne kuch suna, phir muskarayi, sar utha kar jannat
ko dekha.

"In sha Allah beta hi ho ga. mein Burhan ko beta hi dugi."

jannat cutting board par tamatar kate gayi thi.

"Ammi ke bare mein bataye, woh Karachi se kab aa rahi hain?"

Ab woh apni saas ke mutaliq pooch rahi thi jo pichhle kuch dino se apni
choti beti ki taraf gayi hui thi. doosri taraf jane kya bataya gaya ke woh be
ikhtiyar chonk uthi thi. jannat ne uske lehjey ka badla khaas tor par
mehsoos kiya tha.

"Achha! Mujhe laga woh aik do hafte wahi rahen gi. chalein acha hai woh
ajaye. mujhe waise bhi un ki bohat zaroorat hai. meri maa jaisi hain wo.."

Lagawat se keh kar kuch der tak sunti rahi phir phone band kar ke apne
kamre mein chali gayi. shaam ka khana tayyar kar ke sakeena ko Hidayat
de kar jannat apne kamre mein aagai.

almaari ke patt khole woh kapron ko tarteeb se rakh rahi thi jab bairuni gate
par Burhan ki gaadi ka horn baja tha.

Usne sar uthaya magar uth kar khar ki tak na gayi.

"bi bi jee!"

ain usi lamhe sakeena kanpti kanpti uske kamre mein daakhil hui thi.

"woh maheen bi bi... un ki tabiyat kharab ho gayi hai. dard se chheeke ja

rahi hain."

Burhan ki shirt uske hathon se chhut kar neeche ja giri. woh pareshani ke
aalam mein taizi se kamre se bahar nikli.

Sidiyan utar kar jis lamhe woh balai manzil par maheen ke kamre mein
daakhil ho rahi thi, usi lamhe gaari park kar ke Burhan laptop case
sambhale saddar darwaze ka rukh kar chuka tha.

woh darwaaza khol raha tha aur jannat ke aane ke baad maheen apne
kamray ka darwaaza band kar rahi thi. use sahih salamat dekh kar woh ulajh
gayi.

"Kya mazaaq hai maheen! sakeena keh rahi thi tumhari tabiyat kharab ho
gayi hai."
Is afra tafri mein woh uski darwaaza lock karne wali harkat ko notice kar hi
na payi.

"Haan! tabiyat to meri kharab hai."

ajeeb se andaaz mein kehte hue woh peeche hati, aur usse qabal ke jannat
kuch samajh paati, usne aik jhatke se dressing table ka samaan bikher diya.

Gul daan tod diya. kanch ka glass almaari ke sheeshe par de mara.

Jannat heran dasht ho kar apni jagah khadi reh gayi.

agle hi lamhe usne pait par haath rakha aur buland aawaz mein cheekhne
lagi.

"Jannat.. Jannat nahi... Jannat mera baccha!"

jannat ka dimagh bhak se urr gaya.

Rote chikhte chillate hue usne kanch ke tukre se apna haath bhi zakhmi kar
liya. band darwaze ke us par Burhan uska shor sun kar pagal ho raha tha.

Andar wo patthar ka mujasma bani maheen ke samne khadi thi. use rota,
tadapta, cheekhta dekh rahi thi. apni minnate karta sun rahi thi.

"DARWAAZA KHOLO JANNAT!"

"JANNAT DARWAAZA KHOLO!"

Burhan apne kandhe ke zor se darwaaza kholne ki koshish kar raha tha,
cheekh raha tha, chilla raha tha.

maheen ne khud ko farsh par gira liya ab woh yun tanaffus le rahi thi jaisey
marne ko ho. sakeena doosri chaabi le aayi thi. darwaaza jhatke se khul
gaya tha.

Burhan ki pehli nazar apni be haal hoti biwi par pari thi. doosri nazar be
jaan mujasme ki tarah khadi jannat par jo sakit thi, Samat thi, mathos thi.
"Y-Yeh jhoot bol rahi hai..."

Aur har tooti hui shai ki tarah. uske toote hue lafz be assar rahe. ghair ahem
rahe.

Burhan ka dahina haath utha aik jhannatedar thappar uske gaal par pada aik
mazboot tawana mard aur phir jis qowat se woh thappar para tha, jannat
tawazun barkarar nahi rakh saki. larkhara kar sheeshe ke tukron par ja giri.

waqt jaise ruk sa gaya tham sa gaya. aawaze madham ho gayi. ajeeb baat thi
uske halaq se siskari tak na nikli. yaad raha to bas woh thappar takleef hui
bhi to bas us thappar ki.

"MEIN TUMHE TALAQ DETA HOON!"

"ABHI AUR ISI WAQT DAFAA HO JAO MERE GHAR SE..!"

Roti, tadapti, haal se be haal maheen ko baazuon mein uthaye Burhan

hospital ke liye nikal gaya tha. woh sadme se gunj maoof hote dimagh ke
sath apni jagah baithi reh gayi thi.

Aan ki aan mein yeh kya ho gaya tha? kyun huwa tha? kya yeh Burhan tha?
kya yeh uska Burhan tha? yeh kaisa chehra tha? yeh kaisa rawaiyya tha?
yeh uske sath kya ho raha tha?

‘Talaq?’ usne yeh lafz kaise ada kardiya?uska dil fatne ko tha. rooh fanaa
ho rahi thi, dimagh maoof.

woh aik lafz jab ada huwa to har rishta badal gaya. panah chhin gayi. ghar
toot gaya, ghar bikhar gaya.

us raat woh ghar aayi to kamre se bahar nikli Nafisa ki pehli nazar us par
pari.

gaal par thappar ka nishaan aankho ke neeche neend safaid kameej ki

aasteen par khoon, kanch ka tukra wahin kahin khuba gaya tha. uljha bikhra
huwa sa huliya.

woh apni jagah munjamid ho gayi.

"Yeh kya kar diya tum ne jannat kyun kiya tum ne aisa.."

imaan us par chillayi thi. aik shor sa utha tha. Rubina chachi, zaiba chachi,
Farida phuphi. ghar ke chhotey badon ka aik jamghata sa ekhatta huwa tha.

Magar uski nigah hain apni maa par jami reh gayi thi. saktah toot gaya. woh
sab ko hata kar, apni har aziyat se laa parwa ho kar un ki taraf bhagi, un ke

qadmon mein girte un ki tangon se lipat gayi.

"Mein ne kuch nahi kiya... mein ne kuch nahi kiya! m-mera yaqeen kare."

woh rone lagi. jannat ko sakit nigahon se dekhte, un ka dahna haath be

sakhta dil par aan thehra tha. aik lamhe ko woh

larkharyi theen aur phir uski aankhon ke samne farsh par dhair ho gayeen.

"Ammiiii..." ghar ke sunaye mein uski cheekh gunji thi.

"Ammi nahi.. Ammi.... meri baat sune!"

"Ammi mein ne kuch nahi kiya.... mein ne kuch nahi kiya...."

imaan ne rote hue use be dardi se khech kar peeche hataya tha. Hania us par
cheekh rahi thi. koi gaadi nikaalne ko bha ga tha. kisi ne ambulance ko call
karna chahi thi. is shor aur afratafri mein woh thar thar kaanpti apni jagah
baithi reh gayi thi.

Hospital se us raat Nafisa ki maiyat aayi thi. behno ne usey un ki chaar payi
ke qareeb tak nahi aane diya tha.

'Jab zinda thi tab nahi, to jab woh nahi rahi, tab kyun?'

woh roti tadapti reh gayi. Kese batati uska koi qasoor nahi kon yaqeen
karta. woh gunah gaar nahi.

Doosro ke bar aks Hafsa khamosh thei. na haath uthaya, na shikwah kya, na
us par royi, na us par chillayi. aakhri waqt tak woh Nafisa ke sath rahi thi.
Maa ka chehra jaise aankhon mein thehra tha nahi bhi jaisey hathon mein hi
reh gaya tha. Nafisa ka wujood mitti taley ja soya to woh bhi jaisey zinda
laash ho gayi.

uski bhook mit gayi, neend urr gayi. chain mit gaya. be sukooni wujood ke
ang ang mein utar gayi. woh yu khamosh hui jaisey qowat goyi se mahroom
kar di gayi ho.

saari wazahaten, safaiya, daleele jaisey us aik maa ke liye thi. un ke jane ke
baad usne lab sil liye. behno ko uski shakal tak se nafrat ho gayi.

chacha, taya aur phupho mein se koi usey apne paas rakhne ko tayyar na
tha. woh apne bhai, apne baap aur ab apni maa se bhi mehroom thi.

woh us ghar par nazil hone wali har barbadi ka sabab thi. us par koi taras
khata bhi to kyun? koi hamdardi jatata bhi to kaise? sab ko lagta talaq bhi
aik saza thi. usey theek waqt par bilkul theek mili. uske sath jo huwa, bilkul
sahih huwa. abhi to aaghaz tha, abhi to usey dar dar ki thokare khaani thi.
zaleel o khawar hona tha.

iddat usne usi ghar mein guzari jo us ka kabhi nahi tha. chhat ka aik kamra
jis mein woh mustaqil jo is thehre rehna chahti thi. kamra Rubina chachi ke
terrace ke sath jura huwa tha. mundair aik hi thi.

iddat ke baad bade chacha aanan fana uska rishta apne bare bete Zaman se
tey kar diya. woh jannat se pure pandrah baras bada tha.

biwi roz roz ki maar dhaar se tang aakar khalla le chuki thi. teen bacche bhi
the jo maa ke sath rehte the. na kisi ne usse raye poochi, na marzi janne ki
koshish ki. faisla aik saza ki tarah bas suna diya gaya.

Nikah aur rukhsati ki tareekh tay kar di gayi. Aik jahannum se nikaal kar
dosre jahannum ka Bandoo bast kiya jane laga. nikah se aik hafta pehle
khaala aayi. bahane bahane se chacha se ijazat le kar usey apne sath ghar le
gayeen. woh un ke ghar sirf rahi.

Teesre din us ka bohat achanak aur hungami tor par Faris wajdan ke sath
nikah ho gaya. Saira khaala sab hi mamlaat pehle tay kar chuki thi. usey to
ain mauqa par chacha ke ghar se nikaal layi thi.

"Mein ne abbu se tumhara har tarah se khayaal rakhne ka wada kiya tha.
Zaman ke sath mein tumhari zindagi mazeed Barbad nahi hone de sakti."

Unhon ne bas itna kaha tha aur woh nam aankhon ke sath un ke hukum ke
agay sar jhuka gayi thi. aik nai zindagi ki aas liye sukoon ki mutlashi
rukhsat ho kar Islamabad aagai thi magar shadi ki

pehli raat faris wajdan ke rawaiyye ne us par wazeh kar diya tha ke uski
saza kabhi khatam nahi hui thi. sirf shehar hi to badla tha. zindagi wohi thi.
naseeb bhi wohi qismat bhi wohi aur mehroomi bhi wohi.

•••

aasman par chmakti bijli zameen ke kisi na maloom goshe mein baar baar
gum ho rahi thi. hawae taiz theen. magar itni nahi ke uski har aziyat ura le
jaye. barish hanooz baras rahi thi .

woh panjoo ke bal khud mein simat kar baithi jalti hui weraan aankhon se
samne dekh rahi thi. wujood mukammal tor par bhiga huwa tha. aankhon
mein surkhi utri thi. chehra zard ho raha tha. aur ansoo musalsal bahte ja
rahe the.

aisa pehli baar huwa tha ke woh apne ansoo nahi ponch hi thi. nahi khudko
dilase de rahi thi. na sambhalne ki koshish kar rahi thi. park ki aahini baar
ke us paar sabze ke paich o beech usey traffic nazar aa rahi thi. waqt ruka
nahi tha.

duniya apna safar jari rakhe hue thi. deewar ka sahara le kar woh apni jagah
se uth khari hui, phir usi mausam mein apni tamam tar wehshato ke sath
woh footpath par qadam dharti agey bhadne lagi.

Uska tawazun durust nahi tha. chaal mein wazeh larkharaht thi. artkaz kisi
aik jagah nah tha. sochne samajhne ki salahiyat jaise mafqood ho kar reh
gayi thi.

Mout...!
Zindagi ka anjaam...!

Aziyat ka ehtataam…!

Aik azadi…!

haan, woh rasta aisa hi tha. usi rang mein, usi roop mein nazar aata tha.
pehley bhi nazar aata raha tha, tab woh khudkushi ki soch se peecha chhura
liya karti thi, jeene ki koi na koi wajah koi na koi maqsad talaash kar liya
karti thi. magar ab ki baar woh aisa nahi kar pa rahi thi.

ab ki baar jo andheraa ikathe hue the woh usey mayoosi ki athah gehraiyo
mein utaar rahay the. aur woh chaah kar bhi kuch kar nahi parhi thi.

khudkushi bazat khud aik masla hai. kisi masle ka hal hargiz nahi.

manzar lamhe bhar ke liye badla tha. uske samne sabza bich gaya tha.
hathon mein phool aa gaye the. Nana barabar mein the. uske qadmon ke
sath sath qadam mila kar chalte hue usey samajhate, usey badalte huwe.

"Saanson ki dor khud se toote to toote tum todne ki koshish kabhi mat
karna."

Uski hichikiya bndh gayeen. ankhen ragad kar saaf karte usne aik baar phir
qadam bherhaye. woh maazi mein thi nahi haal mein woh jaise aik khalaa
mein thi.

"Jis waqt mazi soch jarr pakde aur mayoosi intehaa ki gehri ho jaye to
samajh jao, yeh shetan ka aakhri waar hai. theek us waqt par raha hai jab
woh tumhare inaam se waaqif ho chuka hai."

lamhe bhar ke liye woh lad khada kar sambhal gayi. aahini barh ka sahara le
kar, aik baar phir qadam uthane lagi thi.

"Har sabeer (sabr karne wala) ke hisse mein basharat aati hai aur is basharat
se zara der pehley shetan andhere bada deta hai. yeh kaam woh har us
momin ke sath karta hai jo apni azmaish mein samid, datta raha ho."
woh sisak pari. nana ke alfaaz aik taraf, uska dard, uska gham, uski
mehroomi doosri taraf.

"Tulu aftaab se pehley raat bohat tareek hoti hai jannat ka bohat ziyada
tareek hoti hai."

woh sadak kinare ruk gayi thi. uske lab kapkapa rahe the palken laraz rahi
theen. sardi ki shiddat se thar tharata wujood nidhaal ho raha tha. woh apna
hal talaash kar rahi thi. aur usey apna hal kahin bhi nazar nahi aa raha tha.

rasta aik hi bacha tha. mout ka rasta tabahi ka rasta daimi uqobat ka raasta.

"agar maazi dard ka hissa ho, aur mustaqbil andhere mein dooba ho to sir
utha kar aasman ki taraf dekh lena

chahiye."

Uska zabt khatam ho gaya. phoot phoot kar rote hue woh zameen par jhuk
gayi. baaz dafaa chhupi hui ba mayne dua aur koi nahi hoti. mehez chand
lamho ka tawaquf tha, aur chand lamho ki guftgu. aur usne be had
khamoshi se sadak ki janib qadam bada diye the.

❏❏❏
‫•‪•CHP-26‬‬
‫ِﮐﺴﭧ‬

‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫𝒓𝒂𝒑 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒓 𝒆𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒉𝒃𝒂𝒌‬

‫!𝒂𝒏𝒉𝒌𝒂𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒉𝒌 𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒑 𝒍𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏‬

‫‪𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒆, 𝒃𝒂𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒍, 𝒇𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒏,‬‬

‫𝒆𝒓𝒉𝒆𝒉𝒄 𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒉𝒌 ‪𝒎𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒎,‬‬

‫𝒆𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒆𝒉𝒎𝒖𝒕 𝒓𝒂𝒌 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒃 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒃‬

‫𝒆𝒕𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒃 𝒂𝒉𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒉𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝑻‬

‫𝒆𝒌𝒐𝒉𝒅 ‪𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒐𝒏 𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒌𝒉,‬‬

‫‪𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒂 𝒏𝒂 𝒋𝒂𝒏𝒂..‬‬

‫𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒉𝒎𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒉𝒄 𝒐𝒋 𝒊𝒉𝒃𝒂𝒌‬

‫𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒉𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒑𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒌 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒌‬

‫‪𝒃𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒊𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝒛𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒖𝒕𝒓𝒆,‬‬

‫𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒋 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒎 𝒐𝒌𝒍𝒅𝒏𝒖𝒉𝒅 𝒐𝒕‬

‫𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒉𝒌𝒏𝒂𝒂 𝒐𝒋 𝒊𝒉𝒃𝒂𝒌‬

‫𝒆𝒌 𝒔𝒏𝒂𝒉 𝒔𝒏𝒂𝒉 𝒅𝒏𝒂𝒂𝒉𝒄‬

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒏𝒊 𝒌𝒂 𝒌𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒓 𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒐

𝒂𝒑𝒏𝒊 𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏

𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒈𝒖𝒎𝒂 𝒏𝒂 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒂

𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒉 𝒏𝒂 𝒉𝒐 𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒓 𝒋𝒐 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒃 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒆

𝒅𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒅𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒌𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒂𝒃 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒆

𝒌𝒆 𝒋𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒐 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒛𝒂𝒂𝒃 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒆

𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒃𝒂𝒂-𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒌𝒊𝒍 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒛𝒕𝒆𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒆

𝒌𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊 𝒌𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊 𝒃𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒆

𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒉 𝒌𝒆

𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊 𝒉𝒖𝒊 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒉𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒆

𝒘𝒂𝒑𝒔𝒊 𝒌𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒐!

𝒖𝒋𝒂𝒅 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒋𝒐 𝑱𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒐

𝒕𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒏𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒅𝒐

𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒆

𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒍𝒊 𝒑𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒕 𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒂

𝑩𝒂𝒉𝒖𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒊 !

𝑩𝒂𝒉𝒖𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒊 !

𝑩𝒂𝒉𝒖𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒊 !

❏❏❏
woh is aurat ko nahi jaanta tha jo uske ghar ke bairooni gate se bahar nikalti
hui nazar aayi thi. usey herat hui. is tarah koi bhi ajnabi itni aasani se us
ghar mein daakhil nahi ho sakta tha. aankhon mein uljan liye woh andar
daakhil huwa to usey wajdan house mein aik ghair mamooli pan ka ehsas
huwa. aqsa pareshani ke aalam mein bhagti hui uske paas aayi thi. woh rote
hue ab kuch keh rahi thi, kuch bta rahi thi.

faris ne shock ke aalam mein sar utha kar mrs. Shirazi ki taraf dekha. herat
aur sadma bhare tassurat liye woh apni jagah sakit baithi thi magar un ki
nigahein kisi aik jagah par thehr nahi rahi theen. labon ko junbish dete
unhon ne faris se kuch kaha. aqsa ne bokhla kar mrs. Shirazi ko dekha.

aur ussi lamhe faris wajdan darwaaza khol kar ujlat mein qadam uthata taizi
se bahar bhaga tha.

bairooni gate se bahar sadak par pahunchte hi woh sarta pair mukammal tor
par barish mein bhig chuka tha.

"usey dhoondo Faris! aisa nah ho woh kuch kar baithe"

agay badhte hue woh charon taraf dekh raha tha magar jannat Bint kamaal
usey kahin bhi nazar nahi aa rahi thi. har guzarte lamhe ke sath uski
ghabrahat mein izafa hota ja raha tha.

bhaari tanaffus ke sath aik mohom ki umeed liye usne mrs Yazdani ko call
ki. jannat un ke ghar nahi gayi thi. Aima ka mobile off ja raha tha. woh
waise bhi Islamabad mein mojood nahi thi. agar hoti bhi to Jannat itni jaldi
itni kam muddat mein us tak nahi pahunch sakti thi. Yakeenan woh abhi tak
yahin aas paas hi kahin thi. woh usey talashte hue park ka rukh kar chuka
tha. mausam ki kharabi ke baais wahan ikka dukka hi log the.

aage masjid thi aur masjid ki doosri taraf markazi shahrah thi. aur isi
markazi shahrah par qadam dharte hi traffic ka shhor yaka yak uske liye
Samat huwa tha. zindagi se bhar poor fiza aik khalaa mein badal gayi thi.

zameen ne qadam jakde, wujood bhaari patthar ho gaya. usey laga woh apni
jagah se hil nahi sakay ga. Jara sa hille ga to paash paash ho jayega.
(Flashbacks)

"Tumhe lagta hai, Allah ne hamein bachaya hai?"

"haan, Allah ka boht boht hai shukar baji!"

"Esa bhi to mumkin hai ke yeh aik warning ho, mere liye tumahare liye ya
shayad kisi aur ke liye"

chhatri khul gayi thi. gaadi ke qareeb woh phisal kar giri thi. uska haath
jhatak kar apne sahare uth rahi thi.

"Jo kuch sun chuka hoon, woh sab mummy ko batau ga to woh kya sochen
gi? aik aisi ladki ko baho bana baithi hain jo infertile hai."

"Jis ne apni sotan ke bacche ki jaan laine ki koshish ki hai, jis ke khandan
ke log usey achhut ki tarah treat karte hain aur jo apni maa ki mout ka sabab
bani hai."

parking area mein gaadi start karta woh aankhon mein dhair saari nami liye,
kuch be basi aur aazuardghi se usey dekhati jannat kamal. Char so tariki
chhayi aur manzar badal gaya.

"Agar tum is tarah mere sar par musallat rahe, to mein auntie ko sab kuch
bta dun gi."

"shoq se jao! mein bhi tumhari pol unke samne khol dun ga, hisaab
barabar!"

"Tum aisa nahi karo ge."

Lehje mein khauf tha, aankhon mein wehshat.

"Kar sakta hoon, mein to ab un se yeh bhi keh sakta hoon ke meri biwi
banjh hai, mein doosri shadi karna chahta hoon."

usne chandi ki is soorat ko hazaar tukdo mein bikharta dekha.

"Faris please darwaaza kholo please!"

Bilak Bilak kar rote woh is ke kamre ka darwaaza bajaye jarahi thi.

"Aik bacche ki jaan laine ki koshish? aakhir tum mein itni himmat kahan se
aagai thi?"

aur phir usne slight door poori qowat se band hote dekha. ab woh kamre se
bahar, december ki Sard raton mein balcony mein khadi thi.

"Allah ke fazl se bahut se back up plans hai mere, aur sab hi survival based
hain, nahi mera sar pathega, nahi mein doob kar maroon gi."

jatati nigahein, mazboot lehja, shujaiat liye anokha andaaz jaisey woh
duniya ke har tufaan se bhid jane ki, har chattaan se ladh jane ki salahiyat
rakhti hai. uske liye nahi "Faris" kuch hai, na Talaq kuch hai.

"Mujhe Talaq fori chahiye hogi. tumhe abhi se documents ka intizam kar
lena chahiye taa ke munasib waqt par bana kisi takheer ke sign kar ke aik
doosre se jaan khulasi ki jaa sake!"

•••

khud par taari is bhayanak jamood ko todte hue woh aage badha. Sadak ke
kinare ghair mutawazan qadam uthata woh wahan ja raha tha jahan kuch
der pehle aik haadsa paish aaya tha. chalti hui taiz raftaar gaadi ke samne

achanak hi koi ladki aagai thi.

ambulance ka Siren logo ka hajhoom aur shiddat se barasti barish mein

mout ko itne qareeb se, is andaaz aur is haalat mein daikhta Faris wajdan
apne hawaso mein hargiz nahi lag raha tha.

"Lekin agar kuch wajohaat ki bina par, mujhe qabal az waqt yeh ghar
chhorna par jata hai, aur is douran mera thse fi alfoor rabita bhi mkn nahi
ho paata to mein aik mah tak ki muddat ko zehen mein rakhon gi. "

muddat mukhtasir thi mukhtasir se mazeed mukhtasir kar di gayi thi.

maheena aan ki aan mein hafton aur phir dinon mein badal kar lamhoon par
muheet huwa tha.
"Aur yeh mera tum se wada hai, jab jane ka waqt aaye ga, mein khamoshi
se chali jaoon gi."

"...aur jannat kamaal wada khilafi nahi karti thi."

yaqeen aur be yakeeni ki kefiyat mein dukh aur sadme se nidhaal usne apne
raste mein aane walo ko hatate hue strechar par rakhi us laash tak
pohanchna chaha. khoon se surkh hoti tum nam chadar uski muthi mein
aayi.

Chehre se chadar sirki baal, peshani phir veeran aankhen wazeh hui. uski
saari himmat, sakt aik lamhe mein fanaa hui.

"Tum jitne marzi mansoobe bana lo mister shirazi! khudkushi mein nahi
karoon gi, na London ke bridge se, nahi

kisi aur jagah se!"

chadar uske haath se chhut gayi. woh baal, chehra aur aankhen. woh jannat
kamaal ki hargiz nahi thi. kamre mein tareeqi thi. Khidkiya khuli hui thi.
Hawa se parde lehra rahe the.

Bahar mausam khushgawaar tha magar un ke andar ki udasi har guzarte

lamhe bardhti ja rahi thi. mobile haath mein tha. woh ab tak na jane kitni
baar Faris wajdan ko call kar chuki theen. kitni hi baar msg bhej chuki thi
magar wo koi jawab nahi de raha tha. jannat ka mobile hanuz off tha.

woh abhi tak na usse baat kar saki thi aur nahi unhen uski kheriyat ki ittila
mili thi. kal subah se hi unhon ne khud ko kamre mein band kar rakha tha.
na khana kha rahi theen na kisi se koi ma

baat kar rahi thi. dastak de kar Ammar ne darwaaza khola to woh aik dam
se tadap kar uthi aur taizi se qadam uthate uske paas aayi.

"Kuch pata chala?"

Ammar ne nafi mein sar hilaya.

"Sabra khatoon ke ghar tala laga hai, padosi keh rahe hain woh do mah se
kahin gayi hui hain."

"kahan?"

"Yeh koi nahi jaanta. un ka phone number bhi band ja raha hai."

Saira apna sar hathelio par giraye sofey par baith gayi. khauf aur andesho
mein ghira un ka dil wehshat se dhadke ja raha tha. ankhen nam thi, lab
kapkapa rahe the.

"Faris usey dhoond raha hai, woh mil jaye gi, haan.. mil jaye gi."

Ammar dukh aur sadme se apni maa ko dekh kar reh gaya.

"Aap abhi bhi us shakhs par bhrosa kar rahi hain mamma?"

Uske lehjey mein shak tha.

"Jis insaan ne apne baap aur bhai ko nahi chorha, woh jannat kamaal ke liye
reham dil hoga?"

"Ammar!"

un ki aawaz kapkapa kar reh gayi.

"Mein ne kaha tha aap se, woh acha insaan nahi hai, mein ne roka tha aap
ko, magar aap ne meri aik nahi suni."

sard lehjey mein woh kuch mathos ho kar baat kar raha tha.

"Aap sirf chahti thi ke kisi tarah wo hum sab ki nazron se dur ho jaye."

Saira aankhon mein sadma liye Ammar ko dekh kar reh gayi. itne sakht
lafzon ki tawaqqa unhono apne betay se hargiz nahi thi. woh bhi is wqat par
jab woh jannat ke liye is qader pareshan ho rahi theen.

"Chaar bete hain aap ke is ghar mein kisi ke sath bhi aap jannat ki shadi
karwa sakti theen. Faisal bhai, uzair bhai, Ahmed bhai aur mein! mein ne
khud request ki thi aap se ke mujhe koi problam nahi hai, aap khamoshi se
mera nikah parwa de."

"Is tarah dar dar ki thokare khane se behtar hai, usey apno mein aik
mustaqil thikana miley, magar nahi aap bhala aik banjh ladki ko apni bahu
kaise bana sakti thi?"

"Aap to bas usse jaan chhurwana chahti thi."

"Aur mubarak ho mamma! aap apni is koshish mein bahut kamyaab rahi."

Saira apni jagah pathrayi hui baithi theen. yeh kaisa chehra tha jo Ammar
unhen dikha raha tha. yeh kaisi haqeeqat thi jo woh unhen bata raha tha.

"Mein ne soch samajh kar us uska rishta tay kiya tha Ammar! mein usey
Zaman se bachana chahti thi."

unhon ne kamjor aawaz me apni position clear karna chahi un ki niyat mein
koi khot nahi tha. woh jannat ka bhala hi chahti thi.

"Faris behtareen intikhab tha."

woh us par yaqeen qaim ra tum rakhna chahti theen. na wo apne faisle ka
difaa kar chahti thi, magar ammar unki har koshish nakaam bana gaya tha.

"Aap pareshan kyun ho rahi hain? woh mar jaye gi magar aik zimmedaari
aur bojh ke roop mein aap ke ghar bhi nahi aaye gi."

apni baat poori kar ke woh ja chuka tha. aur dil par bhaari boojh liye saira
apni jagah baithi reh gayi thi.

palak jhapakte manazair badle the. andhera chhatt gaya tha. Khidkiyo ke
parde simat gaye the. Sooraj ki roshni chhin kar tiles par utar aayi thi kayi
hafte pehley ka qissa jhalakiyo mein apna aap dohrane laga tha. unhon ne
jannat ko dekha. usne safhe glass table par phela diye the. khud woh un ke
samne carpet par baith gayi thi.

"Qur'aan mein banjh ke liye do lafz istemaal hue hain. aik hai 'Aaqir' aur
dosra hai 'Aqim'. Jab surah mariyam mein Zakariya alaihi salam ki zozja ka
zikar aata hai to woh Allah se dua karte hue kehte hain meri biwi Aaqir hai
lekin jab zozja ibrahim ko farishte aulaad ki basharat dete hain to woh kehti
hain mein budiya Aqim hoon!"

woh apne isi mehsoos andaaz mein mukhatib thi aur safhe palat kar
matlooba ayaat unhen tarjume samait dikha rahi thi.

yeh surah Ash Shuaràa ki aayat hai. ungli rakh kar woh keh rahi thi.

"Aasmano aur zameen mein Allah hi ki badshahi hai, jo chahta hai peda
karta hai, jise chahta hai ladkiya ataa karta hai aur jise chahta hai ladke
bakhsha hai. Ya ladke aur ladkiya mila kar deta hai aur jisey chahta hai
banjh Aqim kar deta hai. be shak woh khabar daar qudrat wala hai."

phir ruk kar sar uthaye woh un ki taraf dekhne lagi thi.

"Aap ne dekha yahan Aqim likha gaya hai, Aqir nahi."

unhon ne par soch andaaz mein asbat mein sar hilaya tha. Sooraj ki roshni
jannat ke shehad rang balon par par rahi thi.

"Aur yaha surah tul anbiyàa ki yeh aayat Zakaria alaihi salam se mutaliq
hai."

usne ungli rakh kar pardhna shuru kiya.

"Phir hum ne uski dua qubool ki aur usey Yahya ataa kya aur uske liye uski
biwi ko durust kar diya. be shak yeh log naik kamo mein daud parte the, aur
hamein umeed aur dar se pukara karte the aur hamare samne aajzi karne
wale the."

khatam hoti aayat ghhor wa fikar ke kayi darwaze wajeh kar gayi thi.

"Ab is mein aayat ka yeh hissa ghhor talabb hai, hum ne un ki biwi ko
durust kar diya. yani un ki islaah kar di. ab sawal yeh hai yahan kisi islaah
ki baat ki gayi hai. jahan tak mujhe ilm hai zozja

Zakaria aik naik aur ibadat guzaar khatoon thi, aisa nahi tha ke naujubillah
un ke mabain koi sharr ya fasaad tha, jisey islaah ki zaroorat padti."
aik lamhe ka tawaquf kar ke woh barah e raast un ki aankhon mein dekhne
lagi thi.

"Aap ka kya khayaal hai?"

"Mein tum se sunna chahti hoon!"

wo be sakhta keh gayi thi. wo zara sa jhichki, phir muskurate hue goya hui.

"Mujhe lagta hai yeh is bemari ki, is nuqs ki islaah thi. is banjh pan ki jo
unhen aulaad se mahroom rakhe hue tha."

un ki khamosh nigahon mein aika aik herat ka ta-assur ubhra tha. andar ke
sawalaat ke jawab talashti jannat kamaal unhen bohat mutmaen nazar aayi
thi. uska lehja kamzor nahi tha. uske lafzon mein mayoosi nahi thi.

woh yaqeen aur be yakeeni ke darmiyan bhatak nahi rahi thi, usne kinara
chunn liya tha, saahil par qadam jama liye the.

"Jahan tak mein apni tehqeeq se samajh payi hoon, banjh pan ki do kisme
hain. aik yeh mard ya aurat mein siray se maa ya baap banne ki salahiyat
pedaishi tor par mojood nahi hoti aur usey 'Aqim' kehte hain jo ke zozja
ibrahim alaihi salam thi. Usi 'aqim' ka zikar surah shoora ki aayat pachaas
mein hai. aur doosra banjh pan woh hai jo kisi na kisi nuqs ya bemari ki
wajah se hai. aur jis ka ilaaj ya islaah mumkin hai."

Mrs. Shirazi ne gehra tanaffus le kar palken bhickayi. manzar wohi tha,
kamra bhi wohi safhe bhi wo ho hain magar jannat kamaal kahin nahi thi.

"Aqir kisi sabab se bhi ho sakta hai aur baghair kisi sabab ke bhi kuch
logon ko koi masla nahi hota par tab bhi un ki aulaad nahi hoti. aur kuch
logon mein koi nuqs hota hai, is ke bawajood un ke yahan aulaad ho jati
hai."

sabz roshnaye se kisi aayat ko underline karti, kisi aur nuqte ki wazahat
karti woh aik baar phir unhen mutwajjah kar chuki thi. Qur'aan ne aik
'Aqim' boodhi aurat ko maa bante dikhaya hai. aik boodhi aaqra ko bhi
Zakariya alaihi salam ki biwi mein jo nuqs tha woh dua se, umeed se,
yaqeen se theek ho gaya. aur zozja ibrahim jin mein siray se maa ban'ne ki
salahiyat mojood nahi thi, inhen bhi Allah ne apni qudrat se maa ke rutbe
par Sarfraz kar diya."

Pahadiyon par parde phail gaye the. Sooraj ki kiranen simat gayi thi, un ke
bed room mein jannat kamaal ab khidkiyo ke paas khadi nazar aa rahi thi .

"Bilaa shuba yeh aik mehroomi hai, aur yeh mehroomi bhi Allah ke chuney
hue kitney khaas bando ke hisse mein aayi, yeh baat mein bhool rahi thi."

lehjey mein daba daba sa josh aur aankhon mein aik chamak lehrai thi .

"isi mehroomi ko Allah ne ataa mein badalte dikhaya. jo namumkin tha

usey mumkin kar ke dekhaya. aik 'Aqir' aik 'Aqim' do azeem aurtain aur
dono ambia ki maaen thehri.

kamre mein ab sirf zarkar lamp roshan tha. is ki roshni mein woh unhen
apne barabar mein laitee hui dikhayi di. seene par sar rakhe aik maa mein,
apni maa talashti. mayoosi mein umeed ka diya jalatii.

"Intzaar hamesha un hi logon ke hisse mein aata hai auntie! jinhein kuch
azeem ataa karna maqsood ho."

Manzar badal gaya tha. jannat un ke kamre mein ab kahin nahi thi. na woh
pardo ko doriyon mein bandh rahi thi, nahi un ka likha huwa koi article type
kar rahi thi aur nahi un se ab koi aayat discuss kar rahi thi. un ke kamre
mein ab mukammal khamoshi thi. aisi khamoshi jo un ke andar aik shore
barpaa kiye jarahi thi.

"Bilaa shuba ambia ke liye Muajzaat huwa karte hain. magar woh moazje
un ke liye bhi baghair sabr, dua aur aajzi ke nahi hue. yeh points mein miss
kar rahi thi."

woh uski har baat ka matlab jaise ab samajh rahi theen. har sawal ke peeche
chhupa huwa dard jaisey ab mehsoos kar rahi thi. unhen kabhi pata hi nahi
chal saka ke woh reserch uske apne liye thi. woh mehnat, woh uljan aur
behas woh sab uske apne liye thi.
"Aik woh log hote hain jinhein sirf bahar ki duniya se ladna parta hai. yeh
aik jung hai aur qadre aasaan hai. lekin bahar ki duniya ke sath sath jo jung
apne andar, apne aap se ladni padtee hai. yaqeen kare woh bahut mushkil
hoti hai."

waqt safhon ki tarah palat raha tha. woh unhen peeche aur bahut peeche liye
ja raha tha. jannat ki aansuon se bhari ankhen unhen charon taraf nazar aa
rahi thi.

"Aap baar baar marte hain aur baar baar zinda kar diye jate hain. usi aik hi
aziyat se baar baar guzarne ke liye jahannum bhi isi liye jahannum hai ke
sab baar baar hota rahega. haina?"

unhen yun laga jaisey woh jaye namaz par baithi aadhi adhuri baatein aik
baar phir karne lagi hai magar woh baatein

aadhi adhuri nahi rahi thi. woh un ke liye mukammal hoti ja rahi thi.

"woh log bhi to hote hain jinhein baghair kisi intezaar, dua aur tadap ke sab
mil jata hai. un mein hum kyun nahi ho sakte? hamein kyun rona parta hai?
hamein kyun aik aik khwahish ke liye tadpna parta hai?"

ghadi ki suyyan mutharrak theen. pendulum ki aawaz ab muhim nahi rahi

thi. wajdan house mein pehle din se ab tak jannat ke sath hone wali har
guftagu unhen yaad aa rahi thi. umeed aur mayoosi se ulajhti uski ankhen
mazbooti se kamzor padtee uski aawaz. vra dara sa lehja, sehma sehma sa
andaaz aur aanso-on ki ameezish liye labon par achanak se ubharti zindagi
se bhar poor muskaan.

"Maa ki bad dua mein bhi bahut assar hota hai. haina! balke sab se ziyada
assar hi usi bud-dua mein hota hai?"

un ki tasbeeh samet ti ungelian kapkapane lagi.

"Agar koi maa apni aulaad se nafrat karte karte mar jaye to kya maa ki
nafrat bhi mar jati hai?"
"kabhi kabhi aap ko aise jurm ki saza millti hai jo aap se sarzad nahi hota.
aisi saza ko jhelne ka hosla insaan kahan se laaye?"

bed crown se tek lagaye woh nam tariqi mein khidkiyo se bahar kahin
dekhne lagi. bahar lawn mein lights ki roshniya swimming pool ki satah par
chamak rahi theen.

"Aap jaag gayi?"

aqsa barabar hi kursi par baithi thi. uth kar un ki taraf mutwajjah hui. lehjey
mein tashweesh numaya thi. aankhon mein fikar thahri thi. mrs Shirazi ki
tabiyat guzashta kayi dinon se kharab thi. medicine laine ke bawajood woh
theek se so nahi paati theen. aaj phir woh uth kar baith gayi theen. aik baar
phir khalaa mein kahin dekhte

kho si gayi thi.

"Faris aa gaya hai?" chand lamho ke baad unhon ne poocha.

"Nahi!"

Mrs. Shirazi ka dil bhaari huwa. aik be naam si aziyat ragg ragg mein utar
gayi. khushk labon ko tar karte hue unhon ne aankhen moond li. woh sahih
maeno mein ab sona chahti thi magar neend aankhon se koso dur thi. aur
sukoon to jaisey usse bhi dur aik be kal sa ehsas un ki ankhe nam kar gaya.
woh chehre ka rukh badal gayi. aqsa pareshani se unhen dekh kar reh gayi
thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHP-27•
•••

Uske baal peshani par be tarteebi se bikhare the, tie ki knot dheeli thi. west
coat ke button khule hue thay. barish ki nami kahin kahin kaandhon par,
balon par thehri thi. nidhaal qadam uthate hue usne shirt ke oopri button bhi
khol diye The. rukh sidiyon ki taraf tha.

Jannat ko ghar chhore poori saat raatein aaj tamam hone wali theen aur abhi
tak uska suraagh nahi mil saka tha. woh apni khaala ke ghar nahi gayi thi.
usne apne khandan ke kisi fard se rabita nahi kya tha. uski koi aisi dost nah
thi jis ke paas woh ja sakti. koi rishta daar jis ke yahan panah le sakti. woh
usey apne tain har jagah talaash kar chuka tha magar woh nahi thi. woh
kahin bhi nahi thi.

woh kamre mein daakhil huwa to guzashta kayi raton ki tarah is raat bhi
usne lights on nahi ki. apne aas paas, apne charon taraf usey andhera darkar
tha. magar andhera bhi jaisey roshni hone laga tha.

woh us par sab ayaa'n karne laga tha. jannat kamaal ki jo cheez jahan rakhi
thi, wahi mojood thi. uska kambal, takiya, laptop, charm bracelet jisey woh
sonay se pehlay utaar kar table par rakh diya karti thi. wash room mein uski
hair pins, rang birange cluctcher, hair clips har jagah bikhare pade the.

Dressing table par cosmatic ki chand ashya dhari theen. Is kamre mein uski
nishani jaise har jagah thi.

pehlay woh thi to zindagi se khafa nazar na kahin theherti nahi thi aur ab
jab woh nahi thi to woh usey apni har aik cheez mein baar baar nazar aa
rahi thi.

aik baar phir woh uska mobile utha chuka tha. aik baar phir woh un tasaveer
ko dekh raha tha jo aath din pehle usey raat ke baara bajey kisi ajnabi
number se arsaal ki gayi thi.
chand massages jinhein parha nahi gaya tha, kuch calls jo miss kar di gayi
thi. usne mobile rakh diya. ab woh wardrobe khole khada tha. aik aik kar ke
har shai nikalta carpet par dhair kiye ja raha tha.

London ki tickets, passport, safri bag, packing ke liye muntakhib ki jane

wali zaroori ashya aur jaisa woh usse keh kar gaya tha, woh uska samaan
pack kar chuki thi. aur uske liye usne yaqeenan mrs. Shirazi ki madad li thi
tab hi uske wohi kapde bag mein rakhe gaye the jo woh aksar beron mulk
dore par le jata tha.

Wardrobe ke nichale khane mein hand bags ke sath hi jewellery box rakhe
the. haq mehar ka cheque bhi mojood tha, qeemti Ahaef bhi mehfooz rakhe
the.

Jannat kamaal apne sath kuch bhi le kar nahi gayi thi. qabar mein utarti kisi
laash ki tarah woh apne sab kuch peechey chhor kar gayi thi. woh kapdo ko
idhar udhar karta, uski cheezon ko nikaal nikaal kar kuch talashta ajeeb si
kefiyat se dochar lag raha tha.

oopri khane mein rakha aik siyah bag khenchne par uske barabar mein para
lakdi ka box uske qadmon mein girte hi khul gaya tha. chand khutoot, kuch
tasaveer aur ashya uske qadmon mein bikhar gayi thi.

woh be ikhtiyar ruk gaya tha.

box ke aik kone par hurf 'F' ki calligraphy thi. aapas mein takrata do
talwaron ka nishaan wazeh tha. aag pakadati aik tasweer dhund ki thi to
doosri tasweer ki deewar par wazeh ho rahi thi. Usne be sakhta qadam
uthaya. kanch ka tukda pair ke talwe mein kahin chuba.

"Itni si chot lagne se koi nahi marta."

"Mein to mar jati hoon." wo thehr gaya. ruk gaya. jam gaya.

jalti hui lakdion mein aik aur safhe ka izafah huwa. sakit paanion mein
kanker phenka gaya. patte toar kar fiza mein uuchaal diye gaye. aan ki aan
mein brown lakdi ka farsh aaina huwa. aik hi darar se janam layti be
shumaar darare usey hazaar ha hisson mein munqasim kar gayeen. woh
panjo ke bal jhuka to usey laga woh ab kabhi uth nahi paye ga. saans Lena
chahega to usey saans nahi aayegi.

kya koi itna be khabar ho sakta hai jitna ke woh tha? koi itna safaaq bhi ho
sakta hai jaisa ke woh khud apne liye tha? yeh kaisi be hisi thi jo apni zaat
se marboot judi thi? yeh kaisi khud gharzi thi jo aziat mashroot thi?

do safar taweel dushwaar tha jisey tay kar ke woh yahan tak pouncha tha. is
had tak sambhla tha. is had tak badal gaya tha. yeh uska vahm, yeh uska
khayaal tha. hamesha ki tarah is baar bhi woh apne aap se be khabar raha
tha. hamesha ki tarah is baar bhi woh khud ko samajh nahi saka tha. parak
nahi saka tha.

waqt guzar gaya tha. zindagi badal gayi thi. magar uske andar ki hikaytein,
aaj bhi uske liye. kuch muhim, kuch adhuri,

aur be naam hi rahi theen.

Shirazi mantion ke wasee o areez lounge mein mout bhari khamoshi chhai
thi. mojooda nakoos par sakta taari tha. na samaat mein yaqeen utartaa tha
na aankhon se Aiqan jhalakta tha. halanke Haroon Shirazi aik mujassam
haqeeqat ke sath un ke samne hi to khada tha.

apni ghaltiyo ka aitraaf karte, peshmani ka izhaar karte aur sar jhuka kar
mafi ki darkhwast karte usne aik lamhe ke liye bhi Jamila dawod ki taraf
nahi dekh tha. dekh laita to phir ho jata. pathar hota to kuch ke na paata
jabke usey bahut kuch kehna tha.

"Mera warees, mera khoon sirf Hamad hai Haroon! yeh tumhari ayashiyo
ka nateeja, aik aawara aur bad chalan aurat ke batan se janam laine wala.
Isey abhi aur isi waqt le jao yahan se."

khamoshi Azam shirazi ne tori thi. aur kisi bhikhre hue sher ki tarah
jhinjharte hue tori thi. un ki buland aawaz se bacche par Haibat taari hui thi.
un ke sakht patharile tasurat se woh bohat Khaif huwa tha.

"aarzoo ne Talaq le li hai, yeh ab mere sath hi rahega."

jhuke sar ke sath nazrein chura kar kaha gaya.

Jamila dawod ne dag-magati nigaho se usey dekha. uski aziyat badh gayi.
aan ki aan mein mohabbat wafa aur qurbanio ka tamasha bana gaya tha.
woh paash paash ho gayi thi.

"Tumhe andaza bhi hai, tum is waqt kya keh rahe ho?"

Azam shirazi intehai ghusse ke aalam mein Fankare the.

"Jamila ke khandan ko tumhari doosri shadi ki bhanak bhi par gayi to woh
tumhara kya hashar karen ge, kuch andaza bhi hai tumhe?"

Jamila dawod ke zikar par Haroon shirazi ne ab ke sar utha kar usey hi
dekha tha. bas aik lamhe ke liye phir us ne nazrain hata li.

"Baba!"

"Mere sabr ka mazeed imtehaan mat lo."

Azam shirazi ne ungli utha kar usey roka.

"Abhi aur isi waqt usey yahan se le jao."

aarzoo ke bete ke liye un ki aankhon mein nafrat thi, bezariyat, gussa tha,
sard Mehri thi.

"Beta hai yeh mera!"

"Mera aur tumhara waris sirf Hammad hai, mein is tawaif ke bacche ko
mazeed aik lamhe ke liye bhi aur is ghar mein bardasht nahi kar sakta."

hukum suna kar woh usi lamhe uth kar chalay gaye the. Shirazi mansion ke
wasee o Areez lounge mein Haroon apne bachhe ke hamrah tanha khada
reh gaya.

woh sadma se gunj tha. kuch heran aur be yaqeen bhi. uske to vahm or
guman mein bhi na tha ke Azam Shirazi uske bacche ko qaboolne se inkaar
kar dege. Zamila ki aankho me herat na thi, sadma bhi na tha usne jaisey
aziyat ke alam mein yaqeen ki tamam Manazil tay karli thi.

Haroon apni doosri biwi ke bacche ke sath uske samne ke samne khada tha.
yeh khawab tha, na khadsha, na khayaal ya aik Haqiq haqeeqat thi. talkh
haqeeqat. jisey jhutlaya nahi ja sakta tha.

mohabbat or ehtram se jude shadi shuda zindagi ke aath saal aik dhoka the,
dikhawa the, fareb the. dar parda Haroon pichhle aath saloon se apni isi
mohabbat ke sath talluq mein raha tha jis se Azam Shirazi mein ne uski
shadi nahi hone di thi.

woh bhi apni jagah se uth gayi. apne kamre mein band ho gayi. Haroon ab
bhi neeche tha. woh aik baar phir apne baap ki study ke samne khada tha.
un ki minnat kar raha tha. un se maffi maang raha tha magar Azam Shirazi
kisi bhi soorat, aarzoo Jahangir ke bacche ko qaboolne ke liye tayyar na the.

yeh situation aik jung ki si thi. jaisey mulko ke naam war karobari hastiyon
ke darmiyan jo moahida tay tha. uske tutne ka khatra ho. jaise apni kamzori
kisi doosre fareeq ko thama daine ka khadsha.

"woh mera beta hai baba! mein uske baghair nahi reh sakta."

agle din woh phir un se keh raha tha. Azam shirazi apne shaan daar bed
room ki deewar geer khidkiyo ke samne pusht par haath bandhe khade the.

Un ke Jabre bheenche hue the. qehar barsati aankhon mein khoon utra huwa
tha. woh mulk ke aik naamwar business tiecon the. apne andaaz aur
shakhsiyat mein kisi haakim jaisa roab rakhte the. usool or riwayat ke
paband, kuch maghroor aur mutaqabbir jo apne aala hasbo nasb aur taleemi
qabliyat par fakhr karte the.

aur unhen yeh bacha kisi soorat qubool nahi tha.

"Aarzoo ke paas chhore aao usey!"

"Wo usey apne sath nahi rakhna chahti."

"Yeh mere sar ka dard nahi!"

"Baba please!"

woh girgiraya.

"Yeh bhi aap ka pota hai."

"Mera pota sirf Hammad hai, jiski maa khandani hai."

woh palat kar dahadhe the.

"Yeh us aawara or..!"

Haroon shirazi karb se lab bhinch kar reh gaya.

"Aap usey mere sath rehne den."

"Woh yahan rahega to sab ko maloom ho jaye ga."

asal masla jaisey unkw labon par aaya tha. woh bacha un ke liye zillat,
toheen aur be izzati ki alamat tha. woh un ke liye aik ghalti, aik gunah jaisa
tha. jisey

chhupana maqsood, mitana zaroori ho gaya tha.

"Baba please! mujhe maaf kar den. mein jaanta hoon yeh meri ghalti hai.
aap jo bhi saza den mein bhugatne ke liye tayyar hoon, is tarah mat kiijiye."

kamre mein aik dam hi gehri khamoshi chhaa gayi. Azam shirazi sakht
pathreli nigahon se ab Haroon ko dekh rahe the. Jamila dawood khule
darwaze ke us paar ruk gayi thi.

"Aik shart par mein tumhari is ghalti ko nazar andaaz kar sakta hoon."

Lehjey mein wohi inaad aur sakti thi. Jamila ne nazar utha kar unhen dekha.
ab woh kya keh rahe the?

"Isey mere hawale kar do aur bhool jao ke Hammad ke ilawa tumhara aur
koi beta bhi hai."
Haroon ke peeron taley se zameen niklee thi. sar par aasman toota tha. phati
phati nigahon se woh apne baap ko dekh kar reh gaya tha. Sadme ke aalam
mein Jamila dawood bhi apni jagah khadi reh gayi thi.

Azam shirazi ki baat abhi khatam nahi hui thi. un ki baat to jaisey ab shuru
hui thi.

"Isey tumhara naam nahi miley ga, wirasat mein hissa bhi nahi aur nah hi
woh hamare khandan ka kabhi hissa banega."

andaz do toak tha. lehja qatiat bhara faisla ghair mutazalzil har lafz pathhar
par lakeer Haroon shirazi ke chehre par wehshat phail gayi. har shai ka
hisaab rakha tha usne magar is ka nahi.

"woh usi naam aur pehchan ke sath rahega jo mein usey duga. care taker ka
intizam ho jaye ga, parhai ke akhrajaat, sab mein manage karuga lekin
tumhe har soorat, har haal mein usse dur rehna hoga."

ungli utha kar aik baar phir apne irade wazeh kiye gie.

"kyun ke na to mein us badnaam zamana ladki ke sath tumhara koi scandal

afford kar sakta hoon aur nahi Jamila ke khandan se dushmani mol le sakta
hoon"

Haroon Shirazi ki phati phati aankhon mein intehai sard Mehri se dekhte
hue unhon ne hatmi faisla sunaya tha.

"Aur agar tumhe mere is faislay se ikhtilaaf hai to tum usey yahan se le ja
satke ho lekin yaad rakho jis waqt tum is ghar ki dahleez paar karoge, mein
bhool jauga mera Haroon naam ka koi beta bhi hai."

Haroon Shirazi ka saans ruka huwa tha. Dhadkane thami hui theen. woh ab
bhi apne baap ko dekh reh tha. herat, be yakeeni aur sadme se usey apni
samaat par yaqeen nahi aaya tha.

'koi apne pote ke sath aisa bhi kar sakta hai?' woh soch raha tha. magar woh
ghalat soch raha tha. Azam Shirazi ne siray se is bacche ko tasleem nahi
kya tha. woh is ke liye reham dil hote bhi to kaise? ehsas karte bhi to kyun?
woh to apne kapdo par halka sa daagh tak na bardasht karte the to ab aisay
daagh ko kaise rehne dete jis ki bardasht mein mustaqbil mein koi scandal
ban'ne ka khadsha hota.

Mazeed kuch bhi sunay baghair Jamila dawood wahan se hatt gayi thi. roi
roi si surkh mutwaram aankhon ke sath woh sidiya utar kar neeche aayi to
dil bewafai ke gham se phatne laga. yeh haqeeqat thi ke shirazi aur lashari
khandan ke mubain judne wala yeh rishta aik business deal ki tarah tha.

Khandan ke bado ne apne karobari aur siyasi mafadaat ko madde nazar

rakhte hue un dono ko aik kiya tha magar Jamila ne kabhi bhi is rishte ko
Maslehat ki nigah se nahi dekha tha.

woh Haroon se mohabbat karti thi. badlay mein woh bhi usey mohabbat hi
dikhata raha tha. magar woh mohabbat aik dikhawa thi, uska inkishaaf kal
raat huwa tha. yeh inkishaaf usey raakh kar gaya tha. yeh inkishaaf uski
mohabbat, wafa aur aetmaad ka tamasha bana gaya tha.

sulagti aankhon ko be dardi se ragadati woh khidki ke samne ja khari hui thi
aur tab hi usne Haroon ko sidiya utarte dekha tha. Uske chehre par karb tha
aur ankhen betasha surkh ho rahi thi. Azam Shirazi apne faisle se peeche
hatne wale nahi thay to kya Haroon ghar chhor kar ja raha hai? bhaari dil ke
sath usne Haroon shirazi ko saddar darwaze ki janib barhate dekha.

"jis waqt tum is ghar ki dehleez paar karo ge, mein bhool jauga mera
Haroon naam ka koi beta bhi hai."

aur woh usey dekh rahi thi. woh khaali weeran aankhon se usey saddar
darwaze se bahar nikalta dekh rahi thi. Haroon Shirazi ne ghar ki dehleez
paar karli thi. woh apne bacche ko sath le kar nahi gaya tha.

Azam shirazi Haroon ko London bhej kar apne roz marrah maloomat mein
aise masroof ho gaye the jaise roz qabal kuch nahi huwa tha. jaise un ki
zindagi mein aarzoo Jahangir ka guzar na huwa tha na uske bacche ki
aamad chand hui thi. jaisey Haroon shirazi se koi ghalti, koi gunah sarzad
nahi huwa tha.
Jamila dawood bhi aise hi karna chahti thi. behiss hona chahti thi. be
parwah huna chahti thi magar woh aye kar nahi pa rahi thi. uske zakham
mundamil nahi ho rahe the. usay sukoon mil nahi raha tha.

Shirazi mansion aur servant quarter ke mabain raahdaari mein jo pehla

kamra tha aur jo kisi had tak shirazi house se munsalik bhi tha, woh kamra
ab us bacche ka tha. Madhat head servant agha Ali ki beti thi jawab is ki
caretaker bhi thi.

jis ne chobees ghante na sirf us ke sath rehna tha balke Azam shirazi ke
qaim kardah usolo ki paas daari bhi karni thi. arzoo Jahangir ke is bete ko
Azam shirazi ke aali shaan bangle mein daakhil hone ki ijazat na thi. woh
ghar ke makeeno ke sath maiz par beth kar khana nahi kha sakta tha.

woh function, gathering aur khandani parties mein shirkat nahi kar sakta
tha. bahar se aane wale maheman, dost ahbaab aur rishta daaron ke samne
nahi, dost aur rishta ke samne nahi ja sakta tha. yeh saare usool o qawaneen
Azam shirazi ne banaye the aur aisa mumkin hi na tha ke woh koi hukum
jari kare aur un ki saltanat mein uska nifaz nahi ho.

lekin un tamam usool o qawaneen se Jamila ki aziyat kam nahi hui thi.
wehshat o be sukooni ki daldal har baar aarzoo Jahangir ke bacche tak
pouncha deti thi. woh aurat Haroon ki zindagi mein ab kahin nahi thi magar
uska bacha tha.

Shirazi mansion mein na hote hue bhi woh tha. woh hai woh rahay ga. us
haqeeqat ko woh jhutla nahi sakti thi. yahi haqeeqat sard padtee aag
badhakti thi. ragg ragg mein Mahshar sa bapaa karti thi. pichli kayi raton ki
tarah is raat bhi woh theek se so nahi pa rahi thi. ik dard tha, karb tha be
wafai ka ehsas, be hisi ka tadaruk aik uljan, aik wehshat.

sar jhatak kar, khayalat ko bhatka kar, wahemo ko jhutla kar woh niche
aagai thi. kitcehn mein fridge khol kar usne doodh nikala tha. sar dard se
phataa ja raha tha. Nind aankhon se kosun hui thi.

woh apne liye chai banana chaah rahi thi. choti sui 12 ke himse par aa kar
thahri to yaka yak kitchen ki daye taraf servant quarters ki taraf jati
raahdaari se aawaz buland hui thi.
kholtey pani mein patti dalte hue woh yak dam chonki thi. phir chulha band
kar ke woh usi waqt kitcehn se rahdari mein aagai thi. lights off thi. fanoos
jal rahe the. nilgon roshni ka madham ta-assur charo su phela tha.

Usne head servant agha Ali ki beti Midhat ko dekha. woh mutfakkar si
kamro ke darwaze khol khol kar jaise fikar mandi ke aalam mein kisi ko
dhoond rahi thi.

"Yeh shhor kaisa tha?"

kandhe se phisalte dupatte ko wapas jamate hue bokhlahat ka shikaar

Midhat ne apni malikan ko dekha.

"Wo jee..."

Uski hawaya urr gayi theen.

"Tum is waqt yahan kya kar rahi ho?"

"Woh m-mein"

Midhat bokhla gayi. samajh mein nahi aaya kya jawab day. aur tab hi store
room se khatpat ki aawaz aayi thi. Jamila ne be sakhta hi sar utha kar isi
taraf dekha tha.

lights off thi, darwaaza khula huwa tha. andar koi tha. yaqeenan koi tha.
magar Mudhat ki zabaan sath nahi de rahi thi. jane woh Azam shirazi se
khaif thi ya phir usey batane ki himmat nahi kar pa rahi thi.

ab ke Jamila ne usse puchne ke bajaye store room ka rukh kiya. adh khule
darwaze ko andar ki janib dhakel kar us ne light on kar di. Jarakar roshni
char su feli. be shumaar curtains, furniture ka samaan, ghair zaroori ashya.

Usne be sakhta qadam uthaye the. Mudhat uske peechay thi. woh ab kuch
keh rahi thi. kuch bta rahi thi. mafi bhi maang rahi thi. pareshan bhi ho rahi
thi. yeh uski ghalti thi ke woh servant quarter se yahan aa gaya tha. yeh uski
betawwazo thi ke ghar ke makeeno ke samnay agaya tha.
woh yahan tha, magar samne nahi tha. woh store room mein furniture ke
samaan mein hi kahin chhup gaya tha. lekin uski siskariyon aur hichkiyon
ki aawaz lab bheenche Jamila dawod apni jagah khadi reh gayi. Mudhat
taizi se aage badi thi. woh ab usey aawaz mein deti hall numa store room
mein usey talaash kar rahi thi.

Usne gum ho jane ke liye aik aisi jagah ka intikhab kiya tha jahan Mudhat
nahi pahonch sakti thi. deewar rukh khadi almaari ke nichale hisse mein
jane woh kaise ghus gaya tha. magar yeh tay tha kisi mard ki madad ke
baghair Mudhat nah to almaari ko hila sakti thi aur nahi usey nikaal sakti
thi.

pareshan aur hawaas bakhta ki woh aik baar phir Jamila se moazrat karne
lagi.

mein abhi abba ko bulaa lati hoon, usey le jaoon gi, dobarah kabhi aisa nahi
hoga. taiz taiz qadam uthaati woh wahan se chali gayi thi magar Jamila
dawood apni jagah se aik inch na hil saki thi.

dheemi dheemi siskariyon ki aawaz bohat wazeh thi. Uske qadam be sakhta
uthe the. woh ghoom kar deewar ki taraf aakar ruk gayi thi aur ab kanch ke
un tukdo ko dekh rahi thi jo deewar ke paas hi toote bikhare parre thay.
usey yaad aaya, nichale khane ke tamam

sheeshe toot phoot ka shikaar hue the. panjoo ke bal baithte hue usne andar
jhakka tha.

thar thar kanpta wujood larazte hon't aanso-on se bhari hui surkh mutwaram
aankhen.

woh saade paanch saal ka bacha khauf zada aur mathos sa apne aap mein
simat kar betha tha. Jamila ka saans ruka, dhadkane theen. Us aik lamhe
mein usey kuch huwa aur usne be sakhta hi daraz se apna haath aage barha
diya. usey bahar nikaalne ke liye.

Be shumaar ajnabi cheharon mein aik aur chehre ka izafah huwa to bacche
ne rote hue uski pahonch se bhi dur hona chaha. usey apna baap chahiye
tha. maa chahiye thi. woh ab bhi rote hue, chikhte hue aawaze diye ja raha
tha.

Jamila ka haath pathar huwa. dil kanp kar reh gaya. Usse bacche ki haalat
bilkul dekhi nahi gayi

Mudhat, agha Ali ko liye haazir hui to apni malikan ko wahi betha dekh kar
pareshan hogayi. Azam shirazi ka sakht hukum tha ke woh ghar ke
makeeno ke samne kabhi na aaye. ghalti se bhi nahi. head servant agha Ali
ne poora zor laga kar itni jagah zaroor bana li thi ke usey bahar nikala ja
sakta tha.

magar usi fallak shagaaf cheenke. aur paanch se dur ho jane ki deewana
waar justojoo.

Isse pehlay ke agha Ali aage barhta, is se pehlay ke Mudhat hi usey nikaalte
ki sae karti, Jamila dawood ne aik hi jist mein usey baazu se pakar kar, uski
tamam tar muzahmat aur cheekho pukaar ke bawajood bahar nikaal liya tha.

agle hi lamhe woh uski baho mein tha.

woh ro raha tha, woh tadap raha tha. woh uski girift se niklne ki koshish kar
raha tha. magar woh usey chhor nahi

rahi thi. uska hisaar mazboot tha, mazboot hi raha tha.

apni girift har lehaaz se pukhta kiye woh usey seenay se laga chuki thi.

aglay chand lamhe mein bacche ki har muzahmat dam tod gayu. rote,
kurrate laate hue woh be dam ho gaya. jaise is mein mazeed himmat na rahi
ho. jaise woh thak gaya ho. haar gaya ho, mar gaya ho usey seene se lagaye
Jamila dawood daal apni jagah ban baithi reh gayi thi.

kapkapata nanha wujood aur uska shiddat se dhadkta dil jaise abhi Seena
cheer kar bahar aa jaye ga.

"Yeh zakham.."
Mudhat ne ghabra kar uski surkh padtee aasteen oopar ki thi. ghaliban
almaari ke andar jagah banate waqt is ka bazu keel se ragra gaya tha tab hi
jald utar gayi thi.

"Driver se kaho gaadi nikale."

kaafi der baad Jamila kuch kehne ke qabil hui thi. phir woh usey baho mein
liye uth khari hui thi. Mudhat bhi uske sath thi, kuch heran, kuch pareshan
aur khaif bhi.

Shirazi mansion se hospital kaafi doori par tha. tab hi Jamila dawod ke
hukum par driver ne gaadi ka rukh dr. mustafa ke cilinic ki taraf mourr diya
tha jo un ke family Dr. bhi the. woh duty par mojood thay.

Family talluqat ke baais faris ko bhi unhon ne attend Kiya tha. ghante baad
hi usey andar aane ki ijazat mili thi.

zakham par teen stitches lagey thay. drip, khawab aawar injection ke baad
woh pursukoon neend so raha tha.

"Pareshan mat ho, he is stable now.!

woh usse keh rahe the. qadre faasle se hi woh bhut bani usey dekh rahi thi.
ankhen nam thi aur haath dupatte se ulajh rahey the. lehaaf achi tarah se
odha kar jab nurse ja chuki to Dr. mustafa uske paas aa gaye.

Jamila ne sar utha kar unhen dekha. woh uske mualim thay. meharban
ustaad, aik behtareen naaseh.

"Aap theek hain beta?"

"insaan un sawalaat ka kiya kare jo neend urha de, be qarari mein baha de,
jin ka koi jawab ho, na mantaq, na Daleel jaise jung, be cheeni, be sukooni
bees dard, aziyat, karb.."

uski aawaz rund gayi. zindagi mein pehli baar woh apni kefiyat ko
samajhne mein na kaam ho rahi thi.

"Sawal zameer uthata hai. jawab imaan dilaata hai."

woh keh rahe the.

"imaan batla raha hai, mein bhatak rahi hoon."

uski ankhen chhalak pari.

"imaan batla raha hai, tum ab sahih raste par ho."

bohat narmi aur Matanat se keh kar woh chale gaye the. hamesha ki tarah is
baar bhi unhon ne koi sawal nahi kiya tha. woh uske mamlaat ki geherai
mein

utarne ki koshish nahi karte the. sirf sunte the aur jawab de diya karte the.

Usne himmat kar ke apna rukh badla. aik baar phir par sukoon nind sotey is
bacche ko dekha jis ki wajah se woh guzashta kayi raton se so nahi pa rahi
thi.

zarkar roshni mein uska chehra wazeh tha. woh apni maa ki shakal tha. ho
baho uski copy. Bas uske baal hi Haroon shirazi ki tarah seedhe the. qadre
lambe peshani par bikhar gardan ko chhute

hue. rangat dhudhiya thi aur ankhen..

Jamila ne surkh o mutwaram band aankhon ko dekha. palken bheegi hui

theen. surkh galoon par aanso-on ki lakerain thehri theen. aisay jaisay woh
rote rote aika aik pursukoon ho gaya ho. aur aisi hi aik sukoon bhari kefiyat
Jamila dawod ne bhi apne andar mehsoos ki thi.

❏❏❏
•CHP-28•
•••

"Pareshani ki ab koi baat nahi hai. He is all fine now!"

"Yeh kuch medicines hain jo likh kar de raha hoon, isey de dejiyega. aur
uske khane peene ka bohat khayaal rakhen."

Agle din check up ke baad Dr. mustafa Jamila se keh rahe the aur Jamila
use hi dekh rahi thi jo abhi tak apni neend ke assar se mukammal tor par
bahar nahi aaya tha. Mudhat uske liye kheer bana kar layi thi. Jamila ke
ishare par hi usne taizi se pyaale mein nikaali. jab tak usne bohat ahthiyat se
bacche ko utha kar bithaya, tab tak woh pyalaa aage kar chuki thi.

Aik baazu se usey apne hisaar mein liye, doosre haath se beech bhar kar
woh us ke labon ke qareeb layi to usne inkaar nahi kiya. bohat aaraam se
pehla chamch le liya. woh soti jaagti kefiyat mein tha. hosh mein tha bhi
aur nahi bhi lekin woh koi bhi muzahmat nahi kar raha tha.

Mudhat heran thi. na woh roya tha, na chikha tha. na usne koi wawela kiya
tha na bhagne ki koshish halaanke khud use aik chamch ke liye kitni
koshish karna padtee thi. bohat aaraam aur tasalii se Jamila ne usey kheer
khilai thi. nim garam doodh bhi pilaya tha, phir medicine bhi di thi jo
Mudhat cilinic ki pharmacy se le aayi thi.

is douran woh mukammal tor par pursukoon raha tha. yaqeenan with
injection ke zair assar hi tha. ya phir woh thak chuka tha aur ab koi bhi
muzahmat nahi karna chahta tha.

das bajey usey discharge kar diya tha aur wo usey ghar le aayi thi.

is ke baad woh dopehar mein usey dekhne aayi thi tab woh so raha tha. phir
shaam mein jab woh gayi thi to woh khidki ki chokhat par kohniyan tikaye
sheeshe ke sath gaal mis kiye bahar un roshiniyo ko dekh raha tha jo wasee
o Areez sabza zaar par jagah jagah jal rahi thi.
Azam shirazi ke yahan aaj kuch siyasi naamwar shaksiaat ki dawat thi.
khane ka intizam bahar lawn mein kiya gaya tha.

"Ab kaisa hai?" Usne madham aawaz mein Mudhat se poocha.

"Pehlay se bahot behtar hai jee! aaj is ne mujhe bilkul bhi tang nahi kya."

Mudhat ne khush gawaar herat ke sath aagahi di thi magar Jamila ko is

aagahi ne ajeeb si wehshat mein mubtala kar diya.

jab tak umeed thi, tab tak muzahmat thi. jab umeed tooti to muzahmat bhi
toot gayi.

woh kuch der tak darwaze mein khadi rahi thi. phir woh uske paas aakar
baith gayi thi. bazu khidki ki chokhat par tikaye usey dekhnay lagi. kuch
mohabbat, kuch unsiyat, kuch tarhim se bacche ne uski mojoodgi ka koi
khaas notice nahi liya tha.

Jamila un aankhon ko dekhne lagi jin mein teen behtareen rangon ki

amayjis thi. sabaz, halka brown aur sunhera rang ye aankhen aarzoo
Jahangir ki ankhen thi. Agle kayi lamhoon tak aik khamoshi si haail rahi.
bacha abhi bhi usey mukammal nazar andaaz kiye hue tha.

"Hello!"

Majbooran se hi mukhatib karna para. Bacche ne zara si nazar utha kar

Jamila ko dekha, magar jawab nahi diya.

"Mera naam Jamila hai aur tumhara?"

yeh tarifi marhala tha, usey kuch mushkil laga. woh un bachon mein se
yaqeenan nahi tha jo ba aasani ghul mil jayen warna woh Mudhat ko itna
tough time kyun deta? dam sadhe woh khaali khaali aankhon se usey
daikhta raha lab baahum paivest rahe.

"Let me guess, kahin tumhara naam shehriyar to nahi?"

"Arslan..?"
Aik lamhe ko ruk kar kuch socha.

"Ya phir...?"

"Faris Haroon Shirazi"

apne naam se mutaliq woh yaqeenan bohat bachi tha. faris tha to phir faris
bhi tha. Haroon ka beta shirazi khandan ka saput aur koi naam aur koi
maqam aur koi pehchan usey qubool na thi. kya Azam shirazi uski pehchan
ki tarah ab is ki yad dasht se is ka mukammal naam bhi hata payege?

"Naam to bohat pyara hai aapka! waisey faris ka matlab kya hai?"

narmi se apni kam Ilmi ka aitraaf karti woh zara sa aage jhuki thi. ghane
siyah balon ki kuch late uske chehre par bikhairain. sone ki choorian bhi
khanak utheen. woh lab bheenche uski aankhon mein ajnabi nigahon se
daikhta raha.

"Mujhe sochne do, shayad mujhe yaad aa jaye."

aik lamhe ka tawaquf kya, phir yun zahir kya jaisey usey achanak yaad aa
gaya ho.

"Faris ka matlab hai shah sawaar, horse rider woh jo ghode par baithta hai
aur talwar pakar kar fight bhi karta hai."

Na to woh ghode par betha tha, na talwar pakar kar fight karta tha. Usne
chehre ka rukh morra aur aik baar phir bahar dekhne laga.

Jamila dawood chand lamho tak usey dekhatii rahi. phir usne apna haath
badhaya.

"Yahan aao."

Usne aik baar phir Jamila ko dekha tha. ab ke zara si khafgi se. yaqeenan
Jamila ki mudakhlat usey pasand nahi aa rahi thi.

"Mere paas aao?"

magar woh nahi aaya tha.

"Papa ke paas jana hai?"

Uske chehre ke tasurat yaka yak badle. ankhen aanso-on se bhar gayeen. lab
bhinch gaye.

"Aao.."

ab ke Jamila ne haath barha kar apni taraf bulaya to woh foran hi uth gaya.

pakar kar apne qareeb gaya to uski baho mein sama gaya. aur phir woh rone
laga. Jamila ki dharkane tham gayeen. apne seene se lagaye uski pusht
sehlate hue woh khud bhi ajeeb

si kefiyat se dochar hogayi.

faris ko apna baap apni maa chahiye thi. woh un ke liye tadap raha tha.

kuch soch kar woh usi waqt faris ko sath liye shirazi mension mein aagai.
study room mein sofe par baith kar usne Haroon ka number milaane ke
baad receiver faris ke kaan ke sath laga diya. kuch hi der mein call receive
karli gayi.

"Hello!"

baap ki aawaz samaat se takrate hi uski ankhen bhar gayeen.

"Hello Papa.."

Dusri taraf se aik dam sannata chhaa gaya. mout bhara, wehshat bhar
sannata. agley hi lamhay call disconnect ho gayi lekin faris baat kar raha
tha. woh apne baap ko aawaze diye ja raha tha. Usne be ikhtiyar receiver le
kar cradle par rakh diya.

"Usey le jao Mudhat!"

aur khud woh isi waqt uth kar apne kamre mein aagai thi. usey sambhalne
mein kuch waqt laga phir usne Haroon Shirazi ko phone Kiya.
"Aapne, apne bete se baat kyun nahi ki?"

Lehja darasht tha. Uska bas nahi chal raha tha Haroon uske samne ho aur
woh usey jhinjhod kar hilade larjade.

"Tum baba ke faisle ko bhool gayi ho?"

woh tham kar reh gayi. yeh kaisa jawab tha jo usne diya tha? yeh kaisa uzr
tha jo is ne paish kiya tha? woh Haroon mein faris ka baap dhoond rahi thi
aur badle mein usey Kiya mila tha? Azam shirazi ka beta!

"Aap ka beta aap ke hi ghar mein servants quarter mein reh raha hai
Haroon!"

aur Haroon ne phone band kar diya. receiver haath mein liye woh apni
jagah khadi reh gayi thi.

"kal tum faris ko yahan layi theen?"

Agle din Azam ki adalat mein uski paishi hogayi thi. woh intehai ghusse
mein the magar tahammul se pooch rahe the.

"Jee. Mein Haroon se uski baat karwana chahti thi."

Azam shirazi ne muthiyaan bhinch kar khud par qaboo pa liya tha.

"To.. koi baat ki usne?"

"Nahi!"

un ke tane hue asaab dheele ho gaye. labon par jandaar muskurahat phail
gayi.

"Mein jaanta tha, woh yahi karega."

Jamila ne sar utha kar unhen dekha. woh bohat mutmaen aur pur sukoon
dikhayi de rahe thay.

"Waisey tum faris ke muamle mein itni dilchaspi kyun laine lag gayi ho?"
"Halanke uske sath na tumhara koi rishta hai nahi koi talluq."

"Aap ko us par reham nahi aata?" usne ulta sawal kar liya.

"Reham?"

woh istijayi andaaz mein muskuraye.

"Mujhe nahi lagta uske sath koi zulm ho raha hai. woh achha khata hai,
achha pehnta hai. ab shehar ke behtareen school mein bhi jayega. warna
tum socho mein uske sath kya nahi kar sakta tha."

"Isse barh kar aur bada zulm kya ho ga ke aap ne apne pote se, uski
shanakht aur pehchan chhin li hai, baap bhi dur kar diya hai."

"Hamare khandan ki naslen khandani shareef aurton se chalti hain Jamila!"

Azam shirazi ki aankhon mein Ghaiz o gazabb ka samandar thathe maarne

laga.

"Mene Haroon ki doosri shadi ko tasleem Kiya hai na us bad chalan aurat
ko apni bahu maanta hai."

kaat daar lehjey mein kehte hue unhon ne sakht pathreli nigahon se usey
dekha tha.

"Ab tum ja sakti ho."

Unhon ne darwaze ki taraf ishara kar diya.

"aindah mein na sunu ke tum is nich aurat ke bacche ko is ghar mein layi
ho, yeh nah ho ke mein koi sakht qadam uthane par majboor ho jaoon."

Usne sar utha kar Azam shirazi ko dekha. woh dhamki nahi de rahe the,
apne iraadon se aagah kar rahe the. jo kehte the, usey kar dikhaane ka hosla
bhi rakhte the. mazeed kuch bhi kahe bina, woh bhaari dil ke sath murr gayi
thi.
koi farq nahi tha uske apne baap bhaiyon mein aur sasur aur shohar mein.
sab hi aik se the. taaqat ke nashe mein chor, doulat ke ghamand mein jabir
aur mutakbbir.

•••

Azam shirazi ki tanbeeha ke bawajood woh agle din khud ja kar faris ke
liye be shumaar khilone aur kapre khareed layi thi. naye furniture ke sath
usne poorey kamre ko bhi apni nigrani mein set karwaya tha.

is douran woh kone mein khada tukur tukur usey daikhta raha tha.

khilonon ka aik dhair tha jo uske samne rakha tha. naye kapre, school bag,
colouring books story books, be shumaar pencils colours, aik writing table
jisey stickers se Jamila khud hi sajane mein lagi hui thi. kamre mein
haqeeqi rang to bikhar hi gaye the magar uski aankhon mein zindagi ka koi
rang abhi bhi nahi ubhra tha.

woh ab bhi khincha khincha sa ajnabi nigahon se kabhi Jamila aur kabhi
mulazimo ko taktaa almaari ke sath kone mein hi simat kar betha raha tha.
ajnabi chehre usey wehshat mein mubtila karte the. Anjana sa khauf barhta
tha to uske chehre ka rang urr jata tha.

"Khana laga dun jee?"

Mudhat ne Jamila se madad chahi thi. chhotey se rack mein kitabe set karte
hue is ne asbat mein sar hilaya .

is din faris ne doosri baar uske haath se bohat sukoon aur tasalii se khana
khaya tha. khana khate hue woh kayi baar sar utha kar usey dekh chuka tha.

Jamila muskura deti magar uske chehre par muskurahat ka koi aik rang bhi
na khilta.

agle din woh uske school bhi gayi. principal ke sath sath class teacher se bhi
mili. class room ka bhi jaiza liya. phir usne faris ki haalat ke paish e nazar
uske liye jagah ka intikhab khud kya. itne saarey bachon mein usne goblu
aur bohat ziyada batuni bacche ko uske barabar bithaya. woh friendly qisam
ka tha lamho mein dost bana kar baatein karne lagta tha. khade khade usne
Jamila se bhi dosti kar li thi aur chocolate le kar hi tala tha.

"Your mummy is so pretty!"

Chocolate ka wrapper utarte hue usne faris ko bataya tha. jo ab Jamila ko

dekh raha tha.

jane se pehle haath hila kar woh aik baar phir muskarayi thi. shayad ab wo
bhi muskuraye. shayad ab ke wo bhi apne ehsasat ka izhaar kare magar faris
ke lab baahum paivest hi rahay the. chehra har ta-assur se aari tha.
muskurana, hansna, baatein karna to woh jaisay bhool hi gaya tha.

kuch waqt darkaar tha usay sab kuch naye sirey se naye andaaz mein aur
naye logon se seekhnay ke liye. baap aur betay ki is jung mein nuqsaan faris
ka ho raha tha. 6 saal ka woh bacha un chand hafton mein kamla kar reh
gaya tha. nafsiati tor par itna disturb tha ke usne bolna bhi band kar diya
tha.

Khana woh baa-mushkil khata tha aur school mein bhi koi khatir khuwa
karke bhi nahi dikha raha tha. thak haar kar Jamila ne aarzoo Jahangir ko
dhoonda tha. bohat mushkilo se mili thi woh bohat zatano se mulaqaat ho
payi thi.

"Mein shadi kar rahi hoon!"

faris se mutaliq saari baat sun Laine ke baad aarzoo Jahangir ne kaha bhi to
bas yahi. koi fikar, pareshani, andesha, aisa koi bhi to ta-assur nahi tha uske
chehray par. Jamila ko dukh huwa. kya wo maa thi, kya woh waqai mein
faris ki maa thi?

ghunghrale soonahere balo ko clutcher mein jakde. jeans par mungiya rang
ki stylish shirt mein malboos woh taang par taang rakhe heels mein muqeed
dahine pair ko junbish deti bohat mutmaen aur pur sukoon baithi lime juice
se lutaf andoz ho rahi thi.

"Mein tum se tumahre betay ki baat kar rahi hoon?" Usne kaha.
"Kya wo sirf mera beta hai?"

Apni dhudiyi kohniya maiz par tikaye wo kuch aage si hui thi.

"Waise tum kyun mere bete ke gham mein itna halkaan ho rahi ho? tumhare
bete ki jagah na lele isliye?"

"Pehle mister shirazi tumahre bete ko qubool to kar len."

intehai burudat se Jamila ne uski aankho mein dekha tha.

"Aw.. come on!" woh hans di.

"Sab jaanta hai woh bloody old men!"

ghusse aur hiqarat se Azam shirazi ka naam lete hue usne phir Jamila ko
dekha.

"Mein tumhari in baton par yaqeen karne wali nahi hoon. aur agar yeh
haqeeqat hai bhi, tabbhi yeh mera sar dard nahi hai. Haroon ne sepration ke
waqt usey apne sath rakhne ka faisla kiya tha."

"So please agar koi baat tumhe karna bhi hai to direct Haroon se karo.
mujhe is sab mein mat ghaseeto!"

Apna hand bag shoulder par daalte hue woh jane ke liye uth gayi thi aur
Jamila kitni hi der tak apni jagah baithi rahi thi.

pehle Haroon ke ravaiye ne usey makhmase mein dala tha, ab aarzoo

Jahangir ka rawaiyya usey watra hairat me daal raha tha. Uska khayaal tha
faris ke bare mein janne ke baad aarzoo usey yahan se le jaye gi magar woh
to jaise Jamila par apna muaqqaf wazeh karne aayi thi.

arzoo se mulaqaat ke baad agley kayi dinon tak uska zehen uljha raha.

Aik do baar usne Azam shirazi ka dil faris ke liye naram karne ki koshish
bhi ki magar har baar woh uska naam sun kar hi yun bharak uthte jaise
Jamila ne un ke potay ka nahi, kisi dushman ka naam le liya ho.
Doosri taraf Haroon yun khamosh ho jata jaise usne kuch suna hi nahi ho.
aur tab hi usne aik faisla kar liya.

Agar woh shirazi mension mein nahi bhi rehta, tab bhi woh itna bhi dur
nahi ke Jamila ki mohabbat, tawajah aur apnaa-iyat se mahroom reh sake.

masla un baap bete ke darmiyan hai. uske aur faris ke darmiyan to nahi.

saare wade, qaide Haroon se jude hain, uske sath to hargiz nahi.

❏❏❏
•CHP-29•
•••

Mudhat uski care taker thi. magar Jamila dawod care se aage ka sochti thi.
mohabbat aur tarbiyat.

"Faris ko apni duty nahi, apni zimmedaari samajh kar treat Kiya karo
Mudhat! mein janti hoon baba tumhe tumahre kaam ki salary dete hain
magar kuch kaam aise bhi hote hain jo hamein khuloos dil se ajar ki niyat
se karna chahiye."

Mudhat kuch herat se apni malikan ko dekhne lagi. Jamila dawood, faris
wajdan ka schedule tarteeb de rahi thi. woh school lunch mein Kya le kar
jaye ga, do pehar mein kya khayega, shaam mein woh kya le ga. yeh saare
mamlaat ab woh khud te kar rahi thi.

"Khana mein ghar se hi dugi jo kuch Hammad ke liye bunaugi uska aik
hissa Faris ke liye bhi hoga."

"Magar bade sahab?"

Jamila ne sar utha kar tanbeehi nigahon se Mudhat ko dekha. woh modab
ho kar sar jhuka gayi.

"kya shirazi mansion se servants quarters mein pehle khana nahi jata?"

"Jata hai jee."

Mudhat ka sar jhuka raha.

"Zaroori nahi tum har khabar apne abba ko diya karo, janti to ho woh har
baat tumahare bade sahab tak pahuncha

dete hain. raaz rakhna sikho. har baat batane wali nahi hoti."
"Jee behtar." Mudhat ne asbat mein sar hila diya.

"Isse pyar aur narmi se baat Kiya karo sakhti mat pukara karo Mudhat!"

bohat si tanbihat aur nasihato ke sath is ne baqaidagi se Mudhat ko trained

karna shuru kar diya tha. woh khud bhi ab Faris ko waqt daine lagi thi.

"Mein nahi chahti, woh zindagi guzare mein chahti hoon woh zindagi jiye."

woh aksar Mudhat se kehti.

wasee o Areez raqbe par phaile sae sabz lawn par woh har shaam uski ungli
thaam kar chalti jati chalti jati aur waha ja kar ruk jati jahan Azam shirazi
ke ghodon ka astabal tha.

aala nasal ke arabi ghodo ko dekhte

hue faris ki aankhon mein har baar taajjub aur Ishtiaq sa ubharta. har baar
woh unhen aise daikhta jaise pehli baar dekh raha ho. Uski aankhon mein
zindagi ka yeh rang Jamila ko bhala lagta. woh muskura deti. woh uski
muskurahat ko daikhta.

phir atraaf mein dekhte hue be dhayani mein hi Jamila ki ungli par apni
girift mazboot kar laita. aur Jamila ko uski is harkat par toot kar pyar aata.

aik raat jab woh Faris ko kamre tak chhor kar ghar aayi thi to Azam shirazi
lounge mein uske intezaar me tehel rahay the. pichhle aik mah se Jamila
kya kar rahi thi unhen sab maloom tha. usey faris ke mamlaat se baz rakhne
ki apni si koshish kar ke bhi woh dekh chuke the magar ab jaise un ki
bardasht khatam ho rahi thi.

"Mein agar usey udaan ke liye par de raha hoon to munasib waqt par laine
ka poora ikhtiyar bhi rakhta hoon, mein jis waqt usey hudood o quyood se
nikalta daikhuga upay wapas uski auqaat mein le aauga!"

"Magar jo tum kar rahi ho Jamila! Is par tum bahut pachhtaogi."

"Jo kaam ajar ki niyat se kiya jaye us par pachtawe nahi mila karte."
"To tum ajar kama rahi ho?"

Azam shirazi ka lehja istezaya huwa.

"Aik maa hone ka haq ada kar rahi hoon baba."

"Mujhe herat hai yeh tum keh rahi ho."

"Souteli hoon be reham nahi hoon!"

Azam shirazi aankhon mein gazabb liye khade rahe.

"Waise bhi yahan sab Faris ko aap ke aik jaan Nisar mulazim ke yateem
bete ki hesiyat se jante hain. aap bhi yahi samajh len ke mein aik yateem
bacche ke sar par haath rakhe hui hoon."

saddar darwaze se andar daakhil hota Haroon apni jagah munjamid huwa
tha.

'Yateem' us ka saans ruka tha.

'Yateem' uski dharkan ruki thi.

Azam shirazi agle kayi lamhon tak sakht nigaho se Jamila ko dekhte rahe
phir unhon ne hunkara bhara.

"Hammad agle hafte wapas aa raha hai, mein nahi chahta tum usey is sab
mein involve karo!"

"Aap kehna kya chaah rahe hain?"

usne achambhe se unhen dekha.

"Faris mere mulazim ka beta hai, Hammad ke ilm mein bhi yahi baat aani
chahiye."

unhone intehai thande lehjey mein bhaari tamir aawaz mein kisi haakim ki
tarah hukum sunaya tha. aankhon ka ta-assur batata tha ke ab ke Jamila ne
apni mann maani ki to nataij achhe nahi hoge.
"Atleast aap ne yeh to mana ke Hammad ka faris ke sath koi rishta hai jisey
chhupane ki zaroorat hai."

Azam shirazi muthiya bhinch kar reh gaye. Jamila mazeed kuch bhi kahe
bina wahan se chali gayi thi. Haroon kamre mein aaya to woh wardrobe
khole khadi thi.

Ghadi aur cufflinks utaar kar dressing table par rakhte hue usne Jamila ko
dekha. Night gown haath mein pakde woh siyah aankhon mein gussa liye
uski taraf murr gayi thi.

"Yateem bachon ko sabr aa jata hai ke woh jante hain un ke maa baap qabro
mein hain, agar jo zinda hote un ki haalat aisi nahi hoti lekin jin bachon ko
maloom ho un ke maa baap zinda hain aur tab bhi un ki yeh haalat hai. jara
sochen unhen sabr kaise aata hoga?"

"Bas kar do Jamila!"

"Mein bas kar dun?" woh Haroon par chilla uthi.

"Aap bas kyun nahi karte?'

"Baba ka faisla.."

"Bhad mein gaya un ka faisla.."

woh zabt kho baithi thi.

Haroon Shirazi ne aaj se qabal usey itne shadeed ghusse mein nahi dekha
tha.

"Apne aap ko mere samne mazloom aur be bas bana kar paish mat karen
Haroon! zalim ki muvaniyat karne wala bhi zalim hota hai."

Haroon karb ke aalam mein Jamila ko dekh kar reh gaya.

"Mein yeh sab faris ke liye hi kar raha hoon.

"Galat aap sirf apne liye kar rahe hain."

Ungli utha kar usne kaha.

"Sirf aur sirf apne liye warna koi bhi baap is tarah apni aulaad ka soda nahi
karta.."

"Tum samajh kyun nahi rahi Jamila!"

"Mein nahi samajh rahi? aap apne bete ki kefiyat samajh rahe hain? woh koi
doodh peeta bacha nahi hai ke chand dinon mein kisi aur ki goad mein rahe
ga to maa baap ka lams bhool jaye ga. usey aap yaad hain, usey aarzoo yaad
hai. aur yeh yaad uske liye kitni badi aziat ban'ne jarahi hai kuch andaza hai
aap ko?"

Haroon karb ke aalam mein lab bhinch gaye.

"Tum yaqeen karo ya na karo lekin mein yeh sab faris ke bhale ke liye kar
raha hoon!"

"Apne faisle par nazar sani karen Haroon! kahin aisa na ho yeh bhalai aap
ke bete ko barbadi ki taraf dhakel de.."

paon jatakhte hue woh washroom mein chali gayi. darwaaza usne qadre zor
se band Kiya tha.

Haroon Shirazi be basi se apni jagah khada reh gaya tha.

school se wapsi par sabza zaar par qadam uthate hue woh servants quarter
ki taraf ja raha tha jab usey drive way par bairooni gate ke ain samne aik
gaari rukti hui nazar aayi thi.

siyah three piece suit mein malboos Haroon Shirazi apne dosto ke hamrah
gaadi se nikal raha tha.

faris apni jagah ruk gaya. Usne poorey teen mah baad apne baap ko dekha
tha. kitni khush naseebi ki bat thi ke is lamhe wahan Mudhat ya Agha Ali
nahi thay jo usey Haroon ke paas jane se rok lete.

woh taqreeban bhagte hue aaya aur baap ke doston ke samne hi uski tango
se lipat kar phoot phoot kar rone laga tha.
Haroon aik lamhe ke liye jaamad huwa tha sakit, Samit aagle hi lamhe woh
sambhal gaya.

"Yeh pyara sa bacha kon hai?"

Uske dost ki biwi ne kuch Ishtiaq se dekhte hue poocha tha. Haroon ke
haath mutharrak hue the. Usne faris ko khud se allag kiya.

"hamare mulazim ka beta hai. Faris wajdan."

Uske naram o mulaem balon mein haath pherte hue usne aage badna chaha
tha magar faris uski tamam tar koshish nakaam banate hue aik baar phir
usse lipta tha. aur ain isi lamhe Mudhat jane kahan se bhaagti hui aayi thi.
Faris ki tamam tar muzahmat aur cheekh o pukaar ke bawajood usey utha
kar sath le gayi thi.

"Yateem bacha hai. is ghar ke sab hi malkaan isse bohat pyar karte hain to is
liye..."

Agha Ali ne foran wazahat dete hue Haroon shirazi ko is situation se

nikaalte ki apne ki koshish ki thi.

dost Haroon ke ikhlaq se mutasir nazar aate shirazi mension mein ja chuke
the aur Mudhat usey kamre mein wapas le aayi thi .

Ro ro kar woh apni haalat ab-tar kar chuka tha. na kuch kha raha tha, na
kuch pi raha tha. har kaam sukoon aur tasalii se karne wala bacha ka aik
haziyani ho gaya tha. darwaaza band kiye usey sambhale ki apni si koshish
karte Mudhat khud bhi rone baith gayi.

woh apne baba ka beta tha aur baba usey kisi mulazim ka beta keh kar gaye
the. yeh baat apni tamam tar talkhiyo ke sath usey is Umar mein samajh
mein anay wali nahi thi. woh 'Haroon' se 'Wajdan' kar diya gaya tha us
haqeeqat ka idraak bhi uski muzahmat torne ke liye na kafi tha.

is din woh Jamila dawood ki wajah se kuch had tak sambhal gaya tha magar
usne Haroon tak pounchane ki koshish
tark nahi ki thi. har baar Mudhat aur agha Ali is ke samne aajate the. har
baar koi na koi uski deewar ban jaya karta tha.

woh kuch bada huwa to pabandio ke sath talkh haqeeqato ka etraaf bohat
achhe se hone laga. ravaiye behtar andaaz mein samajh aaye to woh jaan
gaya Mudhat aur agha Ali kabhi bhi uski deewar nahi the. deewar to sirey
se thi hi nahi faqat aik darwaaza tha aur yeh darwaaza uska baap apni marzi
or Mansha se is par band kar chuka tha.

•••

Mudhat ki bahen jane kahan se billi layi thi aur chunke uski faris ke sath
achi khasi dosti ho chuki thi to woh baho mein bhare taqreeban bhaagti hui
uske paas aagai thi. kuch der tak woh dono hi billi ke sath khailte rahe the.

Uske baad jab woh kamre mein wapas aaya to uski tabiyat achanak hi bigad
gayi thi. nam ankhen surkh ho gayeen. naak behne lagi, cheenkain, khansi
ke sath sath uska saans bhi bhaari hone

laga. uske baazu, seene aur gardan ke pichlle hisse par surkh rashes bhi
ubhar aaye the. Mudhat ne dekha to buri tarah se ghabra gayi. Jamila us roz
ghar mein mojood thi, usey hospital bhi wohi le kar gayi thi.

"He is allergic to cats!"

Doctor ne check up ke baad aagahi di thi.agle kayi lamho tak woh doctor ke
sath uski condition discuss karti rahi thi aur woh kuch ahteyati tadabeer se
mutaliq jaankaari dete rahe.

shaam ke saat bajey jab woh ghar aayi to usey sasur ki aamad ki ittila
pahuncha di gayi. Mudhat , faris ko sath liye servant quarter chali gayi thi
aur usne lounge ka rukh kiya tha. woh khud ko sawal jawab ke liye tayyar
kar ke un ke samne aan khadi hui thi.

"Mujhe yaad nahi parta, mein ne faris ki zimma daari tumhe sopi ho."

woh faris ke mamlaat mein Jamila ki be ja mudakhlat se tang aa chuke the.

"Uski tabiyat kharab ho gayi thi, emergency mein le jana para."

"Yeh kaam Mudhat aur agha Ali bhi kar satke the?"

"Mein farigh thi, socha mein hi kar dun. waise aap puchege nahi uski
tabiyat kyun kharab hui?"

"I'm not interested!"

"You should be interested!"

"usey bhi aap ki tarah billiyon se allergy hai."

Apni baat ke ekhtataam par woh murr gayi thi. seedhiyan charhte hue is ne
aik martaba bhi Azam shirazi ke chehre ke tasurat dekhne ki koshish nahi ki
thi.

•••

woh baagh mein masnoi aabshaar ka nazara kar ke aqbi darwaze se shirazi
mansion ke ihate mein daakhil huwa tha to nigah ghode sawari karte
Hammad shirazi par thehr gayi.

Breeches mein malboos woh apne instructor ke hamrah tha.

Hamad shirazi uska bada bhai aik khandani izzat daar khandan se talluq
rakhne wali aurat ka beta Jamila ka beta!

apne nanhiyal ki badolat, maa ke mazboot back ground aur dono khandano
ke beech hone wali business deals ki wajah se woh aik trophy child tha. par
kashish, zaheen aur phir us ghar mein woh apne dada kala dala tha.

maa ka chaheeta aur baap ke liye to wo waise bhi ahem tha. faris ki zindagi
school se faqat is kamre tak hi mehdood thi aur Hammad to us Umar mein
duniya ghoom raha tha. woh apne baap ke saaye mein pal raha tha. na is ne
koi mehroomi dekhi thi, na apnon ki judai sahi thi. dono ka to kisi soorat
koi muaja na tha.

Azam shirazi ki sohbat ka assar tha ke Hammad ne un ke jaisi shakhsiyat

aur maghrurana andaaz apna rakha tha.
ghar bhar kavl ladala tha to andaaz aur tor tareeqe bhi aise hi the jaise woh
kisi milkiyat ka shehzada ho. aaj uska birth day tha aur isi munasbat se
shirazi mension ko decorate kiya ja raha tha. uski har khushi aur kamyabi
ko hamesha aise hi shandaar andaaz mein celebrate kiya jata tha. usne apne
baap ko dekha.

Haroon shirazi jeans par white shirt mein malboos. aankhon se glasses utaar
kar jaib mein atkate hue event planner se baat kar raha tha. usne bas aik
lamhe ke liye usey dekha, phir rukh badal kar apne kamre mein aa gaya.

kamre ki khidkiya khuli hui thi. samaat se Haroon shirazi aur Hammad ki
aawaz takarane lagi. zindagi se bhar poor qehqe the. khushiya thi aur
musarrat ke rang jo un ki aankhon se jhalakte the.

usey Shirazi mansion mein rehte hue daidh saal hone ko tha magar woh
abhi tak un rawaiyon ka aadi nahi ho paaya tha. hamesha ki tarah woh aaj
bhi buri tarah se disturb ho gaya tha.

Khidkiya darwaze band kar ke woh apne bed mein ghus kar kahaniyon ki
kitaab parhne laga. phir usne drawing book nikaal li. kuch der tak rang
bharta raha. phir usne stickers utha liye aur apni note book par jagah jagah
lagane laga. Isse bhi ukta kar usne note book ke tamam safhe phaar daale.
unhen noch khasoot kar purzey purzey kar ke dustbin mein phenka aur aik
baar phir Khirki ke samne ja khada huwa.

safaid aur navy blue rang ki theme mein stage decorate kiya ja chuka tha.
kursiya aur gol maiz ab tarteeb se rakhi ja rahi thi.

yaka aik hi usey neela rang bohat bura lagne laga. safaid rang se usey yak
dam nafrat hui. aur tab hi uski nazar Jamila dawood par pari. woh intizamat
ka jaiza le rahi thi. masrufiyat ki bina par aaj woh is se milne nahi aaski thi
aur chunke aaj chhutti ka din tha to mamool ke mutabiq pichlle chaar
ghanton se uska hi intezaar kar raha tha.

Jamila aaj nahi aaye gi. woh jaanta tha. woh Shirazi house mein munaqid
kiye jane wali har taqreeb mein aise hi nazar andaaz kar diya jata tha. baqi
sab nazar andaaz kar den, woh qubool kar laita tha. Jamila se woh nazar
andaaz ho jaye to is ki jaan par ban jati thi.
aur chunke shirazi mansion mein khandan bhar ke log ikathe hote the is liye
har function, gathering aur taqreeb par faris ke liye aik hi usool hota tha.
shaam ke paanch bajey ke baad usey kisi tor par bhi apne kamre se bahar
aane ki ijazat nahi hoti thi. aur Mudhat is baat ka khaas khayaal rakhti thi ke
woh jaldi so jaye. magar kya usey neend aajaya karti thi? shayad nahi
yaqeenan nahi!

aaj bhi aik pabandi aed hogi. aaj ki taqreeb bhi uske liye aik saza ki tarah ho
gi. aur phir jaise zehen mein koi khayaal ubhra aur woh bag mein zaroorat
ki chand ashya, story box, drawing papers colours aur chocolate waghera
rakh kar bahar nikal gaya. jane se pehle woh Mudhat ke liye pegham chore
kar gaya tha ke woh kal tak ghar wapas aa jayega. lekin woh ja kahan raha
hai yeh usne nahi bataya.

Shirazi mansion ke aqbi darwaze se bahar nikal kar baagh mein chalte hue
is ne Sadaq dil se dua ki ke 'Aaj barish ho jaye. aisi mosla-dhaar barish ke
stage urr jaye, kursiya maiz toot jayen.

safaid rang melgaja sa ho aur aasmani rang par dhabbe par jaye'

woh ab Dr. mustafa ki taraf ja raha tha. main road par do manzila makaan se
munsalik un ka zaati cilinic tha. jis ki mukhalif simt road ki doosri taraf
wasee o Areez raqbe par phela sabza zaar, khait khalyan aur baaghat the.
Shirazi mansion un baaghat ke aqab mein bulandi par waqey tha. Faris
baagh ke rastay aksar auqaat un ke paas chala jaya karta tha. kabhi woh
usey cilinic ke andar apne office mein bitha kar farigh auqaat mein baatein
karte rehte aur kabhi apne sath ghar le jate.

is din un ka off tha. woh usey ghar mein hi mile the. aur kuch heran ho kar
usey dekh rahe the. bhanwain sukdi huien, tevare bigre hue aur chehre par
surkhi ki phaile thi jaisey woh khud par zabt kiye hue ho. Dr. mustafa apne
nanhe maheman ko andar aane ka rasta diya. aur isse qabal ke woh khud se
kuch daryaft karte usne sar utha kar poocha.

"Can I stay here tonight?" (kya mein aaj raat aap ke paas ruk sakta hoon)

Dr. mustafa ne achambhey se usay dekha, phir apne bhoore balon mein
haath phertey hue iske samne baith gaye.
"haan! kyun nahi. kya tumhari caretaker jati hain ke aaj tum yaha rahoge?"

aik lamhay ke liye is ne Dr. mustafa ko dekha. uske halaq mein gilty ubhar
kar madoom hui phir usne asbat mein sar hila diya. Dr. mustafa muskura
diye. Uske naram mulaem balon mein haath pherte hue uth kar kitchen
mein chale

gaye. woh bhi apna bag utaar kar un ke paas aa gaya.

Apne sade saat sala nanhe maheman ki khatir madarat karte hue woh aaj
kuch ziyada hi par josh aur khush dikhayi diye.

"Meri sab se badi beti ke yahan kal poore pandrah baras baad beta huwa
hai."

plate se roll uthate hue Faris ne unhen dekha.

"Asal mein woh twins hain. aik beti hai aur aik beta!"

woh muskurate hue kursi khech kar baith gaye the.

"Bahut bahadur hai meri nawasi, bhai ko sath hi layi hai."

jane kya soch kar woh muskuraye. phir

unhon ne tasweer nikaal kar usey dikhayi.

"Is mein ladki kon hai aur ladka kon hai?"

aik jaisey bachon ne faris ko uljha diya. dono ke kapre bhi aik hi jaisey
safaid rang ke the. Dr. mustafa ne tasweer pakar kar dekhi. phir dobarah
dekhi. Allah jane barr bara kar uth gaye.

ab woh uske liye fruit Trifle bana rahe the. faris ne tasweer uthali. nanhe
Munne se bacche gehri neend mein the. woh kaafi der tak dilchaspi se
unhen daikhta raha. ghaliban itne chhote bachon ko dekhne ka ittafaq usey
pehli baar huwa tha.
"Apni saari nawasiyo ke naam mein ne hi rakhe hain. ab meri badi nawasi
hafsa chaah rahi hai ke uska naam bhi mein hi rakhu"

Unhon ne aik lamhe ke liye ruk kar kitchen ki khidki se bahar lawn ki
kiyarion mein phoolon ko dekha.

"Phir kuch socha?"

"Warda kaisa rahega?"

ab woh apne maheman se pooch rahe

the jo plate se doosra roll utha raha tha.

"Ward yani phool, bahar ke mausam mein aayi hai woh, hai bhi phoolon
jaisi."

aik baar phir tasweer pakar kar woh apni no is ko khojne lagey.

"Ya phir koi aur naam."

"Mein batau?

Apna roll khate hue Faris ne kaha. Dr. mustafa uske best friend the. un ki
mushkil aasaan karna uska farz tha.

"haan kyun nahi." woh khush hue.

"ap jannat rakh de."

Dr mustafa ne choank kar sar uthaya.

"Jannat..!"

"Miss Hadia ne apni beti ka naam jannat rakha hai. pyara naam hai na?"

woh ke raha tha. Dr. mustafa uspar nigah jamaye baithe reh gaye the. un ki
tawajah kisi aik phool par thi magar faris unhen la ilmi mein kitni bari
tasweer
dikha gaya tha.

Warda - ek phool, or Jannat me to kitne phool sama jate hai. Unhone socha.

"Wakai bahut payara naam hai! Bas.. aaj se meri nawasi ka nam Jannat
hai!"

Wo Faris ke balon me ungliya ferte hue muskura kar uth gaye. usne fruit
Trifle khaya, Dr. Mustafa ke sath chai bhi pii.

Lawn ke phoolo ko pani bhi diya. Australian tote ko churi bhi khilayi,
drawing me rang bhi bhare, aur barish ki dua bhi ki.

Aur phir ek ghante ke bad sa paher guroob ke Suraj par kali ghata chha
gayi. Hawae tez hui, to dur se Matti aur dhool udhti hui nazar aayi. aur
dekhte hi dekhte har taraf dhool chha gayi. Barish ka pehla katra uske gaal
par hi gira tha.

Usne khush gawar herat se sar utha kar aasman ko dekha. Phir hath felaye
sidiyan utar kar lawn me aa gaya. Badalo ki ghargharahat ke sath aasman
par kahi bijli chamki thi. wo raat ki barish se jitna khaif hota tha. din ki
barish use utna hi mehsoos karti thi.

Dr. Mustafa bhi uske sath hi rimjhim barish enjoy karte rahe. aur jese hi
barish ne jor pakda wo use sath liye andar aa gaye. Kafi arshe bad unhone
Faris ko beintehaa khush dekha.

Tasawwur hu tasawwur me nili theme se saji kursiya ko fiza me tutta

bhikharta dekha.

"Maine Allah se dua ki thi barish ho jaye"

Usne istihak ke aalam me Dr. Mustafa ko bataya tha.

"Maine Allah se kaha bahut jor ki aandhi aaye.."

Usne hath bhi failaye. Uchhal kar bhi dikhaya, paishani par bikhre Baal
aankho ke upar gire. Dr. Mustafa ne uski aankho me alag si khusi dekhi or
muskuraye.
"Take Hammad ke bhi saarey khilone tut jaye, uski party bhi kharaab ho
jaye."

Dr. Mustafa ki muskurahat yak lab taher gayi. Unhe sapta hua, wo tajjud se
Faris wajdan ko dekh kar reh gaye. Hammad shirazi business tiecon Azam
shirazi ka pota!

"Achhe bacche kisi ka bura nahi chahte!"

Unhone toka.

"Mein achha hu hi nahi!"

Faris ne bade aaram se etraaf kar liya. wo use dekh kar reh gaye.

"Maine bura nahi chaha, maine bas yeh kaha barish ho jaye aur aandhi bhi
aaye."

Abe usne jara si khafgi ke sath unhe safai di thi. Dr. Mustafa apni muskurat
zabt kar gaye.

"Tum Hammad ko napasand karte ho?"

Kuch soch kar unhone puchha.

"Wo mujhe napasand karta hai!"

"Tumhe esa kyu laga?"

"Jab bhi uski mummy mere paas aati hai, to usey bura lagta hai. Jab bhi wo
mere liye kuch lati hai, to wo mind karta hai."

Dr. Mustafa uske samne panjo ke bal beth gaye. Baraye raaz wo ab Faris ki
aankho me dekh rahe the.

"Kuch din pehle wo mere kamre me aaya tha. Aur usne meri wo sari care
tod di, jo bilkul uske jaisi thi. use achha nahi lagta na! ki uske jaisi chij or
kisi ke paas ho!"
Sar jhukaye wo ab shirt ke kinaro ko chher raha rha tha.

"Mujhe bhi achha nahi lagta ke mera sab kuch kisi or ke paas ho, magar me
to kuch nahi kehta."

Dr. Mustafa jaisey apni jagah munjamid hue the.

"Hai to herat ki baat! Hammad Babu is tarah kisi mulazim ke bete se

muqabla karta hai."

Kamwali maasi waha se guzar rahi thi to sunte hi boli.

"Mein mulazim ka beta nahi hoon!"

Puri quwwat se wo is aurat par chikh para tha. Jaha kamwali masi sakte me
aayi thi. to waha Dr. Mustafa bhi uske rawaiyye se sadme me chale gaye
the. Aankhon me ghussa, nami, be basi liye wo is toofani mousam me ghar
chhorh kar jane laga. ye to Dr. Mustafa hi usey jabarjasti pakad kar wapas
laye.

Kamwali maasi se moazrat bhi karwayi. aur use khane ke liye bhi rajamand
kiya. aur iske baad wo ek baar phir uske samne bethe the. wo shirazi
khandan ke family doctor the or aj se kabl unhone kabhi bhi unke khandani
mamle ki jaanch padtal nahi ki thi. aur nahi wo esa karna pasand karte the
magar aaj na jane kyu wo Faris wajdan ke bare me achambhey ka shikar
hue the.

Daidh saal pahle ye baccha achanak samne aaya tha. wo usey kahi baar
attend kar chuke the. kahi baar wo unke clinic me admit ho chuka tha.
Jamila dawood is bacche ka bahut khayal rakhti thi. wo ye bhi jante the.

Shirazi mansion me ek baar Faris ke mabain daryaft karne par Azam

Shirazi ne uska tarruf apne mulazim ke Yateem bacche ke tor par karwaya
tha. Magar ab?

"Tum kiske bete ho?" wo ab puchh rahe the.

"Kisi ka bhi nahi!" wo har muh daraz tha.

"Aisa nahi hota ke aap kisi ke bhi bete na ho!"

"Aisa hi hai, me kisi ka bhi beta nahi!"

Dr. Mustafa use dekh kar reh gaye phir jese unhe mazak suja.

"Yaani tum sidhe aasaman se gire the, darkhat par ughe the."

Usne bhawein sukud kar unhe ghoora. Wo mazaak ke mood me hargiz nahi
tha. aur tab kisi khayal ke taher Dr. Mustafa ki muskurahat simat gayi.

"Kya tum wakai ghar me sabko bata kar aaye ho?"

"Mujhe nind aa rahi hai me sona chahta hu."

Wo sar jhukaye apne bag ki zip band karne laga. aur dr. Mustafa ko jese
unke har sawal ka jawab mil gaya.

"Is mousam me tum ghar se bahir ho, ba khuda un par kya bit rahi hogi?"

Magar Faris bata nahi saka ke is waqt un sab par kuch nahi bit rahi hogi.
Kyu ke wo sab to ghar ke andar us waqt khusiya mana rahe hoge. Dr.
Mustafa taizi se uth kar phone ki taraf lapke the. Magar mousam ki kharabi
ki wajah se signal ka masla tha. Call na ho saki. Receiver hath me.liye
unhone Faris ko khafgi se dekha.

"Mein aaj ghar nahi jana chahta!"

uski aawaz aansuon se rundi hui thi. Dr. Mustufa gehra tanaffus le kar reh
gaye the.

Wo raat jo uske liye aasan si thi wo raat Jamila dawood ke liye kisi kayamat
se kam nahi thi. Azam shirazi ke guard us is khatarnak mousam me kaha
kaha nahi dhundh rhe the. Hammad ka para chadh gaya tha. Pehle barish or
andhi ne uska mood kharab Kiya tha aur ab kisi mulazim ke bete ke liye
uske ma baap ki fiqarmandi use sadid ghusse me mubtila kar rahi thi.

Cake kata ja chuka tha, gifts liye ja chuke the. Maheman is waqt dining haal
me khana kha rahe the. Aur uski maa mutfakkar si lounge me chakrati fir
rahi thi. aur uske papa to usi waqt ghar se nikal gaye the jab unhe Faris ki
na mojudgi ki ittela mili thi. Jabkey azam shirazi ne is khabar par kuch
khash notice nahi kiya tha. Wo mahemano ko chhorh kar bhi nahi uthe the.

Agley din hi Dr. Mustafa ne Faris ki mojudgi ki ittela pahuchai thi aur
Jamila usi waqt driver ke sath unke ghar aa gayi thi.

Kamre ka darwaza khol kar jab wo andar dakhil hui to Faris samne hi bag
me kitabe rakhta dikhai diya. Aahat par rukh kar usne Jamila ko dekha aur
apni jagah par ruk sa gaya. Jamila ki aankhe surkh thi. Chehra zard tha.
Fikar, khouf aur pareshani ang ang se ayaa. Dr. Mustafa ne dekha wo tadap,
wo khouf, aur pareshani esi thi jaisey kisi saggi maa ki apne bacche ke liye
hoti hai.

Usne Faris ko bazu se pakad kar pehle to khub daata phir rone lag gayi. Aur
rote hue use bhich kar gale se laga liya.

"Kyu kiya? Is tarah?"

"Tumhe maloom tha me pareshan ho jaungi phir bhi?"

"I'm sorry!"

Usne labon ko jambish di. wo ba-mushkil apne rone par kabu paye hue tha.

"Wada karo tum aayinda kabhi is tarah se nahi jaoge?"

Chehra hatho me le kar usne kaha.

"Bataye baghair kahi nahi jaoge, kabhi ghar nahi chhoroge!"

"Wada!" Wo keh raha tha. Usne Jamila ko pehli bar rote hue dekha tha. Wo
uski wajah se royi thi us khayaal se usey dukh pouncha tha.

"Aap bhi nahi jayen gi?"

is arse mein pehli baar woh apna koi khadsha labon par laya tha.

"Haan, mein bhi nahi jaoon gi."

Jamila ne yaqeen dehani karai thi. Dr. mustafa apni jagah khamosh khade
the. unhon ne koi sawal nahi kiya tha.

"Mein apne shohar aur sasur ki tarah be rukhi nahi dikha payi, mere dil par
mera ikhtiyar nahi hai."

Wo chai ke liye un ke paas ruk gayi thi. aur saari baat batane ke baad sar
jukaye keh rahi thi.

"Mohabbat bhi rizq ki tarah hoti hai, jiski jo jagah jis dil mein likhi ho mil
kar rehti hai. yeh is bacche ka rizq hai Jamila! woh tum se wohi hissa le
raha hai jo iske liye aasman par te kar diya gaya tha."

woh keh rahe the. woh nam aankhon se unhen dekh kar reh gayi thi.

jo wada usne kya tha woh is waday par qaim raha tha. magar jo wada
Jamila ka tha usey aifaa nah kar saki thi.

•••

theek teen saal baad jab Hammad ka admission America ke aik behtareen
school mein huwa to aanan fanaan Azam Shirazi ne Jamila ko America
shift ho jane ka Andia day diya. Haroon pehle se wahan mojood tha. Shirazi
interprisess ki America ki firm ko aaj kal woh hi sambhaal raha tha.

11 saal ki Umar mein woh khabar faris ke liye kisi sadme se kam nahi thi.
Jamila ke baghair uski zindagi ka to koi tasawwur hi nahi tha. woh uske liye
maa thi aur woh is maa ke baghair zindah nahi reh sakta tha. Jamila ke liye
bhi yeh sab mushkil tha. magar woh majboor thi. Hammad ke liye is ka
America mein hona be had zaroori tha jo wada is ne kiya tha woh is wade
par qaim raha tha.

"Mein jald wapas aa jaugi."

jane se qabal woh is se milne aayi thi to usne kaha tha aur woh chup chaap
khada raha tha. Jamila ne aage badh kar uska maatha, uska gaal chooma
tha. usey gale se laga kar usey bohat pyar Kiya tha. aur woh khamoshi se yu
khada raha tha jaise woh chand dino ke liye doosre shehar tak ja rahi ho.
aur uske jane se usey koi farq hi na par raha ho.

Uska rawaiyya jahan Mudhat ko pareshani mein mubtala kar gaya tha
wahan Jamila dawood ke andar bohat se andaishe jaga raha tha. woh normal
halaat mein pala bada bacha nahi tha keh kisi bhi situation ko normal
andaaz mein handle kar sakta.

har chout uske liye gehri, har gham uske liye bada aur har judai uske liye na
qabil bardasht thi. Jamila is qader mehnat se usey is maqam tak layi thi aur
ab jab bikharta dekha to dil kirchi kirchi ho gaya. sara rasta woh bhi roti
rahi thi aur baagh ke darakhton ke jhund mein chhup kar faris wajdan bhi.

Us din woh Mudhat ko bohat der tak dhoandne ke baad baagh se mila tha
aur kisi bhi soorat ghar wapsi jane ko razamand nahi ho raha tha. woh sada
ka ziddi hamesha Jamila ke hi qaboo mein aaya karta tha magar us din
Jamila thi to dr mustafa hi is ke paas aaye the.

woh aik ghane pairr ke neeche duniya jahan se rukh more panjoo ke bal
betha tha. haath mein chaaku tha. darakht ke tanae par kayi lakeere khenchi
gayi theen. kayi sorakh khode gaye the.

"Tum jante ho woh tum se bohat pyar karti hain."

Unhon ne qareeb pahonch kar kaha tha.

"aur yeh bhi jantey ho ke woh apni marzi se tumhe chhor kar nahi gayi
hain."

Faris ka sar hanooz jhuka raha tha. woh darakht ke tanay par isi dasti
chaako se khur chitta raha tha. ghutno par jooton par jagah jagah matti lagi
thim

unhon ne aaga badh kar usey kandho se pakra to woh ruk gaya. rukh morra
to woh apna sir mazeed jhuka gaya. magar woh dekh chuke the. woh
aansoo se bhari hui uski surkh mutwaram ankhen dekh chuke the.
Us ka chehra laal ho raha tha. uske sakit labon par shikwe dhare the. Uski
khamoshi cheekh cheekh kar aik aur zulm par ehtijaj kar rahi thi. unhon ne
us ke chhootey chhootey haath apne hathon mein le liye. unglio par ja baja
chhootey chhootey cut lagey the aur darakht ke tanay ka jo hashar tha, woh
to un ke samnay hi tha.

"Aise hathyaar ko kisi soorat hathon mein nahi lena chahiye jo khud aap ko
bhi zakhmi kar de."

unhon ne chaaku le liya. usey barabar mein apne ghutney par bitha liya.

Mudhat qadray faasle par bulandi se unhen hi dekh rahi thi. unhon ne haath
hila kar usey jane ka ishara kar diya to woh un ki mojoodgi se kuch
mutmaen ho kar chali gayi.

"Isse darakht nahi kat sakta."

"Mein darakht kaat nahi raha tha."

"Ro kya kar rahe the?"

woh chup raha. nazrain jhuki rahi. aanso-on ki lakerain phir se numaya
huien. magar uska zabt kamaal ka tha. woh ro raha tha magar zahir karna
chahta tha ki wo nahi ro raha. usey Jamila dawood ke jane ka koi gham
nahi, usey sirey se koi fikar, koi parwah hi nahi magar uska chehra uske
tasurat uski ankhen.

'Bhala woh gham bhi chupaye ja sakte hain jo aankhon mein bas jate hon?'

"Tum to itne pyare, itni himmat wale itne sabr wale bache ho.."

unhon ne usey baho mein bhar kar khud se laga liya. woh unhen batana
chahta tha woh bohat bura hai tab hi to uske sath itna bura ho raha hai.
magar woh keh na saka.

zabt toota to wo siskiya, hichkiyo mein badal gayi. woh un ke kandhay se

lag kar roya to phir chup na huwa.
kitni hi der tak woh us ghane saya daar shajar ke neeche baithe uski pusht
sehlate rahe. usey tasalii aur dilase dete rahe. usey yaqeen dehani kerwate
rahe ke woh use chhore kar nahi gayi hain. woh jald aa jayen gi.

Magar Faris wajdan ko lagta tha use papa, uski ma ki tarah Jamila dawood
bhi kabhi wapas nahi ayegi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHP-30•
•••

dharti par khizaa utri hui thi. darakhto ke pattay jhar rahe the. hanza gehra
khushk lag raha tha. har shai rang badal rahi thi. aik rang is ka bhi tha.
safedi mein ghulta siyahi mein badalta, nafrat se uljhta rishto mein bhatakta,
uska apna rang.

Rishta khoon ka tha, magar khoon se ziyada ahem dada ke liye izzat aur
Waqar tha. doulat aur status tha. shohrat aur Naik nami thi. woh har kaam
ba qaida mansooba bandi ke tehat karte the, aur har chaal mein apni
Maslehat ko muqaddam rakhte the.

Jamila dawood ke jane ke teesre din unhon ne uska dakhla boarding school
karwa diya tha. mamlat pehlay se tay the, sar anjam ab diye ja rahe the.

Jamila ki judai, phir ajnabi jagah par ajnabi mahol mein adjust hona uske
liye hargiz aasaan nahi tha. nafsiati tor par bohat disturb ho gaya tha. padhai
mein uski karkardagi sifar ho kar reh gayi thi.

woh apne class fellows se baat nahi karta tha. apne teachers ko jawab nahi
deta tha. kayi baar head office mein uski haazri ho chuki thi. kayi baar uske
ghar rabta kya ja chuka tha.

principal yaqeenan Azam Shirazi ke janne wale the, woh uske samne hi call
karte, baat karte masla batate. kuch sunte, kuch samjhte aur phone band
karte hi usey jane ka ishara kar dete. aur phir wohi routine wo hi aziat, wohi
ghutan, wohi khauf aur wehshat bhara ehsas.

woh sambhal jaye ga, yeh sab ka khayaal tha wo sambhal nahi raha tha, yeh
aik haqeeqat thi. aur is haqeeqat tak pounchne ki koshish koi nahi kar raha
tha.

andar hi andar ghatte marte hue usne faisla kar liya, woh Shirazi mansion
ab kabhi nahi jayega. Holidays mein bhi nahi. zindagi aisi hai to phir aisi hi
sahi, woh bhi jaise zid par utar aaya tha.

itwaar ki aik subah Agha Ali aaya to uske sath Dr. mustafa bhi the. poore
teen hafton ke baad unhe dekh raha tha. mamool ke bar aks usne koi garam
joshi nahi dikhayi thi, na haath milaya, nah uth kar un ke gale laga. aik
faasla qaim rakhe woh faasle par hi khada raha tha.

woh sarsabz lawn mein bench par baith gaye the. samne school ki imarat
aur harey bharay darakhton se ghirey khail ke maidan tha. Bacche khailte
kudte phir rahe the.

"Aap yahan kyun aaye?"

Wohi liya diya sa andaaz ke mein to aap ko jaanta hi nahi.

"Kya mein nahi aa sakta?"

unhon ne herat ka izhaar Kiya.

"Nahi!"

apne sweeter ki pockets mein usne muthiyaan bhinch li.

labo par madham si muskurahat liye woh jhuk kar usey baghore dekhne
lagey. woh pehle se bohat se ziyada kamzor lag raha tha. rangat zard thi.
hont khushk aur be rang the. yaqeenan woh kayi dinon tak bimaar raha tha.

"Hum dono best friends hain faris!" unhon ne yaad dilaya.

"Hamari dosti ab khatam!"

"Dosti khatam?" Dr. mustafa ko sadma pouncha.

"Ham ne to itne wade kiye the yaar! friend for ever hai ham."

bhanwain sukde woh zara si khafgi ke sath kahi aur dekhne laga. goya dosti
baghair kisi wajah ke khatam ki ja rahi. magar wajah thi. dr. mustafa samajh
chuke the wajah kya thi. woh kyun is andaaz se baat kar raha tha.
kyun aik faasla sabr qarar rakhe hue tha. woh is khauf ko mehsoos kar satke
the jo kam Umri mein is ke andar jarr pakar

raha tha. kho dene ka ehsas tanha reh jane ka khadsha bhichar jane ka gham

unhen dukh huwa.

woh kaafi der tak uske paas baithe rahe. idhar udhar ki baatein karte use
uljhaate rahe. kisi baat par khud hans parte, kisi baat par hansaney ki
koshish karte magar woh sada ka ziddi rukh more bas unhen khafgi dekhata
raha.

"Agle hafte mulaqaat hogi?" jane se pehlay unhon ne kaha.

"Mein ghar nahi aauga." usne bhi wazeh kar diya.

"Tum na aao bhai, ham to aate rahe ge."

woh keh kar gaye aur apni baat par qaim bhi rahe. har wake and par woh
agha Ali ke hamrah usse milne aa jate. pandrah bees minute woh behas
karte hue usey gussa dilate rehte ke jo dosti usne sardhe 6 saal ki Umar
mein aik 60 sala buddhe se ki thi woh kisi bhi soorat khatam nahi ho sakti.

Uske baad woh bolte rehte aur woh sunta rehta. kabhi lar parta kabhi rone
lagta kabhi gussa dikhata aur kabhi un ke baazuon mein simat jata.

"Mujhe woh bohat yaad aati hain." uski ankhen aanson se mukammal bhar
jati. naak, gaal surkh hone lagte.

"Woh bhi tumhe bohat yaad karti hongi."

"Nahi." woh nafi mein sar hilata.

"Woh mujhe bhool chuki hain."

"Jo pyar karte hain, woh kabhi nahi bulte."

"Unhen mujh se pyar nahi tha, is liye woh mujhe chhor kar chali gayeen."
"Tumhe un ki majboori ko samjhna chahiye beta!"

"Woh Hammad mummy hain, sirf aur sirf Hamad ki mummy hain."

Zehen mein sirf aik hi baat reh gayi thi ke agar woh uski mummy hoti to
uske paas hoti. dr mustafa gehri saans le kar reh jate. unhon ne baarha
koshish ki ke kisi tarah Jamila dawood se rabta kar mumkin ho sake magar
woh nakaam rahe the.

waqt ke sath sath kuch had tak woh samajh gaya. samjh bhi gaya magar
Jamila dawood ke jane se jo khalaa uski zindagi mein peda huwa woh kisi
soorat poora na ho saka. zehen bhatakne ke liye aik masrufiyat darkaar thi
aur usne khud ko taleemi sar garmion mein masroof kar liya.

woh parhai mein pehle sirf achha tha magar ab top karne laga. har muqable
mein uski pehli position hoti horse riding, swimming, hockey, Volleyball,
tennis gharz woh har tarah ke khelo mein hissa laine laga tha.

woh zindagi ko mehsoos karta tha ya nahi magar woh zindagi ki taraf
wapas zaroor palat gaya tha aur un tamam tar misbet tabdeelion ka sarf Dr.
mustafa ke sar jata tha, agar woh nahi hote to woh aisa nahi hota.

uski shakhsiyat mein itna thehrao itni lagan aur mehnat ke rang na hote.
woh khudtarsi ka shikaar ho kar kab ka apne track se bhatak chuka hota.

Uski har kamiyabi par dr mustafa be intahaa khushi mehsoos kya karte the.
woh uski trophies ko chhu kar dekhte, certificate hathon mein le kar
mehsoos karte, album ke safhe palate jate, jo tasaveer khenchi gayi hoten,
un mein se koi aik apne paas rakh lete.

apni choti badi har baat un se share karne wala faris wajdan kabhi bhi unhe
apni kamyabion se milne wali aziat se aaga hi nahi day saka tha. woh inhen
kabhi nahi bta saka tha. usay trophies sulagtey hue angaron jaisi lagti hain
aur jab woh unhen hathon mein laita hai to is ke haath jal jate hain.

Jab school ki intizamia us par fakhr karte hue Asnad se nawaztee hai to is
par likha aadha adhoora naam usey gaal par thapar ki tarah lagta hai. jab
usay aik yateem ke tor par paish kar ke is ki mehnat aur lagan ko saraha jata
hai to woh dhool matti khaak ho kar Shirazi khandan ke qadmon mein kaise
bikhar jata hai.

woh unhen kabhi nahi bta saka tha. kabhi nahi. aik jung khud apni zaat se
thi to doosri jung usay Azam Shirazi se lrhni par rahi thi. woh hanooz apne
faislon par mutmaeen the, kabhi kabhar milne aa jate to itne sakht lafzon
mein aur is qader hiqarat se baat karte ke woh zameen ki tahne mein utar
kar reh jata. usay har inayat aik khairaat aur har meharbani aik bheek ki
tarah lagti .

Aarzoo Jahangir ka zikar har mulaqaat ki bunyaad hota. woh uske haliya
daur ke Scandal unglio par ginwate. uske karname aik aik kar ke manaye
jatay.

kabhi kisi siyasat daan ke sath affair hai to kabhi kisi barri karobari
shakhsiyat ke sath koi chakkar hai. aaj kal woh teesri shadi ki tayario mein
thi. kayi baar uske Europe, italy aur france mein mukhtasir maghribi kapdo
mein ghoomne phirne ki tasaveer dikhata hue woh usey jata chuke they ke
yeh aurat uski maa hai aur is jaisi aurat ka beta hona hi uska sab se bada
gunah hai.

aur aisa karte hue woh aik baar bhi is ki aankhon mein nahi dekhte the, uske
tasurat ko nahi jhanchte the. woh un ki har baat khamoshi se sun kar uth
jata tha. band kamre mein uski nazrain kaafi der tak jhuki rhtin. lab
bheenche rehte, aur aankhon mein thehri hui nami gaal par phisalne lagti.

Azam shirazi usey apne roab mein rakhna chahte the. woh itna kamzor ho
ke Shirazi khandan ke samne sar utha kar baat nah kar sake. usey apna aap
kamtar lagey, usey apni pehchan se nafrat ho. magar woh un ke khauf ya
roab mein aane ke bajaye nafrat aur intiqam ke sholon mein lapat jata tha.

woh unhen waisi hi takleef dena chahta tha jaisi woh usey dete the woh bhi
unhen todna chahta tha. un ka ghuroor, un ka taqqabur, un ka ghamand woh
bhi un se rishte chinna chahta tha. unko tanha karna chahta tha.

"Jis din tum ne mere pote se takkar laine ki koshish ki to yaad rakhna, wo
din tumhari zindagi ka aakhri din hoga."
Tareekh paanch November thi. uski 14th saalgirah ka din yeh din usey koi
khushi nahi deta tha magar us din Azam shirazi ke yeh alfaaz usey bohat
bada gham de gaye they. kitni hi der tak woh sakit sa apni jagah khada raha
tha. herat dhamki ki nahi thi. herat iski thi ke woh usey zinda samajte the.
kya wo itna zinda tha

ke usey yeh dhamki di jati?

"Pehle aap confirm kar len, aap kis se milne aaye hain? faris Haroon se ya
faris wajdan se?"

zabt kar ke usne shadeed ghusse ke aalam mein poocha tha. Hawaa ke zor
se parday lehra utthey, khidkiyo ke pitt hille, bahar kahin aahat bhi hui.
bachon ka shor madoom hone laga.

agha Ali aur guards bhi Adamm ho gaye. tareqi mein roshni ya to is par thi
ya phir Azam Shirazi ke wujood par jo aik shaan se sofe par baithe the.

lekin woh shaan aur Tamkinat , roab aur dabdaba, woh aankhon ki sakhti
aur patharile tasurat is aik sawal se hawa hue the woh sawal nahi, sulagta
huwa aik angara tha jo kayi haqeqteen aashkaar kar taa jala kar raakh kar
gaya tha.

Azam shirazi ki patharili nigahen uske chehre par jami rahi. aur woh
muthhiya bheenche un ki aankhon mein ankhen daaley khada raha.

"Mera sirf aik hi pota hai. Hammad shirazi, mein kisi faris haroon ko nahi
jaanta."

Woh apni jagah se uth khade hue. walit se kuch raqam nikaal kar maiz par
uchali aur shawl durust karte apne guards ke hamrah bahar nikal gaye.

aur woh aankhon mein karb liye kitni hi der tak farsh par bikhare noto ko
daikhta raha. yeh uski auqaat thi. woh usey yahi auqaat dikhane aate the.
woh dhool, khaak matti tha.

Uski jagah qadmon mein thi. ya shayad qadmon se bhi neeche paise uthane
ke liye jhukna zaroori tha. aur woh hamesha usey jukaye rakhna chahte the.
Agha Ali be basi se usey dekh raha tha. woh usse kuch kehna chahta tasalii
ke do bol hi sahi magar woh khud mulazim tha. ziyada se ziyada kya keh
sakta tha? kis baat ki tasalii de sakta tha? sar jukaye woh khamoshi se chala
gaya. us ke jane tak faris sapat chehre ke sath khara raha tha. jaise hi
darwaaza band huwa, uske munjamid wujood par darare parne lagi.

pehlay ankhen nam huien, phir gaal tar hue. woh siskte hue ghutnon ke bal
jhuk gaya. rote hue apne aap mein simat kar bikhar gaya.

nafrat kya hoti hai? woh pehle nahi jaanta tha. nafrat kaisi hoti hai? woh ab
jaan gaya tha. Jamila dawod mohabbat aik dhaal thi. Azam shirazi ki nafrat
aik aag. Jab tak dhaal thi, woh aag se mehfooz raha tha aur jab dhaal nahi
rahi thi to woh raakh hone laga tha.

mutala abr alood tha. thandhi hawae chal rahi theen. rim jhim barasti barish
ka nzara karta woh khidki ke samne stool par betha tha. Uski do mah ki
chuttiyan ho rahi theen. Agha Ali usey laine aaya tha. hamesha ki tarah
jawab inkaar mein hain tha magar woh usey sath le jane par misar tha.

"Bade sahab ka hukum hai."

sar jhuka kar mazboot lehjey mein kehte hue agha Ali ne us par wazeh kar
diya ki ab inkar ki koi gunzaish nahi. Uska khayal tha ke Faris mazid bahes
karega ya fir pichhli baar ki tarah hostel ki building mein kahin chhup jana
chahega.

Magar woh stool se utar kar almaari tak gaya aur bohat khamoshi se ke ab
bag mein kapde rakhne laga. Agha Ali herat se usey dekh kar reh gaya.

Barish aik baar phir shuru ho chuki thi .

samaan pack kar ke woh usi khamoshi ke sath agha Ali ke hamrah bahar
agaya. chhatri ke saaye mein woh siyah jeep ki taraf jahi raha tha jab surkh
rang ki car sadak ke is paar ruk gayi thi.

gaari dr. mustafa ki thi. woh darwaaza khol kar bahar nikle to usne Agha
Ali se backpack le liya.
"Mein inke sath jaunga."

aawaz dhimi thi magar lehza sakht tha. gehra saans le kar agha Ali ne asbat
mein sar hila diya. woh dr mustafa ke paas pouncha to woh usey tashweesh
se dekh kar reh gaye. uska chehra zard tha, aur ankhen betasa surkh ho rahi
theen jaisey woh kayi raton ka jaaga huwa ho. haath bhi garam the. woh
sawal karte karte reh gaye. Uski tabiyat theek nahi thi. woh samajh gaye
the. woh un ke sath ghar jana chahta hai, woh yeh bhi jaan gaye the.

"Chalein?" Unhon ne kaha.

Passenger seat ka darwaaza kholte kholte woh ruk gaya. do poniyo wala sir
kisi kitaab par jhuka huwa tha. yaksoi se kuch likha ja raha tha. woh murr
kar pichli nashist ki taraf gaya. darwaaza khol kar baithte hi dharamm se
band Kiya. back pack qadmo mein rakh kar nashist par nim daraaz ho gaya.
siyah rang ki hoodie thodhee tak khich kar us ne chehra bhi posheeda kar
liya.

Dr. mustafa ne driving seat ka darwaaza khoola to do poniyo wali ko

khayaal aaya ke 'baba agar yeh hain to phir

peeche kon hai?' drawing book, pencil colours aur zard rang ki tweeti chor
chhar woh ghutnon ke bal nashist ki back side uske sath lag kar khadi ho
gayi.

koi larka duniya Jahan se khafa, pusht gaah ki taraf rukh kiye leta huwa tha.
Us ka stuffed zarafa jisey woh naya naya khareed kar layi thi. woh uske sar
ke neeche takiye ke faraiz sar anjaam de raha tha.

"Tumhe sardi to nahi lag rahi faris?"

gaadi start ho chuki thi. Main road par daalte hue dr mustafa ne poocha.
woh khamosh para raha. unhon ne gaadi rok kar lihaaf nikaal kar us par
dala. tab bhi uske wujood mein koi jambsh na hui.

nashist ke sath lagi woh kabhi herat se apne nana ko dekhatii thi aur bhi
usey.
Gaadi apne safar par gamzan hui to faris ko nind aagai. taham woh soti
jaagti kefiyat mein tha. kabhi aawaze us ke liye wazeh ho jati, aur bhi
muhim ho kar bilkul madoom.

"Yeh kab utthega baba?"

baar baar gardan mour kar peeche dekhte rehne ke baad do poniyo wali ne
thak kar poocha tha.

"Shhh aahista!" unhon ne narmi se toka tha.

"Kab se soye ja raha hai! soye ja raha hai."

Uski sargoshi bhi khasi buland thi. aik baar phir poori ki poori gardan mour
kar usme apne is jarafa ko dekha jis se khailne ka usey mauqa nahi mila tha.
kaisay bichara use sir ke neeche phansa huwa tha. aik lambi saans le kar
woh dr mustafa ki taraf muri.

"Kai uske sar ke neeche hai baba!"

"kon kai?"

"Mera giraffe"

woh bohat fikar mand nazar aa rahi thi.

"Gudiya! abhi hum ghar pahonch jayege. bas do ghante ka to safar hai."

"Kai ko saans nahi aa raha hoga."

woh badi ammao ki tarah pareshan ho rahi thi.

woh jante the jab tak uska masla hal nahi hoga, woh bolti rahegi. Sar mour
kar peeche dekha to 'kai' ko bachane ke imkaan dur dur tak nazar nahi aaye.
zara si harkat faris ki neend kharab kar sakti thi.

"Kai is all fine! aap bas apni drawing kare shabash!"

Unhon ne uska zehen bhatkana chaha.

"No his not, he needs my help!" Wo datt gayi.

"Woh bahar dekho, barish ho rahi hai."

Foran se seedha ho kar usne khidki se bahar dekha. rim jhim barasti barish
yaka yak taiz hogayi. woh aankhon mein Ishtiaq liye khidki ke thande
sheeshe se lag gayi. ab koi nazam thi jo gungunayi jarahi thi.

yaka yak usey 'kai' ke sath sath apne nanahe dinosour ka khayaal aaya to
murr kar peeche dekhte use talasna chaha.

peele rang ka dinasaur to uske qadmon ke neeche tha. nanhe dil par aik
ghonsa aan para.

"Baba..!"

"kya huwa meri shehzadi ko?" un ki aawaz madham thi.

"Baba woh tarzan!"

woh aik baar phir shuru ho chuki thi. dr. mustafa gehra saans le kar reh
gaye. sara rasta woh un ka sar khati rahi. kabhi konsa khilona yaad aa jata
kabhi konsa aur khilono ke naam itne azeeb or muskil, ke wo khud heran
hote.

'usey kaise yaad hain?'

hatta al imkan koshish kar ke usey idhar udhar ki bato mein uljhate rahe aur
etraaf se be niaz Faris wajdan neend ki wadiyon mein khoya raha.

---- •♡• ----

•CHP-31•
•••

pardo ki darz se jhankti Sooraj ki taiz roshni chehre par pari to usne
kasmasa kar ankhen khol di thi. uth kar baithte hue usne tayrana nigah
kamre mein dorhayi. woh Dr. mustafa ke guest room mein moujood tha.
wall clock subah ke aath baja rahi thi. gehra saans le kar us ne apni peshani
ko chuva. bukhaar ab nahi tha, tabiyat bhi pehley se kaafi had tak behtar thi.

woh uth kar wash room gaya. mun haath dhote hue usne khud ko aaiine
mein dekha. hont khushk, be rang aur ankhon ke kinare surkh ho rahe the.

woh kamre mein wapas agaya. usey bed par baithe thori der hi guzri thi ke
Dr mustafa aagaye. unhon ne light on kar di. khidki se parde bhi hata diye.

"Ab kaisi tabiyat hai?" usne sar utha kar unhen dekha.

"Behtar hai."

unhon ne uska muaina kiya. aur muaine ke baad usey daant bhi pilayi ke
aakhir woh apni sehat ke hawaley se is qader laa parwa kyun ho jata hai.
woh chup chaap sunta raha. unhon ne parhai se mutaliq poocha to hmm
haan mein mukhtasir jawab deta woh side table lamp ko hi on off karta
raha.

pandrah sala Saleem tray mein nashte ke lawazmaat sajaye andar aaya to
woh uth kharray hue. tum nashta kar lo, phir medicine bhi leni hai. uske
balon mein mohabbat se haath phertey woh Saleem ke sath bahar chalay
gaye. kuch der tak woh be maqsad nigahein yahan wahan dorata raha, phir
nashta karne laga. zehen mukhtalif socho ki aamajgah bana huwa tha.
waswase aik baar phir sar uthane lagey the. usey Azam Shirazi ki aawaz
atraaf mein gunjti mehsoos ho rahi thi.

mera sirf aik hi hota hai. Hammad shirazi mein kisi Faris Haroon ko nahi
jaanta. pehley aik dastak hui phir doosri phir teesri chothi baar dastak kam
aur thak thak ziyada thi.

usne soup peete hue be sakhta sar utha kar aawaz ki simt dekha. khidki ke
sheeshe par nanha sa haath baj reh tha. phir chehra qareeb huwa. yaqeenan
uske mutwajjah hone ki tasdeeq ki jarahi thi.

phir khidki ke sheeshe par lafz ubhar ne lagey.

'Get well soon!'

pyalaa haath mein liye woh apni jagah betha reh gaya. chand lamho ke baad
khidki ka sheesha aik taraf slide huwa. do poniyo wala sar andar huwa,
dhair sara tajassus liye shehad rang aankhen numaya huien. phir ghulaab ki

pankhari jaisey lab kuch herat aur Ishtiaq se wa hue.

ab woh usay dekh raha tha kuch herat se aur woh usey dekh rahi thi kuch
tajassus se.

chokhat par apni position mazboot karte hue usne aik aik kar ke saare safaid
phool andar farsh par pheink diye ke agar woh aisa na karti to phoolon ke
kachoomar ke sath hi nazil hoti.

Doosre hi lamhe woh surkh frock samait khar ki phalang kar andar thi.
foran phool samete gaye. aur aik istehqaq ke sath side table par rakhe khaali
Gul daan mein daaley gaye. phir safaid coat ki jaib se fold kya huwa paper
nikala gaya. phir us paper ko nanhi munni hathelion mein rakh kar is ke
samne paish kya gaya. aik haath mein chamach liye, doosray haath mein
soup ka pyalaa thaame 14 sala faris apni jagah patthar ka patthar usey abhi
tak yeh runuma hone wali situation samajh mein nahi aayi thi.

qadmon ki aahat raahdaari mein gunji to bachi hawaas bakhta ki apne

gulaabii labon par ungli rakh kar "shhh" karti bed ke neechey chhoup gayi.

"Mein abhi clinic ja raha hoon, phir mulaqaat hoti hai."

Dr. mustafa baat karte karte thitak kar ruk gaye. adh khuli khirdki se hoti
hui un ki nigah side table tak gayi aur woh jaisey poori hekiyaat samajh
gaye.
"Janna?"

Wahi khade khade unhon ne kuch khafgi se aawaz di. aur janna nami woh
makhluq, jo bed ke neechey do zaano baithi thi, jhat se bol pari.

"Jee baba?" Doosre hi lamhe apni ghalti ka ehsas hotay hi usne dono haath
labon par jama liye.

"Kahan hain aap?" yahan wahan dekhte ab woh poochh rahe the. kuch hi
der mein woh bahar thi.

"Mein aap ke friend ko get well soon kehne aayi thi."

andaaz aisa tha jaisey yeh bohat zaroori kaam ho.

"Aap bahar chalein."

khirki band kar ke faris se moazrat chahte woh usey haath se pakar kar
bahar le gaye faris ki nazar is teh kiye hue safhey par ja thehri jo farsh par
guzara gaya tha. soup ka pyalaa rakh kar usne paper utha liya.

aasman, ghar, darakht, do parinde aur neechey likha tha 'Get well soon'

"Yeh bachi kon hai?"

Saleem bartan uthane aaya to usne poocha.

"Kon? jannat! woh dr. sahab ki nawasi hai jee!"

"Jannat?" zehen ke pardo par aik manzar lahraya.

judwa behan bhai aik jannat aur doosra shayad hassan, husnain ya Hussain
tha. dr mustafa baar ha zikar karte rehte the. usey kuch yaad aaya.

khayalat jhatak kar woh uth khara huwa. uski tabiyat pehley se behtar thi so
usne Shirazi mansion jane ka irada kar liya. Sweater coat pehan kar bahar
aaya to dr. mustafa ki nawasi sofe par ondhe pari thi.
ronay ka shugal farmaya ja raha tha. Saleem poorey ghar ki safai ke baad
halkan sa samne betha tha. Sabra Bua kitchen mein kaam kar rahi theen.
maloom huwa faris ki wajah se dr mustafa ne jannat ki billi Saleem ko de di
thi ke jab tak faris yahan hai to billi is ghar mein nahi rahegi aur jannat
kamaal to apni billi ke baghair reh hi nahi sakti thi to bas aur jannat kamaal
to aik billi baghair nahi us zulm par ehtijaj ho raha tha. woh chupkay se
ghar se nikal gaya.

backpack kandhe se latkaye jab woh baagh ke raste bairooni darwazese

andar daakhil huwa to mali ko Hadayat deti Mudhat ki nazar achanak us par
pari aur woh apni jagah ruk gayi.

nigehain aik hi maqam par thehr gayeen be yakeeni ka ta-assur herat mein
aur herat ka ta-assur khushi mein badal gaya. ujlat mein qadam uthaati woh
us ke paas aayi. uske haath aur phir usey kaandhon se pakar kar us ne
dekha. us ke samne das gayarah saal ka chhota sa bacha nahi tha, chodan
pandrah baras ka aik handsome teenager tha.

jadeed style se tarashe hue baal aaj bhi qadray lambe the. halka sa kham
liye seedha peshani par karte they aur naik caller ko chhute the, dhoop mein
baal sunehri lag rahe thw. Hazel aankhon mein kuch aur rangon ka izafah
ho chuka tha. poorey teen saal baad usne shirazi mansion mein qadam rakha
tha. woh usey dekh kar bohat khush ho rahi thi.

"Kaisi hain aap?" usne poocha. Mudhat nam aankhon se muskurayi.

"Mein to theek hoon, mujhe yaqeen nahi aa raha tum aagaye, tabiyat kaisi
hai ab?"

"Theek hai, halka sa bukhaar tha bas."

Madhham si muskurahat uske labon par ubhar kar madoom hogayi. woh
usey sath liye servant quarter ki taraf barr gayi. uska kamra hamesha ki
tarah saaf suthra aur saliqey se set tha. Albata furniture aur kamre ki setting
kuch had tak badal di gayi thi.

Bed, wardrobe, writing table, computer ke sath araishi qeemti ashya ki thi.
mashriqi deewar geer almaari sath mein uska purana samaan hatta ke
khilone, kitabe, trophies tak mehfooz theen .

aik tayranah nigah etraaf mein dorate woh be ta-assur chehre ke sath bed
par ja betha. Mudhat usey baghore dekh rahi thi. aur kuch kuch fikar mand
bhi thi.

"Mein tumahre liye kuch khane ka intizam karti hoon."

"Mein nashta kar chuka hoon, sirf aaraam karna chahta hoon."

Joote utaare, woh bed par daraaz ho chuka tha. Mudhat ne chand lamhon
tak usey dekha phir asbat mein sar hilati chali gayi.

darwaaza band huwa to usne ankhen khol di. karvat badal kar pusht ke bal
leta woh chhat ko dekhne laga.

us kamre ke sath Jamila dawood ki bohat si yade judi hui theen. aankhon ke
kinare nam hue to usne lihaf sar pe tan liya, usey neend nahi aa rahi thi
magar woh sona chahta tha. aur bohat der tak soya rehna chahta tha.

•••

Aaj friendship day tha. ab pata nahi beech beech ka friend ship day tha ya
jannat ka khud sakhta tha. woh nahi jante the, bas woh unhen yeh samjhane
aayi thi ke doston ko wish card zaroor dena chahiye. aur un ke itne saare
doston mein usey sirf faris wajdan ka hi khayaal aaya tha.

Hatta ke baqi sab to safaid dadiyo (beard) waley, kuch ganjay, kuch bari
Umar ke uncle aur kuch Umar Raseedah auntiya theen lekin faris un sab se
mukhtalif tha magar nana masroof the. unhon ne uske sawalaat ke hmm
haan mein jawab de kar bahar bhaij diya.

aur usne socha 'nana ki har cheez uski thi to phir nana ka best friend bhi
uska apna huwa na ?'

jhat se kamre mein gayi. mehnat se card banaye. lawn se phool torey,
backpack mein gift rakha aur baagh ke raste pahonch gayi Shirazi mansion.
uqbi bairooni deewar mein aik aahini darwaaza tha jo kabhi kabhar khula
rehta tha, aik guard wahan har waqt mutayyan rehta tha. andar daakhil hone
ke liye dr mustafa ka hawala hi kaafi tha. mulazim usey faris ke kamre ke
darwaze tak chhor kar aaya.

usne darwaze par dastak di. kuch hi der mein darwaaza khul gaya. nili jeans
par safaid rang ki ooni shirt mein malboos Faris wajdan samne khada tha
aur ab kuch herat se usey dekh raha tha.

itne sawere aur is qader thand mein woh gulaabii frock par lamba coat Zaib
tan kiye, tooty bag kandhe se lagaye, ooni manzar, keep aur dastane pehne
samne khadi thi.

'Kya dr mustafa bhi sath aaye the?' Usne yahan wahan nigah dorhayi, magar
woh kahin nahi the.

"Yeh tumhare liye hai." Jannat ne dono haath aage kar diye.

"Yeh kya hai?"

"Cards hain, baba ne bheje hain."

kuch istehqaq aur be thasha Ishtiaq se andar jhaa satke usne kaha tha. aik
uljan bhari nazar jannat par daalte usne card le kar khole.

‘Nili Nili roshni kamre mein band hai mein kya karoon mujhe faris
pasand hai’

- Dr. Mustafa

‘Peepal ke patte girte rahenge,

hum tum ko khat likhte rahen ge’

- Dr. Mustafa

Bachkani likhai thi aur itne aetmaad ke sath har shair ke neeche dr mustafa
likha huwa tha jaisey is tarah ke shair dr mustafa ke ilawa aur koi likh hi
nahi sakta.
‘Dabbe mein dabba, dabbe mein cake

mera dost Faris, lakho mein aik!’

- Dr. Mustafa

woh sanjeeda tha, betasha sanjeeda magar na chahte hue bhi uske labon par
muskurahat daud gayi thi.

"Yeh Dr mustafa ne likha hai?"

usne tasdeeq chahi.

"haan!"

"Magar yeh writing kitni kharab hai."

Jannat ko bura laga. usne bhawein sukoor kar apne nana ke best friend ko
khafgi se dekha. aakhir yeh uski writing thi, koi mazaaq thori tha?

"Kaisi hai writing?"

woh usey bayan badalne ka mauqa de rahi thi.

"Bacchon jaisi!"

"Doctors aise hi likhte hain." samajh daari se bataya gaya.

"Oh!"

Faris ke lab gol hue.

"Sorry mujhe nahi pata tha."

"It's ok!"

shaan e be niyazi se kehte us ne aik baar phir andar jhankne ki koshish ki.
woh chaah rahi thi faris usey andar anay day taake woh uska wasee o areez
kamrah dekh sake. magar woh deewar bana khara tha. sara interview yahin
darwaze par kharray kharray lena chahta tha. tang aakar usne back qadmon
mein rakha, baith kar khoola, phir uske andar se toote phoote tareeqe se
pack Kiya huwa packet nikala. uth kar usey phir faris ki taraf badhaya.

"Ab yeh kya hai?"

"Gift hai!"

"Gift?"

Nasamjhi ke aalam mein usne packet le kar khola. teen chocolate baara rang
barangi candies, chewing gum, chips ke packet. chili mili aur jane kya kuch
zahir ho gaya. barre khule dil ki maalik thi dr mustafa ki nawasi. jis Umar
mein bache apna bukhaar kisi ko na den, woh chocolate candies deti phir
rahi thi. woh khasa mutasir huwa.

"Tum mujhe andar nahi aane doge?"

ukta kar usne poocha to faris ne darwaaza wa karte hue usey andar aane
diya. bag utaar kar farsh par rakhti woh tajassus aur istehak ke sath andar
aagai. ghoom kar charon taraf dekha. kitna bara aur kitna pyara kamrah tha
is khadus ka.

Mudhat samne hi carpet par baithi shirt par button laga rhi thi. usey dekh
kar muskarayi.

"Arrey yeh nanhi pari kahan se aayi?"

Jannat ke gaal laal tamatar hue. woh batana chahti thi pariya to hamesha urr
kar aati hain magar woh chal kar aayi. bare adab se woh uske paas gayi.
salam Kiya, chand lamho ke liye tak kar baithi rahi. aakhir yeh bhi to thi
batana maqsood tha ke woh mohazab maheman hai taa ke uske aane jane
par hargiz pabandi na lagai jaye.

aik nazar nana ke dost ko dekha jo samne writing table ki aaraam da kursi
par betha tha aur usey hi dekh raha tha.
'Kya ab is ki maheman nawazi nahi hogi?' usne ankhen matka kar yahan
wahan dekha. aik jagah tak kar baithna kitna mushkil kaam tha. yeh koi
nanhi pari se puchta.

"Mujhe Mango juice pasand hai."

Chand lamho ki khamoshi ke baad usne faris ko bataya. sui se tanka lagati
Mudhat has di.

faris ne sar utha kar usey sawalia nazron se dekha. Mudhat ne ishara kiya to
woh baithy baithy uski taraf jhuka .

"Indirectly woh tum se keh rahi hai meri maheman nawazi karo."

Mudhat ne dabi dabi muskurahat ke sath sargoshi mein bataya to uski

bhanwain suker gayi.

"Kya sab hi bacche aisey hote hain?"

"kaisey?" Mudhat ne bhi uska andaaz apnaya.

"Jaisi yeh hai."

"Kaisi hai?" Mudhat ki aankhon mein shararat chamki.

"Itni friend li kyun ho rahi hai mujh se?" usne ulta sawal kiya.

"Ho sakta hai woh tum se dosti karna chahti ho."

Faris ki aankhon mein herat utri.

"Mujh se, dosti ?"

un ki khusar phusar ke douran kab jannat kamaal uth kar rack tak gayi, kab
usne gulaabii rang ka journal, coloring book samajh kar bahar nikala, aur
kab us par kitaaben giri, kuch pata na chala. yeh to jab woh sar pakar kar
halka sa chikhi to faris ko hosh aaya. uth kar taizi se uski taraf bhaga.

"Yeh kya kar diya."

woh gussa dikhnana bhi chahta tha aur dr mustafa ki wajah se dikha bhi
nahi pa raha tha.

"Y-Yeh khud hi gir gayeen." wazahati andaaz bhi kamaal ka tha.

"Khud se kaisey gir gayi?" woh bahrka.

"Mein ne to yeh pink wala nikala tha."

Yani gulaabii journal nikaalne par jo baqi saari kitabw been giri, woh apni
marzi aur apne shoq se giri, jannat kamaal ka koi amal dakhal nahi.

"Aaram se wahan ja kar betho."

usne journal le kar samne flour cushion ki taraf ishara kiya. aur woh waqai
mein wahan ja kar baith gayi. saari kitabe samait kar mura to woh flour
cushion par ghutno ke bal khadi maiz par rakhe gadiyo aur ghodon ke
mujasmo ko chairr rahi thi.

"Haath mat lagao usey"

foran se lapak kar jannat kamaal ko wahan se daur hataya gaya. woh bara
heran hui ke 'haath lagane se kya ho ga ?' ab woh glass almaari ke sath lagi
khadi thi aur is mein Nafasat se rakhi trophies ko dekh rahi thi.

Nana theek kehte the. uske paas kitni achi cheeze thi. bohat mukhtalif heran
kun aur Khoobsurat.

usey laga us kamre mein duniya ki har shai mojood hai.

kursi par charh kar khidki se bahir shirazi mansion ko dekhte uski masoom
ankhen pheli.

"kitna bara ghar hai tumhara."

Mudhat ne be sakhta faris ko dekha. woh be dhayani mein uske diye gaye
phoolon ko Gul daan mein rakhta ja raha tha. usne kuch sunaya nahi, magar
radd amal ka izhaar nahi kya tha.
"Kya yeh tumhari mamma hain?"

ab woh Mudhat ke bare mein usse pooch rahi thi.

"Mein is ke liye kuch le kar aati hoon!"

isse pehle ke jannat ke sawal koi bad mazghi peda kare, Mudhat uski shirt
rakh kar uth gayi.

"Aap isey bhi sath hi le jaye"

woh kaafi se ziyada jhunjhlaya huwa lag raha tha. Mudhat hash di, le jati
agar woh meri maheman hoti tab.

Mudhat chali gayi to woh bhanwain sukoor jannat ki taraf mura. woh sar
uthaye asbaat ka jaiza le rahi thi ke is ke nana ka dost kitna lamba tha aur
woh is se qad mein kitni choti thi.

"Kya tumhare paas colours nahi hain?"

kuch der baad usne poocha.

"Nahi."

"Colouring books ?"

"Nahi."

"Khilone bhi nahi hain?"

woh bohat mayoos nazar aayi.

ghutnon par haath rakhe us par jhuka.

"Mein ladka hoon, mein dolls se nahi khelta."

"Mein bhi dolls se nahi khelti, mujhe cars achhi lagti hain. mere paas aik
bohat barri tooty bhi. Aur tom bhi mere pas jerry wala tumhare paas nahi
hai?"
Gehra saans laita woh uske samne baith gaya. pata nahi Mudhat itni der
kyun lgarhi thi. aik glass Mango juice aur cake is mein kon sa saal lag jane
the?

"Nahi mere paas aisa kuch nahi hai."

"Aw.."

Nanhi pari ko afsos huwa.

"To mein tumhen tom de dugi."

"Mujhe tom nahi chahiye." usne tahammul se samjhaya.

"Jerry to mere paas hai hi nahi."

"Mujhe jerry bhi nahi chahiye." woh jhunjhlaya.

"To kya chahiye?"

"Kuch nahi chahiye mujhe. mein khilonon se nahi kheltaa ab."

agle chand lamhoon tak woh palken jhapakaye bina uski aankhon mein
dekhatii rahi. phir usne aqab mein ishara kya.

"To mein phir tumhari woh car le lu, wo wahan rakhi hai. red colour wali."

faris ne murr kar surkh rang ki us nanhi model car ko dekha jis mein uski
jaan atki thi aur yeh koi khilona car nahi thi.

"Nahi, hargiz nahi."

"Ok!"

Uske kandhe jhuk gaye. nana ka dost, nana jaisa nahi tha.

"Tum yahan aaraam se betho."

baazu se pakar kar usey aik baar phir flour cushion par bithaya gaya.
"Yahan se hilna nahi hai, aur kisi cheez ko mat chhair na! mein abhi aata
hoon!"

"Ok"

Usne haami bhar li. lekin amal nahi kiya. kuch hi der baad tray hathon mein
liye wo andar aaya to woh khidki ki chokhat par charhi deewar par laga koi
sticker utaar rahi thi.

"Mein ne mana kiya tha tumhe"

tray carpet par rakhta woh aik baar phir is ke sir pay tha.

"Bas thora sa reh gaya hai, abhi utar jaye ga."

woh suni un suni karta usay baazuon se pakar kar zabardasti neeche utaar
chuka tha. kuch hi der baad woh uske samne baithi thi. Mango juice hathon
mein tha.

aik ghoont bharti thi, das baatein karti thi, phir thora sa cake kutarti thi,
uske baad phir baatein karti thi. uske samne aalti paalti maare woh sabr ki
kari azmaish se guzar raha tha.

"Baatein baad mein karna, pehlay isey khatam karo.!"

woh is museebat ko jald az jald dr. mustafa ke paas chhor kar aana chahta
tha.

"Baba kehte hain, aaraam se khana chahiye."

woh ulta usey samjhane lag gayi. apne balon mein haath pherte woh carpet
par dhay gaya. goya haar maan li ke bhallay se do teen ghanton mein
khatam karo magar khamoshi se karo magar nahi usne kisi maryam urf
mouni ke phisal kar girne se le kar kisi kaka ki cycle totnw aur kisi neelo
aapa ki murghi chori hone tak ke tamam waqeat suna diye.

usne yeh bhi bataya ke jab siyah rang ki itni barri barri gaadiya uske ghar
mein aati hain to woh sadam par khade ho kar haath bhi hilati hai. aik baar
kisi sahab ne gaadi ka sheesha neeche kar ke usey toffee bhi di thi.
aur aik woh koi alizey shirazi woh maheena bhar is ke itne saare bare ghar
mein reh kar gayi thi. aur yahan wahan har waqt ghhoomti rehti thi. Basti se
gaon khaiton aur bazaar mein bhi aur uske galey mein aik camera tha. woh
har kisi ki tasweer mein khinchti rehti thi aur usey to woh zara sa bhi achi
nahi lagi thi.

choonti jitni bhi nahi! kisi alizey shirazi ka zikr karte usne mun ke zawiye
kayi baar bigadhe. woh kaisey chalti thi, aur

kaisey bolti thi, aur kaisey dekhatii thi. aur kaisey woh aik baar dhalwan
raste se utarte phisal gayi thi. aur phir usne, aur mouni, kaka aur shaka
waghera sab ne woh manzar apni aankhon se dekha tha aur unhen kitna
maza aaya tha aur woh kitna khush hue the.

Faris apna sar pakde betha tha.

aur aik baar aik lamba sa koi larka bhi aaya tha. Wo faris se bhi lamba tha
aur jab woh aaya tha to uske agay peeche bohat si cars theen. aur phir uske
itne bade ghar mein raat ko roshniyan hi roshniyan thi.

aur dawat par uske baba bhi gaye the. aur aur.. na baatein khatam horahee
theen, nah juice aur cake.

"Yeh mein pi lon?" Tang aakar is ne poocha.

aur jannat to thi hi khule dil wali. jhat se glass aage kar diya. aik hi saans
mein glass khaali karta, cake ke tukre mun mein dalta, usey baazu se pakar
kar uthata, doosre haath mein uska bag leta, kuch hi der mein woh bahar
tha.

"Chalo, tumahare ghar chalein."

jannat jo apne aadhe juice aur poorey cake ke gham se abhi bahar nahi nikli
thi, is baat par khil uthi.

"haan haan chalo."

woh barri khushi se bhagi. halanke Faris ka kamra usey bohat achhe se
dekha tha ke aisi rang barangi munfarid cheeze bhi kya roz ko milti hain.
(chalo phir kabhi sahi! )

apne baazu phelaaye woh chiriya ki tarah chahekti sar sabz baagh ke raste,
ghaas ke andar se bhaagti ja rahi thi. aur uska tooty bag haath mein liye zara
si khafgi ke sath faris wajdan uske peeche tha.

jis tarah woh bhaag rahi thi, baazu phela kar gol gol ghhoomti hui, to usey
laga woh giregi. aur wohi huwa kisi patthar se atak kar woh is qader
mazahiya andaaz mein uchhal kar giri ke uski hansi chhut gayi.

Mudhat jo uska ooni muffler aur long coat haath mein liye uske peeche aayi
thi thitak kar ruk gayi.

'Faris hash raha tha?' woh sakit hi apni jagah khadi reh gayi. usne faris
wajdan ko is tarah hanste hue pehli baar dekha tha pehli baar!

Jannat ne usey haste dekha to sar neeche karte phoot phoot kar ro di.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!"

usey yaka yak ehsas huwa to baa-mushkil hansi zabt karta taizi se us ke
aaya baazu se pakar kar usey uthana chaha to batak kar apna bazo chhurati
woh aur zor se rone lagi.

"kya bohat zor se chout aayi hai?" Hasi zabt kar ke bohat mushkil se
poocha.

dono haath paon par rakhe woh chillayi

"Tum mujh par hanse." asal gham yeh tha.

"Tum, tum mujh pe hanse"

"Mein tum par nahi hansa woh asal mein.."

Baar baar woh manzar aankhon mein aa raha tha aur na chahte hue bhi
hansi aaye jarahi thi.
shehad rang aankhon mein dhair saare ansoo liye woh yu roi thi jaisey us
par zulm ke pahad torrey gaye ho.

"Achha, I'm sorry. mujhe hasna nahi chahiye tha." usne foran hi ghalti ka
aitraaf kar liya.

"Magar tum tum hanse mein baba ko batau gi tum hanse!"

Faris is iftaad par buri tarah se ghabra gaya.

"Mein sorry kar to raha hoon."

woh nafi mein sir hilati gayi. yani sorry se kaam nahi chalega.

kuch soch kar faris ne pockets se wallet nikala, choti choti cheezon ke liye
uski deewangi to apne kamre mein hi dekh chuka tha. Wallet ke sath latkti
do talwaro mein se aik talwar usne alag kar ke jannat ki taraf barhai. woh jo
bari dil jamee se roney ka shugal farma rahi thi, ruk gayi.

Aankhon mein dhair saari nami liye ghutney se haath hata kar zara aage
hui. saaray dard bhulae is nanhi si talwar ko baghor dekhne lagi. phir haath
barha kar utha liya.

"Yeh ab meri hai?"

"Haan!"

"Pakka meri hai ?"

"Pakka tumhari hai!"

"Tum kaka ki terhan wapas to nahi loge?"

"Nahi, mein kaka ki tarah wapas nahi luga."

"Pakka nahi loge?"

"Pakka nahi luga!"

"Aur agar liya to ?"

"Nahi luga bhae!"

usne tahammul se kaha. warna jee chaah raha tha, apne baal noch le.

aur woh uth gayi. talwar ko muthi mein dabaye. aankhon mein dhair sara
Ishtiaq liye.

"Tumhe chout to nahi aayi?" usne poocha.

"Nahi to!"

woh ankhen ragar kar saaf karte hue boli.

"Aur itna rona dhona sirf is liye tha ke woh hansa?"

uska haath thame woh usey sadak ki taraf le aaya. kinare par ahistagi se
qadam uthate woh bas zara sa hi aage chalay the ke sadak ke us paar bachon
ka aik tola guzar raha tha.

Jannat ko dekhte hi haath hilaate shor machane lage.

"Tipu, kaka, mouni mere friends!"

Apna haath chhura kar zor se chillate us ne faris ko bataya.

"Ghar chalo." woh usey baazu se pakde khenchte hue sath le jane laga. aur
woh wahein se chalati apne doston ko jane kya kuch batati rahi.

woh ghar puhanche to dr mustafa lawn mein pareshan khade the. Saleem
usey yahan wahan talaash karne ke baad thaka haara abhi lota tha, unhen
dekhte hi chilla utha.

"Dr. Sahab! yeh rahi jannat"

"Yeh kahan thi?" woh heran hue they.

"kahan ho sakti thi?" Faris ne bhanwain sookde.

un ka mun herat se khula, woh tan tanha Shirazi mansion pahonch gayi thi?
goke baagh ka rasta mehfooz tha aur shirazi mansion bhi kuch ziyada doori
par nahi tha magar phir bhi jannat ka yeh karnama unhen heran aur fikar
mand kar gaya tha.

"Mein ne aap se poocha to tha."

Dr.mustafa us par khafa hue to woh batane lagi.

"Mein ne kaha tha, haan jayege, ye nahi kaha tha aap akeli chali jaye?"

"Mein bilkul khamoshi se gayi thi aaram aaram road to bilkul nahi gayi
baag se gyi thi baba! woh jo bohat lambe uncle haina jin ki itni barri barri
munche hain. woh jo darwaze par khade hotey hain har waqt"

woh chaah rahi thi dr mustafa takid mein sar hilaye taakay woh baat aage

bhadaye magar woh peshani masle ja rahe they.

"haan! haan."

"Woh bohat acche hain. mein ne un se kaha. mein dr. mustafa ki beti hoon.
unhon ne mujhe andar jane diya. mein ne teen baar darwaaza knock kiya
tha. teen baar!"

barri samajhdaari se haath hila hila kar wazahaten deti woh intahaa ki
masoom aur cute lagi.

"Tumhe tang to nahi kya is ne?"

dr mustafa ne phir usse poocha. woh kehna chahta tha, haan bohat magar
chunke dr mustafa ki nawasi thi so az raah murawwat nifi mein sar hila
diya.

"shuqar hai."

woh usey baazu se pakde andar le aaye.

"Shaam ka khana hamare sath! ab yahan sukoon se betho."

unhon ne faisla suna diya magar majaal hai jo unki nawasi ne lik ghari bhi
usey sukoon se bethne diya ho. woh dahp dahp sidiya chadhti oopar jati thi,
aur jitne khilone baazuon mein sama sakte thay unhen laa kar uske samne
dhair kar deti thi. woh usey batana chahti thi maheman nawazi aisi hoti hai.
cheeze aise dikhayi jati hain. woh dr mustafa ko be basi se daikhta to woh
hash dete.

"Aap to bohat enjoy kar rahe hain."

"Haan bohat!"

woh uske tasurat se kaafi mehfooz hue thay. kabhi ulajhta, kabhi uktahat ka
muzahira karta. aur kabhi jannat ki kisi baat par hmm haan mein sar hilata
woh unhen acha lag raha tha. woh zair lab

muskuratay usey dekhe ja rahe the.

rang bharne wali kitabe, kahaniyan, stickers aur jane kya kya woh usey
utha utha kar dikha rahi thi. Saleem guzarte hue thandhi aahein bharta ke
phir sara bakhera usey hi to sametna tha.

Sabra bua ko khane ki Hadayat dete dr mustafa zaroori call attend karne
oopar chalay gaye. wapas aaye to Saleem samait faris wajdan bhi blocks jor
jor kar jannat ke liye doll house ki tayari mein nazar aaye.

manual match khol kar andaza lagate aik deewar ko doosri deewar se jorhte
aur jannat ko hatta ila makaan imarat ki bunyaad se daur rakhne ki koshish
karte woh kisi mahaaz ka hissa lagey.

"Mujhe bhi help karni hai." Wo shhor macha rahi thi.

"Tum tor dogi."

dono ne usey ghour kar pare hataya tha.

"Yeh mera house hai." kamar par haath lagaye jatane lagi. koi response nah
mila to ghoom kar doosri taraf aayi.

"Yeh sab mere blocks hain! yeh mere baba ka ghar hai."
Uski suni un suni karte woh dono barri yaksoi se jute rahe

"Mein bol rahi hoon?" dobara shor machaya.

"Mein baba ko tumhari shikayat lagaun gi." usne faris ko dhamkaya.

"Yeh shuru se aisi hai?"

ukta kar usne Saleem se poocha. uska khayaal tha woh dr mustafa ke laad
pyar se hi bigad gayi hogi.

"Nah karo jee. iski to aawaz bhi nahi nikalti thi ab to..."

Saleem ne foran kaanon ko haath lagaya. phir hansa.

"Ronaqe lagi rehti hai jee. dr sahab to bara bore karte hain."

khoob soorat doll house ki taamer shaam ke 6 bajey tak mukammal hui to
usay utha kar oopar uske kamre mein rakhne gaye aur aik baar phir jannat
ne usey apni aik aik cheez dikhayi. aur is baar Faris wajdan ke andaaz mein
jhalahat nahi thi. woh khamoshi se sun raha tha, aur uski di gayi ashya ko
khol kar dekh bhi raha tha. andaaz mein ab ke tajassus nahi tha magar
uktahat bhi nahi rahi thi.

shaam ka khana khanay ke baad woh aatish daan ke samne lounge mein
baith gaye the. Double sofe par lehaaf mein dapki, wo apne nana ke seene
se lipti Jannat kamaal to wahein sogaie thi magar woh raat gaye tak baatein
karte

jagte rahe the.

---- •♡• ----

•CHP-32•
•••

woh subah ke saat bajey ghar se nikalta tha aur baagh ke raste tehelta huwa
bohat dur nikal jata tha. yeh uski roz marrah ki routine thi. ibtidayi kuch
dinon tak to jannat usey khidki se hi jata dekhatii rahi thi.

chouthe din woh apne nana ki ijazat se main gate par mojood thi. aur phir
jaisey yeh roz ka mamool ban gaya tha. yeh ka woh subah sawere jaisey hi
usey baagh ke rastay nazar aata tha, woh apna hi tooty bag pehne bahar
chali aati thi.

kabhi woh akeli hoti, kabhi raste mein uske namoone dost bhi sath hote.
Tipu , mouni, kaka shaka aik to naam anokhe upar se harkatein bhi ajeeb.

Shaakho se latakte. aur maryam urf mouni to sara waqt barri ammao ki
tarah apne sar par dupatta hi jamati rehti. jannat un ki leader thi. chikhte hue
jis rukh ishara karti, woh sab hi usi taraf daud parte. choti choti baatein aur
fuzool se latifey un ke liye itne mazhaka khaiz hote ke woh hans hans ke
ghaas par lout poat ho jate. aur woh herat se unhen dekhte hue sochta reh
jata.

'hansne wali baat kya thi ?"

kabhi kisi shararat par basti ke log dantne ko lapakte to woh saare usey
dhaal banatey peeche chhup jate. aur log usey Azam Shirazi ka koi ghair
mulki maheman samajh kar lehaaz kar jate. un ke jane ke baad jo jharkiyan
wo pilata, aglay paanch minute tak to kisi ki aawaz bhi na niklti. uske baad
wohi bhaag daud, shore saraba. aur woh unhen kabhi uljan aur kabhi
uktahat se dekh kar reh jata. itne shore aur halle gulley ka woh aadi nahi
tha.

Magar masla sirf aadat ka nahi tha. unhen hanstaa muskorata dekh kar usey
ajeeb wehshat hoti thi. woh un ki sangat mein saat sala faris ho jaya karta
tha. un ki nanhi nanhi khushion aur qehqahon se ulajhney lagta tha. saari
mehromiyan, talkhiyan aik sath yaad aati to uske ehsasat ajeeb ho jate. aur
mawazna shuru ho jata.

kitney khush qismat they yeh bachay har gham, pareshani aur khauf se
mobara rishton mein ghiry mohabbaton se jurey unhen haq tha is tarag
kehke laga kar hasne ka is tarah muskurane aur dhair saari shararte karne
ka. nah kisi ke baap ne usay chorra tha, nah kisi ki maa ne usey thukraya
tha.

woh duniya ke khush qismat tareen bachhe the jo apna bachpan waisa hi jee
rahe the jaisa unhen jeena chahiye tha. un ke kaandhon par koi boojh nahi
tha. aur zehnon mein koi sawal nahi they. woh shafaaf they. un par un ke
walidain koi dhun nahi jamne de rahe thay. aur aik woh tha. Jise uske apne
walidain ne mohabbat se likh kar nafrat se mita diya tha.

Us din woh wapas aaya to kaafi se ziyada udaas tha. sara din woh dr.
mustafa ke ghar raha, Saleem aur jannat usse baat cheet karne ki koshish
karte rahe magar woh chup raha. dr. mustafa aaye to uska ravayye mehsoos
kar gaye. khane ke baad kuch der tak sawal jawab karte rahe magar woh sar
jukaye khamosh betha raha.

ab woh unhen yeh betaye ke woh un ki saat sala nawasi aur uske dosto se
jealous ho raha hai? is liye ke woh itna hanste aur muskurate hain?

woh chhotey bachon ka zikar kar ke un ke samne chhota nahi hona chahta
tha. woh be sukooni ka saamna kar ke is baar khaali nahi hona chahta tha.
saare gham, uljhanein aur mehromiya samete woh ghar chala gaya. us din
pehli baar

aisa huwa tha ke usne dr mustafa se apni baat share nahi ki thi. agle din woh
baagh mein gaya to bachon ne usey aik baar phir ghair liya. tang aakar usne
kisi tanha weraan gooshe mein ojhal ho jane ki koshish ki, khayaal tha jab
woh unhen nahi miley ga to woh apne khail mein Taman ho kar uska
peecha chhor den ge magar woh bacche bhi goya bottle ka jinn the.

dayen baen aage peeche se chikhte hue yu namodaar hue jaisey woh un ke
sath chappan chhupayi khail raha tha. yani ke had hai. tap kar jhirak kar, aur
unhen acha khasa daant kar woh ghar chala gaya. aglay do din usne baagh
ka rukh nahi kya. teesre din poori fouj uske darwaze par thi.

"Kaka ne machhliya pakri hain. choti choti si hain. tum dekho ge?"

aur kaka ki to shaan hi allag thi. steal ke aik bartan ko foran hi aage kar
diya. us ne sarsari si nigah dorhayi.

"Yeh tadpole hain." baa-mushkil zabt kar ke kaha.

"Haan hamein pata hai. yeh machhliyan hain." yeh jannat thi.

"yeh machhliyan nahi hain." usne tahammul se kaha.

"Yeh bade ho kar maindak banege."

"Nahi! yeh bade ho kar badi machhli bane ge."

jannat datt gayi. usne haar maan li. un ki machhliyan, un ki marzi bade ho
kar Doctor, Engineer, Maindak, Giraffe, Hathi, shark kuch bhi banaye. Uski
balaa se.

"Tue ko billi ka bacha mila hai, black colour ka hai, itna cute hai woh Tipu
ghar se laaye ga to hum sab uske sath khelain ge."

aik aur ittila baham pohanchai gayi. aur bade hi raaz darana andaaz mein
pohanchai gayi. chunke jannat ki billi Saleem ko dedi gayi thi so woh bohat
mohtaat ho kar baat kar rahi thi taa ke us ke nana ko bilkul pata nahi chale
ke aik aur billi ka intizam ho chuka hai. woh bezaar sa unhen khamoshi se
dekh raha tha.

wasee o Areez sabza zaar par Azam shirazi bahar baithe the. lawn chair ka
rukh usi taraf tha. bazahir woh coffee peete hue Agha Ali ki baat sun rahe
the magar woh dekh use hi rahe the.

Faris ki un par nazar pari to aankhon mein yaka yak sakhti utar aayi. rukh
badal kar apne kamre mein gaya. coat aur sneakers pehan kar bahar aaya to
aik wawela macha huwa tha. kaka se bhagte hue bartan gir gaya tha. un ki
tadpole jinhone bade ho kar machhliyan banna tha, woh ghaas mein kahin
gum ho gaye the. aur woh sab ke sab unhen dhoond rahe the.

"pani ke baghair to woh mar gayi hogi."

yeh khayaal jannat aur uski genius fouj ko poore das minute ki talaash bisar
ke baad aaya tha.

"Koi baat nahi! mein abba ke sath dobara jauga to bohat saari dhoond lau
ga." kaka ne tasalii di.

Faris unhen sath liye baagh ki taraf chala gaya. bacche uske sath bohat
khush the aur yeh khushi dono fariqin ke liye bas waqti hi thi ke jab Tipu
apni billi ke sath baagh mein namodaar huwa to usey tab samajh mein aaya
ke poori fouj usey laine kyun aayi thi.

"Wahin rukko mein keh raha hoon, wahi rukko."

woh qadre faasle par khada haath ke ishare se keh raha tha aur jannat billi
uthaye uske paas aa rahi thi.

"Bohat pyari hai, bilkul bhi nahi kat ti. tum haath lagao."

uska khayaal tha faris ko billiya achi nahi lagti theen tab hi nana ne uski
billi ko dar badar kar diya tha magar yahan to maamla hi ulat tha. uske nana
ke dost ke chehre par na pasandeedgi kam aur khauf ziyada tha. halaanke
woh to aman ki ilm bardaar ban kar aayi thi taake faris aur billiyon ke
darmiyan koi muahmat karwa sake magar.

"Daro nahi yeh bohat achi hoti hain, kuch nahi karti."

kehtain woh pyar aur minnat bhare lehjey mein samajha rahi thi. aur woh
aik haath se usey dur rehne ka ishara karta ulte qadam peeche hatt raha tha.

"Jannat! wahin rukko aage mat aao mein keh raha hoon, aage mat aao."

aur woh suni un suni karti aage aa rahi thi.

"Itni choti billi se bhi koi darta hai?"

khafgi bhare pyar se poocha.

"Meri tabiyat kharab ho jayegi. Isey peeche karo. usne jharka."

"Nahi tabiyat kharab nahi hoti. dekho mujhe kuch huwa?"

usne billi ko seene se laga kar bheencha.

"Bilkul nahi bilkul tang nahi karti. bohat pyar karti hai."

"Haan, yeh bilkul nahi kaat-ti, bilkul tang nahi karti, aur bohat pyari, bohat
achi hai lekin mujh se isey dur rakho."

aakhri jumla is qader ghusse aur sakhti se usne kaha ke woh dar kar wahin
ruk gayi. aglay kayi lamhe lab bhinch kar usey dekhati rahi. phir shadeed
ghusse ke aalam mein "Kutti" keh kar apne sipahiyo samait murr gayi.

"Kutti?" woh apni jagah hakka bakka khara tha. "bhala un ki dosti kab hui
thi?" woh bhanwain sukude us namooni ko jata daikhta raha. jo sar jukaye
bohat ghusse se apne ghar ja rahi thi.

•••

"Aaj jannat nahi aayi."

Khane ke lawazmaat maiz par sajate Mudhat ne poocha to glass mein pani
undelte usne ruk kar dekha. subah wala waqea yaad aaya to muskurahat
dahine gaal ki janib uth gayi.

"Woh ab nahi aaye gi. Kutti kar ke gayi hai."

sath hi usne poora qissa sunaya to Mudhat hasdi.

"Bohat pyari bachi hai, itni pyari baatein karti hai, halanke shuru mein jab
dr mustafa jab usey laaye the to bohat darii sehmi si rehti thi. baat to dur ki
baat hai kisi ke paas aati tak nahi thi."

Pulao ka chmcha mun tak le jate uske dahine haath ki harkat thi. sar utha
kar Mudhat ko dekha.
"Kyun?"

Mudhat glass mein pani undail rahi thi, choank kar usey dekhne lagi.

"Tumhe Dr. mustafa ne kuch nahi bataya?"

"Kya nahi bataya?"

Faris ne chamcha rakh diya. usse pehlay ke woh kuch batati, darwaze par
dastak hone lagi.

"Aap ko agha Ali bulaa rahe hain."

Darwaaza par mulazim larka tha.

"Tum khana khao, mein abba ki baat sun kar aati hoon."

magar woh nahi aayi thi. ghaliban uske zimme koi kaam laga diya gaya tha.
woh khana khane ke baad kuch der tak lawn mein tehelta raha phir kuch
soch kar dr. mustafa ke ghar chala gaya.

darwaaza Saleem ne khola tha. usey andar daakhil hota dekh kar jannat
wahin se chalaye.

"Baba.. faris aaya hai."

woh jo is khayaal mein tha ke mohtarma apni kutti nibhaaye gi to us par

tapaak istaqbaal par garbara kar reh gaya. woh haath se pakar kar usey
andar layi. jhat se apne khilone aur bhalu waghera hata kar sofey par uski
jagah banai.

"Yahan betho."

maiz par hamesha ki tarah usne phoolon ki pankhudiyan alag kar ke gole
daira bana rakha tha. masli hui pankhudiya ke gird pattoun ki lehar aur
salamat phoolon ka ghaira tha.

"kahan gum ho larke? subah se nazar hi nahi aaye."

Dr. Mustafa ne poocha to usne jannat ki

poori karstani unhen sunadi aur woh kuch shak aur herat se apni nawasi ko
dekh kar reh gaye. nawasi jo apna gussa

narazgi bhulae apni koi drawing Faris ko dikha rahi thi, yakayak khafa ho
gayi.

"Kutti"

yeh aik din mein doosri baar dosti khatam ho rahi thi bhanwain sookde woh
khafa khafa sa aatish daan ke qareeb kone mein jaa betha. chehre ka rukh
deewar ki taraf tha taa ke Saleem , Sabra Bua, tote, parinde, chidiyo aur

chyontiyon ko bhi pata chal jaye woh kitni naraaz hai.

"Tumhe nahi lagta, ab tumhe meri nawasi ko manana chahiye?" Dr. mustafa
ne poocha.

"Nahi! woh aisay hi achi lag rahi hai." uski aankhon mein shararat chumki.

Dr. mustafa ne ghour kar dekha .

"Aap ki nawasi subah meri jaan laine wali thi mat bhuliye!"

Usne kaha. Nigahein musalsal jannat

par thi. Saleem uske paas ja betha tha. ab minnat samajat karta, usey
kahaaniyon ke behlawe de raha tha.

"Allah ke liye beta! shehzadiyo ki kahani mat sunane baith jana. aisa na ho,
raat ko sone se pehle dobara zidd karke giray ke neechay aik matar rakha
jaye taa ke yeh confirm ho sakay ke woh asli shehzadi hai ya nahi."

"Yeh bhi ho chuka hai?" faris hansa.

Jannat ka chehra mazeed deewar ki taraf ghoom gaya. woh pehle faris ko
gussa dikha rahi thi. ab apne nana se bhi naraaz ho chuki thi.
"Haan, pichhle hafte huwa."

"To phir kya pata chala?

"Hamari jannat itne sukoon se soyi ke bas.."

jawab Saleem ne diya. jannat ko gussa agaya.

"Yeh is liye ke Saleem ne saat gadde nahi rakhay the."

Narazi ke bawajood gardan mour kar wajahato dena zaroori samjhi. sara
qasoor Saleem ka tha. agar woh saat gaday rakhta to jannat confirm
shehzadi thahartii.

"To mein kahan se lata saat gadde?"

Saleem ne ehtijaj kya.

"Aur gadde chode, hamein to woh matar bhi nahi mila, jo neechay rakha
tha. ho sakta hai dato ki pariya matar ko daant samajh kar le gayi ho."

Dr mustafa ne kaha. jannat chonki phir aadat se majboor sab bhool bhaal
kar un ke paas aayi.

"Aisa bhi hota hai baba?"

woh aankhon mein herat smoye poochne lagi.

"Haan! pariyan aati hain? yaad hai faris jab tumahra daat toota tha aur hum
ne usey takiye ke neeche rakha tha aur..."

"Aap mujhe kyun beech mein laa rahe hain?" woh be sakhta chirr gaya.

"Achha.." woh hase.

"Yani hum baqi sab ki baatein karen tumhari nahi?"

woh chehray ka rukh badal gaya.

"Baba! batae na phir kya huwa tha?"

"Phir pari aayi thi. faris ka daant le gayi, paise rakh kar chali gayi. haina
faris?"

woh faris ke tasurat se Mahzooz ho rahe the. plate se French fries khate hue
woh yun zahir kar raha tha jaisey kuch sun hi nahi raha.

jannat ki ankhen Ishtiaq se pheli. lekin usey phir afsos bhi huwa ke jab uska
pehla daant toota to pata nahi kab kese kaha gira tha ke dobarah mila hi
nahi. warna mouni ne to kaha tha takiye ke neechay rakhna pari aaye gi.

Raat kaafi der tak mehfil jami rahi. baatein hoti rahi. woh sone ke liye guest
room mein gaya to kuch hi der baad jannat aagai. woh bed par koi kitaab
khole betha tha. sar utha kar usey dekhne laga.

"Baba ne kaha hai tumhe billiyan buri nahi lgti aur aur tumhe dar bhi nahi
lagta."

"Haan!" usne takid mein sar hilaya.

"Baba kehte hain agar tum billi ke sath khelo ge to tumhari tabiyat bohat
ziyada kharab ho jaye gi! Bohat ziyada.

"woh theek kehte hain!"

"To tum ab kabhi bili ke sath mat khelna. pyar bhi nahi karna." usne
tanbeeh ki. muskurahat zabt kar ke usne sar hilaya.

"Theek hai."

"Warna tum bemaar ho jaoge. phir school bhi nahi ja sakoge. phir teacher
tumhe maregi."

Ghaliban dr mustafa ne bohat tafseel se usey samjhaya tha.

"Haan, mein jaanta hoon."

"Good Night!"
woh samjha bujha kar chali gayi. woh mutabassum chehre ke sath apni
jagah betha reh gaya.

---- •♡• ----

•CHP-33•
•••

Raat ka jane kon sa pehar tha jab rone ki aawaz sun kar uski aankh khul
gayi thi. aawaz jannat ki thi. woh taizi se uth kar bahar aaya tha. samne hi
Dr. Mustafa usey baho mein bhare sidiyo par baithe the.

"woh zor se gira upar se uska sar phataa itna khoon beh raha tha baba"

hichkiyon ke beech baa-mushkil lafz ada karti, shiddat se roti jannat uske
ain samne thi. dam sadhe woh apni jagah khada raha.

"Guriya! woh sirf aik haadsa tha. ghalti se huwa. Isme aap ka koi qasoor
nahi."

Dr. Mustafa uski pusht sehlate hue usey samjha rahe the.

"Ammi maaregi. baba!"

khauf aur wehshat ang ang se ayaan thi. woh ba qaida kapkapa rahi thi.

"Baba! husnain mar gaya."

unhon ne bhinch kar usey khud se laga liya.

"Shhh! kuch nahi huwa. aap ne kuch nahi kya. yeh sirf khawab tha beta."

baat karte karte un ki nazar nim tareqi mein faris par pari.

"Nahi baba! ammi aayi thi. ammi maar rahi thi." woh Bilak Bilak kar roye
ja rahi thi.

"Hum subah mouni ke ghar jayen ge. neelam se milne, park bhi jayen ge.
khilone bhi khareedege"
parh parh kar us par phoonk rahe the.

"Abhi aap so jayen."

Uski pusht thapthapate woh usey behla rahay the. aur jane kya kuch shiddat
se rote, bolte sakte woh yaka yak par sukoon hone lagi thi. faris darwaze
mein hi khada unhen khamoshi se daikhta raha.

jab woh pursukoon ho kar so chuki to usey kamre mein sulaa kar woh
neeche aagaye the. woh raahdaari mein khada tha.unhen kitcehn mein jata
dekh kar unke peeche chala aaya.

"Sab kheriyat hai?"

uski samajh mein nahi aaya baat kaise shuru kare.

"Haan!"

pani peene ke baad unhon ne khaali glass maiz par rakhte hue gehra saans
liya.

"Jannat theek hai?" usey jane kyun fikar ho rahee thi.

"Haan, woh theek hai, bas neend mein dar gayi thi."

agley kayi lamhoon tak taiz hawaon ka shor hi un ke mabain khamoshi

mein mukhil hota raha. phir unhon ne lafzon mein usey sab bata diya. woh
jannat ko kab aur yahan kyun laaye the. woh un ke sath kyun reh rahi thi.
woh itna ro kyun rahi thi. faris unhen suntey hue apni jagah sakit sa khada
tha. jannat ko dekh kar bilkul nahi lagta tha, woh kitney bade trauma se
guzri thi. go ke woh bata rahey the ke child psychiatrist ke paas uska chhe
mah tak ilaaj chalta raha tha aur ab woh pehley se bohat behtar thi magar
phir bhi woh heran huwa tha.

"Jo bhi huwa, nadani mein huwa. magar meri beti jannat ko qasoor waar
samjhti hai. bohat nafrat karti hai usse."

woh bol rahe the to lehjey mein dard pahuncha tha.

"Agar meri apni aulaad aisa na kar rahi hoti to shayad! mein kabhi maanta
hi nahi ke maae bhi aisa kar sakti hain."

apni baat khatam kar ke woh karb se muskuraye aur uth khade hue.

"so jao kaafi raat ho chuki hai."

uska kandha thapthapa kar woh chale gaye magar faris wajdan kitni hi der
tak apni jagah khada raha tha. uski aankhon mein jannat ka hanstaa
muskurata chehra tha aur kaanon mein siskariyon ki aawaz goonj rahi thi.

Jin khush qismat tareen bachon ke sath woh apne naseeb ka mawazna kar
ke khud ko bad qismat tareen grdanta tha, un mein aik hanstaa muskorata
wujood to bilkul uske jaisa tha thukraya huwa nafratoon se ghira na
mukammal raha aur adhoora sa. magar phir bhi khush mutmaen aur bohat
par sukoon.

agley din woh phir se hashash bashaash chehre ke sath ghar ke main gate ke
samne khadi thi. itni khush aur aankhon mein itna sara intzaar samoye.

jane kyun woh nazrain chura gaya. woh bhaag kar uske paas aayi.

ba aawaz buland itna lamba Good morning keh kar bag ki straps par girift
jamaye uske agay agay chalne gayi. aur mamool ki tarah raste mein kahin
se Mouni, kahin se Kaka, kahin se Tipu aur Shaka shaamil hote gaye. unhen
bari herat hui ke aaj faris ne unhen sakht, talkh kuch kaha nahi tha aur nahi
ouncha bolne se mana kar raha tha, woh shor karne par unhen rok bhi nahi
raha tha. yeh aik anhoni thi, woh us anhoni par bare khush hue magar yeh
khushi unhen ziyada der tak raas nah aayi.

khailte bhagte jannat is qader zor se giri ke kisi pathar se ragar kha kar apna
ghatna chilwa baithi. takleef ki shiddat se cheekh cheekh kar aasman sar par
utha liya.

"Mein to mar jaoon gi."

woh rote hue kahe ja rahi thi.

"Itni si chout lagne se koi nahi marta"

usne narmi se kaha.

"Mein to.. mein to mar jati hoon."

Faris apni jagah tham gaya thehr gaya. zara si nazrain utha kar usne jannat
ko dekha. uski shiskiyan hichkiyon mein badal chuki thi. aansuo se chehra
tar aur laal ho raha tha. dard sirf aik ghata chhilne ka nahi tha. dard sirf kisi
aik zakham ka bhi nahi tha .

usne jaib se tissue nikaal kar uske ansoo saaf kiye, baazu se pakar kar uske
kapre jhare. phir uski taraf pusht kiye panjoo ke bil jhuk gaya. aao ghar
chalein. gardan mein bazu Hamael karti woh pusht par sawaar ho gayi.
kuch der tak woh uski shiskiyan sunta raha, phir woh chup hogayi. mouni,
kaka, shakka, Tipu barri hi sogwari ke aalam mein un ke peeche aa rahe the.

ghar pahonch kar zakham saaf kar ke saniplast lagane ke baad woh phir se.
aur waisey hi chahekti phir rahi thi. jaise usey kabhi chout aayi hi nahi thi.
aur woh gum sum betha usey daikhta reh gaya tha.

•••

Shirazi mension ke sarsabz ihate mein uske foot baal se khelti jannat
kamaal, aur uska bhar poor sath deta woh manzar mukammal tha ke woh
khush tha. woh tasweer hamesha hamesha ke liye uske album mein sajh
gayi thi. muskurahat to woh hoti hai jo aankhon mein jhalakti hai, jo
zindagi se bhar poor lagti hai to faris wajdan ki muskurahat Jamila dawood
ke baad jaise ab zinda hogayi thi.

woh kam go tha magar woh jannat se baatein karne laga tha. uske ltifon par
behne laga tha. woh uske kamre mein bhaag bhaag kar cheeze dekhti thi to
woh usey rokta nahi tha. qeemti ashya ko chhairne ki koshish karti thi to
usey dat-ta nahi tha aur Mudhat khush gawaar herat ke sath uska bdlao
dekhatii rehti. kabhi muskura deti, kabhi faris ke tasurat se mehzooz hone
lagti.

Jannat aik tang kothari mein thandhi hawa ke jhonke jaisi thi. uski
mojoodgi mein Shirazi mension ke us allag thalk hisse mein jaise zindagi ki
lehar daud jati.
woh jab bhi milne aati, apna bag nayi nayi cheezon se bhar kar lati hi. aik
aik cheez nikaal kar faris ko dikhati jati. yeh balon par aise lagaye jate hain
aur inhen aisey baandha jata hai. aur aisey lapeta aur jata hai. aur jata hai.
uske paas to khilona make up kits bhi theen. faris ko un cheezon mein koi
dilchaspi nahi thi magar general knowledge samajh kar woh be dili se hmm
haan mein sar hilataa sunta jata.

Aik baar woh apni kisi neelo aapa se neel polish le kar aayi aur faris se apne
dono hathon aur pair ke nakhun par lag wali. baad mein dr mustafa se bhi
sad jhuka kar daant sun li. phir agle din woh nail polish uske paas amanat
rakhwa kar gayi ke jab kabhi lagwani hogi to woh us ke paas aakar lagwa
jayegi aur Mudhat kitni der tak hasti rahi thi.

"Rang achha hai. soch rahi hoon mein bhi tum se lagwa lu."

ankhon mein shararat samo kar usne kaha.

"Aap mujhe disturb kar rahi hain!"

Faris ne kitaab aage kar ke apna chehra mukammal chhupa liya. woh zair
lab muskurate hue almaari mein uske istri shuda kapre rakhti rahi.

mulaqaat ki muddat aik mah pachees din thi aur shayad yeh uski zindagi ki
sab se khoob soorat tareen muddat thi. yeh uska khayaal tha ke uski zindagi
mein kuch shararat bhare rang, aur muskurahat bhari khusihyan jannat ki
wajah se aayi thi. yeh uski aur uske doston ki sohbat ka assar tha ke ab usey
inki baatein. sharartein, latefe aur kahaniyan samajh mein aane lagi thi. kisi
mazahiya baat par ab usey hansi aa jati thi.

kisi anokhe qisse ko woh enjoy kar liya karta tha. ab jab woh chaand par ki
charkha kat-ti budiya ka zikar karte the to woh for maan laita tha. kaka ki
tadpole machhliyan hain. Tipu ka ghora jab bara hoga to uske par niklege.
phoolon par pariyan mandlati hain. darakhton ki jaroon mein un ke
chhootey chhootey ghar hain aur shehar mein jal pariyan rehti hain.

woh bohat si pareshaniyon aur uljhano ke sath shirazi mension aaya tha
magar ab usey apni mehroomion ko sochne ki fursat nahi millti thi. un
bachon ki sangat mein woh jaise sab kuch bhool bhaal jata tha. shayad
khushi aisi hi hoti hai jo Sabqa har gham, har ajiyat bhula deti hai. jo aane
wale har din se mutaliq khush gumani mein jutla kar deti hai. yeh ehsas
khoob soorat tha. woh us ehsas ke sath jeeney laga tha.

---- •♡• ----

•CHP-34•
•••

chhuttiya khatam hone mein do din baqi the. woh apni packing kar raha tha
jab jannat, mouni ke sath milne chali aayi thi. kuch der tak bahar khailte
rehne ke baad mouni chali gayi to jannat uske paas aagai.

"Tum itwaar ko chale jao ge?"

"Haa"

"Kaha jao ge ?"

"Apne Hostel"

kuch der tak woh tasawwur hi tasawwur mein hostel ke maiene dhoondti
rahi phir boli.

"phir tum dobara kab aao ge?"

apni tooty bag mein rakhte woh lamhe bhar ke liye ruka, phir usne murr kar
jannat ko dekha. Shirazi mention, Azam Shirazi. servant quarters mein uska
kamra adhoora naam liye kisi mulazim ke yateem bete ki pehchan yeh
tamam andhere aik taraf aur jannat ka muntazir roshan chehra doosri taraf.

"Garmiyon ki chhutiyo mein aauga."

usne kaha, aur bohat dil se kaha. faisla kar ke, irada bandh kar kaha.

"Wada?"

jannat ki tasalii nahi hui.

"Wada..!"
"Pakka wala wada?"

aankhon se takeed chahti woh usey koi jeeti jaagti guriya lagi.

"Haan pakka wala wada..!"

woh hasa woh khil uthi. uske chehre par aik sath kayi rang aur kayi khawab
baj gaye.

"Phir hum park jayege, aur pahadiyo par bhi chadege aur wahan daur tak
jayen ge."

usne fiza mein hi haath buland kar ke kisi tasaworati sarzamen ki taraf
ishara kar diya.

"Aur bohat sara ghume phiren ge. mouni kaka, mein aur Tipu aur tum aur..
aur Saleem."

Saleem ka zikar karte hue koi baat yaad aayi to chehray ke tasurat badal
gaye.

"Ham Saleem ko nahi le kar jayen ge, wo baba se meri shikayte lagaata
hai."

"Theek hai."

usne haami bhar li. woh khush hui. usne woh kisi khayaal ke tehat woh
writing table ki daraze khich kar kuch dhoond ne laga. matlooba cheez nah
milne par us ne wardrobe ka rukh kya. ab woh nichle khane mein kuch dekh
raha tha. Jannat panjoo ke bal uske barabar baith gayi. jaise woh kuch
dhoond raha hai to woh bhi dekhe woh kya dhoond raha hai. andar lakdi ka
bara box rakha tha jisey poora nikaal kar usne farsh par rakh diya aur woh
cheeze alag karne laga.

jo woh usey tohfatan de sakta tha, halanke usey apne khilone aur bachpan
ki ashya bahut Aziz theen. kahaaniyon ki kitaaben, dhair saare rang aur
markers chand gaadiya bhi thi jo chhotey size ki thi.
aur aik khubsoorat sa khargosh bhi tha. lakdi ka box siyah rang ka jis par
harf "F" hard ki calligraphy ki gayi thi. slide kar ke khulta tha. andar teen
dairies pack shuda haalat mein jo ki to rakhi theen. usne siya diaries pichhle
saal kaafi mehngi qeemat par kharidi theen magar bawajood koshish ke bhi
woh un par kuch likh na saka tha.

usne woh box jannat ko de diya. bhale se woh in safhon ko phaar kar zaya
kere ya sabaq likh kar kharaab kere ya drawing banati rahe usey parwah
nahi thi. bas woh chahta tha uski cheezo ko istemaal kere ke uske paas to
har tohfa aur har cheez jo ki to pari rehti thi.

Jannat itni saari cheeze dekh kar be panah khush hui.

"Tum bohat achhe ho baba se bhi achhe"

use jab apni shadeed khushi ka izhaar karna hota to woh use nana se upar ka
darja de deti thi. woh usey tahef ke sath ghar chhor kar aaya to kitni der tak
uska dil bojhal raha.

boarding school mein admission ke baad aisa pehli baar huwa tha ke woh
wapas nahi jana chahta tha. usne khud ko hostel tak mehdood kar ke shirazi
mansion mein kabhi nahi aane ka faisla teen saal pehle Kiya tha magar ab
woh aana chahta tha. baar baar aana chahta tha. khwahish dil ki thi labon
par nahi layi ja sakti thi. na yeh ghar uska tha, na log uske apne the. na uske
ehsasat ki qader thi, na khwahisaat ki koi manzilat thi.

woh apni mann maani nahi kar sakta tha. apne rastay khud se nahi chunn
sakta tha. apni manzil khud se mutayyan nahi kar sakta tha. raat karvatein
badalte guzar gayi. din ke ujale mein bhi uspar udasi chhai rahi mukammal
tayari ke sath jab woh kamre se bahar nikla to usne siyah rang ki do gaadiyo
ko bairooni darwaze ke samne khade dekha.

Agha Ali jis gaadi mein uska samaan rakh raha tha, woh gaari shirazi
khandan ke makeeno ke zair istemaal rehti thi. uski raftaar khud bakhud
madham hogayi. gaadi ke qareeb pochne tak uske tasurat mukammal badal
chuke the. woh sapat chehre ke sath ab doosri gaadi ko dekh raha tha.
sheeshe siyah the magar woh jaanta tha gaadi ki aqbi nashist par koi
mojood tha. security sakht thi. andaza lagaya ja sakta tha ke koi ahem
shakhsiyat hi thi.

Haroon shirazi, Azam shirazi ya phir..

"Betho.."

agha Ali ne aqbi nashist ka darwaaza uske liye khoola to woh bag dahine
kandhe se latakaye apni jagah khada raha.

"Aap ki jeep kahan hai?"

"Kharab hai. Mechanic ko theek karne ke liye di hai, kuch din lag jayege"

Faris apni jagah se aik inch nahi hila. Nigah mein Agha Ali ke chehre par
jami rahen. barabar wali siyah gaadi ke sheesho se kisi ne uski taraf aik be
zaari nazar daali. phir head phones gardan par thehra kar note pad par kuch
likhte hue, usne can se ghoont bhara.

"Mulazimo ke bachche in gadiyo mein safar kar sakte hain?"

aur gaari se bahar, ain samne faris wajdan Agha Ali se pooch raha tha.

"Jee! sahab ne ijazat di hai."

aur sahab ne jane kaise ijazat de di thi. usne mazeed koi sawal nahi kiya.

woh gaadi mein sawaar huwa to agha Ali ne muskura kar darwaaza band
kar diya. driving seat par black two piece me malboos 1 shakhs betha tha.
Passenger seat bhi uske jaisey aik guard ne sambhal rakhi thi. back view
mirror se aik nazar usey dekhte gaari start kar di gayi.

bairooni ihate se nikal kar gaari markazi shahrah ki taraf barhi to usne
bulandi se daur tak phaile sabze ko dekha. dr. mustafa ka makaan usey
wazeh nazar aa raha tha. Jannat ka khayaal aaya to woh soch kar
muskuraya. aur qismat usey dekh kar muskarayi.

•••
rastay judda hue manzil andher ho gayi. kuch khawab aankhon mein thehr
gaye. aur kuch muntashir ho kar bikhar gaye. umeed qaim thi. intezaar
daaim raha tha magar garmiyo ki wo chhuttiya kabhi nahi aayi thi. Faris
wajdan ne jo wada jannat kamaal se Kiya tha, woh kabhi poora nahi ho saka
tha. aur woh tamam ki tamam yaden, lamhe aur ashya uske samne bhikri
pari thi.

Muntashir, toote bikhare khawabo ki tarah kisi bholi bisri yaad ki tarah
mabham dhund mein malfoof aur zakhmo se chur ho kar. talwar waisi hi
mazboot thi, halka sa rang urr chuka tha. wooden box purana lag raha tha.
hurf 'F' ki calligraphy ke gird stickers mehez nishani ke tor par reh gaye the
jinhe utaarne ki nakaam koshish ki gayi thi.

Dr. mustafa aur un ki nawasi ki yadgar taswere, wooden flour par yaha
waha bhikri thi. woh har tasweer mein un ke kandhe se aur kahin seene se
lagi khadi thi aur har tasweer mein uski jaan daar muskurahat shehad rang
aankhon se jhalakti nazar aa rahi thi.

usne teen diaries di thi aur un mein sirf aik hi is ke qadmon mein pari thi.

usne himmat kar ke kapkapate hathon se diary uthali. wo saat sala jannat ki
drawings dekhne ki tawaqqa kar raha tha magar diary ke safhe guzre waqt
ki un ihato aur mehsosat se se par par par the. jinhein bayan karne ka ka
jannat ko kabhi mauqa moorad nahi mila tha. wo gham jo usey lho lohan
karte the, wo mehromiya jo usey fanaa karti thi. wo tanhai jo uske
muqaddar ho gayi thi, aur woh khauf jo uske hoslo par sawaar rehne lagey
tha.

Aziyat bhare lamhe, fateha ehsasat us ne hurf bah hurf darj kar rakhe the.
khud ko adhoora, naaqis aur na mukammal samjhti thi. saare aitraaz,
shikwe usne un safho par dhar diye the. har dard ko amar kar diya tha. har
dukh ko saja diya tha. kahin gham rough likhai se jhalakta tha. aur kahin
mout ki khwahish karti kisi ibaarat se larakta tha.

Shohar ke ghar zindagi jahannum thi aur maa ka rawaIyya kisi deeni aziat
se kam nahi tha. aise mein usne har jagah nana ko yaad rakha tha. woh hote
to uski zindagi aisi na hoti. woh dua karte to yaqeenan mehromiya mit jati.
muhabbate reh jati. halaat aisey na hote sazaye itni na hoti na kirdaar par
baat aati, na qatal ka ilzaam lagta. na Allah ke iraado par koi sawal uthata
na koi taqqabur ki duldul mein utarte hue khud ko khuda karta. haan woh
aise hi thay. har zarb ke aage dhaal ban jatay the. khari khari suna kar laa
jawab kar dete the. Nana yaqeenan usey bacha lete. kisi waadi mein chhupa
lete. unhon ne pehle bhi yahi kya tha. woh ab bhi yahi karte.

magar woh nahi the. un ke jaisi na kisi ki chahat thi, unke jaisa na kisi ka
rawaiyya tha. rishto ke muamle mein woh khud ko bad qismat aur
mohabbat ke muamle mein khud ko bad naseeb samjhti thi. woh hurf ba
hurf usey parhta ja raha tha aur woh khud ko likh kar mitati ja rahi thi. diary
ka safar dr. mustafa ki wafaat se shuru ho kar Burhan se Talaq par khatam
ho gaya tha. aage ke tamam safhe bohat saaf aur khaali the. aise jaise
zindagi bas thi hi Burhan tak Burhan se Talaq aur maa ki wafaat tak uske
baad agay kuch nah tha.

usne be dihani mein kayi safhe palat daaley the magar kahin bhi uska zikar
nahi tha, nahi nafrato ki nishandehi thi, nahi aziyato ka hawala tha. aise
jaisey uski zindagi mein faris wajdan nahi aaya tha. uski doosri shadi nahi
hui thi. usey doosra ghar nahi mila tha. Shafe khaali thi. khaali hi rahi thi
magar guzashta paanch mah faris wajdan ki aankhon mein sama gaye the.
waqt ruk gaya tha. manzar badalte ja rahe thay.

"Jo kuch ban chuka hoon, woh sab mummy ko batauga to woh kya sochen
gi? aik aisi larki ko baho bana baithi hai jo infertile hai. jis ne apni sotan ke
bachche ki jaan laine ki koshish ki hai. jis ke khandan ke log usey achhot ki
tarah treat karte hain aur jo apni maa ki mout ka sabab bani hai."

apni zaat ke qile mein mahsor woh apne aap mein fanaa hone laga.

"mein tumhari aik mushkil aasaan kar deta hon jis din mein tumhe is ghar
se bahar ka rasta dikhauga usdin tumahare bank account mein itni raqam
hogi ke tum agle das pandrah saloon tak ghar mein baith kar bhi urra ogi to
khatam nahi hogi, so yeh sochna chhor do ke Talaq ke baad tumhara kya
banega. doulat miley gi to tum bhool jatay gi Burhan kon tha, Faris kon
hai."

kisi qader koshish se woh uth khara huwa.

"Self respect kya apne ex husband ke ghar beech khayi hai tum ne?"

baa-mushkil qadam uthate hue woh sidiya utar kar neeche aa gaya tha.

"Waise tumhari yeh adae tumhare pehley shohar ke kaam nahi aayi? mera
matlab hai, tum uske sath paanch saal rahi ho. paanch saal ka arsa koi
mazaaq nahi hai. is ke bawajood tumhe Talaq hui."

seenay par koi saqeel se aan pari thi. tanaffus bhaari hone laga tha. dastak
de kar usne mrs. Shirazi ke bed room ka darwaaza khol diya. woh bed
crown se take lagaye bilkul khamosh baithi thi. aahat par sar uthaye uski
taraf mutwajjah huien. zarkar roshni mein unhon ne uska huliya, uski
ankhen, uske tasurat dekhe aur pareshan ho gayi. woh ahistagi se qadam
uthata un ke paas aakar baith gaya tha. uski ankhen betasha surkh ho rahi
thi. chehra karb ki akkaasi kar raha tha.

"Mein ne yeh shadi aap ke liye ki thi, mein usey nibhana nahi chahta tha."

Mrs. Shirazi dukh aur sadme se usey dekh kar reh gayi.

"Mein ne usse bohat baar kaha, yeh contract marrage hai, mein usey khatam
kar duga."

uska chehra aansoo se mukammal tar ho chuka tha.

"Mein ne kaha jab tak mummy hain, tab tak tum yahan ho."

Mrs. Shirazi ki aankhon mein karb utra. ankhen dhundlaa gayi.

"Mein ne usey khauf dekhaya. mein ne usey gardan se pakra tham mene!
mein ne usey bahut nafrat dikhayi hai. Bahut ziyada nafrat dikhayi hai."

uski aawaz kanp rahi thi. chehra surkh ho raha tha.

"Woh saari raat farsh par baith kar roti rahi. mein aawaz sunta raha magar
mein nahi gaya. halaanke jab woh choti thi aur roti thi to mein foran jata
tha."
woh un ke ghusse aur na raazi ki parwa kiye baghair rondhi hui aawaz mein
sab kehta ja raha tha.

"Woh sidra ki shadi par nahi jana chahti thi. mein usey zabardasti le kar
gaya tha. woh mere sath wapas aana chahti thi, mein usey un hi logon mein
chhor kar agaya tha. usne mujhe phone kya, mein ne mobile off kar diya.
usne rerecording bhaiji, mein ne sune baghair number block kar diya. yeh
meri nafrat thi mummy! aur aap mujh mujh pooch rahi theen. usne mera
intezaar kyun nahi kiya? woh mera intezaar kyu karti? mere liye kaise
rukti? mein to kabhi nahi ruka uske liye mein ne to kabhi intezaar nahi
kiya."

Mrs. Shirazi usey aziyat aur be basi se dekh kar reh gayi. woh yun toota
huwa tha jaisey kabhi zee nahi sakega. yun bikhra huwa tha jaise kabhi
simat nahi sakega.

"lekin aap mera yaqeen karen." usne mrs shirazi ke haath thaam liye.

"Mein koshish kar raha tha mujhe khud nahi pata lekin mein badal raha tha,
mein mein usey apna raha tha."

woh aik dam se wohi saat sala faris ho gaya tha jo apni kehta jata tha, aur
rota jata tha. aik aik karke saare shikwe woh un ki hathelion par dhar deta
tha, saare gham suna deta tha, saari mehrumiya dikha deta tha. woh usey
baho mein bharti thi to woh par sukoon ho jata tha, magar aaj un ke seene
se lag kar bhi woh be sukoon huwa raha tha.

"Mein uske sath nahi rehna chahta tha. mein dobara mohabbat nahi karna
chahta tha lekin mera dil! mera dil..!"

woh apni tamam tar himmat aur chattaan hosle ke sath rezah rezah ho gaya.
usey baho mein samete samete woh khud bhi aabdeeda ho gayi.

uske aas paas ab sirf andheray thay aur maazi tha. jannat thi aur uska
rawaiyya tha. uski umeed thi, uska yaqeen tha. kitne maan se woh uska har
kaam karti thi. kitni umeed se wo uske aage peeche phirti thi. aur kitney
sabr se woh uski har karvi kaseli baat seh jati thi. usey yaqeen tha, woh
badal jaye ga. usey yaqeen tha, woh uska pathar dil mom kar legi aur jab
yaqeen assar karne laga tha to woh ghar chhore kar chali gayi thi.

Usne Talaq aur contract marriage ka zikar khatam kar diya magar uske
zehen se nah nikaal saka. apne faisle badalne laga, agar apne iraado se
aagahi na de saka. uski har inayat saza aur har meharbani intizam ho gayi
aur woh chaah kar bhi uski ghalat nahi daur nah kar saka.

mamlaat dil ke the aur dil tak reh gaye thay. lafzi izhaar to kahin bhi nahi
tha, na aamaal se umeed zahir hui thi. woh jo khud apne ehsasat se be
khabar raha tha, usey khabar kaise deta? woh jo khud mayoosi ki daldal
mein dhansa huwa tha, usey umeed kaise dilaata? woh aik inaam thi. be
shumaar khasare aur nuksanat ke baad uske hisse mein aayi thi. woh uska
naeeeb thi. uska rizq uski raahat uska sukoon jisey woh apne hathon se
gawaa betha tha. khud ihtasaabi ki do dahari talwar par qadam dharte hue
woh wapas palat raha tha magar peechwe aik na khatam hone wali khalish
aur kasak ke siwa kuch bhi baqi nahi raha tha.

𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒕𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓

𝒏𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒏𝒂!

𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒆, 𝒃𝒂𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒍, 𝒇𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒏,

𝒎𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒂𝒎, 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒉𝒓𝒆

𝒃𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆

𝑻𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒉𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒉𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒆

𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒐𝒏 𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒌𝒉, 𝒅𝒉𝒐𝒌𝒆

𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒂 𝒏𝒂 𝒋𝒂𝒏𝒂..

𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒋𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒇 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆

𝒌𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒑𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒃 𝒔𝒂

𝒃𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒊𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆, 𝒛𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒖𝒕𝒓𝒆,

𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒌𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒂 𝒏𝒂 𝒋𝒂𝒏𝒂

𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒋𝒐 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒉𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒌𝒆

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒏𝒊 𝒌𝒂 𝒌𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒓 𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒐

𝒂𝒑𝒏𝒊 𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏

𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒈𝒖𝒎𝒂 𝒏𝒂 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒂

𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒉 𝒏𝒂 𝒉𝒐 𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒓 𝒋𝒐 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒃 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒆

𝒅𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒅𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒌𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒂𝒃 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒆

𝒌𝒆 𝒋𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒐 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒛𝒂𝒂𝒃 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒆

𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒃𝒂𝒂-𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒌𝒊𝒍 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒛𝒕𝒆𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒆

𝒌𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊 𝒌𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊 𝒃𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒆

𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒉 𝒌𝒆

𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊 𝒉𝒖𝒊 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒉𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒆

𝒘𝒂𝒑𝒔𝒊 𝒌𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒐!

𝒖𝒋𝒂𝒅 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒋𝒐 𝑱𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒐

𝒕𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒏𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒅𝒐

𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒆

𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒍𝒊 𝒑𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒕 𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒂

𝑩𝒂𝒉𝒖𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒊 !

𝑩𝒂𝒉𝒖𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒊 !

𝑩𝒂𝒉𝒖𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒊 !

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•CHP-35•
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‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

usne dheere se ankhen khol di theen. manzar dhundlaa sa tha. haath utha kar
usne peshani ko chhua, phir aankhon ko masla. chand lamhon ke baad
hospital ka kamra madham nilgon roshni mein numaya huwa. qatra qatra
ragon mein sarayat karti drip, kayi khamoshiya aur sunaye liye band
khidkiyon se jhankti udaas shaam.

palken bheench kar usne gehra saans liya. uska halaq khushk ho raha tha.
aankhon mein jalan thi. sar bhaari tha. samne hi kursi par Sabra bua tasbih
hatho mein liye baithi theen. usey hosh mein aata dekh kar taizi se uth kar
uske paas agayi. kisi qader koshish se woh uth kar baith gai thi usse unhon
ne be sakhta uska haath thaama, peshani choomi. usey bhinch kar khud se
lagaya. woh khaali alzhni ki us kefiyat mein un ke seene se lagi soochey
jarahi thi to bas yahi ke woh yahan kyun kar aur kaisey mojood thi? dhund
mit rahi thi. andhere chaatt rahe the. manzar wazeh ho raha tha. gariyon ka
shore uske dimagh ki tareek surangoon mein aik roshni si phaily. Main road
par daurti hawaso par chaane laga. mosla dhaar barish ke tasawwur se
wujood aik baar phir laraj huwa.

usne store par kisi ladke se mobile le kar Saleem ko phone Kiya tha. woh
Islamabad mein posted tha. uski pukaar par bhaga chala aaya tha. woh
poora din uske ghar uski biwi ke paas rahi thi. tabiyat pehle se kharab thi
aur kuch barish ka bhi assar tha ke usey bukhaar ne aal tha. magar woh un
ke be had israar par bhi na hospital ko tayyar hui thi, aur nahi kuch khane
ko Raza mand thi. soorat e haal ke paish e nazar Saleem ne Sabra bua usey
phone par rabita kar ke un ki ticket shaam tak krwadi thi. usey bas ka woh
mushkil tareen safar yaad aaya. tarikeon mein ghirah shaq din yaad aaya.
angaron par loutta wujood, jalti hui weraan ankhen. kapkapati ungelian. rota
trapta dil. ang ang mein utar taa iztiraab.

Sabra Bua ke ghar pounchne tak, un ke samne aane tak, aur phir kisi be jaan
wujood ki tarah un kitabo mein samane tak usey sab yaad tha. uske baad jab
sar chakraya tha aur andhere chhaye to cheekh o pukaar sunte usey gumaan
huwa to bas us amar ka ke ab woh marnay wali hai. magar woh mari nahi
thi. uski sansen hanooz chal rahi thi. dil hanooz dharak raha tha. kefiyat yun
ho rahi thi jaisey woh lambi bimari se uthi ho.

kya anjaam ab kisi naye aaghaz se jur chuka? aankhon mein karb liye usne
nazar utha kar Sabra bua ko dekha. kuch kehne ke liye labon ko jumbish di.
aawaz halaq se na niklee. aankhon ke kinare nam ho gaye. Sabra bua aik
dam se aadida ho kar uska zard chehra hathelion mein le liya. un ki aankhon
mein khushi ke ansoo the. ab woh kuch keh rahi thi. woh surkh padtee
khaali weraan aankhon se unhen dekh rahi thi. yun nahi karen mein samaat
mein parte alfaaz usey mujassam karne lagey, dharkan thamnay lagi,
tanaffus bhaari sa huwa, ankhen pathranay lagen .

haath utha kar khuda ka shukar ada kar ke, usey kaandhon se thaam kar
khushi ka izhaar karte hue woh ab usey report dikha rahi thi. dimagh pehley
se maoof tha. hawaas besakta rahe. lafz Adam aur aawaz Samat rahi.

mehroomion ke bojh taley fanaa hota wujood yaqeen aur be yakeeni ke

darmiyan muallaq ho gaya. uska sar be sakhta nafi mein hila. usne apna aap
chhura liya. woh gehre sadme se guzar rahi thi.

Sabra bua ko aisa mazaaq nahi karna chahiye. hargiz nahi karna chahiye.
magar woh mazaaq tha, na maza aik khabar thi. basharat thi. unhon ne
report samne rakhi ke woh khud dekhe, khud samjhe. yeh saraab nahi tha.
khawab bhi nahi tha aur usne dekha. apni in veeran aankhon se dekha
palken jhapak kar aur dhadkano ko thaam kar dekha. paanch saloon tak jo
report nafi thi, woh musbat ho kar samne thi. thi. paanch saloon tak jo
mehroomi saathi thi, woh inaam ho kar wazeh thi.

woh sakit baithi thi. munjamad. be hiss, be jaan pathrayi hui nigahon se
zindagi ko khoajte, saanson ko jorhte, aik be jaan kagaj ko kapkapati unglio
mein dabate.
"Tum banjh ho jannat! aur banjh aurat aik mard par boojh ke siwa kuch nahi
hoti." Gul daan toot gaya tha. kanch ke tukre bikhar gaye the. woh aik
mukammal tasweer purzon mein Bat gayi thi.

"Jannat.. nahi jannat.. mera bacha!"

"Mein tumhe Talaq deta hoon. abhi aur isi waqt dafaa ho jao yahan se."

waqt palatne laga, safhe ulatne laga. hikaytein subah ho gayi. din tareek aur
tareek raatain Safa ho gayi.

"Yeh aik kaghazi shadi hai jannat kamaal! yeh sirf kaghaz tak mehdood dar
hai gi."

"Ab tum haq mohar ki raqam apne paas rakh sako gi."

Usne palken jhapkaye surkh dooron mein karb halkore le kar utha, aansu
rawan ho gaye.

"kuch mehromiyaan ataa ka aik roop hoti hain jannat! Allah ki “kun” ki
muntazir. apna roop badalne ko har lamha mustaed asal imthehaan to us
muddat ka hai. jo is mehroomi mein guzari jati hai. is douran hamare sabr
ko jancha jata hai. hamare shukar ko parkha jata hai. phir imaan ka darja
mutayyan hota hai."

"Allah!"

poore wujood par aik larza sa taari huwa. aankhon se wehshat utar gayi.
saanson se wazan hatt gaya.

"Janna bachche!"

Sabra bua ne usey kaandho se thaama huwa tha. woh usey pukaar rahi thi
magar with un ki sun nahi rahi thi.

"Maangti raho aur dekhatii jao, Allah ki marzi se tumhari jholi mein kya
karta hai, jo gire usey bakhushi apna lo, khuwa woh nuqtay jitni khushi ya
zarre jitni barket hi kyun na ho."
pardo ki darz se jhankti Sooraj ki taiz roshni me shirazi ki muskurahat
chehra besumar colours tube aur painting hunza ki painting usri yusra ki
painting har usar ke sath yusra hai! aur yeh mera kya hai. agli baar mein
uska jawab dun gi aap ko."

yaka yak manzar badla tha .

"Tumhari faris se shadi meri wajah se nahi hui hai, nahi tumhari khaala ki
wajah se yeh tumhara naseeb hai jo tumhe yahan laya hai."

"Naseeb Naseeb!" har taraf aik hi goonj thi. aik hi sada us aik lafz ne usey
kitna daraya tha, kitna rulaya tha. aan ki aan mein ab kitna muatbar kitna
munfarid, kitna anokha ho gaya tha.

"Jis waqt manfi soch jarr pakdae, aur mayoosi intahaa ki gehri ho jaye to
samajh jao, yeh shetan ka aakhri waar hai. theek usi waqt par raha hai jab
woh tumhare inaam se waaqif ho chuka hai."

aur uska inaam kya ho sakta tha? usne tab bhi socha tha. woh ab bhi soch
rahi thi. Us waqt aik lamhe ke liye bhi yeh inaam uske zehen mein nahi
aaya tha. ab bhi nahi aa raha tha. bilkul nahi aa raha tha.

"Janna bachche?"

us ne sar utha kar roti sakti nigahon sikhe Sabra bua ko dekha. yaqeen aur
be yakeeni ke aalam mein andar hi andar toot-te bikharte hue khud azyati ki
daldal mein utarte hue baar baar tareek raat ka manzar aankhon mein aa
raha tha. apna faisla yaad aa raha tha. mout aur uske darmiyan aik qadam ka
faasla tha. chand lamhoon ki masafat thi.

woh khudkushi karne wali thi. apni jaan laine wali thi. usey woh aakhri
lamha yaad aaya, woh aakhri jab footpath se agay sadak par qadam jamate
woh thehr gayi thi. pata nahi kyun woh apni jagah se aik inch bhi to nahi hil
saki thi. usey Nana abbu yaad aaye the. un se Kiya huwa wada yaad aaya
tha. aziyat bhari zindagi to guzaar rahi thi. akhirat barbaad karne ka hosla
nahi tha us mein aur woh lamha thehr gaya. woh lamha reh gaya.
poori duniya mein khud ko tanha tasawwur karne wali jannat kamaal, us
lamhay tanha nahi thi. Uski hichikiyaan bndh gayeen. Sabra bua ne usey
baazuo mein bhar liya. un ke seene mein sar diye woh chhootey bachon ki
tarah phoot phoot kar ro di.

saari mehromiya, saari aziyate, sare ke sare gham yaka yak Adamm hue.
woh aik Ata har museebat par bhaari ho gayi. woh aik inaam har war dard
ko fanaa kar gaya.

"Duaye radd nahi hoti jannat! mehfooz kar li jati hain, jo aap maang rahe ho
wo na miley tabbhi aap ke haath khaali nahi loatye jate! Allah hamesha
barh kar ataa karta hai, woh aap ko heran kar deta hai."

aur uske khuda ne usey heran kar diya tha.

•••

"Jannat ke shohar ne bataya nahi usne ghar kyun chorra?"

Sidiya utar kar neeche aate hue aawaz samaat se takrayi to Ammar apni
jagah tham kar reh gaya. be sakhta gardan mourr kar darwaze ki taraf
dekha. phir ahistagi se qadam utha taa aage barha. drawing room ki
nashiston par khandan ke bare sab Barajman the. saira samne hi sar jukaye
baithi thi. jannat ke chacha, chachi, phufo, choti chachi waghera sab
mojood they.

"Kisi ke sath koi chakkar to nahi chal raha tha uska?"

Karima aunti uske baap se keh rahi theen. woh apni jagah sakit sa unhen
dekh kar reh gaya. woh jannat ki sagi phopho theen. majlis mein jannat ka
kirdaar discuss ho raha tha.

khandan bhar mein tarah tarah ki baatein phail gayi thi. aur tarah tarah ki
phaily hui un baton ki tasdeeq ke liye hi woh log yahan jama hue the. kisi
ko yeh khabar li thi ke woh ghar ke kisi mulazim ke sath bhag gyi thi aur
kisi ne yeh suna tha ke Faris wajdan ke kisi dost ke sath uska chakkar chal
raha tha, tab hi usey ghar se nikaal diya gaya. woh apni jagah sakit sa
pathharaya huwa khada tha.
Koi itna be hiss, itna be reham kaise ho sakta hai? gardan mourr kar usne
Hafsa aapi ko dekha. woh sar jukaye sharminda hi bilkul khamosh baithi
thi. na jawab dainay ki na himmat thi, na safai paish karne ki sakt. jannat
kamaal aik baar phir un ki zaati zindagion mein bhonchal le aayi thi. aik
baar phir un ki family zabaan zad aam aa gayi thi.

kamaal ki beti, kamaal ki beti ab sab keh rahe to or wo khamosh thi.

Hamesha ki tarah aaj bhi unke pas kehne ko kuch nahi tha.

"Herat hai! Kisine aapko ye nahi bataye ke Jannat ne apna ghar Faiza aunty
ki wajah se chhora hai? Jinhone uske ghar jaa kar achha khasa tamasha
create Kiya?"

Wo andar dakhil hote hue bol utha tha.

"Haan to harkate hi uski esi thi, muh dikhane ke kabil jo nahi rahi hogi"

Karima auntie ne foran se Petra badla.

"Harkate? Kesi thi uski harkate?"

Wo aankho me ghussa liye unki taraf dekhne laga.

"Esi fitna barpa ladki mene Aaj tak nahi dekhi, pehle apne bhai ki jaan li, fir
hamare bhai ka sar khaya, burhan ki zindagi jhannum banaye rakhi, jara
pucho to Alia se kese dinbhar phone se chipki rehti thi. Ishq mashuqi se
fursat milti to ghar sambhalti. Aik to banjh.."

Unhone ifrat se sar uthaya.

"Aur upar se dhitayi alag, Maheen ka bachcha marne ki koshish tak kar
dali. Nafisa bhen to uski mout mar gayi, arrey! Maine to sajjad se keh diya
tha ke gairo ke layak nahi hai ye, apne zaman se nikah kardo wohi isey
sidha rakhega. Magar nahi!"

Wo ghusse or hikayat se bahut se wakiyat sunaye jaa rahi thi. Aur koi bhi
unhe tokk nahi raha tha. Ye sab esey hi tha. Ye sab shuru se esey hi chalte
aa raha tha.
"Bas karde auntie for God sake."

Wo sara lihaz or murawwat na karte hue chhik para.

"Ibhrahim sahab aapka beta to pura bawla ho gaya hai, na chote bado ki
tamiz hai na lihaz kar raha hai kisi ka."

Ibhrahim sahab ne usey tambiya karte hue chale jane ka huqm diya tha.
Magar aaj usey koi nahi rok sakta tha. na saira, na ibrahim aur nahi khandan
ka koi fard.

"Agar pagal keh hi diya hai aap ne mujhe to phir mere pooray pagal pan ka
muzahira bhi dekh len. aap ko kya lagta hai hum kal ke bachey, be waqoof
aur na samajh hain? hamein kuch nazar nahi aata? kuch samajh mein nahi
aata? Nafisa auntie jannat ki wajah se nahi, aap ki wajah se mari hain."

usne ungli utha kar sab ki taraf ishara kiya tha.

"unhen betiyo ke taane daine wale aap log the. un par tanz tasneed karne
wale aap log the. un ki mehroomi ka aap logon ne sare aam mazaaq uraya.
unhen zehni mareez banadiya."

"Jara muhfza karte hain auntie mujhe betaye Saba aapi ne haal hi mein
chothi beti ko janam diya hai. din raat sasraliyo ke taane sun rahi hain na ye
woh? wo hi lafz jo bhi aap ne Nafisa aunti ko sunaye the?"

Karima auntie ke chehere par tarikh sa lehra gaya.

"Aap ki apni aulaad aap ke ghuroor aur taqqabur ka khamyaza bhagat rahi
hai aur aap mein ab bhi jurrat baqi hai ke aap is aurat ki beti ko aik baar
phir nishana bana rahi hain?"

drawing room mein khamoshi thi. ab to jaisay koi saans bhi nahi le raha tha.

"Rohinha auntie ko naaz tha wo chaar beton ki maa hain. chaar sher jawan
un ke ghar peda hue hain. unki naslen aage chalein gi. Nafisa auntie un ke
samne saat baityon ki maa koi haqeer si makhlooq theen aur aaj un ke woh
tamam ke tamam betay sirf betiyo ke baap hain."
Usne rukh badal kar unhen dekha.

"Aap ab is baat ko zair behas kyun nahi lati?saat betiyo ki maa hona Nafisa
aunti ka qasoor tha. ab itni saari potiyo ki dadi hona kis ka qasoor hai?"

aur rohina auntie ko yun laga tha jaisey bhare bazaar mein kisi ne tamacha
de mara ho. Saira ne pehli baar apne bete ko nahi tokka tha. Hafsa aankhon
mein herat o sadma liye usey dekhe ja rahi thi.

"Me heran hu, aap logo me abhi bhi himmat hai is tarah us aurat ki aulad
par juban darazi karne ki jiski zindagi aap logo ne khud jhannum bana di
aur itni behisi ki jara faraq nahi padha? Allah to apna hisab le raha hai yeh
kaise ho sakta hai aap sab apne hisaab se is tarah be khabar rahen? aap
logon ne ankhen band kar rakhi hain to iska matlab hai hamein bhi kuch
nazar nahi aata hoga?"

drawing room mein itna sannata chhaa gaya tha ke agar sui bhi girti to uski
bhi aawaz aati. kisi bhi barray fard ki sakt nahi rahi thi kuch bhi bolne ki.
woh sab jannat ke muamlay mein ikathay hue thay aur Ammar ne to jaise
un sab ke ijtima ko nishana bana kar sab ki haqeqteen un ke mun par day
maari theen. woh shadeed ghusse ke aalam mein bhikhra huwa sa khada
tha.

"Jannat kabhi apni aulaad ke liye darbaro, mazaro par nahi gayi aur aap log
kehte hain maheen ka bachha zaya karne ke liye usne taveez kante kurwaye
hain?"

woh sarapa sawal bana un sab ko dekhe ja raha tha.

"Ab Burhan ke ghar jo bhi nuqsaan hoga to uska ilzaam saari Umar jannat
ke sar daaltae rahenge aap log? jab usey apni zindagi se, khandan se be
dakhal kar chuke hain to phir usey discuss karne ka

maqsad? faiza bachi ko koi haq nahi pahunchata is tarah is ke ghar ja kar, is
ke susraliyon ke samne be izzat karne ka. aur khuda ke liye.."

usne haath jore.

"Ab bakhash de jannat ko!"

baat khatam nahi honi thi, magar usne khatam kar di aks adhoore the aur
usne adhoore rehne diye. aaina mukammal aur salamat tha. haqeqteen bhi
itni hi talkh aur numaya.

jo khamoshi uski mojoodgi mein chhai hui thi, woh is ki ghair mojoodgi
mein bhi thahri rahi. kisi mein himmat na rahi thi mazeed koi baat ya behas
kar sake, koi Daleel de sakay ya kuch tardeed kar sake.

woh majlis, woh ijtima sab ka ehatasab ho gaya tha. aaiine mein har kisi ka
kariha chehra wazeh tha aur us chehre se taqreeban sab ne nazrain churaie
thee ke haqeeqat ka saamna to phir woh log karte hain jo khud ko badalna
chahte ho. aik aik kar ke sab uthte chale gaye. sirf Hafsa kamaal hi thi jo
apni jagah sun baithi reh gayi thi.

•••

wo teen din hospital mein rahi. tabiyat kuch behtar hui to usey discharge kar
diya gaya. Sabra bua usey apne ghar le aayi. un ka allag portion tha. woh
bairooni darwaze se un ke hamrah sidiya charh kar oopar aagai thi. bemari
ka assar hanooz tha. kamzori itni hogayi thi ke zara si sidiya charhne par
uska saans phool gaya tha.

Upar aik wasee o Areez kamrah tha. bua usey kamray mein le aayi, hawa
daar lambi khirkiya jo peeche sar sabz khaiton ki taraf khulti thee aur samne
wali khirkion se neeche sehan ka poora manzar nazar aata tha. Jamun ka
phela huwa darakht, saaye mein bichi hui chaar payi, surkh eento ka pakka
sahen, safaid dewaro par sarsabz belein charhi hui theen. aahinii gate band
tha. neeche teen kamre the. kitchen tha.

mardo ke liye allag se baithak samne hi bani hui thi jis ka aik darwaaza
bahar khulta tha. Sabra Bua ki bhanji neeche muqeem thi. Upar ka kamra,
wash room aur chhota sa kitchen un ke hawale tha.

woh khirki mein khari neeche dekhne lagi. bachon ke shor ke sath sandal
aapa ki aawaz wazeh thi. unka 9 sala beta pipe haath mein pakde darakhto
ko pani deta uska rukh apni choti behan ki taraf mourr chuka tha. aur is
shadeed garmi mein thandak ke ehsas se khush hone ke bajaye woh bha
bha kar ke rone lagi thi.

"Ali"

sandal aapa ne kitchen se hi usey kari nazaro se dekha tha. aur usne wahi
Pipe sar par liye khud ko mukammal bigho liya.

"Aik to garmi mein kaam karwati hain, oopar se dat-ti bhi hain."

"Yeh darakhto ko zara sa pani daine se tumhari kamar tut-ti hai?"

"Jara sa pani deta hu?"

ankhen phela kar woh apni maa ki taraf murra tha.

"Abhi kahin gi, poore sehan mein pani ka chirkao karo. phir yahan se saari
charpayee hatwa kar wahan rakhwa yegi. uske baad bahar bhejen gi. Ali
yeh le aao Ali woh le aao Ali yeh kaam karo Ali woh kaam karo."

shalwar aur baniyan mein woh dhoop mein kamlaya huwa sa khada tha.
jannat ke labon par be sakhta muskurahat ubhri. sandal aapa is se hospital
mein milnay aayi theen to un ke sath woh bhi tha.

"Allah maaf kere. kab tum se charpayee ithwati hoon mein ?"

"Us din nahi athwayi thi jab sawar chachu aaye they ? yahan rakho, wahan
rakho. ab wahan rakho."

"Aik hi to charpayee thi wo bhi Fatema ki had hai taane sun lo mousuf ke."

woh burburatu hui chali gayeen. motor band kar ke kitchen ka rukh kiya to
woh mukammal bhega huwa kamar par haath lagaye khada tha. dhoop mein
ankhen chindhya kar yahan wahan daikhta. choti behan apna mun khushk
karti, sahen ke sath bandhe jhulay par tik gayi thi. ab woh behan ke sar par
khada tha. aur usey jhoola chorne ka keh raha tha. behan ne rassiyon par
girift jama kar nafi mein zoro shore se sar hilaya aur aik baar phir chillayi.

"Amma"
"Ali mat tang karo usey"

Sandal aakar junhjhalayu.

"ae hai ladke do ghari sukoon se baith ja kahin."

Sabra bua kamre se nikal kar sahen taraf jatay hue boli theen. woh phir se
bigar gaya. dahap dahap paon utha taa aahinii gate dhakel kar bahar nikal
gaya. phir usey aangan mein do sala bachi nazar aayi. feeder mein liye woh
jhoola jhoolti behan ke paas chali gayi thi. kuch der baad kisi kone se teesri
bachi namodaar hui. taqreeban chhe saal Umar ho gi. aik haath mein copy
aur dosray mein pencil liye, saaye mein rakhi chaar payi par baith kar apna
home work karne lagi.

"Yeh mein sandal ka suit le aayi hu. yahi pehan lo kal bazaar jaoon gi to
garmiyon ke suit le aaugi."

Bua andar daakhil hote hi boli theen. woh murr kar unhen dekhnay lagi.
almaari khol kar unhon ne aik suit andar latka diya. aur dosra bed par rakh
diya.

"Naha kar kapre badal lo, mein tab tak khane ka intizam dekh lu. sandal to
keh rahi hai, aalo gosht pakaye gi. mera irada hai, sath biryani bana lete
hain, tumhen waise bhi biryani bohat pasand hai."

Taizi se bed sheet bdalte hue unhon ne kaha aur jannat gum sum unhen
dekhatii rahi.

"Dr. ne kaha hai, khoraak ka bohat khayaal rakhna hai. bilkul kami nahi
honi chahiye. aur tum to ho hi sada ki laparwah. sab kuch mujhe hi dekhna
ho ga."

Un ke lehjey aur andaaz se pyar khafgi, tanbeeh, khushi numaya thi. baat
karte karte woh Ishtiaq mein aa jati, kuch soch kar be sakhta muskurane
lagti.

"Dr. Sahab zinda hote to kitna khush hote!"

"Mere liye itna ehtimaam nah kare."

Uske lab hille. Bua ne ab ke usey jara khafgi se dekha tha.

"Kyun ehtimaam na karen? mein to koi kami nahi hone dun gi. Saleem ko
bataya to keh raha tha, paise bhaij de ga. mujhe khaas takeed ki jannat ka
khayaal rakhiyega kisi cheez ki kami na ho. phal fruit, sabzian. ab kal
Aamir se keh kar mang waugi sab."

woh jaise khud se sab tay kar rahi thi. usey apni zimmedari samajh kar.
uske liye har faisla khud kar rahi thi.

"Mein aap par boojh nahi bana chahti bua"

jo baat dil mein thi, woh labon par aagai.

"chup! aik lafz nahi."

unhon ne jhirak diya.

"Yeh tera ghar hai, to meri beti hai, mein woh din kaise bhool sakti hon jab
dr sahab ne mujhe aur Saleem ko apne ghar mein panah di thi. jab hum be
sahara the to woh hamara sahara bane. Saleem ko uske pero par khada kiya,
us ke saare akhrajaat khud uthaye. aur ab jab un ki beti par waqt aaya hai to
mein mun murr lugi?"

unhon ne bohat mohabbat se uske gaal par haath rakha. uske ansoo ponche
woh nichla lab danoton taley dabe rone par qaboo paati rahi.

"chal jaldi se fresh ho ja phir khana bhi khana hai."

woh kapre utha kar wash room mein ghis gayi. shower chalta raha to ansoo
bhi bahte rahe. apni haalat soch

soch kar aziat barhti rahi.

kapre badal kar woh towel se baal khushk karti bahar aayi to darwaze ki
darz se jhankta koi gayab huwa. woh Ali tha. yaqeenan Ali tha. darwaaza
khol kar bahar aayi to woh taizi se sidiyan utar taa nazar aaya.
Usne Zohar ki namaz parhi, phir khirki ke samne baith kar baal achi tarah
khushk kiye. Kanghi ki. kuch hi der baad ‫ ﺑﻮاﭨﺮے‬hathon mein liye andar
aagai theen. sath hi sandal aapa bhi thi. do sala beti ko uthaye woh usse
bohat mohabbat se mili.

khana unhon ne wahin ikathe khaya. yeh allag baat thi ke un ki mohabbat
aur ikhlaq ke aage woh baar baar aankhon mein ubharti nami ko peeche
dhakel rahi thi. baa-mushkil aadhi roti aur biryani ke kuch chamach laine ke
baad usne haath khech liya tha. Bua usey pyar bhari khafgi se dekh kar reh
gayi

"Khatam karwa ise shabash!"

"Bhukh nahi hai Bua!"

"Ab tumhe sirf apni bhook ki fikar thori karni hogi."

sandal aapa nahi. woh khafeef sa ho kar sar jhuka gayi. usey bohat sara rona
aa raha tha. shayad bemari ka assar zael nahi huwa tha, yahi wajah thi ke
woh bohat hassas ho rahi thi.

"Baad mein khaalon gi bua. abhi itna hi."

mazeed israar nah kya. medicine laine ke baad woh taiz pankha chalaye
sone ke liye late gayi thi. Bua uski taraf se tasalii kar ke neeche chali gayi.

sehan mein aik baar phir sandal aapa aur Ali ki takraar shuru ho chuki thi.
magar aawaz madham thi. aur kuch der mein madham se bilkul khatam ho
gayi thi. deewar geer khirkion se poori tareekh ka chaand nazar aa raha tha.
parde bandhe hue the. khirkiyan khuli hui thi.

•••

kamre mein har taraf aur har jagah be tarteebi si thi. khud woh sofay par
betha tha. peechey ki taraf sar giraye baazu phelaaye chhat par kuch dekhte
yadasht ke kisi konay mein kuch khoajte. sukoon andar bahar aur aas paas
kahin na tha. raton ki neend to waise bhi udi hui thi.
bhook khatam, talabb tamam. samatain phone par thehri theen. muntazir
nigahain, screen ko sakti thi. doosri taraf khamoshi thi, koshish thi aur na
umeedi thi. pani ka glass table par rakha tha. Coffee ka khaali cup aur neend
ki golian bhi.

usne apni aankhon ko masal dala. darwaze par aik baar phir dastak hui.
mulazma aik baar phir usey mrs. Shirazi ka pegham daine aayi thi. usne
jawab diya, na uth kar neeche gaya. qadmon ki chaap ubhri. raahdaari mein
khamoshi chhaa gayi.

kuch hi der mein jannat ka mobile baj utha. mrs. Afaq ke number se saat
sala Zaid ke massages aane lagey. woh apni mammy ke sath shopping kar
raha tha aur usne jannat ke liye aik attachment ring bhi pasand kar li thi.

har thori der baad woh apni maa ke mobile se apni selfie bhaij deta kahin
par bethey kahin par muskurate.kahin par Suzie ko galey lagats hue. ab ki
baar notification mein do taswerain nazar aayi. woh jannat se pooch raha
tha un dono mein se kis rang ki angothi ziyada pyari hai. faris ne mobile
utha kar tasweer dekhi. usey dono pasand nahi aayi.

"Which one?"

jannat ka fiance pooch raha tha. aur shohar lab bhinch kar massages dekh
raha tha. kuch tawaquf ke baad do aur taswerain bhaije gayi. bachon ki
khilona dukano mein naqli make up kits ke hamrah plastic jewellery se
muntakhib ki jane wali aik toffee jitni angoothi. usne na chahtae hue bhi
gulaabii rang ki anguthi ko done kar diya. khayaal tha ab massages nahi
ayenge ke msg nahi aaye, to recording aagai.

"Zoya say salam alaikum to your future bhabhi!"

woh apni teen sala behan ko sikha raha tha. behan ke halaq se halki si aur
cute si aawaz ubhri 'As maykum babi!'

yeh dono bachche pichlle kayi dinon se uska sar dard bane hue the. usne
mobile silent kar ke khud se pare rakh diya. pani ke sath neend ki goli laine
ke baad aik baar phir sone ki koshish ki. andar ka iztiraab badh gaya. shhore
barh gaya. dard barh gaya. darwaze par aik baar phir dastak hui. woh suni
un suni kiye para raha.

•••

woh bed se take lagaye carpet par do zan baithi thi. chehra zard tha, ankhen
surkh aur betasa mam ho rahi thi zarkar roshni mein karb numaya tha.
tanhai mein woh saraapaa mujassam hui khaali veraan aankhon se andhere
mein dekh rahi thi.

pani ka glass paas rakha tha. sirf do ghoont liye gaye the. zindagi aur
naseeb ki dehshat waisi hi mann thi. khauf o hain thehra tha. sansen wahein
unki theen.

raat ke aakhri pehar bohat achanak uski aankh khul gayi thi aur ab tab se
woh isi haalat mein aur isi position mein baithi hui thi. bohat si baatein
theen jo yaad aa rahi theen, bohat si hikaytein theen jo wazeh ho rahi theen.
bohat se khayaal, waswase, andaishe reh reh kar sar utha rahe the. dil tadap
raha tha. usey mrs. Shirazi bohat shiddat se yaad aa rahi thi. ansoo hai bahte
ja rahe usne wada kiya tha, woh unhen un ke pote se zaroor liwaegi aur yeh
wada us ghar ki dehleez paar karte hi fanaa ho gaya tha. saare rishte, saare
talluq wahein reh gaye thay. is se pehlay ke woh usey chhorhtin, woh khud
unhen chhore aayi thi magar dil wahein reh gaya tha. rooh yahan bhatak
rahi thi.

mohabbat ko nafrat mein bdalte woh dekh chuki thi. dobara nahi dekhna
chahti thi. is aziat se guzarne ka hosla nahi tha us mein. aur usey gham tha
aur bohat bara gham tha ke woh un ki mohabbat se mahroom kar di gayi
thi.

Mrs. Shirazi ab haath uthaati hogi to is ka naam nahi layti hogi. usey soch
kar unhen karhiyat aati hogi. woh uske wujood se nafrat khati hogi. kam
ilzaam nahi the jo faiza chachi ne iski zaat par lagaye the. kisi gunah kisi
ghalti kisi jurm ka parda nahi rakha tha unhon ne. sab ugal diya tha. sab keh
diya tha. kamre ki tamam khirkiyan aur darwaze khulay hue the. pankha bhi
chal raha tha. mausam thanda tha aur usey phir bhi ghutan mehsoos ho rahi
thi.
"Aik surprise hai tumhare liye. Karachi se aouga tab."

hekiyaat likhi ja chuki thi. anjaam socha ja chuka tha. aur usey phir bhi rona
aa raha tha. yeh judai, yeh faasle ye saza to roze awwal se liye thi. woh har
haqeeqat ko tasleem kar chuki thi. sath rehne ki khwahish badal chuki thi.
usne khawab noch kar pheink diye the. intezaar samaitt kar rakh diya tha.
ehsasat ko munjamad aur jazbaat ko fanaa kar ke usne khud ko adamm ki
wadiyon mein fanaa kar diya tha. uska khayaal tha, aisey dard kam hoga,
dukh kam hoga, rona kam aaye ga.

magar uska khud sakhta defence mechanism khasare mein gaya tha. usey
takleef ziyada hui thi. usey rona ziyada aa raha tha. woh tadap rahi thi. woh
jal rahi thi.

"Mujhe Talaq fori chahiye hogi. tumhe abhi se documents ka intizam kar
lena chahiye taa ke munasib waqt par bina kisi takheer ke sign kar ke aik
doosre se jaan khulasi ki ja sake. lekin agar kuch wajohaat ki bina par,
mujhe qabal az waqt yeh ghar chhorna par jata hai, aur is douran mera tum
se fialfoor rabta bhi mumkin nahi ho paata to mein aik mah tak ki muddat
ko zehen mein rakhon gi aur uske baad samajh jaoon gi ke mujhe Talaq ho
chuki hai. so tumhe is baat ka khayaal rakhna hoga ke mujhe is aik mah ke
andar Talaq ho jani chahiye."

Do hafte guzar chuke the, teesra hafta guzarne wala tha. Usne apni aankho
ko aik baar fir bedardi se ragad dala. Ab tak yakeenan wo usey talak de
chuka hoga, Adina Zubair uski zindagi me wapas aa chuki hogi, nafrato ke
badal chhat gaye hoge. Mohabbato ka noor phail gaya hoga. Jo uske saath
hote hue adhura tha wo man chahe sathi ke sath mukammal ho gaya hoga.

Uske zindagi me Jannat kamal ke liye jagah pehle bhi nahi thi. Ab bhi nahi
rahi hogi. gaal saaf kar ke wo uth gayi. Wuju karke zaye namaz bichhaye
wo qibla rukh khadi ho gayi. Kuch sazdo me wo roti rahi thi. Aur kuch
sazdo me himmat or aasaniya mangti rahi thi. Usey yaha is jagah par ek
nayi zindagi ka aagaz karna tha. wo apna maazi bhula dena chahti thi. aur
bahir darwaze ke paas khadi Sabra bua aankho me rahem aur humdardi liye
usey dekhti reh gayi thi.

•••
Aqsa ne shayad door se Faris ko dekha.

Kitchen counter table ke us paar siyah trousers par full pant sleeves shirt me
malboos apne liye qahwa bana raha tha.

sar jhuka huwa tha. sar jhuka huwa tha mathe par betartibi se bikhre Baal
aankho par aa rahe the.

Abhi kuch dair pehle pathani ne kaha tha usey sahab bula rahe hai tabse hi
wo kitchen me thi. Wahi khade khade usne zehen doura kar khud se sarsaz
hone wali kisi mumkina galti ko yaad karna chaha lekin zehen maouf hi
raha. ba-mushkil gaala khangarte hue usne Faris Wajdan ko apni mojudgi
ka single dena chaha. Saath hi dupatte ko muh me daalkar bechaini se
ghumaya jaa raha tha.

"Aapne bulaya mujhe?"

Qahwa cup me undel kar wo dusri taraf murra.

"Betho"

"Jee?"

ghut bharte hue usne samne stool chair ki taraf ishara kar diya. apni
ghabrahat par qaboo paati woh baith gayi. sar jhuka huwa tha zara si
nigahain utha kar apne sahab ko dekhna chaha.

laa parwa sa huliya be khwabi ka shikaar surkh ankhen. barhi hui shave,
zard chehra. uski jannat aapi ki ghair mojoodgi mein sahab aisey ho gaye
thay.

"Pichlle mah jannat tumhen sath liye kaafi ghhoomti phirti rahi hai."

"Jee sahab!"

phaans ki tarah koi shai uske halaq mein aa kar ataaq gayi. guzashta aik
mah ki routine zehen mein daud gayi. jannat ki baatein, wade, daant aur
tanbeeh sab yaad aa gaya.
"Driver bta raha tha, usne aik baar jannat ke kehne par kisi rehaishi colony
mein usey utaara tha. tum bhi sath theen. phir wapsi par wahein se chaar
ghanto ke baad pick up Kiya tha."

aqsa ko thande paseene anay lagey. samajh mein nahi aaya iqraar kere ya
inkaar!

"kahan gayi theen tum dono?"

Kuch batate batate usne yaka yak nichala lab dato taley dabaya.

"Jee woh shopping par gaye the!"

"Rehaishi colony ki tang galiyo mein shopping ho rahee thi?"

faris ne bhaap urata cupp rakh diya.

aqsa jee bhar kar pareshan aur sharminda hui. ab kya kere? usey jhoot bolna
waqai mein nahi aata tha.

"Kuch puchh raha hoon mein tum se aqsa?" Usne zara si nazrain utha kar
apne sahab ko dekha. woh bohat tahammul se pooch raha tha magar woh
janti thi matlooba jawab na milne ki soorat mein yeh tahammul is par nazla
ban kar gir sakta tha. usne kuch himmat mujtma ki. kuch hosla peda kya. jo
kasme kha rakhi theen, un ke totnay par kaffare ke tor par rozon ka hisaab
kiya. aik baar phir paseena saaf kya.

"Jannat aapi mujhe kisi ke ghar le kar gayi thi."

usne bata diya. halaank jannat ne kaha tha uska har raaz qabar tak jana
chahiye. ab raaz chupate chupate woh khud to qabar mein nahi utar sakti thi
na?

"Agar mein tumhe wahan le jaoon to tumhe ghar ka andaza ho jayega ?"

Aqsa ne kuch fikar mandi se usey dekha. jannat aapi ki wajah se poora ghar
pareshan tha. agar is tarah un ka koi suraagh milta hai to usey hargiz hargiz
khamosh nahi rehna chahiye. himmat kar ke asbat mein sar hila diya. aik
baar phir qisam aur wadon ka gham khane laga tha. jannat aapi jab wapas
ayen gi to usey hargiz hargiz maaf nahi karengi lekin koi nahi woh roze
rakh legi.

aur rozon ke tasawwur se usey aik baar phir rona aaya. ghanghat aik pani ka
glass charhaya aur Faris ke hukum par apne abba se ijazat le kar is ke sath
rawana hogayi. driver ko jagah ka ilm tha. gaari sadak kinare rok di gayi .

gaadi se utar kar woh paidal uske peeche tang galiyo mein chalta raha.
kabhi dayen taraf murrte aur kabhi baen taraf rukh karte woh teen manzila
imarat ke samne ruk gayi. samne balconiya nazar aa rahi theen. usey yaad
tha, woh doosri manzil walay ghar mein gayi thi. aur yeh baat usne faris ko
bata bhi di .

"Ghar mein kon kon tha?"

aik mard tha, uski biwi. aur aik beta !

Faris ne lamhe bhar ke liye kuch socha, phir wapsi ke liye murr gaya .

"Aap jayen ge nahi?"

usne darte darte poocha. usne jawab nahi diya. woh jaise ye jagah, yeh ghar
hi dekhne aaya tha. aur shayad mulaqaat ke liye woh kisi aur ko bhejne ka
irada rakhta tha. driver ne usey ghar drop kar diya. bairooni gate se andar
daakhil hotay usne gaadi ki uqbi nashist ki taraf dekha.

Faris mobile phone kaan se lagaye kisi se baat karte hue musalsal apni
peshani masal raha tha. woh gehra saans le kar andar chali gayi. gaadi aage
barh gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

Do votes & comments :)

•CHP-36•
•••

shaam ka waqt tha. sandal aapa ki choti beti marwah ko pehlu me sulaye
woh chaar payi par karvat ke bal laitee thi. doosri chaar payi par Sabra Bua
abhi aakar baithi thi. pur soch nigahon mein bohat se sawal aur fikar liye
woh jannat ko dekh rahi theen.

"Mein janti hoon, yeh aik mushkil baat hai. lekin karna bhi zaroori hai."

yuhin baithe baithe woh kuch soch kar mukhatib hui theen.

"Usne tujhe dhoonda to zaroor hoga."

jannat ki ankhen dheere se khul gayeen. sawal ghair mutawaqqa tha.

"Kyun dhoondega woh mujhe?"

usne himmat kar ke poocha.

"Biwi hai tu uski."

lamhe bhar ke liye aik sakoot sa us par taari huwa tha. Burhan ki bhi woh
biwi thi, woh kabhi uske peeche nahi aaya tha. Faris shirazi ke sath to yeh
aik zabar dasti ka un chaha rishta tha, jis ke aaghaz se pehle hi anjaam tay
kar diya gaya tha. woh bhala uske peechay kaisay aa sakta tha? usey kaisey
dhoond sakta tha? woh bua ko batana chahti thi, insaan unhen dhoondta hai
jo gum ho jayen, unhen nahi jinhein woh khud gum kar de.

"Janna?"

Bua uski khamoshi par zara beqarar huien.

"Ab tak woh apni pehli biwi ko wapas bhi le aaya hoga bua."
Usne itne aam lehjey mein is andaaz mein baat ki jaisey woh apne shohar ki
nahi, muhalle ke kisi doosre mard ki baat kar rahi ho. Bua takhir se usey
dekh kar reh gayeen.

"Aur tu? tujhe wapas nahi lana chahe ga ?"

aur baat to 'chahat' ki thi. khwahish ki thi. aur mohabbat ki bhi. aur woh na
chahat thi, na khwahish, aur na mohabbat.

"ho sakta hai usne ab tak mujhe Talaq bhi de di ho."

usne mutmahim lafzon mein bohat normal se lehjey mein Talaq ka ishara de
diya. woh chahti thi bua samajh le ikhtilaaf koi chhota mota nahi.

"Agar de bhi de to kya farq parta hai. talaq to nahi ho sakti, tu hamal se jo
hai."

jannat ki dharkanain tham si gayi. andar bahar sannata chhaa gaya. yeh
khayaal to aik lamhe ke liye bhi uske zehen mein nahi aaya tha.

"Kya bohat zulm karta tha? maarta peeta-ta tha?"

aankhon mein fikar mandi samoye unhon ne chand lamho ke tawaquf ke

baad tashweesh se poocha. lafzon ki maar ke aage, jismani tashadud ki kya
auqaat? usey Burhan se parne wala woh thappar yaad aaya. takleef us
thappar ki ziyada thi, aur bohat ziyada thi.

"Nahi!"

Bua ki saase yaka yak bahal hui. Aur unhone dil hi dil shukriya adaa kiya
ke chalo tassadud ka masla nahi. aik baar fir khamoshi bahal ho gayi.
aankhe mund kr Jannat ne dil se dua ki ke bua aur kuch na puchhe.

"Janna bachche kya sulah ka koi rasta nahi nikalta?"

Wo bahut mohtat lehze me bahut narmi se puchh rahi thi. aur ye sirf ek
sawal nahi tha usey paltne ka rasta dikha rahi thi. Jannat dam sade rahi.
"Pehle ki baat aur thi ab tu uske hone wale bachche ki maa hai, mard lakh
patthar dil sahi kamas kam apni aulad ke liye to naram parh hi jata hai!"

Uska chehra ojhal raha. nam aankhe band rahi. apni siskiya dabaye wo
chupchap leti rahi. wo uth kar uski charpaayi par aa gayi. uske baju par hath
rakha.

"Me jaanti hu ye tere liye bahut mushkil hai magar khud soch is tarah tanha
zindagi kaise guzaregi? Phir tujh par auk bachche ki zimmedari bhi aane
wali hai. Isliye agar sulah, safai ka koi hal nikalta ho, tujhe is hal par wakai
gohr karna chahiye.!"

Apni baar khatam kar ke unhone chand lamho tak uske jawab ka intezar
kiya. Magar Jannat ne goya lafz sil liye the. Saanso ko rokk liya tha.

"Sochna jaroor!"

Aankho me fiqar liye uski pusht ko thapthapa kar wo apni chaarpayi par
chal gayi. Jannat ne aankhe khol di. uska pura ka pura wajood dard ki lapet
me aa gaya tha. Usne ab tak bua ko apne masle se aagahi nahi di thi. Faris
ki nafrat aur anchahe rishte ke baare me nahi bataya tha.

Bua paanch salo ka azab janti thi, paanch saal ki aziyat se na-waakif thi.
Unhe uske dard ka uski bekashi aur bebasi ka andaza hi nahi tha. wo abhi
tak us poshida ikhtalaf ko mamooli nawaiyat ka samajh kar usey Faiza
chachhi ki harkat se jod rahi thi. Unhe uske mamlat itne saaf aur sidhe lagte
the unka khayal tha uska shohar aulad ki khabar sunte hi use baa khushi
apna lega. wo uske is tarah achanak ghar chhorne par bhi bahut fiqrmand
hoga. Aur wo hal ki bat krti thi. Sulah ki raah dekhti thi. Ehsaas ka zikr
karti thi, maafi par yakeen rakhti thi.

Wo Faris wajdan ko nahi janti thi. Jan bhi nahi sakti thi. Magar wo to jaanti
thi usey aur bahut achhe tarike se janti thi. Uski naak, gaal aur aankhe surkh
hone lagi. Aankho par bazu rakhe wo beawaz rone lagi. wo Faris ke ghar
mrs. Shirazi ki wajah se ruki hui thi. aur mrs. shirazi ki wajah se hi wapas
nahi jana chahti thi. Aur ye baat wo chah kar bhi bua ko nahin bata sakti thi.
Unhe Faris wajdan ki nafrat ki wajah nahi samjh sakti thi. Saare lafz, saari
daleele, saari ki saari wajahate khatam ho jati thi.
Aik khamoshi si thi jo reh jati thi. Aik jamud hi tha jo tari ho jaya karta tha.
Isne pehle bhi kisi ko kuch nahi bataya tha ab bhi nahi batana chahti thi.
Lekin bua in sab baato se bekhabar un rasto ko dhundh rahi thi jo aziyate
bhare aur purkhar the. Un khusiyo ko talash rahi thi jin par uska koi haq tha
hi nahi. Baat Naseeb ki thi aur ab bhi naseeb ki hi thi.

❏❏❏

"𝑲𝒂𝒉𝒂 𝒂𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒌𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆?

𝑲𝒂𝒉𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂? 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒂..

𝒋𝒐 𝒎𝒊𝒍 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒅 𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒉,

𝒋𝒐 𝒏𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒍 𝑱𝒂𝒂

"

Rang Birange gubbare ura diye gaye. tab mein pani bhara gaya, kaghaz ki
kashtiyan banai gayeen, rangon se kayi lakerain safhon par lagai gayeen,
kayi phool banaye gaye kayi ghar sajaye gaye. aur kayi khushiya sabz
darakhton ki shaakhon par parindon ki soorat bitha di gayeen.

"𝑾𝒐 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒃 𝒌𝒊 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒏

𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒊 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒊..

𝒅𝒊𝒍-𝒆-𝒃𝒆-𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊 𝒃𝒂𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒏

𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒖𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒂, 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒖𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒂

..!!"

fatima ki do guriya thee. aik ko dulhan aur doosri ke baal chhupa kar,
marker se monchen darhhi bana kar, safaid shalwar suit pehna kar
zabardasti ka gudda banadiya gaya. shaam tak shadi sar-anjaam paana thi.
uske kamre mein, almaari ke aik khane mein dulhan ka poora kamra set
Kiya jane laga. nanhe nanhe shadi card choti choti bachiyon mein baatey
gaye.

"𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒖𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒊 𝒅𝒉𝒚𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒆,

𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊 𝒂𝒂𝒔, 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒆...

𝒔𝒂𝒃𝒂 𝒌𝒆𝒉 𝒈𝒂𝒊 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒌𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒆

𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒂 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒖𝒍 𝒋𝒂..."

maghrib tak sehan mein jeete jagte phool jama ho gaye. guriya ka kamra,
uska samaan, uska jora dikhaya gaya, dulha ko bari shararti nigahon se
parakhaa gaya hansi dubaiee gayi. phir rukhsati mulahiza ki gayi. neeche jin
se upar uske kamre tak baarat aayi. phir palao khaya gaya. haste muskurate
phool khushi khushi chalaye gaye magar un ki aamad se jo sukoon utar wo
wahin thehr gaya.

"𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒊 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒉 𝒎𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒌-𝒆-𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒎

𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒂𝒅 𝒌𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒉 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒌𝒂𝒎

𝒕𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒈𝒊 𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒚𝒂

𝒕𝒖 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒌𝒖𝒓𝒂 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒖𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒂.."

kamre ki safai karte, apne kapre dho kar taar par pheilate, taiz dhoop mein
gulaabii rangat liye. mundair se aage dur dur tak phaile sar sabz khaiton ko
dekhatii woh.

"𝒌𝒚𝒖𝒏 𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒂 𝒉𝒖𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒈𝒉𝒖𝒃𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏

𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒎-𝒆-𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒈𝒊 𝒌𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏

𝒐 𝒋𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏

𝒔𝒐 𝒗𝒐 𝒉𝒐 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒖𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒂"

ur neeche apni behno ki ghair mojoodgi mein jhule par beta Ali, jara si
khafgi se usey daikhta huwa ke iski aamad ke baad se uski teen be adad
shararti behne ab har waqt aapi aapi karti aur upar hi payi jati thi. ab na kisi
se pipe cheenne par larai hoti, na jhoola hathyane par shore machta na choti
chaarpayi ke liye rona dhona hota.

kitna sukoon aur kitni khamoshi thi ghar mein uski amma ab aaraam se har
kaam karti thi. padosiyo ke ghar chakkar bhi laga aati thi. shopping par bhi
baghair fikar ke chali jati thi. ab woh us se yeh nahi kehti thi ki tum un
kakhyal rakhna, aur aise khayaal rakhna aur is tarah khayaal rakhna. dir se
hi ghasib larki ne usey dekhte hue haath hilaya to dadi, nani ke ladle ne
hanut se chehre ka rukh morra.

"𝒕𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒂 𝒋𝒐

𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒆 𝒌𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒂 𝒋𝒐

𝒗𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒂 𝒆𝒌 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒚𝒂 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒂

𝒔𝒐 𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂, 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒖𝒍 𝒋𝒂"

ujale asmano par simat gaye, andher dharti par utar aaya. chahar so sukoon
bhari khamoshiyan chhaa gayee. aur bohat upar se madham roshni mein
woh manzar numaya huwa. Saleem se video call karti bua aur samne hi wo
baithi thi.

Fatima, isha aur nanhi marwah ko sath liye. aaj subah hi bua ne ludo
mangwa kar di thi aur ab hanste muskurate wohi khail khela ja raha tha.
woh jeet rahi thi, bacchiya haar rahi theen. Saleem ko pata chala to khoob
hansa.

"Yeh waisi ki waisi hai amma! zara nahi badli."

woh muskurayi. aur yahi muskurahat uski aankhon ki nami ban gayi.

"𝒏𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒉 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒉 𝒉𝒊 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒊,

𝒏𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒉 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒃 𝒉𝒊 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒃 𝒕𝒉𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒍-𝒆-𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒆𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂

𝒌𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒚𝒆 𝒋𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒂? 𝑼𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒂"

woh neeche Ali ke paas gayi. kamar par haath rakh kar sar utha kar fatihana
andaaz mein muskarayi.

"Tumhari behnain mujh se haar gayeen tum jeet kar dikhao to baat bane."

itne dino tak usey nazar andaaz karta Ali yak tak usey dekh kar reh gaya.
uski nanhi si ghairat ko behno ki shikast gawara na hui. challenge qubool
kar ke foran upar agaya. aik baar phir mehfil jami aur woh no sala bachche.
se haar gayi.

"𝒀𝒆𝒉 𝒋𝒐 𝒓𝒂𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒏 𝒌𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒍 𝒔𝒂,

𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒌𝒉, 𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒚𝒂𝒒𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒓

𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒂𝒌𝒔 𝒌𝒐𝒊 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒒𝒊𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒓-𝒆-𝒂𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂,

𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒂.."

"Aap ko pata nahi lekin mein bohat zaheen hu."

usne sar utha kar fatihana andaaz mein jataya. behne uske sath jari baithi
theen aur itna khush ho rahi theen jaise un ke bhai ko haft Aqleem ki doulat
mil gayi ho.

aik marwah hi thi jo feeder muh mein daaley uski goad mein baithi, uski
khamosh saathi bani hui thi.

"𝒋𝒐 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒕-𝒆-𝑱𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒊 𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂,

𝒘𝒐𝒉 𝒋𝒐 𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒕 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂

𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒌𝒊𝒚𝒂,

𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒖𝒍𝒂, 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒂.."

uski ankhen dhundhlayi tabassum honto par thehr gaya. din bedaar huwa,
shaam aankhon mein utar aayi. waqt guzra, chand din guzar kar aik baar
phir ruk gayah.

•••

woh sandal aapa ke bachon ko ab shehzadiyo ki kahaniya suna rahi thi. Ali
naak bhoon charha raha tha. usey to kisi bhoot kisi jin kisi taaqat war
sahebzade ki kahani suni thi. jis ne kayi logon ke sar phare hon, dev
bhagaye ho, pahad giraye hon, tabahiya machayi ho.

"Mujhe nahi aati aisi kahaniya"

woh usey ghur kar keh rahi thi.

"Aap bohat bore karti hain."

rukh badal ke usne kaan par haath rakha tha.

"𝑻𝒐 𝒚𝒆𝒉 𝒌𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒚𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒃-𝒆-𝒉𝒊𝒋𝒂𝒓 𝒌𝒆

𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒚 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒌𝒉𝒏𝒂

𝒘𝒐𝒉 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒌 𝒌𝒆 𝒋𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒎,

𝒌𝒐𝒊 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂, 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒋𝒂"

safede ke pattoun se hawae sarsar kar guzri. baadalo ki oot se nikalti

chandni sehan mein utar aayi.

uske aas paas har taraf umeed ke nuqrai zarre bikhar gaye. usne dua mangte
hue un zarron ko ungli ki por par chuna. aankhon mein jaan khawab ho kar
bas gayi. qalb sarwar ke liye mein dooba to ang ang mein sukoon thehr
gaya.

"𝑲𝒂𝒉𝒂 𝒂𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒌𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆?

𝑲𝒂𝒉𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂? 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒂..

𝒋𝒐 𝒎𝒊𝒍 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒅 𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒉,

𝒋𝒐 𝒏𝒂 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒚 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒍 𝑱𝒂𝒂!"

aasman ko dekhte huw usne ankhen moond li. takiya phir se bhigne laga.
magar labon par muskurahat thehri rahi aur kaafi der tak thehri rahi.

•••

mutala abr alood tha. fiza mein habs ke sath khamoshi chhai hui thi.
shadeed garmi se uktaye hue Ali ka khayaal tha aaj barish zaroor hogi. woh
bhi yahi chahti thi lekin ghar pounchane se pehle tak nahi. sandal aapa
marwah ko liye apne maike gayi hui thee, Sabra bua hamsaye ke yaha
dawat par usey aur bachiyon ko bhaij diya tha.

khud woh ghar mein Saleem ki biwi Anam ki kisi rishta daar ki wajah se
ruk gayi theen jo aaj subah hi un se milne aagai thi.

Sabra Bua ki hamsaye ka ghar hare bhare khaito aur wasee sabza zaar ke us
paar tha. dawat se chaar bajey tak farigh ho kar usne wapsi ka rukh kiya to
us waqt aasman siyah baadalo ki lapait mein aa chuka tha.

Fatima, isha aur Ali, pagdandi par shor machate bhage chale jaa rahe the
aur woh sar par dupatta liye ehtiyat se qadam uthaati un ke peeche chal rahi
thi. shehad rang balon ki kuch late peshani se chipki hui theen. garmi ki
shiddat se chehra surkh ho raha tha.

"Aaj to tufaan aaye ga."

Ali ne haath utha kar aasman ko dekhte hi keh diya.

"Allah na kare Ali."

woh dehal kar boli. usey barish zaroor chahiye thi magar tufaan ke sath
hargiz nahi. Ali ne murr kar usey dekha, phir ruk gaya.

"aap yahan nayi aayi hona is liye aap ko nahi pata. hamein pata yahan saari
hawae ruk jati hain, phir baadal aate hain. woh bilkul kale ho jatay hain.
phir hawae chalti hain aur bohat zor se chalti hain. itni zor se ke agar aap
kamre mein nahi chhupe gi to urr jayen gi."
jannat ne ruk kar paseena saaf kya. Gehra tanaffus le kar phir se qadam
uthaye. pata nahi Ali ko yeh kyun lagta tha ke woh kisi aur siyare ki
makhlooq thi jisey barish, aan tufaan ke bare mein koi ilm na tha.

"Iske baad barish aati hai, bohat taiz!"

Ali ne dono haath chehre ke qareeb laa kar, ankhen michi.

"itni taiz itni taiz ke"

"ke agar mein kamre mein nahi chhupugi to beh jaoon gi."

baqiya jumla usne bezaar ho kar mukammal kiya.

"Bilkul..!"

Ali itraya. phir taizi se bhaga. fatima ne uski dekh dekhi raftar pakdi Albata
Isha pagdandi se guzri kahin se phool kahin patte kahin se koi kaliye tore
jarahi thi. aur is amal ki wajah se woh jannat se bhi peeche reh gayi thi.

"Isha?"

har thori der baad woh ruk kar usey pukarne lagti. aur isha sarrayat pakar
kar phir se sust ho jati. khaito ke us paar mazboot raste par qadam jamate hi
usey fiza mein yaka yak thandak ka ehsas huwa. hawae chal gayi theen
magar itni taiz nahi theen ke usey ura le jayen.

Isha ka haath pakar kar apni raftaar berhate hue woh dayen taraf gali mein
daakhil ho gayi. bilkul samne sadak wazeh nazar aati thi. jis par ikka dukka
gadiya guzarti hui dikhayi de jati theen warna motorcycle ya phir rikshaw
nazar aate rehte.

Aik siyah Range rover usey sadak kinare hi khadi dikhayi di thi. shayad koi
jageerdar apni zamino ke dore par tha. gardan mourr kar usi taraf dekhte
woh doosri gali mein daakhil hui aur agle hi lamhe apni jagah pathar ki
tarah sakit ho gayi.

Ali ne bhaag kar aahini darwaaza andar ki janib dhakel diya tha. fatima
uske peeche bhagi thi. Isha ko gali mein hi koi cheez neeche giri hui mili thi
jisey uthane ke liye woh jhuk gayi thi.

waqt lamhe bhar ke liye ruka tha aur phir jaise ruka reh gaya tha. barish ke
qatre fiza mein muallaq hue, hawae ruk gayeen, shhor tham gaya.

siyahi mile jeans par khaki cotton off white shirt mein malboos Faris
wajadan uske samne khada tha. kushidah peshani par baal bikhare the.
Hazel aankhon ki surkhi mein nami thehri thi.

barhi hui shave ke sath yaqeen aur be yakeeni mein madgham hote tasurat
mein aik posheeda karb liye woh vahm se khayaal, aur phir khayaal se aik
haqeeqat ho gaya tha.

baadalo ki ghann garaj ke sath barish shuru hui. usey ghar chhore hue
pachees din ho chuke the, chhbiswe (26) din woh uske samne khada tha.
usne woh muddat poori hone nahi di thi. usey waqt ki had se niklne nahi
diya tha. jannat ko apni aankhon par yaqeen nahi aaya tha. faris wajdan
yahan nahi ho sakta tha. woh uske peeche yahan nahi aa sakta tha. aik nikah
hi to tha, aur us nikah ki to faris wajdan ke nazdeek koi ahmiyat hi na thi.

woh kisi business deal ki tarah is rishte ko aik aam sa contract samjhta tha,
aur is aam se contract ke liye woh itna safar tay kar ke yahan tak nahi
aasakta tha. Uska rasta nahi rok sakta tha. lekin jo Faris uske samne khada
tha, usne aisa kar diya tha. woh ab qadam utha raha tha to uski chaal ghair
mutawazan thi. aisay lagta tha jaisey woh kisi lambe safar se shikast khorda
siya lota ho. manzil ab bhi uske liye be naam, aur rasta abhi bhi uske liye
mushkil raha ho. jane woh barish thi jis ne uska chehra tar kar diya tha a
woh ansoo the jo uski aankhon se gir rahe the? woh samajh na saki.

Faris ke sath uske mamlaat ab is noiyat ke hargiz nahi the ke woh is lamhe
kamzor padtee ya hassas ho jati. woh uska sahara nahi tha ke uske bina woh
toot kar rezah hoti. lekin usey rona aaya tha aur jane kyun shiddat se rona
aaya tha magar woh saari chikhe aankhon mein liye, zabt kiye khadi thi.
woh zindagi ki taraf bohat mushkilo se palti thi, dobara fanaa nahi hona
chahti thi. woh wahi khari thi, jahan woh thi, magar faris wahan nahi tha,
jahan woh huwa karta tha. woh pehle kisi aur muqam par tha, ab kisi aur
maqam par nazar araha tha.
faasla khatam huwa. aur waqt ruk gaya. qareeb pahonch kar usne ahistagi se
haath uthaya, kapkapati unglio se uska gaal chuva. woh yaqeen karna
chahta tha jannat khayaal nahi thi, aik haqeeqat ho chuki thi. uske chehre ke
tasurat yaka yak yun hue jaisey us mein abhi abhi zindagi ki ik nai lehar
dorhi ho. ya jaise uski thi hui sansen naye sire se bahaal hogayi ho. woh
phir se jee utha ho. wo uski har kefiyat aur ehsas se be khabar se bohat
sadme se dekh rahi thi. Ali keh raha tha, aaj tufaan aayega. Ali theek hi keh
raha tha.

jannat kamaal ki zindagi mein tufaan aa chuka tha. yaka yak woh apne
satke se bahar aayi. usne faris ka haath jhatak diya. usi sarraiyat se rukh
badal kar ghar mein daakhil hui aur isi taiz bochhaar mein bikhti hui sidiya
chadhti apne kamre mein band hogayi.

Baris aandhi ne zor pakar liya tha. aandhi shiddat ikhtiyar kar gayi thi.
safede ke darakht hawa ke zor se goya sehan ki dewaron par jhuke chale aa
rahe the. dur kahin bijli chimki thi. baadal garjay the. andar aur bahar ka
mausam aik sa ho gaya tha. fiza ka sakut tufaan ne darham barham kiya tha
aur uske andar ka sukoon faris wajdan ne khatam kar diya tha. woh andhere
mein khidki ke samne sar jukaye baithi thi. chehra saata huwa tha. lab
bheenche hue the. aankhon mein nami thehri thi.

Faris wajdan kisi ke bulane par yahan nahi aaya tha. Bua abhi kuch der
pehle hi apni position clear kar ke gayi theen. unhon ne Faris se rabita nahi
kiya tha aur nah hi is silsile mein Saleem se koi baat ki thi. woh yeh zaroor
chahti theen, jannat apne shohar ke paas chali jaye magar uske liye unhon
ne khud se koi koshish nahi ki thi. woh usey aetmaad mein liye baghair aisa
koi qadam uthane ka soch bhi nahi sakti theen.

to kya mrs. shirazi ne usey bheja tha? kya woh un ke kehne par yahan aaya
tha? uska dil chaha, woh abhi neeche jaye aur isse mrs. shirazi ke bare mein
puche magar woh nahi gayi. zehen ko, har tarah ke khauf aur waswase ki
girift se chhurati wahin baithi rahi.

jane kitne gham the jo yaad aaye ja rahe the. apni aziyate, sabr, bardasht aur
faris wajdan ki nafrat, dhamkian aur Talaq aik wada tha jo usne khud se
Kiya tha. aur apne is wade par usey har soorat qaim rehna tha.
wapsi ki har raah us par pehle se masdood thi. dil ka har darwaaza us par
bohat pehle se band tha. ab usey koi hamaqat nahi karni thi aur kisi soorat
nahi karni thi. na sar jhukana tha, na minnat karni thi aur na kisi dabao mein
aakar koi qadam uthana tha. baat ab uske bachche ki thi. aur sirf bachche ki
hi reh gayi thi.

woh Adamm thi to ab usey manzar nahi hona tha. tasawwur thi to ab usey
haqeeqat nahi hona tha.

usey Arsalan bhai ka suit day kar oopar ayen to aankhon mein khush
gawaar sa ta-assur thehra tha. woh faris ki aamad par itni khush theen ke
paon zameen par nahi tik rahe thay. aisey jaisey woh un ka sach much ka
damaad ho.

"Mein soch rahi hoon, tere ghar wale ko khush khaberi suna du. ya tu khud
sunayegi?"

unhon ne poocha. woh gum sum hi unhen dekh kar reh gayi. Bua uske liye
sab kitna mushkil kar rahi theen.

"aur yeh kya to andar chhup kar baith gayi hai, kya soochega woh?"

Bua us par khafa huien. unhen faris ki kitni fikar honey lagi thi. sirf is liye
ke woh uska shohar tha. uski aamad ka maqsad uska irada jane baghair sirf
is liye ke woh uski thi to woh ahem ho gaya tha.

"Waise ma sha Allah tera ghar wala hai bada sohna"

lagey hathon tareef bhi kar daali.

"koi sohna wona nahi hai woh."

woh jo itni der se sabr kiye baithi thi, bol pari. Bua murr kar usey dekha.
woh khafa khafa aa chehre ka rukh badal gayi. unhon ne almaari se aik
mardana

shumal nikaali aur jane kyun muskarati hui chali gayeen. barish ka zor toot
gaya tha. madham phwaar hanooz baras rahi thi. usne doosri mom batii
jalayi, phir teesri, phir chothi magar andhera tehra raha uljan barhti rahi.
kuch hi der baad Ali agaya.

"Woh aap ke shohar hain?"

pata nahi Ali pooch raha tha ya bata raha tha. usne kuch nahi kaha.

"Thand lag gayi hai unhen cheenkain aayi ja rahi hain. itni der tak to woh
darwaze mein kharrey barish mein bhigte rahe."

woh uske barabar mein takhat par tik gaya. torch haath mein thi.

"Amma ne abbu ke kapre diye hain unhen. bilkul acche nahi lag rahe."

"kapre? ab ke zara sa rukh morra.

"Nahi, woh khud.."

usne nigehain mom batii par jamali, light jane kab on hui thi.

"Un ki gaadi achi hai, aur mobile bhi.."

phir jaisey kaam ki baat yaad aayi to foran neechay utra.

"Amma keh rahi sar dard ki goli de den."

"Kis ko chahiye ?"

"Jin ko chheeke aaye ja rahi hain unhen."

ab ke do zara sa choak kar uski taraf muri.

"Bua ne kaha bithaya hai usey?"

"baithak mein."

usey yaad aaya baithak ke bairooni darwaze se aksar aik billi andar aa jaya
karti thi. barish ke mausam mein to laazmi aisa hota tha. sab kuch chore
chhar kar woh taizi se neeche aayi.
Isha aur fatima braamde mein rakhi chaar payi par baithi theen. Bua ne
daant kar bithaya tha isha bhagtay hue do baar phisal kar gir chuki thi.

"Bua?" woh seedha kitcehn mein aagai.

Bua khana garam karte hue uski taraf zara si khafgi se dekha ke mohtarma
ko neeche aana yaad aa gaya?

"Aap usey kisi aur kamray mein bitha den."

ungelian masalte hue woh pareshani se boli.

"Janna! mujhe tujhse yeh umeed nahi thi."

Bua ko ba qaida gussa aa gaya .

"Mein ne yeh to nahi kaha ke usey ghar se nikaal de." woh ehtajajan dabi
aawaz mein chillayi.

"Aik hi baat hai!" un ka Para charh gaya.

"Mein dekh rahi hon jab se woh bechara aaya hai tujhe aaram nahi mil raha
"

"Bechara?"

Jannat ki aankhon mein is na insafi par ansoo aa gaye.

"Usey billiyo se allergy hai Bua ! baithak mein betha raha to tabiyat kharab
ho jaye gi."

"Tabiyat to uski pehle se kharab hai, pata nahi kaise gaadi chala kar yaha
aaya hai."

woh zair lab burr badate hue bartan mein saalan nikaalte lagen.

"tujhe, jahan bithana hai, bitha de."

Unhone haath se ishara kar diya.

"Bua..!"

woh rondi si hui. Bua ne khud ko sakht pathar kar liya. uska shohar, uska
farz, uski zimmedaari.

woh bigre tewaro ke sath bahar nikal gayi. Ali ko aawaz de kar baithak
mein bheja aur khud sidiya charh kar oopar aagai.

bed par se kuch risale ghusse se ikathe kar ke side table par rakhe. takiye
waghera durust kiye. chand mazeed mom batiyo ka izafah kar ke roshni
barhana chahi.ain usi lamhe Ali kamre mein daakhil huwa.

"Unhon ne kaha, mein yahin theek hu."

"Kya matlab, yahin theek hu? tum ne bataya nahi unhen, kamre mein billi
aati rehti hai?"

"Yeh kyun batana tha?"

Ali saraapaa sawal ban gaya.

"Uff!" usne peshani par haath mara. phir zabt kar ke sidiya utarti neeche
aagai. Ali bare maze se behalta uske peeche tha.

"Bataya tha maine, bataya tha billi aati hai kamre mein lekin woh phir bhi
nahi utthe"

usne murr kar Ali ko dekha, phir daant kach kachte hue drawing room ka
adh khula darwaaza poora khol diya. darwaze ke bilkul qareeb woh sofe par
shlwar suit mein malboos betha tha.

chhekho se kuch aajiz ho kar usne sar uthaya. aankhon mein khafgi, gussa,
narazi aur jane kya kuch liye jannat kamaal aik baar phir uske samne khadi
thi.

"Agar ab tumhe reaction huwa to mein tumhe CPR nahi dun gi. Hospital
bhi kaafi doori par hai. abhi se bata rahi hoon tumhe."
lehjey ko hatte al amkan sakht rakhte hue usne apne makhsoos lehjey aur
andaaz mein us par wazeh kar diya. aur jane kaisey, aur jane kis tarah faris
wajdan ke labon par tabassum bikhra. aankhon ki nami yakayak barh gayi.
be naam sa hajan surkh dooron mein thehr gaya.

"apni zindagi piyari hai to upar kamre mein aajao."

woh keh kar palat gayi. Faris apni jagah se uth khara huwa. isi khamoshi ke
sath woh uske peeche sidiya charhata chhat walay kamre tak agaya.
darwaaza khol kar usey andar daakhil hone ka rasta deti woh khud bahar hi
rahi. aur kuch hi der mein woh phir se neeche thi.

Bua tray hathon mein liye bahar aayi to usne chehre ka rukh poora ka poora
mourr liya ke muabada ab woh isse yeh keh den ke khana bhi woh le jaye.
sad shukar ke bua ne aisa kuch na kaha.

woh khana daine gayeen to kuch der tak upar baithi rahi aur woh neeche
jalay paiir ki billi ki tarah chakrati rahi. yahan se wahan. aur phir wahan se
yahan.

light aa chuki thi. Bacche so gaye thay. sandal aapa ne phone kar ke keh
diya, mausam ki kharabi ki wajah se woh

kal hi ayen gi. aur usey kisi soorat na neend aa rahi thi aur na sukoon mil
raha tha. ajeeb si tension bhi jisne usey ghair liya tha.

"jane bua kya baat kar rahi hon gi. woh un se kya keh raha hoga? aisa nah
ho bua minnat samajat karne.." usne nichla lab dato tale dabaya. kuch hi der
mein usne Bua ko seedhiyan utarte dekha.

"ziyada to kuch nahi khaya."

woh kitchen mein tray rakh kar uske paas agaien.

"To phir?" woh khud se kuch puchh bhi nahi rahi thi aur chahti thi jo sab
bata den.

"Tabiyat nahi theek goli di hai mein ne. koi baat bhi nahi kar raha. tum jao o
par. usse pucho, kisi cheez ki zaroorat to nahi. mere samns jhijak raha tha
tumhe bata dega."

"Bua" usne ruwan si ho kar sar uthaya.

"Aap..."

"Jannah" unhone khafgi se toka.

"Shohar hai woh tera, koi ajnabi nahi hai. ja shabash!"

unhone mohabbat se pukara to aankhon mein dhair saari nami liye woh
bigre tewaroon ke sath upar aagai.

"Aik to bua." ankhen ragar kar saaf kee.

"Kuch samjhti hi nahi hain."

burr badate hue andar daakhil hui. samne hi woh usey bed par nind daraaz
dikhayi diya. woh janti thi, usey apne ghar ke ilawa kisi aur jagah par theek
se neend nahi aati thi magar woh bed par aik hi position mein itni gehri
neend so raha tha ke woh chand lamhe ke liye uske chehre se nazar na hata
saki. Isey be sukoon kar ke woh hamesha kitne sukoon se sota tha. Thak kar
lab bheenche, ankhen ragdi. aik baar phir usey dekha. barish se mausam
kaafi se ziyada thanda ho gaya tha. halka sa pankha bhi chal raha tha to
kuch soch kar kambal phila diya ke uski tabiyat bhi theek nahi thi.

paas hi mobile rakha tha, jhuk kar utha liya. mobile off tha. Battery
taqreeban khatam. us mobile ki charger wali pin poorey ghar mein kisi ke
paas nahi thi. usey be ikhtiyar mrs. Shirazi ka khayaal aaya. jab bhi woh
rabita nahi kar paata tha to woh uske liye bohat pareshan ho jaya karti thi.
ab bhi ho rahi hogi.

gehri saans le kar mobile rakh diya. Bulb bhuja kar usne khidki ka aik patt
khol diya aur khud Shawl orhhey bahar aagai. mundair ke paas ruk kar usne
tareqi mein dur tak dekha. tufaan guzar chuka tha. magar uske assaar reh
gaye the.

---- •♡• ----

•CHP-37•
‫ِﮐﺴﭧ‬

‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

Karvate par karvatein badalti woh kaafi der tak be aaraam rahi. baa-mushkil
bara bajey aankh lagi to daidh bajey khul gayi. usne uth kar baithte hue
ehtraaf mein nigah dorhayi.

poora ghar khamoshi mein dooba huwa tha. sab hi khawab khargoshi ke
maze le rahay the. aik wohi thi jisey aik pal ka aaraam nahi tha.

Usne chappal dhoond kar pahani. kitchen mein ja kar pani piya, phir fatima
par theek se lehaaf daalti sidiyo ki taraf ja khari hui. sar utha kar upar
dekha. neeche sab so rahe the to upar woh bhi yaqeenan so hi raha hoga.
kuch der tak shawl ko kaandhon par daaley kuch kefiyat mein apni jagah
khadi rahi.

Wo faris wajdan ko jaga kar Bua ki ghair mojoodgi mein hi uski aamad ki
wajah jana chahti thi. aur yeh kaam woh subah se pehle pehle kar lena
chahti thi.

janti thi bua mudakhlat se baz nahi ayengi. woh un ke mabain sulah ki har
mumkin koshish karen gi aur woh yeh nahi chahti thi.

isi tarah khud se ulajhti woh sidiya charh kar upar aagai thi. khayaal tha
woh so raha hoga, magar kamre ki light roshan thi. usne khtr ki ki oot se
andar jhakka. kamrah khaali. faris nadarad

"Ye kidhar gaya ?"

yahan wahan nigah dorate woh mundair tak gayi aur yahin se usne sadak ki
taraf dekha jahan andhere mein gaadi ka gumaan ho raha tha. kamra aur
phir sehan ka chakkar kaat kar achi tarah se jaiza layte woh dayen taraf
muri aur agle hi lamhe kisi se takra gayi.

khauf apni jagah jaga doosri magar jo chout naak par lagi thi, uska dard
purey jism mein dora gaya. Faris ne usey baazu se pakar kar girne se allag
bachaya.

"Iron man ke sagge." uski suji naak sehlate us par phatt pari.

"Dekh kar nahi chal sakte?"

halaank chal to woh rahi thi. Iron man to khada tha.

"Tum theek ho?"

khansi aur zukam ki shikayat liye Faris ki aawaz bhaari tanaffus bhaari aur
dil bhi bhaari.

"Tees second pehle tak theek thi."

usne faris ke bukhaar se tapte haath ki girift se apna baazu chhuraya.

"balke saat ghante pehle tak bilkul theek thi mein."

Tap kar, chilla kar jawab daine ke baad uski aankhon mein ankhen dalain.

"Tum yahan kyun aaye ho?"

woh usey dekh raha tha. nim tareqi mein uski hazel aankhon ka ab jaisey
koi rang nah tha. sirf siyahi hi thi. har jagah aur har taraf uske tasurat
mubhim aur paicheeda the. na uski aamad samajh mein aa rahi thi. na woh
uska dimagh parh pa rahi thi .

kuch to huwa tha uski ghair mojoodgi mein yaqeenan kuch to. yaka yak kisi
mumkina khadshe ne sar uthaya to dil ki dharkan taiz hogayi.

"auntie theek hain?"

pehla khayaal hi mrs. Shirazi ka aaya. pehli fikar, pehla khauf, pehla
andesha hi un ke mutaliq tha. uski wajah se unhen kitni pareshani hui hogi.
apne bete ke muamlay mein, apni pasand ko sochkar ke woh kitna
depressed hui hon gi. faris ka sar asbat mein hila. uski ruki hui sansen
bahaal ho gayi. sad shukar baat un ki na thi. sad shukar woh kher kheriyat
se theen.

"To phir?"

usne sawalia abr utha liya. sard hawae safede ke patto se sar serra kar guzri.
dharti par phela huwa andher asmat gaya. chandni zameen par utar aayi.
baadalo ke aawara tukre siyahi mein numaya hue magar jo khamoshi thi
woh kuch der tak tehari.

"us raat..."

faris ke lab hile. magar jumla adhoora reh gaya. woh kehna chahta tha woh
uska intezaar kar leti. woh kaise keh de woh uska intezaar kar leti? uska har
lafz hai bewaqat ho gaya. har baat, har Daleel , har Hujjat be wazan ho gayi.
bawajood koshish ke woh kuch na keh saka. kuch na bata saka.

baat dil ki thi aur dil tak thi. usey zuba par laane ki taaqat nahi rahi thi.
himmat ka sharaza bikhar chuka tha. na aitraaf ki sakt rahi thi, na moazrat
ka hosla raha tha. jane woh kaisey log hotay hain jo kisi ko rula kar aasani
se maffi maang lete hain, isse to nahi ho raha tha. bilkul nahi ho raha tha.
usne apne andar ki be qarari par qaboo paate hue balon mein haath phera.
uske khayalat muntashir the. uski soch waahmon mein ghiri hui thi. uska dil
andeshon ke jaalo se pur tha.

Dard ab har jagah tha. andar bahar aik ki kefiyat ho rahi thi.

"Us raat jo huwa mujhe uska be had afsos hai."

uske ehsasat se qatee be khabar jannat kamaal keh rahi thi.

"Mein auntie ko koi bhi tension nahi dena chahti thi lekin faiza chachhi
achanak aa gayi. unhone auntie ko mere bare mein sab bata diya."
Shawl ke kinare se kisi dhage ko khenchte hue woh aankhon mein afsos aur
nedamat liye is tarah se baat kar rahi thi, jaisey woh tamam ki tamam
baatein, uski pushida haqiqate, uski sachayi, uske aamaal the.

jannat kamaal ke samne khada faris wajdan mom ke putale ki tarah khilne
laga. uska dil muthi mein jakra gaya tha, uske seene par wazan barh gaya
tha.

"Tum bohat achhe ho baba se bhi achhe!"

uske kamre ke ain wast mein aik saat

sala bachi ne baazu phela kar gol gol ghumte hue khushi ka izhaar Kiya tha.
aan ki aan mein bohat si baatein, lehjey, tanz aur tane usey yaad aa gaye.
har woh talkh baat jo usse kar chuka tha, har woh zakham jo lafzon ki
soorat usey de chuka tha. kitni choute theen, kitna ‫ﺗﺸﺪ دﺗﮭﺎ‬, kitni nafrat thi,
kitna bara azaab kitni barri saza thi yeh usne aik lamhe ke liye bhi nahi
socha agar woh tamam ki tamam baatein jhoot saabit huien to ?

"Meri wajah se auntie ko bohat dukh pouncha hoga."

woh abhi tak usi gham mein thi.

"Uske liye I'm extremely sorry !"

Faris wajdan ki maa ko jo takleef pahuchi uske liye uski moazrat! Bahut dil
se moazrat! aur woh khamosh tha. bohat ziyada khamosh. usey laga woh
saans bhi nahi le raha. yaka yak kisi khayaal ke zehen mein aate hi usne
shawl ka sera chhore chhar kar sar uthaya.

"Kahin ab tum is baat ka issue bana kar mujhe koi saza waja daine to nahi
aaye?"

ab ke khasi mashkook nazron se usne faris ko ghora. hawa ke zor se baal

peshani par jhuke. aankhon mein nami ter gayi. jannat ke sath sath har
manzar dhundlaa gaya.

"Ab agar tum ne kaha mein tumhe Talaq nahi dena chahta, saari Umar isi
tara latka kar rakhuga, waghera.. waghera... to I swear mein khula ke liye
court chali jaoon gi."

sakht lehjey mein dhamka kar usne apne irade wazeh kar diye. woh us par
nazrain jamaye munjamid sa khada tha. jannat kamaal usse kabhi nahi dari
thi. na pandrah saal pehlay na pandrah saal baad.

"Aur agar tum samajh rahe ho ke mein"

"Aik cup chaye miley gi?"

usey laga agar woh usey sunta raha baar baar uske shak, uske shubhat ke
sawalaat ki zad mein khada raha to fanaa ho jaye ga.

jannat kamaal ne achambhe se usey dekha. yahan uski jaan par bani hui thi
aur is Ameer zade ko chai ka cup chahiye tha ? woh bhi raat ke dhai bajey ?

dhitkar, nafrat aik taraf lehaaz aur murawwat doosri taraf. Nokro ki fouj
bahar haal yahan nahi thi. sulag kar usey dekha.

sirf is liye ke uski tabiyat theek nahi thi aur sirf is liye ke woh Bua ka
maheman tha, woh ghusse se paon patak kitchen mein chali gayi.

"Apni chahiti biwi ko sath lana thaana un khidmat darion ke liye.."

burr burahat wazeh thi. woh uske peeche darwaze mein aan khada huwa.
labon ko muskurahat chhoo kar guzri. dil mein gham sa tehr gaya.

"Mujhe aik baat samajh mein nahi aati. jab tumhe apni pehli biwi se itni
mohabbat thi to tum ne mujh se shadi kyun ki? auntie ne gun point par to
nikah nahi prhhwaya tha. tum inkaar bhi to kar satke the?"

khamoshi mukammal khamoshi !

Cylinder jala kar ketli rakhi, dudh dala

"Bhale se tumhe bura lagey lekin aik baat hai tumhari choice hai bohat
buri."
Adina Zubair aik baar phir apne tamam tar ghuroor, husn aur nazakat ke
sath is ke hawaso par chhaa gayi thi to bhadas nikalna zaroori ho gaya tha.

"mummy ki choice achhi hai?"

"haan bilkul!"

woh be sakhta keh gayi magar aglay hi liye, aglay hi pal jab samajh mein
aaya kya keh diya hai to hai. ke ab woh kuch nahi bolay gi. galoon par
surkhi daud gayi. lab bhinch kar khud ko dil hi dil me kosa. khamoshi se
uski taraf pusht kiye chai bana kar cup mein undail kar muri to kitchen ke
darwaze nahi tha. apna mug sath rakh kar woh kamre mein aagai. samne hi
woh bed par halki si khansi ki zad mein betha tha. tissue ka packet haath
mein tha, roshni mein ab usne dekha tha ankhen surkh aur kinare suje hue
lag rahay the. usne chai paish kar di .

"Biscuit nahi hain ?"

woh jane ke liye murri aur phir zabt kar ke palti. biscuits ke sath aik glass
pani bhi rakh diya. apne tak hathon mein liye darwaze mein jaa khadi hui.
chand lamho tak usey ghurti rahi ke ab woh kuch bolega aur apni aamad ki
wajah batayega magar faris wajdan chai aur biscuits ke sath insaaf karte hue
usey mukammal nazar andaaz kar chuka tha.

woh andar tak sulag uthi.

"Tumhe pata hai yahan bua ke ghar mere liye kitne rishte aa chuke hain?"

aakhir usey yeh bawar bhi to karata tha ke woh koi giri pari ladki nahi hai.
aur agar Faris wajdan ko kayi ladkiya mil sakti hain to usey bhi apnane
wale bhi bahut hain.

woh chai mein biscuits dubo kar khate hue lamhe bhar ke liye ruka.

"Bua to has kar taall deti hain, unhen hamare mamlaat ka ilm nahi lekin
mein bohat ghhor kar rahi hoon."

"Aik rishta mujhe apne liye munasib laga hai. Bua ka dur pare ka rishta
daar hai. biwi ki death ho chuki hai. do choti choti si betiyan hain. larka bhi
koi ziyada bari umar ka nahi hai. tum se Talaq ke baad mujhe apne liye bhi
kuch sochna hai. ab mein kahaaniyon ki heroen ki tarah yeh nahi ke sakti ke
please! mujhe apna naam de do. mein saari Umar isi naam ke sahare tanha
rehna chahti hoon.. Blah! Blah! Blah!"

ba qaida chehre ke utar charhao ke sath haath chala kar kaha. chai mein
biscuit dubo kar muh tak le jate faris ne ruk kar nazar uthai biscuit tut kar
chai mein gira, uska dil bhi.

mug hatho mein liye usse is qadmon ke faasle par ab woh maiz par charhi
baithi thi. peeche khidki poori ki poori khuli hui thi. hawa ke zor se dupatta
dhalak kar kaandhon par aagra tha. shehad balon ki lambi pony se nikal kar
chehre ke etraaf mein dheeli ho rahi thee.

"Tumhare liye rishte aa rahey hain?"

"To kya nahi aa sakte?"

Eyebrows charha kar poocha.

"waisey mein tum se kuch dinon tak rabita karne wali thi. mera samaan bhi
tumhare ghar reh gaya hai. tumne kahin phinkwa to nahi diya ?"

Naak onchi kar ke zahir kya usey to ab sirf apne samaan se matlab hai. aik
aur biscuit toot gaya. aadha jo muh mein gaya uski mithaas khatam ho gayi.
usne pani ke chand ghoont bharay biscuit ka dosra packet khola.

"auntie ko maloom hai tum yahan aaye ho?"

woh khamosh raha .aur yeh khamoshi jannat ke dil mein karb utaar gayi.

zahir hai agar woh unhen batata to kya woh usey aane deti? is jaisi ladki ki
ab un ki zindagi mein koi jagah thi. woh is baat par ranjida hoti hongi ke
unhon ne faris ke liye uska intikhab kyun kiya ?

"tum yahan kyun aaye ho?"

ghoom phir kar wohi sawal, magar woh jawab nahi day raha tha. na tanz na
taane, na koi sakht baat na koi tazheek amaiz rawaiyya na talkh lehja faris
wajdan ab kya karne wala tha? woh bhkr mein par gai.

kaafi der tak jab woh kuch na bola to notebook ka safha phaar kar, us mein
apni kuch cheeze darj kar ke woh uske paas aagai.

"Tumhare liye be shak kachra hoga, magar mujhe meri cheeze bohat Aziz
hain. is liye apne kisi mulazim ke haath bhijwa dena."

faris ne safha le liya. fold kar ke uske Arsalan bhai ki kamiz ki jaib mein
rakh diya. woh tap gayi. lekin muh se kuch na kaha. phir unhi bigre tewaro
ke sath jane ke liye muri hi thi ke faris ne haath thaam liya.

"Tumhari bua keh rahi theen koi baat hai jo tum mujhe batana chahti ho."

wo apni jagah patthar hui. chehre ka rang faq, ankhen num palken bhaari
hogai.

"kuch nahi!"

bharai hui aawaz mein keh kar usne haath chhurana chaha. girift sakht nahi
thi magar itni naram bhi nahi ke woh azad ho sakti.

"Mera haath chhoro."

aan ki aan mein uske tasurat badal gaye the. woh tahammul se baat karte
hue bhi ghusse ki intehaa par lag rahi thi. faris ne chand lamho ke liye usey
pashemani se dekha. usey is nahaj par laane wala woh khud tha. faslo ki
deewar usne khud qaim ki thi. narmi ko apni talkhi se nocha tha. umeed ko
apne lafzon se mara tha. naazuk kalayi girift se azad ho gayi. usne tray uthai
aur kamre se nikal gayi.

kitchen mein deewar se lag kar kayi baar apni aankhon ko musla lab bhinch
kar gaal ragar kar khud ko sambhala, khud ko samjhaya ke jis raste par wo
kamsan thi, woh uska ikhtiyar karda hargiz nahi tha. yeh muqaddar ki chaal
thi. nafraten, dhitkar aur bila waja ki adawateen is rastay ka khasa theen jo
usey kuch logon ki be rukhi se inayat huwa tha.

Faris wajdan, Adina Zubair ka tha, uske dil par Adina ki hukmarani thi.
uski zindagi mein jannat kamaal ki koi gunjaish na pehley thi, na ab ho
sakti thi. jo tay ho chuka tha usey qubool kar ke usey har soorat apne safar
ko jari rakhna tha. usey kamzor nahi parna tha.

woh neechay chali gayi. apni chaar payi par let kar, aasman ko dekhte woh
musalsal apne rone par qaboo paati rahi.

Faris ko yahan nahi aana chahiye tha. hargiz nahi aana chahiye tha. uske
sukoon mein khlal par chuka tha. uske Laiha amal mein darare par gayi
theen. woh uske bachay ka baap tha, jitni nafrat woh usse karta tha, woh
aulaad ke muamle mein bhi ab usey kisi naye imthehaan mein daal sakta
tha.

•••

karvat par karvat badalte raat guzar gayi. din bedaar huwa, subah ki namaz
parh kar sone ki koshish ki to aankh lag gayi. kuch guzashta shab ki be
khwabi thi ke woh din charrhey tak soti hi rahi. das bajey uski aankh khuli
to Sooraj naizay par aachuka tha. sehan mein dhoop har kone tak pohanchi
hui thi. darwaaza band tha, khidkion ki darz se nam tareqi mein roshan
lakerain numaya ho rahi theen. pehla khayaal usey Faris ka hi aaya. dimagh
az sar no ulajh gaya. tension shuru ho gayi. uth kar bahir gayi to maloom
huwa woh to subah se pehle pehlay yahan se ja chuka hai. jannat apni jagah
be yaqeen khadi reh gayi.

"zaroor tune hi usey kuch kaha hoga."

Sabra bua usse sakht khafa theen.

"Teri wajah se woh bukhaar mein ghar chhore kar chala gaya."

be dili se wohi ke sath paratha hue woh aankhon mein ubharti nami ko
paray dhkelti rahi. Bua ke sawal, un ka gussa, un ki narazi aur saari
situation ko kisi tor na samajhne ka yeh amal usey shadeed aziyat se do
chaar kar raha tha.

ab kya woh uske paon pakadati ke woh usey Talaq na de? khud ko jitna be
mol karna tha woh kar chuki thi. mohabbat se, ikhlaq se, khidmat guzari se
us rishte ko bachane ki jitni koshish usne karni thi
karli thi. ab to kuch bhi nahi bacha tha. na mohabbat, na izzat, na himmat na
sakkat aur hosla to bilkul bhi nahi. to bardasht bhi aakhri had ko chhu rahi
thi. woh phir se kisi imthehaan mein nahi parta chahti thi. phir se koi ghalat
qadam nahi uthana chahti thi.

sandal aapa, Arsalan bhai ke sath ghar mein daakhil huien to woh chup ho
gayeen. lekin aankhon se wazeh kar diya ke un ki baat abhi khatam nahi
hoti hai. sara din woh pareshani mein mubtala yahan wahan tahelti rahi.
sukoon to kisi pal nahi tha. aakhir woh kyun aaya tha? aur mamlaat clear
kiye baghair kyun chala gaya tha? un ke mabain Talaq ka faisla hona tha to
aisey kaisey woh khamoshi se ja sakta tha? us par mustzamid yeh ke uske
samaan ki list bhi yahin chhore gaya tha.

Sham ko bua kamre mein aayi to woh esha ki namaz parhne ke baad bed
par name daraaz baithi thi. akhbar samne hi khula para tha. zehen uljha
huwa tha aur nigah mein khalaa mein kahin bhatak rahi theen.

"usne bataya nahi woh dobara kab aayega?"

Teh kiye hue kapre almaari mein andar rakhte hue unhon ne hanooz khafgi
se poocha. usne gardan mourr kar unhen muztarib nigahon se dekha. un ki
soch abhi bhi wahin thi.

"Ho sakta hai kuch dinon tak woh mujhe Talaq ka notice bhijwa de."

himmat mujtma kar ke usne keh diya. ab bhallay se bua skht naraaz ho usey
parwa nahi thi. woh kuch baatein un par har soorat wazeh kar dena chahti
thi.

"Magar Talaq to nahi ho sakti."

almaari band kar ke bua uski taraf murri.

"Ho jati hai bua! aurat hamal se ho, tab bhi Talaq ho jati hai."

magar woh shidra to yahi keh rahi thi ke nahi hoti. apni samajh aur feham
ke mutabiq jo unhon ne sun rakhe tha, keh diya tha. bed side table se quran
utha kar usne matlooba sourat dhoondli, aur phir matlooba safha khoola,
matlooba

aayat par apni ungli rakhi.

yeh dekhen. yahan likha hai.

"Aur hamal

walion

ki iddat un ke bacha janney tak hai."( surah Talaq )

"yeh aayat mutalqa aur bewa dono ke bare mein hai bua, Talaq har soorat
ho jati hai."

Daleel quran se thi, bua ke paas nafi ya inkaar ki koi gunjaish nah rahi. ab
woh uljan mein khadi theen. fikar ne az sar no ghair liya tha. inhen ab
maamla samjhta ho har gaz nazar nahi araha tha lekin inhen apni taraf se
har mumkin sae karni thi. kuch soch kar woh uske paas bed par aa bathain.

"Tune usey khush khabri to suna di thi?"

jannat ka dil bhaari huwa. nazrain jhuk gayeen. kisi qader koshish se uska
sar nafi mein hila.

Sabra bua haqwaq usey dekh kar reh gayeen. jannat yeh kya kar rahi thi?

"Tu is baat se usey kaisey be khabar rakh sakti hai janna? kaisey? yeh uske
sath zayadati hai beta!"

"Aur jo zayadati mere sath huien woh?"

sabar ka paymana labraiz ho gaya. aawaz bhara gayi.

"Mujhe uske sath ab nahi rehna to kya zabardasti hai?" woh is lamhay bohat
pareshan, muzamahil, aur shikast khorda si lag rahi thi. Bua ke dil ko kuch
huwa.
"Mein pehle se bohat mushkil mein hoon aur aap aap is tarah ki baatein kar
ke mujhe aur mushkil mein daal rahi hain."

uski aankhon mein ansoo jama ho gaye. usey tarhim bhari nazron se dekhte
hue hue bohat narmi se uske kandhe par haath rakha.

"Aurat ko rishta nibhane ke liye bohat qurbaniyan dena padtee hain bachay
yeh shadi, Umar bhar ka aik faisla hota hai. Ise yun jazbaat mein aakar nahi
toda jata. ghar basane ke liye aurat ko bohat kuch bardasht karna padhta
hai."

us ne sar utha kar takleef deh nigahon se bua ko dekha. baat ghar basane,
rishta nibhane aur bardasht karne ki intehaa par jane ki thi. Bua andaza nahi
tah faris wajdan ke sath apne is rishte ko bachane ke liye usne kya kuch
bardasht nahi kiya tha. Uska sabr uska thammul, uska intezaar kya abhi bhi
na kafi tha? Wo khud mit chuki thi aur uska Safar baki rehna chaiye? Uski
himmat, uski bardasht, Tahammul baki rehna chaiye? Ye kesi mantaq thi?
yeh kaisa tareeqa tha? kitni hi der tak woh apne aap se ulajhti rahi. andar hi
andar khud ko konsti, kholti rahi. Muhasib shuru ho chuka tha. paanch
saloon ka mawazna paanch mahino se hone laga tha .

Burhan, aik taraf tha to Faris wajdan doosri taraf woh do gharo ke darmiyan
aik weraan gali me khadi thi darwaze dono taraf se band the. aur woh khud
ko jaanch rahi thi. dil mein ja kar maazi ki taklifoo ko sahte hue mustaqbil
ka khauf uthate hue. Uske andar ki uljhanein barh gayeen. sawal barh gaye.
iztiraab barh gaya.

sar utha kar usne Bua ko dekha. ab tak jane woh ghar basane se mutaliq
usey kitney gun bta chuki theen. un ke lab mutharrak thay. aankhon se aik
aas chehray se umeed jhalak rahi thi. woh bohat pyar se usey samjha rahi
theen.

"Bua! aik baat to bataiye."

woh aik lamhe ko khamosh huien to us ne akhbar samaitt kar aik taraf le
rakh diya. zara sa agay sirak kar un ke qareeb hui.

"Aurat nikah naame par sign kis liye karti hai?"

Nam aankhon mein aik saada sa sawal liye wohab un se pooch rahi thi .
Bua ko is ka sawal samajh mein nahi aaya.

"Zillat? dhutkar? be izzati? tanj? tehqeer? mehroomion ke liye? kiya yeh

sab bardasht karne ke liye shadi ki jati hai? is azaab ko jhilne ke liye qubool
hai kaha jata hai?"

Bua ko saktah sa sun-hwa. lyon ko junbish day kar kuch kehna chaha magar
aawaz ne sath nah diya. jannat yeh kya pooch rahi thi? is nuqte ki taraf
kyun jarahi thi jis nuqtay se yeh rishta aaghaz pokarta tha. woh eejaab o
qubool ki ghari, jab do log aik hote the? aur jab do log aik hote te to rsht
nibhane ke muamlay mein woh do allag kyun ho jatay the? safar ka sara
boojh sirf aik ke kandhe par kyun aa jata tha? rishta bachane ki saari
mehnat phir kisi aik fareeq ko kyun karni padtee thi ?

"Shadi hamare Nabi “‫ ”ﷺ‬ki sunnat hai. kiya hamare nabi ki sunnat yeh kehti
hai apni izzat fanaa kar den. apna wujood mita den, apne haq ke liye aawaz
na uthaye, aur zulm bardasht karen aur marte dam tak karte jaye ?"

Bua be basi se usey dekh kar reh gayeen.

"Aap hi mujhe samjha den yeh ghar basanay ka, rishta nibhane ka konsa
tareeqa hai bua ?"

uski aawaz kapkayi.

"Aurat nafsiati mariza ho jaye aur uff tak na kare? andar se mar jaye mit
jaye, fanaa ho.jaye lekin aah tak nah kare ?"

woh baaes sala jannat kamaal..dr mustafa ki nawasi. titliyon ke peeche

bhagnay wali, paryoon ki baatein karne wali, woh keh rahi thi. aur bola
usey dekh rahi theen, usey sun rahi theen. waqt aur halaat ne usay kitna
bara kar diya tha. us ki soch kitni pukhta ho gayi thi .

Us ki baton mein kitna wazan aa gaya tha. tasalii daine ko tashfi karne ko
un ke paas aik lafz bhi to nahi raha tha .
woh jo kuch seh kar aayi thi aur jin halaat se guzar kar woh un tak pohanchi
thi, woh uska safar, uska rasta, uski majboori samjhe baghair is ki har baat
kaisay reh sakti thee? kaisey jhutla sakti theen? kaisey ?

"Mein ne Burhan ke sath paanch saal guzaray hain bya. mein ne uske liye
uske ghar walon ki har nafrat bardasht ki hai. har tanz, har tana, khud par
lagne wale ilzamaat sab kuch mein ne bardasht aur sabr se apna ghar
basaanaa chaha tha aur badle mein usne mujhe Kiya diya?"

"Talaq ?"

usne ruk kar un ki aankhon mein jhakka.

"Paanch salo ka sath tha hamara. usne mujhe paanch second mein azad kar
diya. mein uske ghar walo ko bardasht kar rahi thi, woh bhi to mujhe
bardasht kar sakta tha? mein uski be rukhi par sabr kar rahi thi. woh bhi to
mujh par sabr kar sakta tha? woh jaanta tha mera koi nahi hai. woh acchi
tarah se jaanta tha mujhe to meri saggi maa bhi qaboolne ko tayyar nahi.
iske bawajood usne mujhe apne ghar se nikaal diya. usne mere munh par jo
thapar mara, uski jalan mujhe aaj tak mehsoos hoti hai."

Uska chehra aansu se mukammal tar ho chuka th.

"Usne rawayya badla, tarjeehat badli haqooq badle, meri jagah kisi aur ko
di. mera waqt kisi aur ko diya. mera haq kisi aur ko diya aur mein khamosh
rahi. aakhir kis liye ?" uski aawaz bheegi.

"sirf is liye ke mera ghar bacha rahe. mujhe bataiye mera woh ghar phir
kyun nahi bacha? kyun tukre tukre ho kar meri aankhon ke samne bikhar
gaya ?"

jannat ke ansoo, uski shiskiyan, uska dard, uske sawal unhen takleef
pouncha rahe the. woh aankhon mein nami liye usey dukh se sun rahi thi.

"mujhe ab khud se nafrat hoti hai bua! gussa aata hai, mein khamosh kyun
rahi. maine yeh sab kyun hone diya. Maine khud ko itna kyun jhukaya? itna
kyun giraya? mein ne apne haq ke liye aawaz kyun nahi uthai. agar mein
waqt se pehley khud koi step utha laiti, agar mein khud Burhan se allag ho
jati, to ammi ammi kam az kam is sadme se to nah marti ke un ki beti aik
qatla hai. yeh drama, yeh hungama to nahi hota Bua ! meri wajah se meri
behnain ammi se juda to nahi hoti. meri tarah woh bhi yeh rishta to nah
khoti."

Bua ne be sakhta uska haath thaama. woh usey mazeed rota huwa nahi dekh
sakti thi.

"mein ne apne aur faris ke rishte ko bachane ki har mumkin koshish ki hai
bua! aap khud bataye kon ladki chahay gi uski doosri shadi bhi khatam ho
jaye? usey doosri baar bhi Talaq ho jaye?"

aawaz ne sath chorra to usne ankhen ragar kar saaf kee.

"mein ne yahan bhi sabr kya, bohat sabr kiya hai, lekin yeh ghar bhi aap ki
janna ka nahi hai. aap ki janna is dusre mard ki bhi nahi hai Bua!"

un ka dil kirci kirci hua. woh aabdeedah ho gayeen. kon keh sakta tha,
zindagi se bhar poor hansti muskarati larki ka naseeb aisa ho ga? uske raste
mein aisay pahad ayenge. aisi aazmayshin aur aisay imthehaan.

"Nana kaha karte the sabr halaat par kya jata hai zulm par nahi. zulm insaan
tab bardasht kere, jab uske paas bachao ka koi rasta na ho."

hathon ki pusht se ansoo saaf kar ke, chehray ke atraaf mein seedha girti
laton ko usne kaan ke peechay kya. is ki naak, gaal, ankhen gulaabii ho rahi
theen lekin woh muhtammil lag rahi thi. jaisey usne khud ko sambhaal liya
ho .

"Mein ne jo ghalti pehley ki, wohi ghalti dobara nahi duhrana chahti. aap
yeh mat samjhain ke jazbaat mein liya huwa faisla hai. jazbaat mein aisa
karna hota to bohat pehley kar laiti. jahan meri koi jagah nahi wahan mein
jabarjasti jagah nahi banana chahti. apni aulaad ko istemaal karke to bilkul
bhi nahi."

baat khatam ho chuki thi. woh uth kar bahar chali gayi thi. apne andar bohat
si khamoshiyan liye Sabra khatoon apni jagah gum sum baithi reh gayi
theen.
•••

mrs. Shirazi do pehar ka khana khane ke baad chai ka cup liye bed par
baithi theen. mulazma ne laptop un ke samne rakh diya tha. kamre mein ab
woh akeli theen. muntazir nigahon se screen ko sakti woh fikron mein ghiri
baithi theen. guzashta shab Faris se rabita nahi ho saka tha magar subah
usne apni kheriyat ka maseeh arsaal kar ke kaha tha woh do pehar tak
zaroor call karega.

kuch hi der mein call mil gayi. screen par kamre ka muntazir numaya huwa.
mobile ko stand position mein rakhe woh samne carpet par betha tha.

shower le kar bahar nikla tha. siyah tank top mein kasrti bazu numaya ho
rahe thay. baal abhi bhi geele the. aqab mein deewar geer khirkiyan, bed aur
wardrobe nazar aa rahi thi. woh yakeenan hotel ke kamre mein tha.

maiz par klhniyan tikaye ab woh kher kheriyat pooch raha tha aur woh
bohat ghhor se usey dekh rahi theen. surkh aankhon mein halki si soojan
thi.

"kaisi hai meri bahu ?"

usne nazar utha kar mrs shirazi ko dekha, phir mineral water ki bottle uthali.
aadhi bottle khaali kar ke french fries

ki plate qareeb kar li.

"Achhi hai." jawab mukhtasir tha.

"Sirf achhi hai ?"

"Keh rahi thi bohat rishte aa rahe hain uske, aur agar mein usey chhore
sakta hoon to usey apnane waley bohat hain. "

Mrs shirazi ke lanon par muskurahat ubhri jisey lab bhinch kar unhon ne
daba liya.

"Aur?"
"Mujhe dekh kar usey bilkul bhi khushi nahi hui. aik cup chaye pilane par
das baatein sunai hain."

"Usey lagta hai yaqeenan mein usayi koi saza daine aaya hoon."

Woh batate hue french fries bhi kha raha tha.

"Achha." unhon ne goad mein cushion rakh liya.

"woh chahti hai wade ke mutabiq ab mein usey azad kar du. nahi kiya to
woh khula ke liye court chali jayegi."

aur is aakhri baat par mrs shirazi faris ko baghor dekhne lagen. woh jannat
se milne ke baad kuch had tak par sukoon tha magar aankhon mein abhi bhi
fikar aur gham thehra huwa nazar aa raha tha.

"Aur tum ne kuch nahi kaha ?"

ruk kar, us ne nazar uthai. apni maa ko dekha. woh bachon ko sa Ishtiaq liye
ab Usey dekh rahi thee. woh jzbz huwa.

un ka beta sab khamoshi se sunta raha hoga, aisa to nahi ho sakta tha lekin
aisa ho chuka tha.

Usne plate se haath uthalya. pani ki bottle khaali kar ke side par rakh di.

"Mein usey kehna chahta tha woh mujhe maaf kar de, mere sath wapas aa
jaye magar nahi keh saka."

sar utha kar aik baar phir un ki taraf dekhne laga.

"kyun nahi keh sake?pahad jitni aziyate bardasht karne wale ke liye chand
lafz bhaari, chand lafz mushkil parh gye the ?"

"Sirf aik lafz se to sab theek nahi ho sakta mummy! paanch mahino ki
aziyat hai. paanch minute mein to khatam nahi ho sakti."

uska lehja, uska andaaz, uski aawaz, ankhen aur tasurat. un ka dil dooba.
"woh mere kehne par kabhi wapas nahi aaye gi. aur zabardasti mein nahi
karna chahta."

sar jukaye ab wo kalin ke resho par hath jamaye dahine hath ki ungli se
lakeere kech raha tha. Amal ger iradi tha. Kate ka nishan, manfi aur jama fir
jama fir jama se manfi ka nishan.

"Koshish bhi nahi ki aur radd ho jane par yakeen kar liya?" Unhone narmi
se poocha.

"Maine use bahut dukh diye hai mummy!"

Uska sar jhuka, deewar gir khidkiyo se tirche ho kar Suraj ki roshni sidhe
uske balo par parh rahi thi. Hazel aankhon ka rang ayaa, hasa ayaa dard bhi
ayaa tha.

"Tum mudawa bhi to karna chahte ho?"

"Madawe se pehle ek baat ahem hai mummy! wo mujh par aitbaar kabhi
nahi

Karegi."

Manfi, jama ka khel ab khtm ho chuka tha. Aur sar jhukaye gumsum betha
tha. Pachhtawo me ghira hua. Naseeb aur kismat ke is anokhe khel ko
samjhne ki koshish karta hua. Koi aur bhi to ho sakti thi jisse uska nikah
hua hota Jannat kamal hi kyu? Dr. Mustafa ki nawasi hi kyu? Uski bila
wajah ki nafrat aur advato ka samna Jannat kamal ke hisse me hi kyu aaya?
Uski takleef badh gayi , nadamat badh gayi. Dard badh gaya.

Mrs. Shirazi ab kisi gehri soch me gum bilkul khamosh bethi thi. Wo bhi
chup tha. Kehne ko mazid ab kuch naa raha tha. Sare raste masnud,
deeware majbut, aur hasaas fir se kayam hone laga tha.

"Me khud ko kasoorwar samjhti hu, ye jante hue bhi ki wo mere mohsin Dr.
Mustafa ki nawasi hai , maine uske liye ye mushkil rasta chuna!"

Faris wajdan aziyato me gum gaya.

"Tum shadi nahi karna chahte the. Maine tumhe majboor kiya, maine galat
kiya, me sirf itna chahti thi. Tum maazi ko bhulakar apni nayi zindagi shuru
karo, biwi aayegi bachche hoge to sab theek ho jayega lekin.. shayad me
galat thi shayad me galat hu. zulm to phir zulm hai, aur chunke Mera faisla
tha me khudko buri alzmh nahi samjhti."

"Mummy!" Usne be basi se kehna chaha magar unhon ne haath ke ishare se

rok diya.

"Mujhe tum se yeh umeed nahi thi faris! bilkul bhi nahi thi."

woh sar jhuka gaya. biwi ke sath sath maa ka dil bhi buri tarah se dikha
chuka tha.

"Aadil Ahmed ko address bhaij do. mein tumhari taraf aana chahti hoon"

unhon ne itnay achanak se kaha ke woh herat zada sa betha reh gaya. is ki
maa yeh kya keh rahi theen ?

"Aap yahan ayen gi?"

"mein mazeed intzaar nahi kar sakti. mujhe apni bahu se milna hai. tumhare
uske masle apni jagah magar ghar usne meri wajah se chorra hai ke auntie
ko woh baatein pata chal gayi jo pata nahi chalni chahiye theen. jo mera
rishta hai woh kisi soorat khatam nahi ho sakta."

usey shadeed herat mein mubtala kar ke unhon ne aqsa ko aawaz di. baithe
baithe mulazma ko kapron ka order jari kya. zaroori samaan ki packing,
khane ka intizam aan ki aan mein sab se paaya jane laga.

"Mausam kaisa hai?"

yahan wahan saare hukum naame jari kar ke unhon ne faris se poocha.

"Barish ki wajah se kuch thanda hai." Uske lab hille.

woh shock mein nahi tha, magar shock mein hi lag raha tha.

"Aap by air.."
"Nahi, mein by car hi aana chahoon gi."

unhon ne wazeh kiya.

"raste mein hum aqsa ke gao se bhi hote aaye ge. kyun aqsa?"

"jee jee bilkul!"

aqsa ki khushi se bhar poor aawaz.

jannat aapi aane wali thi, uski khushi alag, maa se milne ki khushi alag aur
mrs shirazi ke sath itni bari gaadi mein safar karne ki alag.

"Safar lamba hai mummy!"

"Aisey safar lambe hi hote hain."

agle kayi lamhe woh khud par khamoshi taari kiye betha raha.

"aik request hai mummy !"

"Bolo!"

wo faris ki aankhon mein dukh, fikar mandi, kuch kho daine ka khauf
wazeh tor par dekh saki thi.

woh jo keh raha tha usey suntey hue aik baar phir un ka dil dooba tha. baat
khatam hui to unhon ne chand lamhey kuch soch kar asbat mein sar hila
diya.

call disconect hui, chehra gayab huwa. balon mein ungelian chalate hue
usne maiz par head down kar liya.

deewar geer khidkion ke us paar aasman par roi ke galoon jaisey baadal.
Sooraj ki kirno se dakhte hue nazar aa rahay the.

❏❏❏
•CHP-38•

𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒂𝒐 𝒏𝒂

𝒌𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒂𝒍

𝒔𝒂𝒌𝒐𝒐'𝒏 𝒂𝒊𝒌 𝒑𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒕𝒂

𝒌𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒅𝒊𝒍 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒕𝒂

𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒃𝒊𝒏

𝒃𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒃𝒊𝒏

𝒎𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒂𝒂𝒕𝒊

𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒃𝒊𝒏

𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝒃𝒊𝒌𝒉𝒓𝒂 𝒉𝒖𝒘𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏

𝑺𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒉𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒃

𝒂𝒃 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒚 𝒌𝒂

𝑰𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒉𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒃

𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒘𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒐 𝒔𝒆

𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒉𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒃

𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒂𝒐 𝒏𝒂

𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒖𝒋𝒉 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒋𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒊

𝑨𝒋𝒂𝒃 𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒌𝒉𝒕𝒊𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒊

𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒃 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒊 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒌𝒊

𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒃 𝒊𝒌 𝒃𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒊

𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒃𝒊𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒓𝒆𝒉𝒏𝒂

𝒅𝒖𝒌𝒉𝒐 𝒌𝒐 𝒂𝒃 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒔𝒆𝒉𝒏𝒂

𝒚𝒆𝒉 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒍𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆

𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒚𝒂𝒓 𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒂

𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒎𝒊𝒍 𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒂𝒂

𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒂𝒐 𝒏𝒂

𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒂𝒐 𝒏𝒂

❏❏❏

Aqsa ne bhagam bhaag gaari ka darwaaza khoola. hand bag andar phenka.
Aadil Ahmed apni jagah zara mohtaat sa khara tha. choank kar usey dekhne
laga. itna bara siyah chashma zard, sabz aur surkh rango ke imtezaaj ke is
kapron wali ki naak se baar baar phela ja raha tha. tayari se lag raha tha
kahin shadi par invited hai magar andaaz khase tabah kum the. na heels ki
parwa thi, na choorion ki, na itne lambe air rings ki. aur chamkile dupattay
ki chamak aur sitare markazi darwaze se yahan tak bikhare nazar aa rahay
thay. itna kuch to woh gaadi ki diggi mein rakh chuki thi aur abhi bhi uska
samaan khatam nahi ho raha tha. halaan ke mrs Shirazi ne kaha tha unhen to
bas doosre shehar tak hi jana hai. chand ghanton ke liye, aur phir wapsi bas
utnahi !

boss ki taraf se bhi yahi order mila tha.

aur usne pata nahi kitne risale magazine, kitabe, hand bags aur jane kya
kuch andar rakh dala tha.
"Aap ki tareef?"

rango ki factory ab ke samne se guzri to usse raha nahi gaya. koi teesri baar
gaadi ke samne khade ho kar apni chand aik tasweer mein laine ke baad
aqsa seedhi hui aur naak par phisalti aeinak ko zara neeche kar ke usne
Mosoof ko sar taa paiir dekha. Suited booted no jawan baal khase
ghunghrale the. naak zara si thi. qad kaath bhi munasib tha. French cut
daarhi mein balaa ka sober aur sanjeeda nazar aane ki koshish karta woh
usey aik aankh nah bhaaya. ray mustaqbil qareeb ki

"Dr. aqsa, aur jannat aapi ki haliya manager!"

Itra kar apna taaruf karaya ke agar daal

faris wajdan ka khaas mulazim ho sakta hai to uski position bhi Shirazi
khandan mein kam nahi.

"Aap ko itna samaan gaadi mein rakhne ki ijazat kis ne di hai?"

"Kyun? yeh gaadi aap ki hai?"

barri barri gole sheeshon wali aeinak ko wapas aankhon par jama kar
poocha. woh laa jawab huwa.

Heels par dorti hui woh aik baar phir quarter ka rukh kar chuki thi. Abdul
Ghafoor maali darwaze mein khada tha. sar par haath rakhe kuch keh raha
tha aur woh kabhi asbat mein, aur kabhi nafi mein sar hilane lagti thi.

ab ke wapas aayi to haath mein shaper tha. adeel Ahmed ke samne aik baar
phir sar jhatak kar apni aeinak durust ki aur mrs shirazi ko bulane andar
chali gayi.

Wrist watch par time dekha woh gaadi ke bonet se tek lagaye khara ho gaya
tha.

gaadi se darwaze tak jagah jagah bikhare amoud ki Sooraj ki roshni mein
chamak thi, aur bethasha chamak thi .

•••
sah paher ka Sooraj ghuroob ho raha tha, andhere barh rahe the, roshniyan
mit rahi theen. manzil wazeh ho kar be naam thi aur raste aasman ho kar
mushkil ho rahe the. dil andesho mein ghira huwa tha. kefiyat ajeeb si ho
rahi thi.

Mrs. Shirazi ki aamad ke mutaliq janne ke baad se woh apni jagah sar
jukaye bilkul khamosh baithi thi. dupatte par girift jamaye, nigahain jhuki
hui. ansoo bharte, palkon par jhukte, phir thehr jate. rone par qaboo paye
woh khud ko aane wale waqt ke liye tayyar karna chaah rahi thi, magar kar
nahi parhi thi. aankhon ke samne aik hi manzar, aik hi lamha, aik hi saa-at
baar baar guzar rahi thi.

ammi ka ghar markazi darwaze se ain samne nim andhere mein khadi
Nafisa us par nazar parte hi barf ke mujasme mein dhalti, tut-ti phir bikhar
kar fanaa hoti Nafisa un ki khamosh aawaz, un ki

sakit nigahain.

"ammi! ammi! M-Maine kuch nahi kiya, ammi!"

"dur hato jannat!" imaan ne chikhte hue usay paray dhakila tha.

palken jhapak kar usne aankhon ko masal dala. phir nazron ka zavia badla.
dobara badla. pehley woh deewar ko dekh rahi thi, ab almaari par nazrain
jamaye baithi thi. phir usne rukh badal kar darwazay par nazrain thehrayi,
zavia badalne se manzar mein nahi badal raha tha maazi nahi badal raha
tha. kefiyat nahi badal rahi thi.

"Maine kuch nahi kiya"

aik jannat bed par baithi thi to doosri jannat usey roti siskti, tadapti apni
safai mein baa-mushkil lafz ada karti nazar nahi aa rahi thi. tab tak, jab tak
zindagi ka ehsas baqi raha tha. aur jab tak apnon ka aitbaar mukammal
khatam nahi huwa tha. woh baar baar ankhen ragar rahi thi. baar baar seene
par haath rakh kar gehra saans le rahi thi. ankhen khamosh theen. dil rorha
tha. kuch hi der mein Bua aagai thee.

"Woh tum se milna chahti hain."

dil ki dharkan taiz hui, sar jhuka raha .

"Janna?"

qareeb aakar unhone kaandhon par haath rakha to us ne baa-mushkil sar

uthaya.

"Mein kaisey?" Uske lab hille.

"Woh tum se baat karna chahti hain bacche."

"Bua mein un ka saamna kaisey?"

"Meri taraf dekh"

chehra hathon mein le kar unhon ne kaha.

"Haq par hai na tu? to phir itna dar kahe ko? uth shabash!"

unhon ne haath pakar kar uthaya to woh na chahte hue bhi uth gayi.

"Pareshan nahi ho, teri marzi ke khilaaf kuch nahi hoga. tu jo faisla kere gi,
mein tairey sath khadi rahugi"

unho ne aik baar phir yaqeen dehani karwai thi. kamre se bahar, phir sidiyan
utar kar drawing room tak jate uski himmat jawab daine lagi. qadam bhaari
honay lagey. bachche kamray mein the

aqsa un ke paas baithi thi. sandal aapa chehre par pareshani liye kitchen ke
samne khadi thee. darwaaza khul gaya. Bua khadi rahi.

"jaa!"

himmat kar ke woh andar daakhil hogayi magar darwaze mein hi jhuke sar
ke sath khadi ho gayi.

samne hi sofey ke paas wheel chair par mrs shirazi baithi theen. uski nazar
un ke qadmo tak gayi aur phir wahin thehr gayi.
bahar andheray phail rahe the. Khidkiya tareek ho rahi theen. waqt
mutharrik tha. woh munjamid ho chuki thi. Mrs shirazi usey hi dekh rahi
theen. magar kin nazron se dekh rahi theen usne janne ki koshish nahi ki.
lab baham paivist kaisey mujrimo ki tarah sar jukaye bilkul khamosh khadi
rahi.

"Tum ne mujh se aik wada kiya tha, woh wada poora kiya bina tum ne ghar
kaisey chhore diya? mujhe kaisey chhore diya?"

dupatte ke andar ungliyan baham paivist ho gayeen. sar jhuka raha lab
bheenche rahe aur ansoo girne lagey. andar hi andar dil par, khamoshi sirf
labon par thi to aankhon mein bhi utar gayi. nazrein qadmon se hatt kar
farsh par jam gayi.

uske peechey adh khule darwaze ke behad qareeb. deewar se pusht lagaye
faris wajdan khada tha. dono haath jacket ki pockets mein the, sar jhuka
huwa tha. kitchen mein khane ka intizam dekhti sandal ki nazar baar baar
uski taraf uth rahi thi.

uski mojoodgi se qatee be khabar, woh hanooz apni jagah, apne khoal mein
band, samit khari thi .

"Yahan aao!" Mrs Shirazi ne ab ke haath badhaya.

magar woh apni jagah se nahi mili. aankh ke kinare phir se nam hone lagey.

Mrs. Shirazi ne gehra saans le kar haath neeche kar liya.

"Mein sirf saas to nahi hu. dost bhi to hoon. tum ne kaha tha maa jaisi lagti
hoon, aur agar wakai me esa hi hai, to kya ye maa itna bhi haq nahi rakh
sakti ki jan sake uski beti ke sath kya huwa tha? “

waqai dharkan tham gayi, saan seen ne be sakhta sar uthaya. gaal par
aansoo ki lakeer numaya hui. Mrs. Shirazi usey dekh rahi thee aur woh
unhen. woh raat aik baar phir aa kar thehr gayi thi. faiza chachi ki baatein,
unke ilzaam, unka gussa un ki nafrat. us raat woh usey se laga woh waqai
mein usey barbaad kar gayi thi. unhone yaqeen chhin liya tha, aitbaar ki
dhajjiya uda di thi. Ab tak wo yahi sochti rahi thi. ab tak isi guman se badti
rahi thi.

magar jo aurat samne baithi thi, uski aankhon mein na to nafrat thi, na
hiqarat, na be aitbaari kya aisa bhi mumkin tha? woh khamoshi jo mahino
se taari thi, jo Talaq, Katl ka ilzaam, aur bhai ki wafat ka gherao karti thi. jo
har Daleel , har taweel, aur har wazahat ko dafna deti thi, wohi taaqat war
khamoshi, rooh se dil, aur phir dil se zabaan ko jakar kar rakhne wali
zanjeer numa khamoshi totne lagi.

"kya huwa tha?"

woh pooch rahi theen. sawal jitna mukhtasir tha, jawab utna hi taweel
utnahi takleef de

"Mein ne maheen ka bacha zaya karne ki koshish nahi ki thi."

uske lab hille. ankhen surkh hone lagi.

"Mujhe kaam wali ne bulaya to mein us ke kamre mein usey dekhne gayi
thi. us ne darwaaza band kar diya aur aur us ne sab toar diya. khud ko
zakhmi kar liya. mein ne usey koi takleef nahi pahunchahi pahunchahi.
mein ne usey usey zakhmi nahi kiya tha."

woh kapkapate hue, rote hue keh rahi thi. jacket ki pockets mein faris ki kya
tha. wo muthiyaan sakhti se bhinch gayi.

"Wo kehti thi, mein banjh hoon. kabhi maa nahi ban sakti aur mujhe, mujhe
Burhan ki zindagi se nikal jana chahiye. mein nahi niklee to phir usne.."

siskiya hichkiyon mein badal gayeen.

"Ghar par mere number par ne par wrong calls aati theen, unhen mera
naam, meri har maloomat pata hoti thi. mein ne Burhan ke ilawa kabhi bhi
kisi se rabta nahi rakha, kabhi bhi nahi lekin Burhan mujh par shak karne
laga."

woh aziat ke aalam mein sab kehti ja rahi thi.

"Mein ne husnain ki jaan nahi li thi. woh sab woh ghalti se."

aawaz sath chhore rahi thi lafz baa-mushkil ada ho rahe thay.

"auntie! woh meri guriya chhin raha tha."

"woh woh.."

Manzar jaisey aankhon mein tha. Sidiyon se phisalta, farsh par dhair hota
husnain. atraaf mein phialta surkh khoon. manzar aankhon mein tha. woh
panjoo ke bil farsh par baithi.

"Sab kehte hain mein bad bakht hoon, badnaseeb hon, meri wajah se mera
bhai mara gaya. magar mera yaqeen kare auntie, mein ne usey jaan boojh
kar nahi mara, woh sab…"

Uski hichikiyaan bandh gayeen. gala baith gaya. lekin woh bol rahi thi aur
mrs shirazi usey bolne de rahi theen. jo kuch zehen mein tha. dil mein tha,
rooh mein tha, woh labon par agaya tha. un kahe lafz chingariyon ki terhan
dhkte the, rooh ko ghayal karte the. khamosh lafzon ka azaab, jism o jaan
par kitna bhaari tha, koi jannat kamaal se puchta.

"Woh ghalti se gir gaya tha, auntie! mein ne jaan boojh kar nahi."

wheel chair dhakel kar woh aage huien. uska chehra hathon mein le liya.

"Koi kuch bhi kahe, jo tumhari haqeeqat hai, woh nahi badal sakti. mujhe
tumhare aik aik lafz par poor yaqeen hai."

unhone uske ansoo saaf kiye.

"Mein to itna janti hoon meri bahu kisi bacche ki jaan laine ka soch bhi nahi
sakti kisi ko janne ke liye paanch mah kam nahi hain. Allah gawah hai mein
ne tumhare kirdaar mein koi jhol nahi dekha, aur rahi baat tumhare bhai ki
tum sirf paanch saal ki theen jannat! woh sirf aik haadsa tha!"

chhe saal pehlay tak woh yeh lafz apne nana se sunti rahi thi. sirf wohi the
jo uske ke zehen mein ubharte har manfi khayaal ki tardeed kar diya karte
the, un ki har baat haadsa aur nasamjhi se shuru ho kar usi par khatam ho
jati thi.

itne arse baad, mrs shirazi se sun kar, us ka dil bhara gaya. usey to lagta tha
koi bhi is par kabhi yaqeen nahi kere ga kabhi bhi nahi magar. mrs Shirazi
ka haath dono hathon mein liye woh uski aankhon mein bohat narmi se
dekh rahi theen.

"Tum ne ghar kyun chhor diya?"

"Mein dar gayi thi, aap mujh se nafrat karegi. mujhe ghar se nikaal degi."

woh rote hue kahe jarahi thi.

"Mujhe laga aap meri kisi baat ka yaqeen nahi karen gi."

"Mein ziyada se ziyada kya karti jannat? yahi sawal pooch leti tum jawab
de deti. baat khatam ho jati."

baat khatam ho jati ansoo aankhon mein thehr gaye. Sar utha kar usne mrs.
Shirazi ko dekha, yeh baat uske apno ne kabhi khatam nahi ki thi. saggi
maa ne saggi behno ne, sage rishton ne hatta ke Burhan ne faris wajdan ne
bhi nahi.

"Mein, mein bohat pareshan thi. mujhe kuch samajh mein nahi aaya."

"Achha, bas ab ro nahi."

unhone table se glass utha kar uski taraf badhaya.

"lo shabash pani pi lo."

chand ghoont le kar usne khud par qaboo Pane ki koshish ki. woh itni
mohabbat aur itne pyar se usey dekh rahi thi, uske mil jane ki khushi
aankhon mein liye chehre par umeed bhare tasurat liye. ab woh un ke
samne, be had qareeb sofey par baithi thi. haath abhi bhi un ke hathon mein
diya huwa tha.
satais din ka safar tha, be ghar ho jane ki haqeeqat thi. maazi tha, aur
mustaqbil ka khauf allag.

Har khauf, har tension, har ghabrahat se nabard aazma hoti ab woh
khamoshi se inhen sun rahi thi.

"Ghar ke bare kis liye hote hain jannat?"

"Jo aap ka rishta tay karte hain, ya aap ki shadi karte hain, kya woh itna bhi
haq nahi rakhte ke aap ke mamlaat ko jaan kar unhen suljhane ki koshish
kar sake? aap ki madad kar sake? tum dono ne mujh se apni har baat chhupa
kar bilkul acha nahi kiya."

woh sahi maeno mein ab khafa lag rahi theen. woh kuch herat se inhen dekh
kar reh gayi. usne abhi tak faris ke ravayye se mutaliq to koi baat hi nahi ki
thi, kya unhe shak tha? ya woh jaan gayi theen? agar haan to kaisey jaan
gayi theen? kya faris ne? dil ne Daleel di. Dimag ne foran tardeed kar di.

"Mein ne.."

Usne kuch himmat mujtma ki. lafz tarteeb diye.

"Mein ne aik aur baat bhi aap se chhupa li ."

aawaz aik baar phir bharrai.

"Samajh mein nahi aa raha tha kaisey betaye."

woh un ki mazeed narazgi mol nahi lena chahti thi.

"Tum nah bhi batao to koi baat nahi."

woh samajh rahi theen, yaqeenan yeh bhi khandan se mutaliq koi baat hogi.

"batana zaroori hai."

ab ke gaal ragar kar saaf kiye .

"achha batao."
itna to woh ro rhi thi. woh zara pareshan huien ke pata nahi kya baat hai.
zara boojh halka ho.

"Aap, aap dadi banne wali hain."

bahar darwaze ke paas khara faris wajdan apni jagah pathar huwa be hiss
sakit munjamid!

Hospital ke corridor mein stracher ke pahiyo ki harkat, ‫ ﻟﮕﮍری‬flat ke laonj

mein coffee table par rakha safaid kaghaz, dressing table se aik jhatke se
sab bekhair te doodhiya hath an ginat sawal liye shak o shubhat ke daire
mein muallaq hota uska wujood. sawalia nishaan hoti is ki zaat mabham
hota uska naam musikh hoti uski pehchan.

usne be sakhta sar uthaya. surkh aankhon mein kinaroon tak nami phail
gayi. samne hi braamde ke is paar roshan khirkiyan dhundlaa gayeen. jis
deewar se woh tek lagaye khara tha, woh deewar fanaa hui. woh sahara kho
kar panjoo ke bal jhuk gaya. uska saans ab bhaari ho raha tha. uski kefiyat
ab ajeeb si ho rahi thi. chehre par pal bhar ke liye shak tha, phir khush
gawari herat aur phir is herat mein karb ghul gaya tha. aan ki aan mein soye
hue kayi gham kayi dard, kayi takleifein, kayi mehromiyaan jaag uthi thi.

woh maazi ki zanjeeroon mein aik baar phir jakra gaya tha, zindagi ki dor
hatho mein liye, yaqeen ki wadiyon mein utarte manfi khayalat ki girift se
apne zehen ko churatye, woh aik baar phir apne andar bhatak gaya tha, apne
aap se bhichar gaya tha.

"Mere Allah ! kya waqai? jannat are you really?"

Mrs. Shirazi lamhe bhar ke liye jaise be yaqeen hui thee.

usne shiddat jazbaat se asbat mein sar hilaya to unhon ne muh par haath
rakh liya. un ki aankhon mein khushi ke ansoo bhar aaye. agley hi lamhe
unhon ne usey khud se lagaya.

"Mujhe pehle kyun nahi bataya?"

uska maatha choom kar ab woh shikwa kar rahi theen. woh itna khush
theen, jaisay saare gham, saaray dard mit gaye ho.

"Mein dadi ban'nay wali hu! mere Allah ! shukar Alhamdulillah!"

Shawl ke Palu se ansoo saaf kiye, aik baar phir sar utha kar jannat ko dekha.
woh aik baar phir rone ko tayyar baithi thi.

"Ab kya huwa?"

unhone itne pyar se dono haath thaam kar poocha to zabt khatam ho gaya.

"Mujhe faris ke sath nahi rehna! mujhe Talaq chahiye."

Rona phir se shuru ho gaya. dil par bhaari bojh liye faris apni jagah betha
raha.

"Wo jahan shadi karna chahta hai, ap uski wahin kar de."

"Jannat beta!"

"Mein uske sath ab kabhi nahi rahugi auntie! kabhi nahi."

faisla hatmi tha. radd o badal ki koi gunjaish nahi thi.

"theek hai, theek hai."

unhone muskurahat daba kar uske gaal par haath rakha.

"Tum dono ke ikhtilaaf apni jagah lekin kya tumahra nahi khayaal, jab tak
delivery nahi ho jati tumhen hamare sath chalna chahiye ?"

"Auntie! woh faris"

"kya yeh munasib nahi rahega ke tum apne bacche se pucho uski mummy
ko kya faisla karna chahiye?"

jannat ne choank kar mrs. Shirazi ko dekha, woh dheeray se hash di.
"Kaafi arse baad hamare ghar mein khushi aayi hai jannat mein apni bahu
ko apni aankho ke dekhna chahti hoon. tum yahan rahogi to mujhe fikar
hoti rahegi. aur yeh mera tum se wada hai, naye family memberko aane do,
phir jaisa tum chahogi, waisa hi hoga! jo faisla tum karogi, mein tumhen
mukammal support karoon gi."

"Abhi ghar chalo. meri khatir ?"

usey aik baar phir rona aaya .

"Ab nahi rona."

pyar se kaha to ahistagi se asbat mein sar hilaya.

"sab theek ho jaye ga. mrs Shirazi use khud se lagaye keh rahi theen. usne
ansoo ponch daaley.

"Haan, sab theek ho jayega!"

"Chalo shabash! apni tayari karo."

Unhon ne kaha, faris wajdan apni jagah se uth khara huwa. darwaaza khol
kar woh bahar aayi aur uski mojoodgi se qatae bekhabar wo sidiyo ki taraf
murr gayi.

••••

kapray badal kar balon ki dheeli hi braids banaye woh dupatte ke sath shawl
ourh kar neeche aayi to pehli nazar hi faris wajdan par pari.

woh nim tareqi mein darwaze mein khada nazar aa raha tha. lamhe bhar ke
liye nazar mili. dil jane kyun ajeeb le par dharka. mrs Shirazi ne yaqeenan
ab tak usey bata diya ho ga. jane uske tasurat kaise rahe hoge. jane usne kya
kaha ho ga? rukh badal kar woh braamde ki taraf chali gayi. aqsa ba qaida
cheekh kar usse lapat gayi.

"Jannat aapi! aap ko nahi pata mein ne aap ko kitna yaad kiya."
Ali ki ghuyya aqsa ke liye khatam hi nahi ho rahi thi. woh sandal aapa se
mili, phir bachiyo se juaa is ke jane ka sun kar hi udaas ho gayi theen. Ali
ke tasurat ajeeb se thay. jaisey abhi ro parre ga. aur Sabra bua woh bheegi
aankhon ke sath khari theen. usey khud se lipataye jane kitni hi der tak
duayen deti

"Teri saas bohat achhi aurat hai! bohat naik aur bare zarf wali. mujhe zuban
di hai. beti bana kar le ja rahi hoon. koi takleef nahi dugi. In sha Allah sab
theek ho jayega."

wo khamoshi se sunti rahi,

"Rabte mein rehna, apna bahut khayaal rakhna!"

Nam aankhon ke sath usne sar hilaya.

"Aap Islamabad kab tak ayengi?"

"Sandal ki delivery tak yahi hoon, uske baad hi Saleem ke paas ja sakoo gi.
lekin to fikar na kar jald milne aaugi."

sab usey chhorne darwaze tak aaye. mrs Shirazi ko faris pehlay hi gaadi
mein bitha aaya tha. ab uske intezaar mein wahin khada tha. aqsa ujlat mein
qadam uthaati usse pehle hi nikal gayi thi. gali ka rasta barish ki wajah se
kaafi kharab tha. woh bahar nikli aur deewar ke sath usey mukammal nazar
andaaz kiye gaadiyo ki taraf barh gayi. faris ne qadam uthaye aur phir ruk
kar murra. Sabra bua usey hi dekh rahi theen.

"Aap ne jo kuch kiya, uske liye aap ka bahut shukriya! meri taraf se jannat
ko koi takleef hogi."

"Allah khush rakhe tum dono ko"

unhone dil se dua di. woh jane ke liye murr gaya. Jannat ahistagi se qadam
utha rahi thi. andhere mein gaadi ki roshniya bhikri thi. safaid gaadi faris ki
thi. itna to jannat ko pata tha. doosri gaari mein driver tha. Aadil Ahmed jo
bahar khada tha. Aqbi nashist par mrs shirazi Birajman thi. uski aankhon ke
samne darwaaza khol kar jhat se aqsa baithi. darwaaza band karte, lock laga
kar sheesha neeche kiya. jannat ke qareeb pehchans tak sargoshi mein kuch
nah kuch tay pagaya tha.

"Tum faris ki gaadi mein baith jao jannat hamari gaadi mein to bahut kam
jagah hai." mrs Shirazi ne kaha.

"Haan, haan hamari gaadi mein to bilkul bhi jagah nahi hai."

aqsa mazeed phail gayi.

"Ham khud itni mushkil se baithe hue hain. kyun mister aadil?"

Lagey hathon adeel Ahmed se bhi mahswara liya. is bhondhu ko to kuch

samajh mein nahi aaya ke itni barri gaadi mein jannat kamaal ki jagah kyun
nahi ho sakti thi. lekin jab aqsa ne aankhon hi aankhon mein koi aik hazaar
ishare diye to.

"Jee ma'am! bilkul, jee haan bilkul jagah nahi. aap us taraf jayeen."

sath hi adab se haath daraaz kar ke faris ki gaari ka rasta dikhaya. key lock
se gaadi ka lock kholta faris wajadan is situation se qatae laa ilm ruk kar
unhen dekhnay laga ke ho kya raha hai. jannat abhi tak bahar kyun khadi
hai ?

"Auntie!"

usne ruwand si ho kar mrs Shirazi ko dekha.

"Jao beta!"

unhon ne pyar se israar kya.

"Chand ghanton ka to safar hai."

Faris wahi aa gaya.

"Any problam?"

woh aadil Ahmed se pooch raha tha. aqsa ki bhanche khil gayi.
"Yahan to problem hi problam the."

Faris ne usey ghura to wo satpata kar sar jhuka gayi .

isse pehley ke mrs shirazi Faris se kehti ke woh jannat ko apne sath le jaye,
jannat khud hi qadam uthaati Range rover ki taraf barh gayi. darwaaza khol
kar Princess seat par baithte hi dharam se band kya. seene par bazu bandhe
chehre ka rukh khafgi se sheeshe ki taraf mourr liya. faris ki koi bhi baat
usne kabhi nahi manni thi. abhi bhi yeh ta-assur qaim karna tha ke wo mrs.
Shirazi ki wajah se gaadi mein baithi hai. uske kehnay par ya uski wajah se
to bilkul bhi nahi. aur is tamam soorat e haal ko samajte hi faris ke lbon par
udaas si muskurahat ubhri.

"Thanks mummy!"

mrs Shirazi ki taraf ka darwaaza khol kar woh andar ko jhuka.

"Sab kuch mujhe hi karna par raha hai. tum bhi kuch karo."

unhone dubi aawaz mein zara sa jhaad diya.

"Excuse karo usse mafi mango, baat karo. mein hargiz nahi chahti tum dono
ki ladayi ka assar mere grand child par pare."

andaaz me andaaz mein mohabbat bhari khafgi thi. israar tha, tanbeeh thi,
usne kis qader koshish se asbat mein sar hilaya.

"Mein aik baar pehley use tumhari zindagi mein layi thi Faris! ab tum khud
laoge."

unhon ne haath daba kar kaha. usne haath pakar kar bosa liya, aik baar phir
unhen mamnon nigahon se dekha, phir darwaaza band kar ke aage barh
gaya

aqsa jo is tamam arse mein Faris ki dehshat se khirki ki taraf but bani baithi
thi. Uske jate hi sukh bhari saans li jhat se apne thele numa college bag se
nimko packet nikala.
Aadil Ahmed ne uski taraf ke sheeshe par dastak di. Usne kuch choank kar
sar uthaya phir sheesha neeche kiya .

"Aap ke paas aaina hai?" woh pooch raha tha.

"Haan hai, to?" woh itrayi.

"Dekh lijiye."

woh keh kar seat par Birajman huwa. aqsa ne zara herat se usey dekha, phir
bag khangal kar aaina nikala. gaadi mein zarkar madham roshni thi, phir bhi
mobile nikaal kar flash light on kar ke apni shakal dekhi. kajal dono
aankhon ke gird achha khasa phela huwa tha. neela shade bhawo ke neeche
atraaf mein, har taraf yun lag raha tha jaisey kisi ne baqaida dokho se
aankhon par jarr diye hon. aik lambi si cheekh uske halaq se nikalte nikalte
dam toar gayi .

'kisi ne usey bataya kyun nahi?' zehen mein dhamake ho rahe the , is arse
mein sab uski yahi shakal dekhte rahay the? woh sharam se pani pani hone
lagi.

jhat se tissue nikala aur rone par qaboo paate ragar ragar kar saaf karne lagi.
make up ka kajal, mascara, aur liner laga kar woh to bhool hi gayi thi aur
Sabra khatoon ke ghar mein daakhil hote hi chehre par thande pani ke
chhpakke ke de maare the. 'to bachche is liye mujhe ghour ghour kar dekh
rahe they?' maare khafat ke ankhen mitch li.

seat par Birajman Aadil Ahmed back view mirror se uske tasurat mulahiza
karta apni hashi kisi had tak daba chuka tha.

❏❏❏
•CHP-39•
•••

darwaze lock ho chuke the. gaadi start thi taqreeban magar abhi harkat mein
nahi aayi thi. andar, bahar sannata sa chaaya tha. aik mukammal khamoshi
dono ka ihata kiye hue thi. woh fikron mein ghiri sheeshe ki taraf rukh kiye
baithi thi. naakhun ungli taley dabe Shawl ke andar muthi sakhti se band
kiye.

"Kya haal hai?"

barabar mein baithe Faris wajdan ne khamoshi tor di.

"Mujh se koi baat mat karo!"

"Yeh sawal maine kisi aur se bhi poocha hai."

Jannat ka chehra surkh para .

"Ham se koi baat mat karo."

aur jis istehqaq se usne hum kaha, woh dheere se muskura diya. apni
qismat, apna naseeb usey aaj se pehley kabhi itna achha nahi laga tha.

"Lekin mein karna chahta hoon." usne kaha.

Aadil Ahmed ki gaadi barabar se guzar kar aage hui to usne staring wheels
par girift jamaye ail baar phir rukh mourr kar jannat ko dekha. seene par
bazu bandhe wo khidki ki taraf rukh kiye baithi thi. chehra ojhal tha. khafa
aankhe bahar kahin tarikeon se ulajh rahi theen.

"Tum ne mujh se poocha nahi, woh surprise kya tha jo mein Karachi se
wapsi par tumhe dena chahta tha?"

woh ahistagi se goya huwa.

"Puchne ki kya zaroorat thi? jab woh surprise khud chal kar mere samne
aagai thi." jal kar jawab dete hue ab ke usne apna rukh Faris ki taraf morra.

"By the way, mister shirazi! mein sirf auntie ki wajah se ghar jarahi hoon.
tumhare sath jo meri deal hui thi, woh ab bhi qaim hai. maimne to auntie se
keh diya hai, bhale se tumhari doosri shadi ho, teesri shadi ho, chothi shadi
ho. I really don't care! mujhe sirf apni Talaq se gharz hai."

khamoshi se uski poori baat sun laine ke baad woh tamam tar tawajah
driving par markooz kar chuka tha. hamesha ki tarah uska pursukoon
rawaiyya jannat ko andar tak sulga gaya .

"Aur gaadi mein bhi isi liye baithi hoon kyunke unhone mujh se kaha, is
liye nahi ke mein baithna chahti thi. tumahra to mujhe pata hai, tum to yahi
sochoge tumhari saari plannings ka bera ghark jo ho chuka hai." woh shuru
ho chuki thi.

"Kuch logi?"

Faris ne aqbi nashist ki taraf haath berhate hue poocha. peeche khane ke
pack kiye lawazmaat rakhe the jo mrs. Shirazi ghar se layi thi. apni baat
qata ho jane par usne sard nazro se usey dekha, phir ghusse se rukh mourr
gayi .

"Don't talk to me!"

woh dukh se muskuraya. jaanta tha, baat karna chahega to woh ulajh parre
gi, ya kaano par haath rakh kar rone lag jaye gi. aur woh aisa nahi chahta
tha. In aankhon ne bohat rulaya, ab aur nahi. un ke mabain aik baar phir
khamoshi chhaa gayi.

jannat nashist ke sath pusht tikaye, easy ho kar samne dekh rahi thi. gaadi
main road par sarrayt pakdae hue thi. aas paas andhere mein roshniya
bikherti gadiya guzar rahi thi. driving karte hue woh har thori der baad uski
taraf dekhte hue jaise tasalii kar laita tha. haqeeqat ko khawab hone mein
der hi kitni lagti hai? uska khauf, uska khadsha, uski tamam tar aziyate apni
jagah qaim thi. sheeshe ke sath peshani tikaye, kisi gehri soch kisi gehre
khayaal mein gum jannat ne ankhen moond li theen. zindagi ne aik baar
phir raasto ka taayun kar liya tha. manzil abhi bhi dhund li thi. be naam aur
ghair wazeh si thi. anjaam abhi bhi nahi badla tha. farq halaat par para tha,
nafsiat par bhi, asaab par bhi

uske kandhe kisi boojh se jhuke nahi jarahe the. dil se jaisey koi saqeel se
hatt gayi thi. woh khud ko bohat halka phulka sa mehsoos kar rahi thi.
maazi hanooz jura huwa tha magar aisa pehli baar huwa tha ke uski takleef
usey apne haal ka ihata karti hui mehsoos nahi ho rahi thi. yeh khushi chand
lamho ki hi sahi, yeh sukoon kuch pal ka hi sahi lekin mila to sahi. woh
mrs. shirazi ko aik baar phir sochne lagi thi. ghamo ke baadal poori tarah se
nahi chhate the magar usey aasman abhi se, bohat ujla, bohat neela nazar
aane laga tha. woh kuch adhoore khowabo ko aankhon mein sajaye aane
wala kal ko soch rahi thi. adhuri tasweer ka aik hissa mukammal hone wala
tha.

pursukoon khamoshi mein uski ankhen ahistagi se band hone lagi sakhti se
band unglio par girift dheeli pari. shawl ka aik serra kandhe se sirak kar
pehlu mein aa gira. bahar halki halki si bonda Bandi shuru ho chuki thi.

Faris ke sath wapsi ka har safar aise hi baadalo se aur baarisho se ghira
rehta tha. aur kise ilm tha. wapsi ke is safar mein woh do nahi, teen hoge?
woh neend ki wadiyon mein utar gayi. aur Faris wajdan apni nigahein road
par jamaye yaksoi se driving karta raha.

jane kitna waqt beeta tha lekin usey yaqeen tha, ziyada se ziyada aik ghanta
hi guzra ho ga ya usse bhi kam. barish tham chuki thi. wind screen par
kahin kahin qatre nazar aa rahe the. uski tabiyat makdar ho rahi thi. matli ka
ehsas shadeed hone laga. pehle pehal to ankhen moond baithi rahi ke theek
ho jayegi, magar jab ubkai ka ehsas huwa to usne be sakhta Faris ke baazu
par haath rakha.

"Gaadi roko faris!"

"Kya huwa?"

Gaadi ki raftaar yaka yak sat pari aur agle hi lamhe sadak se zara neeche ho
kar ruk gayi. wo darwaaza khol kar taizi se bahar nikal gayi. andhere mein
sadak kinare ghaas aur ounche lambe darakhto ke samne woh panjoo ke bil
jhuk gayi thi. pani ki bottle uthaye Faris uske peeche bahar aa gaya. Khaste
hue keh karti woh aziyat mein gayi. woh kuch fikar mandi se peeche khada
raha.

woh uth kar seedhi hui to usne pani ki bottle barhai. usne bottle le kar mun
haath dhoya. uski aankhon mein nami teer rahi thi, saans bhaari tha.

himmat kar ke qadam uthane gayi to faris ne haath aage kya, jo ke baghair
kisi tasaddud ke usne thaam liya. shayad usey dar tha woh gir na jaye.
kapkapata huwa sard hath faris ke haath mein diye woh passenger seat par
baithi.

"Are you alright?"

woh usse pooch raha tha. bhaari saanson ke sath usne asbat mein sar hilaya.
wujood par aik kapkapi si taari thi. woh apni seat sambhale ab uski taraf
poori tarah se mutwajjah tha. aankhon mein fikar thi. mobile holdar mein
aistaadah uske mobile ki screen aika aik roshan hui thi.

'AR' ke naam se call aa rahi ke thi. chand aik massages ka notification bhi
faris ne call disconnect kar di. peeche kahin daur aur bahut dur kisi gaadi ki
head lights tareek ho gayi thi. ab ki baar usne ijazat nahi chahi thi. haath
barha kar aqbi nashist se dinner box khola.

"Pulao, qeema mutter, fried chicken, meethe mein kheer hai, fruit trifle bhi
hai."

usne khane ginwaye, ke shayad ab woh kuch khale.

"Tum ghar se itna kuch laaye ho?"

zara heran ho kar uski taraf muri. neend se bhari hui hai aaraam ankhen, be
thaasha rone ki wajah se sooji hui lag rahi thi.

"Mummy layi hain."

"Haan wohi laa sakti hain. tum se mujhe aisi koi umeed bhi nahi."

Faris usey dekh kar reh gaya.

woh jo kuch der pehley tak uske offer karne par bhi inkaar mein sar hilaye
narazi ki deewar qaim kiye baithi thi, to ab khud uth kar peeche chali gayi
thi.

darwaaza band huwa to faris ne gardan mourr kar peeche dekha. gaari ki zar
car dom lights on kiye ab woh box waghera dekh rahi thi. Bua ke ghar se
aate waqt theek se khana bhi nahi kha saki thi .

apne liye plate mein pulao nikala. sath hi chicken ka leg piece rakha. gaadi
ishtiha angaiz khushbu se bhar gayi.

"Lao, yeh mein khol deta hoon."

Raite ka nanha sa box usse nahi khul raha tha.

"Khol lugi mein khud hi."

usne kaha magar yaad aaya agar aik kharash bardasht na karne walay ki
gaadi ke andar rayeta ka koi aik qatra bhi gira to woh kitna hangama kere
ga? kyunke jis tarah se woh kholna chaah

rahi thi, to yahi hona tha.

tameez se box usey diya. jisey khol kar usne wapas kar diya.

"Aik plate mere liye bhi."

palao ka teesra chamch muh tak le jatay usne ruk kar faris ko dekha. na
gawari se bhawe sukood kar apni plate aik taraf rakhi. doosri plate mein
pulao nikala, sath hi leg piece bhi, rayta, salad waghera daal kar farigh hui
to pata chala woh kab ka uski plate uthaye khana shuru bhi kar chuka tha.

"Tum.."

lab bhinch kar usey kuch sakht ast kehna chaha magar ruk gayi.

"Samjhta kya tha yeh khud ko?"

"Pani chahiye?"
Faris ne apni bottle se aadha pani pi kar baqiya uski taraf badhaya. woh
usey

ghurti hui apni plate par jhuk gayi.

"Tumahra bacha huwa nahi chahiye."

"Ok! waise bhi yeh aakhri hai."

usne bottle dobara labo se lagana chahi.

"Idhar do mujhe."

Ghusse se jhirak kar bottle khichi. mirchi bhi to lag rahi thi. shayad raite
mein ziyada thi.

muskurahat zabt karte hue woh rukh badal gaya. Aqbi nashist par aalti
paalti maare ab woh khana kha rahi thi. bahut aaraam aur tasalii se. chehra
karb

se aari, ankhen dard se khaali, laa parwa sa andaaz jaisey gaadi mein uske
sath aur koi tha hi nahi. apne aap mein magan apne rizq se insaaf karti, back
view mirror us par adjust kiye woh us par nigahe jamaye betha reh gaya tha.

pandra saal phele apni saari khafgi, narazgi bhule woh usey bahut khush
ikhlaqi se welcome Kiya karti thi. kya woh aaj bhi aisa kar paye gi?

'Nahi!' tabassum mit gaya. 'Shayad nahi!' Haza thehr gaya. aur dard barh
gaya.

•••

Awsaf manzil mein kaam karte yeh uska doosra maheena tha. aur is
mukhtasir arsey mein us ghar ka naqsha kisi had tak badal chuka tha.
mazdoor mistri aaj bhi kaam par lagey hue the. Manjhli manzil par samne
wale do kamro ko roghan kya jaa raha tha. upar wala pura naya taamer
huwa tha. ab darwazo aur khidkiyo ka kaam baqi reh gaya tha. plot ki kiste
ada ho chuki theen. store khul gaya tha, gaadi khareed li gayi thi. furniture
naya ho chuka tha, sofe badal chuke the. har kamre mein mehange nafees
tiles bhi lagwaye jarahe the. mahine ke aakhir tak tarek sahib ki barri beti ki
shadi thi. woh us ghar ki mulazma thi to jahez ki tayari khud apni aankhon
se dekh rahi thi.

Samreen ne apne liye mehanga tareen furniture pasand kiya tha. roz
shopping ke liye bazaro ke chakkar lagte the. mehnge mehnge branded
kapre, jewellery, makeup waghera khareede jate the. braamde se aage
sheeshe lagi diwaro ke aas paas nafeesa sofe par baith kar, kapre phela
phela kar jaiza liya jata tha, pasand na pasand ko jancha jata.

aaye roz mehmanon ki aamad oRaft . aur woh sara sara din kitchen mein
khana pakane aur safai mein halkan hoti rehti. majaal hai jo ghar ka koi aik
fard bhi usey saans bahaal karne deta ho. zara der ko jo kahin aaram ki
gharz se bithti to daant phatkaar shuru ho jati. woh uski maa ko uske kaam
ki achi khasi thankhowa de rahay the. do mahine to usne jaisey tese guzaar
liye the magar uski maa chahti theen woh saal daidh saal tak yahi rahay taa
ke baap ka acche se ilaaj bhi ho jaye aur jo karz unhone le rakha hai, woh
bhi utar jaye.

un ki dost ke tavassut se yeh kaam usey mila tha magar ghar ke makeen
usey insaan kam, kaam wali machine ziyada samajhte the. Aur use saal bhar
ke bacche ki zimmedaari bhi usey sop rakhi thi. jo ghar se munsalik alag
thalag store room numa kamray mein uske sath hi hota tha. aur hamesha ki
tarah kitchen mein intahaa ki garmi bardasht karte, ghar aaye mehmanon ke
liye Mango shake banate woh bhool chuki thi pichle daidh ghante se gayab
hai, aur bacha kamre mein akela hai. ghar ke makeeno ke paas to intizam
tha, magar uska store numa kamra is asayish se takmeel mahroom tha. woh
ujlat mein tray uthaye drawing room mein gayi, sab ko juice serve kiya aur
usse qabal ke phir se koi hukum nama jari hota woh ujlat mein qadam uthai
kitchen ke aqbi darwaze se apne store room numa kamre mein aagai. peene
se sharabor, garmi se nidhaal bacha ro ro kar halkan ho chuka tha. usey
dekhte hi haath uthaye is ki taraf lapakne laga. Ruby ke dil ko kuch huwa.
usey baazuo mein bhare kitchen mein le aayi.

"Maaf kar do yaar! mein to bhool hi gayi."

glass mein thanda pani daal kar uske labon se lagaya to wo apne nanhe
nanhe haath thande glass par jamaye yun pani peene laga jaisey sadiyo ka
piyasa ho.

baal maathe se chipke hue thay. chehra, naak, ankhen gulabii ho rahi thi.
woh itna pyara tha ke dil chahta dekhte jao, magar is pyare se bacche ki
qismat kitni kharab thi. baap mar chuka tha, maa usey bhaiyo ke dar par
chhore kar gayi to phir palat kar khabar na li thi. Rashida se usne suna tha.
woh sirf apni maa ki fotgi par aayi thi aur uske baad usne bhoole se bhi us
ghar ka rukh nahi kiya tha.

"Yeh itni vaddi gaadi mein baith ke aayi thi. tadfeen ke bas kuch der baad hi
nikal gayi."

woh counter table ke paas usey liye khari thi. samreen apne kamre ki safai
ka hukum daine aayi to bacche ko uske hamrah kitchen mein dekh kar
seekh pa ho gayi.

"kitni baar kaha hai usey ghar mein mat laya karo."

"bibi jee! bijli kab ki gayi hui hai to kamre mein barri garmi hai."

Wo na gawari se aik nazar bacche ko dekhati usey apne kamre ki safai ka

order de kar chali gayi. woh usey baazuon mein uthaye samreen ke kamre
mein aagai. Bacche ko aik jagah bithaya.

"Ab yahan se mat hiliyo. mere ko kaam karne do."

Bacche ne usey masoom aankhon se dekha, aur apni jagah betha raha. tooti
hui khilona car jo uski goad mein rakhi thi, usey jhinjhorta, hilata woh
hamesha ki tarah bahut khamosh aur bahut pur sukoon tha. Awsaf manzil
mein jab woh nai nai aayi thi aur uske liye mukammal anjaan thi to tab bhi
jab usne uthaya tha to woh bohat aaraam se apne baazu khud se uthaye uski
goad mein agaya tha. woh raat ko sote mein bhi bilkul tang nahi karta tha.
aksar raat mein aankh khulti to woh barabar mein leyta huwa, ankhen khuli
hoti, aur uske dupatte ka sira muh me.

"Bara Ameer chacha hai bacche ka mahine ke mahine paise bhejta hai."

Rashida ne yeh bhi bataya tha.

"Lakh to deta hoga woh tere tareek sahib ko."

woh heran ho kar usey dekhne lagi thi.

"Saga chacha bachhe ko apne paas bhi to rakh sakta tha. yahan aata hai kya
woh ?"

"arrey nahi kabhi nahi aaya. tujh se pehle jo Salima maai thi, usne bataya
tha. bank se paise bhejta hai. dhair saare hote hain. tune dekha nahi kaisey
Ameer ho gaye yeh sab, plot bhi le liya hai. keh rahay hain samreen ki shadi
wadde hall mein karege."

bed sheet badalte, kutta mein samait kar aik mein rakhte aur phir kapray se
furniture, dressing table aur aaina ragar kar saaf karte woh uski taraf dekhte
hue tasali kar leti thi. surmai knickers aur muljhami rang ki purani shirt
mein woh bacha wahi betha tha, jahan woh usey bitha kar aayi thi.

kabhi usey lagta woh uski boli samjhta hai. uska kaha maanta hai. bhala itne
chhotey se bache mein itni samajh kaisay ho sakti thi ke woh kisi aam si
Ruby ki baat mane?

Jis ki saggi maa usey yahan kaam par lagaye ghar ke kharche poore kar rahi
thi? woh sone se pehley pata nahi kitni baatein usse karti jati. gaal chhoo
kar choari hila kar hansati to woh nahi parta. neeche ke do khane ke nanhe
moti jaisey daant numaya hote. woh usey sara sara din isi kamrs mein chore
kar ghar bhar ke kaam niptate rehti aur bhagam bhaag usey bhi dekhne aa
jati. kabhi woh ro ro kar nidhaal ho chuka hota aur kabhi uski di gayi ashya
se kheltaa mukammal pur sukoon. cheezon ko pakar pakar kar uth jata tha.
chhotey chhotey qadam bhi utha laita. kamre mein nuqsaan deh koi shai nah
thi. sirf aik chaar payi aur band single almaari. bosedah sa qaleen, aur bas is
liye usey

mukammal itminan rehta ke woh theek hoga. pankha chalaye woh safai
mein magan thi.

bari bibi ne kamray mein usey aur bachay ko dekha to seekh pa ho gayeen.
achi khasi jhaad pilane ke baad aik adad thapar bhi jarr diya. aakhir uski
jurrat kaisay hui thi ke usne samreen ke kamray ka pankha chala diya tha
aur bachhe ko bhi le aayi thi. woh bacha jis ke paiso se poora ghar chal raha
tha. gaal ro reh kar daal bikta raha. nichli aayi to usey aik baar phir kamre
mein tanha chhor aayi.

woh khelte khilata carpet par bhooka so gaya. shaam mein feeder bana kar
aayi, jaga kar mun se lagaya to sukoon se doodh peete woh uske purane se
phate hue dupatte ka kon apni nanhi ungli mein dabane laga aur woh ronay
lagi.

"Pata nahi tera chacha kaisa insaan hai. is jahannum mein jhonk ke paise
beje ja raha hai."

bahar ka habs shadeed tha. bijli phir se gayab thi. kamre ka darwaaza band
kar ke tamam khirkiya khole wo apni chaar payi par baith gayi thi.

bacha khaali feeder mun se lagaye ankhen band kar chuka tha. aur woh khar
ki ki jail jaisi salakhon se bahar dekh rahi thi

"Ho sakta hai bacche ke chacha ko ghar ke makeeno ke rawaiyyo ki bilkul

bhi khabar na ho? ho sakta hai usey lagta ho woh paise bhaij raha hai to
uske sagge mamu uska bohat khayaal rakhte hoge ?

Haath ki ungliya mein apni ungisht shahadat diye woh uski band aankhon
ko dekhte kuch soch rahi thi. aur apni is soch par amal karne ka hatmi faisla
bhi kar chuki thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHP40•
‫ِﮐﺴﭧ‬

‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

mobile par faris ka message moshul huwa tha. jannat apni bua ke paas thi,
woh usey wapas laa raha tha. Message parhte hi saira jaye namaz par
tasbeeh liye be sakhta sajde mein gir gayi theen. yeh sajda, sajda e shukar
tha palatne ke liye simtne ke liye aur badalne ke liye tha. woh apna ehatasab
kar rahi theen. aik yateem bachi ke liye un se bhool hui thi.

unhen woh waqt achhi tarah se yaad tha jab bemari ke dinon mein un ke
waalid ne unhe phone kar ke apne ghar bulaya tha. apne paas bitha kar
unhon ne jannat kamaal ke mutalliq wasiyat karte hue apne queta wale
makaan ke kaghzat ke sath sath aik band lifafa un ke hathon mein pakra
diya tha.

"Agar kabhi khandan mein jannat ki zindagi tang ho jaye to isey khol lena."

woh lifafa aglay paanch saloon tak un ki almaari mein mehfooz aur band
para raha tha.

is lifafe ko kholne ka khayaal unhe poore paanch saal baad is waqt aaya tha
jab Burhan usey Talaq de chuka tha, aur Nafisa wafaat pa chuki theen. sage
chacha ne jannat par tasallut jama liya tha, woh uska rishta Zaman Safdar

Ke sath tey kar rahay the. woh jannat ke har mamle mein khud ko qatee be
bas tasawwur karti theen. so unhen aik yahi hal nazar aaya tha.

band lifafe mein aik kaghaz tha jis par Jamila dawood shirazi ka naam aur
shirazi mension ka address likha tha. neeche kahin shirazi interprise ka
number bhi tha. sunehri huroof ka aik qeemti business card, jo yaqeenan
qareebi sathiyo ko ataa kiya jata hai, aur chand dawat naame un mein aik
dawat nama kisi Hammad shirazi ki saalgirah ka tha. agle kayi lamho tak
woh unhe haath mein liye baithi reh gayi thi. Shirazi khandan ke sath Dr.
mustafa ke taluqaat kitne darina gehray rahe the, uska andaza un card se
bakhoobi hor ha tha. chunke shirazi khandan aik naamwar khandan tha so is
aik lamhe mein kayi khabrain, kayi qisse aur kayi baatein un ke zehen mein
ghoom gayi thi.

lifafe mein aik chhota sa kaghaz tha jis mein Jamila dawod ke naam aik
tehreer likhi thi .

Meri nawasi jannat kamaal ab aap ki amanat hai.’

Mukhtasar ibaarat, mazeed koi hawala kisi tarah ka koi ishara na tha.

pehle pehal to woh kuch samajh hi na payen magar phir shaam tak unhone
apne bete ki madad se Jamila dawood se mutaliq maloomat haasil kar li.

Jamila dawood aaj kal Islamabad mein apne bete ke sath rehaish Pazeer
theen. address milte hi aglay din woh mulaqaat ke liye islamabad se milne
chali gayi thi.

wajdan house ke gate par sakht security thi. baghair kisi taaruf ya jaan
pehchan ke unhen andar daakhil hone ki ijazat nahi mil sakti thi.

"Aap mrs. shirazi se keh de, dr mustafa ki beti un se milne aayi hai."

unhone woh lifafa bhi andar bhijwa diya jis mein kuch cards aur woh khat
tha. kuch hi der baad gate khol diya gaya. aik bawar di mulazim unhen
andar le gaya. shaan daar ghar ke androoni ihatay se hotay hue lounge se
woh prtaysh drawing room mein aagai theen. samne hi aik so buri khoob
soorat khatoon wheel chair par aatish daan ke samne baithi theen. card
haath mein liye, kuch herat, kuch tarap aur kuch sadme se inhen dekhte hue.

"Dr mustafa!"

unhen yun laga jaise yeh naam un khatoon ke andar aik zindagi ki dora
gaya ho. rasmi taaruf ke baad unhon ne jannat kamaal ka zikar chher diya.
woh bachi jisey Dr. mustafa ne paala tha, do Talaq aur maa ki wafat ke baad
sakht tareen halaat se guzar rahi thi. un ke lehjey aur andaaz se be basi
jhalakti thi. jaise woh jannat ke liye kuch bhi karne ki salahiyat na rakhti
ho. woh un ke paas sirf is liye aayi theen kyunki khat mein un ka naam
likha tha.

Jamila dawood shirazi ne poori baat bahut khamoshi aur tawajuh se suni thi.
kuch der tak woh khamosh rehti thi, phir jaise unho ne baghair kisi taraddud
ke jannat kamaal ka rishta maang liya.

Saira apni jagah bilkul khamosh aur sakit baithi reh gayeen. woh is liye
yahan nahi aayi thi. yeh soch kar to hargiz nahi aayi thi.

aur jis no jawan ke liye woh khatoon rishta maang rahi thi woh no jawan to.
un ka dimagh maoof huwa. kitni hi der tak woh kuch keh na saki.

aik taraf Zaman tha to doosri taraf unhon ne sar utha kar Jamila dawood ko
dekha.

Jamila dawod koi mamooli khatoon nahi thi, nahi shirazi khandan koi aam
sa khandan tha. aur jis ke liye woh rishta maang rahi thi woh naamwar
business tiecon Azam shirazi ka pota Faris wajdan tha. kitni hi der tak do
soch mein farq gum sum baithi rahi.

bohat si baatein thi, sawalat the, khadshe the. magar chunke yeh rasta, yeh
ghar unhen unke waalid ne dekhaya tha so na chahte hue bhi woh is rishte
par ghhor karne lagi thi.

Faris wajdan ka proposal qubool karte waqt inhen laga tha, woh theek kar
rahi hain. un ki niyat mein koi khot nahi, iraadon mein koi jhool nahi, faislo
mein koi matlab, koi gharz nahi. lekin farq tha. har cheez mein farq tha. aisa
rishta sidra ke liye aata to yaqeenan woh inkaar kar deti. jis insaan ki zaat
shubhat ke daire mein ghoom rahi ho, uska intikhab woh apni beti ke liye
hargiz na karti.

taa hum Zaman ke muqable mein unhen woh munasib laga tha. unhon ne
har khayaal pas pusht daal diya tha. har manfi soch ki tardeed kar di thi.
unhon ne risk le liya tha. woh usey apni oola daal kehti theen, aur bhool
gayi theen, aulaad ke mamle mein risk nahi liye jate. unhone Jamila
dawood ko jannat ke bare mein ziyada aagah nahi kiya tha, woh uska
maazi, uski Talaq ki wajah tak chhupa gayi thi. sab hi mamlat tay kar ke
woh Lahore wapas aa gayi. do din baad nikah aur rukhsati sar anjaam pa
gayi.

Aur jannat kamaal is ghutan zada mahol aur apne sage rishto ke tasallut se
azad ho kar Islamabad chali gayi. bazahir sab theek tha magar ujlat mein
kiye gaye is rishte ko le kar woh kabhi kabhar fikar mand zaroor ho jati thi.
Ammar ke sawalaat, uska gussa, Faris wajdan shirazi se muttaliq milne wali
afwahe, qissw, qasihe, waswase.

magar woh jaise tise khud ko mutmaein kar leti. apne zameer ke samne datt
jati, apne nafs ka haath thaam leti. aur yaqeenan thame hi rakhti agar jannat
ke ghar chhore daine ki khabar nahi millti. Us aik lamhe mein unhe ehsas
huwa tha ke aag se bachane ke liye unhon ne usey gehray samandar mein
dhakel diya hai. aagahi ka woh lamha un par apni zaat ke hawale se bohat si
haqeqte aashkaar kar gaya tha. un ke waalid ne aik rasta dekhaya tha. woh
aakhri rasta tha, aakhri option, aakhri chance, aakhri rah. jab khandan mein
kuch na rahe, kahin na rahay. koi jagah, koi maqam, koi aasmani, koi rishta
koi ehsas na rahe . aur woh khud ko har kisi se judda aur allag samjhti rahi.
mukhlis aur hassas kardarti rahi magar ab un par aur ik huwa tha ke woh
bhi usi khandan ka hissa theen jis ne jannat kamaal ke sath zayadati ki thi.
unhone bhi apna faida, apni Maslehat , apni aasani dekhi thi. unhone bhi
jannat kamaal se chhutkara paana chaha tha. woh lifaafa, woh khatt, woh
kabhi kholna nahi chahiye tha. woh aakhri option sirf aik option hi rehna
chahiye tha. woh kayi nadaan theen. apne waalid ki mohabbat, un ki
wasiyat, un ka ahsaan, un ki khwahish, un ka imtehaan samajh hi nahi payi.

unhone khud ko jannat ke mamle mein be bas samjha tha magar woh be bas
nahi thi. khandan bhar ki narazi to unhone waise bhi mol le li thi. phir uska
intikhab woh apne kisi bete ke liye kyun nahi kar saki thi? agar woh waqai
mein reham dil aur hassas thi to jannat kamaal ki jagah unke apne ghar
mein, un ki apni aulaad ki zindagi mein kyun nahi ban payi thi? woh apne
kisi bhi bete se uska nikah karwa sakti thi. Ammar to khud keh raha tha.

magar Jannat kamaal, aik Talaq Yafta banjh larki unhe apni aulaad ke liye
kionkar qubool ho sakti thi? yeh aik talkh sachaai thi. saanp jaisi, wujood
ko girift mein le kar se jakarnay wali, aik talkh, aik

be reham sacchai, purey satais din unhone jannat ki kheriyat mangte, uski
wapsi ki dua karte guzaar diye the. aur ab jab wo mil gayi thi to woh uska
saamna karne ki himmat nahi kar parhi thi. shayad ye zameer hi tha jo zaat
ke aahiino ko shafaaf karta ja raha tha, niyat par pari hui khud gharzi ki
dhool matti ko be dardi se urataa ja raha tha. Jannat kamaal un ke waalid ki
amanat thi. aur unhe laga, woh us amanat ka paas nahi rakh payi hain.
wasiyat par amal nahi huwa hai. aur yeh dard, yeh kasak, yeh ehsas
nadamat taa-umr ke sath rehne wala tha.

•••

khidkio par tabrez makhmi parde gire hue the. kamre mein AC ki thandak
thi maljagi si roshni ka tabrez sa ta-assur kamre ki har aik shai ko numaya
kar raha tha. Pankhe par nazrain jamaye chand lamho tak woh palken
jhapkaati rahi phir kohniyo ke bal uth baithi. reshmi, mulaem shehad rang
baal poni se nikal kar chehre ke aitraaf mein aur kandhe par dheele hone
lage. takiye ke sahare bed crown se take lagate usne baazu phela kar angrai
li.

safar ki thakaan utar chuki thi. neend mukammal, zehen kuch had tak pur
sukoon tha, aur tab tak pur sukoon hi raha tha.

jab tak usey barabar mein kisi ki mojudgi ka ehsas nahi huwa tha. balo ko
samaitt kar jore ki shakal deti woh apni jagah ban hui. subah ke teen bajey
jab woh ghar puhanche the to woh zid par ar gyi thi ke usey alag kamra hi
chahiye. aur Faris ne yeh ke kar bed room chhore diya tha ke woh kahi aur
so jayega. usey nahi pata tha kahin aur asal mein wohi bed room hai jo uske
hawale Kiye jaa raha hai. woh to is baat par bhi heran hui thi ke Faris ne
itni aasani se apna kamra usey kyun de diya hai. aqda to ab khula tha. usey
zich karne se woh kaise baz aa sakta hai?

Ghar uska kamrah uska, darwaze uske, khidkiya uski. jannat ki aankhon
mein na gawari aur chehre par sakhti dar aayi. chand lamho tak baazu ki
darz se jhankti uski band aankho ko dekhti rahi, phir sar utha kar madham
roshni mein etraaf ka jaiza liya. kamre ki setting waisi hi thi jaisi woh
chhore kar gayi thi. sirf bed numa sofa gayab tha jo samne deewar ke sath
laga huwa tha. uski jagah do single Shahi sofe aur aik coffee table rakhi thi.
dressing table par uski chain, uske catchers, hair pins rakhe the.

woh heran hui. perfume, brush aur face powder bhi. safri bag hanooz
wardrobe ke sath mojood tha. kisi khayaal ke tehat woh bed se utar kar
wardrobe ki janib barh gayi. slight kar ke patt khole dono haath utha kar ba
kis girift me liya, phir ehthiyat se deewar geer khidki ke paas panjo ke bal
baith gayi. parda halka sa sarka kar usne box khol diya tha. taiz roshni ki
laakiro nim tareqi ko chirti hui bed tak pahuch gayi. soya huwa wajood
zara sa kasmasaya ke roshni seedha band aankhon par par rahi thi. woh
kuch be qarari se apni cheezon ko ulat palat kar dekhne lagi.

Khat, diaries, talwar, ghadi, chandi ki zanjeer, nanha sa locket, cards,

stickers , tasaveer sad shukar ke uski har aik shai saliqe aur hifazat se
mojood thi.

usne apne nana ki tasweer mein bahar nikale num aankhon se unhe dekha,
unhe chhuva, phir seene se lagaya. kuch der tak woh usi position mein
baithi rahi. phir tasalii kar ke box almaari mein rakhne ke baad mazi aur
apni jagah ruk gayi.

bed par pusht ke bil aara tirchha laita Faris zara sa sar uthaye usey hi dekh
raha tha. ankhen abhi bhi neend se boujhal aur dobara band hone ko
mukammal be qarar thi. woh jannat ka chehra dekh chuka tha, woh shadeed
ghusse mein lag rahi thi.

"Mein ne tum se kaha tha, mujhe room share nahi karna."

"Guest room ka AC theek se cooling nahi kar raha tha."

paanch chay ghanton tak musalsal gaari drive karne wale ki aawaz taa haal
thakawat se chur aur khumar bhari thi.

"Aur tum chahate ho, mein is baat par yaqeen karlu?"

woh uski statment par acchi khasi tap gayi.

"Nahi"
Faris ne apna sar wapas nafi mein garh liya.

"Nahi?"

jannat muh khula, phir ankhen philin. phir chup charhi tan fun karti paas
aayi sakhti se Ameed banaya, lehaaf khincha, phir uska bazu hilaya. magar
majaal hai jo uski neend mein zara sa bhi khlal para ho. aise be hoshi ki
neend bhala kon hota hai? uska Para mazeed charh gaya. magar zabt kar ke
washroom mein khais gayi. aaina samne tha. usne khud ko dekha. rangat
zard, sehat kamzor, aur aankhon ke gird halqe kaafi gehre lag rahay the.
arsa huwa, usne aaina dekhna chhore diya tha ke dekhne par ajeeb si takleef
ka ehsas huwa karta tha lekin

ab jab khud ko dekha to idraak huwa, woh apna khayaal waqai mein nahi
rakh rahi thi. Bua theek hi kehti theen. woh zindagi se bhatak gayi thi. apne
aap se be parwa ho gayi thi. kuch hi der mein woh fresh ho kar bahar thi.
aik kari nigah soye hue wujood par daali. khud hi apni himmat barhai,
mazbooti pakri, iraday bandhe.

'kamra to woh bilkul share nahi kere gi. bilkul bhi nahi. ab Faris wajdan ki
marzi nahi chalay gi. nah to woh uski dhamkiyo ka assar le gi aur nah hi
uske roab mein aaye gi.'

usne socha, 'woh mrs Shirazi ke kamre mein shift ho jaye gi. haan yeh theek
rahay ga.' faris ka kya bad guest room ka AC ki kharab kar de. woh
mansoobe banati seedhiyan utar rahi thi. aur aitraaf ka jaiza lete jarahi thi.

Indoor plants mein ubharti hui khamosh zindagi. safaid tiles se jhalakta
siling ki roshiniyo ka aqs simte hue makhmali pardo ke us paar nazar aata,
bahar ka parson manzar yeh swimming pool ka sakit pani aur aasman ka
neela rang.

"Mrs. shirazi kahan hain ?"

"woh apne studio mein hain."

mulazma is ke samne modab si khadi ho gayi thi.

"Ma'am! Aap nashta karle"

aik haath se dhakelta hall ka rasta dikhata usne bohat adab se sar jhuka kar
kaha tha. uski nigahe raahdari ke ekhtatam par studio ke wasee darwaze tak
gayi. phir kuch soch kar woh hall ki taraf barh gayi.

Nashte se farigh hone ke baad usne kuch waqt mrs. shirazi ke sath un ke
studio mein guzashta satais din ki kuch shikayte thi, udasiyaan thi, ehsasat
the jo dono ne aik doosre se share kiye.

"Tumhare chale jane se yeh ghar bahut khamosh, bahut veraan ho gaya
tha."

woh keh rahi theen.

"Dining table par koi baat nahi hoti thi. chai par koi saathi nahi hota tha.
studio mein aati hi nahi thi me."

woh andar hi andar bohat pasheman aur sharminda hui.

"I'm sorry…"

aik baar phir moazrat ki.

"Bahut ajeeb se khayal aate the, pareshani hoti thi. mujhe to yeh dar tha
kahin tumhe kisi ne agwah kar liya ho."

unhone ruk kar aik gehra saans liya. Jannat ka sar mazeed jhuk gaya.

"Wada karo mujhse."

unhone uske haath par girift jamai to usne sar utha kar un ki aankhon mein
dekha.

"Is tarah dobara kabhi nahi karo gi. koi bhi masla ho, pareshani ho, pehle
khud koshish kare samjhne ki nahi samajh raha to kisi bare se kaho lekin is
tarah khamoshi se ghar chore dena theek nahi."

usne sar ko asbat mein junbish di.

"haan farar kisi bhi masle ka hal nahi."

"Auntie mein yahan" uska khauf, uski fikar, uski pareshani abhi bhi wahin
thi.

"Delivery ke baad jaisa tum chaho gi waisa hi hoga. filhaal kuch mat socho.
gaal par haath rakh kar samjhaya. apni sehat ka khayaal rakho, bahut
kamzor ho gayi ho."

samne hi Canvas par un ki painting adhuri thi. phool ki chand pankhuriya

rangeen to chand be rang ki theen. itne dinon tak unho ne rango ko haath
tak nahi lagaya tha. usey dukh huwa. uth kar canvas stand un ke samne
rakha. colour tubes, pallate, aur dhair saare brush table par ikathe kiye.

"Yeh aise na mukammal si bilkul achi nahi lag rahi."

usne kaha. woh muskarayi.

"To yeh tay tha us painting ne poore aik mah baad mukammal hona hai."

usne chok kar unhen dekha. aankhon mein aik chamak liye woh bhi usey hi
dekh rahi theen.

"Jis tarah hum apne ikhtiyar mein aayi hui cheezon ke liye waqt muqarrar
karte hain, bilkul is tarah jis ke ikhtiyar mein hum hain, woh hamare liye
karta hai. hamein sirf us par bhrosa rakhna hota hai."

woh colour plate par rang phelane lagi.

"Maine tumhari reserch work parha tha tum ne kaafi mehnat kar ke bahut
achi tarah se ayaat ko samjha."

jannat ki aankhon mein nami si tehri.

"Apne liye umeed dhoondi. apne liye yaqeen dhoonda. Allah taala ki
qudrat, us ki hikmat, uske iraado par bharosa kiya."

Aansoo palko mein shagaaf daalte is ke gaal par phailay. dil gham se, dard
se bhar gaya. mrs. Shirazi ki nazar us par pari to pareshan hogai.
"kya huwa beta? tum theek ho ?"

woh un ke paas aayi. unke samne panjo ke bal baith gayi. un ke ghutno par
haath rakhay kuch den tak baithi rahi.

"Mein paanch saal tak be aulad rahi. mein ne paanch salo tak is baat par
yaqeen rakha ke mein banjh hoon. paanch salo tak mein ne…"

uski aawaz bheegi bulb kapkpayi. mz shirazi usay dukh se dekh kar reh
gayi.

"Mein saari zindagi halaat ko saza samjhti rahi. azaab, baddua. mujhe lagta
tha mere sath kabhi acha nahi hoga, kabhi khusi nahi milegi, me duae chorh
chuki thi. Maine yakeen khatam kar diya tha magar aap ne mujhe yeh sab
dobara sikhaya. yaqeen, husn e zan , aur dua aur phir Allah ne aap ko sabab
banaya. taa ke mein, mein is aziyat se nikal saku."

bahut arse tak roti rehne wali aankhe aik baar phir num ho rahi thi.

khushi aur gham ki mili jali kefiyat liye dil phir se ro rha tha.

"Meri taraf dekho." unhone colour palette rakh kar uska haath thaama.

"andar hi andar jab hum toot kar bikharte hain to sab se pehla khayaal
hamein Allah ka hi aata hai magar hame yeh samajh mein nahi aa raha hota
ke ab khud ko samait kar jorna kaise hai aur zindagi ka safar naye sire se
shuru kaise karna hai. is soorat mein Qur'an ki ayaat hamein zindagi se
jurna aur sambhlna sikhati hain. yeh hamare andar musbat soch peda karti
hain. kis mayoosi ki chot par, umeed ka konsa marham rakhna hai aur
kaisey rakhta hai, yahan quran hamein batata hai."

unhone uske ansoo poche.

"Hum sab insaan hain. hum sab toot-te hain, hum sab bikharte hain, magar
hum mein se kamiyab woh hai jisne khud ko samaitt kar sanbhala aur uth
khada huwa. kaamil azm aur yaqeen ke sath"

woh unhen dekh rahi thi. woh unhen sun rahi thi. woh unhen samajh rahi
thi.
"Log yeh baat nahi samajhte. ya shayad samjhna nahi chahte. lekin aik
hamari planning hoti hai aur aik Allah ki hoti hai. aik rasta hum apne liye
chahte hain, aur aik rasta Allah hamare liye chunta hai. hamare liye kahan
kitni khair, aur kitna shar hai, Allah yeh dekh kar faisla karta hai taake wo
hamein barri takleef se bacha sake. aur hamein hamare sabr ke badle kuch
behtareen ataa kar sake."

yaka yak unka mobile bajne laga. apne ansoo saaf karte hue woh uth khadi
hui. side table se mobile utha kar unhen diya, jab tak woh baat karti rahi,
woh studio mein yahan wahan nhti paintings dekhti rahen. Faris ka box
almaari ke upri khanae mein mojood nahi tha. woh dekh kar lamha bhar ke
liye choki. phir kuch yaad aa jane par mrs shirazi ki taraf muri.

"Auntie?"

woh baat khatam kar chuki thi. mobile rakh kar mutwajjah huien.

"Jee beta!"

"Aap logon ko kaise pata chala ke mein bua ke paas hoon?"

yeh sawal woh faris se nahi poochna chahti thi.

"Aqsa ne bataya tha mere khayaal se. tum Bua ke bete ke ghar gayi thi
shayad!"

"Aqsa!" jannat ka muh khula.

shocked si kefiyat ho gayi. phir kuch kehne ka irada tark karte hue woh un
se muazrat chahti bahar aagai. samat par yaqeen nahi aa raha tha ke aqsa is
tarah koi baat Faris ko bata sakti hai. Uske samne to kayi wade kiye the
usne kasme khayi thi.

tan fun karti woh aqsa ke sar par pahonch gayi.

"Maine kaha tha mera har raaz tumhare sath qabar tak jana chahiye?"

aqsa ruhan si hui. ab woh Malkin ko kaisay samjhti ke itni si Umar mein
woh qabar mein nahi utarna chahti thi.
"Tum se aik choti si baat nahi chhupayi gayi aqsa?"

"Jannat aapi! Please maaf kar de."

usne baqaida haath jore.

"Aindah kabhi bhi nahi bataugi. kuch bhi nahi bataugi. bhaley se faris sahib
mujhe phansi par charha de, bilkul bhi zabaan nahi kholugi."

"Tum ne mera dil, mera maan, mera bharosa toda hai Aqsa!"

Jannat had se ziyada jazbati hui. aqsa ko rona aaya.

"Aapi unhen pata tha pehle se, woh jante the aap wahan gayi thei. mujhe to
bas woh confirm karne ke liye le gaye the."

woh wazahate daina lagi. jannat ka gussa kisi soorat kam na huwa.

"Mujhe tum se yeh umeed nahi thi. bilkul bhi umeed nahi thi. nafi mein sar
hilati gayi.

"Aapi!"

"Aur kya bta ya tum ne apne Faris sahab ko?"

daant kar poocha.

"Bas wo aik zara si baat batayi thi."

Usne dar kar aitraaf kya. jannat ka dil zor se dharka.

'aur konsa raaz faash ho gaya tha uska?'

"kya bataya?" khushk honton ko tar kar ke poocha.

"Yahi ke jab hum park gaye the to aap roti rahi aur aap ne kaha, bhaar mein
jaye faris wajdan!"
jannat palke jhapkana bhool gayi. jis rukh khadi thi, jis andaaz mein khadi
thi, khadi reh gayi. dimagh ne samjhaya, statment kamaal ki thi so dil mein
sukoon utar gaya. yaka yak fiza achi ho gayi. mood acha ho gaya. 'aisey
raaz to bilkul faash hone chahiye lekin aqsa ki baat abhi khatam nahi hui
thi.'

"Aur jab hum mall gaye the to aapne, un ke liye gift khareeda tha. aur neele
rang ke bare bare dilo wala card bhi banwaya tha. aur us par aap ne
likhwaya tha,

love you my dearest Faris wajdan."

Jannat shocked usey dekh kar reh gayi. yeh kab huwa tha? kaisay huwa tha?
usne kab likhwaya yeh jumla? kab card banwaye? kab gift khareeda? woh
hakka bakka khari reh gayi.

"woh us din, shaam mein mall gaye the hum"

aqsa ne ghabra kar yad dilaya.

"ab aap ne woh siyah rang ka suit pehnta tha, aur aap ke joote ka strip toot
gaya tha?"

Dimagh par muntazir taaza huwa aur jannat ka dil chaha, zameen phate aur
woh usme sama jaye. lekin zameen mein samane se pehle aqsa ka gala
dabana zaroori tha.

"Aapi maaf kar de."

usey apni taraf lapkta dekh kar woh surkh eento ki kiyari par charh gayi.

Upar kahi balcony ka darwaaza slight huwa. gehri saans le kar balo mein
haath phera gaya. phir rating par kahniyan aitraaf ka jaiza laine ki koshish
ki gayi aur tab hi nigah lawn ke is hisse par thehr gayi jaha jannat kamaal
athi ke sath mojood thi. aawaz to nahi aa rahi thi magar andaaz se wazeh
tha larai ho rahi hai.

"aqsa tum, uff! mere Allah ! kya karoon ab mein tumahra?"

woh sae pakar kar Danni aawaz mein chillayi.

"To kya nahi likhwaya tha?" Usne zindagi hui aawaz mein dahai di.

"Wo faris ke liye nahi tha. usey rona araha tha. mein ne Zaid ke liye card
banwaya tha. tum ne dekha tha faris ka naam likha huwa? haan?"

nafi mein sar hilaate hue aqsa ne ungelia mun mein daba li.

"Lekin woh… mein samjhi ke aap ne, un ke liye"

"Tumhare faris sahab remote control car se khailte hain? " woh bhunnayi.

"Mujhe laga woh decorations piece hai un ki study ke liye."

aqsa ke paseene chhut rahe the.

"Tum khud se kya kya mafrooje karti rahi ho aqsa" usey jee bhar kar rona
aaya.

"Ab woh kya samjhta raha hoga ke mein uski mohabbat mein mari ja rahi
thi? card likhwati phir rahi thi?

"Aapi!"

maskeen ki soorat bana kar aqsa ne kaan pakdae.

"Aindah nahi bataugi."

"Aindah to mein tumhe kuch bataugi bhi nahi. tum faris ki jasoosa sirf uske
sath hi sincere ho"

woh ghusse se palat gayi. Aqsa ne ankhen phaar kar Malkin ko dekha. laqab
achha tha. Faris ki jasoosa! lekin malikan ziyada ahem thi. foran usey uske
peechay bhagee.

"Aapi! maaf kar den please!"

saddar darwaze ke paas ruk kar jannat jhatke se uski taraf muri. haath utha
kar usey roka.

"Sab khatam!"

aqsa ke seene par haath para. kandhe jhuk gaye shakal rone ho gayi. jannat
andar chali gayi thi. maskeen si soorat banaye aqsa wahi khadi reh gayi.

woh kamre mein aayi to Faris mojood nahi tha. attached washroom se pani
girne ki aawaz aa rahi thi. usne bed side table ki talashi le kar apna mobile
uthaya aur neeche aagai. kitchen counter table par baithte hue mobile on
kiya. missed calls ke sath kaafi notifications the.

Gallery bilkul saaf thi. Adina Zubair ki taraf se WhatsApp par masool hone
wali tasaveer aur messages mitaye ja chuke the. woh faris ki is harkat par ab
bhinch kar reh gayi.

be sumar undekhe massages Aima ki taraf se moshool the, saira khaala aur
sidra ke massages bhi. usne mrs. Lakhari ki WhatsApp chats kholi. neeche
se upar tak scroll karti gayi.

kitni 'Good morning aur good night' ki ibartain thi, sawal the, phool aur
rang biranghe dil the. Recordings thi. woh aik aik kar ke sunthee gayi. Zaid
ki baatein, uske qissey, doston se larai, apni nanhi behan ki sharartein, maa
se narazi, aur faris ki shikayate to itni theen ke bas. wo sunti gayi aur heran
hoti gayi ke uski taraf se

-ok fine, don’t worry!

jaisey mukhtasir massages bhi beje gaye the. aakhri recordings mein woh
mangni ki angothi ke bare mein pooch raha tha. aik neele rang ki thi aur
doosri gulaabi rang ki. faris ne gulaabii rang wali angothi ko done kar ke
woh number block kya huwa tha. aur woh apni jagah sastar si baithi thi.

"Samjhta kya hai yeh khud ko?"

Tadap kar number unblock Kiya. Zaid ko rerecording bhaije. shukriya adaa
Kiya. muazrat bhi ki ke woh usse baat nahi kar saki. phir Aima ke massages
ka jawab diya. Usi waqt is ki call aagai.

"o my god jannat tum kaha se zinda hogai?"

woh khafeef sa hasdi .

"Faris bhai ne bataya tha tum apne maike gayi hui ho."

"Haan! woh mein khaala ki taraf thi."

khankhar kar kaha. sath hi glass mein pani undela.

"Mujhe to poora shak tha, lar kar gayi ho, isi liye faris bhai udaas phir rahe
the."

Pani peete hue jannat ko zay daur ka thaska laga. Khaste hue glass table par
rakha.

"Udaas phir rahe the?"

"Sadma! masla hal ho gaya kya?"

Aima ki aawaz mein shararat thi.

"ma masla to koi nahi tha."

woh ghabrayi.

"Oh come on jannat! Shayad tum bhool rahi ho, meri aik Adad bhabhee bhi
hain. woh jab bhi maike jati mein aik hafte se ziyada nahi rehti. bhai
pahonch jate hain lainay. lekin aik baar jab un dono ki larai hogayi thi to
bhabhi poora maheena maike rahi theen"

woh batate hue hasi aur Jannat ne be sakhta apni peshani ko chuva.

"Yeh Aima kitni pohanchi hui cheez thi."

"Haan magar aisa kuch nahi tha."

"Phir tumhara mobile kyun off tha? messages ke jawab kyun nahi diye tum
ne?"

"woh darasal…"

woh sahih maeno mein phas gayi. doosri taraf Aima aankhon mein shararat
liye baithi thi.

"Achha chhoro!"

usey jaise taras agaya.

"Mein tumhari nand bhi to hoon. kisi muamle mein meri help chahiye ho to
mein haazir hu! mein to apni bhabi ka bhi poora poora sath deti hoon.
naraaz ho kar jab sike jati hain to un ki tayari mein khud karwati hoon. bhai
ki saari khabre bhi mein hi pahuchati hoon. kahan se aa rahe. ab kahan jaa
rahe hain, kya kha rahe hain, kitney udaas hain ya kitney khush nazar aa
rahe hain. sab!"

"Tumahra koi ilaaj nahi." jannat hans di.

Aima ko baat kar ke acha laga. ajeeb si ansiyat hoti thi usey jannat se.

"Shaam ka kya plan hai? kahin bahar chalein?"

woh apni roz marrah ki routine, parhai aur aakhri semester ke rona dhona
share karne ke baad pooch rahi thi. jannat ko mrs. Shirazi ke sath kuch waqt
guzaarna tha, phir tabiyat bhi kuch theek nahi thi, is liye muazrat kar li.

"Mein khud bataugi tumhe, phir plan karen ge kuch.."

Aima se baat karne ke baad kuch der tak saira khaala ko soch kar fikar
mand hoti rahi. kayi baar ka contact number nikala aur har baar call karte
karte ruk jati. un hi uljhano mein ghiri baithi thi ke Zaid apni nanhi behan
ka haath tha se school uniform mein hi school se wapsi par seedha usse
milne agaya. woh bohat khush hui. Bacche mrs shirazi se mil kar aur un ki
paintings ka nazarah kar ke aaye to woh kitchen mein thi.
apne nanhe mehmanon ki khatir madarat mein halkaan hoti woh dining
table par platen rakh rahi thi jab usne faris wajdan ko sidiya utarte dekha.
Nili jeans par safaid tshirt mein malboos, bheege baal kuch saliqey se jame
hue, aankhon mein halki si soojan abhi bhi mojood thi.

Zaid ki nazar us par pari to uska phoola huwa chehra mazeed phool gaya.

"Good morning!"

Dining hall se guzarte hue usne keh diya.

"Good afternoon kaho." jannat ke muh se be sakhta nikla.

Masoof ne kalayi mourr kar waqt dekha, phir peshani masli, jhuk ke plate
se French fries uthaye aur raahdaari ki taraf barh gaya. Shikayato ki patari
khil gayi. Zaid shuru ho gaya.

"Kehte the aap ghar par nahi hain bhi kehte the, aap so rahi hain kabhi kehte
thay, aap bari hain. mein ne aap ko card bhi likha tha. candy bhi bhaije thi.
mein Suzie ko bhi laya tha. unhon ne mujhe daat diya."

jannat ne barri mushkil se usey samjha bujha kar uska gussa thanda kya.

"Usdin hum bahar khail rahay the. unhon ne mera football mujhe wapas
nahi kiya."

Ye aik aur qissa tha. jannat ne kuch herat se usey dekha. yeh to woh bhi
janti thi ke Faris bachon se ulajh parta hai, magar aisey ulajhta ho ga, iski
tawaqqa nahi thi.

"Aap ko yeh bhi to batana chahiye ke football mere sar par laga tha."

Faris ki aawaz par jahan Zaid chonkha, wahan itne qareeb se uski aawaz
aane par woh gar barayi. woh uski kursi ke peeche, bohat qareeb se jhuka
huwa tha. haath barha kar Zaid ki plate se mazeed french fries uthaliye.
Zaid ne lurakha aurton ki tarah keena to zay nazron se usey ghora. phir apni
plate par dono haath rakh liye ke ab utha kar dikhao. uski nanhi behan barre
maze mein thi. pur tajassus nigahon se kabhi bhai ko kabhi Faris ko
dekhatii phir doosre niwalay ke liye muh khol kar jannat ki taraf rukh kar
leti.

woh jaib mein wallet rakhta ya har chala gaya.

"Mujhe yeh bilkul bhi, zara sa bhi achhe nahi lagte."

Zaid ne aik hazaar baar kahe jane wala jumla aik tha. woh gehri saans le kar
reh ki thi.

❏❏❏
•CHP-41•
•••

woh kitchen counter par mobile hathon mein liye baithi thi jab sadar
darwaze se andar daakhil hotay hain. Faris wajdan kitchen mein agaya.
bachon ke jane ke baad do ab hi usey akeli nazar aayi thi.

"Kaisi ho?"

Usne fridge se pani ki bottle nikalte hue poocha. aawaz bhaari lehza tehra
huwa.

"Jaisi bhi hu tumhe isse kya?"

mobile par khud ko masroof zahir karte apna gussa nikala.

"Khair se ab tum yeh to nahi keh sakti.

jannat ne sar utha kar aik sulgti nigah us par daali.

"Keh sakti hoon! bilkul keh sakti hoon."

daant pees kar jawab diya.

Faris ne ruk kar usey dekha. wo mobile par nazrein jamaye khud ko
masroof aur be niaz zahir kar rahi thi magar aankhon mein ghusaa saaf
nazar aa raha tha. woh uski mojudgi par qatai khush nahi lag rahi thi.

"Kya hum baat kar satke hain ?"

koi bhi jawab diye baghair usne sar utha kar yahan wahan dekha. kuch aur
nazar na aaya to cutting board par pyaaz aur churee rakhi hui nazar aagai.
foran se aasteene charha kar shuru ho gayi. khayaal tha jab woh usey
masroof dekhe ga to koi baat nahi karega. magar yeh us ki khaam khayaali
thi. Faris ain uske peechay aan khada hua.
"Mein Talaq bhi nahi dena chahta. aur chahta hoon ke tum court bhi na jao.
is ke liye mujhe kya karna chahiye?"

jannat ki dharkane tham gayeen. samat par yaqeen nahi aaya. gardan mour
kar usne faris ko sadme se dekha. woh uske peeche be had qareeb khada
tha. itna qareeb ke wo uske kapron se uthti mardana perfume ki khushbu
basani mehsoos kar sakti thi.

"Mazaaq ura rahe ho tum mera?"

"Khwahish ka izhaar kar raha hoon."

"Galat insaan ke samne ghalat khwahish ka izhaar kar rahe ho."

rukh badal kar woh phir se pyaaz katne lagi.

"Mein apne bacche ki maa se baat kar raha hoon."

Jhuk kar sar ghoshi ki. jannat ke haath sakit hue. dharkan taiz ho gayi. phir
sambhal kar lab bhinch kar usey dekha.

"Goya apne bacche ke liye is rishte ko bahaal karna chaah rahe ho."

"Nahi, yeh kaam mein sirf tumhare liye karna chaah raha hoon."

woh dam sadhe agley kayi lamho tak aik haath mein churee, doosre haath
mein pyaaz liye khadi reh gayi. yun jaise yaqeen karna chaah rahi ho, usse
yeh baat faris wajdan ne ki hai.

"Achha mazaaq hai yeh!"

aziyat se barr bara kar rukh badal gayi.

"Magar mein to sanjeeda hoon."

churee patak kar usne rukh badla.

"Mujhe hargiz pasand nahi hai, koi mujh par taras khaye."
uski aawaz taiz hui thi.

"Tumhe lagta hai, mein tum par taras kha sakta hoon?"

usne jannat ki aankhon mein jhaka. woh dam sadhay khadi rahi.

"kyun kar rahe ho yeh sab?"

usne zabt kar ke tahammul se poocha tha.

"Bataya to hai tumhare liye kar raha hoon."

"Mere liye ?"

usey sakht nazron se dekhte hue usne ungli se apni taraf ishara kya.
bardasht ki aik had hoti hai, aur woh had is aik lamhey mein khatam hui thi.

"Tumhara dil chahega to tum nikah ko kaghaz tak rakho ge, phir mere
ehsasat ki fikar kiye baghair apna jayez haq bhi wusool kar loge tumhari
marzi tum mujhe sath rakho, tumhari marzi to tum mujhe Talaq dedo. sab
tumhare is dil ke gird ghoom raha hai."

usne faris ke seene par angisht shahadat rakhi.

"Aur tum keh rahe ho, mere liye kar rahe h ?"

rooh ka dard aankhon se kaise jhalakta hai, aziyat lafzo mein kaise utarti
hai, aawaz kaisey jhalkti hai. lamhe faris wajdan ne jata tha.

"Yeh is time kise bewaqoof bana rahe ho? mujhe ya khud ko ?"

bazahir mazboot lehja mazboot aawaz. magar woh uske andar ki toar phore
ko apni aankhon se dekh raha tha.

"Mein ne aik baat ki hai." usne sanjidgi se kaha.

"iqraar ya inkaar ka ikhtiyar tumhare haath mein hai."

"Jaise mein nahi janti ke tum ikhtiyar cheenne mein kitney maahir ho."
woh aankhon mein dukh aur pachtaawa liye usey dekh kar reh gaya. bahut
si baatein woh nazar andaaz kar gaya tha. bahut si uljhanein usey yaad nahi
rahi theen. girah sakht thi. ab sakht tareen ho gayi thi. woh uske khadshaat
ki teh tak ab pouncha tha. uski pareshaniyon ko jaise ab samjha tha. jannat
ka yaqeen toota tha. uska aetmaad bikhra tha. usne yahanuske ghar mein
rawaiyye ki aziyat sahi thi. be rukhi ko jiya tha. woh itni jaldi aur itni aasani
se usey mauqa nahi de sakti thi. Uska khauf baja, uski pareshani jaaiz thi.

"Maine sirf aik chance manga hai."

"Mere paas tumhe daine ke liye kuch nahi hai."

murr kar woh aik baar phir pyaaz katne lag gayi thi. uske peechay woh
khamosh khada raha. woh kuch kehna chahta tha. tasalli ya madawa ka aik
lafz hi sahi magar lafzon ki qillat thi. aur himmat to sifar ho chuki thi.

Wo ulte qadam peeche hata, pockets se haath nikale aur kuch bhi kahe
baghair chala gaya.

jannat ne churee rakh di. kinare par haath jamaye sar jhuka gayi. ansoo
behne lagey. apne aap ko kisi naye ghum se bachane ke liye usne pyaaz
katna shuru ki thi, magar andar tak woh phir bhi kat gayi thi.

•••

sara din khud se ulhajte rehne ke baad shaam tak saira ne himmat kar ke
jannat ko call ki thi. unhen dar tha, woh call receive nahi kare gi magar usne
kar li thi.

"As salam alaikum khaala!"

uski aawaz kamzor nahi thi, magar jane kyun unhen laga jaise jannat
kamaal ko mukhatib

"Walaikum salam!"

utni hi mushkil unhen hui thi. Utni hi waqt, itni hi suobat ke marahil se
hone mein diqqat ka saamna karna para ho. guzarna para tha unhen.
Ab woh kya kahe usse? kis baat ka shikwa kare kis amal par khafgi dikhaye
kaisey pouchs usne ghar kyun chhora, un se rabta kyun na kiya, apne
masloo se aagahi kyun nah di? waqt puchne ka nahi raha tha. ab aitraaf ki
saa-at thi.

"Mujhe mujhe maaf kar do."

Kis qader himmat se unhon ne kaha tha. aur doosri taraf aik sadma bhari
khamoshi chhaa gayi thi.

"Kis baat ki mafi khaala maafi to mujhe maangni chahiye. Maine aap sab
ko pareshan kar diya."

mobile kaan se lagaye naafi mein sar hilaate hue unhon ne dupatte ke Palu
se ansoo ponch liye the.

"Tum mujh se naraaz thi. tum ne ghar chore diya lekin mujh se baat nahi
ki."

Nichla lab kaat te hue woh zara sharminda hui.

"Mein aap par boojh nahi bana chahti thi. pehley bhi meri wajah se aap ko
bahut pareshani uthana pari hai."

saira khaala ka dil kat gaya.

"Mein aap ke paas ajati to khandan ke log…"

woh kuch kehte kehte chup ho gayi.

"Aap ke liye aur masle khade ho jate…"

khaala mushkil tareen halaat mein bhi wo un ki fikar kar rahi thi. un ka dil
gham se bhar gaya.

"Maine tumhen Zaman se bachana chaha tha."

"Mein bhi sirf usse bachna chahti thi."

usne yun kaha jaise uske khawab nahi thay. khwahisat nahi thi. aik ghair
amin thikaane se woh aik sirf Amaan wali jagah chahti thi. usey ghar nahi
chahiye tha, zindagi nahi chahiye thi. doori chahiye thi, khandan se, rishto
se, taklifoo se tanz aur taanon hai. aur un sazaon se jo kitney salo se woh
tazleel rahi thi. aurto koi khwahish nahi thi. is ne zahir kiya aur to kisi shai
ki talabb na thi.

"Abbu tumhen khush dekhna chahate the."

un ki aawaz laraz rahi thi.

"Jannat! mein un ki wasiyat par amal nahi kar saki. mujh se bahut barri
ghalti ho gayi hai."

"aisa nahi hai." woh rohan di si hui.

"aisa hi hai beta! mein tumhari mujrim hoon."

"khaala I'm pregnant"

kis qader himmat se usne kaha tha. un ki aankhon mein nami thehr gayi. lab
sakit ho gaye.

"banjh hai yeh banjh kabhi maa nahi ban sakti, ab mera beta aise hi be aulad
rahega saari Umar ?"

Uski tai ki aawaz, gussa, nafrat. jannat ke paanch salo ka sabr un ki

aankhon mein ghoom gaya. jis mehroomi ki wajah se woh har jagah se radd
hui thi, wohi mehroomi kisi aur ki zindagi mein ataa ban gayi thi. ataa ho
gayi thi. Allah ki hikmat Allah ke mamlaat Allah hi jaan

sakta hai. warna un ke jaisey log to sirf saahil par ruk kar gehrai ka andaza
lagaya karte the. khud se mafrooze ghara karte thay, apni nematon par itraya
karte the. apni maslehto par muskuraya karte the.

"Tum, tum maa ban'ne wali ho. khushi se ansoo chhalak parre. gham se
murda ho taa dil us khabar par zinda huwa. woh ro pari.

"Ab aap kaisey soch sakti hain mein khush nahi hugi?"
uski aawaz bheegi hui thi. Saira khaala ehsas nedamat mein ghar gayi. woh
ab bhi unse mutaliq khush gumaan thi. aik lamhe ke liye bhi ghalat nahi
soch rahi thi. ulta unhen samjha rahi thi. unhe tasalii de rahi thi.

"Mujhe yahan aakar pata chala hai, khushi aik Nemat hai aur sukoon isse
bhi barri Nemat! khushiyo ka talluq dunyawi nematon se hai aur sukoon ka
talluq sirf Allah se! Dil Allah se jurr jaye khaala to phir zindagi kitni hi
mushkil kyun na ho, aasaan ho jati hai."

Uska aik aik lafz un ke dil ki athah gehraion mein utar gaya. woh kitni
khaas thi. unhone kabhi samjha hi nahi.

"Tum kitni bari baate karne lagi ho."

unhone haath ki pusht se ansoo saaf kiye. woh hash padi. barri baatein
samajhne ke liye usey bari bari azmaisho se guzarna para tha.

"Ab sab theek haina ? aur faris faris tumhare sath kaisa hai?"

jannat ki ghumshudgi ke baad Faris ki deewana waar justojoo aur fikar

mandi woh apni aankhon se to dekh hi chuki thee magar ab jaise woh
aankhon par yaqeen nahi rakhna chahti thi. ab geherai mein utarna chahti
thi. ab khaala hona chahti theen.

"koi bhi masla ho to mujhe batao, mein aur tumhare khalu usse baat karen
ge, usey samjhaye ge."

woh lamhey bhar ke liye khamosh hui thi magar chaah kar bhi koi shikwa
shikayat na kar saki. zehen blank ho gaya.

yun lag raha tha jaise insano ko batane ke liye ab to koi masla hai hi nahi,
jaisey pehlay sab hi mamlaat Allah ne sambhale the to ab bhi wohi
sambhale ga.

"Jannat! "

"Ab to sab theek hai khaala…"

soch samajh kar kaha.

"Ghar chhorna meri ghalti thi. Faris ne thori nikala tha"

goke peeron taley zameen nahi thi. na sar par aasman raha tha magar jis fiza
mein woh muallaq thi, us fiza ne dono ko jor rakha tha. baat khatam ho
gayi, phone band ho gaya. Saira ko yun laga jaise mamla sulajh gaya ho.
zameer ki alamat thori kam ho gayi ho. magar be sukooni hanooz qaim thi.

"ap ne apni taraf se mere liye bohat acha socha, mujhe aap se koi gilah nahi
hai."

•••

raat ka jane konsa pehar tha ke uski aankh khul gayi. kamre mein andhera
tha. barabar mein mrs. Shirazi so rahi thi, usey apni tabiyat mein ghair
mamooli pan ka ehsas huwa. shayad chakkar aa rahe the ya phir matli si hi
ho rahi thi. usne uthne ki koshish ki to sar ghoom kar reh gaya. chand
lamho tak gehri sansen lete rahi, phir uth kar bahar aagai.

Deewar ka sahara liye usne washroom ka rukh kiya, usey aika aik teh hui.
shaam ko li jane wali khoraak bahar hi. wash besin par girift jamaye usne
khud ko aaine mein dekha. shakal dhundli aur chehra bilkul safaid ho raha
tha. Usne muh par thande pani ke chhapake mare.

Aur behad ehtiyat aur ahistgi se kadam uthate lounge mein aayi. usey yaad
tha saira khaala ke phone ke baad woh mrs. Shirazi se bate karti un ke
kamre mein hi so gayi thi.

Kuch dair ke liye hi wo sofe par bedam si laiti hui thi, na uthne ki himmat
thi na kisi ko awaz dene ki sakkat zehen maoof tha. aankhon par dhund
chhai thi.

usne peshani ko aur phir aankho ko musla, nazar sidi ke us taraf office ke
adh khule darwaze par ja tehehri, kamra Roshan tha , fars par zard si roshni
feli hui thi. Kya Faris andar tha? Usne uth kar baithte hue mustaqil saas li.
Phir kuch kuwwat paida karke usey awaaz di.

roshni mojood rahi. darwaaza sakit raha cheif aawaz us tak nahi pahunchi
thi. usey be ikhtiyar rona aaya.
"F-Faris"

Cushion utha kar phenka. ab wo ro rahi thi. dil phata ja raha tha. ajeeb
wehshat aur ghabrahat ho rahi thi. manzar kuch aur dhundla ya tha. qowat
kuch aur mit gayi thi. usey laga woh nahi aaye ga .

"Faris!" aik baar phir usey pukara .

yaka yak darwaaza khul gaya. usne faris ko bahar nikle aur phir ujlat mein
apni taraf aate dekha.

"Kya huwa? tum theek ho?"

kaandhon se thaam kar puchha tha. aankhon mein fikar, liye mein pareshani
thi.

usne rote hue nafi mein sar hilaya. Woojud ab be jaan ho raha tha. usey laga
woh bas marne wali hai.

"Jannat!"

woh aakhri aawaz thi jo usne satti, woh aakhri chehra tha jo usne dekha.
roshni taiz ho gayi. aawaz mein madham.

jaise koi pukarte hue dur bohat dur hota ja raha ho. aur phir sab tareek ho
gaya.

•••

dahine haath ki pusht par kahin chuban ka ehsas huwa. zehen par chhai hui
dhund chhatne lagi. awazon ko mafhum mil gaya. uska baayaan sard haath
kisi ki girift mein tha. naram si girift. jaise nana ke hathon ki huwa karti thi.
usne unglio ko jumbish dete hue haath band karna chaha. zehen aik baar
phir ghunodghi mein chala gaya. dobara usey hosh aaya to hospital ke
kamre mein nim tariqi si thi. nana wahan kahin nahi the.

dahine haath par drip lagi thi. samne hi khirki ke paas faris mobile haath
mein liye khada tha. usey hosh mein aata dekh kar uske paas agaya.
"K-Kya sun-hwa mujhe ?"

uski aankhon mein khauf samaya huwa tha.

"Kuch nahi huwa. sab theek hai. laite raho!"

Faris ne haath thaam kar tasalii di. takiye par sar rakhte hue usne dahine
haath se peshani ko chuva.

"Ab kaisi tabiyat hai?"

woh barabar mein baith kar pooch raha tha. aankhon mein fikar thi.

"Theek hoon."

usne kaha. Sar abhi bhi kuch bhaari tha. magar pehle jaisi haalat nahi thi.
gehri saans le kar kamre ka jaiza liya. nilgon roshni mein aik pur sarar
khamoshi chhai hui thi. khirki ke us paar raat abhi bhi baqi thi.

"Kya time ho raha hai?"

uski ankhen kuch der ke liye khulti thi, phir band ho jati thi.

"Dhai baj rahe hain."

"Mujhe bhook lag rahi hai."

Ikhtilaaf, narazi, gussa apni jagah magar rizq par koi samjhota nahi.

"Mein khane ke liye kuch le kar aata hoon."

Aik naram si nigah us par daale woh uth gaya. khushk labon ko tar karte
hue jannat ne gehri saans li.

"Faris! tum yahan…"

woh darwaaza khol kar bahar nikla hi tha jab koi aurat uske samne aagai
thi.
"Kheriyat hai?"

jannat ki ankhen khul gayeen. be sakhta darwaze ki taraf dekha.

"My wife is not feeling well!"

usne suna. Faris ki pusht nazar aa rahi thi.

"Oh, kya hua Adina ko? theek to hai woh? meri to kaafi arse se mulaqaat hi
nahi hui."

Jannat ki dharkan tham gayi. faris ne adh khula darwaaza khich kar band
kar diya. aawaz mein madoom ho gayeen.

Darwaze ke neeche kadmo ke aasar bhi gayab ho gaye. Kamre ki khamoshi

wajood me utar aayi. Shak ka andhera aankho me hanoor kar gaya. Wo
chand lamho tak dam saade padi rahi fir karvat badal kar baazu par hath
rakh liye.

•••

Awsaf manzil mein aik se zayed kaam waliyo ka izafah ho chuka tha, shadi
ke din qareeb the to uske hisse ka kaam bhi barh gaya tha. aaj samreen ki
mehndi thi. mehmano se bhare ghar mein har taraf rang birange aanchal hi
nazar aa rahe the. koi aa raha hai, koi ja raha hai. woh bacche ke sath hi
chhotey motay kaam nipta rahi thi.

aur gaahay bagaye hai anay wale mehmano aur rishta daaron ka bhi jaiza le
rahi thi. Bacche ki maa tarek sahib ki saggy behan thi. apni bhateeji ki shadi
par to zaroor aaye gi magar usey abhi tak koi aisi aurat nazar nahi aayi thi
jis ke mutaliq woh amman karti ke wohi is bacche ki maa hogi. ziyada tar
chehro woh pehchanti thi. koi bhi naya chehra nazar nahi aa raha tha.

mehmano ki dekh bhaal aur unhen mashroob paish karne ki zimedaari us

par aayi to usne is manfi jaan ko kitchen ke darwaze ke paas bithaya, zohra
ko us par nazar rakhne ka kaha aur tray uthaye seedhiyan charh gayi.
khayaal tha bas do minute mein paish kar ke neeche aajaegi magar do se
das minute lag gaye. neechay aayi to zohra usey uthaye khari thi. bacha
dard ki shiddat se cheekh cheekh kar nidhaal ho chuka tha.

"Hayee Allah jee! isey kya huwa?"

woh bokhla gayi.

"Darwaze mein haath aa gaya."

nanhe se surkh haath par nazar parte hi Ruby ke peeron tale se zameem
nikal gayi.

"Mein keh kar gayi thi iska khayaal rakhiyo."

"Ayee hayee, kitney kaam daikhu mein?"

Zohra tapi khadi thi. woh rote bilakte bacche ko uthaye iisi waqt tarek
sahab ke paas chali gayi jo khane ka hisaab kitaab dekh rahay the.

"Wo jee bacche ka haath agaya darwaze mein."

unhone sar uthaya. aik nazar usey dekha. doosri nazar rote hue bacche par
daali. phir waha khade bete se yun mukhatib hue jaisey unhon ne ruby ki
koi baat suni hi na ho. woh masla ziyada ahem tha jis mein woh ulje khade
the. woh apni jagah khadi reh gayi. phir woh malikan ke paas gayi, uske
baad apne bare sahab ke chhote bhai ke paas. mayoos ho kar woh Rashida
ke yaha chali gayi.

"isey hospital le jao Rashida!"

Bacche ki haalat dekh kar khud Rashida ko taras agaya, foran se chadar
uthai, bacha liya aur hospital chali gayi. is tamam arse mein ruby khaali
ulzhani ki kefiyat mein apne malikon ka kaam karti borahi, borahi si phurti
rahi. nanhi nanhi si ungelian kitni surkh ho rahee thi. chaand se chehre par
gaal aur maathe par kesi kharash aayi hui thi. aur woh kitna cheekh cheekh
kar ro rha tha. woh usey soch soch kar bahut pareshan hoti rahi. mehndi ki
rasam adaa ki ja rahi thi. farigh ho kar woh bahar ki sidiyo par ja baithi.
Nokia ka touch button mobile haath mein tha. muntazir nigahon se screen
ko tak rahi thi. balance to tha hi nahi ke call kar leti. nahi kabhi call karne ki
zaroorat paish aayi thi. Ma hi phone karti thi.

yaka yak mobile baj utha. Rashida ki call thi.

"mein pahunch gayi hoon ghar aaja ab !"

foran se uth kar darwaze ki taraf bhagee. ujlat mein qadam uthai dayen taraf
gali mein murr gayi aur jo pehla darwaaza nazar aaya, usey khol kar andar
chali gayi. bilkul samne hi chaar payi par Rashida baithi thi.

bacha pehlu mein hi soya para tha. kuch be qarari se woh us par jhuki. uska
maatha chooma. uske nanhe se haath ko dekha jis par patti bandhi hui thi.

aik haath se pankha chalte hue Rashida ne thandhi aah bhari.

"Doctarni ne to mujhe achi khasi jhaad pila di. samajh rahi thi, mera bacha
hai. meri laa parwai se haath darwaze mein agaya hoga. aur chout sirf aik to
nahi thi Ruby."

"kal Saima bibi ke bache ne dhaka diya tha to sidiyo se gir gaya."

usne gulu geer aawaz mein bataya. Rashida gehri saans le kar reh gayi.

"Dekh Rashida!" sar utha kar mukhatib hui.

"Yateem bache ke liye aik zara sa kaam hi to kaha hai tujhe."

"Tu to aise keh rahi hai jaisey yeh kaam bahut aasaan ho. bhai mujhe kya
pata iska chacha kon hai, kahan rehta hai, nah mujhe uski maa ki koi khabar
hai. "

"Tu itne salo se un ke padosh mein reh rahi hai, kuch to pata hoga tujhe
kuch to"

"Dekh mujhe bas itna pata hai woh koi bara Ameer aadmi hai. Islamabad
mein rehta hai bas."

Rashida ne baqaida sar par dupatta jamate hue haath khada kiya.
"tu apne ghar wale se baat to kar. kuch to pata hoga usey. mujhe bas phone
number chahiye ya phir ghar ka pata. baqi mein sab khud dekh lugi…"

Rashida ne taajjub se us dhaan paan si ladki ko dekha. jis ka khud ka koi

sahara nah tha. woh lawaris ki tarah paltae is bache ke liye sahara dhoond
rahi thi.

"kya khabar teri yeh neki Allah ko pasand aa jaye aur woh taire liye
aasaniya kar de."

woh minnat samajat par utar aayi to Rashida ne thandhi aah bhari.

"achha theek hai. baat karoon gi mein lekin wada nahi kar sakti."

Ruby ne khush ho kar mamnon nigahon se usey dekha. phir bache ko

ehtiyat se baazuon mein utha liya. dawaiyo ka shaper bhi sath tha.

"Doctarni keh rahi thi bacha bahut kamzor hai sehat ka khayaal rakho."

tashweesh se kaha.

"jitna ho sake. rakhti to hoon. doodh mein pani daal ke deti hoon. bari
begum aik aik cheez par nazar rakhti hai."

Rashida ko afsos huwa.

"Tu mere se le jaiyo kuch chahiye ho to. zalim log. Allah ke qehar se nahi
darte. yateem ke sath aisa sulooq ?"

woh usey seene se lagaye chokhat uboor kar gayi. ghar pahunchte hi seedha
apne kamre mein gayi. bache ko

Ehthiyat se sulane ke baad chaar payi ko khech khanch kar khirki ke paas
rakha. barabar mein baith kar bohat narmi aur

afsos se uske chehre ko dekha.

lanabi palko par jagah jagah nami shehri thi. saata huwa gulabii chehra
kitna dard ho raha tha. nanhe nanhe se hont bheenche hue the. woh waqai
mein bahut kamzor lag raha tha.

"Bas kuch din aur tujhe mein yahan to nahi rehne dun gi."

uske gird bazu dalte tasalii di .

khidki ke us paar samne shadi wala ghar roshaniyo se jagmaga raha tha.
mehmano ki aamad o Raft taa haal jari thi.

darwaze ke paas hi tarek sahab khade the. kuch paison ka hisaab kitaab
karte hue. Allah ke qehar ko dawat dete log Allah ke naam par sadqa
khairaat ke naam par achi khasi raqam nikaalne ka

soch rahay thay, taake un ki aulaad ki khushiya salamat aur mehfooz rahen.

•••
•CHP-42•
•••

Nim tariqi mein aankhon ko chubti hui roshni laptop ki screen ki thi. typing
ho rahi thi magar typing ki aawaz bahar haal nahi thi. usey pyaas lag rahi
thi. halaq sookh kar ka kata hua tha. kisi qader koshish se woh kohni ke bal
par hui. haath barha kar side table ka lamp on gaya. pani ka jung ya glass
wahan nahi rakha tha.

"kuch chahiye?"

Laptop cushion se hata kar aik taraf rakhte hue aur uski taraf mutwajja ho
chuka tha.

"Pani"

uski aawaz neend se boujhal, aur ankhen khamar bhari thi. madham si
roshni mein bhi woh uske chehre ki pasmrdaghi ko mehsoos kar sakta tha.

guzashta kuch dino se uski tabiyat kharab thi. do bar hospital bhi le ja chuka
tha, woh medicine aur zaroori ka supplements bhi le rahi thi magar kabhi
bukhaar kabhi sar dard, aur kabhi kamzori ke baais tabiyat nidhaal hui rehti
thi. Lihaf hata kar aik side par karte hue woh room freezer ki taraf barh
gaya. pani ki bottle aur glass utha kar uske paas aaya to woh tab tak uth kar
baith chuki thi. usne glass le kar pani piya.

"Kisi cheez ki zaroorat to nahi?"

woh puchh raha tha. jannat ne khaali glass side table par rakhte hue usey
dekha. pichhle teen dino se woh aisi hi

aik nazar us par zaroor daalti thi. shak, herat aur uljan bhari nazar.

"Meri ghair mojudgi mein tumhare sath koi haadsa paish aaya tha?" usne
pucha.
"Nahi! kyun?" woh uske sawal par kuch heran huwa.

"Tum mujh se puchhte ho, kisi cheez ki zaroorat to nahi, matlab tum
puchhte ho."

haath se ishara kya.

"Nahi puchhna chahiye ?"

"Poore paanch mah tak nahi puchha to ab kyun ?"

sawal baja tha. aitraaz bhi baja. Wo la jawab huwa. zair lab kuch barr
badate hue woh takiye ko durust karti nim daraaz ho gayi. farsi doosri taraf
apni

sabiqa position mein aakar beth gaya tha. lihaaf tango par daalte hue
cushion par laptop rakha aur aik baar phir apne kaam karne laga. woh uski
janib karvat badal kar gaal ke neeche haath rakhe khamoshi se usey dekhne
lagi. aankhon par frame less glasses the, peshani par bal be tartibi se bikhare
hue, yaksoi se apna kaam karte hue aur aitraaf se aksar beniyaz nazar aata
tha.

"Jante ho aksar amina mujh se kya ke rahi theen?"

uski aawaz neend se mutasir lag rahi thi.

"kya keh rahi thi ?"

Faris ne nazron ka zawiye hain badla tha keypad par ungliyan taizi se
mutharrak thee.

"Aap tension na le mrs. faris! kya matlab kyun tension na lu? yeh doctors is
tarah ki nasihate hame kyun karti hain. matlab shoharo se kyun nahi keh
sakti, apni biwion ko tension na do."

dheema lehja kuch naram, kuch khafgi bhara. Mister faris! uski baatein,
uska qissa lehja andaaz. wo aise hi ladne ke chakkaro mein uske dil ke taar
chairr gayi thi.
Faris ne be sakhta laptop se nazrein bana kar usey dekha. usey laga ke do
apna focus apne kaam prnhin jama sakega. Dheemi si zarkar roshni mein
Jannat ka momi chehra numaya tha. surkh aankhon mein khafgi thehri hui
thi. peshani par dhair saare bal thay. aik lamhe ke liye agar uske tassurat
naram hote the to doosre pal aur shadeed ghusse mein nazar aati thi.

"Achha batao kya tension hai tumhe?"

uska yeh andaza lehza rawaiyya jannat ke liye qatae naya tha. woh lamhe
bhar ke liye heran, phir doosre pal kuch pareshan aur teesre second mein
sadme se bahar aagai.

"Tum hi to meri sab se bari tension ho."

Bhunna kar keh diya. guzashta teen dino se woh jis tarah uska khayaal rakh
raha tha to na chahate hue bhi usey khamosh rehna para tha. woh usey
gussa, narazgi khafgi, kuch bhi nahi dikha saki thi. bas khamosh rahi thi. ab
mazeed khamosh nahi reh sakti thi.

"Maine kaha tha mujhe tumhare sath kamra share nahi karna. aur dekho,
mujhe bed tak share karna par raha hai."

"Aur auntie se tum kya kehte ho? she is free to do as she wants!"

ba qaida chehre ke utaar charhao ke sath usne faris ki naqal utari. usne apne

labon par umdti muskurahat ko daba liya.

"Tumhari tabiyat theek nahi hai to is liye."

"Is liye kya?"

Kohni ke bal upar ho kar usne faris ko mashkook nazron se ghora.

"Pehli baar to kharab nahi hui. aur yaad hai tum ne aik baar mujhe haath se
pakar kar bed se utaara tha. sona hai to sofe so jao warna is kamre se dafa
ho jao."
aawaz bhaari kar ke, chehre ke tasurat sakht kar ke uski naqal bahut
khubsurati se utari thi. woh mehez ka khankhar kar reh gaya .

"Us din bhi meri tabiyat kharab thi. sar mein dard tha. haath paon dukh rahe
thay. us din to tumne meri koi timadari nahi ki thi?"

faris ko andar hi andar apni is harkat par bohat afsos huwa.

"Haan! lekin jab tum Lahore se aayi thi tab ki thi."

Wo jo kuch kehne ke liye muh khol hi rahi thi ab bhinch kar reh gayi.

"Isliye ki thi taake mujhe jata sako ?"

"Mera yeh matlab nahi tha."

"To kya matlab tha tumhara? "

kya uska larai ka mood ho raha hai? faris ne achambhe se usey dekha .

"Tum maan kyun nahi lete ke mujhe tumhari marzi ke mutabiq jeena par
raha hai. pehlay bhi, aur ab bhi?"

qatra qatra lafzo ka tezaab faris ko andar hi andar jhulsane laga.

bazahir woh aam se lehje mein baghair kisi dukh ka izhaar kiye baat karti
thi magar woh uska gham, uska dard bahut

andar se mehsoos karne lagta tha.

"Tumhare dimagh mein chal kya raha hai ab?"

Uski khamoshi se aajiz aa kar woh bohat sanjidgi sepooch rahi thi .

"Tum khud ko pareshan kar rahi ho." usne kaha.

"Pareshan to tum mujhe kar rahe ho."

woh uski aankhon mein ankhen gardh kar boli.

"Mein kaise maan lu tum ab koi chaal nahi chal rahe? ya ab tumahra koi
plan nahi hai? yeh kaise ho sakta hai? is tarah rawaiyya badal kar tum
mujhe bewaqoof nahi bana satke."

usne wazeh keh diya. Faris chand lamho tak usey khamosh nazron se
daikhta raha.

"Aadil Ahmed kal tumhe catlogue de jaye ga. furniture pasand kar laina. aik
do din mein kamrah furnished ho jaye to phir tum niche shift ho sakti ho."

uska lehja sakht nahi tha nah hi lafzo mein nafrat ki kaat thi.

"Haan tum to yahi chahoge, tum to pehle bhi yahi chahte the ke mein is
kamre se nikal jau."

woh kuch herat se usey dekh kar reh gaya.

"Mein to bas is liye ke raha tha kyun ke tumhe allag kamar chahiye."

"Haan chahiye. bilkul chahiye. jab tak mein yahan hoon, mujhe allag
kamrah hi chahiye. tumhare sath reh reh kar kar mujhe pagal nahi hona."

sard lehjey mein keh kar kahin aur dekhne lagi. woh chand lamho tak usey
daikhta raha.

"Chalo tumhari aik tension to kam hui."

muskurahat daba kar kaha.

"Tension kam nahi karni mujhe khatam karni hai."

wo uski dida dileri par heran hue bina na reh saka.

"Ab mein khud ko is liye to khatam nahi kar sakta ke mein aik tension
hoon. lekin koshish kar ke khud ko thoda sa badal sakta hon. Tension ki
jagah kuch aur ho sakta hoon."

uska lehja khalis dostana tha. gardan mour kar woh kuch sadme se usey
dekh kar reh gayi. kahan woh jara jara si baat par aape se bahar ho jata tha
aur kahan ab kisi bhi baat par gussa nahi aa raha tha.

"Mujhe poora yaqeen hai, tumhare sar par koi chout lagi hai."

"haan chout to lagi hai lekin sar par nahi."

Uska muayne khairz jumla jannat ke sar par sar pe se guzar gaya. woh uske
pur sukoon rawaiyye par tap gayi. uski muskurahat se chirr gayi. phir gehri
saans le kar apne asaab par qaboo paate hue uski taraf dekha.

woh seene par bazu bandhe chehre ka rukh more usey sanjeedgi se dekh
raha tha. laptop ki roshni uske nafis glasses par munakis hoti sunheri mael
lehro ka ta-assur de rahi thi. glasses mein acha lag raha tha wo foran se
nazar bana kar dil ko jhirak diya ke glasses ke sath acha lage ya bura usey
kya ?

"Mat bhoolna ke mein yahan auntie ki wajah se sirf dilivery tak hoon.
unhone mujh se wada kiya hai."

apne andar bahut sara khauf aur dhair sara ghusaa liye pichhle teen dino
mein yeh baat kayi baara dohra chuki thi.

"Tum janti ho, mein mummy ki koi baat nahi talta."

woh bas us aik Jumle se hi uske khadshaat rafa kar sakta tha.

"is baat ki tasalii hai, warna tum par mujhe choonti jitna bhi bharosa nahi."

keh kar karvat badal gayi. Faris ne kuch nahi kaha. Jannat ne gehri saans le
kar ankhen moond li. Adina Zubair ka tasawwur aik taraf mrs. Shirazi ki
hidayte aur nasihate doosri taraf aur aane wale waqt aur faris ki tension
teesri taraf itna to woh bhi janti thi faris mrs. shirazi ki koi baat nahi talta
tha. yaqeenan unhone hi isey khayaal rakhne ka kaha hoga.

ab baat bache ki thi to woh na chahtay hue bhi lehjey aur rawaiyye mein
badlao le aaya hoga. apni aulaad ke liye insaan itna to karta hi hai. haan itna
to karta hi hai.

"Aik sawal pouchon tumse?"

"Hmm"

nigahe screen par markooz theen. woh kuch type kar raha tha. jannat ne
uski taraf karvat badli.

"Adina Zubair ne tumse Talaq kyun li?"

faris ki unglio ki harkat thami. saans thehr gaya. woh sawal, sirf sawal nahi
tha. madham roshiniyon ke fanoos goya chattake se toot kar uske hawaso
par gira. uske tassurat badal gaye. narmi mafqood ho gayi. gardan morr kar
usne jannat ko dekha.

Takiye par sar rakhe, lihaaf honto tak kheenche woh usey hi dekh rahi thi.
bazahir lehjey mein koi chubhan nahi thi. na hi aankhon mein dard ya
tajasus nazar araha tha. magar woh sawal, woh aam sa sawal nahi tha. itna
khafeef bhi nahi ke puchne wale par bhi assar andaaz na hota.

"Raat kaafi ho chuki hai. ab sona chahiye."

usne laptop band kar ke uthna chaha.

"usne tumhe chorra aur tum phir bhi usey apnaana chahtay ho, kyun?"

woh sarapa sawal naahi par chhoo rahi

thi. lehja ghusse se aari tha. Na sakhti thi, na khafgi.

Faris ne bohat narmi se uske haath par haath rakha.

"Tumhari tabiyat theek nahi hai tumhe ab aaraam karna chahiye."

"Tumne mere mobile se saari tasweere delete kar di, yeh samajh kar is tarah
meri yadasht se bhi sab kuch mit jayega?"

woh uski nahi sun rahi thi, woh sirf apni keh rahi thi. wo ruk kar usey
dekhne laga.

jannat ki sard aankhon mein ki nami thehr gayi, chehra posheeda tha magar
aziyate to phir bhi aankhon se jhalakti hain.
"Maine dekha hai tum uske sath kitna khush the."

usne kaha. wo mout jaisey sannate ki zad mein aaya tha. usey andaza nahi
tha, woh aisi baat karegi, aisa sawal, aisa karegi.

"Mein, mein is par koi baat nahi karna chahta!"

Kis kadar koshish se usne kaha.

"Mein bhi nahi karna chahti thi, magar tum har bar meri pehli shadi ko
beech me le aate the.

Jannat ka lehza abki bar jara sa tark hua tha.

"Mein galat karta raha to kya ye jaruri hai ki tum bhi wahi galti dohrao?"

'galti ka aitraaf! Haan, ye galti ka aitraaf tha.' kuch to tha uske lehje me,
uski awwaz aur uski aankho me, bazaahir sanjida sapaat chehra. Dukh aur
gham se muqammal aari magar kuch to tha.

"Me zikr nahi karugi to tumhe meri taklif ka andaza kese hoga?"

Wo uth kar beth gayi.

"Ye kaise pata chalega ke jab kisi ladki ki doosri shadi hoti hai to wo apni
pehli shadi ka zikr kisi soorat nahi sunna chahti!"

"Tum zikar na bhi karo to mujhe andaza hai tum kis takleef se guzarti rahi
ho"

Jannat apni jagah tham gayi. Aankho me karb utar aaya. Dil gham se bhar
gaya.

"Tumhe andaza hai? Wo bhi meri takleef ka? Sirf is liye ki me tumse
tumhari pehli biwi ki baat kar rahi hu, tum mujhe is tarah ke jawab de rahe
ho."

Uska ghussa badne laga tha, bardash khatam ho rahi thi.

"Ex wife!"

Faris ne tarjeeh ki.

"Aur me chahta hu tum uske bare me mere se koi baat mat karo!"

Usne sanjidgi se mana kiya. Lehja abhi bhi shakt nahi tha. wo jaise normal
lehje me bahut normal si baat kar raha tha. Magar uske andar.

"Kyu baat na karu?"

wo uth kr uske samne aan khadi hui.

"Wo mere samne aa sakti hai, mujh se baat kar sakti hai. Apni mohabbat aur
tumhari deewangi ki daastan bhi suna sakti hai. Lekin me tumse is bare me
koi baat na karu?"

Aankho me hais or khfs ka thate marta samundar tha. Lehja gussila, awaaz
pathrili. Aaj se pehle wo use itne ghusse me kabhi nazar nahi aayi thi.

"Tum mujhse mere maazi ke bare me sawaal kar sakte ho, Meri Sabqa shadi
ka mazaaq uda sakte ho, mere kirdar par baat kar sakte ho, lekin me tumse
tumhari zindagi ke bare me auk chota sa sawal bhi nahi puchh sakti?"

Wo aziyat se hashi. Aankhe dar ho chuki thi. Magar Faris wo khamosh tha.
wo bilkul khamosh tha. uske lab baham pevist the. Uski aankho me veraani
utri hui thi. uska chehra tassurat se aari ho chuka tha. wo itna bol gayi thi.
Itna keh gayi thi. Aur wo phir bhi khamosh tha. wo sar uthaye khadi thi. wo
sar jhukaye uski aankho me dekh raha tha.

Yakayak Jannat ko ehsaas hua usne Adina Zubair ka zikr chher kar apni
position kam kar li hai. apna khouf apne khadsaat Faris wajdan par ayaa kar
diye hai. Usne parda hata diya hai. usne tariki badha di hai.

"Mein isliye nahi puch rahi thi ki mujhe tumhari zindagi me koi interest
hai"

Apne jazbaat par kabu paate hue. usne awaaz khofda lam mazboot kar liya.
wo jo nami uski aankho me ubhri thi, use chhupa liya, wo jo khouf sa zaahir
hua tha, lehje se, baato se, use daba liya.

"Mujhe tumse koi matlab nahi. Pehle bhi keh chuki hu, ab dobara keh rahi
hu."

"Bhale se kisi bhi Adina pudina ko apni zindagi me le aao, I really don't
care!"

"Lekin me jab tak yahan hu ek hi ghar me uske saath nahi rahugi, end of
discursion!"

apni baat khatam karke wo bed par ja laiti thi lihaaf sar par taan liya tha. Ab
khamoshi se saanso ko gin rahi thi. Apni dharkano ko sunn rahi thi. Dil ro
raha tha, dil tadap raha tha. Mout ki si khamoshi me use darwaaza kholne
aur phir band hone ki awaaz aayi. Kamre me uske siwa koi na tha. Uski
dhimi dhimi siskiyan gunjane lagi. Jane usne sahi kiya tha ya gaalat. Magar
ab wo ro rahi thi.

•••

subah uski aankh khuli to us waqt das baj rahe the. pehle pahel dhund mein
lipta dimagh maoof raha. phir khayaal ubhre, baatein yaad aayi, apni behas
aur faris ka rawaiyya yaad aaya. uth kar baithte hue usne bed crown se tek
laga li. Or dressing table ke samne khara faris tie ki knot bandh raha tha.
chehre ke tasurat normal the. woh uski tayari dekh kar kuch heran hui ke aaj
uska off tha magar apne kaam se kaam rakho usool ke tehat usse pooche ki
koshish nahi ki.

"Kaisi tabiyat hai?"

mamool ki tarah woh aaj bhi pooch raha tha. lehja sard tha nah tasurat mein
sakhti thi. wo roz jawab deti thi, aaj khamosh rahi.

tie ki knot bandhne ke baad usne perfume chhirhkha. phir samne sofe par
baith kar joote pehnne laga.

"Jaroori kaam se chand dino ke liye Germany ja raha hoon."

"Mujhe kyun bata rahe ho?"

uska wohi khafa ukhra lehjey. halaanke aitraaz us par karna tha ke ab kyun
bata rahe ho.

"Nahi bta sakta ?" usne sawalia abr ucchkaai.

"Pehley nahi batate the to ab kyun bta rahe ho?"

ab ke rukh badal kar uski aankhon me ankhen daal kar poocha.

"Pahuch kar call karuga."

woh uska sawal nazar andaaz kiye apni kahe gaya.

"Mein receive nahi karugi." wazeh keh diya.

Wo use nahi dekh rahi thi to us ki muskurahat bhi nahi dekh saki thi.

"Mein message karuga."

"Mein nahi parhugi."

chehre ka rukh mushriq ki taraf tha. usey faris ki baton par ab ghussa aa
raha tha. woh aisa kaisay zahir kar sakta hai jaise kal raat un ke mabain koi
baat nahi hui thi. loi larai ya behas nahi hui thi.

"Recording bejuga."

"Mein tumhe block kar dugi." wazeh dhamki.

"Oh! to tum to bilkul theek ho mein aise hi fikarmand ho raha tha."

woh muskuraya. woh acha khasa tap gayi magar thammul se baithi rahi.

Wo chand sakoo tak usey muskarati nigahon se daikhta raha, phir uth khada
huwa.

"Apna khayaal rakhna."

"Yeh baat mein tum se nahi kahugi."

"Khud ko bewa hone se bachane ke liye bhi nahi?"

"Kya museebat hai."

woh be tarah se chirr kar jhunjhlati aur uthne ka irada tark kar ke dobara
lehaaf mein ghus gayi. aur woh khada raha. Mutabassam nigaho se usey
takte hue. uski mojudgi ko apne aas paas zindagi ki tarah mehsoos karte hue
.

pal bhar mein kitne manazair the jo aankhon mein samaaye the. Uska see
off karne ke liye uske peeche bhagte hue gaari tak jana, darwaaza kholna.
be tukki si baat par behas shuru kar dena aur phir

rehna. dhara dhar messeges, aur khud se sawalaat. usne kuch aziyat se
khayalat ko jhatak diya.

"Allah Hafiz"

usne kaha. jannat ke wujood mein koi jambish na hui. kuch der baad qadmo
ki aahat ke sath darwaza band ho gaya. sukh bhari saans le kar lehaaf
hataya. kuch der tak apni jagah chup chaap baithi rahi. phir uth kar balcony
mein ja khari hui. usey Faris wajdan guard ke hamrah apni gaadi ki taraf
jata huwa nazar aaya.

kisi ehsas ke tehat wo ruk kar mura. jannat taizi se hat gayi. dekhe bina hi
jaan gayi thi woh isi taraf hi dekh raha hoga. kuch hi der baad gaari start
hone ki aawaz aayi. usne sar nikaal kar aik baar phir dekha. aqbi nashist ka
sheesha neeche huwa tha. ghari ke chamakate Dial wala haath bahar nikla.
Faris ne haath hilaya.

usne gur bara kar apna sar andar kar liya. woh uski har harkat ka kaise
andaaz laga laita tha? Harbara wash room mein ghis gayi thi.

•••

woh naraaz thi. uska mood bilkul bhi theek nahi tha. kabhi khud par gussa
aa raha tha aur kabhi Faris par kabhi apni soch uljhane lagti thi aur kabhi
faris ka rawaiyya sulghane lagta.
Nashte ke baad lawn me tehelte hue woh hatta la imkan pur sukoon hone ki
koshish karti rahi aur us koshish mein buri tarah se nakaam hoti rahi. us par
nazar jamaye aqsa ne koi saatvi bar thandi aah bhar kar apne kamray ki
khirki se sar andar kiya tha. do baar moazrat ke liye ja chuki thi. teen baar
I'm sorry wale card bheje the. chaar baar dur kaan pakar kar bhi dekhaya
tha magar uski aapi wo to kuch manne ko tayyar hi nahi thi.

aik lambi si thandhi aah bhar kar apna sar takiye par rakha aur barri budi ki
tarah thandhi aahein bharne lagi. aur tab hi usey gaari ka horn sunai diya.
gate khulna ke sath hi gaadi andar daakhil hui. Jhat se uth kar khidki mein
aayi.

Porch me safad Yaris khadi thi. Aadil ahmad bahar nikla tha.

"Allah! Ye kya Kar raha hai yahan?"

Glasses hata kar mashoof ne sidhe quarter ki taraf dekha tha. Wo jhat se
parde ki ot me chhup gayi thi. Dobara mohtata ho kar sar nikala to lawn se
mohatat ho kar sadar darwaze ki taraf jaa raha tha. hath me sayad koi file
thi.

usne gehri saans le kar foran aaina dekha. chehra bilkul saaf aur nikhra
nikhra sa tha magar usey apni us raat wali shakal hi nazar aa rahi thi. aur
yahi aaj se nahi, aik hafte se ho raha tha .

"Chalo acha huwa jannat aapi khafa hain. is tarah mujhe uske samne to nahi
jana parega."

usey tasalli hui. kaise hash raha tha us din. Aadil Ahmed chehra yaad aaya
to apna chehra ghusse se surkh hone laga.

Aim usi lamhe darwaze par dastak hui. ja kar khola to samne mulazma
khari thi.

"Aap ko choti sahiba bula rahi hain."

"Kon choti sahiba?"

uski hawaiya urr gayeen.

mulazma ne usey aisay dekha jaise is ki aqal par shak guzra ho.

"Jannat sahiba!"

Wo ghabra gayi.

"Mujhe" ungli se apni taraf ishara kya .

"Jee haan aap ko."

wo paigaam de kar chalti hain aur aqsa ki to sach much par jaan jaan par
ban gayi.

"Woh to naraaz hai mujh se. kyun bulaa rahi hain aakhir?"

usey rona aaya. aik baar phir aaina dekh kar tasalli ki ke kahin liner winer,
Mascara, saskara waghera ke nishaan to nahi. Phir apne tasurat par qaboo
paati wajdan house ki taraf barh gayi.

markazi darwaze se lounge tak wo aise gayi, yeh sirf wo hi janti thi.

"Aapne mujhe bulaya?"

poooray aetmaad ke sath jannat ke paas ja ki khadu hui. samne Aadil

Ahmed Barajman tha. mulazma use mashroob paish kar rahi thi. Aqsa ne ne
bhoole se bhi uski taraf na dekha.

"Tum meri manager ho?" Jannat heran thi.

Aadil Ahmed muskurahat daba gaya.

aqsa ki shakal dekhne layaak thi. chunke rukh jannat ki taraf tha to aankhon
hi aankhon mein aur zabaan hilaa kar usey ishare diye ke aur kuch na kahin.
is chinese Aadil ke samne to bilkul nahi ke mazeed be izzati wo afford nahi
kar sakti thi. kar sakti

"Aqsa?"

"Jee aapi woh mein"

ghabra kar daine ka Palu unglio mein ghumaya. AC ki thandak mein
peshani pasine se tar buttar, hosh uray hue. Jannat ne gehri saans le kar usey
dekha. halaanke bulaya to is liye tha taake uski class li ja sake magar.

"Jaisa ke mister aadil aap jante hain, mein apni manager ke baghair koi
kaam sar-anjaam nahi deti."

aqsa ki jaan mein jaan aagai mamnon hoti nigahon se apni malikan type
aapi ko dekha. Aadil Ahmed baham si muskurahat ke sath sar hila kar reh
gaya.

"Betho!"

Aankhon se ishara kiya to woh jannat ke barabar mein beth gayi. Catlog
thmaya. safhe palte.

kya shaan daar furniture ki tasaveer theen. Aqsa ki ankhen phail gayee.

"Aap dekh kar mujhe message kar dijiyega."

Aadil Ahmed apni jagah se uth khada huwa.

"Ab ijazat chahta hoon."

coat ke button band karte hue kaha.

"Lekin isse pehle, kya mein mrs. shirazi se mil sakta hu ?"

"Sure! mein bula kar lati hoon." jannat uth kar chali gayi.

Aadil ne Aqsa ki taraf dekha jo catlogue par nazrein gadhe hu baithi hui thi
jaisay duniya ka koi mushkil tareen kaam uske hawale kar diya gaya ho aur
jaise sar anjaam diye baghair dunya khatam ho jana ho.

"Kaisi hain aap?"

suni un suni kiye khamosh rahi.

"Iske sath make up pamplet bhi hai."

Aadil ne furniture catlogue ki taraf ishara kiya.

"Ye brand water proof make up muhayya karti hai. thora mehanga ho sakta
hai. But it's worth it! Meri cousin yahi istemaal karti hai."

aur aqsa ka jee chaha zameen phate aur woh us mein sama jaye.

"Aap apne mashware apne paas rakhen."

Sar utha kar kaha. magar jis tarah usne apni muskurahat numaya ki usey
ehsas hua woh abhi bhi uska wohi chehra dekh raha hai.

"Allah kere iska paon phisle, keechar mein gire, sidiyo se lurke office ke
poooray staff ke samne."

tap kar socha.

"Aap un se mil satke hain."

Jannat ne aakar kaha to woh uth kar mrs shirazi ke studio mein chala gaya.

Aqsa ne make up ad ke safhe nikale. choti se choti cheez ki qeemat bhi koi
hazaar do hazaar ke qareeb thi. apne chand aik tabaq roshan karwa kar usne
pamphlet band kya.

"Mein ne kon sa ab kabhi make up karna hai." pamphlet tod maror kar
ekhatta kiya.

"Natural look hona chahiye hain." dahine haath se balon ko jhatak kar uth
gayi.

Mrs. Shirazi ki madad se apni pasand ka furniture muntakhib kar ke aadil

Ahmed ko msg bhejne ke baad jab farigh hui to faris ka message aa gaya.
notification rerecording ki thi. woh bad maza hui ke agar woh msg likh kar
bheja to tick blue off kar ke wo aaraam se message parh sakti thi magar
yahan to pegham janne ke liye recording sunna zaroori ho gaya

tha aur rerecording to har haal mein ishara deti hai ke usey sun liya gaya hai
.
mobile side table par rakh kar wo magazine ki waraq gardani karne lagi.
Usey faris wajdan ko bilkul hi tarah se nazar andaaz karta tha jaise wo karta
tha.

magar yeh suspense ke usne kya kaha hoga, use koi bhi kaam nahi karne ds
raha tha. fashion magazine ki rang birangi tasaveer se uski dilchaspi khatam
ho gayi. magazine rakh kar mobile utha liya. uska aik whatsapp group tha.
jis ki bas wohi ekloti mumbar, aur ekloti admin thi. faris ki recording tap
kiye baghair usne group mein share ki. phir tasalii se suna shuru kya.

"Jaamta hoon tum mujhe sun rahi ho. yeh tark trick mujhe bhi aati hai."

Garbara mobile band kar ke pare rakha jaisey wo abhi ke abhi mobile se
nikal aaye ga.

"Museebat" burr bara kar uth gayi. mobile usne kamre mein hi chhor diya.

raat gaye tak faris ke kayi messeges, kayi recordings aur kayi tasaveer
masool hoti rahen magar usne uska har beej message andekha rehne diya.
bilkul waise hain, jaise wo an dekhi reh jati thi.

❏❏❏
•CHP-43•
•••

Deewar gir khidkiyon ke samne woh sofa par aalti paalti maar ke baithi hui
thi. Kuch kaghazat table par bikhre hue the aur kuch uske barabar mein sofa
par rakhe the. Chand ek haathon mein the jinhe woh yaksoi se padh rahi thi.
Har thodi der baad uski aankhon ka taasur badal sa jaata tha, nami chhod
jaati thi, dil thum jaata tha. Woh ek ek lafz, ek ummeed, ek tasalli, ek
paigham samjha kar padh rahi thi. Usne sara uthakar Munh Shirazi ko
dekha. Woh canvas ki taraf mutawajjih thi, aur kaye, bagaya hai, use bhi
dekh leti thi. Uske tassurat unhein ek anokhi si khushi dete the, jaise woh
kuch samajh rahi hai, badal rahi hai.

"Aap is tarah ayat ko kaise samajh leti hain?" Woh kaise bandh rahe sakti
thi.

Wheelchair ko harkat dete hue woh kuch aage ho gayi. Uske qareeb phir
haath badhakar kuch safhay utha liye. Yun par madham si muskurahat
ubhar kar maqdoom ho gayi.

Jo safha haath mein tha woh mukammal zard rang ka tha. Zard rang ke
safhay par woh hamesha ayat likhti thi. Gulabi safhay par unka research
work hota tha. Halke sabzi mayil safhay par to the point woh baat jo tahqiq
ka hasil hoti thi. Aur phir yeh safhay file mein ek tarteeb se lagay rehte the.

"Tumhare khayal se ek aurat ke liye sabse badi do aazmaishe kaun si ho

sakti hain?"

Unka sawal sun kar uski nazreyn be khud yeh zard safa ki taraf uthi gayi jo
unhone uski taraf badhaya tha. Usne safa thaam liya. Mrs. Shirazi ne yeh
kya poocha tha? Woh kya likh rahi thi jise unhone adhoora chhod diya tha?
Kya samajh rahi thi jo aankhe itni nam aur dil bhar gaya tha.

Safhay par do ayat likhi thi. Ek ayat Umme Musa ؑ ؑ ki thi jab unhone Musa
alaihis salam ko samundar ke hawale kiya tha. Dusri ayat Maryam alaihis
‫َﱠ‬
salam ki thi jab unhein hamal thehre tha. Dono ko "‫" "أ َ ﱠﻻ ﺗَﺤْ ﺰَ ﻧِﻲ‬gum na karo"
kaha gaya tha. Aur dono hi us waqt takleef ki inteha se guzar rahi thi.

"Kirdaar ki pakizgi aur aulad ka gam"

Zehan ne foran kaam kiya tha. Usne be khud sar uthaya. "Bas Allah ka yahi
paigham dhoondh rahi thi main."‫"أ َ ﱠﻻ ﺗَﺤْ ﺰَ ﻧِﻲ‬

(gham na karo) woh jaanta hai ek aurat ka dil kitna kamzor hai, khasusan ek
maa kisi takleef se guzarti hai. Kis dard ko sehati hai. Is ke siwa aur koi
jaan hi kaise sakta hai."

Woh keh kar khamosh ho gayi aur Jannat ki rahm bhari nigaahon se unhein
dekh kar reh gayi. Jawaan aulad ki maut ka gham sehati hui maa!

Use Mrs. Shirazi ke betay aur phir yateem pote ka khayal aaya. Be ikhtiyaar
dil me karb khul gayi. Woh maa betay ke is maamle mein bilkul nahi aana
chahti thi magar…

"Aap Faris se baat kyun nahi karti?"

"Kis baare mein?"

"Apne pote ke baare mein."

Mrs. Shirazi ne ruk kar use dekha. "Yeh baat usse karne wali nahi hai
beta!". Woh be bas si se Mrs. Shirazi ko dekh kar reh gayi. Woh aisa kaise
keh sakti thi. Is tarah Faras ko laataaluk kaise samajh sakti thi.

"Woh uska chacha hai aunty! Baap ki jagah hai." Mrs. Shirazi nazar jhuka
gayi.

"Woh aapse itni mohabbat karta hai, aapka koi bhi kaha nahi taalata, to phir
kaise woh kaise?" Wo atak gayi. Yeh maamla uska nahi tha. Yeh behas uski
nahi thi. Mrs. Shirazi nazar jhukaaye bilkul khamosh baithi Rahi. Woh
hamesha aise hi apne dard aur apne gham ko parde mein rakhti thi. Na toh
woh kuch sunti thi, na hi himaayat mein kuch kehti thi. Unhone jaise khud
ko seal band kar diya tha. Jannat fikr mandi se uth kar unke paas aa gayi.
“I’m sorry! Main ne aapko pareshan kar diya na?” Mohabbat se keh kar
unke gird baazoo daala. “Main milaungi aapko usse” Woh nam aankhon se
mushkil se muskurayi. “Aap is painting ko jaldi mukammal kijiye. Kyunki
mujhe apne naye bedroom mein bed ke upar yehi painting lagwani hai.”

Unhone khayalat ko jhataka de kar brush uthaya. Woh jaise khud ko is

haalat se nikalna chahti thi. Jannat table par rakhi paintings dekhne lagi.
Unmein se do to usne apne kamre ke liye nikal li thi. Teesri ka jaayza le
rahi thi. Use kamre ke interior ke hisaab se wahi rang select karne the jo
kamre ki deewaron par the.

“Jo usri Yusra ka kya hua Jannat?” Kuch yaad aane par unhone poocha to
Jannat ne murh kar unhe dekha. Khafif si ho kar hasdi “Abhi safar mein
hoon, jaldi samajh loongi.” Mrs. Shirazi muskurate hue canvas ki taraf
mutawajjih rahe. Brush harkat mein tha.

Kuch yaad aane par Jannat unke paas floor cushion par aa baithi. “Aunty!
Surah At-Talaq mein bhi to ‘‫ ’ﻋﺴﺮ ﯾﺴﺮا‬ki ek ayat hai.

‘Inna ma’al usri yusra’ (Al-Talaq, 7)

"An karib allah tangi ke baad aasani kar dega."

"Surah Inshirah ke baraks is ayat mein usar ke sath alif ke sath lam nahi hai.
Aur usme Ba, te aur ma bhi nahi hai.” Unhone ashbat mein sar hilaaya.

“Haan! Magar sawal yeh bhi hai. Yeh mushkil aur aasaani wali ayat Surah
Al-Talaq mein hi kyun hai?”

"Jee?" Jannat chonki. Unhone brush rakh diya. Rumal se haath saaf kiye.
Phir table se Quran uthaa liya. Matlubah safha khola to Jannat unke barabar
mein sofa par baith gayi. “Ab dekho. Surah ka naam Al-Talaq hai. Jisse
hum ek maiub, ek aziyat bharay lafz samajhte hain. Is ek lafz mein humein
rishton ka ikhtitam, judai, takleef, rawayon ka dukh, sabr ka gham, haalaat
ki fikar, muashray ki nazar, even apne kirdaar ki pakizgi ka khauf nazar aata
hai. Lekin jis Surah ka naam Al-Talaq hai, us surah mein aise kisi bhi
khauf, na umidi aur mayusi ki jagah nahi hai. Kuch ahkaamat hain, aur in
ahkaamat ke saath ummeed hai, tasalli hai, zindagi ke hawale se ek positive
paigham hai aur sarkash logon ke liye wa’eed hai.” Ek lamha ruk kar
unhone Jannat ko dekha jo bahut tawajjo aur ghour se unhe sun rahi thi.

“Main sochti thi ke Quran mein har insaan ke liye, har kaifiyat, har haalaat
ke hawale se tasalli hai, ummeed hai, ajar ka wa’ada hai. Jaise ek maa ke
liye Umme Musa ki woh ayat. Ke Allah kaise dil ko jod deta hai. Aur kaise
unhein naseehat karta hai ke woh gham na karein. Bimari ke waqt Ayyub
alaihis salam ki dua, machhli ke batan mein Yunus alaihis salam ki pukar,
Ya’qub alaihis salam ki faryad, Zakariya alaihis salam ki aulad ki khwahish
aur Maryam alaihis salam ki pakizgi ka wa’ada. Isi tarah aur bhi bahut se
maamlaat hain, magar ek mazloom talaq yafta mard ya aurat ke liye kya
hoga?”

Jannat dum sadhe unhein dekh rahi thi, unhein sun rahi thi. “Mushkil aur
sakht haalaat ki tasalli aur ummeed to Quran mein har jagah hai. Azmaish
ka zikar bhi hai. Ajr ka wa’ada bhi hai lekin main talaq ke hawale se is
ummeed aur tasalli ko isi surah se samajhna chahti thi jo mahez is topic ke
liye nazil hui hai.”

Woh lamha bhar ke liye ruk gayi.

“Ab dekho. Surah Al-Talaq ki baarah ayat hain. Unmein se chhe ayaton ke
ikhtitam par har toota hua, ghamgeen insaan ke liye chhe ummeed bharay
messages hain.” Sanjeedgi se kehte hue ab woh seedha uski aankhon mein
dekh rahi thi.

“Agar hum tafseer ke saath poori ayat ko samjhenge to phir iska ma’ani aur
mafhoom humein is ahkaamat ke saath jura hua nazar aayega jo ayat mein
talaq, iddat, rida’aat waghera ke hawale se waaz hai. Lekin jab hum har
ayat ke aakhir mein us ek khaas hissa par ghour karenge to humein zindagi
aur apne haalaat ke hawale se ek mukammal aur munfarid paigham nazar
aayega. Khususan ek talaq yafta ke liye.” Ruk kar uski taraf dekha. “Aur
kyunki is surah mein taqwa ka lafz baar baar istemaal hua hai to hum is ek
lafz ko bhi apne zehan mein rakh kar gehraai mein utarenge.”

Quran haath mein tha. Khol kar phir ungli rakh kar ba-tarteeb woh ayaton
ki nishandahi karne lagi.
“Yeh pehli ayat ke aakhir mein likha hai: ‘Wa ma tadri, la’allahu yuhdith
ba’da dhalik amra’ "Aur tum kya jano, sayad Allah uske baad koi nayi baat
paida karde. (Surah At-Talaq, Ayat 1)”

“Jab aapko apni zindagi andher lag rahi ho, sab khatam ho chuka ho,
darwazay band hon, na umidi nazar aaye aur na aasaani ka koi sabab bacha
ho to is waqt Allah aapke liye, aapki zindagi mein kuch naya kar sakta hai.
Ek lamhe mein sab badal sakta hai. Gham khushiyon mein, mehroomiyan
aata mein, sabr ajar mein aur khwab haqeeqat mein.”

"Lekin shart yeh hai ke aap ke andar taqwa ho. Rawani se bolte hue woh ek
lamhe ke liye ruke. Ab yeh taqwa kin mamalat mein hota hai? Ek khaliq ke
mamalat mein, doosra uski makhluq ke mamalat mein. Rishta chahe Allah
ke saath ho ya uski makhluq ke saath. Ise nibhaane ke liye aap ki soch, aap
ki niyat, aap ke aamal bohot ahmiyat rakhte hain. Kyunki unhi se Allah ki
adalat mein is baat ka tayein hota hai ke aap zalim theheraye gaye hain ya
phir mazloom? Aap had mein rahe hain ya phir sarkash hue hain? Aap ne
apne faraiz bhi anjaam diye hain ya phir apne haq ka hi mutabla karte rahe
hain?"

Jannat kamal ki nigahein ayat par thehr gayi thin. Quran ke paigham
marham ki tarah the. Seenay ki thandak aur dil ka sukoon.

“phir doosri ayat ke ikhtitam par hai, "Aur jo Allah se darta hai, Allah us ke
liye nijat ki surat nikal deta hai." Mukhraj, bahar nikalne ka rasta is tangi,
pareshani, gham ya museebat ke daire se bahar ka rasta makhraj - exit. Aap
is daire, us aazmaish, is museebat se ek lamhe mein bahar honge. Yahan bhi
taqwaayi laazmi shart hai.”

Sanjidgi se keh kar ungli ko agli ayat par rakha.

“Teesri ayat mein ek saath teen messages hain.” “Aur use wahan se rizq
deta hai jahan se usne guman bhi na kiya ho aur jo Allah par bharosa karta
hai, wohi usko kafi hai, be shak Allah apna hukam pura karne wala hai.
Allah ne har cheez ke liye ek pemaish muqarrar kar diya hai." (3) Shadi,
mohabbat, khushi, sukoon, izzat, aulaad... ye rizq hai. Aur ye rizq apne
sahab tak Allah ki marzi se har haal mein pohanchta hai. Jannat! Aur wahan
se pohanchta hai jahan se guman bhi na ho. Baat sirf Allah par tawakkul ki
hai, ummeed ki hai, yaqeen ki hai. Aap Allah ke bataye hue raaste par Allah
ki hi marzi se qadam uthayenge to Allah apna hukam zaroor pura karega.
Jahan asaniyon ka wada hai, wahan asaniyan zaroor milengi. Ruk kar kaha.
Phir aage likha hai: “Aur jo Allah se darta hai woh uske kaam asaan kar
deta hai.”(4) Is mein usri Yusra ka istemal hua hai. Alef ke saath. Yahan
"usra" ko taqwa se joda gaya hai. Ab tawajjo ka markaz agli ayat thi. “Jo
Allah se darta hai to Allah us se uski buraiyan door kar deta hai aur usse
bara ajar bhi deta hai.”

"Ab zara hum ruk kar is par ghour karte hain. Taqwa ke zariye sayyiyat ka
mit jana, buraiyan, gunaah ya jo bhi kuch hum zindagi ke mushkil tareen
haalaat se isi liye guzarte hain taake hamari tamam sayyiyat mitai jaa
sakein. Aur jab sayyiyat na rahe to phir ajar reh jata hai aur ye ajar sirf
aakhirat se jura hua nahi hota Jannat! Ye duniya mein bhi milta hai.
Asaniyon ki surat."

Phir chhatti ko chhod kar saatvin ayat ke ikhtitam par hai: “Inqareeb Allah
Ta'ala ke baad asaani kar dega.”(7) Aur jaisa ke tumne kaha, yahan baad
hai. "Ma" nahi hai. Kuchal istemal hua to iska matlab hai confirm baat hai
ke aisa hi hoga.”

"To kya ye koi aur 'usar' hai?" Sawal kar ke uski aankhon mein dekha.

Jannat ke paas filhaal koi jawab nahi tha. "Aur dekho, in tamaam lafzon ke
aakhir mein alef hai. Umara kharaja, qadraa, ajra, mera sab ke aakhir mein
alef hai." Aur is nuqte par aakar Jannat ek lamhe ke liye bilkul sun si ho
gayi thi.

"Mujhe mujhe andaza nahi, aisa koi hint is surat se mil sakta hai"

Mrs. Shirazi muskurayein.

"Jab tum yusra ko jaan logi to ye saare lafz tumhe behtar samajh mein aa
jayenge." Baath khatam ho gayi. Jannat ki nigahen safhe par, ayat par, aur
haroof par thehr gayi.

"Kya soch rahi ho?"

"Zindagi ke digar sakht haalaat ki tarah talaq bhi insaan ko todti hai auntie!
Aur afsos ki baat yeh hai ke ek talaq yafta ko zindagi aur rishton ke hawale
se koi umeed nahi dilata. Magar jis ke haath mein hamari jaan hai, hamara
naseeb hai, hamari khushiyan aur hamara rizq hai, woh dila raha hai. Is
surat mein jis ka naam Al-Talaq hai."

Apne andar ke gham se ladte hue woh keh rahi thi. "Jab mujhe talaq hui to
mujhe laga tha meri poori zindagi ab khatam ho gayi hai. Meri haisiyat
mitti ho chuki hai. Ab main saari umar aisi ro rahi hoon gi ya shayad kisi
bade umar ke shakhs se meri shadi kar di jayegi. Khandan ke log baatein
karte the. Mujhe doosron ki aankhon mein apne liye izzat nazar nahi aati
thi. Mere itne sabr aur bardasht ke bawajood sab ko kasoor mera hi nazar aa
raha tha. Aur main."

Waqt jaise palat aaya tha. Woh jaise is tension zada mahaul mein qaid ho
gayi thi. "Main ek kamre mein band ho gayi. Mayoos ho gayi. Main jhoot
nahi bolungi agar main aap se kehu ke main apni talaq ke baad sach mein
mar gayi thi." Usne kaha. "To phir kya waisa hua, jaisa tumne socha tha?"
Unhone narmi se poocha. Jannat ki aankhein nam ho gayi thi. Nafi mein sar
hilaaya. "Main ne is zindagi ka to tasawwur bhi nahi kiya tha."

"Yahi to main point hai Surah at-Talaq ka" unhone kaha. "Yahi to umeed
aur yaqeen hai jise humne apne mushkil tareen haalaat mein qaim rakhna
hai." Ruk kar uski aankhon mein dekhne lagi. "Mujhe ek baat batao. Woh
saari ki saari manfi soch, khayal, waswase aur na umedi tumne kahan se li
thi?"

Jannat ne sar uthakar unhein dekha. Sawal wazeh tha. Woh be tarah se
choonki thi ke baat sirf un sargoshiyo ki nahi thi jo shaitaan uske andar
karta tha. Baat un sargoshiyo ki bhi thi jo insaanon ke zariye us tak
pohanchti thi.

"Toxic relation se azaad hone ka matlab har guz nahi ke ab aap kamtar ho
chuke hain ya aap ka rizq, aap ke hisse ki barkatein, aap ke hisse ki
khushiyan aasman ki taraf utha lee gayi hain. Nahi bilkul bhi nahi. Jo aap
ka hai, woh aap ka hi hai. Poori duniya mil kar bhi aap ko us ne'mat se
mehroom nahi kar sakti jo Allah ne aap ke liye likh di hai. Aap ki shadi bhi
hogi. Aap ka ghar bhi abad hoga. Logo ki baatein, unke tanze, unke taane,
unki nigahen, unke sawal, unke ishaare aap se aap ka rizq nahi cheen
sakte."

Woh use dekhte hue keh rahi thi. Woh jaise us Jannat se mukhatib thi jo
apni pehli talaq par ek woh se band kamre mein gham zada aur mayoos
baithi thi. Us Jannat se jo bisra ke ma'ni talash karti Surah Al-Talaq tak
pohanch gayi thi. Jo apni zindagi ke har pehlu ke hawale se ek positive
paigham, ek umeed dhoond rahi thi.

"Logon ke haathon mein aap ka naseeb nahi hota Jannat! Woh aap ke
maalik nahi hain. Woh aap ke raziq nahi hain. Unhone aap ko takhleeq nahi
kiya hai. So unhe is baat Kyun di jaye ke woh aap ke andar mayoosi ka
zeher bhar dein? Aap se aap ke khwab cheen lein? Aap ko aap ki apni
nazron mein be-waqaat kar dein? Aap ne sirf Allah par hi bharosa rakhna
hai jis ne aap se khud aasmaniyo ka wada kiya hai." Unka ek ek lafz usay
dil ki gehraiyon mein utarta hua mehsoos hua tha. Mrs. shirazi ne Quran
uski hathiliyon par rakh diya tha. "Talaq is baat ki alamat hai ke aap ka ek
talluq, ek rishta, aap ki apni behtari ke liye khatam hua, is baat ki nahi ke
aap khatam ho chuke." Unhon ne brush utha liya. "Har ikhtitam ek naye
aghaz se jud jata hai. Yeh hum hain jo apna end khud kar lete hain! Un
logon ki wajah se jinka humari zindagi par koi ikhtiyar nahi." Teen rangon
ko aik dosray mein zam kar ke ek naya achhota rang takhleeq karne lagi
theen woh adhoori painting ko mukammal karne lagi theen.

Jannat sar jhukaye safhay par nazrein jamaye baithi thi.

"Aam tor par mein kisi bhi surah ko samajhte hue is baat par bhi ghour karti
hoon ke is mein Allah ki kin sifat ka zikr kiya gaya hai. Jaise ke is mein
Allah "Allah" aur "Qadir" (Qudrat rakhne wala) istemal hua hai. Yeh bhi ek
nishani hai. Neeche ki baaqi ayat parho gi to tumhain yeh bhi samajh mein
aayega ke jo had se tajawuz karte hain, ehkamaat ki khilaf warzi karte hain,
zulm karte hain to unke hisse mein shadeed azaab aata hai. So is baat ka to
sawaal hi paida nahi hota ke koi kisi par zulm dha kar khush reh sakta hai
ya kisi ko barbaad kar ke apni zindagi abaad kar sakta hai." Baat jaise ab
khatam ho chuki thi magar woh chahti thi ke Mrs. Shirazi bolti rahain aur
woh sunti rahay. Buhat dafa us surah ko parha tha us ne aur kitni hi dafa
isay sirf ehkaam ke hawalay se jaana tha. Kabhi bhi iski nazar un ayat par
nahi gayi thi. Is paigham, is umeed par nahi gayi thi. "Ab tum kab tak
mujhe mera ke maani batane wali ho?" Khush gawar lehjay mein poocha to
woh nam aankhon ke saath muskara di.

Insha Allah bohat jald! Phir aap ko bas mujhe address dena ho ga aur main
aap ke pote se milne jaoon gi. Aur sirf itna nahi, main usay yahan bhi laoon
gi, dekhna aap. Woh un se lipat kar keh rahi thi. Woh dheere se muskara kar
reh gayin. Magar aankhon ki nami kuch aur barh gayi thi.

•••

Woh Germany se teesre din hi aa gaya tha. Jannat us ke jaldi aajane par
hairan hui magar koi sawal na kiya. Aaj kal waise bhi woh apne naye kamre
ki setting mein masroof thi. Furniture taqreeban set ho chuka tha.

Ab bas usay kamre ko rehaish ke qabil banana tha. Kuch saamaan rakhna
tha, kuch cheezein khareedni thi. Abhi bhi woh Aqsa ke saath almari mein
kapre rakhwa rahi thi jab woh dastak de kar andar aaya tha.

Ek sataishi nigah poore kamre mein daudai.

"Safed rang waise bhi mera favorite hai."

Usay pata tha kab kaise Jannat kamal ki khushi ko ghaarat karna hai. Woh
andar hi andar sholoon ki zad mein aagai magar zabardasti ki muskurahat
honto par sajaye uski taraf muri.

"Oh! Mujhe maloom nahi tha. Waise aunty ka kamra bilkul samne hai."

Woh uske jawab par muskaraye bina na reh saka. Phir haath mein pakra hua
card uski taraf barhaya, jise lete hue Jannat ne sawaliya nigahon se usey
dekha.

"Mere dost ki shadi hai, hum haftay ko London ja rahe hain."

Woh usay dekh kar reh gayi. Phir mulazimon ka lehaaz kar ke woh uske
peeche bahar aayi.

"Hum kyun ja rahe hain?"

Lehjay mein dabaa dabaa sa ghussa tha.

"Tum khud jao."

"Chala jata lekin card par Mr. & Mrs. Faris likha hua hai."

Jannat ne daant pish kar usay dekha.

"Lekin main tumhare saath kahin nahi jaoon gi."

Woh apni zid par ad gayi. Aur yeh zid shaam tak khud hi khatam ho gayi
jab Mrs. Shirazi ne apne paas bitha kar usay shadi attend karne ke liye raza
mand kiya. Woh unhe inkar nahi kar saki thi aur chunanchay baat Faris ke
dost ki thi to formality poori karne ko hi sahi, uski shirkat zaroori thi. Woh
upar kamre mein aayi to chehra acha khaasa phoola hua tha.

"Waise packing ki to zaroorat nahi padegi?"

Ishara us bag ki taraf tha jo wardrobe ke saath khada tha aur jise do maah
pehle woh tayyar kar chuki thi.

"Mujh se koi baat mat karo tum."

Ek qaher nazar us par daalte woh washroom mein ghus gayi. Woh zere lab
muskara kar reh gaya.

•••

Woh London pohnche to us waqt subah ke saat baj rahe the. Airport se
bahar gaari pehle se mojood thi. Intezaar mein guard aur secretary bhi
kharay the. Usay London ki fiza mein sardi ka shiddat se ehsas hua tha.
Gaadi ka safar kuch khamoshi se kiya tha, albata Faris waqfay waqfay se
aane wali call tar receive karta raha tha.

Uska apartment London ke ek posh area ki chodhvi manzil par tha. Woh
safar se kuch had tak thaki hui thi ke pohnchte hi so gayi thi. Dopahar mein
aankh khuli toh Faris mojood nahi tha. Albata maid kitchen mein khanay ka
intezam kar rahi thi. Usne ghoom kar poore ghar ka jaiza liya. Luxury
apartment ka sara interior safed rang ka tha. Har cheez nafees aur qeemti
thi. Be inteha pur-tayash bedroom ek tha, magar aisa shahana aur khubsurat
ke woh sarahaye bina na reh saki. Ek Musalman maid thi jo ghar ki
dekhbhaal aur khanay ka intezam sambhale hue thi. Usne khidkiyon se
parde hata kar London ki falakbos imaratein dekhi aur raat tak waqfay
waqfay se yehi sargarmi daurati rahi. Pehle din toh Faris apne business ke
mamlaat mein kaafi masroof raha, aur woh bhi ghar mein raj ke bore hui.
Doosre din woh shaam ko dair se ghar aaya tha, aur teesre din toh woh ghar
se kahin gaya hi nahi. Masroof itna ke jaise sar khujane ki bhi fursat nahi.

Maid ne shaam ke khanay ke liye kuch grocery ka samaan lena tha toh usay
bahar jaate dekh kar woh khud bhi tayyar ho gayi. Zaroori hai ke ab woh
Lat Sahab ki minnat kare ke ab London le hi aaye ho toh thoda ghooma
phira do. Aur waise bhi woh kaun sa khushi se laya tha. Mohtaram ki
majboori thi. Shaadi card par "Mr. and Mrs. Faris" jo likha hua tha. Kaise
jata kar kaha tha usne. Jaise agar sirf "Mr. Faris" likha hota toh woh akela hi
aata.

"Kahin ja rahi ho?"

Woh lounge mein laptop aur files ke darmiyan ghar betha tha jab usne
kamre se coat mein aur dastanon mein tayyar sher si bahar nikalte dekha.

Usay Faris ka sawal bhi ajeeb laga. Bag mein mobile aur paani ki bottle
rakhte hue uski taraf dekha.

"Maid ke saath market tak jana chah rahi hoon. Outing ke liye."

"Is waqt?"

Faris ne kalai mor kar waqt dekha. Shaam ke paanch baj rahe thay.

"Kyun, is waqt nahi ja sakti hoon?"

Uski aankhon mein nagwari si dar aayi.

Woh uth kar uske paas aaya.

"Main kal tak free ho jaunga toh chalenge."

"Maine tumse ijazat toh nahi maangi."

"Lekin main mana kar raha hoon." Faris ka lehja hanooz naram tha.

"Kis haq se mana kar rahe ho?"

Woh sawaliya nishan ban gayi. Woh khamosh ho gaya. Uska andaaz, uska
lehja, uska rawayya ab woh kaise kahe ke fikr mein mana kar raha hai?
Jabke usay kisi bhi baat par yaqeen nahi aata tha.

"Shayad maine kabhi zikr nahi kiya lekin..." Usay jumla mukammal karne
mein kuch diqat hui.

"Mere dushman zyada hain."

"Toh?" woh yun dekh rahi thi jaise usay Faris ki baat samajh hi mein na
aayi ho. Woh chand lamhon tak usay dekhta raha.

"Main nahi chahta, koi tumhein nuqsan pohchaye. Sirf is liye ke tum meri
biwi ho."

Agle kai lamhon tak Jannat saakit si khadi reh gayi thi.

"Biwi ab hoon? Paanch maheene pehle tak kya thi?"

Woh ek sawal kaari zarb jaisa tha. Usay laga woh zameen ki tehon mein
utar gaya hai.

"Pehle toh tumhein kabhi fikr nahi hui. Kabhi rok tok nahi ki. Ghanton
tumhare office ke bahar ijazat ke liye khadi rehti thi, sirf is liye ke tum
mana karo aur main ruk jaun. Taake mujhe ehsas "Mujhe apni zimmedari
samajhte ho. Magar tum kya karte the? Jawab tak nahi dete the, kabhi mana
nahi kiya, kabhi mohtaat rehne ko nahi kaha, kabhi parwah nahi ki. Aur ab
achanak tumhara khayal hai ke mujhe ijazat bhi leni chahiye aur tumhare
mana karne ke baad ruk bhi jana chahiye. Is liye ke main tumhari biwi
hoon?" Uska lehja tanz mein ghul gaya magar aankhon ki nami, awaaz ki
kamzori, uske jazbaat, uski takleef ayaan kar rahi thi. "Mujhe woh car
accident ke waqt tumhare ta’asuraat nahi bhoolte. Tab tum chahte the ke
main mar jaaun. Meri haadsaati maut tumhare bohat se maslay hal kar deti,
hai na?" Woh uski aankh mein apne liye shak, gussa, badgumani,
be’aitbaari jaise ta’asuraat dekhta bilkul khamosh khada tha.

"Ab baat bachay ki hai toh tumhain fikr ho rahi hai. Lekin tumse zyada fikr
mujhe hai." Bag ek kandhe se doosray kandhe par dala. Hamesha ki tarah
Faris ke ta’asuraat uski samajh se bahar thay magar uski aankhein, Faris
wajdaan ki aankhein…

Woh darwaza khol kar bahar nikal gayi.

Band darwazay ke us paar lift ke ain saamne woh sar jhukaaye khadi rahi.
Aankhein aansuon se labalab bhar gayi thi. Chehra jazbaat ki shiddat se
surkh ho raha tha. Usay bohat rona aa raha tha magar woh rona nahi chahti
thi. Faris ki maid ke saamne toh bilkul bhi nahi. Aankhein saaf karke itraf
mein girti lato ko peeche ursa kar manzar ko achi tarah se lete huye aage
badh gayi. Woh maid ke saath Bark Lane market mein aa gayi thi. Bhant
bhant ke log thay, sarak aur mukhtalif dukaon par kaafi rush tha. Ek halchal
aur shor sa macha hua tha. Kharid o farokht jari thi. Coat ki jebein mein
haath daale itraf ka jaiza lete huye woh aage barhti rahi. Maid har thodi dair
baad kalai mor kar waqt dekhti thi aur phir usay jiske chehre par ab gham
ya khauf ka koi ta’asur na tha. Aankhein jane kab ki sukhi ho chuki thi.
Maid ko wapas ki jaldi thi ke shaam ke khane ka intezam bhi dekhna tha
magar Jannat uski bhi nahi sun rahi thi. Woh bas tehal rahi thi, cheezein
dekh rahi thi, ghoom rahi thi. Aur kahin agar haath mein haath daale
ghoomte jode par nazar padti toh badbada bhi rahi thi. Is qadar khuli fiza
aur mahol mein, itne saare logon ke beech mein usay ek baar phir shiddat se
tanhai ka ehsas hua tha. Ajeeb sa dukh tha. Hasrat thi. Gham tha aur gussa
tha. Dayen taraf murtay hue uski nazar claw machine par ja thehri. Glass
box ke andar be tahasha roye ke rang birangay khilone thay magar uski
tamam tar tawajjo us sabzi mael dinosaur par thi jo usay bohat khoobsurat
laga tha.

"Main yeh try karna chahti hoon." Maid se keh kar aage badh gayi. Har
tarah ki manfi soch aur khayalat ko jhatka, dil ko sambhala ke kya hua agar
woh akeli hai? Iska matlab yeh toh nahi ke woh apne lamhat ko yaadgar
nahi bana sakti?
Maid ka mobile baj utha. Usne jeeb se nikal kar screen ko dekha toh chehre
ke ta’asuraat badal gaye.

Jannat uski taraf pusht kie khadi thi. Ab chunke bag ke saath claw machine
se dinosaur nikalne mein diqat ho rahi thi so usne apna handbag maid ko
thamaya aur shuru ho gayi. Pehli koshish mein naakaam, doosri mein bhi
naakaam, teesri koshish mein dinosaur haath mein tha. Uski khushi dekhne
layak thi. Maid bhi dekhte

Woh badqat muskurai. "Insaan ko apne saath zindagi basar karni chahiye.
Zaroori nahi ke koi saath ho tabhi aap jeeyenge, muskurayenge." Usne dil
hi dil mein khud ko shabash di. Phir khilona maid ke hawalay karti doosre
stall se nanhi muni si ashya dekhne lagi. Use Aqsa ke liye ek aaina pasand
aaya. Aur tabhi jab apna purse lene ke liye murri toh apni jagah tham gayi.
Maid wahan kahin nahi thi. Usne ghabrahat ke aalam mein ghoom kar
chaaron taraf dekha. Aas paas bohot door tak dekha magar woh use kahin
bhi nazar na aayi. Jannat ka dil tezi se dhadakne laga, saansein phoolne lagi.
Ba’ajlat qadam uthaye woh aage badhi.

Dayen taraf, phir baayen taraf. Uske baad seedha qadam uthaya. Woh
bhatak gayi thi, bichhad gayi thi. Itne baday sheher mein yakaayak tanha ho
gayi thi. Itne saare logon ke darmiyan, ek baar phir adam, ek baar phir nafi
ho gayi thi.

Hajoom mein suraj mukammal ghuroob ho chuka tha. Neelgon aasman rang
badal raha tha. Street lights ki roshniyaan chahar so nazar aa rahi thi.

Uski samajh mein nahi aa raha tha ab kya kare? Kahaan jaye? Faris ka
number use yaad nahi tha. Apna mobile bhi paas nahi tha. Apna bag maid
ke hawalay karne par woh pachtaya rahi thi, magar ab kya ho sakta tha?
Muffler gardan ke gird achi tarah se lete hue dastanon mein maqeed
haathon ko munh par rakha. Ab woh diwaar se lagi khadi thi. Aate jaate
logon ko kuch khauf aur ghabrahat se dekhti hui. Saamne hi ajeeb se halye
mein do ladke khade thay, unhon ne baar baar rukh mor kar uski taraf dekha
toh andar tak laraz gayi. Aankhon ka khauf ayaan tha. Tabhi nazron mein aa
rahi thi. Ek baar phir qadam uthati aage badhi. Ghanta dedh ghanta woh
talaash mein ghoomti rahi. Na paise thay, na ghar ka address maloom tha,
aur na kisi se jaan pehchan. Roti siskti ek gali mein khadi ho gayi.
Woh maid Faris ki thi. Yaqeenan yeh Faris ka hukum hoga. Yaqeenan usne
hi saza ke liye yeh harkat ki hogi. Woh uski ghaltiyan nazar andaz nahi
karta tha. Woh badlay leta tha. Woh sazaayen dene walon mein se tha. Rote
siskate apna sar ghutnon par rakha. Wujood sardi ki shiddat se kapkapa raha
tha.

"Woh aisa kaise kar sakta hai? Kiyun? Woh bhi tab jab woh is haalat mein
hai?"

❏❏❏
'CHP-44'
‫ِﮐﺴﭧ‬

‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

١٠

Uska sar dard se phata ja raha tha. Ro ro kar aankhein sooj gayi thi.
Taangein dukh rahi thi. Dil laraz raha tha. Fikr aur andeshon ne phir se
ghera tha.

Sadma tha, dukh tha, aziyat thi...

Woh jaise ek baar phir dhoke mein aayi thi.

Jo insaan uski zindagi ko jahannum bana sakta tha, usse aziyaton ke dorah
pe la sakta tha, usse parking area mein chhor kar ja sakta tha, us par apni
sharaait, apni marzi, apne iraade saza ki tarah musallat kar sakta tha, woh
insaan par kaise bharosa kar sakti thi? Kaise? Ye ghalti, ye bhool usse kyun
kar ho gayi thi?

Uska khayal tha ke woh apne bachay ki wajah se ab uska lihaaz karega. Ye
khayal bas ek khayal hi tha. Khushi ka ek talisman. Yahaan Mrs. Shirazi
nahi thi. Yahaan Faris Wajdan ek baar phir apni asli shakal mein aaya tha.

"Usay London aana hi nahi chahiye tha." Apne aap ko koste hue socha
"Bilkul nahi aana chahiye tha." Woh bhatakti hui kabhi is taraf ja rahi thi
aur kabhi us taraf. Ro ro kar apna hashr bigaad liya tha.

Brick Lane ka woh rasta zindagi ki tarah ho gaya tha. Koi manzil nahi thi,
bas ek khala tha. Wohi log, wohi aankhein, wohi dehshat, tanhai, khauf...

Itne shor aur itni saari awaazon mein yakaayak ek manhoos si awaaz uski
samaat se takraayi.
Usay laga, uske kaan baj rahe hain. Khauf ke aalam mein ruk kar peeche
dekha. Usay apna naam ek baar phir sunayi diya.

Usne beikhteyaar ghoom kar chaaron taraf dekha. Aansu beh rahe the toh
har manzar dhundhla ho raha tha. Aur tab uski nazar Faris Wajdan par pari.

Woh logon ko cheerta hua uski taraf aa raha tha. Usne beshaur faris ki taraf
qadam barhaye. Lamhe bhar ke liye ladkhadai. Ek do logon se kanda mas
huwa, dhakka bhi laga.

Woh itne dukh, itne sadme aur gusse mein thi ke usay Faris ki aankhon
mein apne liye fikr, pareshani aur khauf nazar hi na aaya. Woh uske qareeb
pohncha toh baghair kuch soche samjhe, uske seene par mukke maarna
shuru kar diye.

Aas paas ke log ruk kar, murr kar unhe dekhne lage the.

"Maine kaha tha, maine kaha tha ke mere saath koi drama mat karna." Woh
rote hue us par chillaayi.

"Maine mana kiya tha mere saath is tarah mat karna." Woh itni mushta'il
thi, is qadar dukhi aur gusse mein thi ke khud par ikhtiyar kho baithi thi. Do
ghante se woh is shiddat ki sardi mein bhatak rahi thi. Do ghante ek saza ke
naam ho gaye the.

Zakhm phir udhar gaye, saare gham taaza ho gaye, saari aziyatein jaag uthi.
Bachpan se le kar ab tak dimaag mein dehshat phail gayi.

Rote, chillate, gussa dikhate, woh jitna lad sakti thi, woh ladi. Jitna maar
sakti thi, usne maara. Woh sambhala ja raha tha magar woh uski baaton
mein nahi thi. Usay nahi sun rahi thi. Kuch bedardi aur gusse se uske haath
jhatak kar woh peeche hatna chahti thi magar Faris ne usay aisa karne nahi
diya. Woh sadak ke beechon beech uske mazboot baazoon ke hisaar mein
muqeed ho gayi thi. Ab woh usay nahi maar sakti thi. Ab woh sirf ro sakti
thi. Aur woh ro rahi thi. Woh apne nana ko pukarte hue bachon ki tarah ro
rahi thi.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Usne apne aap mein chhupaye bhaari dil se kaha.
Woh awaaz sirf labo ki jumbish thi. Jannat ke qamaal tak nahi pohnchi thi.
Uska wujood Faris ke baazoon mein bejaan ho gaya tha.

Kitni dair hosh o khird se begaana rahi, usay yaad na tha. Albatta, jab hosh
aaya toh woh bedroom mein thi. Doctor bhi mojood tha. Uska muaina karne
ke baad doctor ne usay tension aur stress se bachne ki khaas hidaayat di thi.

Faris doctor se baat kar raha tha toh woh surkh o mutawarram aankhon se
usay hi dekh rahi thi. Woh garam kapdon ke baghair toh bilkul nahi nikalta
tha. Dastanay aur long coat ke baghair toh bilkul bhi nahi. Magar jo us waqt
uske paas mojood tha, woh siyaah trousers par brown ooni sweater mein
malboos nazar aa raha tha. Yani ke woh jin kapdon mein baitha tha, unhi
mein uth kar usay lene aa gaya tha.

Uske honton ke dayen taraf gaal par halki si lakeer ka nishaan tha. Ye
kaarnama uska tha. Usne nazrein hata lein. Karwat badal kar aankhon par
baazoo rakh liya. Aankhein mukammal surkh thi. Chehra sata huwa tha.
Zukaam ki shikayat ho rahi thi. Bukhaar bhi ho raha tha.

Chand lamho baad darwaza khulne aur band hone ki awaaz samaat se
takraayi. Qadmon ki chaap bed ke paas a kar tham gayi.

"Kya hum baat kar sakte hain?" Faris ki awaaz pareshani ka pata de rahi thi.

Khamoshi...

Itne saare ilzaamo ki list apne kandon par uthaye woh uske paas baith gaya.

"Maine isi liye tumhe mana kiya tha."

"Haan, aur jab main nahi ruki toh socha, isey saza deni chahiye, taa ke
aindah ye aisi harkat na kare." Rote hue kaha.

Woh kis qadar badgumaan ho chuki thi us se, Faris usay afsos se dekh kar
reh gaya.

"Tumne apna handbag maid ko kyun diya? Woh sanjeedgi se pooch raha
tha. Agar tum aisa na karti toh idhar udhar ho jane par kam az kam mujhe
call toh kar sakti thin. Agar call na bhi kartin tab bhi location mobile mein
mojood thi."

"Driver ka number tak maine save kar diya tha." Mohabbat aur daleel se
baat karke woh uske nalao ko door karna chahta tha.

"Toh tum ab mujhe yeh batana chahte ho ke mere saath jo kuch hua, ismein
tumhari koi planning nahi thi?" uth kar baithte hue woh aansuon se labrez
aankhein us par jamaa kar lad padi.

"Main bhala kyun chahunga tumhare saath aisa ho?" Usay bohot andar tak
dukh sa huwa.

"Yeh sawal tum mujh se pooch rahe ho?" Jannat ke lehje mein gham bhar
gussa dar aaya. Awaaz randi hui thi.

"Bhool gaye jab tum mujhe parking mein chhor gaye the?"

Woh nahi bhoola tha. Bhool hi nahi sakta tha magar jab woh yaad dilati thi,
tab zyada takleef hoti thi. Jab woh zikar karti thi, tab zyada pachtawa hota
tha.

"Mujhe pata tha tum aisi koi harkat zaroor karoge. Aur tumne ki. Mujhe
tum par bilkul bhi bharosa nahi."

Woh roye ja rahi thi.

Gehri saans lete hue usne beshakta apne balon mein haath phera tha. Uske
dahine haath ki pusht par halki si kharash waazeh thi.

"Theek hai, main maanta hoon, shuru mein tumhare hawale se main bohot
zyada laaparwa raha hoon. Lekin ye haqeeqat hai ke tum jab bhi ghar se
nikli ho, kabhi bhi akeli nahi thi. Mera ek guard hamesha tumhare saath
raha hai. Chahe tum mall mein thi, ya park mein kisi dawat par, ya Aima ke
saath kisi gathering mein. Mere paas tumhare har ek lamhe ki report hoti
thi. Main nahi chahta tha koi tumhe meri wajah se nuksaan pohnchaye.
Haan, Lahore mein mujhse ghalti hui. Shayad us waqt main bohot ghusse
mein tha. Maine tumhari safety ka khayal nahi kiya. Mujhe laga tum apne
rishtedaron mein ho, so koi masla nahi hoga. Ya shayad main itna upset tha
tumhare rawaiye se ke maine is baat ko ahmiyat nahi di. Behrhaal ye meri
ghalti hai."

Uski puri baat Jannat Kamal ne bohot mutahammil se, kuch dukh aur
beyaqeeni se suni thi. Bas ek lamhe ke wo apni ghalti tasleem kar raha hai.
Magar uske baad...

"Yani ke mujhe nuksaan pohnchane ka haq sirf tumhare paas hai, aur koi
mujhe kuch na kahe," bharayi hui awaaz mein Jannat boli. Ansoo
mutawatar gir rahe the. Faris ne kuch kehne ke liye mooh khola, lekin phir
band kar liya.

Wo Jannat Kamal se nahi jeet sakta tha. Iss haalat mein, iss maamle mein,
iss situation mein toh bilkul bhi nahi.

"Maine ye to nahi kaha."

"Main toh yahi samajhti hoon." Wo sisak padi.

Faris ne haar maan ne wale andaaz mein apne haath uthaye, nigha uske
kareeb rakhi, aur uth kar baahar chala aaya. Band darwaze ke us paar wo
bhaari dil ke saath kitni hi der tak apni jagah khada raha tha.

Jannat ki siskiya tham chuki thi. Uska rona band ho chuka tha. Ab sirf
khamoshi thi jo uske aas paas har taraf thehr gayi thi.

Faris darwaza dhakel kar andar aa gaya. Jannat so chuki thi. Rote rote uski
aankhein sujh gayi thi. Naak laal thi aur kuch ansoo ab bhi palkon par
thehre hue the. Soup usne nahi liya tha. Kapde bhi nahi badle the.

Ek tassuf bhari nazar us par daalte hue usne be had ehtiyaat se sar ke neeche
takiya rakha. Lahaf theek kiya aur tray utha kar kitchen mein wapas aagaya.
Phir usne Mrs. Shirazi ko call ki.

"Wo chhoti chhoti baaton par accha khaasa scene create kar deti hai. Rone
lag jaati hai," poora hawala dene ke baad kuch fikarmandi se wo unhein
bata raha tha. Bas usse cheel ki tarah jhapatne wali baat gol kar gaya tha.
"Mood swings honge, pregnancy me aisa hota rehta hai, tum aapna
rawaiyya theek rakho."

"Mera rawaiyya theek hai mummy, uska theek nahi ho raha." Wo kuch
pareshan lag raha tha.

"Kuch bhi galat ho jaye usay lagta hai maine jaan bhujh kar kiya hai."

"Tum uski jagah hote to tum bhi yahi karte."

"Me shikwa to nahi kar raha." Wo sar jhuka gaya. "Mujhe bas dukh hota hai
jab woh meri niyat par is tarah Shak karti hai."

"Tum bhi karte the beta!" Baat talqh thi. Magar sach thi. Usne taslim karte
hue sar ko asbat me jumbish di. "Haan wo bhi to karta tha, uski mohabbat,
inayat, fiqarmandi sab use drama aur dhong lagta tha. Aur wo kitne dharalle
se uske muh par keh deta tha. Uski bezti kar deta tha. Wo uski doulat, uski
wajahat, uske status ke liye apni izzat e nafs ki bhait chada rahi hai. Matlab
aur fayde ke liye uske aage pichhe phir rahi hai." Usay apne lafz yaad aa
rahe the. Apna rawaiyya, lehza, nafrat, berukhi…

Wo khud ko khud hi maaf nahi kar paa raha tha. To wo kese kar sakti thi?

"Woh mujh par kabhi trust nahi karengi"

Aawaz halki thi, dil mayus ho raha tha.

"Aisey sochte rahe to kabhi nahi karengi!" Usne sar utha kar apni maa ko
dekha. "Agar tumne apne iraade aur faisle badle hai to wo bhi jaroor
badlegi!"

Unki ye baat sun kar wo khamosh ho gaya.

"Agar mazeed ghadbhad ho gayi to?" Khadshe ka izhaar kar diya.

"Phir samajh lena, naseeb ka likha koi nahi taal sakta."

"Mummy" Usne satpata kar unhe dekha. Wo dheere se hash di.

Apne rishto ki fiqr karta hua, apni zindagi ko samjhta hua, aapna aap kisi
aur me talashta hua, unhe fiqrmand se achha lag raha tha. Wo is tabdili par
jitna shuqr aada Karti utna kam tha.

"Pareshan na ho, sab theek ho jayega." Mrs. Shirazi ne tasalli di.

Mrs. Shirazi se baat karke bahar aaya to shopping bag se jhaankta dinosaur
uski nazar mein aya to use andar tak sulga gaya. Is aik si cheez ki wajah se
itne fadde ho gaye the. Uski zoja mohtarma pure do ghante pareshaani mein
guzaar aayi thi aur qasoor phir bhi uska tha. Mujrim phir bhi wohi tha.
Apne balon mein ungliyan chalatay hue wo lounge ke sofa par ja leeta. Har
kaam se dilchaspi takreeban khatam ho chuki thi. Ab wo gehri neend sona
chahta tha. Magar jaanta tha neend nahi aayegi. Iss haalat mein, iss kefiyat
mein, iss pareshaani mein toh bilkul bhi nahi.

Aur andar se mukammal be-aaram kar ke Jannat Kamal neend ki gehri

wadiyon mein utri hui thi.

•••

Sar sabz maidan ke beech mein baazu phaila kar bhaagte hue usne ooper
bohot ooper aasman ki taraf dekha tha. Rimjhim barish baras rahi thi. Ungli
jitne nanha sa cup ko honton se lagaa kar chai peene ki ada kari karte nana
ain uske samne baithe the. Hawaein aur tez ho gayi thi. Har sou gundhmand
phelne lagi thi. Khidkiyaan tareek ho rahi thi. Roshnaiya ek ek kar ke gul
hone lagi thi. Wo nana ke ghar thi.

Aur palak jhapakte hi apne ghar pohnch gayi thi.

Aur phir wahi manzar, shadeed garmiyo ki dopahar, surkh eenton ka farsh.
Seedhiyon par uske samne khada Husnain, haath mein bikharati hui gudiya.
Wahi manzar, wahi takleef, wahi dard aur phir gudiya ko bachaane ki jaddo-
jahad, magar abke manzar badal gaya tha. Ab ke baar seedhiyon se phisalti
shakl Husnain ka nahi, Jannat ka tha. Wo cheekh rahi thi. Aur phir cheekhti
chali gayi thi.

"Jannat" bazu pakar kar kisi ne jhanjhor kar usse jagaya tha. Ek jhatke se
uski aankh khul gayi thi. Aankhein ansoo'on se bhar chuki thi, saans phoola
hua tha, rangat uri hui thi.

Usne mushkil se saans lete hue khud par jhuke chehre ko dekha. Wo Faris
tha. Wo khud se bedaar nahi hui thi, usse jagaya gaya tha.

Uske sahaara dene par wo larazte hue wujood ke saath uth kar baith gayi
thi. Saans bhari thi. Peshani arq alood ho rahi thi. Wo wahshat zadah
bhoklai si baithi thi.

Bed se utar kar Faris uske liye paani ka glass le aaya. Usne glass thaamna
chaha toh haath beh tarah se kapakpa rahe the. Faris ne glass apne haath
mein rehne diya. Usne yun paani piya jaise sadiyon ki pyasi ho.

Haalat sanbhal gayi, na ansoo the, wujood siskiyo ki zadd mein raha. Asar
khwab ka tha. Wo apni haqeeqat se bhi aazurda ho rahi thi.

"Mujhe akela chhor do ab." Apni hatheliyan masalte hue kaha. Awaaz
rundhi hui thi. Ab tak usne bohot mazbooti dikhayi thi. Apne khauf ko
hamesha chhupa kar rakha tha. Kabhi apne se bahar nahi hui thi. Magar ab
jo brick Lane mein hua tha, aur iss waqt jo uski haalat ho rahi thi, uske baad
wo Faris Wajdan ko apne aas paas nahi dekhna chahti thi.

Magar wo khada raha. Uske paas, uske bilkul samne. Wo hamesha uski
neend mein khalal daal kar bohot khamoshi se kamra chor kar study room
mein chala jaata tha. Ab aisa karne ki sakat thi, na taqat mojood thi.

"Suna nahi, Maine tumse kya kaha hai?" Sar uthakar sakht lehje mein kaha.
Awaaz behed kamjor thi. Lekin Faris apni jagah se ek inch bhi nahi hila tha.
Apne gird baazu baandh kar wo daaye taraf ko jhuka kar apna chehra
chhupa gayi. Faris uske barabar bed par baith gaya.

"Meri taraf dekho."

Magar usne nahi dekha.

"Jannat!" Uska lehja naram tha.

Jannat ne rukh badla na sar uthaya.

Aur doosre hi pal usne bohot narmi se baazu phela kar usse apne hisaar
mein le liya tha. Uski is harkat par lamhe bhar ke liye thami thi, phir sakte
mein aayi thi. Ba yak waqt kai lamhe uski aankhon mein nasar gaye, kai
manzar ehsasat ka libaada odhe haqeeqat ka roop dhaar gaye. Faris ne bohot
narmi se Jannat Kamal ki peshani apne kandhe se mis ki.

Aur uski hichkiyan band gayi. Wo ehsas, wo lams, wo giraft waisi hi thi
jaisi uske nana ki hoti thi. Mohabbat aur sukoon ka ehsas dilate hue tasalli
de rahi thi.

"Khawab hi toh tha." Wo bola

Bed se utar kar woh uske liye paani ka glass le aaya. Usne glass thama
chaha toh haath be-tarah kapakpa rahe the. Faris ne glass apne haathon
mein rehne diya. Usne yun paani piya jaise sadiyon se pyasi thi.

Haalat sambhli, na aansoo the. Wajood sukoon ki zad mein raha. Asar
khwab ka tha. Woh apni haqeeqat se bhi azaar-da ho rahi thi.

"Mujhe akela chhod do ab." Apni hatheliyan masalte hue kaha. Awaaz rundi
hui thi. Ab tak usne bohot maqbooli dikhayi thi. Apne khauf ko hamesha
chhup kar rakha tha. Kabhi aape se bahar nahi hui thi. Magar ab jo Berlin
mein hua tha, aur is waqt bhi jo uski haalat ho rahi thi, iske baad woh Faris
ko apne aas paas nahi dekhna chahti thi.

Magar woh khada raha. Uske paas, uske bilkul samne. Woh hamesha uski
neend mein khalal daalne ke baad bohot khamoshi se kamra chhod kar
study room mein chali jati thi. Ab aisa karne ki sakat thi, na taqat mojood
thi.

"Main ne tum se kya kaha hai?" Sar utha kar sakht lehje mein kaha. Awaaz
be-had karak thi. Faris apni jagah se ek inch bhi nahi hila tha. Apne gird
bazu bandh kar woh daayein taraf ko jhunkar apna chehra chhupa gayi.

Woh uske barabar bed par baith gaya.

"Meri taraf dekho."

Magar usne nahi dekha.

"Jannat!" Uska lehja narm tha.

Jannat ne rukh badla na sar uthaaya.

Aur dusre hi pal usne bohot naram se bazu phela kar usse apne hisaar mein
le liya tha. Woh uski is harkat par lamhe bhar ke liye hosh udda baithi thi.
Phir sakte mein aayi thi. Beek waqt kayi lamhe uski aankhon mein tasveer
ban gaye, kayi manzar ehsaasat ka libada oodhe haqeeqat ka roop dhaar
gaye. Faris ne bohot naram se Jannat Kamal ki peshani apne kandhe se mas
ki.

Aur uski hichkiyan bandh gayi. Woh ehsaas, woh dapas, woh giraft waisi hi
thi jaise uske Nana ki hoti thi. Mohabbat aur sukoon ka ehsaas dilati hui
tasalli tashfi karati hui.

"Khwab hi toh tha," woh bola.

"Woh sirf khwab nahi tha," Jannat sisk par boli.

Apne tamaam ikhtilaf, apna gussa, apni narazgi ek taraf rakhe woh uska
haath thaam chuki thi, bohot mazbooti se, sakhti se, bilkul waise hi jaise
woh Nana ka haath pakadti thi. Faris ke dil ko kuch hua. Apne kisi khwab
ke asar se nikaalna uske liye kitna mushkil raha hoga, iska andaza jaise aaj
ho raha tha.

Usay woh waqt yaad aya jab usne Jannat ko kamre se nikaal diya tha aur
woh darwaza bajate hue uski minnat karti rahi thi, woh usay andar aane de.
Us raat usne darwaza nahi khola tha. Us raat uski haalat zyada kharab thi.
Woh zyada khaufzada thi. Zyada pareshan thi.

Uski samajh mein nahi aaya, woh ab uska khauf kaise kam kare, alfaaz kam
pad gaye the. Zehen khaali ho gaya tha.

"Kahin bahar chalein?" Usne kaha.

"Is waqt?"
"Haan," usne Jannat ke haath par narmi se giraft barhayi.

Usne nafi mein sar hilaya. Woh chahti thi, waqt ruk jaye, sab thehr jaye.
Bas yeh ehsaas baqi rahe, yeh kaifiyat thehri rahe.

"Walk karte hain ya koi movie dekh lete hain."

Nana bhi usse behlane ke liye aise hi kaha karte the. Aise hi uska haath
thapthapaya karte the. Usse kandhe se lagaya karte the. Jab wo unke
mazboot kandhe se peshani lagati thi toh duniya ka har gham aur har takleef
unke hisaar mein aate hi khatam ho jati thi. Ab bhi yahi hua tha. Faris
Wajdan mein Nana aa gaye the.

Faris Wajdan mein mohabbat aa gayi thi, taraham aa gaya tha. Kaifiyat
samajh se bahar ho gayi thi. Uski siskiyan barhti gayi.

"Main khana lagata hoon. Tum kuch khaye baghair hi so gayi thi."

"Kahin mat jao, please!"

Woh ruk gaya. Uski dheemi siskiya uski aziyat badhane lagi.

"Woh sirf ek khwab tha. Khatam ho gaya." Narmi se ek baar phir samjhaya.

Faris Wajdan kya jaane, uspar woh raaten usi andaaz mein guzarti thi aur
baar baar guzarti thi.

Khwab toh ek bahana tha, haqeeqat apna aap dhohraane aati thi.

Chand lamhon ke baad woh kuch had tak sambhal kar aansoo saaf karte hue
khud hi alag ho gayi.

"Main khana lagata hoon." Woh uth kar chala gaya.

Jannat kuch der tak aise hi baithi rahi. Phir khud ko sambhalte hue uth kar
bahar aa gayi. Ghar tareek tha magar open kitchen ki tamam battiyaan
roshan thi.
Woh counter table ke us paar Faris Wajdan ko fridge se kuch nikaalte dekh
sakti thi. Aahat par usne mur kar Jannat ko dekha.

"Have a seat, please." Usne ishaara kiya toh chehre ke aitraaf mein mandlati
laton ko hatati, haath dhone ke baad kursi khinch kar baith gayi thi. Shahd
rang baal peeth par seedhe ho rahe the, aankhein soji hui aur kuch muturam
si lag rahi thi. Kuch der pehle wali kaifiyat nahi rahi thi magar ta'assuraat
abhi bhi waise hi the.

Faris microwave oven mein khana garam karte hue mez par tarteeb se
rakhta ja raha tha.

Use idraak hua, woh bhooki soi thi toh khana Faris ne bhi nahi khaya tha.

"Shuru karo." Fried chicken, fried rice, pizza, woh mukhtalif cheezein uske
saamne rakh raha tha. Usne apni plate qareeb kar li. Koi bhi baat kiye
baghair woh khamoshi se khana khane lagi. Zaraa si nazar utha kar woh use
dekh leti.

Kya woh shuru se aisa tha? Ya ab ho gaya tha?

Nafrat kahan gayi thi? Haqaarat kahan chhupi thi?

Chaalen aisi toh nahi hoti? Mansoobe is tarah ke toh nahi hote?

"Kuch chahiye?" Use yun apni janib dekhta pa kar Faris ne poocha.

Usne nafi mein sar hilate hue nazar jhuka li.

Khana khane ke baad jab Faris istemaal shuda bartan dho raha tha toh woh
bhi bacha hua khana fridge mein rakhne lagi thi.

Iske baad usne coffee banane ka iraada kiya toh Faris ne rok diya.

"Main chahunga, ab tum rest karo."

"Mujhe neend nahi aayegi," woh uski taraf dekhe baghair boli.

"Aajayegi."
Burner band karke, usne uski kalayi thaam ke use kamre mein le aaya. Uske
kehne par sar dard aur bukhar ki goli lekar woh sone ke liye let gayi thi.

Shayad use paanch minute lage the, dus minute ya shayad pandrah minute!
Apne andar ke khauf se ladhte hue woh neend ki wadiyon mein utar gayi
thi. Faris ne ek baar phir uski peshani ko choo kar dekha. Halka sa bukhar
tha, lekin woh neend mein ab mukammal pur sukoon thi. Woh bhi sukoon
mein aa gaya. Bahar tareeki mein waqfe waqfe se bijli chamak rahi thi.
Glass wall par kahin kahin barish ke qatre the aur nazron mein sheher ki
roshniyan munakis ho rahi thi. Woh apne liye coffee bana kar glass wall ke
samne ja khada hua.

Bijli ek baar phir chamki thi. Har taraf andhera badh gaya tha.

❏❏❏
‹CHP-45'
•••

Agli subah uski aankh 9 baje khuli thi. Kamre mein uske siwa koi nahi tha.
Deewar se lagi khidkiyon ke parde simte hue the. Aasman surkhi badalon se
dhaka hua tha, halki halki barish abhi bhi ho rahi thi.

Aur phir zehan mein neend se mehv ho jane wala har dukh, har qissa, har
qasina phir se waazeh ho gaya. Woh brick Lane mein kho gayi thi. Usne
Faris Wajdan se larai ki thi. Woh khwab mein darr gayi thi.

Aur phir woh ehsaas. Usne bheegi aankhon ko masal dala. Nayi subah ki
shuruaat aansuon se nahi honi chahiye. Gala khankar ke, mushkil se apne
aap ko compose kiya. Har negative khayaal ko jhatak diya.

Usne uth kar wardrobe se kapde nikale. Neem garam pani se shower lekar
fresh hui. Balon ko dryer se sukhakar khula chhod diya. Safed trouser par
gulabi rang ki kameez aur uspar gulabi hi rang ka ooni sweater pehna.
Kitchen mein neeli jeans par safed rang ke ooni sweater mein malboos Faris
nashtay ka intezam khud dekh raha tha.

Zeb tan kiye woh kamre se bahar aayi to khilaaf-e-maamool aaj main nahi
ayi thi. Use shadeed hairat hui, magar khud se guftagu ka aaghaz kiye
baghair woh kitchen mein chali aayi. Apne liye glass mein pani dal kar
piya. Ek sarsari si nigah mez par dhare nashtay ke lazezaat par dali.

Half fry egg, ek toast, mango shake, cake, chai.

"Good morning." Faris ka rawayya waisa hi tha jaisa har subah hota tha.

Halaanke guzashta raat brick Lane mein jo scene usne paish kiya tha, uske
baad is rawayye ki qatayi koi gunjaish nahi banti thi.

"Ab tumhari tabiyat kaisi hai?" Woh kach ke glass mein mango shake dalte
hue bola.
"Behtar hai." Woh khali glass par piano ke andaaz mein ungliyon ko
jumbish de rahi thi.

"Baitho," apni kursi sambhalte hue usne Jannat ko baayein haath se ishara
kiya. Ek aur kharash numa surkh lakeer nazar aayi.

Jannat apni is harkat par jee bhar ke sharminda hui. Pata nahi usse kya hua
tha. Usne aisa pehle to kabhi nahi kiya tha. Aur phir jab yaad aaya, usne
usse ek adad thappar se bhi nawaz chuki hai to nichla lab beshaq daanton
tale aa gaya. Dil sharminda tha, magar maan fauran se dat gaya. Is thappar
ka to khair woh mustahiq tha, bahut zyada.

Lekin ab ke jungli billi ki tarah usne hamle ki jo koshish ki thi, us par

dimaag bhi uski side nahi le raha tha. Ab jo us poori tarah se sambhli thi to
usne kuch khauf, sharmindagi aur pareshani ke mile jale asraat ke saath use
dekha tha.

Faris ne abhi tak ghussa nahi dikhaya tha. Na hi narazgi ka izhar kiya tha.
Woh uski haalat ke pesh-e-nazar khamosh reh gaya hoga, magar bhoola to
har giz nahi hoga. Phir usse yaad aaya usne raat bhar uska kitna khayal
rakha tha, aur kaise usse khauf zadgi se nikaala tha. Lekin iska matlab yeh
to har giz nahi ke woh saza ka nahi soch raha hoga? Wohi waham, wohi
sarghoshiyaan, wohi be-aetebaari, aur wohi sawal, ek ek harkat ka hisaab
lene wala ab itni badi baat kaise nazar andaaz kar gaya? Aankhein uthai to
nigahein Faris se dochar ho gayi.

"Nahi, main inteqaam lene ka nahi soch raha. Aur na hi maine khane mein
zeher milaya hai." Aur Jannat ka dil chaha, zameen phate aur woh usme
sama jaye. Lekin apne tassurat se bilkul zahir nahi hone diya ke aisi koi
khwahish uske andar jag chuki hai.

"Chaaho to khana chakh kar de doon, Shehzadi Sahiba." Uski aankhon

mein shararat thi. Woh uski kefiyat se lutf utha raha tha.

Andar hi andar woh bahut saara chikhi, lekin bahar se khud ko compose
karke sanjeeda hi khadi rahi.
"Jis din zeher doge, us din chakne ki baat bhi nahi karoge." Badi mabooti
dikha kar kursi khainch kar baith gayi. Woh uski haazir jawabee se mutasir
huye bina na reh saka. Haan ab woh theek thi. Faris ko tasalli hui.

"Meri wife kitni genius hai." Usne tanz nahi kiya tha magar Jannat ko woh
achha khaasa tanz hi lagi. Upar se uski muskurahat. Usne nazar phir li. Ek
toast khane ke baad usne cake ka piece aur mango shake apne qareeb kar
liya.

Faris ki khamosh nigahein uspar jamee hui thi. Usne fork se cake ka hissa
kaat kar mooh mein dala. Faris Wajdan ko saat saal ki Jannat ki ek jhalak
nazar aayi, jaise aankhen matka kar naraz hokar ek aur mango juice se insaf
kar rahi thi. Magar jo samne baithi thi, bilkul khamosh, kuch had tak udaas
aur bohot had tak pareshan.

"Aise kya dekh rahe ho?" Woh kuch jazbuz hui.

"Jab main choudah saal ka tha to ek chhoti si bachchi meri zabardasti ki

mehmaan bani thi." Woh apne cup mein chai dalne laga.

"Uski khwahish thi ke uski khatir madaarat mango juice aur cake se ki jaye.
Bhala koi mehmaan aise kehta hai?" Tea pot rakh kar apna cup uthaliya.

"Woh bohot batuni thi, bohot zyada. Main chahta tha ke woh apna juice aur
cake jaldi khatam kare taake main usse wapas uske ghar chhor aaoon,
magar woh bohot aahista aahista kha rahi thi. To maine uska ek aur juice
khud hi kha liya."

Jannat ne sar uthakar usse dekha.

"To tum tab bhi zaalim the?" Tawaqqo ke ain mutabiq usse tap chadhi. Woh
muskurati nigaahon se usse dekhta raha. "Ab main do teen ghanton tak uske
saath bound ho kar to nahi baith sakta tha. Aur phir woh bohot sharaarti aur
active thi, aur mujhe us par baqaida nazar rakhni pad rahi thi. So, uske liye
zaroori tha ke main usse ghar hi chhod aaoon." Usne kandhe uchka kar apni
position clear ki.

Jannat ne use yun dekha jaise keh rahi ho, "tumhara koi ilaj nahi."
"Main..." Wo uske yu achanak puchhne par ghadbhada gayi. "Haan! Tum?"

"Main..." rukk kar kuch socha. Ek hi lamhe mein bachpan aur ladakpan ki
bohot si baatein, qisse, waqeaat, Nana ki daant aur shararatein yaad aayi thi.
"Main to bohot decent bhi thi, bilkul shor nahi karti thi, na hi shararti thi,
aur itna kam bolti thi. Nana ke sab dost meri tareef karte the."

Faris ne apni muskurahat zabt karli. "Achha?" Uska achha zaroorat se kuch
zyada lamba ho gaya tha. "Haan to aur kya?"

"Yani agar hamari beti hui to woh tum par jayegi. Khamosh, pur sukoon,
shararatein bhi nahi karegi, bolegi bohot kam."

"Bilkul!" Foran se sar hilaya, phir hila kar pachtayi. Saari guftagu bache ki
taraf mud gayi thi.

"Beta mujh par jayega phir," Faris ne kuch soch kar kaha.

"Mujhe khadoos aulaad nahi chahiye," woh beshaqti se keh gayi.

Woh uske andaaz aur lehje par dheere se muskura diya. Jannat Kamal ne us
lamhe ke liye mabhoot hokar dekha. Woh hansta hua kitna acha lag raha
tha. Foran hi nazrein hataayi.

"Koi paidaishi khadoos thodi na hota hai. Waqt aur haalaat bana dete hain,"
woh keh raha tha.

"Main to nahi bani."

Aur Faris ruk gaya. "Haan! Yehi to uski khoobi thi."

Usne haalaat ko bhi apne rawayye aur shakhsiyat par haavi nahi hone diya
tha. Woh talkhiyon se guzarkar bhi apni zindagi ke liye talkh nahi hui thi.

Jannat ne fork se cake ka tukda munh mein daalte hue straw daanton tale
dabaya.

Faris ko laga yahi munasib waqt hai, nayi ibtida ke liye pehel kar leni
chahiye.
"Dosti karogi mujhse? Bohot acha ladka hoon main. Saari umar saath
nibhaunga."

Jannat ke dhadkan tez hogayi. Sawaal bohot achanak aur ghair mutawaqqa
tha. Offer bhi waisi hi hairat angez thi. Woh uska jumla dohra raha tha, uski
jagah par aakar, uski nigaahon mein aara tha. Woh use bilkul bhi nazar
andaaz nahi kar pa rahi thi.

"Aur yeh dosti ki offer tum kitni ladkiyon se kar chuke ho?" Bhanwe sikood
kar nigaho se ghurte hue poocha. Bilkul Faris Wajdan ke andaaz mein... Aur
aisa karte hue use woh bohot achi lagi.

"Tum pehli ho, aur tum hi aakhri ho."

Jannat ka dil zoro se dhadak gaya, aur aankhon mein hairat aayi. Dil chaha
jatt se Adina Zubair ko is dawe par la patke, magar phir ruk gayi. Baat dosti
ki thi, mohabbat ki to nahi.

"Sochungi," laaparwahi se itra kar kaha, phir cake ka aakhri tukda munh
mein dala. Ab woh pehle se kaafi behtar lag rahi thi.

"Kitna sochogi?"

"Jitna bhi sochu, tumhe is se kya?"

Faris ne taaeed mein sar hilaya. Bohot zyada sochne mein woh haq bajanib
thi, ispe usse koi aitraaz nahi tha.

"Paanch baje tayaar rehna, kahin bahar chalenge." Woh chicken ka bikhra
simat rahi thi jab Faris ne aakar kaha. Khayaal tha shayad woh ab bhi
ghussa ya narazi dikhayegi ya koi sakht baat to zaroor karegi, magar usne
kuch na kaha. Bas ruk kar use dekha. Three piece suit mein malboos, siah
rang ka long coat bazu par dale, doosre haath mein mobile uthaye khada
tha. "Westfield Mall chalenge, shopping ke liye. Bahar khana khayenge.
Mausam kuch sard hai aur barish ka bhi imkaan hai, to outing ke liye kuch
din intezaar kar lete hain."
Wo rukh badal kar phir se bartan dhone lagi. Faris bhi kuch lamhon tak
khamosh raha. Jaane uske asraat ab kaise the? Ehsasat aur kefiyat kaisi hui
thi? Mizaj to uske lamhon mein badalte the. Kisi lamhe bohot zyada khush,
kisi pal bohot zyada udaas. Lekin uski khamoshi mein Faris Wajdan ke zid
ya tangi ke asraat nazar nahi aa rahe the, aur yeh ek khush aain baat thi uske
liye.

"Apna khayal rakhna." Usne coat pehente hue Jannat Kamal se kaha. Aur
Jannat Kamal ne kuch hi dair baad automatic darwaze khulne aur signal ke
sath band hone ki awaaz suni. jhaag zada theli khol kar woh hothon tak layi,
phoonk maarke udaaya, phir dheere se gungunati baqi bartan saaf karne
lagi.

Westfield London Mall ke Kids section mein gulabi aur aasmaani rang ki
cheezon ka khumaar tha jo Jannat Kamal ki trolley mein ikattha ho chuka
tha. Woh to bohot soch samajh kar cheezein utha raha tha, magar Jannat ka
bas nahi chal raha tha aur shopping mall khareed le.

Woh uski ek aisay junoon aur khushi ko dekh kar muskurata hi raha. Jannat
do rangon ki cheezein khareed rahi thi, keh rahi thi agar beta hua to beti ke
liye khareedi gayi cheezein charity kar degi aur agar beti hui to phir beta ke
liye khareeda gaya saman khairaat mein jayega.

Aur agar twins hue to? Faris ne sawal kiya. Woh lamhe bhar ke liye thami.
Yeh to usne socha hi nahi tha. Usay uljha kar wo mutabasim chehere ke sath
rukh morr kar kuch aur dekhne laga.

"Tab hum aadhi cheezein rakh lenge aur aadhi charity kar denge," usne
peeche jaakar kaha. Be dhiyani me wo hum keh gayi.

"Thik hai, Hum zaroor aisa hi karenge," Faris ne zor de kar kaha.

"Main sirf apni baat kar rahi hoon," Jannat ne kaha.

"Nahi, tum hamari baat kar rahi ho," Faris ne jawab diya.

Faris ne apni muskurahat ko roknay ke liye apna raasta badal diya.

"Agar triplets hue to?" Kuch dair baad peeche se awaaz aayi. Gehri saans le
kar Jannat ne apna raasta modha. Woh aankhon mein shararat liye stand par
likhe naye paida hue bachon ke kapron mein sar diye hue tha.

"Pehle ek, phir do, phir teen, kuch dair baad kehoge chaar," usne ghura.

"Is baar twins theek hain," Faris ne kaha. "InshaAllah agli baar triplets!"

"Mere saath zyada free hone ki koshish mat karo." kuch aur samajh mein
nahi aaya to daant kar chali gayi.

"Yeh baat ek biwi apne shauhar se keh rahi hai?"

"wahi shauhar jo kuch waqt pehle keh raha tha, Main tumhe talaq de
dunga." Akhri jumle mein bharpoor naqal utari gayi.

"Magar wo ab nahi kehta." Jacket ke jaybo me hath dale wo uske pichhe

tha.

"Mujhe ab bhi sunai deta hai," Jannat ne kaha. Woh trolley dhakelti ja rahi
thi.

"Phir tum uske dil ki nahi sun rahi ho," Faris ne kaha.

"Main sunna bhi nahi chahti," woh zair-e-lab muskurate hue uske pichhe
raha.

"Waise naam ke baare mein kya socha hai?"

"Mr. Shirazi" wo jabt karke Faris ki taraf muri.

"Shaayad tum bhool rahe ho, main ne dosti ki offer abhi qabool nahi ki,"
Jannat ne kaha.

"Kar lo, phir itna tang nahi karunga," Faris ka lehja sulah jo tha.

"Yani tum maanta ho tum mujhe tang kar rahe ho," lab bhinch kar poocha
gaya.
"Main ne aisa to hargiz nahi kaha," wo saaf mukar gaya.

Dono haath coat ki jebon mein the. Muffler usne adatan gardan ke gird
hothon tak odh rakha tha. So wo bas uski aankho se jhlakti sararat hi dekh
sakti thi. Muskurahat hargiz nahi.

tum zara dair ke liye wahan nahi baith sakte?" Usne zich ho kar haath se
uske peeche ishaara kiya jahan ek gora shauhar bench par bacha khel raha
tha. Biwi shopping mein masroof hogi.

"Haan, taake tum dobara ghum ho jao aur phir wahi shor machao."

"Tumne jaan bujh kar mujhe ghum kiya. Tumne jaan bujh kar yeh kiya,
woh kiya, tum zalim, drama baaz, dhoka baaz, jhoote, fraud ho."

Ab Faris uski naqal utar raha tha. Gusse ke bawajood, Jannat pechaan gayi.
Chehra khichta hua laal ho gaya. Daahna haath ek pal ke liye sharm se
aankhon par rakha, phir se bhincha aur use ek khatarnaak nazar di.

"Adil mujhe mashwara de raha tha. Sar ma'am ke mobile mein track app
install kar le. Usse nahi maloom, uski ma'am khud gum hone se pehle apna
mobile kam karti hain."

"Tum..." uska paara chadha. "Ab mere peeche aaye to dekhna" Jannat ne
dhamki dekar chali gayi. Faris ne kuch der ke liye muskurahat banaye rakha
aur phir se chhote chhote jooton ko dekhne laga. Muffler usne gardan par
thehra liya.

Bilkul saamne toddlers ka section tha. Aur usse aage chhoti bachiyon ke
khilone rakhe hue the.

Khilonon mein gulabi rang ka ek mini kitchen set in mein numaya tha aur
behad numaya tha. Faris ke qad jam gaye, haath bejaan ho gaye. Nigaah us
jagah par jam gayi. Jannat ki nazar us par pad gayi to woh apni jagah ruk
gayi.

Faris ki aankhein veeran, chehra har asar se bilkul aari ho chuka tha. Labo
par muskurahat nahi thi. Aankhon mein zindagi nahi thi. Woh uske saath, is
mall mein, uske humraah jaise ab nahi thi.

Usne sar uthakar us taraf dekha jahan Faris ki nigaahien thahri thi. Lekin
wahan koi nahi tha. Kuch nahi tha.

Aisi hi ek halat uski pehle bhi hui thi. Shayad car accident ke waqt. Bua ke
ghar ke saamne barish ke dauran? Shayad tab jab usne Adina Zubair ka
zikar kiya tha? Magar nahi, yeh ta assur mukhtalif tha. In sab se mukhtalif.
Kareeb aakar uske bazu par dheere se haath rakha. Zamood tuta na wo apne
khayal se wapis aaya.

"Faris!" Hilaakar awaaz di.

Talaism toot gaya. Darwaze band hue, shor thm gaya. Awaaz mein khatam
ho gayi. Faris ne kuch chonk kar uski taraf dekha. Jannat ne apna haath hata
liya. Faris teen minute tak musalsal ek hi jagah nazar jamaye aur saath hi
saath beparwaah khada raha. Woh zahir na bhi karti tab bhi yeh wazeh tha
ke woh pareshan hui thi.

"Haan bolo," Faris ne uski taraf tawajjo di, magar puri tarah se nahi.

"Kuch nahi, counter par jaana hai," usne kaha.

"Bas aur kuch nahi?," usne kapkapate haath coat ki jebon mein daal diye
the. Jannat ne nafi mein sar hilaaya.

Woh apne wallet se credit card nikalte hue trolley dhakel kar counter ki
taraf badh gaya. Jannat Kamal ne uske peeche chalte hue ek baar phir usi
samet dekha magar usne koi bhi aisi cheez ya koi bhi aisa shakhsh nahi
dekha jo kuch dair ke liye Faris Wajdan ko freeze kar diya tha. Apna hum
samajhte hue, usne sar jhataakar aage barh gayi.

Shopping ke baad, woh usse halal food restaurant mein le aaya. Uski aamad
ka sun kar suited-buited manager khud menu card le kar aaya. Aao bhugat
dekh kar Jannat ne khud se hi andaza laga liya, woh yahan ka regular
customer hoga. Phir malik ke saath uske gehre rishte honge. Woh menu
card uthaye order note karwa raha tha aur woh apne aas-paas nazar dauda
rahi thi. Siyaah aur golden division mein restaurant ka interior waqai mein
khoobsurat tha. Usne tasveerain kheench kar Mrs. Sherazi ko bhi bheji.
Aas-paas doosri tables par aur bhi bahut si Muslim families nazar aa rahi
thi.

"Toh mera contact number ab tumne kis naam se save kar rakha hai?"
Khana serve kar diya gaya to Faris ne poocha.

"Kisi naam se nahi," usne be-neyaazi se kaha.

Faris ki nazar table par uske barabar mein rakhe mobile par thi. Agar ab
woh call kare, toh yaqeenan screen par naam ubar aayega. Usne uss neele
peele dilon wale kaghazi husband yaad kiya. Pehle wali Jannat yaad aayi.
Kaghazi shauhar ke sath hi woh bohot khush thi.

"Yeh to mere sath meri zayadati hai," woh kehe bina na reh saka.Jannat ne
sar uthakar usse dekha. "Achha, tumhare sath zyadati hai? Bhala kaise?"

"Jab kaghazi shauhar tha tab ahmiyat thi, ab asli shauhar hoon toh..."

"Ahmiyat tumhari us waqt bhi nahi thi," usne jhat se kaha. "Main paagal thi
jo yeh soch rahi thi, tumhare dil mein jagah bana lugi, Yeh to mujhe baad
mein pata chala ke tumhara to sirf dimaag hai, dil to sire se hai hi nahi."

Woh spoon mooh tak le jate hue ek lamha ke liye ruka, bas ek lamha ke
liye. Restaurant ki roshniyon mein uski aankhon mein hasaas si mubhain
lehar uthi. Aur wahi leher muskurahat ban kar uske honthon par bikhar
gayi. Leher Jannat usse nahi dekh rahi thi. Woh ab use nahi dekhti thi. Na
uski aankhon mein apna nishaan, na uske dil mein apni jagah.

"Yeh to tumne bilkul theek kaha."

Jeb se mobile nikal kar number dial kiya. Jannat ka mobile jagmag karne
laga. Upar bara likha tha, "Aunty ka beta" aur background ki tasveer sardi,
barfili aandhi toofan se ghira hua pahaadon ki thi.

Jannat ne ghabraakar foran apna mobile plate par rakha. Aunty ka beta
hairaan kun tha magar Faris ko background tasveer se gham pohncha tha.
"Tumne mere naam ke sath K2 ki tasveer lagayi hui hai?" Khayal aaya
aankhon ko dhoka hua hoga.

"Haan to?"

"Kyun?"

"Kyun kya matlab? Meri marzi, main koi bhi tasveer laga sakti hoon. Ab
tum mujhe khana khane doge?"

"Sure" daat pish kar ke kaha aur phir apna mobile utha liya. Jannat ne
jazbaat se usse dekha.

"Kya kar rahe ho?"

"agar tum mere naam ke sath khaufnaak tasveer laga sakti ho to main kyun
nahi?" Lamhon mein sab set kar ke mobile rakha. Honthon par ek jala dene
wali muskurahat sajaye phir se khana shuru kiya. Jannat lab bhinch kar usse
dekh rahi thi. "Mujhe parwah nahi, tum koi bhi tasveer lagao," usne kaha,
magar andar se. "Achhi baat hai," usne sar hilaaya.

Khana khane ke baad long drive ka plan tha. Wapas aakar raat ke gyarah baj
gaye. Woh so gaya to chupke se uska mobile utha kar apne mobile se
missed call di. Screen par naam roshan hua. Bara bara sa likha hua tha,
"mummy ki bahu" aur background mein ek zombie tasveer lagi hui thi.
Usne tap kar Faris Wajdan ko dekha. Dil chaaha mobile tod doon magar
jabt kar ke uth gayi.

❏❏❏
< CHP46'
•••

Aaj Faris Wajdan ke dost ki shaadi thi. Apni tayyariyon mein magan, usne
do kaam daar jode bed par phailaye hue the. Ek aasmaani rang ka tha,
doosra halke gulabi rang ka. Samajh mein nahi aa raha tha ke kaunsa wala
pehne? Pasand to dono hi the, isi liye uthaa laayi the. Mrs. Shirazi ko
tasveerein bhej kar unke intezaar mein aise hi tahlte hue screen ko tak rahi
thi jab woh dressing room se nikal aaya. Cuff links lagate hue, nazar bed
par rakhe kapdon se hoti hui Jannat tak gayi. Mobile kan se lagaye, honto
ko kat-ti hue woh shash-duniya mein mubtala lag rahi thi.

Usne waistcoat pehnne ke baad kalai par ghadi chadhate hue dressing table
ke aaine mein Jannat ko dekha, phir coat uthate hue band ke qareeb aaya.
Ek sarseri si nazar kapdon par daali aur phir side table se mobile uthate hue
seedha ho gaya.

"Ye rang jada shuit karega," ishaara aasmaani rang wale jode ki taraf tha.

Jannat Kamal chonk kar mud gayi magar woh tab tak lambe lambe kadam
bharte hue bedroom se ja chuka tha.

"Haan, aur main to jaise iski baat maan loongi."

Keh kar sar jhatka. Ek baar phir screen ko dekha. Mrs. Shirazi online nahi
thi. Nichla lab daanton ke tale rahe, ek baar phir apne kapdon ko dekha.
Phir rohansa ho kar das tak kehti rahi. Phir jhijhak kar ek suit uthaya aur
dressing room mein chali gayi.

Poore ek ghante ke baad woh mukammal tayyari ke sath bedroom se baahar

aayi to Faris Shirazi us par nigahe daal kar hatana bhool gaya. Halke gulabi
rang ke kaam daar jode mein malboos, natural sa look deta light makeup ke
sath woh kisi jeeti jaagti gudiya ke mushabih lag rahi thi. Baal khule chhod
rakhe the, itraaf mein pins madad se set kiye gaye the.
Lambi ghani palke aur liner ke wajah se sehad aankhein aur bhi zyada
numaya ho rahi thi. Lambe jagmag karte earrings, gardan mein chamakta
hua nafis locket, ungli me tehri hui angoothi. Woh kandhe par dupatta set
karte hue samne sofa par baith kar apni silver sandals ki straps band karne
lagi.

Chand lamhe woh usse apne dil ki nigah se dekhte rahe. Daahna haath be-
ikhtiyaar coat ki jeb tak gaya. Ungliyon ki gript mein makhmal ki dibbi
aayi. "Yeh to mujhe baad mein pata chala, tumhara to sirf dimaag hai, dil to
sore se hai hi nahi." Woh shikwa bhari ek tambih si awaaz uski quwat sheb
kar gayi.

"Sab tumhare is dil ke gird ghoom raha hai." Usne jeb se haath baahar nikal
liya. Straps bandh kar uthi to nigahain sidha Faris Wajdan ki tie par ja kar
tehri. Ek lamha ke liye munh khula, aur phir rukh badal kar nichla lab
daanto mein dabaya. Uske frock ke sath Faris Wijdan ki nai match kar rahi
thi. Allah, woh andar hi andar zor se cheekhi. Usne jaan boojh kar aasmaani
rang wala jodha chuna tha ke woh gulabi frock pehne. Usse yaqeen tha ke
woh uski baat nahi maane gi. "Uff Jannat! Tum itni predictable kyun ho?
Aakhir kyun?" Aankhein mich kar khud ko andar hi andar jhirkha.

"Achhi lag rahi ho." Woh coat ka button band karte hue apni jagah se uth
khada hua.

"Woh to main shuru se hoon." Kamal be-neyaazi se keh kar rukh badla ke
tumhari tareef se meri heartbeat miss nahi hui, na hi jazbaat mein koi farq
aaya hai. Lekin andar hi andar.

"Uff Usne tareef ki. Faris Wijdan ne tareef ki." Doosri cheekh. Dil band
hone ko tha. Gaal thap uthe.

Magar bohot hi tahammul, waqar aur nazakat ke sath apne chhote se bag ki
lambi si naqraayi zanjeer par grip badhate hue ek ada se sar uthaya. Woh
hamesha chhupata, magar woh uske sanjeeda se ba-waqar chehre par
muskurahat aur shararat ka rang dekh sakti thi.

"Kal raat mere mobile par 'mummy ki bahu' ki missed call aayi thi.
Khairiyat hai? Itni raat ko aapne ek hi kamre mein hote hue mujhe call ki?"
Mutabassim lehje mein kuch had tak sanjeedgi se poocha.

"Yeh kuch bhoolta bhi hai ya nahi?" Woh daant kachkacha kar rah gayi.

"Zara batana pasand karoge, zombie aur ke mujh mein kya kadar mushtaraq
(common) hai?" Dat kar puchha.

"Tum batana pasand karogi, mujhe aur k2 mein kya mushtaraq (common)
hai?" Jebon mein haath daale uski aankhon mein dekha.

"Bohot kuch mushtaraq hai." Daant pish kar kaha.

"Tum mein aur zombie mein bhi." Usne bola.

"Maslan kya?" Woh zabt ki kadi Azmaish se guzar rahi thi.

"Dono dimag bohot khati ho." Usne keh kar coat uthaya. Jannat ka
khoobsurat chehra ghusse se laal ho gaya. Ab agar usse apni tayyari ka
khayal na hota toh do yakinan kuch kar guzarti.

"Main tumhara dimaag khati hoon?" Ghusse se phat gayi.

"Main ne to phir bhi khoobsurat pahaadon ki tasveer lagayi hai."

"Khatarnaak pahaadon ki." Faris ne correction ki.

"Ke 2 ek killer mountain hai."

Jannat ne muthiya bhincha kar usse dekha. "Khawaakhwaah ka issue."

"Main ne ek random tasveer lagayi hai." Tahammul se etejaaj kiya.

"Soch samajh kar lagayi hai." Wo hu ba hu jawab de raha tha. Jannat ke

ghusse ka graph badh gaya.

"Aakhir mein tumse kyun baat kar rahi hoon?" Usne khud ko khud hi jhirkh
diya.
"Main bhi yehi soch raha hoon." Faris ke itminan mein koi farq nahi aaya.
"Ab chalein? Baki ki ladai ghar aakar ladenge." Tapa dene wali muskurahat
ke sath kaha.

Apna safed coat uthakar paon patkti huye darwaze ki taraf barhi.

"Aahista, aaraam se." usne peechay se kaha, "Meri fikar karne ki koi
zaroorat nahi hai tumhe." Tanffur se keh kar bahar nikal gayi. Usne
muskurate hue wallet aur chabi uthayi aur uske peeche chala aaya.

Shandar marriage hall ke behruni gate ke saamne gaadi rok di. Dono bahar
nikal kar markazi hawale se andar ki taraf bade, to isteqbaaliye mein khade
kai logon ki nazar unki taraf uthi hui thi. Usne jana tha sab Faris ko dekh
rahe hain. Aur wo yeh bhi jana tha nazaron ki zad mein woh bhi uski wajah
se aa rahi thi.

Faris ne uska haath pakad kar apne bazu par rakha.

"Agar duniya ko yeh batana maqsood hai ke hum married hain to unhe yeh
bhi pata chalna chahiye ke hum happily married hain."

"Tumhe apni reputation ki kitni fikar hai na," woh dab kar boli.

"Ya ek private marriage ceremony hai, warna meri khabar ya tasveeron ko

viral hone mein der nahi lagti." "Oh! acha ab tum mujhe yeh bata rahe ho ke
tum ek celebrity ho?" Usne khaas uchi awaaz mein tanz kiya.

"Celebrity toh khair se nahi…" wo keh raha tha. "Magar aik celebrity ka
beta hai," uska jumla uchak kar kisi aur ne hi muqammal kiya tha.

Faris ki muskurahat udaan chhoo gayi. Taaasurat pathar ho gaye. Jannat ne

sar utha kar awaaz ki simt dekha, to mashroob ka glass haath mein liye ek
shakhs ne sar ke halkay ishaare se salaam kiya. Farbi mail hum, sar aur
moochon ke baal poori tarah se safed the. "Maine toh Kamran bhai se bhi
kaha tha, unhe invite kar lete to hamari Eid ho jati."

Faris ki muthiyaan bhinch gayi. Aankhon mein surkhi utar aayi.

"Jamal Gardezi." Apna taaruf karate hue Jannat ki taraf apna haath badhaya
salam ke liye. "Chale?" Is shakhs ko koi bhi jawab diye bina woh Jannat ko
bazu ke hisaare mein le kar isteqbaaliye ki taraf barh gaya. Jamal Gardezi
ke labon par ek shaitani muskurahat aa kar thehra gayi. Nazaron ne unka
door tak ta'aqqub kiya. Faris ke rawaye se Jannat ko hairat hui. Kya woh
har kisi se aise hi pesh aata tha?

Mrs. Shirazi ek artist thi, zaroor woh apne artwork ki wajah se international
level par jani pehchani jaati hongi tab hi Jamal Gardezi ne zikar kiya hoga.
Usne socha.

Is par itna khafa hone ki toh koi baat nahi thi, magar Faris ke taa'asurat.
Uske chehre aur aankhon se narmi mafaqud ho chuki thi. Halankeh aate
waqt uske taa'asurat kaafi zyada khushgawar the. Shaadi hall mein Faris ke
dosto se, unki biwiyon se, aur unke qareeb rishteydaron se milte hue usse
idraak hua, woh itne saare mulki aur ghair mulki logon mein apne status,
apne business ke maamlaat ki wajah se bohot ahmiyat rakhta tha. Log use
dholkar khud aa kar mil rahe the. Khawateen uski tawakka se zyada uske
sath achha rawaya barat rahi thi. Woh har thodi der baad sar utha kar use
dekhne lagti thi.

Woh kam go aur reserved nature ka malik tha. Woh use kisi ke sath
muskurata, ya phir khul kar guftagu karta hua nahi dekh rahi thi. Woh apne
har andaaz, har baat aur har amal mein ek had ya deewaar si qaim kiye hue
tha. Woh sar ke halkay ishaare se ya ishaara mein sar hilaata mukhtasir
lafzon mein koi jawab de kar baat khatam karta nazar aa raha tha.

Usne nighah dali. Ab woh aati jaati ladkiyon ko dekh rahi thi. Kuch uske
dosto ki behnein. Kuch un behnon ki dost thi. Kuch ki aankhon mein rashk
tha, kuch hasad mein mubtala thi. Usne beikhtiyar Adina Zubair ke sath
hone wali apni pehli mulaqat yaad aayi. Uski mazak udaati nigahain,
tazheek aamaiz yaad aayi. Na chahte hue bhi woh apna muqabala Adina
Zubair se karne lagi. Shayad woh waqai mein Faris Wajdan ke sath achhi
nahi lagti thi, ya shayad uske sath Adina Zohair jaisi ladki hi jachti thi. Uski
roshan aankhon ki chamak ek dum mander pad gayi. Wajood mein bechaini
hi utar aayi. Gehri saans le kar woh apni jagah se uth gayi. Faris bilkul
saamne hi kuch business personalities ke gheray mein khada tha. Woh
daayein taraf baahar ki taraf qadam uthaati gayi. Taweel raahdari, oonchi
deewaren aur deewar gir khidkiyan kisi mahal ke andaroni hisse ka pata de
rahi thi. Tourist room mein chali gayi.

Oonchi lambi sheeshe ki deewaron ke samne apne sarape ka az sar no jaiza

le kar usne dupatta set kiya, gulabi lips par gloss ka izafa kar ke baahar aayi
to taweel raahdari ke doosre sire par use Faris nazar aaya. Woh zaroor uske
intezaar mein wahan khada tha.

"Bata kar jaana chahiye tha tumhe."

Woh qareeb pohnchi to usne kaha, "Ab koi choti kaki thodi nahi hoon ke
ghum ho jaungi."

Gallery ki taraf ka sheesha slide kiya to baahar roshniyon mein nahaya hua
sar sabz qatiya nazar aane laga. Usne mobile nikaal kar kuch tasveerein
kheenchin.

"Mrs. Salman tumse kya keh rahi thi?" Woh sutoon ke sath pusht tika kar
khada ho gaya.

"Woh hamari shaadi par nahi aa saki thi isliye shaadi ki snaps dekhna chah
rahi thi."

"Toh tumne dikhayi?"

"Nahi."

"Kyun?" Woh hairaan hua.

Jannat ne gardan morh kar use kshamgeen nazaron se ghoora jaise poochh
rahi ho, kya tum waqai nahi jaante?

"Main kuch samjha nahi."

"Aima ne hamari tasveer dekh kar jaante ho mujhe kya kaha? Yeh Faris
bhai aise kyun baithe hain, jaise mirchay chabaye huye hon. Ab main
doosron ko khudka mazak udaane ka mauka doon? Woh sawaal jaise
uthayi, dulha aakhir aise kyun baithe hain? Uska mood kyun off hai? Itne
ghusse mein kyun lag raha hai? Khush kyun nahi hai? Zabardasti ki shaadi
hui hai kya? Koi ek tasveer bhi aisi nahi ke bas itni si muskurahat nazar
aayi ho."

Uska lehja gumgern aur andaaz shikwa bhara tha. Faris Wajdan apni jagah
khada raha. Dil ki halat ajeeb thi ke woh khoobsurat tareen lamhe na sirf
apne liye balke uske liye bhi takleef deh bana chuka tha. Woh waqt jo
yaadgar rehna tha, woh tasveeron mein muqeed ho kar aziyat ka baais ban
raha tha.

Woh uske peeche, bohot qareeb aakar khad hua. Wo relling par hath rakhe
kahin door dekh rahi thi.

Aahista se mobile pocket se nikaala. Bazu ke hisaare mein le kar qareeb

kiya. Mobile ka front camera on kiya ek lamhe tasveer click hui thi. Woh
apne khayalon mein gum thi. Is harkat par bokhalayi. Dusri click hui.
Shikwa isliye to nahi kiya tha ke woh tasveer mein aaye.

"Achi aayi hai." Keh kar use bhi dikhayi.

Woh manzood aasab ke sath khadi thi. Haan, woh apni tasveer ko acha keh
sakta tha. "Delete karo ise." Aage badh kar mobile chhinna chaha.

"Main bohot acha lag raha hoon."

"Lekin main achi nahi lag rahi. Idhar do mujhe." Ek to woh lamba, upar se
haath bhi ooncha kar liya.

Woh rohansi ho gayi.

"Mummy ko send karta hoon."

"Hargiz nahi!" Usne dabi awaaz mein cheekh kar kaha.

"Magar kyun?" Zara hairan ho kar use dekha.

"Meri tasveer achi nahi aayi. Isse delete kar do," zabt karke boli.

"Toh theek hai, hum ke liye ek tasveer kheenchwa lo, main ise delete kar
doonga."
"Faris! Use gussa chadh gaya."

Woh nafi mein sar hilaate hue peeche hta. Woh uski zid se waqif thi. Na
chahte hue bhi dham gayi. Tevar bigde hue the. "Theek hai, pehle waada
karo tum ye delete kar doge." Bahar haan kar doonga. Achhi khaasi tasveer
ka woh issue bana rahi thi.

"Mujhe tum par koi yaqeen nahi hai."

"Main waada karta hoon kisi ko nahi bhejoonga. Khud hi dekh kar hasta
rahunga," shararat se kaha. Aur woh beech-beech mein aankhon mein mote
mote aansu bhar laayi. Faris use dekh kar reh gaya. Woh itni hi baat par itni
sensitive kyun ho rahi thi?

"Acha nahi hansunga aur delete bhi kar doonga." Qareeb aakar bazu daraz
kar ke ek selfie lene chaha. Ab ki baar woh uske pehlu mein aaraam se
khadi rahi. Sar utha kar Mrs. Shirazi ke liye dil se muskurayi. Aankhon ki
nami badh gayi. Aur tasveer bharhaal bohot achi aayi thi. Woh dono apne
aap mein adhoore, apni tasveer mein mukammal lag rahe the.

Kuch der tak raahdari mein tehlte rehne ke baad woh uske saath hall mein
wapas aayi. Woh ab kuch behtar thi. Zara mood bhi behtar tha. Pehlu mein
baitha Faris be had sanjeedgi se har thodi der baad koi na koi aisi baat
zaroor kar deta jisse woh gusse se laal ho jati. Phir jhuk kar sar ghoshi mein
jawab de kar use la jawab karte hue tanz se muskurati toh apne chehre par
sanjeedgi taari rakhna Faris ke liye mushkil ho jata. Uski aankhein
muskurane lagti thi. Taa'surat mein taqseem aajati. Musarrat bhare rang har
andaaz se jhlkne lagte the.

Woh nazaron mein kuch isliye bhi aa raha tha ke mamool se hatt kar woh
bohot mutmain, bohot khush lag raha tha.

Ghalibaan usko kabhi bhi kisi ne is tarah itne khushgawar mood nahi dekha
tha, itna muskurate hue nahi dekha tha. Uski doosri shaadi ke silsile mein
jitni cheh magoiyaan hui thi, jitne afsaane ghade gaye the, jitni baatein
banayi gayi thi, unke haters ko unki muh ki khani padi thi.
Woh lamhe khoobsurat the. Aur khoobsurati se guzar gaye. Shaadi ka
function khatam hua toh us waqt raat ke baarah baj rahe the. Kuch qareebi
doston se milne ke baad woh Faris ke saath behruni darwaze par aayi toh is
waqt rim-jhim baarish baras rahi thi. Thandak ka shiddat se ehsaas hua.
Usne coat, manzar aur dastane pehne hue the magar phir bhi kapkapa rahi
thi.

"Kya banega aapka?" Faris kahe bina na reh saka.

"Is tarah khade rahe to qulfii ban jaungi," larazti awaaz mein kaha. Phir
uske bazu par gript barhate hue chhatri ke saaye mein gaadi ki taraf barh
gayi thi.

Woh itni thaki hui thi ke ghar pohnchte hi so gayi magar Faris ne kapde
badal kar laptop utha liya tha.

Woh shaadi ke poore saat mahine baad aaj apni shaadi ki tasveer mein dekh
raha tha.

Woh uske pehlu mein bazahir mutmain, sar uthaaye baithe thi magar uski
shehd aankhon mein khauf namaya tha. Jaise woh nahi jaanti thi ab uske
sath kya hone wala tha. Zindagi ab use kisi doorahaye par lane wali thi. Kis
azmaish mein daalne wali thi. Uske haath baaham pewist the. Chehre par
kahin kahin tafakkurat ke nishan lehrate hue the.

Woh bridal dress mein inteha ki haseen lag rahi thi aur yeh husn us raat use
nazar nahi aaya tha. Usne to nazar bhar kar dekha bhi nahi tha. Jannat
Kamal ne apni raat uski study mein bitayi thi. Ye nayi life ka aaghaz tha.
Naye ghar mein pehli raat. Naye rishte ki pehli nafrat thi. Woh bhaari dil ke
sath tasveer badal raha tha.

Walime ki tasveeron mein woh sar uthaaye, gardan oonchi kiye zyada
muskurayi thi. Zyada khush nazar aayi thi. Har kisi se bahut confidence se
baat karti, apne dupatte ko set karti, apna pose phir behtar karte hue usne
apni tasveer ko bohot confidence se kheenchwai thi. Woh hairaan tha. Woh
ek baar phir hairaan hua tha.
Us raat jo rawaya usne diya tha. Aur jis tarah uski haisiyat wazeh ki thi, use
kamre se nikal diya tha. Uske baad bhi woh khul kar muskurate hue itne
saare logon ko dhoka dene mein kaamyab ho gayi thi.

Woh apne khandan mein wapas nahi jana chahti thi. Woh us shaadi ko har
surat nibhana chahti thi. Magar uske ehsaas, uski zindagi, uski majbooriyon
se qatey be khabar Faris Wajdan ne uska har khwab, uski har umeed khak
mein mila di thi.

Zindagi jitni us par tang thi, mazeed usne kar di thi.

Woh lounge se uth kar kamre mein aa gaya.

Woh gehri neend mein thi. Sofe ki wajah se khud mein simat kar sone ki
aadat ho chuki thi. Kitni der tak woh uske paas khada raha. Phir paas baith
kar uske haath par apna haath rakha.

Jaise abhi bhi dar ho, woh palak jhapakte hi kisi khwab, kisi khayal ka hissa
ho jayegi. Yeh khauf, bechaini, yeh kuch kho dene ka ehsaas uski rag rag
mein utara hua tha.

Woh neend mein zara sa kasmasaayi to uski bechaini ka khayal kar ke haath
hata liya.

Shaadi ache haalaat mein nahi hui thi. Shaadi marzi aur chaah se bhi nahi
hui thi. Magar jo ata kiya, wo marham tha un zakhmo ka jo wo saalo se
apni rooh par liye phir raha tha.. Un zakhmon ka jinke dard ka ehsaas use
bohot dair se hua tha. Apne inaam se agahi bohot dair se mili thi. Aur use is
baat ka pachhtawa tha behad pachhtawa…

❏❏❏
CHP47'
•••

Mrs. Sulaiman ne phone karke unhe apne ghar invite kiya tha. Ab kyunki
unki teen din baad wapsi thi, toh uska khayal tha ke dawat attend kar lena
chahiye.

"Main toh nahi ja sakunga, tum chale jao," woh remote se channel badalte
hue popcorn ke packet haathon mein liye sofa par daraz the.

"Aur tum kyun nahi ja sakoge?"

"Kutte, billi, parinde, machhliya har tarah ki makhlooq pal rakhi hai unhone
apne ghar mein. Bahar kahin dawat hota toh koi masla nahi tha."

"Phir toh mujhe bhi nahi jana chahiye," woh kuch soch kar keh gayi.

"Aise inkaar karogi toh acha nahi lagega. Main unse apni taraf se mazrat
kar lunga, lekin tum zaroor jao."

"Aakeli?" Woh kuch pareshan hui. Faris ne screen se nazar hata kar use
dekha. "Driver, guard, aur chaho toh Helen ko saath le jao."

"Ab yeh Helen kaun hai?" Suspect nazar se.

"Mere manager ki assistant hai! Woh tumhare saath chal jayegi."

"Aur tum yahan akela baith kar maza udaoge?" Tanak kar poocha.

"Nahi. Mujhe apne bhi bohot kaam hain. Aath baje meri meeting hai. Das
baje Japanese investors ke saath dinner ka plan hai. Aur bhi kuch kaam
hain. Baaki do din reh gaye hain." Wo apne programmes se aagahi de raha
tha to Jannat ki rage tan gayi thi.
"Yun keh raha hai ke tumhare apne so kaam hain. Kutte billiyon ko kyun
ilzam de rahe ho?" Woh gehri saans le kar seedha hui. "Tum ghussa kyun
bana rahi ho? Isliye ke main tumhare saath nahi ja raha?"

"Main tumhare baghair hi theek hoon. Aur main invitation par zaroor
jaungi. Balki aisa karungi aaj raat unke ghar hi ruk jaungi. Mere husband ko
bohot zyada kaam hain. Raat ke baarah ek baje se pehle tum free nahi hona,
Kaam do din mein khatam hona zaroori hai." Tanziya lehje mein zabardasti
ki muskurahat dikhakar uth gayi. Woh mutajassam chehre ke saath baitha
raha. Phir uth kar kamre mein aaya. Woh dressing table ke saamne khadi
baal bana rahi thi.

"Main wapsi par tumhe khud pick kar lunga," usne kaha.

"Koi zaroorat nahi. Main to unke ghar mein billiyon ke saath waqt
guzaroongi." Woh achi khaasi tapp gayi thi.

"Thik hai," usne maza liya. "Jaise tumhari marzi. Lekin ghar aakar tumhe
achhe se shower lene hona. Kapde change karne padenge. Haath achi tarah
se dhone honge. Jootey toh bahar hi utaar kar aana." Wo hidayat nama jaari
kar raha tha. Wo zabt karke uske taraf muri.

"Yeh sari ihtiyaat ke tadabeer sirf mere liye hain? Tumhare liye kuch nahi
hai?"

"Kyoon, tumhe bhi koi allergy hai?"

"Haan haina, Mujhe Faris se allergy hai," dant pish kar kaha. "Ab hato mere
raaste se." Bag kandhe par daal kar use raaste se hata diya.

"Oh, kaafi serious allergy lagti hai." Woh mehfooz raha. Jannat ne qahr bhar
nazar se use dekha. Baith kar sneakers pehne aur band kar ke seedhi hui toh
mobile par call aane lagi.

"Helen aa chuki hai," Faris ne screen par nazar daalate hue ittila di. Usne
garam shawl odh kar handbag mein mobile rakha, darwaze ki taraf badhti
hui ruki.
Phir murh kar use dekha. Woh uske peeche khada tha.

"Apna khayal rakhiyega, Mrs. Faris!" Jebo mein haath daal kar uski taraf
jhuk kar kaha.

"Achha, kis liye?" Uska para chadha hua tha.

"Agar tumne apna khayal nahi rakha toh main woh ho jaunga, Kya kehte
hain usay, bewa ka jo doosra lafz hai."

Jannat ne jhujhla kar use pare dhakela. "Haan toh phir kar lena doosri teesri
shaadi." Usne bahar nikalte hi zordaar se darwaza band kiya.

"Baat suno!" Faris ne darwaza khol kar bahar aaya. Samne hi wo tiles par
pao patkti lift ki taraf jaa rahi thi. "Unka ghar kaafi bada hai gum mat ho
jana, ye na ho mujhe call kare ki, aao apni biwi ko dhundho hame mil nahi
rahi."

"Allah!" Wo jhtke se muri, muthhiya bhich kar yaha waha dekhne lagi ki
koi chij hath aaye or wo usay de mare, lekin waha bas ek indoor plant rakha
tha, aur wo itna bhari gamla use utha kar mar nahi sakti thi.

"Chalo baki bate phone par" wo jane ke liye mura.

"Khabardar jo tumne, mujhe phone kiya." Sadid gusse ki halat me warn

kiya. "Aur mujhe lene mat aana. Aaj main ghar nahi aungi." Dhamaka kar
ke lift mein chali gayi. Woh muskurahat liye tab tak wahan khada raha jab
tak darwaza bilkul band nahi ho gaya.

•••

"Lene aa jau?"

Message ka notification aaya toh usne sab kuch chhod kar mobile ki taraf
mutwajja hui. Dopahar teen baje. Woh ghar se bahar thi aur mashoof ko ab
khayal aaya tha.

"Nahi, mera ghar aane ka koi irada nahi. Saath hi gusse se bhari shakal bhi
bhej di."
"Okay, jaise tumhari marzi." Uski taraf se khaas thanda jawab aaya. Jaise is
baat se koi farq hi nahi pada.

"Aisa karna, kal bhi lene mat aana. Parso bhi nahi. Flight se ghante pehle
pick kar lena mujhe." Ab usse kaise pata chalta wo gusse mein hai tabhi
neele peele se gusse wale emojis bhi saath bhej rahi hai, taake sirf message
na jaye, emotions bhi pahuch jaye.

"Lagta hai bohot acha waqt guzar raha hai tumhara." Faris ki taraf se
tanzeeya muskurahat aa rahi thi.

"Haan, bohot acha, bohot sukoon mein hoon main." Jal kar likha. "Aur
tumne mujhe jhooth bola, unke ghar billi kutte kaha hain?"

"Kya woh ab nahi rakhte?" Doosri taraf se woh hairaan hua. "Yeh kaisa
sawaal hai?" Jannat ko aur gussa chadha. Doosri taraf agle teen-chaar
minute tak khamoshi chhayi rahi. Woh online tha magar kuch keh nahi raha
tha.

"Is waqt kahaan ho tum?" Saath hi shakl se ghoorti nazar bhi bhej di.

"Ghar par hoon."

"Kiske ghar par ho?"

"Apeni ghar par aur kahaan?" Woh hairaan hua.

"Tum toh keh rahe the pataa nahi kahaan kahaan jaate ho tum."

"Jahaan jahaan jaana tha, wahan se ho aaya hoon."

"Woh labh bhinche kar reh gayi. Kuch toh tha jo woh usse chhupa raha tha.

"Lene aaoon ya nahi?"

"Nahi."

"Yeh bhi koi poochhne wala sawaal tha?" Woh andar tak sulag gayi. Theek
hai, woh naraz hai. Usne gusse mein jo keh diya, keh diya. Lekin raat bhar
kisi aur ke ghar toh nahi ruk sakti thi, magar uska yeh aakhri message seen
nahi kiya gaya tha. Faris offline ho gaya tha.

Mrs. Sulaiman se maafi maangte hue woh uth kar khidkiyon ke paas ja
khadi hui. Usne call Dubara kiya, phir bhi woh phone nahi utha raha tha. Ek
saath kai messages bheje, lekin jawab nahi mila. Gussa aagaya. Mushkil se
apne aap ko normal rakhte hue Mrs. Sulaiman ke saath guftagu kar rahi thi,
magar dimaag badi mushkil se shaant ho raha tha. Pata nahi kitni baar usne
call kiya tha. Shayad bees bar ya tees ka target to pura hone hi wala hoga.
Dining table par khana lag gaya to Mrs. Sulaiman ke kehne par use uthkar
jaana pada. Warna pareshani ke wajah se to aadhi bhookh wahan khatam ho
gayi thi.

Agar woh sachmuch mein usse lene nahi aaya to? Usse bohot pareshani ho
rahi thi. Kya soch rahe hain Mr. Sulaiman! Pehli baar ki mehmaan aur ghar
aakar baith gayi. Khana khate hue soch lagatar uljhi rahi. Faris se uski do
ghante pehle baat hui thi. Aur ab tak usne dobara contact nahi kiya tha.

Dinner ke baad, woh Mrs. Sulaiman ke saath drawing room mein baithi
coffee pee rahi thi, jab maid ne andar aakar malikaan ko kisi ki aamad ki
ittila di. Kyunki woh mobile mein baithi thi, usne nahi dekha. Lekin jab
Faris wajdan drawing room mein enter karte dekha, to gusse se apni jagah
se uth gayi.

Siyah jeans par white shirt aur maroon sweater mein, woh siyah rang ka
coat pehne hue tha. Muffler gardan mein tha, haath coat ki jebon mein. Baal
tartib se sajaye hue the lekin jo mathe par the woh betartib ho rahe the.

"Tumhe kuch andaza bhi hai, maine tumhe kitni calls ki hain?"

Usne achambhe se Jannat ko dekha, phir jeb se mobile nikala. Itni sari
missed calls dekh kar hairaan hua. "Tumne mujhe calls ki hairat hai?"

Jannat ke lab bhinch gaye. Aankhon mein gussa bhar aaya.

"Mujhe to bilkul pata na chala."

"Haan, tumhe kuch kaise pata chal sakta hai?" Uske paas aakar badi aahista
awaaz mein kaha.

"To kaisa guzra tumhara waqt?" Aankhon mein shararat liye sanjeedgi se
poocha.

"Tumhe isse fark padta hai?"

"Bilkul padta hai." Usne uski aankhon mein dekhne laga.

"Tumhare baghair bahut acha waqt guzra." Sar uthakar ek ada se jawab
diya.

"itne sari messages aur calls dekh kar andaza ho raha hai." Woh muskuraya.

Woh gussa se achha khasa tap gayi lekin chup rahi.

"Mere saath bhi acha waqt guzarne ki aadat daalo." Muskurati nazar se uske
chehre par jamakar bola. "Main sirf achi aadatein adopt karti hoon." Itra kar
kehkar usne rukh badla. Coffee to waise bhi thandi ho chuki thi. Ek saans
mein khali karke mug rakha. Mrs. Suleiman aur unki betiyon se mili.
Shukriya ada kiya, dua mein le liya.

"Chale?" Uske paas aakar kam awaaz mein boli.

"Main ne tumse kab kaha, main tumhe lene aaya hoon?" Woh pesaani par
shikan dal kar pooch raha tha.

Jannat ne sar uthakar use aankhein dikhayi. "Chalo bhi." Dono haathon se
uska bazu pakad kar kheenchte hue darwaze ki taraf le jane lagi. Saath hi
hans kar Mrs. Suleman ko door se Allah Hafiz kaha.

"Tumhare un dawo ka kya hua? Mujhe lene mat aana. Flight se pehle pick
karna. Main ghar nahi aaoongi. Wagera wagera?" Gaadi mein baithte hi
Faras ne use latara. "Haan, to gusse mein kaha tha. Iska matlab yeh to nahi
hai ke tum mujhe doosron ke ghar chhor kar khud ayyashiya karte phiro?"

"Ayyashiyan?" Steering wheel par gript jamaye wo kuch sadme se uski taraf
mod gaya. Gaadi abhi start nahi hui thi. Woh khidki ki taraf khisak gayi.
Jitni bhi mazboot banti, uske kisi na kisi tewar se dar hi jaati thi.

"Aap mujhse kya keh rahi hain, jara wazahat karengi Shahzadi Sahiba?"

"Disturb na karo mujhe. Main bahut thaki hui hoon, mujhe neend aa rahi
hai." Kehkar usne chehre ka rukh khidki ki taraf kar liya. Faris ne gehri
saans le kar gaadi start kar di thi.

•••

Mangal ki raat unki wapsi ki flight thi isliye aaj ka program shopping aur
bahar ghoomne phirne ka tha. Magar Jannat ki tabiyat subah se theek nahi
thi. Aur woh is moqe ko chhodna nahi chahti thi. Isliye tayaar hokar bahar
aayi to Faras ne saaf mana kar diya.

"Nahi, bilkul nahi. Tum mujhe list bana do, tumhe kya chahiye, main khud
le aaoonga." Woh rohaansi hui. "Morning sickness to mujhe roz hoti hai. Ab
theek hoon."

"Jaakar aaram karo." Faras ke lehje mein pakad tha.

Woh rooni surat bataye apni jagah khadi rahi.

"Maid mere aane tak nahi rahegi. Main ne usse keh diya hai, khana tayaar
kar rahi hai." To yeh wazeh tha woh apna faisla nahi badlega.

Uski bigri hui shakal ke saath kamre mein wapas chali gayi. Faris uth kar
uske peeche aaya. Woh glass window ke qareeb naram resho wale carpet
par baithi thi.

"Zaroori to nahi ke is baar hi sab jagah dekh li jaaye."

"Main ne kuch kaha hai tumh?" Bholepan se uski taraf dekha. Aankho me
nami utri hui thi. "Aur main ne kab kaha, main tumhare saath ghoomna
phirna chah rahi hoon?"

"Haan, yeh baat to tumne bilkul nahi kahi." Seene par bazu bandhe deewar
se lag kar khada ho gaya. "Main hi program bata raha tha."
"Haan wahi to!" Lab bhinch kar rukh badal gayi.

Woh aankhon mein muskurahat liye use dekhta raha.

"Jo tumhe chahiye uski list bana do, main aaoonga."

"Mere zehen mein kuch nahi hai." Woh cushion god mein rakh kar carpet
ke reshiyon ko chhedne lagi.

Faras ne side table se uska mobile utha kar use diya. "Jab zehen mein
aajaye to mujhe message kar dena."

Woh kehkar chala gaye aur Jannat ke dimaag ki lambi list mein aur izafa
hone laga. Foran se apne aap ko jhatak dekar inkaar mein sar hilaaya. Sar
ke neeche cushion rakh ke lehti gayi. Mobile haath mein tha. Ab woh game
khel rahi thi. Darwaze ki taraf se dekhte hue Faris ne uski taraf se tasalli ki
aur phir maid ko hidaayatein deta chala gaya.

London ke aasman par ghataayein chhayi hui thi. Suraj ghuroob ho chuka
tha. Andhere utar aaye the.

Battiyaan jal gayi thi. Raat mein bhi din ka samaan ban gaya tha. Sadkon,
malls, markets mein har jagah zindagi ke asar the. Sheher ki night life puri
tarah se jag gayi thi.

Sardi to thi hi, lekin pichle kuch dinon se chhoti chhoti baarish ne mausam
ko aur bhi thanda kar diya tha. Baarish abhi bhi baras rahi thi aur har
guzarta pal uski shiddat ko badha raha tha. Usne main road se daayein taraf
gaadi modhi aur ek line mein khade kai gharon ki roshan khidkiyon ki taraf
dekha aur sadak ke kinare gaadi park kar di. Chand palon tak woh screen
par chupti chhupti roshni dekhte raha. Manzar dhundla kar bas ek pal ke
liye hi saaf hota tha. Ain saamne bilkul aakhri mein roshan khidkiyon ke
beech ek andhera ghar nazar aa raha tha. Gehri saans le kar usne jess ek
baar phir khud ko himmat di aur chhatri khol kar bahar aa gaya.

Siyah jeans par siyaah rang ka sweater aur us par siyah coat mein malboos
woh jaldi se kadam utha raha tha. Fence ke us paar lawn ka qata tha. Ghaas
behangam thi. Woh lawn ko paar kar ke markazi darwaze tak gaya.
Seedhiyon chadh kar usne gehri saans li, phir chabi ghumakar darwaza
andar ki taraf dhakel diya. Usne apne andar, apne wajood ki andheron mein
kadam rakh diye, jaise woh ghar uske andar jaise tha.

Sakaan, veeraan, khamosh... Masalla saal se band. Haath badha kar lights
on karne ka uska bilkul bhi mann nahi ho raha tha. Us ghar mein use
andheron ki aadat thi. Woh har manzar se bhaagta rehta tha, har us azab se
jo deewaron par likha tha. Har us dukh se jo is fiza mein chhaya hua tha.

Shayad woh khoon ki badboo thi. Zakhmon ka dard tha. Rooh ki chikhe thi
jo use apne aas-paas ek baar phir mehsoos hone lagi thi.

Gehri saans le kar usne deewar par haath rakha. Markazi darwaze se hall
tak bulbs jal gaye. Madham si roshni mein dhool se chhupi har cheez nazar
aayi. Woh apni jagah kuch palon tak khada raha, jaise lakdi ke farsh ne uske
paon ko jhakad liya ho.

Shiddat se dhadak raha dil muthi mein band ho raha tha. Use andar tak dard
ki lehr uthti mehsoos ho rahi thi. Awaaz woh jhooliyon par aa kar dam tod
di thi. Usne apne peechay darwaza band kar diya. Aahiste se kadam uthaate
hue lounge tak gaya. Siyah sofa safai na hone ki wajah se apni peeth par
mitti ki chadar odhe hue tha. Magazines, akhbaar, coffee table ke neeche
carpet par bikhre hue the, ek toota hua glass uske paon mein tha. Tukde
yahan wahan bikhri hui thi. Farsh par kahin kahin khoon ke baqi rahe gaye
nishaan bhi the. Yeh sirf wohi jaanta tha. Aur apne khoon ko sirf wohi
pehchanta tha. Kitchen itna sunsan tha, jaise kabhi wahan koi rizq nahi laya
gaya tha. Table par kuch blood strips, chhuri, first aid ka box waise ka
waise rakha tha.

Woh apne aap ko sar jhukaaye isi table par baitha hua dekh sakta tha. Nazar
hata kar seedhiyon ka rukh kiya. Wazn padne par awaaz aayi thi. Usne
railing ko mazbooti se thaam liya.

Upar ek kamra tha. Use kholne se pehle ruk kar apne hawaas ko theek karna
pada. Itni tez sardi mein bhi uski peshani paseene se bheeg gayi thi.

Usne handle ghuma kar darwaza khol diya. Lights on kar di. Kamra roshan
hone ke bawajood uske liye abhi bhi andhera aur mubham sa raha.
Usne palkain jhpakai. Saans bhaari ho gayi. Seene par bojh pad gaya. Dil
mein dard se bhar gaya. Bed par be-tarteebi se bikhre cushions, kuch
neeche giraye hue, wardrobe khula hua.

Table ka saman be-tarteebi ke sath kuch neeche gira hua, kuch toota hua
bikhra hua tha.

"Kaun ho tum?"

Toote hue aaine se uski nazar khidkiyo ki taraf gayi. Kaafi der tak wahan
tehri rahi. Phir woh aage badh gaya. Bedside table ke paas baithte hue usne
drawer khinchi. Ek saath kai reports uske haath mein aa gayi. Sambhal kar
rakhi gayi thi. Sambhli hui mili thi. Usse laga uska saans band ho jayega.
Dil phat jayega. Woh apne kadmo par khada nahi ho sakega. Us kamre se
bahar kahin nahi ja sakega. Dard aisa hi tha. Woh gham, woh azmaish, woh
museebat aisi hi thi. Uski aankhein puri tar ho chumi gayi thi. Uska wajood
sholay ke zad mein aa chuka tha. Uska mustaqbil, uska haal mit gaya tha.
Maazi theher gaya tha. Maazi raha gaya tha. Kitni der tak woh be-jaan
kaghazon par zindagi ki nishandahi karti nishan likhayron ko dekhta raha.
Andar ek shor sa raha tha. Zameer malaamat kar raha tha. Ungliyan uski
taraf uth rahi thi. Woh har hone wali qiyamat ka zimmedar khud tha.

Har tarah ke khayalon ko jhatak kar woh almari tak gaya. Pat khol diye.
Uske branded kapde, qeemati ghadiyaan, jootay har ek naye jaise ke waise
rakhe hue the. Magar woh in cheezon ko lene nahi aaya tha.

Woh apni cheezon ko ulat-pulat kar raha tha. Aur use dhoondhne par bhi
woh nishani, intezaar, ulfat aur mohabbat se judi cheez nahi mil rahi thi.
Aur phir jaise kapdon ke neeche se bag mil gaya. Use nikal kar zip khol di.

Kuch der tak in cheezon ko haath mein liye baitha raha. Cheezein be-jaan
thi. Ghair mutaharrik, sakit bilkul uski tarah. Waqt ek baar phir ruk gaya
tha. Apne andheron se ladta woh kitni der tak farsh par be-his o harkat
betha raha.

Kai manzar aankhon mein lehraye. Kai baatein yaad aayi. Kai galtiyaan, kai
sazaayein, kai faisle, kai kotahiyan ka khayal aaya. Woh apni hathiyon ko
dekh raha tha. Uske haath khaali the. Baar baar khaali ho rahe the. Woh bag
mein kaagzat waqar rakh kar utha. Zip kheench kar kandhe par dala aur
lights off kar ke bahar aa gaya. Bawajood iske ke woh is ghar se, iske
bosida mahol se, takleef de yaadon se jaldi se jaldi nikalna chahta tha,
magar phir bhi uske kadmo mein ujlat nahi thi.

Woh bhari sans ke sath darwaza khol kar bahar aa gaya. Lock laga kar
mudha to jhanke se ruk gaya.

Ek adher umar angrez khatoon chhata taye hue, haath mein flash uthaye,
bahut hairaan hokar use dekh rahi thi. Flash light ki roshni aankhon par pad
gayi to usne be-hasta haath upar kiya.

"Farisss" hamisha ki tarah usne kaafi lambi naam kheenchha. Aankhon

mein bachon jaisa ishtiyaaq aur khushi lehrayi. "Maine Sufi se kaha tha yeh
ladka zaroor aayega." Woh unhe dekh kar reh gaya. Itne saalon baad woh
use pehchaan gayi thi.

Kaafi boodhi ho chuki thi. Mushkil se chal paati thi. Aage badh kar uska
baazu pakda. Bilkul waise hi jaise woh das-gyaarah saal pehle pakadti thi.
Woh quwwat rakhte hue bhi baazu na chhoda sakta tha. Na sakat rakhte hue
bhi inkaar na kar sakta tha. Uske ghar ki baari ek taraf se tooti hui thi. Woh
yaqeenan wahi se aayi thi. Woh use apne saath apne ghar le aayi. Darwaze
mein lamhe bhar ke liye woh jhijhaka , pehli nazar hi us safed reshon wali
billi par pad gayi thi jo bilkul saamne baithi thi.

"Aao na"

Woh chand second ke liye ruk gaya, phir unka izhaar dekh kar andar aa
gaya. Lounge ke sofa par baithte hi usse sneez aayi. Billi sofa ke neeche se,
aur bilkul uske paon ke paas se sar sara kar guzri thi.

"Itna arsa kahaan gum rahe tum? Ek baar bhi nahi aaye?" Saath hi unhone
kisi ko awaaz di. Aur phir yaad aane par kaha, "Arey, main to bhool hi gayi
thi, main to akele rehti hoon." Kitchen mein jaakar naya glass nikala aur
usme juice daal kar laaye. Pehle ke muqablay woh kaafi bhaari ho gayi thi.
Tehr tehr kar kadam uthaati thi. Nazar bhi kamzor thi. Uske saamne sofa
par baith kar unhone oon ka gola utha liya. Woh chhekho mein uljha hua
tha. Muffler naak tak kheenchta, jeb se tissue nikala. Billi kaafi se zyada
friendly thi. Uske bilkul paas hi baithi thi. Aur phir usse ehsaas hua, woh ek
nahi thi. Uske kai bachche bhi the. Sofa ke neeche, table ke neeche, carpet
par reengte hue. Uski aankhon se ab baqaida paani aa raha tha. Gardan ke
pichle hisse par kharish hone lagi thi, magar woh phir bhi baitha raha tha.

"Tum itne din kahaan ghaib rahe?" Baghore dekh kar poocha. "Phir kisi se
ladkar aaye ho?" Khafgi se ghoora. "Us boodhe Arthur ne kaha ke yeh ghar
ab bech diya jayega. Kya aisa hi hai?" Ab ke zara pareshan ho gayi. "Tum
kyun bech rahe ho? Tum yahaan aakar rehte kyun nahi ho?"

"Main Pakistan shift ho chuka hoon." Sanjeedgi se keh kar usne glass
uthaya. Use zukam ho chuka tha. Khansi bhi ho rahi thi. Aankhon se lagatar
paani aa raha tha. "Oh acha." Unka ka gola rakh kar billi ko godh mein le
liya. Jaise ek masoom bachche ko godh mein liya jata hai. Bilkul waise hi.
"Lekin tum to Pakistan bhi nahi jana chahte the."

Woh unhe dekh kar reh gaya. Unki yaadash mein sab aage peeche ho chuka
tha. Bahut si baatein woh bhool gayi thi. Bahut si hikayatein unhe yaad nahi
thi. Yeh bhi ke is waqt woh athara saal ka nahi hai, aur yeh bhi ke woh unke
pados mein nahi rehta.

"Tumhara pasandida juice cookies lona. Sab halal hai." Bas woh yeh nahi
bhool gayi thi ke woh Musalman hain.

"Ab main chalta hoon." Khaali glass table par rakhte hue utha. Khansi
zyada ho rahi thi.

"Fariss!" Unhone khud bhi uth kar uske paas aayi. Woh chaah kar bhi unse
do kadam door na ho saka. "Itna shor tha tumhare ghar. Sab theek hai na?
Biwi kahaan hai tumhari?"

Yeh sawaal sadma tha. Yeh sawaal aziyat thi. Uski haalat abtar ho chuki thi,
magar woh phir bhi apni jagah se ek inch nahi hila. Jawab ke liye muntazir
nazar se use dekhte hue woh apna sawaal bhool gayi. Apna chhuriyo zada
haath utha kar uske gaal par rakha, phir doosra rakha. Bhool gayi thi ke kya
keh rahi thi. Ab kya kehne wali thi.
"Arey, tum to bahut handsome ho gaye ho." Unki kamzor aankhon mein
khushi utari. Woh mushkil se muskuraya. Aankhon mein aansu uski
amezish shamil ho gayi.

"Main phir aaoonga," keh kar jana chaaha.

"Haan, haan! Theek hai. Padhai bhi to karni hogi." Unhone haath hata liye.
Woh darwaze ki taraf badh gaya to kuch yaad aane par use phir se pukara.

"Fariss! Tumhare paas paise to hain na?"

Woh apni jagah thehra reh gaya. Murh kar unhe dekha. Jaane kahaan se
paise dhoond laaye. Zabardasti uske haathon mein pakraaye "Kuch kha
lena."

Woh jazbaat ki garmi se surkh padte chehre ke saath khada raha. Phir
hoodie sar par chadhate hue darwaza khol kar bahar nikal gaya.

"Koun tha bahir?" Sofie sach much seedhiyon se utari thi. "Koun?" Woh
zara sa hairaan hui khadi thi. "Abhi jo aaya!"

"Koi bhi to nahi aaya." Bur budrate hue darwaze hat gayi. Phir khaali glass
aur cookies dekh kar Suhri se lad padi. "Mere cookies tumne mere cookies
kha liye." Hamesha ki tarah apni mehmaan nawazi bhool kar woh saara
ilzam uske sar par daal rahi thi. Lawn mein kisi ajneebi ko road ki taraf
jaate dekh kar Sofie gehri sans le kar reh gayi thi.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 48
•••

Usne gaadi mein baithte hi kisi kadar quwwat se darwaza kheench kar band
kar diya tha. Kapkapate haatho se compartment box khol kar apni medicine
nikali. Uski saansein bhaari ho chuki thi. Khansi ne haalat abtar kar di thi.
Medicine lene ke baad apni seat ke saath hi kamar lagaye, gardan seedhi
karke woh ab saansein kheench raha tha.

Shadeed barish mein har taraf inteha ki tareeki thi. Qareeb guzarti gaadi ki
headlights aankhon pari. Jhamake se toot-te sheeshon ka manzar aankhon
mein laheraya. Woh aik cheek thi jo usne suni. Woh aziyat thi jo usne apni
aankhon se dekhi. Wajood lahu-luhan tha. Stretcher ke pahiye shor karne
lage. Corridor ki tiles par koi wajood dheher hone laga. Wheelchair ke
hathhe par rakha haath kapkapa utha, sar jhuka hua tha, sar jhuka hi raha.
Rooh mein wahshat utar aayi. Iztiraab ang-ang me theher gaya. Soyi hui
aziyatein jaag uthin. Zehni dabao badh gaya.

"Main aapko barbaad kar dunga," woh khud ko sun sakta tha. Waazeha sun
sakta tha.

Usne full neck jacket ki zip kheench daali. Jeb se mobile nikala. Call log
mein pehla number Adeel Ahmed ka tha. Usay call karke ab do khanste hue
mushkil se lafz ada karte apna address bata raha tha.

"Ek naam hai aur woh bhi tumhara nahi hai."

Usne kaanon par haath rakh diye magar awaaz band na hui, shor kam na
hua.

Dur kahin gaadi ka horn baja tha. Headlights phir se roshan hui thi. Shor
mabham ho kar ab madham ho chuka tha. Ab barish ki bhi awaaz nahi thi.

Aziyatein pinjar seat par rakha bag, us mein jama hui ashiya, un ashiya se
judi yaadein, un yaadon se judi khataein, sab samne aa gayi. Uske haath ek
dam khoon aloodh ho gaye. Uski ghaltiyan uske samne aa khadi hui. Uska
hosla toot gaya. Uski himmat khatam ho gayi. Uski aankhon mein paani
tha. Ab aansoo aa gaye the. Rashes sirf gardan tak the, ab rooh par aa gaye
the.

Yakayak khidki ke sheeshe par dastak hui. Mushkil se saans lete hue usne
sar uthaya. Adeel Ahmed darwaza kholne ki koshish karte hue sheesha
bajaa raha tha. Usne lock hata diya. Darwaza khul gaya tha.

"Sir, are you all right?" Woh kuch pareshaani se pooch raha tha. Usne jawab
nahi diya. Uske paas jawab dene ki taqat nahi rahi thi.

Usse sahara de kar aqbi nashist par beth kar, Adeel Ahmed ne khud driving
seat sambhal li thi. Das minute ki drive ke baad, woh usse qareebi hospital
le aaya tha. Emergency treatment ke baad uski bigarti hui haalat kuch had
tak sambhal gayi thi.

Adeel Ahmed rahdari mein chal raha tha. Usne call karke usse bulaya to
woh foran aa gaya. "Sir, doctor keh raha tha, aap subah tak yahin rahein to"
Yeh kehte hue usne dekha ke woh coat pehn raha tha. Usne un kadhi
nigahon se usse dekha ke woh baat adhoori chhod kar sar jhuka gaya. Teen
ghante to usne guzar hi liye the. Haalat khatre se bahar thi, albata khansi,
zukam aur tabiyat ka farq waisa hi tha. Aankhon ki soojan bas kuch halki
ho gayi thi magar surkhi hanuj thehri thi. Gardan par rashes bhi numayan
the. Usse apni nahi, Jannat ki fikar thi. Woh subah se bahar tha aur woh
ghar mein akeli thi. Choti choti baton par azeedah ho jati thi. Uska ghar
mein hona zaroori tha.

Coat pehn kar utha to tabiyat ki kharabi ke baais qadam jamaane aur
tawazun barqarar rakhne mein thodi si dushwari hui. Adeel Ahmed ne
madad karne ki koshish ki to uska haath sakhti se jhatak diya. Woh apne
boss ko hairat se dekh kar reh gaya.

Yeh haqeeqat thi ke woh sakht aur inteha ka rude tha magar is haalat mein
uska yeh rawayya achambhe ka baais tha. Chonki Faris Wajdan ka hukum
uske liye farz ki tarah tha, to koi bhi aitraz kiye baghair woh uske peeche
chal diya.
Jannat ki aankh khuli to us waqt raat ke gyarah baj rahe the. Bahar shadeed
barish ho rahi thi. Bijli chamakne ki awaaz bhi waqfa waqfa se sunayi dene
lagi thi. Parday sameete hue the to roshniyon mein sheher bheega hua lag
raha tha. Uth kar baithte hue usne apne barabar mein dekha. Faris wahan
nahi tha. Usne aath baje call karke kaha tha ke woh dair se ghar aayega, tab
hi usne khana kha kar jaldi so gayi thi, magar ab to kaafi waqt ho chuka tha.
Mobile uthaya, notifications check kiye. Phir ooni shawl ood kar bahar aa
gayi. Pura apartment mein madhyam si zarqar roshni andhere se ulajhti
nazar aa rahi thi.

Woh seedha kitchen mein gayi. Paani piya. Achanak samat se khansi ki
awaaz aayi to woh apni jagah tham gayi. Jaldi se murr kar lounge ki taraf
dekha. Phir aage badh kar central light jalayi. Neeche carpet par shopping
bags waghera rakhe hue the.

"Kya Faris ghar par hai?" Woh kuch chonk kar tezi se aage badhi. Rahdari
se guzarte hue sitting area ki taraf gayi jahan woh usse deewar se lage
khidkiyon ke aage couch par neem daraaz dikhai diya. Qareeb aayi to table
par paani ki bottle, allergy medicines, auto injector waghera rakhe nazar
aaye. Mobile sar ke paas hi tha, aur musalsal baj raha tha magar uski awaaz
se Faris ki neend mein zara sa bhi khalal nahi pada tha. Woh ek dam ghabra
kar uske paas baith gayi. Chehre ka rukh moda. Peshani par haath rakha.
Nabz check ki, beikhtiyar sukoon bhari saans li ke uska tanafas hamwar tha.
Usne mobile ulta kar dekha to andaza hua ke usne sleeping pills aur anti-
depressants bhi le rakhi thi. Woh bilkul wahan baithi rahi. Aaj se pehle aisi
adwiyaat uske bedroom mein, uske side table par usne kabhi nahi dekhi thi.

Kuch fikar mandi se dobara usse dekha. Jaane use thand lag rahi thi ya
andar ka mausam waqai mein itna sardi tha ke reedh ki haddi mein
sansanahat dhoorti hui mehsoos ho rahi thi. Woh bedroom se laahaaf utha
kar le aayi. Achhe se us par phaila diya. Sar ke neeche takiye ki bhi position
durust ki. Ab woh neeche carpet par baithi usse hi dekh rahi thi. Aankhon
mein bohot sari fikr, bohot sara khauf, bohot sari pareshani thi.

Samajh mein nahi aa raha tha ke kisi ko call karke doctor ko bulwaye ya
phir uske jaagne ka intezaar kare. Woh bohot mohtaat rehta tha, agar koi
serious maamla hota to yaqeenan woh ghar na aata, seedha hospital hi jata.
Lekin har tarah ki daleelo ke bawajood uski tension kisi surat kam nahi hui
thi.

Woh besudh sa kaafi gehri neend so raha tha. Saansen kabhi hamaawar, aur
kabhi ghair hamaawar ho jaati thi. Yaqeenan duwao ke asar mein tha, lekin
waqfa waqfa se usse khansi zarur hone lagti thi. Ek do baar usne kandha
hila kar jagane ki koshish ki magar no response! Jannat ki tension badhti
gayi. Beqarari ke aalam mein poore ghar ka ek chakkar kaat kar woh ek
baar phir uske paas aake baith gayi. Kandha hila kar, aur awaaz de kar
jagaya. Ab jab tak woh jawab na deta, uski tasalli nahi ho sakti thi. Kandhe
se pakad kar taqreeban jhanjhoda hi dala toh uske hawas kuch bedaar huye.

"Hmm?" Ba-mushkil aankhein kholi. Uski aankhein be-hadd surkh, poori

tarah se bhaari aur suji hui thi. Honth sukhe, rangat zard.

"Tumhari tabiyat kaisi hai ab?" Usne fikrmandi se poocha. "Theek hoon,"
kehkar aankhein band karni chahi. Jannat ne dobara se kandha hila kar
jagaya. Woh bamushkil bedaar hokar usay dekhne laga.

"Mere khayal se hospital chalna chahiye."

Woh neem ghanoodgi ke aalam mein uski aankhon mein apne liye khauf
aur izteraab dekh sakta tha. "Iski zarurat nahi hai."

"Zarurat hai," usne pareshan hoke uska mobile uthaya. Haath kapkapa rahe
the. Faaris ne uske haath se mobile le liya.

"Jannat, main theek hoon."

"Tumse baat tak nahi ki ja rahi." Woh ro dene ko thi.

"Maine medicine li hai. Khatra nahi hai. Ab behtar hoon," ba-mushkil

kehkar usse tasalli deni chahi. Is khayal se ke woh uski wajah se pareshan
ho rahi thi, woh khud bhi bechain ho raha tha. "Subah tak theek ho jaunga."
Usne kaha magar Jannat ke izteraab mein kami nahi aayi thi.

"Tum Auto injector use kar lo." Woh apni kahe ja rahi thi. Pichli baar woh
maut ke munh mein jaate jaate bimushkil bacha tha. Uski pareshani baja thi.
"Main bas hospital gaya tha," usne gehri saans le kar bataya. Khayal tha
uski pareshani kam hogi. Magar woh aankhon mein sadma liye usse dekh
kar reh gayi thi. Woh itni takleef mein tha, aur usne bataya tak nahi.
Khamoshi se ghar aa gaya aur jagaya tak nahi. Woh aankhon mein mobhim
si nami liye apni jagah baithi reh gayi thi.

"Epipen rakha hai agar dobara haalat kharab hui toh," usne auto injector ki
taraf ishaara kiya.

Bina jane ke is waqt woh uski kisi bhi baat se mutmain hone ke bajaye
mazeed aziyato mein ghar gayi thi.

Apne a'asaab par qaboo paate hue Jannat ne gehri saans li. Har tarah ke
manfi khayalat ko jhatak diya. Apni is kefiyat se bahar nikal aayi.

"Tumhein apna proper ilaaj karwana chahiye." Ab woh auto injector haath
mein liye uski taraf rukh kiye kalin par a'alti paalti maare baithi thi.
Mohtaat hokar. Uski parwaah karne ka tahiyya kar ke uski takleef mein
mukammal mubtala ho kar.

"Mujhe yeh virasat mein mila hai, apne dada se." Faaris ki aankhein band
thi. Woh kisi qadar koshish se khud ko bedaar rakhe hue tha taake woh
pareshan na ho.

"Oh!" Jannat ke lab ghoom huye.

"Toh tumhare kisi aur khandani member ko nahi hai? Mera matlab hai
tumhare walid, ya phir..." lamhe bhar ke liye Ruki "Ya tumhare bhai ko?"

Is arsay mein pehli baar Jannat Kamal ne uske bhai ka zikar kiya tha. "Nahi,
sirf mujhe!" Khanshte hue jawab diya.

"Tumhein kaafi mushkil hoti hogi. Aise khuli ya saaf suthri fiza mein bhi
har waqt alert hokar rehna."

"Hmm." Uspar phir se ghanoodgi chhane lagi. Magar woh uske liye bedaar
hona chahta tha. "Tumne khana kha liya tha?" "Haan" woh auto injector par
lage sticker ko kharoch rahi thi. "Mummy se baat hui thi?" "Haan, woh
theek hain." Jawab de kar uski jaanib dekha.

Phir khamoshi!

Mazeed khamoshi.....

Faaris ki aankhein mukammal band ho chuki thi.

Woh ghutnon par thodi tikaye usay dekhti rahi. Bahar bijli chhmakti toh
khidkiyon ki taraf gardan mori.

Sheeshon par boonde ubharti aur phisalti ja rahi thi. Hawa mein yekayak tez
hui thi. Roshnion mein nahaya hua sheher ekayak dhundhla hua tha.

"Mummy! Mujhe kab lene aa rahi hain?" Madhum si burburaht nama awaaz
samaat se takraayi. Jannat apni jagah tham gayi. Mudkar hairat se Faaris ko
dekha. Chonk kar ghutnon ke bal oopar hui.

"Kya keh rahe ho?" Chehre par jhuk kar poocha.

"Mummy, wo Hammad ko nahi chhorh sakti. Isliye nahi aati." Band

aankhon ke saath woh phir budbudaya. Jannat ki dharkan tez ho gayi, usne
hath badha kar usay uthana chaha phir ruk gayi.

"Tum aisa kyun keh rahe ho?"

"Agar main na gaya, toh woh mujhe maar denge." Woh keh raha tha.

"Kaun?"

"Azam Shirazi,"

Jannat ka dil ruka. Saansen tham gayi. Woh khwab dekh raha tha. Yaqeenan
kisi gher haqeeqi situation mein phans gaya tha. Iske ilawa aur kuch nahi
soch sakti thi. Kuch nahi keh sakti thi.

"Woh mujhe maar denge." Uski peshani par paseene ke qatre namoodaar
huye the. Jannat ne besakhta uske haath ko apne haathon mein le liya.
"Woh mujhe... maar denge."

"Faaris!" Narmi se pukara.

"Woh mujhe maar denge."

"Faaris!"

"Woh, Woh mujhe..."

Jannat ne usse kandhon se pakad kar jhanjhoda. Aankhein khul gayi, jo us

kuch bedaar huye. Woh neem ra aankhon se uski shakl dekh kar rohaansa
hua.

"Jannat! Please mujhe sone do. Please!"

Jannat ne haath hata liye, khud bhi peeche hatt gayi. Carpet par do zanu
baithi woh usay dekh rahi thi aur tab tak dekhte rahi jab tak woh poori tarah
se so nahi gaya.

Hammad, Azam Shirazi... Woh uth kar washroom mein gayi. Thande paani
ke chhapkke chehre par maar liye. Washbasin par haath rakhe woh kitni hi
der tak khadi rahi. Uski dhadkan mamool se hatt kar thi. Aaine mein khud
ko dekha toh...

Aapne bath tub par rakhe kapron par nazar padi. Jeans, shirt, sweater, coat
aur sab hi bheege hue the. Usne uthakar dekha, itni shadeed barish mein
aakhir woh kahan gaya tha? Phir usne coat ki jebein talashi toh ek keychain
haath mein aayi. Uska ek sira toota hua tha. Teen chabiyan judi hui thi. Ek
kaala rang ka mobile phone tha, mehenga magar teen chaar saal purana
model. Screen par cracks the.

Usne woh cheezen jaisi thi, waisi rakh di. Gahri saans lekar ek baar phir
uske paas aakar khadi ho gayi. Neend ki haalat mein uska daayna haath gir
kar ground tak aaya tha. Jald par jahan rashes the shayad wahan kharish ho
rahi thi. Usne Faris ka haath pakar kar wahan se hata diya. Shirt aur sweater
ke upar ke buttons khol kar usne Gardan aur seene par jahan jahan laal
nishaan dekhe, cream lagayi.
Ek baar phir usay bohot fikrmandi se dekha. Aankhon mein ab ke ajeeb sa
tasur ubhra. Sukhe honthon ko tar karte hue woh uska haath apne haathon
mein liye bethi rahi. Woh neend mein bhi kaafi se zyada bechain tha.
Gardan ko jambish dete hue har baar uske chehre par takleef deh tasuraat
ubhar aate the. Peshani paseene se tar batar ho jaati aur saanse ghair
hamwar ho jati thi.

Woh saari raat Jannat ne pareshaani ke alam mein uske paas carpet par baith
kar aankhon mein guzar di. Subah ki namaz ke baad jab uski hararat kuch
kam hui aur woh neend mein bhi kuch pur sukoon hua to uski jaan mein
jaan aayi. Takiya, comforter utha kar, Dheere se uth kar uske barabar mein
neeche carpet par soyi toh phir dopahar ke dherh baje hi aankh khuli. Neem
khuli aankhon se woh mez ko dekhti rahi, yeh sochti rahi, woh carpet par
kya kar rahi hai? Aur kyun?

Faris ka khayal aaya, ghabra kar uth kar baith gayi.

Woh sofa par uski taraf rukh kiye letay tha. Ek cushion sar ke neeche,
doosra taangon mein phansa tha. Comforter half sofa par toh half neeche
gira hua tha. Woh aaram deh haalat mein bazoo mod kar sar ke neeche
rakhe...

Jannat ne uske izharat se, jazbaat se, aankhon ke tasur aur tasuraat ki
hikayat se mukammal khabar paayi. Usne ghutno ke bal upar uth kar
dekhne lagi. Hawaayi udi hui thi. "Tum theek ho?" Andaaz aisa tha jaise
agar usne na kaha toh woh do pal mein faut ho jayegi.

Khamoshi...

"Faris?" usne ghabra kar aankhon ke saamne haath hilaya. Phir uski peshani
par apna thanda haath rakha. Hararat toh bilkul bhi nahi thi.

"Ab theek hoon." Usne kaha. Aawaaz bhaari, gambhir aur be inteha gehri
thi.

Jannat ne be-ikhtiyaar sukoon bhari saans li. Phir usay khushamdi nazaron
se ghura. "Tumne mujhe bataya nahi, kal raat tumhari billiyo ke sath
meeting thi?"
Faris ke labon par tabassum bikhar gaya. Aankhon ki nami kuch aur barh
gayi.

"Tum kya karti?"

"Tumhare sath jaati. Aur kya?" Jal kar boli.

"Ba khuda, usne billiyon se qata talluq kar liya tha magar shauhar namdar
ko har doosre teesre haftay phir bhi allergy ho jati thi. Faiyda billiyo se door
rehne ka?"

Woh carpet par thi, aur sofa par kehni lagaye intehaai sanjeedgi aur kuch
barhami se usay dekh rahi thi. Faris ne haath barhakar uske gaal par phisalti
lath ko kaan ke peeche kar diya.

"Tum kaisi ho?"

"Mujhe kya hona hai?" Shaan-e-bayniazi se kaha.

"Kaafi pareshaan thi tum."

"Nahi, bilkul bhi nahi! Mujhe toh sirf aunty ki fikr ho rahi thi jinhe tum jesa
la- parwa aur nalaik beta mila hai."

"Yeh nalaik Shirazi Enterprises ka CEO hai."

Woh uth kar baith gaya. Nigahain central table par rakhi apni dawaaiyon
par pad gayi toh ekdam se apni amliyat ka ehsaas hua. anti depressants aur
sleeping pills samne hi rakhi thi.

"Tum raat kahaan gaye the?" Wo pooch rahi thi.

"Shopping mall!"

"Uske ilawa?"

"Kahin nahi." Mukhtasir kehkar kahin aur dekhne laga.

Woh chand sekon tak muntazir rahi, shayad woh kuch kahega, magar...
"Haan! Mujhe kyun bataoge tum!" Jannat ko gussa aagaya. "Main tumhari
life partner thodi hoon jisse tum apne gham ya raaz share karoge."

Woh paon patakti hui wahan se chali gayi. Faris ne sar uthakar usay jaate
dekha. Nigahain bhatakti hui fars par aa thehri. Waqt guzar gaya tha.
Zhkam bhar gaye the. Dard abhi bhi uth raha tha, sar se baazu se, pet ke
dahine hisse se bhi. Hath bhi jhakmi the. Rooh bhi majruh thi.

Wo usay kya bataye wo usay kya dikhaye. Gehri saas le ke anti-

depressants, aur sleeping pills jeb me rakh ke wo washroom chala gaya.
Fresh ho kar jab bahar aaya to wo dining table par khana laga chuki thi.
Nashte ka waqt to waise bhi guzar chuka tha. Wo kursi kheech kar uske
samne beth gaya. Khane ke darmiyan mukammal khamoshi rahi na wo usay
dekh raha tha na wo koi baat kar rahi thi. Albatta kahe baghae aik nazar us
par daal leti thi. Khane ke baad chai bana kar wo lounge me aa gayi. Ek cup
uske aage rakha, aur apna cup hatho me liye dusre sofe par beth gayi. Wo
be maksaad channel's badal raha tha, mamool ke bar aksh bahut khamosh
tha.

"Chai thandi ho jayegi" usne kaha to tray qareeb karke pani ka glass utha
liya. Apni tablets muh me rakhte hue, pani piya. Usay Faris ki khamoshi par
ghussa aane laga. "Uske har mamlat par khabar rakh kar apne sabhi mamlat
se usay bekhabar rakha hua tha. Aur ye nahi ki koi baat share karle?" soch
kar tap chari, sar utha kar usay dekha.

"Kal raat tum mujhse baat karte rahe." Aik lamhe ka tawaqquf karke izhaar
Kiya. "Nind me!" Faris ko achhu laga. Khaste hue uski taraf dekha.

"Mein baate karta raha?" Aankho me be yakeeni utar aayi. Jannat ne asbat
me sar hilaya.

"Tumse?" hairat.

"Haan"

"Nind mein?" Sadma.

"Bilkul"
Woh andar tak sun ho gaya. Lekin phir yeh soch kar ke Jannat is tarah ki
baatein sirf tang karne ke liye kar sakti hai, toh kuch pur sukoon ho gaya.

"Nice try, lekin mujhe neend mein baatein karne ki aadat nahi hai." Apna
cup utha kar muskuraya. Woh bhi muskurayi.

"Haan, jaanti hoon lekin kal raat tumne baatein ki. Khud se bolte rahe."

Woh mazaak mein le rahi thi magar Faris ke tasuraat mein yakayak
sanjeedgi utar aayi.

"Aisa nahi ho sakta." Woh qat'ii lehje mein bola.

"Ho chuka hai." Woh maze mein thi.

"Kya baat ki maine?" Ab ke woh uski aankhon mein iztiraab dekh sakti thi.

"Lo, tum toh abhi maan hi nahi rahe the." Woh hansi.

"Jannat, main mazaak ke mood mein nahi hoon." Woh sanjeeda tha.

"Main bhi bohot serious ho kar baat kar rahi hoon." Woh chai mein cheeni
daal kar chamach hilane lagi.

"Maine kya kaha?"

"Kuch aisa jo pehle kabhi nahi kaha." Woh uski kashmakash se lutf andoz
ho rahi thi.

Faris ne ghoor kar usay dekha.

"Main bhala tumhe kyu batau?" Jawaban usne aur zyada ghura.

"Toh phir kise bataogi?"

"Doctor Bukhari ko aur kise?"

"Don't you dare!" Usne cup rakh diya.

Jannat ke chehre par kai tarah ke musarrat bhare rang bikhar gaye. Itne dino
se woh usay tang kar raha tha. Aakhirkar aaj woh usay zich karne mein
kaamyab ho hi gayi thi.

"Mujhe Doctor Bukhari ne kaha tha agar main tumhare behavior mein kisi
bhi tarah ka badlao dekhoon, ya kisi medicine ke istemal ke baad kuch bhi
tabdeeli mehsoos karoon toh unhein zaroor aagah karoon."

"Main thaka hua tha, mujhe allergy bhi hui. Agar dawaiyon ke zair-e-asar
kuch keh bhi diya toh kya ho gaya?"

"Kuch bhi nahi hua. Kya maine koi aitraaz kiya?" Woh maze se chai ke
ghoont le rahi thi.

"Jannat!" Woh achha khaasa chir gaya.

"Jo bhi baat hogi, Doctor Bukhari se hogi." Usne haath utha kar ilan kiya.

"Tum jaanti ho woh hi se rabtey mein rehte hain." Woh sahih maano mein
usay pareshan nazar aaya tha.

"Nahi, main bilkul nahi jaanti." Woh usay tang kar ke bohot khushi
mehsoos kar rahi thi.

Woh apni jagah se uth khada hua.

"Mere liye yeh bohot serious baat hai. Please!" Woh azehad sanjeeda tha.

"Tum darr kyun rahe ho?"

"Main darr nahi raha. Main..." Woh kuch kehte kehte ruka. "Tumhein mujhe
jagana chahiye tha, na ke is tarah mujhe sunti rahti." Usne jhadak diya.

"Jagaya toh tha. Tumne mujhe jhirak diya aage se." Woh aankhon mein
iztiraab liye khaas gai. "Aur agar sun bhi liya toh kya ho gaya?" Usne lehje
mein narmi samokar masoomiyat se palkain jhapkayin.

Faris ke lab bheench gaye. Aankhon mein narazgi utar aayi. Peshani par
dheer saare bal liye woh lounge se chala gaya.
"Chai toh pi lo!" Woh uth kar tezi se uske peeche aayi. Magar koi jawab
diye baghair usne bedroom ka darwaza gusse se band kar diya tha. Jannat
apni jagah khadi reh gayi thi.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 49
Faris wajdan us se naraz ho chuka tha. Packing ke dauran jab woh uske
aage peeche phirti rahi aur baat karne ki koshish ki, toh usne koi jawab nahi
diya. Tayari karte hue baar baar usay mukhatib kar rahi thi, magar wo aisa
lag raha tha jaise kuch sun hi nahi raha ho. Khane ki table par bhi inteha ki
khamoshi thi. Ab woh wahi purana, maghroor aur badmizaaj Faris tha.
Jannat hairan thi, akhir usay hua kya tha? Aisi kaunsi baat thi jo usay buri
lag gayi thi?

"Achha theek hai, kisi ko kuch nahi bataungi," kaafi soch vichar ke baad
zara sa ehsaas hua toh keh diya. gaadi airport ki jaanib rawaan dawaan thi.
Woh aqbi nashist par uske bilkul paas mein baithi thi. "Pura Pakistan ko
batao, meri bala se," ek shaan aur ghamand ke saath baitha woh keh kar
baahar dekhne laga.

Jannat hairan hui, "Waakai?" Phir kandhe uchka kar usne bhi rukh badal
liya.

London ke Heathrow Airport par Adeel Ahmed nazar aaya toh chhoot'te hi
pooch liya, "Mister Adeel! Kya aap kisi aise insaan ko jaante hain jo neend
mein baatein karta ho?"

"Sorry?" Adeel ko Jannat ki baat samajh mein nahi aayi. Jannat, "Matlab jo
neend mein baatein kare. Main ek ko jaanti hoon," haath se apni taraf ishara
kiya jaise koi bara azaaz ki baat ho. Faris ne gussa dabate hue Jannat ko
bazoo se pakad kar daayein taraf khada kiya, "Baz aa jao tum."

"Nahi, baz aasmaan par hi theek hai, usay neeche mat bulao tum."

Woh bade maze me thi . "And by the way tumne khud mujhe kaha sab ko
bata do, ab kya masla hai?"

Faris zabt kar ke jhatke se palat gaya.

Airport ke waiting area mein toh usne inteha kar di. Qareeb baithay kisi
suited booted aadhe Angrez, aadhe Pakistani se 'sleep talk' ka mowzu chhed
diya. Woh bata rahe the ke kaise unke azeez neend mein chala karte the aur
kaise wo ek baar ghar se baahar nikal gaye the. Aur Jannat bohot hairan o
pareshan ho rahi thi,

"Kya waqai Uncle? Aisa hi hota hai? Oh mera Allah, acha phir, phir kya
hua tha?"

Faris seat arm par kohni tikaye haath peshani aur aankhon par rakh kar zabt
ke kadey marahil se guzar raha tha. Uncle sahab se guftagu khatam hui toh
mohtarma ko bhook lag gayi. Beg se chips ka packet nikaal liya.

Faris ko offer ki to, woh achha khaasa jala bhuna baitha tha, response tak
nahi diya. Woh kandhe uchka kar rukh badal gayi. Chips ke chand packet,
choclate, biscuits nikaal liye. Woh maze se kha rahi thi toh saamne bench
par baithe bachay us par sanjeedgi se nazar jamaye hue the. Beg tha ya koi
jadui thela, cheezein khatam hi nahi ho rahi thi.

Usi dauran ek nanhi si bachi nazron mein aa gayi. Uske pairon mein
phoolon jese jootey the. Jab woh qadam uthati thi toh surkh roshni si
bikhar'ti thi.

"Hum bhi aise jootey lenge." Faris ki jaanib jhuk kar kaha. Woh mobile par
kuch likh raha tha, sar uthakar dekha, phir dekhta hi raha. Bachhi ne naya
naya chalna seekha tha. Frock mein toh koi khilta hua phool lag rahi thi.

"Theek hai, hum yahi lenge." Woh manzar dekh kar uska mood khushgawar
ho gaya.

"Main sirf apni baat kar rahi hoon." Muhtarma ko hosh aaya toh phir se
toka, "Ye ham ab sirf tum ho?"

Ab ke kadi nazron se usay ghoora. Wo straw dato mein dabaye rukh badal
gayi. Faris ki nigahein kaafi der tak us bachchi ke taaqab mein rahi.

"Tumhe lagta hai jab humara baby aayega toh hum alag ho sakege?" Usne
kaha. Jannat ne chonk kar usay dekha. Straw moonh mein thahr gaya.
Andar tak khamoshi chha gayi.

"Tum mein aisa karne ki himmat aa sakti hai. Mujh mein toh bilkul bhi
nahi," woh sach kar keh raha tha. Woh jitna hi mazboot tha, apni aulad ke
liye utna hi kamzor ho sakta tha.

"Tum mujhe pareshan kar rahe ho," Jannat ki aankhon mein nami utar aayi.
Aankhein, naak, gaal surkh hone lage.

"Oh God, kya ho gaya hai?" Faris waqai ghabraya tha, "Main ne tum se yeh
toh nahi kaha ke main usay tum se cheen loonga."

"Main yeh hi samjhi hoon," woh ro padi.

"Tum galat samjhi ho, for God sake rona band karo, log humein dekh rahe
hain, Jannat!"

"Haan toh dekhne do, unhein pata chalna chahiye tum kitne buray ho."

Woh uth kar apni pusht par haath bandhe uske aage khada ho gaya taake
kisi ko yeh pata na chale ke woh kitna bura hai. Woh uski is harkat par
seeth pa ho gayi.

"Haan, chup kar roti raho, koi parwa nahi. Yeh nahi ke do lafz tasalli ke bol
do," pas aawaz mein sikhwa kiya.

"Ab main tum se kya kahu?" Faris ne uske paas baith kar poocha. "Yahi ke
mere bache ko poora ka poora apne paas rakh lena. Main haftay mein ek din
mil liya karunga? Ya phir yeh ke khula ke liye jo wakeel chahiye woh main
hire kar dunga?"

Woh lamhay bhar ke liye chup thi. Andar hi andar aur rone ko aaya.

"Khabardar jo mujh se tumne baat bhi ki toh."

Apna back pack uski god mein patak kar dusri bench par ja baithi. Faris
gehri saans lekar reh gaya.

"Sare mard ek jaise hote hain." Aansu saaf karte hue woh bur budayi.
"Haan, magar aapke wala toh khoobsurat bhi bohot hai." Aunty ji ne kitab
se nazar hata kar apni aankhon se chashma hata kar uske walay ko baghaur
dekhte hue tabsera kiya. Ghaliban woh kaafi der se unka mu'aina kar rahi
thi.

"Shauhar aisa ho toh biwi ko kya khaak sukoon ki neend aati hogi."

"Yeh toh aapne bilkul theek kaha," unki baat samjhe baghair usne apni baat
ki. "Good-looking mardo ki biwiyon ko bohot zyada mohtaat rehna
chahiye."

Jannat ka moonh khula ka khula reh gaya. Baat toh jaise ab samajh mein
aayi.

"Koi good-looking nahi hai woh," tadap kar kaha.

Aunty ji ne ab ke chashma naak par gira kar usay ghura. Bhala yeh kaisi
biwi thi jise apne shauhar ki tareef bardasht nahi ho rahi thi.

"Nazar rakha karo is par" maao ki tarah naseehat ki. "Mujhe nahi rakhni koi
nazar, wajar" bigad kar ke sine par baazu bandh liye. Tang par tang rakhi,
"Karta hai to karle doosri, teesri, chauthi shaadi."

Rone ki baais se mohtarma ki aankhein aur naak surkh ho rahi thi. Aunty ji
ko uski khud-sari par gussa aa gaya. "Ye aaj kal ki naujawan nasal bardasht
to hai hi nahi. Arre, doosri, teesri, chauthi shaadi, ye bhi koi kehne ki baat
hai? Aur kal ko agar doosri, teesri, chauthi aa gayi, to lag pata jaye."

Aunty ki barhami dekh kar woh zara dhum si gai. Abhi toh usne ye bhi nahi
bataya tha ke woh maa banne wali hai, aur ye bhi ke woh court ja kar khula
le gi. Phir shayad aunty apna joota hi utaar leti.

Faris ko mukammal nazar andaz kiye, woh aunty se baatein karne lagi.
Aunty ke paas bahut se muft mashware the. Unhone haath thaama aur
shauhar ko mitti mein milane ke tareeke sikhane lagi. Aur tareeke sikhate
sikhate apni nand aur jethani ke kisse chheer kar baith gayi. Jannat unki
khandani siyasat aur maslon mein aisi uljhi ke Faris ke saath apni ladaai,
qissa, narazi sab bhool gayi.
Faris apne ghutne par hara rang ka backpack rakh kar besaakhta sakoon
bhar sans li. Pandrh minute bade sukoon se guzre. Ailan hua to woh uth kar
uske paas aya.

"Mera to fourth month chal raha hai," woh saare haal ahwal yun de rahi thi
jaise kayi saalo ki shanasaayi ho. Aur aunty bhi tasbeeh ke daane ghumate
hue yun khush ho rahi thi jaise wohi nani banne wali ho. Pregnancy ke
hawale se bhi naseehatein di. Jaate waqt phone numbers ka bhi tabadla hua.

"Main aapko bohot miss karungi aunty!" Unse gale lag kar boli. Faris ne
nigahe dorhayi. 'Sar-e-raah chalte kisi se bhi uski dosti ho jati thi.'

"Kaash meri seat aapke saath hoti."

"Haan! Kaash," Faris ne haath pakad kar daant peese aur usse apne saath le
jaane laga. "Sabr nahi hai tum mein," usse bura laga.

"Pichle ek ghante se sabr hi to kar raha hoon."

"Haan to kya usmein mera kasoor hai, flight late ho gayi?"

"Sarasr meri ghalti hai," woh mutarif hua aur uska haath apni giraft mein
liye aage barh gaya. Woh mahez use ghur rahi thi.

Ek sukoon bhari khamoshi thi. Aas paas bohot se musafir business class
cabin mein neelgo roshni mein so rahe the, bashumul uski zauja mohtarma
ke. Halaankeh woh jaag raha tha.

Laptop god mein rakha tha. Screen roshan thi. Kuch bechaini se peshani
masalte hue, woh aram-deh haalat mein baith kar bhi bohot bechain lag raha
tha. Aankhon mein fikr ka saya tha, dil mein wahem ka khauf. Haalaat ki
dahshat thi. Maazi ki vahshat thi. Aur sawaal the. Bohot se aur mushkil
sawaal. Usse sambhalne mein waqt lagta tha, ab bohot zyada waqt lag raha
tha. Haalat yun ho rahi thi jaise woh wahiin khada ho. Andar bohot shor tha
aur bepanah be sakoni thi.

"Tum soye nahi?" Jannat ki awaaz par chonk kar uski taraf dekha. Usse
dobara vomiting hui thi to tabiyat theek nahi thi. Abhi bhi pait par haath
rakhe woh neend mein doobti hui lag rahi thi.

"Neend nahi aa rahi," keh kar woh uski taraf mutawajeh hua.

"Pareshan ho?" Jaane kab se woh uski bechaini dekh rahi thi, to pooche
bina na reh saki.

"Nahi." Woh chup ho gayi.

"Mera dil nahi cha raha," mooh bigadte hue usne aankhen band kar li. Naak
mein khaarish thi. Khaane ke tasavvur se hi ubkai aane lagi.

"Ab is tarah ki cheez mein khao gi to yahi hoga."

"Kis tarah ki cheezein?"

"Jin se bag bhara hua hai."

"Tumhara matlab hai morning sickness chips aur chocolates khane ki wajah
se hoti hai?" Jannat ki bhanwain sikud gayi.

"Tumse behas fazool hai," usne flight attendant ka call button dabate hue
kaha.

"Haan, lajawab jo ho gaye ho. Ab to tum yahi kaho ge," tunnak kar boli.

Kuch hi der baad flight attendant hazir hui. Faris ne fruit platter aur milk ka
order diya, jo ke kuch hi der mein pesh kar diya gaya. Uske israarat aur ek
do ghuro ke baad, woh na chahte hue bhi uth kar baith gayi.

"Chaaho to har paanch minute baad ek bite lo, lekin ye har surat khatam
hona chahiye." Uske seat ki position adjust karte hue, table tray khol di. Air
hostess ek ek kar ke ashiya rakhte gayi. Woh gehri saans le kar bahar
tareekhi mein dekhne lagi. Fork utha liya. Phir be-dili se thoda thoda kar ke
khaane lagi.

Apne balon mein ungliyan phirate hue ab woh samne dekh raha tha. Laptop
ki screen tareek ho chuki thi, aur aisi hi tareeki uske andar bhi aa gayi thi.
Sine par bojh badha hua tha. Gehri saans le kar usne apni peshani masli.
Guzishta shab wali kayfiyat ek bar phir us par taari ho rahi thi. Baat samaan
ki thi. Us ghar ki thi aur ghar ki deewaron se judi hikayaton ki thi. Shayad
usse wahan nahi jaana chahiye tha. Jo darwaze saalo se band the, unhe
kholna nahi chahiye tha.

Ek manzar, phir doosra, teesra usne aankhein band kar ke, gardan ke peeche
dono haathon se dabao dala. Phir paani ki bottle uthayi. Chand ghunt bhare.
Phir jeb se tablets ka chhota sa packet nikalne hi wala tha, ke Jannat ki
awaaz samaat se takrai.

"Gardezi sahab us din tumhare dada ki bohot tareef kar rahe the. Keh rahe
the tumhari personality bhi unki jaisi hai."

Woh lamhe bhar ke liye saaqit hua, phir gardan mod kar usse dekha.

"Gardezi sahab?"

"Haan, woh jin ke safed lambe baal hain. Us din shaadi par bhi they. Jamal
Gardezi."

Woh sun ho gaya. "Mrs. Sulaiman ne to usay kuch nahi bataya tha, to kya
woh Jannat se milne aaye the?"

"Woh keh rahe the tumhari business strategy, tumhare faisle, tumhara har
maamle mein apni team ko lekar chalne ka tareeka late Chairman Azam
Shirazi jaisa hai. Yun lagta hai jaise aaj bhi sab wahi deal kar rahe hon."

Woh bohot normal lehje se bata rahi thi, magar Faris ke andar sab kuch
fanaa ho raha tha.

Bazahir yeh tareef ek rai thi aur yeh rai sirf Gardezi sahab ki nahi thi. Iske
halqa-e-ahbab aur business society mein taqreeban har doosra shakhs yehi
kehta paaya jata tha magar hairaan kun baat yeh thi ke yeh sab Jannat se sun
raha tha. Kuch ghalat ho gaya tha. Yaqeenan khatre ki ghanti baj uthi.
Girdizi sahab ke tasavvur se uske jabre pehnch gaye.

"Kya aisa hi hai?" Woh pooch rahi thi. "Nahi." Uska apna haath be-sakhta
gardan tak aaya. Usne tie ki knot dheeli kar di. Collar se daayen ka batan
bhi khol diye. Wujood mein aag jal bhi thi. Aankhon mein dhuwaan sa bhar
raha tha. Woh sakte mein tha. Rooh jal rahi thi.

Woh Azam Shirazi nahi tha. Woh Azam Shirazi jaisa nahi ho sakta tha.
Uske ehsaasat se qati be-khabar Jannat ne lemonade ke kuch ghoont liye.
Aur kayi khayalon mein ghiri hui thi.

"Aur kya kaha?"

Aankhon mein surkhi utar aayi thi. Taseerat bazahir to nahi the magar andar
ki karakhti uski aankhon se ayaan ho rahi thi.

"Aur toh kuch khaas nahi. Thodi dair ke liye aaye the, isliye jaldi chale
gaye. Aur haan! Phir jaise kuch yaad aaya toh uski taraf dekha. "Mujhse
kehne lage, You should be very careful of your husband. You don't know
him." Hamla shadeed aur zarb kaari thi. Hamesha tab hi padti thi jab
tawakko nahi hoti thi. Uski mutthiyan bhinch gayi. Jannat ko Mr. Suleman
ke ghar akele bhej kar usne ghalti kar li thi.

"Phir?"

"Phir, maine kaha? Yeh baat karne ke baad aapko mere husband se bohot
zyada mohtaat rehna chahiye."

Faris wajdan shocked hue usay dekh kar.

Fiza ki kashidaagi ek dam kam hui jise mehsoos karte hi sansein se bojh hat
gaya.

"Maine sirf itna kaha aur woh ek dam se hashne lag gaye, ajeeb tarah se.
Phir bole, ‘Aisi baat Faris ki biwi hi keh sakti hai.’ Uske baad woh zyada
dair nahi rukey." Seb ki qash moonh mein daalte hue sar uthaya aur ruk
gayi.

Faris usay dekh raha tha. Palkein jhapkaye baghair usay dekh raha tha.
Jannat ke liye uske taseerat qatee samajh se baahar ho gaye, uski hazel
aankhein dhundi ho gayi . Uski har hikayat phir se andhera ho gayi,
muqammal sannata ho gayi.
"Tumne Gardezi sahab se kaha, woh mujhse muhtaat rahein?"

"Haan? Kya nahi kehna chahiye tha?" Woh puzzled hui. Woh agle chand
lamhon tak kuch keh nahi saka. Woh usay hairaan kar rahi thi. Bohot zyada
hairaan kar rahi thi.

"Aur jo baat woh kar rahe the?" Woh jaan boojh kar ruk gaya.

"Konsi baat?" Bhanwain sukar kar, usne Faris ko ghura.

"Pehliyon mein baatein kyun karta tha woh?"

"Unhone tumse kaha, ‘You should be careful of your husband.’"

"Haan, woh toh main shuru se bohot careful hoon," easy ho kar bohot
mutma'in lehze mein boli.

Faris usay dekh kar reh gaya.

"Woh toh aise baat kar rahe the, jaise tum koi serial killer ho aur mujhe is
ka ilm nahi hai. Aisa ho sakta hai ke mujhe ilm na ho?" Ta'keed ke liye uski
taraf dekha magar doosri taraf toh ek gehera sakoot tha. Taajjub tha, hairani
thi, sadma tha

"Woh aisi kyun thi? Dr. Mustafa ki nawasi, woh aisi kyun thi?" Apni
tamaam tar narazgi ke bawajood usne Gardezi sahab ko uska weak point
nahi diya tha. Usne sabit kar diya tha ke woh uski hi biwi thi. Uske saath hi
khadi thi. Itna kuch ho jaane ke bawajood itni aziyatein, itna gham sehne ke
bawajood, itne ikhtilafaat ki zad mein rehte hue bhi, usay apna faisla suna
kar apni narazgi par qa'im reh kar bhi woh uske saath hi thi. Apne andar se
yak dum sukoon sa utarta hua mehsoos hua.

"Lekin unki yeh baat toh theek hai, tum mujhe nahi jaanti." Ek baar phir
usne usay tatola ke shayad kahin toh uske andar shak-o-shubhaat ke saaye
honge. Kahi toh usay esi baat mili hogi jisne uske andar ka sukoon mita
diya hoga, ehsaasat jalaye honge magar...

"Maine tumhein jaan kar kya karna hai?" Woh uski aankhon mein aankhein
daal kar laa parwaai se pooch rahi thi. Wo sahi mayno mein la jawab ab hua
tha.

"Maine kaunsa tumhare saath saari umar ke liye rehna hai?"

Ek ada se apne baalon ko jhatka, baato baat mein plate khaali ho chuki thi.

Faris ke liye muskurahat chhupaana mushkil ho gaya tha.

"Yeh tumne bilkul theek kaha."

"Main hamesha durust baat kehti hoon."

Usay andaza hi nahi tha ke woh anjaane mein uske dil se kitna bhaari bojh
utaar chuki thi. Ab woh maze se kha rahi thi. Kuch dair baad hi nigahon ki
tapish ka ehsaas kar ke uski taraf gardan mori. Faris armrest par kohni
tikaye, baayein haath ki ungliyon ko apne honthon par thehraaye usay dekh
raha tha.

Bohat narmi aur be inteha unsiyat ke saath. Woh is business cabin ki

waheed musafir thi jo apni seat par aalti paalti maare baithi thi.

"Tum mujhe aise kyun dekh rahe ho?" Mashkook ho kar ghura.

"Kaisay dekh raha hoon?"

"Jaise dekh rahe ho."

"Wohi toh, kaise dekh raha hoon?"

"Sawal main pooch rahi hoon tum se." Woh chid gayi.

"Can I ask you something?" Chand lamho ke baad usne kaha.

"Sure," ek haath mein plate aur doosre haath mein fork uthaye ijazat di.

"Why are you so cute?"

Aur woh jo soch rahi thi ke kabhi bhi uski kisi bhi baat par kisi bhi tarah ka
reaction nahi degi, woh sachmuch mein blush kar gayi. Satpata kar plate
rakh di. Haath badha kar uske chehre ka rukh mora.

"Kahin aur dekho tum."

Woh hans diya.

Khud khidki ki taraf ho kar plate qareeb kar li. Dil dhak dhak kar raha tha.
Awaaz kaano mein bhi goonj rahi thi. Jahaz mein bhi goonj rahi thi. Usay
laga yeh dhak dhak Faris bhi sun raha hai. Musafir bhi sun rahe hain.

"Are you alright?" Woh has zabt kiye hue pooch raha tha. "Please mujhe
disturb mat karo," keh kar apni shakl phir se ghum kar li. "Bhala jiske paas
Jannat ho, usay anti-depressant ki kya zaroorat?" Woh muskurate hue sar
jhatak kar reh gaya.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 50
•••

Pakistan pohachte hi usne pehle toh achi khaasi neend le kar apni safri
thakaan utaari, aur uske baad farhat se apni shopping dikhane Ms. Shirazi
ke bedroom mein pohanch gayi. Apne kapde, coat, staller ke bajaye usay
bacche ke liye ki gayi shopping dikhane ka zyada shauq tha. Ab tak usne
jitni bhi cheezen khareedi thi, sab ki sab bed par phela di. Woh ek ek cheez
utha rahi thi aur unhein dikhate hue bata rahi thi ke usne yeh kab aur kahaan
se li thi. Faris ke saath ki jani wali sabse pehli shopping toh yaadgaari thi.
Us din jo kuch woh unhein nahi dikha saki thi, aaj dikha rahi thi. Mrs.
Shirazi aankhon mein khushi ki chamak liye, bohot mohabbat se ek ek
cheez haathon mein lete hue usse dekh rahi thi.

London ki fiza ne Jannat par acha asar chhora tha. Sehat kuch behtar ho
gayi thi. Halqe kam ho gaye the, chehra fresh aur bhara bhara sa lag raha
tha. Ab woh muskurati thi toh aankhein bhi chamak uthti thi. Mizaj mein
jaise ek thehraav sa aa gaya tha. Uska khauf khatam ho chuka tha. Waqt ne
usse nikhara tha. Woh pehle se bohot behtar thi. Dil hi dil mein Allah ka
shukar ada karte hue unhone unke talaqat ki mazeed behtari ki dua ki.

Usne bag se siyah shopping bag nikala.

"Yeh kab liya?" Zara hairan hui ke usse yaad nahi tha. Na pehle usne dekha
tha. Khola toh andar safed rang ke nanhe nanhe se moze, jootay, ooni cap
aur libaas tha, feeder bhi safed rang ka.

"Kya yeh Faris ne liye the?" Aankhon mein ishtiaq liye kapdon ko haathon
mein liya. Itni naram o mulaayam cheezen. Usne foran se uthakar Mrs.
Shirazi ko dikhaya aur woh apni jagah saakht ho gayi. "Yeh yaqeenan Faris
ne liye hain. Kitne pyaare hain na?" Woh keh rahi thi.

Ms. Shirazi ko laga, woh saans nahi le sakengi. Jo kapde haath mein the,
unpar giraft barh gayi. Aankhein puri num, wujood andar tak veeran ho
gaya.

"Pata nahi usne kab liye?" Sar utha kar Mrs. Shirazi ki taraf dekha. Unke
badalte ta'asuraat usse pareshan kar gaye.

"Aap theek hain?" Uth kar unke paas aa gayi.

Unhone gehri saans lete hue apne seene par haath rakha. "Haan, theek
hoon." Usne foran hi glass mein paani dal kar unhein diya. Chand ghont
lene ke baad woh waqfe waqfe se gehri saansein leti rahi.

"Auntie" unka haath apne haathon mein liya aur fikr mandi se unhein
dekha.

"Theek hoon, aise hi zara dil ghabra gaya."

"Aap aaraam kare. Main bhi toh kab se aapka sar kha rahi hoon."
Sharminda ho kar saari cheezein sametni shuru ki.

"Aisa nahi hai beta!" Unhone roknay ki koshish ki, "Bas baaqi shopping kal
dekh lenge." Unhein ehtiyaat se bed par litaaya. Bohot mohabbat aur fikr
mandi se unki aankhon mein dekha.

"Thak gayi hoon shayad, is liye." Unki awaaz aansuon se bhar aayi thi.
"Main Faris ko bulati hoon." Uth kar jaane lagi toh unhone haath pakad kar
rok liya. "Pareshaan ho jayega woh. Aaram karungi toh theek ho jaungi."

Jannat unke gird baazu daal kar unke barabar mein hi let gayi. "Aap so
jaayein ab." Unke kandon par apna sar rakha. Unhone khud ko pur sukoon
karte hue aankhein band kar li. Jannat tab tak unke paas rahi jab tak woh so
nahi gayi. Ehtiyaat se uth kar lamp off kar diya aur beaawaz qadamo ke
saath bahar aa gayi. Chand lamhon tak wahan khadi rahi.

Phir usne raahdaari ki jaanib dekha. Ahista se kadam uthati shidiyo tak
aayi. sar utha kar bahut upar tak dekha, subah uske bedar hone se phele hi
Faris office chala gaya tha. Aur wo bhi bade dharrale se apne naye kamre
me saman samet sift ho gayi thi. Na koi aamna samna hua tha na message
par koi baat hui thi. Waapsi par kuch waqt mrs. Shirazi ke sath guzar kar wo
dobara apne kamre me band ho gaya tha. Wo pehle bhi esa hi tha esa hi
karta tha magar jane kya baat thi Jannat ko uske rawaiyye ka badlav bahut
jada mehsoos hua.

"Mumkin hai uski tabiyat theek na ho, ya fir wo apne karobari mamlat ko
leke pareshan ho?" Nichla lab kat-te hue wo stand par hath rakhke kuch der
tak khadi rahi. Aahista aahista seediyaan charhti upar aa gayi.

"Ab tak yaqeenan woh so raha hoga, magar tasalli kar lene mein koi harj
toh nahi?"

Raahdaari ke aakhir mein sitting area ki khidkiyaan khuli hui thi. Pardey
hawa se lehra rahe the. Usne mohtat ho kar aahistagi se bedroom ka
darwaza khola.

Woh shawar le kar abhi baahar nikla tha, aur wardrobe ke saamne khada
shirt pehan raha tha. Mud kar usse dekhne laga. Woh ghadbadha kar reh
gayi.

"Tum yahan?" Woh hairan hua tha.

Jannat buri tarah phans gayi. Khayal tha, woh so raha hoga toh ek nazar
dekh kar chali jayegi magar... "Woh... main apni cheez lenay aayi thi."

Shirt ke button band karte hue kuch hairat se usse dekha.

"Sure"

Woh zara confused si andar dakhil hui thi.

Theek hai jab woh subah se usay nazar andaaz kar raha tha toh aise mein
munh utha kar uske kamre mein aane ki kya zaroorat thi? Andar hi andar
khud ko malamat karte hue wardrobe ki ek side slide ki. Khane bilkul
khaali the. Uska zaroori samaan toh aaj subah hi neeche muntakil ho chuka
tha. Yaad aane par neechla lab kaat daala. Phir doosri slide kholi, woh bhi
khaali mili.

"Allah! Kuch toh nazar aa jaaye jise dikha kar woh kahe ke haan, woh uske
liye aayi thi." Teesri mein toh Faris ke kapde, ghadiyaan, jootey aur
naayiyaan waghera rakhi thi.

"Uff!" woh apne nem baalon ko towel se sukhaata uske peeche khada tha.
Woh aayene mein uska aks wazeh dekh sakti thi magar dekhna nahi chaahti
thi.

"Yahan nahi hai." Phasi phasi si awaaz halq se nikli. Mud kar jaana chaha
toh Faris rok kar khada ho gaya.

"Mujhe batao, main madad karta hoon."

"Nahi woh main ne shayad kahin rakh diya hoga. Woh meri white color ki
shirt thi, wohi hi nahi mil rahi thi."

"Bas wohi shirt dhoondhne aayi thi?" Nazar jhuki hui thi to uski aankhon ke
tasur se laa'ilm thi. Lekin lehje mein jo shararat thi woh chhupi nahi reh
saki thi.

"Haan to aur kya chahiye hoga mujhe?" Uski baayein taraf se khisakna
chaha to woh ek baar phir uske raste mein aagaya. Woh bebasi se rohaan si
hui magar upar se bilkul zahir nahi hone diya. Angoothe se ungli ki por ko
khurpate ab woh sar jhukaaye khadi thi aur woh qadar ghawr se usay dekh
raha tha.

Make-up se mukammal aari chehra, baalon ko bas yunhi lapet samet kar ek
messy sa bun banaya hua tha. Kuch latey galo ki atraf haal ka sa ghuma liye
gardan ko chooh rahi thi. Sikan liye safed rang ki lambisi dheeli dhali shirt
jiski jebon mein ghaliban baadam bhare hue thay. Aaj subah khate hue
nazar aayi thi. Neelgoun pajama, gale mein jhoolta dupatta kisi aur rang ka
tha, sleeper kisi aur rang ke thay. Uska apna ab koi aur rang ho raha tha.
Woh dheere se muskara diya.

"Mera to apne kamre mein bilkul dil nahi lag raha, Tumhara lag raha hai?"
Seene par baazoo baandhe intehai sanjeedgi se poocha. Jannat ki dhadkan
miss hui. Sar utha kar usay dekha.

Bekhawabi ka shikar aankhein, halki si badhi hui shave, lekin honthon par
muskurahat, aankhon mein narmi, lehje mein huzn, aur asraat mein mazeed
udaasi liye woh usay narmi se dekh raha tha. Woh nazrein jhuka gayi.

"Haan mera to bohot dil lag raha hai." Apni ghabrahat par qabu paate hue
tez se kaha.

"To phir tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?"

"Jee?" Chonk kar sar uthaya.

Shararat bhari aankhein uspar jami hui thi. Woh ghabra kar reh gayi.

"Bataya to hai, shirt lene aayi thi." Jawab de kar doosri taraf se likhna chaha
magar Faris ne baazoo phela kar rok liya.

"Kya hai?" Woh zich hui.

Woh chand lamhon tak usay muskurati nigahon se dekhta raha.

"Ab dil mein jagah nahi de sakti to apne kamre mein hi de do." Bohot
chahat se mutaliba kar ke uski dhadkano ko muntashir kar diya. Faris ke
aqab mein aur bilkul samnay dressing table par rakha safed cluctcher uski
nazron mein agaya.

"Wo raha" Ek dum se ishara kiya to Faris ne be ikhtiyar peeche dekha. Woh
uski baayein taraf se nikal gayi. Lapak kar dressing table se apna cluctcher
uthaliya.

"Yeh reh gaya tha." Dikha kar kaha.

"Tum white shirt ke liye aayi thi." Seene par baazoo baandh kar usay yaad
dilaya.

"Uske bhi aayi thi." Wahii khade khade cluctcher apne baalon mein phansa
liya, ke jaise uske raat bhar usay neend hi na aati.

"Achha, aur kis ke liye aayi thi? Ho sakta hai tumhari is list ke aakhir mein
kahin mera naam bhi ho." Mehsoos ho kar poocha.
"Tumhara naam meri list mein hai hi nahi." Tez se darwaza khol kar bahar
nikal gayi. Woh dheere se muskara kar reh gaya.

Siidhiya utar kar rahdari ki taraf jate hue usne fursat se apni peshani par
haath maara. 'Aakhir woh uske kamre mein gayi hi kyun? Aakhir kyun?'
Khud ko andar hi andar dheer saara daanta. Rukh kitchen ki taraf tha.
Chalte chalte yaad aaya kamra us taraf nahi hai. Rahdari mein daakhil hui
to seedha studio mein pahuch gayi. Wahan se jhanjhalkar apne kamre mein
wapas aayi. Darwaza band kar ke apne dono haath dekhte gaalon par rakhe.

"Mera to apne kamre mein bilkul dil nahi lag raha. Tumhara lag raha hai?"
Yun laga jaise usne qareeb aakar ek baar phir sawal dohraya ho. Dil dharak
utha. Ehsaasat ajeeb hone lage. Usay pehle ghussa aata tha. Ab to barh abhi
nahi laga tha.

"Dil mein jagah nahi de sakti to apne kamre mein hi de do." Gaal se haath
hata kar, phir apne ehsaasat se ulajh kar apni peshani ko choo kar tasalli ki
ke tabiyat to theek hai. "Phir dil aise kyun dharak raha hai? " Gehra saans
lekar khud ko uski hazel aankhon ke asar se nikaala, phir jeb se baadam
nikal kar. Munh mein daalti khidki ke samne ja khadi hui.

•••

Wo track suit mein malboos pichle ek ghante se jogging track par tha. Shirt
kamar se chipki hui thi. Baal paseene se bheeg rahe thay. Chehra surkh tha
aur saansein charhi hui thi.

Subah ka ujala phel chuka tha. Dhoop mein sabza chamak raha tha. Road
par bhi aamad o raft nazar aane lagi thi.

Earphones kaan se nikal kar jebon mein daalte hue woh bench par baith
gaya tha. Kuch der tak uski nigahein sabze se hoti hui jogging track ke us
paar ahini baar par thi. Usne kalayi mod kar waqt dekha aur phir uth kar.
Ghar ki janib rawana ho gaya.

Ghar mein mamool ki tarah zindagi bedar ho chuki thi. Usne shower le kar
kapde badle, fresh hokar neeche aaya to kitchen mein nashtay ka intizam ho
raha tha.
Woh seedha apni maan ke kamre mein gaya. Kuch der tak unke paas baitha
raha. Muntazir nigahen baar baar darwaze ki taraf uth jaati thi. Jannat abhi
tak nahi aayi thi. Mrs. Shirazi ne poocha to woh uth gaya.

"Main dekhta hoon usay." Kamre se nikal kar daayen janib studio ke
barabar mein saamne wala kamra uska tha. Woh aahista se darwaza khol
kar andar aa gaya.

Pardo ki darz se jhankti tez roshni mein woh usay bed par dikhayi di.
Cushions ke dhair mein woh is qadar sukoon se so rahi thi ke usay jagane
ka iraada tark kar ke woh khidkiyon ke samne ja khada hua. Zara se Parde
saraka kar swimming pool ke us paar dekha. Guzishta raat ka waqia yaad
aaya to muskurahat labo ko choo kar guzri.

Mur kar kamre ka jayeza liya. Bohat si ashiya set ho chuki thi. Aur kuch
samaan abhi bhi sofay par, aur bags mein rakha hua nazar aa raha tha.
Kamre ki tarteeb aur sajawat se andaza aur raha tha, har cheez bohot chahat
se muntakhib ki gayi thi. Har rang bohot soch kar chuna gaya tha.
Khidkiyon ke parde, deewaron ki paintings, guldaan, qaleen.

Aise hi ek baar usne bed room sajaya tha aur phir uske rawaiye se dil
bardashta ho kar apni pasand aur marzi ki har aik shai usne kamre se nikaal
bhi di thi. Tab usne parde, paintings, bed ness, uske kapdon ki tarteeb,
daraaz mein rakhi uski ghariyo aur taiyon ki setting ko bhi apni marzi se
badal dala tha. Woh jaise uska har kaam apne haath mein lena chahti thi.
Uski zarurat, uski chahat hona chahti thi.

Gehri saans lekar usne ek tairanah nigah kamre mein dawai. Jahan sab kuch
tha magar woh nahi tha. Na iski koi cheez thi. Na jagah thi. London mein
unhone sab kuch ek saath share kiya tha. Magar yahan aakar jaise ek baar
phir ek khaala sa aa gaya tha. Yeh uska khayal tha. Magar yeh khayal galat
tha. Tamaam tar koshishen uski taraf se thi. Jannat Kamal ne kadam nahi
badhaye the. Woh ek faasla sa qaim rakhe, jahan thi, abhi bhi wahi nazar aa
rahi thi. Neend mein zara sa kasmaasate hue usne karwat badal kar
aankhein khol di to woh mudh kar use dekhne laga. Woh bhi mandi mandi
aankhon se use hi dekh rahi thi. Sati aur tabiyat ka bojhal pan aisa ke uthne
ko ab bhi dil nahi chaah raha tha.
"Good morning." khidki ke parde kheench kar woh uske paas aa gaya.

Aasmaani rang ki jeans par safed aur siyah rang ki imtezaad ki shirt.
Aastine kohni tak mudhi hui thi. Har style se mukammal aari baal jo
peshaani par bikhaare hue the. Deewar gir khidkiyon ki

dhoop uske baalon par pad rahi thi.**

"Kya time ho raha hai?" Usne aankhein misal kar aur peshaani ragad kar
poocha.

"Nashte ka time ho raha hai." Faris ne jhuk kar haath badhaya, jise kasal
mandi se thaam kar woh uth baithi.

"Raat tum der tak jagti rahi?"

"Neend nahi aa rahi thi."

Ek mubhiym si muskurahat Faras ke liye chhoo kar guzri.

"Kal raat koi keh raha tha uska is kamre mein bahut dil lag raha hai." Usne
mazaak udaaya. Jannat gadbad kar rahi gayi.

"Neend ka dil lagne se kya taluq hai bhala?" Tap kar poocha.

"Taluq hai aur bahut gehra taluq hai." Woh sofa par jam kar baith gaya.

"Mere kamre mein to Idhar takiye par sar rakha, aur udhar neend aa gayi."
Tang par tang jamaye magazine utha liya.

"Woh to main isliye so jaati thi kyunki tum mera sir bahut khaate the."

Faras ne magazine ke safhe ulte hue nigaah uthaayi.

"Ek zombie ke mooh se yeh baat sun kar azeeb lag raha hai." Jannat ka
chehra gusse se laal ho gaya. Jabde peench gaye, mutthiya band ho gayi.
Uske yeh tasurat intehaai sanjeedgi se mulayza farmae gaye.
"Kya Dr. Aamna ne tumhe yeh nahi bataya ke ghussa tumhari sehat ke liye
theek nahi hai?" Magazine rakh kar usne poocha. "Kya aunty ne tumse yeh
nahi kaha, mujhe gussa mat dilaya karo?" Aankhon mein aankhein daal kar
yaad dilaya.

London mein do teen baar to woh uski shikayatein laga kar Mrs. Shirazi se
daant parwa chuki thi.

"Main just ek baat karta hoon aur tumhara paara chadh jaata hai."

"Sirf baat karte ho? Sirf baat?" Leheje mein ghussa, hairat, aur dukh sab
dikhai diya.

"Haan! for example, agar main tumse yeh kahoon tum is tarah, neend mein
uth kar, aur is alool jalool se Huliye mein bhi bohot khoobsurat lag rahi ho
to tumhe is baat par bhi gussa aa jayega."

Aur Jannat Kamal ke tasurat, ehsaas, jazbaat ek dum se badal gaye. Bajar
veeran zameen ek dum sabz o zar ho gayi. Chehre par ek dum se surkhi
doodi. Gussa kahan gaya, pata nahi? Baat kya ho rahi thi. Andaz ho nahi
raha. Dimaag ne jhankhoda aur dil ko jagaya, baar baar koshish ki. Faris ke
chalo ka ehsaas dilaya, maazi ka hawaala diya. Dard naak kisse sunaaye tab
jaakar mohtarma ko hosh aaya.

"Tum bas tum jao yahan se." Baazu pakad kar use sofa se uthaya. Pura zor
laga kar kheenchte hue darwaze tak laayi.

"Dekha, ab yeh baat hai, mujhe kamre se nikaalne wali?" Woh darwaze
mein hi aistada ho gaya.

"Main tumhe nikal nahi rahi. Jaane ka keh rahi hoon." Rohan se ho kar
wazahat di.

"Dono mein kya farq hai?"

"Dono mein farq mera sar hai." Jhunjhla kar kaha.

"Kya sar mein dimaag bhi hai?"

"Allah mujhe sabr de, Allah mujhe sabr de." Usne dono haath uthaaye. Woh
be-sakhtah hash diya.

Woh zeer-e-lab bur-burate hue paon malti washroom mein ghus gayi.

"Oh, haan, yaad aaya. Zombie ka to dimaag nahi hota." Buland aawaaz
mein kaha. Washroom mein koi cheez farsh par tha karke giri thi. Woh
kamre ka darwaza band karta muskurate hue chale gaya.

Aur washroom ke andar aaine ke samne khadi Jannat Kamal apne alool
jalool se huliya ko dekh rahi thi aur bohot gaur se dekh rahi thi.

•••

Nashtay ki table par use andaza hua aaj Faris ka office jaane ka koi iraada
nahi tha. Chand ek phone calls attend karne aur kuch zaroori hidaayaat
yahan wahan dene ke baad usne apna mobile phone bhi off kar diya.

Ab woh jahaan jahaan jaati thi, woh apni shirt ki jebo mein haath daale uske
peeche peeche tha.

"Kya hai?" Chid kar poocha.

"Main to bas tahal raha hoon." Usne kandhe uchhaaye.

"To kahin aur ja kar tahlo." Magar woh kahin nahi gaya.

"Tumhe pata hai! aaj main office kyun nahi gaya?"

"Kyun nahi gaye?"

"Kyunki aaj se tum gym mein mere saath workout karne wali ho."

Jannat ki aankhein phail gayi.

"Mujhe tumhari tarah koi muscle nahi banana. Main already bohot smart
hoon." Fauran se kaha. Magar Faris ne jaise uski baat nahi suni.

"Har trimester ke liye safe exercise jo tum aaram se kar sakogi."

"Lekin mujhe uski zaroorat nahi hai."

"Zaroorat hai."

"Main pregnant hoon. Bohot mohtaat rehna padta hai." Uski aankhon mein
taswish numaya huyi.

"Jahan mere jaisa personal trainer ho, jo bachche ka baap bhi ho, wahan
tumhe kya masla paish aa sakta hai?"

"Yahi to asal masla hai." Daant pish kar kaha.

Woh muskurate hue uska haath thame ground floor par apne gym le aaya.
Ek lamba sa hall jo har tarah ki equipment se bhara hua tha. Woh glass wall
se use workout karte hue dekh leti thi magar andar kabhi nahi gayi thi. Ab
andar aayi thi to samajh nahi aa raha tha ke bahar kaise nikle. Slide door
band kar ke Faris uski taraf mutawajeh hua.

"Chalo ab shuru karte hain."

Warm up ke baad usne sabse pehle cardio workout karwana shuru kiya aur
Jannat kuch Dili aur jhunjhlaahat se uski instructions par yeh soch kar amal
karti rahi ke bas dus pandrah minute tak exercise karwayega aur phir
chhutti ho jayegi. Magar uski hairat aur sadme ki inteha na rahi jab wo
duration badhata gaya. Upar se zara zara si galti par daant alag se par rahi
thi.

"Aise exercise karte hain? Ek tum ho, haathon mein jaan nahi hai kya?"

"Yeh kya kar rahi ho? Are you, dead?"

Wo acchi khaasi tapi hui thi magar thammul se sab sunti jaari thi.

"Dusro ke shauharo ki biwiya pregnent hoti hain to wo kehte hain hil kar
paani bhi mat piyo, aur tum ho…"

Theek aadhe ghante baad bench par workout karte hue wo keh rahi thi.
"Jara batao to yeh kaun se mard hain jo kehte hai hil kar paani bhi mat piyo.
Main to aise kisi mard ko nahi jaanta?" Uske paas khada watch band par
seconds ke hisaab se time dekh raha tha.

"Haan to tum to apne jaise ko hi jaante hoge na." Tap kar boli. "Khadoos, be
rahm, zalim." Baki alafaz zehen mein ada kiye.

"Main tumhari tareef kar rahi thi."

unchi aawaaz mein kehdo, zara main bhi sunu. Usne daant peese.

"Ab bas main bahut thak chuki hoon." Usne haath uthaa liye.

"Paanch minute baaki hain." Usne sakhti dikhayi.

Wo rohaansi hui. Paanch minute bade mushkil se guzre. Do minute ka

waqfa mila to gehri saans lete huye bench par baith gayi. Sard aah yun bhari
jaise us par na jaane kitna zulm dhaya gaya ho. Bottle munh se laga kar do
ghont liye, phir Mudh kar Faras ko dekha. Do saamne hi siyah mat par
khada uske ji uthaye hue tha. Lamhe bhar ke liye aankhein phaili thi. Dusre
hi pal munh se "Masha Allah" nikla tha. Aise to nahi wo itna fit nazar aata
tha. Aur teesre hi pal wo khud se apne liye apni marzi ka workout choose
kiye rack par pahunch gayi.

"Usse sari mushkil exercise karwaayi ja rahi hai aur khud dekho kitne
aaram se dumbbell utha raha hai. Aasaan kaam apne liye aur mushkil kaam
iske liye."

Usne bade size wala uthana chaha to din mein taare dikh gaye. Chalo koi
baat nahi, shuruat kam wajan se kar leni chahiye. Koi masla nahi. Khud ko
khud hi tasalli dete huye seedhi hui aur tab hi nazar Faris se do chaar hui.
Wo dono haathon mein maharat se dumble uthaaye arm workout karte hue
use dekh raha tha. Lab par mubhiym si muskurahat ubhri jise daba kar rukh
badal gaya.

Ab wo peechay nahi hutt sakti thi. Gala khankhar kar gaal par bikharti
lathon ko peeche kiya aur jaise taise dono haathon se poora zor laga kar 5lg
ka dumble uthaya. Aankhon mein fatah ki chamak ubhri. Agle hi pal wo
uske haathon se chhoot kar gira, itni hi zor daar awaaz gunji aur utni hi
saraiyyat se wo bokhla kar peechey hati. Faris apna dumbbell rakh kar tezi
se uske paas aaya.

Wo jhuk kar qadmo mein dekh rahi thi. Allah ka shukr tha ke paon bach
gaye the warna usne koi kasar nahi chhorhi thi khud ko nuqsaan pahuchane
ki.

"Are you out of your mind?" Baazu se pakad kar use peechay banate hue
sakhti se daanta.

"Wo pata nahi kaise haath se chhoot gaya." Ghabra kar foran hi wazahat di.

"Khud se chal kar tumhare haathon mein aaya aur chhoot gaya?" Uska
paara chadh gaya tha.

"Kuch ho jata agar?"

"Chot lag jati to?"

Wo aankhon mein hairani liye use dekh kar saham gayi.

"Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai jaise tumne mujhe tasavvur kar ke yeh
dumbbell giraaya hai?" Tehori par bal dal kar ghusse se kaha.

"Naah… naahi to!"

"Phir yeh mujhe mere sar par girta hua kyun mehsoos hua hai?" Zabt kar ke
poocha.

"Ab agar tumne mujhe kuch aur kaha na to main yeh sach much mein tum
par gira dugi." Uske tassurat se Khaif hokar foran hi dhamki di.

"Pehle theek se uthana to seekh lo Bruce Lee ki behan!"

Uske qadmon se dumbbell uthaa kar wapas uski jagah par rakha. Wo
bhanwe sukoode khadi rahi.
"Jo workout maine bataya hai wo kaun karega?" Apne seene par baazu band
kar sakhti dikhayi.

"Mujhe nahi pata ab bas khatam karo yeh sab."

"Abhi to sirf tumhe minute hue hain." Baazu se pakad kar use trademill par
khada kar diya. Usse jee bhar ke rona aaya. Speed adjust ki to na chahte hue
bhi use aahistagi se qadam uthana pada.

"Tum aakhir mujhe kis baat ki saza de rahe ho, haan?" Das minute ke baad
speed badhane aaya to wo phat padi. Magar usse to jaise koi awaaz hi nahi
aayi thi.

"Kya museebat hai." Jhunjhlaahat ke aalam mein tez tez qadam uthane lagi.
Saans phool raha thi. Dhadkan tez ho rahi thi. Mudh kar dekha to wo use
kahin nazar na aaya. Foran se raftar kam ki sukh bhari saans lete ab mariyal
se qadam uthaa rahi thi magar wo kisi jin ki tarah achanak namodar hua tha.

"Yeh kya zombie ki tarah chal rahi ho." Daant kar speed wapas adjust karni
chahiye aur Jannat ki sar par lagi talwo par bhuji.

"Zombie mat kaho mujhe." Cheekh kar boli. Agle hi pal uska rang uda
ghabra kar tez tez qadam uthana Shuru kiye. Faris speed badha raha tha.

"Faris Faris! Please speed kam karo." Wo cheekhi magar usne to jaise kuch
suna nahi.

"Haan to kya keh rahi thi aap?" Control button par haath rakhe ab wo tapa
dene wali muskurahat ke saath pooch raha tha.

"Kuch nahi keh rahi thi main." Use bahut tez tez qadam uthana pad raha
the. Bas bhaagne ki kasar reh gayi thi. Pareshan ho kar haathho par gript
badhaayi ke gir na jaye.

"Aunty Faris ko dekho." Kuch aur samajh na aaya to wahi khade khade
chillaayi.

"Unhone mujhe bahut baar dekha hua hai, ab tum dekh lo." Apni gehri
aankhein us par jamaye Sanjidagi se kaha.
"Main gir jaungi"

"Kya main itna handsome hoon?"

"Faris please!"

"Nahi girogi. Yeh munasib speed hai. Shabash tez tez qadam uthao." Wo
control button par haath rakhe zara sa peeche hata.

"Dobara aise nahi karungi." Minnat kar ke boli. Uski roti shakal dekh kar
taras aaya. Speed kam kardi.

"Drame karna koi tumse seekhe, Pandrah minute tak ab yahi speed rahegi."
Tahakkum se kehkar wo wapas bench par ja baitha.

Munh hi munh hi mein bud-budate hue wo be-dili se chalti rahi. Allah

Allah kar ke workout khatam hua aur wo to jaise rassi tod kar gym se
bhaagi.

"Aaj pehla din hai to isliye kam waqt diya hai." Raahdari se guzarte hue
Faris ne kaha.

"Ye kam waqt tha?" Jannat ki aankhein ubal padi.

"Cardio workout kal theek se karna. Biceps workout aaj das baar kiye hain
to

Kal pandrah dafa karenge. trademill par pachis minute walk karna hogi.
Shoulder workout ka duration bhi badhana hoga."

Wo abhi se aane wale kal ke liye sab tarteeb de raha tha. Aur Jannat ki
shakal aisi ho rahi thi jaise kisi bhi lamhe ro de gi.

"Allah kare kal ise subah saat baje hi office jaana pade." Aasman ki taraf
dekhte hue dua ki.

"Tumne kuch kaha?"

Usne gardan modh kar puchha. Wo ghabada kar ruki ki dua to dil me ki thi
usne kese sunli?

"Nahi, bhala me kya kahungi?"

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 51
•••

Quran ki tilawat se farigh ho kar Mrs. Shirazi Jannat ke kamre mein aa

gayi. Neeche shift ho jane ka yeh faida hua tha ke woh iske kamre mein
aasaani se aa ja sakti thi.

Khidkiyon se swimming pool nazar aata tha. Deewaron par dhoop utri hui
thi. Sabza roshni mein chamak kar aur haseen lag raha tha. Woh usi taraf
dekh rahi thi. Jannat musalsal bolte hue wardrobe khule khadi thi. Woh uski
sun rahi thi, usse jawab bhi de rahi thi. Wardrobe mein sirf uski cheeze,
uska samaan tha. Bacche ke liye gaye samaan ko tareeq se neeche rakh rahi
thi. Kamra chonki bara tha to dayein taraf ka hissa bacche ke liye bahut
khubsurti se set kiya ja sakta tha.

"Baby cot yahan acha lagega," unhone kaha.

"Haina, maine bhi kal yehi socha. Aur is deewar ke saath main alag se
wardrobe le loongi. Kapde, khilone sab tarteeb se rakh doongi."

Unhein idraak hua, aane wale waqt ke baare mein uski soch kaafi had tak
badal chuki hai. Woh ab apne khauf ko mita kar naye khwab sajane lagi hai.
Unhein is positive tabdeeli par khushi mehsoos hui.

"Haan, yeh theek rahega." Woh dil se muskurai.

Jannat unke paas sofa par chadh kar baith gayi.

"Sach sach bataye, aapki kya khwahish hai?"

"Kis baare mein?"

"Aapko pota chahiye ya poti?" Woh aankhon mein tajassus aur ishtiaq liye
puch rahi thi.
"Mujhe bas apne bete ki sehatmand aulaad chahiye. Beta ho ya beti! Isse
farq nahi padta," unhone uske haath par haath rakh kar narmi se kaha.

"Ye kehne ke liye dhair saara shukriya," unke gaal se gaal mila kar ke kaha,
phir uth kar doosri cheezen sametne lagi. Saath hi shaadi ka hawala bhi de
rahi thi.

Mrs. Shirazi ab wardrobe ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Pandrah din Faris Wajdan ki
sangat mein guzarne ke bawajood usne kamra alag kar liya tha. Jaanti thi
Faris usse waqt aur space de raha hai. Woh is par apni marzi musallat nahi
karna chahta tha. Yeh ek azadi thi. Khud se ek faasla qaim kar ke woh usse
apna faisla badalne ka mouqa de raha tha. Unke honton par mubhim si
muskurahat thehar gayi. Magar kuch soch kar jaane kyun dil udaasiyon
mein ghar gaya. Mini kitchen set safed rang ke makhmalen kapde. Aankhon
mein izteraab liye unhone Jannat ki taraf dekha.

"London mein Faris theek raha? Koi pareshaani to nahi hui?" unhone
pucha.

Jannat ruk gayi. Gardan mod kar unhein dekha. Chand lamhon tak khadi
rahi. Ab woh unhein allergy reaction ka bataye? Ya sleeping pills aur anti-
depressant ka hawala de? Woh unhein kisi bhi surat pareshaan nahi karna
chahti thi.

"Jee, woh theek raha bas usse thoda sa jhukam hua tha. Aur kuch nahi,"
muskurayi woh, gehri saans lekar chup ho gayi. Rukh badal kar phir se
bahar dekhne lagi. "Kal aap keh rahi thi mujhe painting dikhayegi?" Unki
khamoshi aur aankhon se jhalakti pareshaani mehsoos kar ke unke paas aa
gayi.

"Haan, ek muqammal ki hai. Kaafi arse se bana rahi thi lekin adhuri hi thi.
Tum dono London chale gaye to phir fursat se muqammal kar li."

"Chale, phir mujhe dikhaye. Taake main usse rate kar sakoon. Waise to
main aapki har painting ko das mein se poore bish number deti hoon."

Woh muskurayi.
Jannat wheel chair par haath jamaaye unke saath studio mein aa gayi.
Samne hi deewar par safed chaadar mein ek large size ki painting deewar ke
saath rakhi thi. Ab tak ki Mrs. Shirazi ki tamaam paintings mein yeh sabse
badi thi. Taqreeban aadhi deewar cover kar rakhi thi. Usne aage badh kar
kapda hata diya, gehre rangon se bani ek dark painting samne thi.

Jannat kamaal dam saadhe khadi reh gayi.

Samandar ki taraf aasman ki bulandiyo ko chhoota ek wasee o azeem mahal

lambe minar, unchi mazboot deewarein. Mahal ke bahar jagah jagah siyah
hoti ghaas se aadhi chhupi, aadhi zahir hoti khoon alood neze, teer aur
talwar. Mahal ki tamaam khidkiyan tareek, sirf ek khidki roshan thi. Is
khidki ki chaukhat par surkh khoon tapak raha tha. Andar kisi ki mojoodgi
ka bhi gumaan ho raha tha. Ungliyan khoon se rangi hui talwar tuti hui aur
hifaazti chunah phata hua nazar aa raha tha. Unhone is qadar tafseel aur
safai se ek ek cheez banayi thi ke woh mutasir hue bina na reh saki.

"Zabardast!" Uske munh se besaakhta nikla. "Yeh aapne kab banayi?"

"Kaafi arsay se bana rahi hoon. Hamesha adhuri hi reh jaati thi. Ab
complete karne mein kaamyab hui hoon."

"Bahot gehri hai," usne kaha. "Jaise yeh hathiyar, khoon, deewarein hain,
aur yeh siyah jhadien aise lag raha hai jaise har ek shay ki apni ek hikayat
hai."

"Isme waqai mein ek kahani hai. Sunogi?"

Jannat ne murkar unhein dekha. "Zaroor!" Aankhon mein ishtiaq liye kaha.

Jebon mein haath daale Faris studio ke darwaze mein ruk gaya. Dastak ke
liye haath uthaya. Magar Mrs. Shirazi ki awaaz sunte hi ruk gaya.

"Ek jadoo gar shehzade ne zakhmi ho kar unchi lambi deewaron ke ek

mazboot mahal mein khud ko qaid kar liya tha." unhone haath se mahal ki
wahid roshan khidki ki jaanib ishara kiya. "Uska badan zakhamo se choor
hai. Haath khoon alood hain, hathiyar bhi toot chuka hai. Ghora bhi nahi
raha."
Jannat dam saadhe unhein bohot tawajju se sun rahi thi.

"Jadoo gar shehzade ne apni rahi sahi kuwwat jama ki aur mahal ki
deewaron ke saath woh khoobsurat phool aur podon ko khatarnak kaantay
daar jhadion mein badal diya. Rang birange phool, narm malaik ghaas aur
sooraj ki roshniyon se chamakta sabza sab siyah ho gaya. Deewaron se
vahshat tapakne lagi. Uncha mazboot mahal har kisi ko khauf zadah karne
laga."

Adh khulay darwaze se unhein dekhta Faris apni jagah manjamid khada tha.

"Ab jab bhi koi khazane ki talash mein mahal ki hudood mein dakhil hone
ki koshish karta to apne andar zindagi ki lehar liye woh khoon khuwar
jhadien deewar ban kar usse lahu lahan kar deti. Har taraf khauf o hiras
phelne laga. Log mahal se door bhaagne lage."

Jannat ki nigahain Mrs. Shirazi par thehri thi aur Mrs. Shirazi ki nigahein
painting par. "Waqt guzarta gaya. Duniya badalne lagi. Sadiyan beet gayi.
Magar mahal ke andar jadoo gar shehzade ke liye uska waqt thaara raha.
Uske zakham, uski aziyat, uska har gham uske liye wahein thaara raha.
Shehzade ko lagta tha ke yeh uski is duniya mein aane ki saza hai ya phir is
fateh ki jo usne apna sab kuch khatam karke hasil ki hai."

Darwaze ke us paar Faris ki aankho mein haza ki ek lehar uthi. Surkh

dooron mein karb utra. Lab bhinch gaye. Dard badhta gaya.

"Phir?" Jannat samne hi floor cushion par baithi unhein magan ho kar sun
rahi thi.

"Phir yeh ke ek gareeb yateem ladki jo jaadugar khandan se nahi thi, kuch
vahshiyon se bachti bachati mahal ki taraf aayi. Apni jaan bachane ke liye
usne mahal mein dakhil hone ki thaani. Magar chonki wo jaadu nahi jaanti
thi, isliye uska mahal ki hudood mein dakhil hona mumkin nahi tha. Jis
waqt wo mahal ke bairooni darwaze par vahshi darindo mein ghiri hui
khadi thi, us waqt shehzade ne hairan ho kar use khidki se dekha. Mahal ki
bairooni deewar se andar tak ka hissa apna rang badal raha tha. Siyah ghaas
hari ho rahi thi. Zameen se podhe phoot pade the. Jis jagah ladki khadi thi,
us jagah par ab koi kaantay daar jhaadi na thi. Darwaze par jo jaday lipti hui
thi, wo bhi toot kar raakh ho rahi thi. Darwaza saaf hua to ladki andar gayi.
Vahshi darinde is had se bahar rahe, andar na aa sake." Ravani se bolte hue
unhone ek lamhe ka tauquf kiya.

"Jaadugar shehzade ke liye woh manzar kisi sadme se kam nahi tha. Uska
jaadu us ladki par kisi taur asar nahi kar raha tha. Uske liye zameen hari ho
rahi thi. Phool khil rahe the. Mahal sadio se tareek raha tha magar ab ladki
ke aate hi kirnein bhi zameen par utarne lagi thi. Shehzade ko laga, woh
ladki uske mazboot hisaar mein shagaaf kar degi. Jhaadiyan roop badlenge
to deeware kamzor ho jaayengi. Deewar kamzor ho gayi to phir wo ghair
mehfooz ho jaayega. Aziyat, gham, aur sabhi dukh phir se aa jaayenge.
Maazi apna aap dohraayega. Phir se jung hogi. Phir se fateh hogi aur phir se
qaid milegi. Jaadugar shehzada aisa nahi chahta tha. Gusse aur inteqam ki
aag mein jhulste hue usne ladki ko qatal karne ka faisla kar liya."

Jannat ki saansein ruki. Tajassus ke saath saath khauf bhi badh gaya. Woh
jaise ek ek manzar apni aankhon se dekhte hue ek mawarai kahani mein
mukammal gharq ho chuki thi.

"Pehle pehal usne koshish ki ladki mahal ke andar dakhil na ho sake. Magar
chonki jaadu ka asar us ladki par nahi hota tha, isliye woh darwazo par
chadhi khatarnak belon ko zyada der tak uske raste mein haayel na kar saka.
Ladki jab mahal ke andar dakhil hui to uska uthaya gaya har qadam khauf
ki tareeki aur wahshat ke sannate ko mitaata gaya. Khidkiyon se kirnein
andar aane lagi. Jo makhluq tareeki mein basera karti thi, woh roshni mein
fana hone lagi."

"Mahal ki poori nau manzilein thi aur har manzil jadui si. Apne andar bohot
se raaz liye hue thi. Ladki pehli manzil par das din rahi, doosri manzil par
bhi das din. Teesri manzil par bhi das din. Aur is dauran usay shehzade ki
Khud Nawisht (Autobiography) mili jo woh sadio se likhta aa raha tha. Har
manzil par usay kuch hissa mil jata jise padte hue woh ek an dekhe wujood
ki mohabbat mein giraftar hone lagi."

"Usay apne aas paas shehzade ki mojoodgi ka gumaan hone laga tha. Woh
usse baatein karti."
"Aawazain bhi deti thi, nagme bhi sunti thi magar phir bhi jawab nahi aata
tha. "Main tumhein bacha sakti hoon," woh jara oonchi awaaz mein kehti.
"Main tumhein azad kar sakti hoon," woh usay yaqeen dilati. "Tumhare
zakhm bhar jayenge, tumhara dard bhi khatam ho jayega. Ek baar mere
samne aajao," magar shehzada jo usay ek threat ke tor par dekhta tha, woh
uske samne kaise aasakta tha? Uske liye toh woh ek mujrim thi, saza ki
mustahiq thi jo uski ijazat aur marzi ke baghair uske mahel mein ghus aayi
thi."

"Saatwi manzil par pohchte hi ladki ko ehsaas hua ke uske paon zakmi hone
lage hain. Woh hadiyon mein dard mehsoos karne lagi. Aathwi manzil par
uske zild par chot ubharne lagi jese chotay chotay cut lagte hai . Shehzade
ko khushi hui ke ladki ki salahiyat akhir khatam hone lagi hai. Usne apne
jadoo ka zor mazeed barha diya."

"Aathwi se noohwi manzil par pohchnay tak ladki zakhmon se choor aur
buri tarah mutasir ho chuki thi, magar usne himmat nahi hari. Woh pehli aur
aakhri dafa us qile ke bhoot se, yani ke us shehzade se milna chahti thi.
Usne woh darwaza khola jismein shehzada band tha. Waqt ke dairay mein
qaid, zakhmon se choor kisi ghayal sher ki tarah sar uthaye khara tha, hamla
karne ko muqammal tayyar. Ladki ke qadam rakhne ki dair thi ke mahel ki
bakiya manazir us manzil par bhi uski mojoodgi ka asar hone laga. Siyahi
mit gayi, andhera chhat gaya, roshni bikhar gayi. Manzar saaf hone laga."

"Magar yahan ek anhooni hui. Uska asar sirf mahal ke dar-o-deewar ko nahi
hua, balke shehzade par bhi hua. Waqt ki zanjeer toot gayi, shehzade ke
zakhm bharne lage, uska dard khatam ho gaya. Aur Uska jism phir se
sehatmand ho gaya, aur ladki bejaan hokar uske qadmon mein aa giri."

"Aunty please! Sad ending nahi," usne foran hi dukhi hokar kaha. Magar
Mrs. Shirazi is kahani ki writer nahi thi, woh iske ending nahi badal sakti
thi.

"Shehzade ko us aakhri lamhe mein ehsaas hua ke apna hisar mazboot

karne ke liye woh pichle nawwe din se jis ladki ko aziyaton se do char karta
raha hai, wohi ladki uske tamam dukh aur aziyaten apne rahe hue wujood
mein samet kar, usay apni awaaz ka aadi banate hue uske dil mein apne liye
mohabbat jagakar khatam ho chuki hai."
Faaris kahani ke hisaar se bahar nikal aaya.

"Zalim shehzada 90ve din tak uski mohabbat nahi pehchan saka. Gadha!"
Jannat ko gussa chadh gaya. Woh dekh rahi thi.

Inteqaam par be inteha dukhi hui baithi thi. Mrs. Shirazi muskurain aur
bahar darwaze ke paas khada Faaris muskurane se qaasir tha.*

"Tumhein shehzade ki psychology bhi samajhni chahiye beta!"

"Main usay kya samjhoon? Aap yeh dekhein. Woh ladki uska dard chunne
aayi thi Aunty! Uske liye marham layi thi." Usay bohot dukh ho raha tha.

"Magar shehzade ko kya pata, woh jo apne saath layi hai woh uska marham
hai? Uske zakhmon ke liye hai?"

Unhone narami se poocha. "Usay samajhna chahiye tha ke ladki ke aane se

phool khil rahe hain yeh zindagi ki alamat hai." Woh apni baat par date hue
thi.

"Yeh phool uske jadoo ka asar khatam kar rahe thay, toh woh kaise bharosa
karta?" Wo lajawab ho gayi. Mrs. Shirazi ne narami se uski taraf dekha.
Dheere se muskurain.

"Jo log bohot zyada hassas hote hain aur jinhone bohot sa dukh saha hota
hai, woh apne gird aise hi ek deewar khari kar lete hain beta! Aur tehiya kar
lete hain ke ab jab bhi kabhi kisi ne yeh deewar phalaang ne ki koshish ki,
toh woh usay tod denge magar apni hudood mein hargiz nahi aane denge."
Unhone mahal ki unchi mazboot fasilon ki jaanib ishaara kar ke kaha.
"Khud ko kisi bhi mumkina aziyat se mehfooz rakhne ke liye woh yeh
hifazati iqdamat karte hain. Aur anjaane mein un logon ko bhi hurt kar dete
hain jinka wahid maqsood is deewar ko phalaang kar unke daman se saare
kantay chunna hota hai."

Baat gehri thi. Uske dil ko lagi. "Jab ehsaas hota hai toh us waqt kaafi dair
ho chuki hoti hai." Ruk kar, gehri saans li, phir uski jaanib dekha.
"Jaadoogar shehzade jaise log bure nahi hote beta! Woh itni baar toot chuke
hote hain ke unhein judne se khauf aata hai. Woh bas kisi par aitbaar nahi
kar pate." Baat mukammal hokar khatam hui. Woh utri hui shakal ke saath
usne rukh mod kar painting ko dekha.

Gehray samundar, bulandiyo mein khara ek shandar siyaah mahal, mazboot

deeware aur khidkiyan, jaadoogar shehzada khidki mein tha. Doosray
darwazay mein khada raha tha.

•••

Lime juice ka glass hontho se lagaye usne doosre haath se apna cell phone
counter table se utha liya tha. Open Kitchen se nikal kar seedhiyo ki taraf
jaate hue woh chonk kar ruk gayi thi. Nigaahein mobile screen par ubharti
us ek jumlay par thehr gayi jo pehle usay ek mazaak ke siwa kuch na laga
tha. Lekin agle hi pal saboot ke tor par bheji gayi tasveeron par nazar parhte
hi woh apni jagah pathar ho gayi. Glass uske haath se chhoot kar farsh par
girte hi jhamake se toota tha. Pehle uska dil ruka tha, phir saansen bhi tham
si gayi thi.

Hairat, sadma, beyaqeeni se usne beikhtiyar deewar ka sahara liya. Poore

floor ne ek dum aag pakar li thi. Gird-o-nawaah ki har ek cheez andheri ho
gayi thi.

Uska tanaffus phool gaya tha. Aankhon mein wehesht utar aayi thi. Agle hi
lamhe usne haanpte hue shadid gusse ke aalam mein apna cell phone samne
ki deewar par de maara tha. Farsh par bikhray kaanch ke tukron ki parwah
kiye baghair tezi se kadam uthaye aur apne bedroom mein ja kar band ho
gayi.

Peshani masalte, lab kaat-te, balon ko tod-te woh kamray mein bechain si
tehli rahi thi. Usay yaqeen nahi aa raha tha. Yakeen aa bhi nahi sakta tha.
Usne parde hata kar khidkiyan khol di. Isse koi faida nahi hua to darwaza
slide kar ke balcony mein aayi.

Bahar aayi, magar andar ki aag ab bhi jalti bhadakti rahi. Aasman bhari
raha. Wehesht uske har ang mein sama gayi thi. Railing par haath jamaye ab
woh gehri saansein le rahi thi.
Kamray se bahar, raahdari se aage, lounge ke samnay farsh par gira uska
cell phone ek baar phir jagmaga raha tha. Kaanch ke tukray idhar udhar
bikhray the. Juice lakiron mein behta hua floor ke do inch neeche tak phel
chuka tha. Aur woh bahar dekh rahi thi. Andheron mein wahan, jahan sab
reza reza ho raha tha.

•••

Woh office room mein apna kuch kaam nipta kar paani peene ki gharz se
kitchen mein aaya to Mrs. Shirazi lounge se seedha idhar aayi thi.

"Kaam ho gaya?" Pyaar se poocha.

"Abhi baaki hai, aap paani peeyengi?" Woh fridge se paani ki bottle nikaal
kar counter par rakhta huwa bola gaya. Unhone mana kar diya.

"Jaldi so jaya karo beta! Is tarah raat tak jaagna sehat ke liye theek nahi
hai," sanjeedgi se takeed ki.

"Pehle kaam zyada tha lekin ab koshish karunga jaldi so jau," keh kar paani
ka glass honthon se lagaya. "Jannat tumhare saath ab kaisi hai?" Aankhon
mein muskurahat liye madhhm awaaz mein poocha.

"Theek hai, kal se ek shehzade ko gadha keh rahi hai."

Woh beshakta hans diye.

Khali glass mez par rakh kar woh unke paas aaya.

"Aap meri koi baat bhoolti nahi hain."

Mrs. Shirazi wheel chair par thi, woh unke samne kursi par baith gaya.
"Maayein bhala apne bachon ki choti choti baatein, unki choti choti
khwahishein bhi bhoolti hain?" Unka chehra apne haathon mein bhar kar
bolein.

"Tab mein baccha nahi tha."

"Mere liye to tum aaj bhi bacche hi ho," woh unki aankhon mein apne liye
mohabbat dekh sakta tha.

"Jab aap mujhe chor kar gayi thi, main tab hi bada ho gaya tha."

Unke andar ek dum se sannata phail gaya. Aankhon mein nami ter gayi.
Faaris ne unka haath apne haathon mein phir naram se apne labo se lagaya.
Woh kuch dard, kuch afsoos se usay dekhte rahe.

"Tum london me apne ghar gaye thay?" Woh pooch nahi rahi thi, na hi bata
rahi thi. Woh bas uske andar ki besakooni tak pohchna chahti thi. Woh sar
jhukaye bilkul khamosh raha.

"Qabristan ghar nahi hua karte." Woh apne murda khwab aur khwahishein
ka peeche reh janay wala samaan utha laya tha. Uski khamoshi unhe
azeeyat se do char karne lagi.

"Mujhe maaf kar do," unki awaaz beikhtiyar bheeg gayi. Faaris ne tarap kar
sar uthaya tha. "Aise mat kaha karein please," unki aankhen aansuon se
bhari hui thi aur lab kapakpa rahe the.

"Mummy please!" Woh ek dum se bechain ho gaya.

Unke haath mazbooti se thaame, unke qadmon mein hi baith gaya. "Maine
aapko kabhi bhi kisi maamle mein kasoorwaar nahi thehraya."

"Lekin main to thehrati hoon. Mere seenay par bojh hai. Janay walay to
chale gaye, jo peeche reh gaye hain, main unhe ek nahi kar payi. Main
tumhein aur ayaan ko abhi tak ek nahi kar payi." Woh sishak padi. Unke
haathon par Faris ki girift ek dum se dheeli pad gayi thi. Woh farsh par tha.
Woh zameen mein utar gaya. Azeeyat ek ang ang mein sama gayi.

"Woh chhota sa masoom bachha hai. Uska in sab maamlat mein koi kasoor
nahi. Use khud se door na karo. Please usay saza mat do."

Woh peeche hua tha. Sar jhukaye, khamosh, saakhit! Bas is maqam par
aakar uski saari himmat aur bardasht khatam ho jati thi. Mazeed kuch sunne
ki taab nahi rehti thi. Qadmon ki aahat ke saath hi Jannat raahdaari se
namudar hui thi.

"Aunty! Aap yahan hain aur main aapko studio mein dhoond rahi thi."

Saakht fiza mein irti'aash paida hua. Mrs. Shirazi ne foran se aansoo saaf
kiye. Faaris uth kar wahan se chala gaya. Sar jhuka hua tha to woh dekh
nahi sakti thi. Magar uski aankhen. Usne gardan modh kar usay seedhiyon
ki taraf jaate dekha. Phir woh Mrs. Shirazi ke paas aayi. Unka rukh doosri
taraf tha, to woh tab tak khud ko compose kar chuki thi, magar unki
aankhein abhi bhi laal ho rahi thi.

"Ji beta!" Woh bazaahir muskara rahi thi, magar unke chehre se udaasi
jhalak rahi thi. Woh nichla lab kaat kar reh gayi. Jaane Faris ke saath unki
kya baat hui thi? Woh bhi to chup chaap upar chala gaya tha.

"Maine socha sone se pehle aapse baatein kar loon magar aap kamre mein
nahi thi."

"Haan, main Faris ke paas aayi thi. Chalo kamre mein chalte hain," lehjay
ko hatta mutmaeen karte hue boli. Unke saath raahdari ki taraf jaate hue
usne seedhiyon ki taraf upar dekha tha. Upar ki manzil ki tamaam battiya
gul thi. Har taraf andhera sa phaila hua nazar aa raha tha.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 52
•••

Kuch waqt Mr. Shirazi ke saath guzaarne ke baad, woh apne kamre mein
aayi aur darwaza band karke seedha khidki mein ja khadi hui.

Samne hi wasee o ariz lawn ka goshah aur baye taraf glass wire ke ehatay
mein swimming pool nazar aa raha tha. Neelgo bulbs roshan the. Shade
wali chairs aur ek corner mein zarqabar roshni pheli thi. Apne kamre ki
khidki se nazar aata yeh manzar usse bohot acha lagta tha. Woh apne
khayalon mein gum khadi thi ke usne dekha Faris white shirt aur trouser
pehne huye glass door dhakel kar usi taraf aa raha hai. Woh ek dum parde ki
oat mein ho gayi. Phir sar nikaal kar jhaanka. Tray mein green tea aur kuch
snacks rakhkar maid uske peeche thi.

Woh couch par baith gaya. Mobile haath mein tha. Laptop aur kuch zaroori
files pehle se glass table par dhari thi.

Woh usay dekh rahi thi, aur bohot ghour se dekh rahi thi. Green tea ka cup
haath mein liye woh bilkul khamosh baitha tha. Uski nazrein swimming
pool par jammi hui thi, ek hi maqam, ek hi nuqte par sakht thehri hui.

Woh chand lamhon tak apni jagah khadi rahi phir usne mobile par message
type kiya. "Kya tumhe invitation mila?" Aur tawwaqo ke mutabiq usne
notification milte hi apna mobile uthaliya. Couch ke saath lag kar ab woh
usay typing karta hua dekh sakti thi.

"Kesa invitation?"

"Meri aur Zaid ki mangni ka," usne muskurahat aur aankhon mein roshni
liye jawab likha. Aur phir sar utha kar uske taaseeraat dekhna chaha. Woh
jabre bhinch kar screen ko dekh raha tha. Usay badi khushi hui.

"Seriously?"
"Haan, bhala main kyun mazaak karungi?" Saath hi usne invitation card
forward kar diya jo Zaid ki taraf se usay bheja tha. Char din baad unki
saalgirah thi aur sath hi ek mangni ki rasam bhi ada honi thi. Woh intezaar
mein rahi ke ab woh kya kehta hai magar woh peshaani par bal daale
mobile par nazrein jamaye baitha raha.

"Kya tum aaoge?"

"Kya mujhe aana chahiye?"

"Accha kis hesiyat se?"

"Mere shohar ki hesiyat se!" likhte likhte ruk gaya aur message mita diya.
Phir dubara likha:

"Tumhare unke saath family terms hain."

Doosri taraf khamoshi…

"Main intezaar karun?"

"Nahi."

Uske inkar se chidh kar foran likha:

"Halanki aana chahiye."

"Achha aur wo kis liye?"

"Kyuki main keh rahi hoon," dhadakte dil ke saath type kar diya. Uske
jawab ne jaise ek lamhe ke liye Faris ko bhi hairan kiya tha. Nichla lab
danto mein kat-te hue messege delete kar diya. Foran se khidki se peeche
hatt gayi Ab woh nahi jaanti thi Faris kya kar raha tha. Magar dobara uski
taraf se koi bhi message nahi aaya.

Kuch dair tak kamre mein daye se baye, fir baye se daye chakkar katne ke
bad wo firse khidki me aa gayi. Wo laptop khole hue apna kam kar raha tha.
Magar har chand lamhe uski nigahe swimming pool par fir waha se uthi
berooni deewar tak uth jati thi. Wo khidki me khadi rahi wo usay dekhti
rahi. Yakayak usay mobile par messege mosul hua sar jhuka kar screen par
nigah doraayi.

"Agar tum isi tarah khidki se mujhe tadti rahogi to me kam nahi kar
sakunga."

"Allah!" Wo parda chorh kar jhtke se peeche hati. Nichla lab dato me diya.
Haalaki wo chhupke khadi thi.

"Khush fehmi dekho janaab ki" ghbrahat par kabu paakar taizi se type kiya.

"Me bhala kyu tadne lagi?"

"Mujhe to ye bhi nahi maloom ke tum kahan par ho?" Ruk kar mazeed
likha.

"Main toh apna kaam kar rahi hoon."

"😈" Aage se shaitani muskurahat moosul hui. Woh tap gayi.

"Poore ghar mein tumhein bas mere kamre ki khidki ke samne aakar
baithna tha?" Bhunna kar likh diya.

"Abhi tum keh rahi thi tum mujhe dekh nahi rahi ho 😂"

Woh faana si ho gayi. Apna mobile off karke khud se bohot door rakh diya.
Khidkiyon se door ho kar sharafat se bed par chadh kar baith gayi.

"Mujhe usay message hi nahi karna chahiye tha." Bhanwe sakur kar khud
ko kosa.

"Aur na hi uski khairiyat maloom karne ke liye kamre mein jaana chahiye
tha. Zara tawajjo kya di, mahsuf toh saatwe aasman par pohanch gaye
hain."

Kuch der tak baithi rahi, phir mobile uthaliya. YouTube par chand ek videos
dekhi, bachon ke names search kiye.
Haathon par lotion lagate hue khidkiyon ki taraf aur phir wardrobe ki taraf
dekhne lagi. Zehan kuch na kuch tarteeb dene mein laga hua tha.

"Kapde yahan rakhe ja sakte hain aur baby cot us maqam par. Dressing
yahan se hata kar wahan rakh degi." Zehan mein har tarah ki tarteeb de kar
takiya durust karti let gayi. Mobile haath mein tha. Woh Sidra se baat kar
rahi thi.

Halki si dastak ke saath darwaza khul gaya. Kohni ke bal oopar hui toh
darwaze mein Faris tha.

"Andar aa sakta hoon?" Woh poora ka poora andar tha aur ijazat maang
raha tha. Uska message yaad aaya toh aankhon mein khafgi ubhar aayi.

"Tum soye nahi abhi tak?" Woh uth kar baith gayi.

"Neend nahi aa rahi thi toh..."

"Toh…?" usne sawalia abrow uthayi.

"Maine socha tumse baatein kar lu, tum bhi toh jaag rahi ho."

Mobile side table par rakh kar, barabar mein aa baitha.

"Halake maine ijazat nahi di thi." Ghoor kar kaha.

"Inkaar bhi toh nahi kiya," woh muskuraya.

Jannat burbura kar rukh badal gayi. Mobile haath mein liye haphazardly
typing karne lagi. Sidra se baat kar rahi thi toh guftgu ko sametne lagi. Faris
usay hi dekh raha tha. Uski white night dress ki aadhi aasteen se jhankte
baazu par mendmel zakhm ki lakeer wazeh thi.

"Tumhe yeh zakhm kaise laga tha?"

"Kaunsa zakhm?" Usne sar utha kar poocha. Agle hi pal apne baazu par us
maqam par uska haath ka lams mehsoos hua.
"Ab pooch rahe ho, ab toh zakhm bhi bhar gaya," manzar, waqt, lamha yaad
aaya toh kahe baghair nahi reh saki.

"Nishan toh abhi bhi hai," woh keh raha tha.

"2 stitch lage the," usne yaad dilaya.

"Bua ke garaj mein bulbs fix kar rahi thi jab keel lag gayi thi." Bohot aam
se lehje mein jawab de kar badam muh mein dala.

Parking area ka manzar, burhaan wasif ka theatre, sakht patharili zameen

par girte hi hatho par lagne wali chot aur be itenai ki aziyat, woh khauf o
dehshat, usne woh tamaam khayalat jhatak diye.

Wo chand lamhon tak muntazir raha ke woh mazeed kuch kahegi magar
woh khamosh ho chuki thi.

"Aisa hi ek zakhm mujhe bhi laga tha, tab main paanch saal ka tha."

"Kaise?" Cushion ko sine se lagaye uski taraf rukh modha.

"Main almari mein chhupne ki koshish kar raha tha."

"Kis liye?" Woh zara si hairaan hui thi.

"Tum guess karo, kisliye?" woh poori tarah se uski taraf mutwajeh tha.

"Kisi bachay ka sar phada hoga, koi nuksaan kiya hoga ya phir..."

Faris ke peshaani par bal aa gaye.

"Khud hi toh kaha hai, guess karo," Jannat ne bhanvein sukedi.

"Guess karo yeh nahi kaha tha ke ilzaam lagao," woh acha khaasa bura
maan gaya.

"Main toh yehi guess kar sakti hoon," usne ghoora.

"Ab koi bacha acha kaam anjaam de kar toh chhupne ki koshish nahi kar
sakta."

"Haan! Magar mein se isliye nahi chhup raha tha ke mene koi nuqsaan kiya
tha"

"To phir?"

Faris ne kuch batane ke liye muh khola fir ruk gaya.

"Forget about it," sar jhatak kar mobile uthaliya.

"Kya matlab forget about it?" Usay gussa chadh gaya. "Khud hi baat shuru
karo, suspense felao aur phir so jao" ghussa to usay wese bhi charha rehta
tha. Faris ki is harkat par seikh paa ho gayi. Magar doosri taraf to jaise woh
kuch sun hi nahi raha tha. Mobile par yun nigahen mafrooze thi jaise koi
zaroori kaam kar raha ho.

"Asl mein mera hi dimagh kharab hai jo main tum se baatein karne lagi hu."
Comforter ek taraf karte hue uthi gayi.

"Kahan jaa rahi ho?"

"Kahin bhi jaun, tumhe isse kya?" Darwaza khol kar aur puri kuwwat se
band kar ke woh bahar chali gayi. Woh gehri saans le kar jaldi se uske
peeche aaya. Raahdari se seedha kitchen mein gaya. Samne hi woh kursi
par baithi thi. Sar jhuka hua tha, ghundhe hue baal pust par the. Bur burahat
jaari thi.

"Jab dil chahega, baat karega, aur jab dil chahega, khamosh ho jayega.
Main koi mazaak hoon?"

Usay nahi pata tha ke woh bilkul uske peeche khada tha. Muskuraate hue
uske paas kursi kheench kar beth gaya.

"Acha? Karo kya baatein karni hai?"

"Main ne kab kaha ke tumse koi baat karni hai?" Usay patange lag gayi.
"Yeh toh tum ho jo khamakha free hone ki koshish karte ho."
"Free hone ki koshish?" Woh muskuraat dabate hue apni band mutthi par
thodi rakh kar usay pyaar se dekhta raha.

"Ainda main tumse koi baat nahi karungi, koi jawab nahi dungi. Saaf keh
diya. Jese tum karte ho, main bhi waise hi karungi."

"Main khoufzada tha, isliye chhup gaya tha." Usne achanak kaha, aur woh
jo sadid ghusse mein kuch aur kehne ka iraada rakhti thi, ekdum se chup ho
gayi.

"Bas ya aur kuch?" Usne bazahir dostana lehze mein poocha. Woh chand
lamhon tak uski aankhon mein dekhti rahi. "Jane kitni hikayaate thi jo in
aankhon mein chhupi hui thi."

"Yani main koi aur sawaal bhi pooch sakti hoon?" Tasdeeq chahiye thi.

"Haan."

Woh hairan hui ke tawaqqo ke baraks jawab musbat mila tha.

"Fayda? Jab tum jawab hi nahi dete." Tanaffur se sar jhatka. "khud sawaal
pooch kar sab jawab sun lete ho, lekin jab main kuch poochon toh
khamoshi."

Woh ab bhi gusse mein lag rahi thi. Bandhe hue baal aage ki taraf uske
kandhe par gir gaye the. Kuch dheele hokar gaal par phisal rahe the.

"Chai piyogi?" Usne uth kar cabinet se jar nikala. Woh hoth bhinchte hue ek
sakht nazar uspar daali, apni anguthi ko aage peeche karti rahi. Chai banate
hue woh apne aap se halki-phulki guftagu karta raha ke jaise usne si rakhe
ho ke ab koi baat nahi karegi. Chai tayaar ho gayi toh ek cup uske aage
rakha, aur doosra haath mein liye samne khada raha.

"Tumhe galat laga tha?" Ghoont bhar kar kaha.

"Kya?" Usne apna cup kareeb kar liya.

"Yahi ke main kisi aurat ko apni zindagi mein wapas lana chahta hoon."
Jannat ki dhadkan lamhe bhar ke liye ruk gayi. saans ruk gaya, aur cup par
uski giraft mazid mazboot ho gayi. Us raat ke baad Adina Zubair ka zikr
jaise aaj hua tha. Uska naam nahi le raha tha, na hi usay kisi sabaqa rishte
se jod raha tha. Uske liye woh sirf ek aurat thi.

"Aur tum chahte ho, main yakeen karlu?" Uska lehja mazboot tha, magar
dil shiddat se dhadka jaa raha tha.

Faris ki sabaqa biwi ka khauf jaise uski rag rag mein samaya hua tha.
Khusoosan yeh inkishaaf zyada takleef deh tha ke Adina uski mohabbat thi
aur woh usay har surat apni zindagi mein wapas lana chahta tha.

"karna to chahiye." Woh kursi kheench kar baith gaya.

"Tum mujhe talaaq dena chahte the." Aankhon mein aankhen daal kar yaad
dilaya.

"Dena chahta 'tha', Yeh tumne khud keh diya tha. Past tense my dear wife,
fal maazi, meri ab aisi koi khwahish nahi rahi."

Jannat haaka baaka si usay dekh kar reh gayi. "Zara dekho, toh khadus ko
saari baatein yaad thi uski. Aur zaahir aise karta tha jaise kuch sun hi nahi
raha"

"Meri zindagi mein tumhare siwa koi aur aurat nahi hai." Usne chai ka
ghoont lete hue keh diya. Baat sadha, mukhtasar aur wazeh thi. Jannat ki
dhadkanein ruk gayi, saansein ruki, agle kai lamhon tak wo usay khamosh
nigahon se dekhti rahi. "Kya woh dansta Adina Zubair ka zikr nahi kar
raha? Aur agar kisi aurat ka masla nahi tha, toh woh usay talaaq kyun dena
chahta tha? Kuch toh tha jo chhupa hua tha ya phir woh jaan bujh kar usse
chhupa raha tha."

"Tum mujh se nafrat karte the aur mujhe talaaq dena chahte the aur phir
achanak tum aakar kehte ho ke main talaaq nahi dena chahta, toh main is
baat ko kya samjhun haan? Aisa toh sirf kahaniyon mein hota hai kisi ka
achanak aik second mein mohabbat ho jaye."
"Aur maine kab kaha ke mujhe tumse mohabbat ho gayi?" Maiz par
kohniyan jamaa kar uski aankhon mein jhaanka.

Woh jo apni dhun mein bol rahi thi, saakit ho gayi. Sawaal tha kar ke dil ko
laga. Saaf saaf, beizzat. Chehra khafgat se surkh padha. Ab na woh uth sakti
thi, na rukh badal sakti thi, na ghaib ho sakti thi. Haan, Faris ne kab kaha ke
usay mohabbat ho gayi?

"Mera matlab tha, main keh rahi thi asal mein woh..."

"Haan, haan bolo. Main sun raha hoon." Chehra mutabassim ho gaya,
aankhon mein shararat utar aayi.

"Asal mein mera dimagh kharab hai jo main tumse baatein kar rahi hoon."
Uski chaal samajhte hi kursi dhaakel kar uth gayi.

"Chai to pilo"

"Zehar de do tum mujhe." Murkar chillayi. Phir bedroom mein jakar

darwaza zor se band kar diya. Usne mesa par baith kar maze se chai peena
shuru kar diya.

"Samajhta kya hai yeh khud ko?" Bigray hue tewar ke saath lihaf odh kar
let gayi. Aankhon par bazu rakh liya. Phir jhanjhla kar karwat badli, do
baara badli, cushion apne kaan par rakha.

"Faris bhai ne kabhi tumse mohabbat ka etraaf kiya?" Dusre kaan mein
awaaz goonjti rahi. "Mohabbat aamaal se jhalakti hai toh ehtraaf ki zarurat
nahi padti."

Khayaal ki dhaar par bada bada likha aaya, uska alfaaz, uska jumla, uska
jawab. Usne apne sar dete hue aankhen band kar li. "Kaise insaan tha woh,
mohabbat ka ehtraaf hua nahi tha aur woh apni zubaan se tasleem kar baithi
thi."

"Allah, Allah, Allah…"

Faris ne darwaza khola. Khankhar kar gala saaf kiya. Usne cushion uthakar
usay maar diya. "Khabardaar jo tumne mujhse kuch kaha toh." Wo takriban
ro dene wali thi. Wo muskurahat jabt kiye sofe par ja betha.

"Haa thik hai maine tumse ye nahi kaha ke mujhe tumse mohabbat hai.
Lekin yeh bhi toh nahi kaha ke mujhe tumse mohabbat nahi hai. In fact,
maine toh mohabbat par koi baat hi nahi ki." Tang par tang zamaye dahine
pao ko zumbish dete hue. Sofe ke hatto par hath tikaye wo kisi saltanat ka
shehzada bana betha tha. Wo comforter me dabki padi rhi. Koi jawab deti to
fas jati. Na jawab de kar fasna jada munasib laga.

"Mera aesa bhi koi mushkil sawal nahi hai?" Usne kaha.

"Jannat kamal?" Phir pukara.

Wo esi ho gayi jaise apne kan kahi girvi rakh aayi ho. Wo jere rab
muskurate hue uth kar chala gaya. Darwaza band hua, to Jannat ne dheere
se aankhein khol di.

"Ainda main isse koi baat nahi karungi." Yeh irada kar liya. "Kisi bhi
sawaal ka jawab nahi doongi. Kamzor nahi parungi. Koi shikwa bhi nahi
karungi. Samajhta hai mujhe phasa lega. Huhm."

Takiye me sar dekar be-tarah se jhunjhlai. himmat bandhane se aur irade

bandhane se kuch nahi ho raha tha. Faris ka lehja, uski muskurati nigahein,
uska istehqaq se sawaal poochhna... Woh apni dhadkano ko sun rahi thi aur
ehsaasat mein uljhi hui thi. Aur bahar lawn mein pollton ki roshniyon mein
Fars raat gayi tak tahalta raha tha.

•••

Neend se bedaar hote hi usne kamre ki tamaam khidkiyan khol di. Bahar ka
nazara karte hue angdaayi li. Phir kapde nikaal kar washroom mein ghus
gayi. Shower liya, kapde badle, baal dry karke pony banayi, dupatta liya aur
nikhar si bahar aa gayi.

Kitchen mein mamool ki tarah se nashtay ka intezam ho raha tha. Mrs.

Shirazi caretaker ke saath lounge mein baithi Quran parh rahi thi. Woh
pehle unke paas gayi. Unse milne ke baad kitchen mein ja kar nashtay ke
intezam ka jaiza liya. Lagta hai phir bhatakti hui seedhiyon ki taraf gayi.
Kalai modh kar waqt dekha. Saade saat baj rahe the aur woh abhi tak
neeche nahi aaya tha. Kahin uski woh dua qubool toh nahi ho gayi ke subah
saat baje se pehle pehle usay office jaana pade? Nichla lab dato tale dabaya.

Aur phir khud ko har lihaz se compose karte hue seedhiya chadne lagi.

"Keh dungi, aunty ne bheja hai, jao dekho, mera beta abhi tak neeche kyun
nahi aaya?" Ahistagi se dastak de kar bedroom ka darwaza khola toh andher
koi nahi tha. Bed par koi sikan nahi thi, sab kuch waise hi rakha tha,
comforter ab tak istemal nahi kiya gaya tha.

Tehreer rok kar rahdaari mein nigah daudai. Sitting area mein bhi koi nahi
tha. Uske kadam be ikhtiyaar study room ki taraf uth gaye. Adh khulay
darwaze ko ahistagi se andar dhakela toh usay samne hi couch par soya hua
dikhai diya. Lamha bhar ke liye toh jaise usay apni aankhon par yaqeen
nahi aaya. Darwaze ke handle par girift jamaye kitni hi der tak khadi reh
gayi.

Laptop, mobile, kuch files aur kagzat carpet aur sheeshe ki table par dhare
the, pani ka glass bhi rakha tha, coffee ka mug bhi.

"Kya woh saari raat study mein soya raha?"

Woh kuch der tak apni jagah khadi rahi. Kareeb aa kar usay dekha. Phir
awaaz dete hue kandha hilaya toh uski aankh khul gayi. Khidkiyo se dhoop
seedha chehre par par rahi thi toh mandhi munshi mundhi aankhon ke saath
uth kar baith gaya. Jab usay bedaar hua toh study mein apni mojoodgi ka
ehsaas karke seedha hua. Tasuraat ek dam se badle. Ghaliban use tawakka
nahi thi, ke wo upar aayegi.

"Tum…" uski aankhein raat jagne ki gawahi de rahi thi.

"Haan, tum niche nahi aaye to auntie ne bheja."

Aur theliyon sar giraye, kuch der tak betha raha.

"Tum yahi soye rahe?"

"Kaam karte karte aankh lag gayi."

Wo daahine haath se peshaani massal raha tha. Aankhein hanoos band thi.
Do din pehle jab wo office mein so gaya tha to usne jab bhi mrs. Shirazi ko
yehi jawab diya tha. Wo nichla lab daanto mein dabaye khadi rahi. Phir
glass mein paani daal kar use diya.

"Tum chalo, main fresh ho kar aata hoon." Usne kaha.

Wo sar hila kar study se chalu gayi. Nashte ke dauran uska rawaiya theek
raha. Workout karwate hue bhi, Bas farq yeh tha, wo aaj use kam daant raha
tha. Zyada baat bhi nahi kar raha tha. Zehen kuch uljha hua sa laga ki jab
wo baat kar leti to wo chonk kar poochhta, wo kya keh rahi thi. Office ke
liye rawana hua to wo glass walls ke samne aake khadi hui. Aur kaafi der
tak khadi hi rahi.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 53
•••

Office se wapas aate hi apne kamre mein enter karte hi use ghair mamooli
pan ka ehsaas hua. Halanke kuch bhi to nahi badla tha. Tie ki knot dheeli
karte hue usne sofa par baith kar joote utaraye, cufflinks aur ghadi dressing
table par rakhi to ehsaas hua ke uske perfumes aur lotions waghera ghaib
the. Soch mein uljhte hue Wardrobe slide ki to khaali mili. Uske kapde,
jootay, tie, kuch bhi maujood nahi tha. Wo ek dum se hairaan hua. Dimaag
mein ek mumkinah khayal ne sar uthaya to uska senti mein bula. Magar
agle hi pal wo joote pehan kar seedhiyo se utarta neeche aa gaya.

Mrs. Shirazi lounge mein baithi thi. Mulazma unke liye cup mein chai daal
rahi thi. Jannat ki talash mein nigah daudate hue usne raahdari ki taraf
rakha. Kuch hi der mein wo darwaze par dastak deta uske kamre mein enter
ho chuka tha.

Uska saara saman carpet par dhara tha. Aur wo bilkul saamne neeche baithi
uske joote tarteeb se rakh rahi thi. Aur itna magan ho kar kaam kar rahi thi
ki na dastak suni thi, na uski maujoodgi ka ehsaas hua tha.

Seene par bazoo baandhe wo khushgawar hairat se use dekhta raha. Phir
uske aqab mein be had nazdeek panjo ke bal baith gaya.

"Main abhi Adeel ko call karne wala tha, mere kamre se kuch saman chori
ho gaya hai." Itne nazdeek se itne achanak awaaz aane par wo ek dum
bokhlaayi. Sneakers chhoot kar neeche gir gae.

"Tum… tum kab aaye?" Ghabrakar poocha.

"Kaafi der ho chuki hai." Wahan ki aankhon mein dukh kar bola.

"Tum itni busy thi, tumhe pata hi nahi chala." Jannat hawas baakhtah hi use
dekh kar reh gayi.
Ek tayrana nigaah kamre mein daudaayi. Phir fursat se use dekha. Aankhon
mein shararat aur lips par jo muskurahat thi, wo use lab bhinche kar baar
baar tha.

"Kya aap batana pasand karengi, mere jootay, kapde, ties khud chal kar
neeche aaye hain ya aap unhe laayi hain?"

Jannat ki hawaayein ud gayi thi. Saari planning ka bairaag ghair ho gaya

tha. Usne socha tha, wo apne bedroom mein uska saman set karne ke baad
message kar ke batadegi ke ab wo kamra share kar sakti hai.

Lekin shomayee qismet ki, wo office se jaldi ghar aa gaya tha aur ab use
aise dekh raha tha jaise wo koi jurm karte hue rangay haathho pakri gayi ho.

"Agar, aap laayi hain to phir kyun laayi hain?" Lahje mein kisi kadar
masoomiyat thi. Jaise wo nahi jaanta ho. Wo kyun laayi thi.

" Wo… Main," dimaag khaali ho gaya. Shabdon ki kami thi, aur wo uski
keefiyat se chakkar uthaata uske barabar mein hi baith gaya. Ke jawab dene
ke liye jitna waqt chahiye le lo, mujhe bhi yahan se jaane ki koi jaldi nahi.

Jannat ko jee bhar ke rona aaya. Khud ko jis situation mein phansa liya tha.
Uska aasaan tareen hal bhi use be intaha mushkil lag raha tha.

"Wo…mein…" uski nigaahon ke taasur se confuse ho rahi thi.

"Haan, tum kya?"

"Wo main apna room share karne ki ijazat de rahi hoon tumhe." Faris ne
bhanwe uchkaayi.

"Lekin maine tumse ijazat kab maangi?"

Aur Jannat ko laga jaise aas paas bahut se dhamake hue hain. Aur aankhon
ke saamne is izzat afzaayi par taare se chamak uthi ho.

"Us din to bada keh rahe the, kamre mein dil nahi lag raha…" Saari
marawat, lihaaz balaye taq rakhte hue wo us par phat padhi.
"Main ne ye kab kaha?" Wo kadre hairat se seedha hua.

"Dil mein jagah nahi de sakti to kamre mein de do." Sulagh kar yaad dilaya.
Chehra ghusse se laal ho raha tha.

"Main aisi koi baat kar hi nahi sakta." Be yaqeeni ki inteha.

"Jhutha" Jannat ne god mein jo coat rakha tha use utha kar carpet par patka.

"Sofaisa sofaisa!" Uth kar malazma ko awaaz di. Malazma foran haazir hui.

"Yeh saara saman abhi ke abhi sahab ke kamre mein pohnchao."

Jhat se huqm sadey kiya. Magar malazma Faris ki thi. Uske ek hi ishare par
Jannat ke hukum ko mukammal nazar andaz karti kamre se chali gayi.
Jannat ka paara mazeed chadh gaya. Murh kar use dekha. "Ab tum jao
yahan se." Sakht lahje mein use hukum sadey diya. Aankhon mein halki si
nami, bhanwe shikari, lips bhinche hue. wo kuch lamhon tak khada raha.
Agle hi pal apne aur uske maabain faasla khatam karte hue khud se laga
liya. Wo uski is harkat par apni jagah tham gayi.

"Thank you so much! Mujhe ijazat dene ke liye." Awaaz madham aur gehri
thi. Jannat ka ghussa yakayak thanda hua. Tassurat mein narmi utar aayi.
Alag ho kar usne dono haatho se baalon ko peechay kiya.

"Agar mujhe pata hota, aaj mujhe surprise milne wala hai to main shayad
bahut der se ghar aata." Uske kandhon par haath rakh ke keh raha tha.

"Haan, lekin iska matlab ye nahi hai ki main court nahi jaungi." Apni
khaffat chhupane ko daharrane se keh diya.

"Of course, main aisa kuch soch hi nahi raha."

Wo usay nazar andaz karti kahin aur dekhne lagi. "Mujhe change karna
hai." Faris ne kaha.

Usne wardrobe se kapde nikal kar use diye aur wo attach bath room mein
chala gaya. Jannat kuch der tak apni jagah khadi rahi, phir labo par
muskurahat liye apna baqi ka kaam samaitne lagi.
•••

Agle din vo office se jaldi hi wapas aa gaya tha. Ghar pahunch kar
mulazimon se pata chala ke uski biwi apni saas ke saath Zaid ke ghar gayi
hui thi. Vo seedha Afaq House chala gaya. Watchman ne uske liye darwaza
khol diya.

Jebo mein haath daale vo bade hi dheeme andaaz mein andar daakhil hua.
Sar sabz lawn ke beech me ek jagah stage tayyar kiya gaya tha. Neelgun
theme mein kursiyan aur mezain sajayi gayi thi. Mehmaan khawateen, unke
bachche, aur har taraf shor sharaba tha.

Bachche lawn mein bhaagte khel rahe the. Soori mehmaan-e-khaas thi. Itni
laadli ke lagbhag har bacha usse god mein liye phir raha tha. Cake kaata ja
chuka tha. Tohfey mil chuke the. Ab yaqeenan mehmaano ko khana
khilaaya ja raha tha. Uski nazar Mrs. Shirazi par padi. Vo Zaid ki daadi ke
saath guftagu mein masroof thi. Wo ankho me zara si bharmi liye apni Biwi
ko khojne laga Aur tabhi uski nazar us par padi.

Aasmani rang ke dheele dhale kapdo mein, baalo ki pony banaye, vo glass
door se nikal kar mrs. Shirazi ki taraf ja rahi thi. Zoya uske peeche peeche
thi. Aqsa Mrs. Shirazi ke paas khadi badi halat se apni CCTV aankhon se
idhar udhar dekh rahi thi ke yak a yak nazar Faris Wajdan par padi. “Aapi!”
Uske munh se lafz nikalte nikalte reh gaye. Jannat, Zoya ke jooton ke
tasmay bandh rahi thi. Dar si gayi.

"Kya hua Bhoot dekh liya kya?"

"Nahi mera matlab hai… wo waha…" apna baazu sidha karke ishara kiya.
"Faris sahab…"

Jannat chok kar uth khadi hui, mud kar baahir ke gate ki taraf dekha, aur
agle hi lamhe Faris Wajdan par nazar padte hi usay khushi bhari hairat ne
gher liya.

"Main aati hoon." Keh kar wahan se nikal gayi. Faris wajdan ke qareeb
pahunchne tak apni aankhon ki chamak, muskurahat aur khushi ke tamam
rang chhupa liye. “Arey! tum yahan?” jee bhar kar hairan hui. “Tumne to
kaha tha tum nahi aaoge?”

“Dekhlo,” Faris ne jataya. Phir haath se use door rehne ka ishara kiya,
“Agar Susie ke saath waqt guzar kar aa rahi ho toh.” Magar vo uske bilkul
paas aa khadi hui. Dahine haath ko saamne kiya, beech wali ungli mein
gulaabi rang ki plastic ki khilona anguthi pehni hui thi. “Kaisi hai?” aankho
me baccho jesa istihak leke pucha, “Button dabao toh light bhi jalti hai.”
Faris ke chehre par muskurahat phail gayi.

“Mujhse kaha hota, main aisi hazaar la deta.”

“Mujhe ek hi chahiye thi, aur vo Zaid ne mujhe de di.” Itra kar kaha.
“Tumhe apne fiance ki security ka intezaam karna chahiye.” Usne sanjeedgi
se kaha.

Aur wo has di. Aankhon mein zindagi ki chamak thi. Chehra khushi se
chamak raha tha. Aur yeh khushi kis liye thi? Uski aamad ki wajah se ya
phir?…

"Well, if you excuse me, mere fiancé ko pasand nahi, main iske alawa kisi
se baat karungi." Ek ada se keh kar jaane ko mudi, magar Faris ne use baazu
se pakad kar rok liya.

"Tumhare fiancé se to main baad mein nipat loonga, lekin agar aapko yaad
ho, aaj aapki appointment hai."

"Haan ji, yaad hai mujhe." Mrs. Shirazi ne unki taraf dekha to Faris ne
muskurate hue haath hilaya. Unhone ishare se usay jaane ki ijaazat di.

"Aur maine yeh bhi kaha tha, dinner bahar karenge." Woh use baazu ke
hisaar mein le kar daayein taraf bar ki oat mein ho gaya tha.

"Tumhari wajah se theek se kuch kha bhi nahi saki." Woh deewar ke saath
peeth lagaye khadi thi. Sar utha hua tha. Aankhein chamak rahi thi.

"Abhi Aqsaa ko bula kar poochu hoon to pata chale tumne kya kuch kha
liya hai."
"Nahi, kuch khaas nahi, sirf Zaid ke saath thoda sa cake khaaya tha."

Aur us nadan ko jaane kaise bhank pad gayi ke sab kuch chhod chhaad kar
wahan aa gaya. "Jannat ji!" Faris aur uske beech zabardasti ghus kar khada
ho gaya.

"Tumhara fiancé apni fitness ka bilkul bhi khayal nahi rakhta." Usne
bharami ka izhaar karte hue tabsara kiya. Jannat ne use kohni de maari.
Aankhon hi aankhon mein ghoori di ke bachche ke jazbaat ka khayal rakh
lo.

"Unhone kya kaha hai abhi?" Zaid ki sakki nigaha.

"Keh rahe hain, aap bahut achhe lag rahe ho."

"Maine yeh kab kaha?" Woh bhunna gaya. Jannat ne chehra mod kar use
ghoora.

"Tum bachon ke saath bilkul bachay hi ban jaate ho."

"Tum mujhe ilzam de rahi ho? Is panda ko dekha hai?" Haath se Zaid ki
taraf ishaara kiya. Aur Zaid jo apni saalgirah ki moqasat se panda ke
costume mein tha, khada reh gaya. Phir ladne ko aage badha, magar Jannat
ne use beech raaste mein rok liya.

"Chhoro unhe, yeh to hain hi aise, aap to itne cute, itne pyaare lag rahe ho.
Aur panda to mera hai hi favorite hai."

Zaid ke nanhe se dil ko thodi tasalli mili, naak sikhaakar Faris ko jalti sulgti
nazar se dekha. Uske papa bhi wahan aa gaye.

"Mubarak ho aapko." Faris ne haath milate hue kaha. Jannat ke mubhina

kehka laga kar hase. "sachme tumne sab miss kar diya. Bahut enjoy kiya
hamne."

"Jannat ji, yahan se chale na!" Zaid uska haath kheench raha tha.

"Aapko apne bete ki security ab dugni kar deni chahiye." Usne mashwara
diya. Wo jor se hase. "Dil bara karo yaar!" Pusht thapthapa kar tasalli di.
"Ab bacho ki khushi thi, kya kar sakte hain. " Wo bade mood mein the.
'"Aao baitho.'"

"Nahi, ab chalte hain. Hospital jaana hai, chaar baje ka appointment hai,
phir kabhi waqt nikal kar aaunga." Woh unse baat karte hue bahar chala
gaya.

Jannat Mrs.Shirazi ke paas aa gayi. Apna purse uthaya, Mrs. Afaq se ijaazat
li. Zoya ko pyaar kiya, Zaid se chhup chhupa baahar aayi to Faris gaadi
mein uska intezaar kar raha tha.

Zaid uske peeche peeche bahar aa gaya. Pehle to usne is baat par shor
machaya ke woh itni jaldi kyun hain aur jab Jannat ne hospital jaane ka
bataya to kuch narm pada. "Main kal school ke baad aapse milne aaunga,
phool bhi launga." Steering wheel par grip chhod kar Faris ne chup kar ke
use dekha. Jannat passenger seat par baithi thi, aur wo darwaza band nahi
karne de raha tha.

"Haan, theek hai, zaroor aana. Main aapka intezaar karungi. Cards
khelange, drawing banayenge aur stories bhi padhenge." Woh use bahut
pyaar se behla rahi thi. "Aur aap apni ring ka bahut khayal rakhna. Inko
bilkul mat dena." Ishara Faris ki taraf tha. "Haan iska to jaise ab yahi kaam
reh gaya hai, plastic ki anguthiya chori karna." Woh kande bheench kar reh
gaya.

"Haan, haan zaroor, kisi ko nahi dungi. Sambhal kar rakhungi. "Sambhal
kar mat rakhna. Aap pehni rahe. Agar cell khatam ho jaye to main naye la
duga. Aur agar unhone (chhote se haath se Faris ki taraf ishaara kiya) kuch
kaha to mujhe batana."

Aqsa jaane kahan se guzarti thi ke nazar gate par pad gayi aur bhai bhai
chali aayi. Zaid ko pakad kar peeche hataa diya. "Aapko Aapki mamma
bula rahi hain. Jaldi se jaayein. Zoya ne gift khol liya hai."

"Allah Hafiz Jannat ji!" Woh bade sober tareeke se haath hila kar peeche
hata. Aqsa ne foran se aage badhkar darwaza band kiya aur use apne saath
le gayi. Jannat bade fursat se uski taraf mudi. Wo prehshani par laath daale
baitha tha.
"To?" Usne kaha.

"To yeh mangni tod do." Seedha seedha hukam sunaya. Woh hasne lagi.

"Tum jealous ho rahe ho?"

"Main bhala kyun jealous hone laga?" Woh chidh gaya.

"Wohi to main pooch rahi hoon. Tum ek bachche se kyun jealous ho rahe
ho?" Uske tassurat se khat uthaya.

"Baccha? Harkate dekhi hai iski? Is umar me mangni ke khawab dekh raha
hai."

"Dekhiye Mrs. Faris, main bardasht nahi kar sakti koi mere fiancé ke baare
mein aisi baat kare."

"Haan, haan jaanta hoon. Tumhara dil-gurda, jaan sab kuch hai woh." Faris
ne sulag kar gaadi start kar di. Woh aankho mein shararat aur labon par
muskurahat liye khidki se baahar dekhne lagi. Jaane dil mein sarosi kefiyat
kyun thi? Isliye ke Faris uske kehne par wahan aa gaya tha? Ya phir isliye
ke uske tassurat bhi Zaid se mukhtalif nahi the? Soch kar muskurati rahi.

Hospital mein check-up ke baad woh use restaurant le aaya tha. Menu card
haath mein le kar Jannat ne apni pasand ki dishes order ki.

Aur jab woh khana kha rahi thi to woh usay hi dekh raha tha. Halki phulki
si guftagu chal rahi thi. Mrs. Shirazi salgira party ke intezamat par tabsara
tha. Aima ke university ke kuch ek kisse the. Woh sawaal karta ja raha tha
aur woh bolti ja rahi thi. Mamool ke baraks woh use bahut khushgawar
mood mein lagi.

Khana ke baad chai mangwai gayi. Aur ab woh apna cup haatho mein le kar
baithi thi jab Faris ne jeb se makhmalin box nikal kar uske aage rakh diya.
Chai ka ghoot lete hi woh ek dum ruk gayi thi.

"Yeh tumhare liye London mein khareedha tha." Faris ne kaha. Use andaza
nahi tha, woh is gift ka ab kya karne wali thi. Shayad woh guzri hui kuch ek
baaton ka hawala de kar isse utarti ya shayad inkaar kar deti. Magar usne
kuch bhi kahe bina box khol diya.

Andar sona ka khoobsurat aur nafees bracelet rakha tha. Ek phool, jis mein
dil aur triangle bana tha. Phool ke dono siro par gol chhinnay the jo ek baar
ek zanjeer se jude hue the. Aankhon mein halki si sataish liye usne bracelet
utha liya. Uske tassurat aur rawaiye se apne andar sukoon ki si kefiyat
mehsoos ki. Faris ne hath badhaya.

"May i ?" Usne jaise ijazat chahi.

Jannat ne asbat mein sar hilate hue bracelet uske hawale karke apna baaya
haath aage kar diya. Ek nazar usse dekhte hue bracelet pehnaya. Uski
naazuk kalayi par wo zanjeer saj gayi.

"Thanks!" Usne kaha.

"Tumhe pasand aaya?"

"Bohot, lekin mere fiancè ki angoothi zyada pyaari hai." Wo use chidhane
ke liye boli.

"Lekin mera gift zyada payedaar hai."

"Zaid ne mujhe ye ring bohot dil se di hai."

"Zaid ka dil bohot chhota hai, mera dil bohot bada hai."

Ab wo usse ye nahi keh sakti thi ke uska dil bada nahi tha.

"Kitna bada hai?"

Wo muskara kar reh gaya.

Use khushi thi ke Jannat Kamal ne uski taraf se diya gaya pehla tohfa haq
se tarah se qubool kiya tha.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 54
•••

Maa'mool ki tarah wo Faris Wajdan ke saath gym mein maujood thi. Roz
marra ke tamam workout karne ke baad thaki haari, trademill par khadi thi
aur jaldi mein kadam uthaayi, baar baar time dekh rahi thi. Peeche dekha to
Faris mobile phone kaan se lagaye baat karta hua nazar aaya. Uski pust uski
taraf thi. Neechla lab daanto ke neeche dabaaya, wo button off kar ke utar
gayi. Khayal tha use nahi pata chalega magar jaise hi call se farigh hua, wo
achanak treadmill par time dekhte hue uske paas aa gaya.

"Tin minute baki the."

"Na… nahi to…"

"Dobara karo aur poore pandra minute tak." Lehje mein thodi si narmish
thi.

"Kya?" Wo ek dum se cheekhi.

"Pehle din se keh diya tha ki tum jab bhi koi workout beech mein chhod
dogi to tumhe saza milegi. Sirf tin minute bache the." Wo inkaar kar rahi thi
magar Faris ne sunne an-sunhe karte hue usse phir se trademill par khada
kar diya. Chand moments to jaise uske liye pandrah ghante ho gaye. Saza
khatam ho gayi magar gussa khatam nahi hua. Naraazgi khatam nahi hui.
Wo office chala gaya to seedha Mrs. Shirazi ke paas pohanch gayi.

"Sirf tin minute pehle utar gayi thi, main auntie! Sirf tin minute… aur usne
pandrah minute badha diye." Mrs. Shirazi ko khub shikayat lagayi. Batate
hue bhi rona aa raha tha. Unhone uske samne phone laga ke Faris ki class li.

"Mummy! Wo workout karte hue bilkul serious nahi hoti." Speaker on tha
to aawaz usne bhi suni, sadme se muh khula.

"Jhuth keh raha yeh" tadap kar difa kiya.

"Main itni mehnat karti hoon." Aankhein aansuon se bhar gayi. "Yeh chahti
hai sabhi workout ek minute mein karke farigh ho jaye. Kya yeh possible
hai?" Wo keh raha tha.

"Agar isse tin minute mein hue toh tumhe sirf tin minute zyada lene chahiye
the. Tumne meri bahu ko poore tis minute treadmill par khada rakha. This is
not fair?"

wo mote mote aankho se aansu bhar ke rone lagi thi to wo foran uski
himaayat mein utari

"Mummy yeh iski saza thi. Ab kya main isse ye kehta, das daafa alif be likh
kar dikhaye?" Wo unki daant sun kar narmi se baat kar raha tha. Wo la
jawab ho gayi. Phir sar uthakar usse dekha. Sir jhukaaye aur aansuon ko
pare dakhel rahi thi. Unhe us par reham aaya.

"Tum dar guzar kar dete beta!"

"Roz karta hoon Mummy! Aap isse poochhe, Kal isne das baar biceps
workout karna tha aur isne sirf chhe baar kiya, 2 minute ki break hoti hai ye
pure 5 minute leti hai. Roz mujhe ise ghar ke kisi kone se dhoondh dhand
kar gym le jana padta hai. Pandrah minute to aise hi jaaya ho jate hain.
"Halanki ye jaanti hai mera ek ek lamha qeemti hai."

'Itni sari shikayatein' Jannat ko sadma hua, dukh hua. Sar jhuka gaya. Mrs.
Shirazi speaker on karne par pachhtayi.

"Khair jo bhi hai," unhone lehje ko shakt kiya. "Tumhe meri bahu ke saath
aisa nahi karna chahiye tha."

Dusri taraf, khamoshi…

"Faris?"

"Thik hai, meri baat karwaye isse, aayinda alif be likhwa loonga. Phir na
kahe. So dafa kyun likhwa raha hoon?"

"Auntie! Isko dekhe" Chid kar sar uthaya. Mrs. Shirazi ke liye muskurana
mushkil ho gaya.
"Faris!" maskoi khafgi se uska naam liya. "Isse kahe mujhse baat na kare ab
kabhi…"

Wo roni surat liye uth kar bahar nikal gayi. Mrs. Shirazi usse dekh kar reh
gayi.

Apne kamre mein jaakar usne aankhein ragad kar saaf ki, phir kapde badal
kar bahar aayi aur Mrs. Shirazi se ijazat lekar Aqsa ke saath park chali gayi.
Faris se naraaz thi to na to usse baat kar rahi thi, na uski call receive kar
rahi thi. Kuch waqt khuli fiza mein bitane ke baad ghar ki taraf rukh kiya to
sadak ke kinare uski gaadi ruki.

"Tumhara to har ek lamha qeemti haina, to tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?"
Usne chidkar poocha. Aqsa peeche thi, jhankla paar kar ke bahar aayi to
Faris ko dekh kar hairaan hui. "Uske sahab is waqt yahan?"

"Betho." Faris ne uske liye passenger seat ka darwaza khol diya. Aqsa saath
thi to wo sabr kar ke chup chaap baith gayi. Mood buri tarah se off tha.

"Apna khayal rakhiyega, aapi!" Darwaza band kar ke Aqsa ne kaha. Haath
bhi hilaaye. "Good luck aur thumbs up dikhana.

Kyu tumahri Malkan K2 surve karne jaa rahi ?" Khidki ka sheesha neeche
kar ke Faris ne jhataka diya.

Aqsa bechaini se kanp gai. "Nahi, wo main…"

"Yahan se seedha ghar jao." Tahaqqum se kaha. Wo adab se sharif bacho ki

tarah seedha chalti gayi, kabhi bhi mud kar nahi dekha.

Fares ne gaadi reverse ki. Jannat khidki ki taraf munh kiye chup baithi rahi.
Wo bhi chup raha.

"Abhi tak naraaz ho?" Main road par gaadi daalte hue narmi se poocha.

"Baat mat karo mujhse."

"Magar kyun?" Wo dheere se muskuraya.

"Tumne aunty ko meri itni shikayatein lagayi. Asal gham yeh tha."

"Tum bhi to lagati ho."

Usne ghabra kar dekha. "Meri baat alag hai."

"Tumhari baat alag kyun hai?"

Apna munh band karke usne apna rukh khidki ki taraf kar liya.

"Achha, I'm sorry! Aindah unse kuch nahi kahunga."

"Tumhe lagta hai ? main sirf is baat par naraaz hoon ki tumne meri
shikayatein lagayi."

"To aur kis baat par naraaz ho?"

"Kya tum nahi jaante?" Sadme se, dukh se poocha. Usne inkaar mein sar
hilaaya.

"Tumne mujhe pachis minute treadmill par walk karwayi… umne." Faris ne
gehri saans li.

"Ab main uske liye sorry nahi keh sakta."

Saaf keh diya. Chand seconds tak usse sakht nazaron se ghoorti rahi. Phir
apna rukh badal gaya.

"Kya bahut thak gayi thi?"

Khamoshi…

"Thik hai. Uske liye bhi sorry; lekin wada karo. Aayinda koi bhi minute
miss nahi karogi." Muqammal khamoshi.

"Pizza hut chale?" Mud kar poocha. Lekin wo to jaise wahan thi hi nahi.

"Long drive ke baare mein kya khayal hai? Khub baate karenge."
Uska sar khidki ki taraf hi raha. Wo use raj se nazarandaz kar rahi thi.

"Ice cream khaogi?"

Khamoshi…

Wo main road par gaadi daale hue, gehri saans lekar mod kaatne laga to
awaaz aayi.

"Khila do." Waise hi ruthi hui si awaaz. Ukkhada hua sa andaaz.

Wo muskurahat jabt kar gaya.

"Jo aapka hukum!"

"Lekin gaadi mein hi khayenge." Usne keh diya, Fars ne sar hilaya.

Gaadi park karke woh ice cream lene chala gaya. Khidki ki taraf rukh kiye
woh usay ice cream parlor mein daakhil hota dekh sakti thi. Aise hi
khayalon mein ghum thi jab samne ek safed gaadi aakar ruki. Darwaza khol
kar safed trousers par laal rang ki shirt pehne Adina zubair bahar aayi.
Glasses apne balon mein atkaaye hue, purse kande par dala aur mobile kaan
se lagaye hansti hui jaldi se andar daakhil ho gayi.

Jannat ki saansein tham gayin. Dil ruk gaya. Ek dum se khud par taari is
jamoood ko torte hue woh darwaza khol kar bahar nikli. Harakat ghair iradi
thi, uska rukh glass door ki taraf tha. Woh jaise Adina Zubair se pehle Faris
Wajdan tak pohanch jana chahti thi. Sheeshe ki deewaron se andar ka
manzar numaya tha. Uske qadam zameen par jam gaye. Nigahen ek hi
maqam par theher gayin.

Faris Wajdan ke saath Adina Zubair maujood thi. Uski nafees ungliyo ki
girift Faris ke baazu par thi aur uski dilfaraib nigahen Faris ke chehre par
thein. Manzar wazeh ho kar agle hi pal dhundhla gaya. Woh ek dum se
peeche hati. Khud par qaboo paati wapas phiri. Darwaza khol kar gaadi
mein baith gayi. Mutthiyaa sakhti se beech gayi.

Mahin aur Burhan… zehan ke parde par kai manzar lehraye. Kai baatein
yaad aayi. Kai khadshat, kai waswase, kai khauf se latay waham uske andar
sama gaye. Woh andar tak hil gayi thi.

"Meri zindagi mein koi aurat nahi hai."

Usne gehri saans lekar khud ko sambhalne ki koshish ki. Teen se paanch
minute ka doraniyah jo ke barhta gaya. Saat minute, phir das minute,
pandrah minute. Adina Zubair ki gaadi samne hi khadi rahi. Fars Wajdan
bahar na aaya. Uska dam ghutne laga, use wehesht si hone lagi.

Yakayak sheeshe par dastak hui. Usne chonk kar sar uthaya. Faris ne
sheesha kholne ka ishaara kiya tha.

Usne kapkapati ungliyon se darwaza khol diya. "Sorry, thoda late ho gaya."
Keh kar dono cups uski taraf barhaye jo baghair kisi tardud ke usne le liye.
Lamhe bhar ke liye uska chehra dekh kar woh chonka tha. Phir ghoom kar
seat par aa baitha.

"Tumhe kya hua?" Pooche bina na reh saka.

"Kuch nahi." Cover utar kar usne spoon nikaal liya.

"Tabiyat theek hai?"

"Haan." Woh keh kar ice cream khane lagi. Usne chand lamhon tak usay
dekha phir apni ice cream glass stand par rakh di. Gaadi start karte hue woh
chhotay chhotay spoon khud bhi le raha tha.

Gaadi mein pehle sirf khamoshi thi, magar ab to jaise sannata utar aaya tha.

"Ghar chalein?" Woh keh rahi thi.

Faris ne chonk kar uski taraf dekha. Aaj ke din ke liye uske paas bohot se
plans the magar.

"Meri tabiyat kuch theek nahi hai." Woh ab keh rahi thi.

Usne asbaat mein sar hilate hue gaadi ka rukh ghar ki taraf mod diya tha.

•••
"Baat sun Rashida…"

Shaam ko fursat milte hi Ruby uske ghar pahunch gayi thi. Do baar khat
likh kar uske zariye bhej chuki thi aur in do mahine mein ab tak koi jawab
nahi aaya tha. Phone number company ka tha, to direct bacche ke chacha se
baat nahi ho sakti thi. Ab usne teesri baar khat likha tha. Kaafi saari
sooratain, duaayein padh kar phook maar kar khat bheja ke ye kis tarah se
bache ke chaacha ko mil jaye, lekin Rashida ne is baar saaf mana kar diya.

"Na bhai, Na!" Usne haath uthayah

"Apne ghar walo se qut nahi khani mujhe. Do baar woh tera khat de aaya
hai. Ab agar main kahungi to woh shayad pakad lega.

"Bas yeh aakhri baar hai, dekh, tere aage haath jodti hoon."

Rashida ne zich ho kar use dekha. "Toh yeh kya paraye phandey mein taang
adaye jaa rahi hai. Aqqal manti hai ki uske chaacha ko bilkul bhi khabar
nahi hogi?"

Ruby lajawab ho gayi.

"Ho sakta hai, use tere khat mil rahe hon aur phir bhi nahi aana chahta ho?"

"Main maan hi nahi sakti, mera khat padh kar kis ko bhi ehsaas nahi hoga."
Woh roohansi ho gayi.

"Dekh!" Rashida ne gehri saans le kar kaha.

"Yeh jin ke ghar mein yeh bachcha reh raha hai, yeh uske rishtedaar hain.
Ye jo paise kha raha hai ye uska sagga mamu hai. Jisne use yaha chorh
rakha hai wo uski saggi maa hai. Aur jo paise bhej kar ye samajh raha hai ki
jimmedari puri kardi, wo uska sagga chacha hai. Ab bata mujhe, kis kis se
ladegi? Kis-kis mein ehsaas jagayegi? Jab maa hi behis hai, toh aur kaun
ehsaas karega?"

"Main kar rahi huna ehsaas!" Ruby ne kaha.

Aur yahan Rashida lajawab ho gayi.

"Wo itna chhota sa hai Rashida, mera toh isse dekh kar kaleja muh ko aata
hai. Usse toh kuch pata bhi nahi. Uske saath kitna zulm ho raha hai, naukro
se bhi badtar zindagi hai iski."

Rashida ne thandi aah bhar kar royi. Us ladki ko samjhana bekaar tha. Khat
de kar do ghar aayi. Dimaag alag-alag khayalon ka gadhab ban gaya tha.
Teen khat, teen koshishen, ab ke usne soch liya tha ki agar jawab nahi mila
to woh bachche ko uthaye khud Islamabad uske chaacha ke paas chale
jayegi. Lekin yeh mansuba zyada khatarnaak tha. Nakami ke chances zyada
the. Bachche ke is tarah ghar se gayab hone par zyada mushkilat ka paish aa
sakti thi. Agwa aur chori ka ilzaam lag sakta tha. Uski maa ke liye bhi
masla ho sakta tha.

"Aur phir is baat ki bhi koi jamanat nahi thi ki chaacha bachche ko qabool
kar lega. Aye mumkin hai woh ise wapas bhijwa de?"

"Kya pata Rashida sachi hi keh rahi ho? Chaacha jaan bujhkar is masoom
bacche ko yahan chhod gaya ho."

Josh se sochate-sochate woh hosh mein aa gayi.

"Allah Shona, koi toh hal nikalna hai, bas kisi tarah yeh khat mil jaye. Us
ghar ke malik ko mil jaye. Malikain ko mil jaye. Kisi ko toh mil jaye. Koi
toh iske liye aaye." Usne dil se dua ki aur uski yeh dua qubool kar li gayi
thi.

•••

Sard hawa ka jhonka sar-sara kar guzra tha. Woh darakhto ki chhaon mein
bench par baithi thi. Samne track par har umar ke log nazar aa rahe the.
Aqsa bhi yahin kahin tahel rahi thi. Gehri saans le kar usne sar uthaaya.
Mobile par notification aaya to usne dekha, apni office chair par barjman ho
kar Faris ne apni tasveer bheji thi. Chehra mutabassim tha. Jannat ke honto
par bhi muskurahat aa gayi.

"Ab kaisi tabiyat hai tumhari?" Woh puchh raha tha.

"Kuch behtar hoon. Aqsaa ke saath park mein hoon." Usne jawab likha.
"Tumhe aaram karna chahiye." Turant jawab aaya.

Usse pehle ki woh kuch likhti, uske aur dhoop ke beech ek saaya sa aa
gaya. Usne be-seenhe sar uthaaya aur agle hi pal apni jagah tham gayi.
Mobile screen par Faris ke muskurahat ke tasveer ab bhi aa rahe the. Woh
screen par nahi dekh rahi thi, lekin tasveer dekh chuki thi. Aas-paas door
door tak har cheez par ek sajeeb jhamood tari hua tha.

Aadina Zubair uske samne khadi thi.

track suit mein malbus, oonchi pony tail banaye, mutanasib saraape mein
har kisi ki nazar ka markaz Aadiya Zubair uske samne thi. Pani ki bottle se
chand ghont bhar kar, chhote rumal se apna paseena pochh kar, aur phir ek
dil-ke-qareeb muskurahat honto par sajaye uske paas aayi.

Sare se paar ek jaayeze hi mein usne uske wajood mein chahiti ek naye
zindagi ka andaza laga chuki tha. Lekin uski aankhon ki wo ilahi aur fatah
ki chamak ek lamhe ke liye bhi madam nahi hui thi. Ek tazheek aamiz nazar
us par daalte huye usne rumal se apni gardan ko thapthapaya tha.

"So you're expecting a baby, me bhi kahu Faris hamari shaadi ko delay
kyun kar raha hai?" Qareeb aur kuch awaar me dhamaka kaise hota hai aur
us dhamake se jism ke parhichhe kaise udhte hai. Yeh Jannat kamal ne us
lamhe mein jaana tha.

"Usne mujhse kaha, kuch mahine intezaar kar lo. Magar wajah nahi batayi.
Toh wajah yeh hai." Haath se ishara kiya.

ur ishtejahi andaaz se hasi.

"Kya tumhe lagta hai, uske bachche ki maa ban kar tum iske dil tak rehsai
hasil kar sakogi? Ya phir hum dono ke darmiya aa sakogi?"

Jannat ka dil shiddat se dhadak utha. Saansain bhari hone lagi. Woh aag thi
jo lafzo ki surat mein wajood mein utar aayi thi aur use raakh kar rahi thi.
"You know what!" Uski taraf jhuk kar usne Jannat ke dupatte par lagi bell
ko ungliyon se chhua.

"Tumhare khwabon ka mil tumhari aukaat se bahut ooncha hai. Sirf mere ek
kadam uthane ki dair hai aur sab chukna chhor ho jayega." Fatahana
muskurahat honton par sajaye uski aankhon mein aankhon daal kar boli.

"Faris bhi mera hai, ghar bhi mera hai aur jagah bhi meri hai." Leheje mein
sakhti, aankhon mein adawat ke saath khatarnaak teevaron ke saath apni
position, apne iraade usne Jannat Kamal par wazeh kar diye. Sar jhatak kar
jogging track ki taraf jaane lagi to pathar ka moosa ban gayi Jannat Kamal
apne aap ko toad kar uth gayi. Usne Aadina Zubair ka bazu sakhti se pakad
kar use jhatake se roka tha.

"How dare you!"

apna bazu chhoda kar usne intehai hisse ke aalam mein kaha. Jannat ki
aankhon mein khoon utar aaya. Tasaurrat patharile ho rahe the.

"Aindah mere shauhar ka naam is tarah se liya to mujhse bura koi nahi
hoga."

Adina zubair lamhay bhar ke liye sadme se gung hui. Wajood sholo ki
zubaan mein aag gayi. Andar-bahar har taraf aag jalne lagi. Us aag ki
zubaan mein Jannat bhi aane lagi.

"Tumhara shauhar? Kya tum mujhe bewakoof bana rahi ho?" Awaaz mein
gusse ki chamak thi jab usne haq se poocha.

"Janti ho main kaun hoon? Adina Zubair hoon main. Faris Wajdan ki pehli
aur aakhri mohabbat. Usne meri jagah kisi aur ko nahi di. Sirf is bache ki
wajah se woh tumhe apne saath rakhe hue hai, warna tumhe toh kab ka ghar
se nikaal chuka hota." Uski zubaan zehar ugal rahi thi.

"Chand din London mein kya guzare, tumhara toh dimag hi saatve aasman
par pahunch gaya hai. Samajh rahi ho tumne usay paa liya?"

Jannat ki aankho mein nami aa gayi. Qadam bejaan hone lage.

"Pregnant ho, isliye abhi tak is ghar mein ho. Warna ab tak woh tumse apni
jaan chhudwa chuka hota." Sakhti se keh kar usne uski aankhon mein
dekha. Phir intehai gusse se jhatka,

"Hadd me raho, jo mera hai, woh mera hi hai. Tum humare beech aayi ho,
tum hi humare beech se jaogi." Khatarnaak tewaro ke saath keh kar woh
jaane ke liye mud gayi.

Jannat ladkhada kar peeche hui, aur bench ka sahara lekar baith gayi. Usay
saans lene mein dushwari ho rahi thi. Palkein jhuka kar samne dekha. Adina
Zubair ne uski taraf nahi dekha tha. Woh bhaagte hue nazron se ojhal ho
chuki thi, magar woh usse apne aas paas, apni zindagi mein, apne ghar mein
hatta ke apne bedroom mein bhi nazar aa rahi thi.

"Yeh le aapka juice!" Aqsaa ne uski taraf strawberry juice ka glass barhaya
aur agle hi pal uske tewar dekh kar pareshaan ho gayi.

"Aapi! Aap theek hain?"

Usne poocha magar Jannat ne nahi suna. Woh sar uthaye gehri saansein le
rahi thi. Mobile pe pehlu mein pada tha, messages abhi bhi aa rahe the.
Usne mobile uthaya aur dekha.

"Main bas abhi office se nikalne wala hoon. Ghar chali jao toh bata dena
warna main tumhe park se pick kar leta hoon. Kahi Jana hai."

"Park mein hoon," usne kapkapate unglio se message type kiya, aur mobile
neeche rakh diya.

"Ghar chalein Aapi? Mujhe lagta hai aapki tabiyat kharab ho rahi hai."

Magar woh apni jagah se nahi uth paayi. Pandra minute baad Faris ne use
park se pick kar liya tha. Apne tasuraat par kabu paate hue woh khud ko
sambhale hue thi. Apni aankhon mein ubharti nami ko peeche dhakelti
samne dekh rahi thi.

Woh ab usse baatein kar raha tha. Woh sun rahi thi magar samajh nahi rahi
thi. Kuch keh bhi nahi rahi thi. Faris uski khamoshi ko tabiyat ki kharabi
par maan raha tha. Kal se uski tabiyat nidhhal thi. Woh ab bhi yahi samajh
raha tha.

Dus minute ki drive ke baad woh ek bungalow numa ghar ke porch mein
gaadi rok chuka tha. Uska dhyan kahin aur tha, soch kahin aur thi. Shayad
woh usse kisi se milwane laya tha, usne khali zehniyat ke haalat mein
socha. Lawn se guzrte hue sadar darwaze bilkul khamoshi si thi. Andar
dhakil hote hue usne ek khoyi hui si nigah aitraaf me dorhayi.

"Kaisa hai?"

uska haath apne haath mein liye pooch raha tha.

"Kya?"

"Ye Ghar"

"Theek hai" uska andaaz, uska lehza, uski aankhe. Faris ko laga wo uske
sath yahan kahi nahi hai.

"Sirf theek hai?"

"Aur kya kahu?" Sar utha kar pucha.

"Tumhe mujhe batana chahiye pasand aaya ki nahi?"

"Isse kya hoga?"

"Me apne lawyer se baat karuga , malkiyat ki documents tayyar hoge, ye

ghar tumhare naam ho jayega." Sadme se gunj usne Faris ko dekha samaat
par yakeen nahi aaya tha. Faris yeh ky akeh raha tha? Kyu keh raha tha?
Kadam jhakde gaye, andar tak sab hil gaya.

"Tumhare liye driver, maid ka bhi intezam ho jayega aur har mahine
tumhare account mein raqam transfer kar diya karunga."

Wo jaise ungli par sab gin kar wazeh kar raha tha. Aur Jannat sadi se phir
khadi thi. Kifayat aisi thi jaise paron talay se zameen kheench li gayi ho.
Uske hawaas shal, zehan ma'uf, qadam bejaan hone lage.
"Kya Adina Zubair durust keh rahi thi? Faris Wajdan usay bewakoof bana
raha tha? Uske jazbat se khel raha tha?"

"Faris bhi mera hai, ghar bhi mera hai aur jagah bhi meri hai."

Faris ab kuch keh raha tha magar wo usay sun nahi rahi thi. Wo jaise apne
aap mein, apne toofanon mein gum ho rahi thi. Uski aankhon ke kinare nam
ho chuke the. Uske ta'asurat mein ek dum se veerani utar aayi thi. Uski
hathiliya paseene se bheeg rahi thi.

"Mujhe ghar jana hai," uski awaaz kapkapayi.

Chehra mukammal safed pad chuka tha.

"Jannat?"

"Please mujhe ghar jana hai," usne roti hui kaha. Sar buri tarah se chakra
raha tha. "Mujhe aunty ke paas jana hai."

"Kya ho gaya hai? Meri taraf dekho," kandhon se thaam kar uska rukh apni
taraf kiya. Uski aankhon ke samne andhera barh gaya. Taangein bejaan ho
gayi.

Gaadi mein baithne tak aur phir hospital pahunchne tak usay sab yaad tha.
Uske baad jaise sab mubhaeen, sab dhundhla ho gaya tha.

Usay jab treatment di ja rahi thi tab bhi wo roti hui mrs. Shirazi ke paas jane
ka keh rahi thi. Aur phir jaise ek dum sab sakin ho gaya tha. Dard bhi,
aziyat bhi, wehshat bhi aur khauf bhi.

Wo kitni der tak dawaon ke zair-e-asar rahi thi, usay andaaza nahi tha
magar jab hosh aaya to Faris bhi buri tarah se dekh raha tha. Kamre ki
madham roshni bhi aankhon ko takleef pohcha rahi thi. Aur jism mein to
jaise jaan hi nahi rahi thi.

Usne uthna chaha to Fars ne foran se haath pakar kar rok diya. Usay sahara
de kar sir ke neeche takiye rakhe takay wo neem daraaz position mein aa
sake. Khud uske paas hi baith gaya.
Usay waqiya yaad aane laga to ankhein phir se nam hone lagin. Na chahte
hue bhi wo aziyat mein ghar gayi, phir se ro pari. "Subah tak tum bilkul
theek thi. Phir achanak kya hua?" Wo az-had pareshan aur fikrmand lag
raha tha. Magar ab wo usay nahi dekh rahi thi. Uski baat ka jawab bhi nahi
de rahi thi. Asab muntashir the, chehra aansuon se tar. Aziyat ang ang se
ayan ho rahi thi.

"Kya hua hai? Kis baat ka itna stress le rahi ho?" Narmi se gaal par haath
rakha to usne sar uthaya. Chehra safed, aansuon se labraiz aankhein surkh
ho rahi thi.

"Adina..." uske lab hilay. "Usne kaha, tum apni shaadi ko delay kar rahe ho
kyunki main pregnant hoon. Jabke tum mujhe keh rahe the, tumhari zindagi
mein koi aurat nahi hai. Tumne jhoot kaha...tum…" u

Faris Wajdan lamhe bhar ke liye jaise sakte mein aa gaya tha.

"Maine tumhein ijazat di thi. Kya nahi di thi?" Rote hue poocha. "Main...
maine kaha tha, jise chaho, apni zindagi mein shaamil kar lo. Main kabhi
rukawat nahi banoongi. Kya nahi kaha tha? Phir tumne mujhse yeh kyun
kaha ke tumhari zindagi mein mere ilawa aur koi nahi hai?" Wo shiddat se
rote hue keh rahi thi.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-55•
•••

Faris kuch sadme aur beyaqeeni se Jannat Kamal ko dekh kar reh gaya tha.
Jannat yeh kya keh rahi thi? Shak aur badgumaniyo mein woh pehle bhi
uljhti thi, magar aisa kabhi nahi hua tha.

"Tumse koi kuch bhi kehta hai aur tum yaqeen kar leti ho?" Woh taasuf
bhari nigahon se dekh kar bol utha. Jannat ki aankhein phir se nam hone
lagin.

"Usne kaha" wo baat adhoori chorh kar ro pari Jaise alfazo ko kehna bhi
kisi gehre sadme, kisi gehri aziyat se kam nahi tha. Magar woh batate gayi .
Uski ek ek baat, apna ek ek dard, ek ek gham, ek ek khauf Faris khamoshi
se sunta raha, lekin andar hi andar shiddat se gusse mein lapetaa gaya.
Halanke woh sabar se kaam le raha tha. Is waqt Jannat ko sambhalna aur is
haalat se nikaalna be-had zaroori tha.

Jab woh khamosh hui to usne uska haath apne haathon mein le liya.

"Tumne khud keh diya, ijazat de chuki ho ke main jo chahoon kar sakta
hoon. Kisi se bhi doosri teesri shaadi racha sakta hoon," usne kaha to uski
awaaz gumbheer thi aur lehja dhima tha.

"Lekin main nahi kar raha. Kyun? Kya main majboor hoon? Kya mujhe
mummy ka khauf hai? Apne bache ke hawale se tumhari sehat ki fikar hai?
Kya main intezaar kar raha hoon ke bache ki paidaish ke baad hi kisi ko
zindagi mein shaamil karunga? Agar main itna hi be-hiss hoon to mujhe to
intezaar bhi nahi karna chahiye. Kya galat keh rha hu?" Usne ruk kar
poocha, Jannat ne apne lab kaat kar reh gayi.Aansoo hanooj bhete jaa rahe
the.

"Adina ne kaha, tum usay wapas lana chahte ho," wo shishak padi.
"Kya yeh baat maine tumse kahi hai?" Faris ne narmi se uski baat kat di.
Uska sar nangin bulaya.

"To phir kisi doosre teesre insan ki baat mere daave se zyada qabil-e-aitbaar
kaise ho sakti hai tumhare liye?"

"Kyunki tum usse mohabbat karte ho."

Faris apni jagah tham gaya.

"Tum us wajah se mujhe talaaq dena chahte the. Tum nafrat karte the
mujhse. Tumne kaha tha tumhe agar life partner chahiye hota to woh main
na hoti. Tumne mujhe reject kiya tha." Uski awaaz kapkapa rahi thi.

"Yeh sab Adina ki wajah se tha." Faris ke zakhm taza hue, dard phir se jaag
utha. Usne aankhon mein karb liye Jannat Kamal ko dekha. Woh be-aitbari
ki usi ghaati mein ja khadi hui thi jisse se woh usay kisi kadar koshish se
nikaal laya tha. Woh phir se toot rahi thi. Phir se fana ho rahi thi. Lab
bhinchte hue usne apne andar ke iztirab par qaboo paane ki koshish ki. Shor
bohot achanak se uth gaya tha. Chehre gudh jaane lage the. Jannat ki awaaz
kahin peeche reh gayi thi.

Usne palkein jhapka kar un manazir ko jhatka jo aankhon mein utar aaye
the. Ek baar phir sar utha kar Jannat ko dekha tha. Woh usay nahi dekh rahi
thi. Woh rote hue bas apni kahay ja rahi thi.

"Tum... tum Adina se shaadi kar loge? Humare bacche ko mujhse le kar
talak de doge? Tum har kaam planning ke saath karte ho, soch samajh kar,
apna fayda nuksan dekhte ho har maamle mein," uska lehja tuta hua tha,
awaaz kapkapane lagi thi. Ab bhi agar...," usne sar uthakar motohash
nigahon se Faris ko dekha,

"ab bhi agar aisa kuch soch rahe ho, agar ab bhi..."

"Faris, main toh mar jaungi," woh ek dum se phoot phoot kar rone lagi.

"Main waqai mar jaungi."

Faris kuch sadme se usay dekh kar reh gaya tha. Yeh dar kis kefiyat ki halat
thi jo Jannat Kamal par chha gayi thi? Yeh wahshat ka kaunsa ehsaas tha jo
uske wujood par haavi ho gaya tha? Uske hosh-o-hawaas mothabhil kyun
ho rahe the? Woh sochne samajhne ki salahiyat se mehroom kyun ho rahi
thi?

Uske andar kuch kho dene ka ehsaas ek dum se bedaar hua. Be-ikhtiyaar
Jannat Kamal ko apne baazuon ke hisaar mein le kar apne paas kar liya.

"Hey, relax. Kya ho gaya hai?" Uske lehje mein fikar thi, dard tha,
mohabbat thi, magar woh chup nahi hui.

Khud se alag kar ke, usay kandhon se thaam kar Faris ne uski roti, veeran
aankhon mein dekha. Kitna dard, sadma aur beaitbaari thi unmein.

"Meri taraf dekho," woh keh raha tha. Usne zara si nazar uthai thi. Uski
shehed aankhon mein surkhi utar chuki thi. Lab kapkapaa rahe the. Gaal
aansuon se tar the.

"Tumhare saath shaadi, yeh relation, humara bacha... Yeh zindagi meri
planning ka hissa kabhi nahi tha," Faris ne kaha.

Jannat rote hue sakte me aayi thi. Munjamid hote ehsasat ek Tarah se pighle
the. Andar ka shor sannate me badla tha.

Faris ne uske dono haath apne haatho mein le kar kuch dair tak khamosh
betha raha.

"Tum ghar chhod kar gayi thi, toh maine tumhe dhoonda. Tumhe lagta hai
maine yeh kisi majboori ya dabao mein kiya hoga? Aisa kaunsa mufad tha
jo main tumse utha sakta tha? Ya us maamle mein meri konsi planning ho
sakti thi? Talak toh waise bhi de sakta tha, main Saira Khala ko papers
bhejwa deta, kya yeh mushkil tha?"

Jannat ki aankhon mein aansu theher gaye. Uske labo par khamoshi thi.

"Aur yaad hai tumne mujhe ek mahine ka waqt diya tha? Kya woh muddat
is rishte ko khatam karne ke liye kaafi nahi thi?" Usne poocha, aur woh
chup thi.

"Aur farz karo main waqai kisi se shaadi karna chahta hoon, toh kya
tumhare jaane ke baad yeh kaam sar-anjaam dena zyada munasib nahi hota?
Us waqt toh main yeh bhi nahi jaanta tha ke tum expect kar rahi ho. Kya
galat keh raha hoon?"

Jannat ka nichla lab daanto tale aaya tha. Uski roti, bharati aankhein ek dum
se jhuk gayi thi. Palako ki phir phirahat ke saath kuch berang aansu Faris ke
haathon par gir the.

"Meri zindagi mein tumhare ilawa aur koi nahi hai. Agar koi hoti, toh woh
tumse pehle Wajdan House mein aa chuki hoti,"

usne bilkul wazeh lafzon mein keh diya. Jaise pehle bhi keh chuka tha.
Bahut hi seedha, bahut hi mukhtasir jumla me.

Hospital ke VIP room mein ek dum khamoshi chha gayi. Na siskiyon ki

awaaz thi ab, na hichkiyon ka shor. Is be-naam si khamoshi ko Jannat ki
awaaz ne toda tha.

"Main kaise yaqeen karoon? Yeh sab kya hai? Jhoot ya dhoka nahi hai?"
Usne Faris Wajdan ki aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha.

Burhan Wasif ka har wada jhoota tha. Har tasalli adhuri thi. Uski dilayi hui
har aa tinkay jaisi thi, uski dikhayi hui har raah andher thi. Faris uski
aankhon mein dard dekh raha tha, karb dekh raha tha. Guzishta paanch
saalon ki aziyat unmein thehri hui nazar aa rahi thi. Woh haal mein hote hue
ek baar phir mazi mein kho rahi thi.

"Kyunke main Burhan nahi hoon," uski bhari taabeer awaaz ubhari,

aur Jannat Kamal ke andar bahar ek dum se sukoon chha gaya. Aankhen ek
hi maqam par munjamid, dhadkanein ek hi khayal par saakht ho gayi. Faris
ne narmi se uski ungliyo par apni giraft barhayi thi, sar uthakar uski
aankhon mein dekha tha.
"Main apna wada poora karta hoon. Jo kehta hoon, karke dikhata hoon.
Tumhari tasalli ke liye, main kal hi apne lawyer se baat kar ke bacche ki
custody ke papers tayar karwa luga. Phir toh tumhein yaqeen aa jayega ke
main jhoot nahi bol raha?" Uska lehja hanoos rang aur narm aur pur shafqat
tha, kahin bhi nafrat ya adawat ki jhalak na thi. Na ego ka masla, na gusse
ka izhar.

Jannat ki aankhon mein nami thehri rahi, lab bhinch rahe, aziyat uske
chehre ke asraat mein madgham rahi.

"Main tumhein talak dena chahta tha," usne kaha.

"iska matlab yeh nahi ke main tumpar koi dabao dalunga ya tumhe apne
saath rehne par force karunga. Aisa kabhi nahi hoga." Ek pal ke liye woh
ruka.

"Mere saath rehne ya na rehne ka mukammal ikhtiyar tumhare haath mein

hai. Aur yeh ikhtiyar main tumse kabhi nahi cheenuga, kabhi bhi nahi."

Uska lehja mazboot tha.

Woh bohot tahammul se baat kar raha tha, bina gusse, narazi, ya barhami ka
izhar kiye, kisi bhi baat ko anaa ka masla banaye baghair. Woh usay bohot
narmi se samjha raha tha. Uske jazbaat ki sachaayi uski aankhon se aiyan
ho rahi thi.

Jannat ne lab bhinch kar bohot se aansu apne andar utaar liye. Andar bahar
sab saakht ho gaya tha. Ek khamoshi si thi jo har taraf chha gayi thi. Zehan
thak gaya tha.

Dastak de kar nurse andar dakhil hui toh Faris apni jagah se uth gaya. Uske
cell phone par kaafi dair se call aa rahi thi, jise receive karte hue woh khidki
ke paas ja khada hua. Ab woh madhum awaaz mein baat kar raha tha.

Bistar par neem daraaz Jannat ab usi ko dekh rahi thi, aur usay laga, woh
usay pehli baar dekh rahi hai. Woh phone par kuch sunte hue bahar chala
gaya tha, aur jab dobara andar aaya toh nurse injection ka mahlool IV drip
mein undheil kar ja chuki thi.
Jannat takiye par sar rakhe leti hui thi, drip wala haath pehlu mein dhara
tha. Aankhon mein thakan ke saath neend utri hui thi, ghaliban dawaon ke
asar mein thi. Woh kursi keech kar uske paas baith gaya. Uska naazuk haath
apne haathon mein liya toh usne bhi kisi qadar koshish se giraft barhayi.

"Main dar gayi thi," awaaz bheegi hui thi. Aankhon mein nami, jazb aur
dard. Sab thehri hui thi.

"Tum sirf aaraam karo."

"Mujhe nahi pata, mujhe kya hua Faris."

"Kuch mat socho, just relax," woh keh raha tha.

Usne lab bhinch kar rone par qaboo paya. Phir gehri saans lete hue aankhen
band kar li. Kuch hi dair baad uski mazboot giraft narm pad gayi, uski
saansein hamaawar ho gayi aur asraat se aziyat kam hone lagi. Kamzori aur
khauf se pheeka padta chehra ab sukoon mein tabdeel hone laga. Faris us
chehre ko dekhta raha, aur kaafi dair tak dekhta raha.

Uske andar ek wabal uthne ki kefiyat rhi, jise woh kis qadar tahammul aur
bardasht se sambhal raha tha. Poora wujood aag ki lapet mein tha. Side
table par mobile ki screen roshan hui toh usne haath barhakar cell phone
utha liya. Ab woh aankhon mein khoon liye message type kar raha tha.

Kamre ki neelgoni roshni mein, jahaan woh be-khabar so rahi thi, wahaan
Faris kisi ko bohot tahammul se hidayat name jari kar raha tha.

Aur theek pandrah minute baad usay call moosool hui thi. Adina Zubair
shaam paanch baje ki flight se London ja chuki thi. Woh daayein haath ki
mutthi bhinch kar reh gaya tha.

"Aap fikr mat karein, sir," mobile se bhaari, be-taasar aur modab awaz
ubhari.

"Maine unke liye is baar kaafi kuch arrange kar diya hai." Usne call kaat di
thi.

•••
Tareeki ka apna ek rang tha, asar tha, aur dehshat thi. Woh apne andar bohot
si weraaniya liye hospital ke corridor mein pohoch kar saakht o saamit
baitha tha. Coat ghutne par rakha tha, knot dheeli thi, button khulay hue,
aasteen mori hui thi.

"Kya hua usay? Is tarah achanak?" Mrs. Shirazi se baat hui toh unhone
poocha.

"BP high ho gaya tha," Faris ne jawab diya. Woh phone kaan se lagaye
pareshani ke aalam mein baithi reh gayin.

"Ab behtar hai woh," Faris keh raha tha. Uska lehja aur awaaz ek dum se
fikarmand thi.

"Kisi baat ka stress liya usne?" Woh usse pooch rahi thi. Faris bilkul
khamosh baitha, ab safed farsh ko dekh raha tha. Surkhi mael aankhon mein
ek karb thehra tha.

Kandhe jhuke hue the, raahdari ki neelgoni roshni, rooh par pade neel ke
nishaan se mil rahi thi.

"Faris? Kya hua beta?"

"Jo nuqsan usne mera pehle Kiya tha wahi nuqsaan ab wo dobara Karna
chah rahi hai." Usne kaha

"Kis ki baat kar rahe ho tum?" Mrs. Shirazi ne poocha.

"Main kis ki baat kar sakta hoon mummy?"

Mrs. Shirazi ek lamhe ke liye ruki. Aur agle hi pal uske andar sannata sama
gaya. Faris ki baat jese wo ab samjhi thi.

pehle ek "zindagi" thi, ab do zindagiya thi. Larzah rooh par taari tha,
kapkapaahat ungliyon mein utar aayi thi. Woh ek hi manzar tha jo unki
aankhon mein utar aaya tha. Unka sukoon muntashir ho gaya, unka dil
bechain ho gaya.

"Agar Jannat ko waqai mein kuch ho jata toh..."

"Faris beta she is fine now!"

"Wo bahut jada stress me aagyi thi mummy" wo apni pesani masalte hue
keh raha tha.

"Alhamdulillah! Kuch hua toh nahi na! Just relax." Gehari saans le kar woh
seedha ho gaya, phone kaan se lagaye woh mukammal khamoshi ki zad
mein aa gaya.

Chot ek lagti thi aur uska har dard aur har gham jaag uthta tha.

"Timing kitni perfect hai uski," usne khud kalami kr andaaz me kaha, yeh
jaane baghair ke is ek jumle ne unke dil bar kaisa vaar kiya tha. Wo apni
jagah sakit, khamosh aur veeran si bethi reh gayi. Agle kayi la.he us taraf
guzar gaye.

"Kamre mein double bed hoga. Kuch der aaraam kar lo," phir unhone kaha.

"Neend nahi aayegi."

"Koshish karoge toh aa jayegi."

"Aapke paas aana chahta hoon, magar abhi isay akela nahi chhor sakta."
Woh aziyat mein ghi gayin. Kaash ye majoori na hoti toh woh khud uske
paas jati.

"Adeel ko bhej do. Main aa jaati hoon."

"Nahi! Aap aaraam karein. So jaayein. Main theek hoon ab," kehkar usne
bench ke saath peeth lagayi. Kuch der tak Mrs. Shirazi se baat karne ke
baad woh uth kar kamre mein chala gaya.

Jannat safed bistar par be-khabar gehri neend mein thi. Usne sar utha kar IV
drip ko dekha jo taqreeban khatam hone wali thi. Gehri saans lekar woh
couch par kejaa ja baitha.

Khirki se chand nazar aa raha tha. Bahar tareeki barh gayi thi. Sukoon ka
matlashi, is waqt be-sukooni ki hadon ko choo raha tha.
❏❏❏
•CHAPTER-56•
•••

Subah uski aankh khuli toh taqreeban 6 baje ka waqt tha. Faris ke sahara
dene par wo uth kar baith gayi thi. Doctor aur nurse bhi kamre mein mojood
thi. Wo glass haath mein liye waqfa waqfa se paani pi rahi thi aur...

Faris sine par baazu bandhe khamoshi se usko dekh raha tha.

Rone ke baais aankhein suji hui thi magar unmein kahin bhi gussa, khauf,
pareshani nazar nahi aa rahi thi. Chehre ke ta'asuraat bhi kuch had tak
normal the. Tabiyat kharabi ke baais rangat hanuza zaroor murjhayi hui si
lag rahi thi magar guzashta shab ke waqiyye ki koi jhalak nazar nahi aa rahi
thi. Check-up ke baad nurse ne cannula nikal kar sunny plast lagaya. Doctor
ne kuch zaroori hidayat di. Kuch tanbiya Faris kr liye bhi thi wo ni use
strees or har tarah ke pehni tabaw se bachana ka keh rahi thi. Shayad mamla
is baar serious hua tha. Warna isse pehle wo bahut aasani se maslo ko taal
deti thi. Jada asar nahi leti thi. Wo sunte hue uski taraf dekh raha tha. Aur
wo nazar jhuka kar chehre ka rukh badal gayi thi.

Saat baje discharge kar diya gaya to wo usey ghar le aaya Mrs. Shirazi unke
intezaar me lawn me hi bethi thi.

Wo sidha unke paas gayi thi. Unke gale lagi thi. Fir unse baat kar rahi thi.
Wo uske Kaan par hath rakhe kafgi se kuch keh rahi thi. Aur usne ek dam
se shrminda hote hue sar jhukaya tha. Faris jebo me hath dale kadre faasle
par khada hua tha. Bekhwabi ka shikar aankho me surkhi si thehri thi.
Chehra be taasur sa lag raha tha magar uske andar jo kuch ho raha tha usse
sirf wohi wakif tha.

Chuki doctor ne muqammal aaram ki takid ki thi to jannat nashte ke baad

kamre me chali gayi thi. Jabke wo kuch der tak Mrs. Shirazi ke paas unke
kamre me betha raha tha.
"Jannat ki baaton se pareshan ho rahe ho?" Unhone narmi se pucha toh usne
chonk kar sar uthaya. Sofa ke hathhe par uski ungliyaan aahista se
mutaharrik hui.

"Nahi." Keh kar khidki ki taraf dekha.

Dhoop seedha uske chehre par rahi thi. Aankhon ka har rang numaya ho
raha tha.

"Lag toh rahe ho." Maa thi aur uske andar tak jaan gayi thi. Mushfiq si
muskurahat liye wo unki taraf dekhne laga. Phir seedha ho baitha.

"Main uski baaton se pareshan nahi hoon. Mummy infact mujhe accha laga
usne apne khauf ka izhaar kar diya." Wo normal lehje mein aahista se goya
hua.

"Pichhli baar usne pareshaani mein ghar chhod diya tha. Is baar usne aisa
nahi kiya. Usne mujhse baat ki. Jo masla tha, woh mujhe bataya. Koi ulti
seedhi harkat nahi ki. Aapka kya khayal hai, main is par upset ho sakta
hoon?" Mrs. Shirazi ne uska haath apne haath mein liya. Phir num aankhon
ke saath uske gaal par haath rakha.

"Usne kaafi se zyada stress liya. Toh less iska soch kar..." Usne baat adhoori
chhod di.

"Agar tum kaho toh main Jannat se baat karun?"

Woh chaand lamho tak unhe ahistagi se dekhte raha.

"agar zarurat pari toh aap se kahoonga." Aur aahista se bola. Unhone uske
haath par apni giraft barhai.

"Kuch mat socho, sab theek ho jayega."

"InshaAllah."

Woh apne kamre mein aaya toh Jannat bed crown se tek lagaye bethi thi.

"Ab kaisi tabiyat hai?" Woh pooch raha tha.

"Theek hoon." Woh use office ke liye tayar hota dekh kar ekdum se
pareshaan hui thi. Bimaar woh thi, toh baaki kaamil mein be-araam woh bhi
toh hua tha. Aankhein toh ratjage ki waazeh gawaahi de rahi thi.

"Tum office kyun ja rahe ho?"

"Kuch zaroori kaam hai." Woh normal leje mein jawab dete hue tie ki knot
bandh ne laga.

"Tum raat bhar nahi soye tumhe aaram karna chaiye" khafit sa ho kar keh
diya. Labo par mutbhahim si muskurahat liye wo use mud kr dekhne laga.
Wo bhanwe sukude bethi thi. Chehre par halka halka izterab numaya ho
raha tha. Ungliya aapas mein ulajh rahi thi.

"Apna khayal rakhna."

Mukammal tiyaari ke baad mobile uthaye bahar nikla toh woh bhi apne
andar ek ajeeb si besakooni liye peeche aayi thi. Magar woh bahar nahi gayi
thi. Usne glass wall se hi usse gaadi ki taraf jaate dekha tha. Dil ajeeb si lay
par dhadak utha. Jo tasuraat usne Faaris ke saamne chhupa ke rakhe the,
woh chehre aaya hone lage. Aankhon mein anjaana sa khauf utar aaya tha.
"Kya woh usse naaraz ho chuka hai?" Ise ekdum se mehsoos hui. Ise pehli
baar is tarah uski narazgi ki fikr hui thi.

Woh Sara din apne kamre mein hi rahi. Mrs. Shirazi waqfe waqfe se use
dekhne aati rahi.

Side table par rakha uska mobile aaj bohot khamosh tha. Karwat par karwat
badalte, neem taareeki mein diwaar ko ghoorte, khud se ladte aur khud se
bujh te woh kaafi se zyada beqarar rahi. Faaris zaroori kaam ke silsile se
shehar se baahar tha. Uski waapsi mein dair ki tawwako thi. Mrs. Shirazi ne
use aagaah kar diya tha.

Wo so chuki toh use ghar mein ekdum se khamoshi ka ehsaas hua.

Dil udaas tha. Dil pareshaan bhi bohot ho raha tha. Tabiyat ka bojhalpann
alag. Nafsiyati haalat bhi ajeeb ho rahi thi. Usne mobile uthake Faris ko call
ki toh mobile off mila. Kitni hi der tak woh aankhon ko masal masal kar
nami chhupati rahi.

Use apni baatein yaad aa rahi thi. Apna lehja aur rawayya yaad aa raha tha.
Woh saare ilzaam jo usne lagaye aur tamam shak jo usne dikhaye. Pata nahi
usse kya hua tha. Halanki woh har takleef, har baat daba leti thi. Bardasht
karke nazarandaaz kar jaati thi, khusoosan Adina Zubair ke maamle ko usne
kabhi bhi is had tak apne sar par sawar nahi kiya tha. Magar pregnancy ke
baad se woh aisa nahi kar paa rahi thi. Uske mizaaj mein khaatir khwah
tabdeeli aayi thi. Chhoti si baat use pahaad ban jaati thi. Ek zara sa wahem
hilaa deta tha. Ek zara sa shak dehla deta tha.

Ghaadi raat ke bara baja rahi thi. Faaris abhi tak nahi aaya tha. Wo ghar ke
aqbi angan mein swimming pool ke saamne aahistagi se tahel rahi thi. Sar
aur kadhe jhuke hue tre.

Yunhi ek chakkar kaat kar mud rahi thi toh Faaris wajdan par nazar padte hi
uski dhadkanen tham gayi. Woh raahdaari se guzar kar idhar aa raha tha.
Uski kushida peshaani par bal the, jabde bhi kuch batti se tanne hue. Wo
uske ghusse mein laga tha.

"Tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?"

Uske qareeb aakar aur phir kuch waqt nazron se dekhte hue jo kaha toh woh
ekdum se ghabra gayi thi.

"Aaraam karne ka kaha tha maine tumhe. Hadd hai."

Lab bheench kar usne Jannat ka haath pakda aur waapas kamre mein le
aaya tha.

"So how're you feeling?" Woh bed par bethi thi aur Faris saamne khada
wrist watch ka cufflink wagairah utaarte hue pooch raha tha. Chehre par
guzashta shab ka koi asar na tha. Na gusse, na sharam, kuch bhi na tha.
Hospital se waapsi ke baad woh usse ab nazar aaya tha. Ab baat hui thi. Ab
dekh raha tha.
"I'm Good!" Nazar chura kar yahaan wahaan dekhne lagi. Poorani baatein,
apna rawayya yaad aaya toh sharmindgi alag ho rahi thi. Sirf ek qatal ka
ilzaam baqi reh gaya tha. Uske ilawa toh do usse har tarah se mujrim bana
chuki thi.

Ab woh saamne wardrobe khole khada tha. Kuch hi der baad woh kapde
nikaal kar washroom mein chala gaya. Wo shower ki awaaz sunkar sir
jhukaye bethi rahi. "Use Faaris se baat karni chahiye? Kya baat karni
chahiye?" Zehn behtar se uljha hua tha. Kuch bhi samajh nahi aa raha tha.

Shower lene ke baad woh halke surmai rang ke trousers par bina baazu wali
siyaah baniyan mein bahar aaya tha.

Baalon ko achi tarah se raghad kar sukha rahe the ki us par nazar padi to wo
ruk gaya.

"Tum phir se ro rahi ho."

Jannat ne rukh mod kar apni aankhon par haath rakha toh uske dil ko kuch
hua.

"Ab kya ho gaya?" Woh ekdum se pareshan padha tha. Barabar mein baith
kar uska rukh apni taraf kiya.

"Maine tumhe kitni baar calls ki, tumne mujhse baat nahi ki. Tumne mere
message bhi nahi dekhe, aur ab tum "

"Ab main kya?" Woh zara hairaan hua tha.

Uska zehn muntashir tha. Pehle kuch aur keh rahi thi. Ab kuch aur kehne
lagi thi.

"Main kal dar gayi thi Faris. Mujhe laga tum mujhe wajdan house se nikaal
kar wahaan shift kar rahe ho. Tum adina ko waapas la rahe ho toh bas is
wajah se maine..."

Do use dekh kar reh gaya. Jis tarah ke haalaat se do guzri thi, uska yeh
khauf fitri tha. Do karke kisi bhi rad-e-amaal par naraz nahi ho sakta tha.
Kisi bhi baat par pareshan nahi ho sakta tha. Magar uski ye wazahat...
"hamari yeh baat toh kal khatam ho gayi thi." Usne bohot halke phulke se
lehje mein kaha. Magar woh bhi behti aankhon ke saath sir jhukaaye rahi.
Jaise uske liye toh kuch bhi khatam nahi hua tha.

"Wese tumhe m nahi lagta hamara relation din ba din strong hota ja raha
hai?" Mutabassim lehje mein poocha toh Jannat ne chonk kar nehi ke aalam
mein sir uthaya.

"Ab yahi dekh lo. Kya pehle bhi aisa hua ke main call na karoon aur tum
itna pareshan ho jao?"

Woh ekdum se bokhla gayi.

"Aisa to nahi hua, me is wajah se pareshan nahi thi." Aankhe ragad kr saaf
krte hue uth khadi hui. Lamho me usne khud par qabu paate hue apne
tasuraat ko badla tha, apne khauf ko chhupaya tha. Apni pareshani ko rafa
kiya tha. Wo use baghor dekhte hue muskura diya

"Good night," comforter tan kadr woh sone ka natak karne lagi, jaise ab aur
kuch kehne ya sunne ko bacha hi na ho. Andar ka shor bhi kuch had tak
tham gaya tha. Kisi baat ko soch kar ab usse dar nahi lag raha tha.

Towel sofa par uchhalte hue, woh apni side par aa gaya. Sone se pehle kuch
der tak mobile uthaye baitha raha. Kuch messages aur emails thi jinhe
dekhna zaroori tha. Jannat uski taraf karwat badalti, gehri neend mein chali
gayi thi. Mobile rakh kar woh usse dekhne laga. Rangat ab bhi zard thi.
Aankhon ke halqe bhi kuch zyada dikh rahe the. Woh pehle se kuch behtar
thi, magar phir bhi kamzor lag rahi thi. Jhattka kam toh nahi tha jo usse
laga, na woh stress kam tha jo usne guzashta raat liya tha.

Usne comforter ko kheench kar theek karte hue lamp off kar diya tha.
Magar bawajood koshish ke, woh so nahi saka tha. Shor aisa hi tha, hilaa
dene wala. Band aankhon ke aage thahre manzar bhi kisi aziyat se kam nahi
the.

Kaanch jo kadmon ko chhu raha tha, aag woh ga raha tha. Muthiyaan
bheench kar usne apna sir takiye mein daba diya. Woh sona chahta tha,
bohot gehri neend sona chahta tha. Magar guzashta raat ki tarah, aaj raat bhi
usse neend nahi aane wali thi. Aur agli kayi raato tak bhi, shayad woh isi
be-khuwabi ka shikaar rehne wala tha.

•••

Nashtay ki mez par bohot zyada khamoshi thi. Mr. Shirazi aur Faris toh roz
marra ki tarah baat kar rahe the, magar usse toh jaise kisi bhi baat ka jawab
dete hue ajeeb si dikkat ho rahi thi. Baar baar nazar utha kar Faris ko dekhti
thi, toh uske chehre ke asrat mein koi tabdeeli nahi aati thi.

Apne belt par bed lines dekhte hue, woh lagataar usse mukhatib ho raha tha.
Kuch der pehle toast par jam lagane ko kaha tha. Phir orange juice ka glass
manga tha. Aur ab cup mein chai dalne ko keh raha tha. Pata nahi usse kya
ho gaya tha? Andar hi andar khud se ulajhte hue usne chai ka cup uske
saamne rakh diya. Sab normal the toh woh kyun abnormal ho rahi thi?

Nashtay ke baad usne workout kiya aur apne mutashir khayalat aur pechida
sochon ko organize karti hui lawn mein aa gayi. Khuli faza mein gehri
saans lete hue, aasman ki taraf dekha. Phir sheeshe ki deewar ki taraf jahan
Faris Wajdan usse cellphone kaan se lagaye baat karta nazar aa raha tha.
Mrs. Shirazi apne studio mein thi. Woh unke paas baith gayi. Aksar dopeher
mein woh walk ke liye park jati thi, magar aaj do baje hi maid ko saath liye
chal padi. Aqsa apne college gayi hui thi, warna woh uske saath hi jati. Sar
par dupatta aur shawl achi tarah se liye, woh sine par haath baandhe jogging
track se qadar faaslay par seedhe kiari ke qareeb ahista se qadam utha rahi
thi jab usse apne aqab mein kisi ki mojoodgi ka ehsaas hua. Be-ikhtiyar mur
kar peeche dekha toh usse Faris nazar aaya.

“Yeh office nahi gaya?” Woh usse dekh kar aik dum se hairaan hui. Lambe
lambe kadam aaghe barhta, woh ab uske barabar mein uski hi raftaar se
qadam uthane laga tha.

“Tum yahan?”

“Haan.” Uska lehja waisa hi mutawazan tha.

"Allah Kare Khair Ho." Woh bohot andar tak darr gayi.
"Kyunki main kuch maamlaat mein rad-o-badal karne wala hoon, so mujhe
laga tumse baat kar leni chahiye." Jannat ka dil zoron se dhadka. Aakhir aisi
kaunsi baat thi jo ghar mein nahi ho sakti thi, aur jis ke liye usay apne office
se bhi chutti leni pari thi? Woh ruk gayi. Dono aamne samne hue. Chand
lamhon tak sanseintehayi karte hue, woh chup khara raha. Aur woh bhi
bechain si idhar udhar dekhti rahi. Aakhirkar, usne is khaufnaak khamoshi
ka talaa toda.

"Aaj se tum walk par mere saath aogi. Shopping ke liye, dinner ke liye bhi.
Aima ke saath apne plans cancel kar do. Balke main usay khud mana kar
dunga. Usay jab bhi milna hoga, woh hamare ghar aayegi. Dekhta hoon,
mere hote hue kaun tumhare is chhote se dimaag mein khannas bharne ki
koshish karta hai."

Usne jhuk kar apni ungli se Jannat ki peshani ko thonka.

Jannat ne ghabra kar sir uthaya. Faris Wajdan ki pehli saari baatein ek taraf,
aur aakhri ek baat dusri taraf thi. "Tum mere dimaag ko chhota keh rahe
ho?" Awaaz sadme se phat gayi thi.

"Kya nahi kehna chahiye?" Usne apne haath track suit ki jebein mein daal
liye.

"Main tumhein ek ghar dena chah raha tha aur us ke liye mujhe wazaahtein
deni par rahi thi. Tum writer kyun nahi ban jaati? Itna sansani khaiz
scenario hota hai tumhare dimaag mein. Main khud hairan reh jaata hoon."

Aur woh jo apne zameer ki aawaz sun kar apne aap mein dabti phir rahi thi,
ek dum se chid gayi. "Abhi raat tum keh rahe the ke yeh baat khatam ho
chuki hai."

"Kya maine waqai aisa kaha tha?" Woh hairan hua. Aankhein
muskuraraheen thi.

Jannat ne chup chap usay dekha.

"Tumhari yaadash kamzor nahi hoti ja rahi?"

"Tumhari sohbat ka asar hai, kya kar sakta hoon."

Isse pehle ke woh kuch kehti, Faris jogging track par bhagte hue door nikal
gaya. Woh bhainwein sikore apni jagah khadi reh gayi thi.

Khaane ke baad woh apne liye sabz chai bana rahi thi jab mulazim usay
khaki lifafa de kar gaya tha. Usne wahi khade khade lifafa chaak kar ke
kagzaat nikale aur apni jagah tham gayi.

Woh bachay ki custody ke papers thay. Uska aitbaar bahal karne ki koshish,
uska trust jeetne ki justju. Jo kaha tha usne, woh kar dikhaya tha.

Aur Jannat ko toh aisi koi baat yaad hi nahi thi.

Isi lamhe mobile baj utha. Barfili pahadon ke saath "Aunty ka beta" likha
hua nazar aa raha tha. Usay apne haath munjamad hotay mehsoos hue.
Nichla lab kaat-te hue usne call receive kar li thi.

"Tumhein papers mil gaye?"

Kisi qadar koshish se uske lab hilay.

"Haan."

"Good." Doosri taraf se itminan bhari awaaz aayi.

"Aur koi hukm?" Woh apne makhsoos lehje mein bohot sanjeedgi se pooch
raha tha.

"Maine aisa koi hukm toh nahi diya tha." Uski aankhon mein aansu utar
aaye. Sar jhuk gaya tha.

"Hukm nahi diya tha, magar yaqeen bhi toh nahi kar rahi thi. Ab jo tumhari
story ka villain hai, usay hero banne ke liye kuch toh karna tha."

Usne beikhtiyaar nichla lab daanton mein dabaya. Aankhein mukammal

bheeg gayi thi.
"Haan toh kya maine kaha tha mere saath itna bura karo." Baayein haath ki
ungliyo se aankhon ko masalte hue awaaz ko hatta mumkin mazboot kiya.

"Jo kar raha hoon, usay bhi toh dekho."

Woh chup rahi. Kehne ko kuch baqi nahi raha tha. Usne khaki lifafa counter
table par rakh diya.

"Ab kya kar rahi ho?" Woh mawzoo badalte hue bola.

"Sabz chai bana rahi thi." Usne dahine haath ki pusht se aansu saaf kiye.
Mur kar aanch halki kar di.

"Iske baad kya karogi?"

"Aunty ke saath lawn mein jaungi. Woh abhi namaz parh rahi hain."

"Us ke baad?"

"Us ke baad…" ek lamhe ke liye ruki.

"Pata nahi."

"Mausam acha ho raha hai. Kya khayal hai kahin bahar chalein?" Woh
pooch raha tha. Jannat chup rahi.

"Mummy se bhi kaho. Aaj hum teenon chalenge." Keh kar call kaatna
chahta tha.

"Suno," Jannat ne ek dum se kaha, toh woh cell phone kaan se lagate lagate
ruk gaya tha.

"Sunao?"

Woh nichla lab daanto tale dabaye chand lamhon tak khadi rahi. Phir
himmat jamaa kar ke boli,

"Tumhara shukriya."
Faris ke labo par tasannum bikhar gaya.

"Achha toh woh kya ke liye?" Woh anjan banta hua muskuraya.

"Ab wajah tum khud hi dhoond lo." Usne tap kar call kat di. Woh
muskurata reh gaya. Jannat ka maala tum aankhon ke saath khaki lifafa ko
dekhti rahi.

❏❏❏
-CHAPTER:57-
•••

Mrs. Shirazi ke studio mein wo is waqt akeli mojood thi. Tarteeb se rakhi
paintings aur deegar ashya ko dekhte hue usne parde kheench kar hata diye
the. Khidkiyon ko bhi khol diya tha. Khuli fiza mein gehri saansen leti,
kitaabon ke rack ke saamne ja khadi hui thi. Arts aur shaayari ki bohot si
kitaabein thi jinhein wo haathon mein le kar, chand safhein palat kar aur
kuch ibaratein parh kar rakh rahi thi.

Kitaabon ke saath hi bilkul kone mein ek register size ka picture frame

rakha tha. Usne wo frame utha liya tha. Us par charha kaaghazi cover hata
diya. Ek shaan aur tamaknat se shahi kursi par barajmaan Azam Shirazi.
Smart aur kasrati jism ke maalik, bhoore baal, bhoore rang ki tarasheeda
daarhi, zairak nigahein. Bara'ub si shakhsiyat. Peshani toh bilkul Faris jaisi
lag rahi thi.

Aqb mein Mrs. Shirazi apne shauhar ke humrah siyaah saari mein malboos
khadi thi. Wo is qadr decent aur purkashish lag rahi thi ke Jannat kitni hi
dair tak unke chehre par se nigah nahi hata saki. Besakhta unke chehre ko
chhua. Unki siyaah aankhon mein zindagi ki ramak numaya thi. Aur unki
muskurahat toh aaj bhi use bohot khoobsurat lagti thi.

Three-piece suit mein malboos Haroon Shirazi ke labon par ek halki

muskurahat raqsaan thi. Azam Shirazi ke pehlu mein 7-8 saal ka pyara sa
bacha khada tha. Yeh bacha Faris Wajdan nahi tha. Iski aankhein hazel nahi
thi, na hi siyahi mail baalon mein shehed rang ki amezeesh thi.

Yeh ladka Hammad Shirazi tha. Ek mukammal khandan ki ek mukammal

tasveer jismein Faris Wajdan kahin nahi tha.Usne ek baar phir apni
nigaahein Azam Shirazi ke bawuqaar chehre par jamaayi thi. Usey laga
woh... "woh mujhe maar denge," azeeyat mein doobi, khauf se larazti Faris
ki awaaz.
"Koun?"

"Azam Shirazi!" Jannat ke dil ko ek dum se kuch hua. Khushk labon ko tar
karte hue usne frame wapas rakhna chaaha tha jab Aqsa ne peeche se
gardan nikaali thi.

"As-salamu alaykum aapi!"

"Uff Allah! Aqsa, dara diya tumne mujhe!"

Jannat ne seene par haath rakh kar use jhadak diya. Aqsa ne daant nikaale,
phir frame ko dekha. Uski aankhein phail gayi.

"Arey, yeh bade sahab hain? Azam sahab?" Usne tasdeeq ke liye Jannat se
poocha.

"Haan."

"Allah bakhshe unhe. Waise kehna toh nahi chahiye, par abba batate hain ke
bohot sakht aadmi the," usne Azam Shirazi ko thoda ghabraayi hui nigahon
se dekhte hue kaha.

"Unki shakhsiyat thi hi aisi. Tasveer mein bhi ek raub sa jhalak raha tha."

"Tumhare baba jaante hain unhe?" Jannat ne kuch hairat se mud kar poocha.

"Ji, abba ne koi das saal bade sahab ke ghar mein kaam kiya hai."

"Acha."

"Toh aur kya!" Uske liye yeh jaise ek bade aitraaz ki baat thi.

"Phir toh tumhare abba sabko jaante honge, Faris, Hammad bhai, aur
Haroon uncle ko bhi."

"Arey kahan!" Aqsa ne aikdam se hath hilaya. Abba toh sirf Hammad sahab
aur Haroon sahab ko jaante the. Faris sahab se kabhi mile hi nahi. Aapko
pata hai, jab abba ko Faris sahab ne Islamabad bulaya tha, tab unhe pata
chala yeh bhi unke bete hain. "Hahah!" Aqsa haath par haath maar kar
hansi. Aur Jannat hiraan si usay dekhti reh gayi.

"Abba bohot bhole hain, aapi! Apne kaam se kaam rakhte hain, idhar udhar
koi tawajjo hi nahi dete. Aapko pata hai, ek dafa khala Lahore se aayi hui
thi, toh abba ammi se poochhne lage yeh kaun hai. Aur ammi ne unhe yu
ghoora ke bas, keh lo batao, Biwi ki behen nahi pehchani gayi! Abba haste
rahe ke bhai chhoti si bacchi hua karti thi, ab toh tumse bhi badi lag rahi
hai. Aur ek baar rida ko apne saath Mian Abdul Hakeem ki shaadi par le
gaye the. Wapsi par usay waha bhool aaye."

"Ek second," Jannat ne use par brake lagayi.

"Tumhare kehne ka matlab hai jab tumhare abba Faris ke dada ke ghar
kaam karte the, toh wahan Faris nahi rehta tha?"

"Rehte honge ji, pakka rehte honge. Maine aapko bataya na, mere abba ne
nahi dekha hoga." Use poora yaqeen tha.

"Aisa kaisa mumkin hai ke koi kisi ghar mein das saal kaam kare aur usay
us ghar ke logon ka pata na ho?" Jannat ne uljhan se poocha.

Aqsa ne ek dum se chonk kar Jannat ko dekha. Uske Abba bohot bhole
hain, yeh baat woh bhool gayi. Aankhein phailaaye Jannat ko dekhti rahi.
Phir soch mein par gayi. Baat toh uski Aapi ki theek thi. Zehn ko Jannat
gaya, toh yahan wahan dora kar kuch yaad karne ki koshish ki ke Abba ne
aur kya bataya tha. Boli, "Aray haan, Aapi! Yeh sab toh zyada tar America
mein rehte the." Usay ek dum yaad aaya toh khushi se kaha.

"kabhi kabhar chuttiyon mein aate the."

"Acha!" Uski nigahen ek baar phir tasveer par jam gayi thi.

"Arey main toh bhool gayi." Aqsa ko ek dum se kaam ki baat yaad aayi toh
peshaani par haath maara. "Faris sahab, woh bula rahe hain aapko."

"Ab bata rahi ho?" Kuch farem rakh kar Jannat kuch ajalat mein qadam
uthati studio se chali gayi thi. Aqsa ne ruk kar ek baar phir us tasveer ko
dekha tha.

"Kaise dekh rahe the Azam Shirazi bilkul Faris sahab ki tarah." Jhunjhri si
le kar usne socha tha. Phir sar jhatak kar bahar chali gayi thi.

•••

Shaam ka khana Jannat ne Faris aur Mrs. Shirazi ke saath lawn mein khaya
tha. Kuch kaam ka bojh tha aur kuch is liye ke Faris pichhli kuch raato se
bay-araam tha, toh sone ki gharz se woh jaldi hi kamre mein chala gaya tha.
Jab ke Jannat kuch der tak Mrs. Shirazi ke paas hi baithi rahi thi.

Das baje kamre mein gayi toh usay pani ka khaali glass side table par rakhte
dekh kar chonk gayi. Uska toh khayal tha ke woh ab tak so chuka hoga.

"Tum… abhi tak jaag rahe ho?" Zara sa hairaan hui.

"Haan, woh neend nahi aayi." Keh kar dobara let gaya. Comforter seena tak
kheench liya, lamp on rehne diya. Jannat baayein taraf se apni jagah par aa
gayi.

"Ek baat poochun?"

"Hmm!" Woh aankhein band kiye hue tha.

Woh kuch lamhon tak khamosh rahi.

"Tum mujhe ghar kyun dena chaah rahe the?" Jo sawaal dil mein tha, woh
labo par aa gaya. Woh barabar mein bed se tek lagaye baithi thi.

Faris ne dheere se aankhein khol deen. Chand lamhon tak khamosh raha.

"Isliye ke agar tum alehedgi ka faisla karti ho, toh tumhare paas ek mustaqil
thikana hona chahiye. Main nahi chahta tumhein kisi bhi tarah ki koi
pareshani ho." Jannat kamal agle kai lamho tak kuch na keh saki.

Uski aankhon mein aansu thehre hue thay. Woh hamesha uske baare mein
ghalat sochti thi. Ghalat andaze lagati thi.
Woh karwat ke bal baazu sar ke neeche rakhe usay dekhne laga.
Muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Aur agar main alag hone ka faisla na karun
toh?"

Kuch dair baad usne kaha. Faris ke labon par muskurahat si feli dabaa kar
uski taraf mutwajjeh hua.

"Phir bhi tumhein aisa ghar chahiye jahan tum mujh se naraz ho kar jaa
sako… main tumhein manane aa saku." Jannat aankhon mein nami aur dard
liye usay dekh kar reh gayi. Us jawab ke liye woh tayyar nahi thi, bilkul bhi
nahi thi. Usay ek dum se rona aaya magar zabt kiye rahi.

"Tumhein ghar kaisa laga?" Chand saniyon ke baad Faris ne poocha.

"Main theek se dekh nahi saki. Tumhein kaisa laga?" Jannat ne aahistagi se
poocha.

"Behtareen. Mere khayal se to location bhi perfect hai. Yani Agar tum
mujhse lad kar Wijdan House se paidal wahan jaana chahogi, toh sirf 10
minute lagege hain. Yeh alag baat hai ke jab tumhara apna driver hoga, toh
5 minute aur agar driving seat maine smbhal li hogi to pura ek ghanta
lagega." Aur Jannat aansu bhari aankho ke saath ek dum se hans padi. Faris
ke liye us pal uski hansi se zyada keemti shey kuch nahi thi.

"Yani tum abhi bhi apna faida aur aasani dekh rahe ho?"

"Bilkul, mera haq hai aisa karna."

"Done kar doon?" Faris ne tasdeeq chahi.

Usne aahistagi se asbat mein sar hilaaya.

"Waise, main itni bhi kangli nahi hoon jitna tum mujhe samajh rahe ho,"
chand lamho ke baad uski taraf dekhte hue boli. Aankhon mein chamak thi
aur lehja khushgawar ho gaya tha. Kuch der pehle jo uska chehra murjhaaya
hua tha, ab phool ki tarah khil gaya tha.

"Mere nana ne apna ghar mere naam kiya tha. Bohot bada ghar hai, bohot
pyara bhi."
"Haan, lekin itna door hai, ab tumhe Quetta manane kaun jaayega?"

Woh ek dum se chok gayi. "Tumhein kaise pata ke mere nana ka ghar
Quetta mein hai?"

Faris ki neend dham se urri. Usne aankhon par se bazu hata kar usay dekha.
Woh kuch der pehle letay huye thi, ab bed par paalte maare intehai usay
mashkook nigahon se ghur rahi thi.

"Tumne bataya tha mujhe" Faris ne sambhalte hue kaha.

"Maine yeh baat tumhe kabhi nahi batayi," woh puray yakeen se boli. Faris
ne andar hi andar apne aap ko kosa. Bhala kya jarurat thi is tarah baat karne
ki.

"Batayi thi, tum bhool gayi."

"Tum jhoot bol rahe ho! Yakeenan kuch chhupa rahe ho tum mujhse."

"Bilkul nahi, tum aisa kyun soch rahi ho?"

Jannat ke tewar kaafi had tak khatarnaak ho chuke the.

"Tumne meri jaasoosi ki?"

Faris ka moonh sadme or herat se khul gaya.

"Main aisa kyun karunga?"

"Yeh toh tumhi behtar bata sakte ho."

"God sake, Jannat!"

"Phir tumhe kaise pata chala ke mere nana ka ghar Quetta mein hai, haan?"

Woh lajawab ho gaya.

"Aur yaad hai, ek baar tumne mujhse kaha tha..." Jannat ne khankar kar
apna gala saaf kiya, tasuraat me ekdam se masnoi sanjeedgi le aayi.
"Tum main itni si bhi dilchaspi nahi rakhta ke apne aadmiyo ko tumhare
hawalay se order deta firu."

"Yaad aaya?"

Faris ko sab kuch achi tarah se yaad aagaya.

"Soh jao, Jannat," comforter sar tak lete hue apni shkl ko gum karna chahi

Jannat ne foran comforter kheench kar hata diya.

"Meri baat abhi khatam nahi hui hai."

Wo usay bebasi se dekh kar reh gyaa. Usay samajh nahi aaya ke ab is masle
se kaise jaan chhuraye.

"Mujhe subah office bhi jaana hai."

"Haan, toh maine kab kaha ke mat jana?" Jannat ne zidd se kaha, lips
bhainch kar usay ghurti rahi. Faris gehri saans lekar reh gaya.

"Aakhir tum maan kyun nahi rahe ke tumne meri saari maloomaat
nikalwayi hai?"

Woh khamosh ho gaya. Jannat jhuk kar uski aankhon mein dekhte hue usay
parhti rahi.

"Dekha…" Phir foran seedhi ho kar baith gayi. "Mujhe pata tha tum jhoot
bol rahe ho. Maine apne Quetta wale ghar ke baare mein tumhe kabhi kuch
nahi bataya." Wo kohni k bal jara sa utha.

"Ab pen aur paper uthao aur baith kar novel likho. Maine tumhe tumhare us
Quetta wale ghar ki wajah se apnaya hai, kyun ke wo ghar ek aise ilaqe
mein hai jiska mol crore mein hai. Zameen ke neeche khazana chhupa hai.
Wahin kahin meri koi mehbooba bhi rehti hai. Jinnat ke saath bhi mera
rabta hai. Aur main tumhe behla phisla kar wahan le jaana chahta hoon,
taake tum kisi kunwen mein gir kar halaak ho jao aur main woh zameen
hathiya saku."
Jannat is itnaad par ek dum bhonchalayi, aur phir chid kar usne haath mein
aaya cushion uthakar usay de maara. Faris ki hansi besaakhta thi. Naraz
hokar foran se uth gayi.

"Main toh tumhari mushkil aasan kar raha tha. Tum saari raat sochti hi rehti
aur tumhe neend hi na aati."

"Maine socha mumkina scenario khud hi tyyar kar doon." Usne aankhon
mein shararat liye sanjeedgi se kaha, lehja mutabassim tha. Sleeper pehnte
hue usay tilmalte hue dekha.

"Baat mat karo mujhse tum," aur phir baahar chali gayi. Darwaza band
karte hue usne darwaze ko hi kuch ghuriya di.

"Meri saari maloomat nikalwayi hai aur zahir aise karta hai jaise kuch
jaanta nahi" woh burburaate hue kitchen mein chali gayi.

Pura ghar khamoshi mein dooba hua tha. Usne paani piya, aur ek bottle
saath liye waapis kamray mein aagayi. Aahistagi se darwaza band karke
kuch dair apni jagah baithi rahi. Aur jab tasalli ho gayi ke woh so chuka
hoga, toh uth kar uski bed side table ki taraf aa gayi. Mobile ki flashlight on
karke aahistagi se drawer khola. Andar rakhi cheezon ko idhar udhar kiya
allergy ki tablets, kuch zaroori kaghzaat, wallet, aur ghadi ke siwa aur kuch
nahi tha.

Usne phir sofa par rakhi uski jacket ki talashi li. Daayen jeb se sleeping
pills aur kuch medicines mil gaye. Apne andar ek ajeeb si be sakooni aur
dar mehsoos karte hue, woh apni jagah khadi rahi. London jaane se pehle
usay yeh masla nahi tha, esa wo janti thi ya shayad tab bhi hota ho, aur usay
andaza nahi tha. "Yeh kab se shuru hua tha?"

Magar ab kuch adwayat ka Faris ke sath mustaqil tor se jud jana usay sadid
pareshani me mubtila kar gaya tha.

❏❏❏
•CHAPTER-58•
•••

Hafte ka din tha. Apni nigrani mein woh ground floor ke zyada tar kamron
ki safai karwa rahi thi. Ek nai tarteeb se cheezo ko organize karti, ghair
zaroori samaan ko store room mein rakhwati, woh khud bhi mulazimeen ke
saath lagi hui thi. Lakdi ke box mein dhari kuch araishi ashya ka jaiza leti
hui woh sajawat ke liye kuch nai ashya ka intekhab kar chuki thi. Mrs.
Shirazi ke kehne par usne lounge ki diwar-geer khidkiyon ke parde bhi
badalwa diye thay.

Rahdari ki diwaro par kuch nai paintings se sajadi gayi thi. Indoor plants ki
bhi jagah badli thi. Aur ab woh store room mein mazeed kuch aise besh
qeemat decoration pieces ka jaiza le rahi thi jo Italy, France aur na jaane
kahaan kahaan se khareede gaye the.

Uske hukum par Aqsa stool par chadhi, upari khanon ka jaiza le rahi thi.
Files ka ek dheir tha jo gard se dhaka hua tha. Kaghzaat, lifafe, magazines,
akhbaar aur ab uski tamaam tar tawajjo us araishi box ki taraf thi jo dabbe
mein pack kona mein pada tha aur jise Jannat ne nikaalne ko kaha tha. Usay
wahan se uthane ki koshish mein haath lambay karte hue woh aediyon ke
bal kuch upar hui thi. Agle hi lamhe uska tawazun bigda tha.

"Aqsa!" Stool par girift jamaaye Jannat cheekhi. Aqsa ne be ikhtiyari ke

aalam mein aediyon par zor dete hue almari ko pakda magar koshish ke
bawajood wo files ko nahi sambhal saki jo dhad dhad ladakti seedha farsh
par aa padi thi.

"Tum theek ho?" Jannat ne sar utha kar poocha tha.

"J-Ji, ji main fine, bilkul fine." Woh almari se chipki khadi rahi thi. Jannat
ne be ikhtiyar sukoon bhara saans liya. Phir usne araishi box Aqsa ke
hawale kiya aur khud bohot ehtiyaat se neeche utar aayi. "Uff! Ek kaam
simat-ta nahi, doosra bikhar jaata hai." Farsh par bikhray kaaghzaat ka dheir
dekh kar Jannat jhunjhlayi thi.

"Main inhein samet leti hoon, Aapi!" Aqsa keh kar panjon ke bal baith gayi
thi. Ab ek ek karke sabhi kaghzaat files mein rakhne lagi thi.

ahtiyaat se kadam uthate, woh jaane ke liye mur rahi thi jab uski nazar farsh
par gire akhbaar ke front page par padi aur woh thetak kar rukh gayi. Jhuk
kar akhbaar uthaya. Agle hi lamhe, khabar padhte hi, woh sadme se gung
apni jagah sakit khadi reh gayi.

Uske samne haadsati maut ki ek khabar thi. Mulk ke ek naamwar business

tycoon Aazam Shirazi ke eklote bete, Baroon Shirazi, aur potey, Hammad
Shirazi, ki maut ki khabar. Jo car accident mein jaan bahaq hue the.

Kapkapate haathon mein akhbaar liye woh dam-bakhud khadi thi.

"Mrs. Shirazi ne apne jawan bete aur shauhar ko ek hi din mein khoya tha?"

Uski palkon mein larzish thi, aur badan par kapkapi si tari thi. Akhbaar
haath mein liye woh raahdari mein aa gayi thi, aur wahi se back door khol
kar usne aqbi lawn ka rukh kiya tha.

"Jawan bete aur shauhar ki judaai ka sadma ek saath jhela tha?"

Uske qadam ruke, swimming pool ke samne lawn chairs par baithi Mrs.
Shirazi aur Faris ke humraah bethe hue nazar aa rahi thi.

Woh Faris se kuch keh rahi thi. Phir uska jawab sun kar ek dum se
muskurane lagi thi. Phir kisi baat par has padi.

Mohabbat ka, reham ka, humdardi ka... jaane woh kaun sa ehsaas tha ke
unhein yun haste muskurate dekh kar uska dil fatne laga. Aankhein nam
hone lagi thi.

Usne hamesha unhein bohot mazboot dekha tha. Apni zindagi, waqt, aur
haalaat par sabr aur shukr karte hue hi dekha tha. Unki aankhon mein
yaqeen ki ek gehri chamak hoti thi.
Aati thin. Mutma'in, pur sukoon, pur umeed. Unki aankhon mein yaqeen ki
ek gehri chamak nazar aati thi. Unka chehra husn-e-zan se manawwar rehta
tha. Uski nazar Faris tak gayi. Woh lawn chairs par gardan peeche ki taraf
giraye aaraam-deh haalat mein baitha tha. Dhoop mein aankhein band thi.
Ta'asuraat naram the. Mrs. Shirazi ki nazar Jannat par nahi pari thi, magar
Jannat unhein hi dekh rahi thi. Akhbaar par grip barhaye woh wapas palat
aayi thi. Store room ka darwaza band karke, woh kitni hi der tak ghair
zaroori samaan mein ghiri, gehri saansein leti rahi thi.

Ek ajeeb si besakooni thi jo uske andar phail gayi thi. Ek aziyat bhara
ehsaas tha jo uski rag rag mein sama gaya tha. Usein achanak Mrs. Shirazi
ke dukh, unke nuqsan aur unki aziyat par rona aaya.

sadma ek to nahi tha. Woh kis qadar mushkil haalaat se guzri thi. Mehri
saans le kar usne Aqsa ko dekha, jo apni dhun mein sab bikhray hue
kaghzaat sametne mein lagi hui thi. Sath hi kuch gunguna bhi rahi thi.

Safai ka hukam diya gaya tha, so ghair zaroori files aur documents, mamool
ki tarah, store room mein rakh diye gaye the. Naukrani kaghzaat aur files ka
ek bhara hua carton liye andar aayi. Aaj subah hi Faris ne apni study ki
safai karwayi thi. Mulazma ne woh carton baqi cartons ke barabar mein
table par rakh diya tha. "Faris sahab ne to maano ghar ko hi office bana diya
hai," Aqsa files ikatthi karte karte thak gayi thi.

Jannat ne akhbaar lapait kar daraz mein rakh diya. Khidki ki slide khol di.

"Or kya rakhna hai Aapi?"

"Upar jo parde rakhe hain, woh le aao," usne hukam diya aur bahar dekhne
lagi. Kuch der tak gehri saans leti rahi. Uski daayein taraf aaj hi Faris ki
study se aaya hua carton aadha khula sa pada tha. Khaki rang ka ek bara
lifafa kone mein phansa hua tha. Us par kahi "Ruby Akram" ka naam likha
huea nazar aa raha tha.

•••

"Aaj tum chup chup si kyun ho?" Faris ke poochhne par usne chonk kar sar
uthaya.
"Nahi toh," badqat muskurayi. Kitaab haath mein thi. Usne abhi tak uska ek
bhi safha nahi palta tha. Gaal par chalti lat ko kaan ke peeche karti hui usne
Faris ko dekha.

Woh sofa par thi aur Faris bed crown ke saath tek lagaye baitha tha. Laptop
khula hua tha. Uske frame glasses par laptop screen ka sabzi mael aks
manakis ho raha tha. Baal maathe par bikhre hue the.

Woh kuch der tak usay dekhti rahi.

"Tumhe Hammad bhai yaad to aate honge?"

Uska sawal itna achanak aur Faris ke liye itna ghair mutawaqqa tha ke
touch pad par uski ungli ek dam se sakit hui thi. Nazar us par jami thi.
Shayad woh muntazir thi ke woh apne bhai ke zikar par kuch to kahega,
magar Faris ka chehra supat aur zubaan bilkul khamosh thi.

Usne be-ikhtiyari nazar utha kar Jannat ko dekha tha. Lab bahem piwast
rahe. Jannat ke achanak is sawal ne usay jaga diya tha.

"Achanak ye sawal kyu?" Khud ko masroof zahir karte hue, Faris phir
laptop ki taraf mutawajeh ho gaya tha.

"Aise hi khayal aaya," usne kaha. "Aunty bhi unke baare mein zyada baat
nahi karti." Faris Wajdan ki aankhein frameless glasses ke peeche
mukammal chup gayi thi. Uske ta'asuraat mein koi tabdeeli nahi aayi thi.

Chehra aur bhi zyada supat aur sanjeeda sa lagne laga tha.

Shayad guzar jaane walon ka zikar kuch qareebi rishton ke liye bohot
takleef deh hota hoga, usne gehri saans lekar socha. Lekin woh toh aaj bhi
apne nana ko yaad karti thi aur unke baare mein dheero baate bhi karna
chahti thi. Jaanay kya wajah thi ke is ghar mein un logon ka koi zikar nahi
hota tha jo isi ghar ka ek mazboot hissa reh chuke the. Gehri saans lekar
usne kitaab band karke rakh di. Phir uth kar baahar aayi. Mrs. Shirazi ke
bedroom ke saamne ruk kar usne band darwaze par aahista se dastak di thi.
"Come in" ijaazat milte hi, usne darwaza khola aur andar aayi. Mrs. Shirazi
bed ke crown se tek lagaye, aur kitaab haath mein ek kitaab liye bethi thi.
Use dekh kar kuch hairaan ho gayi ke abhi kuch der pehle toh woh Faris ke
saath thi.

“Main aapke paas aa jaun?” masumiyat se poocha.

“Bhalla yeh kaisa sawal hua?” Kitaab rakh kar, glasses utaarte hue unhone
uski taraf haath badhaya aur woh bohot se aansoo apne andar dabaaye, unke
pehlu mein lete hue unki baahon mein samayi thi.

“Kya hua meri beti ko?”

Unke seene par sar rakkhe woh num aankhon ke saath muskurayi. Unki
aagosh mein ekdum se bohot sukoon mil gaya tha usay.

“Kuch bhi nahi hua mujhe,” keh kar kuch der chup chaap leti rahi.

Woh unke saamne unke shauhar aur bete ka zikar karna chahti thi. Woh
unhein store room se milne wali ek akhbaar ke front page par nazar aayi ek
khabar ka hawala dena chahti thi. Usay unka zikar karte waqt dard ka
ehsaas hua tha. Pehli baar usay mehsoos hua ke woh andar se kis qadar tooti
hui thi. Pahaad jitni aazmaishe jhel kar bhi unke labon par aaj bhi kalma-e-
shukr jari rehta tha.

Usay unke honay ka khayal aaya, woh maasoom aur yateem bacha jise
Wajdan House mein aanay ki ijaazat nahi thi, aur jise Faris Wajdan qabool
karne ko tayyar nahi tha. Usey Faris ke saath unki guftagu, unki baatein,
unka iltija bhara lehja aur aansooon se bhari aankhein yaad aayi. “Aapne
Faris se dobara baat ki?” usne aahistagi se poocha.

“Konsi baat?” Mrs. Shirazi ke daaye haath ki ungliya uske baalon mein
mutharrik rahi thi.

“Apne potay ke baare mein,” usne baat adhoori chor di. Mrs. Shirazi ka
haath ruk gaya. "Pehle toh maine socha tha, jab main usri Yusra ka raaz paa
lugi, toh aap mujhe address de dengi aur main aapke pots se milne jaungi
aur usey yahaan le aungi.” Ek lamha ko ruk kar usne apni kamzor parhti
awaaz ko mazboot kiya, “aur ab mujhe lag raha hai ke mujhe usse jald
milna chahiye.”
Mrs. Shirazi ke ta’assuraat badal gaye. Unki siyahi mael aankhon mein ek
ghair ma’loom sa ta’assur thehar gaya. Jannat uth kar baith gayi. Woh
chehre par pareshaani liye unhein dekh rahi thi aur woh unhe.

“Main Faris se baat karna chahti hoon. Main usay samjhana chahti hoon ke
woh zulm kar raha hai.”

“Jannat!” Unhone kuch saday se uska haath pakad kar usay mazeed kuch
kehne se roka tha. Ek iztaraari kefiyat unke wujood par taari ho chuki thi.

“Nahi,” unhone nafi mein sar hilaate hue uske haath par girift mazboot ki.
“Hargiz nahi,” ek baar phir zor de kar kaha tha. “Tum Faris se is baare mein
kabhi bhi koi baat nahi karogi.” Lehja taadeebi tha, andaaz ta’keedi.
Tabdeeli nahi aayi thi. Chehra aur bhi zyada supat aur sanjeeda sa lagne
laga tha.

"Auntie…"

"Yeh mera aur Faris ka maamla hai, beta tum khud ko involve mat karo."
Unhone samjhane ki koshish ki thi.

"Toh kya main iss family ka hissa nahi hoon?" Uski awaaz bhar aa gayi.

"Aisi baat nahi hai, bache." Pyaar se kaha.

"Toh phir kyu? Aap phir kyu mujhe apne hotay se milne nahi de rahi?"
"Meri taraf dekho," gili aankhon se ab woh unki taraf dekhne lagi thi. Uske
chehre ke ta'assuraat aise thay jaise abhi kisi waqt ro de gi. Maa aur bete ki
yeh kaisi mohabbat thi ke maa sabar pe sabar kiye ja rahi thi aur beta jabr
pe jabr. Itni dard bhari dooriyan jheel kar bhi woh maa thi jo farz nibha rahi
thi.

"Tum Faris ke baare mein ulta seedha nahi socho gi," unhone jaise uske
ta'assuraat aur aankhon se uske jazbaat ek baar phir parh liye thay.

"Woh mera bohot pyaara beta hai. Usne kabhi mujhe takleef nahi
pahuchai." Woh ruki thi.
"Rayyan mera beta hai. Main jaanti hoon, mujhe is maamle ko kaise handle
karna hai," unhone gham aur pareshaani ke milay julay ta’assuraat ko
chhupate hue, sanjeeda lehje mein kaha.

"Magar tum, tum is maamle mein nahi pado gi. Kabhi bhi nahi."

Woh kuch fikarmandi se unhein dekhti reh gayi thi.

Uska toh khayal tha ke woh uski madad karengi, magar unhone toh saaf
inkaar kar diya tha.

"Maine aapse wada kiya tha aunty!" Usne yaad dilaya.

"Tumne yeh baat keh di, main samjhungi tumhara wada poora ho gaya."

Jannat unhein be-basi se dekhti reh gayi.

"Wada karo ke tum kabhi bhi Faris se koi baat nahi karogi. Rayyan ka naam
bhi nahi lo gi."

Uska sar jhuk gaya.

"Kab tak? Aakhir kab tak aap yeh kahengi?"

Usne nazar uthayi toh aansoo gaal par phisal gaye. "Main maa banne wali
hoon, maine abhi apne bache ko apne haathon mein nahi liya hai, lekin abhi
se auntie abhi se soch aa jaye to mera dil phatne lagta hai."

"Jannat!" Unhone tadap kar usay dekha, aur agle hi pal usay seene se laga
liya. "Kya ho gaya hai bache? Yeh kya soch rahi ho tum? Main pareshaan
nahi hoon, toh tum kyun ho rahi ho?"

Woh roti ja rahi thi aur jis ka dard tha, woh uski pusht sehla rahi thi.

"Mujhe Allah par poora yaqeen hai. Woh mere liye aasaani karega. Tum
pareshaan mat ho," woh keh rahi thi. Phir usay khud se alag kar ke uske
surkh padte chehre ko dekha. "Main Faris se khud baat karungi, Jannat.
InshaAllah sab theek ho jayega." Woh usse jada jaise khud ko tasalli de rahi
thi.
"Tum bas dua karo mere betay ke liye. Sirf dua." Phir muskurayi. "Ab jao,
aaraam karo. Aur kuch nahi sochna." Pyaar se uske gaal par haath rakha.
Woh aansoo saaf karti uth kar chali gayi. Darwaza band hua toh Mrs.
Shirazi ne ek gehri saans lekar apni pusht bed crown ke saath tek di. Unki
aankhon mein izteraab numaya tha. Haathon mein kapkapaahat thi. Aur dil
toh jaise phatne ko tha.

Unhone gehri saans lekar aankhein moud li thi. Labon par wazaif jari tha.
Zikr jari tha. Dua jari thi.

Apne har dukh, har dard, aur har aziyat par unhone har surat sabar kiya tha.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 59
•••

Lounge mein woh sofa pe leti thi. Faris saamne hi baith kar kisi foreign
channel par kuch khabrein aur business programs dekh raha tha. Call
receive karte hue woh uth kar Mrs. Shirazi ke paas chala gaya, toh sofa par
leti leti woh popcorn khaate hue apne mobile mein lagi rahi. Foreign
channel par ads chal rahe the. Awaaz kadre dheemi thi. Ek program khatam
hua toh doosra shuru hua. Manzar ek stage ka tha. Alag alag angles se
camera ghumate hue audience dikhayi gayi. Background mein program ka
naam likha nazar aa raha tha. Host ne program ka aagaaz kar diya tha. Ek
shandar documentary video chalayi gayi. Ramp par mukhtalif libas mein
walk karti ek haseen khatoon mukhtalif angles se dikhayi gayi.

Mukhtalif events mein li gayi tasveerat, jismein red carpet ki tasveerain

sabse numayan thi. Kabhi interview deti hui, kabhi muskurate hue camera
ki taraf haath hila kar dekhti hui. Kuch acting ke scenes the. Kabhi woh
voiceover karti hui nazar aayi. Kabhi apni product launch karte waqt center
of attention thi. Kabhi charity work karte hue, kabhi refuge camp ka daura
karte hue, Shami panah guzeeron mein rashan baantte hue, kabhi kisi
organization se jud kar kisi ke liye awaaz uthate hue. Taaruf ke saath
taaliyon ke beech woh stage ki taraf jaati hui nazar aayi.

Mobile par jhuki hui Jannat ne geheri saans le kar sar uthaya. Woh remote
se awaaz kam karna chah rahi thi, magar agle hi pal, ek American host ke
saamne baithi hui us purkashish khatoon par nazar padte hi ruk gayi.
Aankhon mein ek dum se hairani utar aayi. Smart sa sarapa, cream rang ka
maxi type simple sa libaas, sunahri baal halka sa curl kiye hue shanon par
bikhre the. Nafees diamond jewelry set, unglion mein bhi diamond ring thi.
Nazuk se bharpoor pencil heel, jis mein paon numayan ho rahe the. Safaid
doodhiya rangat, natural makeup se aur bhi nikhri hui lag rahi thi. Umar yeh
koi chalis baras hogi, usne khud se andaza lagaya. Ya shayad apni asal umar
se kaafi kam lag rahi thi. Woh kaafi der tak us shanaasa chehre par se nazar
na hata saki. Kya mushabihaat thi us chehre mein. Ajnabi hote hue bhi ek
dum se jaan pehchan sa lagne laga tha. Khushgawar hairat ke saath volume
badha diya. Host mukhtalif sawal kar rahi thi aur woh bohot dheeme lehje
mein, bohot nazakat se jawaab de rahi thi.

Woh ek American-origin Pakistani model aur successful businesswoman thi

jo naye entrepreneurs ko startup funds dene waali thi. Yeh program isi
silsile mein tha. Saath hi unki kaamyabi ka raaz aur unki zati zindagi ke
baare mein bhi sawal kiye jaa rahe the. Woh sar uthaye, gardan seedhi
karke, har sawal ka jawab bohot sanjeedgi, mizaaj aur khush ikhlaqi se de
rahi thi. Aankhon mein ek fatihana chamak thi aur muskurahat to waise hi
zinda dili ka saboot de rahi thi. Jannat unki shakhsiyat se ek dum maroob
hoi. Woh usey baaki celebs ki tarah nahi lag rahi thi. Usay unki baatein aur
bolne ka tareeqa pasand aaya. Muskurahat par to waise hi dil aaya hua tha.

Ad ka silsila shuru hua toh usne volume kam kar diya. Raahdaari se nikal
kar Faaris mobile par kuch type karta hua open kitchen mein chala gaya.

"Kya dekh rahi ho?"

"Tumhari female version," hans kar boli. "Umar mein tumse badi hain,
lekin kamaal ki hain. Kahin tumhari koi bichhdi hui aaya toh nahi hain?"

"Yeh koi aur mazaaq ho ga tumhara?" Usne na samjhi ke aalam mein

muskara diya. "Aur muskurati bhi bilkul tumhari tarah hain," usne hans kar
kaha. "Kis ko dekh liya hai tumne?"

"Ek businesswoman hain," sofa ki back side par baazu tikate hue usne
jawab diya. Kitchen counter ke us paar, woh uski taraf peeth kie hue orange
kaat raha tha juice ke liye.

"Koi saat brands toh ab tak launch kar chuki hain. Mujhe toh bohot khushi
ho rahi hai ke woh Pakistani hain."

Faris ki harkat pal bhar ke liye ruki. Sirf ek lamhe ke liye. "Acha!" Sar
jhatak kar apna kaam karne laga.

"Ab shayad unka Pakistan ke liye bhi koi business plan hai. Kuch toh
nojawano ko startup funding dengi. Kuch aisa hi keh rahi thi," usne apni
dhun mein bata diya jo adha interview sun ke samajh aaya tha.

Faris chup raha toh usay laga shayad uski baat samajh mein nahi aayi.

"Matalab jo Pakistan ke naye entrepreneurs hain, woh apna setup karna

chahte hain. Unke saath partnership karke unhe startup funds dengi. Lekin
isse pehle unki team participate karne walon ka business plan dekhegi, unki
capabilities janchegi, phir select karegi. Aur maze ki baat yeh hai ke bohot
si foreign companies bhi unke saath hissa le rahi hain."

"Hmm" Faris ka dhyaan kahin aur tha.

"Jury ki team mein kya tum bhi shaamil ho gaye?" Faris apni jagah ruk
gaya. Usne mud kar dekha.

"Mera? Kya dakhal?"

"I mean, baahar se team aaye gi, aur tumhara bhi toh ek naam hai business
ki duniya mein. Pakistani ho ke agar us team mein shaamil nahi hoge toh
kya faida?"

"Mere business man hone ka?"

"Pakistani hone ka?" Usne lafzon par zor de kar kaha, "Tumhe laazmi
invest karna chahiye." Usko mashwara de kar popcorn munh mein daal liya.

Faris ko yeh ehsaas hua ke foreign TV channel uske saamne khula chhodne
ka afsos tha. gehri saans le kar phir se orange kaatne laga.

Ad khatam hua toh interview ka silsila phir se joa gaya. Pehla hissa
business sawalon par tha, ab unki zati zindagi se mutaliq sawal hone the.

"Toh kya yeh udti hui afwaahe sach hai ke aap dadi banne wali hain?" Host
ke bilkul saamne sofa par baithi woh kaamyab khatoon ek dum se hans pari.

"Is tarah ki khabrein aap logon tak kaise pohanch jaati hain?" Uski awaaz,
woh sheereen aur dilfareb awaaz…

Faris ke haath sakt, jism pathar ka ho gaya.

"Bas humare zaraye aap se mutaliq har chhoti badi khabar humein pohcha
dete hain."

Audience mein ek halka sa shor mach gaya tha.

"Ji bilkul! Main jald hi dadi banne wali hoon."

Faris ke jism mein ek larzah sa cha gaya. Usne dono haathon se counter
tham liya. Wo awaaz, hansi ki jhankaar...

Popcorn khate hue Jannat ne awaaz unchi ki, baat samajh mein nahi aayi
thi.

"Ek naujawan ki daadi... Zara dekhiye toh, main aap se sirf teen saal badi
hoon aur mujhe aapke saamne apna aap boodha lag raha hai." Woh apne
makhsoos andaaz mein hans rahi thi.

“Zara batayiye, aapki is jawani aur khoobsurti ka kya raaz hai?”

“Oh please, yeh sawaal nahi! Taqreeban har interview mein mujhse yeh hi
sawaal poocha jaata hai,” woh muskurate hue jawab de rahi thi.

Jannat uth kar ab ba ghor dekh rahi thi.

“So aapke betay ke hawalay se...” Usse pehle ke baat mukammal hoti, Faris
ne uske haath se remote chheen kar TV off kar diya.

Is tarah achanak TV band ho jane par Jannat ek dum se choank gayi.

“Arey, band kyun kar diya?”

Haath barhakar remote lena chaha, lekin apni jagah ruk gayi. Faris ki
nigahein siah tareek screen par thehri hui thi. Khaali, veeran, safid... koi aks
nahi, koi ehsaas nahi, koi rang, koi asar nahi. Chehra mukammal tareek...
peshaani ki ragain ekdum se numaya ho gayi thi.

Jabday kas kar bhinche hue the.

“Faris?” Uske lab hile. Ekdum se apne aap mein wapas aate hue usne
Jannat ko dekha. Shoor tham gaya. Aawazein khatam ho gayi.

“Main malte kaat kaat ke thak gaya hoon. Ab baaqi kaam tum sambhalo….
Utho.” Woh jo ekdum se uske tasuraat se pareshan hui thi, hans kar bola,

“khud Karo jo karna hai.”

Jannat ne remote wapas lena chaha, lekin Faris ne mail nikal kar apni jeb
mein daal liya. Baazu se pakad kar uthate hue usko kitchen counter ki taraf
le aaya.

“Yeh itne se malte kaat kar thak gaye ho tum?” Woh uske peeche khadi thi.
Gilaas mein paani daal kar ek hi ghont mein pee gaya.

Jannat ne bighre hue tewaro ke saath chhuri utha li, aur Faris counter par
jhuk kar gehri saansain le raha tha. Uske aasab iztraab ko mehsoos karte
hue andar ek aag jal uthi thi. Lounge ke saamne screen toh tareek thi, lekin
manzar uski aankhon mein chal raha tha. Awaaz band ho chuki thi, lekin
lagta tha poore ghar mein goonj rahi thi.

Jannat malto ka juice tayar karke, unko gilaas mein daal chuki thi. Faris
kahin nazar nahi aaya. Tray utha kar, woh Mrs. Shirazi ke kamre mein gayi,
jahan Faris bhi baitha tha.

Sab ko ek ek gilaas pesh karke, apna gilaas haatho mein lekar unke saath
baith gayi. Ab woh unse baatein kar rahi thi, shayad kisi program ke baare
mein ya kal ke menu par guftagu ho rahi thi. Faris khamoshi ke aalam mein
unke paas baitha raha, phir Mrs. Shirazi se ijazat le kar chala gaya.

Jannat kamray mein aayi toh Faris letay hue tha. Woh jhuk kar usay dekhne
lagi.

"Suno?"

“Hmm?” Faris takiye mein sar diye araam se para hua tha, mooh aur
aankhein sab baazoo mein chhupi thi.

“Tum so rahe ho?”

“ahm hmm”

“abhi toh nau bhi nahi baje,” Jannat mayoos hoti hui boli. Woh aam tor par
shaam mein Faris ke saath lawn mein walk karti thi. Aaj pata nahi usay kya
ho gaya tha, itni jaldi so raha tha.

“Tabeeyat theek hai tumhari?”

Khamoshi…

Jannat ne light off karke doosri taraf aake baith gayi. Haathon par lotion
lagate hue kuch pal usay samajhne ki koshish karti rahi, phir khud bhi sone
ke liye let gayi.

Rozmarra ki routine ke mutabiq workout karwane ke baad, jab Faris office

ke liye rawana ho gaya, toh Jannat ghar mein ghoomti phirti intezam ka
jaiza lene lagi. Office room ki safai qareeban roz hoti thi. Aaj bhi ho rahi
thi, toh woh darwaza khol kar andar aayi.

Ek nazar aas paas daali aur phir office chair par baith kar daayein baayein
ghoomte hue deewaro ki bari khidkiyon se bahar dekhne lagi. Lawn mein
dhoop chamak rahi thi. Aasman bilkul saaf tha. Usne maali Abdul Ghafur
ko paudon par jhukay hue dekha. Aqsa kabhi daaye aur kabhi baaye se
hatho ko hilate hue apne baap se kuch keh rahi thi. Kai dafa usne roti hui
shakal banayi thi, aur jab woh sir jhuka ke khadi hui, toh lag raha tha ke ab
usse apne baap se daant par rahi hai.

Usne mulazma ko lawn se taazaa phool laane ka hukum diya, aur phir maze
par kohaani rakh kar maze par rakhi cheezon ko dekhne lagi. Daraazo mein
files aur kuch papers waghera rakhe hue the. Doosri maid sheeshe ki maze
ko saaf kar rahi thi. Chhote carpet par vacuum kiya gaya, aur couch ke
cushions tareeke se lagaye gaye. Sab kaam karne ke baad, maid ne office
table ke paas rakhi dustbin ko khaali karna chaha. Tabhi shopper haath se
chhoot gaya, aur lakdi ki tiles par ek envelope aur kuch purane kagaz bikhar
gaye.

Maid ne maafi maangte hue sab samaetna shuru kiya. "Koi baat nahi,"
Jannat ne sar hila kar kaha. Uski nazar achanak se ek envelope par padi,
jisme bara bara karke “Ruby Akram” likha tha. Kisi khatoon ka khat tha.

“Yeh dikhana mujhe,” usne kaha toh maid ne foran se envelope uske hawale
kar diya. Usne envelope ko palat kar dekha. Jis pata se yeh bheja gaya tha,
woh address aur saath mein phone number bhi likha tha.

"Hairat hai, Faris ne bagair padhe hi phenk diya?" Jannat ne socha. Ek

tajassus ke saath usne envelope ko cheer kar uska fold kiya hua safha
nikaala. Ruby akram ka yeh khat Faris Shirazi ke naam tha. Jannat kuch der
tak samajhne ki koshish karti rahi, phir maid ko kuch kaam lagate hue woh
wahan chair par baith gayi.

Usne envelope cheer diya aur bhoore rang ka fold kiya hua kaagaz nikaala.
Yeh ek lamba khat tha, jo kai references par mabni tha. Shuru mein samajh
nahi aayi ke woh kya padh rahi thi, lekin jab salaam-dua aur khair-khairiyat
ke baad ek naam "Rayyan Shirazi" ka zikr shuru hua, toh Jannat ek jhatke
se apni jagah se uth khadi hui.

Rayyan Shirazi saade pandrah mah ka bacha tha, jo Ausaf Manzil mein
apne mamu ke saath reh raha tha. Ruby akram us ghar ki naukrani thi.
Bacha uske saath rehta tha aur woh apni sada si zubaan mein bata rahi thi
ke Ausaf Manzil mein woh bacha kis haal mein tha aur kaise rota rehta tha.
Jannat jese jese padhti ja rahi thi, uski saansein rukti ja rahi thi.

"Mujhe Rasheeda se pata chala ke aap bahut paisa dete hain, lekin Tariq
sahib us paisay ka ek rupiya bhi Rayyan par nahi kharch karte. Main toh
doodh mein bhi paani mila kar deti hoon. Jo roti bach jati hai, uske chhote
chhote tukde kar ke usay khilati hoon. Begum sahiba har cheez par nazar
rakhti hain. Ramsha baji apne bete ke kapde deti hain, toh wahi main
Rayyan ko pehnati hoon. Woh bahut kamzor hai, aur bemar bhi hai."

Jannat ka dil ek muthi mein jakhda gaya. Aankhen bhar aayi.

“Yeh mera chautha khat hai. Main chaar mahine se intezaar kar rahi hoon,
ab tak koi jawab nahi aaya. Sahib, main aapse guzarish karti hoon ke Ryan
ko yahan se le jaayein. Yeh mera phone number hai, mujhse ispar raabta kar
sakte hain.”
Aur neeche phone number likha hua tha. Baat khatam ho gayi. Waqt khatam
ho gaya, par dard khatam nahi hua, aur bechaini bhi khatam nahi hui. Usne
be-ikhtiyar mez ka sahara liya, aur phir girne ke andaaz mein kursi par baith
gayi thi. Aankhon mein ab be yaqeeni si utri hui thi, jaise uske hosh ud rahe
hon. Wo jaanti thi ke Faris ka bhatija apne khayalon mein ro raha hai, is
tarah reh raha hai, lekin yeh sochne ka tu usne kabhi guman bhi nahi kiya
tha.

Mrs. Shirazi aur Faris Wijdan ke darmiyan usne sirf ek martaba Rayyan ka
zikr suna tha. Sirf ek baar, jab wo usse ghar laane ki baat kar rahi thi, jab
darwaze ki daraar se wo chup kar unki baat sun rahi thi. Usne Faris Wajdan
ko ekdum se ghusse mein aate dekha tha. Usne chand baar Mrs. Shirazi se
unke potay ke baare mein baat karne ki koshish ki thi, magar wo hamesha is
baat ko taal deti thi. Unhone haal hu mein usse mana kar diya tha ke wo
Faris se is maamle mein koi baat na kare. Wo usse iss masle se bilkul door
rakhna chahti thi.

Unhone kabhi bhi kisi ikhtilaf ka izhaar nahi kiya tha, na hi kabhi kisi masle
ka zikar kiya. Wo hamesha aise dikhati thi jaise yeh koi sanjida masla nahi
tha. Lekin wo jaanti thi ke wo apne yateem potay ki wajah se kitni takleef
mein rehti thi, kitna gham seh rahi thi, aur kitna dard mein roti thi. Tabhi
usne himmat ki thi aur wada kiya tha.

Wo wada jo wo ab tak pura nahi kar saki thi. Baat usri yusra ki thi, to usne
khud apni shart rakhi thi, lekin ab use idraq hua tha ke Mrs. shirazi usse
Rayyan se milwana nahi chahti thi. 'Warna ek address dena kaunsa mushkil
kaam tha? Aakhir unhe kya khauf aur pareshaani thi, jo unhein apne upar
yeh jabar karna pad raha tha?' 'Kya Faris aur Hamad ke darmiyan koi
ikhtilaf tha?' 'Kya is ikhtilaf ki wajah se Faris apne bhatijay ko qubool karne
ke liye tayar nahi tha?' Usne shiddat se dhadakte dil ke saath kuch
pareshaani mein socha, jab uski ungliyon ki girift us khat par aur mazid
mazboot hui thi.

'Kya yeh ikhtilaf, yeh jhagra, yeh nafrat itni zyada thi ke bhai ki maut ke
baad bhi…?' Uska dum ghutne laga. Uski nazrein Faris Wajdan ke bade
office room mein idhar udhar bhatak rahi thi. Us kamre mein har taraf ek
ajeeb se khauf aur bechaini chhayi hui thi.
'Koi itna sangdil kaise ho sakta hai?' Usne sochna shuru kiya tha. Aur
ekdum se uski soch rukh gayi thi, jism mein ek khamoshi si phel gayi thi.
Office ka kamra tang aur tarik ho gaya tha, aas-paas khamoshi chhayi hui
thi.

Itni shiddat ki mohabbat aur itna mazboot rishta hone ke bawajood, aakhir
aisi kya wajah thi ke Maz Shirazi ab tak Faris Wajdan ko Rayyan ke liye
raazi nahi kar saki thi?

Mulazma saamne hi fursat se rakhiyon mein file saf kar rahi thi. Phir usne
guldaan se murjhaaye hue phool nikaal kar taazaa phool daalne shuru kar
diye. Uske ird gird ek dum se mehak phail gayi.

“Usey ilzaam mat do, Jannat, mein bhi nahi deti,” unhone kaha tha.

Is poore arse mein, usne Faris ka apni maa ke liye kitni mohabbat thi dekhi
thi. Wo apni maa ki takleef par kitna bechain ho jaata tha, unka koi bhi
hukum kabhi nahi taalta tha. Usse unki fikr rehti thi. Iske bawajood yeh
rawaiyya…?

Wo intehai uljhanon ke saath apni jagah baithi rahi thi. Ruby ka khat
haathon mein tha, Ruby ka number bhi. Uski khwahish is tarah poori hogi.
Rayyan tak pohanchne ka raasta is tarah nikle ga, yeh to usne kabhi socha
bhi nahi tha.

Usne matlooba number dial karke cell phone kaan se laga liya. Kuch der tak
apni dhadkano ke saath saath ghanti ki awaaz sunti rahi. Thodi dair baad,
der se hi sahi lekin call uthayi gayi.

"Hello!" Woh samajh rahi thi koi khatoon hongi, magar awaaz kisi ladki ki
thi.

"Ruby Akram baat kar rahi hain?" "Ji kaun?" Doosri taraf se wo alert ho
gayi thi.

"Main…" Usne ruk kar apne us rishtay ko socha jo Riyan se tha. "Main
Rayyan ki chachi baat kar rahi hoon."
Doosri taraf Ruby Akram aik jhatke se apni charpai se uth khadi hui thi.

"Aap…? aap waqai Riyan ki chachi hain?" Uski awaaz ek dum se bhar gayi
thi.

"Maine itne khat likhe, itni duaein maangi."

Khushi ki inteha nahi thi. Mur kar soye hue bachay ko dekha, phir mooh
par haath rakhe khidki ke paas ja khadi hui. Usay to jaise abhi bhi yaqeen
nahi aa raha tha ke Rayyan ke dadyal se rabta ho gaya tha.

"Ji, mujhe aapka khat mila tha Ruby," usne khushk honton ko tar karte hue
kaha. "Rayyan kaisa hai?"

"Jii, Theek hai ji." Mur kar nihal hoti nigahon se masoom chehre ko dekha.
Aankhon mein khushi ke aansu the.

"So raha hai."

"Hath kaisa hai ab uska?"

"Vaisa hi hai. Maine Rasheeda se kaha tha ke doctor ko dikhane le jaye.

Doctor ki fees bhi to bhaari lega, Rasheeda is liye nahi le jaati. Uska ghar
wala bhi bara ghusse wala hai."

Palkein jhuka kar apne andar utarte hue Jannat ne sar uthaya.

"Aap… Aap mujhe batao, aap kab aao gi lene?" Ruby intezari mein poochh
rahi thi ke aur kitne din Riyan Shirazi is haal mein Ausaf Manzil mein
rahega.

Agar uska bas chalta to wo khud bache ko chhodne aa jaati.

"Main jald aungi Ruby, tum bas Rayyan ka achhe se khayal rakho."

"Jald…? yani kal?"

Nichla lab daanton tale diye, jhalmilati aankhon se woh sar jhukai rahi.
"Kya Riyan ki mamma se rabta nahi hua?" Usne poocha.

Ruby ke kandhe jhuk gaye. Chehre par mayusi chha gayi.

"Maine aapko sab bataya hai. Aap phir bhi Rayyan ko lene nahi aao gi?"
Woh uske sawal ka jawab diye baghair apni kah rahi thi.

"Aisa nahi hai Ruby, aur na hi main tumse rabta kyun karti?" Usne sambhal
kar kaha. Ruby ko kuch hausla hua.

"Tum mujhe Ausaf Manzil ka address message kar do. Main InshaAllah
jald Rayyan se milne aungi."

"Milne nahi." Ruby ki awaaz mein ajeeb sa ehsas tha.

"Lene aana. Aap usay lene hi aao gi." Hatmi lehje mein keh kar usne call
kaat di thi.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 60
•••

Raat ka jane konsa paher tha jab khouf ke aalam me uski achanak aankh
khul gayi thi. Paisaani pasine se tar batar, aur saase bhi chadhi hui thi.
Kohni ke bal jara sa upar hui ki pani ki bottle utha sake, magar side table
par kuch nahi rakha hua tha. Wo roohan sa ho kar sar takiye par gira liya.

"Faris… " usne band aankho ke sath usay hilaya. Halk me kaate chubh rahe
the. Faris ne uski awaaz par bedar hote hue hi karwat badli.

"Paani… paani chahiye."

Woh usi waqt uth kar room fridge se bottle nikal laya tha. Baazu ke sahare
usay utha kar bithaate hue glass diya. Usne paani yun piya jaise sadiyo ki
pyasi ho.

"Theek ho?" Woh pooch raha tha.

Usne sar ko jambish di. Sar pillow par rakha, aankhein band kar li. Baar
baar Ruby ka khat aur baatein zehan mein aarahi thi. Woh pichhle teen dino
se Rayyan ke hawale se uljhan aur pareshaani mein mubtala thi. Har raat isi
tension mein aankh khul jaati thi. Kabhi khwabo se ulajh kar, kabhi kisi
khauf mein phans kar. Neend theek se nahi aati thi. Tabiyat bhi theek nahi
rehti thi. Jhunjhalahat ke aalam mein uska chehra yun ho gaya jaise abhi ro
de gi.

"Ab kya hua?" Woh pooche bina nahi reh saka.

"Bhookh lag rahi hai," lete lete bheegi aankhon aur roti awaaz mein boli.

"Aue ismein rone ki kya baat hai?" Woh jo apni side par aake baitha tha,
taajjub ka shikar hua. "Abhi sone se pehle hi toh khana khaya tha." Woh
roohansa hokar bol rahi thi. Uska dukh kuch aur tha, izhaar kisi aur baat par
kar rahi thi.
"Tumhara koi ilaaj nahi." Woh bar barate hue kamre se chala gaya. Jannat
ne aankho par baazu rakh liya. Zehan uljha hua tha. Rayyan ke hawale se
woh kisi bhi nateeje par pohnch nahi pa rahi thi. Usay kya karna chahiye?
Aur kya nahi karna chahiye? Woh pichhle kai dino se tazabzub ka shikar
thi. Abhi bhi sochon ka toofan zehan mein andak aa raha tha. Mrs. Shirazi
se woh baat nahi karna chahti thi ke mubada unhein pareshaan kar de. Aur
Faris se baat karne ki himmat woh khud mein paida nahi kar pa rahi thi.

Faris uske liye phal kaat kar le aaya tha. Woh uth kar baith gayi.

"Tumhein bukhaar ho raha hai." Peshani par haath rakh kar bola.

"Nahi, bas aise hi," keh kar uska haath hata diya. Ab woh fruit kha rahi thi
to woh ghoom kar apni jagah par waapis aa gaya tha. Table clock raat ke
dhai baje baja raha tha. Ek baar phir sone ki koshish ki lekin Jannat ki fikr
aaray agayi. Karwat badal kar usay dekhne laga. Woh khaali plate side table
par rakh kar apni jagah par waise hi baithi hui thi. Mutfakkar nigahe nim
tariki me yaha waha bhatak rahi thi.

"Phir se koi tension le rahi ho?"

"N-Nahi toh.…"

"Phir kya soch rahi ho?"

Usne gardan mod kar Faris ko dekha. Phir seedha hote hue bed crown se tek
lagayi. Comforter ungliyo mein dabaye, iztiraab chhupane ki koshish mein
pareshan. Woh ab usay dekh rahi thi.

"Agar mujhe koi baat disturb kare, ya agar koi aisi baat ho jiske baare mein
mujhe ye lage ke…"

Woh ruk gayi, usay samajh nahi aa raha tha woh baat kaise shuru kare.

"Ke kya?"

"Agar koi aisi baat ho jiske baare mein mujhe lage ke main tumse karugi
toh shayad tumhein gussa ajaye."
Lahaaf ki zad mein hont chhupe hue thay, toh Jannat uski muskurahat
dekhne se qasir thi.

"Toh…?"

"Toh yeh ke main tumse woh baat kaise karoon?" Badi fikrmandi se
poocha.

"Tum mere gusse ki parwaah kab se karne lagi?" Usne aahistagi se poocha
aur Jannat kamaal apni jagah tham gayi. Sawaal durust tha. Haq sach baat
kehte hue usne kab Faris Wajdan ke gusse ki parwaah ki thi? Khauf ki
dhund chhat gayi. Soch ke darwaaze khul gaye. Koi ehsas khayaal ban kar
ubhra. Faris muntazir nigaho se usay dekh raha tha magar woh usay 'Good
night' keh kar karwat badal gayi.

Faris chand lamho tak apni sochon mein ghode daudata raha ke aakhir aisi
kaunsi baat ho sakti thi jiske hawale se woh uske mumkinah rad-e-amal se
itni pareshaan lag rahi thi. Magar uske zehan mein koi baat nahi aarahi thi.
Uska zehan khaali raha tha.

Woh office room mein apna kaam kar raha tha jab Jannat ne dastak de kar
andar daakhil hui thi. Office table ke paas aake usne laptop ki screen band
kar di. Faris ne nazar uthayi toh Jannat ne haath badhake uske glasses bhi
utaar diye. Faris ne gehri saans lekar Jannat ko dekha.

"Mere saath bahar chalo, lawn mein."

"Kyun?"

"Kyunki mujhe tumse bohot zaroori baat karni hai." Jannat ne uska baazu
pakad kar uthana chaha, toh Faris uth gaya. Jannat ne uske dono haatho ki
girift mazboot kar ke usay lawn mein le aayi. Lawn lights ki roshni aur
aasman ki intehaai tareeki mein woh kuch dair uske saath khuli hawa mein
tehlti rahi.

Phir woh ek darakht ke neeche aake khadi ho gayi. Kuch lamhon tak apne
andar himmat paida karti rahi. Faris usay dekh kar uske jazbaat samajhne ki
koshish karta raha.
"Toh…? Kya baat karni hai tumhe mujhse?" Jannat ne sar utha kar usey
dekha.

"Rayyan! Tumhara bhatija… me chahti hu tum usay ghar le aao!"

Faris wajdan sadme se gunj apni jagah khada reh gaya. Use bilkul andaza
nahi tha wo rat ke is paher, usayi lawn me la kar esi baat karne wali hai.

"Faris!" Usne hath khade kar ke jannat ko mazid kuch kehne se rokna chaha
tha. Wajood me lawa sa bhar gaya tha.

"Mujhe nahi maloom tumahre aur Hammad bhai ke darmiya kya ikhtilaaf
rahe hai, lekin wo Yateem bachcha hai tum uske chacha ho uske baap ke
jagah ho…"

"Jannat please…" usne apna hath chhurate hue usay tahammul se roka tha
ki wo baat wahi khatam karde mazid ek lafz na kahe.

"Maine auntie ko rote hue dekha hai, wo beemar rehti hai wo rayyan ke liye
har waqt pareshan rehti hai. Wo tumse itni mohabbat karti hai aur tum…"

"Faris tum unhe is tarah takleef kese pahucha sakte ho?" Wo minnat bhare
lehze me baat karti hui boli thi aur wo ekdam se pichhe hua. Raat ki tariki
uske wajood me utri. Andar bahar aag phel gayi.

"Paise bhej kar tumhe lagta hai farz adaa kar diya sirf itna kaafi nahi hai…"

"Tumne uski halat nahi dekhi, wo waha kese reh raha hai. Tum ye bhi nahi
jaante tum kabhi usse milne nahi gaye!" Darshti se apna baazu hatate hue
piche hata.

"Thik hai agar tum nahi milna chahte to kamas kam mujhe ya auntie ko to
milne de sakte ho!"

"Faris, tum khud baap banne wale ho, yeh zulm hai!"

"Jannat Enough!" usne sadid gusse ke aalam mein dahad kar kaha tha aur
woh ek dum sakte mein aa gayi thi. Faris ke aasab mushatail the, uski
aankhon mein surkhi chhayi hui thi. Uske expressions pathar ki tarah sakht
lag rahe the. Woh mutawajjeh nigahon se use dekh raha tha.

"Faris?" uske labo se be-aawaaz nikla. Uski saansein phooli hui thi, jabde
bhinche hue aur peshani ki ragain ubhar aayi thi.

"Aindah…" uski sanse fuli hui thi. Jabde bhiche hue, aur peshani ki lakire
ubhri hui thi. "Aindah tum uska naam nahi logi mere saamne, aur na hi
milne ki koshish karogi," Faris ne Jannat ki aankhon mein dekhte hue
khoon jama dene wale lehje mein kaha. Jannat kamal sadme mein thi. Kitni
begangi thi Faris ke lehje mein, kitna ajnabi sa tha uska andaaz.

"Agar tum chahti ho ke hamare darmiya sab theek rahe, toh…" usne ek
lamba waqfa le kar saans kheenchte hue kaha, "toh tum is maamle mein
nahi pado gi." Yeh keh kar woh ek lamha bhi wahan nahi rukha aur Jannat
pathraai hui nigahon se use dekhte reh gayi.

Uska dimagh maouf ho gaya tha. Uske andaaz, lehje aur itne sakht rawaiye
par woh dehshat mein thi. "Tum Faris se kabhi is maamle mein koi baat
nahi karogi," yeh baat Mrs. Shirazi ne usay kaha tha. Ab Jannat ko samajh
mein aaya ke Mrs. Shirazi ne aisa kyun kaha tha. Usse andaza nahi tha ke
woh itni si baat par is tarah react karega.

Ek choti si maang par itna hyper ho jayega.

Woh kuch dair tak apni jagah munjamid khadi rahi. "Use ilzaam mat do,
Jannat, main bhi nahi deti," usne apni soch mein kaha.

Foto mein dikhne waale kisi tanha, khamosh bache ki tasveer jaisi ek
zindagi, raazon mein doobi hui thi. Na samajh mein aane wala dhoop-chaav
jaisa rawaiya.

Jannat ne apne aap par taari jamooh ko tod kar qadam uthaye aur apne
bedroom ki taraf badh gayi. Darwaza khol kar andar aa gayi.

Ab woh washroom ke samne khadi thi. Usne kuch pareshani ke aalam mein
darwaza bajaya tha. Andar Faris kapdo ke saath hi shower ke neeche khada
tha, magar uske jism ki aag bujhne ka naam nahi le rahi thi. Na hi pani ke
shor mein koi awaaz ghum ho rahi thi.

"Darwaza kholo Faris!" Woh use awaaz de kar keh rahi thi, jism par ek
kapkapi si taari thi. Faris shower ke neeche seerh taakk baitha tha, aankhen
band kiye hue, saans le raha tha, apne andar se ubharti gussa ko dabaane ki
koshish kar raha tha. Uske dahine haath se khoon pani ke saath apna rasta
bana raha tha.

Yeh jaante hue ke darwaza andar se lock hai, Jannat handle ghumaaye ja
rahi thi. Woh awaaz dete hue use bulati rahi, lekin Faris sun nahi raha tha.
Darwaza bajate hue woh cheekhne lagi, aur phir achanak woh ro padi.

"PLEASE FARIS, DARWAZA KHOLO!"

Aisa pehle bhi ho chuka tha. Usne pehle bhi awaaz di thi, usne pehle bhi
minnat ki thi, royi bhi thi, magar tab bhi darwaza nahi khula tha. Ab bhi
darwaza nahi khul raha tha. Jannat ke aas paas sirf andhera tha, aur woh
apne khauf mein ghiri hui thi.

"FARIS, please…"

Uska haath darwaze par tham gaya tha. Uski siskiyan ab buland ho gayi thi.
Shower band ho gaya tah, shor khatam ho gaya.

Pehle lock khulne ki awaaz aayi, phir darwaza bhi khul gaya. Faris uske
samne poora bheega hua khada tha, uske baalon aur kapdo se paani tapak
raha tha. Jannat ne aansuon bhari aankhon se usay dekha. Uski aankhon
mein koi tasur nahi tha. Puri khaamoshi, puri sannata liye, woh ek mujasme
ki tarah uske samne moujood tha.

---- •♡• ----

•CHAPTER-61•
‫ﻗِﺴﻂ‬

13 ‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

Woh bed par uske paas hi baithi thi, uska haath apne haath mein liye, jhuk
kar uske pur sukoon chehre ko dekhte hue saanson ko ginte hue. Kuch der
pehle hi woh kapde badalne ke baad neend ki goli lekar so gaya tha aur woh
tab se uske paas baithi hui thi. Ang ang mein fikar aur ek anjaana sa khauf
samaaya hua tha. Neend udd chuki thi. Sukoon garat ho chuka tha. Usse is
tarah achanak, is roop mein dekh kar uska dil bohot se andesho mein ghir
gaya tha. Woh bay-had pareshan ho rahi thi.

Qehar barsaata lehja aur shola chalagati aankhein to jaise zehan mein sama
gayi thi. Usse itni azeeyat mein dekhne ke baad apni ghalti ka shiddat se
ehsaas hone laga. Mrs. Shirazi ne roka tha, to usse ruk jaana chahiye tha.
Shayad usse kisi aur tareeke se baat karni chahiye thi. Ek yateem bache ke
liye pathar hote dil ko kisi aur tareeke se mom karna chahiye tha. Usne
socha.

Magar woh aisa kaise karti? Mrs. Shirazi usse kuch bhi batane ko tayyar
nahi thi aur Faris usne to darwaza khulne se pehle hi band kar diya tha. Ek
hi jumla, pathhar par lakeer jaisa Phir Rayyan ka zikar aur uski lahu rang
aankhon se jhalakti waazeh tanbeeh,

"Agar tum chahti ho ke hamare darmiyan sab theek rahe, to aindha tum
uska naam nahi logi mere saamne." Usse yaqeen nahi aa raha tha, yeh baat
usse Faris Wajdan ne kahi thi. Woh jo uske liye kuch bhi karne ko tayyar
tha, woh is tarah sakht alfazo mein ek hadd numaya karega ?

Usne gehri saans lekar aziyat se aankhein moond li. Mrs. Shirazi ka gham
ek taraf, Rayyan ki fikr doosri taraf, aur Faris ka ishtiaal amaiz ravaiya
teesri taraf tha. Ek zara si umeed thi ke baat karke masla hal kar legi, lekin
yeh umeed bhi khaak ho gayi thi. Khushk labo ko tar karte hue usne zakhm
saaf karke patti baandh di.

Faris ke liye kuch tasalli karke sone ki koshish ki to baar baar uska chehra
aankho mein aane laga. Woh kitna ghusse mein lag raha tha aur kis qadar
ajnabi sa ho gaya tha, jaise woh usse jaanta tak nahi tha. Usse bohot andar
tak dukh hua.

Raat karwaate badalte, khud se ulajhte, aur situation ko sochte hue

guzargayi. Baar baar uski aankh khulti rahi, uska khayal aata raha, uski fikr
hoti rahi.

Namaz ki adaigi ke baad, woh uski talaash mein tez tez qadam uthati kamre
se bahar aayi thi. Rahedaari mein neem tareeki thi. Deewaro par lagi
khidkiyo se subah ke aasar numaya ho rahe the. Sooraj ki roshni abhi
zameen par nahi utri thi, magar ujala har taraf phail chuka tha.

Usne Faris ko kitchen mein khada dekha. Fajr ki namaz ke baad woh
yaqeenan apne liye qahwa bana raha tha. Aahat par zara sa rukh badal kar
usse dekhne laga. Nazar bilkul khaali aur weeraan lag rahi thi. Jannat ka dil
shiddat se dhadak utha. Cabinet band karte hue usne chaar rakha aur aanch
dheemi kar di.

"Qahwa bana raha hoon, tum piyogi?" Uska lehja naram tha. Taa'suraat
mein koi sakhti nahi thi, na hi andaz aur ravayye mein kisi talakhi ka
shaaibah tha. Wo Faris wajdan ko dekhti reh gayi.

Usne fikar aur pareshani mein saari raat sote-jagte guzari thi, aur woh subah
se aise mukhatib ho raha tha jaise guzashta shab unke darmiyan koi baat
nahi hui thi. Jaise usne sakht tassurat nahi diya tha, na hi kisi baat par
mushtail hua tha. Aankhon mein fikar aur dil mein izteraab liye usne sar
hilate hue usay ijazat dedi.

Faris ki peeth ab uski taraf thi. Woh sar jhukaaye khamoshi se qahwa bana
raha tha. Aag ke neelgo sholo par rakha ubalta paani apna rang badal chuka
tha. Woh kursi par baith gayi, ungliyo mein ungliya phansaaye, andar ke
izteraab ko chupane ki koshish karte hue.
Faris ne cup mein qahwa daal kar uske saamne rakha aur doosra cup haath
mein liye kursi kheench kar uske paas baith gaya.

Kuch dair tak uski nigaahein bhaap uthaate cup par jami rahi. Phir usne sar
utha kar Faris ko dekha. Yeh khayal tha ke shayad ab woh kuch kahega, koi
wazaahat dega, ya koi baat karega. Shayad narmi se kuch samjha dega ya
apne ravaiye ki wajah batadega. Magar doosri taraf gehri khamoshi ke siwa
aur kuch nahi tha.

Chand lamho ke baad usne bilkul aam lehje mein Jannat se tabiyat ka
poocha, bilkul waise hi jaise roz poocha karta tha. Phir apne masroof
schedule ka hawala diya. Gyarah baje meeting thi, usse nau baje nikalna
tha. 12 baje ki wapsi ki tawaqqa thi, usay mrs. Shirazi ko weakly check up
ke liye hospital le jana tha, chand ek sawal ka muntazir jawab deti, na smjhi
ke aalam me usay dekhti reh gayi thi.

Bawajood koshish ke, woh koi sawaal nahi kar saki, na yeh pooch saki ke
usne aisa kyun kiya. Na rawaiye ki wajah jaan saki, yeh haq uske paas nahi
tha. Faris Wajdan ke mamlaat mein woh mudakhlat nahi kar sakti thi.
Guzashta raat us par yeh had waazeh hui thi aur yeh soch usay be-had
ghamzadah kar rahi thi.Aankhon mein nami liye, usne khud par qaboo paate
hue sar jhuka liya. Faris ne uske daine haath par apna haath rakha, usay yun
laga jaise woh kuch kehna chahta ho, magar doosre hi pal apni shakhsiyat
ke gehre rangon mein doobte hue, uska haath thapthapa kar uth gaya.

Faris ka ravaiya samajh se bilkul baahar tha. Zyada tar to sar hilaane par hi
iktifa karta. Apni soch aur khayalaat mein itna gum rehne laga tha ke woh
baat shuru karke khatam bhi kar chuki hoti aur usse maaloom hi na hota ke
woh kya keh rahi thi. Kya poochh rahi thi. Kya suna rahi thi. khali zehni ke
aalam mein ek hi maqam par ruk jata, file ke kisi page par bay-tarteeb se
lakiren kheenchte, lawn mein be-maqsad tehelta, channel ghoomta, ya
briefing sunta, lekin kuch samajh nahi aata. Woh kisi bhi tarah usse apne
aap mein nahi lagta tha.

Uska har kaam adhoora, har baat be-maqsad. Har taseer dhundla hone lagi
thi. Woh ab usse samajh nahi paati thi. Kabhi kabhi usse hairat hoti thi,
kabhi pareshaani, aur kabhi gussa. Ek pandrah maah ke bache se aisi
dushmani? Aisa rawaiyya? Mare hue bhai se ikhtilaf apni jagah, lekin ek
zinda wajood ko laash bana dena? Yeh kahan ka insaaf tha, kahan ka badla?
Kaha ka inteqam tha?

Apne andar ke sawalato se uljhte hue woh besaakhi se samajhne ki koshish

karti. Tasuraat kuch normal karke Faris ke paas jaati, lekin bawajood
koshish ke, us Rayyan ka naam na le paati. Dimag ki bahas apni jagah thi,
lekin dil chahta tha ke usse koi gham na ho, dukh na ho, gussa na aaye. Jab
woh Faris Wajdan ki aankhon mein dekhti, to saari uljhan wahi reh jaati thi.
Kuch poochhne ka, ya use khojne ka hosla hi nahi bachta.

Masla baat se hal nahi ho sakta tha. Usne yeh jaan liya tha. Ab usse koi aur
raasta dhoondhna tha, koi aur hal talashna tha. Pichhle kai raato ki tarah, us
raat bhi woh kaafi zyada bechain rahi. Neend aankhon se door thi, to uth
kar wuzu kiya, nawaafil ada kiye, aur dil se dua ki. Subah nashte ke baad,
workout se farigh hote hi, woh Mrs. Shirazi ke paas chali gayi. Woh sitting
area mein kitaab liye baithi thi, laptop khula pada tha, kuch files aur
registers bhi the.

"Main aapse kuch puchhna chahti hu auntie," usne himmat jama karke
kaha.

"Haan, puchho!" Unhone apni glasses hata kar uski taraf dekha. Woh ek
relaxed se dress mein thi, baalo ki French choti bana rakhi thi, aur chehre
par kuch fikr mand asaar numaya the. Aankhon mein soch thi, sawal tha,
aur ek ajeeb si uljhan, jo aksar tab hi nazar aati thi jab woh kisi mushkil
mein hoti.

"Ek masla hai." Lafz jodne mein thodi mushkil hui. "Mujhe laga ke mere
paas iska hal hai. Main ne woh hal azmaya, lekin usse wo masla aur zyada
bigad gaya. Yeh mera khayal hai." Usne ruk kar apne sookhe labo ko tar
kiya. Mrs. Shirazi ki taraf dekha, unki aankhon mein tashweesh numaya
hui.

"Yeh koi itna bara masla nahi hai," usne foran se sambhal kar wazahat di.
"Yeh mera maamla hai, meri family ka. Behno ka." Nazar churaate huay
keh diya.
Mrs. Shirazi ne andar hi andar sukoon ki saans li, ke masle ka taluq Faris se
nahi tha. Andar hi andar, Jannat is baat par sharminda hui ke usne jhoot
bola, lekin woh Mrs. Shirazi ko kisi dukh ya takleef mein nahi daalna chahti
thi.

"Accha!" Unhone thoda fikrmand hote huay kaha, "Agar mumkin hal masle
ko aur zyada bigaar raha ho toh?" Unhone daanista baat adhoori chor di.

Mrs. Shirazi ne kuch dair ruk kar socha, aur phir kaha, "iska matlab to yahi
hua jise tum hal samajh rahi ho wo hal nahi hai."

Jannat ek pal ke liye ruk gayi, "Agar is ek mumkina hal ke ilawa koi aur
raasta na ho to?"

Mrs. Shirazi ne use dekh kar reh gayi, jane wo apni bheno ke kis masle se
pareshan thi. Unhe fiqr hui, "Jagah badal kar dekho! Ho sakta hai ke kisi
aur nazariye se dekhne par tumhein sahi hal nazar aa jaaye."

Jannat ne chonk kar unhe dekha. Unhone side table par rakhe laptop par
haath badhakar kuch type kiya. Phir dobara uski taraf dekha. "Ya phir is
wajah ko dhoondo jiske sabab masla paida ho raha hai." Unhone mazeed
kaha. Woh nichla lab kaanti khud se uljha hua reh gayi.

"Wajah to hai, aur koi bahut badi wajah hai lekin main us tak nahi pahunch
sakti."

"Phir hal tak kaise pahunch gayi?" Unhone sawal kiya aur woh la jawab ho
gayi. Chand lamho tak kuch keh nahi saki.

"Tum jis jagah par khadi ho kar poore masle ko dekh rahi ho, woh jagah
galat hai. Wahan se jo manzar tumhe nazar aa raha hai, woh manzar
adhoora hai. Tum masle ki teh tak jab tak nahi pahunchogi, hal nahi
dhoondh sakti. Jo us lihaza se Jis hal ko tum samajh hal rahi ho, woh hal
nahi hai Jannat!"

Unhone apne fahm ke mutabiq be had sanjeedgi se uski mushkil hal karne
ki koshish ki. Woh chand lamho tak unhe dekhti rahi. Mrs. Shirazi wajah
jaante hue bhi is masle ko hal nahi kar saki.
Maamla wahi atka hua tha. Dooriya hanuz qaim thi. Woh bebas thi. Unke
haath mein kuch nahi aa raha tha. Aur usne socha tha woh sab theek kar
legi. Baat karke Faris ko mana legi. Jab Mrs. Shirazi kuch na kar saki to
woh kaise kuch kar sakti thi?

"Ho sakta hai main is masle ki teh tak pahunchun aur mujh par intesaaf ho
ki is ka to koi hal hai hi nahi." Uske lehje mein mayoosi dar aayi thi.

Mrs. Shirazi Mushaf utha chuki thi. Khulte khulte ruk gayi. Sar uthakar
usse dekha.

"Hal har masle ka hota hai. Kuch hal hamare haatho mein de diye jaate
hain. Kuch hal Allah apne haathon mein rakhta hai." Ek lamha ruk kar
glasses laga liye.

“Wasa'at ke mutabiq har mumkin koshish karo aur baaki Allah par chhod
do.”

Baat khatam ho gayi. Woh phir se apna kaam karne lagi. Jannat chand
lamho tak unhe dekhti rahi phir ek gehri saans bhar kar wahan se uth gayi.
Kuch masle har zaaviye se ek hi nazar aate hain. Usne socha. Aqbi darwaza
khol kar lawn mein aa gayi.

"Agar tum chahti ho hamare darmiyan sab theek rahe to aindah tum naam
nahi logi uska mere saamne." Khuli fiza mein sans lete Faris ko sochti rahi.

Qahr barsaata lehja tha. Shola dehkata hui aankhein thi. Ajnabiat aur begani
thi. Gussa tha aur nafrat thi. Is ek masoom bachay se jo uska bhatija tha.
Uski shahed rang aankho mein phir se nami ubhri. Chehra surkh hone laga.

"Agar tum chahti ho hamare darmiyan sab theek rahe to tum is maamle
mein nahi padogi." Wazeh dhamki thi, ishaara tha, tanbeeh thi.

Lab bhinch kar usne apni aankho ko masal dala. Uske haath khaali the. Na
masla samajh mein aa raha tha, na hal nazar aa raha tha. Bebasi ka yeh
ehsaas dil par bhaari tha. Aur be had bhaari tha.

•••
Jannat ki aankh khuli to us waqt barah baje ka waqt tha. Sofa par neem
daraz position mein thi. Ek dum se uth kar baith gayi. Atraaf mein nigah
daudai to aas paas koi nazar na aaya. TV on tha. Volume band.

Usay Yaad aaya, Faris match dekh raha tha jab woh uske paas aakar baithi
thi. Kamar mein dard tha, tabiyat bhi kuch theek nahi thi aur kuch guzashta
raat ki be-aaraami ki wajah se sofa par lete lete hi so gayi thi. Gehri saans
lekar usne be-tarteeb balo ko phir se pony mein jakda aur uth kar kitchen
mein chali aayi. Karhi par baith kar paani pee rahi thi jab deewar gir khidki
ke us paar se hulchal ka ehsaas hua. Awaaze bhi aa rahi thi. Lakdi ke unche
liye stool par takhte rakhe the. Adeel Ahmed bhi tha shaayad. Faras bhi.
Dupatte ko phela kar lete hue woh ussi waqt bahar aayi thi. Awazo ke
taaqub mein mashriqi simt qadam uthaye aage badhi aur agle hi pal hairat
se ruk gayi.

Samne wali deewar par paint ho raha tha. Neeche paint ki baltian, brush aur
roller waghera rakhe the.

Mulaazim ne seedhi pakad rakhi thi. Faris upar chadha hua tha. Apni safed
shirt ki aasteenein kehnion tak mode aur syaah pant ko ghutno tak fold
karke apni tie se ulajhta Adeel Ahmed usse bhi upar kahin takhte par khada
tha. Dono ke maabain office ke maamlaat par guftagu ho rahi thi. Adeel
modab sa Faris ke har sawaal ka jawab deta bulandi se kuch kuch khaif aur
ghabraya hua sa lag raha tha.

"Yeh kya ho raha hai?" Uske sahi ma’non mein chaudah tabaq roshan ho
gaye the.

“Paint ho raha hai Aapi!” Aqsa barabar mein hi kitaab pakde khadi thi.

“woh to mujhe bhi nazar aa raha hai magar yeh sab aur tum tum yahan kya
kar rahi ho?”

“Faris sahab ne saza di hai.” Aise khush hokar boli jaise saza nahi koi
inaam diya gaya ho.

“Aur yeh jo Adeel hai na, usay bhi hahaha.” Usne aaj se pehle Aqsa ko itna
khush kabhi nahi dekha tha. Jannat na-kabhi ke aalam mein usay dekh kar
reh gayi.

“Asal mein, main na wahan baith kar padh rahi thi. Faris sahab mere paas
aaye. Bio ki book uthayi, sawaal poocha, mujhe jawab nahi aaya. Ab mujhe
kya pata, mera surprise test lengay woh, warna main tayari kar ke baithi
naa, Phir unhone mujhe woh baatein sunayi, woh baatein sunayi Allah ki
kasam miss Bio mein bhi nahi dekha. Aur yeh jo Adeel hai Aapi! Yeh Faris
sahab ke peeche khada hash raha tha. Maine dekha, Dil kiya kichhi maroorr
doon uski. Allah ka lakh lakh shukar Faris sahab ne bhi dekh liya. Toh bas.
…”

Uski muskurahat kano tak pahuch gayi.

“Toh bas kya?” Jannat ek dum mutashakkar hui.

“Pehle unhone kaha, ‘Why are you smiling?’ Phir unhone kaha, ‘Is this a
joke to you?’” Aqsa Faris ki acting karti khushi ki inteha par thi.

“Kehte hain, ‘Sorry sir’ bada aaya ho, na ek dum se utar aayi. Magar Faris
sahab ne sorry qabool nahi ki. Apne saath yahan le aaye. Halaanke yeh toh
files de kar wapas jaa raha tha. Toh mujhe pata hai.” Awaaz mazeed
sargoshi mein pheli.

“Faris sahab ne ise saza di hai. Isay oonchai se darr lagta hai. Itni der se
dekh rahi hoon. Ek baar bhi neeche nahi dekha. (Phir se hashi) Upar wali
deewar Adeel kar raha hai. Yeh wala hissa Faris sahab karenge. Aur yahan
poonchne wali deewar shaam ko main paint karoongi. Faris sahab ne kaha
hai.”

“AQSA!” Faris ki bhaari awaaz par forahi kisi fouji ki tarah active hui aur
usi sur’at se nigahein kitaab par gaadh di.

Jannat ne sar utha kar ab ke Faris ko dekha. Uske chehre par itni tashweesh
aur fikr thi ke woh paint brush haath mein liye ruk gaya. Aankho mein
lamhe bhar ke liye ghair mafhoom sa tasur ubhra, phir woh brush rakhta
seedhi utar kar neeche aaya. Kursi se paani ki bottle uthayi.
"Kya tum, tum theek ho?" Jannat ne paas aakar poocha. Aankhon se
pareshani jhalak rahi thi.

Faris ne paani ki bottle se chand ghont lete hue dekha aur bola,

"Kya tumhe meri dimaagi haalat par suba (shak)ho raha hai?" Uske is tarah
poochne par woh gadbadakar reh gayi.

"Nahi to… Maine aisa to nahi kaha."

"Socha to hai."

"Maine aisa socha bhi nahi. Phir hairaan kyun ho rahi ho?"

"Hairaan nahi hoon." Ruk gayi, nichla lab ka na. Kehna chahti thi,
pareshani ho rahi hai magar. Sar utha kar use phir se dekha. Uska chehra
spot aur aankhein be-tasur thi.

"Agar tum subah sawere uth kar wall paint karna shuru kar doge to main is
baat ko nazaar kaise samajh sakti hoon?" Himmat jamaa kar keh diya.

"Aur woh jo tum subah soire uth kar library ki setting badalti thi, woh
normal tha?" Jannat sadme se gung apni jagah khadi reh gayi.

"Usse kaise pata? Woh subah soire uth kar yeh kaam karti thi?" Ek nazar
utha kar dekhne tak ki fursat nahi hoti thi mohsin ko aur routine ka to aise
gyaan tha jaise uske aas paas saaye ki tarah rehta ho.

"Ek to yeh uske mulazim. Pakke jaasoos. Pal pal ki khabar dete rahe." Tap
kar reh gayi.

Shadeed depression mein bas ek do baar hi library ka rukh kiya hoga, usne
ghabra kar yaadash doodhai to pata chala woh subah shaam kisi bhi waqt
kitaabon ki tarteeb badalne lag jati thi. Aur yeh kaam usne kai baar kiya tha.

"Magar sawal yeh tha ke usne yeh baat Faris ko kyun yaad diladi thi?"

"Woh to main, isliye karti thi kyunki aunty aisa karne ko kehti thi." Jhat se
keh diya.
"Subah sawere. Shadeed thand mein? Mummy se puchhta hu!" Faris sach
mein hairaan ho gaya.

Dobara se utarne laga to woh ek dum se ghabra kar aage aayi. Sidhi(ladder)
ko pakadna is tarah tha ke woh neeche na utar sake lekin uska balance
bigad gaya. Girte girte mushkil se bacha.

"What the hell?" Gript mazboot karte hue jhidak diya

"Apna kaam karo. Neeche kyun aa rahe ho? Paint karo. Balki saari deewaro
ko paint karo. Tumhe kisne roka hai? Balki acchi baat hai, insaan ko apne
ghar ka kaam khud karna chahiye.*"

Faris ne uske pentra badalne par jawabon ko kaanp kar rah gaya. Dhoop
mein woh haath ka chhaja banaye, sar uthaye use dekh rahi thi. Chehra
timtimaa raha tha. Shahd hathon ne jaise aag pakdi hui thi.

"Ek kaam tum bhi hamara kar do." Daant peesh kar jhuka.

"Haan, bolo." Apne asar par qaboo paati, woh bahut mustaid nazar aayi.

"Jis darwaze se bahar aayi ho, usi darwaze se andar chale jao. Bahut
meherbani hogi."

Woh jo sach mein kisi kaam ki mutmain thi, sulag kar reh gayi.

Fikron mein ghar ka dard gusse se bhar gaya, Bhar bharati hui door shade
ke paas ja baithi.

"Zara si pareshani dikhado to apne aap ko pata nahi kya samajh aane lagta
hai. Ek to itni tension de rakhi hai mujhe. Raat bhar so nahi sakti. Aur isse
dekho, paint ho raha hai."

Bur burate hue kahin aur dekhne lagi. Aur phir aadat se majboor, dobara
dekhne lagi.

Woh Adeel Ahmed se baat karta apne kaam mein poori tarah focus aur
mutmaeen lag raha tha. Kitne dino baad usne Faris ko is tarah dekha tha.
Dil mein sukoon sa utarta mehsoos hua. Yun laga jaise seene par se ek bojh
sirak gaya ho. Mobile par vibration hui to usne screen par nigah daudai.
Ruby ki call thi. Uska nichla lab daanton tale aa gaya. Gala jaise kuch atak
gaya ho. Sar utha kar ek nazar Faris par dali, phir call receive karti darakht
ke neeche ja khadi hui.

Roller haath mein liye Faris ne mud kar use dekha. Woh baat kar rahi thi,
toh chehre par fikarmandi ke aasaar numayan ho rahe the. Sar jhatak kar
Faris phir se deewar par roller ghumane laga. Deewar ka rang poora safed
ho chuka tha, lekin uske andar ki siyaahi thi jo khatam hone ka naam nahi
le rahi thi.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER- 62
•••

Weakly check-up ke liye Mrs. Shirazi Faris ke saath hospital gayi hui thi.
Woh ghar mein akeli thi. Yahaan wahan tehalte hue, usne Faris aur Rayyan
ke masle ko kai baar socha, magar kisi bhi tareeke se koi hal nahi nikal
payi. Ruby se raabta karne ke baad Ryan ke hawale se milne wali khabron
ne usse bechain kar rakha tha. Dil karta tha bas udh kar wahan pahunch
jaaye aur Faris ki tamaam mukhalfat ke bawajood Rayyan ko le aaye.

Yeh baat to tay thi, Faris usse jaane ki ijazat nahi dega. Aur woh khud se
wahan ja nahi sakti thi, guards ki mojudgi mein toh bilkul bhi nahi.

"Kya usse Faris se dobara baat karni chahiye?"

Faris ka reaction yaad aaya to jhurr jhuri le kar reh gayi. Kitne din lag gaye
the usse sambhalne aur wapas normal hone mein. Dobara baat ched kar woh
koi aur badmazgi nahi chahti thi. Faris ke liye yeh mamooli baat nahi thi,
aur yeh baat usse bhi samajh aa gayi thi. Toh ab kya kare? Rayyan ko
yahaan kaise laaye? Woh zehan mein ek be-naam si uljhan aur kai sawalon
ke saath tehal rahi thi, jab naukar ne seedhiya utar kar kisi ke aane ki khabar
di.

"Kaun hai?"

"Apna naam Javeria Habib bataya hai."

"Javeria Habib?" Usne ruk kar zubaan tale naam dohraya. Abhi chand din
pehle Mrs. Shirazi apni kisi dost ki beti ke baare mein bata rahi thi jo
Pakistan aane wali thi.

"Kahin yeh woh to nahi?" Nichla lab kaat-te hue woh soch mein padh gayi,
kyunki Mrs. Shirazi ka doston ka daira kaafi bara tha aur woh bohot se
logon ko nahi jaanti thi.
"Theek hai, unhein andar bula lo," keh kar usne apne aap ko aaine mein
dekha. Subah se kaale pajame par safed kurta pehne ghoom rahi thi.
Jhunjhla kar wardrobe khola, kapde nikaal kar jaldi jaldi change kiye aur
apna huliya thoda better karke drawing room mein gayi, toh saamne hi ek
modern si naujawan ladki baithi hui nazar aayi. Siyah pant suit mein thi,
baalon ka French bun bana rakha tha, gehre laal rang ki lipstick uske
honthon ko numayan kar rahi thi. Surkh rang ka chhota sa clutch purse
haath mein tha. Jannat par nazar padhte hi woh apni jagah se uth gayi. Laal
gulabo ka bouquet uske haath mein tha.

"Ghaliban aap Mrs. Shirazi se milne aayi hain lekin woh is waqt ghar par
nahi hain," haath milate hue Jannat ne bouquet le kar lihazdaar lehje mein
kaha. Woh uski baat sun kar dheemi si muskurai. Phir Jannat ke ishare par
sofa par baith gayi. Jannat ne bhi table ke doosri taraf ka sofa sambhal liya.
Bouquet usne table par rakh diya.

"Main jaanti hoon ke woh ghar par nahi hain, aur main unse nahi, aap se
milne aayi hoon."

Jannat ke asraat ek dum se badal gaye. Muskurahat simat gayi, magar agle
hi pal usne apne aap ko sambhal liya.

"Oh acha, to kis silsile mein milne aayi hain aap mujhse?" Use achanak
ehsaas hua ke ek anjaan ladki ko andar aane ki ijaazat dekar usne bohot
badi ghalti kar di hai.

"Main Aarzoo Jahangir ki manager Javeria Habib hoon." Apna taaruf

karwane ke baad woh ruk kar Jannat ko dekhne lagi. Shehad rang aankhon
mein shanasaayi ki ramak abhari thi, na yeh naam sunkar tasuraat mein koi
tabdeeli aayi thi. Faris Wajdan ki biwi kisi Aarzoo Jahangir ko nahi jaanti
thi.

"Jee kahiye." Mulazima mashroob ka glass pesh karke gayi toh usne
muskurate hue kaha, "Kis silsile mein milna chahti hain aap mujhse?"
Lehze ko hatta la imakan kar ke poocha. Woh kisi bhi tareeke se apna
bechaini ya khauf zahir nahi karna chahti thi.
Javeria Habib ne apne chhote se purse se ek card nikaal kar uske saamne
mez par rakha. Jamuni rang ka VIP invitation card tha jo uske naam par tha.

"Yeh ma'am Arzoo Jahangir ke makeup product launch event ke liye aapka
invitation hai." Jannat na samjhi ke haalat mein use dekh rahi thi. Faris se
shaadi ke baad yeh pehli dafa tha ke kisi company ya brand ne uske shohar
ki position aur haisiyat ki wajah se usay approach kiya ho. Usne card khol
kar dekha, sirf uska naam likha tha. Faris Wajdan ka naam na hone par woh
hairan ho gayi. Kuch lamhon tak woh aise hi card ko ulat pulat kar dekhte
rahi.

"Sorry to say, lekin main yeh event attend nahi kar sakungi." Usne mana kar
diya.

"Why not?" Javeria Habib ne hairat ka izhaar kiya.

"Main Aarzoo Jahangir ko nahi jaanti." Card wapas mez par rakh diya aur
seedhi hokar baith gayi.

"Yeh hairat toh mujhe bhi hai ke aap ma'am ko nahi jaanti." Usne kaha,

"Halaanke khaas rishta hai aapka unse." Jannat ne sawaliya abru uthayi,

"Acha, kaisa rishta?" Sofa ke saath peeth lagate hue usne apna glass utha
liya. Kuch ghoont lekar puray itminaan ke saath usay dekha. Javeria Habib
ki muskurahat gehri ho gayi.

"Waise log aapke husband ke bare mein bilkul theek kehte hain."

Jis andaaz aur lehje mein usne Faris ka zikar kiya, Jannat andar se tap gayi,
magar upar se kuch bhi zahir nahi hone diya.

"Acha! Kya kehte hain log mere husband ke baare mein jo aapko itna sahi
lagta hai?" Gardan oonchi karke usne sawal kiya. Joveriya Habib ko is
lamhe mein ehsaas hua ke yeh ladki itni aasaan nahi thi jitna usne samajh
liya tha.

"Yahi ke apne dada ki tarah woh doosron ko andhere mein rakhne ka fun
jaante hain." Usne tanz se muskurahat ke saath kaha.
Jannat ke andar ek dam se sannata phail gaya. Agle hi pal zabardasti ki
muskurahat hontoon par saja kar uski taraf dekha.

"Woh kya hai ke mere husband ko gair zaroori log ko attention dene ki
aadat nahi hai." Javeria Habib ke chehre se muskurahat ek lamha ke liye
gaib ho gayi.

"I see." Pur Soch nazron se usay dekha aur phir se muskurate hue chup ho
gayi.

"Kya aapko mujhse kuch aur bhi kehna hai?" Jannat jaise jaldi se jaldi us
mulaqat ko khatam karna chahti thi.

"Ma’am apni product launch ke liye sirf ek hafte ke liye Pakistan aayi hain.
Aur wo aapse zaroor milna chahti hain," usne seedha seedha baat karne ki
thaani.

"Jab main aapki ma’am ko jaanti hi nahi hoon, toh phir unse kaise mil sakti
hoon?"

"Unhein jaan-ne ke liye sirf unka naam hi kaafi hai," jata kar kaha. Jannat
dheere se muskurayi. "Mere liye naam bhi kaafi nahi hai. Aapka bohot
shukriya ke aap yahan aayi, Mera nahi khayal ke main yeh event attend kar
paungi." Usne keh kar card uski taraf khiska diya. "Ab aap jaa sakti hain."
Wo apni jagah se uth khadi hui.

Javeriya Habib ko bhi apni jagah se uthna pada.

"Aapne waqt diya, iske liye shukriya. Yeh card rakh lijiye. Mujhe yaqeen
hai jab aapko ma’am ke baare mein ilm hoga toh aap unse zaroor milna
chahengi." Usne Arzoo Jahangir ka business card nikal kar table par rakh
diya. Apna purse kandhe par dalte hue darwaze ki taraf qadam badhaye.
Phir kuch soch kar ruk gayi. Mud kar Jannat ki taraf dekha.

"Kya main aapse request kar sakti hoon ke aap humari is mulaqat ka zikr
apne shauhar se na karein?"

"Jee?" Jannat ne achi tarah se usay dekha.

"Never mind!" Wo uske andar bohot se wahem jagati, sadre darwaze ki
jaanib badh gayi.

Business card aur VIP invitation glass table par rakha tha.

Aur Jannat kamaal is ajeeb o ghareeb mulaqat ka tajziya karti apni jagah
khadi reh gayi thi.

•••

"Aqsa?"

"Jee aapi! Bio ki kitaab mein novel chhapa kar parhti hui Aqsa ki awaaz
aayi. Dopeher ke baad se Jannat ka koi teesra chakkar tha. Har baar woh
kuch kehte kehte ruk jaati thi. Magar ab ki baar aisa nahi hua tha.

"Aisa hota hai aksar filmo, dramas, aur kahaniyon mein. Koi ek kirdaar ko
koi mana karta hai ke 'tumne falan baat falan bande ko nahi batani?'"

Jannat jo kitaabon ke saath peech par chadhi baithi thi, ekdum se uth kar
uske paas aa gayi.

"Jee jee aaphi! Aksar hota hai aise." Woh bohot jada sanjeeda thi.

Aur woh jo kirdaar hota hai, woh yeh baat nahi batata aur buri tarah se
phans jaata hai.

"Hai na?"

"Jee jee bilkul," Aqsaa ne zor se sir hilaya. "Yahi hota hai.

"Aur hum dekh rahe hote hain, aur humein gussa aa raha hota hai ke yeh
baat kyun nahi batayi jaati."

Jannat ne aur kaha, "Haan na, itna gussa aata hai. Dil karta hai bas heroine
samne ho aur use thappad laga dein. Aadhe se zyada masle to hal ho jaaye
agar heroine hero se koi baat na chhupaye."
"Wahi to." Jannat ne bhi taayid mein sar hilaya. Jis masle mein uljhi thi,
uska hawaai, fazaai, khayaali hal mil gaya.

"Thank you so much Aqsaa!" Khud se kehkar kaha.

Aqsaa bhoot bani use dekh kar reh gayi ke aisa kuch kiya to hai nahi, phir
yeh thank you kis liye?

Ab uski aaphi shukriya ada kar rahi thi to usne koi madad kar hi di hogi.
Mutmain hokar phir se bench par baith gayi.

Jannat ne gehri saans le kar sir uthaya. Pehle uske andar kuch darr tha lekin
Aqsaa ke "Jee aapi! Bilkul aapi! Yahi hota hai aapi!" se thodi himmat mil
gayi thi. Isse pehle ke Faris ko apne guard ya watchman se yeh baat pata
chale, usse khud hi batani chahiye. Faisla karke mobile uthaya aur tezi se
type kar ke message likha:

" -Mujhe tumhe ek bohot zaroori baat batani hai."

" -Achha."

(Hairat liye tasuraat)

" -mein ghar aa raha hu, tab bata dena."

Chhota sa jawab aaya.

" -Theek hai, koi jaldi nahi."

Mutmain hokar andar chali gayi.

Shaam ke khane ke baad, jab woh kuch waqt Mrs. Shirazi ke saath unke
studio mein guzar kar bahar aayi, toh Faris use kitchen mein jaata dikhayi
diya. Woh uske peeche wahin aa gayi. Jaanti thi, ab woh apne liye coffee
banayega aur office room mein band ho jayega.

" Tumne poocha nahi, main tumse kya baat karni thi?" Uske peeche ja kar
kaha. Woh neeli jeans aur siyah denim shirt mein malboos tha jis ke tamam
buttons khule hue the. White T-shirt par "A" likha nazar aa raha tha. "Oh
haan." Use yaad aaya toh foran Jannat ki taraf mud gaya. Phir freezer se
paani ki bottle nikaal kar counter table par rakh di.

"Mujhe bhi karni hai. Watch mein bataya tha ke koi khatoon aayi thi tumse
milne. Kaun aayi thi?"

Jannat ka saans ruka. Ghaliban Faris samajh raha tha ke uski koi rishtedaar
ya dost ya phir koi jaan pehchaan ki khatoon hogi. Lekin woh toh javeriya
habeeb ko jaanti tak nahi thi.

"Haan, woh koi Javeriya habeeb thi."

Usne ghabrahat par qabul paate hue keh diya. Ek toh us ladki ki baatein
pur-asrar aur ajeeb si thi, doosra Faris ke rawaiye se zyada pareshani ho rahi
thi. Kahin daant na par jaye ke ghar mein kyun aane diya.

"Javeriya habeeb?" Glass mein paani daalte hue uski taraf dekha. Woh is
naam ki kisi khatoon ko nahi jaanta tha. Business aur invitation card par
Jannat ki grip achanak mazboot hui.

"Haan." Uska galaa khusk hua. "Asal mein woh mujhe invitation card dene
aayi thi. Koi Aarzoo Jhangir hain. Unhone mujhe apne makeup product ke
launching event par invite kiya hai aur…"

Glass Faris Wajdan Wajdan ke haath se chhoot kar neeche gira aur
dhamaake se toot kar bikhar gaya. Woh achanak se shor hua, khauf ki
ghanti baj gayi. Kahin kuch galat ho gaya tha ya na ho. Intensely dhadakte
dil ke saath sar uthaya aur Faris ko dekha.

Aan ki aan mein Faris Wijdan ke tewar badal gaye the, tasur badal gaye the,
mizaj badal gaya tha. Uski aankhon mein ghussa utar gaya tha. Leheje mein
har tarah ki takleef ghul gayi thi.

"Woh andar kaise aayi?" Uske qareeb ja kar itni sakhti se poocha ke woh
ghabra gayi.

"Woh… Main, main… woh… main samjhi ki aunty ki student…"

"Mummy ki Student? Tumne ek aisi aurat ko andar aane diya jise tum jaanti
tak nahi thi?" Faris ke lehje mein wahi ajnabiyat aur begangi ek hi pal mein
laut aayi thi.

"Woh mujhe laga ke…"

"Tumhe laga?" Woh phat pada. Jannat apni jagah sakt khadi rahi. Use Faris
Wajdan is lamhe...

Jannat ke andar ek dum se sannata phail gaya tha. Agle hi pal zabardasti ki
muskurahat honton par saja kar uski taraf dekha. Wo Kisi taur apne
hwaason mein na tha.Shadeed gusse ke aalam mein uske haath se card
chheen liya aur jalte hue aag mein jhonk diya. Wo uske peeche saans roke
khadi thi, mutawaḥish si, pareshaan aur saakit.

"Koi chor daku aa kar kahe ke main Faaris Wajdan ka dost hoon, Jameela
Daud ka student hoon, toh tum usse bhi andar aane dogi?" Jannat ka sar
jhuk gaya, lab bhinch gaye, aankhein aansuon se bhar gayi.

"Maine kaha na, galti se..."

"Galti nahi hai," uski awaaz ek dum buland ho gayi thi. Lehja pehle se
zyada sakht, zyada karakht ho gaya tha.

"Aakhir ho kya gaya hai tumhe?" Sar utha kar ghusse se puchi.

"Ek zara si baat par is tarah hyper kyun ho rahe ho? Excuse kar to Rahi
hoon, tum phir bhi… agar na batati, jhoot bolti ya chhupa leti, phir kya kar
lete tum?"

"Ek zara si baat?" Faaris ke honto se halki awaaz nikli, aankhon mein gham
o gussa ubhar aaya lekin usne sabar kiya. Aag dil mein thi, lekin usse dil
mein hi rakhna zaroori tha.

"Mere liye yeh zara si baat nahi hai."

"I'm…sorry!" Jannat ne apne lab bhinch kar rone par kabu paate hue
ahistagi se boli. Faris kuch lamho tak apni muthiya bhinchte hue, surkh
aankho se usay dekhta raha, phir har ek cheez ko tabaah kar dene ki
khwahish liye seedhiya chadh kar apne kamre mein chala gaya.

Sochon mein ghum, Jannat kaanch ke tukdo ke darmiyan pareshaan si khadi

reh gayi. "Sirf is liye ke usne uski ijazat ke bagair kisi ko andar aane diya".
Usne dard bhari palkain jhapkayi.

Farsh par bikhre hue kaanch ko dekha, phir us raakh ko jo burner par thi.
Kayi lamhe uske rawaiye ko samajhte, apni galti ko tolte hue guzar gaye.
Baat chhoti thi, lekin uska rad-e-amal pahaad jaisa tha. Uski samajh mein
nahi aaya ke wo itna talakh kyun ho gaya tha.

Isi waqt Jannat, Mrs. Shirazi ke studio mein aagayi.

Wheelchair par baithe wo samne diwaar par lagi painting ko ghaur se dekh
rahi thi. Usse dekh kar kuch hairaan hui, kyunki ghusse aur gham ke aaks
uske chehre par waazeh the. Aisa lag raha tha ke wo abhi ro degi, lekin
apne jazbaat ko qaboo mein rakh rahi thi.

Sari baat sunate hi Mrs. Shirazi hairaan reh gayi. Kuch der tak wo samajh
nahi paayi ke wo kya sun rahi hain.

"Mein toh unhe jaanti tak nahi hu, mujhe wakai me laga aapki koi student
aayi hogi. Yeh meri galti hai ye me manti hu. Wo sirf invitation card dene
aayi thi, maine mana kar diya. Magar Faris meri kisi baat ka yaqeen nahi
kar raha, use gussa hai ke maine andar kyun aane diya."

"Galatfehmi ho gayi, excuse bhi kiya, magar woh…"

Mrs. Shirazi chup chaap sun rahi thi, unke chehre par fikar ke aasar the.
Jannat ka dil thoda halka hua, lekin jab usne Mrs. Shirazi ke chehre par
dekha toh asal mein pareshani ka ehsaas hua.

Mrs. Shirazi ne apna brush rakh diya aur wheelchair ka rukh uski taraf kar
diya.

"Baitho," unhone sanjidgi se kaha.

Jannat ke paas ekdum sannata tha. Kuch lamho ke liye sab kuch chup ho
gaya. Phir unhone apna mobile uthaya, kuch type karke uski taraf badha
diya. Pareshani se unko dekhte hue usne mobile le liya.

"Allah kare sab khair ho!" Uska dil zor se dhadak raha tha. Mobile ko
mazbooti se pakad kar screen par nazar daali. Search bar par "

Aarzoo Jahangir

" likha tha, aur neeche alag-alag tasveere thi. Usne wo chehra pehchaan
liya, jaise pehle kabhi dekha ho. Agle hi pal uske zehan mein jhamaka hua.
Ek foreigner channel par Lady Esperanza ke naam se jis aurat ka usne
interview dekha tha, wo yahi thi.

Aarzoo Jahangir

ek kamiyab business woman, ek famous model. Social media ke har

platform par unke laakho fans the. Google search engine unki har tarah ki
tasveeron se bhara hua tha.

Interviews, tweets, stories, videos, articles sab kuch samne tha. Jannat ne
dheere se scroll kiya aur agle hi pal ekdum sadme mein reh gayi. Aankho
par kisi taur yaqeen nahi aaya.

"Na mumkin" Yeh uska pehla tassur tha. Tassur hi reh gaya.

"Yeh mujhe bhi ajeeb lag raha hai ke aap aap ma'am ko nahi jaanti," doosri
taraf se halki si muskurahat ke sath kaha gaya.

"Aapka unse gehra rishta hai." Uske ird-gird jaise dhamake ho rahe the.
Uska sar be-ikhtiyaar nafi mein hilne laga, aankho mein hairani thi, hont
chup ho gaye.

Jannat ne screen par wapas nazar dali, aur dekha ke Arzoo Jahangir ke
former spouses mein pehla naam

'Haroon Azam Shirazi'

ka tha. Children names me

Faris Haroon Shirazi

ka naam likha tha.

"Esa kaise…?" Usne girti hui nazar se Mrs. Shirazi ko dekha.

Mrs. Shirazi ne dheere se jawab diya,

"paanch saal ka tha jab Aarzoo use chhod kar chali gayi thi." Unka lehja
naram tha lekin kisi chhupi hui takleef ka izhaar kar raha tha. Unki aankho
mein ek soch thi, jaise unhein kuch yaad karna pad raha ho.

Jannat abhi bhi sadme mein thi. Usse ab bhi yaqeen nahi ho raha tha. Mrs.
Shirazi aur Faris ke beech jo mohabbat thi, aur jis tarah se wo Faris ka
khayal rakhti thi, dekh kar koi nahi keh sakta tha ke Faris unki saggi aulad
nahi thi. Usne phir se sar nafii mein hilaaya, haqiqat ko tasleem karne mein
waqt lag raha tha. Yeh rishta khoon se zyada gehra tha, mohabbat aur
khuloos se bandha hua.

"Toh aapne… aapne Faris ki parwarish ki?" Kuch der baad Jannat ne
poocha.

Mrs. Shirazi chup rahi, na haan mein jawab diya na naa mein. Unka jawab
beech mein hi adhoora reh gaya. Ab wo apni gardan mod kar khidki ke
bahar dekh rahi thi.

"Faris ka ravaiya dekhne ke baad tumhe kya lagta hai, kaisa ho sakta hai?"

Unhone gardan mod kar usse poocha. Aankho ki nami gehri thi, chehre par
ek dard sa nazar aa raha tha. Jannat ke andar ajeeb si bechaini aur dukh phel
gaya. Jis baat ko wo chhoti samajh rahi thi, Faris Wajdan ke liye wo chhoti
nahi thi. Maa aur bete ke beech ikhtilaf aam baat nahi thi.

"Aarzoo chahti thi ke Faris ke saath sab theek ho jaaye, magar Faris, aisa
nahi chahta tha. Unki nazre ab jhuki hui thi, wo apne hatho ko dekh rahi thi.
Jannat ko ekdum se ehsaas hua ke Aarzoo Jahangir ka zikr Mrs. Shirazi ke
liye bhi khushgawar nahi tha.

"Kya wajah sirf yeh hai ke wo usse chhor kar gayi thi?" Jannat ne poocha.
"Kya yeh wajah na kaafi hai, Beta?"

Unhone sar utha kar poocha. Jannat ki aankhen bheeg gayi, aur uska sar
jhuk gaya. Uski maa ne bhi usse chhod diya tha, lekin phir bhi wo unse
nafrat nahi kar saki thi. Uski himmat nahi hui ke wo unse aur koi sawaal
karti. Sawaal dukh dete thay, aur usse apne dukh, apne kashmakash, apni
mehroomiya yaad aayi. Ek waqt aisa bhi tha jab wo apni duniya se chhupi
rehti thi, khamoshi talashti thi.

"Main toh aap dono ki mohabbat dekh kar kabhi nahi soch sakti thi ke aap
uski biological mother nahi hain. Agar aap nahi batati toh main kabhi
yaqeen nahi karti," Jannat ne dheere se kaha.

"Wo mera beta hai," Mrs. Shirazi ne jis fakhr aur pyar se kaha, Jannat ki
aankho mein aansu aa gaye. Unki izzat aur mohabbat Jannat ke dil mein aur
barh gayi.

"Main chahti hoon ke tum Faris se is baare mein dobara koi baat mat karo.
Wo bohot disturb ho jaata hai," Mrs. Shirazi ne kaha.

Jannat ne unke haath apne haatho mein le liye. Mrs. Shirazi ne sar uthaaya
aur agle hi pal apni jagah se ruk gayi, kyunki aankhon mein gham aur gussa
liye Faris Wajdan darwaze mein khada tha. Uski mutthiya band thi, jabde
bhinche hue the. Wo guftagu sun chuka tha. Ab wo aur bhi zyada ghusse
mein aagaya tha. Dukh, kasak, aur bechari si haalat ke sath, kuch kehne
laga lekin phir ruk gaya aur jhatke se palat gaya.

"Faris…!" Mrs. Shirazi ne ekdum se pareshani ke sath use pukara. Jannat

bhi ekdum hosh mein aayi, aur foran khadi ho gayi.

"Main dekhti hoon," Jannat ne foran kaha, aur Faris ke peechhe bhaag kar
bahar aayi. Faris apni gaadi unlock kar chuka tha, aur darwaaza khol hi raha
tha jab Jannat uske samne aa gayi.

"Is waqt kaha ja rahe ho?" Jannat ne poocha.

"Jahannum mein. Chalo gi sath?"

Faaris gusse se phat pada. Jannat ek lamhe ke liye ruki fir boli.

"Haan, bas mujhe 5 minute do, main kapde badal kar aati hoon." Wo jabde
bhich kar reh gaya.

"Hato aage se…"

"Yahan se toh main kahin nahi jaaungi." Jannat ne gaadi ke adhoore khule
darwaze ko zor se band kar diya aur samne jam kar khadi ho gayi.

"Saath le kar jao, ya phir kahin mat jao."

"Haan, taake end of the road par tum mujhse kaho ke main kitna zalim aur
sangdil insaan hoon, jise us aurat se nafrat hai, jo usne 9 mah tak apne pait
mein rakha tha."

Jannat ne dil mein ek dard mehsoos kiya, lekin apni jagah par khadi rahi.

"Oh! Shayad tumhe is baat se bhi problem ho ke main us aurat ko 'aurat'

kyun keh raha hoon." Faaris ne dard aur gusse se kaha.

"Aur mujh jaisi ek nafarman aulaad ki duniya aur aakhirat toh yahin tabaah
ho gayi. Aur tum kitni badkismat ho ke tumhe mera saath mila." Dahine
haath se apni taraf ishara kiya. Takleef mein woh tha aur dard use mehsoos
hone laga. Time uska tha aur dil uska phatne laga.

"Ab hato mere raste se… main kuch waqt akele…" Uska jumla adhoora reh
gaya. Jannat ne aage badh kar use khud se alag kar liya tha. Apne tamam tar
gusse aur ishtial ke saath Faris Wajdan apni jagah se khamosh ho gaya.

"Maine kaha na, agar bahar ja rahe ho toh hame saath le kar jaoge, warna
nahi jaoge." Jannat apni girift mazboot kar ke khadi rahi. Faris ne palkein
jhapkai, chand lamho tak khada raha, sakit aur khaamoshi ke saath,
veeraniyo mein ghira hua.

Mrs. Shirazi aankhon mein pareshani liye glass walls ke peeche se unhein
dekh rahi thi. Jannat ne thoda alag hokar Faris ki aankho mein jhanka, phir
uska haath thaam liya.
"Bolo, kya karna hai ab?"

Jannat ki girift itni mazboot thi ke agar Faris apna haath chhudana bhi
chahta, toh nahi chhuda sakta. Agle kai lamho tak wo aankho mein huzn ki
nami liye andheri raatein dekhte hue khamosh raha.

"Sirf do minute hain tumhare paas," uska lehja waise hi rukha tha. Jannat ki
aankhein chamak uthen, "Bas hum abhi gaye aur abhi aaye."

Woh foran andar chali gayi. Seedha Mrs. Shirazi ke paas gayi aur kaha,
"Main sab sambhal loongi sab, aap fikr mat kare" Haath thaam kar tasalli
di. Phir kapde badal kar bahar aayi, tab tak Faris gaadi start kar chuka tha.
Passenger seat par baithte hi seat belt bandhte waqt, jab tak wo farigh hui,
gaadi markazi shahrah par pahunch chuki thi.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 63
---

Kitni der tak gaadi mein khamoshi chhayi rahi. Woh driving karta raha. Aur
Jannat bahar dekhti rahi.

Safar lamba tha. Sadke kahin sunsaan aur kahin aabadi ho jaati thi.
Aasmaan, sheher ki roshniyan, aabadi, aur unka safar... khamosh safar,
udaas safar.

"Tumhe pata hai, tumhare papa kitne ajeeb insaan hain. Ghanta ho gaya hai,
hum sadko pe ghoom rahe hain aur unse yeh nahi hua ke ice cream hi khila
dein." Woh apne bachche se mukhatib thi.

Steering wheel par grip jamaye Faris ne use sakht nazron se dekha.

"Main ne kaha mujhe khamoshi chahiye."

"Haan to main kaun sa tumse baat kar rahi hoon?" Kandhe uchhaka kar
rukh badal gayi. Jawde bhinche kar usne qareebi ice cream parlour ke
samne gaadi rok di.

"Insaan muravattan pooch hi leta hai ke gaadi mein khana chahogi ya

bahir." Woh darwaza kholne hi laga to bol padhi.

"Farmaiye! Kya khwahish hai?" Tap kar poocha.

"Ab tum pooch hi rahe ho to, kyun na pehle pizza kha liya jaye?" Zabt kar
ke woh uski taraf mod gaya.

"Shaam ka khana khaye abhi do ghante hue hain."

"Tin ghante." Fauran hi tashih ki. "Yeh jo ek ghanta se hum sadko par
khwar ho rahe hain isey bhi to count karo." Balki ruk kar apni ungliyon par
hisaab kitaab shuru kiya.
"Hamari jab kitchen mein ladai hui to us waqt aath baje rahe the. Phir jab
bahar nikle to us waqt nau baje ka waqt tha. Ab das baje wale hain. Kuch
der baad tin ghante poore ho jayenge."

"Main tumhe apne saath kyun laaya hoon?" Jhalla utha.

"Ham khud aaye hain." Jhatak kar boli.

Steering wheel ghumate huye gaadi ko sadak par dal diya. Kuch der baad
woh pizza hut mein maujood the.

Uske liye order de kar woh khud ajnabi ke tarah seene par bazoo bandhe
baitha tha. Is waqt uska na to kuch khane ka mood tha aur na hi koi baat
karne ka. Kaafi se zyada jhillaya hua tha. Use to jaise kuch bhi acha nahi
lag raha tha. Pizza se farigh ho kar phir ice cream parlour ka rukh kiya
gaya. Khule aasman tale, bulandi se railing ke us paar sheher ki roshniy ko
dekhte Jannat Kamal apni ice cream se lutf andoz hoti rahi. Faris apna cup
haath mein liye chup chaap baitha tha. Uske asraat pehle se kuch behtar the.
Aankhon ki sakhti kam ho chuki thi. Maathe par ab koi bel nahi thi. Woh
uske kandhe se sar lagaye upar kahin aasman ki taraf dekh rahi thi aur
lagataar bolti ja rahi thi. Uski tamaam baaton mein kahin bhi Aarzoo
Jahangir ka zikr nahi tha. Tajjub nahi tha. Qissa, nafrat ya iske rawaiye ko
le kar haqaarat nahi thi. Usse is baat se farq nahi pad raha tha ke woh apni
maa se nahi milti. Is baat se bhi nahi ke woh unse nafrat karti hai.

“I'm sorry!” Usne chup hote hi kaha.

Bahut achanak aur bina kisi hawala diye.

“Kis liye?” Usne hairaan hote hue pucha. Faris khamosh raha. Shayed woh
apne rawaye ki maafi maang raha tha.

“Meri taraf se bhi sorry kuch soch kar usne bhi keh diya.

“Kis liye?”

“Main bhi to kaafi ulta seedha bol gayi.”

“Woh to tum hamesha bolti ho.” Bhonwen sukad kar usne Faris ko ghura.
Matlab ke. Had hai? Jhunjhla gayi.

“Main ne apna sorry wapas liya.” Keh diya.

Woh ek muskurati nazar us par daal ke kahin door dekhne laga. “Agar main
tumhare saath na aati to kahaan jaate?” Aasmaan ki bulandiyon mein roshan
sitaron ko khojte pucha.

“Yahin aata, jahan hum hain.”

Usne muta'ajab ho kar ataraf mein nazar daudayi.

“Matlab yeh tumhare liye koi khaas jagah hai.”

“Tum dekh sakti ho yahan se poora sheher nazar aata hai.”

“Aakhri baar tum yahan kis ke saath aaye the?” Usne pucha.

“Main yahan akela hi aata hoon.”

Usne dekha, pahadi ke neeche ghoomti hui sadak ke us paar sar-sabz sabze
ke beech mein ek qasr-nama ghar nazar aa raha tha. Uski tamaam batiyan
raat ke is pehar is tarah se roshan thi ke din ke ujale ka gumaan ho raha tha.
Manzar intehai khoobsurat tha.

“Tum woh dekh rahi ho?” Faris ne haath badha kar ishaara kiya.

“Haan.”

“Yeh Shirazi House hai.”

Jannat ne chonk kar sar uthaya.

“Mere dada yahin rehte the. Is qasr mein.”

“Oh! Toh isliye yeh jagah tumhare dil ke bahut qareeb hai.” Apne
bhoolepan mein bol gayi. Faris ki nazare thehri rahi. Chehra be asar raha.
Woh ab gardan unchi karke door tak dekh rahi thi. “Ghar mein kaun rehta
hai?”

“Koi nahi.”

“Toh lights kyun on hain?”

Khamoshi…

Usse rukh morh kar Faris ko dekha. Usne jacket ki jibon mein haath daal
liye. Woh apne bhai, baap, aur dada-dadi ke baare mein koi baat nahi karta
tha. Jannat mehsoos kar ke khamosh ho gayi ke woh uska dil behlane aayi
thi, zyada tension dene nahi. Bag se mobile nikal kar kuch messages type
kiye. Woh Mrs. Shirazi ko tasalli de rahi thi ke sab theek hai, aap so
jaayiye. Phir foran se uski taraf mutawajjeh hui.

Woh cup haath mein liye baitha tha. “Waise ek sawal hai mere dimaag
mein. Aur kaafi arse se hai. Magar maine tumse kabhi nahi poocha.” Usne
kaha.

“Kaisa sawal?” Gardan morh kar usse dekhne laga. Itni der tak khamosh
rehne ke baad ab woh guftagu mein hissa le raha tha. Aankhon mein surkhi
thehri thi magar asraat kaafi had tak normal ho chuke the. Woh bahut
relaxed lag raha tha.

“Main is par kabhi baat nahi karna chahti thi. Lekin kuch kehte kehte ruk
gayi. Tum jaante ho, mujhe pehli baar divorce kis liye hui thi?”

Faris peach par bazoo phailaaye uski aankhon mein dekh kar reh gaya.
Usne expect nahi kiya tha ke woh apne maazi se jude kisi azab bharay waqt
ka hawala de sakti hai. Woh bhi is majbooti ke saath.

“Tumhe bura nahi lagta? Matlab tumhe pehle bahut nafrat ho gayi thi
mujhse ke main aisi hoon aur yeh ke maine ek bachay ki jaan lene ki
koshish ki. Phir aisa kya hua ke tumne is baat ko humare darmiyan se nikal
diya?” Faris uske ajeeb o garib sawal par muta’ajjib sa baitha raha. Kya
woh apna maamla chhidak kar uska dimaag bhatakane ki koshish kar rahi
hai? Ya phir woh waqai mein uska mauqif jaan na chahti hai?
“Mujhe ek ne chhod diya ke main aisi hoon. Mujhe doosra yeh jaan kar
kaise apna sakta hai ke main waisi hi hoon.” Uski awaaz kamzor thi, na
aankhein nam thi, na asraat mein kisi dukh ka shaiyba tha. Woh jaise apni
nahi kisi doosre, teesre ya chauthe insaan ki baat kar rahi thi.

Aise jaise uske andar ek uljhan ho. Koi ghoor jo khulne ka naam na le.

“Tum phir se kuch ulta seedha soch rahi ho?”

“Nahi to, yeh to bas ek sawal hai.”

Woh chup ho gaya. Kuch der tak chup hi raha.

“Main bahut pehle jaan gaya tha tum kisi ki jaan nahi le sakti.” Cup liye
huye usne sip liya. Jannat dam sadhe usse dekh kar reh gayi.

"Yeh alag baat hai ke tasleem nahi karna chahta tha." Jo kar door tak dekha.
Ishara un takleef dain baaton ka tha. Tanaz aur ta’anon ka tha. Us zehni
azab ka jis se woh usse do char karta raha tha.

“Kya matlab? Kaise jaan gaye the?” Jannat ki aankhon mein hairat utari.
Uski haqeeqat to sirf uske paas hi thi. Agar kahin se maloomat leta bhi to
usse positive jawab to kabhi na milta. Khandan mein sab hi use mujrim
samajhte the. Toh iski himayat mein koi kuch bola to hargiz nahi hota, to
phir…

Uski ice cream lagbhag khatam ho chuki thi.

“Jab mujhe Anaphylactic shock hua tha tab...” Usne kaha. Cup se aur kuch
Ghoot liye.

“You saved my life, remember?”

“Isse yeh kaise sabit hua ke main be-gunah hoon?”

Woh kuch lamhon tak soch mein doob gaya aur saamne ke jhadiyo ko
dekhte raha.

“Tumne mujhe CPR diya tha.”

“Haan toh?” Iske liye yeh itni badi baat nahi thi ke iska yun zikar kiya jaye.
Yeh jaane ke bawajood ke is rishte ko nibhaane ka mera koi iraada nahi.
Woh ruk gayi. Aankhon mein nafehmi ka asar liye use dobara dekha. Faris
ne gardan morh kar Jannat ko dekha. Kya woh abhi bhi nahi samajh sakti?

“Kya matlab?”

“Agar tumhare liye kisi ki zindagi se zyada apna mufad ahem hota toh tum
mujhe CPR nahi deti, simple!”

Woh izhaar kar ke uski mushkil asaan karna chahti thi. Jannat hairan hokar
use dekh rahi thi. Kaisa faida? Kaun sa faida?

“Tum kehna kya chah rahe ho?”

“Faris Wajdan ki widow hona zyada faida mand sabit hota ya doosri baar
talaq yafta hona?” Usne jhullakar kaha toh Jannat ki aankhein phati ki phati
reh gayi. Munh hairat aur sadme se khula.

“Allah…! dono haath gaal par aur phir apne munh par rakh liye. Yeh to
mere zehen mein aaya hi nahi.”

Hairat, shock, aur sadme jaise dimaag ki chulain hil gayi thi. Faris ne
gardan morh kar use dekha.

“Afsoos ho raha hai ab?” jabde bhich kar puchha

“Bohot zyada.”

Woh taseef se sar hilaakar uth gaya.

"Ruko…!" Turant apna purse uthaaya aur tezi se uske peeche aayi.

“Uff! Main kitni be-waqoof hoon, kitni be-waqoof hoon." Apna sawal,
Faris ka jawab, uska mauqif, apni zaat par uski aisi nazar, reaction par aisa
tajziya. Lab bhinch kar muskurahat dabaati uske qareeb hui.

"Agar zara sa bhi... Angoothee ki pur ko ungli se jod kar kaha, “Zara sa bhi
mera criminal dimag hota toh tumhari saari property mujhe mil jaati,
Shirazi Enterprises ki nayi CEO main hoti!”

Woh uski roshan aankhon mein shararat ka rang dekh sakta tha.

“Main tumhe apne saath kyun le aaya?” Bud buda kar reh gaya.

Uske barabar chalte huye woh dil khol kar nahi. Aur is tarah hansi hui
bohot pyaari lagi. Aisa pehli baar hua tha ke maazi ki kisi takleef de baat
par uske chehre par dukh bhare asraat nahi the. Woh hass kar uska mauqif
enjoy kar rahi thi.

“itni si baat se meri puri shakhsiyat ka andaza laga liya?”

“Dekho tum kitni aasan ho.” Woh jibon mein haath daal kar keh raha tha.
Aur woh uske aage piche ho rahi thi.

“Tum mujhe underestimate kar rahe ho, main tumhari soch se zyada
khatarnaak hoon. Main kuch aisa kar sakti hoon jo tum bhi nahi kar sakte.”
Faris ke labo ko muskurahat chhu kar guzri.

Haan wo esi hi thi, sadik dil sachhe jajbat se masumiyat se. Apni dua se na
mumkin ko mumkin karke dikhane wali.

"Maslan?"

"Main tumhari Jaan le sakti hu…!" aankhon mein aankhon daal kar boli.

“Woh to tum le chuki”

“oh wow, kya tumne abhi tasleem kiya tum ek zombie ho?” Aankhein
chamak uthi. Chehra khushi se khil utha. Woh muskurakar reh gaya.

“Main ek zombi ke saath phir rahi hoon.” Awaaz thodi buland thi. Qareeb
se guzarte ek uncle aur aunty sahiba ne mud kar achambhe se use dekha
phir uske saath.

“Sorry! Meri wife ko daure padte hain.” Usne usse apne baazu ke ghere
mein lete huye maafi maangi. Jannat ke sar par lagi talwo me bujhi.
“Kya kaha?” Woh uski grip mein machal kar chikhi thi. Woh usse saath le
kar seedhiyon ki rukh kar chuka tha utarte waqt wo usse ek do mukke to
kha hi chuki thi.

"Tumse meri Khushi jara bardasht nahi hoti?" Uska mood thik karne uske
sath gayi thi. Wapsi pe apna mood kharab karke aa gayi thi.

"Meri wife ko doure padhte hai" Passenger seat par bethi thi. Jam kar nakal
utari. Budbudate rahi. Wo muskurahat dabaye suni na suni karte hue driving
karta raha.

Ghar pahunchte hi woh Mrs. Shirazi ke kamre mein chala gaya. Woh bed
par neem draaz unke intezaar mein jaag rahi thi. Halanke Jannat ne message
karke unse kaha tha sab theek hai. Woh so jayein magar Faris ko dekhe bina
unhe neend nahi aa sakti thi. Jaate waqt bharam tha, magar ab uske asraat
behtar the, phir bhi aankhon mein abhi bhi gham ki nami thi. Unke paas
baith kar, unhone gaal par haath rakha. Phir apni grip mein le kar use khud
se laga liya.

Kuch der baad Jannat unhe dekhne aayi toh adh khule darwaze mein hi ruk
gayi. Faris unke paas hi so gaya tha. Mrs. Shirazi uske baalon mein haath
pherte hue duaayein padh kar phoonk rahi thi. Sar uthakar usse dekha.

“Lights off kar doon?” Usne sergoshi mein poocha.

Unhone ashaas mein sar hila diya. Comforter Faris par phailate hue usne
side table ka lamp band kar diya. Paani Mrs. Shirazi ki maiz par rakha aur
lights off kar ke aahista se darwaza band karti apne kamre mein aa gayi.

Bed par baithte hue usne ek gehri saans li. Pure din ke waqiaat dimaag mein
daud gaye. Us khulase ko socha jo aaj us par hua tha. Aarzoo Jahangir ki is
tak pahunchne ki koshish samajh se bahar ho gayi, aur bhi is surat mein jab
ke woh apne bete ki nafrat se waqif thi.

Usne laptop uthaya. Unka naam search karke unse related articles padhti
gayi. Woh interviews jo unhone diye the, woh clips jo online viral ho gayi
thi. Unki adaayein, makeup, dressing sense kamal ka tha. Western dress ho
ya Eastern, har roop mein dhal kar qayamat dhara rahi thi. Do saal pehle tak
ke jo interviews the unmein unki personal life zyada discuss nahi hoti thi,
magar ab jo interviews the unmein woh bahut dhadak se apne bete ka zikar
karti thi aur bahut fakhar se apni baatein share karti thi.

Saath uska naam jodti thi. Haaliya interview usne phir se dekha. Aaj samajh
mein aaya Faris ne TV kyun band kar diya tha. Woh Aarzoo Jahangir ko
dekhna to dur ki baat, unki awaaz tak nahi sunna chahta tha. Itne qareeb ke
rishton ke liye itni nafrat aur talkhi use andar tak aziyat mein daal gayi thi.

Maae chhod deti hain, maae tor deti hain. Magar jaane kya baat thi ke apni
maa ki tamaam nafrat sahte hue bhi woh unse kabhi bhi nafrat nahi kar saki
thi. Aakhri waqt tak uski khwahish rahi thi ke woh use apna lein. Aakhri
waqt tak usne chaaha tha wahan ki ho jaye. Marne ke baad bhi unki narazgi
aur nafrat kis tarah se chain nahi lene deti thi. Dil aaj bhi gham se bhar jaata
tha. Apne nuqsan par ro padta tha.

"Suna hai aap dadi banne wali hain." Interview ko is maqam tak le aayi
jahan se usne nahi dekha tha. Anchor sawaal kar rahi thi. Aarzoo Jahangir
ka chehra khil utha tha. Woh jawab dete hue bahut khush nazar aa rahi thi.
Anchor unke bete ka poochh rahi thi. Bete ki kuch ek tasveerain
background par dikhayi ja rahi thi. Aur woh bata rahi thi ke unka beta apni
life ko private rakhna pasand karta hai aur woh khud bhi aisa hi chahti hain.

Kuch purani posts aur articles bhi the. Ek aisi post bhi thi jab unhone apne
social media accounts par bahut achanak Faris Wajdan ki tasveer share kar
ke uske saath apne rishte ko sab par zahir kar diya tha. Is baat ko lagbhag
do saal ho chuke the. Kitne arse tak yahi khabrein ghoomti rahi thi aur woh
kuch hairat se comments padh rahi thi jo is tasveer ke neeche diye gaye the.
Kuch fans ke asraat the aur kuch mukhalifon ke hasadana tabsaray aur
tajziye.

"Yeh jaanti hai ise social media mein in kaise rehna hai."

"Ab yeh achanak se beta kahaan se aa gaya?"

"Beta to qabool karna hi tha. I mean, look at it, he his CEO of Shirazi
Enterprises"
"Ek

qatil

ko apne saath jod kar reputation kharab kar legi."

Jannat ka dil ruk gaya.

"Did he really kill her father and brother?"

Aur woh aakhri comment. Woh aakhri sawaal. Jannat ki saanse tham gayi.
Dil ruk gaya. Aas paas sannate phel gaye. Sakte, pathraayi hui nigah se
Faris ki tasveer ko dekha.

"Waise unki yeh baat to theek hai, tum mujhe nahi jaanti." Ek hi pal mein
kai manzar ubhre, aur ussi ek pal mein use kai baatein yaad aagayi.
Mushtail aasab ke saath laptop band karke paray dhakel diya. Log bhi itni
khatarnaak baatein karte hain, Allah se nahi darte. Usne apni soch ko
bhatakne nahi diya. Dimaag ko uljhan nahi di. Khud par qaabu paate hue
uth kar khidkiya khol di. Kitni hi der tak aankhein moonde gehri saansen
leti rahi. Yeh hai jhoot, ghalat bayani, hasad mein kiye gaye tabseray
sawaal, usne socha, baar baar socha. Aur phir apne dimaag se in khayalon
ko nikal diya.

Rayyan Shirazi Hamad Shirazi ka beta tha. Aur Hammad Shirazi Faris
Wajdan ka saga bhai nahi tha. Kya rishton ka ikhtilaf is darar ka sabab bana
hai ya phir is nafrat ke peeche koi aur wajah hai? Woh gehri soch mein
doobi apni jagah khadi rahi thi.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 64
•••

Siyah rang ki long skirt par siyah chamkti hui shirt zeb tan ki, surkh rang ki
lipstick, usi rang ka bag, pencil heels aur nafees jewellery, layers mein kate,
range hue baal jinme lapeti ungliyo ko harkat deti, woh gaadi se nikal kar
seedha imarat mein daakhil ho gayi thi.

5th flour par uska luxury apartment tha. Lift kaam nahi kar rahi thi to usne
seediyo ka rukh kar liya tha. Woh poore ek maah baad Pakistan wapas aayi
thi. Apni is wapsi par aur milne wali kamiyabi par uska chehra roshan aur
pur sukoon nazar aa raha tha. Aahista se qadam uthate hue woh mobile
screen par scrolling karti ja rahi thi. Bahut se messages the, tasveerain thi,
kuch chatpati si khabrein. Kuch inkishaf aur karna tha. Lekin use sabse
zyada khushi moosul hote sirf ek paigam par mili thi. Woh ek paigam jaise
uski riyasat ka sarsabz tha. Ek madham si pur-israar muskurahat uske labon
ka ihata kar gayi. Dil ki atah gahraiyo mein sukoon utar gaya.

"Yeh sab karke tumhe kya mil jayega?" Message moosul hua to woh railing
par haath jamaye ruk gayi. Kaafi der tak ruki rahi. Usne typing shuru ki.

"Kuch aisa jis ka tum tasavvur bhi nahi kar sakti." Likh kar phir se qadam
uthana shuru kiya. Matlooba floor par matlooba darwaza kholte hue woh
andar daakhil hui.

Apne nazuk qadam ko bell ki girift se azaad karne ke baad slippers pehne.
Phir haath badha kar lights on karna chaahi to idraak hua switchboard kaam
nahi kar raha tha. Nigahein bhatkati hui lounge aur phir open kitchen ki
taraf chali gayi. Agle hi pal woh apni jagah tham gayi. Hairaan o shashdar,
saakit, bad-hawaas…

Madham si zarkaar roshni mein uske apartment ka manzar kisi had tak
numaayan ho raha tha.
Guldaan, paintings, glass, table, crockery, ghair ke har ek shay toor phoor
ka shikaar thi. Sofa ke cushions bikhre hue, TV screen farsh par gir gayi thi.
Kitchen ka to isse bhi bura haal tha. Munh par haath rakh kar woh kuch
mathos si qadam uthai bedroom ki taraf bhagi. Haath badha kar lights on
kar di.

Bedroom ki haalat bhi abtar thi. Uski qeemti nafees jewelry ke zevar har
jagah bikhre hue the.

Woh jhatke se ruki aur apni jagah saakit hui. Bairuni darwaza aahista se
band hua tha. Uske apartment ki tamam batiyan roshan ho gayi thi. Do
suited booted mardo ke darmiyan khade shakhsh par nazar padti hai toh
woh munjamid ho gayi. Waqt itna nahi guzra tha ke woh use pehchaan na
paati. Woh gandumi chehra [wheatish complexion], taariq aankhein aur
israr liye taasur uske liye hagiz nahi the.

"Tum!" sadme se lab hai.

Siyah paint coat mein malboos woh isi tamkinat se sar uthaaye khada tha.
Bhoore baal gel ki madad se peechay ko jhye hue the. Daahine haath mein
wahi makhsoos zanjeer jise woh aksar ungliyon mein lete rakhta tha.
Aankhein kisi bhi tassur se aari, aur chehra mukammal sapaat tha.

"Mujhe khushi hai ke main aapko yaad hoon." Uska andaaz waisa hi robotic
tha, lekin aaj bhi saada tha. Na gussa na bukht, na narmi, na hi koi aur
tassur jhalak raha tha.

Woh dam saade phati phati aankhon se use dekh rahi thi.

"Ghabraaye nahi. Main sirf aap se baat karne aaya hoon."

Woh haath bandhe khada tha. Aahista aahista qadam uthata aage badha.
Kaanch ke tukde aur bahut si toor phoor ka shikaar cheeze uske bhaari
qadam ke neeche chirmura gayi thi.

“Baat?,” woh aankhon mein sadme ki surkhi liye shiddat se gussa ke aalam
mein phat padhi.
"Isey baat karna keh rahe hain? How dare you."

“Please wahi rukiye,” keh kar apna haath uthaaya.

"Tor phor ghar tak hai to please ise ghar tak mehdood rehne dijiye." Wazeh
dhamki thi. Woh ek dum se Mushtail asab ke saath ruk gayi thi.

"Tumhari yeh himmat kaise hui? Meri marzi ke baghair mere ghar mein
daakhil hokar yeh sab karne ki…?"

Usne jeb se cigarette aur lighter nikal kar jalaya. Kash le kar dhua udaya.
Phir is dhuwain ki zidd mein nazar aate Adina Zubair ke laal bhabhuka
chehre ko dekha.

"Itna gussa kyun aa raha hai? Halanke aisi hi tor-phor aap mere sahib ki
zindagi mein kitni baar kar chuki ho." Ruk kar ek gehri nazar us par daali.
"Maine to bas tumhe tumhare tareeke se jawab diya hai, Madam!"

Adina ke wajood mein ek dum se sannata phail gaya tha. Is sunaate mein ek
chingari hi inhi thi. Wajood sulag utha tha.

"Ab aap samajh to gayi hogi main yahan kyun aaya hoon!'" Keh kar ek
sawaali nazar us par daali. Adina Zubair ki muthiya bhinch gayi thi. Apni
kisi bhi harkat par milne wala Faris Wajdan ka yeh pehla reaction tha. Pehla
rad-e-amal. Gair mumkina jawab. Jaisa usne socha tha waisa nahi hua tha.
Aur jaisa woh chahti thi waisa ab nahi ho sakta tha.

"Aap ek samajhdar aur maslihat pasand khatoon ho. Umeed hai aayinda se
aap mere sahab ki private life mein mudakhalat nahi karegi."

"Tumhe lagta hai main in onchhe hathkando se dar jaungi?" Aag ugalta hua
lehja, qahar barsati aankhein thi.

"Tumhare boss ko abhi bhi lagta hai is tarah mujhe dara dhamka kar daba
lega? Kya nahi jaanta is society mein meri bhi ek pehchaan hai. Mere
talluqaat bahut unche logon se hain."

"Khair, yeh to main bhi achi tarah se jaanta hoon aapke kitne unche logon
ke saath talluqaat hain. Aur yeh bhi ke aap is society ki kitni izzatdaar aur
kamiyab member ho. Lekin main in sab ke liye nahi aaya. Mujhe apni baat
dohrane ki aadat nahi hai lekin tumhe ek baar phir batata chalu ke main
yahan apne sahab ki biwi ke liye aaya hoon. Unse door rahiye. Yeh meri
aapke liye aakhri warning hai."

"Aur agar na hati to?" Lehja musthakim, andaaz challenging.

Woh mud kar use dekhne laga. Use jaise kisi baat aur harkat se, khauf aur
dhamki se koi farq nahi pad raha tha. Woh hat dharmi ki inteha par thi.

"Aisa karke aal kya hasil kar logi? Faris? Kya aap lagta hai tum dono ka ab
patchup ho sakta hai?"

"Tumhe lagta hai main ab patchup chahti hoon?" Aankho mein aankhe daal
kar boli.

"Mujhe mera haq chahiye."

"Aap already le chuki ho."

"Is tarah kuch lakh mere munh par maar dene ka matlab hai mujhe mera
haq mil chuka?" Woh gurrayi.

"Qanoonan aapka haq nahi banta tha iske bawajood Faris sahab ne apko
rakam ada kar di thi."

Usne apne makhsoos lehje mein kaha.

"Yeh kaam maine kiya tha. Main paise ka ek bag aapke hawaale kar ke gaya
tha. Aur woh chand lakh nahi the jaise tum keh rahi ho. Aur woh haq bhi
nahi tha jaise aap soch rahi ho." Adina Zubair ki muthiya sakhti se bhinch
gayi thi. Aankhon mein surkhi aur wahshat mazeed numaaya ho rahi thi.

"Usne apne intekam ki khaatir meri zindagi zaya kar di. Aur tum chahte ho
main khamosh rahoo? Is tarah to tor-phor karke mujhe dhamkane aaye ho."

"Dhamkane nahi aaya, sirf batane aaya hoon." Sanjeedgi se keh kar jaane ke
liye mud gaya.
"Main abhi tak chup hoon to woh samajh raha hai baat khatam ho gayi, jab
bolne pe aayi to kisi ko muh dikhane ke kabil nahi rahega…" Woh gusse se
chila uthi.

"ADINA MADAM !" Bhari awaaz ab ke qadre buland hui thi. "Kuch bhi
karne se pehle consequences ka khayal rakhiye ga. Mere sahab aaj tak aapki
har harkat par khamosh rahe hain lekin aayinda aisa nahi hoga. Yeh to
mahej ek chhoti si warning hai."

"Haan, chhoti si warning." Usne istehzaayi andaaz mein hasi. "Apne sagge
baap aur bhai ko maarne wale ki chhoti si warning aisi hi ho sakti hai."

Nowarid ne mud kar use dekha. "Hairat hai. Aap phir bhi unse khaufzada
nahi hai." Muskurahat daahine gaal ki taraf uth gayi. Pur-israar aur mazeed
badh gayi. Adina lab bhinche kar khadi rahi.

Kuch hi der baad woh apne saathiyo ke hamraah flat se nikal gaya.
Darwaza band hua to tooti hui ek ek cheez se hoti hui uski nigaah deewar
gir aaine par jaa thehri.

Ek woh pehle sadma mein thi. Ab sadma ishtiyaal mein badalne laga tha.
Tabahi ka shikaar uska apartment uski andaruni tor-phor ka ghamaaz hone
laga. Woh paagal hone lagi.

"MAIN TUMHE BARBAD KAR DUGI FARIS! JEENE KE QABIL

NAHI

CHHORUGI

MAIN TUMHE."

Ek dum se cheekhte hue usne stand zameen par de maara. Sar thame woh
neeche baith gayi. Chehra gham aur gusse se suraj hone laga tha. Muthiya
sakhti se bhinche gayi thi. Usne apne haath mein aane wali cheez utha kar
deewar par de maari thi. Toote hue guldaan ke mazeed tukde gir gaye the.

"Tumhe iski bhaari

qeemat
chukaani padegi

Bahut bhaari

" andar bahar ek aag si jal rahi thi.

Aaine ke tukdo mein uska khoobsurat chehra kai hisse mein baat chuka tha.
Aur har hisse mein uski shakal na mukammal aur ghair wazeh nazar aa rahi
thi.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 65
•••

Neend gehri thi magar sukoon bhari nahi thi, kuch der baad uski aankhe
khul jaati thi jaise kisi ne jhankjhor kar jagaa diya ho. Ya bulandi se gira
diya ho. Kai baar usne karvat badli, takiya kabhi sar ke neeche rakha. Kabhi
gira diya. Kabhi comforter chehre tak liya, aur kabhi poora ka poora hata
diya. Is uljhan aur bechaini mein use Mrs. Shirazi ka hashar yaad aaya. Woh
uska haath apne haath mein liye kuch padhkar phoonkti rahi. Ab ke jab
aankh lagi to aas-paas ka koi hosh nahi raha. Mukammal khamoshi aur
sannate ki zadd mein woh kitni der tak soya raha kuch pata na chal.

Uske sukoon mein khalal ek dum se uthne wale shor ne daala tha. Band
darwaze ke us paar theek thak ki awaaz ubhri thi. Koi cheez neeche giri thi.
Kuch toota bhi tha shayad.

Usne keeni ke bal upar ho kar kamre mein nigaah daudaayi. Darwaza band
tha. Bedroom mein uske siwa aur koi nahi tha. Table clock par waqt dekha
to das baj rahe the. Awaaz mein tez thi pehle. Ab achanak madham ho gayi
thi.

Uthkar baithte hue slippers pehne, mobile uthakar screen par kuch dekha
phir use jeb mein daal kar baahar aa gaya.

Raahdaari ki doosri taraf lounge ke aain samne jo chehra nazar aaya woh
Zaid ka tha. Saath ek jaisi shakl wale do chashme wale bachche bhi the.
Lounge ke sofas ke gird chalte hue bhag rahe the. Us par nazar padhi to ruk
gaye. Woh unke sar par aa gaya.

“picnic par aaye ho?” Jis tarah se unhone udham macha rakha tha to use
gussa chadh gaya.

"Aaye hain." Zaid sar uthaye, Faris ki aankhon mein aankhein daal kar
khada ho gaya. Gusse se gaal phoole huye. Uske chashmadoo cousin bhi
uske peeche the to himmat aur jurat dekhne laayak thi. Kuch pistol bhi the
jo jebon mein chhupe hue the aur jinse chhoti chhoti gende mein fire hoti
thi. Sabse chhote wale ke paas jaadu ki talwar bhi thi aur teer kaman bhi
(plastic ke).

"Who is he ?" Aise bade ghar mein unhe naya chehra nazar aaya to pooche
bina na rah sake.

"No one," Zaid ne unse kaha.

Ek to wo unke shor se bedaar hua tha, doosra Zaid ka jawab use andar tak
sangaa gaya.

"No one?" Aag ke sholo mein lapta Faris ghutno par haath rakhe jhuka.
Taake aamne saamne barabari par baat ho sake. Baat kya hui thi, Zaid ke is
tarah se seena tan ke ghoorne par zabardasti karke haath uthaye aur uske
gaal pakad kar kheench daale.

Wo ek dum se cheekh utha. "Aah! Jannah Jani help."

Jannat jo apne chhote chhote mehmaano ke liye khane ka intezaam sambhal

rahi thi open kitchen se manzar dekhte hi hosh ude. Fauran aa gayi.

"Faaris!" Zaid ke gaal chhurwaye, Faaris ko peeche hataya.

"Kya kar rahe ho tum?"

"Pyaar kar raha hoon." Daant par daant jamaye. Aawaaz neend se mutasir
lag rahi thi. Bhaari, madhyam, gehri.

"Aise karte hain pyaar? Gaal laal kar diye bechare ke." Zaid ko khud se
lagate hue Faris ko ghura.

Jeans par white t-shirt pehne wo bhanwe sukoode khada tha. Pesaani par
baal be-tarteeb ho rahe the. Aankhon mein neend ka shumaar tha. Yakeenan
wo bacho ki aawaaz aur shor se hi bedaar hua tha. Warna usne to socha tha
wo use dopeher se pehle use nahi jagayegi ke itni mushkil se aur is kadar
sukoon se soya hua tha jaise kaafi arse baad neend aayi ho. Pata nahi
bachay Mrs. Shirazi ke bed room tak kaise pahunch gaye the. Ulajh kar
raahdaari mein nazar daudayi. Chuki carpet nahi bichha hua tha to unhe
apni gaadiyon ke liye ek lambi sadak mil gayi thi. Usne bachon ko bahar
bhej diya.

"Yeh yahan kya kar rahe hain?" Wo kuch barhami se pooch raha tha.

"Mr. Farooq apni nand ke saath hospital gayi hui hain. Unki tabiyat kuch
theek nahi. Isliye yahan chhor diya."

"kya ghar mein koi aaya nahi thi jo unki dekhbhal karti?" Wo aas-paas har
taraf khilono ka bikheera dekh kar bahut irritate lag raha tha. Na is shor ki
aadat thi, aur na mood aisa tha ke koi bhi badlaav accept kar pata.

Uske maathe par shikan aur aasaab tanav ka shikar lag rahe the. Jannat ne
gehri saans le kar uski aankhon mein dekha.

"Tum aaram karo. Main khayal rakhungi."

"Ab koi aawaaz na aaye."

"Koi zaroorat nahi." Bigde tewaar ke saath keh kar bahar aa gaya.

Das baje ka waqt tha magar bahar dhoop se mausam mein ghuroob-e-aftaab
ka gumaan ho raha tha. Aasmaan baadalo se dhaka hua tha. Ab halki halki
boondabandi bhi hone lagi thi.

Usne mobile nikaal kar kuch dekha phir seediyo par baithte hue park ke
saath surang le liya. Wasiyo or areez lawn mein ab football khela ja raha
tha. Aur gend bhi fire ho rahi thi. Zoya Aqsa se nail polish lagwa rahi thi.
Khuli fiza mein gehri saans lete usne aankhein moondi. Chand lamho ke
baad aankhein kholte hi Zoya bilkul uske paas khadi thi. Apni badi badi
aankhon mein kuch hairat sumo kar use baghor Dekhti hui. Nanhe nanhe
surkh nakhun. Aankho par halka sa gulabi makeup liners bhi laga tha. Ek
aankh par kuch mota, doosri par kuch patla. Lipstick bhi thi jo uske bareek
se hontho par phaili hui thi. Gulabi dress thi, to matching eye shadow. Ek
aankh zyada pink, ek aankh zyada jamid. 'Aqsa ke karname' Apni behan ko
uske paas khada dekh kar Zaid foran alert ho kar bhaagta chala aaya.
"Zoya sweetie!" Use baazu se pakad kar peeche hataaya. "Don't talk to
him!"

Haan! Wo to jaise iski behan ko kha hi jaata. Tap kar rah gaya.

Zoya kuch der tak apne bhai aur cousins ke saath football khelti rahi aur jab
wo chips khane baithe to ek baar phir uske paas aa gayi.

"Jao yahaan se." Usne haath hila kar Zoya ko jaane ko kaha magar wo bhi
Zaid ki behan thi. Kahin nahi gayi.

Faris ko is lamhe na mausam achha lag raha tha, na baarish, na mahol, na

bache aur na shor. Kaafi ka mug haath mein liye Jannat bahar aayi. Zoya ko
uske paas khada dekha to gehri saans le kar usse thama diya aur khud uske
barabar mein baith gayi.

"Kab se khadi hai wo. Zara sa pyaar kar lete to kya ho jata?" Usne khafgi se
kaha. Faris ne koi jawab nahi diya.

"Pata nahi apne bachay ke waqt kya karoge?" Bud bada kar Zoya ki taraf
apne baazu phailaaye.

"Yahaan aao mera baby!" Wo khushi khushi uske seene se aangi, barabar
mein baith kar apne nakhun dikhaye, makeup dikhaya. Abhi to wo mehndi
bhi lagwaayegi. Nanhi nanhi hatheliyon ko phaila kar kaha. Isse baatein
karte Jannat ne usse giraya to khilkhilate hue bhaag gayi.

Gehri saans le kar Faris ki taraf mudi to wo usi position mein ghoot ghoot
coffee peeta kisi gehri soch mein gum tha. Shirt ki hoodie ab sir par thi.

"Auntie tumhara pooch rahi hai" wo chup raha. "Studio me hai" mazeed
khamoshi jese kuch suna hi naa ho aik baar phir Jannat ka dil khauf ke
shikanje mein aaya tha. Fikr mein dharka tha.

Baitha baitha bahut achanak jaane use kya ho jata tha. Ek peher agar wo
theek hota tha to doosre peher uska mizaj bilkul samajh mein nahi aata tha.
Jitna waqt wo uske saath guzar chuki thi, us hisaab se itna to jaan gayi thi
ke wo aisa nahi tha. Uske mizaj mustaqil, uske aasaab mutahmil rehte the.
Lekin ab to jaise ek chhoti si baat bhi uska achha khaasa paara chadha deti
thi.

"Yahaan kya hua?" Daahne haath ki ungliyo par nail ka nishaan tha. Usne
chhoo kar dekhna chaaha to Faris ne haath jhatak diya aur phir uth kar
andar chala gaya.

Jannat kuch pareshani se use dekh kar reh gayi. Shaam tak sab theek tha.
Jahan tak uska khayal tha. Long drive se wapas aane ke baad wo kaafi had
tak normal tha. Lekin ab wo ek baar phir use ajeeb bartao karta hua nazar aa
raha tha. Jannat ki pareshani mein ek dam se izafa hua tha.

Bachay chaar baje tak chale gaye the. Mausam kuch aisa tha ke baarish
shuru hui to raat der tak hoti rahi. Kuch waqt woh mrs. Shirazi ke paas
baitha raha phir apne office mein band ho gaya. Adil ke saath finance
manager bhi aaye hue the. Mulazima ke haath apne office mein coffee
bhijwane ke baad wo khud kamre mein Khidkiyon ke samne khade ho kar
sheeshe par phislti baarish ko dekhne lagi.

Aaj subah uski Ruby se baat hui thi aur kuch der pehle doosri baar bhi hui
thi. Ruby jaan-na chahti thi wo Rayyan ko kab lene aa rahi thi. Ghar mein
Tariq sahib ki doosri beti ke shaadi ke intezaam ho rahe the aur Rayyan ki
tabiyat abhi bhi theek nahi thi. Wo doctor ko dikhane bhi nahi le ja saki thi.
Rashida apne mayke gayi hui thi aur us par bhi kaam ka bojh badh gaya tha.
Wo sun rahi thi to dil wahshato mein ghar gaya tha. Bechaini mazeed badh
gayi thi. Masla baat se hal hone wala nahi tha. Wo Faris se baat kar ke dekh
chuki thi. Dobara baat kar ke mazeed badmazgi wo nahi chahti thi.
Khusoosan uske rad-e-amal ke baad wo pehle se zyada mohtaaj ho gayi thi.
Wo uski marzi ke bina kuch bhi nahi karna chahti thi magar ab jaise sabhi
options khatam ho gaye the.

Kisi maamle ki gehraai mein utarne ka filhaal uske paas waqt nahi tha. Use
bas jaldi se jaldi Rayyan ke liye kuch karna tha. Uski chhoti hone ke nate
wo usse milne ja sakti thi. Wo beemar tha to use doctor ko bhi dikhla sakti
thi. Faris agar use apne paas nahi rakhna chahta tha tab bhi wo ek yateem
bachay ke liy Osaaf Manzil ke makino ko khauf-e-Khuda aur sharam to dil
hi sakti thi. Khabar geeri karne wala hota to shayad wo bachay ke saath
acha sulook karte magar ab to jaise behisi ki inteha ho gayi thi. Faris ki
taraf se bhi aur Osaaf Manzil ke makino ki taraf se bhi.

'Ek mulaqat se kya hoga?' Usne socha. Apne zameer se poocha. Haq ko
dekha, sach ko parkha. 'is waqt kya ahem hai?' Wo khud se ulajhte hue
baarish ki sangat mein is masle ka hal dhoondti rahi. Aur darmiyana hal koi
na tha. Aar ya paar. Rayyan se mulaqat. Saari raat usne isi shish-o-panj
mein guzari. Subah Faaris office ke liye ja chuka to usne Khaasi soch vichar
ke baad Aima ko call kar ke ghar bulaya. Wo kuch masroof thi magar
shaam tak waqt nikaal kar usse milne aa gayi. Ghar mein raunak lag gayi.
Baaton baaton mein waqt guzarne ka paani nahi chala. Dining hall mein
khana khate hue duniya jahaan ki baatein thi jo Aima gosh guzar karti rahi.
Zyada tar uske shikwe Faris se the jo suni ansuni kaise khana khata raha.
Mrs. Shirazi ne bharpoor saath diya. Jannat bhi muskurati rahi.

Chai peene ke baad Jannat Mrs. Shirazi ke saath unke bedroom mein aa
gayi. Unhe medicine di.

Bed par takiye durust kiye aur comforter acche se daalte hue mulazima ko
kuch zaroori hidaayat de kar unhe shab ba khair kehti drawing room mein
aa gayi jahan Aima pehle se hi kitaab haath mein liye uske intezaar mein
tehli rahi thi.

"Sorry! Is tarah tumhe disturb karne ke liye." Usne sofa par baithte hue
kuch nervous ho kar kaha. Aima ne gehria saans le kar aankhein ghumaayi.

"For God's sake Jannat! Kitni baar sorry karogi tum?"

Kitaab rakh kar uske paas aabaithe. Ab wo poori tarah se Jannat ki taraf
mutawaajeh thi. Sukhe honton ko tar karte hue Jannat ne himmat ikattha kar
li. Har tarah ke khauf aur wahem ko sulaya. Baat ek masoom bachay ki thi.
Uske liye ab zindagi aur maut ka maamla ho gaya tha.

"Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha to socha tumse baat karni chahiye."
Usne sofa ki back side par baazu rakhte hue aahistagi se bola.

"Kaho, main sun rahi hoon."

"Pehle waada karo yeh baat sirf hum dono ke beech rahegi."

"Wada raha."

"Mujhe tumhari help chahiye." Ek sarsari si nazar drawing room ke band

darwaze par daalte hue usne madhyam aawaaz mein kaha. Aqab mein
khidkiya band thi. Parday doriyaan mein bandhe huye the. Raat taareek aur
chaand poora roshan tha.

“Kis silsile mein help chahiye?” Aima ne god mein cushion rakh liya tha.

“Main tumhare saath kahin jana chahti hoon.”

“Kisi se milne jati ho? Aur main ye baat Faaris ko nahi bata sakti.”

“Matlab Faris se chhup kar kisi se milna hai.” Aima ki aankhein phail gayi.
Aawaaz ekdum se khamoshi mein dhal gayi.

“What are you trying to do?”

“I’m just trying to help someone.” Aima use dekh kar reh gayi. Jannat ki
aankho mein ek khauf sa thehra tha. Chehre se pareshani nazar aa rahi thi.

“Main kuch samajh nahi pa rahi.” Jannat chand lamho tak sir jhukaaye chup
rahi.

“Main tumhe har baat nahi bata sakti, lekin kuch kehne lag gayi. Samjho,
ye zindagi aur maut ka maamla hai. Mujhe ek bachhe se milne jana hai.”

“To ye baat tum Faaris bhai se kyun chhupa rahi ho? Wo tumhe mana to
nahi karenge.”

“Wo mana kar chuka hai.” Uski nigahen jhuki hui thi. Lehja dard ki
aabhaasi kar raha tha.

“Faaris nahi chahta main wahan jau. Lekin is bachche ke liye mera wahan
jana zaroori hai.”

“isliye tum chhup kar wahan jana chahti ho?”

Jannat ne aahista se sar hila diya.

“Agar Faris bhai ko pata chal gaya to?” Usne khauf ka izhaar kar diya. Jis
tarah se wo ghabrayi hui thi, usse saaf nazar aata tha Faaris ke liye ye baat
mamooli nahi hogi.

“Isi liye mujhe tumhari madad chahiye. Main nahi chahti Faaris ko kuch bhi
pata chale. Tab tak nahi jab tak main use yahan nahi laati.”

“Tumhe lagta hai ye baat Faaris bhai se chhupi reh sakti hai? Phir mujhe
kehne do, you really don't know him!”

“Phir mujhe kehne do. Aur please don't tell him! Mera is waqt is bacche ke
paas jana bahut zaroori hai. Baaki sab mamlaat samjho mere liye secondary
ho gaye hain.” usne keh diya. Bhaari dil ke saath aur muta’ajjib hokar keh
diya.

“Faaris bhai bhi?” Wo chup rahi. Sar jhukaaya.

“Main nahi janti asal maamla kya hai. Lekin mera yaqeen karo Jannat,
mujhe ye sab theek nahi lag raha, Agar unhone mana kiya hai to…”

“Tum meri madad karogi ki nahi?” Usne sar uthaakar do tok lehje mein
poocha, Aima use dekh kar reh gayi. Aankhon mein halki si nami thi.
Taa’suraat sanjeeda ho rahe the.

“Agar tum madad nahi karna chahti to it's okay. Main khud manage kar
lugi.” Keh kar uthna chaaha to Aima uska haath pakad liya.

“Batao, kya karna hai?” Usne gehri saans le kar poocha, Jannat ki aankhein
khushi se nam ho gayi.

“Thank you so much, Aima, thank you so much!” Uske dono haath apni
grip mein le liye.

“Shukriya baad mein ada karna, pehle ye batao kya karna hai?” Jannat ne
gehri saans le kar use dekha, phir madhyam aawaaz mein apne mansoobe se
aagah karne lagi.
Khamoshi se Jannat ki baat sunte Aima ke tassurat kai baar badle the, kai
baar usne kuch hairat aur phir kuch tashweesh se Jannat ko dekha tha.

Chand ek ideas uske bhi the. Jaanti thi Faaris use ab akeli mein kahin aane
jaane nahi deta tha, hatta ke uske ghar bhi nahi. Family gathering aur
function attend karna to door ki baat thi. Toh ab pehla mission hi ye tha ke
wo kisi tarah Jannat ko apne ghar bulaye. Ye kaam Faaris ki marzi aur
ijaazat ke bina qatey na mumkin tha aur ise mumkin banane ke liye Jannat
ne puri kahani tayar kar li thi.

“Ek baar phir soch lo.” Aima ko pata nahi kisi baat ki fikar thi. Baar baar
keh rahi thi,

“Bahut socha hai. Mazid sochne mein waqt zaya kiya to kuch bura ho sakta
hai.”

Usne kaha. Aima chup ho gayi. Tamaam maamlaat tay kar ke wo chale
gayi. Do din ka intezaar kar ke teesre din usne subah sooraj se plan ke
mutabiq Faaris ko Aima ki call ke baare mein bataya aur uski tabiyat kharab
ke baare mein aagahi di. Ghar mein akeli hai to zyada pareshan ho rahi hai.
Bhai aur bhabhi ko nahi bataya ke wo pareshan na ho jayein.

“Hua kya hai use?” Faris ne poocha.

“Food poisoning.” Jannat ka galaa khushk ho gaya. Wo jhoot bol rahi thi to
dharkan mazeed tez ho chuki thi.

“Raat hospital guzar kar aayi hai.” Usne zyada kaha.

Baath Mrs. Shirazi ke samne ho rahi thi to wo inkaar na kar saka.

“Thik hai, chali jao. Kab tak wapis aao gi?”

Usne ijaazat di to Jannat ne be ikhtiyaar sukhi saans li.

“Agar theek hui to jald aa jaungi, warna ho sakta hai iske paas aaj raat ruk
jau, Kya khayal hai?” Wo chand lamho tak use dekhta raha. Aur uske is
tarah dekhne par Jannat ke andar halchal si hui.
“Tum jaante ho, mujhe jhoot aur dhoka pasand nahi. Jab keh diya hai use
fire kar do, to fire kar do, No second chance.” Faaris ke office room se ek
baar usne ye lafz suna tha. Wo nazrein chura gayi.

“Thik hai, jaise munasib lage.” Coat pehente hue ijaazat de di.

“Main drop kar doon ya?” Ruk kar poocha. Use aaj zaroori meeting attend
karni thi. Sheher se bahar bhi jaata tha.

“Tumhe office ke liye der ho jaayegi. Mujhe to abhi tayari bhi karni hai.”
Sambhal kar kaha.

“Okay, khayal rakhna apna.” Wo apna wallet, chabiya aur mobile uthaaye
bahar chala gaya.

Thik aadhe ghante baad wo driver ke saath Zaheer House pahunch gayi thi.

Driver to use chhorh kar chala gaya, lekin guard wahan khada raha. Jannat
kuch pareshani se andar aa gayi.

“Aakhir tumne aisa kya kiya ke Faris bhai ko tumhare peeche jinnat jaisa
guard lagane pada? Kya meri ghair mojoodgi mein tum agwa hui ho?”
Aima ne shak ke saath poocha.

“Allah na kare. Ye kya bak rahi ho?”

Jannat khafiif si ho kar idhar udhar dekhne lagi.

“Aakhir itni sakht security ki wajah kya hai?” Aima bohot hairaan hui thi.

Dil hi dil mein Adina Zubair ko galiyaate hue, Jannat raakh badal kar reh
gayi. Na wo ek chhoti si baat par itni tension leti aur na Faris is tarah rok
tok karta.

“Ab kya hoga?” Pareshan ho kar poocha.

“Mujhe andaza tha aisa ho sakta hai.” Keh kar apna bag kandhe se lagaya.
Phir wrist watch par time dekha.
“Hum pichle darwaze se bahar nikalenge. Gaadi tayaar khadi hai.”

Jannat ki inki hui sanse ekdum bahal hui.

“Love you Aima!” suqrana nigaho se use dekhte kaha. Aima gehri saans le
kar reh gayi. Kuch hi der baad wo Aima ke hamraah aqbi darwaze se bahar
nikal gayi. Gaadi samne hi khadi thi. Aima ne driving seat sambhal li, toh
dil hi dil mein dua karte hue wo bhi gaadi mein sawar ho gayi. Is baat se
qatey khabar thi ke Rayyan ke liye uthaaya gaya ye qadam uske raaste mein
kitni badi mushkil laane wala tha.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 66
•••

Rawalpindi shehar ki hudood mein daakhil hone ke baad, matlooba address

tak pahuchte pahuchte unhe aadha ghanta lag gaya tha. Aima ne qadra
faasle par gaadi rok di thi. Rasta tang tha, gali ke andar matlooba ghar tak
usay ab khud jana tha. Rubi ko call karte huye wo gaadi se utar gayi.

“Main aau tumhare saath?”

usne poocha.

“Nahin, yahin ruko, main bas Rayyan ko le kar abhi aa rahi hoon.”

Usne kaha to Aima ne steering wheel chhorh kar asbaat mein sar hila diya.
Wo aahista aahista kadam uthati aage barhti gayi. Bilkul samne jis makan se
jaamun ka darakht jhaank raha tha wahi do manzila makan hi Osaf Manzil
tha, jismein baahar ki deewaron par lighting ka intizam ho raha tha.

Aas paas lights ka intizam sambhalte ladke khade the. Rubi phone nahi utha
rahi thi, to usne apne taur se ladko se Osaf Manzil ke baare mein pooch kar
confirm kar liya ke wo sahi jagah pohanch gayi hai. Adh khulw main gate
ke samne ruk kar gehri saans li aur phir khud ko sambhalte hue andar
daakhil ho gayi.

Gaadi ki khidki se Aima ne usay andar jate dekha, phir seat ke saath peeche
lag kar aaraam se ho gayi.

Dono haath abhi tak steering wheel par the. Ungliyan hil rahi thi. Glasses
baalon par rakh kar mobile utha liya. Jannat usay 5 minute ka keh kar gayi
thi, lekin jab poore 15 minute guzarnay ke baad bhi uski aamad ke koi asaar
nazar na aaye, to usne Jannat ko call ki. Bell ja rahi thi lekin doosri janib se
koi response nahi aa raha tha.
Jaamun ke darakht par chadha ek ladka aankam andaaz mein phaili hui un
shaakho ko kaat raha tha jo darwaze tak jhuki hui thi.

Wo khidki se bahar dekhte rahi. Kalai mor kar waqt dekha.

“Abhi tak aayi kyun nahi?”

Is se pehle ke wo darwaza khol kar bahar aati, usne Jannat ko baahar nikalte
aur jaldi mein kadam uthate gaadi ki taraf aate dekha. Baccha uske saath
nahi tha.

“Isay kya hua?”

Jannat ke asraat dekh kar wo ek dum seedhi ho gayi.

Uski aankhen phaili hui thi. Chehra zard ho raha tha.

Gaadi mein baithte hi usne darwaza band kar diya.

“Tum theek ho?”

Aima ne pareshaan hokar poocha tha. Aankhon mein dehshat liye usne
gardan mor kar usay dekha.

“Gaadi start karo.”

Saansen bhaari thi.

“Kya hua? Is everything all right?”

Wo pareshaan hokar pooch rahi thi.

“Aur tum? tum baccha ko nahi layi?”

“Aima, please chalo yahan se.”

Ek dum se geeli awaaz mein kaha to usne Osaf Manzil ke baahar ke gate
par ek nazar daalte hue gaadi start kar di. Kuch hi dair mein wo gaadi
markazi shahrah par daal chuki thi.
Jannat Apna sar thame bethi thi. Aankho mein sadma nazar aa raha tha.
Wahshat nazar aa rahi thi. Aziyat bhara sadma tha. Hairat thi aur beyaqeeni
ka ta'ssur tha. Usay apni aankhon par yaqeen nahi aaya tha, samaat par
yaqeen nahi aaya tha.

“Aap mujhse meri jaan kyun nahi maang leti?” Mutharakt gaadi mein wo
bilkul saaket, bilkul khamosh aur veeran bethi thi.

“Aapne kaha wapas aa jao, main aa gaya. Aapne kaha shaadi kar lo, maine
kar li. Magar yeh nahi, Khuda ke liye yeh nahi.” Uska dil bhaari ho gaya.
Seene par bojh barh gaya. Saans lene mein dushwari hone lagi.

“Bahut hassaas tha wo, jab berahm hua to sab ke liye hua. Be-his hua to
poori tarah se hua.”

“usay ilzaam mat do Jannat, main bhi nahi deti.”

Beikhtiyar honton par haath rakha. Apna rukh sheeshe ki taraf kar liya.

"Tum theek ho Jannat?" Aima ne poocha tha. Uski tabiyat bilkul theek nahi
lag rahi thi.

“Yeh maine kya kar diya?”

Uske lab hilay. Uska dil larza.

Jannat! Kuch to kaho yaar, kya hua hai?”

Aima ki awaaz kahin door reh gayi. Aas paas ke tamam manzar gayab ho
gaye. Labon par kapkapahat thi. Aankhon mein tahayur tha. Usne apni kalai
par giraft jama li.

“Faaris ko acha nahi lagega ke uski biwi Hammad ke betay se mile.

Tumhein apne shohar ke ehsaasat ka khayal rakhna chahiye.”

Usne azeet se aankhein beech li.

"Ainda uska naam nahi logi mere saamne. Aur na hi milne ki koshish
karogi."

Dil shiddat se dhadak raha tha. Wujood khauf ke apne shikanje mein jakda
gaya.

Aima ne aadhe ghante tak musalsal drive karne ke baad petrol pump par
gaadi rok di thi.

Gardan modh kar usay dekha to wo seat ke saath pusht tikaye, aankhein
mundey bethi thi. Chehre par dard bhare ta'ssuraat thehray the. Baayen
haath mein uska haath tha, aur giraft be-intiha mazboot.

"Kya ho gaya hai?"

Aima ke lehje mein tashweesh numayaan thi. Usne jawab nahi diya. Wo
jawab dene ki position mein nahi rahi thi.

•••

"Ma'am! Faris sahab aaye thay."

Wo ghar pohonche to mulazma ne Aima ko ittela di.

"F-Faris aaya tha?" Jannat ka dil kisi gehray patal mein ja gira. Aankhon
mein wahshat bhar gayi. Wujood kaanp utha.

Aima ne hiraan ho kar Jannat ko dekha. "Tum to keh rahi thi ke unhe sheher
se bahar jana hai?"

"Yeh kya ho gaya?" Jannat ka dil sookhay patte ki tarah larazne laga.

"Use pata chal gaya hoga... Aima, use pata chal gaya hoga ke main wahan
gayi thi." Jannat ka rang safed pad gaya. Aankhon mein heras phail gaya.
Sirf naam lene aur zikar karne par wo uska reaction dekh chuki thi. Ab jab
pata chalega ke wo wahan se ho kar aayi hai, to wo kya karega?

"Hey, Relax!" Aima ne foran usay baazu se pakad kar sofa par bithaya.
Uske haath apne haatho mein liye.
"Main Faris bhai se keh dungi ke maine jhoot bola tha. Main khud tumhein
apne saath le kar gayi thi. Yeh mera idea tha. Hum bahar ghoom phir kar
wapas aa gaye. Hum Rawalpindi gaye thay, yeh baat hum unhein kabhi nahi
bataenge."

Woh keh rahi thi, samjha rahi thi, tasalli aur dilasa de rahi thi magar uski
tashafi nahi ho rahi thi. Aankhen abhi bhi pheeli hui thi. Rang hanooj udda
hua tha. Muthiya bhiinch kar usne khud par qaboo paane ki koshish ki thi,
magar tension kisi surat kam nahi hui thi.

"Agar itna hi koi risky kaam tha, toh phir tum gayi hi kyun?"

"Mujhe laga…" uske lab hilay, baat adhoori reh gayi.

"Main kuch aur samajh rahi thi. Mujhe nahi pata tha, woh bacha…" woh
ruk gayi. Saansen phir se phool gayi. Uski haalat dekh kar Aima ekdum se
mutafakir hui.

"Koi baat mat karo. Relax raho, tumhein kuch ho gaya toh Faris bhai mujhe
zinda nahi chhodenge." Jannat ke aansoo aankhon mein thehar gaye. Dar se
Aima ka haath pakad liya.

"Mujhse ghalti ho gayi hai, mujhse bohot badi ghalti ho gayi hai. Yeh
maamla mera nahi tha. Main isme kuch bhi nahi kar sakti thi. Isliye auntie
ne mujhe kuch nahi bataya. Unhone mujhe door rehne ka kaha tha, Aima,
Unhone mujhe mana kiya tha." Larazte kaampte sisiak padi.

"Khud ko compose karo, is tarah toh Faris bhai ko pakka shak ho jayega ke
hum wahan gaye the," Aima ne samjhaya.

"Ab unhein call karo aur bilkul normal ho kar baat karo."

Usne gehri saans lekar apne asaab par qaboo paane ki koshish ki, phir
kapkapati ungliyon se Faris ko call ki. Bells jaati rahi magar doosri taraf se
call receive nahi hui. Uska halaq sookh gaya. Fikr mein dobara, phir teesri
dafa call ki.

"Woh phone nahi utha raha."

"Busy honge."

Woh bara tha ya nahi, magar usne call receive nahi ki aur na hi uske kisi
message ka jawab diya. wo ab ghar jaana chahti thi. Driver ko call ki magar
koi jawab nahi aaya. Guard bhi ghar ke baahri gate par maujood nahi tha.
Uska poora wujood andesho mein ghira gaya. Waswaso mein dab gaya.

"Aima, mujhe tum ghar drop kar do please," uske liye wahan baithna
dushwaar ho gaya tha. Aima ne uska thanda pada haath apni giraft mein lete
hue asbaat mein sar hila diya.

Woh ghar pohnchi toh us waqt shaam ke chhay baje rahe the. Aima uske
saath andar aana chahti thi, magar Jannat ne usay mana kar diya.

"Main sab sambhaal loongi," lehja mazboot kar ke kaha aur kadam badha
diye. Porche mein Faris ki gaadi khadi thi. Usay ek baar phir apni saansen
atakti hui mehsoos hui thi.

Awaaz ek baar phir goonji. Khauf ne phir se sir uthaya. Khadshat ne phir se
gher liya. Main gate ke samne wo kuch dair tak khadi rahi phir himmat
jama karti andar daakhil hui. Roshniyo ka ghar mukammal khamoshi mein
dooba hua tha.

"Mrs. Shirazi kahan hain?" Apne andar ke izteraab par qaboo paate hue
mulazma se poocha.

"Unki tabiyat kuch theek nahi thi, isliye aaram kar rahi hain," mulazma ne
foran jawab diya.

"Aur... aur Faaris?" Usne darte darte poocha tha. Isse pehle ke mulazma koi
jawab deti, uske aqab mein office room ka darwaza khul gaya tha.

Jannat ki dhadkane tham gayi, saans ruk gaya. Dekhe bina hi woh jaan gayi
thi ke uske peeche is waqt kaun maujood tha. Woh na palat saki, na apni
jagah se ek inch hil saki. Mulazma adab se sar jhukaati wahan se chali gayi.
Chand lamho ke baad usne khud ko sambhalte hue...
Aahista se rukh badla. Taassuraat se aari, spaat chehra aur khoon se laal hoti
aankhein liye Faris wajdan uske samne tha. Jannat Kamal ko ek dum se
apni taangein bejaan hoti mehsoos hui. Taaham, woh mutahammil rahi.
Muthiya bhiinch kar apne haathon ki kapkapahat par qaboo paane ki
koshish ki. Taassurat se waazeh tha ke woh jaan chuka hai. Usne driver nahi
bheja. Usne guard ko bula liya. Calls receive nahi ki, message ka jawab
nahi diya. Haan, woh jaan chuka hai. Woh sab jaan chuka hai. Laa-ilm thi.
Usse yeh ghalti, yeh bhool, laa-ilmi mein hui thi. Usne socha. Usne soch
kar khud ko sambhala. Phir khankar kar gala saaf kiya. Kuch kehne ke liye
bohot himmat jama ki. Palko ko jhapka kar nami ko roka.

Is se pehle ke woh kuch kehti, Faris ne ek hi jhatke mein usse baazu se

jhapat kar deewar ke saath laga diya.

Jannat ekdum se boakhla gayi. Aankho mein haras phail gaya. Rag-o-pay
mein thand si lehra gayi.

"What Do You Take Me For?"

uski aankhon ko apni aankhon ke focus mein lete hue gussa kar bola.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. Mujhe nahi pata tha."

"Tumhein nahi pata tha?"

uski awaaz gusse se bhar gayi thi.

Jannat ka dil khauf aur dehshat se bhar gaya. Taangein sun hone lagin.

"Maine mana kiya tha tumhein,"

Baazuo par aahni giraft aur zyada sakht ho gayi.

"Main wahan sirf... main Riyan ke liye gayi thi," roti hui kaha. "Main
sirf uske liye, aunty ke liye... mujhe nahi pata tha."

"Maine tumhein in sab se door rehne ko kaha tha! Maine tumhein

mana kiya tha!"
Woh cheekha.

"

Faaris

, I’m... I’m really sorry,"

Jannat ne kaha, magar uski awaaz toothi hui thi.

Raahdari ke doosre siray par Mrs. Shirazi wheel chair par baithi darwaza
khol kar bahar aayi thi. Mulazma unke peeche thi. Phatti phatti nigahon se
Faris aur Jannat ko dekh kar reh gayi.

Unki maujoodgi se bilkul bekhabar Faris ek jhatke se Jannat ko chhod kar

peeche hat gaya tha. Woh roti hui ab kuch keh rahi thi, wazahat de rahi thi
aur maafi maang rahi thi. Phir usne Faris ke paas aane ki koshish ki thi.

"Stay away from me!"

usne gusse mein usse door karte hue cheekha.

Dukh, sadma, khauf aur pareshani liye Meher Shirazi bas dekhti reh gayi.

Jannat ro rahi thi. Faris gusse mein tha.

Maamla Rayyan ka tha. Uski nanhi jaan ka tha.

"Maine kaha tha,"

mazboot magar toota hua lehja tha Faris ka.

"Maine kaha tha agar tum chahti ho humare darmiyaan sab theek
rahe toh tum isme nahi pado gi, magar tum... Tumhein meri feelings ka
koi khayal nahi hai! Main kis baat se rok raha hoon, isse tumhein koi
farq nahi padta!"

Woh cheekh utha. Awaaz dur tak goonj gayi thi.

Mrs. Shirazi ke lab hilay, magar awaaz nahi aayi. Haath uthana chaha
magar himmat nahi hui. Woh ab saans lene ki koshish kar rahi thi, lekin
saans nahi aa rahi thi. Dard baazu mein utha aur phir seene tak pohnch
gaya. Dil mein ek barqi lehr si daudi.

"BEGUM SAHIBA?"

Mulazma ek dum se cheekh uthi thi. Jannat Kamal mathosh ho kar palt
gayi. Magar tab tak dair ho chuki thi. Unki aankhon ke samne dhund chha
gayi. Gardan dhalak gayi. Wujood bejaan hone laga.

"MUMMY? MUMMY KYA HO GAYA HAI AAPKO? MUMMY

PLEASE AANKHEIN

KHOLIEN

!"

Aakhri awaaz jo unhone suni woh Faris Wajdan ki thi. Uske baad unhein
koi hosh nahi raha tha.

---- •♡• ----

CHAPTER 67
‫ﻗِﺴﻂ‬

‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

14

Hospital ke thande sard corridor mein be-naam si khamoshi chhayi hui thi.
Kafoor mein lipta ehsaas, wahshaton mein dhakela ja raha tha. Gham ka
andhera tha. Wahshat ki tareeki thi. Kuch kho dene ka khauf tha. Woh
qadray khamosh hissay mein ICU ke samne bench par sar jhukaaye baithi
thi. Chehra aansuon se tar tha. Siskein bandhi hui thi. Lab khamosh thay.
Andar jaise aik mahshar sa bapa tha. Band darwaza khula toh Faris ne
aagay barh kar doctor ko ghera tha. Woh bhi apni jagah se uth khadi hui. Ab
woh dhundli nigaahon se usay baat karte dekh sakti thi. Hospital ki sard
safed raahdariya aik dam se sunsaan hui. Qadmon ki aahat tham gayi.
Doctors ka staff, nurses ki aamad o raft, phone ki ghanti, sab khatam ho
gaya. Woh railing par giraft jamey, sannato mein ghiri reh gayi.

Faris ke haath sar ki pusht se kandho tak aaye aur be-jaan ho kar pehlu mein
aa gire. Mrs. Shirazi ki haalat bohat naazuk thi. Agle 48 ghante intehaai
ahem the. Doctors pur-umeed nahi the. Woh unhein dua ka keh rahe the.
Aur dua ka sun kar uske andar sab andhera hua tha.

Dua... yani ab unka case sirf doctors ke haath mein nahi raha!

Dua... yani ab koi mo'jza hi unhein bachaaye toh bachaaye!

Pe dar pee sadmo se ladta, ulajhta dil sehm gaya. Himmat, sakkat, hosla
khatam ho gaya.

"Let's hope for the best!" Doctor ne Faris ka kandha thapthapaate hue kehna
chaha. Woh deewar se lag kar kuch dair khada raha, phir woh farsh par
panjo ke bal baith gaya. Dono haath gardan par peeche ki taraf the. Sar
aagay ko jhuka gaya.
Uski aankhein aansuon se labraiz, uske chehre par karb tha. Munh par haath
rakhe woh girne ke andaaz mein bench par baith gayi.

"Please Allah, yeh nahi! Yeh gham nahi! Yeh dukh nahi!"

Is tarah kamzor, bebas, nidhall aur is qadar azeet mein usne Faris ko kabhi
nahi dekha tha. Dil chaaha ke woh uske paas jaye, uska haath pakray, usey
tasalli de, usay umeed dilaye.

Yaqeen ki baat kare, dua ki baat kare. Magar himmat na hui, bilkul himmat
nahi hui. Usay apna aap mujrim sa mehsoos hone laga. Na woh Rayyan se
milne jaati, na yeh sab hota. Ghalti uski thi. Usey samajhna chahiye tha.
Usey Faris ko samajhna chahiye tha. Usey Mrs. Shirazi ki baat maan leni
chahiye thi.

Bohat koshish se, kuch himmat pakar kar woh uske paas gayi. Muthiyaan
bheench kar, aur phir khol kar apna larazta haath Faris ke baazu par rakha.
Uska naam liya, usay mutawajjah karna chaaha.

Lekin Faris ne uska haath hata diya. Usne Jannat kamal ka hath hata diya.
Woh apni jagah se uth gaya. Apne balo ko muthiyon mein bheench kar rukh
badla, aur qadam uthata chala gaya.

48 ghantay!

Woh kefiyat kaisi thi jaise maut lamha ba lamha aankhon mein aankhein
daale barh rahi ho.

"Maut!" Usne sar uthaya.

"Maut!" Uska dil ek dum se bhaari ho gaya.

"Mar kaun raha tha?"

"Aur ab marne kon laga tha?"

"48 ghante"

"yeh uski zindagi ki aakhri muddat thi?"

"48 ghante!"

yeh saanson ka tasalsul tha...

"48 ghante"

Hospital se bahar khuli fiza mein bhi uska saans fan laga. Andhere se
wahshat hone lagi. Traffic ka shor, logon ki aamad-o-raft, zindagi ka behao
uske hawaas par sawar hone laga.

"Sirf ek khwahish, meri aakhri khwahish, iske baad kuch nahi maangungi."

"Aap Mujh se meri jaan kyun nahi maang leti, Mummy?" Haath thaam kar,
kuch mushtal hokar, kuch azeet ke aalam mein jawab deta, inkaar karta,
apna haath chhurata, aur khud ko tanha karta woh...

"Jo zinda hai uske saath jeena nahi chahti. Jo mar chuka hai uske saath
marna chahti hai?..."

Apni gaadi mein kuch dair tak baitha raha. Muhammad ke ehsaasat aag ki
lapton mein aate rahe. Sawal uthte rahe, jawab milte rahe, bojh badhta gaya.
Dil phatne laga.

Khushk labo ko tar karte hue usne gaadi start ki aur kisi naamaloom manzil
ki taraf rawaan ho gaya. Dedh ghanta tak gaadi Islamabad ki sadkon par
uski zindagi ki tarah be-maqsad bhatkti rahi. Phir usne gaadi ka rukh main
road ki taraf mor diya. Raftaar barha li.

Uske haatho par larza taari tha. Uski nigahein roshniyon mein bhatak rahi
thi.

Hammad Shirazi ki maa aur Rayyan Shirazi ki daadi thi. Woh un do rishto
se thi, un rishaton mein thi. Woh toh dukh ka sabab, ek aziyat ki wajah thi.
Ek karb ki nishani, ek gham ka markaz tha.

Tareek raat ka safar uski zindagi se mushabeh ho gaya. Jahaan kabhi

pohanchna nahi chahta tha, wahan pohanch gaya.

Jis darwaze par dastak nahi dena chahta tha, wahan dastak de dali.
•••

Shaadi ka ghar tha. Khushiyo ka ghar tha. Woh is ghar se apne sukoon ka
janaza lene aaya tha.

Osaf manzil ke makino ko pehle pehl yaqeen nahi aaya, aur jab yaqeen aaya
toh uski khatir madarat mein dore. Woh sapat, sakht aur sanjeeda tasuraat
ke saath beech mein kahin khamosh khada raha. Usey unki baatein samajh
nahi aayi. Unki muskurahate, unka pur-ikhlaaq rawaiya, unki khatir madarat
kuch bhi dikhai nahi de raha tha.

Woh andar se ek dam se khaali ho gaya. Dukh, gham, khauf, ghabrahat,

wahshat jaise ehsaasat murda ho gaye. Woh zinda laash, aur bhatakti rooh
ho gaya. Munjamid, saakht mujassma ho gaya.

Osaf manzil ke makino ko asal jhatka tab laga jab unhein ilm hua, ke woh
bache ke liye aaya tha. Tariq sahab ki hawaiya urr gayi. Boakhla kar Faris
ko dekha. Apne mustaqbil ki fikar lag gayi. Un chizon ki jo unhein mahana
buniyado par milti thi.

"Mumkin hai sirf milne aaya ho," khud ko tasalli di. Fauran kisi khatoon ko
andar bheja. Ruby ne kuch hairat aur be-yaqeeni se bache ke chachu ko
kamre ki khidki se dekha tha.

"Yeh kya hua tha? Yeh kaise hua tha?*"

Darwaza khol kar Samreen andar aayi.

"Jaldi kapde badlo," uske haath mein badi bhabhi ke bete ke naye kapde
the. Ruby ne kapde le liye. Agar bachha is halat mein uske samne laaya
jaata toh kya mooh dikhate? Izzat ki parwah thi.

Ek dum se sab badal gaya. Jab usne sooey hue Rayyan ke kapde badle toh
wo jaag gaya. Chhote se bag mein feeder, diaper aur zarurat ki kuch
cheezein rakhein jo Samreen usey de kar gayi thi. Bache ke baal set kiye.
Usey poori tarah se aur ache se tayar kiya taake uske chaachu aur khush ho
jaayein. Yahaan sab uska kitna khayal rakhte thay.
"Woh subah Rayyan ki mumma keh kar gayi thi ke kal tak wo Rayyan ko le
jaayengi!"

Ruby ne darte darte Samreen ko bataya. Yeh woh hukm tha jo Rayyan ki
maa usey de kar gayi thi. Chacha se pehle maa ne irada bana liya tha. Poore
ek saal baad dono hi usey lene aa gaye thay.

"Kya duaye aise bhi qubool hoti hain?" Ruby ko khush hona chahiye tha
magar wo khush nahi ho pa rahi thi. Usey ek dum se Rayyan ke chaacha ko
dekhne ke baad Rayyan ki fikr hone lagi thi.

"Phupho bhi ajeeb hain!" Samreen bar barati hui bahar nikal gayi. Ruby
uske peeche darwaze tak chali gayi.

Samreen muskurati hui Faris ke paas gayi. Wo jo mardon ke ghere mein

bilkul khamosh khada tha.

"Yeh raha humara Ryan!" Dikhave ke liye bache ke gaal ko chooma, phir
uski taraf barhaya. Wo chand lamhon ke liye ruka, phir usne haath barha kar
bacha le liya. Uska chhota bag bhi le liya. Mazeed kuch kahe sune baghair
wo bahar nikal gaya.

"Phupho kitna tamasha karengi jab unhein pata chalega?" Samreen ne is

baar apne walid se kaha tha. "Ab hum iski wajah se apne pairo par kulhaadi
toh nahi maar sakte?" Begum sahiba ne hanooj se kaha.

Phir apne shauhar ki taraf mud gayi, "Kya keh kar gaya hai? Kab tak
chhorh kar jaayega bache ko?"

"Me yeh sawal puchhta acha lagta?" Tariq sahab pehle se tension mein the,
chirr kar bole.

Irada tha ke agle do teen mahino ke kharche se ek gaadi aur le lein. Store
mein samaan bhi dalwana tha. Beti ki shaadi par toh acha khasa kharcha ho
gaya tha. Unhein zyada fikr yeh thi ke bacha wapas aaye. Unki bhi yahi
khwahish thi. Woh bhi yahi chahte thay.
Ruby unhein dekh rahi thi. Unhein sun rahi thi. Phir rukh badal kar andar
chali gayi. Aqbi kamre ki ek khidki se tang gali ke us siray par dekha,
wahan jahan siyaah rang ki gaadi khadi thi. Jiski headlights andhere mein
door tak roshni kar rahi thi.

Rayyan ka haath apne chaachu ke kandhe par tha. Doosra haath band apne
seene par, jaise ke woh rakha karta tha. Darwaza khul gaya. Usne passenger
seat par usay bitha diya. Jhuk kar belt bandhi. Dekhe baghair, mehsoos
kaise banaya. Woh ghoom kar apni seat sambhal chuka tha. Darwaze locked
ho gaye. Gaadi mein ab do nafus reh gaye.

Ek pehle se adm tha, doosra ab ho raha tha.

Apne andar kisi ko murda kar dene ki khwahish liye usne gaadi start kar di.
Jamud pathar jaisa tha. Uske andar lava jaisa tha. Us aag mein toofan sa
barpa tha. Khol mein daraar pad gayi. Us daraar ne rago mein ek mahshar
sa barpa kar diya. Bohat se parde utha diye, bohat se baatein suna di. Zabt
kar ke, usne andekha kar diya. Daraar ko, wujood ko, zakhamon ko, aur
zakhamon se uthti teeson ko bhi.

"Gaadi mein mere saath koi nahi hai!" Usne socha. Is soch par yaqeen
barhaya. Islamabad pohanchne tak usay yahi karna tha. Woh driving karte
hue, gehri saans le raha tha, apni nigahon ko, zehan ko, aur soch ko...

Aur khayalat ko bhatakne nahi de raha tha. "Uske pehlu mein Hammad
Shirazi nahi tha, uska beta nahi tha. Woh akela hai, bilkul akela!"

Islamabad pohanchne tak ab usey yahi karna tha, yahi sochna tha.

Gaadi start hui toh Rayyan Shirazi ki soi hui masoom aankhon mein hairat
si ubhar aayi. Jaane pehchane chehre kahin gum ho gaye thay. Harqat karti
kisi cheez mein sawari ka pehla tajurba tha. Uska nanha sa dil aur tez
dhadakne laga tha. Pehle pahel toh woh chup raha, oopri aur nichle hont
daba kar apne aap ko sambhalne ki koshish ki, magar phir woh dar gaya.
Bohot buri tarah se dar gaya. Badi badi masoom aankhein bhar aayi. Uski
umar jitna zabt bilkul khatam ho gaya aur usne ek dum se rona shuru kar
diya.
Hammad Shirazi ka beta! Qalb ke bhate se aag ke shole nikle, woh aag ke
shoroor bankar Faris ke wujood par phisal gayi. Usne lambi saans lete hue
sheesha khol diya, button khol diya. Apna rukh sheeshe ki taraf kar diya.
Uske andar ka shor ek dum se barh gaya. Rone ki ek awaaz pehlu se thi, aur
doosri awaaz maazi se aa rahi thi.

Ek lamhe ke liye uska wujood sholo ki lapait mein aa gaya. Woh ek lamha
andhera ban kar uske dil-o-dimag ki roshniyon ko nigal gaya aur usey
dehshat aur bechaini ki daldal mein daal gaya. Sab bigad gaya, sab badal
gaya.

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Steering wheel par gript jamaye, woh palat kar
Rayyan Shirazi par dhaara. Rayyan uske is tarah cheekhne par aur zyada
rona shuru kar diya. Uski samajh mein kuch nahi aa raha tha, yeh kya ho
raha hai, kaise ho raha hai, kyun ho raha hai. Usne apni jagah se hilne ki
koshish ki, ek haath se belt ko khinchna chaha.

Phir woh itni shiddat se roya ke aas paas ka har shor khatam ho gaya.
Traffic ki awaaz bhi madhoom ho gayi. Sirf Rayyan ki awaaz thi jo reh
gayi. Sirf Rauyan ka shor tha jo thahar gaya.

Daraar phat chuki thi, khol cheekh gaya tha. Aag, andar bahar... har taraf
aag jaisi kefiyat thi. Steering wheel par uski gript barh gayi. Uski haalat par
kisi ne qahqaha lagaya. Uske dard par koi hansta hua uski gardan tak aa
gaya.

"Jise maar dena chahiye, usey saath le ja rahe ho?"

Maazi ka har zakham hara ho gaya, rooh aur aankhon mein dard ne basera
kar liya. Haal khatam ho gaya. Zindagi khatam ho gayi. Ishtial mein aakar
usne ek jhatke se gaadi rok di. Usi taizi se bahar nikla, passenger seat ka
darwaza khola, Ryan ko uthaye gaadi ki doosri taraf lamba ooncha ped aur
sabz jhundh tak laya.

Traffic mein bade bade trucks aur trailers guzar rahe thay, unka shor ab tak
tha. Usne Rayyan Shirazi ko wahin chhod diya, jhatak diya. Nafrat se,
gusse se. Beinteha aziyat mein aakar, aag mein jalte hue, usne is bache ko
wahi chhorh diya.
Rayyan pehle khaufzada tha, ab ke motohash hokar rone laga, zor zor se
cheekhne laga.

Faris Shirazi ne gaadi ki taraf qadam barha liye thay. Rayyan Shirazi peeche
reh gaya tha.

❏❏❏

Ashh!! How is someone so cruel to a child?? An innocent child...? Ah,

my heart aches...
CHAPTER - 68
•••

~ 𝑴𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐...

𝑱𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒌𝒐𝒊 𝒃𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒌𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊,

𝑵𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒋𝒋𝒂𝒉 𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒂 𝒃𝒆-𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒍𝒊 𝒔𝒆.

𝑫𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒆 𝒌𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒐 𝒌𝒊 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒉 𝒂𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏,

𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒓 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒕𝒂 𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒋𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒌𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒚𝒂,

𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒊 𝒌𝒆 𝒋𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆

𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂 𝒍𝒆𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒚𝒆 𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒌𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒒𝒕 𝒈𝒖𝒛𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒐 𝒋𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆…

𝒚𝒆𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒃 𝒈𝒖𝒛𝒓𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒉𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊

𝒘𝒐𝒉 𝒓𝒂𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒂𝒚𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒉𝒕𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒊

𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒋𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒅𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒉𝒍𝒌𝒆 𝒌𝒊 𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒊 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏

𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒋𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒒𝒕 𝒌𝒊 𝒃𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒊 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏

𝒎𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐…

𝒋𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒌𝒐𝒊 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒌𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊

𝒎𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒌𝒚𝒂 𝒌𝒆𝒉𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒏

𝒌𝒉𝒖𝒍𝒊 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒉𝒐 𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒋𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒋𝒂𝒈𝒕𝒆

𝒑𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒐 𝒌𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒎, 𝒃𝒆𝒅𝒂𝒂𝒓 𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒕𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒆

𝒂𝒃𝒓 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒉𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊, 𝒅𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒒𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒐 𝒋𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒇𝒂𝒂𝒛 𝒌𝒊 𝒅𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒊
𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒌𝒆 𝒋𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆,

𝑯𝒂𝒘𝒂, 𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒊 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒇𝒛 𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒐𝒊 𝒂𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒛 𝒌𝒊𝒚𝒆

𝒚𝒆𝒉 𝒋𝒐 𝒉𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒚𝒆𝒉 𝒎𝒂𝒉 𝒐 𝒔𝒂𝒂𝒍 𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒉𝒆

𝑵𝒂 𝒂𝒓𝒔𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒒𝒕 𝒌𝒊 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒓 𝒖𝒅𝒂𝒂𝒔𝒊 𝒍𝒊𝒚𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒆, 𝑴𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝒋𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒌𝒐𝒊
𝒘𝒂𝒒𝒕 𝒌𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊 !!

Aur garmi ki woh chhuttiya kabhi nahi aayi thi. Woh wada kabhi poora nahi
ho saka tha. Woh khushi se bhare pal, masoom muskurahate, woh aankhon
ki chamak aur zindagi ka ehsaas kabhi wapas nahi aaya tha.

Apne aane wale kal se bilkul be-khabar, 14 saal ka Faris Wajdan pehli dafa
apne halat ko nahi dekh raha tha, na zakhamo ko mehsoos kar raha tha.
Uske andar sukoon ki ek kaifiyat thi, jaise ek lambe safar ke baad kahin
rukne ki kaifiyat.

Ek ke baad ek, do gaadiyan Shirazi mansion se bahar gayi thi. Dono ka

raasta mukhtalif aur manzil mukhtalif thi.

Jab uski gaadi apne safar par ravana ho gayi, toh woh gardan mor kar bahar
dekhna shuru kiya. Hall tak ka safar teen ghanton par mushtamil tha. Gadi
har taraf hari-bhari darakhto se ghiri ek lambi shahrah par thi. Bulandi se
woh neeche door tak nazar aane wali doosri sadak ko dekh sakta tha, ta-
had-e-nigaah phaili hui waadiyan, sabzey aur baaghon ko dekh sakta tha.
Uske haath mein ek notepad tha, jisme woh kuch likh raha tha. Chand lafz,
waqt, maheenon ki muddat, aur tareekh thi... Shirazi house mein wapsi ki
tareekh thi.

Woh garmi ki chhuttiyo mein zaroor aane wala tha. Usne jannat ke khwabo
ko haqeeqat mein rangne ka faisla kar liya tha. Usne pahaado, daryao, aur
har ek ghaati aur waadi tak jaane ka irada kar liya tha. Zindagi ka ye ehsaas
khoobsurat tha.
Isi khoobsurat ehsaas ko jeete hue, usne sar uthakar khidki Se bahar dekha
tha. Door bohot door aur qadray neechaai mein ek aur sadak thi. Aur usi
sadak par usay Agha Ali ki jeep daurti hui nazar aa rahi thi. Pehle pehal
usey woh manzar ek dhoka, ek saraab jaisa laga tha. Magar jo usne dekha,
woh haqeeqat thi. Uske ta'assuraat yakayak badal gaye, aankhon mein ghair
mehmm sa ta'assur zahir ho gaya tha. Gaari to kharab thi, aur maintenance
ke liye workshop mein mojood thi, to yeh be-ikhtiyar mur kar peeche tak
dekha. Ghane darakhto ka silsila shuru hua to gaari ojhal ho gayi. Bulandi
se dhalwan ka rukh karti ghane darakhton mein chhup kar guzarti hui woh
gaari usay uljhan mein mubtala kar gayi.

Woh Aazam Shirazi ke zair-e-iste'maal rehne wali makhsoos gaariyo mein

pehle kabhi sawar nahi hua tha. Na hi aisa koi hukm mulaazimo ko diya
gaya tha. Usey chorhne aur le jane ki zimmedari sirf Agha Ali par thi. Sirf
wohi uske schedule aur maamlat se ba-khabar rehta tha. Uske mutaliq jo bhi
hukm hota, usi ko milta tha.

Magar ab Agha Ali nahi tha. Do guards they aur unke andaaz se wazeh tha
ke woh bhi kisi sakht hukm ke taib they. Woh zara sa mashkook aur kuch
muztarib ho kar dono guards ko dekhne laga.

Ek guard drive kar raha tha to doosra chauknna ho kar baitha tha. Jaane kya
wajah thi ke uske ehsasat ajeeb hone lage. Chhati hiss ne khabar kar di,
kuch ghalat hone wala hai. Gahri saans le kar har tarah ke manfi khayalat
ko jhatak kar woh notepad par jhuk gaya. Mazeed chand hi alfaz likhe thay
jab firing ki awaaz ke saath gaari aik jhatke se bay-qaboo hui thi. Sheeshe
jhamake se toot kar bikhre thay. Uske haath se qalam chhuta tha, notepad
bhi, pani ki bottle bhi. Goli driver ka Seena cheer gayi thi. Ek zabardast
jhatke se woh agle seat se, peechay ki taraf ja kar darwaze se takraya tha.
itni shiddat se ke sheeshe ke tukray uski pusht aur seene par chale gaye.
Chot sar ke pichle hisse par lagi. Gaadi ghoomti hui darakhto se takra kar
kahin khaai mein ult gayi.

Us ki aankhein khuli thi magar kuch dikhai nahi de raha tha, na hi sama'at
kaam kar rahi thi. Woh seat belt mein phansa hua tha. Uske haath bejaan se
latak rahe the. Peshani se phoot'ti khoon ki dhaar qatra qatra girne lagi,
sheeshe ke tukron ko takne lagi. Usne aankhein khol kar dekhne ki koshish
ki thi. Gaari ka agla hissa jhammke se aag ki lapait mein aaya tha. Dhuaan
barh gaya, dhuaan phail gaya. Andar aur bahar, ek jaisi kefiyat. Mushkil se
saans lete hue usne palkain jhapkayi. Firing ki awaaz phir se goonji. Doosra
guard bhi maara gaya. Usne kisi qadr koshish se apne haath ko jambish di,
mushkil se khench kar belt tak laya.

Kholti band hoti aankhein un qadamo ko dekh sakti thi jo uski khidki ke
paas aa kar thehray thay. Sadak par tezi se farari bharti Agha Ali ki jeep
aankhon mein lehrai. Zehan mein koi khayal dard ban kar ubhara. Talkh
haqeeqat ne usey gardan se pakar liya. Aankh kinare aansoo khoon mein
shaamil hua, safhay par gira aur tareekh par sabt hua.

"Mulaazimon ke bachay in gaariyo mein safar kar sakte hain?"

"Jee, sahab ne ijaazat di hai."

Shok se guzarte, karb aur aziyat ka idraak karte mushkil se saans lete,
himmat peda kar ke belt ko kholna chaha. Poori quwat se, poori shiddat se
magar ungliyo mein taqat na rahi.

Aahni darwaza ek jhatke se kheencha gaya tha, ghaliban kholne ki koshish

ki ja rahi thi. Gaari mein dhuaan bhar raha tha. Sholay tez ho rahe the.

"Har haal mein ladka chahiye, aur zinda chahiye," jaane kis ne chinghaad
kar kaha tha. Darwaza khenchnay mein shiddat aa gayi thi. Gaari ke baaqi
maanda sheesho ko bhaari boot se toda gaya. Usne band hoti aankhein khol
kar dekhna chaha. Usse agle nashist par do laashein thi aur teesri laash woh
ho raha tha.

Seat belt khol diya gaya. Usay mazboot haathon ne pakar kar kheencha.
Sheeshe ki ragad se pusht chal gayi. Dard ki lehar dahine baazu se aur
kando se uth'ti hui usay pasliyon tak mehsoos hui. Woh bejaan hota ek dum
se chikha gaya tha, aur agle hi pal woh gaari se bahar tha. Usey kheenchte
hue sholay ki zad mein aati is gaari se door kar diya gaya.

Usne dhundli nigaho se aag ki lapait mein aati us gaari ko dekha. Aawaaz
dhamaakay ki thi. Uska wujood andar tak laraz utha tha. Woh aakhri
manzil, woh aag, woh sholay ka manzar, maut ka manzar.
"Main garmiyo ki chuttiyo mein zaroor aaonga."

Sabza, hariyali, aur baagh aur door tak phaila hua sabza aankh ki aankh
mein raakh hua. Roshniya gul hui, darakht murjha gaye.

"Wada…?" Aasman tareek aur ek dum se siyah ho gaya.

"Pakka wada…!" Woh kisi jannat se keh raha tha.

Uski soch, khayalaat, dard ka ehsas, khauf ka idraak sab jamid hua. Aankhe
band ho gayi.

Tareeki ne jaise usey mukammal tor par nigal liya tha.

"𝑴𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐…

𝑱𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒌𝒐𝒊 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒌𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊,

𝒈𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒆 𝒖𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒌 𝒅𝒂𝒂𝒓 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝒂𝒃𝒓,

𝒅𝒉𝒖𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒂 𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒚𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒃 𝒉𝒐 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒚𝒆.

𝑹𝒂𝒂𝒕 𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒌𝒂𝒓 𝒎𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒔𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒖 𝒌𝒂𝒓 𝒋𝒂𝒂𝒚𝒆, 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒊 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒐
𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒖𝒂 𝒋𝒊𝒔𝒎.

𝑻𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒊 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒐 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒂𝒂𝒕 𝒋𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒂 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒉𝒓𝒂.

𝑻𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒊 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒉𝒐 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒚𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒃𝒓 𝒂𝒂𝒛𝒎𝒂 𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒋, 𝒋𝒐 𝒈𝒂𝒍𝒊 𝒑𝒂𝒂𝒓 𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆

𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒍-𝒐-𝒅𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒂𝒈𝒉 𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒂𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒊.

𝑸𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒐 𝒌𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒉𝒐𝒏 𝒌𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏.

𝑴𝒖𝒋𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐, 𝑱𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒌𝒐𝒊 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒌𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒊

!"

❏❏❏
Jamila Daud ka America mein ye doosra hafta tha, aur is dauran ek baar bhi
unka raabta Faris Wajdan se nahi ho saka tha. Wo kai baar Shirazi Mansion
mein call kar chuki thi. Har baar mulazim Faris ka naam sunte hi unse
mazrat kar lete the. Azam Sherazi ka hukum tha. Woh apne malik ki khilaf
warzi nahi kar sakte thay. Unhone Azam Shirazi ko baar baar phone kiya
tha. Unki minnat ki thi, ke sirf phone par raabta karne dein, magar unhone
inkaar kar diya tha.

"Pehle hi tumne is ladke ko sar par chadha kar acha khaasa bigaad diya hai.
Ab jabke wo boarding school mein set ho chuka hai, toh main mazeed koi
ghalti bardasht nahi kar sakta."

Woh main Marathon beach par apne aali shan ghar ki deewar geer khidkiyo
ke samne beqarari se tahal rahi thi. Jhatke se ruk gayi.

"Aapne aapne? Faris ko boarding school bhej diya hai?" Dimagh sadme se
ma'oof ho gaya tha.

Unhein woh tamaam waade yaad aa gaye jo unhone Faris se kiye the. Woh
khushiyon bhare lamhe, umeed bhari baatein. Woh mohabbat, yaqeen aur
aitbaar ki saa'atain. Woh sab jaise sheeshe ka mahal tha, jhamakay se toot
kar unhein lahu lahan kar gaya.

"Baba! Yeh aapne kya kiya hai?" Woh taqreeban ro dene wali ho gayi.

"Aap nahi jaante, main jaanti hoon usay. Bohot hassas hai woh, naye mahol
mein is tarah adjust nahi kar payega. Aap please usey wapas bula lein."

"JAMILA!" Unki kaat daar awaaz ne unka naam liya tha. Nichla lab kaat'te,
aankho mein nami liye woh chup ho gayi.

"Mujhe uske saath kya karna hai aur kya nahi, main yeh bohat achi tarah se
janta hoon. Tumhe wahan maine is liye bheja hai taa ke tum apne shohar
aur bete par focus kar sako. Faris meri zimmedari hai. You stay out of it."

"Aapko uspar taras nahi aata?" Unka lehja bheega hua tha. Peshani par
haath rakhe woh be-basi ki inteha par thi.
"Woh aapka khoon hai. Aapke is tarah usey radd kar dene se uski yeh
haqeeqat kabhi nahi badal sakti."

"Haan! Yeh haqeeqat ke woh us badnaam zamana ladki ka beta hai, kabhi
nahi badal sakti," unhone jabde bheench kar kaha.

"Woh Haroon ka beta hai, Baba!"

"Haroon ki ghalti. Haroon ka gunaah hai woh." Is qadar ishtial mein aakar
baat ki ke woh apni jagah ruk gayi.

"Main na is nikah ko manta hoon, na hi iske rishte ko tasleem karta hoon.

Woh larka abhi tak zinda hai to sirf is liye ke main Haroon ko inn mamlat se
door rakhne ke liye aisa kar raha hoon. Mujhe majboor mat karo Jamila ke
main koi intehai qadam uthao jis par tumhein pachhtana pare" Sakht lehje
mein unho ne mutanabbeh kiya tha.

"Uski maa ki jo auqaat hai, main usey bhi ussi mein rakhunga."

"Aap Arzoo ka gussa Faris par kyun nikaal rahe hain?"

"Main kisi ka gussa kisi par nahi nikaal raha. Jo hona chahiye, wohi kar
raha hoon. Woh larka humare khandaan ka hissa kabhi nahi ban sakta.
Kabhi nahi!" Unki bhaari raub daar awaaz unke hatmi faisle ki numaindagi
thi.

Unho ne gusse mein call kaat di. Jamila haathon mein phone liye baithi reh
gayi thi. Halaq mein aansuon ka phanda atak gaya tha.

Us raat woh bawajood koshish ke so nahi saki thi. Reh reh kar Faris ka
khayaal aata raha. Guzishta chhay saal maanoon mein simat kar zehan mein
ghoomte rahe. Unhein apni be-basi par gussa, un halat par, aise rishto par
aur unki soch par gussa aata raha. Rona aata raha.

Woh itni majboor kyun thi? Unke bas mein kuch kyun nahi aata tha? Uth
kar ghar mein chalti rahi.

"Tum jaag rahi ho abhi tak?" Haroon ke aane par unhein khidki ke samne
dekh kar poocha. Woh mud kar unhein dekhne lage.
Woh uski sagi maa nahi thi, phir bhi uske liye bechain ho rahi thi. Aur woh
uska saga baap ho kar bhi sukoon ki neend so raha tha.

"Kuch nahi. Aise hi neend nahi aa rahi thi," palkain jhuka kar aansuon ka
asar zaail karti woh rukh badal gayi thi. Baat karne ka koi faida na tha, dono
paas apne apne mawafiq ki thos daleele thi. Aur woh chaah kar bhi in
daleelo ko rad nahi kar paati thi.

"Kya tum jaante ho, Baba ne Faris ka admission boarding school mein
karwa diya hai?" Agle din jese hi Hammad school ke liye rawana hua, unho
ne nashtay ki table par Haroon se kaha. Cup par uski giraft bas ek lamhe ke
liye mazboot hui thi. Tasuraat bhi ek lamhe ke liye badlay thay. Nazro ka
irtikaaz bhi usi muddat ke liye bhonka tha. Chand lamhon ka khel, chand
saniyo ka qissa tha aur Haroon Shirazi ne guzishta saat saalon ki tarah ab
bhi khud ko sakht pathar kar liya tha.

"Baba jaisa munasib samjhein kar sakte hain." Usne doosre haath se akhbar
khol kar phela liya. Woh navy blue three-piece suit mein malboos tha, gel
se baal peeche ki taraf jhade hue the. Tarasheeda darhi chehre ki wajahat
mein izafa kar rahi thi. Tasuraat sanjeedgi mein dhal gaye thay.

"Woh Faris ko jaan se maar dein to kya aap tab bhi yehi kahenge?"

Jamila, dining hall mein Haroon Shirazi ki awaaz sakht ho kar goonji thi.
Aankho ka tasur pathreela ho gaya tha.

"Kya main ghalat keh rahi hoon? Aap ko gussa aa gaya hai? Jo kuch woh
seh raha hai, aap usey zindagi kehte hain?"

Haroon ne mutthiya sakhti se bhinch li thi. Cup mez par rakh diya tha.

"Baba uska bohat khayal rakh rahe hain. Usey kisi cheez ki kami nahi hai."

"Cheezo ki kami nahi hai, insano ki to hai. Rishto ki to hai. Uske paas aap
nahi hain, main nahi hoon. Uski maa nahi hai."

"
"Arzoo se shaadi meri zindagi ki sabse bari ghalti thi. Kya is baat ka ehsaas
dilana chahti ho ho tum?" Woh bhadak utha.

"Aap ghalat kyun soch rahe hain?"

"Bilkul sahi soch raha hu me" unki aankho ki surkhi barh gayi thi.

"Main aap se aapke bete ki baat kar rahi hoon, Haroon!"

Woh apni jagah ruk gaya. Chand saniyo ke liye ek sukoon sa tari raha, jaise
kuch kehne ko baqi na raha ho. Larne ko koi daleel, wazahat ke liye koi
lafz, barat ke liye koi hujjat na rahi ho.

"Baba ne kaha hai, main usey bhool jaon." Woh kursi dhakel kar uth gaya
tha. "Aur main usey bhoolne ki koshish kar raha hoon. Kyun tum baar
baar..."

"Why do you have to forget your own child?" Woh rote huye us par cheekh
parin. Haroon munjamid, apni jagah ruk gaya. Mur kar unhein dekha.

"Kyun zaroori hai aap ke liye usey disown karna? Is khauf se ke kahin Baba
aapko apni tamam jaidad se aaq na kar dein?" Unki awaaz rundi hui thi.
"Aap ko lagta hai, Baba waqai aisa kar sakte hain? Ek baar baat to karein.
Apne bachhe ke liye koi stand to lein. Main wada karti hoon, aapka poora
saath doongi." Woh uth kar uske paas aayin, narami se uske baazu par haath
rakha. Kajal se tabreez aankhon mein huzn thehra tha. "Hum usay yahan le
aayenge. Woh hamare saath rahega."

"Baba kya kar sakte hain aur kya nahi, yeh mujhse behtar koi nahi jaanta."
Usne Jamila ka haath apne baazu se hata diya. Kuch dair unka haath apne
haath mein liye khara raha.

"Yeh pehle mera aur Faris ka maamla tha, ab Baba ka aur Faris ka maamla
hai. Tum bhool rahi ho magar mujhe yaad hai, woh wada jo maine Baba se
kiya tha." Jamila ne saday se usey dekhte hue, nafi mein sar hilate, apna
haath chhuda liya.

"Jamila!"
Unho ne ulte qadam peechay hotay hue haath utha kar usay mazeed kuch
bhi kehne se rok diya.

"Main bhi kis mein ehsaas jagane ki koshish kar rahi hoon?" Nam aankhon
ke saath kuch azeet se muskurayin.

"Aap ne to khud apne bachay ko disown kiya hai. Aap ne to uski ek

mulazim ki haisiyat ko sab se pehle qubool kiya hai, aur main... main aap se
baat kar rahi hoon." Taasuf aur dukh se sar hilati woh dining hall chhod kar
chali gayi. Haroon Shirazi apni jagah khara reh gaya tha.

Pakistan mein rabte ki har koshish taqreeban na kaam rahi thi. Shirazi
Mansion se to Azam Shirazi ne un ka rabta mukammal tor par munqati'
karwa diya tha. Faris se mutaliq koi bhi baat ya khabar un tak nahi pahunch
sakti thi. Woh Pakistan mein kaisa tha, kis haal mein tha, apne hostel mein
adjust ho paya tha ya nahi, fikr aur parwaah ki lehr par uthtay kisi bhi sawal
ka koi jawab nahi mil sakta tha.

Unhein apni zindagi ek dum se bohat adhoori si lagne lagi. Rehm bhar dil,
ek maa ka dil tha, tarap bhi waisi hi rakhta tha. Bache ki judai mein
beqaraari unke ang ang se jhalakti thi.

Halaat ko badla nahi ja sakta tha, na hi zindagi ko roka ja sakta tha. Unhein
apni zaat se juday dusray rishton ka bhi khayal rakhna tha, apna bhi khayal
rakhna tha. Us gham aur pareshani se nikalne ke liye unho ne khud ko
zindagi mein masroof rakhne ki saayi ki thi. Apna studio tarteeb diya, apne
takhayyul ki dhaar par bikhre rangon ko chuna aur apne pehle solo
exhibition ki tayari shuru kar di. Aur pehle...

Woh apne zehan ko bhatkana chahti thi, tamam tar fikr aur andeshon ko
sulana chahti thi. Faris Pakistan mein akela hai, is khayal se jo takleef
pohanchti thi, is takleef ko dabana chahti thi.

Woh ek landscape artist thi. Rango se qudrati manazir takhleek kiya karti
thi. Qudrati manazir mein zindagi ka rang dikhati thi. Sabza, bahaar, oonche
liye pahaar, waadiya, poori raat ka khoobsurat chaand aur phoolon ke
dilfareb nazaray. Unhein rang bhale lagte thay, magar ab to jaise unki har
painting gehrey
bhoore, siyaah aur mubham rangon ka imtizaj ho gayi thi.

Tawajjo ka markaz ab Hammad tha. Woh usay apni taraf se poora waqt deti
thi. Uski har baat sunti thi. Uska har lehaaz se khayal rakhti thi, magar phir
bhi Hammad ko lagta tha ke mummy kahin kho gayi hain. Woh usay sun
nahi rahi, usey dekh nahi rahi.

Shopping ke liye jaatin to be-dhiyaani mein kuch na kuch Faris ke liye bhi
dekhne lag jaatin. Markers, diaries, chhoti size ki araishi care jo woh aksar
apni writing table par sajaye rakhta tha, kehta tha registers, remote control
cars, unhein jahan bhi jo cheez pasand aati, woh uske liye le leti. Ghar aakar
woh kitni hi der tak un cheezon ko haatho mein liye baithi rehti thi.

"Woh bara ho jaayega aur yeh cheezain uske liye chhoti ho jaayengi. Ghair
ahem, ghair zaroori aur uski pasand ke har daaire se bahar nikal jaayengi."
Unhein afsos hota. Guzarte waqt se khauf aata. Kuch bhi kharidte waqt jo
excitement hoti, woh ghar aake gham mein badal jaati. Woh cheeze unke
haathon se phir aaghosh mein hoti. Seene se lag jaati, jaise woh Faris ko
khud mein sameta karti thi. Uski muskurahat yaad aati. Uski aankhon ka
rang yaad aata. Uske chhote chhote haathon ka apni hathailiyo par thehrna
yaad aata. Woh waqt, bate, aur khoobsurat yaadain maazi hokar unhein
zyada takleef pahunchane lagi thi.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 69
•••

𝙺𝚊𝚋𝚑𝚒 𝙰𝚒𝚜𝚊 𝙱𝚑𝚒 𝙷𝚘𝚝𝚊 𝙷𝚊𝚒 𝙺𝚒𝚜𝚒 𝙵𝚊𝚛𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙺𝚎 𝙼𝚊𝚞𝚚𝚎 𝙿𝚊𝚛

𝙹𝚊𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙷𝚞𝚓𝚘𝚘𝚖 𝙱𝚊𝚛𝚙𝚊 𝙷𝚘

𝙺𝚒𝚜𝚒 𝚃𝚊𝚚𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚋 𝙺𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚗

𝙰𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚔 𝙻𝚊𝚋 𝚃𝚊𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝙹𝚊𝚢𝚎𝚒𝚗

𝚉𝚞𝚋𝚊𝚗 𝙺𝚑𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚑 𝙷𝚘 𝙹𝚊𝚢𝚎

𝚆𝚊𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚂𝚎 𝙿𝚑𝚒𝚛 𝙳𝚊𝚋𝚎 𝙿𝚊𝚘𝚗

𝙰𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚔 𝙻𝚊𝚞𝚝 𝙰𝚊𝚗𝚊 𝙷𝚘

𝙺𝚑𝚞𝚕𝚒 𝙰𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚑𝚘𝚗 𝚂𝚎 𝙱𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛 𝙿𝚊𝚛 𝙼𝚎𝚑𝚊𝚣 𝙻𝚎𝚝𝚎 𝙷𝚒 𝚁𝚎𝚑𝚗𝚊 𝙷𝚘

𝙳𝚒𝚕 𝙽𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚗 𝙰𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝙷𝚘 𝙺𝚎

𝙹𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝙹𝚊𝚐𝚊 𝙷𝚘

𝙹𝚘 𝚂𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚎 𝚂𝚎 𝚄𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚞𝚛

𝙳𝚒𝚕 𝙺𝚎 𝙰𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚛 𝚃𝚊𝚔 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚊 𝙹𝚊𝚢𝚎

𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚛𝚊𝚝, 𝙺𝚎𝚑𝚔𝚎 𝙰𝚞𝚛 𝙰𝚊𝚛𝚣𝚘𝚘

𝚈𝚞 𝙼𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚒 𝙷𝚘 𝙺𝚒𝚜𝚒 𝙳𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚠𝚎 𝙺𝚒 𝙼𝚊𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝙰𝚊𝚜𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚘 𝙼𝚎𝚒𝚗

𝙱𝚒𝚔𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒 𝙷𝚘

𝚄𝚜𝚒 𝚂𝚊’𝚊𝚝 𝙼𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝙳𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚊

𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚊𝚕 𝚁𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝙻𝚊𝚐 𝙹𝚊𝚘

𝚃𝚞𝚖𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝙼𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚖 𝙷𝚒 𝙷𝚘𝚐𝚊

𝙺𝚋𝚑𝚒 𝙰𝚒𝚜𝚊 𝙱𝚑𝚒 𝙷𝚘𝚝𝚊 𝙷𝚊𝚒

•°. *࿐

Mahine ke aakhir mein woh Hammad ke saath mall gayi thin. Uske dost ki
party thi aur woh apne liye kapde khareedna chahta tha. Usne apne liye
safed rang ki aik hoodie pasand ki jo unhe bhi bohat achhi lagi. Unhone
baqaida shop assistant se uske size ka poocha.

"Barah saal ke larke ke liye." Unhone qareeb kharay aik larke ki jaanib
ishara kiya.

"Usse zara chhota." Shop assistant kisi aur rang mein wohi shirt unke liye
khaas tor par matlooba size mein nikaal laaya. Aur is tamaam arsa mein
khamoshi se apni be khabar maan ko dekhte hue choudah saala Hammad ne
woh hoodie counter par patak di.

"Mujhe nahi chahiye!" keh kar ghusse se nikal gaya.

Woh pareshani ke aalam mein huzat mein qadam uthaati tezi se uske peeche
aayi.

"Kya ho gaya Haami?" beech raste mein usay rokkar kuch fikrmandi se
poocha tha.

"Aap kyun is servant boy ke liye mere jaisi cheeze leti hain?"

Jamila Daud aankhon mein shock liye usay dekh kar reh gayi.

"Jab bhi aapke saath shopping ke liye aata hoon, aap yahi karti hain. Aap
mere liye kuch leti hain to same wohi cheez uske liye bhi leti hain. Aap
kyun karti hain aisa?" Woh sakat o saamit Hammad ko dekh kar reh gayi.
Hammad yeh kya soch raha tha? Kya keh raha tha?
Unhone kabhi bhi hammad ki koi cheez Fares ko nahi di thi. Istemaal shuda
bhi nahi. Unhone kabhi bhi Hammad ke samne khul kar Faris ka zikar nahi
kiya tha. Woh ghar mein uska naam bhi nahi leti thin. Lekin Hammad
jaanta tha Faris unke liye kitna ahem hai. Shirazi Mansion mein woh unki
tawajju ehtimaam aur mohabbat dekh chuka tha. Woh tab bhi gusse mein aa
jata tha, aur ab bhi aa gaya tha. Jis tarah woh apni cheez share nahi karta
tha, us tarah rishton mein sharing use pasand nahi thi.

Dada uska tha, baap bhi sirf uska tha. Maa bhi sirf uski honi chahiye. Usey
andaza hi na hua. Kab kisi tarah woh be zarar sa bacha Hammad ke hawaso
par sawar honay laga. Woh to hamesha mohtaat ho kar rehti thin. Apni
zimmedariyon mein unhon ne kabhi kotahi nahi ki thi. Hammad ke paas sab
kuch tha. Usey mohabbat aur tawajju ki koi kami nahi thi. Iske bawajood
uska yeh rad-e-amal unhein heraan kar raha tha.

“Alag se leti hoon beta, tumhara hissa to nahi deti kisi ko.” Sadme se nikal
kar pyar se samjhane ki koshish ki.

“Par kyun? Aap meri maa hain. Aap is ladke ke liye... Aap kyun karti
hain?”

“Mujhe is tarah kuch bhi share karna acha nahi lagta.”

“Okay, fine, main nahi khareed rahi. Wapas chalo aur apni hoodie uthao.”
Usay kandho se thaam kar muskurate hue uska mood behal karna chaha.
Bigray tiwaron ke sath usne hoodie to khareed li magar wapsi par bhi apna
mood kharab rakha.

Jamila Daud ke liye uska rad-e-amal samajh se bahar raha. Woh uske
rawayye aur ishtial ko soch soch kar pareshan hoti rahi thin.

•••

Unhon ne Haroon Shirazi se zikar karna chor diya tha magar Azam Shirazi
se woh ab bhi Faris ke mamle mein ulajh padti thin. Kisi khauf ya dabao
mein aaye baghair woh ab bhi unhein ehsas dilati rehti thin. Us din bhi
unhon ne yahi kiya tha. Woh study room mein thay jab woh andar dakhil
hotay hi shuru ho gayi thin.
Woh ek baar phir Fares ko apne aur unke darmiyan le aayi thin.

“Tumhein andaza bhi hai tum kis ke liye stand lene ki koshish kar rahi ho?”
patthar dil mom nahi hota tha magar woh un par heraan hotay thay. Saheeh
heraan hotay thay. Bhala jo soti hai, woh sakoon jaisa bartao kaise kar sakti
hai?

“Main tumhein bohot zahanat samajhta tha. Magar ghalat tha.”

“Be hesi zahanat hoti hai?”

“Ek maa apni aulad ki khatir behiss hi achi lagti hai!”

Unhon ne Azam Shirazi ko tassuf se dekha.

“Jis bachey ki tumhein itni fikr ho rahi hai, zara socha hai, kal woh
Hammad ke liye, tumhare liye kitne masail khade kar sakta hai?”

“Aur yeh jo zulm, hum sab mil kar is par kar rahe hain. Aapka khayal hai
yeh zulm hamari zindagiyo mein aasaniya laye ga?”

Azam Shirazi ne lab bheench kar apni bahu ko dekha.

“Tumhein samjhana namumkin hai,” unhon ne tasleem kiya.

“Aap us par bohot zulm kar rahe hain!”

Azam Shirazi ne rukh mod kar unhein dekha, kitaab rakh kar unke paas
agaye.

“tumhein lagta hai main is par zulm kar raha hoon?” Savaliya ibra uthaye
kuch sanjidgi se magar teer se bole.

Woh khamosh rahi.

“Main usey adoption, kisi ko god lene ke liye de sakta tha. Kisi bhi mulk
mein usey bhej deta. Kisi aisi jagah jo Pakistan se bohot door hoti.”
Unki aankhon se nafrat ki chingariya phoot rahi thin aur lehja barfi la ho
raha tha.

“Ya phir main usey kisi haadse ka shikar kar deta. Itni planning ke sath ke
kisi ko shak bhi na hota ke kya hua hai. Ek paanch chhe saal ka bacha
swimming pool mein doob kar mar gaya. Usay swimming nahi aati thi is
liye.”

Unhone be rehami Se apna jumla mukammal kiya. Ruk kar apne haath
uthaye. Zara sa muskuraye bhi. Jamila ka halaq khushk tha. Aankhein tar ho
gayi thi. Woh rone ko kashti se bhinche hue unki aankho mein kuch be
yakeeni se dekh rahi thi. Azam Shirazi itni sakhti aur baroodat ke sath apne
potay ki baat kar rahe thay. Woh pota jiss ki maa khandani nahi thi. Woh
nikah jismein woh shaamil nahi thay. Woh rishta jo unke mayaar ka nahi
tha.

"Lekin maine aisa kuch nahi kiya."

"You still think, ke main Azam Shirazi, is par zulm kar raha hoon?" Woh
jhoot nahi keh rahe they, woh aisay hi thay. Har baat wazeh kar detay thay.
Keh rahe thay to aisa kar bhi sakte the.

Unka aik aik lafz unke sakht iraadon ki tarah unki shakhsiyat ke har pehlu
ko un par ayan kar raha tha.

"Hammad ke ilawa tum kisi aur ke liye fikar karti ho to mujhe acha nahi
lagta." Unhone bohot narmi aur pyar se unke baazu par haath rakha.
"Hamari family muqammal hai, Jamila, tum isay adhoora karne par kyun
tuli ho?"

Woh aankhon mein nami liye sar jhukaaye rahi. Baazu keet ya karda
aaraam chair par barajma ho gaye.

"Abhi to aap uay aik threat ke tor par dekh rahe hain, haan," lekin aankho
mein nami liye woh danista ruk gayi. Unhone sir uthakar unhein dekha.

"Lekin jab kabhi aapka dil is ke liye naram para, to aap par aapke rawayye
aur in faislon ka pachtawa kitna bhaari par jaayega." Woh file kholte hue
muskuraye, "Main apne faislo par bhi nahi pachtaya Achhi tarah se jaanta
hoon, main kya kar raha hoon, aur kis liye kar raha hoon. Tumhein fikr
karni chahiye, unhein fikr karne ki zarurat nahi hai." Woh chand lamho tak
unhein dekhti rahi, phir bojhal dil ke sath janay ke liye mud gayi.

"Haan aur kyun pachtayenge? Jab usay apna khoon tasleem hi nahi kiya, to
yeh ehsasat kyunkar bedar ho sakte the? Reham kaise jaag sakta tha?
Mohabbat kaise ho sakti thi?"

"Kya main chahunga ke us ghatiya aurat ki nishani mere betay ki zindagi

mein mojood ho?"

Faris ki pehchaan unke nazdeek sirf aur sirf uski maa thi. Woh Aarzu
Jahangir ka khoon, Aarzoo Jahangir ka beta tha.

Us din ke baad se unhon ne dobara kabhi Azam Shirazi se Faris se mutaliq

koi baat nahi ki thi.

Azam Shirazi America aate to do teen mah guzaar kar chale jaate. Family
gatherings, outings, kuch informal dinners, kuch taqreebat mein shirkat
karte, meetings attend karte aur chale jaate. Hammad Shirazi mein unki jaan
aglay thi. Woh khaas tor par us ke liye aate the.

Shirazi Enterprises ka headquarters Pakistan mein tha, to woh zyada tar

Pakistan mein hi rehna pasand karte. Magar jab bhi aate, unki ek mehsoos
ki routine hamesha unhein uljha deti. Woh weekend par khas tor par
Pakistan call karte, har aik report lete. Mukhtasir aur jaam'e briefing hoti
magar Agha Ali se hamesha unki tafseeli baat hoti. Wo phone kaan se
lagaye khamoshi se sunte jaate, aur aakhir mein chand ek hukam hote aur
kuch zaroori baatein.

Woh achhi tarah se jaanti thi ke Faris ki tamaam zimmedariyan unhon ne

Agha Ali ko sopi thi, aur yeh taweel calls bhi isi silsile ki aik kadi thi.

Unhein hargiz ilm nahi tha ke woh Fares ke maamlat is tarah se dekhte
hain, is par aisi nazar rakhte hain.
"Kya ek terah saal ke larke se unhein waqai mein koi khatra paish aa sakta
hai?" Woh sochti aur hairaan hoti.

Yeh unka rawaiyya hi to tha jo Fares ko Shirazi khandan se mutanaffir kar

raha tha. Nafrat ki jadh us wajah se mazid mazboot ho rahi thi. Inaad ki yeh
deewar unki hi wajah se qaim ho rahi thi. Aur unhein yeh lagta tha ke
khatra Faris ki taraf se hoga.

Pehl to woh khud kar rahe thay. Woh us masoom dil mein adawat ko khud
apne rawayye aur faislon se parwan charha rahe they. "Unhein yeh baat
samajh mein kyun nahi aati thi? Kisi ko aap nazarandaz dein to badlay mein
woh aapko mohabbat nahi dega." Unhone baghair koi hawala diye yunhi
keh diya. Woh lawn ke beech mein tahal rahe the jab Hammad ke un se
thoda door hone par Jamila Daud ne kaha. Unhon ne gardan mor kar apni
bahu ko dekha.

"Tumhein kyun lagta hai ke mujhe us third-class aurat ke betay se koi

mohabbat chahiye?" Unka lehja aik dum se istehzai ho gaya tha.

"Aap bohot galat kar rahe hain," na chahte hue bhi woh keh gayi.

"Ye to waqt sabit karega ke main kitna sahi aur kitna theek hoon." Jebo
mein haath daalte hue woh dhoop mein seedha saamne dekhne lage. "Ek
din tum bhi tasleem karogi ke mera har faisla durust tha." Ahista qadam
uthate woh aage barh gaye aur Jamila Daud hamesha ki tarah apne hi khol,
apne hi daire mein, apni hi fikro mein simti khadi ho gayi thi.

•••

Mrs. Durani ne Shirazi House mein mun’aqid hone wali is dawat mein
Azam Shirazi ka bharpoor jaiza liya tha. Unka seenha chora tha, gardan
bilkul seedhi, pait andar ko tha. Raub daar aur graceful shakhsiyat thi.
Bohot saare bhoore baal, jin mein kahin kahin siyahi bhi jhalakti thi. Siyah
aur safed ka yeh intiraj unki shakhsiyat mein izafa ka sabab banta tha. Woh
khud ko bohot fit rakhte they Unhein dekh kar aaj bhi kai khawateen ke dil
dhadak uthte they. Unka khayal tha ke aaj bhi agar woh apne rishte ki baat
kare, to unhein behtareen se behtareen rishta mil sakta hai.
Khane ki mez par unhone aise hi zikar cheda, to woh hans pare. Jamila
unhein dekh kar reh gayi. Woh un se naraz thi aur bohot kam baat karti thi.
Magar mrs. Durani ki baat par jis tarah woh hansi, woh aise thi ke unhein
nazar andaz nahi kar sakin. Woh unhein apni shakhsiyat se kuch mukhtalif
se lage, Woh bohot kam hi hansa karte thay.

Zyada tar unke tasuraat sirf Hammad ki mojoodgi mein hi khushgawaar hua
karte. "Kya main aap se koi ghalat baat keh rahi hoon jo aap is tarah hans
rahe hain? "Aapko koi khatoon inkaar nahi karegi, likhwa lein mujh se."

"Is status aur jaydad ke hote hue waqai mein koi khatoon inkaar nahi
karegi."

Haroon aik lamha ke liye saakht hua tha. Spoon haath mein liye, usne zara
si nazar utha kar baap ko dekha.

"Koi aisi khatoon aapko mil jaye jo aap se yeh bataye ke mere paas kuch
nahi hai aur phir bhi aapke saath rehne par amada ho jaye. Isliye ke main
apne usoolo ka paband aur apni baat par qayem rehne wala insaan hoon. To
phir kuch socha ja sakta hai." Mamool ke bar’aks, woh kuch khushgawaar
mood mein lag rahe thay.

"To aap yeh keh rahe hain ke aap shaadi hi nahi karna chahte?" Mrs. Durani
bura maan gayi.

Sab hi hans pare, siwaye Haroon Shirazi ke.

Azam Shirazi munazzam sa muskurate hue apni plate par jhuke gaye.
Jamila ne bhi nazar hata li. Woh jaanti thi ke ishara kis taraf tha. Woh ab tak
Haroon Shirazi ki is ghalti ko maaf nahi kar paye the. Aaj bhi Aarzoo
Jahangir ka wajood unke darmiyan aa jata tha.

Faris ki soorat, mazi ki soorat aur shayad yahi wajah thi ke Haroon ko din
badin shiddat se apni is ghalti ka ehsaas ho raha tha jo usne mohabbat mein
majboor ho kar kar daali thi. Woh nikah jo uska Aarzoo Jahangir se hua tha.
Woh rishta jo aath saal tak qaim raha tha. Woh mohabbat jo paiso ke ewaz
usey chor kar gayi thi. Do paise jo Azam Shirazi ne usey offer kiye thay.
Haqeeqat dair se hi sahi magar Haroon Shirazi par khul gayi thi. Pehle sirf
is baat ka gham tha ke Arzoo ne talaaq le li thi. Ab is baat ki nafrat thi ke
usne uske baap se moahida kar ke li thi. Us din Haroon Shirazi ka gussa aur
ishtiyaal dekhne laayak tha.

"Yeh toh aik simple sa test tha, Main dekhna chahta tha ke woh aurat
tumhare saath kitni sachi hai," Azam Shirazi ne aik mukhtasir sa jumla keh
kar apna daaman jhaar liya. Aur Haroon chah kar bhi na ikhtilaaf kar saka
aur na hi koi ehtijaj.

Mohabbat ne usey toda tha. Aur bohat buri tarah se toda tha.

❏❏❏
•CHAPTER-70•
•••

zam Shirazi Pakistan ja rahe the. Rawangi ke waqt Jamila Daud ne ek bag
alag se tayar kar ke de diya.

"Yeh Faris ke liye hai." Unho ne sawaliya abroo uthai to jawab diya. Kuch
dair tak woh apni jagah khade rahe.

"Is ka kya karu?"

"Us tak pohncha dein." Hammad apne doston ke sath outing ke liye gaya
hua tha. Andar dakhil hua aur apni jagah ruk gaya. Woh uski mojoodgi se
qatae be-khabar Azam Shirazi ki taraf mutwajjah theen.

"Tumhein itminaan kyun hai ke mein yeh samaan us tak pahucha duga?"

"Cheezo se kya farq parta hai? Unka intizam to aap ne bhi khoob kar rakha
hai."

Woh note kar rahe the ke woh pehle ki tarah khul kar un se baat nahi karti
theen. Aur un se to Faris ka zikar karta bhi taqreeban chhor diya tha.

"Zaroori nahi ke mera naam le. Bas pahucha dein."

Azam Shirazi ki nazar un ke aqab mein Hammad par pari to sanjeeda se

ta'assuraat aik dum se narmi mein dhal gaye. Bag se nazar banate us ke paas
chale gaye.

"Aap ja rahe hain Baba?" Woh unki baaho mein sama gaya.

"Hmm!" Uski peshaani ka bosa liya. Uske balon ko bhi bakhair diya.
"Mein bhi aap ke sath Pakistan jaana chahta hoon par Dad, woh kuch mane
tab na!"

"Tumhare Dad ko bhi mein hi mana karta hoon."

Jamila ne woh bag unke suitcase par rakh diya.

"Halat kuch behtar ho jayein to phir Pakistan aana."

"Agle saal ka wada kar ke jaaye. Balke aap yahan nahi aayenge balkay
mein aap ke paas aaonga."

"Wada!" Unho ne kaha.

Jamila Daud aur Hammad Shirazi se mil kar woh bahar chale gaye.
Mulazim mustaed the, bahar unki gaari bhi tayar khadi thi.

Siyah bag unke suitcase handle ke sath atka reh gaya tha. Jamila Daud
bhaari dil ke sath baironi darwaze ke steps par khadi theen. Albata dada ke
jaate hi Hammad ke ta'assurat pal bhar mein badal gaye the, aankhon mein
khafgi si aa gayi thi. Woh jaanta tha, siyah bag mein kya tha, aur kis ke liye
tha.

America mein yeh unka teesra saal tha, Azam Shirazi ke business partner
Fawad Khakwani ke bete ki shaadi thi. Unhain bhi khas tor par mad'u kiya
gaya tha. Azam Shirazi ne phone par rabta karke ticket ki baat ki to kuch
dair tak to unhein apni sama'at par yaqeen hi nahi aaya. Khushi se aankhein
nam ho gayi. Hammad ek maah pehle hi apne dada se milne Pakistan gaya
hua tha. Pandrah din baad unhein bhi Haroon ke sath Pakistan jaana tha.
Sab maamlat tay ho chuke to unho ne Faris ke liye shopping ki. Us ke liye
shirts, hoodies, aur trousers khareede. Bag khareeda. Kuch kitabein
muntakhib ki. Woh itni khush theen ke paon zameen par nahi lag rahe the.
Seene se bojh sirkta hua mehsoos ho raha tha.

"Haan, woh un se shadeed naraaz hoga, ladega, royega. Baat nahi karega,
magar woh usey mana legi, Woh hamesha usay mana leti theen. Jab bhi us
ka chehra haathon mein leti thee, us ka naam leti theen, us ka haath karti
thee, to woh apni tamam tangi ke bawajood narm par jata tha. Woh un se
zyada dair naraaz nahi reh sakta tha." Woh khayalo mein sab tarteeb deti ja
rahi theen. Sab acha aur pehle jaisa karne ka soche ja rahi theen. Magar
hamesha waisa to nahi hota jaisa aap sochte hain. Jaisa aap chahte hain.
Jamila Daud ke sath bhi yahi maamla pesh aane wala tha. Unke wohm o
gumaan mein bhi nahi tha ke Pakistan pohnchne tak unhein kitni buri
khabar milne wali hai.

"Mujhe suno!

Jaise koi barish ko sunta hai

Saale guzar jaate hain

Aur lamhe palat aate hain.

Kya aglay kamray mein qadmon ki chaap sunti ho?

Woh jo yahan nahi aur wahan bhi nahi hain.

Suno!

Tum unhein kisi aur zamane mein sunti ho,

Jo hai na guzray kal ka,

Na aanay wale ka,

Jo hai to sirf abhi,

Haan abhi ka.

Mujhe suno!

Jaise koi barish ko sunta hai."

Uske hawas kuch bedaar huay to dard ka ehsas hua. Khoon se aadha chehra
tar ho raha tha. Aankhein nahi khul rahi theen.
Qadmo ki aahat ke sath hi makhsoos dhun ki awaaz sa'at se takraayi. Labo
ko gol kar ke woh jaane kab se gunguna raha tha.

"Yeh Hammad to nahi hai!" Karakht, bhaari awaaz.

"Gari mein yahi larka tha, sahab!"

Kisi ko ghunsa para tha.

"Mujhe maaf kar dein sahib, ghalti ho gayi! Bohat bari ghalti ho gayi."
Tareek kothri mein koi aur bhi tha. Ghutno ke bal girta, kuch rota, girgirata
hua. Awaaz pehchani hui si lagi. Us ne ek baar phir palkein jhapkayi. Ek
baar phir dekhne ki sa'i ki. Manzar dhundhla tha.

Saans lete karwat badli. Haatho ko jumbish di. Dahine kandhe aur gardan se
seene tak ka hissa dard ki lapait mein aa gaya. Usey gaari ka takraw yaad
aaya. Firing ki awaaz phir se sunayi di, sheeshey ek baar phir toote the.
Wajood mein kante mehsoos huay the.

"Sahab! Hammad Shirazi is gaari mein tha, mein yaqeen se keh raha hoon.
Maine apni aankho se dekha." Awaaz ghut gayi. Gardan kisi ahini shikanje
mein le li thi.

"Tumhein kuch andaza bhi hai tumhari is ghalti ne mere liye kitna bara
masla khada kar diya hai?"

"Sahab! Maaf kar dijiye." Yeh doosri awaaz thi. Lab bheench kar us ne ek
baar phir sar uthaya. Dhund lamhe bhar ke liye chhat gayi thi. Nidhhal
aankho ne woh chehra dekha.

Agha Ali ka dast-e-raast Azam Shirazi ke khaas tareen aadmiyon mein se

ek tha woh. Rota, girgirata, apni zindagi ki bheek maangta hua, pistol ki
nok uski kanpati ke sath lagi thi.

Dhundli si yaadasht mein koi bhoola-bisra manzar tamam tar azeeton ke

sath waazeh hua.

"Aap ki jeep kahan hai?" Us ne poocha tha.

"Kharaab hai, mechanic ko theek karne ke liye di hai. Kuch din lag
jaayenge." Agha Ali keh raha tha.

Car accident se pehle, rawangi ke waqt doosri shahrah par us ne jeep dekhi
thi. Jeep mein Hammad tha. Us ki gaari badli gayi thi. Usey bahifazat kahin
pohchane ke liye us ki zindagi daav par lagayi gayi thi. Usey sadma hua,
magar ghalat sadma hua. Us ki zindagi ahem nahi thi. Us ke sath aisa ho
sakta tha. Us ne aik baar phir dard ki lehr ko dabate hue uthne ki koshish ki
aur aik baar phir munh ke bal gira. Sar ka dard ek dum se barh gaya. Halq
se karaah nikal gayi. Us shakhs ne murh kar peeche dekha. Woh Faris
Wajdan ke ayn samne panjon ke bal baitha tha. Aankho mein ghussa tha,
naqabi chehra aur tasurrat mutahammil se the. Pehle baalo se pakar kar us
ka sar uthaya.

"Yeh kaun hai?" Woh ab usey baghor dekh raha tha. Faris ki peshani se
khoon ki dhaar kaan se behti hui gardan tak aur us ki safed shirt ko mazeed
rangti gayi.

"Sahab! Azam sahib ke mulazim ka bacha hai," aqb mein jhuke sar ke sath
ka pati awaaz mein kaha tha.

"Mulazim ka beta?" Istifhamiyah nigaho se us ne Faris ka chehra, phir shirt

ka collar, sweater, jeans aur joote dekhe.

"Mulaazimo ke betay kya is tarah branded kapray pehante hain?" Istihzai

andaz mein kehte ab ke us ne Abdul ko dekha. Dahini haath se apnay pistol
ki nok se sar khujaya.

Abdul ne ghabra kar Faris ko dekha phir girta padta naqabi ke samne jhuk
gaya. Ab woh apni soch aur wahem ke mutabiq jo kuch us ke baare mein
janta tha, bataata ja raha tha.

"Interesting!" Poori baat sun lenay ke baad woh usey chhor kar uth gaya.
Abdul sar jhuka kar modab sa peeche ho kar apne qadmon par khada ho
gaya.

"To tum mujhe yeh batana chahte ho ke yeh kisi Wajdan ka beta hai jo ke
Azam Shirazi ka aadmi tha?"
"Ji sahab!"

"Kabhi mile ho usse?"

"Jee?" Chonk kar sar uthaya.

"Wajdan se mile ho kabhi? Tum kaafi arsay se kaam kar rahe ho. Azam
Shirazi ke har aadmi ko tum se behtar aur kaun jaan sakta hai?"

Abdul ne kuch hakla kar usey dekha. Woh kisi Wajdan se kabhi nahi mila
tha. Khushk honto ko tar karte us ki nigah Faris par gayi, jiss ki bojhal
aankho mein shock aur sadma utra hua tha. Khauf aur wehsat thehri hui thi.
Jaane un aankho mein kya tha ke woh lamhe bhar ke liye apni jagah theher
sa gaya. Woh us ke sab se chhotay betay ka hum umr tha jissay bachane ke
liye usey majbooran yeh sab karna pada tha.

"Ji ji sahib! Janta hoon usey."

"Theek hai, kaafi hai itna." Haath utha kar usey rok diya.

Abdul aik sehmi hui si nigah Faris par daalta kuch pareshaani se chup ho
gaya.

Naqabi panjon ke bal baitha ab usey dekh raha tha. Us ki khojhti parakhti
aankhon mein ajeeb sa tasurr tha. Woh usay jaanchte huay jaise us ki
ahmiyat ka andaza lagane ki koshish kar raha tha. Woh us ki zaat mein
Azam Shirazi ki koi kamzori dhoondhna chaah raha tha. Ek murda mulazim
ka beta bhala unke kis kaam aa sakta tha? Woh is ke zariye kya paa sakte
the? Aisa kaunsa dabaav tha jo woh Azam Shirazi par daal sakte the?

Khooni Rishta hota to alag baat thi magar woh to kuch bhi na tha. "To
tumhare maalik ne tumhein humare aage daal diya taake woh apne pote ko
bacha sake." Woh kaafi dair tak hansta raha. Uske gham, dukh, aur sadme
par be-khabar ho kar hansta raha. "Woh mujhe hamesha hairan karta hai,
magar is dafa na qabil-e-yaqeen!"

Ba mushkil se saans lete Faris ne lab bheench liye the. "To ab tumhara kya
kare?" Chamkti, sulgti aankhein uske chehre par jam gayin. "Tum hi batao
ladke, ab hum kya karein?" Uska andaaz istehzaai tha. "Ab to tumhara baap
bhi zinda nahi hai jo tumhare bare sahib ke paon pakar kar minnat kare ke
mere betay ko bacha lo." Koi shay uske dil ke aar paar hui thi. Koi purana
zakhm phir se hara ho gaya tha.

"Bhai, aisa kuch ho jata to hamare waar jaate. Yeh jo humne itni mehnat ki
hai, iske badlay bhari tawaan wasool karte. Kyun, theek keh raha hoon na
main?" Gardan modh kar apne aadmiyo se tasdeeq chahi. Unhone kuch
khafeef hokar sharmindagi se sir jhuka liye the. Jante the ke unke maalik ko
paison ki to sere se koi kami hi nahi thi.

Apne kapkapate haatho ko bheench kar Faris ne khushk honto ko dabaya.

Uski aankhein bilkul bhar chuki thi. Uske neem khule lab kapkapaa rahe
the. Jism bejaan aur thanda parh raha tha. Magar woh poore hosh-o-hawas
mein usey dekh raha tha, usey sun raha tha.

"Bhai aise nahi dekho mujhe. Taras aa gaya to ek goli se hi tumhara kaam
tamaam kar dunga."

Uski siskiyan seene mein thi aur woh bawajood koshish ke bhi inhein daba
nahi saka. "Arey tum ro rahe ho?" Woh qahqaha laga kar hans diya.
"Tumhein lag raha tha, tumhara sahib agar tumhein itne mehnge school
mein parhne bhejta hai, ya tumhein yeh mehnge kapray pehney ko deta hai
to iska matlab hai ke tumhari parwaah karta hoga?"

Woh uske samne jam kar baith gaya. Chehre se naqabi bhi hata diya. Neem
tareeki mein uske khudokhaal kuch mhehlay, kuch dhundhlay se the. Usay
us maasoom ladke ki bewaqoofana soch par hansi aa rahi thi. Kitna bara
sadma tha ek naukar ke liye ke maalik ne usey chaare ke tor par kisi ke aage
daal diya taake woh khud se jurey rishton ko mehfooz rakh sake.

"Main tumhein ek pate ki baat batata hoon. Hum log aksar aisa karte hain.
Khoob paisa lagate hain, ahmiyat dete hain, aitamaad jeet-te hain, aur phir
jab waqt aa jaye to haath phaila kar, abro uthate chhutki bajate, "Apne
fayday ke liye qurbaan kar dete hain. Jaise ke tum, kaafi invest kiya hoga
unhon ne tumpar. Kyun ke agar gaari mein tum na hote, to Hammad ki jali
hui laash milti usey."
Aakhri jumle mein uska lehja kaafi se zyada sard ho chuka tha. Uske andar
bohot ghussa aur be inteha nafrat bhari hui thi. Koi purani mukhasmat thi,
koi adaawat ya intezaam. Uska rawaiyya, uske iraade, uske tamam
plannings yehi batlati thi. Woh apni nakaami par mushta'il ho raha tha. Bas
nahi chal raha tha ke woh Azam Shirazi ke is naukar ladke ko abhi ke abhi
jaan se maar daalay.

Usne apni pistol ki naali Faris ki peshani se nikaal di. Khayal tha ke woh jis
khauf mein hai to apni zindagi ki bheek mangte hue royega, girgirayega.
Magar usne lab bheench kar aankhein band kar ke, apna sar jhuka kar usey
hairan kar diya. Woh ladka marne ke liye mukammal tayar baitha tha.

"Jaisa maalik hai, mulazim bhi waise hai." Gardan se daboch kar usne
trigger par zara sa zor diya. Abdul ne kuch beqaraari se pehlu badal liya.

Kun kuch dair tak uski kanpati se lagi rahi, phir usne hata li. "Aise nahi, aur
itni aasani se bhi nahi," bar-baraate hue uth gaya. Phir apne aadmi ki taraf
muda, "Sher Dil se kaho, is ladke ko le jaye!"

Abdul ki peshaani paseene se tar ho chuki thi. Woh pusht par haath bandhe
khada tha, magar haatho mein kapkapaahat waazeh ho rahi thi. Sher Dil
kaun tha aur kya kaam karta tha, yeh haqeeqat us se chhupi hui nahi thi.

"Or haan!" ruk kar muda, "Usse kehna, laash hum Azam Shirazi ko hi
bhejenge. Usse pata chalna chahiye, agar Hammad hamare saath aa jata to
hum uska kya hashar karte." Yeh keh kar lambi lambi chaalain bharta woh
bahar nikal gaya. Kothri ka darwaza band hua to tareeki har soo phail gayi.
Farsh se, deewaron se Faris Wajdan ke andar tak aagayi.

Nam saakti aankhon mein veerani liye, woh matwaish sa apni jagah betha
sa reh gaya tha. Bahar taala lagne ki awaaz ke saath, qadamo ki aapas mein
mukhatib hone ki aawaaz sunayi di. Makhsus dhun ki woh aawaaz ab door
hoti ja rahi thi. Ek aakhri saanp jaisi aawaaz neeche agayi thi. Naqab posh
ne gehri saans li, koi ladhta hua zameen par dheeme se sarak gaya tha.

"Kitni dafa kaha hai, ghalti nahi honi chahiye, nahi honi chahiye, nahi honi
chahiye, magar yeh samajhte nahi." Aahni gate zor se band karte, woh
nazron se ojhal ho gaya.
❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 71
•••

Subah subah nashte se farigh ho kar Jannat bhaagti hui Shirazi Mansion
pahuch gayi. Mudahat se maloom hua ke Faris to subah das baje ja chuka
hai. Uske nanhe se dil ko sadma sa pohncha. Rondi soorat banaye doctor
Mustafa ke paas gayi aur siskiya le le kar bataya ke us par kitna zulm ho
gaya tha.

"Janna, woh aap se kal shaam ko mil kar to gaya tha," unho ne uske aansu
ponchte, pyaar karte yaad dilaya. Woh uske is tarah emotional hone par
heran thay.

"Kal shaam mila tha. Subah bhi to milna chahiye tha," uska surkh chehra
aur bhari hui aankhein dekh kar woh muskurahat zabt karte naram pad
gaye.

"Haan waqai bohot ghalat kiya hai usne. Mil kar jana chahiye tha usey."

"Allah Hafiz bhi bolna chahiye tha usko, haath bhi hilana chahiye tha."

"Bilkull!" Takid mein sar hilaya.

"Aap usko daate ge na?"

"Zaroor daatu ga, aise kaise kar sakta hai woh?"

Saleem ne apne sar par haath maara. Agar inki jaan ko chyoonti (ant) ke
ghar se bhi koi masla milega to woh nikal layegi.

Woh aankhein ragarti apne dosto ke paas bahar chali gayi. Unko poori baat
batayi. Uske tamam ke tamam best friends, Muni, Kaka, tipu, aur Shasha
sab ka khayal tha, Faris ne bohot ghalat kiya tha. Subah savere mile baghair
chala gaya. Dost bhala aise karte hai?
"Ab jab woh aaye ga to hum us se baat nahi karein ge." Tipu ne sab ko bari
samajhdari se talqeen ki. Woh ab us bari ghani mooncho wale darawne
uncle ke paas khare apni khufiya meeting kar rahe thw jo bagiche wale
darwaze ki rakhwali karta tha.

"Uske sath bagh mein bhi nahi jayenge aur usko machhliya bhi nahi
dikhaenge." Kaka ne nanha sa mukka bana kar fiza mein lehraya.

Jannat lab bhinche, aankhein ragad ragad kar saaf kar rahi thi. Darawne
uncle ne jeeb se romal nikala.

Kar diya to bari nazakat se le liya. Darawne uncle ne kuch dair pehle unhain
andar bhi jane diya tha. Darawne uncle bohot ache the, Gun ko kandhe se
lagaye woh chowkidar kutta ya hua sa khara tha. Sabr ka imtihaan they yeh
bache. Itni baate aur itne sawal karte the Allah ki panah! Faris kab gaya
tha? Kaise gaya tha? Kis gaari mein gaya tha? Aur itni subah kyun gaya
tha? Un se milne kyun nahi aaya tha?

Aur us ghunghrale surkh balon wale Tipu ne to had kar di. "Aap usko rok
lete ke tumhare friends aayenge, un se mil kar jana. Aap ne usko kyun nahi
roka?"

Darawne uncle ka dil chaha woh apna sar peet le. Pata nahi uske bare sahib
ne is darwaze par uski duty kyun laga di thi? Na yahan koi khatra tha na
yahan koi aata jaata tha. Maswaaye in bacho ke.

Kitna shauq tha usey ke woh Shirazi Mansion ke bairooni gate par rakhwali
kare. Sard aah bhar ke phir is tolley ko dekha, jo apni dost ko dilasa dete ab
wahan se ja rahe they.

Sukh bhari saans le kar reh gaya.

"Kaash! Uske sahib darwaza poora band kar dein to tension hi baqi na
rahe." Usey nahi pata tha aisa hone wala tha. Aisa sach mein hone wala tha.

Agha Ali ko Islamabad gaye huay do din ho chuke they aur woh abhi tak
wapas nahi aaya tha. Mudhat ke liye Agha Ali ka Shirazi Mansion se door
rehna pareshani aur achambhe ka baais tha. Aisa pehle kabhi nahi hua tha
ke woh is tarah ghair haazir rahe ho ya phone par apni khairiyat ki ittila na
pohnchayi ho. Unki routine talaf thi, woh jaanti thi. Is baat ka bhi ilm tha ke
Hammad Shirazi ki amad ke baad se hifazati iqdam mein izafa hua tha aur
khatarat ke pesh-e-nazar Azam Shirazi ne unhein naye zimmedariya sounp
di thi. Aisa pehle bhi kai martaba ho chuka tha magar ab ki baar jab unki
taraf se koi khabar moosool na hui to use fikr hone lagi.

Usne Sadiq Khan se Agha Ali ke baare mein poocha. Khabar mili ke woh
Islamabad mein tha. Khabar yeh bhi mili ke Azam Shirazi aaj shaam ki
flight se wapas aa rahe the. Woh aik dum se heran hui. Azam Shirazi to
chaar din pehle hi Germany rawana huay they aur ab is tarah unki achanak
wapsi ne usey achambhe mein mubtala kar diya tha. Jaane kya maamla tha.
Use ek dum se kisi unhoni ka ehsas hua. "Sab khairiyat hai?" Woh poochhe
bina na reh saki.

Sadiq Khan ne mud kar usey dekha. Gaari mein kuch zaroori samaan rakha
ja chuka tha. Apni bandook sambhalte huay usne sir hilaya.

"Haan, sab khair hai! Hum Agha Ali se rabta hone par tum ko bata dega."
Keh kar gaari mein sawar ho gaya. Usne jeep ko baironi darwaze se bahar
nikalte dekha, phir gehri saans le kar palat gayi.

•••

Woh deewar ke saharay be-hiss o harkat para tha. Lab baaham paiwast, aur
aankhein saakht thi. Chehre par takleef deha tasuraat numaya ho rahe the,
saans laine mein dushwari aa rahi thi.

Palkain jhapkate woh kisi qadr koshish se uth kar baith gaya tha. Tareeki
mein apne aas paas zindagi ko khojne laga tha. Maut ki sargoshi mein,
wahshat ke saaye the. Andhere the aur be inteha andhere the ke haath ko
haath bhai nahi deta tha. Woh sakht betha tha. Faqat saanso ka zero bam tha
aur dil ki dhadkan thi jo zindagi ka ehsas dilati thi. Dimagh ma'oof, soch
jamid, dar sakht aziyat ka mujasma kar rahi thi. Woh saare chaudah saal ka
tha. Is se pehle bhi usne bohot si wahshat bhari raate kaati thi.

Us waqt jab Haroon usey chhor kar gaya tha aur us waqt bhi jab usey hostel
mein shift kar diya gaya tha. Haan! Aisi hi khauf bhari, wahshat naak raate
kai baar zindagi mein aayi thi magar tab woh aankhein kholta tha to har aik
shai ko dekhta tha, chand nazar aata tha, awaaze sunayi deti thi magar ab
aisa kuch na tha. Use guman hua ke uski sama'at kaam nahi kar rahi, uski
binai khatam ho chuki hai. Mutawashish ho kar uthne ki koshish ki magar
uth na saka.

Hatho ko jambish di to awaaz halaq se na nikli. Neem khuli aankhe bheeg

gayi.

Har zakham ki ek tees thi. Har dard ka ek musdar tha. Usey Haroon Shirazi
aur Aarzoo Jahangir ka khayal aaya. Uski maa is waqt kisi mashhoor brand
ke khubsurat kapro mein malboos ramp par jalwa afroz ho rahi hogi, ya kisi
mas-hoor ba asar fashion magazine ke liye uska photoshoot ho raha hoga.
Woh iski haalat se qatee be-khabar kisi interview mein haste muskurate
apni kamiyabiyo ke gun gaa rahi hogi.

Uska baap America mein Shirazi Enterprises ki kisi branch mein Board of
Directors ke sath meeting attend kar raha hoga, ya kisi five-star hotel mein
kuch karobari shakhsiat ke sath uski deal ho rahi hogi. Be tahasha paisa,
kamiyabi aur apni mazboot pehchaan uska maqsad ban chuki thi. Aur
Jameela Daud apne bete Hammad ke sath khushiyo bhari sa'ato mein magan
hongi.

"Is waqt apni zindagiyo mein masroof, iske khooni rishto mein se kisi ko
bhi iska khayal nahi?"

Har manzar khud se banta tha aur tareek aankho mein sama jata tha. Har
rishte ki apni ek kahani thi, aur is kahani mein iska naam-o-nishaan tak na
tha. Ek ghair zaroori kirdar. Ek izafi bojh jise woh bohot pehle hi maar
chuke they.

Na Haroon Shirazi ki zindagi ruki thi, na Aarzoo Jahangir ne palat kar

khabar li thi. Woh unke liye to zinda tha hi nahi, to phir unhein khayal aata
bhi to kis liye? Ehsas hota bhi to kyun? Yaad aati bhi to kis wajah se? Sirf
paanch saal hi to guzare they usne. Sirf paanch saal hi to zinda raha tha woh
unke liye. Sukoon, khushiyo bhare pal, umeed bhari baate, hasi aur
muskurahat bhare lamhe mitne lage. Tareeki andar tak chhane lagi.
Usey Jameela Daud yaad aayi, Doctor Mustafa yaad aaye. Un bacho ka
khayal aaya jo uske aage peeche phirte the, shor karte the, bohot zyada
haste they. Bolte the, muskurate the. Usey Jannat se kiya hua apna wada
yaad aaya.

"Phir hum park jayenge aur pahado par bhi chadhein ge. Aur wahan door
tak jayenge." Uska chehra jazbaat ki hadd se surkh parhne laga. Uske
saakht hatho par larza taari hua. Woh sikud gaya. Phir rone laga. Rote rote
hichkiya bandh gayi. Usne woh tamam manzar dekhe, tamam rang, aur
phool, sabza aur hariyali, unche pahad aur nadiya bhi dekhi. Usne tasawwur
hi tasawwur mein har waadi chhan li. Har phool chun liya.

"Bohot saara ghar mein phirein ge. Muni, Kaka, mein aur Tipu. Aur tum...
aur... aur Saleem. Hum Saleem ko nahi le kar jayege. Woh Baba se meri
shikayate lagata hai."

"Thik hai." Uske lab hile.

"Hum Saleem ko nahi le kar nahi jayenge." Usne kaha aur kehte hue sar
jhuka gaya. Woh in chaar dino mein ek baar bhi nahi roya tha, ab ro raha
tha. Shiddat se ro raha tha. Awaaz laraz kar, deewaro se takra kar wapas
uski taraf palat rahi thi. Usey bacho ke sath dosti nahi karni chahiye thi.
Usey Jannat ke sath waqt nahi guzarna chahiye tha. Woh jab bhi khush hota
hai, kuch na kuch ho jata hai. Khwab dekhta hai to khwab tut-ta hai. Umeed
sochta hai to umeed kaat-ti hai. Yaqeenan yeh saza thi. Bohat bari saza thi.
Hasne ki, muskurane ki saza thi.

Uski himmat, siqat aur hosla khatam ho raha tha. Woh aitmaad jo guzishta
teen saalo mein bahal hua tha, woh rezah rezah ho kar bikhar raha tha.
Bharosa, yaqeen, zindagi, muskurahat, khushiya...

woh har aik ehsas se ma'wa ho raha tha. Sirf gham they jo reh gaye, sirf
dukh they jo thehar gaye. Usey ek dum se har shey se, har ek rishte se, har
ek yaad se khauf aane laga. Har us awaaz se jo us sannatte mein uske aas
paas goonj rahi thi. Har woh baat jo ab usey yaad aane lagi thi.

"Tum Aarzoo ke bete ho. Tumhari auqaat yeh thi ke tumhain kachre ke
dhair par phaink diya jata."
Aur usey phaink diya gaya tha. Woh kam umar tha, asab ki mazbooti bhi
bus ek had tak thi. Itna mazboot nahi tha ke bahaduri dikha sake ya koi
umeed jaga sake. Baar baar kuch chehre aankho mein aa rahe the,
chinghaarti awaaz thi, maut ka paighaam tha.

Uski reerh ki haddi mein sard laher doodi thi, jism ka room room kaanp
utha tha. Andhera, aur maut. Maut andhere mein dhal gayi thi. Kothri qabar
ban gayi thi. Dimagh sun hone laga. Rag-o-pay mein khauf sarayat kar
chuka tha.

"Mujhe... mujhe nikalo yahan se!" Woh ek dum se mathos ho kar cheekha.
Aur kaafi dair tak cheekhta raha. Awaaz raahdariyon se ho kar wapas palat
aayi thi. Usey kisi ko pukarna chahiye, kisi ko awaaz deni chahiye. Kisi ki
minnat karni chahiye. Kaun tha jo usey bacha sakta tha? Yahan se zinda
salamat nikaal sakta tha?

Isi aziyat mein uska dimagh ek baar phir ghanoodgi mein chala gaya tha.

•••

"Faris ka phone number hai?"

Woh subah sehr sawere, school jane se pehle apne dosto ke sath is se yeh
poochne aayi thi. Mudhat muskura kar reh gayi. School uniform aur do
poniya ke sath nikhra nikhra sa chehra, bag aur doosre haath mein pani ki
bottle thi. Aankho mein ishtiyaq tha.

"Nahi, uska koi phone number nahi hai." Panjo ke bal baith kar uski poniya
durust ki. Mathe par barabar kiye baalo ko tarteeb se bakhera, qameez ka
ooper wala button neeche wale button mein phansa hua tha. Andaaz se zahir
tha ke jald bazi mein tayar ho kar woh yahan aayi thi taa ke Saleem ki nazro
se bach sake aur deir bhi na ho. Iske sipahi dost bhi iske sath the. Tipu ne
school se chhutti ki thi. Uske chaar doosre shehr se aaye the. Kaka bhi aaya
tha. Aur aisa tha ke fresh fresh sa hasta muskurata bhaagta daudta uske
kehne par chala aaya tha. Muni albata school ke liye tayar ho kar aayi thi.
Jannat ki madad kar ke usne phir apne school jaana tha.

"Phir aap us se baat kaise karti hain?"

Mudhat kuch kehte kehte chup ho gayi.

"Mere Baba kehte hain weekend par us se milne jayege. Itne sare din baad
weekend aayega."

Mudhat ko ehsaas hua ke woh bachi Faris ko miss kar rahi thi. Pichle do
dino mein yeh uska teesra chakkar tha. Pehley din woh dopehar mein apna
gussa thanda ho jane ke baad yeh confirm karne aayi thi ke aaya woh waqai
chala gaya hai ya nahi? Usey lag raha tha ke Faris kamre mein kahin
chhupa hua hai aur usse milna nahi chahta. Mudhat ne Faris ke kamre ka
darwaza khol kar usey dikhaya ke woh yaha nahi hai.

"Wahan hoga," woh Shirazi Mansion ki taraf ishara kar rahi thi. Go ke
mulazimeen ko wahan bila zarurat jane ki ijaazat nahi thi aur na hi baghair
ijaazat koi sadar darwaza aboor kar sakta tha, magar chunke woh servants
ki head Mudhat Agha thi. Uska haath thame apne saath le gayi. Ghuma
phira kar poora ghar dikhaya ke tumhara dost Faris yahan bhi nahi hai.

Usay Mudhat par yaqeen nahi tha. Awaaz de kar usey bulaati rahi apni
tasalli karti rahi, "Mujhe pata hai tum yahin ho, bahar aao."

Magar woh bahar nahi aaya tha.

Woh bojhal dil ke saath wapas chali gayi. Teesre din woh uska haal ahwaal
poochhne aayi thi aur Mudhat gum sum usey dekh kar reh gayi. Jane kya
baat thi is bachi ka Faris ke liye aisa rawaiya, aisi nigar, aisa intezaar Usey
dukhi kar gaya. Aur aaj woh uss se Faris ka phone number maangne aayi
thi. Faris hostel mein rehta hai, roz marra ki buniyad par usse koi baat nahi
ho sakti. Yeh baate bhi Jann samajh nahi pa rahi thi.

Faris usey bata kar gaya tha ke woh garmiyo ki chuttiyo mein zarur aayega.
Ab itne saare dino ke baad garmiyo ki chuttiya aati thi. Itna saara intezaar
kaun kare?

In chand dino mein jitni drawings us ne banayi thi, woh usey dikhana chahti
thi. Jo test achhe numbers se paas kiye they, woh test bhi. Uski class teacher
ne gaal par star banaya tha, woh star bhi dikhana zaroori tha. Aur woh
stickers jo haath ki pusht par lagey huey they, woh stickers bhi. Magar woh
kya karti? Aur uss ne school ki canteen se do chocolates khareedi. Ek khali
thi, doosri Faris ke liye rakh li. Shaam tak udaas ho kar woh bhi kha li. Phir
is baat ka gham ke usey Faris ke liye rakh lena chahiye tha. Phir tasalli ke
kal doosri le lena thi. Apna homework karke phir apne Nana ke paas
pohanch gayi.

Weekend mein poorey chaar din baaqi thay.

"Kya hum waqai jaayenge?"

"Bilkul jaayenge," muskurate hue kaha. Woh bhi muskurai.

"Kyun na tum uske liye gift pack kar lo? Kuch drawings banao."

"Woh to maine banayi hain, abhi dikhati hoon." Bhaag kar gayi aur saare
safey simet layi.

"Yeh ghar Faris ka hai. Yeh mera hai. Aur yeh wala aapka hai, Baba." Usey
god mein bithaye woh uske banaye huey namooney dekhne lage. Usne
drawing paper par Faris aur apne Nana ke ghar unke qad ke hisaab se bare
bare, oonche liye banaye the. Apna ghar qadre chhota rakha tha. Woh khud
bhi to chhoti thi.

"Arey alag alag ghar? Hum teeno ko to ek hi ghar kaafi tha."

Usne ruk kar lamha bhar ko kuch socha. "Nahi Baba! Alag alag theek hain.
Itne bare bare. Humara samaan bhi to zyada hai. Aur Faris ki itni saari
kitaabe hain. Ek hi ghar mein hogi to jagah tang ho jayegi." Apni soch o
fahm se wazahat di.

"Lekin mujhe to alag ghar nahi chahiye." Baaho mein samet kar uska gaal
chuma.

"Mujhe to apni Janna ke saath us ke ghar mein rehna hai." Aur un ko jannat
ki koi fikr lag gayi.

"Aap mere ghar mein poore nahi aao ge." Wo has diye. Phir haste hi rahe.
Main yeh Faris ko dugi. Goad se utar kar god se jude safhe diye.
"Yeh kya hai?" Kaghaz khol kar dekha. Wo bhi ghar tha. Har tasveer mein
ghar tha, phool they, darakht they aur pahad tha. Parinde they aur nadi thi
neele rang ki jiska paani pahaad se seedha ghar ke aage se guzarta tha. Aur
nehar mein chand aik machhliyan thin. Safah ulat rahi thi. Kuch aur dhoond
rahi thi. Aaj un ki muskurahat simat gayi. Aankho mein huzn aa gaya. Sar
utha kar apni jannat ko dekha. Wo doosre ke stickers khareede the. Agar
Faris asli billiyo se door bhagta hai toh sticker achi lagen gi. Wo apni dhun
mein jaane aur Kya keh rahi thi, kya bata rahi thi magar wo chup chaap
ghar haath mein liye use bas dekhte jaa rahe they.

"Aap Faris ko miss kar rahi hain?" Unho ne bohat narmi se poocha.

"Wo mera dost hai, dosto ko miss karte hain Baba." Samjhaya. Wo lajawab
huay.

"Hum roz milne nahi ja sakte?" Saare safhe samet kar table par rakhe, apni
gardan tak kiye aur hair Band se nikalte balo ko kaan ke peeche kar ke
poocha. Ek mahina pachees din Faris yahan guzaar kar gaya tha. Wo har roz
use dekhti thi, har roz us se milne jaati thi. Us ki ghair maujoodgi mein us
par asar para tha. Wo bohat udaas ho rahi thi.

Unhone sar par hath pherte huay narmi se samjhaya. "Nahi, hum sirf aik
baar jaa sakte hain. Bas yeh chaar din to reh gaye hain." Unhone sar par
haath...

Us ke liye yeh chaar din "bas chaar din nahi they" magar Nana yeh baat
nahi samajh sakte thay. Wo goad mein charh kar apna test dikhane lagi. Us
ki class ke qisse, aur doston ki bate thi. Aur wo suntay huay us ka poora
saath de rahe the. Hairan kun baat par hairan ho rahe the jo baat jannat ke
liye mazakiya Thi, us par has rahe the.

Lamho mein saare din ki thakan utar gayi. Jannat un ka sukoon thi. Wo us
ki maujoodgi mein har pareshani mubarraa ho jate.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 72
•••

Neem ghanoodgi ke aalam mein kisi ne sahara de kar us ke labo se paani ka

glass lagaya tha. Wo Abdul tha, us ki aankhon mein wahshat thehri thi, us
ke haath bhi kapkapa rahe the. Wo apne labon ko janbish dete Huay kuch
kehne ki koshish karta tha magar lafz ada na hotay the.

"Mujhe maaf kar do, main majboor tha. Baat na manta to mera beta maara
jata. Mujhe nahi pata tha gaari mein tum ho, main samjha wo Hammad
babu..." Kehte kehte ruk gaya. Faris Wajdan ki neem khuli aankho mein
ubhra woh bejaan sa ta'assur tha hi aisa.

Abdul aik jhatke se peeche hat gaya aur uth kar chala gaya. Kothari aik baar
phir andher ho gayi. Us ne apne ghutnon par sar rakh liya. Aankhein bojhal
thi. Wajood zakhmo se choor aur nidhal tha. Jo thodi bohat sakkat thi wo
Cheekhne chillane mein khatam ho chuki thi.

Jaane mazeed kitna waqt guzra usey kuch andaza na tha. Wo yeh bhi nahi
jaanta tha din ka waqt ya raat ka sannata tha magar kothari ka darwaza aik
baar phir khul gaya tha. Flashlight aik baar phir chamki thi. Abdul haath
mein paani ka glass liye daakhil hua tha. Mur kar bahar dekhte us ne apni
taraf se jaise kisi baat ki tasalli ki thi. Andaaz se wazeh tha, wo paani ke
bahaane sirf us se baat karne hi aaya tha.

Us ne glass neeche rakh diya. Us ke peeche ki jaanib bandhay huay haathon

ki rassi us ne dheeli kar di. "Yeh log… yeh log shaam tak tumhein maar
dege." Kandho se thaam kar usey aagahi di thi. "Yeh tumhari laash Azam
Shirazi ko bhejein ge. Sun rahe ho, main kya keh raha hoon?" Us ne sar
utha kar khaali nazro se usey dekha tha. Pehchanne ki koshish ki thi, wo
kya keh raha tha. Us ki samajh mein nahi aa raha tha. "Main das minute tak
pichhli taraf ka darwaza khol duga, pehre daar khaana khane jaayega to
main, Usey ooper hi rok loonga. Tum pichhle darwaze se bahar bhaag
jaana. Bagh se aage sadak hai. Kisi Tareeke se sadak tak pohanch jaana.
Sun rahe ho? main kya keh raha hoon?"

Usay kandho se thaam kar jhanjhod daala ke wo bas kisi tareeke se koi to
jawab de. Magar wo koi bhi Jawab nahi de raha tha. Us mein khud se farar
hone ki koi sakkat nahi rahi thi. Sakkat thi bhi to himmat nahi rahi thi. Wo
bejaan sa lag raha tha. Abdul ne faisla karne mein sirf aik lamha liya.
Doosre hi pal usKe haath khol diye. Usey bazoo se pakad kar uthaya aur
khinchte huay rahdari mein le aaya. Usey saath liye Kuch ujalat mein
andaaz-e-qadam uthata aage barhta gaya. Ta aage seedhiyan thi, jinki doosri
taraf aahni darwaza tha. Yeh darwaza Abdul ne chaabi se khola tha aur usey
khuli fiza mein bahar dhakela tha.

"Jao, ladke ke bhaago yahan se."

Aqab mein neeche kahi aahat hui thi. Gate khul gaya tha. Abdul ne darwaza
kheench kar band kar diya.

Faris saakht aur matoohish sa apni jagah khada raha. Usey sochne samajhne
mein dushwari ho rahi thi. Usey kya Karna tha, kahaan jaata tha, kuch
samajh mein nahi aa raha tha.

Aasman mukammal tor par badalo se dhaka hua tha. Chaand aur sitaare
chup gaye thay. Dharti ki tareeki unki ghair mojoodgi mein kuch aur barh
gayi thi. Isi tareeki mein taiz hawao aur barish ki sangat mein sunsaan si
Waadi mein sar uthaye oonche liye darakht khauf ka samaan paida kar rahe
thay. Aeen isi lamhe gunn shot ki awaaz goonji.

"Abdul!" Band darwaze ko dekhte wo ulte qadam peeche hata. Aur agle hi
lamhe wo girta padta mukhalif simt, baagh ki taraf andha dhund bhaagta
chala gaya.

Darakhto se takrate, jhaadiyon se ulajhte, barish mein bheegte kahin thokar

kha kar girte, kahin himmat pakad kar uthte wo sadak tak pohanch gaya.
Doosri taraf jalti bujhati mehm hoti nuqta nuqta roshniyaan thi. Atraaf mein
makan the, abaadi thi.
Bilkul saamne hi aik dukan thi. Tamaam tareekiyo mein, gharo ke daaman
mein sirf wahi aik dukan load shedding se bachi hui nazar aa rahi thi.
Dukan ka shutter utha hua tha. Flashlights roshan thin. Andar koi shakhs
khada tha.

Wo us tak pohancha to dukaandaar ne mur kar kuch hairat se is zakmi aur

haal se beyhaal hote larke ko dekha. Aur...

Faris ki samajh mein nahi aa raha tha wo us se kya kahe aur kaise kahe.
Dimagh bilkul khaali tha. Aankhon mein wahshat si thehri hui thi. Wo log
is jagah se zyada doori par nahi thay. Baeed nahi tha ke wo usey Dhoondhte
huye yaha tak aa jatay.

"Mujhe, mujhe phone karna hai." Us ki awaaz laraz rahi thi. Dukaandaar
uski haalat dekh kar aik dum se ghabrahat ka shikaar hua tha phir usey
andar aane diya. Apna mobile nikaal kar usay diya. Woh barish mein
mukammal tor par bheega hua kuch dair tak khara raha. Us ke haath kaanp
rahe the. Dimagh bilkul ma'oof tha. "Call kise kare?" Uski saansein bhaari
theen. Ruk kar socha. Zehan par zoor diya. Phir number milaana shuru kiya
to number bhoolne laga. Dukaandaar munjamid sa usey dekhta ja raha tha.
Usne dosri baar number milaya, phir teesri baar.

Ruk ruk kar, zehan par zoor de kar, yaad kar ke bell jane ki toh usne
maan'tay huay Mercury ki taraf dekha tha. Gariyaan guzar jaati thee warna
sadak sunsaan nazar aati thi.

Chothi se paanchvi bell par phone utha liya gaya.

"Hello!" Awaaz Jannat ki thi. Woh kursi par chadh kar phone kaan se lagaye
khadi thi.

"Hello!" Us ke lab hilay.

"Jannat!"

"Aap kaun?"
"Main... main Faris, Nana ko phone do. Mujhe unse baat karni hai." Us ka
aik aik lafz mushkil se ada ho raha tha. Gun shot ki awaaz jaise samaat
mein thahri hui thi.

"Faris!" Woh aik dum se cheekhi. Phir kursi par kharay kharay kitchen ki
taraf moonh kiya.

"Saleem! Faris ka phone hai! Maine kaha tha na woh phone karega."
Khushi se chehra chamak utha tha. Bartan dhote huay Saleem ne aik lambi
si saans li. Yeh koi teesri call thi jo receive karte use Man'thi Aflatoon ka
khayaal tha ke Faris ka hoga. Woh hostel se yeh batane ke liye phone
karega ke woh bilkul theek hai kyunki usne Mudhat ko khat diya tha aur
khat ab tak pohanch bhi gaya hoga.

"Main ne tumhe bohot yaad kiya. Tumhe pata hai Tipu ki cycle chori ho
gayi?" Woh phone cord ko apnay bazoo mein ghumati wahin baith gayi.
"Aur Baba ne kaha..."

"Jannat!" Usne foran uski baat kaati.

"Jannat meri baat suno." Awaaz bheegi hui thi. Lehja gulu geer ho raha tha.

"Nana se baat karwao meri."

"Baba toh busy hain. Tum mujh se baat kar lo."

Woh deewar par haath rakhay khara tha, apni peshaani bhi nikaali. "Please
meri baat karwa do." Woh kitni mushkil se sabr kiye khara tha, ro diya.
"Unse kaho, main is waqt…!" gardan mor kar sadak ki taraf dekhta hoon.
Sunsaan raste aur tareeki ko dekhta hoon. "Main pata nahi is waqt kahan
hoon!"

Laboon mein jumbish hui. Aankhon par haath rakh liya. "Faris ro raha hai?"
Jannat ab ke heraan, phir sahi maano mein pareshan hui. "Baba toh ghar pe
nahi hain. Tumhe kya hua? Tum kyun ro rahe ho? Tumhe chot lagi hai?"

"Haan! Mujhe chot lagi hai."

"Saleem!" Woh kursi se utar kar kitchen ki taraf bhaagi.

Is se pehle ke woh mazeed kuch kehta, sadak par gaari ke Tyre chir chiraye
thay. Jhattay se brake Gayi thi. Phone us ke haath se chhoot gaya. Woh
hawas bakhtagi ke aalam mein mura. Us ne baarish mein kisi ko gaari se
nikalte dekha tha. Taiz roshni se aankhein chandhiya gayi thin. Us ka
wujood mukammal ayan ho gaya tha. Woh usey dekh sakte thay. Us tak
pohanch sakte thay. Us ne kisi ko apni janib ajalat mein qadam uthate dekha
tha. Hawas bakhtagi ke aalam mein woh dukaan se nikal kar mukhalif simt
bhaga tha.

Samne hi baen taraf se aati gaari ki headlights roshan hui thin. Woh aik
jhatke se ruk gaya tha.

"FARIS" koi cheekh raha tha. Fiza goliyo ki tar tarahat se goonj uthi. Us ke
wujood ko yakay baad deegar do goliya lagi. Teesri goli us wujood ne khai
jo aik dum se us ke agay aa gaya tha.

Woh bejaan ho kar neeche aa gira. Door kahin police siren ki awaaz goonj
rahi thi. Shor aik dum se taiz ho gaya tha. Us ki aankhein khuli hui thin,
magar kuch nazar nahi aa raha tha. Woh zinda tha, magar wujood bejaan
patthar ho raha tha.

Haath bhaari, aankho ko harkat dena bhi mushkil tha. Us ki saansain

akharnay lagi. Us ka zehan tareek hone laga.

Aas paas ka shore, awazain tham gayin. Baarish ruk gayi, har aik cheez
harkaat o sakanat se aari munjamid pathhar ho gayi.

"Gaari lao, jaldi se lao," koi cheekh raha tha.

Us ke seene ke neeche daayne hissay par dabao daaltay haath jam gaye.
Wahan jahan goli lagi thi, wahan se khoon beh raha tha, zaya ho raha tha.
Haath khoon se luthre gaye the. Us ka khoon, un ka khoon baarish mein aik
ho raha tha.

•••

Usey emergency room mein le jaya gaya. Doctors ka amla fori tor par
mutaharik hua tha. Anaesthesiologist ne apni jagah sambhalte hue windpipe
mein endotracheal tube dali. Usi saraiyahat se doosri nurse ne baqiya
mandah khoon se lathray kapray kaat kar jism se alag kar diye. Uski qalbi
harkaat o saknat ka jaiza lene ke liye electrocardiogram sensors jism se
chaspaan kar diye gaye. Larke ke survival chances bohot kam thay, kaafi se
zyada khoon beh chuka tha. Chest compression shuru kiya gaya. Kuch
samples liye gaye, X-ray machine kheench kar qareeb kar li gayi. IV line ko
uske bazoo se munsalik kiya gaya taake khoon diya ja sake.

Aur tab hi achanak uska dil ruk gaya. Dhadkan khatam ho gayi.

Khoon ki kami ke bais usey cardiac arrest hua tha.

Surgeon Fariya mehze ek lamhe ke liye munjamid hui thin, agle hi pal
unhon ne surgical tray se scalpels utha liya.

Unhon ne dil expose kar ke aorta ko is tarah se clamp kiya taake khoon ki
circulation jism ke peechay hisse se munqata kar ke usey dimagh tak
pohancha sakein. Is dauran wo open heart massage ke zariye usay revive
karne ki koshish karti rahin jo ke kaamyaab rahi. Unke atraf mein nurse aur
residents apne kaam mein jute rahe. Goli nikalte, zakhm ka muaina karte,
khoon rokte, stitches lagate, drugs administrate karte rahe.
Electrocardiogram par doobara ubharti laqeeren mutaharik rahin.

Aasman par kahin badal garajte thay. Bijli chamak kar andheray mein
daraar daalti aur khatam ho gayi thi. Baarish taiz ho rahi thi. Woh gaari
mein baithe thay. Chehra sapaat, aankho mein sakhti tehri hui thi. Unke
haath aur kapro par khoon ke nishan thay, gaari ki aqbi nashist par bhi.
Driver aur guard ke ilawa, unke barabar mein Agha Ali betha tha.

"Meri ghalti hai, maine aap se rabte ki koshish ki thi magar aap se baat nahi
ho saki. Aur Hammad babu, woh bohot zyada majboor kar rahe thay." Woh
ruk gaya. "Maine us din aap se baat ki thi. Aap ne kaha tha, main Hammad
ko jab bhi Islamabad lau to apni jeep mein laaon, koi security nahi."

Uski awaaz kamzor ho rahi thi.

Toh jehaat aur daleelain sab dhundhli ho rahi thin. Yeh sach tha ke usey yeh
qadam Hammad ki wajah se uthana pada. Is mein Azam Sherazi ki ijaazat
shaamil nahi thi kyun ke un se rabta mumkin nahi ho sakta tha.

Shirazi Mansion mein Hammad sirf teen din tak raha tha. Chauthe din uski
wapsi thi. Us din jab woh Agha Ali ko phone par schedule se aagaah kar
rahe thay to usne Faris ke baare mein poocha tha. Woh ek lamhey ke liye
ruk gaye thay. Unhein Faris ke maamlay mein sare se koi khatra nazar nahi
aaya tha. "Sunday tak gaari wapas aa jayegi jab usay hostel drop kar dena"

Woh hukum de kar chale gaye magar shaam tak unhon ne mana kar diya
tha. Hammad Sherazi ek haftay ke baad hi Islamabad ja sakta tha. Khud
unhein zaroori meeting ke liye Germany jana pada tha.

Magar Hammad ne to jaise wapsi ki zid baandh li thi. Usey har surat
Islamabad jana tha aur kal hi jana tha. Majbooran usey Hammad ki baat
manni padi thi. Us se bohot bari ghalti, bohot bari bhool hui thi. Usay Azam
Shirazi ka hukum manna chahiye tha. Agar woh aisa na karta to Faris
Wajdan ki zindagi is tarah khatre mein na aati. "Mujhe maaf kar dein sahab,
yeh meri ghalti hai." Agha Ali ne bohot dukh aur sharmindagi se kaha.

Ek baar phir aitraaf kiya tha.

Unhone koi jawab nahi diya. Rukh mod kar khidki se bahar hospital ki
imarat ko dekhne lage. Phir kalai mod kar waqt dekha. Haider ne gaari ke
sheeshe par dastak di to unhone sheesha neeche kar diya. Faris ko ICU
mein shift kar diya gaya tha, thoracotomy kamiyab rahi thi. Go ke us ke
bachne ke chances bohot kam thay aur wo abhi bhi khatre se bahar nahi tha.
Us ne surgeon Fariya ke alfaaz min o an Azam Sherazi ko suna diye thay.
"Tum jaante ho, ab tumhein kya karna hai?" Unhone kaha. Aur phir keh kar
apna hukum dohraaya.

Agha Ali ne sar utha kar kuch sadi se Azam Sherazi ko dekha. Haider ke
ta'suraat bhi kuch aisay hi the. Agle hi pal wo sar hila kar chala gaya tha.
Unhon ne gaari ka sheesha band kar diya. Baarish hanuuz barasti rahi. Un
ki nigaahe bahar, light poles ke aks par jami rahi jo baarish ke jama shuda
paniyon mein jagah jagah munakis ho rahi thi.
"𝙼𝚞𝚓𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚗𝚘 𝚓𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚔𝚘𝚒 𝚋𝚊𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚔𝚘 𝚜𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝚣𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚎 𝚔𝚎 𝚞𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚔𝚝𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚛-𝚔𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚚𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚘 𝚔𝚒 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚊𝚙…

𝚜𝚞𝚗𝚘…

𝚓𝚊𝚑𝚊 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚊𝚊𝚗 𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚑𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚚 𝚔𝚊 𝚛𝚞𝚔𝚊 𝚔𝚊𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚔𝚘𝚒 𝚠𝚞𝚓𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚑𝚒 𝚗𝚊𝚑𝚒

𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚊𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚔𝚘 𝚋𝚑𝚒 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚞𝚗𝚘…

𝚘 𝚌𝚑𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚎 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚓𝚊𝚊𝚝𝚒 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝙶𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚗𝚐𝚕𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚊𝚝

𝚔𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊𝚞𝚛 𝚛𝚊𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚞𝚒 𝚓𝚊𝚊𝚝𝚒 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝙶𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚓𝚝𝚒 𝚋𝚒𝚓𝚕𝚒 𝚖𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚘 𝚔𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚒𝚢𝚊𝚗…

𝚒𝚔 𝚐𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚊 𝚋𝚊𝚗𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚢𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝚊𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚔 𝚋𝚎𝚚𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚊𝚛 𝚞𝚓𝚛𝚊𝚢 𝚋𝚊𝚊𝚐𝚑 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚐𝚒 𝚔𝚒 𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚟𝚎𝚎𝚛

𝚕𝚒𝚢𝚎 𝚝𝚞𝚖𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚊𝚢𝚊 …

𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚛 𝚊𝚙𝚗𝚒 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚊𝚒 𝚔𝚘 𝚙𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚊 𝚓𝚊 𝚛𝚊𝚑𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒."

❏❏❏

Aur agle din theek dhai baje ek shakhs reception par kisi larke ke baare
mein daryaft karne aaya tha jise goli lagi thi aur jise kal shaam hi hospital
laya gaya tha. Usey bataya gaya ke larka mar chuka tha aur us ke waris uski
laash le ja chuke the. Us ne mazeed tahqiq karte hue gehraai mein jana
chaha to documents bhi dikha diye gaye. Maut ki wajah, timing, umar
waghera tamaam tafseelaat darj thi. Us ka chehra sapaat magar aankho
mein aik chamak si utar aayi thi. Woh ek sahafi ke roop mein tamaam
tafseelaat lene aaya tha. Wapsi par kaafi mutmaeen tha.

"Is museebat se to jaan chhuti!" Phone par apne sahab se baat ki to us ne

kaha. "Larkay ne mera chehra dekha tha, woh mujhe pehchan hi leta."
"Waise hairat ki baat hai sahab! Azam Shirazi khud us ke liye aaye the"

Aur yeh baat to uske sahab ko bhi hairan kar rahi thi. Saara maamla Abdul
ki wajah se gadbad hua tha. Usne mukhbari ki thi. Jagah ka pata diya tha.
Aik pal mein na sirf police ki bhaari nafri wahan mojood thi, balkay Azam
Shirazi ke aadmi bhi wahan aan pohanche they. Firing mein unke do aadmi
bhi halaak hue thay. Abdul ko to usi waqt maar diya gaya tha jab usne Faris
ki madad ki thi. Woh Shirazi khandan ka mulazim tha. Zara dair ke liye bete
ki jaan bachane ke liye bedaar tha. Tamaam tar ikhlas to phir bhi unke saath
jata raha tha. Aakhri waqt tak.

"Kadi nazar rakhna, in par kuch bhi pata chale to mujhe fori aagah karna."

"Jaisa aap ka hukum, boss!" Uske boss ne call kaat di thi.

Woh apne kamre mein tha jab mulazim ne darwaze par dastak de kar usey
Azam Shirazi se mutaliq aagah kiya. Unhon ne usey apne office room mein
bulaya tha.

"Baba, yehin hain?" Hammad shadeed hairan hua tha.

"Woh kab aaye thay? Abhi kuch din pehle hi to woh business ke silsile
mein Germany gaye the." Woh ek lamhe ke liye ruk kar phir khushgawar
ta’asuraat ke saath seediyan utarta neeche aaya.

Office room ka darwaza kholta woh andar daakhil hua. Azam Shirazi office
table ke is paar glass of water ke samne khade thay. Deewar geer khidkiyo
se Margala ki pahadiya nazar aa rahi thin. Ba-is se pehle ke woh kuch
kehta, unhon ne palat kar usey dekha.

"Agha Ali ko orders kis ne diye they?" Unki aankho mein sakhti thi, aur
chehre se sard mehri nazar aa rahi thi.

Unke sard lehje mein puchne par woh apni jagah ruk gaya tha. Dada ke
ta’asuraat phir leley thay. Munh bhincha hua tha. Ragein ubhri hui thi, woh
shadeed ghusse mein thay magar khud par qaboo kar ke baat kar rahe the.
Pehle pehal to woh unki baat samajh hi na paya ke wo kis order ki baat kar
rahe thay, magar jab samajh mein aaya to aik shariir muskurahat uske labo
ka ihata kar gayi.

"Toh aap is liye naaraz hain?" Usne kaha.

Azam Shirazi ke ta’asuraat mein koi tabdeeli nahi aayi thi. Usey achanak
aur shak hone laga,

"Kya maine tum se yeh nahi kaha tha ke aik hafte ke baad hi Islamabad
aaoge?" Mutahammil asaab ke saath unhon ne lab bhinchte hue kuch
barahmi se yaad dilaya.

Daahne haath ki mutthi sakhti se bhinchte hue thi.

Hammad ke liye apne dada ka yeh rawaiya hairat angez tha. Aaj se pehle
unhone sakhti se dekhna to door, kabhi is lehje mein baat bhi nahi ki thi.

"Haan, lekin..."

"Lekin?" Unka lehja kaat daar tha. Hammad Shirazi munjamid ho gaya. Aik
baar phir apne dada ko dekha. Woh us se be inteha mohabbat karte the.
kabhi awaaz buland nahi ki thi, kabhi lehja sakht nahi kiya tha.

Woh is qadar shadeed mohabbat karte the ke woh kabhi bhi unke raub mein
nahi aaya tha, magar aaj pehli baar usey unke rawaiye aur lehje se pareshani
mehsoos hui thi. Apna aap ajeeb khauf aur mukhmase ka shikar lag raha
tha.

"I know, aap security issues ki wajah se aisa keh rahe thay. But believe me
Baba, aisa koi masla nahi hua. Main bilkul theek hoon, safar mein bhi koi
problem nahi hui."

Woh isi qisse aur ishtiaal mein mutahammil se khade rahe, magar uski
wazahat aur jawabi bayaniya se na aankho mein narmi utri thi aur na
ta’asuraat se sard mehri gayi thi.

"Sab theek nahi raha," unhon ne har aik lafz par zor de kar kaha. Woh apne
asaab par qaboo paate hue sabr ka muzahira kar rahe the.
“Baba! I’m fine!”

“I’m not talking about you!” Hammad ki aankho mein hairat utar aayi. Baat
kya thi, aakhir maajra kya tha? Woh waqai mein uljhan ka shikar tha.

“Faris hostel jana tha,” unhone kaha.

“Who is Faris?” uske muh se besaakhta nikla. Second ke hazaarwe hisso

mein Hammad ko yaad aaya ke woh kis Faris ki baat kar rahe the. Uske
hont bhinch gaye. Us larke ke tasavvur se hi uska mood ghaarat ho chuka
tha.

“Maine aagha se kaha tha, woh usey aap ki gaari mein pahuncha sakta hai,”
usne zabt kar ke kaha. Yeh ehsaas ke tamam ghussa woh aik mulazim larke
ke liye dikha rahe thay, usey andar tak ishtiaal dila gaya.

“You are not in a position to make such orders!” Maiz par haath maarkar
unho ne shadeed ghusse ke aalam mein kaha tha.

Hammad apni jagah tham gaya tha.

“Do you have any idea ke tum ne kya kiya hai?”

“Baba…"

“you should've followed my orders,” mutahammil asaab ke sath unho ne

kaha.

"Yeh Pakistan hai, America nahi ke tum apni marzi se bahar aa jaa sako.
Tum achi tarah se jaante ho. You've security issues here! Is liye maine
tumhe aik hafte tak wahan rukne ka kaha tha. I made clear to you ki thi ke
khatra hai."

Hammad lab bhinche khamosh khada raha.

“Is ke bawajood tum ne risk liya” unki aankhon mein khafgi ka asar tha.

“Baba! Sab theek to hai. Main kisi khatre mein nahi aaya.”
“The boy is in danger because of you!” unhone jis lehje mein kaha,
Hammad apni jagah tharr gaya.

“Woh us gaari mein tha, jis gaari mein unka khayal tha ke tum ho sakte
the.”

“Main... main yeh baat nahi jaanta tha.”

“You may leave now.” Apni baat khatam karke, unhone ishara kar diya tha.
Unka ghussa, narazgi woh bhi kisi mulazim ke bachay ke liye. Hammad ko
aik dam se ishtiaal dila gaya tha, lekin woh khud par qaboo paaye raha.

“Baba! I’m sorry,” uske lab hile.

“Tum ja sakte ho,” apni baat dohra kar unhon ne apna rukh deewar geer
khidki ki taraf kar liya. Usey unka band darwaza us taraf kuch dair tak
mutthi sakhti se bhinche hue khara raha. Chehre par surkhi aayi hui thi.
Aankho me ghussa aa tehra tha. "Zindagi mein pehli dafa Azam Shirazi ne
us par aawaaz buland ki thi aur woh bhi kis ke liye? Aik mulazim ladks ke
liye?"

Usne sadar darwaze se kisi ko aate aur phir dastak de kar study room mein
dakhil hote dekha.

“To hell with Faris,” burburate hue seerhiya charhta kamre mein band ho
gaya. Aleezey ne sofa se gardan mor kar usay dekha, phir doobara gubaarah
phorti magazine ke safhe par jhuk gayi. Scissor se katar katar woh phir se
tasveer mein kaatne lagi thi.

---- •♡• ----

CHAPTER - 73
‫ِﮐﺴﭧ ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

- 15

Dr. Mustafa phati phati aankho se Mudhat ko dekh rahe the. Sama'at par
yaqeen nahi aaya tha. Shock aur sadme ki kefiyat mein unhone be-ikhtiyar
deewar ka sahara liya tha. Do roz pehle wo Faris ki call ke baare mein
poochhne aaye the magar Mudhat ko is hawale se kuch ilm nahi tha. Phir
wo uske hostel gaye the. Wapsi par Agha Ali se raabta karne ki koshish ki
thi. Azam Shirazi se bhi baat karni chahi thi magar wo kamiyab nahi ho
sake the, aur ab poore teen din baad Mudhat unhein ek andohnaak khabar se
agah kar rahi thi. Wo unhein Faris Wajdan ki wafat ke baare mein bata rahi
thi. Haadsa chand roz pehle pesh aaya tha. Faris ko do goliya lagi thi.
Hospital pohanchne tak wo dam tor gaya tha.

Woh gung ho gaye the? Kuch der tak kuch keh bhi nahi sake the.

"Aisa kaise ho sakta tha?"

Be-ikhtiyar deewar ka sahara lete aage badhe the. Taange wazan uthane se
qaasir hui to seedhiyo par baith gaye. Unki nam aankho mein sadma aur
beyaqeeni thi.

"Yeh kya ho gaya tha? Kaise ho gaya tha?"

Abhi hafta pehle wo unse mil kar gaya tha. Weekend par milne ka program
tay kiya gaya tha. Wo bohot khush tha. Wo Na se Jannat ki baat kar raha
tha. Wo chuttiyo mein Shirazi Mansion aane wala tha.

Ab achanak yehKya hua tha? Wo itne sabr aur himmat wala bacha, pichle
kayi museebaton, kayi aazmaishon se ulajhta hua, unka pyaara dost... unka
pyaara sa Faris. Uske sath kya ho gaya tha? Unhone apna sar hatheliyo
mein gira liya. Kayi lamhe, baate, aur waade unhein yaad aane lage.
"Dekhna, ek din saare maslay hal ho jaayenge." Unhone khud ko kehte suna
tha. "Zindagi theek ho jaayegi, haalaat theek ho jaayenge!" Wo keh rahe
the, wo khud ko sun rahe the.

Mudhat saamne khadi thi. Wo kuch aur keh rahi thi, kuch aur bata rahi thi.
Unka dil gham se phatne laga. Unka chehra aansuo se tar hone laga. Unki
taange bejaan thi. Unka wujood sun ho raha tha.

"Kaise theek hoga sab?" Wo unke saamne, unki aankho mein aankhe daale
khada tha. Jante the ishara kisi taraf tha. Uske dada, walid aur maa.. wo in
rishto se mehroom tha, apni shanakht se mehroom tha, apne haq se apni
pehchan se mehroom tha. Woh lajawab the. La jawab rahe.

Hawa chhoo se sarsara kar guzri, aasman ki tareeki mein kuch aur izafa
hua, badalo ki ot me chaand madham ho gaya.

Unhone uske sar par haath phera tha. "Tum bas apni padhai par focus karo...
khoob mehnat karo aur aage badh jao. Main chahta hoon tum apni zindagi
mein bohot kaamyab raho."

"Jaise Azam Shirazi hai?" Usne unki baat kaati thi. Wo chup ho gaye the.
Ab Faris Wajdan ko dekh rahe the. Wo saare terah saal ka ladka playground
mein nashist par unke paas baitha tha aur uski aankho ki sakhti unke andar
bohot se andeshe jaga rahi thi.

"Tumhe kisi ke jaisa nahi banna, tumhe sirf wahi banna hai jo tum ho."

"Main unke saath bohot bura karunga, main unse sab chheen lunga. Bilkul
akela reh jayege woh, aap dekhna!"

"Faris!" ek dam se use kandho se pakad kar pukara tha. Kuch gusse se,
sakhti se, khauf aur dehshat se. Unhein nahi pata tha ke woh aise baate
kyun karta tha. Woh Azam Shirazi ke khilaf unke saamne itna kyun bolta
tha. Woh nahi jaante the ke Azam Shirazi usse milne aate the, aur har
mulaqat ke baad woh aise ho jata tha.

"Sabar aur bardasht ke liye sirf main hi reh gaya hoon?" Mudhat aansu
ponchte, bharrayi hui awaaz mein hadse ki tamam tafseelat unke goosh
guzar kar rahi thi. "Car accident ke baad woh agwa hua tha. Paanch din tak
agwa raha tha. Phir usne faraar ki koshish ki thi aur..."

Agha Ali qadray faasle par sar jhukaaye rukh badal gaya tha.

Woh uth gaye the. Shikast khurda se qadam uthate aqbi darwaze se bagh ka
rukh kar chuke the.

Mudhat ne unheine rokna chaha tha magar Agha Ali ne mana kar diya tha.
Woh neem andhere mein chalte chalte achanak ruk gaye the. Woh us
darakht ke saamne the jiss par Faris ghusse se lakeerein kheencha karta tha,
phool tod kar nochta, khsot kar phenka karta tha. Woh ghutnon ke bal jhuk
gaye. Zabt mukammal khatam ho gaya aur woh sisak paray.

"Ek wada mujhse bhi karo!"

"Aapke wade bohot mushkil hote hain." Woh bigre tewaro ke saath khidki
mein ek tang bahar aur ek andar kaise kaafi gusse mein baitha tha. Apne se
badi umr ke ladko se ulajh baitha tha jiske nishan gaal aur honto par nazar
aa rahe the.

"Wada karo ke na khud ko nuqsan pahunchao ge aur na kisi aur ko"

"chahe agla insaan mujhe jaan se maar daale?" Gusse se poocha tha.

Aur woh phoot phoot kar ro diye. Unhein nahi pata tha ke guzishta paanch
din jni usne kis aziyat mein guzare the. Tanha, akela, jaane us par kya beeti
hogi.

Woh pehle se bohot dukhi tha, na-umeed aur mayoos tha, pareshaan tha,
apni zindagi se na-khush tha. In sab se guzarne ke baad woh kaise raha
hoga.

Unhein uski aakhri call yaad aayi. Madad ke liye usne unhein hi pukara tha.
Aur woh uske liye kuch bhi nahi kar sake the. Kuch bhi nahi...

"Faris ko chot lagi hai Baba, woh bohot ro raha tha." Jannat guzishta teen
dino se unka sar kha rahi thi. Baar baar ek hi baat...
Unhone mitti haatho mein bhar li thi.

"Usse do goliya lagi. Uska khoon beh gaya. Hospital pohanchne tak uski
death ho gayi." Mudhat ke alfaaz unka dil cheer rahe the.

"Dekhna, sab theek ho jaayega," woh kaha karte the. Baar baar kaha karte
the. "Tumhe bohot khushiya milengi. Inaam milega, kaamyabi milegi. Aur
jinhone tumhein chhorh diya hai, woh ek din tumhare paas aayenge.
Tumhein dhoondhte hue, tumhe chahte hue." Unka sar jhuk gaya tha. Unki
aziyat badh gayi thi.

Woh saari baate, umeede, khwaab, dilasa aur tasalliya yahin ruk gayi thi,
aur woh kuch bhi liye baghair chala gaya tha. Usne waqt ka intezaar nahi
kiya tha. Zindagi ne aisi koi mohlat bhi nahi di thi. Us raat unhein ghar
pohanchte kaafi waqt lag gaya tha. Jannat unke intezaar mein zabardasti
jagti phir rahi thi. Usse toh yeh jaan'na tha ke Faris ko jo chot lagi thi, aur
jiski wajah se woh phone par ro raha tha, woh chot theek. Hui ya nahi? Us
ka dard khatam hua ya nahi? Apne Baba ko ghar mein daakhil hota dekh
kar woh sarpat bhaagi thi. Khayal tha ke uska dost Faris bhi sath hoga
magar woh akelay the. Nidhaal se sofe par baith gaye the. Unka chehra aur
aankhein surkh thi. Woh ek dum se bohot kamzor aur dukhi nazar aa rahe
thay. Woh unke paas aa gayi thi, kuch pareshan ho kar unhein pukarne lagi
thi aur jaise uski aadat thi, apne dono haath ghutno par rakhe, gardan mor
kar jhukate hue unhein dekhne lagi thi ke

Baba ko kya hua?

"Faris theek hai na Baba?"

Woh aankho mein aansu liye, siskian dabaye, lab bheenchay use dekhte
rahe. Phir kisi qadar koshish se sar hilaaya.

"Woh ab ro toh nahi raha tha?" Usne poocha. Fikar mandi se, pareshani se,
badoon ke jaise andaz aur samajhdari mein.

Woh apni beti ko dekh kar reh gaye. Woh itni uske sath attach kaise ho gayi
thi? Jab se Shirazi Mansion se gaya tha, tab se woh uske liye bechain aur
fikar mand ho rahi thi. Woh use talash karti rahi thi. Hostel jane par uksati
rahi thi. Shirazi Mansion mein khat pohchati rahi thi. Aisa bartao usne
pehle kabhi nahi kiya tha. Aisi fikar usne pehle kabhi kisi ke liye nahi
dikhayi thi. Unhone nafi mein sir ko jambish di ke "haan! Uska dost Faris
ab ro nahi raha tha." Phir Saleem ko ishara kiya ke woh use le jaye. Mazeed
koi bhi sawaal sunne ki unmein himmat nahi thi.

"Doctor sahab! Sab theek hai? Khair toh hai?" Bua poochne lagi thi. Saleem
pareshan ho kar dekh raha tha.

Jannat unka ghutna hila rahi thi. Woh apni baat kar rahi thi.

"Ham usey ghar le aayein Baba? Usko chot lagi hai. Woh theek ho jayega
toh phir ham usay school chhod aayege."

"Saleem!" Unki awaaz bharayi toh woh Jannat ka bazu pakad kar,
kheenchte hue seedhiyon ki taraf le jane laga. Doctor Mustafa ne apna sar
hathailiyon par gira liya tha. Unka daayen haath besakhta dil par aa tha.
Faris Wajdan ki maut ki khabar unke liye bhi kisi sadme se kam nahi thi.

•••

Poore teen saal baad Jamila Daud America se wapas Pakistan aa gayi thi.
Shaadi attend karne ke baad kuch azeez wa aqarib ki dawato se farigh ho
kar unhone Quetta jane ka faisla kar liya tha. Uske liye unhein sirf aur sirf
Azam Shirazi ki ijazat darkaar thi magar woh dekh rahi thi ke Azam Shirazi
pehle ki tarah baat nahi kar rahe the. Woh apne karobari mamlaat mein is
qadar masroof the ke ghar bhi dair se aane lage thay. Unhein unke rawaiye
aur routine ka yeh badlao ajeeb sa laga tha, ke woh hamesha apni family ko
foqiyat deti the. Khaas tor par Hammad jab bhi chhuttiyon mein Pakistan
aata tha toh woh zyada se zyada waqt uske sath guzarte the.

Shirazi House mein guzare gaye in chand dino mein unhone Hammad
Shirazi ke rawaiye mein khaatir khwaah tabdeeli mehsoos ki thi. Dono
dada-pota ke darmiyan khane ki maiz par ab koi baat nahi hoti thi. Jaisi
dono ki misaali dosti aur mohabbat thi, is lehaaz se yeh pur-asraar
khamoshi unhein be tarha se khatki thi.
Hammad bohot khamosh, kuch had tak akhda hua sa, aur baat baat par
mulaazimon par mushtail hone laga tha. Kamre se kam nikalta tha aur
Azam Shirazi ko toh jaise apne masroof schedule se fursat hi nahi thi. Woh
hairan hui thi ke aisa khala unke maabain kaise aa gaya tha?

Unhone Alizey se poocha toh woh bas kandhe uchka kar reh gayi. Lekin
usne yeh zarur bata diya ke Azam Shirazi ne ek baar Hammad ko study
mein bula kar daata tha. Awaaz bahar tak aa rahi thi, taham masla kya tha,
woh Nahi samajh paayi thi.

Kuch toh hua tha yaqeenan, Jamila ko kuch khatak gaya tha.

Unki chhati hiss bata rahi thi ke koi masla tha. Us raat khane ke baad woh
Hammad ke kamre mein gayi aur paas baith kar uske rawaiye ke baare mein
poocha. Woh jaan'na chahti thi ke unke bete se aisi kaunsi ghalti hui thi jiski
wajah se uske bepanah pyar karne wale dada usse avoid kar rahe the?
Hammad jo guzashta do hafto se apne dada ki thandi aur beparwahi ko jhel
raha tha, apne jazbaat par qaboo nahi rakh saka. Ghusse se sab kuch bata
diya.

Pehle toh woh kuch samajh hi na payi ke markaz schedule, hifazati iqdamat
aur khatrey ki baat ho rahi thi. Azam Shirazi ki khaas gaariyo mein safar
karne ke bajaye woh kyun ek aam si jeep mein Islamabad aa raha tha? Aisa
kaunsa khatra tha jo darpesh tha? Aisi kaunsi planning thi jo tarteeb di gayi
thi? Woh aankho mein fikrmandi ka asar liye apne satrah saal ke bete ko
dekhti ja rahi thi. Jisey gham tha aur bepanah ghussa tha. Uske dada ek
chhoti si ghalti par barham ho gaye the. Ek mulazim ladke ki wajah se baat
nahi kar rahe the. Uski mazrat qabool nahi kar rahe the. Unhe lagta tha ke
uski wajah se us ladke ki zindagi khatrey mein aa gayi thi. Halanki usne toh
jaan bujh kar kuch nahi kiya tha.

Jamila us ladke ke liye Hammad ki aankho mein ghussa aur lehje se nafrat
jhalakti hui dekh sakti thi.

"Maine Agha Ali se sirf itna kaha ke woh usse Baba ki gaari mein hostel
drop kar dein. And believe me, Mummy, I didn't know ke yeh sab hoga."
Jamila Daud ke sar par jaise pahaad toot kar gira. Shirazi Mansion se hostel
mein sirf ek hi ladka jata tha. Shirazi khandan ki kafalat mein sirf ek hi
ladka hota tha. Woh ek dam se apni jagah se uth khadi hui thi. Taasuraat
badal gaye the, rang ud gaya tha. Unhein ab samajh mein aaya tha ke
Hammad kis ladke ki baat kar raha tha. Hammad ne kuch hairat se apni maa
ko dekha tha. Usse bhi jaise ab ehsaas hua tha ke woh ladka uski maa ke
liye kitna important raha tha. Bohat si baate ghusse aur jazbaat mein
nazarandaz ho gayi jati thi. Uske sath bhi yahi hua tha.

Woh ma'oof hoti soch ke sath Hammad ke kamre se bahar aa gayi.

Woh har tarah ke wahmo aur khayalat ko jhatakti, jaldi mein qadam uthati,
darwaza dhakel kar Azam Shirazi ki study mein daakhil hui thi. Aankho
mein fikrmandi thi, chehre par ghabrahat ke asar thay. Hammad ke liye woh
chhoti si baat nhi, ek shikwa thi jo usne apne dada ke ravaiye par ki thi.
Anjaane mein woh us waqey ka tazkara kar gaya tha. Kuch ghusse aur
jazbaat mein woh sab bata gaya tha. Hamla us par hona tha, kisi aur par ho
gaya tha. Target woh tha, aur qabze mein koi aur aa gaya tha. Aur Azam
Shirazi ne is baat par usey bohot bura daanta tha.

Azam Shirazi unke taasuraat dekh kar apni jagah ruk gaye.

"Faris kahan hai Baba? Kaisa hai woh? Kya hua hai Faris ke sath?" Ek hi
saans mein kuch fikrmandi aur wehsat se unhone sawaal kar daale. Azam
Shirazi apni jagah khade reh gaye.

Jis baat ko woh posheeda rakhna chahte the, woh ab posheeda nahi rahi thi.
Tawaqqo thi ke Hammad apni ghalti ka zikar is tarah apni maa se karega ke
aisi bohot si baatein aur bohot se maamlaat the jo woh dono apni zaat tak
mehfooz rakhte the. Woh Hammad ke sath doston ki tarah rehte the. Uski
bohot si ghaltiyon Par parda rakhte the. Bohat si kotahiyon par parda daalte
the.

"BABA, FARIS... FARIS KAHAN HAI, MUJHE BATAEIN KAHAN HAI

WOH?" Woh ek dum se cheekhi thi. Unka sukoon mit chuka tha. Faris
ikhwa hua tha, is khayal se unki jaan nikal rahi thi. Woh zinda tha ya nahi,
is sawal se jo unhein sataye ja raha tha.
"JAMILA!" Unhone sakhti se naam le kar usay bazu se pakar kar roka tha.
Woh aankhon mein dard ki nami liye khadi reh gayi thi.

"Baba! Please bataein Faris kahan hai? Kya hua hai uske saath?" Unhon ne
rote hue poocha tha.

"He is fine!" Woh mahez itna hi keh sake the. Baat mukhtasir kar ke khatam
karna chahte the. Jo kuch bhi hua tha, Hammad ki ghalti se hua tha. Bohat
achanak, aur baghair kisi maqsad ke hua tha. Woh Jamila Daud ko ek baar
phir se Faris Wajdan ke har maamle se door rakhna chahte the, magar
Jamila Daud ne unhe aisa karne nahi diya tha.

"Mujhe Faris ke paas jana hai. abhi ke abhi, isi waqt" Rote hue haath jor kar
minnat ki. "Please Baba!"

Unki beqaraari aur betaabi, unki tarap, unka khauf aur dehshat! Woh apna
lehja is pal sakht nahi kar sake the. Koi hukm nahi chala sake the. Unka
mutalba bhi rad nahi kar sake the. Azam Shirazi pehli baar Jamila Daud ko
inkaar nahi kar sake the.

•••

Nanhi Jannat samajhne se qaasir thi. Nana chup chup se kyun the, khana
kyun nahi kha rahe the, baat kyun nahi kar rahe the. Clinic par kyun nahi
jate the. Ab toh woh uska homework bhi nahi dekhte the.

School ke qissay bhi nahi sun rahe the aur usay Faris ke baare mein bhi
kuch nahi bata rahe the. Woh bohat udaas ho rahi thi. Usi udaasi mein woh
kitni hi der tak kursi rakh kar phone ke paas baithi rahi thi. Use lag raha tha
ke Faris dobara phone karega. Woh roz uske phone ka intezaar karti thi.
Saleem gehri saans leta, ta'asuf se usey dekh kar reh gaya tha. Zabardasti
wahan se hata diya.

"Agar woh phone karega toh main tumhein bata dunga."

"Tum phone uthao ge toh Faris tumse baat nahi karega. Use tum bilkul ache
nahi lagte." Usne nihayat sanjeedgi se jawab diya.
Saleem ne ek gehri saans lekar usey dekha.

Usey bazu se pakar kar uske kamre mein le gaya. Khilono ka dher uske
samne rakhta gaya taake woh kahin masroof ho. Uska zehan bhatke. Aur
koi kaam nahi tha jo woh uske zimma lagata. Chalaki itni thi ke apna
homework bhi school mein kar ke aati thi, taake ghar mein aasani se uchhal
kud ki ja sake.

"Main Faris ke liye drawing banati hoon. Jab hum usse milne jaenge na toh
doongi." Woh keh rahi thi. Saleem ne sar pakar liya. Uski har baat Faris se
shuru ho kar Faris par hi khatam ho rahi thi. Woh apni drawing book utha
layi. Kuch rang apne paas rakhe, kuch Saleem ko diye taake woh bore na
ho. Maze se rango se khelte woh usay bhi guide kar rahi thi. Aur bata rahi
thi ke usne darakht ki shaakhe kitni chhoti banayi hain. Rang kitna bura
kiya hai. Aur isse zyada achi drawing toh ka kaka chhota bhai banata tha.
Kaka ka chhota bhai taqreeban teen saal ka tha.

Saleem chup raha. Woh uska saath toh de raha tha magar andar se bohat
dukhi ho raha tha. Jis ke liye woh yeh saari cheezein tayar kar rahi thi, us
tak un mein se kuch bhi pohnchne wala nahi tha.

"Doctor sahab aakhir se bata kyun nahi dete?" Usne socha aur soch kar
khud ko kosa. Pe dar pe kai sadmon se guzarne wali apni is masoom nawasi
ko woh aisi koi baat kaise bata sakte the? Ek pareshaan nazar usne Jannat
par daali aur sar jhuka gaya.

Jannat ne khubsurat rango ke milaap se manzar kashi ki aur uspe bara sa

"Get Well Soon"

likha. Kuch phool lawn se tore aur kuch bagh se, aur dopeher mein Shirazi
Mansion chali gayi.

"Yeh Faris ke liye hai. Aapne usay mera khat diya tha na? Ap yeh usey de
dena, baba abhi bahut busy hai toh hum usse baad mein milne jayenge."
usne kaha.
"Muddat abhi bohot badi hai, Aankhon mein nami liye Madihat usey dekh
kar hans di. Phir usne woh page le liya, saath mein phool bhi. Yeh sab Faris
ke liye tha. Usey pata nahi kyun yaqeen tha ke yeh cheezen Faris tak
pohncha di jayengi.

Uska khat bhi. Aur chocolate bhi.

"Faris ne mujhe call ki thi. Woh dobara bhi karega na?"

Mudhat ne khamoshi se sir hila diya. Uske nana ne usey kuch nahi bataya
tha toh woh bhi nahi bata saki thi. Wahan se phir woh apne dosto ke paas
gayi. Ghar ke aeen samne bagh ke beech mein kahin unke saath khelti rahi.
Kaka ne nayi cycle li thi. Purani wali jo chori ho gayi thi, ab sab bari bari
uspar sawar kar rahe the.

Jannat ki apni cycle thi. Woh zor zor se pedal maarti dayen se bayein
ghoom rahi thi. Moni uske peeche bhaag rahi thi. Unki hansiyo ki ghoonj
chaaron taraf phail rahi thi. Saleem ne yeh manzar door se dekha aur
sukoon bhari saans li ke chalo shukar hai, Jannat ka zehan bhatka. Shaam
mein kuch samaan le kar ghar aaya toh darwaze se ruk gaya. Woh phone ke
paas kursi par chadhi baithi thi.

Saleem ne usey dekha aur chup raha. Usne ghusse se mooh pher liya. Buwa
se daant padi thi ke phone ke paas se jo nahi hat rahi thi. Ab woh ek baar
phir uske samne tha.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?"

"Dekh nahi rahe? Baithi hoon," usne bhainvay chadhaa kar jawab diya.
"Meri toh yeh bilkul nahi sun rahi," Buwa ne alag shikayat lagayi.

Khaane ki mez par bhi woh apne nana se yahi poochhti rahi ke woh Faris se
kab milne jaane wale the. Uske nana chup rahe. Thoda muskurakar koi aur
sawal karte, usey kisi aur baat mein uljhaane lage the.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER - 74
•••

Woh hospital se gyarah baje ghar pohnchi thin aur tab se apne kamre mein
band thin. Khamosh aur veeran aankhein surkh aur mutwaram, chehra
udaas tha. Ang ang mein karb tehra tha. Manzar aik hi tha aur woh aankho
mein tha.

Unhone Faris ka bejaan sa haath pakra tha, uske zakhmo ko dekha tha, uski
band aankho ko chhua tha. Baalo mein haath phera tha. Use larazti
kapkapati awaaz mein pukara bhi tha. Woh to yeh tawaqqo kiye hue thi ke
woh unse naraz hoga magar uski narazgi kuch aisi hogi iska to unhone
gumaan bhi nahi kiya tha. Halaat aise ho jaayege. Zindagi aisa kar jaayegi.
Saanse yun tang hongi. Dard aise bhi milega. Unka dil gham se phat raha
tha, be-basi par ro raha tha. Lab dua go the. Uski zindagi ke liye sehatyabi
ke liye aasaoniyo ke liye dua go the. Darwaza khol kar Haroon andar dakhil
hua to unka irtikaaz khaali deewar par hi thehra raha. Hamesha ki tarah woh
uth kar unke paas nahi gayi thin. Coat nahi liya tha. Kapde nahi nikale the.

Woh dosto se milne gaya tha tabhi takheer se wapsi hui thi. Dressing room
se kapde badal kar bahar aaya to unki jaanib se apni kisi bhi baat ka koi
jawab na paa kar ruk gaya.

“Khairiyat hai?” Barabar mein baithte, comforter lete, sake ko durust karte
bilkul normal lehje mein poocha tha.

Unki bheegi hui aankhein apne shauhar ke chehre phir gayi. Taasuraat
batlate the uska apne dosto ke saath acha waqt guzra tha.

Woh laa-aabali sa Haroon Shirazi ab apni zindagi mein mukammal sanjeeda

tha. Business society mein ab uski ek position thi. Asar tha, naam tha,
pehchaan thi. Uske baare mein articles chhapte the. Uske interviews liye
jaate the. Woh apne khandani business ko mazeed wst dene wala tha.
Mazeed aage badhane wala tha.
“Kya hua? Tabiyat to theek hai?”

Uski awaaz par zehan bhatka tha. Soch muntashir hui thi. Woh abhi bhi ussi
ko dekh rahi thi. Haroon Shirazi apne bete ke maamlaat se guzashta nau
saalo se la-ilm tha. Guzashta nau saalo se woh uski rozmarrah routine, uske
masail, uski pareshaniyo aur uske aziyato se be-khabar tha. Us haadse se
bhi jisne use maut ke mooh mein la khada kiya tha. Un zakhmo se bhi jo
rooh se ab jism par aa gaye the. Ghaliban woh yeh soch kar mutma’in tha
ke uska beta naye mahol mein adjust ho gaya hoga. Nayi zindagi ka aadat
ho chuka hoga. Woh apni tarjihaat se apni aulaad ko kab ka kharij kar chuka
tha, do apni zindagi mein kab ka aage badh chuka tha.

Hawala dene, zikr karne, ehsaas dilane ka na pehle koi faida tha, na ab koi
faida hone wala tha. Unki har daleel budi, unka har jawaz adhoora tha.
Unka har khayal naaqis, unki har wazahat masnoi thi.

Magar phir bhi Us haadse ke baad woh khamosh nahi reh sakti thin.
Himmat mujmaa karte seedhi ho baithi thi.

"Aap ne ek baar mujhe kaha tha ke aap yeh sab Faris ke liye kar rahe hain."
Haroon chonk kar unhein dekhne laga tha. Guzishta do saalo mein unhone
ek baar bhi Faris se mutaliq usse koi baat nahi ki thi magar ab achanak woh
kar rahi thi, Woh ek baar phir Faris Wajdan ko apne aur Haroon ke beech le
aayi thi.

"Nau saal pehle tak aap Baba par dependent the, aapke haath mein kuch
nahi tha. Lekin ab…" aansuon ka phanda halaq mein atak gaya. Unho ne
surkh hontho ko tar karte hue apni awaaz ko mazboot kar liya. "Ab aapki ek
haisiyat hai, naam hai, aap Shirazi Enterprise ki America branch ke CEO
hain. Kamyaab hain. Pehle ki tarah na kamzor hain aur na hi be-bas. Ab toh
aap..." unki awaaz se bhar ke liye bheegi.

"Aap apne bete ko qubool kar sakte hain." Haroon Shirazi par lamhe bhar
ke liye sakta sa taari ho gaya tha. Aankhe muthammil si ho gayi thin. Un
mein ek be-naam sa taasur tehra gaya tha. Woh taasur Jameela Shirazi ki
samajh se baahir tha. Usse sambhalne mein chand lamhe lage, taasuraat
badal kar be-sakhta muskara diya.
"Tum achanak kya baate le kar baith gayi ho." Halke phulke se andaaz mein
kaha.

"Main aapko aapki baat yaad dila rahi hoon. Aapne kaha tha aap Faris ke
liye..." unho ne kehna chaha.

"Woh sab mera maazi hai, Jameela." Haroon ne unki baat kaat di. "Main
apne maazi ka ab koi bhi asar apne mustaqbil par nahi chahta." Lehja teh
tha. Awaaz mazboot irado ki aakasi kar rahi thi.

Jameela saakht ho gayi thi, Faris ke zikr par Haroon hamesha khamosh aur
lajawab ho jata tha. Har baat par apne baap ka hawala diya karta tha. Har
situation mein apni kamzori ka izhaar karta tha. Pashemani aur dukh
ankhon se nazar aate the. Ab ke jab woh mazboot tha toh uska andaaz, uske
alfaaz yak-sar badal chuke the.

"Mujhe ab andaaza hota hai ke Baba ne jo kiya theek kiya." Woh sanjeedgi
se keh raha tha. Jameela Daud aziyat ki gehraiyo mein utarti ja rahi thin.

"Unka faisla durust tha. Aarzoo se meri shaadi ek ghalti thi. Main mohabbat
mein andha ho gaya tha. I really don't want to talk about this but let me tell
you one thing I do care about my reputation now"

Jameela Daud ne gal par behte aansu saaf kiye. Chaaro shaane chit ho kar
ek baar phir himmat pakdi. Ek baar phir sar uthaya. "Aapne Aarzoo se
nikah kiya tha. Yeh ek jaaiz rishta tha. Aapka us se ek bacha hai. Aapne us
bache ko sawaliya nishaan bana diya hai. Sirf itna qubool kar lene mein ke
woh aapki aulaad hai. Usse uska jaaiz haq dilane mein kya ho jayega? Log
chaar din baate karenge aur sab bhool jayenge."

"Koi kuch nahi bhoolta. Kam az kam main apni kaamyabi ki peak par aisa
koi scandal afford nahi kar sakta jise log hamesha yaad rakhe"

Woh andar tak tham gayi thin.

"And I know her very well, woh iss situation ka faida uthayegi."
Jameela Daud phati phati aankho se usse dekh rahi thin. Woh aaj shaam
Azam Shirazi ke mana karne ke bawajood Haroon ko Faris ke haadse ke
baare mein batane wali thi. Uska beta paanch din tak agwa reh chuka hai.
Usse goliyan lagi hain, uski surgery hui hai. Woh shadeed takleef mein,
zindagi aur maut ke darmiyan hai. Haan, woh usse sab kuch batane wali thi.

Ta-ham ab lab sil gaye the. Awaaz gum ho gayi thi.

Haroon Shirazi ne khud ko apne baap ke rang aur faislon mein dhal liya tha.
Woh waisa ho gaya tha jaisa Azam Shirazi chahte the. Woh use nahi badal
sakti thin. Woh kisi ko nahi badal sakti thin. Haroon unse mukhatib tha.
Unke taasuraat se kuch pareshan ho raha tha. Unhe kya hua tha, woh jaan'na
chahta tha magar woh dam sadhe chup chaap nam aankho se usse dekh rahi
thin. Ek baar phir usmein Faris ka baap dhoond rahi thin aur woh unhe mil
nahi raha tha. Faris ka baap ab unhe kabhi mil nahi sakta tha. “Kya sab
theek hai?”

Woh chup rahi. Ek lafz bhi ada na kiya. Tabiyat kharabi ka bahaana kar
diya. Haqeeqat chhupane ko ab sirf bahaane hi reh gaye the. Warna
aankhein jo raaz ayan karti thin, unhe samajhne ki nazar kahin kho gayi thi.

•••

Woh pichhle do hafton se ek hi jaise aur anjaan chehre dekhta aa raha tha.
Kitni der hosh mein rehta tha to wohi chehre hi nazar aate the. Aisi awaaz
mein jinhe woh mafhoom pehnane se qasir rehta tha. Baate woh jo samajh
mein nahi aati thin. Zehn jo dhund mein lipta har khayal ko tareek sa karta
rehta tha. Dard ka ehsas ek ek se uthta hua mehsoos hota tha aur phir wohi
tareeki aur adam ka ehsas use chahar soo apni lapait mein le leta. Kayi baar
deh band tareek kothari mein doobti ubharti saanson ke tasavvur se cheekha
tha. Kayi baar usne ghabra kar aur kuch bokhla kar wujood ko harkat dene
ki sa’i ki thi. Uthne ki koshish ki thi aur phir apne zakhmo se uthti dard ki
teeson ko bhi saha tha. Woh mathosh ho jaya karta tha. Dehshat aur khauf
se kapkapane lagta tha. Ajnabi chehre, ajnabi log, safed jagah, safed ehsas,
munjamid, barf ka sa magar ab ki baar jo chehra usne dekha woh jaana
pehchaana tha. Mabham, dhundla magar roshan.
Pehchaan ki manazil tay hui toh andar tak sab darham barham ho gaya.
Woh dawon ke zair e asar ubharnay wala waqti sukoon aur dard ko daba
naamahlool... sab be-asar ho gaya. Uska haath unke haath mein tha. Unka
haath uske gaal par tha. Unka chehra aansuo se tar tha. Woh ro rahi thi.
Jameela Daud ro rahi thi.

Usne ek dum se labo ko junbish dete, aankhein bechain kar kholte, apne
haath ko harkat di thi. Haath bhaari tha. Jaane woh kya keh rahi thin, woh
samajh nahi paa raha tha. Usne kisi qadar koshish se apna haath unki giraft
se nikaalne ki koshish ki thi. Kyun ki thi, woh nahi jaanta tha.

“Chhorhe!” Woh kehna chahta tha magar keh nahi paa raha tha. Awaaz
halaq mein ghat kar reh gayi thi.

“Chhorhe mujhe,” usne kaha tha. Usne ek dum se bharayi hui awaaz mein
zor laga kar kaha tha.

Jameela Daud ki giraft ek dum se dheeli par gayi thi.

“Jaye!” Apna rukh doosri taraf karte, woh rote hue cheekha tha.

Woh chehra, woh usse yahan kyun nazar aaya tha?

Ab kyun nazar aaya tha?

Woh awaaz kyun sunayi de rahi thi?

Nurse ne Jameela ko wahan se hata diya tha. Unki minnat aur israar ke
bawajood unhe room se bahar le gayi thi.

Unhein yahan nahi hona chahiye tha.

Unhein yahan nahi hona chahiye tha.

Woh aankhe monde roye ja raha tha. Zehn par dhund chhayi hui thi. Use
dard ho raha tha. Seene mein, haazwo mein, sar ke pichle hissay aur pait ki
baayi taraf dard ho raha tha."
Usne guzishta raat bhi uthne ki, yahaan se farar ki koshish ki thi. Yeh
koshish woh ek baar phir kar raha tha. Apne mushkil hote hoshon ke saath,
woh apne zakmon ki parwa kiye baghair phir se uthne laga tha.

Pehle Azam Shirazi the. Ab siyaahi mael hua tha. Band kothari thi aur
andhera tha. Baarish ki awaaz thi aur Abdul ka chehra tha. Gaadi ke
sheeshe baar baar toot rahe the. Har baar woh ghoomti hui gaadi ke andar
rafta ho raha tha. Woh baar baar lahoo luhan ho raha tha. Nurse usay
zabardasti pakar kar bed par lita chuki thi. Woh usay kuch keh rahi thi. Woh
apne haath kheench raha tha. Woh shiddat se ro raha tha. Woh tabdeel nahi
tha. Woh is haadse ke baad normal ho bhi nahi sakta tha. Inteqami jazbaat,
aziyat, apno ki berukhi sehne ke baad, be-khabari mein rehne ke baad,
khauf mein utarne ke baad, woh kisi taur normal nahi ho sakta tha. Woh
apne doctors aur nurses ke qaabu mein nahi aa raha tha. Usse yaqeen tha ke
zindagi ke jhaanse mein woh ek baar phir marne wala tha. Baar baar marne
wala tha. Uska aitmaad, bharosa khatam ho chuka tha. Usey har chehra
apna dushman nazar aa raha tha. Band darwaaze ke us paar uski awaaz
sunti Jameela Daud munh par haath rakhe apni siskiya ko dabaaye khadi
reh gayi thi.

Woh dopehar mein ghar aayi thi aur kisi taur apne hosho hawaso mein nahi
lag rahi thi. Khana unhone nahi khaya tha. Kamray mein band hokar aaram
karne ki koshish ki thi magar neend aankhon se koson door thi. Kitni hi der
tak woh kuch beqaraari se poore ghar mein chalti rahi, bar-baraati rahi. Sar
thaam kar apne aansuon ko rokne ki koshish karti rahi. Ghar ke afraad ke
saamne unhe hashaash-bashaash chehre ke saath aana tha. Dawat ka
intezaam dekhna tha. Nabeela Shirazi ke saath shopping par jaana tha. Aaj
ke din aur aane wale mukhtalif dino ke liye mukhtalif program the. Unka
dimaag maauf tha. Woh Alizey ko sun rahi thi magar koi jawab nahi de rahi
thi. Shaam tak unhone saare plans cancel kar diye. Jo dawat hafta ko rakhi
gayi thi, usey multawi kar diya. Family gathering ke liye mazrat kar li.
Unse koi bhi kaam theek se nahi ho raha tha. Haroon unke liye kuch
pareshaan ho raha tha magar unhone tabiyat kharabi ka bahaana kar diya
tha. Ghar mein sirf Azam Shirazi jaante the ke unki yeh haalat kisi wajah se
thi. Hairat angez taur par unhone un par koi dabao nahi daala tha. Na hi
unhe hospital jaane se roka tha. Woh jaise unhein waqt de rahe the.
Samajhne ka waqt, palatne ka waqt!
“Doctors keh chuke hain ke woh ab khatre se bahar hai, is par itna stress
lene ki kya zaroorat hai?” woh Azam Shirazi ko dekh kar reh gayi thi magar
kuch nahi kaha. Kam az kam is haadse ke baad aise rawaiye ki tawaqo nahi
thi. Unhein kuch na sahi, Faris ki aziyat par insani humdardi ke nate woh
zara si narmi dikha sakte the, tasalli ke chand bol, dua, behtari ki umeed,
kuch toh keh sakte the.

Unke liye bas yeh hi ahem tha ke larka zinda tha. Unke liye saanson ka
chalna “zindagi” thi. Unki soch, shakhsiyat, aur iradon mein koi farq nahi
aaya tha. Unhe apne kisi faisle par dukh tha, na hi pashimani ho rahi thi. Jo
bhi hua tha, Hamad ki ghalti aur manmaani se hua tha. Larka zinda tha.
Uski saansein chal rahi thi. Sirf yeh hi ek baat zindagi ki daud mein wapas
lane ke liye kaafi thi.

'Agar Faris ki jagah Hammad hota to kya woh tab bhi yeh baat kehte?'
Unhone sochte hue aansu apne andar utaar liye. Be-rehmi unki thi. Dil unka
kata tha. Rawaiya unka tha, takleef unhe hoti thi.

Unhone kuch na kaha. Koi behas na ki, koi sawaal na rakha, koi ehsas na
jagaya. In baato ka ab koi faida na tha. Woh unse ijazat lekar seedhiyo ki
jaanib barh gayi thi.

Azam Shirazi coat ki jeebo mein haath daale unhe dekhte rahe the.

❏❏❏
CHAPTER 75
•••

Darwaze par dastak de kar ijazat milte hi Hammad andar aa gaya tha.
Azam Shirazi night gown mein malboos, ek file haath mein liye bed par
baithe the. Mulazim chai ka cup aur paani ka glass side table par rakh raha
tha. Us par nazar parte hi unhone file rakh di, glasses utaar diye. Mulazim
ishara milte hi ja chuka to furst se uski taraf mutawajje hue.

"Main aap se sorry kehne aaya hoon."

Azam Shirazi chand lamho tak usey dekhte rahe.

"Maine bohat ghalat kiya hai, mujhe aap ki baat maan ni chahiye thi." Wo
sharminda lag raha tha.

Wo pichle ek mah se musalsal usey nazar andaz kar rahe the. Dono ke
maabain khane ki mez par koi baat nahi hoti thi. Aao-jang ka program nahi
banta tha. Ek dosre ko waqt dene ki routine khatam ho chuki thi.

Wo us se itna naraz hue the ke khud se mukhatib bhi nahi karte the.

Iske liye yeh sab na-qabil-e-bardasht tha. Is tarah ke the aur narazgi ka
samna wo pehli baar kar raha tha. Kitni baar usne mazrat ki koshish ki thi
magar wo mauka nahi de rahe the. Apne karobari mamlat mein is qadar
masroof rehne lage the ke ab ghar bhi dair se aane lage the. Azam Shirazi
kuch dair tak usey dekhte rahe. Phir usey apne paas baithne ka ishara kiya.
Wo baith gaya magar sar hanuz jhuka hua tha.

"Apni position aur status ke lehaz se tumhain andaza hona chahiye tha ke
tumhara ek ghalat faisla, ek ghalat mutalba sirf tumhare liye hi nahi balki
hum sab ke liye kitne bade masail khade kar sakta hai."

Hammad ka sar jhuka raha.

"Tumhe mera hukum manna chahiye tha," aur ab wo usey samjha rahe the.

Unka lehja mamool ki tarah ab naram tha. Ta'ssurat mein sakhti na thi.
Khafgi ka koi shaiba na tha. Wo unhein khamoshi se sun raha tha. Usey
andaza tha ke us se kitni bari ghalti hui thi. Usne apne dada ka hukum nahi
mana tha. Unka aitmad toda tha. Magar yahan koi aur baat thi jo usey dukhi
kar rahi thi. Uske andar ke itminaan ko salb kar rahi thi.

Wo usey samjha kar khamosh hue to usne sar utha kar unhein dekha. Lamhe
bhar ke liye kuch socha.

"Is he important to you?"

Andar kahin sulagte angaaron ki si tapish thi.

"Who?"

"Faris."

Azam Shirazi ne gardan mor kar usey dekha. Aankhon mein lamhe bhar ke
liye herat utri thi. Hammad ka sawal hi aisa tha.

"Kya wo Faris ki haqeeqat jaan gaya hai?"

"Tum se zyada aham mere liye aur koi nahi ho sakta."

"Lekin aap ne yeh nahi kaha ke wo important nahi hai."

Azam Shirazi lamhe bhar ke liye thehre. Nazar utha kar apne satrah saal ke
potay ko dekha. Uska sawal, andaz, aur lehja... uski aankhe kisi gehri soch
ki ghamaz lag rahi thi. Wo androoni khalafshar ka shikar lag raha tha.

"Why are you comparing yourself with him?" Unhone mutahammil ho kar
poocha tha. Unke pote ke zehan mein Faris Wajdan kaise aagaya tha? Wo
uske sath apna muqabla kyun kar raha tha?

“Kyunke aap…” Hammad kuch kehte kehte ruk gaya. Wo us din ka hawala
dena chahta tha jab use daat pari thi. Jab Azam Shirazi ne us par awaz
buland ki thi. Jab us par gussa dikhaya tha. Aur phir poore ek mah tak, wo
naraz hi rahe the. Usne himmat jama karke unse keh diya, wo sab jo is arse
mein uske zehan mein chal raha tha.

“Yeh sab us ladke ki wajah se nahi tha,” unhone sanjeedgi se kaha. Chehre
ke ta’assuraat hamesha ki tarah sapat, awaz mazboot thi. “Tumhari yeh
ghalti mamooli nahi thi. Tumne apne liye khatra mol liya tha aur main is
par aise hi react kar sakta tha.”

Wo apne dada ko dekh raha tha. “Un logo ka target tum the. Agar unhein
zara si bhi bhanak parti ke tum kisi gaari mein safar kar rahe ho to Aaj…?”

Unhone apni baat adhuri chor di. Hammad ko apni ghalti ka ehsaas hua.
Usey apne dada ka gussa, narazgi jaise ab behtareen tor par samajh aa rahi
thi. Usne Faris se pehle khud apni zindagi ko khatre mein dala tha. Usey
khushi thi ke wo uske ilawa kisi aur ke liye fikarmand nahi the.

Wo jaanta tha Faris nami ladka unki hi kafaalt mein tha. Unki hi wajah se
Shirazi Mansion mein rehta tha. Wo ladka uski mummy ke liye bhi ahem
tha. Wo kabhi samajh nahi paaya tha ke wo usey itni ahmiyat kyun deti thi.
Doosre mulazimo ki nisbat unki tamam tar tawajjo sirf us ek ladke par kyun
rehti thi. Wo iske maamle mein class ka farq tak bhool jaati thi. Mehngi se
mehngi cheez us ladke ki dastaras mein hoti thi. Har woh cheez jis par uska
haq tha, har woh cheez jo uske status ke hisaab se sirf us par jachti thi, wohi
cheez Faris Wajdan ke paas hua karti thi.

Teen saal pehle tak wo yeh farq apni aankho se dekhta aaya tha. Teen saal
baad wo yeh farq ek baar phir dekh raha tha. Aur usey yeh sab bilkul acha
nahi laga tha. Mummy fikr aur dada ki narazgi Yahi wajah thi ke uske
ehsasat aag jese hote rahe the.

Magar ab usne dekha tha ke dada ke andaz aur lehje mein us ladke ke liye
koi fikr nahi thi. Unhone ab to uska zikar bhi nahi kiya tha, na pehle kisi
tafseel se aagahi di thi, na ab de rahe the.

Dada Faris nami is ladke ko is behas se mukammal tor par kharij kar chuke
the. Hammad ko aik dum se tasalli ka ehsaas hua. Dada jhoot nahi bolte the.
Unki fikr sirf uske liye thi. Khauf sirf uske liye tha. Mohabbat sirf uske liye
thi. Bhala ek mulazim ladke ke sath uska kya muqabla?
Wo kitna bewakoof tha. Kitna ghalat soch raha tha. Uske ta’assuraat aik
dum se behtar ho gaye. Aankho se uljhan mafqud ho gayi. Dil mein gussa
nahi raha.

Wo mutmain ho kar chala gaya tha. Glasses aankho par lagate, Azam
Shirazi ne apni file dobara uthai thi. Zehan lamhe bhar ke liye baheka tha.
Soch kisi aur taraf chali gayi thi. Sign karte karte wo ruk gaye the.

Sar jhatak kar phir se file study karne lage the.

•••

Usey woh tareeki yaad thi magar agwa karne walon ke chehre yaad nahi
the. Unki baatein zehan mein goonjti thi lekin ab samajh nahi aati thi.
Manzar jhalakiyo mein ubharte the, kabhi khuli aankhon mein khwab ka
roop dhaar lete. Har baar woh kahin qaid hota. Cheekhte chhilate hue kisi
ko bula raha hota.

Qaid andhera aur bandhe hue haath.

Goliyo ki awaaze, aur phir khamoshi. Usey baatein yaad nahi aa rahi thi.
Usey chehre bhoolte jaa rahe the.

Yeh duao ka asar nahi tha, na hi side effects ka koi dakhal tha. Uska dimagh
hifazati diware bana raha tha. Kuch waqt, halat, aur waqiyat ko mita-ta ja
raha tha. Manzar dhundle ho rahe the. Baate marham ho rahi thi. Sab yaad
hotay huay bhi wo bohot kuch bhoolta ja raha tha.

Wo ek mah hospital mein raha aur is dauran yahi sab hota raha. Ab wo ghar
mein tha aur yeh sab phir se ho raha tha. Wo phir se na samajh mein aane
wali is kefiyat par ro raha tha. Wo khauf jo uski rooh kheech raha tha. Wo
dard jo ang ang se uthta hua mehsoos ho raha tha.

Darwaza khul gaya. Dabe qadmo ke sath koi chalta hua andar aa gaya.
Oopar ki manzil ki tamam battiya roshan ho chuki thi. Agha Ali darwaze
mein ruk gaya tha. Jamila Daud uske paas aa gayi thi. Uska kamra har waqt
roshan rehta tha magar wo phir bhi andhero mein ghir jata tha.
Guzishta ek mah se wo jinhe musalsal nazar andaz kar raha tha, jinse koi
baat nahi kar raha tha, jinhe apne qareeb aane nahi de raha tha, to is lamhe
bawajood himmat aur koshish ke wo unhein khud se door nahi kar saka.
Unki aaghosh mein ek sukoon tha. Unke hisaar mein aaraam tha. Unka
lams zakhmo par marham tha. Wo hospital mein tha tab bhi wo us se milne
aati rahi thi. Ghar par tha to yahan bhi. Aksar auqat raat mein bhi thehr jaati
thi. Wo apna waqt aur routine kaise poora kar rahi thi, wo nahi jaanta tha.
Azam Shirazi ke sakht qawaneen ke bawajood wo uske paas kaise aa jaati
thi, yeh bhi nahi jaanta tha. Ilm tha to sirf ek baat ka, ke wo wahan thi jahan
wo tanha tha.

“Koi nahi hai yahan. Kuch bhi nahi hai. Tum khwab mein darr gaye the.
Relax,” khud se lagaye wo keh rahi thi.

Darwaze par koi khada tha. Wo ek naya chehra tha. Wo Jamila Daud se
kuch pooch raha tha. Aur wo us se pooch rahi thi.

“Kya wo seene mein kahin dard mehsoos kar raha hai? Kya usey takleef ka
ehsaas ho raha hai?” Uske lab khamosh the. Wajood laraz raha tha. Magar
chehra tar tha.

Awaaz abhi bhi thi.

Goliyo ki...

Barish ki...

Tareek kothri mein...

Madham kahke ki awaz…

•••

Raat ke aakhri peher uski aankh khul gayi thi. Nazar bilkul samne sajda rez
wujood par pari. Aur phir wo shahri reh gayi. Neem tareeki mein manzar
badalne laga tha. Andhera ehsasat se ulajhne laga tha. Khauf ko jagane laga
tha.
Tareek kothri, madhm sa kehka sawaliya lehja aur andaz aur goliya ki
awaaz...

Uski peshaani paseene se tar ho gayi thi. Rangat safed ho rahi thi. Sase
bhaari, wajood par ek kapkapi taari thi.

Usne safed chadar ko muthiyo mein bheench liya tha.

Wo sajde se uth kar baithi gayi thi, phir wo salaam pherne lagi thi. Kisi
ehsaas ke tehat mud kar uski janib dekha. Be ikhtiyar apni jagah se uth
khadi hui. Madhm ki neelgo roshni uske ta’assuraat numaya kar rahi thi.

Sanse leta unhi ko dekh raha tha. Wo khushk labo ko tar karti, aahistagi se
qadam uthati us ke paas aayi thi. Uski aankhon ke ta'assur se dil kat gaya
tha. Wo khaufzada lag raha tha. Mohtaat hokar wo uske paas baith gayi thi.
Uska sakhti se bheencha hua haath apne haath mein liya. Haath kapkapa
raha tha. Phir usne uthne ki koshish ki thi magar uth nahi pa raha tha.

"Lete raho," wo ek dum se pareshan hui thi.

"Light on kar dee"

Wo khaufzada tha, uska wajood kapkapa raha tha. Use saans lene mein
dushwari ho rahi thi. Uske gaal aansuo se tar ho rahe the.

Jamila ne kamre ki lights on kar de. Jhuk kar usey apne hisaar mein le liya.

"Main tumhare paas hoon. Sab theek hai," uske gird apni girift mazboot
kiye uski pusht par haath phirti, usey apne aaghosh mein sama liya.

"Wo… wo mujhe maar dege," uski saanse chadhi hui thi. Wo buri tarah se
kapkapa raha tha.

Darwaza aahistagi se khula tha aur khula hi reh gaya tha. Qadmo ki harkat
wahi tham gayi thi. Haath handle par thehar gaya tha.

"Koi tumhein kuch nahi kahega. Main hoon na tumhare paas. Just relax..."
wo aankho mein tasalli liye usse keh rahi thi, use samjha rahi thi ke usey
koi khauf aur khatra nahi hai. Wo ab mehfooz hai.
Magar wo mehfooz nahi tha. Wo ab kabhi bhi khud ko mehfooz tassur nahi
kar sakta tha.

Yeh haadsa chhota nahi tha, yeh waqai mamooli nahi tha.

Wo use khud mein chhupaye barabar mein hi is tarah se neem daraaz ho

gayi thi ta ke uska khauf kuch kam ho sake. Wo is dehshat bhari kefiyat se
bahar nikal sake. Wo unki aaghosh mein khud ko mehfooz tasawar kar ke
so gaya. Aur wahi hua tha. Jaise jaise wo mukhtalif duae aur ayaat parh kar
phookti rahi thi, to wo such much pur sukoon ho kar so gaya tha.

Darwaze ka handle chhoda gaya tha. Dabay qadmo koi peeche ho gaya tha.
Rahdari mein qadmo ki ab koi chhap nahi thi.

Wo jis ek chehre ko jaanta tha, ab us se munh nahi mod paa raha tha. Wo
uske kaam karne gayi thi aur wo unhein karne de raha tha. Unke haath se
khana kha raha tha. Unke saath lawn mein walk par ja raha tha. Wo uski
dawaiyo ka ilm rakhti thi. Uske zakhmo ki dressing bhi wo karne lagi thi.
Wo har kaam jo nurse ke zimmedar tha, unhone apne sar le liya tha. Wo
usey jald az jald sehatmand dekhna chahti thi, wo pehle ki tarah hanse,
bole, muskuraye. Unki dosti phir se parwan charhe, ta’alluq phir se bahaal
ho. Uski aziyat khatam ho. Khauf kam ho.

Magar yeh sab aasaan nahi tha. Hargiz aasaan nahi tha.

Wo unki is koshish ko nakaam bana raha tha. Wo theek nahi hona chahta
tha. Wo apne khauf ka samna nahi kar raha tha.

Uski khamoshi ka hisaar tab toota tha jab shaam ke aath baje usne kuch
awaaze suni thi. Wo un awaazo ke ta’aqub mein uth kar kamray se bahar
aaya tha aur pehli baar khud se aaya tha. Deewar ke saath qadam uthate kisi
ma’nus awaaz ke samaat se takraye apni jagah ruk gaya tha. Awaaz baen
janib se aa rahi thi.

Lounge mein koi Jamila Daud ke saath maujood tha. Woh us awaaz ko,
lehje ko, andaaz ko bohot achi tarah pehchanta tha. Jamila Daud ki wapsi ki
ticket confirm ho chuki thi. Azam Shirazi unhe wapas jaane ka keh rahe the,
lekin woh inkaar kar rahi thi. Aur iss inkaar se ek behas chhid gayi thi.
"Agar maine tumhein Faris se milne diya hai toh iska hargiz yeh matlab
nahi hai ke tum apni manmani kar sako. Kal tumhari flight hai aur tum apni
family ke saath wapas ja rahi ho. And that's it!" Unka lehja mehkum tha aur
awaaz mein rob tha.

"Ap ek maa se keh rahe hain ke woh apne beemar bache ko chhorh kar chali
jaye?"

"Wo tumhara baccha nahi hai."

"Wo mera baccha hai," Jamila ne ek ek lafz pe zor dete hue bharrayi hui
awaaz mein kaha.

"Nau saal ho gaye hain baba, aap abhi tak yeh baat nahi samajh paaye."

"JAMILA" Azam Shirazi ki muthiya Shakti se bheech gayi thi.

Unhone tahammul se unhein roka tha. Wo mazeed koi lafz nahi sunna
chahte the. Sirf yeh chahte the ke Jamila unke saath ghar wapas chale.
Lekin Jamila wahan se jaane ke liye tayar nahi thi.

Sirf isliye ke doctors ne safar se mana kiya tha, Faris ko ab tak London nahi
bhej sake the. Warna ab tak yeh masla khatam ho chuka hota. Jamila Daud
ke paas rakhne ka koi jawaz nahi bacha hota. Aur woh aise mutalibe ko haq
bhi nahi rakhti.

"Tum Haroon ke saath nahi jaogi toh sawal uthaenge. Tumhein andaza hona
chahiye ke hamare har move par nazar rakhi ja rahi hai. Khatra sirf
Hammad ko nahi tha. Tum bhi iski lapait mein aa sakti ho. Haroon bhi,
behtar yahi hoga ke tum yaha se chali jao…!"

"Aur Faris... usse yahan akela chhorh du?"

"Woh akela nahi hai. Mere aadmi uska khayal rakh sakte hain," Azam
Shirazi ne kaha tha. Jamila Daud kuch lamho tak ankho mein nami liye
wahan khadi rahi thi.

"Main America nahi jaungi," unka lehja hatmi tha.

Azam Shirazi ki peshani ki rage ubhar aayi thi. Lekin woh apne ghusse ko
qaboo mein rakhe khade the.

"Tum koi mutalba karne ki position mein nahi ho," unhone sakht lehje mein
kaha aur chal diye.

"Agar aap mujhe force karenge toh apne mayke chali jaungi, lekin Faris ko
is halat mein chhod kar kahin nahi jaungi."

Azam Shirazi ke kadam rukh gaye. Unhone palat kar nahi dekha, lekin unka
hairat aur sadma se.

Jamila Daud ke alfaaz hi aise the. Woh musalsal aankho mein be-yaqeeni
liye unhein dekh rahe the.

Yeh pehli dafa tha ke Jamila Daud ne unka koi hukum is tarah se radd kiya
tha. Pehli dafa aise lehje aur andaaz mein baat ki thi. Woh unhein iss lamhe
kisi bhi tor apne hosh o hawaas mein nahi lag rahi thi.

Faris Wajdan, deewar par haath rakhe, bhaari saanso ke saath saqit khada
tha. Azam Shirazi toh nazar nahi aa rahe the, lekin woh Jamila Daud ko
dekh sakta tha. Woh ro rahi thi. Woh Azam Shirazi ke saamne uske liye ro
rahi thi. Woh uske liye lad rahi thi.

Guzishta Pichle teen saal usne gusse mein guzare the. Usse Jamila Daud se
naraazgi thi, bohot zyada naraazgi, woh abhi tak naraaz tha.

Woh unse koi baat nahi karta tha. Jawab nahi deta tha, nazar utha kar dekhta
bhi nahi tha, aur ab woh dekh raha tha. Teen saal uske liye mushkil rahe the,
toh Jamila Daud ke liye bhi woh waqt aasaan nahi raha tha.

"Yeh meri ghalti hai ke maine is ladke ko Shirazi Mansion mein rakha aur
tumhe is se milne diya. Aur yeh bhi meri ghalti hai ke tumhe yahan uske
paas aane ki ijaazat di," Azam Shirazi ki aankhein sholawar ho rahi thi.
Lehja barf ki tarah thanda tha.

"Aap apni reham dili ko ghalti keh rahe hain?" Woh ek baar phir apni jagah
jake the.
"Arzoo ka beta mere reham ka mustahiq nahi hai!" Kuch tehkar aur nafrat
se unhone kaha.

Woh ladka na hota toh Jamila aaj is tarah na kar rahi hoti.

Jamila lab bheench kar unhein dekh kar reh gayi.

"Shayad tum bhool rahi ho ke yeh ladka meri zimmedari hai, aur mujhe ise
zinda rakhna hi hai. Yahi wada tha."

Woh apne faisle par qaim the.

Baat kal bhi wade ki thi, aaj bhi wade ki thi.

Jamila nam aankho ke saath khadi thi.

"Aap phir se mera raabta us se band karwa denge? Phir se mujhe door kar
dege?"

"Jo zaroori ho, main wahi karta hu. Nikaal do is ladke ko apne dimaag se,
for God's sake!"

Unki awaaz ekdum se buland hui thi.

Jamila ka chehra aansuo se tar hone laga. Nazre jhuki gayi.

"Kaun karta hai aise jaise tum kar rahi ho?"

Woh chup rahi.

"Mujhe force mat karo ke main kuch aisa kar du jis pae tumhare paas sirf
pachhtawa ke kuch na rahe."

Jamila ki siskiya bandh gayi.

"Na woh tumhara bacha hai, na hi tumhari zimmedari, ghar jao aur apni
packing karo, Subah ki flight hai."
Jamila kuch der tak apni jagah khadi rahi. Kitni duae thi jo unhone Azam
Shirazi ke dil ki narmi ke liye maangi thi. Ek zara sa ehsaas Faris ke liye
ehsaas ki chaah ki thi. Itna bada haadsa ho gaya aur woh phir bhi apni jagah
usi ana ke saath qaim the. Koi farq hi nahi pada tha.

Faris Wajdan be-aawaaz qadamo ke saath wapas palat gaya tha.

Woh kamre mein aayi toh woh samne hi bed par sar jhukaaye baitha tha.
Unka toh khayal tha ke woh so raha hoga. Honto par muskurahat liye uske
barabar mein aa baithi.

"Kya hua? Neend nahi aayi?"

Faris ne gardan modh kar unhe dekha. Unki aankhe rone ke bais suji hui lag
rahi thi, magar labo par muskurahat hi thehri hui thi. Woh muntazir tha ab
woh us se kya kehne wali thi. America jaane ke hawale se kya jawaz pesh
karne wali thi, magar Jamila khamosh thi. Unke paas kehne ko kuch nahi
tha. Woh kal ki flight se wapas jaane wali thi, yeh batane ke liye bhi koi lafz
nahi tha. Himmat nahi thi.

Wo hamesha hi use chhorh kar chali jaati thi jab use sabse zyada zarurat
hoti thi. Baar baar palke jhapkate hue, aankho ki nami daba rahi thi. Gala
khankhaarke, badqismati se muskurate hue, woh khud ko is kefiyat se
nikalne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

Unhe andaza tha ke ab ke agar woh naraaz hoga toh phir kabhi nahi mane
ga. Ab ke woh usse hamesha hamesha ke liye khone wali thi.

Unhe ilm nahi tha ke jo itne dino se khamosh tha, woh aaj haqeeqatan
khamoshi todne wala tha. Uske dil se bhaari bojh utarne wala tha.

"Main Dr. Mustafa se milna chahta hu" uske lab hile.

Woh chonk kar usey dekhne lage, Itne dino baad Faris ne unse baat ki thi.
Ab toh khushi bhi dil ko bhaari kar rahi thi.

"Aap toh waise bhi chali jaegi. Toh main soch raha tha ke..." woh ek hi
tasalsul mein apni baat mukammal nahi kar pa raha tha. "Main soch raha
tha ke main unke paas chala jau."

Jamila Daud apni jagah baithi reh gayi.

"Kya isne Azam Shirazi ke saath hone wali hamari baat sun li thi?" Unke
andar gham barh gaya. Dil tadap gaya.

"Kya sari ki sari sakht baate usne is halat me apne kaano se sun li thi?"

"Dr. Mustafa ke paas?" Unki aankhe dhundhla rahi thi. Awaaz bheeg rahi
thi.

Faris ka sar jhuka hua tha, jaise uski aadat thi. Woh unke dupatte ka paloo
apne haathon mein le chuka tha, jaise ke hamesha liya karta tha.

"Unhone ek dafa mujhe kaha tha ke woh mujhe apne saath rakh sakte hain
aur hostel mein bhi milne aate the."

Jamila apne rone par qabu paaye chup rahi. Unke liye wahan baithna
mushkil ho raha tha. Faris ko dekhna mushkil ho raha tha.

"Haan mein, Mein Agha se baat karungi ke woh Dr. Mustafa se tumhara
raabta karwa de." unhone ungli ki pusht se baayen aankh ka aansoo saaf
kiya.

"Par aap jaane se pehle mil kar toh jaengi?" Sar utha kar unki aankhon mein
dekhte hue poocha.

Apne aap par jabr karte, aansuo par sabr ka pehra lagate, unhe dekh kar reh
gayi. Woh unhe jaane ki ijaazat de raha tha. Zaahir kar raha tha jaise koi
farq nahi padta. Jaise uske liye yeh koi badi baat nahi thi. Woh sab khud se
manage kar lega. Woh unke liye wapsi ka safar aasan kar raha tha, apne
tareeqe se unhe alvida keh raha tha.

Jamila Daud ko woh apni umr se ekdam bada aur zyada samajhdaar laga.
Us raat woh bhaari dil ke saath ghar wapas aayi thi. Us raat woh bawajood
koshish ke bhi so nahi saki thi.
Woh ek dafa pehle bhi usse chhod kar gayi thi. Ek dafa phir usse chhod kar
ja rahi thi. Faris ne milne ka kaha tha magar woh usse milne nahi aayi thi.
Ek dafa phir alvida kehne ki himmat nahi thi. Pichli dafa wado ka sahara
tha, raabta ki tasalli thi, wapas aane ka iraada tha. Aur woh kisi ek amal
mein bhi kaamyaab nahi ho saki thi. Ab ke unke paas kuch nahi tha, na koi
ahd, na dene ko koi umeed, tasalli aur na hi mulaqat ka wada. Unhe toh yeh
bhi nahi pata tha ke ab dobara Pakistan kab aane wali thi.

Jaane se pehle unhone Agha Ali se zaroor baat ki thi. Woh chahti thi ke
Agha, Dr. Mustafa se Faris ki mulaqat karwa de. Magar Agha Azam Shirazi
ke faislon ka paband tha. Faris ki kisi se bhi baat nahi karwa sakta tha.

"Shayad aapko ilm nahi hai magar wahan sab hi jaante hain ke Faris mar
chuka hai," Shirazi House ke lawn mein Jamila Daud apni jagah khadi reh
gayi thi. Unhe apni samaat par yaqeen nahi aaya tha. Unhe Azam Shirazi ke
is faisle ki bhi samajh nahi aayi thi.

"Mar chuka hai?" Unke lab kapkapaye. Dil laraz utha tha.

"Sab yahi jaante hain. Sab mulazim, guards bhi." Agha Ali sar jhukaye,
modab sa keh raha tha.

"Yeh zaroori tha..." magar Jamila ne haath utha kar usay rok diya. Mazeed
kuch sunne ki tabiyat nahi thi. Azam Shirazi ab kya kar rahe the, jaane ka
ishtiyaq nahi tha.

Agha kehna chahta tha ke Faris ki zindagi abhi bhi khatre se khali nahi thi.
Jin logon ne usey agwa kiya tha, woh uske peeche dobara bhi aa sakte thay.
Ek zarasi bhanak ke woh zinda hai, bohot se masail kharay kar sakti thi.

Faris ne unka chehra dekha tha, isliye usey marne ki koshish ki gayi thi.
Magar Jamila Daud ko jaise ab koi tafseel nahi chahiye thi. Faris Wajdan ka
woh aakhri mutalba unhe har soorat poora karna tha. Behtar tha ke woh is
mahaul se nikal jaye. Azam Shirazi ke qahar bhare hisar se nikal jaye.

Usne agha se Mudhat ka number le liya. Usse call ki. Usse Dr. Mustafa ke
baare mein poocha. Do mahine pehle tak woh Quetta mein hi thay magar ab
woh wahan nahi thay. Unka ghar bhi band, clinic bhi band tha.
Woh kahan chale gaye the, kisi ko is baat ka ilm nahi tha.

"Jab bhi tumhari unse baat ho, mera yeh number unhein de dena." Saath hi
apna number likhwa diya. "Aur yeh baat sirf hum dono ke darmiya rehni
chahiye. Tum mere liye itna toh kar hi sakti ho?"

"App befikr rahe, kisi ko kuch nahi bataungi!" Mudhat ne yakeen dilaya
tha.

Unki flight America ke liye rawana hui toh laga ke dil wahi reh gaya hai.
Sukoon khatam. Beqaraari har ang mein sama gayi thi.

Woh Faris Wajdan se aakhri dafa mile bagair hi ja rahi thi. Aur yeh
haqeeqat unke wujood par, unki rooh par bohot bhaari ho rahi thi.

"Aarzoo Jahangir ke betay ke liye mere dil mein koi reham nahi hai," woh
bedside se tek kar carpet par ghutno se thori lagaye baitha tha. Kamra
roshan tha. Khidkiyan bhi khuli hui thi. Hawa mein lehrate makhmal ke
parde hil rahe thay. Khidkiyo se sar sabz lawn ke us paar brown rang ka
bara gate nazar aata tha.

Woh gate aaj subah se band tha. Koi gaadi hudood mein daakhil nahi hui
thi. Koi usey alvida karne nahi aaya tha. Usne baithe baithe apna sar uthaya.

"Shayad tum bhool rahi ho ke yeh ladka meri zimmedaari hai aur mujhe
isay zinda rakhna hi hai. Yahi waada tha." Zimmedaari, zindagi aur waada.

Weeran aankhe namnak hone lagi. Khamosh labon par gham thehra gaya.

Darwaza khula hua tha. Haider wahan se guzar raha tha toh chonk kar ruk
gaya. Us waqt andar aa gaya. Kamray ki khidkiya usne band kar dein. Parde
bhi phela diye. Usey ek pal mein inkishaaf hua tha ke usne aaj raat ki
medicine nahi li thi. Tabhi woh raat ke is pehar tak jaag raha tha. Usey Faris
par bharosa karne par afsos hua tha. Ab samajh mein aaya ke Jamila Daud
usey apne haath se hi dawa kyu khilati thi.

"Aapko ab aaraam karna chahiye." Woh uski haqeeqat se kuch had tak
waqif tha, tabhi lehje aur andaaz se adab jhalakta tha.
Aisa adab jiska woh mustahiq nahi tha. Usne Haider ki taraf dekha. Woh
paani ke saath dawaiyan pesh kar raha tha. Faris kuch der tak aadhe khaali,
aadhe bhare hue glass ko dekhta raha, phir usne le liya. Jaanta tha ke aise
neend jald aane wali thi. Aise dard jald mitne wala tha. Jo thakaawat
wujood mein utar chuki thi, woh aise khatam nahi ho sakti thi. Jis jazbati
halat ka samna kar raha tha, usse bachne ka aur koi rasta nahi tha.

Jab Faris so gaya, Haider kamre ki lights off karte hue ruk gaya. Usey
Jamila Daud ki hidayat yaad aayi. Bahar nikalte hue darwaza khula chhod
diya. Shirazi House mukammal andhere mein doob gaya tha, magar woh
aik kamra subah tak roshan raha tha.

---- •♡• ----

CHAPTER - 76
‫ِﮐﺴﭧ‬

‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

- 16

"Mujhe usey zinda rakhna hi tha, yahi waada tha."

Woh bachpan se hi Aazam Shirazi ki sakht talkh baate sunta aaya tha.
Hostel mein sab kabhi kabhi woh sabr kho deta tha, raato tak so nahi paata
tha. Uska takiya aansuo se bheegta rehta tha. Uske dil mein ek aziyat si jo
thehri hui thi. Usey normal hone mein waqt lagta tha. Aisa pehli baar aisa
hua tha ke usne bilkul bhi waqt nahi liya. Uski aankhe nam nahi hui thi.
Woh apne kamre mein chhup ke roya nahi tha. Uske andar ek dam se sab
kuch sard par gaya tha, sab jam gaya tha.

Jameela Daud uski zindagi se ja chuki thi. Woh Dr. Mustafa aur Jannat ko
bhi kho chuka tha. Ab usey apne kisi bhi nuqsaan par gham nahi ho raha
tha. Apne kisi bhi dard par rona nahi aa raha tha. Usey acha waqt yaad nahi
aa raha tha.

Usey bura waqt sakit nahi kar raha tha.

Woh bed par leta tha aur uth kar bahar aa gaya. Samne hi swimming pool
tha. Woh pool ke kinare khada ho gaya. Ab woh waada yaad kar raha tha jo
usne apne baap se kiya tha. Usey zinda rakhne ke liye kiya gaya tha.

Bhale se woh khud mit jaye, fana ho jaye lekin uski saanse chalni chahiye.
Uska dil dhadakna chahiye. Uski aankhe nam hokar phir sukha gayi thi.
Usne apne chhekho ka gala ghont diya. Khud ko kahi andar dafna diya.
Door se kahi horn ki awaaz sunayi di. Shirazi farmhouse ka bahri gate khul
gaya.

Teen gaadiya aage peeche andar aayi thi. Usne peeche mur kar dekha.
Siyah gaadi se Haroon Shirazi bahar nikla tha. Uske haath mein bag tha,
doosre haath mein mobile tha. Uske saath kuch dost bhi the jo kisi baat par
has rahe the. Uska clean-shave chehra taro taaza tha. Uske baalo se gel se
jame the aur uske kapdo se mehnge perfume ki khushboo aa rahi thi.

Woh bohot khush aur pur-sukoon lag raha tha. Usne kisi bat par kehka bhi
lagaya tha, Usne naukaro ko koi hukam diya aur phir uski nigah us par pad
gayi aur woh wahi thithak gaya.

"Faris Wajdan, kisi mulazim ka beta!"

Woh swimming pool ke us paar khada tha aur woh usi ko dekh raha tha.
Woh apne dosto mein ghira hua tha par apni jagah munjamid hua tha. Ab
tak kisi ki bhi tawajju us 14-15 sala us ladke ke taraf nahi gayi thi. Lawn
mein barbeque ka intezaam ho raha tha. Shirazi house se jo naukar aaye the
woh kaam shuru kar chuke the. Koyle jalaye ja rahe the aur khuli hawa
mein dhuaan bharne laga. Uskk saas ghutni laga.

"Agar Haroon 'Papa' kehte hue uske paas aa gaya toh?"

Wahan koi naukar nahi tha, koi rok tok ya deewar nahi thi. Na Mudhat na
Aanaa Ali, na Aazam Shirazi. Ab wahan sirf woh tha aur uska beta tha.

No saal guzar chuke the aur Haroon Shirazi apne andar kahin usi waqt ke
daayre mein, usi maqam par atka hua tha. Uska dar, uska khayal, uski
ghabraahat aaj bhi wahi thi.

Woh larka…

Woh Faris...

Sirf ek lafz, "Papa",

aur sab kuch khatam, sab kuch fana.

Usne Faris Wajdan ki aankho mein aag dekhi. Har shey fana kar dene ka
junoon dekha.
Usne sab paane ke liye jise chhorh diya tha, wohi sab raakh karne ke liye ab
saamne tha. Jaise ek jhalak thi. Aane wale waqt ka trailer tha ke woh kaise
taqat rakhta hai, kaise unhe barbaad kar sakta hai. Magar woh na hua jiska
darr tha.

Faris Wajdan kadam ghaseet-ta hua andar chala gaya. Usne darwaza band
kar liya. Usne khidkiya bhi band kar di aur un par parde daal diye. Yoon
jaise usne apne baap ke dil ki har hikayat parh li ho, har khauf dekh liya ho,
har khadsha mehsoos kar liya ho.

Aankho mein khadshaat liye Haroon Sherazi apni jagah khada reh gaya.
Usne aakhri nigah un jamud, murda aur sulagti hui zakhmi nigaho par daali.

Nau saal ka arsa beet gaya tha. Magar ek chhe saal ke bachhe ka pukarte
hue uski taango ke gird lipatne ka woh manzar maazi ka tehra reh gaya tha.

Aaj toh koi rukawat bhi na thi. Na aagha tha, na Mudhat thi, na koi guard,
na mulazim. Aaj koi bhi nahi tha. Aur uska beta wapas laut gaya tha. Usne
koi lafz ada nahi kiya tha, usko koi awaaz nahi di thi. Woh uski mehfil mein
mukhil nahi hua tha. Uske dosto ke saamne nahi aaya tha. Woh hosh bakhta
tha. Apni jagah munjamid khada tha.

Aur tabhi Haider ujalat mein kadam uthata hua darwaze se bahar aaya.
Usko hairat hui ke woh Azam Sherazi ka personal guard tha. Woh hamesha
unke saath kisi saaye ki tarah rehta tha. Unke har behrooni daure mein woh
unke saath hota tha. Usko yaqeen nahi aaya ke Azam Sherazi uske bagair hi
kisi safar par chale gaye.

Haider ke lehje mein ek tashweesh wazeh thi. Haroon se baat karte hue
usne apni tasalli ke liye us taraf zaroor dekha jahan se Faris ke kamre ki
khidki aur ek darwaza bahar ko khulta tha.

Uske liye Haroon Shirazi ka aamad gair mutwaqqa thi, Shayad dosto ke
saath yeh plan bhi achanak ban gaya tha.

Haroon ne sar jhatak kar apne doston ki taraf rujhan kiya. Usne zabardasti
muskurane ki koshish ki, magar woh muskurana nahi saka. Sawal karti
zakhmi nigahe ka naqsh uske zehen par chhapa hua tha. Uski halat ajeeb si
ho gayi thi. Woh kursi se uth gaya. Uske liye wahan theharna mushkil ho
gaya.

Woh apne dosto ke saath khud plan bana kar aaya tha aur ab maafi maang
raha tha. Usne kaha ke woh wahan nahi ruk sakta. Usne zaroori call ka
bahaana kar diya. Kaam ka bahaana bana diya.

Usko apne wade ka bhi paas rakhna tha. Usko apne maqsad ko bhi yaad
rakhna tha. Agar woh ruk gaya toh kabhi aage nahi badh paayega aur agar
mur gaya toh sab yahin khatam ho jayega. Khud ko samjhata hua, fayde
nuqsanat ginwate, woh gaadi mein baith gaya aur wahiin se Shirazi
farmhouse se chala gaya. Faris ki ek jhalak ne uske purane zakhmo ko taaza
kar diya tha. Usko Aarzoo Jahangir yaad aa gayi. Uske saath guzara hua ek
ek pal yaad aa gaya tha.

Woh aankhe Aarzoo ki thi, chehra bhi uska hi tha. Nau saal pehle usne usko
tor diya tha. Nau saal baad usne wahi tassur apne bete ki aankho mein
dekha.

•••

Haider mamool ki tarah andar aaya toh darwaza halka sa khula hua tha.
Magar kamre mein andhera tha.

Haadse ke baad in chaar mahino mein aisa pehli dafa hua tha ke uske kamre
mein andhera tha. Usne ek dam se haath badhakar lights on kar di.

Woh khidki ke neeche carpet par baitha hua tha. Jaise aam taur par woh
Shirazi mansion mein apne kamre ki khidki ke paas baitha karta tha.

Woh khidki ke neeche baitha karta tha. Ghutno par kohaniya rakhe samne
kisi nazer na aane waale nuqte ko dekhta hua. Uski aankhe bilkul khamosh
aur sunsaan si thi. Chehra bilkul sapaat tha. Woh thande farsh par baitha tha
lekin usko thand mehsoos nahi ho rahi thi. Woh kapka nahi raha tha. Apne
kamre mein din raat roshni chahne ke bawajood woh ekdum se andhere ko
apnane laga tha.
Haider kuch dair tak apni jagah khada raha. Usko woh theek nahi lag raha
tha. Uski yeh haalat yaqeenan apne baap ko dekhne par hui thi, magar woh
hairaan tha. Woh phone par report karne ke baad bhi hairaan tha. Woh apne
baap ke paas nahi gaya tha. Usne unki mehfil mein koi khalal nahi daala
tha. Koi tamasha nahi kiya tha. Shirazi ke ghar mein jaise uska baap nahi,
koi ajnabi aaya tha.

ek aadat jo bachpan se thi, woh usi aadat par qayam tha. Shirazi Mansion ka
servant quarter, uska kamra Woh khidki jk har jagah se Shirazi house ka
manzar dikhati thi. jo ek mukammal khandan ka manzar dikhati thi. Woh
manzar jisme uska baap hota tha. Baap jo uske baghair khush tha. Aaj bhi
khush nazar aa raha tha.

•••

Hospital ke ICU ke samne woh bench par sar jhukaaye baithi thi. Mobile
haath me tha. Ab tak jaane kitni baar Faris Wajdan ko call kar chuki thi
magar woh uski calls recieve nahi kar raha tha. Adil Ahmed, uske guards,
kisi ko ilm nahi tha ke woh kahan gaya tha. Raat ke is pehar apni surkh hoti
aankho ko baar baar ragar kar gehri saans lekar usne sar uthaya tha. Nigahe
ek baar phir band darwaze par thehar gayi thi. Uska chehra tar hone laga.
Ek hi jagah par, ek hi position mein baithe rehna mushkil ho gaya tha.
Kamar mein dard hone laga toh uth kar tehlne lagi. Larazte, kaampte
haathon se usne dobara call aur message kiye. Mobile band ho raha tha.
Usse apna dil band hota mehsoos ho raha tha. Uski haalat aisi ho rahi thi
jaise woh bas ek pal mein sab kuch kho dene wali ho.

Haan, woh sab kho dene wali thi.

Nurse se pooch kar woh namaz ke liye mukhtis ek kamre mein chali gayi
thi.

Sajde mein rote hue usne Mrs. Shirazi ki sehatyabi aur Fa

aris ki wapas aane ki dua ki.

Ek baar pehle bhi woh sajde mein gayi thi. Apni maa ke waqt itna sadma
tha ke sahi se dua ka moqa hi na mil saka tha. Woh kuch kar hi na saki thi,
kuch keh hi na saki thi. Aur ab woh apne Rab se sab kuch keh dena chahti
thi. Galtiya usse bhi bohot hui thi. Lekin uski saza yeh nahi honi chahiye
thi. Iss tarah nahi honi chahiye thi. Ab koi bhi rishta kho dene ka hosla us
mein nahi tha. Ab kisi nafrat ka muqabla karne ki taqat nahi thi. Woh phir
se tanha, besahara nahi hona chahti thi. Usne bohot dard aur shiddat se, rote
aur siskate hue un tamaam rishto ko manga jo uske haath se chhut ti ja rahi
the.

Uske qadmon se zameen nikal rahi thi. Usko sar se aasman behne ka ehsaas
ho raha tha. Lekin uske labo par ek hi dua thi.

"Bhale se uske haath khaali reh jaaye. Tanhayi muqaddar ho jaaye. Raste
juda ho jaaye. Galti ki jo saza milni hai mil jaye, magar Faris Wajdan ki
zindagi se Mrs. Shirazi na jaayein. Woh theek ho jaaye. Wapas aa jaaye."

Uski behno ne maa ko uski wajah se khoya tha. Woh khud ko unka mujrim
samajhti thi.

Uski wajah se Faris apne kisi pyare rishte ko na khoye. Uski bas ab ek hi
dua thi.

•••

Uska ma'ooaf hota dimagh kisi aur raah par chal nikla tha. Jo baate kabhi na
sochi thi, woh ab sochne laga tha. Jo khayal kabhi na aaya tha ab aane laga
tha. Usey Shirazi khandan se alag hona tha. Usey is ghar ko chhorhna tha.
Azam Shirazi ke tasallut se azaad hona tha aur aisa sirf ek surat mein hi
mumkin tha. Usne farar ke liye raat ka waqt chuna tha. 12 baje ke baad woh
bahar nikal gaya tha.

Har shoo tariki me baag ka wo rasta numaya ho raha tha, wo is par bhagta
hua pathrili sadko par pahuch gaya tha. Ye jagah Roshan thi. Yaha din ka
sama maloom hota tha. Niche ki taraf road tha, aur upar kahi restaurant ki
khidkiya nazar aa rahi thi, Wo qadam uthate apni jagah thithak kar ruk gaya
tha.

Azam Shirazi, shalwar suit mein malboos, siyah rang ki shawl kandho par
dale apne guard ke humrah seedhiya utarte isi taraf aa rahe thay. Beech raste
mein usey nage pair seedhiyan charhta dekh kar ruk gaye. Wo bhi ruk gaya.
Das barah seedhiyo ka jo faasla tha wo fasla phir unhone tay kiya tha.

Un ke liye utarna aasan tha.Uske liye charhna mushkil ho gaya tha. Uske
ghutne chhile hue the. Jeans bhi phati hui thi. Ghaliban wo upar charhte hue
kahi gir bhi gaya tha.

Car haadse ke baad ba-zaabta tor par ye pehli mulaqat thi. Wo pehli baar is
tarah uske samne aaye the. Use lagta tha agar wo usey kahi nazar aayege to
wo zabt kho dega. Wo chikhne lagega. Wo un par hamla kar dega. Magar
wo kuch bhi nahi kar saka tha. Wo apni jagah se aik inch bhi nahi hila tha.

Kya yehi tha wo raab jo wo uske andar bachpan se bharte aaye hain? Kya
ye wahi khauf hai jo uske qadam jakad chuka hai? Usey to lagta tha ke
nafrat ke siwa kuch bhi mehsoos nahi karta. Wo kabhi bhi unke samne jhuk
nahi sakta, dar nahi sakta. Uske andar unke liye sirf aag jese jazbaat the. To
ab achanak ye uske saath kya ho gaya tha? Wo ruk kyon gaya tha? Wo un
par cheekh kyun nahi raha tha? Kuch keh kyon nahi raha tha? Uske andar
lava jese aag thi. Uske jazbaat dekhte hue angare the.Uske qadmon se
zameen kheench gayi. Uske andar toor phoor hone lagi. Us ki rooh ke
zakhm phir se udhar rahe the. Woh bohot si cheekho ki zed mein tha. Aaine
ki tarah tut kar, tukdo mein bata hua. Apne aks mein hi zakhmi ho raha tha.
Magar woh unhein koi bhi rad-e-amal nahi de sakta tha.

Azam Shirazi us ke samne the. Aur woh lab siye khada tha.

"Kahan ja rahe ho tum?" Unhone kalai mod kar waqt dekhte hue us se
poocha. Use woh sawal apna mazaq udaata hua laga. Woh achhi tarah se
jaante the bhari duniya mein na us ki koi jagah thi na ghar, na manzil. Aur
woh phir bhi farar ke raste dhoond raha tha.

Unhone yahan wahan nigah daurai. Jaise kuch dhoondh rahe ho, Faris apni
aankho mein qissa aur qabar liye apni jagah khada raha. Bhaagne se saans
chadhi hui thi. Cheeram surkh ho raha tha. Guard faasle par ruk gaya tha.

"Yahan se nikal kar kahan jaoge?" Apne tor par sanjeedgi se khoda

"Aarzoo ke paas?"
Us ki muthiya sakhti se is qadar pighri gayi ke ungliyon ke jor surkh ho
gaye.

Us ki aankho se nafrat aur adawat ki chingariyan phootne lagi. Aisa hi ek

sard aur hebat naak sa tasir un ki aankhon mein bhi bina kya. Labo par halki
muskurahat ki aa gayi.

"Tumhari maa ne bhi mujhe aise hi dekha tha jab maine use naukri se nikala
tha. Us ke khayal tha woh mujhe phansa legi. Lekin phir haroon use aasaan
target laga."

Yeh inkishaaf us ke hifazat ke hisson par nikli ban kar gira. Aur woh andar
teek saakin ho gaya. Adawat ke taane haane peeche kahi aur ja kar milte
the. Nafrat ke peechay ek wajah thi. Inteqam yunhi nahi liya jata. Barbad
karne ke liye bhi usool waza karne padte hain.

"Woh ek chaalak aurat hai. Khane ka sauda bhi nahi karti. Intiqam lene par
aaye to phir har had se guzar jaati hai…"

Uske kadmo se zameen kheech gayi, uske andar tod fod hone lagi.

"Tumhara kya khayal hai usne Haroon se talaq lene ke liye mujhse kitne
paise liye hoge?" Woh mutohash sa unki aankho mein aankhein daale khada
tha aur ek dum se uski aankhein bhi thi. Usne kahin aur dekhna chaha, kisi
aur taraf...

"Abhi pichle hafte usne shaadi ki hai. Meri umar ka aadmi hai. Paise me itni
taqat hoti hai let's see ye shaadi kitne arse tak chalti hai." Usse laga woh
uspar has rahe hai. Uski zaat ka, uske wajood ka tamaskhur uda rahe hain.
Usse bata rahe hain ke woh aisi aurat ka beta hai.

"Agar maa ke paas ja rahe ho to soch lo ke kaisi maa ke paas ja rahe ho?"

Unhone khud se, apne tor par qayas kar liya tha ke woh unke tasallut se
aazad ho kar sirf apni maa ke paas hi jaana chahega. Woh maa jisne
guzishta 10 saalo mein ek baar bhi palat kar khabar nahi li thi.
Woh aurat jo uski zindagi mein nahi thi. Woh uske wajood se hi pehchana
jaa raha tha. Woh uska naam adhoora kar chuke the. Uski pehchaan moshih
kar chuke the. Usse tamaam rishte chheen chuke the. Phir bhi unki nafrat,
unka gussa kam nahi ho raha tha. Unka dil naram nahi ho raha tha. Unka
inteqam khatam nahi ho raha tha. Unhein aur kya chahiye? Uska dimaag
phatne laga, aankhe nam ho gayi.

Woh mutthiya sakhti se bheench ke, gehri saanse lene laga.

"Iske dada ko usse aur kya chahiye?" Woh yahan wahan dekhte, apne andar
ki cheekhon mein fanaa ho raha tha.

"Pichle kuch mahino se Aarzoo Haroon se milne ki koshish kar rahi hai?
Tumhara kya khayal hai, kis liye? Usse ab kya chahiye?" Unhone aankhon
mein sakhti liye sawal uchhala.

"Tum…"

"Aur tumse kya chahiye?"

Sawal karke unhone uski zaat ke purkhe udha diye.

"J&E International hamari hareef (rivals) hai. Woh is company ke chairman

ki ab doosri biwi hai. Baqi tum khud samjhdar ho…"

"Mujhse milne aayegi toh main tumhara dead certificate usey dikha dunga.
Qabar par jana chahegi toh woh bhi tayyar hai"

Mansooba saaz ne sab hi mansoobe tayar kar rakhe the. Unhein ek lamhe ke
liye bhi apne alfazon ki talkhi ka koi ehsaas nahi hua. Is baat ka bhi nahi ke
woh is masoom zehen mein zehar bharte hue usey apne aap mein khatam
karte ja rahe hain. Unhone yeh bhi nahi socha ke woh maut ki sarhado ko
chhoo kar palta tha aur abhi tak is haadse ke asar se bahar nahi nikla tha.
Unhein yeh bhi yaad nahi ke psychiatrist ne usey sadmo se bachaye rakhne
ka mashwara diya tha. Koi bhi aisi baat na ho jo uski tabiyat par garan
guzre. Koi bhi aisa sawal jo is haadse ki yaad taza kare. Koi bhi aisa waaqia
jo uski takleef ko trigger karde.
"Yeh tumhari bhool hai ke tum meri marzi ke baghair kahin bhi jaa sakte
ho." Qadam uthate qareeb se guzre.

"Kam az kam apne khandan ka tamasha banane ke liye main tumhein us

aurat ke hawale kabhi nahi karunga. Kabhi nahi."

Woh seerhiya utarne lage aur utarte gaye, apne guard ke hamrah... Woh
saans roke unhein dekhta raha, dekhta raha. Yahan tak ke woh nazron se
ojhal ho gaye.

Usne yun saans li jaise woh uski aakhri saans ho. Aur yun mehsoos kiya
jaise woh sach mein kisi qabar mein utaar diya gaya ho. Usey Azam Shirazi
se kisi bhi narami aur reham ki tawaqqa nahi thi magar itni sakhti ki bhi
nahi ke woh usey Jeete jee maar dete. Uski qabar bhi tayar kar lete. Woh
mushkil se saans lete hue neeche baith gaya. Door se Haider pathreli
seedhiya chadhta uski taraf aa raha tha. Usne usey dekha aur sar ghera liya.
Us din ke baad usne faraar ki koshish dobara kabhi nahi ki thi.

•••

Raat ke aakhri pehar Haroon Shirazi ki aankh khul gayi thi aur woh uth kar
baith gaya tha. Hathailiyo par kitni hi dair tak sar jhukaye raha. Woh jab se
Pakistan se aaya tha uski kefiyat kuch ajeeb si thi. Roz marra ke mamlaat
mein koi farq nahi tha magar ab raat mein aksar woh uth jata tha. Usey
theek se neend nahi aati thi. Baithe baithe koi na koi baat karte hue, sunte
hue, koi kaam zimme lagate hue woh apne alfazon mein ulajh jata tha. Uska
zehen bhatakta. Uski soch mein bas ek chehra thehar jata tha. Samaat mein
bas ek awaaz utar jati thi. Guzishta nau saal usne kis kadar mazbooti se, be-
hisi se, aur apni zaat ke liye bohot mutmaeen ho kar guzar diye the. Uske
paas apne har faisle ki hujjat aur daleel thi. Woh khud ko mazloom samajhta
tha. Baap ka faisla jabran musallat kiya gaya tha. Usey maanna us par farz
kar diya gaya tha.

Jo waar Aarzoo Jahangir ne uski zaat par, uske aitmaad par kiya tha, us
waar se woh in nau saalon mein theek nahi ho saka tha.

Uske liye Aarzoo Jahangir aur Faris ek ho gaye the. Apni is aziyat se
nikalne ke liye woh dono Aarzoo hi nazar andaaz karne laga tha. Aarzoo
uski zindagi se nikal gayi thi. Faris ko usne khud hi nikaal diya tha. Woh
uska ek maazi, uski ghalti, uski zindagi ka ek naa-pasandeeda baab ban
gaya tha.

Uska sirf ek hi beta hai, woh is par khud ko yaqeen dila chuka tha. Apne
naam, status, aur khandani jah o hashamat ke hisaab se woh khud ko ek but
mein dhal chuka tha. Uski soch apne baap jaisi ho gayi thi.

Ab uski nazar kisi mumkinah scandal par theher gayi thi. Uske hareefo ko
kamzori mil jayegi aur uski zaat par keechad uchala jayega. Aarzoo
Jahangir ne shohrat, dolat aur duniyavi kamiyabiyo ke liye har had paar kar
di thi. Uske mutaliq jo khabre media ki zeenat banti thi, woh achi noiyat ki
nahi thi. Aisi kisi bhi aurat ki zindagi ka hissa ya uska sabiqa shauhar hona
uske liye sharmindagi ka bais tha. Usey apni ghalti ka ehsaas shiddat se hua
tha. Arzu se uski aulaad nahi honi chahiye thi. Usey chahiye tha woh Faris
ko wapas lane ke bajaye kisi foster home mein chhod deta. Is se ye hota ke
woh uski zindagi se mukammal tor par kharij ho jata. Kisi saza ki tarah
uske aas paas na rehta. Uski soch ko ek dum se brake lagi thi. Woh apni
jagah ruk gaya tha. Pathar ho gaya tha.

"Woh ye kya soch raha tha?"

"Kya chah raha tha?"

"Woh aisa pehle toh kabhi nahi tha, aisa be-his toh kabhi nahi! Ab aisa kyun
ho raha tha?" Mutohash ho kar usne apna sar pakar liya.

Guzishta 9 saalo mein sirf ibtedai chand maheene uske liye mushkil rahe
the jab woh apne chhote se bacche ko hamesha hamesha ke liye chhor kar
gaya tha. Aur ab achanak uske liye har lamha bohot mushkil ho gaya tha.
Uske bete ki aankho ne uska sukoon cheen liya tha. Woh aankhe uski
aankho mein gir gayi thi. Woh taassur sab raakh kar raha tha.

❏❏❏
CH-77
•••

Subah chaar baje ki flight thi. Car haadse ke poore chhe mah baad Faris
London ja raha tha. Yeh uska pehla safar nahi tha. Haan, mukhtalif noiyat
ka zaroor tha. Wo mulk se bahar ja raha tha. Aur yaqeenan hamesha ke liye
ja raha tha. Airport par, parwaaz se pehle, aur Heathrow Airport par
pohanchne ke baad bhi Haider musalsal kisi se apne phone par raabte mein
raha tha. Pal pal ki khabar thi jo wo pohancha raha tha. Us par nazar rakhne
ki hidaayat di ja rahi thi. Haider ko shak tha ke wo kuch kar na de. Mumkin
hai airport par hi gum ho jaye, bahar nikalte hi farar ho jaye. Usey Faris ki
khamoshi kisi tor par normal nahi lag rahi thi. Jaisa Agha ne bataya tha, to
us hisab se bilkul nahi. Taham usne kuch na kiya.

Airport se bahar gaari unki muntazir thi. Wo gaari mein sawar huye to aik
baar phir call aayi. Usne call sunne ke baad driver ko koi aur address diya.
Aur is tamam arsey mein Faris wajdan chup chaap bahar girti hui barf ko
dekhta raha.

Gaari London ki sadko par daurti hui aik rihayashi colony mein taweel
shahraah ke ehtraaf mein bane aik ghar ke samne ruk gayi thi. Subah ka
waqt tha. Aasman badalo se dhaka hua, London mein guzishte kai roz se
jaari rehne wali baarish chand satho ke tauqaf ke baad phir se shuru ho
chuki thi. Haider ne seedhiya charh kar bell bajayi thi. Faris sar jhukaaye
uske peeche khada tha, uske dono haath coat ki jebo mein the aur muffler
gardan ke gird lapeta hua tha. Tasuraat sanjeeda, hazel aankho mein ek
khamoshi thi jo thehri hui thi. Uski nigah band darwaze par, siyahi mael
steps par, aur phir barf ki dabees teh par jam gayi thi.

Kuch hi dair mein darwaza khul gaya tha. Haider ne be-sakhta bhawe
uchkayi thi. Darwaza kholne wale ko ek dam se sadma hua tha. Jis
saraiyahat se darwaza khula tha, us saraiyahat se band hone hi wala tha ke
Haider ne apna chowra kandha phansate hue uski har koshish ko nakaam
bana diya.
Labon par muskurahat theher gayi.

"Tum yahan?"

Ujray bikhre, halka sa curl liye, surkhi mael shade dete siyaah baal, halki si
taraasheeda daari, siyah frame wale glasses se jhankti siyaah tareek
aankhein. Mooh mein brush liye usne be-sakhta thook nigla.

"Hello, Rahim! Kaise ho?"

Handle par girift jamaaye wo mushkil se sadme se nikla. Darwaza chorh kar
usey andar aane ka rasta dete hue peeche hata. Faris Haider ke peechey
khamoshi se andar aa gaya.

Brush haath mein pakre wo washroom mein chala gaya. Haider uske
peechey darwaze mein aakhada hua. Usey tafseel se kuch batane laga. Faris
aatish daan ke samne khada tha. Unki awaaz asaani se sun sakta thi.

"Matlab mein kuch samajh nahi aa rahi."

"Matlab yeh ke Faris tumhare saath yahan rahega." Daanto par brush karte,
khaaste, mooh dhokar washroom se bahar aa gaya.

"Mazaak kar rahe ho mujh se. Yeh bhala yahan kyun rahega?"

Haider sanjeeda tha. Uske taasuraat mein koi raddo badal nahi hua tha.

"Bade sahab ka hukum hai."

"Shayad tumahre sahab bhool to nahi gaye ke main ab unke liye kaam nahi
karta." Daanto mein zor diya.

"Behtar tha ke rehne ka koi aur bandobast hi kar lete ke hum tum tak na
pohanch sakte." Haidar ne Tanz kar ke pucha.

"Free me nahi rehta kiraya deta hu mein" wo chid gaya.

"Itne bade Ghar ka jo tum flat jitna kiraya dete ho me bahut acche se janta
hu."
"Jab tumahare boss ko koi masla nahi hai to tumhe kyu taklif ho rahi hai?"
Paisaani par baal dalkar puchha.

"Mujhe bhala kyun takleef hogi? Jo baatein tum bhool rahe the, wo yaad
dila raha hoon."

Rahim lab bheenche usey ghoorta raha.

"To phir kya socha hai?" chand lamho ka tauqaf de kar us ne poocha.

"Inkaar. Us churail Alizey ki wajah se main Shirazi khandan ke kisi bache

ki zimmedari nahi lene wala."

"Woh Shirazi khandan se nahi hai." Khidkiyon ke paas khade Faris Wajdan
ne yeh jumla waazeha suna tha. Woh khidki se bahar barf ko girta hua dekh
raha tha. Uski baayein taraf aatish daan mein sholay bhadak rahe the.

Rahim ne gardan moorke raahdaari se lounge ki taraf uski pusht ko dekha.

"Kisi dost ka beta hai?"

"Yahi samjh lo, magar bahut ahem hai Pakistan mein uski zindagi ko khatra
hai is liye yahan Lana padha."

"Ahm! Kaisa khatra?" Seene par bazoo baandh ke zara dilchaspi dikhai.
Uski aankhon mein josh aur tajassus sa nazar aa raha tha.

"Hai koi khatra. Tumhein tafseelaat mein janne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Yeh
yahan rahega. Tum uska mukammal khayal rakho ge aur bas!"

"Aur bas? Wow, great. Yeh kaam agar itna asaan hai to tum kyun nahi kar
lete?"

"Rahim, kya is behas mein parna zaroori hai?" Haider ke lehje mein ab ke
iktahaahat thi.

"Bilkul bohot zaroori hai. Pichli baar tumne mujh se chhay mahine ki baat
kar ke wahan poora aik saal uljhaaye rakha tha. Upar se woh gulehri;
Alizey Shirazi. Usne jitna mujhe Pakistan mein khwaar kiya hai, utna
khwaar to main tumhare Azam Shirazi sahab ke sath kaam karke bhi nahi
hua. Mujhe abhi tak drawne khwab aate hain. Tumhari baaton mein aa jata
hoon is liye tum mujhe hamesha use karte ho."

"Azam Shirazi sahab ko apne family maamlaat mein tum se zyada kisi aur
par bharosa nahi hai," Haider ne kaha.

"Haan, lekin yeh family to nahi hai." Ek ma'ni khez muskuraahat ke sath
lounge ki jaanib ishara karte hue bade maze se deewar ke sath kandha laga
kar khada ho gaya. Haider ko baat khatam ho jaane ke baad pata chala ke
woh kya keh chuka hai.

"Listen!" Haider ne zabt kar ke peshaani masli.

"Haan, haan sun raha hoon." Apne lambe qad ke sath uski taraf jhuka.

"Agar koi raaz ki baat hai to kaan mein bata do. Tum jaante ho main bilkul
bhi kisi ko pata nahi chalne doonga ke asal maamla kya hai."

"Kya tum thore se professional ho kar baat nahi kar sakte?"

"Bilkul professional tareeke se baat kar raha hoon. Woh kya hai ke mujhe
tum par aur tumhare plan par koi bharosa nahi raha." Kandhe uchka kar
apni jeebon mein haath daal liye.

"Haan, bharosa nahi raha lekin ghar ka istemaal karna hai?"

"Kitni baar batau, free mein nahi rehta." Bura maan kar kitchen mein chala
gaya. Kursi kheench kar taang par taang rakhe baith gaya.

Haider ne kalayi mor kar waqt dekha. Usey dair ho rahi thi. Nau baje se
pehle pehle usey kahi pohanchna tha. Usne briefcase se kuch kagzaat nikaal
kar uske samne rakh diye. Sarsari si nazar dorhata wo aik baar phir seedha
ho baitha.

"Tumhare boss ko khud aakar baat karni chahiye thi."

"Tumhare saath sabhi maamlaat shuru se main tay karta aaya hoon," Haider
samne khada raha.
"Haan! Lekin yeh aik aisi 'special' case hai? Tum isay Pakistan se yahan
hifazat ke liye laaye ho aur phir bhi mujhe hire karna chah rahe ho, jabke
isey koi khatra bhi nahi hai." Yeh to Haider khud bhi nahi jaanta tha ke
Azam Shirazi sahab ne yeh faisla kyun kiya tha.

"Khatra yahan bhi ho sakta hai," us ne haath uthakar nafi mein sar hilaate
uski baat rad kar di. "Baat yahan sirf zindagi ki nahi hai. Tumhare boss ko
mujh se kuch aur bhi chahiye." Us ne mez ke wast mein rakhe candy box se
ek candy nikaal li.

"Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai ke hifazat nahi karni Nazar rakhni hai" Uske
hont hansi mein lipte, aur saath hi uska side wala daant labon ko choone
laga tha.

Haider ne gehri saans lekar contract uske samne rakh diya. "Samajhdaar ho.
Baat ki teh tak khud hi pohanch gaye ho to sign bhi kar do."

"Sharaait apni marzi ki hon to hi sign karne mein aasani hoti hai."

"Rahim! I'm getting late!"

"Mujhe bhi apni workshop mein kaam hota hai. Subah university bhi jaata
hoon. Mrs. Grande apne cafe ki safai karwa rahi hain. Unhone tamam
parosi ladkon ki list mein mera naam sab se ooper likha hai. Kal shaam saat
baje tak mujhe wo kaam bhi karna hota hai." Usne gehri saans lekar kandhe
uchkaye jaise roye zameen par us jaisa masroof insaan koi nahi.

"Kya chahte ho?"

"Zero barha do." Woh chand lamho tak Haider ke muskurate chehre ko
dekhta raha phir jhuk kar contract uthaya aur ek zero ka izafa kar diya.

"Ek aur"

Haider ki girift qalam par sakht hui. Nazar utha kar usey dekha.

"Ya kafi badi rakam hai Rahim!" Awaz me garmahat aa gayi.

"Jo kaam tum mujhe de rahe ho, woh bhi chhota nahi hai."
"Tumhein sirf ek bache ka khayal rakhna hai," Haider zich hokar bola.

"Woh bachha nahi teenager hai, teenager jada mushkil hote hai"

Woh bhanwen uchka hua usey dekhte hue zara sa tewar de kar aur aik zero
barha diya. Chhey mah tak ke liye ye rakam jayda thi. Rahim ne cheque ko
uthaya, achi tarah dekh kar apni jeeb mein daal liya aur jhuk kar safhat par
sign kar diye. Woh jaan gaya tha ke baat kuch aur thi. Masla chhota nahi
tha. Woh ek aise ladke ki zimmedari usay saunpe rahe they jiske mutaliq
koi bhi aagahi usay dena nahi chahte the.

Kuch hi dair baad woh Faris se baat karke wahan se chala gaya tha. Rahim
coffee ka mug tayar karke lounge ki taraf aa gaya. Taarufi marahil se bhi to
guzarna tha.

Bhaap udate hue cup uske haatho mein tha jab usne dekha ke woh ladka
aatish daan ke samne wale sofa par apna coat, dastane aur joote pehne so
chuka tha. Safri thakaan uske chehre se ayaan thi.

"Great," Rahim ne dheere se kaha.

Coffee ke ghoont leta, sidiya charh gaya. Kya usne coffee banane mein
zyada waqt laga liya? Abhi to woh nashtey ke bare mein bhi poochhne wala
tha. Ghoom kar raahdari ke aakhir mein kone par deewar ke paas latke aik
sunahri pinjre ke paas chala gaya. Andar tota tha. Baen taraf uska kamra
tha. Bara bara sa "RA" likha hua nazar aa raha tha.

"Danger Zone." Surkh rang mein. Pichle saal usne Begonia House ke kuch
kamray kiraye par diye thay aur tab kisi bhi qisam ki baironi mudakhlat se
bachne ke liye darwaze ko aisa shahkar bana dala tha. Ab to ghar khaali tha
aur uske mizaj se aajiz aakar koi rehna bhi nahi chahta tha.

Usne apne kamre ka bakhaira samet dala. Chart board, card board,
tasveerein, akhbarat ke tarashe, magazines ke safho se li gayi maloomat aur
jane kya kya almari mein lock kar ke rakh diye thay. Kuch safhe aag mein
jhonkar jala diye thay. Kuch cheezein dustbin mein phenk di thi. Zehan
mein bohot kuch chal raha tha.
Zor se wardrobe band karta barabar wale kamre mein chala gaya. Jaldi jaldi
kuch ghair zaroori cheeze samet kar usay rehne ke qabil banaya. Kamra
waise behtar tha, bas safai nahi hui thi. Apne kaam se farigh ho kar woh aik
baar phir neeche aya tha taake uska samaan bhi kamray mein rakh sake.
Samaan kamray mein pohancha kar uske bag ki har tarah ki talashi lene ke
baad woh apne kamre mein band tha. Aur yaksooyi se woh kaam kar raha
tha jo us lamhay karna zaroori ho gaya tha.

•••

Ghar ka naam Begonia House tha. Is liye tha ke is mein Begonia phool
kabhi parwan nahi chadhta tha. Jald murjha kar mar jata tha. To chunanche
is ghar mein Begonia phool ki itni amwaat ho chuki thin ke uska naam
Rahim ne "Begonia House" rakh diya tha. Doosri manzil ki gallery mein
usne bay inteha khoobsurat phool lagaye the aur woh unka bohot khayal bhi
rakhta tha. Aik tota bhi tha aur baqi woh khud bhi tha.

Aur ab aik Faris naam ka ladka tha. Aik purasraar khamoshi thi aur bay
inteha tajassus tha.

Woh ladka Rahim se koi baat nahi karta tha. Uske kisi sawal ka jawab nahi
deta tha. Nashta, dopehar ka khana aur shaam ke khane ke siwa kamre se
bahar nahi aata tha. Woh usey bilkul waisa hi nazar andaaz kar raha tha
jaisa barabar wale ghar ki Flora Grande usey karti thi. Ghar mein waheed
aik tota hi tha jisse Rahim baatein karta aur poore ghar ke chakkar lagata
tha. Neeche basement mein uska workshop tha.

Woh aik miniature maker tha. Uski aik website thi aur woh us par Victorian
tarz ke ghar banata tha. Zyada tar woh basement mein hota. Upar aata to
Faris usey ya to apne kamray mein milta ya phir sidiyo par baitha hota.
Dono ke darmiyan baqaidah tor par koi baat nahi hoti thi. Usay kabhi
kabhaar gumaan hota ke usne Haider ke saath hone wali uski tamam
guftagu harf ba harf sun li hai jab hi khud ko aik khol mein band kar ke
khud lab sil liye hain. Jaise ussy darr ho ke agar woh Rahim ke saath baat
karega to saare raaz afsha ho jayenge.

Lekin yeh bas uska khayal tha. Uske chehre ke ta'assuraat ko samajhna bhi
Rahim ke liye mushkil tha. Woh Faaris se koi baat karna bhi chahta to woh
jawab nahi deta tha. Suni an suni kiye rukh mod leta. Apni jagah se uth jata.
Uski aankhen kisi na kisi soch mein ghair hoti. Uska zehan kahin na kahin
bhatka hota. Khana khate waqt aksar woh ruk jata, kabhi pehle chand
lukmo ke baad aur kabhi beech mein hi chor kar uth jata. Kamray mein uski
har aik cheez apni jagah par hoti thi. Thodi si bay tartibi kisi bhi cheez mein
nazar nahi aati thi. Raat sote waqt kamray ki lights mukammal on hoti.
Darwaza bhi woh andar se lock nahi karta tha.

Us ke roz marra ke mamoolat ko parkhte samajhte wo achambhe mein par

gaya tha. Bhala ek be zarar se bachay se Azam Shirazi ko kya khatra ho
sakta hai? Phir usey yaad aya ke yahan wo uski hifazat ke liye bhi tha. Baat
kuch aur thi. Maamla sachme mein kuch aur tha.

Khanay ke baad usey kuch medicine lete dekh kar usne wohi medicines
uthakar dekhi.

"Post-thoracotomy"

"Kya iski heart surgery hui hai?" Bhanwein uchaka kar socha. Doosri chand
adwiyaat depression aur anxiety waghera ke liye thi.

Haider musalsal uske sath rabte mein tha. Rozana ki report wo usey deta
tha. Wo uske rawaiye ke bare mein jana chahta tha aur Raheem ko samajh
mein nahi aata tha ke usay kya kehna chahiye. Mehze ek khamoshi se wo
uski soch ka andaza kaise laga sakta tha? Uske zehen mein kya chal raha
hai, us tak kaise pohanch sakta tha?

Subah sawere Berry ke pinjray ki safai karke wo isi shash-o-panj mein

tehlta phir raha tha jab darwaze ki ghanti baji. Aage barh kar darwaza khola
to samne dus saal ka Spider-Man aur gyarah saal ka Batman khade thay.

Usne be ikhtiyar apni aankhein ghumaein. Dono ne apne masks utaar kar
muskurahatein dikhayein. Haath mein ek dabba tha. Usmein bohat saari
chocolates thin.

"James and William." Dono ne apne apne seene par lage badges ki taraf
ishara karke taaruf karwaya.
"Kahan se aaye ho?" Chocolates lete hue poocha. Unho ne sarak ke us paar
surkh baaz walay ghar ki peechay ki jaanib ishara kar diya. Wo naye ghar
mein isi hafte shift hue thay.

"Kya tum logon ko kisi ne bataya nahi ke wo ghar haunted hai?"

Raheem jo khauf bhare ta'asuraat dekhne ka muntazir tha, sar jhatak kar reh
gaya.

"Naam kya bataya tumne?" Spider-Man dobara naam batane laga tha ke
usne haath utha kar rok diya.

Padosiyon ke bachay dard-e-sar hua karte the.

"Tension Number 1" - Raheem ne haath jhaad kar James ki taraf ishara
kiya. Ye uska nam tey hua. "Tension Number 2" doosra ishara William ki
taraf tha jo hanuf bana usey dekh raha tha. Dono ke naam mile kar ke wo
andar chala gaya.

"Ye abhi abhi isne kya kaha?" Ek bhai ne doosre bhai se poocha tha. James
ne lab bheench liye. Gardan andar dali. Samne woh apni table par bartano
ko khali kar raha tha.

Gehri saans le kar, khali dabba unke hawalay kar diya. James ne box khol
kar dekha ke shayad is mein kuch ho, ke barabar wali Mrs. Grande ne to
kaafi saari cookies daal ke de di thi. Magar ye koi bohat hi kanjoos qism ka
padosi tha. Khali dabba dete hue isay koi sharam bhi nahi aayi.

"Apni mummy se shukriya kehna."

"Keh dein ge," wo jal kar bola. Phir dono apne ghar chale gaye.

"Mkm! Usne kaha hamara ghar haunted hai," James ne fikr mandi se apni
maan ko bataya.

"Jis ke tum dono jaise bache ho, uswy bhala haunted house se kya dar?"
Mrs. Anderson gehri saans le kar grocery ki list banati rahin.
James aur William apna pados jaan'ne char baar us se milne aa chuke thay.
Ek baar tota dekhne aaye the. Doosri baar haunted house ke mutaaliq
maloomat chahiye thi. Teesri baar William ko Mr. Well Samajh ke bare
mein poochna tha. Usey unka ghar bahar se bohat acha laga tha. Chauthi
baar wo apni koi kahani discuss karne aaye thay aur har baar bawajood
koshish ke bhi wo unhein ghar se nikaal nahi saka tha. Darwaze par bara
bara danger board lagane ka koi faida nahi tha kyunki James aur William
jaisi makhlooqaat par ye ziada asar nahi karti thin. Chauthe din unka school
shuru hua to usne bhi sukoon ki saans lete ghar ki tamam khidkiyo par
parday daal diye. Darwaza band kar diya. University doston ke saath joint
study ka program tha. Saat baje likhna tha. Ek baar phir sar utha kar
seedhiyo ki taraf dekha. Faris aaj neeche nahi aaya tha. Usey Haider ki baat
yaad aayi, uska hukum bhi. Balon mein haath phirte uske kamre mein gaya.
Wo writing table par hi koi kitaab khole baitha tha. Usne bataya ke wo
dinner pe aa jaayega. Faris ne usey koi jawab na diya. Wo kuch dair tak
usey dekhta raha phir sar jhatak kar chala gaya. Char ghanto ka keh kar wo
dedh ghantay baad hi wapas aa gaya tha. Uska sar ghoom raha tha.

"Mere apne so kaam hain. Ab mein har waqt uske saath bound ho kar to
ghar mein nahi baith sakta. Tum kya chahte ho mein university bhi chhor
doo?" Ruk kar kuch suna, lehje mein ghussa aa gaya.

"Hamare darmiyan ye te nahi huay tha" Chand lamho ka tauqaf kar ke

peshaani masli.

"Tumhein chahiye tha pehle usey kisi nafsiyaati doctor ko dikhatey, phir
mere paas chhorte."

"Wo koi baat hi nahi karta to mein kya keh sakta hu?"

Phone par kisi se behas karte uski nazar Faris par pari to ruk gaya. Wo
seedhiyon par baitha tha. Usay achanak apne jumlay ki sangeeni ka andaza
hua. Call kat di. Faris uth kar apne kamray mein chala gaya. Raheem gehri
saans le kar reh gaya tha.

London mein uska teesra hafta tha. Aur is arse mein wo pehli baar bahar
nikla tha. Murda qadam uthaate chalta gaya tha. Uske qareeb se hi cycle ke
pedals par zor zor se paon maarti paanch chhe saal ki bachhi guzar gayi.
Usne do ponytails bana rakhi thi Uska frock gulabi rang ka tha. Ek jhalak
mein usey wo Dr. Mustafa ki nawasi Jannat lagi thi. Usne nazar hata kar
rukh mod liya. Apne andar ek khaali pan sa mehsoos karte kahi aur dekhne
laga. Aise bohot se munazir thay jo guzrey waqt ka hawala zehen ki
tareekiyo mein roshan karte thay.

Jaise barish ki raat aur band kamra ka tasavvur uske hawaso par bhaari
parta tha, aise hi bachon ka shor, muskurahatein, qahqe bhi usey pareshan
karte thay.

Coat ki jeebon mein haath daale wo aage chalta rehta agar rasta mein hi
usay mausam ke badlaav ka ehsaas na hota. Barish barsne lagi to wo ruk
gaya. Mazeed aage barhna mushkil ho gaya. Usne wapsi ka rukh kar liya
tha lekin Begonia House tak pohanchne se pehle uski nazar door se us aali
shaan gaari par par gayi thi jo abhi abhi wahan aa kar ruki thi. Usne Haider
ke humraah Azam Shirazi ko nikalte dekha tha. Chhatri ke saaye mein
bairooni darwaze ki taraf barhte dekha tha.

Wo ulte qadam peeche hata. Sarak ke us paar ek taweel gali ke daaman

mein deewar se lag kar khara ho gaya. Sahar ka sooraj ghuroob hone mein
kaafi waqt tha. Boonda bandi ab barish ka roop dhaar chuki thi.

Hoodie sar par charhate, wo seedhi par baith gaya tha.

Aazam Shirazi ki aik jhalak thi aur zehan ke pardo par manazir bikhar gaye
thay. Ab tak kahi jane wali har talkh-o-tarsh baat uske ird-gird goonjne lagi
thi. Samne barish ka pani jama ho raha tha. Wo apne gird bazoo lapetay us
pani ko dekhne laga tha. Apna to kis kahin aur jamane laga tha. Lab
kapkapa rahe thay aur aankhen be-tahasa ho gayi thin. Uski har takleef ka
sabab Aazam Shirazi they. Uske har dukh ki ibtida un se hoti thi. Uski har
saza ka tayun wahi karte thay. Usne larazte haatho ko coat ki jeb mein daal
kar khatthi se bheench liya. Bilkul samne hi James aur William aik dusre se
behas karte larte jhagra karte chalay aa rahe thay. Faris par nazar pari to
chonk kar ruk gaye.

Wo dono hi bheege hue raincoats mein malboos usey chand lamhon tak
dekhte rahe. Unhain is gali se hi guzar kar apne ghar ki taraf jana tha. Wo
uske samne aa kar ruk gaye.
Faris ne zara sa sar utha kar unhein dekha.

"Ham se Rahim pooche ga to hum keh denge hum ne tumhein bilkul bhi
nahi dekha."

James dosti wale lehje mein goya hua. William uska haath khenche ja raha
tha taa ke wo yahan se chalay. Lekin usey to jaise Faris ki gunjaish mein
shamil hona tha. Faris ne sar jhuka liya aur nigahen barish ke pani par
thehrayeen.

"Agar tum chaho to hamare ghar aa sakte ho. Mein Mam se keh doonga ke
jis ball se kal khidki ka sheesha toota tha wo tumhari thi aur tum hamare
ghar maazrat karne aaye ho. Mom maazrat karne walon ko bara pyaar deti
hain, unhein lagta hai ghalti tasleem karna bara kaam hai." Ab baghair kisi
wajah ke to wo usey apne ghar nahi bula sakta tha.

Wo sunne an-suni karte raha.

"Lekin nahi, kaisa ajeeb larka tha. Raheem theek hi kehta hai uske bare
mein." James lab bheench kar reh gaya.

"Jese tumhari marzi." Beizzati ka jo halka phulka sa ehsas ho raha tha usay
rad karte, janay ke liye aagay barhe.

Aasman par aik dum se bijli kadki thi. Aawaz tez, bhaari, aur khatarnaak
thi. Haath sakhti se bheenche apni jagah se uth khara hua, bohat hi achanak
aur aik jhatke mein.

Barish ek dum se tez ho gayi. Yahan aaye roz aisa hi mausam ho jata tha.
London barisho ke hawale se kaafi se zyada mashhoor tha.

James kafi hairan hua tha. Kya wo waqai mein unke ghar anay wala tha?
Qadam uthaye to wo bhi unke peechay chalte hue unke ghar ki bairooni
baad tak aa gaya. James ko jaise yaqeen nahi aaya tha.

"Aao! Aao!" Khush akhlaqi ka muzahira karte andar le aaye. William kaafi
se zyada pareshaan ho raha tha.

James ne ghar ke andar ja kar lamba chowra sa introduction diya.

Lekin wo ball to William ki thi. Mrs. Anderson ne Faris ko dekhte hue apne
betay ko ghora. Usne sar jhuka liya.

"Haan, William hi to uske sath khel raha tha. Ab ye excuse karne aya hai."

Aur jo excuse karne aaya tha wo chup chaap ho kar khidki se qareeb thoda
door baitha hua tha. Uska sar ab bhi jhuka hua, uski ungliyan ghutnon par
mutaharik thi. Uska chehra spaath magar aankhon se ajeeb sa ta'asur jhalak
raha tha.

"Jamie! Agar ye tumhari hi koi banayi hui kahani hai to..?" humein uski kisi
baat par yaqeen nahi aaya.

"Theek hai, mein kahaniya sunata hoon lekin iska matlab ye to nahi hai ke
mein har waqt kahaniya hi sunata rehta hoon. Aap ko mujhe sanjeeda lena
chahiye Mom!" William uske peeche chhupa khara tha. Bhai ke sar par se
saare ilzaam jo hatawane mein laga tha.

Unhoon ne gehri saans le kar Faaris ko dekha. "Phir maazrat kyun nahi ki
usne abhi tak?"

"Mujh se kar li na, bas baat khatam."

"Lekin tumne kaha, wo yahan mujh se baat karne aya hai."

"Sirf chaar crack hi to aaye hain sheeshe par, sirf chaar crack. Aap is baat
ko bhoolti kyun nahi hain?" Zara sa rohaanasa hua.

"Tumhein kyun yaad rehta hai ghar mein ab kaun sa naya nuqsan karna
hai?" Unho ne daant diya. Wo bhawon seechr kar reh gaya.

"Mujhe tumhari chalakiyo ka poori tarah se ilm hai."

Wo tasuf se sar hilate Faris ke paas aa gayeen. Jaane uske betay kya keh kar
bechare ko apne sath le aaye thay.

"Kya tum theek ho?" Unho ne poocha tha, magar usne jawab nahi diya tha.
Pani ki offer ki gayi thi, to pani nahi liya tha. Uski bechaini aur beqarari har
guzarate lamhe ke sath barhti ja rahi thi.
"Rahim ka kya lagta hai yeh?" Andar ja kar apne betay se poocha. Wo
noodles kha raha tha, sar uthaya.

"Dushman!" Usne yahi suna tha.

"Kya?"

"Pata nahi! Kuch to lagta hoga." Har bara kar reh gaya.

Wo gehri saans le kar bahar aayeen to darwaze par dastak hone lagi thi.
James ne bhaag kar darwaza khola tha. Samne hi Rahim khara tha, chhatri
uthaye, achha khaasa tapa hua.

"Faaris ko dekha hai kahi?" Wo qataar mein sab hi gharon ke darwaze

khatkhatata, uske bare mein poochta hua yahan tak aya tha. Dedh ghanta ho
gaya tha ussy dhoondte hue. Har jagah se pata kar liya tha.

"Nahi, bilkul bhi nahi! Humein kya pata wo kahan hai? Hum kya jaane wo
kahan ho sakta hai!" Haath lehrate hue baat karta wo uska paara mazeed
charha gaya. Lekin is se pehle ke mazeed koi baat hoti, uski mam ne usey
kaan se pakar kar kheenchte hue peeche hata diya. Wo krahta reh gaya.

"Haan wo baccho ke sath aya tha." James ko peeche hatate unhoon ne kehte
hue, andar aane ka raasta diya aur Faris par nazar parte hi Rahim mushkil se
sabr kar saka. Zabardasti muskara kar Mrs. Anderson ko dekha.

"Haan, wo waise hi bas main dhoond raha tha." Daant pis kar qadam uthate
uske sar par pohanch gaya. Kisi aur ke ghar mein tha to kuch keh bhi nahi
sakta tha, warna dil to chaah raha tha rakh kar aik thappar uske gaal par to
zaroor jor de. Magar sabr kar ke usey bazoo se pakra aur khenchte hue
bahar late Mrs. Anderson ka shukriya ada karna nahi bhoola.

Dayein taraf gali se guzarte usne Faris ka bazoo jhatke se chor diya.

"Samajh kya rakha hai mujhe tumne? Baby sitter hoon tumhara? Apne sare
kaam chor kar tumhein doosro ke ghar dhoondta phiroon?"

Wo chup raha.
Munh hi munh mein badbadate hue, wo chhatri tale liye liye daak bharte
aage barha aur Faris ko bheegne ke liye chhor diya. Phir ruk kar mura. Wo
apni jagah par wahi khada tha. Peshani masalte wapas uske paas aya.

"Ab kya masla hai?" Zich ho kar poocha. Usey jo masla tha, wo usay bata
nahi sakta tha. Ghar mein Aazam Shirazi the. Jab tak wo wahan thay, wo
ghar nahi jana chahta tha. Wo saari raat yahin barish mein bahar hi Guzar
lena chahta tha. Raheem ne gehra saans le kar usay dekha.

"Aazam Shirazi ja chuke hai" Jaane kaise, magar wo bujh gaya ke wo ghar
kyun nahi ja raha tha.

"Ab chalo." Lehje mein is baar narmi thi. Usne khamoshi se qadam utha
liye.

Sadak ke us paar Begonia House ke samne, Porche mein koi gaari nahi
khari thi. Ghar ke andar yaqeenan wo nahi thay, sirf Haider mojood tha. Wo
uske liye shopping kar ke laya tha. Jis naye school mein uska admission hua
tha, uski aagahi dene aya tha. Drawing room mein Faaris sofa par uske
samne behta chup chap usey sun raha tha.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH78
'''

Agle din wo usey apne sath school le kar bhi gaya. Class president ne usey
poore school ka tour bhi karwa diya. Classes ki tafseelaat se bhi aagah kar
diya gaya. Kitabe, uniform, semester ka schedule sab bata diya gaya. Haider
uski aasani ke liye aaya tha. Naye mahol mein, naye school mein, naye
jagah par adjust hone tak wo uske paas hi rehna chahta tha. Use yehi hukum
mila tha. Magar Faris Wajdan ne school jane se inkaar kar diya. Uski
dilchaspi har aik cheez se khatam ho chuki thi. Uske andar jeene aur aage
barhne ki khwahish khatam ho gayi thi. Wo aik hi maqam par munjamid ho
gaya tha, waqt ke daire mein reh kar kahi saakin ho gaya tha.

Wo ab pehle jaisa nahi ho sakta tha. Pehle ki tarah zinda nahi ho sakta tha.
Use ab koi baat mutaharrik nahi karti thi. Ab koi khwab use mashgul nahi
karta tha. Ab koi khwahish, koi umang bhi nahi rahi thi.

Use apna aap kisi nashe mein qaid hota hua mehsoos hota tha.

Haider chahta tha wo school jaye. Usne har mumkin koshish bhi ki. Use
samjhata bhi raha, magar Faris kisi surat uski baat man'ne ko taiyar na tha.
Wo kuch din ke liye chala jata, phir aa jata, dobara baith kar samjhata. Uske
zimme ek kaam tha, use wo kaam har surat poora karna tha.

"Aap ko apni taleem hasil karni chahiye, aage badna chahiye." Us din bhi
wo milne aya to samjhane laga.

Rahim sofa par neem daraz chips khate hue unhein hi dekhta ja raha tha.
"Jab usne apni zindagi barbaad karne ka faisla kar hi liya hai, to tum usey
kyun force kar rahe ho?"

Straw munh mein daba kar ek lamba ghoont bhara. Haider hamesha hi uske
taang arane par zich hota tha. Ek to usey Faris ko zehni tor par tayyar karna
nahi aa raha tha, doosra jo zehn saazi wo taleem ke fawaid ginwa kar karta
tha, use Rahim fana kar deta tha.
"Padhai wadhai mein kuch nahi rakha. Gunde ban jao, bara scope hai."

"RAHIM!" Haider ne ghoor kar use mutanabbeh kiya tha.

"Kya?" Baazu phela kar hairani ka izhar kiya.

"Apna munh band rakho aur mujhe baat karne do."

"Pichle do hafto se tum baat hi kar rahe ho, koi hal nikla?"

Haider daant pees kar reh gaya.

"Jab wo school nahi jana chahta to tum usey kyun force kar rahe ho?"

"Tum hamare darmiyan mat aao."

"Main kahan aa raha hoon? Dekho main to yahan baitha hua hoon." Usne
lounge se haank lagayi. Wo dono dining table par baithe the.

Haider ko ehsaas ho. Usey Fars ko khanay ke liye kisi alag kamre ka
intekhab karna chahiye.

Jahan Rahim ki koi ma alfat na ho, agar aisa ho nahi sakta tha.

Abhi baat ho rahi thi ke ghanti bajne lagi.

"Is waqt kaun aa gaya?" Rahim jazbaaz hota ka joon ki tarah sofa se uth kar
darwaze par gaya. Us ne chhoti si khidki slide kar di. Samne James aur
William khare the.

"Hum totey se milne aaye hain."

"Tota so raha hai." Us ne slide khat se band kar di.

Dobara bell baji to usne slide dobara kholi.

"Agar mein qatal koi police force mein shamil kar doon aur usey tamam
qatal case investigate karte dikhau to..?" danista ruk kar fatahana muskrahat
dikhai ke ab to anokha idea mil hi gaya.
"Tum abhi bhooto par kaam karo. Is par baad mein aata."

"Oh bhooto se yaad aaya. Mister Will Smith ka ghar haunted hai kya?"

"Nahi."

"Lekin mujhe aisa kyun laga?"

"Tumhare dimaagh mein koi khalal hoga." Burbura kar slide band ki aur us
se pehle dobara bell bajayi jati Us ne slide khol kar sar aage kiya.

"Listen Mister, William!" foran se toka gaya.

"Main is waqt bohot masroof hoon. Bohot zyada. Mere paas tumhare kisi
sawaal ka koi jawab nahi hai."

Aqab mein Haider ne jhat se darwaza khol kar use bahar dhakel diya.

"Nahi yeh bilkul masroof nahi hai. Isey le jao"

"tata, bye bye!" Is se pehle ke woh seedha hota aur sidhiyo par tawazun
sambhalta, darwaza zor se band ho gaya.

"HAIDER!" woh darwaza bajate hue chillaya. Slide se us ke joote bahar

phaink diye gaye.

"Kya hai yaar, darwaza kholo?"

magar Haider behad sanjeedgi se Faris Wajdan ke samne ja baitha. Usey

laga ab woh bahut sukoon se baat kar sakta hai, Usey samjha sakta hai.

Bahar Rahim ne gardan mod kar James aur William ko dekha. Us ki aisi
izzat afzaai par unhein hasi aayi thi magar woh sanjeeda sa chehra banaye
khare the, jaise unhone toh usey bahar nikalte dekha hi nahi tha.

••••

Pakistan se aaye hue jameela Dawood ko poore chaar mah ho chuke the aur
is dauran woh aik lamhe ke liye khud ko Faris ke maamlay se ghaafil nahi
kar saki thi. Un ka dil har aik shay se uchaat ho chuka tha. Woh apne studio
mein ab nahi jati thi. Paintings adhoori thi, kaam na mukammal. Dil
wahemo mein dooba rehta tha. Aankhe fikarmandi se num hone lagti thi.
Faris unhein buhat yaad aata tha, unhein us ki buhat fikar rehti thi.

Jab woh surat e haal ka jaaiza letein toh unhein apna aap mujrim lagta tha.
Woh Pakistan mein thi toh unhein stand lena chahiye tha. Jaise dhamki di
thi toh us par qaayam bhi rehna chahiye tha. Unhein Faris ko chhod kar
nahi aana chahiye tha. Unhein apna wada nibhana chahiye tha.

Jaane ab woh kaisa hoga, kis haal mein hoga. Azam Shirazi ne ab ke us ke
saath kya kiya hoga. Kisi aur shehar mein bhej diya hoga ya phir abhi bhi
woh Islamabad mein hoga?

Woh raat der tak jagti rehti thi. Rahdaari mein tehalte hue bahar lawn mein
pohanch jati thi. Taareek raat ke daaman mein kitni hi dair tak pachtawo
mein ghiri rehti thi. Woh be bas thi. Woh us ke liye kuch bhi nahi kar sakti
thi. Yeh ehsaas un ke dil par bhaari padta tha.

Unhein Manhattan Beach par apne aali shan ghar mein aik perfect wife, aik
perfect maa ke roop mein rehna hota tha. Woh apni zimmedariyo se ghaafil
nahi thi magar zameer ka bojh aur haalaat ki be-basi ne unhein ajeeb
dorhane par la khara kiya tha, wahan jahan sirf dukh, aziyat aur pachtawo
ke siwa kuch nahi reh gaya tha.

Din ba din un ki sehat girti ja rahi thi. Soch aur khayalat me jazbaat ki
bhatti mein dhakel diya tha. Doctor Mustafa se un ka rabta nahi ho saka tha,
Faris Wajdan se bhi nahi ho saka tha. Woh ab kahan tha, koi khabar nahi
thi. Sukoon khatam, be-qarari aik aik mein sama chuki thi. Woh bemaar ho
kar bistar se lag gayi thi.

Is dafa Azam Shirazi America aaye toh un ki haalat dekh kar dang reh gaye.
Woh barso ki bemaar lag rahi thin.

"Yeh kya haalat kar li hai tum ne apni?" Woh bed par neem daraaz thi aur
woh un ke paas kursi par baithe thay. Bahu thi, betiyo jaisi thi. Us ki aisi
haalat dekhi nahi gayi. Woh chup hi rahi thin. Koi shikwa aur shikayat nahi
ki thi. Koi hawala nahi diya tha. Koi mutalba nahi kiya tha. Woh patthar thi,
un ka dil mom nahi ho sakta tha. Un ki khwahish na mumkin hi thi.

Woh kuch dair tak baithe rahe the. Shaam mein dobara bhi aaye. Bedside
table par aik safhe par kuch likh kar rakh diya. Chale gaye toh unhon ne
utha kar dekha.

Begonia House ka mukammal address likha tha. Neeche ibarat thi,

"Ab London tum is haalat mein toh ja nahi sakogi?"

Aur woh sadi se gung apni jagah baithi reh gayin. Aankho par yaqeen nahi
aaya tha. Nazar dhundhli hone lagi thi. Dil saakin ho gaya tha. Sar utha kar
darwaze ki taraf dekha. Kaghaz muthi mein liye, lahaaf hata diya.

Qadar koshish se qadam uthaye bahar aayi.

"Mummy! Aap yahan?" Hammad fridge se kuch nikaal raha tha, foran un
ke paas aa gaya.

"Tumhare dada kahan hain?"

"Woh toh chale gaye. No baje un ki flight hai Germany ki. Papa bhi saath ja
rahe hain. Aap so rahi thi isliye jagaya nahi maine."

Woh unhein kandhon se thaam ke khada tha. Un ki aankhein nam ho rahi

thi. Woh ek dam se rote hue neeche baith gayi thin. "Mummy?," un ke dil
par bara bojh tha. Unhein lag raha tha woh mar jaayengi. Unhone siskte hue
aankho par haath rakha.

Hammad samajh nahi paaya ke kya keh rahi thin.

"Mummy! Aap mere saath andar chale. Aaraam kare. Aap ki tabiyat theek
nahi hai." Woh unhein sahara de kar uthate hue andar le gaya tha. Woh usey
batana chahti thin. Un ki tabiyat abhi hi toh theek hui thi. Jo gumaan mein
nahi tha, woh ho gaya tha. Azam Shirazi ne unhein Faris se milne ki ijazat
de di thi. Woh abhi bhi be-yaqeeni ki si kefiyat mein thi.
Aisa kaise hua tha? Unhone faisla kaise badal liya tha? Unhone farm house
mein jis sakhti se baat ki thi toh unhein laga tha woh zindagi bhar usey
milne nahi dein ge. Magar ab achanak se ijazat de kar unho ne heraan kar
diya tha.

Unhone agle din unhein phone kiya. Woh un ka shukriya ada karna chahti
thi.

"Tabiyat kaisi hai tumhari?" Woh poochh rahe the.

"Behtar hoon!" Woh itna hi keh saki.

"Behtar hi rehni chahiye. Apna khayal rakho ladki." Un ke lehje mein

shafqat bharha tahkum tha. Unho ne lab kaat-te hue khidki se bahar saahil e
samundar ki taraf dekha.

"Baba, main aap ka shukriya ada karna chahti hoon. Aap ka yeh ehsaan
main kabhi nahi bhoolu gi." Doosri taraf woh kuch dair tak khamosh rahe.

"Faris ke saath tumhare rabtay ka asar hamari family par nahi padna
chahiye. Hammad par bilkul nahi!" Un ka lehja phir se sakht aur tahkumana
ho gaya tha.

"Main nahi chahta tum apni sehat ke hawalay se la-parwahi bartho ya apni
zindagi se is tarah be-zar ho jao" sanjidgi se samjhaaya.

"Main koshish karugi." Unhone kaha. Dil se bhaari bojh sarak gaya tha.
Duaen rang layi thi. Kabhi socha bhi na tha ke Azam Shirazi is tarah unhein
ijazat dein ge. Kisi din un ka dil us ke liye bhi naram ho jaye. Unhone dua
ki thi, aur bahut dil se dua ki thi.

•••

Agle din Haider aaya toh pandrah bees minute tak band kamre mein woh
Faris se baat karta raha. Rahim neeche tha. Popcorn khate hue koi film dekh
raha tha. Har thodi dair baad nazar utha kar seedhiyo ki taraf zaroor dekh
leta tha. Jaane kya baat ho rahi thi. Phir woh usey apne saath le kar chala
gaya tha.
Shaam tak wapsi hui thi. Us ke puchhne par Haider ne bataya tha woh usey
kisi psychiatrist ko dikhane ke liye le gaya tha. Agla session ek hafte baad
tha aur is tarah ke kai sessions, agle kai mahino tak chalne wale the. Woh
zehni tor par bohat disturb tha, is baat ka idraak usey bhi tha.

"Is tarah psychiatrist ko dikhane se behtar nahi hai ke Azam Shirazi sahib,
ab usey us ke family ke hawale kar dein?" Haider samne hi zaroori call
attend kar ke mura toh usne kaha. Woh is ki baat par thitak gaya tha magar
usne phir yun zaahir kiya jaise kuch suna na ho.

Woh raat mein Faris ko apne saath park le gaya. Aur agle kai dinon tak
waqfay waqfay se ghuma phirata raha. Khayal tha is se us ke nafsiyat par
acha asar parega. Magar usne mehsoos kiya ke woh mazeed disturb ho jata
tha. Usey wapas ghar jaane aur apne kamre mein band hone ki jaldi hoti thi.

Us ke saath jo kuch hua tha, Haider ko uska bohat afsos tha. Woh sahi
mayno mein us ke liye fikarmand nazar aa raha tha. Woh chahta tha ke
Faris school jaye magar Faris apna iraada badalne ko tayar na tha. Haider
mayoos ho kar chup ho gaya. Jaane kis ki hidayat aur hukum par ghar mein
parhai ya school ka bhi zikr na hua. Rahim ne toh khud ko waise bhi us ke
mamlat se door rakha hua tha. Us ka jo kaam tha, woh sirf wahi kar raha
tha. Haider ne bhi usey qail karna chhod diya tha. Aur phir ek subah woh
Begonia House se hi chala gaya tha.

Jamila Dawood ne Haider ko andar bulaya tha. Azam Shirazi aaraam farma
rahe the. Woh Faris ke hawale se us se baat karna chahti thin. Us ki
khairiyat maloom karna chahti thin. Hammad ke exams hone wale the. so
woh abhi London nahi ja sakti thin. Ek mah baad ka plan mutawaqqe tha.
Haider un ke samne sar jhukaye mo’addab sa khada tha aur sanjeedgi se un
ke sawalaat ka jawab de raha tha. Woh apne andar ek karb sa mehsoos karte
usey sunti ja rahi thi.

Guzishta chhey mah ka hawala wahan se shuru ho raha tha jahan se woh
usey chhod kar gayi thin. Woh ek dam se bahut khamosh ho gaya tha. Usne
kamre se nikalna bhi chhod diya tha. Woh lawn mein walk ke liye bhi nahi
jata tha. Woh raat mein aksar cheekhte hue uth kar baith jaya karta tha.
Kamra roshan hota tha aur usey phir bhi lagta tha ke andhera hai. Usne
farmhouse se do baar faraar ki koshish ki thi. Woh apni psychiatrist ke sath
koi ta’awun nahi kar raha tha. Usne haadse ke mutaliq abhi tak koi
maloomat faraham nahi ki thin. Woh us par baat bhi nahi karna chahta tha.
Ab us ki sehat behtar thi magar zehni tor par woh bahut disturb tha. Woh ab
school jaane ko tayar nahi tha.

Unhone Haider ko jaane ki ijazat de di aur khud kitni hi dair tak wahan
baithi rahi. Azam Shirazi neend se bedar hone ke baad tayar ho kar neeche
aaye toh woh unhein mulaazim ke humrah bahar jata dekhte hue glass wall
ke paas aa khadi huin.

Aath mah guzar chuke thay aur Faris Wajdan abhi tak us hadse ke asar se
bahar nahi nikal paaya tha. Woh is tarah apne khol mein pehle kabhi band
nahi hua tha. Shayad is liye ke tab woh us ke paas hoti thi. Ya phir Doctor
Mustafa, jin ki mojoodgi ka us ki zindagi par gehra asar tha. Woh unhi ki
wajah se apne hostel mein adjust ho paaya tha.

“Toh kya Azam Shirazi ne Faris ki haalat ke pesh-e-nazar unhein milne ki

ijazat di thi?” Woh apni jagah apne andar lamha bhar ke liye sakte mein
aayi thi.

“Kya yeh faisla Faris ki wajah se badla gaya tha? Kya unhein us ki fikar
thi? Us ke mustaqbil ki, us ki zindagi ki?” Woh aankho mein pareshaani
liye unhein dekh rahi thin. Mulazim ne briefcase gaari mein rakh diya tha.
Doosre ne aqbi darwaza khol diya tha. Woh apni safed rang ki gaari mein
sawar ho rahe the. Unhone gehra saans le kar unhein dobara dekha.

"Kya duaein rang la rahi hain? Kya unka dil ab iske liye naram ho raha hai?
Kya ab woh ise apna bana lege?" Zehan mein ek musbat khayal ujaagar
hua. Unhone umeed qaim rakhi. Dua jari rakhi. "Sab theek ho jayega," zeir-
e-lab dehrate apne sar ko dekha. "Sab theek ho jayega!" Woh wapas palat
gayi. Us raat unhone Haider ke diye gaye number par phone kiya. Number
Raahim ka tha. Woh Azam Shirazi ke khandan ke ek ek fard ko jaanta tha.
Unse baat karte hi unhein pehchan gaya. Woh Faris se baat karna chahti thi.
Usne kuch hi dair mein aankhe nam ho gayin. Jane ke ya. Usne sirf "Hello"
kaha, aur unki aankhe nam ho gayi thi, unhe laga woh unki awaaz sunte hi
phone band kar dega. Unhone apna wada poora nahi kiya tha. Woh usey
chhor kar chali gayi thi. Woh chup thi. Unse koi bhi lafz ada nahi ho raha
tha. Woh nahi chahti thin Faris phone band kar de.

"Faris...."

"Mummy...." Woh unhein jaan gaya, pehchan gaya. Use is tarah se phone
sirf wahi kar sakti thi, magar use bhi yaqeen nahi aaya tha. Unhone use
phone kaise kar liya tha? Woh us tak kaise pohanch gayi thin? Sar utha kar
Raahim ko dekha. Woh apne totey ke sath baton mein laga hua tha. Usne
phone band nahi kiya. Girift barhaye khara raha. Unse bola nahi jaa raha
tha. Us se bhi nahi, ke zehan ek dum se khauf aur andesho mein ghir gaya
tha.

Woh nahi chahta tha mazeed koi badmazgi ho ya uske dada Jameela Daud
par gussa kare, Woh nahi chahta tha woh uske liye laren ya koi stand le.

"Faris!" Unhone pukara. Usne jawab nahi diya. Kaafi dair tak nahi diya.

"Is tarah nahi karo. Mujhse baat karo bete." Unki awaaz bheegi hui thi.

Rahim ne gardan mod kar Faris ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhein zabt se surkh
parr rahi thi. Chehre par karb thehra hua tha. Is arse mein pehli baar usne
Faris Wajdan ke taasarat badalte dekhe the.

"Mujhe maaf kar do. Apni mummy ko maaf kar do. Main tumhein chor kar
chali gayi."

"Aap mujhe phone mat kare" bola to yun jaise kaafi arsay baad bolne ki
taqat mili ho.

Jameela ke dil par zarb lagi.

Woh dara hua nahi tha. Woh jaanti thi, Faris ye baat unki fikr mein keh raha
tha. Woh khud ko har surat unse door rakhna chahta tha. Usne phone band
kar diya. Uske baad jitni baar unhone koshish ki, Faris ne unse baat nahi ki
thi.

•••
Subah sawere Faris Wajdan ko school uniform mein malboos dekh kar
Rahim apni jagah gang reh gaya. Jis tarah ki zid usne bandhi thi school na
jane ki aur jis qadar hatdharmi ka muzahira karte hue usne Haider ko tang
kiya tha, to ab achanak school jane ka faisla kar ke usne hairan kar diya.
Woh kuch dair tak mashkooq nigahon se use dekhta raha. Kisi saaye ki
tarah din raat uske sath musslat rehne ke bawajood, woh uski soch ko kisi
taur parh nahi paa raha tha, na hi uske irado ko samajh paa raha tha. Zehan
mein ek hi lamhe mein bohat kuch ghoom gaya.

"School ke bahane woh kahi farar hone ka to nahi soch raha tha? Ya phir
school ki building se chalang lagane ka tayya kiya ho? Kahin school mein
koi masla khada kar ke Azam Shirazi ke liye masail to paida nahi karna
chahta."

"Tum to kehte the kabhi school nahi jao ge! Achanak kya badal gaya?"

"Mujhe lagta hai inteqam ke liye school jana bohot zaroori hai.” Raahim ki
bolti sahi mayno mein band hui thi. Inteqaam kaisa tha, kis noiyat ka tha
use samajhne ke liye musalsal ek hafte tak use Faris ke sath uske school
jana pada tha. Woh class ke andar, break ke waqt, pehle ground mein gharz
har jagah ek guard ke roop mein uske sath sath raha. Pure ek hafte baad
woh is natije par pohancha ke Faris Wajdan ka focus apni parhai ke siwa
aur kahin nahi tha. Pure ek hafte ki be-aarami ke baad woh pursukoon ho
kar soya. Dopeher mein school ki taraf se call gayi. Usne kisi ladke ka bazu
tor diya tha.

Usne baazu nahi tora tha. Sirf ek senior ladke ke tang karne par, apna difa
karne ki koshish ki thi aur natijan woh apne hi wazan se ulajh ke seedhiyon
se gir kar apna baazu todwa baitha tha. Senior ladka buzdil tha ke use
seedhiyon se jaan bujh kar us waqt giraya gaya jab ke woh kuch bhi nahi
kar raha tha. Ladka mota aur lamba tha. Use seedhiyon se pakad kar girana
kam az kam Faris ke bas ki baat nahi thi.

Raahim ne poori soorat-e-haal ka tajziya kar ke behs mubahisey mein mote

ladke ki amma ko aisa uljhaaya ke woh bokhla gayin. Fake shahadato ke
bawajood per school ko maana para ke ghalti us ladke ki hi thi. Itni mushkil
se poore masle se jaan chhuda kar woh use ghar laya aur phir jo shuru hua
to das pandrah minute tak musalsal barasta garajta hi raha.
“Tum ek baar waazeh tor par hame bata do ke tum chahte kya ho, taake
hum tumhare Azam Shirazi sahab ko bata dein aur phir woh tumhara koi
mustaqil hal dekhein.”

Us ka koi mustaqil hal nahi tha. Woh chup chaap baitha raha.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ. CH-79
•••

Raahim ko hamesha se lagta tha jaise uske dimag mein kuch chal raha hai.
Woh kuch soch raha hai, kuch ban raha hai. Lekin kya? Uska andaza kisi
surat ho nahi paata tha. Gin kar chand aik lafz hi the jo woh ada karta tha.
Maths ke kuch sawalat jinke bishtar jawab haan ya nahi par mushtamil hote
the. Zyada tar woh apne kamre tak mehdood hota tha. School mein bhi koi
dost na the, wapsi par bhi woh taqreeban akela hi hota tha. James aur
William ne bhi aik baar shikayat ki thi ke woh un se koi baat nahi karta.
Unke khayal mein unke paros mein sirf Raahim hi tha jo Mr. Perfect tha. Jo
unka khayal rakhta tha. Woh uske bohat bade fan the.

Mrs. Grande albata uski khamoshi aur liye diye se andaaz ko kisi khaatir
mein nahi lati thin. Sirf isliye ke baraf hatane mein usne zara si madad kar
di thi woh uski diwani ho gayi thi ke aisa koi ehsaan un par Begonia House
ke makino ki taraf se pehle kabhi nahi kiya gaya tha. Faris ka ehsaan tha jo
utar hi nahi raha tha. Khaas taur par canes dene aati thin. Bhaari bhar kam
wujood sambhaale kitni hi dair tak sofa par baithi rehti thin. Ainaak durust
karti kitaab parhtay jati thi. Flora pinjre mein phadphada rahi hoti aur
Raahim ka tota Harry uski awaaz mein jawab de raha hota.

Dono ka milan kisi surat mumkin na tha ke Raahim aur Mrs. Grande ke
taluqaat kuch ache na thay. Woh Begonia Botax mein Raahim ko zaleel
karne aur mukammal nazar andaaz karne ke liye bhi aati thin. Aisa
nahunjaar parosi kabhi kisi dushman ko bhi naseeb na ho. Aatay jatay apne
glasses ko durust karte, apne balon mein haath phirte wo jach bach hota,
samne aao to masla na aao to bhi masla. Us din Faris apne school se wapas
aaya to chehre par, gaal aur aankh ke upar soojan ka nishan wazeh tha.
Honth ka kona bhi surkh ho raha tha. Dono ke maabain koi baat nahi hoti
thi to istifsaar ka to sawaal hi paida nahi hota tha magar jab doosre aur phir
teesre din bhi uske haath ki pusht par bhi zakham ka nishan nazar aaya to
raha nahi gaya.
"Yeh roz tum kis se maar kha kar aate ho?"

Faris ne zara si nazar uthakar use dekha aur khamoshi se khana khata raha.
Agle din woh uske peeche school tak gaya, chhup kar. Wapsi par bhi sarak
ke us paar posheeda hi raha. Chand ladko ne use ghera tha. Phir woh aqb
mein imarat ki taraf chala gaya tha. Wahan se dayen taraf aur baen taraf
bhaga aur phir jhatke se ruk gaya. Woh do larke the. Umar mein bhi bade
the. Faris is qadar bedardi se peet raha tha ke agar jo woh uske paas ja kar
use kheench kar peeche na hatata to yaqeenan us lambe chodhe cartoon
numa larke ki shakl mazeed bigar chuki hoti.

Larke use dekhte hi bhaag gaye.

Raahim ko yakeen nahi aaya. Sadme se use dekhta raha.

“Tum parhne jaate ho ya badmaashi karne?” Ghar pohanchte hi be-wajah ka

zara raub jhaad kar poochhna chaha.

"Tumhara matlab hai, chup chaap maar khata rahoon?” Sawal saada tha.
Raahim ka mun band hua. Baazoo chhura kar usne apna bag uthaya aur
chalta bana. Shaam mein usne Haider ko report di.

"Agar kabhi tumhe yeh khabar mili ke kisi ka sar phadne, baazoo todne aur
laatain maarne ki paadash mein Faris jail mein hai to mujhe ilzaam mat
dena.”

“Kya matlab? Tumhe ilzaam mat du? Tum wahan kis liye ho? Nazar nahi
rakh sakte us par? Samajh nahi sakte?” Haider ne jhaad kar rakh diya.

"Mein koi uska baap hu jo use esi nasihate karu? Aur tumhe jese uske
attitude ka andaza nahi hai?"

"Tum paise kis chij ke le rahe ho?" Haider ko ghussa chad gaya tha.

"Ye jo report mene tumhe di hai iske" wo sofe par panjo ke bal betha tha.
Phone kan se lagaye, ghunghrale surkhi mail shade dete balo me adatan
hath phairte hue, chewing gum chabate hue,

"Raahim Afaq?" Haider ghurraaya.

“Oh kahin tumhe yeh khushi toh nahi thi ke mein baby sitter hoon uska?
Mujhe nahi lagta usey meri kisi instruction ki zaroorat hai.”

Haider ne phone hi kaat diya. Usne unhoni ki khushi ka ehsaas kiya ke ab to

Haider kuch mahine ke liye yahan zaroor aaye ga magar khushi waqti thi.
Kuch hi dair mein use dhamkiyo bhara aisa paighaam moosool hua ke use
parhte hue jhunjhala kar reh gaya.

Samajh mein nahi aaya Faris se kya kahe ke kisi ka mun torna bohat buri
baat hai. Bhale se woh aap ka haath bhi tod de?

Darwaze par dastak deta uske kamray mein daakhil hua. Use apne saath
bahar khana khane ki dawat di. Faris chand lamho tak baitha raha. Phir uth
gaya. Aadhe ghante ke baad woh aik restaurant mein aamne samne mojood
the.

Khana pesh kar diya to Raahim ne gala khankhaar kar, lamba chora sa
lecture diya ke jail jaane se behtar hai ke agar kuch ladke usey tang karein
bhi to woh farar ho jaye, unke haath na aaye lekin un par haath na uthaye.
Use qatayi tor par samjhana nahi aa raha tha. Lato aur ghooso se baat karne
wala, kaise keh de chup chaap maar aur woh jazbazi mein hi ulajh kar reh
gaya.

Khaate raho, jawab na do?

Hairat angez tor par uska ulta seedha ajeeb o ghareeb daleelon wala lecture
Faris Wajdan ne chup chaap suna. Aisa pehli baar hua tha ke woh barah-e-
raast us se mukhatib tha. Aur Faris chup chaap usey sun raha tha. Aur phir
mukhtasir aur chhoti chhoti baton par dono ke darmiya baqaida tor par
guftagu shuru hui. Uske kuch mukhtasir la jawab karte huay sawal the.
Raahim khamoshi se sun raha tha. Kuch jawab de raha tha, kuch par
jhanjhala raha tha.

"Maine yeh kab kaha hai maar khaate raho, jo haalat tumne unki ki hui thi
us se behtar nahi hai ke bhaag jao, unke haath hi na aao. Simple!" Burger
khaate huay woh ruk kar uski shakal dekhne laga.
"Kya ghalat keh diya maine jo aise ghoor rahe ho?" Ruk kar apna can
uthaya.

"Shareefo ki tarah rehna seekho. Insaan ko apna raub bana kar rakhna
chahiye. Yeh kya ke do char ladke ikattha huye to unpar pal pado. Aur
maine tumhein dekha tha tum to aise ladh rahe thay jaise unki jaan le loge."

Shaayad woh khud bhi nahi jaanta tha kya keh raha tha. Faris sar jhatak kar
phir se khane laga. Koi jawab na diya. Bahar nikal kar footpath par chalte
huay, itraaf ka nazara karte, aik lamba chora sa larka Raahim ke qareeb se
guzra, jeb mein haath daal ke wallet churata hua. Raahim ne pakad kar,
baazoo maror kar, do chaar laatain maar kar usey dhun kar rakh diya.
Bechara maafiyaan maangta, jaan chhurata hi reh gaya. Magar woh bakta
jhakta usey kisi tor chorhne ko tayyar hi na tha.

Aur jab isi haatha pai mein Faris par nazar pari to usay aik dum se sabr o
tahammul ki us misaal ka khayal aya jo woh Faris par qaim karna chahta
tha. Girift dheeli hui. Shareefo ki tarah rehne wala saara image barbaad ho
gaya.

Larka apni jaan bacha kar bhag gaya.

Raahim baraf par murda sa lete gaya. Usne aankhein band kar lein. "Woh
mar chuka hai." Usne zaahir kiya.

Faris ne bhi yaqeen kar liya. Kuch bhi kahe baghair wahan se chala gaya.

Raat ka jaane kaunsa peher tha uski aik jhatke se aankh khul gayi aur woh
uth kar baith gaya tha. Sar thame. Mushkil se saans lete huay, haanpte huay
ke yun jaise mailon daudta raha ho. Bahar baarish ho rahi thi. Bijli ghan
garaj aur kadak ki awaaz thodi dair baad faza par chha jati thi. Usey apne
seene mein dard uthta hua mehsoos ho raha tha. Uska sar phat raha tha.
Samaat mein makhsoos awazen. Hathore ki tarah baras rahi thin.

Makhsoos dhun ki awaaz, firing, car accident ke dauran jab jhamake se

sheeshay toote thay aur jab usey goli lagi thi. Woh rote huay aage ko jhuk
gaya.
Kamre ka darwaza hamesha ki tarah halka sa khula hua tha. Raahim
rahedari se guzarta hua, thikthak kar ruk gaya. Darwazay tak aaya aur phir
apni jagah khara reh gaya. Faris Wajdan ko uske sath Begonia House mein
rehte ye teer maheena tha. Aur is arse mein pehli baar woh usay sar pakad
kar aur is qadar be-basi se rota dekh raha tha. Uski siskiya baarish ke shor
mein bhi numaya ho rahi thi. Uska wujood buri tarah se kapkapa raha tha.
Woh chhotay baccho ki tarah ro raha tha. Woh andar daakhil hote hote ruk
gaya. Uski awaaz sunte apni jagah khara raha.

Ek baar phir takiye par sar rakhte Faris ne apne kaan par doosra cushion
rakha tha. Yun jaise kisi shor ko dabana chah raha ho. Woh yun pareshan
aur bechain tha jaise angaaro ke bistar par lete ho aur usey kisi pal sukoon
na aata ho. Zarasi khamoshi chhai to woh chup chaap wapas palat gaya.
Apne kamray mein, writing table ke saamne baith kar apna assignment
tayar karne ki koshish ki magar kar na saka. Zehen musalsal ulajha raha.
Kuch dair baad phir utha.

Kuch dair bad bazahir uth kar gaya to woh sota hi nazar aaya, magar uske
ilm mein na tha woh beech beech mein so gaya tha ya phir jaag raha tha.
Woh uske sar par khada tha.

"Kya uski har raat aisi hi hoti hai?"

Usne pehle dhiyan kyun na diya? Pehle khayal kyun na kiya? Woh soch kar
reh gaya tha.

•••

Agley din uska achanak hi climbing center jane ka iraada ban gaya. Faris ko
bhi offer kar di. Uska khayal tha woh bas yunhi outing ke bahane saath le ja
raha hai. Magar wahan ja kar pata chala, woh sirf aik bahana nahi tha, woh
usey enroll karwane ke liye hi apne saath laya tha. Classic climbing center
mein na sirf Mrs. Grande mojood thi balke James aur William bhi apni maa
ke saath aaye hue thay.

"Raahim tumhara bohat shukriya. Mein yeh to soch rahi thi ke unhein
swimming club mein dakhil karwa deti hoon magar yeh zehen mein nahi
aaya. Ab tum bhi yahan hotay ho to mujhe bohat tasalli rahegi!"
"Shukriya ki koi baat nahi, yeh mere liye izzat ki baat hai ke mein aapke
kaam aya."

James aur William ne usey aankho hi aankho mein kha jane ki koshish ki
thi. Jawanib mein usne bhi unki maa ki nazron se bachte hue munh churaya
tha. Jaanta tha ek ko bulandiyon se dar lagta tha. Dusra kuch mota tha to
charhne mein diqqat hoti thi.

Faris albata khamosh tha. Woh soorat-e-haal ko samajhne ki koshish kar

raha tha.

"Maine aisi kisi khwahish ka izhaar nahi kiya tha."

"Jaanta hoon. Mein apni khwahish par tumhein yahan laya hoon. Mahine ki
membership ki baat thi lekin sorry keh raha hoon salana kar doon." Qalam
ke saath hi usey form pakraya.

"Ab kis ka hukum aaya hai?" Bhanwein uchkate woh uski taraf mura.

"Hukum?" Yun anjaan bana jaise kuch pata hi na ho. Faris ne lab bheench
liye. Woh sar khujata uske paas aaya.

"Tumhari wajah se mein apne bohat se ahem kaamon se break le chuka

hoon lekin yeh nahi chhod sakta. Teen mah ka break kaafi hai."

Ab ke Faris ne sawaliya abroo uthai.

"Tumhein agar zara dair ke liye bhi ghar mein chhod do to Haider yu react
karta hai jaise koi alarm bomb rakha ho aur woh bas tik tik tik... phatne hi
wala ho. Ab mein har waqt to ghar baith kar tum par nazar nahi rakh sakta.
Is liye mein ne socha hai jab bahar kahin jana hoga to tum mere saath hi
jaoge. Tab tak jab tak Haider ko yaqeen nahi ho jata ke tum mere saath bhi
aur mere baghair bhi bilkul safe ho."

Sanjeedgi se keh kar mur gaya. Faris kuch dair tak baitha raha phir usne
form fill kar diya.

Mrs. Grande asal mein climbing center ki regular member thi. Usay wahan
dekh kar bohat khush hui. Aur phir jaise yeh weekend ka mamool ban gaya.
Woh Raahim ke saath wahan anay laga. Parhai ke ilawa yeh pehli sargarmi
thi jis mein woh hissa le raha tha. Usey rock climbing ke douran apna no ko
girift mein aatay pathron par jamaye rakhna hota tha. Khud se tay karna
hota tha ke usey kab, kis taraf jana hai aur kis patthar par girift barhakar
neechay kis maqam par apna wazan rakhna hai. Kai baar woh crash pad par
tawajjo ke fiqdan ke bais gira tha. Aur kai baar usey chote bhi aayi thi.
Bold ring mein itna waqt le rahe ho. Rock climbing mein Allah hi hafiz hai.
Raahim tehalte hue keh raha tha.

"Girne se darte ho, musalsal gir bhi rahe ho."

"Apne baazu seedhe rakho. Joote ki nok par wazan jamaa'o." Woh uske
saath saath hota aur instructions diye jaa raha tha.

"Tumhari girift mazboot honi chahiye. Tawazan barqarar na rakhne ki

soorat mein girne ka bhi aik tareeqa tha. Giro is tarah ke paon mein moch
aaye na koi chot lage. Aap dobaara bhi uth sake. Phir se koshish kar sakte
ho." Mrs. Grant wahan khadi rehti thi. Woh uski har harkat ko mulahiza
karti thi. Uske hoslay barhati thi. Woh jab girta to sarahne lagti thi. Uthna
agar khaas hai to karna bhi koi aam baat nahi.

Raat sone se pehle climbing center ka manzar uski aankho mein chal raha
hota. Jogging se thaka hua hota to foran neend bhi aa jaati. Woh ab khud
mein tawanai si mehsoos kar raha tha. Andar ka shor thamne laga tha. Dard
aur takleefo se kuch dair ke liye tawajjo hatt rahi thi. Sochne aur fikr karne
ke liye maqsad mil gaya tha.

Usey khud ko khana pada aur usne thaka diya. Mushakkat mein poor az dar
laga diya. Usey kuch waqt laga aur woh seekh gaya.

"Jitna Faris ko support karti hain, usse thoda sa bhi hame karti to hum bhi
complete assessment foran pass kar lete."

James aur William abhi tak bold rang mein iske huay they aur bina kisi ki
sarparasti ke unse kuch bhi nahi hota tha. Unke baraks Faris rock climbing
shuru kar chuka tha. Aur din ba din behtar hota jaa raha tha.

"Aur nahi to kya." William ne bhi apna hissa daala.

"Woh to apne café mein humein ghante bhi nahi deti. Aur Faris wahan sara
din baith kar homework karta hai. Kehte hain writers ke liye aisi jagae
bohat achi hoti hain. Window side par baith kar agar kuch socho to ache
ideas zehan mein aate hain." Woh writer tha. Usey jagao ki bohat fikar rehti
thi.

Pichle bench par Raahim aankhon par baazu rakhe chitt leta tha. Uth kar
baith gaya. Dono bhaiyon ki gardanon mein baazu daalte hue jhuka.

"Yeh saara baraf ka kamal hai bro, tum log bhi yeh trick azmalo. Sab theek
ho jaayega."

"Kaisi trick?"

Faris ne Mrs. Grant ke ghar ke samnay se baraf hatane mein madad ki thi

"aur dekho" us samne ne aankhon se samnay ishara kiya. Faris neeche utara
tha aur Mrs. Grant usay paani ki bottle de rahi thin. James aur William ki
aankhein aik dum se phail gayi. Sirf itni si baat par itni muraat?

"Really? Unhein yaqeen nahi aaya."

"Aur nahi to kya, azma kar dekh lo."

"To kya phir woh humein apne café mein bhi baithne degi? Khidki ke paas?
Sara sara din?"

Raahim kandhe uchkata wapas phir daraz ho gaya. Agley din chhutti thi.
Subah subah hi woh dono broom uthaye Mrs. Grande ke ghar pohnch gaye.
Driver se baraf hatanay lagay. Ab unhein tab tak wahan khade ho kar yeh
kaam karna tha jab tak ke Mrs. Grande unhein dekh na letin. Unhein nahi
pata tha Mrs. Grant nau baje se pehle nahi uthti thin.

Raahim kafi kalk liye khidki se bahar dekhta, hanshta, "Ollis!" karta raha.

"Tum kitne makkar ho." Faris ne kaha.

"Makkar?" Gardan modh kar usey dekha. Hairat se...

"Us din jab tum Mrs. Grant se behas kar rahe thay, mein sun raha tha."

"Oh!" Us ke lab gol hue. Aankho mein shararat utari.

"Usey makkari nahi, zahanat kehte hain. Aisa plan ke sab ko faida ho."
Kaafi table par taang par taang rakhay baith gaya.

"Faida"

"Ha, ab dekho, James ko Mrs. Grande ke café mein apni kahani likhne ka
shauq poora karta hai. Mrs. Grande chahti hain, unka driveway roz baraf se
saaf hota rahe aur main chahta hoon Harry ki Flora se shaadi ho jaye."
Mazay se ghoont bhara.

"Unhone kaha agar main roz yeh kaam saraanjam doon to Harry aur Flora
ki shaadi ho sakti hai aur main ne kaam kar diya. Woh dekho! Safai ho rahi
hai." Hahaha hanste hue khidki ki taraf dekha.

"Jeet hi jeet hai bhai, tumhein to mujhe appreciate karna chahiye."

Faris aankho mein uljhan si liye chand lamho tak usey dekhta raha. Phir
uske tawaqqaat mein mard pan utar aaya.

"Meray mamle mein bhi tum ne apne Azam Shirazi sahab se aisa hi drama
kiya hai?" Raahim Afaq ki muskurahat simti. Us ne sar uthakar Faris
Wijdan ko dekha. Uska chehra be-tasur tha.

"Win win situation I mean."

Apne har mamle mein faida aur asani dekhne wala Raahim is pal kuch keh
nahi saka. Raahim, Azam Shirazi aur Faris Wajdan ke darmiyan faida do
fereeqon ka to zaroor tha, magar is mushtarka faide mein aik fereeq apna
khsara jata raha tha.

Us ne kitaabein uthai aur seedhiya chadhta ojhal ho gaya. Shaam mein

James aur William Raahim ka shukriya ada karne aaye. Mrs. Grande ne na
sirf unhein ghar bula kar nashta karwaya balkay James ko café mein bhi
baithne diya. Us ne khidki ke paas baith kar aik bohat acha scene likha tha.
Us ne woh scene Raahim ko bhi parhne ke liye diya. Baraf hatate kisi dukhi
bache ki roodat thi jisay wohain super powers mil gayi thi. Woh bohat
khush tha. Mrs. Grande apni beti se milne gayi to flora ko uske hawale kar
ke gayi. Do tota aik hue. Us ne baray pinjray ka intezam kiya. Uski khushi
dekhne layak thi.

Faris apni kitaab haath mein liye usay aur pinjray ko dekhta raha, phir
karwat badal kar kitaab ke safhe par nazarain jamali.

•••

Climbing Center ke ilawa woh uske saath gym aur jogging ke liye park bhi
jane laga tha. University dosto ke saath outing ka plan banta to Raahim
usey bhi zabardasti saath liye phirta.

"Kya karoon, majboori hai! Tik tik tik!" Woh apne dono haath jod kar aur
phir aik dil se phaila kar banate hue dhamake ki nishan dehi karta.

"Aik bachha humare saath hai, sab mohtaat ho kar rehna." Raahim apne
dosto mein elan karta. Usey is lafz "bacche" se badi chid thi.

"Tum pata nahi kaise is ke saath aik ghar mein ro rahe ho." Raahim ke
dosto ko usse hamdardi hoti.

"Yeh to aadha pagal hai?"

"Poora pagal hai." Us ne kitaab se nazarain hata kar wajah thi. Raahim ke
dost Qutiba laga kar kehte.

"Jab insan par is tarah ki museebatein naazil ho." Us ne Faris ki taraf ishara
kiya, "To woh poora hi pagal ho jata hai." Faris suni an-suni kaise rukh
modh kar kitaab hi parhta raha. Agley din woh school se wapis aaya to
Raahim kahin jane ki tayyari kar raha tha.

"Kuch Pakistani artists ka exhibition hai. Chalo gay mere saath?" Faris bag
rakh kar kitchen mein chala gaya.

"Tum se pooch kyun raha hoon main?" Yaad aane par achi peshaani pe
haath maara ke woh ijazat to har guz nahi leta tha.
"Main aaj shaam English exhibition dekhne ja raha hoon. Tum bhi saath
chalo gay. Akela nahi chhod sakta."

Shaam mein woh us ke saath chala gaya. Ahr art gallery mein kuch
Pakistani artists ke fan paro ko dekhta woh khula purvai se tehlta raha.
Qudrati manazir ki khoobsurat paintings ko dekhte, uski nazar Sketch par
parhi aur woh apni jagah ruk gaya. Dhadkan tez ho gayi.

Jeebo mein haath daal kar usne ghoom kar charon taraf dekha. Aur tabhi
uski nazar Jameela Dawood par parhi aur woh jahan ka tahan khada reh
gaya. Woh chand kadmo ke faasle par thi. Kisi se baat kar rahi thin. Unki
nazar achanak us par parhi.

Faris ne gehri saans le kar rukh modh liya. Jaise usne unhein nahi dekha.
Ujlat mein kadam uthaya, raahdari se guzar kar bahar nikal gaya. Raftar
barhali. Woh jald az jald yahaan se chale jana chahta tha. Aur phir woh ruk
gaya. Mazid aage barhna jaise dushwar ho gaya tha. Jameela Dawood ne
usey awaaz de kar roka tha. Aur usey rukna par gaya tha.

Unhone aage barh kar usey khud se laga liya. Woh ro rahi thi. Phir uska
chehra apne haatho mein liya tha. Uske haath apne haatho se laga liye the.

Unki mohabbat, unki tadap, unka israr dekh kar uske dil ko kuch hua.
Bawajood koshish ke bhi haath nahi tham sake. Fasla nahi barha sakaa.
Unhein chhod kar wahaan se nahi ja sakaa. Woh kamzor par gaya tha. Be
bas ho gaya tha.

Woh uska haath tha se usey apne saath qareebi restaurant mein le aayi thi.
Woh usse haal aur khair-maqdam pooch rahi thi aur woh chup baitha tha.
Uski aankho se iztarab aur andaz se ghabrahat wazeh thi.

Jameela Dawood ko aik dum se bohat ajnabi ka ehsaas hua. Unka dil gham
se bhar gaya. Unka Faris khul kar koi baat nahi kar raha tha. Usey wahaan
se uthne ki bhi jaldi thi. Usey un ke baare mein janay mein bhi koi dilchaspi
nahi thi. Unka nahi khayal tha woh wahan unki numayish dekhne aaya tha.
Unhein laga, woh raasta bhatk gaya tha. Unhein yeh bhi laga woh unke
saath baithna nahi chahta tha. Yeh paanch minute kaafi the jo usne unhein
de diye the. Woh bas ab jald az jald uth jana chahta tha aur woh uth gaya.
Woh bahar nikal kar sadak cross karta kisi hajoom mein gum ho jana chahta
tha. Aur woh ho gaya tha. Usey jata dekhte unhone kitne hi aansoo apne
andar utaar liye the.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ. CH80
•••

Shaam mein Raahim ghar pahuncha to Faris so chuka tha. Subah uth kar
baat karna chahi toh woh nazar andaz kar gaya. School chala gaya. Ghar
wapas aaya toh Jamila Waha saamne khadi thi.

"Aapko yahan nahi aana chahiye tha." Uske lab hile nazre jhuki hui thi.
Uske andaaz aur lehje mein khauf nahi tha magar woh mohtaat ho kar baat
kar raha tha. Woh nahi chahta tha ke Jamila Dawood uski wajah se kisi
pareshani ka shikar ho. Ya Azam Shirazi un par koi dabao daalein.

"Tumhara kya khayal hai meri tumse mulaqat hogi aur, aur dada ko is ka
ilm nahi hoga?" Unhone narmi se poocha tha.

"Woh mere dada nahi hain." Uska sar hanooz jhuka hua tha. Jamila ko dukh
hua. Woh uske paas aayi.

"Meri taraf dekho Faris!"

"Aap mujhe pareshan kar rahi hain." Uski awaaz ek dum se kamzor pad
gayi. Unhein laga wo abhi ro dega.

"Please aap jayein yahan se." Usne baazu chhura liya. Qadam peeche hata
liye.

"Aap apne ghar jaye. Apne bete ke paas jaye."

"Mera ek beta to yahan bhi hai."

Faris ne chehre ka rukh modte apni aasteen se aansu saaf kiye.

"Main kisi ka beta nahi, Mera aap se koi rishta nahi hai." Peeche ho kar wo
mez par haath jamaye khada ho gaya.
"Abhi tak naraz ho?"

"Main kisi se naraz nahi hoon." Khushk labo ko tar karte nazar farsh par
gaad di.

"Azam Shirazi ko pata chalega to wo....."

Unhein ek dam se sadma ho gaya. Wo unse khaufzada nahi tha. Wo bas

unki sazao se bachna chah raha tha.

Jamila Dawood ko apna dil khatta mehsoos hua. Azam Shirazi ko andaza hi
nahi tha ke wo is bache ke saath kya kar chuke the.

Unhone use kandho se tham liya. Pehle sar jhuka kar dekhti thi. Aaj sar
uthakar dekhna pad raha tha. Unka Faris kitna bada ho gaya tha. Uske gaal
ko chhua. Baalo mein haath pheraa.

"Ek baar meri taraf dekho!"

Uski bheegi hui hazel aankhein unke chehre par thehr gayi. Kitna dard tha
un aankhon mein, kitni tarah, kitna huzn aur be-basi thi. Wo lab kaat kar reh
gaya.

"Maae apne bacho ko nahi chhodti. Wo datt jaye to Allah raasta nikaal hi
deta hai."

Wo lab bhinche chup raha. Yun jaise khud par zabt kiya ho.

"Aao!" Unhone baazu phailaye, toh wo unke galay se lag gaya. Wo unhein
bata nahi paaya, is tamam arsey mein wo unhe kitna yaad karta raha hai.
Aur usse unki kitni zarurat rahi hai. Wo kitna pareshan hua hai.

Usne lab siye rakha. Use ab unke samne kamzor nahi padna tha. Un par
inhisaar nahi karna tha. Unka aadi nahi hona tha. Wo akela tha. Use akela hi
rehna chahiye. Wo soch raha tha. Wo le kar raha tha. Magar Jameela
dawood ne use aisa karne nahi diya tha.

Wo do hafto tak London mein rahi aur is dauran roz usse milne aati rahi.
Chand ek baar unhone bahar khana bhi khaya. Wo usse shopping par bhi le
kar gayi. Kuch sayahati maqamat ki sair bhi karayi. Wo khamosh aur kuch
had tak apne khol mein band tha. Unse khul kar koi baat nahi kar raha tha.
Sirf saath de raha tha.

Wo America wapas chali gayi lekin uske saath musalsal raabta mein rahi.
Roz phone karti thi. Haal chaal poochti thin. Padhayi ka zikar karti thin.
Uski pasand na-pasand ko zair-e-bahas laati thi, Aahista aahista wo use
apne itmaad mein lene mein kamyab ho gayi thi. Jo faasla unke darmiyan
aa gaya tha wo faasla khatam ho gaya. Wo pehle ki tarah unse apni har baat
share karne laga. Zyada tar hawaala roz marra ke mamoolat ka hota tha ya
phir Raahim ki shikayate.

*Wo bohot accha larka hai. Raqim unhein pasand tha. Bohot zimmedar,
mature aur confident!"

Uski tareef sunte usne raqim ko dekha jo James ko kisi video game mein
hara kar yun khush ho raha tha jaise usne koi azeem kaarnama sar anjam
diya ho.

"Mature aur zimmedar?" Usay ikhtilaf hua magar izhaar nahi kiya.

"Rahim tumhare dada ke paas interview ke liye jab aaya tha, tab 17 saal ka
tha. Bohat zahanat aur thodi si dar hai. Unhon ne foran usay chun liya."

Usne khamoshi se suna.

Shaam mein Haider milne aaya to usne khane ki table par jaan-bujh kar baat
chhed di.

"Bhala 17 saal ke larki se ek business tycoon kaise interview le sakta hai?

Aur kis bunyad par le sakta hai?" Raahim ko achi khaasi khansi aa gayi.
Halaa mein kuch phans gaya. Pani ka glass peene se bhi koi faida nahi hua.

"Hum isey laaye the. Yahan se pakad kar!" Haider ne apni gardan ke piche
haath rakh kar Faaris ko bataya. Rahim ne aankhon hi aankhon mein Haider
ko dhamkian di to wo muskurahat rok kar plate par jhuk gaya. Faris ko
pehli baar andaza hua, kaam sirf wo nahi tha jo Rahim zahiri tor par karta
tha. Kaam kuch aur bhi tha.
Jo wo dar-parda Azam Shirazi ke liye karta tha. Magar usne kabhi bhi
tafseelaat mein jaane ki koshish nahi ki thi. Wo Azam Shirazi ke kisi bhi
mamle mein dilchaspi nahi rakhta tha.

•••

Aur phir jaise ye ek mamool ban gaya. Jameela Dawood har teesre mahine
London ka chakkar zaroor lagati thi. Nabila Shirazi ki family wahan abadi
thi. Ek bahana rishtedaron se mulaqat ka tha aur doosra engagement ka,
magar wo wahan sirf aur sirf Faaris ke liye aati thi. Wo jaanta tha. Hairat
angez tor par Azam Shirazi ne mudakhalat nahi kiya tha, na hi Jameela
Dawood ko mana kiya tha. Wo kuch dafa Bagonia House bhi aa chuke the,
lekin uski mulaqat nahi ho saki thi.

Usne school se wapis aane par gadi darwaze par dekh li thi aur ghar nahi
gaya tha. Doosri baar ghar mein tha aur aqbi darwaze se baahar nikal gaya
tha. Teesri baar wo apne kamre mein band raha tha.

Wo kyun aate the? Kis liye aate the? Usne Rahim se kabhi nahi poocha.
Rahim ne bhi kabhi zikar nahi kiya. Zindagi apni raah par chal rahi thi.
Usne apna poora focus padhai par kar liya tha.

•••

Weekend par Raahim Afaq ne usse poore ghar ki safai mein bore kar diya
tha. Jo kaam maid ke zimma the wo bhi uske sar dal diye. Khudai hammant
mein ghusa hua tha. Phir kitchen cabinet ki safai ke baad oopri manzil ka
rukh kiya aur wahan se farigh hone ke baad ab wo lawn mein maujood the.
Podho ki kaat chhat ho rahi thi.

Phoolo ke zikar par tafseelaat se aagaah karta Raahim apni fitrat se majboor
kisi aur taraf chal nikla. Intehai sanjidaagi se Bagonia phool ki is ghar ke
saath judi hui roodaarsanai to Faaris achambe se usay dekh kar reh gaya.

"Tum ne is wajah se ghar ka naam Bagonia rakha ke Bagonia phool marjha

jaate hain?" Tasdeeq ke liye dobara poocha.

"Haan, bilkul!"
"Tumhari is soch ke mutabiq to qabaristan ka naam Zindagistan hona
chahiye." Raqam ne gardan mod kar usay dekha. Hairan aur mutasir hokar.

"Wow, ye naam to mere zehan mein aaya hi nahi."

"Yaqeen nahi hota tum IT ke student ho," usne ta'asuf se sar hilaya.

"Kyun yaqeen nahi hota?"

"Uske liye dimaag nahi chahiye?" Cutter se unnecessary branches kaat-te

hue Raam ne mujhe bina apna sar hilaya, jaise keh raha ho,

"Theek keh rahe ho."

"Bilkul dimaag chahiye." Lekin jab baat samajh mein aayi, toh haath ruka.
Gussa chadh gaya.

"Main plants kyun kaat raha hoon? Mujhe toh tumhara sar kaatna chahiye."

Cutter utha kar uske peeche bhaga tha, aur us din Mrs. Grande ne pehli baar
Faris ko hanste dekha. Woh baahar lawn mein hi newspaper aur chai ka cup
haath mein liye bethi thi. Muskurate hue unhone use dekha aur kaha,

"Tum haste bhi ho...?"

Rahim gussa gayab ho gaya.

Uski hasi ekdum ruk gayi, jaise galti ho gayi ho. Woh usi waqt serious ho
kar andar chala gaya. Raahim ne gehri saans le kar usse dekha, phir Mrs.
Grande ko door se haath hilaya, lekin unhone naraazgi mein mooh pher
liya. Aaj kal unki phir se naraazgi chal rahi thi.

•••

Uski zindagi ke siyah aur andhere chapters mein se ek chapter Alizeh

Shirazi ka tha. Woh Azam Shirazi ki behen ki poti thi. Shirazi khandan ki
ek ladli, sir phiri aulad, jise apni har cheez par bahut naaz tha.
Woh apne akad akdate andaaz mein chalti thi, baahar se kisi ko ghaas na
daalne ka impression dete hue bhi, andar se sab par nazar rakhti thi.

Alizeh Shirazi ke saath uski pehli mulaqat Begonia House mein hui thi.

Jab ek din woh achanak usse milne aa gayi thi. Yeh mulaqat khaas kuch
khaas ya pleasant nahi thi, jo woh apne dimaag ke kisi kone mein sambhal
ke rakhta. albatta, Raahim ke saath uski achi hello-hi thi, woh zyada
friendly ho kar baat karti thi.

"God me woh waqt bhool nahi sakti. Tumhe yaad hai? Meri college ki
ladkiya tumahri bahut badi fans thi"

"Mein bura waqt yaad nahi rakhta miss" usne drink ka glass dete hue kaha,
khud sofa par baith gaya.

Woh hasdi, "Kahiye! Kaise aana hua?" Uska lehza ba zaahir khushgawar,
magar andaaz mohtat tha.

"Main toh bas yeh dekhne aayi thi ki tum ab bhi yahan ho." Glass se ek sip
le kar usne Faris ki taraf dekha, jo kitchen mein tha. Raahim ki nazrein uska
peecha kar rahi thi.

"Main yaqeen nahi kar sakti," woh muskuraya.

"Mujhe Aamir ne phone kiya tha phonography ke liye. Shayad yahin meri
zarurat thi."

"Aap se baat chahiye hoti toh main zarur aapse hi baat karta," usne ek gehri
muskurahat ke saath jata diya. Woh halki si sharma se muskurayi.

"Mujhe pata hai tum aisa kabhi nahi karte, isliye maine socha khud hi help
kar doon. Waise bhi main aaj kal free hoon. Offer par deal toh hogi, aur
kuch din ke liye tum khasare mein nahi jaoge."

Apni thodi ko haath se masalte hue Raem ne ek pal socha.

"Theek hai, waise aaj time nahi hai mere paas. Agar aap kal aa jaayein
toh?"
"Zaroor." Uski nazar ek baar phir kitchen ki taraf chali gayi thi.

"Yeh kaun hai? Maine pehle kabhi isse nahi dekha."

"Mera chhota bhai hai," usne taang par taang jama kar ta'aruf karwaya.

"Tumhara? chhota bhai?" Alizeh ki aankhein hairat se phail gayi.

"Shakal toh kahin se nahi milti."

"Zaroori toh nahi ke behan-bhaiyo ki shakal bhi mile," usne sanjeedgi se

jawab diya.

"Ek bhai maa par chala jata hai, ek bhai baap par."

"Oh, I see." Usne samajh kar sar hilaya.

Jaane se pehle usne Faris se baat karne ki koshish ki, woh Harry ke pinjre
mein khaana daal raha tha. Faris ne use poori tarah nazarandaz kar
diya. Woh chunki, phir sar jhatak kar chali gayi.

Agle din woh apni kisi dost ke saath dobara aayi. Basement mein rakhe
house model ke mukhtalif angles se tasveerain kheench rahi thi. Saath-saath
woh Raem ko dikhati ja rahi thi. Har tasveer ko achhe se frame karke, light,
background texture aur ghar ke andhar ke angles ko khoobsurti se capture
karte hue usne ek tasveer par ishara kiya.

"Kamal!" woh uski mehnat ko sarahe bina nahi reh saki.

"Yeh wala mujhe de sakte ho?" Usne kone mein rakhe safed Victorian ghar
ki taraf ishara kiya.

"Order par tayar kiya hai," Raahim ne kaha.

Kaam khatam karke woh upar aayi. Coffee peete hue usne Raem ko apna
album dikhaya. Uska album kaafi unique tha. Ismein khaas tasveerain thi jo
uske dil ke kareeb thi, ya jinse koi yaad ya waqiya juda tha.
Woh duniya ke kai mulkon mein ghumi hui thi aur unke natural sceneries ki
tasveerain usne sambhal kar rakhi thi.

Raahim pages palat raha tha. Faris uske barabar mein hi baitha tha. Alizeh
ki saari tawajjo Faris par thi uski aankhon ka rang, uske forehead par bikhre
baalon ka curve, aur uska sanjeeda aur sapaat chehra. Uska dil chaaha ke
Faris ke is chehre ko apne camera mein capture karne ko chaha.

"I remember this girl!" Raahim ne ek do poniyon wali ladki ki tasveer par
ungli rakhi.

"Yeh bagh mein apne dosto ke saath pari dhoondh rahi thi!" Album dekhte
hue Raem ko yaad aaya aur woh hans kar bolne laga,

"Mujhe wahan dekh kar kehne lagi, 'Aap yahan se jaaiye, aapko dekh kar
pari darr jayegi!'"

Alizeh ko bhi ek purana manzar yaad aa gaya Shirazi Mansion mein guzara
hua waqt, aur woh shararti bache. Usse girta dekh kar kitna hanse the.
Munh ke zaaviye bigaarti usne sar jhatka.

"Mainne yeh pic sirf isliye sambhal kar rakhi hai, kyunki views zyada
pyaara aaya hai." Album mein ek aur tasveer ko dekhte hue Faris apni kursi
ki back se sidha ho kar baith gaya. Woh khamosh tha, aur unki baat-chit
mein shamil nahi ho raha tha.

"Tumhara bhai kitna ajeeb hai, koi baat hi nahi karta," Alizeh jaane se pehle
Raahim se boli.

"Woh kisi se baat kyun kare?" Raahim ne ulta sawaal kiya.

"Tumne isey bataya nahi, main kaun hoon ya kis family se mera taluq hai?"

Raahim ne jeb se haath nikalte hue bhanwein uthayi.

"Yeh batane se kya hoga?"

"I mean usse bhi kuch respect show karni chahiye," usne kaha.
Raahim ki bhonwein be-ikhteyar sikud gayi thi. Be-wastaa taur par woh keh
rahi thi ke usse uske aage Peechey phirna chahiye. Usse baat karni chahiye.
Use sar aankhon par bithana chahiye. Aakhir woh itne ameer khandaan ki
ladki hai. Aise kaise use nazarandaaz kiya ja sakta hai?

"Miss Alizeh!" Raahim banawati muskaan ke saath aage ko jhuka.

"Shayad aap bhool rahi hain ke main aapka guard tha, mera bhai nahi."

Woh bhi muskaraayi, "Jaanti hoon." Phir apna bag kandhe par daal kar chali
gayi.

Uski aankhon ke tassur ne Raahim ko ajeeb si uljhan mein daal diya tha.

"Bohot chaalaak ladki hai yeh. Isse bach kar rehna," andar ja kar usne Faris
se kaha.

"Pehle tum toh bach kar dikhao," Faris ne jawab diya.

Do-took jawab dene par Raahim ruk kar mud gaya, "Kya kaha?"

"Jab iska dil karta hai, aa jati hai," Faris bola.

"Kaam se aati hai."

Chand din baad woh phir aayi, aur uske baad bhi. Phir usne yeh maamool
bana liya. Photography ka kaam khatam ho gaya, lekin usne aana band nahi
kiya.

"Tum use mana nahi kar sakte?"

"Kise?" Raahim ne sar utha kar dekha.

"Alizeh Shirazi ko," is din Faris gusse mein tha. Shayad woh Raahim ki
non-maujoodgi mein aayi thi.

"Kya hua?"
"Pehle usne tumhara poocha. Maine bata diya ke tum ghar par nahi ho.
Main lawn mein ghaas kaat raha tha"

"Okay?"

"She tried to take my pictures."

"And then?" Raahim apni jagah se uth kar khada ho gaya. Uske liye ye koi
badi bat nahi thi.

"Hamari ladaai ho gayi."

"What?!" Raem ka munh khul gaya.

"Usne meri ijazat ke bagair meri tasveere li. Maine usse camera maanga
delete karne ke liye. Usne nahi diya. Woh mujhe irritate kar rahi thi, pata
nahi kya funny tha. Has bhi rahi thi."

Faris bol raha tha, lekin uske lahze aur chehre se ab bhi gussa saaf dikh raha
tha.

"Aur phir?"

"Phir maine uska camera tod diya."

Raahim ne be-ikhtiyar apna sar pakad liya.

"Sirf is liye ke usne tasveer li?Tumne tumne uska camera tod diya?!"

"Usse ijazat kisne di ke woh meri ijazat ke bagair meri tasveer le? Woh bhi
gusse se phat pada.

"Oh God, Faris! Tumhe jaante bhi hai uske camera ki kitni keemat hogi?"
Raem ke hosh ude hue the.

"Camera kimti hai toh Kya use ijazat hai ke woh bina pooche doosro ki
tasveer le?" Faris bhi jazbati tha.

Raahim usey bebasi se dekh kar reh gaya.

"Yaar Faris..."

"woh yahan kyun aati hai? Tum use mana kyun nahi karte?"

Faris ko Raahim par gussa aa gaya,

"Woh Azam Shirazi ki rishtedaar hai. Achhe se jaanti hai ke yeh ghar unka
hai. To Mujhe yeh munasib nahi lagta ke main use is tarah mana karu."

Faris ki mutthiya sakhti se bheench gayi thi.

"So what? Ghar unka hai toh kya usey pass mil gaya hai aane jaane ka?
Dekh nahi rahe, yahan hum rehte hain. Aur tumne toh kaha tha kiraya dete
ho?"

Raahim kuch hairat se usse dekh raha tha. Usse mehsoos hua ke pehli baar
Faris itna khul kar baat kar raha tha. Jawaab pe jawaab de raha tha, aitraaz
utha raha tha.

"Okay fine. Main baat karunga. Woh yahan nahi aayegi."

"Kis se baat karoge?"

"Haider se, of course!"

Faris ka gussa phir se bharak utha.

"Haider se poochhe bina tumse koi kaam nahi hota?"

Sar pe haath pherta hua woh badi masoomiyat se sofa par baith gaya aur
gardan hila di, "Nahi! Bilkul nahi hota."

Faris barbadataa karta hua upar chala gaya.

Pata nahi Raahim ne kis se baat ki, ya phir Alizeh Shirazi ko hi uske
rawaiye ka gussa tha, ke woh agle do hafton tak nahi aayi. Teesre hafte
dopehar ko woh phir se darwaze par khadi thi, aur us par nazar padte hi
Faris ka gussa dobara bharak utha. Lekin woh handle par mazbooti se grip
banaye sabar se khada raha.
Uske haatho mein phoolon ka bouquet tha, aur ek chocolate ka box
bhi. Bahar halki halki boonda baandi ho rahi thi.

"Raahim ghar par hai?"

"Nahi!" Keh kar Faris ne darwaza band karna chaha.

Alizeh Shirazi ko ekdum se beizzati ka ehsaas hua, lekin apne jazbaat daba
kar zabardasti muskaraayi.

"Mujhe usne bulaya hai," keh kar yeh jata diya ke woh is tarah wapas nahi
jaa sakti. Faris ne gehri saans lekar darwaza khola aur use aane diya.

Maid kitchen mein khana bana rahi thi. Alizeh samne sofa par baith gayi.
Usne apna purse aur bouquet bhi rakh diya.

"kab tak aayega?"

"Usne time diya hai toh bataya bhi hoga." Dining table par haath rakh kar
Faris ne thande lehze mein poocha.

Alizeh usse ghurti rahi, lekin kuch nahi bola. Phir uth kar uske paas aayi.

"Main jaanti hoon tum mujhse naraz ho maine us din..."

"Main Raahim ko phone karta hoon," Faris ne uski baat puri hone se pehle
seedhiya chadhna shuru kar di.

Alizeh ka chehra gusse se laal ho gaya.

"Gharoor kis bat ka hai is ladke ko!?"

Uska rawaiya aur is tarah ignore karna Alizeh ko sakht nagawaar guzar raha
tha.

Maid khana ka intezam kar ja chuki thi. Alizeh ne ghadi dekh kar waqt
jaana aur phir ek nazar Faris ki taraf daali. Woh fridge khol kar khada tha.
"Tum London Business School mein padh rahe ho?" Usne poocha, kyunki
samne table par kuch pamphlets aur Faris ki kitaabein rakhi thi. Student ID
bhi thi.

Faris, jo pani ka glass bhar raha tha, uski baat suni anjaani kar gaya. Apni
masroofiyat dikhane ke liye cabinets khol kar kuch dhoondhne laga.

Amooman Raahim ab tak aa jata tha, lekin aaj der ho rahi thi. Phone bhi
nahi utha raha tha. Alizeh ne kuch messages bhi bheje the, lekin unka jawab
bhi nahi aaya. Woh counter ke us paar khadi thi, apne aap se baatein karti
hui.

Apne khandan aur apn Karobar ka hawala deti, woh jaise apni dhaak
bithane ki koshish kar rahi thi. Faris uski taraf peeth kiye kitchen mein
salad kaat raha tha. Azam Shirazi ki tarah, use bhi apni haisiyat par bahut
naaz tha. Fakhr tha, aur gurur bhi. Alizeh ko lagta tha ke aise baatein karke
woh uski tawajjo hasil kar legi, lekin Faris par iska koi asar nahi ho raha
tha.

Isi dauraan uska phone vibrate hua. Usne mobile utha kar dekha.

"~Alizeh aayi hai?"

"~kyu?"

"~Kis liye?"

Raahim ka hairat bhara message aaya. Faris ek lamha ke liye ruka, phir
reply kiya:

"~Keh rahi hai tumne bulaya hai."

"~Maine nahi bulaya," Raahim ka jawab aaya.

Faris ke hoth sakhti se bheench gaye. Usne phone rakh diya aur chhuri bhi...

"Mere khayal se ab aapko chale jaana chahiye," usne mud kar kaha. Lehza
khardar tha aur aankhon mein sakhti thi.
"Aur agar main na jaana chahoon toh?" Alizeh ne aankhon mein mohabbat
bhar kar kaha.

"Phir mujhe aapko is ghar se nikalna padega."

Woh hans padi. "Mere apne ghar se?"

Faris ka sabr jawab de gaya aur woh kitchen se bahar aaya. Alizeh uske
samne aa khadi hui.

"Us din tumne meri insult ki, mera camera tod diya. Agar tumse mohabbat
na karti, toh bohot bura badla leti," woh keh rahi thi.

Faris ek lamha ke liye sakt reh gaya.

"Jaiye yahan se!" Usne tahammul se darwaze ki taraf ishara kar diya.

"Tumhara chehra har waqt meri aankhon mein thaama rehta hai. Itna
chaahne lagi hoon ke tumhare liye kuch bhi kar sakti hoon. Magar tum ho
ke...."

"Yeh aapki bhool hai ke main is drama ko haqeeqat samajh lunga. Please,
aap jaiye yahan se." Faris ki awaaz ab oonchi aur ghussa se bhari hui thi.
Alizeh ek lamha ke liye thithak gayi.

"Drama? Meri mohabbat ka mazaak uda rahe ho? Aazma kar dekh lo, main
toh tumhare liye apne khandan se bhi takkar le sakti hoon."

"Mujhe tum mein aur tumhare khandan mein koi dilchaspi nahi hai," woh
aap se ab tum par aa gaya tha. Uska chehra ghussa se laal ho gaya tha.

Alizey ne paas aane ki koshish ki, lekin Faris ne haath utha kar use rok
diya.

"Don't you dare!" Hath uthakar usey rok diya. Uske aankho se nafrat fut
rahi thi, alizeh ko apna aap jhulajsta mehsoos ho raha tha.

"Begonia House mein tum Raahim ki wajah se aati thi, us tak mahdood
raho. I've nothing to do with you." Ghusse se keh kar jane ke liye
muda. agar wo ghar se nahi nikal rahi thi toh khud hi Jane ka iraada kar
chuka tha.

"Faris! Please, meri baat toh suno," Alizeh ne aage badh kar uska raasta
roka, uska bazu aur phir uski shirt pakad li. Faris Wajdan ka dimag ghoom
Gaya tha. Dusre hi pal, usne apne aap ko chhuraya aur Alizeh ko baazu se
pakad kar kheenchte hue darwaze tak laya. Ek hi jhatke se darwaza khol kar
usse bahar dhakel diya. usne koi lihaaz aur murawat nahi rakhi thi.

"Dobaara yahan kabhi mat aaiyega," usne darwaza uske muh par band kar
diya.

Alizeh is harkat par sadme se ghum khadi thi. Woh hamesha chup rehne
wala, shant dikhne wala ladka itna gusse mein tha ke jaise sab kuch bhasm
kar dega. Usne Alizeh ki mohabbat ka jawab apni nafrat ke tamache se diya
tha. Alizeh Shirazi ka chehra ghusse aur toheen se kaala pad gaya.

Woh ek oonche badhe khandan ki ladki thi, uska apni hi nazro me tamasha
ban gaya tha.

"Faris ki yeh jurrat!" Uska wujood sholon ki lapait mein aagaya.

"Usey ghuroor kis baat ka tha aakhir?"

"Kis azam mein tha woh ladka?"

"Usne samjha kya tha apne aap ko?"

Ghar ja ke jale pair ki billi bani apne kamray mein ghoomti rahi. Uska
gussa kisi taur kam nahi ho raha tha, na hi beizzati ka ehsas ke tahat chalne
wali aag bujhne ka naam nahi le rahi thi. Uske saath aisa sulook pehle kabhi
kisi ne nahi kiya tha. Na kabhi koi usey nazar andaaz kar saka tha, aur na hi
koi uski beizzati kar saka tha.

Usne khud ko Faris Wajdan ke samne jhuka diya tha, apni izzat mitti mein
mila di thi. Kisi taur ab yeh gussa kam nahi ho raha tha.

"Main tum se, main tum se is beizzati ka aisa badla loongi ke tum sari umar
yaad rakhoge," usne inteqaam ki aag mein jalte hue faisla kiya tha.
•••

"Alizeh kahan hai?" Raahim ghar pohoncha toh pehla sawaal yeh kiya.

"Ja chuki hai," Faris ne jawab diya. Woh apne kamre mein writing table par
baitha tha, sar aage ko jhuka hua tha, aur notebook par qalam tezi se harkat
kar raha tha.

"Kis liye aayi thi? Kuch bataya usne?"

Usne nafi mein sar hila diya. Raahim uski khamoshi se ulajhan ka shikar
hota kuch der tak wahi khada raha. Usay maloom tha ke Faris, Alizeh
Shirazi ki aamad se kuch zyada khush nahi hota tha. Woh pehle bhi usey
mana kar chuka tha.

Pichle do hafton se woh nahi aayi thi, toh woh bhi is baat ko lagbhag bhool
hi gaya tha. Neeche jaa ke ghar ka jaiza liya toh phool dustbin mein gire
mile. Woh kuch der tak wahi khada raha, phir usne apni peshaani masli aur
dobara Faris ke kamray mein aagaya.

"Kya baat hai? Koi masla hai kya?"

"Nahi"

Alizeh Shirazi uske khandan ki ladki thi, rishte mein cousin. Woh is waqiye
ka kisi taur bhi uske samne zikar nahi karna chahta tha. Jo aag uske andar
jal rahi thi, usey khud tak hi mehdood rakhna chahta tha. Shirazi khandan se
uski nafrat Alizeh Shirazi ki is harkat ke baad mazeed barh chuki thi.

Magar woh khud ko zabt kar ke beparwah banne ki koshish kar raha tha.
Raahim use dekh raha tha, uske tasurrat samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha.
Jab usne Alizeh ko call ki toh uska mobile band mila. Jaane kya baat thi,
Raahim ko kuch theek nahi lag raha tha.

Us din ke baad se Alizeh Shirazi dobara begonia House nahi aayi thi, na hi
usne Rahem Afaaq se rabta karne ki koshish ki thi.

Alizeh ek mahine ki chhuttiyon par America chali gayi thi. Halanke

Nabeela Shirazi chahti thi ke woh unke saath Pakistan jaye, magar usne
unki baat nahi maani. Apne badlay aur intezam ke liye uska America jaana
zaroori tha.

Woh ache tarah jaanti thi ke Azam Shirazi aur Nabeela Shirazi ke darmiyan
uske aur Hammad ke rishte ki baat chal rahi hai. Maamlaat takreeban tay
the. December tak baqaida mangni hone wali thi.

Sab kuch jaante boojhte huye bhi, usne apni beizzati ka badla lene ke liye
ek risk lene ka faisla kar liya tha. Woh shuru se aisi hi thi nidar aur bebaak.
Jahan jazbaat aur izzat ki baat hoti thi, wahan kisi taur woh samjhota nahi
karti thi. Maaf karna to jaise usne seekha hi nahi tha. Saza aur inteqam se
aage uski soch kahin nahi jaati thi.

Woh America mein poora ek mah rahi aur is dauraan woh khud ko bujha
bujha sa aur bohot dukhi pose karti rahi. Hammad uske liye bohot sensitive
tha. Woh usse roz hi bahar le jata tha taake uska mood fresh ho jaye. Jamila
Dawood bhi uski bohot fikr karti thi. Aur Azam Shirazi ki to woh waise bhi
bohot laadli thi.

Jane se do din pehle usne Azam Shirazi se baat karne ka faisla kar liya tha.
Us din Jamila Dawood aur Haroon Shirazi kisi dawat par gaye hue the.
Hammad bhi ghar par nahi tha. Ye acha mauka tha. Woh itminan se unse
sab kuch keh sakti thi.

Us waqt woh apne office room mein baithe kuch files dekh rahe the jab woh
dastak de kar unke kamre mein aayi. Kuch der tak unke samne baith kar
apne upar ek dukhi aur majboor si shakal tarash karke rakhi. Aise dikhaya
jaise unse baat karna uske liye mushkil ho rahi ho. Phir aise dikhaya jaise
unki himmat dilane wali baat ne usse hausla de diya ho.

Usne khul ke bata diya ke woh Hammad Shirazi ke saath is rishte par razi
nahi hai. Woh kisi aur se mohabbat karti hai aur usse shaadi karna chahti
hai.

Azam Shirazi kuch der tak usse sakit nazaro se dekhte rahe. Unhe is ladki ki
himmat par hairani hui thi. Woh apne maa baap se kuch kehne ke bajaye
unse baat kar rahi thi. Azam Shirazi khandan ke bade the. Hammad ke saath
uske rishte ka faisla unhone hi kiya tha. Woh unki hi pasand thi. Raahim
Afaq bhi unhi ka aadmi tha. Woh isi tarah apni beizzati ka badla le sakti thi.

Office room ke darwaze ke us paar dastak deta Hammad apni jagah tham
gaya tha. Uska ye iqraar uske hoslon par bijli ki tarah gira tha. Woh uski
bachpan ki dost thi. Dono saath pale bade the. Woh uske liye bohot
important thi. Woh usse mohabbat karta tha aur dada ke is faisle ko usne dil
se qabool kiya tha.

"Kaun hai woh?" Zabt karke unhone tahammul se wohi sawal kiya jo
Alizeh chahti thi usse poocha jaye.

Raahim Afaq ek jaana pehchana naam tha. Uske through woh us ladke tak
pahunch sakte the. Apne khandan ki aurato ke saath affair chalane walo ka
woh bura haal kar sakte the. Alizeh ko koi aam sa badla ya saza nahi
chahiye thi.

Ab woh tafseelaat mein ja rahi thi. Guzishta ek saal se woh Raahim ke bhai
Faris Wajdan ke saath rabte mein thi. Woh usse mohabbat karta tha. Usse
shaadi bhi karna chahta tha. Alizeh Shirazi is ijaazat ke liye aayi thi.

"Meri khushi aur raza bhi ismein hai. Main uske saath hi shaadi karna
chahti hoon." Azam Shirazi shadeed shock mein baithe the. Darwaze ke us
paar Hammad bhi patthar bana khada tha.

"Tumhein andaza bhi hai tum kya keh rahi ho?" Woh gusse ke alam mein
sirf itna hi keh paaye.

"Main jaanti hoon, aapka faisla hum sab ke liye muqaddam hai. Mujhe
aapki izzat ka bhi ehteram hai. Par Baba! Ye mere dil ka maamla hai. Hum
dono ek dusre se mohabbat karte hain. Shaadi karna chahte hain. Main usse
bohot mohabbat karne lagi hoon aur uske bina jeene ka tasavvur bhi nahi
kar sakti. Agar aap ek baar usse mil lein..."

"ALIZEH," unhone ek dam se haath utha kar usey mazeed kuch kehne se
rok diya tha. Shayad woh ladki hosh mein nahi thi. Usey pata nahi tha woh
kya keh rahi thi. Unhe uski ye koi shararat ya mazaak laga tha.
Woh aisi hi thi, itna to woh usey jaante the. Magar jis tarah woh ro ro kar
unse apni mohabbat ki bheek maang rahi thi, waqt jaise tham sa gaya tha.

Faris Wajdan! Haal hi mein woh ladka atharah baras ka hua tha aur usne
abhi se yeh khel shuru kar diya? Unka chehra surkh ho gaya, peshaani ki
ragain ubhar aayi thi. Unki aankhon mein ghazab ka samandar tha jo
thaathein maar raha tha. Alizeh ka khayal tha ke shayad woh us ladke ke
mutaliq usse mazeed sawaal poocheinge. Magar woh kuch bhi nahi pooch
rahe the. Zabt karte hue unhone darwaze ki taraf ishara kiya. Woh chahte
the ke Alizeh wahan se uth jaye.

"Aaj to jo tumne keh diya, so keh diya. Aindah aisi koi bhi baat karne ki
jurrat mat karna. Main samjhoonga ke tumne mujhse aisi koi baat nahi ki.
December mein tumhari aur Hammad ki mangni hai," unhone hatmi lehje
mein keh diya.

Unki nazro se bach kar Alizey ne ek jaanchti hui nigah unpar daali. Andaza
lagane ki koshish ki ke woh Faris naam ke us ladke ke saath kya kar sakte
the. Phir wahi masoomiyat aur dukh bhare tasurrat ke saath aansoo saaf
karti uth kar chali gayi.

Hammad apne kamre mein band ho gaya.

"Faris Wajdan!" Uska dimaag jaise phatne ko tha. Uske andar-bahar aag si
lag gayi thi. Jis ladki se woh mohabbat karta tha, jise apna saathi banana
chahta tha, usi cousin ke saath Faris Wajdan ne affair chala diya tha. Aaj
wahi Alizeh uske dada ke saamne bebaak ho kar apne pyaar ke liye ro rahi
thi.

"Faris Wajdan to Pakistan mein tha. London mein kya kar raha tha? Uske
dada ne ab tak usse apni kifalat mein rakha hua tha? Ho kya raha tha
aakhir?" Uske andar ka ghussa tha ke kisi taur kam hi nahi ho raha tha.

Haider ne usse phone kiya tha. Azam Shiraz London aaye hue the aur kuch
hi der mein Begonia House pahunchne wale the.

"Is tarah achanak? Khairiyat hai?" Lollipop muh mein dale Arham deewar
par paint kar raha tha.
Usne hairan ho kar poocha.

"Maloom nahi! Par bohot ghusse mein hain."

Deewar par paint brush phirte uska haath ruk gaya. Usne mobile rakh diya,
dastane utaar diye, aur paint ke liye rakha gaya libaas bhi utaar diya.
Darwaze par ghanti baji to usne foran khol diya.

Samne hi Azam Shirazi khade the. Unke tasurrat kuch ache nahi the. Faris
seedhiya utar kar neeche aa raha tha. Azam Shirazi par nazar padte hi woh
thithak kar ruk gaya. Raahim ko apne raste se hatate hue unhone aage badh
kar uske gaal par poori taqat se thappad jadh diya. Raahim apni jagah tham
gaya.

Faris ne gaal par haath rakhe unki taraf dukh bhari nazar se dekha. Poore
chaar saal baad hone wali mulaqat ka aaghaz ek thappad se hua tha. Azam
Shirazi ke tasurrat pathar ki tarah sakt ho gaye the. Aankho mein khoon utar
aaya tha. Unka bas nahi chal raha tha ke woh uski jaan nikal lein.

"Janta tha! Jo ganda khoon tumhari ragoon mein daud raha hai, woh ek na
ek din apna asar zaroor dikhayega."

Qahar bhare lehje mein, nafrat aur haqaarat ke saath unhone kaha. Unki
baarob aawaaz mein chinghaad thi.

Faris mutohash sa apni jagah pathar bana khada tha.

"Naqab lagane mila bhi to hamara khandan! Chaalen chalne mein tumhari
maa se zyada tez aur shaatir dimaag aur kisi ka nahi tha."

Unhone uska grebaan pakad kar daboch liya.

"Kya samajh rakha tha? Alizeh ko phansa kar use matnfar karke tum is
khandan ka hissa ban jaoge aur main aisa hone duga? Aukat kya hai
tumhari? Alizeh se shadi Karoge? Hammad ki fiancé se? Tumne aisa socha
bhi kaise?" Woh kisi sher ki tarah dhaare.

Faris Wajdan saakit nigaho se apne dada ko dekh raha tha. Aankho mein
wehasht thi, ek ajeeb si khaamoshi ka nazara. Dukh ki leher thi, magar be-
yaqeeni ka asar nahi tha. Dukh unke rawaiye ka tha, aur shayad us thappad
ka bhi nahi.

Sadmey ka sabab woh ilzam tha jo uspe lagaya gaya tha. Saalo baad bhi
unhein usmein uski maa ka hi kirdar nazar aaya tha.

"Woh unki daulat ko hathiyane ki koshish kar raha hai, unki izzat ko mitti
mein milana chahta hai, aur unke pote ki khushiya cheen lena chahta hai."
Unhone ek jhatke se peeche dhakel diya aur usse chor diya.

"Mujhe pata tha, main ek saanp ko doodh pila raha hoon. Mujhe pata tha
tum ek din apni asliyat zaroor dikhaoge." Kitna yaqeen tha unke lehje mein,
kitna wazan tha unki awaaz aur alfaaz mein.

"Chahiye to yeh tha ke jab tumhara accident hua tha, to main tumhe wahi
marne ke liye chor deta." Woh apne shiddat-e-ghazab mein nafrat se kuch
bhi kehte ja rahe the.

"Aarzoo Jahangir ka beta is qabil nahi tha ke iske saath koi achhai ki jaye."

Woh apni jagah saans roke khada tha. Nigahain Azam Shirazi ke chehre par
jami hui thi.

"Aindah," unhone ungli uthakar dhamki di, "agar mere khandan ke aas paas
bhatkne ki bhi koshish ki to jaan nikal loonga tumhari." Woh uspe dhaare,
unki awaaz buland thi. Pinjre mein baitha Harry bhi sahm gaya tha.

"Main ne tumhe is par nazar rakhne ka kaha tha. Yeh Alizey se milta raha,
aur tumne kabhi yeh baat report nahi ki," phir woh palat kar Rahim par
baras pare.

"Sir, aisa kuch nahi hai," Raahim hosh mein aate hi aage badha. "Bas bohot
hua, Rahim! Tumne mujhe bohot mayoos kiya hai."

Raahim kuch kehne ki koshish kar raha tha magar Azam Shirazi ne ek nahi
suni. Woh ussi waqt wahan se chale gaye.

Faris apni jagah murda sa khada raha. Shirazi khandan ki ek ladki ne uske
inkaar ka badla usse le liya tha.
Aur kya gazab ka badla liya tha.

Azam Shirazi, Raahim Afaq se sakht naraz the. Woh kisi taur usse milna
nahi chahte the. Haider se baat karke woh pehle unke apartment aur agli
subah unke office pohanch gaya. Usne unke samne apna laptop khol kar
rakha.

Begonia House mein do cameras lage hue the. Ek camera baahir ke aangan
ko cover karta tha aur doosra lounge ke area, seedhiyo aur kitchen ko.
Pichle do mahinon ki recorded videos thein, khaas tor par un dinon ki jab
Alizeh wahan aati rahi thi.

Ghar ke andar ki kisi ek video mein bhi Faris Wajdan Alizeh se baat karta
nazar nahi aaya. Woh uske kareeb tak nahi khada tha. Table par ek baar kisi
masle par baat ho rahi thi, tab bhi woh chup chaap aur kaafi faasle par
khincha-khincha sa baitha tha.

Haan, lekin har baat-bebaat Alizeh zarur usse mukhatib hoti nazar aayi thi.
Woh uska raasta bhi rok leti thi, hansti muskurati kuch na kuch kehne ki
koshish karti thi. Kabhi ice cream, chocolate, ya biscuits offer karti thi. Har
baar woh sirf ek nazar dalta aur wahan se uth jata tha, uske raaste se hatt
jata tha.

Baahir ke aangan mein dono ka aamna saamna sirf chand baar hi hua hoga.
Aur har jagah Faris ka rawaiya ek sa tha:

sard, mohtaat, aur ignore karne wala.

Lawn mein tasaveer lene par camera todne ka woh manzar bhi mehfooz tha.
Dono ki is par talkh kalami bhi hui thi. Azam Shirazi lab bheenche
khamoshi se screen par dekhte ja rahe the. Ek video khatam hoti thi to
doosri chalne lagti thi. Doosri khatam hoti to teesri. Aur sab se aakhri video
ek mah pehle ki thi.

Us raat jo hua tha, woh unke samne tha.

Alizeh, jis se mohabbat aur shaadi ka dawa kar rahi thi, usne bohot nafrat se
dhutkaar kar use ghar se bahar nikaal diya tha.
“Kuch bhi karne se pehle agar aap mujh se baat kar lete to main aapko sab
bata deta! Balki videos bhi dikhata!” Raahim bohot sabr se keh raha tha.

“Faris university se seedha ghar aata hai. Aaj tak uske hawale se mujhe
kabhi bhi kahin se shikayat nahi mili. Kaisi nature aur character ka hai,
mujhse behtar aur koi nahi jaanta. Aap hamare pados mein kisi se bhi pooch
sakte hain. Main Haider ko har report deta hoon. Jab Alizeh iske liye bhi
Begonia House nahi aayi to main yeh baat kaise mention kar sakta tha?
Alizeh photography ke liye aati rahi hai. Faris ka is mein na koi dakhal tha
aur na hi woh kabhi uske saath free hua.” Usne saans lene ke liye ek lamha
ka waqfa liya.

“Uska kaam khatam ho gaya, woh phir bhi aati rahi. Phir maine use khud hi
mana kar diya. Woh is par bohot gusse mein thi ke meri yeh jurrat ke main
usse is ghar mein aane se mana karoon jo aapka hai. Kya main andha hoon?
Kya main Alizeh ke kisi bhi amal se yeh nahi samajh sakta tha ke woh kis
tarah ki pesh pahel kar rahi thi?”**

Uske tahummul bharay lehje ke bawajood uske chehre se lag raha tha ke
use Azam Shirazi ke rawaiye se sakht ikhtilaf tha. Poori situation par gussa
tha. Woh bohot sabr aur tehammul se baat kar raha tha magar uski
aankhein...

Azam Shirazi pehli baar chup the. Jis haath se unhone Faris ko thappad
mara tha, woh haath ab muthi band hua tha.

"Aur aap kya keh rahe thay, ek saal tak affair? Do mahine bhi nahi hue
mohtarma ko Begonia House ka chakkar lagate hue!” Keh kar usne laptop
band kar diya. Raahim Afaaq ne Alizeh ki asliyat unke samne khol kar rakh
di thi. Unke office mein ek sukoon sa cha gaya tha.

“Faris ne ghar chhod diya hai. Main use har jagah dhoond chuka hoon
magar woh mujhe nahi mila. Uske class fellows bhi uske baare mein nahi
jaante.” Usne ruk kar apni peshani masli, aur balon mein haath phira.

“Aap ne yeh zimmedari mujh par daali thi. Aapko pehle mujh se baat karni
chahiye thi. Aapko Alizeh ke baare mein sawaal mujhse karna chahiye tha.”
Keh kar woh chala gaya tha. Azam Shirazi apni jagah bethe reh gaye.
---- •♡• ----
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH81
•••

Zabt jitna aur jis qadar tha uski hadd khatam ho gayi. Asaab sal aur hawas
maflooj ho gaye. Gusse aur inteqam ki aag mein jalte hue usne sab tahes
nahes karne ka irada kar liya. Jis tabahi ko woh sirf apni soch tak mehdood
rakhta tha, us tabahi ko haqeeqat mein laane ka faisla kar liya. Azam
Shirazi ko Aarzoo se khatra tha. Woh usey uski pahunch se door rakhe hue
the. Usne soch liya, woh unse mil kar rahega. Har surat, har haal mein…

Ek zidd ban gayi ke ab use har woh kaam karna hai jisse roka gaya hai. Har
woh hadd cross karni hai jiska paband kiya gaya hai.

Sham chhe baje ki train pakar kar woh Edinburgh rawana ho gaya tha. Uske
paas ek mukammal address tha. Charity Fashion Week ka schedule bhi,
jisme Aarzoo Jahangir agle hafte shirkat karne wali thi. Woh ek celebrity
thi. Uski har khabar fashion magazines aur akhbarat ki zeenat banti thi. Aaj
kal woh apne shohar ke saath Edinburgh mein muqeem thi.

Usey jahan jaana parega woh jayega, jisse baat karni paregi woh karega.
Usne socha. Woh jungle mein aag ki tarah yeh khabar har jagah phaila dega
ke woh Aarzoo Jahangir aur Haroon Shirazi ka beta hai. Woh apne andar
chalte hue us alao mein har ek ko girane wala tha. Sab raakh honge, sab
barbaad honge.

Siyah jeans par aasmani rang ka sweater, us par siyah rang ka coat zeb tan
kiye, woh rail gaadi mein khidki ke saath sar lagaye tareeki mein roshan
lakiro ko dekhta ja raha tha.

Usne ghar chhod diya tha.

Yeh pehla marhala tha, pehli koshish thi, pehla qadam tha. Aage sab tareek
aur andohnak tha. Uska dimagh khaali ho raha tha. Usey apne faisle ki bhi
theek se samajh nahi aa rahi thi. Woh kya chah raha hai, yeh bhi nahi.
"

Mujhe pata tha, main ek

saanp

ko doodh pila raha hoon. Mujhe pata tha, tum ek din zarur apni asliyat
dikhaoge."

Unki nafrat ki tapish wujood ko khilane lagi. Wujood angaron ki maanind

sulagne laga.

Ek aakhri koshish...

Wahshat naak khayalat ke hujoom mein bebas hote hue usne apna sar thaam
liya. Usne subah se kuch nahi khaya tha. Bhook ka ehsaas phir bhi nahi ho
raha tha. Ujlat mein ghar chhod diya tha. Paise woh saath nahi laya tha.
Jaane ka kiraya tha, wapas aane ke liye koi raqam nahi thi. Shayad usey
aana bhi na pare. Usne socha aur soch kar aankhe band kar li. Lamho ko
ginte, saaniyo mein ulajhte, kabhi khidki se bahar aur kabhi andar dekhte
usne saari raat aankho mein guzar di.

Sham barah baje woh Edinburgh pohnch gaya. Wahan se matlooba address
tak usay paidal chal kar jaana pada. Woh phone par apne University fellow
se musalsal rabte mein tha, jisne apne cousin ki madad se use tamaam
maloomat pohunchayi thi.

"Mujhe nahi lagta woh tumhein andar jaane denge. Bohot sakht security
hogi. Press ko bhi jaane ki ijaazat nahi!"

Usey aakhri message moosool hua. Jise parh kar usne mobile jeb mein daal
liya tha. Raat ki tareeki mein Aarzoo Jahangir ka sheesho se bana aali shaan
ghar roshniyo mein nahaya hua nazar aa raha tha.

Late night party chal rahi thi. Woh apni garage se andar ka manzar ba asani
dekh sakta tha. Kai mashhoor aur karobari shakhsiyat ko mad'oo kiya gaya
tha. Mukhtalif qoumiat ke log usey nazar aa rahe the. Sarsabz lawn mein
kursiyo aur mezon ke itraaf mein Mulazim tray uthaye mashroob pesh karte
ghoom rahe the. Door kahin piano baj rahe the. Bohat se log abhi bhi aa
rahe the. Un ke liye darwaze khol kar unhein andar jane diya ja raha tha.
Woh jahan tha, wahan khada tha. Bairooni gate tak jane ki, apna taaruf
karwane aur Aarzoo Jahangir ka naam lene ki usmein himmat nahi rahi thi.
Usey ek dum se ehsaas hua. Kisi aur se pehle usne khud ko hi musibat se do
char kar liya hai.

Woh sadak ke us paar khada tha. Himmat mujtama karte aage badha. Ek
taraf Azam Shirazi the. Doosri taraf Aarzoo Jahangir thi, usey ab in dono ko
hi tabah karna tha. Aarzoo Jahangir ka shohar Farooq Habib lagta hai Azam
Shirazi ke karobari harif the. Ek unchi pahunch aur asar o rasookh rakhne
wale insaan tak yeh baat pohnchakar woh unki zindagi mein bhonchal la
sakta tha.

Kisi qadr koshish se woh gate tak pohnch gaya tha. Uske paas dawat nama
nahi tha. Guards kisi soorat usey andar jane nahi de sakte the. Baqi sirf ek
taaruf hi baachta tha. Aur is taaruf ko apne labo par late uska dil katne laga
tha. Zabt mitne laga tha.

Woh kya kar raha hai?

Kyun kar raha hai?

"Main Aarzoo Jahangir se milne aaya hoon!"

Apne aap se ladte hue sar uthakar kaha. Lagta hai usey is ka koi madah
samajh kar hatane ki koshish ki ja rahi thi.

"Main uska beta hoon, mujhe us se baat karni hai"

Apna aap chhudate hue cheekh kar kaha tou woh dono kuch be yaqini se
aik dosre ki shakal dekhne lage. Usne baat hi kuch aisi kar di thi. Siah fam
shakhs ne doosray ko ishara kiya tou woh andar chala gaya jabke doosra
shakhs usey wahan roke khara tha. Das se pandrah minute ke baad doosra
aadmi wapis aaya.

"Sorry woh is waqt masroof hain, kisi se nahi mil sakti...." Jawab diya gaya.
Woh kisi nahi, unka beta tha.

Aawaz bazgasht ban kar uske andar gonji. Chhanke se andar kuch toota.
Arzo Jahangir se usey koi ummed, khush gumani nahi thi, par bhi dukh
pohancha. Ankho mein nami ke saath hi ek dum se surkhi phail gayi.

"Pichle kuch mahino se Aarzoo Haroon se milne ki koshish kar rahi hai,
tumhara kya khayal hai. Kis liye? Usey ab kya chahiye?"

"Mujhse milne aayegi tou main tumahara death certificate dikha duga.
Qabar par jana chahe gi tou woh bhi taiyar hai"

Us ne mushkil se saans lete hue haath uthaya aur ruk gaya.

Geheri saans le kar woh peeche hataa. Daye jaanib qadam uthata gaya, door
hota gaya.

"Tumhara kya khayal hai, us ne Haroon se

talaaq

lene ke liye mujh se kitne paise liye honge?"

Woh yahan karne kya aaya hai? Apne andar ke shor se zakh ho kar tang
aakar khud ko jhunjhor daala.

Aarzoo Jahangir....

Azam Shirazi ......

Zabt se surkh padta chehra ishtial mein aata wajood .....

"Tum ne us ke bete ko dekha hai.…"

"Kis ke bete ko....?"

"Aarzoo Jahangir ke bete ko..."

Qadamon ki harkat tham gayi. Jhatke se ruk gaya.

Gardhan mod kar dekha. Gaadi park kar ke do ladkiya baahar nikli thi.
Dono ka rukh samne baahri gate ki taraf tha.

"Maine to suna tha, beta paida hua hai. Aarzoo Jahangir is baare mein koi
baat nahi karti. Media par bhi nahi. Naam bhi nahi bataya. Khabar bhi nahi
di.…"

"Suna hai, us ke shauhar ko yeh sab pasand nahi. Is liye woh apni private
life bilkul private rakhna chahti hai.…"

"Tum ne us ke bete ko kahan dekha…?"

Aawaze madhm ho gayi. Us ka zehan ma'uf tha. Aankho mein be-yaqini

thehri thi. Angaro jaisi tapish wajood mein utarne lagi thi.

Aqab mein siyah gaari ke brake ek dam se chirchiraye.

Driving seat par Raahim baitha tha. Passenger seat se Haider baahar nikla.
Do saathi aur bhi the. Azam Shirazi ke karande jinhein qabr tak peecha
karne ka hukm tha. Us ka ghussa ek dam se ood kar aaya.

"Let go off me!" (Mujhe chhorh do!)

Usey zabardasti khench khench kar, us ki had dargeza musawamat aur

ehtijaaj ko kisi soorat khate mein na laate. Apne saath le gaye the.

•••

oh gaadi mein aqbi nashist par do mustando ke darmiyan phansa baitha tha.
Seene par baazu bandhey hue the. Aankhein ishtaal se surkh ho rahi the.
Naak se khoon beh raha tha jise aasteen se us ne aik baar phir saaf kiya tha.

Raahim gungunate hue driving kar raha tha. Jabke Haider apne chhote sahib
ke moun par aik adad ghusa maar kar bohat buri tarah se pachtara raha tha.
Mazrat bhi kar raha tha. Pareshan bhi ho raha tha.
"Jis tarah us ne hume khwaar kiya hai, us hisaab se hi totally deserve it!"
Steering wheel par gript jamaye Raahim ne usey tasalli dena chahen.

"Don't worry! Azam sahib kuch nahi kahenge."

"Unhone kaha tha, ladke ko kharaash bhi nahi aani chahiye." Aawaaz ko
pust kar ke us ne Rahem ko bataya.

"Kharaash to waqai mein nahi aayi." Back view mirror se Faris ko dekhte
woh mehfooz hua.

"He is totally fine!'"

Haider machine aur robotic sa guard tha. Us ke tasuraat hamesha aik se

rehte the. Magar pehli baar uske tasuraat mein be intihā fikar nazar aa rahi
thi. Us ne box se kai tissue nikaal kar Faris ki taraf badhaye.

Jiska khoon abhi tak nahi rukha tha.

"Aap theek hain?" Bhari awaaz ke saath poochha.

"Apni shakl gum karo!" Tissue kheench kar woh ghurraya.

Pusht gaah ke saath kamar kaate hue gardan ko ooper kar ke tissue naak par
rakha.

Us ke pehlu mein jo do guards baithe the, unhone hanooz uske baazoo par
grip jamaye rakhi thi.

Raahim ka hukum tha. Usey andaza tha ke zara si azadi mili to woh sab se
pehle us par jhpte ga. Gaadi control se bahar hui to sab ke sab accident
mein mare jayenge. Ab usey parwah nahi thi to kya hua. Baqi sab to zinda
hi rehna chahte the.

Edinburgh se London tak saat ghanto ka safar tha. Raahim aur Haider baari
baari gaadi drive kar rahe the. Subah ke saat baje woh London pohanche
the. Begonia House ke bajaye woh usey kisi aur jagah le gaye.
Ek taweel imarat ki, ghaliban koi 13th floor thi. Tareekiyo mein ghira hua
ek poora apartment tha. Unhone usey ek kamre mein band kar diya.

Azam Shirazi ko bhi ittila pohanchadi, woh usey le aaye hain. Ain mouqe
par pohanch gaye the. Bachaat ho gayi thi. Uski mulaqat Arzu Jahangir ya
uske shauhar mein se kisi ke saath bhi nahi ho sake thi.

Raahim bahar khada phone par baat kar raha tha aur andar woh farsh par
rozana baitha tha. Ghutton par bazoo khe. Kamray ki khamoshi mein apne
andar ke wahshat naak shor ko sunte hue kat-ta hua.

"Faris Wajdan ne ghar chhod diya tha. Usne Aarzoo Jahangir se milne ki
koshish ki thi."

Azam Shirazi ne Jameela Dawood ko bataya to woh sada se apni jagah

baithi rahi gayi. Samaat par yaqeen nahi aaya tha. Faris aisa kaise kar sakta
tha. Woh aarzoo Jahangir se mutalliq uske ehsaasat se waqif thin. Uski
nafrat se, aziyat se, aur intiqami jazbaat se bhi.

"Faris aisa nahi kar sakta!" Unke lab hille.

Magar woh aisa kar chuka tha. Unhone tafseelaat se aagah kiya to woh
kuch dair tak bol nahi sake. Pareshani mazeed barh gayi. Unhone usey
kahin qaid kar rakha tha. Is khayaal se dil ko takleef hone lag gayi.

"Bachcha hai, Baba na samajh hai. Maaf kar den usey, nazar andaaz kar
de..."

Woh uske liye hadd darja fikar mand aur pareshan nazar aa rahi thin. Azam
Shirazi ne mud kar apni bahu ko dekha. Arsa hua, unhone ab hairaan hota
Chhorh diya tha.

"Yeh jaante hue bhi ke uski wajah se Alizeh aur Hamad ka rishta khatam
hua..." Danista ruk kar gehri nigaho se unhein dekhne lagay. Khud haqeeqat
se waqif the. Magar Jameela Dawood abhi bhi andhere mein thie.

Aise hi bas unhein jaanchna chah rahe the. Kaisi mohabbat thi unki Hamad
aur Faris mein koi farq nahi karti thin.
"Main abhi tak is mamlay ko samajh nahi paayi to kya keh sakti hoon lekin
yeh baat confirm hai, Faris aisa

nahi hai. Baba! Woh to bilawajah kisi se baat tak nahi karta. Affair chalana
to door ki baat hai." Mutma'in andaaz apnate hue unhein qail karne ki
koshish ki.

"Aap please ek baar khud usse baat kar lein. Uski sun le. Mujhe yaqeen hai
asal baat kuch aur hogi."

Woh gehri saans le kar pusht par hath bandhe khidki se bahar dekhne lagay.
Tareekiyo mein door kahi battiya jalti hui nazar aa rahi thi. Sheeshe par
phailte barish ke qatro mein unka aks jhalk raha tha.

"Jaanti ho, woh Aarzoo ke paas kis liye gaya tha?"

Jameela Dawood ke ang ang se bechaini aur iztirab numayan hone lagay.
Woh baat kar rahe the to main ajeeb si chubhan thi. Lehjey me Aziyat bhari
chubhan.

"Apni maa ki tarah hamari kamzori ka faida uthana chaah raha tha woh.
Isse andaaza laga lo tum. Woh humare liye kitna khatarnaak hota jaa raha
hai."

Woh intehai sanjeedgi se bohat gehri baat keh gaye the.

"Woh ghusse mein aa gaya hoga. Dukhi ho jaye to bohat jazbaati ho jata
hai. Aap please maaf kar den usey. Ho sakta hai woh bas milne gaya ho?
Maa hai uski. Usne socha ho ke shaayad....." woh tazadub ka shikar hoti ruk
gayi.

"Ke shayad...?" unhone gardan mod kar sawal kiya.

Woh khamosh ho gayi. Jis aurat ne maa hote hue usey chhod diya tha, woh
uske paas kam az kam panah ke liye nahi ja sakti thi.

"Tum abhi bhi uski taraf daari kar rahi ho?" Unke labo par muhim ki
muskurahat ubhri. Jameela ne maazrat khwahana andaaz mein sar jhuka
liya. Woh rukh mod kar khidki se bahar dekhne lagay.
"Faris ke saath ab kya karta hai, iska faisla hum London ja kar karenge...."
Chand lamho ke toqaf, Jameela Dawood ke dil ko dhadak ka sa lag gaya.
Apne sar ki sazaon aur takhtiyon se waqif thi woh. Jane ab woh Faris ke
saath kya karne walay they.

"Ho sakta hai humein Haroon ko bhi bulaana pade..." Unhon ne kuch soch
kar mazeed kaha. Unke aakhri jumle ne Jameela Dawood ko sakte mein
daal diya. Aisa pehli baar hua tha ke Faris ke kisi masle mein woh Haroon
ka zikar kar rahe the.

"Kya koi hatmi faisla

mutawaqqa

hai?"

Unka dil shiddat se dhadak uthaa tha.

•••

Writing table par Hammad be-had khamosh baitha tha. Haath mein qalam
tha. Khali safha khula pada tha. Tik tik ki awaaz goonj rahi thi. Nigahen
kisi ghair marai nuqte par tehri thi. Lab sakhti se bheenche hue the, Usne
kuch soch kar tasavvur karte hue qalam ko is kashti se bhencha tha ke
khatak ki awaaz ke saath woh do hisse ho gaya tha. Nigahe us tasveer par
thehr gayi thi jo samns hi stand par rakhi thi.

Woh aur alizeh Shirazi... Manzar wazeh tha. Muskurahat asli thi. Jazbaat
haqiqi the.

Alizeh Shirazi ke saath uske rishte ki baat khatam ho chuki thi. Azam
Shirazi ne aaj subah usey Agaah kar diya tha. Be-khabar hota to wajah
daryaft karta. Ba-khabar tha to chup raha. Gham aur ghusse ko andar
dabaye aag mein sulgta hua

Raakh hota raha.

Nigahen baar baar apni maan ki taraf uthti rahi. Unki pareshani uski samajh
se bahar hoti rahi. Ghar ka
Mahaul ajeeb ho chuka tha. Badon ke darmiyan koi baat thi jise isse
posheeda rakha ja raha tha.

Khasoosan dada aur Uski kami wadda ab kisi masle mein uljhay huay they.
Rishtay ki baat khatam kar ke yun ho gaye jaise kuch hua hi

Na ho. Jo asar us par Faris Wajdan ki wajah se par raha tha, usse sab be-
khabar nazar aa rahe they. Usne qalam phek diya. Balo mein ungliyan
phanse kuch dair tak jhuka raha.

"Itni jurat ka

muzahira

karne wale is mulazim ladke ko dada ne kisi surat maaf to nahi kiya hoga.

Kifalat

khatam kar di hogi."

Woh soch raha tha. Soch kar khud ko mutmain kar raha tha. Apne dada se
woh uske mutaaliq koi baat nahi kar sakta tha. Mangni khatam hone ki
wajah uske ilm mein thi, woh is baat ko zahir nahi karna chahta tha.

Ab woh kamre mein daye baaye tehal raha tha. Faris Wajdan ki mohabbat
ka aitraaf karti awaaz baar baar samaat se takrane lagi thi.

Wujood sholon mein lipat raha tha. Chehre par ghaz thahr gaya tha. Yeh
dukh, yeh sadma bardasht se bahar hone laga. Yeh tohin hawaso par bhaari
hone lagi.

Alizeh ko usne abhi tak phone nahi kiya tha. Sawal, shikwa ya koi shikayat
nahi ki thi. Jawaban usne bhi rabt rakhne ki koshish nahi ki thi.

Apne cousin se ilm hua tha, woh Pakistan ja chuki thi. Batana bhi zaroori
nahi samjha tha. Unki mohabbat bhari dosti, aise aur is tarah khatam hogi,
iska to gumaan bhi na kiya tha.
Uski aankho mein Faris Wajdan ka chehra thehr gaya. Woh mulazim ladka,
uske hisaason par poori tarah

se sawar hone laga. Itni muraat aur inayato ki wajah samajh se bahar ho
gayi.

"Woh larka London mein kyun tha aur us ki mulaqat, Alizeh Shirazi se kaise

hogayi

thi? Kya wajah thi ke usay itni ahmiyat di gayi thi?"

Woh inhi sochon mein ghira hua tha jab dastak de kar Jameela andar aayi
thi. Alizeh ke hawale se woh disturb na ho, woh is bare mein hi baat karne
aayi thin.

"Mummy! I don't want to talk about this." (Mummy me is ke mutaliq koi

baat nahi karna chahta)

Us ne wazeh lafzo mein mana kar diya.

Woh hairan hui ke us ne rishta khatam hone par taa hal koi aitraaz nahi
uthaya tha. Na hi wajah daryaft karne ki koshish ki thi. Haalanki woh aisi
fitrat ka nahi tha. Alizeh us ki pasand thi. Is rishte mein so percent uski
marzi shamil thi magar ab woh yun ho gaya tha jaise yeh rishta is se ghair
mutaliq ho. Is mein uski koi dilchaspi na ho.

Woh kuch der tak us ke paas baithi rahi, phir uth kar chali gayi thin. Woh ek
baar phir khidkiyo mein ja khara ho gaya tha. Zehan mukhtalif socho ki
aamaajgah bana hua tha. Aankho mein shole nazar aa rahe the.

•••
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH82
•••

Woh guzishta teen dino se is kamre mein band tha.

Waqfe waqfe se Haider aur Raahim usse milne aate rahe, baar baar us se
baat karne ki koshish kar rahe the, Samjhane ki bhi. Magar woh kuch bhi
sunne ko tayar nahi tha.

"God tum aise to nahi the?" Raahim ko hairat ho rahi thi.

Us ka aik dam se ishtaal mein aajana. Aur is tarah se react karna uski
samajh se bahir tha.

Us ke liye Faris ki situation nayi thi magar Haider usey kaafi arse se jaanta
tha. Uski pareshani bata rahi thi ke is tarah ishtaal mein woh pehle kabhi
nahi aaya tha. Kya yeh thappad hi hai jiska uski zaat par itna asar par gaya
ya phir ilzaam aisa hai ke bardasht nahi ho raha?

Ab ki baar jab aaya to kursi kheench kar us ke samne baith gaya tha.

"Tum wahan kyun gaye the?"

Woh Aarzoo Jehangir se milne gaya tha, yeh baat usey bohut hairan kar rahi
thi.

"Jaise ke tum nahi jaante!" Phad khanay wala andaaz tha.

"Sach mein! Mein tumhe kya zarurat padi is model se milne ki? Maana ke
woh bohat mashhoor hai. Khubsurat hai aur us ka to har koi madah..."

"Munh band rakho apna!" Woh aik dum se bhadak utha tha. Raahim be basi
se usey dekh kar reh gaya.
"Agar tum is tarah react karoge to mein tumhari koi madad nahi kar
sakunga!"

Woh bed par baitha tha, bhanwe sukri hui thi. Khoobsurat chehra ghusse se
laal ho raha tha. Samne tray mein khana para tha. Us ne abhi tak kuch nahi
khaya tha.

"Meri help, aur tum karoge?" Us ki aankhon mein shole jag gaye. Lahja
talkh ho gaya.

"Mere samne bante ho take mein tum pe bharosa karu. Mujhe tumhari sab
chaalo ka ilm hai. Aise hi to Azam Shirazi tumhe itna paisa nahi dete."

Rahim gehri saans le kar seedha ho baitha.

"Sach mein bohat si baatein mere ilm mein nahi hain."

Is lamhe darwaza khol kar Haider andar daakhil hua.

"To mera sar kyun kha rahe ho? Haider se pooch lo, yeh bata dega tumhare
Azam saha is tarah zanjeeron mein jakad kyun rakhna chahte hain..."

Raahim ne aik dum se chonk kar Haider ko dekha tha. Khankhaar kar gala
saaf karte us ne pusht par hath bandh liye.

"Yeh zanjeere wanjeere kahan se aa gayi? Kaun qaid hai bhai?" Raahim ne
hanuf pan ki inteha kar di.

Faris rukh badal gaya. Woh un se mazeed koi baat nahi karna chahta tha.
Raam kuch dair tak usse dekhta raha. Phir naye sare se baat shuru ki.

"Faris! Samajhne ki koshish karo. Woh aik chhoti si misunderstanding thi

yaar, and it's all over now!" ishaara Alizeh wali baat ki taraf tha.

"Chhoti si misunderstanding thi?" Faris ne achambhe se usse dekha.

"Usi misunderstanding ke liye ghar mein cameras laga rakhe the tum ne?"
Lehje mein daba daba sa ghussa tha. Aankho se na gawari jhalak rahi thi.
Raahim ne chonk kar usse dekha. Uske ghusse aur na-raazgi ki wajah jaise
ab samajh mein aayi thi.

"Woh, Main ne is wajah se nahi lagaye the!" Us ne foran wazahat di.

"Tum Azam Shirazi ke liye kaam karte ho. Don’t act like you care for
me...." Woh phat para tha.

"Tum, Haider, Agha Ali. Tum sab mujhe control karne ke liye ho, mujh par
nazar rakhne ke liye, meri har baat Azam Shirazi ko batane ke liye ho...."

"For God’s sake, Faris! Kya ho gaya hai tumhein?" Uske sabr ka paimana
labreez hua to bol parra.

"Woh camere main ne tumhari wajah se nahi lagaye the. Mere apne kuch
issues hain, main jahan bhi rahun, mujhe ehtiyat karna padta hai. This is my
way to protect myself!"

Faris ki peshaani ki rage ubhar kar numaya ho rahi thi. Aankho mein aag
bhadak rahi thi. Raahim sanjeedgi se usse dekh raha tha. Woh jitna arsa
uske saath raha, kabhi bhi is kadar ishtiaal mein nahi aaya tha.

Jab tak koi usse tang na kare, woh mutahammil rehta tha. Uske aasab
control mein hote the. Woh is tarah aape se bahar bhi nahi hua tha.

Azam Shirazi ka teh, iltizam ya phir is kadar rakhniya lafzon mein maan ka
hawala kiya baat thi jis ne usse jalti hui aag mein lakhda kiya tha. Aasab par
aisa daar tha ke woh manhal nahi par raha tha. Woh uske dukh ka andaaza
karna chahta tha. Woh uske karab ko samajhta chah raha tha. Magar Faris
ke liye aur andaaz mein ab dukh nahi tha, sirf ghussa tha. Raahim ne gehri
saans le kar apne balo mein haath phera. Use bhi ehsaas tha ke uske saath
ghalat ho gaya. Baat chhoti nahi thi. Kuch soche samjhe baghair unho ne jis
tarah haath uthaya tha, aur ab haqeeqat maloom ho jaane ke bawajood bhi
woh usse milne nahi aaye the, samajh mein nahi aa raha tha, ab unhein kya
karna chahiye. Haider, Azam Shirazi ke saath musalsal rabte mein tha. Woh
kisi kaarobari doure par the. Tafseel se koi baat nahi ho pa rahi thi.
Apni taraf se woh dono baat karne aur usse samjhane ki poori koshish kar
rahe the. Intezaar mein the ke kab woh thanda hota ke usse normal zindagi
ki taraf laya ja sake. Magar uska ghussa tha ke kisi soorat kam nahi ho raha
tha.

"Mujhe tum dono ne, yahan se na jaane diya to main sach mein kuch kar
baithunga." Ab woh unhein tarah tarah ki dhamkiyan de raha tha. Aag
lagaane ki, sab barbaad karne ki aur apni jaan lene ki bhi...

Uski har ek baat uske androoni khalafshar ka pata de rahi thi. Woh dimaag
se nahi soch raha tha aur dil par to jese baraf jam gayi thi. Khauf bhi kahin
nahi tha. Ehsaasat bhi nahi. Woh larka jo naap tol kar baat karta tha, jis ki
awaaz buland nahi hoti thi, jisse lafzo mein sakhti nahi jhalakti thi. Woh ab
ek dum se Us ke saath bhi nafrat aamaiz lehje mein pesh aane laga tha.

"Main tumhein bata chuka hoon, Alizeh ka mamla aik misunderstanding tak
thi. Tumhari be-gunahii bhi sabit ho gayi. Kyun tum is baat ko jaane nahi de
rahe?" Raahim jhunjhlai hui bezar awaaz mein bola tha. Woh aur Haider
achhe khase thake huay nazar aa rahe the.

"Misunderstanding?“ Woh talkhi se hasa tha.

"Yeh kaisi misunderstanding hai jis par koi mazrat hi nahi ki gayi!" Haider
ne be-ikhteyar raahim ko dekha tha. Woh stool par baitha usse hi dekh raha
tha.

"Woh yahan nahi hain. America mein hain. Yahan hote to zaroor tumse
milte."

"Main ne mulaqat ki nahi, mazrat ki baat ki hai." Daant pees kar ghurraya.

"Hum un tak tumhara paigham pohonchaa dete hain, woh mazrat bhi kar
lenge." Dono ne nazro hi nazro mein kuch tay kar ke pata pheench diya ke
woh zara madham ho aur apni aqal ka istemal kare. Thanday dimagh se
kuch soche.

"Tum log unhein yeh hukm doge?" Us ne tamskhar udaaya. Use achi tarah
se andaaza tha, aisi koi bhi baat woh Azam Shirazi se karne ki himmat nahi
rakhte.

"Mashwara denge." Haider ne zabt kar ke kaha.

"Is position mein ho ke mashwara de sako?"

"Tum is position mein ho ke is tarah ke mutalbe kar sako?" Haidar ne phaar

khane wale lehje mein kaha. Faris apni jagah tham gaya.

"Itni si baat tumhein kai dino se samjha rahe hain aur tum ho ke...." Haider
ne haath ke ishaare se use mazeed kuch kehne se baaz rakha. Woh apne
ghusse par qaboo paate chup ho gaya. Kuch dair baad kursi ghaseet kar bed
ke qareeb hua, jahan woh taange latkaye baitha tha.

"Main tumhari madad karne ki koshish kar raha hoon, kyun tum is tarah
khud ko torture kar rahe ho?"

"Tum meri koi madad nahi kar sakte." Us ka sar jhuka raha.

"Kar sakta hoon. Azma kar dekho!"

Us ne aahistagi se sar uthaya. Aankhein zabt se surkh par rahi thi.

"Mere maa baap ne mil kar mujhe jaan se maar diya. Aur mera sagga dada
mujhe dafan karne ke bajaye meri laash ko yahan wahan ghasite ja raha
hai...."

"Ab madad karo meri, kar sakte ho tum?" Cheekh kar us ne jis lehje aur
andaaz mein kaha, Raahim afaq sadme se gung apni jagah baitha raha gaya.
Us ka dar khatam ho chuka tha. Ab woh duniya ke aik aik fard ko yeh bata
sakta tha ke woh kaun tha? Woh kya ho gaya tha.

"Apne sahab se kaho, main un se milna chahta hoon." Us ka saans bhaari ho

raha tha.

"Kal... har haal mein. Warna us ke baad jo hoga, us ke zimmedaar woh

khud hoge." Us ke lehje mein aisi kaat thi ke aik lamhe ke liye toh woh bhi
usse kuch keh nahi sake the.
Khidkiyo se bahar London ka aasman bohat tareek ho raha tha. Neeche
night life mukammal bedaar thi.

Roshniyo mein naha hua sheher zindagi ke shor mein kahi gum ho raha tha.

•••

Azam Shirazi ko us ka paigham pohonchaa diya gaya tha. Woh shaam ki

flight se London aa gaye thay. Magar woh us se do din baad hi milne aaye
the. Sham ko no baje, us waqt jab woh bistar par chit leta chhat ko ghoor
raha tha. Haider ne ittila pohonchayi to woh uth kar baahar aa gaya. Samne
hi neelgo si roshni mein woh lounge ke sofa par baithay dikhayi diye.

Siyah three-piece suit mein malbus the. Bhoore baal gel se jame hue the.
Aankhon par nafees glasses the. Un ki tarashada safed daadhi ke saath
chehre ke karak tasuraat numaya ho rahe the. Guard un ke paas hi khare the.

Raahim, albatta, wahan nahi tha. Ghaliban usey is private guftagu mein
shamil hone ki ijaazat nahi thi lekin usey yaqeen tha ke us ne shamil hone
ke liye koi na koi hal dhoond liya hoga. Haider ne ishaara diya to guard
bahar chale gaye. Darwaza band hua to woh aahistagi se qadam uthata un
ke samne sofa par baith gaya.

Hamesha ki tarah, peshaani par bikhre baal aaj ooper ko uthey hue the. Us
ki kashada peshaani par amoodi lakeere numaya ho rahi thi. Aankho mein
qissa aur sard mehri thi. Lab sakhti se bhinche hue.

Haider sar jhukaaye aur haath bandhe un ke sofa ke aqab mein khada tha.

"Humein bataya gaya hai tum hum se milna chahte ho!" Kalai moad kar
waqt dekhte unhone guftagu ka aaghaz kiya. Aawaaz bhaari, barud si thi.
Aankho ka tasur sakhti liye hue tha. Chehre ke tasuraat mein aik sard mehri
si nazar aa rahi thi.

"Kaho hum sun rahe hain." Hukum diya gaya. Magar woh chup raha. Joote
ki nok se qaaleen ke reshay ko chheerta raha. Wo usey dekhte rahey.
"To apni maa se milne gaye the tum?" Woh kuch nahi bola to unhone baat
shuru ki. Un ke liye main wazeh tha ke unhein is ki is harkat par kitna
ghussa hai.

"Maa se nahi, aap ke hareef se milne gaya tha." Azam Shirazi ki aankhein
woh us ke jawab par thame the.

"Aap ne kaha tha, woh mujhe dhoond rahi hai. Yehi confirm karne gaya
tha..." Sar jhuka raha. Daahna qadam Mutaharrik raha. Us ki shirt ke ooperi
button khule hue the. Gardan se neeche mandmail hi lakeer nazar aa rahi
thi. Woh ab apne dada ki aankho mein dekh raha tha. Baat maan ki ho rahi
thi. Lehja aur jumle kisi bhi adabi taqaze se baala tar the.

"Us ka shohar mil jata to bata deta, main kaun hoon. Wo mil jati to usey bhi
yaad dila deta." Us ka lehja sakhti aur iraday wazeh the. Woh compose ho
kar baat kar raha tha. Azam Shirazi us ki aankho mein aag dekh sakte the.
Chaar saal pehle unhone usey jo baat batayi thi, woh usey hathiyar ke tor
par ab istemal kar raha tha. Jaise un ki koi kamzori hath aa gayi ho.

"Humein andaaza tha tum hamare liye masail paida kar sakte ho." Unhein
uski harkat par koi hairani nahi thi.

Aik imtihan unhone lena tha aur nateejah un ki soch ke ain mutabiq nikla
tha.

"Batao kya mutalbaat hain tumhare? Aaj hum sun lete hain..." Unhone
sanjeedagi se hankara bharte hue kaha.

Usey tawaqqo nahi thi. Us ki baato ke jawab mein woh aik sawal rakh
denge.

Mushtal hone ke bajaye mutahmil ho jayenge.

"Bolo! Kya chahiye? Koi sports car ghar ya koi aisi khwahish...." unhone
baat daanistah adhuri chhod di. Zahir kar diya woh usey kuch bhi de sakte
hain. Kuch bhi!
Azam Shirazi jaan gaye the, ab woh control se bahar tha. Zabardasti kar ke
ya dabao daal kar usey qabu nahi kiya ja sakta tha. Us mein koi khauf nahi
bithaya ja sakta tha. Filhal woh us ka andar jaanchna chahte the. Us ka
dimaagh parhna chahte the. Baqi baatein baad ki thin. Woh kisi bhi soorat
usey apne khandaan ke saath khilwad karne ki ijaazat nahi de sakte the.

Woh kuch der tak chup raha, phir aage ho kar baitha. Baat dada se nahi, ab
Azam Shirazi se ho rahi thi.

"Mujhe mera naam chahiye. Mukammal naam. Baap aur khandaan ka

naam!" Us ne jurrat ka muzahira karte hue mutalba rakh diya.

Baat khwahish ki thi to khwahish bas yehi thi. Haider ne kuch hairani se use
dekha. Usey Azam Shirazi ke alfaaz bohot achi tarah se yaad the. Jis din
woh hadd se nikalega, woh use shoot kar denge. Ab woh samne tha aur aisi
talab rakh raha tha Jis ke liye itne saalo tak, us ke andar taqleen nateejat ka
khauf bithaya jata raha tha.

"Warna?" Unhone sawaali nazar uthai. Un ki nigahen use jaanch rahi thin.
Woh bhi un ka hi pota tha.

Siyah tareek huwa beta tha. Ghair wazeh muhim, dhundhla.

"Main kya kar sakta hoon, aur kya nahi, us ka andaaza aap ko bakhubi ho
chuka hoga..."

Azam Shirazi ne mushkil se khud par zabt ke pehrey bithaye the. Aaj tak
kisi ne is liye aur un se baat karne ki jurrat nahi ki thi, kaha ke dhamki dena.

"Aarzoo Jahangir aik celebrity hai. Aap ka khandaan bhi kam mashhoor
nahi, jahan bhi zuban kholun ga baat jungle mein aag ki tarah phaile gi."

"Chhote sahab ab nahi bachenge..."

Haider ne socha. Pehle thodi bohot umeed thi, sab theek Us ki nobat nahi
aaye gi. Ab yaqeen ho gaya sab khatam ho jayega.

"Iski nobat nahi aayegi chahe to hum yahi tumhari jaan le sakte hain."
"To le lijiye. Main apne irado se baaz aane wala nahi hoon." Aankhon mein
aankhein daal kar Wazeha kar diya. Us ke andar ab koi khauf nahi tha.

"Aa bhi sakte ho hum chahe to...." unhone side table se snow globe ko
uthakar harkat di.

Nanhe nanhe safed zarre mutaharrik ho kar chahar so bikhar gaye.

"Meri koi bhi kamzori aap ke haath mein nahi hai." Azam Shirazi us ki
aankho mein dekhte rahe. Us ki jalti aankho ka taasur patthar kar dene wala
tha.

"Hum ne tumhein parhaya likhaya. Ek achi zindagi di. Us ka tum humein

ye sila de rahe ho? Is Tarah dhamkiyan de kar...?"

snow globe hanuz un ke daahne haath mein mutaharrik raha. Haider ne

kuch na kabhi se apne sahib ko dekha. Woh bohot tahammul se baat kar
rahe the. Un ka lehja bhi kuch aisa sakht nahi lag raha tha.

"Tasreeh kar lein, Ye dhamkiya nahi hain. Main apna haq lene ki baat kar
raha hoon."

"Haq ki baat aaj kar rahe ho?" Saada sa aik chubhta hua sawaal tha.

Woh pehle kyun chup raha, ab kyun baat kar raha hai? Is tarah achanak kya
badal gaya tha?

"Is liye ke Alizeh ki wajah se hum ne tum par haath uthaya to tumhe laga ab
haq ki baat karni Chahiye?" Labo par muskurahat liye sawaal poochha.

"Is liye ke Aarzoo Jahangir meri zindagi mein nahi hai, to main us aurat ke
naam se kyun pehchaan

Jaa raha hoon?"

Azam Shirazi is athara saal ke larke ke samne mukammal la jawab ho gaye.

Floor lamp ki roshni halke se ithmaai. Khidkiyo ke is paar baraf ke rui jaise
gaale fiza mein muntashir zameen par utarne lage.
Khamoshi aik dum se taweel ho gayi. Sawal jawab ka silsila ruk gaya.
Azam Shirazi ab use hi dekh rahe the. Bara-e-raast. Us ki aankhon mein,
aur use laga woh is ke andar us ki rooh tak utar gaye hain. Aur use parh
rahe hain. Us ne nazre jhuka lee. Qadamo mein dekhte phir se reshoun ko
chheda.

"Aleezeh humari bachi hai, uski is harkat par hum tum se mazrat kar lete
hai." Unhone kamaal mahaarat se mozu badla. Lehja sulah jo tha. Awaaz
mein khrakhti nahi thi.

"Aap ke thappar aur ilzaam ki mazrat kaun kare ga?"

Un ke labo par khafeef si muskurahat ubhri. Aankho mein dilchaspī ka

ansar thehr gaya.

"Kya mazrat se zid khatam ho jayegi?" Saada sa aik sawaal magar sada ki
baat thi ke puchne wale Azam Shirazi the.

"Nahi! Is se farq nahi padta." Goya woh us ke liye itne ahem nahi the ke un
ka aitazaar us par kuch asar karta.

"Mujhe ab sirf apna naam chahiye."

"Hum ye nahi de sakte." Hatmi atal baat kehte unhone snow globe bhi rakh
diya. Masnooi fiza mein Muallaq mutaharrik zare neeche girte saakit honay
lagay.

"Tum ne aise mutalba ki jurrat ki, hum tumhein Maaf kar rahe hain. Ainda
aisi ghalti mat karna!"

Faris Wajdan ki muthiya sakhti se bhinch gayi. Zindagi mein pehli baar
Azam Shirazi ko us ki aankho mein woh tasur nazar aaya tha jo woh aam
tor par apne dushmano ki aankhon mein dekha karte the.

Ab woh muntazir the, woh kya kehne wala tha. Apna aap sabit karne aur
naam wapis lene ke aur bohot se tareeqay the. Aur unhein har haal mein
usse qaabu karna tha.
"Apni parhai mukammal karo. Hum tumhein tumhare hisse ka business set
kar ke denge. Haider se keh dete hain tumhare account mein deal raqam
transfer kar diya kare."

Unhone kuch soch kar mazeed kaala bech diya. Woh us ke andar umadte ke
sailab par band bandh rahe the. Faris unhein dekhta raha. Woh un se naam
ki baat kar raha tha, woh maratibaat ki baat kar rahe the.

"Aur agar main na manu to?" Sofa ke saath pasht lagaye, seenay par baazoo
bandhe mukammal itmad ke

Saath un ki taraf dekhta raha.

"Humare liye tumhein khamosh karwana koi mushkil kaam nahi."

Khatarnak naak sa ishara tha. Zinda rehna chahey to is tarah, warna maut
ka raasta hargiz mushkil nahi. Baat bohot talkh aur bhaari thi. Unhone bahut
aam se lehze mein keh di.

Us ki aankhon ki surkhi mein ab nami utar aayi thi. Bohot halki si ke

madhum roshniyo ka aks un mein jhilmilane laga tha.

"Main aik shart par apna muh band kar sakta hoon. Saari umar ke liye "
Azam Shirazi ne ab ke use ghour se dekha tha.

"Kaho! Hum sun rahe hain..." Khayaal tha woh koi farmayish karne wala
hai. Kisi mukhtim raqam ki jaidad aur naam Ke ilawa woh us ka har
mutalba manne ke liye tayar the.

"Apne bete ke saath kiya hua wada khatam kar ke mujhe azad kar de..."

Lounge mein aik dum se sannata phaila tha. Azam Shirazi apni jagah lamha
bhar ke liye munjamid huay the. Haider ne be ikhtiyar is ki taraf dekha.
Woh kam golar ka use mamool se bohot mukhtalif laga.

Gehra....!

Pur asrar.....!

Behad pechida.....!
"Main wada karta hoon. Marte dam tak aap ke khandaan ke samne nahi
aaunga. Na kabhi naam ka mutalba karunga. Na jaidaad ka. Aap ko sahih
ma'ino mein mar kar dikha sakta hoon main! Us ne sara masla hi khatam
Kar diya. Baat hi khatam kar di.

"God, yeh larka..." Listening Bug ke zariye un ki guftago ko sunte, Raahim

Afaq ne shashdar ho kar sar uthaya tha. Woh gaadi mein baitha tha. Kaano
mein ear phones laga rakhe they. Is ke ehtraaf mein baraf ki dhand har so
phailti ja rahi thi.

"Shart sirf itni hai ke koi mujhe control nahi kare ga. Mere peeche nahi
aayega. Mujh par nazar nahi rakhe ga!"

Azam Shirazi ab tak kuch keh nahi sakay the. Woh un ki dee hui aasaishaat
chhodne ki, aur apni zindagi khud se jeene ki baat kar raha tha. Usey un ki
dolat se koi hissa nahi chahiye tha. Koi murawwat koi raqam bhi nahi. Us
ka mutalba bohot asaan aur wazeh tha. Magar woh khud uljhay hue the.
Shaadeed hairat aur mukhmasay mein Ghir gayay the.

"Aur tum chahte ho, hum is bhonde mazaaq par yaqeen kar lein."

"Maazaq nahi hai yeh..." Woh sanjeedgi se goya hua.

"Masle ka hal hai!"

Woh apni umar se zyada gehra lag raha tha. Soch samajh kar. Bohot
mufahmat se. Apna Mutalba mutawara tha.

"Hum kaise yaqeen kare?"

"Main pichle pandrah saalo se chup hoon. mazeed chup reh sakta hoon!"

Woh mahaz atharah saal ka tha. Us ne amali zindagi mein abhi qadam nahi
rakha tha. University join kiye

doosra mahina tha. Parhai bhi mukammal nahi hui thi. Woh sab kuch dao
par laga kar sirf aur sirf un ke tasallut se azad hone ki baat kar raha tha.

Raahim kursi se kamar tikaye socho mein gharaq hua baitha tha.
To kya us ka ghar chhodna. Edinburgh mein Jana aur itne dinon tak aisa
rawaiya mahaz aik plan ka hissa tha? Woh Azam Shirazi ko is nuqte tak
lana chahta tha. Jahan baith kar is mamle ko suljha kar khatam kiya ja sake?
Be yaqini se nafi mein sar hilaaya. Baalo mein ungliya phansaayi. Woh us
ki zahanat se mutaasir huye bina na reh sake.

"Tum par yaqeen nahi kiya ja sakta!" Unhone qateyi lehjay mein kaha.

"Phir aap ke paas aik hi option bachta hai. Mujhe qatal kar de doosri har
soorat mein to main lazmi zaban kholoon ga, chahey hazaar pehre bithaa
de. Mujhe koi khauf nahi!"

Haan... woh maut se khauf zada nahi tha. Yeh zindagi us ke liye jahanum
thi.

Chand lamho tak woh unhein dekhta raha phir woh uth kar kamre mein
chala gaya. Apna bag uthaya. Muffler dastane aur full coat pehene baahir aa
gaya. Ab woh Azam Shirazi ke samne khada tha.

Mutalba wazeh tha. Mukammal naam aur pehchaan dein. Ya phir baahir
jane ki ijaazat teesri soorat mein Woh unhein kisi bade nuqsan se do chaar
karne ke liye tayar tha. Azam Shirazi us ki aankhon mein aag dekh sakte
the.

"Isey jaane do!" Unhone gehri jachti nazron se usey dekhte akhirkar Haider
se kaha. Us ne wahan khare khare apna dil ket-ta hua mehsoos kiya. Duniya
ke hawale karna aasan tha un ke liye unhone apne liye aasani chun li thi.

Lock khol diye gaye, Rukawate hata di gayi.

Woh jaise usi intezaar mein tha. Jaane ke liye qadam uthaye, ruk kar muda.
Kuch kehne ke liye. Phir

"Sahib! Mera nahi khayal ke is tarah jaane diya jaye." Haider ne kaha. "Aap
kahen to main is ke peeche jaoo?"

Irada multawi karta darwaza aboor kar gaya.

"Chhod do. Kuch dino tak dhakkay khayega to khud hi aa jayega..."
Unhone sanjeedgi se kaha. Jis tarah ki aasaishaat us ne dekh rakhi thin, jis
tarah ki shaahna zindagi us ne guzaar rakhi

Thi, unhein yaqeen tha woh chaar din bhi nahi guzare ga aur wapas aa
jayega.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH83
•••

Imarat se nikal kar woh andha dhund bhagta raha. Daye, baye bina soche
samjhe, anjaan raasto par phir woh chalne laga tha. Raftaar qadray taiz thi.
Phir uski raftaar mein susti aa gayi thi. Us ke baad thake hare nidhhaal
qadmo ki baari thi. Baraf baari shadeed thi.

Traffic jam, london barfani toofan ki zadd mein tha. Dukane band, sab
gharo mein muqid night life mukammal disturb woh fiza mein mard bar
leela hawaon ki rawani ko apni haddiyo mein ghusta hua mehsoos kar sakta
tha. Uske kapde garm the magar is sardi ka muqabla karne ke liye phir bhi
kam the.

Chalte chalte woh ruk gaya tha. Andhere mein har jaanib dhund mein kahin
kahin street lights, street light ka mubhim sa gumaan ho raha tha. Jis jagah
par woh tha. Us se aage marham hi roshniyo mein railing nazar aa rahi thi.
woh bag ke bojh se jhukte kandho ke saath deewar ke saath panjo ke bal
beth gaya tha. Aankhe ragar kar saaf kar daalein. Zabt karne ki koshish phir
muffler ko honto se naak ke upar tak kheench liya ke sard fizaye saanson
par bhaari pad rahi thi.

Samne ghair wazeh sa board tha. Us board par aage jheel ki nishan dehi ki
gayi thi. Raaste alag ho gaye to ab kya? Woh kaafi dair tak usi jagah par usi
position mein usi tarah bhaari kandhon aur bhaari dil ke saath betha raha.
Us ke barabar mein park ki gayi gaadi mukammal taur par baraf mein dhak
chuki thi. Us ka wujood baqaida kapkapaa raha tha. Uski aankho ke kinare
surkh aur nam ho rahe the.

Dhundh mein muhim roshniyo ke saaye mein koi chalta hua reling phalang
kar us paar khada ho gaya tha. Woh taweel ul qamat tha. Lambe coat mein
poshud kuch dair tak khada raha. Phir us ne ek chhota sa pathhar door kahin
Bulandi se neeche phenk diya tha.
"Bhaad mein jao tum izza bella" chilla kar kaha. Phir kamal maharat se
Poole ka sahara lete reling par panjho ke bal baite kar chand lamho tak
doosri taraf dekhta raha. Phir usi poole ke hi sahare khud ko tawazun mein
late uth khada hua. Poole ki roshni mein us ka sara pa qadre numaayan hua
tha. Woh Raahim tha.

Us par inkishaaf hua woh wahan is liye jheel mein koodne ki tayyari kar
raha tha. Uski aankhon mein ek dam se takhti utar aayi.

"Pagal kar kya tha?"

Woh khada raha. Phir cheeka qadre zor se uski aawaz tez hawaao ke shor
mein dab gayi.

Phir woh ghoom kar poole cross karta doosri railing par aa gaya.

"Tumhare dada ne mujhe fire kar diya hai." Sanjeedgi se ittila pohnchayi.
To sabit hua. Woh uski mojudgi se ghafil nahi tha.

"Aadhi payment woh kar chuke the. Aadhi baad mein karni thi lekin ab woh
keh rahe hain sab khatam!"

"Aaise kaise khatam?"

Faris ne koi jawab nahi diya.

"Haider keh raha hai ab mujhe sangeen nataij ke liye tayar ho jana chahiye."
Us ka sar jhuka raha.

"Rokoge nahi. Main yahaan se chhalang lagane ka soch raha hoon?" Intahi
sanjeedgi se poocha gaya. Masle iske chal rahe the. Chhalang usey lagani
thi bhanwe sukad kar nafi mein sir hila diya. Raahim ne Ek taweel gehri
saans li.

"Main hamesha be-hiss logo mein kyun phans jata hoon?" Wahin khade
khade irade multawi karta ulti kilah baazi khaate hue neeche utara. Aur phir
uske barabar main jam kar baith gaya.
"Main jaanta hoon, is waqt tum bohat hi mushkil waqt se guzar rahe ho. So
do I?" ek lamhe ke tawakuf kar lehje me sanjeedgi bharne ki koshish ki

"magar kisi ne kya khoob kaha hai. Zindagi agar tumhein mauqqa dikhaye
to tum usay taang maardo"

Faris ne gardan morh kar uski shakl dekhi.

"Kis ne kaha?"

"Izza bella ne"

"Woh kaun hai?"

"James ke novel mein aik jadoo garni hai!"

"Wohi novel jo reject hua?"

"Bilkul wohi"

"Theek, reject hua!"

Raahim ne has kar usey dekha.

"James ko pa chale to woh tum se hafta baat nahi karega."

Faris ne hathoiliya ragarte sar uthaya. Zehan mein koi khayal ujagar Hua.
Dhundh chhut gayi. Hawas taza huay. Barabar mein raahim afaq baitha tha.
Wohi jo Azam Shirazi ke liye kaam karta tha. Aur jise kisi bhi baat par usey
ab yakeen nahi karta tha. Qissa phir se sawar hua to apni jagah se uth gaya.

"Ab kahaan ja rahe ho" Raahim uska raasta rok kar khada ho gaya.

Faris ne usey sakht pathrili nazro se dekha tha.

"Tumhare sahab ke saath mein apne tamam mamlaat khatam kar ke aaya
hoon..." Is liye ungli utha kar warning di.
"Tum aur Haider ainda mere aas paas bhi bhatke to main sach sach mein
qatal kar doonga!"

"Wow" Raahim ne bade hi mutasir kan andaaz mein uski dhamki ko saraha.

"Maza aa gaya, Kisi film ka scene hai?"

Woh pehle se ghusse mein tha. Uski baato se mazeed tap gaya. Zabt kar ke
qadam uthata aage barha.

"Ghar chalo. Mausam theek ho jaye to be shak par kahin chala jata. Ab agar
tum is sardi mein kahin mara

dar gaye to Azam sahab se itni badi takkar lene ka kya faida hoga?"

Faris ne ruk kar khoonkhwar nazro se usey dekha.

Woh jebon mein haath daale uske peechay aarha tha. Ruk kar honton par
rangi kheench kar zip band ki keh bas ab kuch nahi kahega. Phir
modabaana andaaz mein jhuk kar bazoo phaila kar gaadi ki taraf ishara
kiya.

"Your majesty"

"Get lost!"

Badhak kar woh wahan se chala gaya. Woh nazro se ojhal hua to Raahim ki
muskurahat bhi simat gayi.

"Is qadar shadeed barfani mausam mein woh bahar kahan raat guzarega?"
Jo baat Azam Shirazi ne nahi sochi thi, woh Rahim Afaq Soorchi raha tha.
Aur dhand mein us ke wajood ko mitte hue dekh raha tha.

•••

Nashte ki maiz par mamool ki chahel pehal thi. Mulazim mukhtalif

lawazmat pesh kar rahe the. Chhuri aur kaanto ki aawaaz dining hall mein
goonj rahi thi. Parde simte hue the. Shishe ki deewaro se sooraj ki roshni
safed tiles par muneqis ho rahi thi. Lawn ka manzar bhi numaya ho raha
tha.

Khoobsurat aur nafees piyali mein chai daal kar Jameela Daood ne Azam
Shirazi ko pesh ki thi. Pant coat mein malboos Haroon Shirazi office ke liye
mukammal taiyar baitha tha. Tahaam, sadar kursi par brajman Azam Shirazi
hairat angez tor par aaj mamool ke jalse mein thay. Unki aankhon mein
phaili hui surkhi rat jage ki gawahi de rahi thi. Haal hi mein woh London se
lote thay. Jab se unhone office join nahi kiya tha, kuch khaamosh bhi the.

Hammad nashta khatam karke university ke liye nikal gaya tha. Kuch
zaroori aamoor discuss karne ke baad Haroon office ke liye rawana huay to
Jameela unke paas aa gayi. Woh lounge mein akhbar khol ke baite the.

"Meri Faris se baat nahi ho pa rahi. Us ka mobile band hai. Rahim ka bhi."

Unhone nazar uthakar bahu ko dekha. Woh bohat fikar mand nazar a rahi
thi. Yakeenan jan'na chahti thi ke us ke mamlay ka kya bana tha lekin Azam
Shirazi ne abhi tak unhein tafseelaat se aagaah nahi kiya tha. Jo baat Faris
Wajdan se hui thi, woh unki zaat tak hi mehdood reh gayi thi. Woh us ladke
ke faislay ko abhi tak theek se samajh nahi paaye the.

"Kuch din tak intezaar kar lo!" keh kar unhon ne dobara akhbar par nazar
daali. Kuch bekaraari se ungliyaan marorhte unhone lab kaat kar Azam
Shirazi ko dekha.

"Kya sab theek hai Baba?"

"Hmm!" Unhone sar nahi uthaya. Akhbar ke safhay ulat diye.

"Kya aap ne Haroon se baat ki thi Fars ke silsiley mein?" Woh khud se kuch
nahi bata rahe the to kurdne ki koshish ki.

"Nahi."

"Magar aap to keh rahe the, baat karenge."

"Hum ne zaroori nahi samjha."

Jameela Daood dheere dheere unhein dekhte rahi. Kuch to hua tha jise woh
chhupaa rahe the ya phir jiski zed mein woh unhein bahut khaamosh nazar
aa rahe the. Mumkin hai yeh unka sirf wahm ho. Woh unse ijazat le kar uth
gayi.

"Haider ko andar bhej do!"

Mulazim orange juice ka glass rakhne aaya to Azam Shirazi ne hukum

saadar kiya. Chand hi lamho ke baad Haider haazir hua tha.

Kuch zaroori mamlat discuss karne aur kuch naye hukmat saadar karne ke
baad unhone mamool ki tarah is se Faris Wajdan ka poocha. Yoon hi be-
dhiyaani aur be-khyaali mein jaisa keh woh aamuman puchha karte the,
Haider ne chonk kar apne sahab ko dekha.

Woh bhi apni jagah lamhe bhar ke liye thatkay the. Guzishta kai dinon se
woh is tarah ka sawaal us se kai baar kar chuke thay. Khud hi faasla ka
hukum diya tha aur khudi istifsaar karne lage the. Kai saalon ka aik mamool
tha. Yun achanak aik dam se khatam nahi ho sakta tha. Magar Haider ne
dekha tha. Uske sahab ki bhawe aik dum se skad gayi thi. Ghaliban unhone
is tarah iska khayaal aane par khud ko mulaamat kiya tha.

"Kya woh wapis nahi aaya?"

"Nahi sahab!" Aage ko haath bandhay Haider adab se goya hua.

"Kahan hai ab?"

"Croydon mein hai. Store par job kar raha hai."

"Aur university?"

"Woh nahi ja raha!" jawab diya gaya.

Ghair mehsoos andaaz mein unki muthiya sakhti se band gayi thi. Yeh ladka
to jaise apni zid par ud gaya tha. Woh jaante the us ki zid kaise todni thi aur
usay is ki aukaat mein wapis kaise lana tha.
Haider apne sahab ko dekh raha tha. Aur apne tafziyo mein khud hi uljhta ja
raha tha.

•••

Shift khatam hone ke baad woh store se nikal kar qareebi restaurant ki taraf
ja raha tha. Jab us ne Raahim ko raste mein light poles ke saath khada
dekha. Mukammal tor par usay nazar andaaz karte hue daaye taraf mud
gaya.

"Ab to ghussa Chhorh do ab to mein azam Shirazi ke liye kaam bhi nahi
karta"

Suni an suni kiye, jebo mein haath daale chalta raha. Us se job ke baare
mein poochne laga. Pay kitni mil rahi hai, zindagi kaisi guzar rahi hai
waghera waghera....

Usne samne hi ek restaurant mein ja kar khane ka order diya aur chup chaap
khata raha. Raahim ko sine par bazu baandhe usey dekh raha tha.

"Lahaz aur murawwat bhi koi cheez hoti hai!"

"Mere paas zaya karne ke liye paise hain." Keh kar plate se salad uthayi.

Raahim ne lab wa kiye. Kuch hisse se. Phir waiter ko bula kar apna order
diya.

"Mrs. Grande tumhara puchhti rehti hain..."

Khana pesh kar diya gaya to khate hue kaha. Woh chup raha, goya kuch
suna hi na ho. Raahim ne baghor uske kapdon ko dekha. Uska saman abhi
tak ho ya house mein hi tha.

Uske branded kapde, jootay, coat jackets, sweater, ghadiyan usne bator
faaris ki shakal dekhi. Uski aankho mein thakaan utri hui thi. Bal bhi kuch
bikhre bhare hue the. Chehre par samajhdagi ke saath saath ek fikr bhi
nazar aa rahi thi. Usne woh bhoj apne kandho par daal liya tha jise uthana
ki usey aadat thi.
"Begonia house tumhara apna ghar hai. Tum kam az kam rehaish par to koi
zidd mat karo. Be shak apne kharche ke liye job karte raho."

Woh khamosh raha.

Suna hai ke Croydon mein crime rate bohot barh raha hai.

"Choriya wahan hoti hain jahan kuch ho. Mere paas kuch nahi hai.” keh kar
masroofiyat bhare andaz me khata raha.

"Mujhe yahan ka mahaul bhi kuch khaas pasand nahi..." Yahan wahan
dekhte us ne apni fikr mandi ka

"Tumhein kya pasand hai, kya nahi, is se mera kya lena dena?" Raahim
khud ko uska bara bhai tasavvur karta tha, bhanwe sakeere usay dekhte hue.

"Pore London mein tumhein job karne ke liye kya sirf yahi ilaqa mila?"

"Aur tumhein bhi sar khane ke liye sirf mein hi mila hoon?" Sawal kar ke
lajawab kiya to gehri saans le kar, us ne maiz par kehniyan lagayi.

"Mere saath chalo. Begonia House mein nahi rehna to mil kar kahin aur
intizam kar lete hain. Job ka koi hal dekh lenge baad mein tum pehle
university...." Faris ne chammach rakh diya. Kursi ki pusht se kamar lagaye
baitha gaya. Chehre par na-gowari ke asraat numayan hone lage.

"Tumhein kis ne bheja hai?"

"Tum jaise akdu aur badtameez ladke ke peeche kaun bhej sakta hai?"
Itminan se sawal kiya.

"Wahi jinhone pehle bheja tha."

"I Impressed? Tumhein to lagta hai tumhare dada ko tum se nafrat hai. Woh
mujhe bhala kyun bheje ge?"

"Nazar rakhnay ke liye. Zara pata kar kahin koi qatal ke mansube to nahi
bana raha!"
"Yani tum Azam Shirazi ko qatal kar sakte ho?"

"Bilkul," Rahim hash diya.

"Qatl aur tum se ha-ha-ha, pehle tum apni allergy se to nimat lo. Us ke baad
hi aisi soch rakhna."

Cat Allergy ka zikar usey taanay ki tarah laga, aisi sakht nazro se ghira ke
Raahim ne haste hue haath uthakar shikast tasleem kar li.

"Yaqeen karlo. Main khud aaya hoon. Mujhe kisi ne nahi bheja."

"Kyoon?"

"Mujhe lagta hai jo hua us mein meri ghalti thi. Alizeh ko photography ke
liye maine bulaya tha. Agar woh nahi aati to yeh sab nahi hota..." Lehja Jara
sa narm gumgeen sa.

"Agar main tumhein na jaanta hota to foran yaqeen kar leta." Faris ne can
uthakar labon se laga liya.

"Halaanke yeh haqeeqat hai." Us ne zor diya.

"Main is waqt sach mein bohot serious hoon aur tumhari wajah se beinteha
gumgeen hoon." Apna moh latka liya. Duniya jahan ki masoomiyat chehre
par thehrali.

"Tum diora miniature mein apna waqt barbaad kar rahe ho. Acting mein
kaafi scope hai tumhare liye."

Woh qadray shararat se hasa.

"Thank you so much sir, I will consider your suggestion!"

Khane ke baad us ne bahar ka rukh kiya to Raahim jebo mein haath daal ke
us ke peeche chalta raha. Pandrah minute ka safar paidal hi tay hua.
Rehaishi imarat ko ooper tak dekhte us ne hairat se aankhain phailaayi.

"Tum tum yahan reh rahe ho?" Chehre par haras thehr liya.
"Yeh to wohi jagah hai jahan chaar saal pehle aik athara saal ke larke ka
qatal hua tha." Suspense ki inteha karte us ne zara sa khauf mein mubtala
ho kar bola.

"See I'm having goosebumps now!" (Mere rongte khaday ho rahe hain)

"Bohut hi khaufnaak waqia tha. Abhi tak qatal ka suragh nahi mil sakay.
William to is haunted building mein video shoot karne bhi aaya tha.
Tumhein nahi pata!"

"Bilkul nahi pata Ab agar tumhari baat khatam ho gayi ho to kya main ja
sakta hoon?" Us ne daant pees kar puchha

"Haan, haan! Jao," Aage se hat kar apna haath daraz kiya.

Faris samne waali imarat ke andar jane ke bajaye daayein taraf mud gaya.
Us ka kamra is imarat mein tha hi nahi jisme us ne kisi ka abhi abhi qatal
karwa diya tha. Be-sakhta peshaani ko choo kar us ke peeche bhaga. Ab ke
inkishaaf karne se pehle imarat ki tasalli ki. Phir moun khola.

"Is waali building mein to itne log laapata hue hain ke poochho hi mat!"
Faris suni un suni kiye Darwaza dhakel kar andar chala gaya.

"Main ne to yeh bhi suna hai, is ki jo lift hai yeh kabhi kabar aise floor par
ruk jaati hai jahan se koi zinda wapas nahi aaya. Mara huwa bhi nahi."

"Nonsense!" Faris bur-burate hue lift mein daakhil hua. Darwaza barabar
hone tak baar baar button dabata raha ke woh sawar na ho sake. Raahim
itna khof-naak inkishaaf kar ke kis moun se sawar hota? Apni jaan
bachanay ki acting karte faasle par ruk gaya.

"Dhiyaan rahe. Kahin tumhara samna professor Mughal se na ho jaaye, woh

bhi is soorat mein jab woh billi bani hui ho?" Saath hi qahqaha lagaaya. Aur
Faris wajdan bamushkil hi zabt kar saka tha.

Lift ke darwaze barabar ho gaye the.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH84
''''

Azam Shirazi London aaye to pehli fursat mein, Faris se mutaliq Haidar se
tafseeli report talab kar li. Ek mahina hone ko tha aur woh abhi tak wapas
nahi aaya tha. Koi bhi mashkook sargarmi filhaal nazar mein nahi aayi thi.
Na woh Aarzoo Jahangir se milne gaya tha, na Farooq Habib se raabta
karne ki koshish ki thi. University me woh abhi bhi nahi ja raha tha.

"

Kya woh larka

intiqamam

barbad karne ka irada rakhta hai?"

Woh soch kar reh gaye the. Uske bank account mein har mahine ek raqam
transfer kar di jati thi aur abhi tak ki ja rahi thi.

Guzishta ek mahine se un paiso ko chhua tak nahi gaya tha. Faris ne sirf
ghar nahi chhorha tha, unki di gayi har ashaish, unka paisa, unki har murat
ko khair baad keh diya tha. Unhein andaza tha ke woh is waqt khaasi
pareshan kun zindagi guzar raha tha aur na university se ghair hazir na hota.

"Agar aap ijaazat dein to kya mein is se baat karu?" Haidar ne poocha.

"Nahi!" Kuch soch kar unhone sar uthaya.

Phir uske zimme aik kaam laga diya. Haidar kuch der tak khada raha. Zehan
ne pehla sawal yehi kiya,

"

Esa karna durust hoga ya

ghalat

?"

Magar woh apne malik ke huqm par koi sawal nahi utha sakta tha. Kamre
se baahar nikalte

aisa hi usne matloobah number par call kar ke naye hukm naama jari kar
diye the. Shaam tak Faris Wajdan ko store ke owner ne nokri se nikal diya.
Kamra bhi wapas le liya gaya.

Haidar nayi report ka muntazir tha. Naye hukm ka bhi. Ghaliban Azam
Shirazi usse har haal mein ghar laane ka kahenge magar uski nobat hi nahi
aayi. Shaam tak woh Shirazi Enterprises ke head quarters mein unke office
ke bahar maujud tha.

Andar jane ki ijaazat bina appointment ke nahi thi magar usse fori andar
bhej diya gaya.

"Main aapko chhorh chuka hoon! Aap mujhe kyun nahi chhorh rahe?" Wo
unke aali shaan office room mein khada tha. Unhone receiver wapas rakh
diya.

Siyah trousers par usne surkh aur siyah rang ke imtizaj ka coat pehna hua
tha. Muffler surkh rang ka tha. Ooni cap se jhankte baal uski peshaani par
bikhre huay the. Lab sakhti se bhinche huay. Aankho se thakaawat jhalak
rahi thi.

"Hum ne tumhein baahar jane ki sirf ijaazat di thi. Tum abhi bhi hamari
zimmedari ho..."

"Is se kya farq parta hai?" Uska lehja har tarah ke tassurat se aari tha.
Jazbaat ya ehsaasat nahi thay. Muqabil ek karobari shakhsiyat thi jiske sath
uska koi rishta nahi tha.

"Bohat farq parta hai...."

"Ab aap apni baat se mukar rahe hain...."

Azam Shirazi ke labo par mubhim muskarahat ubhri. Office chair ke sath
pusht lagate wo usse baghor dekhne lage.

"Mukar nahi rahe, Ehsaas dila rahe hain. Abhi bhi waqt hai, zid chhod
do...." Unke lehjay mein ek ghair mamooli si narmi thi.

"Main zid chhorh doon? Aap mujhe nahi chhorh sakte?"

Uska sawaal un par lamha bhar ke liye sukoon tari kar gaya. Unke haatho
mein ek qalam tha. Is qalam ko harkat dete wo uski aankho mein dekhte
rahe.

"Begonia House tumhare naam par hai. Tum wapas aa sakte ho, rahi baat
job ki is ke liye umar padhi hai. Filhaal parhai par tawajjo do!" Unke lehjay
mein ek hukum tha. Wo ruk kar unhein dekhne laga.

"Kya aap bhool gaye hain hamare darmiyan kya tay hua tha?"

"Hamare darmiyan kuch bhi tay nahi hua tha...." Unhone uski baat kai. Wo
thum gaya. Poore ek mahine baad unhein yaad aaya ke kuch bhi tay nahi
hua tha?

"Tum is umar mein nahi ho ke hamare sath koi deal kar sakho. Hum ne
tumhein sirf jane ki ijaazat di thi...."

"Jane ki ijaazat? Main ne aap se apni azaadi li thi!...." Daant pees kar kaha..

"Aur tum qaid kab the?...."

Faris ki muthiya bhinch gayi. Tanafus bhari honay laga.

"Kisi cheez ki kami hone di hai hum ne tumhein?" Nazro se ishaara kiya.
Tawajjo uske huliye par dali. Wo jis mushkil waqt se guzar raha tha, uska
sabab wo khud tha.

Taleem, rehish, aasishat. Sab kuch chhod kar khud apne liye imtihan ban
chuka tha. Haath khaali reh gaye the.

Faris ka gussa hwaso par sawar hone laga.

"Aap kya chahte hain aap ka ghulam ban jau? Ya jo mulaazim ki pehchaan
aap ne mujhe di hai, us par poora utar kar dikhau?"

"Hum ne tum se aisa koi mutalba nahi kiya...."

Wo chand lamho tak lab bhinche raha.

"Ab aap mujhe force kar rahe hain. Main office se baahar nikaluga aur aap
ke staff ko cheekh cheekh kar batauga mein kon hu?" Unhone sawaalia
abroo uthai. Itna jamood tha un mein, itni be-hissi aur baroodat. Dar jis
tarah baghair asar liye jawab de rahe the.

"To?"

Uska andar baahar aag ki lapet mein aa gaya. Zabt kiye wo kuch dair tak
khada raha. Nigahen unke chehre se office table aur phir nameplate par
thehr gayi.

Nameplate par sunahri huroof mein intehai khoobsurati se unka naam likha
hua tha. Uski nigahen lamhe bhar ke liye saakit hui thi. Nazar uthakar phir
unhein dekha. Zabt ki surkhi aankho mein thehri thi.

"Mujhe aap ki family mein, jaidad mein, khandani naam mein koi dilchaspi
nahi hai. Main press conference nahi karunga, koi hint ya lead meri taraf se
nahi jayega, mera wada hai. Mere raste mein mat aaiye. Main aap ko warn
kar raha hoon. Warna nataij ke zimmedaar aap khud honge." Apni baat
khatam kar ke jane ke liye murra.

Apna mustaqbil dau par laga rahe ho. Mukhtasar jumla yeh ayan karne ke
liye kaafi tha ke wo kuch nahi kar sakta.

Faris ke qadamo ki harkat tham gayi. Door knob par haath thehr gaya. Uski
aankho mein surkhi utar aayi. Mur kar Azam Shirazi ko dekha. Bardasht
bas yahi tak thi.

"Main sirf jeene ki koshish kar raha hoon Azam sahab! Kya aap ko nazar
nahi aa raha?" Wo darwaza khol kar chala gaya tha. Azam Shirazi apni
jagah baithe reh gaye the.
Apne jazbaat aur ehsaasat par qaboo paye, wo unke office se nikalte hi be-
maqsad sadko par phirte aur koi jagah nahi thi jahan raat guzar sakta. Mrs.
Grande ke café mein chala gaya. Raat gayi tak wahan baitha raha. Khidkiyo
se bahar ka manzar dekhta, saakit veeran hota raha. Mrs. Grande apne kaam
se farigh ho kar uske paas baith gayi. Begonia House chhode usey mahina
ho chuka tha. Ab achanak woh unke samne tha.

Unhone chand aik sawalat kiye, jin ke mukhtasir jawab woh "hmm" "haan"
mein de raha tha. Usne wazeh kar diya, woh tafseel mein jane ko taiyar
nahi.

Woh tashweesh se usey dekhte rahi. Café band karne ka waqt qareeb tha.
Lights madham kar di gayi thi. Counter par makhsoos uniform mein
malboos ladki kuch hi dair mein ijazat le kar chuki thi to usne sar uthaya.

"Kya main aap ke café mein job kar sakta hoon?" Usne kuch soch kar bohot
achanak se poocha. Mrs. Grande herat se usey dekh kar reh gayi.

"Mujhe iski zarurat hai," zara jhijak kar kaha. Sar hanuz jhuka hua tha. Woh
bohot mutazarrib aur pareshan nazar aa raha tha. Vacancy nahi thi magar
woh phir bhi inkar nahi kar sakein. Woh larka unhein bohot azeez tha.

"Haan, sure!" Kuch soch kar boli.

"Tum Christy ke saath kal se counter sambhal lo."

Usne khoi hui nazar uthayi. Unhein dekha. Phir shukriya ada kar ke chala
gaya. Agle din subah sawere hi woh unke café par maujood tha.

"Ho sakta hai aap se kuch log aa kar kahen ke mujhe job se nikal diya jaye,
to kya aap..." Kehte kehte ruk gaya.

"Aisi himmat kaun karega?" Mrs. Grande ko ghussa aagaya.

"Kya tumhara bhai tumhare liye masle khade kar raha hai?" Ishara Raahim
ki taraf tha. Unke taasuraat se lag raha tha aaj woh usey chhodengi nahi.

"Nahi, aisi baat nahi."

Woh bud badate hue andar chali gayi. Kuch zaroori hidayaat lene ke baad
usne counter par apne hisse ka kaam sambhal liya.

Azam Shirazi kuch bhi kar lete, Mrs. Grande kam az kam unki kisi akhir
par usey kaam se nahi nikaal sakti thi. Apni job secure kar ke rehne ka
bandobast karne laga to pata nahi kahaan kahaan se James, William aur
Raahim Afaq uth kar aa gaye.

"Samne wali building mein aik flat kiraye ke liye khaali hai. Agar hum
chaaro mil kar thoda thoda pay kare to kaisa ....?" Counter table par baitha
Raahim ne kaha, to isay mukammal nazar andaz karte hue woh bail banaata
raha. James aur William ki gardane bhi dayen baen se numood hui thi.

"William ko apne hisse ka aik room chahiye. Tum to jaante ho, hamari mom
hounted House documentry ke kitni sakht khilaf hain."

Woh suni ansuni kiye apne kaam mein laga raha.

"Please, Faris man jao."

"Yahan se chalte ho, isse pehle ke main Mrs. Grande ko shikayat lagau."
Mukhatib James aur William the. Dhamki usne Raahim ko di thi.

Woh stool par chadh kar baitha tha, darne ki adaa kari karta sahm gaya. Phir
muskurate hue kohniya jamaayi.

"Waise maan-na padega tumhari zehniyat ko, Mr. Grande versis Azam
Shirazi, woh tumhein job se nikaalne ke bajaye Haider ke daant tor dengi."
Has kar qadre sharaarat se apni baat enjoy ki.

"Faris!" James aur William ne course ki soorat usay apni taraf mutawajeh
kiya tha.

"Please, please!"

"Tum dono ke saath to main phir bhi mamlaat tay kar sakta hoon, par is ke
saath nahi.." Usne unke leader Raahim Afaq ki taraf ishara kar ke wazeh
kiya. Un ka leader coffee ka teesra lag order kar chuka tha. Dukhi ho gaya.
"Ab main tumhe kaise yaqeen dilau ke main tumhare dada ji ke liye kaam
nahi kar raha?"

"Pehli baat woh mere dada ji nahi hain. Dosri baat tum unhein chhod nahi
sakte. Teesri, mujhe tum par ab koi bharosa nahi...." Raahim kuch dair tak
sakte ki si keefiyat mein baitha raha. Jaise kisi bohot gehre sadma se guzar
raha ho. Harakat bhi nahi ki. Na palko mein koi jumbish hui.

"Are you dead?" (Kya tum mar chuke ho?) James ne usey fikar mandi se
jhanjhor daala.

"In your dreams!" (Tumhare khwabon mein!) James ko hata kar phir se uski
taraf mutawajeh hua.

"Tum mere chhote bhai ho. Main bhala kaise tumhein is tarah udne ke liye
chhod sakta hoon?"

Faris Wajdan tarrap kar mudha tha. "Tum mere bade bhai kab se ho gaye?"

"Okay, I'm out. James aur William ne, Tum dono iske saath mamlaat tay kar
lo." Usne haar man kar, mez par head down kar liya.

Woh bohot khush hue ke alag kamra mil jayega. Magar Faris Wajdan,
rehaish ke mamlat mein kam az kam Raahim Afaq ki kisi chaal mein
phanse ke liye taiyar nahi tha. Saaf saaf mana kar diya. Woh teeno mayoos
ho kar chale gaye. Shaam mein café band hua to Mrs. Grande ne usey rok
liya.

"Kahan ja rahe ho?"

Usne rehaish ka filhaal bandobast nahi kiya tha, so yeh raat ya to kisi bench
par guzarne wali thi ya phir kisi shop ke shed tale. Batana nahi chahta tha
so chup raha.

Woh fikar se usey dekhte rahi. Phir israr kar ke usey apne saath hi ghar le
gayi.

Begonia House ke lawn mein James, William aur Rqahim ikhatta baithe the.
Raahim ne baqaida doorbeen aankho par tehra kar usey dekha. Halanke
woh kuch zyada door bhi nahin tha.

"Kya yeh wahi hai jo nazar aa raha hai ya meri aankhain mujhe dhoka de
rahi hain?"

"Wahi hai, wahi hai! Farisss..." James aur William ne cheekhe.

Woh teeno begonia House ki baad ke saath lag gaye.

"Agar wapis nahi aata tha to ghar chhodne ki kya zarurat thi?" Raahim ne
tanz kiya.

"Exactly! Aur kya keh raha tha, yeh main to kabhi wapis nahi aaunga."
Uski naqal utaari gayi.

"Subah hum poora ghanta khade rahey. Uski minnate karte rahe aur usne
aik nahi suni."

Mrs. Grande lock khol rahi thi aur woh jeebo mein haath daale tapa hua sa
khada tha.

"Yahan se to main bohot acche se tum per nazar rakh sakta hoon. Pal pal ki
khabar, har khabar ki tees tees pound charge karoonga. Main to bohot
ameer ho jaoonga."

Lock khul gaya to Mrs. Grande ne fursat se gardan mori. Teeno bahar ki oat
mein yun chhupay jaise baqaida koi baroodi hamla mutawaqqa ho.

"Main dekh rahi hoon, Raahim! Aur sun bhi rahi hoon." Mrs. Grande ne
chilla kar kaha. Raahim ne aankhe meech li. Uska badla ab woh kisi aur
waqt per lein gi.

"Main tumhe khabardar kar rahi hoon." Buland awaaz mein keh kar Faris
ko apne saath andar le gayi.

"Faris bohot khush kismat tha."

"Bilkul bohat khush qismat hai."

Mrs. Grande se beizzatiya sehne wale James aur William ki raye thi.
Raahim afaq ki bhi. Chin gum Chabate hue uth gaya.

"Chalo, hum apni party kare" Wapis lawn chairs par dharna de diya.
Kursiyo ke bajaye meiz par chadh gaye. Taake barabar wale ghar ke makino
ko woh khush aur khurram nazar aa sake. Aur andar Mrs. Grande apne ghar
ka aik kamra Faris ke liye khol rahi thi.

"Tum mujhe is ka kiraya de sakte ho? Main waise bhi akeli rehti hoon. Sufi
to sirf weekend par aati hai."

Woh keh rahi thi. Woh chup hua khada tha.

"Woh log jo hain, jo tumhare peeche pade hue hain. Woh yahan aayenge to
main tumhein ghar se nahi nikaloon gi. Chahay woh mujhe woh Queen
elizabeth se mulaqat ka bhi jhansa de dein hum par koi aanch nahi aane
doongi..." Woh jazbe aur josh se boli ke woh unhein dekh kar reh gaya.
Muskara kar tasalli de kar chale gayi. Gehri saans le kar woh khidki ki taraf
gaya. Barabar wale ghar ka manzar dekh kar woh buri tarah se badmazah
hua.

Bahar nikal kar baar ke paas ja khada hua. Raahim badi fursat se uski taraf
mura.

"Arey hum se koi milne aaya hai."

"Ghoor ne aaya hai."

"Maarne aaya hai."

"Agar tum ne meri koi bhi baat apne Azam Sahab ko batayi to main tumhari
jaan le luga..." Us ne

Shadeed ghusse ke aalam mein khalis Urdu mein dhamki di. James aur
William ne hanuq pan se uski shakl dekhi thi.

"Batane ko hai hi kya? Yehi ke Azam Sahab! Jab se aap ke potay ne Mrs.
Grande ke cafe mein job shuru ki hai, unke customers barh gaye hain.
Khaas tor par school ki larkiya bohot zyada aane lagi hain. Mrs. Grant ka
business to khoob chamak raha hai. " Peeste hue Faris ko dekha.

"Ab tum khud socho, main unhein aisi khabrein deta achha lagu ga ?"

James aur William bhi hain. Aise hi khwaamkhah ! Urdu ki zaban bana
samjhe. Bas unhein pata tha Raahim has raha hai to unhein bhi hansna
chahiye. Woh jhunjhula kar palat gaya. Raahim ki bansri usse kaafi dair tak
sunayi deti rahi.

•••

Woh shower le kar abhi bahar nikla hi tha ke darwaze par dastak hone lagi
thi. Sweater pehante hue darwaza khola to Mrs. Grande samnay khadi thi.

"Tum se milne koi aaya hai!" Unhone kaha.

"Kaun?" Bhala is se yahaan kaun milne aa sakta tha. Pareshani fitri thi.

Unhone muskurate hue ishaara diya ke woh khud aa kar dekh le. Woh
sweater ke button band karta bahar aa gaya. Samne hi lounge mein Jameela
dawood baithi thi. Us par nazar parte hi apni jagah se uth khadi hui. Mrs.
Grande usse tanhai mein baat karne ka moqa dete, wahan se hatt gayi.

"Assalam-o-Alaikum mummy" unke tasuraat aise the ke usse hi ibtida karna

parhi. Woh bohot ghusse mein nazar rahi thi.

"Poore aik mahine tak rabta khatam kiya tha aur ab assalam-o-alaikum
mummy?" Woh sar jhuka gaya.

"Messages nazar andaz kar diye. Calls attend nahi ki, mobile band kar diya
aur ab ... assalam-o-alaikum mummy?" Woh aik dum apne rawaiye par
sharminda hua. Be basi se unhein dekhta sar jhuka gaya.

"Kya main tumhare liye zara si bhi ehmiyat nahi rakhti Faris?"

"Aisi baat nahi hai mummy!"

"Mujhe mummy mat kaho agar mujhe maa nahi samajhte to " Kuch bekrar
se sar uthaya. Pareshani mein ghira hua tha. Unka ghussa aur khafgi
mazeed iztraab paida karne lagi. Ab woh daat rahi thi aur woh chup chaap
unhein sun raha tha.

"Main aap ko ignore nahi kar raha tha."

"To jo ye tum kar rahe thay, usey kya kehte hain?"

"Main sirf..." us ke lab hile. Aankho se iztaraari kefiyat jhalak rahi thi.

"Mujhe laga aap mujhe daategi, ghussa kare gi. Aakhir ko ye aap ke bete ka
mamla tha."

Jameela ka tamam ghussa aik dum se khatam ho gaya.

"Aap ke sasur ne bhi to yehi kiya."

Woh us ke paas aagayi. Sar uthaye usse dekhte rahi. Woh unka muwazana
apne dada ke rawaiye se kar raha tha. Us ne khud se akhz kar liya tha woh
bhi yehi karengi jo dada ne kiya tha. Woh aisa kaise kar sakta hai.

"Aisa kaise soch sakta hai?"

"Haan woh mera beta hai to phir kya tum nahi ho?"

"Woh kehna chahta tha Hammad unki saggi aulaad tha. Woh is ke muqable
mein usey foqiyat nahi de sakti..."

"Theek hai, aulaad se bhi ghaltiya ho jati hain, magar iska matlab ye to nahi
hota ke aap rishte hi khatam kar dete hain. Chhod dete hain?"

"Mummy maine kuch nahi kiya tha...." Tadap kar sar uthaya.

"Koi affair nahi chalaaya, koi shaadi ki baat nahi ki thi, us ladki ne jhoot
bola."

"Kya ho gaya hai Faris!" Unhone usse baazuo se thaam liya.

"Kya maine tumse koi wazahat maangi hai?"

Woh khamosh hua.

"Main jaanti hoon mera beta aisa nahi hai..." Aankho mein dekh kar yaqeen
dilaya.

"Agar aisi koi ghalti tumse hoi bhi hoti, to main zyada se zyada kya karti?
Naraz hoti, daant deti, ghussa karti aur samjhati..."

"Maaye yehi to karti hain. Ye to nahi hota ke chhod deti hain! Ya sab
khatam ho jata hai...." Woh aankho mein nami liye chup raha.

"Ghar chhod diya, parhai chhod di, kyun kar rahe ho is tarah apne saath?
Kyun saza de rahe ho..."

"Meri bardasht ab khatam ho chuki hai main! Is tarah mazeed raha to mar
jaunga."

Woh aankhon mein dukh aur karab liye usse dekh kar reh gayi.

Us ka haath apne haath mein liya. Narmi se uski taraf dekha.

"Main jaanti hoon, is waqt tum ye baat nahi sunna chahte. Lekin woh
tumhare dada hain. Lakh patthar dil sahi lekin ye bhi aik haqeeqat hai ke
unhone tumhara khayal rakha. He tried his best to protect you.."

Yeh jaante hue bhi ke woh us par bohot zulm kar chuke hain, unhone
tasveer ka musbat rukh dikhane ki koshish kiye

"ye sab is waada ki wajah se tha, jo aap ke shohar ne unse kiya..." Jameela
dukh se usse dekhte rahi.

"Ye zimmedari, ye bojh jo mera unhone uthaya. Ye sab unhein majbooran

karna parha. Mere liye nahi apne bete ke liye. Mujhe to woh aise dekhte
hain jaise main koi gunaah hoon. Gunaahon par hi to parda rakha jata hai
mummy! Gunaahon ko hi to chhupaya jata hai."

Unka dil kat gaya. Kuch keh nahi paayi. Ajeeb sa dar mehsoos karne lagi.
"Apne mustaqbil ka socho! Kuch ban jao phir be shak alag ho jana ..."
Unhein is baat ki fikr thi ke woh bhari duniya mein is tarah tanha ho kar,
apne bal boote par sab kaise kar paayega.

"Unhone kaha meri rago mein aik ganda khoon daud raha hai in sab bato ke
baad aapka khayal hai mujhe rukna chahiye?" Wo la jawab ho gayi.

"Maine unse kaha mujhe mera naam chahiye, muqammal naam.."

"Aur unhone kaha woh nahi de sakte jab meri pehchaan mujhe nahi de
sakte to mein unse aur kuchh kyu lu mummy?" Uski aankho me itna dard
tha aur awazo yuh jaise woh abhi ro dega.

Uske ehsasat uske tassurat me ayaa ho rahe the. Unhone be ikhtiyar uske
hath par apni grift mazboot karli.

"Faris!"

"Mein sab manage kar luga, abhi job shuru ki hai. Mrs. Grande keh rahi hai
me yaha reh sakta hu , lekin me jald hi kamre ka bandobast kar luga. Mein
sachme aapko jee kar dikhauga mummy! Aap meri fiqr na karey."

Woh unhe samjha raha tha. Unhone gehri saas lete huye nafi me sar hilate
huay use roka tha.

"Nahi tumhe khuse ab kuch bhi karne ki jarurat nahi hai, tumhari padhai par
me koi samjhota nahi kar

Sakti.."

"Mummy"

"Chup chaap meri baat suno, Faris! Theek hai tumhare dada ke saath apne
ikhtilafat hain. Magar, Main tumhari maa hoon. Jab tak unhone tumhari
zimmedari uthai, main ek taraf rahi. Ab jab tumne unhein chhod diya hai,
toh main khud ko ek side par nahi rakh sakti. Main tumhein financially
support karungi."

"Mummy, please!" usne ehtijaj kiya.

"Aur agar tumne yahan bhi zid ki, toh main saari zindagi tumse baat nahi
karungi."

"Aap mujhe blackmail kar rahi hain?"

"Haan, yeh hi samajh lo. Tum yahan din raat job karoge, rehne ke liye
maare maare phiroge. Hazaar masail honge aur main wahan America mein
chup chaap baithi rahoon? Tumne yeh kaise socha?"

"Kyun mujhe ehsaanat ke bojh tale daba rahi hain?"

"Ehsaan nahi kar rahi, farz nibha rahi hoon. Tumhari jagah Hammad hota
toh main uske liye bhi yahi karti jo tumhare liye kar rahi hoon."

"Mummy, samajhne ki koshish karein."

"Mummy bhi kehte ho aur samjha bhi rahe ho?"

Woh be-basi se unhein dekh kar reh gaya.

"Abhi mere saath chalo! Room ka bandobast kar lete hain. Phir tumhein
university bhi join karni hai. Yeh saare maamlaat isi hafte ho jane chahiye."

Woh unke israar par, na chahte hue bhi unke saath chala gaya. University ke
qareeb hi Hall of Residency mein rehne ka intizam hua. Advance bhi
unhone diya. Dean se mulaqat bhi hui. Saare maamlaat unhone khud dekh
liye. Ek mahine ki ghair-hazri ke baad ab woh saare kaam khud theek kar
rahi thi.

Unhone raahim ko phone kar diya. Woh shaam mein hi uska samaan hostel
mein dene aagaya.

"Main soch raha tha tumhari sari kitaabein bacha kar baaki ke liye ek bada
pinjra khareed leta hoon."

Woh writing table par apne ashiyaar rakh raha tha aur haaris ko dekh kar
ruka.

"Kamra toh acha hai, magar begonia House ki baat hi kuch aur hai."
"Tum yahan sirf samaan dene aaye ho," Faris ne yaad dilaya.

Haaris ne suni an-suni karte hue darwaza khola aur sar baahar nikal kar kisi
ladke se poocha, "Kya yeh barabar wala room khaali hai?"

"Asal mein mujhe kisi pyaare roommate ki zarurat hai jo din raat nazar
rakhe aur mujhe bohot paise milne wale hain. So agar hum aadha aadha
share kar lein toh kya tum yeh room chhod sakte ho?"

Ladka nafi mein sar hilata, kuch ghabra kar ulte kadam waha se bhag gaya.

Faris ne use coat se pakad kar andar khincha aur darwaza zor se band kar
diya.

"Kya bakwaas kar rahe ho tum?" Woh usse lad pada.

"Apna kaam kar raha hoon."

"Apna kaam kar rahe ho ya mujhe mashkook bana rahe ho?"

"Tumhari waali line zyada behtar hai." Raahim hansa.

"Anyways call kar lena mujhe agar koi jarurat padhe to. Mrs. Shirazi khaas
taur par taakeed karke gayi hain. Khayal rakhna, apna" kandha thapthapaya
aur baahar nikal gaya.

Woh kuch der tak band darwaze ko dekhta raha, phir gehri saans lekar apni
kitaabein set karne laga.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH85
•••

Usne university dobara join kar li thi. Ab woh dil junoon se parhai bhi kar
raha tha aur apna kaam bhi. Jameela Daood musalsal us ke saath rabte mein
thin. Un ke saath aksar video call par baat ho jati thi.

Woh wahid insaan thin jin ke saath woh khul kar apni har baat kar leta tha.
Apni roz marra tafseelaat se aagahi dete, hatta la imkaan mutmain aur pur
sukoon nazar aane ki koshish karta magar woh phir bhi uski pareshaniyo ko
bhanp leti thin. Us ke hosle barhati thin. Sabit qadam rahte. Un ki baatein
hamesha zakhmo par marham ka kaam deti thi. Aksar woh talkh ho jata.
Aksar woh sambhal bhi jata.

Azam Shirazi se dobara mulaqat nahi hui thi. Haider bhi nahi aaya tha. Woh
bhi yehi chahta tha.

Tahaan Raahim Afaq us se milne aata raha tha. Nazar andaz karne aur gussa
dikhane ke bawajood bhi

"Mrs. Grande ne bulaya hai tumhein! Un se mil lena..." Ab ki baar jab aaya
to keh kar gaya. Woh masroof tha. Weekend par un se milne chala gaya. Un
ki beti Sofi apne bacho ke saath aayi hui thi. Acha khasa Shor macha hua
tha. Yahan bhi aur Begonia House ke lawn mein bhi...

Woh andar chala gaya. Kuch der tak un ke paas baitha raha. Unhone haal
ahwal poocha. Us ke jawab se mutmain hoon. Kuch kitabe gift ki.
Naseehate bhi di ke woh apna khayal rakhe.

Khush rahe. Us ne sar hilaaya. Shukriya ada karte hue wahan se nikal gaya.
Wahan jahan Raahim Sofi ke bachon ko kuch fazool se Magic tricks
dikhakar un ki pocket money hathiya chuka tha.

"Achhi kamai hogayi..." Paise ginte hue bola.

"Kam az kam bachon ko to bakhsh dia karo...."

"Tumhein bakhsh deta hoon, kya yeh kaafi nahi hai?."

"Main koi bachha nahi hoon" Daat peese.

Paise jeb mein daalta, bard phalang kar uske paas aagaya. Woh sar uthaye
ab begonia House ko dekh raha tha. Chaar saal guzaare the. Ghar ki yaad
aana fitri baat thi. Raahim ne uski nazro ka taqubb kar liya.

"Yeh ghar ab tumhare naam par hai. Usoolan mujhe iska kiraya dena
chahiye? Tumhein ya Azam Shirazi ko?"

Khayaal tha use gussa aa jayega magar woh suni an suni kar ke baṛ ke saath
tek laga kar khada ho gaya.

"Kya khayal hai kal outing kar lein? James aur William bhi free hain. Mujh
se keh rahe the, chalo ge humare saath?"

Khilaaf-e-tawaqa is ne kandhe uchka diye. Goya ijazat di woh plan karna

chahe to kar sakta hai.

Raahim ke liye uske rawaiye ka yeh badlaw hairan kun aur khushgawar tha.

Isi lamhe aik urti hui ball uske sar par aa gayi thi.

"What the hell !" Sar pakad kar ghuma to Aunt Sufi ke bachay Wi-Fi
signals ki tarah tartib se khade the.

"Tum jadugar ho tum ne khud ko bachaya kyun nahi?"

"Dekh nahi rahe? Main baat kar raha tha...." Sar sehlate hue zabt kar ke
jawab diya.

"Tumhein protective shield laga kar baat karni chahiye..." Jadugar unhein
bohat azeez tha, samjhdari se mashwara diya.

Raahim ne kuch kehne ke liye muh khola, phir lab bheench kar jeb se paise
nikaal kar unhein thama diye.
"Jao Yahan se. Warna main tum sab ko chooha bana doon ga..." Khaufzada
karna chaaha.

"Kya tum humein tota bana sakte ho?" Ishtiyaq se poocha gaya.

"Tota nahi chamgadar, main chamgadar bana sakta hoon...." Aise hi baazu
se par phailaaye to bachay cheekhte, hanste shor machate, darwazw ki taraf
bhaage. Mrs. Grande ne aajiz aa kar khidki se sar bahar nikala.

"RAAHIM?"

"I did nothing!" Jawaab usne bhi chilla kar diya.

"Tumhein to jaise main jaanti hi nahi hoon...." Sulag kar khidki band kar di.

"Aaj kal ke bacche t..." badbadata kar Faris ki taraf muda. Woh hanooz
jebo mein haath daale khada tha.

"Har baat ka jawab chahiye unhein..."

"Bade bhi ajeeb hain. Bacho ko loot te hain...." Faris ne luqma diya.

"Bees minute tak tricks dikhaye hain maine unhein"

"Mashaqat talab kaam hai jaise.." Faris ne tanaz kiya.

"Haan to tum sikka ghaib kar ke dikhado."

"Sirf aik sikka ghaib kiya?"

"Nahi! Main rumaal se gulab ka phool bhi nikaala. Mrs. Grande ki nawasi
ne moh mein daal liya ke shayad is tarah taqatae mil jaayengi..." Woh batate
hue hansa.

Kisi manzar ne yaad ke darwaze par dastak di. Sar jhatak kar Faris ne
qadam uthaa liye. Raahim baatein karta uske saath chalta raha. Kuch hi dair
mein woh Mrs. Grande ke cafe mein maujood the. Jahan aik alag hi raunak
lagi hui thi.
William ne ishaara kar ke bulaya to woh uske paas ja khade huay. Nigahen
James par jami hui thi jo samne baitha aath no saal ke baccho ko, apni haal
hi mein shaya hone wali tees safho ki kitaab par sign ke saath autograph de
raha tha. Mrs. Grande ke cafe mein aik qatar lagi hui thi.

"

Zindagi agar tumhein

muqqa

maare to tum usey laat maar do...."

"

Koi tumhein samundar mein phenke to tum usey lave mein phenk do...."

"Yeh likhne se yeh iske fan..." Raahim hairan o shashdar hua khada tha.

"Kaha to tha mera bhai bohat talented hai." William maza se chocolate
khate hue bola.

"Yeh to koi mushkil kaam nahi! Hum bhi likh sakte hain. Kyun Faris?"

"Zindagi agar tumhein shirt de to paint tum khud khareed lo"

"Bilkul... zindagi agar tumhein shampoo de to shower tum khud le lo."

"

Zindagi agar tumhein zameen de to ghar tum khud banalo.."

Dono mil kar hase the.

William ne dono ko ghur kar ke dekha tha. James ne bhi gardan mori thi.
Woh aik dum se sanjeeda ho gaye.

"Kya masla hai?"

"Koi masla nahi."

"Yeh keh rahe hain..." William unka bhanda phodne hi laga tha magar woh
uska moun kaise zabardasti kheench kar apne saath le gaye. James kandhe
uchka kar phir se apni nanhi fan ki taraf mutawajah ho gaya tha.

Zindagi mamool par aane lagi. Woh Raahim, James aur William se milne
laga. Woh aksar ghoomne phirne ka programme bhi bana lete. Mrs. Grande
ke cafe par bhi mulaqat ho jaati. James aur willam to har roz aajate. Raahim
albatta kabhi kabhi aata tha. Aaj kal woh inteha ka masroof tha. Kuch dino
ke liye mukammal ghaib bhi ho gaya. Rabta bhi band rakha. Phir zahir ho
to langda kar chal raha tha. Poochne par bataya ke paon phisal gaya tha,
chot lag gayi thi. Teeno ko yakeen nahi aaya.

James aur William to ba qaida uski jasoosi mein lag gaye. Faris ko batate
rehte begonia house mein kon aa raha hai aur kon ja raha hai. Usey koi
dilchaspi nahi hoti magar sun leta. Ek ganje se koi mister the. Ek lambi kisi
koi auntie thi. Jin ki steps utarte hue heel toot gayi thi. Un ke saath koi larka
bhi tha.

Aik siyaah fam khatoon thi jo apne driver ke saath victoria House liye aayi
thi. Ek lamba sa aadmi jo bohat ghusse mein lag raha tha. Unhone jitne
huliya bataye un mein se koi aik haliya bhi Haider ka nahi tha.

"Kya woh waqai mein Azam Shirazi ke liye kaam karna chhorh chuka hai?"
Usne socha. "Agar haan to ghar kyun na chhoda?" Raahim se jitni baar
mulaqat hui, usne Azam Shirazi ka zikr kiya na Haider se mutaliq koi sawal
poocha tha. Woh aise hi khud ko har us baat se door rakhna chahta tha jo
usey takleef deti thi.

•••

"Main Pakistan ja raha hoon..." Woh usse milne aaya to bataya.

"Is tarah achanak..?" Faris hairan hua.

"Main baitha hua tha to socha, kyun na Pakistan visit kar liya jaye?"
"Pakistan visit?" Faris ne maayni khiz nigaho se usse dekha.

"Tum yahan yeh bhi to keh sakte the, Main apni family se milne ja raha
hoon."

Raahim ne muskrate hue coffee ka mug qareeb kar liya.

"Aur sunao parhai kaisi ho rahi hai?"

"Abhi abhi kisi ne topic change kiya hai..." Faris ne haath khada kiya.

"Ghair zaroori topic!" Keh kar ghoont bhara.

"Parhai mukammal ho gayi. Degree haasil kar chuka, kuch paise bhi kama
liye. Kuch dinon tak Northern Areas mein jaoon ga, Ghoomu phiroun ga,
maza uroun ga."

"Phir London wapis aajao ge?"

"Haan agar apne kuch dushmano ke hatthe na chadh gaya to.."

"Kitne be murawwat Insaan ho tum, Main itna safar kar ke yahaan aaya
hoon aur tum ne khane ka nahi poocha abhi tak...."

"Kisi ne abhi abhi phir se topic change kiya hai...." Faris ne elaan kiya.
Rahim khisiya ho kar khansa.

"Bahut bhook lag gayi hai yaar! Pizza order kar do..." Faris ne pizza order
kar diya. Das pandrah minute mein deliver kar diya gaya. Khana khate hue
bate bhi ho rahi thi.

"Tumhare dada aik achhe insaan hain. Agar mujh se poochho to.." us ne
achanak hi keh diya.

"Main aisa koi sawaal tum se kyun poochho?" Rahim ne gehri saans li.

"Waise hi bata raha tha..."

"Tum to tareef karoge, Un ke liye kaam jo karte ho..."

"Main sirf tumhare dada ke liye kaam nahi karta. Mere aur bhi bohat se
clients hain..." Sanjidgi se collar jhaad kar inkishaaf kiya.

"Kya woh bhi tumhein apne dushmano par nazar rakhne ke liye hire karte
hain?" Woh gardan peeche ki taraf kiye qehqa laga kar hasa.

Faris lab bhinche baitha raha.

"Dushman! I like it, yeh khidmaat sirf Azam sahib ke liye, waise tum mujh
par zabardasti musallat kiye gaye the, warna main un ke liye kaam karna
chhod chuka tha..."

"Achha zabardasti?"

"Haan bilkul taras aa gaya mujhe tum par bechara sa ladka, Kahin kisi bare
nuqsan mein na daal de de..."

"Azam sahab ko, Un ke ehsaanaat bhi to hain mujh par..."

"Yun kaho ke paiso ki zarurat thi."

"Zahir hai free mein sukoon kaun barbad karta hai?" Hansate hue usey
mazeed beizzat ki. Woh bhanwe sukde baitha raha.

"Tum bhi mujhe hire kar lo apne kisi dushman par nazar rakhne ke liye.
Main sirf nazar nahi rakhta. Main phatne se pehle bomb neutralize bhi karta
hoon. Aur is ke liye bohat paise bhi charge karta hoon..."

"Lage raho, Khud se lage raho..." Woh sar jhatak kar khana khata raha.
Rahim muskurakar reh gaya.

Uski flight shaam cheh baje ki thi. James aur William bhi use see off karne
gaye the.

"To chhote chhote pyare pyare bachho!" Us ne gala khankhaar kar taqreer
shuru ki.

"Hum tumhein abhi bhi bachhe lagte hain? Tum apni aankhein aik baar
check kyun nahi karwate?" James aur William ko gussa aa gaya.
"Kya faida chaar chaar aankho ka jab nazar khaak na aata ho..." Faris ne bhi
un ki side li.

Raahim ne siyah frame wale glasses ko peeche hata kar set kiya. Us ke
surkhi mayil baal aaj kuch bikhre hue nahi the.

"Tum log jitne bhi bare ho jao.." yeh izaz woh us se kabhi nahi cheen sakte
the.

"Haan to main keh raha tha ke main tum logo ko miss nahi karunga. Bilkul
bhi nahi. Meri teen adad tension se jaan chhut rahi hai aur main aaj bahut
khush hoon..."

"Aur tumhei yeh khush fehmi kyun hai ke hum dukhi ho rahi hain?" Faris
ne us ki taqreer mein khalal dala.

"Haan dekho hamare hansate muskurate chehro ko?" William jhat se bola.
James ne kalaai ghumaai

"baaki kitna waqt hai is ki flight mein? Yeh kab jaye ga!"

Raahim ne daat pees kar teeno ko dekha.

"Lehaaz aur murawwat tum logo ko chhoo kar nahi guzri. Itna nahi ho raha
ke thodi si respect kar lo..." Usi waqt mein aqb mein gaadi ruki thi. Un ki
baatein adhuri reh gayi.

Raahim ki nigahen us ke aqbi mein padi to us ne bezawati gardan modhi

aqbi nishast ka darwaza Haider ne khola tha. Azam Shirazi bahar nikal rahe
the. Faris ke tasuraat aik dam se badal gaye. Nazre hata kar Raahim ko
dekha. Haath milaya,

"ok chalta hoon! Allah Hafiz!" Us ne mazeed aik lamha bhi zaya nahi kiya
tha aur wahan se chala gaya tha.

James aur William us se milne ke baad Faris ke peeche bhage the. Taxi
samne hi khadi thi. Faris ne aik baar bhi mudh kar peeche nahi dekha tha.

•••
Aarzoo Jahangir ki urti urti talaq ki khabar mein media mein gardish karti
rahi. Akhbaaro ke articles mein magazines ke safho par kuch chatpate se
tanziye shaya kiye jaane lagay. Khabro ko shuru mein rad karte karte us ne
phir aik interview mein is khabar ki tasdeeq kar di.

Zindagi mein pehli baar Aarzoo Jahangir ki khabar ko us ne follow kiya

tha, aur wajah us ka beta tha jisko us ne media se door rakha hua tha. Naam
bhi nahi leti thi. Us ka kahin zikar na tha. Sawal bhi na tha. Mamlaat
personal the. Woh kholna nahi chahti thi.

Talaaq ke theek chaar maah baad us ka shohar Farooq Habib inteqal kar
gaya. Khabar mein dilchaspi na thi magar bawajood koshish ke bhi woh
khud ko us ke khandan ke baare mein mukammal maloomat hasil karne se
nahi rok sakta tha. Woh bacha us waqt kahaan tha woh bas yeh janna chahta
tha. Farooq Habib ne apni pehli wife ko talaq de kar hi Aarzoo Jahangir se
shaadi ki thi. Beta baap ke paas tha tha. To yakeenan bhaiyo ke paas hoga.

Us din university se wapsi ke baad us ne Raahim ko call ki thi.

"Kuch information chahiye thi mujhe!"

"Main abhi se bata raha hoon free mein kuch nahi karunga.."

"Yeh kam hai ke tumhare khane ke bill mein hi deta raha hoon?" Faris ne
usey sharm dilana chaaha.

"Phir theek hai. Main baat sunne ke paise charge nahi karta..."

"Haider bilkul theek kehta hai tumhare baare mein!" Woh barbara kar reh
gaya.

"Mujhe Farooq Habib ke beta ki maloomat chahiye thi..."

"Farooq Habib?"

"Aarzoo Jahangir ka shohar!"

"Ohh I see" Puri baat samajhte Raahim Afaq ke lab gol hue.
"Abhi pichlay maheene jin ki death Hui hai?"

"Haan! Main janna chah raha tha unka woh beta jo Aarzoo Jahangir se hai,
woh kis ke paas hai..." Us ka lehja sanjida tha. Raahim ko aik dum se
mamle ki nazaakat ka aur idrak huwa.

"Ho sakta hai woh apni maa ke paas ho?" Us ne kuch soch kar kaha.

"Woh aurat jab divorce leti hai to apne bacho ko saath nahi rakhti, na hi
palat kar khabar leti hai..."

Us ke liye aur andaaz mein ajeeb si sakhti thi.

"Ho sakta hai is baar unho ne soch samajh kar koi faisla kiya ho?"

"Tum kehna kya chaah rahe ho?"

"I think you should talk to your mother!"

Faris ke tasurrat mein sakhti si aa gayi.

"Main ne tum se mashwara nahi manga..."

"Tum unke bete ke baare mein jaan kar kya karoge?" Asal sawaal yeh tha.

"I just want to make sure he’s safe!"

"Make sense!" Rahem ne sar hilaaya.

"Ab zaroori to nahi ke sab tumhare dada jaise ho. Extra security de kar
zinda rakhe."

Faris lamhe bhar ke liye tha tha. Doosre hi pal woh sulag uthha.

"This has nothing to do with my grandfather!" Uski lehja aik dum se karsht
hua tha.

"Tum hamesha unke zikr par itna tap kyun jaate ho?"
"Tum mere mamlaat mein unhein kyun le aate ho?"

"Main unhein nahi lata. Woh tumhare sabhi mamlaat mein har jagah hain.."

Faris Wajdaan ke lab bheech gaye. Dono ke beech aik dum se khamoshi
chha gayi.

"Fine! Main pata karwa kar batauga tumhein."

Is se pehle ke mazeed koi badmazgi ya ladai hoti, Raahim ne baat wahi

khatam kar di. Woh kuch bechaini se uski taraf se jawab ka intezaar karta
raha. Din ba din uski fikr mein izafa hota ja raha tha.

Aarzoo Jahangir ki zidd, jayedad ke masle, adalati karwahiya aur un sab se

bachne ke liye us bachhe ke bhai koi hal talash karenge. Aur woh hal

Uska dil aik dum se apni shikanje mein aaya tha.

Intizar kuch mushkil hua to usne khud hi call kar di. Raahim ke paas aik
khabar thi lekin tasdeeq shuda nahi thi. Woh usey batana nahi chahta tha.

"Koi bara masla hai?"

"Nahi, aisa nahi hai. Ho sakta hai kisi aur ki baat ho. Mujhe Farooq Habib
ki behen ka address mila hai. Kal unki taraf jauga. Kal tak confirm karne
do."

"Kon si baat hai jo tum confirm karna chah rahe ho? Is he alright?"

Raahim aik dam se khamosh ho gaya tha. Baalon mein haath pher kar woh
kuch beqarari se yahaan wahaan tehal raha tha.

"Jo bhi baat hai bata do mujhe...."

"Shayad Habib House mein koi haadsa pesh aaya tha. Bachcha seedhiyo se
gir gaya tha..."

Aur Faris Wajdaan jhatke se uth gaya. Usey lamhe bhar ke liye apna dil
rukta hua mehsoos hua tha.
"Jis ne mujhe yeh khabar di hai usey mazeed kuch pata nahi. Main kal unki
behen Nazia Habib se milu ga to asal baat unse hi maloom ho sakti hai..."

Usne call kaat di. Hatheliyo par sar garay kitni dair tak baitha raha. Raat se
din, aur din ke mukhtalif pehr kis tarah guzre, andaza na tha. University
mein apni classes bhi usne ghaib dimaghi ke aalam mein attend ki. Zehan
uljha hua tha. Zameer alamaati ho raha tha. Usey aik mahine ka intezaar
nahi karna chahiye tha. Usey fori tor par hi Farooq Habib ke khandaan se
raabta kar lena chahiye tha.

"

Kya woh kuch kar sakta tha uske liye? Agar haan to kya? Kisi haisiyat aur
kisi bunyad par? Sirf yeh ke maa aik thi. To kya Farooq Habib ke beto se
zyada uska haq ho sakta tha us par? Kya Aarzoo Jahangir ke batin se
janam lene wali har aulaad ka muqaddar aik sa ho ga?

Dhutkar

aur

azmaishain

unke hi hisse mein aayengi? Maut bhi,

bad-sulooki

aur rishton se

mehroomiyan

bhi?"

Sham ko 9 baje raahim ne call ki to usne dhadakte dil ke saath call receive
kar li thi.

Koi buri khabar nahi ho. Dil yeh dua kar raha tha. Halaat kuch aur keh rahe
the.
"Main ne tumhein tasweere bheji hain. Dekhi nahi tumne?"

"Kon si tasveere?"

"His name is isa! Woh bilkul theek hai!" Aur Faris Wajdan ki atki hui
sansen aik dam se behal ho gayi thi. Usey hold par rakhe Noor se
WhatsApp on kiya.

Saadhe teen saal ka bachcha. Woh park mein kahin tha. Aur aik tasveer
mein woh sofa par bhi baitha hua nazar aa raha tha. Meiz par candy box se
kuch uthata hua bhi. Uski peshaani par kuch chot ke nishan nazar rahe the.
Lekin woh bilkul theek tha.

"Apni phuphi ke paas hai. Pehle to woh yeh keh rahi thi ke haadsa tha.
Bachcha gir gaya lekin..." usne danishta baat adhoori chhodi, "Tumhare
khadshaat durust thay. Jayeedad ka masla..."

"You know Farooq Habib ke betay aur unki saabiq biwi yeh har guz nahi
chahte ke bachhe ko uska hissa mile..."

Faris gehri saans leta bed par baitha gaya.

"Aur uski phuphi kiya mean unke paas mehfooz hai?"

"Haan! Woh aik maqool khatoon hain. Isa ab unke paas hi rahe ga. Tum
tension nahi lo. Woh bilkul theek hai..."

"Tum ghar kaise pohnch gaye? Mera matlab hai unhone is tarah tumhe aane
kaise diya?"

"Main ne unse kaha main Aarzoo Jahangir ka rishtedaar hoon. Woh mere
khalazad ki phuphi hain. Bachay se milne aaya hoon waghera waghera!"

"To phir unhone mujhe milne diya. Apna phone number bhi de aaya hoon.
Agar koi issue hoga to woh mujhse raabta kar lengi...."

Faris ne bekhasta sukoon bhari saans li. Jaise koi bhaari bojh seene se sirak
gaya ho.
"Aur Isa ki shakl tum se milti hai. Dekhta bhi tumhari tarah hai. Ghoor
ghoor kar..." woh hansa.

Aur Faris muskara bhi nahi saka.

"Thanks!"

"Kya baat hai? Faris Shirazi mera shukriya ada kar raha hai. Main kahin
hairat se wafat na paa jau"

"Zinda raho. Abhi hum ne mil kar aur bhi bohot se kaam karne hain..."

Fridger khol kar usne pani ki bottle nikaali.

"Meri fees mujhe milni chahiye."

"London aoge to sab hi hisaab barabar honge..." Ab woh fridge mein kuch
khane ke liye dekh raha tha.

"Main kal hi Northern Areas ki taraf ja raha hoon aur soch raha hoon agar
James aur William bhi saath hote to kitna maza aata tum to be-intiha bore
insaan ho. Tumhare saath outing se behtar hai insaan Haider ko saath le
aaye..."

"Lage raho. Mujhe koi farq nahi padta..." Usne fridge se ande, bread,
mayonnaise, ketchup waghera nikaal kar maiz par rakha.

"Waise tum in chhuttiyo mein Pakistan kyun nahi aajate ho? Ho sakta hai
tumhare woh qaatil dushman garmiyo sardiyo mein kahin mar khao gaye
ho?"

"Aur yeh bhi to ho sakta hai woh zinda javed phir rahe ho?"

"Phir bhi, mera nahi khayal ke main kabhi Pakistan wapas jauga." Mobile
kandhe ke sahare kaan se lagaye woh anda phet ta raha.

"Aisi koi pabandi Azam Sahab ki taraf se to nahi hai..."

"Tum unse raabta mein ho?"

"Arey nahi yaar! Tum unse meri qabr ka pooch lo. Visit kar lena..." Ghusse
se call kaat di. Raahim ne mobile kaan se hata kar screen ko ghura. Phir sar
jhatak kar reh gaya.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH86
•••

Alizeh Shirazi ke saath apni mangni khatam hone ke baad, woh is arse mein
pehli baar Jameela Dawood ke saath London aaya hua tha. Nabeela Shirazi
ke saath family talluqaat abhi bhi waise hi the. Daawat par mad'oo kiya
gaya toh usne wahan Alizeh ko bhi dekha. Us din woh usse yun mili jaise
unke darmiyan kabhi kuch hua hi na ho.

Usey rishta khatam hone ka koi gham ya dukh nahi tha. Woh uske saath yun
baat kar rahi thi jaise bichhre huay purane dost bohot achanak mil gaye ho.
Rabta khatam karne par koi aitraaz, koi shikwa shikayat bhi nahi hui.

Woh sar jhatak kar wahan se uth gaya jahan woh thi aur jahan uske cousins
ek hujoom sa banaye baatein kar rahe the. Woh gallery mein ja khada hua.
Jameela Dawood doosri rishtedaar khwateen ke saath masroof thi. Haroon
Shirazi bhi coffee ka maza lete kisi baat par hans rahe the.

Zindagi se bharpur mahaul magar uske andar ek dam se tangi barh gayi thi.
Nigahain baar baar Alizeh ki taraf uth jati thi. Woh kisi baat par itna hass
rahi thi ke aankho mein paani tak aa gaya tha.

"

Kya usey zara sa bhi afsos nahi hai?"

Sawal bas ek hi tha. Aur jawab jaise kahin nahi tha. Bhanwein sukud ke
woh uljha raha.

"Main chah raha tha agar aap aur main aaj kahi bahar chalain," agle din
usne Jameela Dawood se kaha. Woh lounge ke sofa par taang par taang
jamaye baithi thi. Coffee ka mug haath mein tha. Siyah ghane baal seedhe
gir rahe the. Aqb mein flat ki deewar geer khidkiyo se darya-e-Thames
nazar aa raha tha.
America mein har weekend par woh outing ka plan bana lete the. ghoom
phir kar shopping karte, kisi achhe restaurant mein khana khate. Haroon
free hota toh woh bhi saath deta magar zyada tar usmein Jameela aur
Hammad hi hote the. London aane ke baad masroofiyat mein is qadar izafa
hua tha ke guzishta do hafto mein ek baar bhi woh apni mummy ke saath
waqt nahi guzaar saka tha.

Unhone uski baat suni. Siyah baalo mein haath phirte lamha bhar ke liye
kuch socha.

"Aaj ka plan kaisa rahega?" Remote uthate woh sofa par baith gaya.
Channels badalne laga.

Unhone coffee ka mug rakh diya. Unhein kisi baat ka khayal aaya.

"Aaj toh main kuch masroof hoon. Zaroori kaam se bahar jana hai. Kyun na
itwaar ko rakh lein?" Muskura kar kaha. Aisa pehli baar hua tha ke woh
unhein yaad dila raha tha aur woh maazrat kar rahi thin. Aamuman par
aisey sabhi plans woh khud hi banaya karti thin.

"Sure!" Usne koi aitraaz na kiya. Shaam tak usne apne cousins ke saath plan
bana liya. Khoob ghoomte phirte rahe. Uski cousin Mona usey apni har
favourite jagah dikhana chahti thi. Tasveere kheenchte haste hue woh unka
bharpoor saath de raha tha. Alizeh bhi saath hi thi magar woh khud hi usse
ek faasla sa barqarar rakhe hue tha. Aakhri manzil "London" aayi thi. Woh
apne cousins ke saath wahi maujood tha. Baraf gir rahi thi. Mausam sard
tha. Woh shahrah par chalte is manzar ko door se dekhte hue aage badh raha
tha. Aur tabhi uski nigah sadak kinare Jamila dawood par pari aur woh
jhatke se apni jagah ruk gaya.

Unke pehlu mein ek naujawan tha. Uske baal maathe par bikhre hue the.
Woh kisi baat par hanste hue unki taraf dekh raha tha.

"Faris!" Zehan mein ek dum se jhamakka hua. Barfile mausam mein uska
wajood aag ki lapet mein aagaya.

"Zaroori kaam se bahar jaata hoon. Kyun na itwaar ko rakh lein?"

"Zaroori kaam?" Woh sakte mein khada tha. Uske cousins ek doosre se
baatein karte, peeche reh gaye the. Mona ki kisi baat par shor macha rahi
the. Usne Hammad ka baazu pakad kar kheench bhi diya tha, magar woh
sadme mein ghira hua jis taraf dekh raha tha, usi taraf dekhte reh gaya tha.

Shirazi Mansion ke tamam manzar zehan mein taza ho gaye. Bhooli basri
yaadein wazeh ho gayi. Mehngay khilaune, qeemti libaas, har asaaish se
bharpoor ek mulazim ka kamra aankho mein ghoom gaya. Baat zyada
purani na thi.

Usse dada ka gussa bhi yaad tha, unka garam mizaj aur narazgi bhi. Uske
zehan mein uljhan ya sadma sirf in baato ka nahi tha. Uske to wohm-o-
guman mein bhi na tha ke uski mami Faris Wajdan se rabte mein thi. Us
Faris Wajdan se jo Alizeh ke saath uska rishta khatam hone ka sabab bana
tha.

Use woh apni aas pas, zindagi, rishte aur har jagah Faris Wajdan aane laga
tha. Bachpan se lekar aaj tak Faris apni jagah qaim tha. Dada ne uski kafalat
kabhi khatam nahi ki thi, aur uski mami ne uska saath nahi chhoda tha.
Guzishta paanch saalo se woh London ja rahi thi, har doosre teesre mahine.
Kabhi dus din ke liye, kabhi pandrah din ke liye. Woh yeh samajhta raha ke
woh apni art exhibition ke liye ja rahi hain. Rishtedaaro se milne, Nabila
shirazi ke bulawe par unki parties attend karne ke liye. Tasawwur me bhi na
tha ki wo Faris Wajdan se milne aati thi. Uska dimagh gusse se phat raha
tha. Woh apne ghar ke kisi fard ko samajh nahi paa raha tha.

"Yahan ho kya raha tha?"

Woh Faris ka hath pakde uth gayi thi, usse bate krte hue, uski sunte huye,
wo sharah kirane London eye ki janib badhne lagi thi. Woh uski maa thi wo
uska waqt kisi aur ko de rahi thi use inkar kar ke woh Faris Wajdan ke sath
ghum rahi thi. Usey yu laga jese uske sath dhoka huwa ho. Jese uski
mummy ne uske sath jhuth bola ho. Uski ehmiyat ko kam kiya ho.

"Kon tha yeh Faris Wajdan?"

"Kya aukaat thi uski?"

"Kyu guzishta terah

chodah

salo se woh uske har dil ajiz rishto ke hosh hawaso par chhaya hua?"

"

Koi bhi use chhorhne ko taiyyar na tha, na dada na uski mummy bawajood
iske jo usne Kiya?"

"Bhala mulazimo ko bhi itni ehmiyat di jati hai? Jitni haisiyat use di jaa
rahi thi ?"

"Malkhan bhi is tarah waqt niklte hai jese uski mummy uske liye nikalti

thi ?"

"Is tarah galtiya maaf kardi jaati hai, jaise uski kar di gayi thi?"

Uska dil achat ho gaya. Mood kharab ho gaya, woh wahi se wapas palat
gaya usne apne cousins ki ek na suni aur usi waqt ghar chala gaya. Jamila
Dawood raat gyarah baje tak waapas aayi thi. Usne unse koi baat nahi ki.
unhone agle din uske saath bahar jaana chaha, toh usne mana kar diya.
Cousins ke saath party arrange karni chahi, toh bhi mana kar diya. Unke
sath shopping par bhi nahi gaya. Cousins ke sath kiye gaye sabhi plans
cancel kar diye. Jamila dawood uske badlte rawaiye se pareshan ho gaya.
Baar baar puchhti rahi use kya hua tha? Magar woh kuch bhi batane ko
taiyar nahi tha.

America pohanch kar uska rawaiyya majid kharab ho gaya. Woh mulazimo
par baat baat par barsne laga tha. Chhoti chhoti baato par gussa aane laga
tha. Ghar dair se aane laga tha aur Jamila Daud ki calls ignore kar raha tha.
Ghar ke kisi fard se theek se baat tak nahi kar raha tha. Azam Shirazi ne
Jamila dawood se puchha tha unhe khud maloom nahi tha usey achanak kya
hua tha. Woh uske liye bahut pareshan ho rahi thi.

"Tumhein ho kya gaya hai, Hammad?" Woh ghar takeer se aaya toh Jamila
dawood ne lounge mein hi rok liya.
"Mujhe kya hua hai?" Woh sard aur ajnabi lehje mein bola, aakho mein
duniya jahan ki begaangi thi.

"Baat se masle hal hote hain. Is tarah chup rehne aur gussa dikhane se kya
milega, siwaye tension ke?" Unhone pyar bhare lehje mein kehte hue uska
baazu pakad kar apne paas bitha liya.

"Batao, kya hua hai? Kyun itne ghusse mein rehne lage ho?"

Ab jab wo istiksar kar rahi thi usey bolne par uksa rahi thi to usne apne
andar ke ghusse par qabo pate hue unse bat karne ka faisla kar liya.
Pareshan woh thi to sukoon me woh bhi nahi tha.

"Faris kaun hai mummy?" Usne surkh hoti aankhein un par jama kar
poocha. Jamila Daud apni jagah manjamad ho gayi. Sawal ghair
mutawaqqa tha. Woh samajh nahi payi wo is tarah achanak Faris ke bare me
kyu puch raha tha , ab kyu puch raha tha

"Hammad ye tum..."

"Mere sawal ka jawab de mummy please" mathosh ho kar bola tha. Jamila
dawood kuch na keh saki, woh uska sawal samjhne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

"Kya woh uski asliyat se wakif ho chuka hai? Uske bare me sab kuch jaan
chuka hai?"

Unki pareshani badh gayi.

Hammad aankho me dukh liye unhe agle kahi lamho tak dekhta raha. Uski
mummy ne uske sawal ka koi jawab nahi Diya tha, woh kon tha? Woh kya
tha unke liye? Woh nahi bata rahi thi.

"Aapne mujhse jhuth bola, aapne kaha aap busy hai aapko apni kisi dost se
milne Jana hai lekin aap.. aap waha Faris ke sath thi, maine aapko dekha"
dukh sadme aur ghusse se wo lafz jod kar keh raha tha.

"Aap London bhi sirf uski wajah se jaati hain, kon ho woh? Kyu aapke liye
woh itna ahem hai? Ke aap uske liye mujhe hamesha se ignore karti aa rahi
hai"
"Kya ho gaya hai Hammad?" Lehje me tafsis liye uske bazu par hath rakha.

"Maine tumhe kabhi ignore nahi kiya, yeh tum kis tarah ki bate kar rahe
ho?"

"Main kis tarah ki bate kar raha hoon?" Woh jhatke se apni jagah de uth
khada hua.

"Aap ab bhi nahi samajh rahi me kya kehna chah raha hu?"

Gehri saas lete hue asab pad kabu pane ki koshish karte huye wo apni jagah
se uth khadi hui thi.

"Maine tumhe ignore nahi kiya, us din mujhe Faris se milna tha, hamara
plan pehle se tay tha..."

"Kyu milna tha aapko usse?"

Woh bebasi se usey dekhte reh gayi.

"Bataye mujhe, kyu important hai wo aapke liye?" Woh cheekha

"Aur woh London me kyu hai? Woh wahan kya kar raha hai? Baba ne use
abhi tak nikala kyu nahi?"

"Hammad" unke lab hile, unhone kuch kehna chaha, magar wo unhe moka
nahi de raha tha.

"Kon hai wo mummy?"

"Tum jante ho woh kon hai?" Taruf wohi tha jo Azam Shirazi ne usey diya
tha. Woh usey dhorana nahi chahti thi. Raaz ko raaz rakhna tha.

Parda nahi utha sakti thi.

"Nahi me bilkul nahi jaanta, aap dada, dad aap log mujhse kuch chhupa
rahe hai..."
"Hammad tum khawmkha baat ko badha rahe ho.." narmi se samjhane ki
koshish ki.

"Woh ek nokar ka beta hai to wo kyu meri jesi zindagi guzar raha hai?"
Woh ghusse se phat padha. Woh apni jagah sakit hui thi.

"Uske jesi zindagi? Hammad ko andaza bhi hai? Uska Chhota Bhai kesi
zindagi guzar raha hai? Kese dard me reh Raha hai? Kesi takalife seh raha
hai?"

Unka dimag ek dam se maoof hua tha. Andar ek ubaal sa utha tha. Khud par
qabu pate hue usne ek bar phir uski taraf dekha tha. Quwwat munjama ki
thi. Lafzo ko tarteeb diya tha.

"Woh tumahre dada ki kafaalat me hai, he has rights too" woh boli to awaaz
khokli thi lafz jhalke the. Be bas si be mayni.

"Kafaalat?" Hammad ko hasi aa gayi thi.

"Jo usne Kiya uske bawajood bhi kafaalat?" Wo sine par bazu bandhe unki
taraf muda, aankho me surkhi utri hui thi.

"Kya aap chahti hai ki mein aapko list batau un tamam foster houses ki
jinhe baba funding dete hai, kya un tamam baccho me se koi hamare ghar
me rehta hai? Ya un tamam baccho se aap har mahine milne jati hai? Unke
liye gifts leti hai? Unke sath parks me ghumti hai?" (Jamila aankho me
nami lekar chup rahi) nahi to wo kyun?"

Uska bas nahi chal raha tha wo Faris Wajdan ko apni maa ki zindagi se
khariz kar de, unke yaddasht se maoof karde, unke dil se nikaal de, apne
siwa wo apne maa bap aur apne dada ki zindagi me kisi aur ka tasawwur
bhi nahi kar sakta tha. Kisi ki zaat uske jada ahem nahi honi chahiye. Nokar
ki jagah jo hai usey wahi milni chahiye.

"Yeh jante huye bhi ki alizeh aur mera rishta usi ki wajah se khatam hua,
aap phir bhi usse milti rahi?"

"Dada ne bhi usey koi saza nahi di"

Jamila dawood ko ek dam se sadma hua tha. Usey ye baat kese maloom hui
thi?

"Faris ki wajah se..?" Unke lab hile

"Hammad yeh sach nahi hai"

"Mummy don't defend him" wo bigad kar bola tha.

"Mein sab jaanta hoon, mujhey ye bataye Faris Wajdan hi kyun? Woh third
class nokar, woh ghatiya ladka. Aukaat hai uski in chijo ki jo aap usey gift
karti hai?"

Uski aankho aur lehze me hikarat thi. Woh ghusse aur istal me zaher ugal
raha tha. Apne dada ki juban bol raha tha. Farq itna tha ki dada hakikat se
wakif the Hammad na wakif tha.

Unka hoshla khatam ho gaya. Bardasht khatam ho gayi. Dimag phatne laga.

"KYU KE WOH TUMHARA BHAI HAI HAMMAD!"

unki awaz ekdum se buland hui thi. Aur Hammad pathhar ki tarah sakit ho
gaya tha. Uski aankhe beyakeeni se phati hui thi. Woh apni mummy ko
dekh raha tha. Usey laga usey sunne me galti hui hai. Jamila dawood ka
tanaffus bhari tha. Uska dil dhake jaa raha tha. Lafz wohi jo adaa ho gaya
tha.

Raaz wohi jo ab raaz nahi raha tha. Woh usey kabhi nahi batana chahti thi
magar batana padh Gaya tha. Unhe azam Shirazi ki tambiya yaad aayi thi.
Pandrah salo tak Hammad ko bekhabar rakha. Magar ab jaise mazeed
himmat na rahi thim uska Shaq uska ghussa uski badgumani woh bachcha
nahi raha tha. Sab samjhne laga tha. Woh mazeed jhuth bolkar uske sawaal
nazarandaz nahi kar sakti thi.

"Aap aap yeh kya keh rahi hai?" Sadme me tha, ba mushkil hi bol saka.

Usey laga woh hashke yuhi keh degi ki woh mazaak kar rahi hai. Jis ladke
ko woh shirazi khandan ka mulazim samjhta tha. Woh bhala uska bhai kese
ho sakta hai. Jiske naam ke sath Haroon Shirazi bhi nahi lagta. Aur jo unke
sath unke ghar me bhi nahi rehta. Woh unke khandan ka hissa kaise ho
sakta hai?

"Theek keh rahi hoon!"

Andar or bahar har taraf chha jane wale sakoot ko unhone bahut mushkil se
toda. Apni baat dohra kar. Kayi aansu apne andar utar liye. Apne jhakmi dil
ko tadpne ke liye Chhorh diya.

"FARIS HAROON SHIRAZI"

"woh tumahara Chhota Bhai hai.."

Hammad be-yakeeni se sar nafi me hilate hue peeche hata. Woh is baat par
yakeen nahi kar sakta tha kisi soorat nahi.

"Aapko andaza bhi hai mummy? Aap kya keh rahi hai?" Uske lehze me
gham aur ghussa tha. Aankho me sakhti utar aayi thi. Usey apni tamam
duniya taksheem hote hue nazar aa rahi thi.

Rishtey, Muqam, Jayedad...

"Tumhare dad usey ghar laaye the jab wo paanch saal ka tha. Tumhe yaad
hoga," dil par patthar rakh kar aur apne andar ke dard ko bardasht karte hue
unhone usey yaad dilaya.

Hammad ne nafi mein sar hila diya. Usey yaqeen nahi aa raha tha.

"Tumhare dada kabhi nahi chahte the ke tumhe yeh sab maloom ho. Magar,
magar tumne mujhe majboor kar diya,"

Woh dukh aur sadme mein tha beyakeen sa aur phir wo ekdam se hasne
laga. Jor se jashne laga. Jamila dawood usey dam sade dekhti reh gayi.

"Toh yun kahey na ke Dad ki na-jaiz aulad!" Uska jumla adhoora reh gaya.

Jameela dawood ka haath apne jawan bete ke gaal par aik thappad jadh diya
tha.
"Ek lafz aur nahi, Hammad!" Ungli dikha kar unhone jis tarah usey warn
kiya wo aankho me sadme liye unhe dekh kar reh gaya.

Jameela dawood ki aankhein Muqammal tar thi magar awaaz pathrili ho

rahi thi.

"TUMHARE BABA NE DOOSRI SHAADI KI THI. NIKAH HUA THA.

FARIS UNKA BETA HAI. TUMHARA BHAI HAI."

Unhone cheekh kar kaha aur phir toot kar ro padi.

Zindagi ne ajab mor diya tha. Apne shauhar ke kirdar ki gawahi unhe apne
sagge bete ko deni pad rahi thi. Unhone Faris Wajdan ki asal haqeeqat apne
sagge bete ko batani pad rahi thi.

Unhe dukh pahucha ki Faris ka tasawwur uske zehen me ek najaaiz aulad

ke tor par aaya.

Azam Shirazi ne ye kesa julm uski jaan par kar diya tha kesa sawaal uski
zaat par utha diya tha...?

jaaiz hota to apne muqaam par hota apni jagah par hota , is ghar me hota.
Unki zindagiyo me hota. Woh usey Pardo me chhupa kar yu ojhal na rakha
jata...

Tab Hammad ke zehen me esa koi sawaal na uth ta. To woh esi koi baat bhi
nahi karta. Woh usey kese dosi tehra sakti thi?

Jab agaz hi galat hua tha. Woh jiske naam ke sath uske baap ka nam nahi
tha woh uske liye apne bete ki soch ko ilzam de rahi thi..

unhe ek dam se ehsaas hua. Unhone apne bete par hath uthaya hai.
Samjhane ke bajaye aur usey samjhne ke bajaye unhone ehtraaf kiya Unse
galti hui hai.

"I'm sorry , mene tum par ...."

Unki awaaz kap kapayi, woh apni maa ki grift se azaad hota peeche hua.
Zindagi me pehli baar dada ne ghussa kiya tha aur wajah Faris Wajdan tha,
zindagi me pehli baar uski maa ne hath uthaya tha aur uski wajah bhi Faris
Wajdan hi tha.

"Hammad meri bat suno...."

Nafi me sar hilata wo majeed kuch kahe bina wo sidiya chdta apne kamre
me band ho gaya. Jamila dawood sikhst khurda si apni jagah par khadi reh
gayi thi. Aur tabbhi unki nazar uthi thi. Azam Shirazi study room ke
darwaze pe khade the. Unhe ilm na woh ghar par the. Aur is tamaam waqt
woh unki mojudgi se bekhabar thi.

Unka khoon khusk hone laga.

"Maine tumse kaha tha Faris ke sath rabte ka asar Hammad par nahi padna
chahiye," bhari kadahat awaaz, woh be panah ghusse me lag rahe the. Puri
baat sun chuke the. Rawaiya aur moqoof bhi jaan chuke the. Ek ek lafz un
tak pahuch gaya tha.

---- •♡• ----

ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH87
•••

Shaam ke das baje Hammad ko Azam Shirazi ne apni study mein talb kar
liya tha. Woh surkh padhti ankhon ko ragad kar apna halya durust karta
kuch hi dair mein wahan pahuch gaya tha. Azam Shirazi samne hi couch
par baithe thay. Uski mummy bhi wahan mojood thein. Unka chehra thaka
hua tha, aankhein bheegi hui. Woh sar jhukaye hui thi. Unhone usay nahi
dekha tha. Woh ek nazar un par daal kar apne dada ki taraf dekhne laga tha.

Woh uth kar uske samne aa khare hue the. Unke taseuraat kuch ache nahi
lag rahe the. Woh usay bohot sakht nazro se dekh rahe the. unhein uske
lehje par gussa tha, jis andaz mein usne apni maa se baaz purs ki thi, us
andaz par.

"Kya ye zaroori hai ke tumhari mummy kisi se bhi milne se pehle tumse
ijaazat lein?" (Woh uske samne khade the usse keh rahe the)

"Tumse pooch kar kisi ko gift de? Ya khayal rakhein? Ya Ghoomne

jaayein?"

Zabt se Hammad ki aankhein surkh padne lagi. Chehra gham aur gusse ka
aakkaas hone laga.

Dada kyun woh baat nahi kar rahe the jo woh sunna chahta tha?

Woh uski mummy ki baato ki nafi ya tared kyun nahi kar rahe the?

Woh Faris nami us mulazim ki pehchaan ki wazahat kyun nahi kar rahe the?
Unhein sirf uske ravaiye ka gussa tha.

Woh sawal jo usne kiye, woh aitraz jo usne uthaye, woh behas jo usne ki,
unhein sirf us amal ka masla tha.
"Tumhara is tarah se react karna ghair zaroori aur bachkana amal tha," woh
ab asal mudde par aaye the.

"Aap mujhe blame kar rahe hain?" Hammad ke lehje se karb jhalka tha.

"Zindagi ke 23 baras guzarne ke baad mujhe pata chalta hai ke jis ladke ko
main naukar samajhta raha hoon, woh mere dad ka beta hai. Aur meri
mummy us se milti hain, importance deti hai. Uske liye mujhe ignore karti
hain. Aur aap keh rahe hain mera radd e amal bachkana hai?"

Jameela Dawood ne kuch azeet ke saath apne bete ko dekha. Woh itna
badgumaan kaise ho gaya tha?

"Aap sab ne itna arsa mujhse ye baat chhupayi?" Uske lab hilay, nazrein
jhuki hui thi. Woh zabt ki inteha par khada tha.

"Ye baat itni ahem nahi thi ke tumhe batayi jati," unki awaaz mein
gambheer, lehja sanjeedgi se bharpoor. Unhone peeth par haath bandhe aur
ab uski aankho mein dekh rahe the.

"Haroon ne humse chhup kar us third-class aurat se shaadi kar li. Tumhara
kya khayal hai, humein is tamaam maslay se chhutkara pane ke liye kya
karna chahiye tha?"

Hammad ab apne dada ki taraf dekh raha tha.

"Kya humein tumhari mummy ke khandan se dushmani leni chahiye thi ya

phir tumhare dad ko aaq kar dena chahiye?"

Unka sawal bhaari tha aur lehja bhi utni hi sakhti liye hue tha. Hammad ki
aankhon mein zabt ki surkhi barh gayi thi.

"Hamaare paas do raahein thi: ya to hum tumhare dad ko aaq kar dete, ya us
bache ko qubool karke apne khandan ka tamasha bana lete." Jameela
Dawood ne kuch aziyatse aankhein beech li.

"Lekin hum is family ki behtari chahte the, tumhari behtari!" Azam Shirazi
ne use kandhon se thaam kar uski aankho mein dekha.
Woh aankhein gehri hazel ho gayi, chehra dhundhla pad gaya. Azam
Shirazi ne ek dum se uske kandhe chhod diye.

Waqt ulat kar kisi purane manzar mein qaid ho gaya. Ek adalat lag gayi thi.
Ek faisla ho gaya tha. Woh faisla unke kandho par thahar gaya tha bilkul
halka phulka sa do lafzi faisla. Lekin ek dum se woh faisla bhaari ho gaya.

Hammad ne apne dada ke tasuraat badalte dekhe.

"Humein jo behtar aur munasib laga, humne woh kiya," unhone sambhal
kar kaha. Lehje mein mazbooti lo aayi. Sakhti, baroodat aur hakmanah pan
phir se aagaya.

"Us ladke ka hamare khandan se koi talluq nahi! (Faisla wahi hai jo 15 saal
pehle kiya gaya tha) Usne kabhi hamari zindagi mein interfere nahi kiya
hai, na woh kabhi karega."

Hammad ne apne dada ko dekha. Woh itne yaqeen aur vusuq ke saath yeh
baat kaise keh sakte the? Faris Wajdan unki zindagiyo mein tha; woh is
haqeeqat se nazar kaise chura sakte the?

Uski wajah se Hammad ke rishtay mein darar aayi thi. Uske dad khud ko
ghair zaroori tor par masroof rakhte the. Uski mummy us ladke ke liye
fikrmand rehti thi.

Aur dada ko lagta tha ke woh ladka interfere nahi kar raha tha?

"Hamari family mein siwaye tumhari mummy ke aur koi usse nahi milta!
Tumhare dad bhi nahi!" Azam Shirazi ne sanjeedgi se agah kiya.

"Tumhari mummy khud usse milna chahti hain. Yeh unka zati faisla hai.
Lekin humne dekha hai, unhone tumhare hawale se apni zimmedariyo mein
kabhi kotahi nahi ki."

Jameela Dawood ne saans rokkar apne sasur ko dekha. Woh unki side le
rahe the, unki himayat kar rahe the. Faris Wajdan ki haqeeqat ayan ho gayi
thi, aur is par koi sakht rad-e-amal nahi de rahe the.

"Magar Baba..."
"Yahi tumhari khami hai, Hammad! Tum wahan apna mawazna karte ho
jahan tumhara mawazna nahi banta," unhone Hammad ki baat kaat di.

Hammad apni jagah tham gaya. Uske wujood par daraar padne lagi.

"Agar koi hamari family ka hissa hota, to woh hamare saath hi rehta. Is liye
bila wajah ka issue create mat karo," unhone aakhri baat sakht lehje mein
keh kar us par sukoot tari kar diya

"Hum is topic ko yahin khatam kar rahe hain. Aindah Faris ka zikar is ghar
mein nahi hoga. Na hi tum usse apne sar par sawar karoge," unke lehje
mein ab koi sakhti thi, magar ek tahakkum zaroor tha.

"Ab tumhe apni mummy se maazrat karni chahiye."

Woh mutthiya bhinche khada tha. Kushada peshani par salwatein thi.
Aankhon mein qahar utar aya tha. Gussa khatam hone ke bajaye aur barh
gaya tha. Lekin woh dada se mazeed koi behas nahi kar sakta tha.

Farq wazeh tha, baate saaf thi. Pehle dada sirf uski baat karte the. Aaj dada
sirf uski baat nahi kar rahe the. Mawazna shuru ho chuka tha. Usay ek dum
se ehsaas hua, woh sab kuch kho chuka hai. Khali ho raha hai.

Chingaari se aag bharak uthi thi. Is aag ne poore wujood ko lapet mein le
liya tha.

"Hammad!" Jameela Dawood ne usey pukara tha. Zabt karte hue woh
seedha apni maa ki taraf barh gaya aur unse apne rawaiye ki maazrat kar li.
Unhone be-ikhtiyar use khudse laga liya.

Rote hue shikwa kar rahi thi, woh unki mohabbat par shakk kaise kar sakte
hai? Woh itna manfi kaise soch sakte hai ? Muqammal family thi unki, ek
haseen sa talluq tha sabka.

Woh chup chap sunta raha. Ghalti bhi tasleem kar li.

"Masail baat karne se hal hote hain. Khamoshi se pechida" unhone samjha
kar kaha.
Usne samajh kar sar hilaaya. Unhone uske maathe ka bosa liya aur woh
ijazat le kar bahar nikal gaya.

Raahdari se guzarte hue, seedhiyon ki taraf jaate jaate, uski mutthiyan

mazbooti se bhinchnay lagin. Uske zehan mein Faris Wajdan ka chehra tha.
Aankho mein sholay nazar aa rahe the.

•••

Woh apne kamre mein writing table par betha parhai kar raha tha jab uske
mobile par Raahim Aafaq ki call aayi. Usne Pakistan timing ka andaza
lagate hue thodi hairat ke saath call receive ki. Itni raat gayi woh kyun
phone kar raha tha?

Salaam-dua ke baad, agle chand lamho mein jo khabar mili, usne ek pal ke
liye uske wujood ko sakht kar diya. Qalam haath me tha chhoot kar kitaab
par ja gira.

Pehle ek haadsa seedhiyon ka tha. Ab ek haadsa swimming pool ka tha.

Aarzoo Jahangir ka beta, isa, 4 ghanto tak zindagi aur maut ki kashmakash
mein rehte hue, dam tod gaya tha. Aaj subah uska janaza tha. Tadfeen bhi
ho gayi thi.

Woh khamoshi aur sadme ki kefiyat mein kursi ke saath pust tikaye betha
reh gaya. Table lamp ki roshni na-kaafi ho gayi. Wasee kamray ka mahaul
ghutan zada ho gaya.

Mushkil se saans lete hue, usne kapkapati ungliyon se Aarzoo Jahangir ka

naam search kiya.

Woh aurat abhi kuch der pehle tak America ke kisi grand festival mein
mehmaan-e-khususi ke tor par shirkat kar rahi thi. Uski taaza tasaveer
internet par shaya ho gayi thi.

Woh sakit nigaho se uska muskaraata chehra dekh raha tha. Woh takabbur
se gardan seedhi kiye, haath hila rahi thi.
Usey apne betay ki koi khabar thi bhi ya nahi? Khabar thi bhi to usay koi
ehsaas nahi tha.

Uske liye woh taqreeb ahem thi. Apna naam ahem tha. Apne faayde ahem
the.

Uske andar ek dum se ghusse ka babal utha tha.

Woh esi aurat ka beta hai? Usay apne wujood se ghin aayi. Woh esi aurat ki
sabiya hai.

Woh apne chehre se nafrat Hui. Usay laga uska wujood nochne, usey apna
khoon nochne ka jee chaha. Usay wajood se karahat karahat Aarzoo
Jahangir ki wajah se badh gayi thi. Uske hisse ke mazalim bhi Aarzoo
Jahangir ki wajah se aaye the.

Mobile screen phir se roshan hui thi. Raahim dobara call kar raha tha.

Usne saans lete hue apna sar thaam liya.

"Ab har koi tumhare dada jaisa to nahi hota, extra security de kar zinda
rakhe" uski soch bhatak rahi thi.

Uska zehan muntashir ho gaya.

"Tumhare dada lakh pathar dil hon, lekin unhone koshish ki tumhe mehfooz
rakhne ki!"

Muazne aur ehsasat ki Sidi par uske kadam be sakhta ladkhada gaye. Uski
soch bhatak gayi. Uska zehen muntasir hone laga tha.

"Chahe to tumhari Jaan le sakte hai" wo gehri saas leta khudko is kefiyat se
nikalne ki koshish kar raha tha. Jiske daldal me wo dashta jaa raha tha.

"Woh tumhare dada hai lakh pathhar sahi, he try to protect you," manzar
dhundhle padhe. Awaze kat math hone lagi.

"Mujhe usay zinda rakhna hi tha. Yehi wada tha."

Wada Azam Shirazi ka. Haroon Shirazi ka wada!

Andar aik behas chhid gayi thi. Zindagi ki tamam tar talkhiya aik taraf thi,
lekin Azam Shirazi ka woh tanha faisla aik taraf. Woh apne a'asaab par
qaboo paate, kapron samet shower ke neeche ja khada hua. Kamre mein
mobile abhi bhi baj raha tha.

•••

Dining table par khana lag chuka tha. Jameela Dawood office room ke
aadhe khule darwaze ke samne dastak dete dete ruk gayi thi. Azam Shirazi
couch par baithe the.

Haidar, pusht par haath bandhe unke samne mo'addab sa khada tha.
Tafseelat se kuch aagah karta, unke sawalo ke jawab de raha tha. Faasla itna
bhi nahi tha ke woh unki guftagu na sun sakti. Pehle pehl unhe laga ke
Hamad ki baat ho rahi hai, lekin doosre hi pal mein unko inkishaaf hua ke
baat Hamad ki nahi, Faris Wajdan ki ho rahi thi.

Woh uske mutaaliq Haidar se pooch rahe the. Uska result kaisa aaya tha,
uske mamoolaat kaise chal rahe the, uske dost kaise the, halaat kaise thay,
zindagi kaisi thi. Haidar unhein sab batata ja raha tha.

Woh jante the ke Jameela Dawood hi usay financially support kar rahi thi.
Unhone is bare mein unse koi istifsaar nahi kiya tha. Faris Wajdan ko uske
haal par chhod diya tha. Woh ab tak yehi samjhti rahi thi, lekin aaj ilm hua
ke aisa nahi tha.

Woh abhi bhi us par nazar rakhe hue thay. Uske har pal ki khabar un tak
pohanch rahi thi.

Woh drugs to nahi leta ho, kisi ghalat sargarmi mein to nahi pad gaya, kisi
masle se do-char to nahi ho gaya. Woh khadsat ko leh par sawal kar rahe the
Unke andaaz aur lehje mein azeeb si fiker jhalakti nazar aa rahi thi, woh ek
pal me samajh gayi thi ke Azam Shirazi iss lamha woh nahi thay jo
hamesha hote thay. Kahi mayne me sab kuch badal gaya tha.
Mumkin hai woh abhi bhi Haroon ki wajah se...? unhone is tabdeeli ko koi
wajah dena chaahi lekin de na saki.

Haroon Shirazi ne aaj tak apne bete ke mutaaliq ghar ke kisi fard se baat
nahi ki thi. Koi stand nahi liya tha, koi fikr nahi dikhayi thi. Usne to kabhi
yeh jaan ne ki koshish bhi nahi ki thi ke uska beta kis halaat mein tha.

Geheri saans le kar woh darwaze par dastak deti hui andar aa gayi.

Haidar ijazat le kar usi waqt hi chala gaya.

“Khana lag chuka hai,” unhone kaha. Woh sar hilaate uth gaye.

Dining hall mein khane ke dauran aik ajeeb si khamoshi chhayi rahi. Sirf
Haroon hi thay jo baat kar rahe thay. Hamad ka sar jhuka hua tha.
Mukhtasar hmm haan mein jawab deta, woh apne dada ki taraf nahi dekh
raha tha. Mukhtalif dishes uske samne rakhte hue, Jameela Dawood khud hi
usse mukhatib ho rahi thi.

Khana khane ke baad, Haroon aur Azam Shirazi ja chuke thay to unhone
fursat se Faris ko call ki.

“Tumhara paper kaisa hua?”

“Acha ho gaya.” Faris apne bag ko kandhe se lagaye, apni university ke

hallway se guzar raha tha. Pechay students ka shor aur awaazain aa rahi thi.
Woh cafeteria mein chala gaya. Video call ho rahi thi. Woh use bagor
dekhne laga. Faris apni mez par akela baitha tha. Uske aas paas se koi guzar
nahi raha tha. Kisi ne usse mukhatib kar ke baat karne ki koshish nahi ki thi.

"Tumne dost nahi banaye?" Woh Haidar ki bat sun chuki thi. Faris Wajdan
hamesha har jagah tanha hi nazar aata tha.

"Jarurat nahi padhi" ab woh mobile ko seedha rakhe muskurate hue bol raha
tha.

Unhone gehri saas li. Hammad ka freind circle to khatam hone ka nam nahi
leta tha. Aur ek Faris tha jiski contact list me baa-mushkil hi chand contact
mehfooz the. Teen to woh janti thi, Raheem, James aur willam, ek mrs.
Grande ka tha baki woh khud thi aur bas!

"Maine tumse kaha tha university life enjoy karo freinds banao.." usne
muskura kar sun liya magar jawab nahi diye.

Baat karne ke liye abhi bahut kuch tha wo apni classes, schedule ke bare me
batane laga. James ke sath climbing centre jane ka irada tha, uske bare me
bhi aagah kiya. Mrs. Grande ke sath wo agle kuch hafto ke liye Freind
district jane wala tha jaha unka ghar tha. Free ki moj masti aur dawaat, unhe
hairat hui.. teeno kese man Gaya ye to baadme ilm hua ki wo Raheem ko
jalana chahte the. Jis tarah wo pakistan bhar me unke bina hi moj mastiya
karte phir raha tha., to bas ye sab isliye tha woh sun kar muskurati rahi.

Ye zaahri tha ke Faris Wajdan ki nafsiyat par kafi achha asar padh Gaya tha.
Uska chehra ab kisi dukh ya gham se bhojak nahi lagta tha. Uski Khamoshi
ab jada taweel nahi hoti thi. Uski aankho me zindagi ke rang unhe dikhayi
de jate the. Wo khul kar hasne aur muskurane bhi laga tha.

Dada se alag hone ka faisla uske liye behtreen sabit hua tha. Jo bhoj uske
asab par padhta tha wo khatam ho chuka tha. Izzat aur Khuddari ka ehsaas
nayi manzilo ke janib kam san kar chuka tha. Uski shakhsiyaat ke ye
tabdeeli unhe acchi lagi thi. Baat khatam ho gayi to wo uth kar sidhiyo ki
janib barh gayi.

Mirror ki ot me diwar ke sath pusht tikaye Hammad Shirazi ne mutthiya

sakhti se beech li thi. Uske chehre par dhup padh rahi thi. Aankho me aag
jal rahi thi, awaaz sirf ab Faris ki thi. Jo uske andar aur bahut andar gunj
rahi thi.

•••

Raahim glasses durust karta laptop screen ke samne aksar kar baitha tha.
James, William aur Faris sabhi online thay. Woh apni sair o tafreeh ke
qissay suna raha tha. Baqi dono toh tawajju se sun rahe thay magar Faris ki
nigahe uske kamray ka jaiza lene mein lagi hui thi. Har baar uska kamra
mukhtalif hota tha.
"Tum Pakistan ghoom rahe ho ya Pakistan tumhare peeche ghoom raha
hai?"

"Filhaal toh dono kaam ho rahe hain," khasiana ho kar hansa.

"Yani tum kisi ulte seedhay kaam mein par gaye ho," Faris ne mashkook ho
kar usay dekha.

"Nahin, woh ghalti sirf meine tumhari zimmedari lete waqt ki thi. Baqi koi
bhi kaam ho, main soch samajh kar karta hoon."

Faris lab bheench kar reh gaya.

"Woh khaas kaam kya hai jiske baare mein tumne humein batana tha?"
James ne ek dum se usay yaad dilate hue apni taraf mutawajjah kiya.

"Haan woh khaas kaam... bees hazaar pounds wala!" William bhi apni
neend se jaag gaya..

Raahim ne tasreeh ki. "Pounds nahi, rupees"

Notepad par khaali lakeerein kheenchte Faris ne chonk kar sar uthaya.
"Kaisa kaam?"

"Asal me..." Sanjidgi se bat karte hue

Raahim laptop screen par jhuka, suspend ki inteha karte hue apni awaz
passt ki.

"Mujhe kisi ko afwah karna hai..."

Faris sastar reh gaya. James aur willam ke muh khul gaye.

"Are you out of your mind?" Wo cheekh utha.

"Nahi mera mind to mere andar hi hai" wo maze se seedha ho betha.

"Kisko agwah karna hai?"

"Kyu agwah karna hai?"

James aur willam laptop me ghus gaye. Raahim mazid akad gaya. Usne
foran glasses hata kar, siyah glasses laga liye. Ke woh bahut mutbar aur
professional si shakhsiyat lage.

"Toh gour se sune sab mujhe ek bacche ko agwah karna hai..."

"Crime ke alawa tumhara dimag aur kisi chiz me chalta hai bhi ki nahi?"
Faris ko us par theek thak ghussa aa gaya.

"Aik to me jab bhi koi neki ka kaam karta hu, tum mere peeche padh jate
ho"

"Neki? Tum ek bacche ko agwah karoge aur yeh neki hai?" Unki bahesh
chhidh gayi.

"Toh bacche ka agwah karwa kon raha hai, tum yeh bhi to dekho uska
bechara sagga baap..,"

James aur willam ne mushrka "oh" keh kar bato ko samjha

"Bees hazar rupay ke liye neki ho rahi hai.." Faris ne Tanz kiya..

"Puri baat to sunlo pehle, phir lecture dena. Dost hai mera uski biwi rishte
me cousin bhi hai, dono families ke douran bahut badi jang chhidi hui hai,
masla bado ka hai lekin beech me woh dono pees rahe hai. Ladki Wale baap
ko bacche se milne nahi de rahe to me chand ghante ke liye usay ghayab
karuga aur usay wapas le aaoonga.."

Faris ne jabt karke uski poori bat sabr aur tahammul se suni.

"Agar jo bacche ne muh kholkar tumahara bhanda phod diya to?"

"Woh do saal ka hai kya bolega?" Raahim ne goya naak se makhhi udhayi.

"Paanch minute ka kam hai yaar,.." usne chutki bajayi.

phir muskara kar bola, "Abhi nahi, lekin waqt aane par tumhein bhi pata
chal jayega."

Woh yu baat kar raha tha jaise gaali ki nukkad tak jaa kar wapis aa jana hai،
Faris ko ekdam raahim par Shaq hua. Kesi kesi sargarmi me mulawwis raha
hoga ye. James aur willam had se jada excited huye..

"It is not a crime you know"

"Raahim ek bacche ko uske baap se milwa raha hai..," bhala wo kyun

bardash kar sakte the ke koi unke raahim ko muzrim kahe..

Tay paya ke woh kal hi ladki walo ke ghar jayega, aur bacche ko kisi tarah
agwah karke apne dost ke paas le jaayega.

"Oh tum koshis karna ke agar baby cart se bacche ko uthao to andar kuchh
rakh dena, jisse sabko yehi lage ke baccha abhi bhi wahi hain..," James ke
writerana masjware shuru ho chuke the.

"Do saal ka hai wo baby cart me kya kar raha hoga?.." William ne kaha.

"Raahim ek bacche ke sath tumhe deewar falanagne me kitni mushkil

hogi?" James ko aur fiqr hui,

Phir usne kaha, “Shayad tumhe yaad ho, Flora aur Harry ke pinjre ke sath
kaise Mrs. Grande ki khidki tak chadh kar gaya tha, Bilkul bandar ki
tarah..."

"Bandar ki tarah?" Rahim muta'ariz hua.

"To hum aur kya kahen?" Woh uske taseerat se khaif huay ke kahin is saari
karwai se unhein block hi na kar diya jaye.

Jis waqt woh saari planning ho rahi thi, Fares zabt kiye chup raha. Agle din
woh university chala gaya. James aur William pal pal ki khabar usay dete
rahe. Dopeher teen baje ke baad Raahim Afaq ke sath unka rabta khatam ho
gaya. Aakhri dafa jab baat hui to usne yeh bataya ke woh bas pahunch gaya
hai. Aage kya hua? Kuch khabar nahi thi. Shaam tak unhon ne uska intezaar
kiya. Aur phir yaqeen kar liya ke pakda gaya hoga. Ab itne bhare pure
gharane mein poore khandan ki mojudgi mein aik bachhe ko ghaib karna
koi asaan kaam thodi na tha.

Yeh to Rahim tha jisay lag raha tha bas yun gaya. Aur yun aaya. Ke tu raha
tha mulaqat ke bahane jayega.

Ho sakta hai usne irada badal liya ho aur deewar phalangi ho. Aur kisi
mamoon, chachi ki bandook ki zadd mein aaya. Woh usay senkro tareeqo se
bhagte, girte, goli khate, phislte martay dekh chuke thay. James ka
writerana dimagh unke chhakke chhuda raha tha. Fares aur William ne usay
jhadak kar uska mog band karwa diya.

Thak haar kar apne gharo ko laut kar aaye to karwat badalte raat guzar gayi.
Na bechaini kam hui, aur na theek se neend aa sakay.

Agle din dopeher bara baje usse rabta ho saka.

"Mission accomplished!"

Bacche aur bacche ke baap ke sath li gayi selfie unhein bheji. Woh usay
bilkul theek thak dekh kar mayoos huay.

"Tumhein goli nahi lagi?"

"Deewar se nahi gire?"

"Koi haddi nahi tooti?"

"Tumhein police ne nahi pakda?"

Unhein itnay baday adventure ka inteqam bohot bojhal aur boring laga.

"Tum teenon ke sath dosti rakhne se behtar hai insaan saanp paal le." Rahim
ko gussa chadh gaya.

"Hum bandar paale ge" Unhone tay kar liya.

Raahim ne teenon ko block kar diya...

•••

Finance MBA ki degree hasil karne ke baad usne internship ke liye apply
kiya to sab se pehle Jamila Dawood se baat ki. Unse dua ka kaha. Woh
zindagi ke har mod par qadam milaye uske saath saath thi. Uski himmat aur
hosla barhati hui. Musbat raah dikhakar aage barhne ka shauq dilati hui.
Usne apni pehli salary bhi unhe hi bheji. Woh chahta tha woh usse kharch
karein. Unhone sambhal kar rakh li.

"Janata hoon. Aapki aik painting ki qeemat isse kai guna zyada hogi..."

"Mere liye tumhari pehli tanqah se zyada mehngi koi painting nahi!"

Woh unki taraf dekhta muskura diya. Uski muskurahat unhein khushi ka
ehsaas dilati. Woh unka beta tha. Uski har khushi aur kamiyaabi unke liye
ba'ais iftikhaar thi. Woh usay zindagi mein mutmain aur kamyab dekhna
chahti thi.

Jis company se usne internship ki, us company ne uski skills se mutaasir ho

kar stunt manager ka accounting ki job offer kar di.

Raahim ko ilm hua to usne khankhar kar gila saaf kiya.

"Yeh sab meri wajah se hai. Agar jo mein tumhein kabhi gunda banne ka
mashwara na deta to tum kabhi bhi is maqam par na hote jahan ho!"

"Main pata nahi tumhein call kyun karta hoon..." Faris ko apni galti ka
shiddat se ehsaas hua. Woh hans diya.

"So happy for you bro!" Usne phir thumbs up dikha kar usay saraha.

"Jab tum apna business shuru karo to partnership ke liye main hazir!"

"Jis din mera apna business dubonay ka irada hoga, main zaroor tum se
rabta karunga," usne kaha. Din Rahim dhehattayi se hasta raha.

Usne Greenwich mein hi kiraye par chhota sa flat le liya. Ab woh apne
tamam kharchay khud uth raha tha. Chahta tha ab Jamila Dawood se
financially support na kare. Magar woh phir bhi uske bank account mein
mahana raqam transfer kar diya karti thi.

"Ab main job kar raha hoon mummy.."

"To karte raho. Main ne kuch kaha?.." Woh aankhon mein shararat liye usay
dekhte.

"Main paise istemal nahi karunga. Zaya ho jayenge."

"To kya ab tum mujhe yeh batana chahte ho ke life mein bilkul settle ho
gaye ho?"

"Ji haan!" Woh laptop screen ke samne kursi kheinch kar baith gaya.

"Phir to tumhein shaadi kar leni chahiye..."

Usne pani ka glass leeon se lagaya hi tha ke aik dam se khansi shuru ho
gayi.

"Dhyaan se beta..." Usne sanbhalkar saans le kar unki taraf dekha. Kuch
sadma se...

"Kya khayal hai tumhare liye koi larki dekhu?" Woh uske taseerat ki
parwah kiye baghair kehne lagi.

"Main chobees saal ka hoon, mummy!"

"Shaadi ke liye bilkul munaasib age hai..."

"Agle das saal tak mera shaadi ka koi irada nahi!.." Usne hatmi faisla suna
diya. Jamila khafa ho gayi.

"Yeh aaj kal ke ladko ko kya ho gaya hai? Hammad bhi kehta hai abhi
shaadi nahi karni. Tum bhi yeh keh rahe ho, phir kab karni hai shaadi?"

Hammad ke zikar par uski muskurahat aik dum se simat gayi. Dono bhaiyo
ke darmiyan kabhi bhi koi khuli baat nahi hui thi. Na hi unki zindagi ya
mamlaat aik jaise the. Magar anjaane mein Jamila Dawood aksar uska naam
le liayati thi. Uske kisi na kisi rawaiye ya jawab se unhein Hamad yaad aa
jata tha.

Woh bhi aise hi karta hai? Hammad bhi yehhi kehta hai! Har baar yeh
mumaslat us par khamoshi si taari kar deti thi. Woh khud mein Shirazi
khandan ke kisi fard ki shabih ya jhalak nahi dekh sakta tha. Hammad aur
uska na muqabla tha, na muazna tha, na barabari thi. Usay apne bade bhai
ki nafrato ka idraak bachpan se tha. Magar Jamila Dawood ke liye woh
dono barabar the.

"Kahan kho gaye?"

"Yahi hoon!"

"Kya tumhe kabhi bhi koi larki pasand nahi aayi?" Mutbassim lehze mein
qadre sanjeedgi se puchhne lagi.

"Mummy!" Woh aik dum se surkh ho gaya tha. Uske taseeraat dekh kar
unki hasi chhoot gayi.

"Aap yeh theek nahi kar rahi..." Woh chid gaya tha. Woh muskurahat zabt
kar ke usay mohabbat bhari nazro se dekhne lagi.

"Main sirf itna keh rahi hoon ke shaadi ke liye socho, mind nahi ban raha to
bhi banao. Yeh koi baat nahi ke das saal baad karoge ya pandrah saal baad!"

Woh chup raha.

"Koi munaasib rishta mil jaye to abhi kar lo, career se zehan nahi bhale ga.
Balke tum apni family ke liye mazeed sakht karoge, zindagi mein aik
thehraav aa jayega. Tumhein apne ahdaaf samajh mein aane lagayenge.
Mujhe bohat khushi hogi agar tum apni zindagi mein settle ho jaoge."

Usne koi behas nahi ki. Koi daleel, ehtraz kuch nahi diya.

Zindagi mohabbat, rishtay aur khushiyon par usay apna haq kabhi mehsoos
nahi hua tha. Uski zindagi mein na koi larki thi, na kisi ko lane ka koi irada
tha, na uske ehsasat aise the, na tarjihato mein koi shaamil tha. Yeh aik
sarsari si baat thi. Faisla to phir bhi uska hi tha. Usne wazeh inkar kar diya.
Woh aisa kuch nahi soch raha, usne Jamila Dawood ko bata diya.

Usay nahi pata tha woh bohat jald apna irada badalne wala tha. Aik nai
zindagi ki shuruat karne wala tha. Aik naya rishta nibhane wala tha. Woham
o gumaan mein bhi nahi tha ke uski soch, uska zehan, uske ehsaas aik baar
phir us par kadi azmaish ban kar utarne wale the.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH88
•••

Adina zubair se uski pehli mulaqat us company mein hi hui thi jisme woh
job kar raha tha. Uske dad finance manager the. Woh unke office mein
unhein kuch zaroori files dene aaya tha jahan woh pehle se mojood thi.

Mobile screen par scrolling karte uski nigah jaha uthi wahan thehr gayi.

Siyah three-piece suit mein malbous woh ajlaat mein qadam uthakar andar
daakhil hota apni jagah ruk gaya tha. Finance manager Sohail sahab kahin
nahi the..

Usay bohat fursat aur gaur se dekhte woh apni jagah se uth khadi hui thi.

"Umm.. director ne bulaya tha to woh wahi gaye hai" Usne guftagu mein
pehl khud hi kar di. Siyah jeans par surkh top pehene, baalo ko khula
chhode woh nazakat se maiz ke saath lag kar khadi ho gayi.

"Aap ruk kar intezaar kar sakte hain?"

Adina ki baat sunte, khafeef sa sar hila kar woh wahan ruk gaya.

"By the way, I'm Aleena zubair.." taaruf karwate hue, usne office table ki
taraf gardan ko jhukaaya. "Unki beti!"

Woh is company mein ghaliban naya tha tabhi woh us se na waqif tha.
Magar hairat is baat ki thi ke woh usay dekh nahi raha tha. Uski zindagi
mein aisa pehli dafa ho raha tha ke koi aik nazar daal kar usay dobara nahi
dekh raha tha. Usne guftagu mein pehl nahi ki thi. Koi uske husn ka aseer
nahi hua tha. Aamuman log khud hi us se mukhatib hone ki koshish karte
thay. Uske aage peechay phirte thay.

Usay naaz uthwane ki aadat thi. Magar yahan mamla ulat par gaya tha.
Zindagi mein pehli dafa kisi ke sehr angez roop aur shakhsiyat ke asar mein
aate hi pehl usne kar di thi. Jawaab mein rad-e-amal waisa nahi tha. Jaisa
hona chahiye tha.

Ek Tarruf iska tha dusra taruf uska hona chahiye tha. Magar wo kalai mod
kar waqt dekhta glass door ke samne khada reh gaya tha. Aqb me staff kam
karta nazar aa raha tha. Kuch hi dair me sohail sahab aa gaye the. Woh file
liye unke office table me aa gaya tha. Unhone apni kursi sambhal li thi,
taham wo jhuk kar kuch documents par sign karte huye, khalish British
lehje me unhe tafsil se kuch batane laga tha. Wo sunte huye sar hila rahe
the, mutasir ho kar sarha bhi rahe the, uski koshish aur uski strategies ko
bhi. Dono baat kar rahe the aur Adina zubair tang par tang jamaye uska
jaiza le rahi thi. Woh usey achha laga tha,

"kaun hai? Koi naya employee?" Woh ja chuka to usne apne dad se poocha
Woh Pakistan se ab ayi thi, tabbhi nahi jaanti thi. Unhon ne mukhtasir uske
baare mein bataya. Woh uski salahiyat aur qabilat ki bhi tareef kar rahe
thay. Apne dad ke office se nikalne ke baad, woh ruk kar samne dekhne
lagi.

Shirt ki aasteen kehniyon tak fold kiye, woh maiz par hathiyan jamaye staff
se baat kar raha tha. Agle kai dino tak woh be-nayaz sa chehra, woh
aankhein, woh mazboot aur tawana saraapa uske hawaas par chaaya raha.
Woh apne dad ke office mein kabhi kabhaar hi jaati thi, ab roz jaane lagi thi.
Nigahen Faris Wajdan ki talash mein rehti thi.

Woh apne office mein baitha hua call sunte, files dekhte, laptop screen par
nigahen jamaye tezi se type karte. Inteha ka musroof nazar aata... woh glass
wall ke us paar deewar se lag kar usay dekhte rehti.

"Koi itna pyara kaise ho sakta hai? Itna perfect? Itna mukammal? Aur phir
koi use is tarah nazar andaaz kaise kar sakta hai?"

Jitni baar woh wahan aayi, usne har baar usse baat karne ki koshish ki. Aur
har baar uski sakht nazron ki hi zadd mein aayi. No left ka sign wazeh tha.
Uska rawaiya sirf uske saath hi nahi, company ke female staff ke saath bhi
aisa hi tha. Uske hadh darja lehje se woh phir bhi dilbardasht na hui na hi
usne company mein aana tarb kiya.
Apne jazbaat aur ehsaasat ko samajhte, uspar aik dum se inkishaaf hua ke
woh usse mohabbat karne lagi hai. Jo chehra din raat aankho mein rahe, aur
jiske aik jhalak dekhne ko hi dil be-qarar rahe, usay pane ki khwahish sar
uthati hai. Uske andar bhi woh khwahish uthne lagi thi. Woh is ajnabiyat ko
mitana chahti thi. Woh Faris Wajdan ke dil mein jagah banana chahti thi.

Uska sukoon khatam hone laga. Neend gayab hone lagi. Usne khaas soch
vichar ke baad weekend par ghar mein dinner ka plan rakh liya. Uske dad
aksar apne Pakistani colleagues ko dinner par daawat dete rehte thay. Woh
jaanti thi ke is baar Faris bhi un mein shamil hone wala tha.

Us raat woh khaas tor par tayar hui. Usne safed rang ki skirt par halke
jamuni rang ka sweater pehna. Sonahri baalon ko unchi pony mein muqeed
kiya. Gol gol ear rings pehne, light sa makeup kiya.

Door bell bajte hi usne foran se darwaza khola. Neelago jeans par siyah
shirt zeeb tan kiye woh bilkul aam se chele mein khada uski dharkanain
muntasar kar gaya. Uske baal oopar ko utke hue thay. Nafees frame-less
glasses se jhanki aankhon mein hanuz ajnabiyat ki thehri hui thi.

Usne muskurate hue usay andar aane ka rasta diya. Woh mehmaan ban kar
uske ghar mein aaya tha. Badakhlaqi ka muzahira na kar saka. Na hi kisi
qisam ka sakht rawaiya dikha saka. Woh baat baat par usse mukhatib hone
ki koshish kar rahi thi aur usay jawab dena par raha tha.

Us raat woh deegar mehmaanon ki mojudgi mein, sohail sahab ke hote hue,
unke hi ghar mein unki beti ko nazar aata raha.

Is raat woh deegar mehmaano ki mojudgi mein Sohail sahab ke hote hue,
unke hi ghar mein unki beti ko nazar andaaz nahi kar saka tha.

Is raat pehli baar Adina Zubair ko usay qareeb se dekhne aur jaanchne ka
moka mila. Woh kam-go, khaamosh-tabiyat aur sanjeeda sa no Jawan tha.
Uski shakhsiyat mein laa-abali pan nahi tha. Woh apni umar se zyada
mature nazar aata tha. Baate mukhtasar magar jaameya mufhoom liye hui
hoti thi. Chahe siyasat ho ya karobari behas, uski guftagu usay achi lagi thi.
Apne dad ke mobile se uska number hasil karke woh usay calls aur
messages karne lagi. Kabhi raat ke waqt, kabhi ice-timing ke dauran, kabhi
woh ussi park mein aajati jahan woh aksar jogging karta tha. Us gym mein
bhi jahan woh workout ke liye jata tha. Woh uske saath rabte mein reh kar,
usse baat kar ke, uske saath mulaqat kar ke, uske liye laazim or mulzoom
hona chahti thi.

Saari justujo lagan uski taraf se thi. Woh aik ibtida se chaahne lagi thi.
Magar Faris Wajdan ka rawaiya aik sath tha, mohtat, reserve sa, khamosh
aur formality puri karta hua, jo uske dad ki wajah se uske saath ehtiyaat se
barhta gaya tha. Uske sard rawaiye se woh aajiz aane lagi thi.

"Kya usay mohabbat ka aitraaf kar lena chahiye?" Thak haar kar usne socha
tha. Woh mohabbat ka aitraaf sunne ki aadat rakhti thi. Khud se aitraaf usne
bhi nahi kiya tha. Koi usay apne qabil lagta hi nahi tha. Koi usay apne pehlu
mein jachta hua mehsoos hota hi nahi tha. Faris Wajdan woh waheed insaan
tha, jiska aik jhalak uski dharkano ko mushtarka kar deti thi. Jiski awaaz
sunne ko woh be-taab rehti thi, jiska saath ab usay umar bhar ke liye
chahiye tha.

Rasta aik hi tha, aur hal bhi aik woh bhi aik din woh usse milay, aur apne
jazbaat ka izhaar kar de. Usne weekend par zaroori baat ke liye usay
restaurant mein bulaya aur uske samnay apni mohabbat ka izhaar kar diya.
Agle ke kai lamhon tak aankhon mein aik nahi kabhi ka asar liye woh
confused hokar usay dekhte raha.

"Tum ne mujhe yahan yeh batane ke liye bulaya hai?" Adina Zubair ko aik
dum se apna wajood khak hota hua mehsoos hua. Ana uski bhi thi, izzat-e-
nafs bhi. Woh is shakhs ke liye jitna khud ko jhuka rahi thi, woh utna hi
uski pahunch se door hota ja raha tha.

"Haan!" Uske lab hile. "Main tum se mohabbat karne lagi hoon." Der se
woh bolti hui.

"There's no such things called love." (Mohabbat naam ki koi cheez nahi)

Adina dam sade kar usay dekh kar reh gayi.

"Mere dil mein to hai, tumhare liye." Himmat jod kar bolti, Warna uske
parkhichhe udane mein usne koi kasr nahi chhodi thi. Woh us waqt table
chhod kar uth gaya tha. Woh ujalat mein qadam uthati tezi se uske peeche
aayi thi.

Restaurant ke bahar logon ke hamaam mein kahin woh usay rokne mein
kamyab ho gayi thi.

"Mohabbat karti hoon main tum se, apni saari zindagi tumhare saath
guzarna chahti hoon Faris!" Aankhon mein nami liye usne buland awaaz
mein kaha tha. Apna baazu uski gript se chharta, woh use hairaan ho kar
dekhte reh gaya. Uski neeli blue aankhein mukammal tor par bhar gayi thi.
Uska chehra bhi surkh parhne laga tha. Woh jaise bas ab ro dene ko thi.

"Tum is tarah meri mohabbat ko nahi thukra sakte." Usne keh diya.

"Magar mere dil mein aisa kuch nahi hai!"

Adina Zubair ke andar aik dum se aziyat ne sar uthaya tha.

"koi masla nahi hai! Mere liye sirf yeh ahem hai ke main tumhein chahti
hoon." Har woh baat jo Faris Wajdan ko kehni chahiye thi, ab woh keh rahi
thi. Har woh ibtida jo aik mard se honi chahiye thi, woh khud kar rahi thi.
Faris Wajdan jaise ab uski zid ho chuka tha. Usay taskheer karna hi tha.
Uske saath sirf wohi bach sakta tha. Uska intikhab sirf wohi ho sakta tha.

Woh chand lamho tak usay dekhta raha. Phir maazrat kar ke wahan se chala
gaya. Chand dino ke baad woh usay park mein mili. Woh jogging track se
utar kar sabzay par baitha tha. Aur do wein aagayi thi. Usne aik baar phir
wohi baat shuru kar di.

"Tum aik aise insaan ke saath kyun rehna chahogi jo mohabbat par yaqeen
hi nahi rakhta?" Woh ab samne kahin dekh raha tha.

"Dil ka mamla hai, kya keh sakti hoon." Labo par muskurahat liye aahista
se boli. Nigahe jogging track par aik jode par padi, Barabar qadam uthate,
mehnat bhagte hue.

"Main bhi zindagi ke track par tumhare saath isi tarah chalna chahti hoon!"

"Mere saath chalo gi toh khaak ho jaogi." Usne pani ki bottle labo se lagali.
"Tumhare saath khaak hona bhi qubool hai." Uske lehze mein musarat ka
rang jhalak raha tha. "Main nahi chaahunga koi meri wajah se khaak ho."
Jawab de kar uth gaya.

Uska woh jawab usay kai dino ke baad ja kar samajh mein aaya. Woh kitni
pagal hai. Woh yeh bhi toh keh sakti thi ke woh usay khaak nahi hone degi.
Usay khud par ghussa aaya. Faris Wajdan par bhi usne inkaar bhi kisi
maharat se kiya tha. Woh usay ek dam sebahut mushkil aur pechida sa lagne
laga.

"Shadi toh tum ne waise bhi karni hi hai. Toh phir mujh se kyun nahi?"
Woh uske office aayi hui thi. Bina ijazat andar aa kar baray dhadle se keh
diya tha.

Laptop screen se nazar uthaye woh usay dekhta raha.

"Mera shadi ka aglay das pandrah saal tak koi irada nahi!" Usne keh diya.
Woh hansi.

"Yani, iske baad irada ban sakta hai?"

"Toh main intezaar kar leti hoon." Kursi khainch kar baith gayi.

"Das pandrah saalo tak?"

"Bilkul. Tum ne meri mohabbat ko kya mazaq samajh rakha hai?"

Woh dheere se muskuraya.

Aur Adina Zubair ki dharkane tham gayi. Woh kam hi muskurata tha. Aur
jab muskurata tha toh..

"main yaqeen se keh sakti hoon tumhein koi larki mere jaisa chaah hi nahi
sakti!"

"Tumhein aisa kyun lagta hai mujhe kisi ki mohabbat ki chaahat hai?"

Woh chup hui thi. Aur woh call aane par file haath mein liye uth kar chala
gaya tha. Tasalsul ke saath aur kuch dinon ka waqfa kar ke woh park mein
zaroor milne aajati thi. Usay uski office aur gym ki timing, uske aane jaane
ke waqt ka pata hota tha.

"Mere dad rishte dekh rahe hain. Kaafi well off families ke rishts hain."

"That's good news!" Dheere se keh kar qadam uthata raha.

"Lekin main ne sab ko inkaar kar diya."

"Kis liye?"

"Shadi toh mujhe wahan karni hai, jahan mera dil chahega..."

"Jahan tumhara dil chahe, wahan tumhare dad na maane toh?"

"Mere dad kam az kam is mamle mein mujh par dabao nahi daalenge. Woh
azad khayaal insaan hain."

Usne keh diya.

Woh chup raha. Haftay ki raat woh usay dobara park mein mili.

"Toh phir tum ne kya socha hai? Kis bare mein?"

"Mere bare mein?"

"Kuch bhi nahi!" Usay bohot andar tak dukh pohanch gaya. Woh aik be-
intaaha haseen larki, Faris Wajdan ke samne apne aap ko khaak hota
mehsoos karti thi.

"Kya mujh mein koi aik bhi aisi khoobi nahi jo iski bina par tum mujhe
apna sakho?" Usne sawal kar ke us par khamoshi taari kar di. Woh jeebon
mein haath daale khada raha.

"Main apni aane wali zindagi ka tasawwur karti hoon toh tumhare bagair
mujhe sab andhera lagta hai, baar baar tumhare peechay aati hoon aur
tum..." Uski awaaz lamhay bhar ke liye bhar gayi thi.

"Adina," usne kuch kehna chaha.

"Mujh se meri friends kehati hain main khoobsurti ki bina par kuch bhi
haasil kar sakti hoon. Lekin yahan woh ghalat hain. Baaz mamlaat toh sirf
dil ke hote hain. Baatan tak zahiri husn koi asar nahi karta."

Hamesha wohi uth kar chala jata tha. Aaj woh chali gayi thi. Woh kuch dair
tak peech par baitha raha. Ghar pohanch kar usne Jameela Dawood ko call
ki, woh jis tarah unse apni har baat share karta tha, yeh bhi share kar di.

Pehle toh woh khush hui ke zindagi mein pehli baar woh unse kisi larki ki
baat kar raha tha.

"Larki kaisi hai?" Unhone poocha toh kuch lamhon tak woh apne andar hi
apne dil se is sawal ka jawab dhoondhta raha. Magar andar aik maheeb sa
sunaata tha.

"Theek hai. Achhi hai." Mukhtasar jawab deta sofa par baith gaya.

"Sirf theek hai? Sirf achhi hai?" Unhone kareeda.

"Main sirf yeh keh sakta hoon."

Woh aik dum se muskurayi.

"Pasand karte ho usay?"

"Mushkil sawal hai." Woh is waqt khud ko samajhne se qaasir tha, is liye
jhoot nahi bol sakta tha.

"Tum ne inkaar nahi kiya, so yeh aik khush aind baat hai." Woh mehsoos
hui.

"Kya woh pasand karti hai?"

"Kehti toh yahi hain."

Mrs. Shirazi ko aik dam se khushgoari herat ne ghera tha. Faris itni asani se
kisi ko apne qareeb nahi aane deta tha. Baath agar aitraaf tak pohanch chuki
thi toh yaqinan dono mein baat cheet hui hogi. Aik dosray ko samajhne ka
moka bhi mila hoga.
"Aur tumhara kya khayal hai?"

"Mujhe lagta hai main iske liye tayar nahi hoon."

"Par kyun?" Woh hairan hui.

"Rishtey mohabbat se bante hain, I don't think towards her." (Main uski
taraf kuch bhi mehsoos nahi karta).

"Aur kis ne kaha ek achi aur khushgawar zindagi ke liye sirf mohabbat
zaroori hai?" Unhone narmi se poocha, toh woh kuch keh na saka.

"Ek dosre ko samajhna, ek dosray ka ehtram karna, izzat dena, zarurato ka

khayal rakhna, khushi aur gham mein saath dena. Is ke liye wada aur ehsaas
zimmedari chahiye hoti hai. Nikah kya hota hai Faris? Ek moahida ke aap
yeh sab karenge, kya tum yeh sab nahi kar sakte? Aur yeh mohabbat, yeh
rahm se, unsiyat se, khayal rakhne se hi toh dil mein utarti hai."

Woh chup baitha raha tha. Andar ek jang si chhidhi hui thi. Samajh mein
kuch nahi aaraha tha.

"Main yeh sab karoon aur mohabbat na kar sakoon toh..."

"Kyoon nahi kar sakoge?"

"Mujhe mohabbat karna aati hi nahi hai mummy!"

Jameela Dawood apni jagah tham gayi thi.

"I mean," woh kuch kehte kehte ruk gaya tha. "Mujhe toh kisi par bharosa
karna bhi nahi aata, mujhe ehsaasat samajh mein nahi aate."

Mrs. Sherazi ko bohot andar tak takleef ka ehsaas hua.

"Abhi toh woh mohabbat ka keh rahi hai. Ho sakta hai baad mein, I mean
shadi ke baad usay main pasand na aaoon. Meri aadate achi na lage, Meri
shakhsiyat se masla ho. What if?" Uske andar apni zindagi ko le kar jo
khadsat the usne keh diye, woh kuch Aziyat se sunti rahi.
Usay fikar thi abhi woh sirf uska saath maang rahi thi. Saath chah rahi thi.
Woh usse mohabbat nahi karta, is tarah ke ehsaasat nahi rakhta. Is baat se
Adina zubair ko parwah nahi hai, lekin baad mein usey parwah hogi. uske
liye apne dil ke darwaze kholna mushkil tha.

"Faris," unhone usay tok diya tha. Woh bohot manfi sochne laga tha.
Waswaso mein ghira hua tha. Aane wali zindagi mein aik saathi ke saath
usay apni zindagi ghutan zada si lag rahi thi. Uski kefiyat aur ehsaasat uski
apni samajh se bahar ho rahe thay.

Woh khud mein uljha hua tha. Andar hi andar apni zaat ki giraho mein
phansa hua...

"Jinhon apne walidain ki mohabbat na mile, unhein phir duniya ki har

mohabbat par shak rehta hai." Jameela Dawood usay pareshani se dekh kar
reh gayi thi.

Har woh takleef jo uske maazi ka hissa thi. Woh ab uske haal par asar
andaaz ho rahi thi. Uske rishtey ki nafraton ne mohabbat par se uska yaqeen
uthaa diya tha. Uske andar khauf bithaa diya tha.

Aur unhein yeh soch kar dukh ho raha tha.

Bohat zyada dukh!

•••

Weekend par woh aik baar phir uske samne thi.

"Tum haar nahi manogi?"

"Nahi!" Coat ki jeebo mein haath daal kar muskurayi. Qudrati saakal liye
baalon ko ikatha kar ke usne kuch mein jakhra hua tha. Kuch latain dudhiya
galo par lehra rahi thi, Honth shokh surkh rang ke thay.

Neeli aankhein chamak rahi thin. Uski sangat mein, usse baat karte uska
chehra aise hi khil jata tha.

"Mujhe nahi lagta tumhare dad kabhi mere liye haami bharege."
"Kyun nahi bharege?"

Woh saamne chalte hue bench par baith gaya, toh woh bhi. Kuch dair tak
khamoshi chhayi rahi. Phir usne gardan mod kar uski taraf dekha. Woh bhi
usi ko dekh rahi thi.

"Main bohot chhota tha jab mere parents ki separation ho gayi thi," usne
soch samajh kar wo baat kehne ka faisla ki jo shaadi aur rishto ke hawale se
uske zehan mein thi.

"Main apne kuch relatives ke saath raha..." Baat yahi thi magar usey kuch
yun laga jaise woh jhoot keh raha ho.Asal mein woh apne kisi rishtedaar ke
saath nahi raha tha. Usay lagta tha yeh hi asal haqeeqat hai.

"Main pichle kai bees saalo se apne parents ke saath contact mein nahi
hoon. Woh kahan hain mujhe ilm nahi. Tumhein is liye bata raha hoon kyun
ke rishte ki baat ghar ke bade karte hain. I don’t think ke mere ghar se koi
bada aa sakega. Aur tumhare father kabhi bhi kisi aise ladke ke saath
tumhara rishta tay nahi karenge jiske bade uske saath na hon. Woh family
background ke baare mein poochenge. I have no answer to this question.
Agar woh mere parents se contact ki baat karenge, to mere paas jawab ke
liye sirf inkaar hoga."

Adina Zaheer dum sadhe usay dekhti rahi.

"Is liye tumhein wahi karna chahiye jo tumhare father chahte hain," usne
apni baat khatam kar ke, sard padte dono haathon ko ragadte hue honton ke
qareeb le aya.

Woh kuch dair tak chup rahi. "Main paanch behan bhaiyo mein sabse chhoti
hoon. Mere mamoo ki aulad nahi thi, to mere baap ne mujhe unhein de
diya."

Woh gardan mod kar usay dekhne laga.

"Mere dad rishte mein mere sage mamoo hain. Aur mujhse itni mohabbat
karte hain ke tum soch bhi nahi sakte. So aisa mumkin hi nahi ke main unke
samne apni pasand ka izhaar karu aur woh tumhein is liye reject kar dein ke
tum akelay ho ya tumhare parents tumhare saath contact mein nahi hain."

Woh dheere se, magar kuch aziyat se muskara diya.

Usay yaqeen tha ke uske dad mana kar denge. Usay yaqeen tha yeh
mukhtasir sa hawala unhe mukammal tor par us se mutnaffir karne ke liye
kaafi hoga. Magar yeh uski kham khayali rahi. Do din baad usne phone kiya
tha:

"Tum mere ghar rishte ke liye kab aa rahe ho?"

Woh kitchen mein khana bana raha tha, apni jagah khada reh gaya. "Kya
tumne?"

"Haan, maine apne dad se baat ki. Unhein manane mein thoda waqt laga
magar woh maan gaye," woh beinteha khush thi.

Woh pareshan ho gaya. Usne burner band kar diya.

"Unhone aitraaz nahi kiya?"

"Aitraaz to thay. Zindagi maine guzarni hai. Jab mujhe aitraaz nahi to baat
hi khatam," woh khilkhilayi.

"Waise bhi unhein tum bohot pasand ho. Har waqt to tareef karte thay. Ab
kaise inkaar kar dete?"

Uske lehje aur andaz mein khushi aur musarrat ke rang thay.

"Yeh sab itni aasani se ho gaya?" Usay yaqeen nahi aa raha tha.

"Mohabbat mein bohot taqat hoti hai," us ne bataya. "Waise bhi woh jaante
hain ke mujhe khandan mein shaadi karni hi nahi hai. Na hi mera Pakistan
jaane ka koi iraada hai."

"So..."us ne ruk kar gehri saans li.

"Main to Pakistan mein apni madad se bhi baat kar chuki hoon. Jhoot nahi
bolungi, woh raazi nahi hain," us ne muskara kar kaha. "Lekin jab tak Dad
mere saath hain, mujhe kisi ki fikar nahi!"

Sohail sahab Pakistan jaane waale the. Unka wai settle hone ka plan tha.
Taham, woh Pakistan kabhi nahi jaana chahti thi. Shaam mein, us ne Jamila
Dawood se baat ki to un ke paon zameen par nahi lag rahe the.

"Mera nahi khayal ke main us ke Dad se mil pauga."

"Wa tumhe milne ki zarurat bhi nahi. December mein main London aa rahi
hoon. Tumhara rishta main maangungi." Aur unhone itni si baat keh kar us
ke seene se manon bojh utaar diya tha.

December mein Mrs. Shirazi London aayin to unhon ne Adina zubair ke

dad se mulaqat ki. Woh dono ke rishte ke liye baqaida unke ghar gayi thin.
Woh Faris Wajdan ki rishtedar thin aur maa se barh kar thi. Apni beti ki
khwahish ko madde nazar rakhte hue unhon ne haan kar di thi. December
ke ikhtitam tak dono ka sadgi se nikaah ho gaya.

Faris ki taraf se Jamila Daud ne aur Adina ki taraf se door ke chand

rishtedaar aur ahbab ne shirkat ki thi. Shadi Pakistan mein sar anjaam paani
thi. Adina ka khandan wahi abaad tha. Taaham Faris Pakistan nahi jaana
chahta tha. Uske kuch tahaffuzat the. Goke Mrs. Shirazi ne bhi use tasalli di
thi ke koi masla nahi hoga, magar phir bhi...

"Tum fikr kyun karte ho? Main hoon na. Mere hote hue tumhein bhala kya
khatra ho sakta hai?" Raahim ko baat pata chali to usne tasalli dene ki
koshish ki.

"Sabse bada khatra to mujhe tumse hi hai," burbura kar reh gaya., phir
hansa

"Ek baar phir soch lo. Shaadi ka faisla badi zimmedari hai. Aise nahi, main
kunwara phir raha hoon, warna mujhe rishton ki koi kami nahi."

"Haan, main jaanta hoon, poora Pakistan tumhein apna damaad banane ke
liye betaab hai," Raahim ne has kar kaha.
Is beech, Alvi sahib Pakistan gaye hue sirf chaar haftay hi guzre thay ke
unka car accident mein inteqaal ho gaya. Pakistan mein jitna paisa unhon ne
karobaar par lagaya tha aur jo factory khadi ki thi, us par unke sagay bhatijo
ne qabza kar liya. Chand zameen aur bungalow par bhi yeh kaam Adina ke
apne baap aur bhaiyo ne bhi kiya tha. Adina ke paas sirf London ka ek flat
bacha tha, jise bech kar usay apne dad ke qarze utarne paday.

Uske paas kal tak sab kuch tha aur ab woh ek dum se bilkul khaali ho gayi
thi. Ek hi rishta tha, woh bhi nahi raha tha. Halat ek dum se tang aur
pareshan kun ho gaye thay. Woh sadme mein thi. Uske maa baap usay
Pakistan bula rahe thay, magar woh kisi surat nahi jaana chahti thi.

"Main unhein kehti rahi ke Pakistan nahi jaye, magar unhon ne meri ek nahi
suni," woh roh kar keh rahi thi jab Faris usay milne aaya. Woh apni dost ke
ghar par thi aur itna ro chuki thi ke apna bura hashr kar chuki thi.

"Ghar chalo. Mera nahi khayal ke is tarah kisi aur ke ghar rehna theek
hoga."

Faris ko samajh aa gaya tha ke ab Adina uski kanuni aur sharai biwi thi.
Uski zimmedari thi. Uske dad ke shaadi ke hawale se kuch khwab thay, aur
uske bhi. Mrs. Shirazi ne bhi bohot kuch socha hua tha. Naya sadma tha
Fotgi hui thi to woh saadgi se usey rukhsat kar ke use apne flat le aaya tha.

Waqt ke saath Adina kuch sambhal gayi. Khud ko is gham ki kefiyat se

nikal liya. Shohar man pasand saathi tha jise woh junoon ki hadd tak chahti
thi. Woh uski soch se barh kar uska khayal rakh raha tha. Bazaahir reserve
sa, bohot kam baat karne wala, bohot kam jazbaat ka izhaar karne wala,
magar uska rawaiya uske saath uski tawaqqu se bhi zyada achha tha. Adina
ki talab jaise yahan tak nahi thi. Woh bhi us se mohabbat ka ehtraaf sunna
chahti thi. Uski aankhon mein mohabbat ka tasur dekhna chahti thi.

Faris bhi uski tareef kare, jazbaat ka izhaar kare. Usne shikwa ki toh Faris
koi file check karte karte ruk gaya. Zara si muskaraahat ke saath usay kuch
hairat se dekha. Shaadi shuda zindagi ke chhay mahine baad woh us se
pehli dafa mohabbat ke baare mein istifsar kar rahi thi.
"Kya woh usse mohabbat karta hai?" Is sawal ne Faris ko thoda out of
context mehsoos karwaya. Kisi logic ke bagair lagta tha.

Adina Zubair ko toh is baat se koi farq nahi padta tha ke uska dil khaali hai.
Mohabbat jaise jazbaat uske liye mehsoos nahi hotay thay. Uske liye toh
sirf woh mohabbat aham thi jo woh usse karti thi. Go ke woh uska khayal
rakhta tha, izzat karta tha, kabhi gusse se baat nahi ki thi, uske kisi maamle
mein dakhal nahi diya tha, aur na hi kisi baat pe aitraz kiya tha. Woh apni
marzi se is ghar mein jaise chahe rehti thi. Phir bhi woh usse yeh sawal kar
rahi thi.

"Ab tak tumhein andaaza ho jaana chahiye."

"Main tumhare munh se sunna chahti hoon ke tum mujhse mohabbat hai."

"Pehle tumhein is baat se koi farq nahi padta tha," usne yaad dilaya.

" Ab padhta (wo usey dekh kar reh gaya) Har aurat ko padta hai. Woh lafzo
se izhaar chahti hai. Hamari shaadi ko chhay mahine ho chuke hain aur
tumne aaj tak kabhi nahi kaha ke mohabbat karte ho ya tareef... kuch bhi
nahi."

"Jo tum mujhe achhi lagti ho tabhi meri zindagi mein ho. Is se barh kar aur
ehtraaf kya chahiye?" Usne sambhal kar kaha.

Is baat se Adina Zubair ke dil ko ek dum sukoon pahuncha tha. Woh

muskara di thi. Uska ehtraaf-e-mohabbat bhi anokha tha.

"Sirf achhi lagti hoon?"

"Kabhi kabhi buri bhi lagti ho. Jab is tarah ki baatein karti ho." Aur woh
hans di thi. Faris muskara kar reh gaya. Usne file band ki, laptop on kar
liya.

Usne socha tha ke shaadi tak rehaish ka behtar intezam kar lega magar sab
aana faana itni jaldi mein hua ke kuch nahi kar saka. Flat chhota tha magar
do logon ke liye kaafi tha. Woh jald hi behtar rehaish ka bandobast karne
wala tha.
❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ. CH89
•••

Shadi ke ek saal baad us ke ghar mein khush khabri aayi thi. Woh reports
dekh kar woh apni jagah khada reh gaya tha. Adina jitni khush thi, us ke
ehsaasat utne hi uljhan ka shikar ho gaye the. Woh mushkil se muskara saka
tha, mushkil se hi mubarak baad de saka tha. Usay samajh nahi aaya tha ke
us ka rad-e-amal kaisa hona chahiye. Usay is pal khushi mehsoos honi
chahiye thi, magar woh ek dam se blank ho gaya tha. Siyah, tareek,
khamosh aur weeran...

Jis tarah woh shadi ke waqt tardud ka shikar hua tha, bilkul usi tarah woh
ab is khush khabri par bhi wahemo mein ghira tha. Us ke wujood par ek
iztirari kefiyat tari thi. Ek nai zindagi ka aghaz karke khudko aane wali har
nai situation ke liye tayar kar ke bhi... woh ab besakoon ho raha tha.

Us ke zehan mein baar baar Haroon Shirazi aur aarzoo Jahangir ka

tasavvur ubhar raha tha. Baar baar usay apni zindagi, apna maazi, apna
bachpan nazar aa raha tha. Usay dar tha kahin woh patthar na ban jaye, apni
aulad ko na chhod de. Woh apne andar tatol raha tha aur munjamid ehsaasat
se ghabra raha tha.

us ne Jamila Dawood ko phone kar ke khush khabri sunayi, toh un ki khushi

ki inteha na rahi.

"Mummy mujhe lag raha hai jaise main is ke liye tayar nahi hoon," himmat
kar ke un se keh diya. Woh lamha bhar ke liye chonki, phir muskara di.

"Jab tumhara bacha is duniya mein aayega, usay uthao ge, toh uski khatir
har jang ke liye tayar ho jao ge. Ye qudrati taur par hota hai, insaan pura ka
pura badal jata hai," bohot narmi aur pyaar se samjhaya. Unhone iski
ghabrahat kam karne ki koshish ki. Labo par muskan thehri thi.

"Har baap aisa to nahi hota... har baap jang nahi ladta. Kuch walidain
zindagi ke maidan mein aulad ko tanha chhod dete hain," woh ek dam se
khamosh ho gayi thi. Unhein us ke ehsaasat jaise samajh mein aaye the.

"Tum khush nahi ho?"

"Mujhe andaza nahi hai ke main kya mehsoos kar raha hoon," uska woh ek
jumla Jamila Dawood par khamoshi tari kar gaya. Kitni hi der tak woh kuch
keh na saki. Faris Shirazi ko toh apni khushi par khush hona bhi mushkil
lag raha tha.

"Jab woh duniya mein aayega toh tum apne ehsaasat ko samajh jao ge."

"Na samajh saka, na badal saka toh?"

"Tum Haroon ya Arzoo nahi ho, Faaris ho."

"Khoon toh unhi ka hoon... Bohot aasani se chhod diya tha unhone mujhe,"
woh uski awaaz mein gehra dukh mehsoos kiya jaa sakta tha.

"Tum waise nahi ho, ho hi nahi sakte," unke lehje mein iske liye mohabbat
ki meethi chashni thi.

"Mummy Aap mujhe samajh kyun nahi rahi hain?"

"Samajh rahi hoon, isi liye keh rahi hoon. Tumhari aulaad bohot khush
qismat hogi. Tum kabhi bhi usay nahi chhodo ge. Yeh toh khushi ka mauqa
hai, tum khud ko kyun uljha rahe ho," unhone samjhaya.

Woh khamoshi unhe sunta raha. Ghabrahat khatam nahi hui, magar andar
ka shor kuch had tak kam ho gaya.

Agle din, office se wapsi par woh bachon ki ek dukan mein chala gaya.
Woh apne ehsaasat badalne aur apna khauf mitaane ki koshish kar raha tha.
Woh khud ko sahi ma'ino mein badalna chahta tha. Magar khilone uthakar
dekhte, unhein mehsoos karte, unki keemat dekhte, uske zehan mein phir
bhi maa baap ka khayal aa raha tha.

"Kya unhone bhi mera intazaar kiya hoga? Chahat aur mohabbat se? Phir
meri paidaish ke baad bhi khushi mehsoos ki hogi? Usay sadke dil se own
kiya hua hoga?"
Uske zehan mein sawaalon ka silsila barh gaya. Sirf paanch saal tak woh
unke liye zaroori raha tha, unki zaat aur rishtay ke liye bhi sirf paanch saal
tak mohabbat qaim rahi thi. Uske baad sab kuch kyun badal gaya tha? Woh
chahat kyun khatam ho gayi thi? Uske liye uske apne hi ma baap ke liye
kyu patthar ho gaya tha. Unhone kyu udaya Chhorh diya tha.?

"Kya aulaad ko chhodna itna aasaan hota tha?"

Woh ek bar phir andar tak tareekiyon mein gum ho raha tha. Agar uska
baap usay chhod sakta hai, toh kya woh bhi?

Shop assistant uske paas aa gayi, madad ke liye puchhne lagi ke usay kis
umar ke bache ke liye shopping karni hai. Woh ek paanch saal ke Faris ka
tasavvur kiya, aur uska zehan ek dam khali ho gaya. Kuch bhi kharide
bagair, woh wahan se chala gaya.

Adina ne kuch dafa usse shopping ke liye kaha, magar usne jawab nahi
diya. Woh khamosh tha aur apni masroofiyat bada chuka tha.

•••

Adina ki dost Arooba ke ghar, unki bhanji ke aqeeqay par woh madhu the.
Woh sofa par baitha Hamdan bhai se guftagu kar raha tha jab Adinah ne ek
naayi paida hui bachchi achanak uski god mein daal di.

Woh chhoti si bachchi, uska koi wazan hi nahi tha. Woh aankhein moond
kar soyi hui thi. Uske nanhe nanhe bandh haath, chhoti si ungliyan, aur
beeche huye lab.

Faris ne ek dam ghabra kar woh bachchi foran wapas de di. Adina hairaan
reh gayi. Ghar ja kar woh is par us par naraz huyi. Usne achanak esi harkat
kyu ki thi?

"Kaisi harkat?" Adina gung si ise dekhti reh gayi. Woh uske sawal ka jawab
nahi de saka.

"Tumhe bachhe pasand nahi hain?"

"Maine yeh nahi kaha."

"Toh kya keh rahe ho tum?"

"You should have asked me if I wanted to hold her or not!"

Adina gunj reh gayi. Usne yeh andaza kiya ke asal masla bachchi ka nahi,
unka nahi. Uski aankho mein gussa bhar gaya tha.

"Tum mujhse hamare bache ki baat kar rahe ho."

Faaris ko apne halaq mein koi cheez atkti hui mehsoos hui thi.

"I'm not!"

"Yes, you are! Jab se tumhe pata chala hai ke hum ek child expect kar rahe
hain, tab se tum pareshaan ho."

"Aisa kuch nahi hai," usne sambhal kar tardiid ki.

"To phir kya masla hai, Faaris?"

Woh chand lamho tak khamosh raha,

"Sirf itna ke main iske liye tayar nahi hoon. Mujhe kuch waqt lagega."

Aaj se pehle kabhi bhi usne Adinah zubair ko koi wazahat nahi di thi. Ab de
raha tha, toh woh kisi taur samajh nahi rahi thi. Woh is Faaris ko nahi jaanti
thi jo uske andar tha, jo duniya se chhupa hua tha. Woh uske andhero se
nawaqif thi. Woh uske ghamon, uski takleefon aur mehroomiyo ka koi
andaza nahi tha.

"To theek hai. It's not a big deal ke tum humare bache ke liye tayar nahi ho.
Hum kuch saal intezaar kar lete hain. Abhi bhi waqt hai, main abortion
karwa leti hoon."

Faris Wajdan ne shashdar ho kar usay dekha. Is ek lamhe mein usay apni
rooh kheenchti hui mehsoos hui.

"Yeh tum kya keh rahi ho? Tumne yeh socha bhi kaise?" Uska lehja ekdum
se sakht aur patharila hua tha.
"Faris, main sirf ek baat..."

"Yeh sirf ek baat nahi hai!" Woh phat pada.

Adina apni jagah tham gayi. Unki shaadi shuda zindagi mein Faaris kabhi is
tarah ghusse mein nahi aaya tha, na hi kabhi uski awaaz unchi hui thi.

"Mainne sirf ek baat ki hai, tumhara andar janne ke liye ke tum kya chahte
ho?" Usne aage badh kar uske baazu par haath rakha aur narmi se kaha,

"Mujhe tumhara rawaiya theek nahi lag raha. Har naya couple khush hota
hai. Par hum khush nahi ho rahe. Main bohot excited hoon, par tum...
Tumhare zehan mein kya chal raha hai, yeh main nahi jaanti. Tum khush
nahi ho. Main shopping ki baat karti hoon aur tum ignore kar dete ho.
Humne aane wale kal ke baare mein koi baat hi nahi ki. Humne naam tak
nahi socha. Humne yeh bhi decide nahi kiya ke hum mil kar apne bache ke
liye kya karenge. That's what a normal couple usually do.."

"Arooba ki bhabhi ka teesra baby hai, aur woh abhi se uske liye is tarah
excited hain jaise woh pehli baar maa baap ban rahe ho," usne bagair rukke
ek hi sans mein wazahat de dali thi.

"Mein jo bhi sochu ho, yeh akhiri baat hai jo tumne sochi aur itne dharalle
se keh bhi di." Usne bhari saanso ke bheech kaha, lehja hanooz sard, aur
aankho mein khoon utra hua tha.

"I'm sorry, mein... mujhse ghalti ho gayi," usne tasleem kar liya.

"Meri zindagi mein jo bhi change ho, main use foran qubool nahi kar sakta.
Mujhe thoda waqt chahiye hota hai. You need to understand this," sanjeedgi
se kaha aur apni tie dheeli karta hua bedroom ki taraf chala gaya. Adina
apni jagah khadi reh gayi.

Faris Wajdan ka rawaiya uski samajh se bahar tha. Uska ghussa, uski
ghabrahat, aur phir abortion ke zikar par uska aisa rad-e-amal...

Uske dimag mein aakhir chal kya raha tha? Woh samajhne se qasir thi.

•••
Agle chand dino mein uske tamam khadshaat ghalat sabit ho gaye. Jo woh
soch rahi thi, waisa kuch bhi nahi tha. Faris weekly check-up ke liye uske
saath gaya tha aur pehle se bhi zyada uska khayal rakhne laga tha. Yeh alag
baat thi ke woh bache ke mutaliq koi baat nahi karta tha.

Usne dopehar mein usne bache ki shopping ki baat ki. Khayal tha ke woh
koi bahana kar dega, jaise ke woh pichhle ek maah se kar raha tha. Magar
uski hairat ki inteha na rahi jab woh tayar ho gaya. Us raat woh dono ekhtta
hi shopping mall gaye the. Yeh pehli shopping thi tay paya gaya tha ke
khawaish ke mutabik dono shopping karege. Bataye bagair.

"C'mon, Adinah," woh zara se irritate lag raha tha.

"Koi excuse nahi," woh usse pehle hi shop mein ghus gayi. Coat ki jebein
me haath dale, woh uski bachkana soch par sar jhatak kar reh gaya.

Shop mein dakhil hote hi woh kuch dair to bas esi hi tehlta raha, use apni
khwahish ko samajhne mein bahut dikkat ho rahi thi. Phir dheere dheere
uske qadam girl section ki janib uth gaye. Woh gulabi rang ke khilono,
chhoti chhoti frocks, nanhe joote aur sweaters dekh raha tha.

Kayi khilone usne haatho mein uthaye, kayi cheezo ki qeemat check ki.
Phir ek nanhi si frock uthali. Adina achanak peeche se kahin se aa gayi.
Hans kar uske haath se frock lete hue dekhne lagi.

"To tumhe beti chahiye!"

"Maine aisa to nahi kaha," woh ekdam ghadbadaya.

"Tumhare dil tak pohanchna itna bhi mushkil nahi," woh boli.

Faris Wajdan ko beti chahiye thi, aur Adina zubair ko bete ki khwahish thi.

"Jab tak baby gender ka pata nahi chalega, kya hum isi tarah alag alag
shopping karege?" Ghar pahuch kar usne Faris se kaha. Faris muskara kar
reh gaya.

"Mere khayal se humein intezaar kar lena chahiye," woh kam mein masroof
nazar aa raha tha. Woh gaal ke neeche baju rakhe huye usay dekhti rahi.
"Kya woh waqai khush hai ya sirf dikhawe ko uska sath de raha hai?" Usne
socha. Halake aaj wo uske sath mall gaya tha, uska rawaiya bhi theek tha.
Aur woh usay khush bhi lag raha tha.

Agle din usne bacho ke naam ke hawale se baat ki. Ek lambi si list usay
thama di. Woh apne sare kaam chhod kar uske sath beth gaya. Kitne hi
naam the jo Adina ne pasand kiye, aur usay reject kar diye, kitne hi naam
ese the jo usay pasand aa rahe the aur wo usay reject kar rahi thi. Andar
andar se wo janch bhi rahi thi. Woh apne bacche ke liye kitna sanjida hai,
usay nazar aa raha tha.

"Meri taraf se do names final samjho." Bil akhir usne list neeche rakh di.

"Aur woh do names kaun se hain?" Woh maiz par kohni jamaye neeli
bluery aankho me ulfat liye puchne lagi.

"Beti hui to janna aur beta hua to Ryan." Jo nam list me na the woh nam
usne tay kar liye.

"Janna? Ryan?" Tasuraat yu huye jese kuch khas pasand na aaye ho.

Faris uski taraf dekh raha tha.

"Tum unhe reject nahi kar sakti, kam az kam janna to bilkul bhi nahi!" Usne
wajeha kar diya.

"Kyun? Aisi kya khaas baat hai is naam mein?"

"Acha naam hai, chhota hai, aur cute lagega." Woh halke fulke lehze me
goya hua. Phir apni file phirse utha li.

"Ya phir is naam ki koi ladki tumhari zindagi mein aa chuki hai?" File par
sign karte waqt Faris Wajdaan ki harkat tham gayi. Sar uthakar Adina ko
dekha. Uske chehre par ubharti sanjeeda tasuraat ko dekh kar Adina ek dum
se sambhli.

"Just kidding yaar! Tum toh serious hi ho gaye ho." Has kar papers sametne
lagi. Faris Wajdan ki nigaahe kafi der tak us par jami rahi thi.
•••

Sunday ko uska off tha. Woh Adina ko us din apni job promotion ki khushi
mein ek mehange restaurant laya tha. Us din usne apni jeb ki parwaah kiye
bagair usay kaafi mehangi shopping bhi karwaayi thi. Usne jis cheez par
haath rakha, usay dila di thi.

Khana khaate waqt open area mein dono saath baithe the khud ko duniya ki
sabse khush-naseeb ladki tasawwur kar rahi thi. Faris Wajdaan ke sangat
mein aane wale kal ke sapne sochte hue, ek mukammal zindagi ka tasavvur
karte hue, woh sadke dil se muskura rahi thi. Usne jo khawaish ki thi woh
puri huyi thi jiska sath chaha tha usay mil gaya tha. Uske sath bate kar rahi
thi jazbaat ka izhar bhi, woh mubhim sa muskuraate huye usay jawab de
raha tha.

Khana khane ke baad woh restroom chali gayi. Haath dhote waqt usne aaine
mein khud ko dekha. Makeup se bilkul aari chehra fresh lag raha tha. Uske
ghungrale se sunahri baal joode mein maqeed the. Usne chand ek lato ko
bel de kar kaan ke peeche ars diya. Handbag shoulder par dalte hue woh
bahar aa gayi.

Railing ke paas kisi angrez ladki ke saath baithe Hammad Shirazi ki nigah
Adina par padi thi. Aur woh pehli nazar yu padi ki woh hatana bhool gaya
tha. Uski nigaho ne Adina zubair ka door tak ta’aqub kiya, aur agle hi pal
usay Faris Wajdan ke barabar baithte dekh wo tham gaya tha.

Waiter ab unhe coffee paish kar raha tha, woh ladki apni baat par ekdam se
muskurayi thi, uski kefiyat lamhe me badal gayi, wajood shole me ghir
gaya. Wo apni table chhod kar uth gaya. Waiter ko bill pay karke Faris
Wajdan apni biwi ke hamrah uth gaya tha. aur agle hi pal, woh aamne
samne huye the.

Faaris Wajdaan aur Hammad Shirazi ...

Faris ke chehre se muskaan ke sare rang ek dam se gaayab ho gaye. Aankho

ki narmi khatam ho gayi aur lab bheench gaye.
Hammad ne ek haath apni trouser ki jeb mein dala aur Adina ki taraf
mutwajja hua tha, Adina ne lamho me hi jaan liya ke mehnge kimti kapdo
mein malboos wo shakhs koi aam nahi tha.

"Hello Faris! Kaise ho?" Salam ke liye haath badhate woh esa mukhatib hua
tha ki jese unke mubayin esi salam dua hoti rehti ho, Faris ne haath nahi
thama tha. Hammad ne muskurate hue haath peeche hata liya tha.

"Galban aap..?"

"Mrs. Faris" muskurate huye usne apne shohar ke bazu me hath dala. Usne
bhanwe uchka kar kuch hairat se Faris ko dekha. Woh apni jagah munjamid
sa khamosh khada tha.

"Tumne bata hi nahi? Shadi karli, card bhej dete, humari puri family shadi
attend karti." Woh usse yuh mukhatib tha ke jese bahut purani dosti ho, jese
woh esi hi formal ho kar ek dusre se baat karte ho, woh apne andar aag liye
jabt se tahammul se khada tha. Woh Hammad ko apne raste se hata kar
waha se niklna chahta tha.

"Aur aap, ghaliban Faris ke dost hai?.." Adina uske ta'ssurat se katai be
parwah apni dhun me bhujne lagi

“Aray nahi, friend nahi, Faris mere grand father ke mulazim ka beta hai. He
used to live in our house. Mere grandfather ne hi uski kifaalat ki thi.."

"Mere grandfather, you must know him, Azam Shirazi... Head of Shirazi
Enterprises.”

Adina zubair ke samne uske wajood ke parkhichhe uda diye the, woh kamal
jabt ka mujahira karte huye apni mutthiya sakti se beech li. Adina lamhe
bhar ke liye sakit huyi thi.

Is se pehle ke woh kuch samajh pati, Hamaad ko kuch ghuuse aur nafrat se
daye taraf dhakelte huye woh Adina ka haath grift me liye wahan se chala
gaya. trouser ki jeb mein haath dale, ek khafif si muskaan ke saath unhe
jaate hue dekhta raha.
•••

woh jabse ghar aaye the, unke darmiyan ek khamoshi si chhaayi hui thi.
Adina kuch uljhan ka shikar thi. Hamaad Shirazi ne jo baat ki thi woh
zehan se nikal hi nahi paa rahu thi. Faris ke tassurat se to yehi lag raha tha
jaise dono ke mabhaim koi purani muhjmat ho. Aur phir usne Hammad ki
baat ki koi tarteeb bhi naa ki thi.

“Tumne kabhi bataya nahi ke…” woh kuch kehte kehte ruk gayi thi

Faris, laptop khole betha tha,

“thi Kya?” sar utha kar Adina ko dekha. Uske lehze me sakti uthar aayi thi.

“Jo Hamaad Shirazi ne kaha…”

“Kya batana zaroori tha?”

“Main aisa toh nahi keh rahi hoon,”

“Toh phir kya keh rahi ho?”

“Main to bas sirf yeh jaanna chah rahi thi… tumhari zindagi.. tumahare
bare mein.."

"Shadi se pehle tumhe mere bare me kuch bhi janne ki khawaish nahi thi.."
usne nazar utha kar usey yaad dilaya. Woh ek dam se chhup huyi.

“Tab tumhe sirf meri jaat garj thi. Ab tumhe sab janna hai?” uska lehja
behad talkh ho raha tha.

Adina ek pal ke liye khamosh ho gayi, usne mehsoos kiya ke uska sawaal
galat tha, jawab bhi galat tha. Woh phir mohtat ho kar sambhal gayi.

“Main to bas yeh… main toh bas yeh jaan-na chahti thi… jo baat usne
kahi... I mean kya tumahare dad wakai mein unke servent..?”

“Kya is baat se koi farq padta hai?” tarqeed ya takeed kiye baghair usne
Adina ki aankho me sakti se dekhte huye sawal poocha tha.
“Nahi, mera matlab yeh nahi tha… mein to bas..” keh kar apna hath uske
hath par rakha, usko composed karti huyi muskurayi.

"Sirf baat kar rahi thi.."

“aisa kuch nahi hai, jo woh keh raha tha.” mukhtasar keh kar usne file utha
li. Adina usay dekhti rahi.

"Bhala Hammad Shirazi ko kya zaroorat padi thi is tarah Faris ke baare
mein baat karne ki? Wo to pure wasaq se keh raha tha, uske dada ne hi Faris
ki kafaalat ki thi. Jaane is baat me kitni sacchai thi magar woh uljhan mein
jaroor padh gayi thi. Ke aj tak siwaye Jamila dawood ke uske kisi rishtedar
se mili thi, na usne apne parents ka zikr kiya, uski family Pakistan mein
kahaan rehti thi yeh tak nahi bataya tha.

Wahid Jamila dawood hi thi jo uske raabte me thi Faris ne bataya tha ke
woh uski door pare ki rishtedaar hain aur uske liye maa jaisi hain. Magar
woh sirf maa jaisi nahi, maa se bhi barh kar thi. Roz hi unki Faris se phone
call hoti thi uske sath bhi raabte me rehti thi. Magar jo kuch Hammad
Shirazi ne bataya tha. Woh usay uljhan me daal chuka tha.

"Kya Faris mujhse kuch chhupa raha hai?" Usne ne socha, magar is sawal
ko apne soch tak hi mehdood rakha. Faris se kuch poochh kar woh koi
badmazgi nahi chahti thi.

Kapray teh karte hue faris par nazar dali. Uski peshaani par bal thehre the
aur aankho mein ghussa barqaraar tha. Woh gehri saans li aur wahan se uth
gayi.

•••

Arooba kisi shaadi mein invited thi aur akeli nahi jaana chahti thi. Usne
Adina ko bhi apne saath chalne ko kaha. Faris ne ijazat di, toh Adina uske
saath chali gayi. Khayal tha ek chhota sa function hoga, magar shadi hall
mein dakhil hote hi usse laga ke woh kisi mahal mein aa gayi ho.

Esa pehli baar tha ke Adina ne kisi elite class ka function attend kiya tha.
Arooba ke saath chalti hui, usne apni gardan seedhi rakhi. Usse apne husn
ka idrak tha aur is baat ka bhi kaise kisi functions mein kaise khudko pose
karna hai. Tawajja aur nigaho ka markaj kese banna hai.

Usne kali silk saree jebtan ki hui thi, sunehri mail balo ka juda bana rakha
tha. Surkh rang ka halka makeup, surkh rang ki heels aur kalai bhari
chooriyan pakistani shadi ka function tha to wo usi mulajbt se tayyar hui
thi. Isme koi Shaq nahi tha ki wo beintehaa haseen lag rahi thi. Aur isi
wajah se wo har aik ki nazro me aa rahi thi. Murawwatan aur halakt
muskurate huye, woh arooba ki colleagues se mili phir ek maiz sambhal kar
baith gayi. Gardan uchi kiye wo har taraf dekh rahi thi, aur tab achanak uski
nigah Hammad Shirazi par padi thi.

Woh sehzado ki si aan ban ke saath black three-piece suit mein spiral
staircase se neeche aa raha tha. Woh usay dekh chuka tha. Uski taraf hi aa
raha tha. Murawwatan usay bhi apni jagah se uthna pada tha.

Uske kimti kapde, perfume aur shehzadon jaisi thi aan o shaan. Woh ekdam
se mutasir aur maroof huyi thi.

"It's nice to meet you again!"

"You too!"

Muskurate hue apna haath nazakat se uske haath mein de diya.

"Aapke shohar sath nahi aaye?"

"Nahi, main apni friend Aruba ke saath aayi hoon."

Usne bhawein uchkai phir muskurayaa.

"Aaiye, main aapko apni mummy se milwata hoon."

Woh usey sath liye samne ki taraf khadi katoono ki taraf badha tha, uske
pukarne par jis khatoon ne usay mud ke dekha, un par nazar padhte hi wo
apni jagah patthar ho gayi.

Jamila dawood, Faris Wajdan ki rishtedaar khatoon, jitni sariyyat se uski

aankho me hairat utri thi. Utni hi sariyyat se unke ta'ssurat badle the. Usay
yaha, is tarah aur phir apne bete ke sath dekh kar woh bhi sakte me aa gayi
thi.

"Aap?"

"Kaisi ho beta!" unhone khudko sambhalte huye ta'ssurat normal kar liye,
ek nazar hammad ko dekte usay gale laga liya.

"Arey aap to jaanti hain ise," wo muskuraya. Mrs. Shirazi is lamhe bilkul
bhi muskura na saki, adina ke ta’asuraat saara waqt confusion liye rahe.
Theek se woh ku h bhi enjoy na kar saki.

Shaam das bajay jab woh ghar aayi, toh Faris kitchen mein tha. Usne burner
par doodh chadha rakha tha. Mobile phone kaan se lagaye wo office ke
mamlaat discuss kar raha tha. Gardan mod kar usay dekhte hue haath
hilaya. Apna purse ka inter karte hue wo thoda khench kar baith gayi.
Fridge khol kar paani ka glass uske samne rakhte hue usne burner band kar
diya.

"Kaise raha tumhara din?"

"Thik raha," keh kar kuch ghoont aur liye. Phir glass rakh diya.

"Kaafi unchay bade khandan ke log aaye hue the. Mujhe andaza nahi tha ke
Arooba Shirazi Enterprises mein job karti hai."

Faris apni jagah saakit hua.

"Jameela aunty bhi wahan thi. Unse bhi mulaqat hui." Woh keh rahi thi.

Usay apna saas lamhe bhar ke liye rukta hua mehsoos hua tha.

Woh uske khandan ki shaan-o-shaukat, unki daulat, status, aur unka rehne
sehne ka tareeqa dekh kar aayi thi. Jis hall mein jo shaadi hui thi, woh
London ka mehnga tareen hall tha. Uske ta’asuraat badle hue se nazar aa
rahe the. Aankhon ki chamak barh gayi thi.

"Tum ne bataya hi nahi ke woh Haroon Sherazi ki waqf hain. Main to

unhain ek aam si aurat samajhti rahi."
Faris ko achanak apna dam ghatta hua mehsoos hua. Arooba ko
daawatnama mila tha. Woh usay bhi saath le gayi thi. Kaash usay pata hota
to wo usay na jane deta.

"Faris! Kya sach mein? Ager woh tumhare relatives hain to tum..." ishara us
janib tha ke woh itni shaandar aur Faris itni aam zindagi kyun guzar raha
hai? In halat mein kyun reh raha hai?

Faris ko apna dimagh achanak se mauf hota hua mehsoos hua. Woh usay
kya jawab dega? Kya wazahat kya daleel? Uski ghabrahat achanak se barh
gayi.

"Coffee piyogi?" Usne sambhal kar poocha.

"Tum mawzu badal rahe ho?"

"Mera nahi khayal is par koi baat banti hai." Woh rukh badal gaya.

"Aunty, tumhari rishtedaar hai, yani Shirazi khandan ke saath tumhara

ta’alluq hai?" Uski aankhein phaili hui thi.

Faris ke andar khatrey ki ghanti kahin baj gayi thi. Zameen qadamoon se
nikalti nahi thi, magar woh apne aap ko fiza tang mehsoos kar raha tha.
Uske paas is waqt Adina Zahid ki tadeed karne ke liye koi lafz nahi tha.
Qismat ne kya khoob chaal chalti thi. Ek taaruf Hammad Shirazi ne diya
tha, aur ek taaruf usne Jameela dawood ki taraf se karwa chuka tha. Taqid
ya tarteed, dono nahi kar sakta tha.

"Faris!"

"Main busy hoon, baad mein baat karte hain." Burner band karte hue, wo
usi waqt kitchen se nikal gaya.

•••

Agle kai dino tak jitni baar us ne is maslay se, is topic se, is guftagu se farar
ki koshish ki, usay itni hi baar sawaal kiye, Usay achanak hi us ke khandan,
us ke rishtedaro mein dilchaspi paida hogayi thi. Wo us ke baare mein sab
kuch jaana chahti thi. Wo kisi baat ka koi jawab nahi de raha tha. Wo apni
marzi ke mafhoom aur nateejay aksar ikhtiyar karti, aur uski pareshani
barhati ja rahi thi.

Us ka khayaal tha ke chunanchah wo us ke rishtedaar hain, is liye use un se

madad leni chahiye. Wo apni job mein struggle kar raha tha. Usay un se
baat karni chahiye. Shirazi Enterprises mein job karne walo ko kitni marat
milti thi, is ka andaza usay kaafi achay tareeqay se ho gaya tha. Arooba ko
achi khasa pay milti thi.

"Faaris, tum sun bhi rahe ho main kya keh rahi hoon?"

"Adina! Just stop!" Us ki bardasht khatam ho gayi thi to jhalla kar rok gaya.

"I don't want to talk about it!"

"Tum har baat par inkaar karte ho. Halaat kaise badlayenge? Zindagi kaise
badlegi?" Wo lad rahi thi.

"Kya hai humare halaat ko?" Usay bhi gussa aagaya. "Aur kya hai hamari
zindagi ko jise badalne ki zaroorat hai?"

"Isay tum zindagi kehte ho? Yeh ghar hai jahan hum apne bachhe ko
dekhein ge? Is ghar mein?" Haath phaila kar us ne is chhote se flat ka
mazaak udaya jise wo apni job se us waqt afford kar sakta tha.

Adina zubair ko wo chhota sa flat ek qaid khana, ek band kotri sa lag raha
tha. Wo saakit nigaaho se usay dekh raha tha.

"Kuch din pehle tak yeh ghar bhi tumhare liye theek tha. Mere halaat bhi
theek the. Aur ab achanak...?"

"Achanak kuch nahi hota. Main kitnay time se tumhe keh rahi hoon ke
humein koi achha sa flat lena chahiye. Tumhari tanqah se hum dono ka
guzarah mushkil hota hai aur tum..."

Faris usay dekh raha tha. Kya yeh wahi Adina zubair thi jo ek kamre ke flat
mein bhi uske sath reh sakti thi? Jise uske halaat aur zindagi se koi sarokaar
nahi tha. Jiske liye faqat uski zaat ahm thi. Saath aham tha. Jis ne kabhi bhi
kisi cheez ko, chhoti cheezon ko is par fauqiyat nahi di thi, jo hai, jaisa hai,
ki buniyad par usay qubool kar ke ab wo har cheez keede nikar rahi thi.

Apni peshaani masalte, wo apni jagah khada tha. Zabt karta hua, leheje ko
hatta-e-mumkan narm rakhte hue, usay wazahat de kar, apna mowaqif
batlata hua. Magar Adina ki aik hi rat thi. Jameela dawood se baat kar ke
wo apni job ka bandobast kare. Un se help le. Loan mang kuch kare takay
unke halaat behtar ho.

"Agar tum baat nahi kar sakte to main unse...!"

"Don't you dare, Adina!" Us ne sakhti se mana kar diya.

"Faris, masla kya hai tumhare saath?"

"I lied, okay!" Wo phat par gaya.

"Woh meri raleetive nahi hain. So just stop mentioning her!"

Wo apni jagah saakit ho gayi.

"Tum yeh, kya keh rahe ho?"

"Wohi jo tum ne suna,"

"Unke saath mera koi rishtha nahi hai! Shirazi khandan ke saath mera koi
ta’alluq nahi hai!" Dil par jabr kar ke, us ne sakht leheje mein waazeh kar
diya.

"Tum ne jhoot kaha?" Us ke lab hile. Aankhon mein sadma thahra gaya.

"To kya woh sachme Shirazi Khandan ke mulazim ka beta tha? Kya sach
mein Jameela dawood ke saath uska koi rishta nahi tha?"

"Aunty ne humare nikah mein tumhari taraf se shirkat ki thi. Unhone Dad
se mera rishta manga tha. Ab tum mujh se keh rahe ho wo tumhari
rishtedaar bhi nahi hain? Tum kya chhupa rahe ho mujh se?" Wo cheekh
parri. Gusse se chehra surkh ho raha tha.
Faris bebasi se usay dekh kar reh gaya. Aisi mushkil situation mein wo
pehle kabhi nahi phansa tha. Apni zaat par uthte kisi sawaal par aise jabr
aur aise sabr ka samna usne pehle kabhi nahi kiya tha.

"Adina..." Wo usay door rehne ka ishara karti, shadeed gusse mein ulte
qadam peeche hati thi.

"Tum ne kaha tha tumhe kisi baat se koi farq nahi padta." Wo bola, to leheje
mein karab panha tha.

"Jhoot se padta hai." Wo gusse se pair chatkti kamre mein band ho gayi thi.
Faris apni jagah khada raha.

Sari raat wo theek se so nahi saka. Subah uthte hi usne Adina se baat karni
chahi, uska mood puri tarah se off tha. Wo uski taraf dekh bhi nahi rahi thi.

"Main ne tumse koi jhoot nahi bola." Nashte ki mez par usne kaha, wo
telkhi se hasi.

"To phir sach kya hai, dobara bata do."

Wo bebasi se usay dekh kar reh gaya.

"Ab bhi apni baat par ade hue ho tum! Ab bhi tum is discussion se bhag
rahe ho."

"Mera nahi khayaal ke is tarah ki baatein humare darmiyan discuss honi

chahiye."

"Kyun nahi honi chahiye?" Usne plate mein peech peech diya. Kursi dhakel
kar uth gayi.

" Kya Tumhare baare mein kuch bhi jaanne ka haq nahi rakhti hoon?" Usne
mithiyan sakhti se bheench li thi.

"Tumhare parents kon hain? Kahan hain? Aisa bhi nahi hota ke aulaad ka
apne maan baap se koi rabta bhi na ho."
"Main ne tumhe shadi se pehle bata diya tha." Bohat himmat aur bardasht
se, usne apne leheje ko hatta la imakan narm rakha tha.

"Jhoot bataya, ab mujhe tumhari kisi baat par yakeen nahi."

Wo zabt kiye raha.

"Batao kon ho, kya ho, kahan se ho tum?"

Lab bheench kar, jis badtameezi se usne sawaal kiye, ab ba mushkil se apne
aap par qaboo paa sakta tha.

"Yeh sawaal tumhe shaadi se pehle poochna chahiye tha."

"Ab pooch rahi hoon na! Andha bharosa karne se insaan ko maar hi lagti
hai." Uska leheja mjheeb sulagte hua sa tha.

Koi bhi jawab diye bina, wo maiz chhod kar uth gaya. Nashtay ke baghair
hi office chala gaya. Shaam mein ghar wapas aaya to wo uska intezaar kiye
baghair hi so gayi thi.

Shaadi shuda zindagi mein aisa pehli baar hua tha. Wo dieting table par
betha ab akela hi khana kha raha tha. Usay nahi pata tha ke aane wale dino
mein yeh tanhaai aik roain banne wali thi. Usay nahi pata tha, ajnabiat aur
badgumani ki yeh fiza jo is ghar par utari thi, mustaqil taur par thehr jaane
wali thi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH90
•••

Sara din apne aap mein salgte uljhte rehne ke baad us ne mobile uthakar
Jameela Dawood ko call kar di thi.

"Faris, aap ka kya lagta hai?"

Mukhtasar salaam dua ke turant baad us ne sawaal kiya tha. Jameela

Dawood takhir se apni jagah khadi reh gayi.

"Aap ne mere dad se kaha tha ke aap uski rishtedaar hain. Faris ab keh raha
hai ke aap uski rishtedaar nahi hain..."

Is se pehle ke woh baat jari rakhti, Faris ne usse phone le liya tha.

"Yeh kya badtameezi hai Faris! Woh cheekh parhi. Hello..."

Jameela Dawood phone kaan se lagaaye, ek dum se pareshan ho gayin. Us

ne mobile kuch thusse se bed par pheenk diya tha.

"Kya karne ki koshish kar rahi ho tum?" Aankho mein khoon utar aaya tha.

"Jo sawaal tum nahi sunna chahti thi, wohi sawaal Jameela aunty se kar rahi
hoon..."

*Unhein is sab mein mat ghasito!.."

"Kyun na ghasitu? Haan? Mera rishta unho ne manga tha dad se yeh bata
kar ke woh tumhari rishtedaar hain. Yeh kisi rishtedari hai? Dhoka hua hai
mere saath."

"Kaisa aur kahan ka dhoka?" Woh cheekh utha.

"Tum mujhse shaadi karna chahti thi. Tumhein is baat koi farq nahi padta
tha ke main apne parents se rabte mein hoon. Tum ne mujhse kaha tha main
tumhare dad se khud rishtay ki baat kar sakta hoon. Us waqt mere khandan,
family, maa baap, rishtedar tumhein kisi ke baare mein kuch bhi jaanne ka
shauq nahi tha. Par ab achanak tumhara haq ban gaya hai iss tarah ke
sawaalat karna?"

Woh apni jagah saakt khadi thi.

"Shadi ka faisla mera tha. Is baat ka taana de rahe ho tum mujhe?"

Woh usay dekh kar reh gaya. Us ne kya kaha tha? Woh kya samajh rahi thi?

"Sach kehte hain, aurat mohabbat ka itiraaf kar ke khud ko mard ki nazro
me gira deti hai..." Woh jhatkay se palat kar apne kamre mein band ho gayi.
Woh kitni der tak us band darwazay ko dekhta raha, phir us ne Jameela
Dawood ko phone kiya.

"Mummy kya aap Adina ka number block kar sakti hain?"

Woh pehle se pareshan ho rahi thi. Uske is mutalbe par aur zyada ho gayi.
Shadi hall mein mulaqat ke baad se unhein shak tha koi na koi baat zaroor
hai lekin Faris ne unhein mutmain kar diya tha.

"Main sab theek karne ki koshish kar raha hoon. Jab tak woh samajh nahi
jaati, tab tak.." us ne ruk kar aankhon ko mila. Woh nahi chahta tha ke
Adina Zubair ki Jameela Dawood se dobara kabhi mulaqat bhi ho.

"Kya baat zyada barh gayi hai?"

"Woh jaan-na chahti hai mere parents kaun hain?" Unhein shock laga. Yeh
behas unke darmiyan pehle kabhi nahi aayi thi. Ek dum se aisa kya hua tha
ke woh un baaton ko ahmiyat de rahi thi jin baato par us ne kabhi sawaal
bhi nahi uthaya tha.

"Shadi ke Dedh saal baad woh mujh se mere maa baap ka pooch rahi hai..."
Uski awaz me karb tehra tha, kitni dair woh kuch der tak kuch keh nahi
saki.
"Tumne kya socha hai?" Woh janti thi un baaton ka asar us ki shaadi shuda
zindagi par par raha tha.

"Kuch bhi nahi!" Woh kuch be-basi se goya hua.

"Kehne ko kuch hai bhi nahi! Apna khayal rakhiye ga. Jald raabta karunga."
Us ne baat khatam kar di.

Woh wash basin ke samne khud ko aayine mein dekhte hue kitni der tak
khada raha.

"Khud ko sahi ma'ino mein mar kar dikha sakta hoon main!"

Thanday paani se baar baar chehra dhoota raha.

"Main pichle pandrah saalo se chup hoon. Mazeed chup reh sakta hoon...."
Lab bheench kar basin par giraft jamaata sar jhuka gaya.

"Isay jaane do...." Azam Shirazi ki awaaz gonj ban gayi. Woh ab aayine
mein khud ko dekh raha tha. Shikast wazeh thi. Azadi ka ek jhoota gumaan
tha jiske peeche woh chalta raha tha. Haqiqat woh nahi thi jo woh samajhta
raha tha. Apne andar ke shor ko sunte us ne sar jhuka liya. Pidiya kabhi
nahi kehi thi. Woh aaj bhi, kuch faislo aur waadon ki giraft mein, Azam
Shirazi ka hi qaidī tha. Bas inkishaaf der se hua tha. Bohat zyada der se hua
tha.

Adina zubair ki shikayatein barhti ja rahi thi. Ikhtilafat barhte ja rahe the.
Use Faris ki har baat par aitraaz hone laga tha. Chhoti chhoti baaton par
woh ghar ka mahaul jahannum banane lagi thi. Mushtal ho kar tod phod
karne lagi thi. Us ke sawaal zyada ho gaye the. Bahas zyada ho gayi thi.
Shukook o shubaat bhi. Aur aksar usse jawab nahi deta tha. Khayaal hota
tha woh chup rahega toh baat aage nahi badhegi. Woh ladh jhagad kar apni
bharas nikaal kar chup ho jaayegi. Woh chup zaroor ho jaati thi lekin agle
din phir se shuru ho jaati.

Faris samajh nahi paa raha tha is tarah use kya ho gaya tha. Kyun woh itni
badgumaan aur rude ho rahi thi. Kyun woh is rishte ki parwah nahi kar rahi
thi. Jitni shiddat se chahti rahi thi, ab utni hi shiddat se nafrat karne gayi thi.
Use Faris mein aib nazar aane lage the. Uski zaat se ikhtilaf hone laga tha.
Woh apne kisi bhi masle ko hal nahi kar pa raha tha. Aksar aisa hone laga
woh bataye baghair hi taiyar ho kar chali jaati. Raat takheer se ghar aati.
Mobile off rakhti. Messages nazar andaz kar deti. Woh tahmmahul se
aitraaz uthata toh aapay se baahar ho jaati.

"Hamari shaadi hui hai. Is ka matlab yeh nahi hai ke hum aik doosre ko
qaid kar ke rakhe ge."

Badmazgi zyada na ho, us ne rok tok tark kar di lekin zyada der tak aisa na
kar saka ke wardrobe se kapde nikalte uske hath me aisa perfume aa gaya
jiski kimat uski ek mah ki tankhwah ke barabar thi. woh is qadar qeemti
cheez dekh kar lamhe bhar ke liye sakte mein aagaya tha. Lounge mein ja
kar perfume dikhakar poochha toh woh Ek dum se garbara gayi.

"Friend ne gift kiya hai."

"Itna mehenga gift?"

"Jo cheez tum afford nahi kar sakte us ka matlab yeh nahi hai ke mere circle
ke log bhi nahi kar sakte..." Use ghussa aa gaya.

"Tumhein nahi lena chahiye tha." Faris ki bardasht ab khatam ho rahi thi.
Woh zabt kar ke muri.

"Kyun nahi lena chahiye? Meri dost hai, mera tohfa hai. Tum is tarah ki
baat mujh se kaise keh sakte ho?"

"Adina, kya ho gaya hai tumhe?"

"Wah, ab main buri ho gayi hoon? Mujh kuch ho raha hai? Tum ne khud ko
dekha hai? Ek ek cheez ke liye tarsa kar rakha hua hai mujhe, mere paas
bohat acche aur well off families ke rishte aa rahe the."

"Main ne sab ko tumhari khaatir inkaar kar diya aur tum tum ne mujhe aaj
tak diya hi kya hai? Is darbay numa flat main rakh kar tum samajh rahe ho
tum ne mera har haq ada kar diya?"
Woh ghusse aur ishtial mein bolti ja rahi thi. Woh usay dekhta ja raha tha.
Usay sunta ja raha tha. Us ka aik aik lafz us ke aasab par bhaari par raha
tha. Usay apne haws mfluj hotay hue mehsoos ho rahe thay.

"Kya yeh wohi Adina thi?" Us ne mazeed koi baat, koi behas na ki. Usi
waqt ghar se chala gaya. Sham das bajay wapas aaya toh woh ghar mein
nahi thi. Uska mobile bhi off tha. Lounge ki tareeki mein beta usko intezaar
karta raha. Takreeban aik bajay woh wapas aayi thi. Haath barhakar lights
on karti bed room mein chali gayi. Jaise woh usay nazar hi na aayi ho.

"Kahan thi tum?"

Wardrobe se kapde nikaalte woh us ki taraf murri.

"Kahi bhi ho sakti hoon. Tumhein is se kya matlab?"

"Shohar hoon main tumhara..."

Us ne ghusse se kapde neeche patakh diye.

"Haan to shoher ho, kya chahte ho is ghar mein qaid ho kar rahoon? Na
friends se miloon, na kahin ghoomne phirne jau?"

"Raat ke dhai baj rahe hain Adina!"

"Bhale se chaar bhi bach rahe ho, Jab main tumse kuch nahi poochti to tum
kyun mere peeche par jaate ho?" Aankhon mein aankhain daal kar shadeed
ghusse se boli.

Woh lab bheenche khada reh gaya.

Usay weekend par check-up ke liye jana tha. Woh nahi gayi. Usay doctor ne
jo goliyaan prescribe ki thi, us ne lena chhod diya. Usay apni sehat ki ab koi
fikr nahi thi. Woh apni par kisi ke ab mutalliq mukammal la-parwahi ho
gayi thi.

"Yeh sab kab tak chalega!" Woh aik bar phir uske saamne khada tha. Woh
suni an-suni kiye apne nakhun file karti rahi.
"Kya tumhein nahi lagta yeh mahaul hamare bachay ke liye theek nahi
hai?"

Uski harkat tham gayi. Sar uthakar Faris ko dekha.

"Ab achanak tumhein apne bachay ki bhi fikr hone lag gayi hai..." Uska
lehja istihzaayi tha.

"Mein kabhi apne bachhe aur tumse be-parwahi nahi hua.."

"Nahi. Shayad mujhe tumhein yaad dilana chahiye ke pregnancy news ke

baad tumhara rawaiya kaisa tha..." Faris lab bheenche usay dekhta raha.
Woh jab bhi maamla hal karne ki koshish karta tha, woh is tarah uske aasab
par chot karti thi.

"Main is baat ki wazahat de chuka hoon tumhein...."

"Wazahat?" Woh hansi. "Main hi bewakoof thi ke tumhari is wazahat ko

samajh nahi paayi.."

"Adina..."

"Mere samne yeh natak band kar do ab tum!" Palat kar boli. "Main andhi
nahi hoon. Sab dekhti hoon aur samajhti bhi hoon." Woh pau patkti kamre
mein band ho gayi. Faris lounge mein tanha khada reh gaya.

Ab woh dhadlay se mehroomiyon ka zikar karne lag gayi thi. Class ka farq
batane lag gayi thi. Usay unka flat ab chhota lagne laga tha. Usay apne
khareede gaye kapdon se masla hone laga tha. Usay uski tankhwah kam
lagne lagi thi.

Usay uska saath bojh lagne laga tha. Woh tahmmahul aur bardasht se is
rishtay ko nibhane ki usay apne tor par samjhane ki har mumkin koshish kar
raha tha. Magar kuch bhi theek nahi ho raha tha.

Woh usay check-up ke liye hospital le kar gaya aur us din us par inkishaaf
hua ke woh aik beti ka baap banne wala hai. Woh khabar azdaawaji zindagi
ke tang halaat mein thandi hawa ka jhonka sabit hui. Woh muskuraya to yun
jaise kaafi arse baad muskuraya ho.
Aik tabdeeli usay is lamhay mein bohat achanak apne andar mehsoos hui
thi. Aik nai zindagi aur zindagi mein hi aik naye badlao ke liye. Us ne un
halaat mein bhi bohot se plan soche, kai khawab dekhey, woh apne baap se
mukhtalif aik acha baap banna chahta tha.

Woh apne aur Adina ke maabain in ikhtilaafat ko bhi mitana chahta tha. Us
ne aik bar phir usse baat ki thi. Woh ab jitna khush aur mutmain tha, Adina
ke liye wo sab utna hi bhaari aur be-sukooni ki alamat ho raha tha. Woh ab
apne bachay ke liye bhi excited nahi thi. Jo bhi shopping thi, woh khud hi
kar raha tha. Bachhi ke liye kapde, joote, nanhe frock woh sab khud
khareed raha tha. Mrs. Shirazi ko ilm hua to unhon ne America se hi us ke
liye layette set ( bacche ke kapde, ashya) bheja. Adina ke tasuraat ajeeb se
hotay. Usay bachhe ki shopping dekh kar khushi nahi hoti thi. Woh is ke
saath ab bahar kahin jana bhi nahi chahti thi.

Us raat woh mall akele hi gaya tha. Usay apni zaroorat ki kuch ashya
khareedni thi, magar woh ghoomte phirte bachon ki shop mein ja khara hua
tha. Nigahe mukhtalif khilone se hotay hue aik kitchen set par thahra gaya.
Goke abhi bohot waqt tha. Duniya mein aane ke baad us khilone tak
pohanchne, usay samajhne, us ke saath khelne mein bhi kai saal pade the,
magar us ne woh set le liya tha. Waqt se pehle woh bohot se kaam abhi se
karna chahta tha. Woh ehsaas aur chaht ko, is intezaar aur mohabbat ko
shiddat se mehsoos karna chahta tha.

Khud ko us andekhe wujood se jor lena chahta tha. Usay apne dil mein kisi
bhi qisam ki sakhti nahi chahiye thi. Jo wujood is duniya mein, us ki wajah
se aane wala tha. Us ki zindagi mein koi kami beshi, takleef, dukh,
mehroomi... kuch bhi nahi chahiye tha.

Aik taraf woh tha. Us ki soch, us ke khawab, us ke tasuraat thay. Doosri

taraf Adina Zubair thi jis ne us raat bohat hi achanak hi talaq ka mutalba
rakh diya tha. Woh sadme se gung usay dekh kar reh gaya.

"Tumhein andaza bhi hai tum kya keh rahi ho?" Be-yaqeeni se usay dekhte,
us ke lab hile thay.

Sadma gehra tha. Chot gehri thi.

"Haan! Achhe se andaza hai. Shayad tum ne theek se suna nahi, mujhe talaq
chahiye!" Woh us ki aankho mein baroodat se dekhte hue, dat kar khari ho
gayi thi. Shadi ka mutalba bhi us ka tha. Alag hone ka mutalba bhi wohi kar
rahi thi.

"Adina." Us ka naam labo mein thehra reh gaya. Woh itni badi baat itni
aasan se kaise keh sakti thi.

"Tum se shadi mera bohat ghalat faisla tha. Insaan ki sirf shakl o soorat
matter nahi karti. Aur bhi bohot kuch dekhna padta hai. Mujhe Arooba ne
samjhaya tha. Main hi bewakoof thi jo nahi samajh payi. Main ne ghalat
faisla kiya,.." woh mushtahal ho kar keh rahi thi. Apne faisle par pachhta
rahi thi.

"Hum aik baccha expect kar rahe hain Adina" usey ehsaas dilana chaha thi.
Lehze se karb jhalak raha tha.

"Main apni poori zindagi aik bachay ke liye daww par nahi laga sakti..."
Be-shumaar aziyato ko aankho mein liye woh apni jagah tham gaya. Jis ne
saari zindagi saath guzarne ka wada kiya tha, woh usay beech raste mein
chhod kar alag hona chahti thi.

Shadi, zindagi, beti, talaaq... us ka sar phatne laga, us ke hawas muthal

honay lage.

"Mujhe talaq chahiye, Faris!" sakht lehje mein phir se kaha. Usay yeh lafz
jaise abhi ke abhi sunna tha. Usay yeh rishta abhi ke abhi khatam karna tha.

"Main chahunga ke delivery tak hum is par koi baat na karain," us ne

tahammul se kaha.

"Main itna intezaar nahi kar sakti." Woh hazaar tukdo mein munqasim hota
usay dekh kar reh gaya. Ghalti kis se aur kahaan hui thi? Usey andaza nahi
tha ke uski aulaad ke hisay mein bhi Aarzoo Jahangir jaisi Maa aane wali
thi. Usey shiddato se chahne wali woh ladki uski aulaad ke liye itni be-hiss,
itni be-rahm ho jaane wali thi...

"Apne bachhe ke liye yeh karna padega..."

"Jab alehdgi ka faisla ho hi chuka hai to ab humein yeh bachhe rakhne ki
kya zarurat hai?' Woh badtameezi se chhikhi. '

"Abhi bhi zyada waqt nahi guzra. Hum yeh sab khatam kar sakte hain..."

"ADINA!" Uski awaaz ghusse se phat gayi thi. Woh aik dua se chup ho
gayi. Faris ne ungli utha kar usay warn kiya tha, woh uske bachhe ke
mutaaliq koi baat na kare.

"Tumhein talaaq chahiye toh ho jayegi," us ne bhaari saanson ke saath sakht

lehje mein kaha.

"Delivery ke baad humare raste alag ho jayenge..."

"Jab hum ne saath nahi rehna to is bachhe ko duniya mein lane ki kya
zarurat hai?" Woh ghusse se cheekh parhi.

"Yeh meri aulaad hai!" Mushtail a'asaab ke saath woh phat parha.

"Meri beti hai. Sirf chaar mahine maang raha hoon tum se. Jahan Dedh saal
guzar diye, wahan yeh chand mahine bhi guzaar do. Kya chala jayega?"

Woh zabt kiye, lab bhinche, uski aankho mein dekh rahi thi.

"Yani tum chahte ho mein mazeed is jahannum mein rahu!"

"Mere is jahannum mein rehne ka faisla hamesha tumhara tha. Mere saath
khaak hone ki talab tum ne ki thi. Mere saath poori zindagi guzarne ka
wada tum ne kiya tha..."

Woh aik dum se la jawab ho gayi thi.

"Mai tumhare saath koi wada na kar ke bhi is rishte mein aakhri hadd tak
mukhlis raha hoon. Mujhe ab sirf apni beti se gharz hai. Main is par koi
samjhota nahi kar sakta..." Us ke iraaday wazeh the.

Woh is tarah se rishta khatam nahi kar raha tha jis tarah se woh chahti thi.
Woh aulaad ki kisi zanjeer mein bandhna nahi chahti thi. Woh Faris Wajdan
ke saath mazeed koi rishta, koi talluq nahi rakhna chahti thi. Usay kal se
pehle, aaj hi talaq chahiye thi.

"Lekin main aisa nahi chahti!"

"Meri beti ki zindagi aur maut ka faisla tum nahi karogi!" Uski aankho
mein lahoo tehta hua tha. Us ke tasuraat sakht pathar pehle ho rahe thay.
Adina zabt kiye khari rahi.

Woh usay chhod kar usi waqt bahar chala gaya. Khuli fiza mein gehri
saanse lete apne a'asaab par chhaye is bojhal pan ko kam karne ki koshish
karta raha. Wapas aaya to woh uske samne khari thi.

"Mujhe is ghar mein ab nahi rehna!"

Woh khamosh raha. Saari raat us ne aankho mein guzaar di.

Kaafi der baad us ne begonia house janay ka faisla kar liya.

Adina chhe maah ki hamila thi. Woh mazeed kuch mah sukoon se guzaarna
chahta tha. Jab tak unki aulaad na ho jaye. Usay yeh faisla dil par pathar
rakh kar karna pada tha. Kam az kam ghar ke mamle mein to woh behas
nahi karegi.

Sirf chaar mahine ki baat thi. Woh usay Begonia House mein laya to woh
aisa shandar ghar dekh kar hairaan reh gayi. Kimti furniture, sofas, parday,
qaleen, ooperi manzil ke kamre...

"Yeh ghar kis ka hai?"

"Tumhein is baat se sarokar nahi hona chahiye.." us ne sanjeedgi se jawab

diya aur seediya chadhta ooper chala gaya tha. Woh aankho mein ek ghusse
ka tassur liye usay jaata dekhte rahi.

Raat ka jaane konsa pehar tha ke uski aankh khul gayi thi. Faris kuch der
pehle hi uth kar bahar gaya tha. Woh baday se bedroom mein aik tairani
nazar daurati khidki mein aakhri hui.
Bahar lawn ke us paar Faris ke samne ek taweel qamaat shakhs khada tha.
Siyah gaadi bhi nazar aa rahi thi. Woh pehle bhi chand dafa aa chuka tha.
Faris ne yeh hi bataya tha woh office kaam se aaya hai. Uska center hai. Jis
tarah kuch adab se aur jhuk kar mohtaat ho kar do Faris se baat kar raha tha,
usay woh kisi tor par uska colleague nahi laga. Uski aankhon mein soch ki
parchhaiya lehrane lagin. Sar jhatak kar wapis palat gayi. Aur neeche jebo
mein haath daal kar Faris Haider ke samne khada tha.

"Sirf teen mahine ke liye yahaan hoon. Tumhare sahab ko kiraya mil
jayega!"

"Aap ka ghar hai. Aap jitna arsa chahen rahen..."

Faris chehre ka rukh moore kahin aur dekhne laga. Aankhe raat jage ki
gawahi de rahi thin. Rangat zard...

"Kya aap theek hain?"

"Kyon aaye ho?" Us ne sard lehjay mein poocha.

"Jameela madam ne kuch samaan bheja tha, aap ke liye, darasal baby ke
liye!" Keh kar muskuraya,

Faris ke tasuraat sanjeedgi sa rahe. Labo par khamoshi thahri rahi. Samam
rakh kar Haider ja chuka to dudh muskuraya. Woh Lounge ke sofas par he
so gaya. Subah bina nashte ke office chala gaya. Ghar wapas aaya to Adina
Zubair uska rasta rok kar khadi ho gayi.

"Tumhara Shirazi khandan ke saath kya talluq hai?"

"Koi talluq nahi!" Us ne sakht khudre lehje mein jawab de kar usay raste se
hata diya tha.

Kapre badal kar mujhe aaya to us ne mobile par tasweere nikaal kar rakh
dee. Azam Shirazi ne kisi taqreeb mein shirkat ki thi. Us ke peeche jo suited
bond guard tha woh Haider tha. Wohi Haider jo aksar usse milne aata rehta
tha.

"Tumhara colleague? Haan? Mazeed kitne jhoot bologe tum mujh se?"
Lab bhinch kar us ne mobile band kar diya. Us ne tashee se Faris ka rukh
apni taraf kiya.

"Tum chahti kya ho?" Bawajood koshish ke bhi woh apne lehje ko narm
nahi rakh saka tha.

"Sach jaana chahti hoon..."

"Kaisa sach?"

"Jo tum chhupa rahe ho. Ek aam se flat se, yahaan le aaye. Tum ne yeh
afford kaise kar liya? Aur phir aise zahir karte ho jaise Shirazi khandaan ke
saath tumhara koi talluq nahi. Tum to Jameela aunty se koi madad bhi nahi
chahtay thay. Aur phir main dekhti hoon ke Azam Shirazi ka guard yahaan
aata hai? Kyun aata hai?"

Koi bhi jawab diye baghair woh ghar se chala gaya. Chhutti ka woh din us
ne ghar se bahar guzara. Wapsi par Mrs. Grande ke paas kuch der tak baitha
raha. Mrs. Anderson se to roz mulaqat ho jati thi lekin Mrs. Grande chund
dafa bimaar reh chuki thi is liye woh zyada ghar se bahar nahi nikalti thi.
Woh bistar par leti usey dekhte reh gayi. Unhein woh khasa pareshan laga.
Halanke muskara kar baat kar raha tha.

"Tumhari biwi kaisi hai?"

"Theek hai?"

"Baby ka naam socha hai?"

"Haan"

"Kya socha hai?" Woh ishtihaq se poochne lagi.

"Janna.." Woh ab unhein matlab bata raha tha. Woh khush hui thi.

"Tum apni beti ko yahan to laoge na?" Unhone bohot maan se poochha. Us
ne sar hila diya.
"Mujhe khushi hai tum wapas aa gaye. Ab kahi mat jana!" Woh un ke paas
baitha raha. Ghar pohncha to adina kuch hisse se lounge mein nehti phir
rahi thi. Aaj subah se woh ghar se ghaib thi. Kuch der pehle hi loati thi.

"Tum kon ho? Tumhare parents kon hai?" Woh aik baar phir uske samne
khadi thi.

"Mera nahi khayal ab humare darmiyan aise kisi bhi guftagu ka jawaj banta
hai!" Us ka lehja ajnabi liye hue tha.

"Bilkul banta hai kyun ke main ab bhi tumhari biwi hoon. Aur tumhare
baare mein jan’ne ka poora haq rakhti hoon."

Woh zabt kiye khada raha.

"Jawab do mujhe!" Us ki aankhein surkh ho rahi thin.

"Koun ho tum?" Ab us ki zaat ko sawali nishan bana rahi thi.

Us ke kirdar par aa rahi thi. Aise us ka birth certificate chahiye tha. Maa
baap ka naam chahiye tha. Ab woh is baare mein sab kuch jaana chahti thi.
Woh yun zahir kar rahi thi jaise Faris ne usay dhoka diya tha. Woh uski zaat
ko, uske wujood ko, uske kirdar ko mashkooq bana rahi thi.

"Maine aik aise insan se shadi ki jise apne parents ka bhi ilm nahi."

"Don't you dare, Adina!" Us ne shadeed ghusse ke alam mein usey mazeed
kuch bhi kehne se roka.

"To phir batao kis khandan ki jaiz ya phir na jaiz aulaad ho tum?" Aur agle
hi pal Faris Wajdan ne us ke gaal par thappad maar diya tha. Us ka sabr,
uski bardasht, uska hosla bas yahi tak tha.

Woh gaal par haath rakhay, mutawajeh nigaho se usay dekh kar reh gayi.

"Not another word!" Woh khoon hoti aankhon se usay dekhte ghuraaya.

"Meri zaat par sawal uthaya to jaan nikal luga main tumhari!" Kanpatti ki
ragain ubhar aayi thi. Aankhon se sholay jhalak rahe the.
Gaal par haath rakhe adina phatti phatti nigahon se usay dekh rahi thi. Woh
darwaza khol kar zor se band karte bahar nikal gaya.

Woh saari raat us ne bahar guzar di. Subah ke waqt wapis aaya to poore
ghar mein har aik shay tod phod ka shikar thi. Us ne sirf usay nahi toda tha.
Baby cart ko bhi khilone ko bhi, bache ke liye khareedi jaane wali har ek
shay ko barbaad kar diya tha. Woh pagal ho gayi thi.

Do peher tak us ne intezaar kiya woh wapas nahi aayi thi. Shaam tak us ne
Arooba ko call ki thi. Phir us ki dosto se rabta kiya tha. Kisi ko bhi us ke
baare mein ilm nahi tha.

Ghusse mein jo hua, woh nahi hona chahiye tha ghar apni beti ki thi. Us ne
har jaga usay dhoonda jahan woh ho sakti thi. Magar woh nahi aayi thi,
woh nahi rehna chahti to na rahe. Usay azaadi chahiye to woh usay azaad
kar de ga. Woh apni beti ko paas rakhe ga aur usay chhod de ga. Is rishte ko
mazeed ghaseetney ki, azmaane ki is mein himmat nahi rahi thi. Woh ab sab
khatam karna chahta tha. Poora aik hafta uski talash mein us ne jis aziyat
mein guzara, yeh sirf wohi jaanta tha. Mangal ke din usay mail moosool
hui.

Lifafa chaak karte, kaghazat ko khol kar padhte us ke pero tale se zameen
nikal gayi thi. Ek mein abortion report thi. Doosre mein talaq ke papers
thay. Woh toofano ki zadd mein, sakte aur sadar mein khada reh gaya tha.
Aankh ki aankh mein us ke wujood ke parkhichhe udd gaye thay.

Bees saal pehle aik aurat ne us ki paidaish ke paanch saal baad usay maar
diya tha. Bees saal baad aik aurat ne us ke bache ko paidaish se pehle maar
diya tha.

Woh deewaar ka sahara lete, larkharahat par qaboo paate andar aaya.
Tamaam manazir gadmad hone lage.

---- •♡• ----

ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH91
‫ِﮐﺴﭧ‬

‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

19

Woh deewaro ka sahara lete, ladkhadaahat par qaboo paate andar aaya.
Tamam manazir gadd-madd hone lage. Saanse bhaari hone lagin. Uska dil,
bas ab jaise band hone ko tha. Woh beqabu hoke farsh par jhuk gaya tha. Ye
uske saath kya hua tha? Uski beti ke saath? Usse saans nahi aa rahi thi. Woh
mar raha tha. Khatam ho raha tha. Uske andar sab ek dum khatam ho gaya
har sakkat, himmat aur hosla. Har umeed, lagan aur yaqeen.

Pehla waar tha. Dusra waar… aur mobile ki ek simple si beep thi. Usne
larazti ungliyo se lock khola. Dhadadhad tasveer khulti gayin Adeena aur
Hammad Shirazi ki tasveer, Woh uske saath mall mein thi. Woh mehngi
tareen dukaan shopping kar rahi thi. Restaurant mein thi, dance floor par
uski baaho mein baahe daale khadi thi.

Park mein ghoom rahi thi. Nahi, muskura rahi thi.

Faris Wajdan andar tak fana ho gaya.

Uski shaadi shuda zindagi ko aag lagane wala, uski beti ko jaan se marne
wala, dusra chehra…

Hammad Shirazi

ka tha.

Aankho mein wehsat bhara junoon liye, woh ishtial mein uthkar ghar se
nikla tha.
Uska rukh Shirazi Enterprises ki taraf tha. Maloom na tha wahan is waqt
kaun ho sakta tha, Azam ya Haroon. Woh dono mein se kisi se bhi mil sakta
tha. Sadar darwaze se andar dakhil hote, reception par kisi ke mutawajjeh
hone se pehle, shadeed gusse ke aalam mein seedhiya chadhta, usne metal
plant stand se glass walls par pa dar pa kai waar kar ke sheeshe tod diye. Ek
shor sa utha. Daayi taraf, baayi taraf guzarte log mutawajjeh hue. Khauf aur
hairat bhari kefiyat alag se phaili.

Azam Shirazi lift se nikal kar apne admiyo ke humrah report sunte, baat
karte aa rahe the.

Abhi abhi meeting khatam hui thi. Haroon Shirazi pehlu mein tha. Azam
Shirazi aage the. Woh andar dakhil hote hi safed roshan tiles par qadam
dharte, un par achanak hamla aawar hua tha. Security guards ek dum se
aage hue the, usse peeche hatane lage the.

Azam Shirazi ki aankho mein tajjub ke sath hi beyaqeeni ka t’assur thehar

gaya.

"Main Hammad ke raste mein kabhi nahi aaya. Aapne Hammad ko mere
raste mein kyun aane diya?" Woh bharpoor muzahamat ke sath apna aap
chhudate hue Azam Shirazi par cheekhne laga tha. Haroon Shirazi sakte
mein khada raha.

"Kitni baar maarenge aap mujhe? Aur kitni baar qatal karenge mera?"

Azam Shirazi ki phati hui nigahe uske chehre par jami thi. Unki samajh
mein nahi aa raha tha, baat kya thi? Maajra kya tha? Maamla kya tha? Kyun
woh is tarah paagal ho raha tha? Mathosh ho raha tha.

Security guards pakad kar, kheench kar usse qaboo karne lage. Woh paanch
log the, woh ek tha. Woh apni tamam tar muzahimat ke sath datt gaya tha.
Lahoo rang aankhe Azam Sherani aur unke bete par ja rahi thi.

Sirf ek ghusa, jo pait mein laga tha, ek zarb, jo sar par lagi thi. Woh usse
qaboo kar ke neeche girate, farsh ke sath laga chuke the. Sar qaboo karte…
"Chhod do ise!" Azam Sherani ki awaaz garaj ban gayi thi. Guards ne
chonkar unhein dekha. Yahan unhein khatra tha. Kaun jane woh toh jo unke
sath kya kar sakta tha.

"Maine kaha, chhod do ise!" Abke dhaad kar bole. Rahdari mein door tak
sannata phail gayi.

In ke hukm par usse azaad kar diya gaya.

Unke qadam be-sakhta uski taraf uthe, aur phir ruk gaye. Uska sar jhuka
hua tha. Uski siskiya un par ek ra’sha sa taari kar gayi. Woh aahista se uth
gaya. Ek zakhmi bhari hui nigah un par daalta, wohi se palat gaya.

Maheeb sanaaton ki goonj mein Azam aur Haroon Sherazi khade reh gaye
the.

•••

Kisi bhatke hue musafir ki tarah, woh London ki galiyo mein yahan wahan
bas aise hi phirta raha. Uska mobile musalsal bajta raha tha, messages aa
rahe the. Woh ghar nahi gaya tha. Usne ab tak kisi se baat bhi nahi ki thi.

Tower Bridge ke paas ruk kar usne murda, veeran nigaho se neeche
gehraaiyo tak dekha. Raat ki tareeki mein, thitharte hue sard mausam mein,
bulandi se woh manzar khaasa hebat-naak lag raha tha. Usne gehri saans
lekar railing par girift jama li thi.

Mobile phir se bajne laga tha. Ab ke usne mobile nikaal kar screen ko
dekha. Jamila Dawood ki call thi. Woh aankho mein nami liye khada raha.
Phir usne call receive kar li.

"Faris…" Unki awaaz mein ek tadap thi.

"Kahan ho tum? Phone kyun nahi utha rahe the? Tum theek ho?" Unki
awaaz se lag raha tha, jaise woh roti rahi hoon.

Woh mobile kaan se lagaye apni jagah khada raha. Surkh padti aankhein
phir se nam hone lagi.
"Kuch bolo beta. Mujhse baat karo," woh be-taab ho kar boli, Uske saath
kya hua tha, unhe ilm ho chuka tha.

"Aap ko maloom hai mummy abortion kaise karwate hain?" Uski awaaz
bhaari, gham-gheen thi.

Jamila dawood sun kar, lagta tha unka dil band ho jayega.

"Faris…" Unki awaaz kanpi.

"Last week main uski heart beat suni thi. Everything was normal…" Unka
lehja kamzor aur awaaz bhaari ho rahi thi. Aankhe masal kar aansuo ka asar
dabana chaha.

"Lekin… usne meri beti ke tukde kar diye… mummy… usne meri beti ko
maar diya. Adina ne. Aapke bete ne. Aapke bete ne!" Woh aankho par haath
rakhe, hichkiyo ke saath ro raha tha.

Jamila dawood ka dil phatne laga.

Woh Faris ki beti thi. Is liye us ke saath yeh sab hua.

Abortion... ek jeeta jagta wajood kis aziyat se guzra hoga, yeh soch kar
Faris ka dil phir se katne laga.

"Main ne socha tha, main use protect karunga. Main kabhi bhi use koi
takleef nahi hone dunga. I'll make sure uska baap uske saath zindagi ke har
mod par maujood hoga. Main Haroon nahi hona chahta tha, lekin... main
bhi wohi hoon. Main use nahi bacha saka. Main apni beti ko nahi bacha
saka."

"Faris, beta!" Jamila Daud tadap kar bolti rahi.

"Beta, tum is waqt kahan ho? Mujhe batao, main Haider ko bhej rahi hoon.
Please Faris"

Faris mobile ko ghurta raha, jo dead ho chuka tha. Woh doosri haath se
apna sar pakad kar der tak betha raha. Adeena zubair aur Hammad Shirazi
ki tasaveer uski aankho ke samne lehra rahi thi. Uska wajood sulag utha.
Uska zehan maazi ke aakhri 21 saalo ki aziyato ko bar bar dahrane laga.

Woh pehle hi bhatka hua tha, ab mazeed bhatak gaya. Raste ki pehchaan
khatam ho gayi thi. Kuch samajh nahi aya, to woh ek kone mein deewar ke
saath lag kar beth gaya.

Us ke ird gird logo ki aamad o raft mausam ki sakhti ki wajah se kam ho

gayi thi. Rastay, galiyan, aur sadkein viran ho chuki thi. Hawaye ek dum se
tez ho gayi, aur sard hawao ke jhatko ne uska wajood thithra diya.

Tez hawao ki zad mein dheere se ek shakhs saamnay aaya. Usne Faris ko
baazu se pakad kar uthaya aur ek tang gali ke beech le gaya, jahan ek aag
jal rahi thi. Beghar log wahan jama the, aur lohe ki tin mein lakdiya daal kar
jagah jagah aag bhadkayi ja rahi thi. Sardi se bachne ka intezam kiya jaa
raha tha.

Us shakhs ne Faris ko apni panah mein jagah di. Phir apne beg se ek purani,
phati hui shawl nikal kar Faris ke kandho par dali. Usne ek chhoti si kettle
mein pani dal kar aag par chadha chuka tha. Phir use garam kehwa bana kar
wo plastic ka cup usay diya rha. Uska wajood bhukar se tap raha tha uski
halat tang ho rahi the. Wo murda zinda sa apni halat se beniyaz betha hua
tha.

"Isay pi lo, behtar mehsoos karoge," usne kaha.

Usne cup haath mein le kar ahistagi se nigaha uthayi thi, Manzar dhundla
tha, lekin ab wazeh ho raha tha. Us shakhs ke double kapde pehan the, coat
jagah jagah se phata hua tha, aur jeans ke payche udhay hue the. Purane
joote, tasme ghutno ke gird kash kar bandhe hue the. Uski Bhuri daadhi thi,
bhure baal kadre lambe ooni cap se jhak rahe the, dastano se ungliya jhak
rahi thi, Woh shakhs usay apne janib dekhta paa kar muskaraya tha.

"Home-less lagte to nahi, bahir kyun ho?" us shakhs ne kaha.

Woh is waqt is paher homeless hi tha, usay puri duniya khud par tang hoti
mehsoos ho rahi thi, woh nazre jhuka gaya,. Bhap udata cup, uski ungliyo
me daba tha.
"Kuch kho diya hai kya?" Usay phir dekhte jachte apne mehsoos arb
english lehze me poocha.

Usne mauf zehan ke saath uske sawal ko samajhne ki koshish ki. Us is pal,
apne aur samne bethe shakhs me koi fark nahi nazar aa raha tha. Magar fark
tha zahiri nahi, batini bhi.

Us shakhs ki aankho mein zindagi thi. Hasas bhi tha, etmad tha. Woh at pe
bat muskara raha tha. Bazahir mein uske paas kuch bhi nahi tha, lekin
itminaan esa ki, jaise sab kuch ho.

"Yani meri tarah," us shakhs ne kaha aur apne plastic cup se ek lambha
ghont liya.

Faris ne us shakhs ki taraf dekha. Uska gham kisi ke bhi gham ke jaisa nahi
ho sakta tha.

"Tum marne ke liye bahar ho. Hum zinda rehne ke liye bahar hain."

Apni baat keh kar dheere se hansa. Khali mug mein dobara qahwa undela
aur aage ko ho kar Faris ki taraf dekha. Un ke maabain aag ke sholay
bharak rahe thay.

"Allah kisi ki wasat aur bardasht se zyada us par bojh nahi daalta ladke."
Ayat parh kar sunata, woh seedha ho baitha. Chand lamho tak woh Faris ko
dekhta raha.

"Muslim ho?"

Us ne aahista se sar hilaya.

"Kya kho diya hai?"

Woh dobara poochhne laga. Itne arsay baad Faris ko pehli baar ehsaas hua
ke jaise woh Dr. Mustafa ke samne baitha hai.

"Sab kuch."
Khamoshi ek baar phir chha gayi. Waqt sarakne laga. Aas paas baato ka
shor madham hota gaya. Woh apni jagah ek hi position mein baitha tha. Us
shakhs ki nigaahe us par jami hui thi, Woh ab Faris ko aankhein masalte,
aansoo peete aur gehri saans le kar zapt pakarte dekh raha tha.

"Tumhein pata hai, ilm mohsin mein Allah Tabarak wa Ta’ala ne tamam
Sahaba me se sirf Zaid bin Harsha ka hi naam kyun liya?"

Sard aur be-nam si khamoshi mein us shakhs ki awaaz kaafi dair baad
goonji. Woh eent par sar rakhay, karwat ke bal leta tha. Sardi ki shiddat se
thitharta aur kapkapa bhi raha tha. Nigahe Faris par hi jami hui theen. Woh
ek lamha ke liye bhi us par se nazar nahi hata saka tha. Yun lagta tha woh
lamha bhar ke liye gafil hoga aur yeh nojawan kuch kar lega.

"Aisi kitab jisme Anbiya aur Jaleel farishto ke naam liye gaye hain, usme
sirf ek Sahabi Zaid bin Harsha ka naam hi kyun?"

Faris ki aankho mein ek veerani si jhalak rahi thi. Ek khaali-pan sa ang-ang

mein utra hua tha. Woh is lamhe mein samajhna bhi chahta, to samajh nahi
sakta tha. Janna bhi chah raha tha, to jaan nahi sakta tha. Woh shakhs uth
kar baith gaya aur chand lakriyo ka aag mein izafa kar diya.

"Zaid bin Harsha Muhammad “‫ ”ﷺ‬ke bete ke tor par jaane jaate thay. Zaid
bin Muhammad ye unki pehchan thi. Jab Quran mein munh bole beto ke
taaruf ke hawale se aayat nazil hui, to un se yeh aazaz cheen liya gaya. Jo
naam ke sath Muhammad lagta tha, yeh naam hata diya gaya. Yeh baat
unhein shadeed gham se do-char kar gayi."

Door kahin dhund mein ek heela sa ubharta dikhai diya.

"Phir unki talaq bhi ho gayi thi. Us waqt woh bohot mushkil halat se guzar
rahe thay. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala ne woh nemate jo unke paas thi, us
waqt le lein. Magar inke badlay mein unhein yeh aazaz diya, unka naam
apni aakhri azeem kitab mein shaamil kar diya. Nam le kar hawala diya.
Qayamat tak padhi jane wali awabin ki tabin ki awliyah, salihin ki kitaab
mein unka zikar hamesha, hamesha ke liye darj ho gaya."
Woh shakhs ab uski zakmi aur murda nigaaho mein koi ta’asur dekhna
chahta tha. Jo jamood uske aasabi halaat par tha, usay todna chahta tha.

Faris sadme me tha us par koi zarb kam nahi kar rahi thi. Uske asaab naram
nahi padh rahe the. Uski aziyat kam nahi ho rahi thi, use uske wajood me
apni zaat, apna chehra, apna gham nazar aane laga,

"Allah ne mujhe chor diya hai."

Uske lab hilay.

"Sirf wahi to nahi chorta."

Bahut Saal pehle Dr. Mustafa ne bhi yeh hi kaha tha,

"Aap nahi samajhte, main kin halaat se guzar raha hoon."

"Tum bhi nahi jaante, main kin halaat se guzar kar yahan pohcha hoon."

Woh muskaraaya tha. Faris gardan modh kar usay dekhne laga.

Newla pehle ek tha, ab do aur teen ho gaye. Sard tareek raat mein kisi ki
talaash jaari thi.

"Is aayat se maine seekha hai; Zindagi mein jab bhi tum kuch aisa kho do,
jise khone ka tasawwur bhi na kiya ho, to jaan lo ke tumhein Allah ki taraf
se kuch aisa zaroor milne wala hai, jise pa lene ka tumne guman bhi nahi
kiya hoga. Chhin jaye to sabr kar lo. Hum nahi jaante ke badle mein hamein
kya milne wala hai aur ismein humare liye kya maslihat posheeda hai."

Rawani se baat karte huye ab woh Faris ki aankhon mein dekhne laga.

"Zaid bin haris◌ؓ se ek pehchaan le li gayi. Phir badle mein jo aazaz mila, is
se andaza kar lo ke Allah kitna Kareem hai, uski ata kitni aala hai, uska ajar
kitna azeem hai. Woh apne bando ke gham aur bojh se kabhi ghaafil nahi
hota."

Qadmo ki aawaaz aur zyada kareeb se aane lagi. Faris ki nigah us shakhs
par hi thahri rahi.
"Aap ne kya khoya?" Door kahin se ek gaadi guzar rahi thi.

"Ghar, watan, maa, baap, aulaad, khandaan, sab Hum Syria ke log. Humare
hissay mein duniya ki saari aazmaish ek saath aayi hain."

Muskarahat mazeed gehri hui, magar sabzi mael aankho ki talkhi bhi barh
gayi. Usne apni hathaili ko upar neeche chumatay aasman ki taraf dekha

"Allah Kareem."

Dayar-e-ghair mein, ek beghar ke roop mein, sakht kadak sardi mein woh
khulay aasman ke tale baitha tha. Baat-baat par shukriya Allah ka hi ada kar
raha tha. Uski muskarahat gehri thi, sukoon bhari. Uski aankhon se gham
jhalak raha tha sabr bhara gham.

Uska khayal tha ke saari duniya usay tark kar chuki hai, magar uska Allah
abhi bhi uske saath hai. Woh usay abhi bhi apni aankho mein liye hua hai.

Jaane aisa yaqeen, ehtmad, aur musbat soch woh shakhs kahan se laya tha.
Apne paanch jawan bachon ko khone ke baad bhi woh bhatka nahi tha.
Uski aulaad to abhi is duniya mein aayi bhi nahi thi. Abhi to usne dekha bhi
nahi tha, chhua bhi nahi tha. Agar uska dil sirf tasawwur se phat raha hai, to
woh sab kuch aankhon se dekh lene ke baad bhi itne sabr mein kaise baitha
hua hai?

"Itna sab kuch kho dene ke baad aap ko kya mila?" Budha chand lamhon
tak usay dekhta raha.

"Mujhe Allah mila hai," usne kaha.

"Pehle main ek Isaai tha, ab main ek Musalman hoon."

Faris ke mojood nigaho ne uske chehre par thaher kar uska haal dekha.
Usne haath barha kar uske kandhe par thapthapaya, yun jaise tasalli di ho.

"Yeh waqt bhi guzar hi jayega."

Khamoshi ek baar phir chha gayi. Kaafi der tak Faris usay dekhta raha. Phir
uske labon mein halka sa junbish hui.
"Main aap jaisa nahi hoon. Main yeh nahi soch sakta ke mujhe mere guman
se barh kar kuch milega. Main yeh soch raha hoon ke mazeed mujh se kya
chheen liya jayega."

Uski aankhein muqammal tor par nam ho chuki theen. Woh mayoosi ki
at'haah gehraiyon mein utar chuka tha.

"Tum shaitaan ko khud par haawi hone de rahe ho."

"Yeh shaitaan nahi hai, yeh main hoon. Yeh main ho chuka hoon."

Boore ne ta’asuf bhari nigahon se usay dekha.

"Aazmaish momin ke liye aati hai, shaitaan banane ke liye nahi."

Faris Wajdan ke andar aur bahar ek dum se khamoshi chha gayi.

"Ek din tumhein andaza ho ga, main kitna durust tha aur tum kitne ghalat
the. Us waqt jab tumhein tumhare hissay ka inaam milega."

"Mere hisse mein aisa kuch nahi ho ga."

"Burai ka socho ge to bura ho ga. Maine acha socha tha, mere saath acha
bhi nahi hua."

"Isay kehte hain qismat, naseeb, aur aazmaish."

Faris khamoshi se usay dekh raha tha.

"Aaj na sahi, lekin kabhi to tum samajh hi jao ge."

Apni baat khatam kar ke woh eent par sar rakh kar sone ke liye let gaya.

Woh raat Faris Wajdan ne khulay aasman tale guzari. Ma siwaye uske,
wahan sab hi sukoon se baithe the, letay the, ya pade the. Subah woh neem
tareeki mein hi uth kar jaane hi wala tha, jab deewar ke saath tarteeb se
rakhi chhoti-chhoti paintings uski tawajjo ka markaz ban gayi.
Budha wahin pehlu mein soya hua tha. Ujalay mein ab woh wazeh nazar
aaya. Uske brushes aur rangon se thela bhara hua tha. Uski daarhi qadre
lambi thi, aankhein andar ko dhansi hui, aur kapray bhi kaafi purans the.
Magar talent kamaal ka tha.

Usne chhoti-chhoti paintings par khattati aur qudrati manzar ki jhalak banai
thi.

"Kharidna chaho ge?"

Woh uth kar baith gaya aur qeemat bhi batane laga. Faris wahin khara khara
apni jeebo mein haath dal kar talaash karne laga. Jeebe khali theen. Wallet
ghar reh gaya tha.

Usne apni nafees ghari utaar kar uske saamne rakh teen paintings uthaye
waha se chala gaya unme se ek chhoti si painting, usri Yusra ki thi, jo
khizan aur bahar ka manzar dikhati thi, aik shami ghaza ki painting.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH92
──── ୨୧ ────

𝙼𝚞𝚓𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚗𝚘…

𝙹𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚔𝚘𝚒 𝚋𝚊𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚔𝚘 𝚜𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒 𝙽𝚊 𝚝𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚓𝚓𝚘 𝚜𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚛 𝚗𝚊 𝚋𝚎

𝚔𝚑𝚊𝚢𝚊𝚊𝚕𝚒 𝚜𝚎

𝙳𝚑𝚎𝚎𝚖𝚎 𝚚𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚘 𝚔𝚒 𝚔𝚑𝚊𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚑 𝚊𝚊𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝙰𝚋𝚛 𝚋𝚊𝚛𝚜𝚊𝚊𝚝𝚒 𝚒𝚜

𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚓𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚔𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚖𝚒𝚢𝚊𝚗

𝙰𝚞𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚠𝚊 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚊𝚊𝚗𝚒 𝚔𝚘 𝙹𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚠𝚊 𝚕𝚎𝚑𝚛𝚊𝚢𝚎

𝙰𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚔𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚚𝚝 𝚐𝚞𝚣𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚊 𝚑𝚘

𝙹𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚒 𝚓𝚘 𝚊𝚋 𝚐𝚞𝚣𝚛𝚊 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚑𝚝𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝚆𝚘𝚑 𝚛𝚊𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚒 𝚓𝚘 𝚊𝚢𝚊𝚊 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚑𝚝𝚒 𝚑𝚊𝚒 ....

𝙸𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚍 𝚙𝚊𝚛 𝚖𝚘𝚓𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚍𝚑𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚑𝚕𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚘 𝚔𝚒 𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚒 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗

𝙸𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚍 𝚙𝚊𝚛 𝚖𝚘𝚓𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚚𝚝 𝚔𝚒 𝚋𝚎𝚢𝚊𝚚𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚒 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗..

ᴏᴄᴛᴀᴠɪᴏ

ᴘᴀᴢ

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

"Tumne yeh kya harkat ki hai, Hammad?" Call receive hote hi Jamila
Dawood gusse se cheekh pari thi.

"Kaisi harkat?" Woh anjaan hua tha.

"Tum itna gir jao ge, mujhe tumse yeh umeed nahi thi!" Unki awaaz jazbaat
ke shiddat se kanpne lagi.

"Tumne uska ghar ujaar diya!"

"Aur jo usne mere saath kiya, uska kya?" Jamila Dawood apni jagah tham si
gayi, Aziyat se aankhe mich kar apni peshani par haath rakha.

"Bachpan se le kar ab tak maine hamesha dekhta aaya hoon, aapne Faris ko
ahmiyat di. Aapne Faris ka khayal rakha. Aapne mujhe to bhula hi diya."
Ishtial mein apni awaaz par qaboo pate hue woh sard lehje se bola. Phone
kaan se lagaye Jamila dawood apni jagah munjamid khadi reh gayi thi.

"Dad ek machine ban gaye. Unhone khud ko masroof kar liya. Aur main?
Aap sab ki is jung mein, main kahan tha? Mummy?" Woh cheekh para.
Unka shiddat se dhadakta dil doobne laga.

"Usne Alizeh ke saath affair chalaya. Humara rishta khatam ho gaya. Aur
aap? Aap phir bhi uske saath khari rahi, uski himayat mein. Aapke apne
bete ka maamla tha, aur aap....." Woh bohot azeet aur gusse se keh raha tha.

"Aapko us din meri koi parwaah nahi thi ke mujh par kya guzregi. Us din
bhi aapko yeh hi fikr thi ke Faris ke saath kya hoga. Aap logo ne mujhse
uski haqeeqat chhupayi, jhoot bola. Jab woh saara waqt hi hamari zindagiyo
mein tha, to aap sab yeh kyun kehte rahe ke woh nahi hai?"

"Tum mujhe qasoorwar thehraray ho?" Unke labo mein jumbish hui.

Woh zabt kiye hue chup raha.

"Aur apna muazna Faris se kar rahe ho?" Unki awaaz ab kapkapaarahi thi.

"Woh humare ghar aaya to us waqt paanch saal ka tha. Tumhare dad ne
uska surname badal diya, uski pehchan badal di, usay gumnaam kar diya.
Uske paas to koi rishta nahi hai. Magar tumhare paas, tumhare paas to sab
kuch hai. Hammad, tumhare dad, dada.."

"koi nahi hai mera. Aap sab mujhe bewakoof banate rahe."
"Kis cheez ki kami dene di hum ne?"

Unhone aziyat se poocha.

"Main pehli baar Faris ko chhod kar gayi thi, to woh tumhari wajah se. Tum
America mein the. Mere baad us par kya guzri, tumhein koi andaza nahi.
Dusri baar tumhari ghalati se uske saath jo kuch hua. Kya us se bhi ghaafil
ho sakte ho?"

Hammad ke haath bheench gaye.

"Aur teesri baar jab mera us se raabta hua, main yahan America mein
tumhare saath, chobees ghante rahi hoon. Faris ke paas to main sirf do hafto
ke liye jaati thi. Tumhe woh do hafte nazar aa rahe hai? Ke unme tumahri
mummy Tumhare paas nahi thi, woh pura saal ya din ya mahine, jab me
tumahre sath thi unka kya?" Woh cheekh parin. Hammad lahoo rang aankho
ke saath phone kan se laga ke khada raha.

"Main ne kabhi tum par kisi ko fauqiyat nahi di. Faris ka jo haq tha, to usay
woh bhi nahi de sakti thi. Usay is ghar mein, is chhat ke neeche hona
chahiye tha. Usay tumhara kamra tumhare saath share karna chahiye tha.
Tum dono ke kapde bhi aik jaise hone chahiye the. Khana bhi aik he table
par. School bhi aik jaisa. Yeh hoti hai aulaad ki musawat. Tumhein sab kuch
mila. Usay kuch nahi mila."

"Aur tumhe... Tumhe un kuch cheezo se bhi se bhi masla hai jo usay mil
gayi?"

Hammad dam saadhe apni maa ko sun raha tha.

"Tum bimar hote thay toh main tumhare liye jaagti thi. Faris ke saath toh
koi nahi hota tha. Is liye, please, kam az kam Faris ke saath apna mawazna
mat karo. Uske saath tumhara mawazna nahi banta."

"Aap abhi bhi Faris ki side le rahi hain. Mujhe shak hone laga hai jaise woh
aapki sagi aulad..."

"Kaash!" Unhone uski baat kaat di.

"Kaash woh meri sagi aulaad hi hota. Use main ne janam diya hota. Phir
shayad main uske liye woh sab kar sakti jo maine tumhare liye kiya. Sila
mujhe tumse bhi nahi chahiye, kyun ke maa ko aulaad se koi ajar nahi
chahiye hota. Lekin itni bay-hisi bhi nahi honi chahiye ke maa ka dard
samajh hi na sake."

"Mujhe pehle sirf shak tha, ab yaqeen ho chuka hai. Aapke liye sirf woh
aham hai. Uski zaat, uske gham, uski khushiya, uski zindagi...."

"Tabhi tumne usay barbaad karne ka faisla kar liya? Uska ghar, uski zindagi
ujaar di," unho ne karb se poocha.

"He brought it upon himself!" Woh cheekha.

"He is the one who interfered in my life. Usne Alizeh ko mujhse chhina
tha."

Jamila Dawood ko shok laga.

"Hammad! Yeh tum kya keh rahe ho? Alizeh ne Faris ko khud approach
kiya tha. Woh us mein interested thi. Tumne kabhi aakar humse baat ki hoti
toh yeh maamla bhi wazeh ho jata. Woh tumhare saath apne rishte mein
serious thi hi nahi. Usne Faris ke saath affair chalane ki koshish ki. Jab koi
response nahi mila toh tumhare dada se woh bakwas kar di."

"Tumhe lagta hai Baba ko bewakoof banana asaan hai? Agar is baat mein
zara si bhi sadaqat hoti, toh woh dono aaj saath hote. Tumhare dada ne kam
az kam Alizeh ke raste mein koi rukaawat nahi dali thi. Sirf tumhara rishta
khatam kiya tha, kyun ke woh unki nazro se gir chuki thi." Woh lab
bheench kar khamosh raha.

"Maafi maang lo apne dada se. Please, Hammad, Wapas aa jao."

"Dada ne dhamki di hai, ghar se nikala hai. Aise toh phir aise hi sahi."

"Ek ghalti kar chuke ho, doosri ghalti mat karo," unho ne rote hue samjhana
chaha.
"Maine koi ghalti nahi ki. Apna badla liya hai. Aur shaadi toh main usi se
karunga, chaahe aap log aitraaz karein ya inkaar," usne hatmi lehje mein
baat kar ke call kaat di.

Jamila Dawood apni jagah khadi reh gayi.

•••

Haroon Shirazi deewar geer khidkiyo ke samne London ki buland tareen

imaarato par nigahe jamaye khara tha. Andhere mein roshniyan bikhrti hui
nazar aa rahi thi. Muqammal bedaar night life mein use apne aas paas kahin
maut ka gumaan ho raha tha. Dhime se jaise kuch phatne ko ho. Zindagi
ujadne aur zaat ka tamasha banne ko tha.

"Main barbaad kar doon ga! Main sab ko tabah kar doon ga." Faris Wajdan
ki awaaz ghar ki deewar se takra kar bar bar palat rahi thi. Un ke tamaam
soye hue khadshaat bedaar ho chuke the. Khauf ko awaaz mil gayi thi.
Zehan ma’oof sa ho raha tha.

Faris Wajdan Azam Shirazi ko dhamki de kar gaya tha. Us ki woh dhamki
use pareshaani mein mubtala kar rahi thi. Yun lag raha tha ke kisi bhi lamhe
unki khufiya shaadi ki khabrein sar-e-aam phel jaengi. Aarzoo Jahangir ka
qissa phir se shuru ho jayega.

Un ke kirdar par sawalia nishaan lag jayega.

Un ka khayal tha ke Azam Shirazi maamle ko apne tor par suljha denge,
waise bhi jaise woh hamesha karte aaye the. Magar un ki janib se
mukammal khamoshi thi. Unhone abhi tak koi faisla nahi sunaya tha, koi
hukum nahi diya tha. Ab jab woh kuch nahi kar rahe the to usay hi kuch
karna tha. Saari raat woh sochta raha.

21 salo ke baad achanak mulaqat ka faisla kuch mushkil lag raha tha. Is se
pehle ke woh gusse aur intizaam mein kuch kare, woh us se mulaqat kar le.
Woh is toofan ke aage band bandh hi le.

Sawal yeh tha woh usay kya de sakta hai? Paise mein bohot taaqat hoti hai.
Woh iski zindagi ko yaksar badal sakta hai. Woh apne aur iske maamlaat ko
theek kar sakta hai. Faris sab bhool jayega, jaise woh bhool gaye the.

Haroon ne shaam tak Haider ko hukum diya aur woh usay Faris Wajdan ke
flat tak le gaya. Ek bag mulazim ke haath mein tha. Flat ki bell bajate
muntazir sa khada raha. Bar bar kalayi mod kar waqt dekhta aur andar se
ubharte izteraab par qaboo pata raha.

Kuch hi der mein darwaza khul gaya tha. Faris Wajdan samne khada tha.
Lamhe bhar ke liye uski surkhi mael aankhon mein aag ka tasur bharak kar
sard ho gaya tha. Lab sakhti se bhence huye the. Girift handle par jami rahi.
Use apne baap ka chehra yaad na hote hue bhi yaad reh gaya tha.

"Kya ham baat kar sakte hai?" Haroon ki aankho me dukh ki sehbah nazar
aa rahi thi , chehre se pareshani ke tasuraat numaya ho rahe the.

Do din pehle jis haal me usay dekha tha wo manzar aur halat woh abhi bhi
us par hawi thi. Uski kefiyat pehley se kuch bhi mukhtalif naa thi. Haider
uske peeche hi khada tha. Sar jhukaye mohtib saa.

"Shayad aap ghalat jagah par aa gaye hai."

"Mein tumse jaruri baat karna chahta hoon" woh chand lamho tak unhe
dekhta raha, Haroon Shirazi ka khayal tha woh darwaza band kar dega
magar usne unhe andar aane diya.

Faris ne door khol kar rasta de diya. Kuch hisab baki the, Haroon Shirazi
ne andar daakhil hote hi ek tairana nigah atraf mein daudayi. Uska chhota
sa flat bohot sard ho raha tha. Khidkiyo par parde gire hue the. Roshniya
mehki hui neelgun tasur liye hue thin. Flat taqreeba khaali tha. Bas lounge
mein do sofe rakhe nazar aa rahe the.

Woh jeans par halka rang ka sweater jebtan kiye, apni surkh aur
mutawarram aankhon ke sath samne baitha tha. Uski aankho mein
shanasaai ki koi ramq nahi thi. Na koi shikwa, Na koi shikayat, na koi gila.
Rawaiya aisa jaise woh kisi ajnabi ke samne baitha ho. Koi anjaan shakhs
bas ese hi uske ghar ke andar aa gaya ho.
“Mujhe bohot dukh hai jo tumhare sath hua,” Haroon ne guftagu ka aaghaz
kiya. Woh sard tasuraat ke sath chup chaap baitha raha.

“Hammad ne jo kiya, uski main tumse maafi mangta hoon. Yeh bohot
ghalat harqat thi,” Haroon ne mazeed kaha.

Jalti hui aag mein Faris Wajdan ko khada kar diya gaya.

"Main tumhare is nuqsan ko compensate karna chahta hoon." Ishara milte hi

mulazim ne uske Samne paiso se bhara ek bag rakh diya gaya.

Sholo ki tapish ab wujood se aankhon tak utar aayi thi. Lab baaham pewisht
rahe. Woh ajnabi nigahon se unhe dekhta raha. Uski aankho ke tasur se woh
kuch jazbaz huye. Usne abhi tak kuch nahi kaha tha. Magar woh usse kuch
sunna chahte the, koi talab, koi aitraaz, koi shikwa, koi baat hi sahi , taake
woh khul kar apni offer uske samne rakh saken. Magar usne lab siye rakhe.
Iski khamoshi ne Haroon ka izteraab barha diya.

"Main chahta hoon tum yeh sab bhool kar move on kar jao. Main har tarah
ke tawoon ke liye tayar hoon,"

Woh use financial support dene ki baat kar rahe the. Bhari rakam aur
business ki offer de rahe the. Woh uska aakhri dum tak saath dene ke liye
tayar the.

unke tamam daawo mein waladat ka zikr kahin nahi tha. Haroon ne yeh
nahi kaha ke woh use apna lenge, apne naam aur hakiki pehchaan se
nawazenge. Unka dimag hisaab kitaab mein tezi se chal raha tha. Woh uske
zakhmo par marham paiso se rakh rahe the. Woh iski mehroomiyo ashasiyo
se tol rahe the. Situation esi boon rahe the jaise abhi lot aaye ho, sab theek
karne ke liye saare haqooq, sare faraiz ataa karne ke liye,

Woh unhe dekh raha tha, unhe sun raha tha.

"Aap hamesha se yahi chahte the... hamesha se.." uske lab hilte rahe.
Haroon Shirazi ne baat adhoori chhod kar usay na samjhi se dekhne lage.

"Isliye aap kabhi mere peeche nahi aaye,"

Haroon Shirazi ek dum se ghabra gaye. Jitni tawajjo aur khamoshi se woh
unki baat sun raha tha, unhe laga tha ke woh usse qail karne mein kamiyab
ho gaye hain.

"Faris…"

"Azam Shirazi ka wada sirf ek bahana tha. Mujhe chhodna aapka zaati
faisla tha, aapki apni khwahish thi,"

Haroon Shirazi apni jagah rook gaye, unka pura wujood jaisekisi aahni
shikanjay mein jakra hua mehsoos ho raha tha. Jis guftagu se woh bachna
chahte the, woh shuru ho chuki thi. Jis maamle ko woh 21 salo pehle dafan
kar chuke the, woh phir se zinda ho raha tha. Woh yaha isliye nahi aaye the,
is bahes me, in sawalat me uljhne nahi aaye the.

Unka sar beikhtiyar nafi me hila,

"Faris, aisa nahi hai."

"Aisa hi hai!" uski kaat-dar awaaz sannate me ghoonj uthi.

"Faris! Main... main bohot majboor tha. Tum us waqt bohot chhote the.
Tum shayad nahi jaante, lekin tumhare dada ne.." wo shuru ho gaye.

Faris Wajdan ki khamosh nigahe Haroon Shirazi ke chehre par tehri reh
gayi gayi. Woh khud ko bari-ul-zimma karte hue kisi maamle ka hawala de
rahe the. Woh usse dada ke faislo se aagah kar rahe the.

Woh kitne majboor, bebas aur lachar the, Unhone na chahte hue bhi use
chhodna pada tha. Aur Faris khamosh, veeran aankho se apne baap ko dekh
raha tha.

Haroon Shirazi ki tahreer bilkul saaf thi. Unke naam-e-aamal mein kisi haq
ka hawala nahi tha, haqooq aur faraiz ki koibaat na thi, zikr sirf aik
"majboori" ka tha. Har ilzam se woh bari the. Jo kuch bhi hua tha, woh
Azam Shirazi se hua tha. Woh unke baap the woh unki muqam adhoori na
kar sake, woh itne kamzor the ki stand na le sake.
Patthar ke mujasme mein dhala hua Faris apne baap ko dekh raha tha. Woh
baap jo 22 saalo ke baad usse mulaqat kar raha tha. Woh baap jise na apni
kisi ghalti ka idraak tha, na ehsaas. Na kisi faisle par dukh tha, na
pashemani. Kaisa chehra tha jo unhone apni paint kar rakha tha. Apni marzi
ka, Apne hisaab se, apne liye. Kaisi shandaar tasveer thi unki, jis mein woh
khud rakhte the. Aur kaisa azeem sa boot tha unke nafs ka, jis ke samne
woh khud apna sar jhukaye hue the.

"Azam Shirazi ko beech mein mat laaye," Faris ne sofa se uthte hue
tahammul se daant pis kar tanbeeh ki. "Jis tarah main is waqt aap ke aur
apne beech kisi ko nahi la raha, aap bhi mat laaye.." Uski aankhein lahu
rang thi, awaaz afsurdah aur wujood sulag raha tha.

"Faris..."

"Mujhe sab se pehle mulazim ka beta aap ne kaha tha. Mujhe yateem
samajh kar mere sar par pehla haath aap ne rakha tha. Meri awaaz sunkar
pehli call aap ne kaati thi. Mujhe apne baazuo se pakad kar khud se alag aap
ne kiya tha." Uski mazboot awaaz mein bepanah dard aur gussa jhalak raha
tha. Uske lafzo mein karb aur shiddat nazar aa rahi thi.

"Wahan koi Azam Shirazi nahi tha. Wahan koi Azam Shirazi kabhi tha hi
nahi!" Woh halaq ke bal cheekha.

Haroon Shirazi ko apne andar sab kuch fanaa hota mehsoos hua.

"Faisla aap ke baap ne kiya. Aap ne ek baap hokar kese maan liya?" Usne
drushti se poocha. Haroon lajawab ho gaye. Itne sard mahaul mein unhe
apni hathelian bheegti hui mehsoos hui.

"Dar tha ke jaidaad se aaq na kar dein? Mohabbat jaidaad se thi? Jaidaad ke
liye majboor huye?" Jis aayne me apne aqs dekhte the toot kar choor hua.
Uske tukre rooh ke andar gehraai tak utrte gaye.

"Kya majboori mein aulaad ka qatal jaaiz hai? Usay chhodna, usay bhoolna,
uski zimmedaari se haath khich lena bhi?" Woh fanqara
" Kya keh rahe the aap? Bete ki ghalti? Azam Shirazi ka faisla? Mere sath
in 21 saalo me jo kuchh bhi hua hai iske zimmedar sirf aap hai.."

"Mere har dukh aur har gham ki wajah aap hain. Meri beti ki jaan aapki
wajah se gayi hai, woh ghatiya ladki mujhe mere mooh par najaiz keh kar
gayi. Aap ki wajah se aur aapko lagta hai aapse kabhi koi galti nahi huyi hai
?" Apne zameer ke tute huye aayne me apna bhikhra hua aqs dekhte andar
ki jang ladate, kat te marte hue wo kis kadar koshish se apni jagah se uth
khade huye. Unki saalo se band aankhe khul gayi thi.

"Aur aaj? Aap ko mera ek nuksaan nazar aaya, aur aap usse compensate
karne chale aaye? In paiso se?" Uski aankhein sulag uthi.

"Aapko kya laga, main bhi aap ke jaisa hoon? Paisa dekh kar main aulad ka
gham bhool jaunga?" Uske alfaaz jaise chabuk ki tarah lage, aur Haroon ka
wujood laho lahan ho gaya.

"Faris... bete..." Haroon ekdum se be-ikhtiyaar ho kar aage barhe.

"Mera naam mat lein," Faris ne gusse se peeche hote hue unhein roka. Hath
barha kar ek faasla banane ka ishara kiya.

"Aur mujhe please beta mat kahen. Yeh haq sirf mere baap ka tha, aur mera
baap mar chuka hai."

Unka dil phatne laga.

"21 saal pehle mujhe aapki zarurat aur chahat thi. Phir maine aapko maar
diya. Maine saade chhe saal ki umar mein, apne is zehen mein, aapko ek
nehar mein gira kar maar diya. Phir pahad se gira kar maara. Phir ek
accident mein"

Unki saansein tham gayin. Aankho mein ek kashmakash aur kashish ka asar
tha.

"Phir maine aapki qabr banayi, dafan diya, aur samajh liya ke main yateem
hoon. Mera maa ya na baap nahi hai, Main har raat yahi karta tha. Har raat
aapko aur Aarzoo Jahangir ko dafna karta tha, aise aasani rehti thi, bhoolne
mein asaani rehti thi"

Haroon ki aankhe muqammal bhug gayi, Woh kuch bolne ke qabil na rahe.

"Main ne aapko andar aane diya, yeh socha sunlu Azam Shirazi ka beta aaj
mujhe kuch kehne wala hai. Ho sakta hai meri beti ki taziyat ke liye aya hai.
Ho sakta hai usse apne zulm ka ehsaas ho gaya hai, aur maafi maangne aya
hai. Lekin Haroon Azam Shirazi paison se bhara ek bag laya hai."

Us ne apni aankho mein nafrat bhar kar unki taraf ishara kiya. "Use dar hai
ke mein cheekh cheekh kar duniya ko yeh na batadu ke mera baap kaun
hai." Uska chehra surkh ho raha tha, aur gardan ki ragen ubhar hui thi.

Haroon Shirazi zameen ki teho me utaarte chale gaye.

"Agar aaj duniya ke saamne yeh bhi ilan karen ke main aapka beta hoon, to
main aap se la-ta’alluqi ka izhar karunga. Main apni ragon se aapka khoon
nahi nikal sakta, lekin apne naam ke saath aapka naam nahi likhoonga."

Faris ne table se paison ka bag uthaya aur unke qadmon mein phenk diya.
Kuch nafrat aur hiqaarat se. "Haroon Shirazi nahi jaanta ke aisi tarbiyat nahi
hui meri paiso ko dekh kar paagal ho jaun. Aur aise chhote gham bhi nahi
mere, ke duniya ki daulat unka madawa kar sake."

Bas woh akhiri war, woh aakhiri jumla aur zarb thi aur unka khudkasta boot
fas fas ho gaya.

"Aap ja sakte hain," Faris ne darwaza khol kar unhein jane ka rasta dikhaya.

Woh kuch der tak yunhi khade rahe. Jab kadam uthaye, to woh bojhal
mehsoos hue, nigahe bhatak kar uske chehre par dobara gayi.

Chehra jismein hamesha unhein Aarzoo Jahangir ki jhalak nazar aati thi.
Woh aankhein jo uske dhoke ki yaad dilati thi. Woh tareek aur veeran
aankhe. Woh kisi Aarzoo Jahangir ki nahi thi, woh chehra bhi uska nahi tha.

Woh darwaze tak aaye aur ruk gaye. Gardan modh kar usay dekha. Woh bhi
unhe hi dekh raha tha. Jaise dushman kisi hareef ya kisi zaalim ko dekhta
hai. Woh uski aankho se jhalkte shadeed nafrato ke toofan mein gum hone
lage.

21 saal tak kisi ne har raat unhein maara aur woh din ke ujale mein phir
zinda hue. 21 saalo tak koi unki musalsal qabr banata raha aur woh fitna kar
ke baahir nikalte rahe. Woh jise dhaal hona chahiye tha, woh talwaar ban
gaya. Jise waar sahna chahiye tha, woh muqabil ho gaya.

Woh flat se baahar nikle aur darwaza zor se band ho gaya. Woh raahdari
mein bag haath mein liye apne mulazim ke hamraah khade the. Aankhein
bheegi hui thi. Sar jhuka hua tha. Jis aitmaad ke saath woh aaye the, woh
reza reza ho chuka tha. Jis istehqaq ke saath woh khisara poora karna
chahte the, woh istehqaq mitti ho chuka tha.

Aur andar, Faris Wajdan darwaze ke saath pusht tikayw, thande farsh par
apna sar haath mein diya, baitha reh gaya tha.

──── ୨୧ ────

𝙼𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚢𝚎 𝚔𝚊𝚞𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚌𝚑𝚝𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒? 𝙹𝚞𝚍𝚊 𝚓𝚞𝚍𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚚𝚊𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚢
𝚔𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚐 𝚜𝚊𝚊𝚛𝚎...

𝙹𝚞𝚍𝚊 𝚓𝚞𝚍𝚊 𝚜𝚊𝚋 𝚔𝚒 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗

𝚂𝚊𝚋𝚑𝚒 𝚔𝚘 𝚊𝚙𝚗𝚒 𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚊 𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚑𝚊𝚢 𝚔𝚞𝚗𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚔𝚒 𝚝𝚎𝚑 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚙𝚊𝚍𝚎

𝚑𝚞𝚎..

𝙺𝚑𝚠𝚊𝚊𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚘 𝚔𝚎 𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚓𝚛𝚊𝚢...

𝙷𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚞𝚔𝚛𝚊𝚢....

𝙷𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚣𝚊𝚢....

𝙷𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚜 𝚔𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚑𝚝𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚂𝚊𝚋𝚑𝚒 𝚔𝚘 𝚊𝚙𝚗𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚗 𝚔𝚒 𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚑𝚛𝚊𝚐

𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗,

𝚀𝚊𝚝𝚛𝚊 𝚚𝚊𝚝𝚛𝚊 𝚕𝚊𝚑𝚞 𝚔𝚊 𝚕𝚊𝚊𝚟𝚊 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚗𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝚂𝚊𝚋𝚑𝚒 𝚔𝚘 𝚐𝚞𝚣𝚛𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚘 𝚔𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚢𝚊 𝚔𝚊 𝚍𝚞𝚔𝚑 𝚅𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚜𝚊𝚝 𝙼𝚎𝚒𝚗
𝚓𝚑𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚗𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝙼𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚢𝚎 𝚔𝚊𝚞𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚌𝚑𝚝𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒? 𝚂𝚊𝚋𝚑𝚒 𝚔𝚒 𝚊𝚙𝚗𝚒 𝚣𝚊𝚛𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚒𝚗

𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗.

𝙼𝚎𝚛𝚒 𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚌𝚑𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚝𝚒 𝚓𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚊𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚘 𝚔𝚊𝚞𝚗 𝚋𝚊𝚔𝚜𝚑𝚎?

𝚂𝚑𝚒𝚏𝚊 𝚔𝚒 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚋𝚗𝚊𝚖,

𝙼𝚎𝚛𝚒 𝚞𝚍𝚊𝚊𝚜𝚒 𝚔𝚘 𝚔𝚊𝚞𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚕𝚊𝚊𝚢𝚎? 𝙺𝚒𝚜𝚒 𝚔𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚒 𝚖𝚞𝚓𝚑𝚜𝚎

𝚙𝚘𝚘𝚌𝚑𝚑𝚎....

𝙺𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚒 𝚊𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚊𝚋 𝚔𝚢𝚞𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗

𝙼𝚎𝚛𝚒 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚚𝚚𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚒 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚊𝚔𝚑 𝚊𝚢𝚊𝚊 𝚙𝚊𝚛,

𝚂𝚊𝚊𝚣𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚘 𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚣𝚊𝚊𝚋 𝚔𝚢𝚞𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗

𝙼𝚎𝚛𝚒 𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚒 𝚙𝚎 𝚔𝚑𝚠𝚊𝚊𝚋 𝚔𝚢𝚞𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗?

𝙼𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚊𝚛 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚊𝚋 𝚔𝚢𝚞𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗?

𝙼𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚢𝚎 𝚔𝚊𝚞𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚌𝚑𝚝𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒? 𝚂𝚊𝚋𝚑𝚒 𝚔𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚕 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚔𝚊𝚍𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗

𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗...!

- ᴍᴏʜꜱɪɴ ɴᴀQᴠɪ

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH93
•••

Karwato par karwate badalte, woh kuch bechaini aur beqarari ke aalam
mein uth kar baith gaya tha. Us ke kamre ki khidkiya khuli hui theen, phir
bhi dam ghuta hua mehsoos ho raha tha. Sleeping pills ka bhi koi faida nahi
hua tha. Be-araami uske wajood ka hissa rahi thi. Woh sir thaame hue kitni
hi der tak baitha raha. Ek ajeeb si jamud karne wali rawish ab zindagi ka
hissa ban chuki thi. Na usay apni zaat se koi sarokar tha aur na zindagi ki
koi fikr. Woh Pakistan laut aaya tha, apne taluqaat aur rabta har kisi se
khatam karne ke bawajood, usay apna wajood mukhtalif doriyo se juda hua,
lipta hua, bhatakta hua mehsoos hota tha.

Sukoon khatam ho chuka tha. Beqarari ang ang mein ghir chuki thi. Sadme
par sabar aa gaya tha magar takleef phir bhi mehsoos hoti thi.

Woh subah se sham tak coat ki jeebo mein haath daale, Margalla ki
pahaariyo par be-maqsad tehalte rehta, kisi bench mein mojasme dhal kar
waqt guzar deta.

Ghar aata to dam ghut-ta aur cheekhne ka dil chahta. Sunnate se wahshat
hoti. Abhi bhi uski kefiyat aisi hi thi.

Aahat ka ehsas hua to chonk kar uth baitha. Us ka flat teesri manzil par tha,
mukammal tor par mehfooz ke darwaza bhi lock rehta tha. Uth kar bahar
aaya. Saamne hi gallery mein saaya lehraaya. Usne haath barhakar danda
uthaliya aur deewar ke saath lag kar khada ho gaya. Door slide hote hi kisi
ne andar sar dala. Woh ghuma kar maarne hi laga tha ke poore chaand ki
roshni mein ghunghrale baal numaya huay, phir ainak aur phir chehra.

"Koi ek kaam to tum normal insano jaisa kar liya karo," Raahim Afaq par
nazar parhte hi usay tap chadhi. Jo bhaari danda hath mein tha, use bade
sabr ke saath neeche kiya, warna dil yeh hi chahta tha ke woh usay jad de.
"Darwaza band tha yaar, main andar kaise aata?" Masoomiyat ki inteha
mein woh langra kar sofa par dhe gaya.

Jhat se Joota utaara. Railing phalangte waqt paon kahin phans gaya tha aur
nateejatan bohot sakht chot aayi thi.

"Door bell decoration ke liye nahi lagai.." Faris uske sar par khada tha.

"Oh mujhe bilkul pata nahi tha," zurabe utar kar chot ka moaina karte huay
uska sar uthaya.

Neem tareeki mein woh jeans aur safed shirt pehne khada tha. Aankhon ke
halqe numaya the, rangat bhi zard, chehre par koi tasur nahi tha. Veerani,
khamoshi aur sannata, andar bhi aur bahar bhi. Uske chhote se flat mein
zindagi bas is dil tak mehdood thi jo dhadak raha tha, warna wajood to ek
zinda laash jaisa tha.

Apne zakhm ko chhod kar uth khada hua. "Tum Pakistan aa gaye aur
mujhse rabta nahi kiya?"

"Maine zaroori nahi samjha."

Mud kar kitchen mein chala gaya. Cabinet se first aid box nikal kar uske
saamne table par rakh diya. Rahim hanuz apni jagah khada raha.

"Tumne zaroori nahi samjha?" Uska lehja chubhta hua tha.

"Zakhm saaf kar lo, infection na ho jaye." Uski baat khatam hone se pehle
hi usay ghunsa para tha. Woh table par ladhak kar neeche jaa gira. Honth ka
kona phat gaya. Khoon ki dhaar beh nikli.

"Bohat khujli ho rahi thi is haath mein," apne haath ko jumbish dete usne
kaha. Gareban se daboch kar deewar ke saath laga diya. Usne Raahim ko
isse pehle kabhi itna shadeed gusse mein nahi dekha tha.

"Paanch maheene ho gaye hain mujhe tumhe dhoondte hue, aur tumne
zaroori nahi samjha?"
Aankhon mein qahar liye, uski girift sakht thi. Woh sir jhukae chup raha.
Woh uska gareban chhod kar basta jhasta seedha kamre mein gaya, lights
on karke, uska saamaan ulta seedha karte huay kuch documents, bus tickets
aur ek hand gun. Woh usay utha kar bahar aaya.

"Pindi kyun ja rahe ho tum? Aur yeh gun kis liye hai?" Uski aankhon mein
khoon utra hua tha. Halat badal chuke the, waqt guzar chuka tha, magar
Raahim Afaq ke samne woh hamesha wahi teenager Faris ho jata tha jise
kisi jawab ya wazaahat ki himmat nahi kar pata tha. Bas khamoshi aur sirf
khamoshi.

"Kuch pooch raha hoon tumse?" Woh phat pada. Faaris dam saadhe chup
raha.

"Is liye ke us ghatiya larki ne tumhare bhai se shaadi kar li, to tumne apni
zindagi barbaad karne ka faisla kar liya? Yeh nahi socha ke acha hua woh
nagin tumhari zindagi se nikal gayi."

Faris ki mutthiya sakhti se bheench gayin. Uski surkh aankhon mein qabar
ki nami barti gayi.

"Kya plan hai tumhara? Ab kya karna chahte ho tum?"

Khamoshi chaayi rahi.

"Yeh batao mujhe, yeh sab mera wahem aur shak hai. Tum aise kuch nahi
kar rahe." Usne gareban se daboch kar jhanjhod dala.

"Yeh gun meri protection ke liye hai aur Rawalpindi mein job ke liye ja
raha hoon." Faris ne sakhti se apna gareban chhuda liya tha. Zabt se chehra
surkh ho raha tha, aur aankho ki nami barh chuki thi.

Raahim lab bhiche usse dekhta raha. Andaz se wazeh tha ke usay Faris ki
kisi baat par yaqeen nahi aya tha.

"Yeh theek nahi hai jo tum soch rahe ho ya jo karna chaah rahe ho. Faris,
yeh theek nahi hai."
Woh tahmmahul ke saath kuch lamhon tak Raahim ko dekhta raha, phir
lounge table ki drawer se kuch kaaghzaat nikaal kar uske samne rakhe.
Appointment letter jo usay Pindi se moosool hua tha, aur jis company ka
tha, uska naam bhi likha tha. Uski licensed gun pichle paanch mah se uske
paas thi. Yeh waqt kaafi tha kisi bhi hamla karne ya kisi ki jaan nikalne ke
liye.

"Shayad tum nahi jaante, tumhare sahab ka pota apni biwi ke saath London
mein hai."

Raahim ke andar ke tamam khauf aur khadshaat jaag ki tarah baith gaye.
Apne chehre par haath pherta, usne gehri saans lekar apne asaab par qaboo
paane ki koshish ki.

Phir woh uski taraf mutawajjah hua. London mein jitna arsa woh uske saath
raha, hamesha sawalat ko nazarandaz karke wazaahaton ko chhupa liya
karta tha. Sun kar ansuni karta hua, kisi ke sochne ka koi farq nahi padta
tha. Magar pehli dafa usne Raahim Afaq ko koi wazaahat di thi.

"Tumhare saath jo kuch bhi hua, uska mujhe bohot afsos hai."

"Lekin mujhe nahi hai. Main yeh sab deserve karta tha." Uski ki veeran
aankhon mein zindagi ki koi jhalak nahi thi. Uske chehre se muskarahat
khatam ho chuki thi, uske dil mein koi ehsaas nahi tha.

Raahim chand lamhon tak usse dekhta raha. Woh uske liye bhaiyon jaisa
tha, aur uski takleef hamesha use ajeeb sa dukh deti thi.

"Yahan tum ghalat ho." Usse gale laga kar uski peeth thapthapayi.

"Tum bas yeh hi ek mukka deserve karte ho jo maine tumhein mara hai."

Faaris ke labo par halki si muskaraahat abhari aur phir madhoom ho gayi.

"Bohot bhook lagi hai yaar. Tumhare paas kuch khane ko hai?"

Alag ho kar hi woh kitchen ki taraf bhaaga. Fridge khol kar nigah daudayi.
Ek haath mein juice pakda, doosre se salan ka bowl nikala.
"Roti mangwa do bas, subah se kuch nahi khaya."

Jam kar table par baith gaya.

Gehri saans lete hue Faris ne apna coat uthaya aur bahar nikal gaya. Juice
peete huye Raahim ki nigahe us handgun par thehri rahin jo lounge table
par rakhi thi aur jis par poore chaand ki roshni par rahi thi.

•••

Woh apni e-mails dekh raha tha.

Lashari Group of Industries ki taraf se guzishta raat hi jawab moosool hua

tha.

Uski CV dekhi ja chuki thi.

Usse interview ke liye bulaya gaya tha.

Woh kuch der tak peshaani masalta raha.

Pindi se ek appointment letter usay mil chuka tha, lekin uski khwahish
Lashari Group of Industries se judne ki thi.

Shirazi Enterprises ke muqable mein, bas Lashari Group hi aa sakta tha.

Muqabla shayad inhi dono ka tha.

Azam Shirazi, business mein maat dene ki bharpoor salahiyat rakhte the.

"Haidar tumhein dhoond raha hai."

Uske barabar me sofa par dhamm se baith gaya aur headphones hata kar
kaha,

"Tumahri mummy bhi, chhe mahino se tumne koi rabta nahi kiya "

"Sab tumhare liye bohot pareshaan hain."

Faaris ka sar jhuka raha, Ungliyan keyboard par mutaharrik rahin. Woh ek
nayi email type kar raha tha.

"Thik hai, jo hua so hua.

Magar is tarah rabta khatam kar dene se kya hoga?"

Woh bata nahi saka, us khandan se doori mein hi uski bhalayi thi.

Raahim tehlte chocolate khate, laptop par kaam karte hue usay dekh raha
tha.

Aakhir uth kar uske paas punjoo ke bal baith gaya,

Gardan aage kar ke dekha, mashuk bhari nazar se.

"Kya chal raha hai tumhare dimaag mein?"

Faris ne uski peshaani thok kar peeche kiya,

"Ouch! Kya hai yaar?"

"Apne kaam se matlab rakho."

Itne arsay baad, Faris ne baqaida koi baat ki.

"Dekho, agar tum qatl ki plotting kar rahe ho, to pehle tumhe mujhse baat
karni chahiye." Laptop band karke ek taraf rakha aur kaha:

"Tumse kyun karni chahiye?"

Raahim ki aankhein phail gayi,

"I knew it! Tum waqai kuch karne wale ho?"

Usne Faris ke kandhe se pakad kar jhonjhod diya.

"Hosh mein aao Faris! Ek insan ka qatl, Poore insaniyat ka qatl."

Rahim cheekha.

"baat woh kar raha hai, jo bachon ko agwah karta hai."

"Woh ek neki ka kaam kar raha tha!" jata kar kaha.

Faris ne taffus se sar hilata rukh modh kar kuch aur likhne laga. Usne
ghoom kar sofa ke peeche se kaha,

"Ahm, Lashari Group of Industries kya karna chahte ho? waise iska maalik
mujhe bhi kuch khaas pasand nahi. Kyun na mil kar hum Lashari Group ka
beda gharq kar dein?"

"Kya tum mujhe kaam karne doge?"

Chilla kar kaha, woh haath utha kar wapas sofa par aa baitha. Mez par
taang par taang rakhi aur shak bhari nigahon se dekhne laga.

"Main filhaal sirf job talash kar raha hoon." usne zabt kar ke wazahat di.

"Haan, woh bhi sirf us company mein jo Azam Shirazi ke muqable mein
hai. tum apna saara gussa un par nikalna chahte ho, unhein tabah kar ke."

Faris lab bheench kar usay dekhta raha. Woh hamesha uske dimaag tak aur
uski soch tak pohanch jata tha. aaj bhi pohanch gaya tha.

"Waise kya tum jaante ho ke unke saath Azam Shirazi ki rishtedari bhi hai?"

Faris ne chonk kar sar uthaya.

"Kaisi rishtedari?"

"Daud Lashari tumhari mummy ke walid hain."

Faris hairan sa baitha reh gaya.

Woh gehri muskaraahat ke saath uth kar chala gaya.

Agle din, subah soobere jogging se wapsi par, maatha pasina saaf karte uske
paas aaya.

Faris, siyah three-piece suit mein, apne job interview ke liye mukammal
tayar nazar aa raha tha.

"Best of luck." Kandha thapthapa kar sofa par ja baitha.

TV on kar liya, chips ka packet bhi khol liya.

"Tum yahan se kab tak jaane wale ho?" Chips khaate hue uska moonh ruk
gaya.

Gardann moad kar Faris ko dekha.

Taasuraat ek dum se khatarnak ho gaye.

"Sharam nahi aati apne bade bhai se aisa sawal karte hue?" Gusse se bharak
kar bola.

"Bhool gaye woh waqt jab maine tumhein Begonia House mein poore chaar
saal tak bardasht kiya tha?"

"Us bardasht ke paise bhi tumne bohot liye hain. Main free mein yahan
kyun rakhoon?" Woh sard lehje mein bola.

Aankhon mein shak tha, kahin use dobara na bheja gaya ho.

"Theek hai, theek hai. Kiraya le lena mujh se." Uljha kar apne matlab ki
baat tak lana Raahim Afaaq ke dahine haath ka khel tha.

Faris Wajdan ka parah chadh gaya.

"Tumhara apna koi ghar nahi hai jo tum yahan raho ge?"

"Main aaj kal bohot gareeb ho chuka hoon. Khane ke liye paisay bhi nahi
hain." Maskeen si shakal banate hue, apne track suit ki khaali jebein bhi
dikhaye.
"Gareeb ke paas gaari hai, mobile hai, laptop hai, branded kapde hain.

Bas ghar nahi hai." Faris ne daant piise.

"Nazar kyun lagate ho? Ma sha Allah bolo. Allah mujhe aur rizq de."

Faris zabt kar ke bahar nikal gaya.

•••

Uska interview liya gaya tha, wohi dekhi gayi, tajurbe aur salahiyaton se
mutasir ho kar hire kar liya gaya. Company join karte hi usne tamam
mamlaat par bohot bareek-beeni se nazar rakhna shuru ki, jaisa ke uska
khayal tha. Shirazi Business Empire ko harif ki nigah se dekha jata tha.
Muqabla jaise unhi se tha, aur unhi se ho sakta tha.

Usay company join kiye teesra hafta tha jab usay dawood Lashari ke bete ki
aamad ki ittila mili jo America ke trip se haali mein lota tha. File uthaye
apne office se nikal kar, office staff ki gathering mein nazar aate, kuch
anjaane chehro ko dekhte huye woh daye taraf lift mein dakhil hua tha.
Uske saath navy three-piece suit mein ma malboos, pentalees saal ka smart
aur slim sa mard andar aaya. Mobile par kuch dekhte, ek haath jeb mein
daale ruk gaya. Screen scroll karte, kuch dekh kar muskurate woh ek dam
se gungunane laga, aadatan, yunhi sarshari ke aalam mein.

Waqt ruk gaya. Lift ki charo deeware Faris Wajdan par tang ho gayin. Uski
peshaani arq-aalood hone lagi, aankhon mein dehshat ka taseer thehar gaya.
Sannate mein woh mukhsoos dhun baar-baar goonjti hui, ek dum se buland
hone lagi. Itni buland ke Faris ko apne kaan phattay hue mehsoos huye.

“Yeh Hammad to nahi hai.” Tez roshni mein ek dhundli si moheeb shakal
numaya hui.

“To tumhare maalik ne tumhein hamare aage chaare ki tarah phenk diya,
taake woh apne potay ki jaan bacha sake.” Bhari qadamo ki ahat, tareek
kothri ka andhera, dehshat bhari sakht pathreele alfaz, aur woh gungunahat.

“Sherdil se kaho ke is ladke ko le jaye.”

“Aur haan, usse kehna laash hum Azam Shirazi ko hi bhejenge, usey pata
chalna chahiye agar Hammad hamare haath aa jata, to hum uska kya hashar
karte.” Kothri ki tareeki ne usey mukammal tor par nigal liya.

Ab woh phone kaan se laga chuka tha. Kuch sunte hi gusse mein aagaya
tha. “Kya maine yeh nahi kaha tha mujhe report shaam chhe baje tak mil
jani chahiye?” Woh hi sard lehja, karahat awaaz.

“Yeh mera kaam hai, to mere tareeqe se hi hoga. Understood?”

Usne kis qadar koshish se gardan modh kar uska chehra dekha. Siyahi mael
gehri aankhen, gel se bandhe hue baal, clean-shaven chehra. Call sunte
huye pathar le hotay tasuraat. Lift matlooba floor par ruki, to woh baat karte
usse pehle hi nikal gaya. Darwaze barabar ho gaye. File uske haath se choot
kar neeche jaa gir gayi.

Dawood Lashari ka beta, Junaid Lashari. Lashari Group of Industries ka

waaris. Jamila Dawood ka bhai.

Faris Wajdan apni jagah sakit khara reh gaya.

•••

“Maine Haider ko bata diya hai tum yahan ruke hue ho.” Char paanch din
tak ghayab rehne ke baad Rahim usse milne aaya to sanjeedgi se bataya.

“Ab kal ko koi aur nich nich hogi, to sab mera gala hi boojhein ge. To isi
liye.”

Faris chup raha. Yun lag raha tha jaise usne kuch suna hi na ho. Aam tor par
woh aisi baton par sakht rad-e-amal deta tha.

"Hellow," uski aankho ke samne haath lehraya. "Yahin ho ya kaha ho?"

Woh gardan modh kar usay dekhne laga. Uski aankhein surkh thi aur halqay
numayan, jaise woh kaafi rato tak soya na ho.

"Tum theek ho?" Woh ek dam sanjeeda ho gaya. Usne dheere se nafi mein
sar hila diya.
"Kis ki baat kar rahe ho tum?"

"Jis ne mujhe agwah kiya tha."

Rahim ko shiddat ka jhatka laga.

"Kya? Sach mein? Kaise? Tum to kehte thay tumhe kuch yaad nahi hai!"

Faris ne gehri saans le kar apna sir hathailiyo par gira diya. Uski haalat
abtar thi, woh trauma ke asar se guzar raha tha.

"Woh Dawood Lashari ka beta hai, mummy ka bhai."

Raahim Afaq apni jagah hairan o pareshaan baitha reh gaya. Usay samat par
jaise yaqeen nahi aaya.

"Tumne usay kaise pehchana?" Sadme se nikal kar poocha.

"Awaz se. Gungunahat se. Woh dhun kabhi mere zehan se nahi nikli."

Raahim ne hairani ke sath usay dekha.

"Ho sakta hai tumhe ghalat fehmi hui ho."

"Nahi, main uski awaz nahi bhool sakta. Mujhe sab yaad hai."

Faris ka rang uda hua tha, aur uski saanse bhaari chal rahi thi.

"Are you sure?"

Usne sir ko haan mein hila diya.

"Agar maine usay pehchan liya hai, to ho sakta hai woh bhi mujhe pehchan
le."

"Tumhari uske sath mulaqat hui hai?"

"Abhi tak nahi."

Maamla ek dam se aur zyada pechida ho gaya.

"Tum ab kya soch rahe ho?"

"Main resign karna chahta hoon."

"Tum darr rahe ho?"

"Mohtaat ho raha hoon."

Raahim khamosh ho gaya. Baat yahin khatam ho gayi.

Agle din, woh ek baar phir uske samne tha.

"Mere khayal se humein Azam sahab se baat karni chahiye."

Woh chai ka cup haath mein liye gallery mein khada tha.

"Yeh mera masla hai. Isay suljhaunga bhi main hi."

"Bewaqufi ki baatein mat karo. Woh unki bahu ka bhai hai. Itna qareebi aur
ahem rishta hai. Tumhe lagta hai woh tumhari baat par yaqeen kar lenge?"

Raahim ne kuch kehne ki koshish ki, lekin alfaz kho gaye.

"Aur mummy Woh kya sochein gi? Abhi ke halaat mein, sab ki nazar mein
villain to main hi hoon."

Faris ka lehja sard aur faisla kun tha.

"Tumhe saboot chahiye?"

"Haan. Shayad tabhi koi yaqeen kar sake."

"Tumhare irade kya hain?" Raahim ab ke seene par bazu baandhe khada ho
gaya.

Faris ne gardan modh kar usay dekha. "Madad karoge meri?"

"Agar plan share karoge to."

Faris ne gehri saans li.

"Yeh asaan nahi hai lekin main us par nazar rakhna chahta hoon."

"Done ho gaya, phir yeh mujhe chhod do." Raahim ne uska kandha
thapthapaya aur chala gaya.

Faris ne usi din apni naukri se resign de diya.

Sham tak, Raahim apne kamray se baraamad hua. Usne laptop meja par
Faris ke samne khol diya.

"Jara yeh dekho, bas thodi si effort."

Raahim ki aankhein neend se bojhal thi, ghungriyale uljhe hue baal aur
chehre par halki si thakaan thi. Usay neend bhi aa rahi thi, bhook bhi lagi
thi, aur woh Margalla Hills par hiking ka bhi keh raha tha.

Faris ne achambhe se usay aur phir laptop ki screen ko dekha. Jis par
Lashari Group of Industries ke head office ke tamam CCTV cameras ki live
footage nazar aa rahi thi.

"Yeh tumne kya kiya?"

"Main ne IP address online search kiya, login bahut simple Phir signature
information ki koshish ki, kuch passwords try kiye aur boom!" Raahim ne
screwdriver ghoomate hue kaha jaise koi bahut asaan kaam kiya ho.

"Tumne Lashari Group ka poora security system hack kar liya!" Faris ne
sadme ke saath usay dekha.

"Haan. Tumne hi to kaha tha tumhe meri help chahiye. Lo, ho gayi help."

Faris usay dekhte reh gaya. Laptop screen par alag-alag angles se footage
chal rahi thi, parking area, raahdariyan, reception, aur andhrooni ahate ki
bhi.
"Tumne... tumne yeh sab kaise kar liya?"

"Main ek IT student hoon. Kya tum bhool gaye?" Raahim ne screwdriver

ko ek aur baar ghoomate hue laptop apne taraf ghuma liya.

"Mera nahi khayal tha ke iske liye humein security system tak jaana
padega. Main bas uski call trace karna chahta tha."

"Yeh sab bhi to isi ke liye hai. Tum uske zehan tak pohchna chahte ho, aur
main uske office, uske phone tak. Phir humein yeh bhi dekhna hai ke woh
kin logo se milta hai aur kin sites ko visit karta hai."

Ab woh sanjeeda aur professional guftgu baat kar raha tha.

"Ismein khatra bhi hoga."

"Yeh waale kaam mujhe chhod do," usne mutmain ho kar kaha.

"Tum kya karoge?"

"Dekhte jao, bas." Raahim ne apni jacket uthayi aur chala gaya.

Us raat, ek rehaish imarat ke neeche Azam Shirazi ki gaadi aake ruki.

Haider wahan pohch gaya tha. Woh Faris ke flat ka darwaza bajane laga.

Faris ne darwaza nahi khola, calls bhi receive nahi ki. Mobile off kiye apne
kamre me chhup gaya.

"Azam sahab tumse milna chahte hain," Haider ne kaha, jab Faris jogging
se wapas aa raha tha. Haider ne raste mein hi usay rok liya.

"Mein kisi se nahi milna chahta, bar bar mujhe disturb karna band kardo,
sard lehje me woh keh kar chala gaya. Uske baad bhi dobara unki gaadi
usey nazar aayi magar wo unse milne unki bat sunne nahi gaya tha.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH94
•••

Raahim Afaq ne apna kaam mukammal kar liya tha. Bug Device wo uske
office mein laga chuka tha. CCTV camere mukammal uske control mein
thay. Mobile calls tak trace ho sakti thi. Uski gaadi par bhi tracker mojood
tha. Ab wo Junaid Lashari ki caller bhi sun sakta tha aur messages bhi dekh
sakta tha. Usne in teen dino mein yeh kaam is qadar mehnat aur hoshiyari
se kiya tha ke kisi ko bhanakh tak nahi padhi thi.

"Andaaza nahi tha tum is kaam mein itne professional ho," wo mutasir hue
bagair na reh saka.

"Dekh lo," usne fakhar se collars seedhe kiye. "Khawah makhwah mein
halka lete rehte ho. Mere jaise dost aur bhai qismat walo ko milte hain."

Faris ki khojti nigahe uske chehre par chal rahi thi.

"Koun ho tum?" usne sanjidgi ke andaz mein bohot achanak se poocha.

"Yeh kaisa sawal hai?" Raahim ne achanbey se Faris ko dekha.

"Black Hat Hacker? White Hat Hacker?" Wo maiz par kohniyan jama kar
aage hua.

"Cool," Raahim haste hue seedha ho baitha.

"Ya phir Red Hat Hacker?" ruk kar kaha.

"Tum mujhe mere balo ki wajah se keh rahe ho?" Raahim ne hansi mein
baat udhate hue uski tawajjo apne siyah balon ki taraf dilayi jin mein surkhi
mael shade nazar aata tha.

"Yeh mere sawal ka jawab nahi hai," Faris ki nigahen uske chehre par jami
rahi. Wo jaise usay padhne ki koshish kar raha tha.
"Main toh bas ek Raahim hoon, sirf ek Raahim," bazoo phela kar kaha.

"Ab samajh mein aaraha hai Azam Shirazi ne tumhein 17 saal ki umr mein
hi kyun hire kar liya."

"Hahaha! Kya samajh raha hai?" Usne plate se badam utha liye.

"Yaqeenan tum Shirazi Enterprises ka koi system hack karte pakre gaye
the."

"Main kabhi pakra nahi jata," poore aitmaad se nafi ki.

"Magar Haider tumhe gardan se pakar kar laya tha, ye usne kaha."

"Woh robot toh kuch bhi kehta rehta hai, uski baato ko serious mat liya
karo," woh aitmaad se goya hua.

"Toh yeh keh mera sar na khao aur apne dushmano ki jasusi karo," aadatan
uski peshani thonk kar chocolate se wrappers utarta uth kar chala gaya.

•••

Agle chand dino mein, Junaid Lashari ki calls sunte, messages parte, aur
uski har harkat par nazar rakhte hue, Faris ko yeh ehsaas hua ke uska focus
Azam Shirazi ke ilawa aur kahin nahi tha.

Bazahir unke saath rishte dari ka lehaz baratta ho, magar andar hi andar
unki kamzoriyo ka mutalashi tha. Unhein nuksaan pahunchane ki mansoobe
banata hua. Saalo ki dushmani thi jo darpar chalti aayi thi.

Woh mansuba jo karobari mafad ke liye banaya gaya tha, wahi raasta bohot
se faido mein aa'de raha tha. Apne har khasare ka jimmedar wo Azam
Shirazi ko hi samjh raha tha. Kuchh kanooni junge bhi thi, kuch aziji ka
mashla tha, jeet har jagah azam Shirazi ki hi hoti thi. Na uska sar jhukta tha,
na wo tut te the. Aur nahi unhe giraya jaa sakta tha.

Junaid Lashari ke tamam ahkamat unhi ke mutaliq the, Aane jaane ka waqt,
routine, karobari maamlaat, aur deals , wo ek ek cheez ki khabar rakhta tha.
Har baat ki report leta tha. Uski baat Jamila Dawood se bhi hui thi aur
Haroon Shirazi se bhi.

Hammad Pakistan kab tak aane wala hai? Yeh sawal wo kayi dafa teeno se
pooch chuka tha. Kayi ghair qanoni kaamo mein bhi mulaawis tha. Uske
aadmi ek tarah se mujrim hi thay, jinse wo har tarah ka kaam karwa sakta
tha.

Usay Junaid Lashari par nazar rakhte hue teesra hafta tha jab ek phone call
ne uske andar sannata phaila diye.

Baat Hammad ki ho rahi thi. Wo Pakistan aa chuka tha, tahaam woh apne
ghar nahi gaya tha. Junaid Lashari jaanta tha ke wo is waqt kahan aur kis ke
saath tha. Chalaak aur hoshiyar insaan tha; jaan gaya ke is waqt Hammad
ke apni family ke saath kuch ikhtilafaat chal rahe hain. Usne apni marzi se
shaadi kar li thi, uski biwi manzar-e-aam par nahi aayi thi. Unki shaadi ko
abhi tak public nahi kiya gaya tha.

Faris ki rago mein khoon dorne laga.

“Taiyar rehna, mein kisi bhi waqt hukm de sakta hoon,” usne sun sunn
hokar headphones lagaye aur kaafi dair tak apni jagah baitha raha. Mansuba
wazeh tha, aur yeh mukhtasir alfazo mein hone wali baat itni mushkil bhi
nahi thi jo uski samajh mein na aati.

16 saal pehle jo jaal Hammad ke liye bichhaya gaya tha, aur 16 saal bad
wohi jaal ab dobara bichhaya ja raha tha. Jo saanp, jise Azam Shirazi
dushmano mein dhoond rahe, woh saanp unhi ke qaribi rishte mein. Jo unki
maut ki khwahish rakhta tha aur jiske zariye wo apna inteqam lena chahte
tha, uski baari aane wali thi.

"Dusman ko harana ho to pehle uski taqat khatm karni chahiye.." Gaadi

mein hone wali woh guftagu usne wazeh suni thi. Yeh alfaaz Junaid Lashari
ke thay:

Uske dushman ki taqat uska beta aur pota hi tha. Uske waaris, jinke liye
usne yeh business empire khada kiya.
Hammad Shirazi, Haroon Shirazi.

Neem tareeki mein Faris apni jagah baitha unhein dekh raha tha, unhein
soch raha tha. Mobile samne hi padha tha magar usne abhi tak kisi ko call
nahi ki thi.

Badla, inteqam, gussa aur ishtiaal – aag abhi tak jal rahi thi. Hammad
Shirazi – Jamila Dawood ka beta!

Usne apne zehan se har manfi jazba jhatak diya aur sirf Jamila Dawood ke
baare mein socha. Hammad unka beta tha – sirf unka beta.

Us raat jab usne Azam Shirazi ki gaadi nazar aayi, toh wo ruk gaya.
Sheesha neeche hua, toh wo khidki par kohniya jamate hue bas chand
lamhon ke liye ruka. Usne Azam Shirazi ki taraf nahi dekha, magar Azam
usi ko dekh rahe thay.

Halki barish se uske baal bheeg huye thay, chehre par woh tazaagi nahi thi
jo aam tor par hoti.

“hammad ki zindagi ko khatra hai , mashwara hai ke behtar hoga aap use
wapas bula lein,” usne kaha.

Azam usay dekhte reh gaye.

“Agar main khud kuch kehta toh aap yakeen nahi karte. Jald hi saare saboot
bhijwa doonga,” kehkar wo peeche hat gaya.

Hoodie ko sar par chadhaate hue wo mukhalif qadam uthata gaya. Barish ki
dhund mein uska wujood mubhim hone laga. Azam Shirazi ko yehi laga
magar dhund asal mein unki aankhon mein thi ; woh aankhein jinmein nami
thehri hui nazar aa rahi thi.

•••

Us raat wo so nahi saka. Wo baar baar messages, phone calls aur bugging
device se milne wale signal's ka muntazir raha. Aur agla din bhi isi mein lag
gaya.
Shaam saare chhe baje ki call thi. Haroon Shirazi Pindi ke liye rawana ho
raha tha. Woh ghaliban apne bete ko lene ja raha tha.

"Ek nahi sahi, do hi sahi. Ye bhi theek hai," usne Junaid Lashari ki sard
awaaz suni.

"No baje se pehle pehle ye kaam ho jana chahiye."

Wo ba mushkil sans lete hue headphones utaar kar uth gaya. Usne Hammad
ke liye apni tamam tar nafrat aur gusse ko ek taraf rakhte hue Azam Shirazi
ko call ki. Unka mobile band ja raha tha. Phir usne Jamila Dawood ko call
ki, magar wo phone nahi utha rahi thi. Raahim se rabta karne ki koshish ki,
Haroon Shirazi ko messages kiye, magar kisi ne jawab nahi diya. Ghaliban
unke paas jo number uske paas tha wo ab unke paas nahi tha.

Wo beqarari se apne kamre mein tehal raha tha. Dil mein andeshe khada
tha, dhadkan tez thi, jaise kuch bura hone wala ho.

•••

Earrings utarte huye Adina Zubair sadme se gung aur sakit khadi reh gayi.
Lamha bhar ke liye apni sama’at par yakeen na aya, aur jab yakeen aya, to
zameen ghoomti hui mehsoos hui.

"Tum mujhe abortion ka keh rahe ho?" Use yahi laga tha.

Hammad Shirazi ne mud kar thode tanafur se use dekha. Uske shokh bhare
taasuraat usay ajeeb lage.

"Haan, yeh koi mushkil kaam toh nahi hai. Tum aisa pehle bhi toh kar chuki
ho."

Adina ke chehre par ek saaya sa lehra gaya.

"Actually, Main kuch dinon mein tumse is bare mein baat karne hi wala
tha." Usne cufflinks lagane ke baad, coat pehna, perfume chhidka, aur
drawer se kuch papers nikaal kar uske samne rakh diye.

Talaq ke papers.
Adina apni jagah patthar ho gayi.

"We should part our ways now." (Humein apne raste ab juda kar lene
chahiye).

Wo ab apne bag mein zarurat ki asiyah rakh raha tha.

"Tum yeh faisla kaise kar sakte ho? Humne toh saath zindagi guzarne ka
wada kiya tha."

"Nikah karte waqt sabhi yeh wada karte hain." Usne hans kar is baat ko
mazaak mein udayi.

"Tum... tum mujhse mohabbat karte thay, Hammad." Usne yaad dilana
chaha.

"Tum bhi toh Faris se mohabbat karti thi."

Wo san hui.

"We are even now." (Ab hum barabar hain)..

Adina Zubair ki beyaqeen aankhein Hammad Shirazi par thehri rahi.

"Tum yeh kya kar rahe ho?" Wo ro dene ko thi.

"Main apne liye behtari ka faisla kar raha hoon, Adina dear."

Azam Shirazi ne accounts freeze kar diye thay, ghar se nikal diya tha, aur
jayedad aur karobaar mein uska har hissa khatam kar chuka tha. Usay
andaza nahi tha ke Adina Zubair ke saath iski shaadi itni mehngi sabit hogi.
Badla aur inteqam wahi tha jo ab poora ho chuka tha.

Ab usay uski zaat mein koi dilchaspi nahi rahi thi.

Woh sadme mein khadi thi. Kya kya khwab thay jo usne nahi dekhe the.
Shirazi khandan ke waaris se Hammad Shirazi se shaadi karke, Aur ab wo
apne raste alag karne ki baat kar raha tha.
"Main sirf itna jaanta hoon ke sab kuch chhod kar dada ke paas jaaunga, toh
wo mujhe maaf kar denge."

"Aur main?"

"Tum kya?"

"Tumne mujhse shaadi ki"

"Zabardasti nahi ki."

"Maine tumhare liye Faris ko chhoda."

"Apni marzi se chhoda. Kya maine force kiya tha?" Sawal karke talakhi se
muskaruraya aur Adina ke andar gusse ki aag bhadak uthi.

"Tum mere saath aisa nahi kar sakte. Maine tumhare liye kya kya nahi
kiya." baazu se uska rukh modh kae chhikhi.

"Awaaz neeche rakho, Adina," uska haath jhatak kar gusse se ghuraya.
"Main Faris nahi hoon ke tumhara yeh lehja bardasht kar saku."

Adina apni jagah tham gayi thi. Usay kuch ghusse se pare hatate usne apne
kapdon ki shikan durust ki.

Aankho me aansu bharke uske kareeb hui.

"Hammad please ese mat karo, maine tumahre liye kya kya nahi kiya..."

"Aur maine bhi to tumhe paiso mein nehla diya hai.."

Adina jawab nahi de saki.

"Please, Aise mat karo. Maine tumhare liye"

"come on, Adina! Yeh kya tumhare liye, tumhare liye lga rakhi hai?" Ukta
kar bazu peeche kiye
"You did nothing for me jo kiya apne liye kiya. Maine toh sirf ek offer ki
thi."

"Mohabbat ka dawa jhoota tha?" Uske ke lab hilay,

"Mohabbat? Tum khud itni khoobsurat ho, tumhe paane ki khwahish thi. Ab
zaahir hai saari zindagi iss tarah beghar ho kar nahi guzari ja sakti. Mujhe
apne ghar wapas jaana hai. And actually I'm coming to realize ke tumhare
saath shaadi ka faisla ghalat tha. Insaan ki sirf shakal-o-surat matter nahi
karti aur bhi bohut kuch hota hai."

"Aur bhi bohot kuch dekhna padhta hai."

Adina Zubair ke apne alfaz tamanche ki tarah uske muh par aa gaye.. Wo
bolne ke qaabil bhi nah rahi.

khwabo ka mahal chakna chhur ho gaya. Jo kisi ke sath kar chuki thi, waisa
hi uske saath ho gaya. Ab woh baccha rakhna chahti thi go muqabil
abortion ka keh raha tha. Ab woh ghar basana chahti thi to muqabil talaq ki
baat kar raha tha.

"Tum mere khuloos ka yeh sila de rahe ho?" awaaz sadme se phat gayi thi.

"Khuloos? Innocent mat bano, dear. Main jaanta hoon tum kis nature ki ho.
Kal tumhe koi aur pasand aa jayega, to uske paas chali jaogi. That’s what
you always do."

Usne apne bag se paiso ka lifafa nikal kar maze par uchhel diya.

Adina Zubair ke saath uska qissa yahi khatam ho raha tha.

"Ek hafta ka time hai tab tak yeh flat khali kar dena. Ya phir khud hi
payment de dena."

Aik haath se bag uthate hue, dusre haath se phone kaan se lagaye, wo usi
waqt bahir nikal gaya.

"Ji, Dad. Main bas neeche pohanch raha hoon," woh ujalat me seedhiya
utarta jaa raha tha, aur uske kadmo ki dhap Adina ke dil par gir rahi thi.
Uske khwab toot rahe thay, masle ja rahe thay, aur uski duniya tabaah ho
rahi thi.

Woh sakit, veeran, aur madhosh si apne kamre mein khadi reh gayi thi.

•••

Woh fikrmandi ke aalam mein tehal raha tha jab doorbell baji. Darwaza
khol kar dekha to Raahim tha. Woh uske sath hi bahar nikal gaya.

"Usne bohot achanak apne admiyon ko hukam de diya. Woh sirf moqe ki
talaash mein tha..." Raahim ne gaari drive karte hue uski baat suni.

"Maine Haider se baat kar li hai. Azam Shirazi meeting mein hain lekin
woh sab dekh lega."

"Yeh number try karo."

Usne Haroon Shirazi ka doosra number diya.

"Haroon Shirazi akele nahi hain, unke sath guards bhi hain. Woh Hammad
ko lene hi gaye hain."

"Don’t worry," woh keh raha tha.

Faris ke zehan mein Jamila Dawood ka chehra ek baar phir lehraya. Usne
gehri saans le kar khayal jhatak diya. Ab woh do naye number par call kar
raha tha. Haroon Shirazi ne uski call receive kar li thi.

"Hello?" Usne awaaz suni. Lab bheench kar ek lamha ka tawquf liya.

"Aap is waqt kahan hain?"

Woh Faris ki awaaz sunte hi chonk gaye. Aankhon mein dukh bhare iztirab
ki lehar aa gayi. Us aakhri mulaqat ke baad kitna dhoonda tha unhone usse
magar woh unhein nahi mila tha.

"Faris... Bete..."
"Jawab dijiye, aap is waqt kahan hain?" Uska lehja ajnabi sa tha.

"Ham Islamabad pohanchne hi wale hain," woh nasamjhi ke aalam mein

goya huay.

"Aap please apna track change kar lein. Aap koi aur rasta ikhtiyar kar lein."

"Bas thoda sa safar baqi hai," woh samajh na paye.

"Listen to me!" Usne zor de kar kaha.

"Aap abhi aur isi waqt..."

Firing ki awaaz ek dum se goonji thi. Dhamake se hi car ke tyre

chirchiraaye the. Uske alfaz aadhe adhoore wahin reh gaye. Wujood sakht
ho gaya. Aur door kahin dhamake se sheeshe toote, aati hui gaari ghist kar
trailer se ja takraayi. Tar tar.

Goliyon ki awaaz. Shor aur phir failta hua dehshatnaak maut bhara sannata.

Faris Wajdan ke haath se phone chhoot kar neeche gir gaya.

Manzar badal rahe the, awaaz mein badlaav aa raha tha, jagah badal rahi
thi. Ehsasat manjmad, aankhein dhundhli, dimaag ma’oof. Sakte ki kefiyat
mein usne khud ko hospital ke corridor mein qadam rakhte hue paaya.

Uske kaan abhi tak band the. Usse koi awaaz nahi aa rahi thi. Usse ab jaise
kuch dikhai nahi de raha tha magar stretcher ke pahiye ka shor bohot tez
tha. Is shor se juda hua manzar wazeh tha.

Safed chadar jo khoon se range hui thi. Wujood jo goliyon se chhanni lag
raha tha. Do stretchers. Khoon se surkh parti chadrein. Latakta hua bejaan
haath. Zakhmi chehre, band aankhein.

Usne be-ikhtiyaar deewar ka sahaara lete ruk kar sar uthaya. Usne Jamila
Daud ko cheekhte aur rote hue stretcher se chadar hatate dekha. Usne Azam
Shirazi ko farsh par jhukte aur girte dekha.
Woh khoon se surkh parte kapdon ke sath apni jagah par sakht sa, be-hiss
khada tha. Uske te’assuraat mein maut ki si weraani utari hui thi. Usne khud
ko Jamila Daud ke samne paaya. Unhein baazuon mein bhar kar woh
peeche hata raha tha. Woh cheekhte hue apna aap chhuda rahi thin. Woh
apne mazboot baazuon ke hisaar mein le chuka tha. Woh uske seene mein
moonh chupaye ro rahi thin. Woh beqaboo ho kar baar baar apne shauhar
aur bete...

Woh ki taraf lapak rahi thin. Woh manzar dhundla padne laga. Uski sakat
aur himmat khatam hone lagi.

"Hammad... Hammad," woh usey awaaz de rahi thin.

Rahim qadre faaslay par hi ruk gaya tha. Agli subah car crash ki khabar
shah surkhiyon mein dikhayi gayi thi, halankeh woh maut ka khel firing se
shuru hua tha. ☆☆☆

Usne Junaid Lashari ko Haroon aur Hammad Shirazi ke janazon par shirkat
karte dekha. Apni behan ke gham mein nadhhal unhein galey lagakar unke
bete ke liye rote dekha. Woh Azam Shirazi ke samne bhi ruka tha.

Woh shakhs uske samne hi khada tha. Kai saal pehle usne uski jaan lene ki
koshish ki thi aur kai saal baad usne uski behan ka ghar ujaad diya tha. Kya
paisa, dolat mein itni taqat hai ke iske liye qeemti zindagiyon se khela jaye?

Woh us shakhs ki aankhon mein jeet aur fatah ka rang dekh sakta tha. Usne
apne tor par Azam Shirazi ki nasal khatam kar di thi. Usne apne hareef ko
akela, tanha, laachaar aur be-bass kar diya tha. Behna neem pagal thi. Ab jo
kuch bhi tha, sirf uska tha. Control bhi, hukoomat bhi.

Jis dushmani ko dabaane ke liye aur jis karobar ko farogh dene ke liye yeh
shadi hui thi, woh maqsad ba-akhir poora ho hi gaya tha. Ghar, banglay,
jaydad aur Shirazi Enterprises — yeh sab kuch ab unke qabze mein jaane
wala tha. Woh is mukhhs ki shaater nigahon ko dekh sakta tha.

Teen din ki taziyat ke baad ghar mein aik khamoshi aur aik sanata chha
gaya. Gham aur sogwari ki fiza har taraf phaili hui thi. Kamray sunsaan,
mulazimon ki sargoshiyaan madum. Roshnion mein safed tiles, safed kafan
jaisi lag rahi thin.

Us raat woh wahin tha. Woh Azam Shirazi ke sath, unke kamray mein unka
khayal rakhne ke liye tha, jahan sab mulazim Junaid Lashari ke hukum par
kamra chhod kar chale gaye thay. Woh wahan khada raha.

"Suna nahi maine kya kaha?" Junaid Lashari ne ek dum se talkh ho kar
hukum diya. Uski khatarnak sada tak, surkh padti aankhon mein gheyz o
ghazab ka samandar tha. Muthiyaan sakhti se bheench kar usne apne gusse
par qaboo paa liya.

"Mujhe unhein akela chhodne ki ijazat nahi hai."

Woh bola to awaaz be-had karakht thi.

"Kaun ho tum?" Junaid Lashari ko uske lehje se ajeeb khatre ka ehsas hua.

"Azam Shirazi ka mulazim hoon. Faris... Faris Wajdan."

Sofe par nadhhal se baithe Azam Shirazi ne neem-wa aankhein khol kar
usse dekha. Woh apni wohi pehchaan barqaraar rakhe huye tha jo unhone
usse di thi. Halankeh is lamhe, iski mojoodgi mein, apni kamzori ki haalat
mein, woh kisi inteqami karwai ki tawakko rakhe hue thay.

Unke dil mein koi khauf nahi tha. Jo garajdaar awaaz thi, woh ab murda ho
chuki thi. Woh usse dekh rahe thay, is baat se bilkul be-khabar ke Junaid
Lashari isi waqt jhatke se apni jagah se uth khada hua tha.

Dusre hi pal usne apne shaaq bhare t’asuraat ko chhupane ki koshish ki thi.
Woh ajnabi sa shakhs jo uske tasavvur mein kabhi tha hi nahi, magar uska
naam yaad raha tha. Faris Wajdan.

Woh usse kabhi bhool nahi saka tha. Naam ke sath hi uske khadd-o-khaal
mein us choudah pandrah baras ke larke ki wazeh shabih nazar aane lagi
thi. Khaas tor par aankhon ka rang.

Kya woh usse pehchan chuka hai?

Yeh pehla khayal tha jo Junaid Lashari ke zehan mein aaya.

"Oh, kabhi dekha nahi tumhe."

Roman Urdu Translation:

Jhalak rahi thi. Azam Shirazi ke lab kapkapaye. "Khas aadmiyon mein se ek
hoon. Har jagah nazar nahi aata." Us ke lehje ki barorat ankhon se zahir thi.

"Haider se bhi khas?" Yunhi sawaal kiya. Use Azam Shirazi ke ek ek aadmi
ka ilm tha. Un ke kai guards tak us ke isharon par chalte the. "Agar aap mil
chuke hoon to." Jawaab diye bagair usne darwaza khol kar unhein bahar ka
rasta dikhaya. "Sahib aaram karna chahte hain."

Junaid Lashari ki peshaani par paseene ke qatrey namoodar hue the, aur
aankhon mein ek meham sa shock ab bhi tha. Taasuraat albata sanjeeda
thay. Wo composed lag raha tha. "Theek hai," usne mazeed behas ka irada
tark kar diya. Is larke ko wo yaad tha ya nahi, ye alag baat thi magar ek baat
tay thi, wo usse pehchan nahi saka tha. Agar pehchan leta to kam az kam is
tarah baat na karta. Yaqeenan usay wo haadsa yaad nahi raha hoga.

Junaid Lashari ja chuka to zabt ki surkhi aankhon mein liye usne Azam
Shirazi ki taraf qadam uthaye. Is waqt kamray mein in dono ke siwa aur koi
nahi tha. Wo un ki nazron mein ajeeb sa tasha sa tasur dekh sakta tha.
Dehshat ya khauf bhara nahi, bas is baat ka idraak karta hua tasur ke ye
larka ab unse ek ek zulm ka badla lega.

In teen dino mein ek baar bhi unhon ne usay apne bhai ya baap ke liye rote
nahi dekha tha. Wo taziyat ke douran safed shalwar suit mein malboos ek hi
jagah, ek kone mein, itraf se mukammal bayniyaz, khamosh aur weeran sa
baitha raha tha. Taziyat par koi ek insaan bhi us ke paas nahi gaya tha. Kisi
ko bhi us ke nuksan, khsare aur rishte ka ilm nahi tha.

Wo sar uthaye usay dekh rahe thay. Shayad wo kuch kehne aya hai. Shayad
koi ghussa, badla, inteqam. Ke un ke paas kamray mein rehne ka hukm
usay aur kaun de sakta hai? Wo to is haalat mein bhi nahi thay ke kuch keh
pate. Faris ne khamoshi se takiya durust kiya tha. Lihaf hata kar jagah
banayi thi. Phir unhein sahara de kar sofa se uthaya tha, bed par lita diya
tha. Pani ka glass bhar kar apne hathon se hi pilane laga ke un ke haath buri
tarah se kapkapaa rahe thay.

Unhein lag raha tha, wo un ki jaan nikalne aya hai. Aur wo jaan aise
nikalega ke iska to gumaan bhi nahi tha.

Wo ek dum se phoot phoot kar rone lage. Us ke samne, usay khud se

lagaye. Lekin ek dum usay rone nahi aaya. Us ka dil pathar aur saaket tha.
Us ki aankh se ab tak ek aansoo bhi nahi nikla tha.

Unhein ehsaas hua, unka aur us ka nuksan ek hi tha. Qareebi rishton ko

dono ne kho diya tha. Magar usne apne bete ko, jawan potay ko kho diya
tha. Unki sari zindagi ki jama pounji khatam ho gayi thi. Un ke tamam ke
tamam faisley, irade, khwab aur umeed khaak, mitti, dhool ho kar reh gayi
thi.

Wo rote rahe. Wo baitha raha. Usne apne baazoo ki giraft bhi mazboot nahi
ki. Unhein tasalli ke liye koi ek jumla bhi nahi kaha. Kitne saal lage the
unhein ek but mein tarashte hue. Ab wo mujassama ho kar kaise bol padta?

Is raat wo un ke kamre mein hi raha. Is raat bhi wo so nahi saka.

•••

Junaid Lashari ka dimaag ghooma hua tha. Aankho mein shock aur be-
yaqeeni ka tassur tha. Faris Wajdan agar koi mulazim hota to zinda na hota.
Aur agar zinda hota to use murda na kiya jata. Azam Shirazi ki yeh chaal
samajh se baahir hogayi. Is larke ko is had tak bachane ki koshish kyun ki
gayi? Use chupaya kyun gaya? Aur woh do baar Shirazi House gaya aur har
baar woh Azam Shirazi ke saath hi nazar aaya. Woh ek lamhay ke liye bhi
unhein chhod kar nahi jaata tha. Us ke samne to bilkul bhi nahi. Uski chaal,
andaaz, lehja aur tassurat se yeh nahi lagta tha ke woh koi mulazim hai,
magar woh dekh raha tha. Woh yeh hi ban kar dikh raha hai.

Faris Wajdan ko us raat yeh khabar mili ke Shirazi House mein wakeel ko
bulaya gaya hai. Jo shak tha woh yaqeen mein badal gaya. Itna bara point
woh kaise miss kar gaye? Itni badi khabar se kaise be-khabar rahe? Unse
ghalti kaise aur kyun kar hogayi?
“Woh mujhe pehchan gaya hai,” yeh pehla khayal tha jo usay aaya. Yeh
pehli baat thi jo usne sochi.

Dimaagh ek dum se kaam karne laga. Mansooba tay hua. Police apni
tahqiqat kar rahi thi. Maamlay ko naya rang aur moarh dene ka waqt aa
gaya tha.

Social media par ye khabar viral ho gayi. Akhbar ke front safahat par, kuch
TV channels par bhi chala diya gaya.

'

Jaidad ke lalach mein najayaz bete ne apne baap aur baday bhai ka
qatal kar diya.'

Is khabar ne khalbali si macha di ke business tycoon Azam Shirazi ka to aik

hi pota tha. Kai sawaal uthaye gaye, badnami alag. Apne wujood par aisa
dhabbaa, aur aisa sawal usay shadeed aziyat se dochar kar gaya.

Pehla taaruf aur pehchaan. Woh pehchaan jo bhari duniya mein phela di
gayi thi – najayaz aulaad! Uski tasveere viral ho gayin. Magazines, akhbarat
aur private channels ko aik chatpata sa topic mil gaya.

Woh guest room mein kitni hi der tak sar jhukaye baitha raha. Junaid
Lashari ne pehli chaal chal di thi. Saza ka ilzaam uske sar dalne ka aik
raasta nikaal liya tha. Kaisa shaatir dimaagh tha uska. Uski haqeeqat tak
pohanchne mein ek lamha nahi laga.

Planning bhi kar li, hamla bhi. War kiya ke wujood hisso mein bikhair diya.
Usay lagta tha ke woh Shirazi House se bahar nahi nikal sakega. Kisi ka
saamna nahi kar payega. Kisi sawal ka jawab nahi de sakega. Uski har
wazahat khokhli lagti. Uski har daleel ka mazaaq udaya jata. Apni chahaton
ke gala ghot te huye usne sajday mein sar rakha tha aur kitni hi der tak
rakha raha tha. Uski haqeeqat is tarah nahi khulni chahiye thi.

Woh apne bimaar dada se kuch keh bhi nahi sakta tha. Sham tak social
media par aik aur behas chhidh gayi. Jo manzar dikhaya ja raha tha, woh
dhundla par gaya.
Yeh kaam Raahim Afaq ne kiya tha. Aarzoo Jahangir ke saath Haroon
Shirazi ke nikah, divorce, aur paidaishi certificate ke tamam documents aik
aik kar ke har jagah phela diye.

Usne Junaid Lashari ki chand ek audios bhi publish kar di. Woh jin ghair
qanoni sargramiyo mein mulawis raha tha, unke mutaliq kuch dastawizaath
thi.

“Aisay hai to phir aisay hi sahi, ab dekhta hoon main isey.."

Laptop par khat-khat ungliya chalata woh goya hua. Ek se zyada IDs aur
har ID se jagah jagah behas karta aur ladhta hua links share karta hua.

Faris uske peeche khada tha. Gol ainak peeche khisakakar woh kursi par
panjo ke bal ghoom bhi raha tha.

“Yeh Junaid Lashari to haath dhokar tumhare peeche hi par gaya hai. Bohat
bara dhachka laga hai bechare ko tumhari soorat mein. Paagal hi ho gaya
hai.”

Hashkar laptop ki screen uski taraf ghumayi.

“Zara apni tasveero par yeh larkiyon ke comments to check karo.” Uske
ta'ssurat se katai beniyaz woh apni baatein kehta raha.

“Tum yeh sab kyun kar rahe ho?”

Usne Raahim se madad nahi maangi thi. Usay yeh bhi nahi pata tha ke iske
maslay ka koi hal bhi uske paas hai. Guzishta chaar ghanton mein jo uski
zaat sawalia nishan bani thi, us sawalia nishan ko yun mita dega, is ka to
woham-o-gumaan bhi nahi tha.

"Maine Azam Sahab se baat ki aur unhon ne wo tamam documents de diye

jo mujhe darkar the. Agar shukar ada karna hai toh apne dada ka karo.
Maine toh yeh sab sirf public kiya hai. Aur haan, yeh sab free of charge
nahi kar raha. Is sab se nikalte hi tum mujhe meri munh maangi keemat ada
karoge."
"Kya samjhe? ungliya dukh gayi hain meri typing kar kar ke? Online jung
ladna koi aasan kaam hai?"

Kursi gol ghuma kar phir uski taraf rukh kiya.

"Aur dekho, James aur William ne bhi saath diya hai. Woh screenshot lekar
sirf itna poochte hain, raahim, yeh positive hai ya negative?"

"Aur bas. Phir woh jaate hain aur unke class fellows... Yeh aadhe se zyada
jo Angrezo ne tumhari himayat mein comments kiye hain, toh yeh adad
wahan se aa rahi hai..."

Hash kar bola. Uski aankho mein nami thehr gayi, lab bhinche rahe. Woh
jabt ke kade marahil se guzarta hua uth kar baahir chala gaya. Kitni der tak
ek band darwaze ke saath pusht tikaye khada raha. Andar ek aag si jal rahi
thi.

Jo kuch ho raha tha, woh uske asaab par bhaari pad raha tha. Use Azam
Shirazi ke kamre mein bulaya gaya. Samne hi unke wakeel baithe hue the.
Woh wheelchair par the. Haider unke peeche khada tha. Files mein be-
shumar documents the. Uska naam, uski pehchaan, uska sab kuch lota diya
gaya tha. Sirf sign karne ki dair thi.

Azam Shirazi ne apni tamam jayedad apne hosh-o-hawas mein Faris

Wajdan ke naam kar di thi.

wo sadme aur sakat nigaho se unhe dekhte huye apni jagah khada reh gaya
tha. Ishara milte hi Haider, wakeel aur naukar sab kamre se chale gaye. Woh
Azam Shirazi ko dekhta raha, aur woh gardan uthaye usse.

“Main is liye yahan nahi ruka tha.” Uski aankhein surkh ho chuki theen,
uski awaaz bheegi hui thi. Uska wujood darzar tha. Azam Shirazi ki kefiyat
bhi is lamhe mein mukhtalif na thi.

"Azam Sahab, mein..."

usne apne dada ko us lamhe sisak kar apna sar hatheliyo mein girate dekha.
"Aap ab mera tamasha bana rahe hain. Aap ab mujh par lagaye gaye ek ek
ilzaam ko sach kar rahe hain."

“Main is liye yahan nahi ruka tha,” woh cheekh utha.

“Sirf is liye ke koi aap ke mare hue bete par sawal na uthaye. Aapne nikah
nama public kiya. Sirf is liye ke koi aap ke bete ke kirdar par baat na kare.
Aap mera birth certificate samne le aaye.”

Azam Shirazi ka sir nafi mein hila. Bohat koshish se woh wheelchair se
uthet the.

“Faris,” woh do qadam peeche hata.

“Mujhe aap ka har sabaq achhi tarah se yaad hai. Mujhe aap ki nafrat yaad
hai. Mujhe aap ka gussa yaad hai. Aap ke faislo ke zakhm meri rooh par
abhi bhi taza hai, Aap ab yeh nahi karenge. Ab aap is tarah mujhe koi aur
gham nahi dege.”

Woh ro raha tha. Woh unke samne panjo ke bal jhuka shikasta hal mein.
Azam Shirazi ke ang ang mein azeet sama gayi.

“Hum ghalat the. Hum shuru se ghalat the. Humne tum par bohot zulm
kiya.”

“Kisi yateem ke sar par haath rakhna zulm nahi hota.”

Azam Shirazi ka dil cheer gaya.

“Aap ke bohot ehsanaat hain mujh par, aur main hi in ehsanaat ki wajah se
ruka.”

"Is naam ke liye nahi Ruka. Apne naam ke Liye Nahi. Shirazi Khandan ke
Liye Nahi. Main Yahan..."

Uski awaaz ek dum se kamzor pad gayi.

"Main yahan sirf mummy ke liye. Aap ke liye ruka tha, Azam Sahab."
Azam Shirazi ko laga unhein agla saans nahi aayega.

“Mujhe yeh nahi chahiye,” usne tamam kagzat phenk diye.

“Meri zaat aaj poore media par discuss ho rahi hai. Sirf itna kare, mujhe
phir se gumnam kar dein, jaise pehle kiya tha. Mujhe ek baar phir se maar
dein... Jaise, jaise pehle maara tha. Ek aur qabar.”

Woh jis tarah se baat kar raha tha, toota hua, aziyat mein, karb se bhara hua.
Unka dil bas phatne ko tha.

"Faris..." kis qadr koshish se unka naam liya.

“Aap phir se koi hukum dein, koi plan karein, kuch toh karein!” Woh
cheekha tha.

Apni zaat par tohmat sirf adina zubair ki sahi thi. Ab toh khule aam uska
wajood discuss ho raha tha. Nikah nama par baat ho rahi hai. Aarzoo
Jahangir ko ghera ja raha hai. Woh interviews dene se katra rahi hai. Ek
qatil bete se woh khud ko kyun jodti? Woh is khabar ki wazahat ya tarteed
kuch bhi nahi kar rahi. Ab main haalat se ladne ki quwwat kahan se lata?

Woh unhein dekh raha tha. Kitna tod diya tha unhone usse. Kitna kamzor
kar diya tha uski zaat ko. Kitni badi aziyat se dochar kar chuke the woh
usse.

"Yeh hamara faisla tha. Humne tumhein tumhare baap se juda kar diya."
Unki awaaz bhaari, kamzor thi. Aulad aur pote ka sadma unhein khatam kar
gaya tha.

"Humne kiya. Hamari nasal sirf Jameela ki aulaad se chalegi. Dekho toh
hamare ghuroor aur takabbur ne hamare saath kya kiya. Jo baat Allah tay
karta hai, woh humne tay karna chahi..."

Faris aankho mein nami liye unhein dekhta raha.

"Humne tumse tumhara haq, tumhari pehchaan cheeni. Aur humse bhi sab
le liya gaya."
Usne be-ikhtiyar nafi mein sir hilaya.

"Humne tumhein tanha kiya. Aaj hum bhi tanha ho gaye." Woh andar tak
tootne laga. Mazeed wahan baithna, unhein sunna, unhein dekhna mushkil
ho gaya.

"Humne hakim ban kar faisle kiye. Hum par asli Hakim ka faisla aa gaya."

Unka poora wujood laraz raha tha. Woh ussi waqt uth kar chala gaya. Azam
Shirazi ka chehra tar hone laga tha. Unki siskiya sannate mein goonjne lagi
theen. Unke aas paas ab andheron ke siwa kuch bhi na raha tha.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH95
•••

Haider qanooni mamlaat dekh raha tha. Qatal ki tahqiqat jaari thi, saboot
itne thos the ke Junaid Lashari ko foran mulk chhorne ka faisla karna pada.
Magar usay airport par hi giraftaar kar liya gaya. Tahqiqat naye sare se
shuru hui. Adalat mein case chala aur is arse mein jitna pro-pagandaa uske
khilaf ho sakta tha kiya gaya.

Muqabala do khandaano ke beech tha. Aur mamla bhi chhota nahi tha.
Usne aakhri had tak larnay ka faisla kar liya. Sade aath mah tak woh jang
jaari rahi. Usne koi asar ya dabaao nahi liya. Kisi dhamki ko khatir mein na
laya.

Bil aakhir Junaid Lashari ko umar qaid ki saza suna di gayi.

Us raat jab woh ghar aaya to Jameela Dawood ko baithe hue paaya. Usne
kabhi bhi unhein is qadar toota hua nahi dekha tha. Unki rangat zard thi.
Woh bimaar rehne lagi thi.

"Bhai tha mera,.." woh unke samne baitha to woh rote hue bole, "Mujh se
sab maangta to de dete, kam az kam mera ghar to na udaarta. Usne aansoo
saaf karte unka sir apne kandhay se laga liya.

"Meri shaadi ek business tha unke liye. Nafe ka sauda. Behen ki zindagi par
karobar ho raha tha. Unka dil gham se phata ja raha tha."

"Mummy...,"

"Lashari khandan tak mera paigham pohcha do. Mere liye woh sab mar
chuke hain. Ab koi mere peeche na aaye. Sun rahe ho, Faaris?" Woh
haziyaani andaaz mein cheekhi the.

"Haan! Main kisi ko nahi aane doonga. Aap please, aap sambhaalein khud
ko mummy.." Woh unhein sahaara de kar uthaye hue unke kamre tak le
gaya. Unki haalat theek nahi thi. Woh nafsiyati tor par be-had disturbed ho
chuki thi. Doctor ne jo adwayat di thi, unke sahaare chand ghanton ki neend
le kar uth jaati.

Pore ghar mein ghabraayi hui si bolai bolai phir rahi thi. Hammad ke kamre
mein. Hammad ki cheezon se lipti hui paayi jaati. Woh unke paas ghanto
baitha rehta, chup chaap. Dam saadhay. Unhein sunta rehta. Hammad ki
bate. Usne unhein kabhi na to toka.

Azam Shirazi bimaar ho kar bistar se lag gaye the. Wujood ko janbish
denay se qaasir. Aawaz khatam. Ab woh koi baat nahi kar sakte the. Nigaah
mein muntazar si. dard mein doobi, aziyat se pur uske chehre par jami rehti
thi. Woh unka har kaam khud kar raha tha. Unki dekhbhaal kisi mulaazim
ke zimme nahi thi. Woh khaana uske haath se khaate the. Woh paani uske
haatho se peete the. Taqat khatam hote hote bas aankhon tak reh gayi thi.
Aankhein jo mehz aanso se dhandla jaati thi. Unki nigaahen uske chehre par
jhuki rehti thi.

Unhone itne pyaare chehre ko itni nafrat se kyun dekha?

Ab woh uske gaal par haath rakhna chahte the. Rakh nahi sakte the. Maatha
choomna chahte the aur choom nahi sakte the. Maafi maangne ki khwahish
thi aur maang nahi sakte the. Is raat bhi woh unke kamre mein tha. Woh
unke paas hi baitha hua tha.

"Main hamesha se aapko tanha dekhna chahta tha. Main jaan chahta tha aap
toot jaayein. Aap akelay rah jaye. Aap ke paas koi rishta baaqi na rahe."
Uski awaaz ek dam se kamzor pad gayi.

"Lekin Baba,.." usne pehli baar aapko is rishtay se pukara jo unka tha.

"Mujhe aapko is tarah se dekh kar khushi nahi hoti." Azam Shirazi ka dil
ruk sa gaya.

"Aap pehle jaise kyun nahi ho jaate? Aap pehle ki tarah..." Woh ek dam se
chup ho gaya.
"Aap pehle jaise kyun nahi ho jaate Baba?" Unki aankhon mein dekhte hue
woh masoom bachhe ki tarah rote hue keh raha tha. Woh unhein is haalat
mein dekh kar sab se zyada takleef usay thi. Sab se zyada gham mein woh
tha. Jis insaan ko usne hamesha chattano ki tarah mazboot dekha tha. Usay
reza reza dekhna bardasht se baahir ho raha tha. Is raat kis qadar koshish se
unhone apni ungliyo ko janbash di thi.

Usne unka haath thaam liya. Woh haath oopar tak bilkharta, kapkapata uske
gaal tak aaya. Unki khwahish ka idrak karte hi, usne woh haath apne gaal
par thehraye rakha. Unki aankhein phir se bhari. Kapkpate hontho par kuch
lafz thehr gaye. Shayad unhone uska naam liya tha. Shayad woh kuch
kehna chahte the.

"Baba!" Jaise woh jaan gaya ho, woh usse kya sunna chahte the.

"Main aap se naraaz nahi hoon. Main ne aapko maaf kar diya. Mere baap ne
mujhe khud chhoda tha. Unhone mujhe aap ke hawale kiya. Yeh sirf aapka
faisla nahi tha. Yeh unki khwahish thi." Azam Shirazi ki siskiyan bandh
gayi.

"Aap chahtay to mujhe maar sakte thay. Zinda rakha aap ne."

Azam Shirazi ka wujood bejaan honay laga.

"Aap chahte to mujhe anpadh jahil rakh sakte thay. Nahi rakha. Mujhe sirf
dikhawe ka murda nahi kiya. Chhupa kar mehfooz bhi rakha. Yeh ehsanat
hain aap ke. Aap ne mere saath kuch bura nahi kiya. Mujhe aap se koi gila
nahi hai."

Unke andar ki cheekhe andar hi reh gayin. Gumaan mein bhi nahi tha ke
woh unke muzalim ko aisa rang dega. Unki takleef kam karne ke liye, unka
bojh halka karne ke liye, unki asani ke liye, woh aise ehsan karega. Kaash
taqat laut aaye, woh uske mounh par haath rakh dein. Haath jod kar minnat
karein ke woh is tarah na kahen. Woh chheekhe. Woh chillaye. Woh apni
takleefon ka ilzaam unke sar daalein. Unhein kabhi maaf na karein, magar
Faris Wajdan ne maaf kar diya tha.
Is lamhe Azam Shirazi ka shiddat se dil chaha waqt palat jaye. Woh lamha
phir se mayassar ho jab Haroon Shirazi nanhay Faris ki ungli thaam kar
Shirazi Mansion mein dakhil ho raha tha. Woh lamha jab sehmi huwi
nigahon mein unka aks ubhra tha. Mazi samat kar haal ka hissa ban jaye.
Mouqa phir mouqa phir se mile. Woh bachcha unke samne ho aur woh usay
qubool kar lein.

Apni ana, zid aur hatt dharmi ko fana kar dein. Waqt palat kar peeche jaye
aur Faris ka bistar unke kamre mein ho. Uske naam ke sath Haroon Shirazi
lagta ho. Woh unke hamrah ghore par sawar hota ho. Aur apne bhai ka
haath thaam ke sabzah zaar mein ghoomta ho. Khelta ho aur khoob hanshta
ho. Faris Wijdan Shirazi Mansion mein upar neeche har jagah bhagta phirta
ho. Kahin koi had, lakeer ya deewar na ho. Na woh boarding school mein
jaye. Na woh raato mein be qaboo ho kar cheekhta ho. Waqt mouqa de ke
woh sirf usko khas kar lein. Aur poori duniya unke liye aam ho jaye. Na
badnami ka dar ho na logo ka khauf.

Woh uske liye datt jayein. Ladd jayein.

Bas ek mouqa mile aur Faris ka har dard chhun lein. Uski yaad-dasht se
apni tamam ter talkh baatein nikaal dein. Apna gussa, apni nafrat, apna
takabbur, har manfi jazba, ehsaas mita dein.

Bas ek mouqa. Sirf ek mouqa ke woh is mohabbat ko pehchaan lein jo unke

andar roz e awwal se thi. Woh mohabbat jo aksar raaton mein bechain kar
deti thi. Woh phone jo woh aksar uske hostel mein karte thay. Woh mulaqat
jo har weekend par hoti thi. Woh goli jo unhone uske samne aakar usse
bachate hue khai thi. Unhon ne samjha tha mehz jazbaat hain, zimmedari
ke. Wada ki rahi thi jo kadmon ko jakar rakhtee hai. Samjhe bina ehsaasat
ko mubhin karte rahe. Apni ana ki khatir faaslay barhate rahe. Uska wujood
muskh kar ke. Uski zaat ko mitate rahe.

Kitne dukh the jo unhon ne usay diye. Kitna karab tha jo unhon ne uski
aankho mein thehraa diya.

Kaash woh aankhein band kar ke khole aur woh manzar saamne ho. Paanch
saala Faris ungli pakad kar qadam rakh raha ho. Unke bulaane par unse
haath mila kar unke ghale lag raha ho. Kaisa khawab naak sa manzar tha.
Aankhon mein thehraa hua. Unki siskiyo mein doobta hua.

"Mujhe aap se koi gila nahi." Woh bachcha unse keh raha tha.

Is raat woh aakhri alfaaz thay jo unhone sune. Is raat woh aakhri baar roye.
Woh aakhri raat thi jo Faris Wajdan ne apne bimaar nayiif dada ke kamre
mein unke pehlu mein so kar guzar di. Woh pehli aur aakhri raat. Zindagi
mein wahi thehr gayi ke agle din ka sooraj jab tuloo hua to woh is duniya se
rukhsat ho chuke thay.

Apne baap aur bhai ki maut par na rona wala Faris Wajdan is din apne dada
ki maut par apne chehre par haath rakh ke bohot shiddat se roya tha.

Us ne haqeeqtan mein ab jaise koi rishta kho diya. Unki qabr mein uske
andar ka koi hissa bhi dafn ho gaya.

Woh teen qabre. Woh teen hisso mein bata hua. Raat gayi tak wahan baitha
raha tha.

──── ୨୧ ────

𝙰𝚓𝚎𝚎𝚋 𝚛𝚞𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝙺𝚒𝚜𝚒 𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚞𝚖 𝚔𝚘 𝚐𝚊𝚠𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚢𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝙺𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚙𝚞𝚔𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚎? 𝚜𝚊𝚔𝚑𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚚𝚝𝚘 𝚔𝚒 𝚣𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚊𝚔𝚊𝚛

𝙺𝚎 𝚓𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚒 𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚔𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚐𝚒 𝙼𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚑𝚒, 𝚙𝚑𝚒𝚛 𝚜𝚎 𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚗𝚎 𝚔𝚊 𝚝𝚑𝚒

𝚜𝚊𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊

𝚄𝚜 𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚞𝚖 𝚔𝚘 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚢𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝙹𝚘 𝚐𝚑𝚊𝚖 𝚔𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚢𝚊 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊 𝚑𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚊 𝚜𝚞𝚔𝚘𝚘𝚗 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚛𝚊...

𝚄𝚜𝚒 𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚞𝚖 𝚔𝚘 𝚋𝚊𝚑𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚢𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒

𝙹𝚘 𝚊𝚙𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚍𝚘 𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚊𝚊𝚛𝚒 𝚍𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚢𝚊 𝚜𝚎 𝚖𝚘'𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊,

𝙷𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚊 𝚞𝚖𝚛𝚘 𝚜𝚎 𝚑𝚞𝚖𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊.. 𝚄𝚜 𝚗𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚓-𝚎-𝚠𝚊𝚍𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚢𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒..
𝙺𝚒𝚜𝚒 𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚞𝚖 𝚔𝚘 𝚐𝚊𝚠𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚢𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚒..

𝙰𝚓𝚎𝚎𝚋 𝚛𝚞𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚒?

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

Hospital ke safed corridor ki khamoshi mein Mudhat ki awaaz gonj rahi thi.
Jannat ki nigahe uske chehre par thehri hui thi. Woh usse sun rahi thi. Sawal
mukhtasar sa tha aur jawab bohot taweel ho gaya tha.

Shuru aakhir tak. Woh jo kuch bhi janti thi usne Jannat Kamal ko sab bata
diya tha. Woh uski aaya reh chuki thi. Uske dukh, takleef aur aazmaisho se
waqif thi. Achhi tarah se janti thi woh aisa kyun tha. Apne baap, dada aur
bhai ke liye uska dil itna khaali. Itna veeran kyun tha. Apni maa se bepanah
mohabbat karne wala Faris apne bhatije se itna door kyun tha.

Uski nafrat kabhi bhi bila sabab nahi rahi thi. Uska gussa kabhi bhi
bilawajah nahi raha tha. Woh apne mazi se kabhi bhi nahi nikal saka tha.
Woh apne gham aur aziyato ko kisi tor bhi bhula nahi saka tha.

Uska dil toota tha. Maan bharosa. Use mohabbat ke naam par toda gaya tha.
Use rishte mein uljha kar maara gaya tha. Use apno ki sakhti bachpan se
jheelni pari thi.

Uske barabar mein baithi Mudhat Agha ab khamosh ho gayi thi. Jannat
aankho mein dukh aur gham ka taasur liye baithi reh gayi. Usne shawl ko
kheench liya.

Jis aurat ki woh shakl tak nahi dekhna chahta tha, us aurat ka woh naam leti
rahi. Baat baat par uska hawala deti rahi. Use apne aur Faris ke beech laati
rahi.

Usne saare ilzaam uske sar daal diye. Use be-hiss, zalim aur jaane kya kuch
samajh liya.

Usse Faris par bharosa karna chahiye tha. Usne roka tha to ruk jaana
chahiye tha. Usko samajhna chahiye tha.
"Maine usay bohot dukh diye hain. Bohot bura kiya hai." Woh ro padi.

"Aap ko kuchh ilm nahi tha."

"Phir bhi mujhe us par bharosa karna chahiye tha. Usne mujhe roka tha.
Mujhe uski baat nahi maan ni... Main... main usse chhup kar rayyan se
milne gayi. Main..." Usne be-ikhteyar apni peshaani par haath rakha.

"Mujhe pata hi nahi ke yeh sab... yeh sab us ke liye kitna mushkil raha
hoga. Maine kabhi samjha hi nahi ke..."

"Jab woh aunty ki har baat maan leta hai toh phir yahan is mamle mein itni
sakhti kyun hai? Aur aunty, woh usse force kyun nahi kar pati?"

"Aap la-ilm thee... Aap ki ghalti nahi hai."

"Meri ghalti hai." Sar utha Kar bheegi aankho se kaha.

"Maine us ke sab zakhm udhed diye. Meri wajah se aunty is haal ko pohnch
gayi. Meri wajah se. Shayad main... Shayad main waqai manhoos hoon.
Mere wajood se bas dukh aur gham hi mil sakte hain."

"Jannat bibi, Aisa nahi hai..." Mudhat ne narmi se kaha.

"Aisa hi hai. Main uska samna kaise kar paoon gi. Main usse koi baat,
humare darmiyan ab kuch bhi theek nahi ho paayega. Main yeh sab kaise?"
Woh sisak padhi.

Mudhat ne narmi se uske haath par haath rakha.

"Aap please sambhale khud ko."

"Main bas... main sirf aunty ke liye wahan gayi thi. Main sirf un ke liye
Rayyan ko wapas laana chahti thi. Main ne unse waada kiya tha. Main unka
yeh waada poora karna chahti thi. Mujhe nahi pata tha un ki khwahish ke
saath Faris ka gham joda hai. Mujhe nahi pata tha..."

"Kasoor aap ka nahi hai. Kasoor Faris ka, ya kisi aur ka bhi nahi hai. Bas
haalaat aise ho gaye. Aur halat par to insaan ka ikhtiyar nahi hota." Mudhat
ne samjhaya.

"Agar aunty ko kuch hua to woh mujhe kabhi bhi..."

"Nahi." Mudhat ne tokk diya.

"Begum sahiba kehti thi aise haalaat mein sirf dua aur bas dua. Aur koi
soch-khayal nahi."

Usne gehri saans le kar peshaani par haath rakh liya. Ek baar phir Faris ko
call ki thi. Uska mobile abhi tak off tha. Anginat khauf aur wahmo mein
ghira hua dil shiddat se dhadak raha tha. Ek anjaani si kaifiyat rag-o-pai
mein saraiyat kar chuki thi. Uske liye intezaar, aur mazeed intezaar bohot
mushkil ho raha tha.

•••

Sadak par guzarte car trollers ka shor aik dum se taiz hua tha. Faris Wajdan
ne Rayyan Shirazi ki cheekhe suni thi. Uske qadam jakde gaye the. Woh
apni gaadi ke samne ruk gaya. Usne raat ki tareeki mein ajeeb si wahshat
bikhri dekhi. Woh panjo ke bal jhuka, ghutne zameen par tikaye apna sar
hatheliyo mein gira liya.

Kitna mushkil imtihan tha us ka. Kitni badi aazmaish chun li gayi thi us ke
liye.

Rayyan Shirazi bokhalaya hua sa, khaif, shiddat se rota hua, kar lata hua,
haath uthaye yahaan wahan dekhte chhote chhote qadam uthane laga tha.
Us ke liye woh mahaul, andhera aur tanhai be-intaaha wahshat ki alamat
thi.

Is lamhe usay nazar aanay wala woh wahid insaan Faris hi tha. Woh uljhan
kar gira, phir ro kar cheekhte hue apne ghuto par haath rakhte, us wahid
insaan ko mutajeh karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Jiska dil us ke liye patthar
ho chuka tha. Woh insaan jise apna har gham, apni har takleef yaad aa rahi
thi. Jiska wajood larajh raha tha, jiske siskian bandh gayi thin. Jiska chehra
tar hone laga tha.
Uske ehsaasat aur nafrato se qateeb be-naaz woh rote cheekhe apni jagah,
apna rasta banta, uske ghuton se ooper uske bazuo ke neeche ghus kar seene
se lipat gaya. Shirt daboch li. Munh chhupa liya. Woh is lamhe bas yehi kar
sakta tha. Uske nanhe se zehan mein bas yehi aik khayal aasakta tha. Woh
bas aise mehfooz reh sakta hai.

Faris ka larazta wajood saqit ho gaya. Uske andar aik dum se sunayi phail
gayi. Num aankhein pathra si gayi. Aisi jurat usne kabhi nahi ki thi. Aisa
hosla usmein kabhi nahi aaya tha. Jis se bachna chahiye tha, woh usi mein
panaah dhoond raha tha. Jis se darna chahiye tha, woh usmein sukoon dekh
raha tha.

Usne kisi kadar aur kuwwat se usay khud se alag karne ki koshish ki thi.
Usay pakad kar khud se alag kiya. Woh ludhak kar peeche hua aur phir rote
hue sar uthaya. Pehle baayen taraf dekha, phir daayen taraf. Phir uske andar
ka toofan tham gaya. Aag bujh gayi. Sakta taari ho gaya. Woh pehla samna
tha jo Faris Wajdan ka apne aap se hua tha. Woh pehli mulaqat thi jo is
lamhe, is waqt Faris Wajdan ki apne kisi roop se hui thi.

Woh jiski shakl tak nahi dekhna chahta tha. Woh Adina Zubair ka beta tha,
na Hammad Shirazi ka. Woh bas dhed saal ka ek Faris tha. Jiski peshaani
par ek zakhm tha. Jiski gardan par bhi ek lakeer si thi. Neel jaisi mubhim
hoti hui. Jiski thodi par bhi halki si chot nazar aa rahi thi. Aur jo shiddat se
rota chinta ja raha tha. Woh ek aisa Faris tha jiska baap haqeeqatan mar
chuka tha aur jiski maa usay waqai chhod chuki thi.

Kahin koi deal nahi hui thi. Woh ek aisa Faris tha jiski zindagi mein Azam
Shirazi uski paidaish ke saath hi daakhil ho chuka tha. Jo uske masoom
chehre par uski Maa ko khoj raha tha. Aur uski khoobsurat aankho mein
uske baap ko dekh raha tha.

Tasveer wohi thi. Manzar bhi. Bas kirdaar badal gaye the. Hakayat phir se
likhi ja rahi thi ke Azam Shirazi ki jagah Faris Wajdan aa gaya tha. Faris
Wajdan ki jagah Rayyan Shirazi ne le li thi.

Qalam uthaa liye gaye -

Shafe phailaa diye gaye -

Imtihan shuru ho gaya -

Faris Wajdan ka imtihan -

Uski sakit nigahe Rayyan Shirazi ke chehre par thehri reh gayi, phir se
ghutne ke bal rengta hua aage hua, uske ghutno par haath rakhe. Uske andar
chhupne ki koshish karne laga.

Woh Faris...

Ek aur Faris...

Usne sar gira liya tha...

Usne shikast tasleem kar li....

Rayyan Shirazi ab uski giraft mein tha. Uske seene se laga hua, shiddat se
rota, bilkita hua.

Dara hua. Sehma hua. Andhere simatne lage. Hawae ruk kar phir se chalne
lagi. Patto ki sargoshiya buland ho gayi. Zameen ne wusat pakad li.

Woh usay giraft mein liye uth kar gaadi mein baith gaya. Woh hanuz uski
shirt daboche apne doosre haath ko band rakhe apna moun uske seene mein
hi diye hua tha. Uska rona abhi tak band nahi hua tha. Uska nanha dil bohot
shiddat se dhadak raha tha. Faris Wajdan ka kapkapata haath uski pusht par
aa thehra.

Uski kapkapahat kuch madhm parhi. Magar uski hichkiya band na hui.
Uska rona kam na hua. Usne haath badha kar gaadi ki lights on kar di taake
roshni mein uska khauf kam ho. Chehra laal ho raha tha. Aankhein phati
hui. Aisi dehshat thi unmein jaise usne pa nahi kiya dekh liya ho.

Tissue se uski naak moun saaf kiya. Pani ki bottle uske labon se lagayi.
Kuch pani gir raha tha. Kuch uske halaq mein jari tha. Magar uski piyas
khatam nahi ho rahi thi. Woh usay chup kaise karwaye?

Usne phir us bag ko khola jismein uska samaan tha. Usmein feeder tha.
Usne feeder ka dhakkan hata kar uske labo se lagaya. Bhook ki shiddat se
nidhal woh doodh peene laga. Hichkiya khatam ho gayi. Sirf sukoon ka
gumaan hone laga.

Woh kuch sambhal gaya to usne usay passenger seat par bithana chaaha aur
woh chup hote hote ek baar phir se machal kar shiddat se rone laga. Woh
kisi soorat bhi usse alag hone ko tayar nahi tha. Majbooran ek bazu mein
usay liye usne doosre haath se steering wheel sambhal liya. Gaadi start ho
gayi.

Safar shuru ho gaya. Rayyan ki nigahen ab jalti bujhti motiyo par thi. Car
screen par ubharte lafzon par thi. Wrist watch ke chamkte dial par thi.

Chalti hui gaadi mein khamoshi aur sannate mein neend ghalib aane lagi.
Uski gardan bazu par dhalak gayi. Rayyan Shirazi apne nanhe haath se uski
shirt hanuz daboch raha tha.

Yeh giraft khauf se bachne ke liye thi. Yeh giraft tahaffuz aur aman ke liye
thi. Aisi mazboot giraft jise duniya ki koi bhi taqat ab chhudha nahi sakti
thi.

---- •♡• ----

ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH96
Wo rahdari mein thi. ICU ke samne hi khadi thi. Mobile haath mein tha.
Teen ghante ho chuke the Faris ko hospital se gaye hue. Aur abhi tak woh
wapas nahi aaya tha. Abhi tak uski koi call bhi receive nahi hui thi. Mobile
band tha. Koi paighaam, khairiyat ki koi khabar, usse kuch bhi moosool
nahi ho raha tha.

Jannat ke haath pair thande par rahe the. Fikr, khauf aur andesho mein ghira
dil bohot shiddat se dhadak raha tha. Usse apni saansein rukti hui mehsoos
ho rahi thi. Uski pareshaani badhne lagi thi. Woh is haalat, is situation mein
aakhir ja kahan sakta hai? Rahdari se nikal kar usne lift ka rukh kiya tha.
Ground floor par pohanchte hi woh bahar chali gayi thi.

Uski rangat safed par rahi thi. Haath kapkapa rahe the. Halaq khushk ho
raha tha. Talashi nazarain idhar udhar bhatak rahi thi. Magar usse Faris
kahin bhi nazar nahi aa raha tha.

"Tum kahan ho Faris, please please wapas aa jao."

Uska rukh parking area ki taraf tha. Ujlat mein qadam uthate ab woh uski
gaadi ko dhoondh rahi thi.

"…agar tum chahti ho, hamare darmiyan sab theek rahe, toh aindah is
maamle mein nahi pado gi tum."

Woh manzar, woh awaaz, woh kefiyat ek baar phir haavi hui thi.

"Tumhe meri feelings ka khayal nahi hai, me tumhe kis baat se rok raha
hoon isse tumhe koi farq nahi padhta.."

"Jannat biwi?" Mudhat pareshani ke aalam me uske peeche lapki thi.

Usne muntashir zehan ke saath har taraf dekha. Thakaan se jism ka jor jor
dukh raha tha. Gham aur pachtawey mein rooh alag tarap rahi thi. Usse yeh
ghalti kyun kar baithi? Usne itne bade imtihan mein kyun daal diya unhein?
Ehsaas kyun na kiya?

Zehen ke pardo mein guzrey waqt ke kai manzar phir se ubharne lage. Woh
nafratein jo behnon ne dikhai. Woh rawaiya jo khandan ne apnaya. Woh
sazaye jo uske liye chun li gayin.

Ek baar phir koi hisaab shuru hone wala tha. Iski ghaltio ka khamiyaza ab
koi aur bhugatne wala tha.

Uske qadam ek lamhe ke liye tham gaye the. Bhatakti hui nighaye jis gaadi
par thehri thi, woh Faris ki hi thi.

Woh driving seat par tha.

Ujlat mein qadam uthate usne Faris ki taraf ka darwaza khol diya tha. Agle
hi pal uska wujood saakht ho gaya tha.

Woh akela nahi tha. Uske daaye baazu mein Rayyan Shirazi tha. Neend se
bedar. Aankhein khole. Uske seene par sar rakhe, shirt ko pakde, saja hua
sa.

Jannat shock mein khadi reh gayi. Aankhon par yaqeen nahi aaya tha.

Faris ba mushkil se saans leta apni jagah baitha hua tha. Woh uske chehre
ko safed padta dekh sakti thi. Usne kis qadar koshish se haath badha kar
Rayyan ko lena chaha magar Rayyan ne ek dum se rote hue apna haath
wapas kheench liya. Seene mein muh diye rote laga. Jannat ne use Faris se
le liya, jise Midhat ne sambhal liya.

"Faris!" Darwaze par haath rakhe, woh tar hotey chehre ke saath Faris ki
taraf jhuki thi.

Usne aahistagi se Jannat ki taraf dekha. Uski surkh padti aankhon mein
Jannat ne apna aap doobta hua mehsoos kiya. Jo himmat thi baat karne ki,
woh khatam hoti lag rahi thi. Jo hausla tha, baat karne ka woh mittne laga.
Jis tarah woh usse dekh raha tha, usse laga ke woh khud ko bhi maaf nahi
kar payegi.
"Kya mummy?" Uske lab hilay. Woh mushkil se alfaz ada karte toot-ta
bikharta lag raha tha.

"Nahi, nahi... Faris!" Usne be-ikhtiyar uske thande padte, kapkapate haath
tham liye. Woh ro rahi thi. To wo samjha kuch ho gaya hai usne apni maa
ko kho diya hai.

"Woh theek ho jayengi... woh bilkul theek ho jayengi..."

Aankho mein dard liye woh gehri saans leta apni hatheliyo mein sar gira
gaya.

"Woh humein chhod kar nahi ja sakteen... tumhein chhod kar nahi ja
sakteen. I’m really sorry ye sab ho gaya," usne baazu se pakad kar uthana
chaha, toh woh ba mushkil se qadam ghasit ta aage badha.

Rayyan ko uthaye, Mudhat unke peeche thi. Woh Faris ko dekh rahi thi.
Kitni mohabbat thi usse Jameela Dawood se, ke sirf judai ke tasavvur se hi
woh usse marta hua lag raha tha. Kitne baras beet gaye, kitna bara ho gaya
woh, magar jahan Jameela Dawood thi, wahan woh chhota sa Faris hi tha,
jise apni poori duniya tareek hoti nazar aa rahi thi.

Rahdari se lift aur phir corridor mein qadam uthata woh ICU mein chala
gaya. Yun jaise aankhon se dekh kar tasalli karna chahta ho ke Jameela
Dawood ki saansein chal rahi hain. Zindagi se unka taluq khatam nahi hua.
Woh unka haath thaam kar un par jhuka hua tha. Woh aansuon se tar
aankhon se unhe qareeb se dekh raha tha.

"Mummy..!" Unki aankhe band thi. Unke lab saakht the. Woh uski pukar
par foran jawab deti thi, ab nahi de rahi thi. Unka haath uski giraft mein
bejaan mehsoos ho raha tha. Dharkano ki nishandahi karti lakeeron mein
use zindagi nazar nahi aa rahi thi.

Nurse aur doctor andar daakhil hue toh use bahar jaana pada. Band darwaze
ke samne woh balo mein ungliya phansaye khada raha.

Muntazir, ghamon se choor, zakhmo se nidhal...

Jannat uth kar uske paas aa gayi. Bahut narmi se baazu se pakad kar use
bench par bithaya. Paani ki bottle haath mein di. Mushkil se chand ghoont
liye. Ab woh gehri saansein leta apne aap ko is kefiyat se nikalne ki koshish
kar raha tha, jo ek daldal jaisi thi.

"Woh theek ho jayengi." Andar se reza-reza hoti Jannat Kamal ne upar se

mazbooti dikhai. Woh mazbooti jo usne apne sajdo aur duaao se li thi.

Woh baitha raha, yun jaise koi awaaz us tak na pohanch rahi ho. Uske andar
sab kuch ek dam se tha gaya tha. Na shor, na awaaz. Na cheekh, na pukaar.
Jannat uski aankho mein haza ka samandar dekh sakti thi. Uske chehre se
karb ki tahreer khoj sakti thi.

Usne Faris ka thanda padta haath apne haathon mein liya. Usne haath nahi
jhatka, ghussa nahi dikhaya.

"Sab theek ho jayega... sab theek ho jayega," woh keh rahi thi, woh dohra
rahi thi. "Aunty bohot bahadur hain. Woh apni bimari se ladna jaanti hain.
Woh jald uth jayengi."

Woh chup raha. Sar jhuka hua tha. Jannat ki giraft uske daaye haath par
mazboot hone lagi. Use rona aa raha tha, magar woh zabt kiye hue thi.

"Faris!" Larazti awaaz mein pukara. Kuch toh kahe woh, Usne abhi tak ek
lafz bhi ada nahi kiya tha, jaise kuch bolne sunne ki har salahiyat khatam ho
chuki ho.

•••

Unke hawas be-daar ho rahe the. Safaid dhund mein roshni ka mubhim sa
tasavvur tha. Aawaz mein thi aur madhyam sa shor tha. Shirazi Mansion ka
bagh, ghode, taweel rahdariyo mein bhaagte daudte Hammad ka tasavvur.
Uski hasi muskaraahat aur phir bhaag kar inse lene ka woh manzar, band
aankho par theher gaya.

Woh use dekh rahi thi, use sun rahi thi. Woh ek mukammal family, ek
mukammal zindagi ko maazi ke pardo par ek baar phir ubharta hua dekh
rahi thi. Woh Hammad, woh ek dum se chhota sa bacha ho gaya. Woh baby
cot mein tha. Woh use utha rahi thi. Woh darwaze mein Haroon Shirazi ko
khada hua dekh sakti thi. Suraj ki zar-kar roshniyo mein woh manzar. Woh
zindagi. Woh sukoon bhare lamhaat unhein waheen kahin muallaq kar gaye.

Woh bas yahin kahin theher jaana chahti thi. Apne bete, apne shauhar ke
saath. Apne hi ghar mein. Apni hi zindagi mein. Woh us mukammal tasveer
ka ek hissa ban jaana chahti thi.

"Mummy..."

Gird-o-nawaah mein woh awaaz bohot aahista se goonji thi. Unke haath
mein painting brush tha. Woh safaid canvas par maharat se samandar ki
thaathe maarti lehro ka manzar bana rahi thi.

Manzar badal gaya tha. Ab woh kitchen mein thi. Woh Hammad ke liye
sandwich bana rahi thi.

"Mummy, please!"

Woh kushada se kamre mein, carpet par bikhre khilono ko basket mein daal
rahi thi. Hammad unke aas-paas hastw hue bhaagta phir raha tha. Woh unki
gardan mein baazu daale jhool raha tha.

Haroon coffee ka mug liye khidki ke paas khada tha. Uski naram
muskaraahat zindagi ka ehsaas dila rahi thi.

"Woh ek ghalti thi," Haroon keh raha tha.

"Kya?" Woh apni jagah se uth khadi hui.

"Aarzoo se shaadi. Woh ek ghalti thi."

Unke labo ki muskaraahat ek dum se madhoom ho gayi. Khushiyon ke

rang, kahin kahin se pheeke aur maand padne lage. Roshniya madhyam
hone lagi. Nanhe Hammad ki qelqariyaan khatam ho gayin.

"Kaun Aarzoo? Kaisi shaadi?" Unke lab hilay.

"Aankhe khole mummy..."

Aankhein kholi to unhein apna haath mazboot giraft mein mehsoos hua.
Unke haath ki pusht par aansuo ke qatre ubharne lage.

Aur phir manzar badal gaya. Wohi tasveer, wohi zindagi, wohi khwab aur
chahat. Woh ek daira tha, baar baar ghoom raha tha. Woh uske wash mein
khadi, zindagi ke haseen tareen lamhaat ko jee rahi thi. Woh is daire se ab
kabhi nikalna nahi chahti thi.

"Mummy..."

Manzar bas ek lamhe ke liye badla. Deewaro mein daraad nazar aayi. Woh
awaaz jo bohot halki thi, woh ek dum se buland hui.

"Aap mere saath aise nahi kar sakti. Aap mujhe chhod kar nahi ja sakti."

Woh Hammad ko seene se lagaye, waheen tehal rahi thi. Ruk gayi. Gardan
mod kar adh-khule darwaze ko dekhne lagi.

"Chalein?" Outing ka program tha. Haroon pooch raha tha. Unho ne sar
hilaaya.

Wahan koi tha. Unhon ne Hammad ko baby cot mein sula diya. Aahista se
qadam uthate hue darwaze tak aayi.

Phir rahdari mein, aur ab woh deewar ke saath lagi band almari ke samne
khadi thin.

"Jameela?" Haroon unke peeche aaye magar dikhayi na diye. Hammad ki

awaaz bhi kahin gum ho gayi.

Khauf aur haras se bhari hui hazel aankhein, tar chehra, bikhre hue baal, aur
apne aap mein simta hua woh bacha...

Woh girne jese andaz mein neeche baith gayi. Shirazi Mansion andhere
mein doobta ja raha tha. Woh ek dam se wahan akeli reh gayin.

"Faris!" Aawaz dete hue uthi.

"Faris!" Uski talaash mein woh yahan wahan betaabi se qadam uthane lagi
thi. Unhone har ek manzar ko aaine ki satah par ubharte, toot'te aur bikhrte
hue dekha. Woh dheemi dheemi siskiya thin jo samaat se takrai thin, aur
agle hi pal unki aankh khul gayi thi.

Unhone ek dum se saans kheenchte hue daahine haath ko junbish di thi.

Monitor ki beep, doctors aur nurses ki awaaz. Unka wujood bhaari ho raha
tha. Unki aankhein dukh rahi thin. Lab kapakpa rahe the. Woh awaaz dene
se bilkul qaasir thi.

Jo manzar roshniyo ki zad mein tha, woh aahista aahistagi se tareek hone
laga. Unke aas-paas andhere chhane lage. Shor khatam hone laga. Woh
sukoon ki wadiyon mein utar rahi thin. Daahina haath abhi bhi kisi ki giraft
mein tha.

"Mummy!" Woh unka haath pakre jhuka hua tha. Doosre hi pal woh hosh-
o-khirad se begaana ho gayi thin. Phir unhein jaane kitni der baad hosh
aaya.

Woh unka haath pakre jhuka hua tha. Kuch keh bhi raha tha. Aankh khuli
toh unhon ne labon ko junbish di. Ungliyan mutaharrik hui. Neem tareeki
mein Faris ki mojoodgi ka ehsas hua. Gardan moray woh use dekhti rahi.

Unke barabar mein hi kursi par baithe woh waheen so gaya tha. Unka
daahina haath pait par dhara tha. Aahistagi se harkat dete uske balon mein
haath phera. Neend se kuch chonk kar bedar hotay usne sar uthaya aur phir
utni hi tezi se kursi chhod kar uth gaya.

"Mummy!"

Uske baal bikhre hue the, shave barhi hui thi. Shirt ke collar durust nahi the.
Rat jage ki gawaahi deti aankho mein bahut sa sar thehra tha. Woh use
dekhti rahi, kuch kehne ki himmat na thi. Bas us par giraft barhaye rakhi.

Kuch hi der mein doctor aa gaya. Woh unke sawalat ka jawab sar ki
jumbish se de rahi thin. Unho ne apne baaye aur phir daahine haath ki
ungliyo ko bhi harkat dene ki koshish ki thi. Unka bed sitting position mein
adjust ho chuka tha. Nurse drip badal rahi thi. Faris qadre faasle par hi
khada tha.

Phir waqfe waqfe se jitni baar woh neend se bedar hui, unho ne use hi
dekha. Woh waheen tha, unke be-had qareeb. Unki khulti-band hoti aankho
ko bohut tadap aur intezaar se dekhta hua. Bahut se pachtawo aur aziyato
mein ghira hua.

•••

Mobile phone kaan se lagaye Adina apni jagah sadme se gung hui thi

"Kya keh rahe hain aap?"

"Rayyan ka chacha usey le gaya hai."

Woh sofa se uth khari hui thi. Aankho mein be-yaqeeni ka tasur liye. Ek
dum se mushta'il hui thi.

"Aap ne kyun le jane diya usay? Main keh kar gayi thi ke Ryan ko main le
jaungi."

"Bas kar do, Adina," Tariq sahab, jo is mumkinah surat-e-haal se pehle se

ghabraye hue thay, jhunjhla kar bole.

"Bachhe ka chacha hai, hum kaise mana kar saktay thay?"

"Lekin maine aap se kaha tha!"

Tariq sahab ne zabt kar ke apni peshaani masli.

"To kya hum usay mana kar detay? Kis haq se mana kartay ke uski maa ki
ijazat nahi hai? Tum to usay apne saath rakhna hi nahi chahti thi!"

Us ne gusse se call hi kaat di.

Usay yaqeen nahi aa raha tha, Faris Shirazi uske bete ko le gaya tha. Yeh
sadma tha. Aur yeh sadma uske hawaas par bhaari ho raha tha.
Gehri saans layti hui woh abhi bhi bay-yaqeeni ki si kefiyat mein thi. Jannat
ka wahan aana aur phir Faris ka is bachhe ko is ghar se khud le jana. Uska
sir nafi mein hila tha. "Aisa kaise mumkin hai?" Aankho mein gussa utar
aya. Lab sakhti se bheench gaye thay.

Waqt jaise palat raha tha. Faris Wajdan ke saath guzari gayi zindagi, Hamad
se nikah, sab aankho mein aa raha tha. Jis raat Hammad use talaaq de kar
gaya tha, usi raat us ne abortion ka faisla kar liya tha, magar agle din shah
surkhiyo mein nazar aati uski hadsati maut ki khabar ne uska irada badal
diya tha. Apne khusare mein usay bohot bara faida dikhai dene laga tha.
Woh Hammad ki aulad ka istemal kar ke is khandan se jud sakti thi. Woh is
bache ke zariye poori jaidaad par qabiz bhi ho sakti thi.

Lamho mein us ne planning kar ke tamam hisaab kar liye. Woh is khandan
ki jaah-o-hashmat aur amarat se waqif thi. Bete aur potay ka gham liye
Azam Shirazi apni nasal ki baqa ke liye usay rad nahi karenge. Woh jo talaq
ke gham aur sadmay mein thi, ek dum se halki-phulki ho gayi. Kando se har
bojh sarak gaya. Apne flat mein khushi se ghoomti rahi, jhoomti rahi, sochti
rahi. Sab uska hoga. Uski aulad ka hoga.

Intezaar ek hafte tak tha. Us ne kar liya. Itwaar ki shaam uska Islamabad
jane ka irada tha. Woh Jamila dawood aur Azam Shirazi se milna chahti thi.
Nikah, talaaq ke kagazat aur pregnancy ki report, usne sab kaghazat uthaa
liye. Kya kehna hai, soch liya. Kis tarah se baat karni hai, tay kar liya.
Magar us raat achanak break hone wali khabar ne uske hawaaso par bijli
gira di thi.

Hammad Shirazi akelota nahi tha. Haroon Shirazi ka doosra beta manzar-
aam par aa chuka tha. Wo sadme se gung aur saakit khadi reh gayi thi.

Woh Faris Wajdan ki tasveer thi jo dikhai ja rahi thi. Woh Faris Wajdan ka
hi zikr tha jo har jagah ho raha tha. Apne baap aur bhai ka qatil Shirazi
khandan ki aulaad. Uska dimagh ma'of hone laga tha. Chakrakar reh gayi
thi. Wohm-o-gumaan mein bhi nahi tha ke aisa kuch ho jayega. Jise
sawaliya nishan bana kar chor chuki hai, uska talluq isi khandan se nikal
ayega.
Us ne mulaqaat ka irada tark kar diya. Tawajjo khabro par laga kar baith
gayi. Faris Wajdan par qatal ka ilzaam lagaya ja raha tha. Usay apne baap
aur bhai ki maut ka zimmedar thehraya ja raha tha. Daanto se nakhun
kaat'tay, balon mein haath phair'tay, be-qarari se apne kamray mein tehltay,
woh poori kahani ko jaise ab samajh pa rahi thi.

Hammad ne usay aise hi nahi approach kiya tha. Woh Faris ki haqeeqat se
waqif tha. Uske ilm mein sab kuch tha.

Woh uski khoobsurti nahi thi jo Hammad ko uski taraf layi thi. Woh bhai se
mukhalfat thi jis ne Usay mohra bana diya tha. Woh inteqam ke is khel
mein bas sirf istemal hi hui thi aur yeh idraak usay angaaro par la raha tha.

Ghalti uski thi. Mansuba uska tha. Hammad Shirazi ne usay talaq ke liye
force nahi kiya tha. Abortion ka faisla bhi uska hi tha. Faris Wajdan ke
muqable mein, Hammad Shirazi apne khandani status ki wajah se usay
behtar laga tha. Woh usay apnane ke liye har had se guzar raha tha. Itne
ameer naujawan ki aisi deewangi ke baad, woh aur kya chah sakti thi?

Woh har soorat Faris Wajdan se jaan chhuda kar Hammad Shirazi se shadi
karna chahti thi. Usay apni zindagi aish o ishaarat se guzarna thi. Woh aulad
ki kisi zanjeer mein nahi jakarna chahti thi. Woh Faris Wajdan ke saath
mazeed koi taluq nahi rakhna chahti thi. Woh usay talaq dene ko tayar nahi
tha, abortion ke liye bhi nahi.

Rukawat sirf aulad hi thi. Woh aulad jise woh ab nahi chahti thi.

Us raat parne wala thappad bas aakhri hadd sabit hua tha. Woh lamhon
mein faisla karti thi, saniyo mein step uthati thi. Usne abortion karwa kar
apne raste hamesha ke liye juda kar diye the. Usne har woh rukawat mita di
thi jo uske aur Hammad ke raste mein aa sakti thi.

Rukawat khatam. Shadi bhi ho gayi. Magar sirf chheh mah tak uske saath
rehne ke baad, Hammad Shirazi ne usay talaq de di thi. Uski planning mein
uska wajood bas yahin tak tha. Husn ka jadoo bas jadoo hi tha, zara dair tak
asar dikhakar khatam hone wala.
Hammad Shirazi mar chuka tha magar jo maar woh usay de gaya tha, woh
usse sambhal nahi pa rahi thi.

"Kaisa lagta hai jab aapko aap jaisa insaan mil jaye?"

Yado ko jhatak kar ab woh laptop screen par dekh rahi thi. Faris Wajdan par
apne baap aur bhai ke qatal ka ilzam tha. Nichla lab kaat'te, zehan mein
ubharte be-tahasha khayalat ke zed mein ab woh yeh chahti thi ke yeh ilzam
sach sabit ho jaye. Faris Wajdan ko saza ho, woh uske raste se hat jaye aur
tamam jaidad uski aulad ke hisse mein aa jaye.

Magar jaisa woh chah rahi thi, waisa nahi hua tha. Pehle uski zaat par
lagaya gaya najayaz aulad ka shuba door hua tha jab Aarzoo Jahangir aur
Haroon Shirazi ka nikahnama public kar diya gaya tha.

Aur uske chand hi dino baad Azam Shirazi ne apni tamam jaidad Faris
Wajdan ke naam kar di thi. Usne shadeed gusse mein laptop farsh par de
maara tha. Woh paagal ho rahi thi. Jo socha rakha tha, woh ab na mumkin
lag raha tha. Zehan mein tarah tarah ke khayalat aa rahe the, gussa aa raha
tha.

Usay apne andar gusse aur aag ki wajah pehle samajh nahi aayi thi. Ab aa
rahi thi. Faris Wajdan ko chorhne par ab woh be-tarha pachtawa mehsoos
kar rahi thi. Jald bazi mein faisla na karti to aaj bhi uski biwi hoti. Hammad
ke chakron mein na phasti to aaj sab kuch uska hi hota.

Waqt palat nahi sakta tha. Woh apne maazi ko ab badal nahi sakti thi, magar
apne mustaqbil ke liye ab woh haath par haath dhare nahi baith sakti thi.
Usay kuch to karna hi tha.

Woh pehli fursat mein Islamabad rawana hui thi. Haath mein nikah ke
papers, talaq ke kaghazaat, aur pregnancy reports. Woh puri tayari ke sath
ayi thi magar uski mulaqat nahi ho saki thi. Woh baar baar mukhtalif phone
numbers try karti rahi, paigham bhijwati rahi, kisi tarah Jameela Dawood ya
kisi aur se uska rabta ho sake.

Magar uske muqable mein bhi Faris Wajdan hi tha, uske tamam tar iradon
ko khaak mein milata, uske liye Shirazi khandan ka har darwaza band karta
hua.

Ab zaroori ho gaya tha ke woh uske shubhaat door kar de. Apni mohabbat
ke jaal mein jis tarah pehle phansa chuki thi, waise hi dobara phansa le.
Woh uski biwi reh chuki hai, dedh saal ka saath hai. Woh sari ghaltiyo ka
malba Hammad ke sir daal degi, maafi maang legi.

Usay daulat, paisa, kuch bhi nahi chahiye, sirf Faris ka saath chahiye.

Usne phone calls aur text messages bheje. Uske office mein gayi. Har jagah
uska rasta roka, har jagah aansu bahaaye, wazahat dena chaahi, magar uske
haath sirf nafrat aur dhutkaar hi aayi.

Usay apne khasare ka ehsas jaise ab shiddat se ho raha tha. Kuch bhi uske
hisaab se nahi ho raha tha. Uski har tadbeer ulti ja rahi thi. Sirf Jameela
Dawood se mulaqat hi uski jagah Shirazi House mein bana sakti thi. Ek
baar woh Shirazi House mein dakhil ho jaye, faris tak rasai khud hi hasil ho
jaayegi. Jameela Dawood apne bete ki aulaad ko kisi taur bhi khona nahi
chahein gi. Woh apne bete ki aulaad ke liye unka patch-up bhi karwa sakti
hain.

Woh rabte ki koshish mein lag gayi. Qismat achhi thi ke kamyab ho gayi.
Phone par unhein sab bata diya, apni reports bhi bhej di. Apne halat bayaan
kiye, apne dukh aur pachtawe ke saath roti hui unse baat ki. Unhone call
kaat di. Kuch nahi kaha. Woh muntazir rahi. Kuch dino baad, unhone use
ghar bula liya. Uski khushi ka koi thikana nahi raha.

Pehli fursat mein hi woh Shirazi House pohanch gayi. Sadr darwaze se
andar dakhil hote hi jis pehle shaks par uski nazar pari, woh Faris hi tha.
Usay dekhte hi woh apni jagah pathhar hua tha.

Uski aulaad ki jaan lene wali, uske ghar mein, uske samne khadi thi. Jisne
uski zindagi ko jahannum banane mein koi kasar nahi chhodi thi. Woh ab
gham se nidhal aur karb mein dubi pachtawo ke saath nazar aa rahi thi. Woh
tarap kar uski taraf barh gayi. Roti hui maafi maangne lagi.

“Faris! Please... meri baat suno. Main aisa nahi karna chahti thi. Mujhe pata
nahi kya ho gaya tha. Hammad ne tumhare khilaf bohot bhadkaya. Main...
main bhatak gayi thi. Main aaj bhi tumse mohabbat—”

Shadeed gusse ke alam mein Faris ne intehai nafrat se uska haath jhatak
diya. Uski aankhein lahu rang ho rahi thi. Woh saamne thi toh uska gala
ghont dena chahta tha. Woh usse ek ek jurm ka hisaab lena chahta tha.
Magar jabt se peeche hat te. gusse ko zabt karte hue, usne Agha Ali ko
hukm diya ke use ghar se nikal dein.

Tabhi Jameela Dawood aa gayi thi. Unhone Faris ko rok diya.

“Yeh aap kya kar rahi hain, Ammi?” Aankhon mein shiddat aur hairani liye
woh beyaqeen sa khada reh gaya.

“Maa banne wali hai,” Jameela Dawood rone lagi. Unki aankhein suji hui
thi, chehra utra hua. bete ke gham se nidhal woh barso ki beemar lag rahi
thi. Woh Hammad ki aulaad ko khona nahi chahti thi. Woh Adina Zubair ko
is ghar me rakhne ke liye taiyar thi.

“ Aap isay jaanti bhi hain mummy?" Uski rage ubhri hui thi.

"Gor se dekhe kon hai ye.."

"Faris" wo sisak padhi.

"Mummy yeh aurat ek barbaadi hai!”

Woh hatheliyo par sar girati sofe par beth gayi. Woh ro rahi thi unka dil
phat Raha tha. Unhe apne bete ki yaad aa rahi thi.

"Faris Hammad ne mujhe bhadkaya.."

"Aik lafz nahi" sbke bahut ghusse aur tahammul se apne ghusse ki aag me
jhulashte huwe wo uski taraf muda. Uski aankho me shole nazar aa rahe
the.

“Kitne paise chahiye tumhein?” uske kareeb pahuch kar sansanati awaz me
poocha, uski aankho ka Qaher bhara taasur is lamhe Adina zubair ke reerh
ki haddi mein sansanahat dora gaya. Faris ab woh nahi raha tha jise woh
jaanti thi.
"Faris, yeh tum kya keh rahe ho? Main yahan is liye nahi aayi!"

"Tumhari keemat bohot aasani se lag jaati hai. Batao, ab kitne mein bikna
chahti ho?"

Woh karakht lehje mein poocha gaya sawal, Adina ke chehre par zanaatay
daar thappad ki tarah pada. Phati phati aankhon se woh usay dekhti reh
gayi. Zillat ki tawaqqa thi, magar wo use uski nazro mein itna gira dega yeh
umeed nahi thi.

"Had mein raho!" Be-izzati bardasht nahi hui.

"Had mein tum raho," Faris ne sakhti se baat kaat kar, ungusht-e-shahadat
(index finger ) lahrayi.

"Dobara is ghar mein aayi toh main bhool jaunga ke tum ek aurat ho. Phir
main tumse tumhare hi hisaab se niptunga," uski karakht awaaz aur tehqiir
bhara lehja kaat raha tha.

"Now, get out!" Usne sadar darwaze ki taraf ishaara kiya.

“Bohot pachtaoge tum!” Aankho mein aansu liye, sakht lehje mein kehti
hui woh tan-fan karti ghar se nikal gayi. Be-izzati ka gussa ek taraf, apni
planning na kaam hone ka dukh zyada tha. Jo kuch socha tha, kisi taur
mumkin nahi tha. Faris Wajdan uske har raste ki sabse badi rukaawat tha.
Woh is bache ke hote hue bhi kuch hasil nahi kar sakti thi.

Taham, usne bhi inteqaam ka faisla kar liya. Zidd baandh li.

“Achha, agar aisa hai, toh phir aise hi sahi.”

Abortion ka irada ek baar phir tark kar diya. Bache ko duniya mein laa kar
Faris ki zindagi jahannum banai jaa sakti thi. Woh uska muqabla sirf is
tarah kar sakti thi. Apni tazleel ka badla is tarah le sakti thi.

Woh Islamabad shift ho gayi. Apne aur Hammad ke talluq ko pitch karna
shuru kar diya. Elitist class ke logon mein uthna-baithna shuru kiya. Dosti
banai, khabrein phailai. Usne kaha,
"Shirazi Enterprises ke CEO Faris Wajdan ki pehli biwi hoon. Talaaq le li
thi, kyunke woh tashaddud karta tha. Tabhi mujhe usse chhodna pada.
Hammad Shirazi ne meri jaan bachai. Hammad hi ne mujhe sahaara diya."

Woh jitni Faris ki image kharab kar sakti thi, usne ki. Jitni afwaye phaila
sakti thi, phailai. Apni shaadi ki tasaveer kisi website par daal di. Khayal
tha ke Faris ab usay zarur approach karega, magar woh kisi bhi baat par koi
rad-e-amal nahi de raha tha.

Delivery ke baad, woh bacha le kar Faris ke office gayi. Wahan mulaqat na
hui toh ghar par gayi. Ghar mein koi na tha. Jameela Dawood ko faalij ka
attack hua tha, woh hospital mein thi.

Usne aik mahine ke intezar ke baad, usne rayyan ki tasaveer Jameela

Dawood tak bhijwa di.

“woh bura haalat mein hai. Qoh bache ke saath Shirazi House mein aana
chahti hoon.”

Ek aur waar, ek aur koshish...

Kamzor hidaaf Jameela Dawood thi. Woh unke jazbaat ka faida uthana
chahti thi. Magar doosri taraf bhi Faris Wajdan hi tha, mazboot chataan ki
tarah sab kuch rokta hua, Jameela ko uske pohanch se door rakhta hua.

Gumaan tha ke apne potay ki tasaveer dekhne ke baad, woh zarur rabta
karengi. Magar unki taraf se khamoshi thi. Ghaliban, woh Faris Wajdan ke
samne bebas ho gayi thin.

Us raat jab woh ghar pohanchi, toh usne Haider ko apne flat ke darwaze par
khade paya. Uske haatho mein ek bag tha, cheezo se bhara hua.

Itni khatir raqam dekh kar woh chand lamhon ke liye sakte mein aa gayi thi.

"Yeh kaafi hai ya kuch aur bhi chahiye?" Woh khurdre lehje mein pooch
raha tha. Woh aankho mein sard mehri ka ta'ssur liye Haider ko dekh rahi
thi. Woh jaise Faris Wajdan ki agli chaal ko samajhne ki koshish kar rahi
thi.
"Tumhara sahab kya chahta hai? Main logon ko uski asliyat na bataun?"

"Sirf ek hi mutalba hai. Aaj ke baad aap Jamila ma'am se rabta karne ki
koshish nahi karegi."

Woh ab bhinch kar usay dekhti reh gayi.

"Aur Hammad ka beta?"

"Faris sahab usse koi talluq nahi rakhe ge."

Woh aankho mein sakhti liye chand lamhon tak usay dekhti rahi. Raqam
bohot zyada thi. Inkaar nahi karna chahti thi. Sauda manzoor kar liya.
Jamila Daud se rabta karne mein waise bhi koi faida nahi tha. Ab sab
mamlaat Faris Wajdan ke haath mein thay. Usne paise rakh liye. Apne do
maah ke bache ko apni maa ke paas chhod kar London chali gayi aur bhool
gayi ke ek beta bhi hai. Waqfa-waqfa se uski maa ki call aa jati. Woh bache
ki wajah se bohot pareshaan thi.

"Main Rayyan ki dadi se rabta karna chahti hoon."

"Iska koi faida nahi. Ryan ka chacha aap ki baat nahi hone dega."

dressing table ke samne khadi apne baal bana rahi thi.

"Tumhare bhai bohot pareshaan kar rahe hain, Adina. Tum rayyan ko apne
paas kyun nahi bula leti?"

"Main yahan masroof hoon. Job kar rahi hoon. Bacha nahi sambhal sakti."

Woh bar-bar call kartin aur unka mutalba ek hi hota.

"Main Rayyan ko uske dadhiyal bhejna chahti hoon!" Unho ne faisla kar
liya tha.

"Bhejna chahti hain to bhej dein. Lekin yaad rakhe, woh usay maar dega."

Usne is qadar sakht jumla kaha ke woh apni jagah dehel gayi.
"Yeh kya keh rahi ho tum?"

"Usne apne bhai ki jaan le li, bache ko kyun bakhshega?"

Kai dino tak uski maa ajeeb shash-o-panj mein mubtala rahi. Ghar ke halaat
kuch tang thay. Bacha beemar tha. Majboor aakhir chhote ke liye rabte ki
koshish ki. Apna paighaam ek mulazim ke zariye us tak pahuncha diya.
Jumma ki shaam hi darwaze par dastak hui. Bahar siyah gaari khadi thi. Koi
shakhs unhein paise dene aaya tha. Mahana kharcha Rayyan Shirazi ke liye
uske chacha ki taraf se tha. Unki aankhon mein khushi ke aansu aa gaye.
Fori shukriya ada kiya.

Paise ka aana hi tha ke woh ghar jo apni maa par is liye tang pad raha tha ke
woh Adina ke bache ko sambhale hue thin, ek dum se kushada ho gaya.
Bahuo ka rawaiya acha ho gaya. Bete modab ho gaye. Ab us nanhay se
wujood ke liye kisi ka dil tang na tha. Unho ne phone par baad mein Adina
se dobara koi shikayat na ki.

Maa ke inteqal par woh Pakistan aayi aur Rayyan se mile baghair hi chali
gayi. Uske bhaiyo ne bhi bache ke hawale se koi dabao na dala ke kharcha
baqaydgi se mil raha tha, jise ghar wale ab apni shah kharchiyo par udaane
lage thay. Gaari khareed li. Furniture badal liya. Tiles lagwa li. Karobar
shuru kar diya gaya. Bhaiyo ke halaat badal gaye magar usne palat kar
Rayyan ki koi khabar na li. Usay ab apne bache se koi sarokar na tha. Woh
apni zindagi mein masroof ho chuki thi.

Aur ab pore ek saal baad woh apni bhatiji ki shadi par bhaiyo ke ghar aayi
thi. Vehm-o-gumaan mein bhi na tha ke is ghar mein uski mulaqat Jannat
Kamal se ho jayegi.

Jannat Kamal... Faris Wajdan ki doosri biwi. Woh wahan Rayyan se milne
aayi thi. Bairooni darwaze se andar baramde mein rakhi charpai par baithe
uski nazar jaise hi adina par pari, woh sakte mein chali gayi.

"Yeh... yeh kaun hai?"

"Yahi to Rayyan ki ammi hai," Ruby ne bataya aur Jannat ke hawas par
jaise bijli gir pari. Adina Zubair ki aankho mein be-yaqeeni thi. Qadam
uthati woh uske sar par pohanch gayi.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?"

Jannat ke liye wahan khare rehna mushkil ho gaya tha. Woh use koi bhi
jawab diye bina sarayyat se qadam uthati ghar se nikal gayi thi.

"Yeh yahan kya kar rahi thi? Kyun aayi thi woh yahan?" Kuch aur samajh
mein na aya to mushtail ho kar Ruby par baras pari.

"Woh ji... Rayyan se milne aayi thin."

Adina apni jagah tham gayi. Use apne andar khatre ki ghanti mehsoos hui.

"Kya woh is bache ko apne saath rakhne ko tayar hain?"

Uska sar be-ikhtiyar nafi mein hila. Faris uski aulaad ko bhi kabool nahi kar
sakta tha.

"Aur agar kar liya to?"

Saari raat woh bechain rahi. Subah uthte hi usne ghar walo ko apna faisla
suna diya. Use zaroori kaam se Karachi jana tha. Rayyan ko filhal woh
saath nahi le ja sakti thi, magar wapas aane par woh use apne saath rakhegi.

Uske bhaiyo ko is faisle par aitraaz hua. Bache ko woh apne saath hi rakhna
chahte thay. Zara si behas ke baad baat khatam ho gayi thi. Uski aulaad tha,
woh use apne saath rakhne ka haq sirf uske paas tha. Woh Karachi chali
gayi.

Aisa kaise mumkin tha? Woh shakhs jo usse shadeed nafrat karta tha, uski
aulaad ko kaise rakh sakta tha Ho kya raha tha? Yeh kaisi chaal thi jo woh
chal raha tha?

Uske liye sabr mushkil ho raha tha. Woh pehli fursat mein Islamabad jana
chahti thi.

Woh Rayyan ko apne saath rakhegi. Woh Rayyan ko apne saath London le
jayegi. Usne achanak hi faisla kar liya tha.
❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH97
Jannat darwaza khol kar andar daakhil hui thi.

Kushida sa VIP room wing, jiske deewar-geer khidkiyo par parde gire huay
the. Tamaam sahuliyat se mazeen kamra neem tareeki mein dooba hua tha.
Sirf wahi hissa roshan tha jahan Mrs. Shirazi ka ICU bed rakha hua tha.
Uski nigahe Farris ki talaash mein mashriqi deewar ki taraf uth gayi thi.

Woh sofa par baitha-baitha hi so gaya tha. Aahistagi se darwaza band karti,
woh uske paas hi chali aayi. Lunch box aur purse usne mez par rakh diya.
Shaal utaar kar us par phela di. Gardan ek taraf ko jhuki hui thi. Usne bohot
ihtiyaat se seedha karna chaha aur uski aankh khul gayi.

Jis tarah se woh jhuki hui thi, ghabrahat ke aalam mein foran se seedhi ho
gayi.

Woh aankhein masalta seedha ho baitha.

Baal peshani par be-tarteebi se bikhre huay the. Aankhein soojan ka shikar
lag rahi thin. Kalai mod kar waqt dekha. Raat ke nau baj rahe the. Phir sar
utha kar use dekha. Woh yahan kya kar rahi thi? Saat baje woh use Rayyan
ke saath ghar bhijwa chuka tha.

"Kuch kha lo," woh bag khol rahi thi. Cover paper hata kar burger uske
dahine haath mein thama diya. French fries box bhi khol kar pesh kar diya.

Kuch dair tak woh baitha raha. Phir usne aahistagi se ek bite liya, toh usne
bag se can ki bottle nikaali. Dhakkan khol kar mez par rakh diya.

Woh uski aankhon mein thakan aur fikar dekh sakta tha. Sharmindagi,
pachtawa, dukh... uske chehre par har tehreer nazar aa rahi thi. Woh samne
baithi thi, toh iztirab abhi bhi numaya ho raha tha. Usne nazre hata lein.

Woh mrs. Shirazi ke paas kuch dair tak baithi rahi thi, phir woh uske paas
aa gayi thi.
"Neeche canteen se coffee le aau?" Woh ab usse pooch rahi thi. Use sardard
ki goli toh nahi chahiye? Kisi cheez ki zarurat toh nahi? Woh nafi mein sar
hilata khidkiyon ke paas ja khada hua. Goya mazeed kisi sawal ki chahat na
thi.

Woh kuch dair tak ungliya masalti baithi rahi. Maafi, maazrat, dukh aur
pachtawe.. woh usse baat karna chahti thi, magar kar nahi pa rahi thi.

"Rayyan ki chot kaisi hai?"

Usne chonk kar sar uthaaya. Faris pooch raha tha. Woh uske sawal par
lamha bhar ke liye taajjub mein aayi thi.

"He's fine!" usne jawab diya. "Doctor ne kaha uska haath jald theek ho
jayega."

Ghar jaane se pehle uska check-up hua tha. Haath par bandage lagi thi.
Kaafi khauf-zada tha aur bohot pareshan bhi kiya tha. Abhi bhi woh usse
ghar mein bohot mushkil se sula kar aayi thi. Mudhat na hoti, toh woh
dobara hospital bhi na aa pati.

Apne sawal ka jawab lekar woh dobara rukh mod gaya.

Woh uski pusht ko dekhti rahi. Ek baar phir dil chaha, uth kar jaaye, uska
haath pakre aur baat kare. Maafi hi toh hai, maang le. Yeh jo dari ki aag hai,
mit jaayegi. Aur yeh jo ajnabiyat hai, khatam ho jaayegi.

Woh jebo se haath nikalta wapas aa gaya. Usne himmat jama karte kuch
kehne ko sar uthaya, aur woh couch se apni jacket aur mobile uthata usi
lamhe bhar me room se chala gaya.

Woh aankho mein nami liye, apni jagah baithi reh gayi thi.

Faris Wajdan, Rayyan Shirazi ko ghar mein le aaya tha, magar jo daraar
unke beech aa chuki thi, use bharna ab use mushkil sa lag raha tha. Shayad
yeh khauf hi tha jo usse pare dhakel raha tha, ya woh dukh jo woh use de
chuki thi. Mrs. Shirazi ki is haalat ki zimmedar woh khud thi. Nichla lab
kaat-te aankhe masal dali. Jaane kuch theek hoga bhi ya nahi. Uski toh ab
baat karne ki himmat bhi nahi ho rahi thi.

Unke hawas bedaar huay toh unhone Jannat ko dekha.

Neelgo roshni mein woh uski aankhon mein aansu aur honto par naram
muskaan dekh sakti thin.

"Ab aap ki tabiyat kaisi hai?" Madhum awaaz mein unke gaal par haath
rakhte huay poocha.

Unhone aahistagi se sar ko junbish di thi. Aankhein kuch bojhal aur wujood
bhaari tha. Nigahain Faris ki talaash mein yahan wahan bhatakti rahi. Jannat
ne parde kheench kar hata diye aur unka bed sitting position mein adjust
kiya.

"Faris kahan hai?" Naheef awaaz mein mushkil se alfaz ada karte huay
poocha. Saari taaqat jaise khatam ho kar reh gayi thi. Na sadma kam tha, na
jhatka. Kamzor dil par ye situation be-had bhaari pad rahi thi.

"Bahar gaya hai," jhuk kar be-had aahista se kaha. Jab se unhein room mein
shift kiya gaya tha, woh unke saath hi tha.

Side table par nurse unka lunch rakh rahi thi. Jannat paas hi baith kar apne
haatho se unhein soup pilane lagi. Saath hi bolti bhi ja rahi thi,

"Zindagi kitni khaali ho gayi hai. Ghar kitna veeran lagta hai. Uska toh ab
kahin dil bhi nahi lagta."

"Aap ghar mein nahi hain, toh hum bhi beghar ho gaye hain."

Unki aankhein nam thi. Muskurana chaha, magar muskara na saki. Bohat si
baatein yaad aa rahi thi. Faris ka wujood aankhon mein theher gaya tha,
uska gussa, uska ishtial. Unhone khushk labo ko tar karte huay aankhein
moud li thi. Wo situation tasavvur mein bhi dil par bhaari pad rahi thi.

"Apapko kisi se milwana chahti hoon," lunch ke baad Jannat ne kaha.

Kuch hi der baad darwaza khol kar Madhat andar aayi thi. Usne chhote se
bachay ko uthaya hua tha. Unki aankhon mein na-samjhi ka taseer ubhara.
Dusre pal hairat aur phir be-yaqeeni ka.

"Ye Rayyan hai. Rayyan Shirazi."

Jannat ne na bhi bataya hota, toh woh pehchan gayi hoti. Woh unke
Hammad ka beta tha. Unka dil ek dum se doobne laga. Be-ikhtiyar uthne ki
koshish ki, magar uth nahi saki.

Jannat ne Rayyan unke hawale kar diya. Usne safed shorts par asmani rang
ki shirt pehni hui thi. Baal saleeqe se jame huay the. Doodhiya rangat... badi
badi aankhein jo unki jaisi thi. Usmein unhein Hammad ki shabiha nazar
aayi. Uska matha chuma, uski khushboo ko andar sama liya, aur rone lagi.

"Aunty!" Jannat ne fikrmandi se pukara. Rayaan unke seene par sar rakhe,
bohot khamosh aur pur-sukoon tha.

"Kaun laya hai isse?" Woh kapkapati awaaz mein pooch rahi thi.

"Faris laya hai," Jannat ne jawab diya.

Samayat par lamha bhar ke liye yaqeen nahi aaya. Dukh aur aziyat unke
ang ang mein uttar gayi.

"Aapke liye laya hai."

Rayyan ek dum se rone laga, toh Mudhat use uthaye bahar chali gayi.

Room mein ab mukammal khamoshi thi. Ek aisi tareeki thi jo andar tak
uttar gayi thi. Khushi ka ehsaas ek taraf, dil par ek bhaari bojh sa tha. Kuch
hi der mein nurse aa gayi thi. Jannat unke paas tab tak baithi rahi jab tak wo
apni dawaon ke asar mein so nahi gayi thi.

Jab dobara aankh khuli, toh kamre mein sirf Faris tha. Woh unke paas hi
kursi par baitha hua tha. Unka haath apne haath mein liye, unhein dekhta
hua. Jaane kab se woh wahan baitha hua tha, intezaar sa karta hua.
Tabiyat mein pehle se kuch behtari thi ke ab woh ungliyo ko harkat de pa
rahi thi. Faris ko apne haath par unki giraft barhti hui mehsoos hui. Woh uth
kar aur paas baith gaya.

Woh apne bete ko dekhti rahi. Jaane kin toofano se lar kar aaya tha woh.
Hontho par kapkapahat thi jo theher gayi. Bohat kuch kehna chahti thi,
magar keh nahi pa rahi thi.

"Mummy..." Usne nafi mein sar hilaya, jaise unki aankho mein aansu na
dekhna chahta ho.

"Bohat badi qurbani maang li maine tumse," unki awaaz bheegi hui thi.
"Bohat bade imtihaan mein daal diya hai maine tumhein."

Usne phir nafi mein sar hila kar unhein aur kuch kehne se rok diya.

"Sab kuch le lein, saare imtihaan, saari qurbaniyan... lekin chorh kar mat
jayein mujhe," uski awaaz jazbaat ki shiddat se kapkapa rahi thi.

"I'm sorry beta, I'm really sorry!" Unki awaaz laraz rahi thi.

Usne unke haath apne haatho mein le kar unki aankho mein dekha.

"Kya aap mere liye itna nahi kar sakti? Apni bimari se nahi lad sakti?"

Unhone uske gaal par apna haath rakha.

"I'm sorry, pata nahi kya ho gaya mujhe," woh uske halat dekh kar bepanah
sharminda lag rahi thi. Unki tabiyat kharab kyun hui, unhone apne bachon
ko pareshan kyun kar diya.

Woh ab usse dekh rahi thi, bohot ghor kar, bohot dukh aur karb ke saath.
Woh bavaqt theek lag raha tha, uski aankhein muskurahat ka saath de rahi
thi, phir bhi unka dil waham mein gira hua tha. Unhein takleef ho rahi thi.

"Faris!"

"Ji, Mummy?"
Woh ab uski aankhon mein dekh rahi thi, bohot gaur se, sanjeedgi aur
fikrmandi ke saath. Woh, jo aksar uske andar ki kahani ko bhamp lete the,
aaj nakam ho rahi thi.

"Kya tum theek ho?" Unke lab hilay.

Usne kuch hairan ho kar apni maa ko dekha. Phir asbat mein sar ko jumbish
di.

Unhein yeh jawab nahi chahiye tha.

"Kya baat hai, Mummy? Aap pareshan kyun lag rahi hain?"

Unhone kai aansu apne andar utar liye.

"Main apne betay se pooch rahi hoon, kya woh theek hai."

Zardi mayil madhham si roshni mein unki aankho mein aansu numayan ho
rahe the. Bohat sabr ke saath pooch rahi thi, bohot dukh se guzar rahi thi.
Rayyan Shirazi uske ghar mein tha, uski nazron mein tha. Woh uske dukh,
uske karb se waqif thi.

"Agar... agar bohot mushkil ho raha ho, toh tum mujhe bata sakte ho. Main
nahi chahti ke mera beta kisi takleef se guzre." Bhaari dil se, be-bas ho kar
keh diya. Unki kapkapati ungliyon ki giraft ab bohot mazboot ho gayi thi.
Woh unhein dekh raha tha.

"Main theek hoon, Mummy," woh muskara kar bola. Uski muskurahat unki
aankho mein bhi nazar aayi.

Magar kaise? Woh theek kaise ho sakta hai? Jis bache ka woh naam tak
nahi sunna chahta tha, us bache ko woh ghar mein kaise laa sakta tha? Is
tarah achanak kya hua tha? Kya woh unki wajah se is faisle par majboor
hua hai? Kya woh ek baar phir kisi azmaish se guzar raha hai? Apne aap ko
maar raha hai?

"Tum Rayyan ko le aaye," unke lab hilay. Woh jaise ab samajh gayi thi ke
unhein kis baat ka khauf tha, kis baat ki fikr thi. Woh apne aap mein jaise ab
thame tha.
Manzar zehan mein ubhar aya. Us raat ki tareeki aankho mein utar aayi.
Woh jaan gaya tha ke woh kya soch rahi hain, kya pooch rahi hain.

Kuch dair tak woh chup raha. Ehsaasat ko bayan karne ke liye na to mazid
alfaaz the, na koi baat zehan mein aayi.

"Main nahi chahta ke Shirazi khandan mein koi aur Faris ho."

Jameela dawood ki aankho me aansu tham gaye. Woh apni jagah thehar si
gayi. Ye jawab sunne ki tawaqqa nahi thi. Itni mukhtasir baat bhi dil par aik
gehra asar chor gayi thi. Uska maazi ab unke samne aa raha tha.

"Aap chahti thi ke main use khud le aau... main use le aaya hoon."

Unki palko ki baadh ko phalang kar aansu gaalon par phisal gaye. Lab
hilay, magar kuch keh na sakein.

"Woh aap ka hai, aap ke paas hi rahega. Mujhe maaf kar dein ke main aap
dono ke darmiyan aa gaya."

Unka dil ek dum se bhari ho gaya. "Nahi, tum darmiyan mein nahi aaye."
Unhone nafi mein sar hilaya. "Main ne tumhein chuna tha, main ne tumhare
saath rehne ka faisla kiya tha. Main tum dono ko saath dekhna chahti thi."
Woh na chahtay hue bhi ro padi. "Main marne se pehle tumhein aur Rayyan
ko saath dekhna chahti thi."

"Mommy, please! Aise to mat kahen," woh tadhap kar bola. "Aap mujh se
maut ki koi baat nahi karengi," Wazeha kar diya. Magar woh bohot hassas
ho rahi thi.

"Mummy, aap phir ro rahi hain," woh fikrmand hua. "Doctor ne aap ko
stress lene se mana kiya hai." Unhone aansu saaf karte hue apne aap ko
sambhala aur gehri saans li. Farris ki aankhon mein dekha.

"Alhamdulillah!" Unke dil mein ek badi khushi mil gayi thi unhe Jo socha
bhi nahi tha, woh ho gaya tha.

"Aap bas theek ho jayein," usne unki aankhon mein dekhte hue unhein
taqeed ki.
"Main ab bilkul theek hoon. Mujhe tum abhi ghar le chalo."

Woh dheere se has diya, "Ye kaam to doctor ki ijaazat se hi ho sakta hai."

Woh nam aankhon ke saath muskura kar reh gayi.

•••

Agle din Jannat aayi to Rayyan bhi saath hi tha. Woh pehle se behtar lag
rahi thi. Rayyan ko god mein le kar uska munh choomte rahi, usse baatein
karti rahi. Uske haath par bandage lagi thi, thodi par nishan tha, aur
peshaani par bhi, is umar ke bachho ko aisi chote to nahi lagti. Uska nanha
sa haath pakad kar rone lagi.

Dadi thi, dil jaan gaya tha ke Uska nanihaal me khayal nahi rakha jata,
Jannat ne unhein tasalli di, ke Ab to woh ghar aa gaya hai.

Unse baatein karte hue Jannat ne kameeray mein nigahe dodhayi. Faris ka
mobile aur wallet wohi tha, magar woh khud wahan nahi tha. woh jab bhi
hospital aati thi, woh kahi na kahi chala jata tha.

Mrs. Shirazi se baatein karte karte woh unke paas hi baithi rahi. Jaane lagi
to usne dekha ke woh corridor mein baitha nazar aaya. Khidki ke paas,
seenay par baazu baandhe, bilkul khamosh.

Woh aankho mein khizan ki nami liye usay door se dekhte rahi. Phir aansu
saaf karte hue Rayyan ka haath thaame wahan se chali gayi.

•••

Jameela Dawood hospital se discharge hokar ghar aa gayi thi.

Woh unhein ghar par milne aa rahe the. Phoolo ka dher tha jo unke kamre
mein lag chuka tha. Mehmanon ki khaatir-madarat mein woh din bhar
masroof rahi. Sabse aakhir mein Mrs. Usman gayi thi. Unke jaane ke baad
Mrs. Shirazi apna parhezi khana kha kar so gayi, toh woh bahar aa gayi.
Usne Faris ko kitchen ki taraf jaate dekha, toh uske peeche wahin aa gayi.

"Main khana laga deti hoon."

"Main khud kar lunga," usne sanjeedgi se kehkar cabinet khola aur bartan
nikale. Microwave mein pulao garam kiya, plate uthai aur seedha samne
sheeshe ki deewar ke paas rakhe sofa par ja baitha. Wahaan se swimming
pool aur aaqbi lawn ka wasee-o-areez manzar nazar aata tha.

Woh lab kaat kar reh gayi.

"Chai piyoge?" Kaafi taradud ke baad woh kuch himmat jama karke uske
paas dobara aayi. Usne sar utha kar use dekha. Peshani par bal be-terteebi si
liye hue the, aur qudrati nam aankhon mein surkh dooriyan nazar aa rahi
thi.

"Khud bana lunga," usne jawab diya aur rukh modh kar khana khane laga.

Jannat ne nicha lab kaat kar reh gayi. Khana khane ke baad woh chai bana
kar apni study mein band ho gaya. Guzishta kai roz ka yahi mamool tha.
Dono ke darmiyan ab koi baat nahi hoti thi. Woh karna bhi chahti, toh Faris
nazarandaz kar deta tha. Ghalti uski bhi thi ke usne ab tak apne rawaiye ki
maafi nahi maangi thi.

Kuch dair tak woh yunhi be-maqsad rahdari mein ghoomti rahi. Phir coffee
banayi aur darwaze par aahista se dastak deti andar daakhil hui. Woh samne
hi office table par laptop khole betha hua tha. Us par nazar padte hi uski
bhanwein ghair mehsoos andaaz mein sikud gayi thi.

"Mujhe coffee nahi chahiye," Faris ke laptop par ungliyan tezi se

mutaharrik rahi. Jannat ne mug uske samne rakh di.

Neecha lab kaat-te huye woh chand lamhon tak uske paas khadi rahi.

"Kya hum baat kar sakte hain?" Narmi se pucha. Jitni der ho chuki thi, ab
mazeed nahi karna chahti thi.

"Main masroof hoon," sard sa lehja. Jannat ki himmat khatam hone lagi. Jo
alfaaz tareeb de rakhe the, gum hone lage. Jo soch rakha tha, woh bhoolne
lagi.

"Sirf paanch minute," minnat bhare lehje mein kaha.

Woh suni ansuni karta raha aur apna kaam karta raha.

"Please, Faris." Kandhe par haath rakha toh usne laptop band kar ke apni
office chair ka rukh uski taraf ghuma diya. Seene par baazu baandhe usay
dekhne laga. Uski aankhon ka tasur Jannat ko pareshaan kar gaya.

Aisi sard-mehri thi un mein, aur aisa khaali pan tha jaise un mein kabhi
kuch tha hi nahi.

"I'm really sorry," Jannat ne kaha.

"Kis liye?" Uska lehja ajnabi sa tha.

"Mujhse jo ghalti hui,"

"Kya tumse bhi ghalti hoti hai?" Uska sard lehje mein pucha gaya sawaal
Jannat ke aasab par bhaari pada. Woh lab kaat kar reh gayi.

"Main maanti hoon maine tumhein hurt kiya. Main tumhari ijazat ke
bagair..."

"Meri ijazat ke bagair tum mere bhatije ko mere hi zulm se bachaane gayi
thi. Ismein yeh ghalti kahan se aa gayi?"

Jannat kamal lajawab ho kar reh gayi. Faris Wajdan ne us ke liye har hijjat
aur daleel ka jawaaz hi khatam kar diya. Us ne palkain jhapka kar aankhon
ki nami ko chupaya.

"Faris..."

"Mujhe tumhare wahan jane se ab koi masla nahi hai. Pehle tha bhi toh ab
nahi hai. You may leave now!" Usne laptop dobara khol liya. Jannat ne
aansoo zabt kiye.

"Main maanti hoon, mujhe tum par bharosa karna chahiye tha." Uski awaaz
kamzor ho rahi thi.

"Main tumhare bharose ke laayak nahi hoon."

Jannat ko apna dil mutthi mein jakarta hua mehsoos hua.

"Aise ni karo please, main apni ghalti tasleem kar rahi hoon." Muztarab ho
kar kaha.

"Jab ghalti thi hi nahi toh tasleem kya kar rahi ho?"

Jannat kamal kuch keh nahi saki.

"Main sirf aunty ke liye wahan gayi thi," lab halke se hilay, himmat khatam
ho rahi thi.

"Haan toh theek hai, kya main ab koi shikwa ya aitraaz utha raha hoon?"

Woh aankhon mein nami liye usay dekh kar reh gayi.

"Ab tum ja sakti ho." Woh apna kaam karne laga.

Woh kuch dair tak khadi rahi, phir ahistagi se qadam uthaye study room se
nikal gayi.

•••

Sara din Mrs. Shirazi se unki dosto ki mulaqat hoti rahi. Unka mobile
Jannat ke paas tha. Calls woh attend kar rahi thi. Unki sehat yaabi ke tamam
paighamat bhi wohi likh rahi thi. Faris ki mojoodgi mein apne aap ko yahan
wahan goom karne ki joostju bhi jaari thi.

Raat ki baat ke baad se woh uska samna nahi kar pa rahi thi. Sakhti, sard
mehri, aur begangi ka tassur uski aankhon mein aansoo bankar raha tha.
Kitni himmat karke woh uske paas gayi thi, aur usne sirf do mint mein sab
khatam kar diya. Aisi baat keh di jisay rad karne ko kuch bacha hi nahi.

Ab woh kaise yaqeen dilaye ke woh uske liye ghair aham nahi hai. Usne
socha aur dimaag ne ek lambi si charge sheet dikha di.

"Agar woh aham hota toh woh uski baat ko ahmiyat deti, uski narazgi se
darti, uska lehaaz karti, jhoot na bolti, planning kar ke na jati."
Sara din woh dukhi aur pareshaan rahi. Shaam mein Mrs. Shirazi ke kamray
mein thi jab woh dastak de kar andar aaya. Uski dhadkanein tez ho gayi.
Mobile samne karte apni nazrein jhuka gayi.

Rayyan uski god mein sir rakhe apna feeder pee raha tha. Uska baaya haath
Rayyan ke balon mein chal raha tha aur doosre haath se typing ho rahi thi.
Gahae bagahe woh Faris ko bhi dekh leti. Woh bed par unke paas baitha
baatein kar raha tha. Chehre par narami thi, muskaan bhi.

Isi dauran uske mobile par Ayema ka message aa gaya.

"~Maine Faaris bhai ko sorry ka itna bara message likh kar bheja aur
unhone mujhe block kar diya." Sath hi roti dhoti emojis moosool hui.

"Mujhe dar lag raha hai Jannat, bhai ko pata chalega toh woh mujhe bohot
daantenge."

Usne chupke se uska WhatsApp contact khola ye jaanne ke liye ke kahin

woh toh block nahi ho gayi. Usne bhi toh kal raat hi usse baat ki thi.

Sad shukar ke Range Rover ki DP nazar aa rahi thi. Dil ko sukoon sa mila.

Block ho kar zyada dukh hota tha usay.

"Faris bhai ke saath sulah ho gayi?" Usne agla sawal kiya. Unke maamlaat
theek ho gaye to talwar uske sar par se bhi hat jayegi.

"Abhi tak to nahi." Usne kuch mayoosi se jawab likha.

"To unhein manao na."

"Kaise manau? Wo ab koi baat hi nahi karta."

"Tum unke liye koi gift lo ya dinner arrange kar lo," usne badi fikarmandi
se mashwara diya. Agle hafte wo apne bhai ke paas Dubai ja rahi thi aur
chahti thi ke isse pehle hi yeh maamla theek ho jaye. Bhai ko filhal to kuch
pata nahi tha magar Faris par kya bharosa. Uske wahan pohanchte hi phone
khadkade.
"Gift!" Jannat ki aankhein chamkein.

"Yeh to mere zehan mein hi nahi aya. Mujhe kya lena chahiye?"

"Ab yeh bhi main batau?" Aima ka sard se bhara jawab aya.

"Ghadi, perfume ya phir cufflinks," wo soch mein par gayi.

"Decide kar ke jaldi se unhein raazi karo," Aima keh rahi thi.

"Tum to jaise apne Faris bhai ko jaanti hi nahi ho," Jannat chir gayi.

"Main nahi jaanti? Tum to jaanti thi na. Phir bhi unhein naraz kar diya."

Jannat ke lab bheench gaye. Aima se baat karne ke baad kuch der tak socho
mein ghiri wahi baithi rahi. Rayyan Shirazi uske pehlu mein bekhabar so
gaya tha. Wo sar jhuka kar usay dekhne lagi. Uske aas paas na koi shor tha,
na garmi ki tapish. Usne to doodh bhi sair ho kar piya tha. Usmein koi
milawat bhi na thi.

Usay wahan daant bhi nahi par rahi thi aur bache usay tang bhi nahi kar
rahe thay. Aur Ruby zara zara si der baad use bhool kar bhagte hue paas bhi
nahi pohanch rahi thi.

Jannat usay dekhti rahi. Jitne sukoon se Rayyan so raha tha, wo bhi is
lamhe utne hi sukoon se sona chahti thi. Magar uska sukoon aur aaram to
Faris Wajdan ki narazi mein hi khatam ho kar reh gaya tha. Gehri saans le
kar uth gayi. Rayyan ko mrs. Shirazi ke paas sulakar bahar ayi to Faris
study room mein tha. Uske paas jaane ki himmat nahi ho rahi thi. Bar bar
uski baatein zehan mein aa rahi thi. Uska ajnabi sard lehja dil mein khauf sa
bitha raha tha. Pata nahi sab kaise theek hoga? Wo bebasi se band darwaze
ko dekh kar reh gayi thi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH 98
Us ki aankh khuli to bed par Jannat ko na pa kar foran se uth baitha. Haath
barhakar laptop on kar diya. Table clock par waqt dekha to dhai baj rahe
the.

"Yeh kahan chali gayi?"

Tezi se uth kar woh bahar aa gaya. Rahdari sunsan thi. Kitchen lights off,.
Namaz wale kamray mein bhi koi na tha. Mrs. Shirazi ke kamray mein bhi.
Wo chand lamhe pareshaani ke alam mein, saraiyahat se kadam uthata woh
library tak gaya. Drawing room, phir aqbi deewar ka sheeshe ka darwaza
khol kar dayi taraf mura aur jhatke se ruk gaya.

Woh usay samne hi baithi nazar ayi. Swimming pool ke bilkul samne. Pool
chairs par baithi hui thi. Ek haath mein plate, doosre haath mein spoon liya
hua tha, maze se biryani kha rahi thi. Can paas hi rakha tha. us par nazar
pari to us ke chehre ke ta’asuraat badal gaye. Jis tarah woh usay dekh raha
tha, kuch gusse se, to usay laga woh buri tarah fas gayi hai.

Kya sochega? Roti aankhon ke sath study room se lagi thi aur ab itne maze
se khuli fiza mein khana kha rahi thi.

"Main sachme bohot dukhi hoon," apne halq se mushkil se niwala utarte
hue tezi se boli.

"Mujhe bhook lag rahi thi. Maine socha thoda sa khaa leti hoon. Warna,
mera matlab hai... Sachm is baat par udaas hoon ke tum naraz ho..."

"Kya maine kuch kaha?" daant pees kar poocha, to woh sharminda ho gayi.
Woh usay sard nigaho se ghoorta wapas palat gaya. Kitchen mein tap kar
fridge khola. Dara hi diya tha usne toh. Ab raat ke is pehar lawn mein khana
kaun khata hai bhala?

"Kya tum meri fikar mein uth kar aa gaye?" Be-had qareeb se awaaz goonji.
"Paani peene aaya hoon."

"Paani toh kamre mein bhi rakha hai."

Daant pees kar water bottle ka dhakkan khola. "Mujhe thanda paani chahiye
tha."

"Room fridge mein bhi thanda hi rakha hai."

Woh zabt kar ke muda.

"Kya tumhein mujh se koi masla ho raha hai?"

Usne foran se nafi mein sar hilaya.

"Mujhe bhala kya masla hoga? Bhale se tum swimming pool ka paani piyo,
main kaun hoti hoon aitraz karne wali?"

Bohot samajhdari aur sanjeedgi se apne lehje ko dhalte hue boli, ke mazeed
koi bad-mizgi na ho, magar uska aakhri jumla Faris ka paara chadha gaya.

"Yani mera raat ko uth kar paani peene ke liye kitchen mein aana normal
nahi hai?"

"Maine yeh kab kaha?"

"Tum yeh hi keh rahi ho."

Usne pehle nafi mein sar hilaya, phir foran se asbaat mein gardan hilai.
"Normal baat hai, mein to! Bas waise hi keh rahi thi."

Plate haath mein thi. Ek aur niwala munh mein dala aur uske paas aa kar
khadi ho gayi. "Kuch khao ge?"

"Tum bas apni shakal gum kar lo!" Usne haath ke ishaare se use wahan se
jane ko kaha.

"Agar paas khadi raugi toh kya ho jayega?"

"Mera dimagh urh jayega." Dahine haath ko peshani tak le ja kar bhun kar
jawab diya. Woh biryani khate khate uske peeche peeche kamre mein aa
gayi.

"Asal mein, bahar sirf khana nahi kha rahi thi. Baith kar soch bhi rahi thi ke
tumhare saath meri sulah ab kaise ho sakti hai? Waghaira waghaira. Pehle
maine socha aunty se baat karni chahiye."

"Don't you dare!" Usne lehaaf hata kar bed par baithte hue use kadhe
tewaro se ghoora. Jannat ke halq mein beech kuch atak gaya. Dar kar foran
baat badli.

"Haan, haan, bilkul. Mujhe bhi yeh hi laga ke yeh acha idea nahi hai. Aunty
ko tension dena bilkul bhi durust nahi hai."

Woh lehaaf taan kar let gaya.

"Phir maine socha ke tumhe thoda sa waqt aur space dena chahiye."

"Thank you very much!" Usne jis tarah se sulag kar kaha, toh use laga ke is
baat par wo razi ho raha hai.

"Time aur space chahiye

mohtaram

ko."

"lekin phir maine socha, kitna time aur space?"

"Will you please let me sleep now?" Usne lehaaf utha kar ghusse se kaha,
toh Jannat ki aankho mein khafa si shikayat aagayi. Be-izzati jaisi feeling
thi.

"Sure," ahista se boli. "Main kaun si keh rahi thi ke mere saath jago. Khud
hi toh uth kar aa gaye, main to lawn mein baithi hui thi..." Bud-bada kar uth
gayi. Kuch qadm chal kar wapas palat aayi. Us ke sirhane badi mushkil se
jhuki.
"Are you sure tumhein time aur space chahiye?"

Woh lab bheench kar reh gaya.

"Ab mera koi maika bhi nahi hai jahan main kuch dino ke liye chali jaoon."
Badi becharghi se keh kar seedhi hui. Faris ki lihaf mein band aankhein
khul gayi.

"Mudhat Bano ke saath apne dusre ghar shift ho jaoon kuch dino ke liye?
Mera matlab hai agar tum chaho to. Is tarah tum mujhe bar bar nazar aate
ho to mera baat karne ka dil chahta hai aur tum gusse mein aa jaate ho."

Us ne chehre se lihaf hata diya. Us ke ta'asuraat se usay ek dum apni

bewakoofi ka ehsaas hua ke is ghar mein us ne naraz ho kar hi jaana tha,
naraz kar ke to nahi. Ab jo agar us ne keh diya ke "haan chali jao" to phir
kya karegi woh?

"I think mujhe hi ghar chor dena chahiye." Woh uthne laga to woh foran se
mana karne lagi.

"Nahi nahi, I’m sorry. Tum aaram karo. Main kuch nahi kahungi, kuch nahi
bolungi. Good night, Allah Hafiz!" Foran se use kehti bahar nikal gayi.
Darwaza bhi band kar diya.

Woh lab bheenche apni jagah baitha reh gaya tha.

•••

Agle din, usne jaise taise khud par zabt kiya aur Faris se mukhatib nahi hui.
Saara din woh udaas rahi aur Faris office room mein cake, pastries aur jaane
kya kya mangwa kar khata raha. Ghanta der ghanta swimming bhi ki.
Shaam tak kahin ghoomne bhi chala gaya.

Woh bohot sabr se sab mashaahidah karti rahi.

"Koi baat nahi, Jannat. Dil dukhaya hai tumne uska. Aitbaar toda hai. Zara
sa sabr karo, sab theek ho jayega," woh khud ko samjhati rahi.
Raat ka khana usne dining table par akelay baith kar khaya, kyun ke
mohsoof ne Gul Khan se pizza banwa liya tha, aur ab lawn mein akelay
tanawul farma rahe the. Woh kayi baar zabt kar ke darwaze tak gayi aur
phir zabardasti ki muskaraahat labo par sajaye wapas palat aayi.

"Waqt aur space," gehri saans le kar dohraya. "Sab theek ho jayega," haath
phela kar khud se kaha.

Fasla bas ek din tak hi rakh saki, ke agle din subah sawere hi us ke gym
mein pohanch gayi.

"Any problem?"

Woh chest press machine par tha aur usay dekhte hi handle chhod kar uth
gaya tha.

"Kya humare darmiyan ab kuch bhi theek nahi hoga?" Bohut becharagi
bhare dukh se poocha.

Woh aankho mein khafgi liye usay dekhta raha.

"Ab main tumse maafi mang to rahi hoon." Steps utar kar neeche aayi.

"Kya maine kaha mujhe maafi ki zarurat hai ya main tumse naraz hoon?"

Jannat ki bhawen sukr gayin.

"Main manti hoon maine ghalat kiya. Mujhe tumhari baat maan leni
chahiye thi."

"Kya main koi shikwa kar raha hoon?"

Jannat kuch keh na saki.

"Aur agar tumhein apni kisi deal ya waade ki parwah hai to fikr mat karo.
Mujhe sab yaad hai."

Jannat ne rohaansa ho kar Faris ko dekha. Woh kya keh rahi thi aur woh kya
sun raha tha.
"Kaunsi deal? Kaisa waada? Hamare darmiyan sab theek toh ho gaya tha."

Faris ne sar uthakar usay dekha. "Kab theek hua tha?"

"Woh meri aakhri ghalti se pehle," sharminda ho kar boli.

"Agar sab theek hota, to kya tum woh harkat karti jo tumne ki?"

Jannat apni jagah tham gayi.

"Abhi tum keh rahe the tum mujh se naraz nahi ho," woh rohaansi ho kar
boli.

"Maine yeh kab kaha?" Uske peshaani par bal aa gaye.

"To jis wajah se naraz ho, us wajah par... I’m really sorry."

"You may leave now!" Usne maasoomiyat se kaha, tahakkum se.

Woh bujhe dil ke saath apne kamray mein band ho gayi.

"Kya bana?" Kuch hi der mein Aima ki call aayi. Woh Dubai mein thi aur
kyunke ab tak bade bhai ne baaz-pars nahi ki thi, to kuch mutmain lag rahi
thi. Usne mobile ko hata kar ghoora, aur phir kaan se lagaya.

"Jannat, tum."

"Aima, main waise hi bohot pareshaan hoon. Please mujhe kuch mat kaho,"
woh gheri saans le kar reh gayi.

Dopehar mein, Aima ne dobara call ki. Woh lounge mein pareshan si baithi
thi.

"Acha tum aisa karo, mujhe batao woh kisi brand ki accessories istemal
karte hain? Meri dost kal Pakistan ja rahi hai, main uske haath bhijwa deti
hoon." Peeche se kuch shor bhi sunayi de raha tha wo mall me thi sayad.

Aima ne Alexander McQueen ke cufflinks bheje. Bas insani khopdiya hi

nazar aayi.
(Alexander McQueen skull cufflinks)

"Kaun leta hoga yeh?" Jannat ki aankhon mein nagawari utar aayi.

"Musalman pehnte honge toh namaz toh nahi hoti hogi," kuch aur tasveere
ko bhi rad kar diya.

"Tum mujhe theek se bata do gi toh main koi behtar gift le sakungi na,"
Aima tang aa gayi.

"Mujhe kya pata, main khud pehli baar yeh kharid rahi hoon." Usne haath
khade kar diye. "Pakistan ki koi cheez hoti toh mujhe samajh bhi aata, uska
toh sab kuch baahar ka hai."

"Na tumhe Cartier ki samajh aa rahi hai na, Alexander McQueen ki, Tum
Faris bhai se pooch lo, unhe kis brands ki pasand hain, toh wahi bata do,
main le aaungi."

"Agar woh mere kisi sawal ka jawab dete toh kya hi baat thi." Thandi aah
bhar kar ahistagi se darwaza kholti kamre mein dakhil hui. Lights off thi.
Woh so raha tha.

"Ek second!" Sarghoshi mein kehte huye wardrobe ka rukh kiya. Khidkiyo
par parde giray hue the, magar zard roshni phir bhi mehsoos ho rahi thi.
Ahista se wardrobe slide ki, daraz khole, Uske cufflinks ka shandar sa
collection samne tha.

Mobile ki flash light on kiye, kuch tasveer kheench kar bheji. Aima kuch
der tak toh uljhati rahi, phir usay chand ek brands samajh aa gaye.

"Haan, yeh toh Cartier hi ki lag rahi hai. Aur is taraf Dunhill ki hai. Bhai
pehnte hain. Isay. Aur yeh Omega hai, I guess. Aur yeh pata nahin kis brand
ki hai."

"Main dekhti hoon."

Chand aik siyah rang ke box the. Unhein khol kar dekha, brand ka naam
check kiya. Bhool gayi, kamre mein hai. Aur Faris bhi so raha hai. Pehle jo
mohtaat ho kar check kar rahi thi, ab be-ehteyati se uthak pathak karne lagi
thi.

"Montblanc!" Usne naam parh kar bataya.

"Mon Blan!" Aqab se kumayri si awaaz mein se tashreeh ki gayi. "T aur C
silent hain."

Woh ek haath mein mobile, doosray mein box liye apni jagah pathar hui.
Munh band kar ke aankhein meein li. Woh lihaf hata kar uth gaya. Lights on
kar di.

"Kya kar rahi ho?" Gardan mor kar apni wardrobe par sarsari si nigah
dhodhayi. Ab agar woh bata deti kya kar rahi thi to surprise ka to yehi beda
gharq ho jana tha. Taizi se box andar rakha, daraz band ki, aur wardrobe
band kar di. Phir dheere se muskura kar muri.

"Kuch nahi, bas waise hi. Dekh rahi thi. Tumhare cufflinks kaafi achhe hain
na, to isliye." Muskuraahat.

Woh bhanwain sikode usay dekhta raha.

"Mere cufflinks ka tumne kya karna hai?" ukhada hua lehja.

"Kuch nahi... Main bhala kya karungi. Ye to aise hi bas... Main chalti hoon.
Tum aaraam karo." Khisakna chaha to woh raste mein eestada ho gaya.

"Kya maine ye nahi kaha tha ke aaraam kar raha hoon, mujhe disturb na
kiya jaye?" Lehja sakht tha.

"Haan, bilkul! Kaha tha. Main bas wo... ghalti se., Sorry!"

Apni jaan bachati, daye taraf khisak kar bahar nikal gayi.

"Ufff..." Sanse bahaal karte hue seene par haath rakha. Phir Aima ko call ki.
Usne teeno brands ke cufflinks ki mukhtalif tasaveer bheje, Ab woh baghor
dekhte hue pasand kar rahi thi. Mon Blanc ka cufflink usay pasand aa gaya.
Ek Omega ka liya. Sab done karke mutmain ho gayi. Shaam tak Aima ne
bataya ke uski dost kal ki flight se wapas nahi aa rahi thi.

"Yeh aaj kal mere saath itna bura kyun ho raha hai?" Woh ro dene ko thi.
Socha tha kal hi gift de kar baat karegi, magar...

Ab woh sheeshe ki deewar ke samne daaye se baye, aur baye se daaye

march karne lagi thi. Behtar hai ke yahin se kuch khareed le. Acha sa qalam
ya phir ghari. Kal usay hospital check-up ke liye jana tha. Usne parso ka
plan banaliya. Faris qareeb se guzar raha tha to muskura kar uske peeche
aayi.

"Hello, Mrs. Sherazi! Paanch minute honge aapke paas?"

"Nahi!" Saaf inkaar.

Tahammul se uska bazu pakar kar rok liya.

"Is tarah munh bana kar rehne se behtar nahi hai ke tum mujhe thoda sa
daant do, ghussa dikha do, thoda sa lar jhagad lo? Main chup chaap sun
loongi. Tumhein kuch bhi nahi kahungi."

"Aur main aisa kyun karu?"

"Taake humare darmiyan sab theek ho jaye."

"Kyun theek ho jaye?"

Jannat ne bebasi se usay dekha.

"Faris..."

Ek haath jeb mein dale, doosra haath railing par rakhe, usay ghoorta hua
seedhiyanchadh gaya.

Woh lab bheench kar reh gayi thi.

•••
Mrs. Shirazi ki sehat behtar hui to Wajdan House mein dawat rakhi gayi.
Ghar roshniyo mein nahaaya hua tha. Dost ahbab aur kuch rishtedaro ko
mad’oo kiya gaya tha. Uski taraf se Saira Khala aur Ibrahim Uncle bhi aaye
the.

Khane ka intizam wasee lawn mein kiya gaya. Gol maizo ke gird tarteeb se
kursiya rakhi gayi. Mulazim mustaidi se apna kaam sar anjaam dete hue
mehmaanon ka bohot achhe se isteqbaal kar rahe thay. Mehmaano ki
tawajju ka markaz Rayan bana hua tha. Sab us se mil rahe thay, usay pyar
kar rahe thay. Wo apni dadi ki god mein tha, aur itne saare bacho ki
mojoodgi mein neeche nahi utar raha tha. Woh bacho ko dekh raha tha lekin
unke saath khelna nahi chahta tha. Bhaagna nahi chahta tha.

Chand ek baar mrs. Shirazi ne usay neeche utara, magar wo rone lag gaya
tha.

"Kya woh darr raha hai?" Jannat pareshan hui. Ruby ne bataya tha ke Ausaf
Manzil ke bacho ki wajah se hi use kai baar chot aayi thi. Mrs. Shirazi ke
seene par sir rakhe, jis tarah wo kuch pareshan sa sab ko dekh raha tha, to
Jannat ke dil ko kuch hua. Halankeh sara din wo kaafi fresh raha tha.

Is dauran, apne bhai aur paros ke bachon ke saath khelti Zoya ki nazar us
par padi, aur wo sab chhod chhad kar ruk gayi. Us par ek dum se inkashaf
hua ke wo bohot chhota sa baby hai. Apne safed frock mein bhaagti hui
paas aa khadi hui.

Mrs. Shirazi baato mein masroof thi. Zoya pehle badi badi aankhein phaila
kar usay dekhti rahi.

"Baby!" Usay woh achha laga. Haath utha kar uska haath pakadna chaha,
magar Rayyan ne foran se kheench liya. Zoya ghuma kar doosri taraf aayi
to Rayyan bhi gardan mor kar usay dekhne laga.

Usne apne nanhe se purse ki zip khol kar us mein se toffee nikaal kar uski
taraf barhayi.

"Baby! Yeh lo." Pyari si awaaz mein puch kara. Daye jaanib sir jhuka kar
mohabbat se usay dekhte hue qareeb ho kar apna haath mazeed ooper kiya.
Phir khayal aaya, khol kar dena chahiye. Toffee khol kar di to Mrs. Shirazi
mutawajjah ho gayi. Unhone us ke haatho se toffee le kar Rayyan ke munh
mein de di. Meethi si naram cheez thi. Usne chaba chaba kar kha li.

Phir wo bhaag kar gayi aur apne chhote bag se ek aur chocolate aur chips ka
aadha khula hua packet nikal layi. Mrs. Shirazi ne muskura kar usay dekha.
Phir Rayyan ko neeche utar diya. Rayyan unke ghutnon se lag kar khada
raha. Ab wo chhote chhote chips ke tukde uske munh mein de rahi thi.
Bohot sanjeedgi aur badi zimmedaari ke saath.

"Baby! Yeh bhi lo." Rayyan uske saath hi neeche baith gaya. Woh jo kuch
uske munh mein daal rahi thi, wo kha raha tha.

Jannat ko wo manzar bohot pyara laga. Mrs. Usman ki baate sunti

muskuraate hue un dono ko dekhti rahi. Usay nahi pata tha ke yeh cute sa
interaction kuch hi dair mein ek khatarnak mod lene wala hai.

Jab mehmano ke liye khana lagaya ja raha tha, to Zoya ne ek alag hi qisam
ka mutalba rakh diya. Woh Jannat ke paas aa gayi thi.

"Janna babi! Main baby ko apne ghar le jaau?"

Woh jo thakaan ka shikar saare intizam ko dekh rahi thi, ruk gayi. Aankhein
phaila kar Zoya ko dekha. Kuch hairet se! Usay Rayyan chahiye tha. Aise
nahi ke khelne ke liye ya dosti ke liye chahiye tha. Wo usay apne saath ghar
le jaana chahti thi.

"Zoya, wo bahut chhota hai. Aap usay ghar kaise le jayegi?"

"Main uska khayal rakhungi. Khana bhi dungi. Bohot saari chawket
(chocolate) dungi, bistit (biscuits) dungi."

Jannat ko hansi aa gayi.

"Lekin wo bohot chhota hai, bohot royega."

"Main usay chup karwa lungi," wo pur-aitmaad thi.

"Aap roz yahan aa jaya karein, Rayyan ke saath yahan khelen, chocolate aur
biscuit bhi dena," daleel se samjhana chaha, magar Zoya ko aur koi hal
qubool nahi tha. Zidd bandh li aur rona shuru kar diya. Apni mama ko
khana bhi khane nahi de rahi thi.

"Isay jo bhi bacha pasand aata hai kehti hai ke ghar le chale," wo hans kar
batane lagi.

Jannat ke kuch aur samajh mein nahi aaya toh keh diya, "Rayyan Faaris ka
hai." Zoya Faris se bohot darti thi.

Umeed thi ke apni zidd se peeche hat jaayegi, magar wo choti si apne safed
frock mein ghoomti hui Faris ke paas pohanch gayi.

"Faris untle!" Uske ghutne par haath rakh kar mutawajjah kiya toh wo baat
adhoori chhod kar uski taraf mura.

"Janna babi ne kaha, baby aapka hai."

Pehle toh usay kuch samajh nahi aaya ke wo kya keh rahi hai.

"Wo wala baby aapka hai?" Tasdeeq ke liye door ishaara kiya. Mrs. Shirazi
ki taraf. Faris ki bhanwe sikud gayi.

"Main baby ko apne saath ghar le jau..?" Ab wo badi sanjeedgi se ijazat

maang rahi thi.

Ek toh uski Jannat baji! daant pees kar Jannat ki talaash mein nigah dohraai
toh wo apni kursi par baithi nichla lab daanto mein dabaye Jamila Daud ke
peeche chhup gayi.

"Allah! Yeh kya ho gaya. Ab aur narazgi, kya sochega, bachi ko sikha kar
bhej diya ke baby uska hai. Ab usay poori baat kaun samjhaye?"

"Aap usay mujhe de do. Main thelungi (khelugi), Main bohot khayal
rakhugi," wo usse darr bhi rahi thi, jhijhak bhi rahi thi aur mutalba bhi kar
rahi thi.

Uske walid sahib wahin baithe the.

"Chalo, Faris, jaldi se meri beti ka rishta maango aur bas!"

"Aapke dono bacho ke rishte isi ghar mein hoge?" Usne jis tarah se tap kar
poocha, Ubaid bhai ka qehqa s buland hua.

Wo sar jhatak kar reh gaya.

Jannat ne Zaid ko bhej kar Zoya ko mushkil se wahan se hata diya.

Khana lag chuka tha. Wo ab tamaam intezaam dekh rahi thi. Go ke mulazim
mojood the, magar phir bhi usay nighrani karni padh rahi thi.

Mehman khana khane lage toh wo Saira khala ke paas hi baith gayi. Paon
dukh rahe the aur thakan ki wajah se kamar mein bhi dard ho raha tha.
Mehmano mein baithna zaroori tha. Uth kar ja bhi nahi sakti thi. Halanke
Mrs. Shirazi ne kaha tha ke wo kuch der aaram kar le, magar usay munaasib
nahi lag raha tha.

Saira Khala ab us se baat kar rahi thi. Unke ilm mein nahi tha ke Faris ka
bhatija bhi hai.

“Apne nanihaal mein tha,” usne bataya.

“Toh ab yahin rahega?”

Uski nigah bhatakti hui Faris tak gayi.

“Ji, inshaAllah, yahin rahega,” usne kaha. Kuch der tak idhar udhar ki
baatein karti rahi, phir chup ho gayi.

“Wahan sab kaise hain?” Aahista se poocha. “Sab” se murad uski behne thi.

“Sab theek hain. Haniya ki mashaAllah se beti hui hai. Pichle hafte sab uski
taraf the.”

Wo zara si muskurai, magar aankho ki nami ko na daba saki. Na koi lafz

ada kar saki, na jazbat ke izhar ke liye kuch keh saki. Wahan sab ikatthe the
aur wo nahi thi. Gham, khushi, dawat ya mulaqat koi talluq hi us se nahi
rakha gaya tha.
Uski khushi mein bhi un mein se koi na pehle shamil hua tha, na ab ho
sakta tha. Uske bcche ki chheh khala thi, un mein se koi bhi uski paidaish
par mojood nahi thi. Gahri saans lekar usne khayalat ko jhatak diya. “Wo in
maamlat se nikal chuki hai,” usne khud ko samjhaya. “Wo aage barh chuki
hai.” Bar bar dohraya.

Ab wo khana kha rahi thi. Saira Khala use dekh rahi thi. Behno ke siwa
usne kabhi bhi khandan ke kisi doosre fard ke baare mein nahi poocha tha.
Maheen, Burhan, apne taya ki family ke baare mein bhi nahi.

Saira Khala ki aankhein soch mein doob rahi theen. Wo use kuch batana
chahti theen kuch aisi baatein jo ab tak uske ilm mein nahi thi magar phir
unhone irada tark kar diya.

Jin ka zikar takleef se do char karde, unka zikar behtar hai kiya hi na jaye.

Kuch der ke baad wo uth kar mehmaano ko dekhne lagi ke kisi ko kisi
cheez ki zarurat na ho. Mulazim salad, raita aur mukhtalif dishes serve karte
nazar aa rahe the. Wo paani ki bottle pakde Mrs. Shirazi ke paas baith gayi.

Rayyan unki god mein so gaya tha. Zoya apni mama ke paas baithi khana
kha rahi thi. Woh Kuch der ke liye wo Rayyan ko bhool gayi thi. Jannat ne
muskara kar use dekha.

Itaraf mein chahal-pahal aur ronaq nazar aa rahi thi. Sab bohot acha lag
raha tha. Kursi par baithe baithe takleef ko chupate hue usne apni position
badalne ki koshish ki.

“Tum jao, ab thoda aaraam kar lo,” Mr. Shirazi ne fikarmandi se kaha.

“Nahi, bas theek hai.” Kalai mod kar waqt dekha.

Mrs. Shirazi dost se baatein kar rahi theen. Paani ke chand ghont liye. Aur
tabhi usne Faris ko andar jaate dekha, toh mazrat karte hue foran uth kar
uske peeche sadar darwaza aboor karte hue rahdari mein chali gayi.

Wo phone call attend kar raha tha. Wo muntazir si khadi rahi. Uska British
lehja dimaag ghuma raha tha. Kuch baatein samajh mein aa gayi, kuch nahi
aayi. Guftagu karobari nahi thi; kisi Raahim ka zikar ho raha tha jisse
ghaliban Faris ka rabta nahi ho pa raha tha.

Baat karte karte jo hi muda to nazar Jannat par padi, wo alert ho gayi.

“Farmaiye?” Call disconnect karte hue uski taraf mura.

Ek toh itna formal aur ajnabi sa ravaiyya hota tha iska ke bas...

Aahista se muskurai.

“Main ne socha, pooch loon, kisi cheez ki zarurat toh nahi hai?”

“Kuch chahiye hoga toh khud le luga. Tumhe fikr karne ki zarurat nahi.”
Sard lehje mein jawab dete hue usne rukh badal liya. Nigahe mobile screen
par jami hui thi, kuch type kar raha tha.

“Kyun fikr na karu? Aakhir ko tum mere shauhar ho,” jata kar kehte hue wo
uske samne khadi ho gayi.

"Pata nahi kitne dino tak hoon." Us ki bar barahat waazeh thi.

"Kitne dino tak se kya matlab? Hamesha ke liye ho."

"Kisi ne khula ke liye court bhi jana tha," us ne yaad dilaya.

"Achha," woh anjaan ban gayi.

Aur jis ke khilaf jana tha, woh koi vehsi, zalim aur darinda tha. Scrolling
karte hue kuch 'ok' kar ke send kar diya.

"Sirf zalim?" Jannat ne foran se tok diya. "Main ne vehshi darinda tumhain
kabhi nahi samjha. Haan yeh zarur sochti thi ke kitna khadoos hai, ziddi aur
badtameez hai, aur kitna maghroor hai yeh baat bhi nahi karta, jawab nahi
deta, aur dekho meri chai pi gaya. Bhooka kahin ka!"

Apni dhun mein bol rahi thi. Zabaan ko brake lagi jab Muthiya bandh karte
hue Faris ne jis tarah se lab bheench kar sir uthaya tha, to usay laga ab uski
khair nahi.
"Yeh to main purani baatein kar rahi hoon, jo main pehle sochti thi, tab to
main bohot hi pagal thi," foran i'tiraaf kiya aur bari hi masoom si
muskaraahat dikhayi, jis ka koi faida na hua.

"Aur reh kya gaya hai?" Faris ka paara charh gaya tha.

"Tum reh gaye ho. Baaki jo kuch bhi samajhti thi, woh khatam ho gaya."

Woh apni jagah thehr gaya. Woh aankhon mein nami liye usay dekhti rahi.
Woh sar jhatak kar rukh badal gaya.

"Aisa kab tak chalega?" Bohut hi narami aur pyar se poochte hue apni
gardan ko dayein taraf jhukaya.

"Bohot lambe arse tak," jawab foran mil gaya. Woh ghoom kar uske samne
khadi hui. Sar ghumakar usay baghoor dekha.

"Main ne pehli baar ghour kiya hai, tum naraz ho kar zyada achhe lagte ho,"
haath badha kar uski tie knot durust ki.

"Tum bhi behtar lagugi agar mujh se door rahogi toh," tohammul se
warning di.

"Phir main buri hi theek hoon," khushi khushi uska bazu pakar kar dahina
gaal kande se laga liya.

Faris ka mobile baj utha. Kisi James Anderson ki call thi. Us ne bazu chhod
diya aur call receive karta gallery mein ja khada hua.

Jannat gehri saans leti sofa par ja baithi. Gardan ko peeche kiye aur ceiling
ko ghoorne lagi. Pata nahi iski ghoorne ki aadat kab khatam hogi. Nigahe
gallery tak gayi, woh phone kaan se lagaye baat kar raha tha. Uske labo par
muskaraahat nazar aa rahi thi. Woh seedhi ho baithi. Kitne dino baad woh is
tarah muskara raha tha. Usne nigah hata li, jaise nazar lag jane ka khadsa
ho.

Phir dupatta durust karti bahar chali gayi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH99
Aasman ki ujli neeli rangat mein kahin kahin safed baadal phaile huay
nazar aa rahe the. Chamkilli dhoop lawn ka sabza nikhre hue thi. Mrs.
Shirazi glass wall ke samne baithi thee. Mudhat unke samne chai ka cup
rakh rahi thi.

Faris lounge mein baitha channel surfing kar raha tha. News channel laga
kar cushion ko sar ke neeche rakhta easy ho kar baith gaya. Mulazma
French fries ki plate table par rakh kar chali gayi.

Usi lamhe Jannat bedroom se nikal kar kitchen ki taraf jaati hui dikhai di.
Rayyan uske saath hi tha. Woh uska feeder banane lagi thi.

Rayyan denim mein malboos us ke paas hi khada tha. Chhote chhote qadam
uthata kitchen se bahar aa gaya.

Woh side table tak gaya. Phir ghoom kar doosri taraf, khushida khidkiyo ki
janib jahan neela aasman nazar aa raha tha. Sheese par nate nate haath
rakhe apni naak tika kar bahar dekha. Phir us ki tawajjo ka markaz Faris
ban gaya. Woh maiz bhi jis par French fries ki plate rakhi thi. Mobile aur
chand ek doosri ashiya bhi, chhote chhote qadam uthata maiz tak gaya.
Chand lamho tak aankhon mein masoomiyat liye use dekha, phir apna
nanha sa haath barhakar plate par rakh diya. Faris ki nazar abhi to woh
haath rakhe use dekhne laga. Yun jaise us ke rad-e-amel ka andaza karna
cha raha ho ke kahin kuch kahe to nahi?

Magazine side par karte us ne ketchup se khaali French fries ka qadrey

narm tukda toad kar use diya. Zara sa qareeb ho kar us ne poore ishtihqaq
se le liya. Pehle ungliyo mein le kar dekha, ghour se ke kya cheez hai. Phir
mooh mein dala. Mazay ka laga to mazeed paas aa gaya. Us ne doosra toad
kar diya, phir teesra. Us ke tasuraat batarahe thay usay French fries ke
chhote chhote tukde kitne pasand aa rahe the. Mrs. Shirazi bilkul samnay hi
glass walls ke paas baithi thee. Un ki nigahen dono par jami rahi thi.
Rayyan aur Faris. Faris aur Rayyan. Khawab sa manzar tha. Gumaan mein
bhi nahi tha woh unhein ek saath is tarah bhi dekh paayengi. Itne qareeb aur
is tarah se!

Is nemat par woh apne Rab ka jitna shukr ada karti, kam tha.

Jannat ne aik taweel gehri saans li. Zara dekho to chacha bheje ki dosti ho
gayi. Magar woh phir bhi villain rahi. Phir Rayyan ko hi Jannat ka khayal
aaya to ab ke jo tukda Faris ne diya to use le kar us ke paas chala gaya.
Nanha sa haath ooper kar ke diya ke lo aap bhi khao. Jannat ka dil
mohabbat se bhar gaya.

"Rayyan! Aap itne pyaare kyun ho haan?" Jhuk kar us ke gaal kheenchay.
Phir mooh khol kar us ke haathon se kha liya. Ghaliban woh ghar mein us
ke haatho se kai baar cheezein le kar kha chuki thi. Nazar aa raha tha woh
in chand dino mein us ke saath kitna manoos ho chuka tha.

Faris ke mobile par call aayi to woh uth kar bahar chala gaya. Jameela
Daoud ki muskurati mutashakir nigahen door tak us par jami rahi thi.

•••

Us ne Jannat ko is tamam arse mein pehli baar Islamabad mein dekha tha.
Woh Zunera Aapa ki taraf aayi thi. Check-up ke liye use hospital jana pada
tha. Bench par Burhan ke humrah baithe, apni baari ka intezaar karte us ki
nazar jo nabi uthayi, wohi thahar gayi. Jannat kamal darwaza khol kar bahar
nikal rahi thi. Us ke saraape par nazar daalte woh phir aa gayi thi.

Gumaan tha woh usay bohot dukh aur takleef mein dekhe gi. Dar dar ki
thokar mein khate hue, beizzati aur dhatkaar sahte hue, magar jo aankhein
dekh rahi thin. Woh manzar kuch aur hi tha. Us ne suna tha us ki shadi kisi
ameer shakhs se hui thi. Us ne yeh bhi suna tha woh apne ghar se kahin
bhaag gayi thi. Yeh bhi ke us ka kirdar kitna bura hai. Us ki sazae kitni
mukhtasar. Us ka azaab kitna adhoora hai.

Maheen Abdul Kareem Jannat Kamal ko dekh rahi thi. Burhan Wasif ki
sakit nigahe bhi us par tehar gayi thi. Kitna mutmain tha us ka chehra. Us ki
muskurahat kitni gehri thi. Usay apne kiye par pachhtawa tha na koi ho
afsos, Sadama to is baat ka tha ke woh pregnant thi.
Woh banjh larki jis par duniya ki har mehroomi ka ehtetam samjha jata
raha, wohi larki maa banne wali thi. Maheen ka poora wujood shola ho raha
tha. Kyun? Kaise?

Bag mein papers rakhte Jannat ne sar uthaya to apni jagah tham gayi. Us ki
nazar saakit ho gayi. Us ke chehre ka har rang mafqud ho gaya. Aqsa jo us
ke intezaar mein baithi thi, foran uth kar paas aa gayi.

Burhan Wasif aur Maheen Abdul Kareem. Jin do chehron ko woh kabhi
nahi dekhna chahti thi, wohi do chehre us ke samne thay. Woh Burhan ki
aankho mein apne liye nafrat abhi bhi dekh sakti thi. Woh larki jis ne usay
cheat kiya, dhoka diya. Bachhe ko maarne ki koshish ki. Woh larki us ka
chehra.

"Aapi!" Aqsa ne us ka haath hilaaya to woh jaise hosh me aayi.. Apni

kapkapahat par qaabu paate hue bohot zabt aur himmat se woh barabar se
guzar kar bahar nikal gayi. Maheen ne gardan modh kar use nazro se oojhal
ho jane tak dekha tha. Burhan ke tasuraat sakht pathar yeh ho rahe the.
Aankho mein jo hikayat thi, woh Maheen ki samajh se baahir ho rahi thi.

•••

Jannat Kamal ki saanse bhaari ho rahi thi. Us ne gaadi mein baithne tak
apni chaal ko mazboot, apne kandhon ko seedha kiya tha. Ab jab woh
nazron se ojhal thi to har parda uth gaya tha. Har kei'fat us ke chehre se
ayan hone lagi thi. Woh khauf aur dehshat ka tassur nahi tha. Gham aur
ghusse ki aag thi jo use andar hi andar jala rahi thi. Aziyato ka ehsaas tha jo
mazi ki talkh yaadon mein dhakel raha tha.

Woh us ke samne is tarah kyun aa gaye. Us ne kyun dekh liya unhein. Kyun
munjamid ho gayi. Kyun kuch keh na saki. Jo ghussa tha, jo nafrat thi un ke
liye. Chand lafzo ka izhaar hi sahi, kuch to karti woh. Woh andar hi andar
se jaise khud ko noch rahi thi. Us ki zindagi barbaad hui. Us ki maa duniya
se chalayi gayi. Badnami alag hisse mein aayi. Aur woh un dono se kuch
keh hi na saki. Usay Burhan ki aankho mein apne liye nafrat aur hiqarat ka
tassur abhi bhi nazar aa raha tha. Woh nigahen wujood ko chhilni kar rahi
thin.
Abhi tak kuch bhi to nahi bigda tha un ka. Koi hisaab nahi hua tha. Koi
ehsaas nahi hua tha unhein. Abhi bhi woh mazloom, aur woh zalim thi.

"Aap theek hai aapi?" Aqsa ko pareshani hui. Doctor ke office se nikalte
waqt to woh bilkul theek thi. Achanak kya hua? Woh do log kaun thay
jinhein dekhte hi uski haalat aisi ho gayi thi? Woh nichla ab be dardi se kat-
ti khidki ki jaanib rukh kar gayi thi.

Ghar pohanch kar bhi woh khoi khoi hi rahi. Mrs. Shirazi us ke rawaiye ka
badlaw mehsoos kar gayin. Khana bhi theek se nahi khaya. Lawn mein chai
ka daur chal raha tha to woh un ke paas ghaafil hi baithi rahi. Kuch baaton
ka jawab deti. Kuch par khaali zehni ke aalam mein chonk padti. Woh
kitchen mein gayi, us se glass toot gaya. Chulhe par doodh chadha rakha
tha, ail kar phail gaya. Woh wash basin ka dhakkan band karna bhool gayi.
Woh jo roz Faris ki study mein jaane, us se baat karne ki koshish kar rahi
thi, ek dam se khamosh ho gayi. Woh seedhiya utar kar neeche aaya to us
ne Jannat ko sitting area mein deewar ka rukh kiye baitha dekha. Chehra be
tassur tha. Nigahen kisi nuqtay par jhuki hui. Sakat aur veerani liye hue.

Jebo mein haath daal kar woh aahista se qadam uthata us ke paas aaya. Woh
jo qadmo ki aahat par chonk padti thi, mutwajjah na hui.

Us ne kandhe par haath rakha to ek dam se bokhala kar gardan modhi. Faris
usay dekh kar reh gaya. Us ki aankho mein jaane kab se thehr hue aansu
gaalo par phisal gaye thay. Us ne foran se aansu saaf kar liye.

"Yahan kyun baithi ho?"

"Aise hi kuch bechaini ho rahi thi, to" aawaz bheegi hui thi. Ungliya masal
kar ghabrahat par qabu paane ki koshish ki. Faris ne kalai modh kar waqt
dekha. Aamuman woh is waqt tak so jati thi.

"Tabiat theek hai?"

Us ne asbaat mein sar ko jambish di.

"Tum aaj check-up ke liye gayi thi. Is everything alright?" Usay ehsaas hi
na hua. Woh jo itne dino se khamosh tha woh ab khud se bol raha tha. Aaj
woh usay apni reports bhejna bhool gayi thi. Asbaat mein sar ko jambish di.
Sab theek tha. Lekin woh theek nahi lag rahi thi.

Khoi hui, bhatki hui si thi.

Us ne haath barhaya to woh thaam kar ehtiyaat se uth gayi. Lab bheench kar
khud par zabt karte hui palke jhapka jhapka kar aansuo ko rokhti hui. Dil
chaaha lab khole aur bata de woh bohot takleef mein hai. Usay bura lag
raha hai. Usay gussa aa raha hai. Usay wahshat ho rahi hai. Usay rona aa
raha hai.

Woh us ke saath kamre mein aagayi thi. Lihaf banate, takiya durust karte
woh aaram se let gayi.

"Kuch chahiye?"

Us ne nafi mein sar hilate hue apni taraf ka lamp off kar diya. Wohi manzar,
wohi nigahe, wohi thappad, talaq aur aawaze...

Usne aankhein band kar li.

•••

Zunera Aapa ke ghar mein woh bed par baithi lab kaat rahi thi. Burhan lawn
mein tehal raha tha. Woh andar nahi aaya tha. Us ne khana bhi theek se nahi
khaya tha. Us ka mood bura tha aur woh us se koi bhi baat kar nahi paa rahi
thi.

Jannat Kamal! Jiske saath ek larki aur guard tha. Jo shan dar gaadi mein
baith kar hospital se rawana hui thi. Jiske ghar mein ek khush khabri aanay
wali thi. Jis ladki ko barbaad kar ke usne ghar se nikalwaya tha, woh ab
usay mukammal tor par aabaad nazar aa rahi thi. Us ka chehra, aankho mein
ghoom raha tha. Be basi se lab kaate, woh andar se jal rahi thi, bhasm ho
rahi thi. Usay twakka nahi thi ke woh apni aankhon se aisa koi manzar
dekhegi. Jise adhura samjha tha, usay mukammal dekh rahi thi.

Hasad ki aag mein jalte hue, uth kar baahar Zunera Aapa ke paas ja baithi.
Burhan gaadi nikaal kar kahin chala gaya tha.
"Unhein Burhan ko kya ho gaya hai? Mujhe uska mood theek nahi lag
raha," Zunera Aapa beti ko sula rahi thi.

Madhm aawaz mein boli, "Jannat ko jo dekha liya?"

Bachi ki pusht thapthapate Zunera Aapa ke haath sakit ho gaye. Hairat se

Maheen ko dekha.

"Jannat ko? Kahan dekh liya tum logon ne?"

"Hospital aayi hui thi woh. Aapa. Allah ki panah woh pehchani hi nahi
gayi. Itni azad aur modern. Itne chust kapde pehne hue the us ne..." Uski
zaban ab zehr ug rahi thi. Jo baatein pehle karti rahi thi woh ab phir se kar
rahi thi. Woh aag jo andar jal rahi thi, woh aise hi kam ho sakti thi.

"Astagfirullah, mujhe to dekh kar sharam aayi."

Zunera Aapa apni beti ko chhod kar uski taraf ghoom gayi.

"Aur Burhan ko gussa aa gaya..."

"To is liye mood off hai uska." Apa ne samajh kar sar hilaaya. "Allah ka
shukr hai jaan chhoot gayi us badkirdaar ladki se. Shaadi shuda hote hue
bhi chakkar chalaati rahi. Ab azad ho kar to gul khilane hi hain us ne..."
Aapa ke lehje mein hiqarat thi.

"Sach me Aapa. Rishte rishta khatam ho gaya uska?" Khojte hue sawal
kiya. Ek khabar jo pehle mili thi, uski tasdeeq zaroori thi.

"Aur nahi to kya? Ghar se bhaag gayi thi yeh. Uska shohar dhoond raha tha.
Is liye woh Lahore gaya tha..." Aapa ko bas itna hi pata tha. Jannat ke baare
mein mazeed unhein koi khabar nahi thi. Udti udti khabar bas yeh thi ke
iski doosri baar bhi talaq ho chuki thi."

Woh lab bhainche kamre mein aa gayi. Apni cousins ko phone ghuma dala.
Woh ek baar phir us ke kirdar par aa gayi thi. Keechar uchhal rahi thi. Jin
baaton ki sare se koi haqeeqat hi nahi thi, unhein haqeeqat bana kar phaila
rahi thi. Woh mardon mein ghoom rahi thi.
Jannat kamal! Ek aazad khayal ek badkar ladki, uska libas kitna bura tha.
Wo mardo me ghum rahi thi. Us ka fashion, us ke mehnge kapde. Us adaye
jo wo logo ko dikha rahi thi. Zaban se jo kuch keh sakti thi, keh diya.
Magar na aag kam hui, na jalan khatam huyi, na dil se bojh utara. Jo khushi
Jannat ki talaq par hui thi, woh khushi mehsoos karne se kashir rahi. Bas
nahi chal raha tha wo aik bar phir usay sabki nazro me se gira de, ek baar
phir wo kahani dhohraye, ab ke dil chaaha woh apne doosre shohar ki
nazron se gire. Use ab ke baar sach much mein talaq ho jaye. Woh baat jo
afwah thi, woh haqeeqat ban jaye. Us ke mutafan khayalat ka asar chehre
par nazar aane laga. Us ki shakal ajeeb heayat ikhtiyar karne lagi.

"

Jannat khush kyun hai? Woh

mutmain

kyun hai? Us ke paas to ab Burhan bhi nahi hai..."

Dwaraza khol kar Burhan andar aaya to woh bhi jaise khayalat ki duniya se
nikal aayi. Sone ki koshish ki to neend nahi aayi. Uth kar baithi to maloom
hua Burhan bhi jaag raha hai.

"Kya soch rahe hain aap?"

"Kya soch sakta hoon?" Uske lab bheench gaye.

"Us fazool ladki ki wajah se apna sukoon kyun barbaad kar rahe hain?"

"Us fazool ladki ke saath maine paanch saal guzare hain Maheen. Mere
saath itna bara dhoka kar ke, mujhe is tarah se aziyat de kar woh kaise
khush reh sakti hai. Koi ehsaas hi nahi use."

Maheen ki aankho mein tajub sa utar aaya. Kya woh use sharminda dekhne
ki khwahish mand tha? Use apne aas paas ek dum se dhamake hote hue
mehsoos hue. Kya woh chaah raha tha Jannat Kamal usse maafi maange?
Apni ghaltiyo ka idraak kare? Woh mathosh nigaho se apne shauhar ko
dekh rahi thi.
"She is a pregnant! Yeh sab kaise..?" uska dimaagh jaise maaf ho raha tha.
Woh use gusse ki aag mein dekh sakti thi, magar is aag mein kuch aur bhi
tha. Koi aisa jazba aur ehsaas, koi aisi keefiyat... jo wazeh nahi ho rahi thi.
Maheen Abdul Kareem ko is lamhe apna aap fana hota mehsoos hua tha.

"Burhan! Usne hum sab ke saath bura kiya hai. Specially aap ke saath!
Mujhe samajh mein nahi aata, kisi cheez ki kami hone di aap ne, aur usne
phir bhi aap ko cheat kiya. I'm so sorry aap ko in sab se guzarna padha."
Lehje ko naram karte huye, Uske hath par hath rakha. Magar dil dhadak ke
ja raha tha. Saanse chal rahi thi. Burhan Wasif ka yeh rawiya usay mukmase
mein daal raha tha. Jis ladki ka woh naam tak nahi sunna chahta tha.

Uska zikar kaise kar raha tha. Talaq ke baad Jannat Kamal ki sirf ek jhalak,
kahan le gayi thi usse?

"Aap ne kitna khayal rakha uska, aur usne aap ke bachhe ko hurt karne ki
koshish ki. Mujhe takleef pahunchayi." Aankho mein aansu bhar laayi.
Apna sar uske kandhe se laga diya.

"Isi baat ka to dukh hai mujhe," lab bheench kar bola. "Usne humare rishte
ka bhi lihaaz nahi kiya. Jitni mohabbat maine use di, uske bawajood usne
mujhe dhoka diya."

Jannat Kamal aur uski khushgawar zindagi. Woh muskurahat jo uske hotho
par thi aur us par nazar padte hi uran chhu hui thi. Woh aankhein jin ka
naram tassur use dekh kar sakit ho gaya tha. Woh Jannat Kamal jo uske
bina jeene ka tasawwur bhi nahi kar sakti thi, woh uske bina kitni khush,
kitni mukammal nazar aa rahi thi. Jaane woh kaisa ehsaas tha jo ek dum se
haavi ho gaya tha. Sulagta hua, angaaron jaisa. Rago mein sarayat karta
hua. Aankhon mein khoon bharta hua.

Maheen to phir bhi sone ke liye lete gayi thi, magar woh aankhon mein
sholay liye raat gayi tak jaagta raha tha.

•••

Nashte ke baad woh kamre mein thi. Raygan paas hi baitha hua tha. Faris
aaine ke samne khada tie ki knot baandh raha tha. Jo magazine haath mein
tha, uska safa gol gol ghumane lagi. Kalai par ghari pehente hue Faris ne
mud kar usse dekha. Uska chehra mukammal tor par utara hua tha. Woh
pata nahi kin socho mein gum thi. Wo sar jhatak kar baahir chala gaya.
Mulazim uska briefcase gaadi mein rakh raha tha.

Aqsa main gate se baahir nikal rahi thi. Ruk gayi. Modib si. Kahin daant na
pad jaye baghair wajah ke. Uski van aa chuki thi. Driver horn diye ja raha
tha.

"Main jaun sahab! Van aa gayi!"

Usne wahi khade khade hath hilaaya to driver uska ishaara samajhte hue
van ko le gaya.

"Ab kya main college paidal jaun gi?" Woh bokhalayi. Uski saheliyo ne van
se gardan nikaal nikaal kar usse dekha ke wahan kis ke saath khadi hai aur
kya kar rahi hai.

"Driver se keh deta hoon woh drop kar dega tumhe." Aqsa ki jaan mein jaan
aayi.

"Kal tum apni Aapi ke saath ha saal gayi thi?"

"Ji sahab!"

"Wahan kuch hua tha kya?"

"Nahi to, bas seedhiyo par ek bade Baba ji behosh ho gaye the. To jo badi
Amma unke saath thi, unhone shor macha diya."

"Main is baat ki nahi kar raha." zabt karke roka. "Tumhari Aapi se koi mila
tha kya?" Faris ne apna sawal mazeed wazeh kiya.

Aqsa ne ruk kar aasman ki taraf dekhte huye apna nazar yahan wahan
dodaya.

"Aur haan! Yaad aaya, ek miya biwi the."

"Aik Miya biwi?" Faris ne sabr ki inteha par sine par bazu bandhe
"Matlab husband wife the shayad Woh Jannat Aapi ko dekh rahe the aur
Jannat Aapi unhein dekh rahi thin. Pata nahi kya baat thi, woto bas pathhar
si ho gayi, phir sara waqt gaadi mein bhi bilkul chup rahi. Halanke unhone
mujhe kaha tha ke aqsa wapsi par ice cream khayenge..." ek hi saans mein
sab kuch bata diya.

Faris ne use jane ka ishara kar diya aur sath hi driver ko hum diya ke use
college drop kar de. Itni badi gaadi mein college jaane ka tasawwur se woh
khush hoti wo ithlati hui gaadi mein baith gayi. Soch rahi thi ke dosto ke
ilawa jo bhi ladki use dekhegi, jalke swaha hi ho jayegi.

Office pahunch kar Faris ne Dr. Shazia ka number milaya. Woh Mrs.
Shirazi ki dost thi. dua salam ke baad seedha asal mudde par aa gaya.

"Aap se ek help chahiye thi."

"Ji beta, kya help chahiye?"

Wo Jannat ke baad check-up ke liye aane wali khawateen ke baare mein

pooch raha tha. Unke names jaan'na chah raha tha. Dr. Shazia ne apni
assistant se list mangwayi. Chand aik naam ke baad

"Maheen Abdul Kareem" aur "Mrs. Burhan Wasif" ka naam samne aaya.

Faris mobile phone kaan se lagaye wahi baitha reh gaya.

"Aap ka bohot shukriya," usne call cut kar di. Uski aankho mein ajeeb sa
tassur utar aaya.

"Kya uski yeh halat is liye hai ke usne apne

sabqa

shohar ko dekh liya hai?"

Apni office chair par baitha Faris Wajdan ki mutthiya mazbooti se bheech
gayi thi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH100
Wo uljhe hue dimaag ke sath kuch dair tak Mrs. Shirazi ke paas baithi rahi
thi, phir lawn mein tehlne chali gayi. Uske baad usne library ka rukh kiya
aur books ki setting badal di. Shower le kar kuch dair tak aaram kiya aur jab
uthi toh dimaag halka tha.

Wo har tarah ke negative khayalat ko baar baar jhaykti, apni tawajjo wapas
apni haali life ki taraf le aayi. Usay Faris ki narazgi ka khayal aaya, dheere
se muskurayi aur naye siray se kuch socha. Yaad aaya gift lena tha, aur card
pe likhna bhi. Shayad ye doori is liye bhi thi kyunki abhi tak usne us se koi
baat nahi ki thi, na jazbaat ka izhaar kiya tha, na ehsaasat.

Usne socha aur faisla kar liya. Mrs. Shirazi se ijazat lekar mall chali gayi.
Aaj aram aur tasalli se baat karegi. Ab tak agar usne gila shikwa nahi kiya,
toh wo usse mauqa degi, uski sune gi aur apni bhi sunayegi.

Wo Rayyan ke liye shopping kar rahi thi. Kapde, khilone uthate hue
muskurayi. Kuch tasaveer Mrs. Shirazi ko bheji aur unki rai li.

Aur tabhi Faris ki call aayi thi.

"Uff.." ghabra ke foran se call receive ki. "Hello!"

"Kahan ho tum?"

"Main? Wo... main shopping ke liye aayi hoon."

"Kis floor par ho?" Goya jaanta tha driver use kahan chhod kar gaya hai.

Usne mobile screen ko surprise se dekha. Kya wo yahan aa gaya hai? Foran
se apni location bata di, phir aisay hi tehalte huay kapray dekhne lagi. Dil
shiddat se dhadak raha tha. Dant padne wali hai, kyunke bina bataye kyun
chali aayi.
"Bahut khush Nazar aa rahi ho tum? Aana bhi chahiye, kyunke ehsaas e
sharmindgi naam ki koi cheez tum mein hai bhi to nahi."

Uske haath mein 15 mahine ke bache ka dress tak chhut gaya. Wo Burhan
Wasif ko itna kareeb dekh kar, uski awaaz sun kar aur uski aankhon mein
utarne tak behtarha se gadbadyi thi.

Dabe qadam peeche hote huay usne apne kapkapate haathon ko bhinch liya
tha. Wo aankhon mein gusse ki surkhi liye, lab bhich kar ke usay dekh raha
tha, jaise bohot bara sabr ka imtihan de raha ho.

"Main ne tumhein kisi cheez ki kami hone di? Aur tum ne kya kiya?"

Wo aankhon mein wehsat liye, bhari saanson ke saath usay dekh rahi thi.
Uski himmat kaise hui thi baat karne ki? Rastay rokne ki? Mudi aur jaane
lagi toh usne rasta rok liya.

"Baat kar raha hoon tumse!"

"Burhan!" Shopping bag haath mein liye Maheen foran se aa gayi thi. Jalan
ki aag mein...

"Ap bhi kisi ladki ke munh lag rahe hain jise apni maa ki izzat ka lihaaz
nahi tha usse aap baat hi kyun kar rahe hai"

Jannat ki tar aankhon mein Maheen ka aks ubhra. Wo apni jagah munjamid
ho kar khadi thi. Uske andar ka ghussa, nafrat aur gham ka toofan bas
aankhon aur chehre par zahir ho raha tha. Magar wo khamosh thi.

Wo cheekhna chahti thi, magar cheekh nahi paa rahi thi. Kuch kehna chahti
thi, magar bol nahi paa rahi thi. Burhan aur Maheen!

"Burhan, yahan se chale!"

"Tumhari mohabbat ke sare daway jhoote the. Tum maafi mang sakti thi
mujhse. Tum Keh sakti thi ghalti ho gayi. Lekin tumne kya kiya? Is lifestyle
ke liye sare tamashay kiye. Apni maa ka bhi khayal nahi kiya, apne nana ki
tarbiyat...."
Burhan Wasif... wo kar kya raha tha, keh kya raha tha?

Baat maa ki thi. Zikar nana ka tha. Uske kirdar, gunahon aur ghaltiyon ka
tha.

Usne ghar, sheher, khandan sab chor diya tha. Lekin wo log apni zubano se
uska zikar nahi chhod sake. Wo shakhs jiska chehra wo kabhi nahi dekhna
chahti thi, jiska tasavvur hamesha us par pahad ban kar tut-ta tha , jiski
mohabbat ka khayal usay wehshatnaak andhero mein duba deta tha, wohi
shakhs uske samne khada tha. Bhaut kuch keh raha tha.

Aur wo khadi thi. Wo isay kehne de rahi thi. biwi ban kar bhi usne sab
khamoshi se suna tha. aur ab biwi na ho kar aik baar phir wahi kar rahi thi.
Dar aur khauf ke saath, sar jhuka kar sab tasleem karne ki aadat phir se sar
uthaa rahi thi.

Faris Wajdan ki nigah door se us par padi thi... aur uske sath khade us
shakhs par bhi jise wo dekh rahi thi. Mobile jeb mein rakhte hi wo jaldi
mein kadam uthata aage barh gaya tha.

"Tumse mohabbat aur shadi... meri zindagi ki sabse bari ghalti thi."

Baat maa aur nana ki tarbiyat ki thi, baat kirdar ki thi, aur us ilzam ki bhi jo
uspar lagaya gaya tha. Pura khel Maheen Abdul Kareem ka rachaya hua
tha. Poora planning uski thi.

uske aas paas logon ki aamad-o-raft, mehnge malboosat ko dekhti

khawateen, counter par cashier machin ki typing, tiles par ghusti trolley ka
shor, sab madham padhne laga. Har aik shey tariki ka hissa ho gayi.
Maheen ka wajood bhi adam ho gaya. Agar roshni kahin thi, toh wo sirf
Burhan Wasif ke wajood par pad rahi thi.

Sadhe paanch saal ka aitmaad mahej chand mahino mein khak hua tha. Jo
kirdar saadhe paanch saal tak izzat ki zeenat bana raha tha, wohi kirdar
Burhan Wasif ki aankhon mein dhool matti hua tha. Koi shey salo se
mazboot rehne ke baad, ek halki se jhatke se tooti thi. Aur wo aj bhi wahi
tha, usi maqam par, us guman me usi khushfehmi aur khayal mein ki
mujrim wohi thi, Har saza, har azab, har musibat ka haqdar bhi wohi.
Woh uske ghar mein tha, uspar cheekh raha tha, wo uspar chilla raha tha.
Wo khato ko uske munh par maar raha tha. Wo phool bouquet aur card phad
kar wo usay sawal kar raha tha.

Wo jamod jo uspar tari tha, us jamud par ek daraar si padi. Usne bahut arse
tak sab kuch Khamoshi se saha tha, ab nahi seh saki thi. Usne ekdam se
kuwwat pakdi aur pure jor se Burhan Wasif ke gaal par thappad jhad diya.

Maheen ne ekdam se munh par haath rakha. Bhare Khandan me rushwa

karke talaq di thi jisne usne gardan morkar sadme se gung, uski taraf dekha,
ujalat me kadam uthakar uski taraf bhadte Faris Wajdan ke kadmo ki harkat
tham gayi. Madham se shor me thappad ki awaz to kahi dab gayi thi. Magar
paas me khade chand auk log uske tarf mutwajjah jarur huye the. Jannat ne
apna kapkpata hath neeche kar liya. Uski sanse chari huyi thi, uski rago me
angaro ke dhuwe udh rahe the, uske aansu jane kyu palko ki bandh par atke
gham par tehre reh gaye the, woh jitni mazbooti dikha sakti thi usne dikha
di, uska pura wajood tufano ki zadd me lag raha tha. Magar woh khadi thi
woh Datt kar aur sar uthaye , us insan ke samne khadi thi jo uski zindagi ki
tabahi ka sabab bana tha.

Pehla mard, zindagi me aane wala pehla rishta, pehli mohabbat, pehla ghar,
pehla shohar. Woh usay dekh raha tha, Maheen uski jurrat par sakit thi.

"Tumhari yeh himmat..." Maheen mustal huyi.

Jannat kamal ne kuch na kaha , koi gila shikwa , kuch bhi nahi. Himmat
pakad kar rukh badala aur phir Faris par nazar tehar gayi, wo aansoo jo
burhan aur Maheen ke samne aankho me tehre rahe the wo ab uske galo par
phisal gaye the. Woh siskiya jo seene me dabi huyi thi, ahista ahista ubhar
rahi thi. Woh uski jung thi usay ladhne de di gayi.

Usne fairs ke taraf aik kadam uthaya, phir dusra aur ruk gayi. Uski siskiya
ab hichkiyo me badal chuki thi. Sar jhuka gaya tha, mazeed aage badhne ki
ab himmat nahi rahi thi. Bakiya fasla Faris Wajdan ka tha, usne tay kar liya.
Uska hath girift me lete huye Burhan wasif ki taraf kadam uthaye.

"Aindah meri biwi ka rasta rokne ya usse baat karne ki koshish ki, toh
mujhse bura koi nahi hoga."
Usne intehai durast lehja me uske kareeb rukhte huye usse warn kiya tha.

Uski aankhon mein aag si jal rahi thi. Burhan Wasif ka wajood Jannat
kamal aas pas ek lamha ke liye bhi bardaasht nahi hua tha.

Yehi waqt hai Maheen ko laga yeh hi mauka hai. Yeh hi lamha hai wo apna
kaam dikha sakti hai, wo jannat kamal se apne shauhar ki is beizzati ka
badla le sakti hai. Wo Ek baar phir se us ki shadi shuda zindagi ko aag laga
sakti hai.

"Bohot shauq hai aapki biwi ko shadi shuda hote hue bhi shadi shuda mardo
pe dore dalne ka. Hamare khandan ki hai, toh jante hai kis kirdar ki hai. aap
pata nahi iske chakkro mein kaise aa gaye." Usne zaher fan lehje me intehai
hiqarat se jannat ka zikr kiya.

Wajahat ka paykar wo shandar sa mard, jannat kamal ke pehlu me khada

usay hasad ki aag me jala raha tha.

"Are you talking about my wife?"

Woh uski taraf mura. Maheen ko laga tha woh us shakhs ko aik dum se
ghusse aur ishtiyaal mein aata hua dekhe gi. Uski aankhon mein shak hoga.
Badgumani ke taasuraat ubhray ge. Magar woh mard uski aankhon mein
dekhte hue tahammul se pooch raha tha.

"Kya aap bhi unhi logo mein se hain jin se yeh shaadi se pehle rabte mein
thi?" Sambhal kar doosra nuqta joda. "Iske to kaafi affairs thay. Burhan ne
is liye to isay talaaq de di thi. Aur isne to hamara bachha tak zaya karne ki
koshish ki. Shayad aapko yeh sab kisi ne bataya hi nahi."

Jannat ka poora wajood laraz raha tha. Faris ke peeche khade usne aankhein
meinch kar khud par zabt ka pehra bithaya tha. Maheen ko jawab denay ke
bajaye usne Burhan ko dekha.

"Kya aapki biwi ko hamesha se Jannat par keechad uchalne ka shauq tha ya
aap se shaadi ke baad hua hai?" Woh sawaal, maheen par kisi talwaar ke
war se kam nahi tha. Burhan Wasif ki nigahe us par jami rahi gayi.
"Kyu ke, mene apni biwi ke kirdar mein aaj tak koi jhol nahi dekha."

Maheen fati fati nigha se Faris ko dekh rahi thi. Usay nahi pata tha is tarah
uske shohar ke samne munh kholna isay is tarah bhari padh jayega,

Aik sakht aur sard padhti nigah burhan wasif par dalte huye wo Jannat ko
apne bazoo ke hashar me leta jane ke liye mudh gaya tha. Burhan wasif ki
nighahe Faris Wajdan ki pusht par jami reh gayi thi.

Woh shakhs us ladki ko apnaaye hue the jo uske liye badkar ho chuki thi.

Jise usne chhod diya. Usay kisi aur ne apna liya tha. Jise uske ghar mein
kuch na mila, usay kisi aur ke ghar mein aabaad kar diya gaya tha.

Woh ladki...

Woh Jannat Kamal...

Uski sabiqa biwi. Kisi pachtawe ki zad mein na kal thi, na aaj nazar aa rahi
thi. Woh jo uske bina jeene ka tasawwur bhi nahi kar sakti thi, usay
mukammal aur zinda nazar aa rahi thi.

"Burhan!" Maheen Abdul Kareem ki aankhon mein qabr ki nami thi, gussa
tha. Burhan Wasif sanaaton mein ghira kaafi der tak khada raha tha.

•••

Mall ke restaurant ke private cabin mein, woh uske paas hi baitha tha. Uska
sir jhuka hua tha. Chehra surkh, nam aankhein laal ho rahi thi. Dheemi
dheemi sikhiya, Ungliya milti, woh sir jhkaaye baithi thi. Uska wujood bhi
kapkapa raha tha.

"Tum maal aa rahi thi to mujh se raabta kar leti..."

Us ne sar uthakar Faris ko dekha. Woh khaali glass mein paani undail raha
tha.

Woh bata nahi sakti thi ke us ke liye toh gift lene aayi thi. Aaj ke liye kitne
plans the us ke.
Aansoo phir se beh nikalay. Lab bhench kar rona par qaboo paane ki
koshish ki magar be-sood.

"Lo, paani piyo!" Glass thama diya. Us ne chand ghont le kar glass haathon
mein dabaaye rakha. Jaise kisi mazbooti ki zaroorat ho. Gehri saans lete us
ne khud ko kisi had tak sambhal liya. Sir uthakar us ki aankho mein dekha.

Wahan ghussa tha, na khafgi. Shak ki koi lehr aur na hi koi istahzaa.

"Tumhein akele maal aata hi nahi chahiye tha."

"Tum naraz the. Tum se kaise kehti?" Us ne romal diya to aansoo saaf kar
liye.

Woh chand lamho tak la jawab ho kar baitha raha.

"Keh sakti thi. Main koi aisa naraz bhi nahi tha ke saath na aata."

Woh zara sa chup hui. Aankho mein aansoo thehre rahe.

"Tumhare liye gift lena tha. Tumhein kaise laati?" Asal masla toh yeh tha.

"Gift?" Hairat se abroo uchka kar seedha ho baitha. "Us ki kya zaroorat par
gayi."

Woh theek thaak baaton mein uljha kar us ka zehan bhatka chuka tha.

Woh pehle ungliyaan muslti rahi. "Maine socha tha tumhein gift doon gi aur
baat karungi aur..."

"Aur?"

"Maafi mangugi." Nazre jhukaye rahi.

Woh gehri saans leta usay dekhta gaya.

"Main naraz nahi hoon."

"Toh jo raazi hote hain, kya woh aise karte hain jaise tum kar rahe ho?"
Woh kuch der chup chaap baitha raha.

"Achha theek hai, chalo!"

"Kahan?" Sar uthakar poocha.

"Tum ne jo kaam karne hain, woh jaldi se karo. Phir ghar chalte hain."

Woh aankho mein hairat liye usay dekh kar reh gayi. Woh cabin ka darwaza
khol kar bahar nikal gayi, toh handbag uthayi aur uske peeche bahar aa
gayi.

"Kya khareedna hai tumhein?" Lift ka rukh karte hue poocha, taake is
hisaab se woh uski madad kar sake.

"Ghadi leni thi..." Lab kaat kar bata diya. Usay pata tha kis floor par usay
kis tarah ke brand mil jayenge. Wahi le gaya.

Salesman unhein nafees qeemti aur be-intaha mehengi ghadiya dikhane

laga. Woh zara sa confuse hui, khadi thi.

"Tum apni pasand ka gift logi ya gift meri pasand ka hoga?" Kitne dinon
baad woh pehle ki tarah baat kar raha tha. Meiz par kehni ka kar poocha toh
woh confused khadi rahi. Chehra hanooz surkh sa, palkain bhighi hui.

"Tum khud pasand karlo."

"Okay," keh kar us ne sab se mehngi tareen ghadi par haath rakh diya.
Nikaal kar kalaai par pehen kar bhi dekha. Jannat ne qeemat poochhi toh
hosh ud gaye. Itne paise uske paas is waqt nahi the.

"Aisa karti hoon main, gift de rahi hoon toh mujhe hi pasand karna
chahiye." Gadbad kar ke uski kalaai se ghadi utwar kar salesman ko wapas
de di, jaise woh koi dhamaka khez cheez ho.

"Itne paison se toh Aqsa ke gaon mein do teen ghar ban jaayein." Soch kar
phir doosri taraf gayi. Woh ab jebo mein haath daale khada tha.
Usne ek ghadi pasand ki. Uski qeemat poochhi. Munaasib thi. Magar is
waqt uske paas bag mein jitni raqam thi, us par bhaari. Nichla lab kaat kar
reh gayi. Ab usay kya pata tha yahan itni mehengi ghadiya honge. Abhi toh
usay aur bhi shopping karni thi.

"Gift tum le lo, payment main kar doonga." Usne jis tarah se kaha, Jannat
ka chehra khift se surkh ho gaya. Woh uski muskurahat ubharte aur chhupte
dekh sakti thi. Woh uske ta'ssurat se mehfooz ho raha tha.

"Lo," credit card nikaal kar de diya.

"Rolex ya Rado ki loge toh acha rahega." Mashwara de kar khud shop se
bahar beech par ja baitha.

Usne gehri saans le kar Rolex ki kuch ghadiya check ki. Qeemat dekhi. Ab
rang dekh rahi thi. Ek gold color mein thi. Doosri silver.

"Silver behtar rahegi," uske kande par jhuka kar bola. Uski awaaz sunte hi
woh bokhla kar seedhi hui. Pa... nahi kab andar aaya. Abhi toh bahar baitha
tha.

"Oh, achha, theek hai. Silver hi theek hai."

Mushkil hal ho gayi. Ghadi pack ho gayi. Kharid kar bahar aa gaye.

"Dusra kaam kya hai?"

"Dusra kuch zyada khaas kaam nahi tha." Bag ki straps par grip barhai.

"Kaam toh tha," us ne kureda.

"Haan, woh asal mein mujhe card likhwana tha." Jhijhak kar bata diya.
Saare plans share karne par rahe the. Surprise ka beida garkh.

Gaadi ka darwaza kholte us ne ruk kar Jannat ko dekha. Achanbhay se.

"Kaise card?"
"Woh likhwate hain koi achhi si baat, duaa ya koi message," passenger seat
par baith kar wazahat di.

"All right, samajh gaya," us ne gaadi start kar di.

Jahan card likhwana tha, wahan pehle siyah rang ka card pasand kiya. Us
par nakarai roshnai se ab koi ibarat likhwani thi.

Woh peeche deewar se pusht lagaye, jebo mein haath daale khada tha. Aur
woh apni mez par kuch dekhti soch rahi thi. Likhwana kya hai. Pehle toh
irada kiya tha, Aima se poochegi. Aima toh saath nahi thi. Jo saath tha, usse
apni beizzati karwane ka mood nahi tha.

"Kuch nahi likha?" Qareeb aakar khaali safhe par nazar daurate poocha.

"Abhi soch rahi hoon."

"Itna soch rahi ho?"

"Tumhara kya bharosa, bura hi maan jao." Jata diya.

"Paighaam likhna hai ya koi dhamki dena hai?"

Woh dheere se hans di.

"Achha, theek hai, mujhe sochne do ab."

"Bas simple sa likh do. Dabbe mein dabba, dabbe mein cake." Us ne ek
dum se Faris ko dekha aur hans parhi. Hasi ki jaltiring mein aas paas
zindagi ke asaar bikhr gaye. Jaise koi bhooli busri baat yaad aayi ho.

"Allah tum ne bhi yeh sher sune hue hain?" Woh us ki taraf ghoom gayi.

"Haan! Kisi ne likh kar diye the mujhe. Ghaliban Friendship Day tha." Jebo
mein haath daale bola,

"Main tumhein bata nahi sakti yeh sher mera kitna favorite tha. Main kitna
arsa apni friends ko yeh likhti rahi."
"Ek aur bhi tha." Ab woh yaad kar kar ke usay sunane lagi. Woh mubhim sa
muskurata raha.

"Ab sach me yeh likhwa doon?" Ruk kar shararat se poocha.

"Apne bacho ko fakhr se dikhana ho toh likh do."

Woh hasti chali gayi. Phir nichla lab o haaye kaghaz par jhuki. Us ne likh
kar de diya. Card print ho gaya. Gift ke saath pack kar ke rakh rahi thi, woh
bola.

"Ab aur kya baaki hai?"

"Kuch bhi nahi. Kisi restaurant mein khana kha lein? Kya khayal hai?" Us
ka lehja khushgawar tha. Woh ab pareshan nahi lag rahi thi.

"Fine!" Us ne gaadi markazi shahrah par daal di thi. Pandrah minute ki

drive ke baad woh ek restaurant mein mojood the. Khana khane ke baad
Jannat ne gehri saans li.

Jo gift us ke paiso se khareeda, woh usay pesh kar rahi thi. Jo card us ke
saath likh kar aayi, woh ab us par rakh rahi thi. Woh band muthi thodi
(chin) par rakhe usay dekh raha tha. Honth sanjida se bhenche hue. Kamal
maharat se muskurahat roki gayi thi. Jannat ko aise situation mein phans kar
apna aap bohot hi bewaqoof sa mehsoos ho raha tha.

"Kiya mujhe gift kholte waqt kuch acting bhi karni hogi, jaise main kisi
shock mein hoon? Yaqeen nahi aa raha ke tum mujhe gift de sakti ho, ya
aisa kuch?" Woh pooch raha tha.

"Allah!" Us ki aankho mein taare naach gaye. Theek thaak beizzati thi.
Khift se chehra surkh par gaya.

"Theek hai, ab is ki koi zaroorat nahi. Bilkul bhi zaroorat nahi." Zabt kar ke
us ne ghadi ka box aur card uthakar apne bag mein wapas thons diye, kabhi
na dene ka azm kar ke. "Hadd hai."

"Main toh sirf tumhari help karna chaah raha hoon."

"Tum mera mazaq uda rahe ho." Zor de kar naraazgi se boli. "Khud se saari
baatein ugwal wali tum ne. Warna maine toh tumhein surprise hi dena tha."

"Thik hai, thik hai. I'm sorry. Tum jo karna chaah rahi ho, woh karo. Main
chup hoon..."

"Main ab kuch nahi karungi." Gusse se jawab de kar uth khadi hui.

"Couple aamuman aik doosre ki pasand se gift lete hain aur ikhatte bhi lete
hain. Yeh koi aisi badi baat toh nahi hai." Us ne mamle ko thanda karna
chaaha.

"Haan, magar woh yeh toh nahi poochte ke gift lete waqt mujhe kesa
reaction dena hoga. Hairaan hota hoga ya pareshan hona hoga ya shock
mein jana hoga." Us ne kaha, aur jis andaz se us ne last jumlay mein uski
naqal utaari, woh hans diya.

"Haan haan, ab hans lo. Mujh par hans lo." Woh achha khaasa chad kar
bahar nikal gayi.

Woh bill ada kar ke bahar aaya toh Jannat gaadi ke paas naraz si khadi thi.

"Main toh is liye pooch raha tha. Jaisa reaction tum chaahogi, main waisa hi
de dunga." Us ke paas aakar kaha.

"To tumhare apne ehsasat ka kya?" Us ne mud kar poocha to woh apni
jagah ruk gaya.

"Mere ehsasat gaye bhad mein," Us ne halke phulke andaaz mein kehte hue
gaadi ka lock khol diya.

Woh apni jagah tham kar reh gayi.

"Ice cream khana chaogi?" Woh pooch raha tha. Apne hawaso mein laut te
darwaza khol kar baith gayi. Nafi mein sir ko jambish di. Us ka dil aik dum
se bhaari ho gaya tha.

"Ghar chalte hain."

Us ne sir hila kar gaadi start kar di thi. Doran-e-safar aik ajeeb si khamoshi
chaayi rahi thi. Woh khidki ki taraf rukh kiye gehri soch mein fark thi. Us
ke chehre par takleef deh ta'ssurat ubharte mit te ja rahe thay. Andar ka dard
aankhon se ayaa ho raha tha.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH101
"Kya ab gift dene ka sach me koi irada nahi hai tumhara?"

Woh baat kar raha tha to Jannat jawab nahi de rahi thi. Woh us ki taraf dekh
bhi nahi rahi thi. Gehri saans le kar us ne gaadi rok di.

"Main sirf mazaq kar raha tha."

Jannat ne palke jhapka kar aansu rokhtay hue us ki taraf dekha. Chand
lamhon tak jaise apne andar himmat muztama ki.

"Jab main tum se sawal karti thi, tumhare baap, bhai ya dada ke baare mein.
Aur tumhari ex-wife ke baare mein bhi. Main chahti thi tum mujhe apne
baare mein batao, main jan'na chahti thi. Mujhe lagta tha main sawal
karungi to tum jawab doge, Wazahat dogay lekin tum kuch nahi kehte thay.
Kisi sawal ka jawab nahi dete the."

Woh us ki aankho mein dekhte hue khaamosh baitha reh gaya.

"Mere zehan mein aise chhote mote se ikhtilaf aajate the. Bhai sotel hai is
liye koi masla hoga. Baap ke saath koi issue. Dada se koi narazgi. Lekin
main ne kabhi yeh nahi socha tha ke tumhare saath yeh sab hua hoga. Main
ne kabhi nahi socha. Unka zikar tumhare liye kitna takleef deh raha hoga.
Tum sunte rahe lekin tum ne mujhe nahi roka." Us ki awaaz bheegi.

"Jab Mudhat Bano ne mujhe sab bataya to..." ruk kar ab bhinche "Main tab
se khud ko maaf nahi kar pa rahi. Woh bohot takleef mein nazar aa rahi thi."

Woh steering wheel par aik haath rakhe hue tha. Ta'ssurat sanjeeda thay.
Labon par sukoon tha.

"Main Adina se bohot jealous thi." Aansoo saaf kar ke lehzay ko hat la
imakan mazboot karte hue boli.
"Main us ki baaton mein aa gayi. Us ne kaha tum dono ki mohabbat ki
shaadi thi. Main ne maan liya. Us ne kaha tum us ki wajah se kisi se shaadi
nahi karna chahte. Maine yeh bhi maan liya. Us ne kaha woh kisi bhi waqt
tumhe haan keh kar tumhari zindagi mein wapas aa sakti hai. Maine us par
bhi yaqeen kar liya. Tumhari nafrat ne mujh se sab manwa liya, Faris!"

Woh pachhtawo ki zadd mein bohot dukhi nazar aa rahi thi. Us ne shakk
kiya. Ghalat samjha. Ghalat socha.

"Mere zehan mein yeh khayal bhi nahi aaya ke pehli shaadi ka tajurba itna
taqleef daayak tha ke dobara kisi rishtay mein nahi parhna chahte thay."

Woh kahin aur dekhne laga.

Sadak par gaadi guzergayi. Andheray mein kahin batiyan roshan huein.
Faris lamhay bhar ke liye nazar banaye rakha kahi aur dekhne laga.

"Ghalati tumhari bhi hai. Tum apne baare mein kuch batate bhi to nahi the.
Main ne apni lailmie mein..."

"Tumhein bohot hurt kiya. Jo baat takleef deti ho, insaan uska zikar nahi
karta. Aunty bhi is liye khamosh thi ke baat mamooli nahi thi. Hammad
bhai ne Adina se shaadi ki aur..." woh ruk gayi.

Main samjhti rahi ke bhai sotela hai. Shayad is liye kisi narazi ya ikhtilaf ke
baais tum Rayyan ko ghar nahi la rahe. Mujhe yeh baat bohot disturb karti
thi ke woh yateem bachha hai. Aur tum phir bhi nahi la rahe. Yeh us bachay
par zulm tha. Ruby se meri roz baat hoti thi. Rayyan wahan theek nahi tha.
Us ke haath par chot lag gayi to usay hospital le kar jaane wala koi nahi tha.
Tum mujhe batao. Main yeh sab sunti aur kaise kaise chup baithi rahi?"

"Main ne tum se baat karne ki koshish ki aur tum gusse mein aa gaye. Main
haqeeqatan nahi chahti thi ke is maamlay ka asar hamare rishtay par pade.
Main bilkul nahi chahti thi. Lekin jab Ruby se baat hui aur us ne mujhe
bataya ke Rayyan ki tabiyat theek nahi hai. Aur us ki koi fikr bhi nahi kar
raha to main tumhare mana karne ke bawajood, jhoot bol kar wahan gayi..."
"Main jaanti thi jab usay ghar le aaoongi to tum zaroor naaraaz ho ge. Lekin
mujhe lag raha tha. Main sab sambhal loongi. Mujhe lag raha tha sab theek
ho jayega. Maine poora plan kar liya tha ke agar tum bachay ko nahi
dekhna chaahoge to tumhare samne nahi aane dugi. Lekin sab kuch jaante
boojhte usay wahan chhod kar is film mein na khud shamil hoongi, na
tumhein hone doongi." Us ne ruk kar khushk ankhon ko ter kiya.

"Main wahan gayi. Is liye nahi ke tumhare ehsaasat ka khayal nahi tha. Ya
tumhari narazgi ki parwah nahi thi. Parwah bhi thi, fikr bhi thi. Lekin main
phir bhi gayi. Yeh sab bas ho gaya mujh se."

Faris ne nazar uthakar usay dekha. Woh ro rahi thi.

"Is tarah tumhein hurt karne par takleef mujhe bhi hai. Kyun ke ab tumhein
lagta hai jaise mujhe tumhare ehsaasat ki parwa nahi hai? Lekin mujhe
parwah hai." Woh apni baat keh kar nazar jhukati, aansoo saaf karti, chup
ho gayi.

"Mujhe maaf kar do, Faris! Ainda tumhain hurt nahi karungi."

Usne nam aankho ke saath Faris ke haath par apna haath rakh diya. Woh
use hi dekh raha tha. Uski hikayate mubheen si thi Aankho mein halki si
nami nazar aa rahi thi. Lab sanjeedgi se bheenche huay the, magar chehre
ke taasuraat sakht nahi the. Woh use dekh raha tha aur ek baar phir, woh use
mukhtalif aur munfarid roop mein nazar aa rahi thi.

Woh Jannat Kamal, jo uski khamoshi se narazi ka asar liye huay thi, jaanti
tak na thi ke uska wajood hamesha se uski zindagi mein aise hi raha hai.
Uski dakhal andazi har baar uski zindagi ko kisi aur rukh mein daal deti thi.

Woh Jannat Kamal, jisne saat saal ki umar mein uski sard mehri ko kisi
khatay mein na laate huay, usay hasna aur jeena sikhaya. Wohi Jannat
Kamal, chaudah saal baad uski zindagi mein aayi aur uska jumood tod diya.
Uski nafrato ko dho diya. Uske andar-bahar ki duniya ko yak-sar badal
diya. Woh jab apni man-maani karti thi, ya zid pakarti thi, ya datt kar faisla
karti thi, to uske khauf ke toofaan tham jaate thay.
Woh kaam jo mushkil hota tha, uska saath asaan kar deta tha. Uski sangat
mein zindagi tareekiyo mein bhi khoobsurat lagi thi. Uska khayal, uske
iraade, uski baatein, uska pur-azm andaaz use naye siray se jeena sikha deta
tha. Uske dil ke maamlaat dil mein thay. Mohabbat ki shiddat bas aankho se
nazar aa sakti thi.

Usne be-had narmi se uske haath par apna haath rakha. Mubheen sa
muskurayaa, "Maine pehle bhi kaha tha, main naraz nahi hoon. Tha bhi to
ab nahi hoon."

"Phir tum mere saath theek se baat kyun nahi kar rahe the?" Nam aankhon
ke saath shikayat ki.

Ab woh wajah batakar teesri jung-e-azeem nahi chhed sakta tha.

"Shayad mujhe... waqt chahiye tha," mukhtasir jawab diya.

Woh chand lamho tak uski aankhon mein dekhti rahi.

"Tum pakka naraz nahi hona?" Tasdeeq chahi.

"Nahi."

Uska woh mukhtasir sa, pur-yaqeen lehje mein ada kiya hua lafz uske andar
sukoon bitha gaya. Dil se bojh sirak gaya. Wajood halka phulka sa ho gaya.

"Ab ghar chalein?" Woh pooch raha tha.

"Haan, haan chalo! Lekin mujhe ice cream bhi khani hai." Aansoo saaf
karti, hashash-bashash ho gayi. Uski aankho mein chamak utar aayi thi. Lab
bhi muskura rahi thi. Foran se bag khol kar uska tohfa aur card usay wapas
thama diya.

"Kya kar rahi ho?" Ek haath se steering wheel sambhalte, doosre haath se
cheezein sambhale tapp gaya.

"Ice cream, mat bhoolo." Woh seat par easy ho kar baith gayi thi.

Faris gehri saans le kar reh gaya.

Aath baje ghar pahunche to lounge roshniyon mein nahaya hua tha. TV on
tha, carpet par khilaune bikhre huay the. Mulazma Rayyan ke saath baithi
thi. Mrs. Shirazi wheel chair par theen, woh phone call sun rahi theen.
Unhone unhein andar daakhil hota dekha to haath hilate huay muskura diya.

Rayyan to foran se uth kar, sab kuch chor chaar kar Jannat ki taraf lapka.
Taango se lipat gaya. Phir apne nanhe haath upar kiye. Jannat ne bag sofa
par rakhte, jhuk kar use uthaa liya.

Faris, haath mein gift pack liye, doosre haath se tie ki knot dheeli karta,
apne kamre mein chala gaya.

"Aapko pareshaan to nahi kiya?" Mrs. Shirazi ke paas baithte huay poocha.
Doosre haath se Rayyan ke baal saware.

"Meri jaan mujhe pareshaan kar sakti hai bhala? Baar baar tumhare kamre
ki taraf ja raha tha." Woh muskura kar batane lagi.

"Miss kar rahe the aap mujhe? Haan?" Usne Rauyan ka gaal choom liya.
"Dekho to, main kya layi hoon." Shoppng bag khol kar uski cheezein
nikalne lagi. Rayyan unhein haath mein lekar dekhne laga. Uski
muskaraahat bohot pyari thi. Uska khilta hua chehra zindagi ka ehsaas
dilata tha. Mrs. Shirazi muskuraate huay unhein dekhti rahi thi.

•••

Apne kamre ki khidkiyon ke samne woh sofa par baithi bahar dekh rahi thi.
Swimming pool ke daayen taraf sitting area mein Faris couch ke saath
lagaye, carpet par baitha apna kaam kar raha tha. Laptop table par rakha
tha, files ka dher tha, aur woh apne kaam mein bohot masroof nazar aa raha
tha.

Mudhat, Rayyan ko uthaye Faris ke paas aa gayi thi. Ab woh usse kuch keh
rahi thi. Khali feeder haath mein tha. Faris ne sar ko asbat mein jhuka diya,
to woh Rayyan ko uske chand khilauno ke saath uske paas hi bitha kar chali
gayi.
Sofa ki pusht ke saath gardan lagaye, woh aankho par girti dhoop se bachte
huay unhein dekhti rahi.

Pehle to Rayyan apne khilaunon ki taraf mutawajeh raha, phir apni car
uthaye Faris ki god mein charhne laga. Faris ne laptop screen se nazar hata
kar use khud se alag karke neeche bitha diya. woh phir se uth kar uske paas
aaya, aur is dafa Faris use door nahi kar saka.

Rayyan ab poore istehqaq ke saath god mein charh kar baith gaya tha. Gaari
haath mein thi. Apni taang jhulaate, woh aage peechhe ho raha tha. Jaise
bohot ache mood mein ho.

Jannat ki nigaahe Faris ke chehre par jamein rahi. Uske taasuraat lamhe
bhar ke liye mubhim ho gaye thay. Woh apna kaam phir se karne laga tha
magar Rayyan ki wajah se ab tawajjo nahi thehar rahi thi. Woh apni gaari
usay de raha tha. Uske be-mafhoom se chhote chhote lafz thay, jo woh ada
karta hua, ab uske laptop par haath rakhna chah raha tha. Faris ne uska
haath hata diya.

Usi lamhe Mudhat wahan aa gayi thi. Jhuk kar usay uthana chaha to
Rayyan ne ek dum se uska haath hi jhatak diya. Jannat ke honto par
muskaraahat aa gayi. Woh jahan baitha tha, wahi baitha rehna chahta tha.

“Feeder nahi chahiye kya?” Mudhat ne pichkara.

Usne dono haathon se feeder le liya, lekin uske paas nahi gaya.

Woh aankho mein dilchaspi liye unhein dekhti rahi.

“Kya usay Faris mein apne baap ki khushboo aati hogi?” Usne socha. Woh
zahiri taur par sab ke paas chala jata tha, sab uthate thay aur pyar bhi karte
thay, magar Faris ke saath uska maamla alag tha. Woh uske paas khud jata
tha. Usne kai baar notice kiya tha. Dining table par Rayyan ne kai martaba
haath uski jaanib uthaye thay. Agar Faaris lounge mein baitha hota, to woh
uske paas pahunch jata. Taang se lag kar khada rehta.

Is mukhtasir arse mein usne ek baar bhi Faaris ko Rayyan ki taraf is tarah se
mutawajje hote nahi dekha tha, jaise aaj dekh rahi thi. Mudhat usay wahan
chhod kar ja chuki thi. Doodh peene ke baad woh uski god se nikal gaya.
Apne khilaune utha utha kar uske laptop ke paas hi table par rakhne laga.
Ek gaari usay bhi de di, joki Faris ne le kar rakh di. Keyboard par tezi se
kuch likhte hue, woh gaari par bhi nazar daal leta.

Rayyan ab coffee table ke neeche ghusna chahta tha. Shayad wahan kuch
gir gaya tha. Faris ne uska baazu pakad kar usay bahar nikala aur phir rukh
sa gaya. Rayaan ka baazu uske haath mein tha. Jannat ne mehsoos kiya,
woh kuch dekh raha tha hai. Dusre hi pal woh seedhi ho baithi. Zara sa aage
ho kar ghour karna chaha.

Faris ab uski shirt utaar raha tha. Jannat ke taasuraat mein pareshani utar
aayi. Rayyan ki pusht par neel jaise nishan thay jo ab kaafi halke ho chuke
thay. Wahi nishan ab Faris dekh raha tha. Uske baazu par, gardan ke neeche,
aur peshani par jagah jagah mandamil hote zakhmo ke kai nishan thay.

Usne Faris ke taasuraat parhne ki koshish ki. Woh Rayyan ko dekh raha tha.
Uski aankho mein kuch tha jo woh samajh nahi pa rahi thi.

Ab woh usse poochhna bhi chahta ke yeh chotain kaise aayi thi, to woh bata
nahi sakta tha.

Masoomiyat se usay dekhte, Rayyan phir se coffee table ke neeche jane

laga. Faris ne pakad kar bitha diya.

Shirt pehnane ke baad usne mulaazim ladke se kaha, woh usay le jaye. Uske
khilaune, feeder aur jo cheezein wahan bikhri padi thi, woh uthane ko kaha.

Jannat apni jagah se uth kar khidki ke paas aa khadi hui. Aankho mein nami
si utar aayi. Nigaahein Faaris ke chehre par jami rahi. Mulaazim ladka
wahan se ja chuka tha. Rayyan bhi ab wahan nahi tha. Na koi disturbance
thi, na koi shor na koi betawaji. Lekin Faris ab kaam nahi kar pa raha tha.
Chand ek pages par sign karte, laptop par kuch likhte, woh peshani masal
kar peeche ho gaya. Sofe par apni gardan giraaye, daayein se baayein apne
baazu phailaaye woh aankhein moond chuka tha.

Jannat usay dekh rahi thi. Uski aankho mein narmi aur mohabbat nazar aa
rahi thi.
Ab tak uska yeh hi khayaal tha ke woh mahej apni maan ke liye Rayyan ko
wapas laya hai, magar aaj uski yeh ghalat fehmi door ho gayi thi. Jis tarah
usne Rayyan ko bithaane diya tha aur jis tarah se shirt utaar kar uske zakhm
ka moaina kiya tha, ab usay yeh nahi lag raha tha. Woh Rayyan ka chaahi
tha jo usay wapas le aaya tha.

──── ୨୧ ────

𝚂𝚊𝚖𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚞 𝚑𝚘 𝚝𝚘 𝚔𝚒𝚍𝚑𝚊𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚔𝚑𝚞,

𝚝𝚞 𝚑𝚒 𝚖𝚎𝚑𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚜 𝚑𝚘 𝚓𝚒𝚍𝚊𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚔𝚑𝚞

𝙹𝚊𝚊𝚗𝚎 𝚔𝚢𝚞𝚗, 𝚝𝚞𝚓𝚑 𝚜𝚎 𝚓𝚎𝚎 𝚗𝚊𝚑𝚒 𝚋𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚊, 𝚓𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚛 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚑𝚞𝚗, 𝚓𝚒𝚜
𝚔𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚔𝚑𝚞𝚗...

𝚃𝚞 𝚑𝚒 𝚔𝚊𝚊𝚏𝚒 𝚑𝚊𝚒, 𝚞𝚖𝚛 𝚋𝚑𝚊𝚛 𝚔𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚢𝚎, 𝚊𝚞𝚛 𝚝𝚞𝚓𝚑 𝚜𝚊 𝚗𝚊 𝚞𝚖𝚛 𝚋𝚑𝚊𝚛

𝚍𝚎𝚔𝚑𝚞...

𝙹𝚑𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚓𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚒 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚠𝚘𝚑 𝚔𝚊𝚗𝚠𝚊𝚕 𝚊𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚗, 𝚞𝚗𝚖𝚎𝚒𝚗 𝚎𝚔 𝚛𝚘𝚣 𝚍𝚘𝚘𝚋

𝚔𝚊𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚔𝚑𝚞 ....

𝙴𝚔 𝚑𝚒 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚔𝚑𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚒 𝚋𝚘𝚑𝚘𝚝 𝙽𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚛, 𝚔𝚢𝚞𝚗 𝚔𝚘𝚒 𝚊𝚞𝚛 𝚑𝚞𝚖 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚊𝚛

𝚍𝚎𝚔𝚑𝚞..

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

Jannat use dhoondti hui baahar aayi to Faris use pool mein swimming karta
hua dikhayi diya.

“Suno!” Railing ke paas aakar awaaz di.

Woh chehre par haath pherte hue kinare par aaya.

“Auntie ne mujhe bataya hai hum Quetta ja rahe hain?” Uske lehjay aur
andaaz mein excitement nazar aa rahi thi.

“Haan!” Woh kinare par kohniya lagaye bola.

“Tum ne mujhe bataya kyun nahi?” Jannat ko ab samajh mein aaya ke woh
uski doctor se pregnancy mein safar ke baare mein kyun pooch raha tha.

Abhi confirm nahi hua. Kinare se hatt kar woh dabki lagata door ho gaya.

“Confirm nahi hua to kar lo.” Woh hifazati railing par haath jama kar boli.

“Kyun?”

“Tum bhool bhi gaye?”

Woh aankho mein ‘na’ kabhi ka taasur liye use dekhne laga.

“Wahan mere nana ka ghar hai.” Bahut mayoos ho kar use baat yaad dilayi.
Aakhir woh kaise bhool gaya?

“ohh haan, croro ki zameen.”

Jannat ne lab bheench liye.

“Ab jab main kuch ulta seedha nahi soch rahi to tum bhi mujhe ulta seedha
sochne par majboor mat karo.”

Woh muskara kar reh gaya.

“To kab tak jaana hai?” Uska bas chalta to abhi ud kar pahunch jaati.

“Kal ka irada hai.”

Woh jaise bas yahi jawab sunne aayi thi.

"Yes!" Haath jod kar khushi khushi qadam uthati wahan se chali gayi.

•••

Hafsa ne kamaal manzil ke darwazay khulwa diye the. Aaj subah se hi woh
yahaan thin. Shaam tak doosri behne bhi yahaan ikatthi hone wali thin.
Nafisa ki wafat ke baad se yeh ek mamool sa tha ke tamaam behnein
weekend par ikatthi hoti thin. Ghar ki safai bhi karti thin, sadqa khairaat aur
Allah ke naam par daawat bhi. Maa baap ke ajar ke liye.

Unki apni mulazima apne gaon gayi hui thi to unhon ne Sakina ko bula kar
ghar ki safai shuru karwa di thi. Ammi ke kamre ka darwaza khol diya tha.
Apni nigrani mein jhaad ponch kar rahi thin.

"Bas, kya kahen betiyon ka gham, Allah Sohna kisi ko na de..." Almari se
unki tasveer nikaal kar dekhte, us par haath pherte hum aankhon ke kinare
saaf karte. Woh is ek jumle ko sunte hue lamhe bhar ke liye ruk gayi thin.
Mud kar use dekhne lagin.

"Kabhi kabar to mujhe lagta hai sara qusour mera hi hai..." Khidki ke pait
saaf karte Sakina dil girfati ke aalam mein bolti seedhi hui.

"Na main badi bibi ko Jannat ke baare mein batati, na woh is tarah har baat
alam bilti hui. Na dil par le leti. Par kya karti. Khud hi to poochti thi..."

Hafsa ki aankhon mein ek dum se taqhir utar aata tha.

Hairat, sadma…

Nafisa Jannat ka naam tak nahi leti thin. Poochna to door ki baat thi.

"Tum kya keh rahi ho?" Woh uske paas aayi.

Sakina ne ek thandi saans bhar kar Hafsa ko dekha.

"Bibi ji! Woh jab Burhan sahib ki shaadi hui thi na doosri, to uske baad woh
mujh se poochti thi.."

Hafsa ka dil ek dum se zoro se dharka shuru ho gaya tha.

"Kis ke baare mein poochti thi?"

"Jannat bibi ke baare mein, ji, ke ghar ke halaat kaise hain? Shohar kaisa
hai? Kya chal raha hai? Woh pehle ghar aati thi na yahaan par, woh nahi
milti thi. Phir usne aana hi chhod diya..." Sakina apni tehreer unhein yaad
karwa rahi thi.
"Tum se, tum se woh Jannat ka haal ahwal poochti thi?"

"Ji Bibi ji. Aur main sab sach sach batati rahi. Bhool gayi. Betiya to aisi
baatein chhupati hain ke mao ko takleef na ho. Par mujhe lagta tha. Unhein
dekh nahi hota hoga. Ab batayein, kaun nahi jaanta, woh chhoti se... kitni
nafrat karti thin. Par dil ka haal to Allah jaane. Woh jis din unka inteqal hua
tha na, usse ek din pehle maine unhein bataya ke ghar mein jhagda hua hai.
Jannat Bibi ghar mein chhup chhup kar roti rahi. Aur burhan baba to,
unhein monh bhi nahi lagate. Baatein bhi nahi karte. Kehne lagi, Hafsa aaye
to baat karti hoon, use ghar le aaye. Bas ji."

Hafsa ka dil ek dum se gehre pataal mein ja gira.

"Ammi ne yeh kaha tha?" Alfaaz kuch sadme se toot kar nikle.

Sakina ne sar hilaaya. "Qasam le lo, jii! Awaaz mano kaan mein khadi hai."

Woh sada se apni jagah patthar ho gayi. Zehan mein ek manzar ubhra. Phir
lafz. Awaaz, naam... Seene par haath rakhke, be-ikhteyar deewar ka sahara
liya. Jo baat woh yaksar nazar andaaz kar chuki thi, woh ek dum se zehan
mein taza ho gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH102
Usay apne samaan ki packing karna thi. Apni nigarani mein mulazma se
woh kaam mukammal karwaya.

Sham ka khana woh khanay ke baad kuch dair tak Mrs. Shirazi ke paas
baithi rahi phir Rayyan ko saath liye kamray mein aa gayi.

Guzishta kayi dino ka mamool tha ke woh ab usay kamre mein lane lagi thi
aur apne paas bhi sulane lagi thi. Us ke khilone ab yahan bhi bikhre rehte.
Dadi ke paas bhi jagah thi magar Jannat un ke aaram ke liye apne paas hi
sulane lagi thi ke aksar woh raat mein khauf zada ho kar uth jata tha. Woh
nahi chahti thi ke Jamila Dawood be aaram ho.

Usay pehlu mein karwat ke bal litaaye, aahista se pusht thapthapate hue
woh Faris ko dekh rahi thi. Nili jeans par safed aur siyah rang ke imtizaj ki
hoodie zaib tan kiye mobile par kisi se baat kar raha tha. Kuch files, laptop
aur zaroori documents coffee table par pare the.

Zaroori hidayat de kar us ne laptop utha liya.

Rayyan ki aankhe mukammal band ho chuki thi. Woh neend mein be had
pur sukoon ho chuka tha. Us ki taraf se kuch tasalli ki. Lihaf durust kar ke,
feeder ek taraf rakha aur uth kar us ke paas aa baithi.

Peshani par bikhre balo ko woh doosre haath se kuch ooper karta baghor
kuch parh raha tha. Jannat ki nigahe us ke frameless glasses ki zad mein
nazar aate adson par theher gayeen.

"Kya main tum se ek sawal pooch sakti hoon?"

"Haan!" Masrufiyat bhare lehje mein jawab aya.

Woh ujlat mein tha. Quetta rawangi se pehle woh apne bohot se kaam sar
anjam de lena chahta tha. Woh sofe par sar rakhe kuch dair tak dekhti rahi.
Jane kya soch kar honto par muskurahat aa gayi jise lab bheench kar
chupate hue us ne cushion god mein rakh liya.

"Main poochna chaah rahi thi ke..." Zara sa dramatic waqfa diya.

"Ke?" Us ne mug se ghont le kar wapis rakh diya. Typing hanuz jari thi.

"Tumhein mujh se pyaar kab hua tha?"

Keypad par tehreek karti ungliyo ki harkat tham gayi. Gardan mod kar
Shehzade ne usay dekha. Kuch ta'ajub se...

Woh sofe ki pusht par sar rakhay bohot mutma'in baithi thi. Aankhon mein
narmi thi, chamak aur mohabbat bhi...

Laptop se haath kheenchta woh seedha ho baitha. Nigaahe hanooz us ke

chehre par thehri rahi.

"Mohabbat?" Sawaliya abru uthate woh sanjeeda hua.

Us ke ta'suraat se Jannat ne khat uthaya.

"Kab tumhari nafrat khatam hui, kab mohabbat shuru hui, kab tum ne irada
badla?"

Faris ne kuch kehne ke liye munh khola to us ne haath utha kar usay roka.

"Ab yeh mat kehna 'mujhe tum se mohabbat nahi hai' ya 'maine kab kaha
mujhe tum se mohabbat hai.'"

Awaaz bhaari kar ke Faris ki naqal ki.

"Keh bhi sakta hoon!" Us ne muskurahat dabayi.

Pata nahi woh us ki naqal utarte hue itni cute kyun lagti thi.

"Apne aap ko jhutlaoge?" Jata kar poocha to woh muskara kar reh gaya.

"Ab batao bhi." Woh misar hui.

Ek lamhe ka tawaquf kar ke Faris ne rukh badal kar samne dekha. Yun jaise
kuch socha ho. Phir ta'suraat aisay jaise kuch yaad na ho.

"Pata nahi, yaad nahi." Kandhe uchka diye.

Us ke la-parwa se rawaiye par Jannat Kamal ko gussa aate aate khatam ho

gaya. Chehre par musarrat ke rang phoot pare. Mohsoof ne pehli baar
tarteed nahi ki.

"Saabit hua mohabbat to usay hai." Lab bheench kar apne jazbaat par qaboo
paate hue zara sanjeeda hui.

"Aisa bhi mumkin hai ke tumhein kuch pata na ho. Ya tumhein kuch yaad
na ho?" Gardan seedhi kiye, ek aur se kureda.

Woh sofa ki pusht par bazu phelaye mubhim sa muskaraaya.

"Bilkul mumkin hai?"

"Jaise ke main tumhein jaanti nahi hoon!"

"To batao kitna jaan gayi ho?" Mehsus challenge karti muskurahat dil ke
taar chhed gayi.

"Poore so feesad!" Woh pur-aitemaad thi.

"Phir to tumhein pata hona chahiye main ne kab aur kyun iraada badla!?"
Sawal kar ke phansa diya.

Jannat ke lab bheench gaye.

Aankhon mein khafgi ubhar aayi. Har baar woh usay baton mein laga kar us
nahj par aata tha jahan woh sawal kar ke jawab dene wali ban jaati thi.

"Kabhi yeh apne munh se kuch kahega bhi ya nahi?" Badmaza ho kar sar
jhatka.

"Ab itne achhe mood ko ghaarath karna koi achi baat na thi. Itni mushkil se
to sulah hui thi." Soch mein par gayi. Sabit karna bhi zaroori hai ke so
feesad jaan gayi hai.

Woh cushion god mein rakhe uske chehre ke utaar chadhaav se mehzooz
hota intehai sanjeedgi se usay dekhta raha.

"Lahore se wapsi ke baad? Lekin tab to hamari koi baat hi nahi hoti thi."
Sar utha kar Faris ko dekha, uske ta'suraat ne phir se confuse kar diya.
Gehari soch mein doob kar yahan wahan dekha. Aur phir kisi khayal ke
tehat ek dum se uski aankhein phaili, munh khula, gardan mod kar Faris ko
dekha.

"Us thappad ke baad!"

Hadd se zyada sadme se aawaaz nikli.

Faris Wajdan ki muskurahat uran chhu ho gayi.

"Ji nahi!" Chidh kar foran uski baat kaati.

Jannat ki hansi chhoot gayi.

"Kaha na! Aisa nahi hua." Woh tap kar bola.

"Bilkul yahi hua." Rayyan ka ehsaas kar ke apni hansi zapt karte aawaaz
pust ki. "Main bewakoof yahi samajhti rahi ke tumhara thapar se dimaagh
hil gaya hai, is liye tum itna badal gaye ho."

Uska chehra surkh ho chuka tha. Woh hans hans kar behaal ho rahi thi.

Faris ka para chadh gaya. Jabde bhinchte hue usne cushion uthaya.

"To naazreen! Faris Wajdan Shirazi ki mohabbat ki shuruaat ek thappad se

hui." Anchor person ban kar khabar padhi. Cushion munh par rakha. Magar
hasi phir bhi na ruki.

"Kya masla hai tumhara?"

"Masla mere saath hai?" Jannat ko gudgudi si ho rahi thi. "Main to ek paheli
boojhne ki koshish kar rahi hoon." Kamal ka itminan tha.
"Jaisa tumhara dimagh hai, kuch mat boojho." Woh tapa hua tha.

"Kyun na boojhu?"

"Mujhe tum se koi mohabbat nahi hui. Uth jao yahan se."

Woh nahi uthi. Dhittai se hansi baithi rahi.

"Jannat Kamal!" Zabt kar ke warning di. "Jab main keh raha hoon aisa nahi
hua to..."

"Ok, theek hai. I'm sorry." Apni hansi par qaboo paate hue dono haath utha
kar apni shikast maan li.

Woh barbara kar reh gaya. Aisa khafa khafa sa uski baat ka bura maanta
woh us lamhe apne dil ke bohot qareeb laga. Muskurati nigaho se usay
dekhte hue gala khankhar kar uske kaan mein boli.

"Lekin yeh to haqeeqat haina ke tum uske baad hi badal gaye the." Awaaz
sargoshi ke mushabeh thi.

"Mujhe ab tumhari awaaz nahi aani chahiye." Woh laptop god mein rakhe
apna kaam shuru kar chuka tha.

"Kya is wajah se tumhari feelings badal gayin ke maine CPR diya tha?"
Chand lamho ke baad phir sargoshi hui.

"Tum baaz nahi aogi?" Jabde bhinch kar poocha gaya.

"Nahi." Nafi mein sar hilaya.

Laptop utha kar wapis table par rakh diya.

"Yaad karo, hum dono ki ek jang chal rahi thi aur tumne achanak hathiyaar
phenk diye the."

"Mujhe itna yaad hai tumne phir bhi uthaye rakhe." Woh ab uski taraf
mutwajjah ho chuka tha.
"Haan to mujhe khud ko defend jo karna tha. Ab tum musalsal firing kar
rahe the. Na haar tasleem ki, na aman ka paigham diya aur ek dum se gun
phenk di."

"Aisi situation mein, maine to yahi samjhi ke chunke tum apni gun se to
mujhe nahi maar sake, to ab kisi aur tareeqe se mujhe khatam karna
chahoge. Ho sakta hai tumhare haath mein koi bomb ho jis se tum mujhe
uda kar rakh do. So I had to take my safety precautions."

Uski anokhi mantak aur tanjiye ne Faris ke labo par muskurahat bikher di.
Aankhon mein narmi ka ta'ssur tha. Baazu ke hisaar mein leta woh usay
apne saath laga chuka tha.

"To is liye tumne hathiyar nahi phenke?"

"Bilkul! Mujhe us waqt tum par koi bharosa nahi tha."

"Lekin main to kar chuka tha."

"Magar tumne mujhe to nahi bataya ke chalo jang khatam karte hain, dost
ban jaate hain ya aisa kuch." Woh Uske seene par sar rakhe keh rahi thi.

"Haan yeh meri ghalti hai."

"Aur bohot badi ghalti hai." Jata kar boli.

Agle kayi lamho tak khamoshi si chhaayi rahi. Mazi ko sochte Faris Wajdan
lamha bhar ke liye jaise apne khol mein band ho gaya tha.

"Tumhein mera intezaar karna chahiye tha."

"Tum par bharosa hota to zaroor karti."

"Maine surprise ka kaha tha. Tum mere jawab ke liye ruk sakti thi."

"Tumhare surprise se bhi bohot darr gayi thi main." Zara sa alag ho kar sar
uthaya to Faris uski aankho mein dekh raha tha. Kuch dukh se, kuch khauf
aur pareshani se, jaise woh waqt unke mabain phir se thehar gaya ho.
Jaise us raat stretcher se chadar hatane par usay Jannat ka chehra nazar aa
gaya ho.

Usne Jannat ke gaal par phisalti lat ko kaan ke peeche kar diya. Chand
lamhon ka tauqqaf ke baad uska haath apne haath mein le liya.

"Hum London business tour par nahi ja rahe the jaisa ke maine kaha tha.
Maine honeymoon plan kiya tha. Aur, yeh baat main London pohanchne se
pehle tumhein batane wala nahi tha."

Jannat Kamal apni jagah tham si gayi thi.

"Maine tumhare liye ring bhi li thi. Mera irada tha ke hum wahan kuch
waqt saath mein guzare ge. Main tumhein samjhunga, tum mujhe samajhne
ki koshish karogi. Hum ek nayi shuruaat karenge. I planned everything.
Lekin phir tumhari chachi aa gayi aur sab wahi khatam ho gaya."

Use ab yaad aa raha tha Karachi jaane se pehle woh kitne khushgawar
mood mein tha. Aur use laga naya surprise ek saza ke roop mein milne wala
tha. Adina Zubair uski zindagi mein wapas aane wali thi. Khud se sab soch
liya.

"Maine tumhein bohot dhoonda." Woh gum ho gayi thi to apne aap mein
main bhi nahi raha tha.

Aankho mein nami liye woh uski aankhon mein dekhti rahi. Woh bua ke
ghar se lene aaya to samajh liya majburan aaya hai. Phir yeh gumaan kar
liya ke bachhe ke liye apna liya hai. Magar uske dil mein to woh tab se thi
jab woh jaan-ta bhi nahi tha ke woh expect kar rahi thi.

Faris Wajdan ne use tamam tar mehroomiyo, ilzaam aur nafraton ke

bawajood apna liya tha.

Use woh Nana jaisa laga. Mohabbat bhi unke jaisi thi. Ehsas bhi waisa. Fikr
bhi wesi hi.

Tasuraat mein ek gham sa liye usne uske seene par sar rakh diya.
Ghar chhodna ek ghalti thi. Aakhri mulaqat ke liye hi sahi, jawab ke liye hi
sahi, woh ruk sakti thi. Woh intezaar kar leti to shayad un dono ke darmiyan
sab wahi theek ho jata. Nafrat aur badgumaniya mit jati. Dar khatam ho
jata. Aitmad barh jata.

"Thaki hui lag rahi ho, so jao ab." Narmi se bola.

Aankho mein thakawat aur halki si neend ka taasur tha, magar woh uthne
ke mood mein nahi thi. Paas hi baithi rahi. Woh apna kaam karne laga to
woh bolti rahi, kuch woh kehta raha. Apna sawal bhool gayi. Bato mein
gum ho gayi.

Jaane kya kuch yaad aa raha tha, use hans ke bata rahi thi. Woh muskurate
hue sun raha tha.

"Ab ki baar hum Lahore jayenge to us larke se zaroor milenge jis ne humein
apne store mein jagah di thi. Uske pakore khayenge. Woh keh raha tha
bohot achh banata hai aur haathon par dastane chadh kar rakhta hai aur safai
ka bohot khayal rakhta hai."

"Haan bechara bohot pareshaan tha tumhari harkaton se aur tumhare kartab
se kaafi mutasir bhi lag raha tha."

Use yaad tha kaise us bechare ne Jannat ko phisalta dekh kar apni peshani
par haath maara tha. Jannat ne tap kar, sulag kar Faris Wajdan ko dekha.

"Tumse bardasht nahi hota na ke main thodi dair ke liye khush ho jau?"
Bigar kar poocha. Gussa alag aa raha tha. Aakhir yeh sari beizzati wali
baatein use yaad kyun reh jati hain.

Woh hans diya.

Isi lamhe Rayyan uth kar rone laga to Jannat foran se uske paas chali gayi.
Barabar mein baith kar use dobara se litate hue pusht thapthapane lagi to
woh zara sa pur sukoon ho kar phir se so gaya. Faris ab usi ko dekh raha
tha.

"Yeh neend mein zyada nahi uthne laga?"

"Haan, Aunty bata rahi thi is umar mein bacho ko thodi be-arami hoti rehti
hai."

Woh jawab de kar uske andar ka shor barha gayi. Wajah jo bhi ho, magar
use hamesha yeh lagta tha ke woh kisi khauf mein aakar hi uthta hai. Woh
tasalli karta tha ke uske aas paas koi hai ya woh akela toh nahi. Aur yahan
wahan ghabra kar yun dekhta hai jaise kuch aisa nazar na aa jaye jo woh
nahi dekhna chahta.

Woh raat jo uski aankho mein thi. Uska khauf kahi na kahin kisi bhayanak
khwab ki soorat uske nanhe zehan mein bhi thehar gaya tha.

Nazar hata kar khud ko apne kaam mein masroof karte khayalat jhatak diye.

Rayyan ke barabar mein neem daraz Jannat Kamal ko ek dum se kuch yaad
aaya to Faris ko dekha.

"Hamari baat toh wahi beech mein reh gayi."

"Kaun si baat?"

Jannat ne daant peese.

"Wahi baat, mohabbat wali ke kab hui thi?"

Usne Faris ke labo par muskurahat ubharte dekhi. Usne jawab nahi diya.

"Tum mujhe ignore kar rahe ho ab?" Rayyan ki wajah se awaaz sargoshi
mein dhalay hui thi.

"Tumhein mujhe batana hi hoga ke tumhein mujhse mohabbat kab aur kis
waqt hui thi."

Woh muskurahat jo honto par thi, ab aankhon mein bhi nazar aa rahi thi.
Jannat Kamal mohabbat ki baat kar rahi thi. Faris Wajdan ne toh naam bhi
uska khud rakha tha.

Woh bud budakar nazre hata gayi.

Rayyan ke barabar mein lie mobile par kuch dekhte uski aankh lag gayi.

Apne kaam se farigh ho kar bed par aaya toh sade baarah ka waqt tha.
Jannat par lehaf durust karte hue lamp band karne hi laga tha ke Rayyan
phir se jaag gaya tha. Rone ki tayyari pakadte uth kar baith gaya. Doosre hi
pal usne usse god mein utha liya tha. Tahaffuz ka ehsaas hote hi woh foran
chup ho gaya. Aankho mein neend bhari hui thi. Seene se laga aur ubne
laga. Use barabar mein litaye, kuch der tak woh uske chehre ko dekhte raha.
Phir usne lamp off kar diya tha.

•••

"Tum ne abhi tak mujhe woh ring di kyun nahi?"

Agle din subah sawere hi Jannat Kamal ne usse lawn mein rok liya. Woh
track suit mein malboos jogging se abhi abhi lauta tha. Mutahair sa ho kar
usse dekhne laga.

"Kaun si ring?"

Woh zabt se muskurayi.

"Wohi jo tum ne mere liye khareedi thi."

"Oh, bhool gaya."

"Tum har ahem baat bhool jate ho." Barhami se badbadakar reh gayi.

"Main tumhein London mein dene wala tha, magar jis tarah ke humare
halaat chal rahe the tum ne ring mere moun par de marni thi."

Jannat ka moun kuch sadma se khula, kitna ghalat sochta hai woh uske
baare mein.

"Ab main itni bhi bad lihaj nahi thi ke diamond ring munh par de maarti."

Uske barabar qadam uthata woh jhatke se ruk gaya.

"Diamond ring?"
Jannat ka rang ud gaya.

"Tumhein kis ne kaha main diamond ring dene wala tha?"

Woh andhi, gungi, behri sab ho gayi. Qareeb se khisakna chaaha toh usne
baazu pakad kar rok liya.

"Woh.. Mujhe laga diamond hi hogi." Ghabra kar wazahat di.

"Diamond hi kyun hogi?" Woh bhi ad gaya.

Woh lab kaat kar reh gayi.

"Kya tumhari khufiya sargarmiyo mein mere samaan ki talashi lena bhi
shaamil hai?"

"Nahi toh bhala main kyun talashi lugi?" Gudguda si gayi.

"Toh phir?"

"Daraz mein rakhi hui thi, nazar aa gayi." Sach batana pad gaya.

"Nazar aa gayi toh uthakar pehn leti."

"Mujhe kya pata tha mere liye hai."

Sar uthakar Faris ko dekha. Uski muskurati nigaho ki zad mein jhunjhla kar
reh gayi.

"Chand lamho tak uske tasurat se mahzooz hote usne apne track suit ki jeb
mein haath daal kar nikala toh wohi makhmali dabia samne thi.

Jannat Kamal bokhla gayi. Chehre par khafft ke sab hi rang chha gaye.
(Blushing) Goya woh jaanta tha subah uthte hain pehla sawal angoothi ke
mutaliq hi hoga aur woh ise jeb mein daale ghoom raha tha.

"Mazaaq uda rahe ho tum mera?"

"Tumhein rang de raha hoon. Mazaaq kahan se aa gaya?" Hairan hua.

"Abhi deni hai. Sham mein nahi de sakte the?" Daant diya.

Faris ki hansi be-khasta thi.

Woh tap kar jaane lagi.

"Tum meri samajh se baahir ho." Woh uske peeche tha.

"Baat mat karo mujh se."

"Hua kya hai?"

"Tum ne khud raat ko kaha ring dena chahte the toh maine pooch liya ke
kyun nahi di. Iska matlab yeh toh nahi hai ke tum usi waqt mujhe dene lag
jao. Dimagh ghooma hua tha. Khud bhi samajh mein nahi aa raha tha kya
keh rahi thi."

"Agar usi waqt bhi de di toh kya ho gaya?"

"Itni mehengi cheez jeb mein daal kar kyun ghoom rahe the." Phir se lad
padhi. Asal gham hi is baat ka tha ke angoothi jeb mein kyun thi. "Aakhir
usse pehle se kaise pata chal jaata hai woh kya kehne wali hai."

"Fine shaam mein de doonga. Gussa thanda karo."

"Shaam mein bhi nahi chahiye mujhe," zabt kar ke sar jhatakti andar chali
gayi. Gussa hanooz chehre par dhara hua tha. Woh track suit ki jebo mein
haath daale uske peeche apne bedroom mein aa gaya. Wardrobe kholke woh
uske kapde nikaal rahi thi.

"Pehle London mein dene ka irada tha toh tumhare mizaj nahi milte the."
Ek lamhe ka tawaquf kiya.

"Jis dinner par dene ka irada tha toh tumhare haath mein Zaid ki angoothi
thi."

Hanger se kapde nikaal kar bed par rakhte hue Jannat ke chehre par
muskurahat aa gayi.
"So mujhe bracelet par ikhtifa karna pada."

"Phir?" Mud kar uske samne hui.

"Phir maine is gift ko apne bachhe ki paidaish tak ke liye mehfooz kar liya."

Aur uska jawab Jannat ki aankho mein mohabbat ke kai rang thehri gayi.
Chehra mutbassim tha.

"Ab tum batao kya karu?" Uski aankhon mein jhaank kar poocha.

"Kis baare mein?"

"Diamond ring ke baare mein."

"Jo aakhri faisla kiya tha. Us par qa'im raho."

Sadiq dil se mashwara deti sar jhatak kar chali gayi. Woh muskurakar reh
gaya.

•••

Mall mein hone wali badmazgi Maheen Abdul Kareem ki zindagi par asar
andaaz ho rahi thi. Jannat ka thappad, uske ka yun istifsar karna uski
position ko kisi had tak kamzor kar gaya tha. Burhan ek dum se khamosh
ho gaya.

Wo ab us se koi baat bhi nahi kar raha tha. Wo gusse se pagal ho rahi thi.
Baar baar lab kaanti, daayein ya main tehlti bechaini ki inteha par thi.

Zunaira aapa alag mujzsis thi ke unhein kya hua. Do din pehle tak toh bilkul
theek the. Shaam tak unhein Karachi ke liye rawana hona tha. Burhan
kamre mein aaya toh wo taizi se uth kar uske paas aa gayi.

"Aap meri calls kyun nahi utha rahe the Burhan! Itni pareshani ho rahi thi
mujhe!" Burhan ne sard nazro se use dekha. Wo ghusse mein lag raha tha.
Shayad beizzati ka ehsaas, ya phir Jannat ka thappad hi uss nahj par le aaya
tha. Shayad wo abhi tak uss sadme se nikal nahi paya tha. Jawab diye. Wo
kapde badal kar bahar chala gaya.
Maheen usse kisi tor samajh nahi pa rahi thi. Is tarah achanak ek khala sa
kyun aa gaya tha. Jannat Kamal unki zindagi mein is tarah wapas kyun
palat aayi thi. Na hokar bhi wo is tarah kyun asar andaaz ho rahi thi?
Karachi unhein by road jaana tha. Dauran-e-safar usne Burhan se baat karna
chahi. Magar wo chup tha. Jannat Kammal ke shohar ka wo sawal dono ke
darmiyan ek lakeer si bana gaya tha.

"Kya wo uss par shak kar raha hai?" Barabar mein baithay lab kaante wo
mutashakker hui.

"Usne aisa kyun kaha?" Kaafi dair baad wo kuch bola toh ma bayn andar
tak hil gayi.

"Kis ne?" Uska halk sukh gaya tha. Goya wohi sawal hi Burhan ke hawaso
par sawar ho gaya tha.

Woh Jannat ke shohar ke samne apni zubaan kholne par buri tarah se
pachhtayi thi.

"Tum jaanti ho mein kiski baat kar raha hoon."

Steering wheel par grip jamaye woh jabre bhinche hue tha.

"Aap mujh se pooch rahe hain? Kya aap Jannat ko nahi jaante? Woh toh
aapki aankhon mein bhi dhul jhokti rahi, hum sab ko maloom hai. Woh
khat, gifts aur uske mobile mein jo numbers save thay aur woh messages.
Woh toh aap ne khud parhe the, kitni ghatiya guftagu jo woh doosro se kar
rahi thi. Kya aap bhool gaye?"

Burhan bhi kuchh nahi bhoola tha. Maheen ki banayi hui tasveer par woh jo
ek dhund aane lagi thi, chhut gayi thi. Usne khud dekhe thay. Wrong calls
bhi khud receive ki thi. Khat aur gifts bhi uski mojudgi mein aate rahe the.
Jannat Kamal ne usse dhoka diya tha. Jannat Kamal ne uski amanat mein
khiyanat ki thi. Woh mohram thi uski. Woh apne dil ko phir se sakht patthar
kar raha tha. woh nafrato ka rukh phir uski taraf mod raha tha.

"To yeh sab uske shohar ko kyun nazar nahi aa raha?"

Aankho me lahoo ki surkhi liye woh bola toh Maheen ke aas paas sannate
chha gayi.

Sambhal kar Burhan ke baazu par haath rakha.

"Bahut makkar ladki hai woh. Apne shohar ko bhi bewakoof banaya hua
hai. Jald hi uski asliyat us par bhi khul jaayegi. Tai Ammi theek kehti hain
Jannat jaisi ladkiya ghar nahi basati. Woh wahan bhi sirf paiso ke liye hai.
Woh wahan bhi..." woh keh rahi thi jo bhi andar tha. Zahar ki soorat lafzo
mein dhalta hua. Woh bolti ja rahi thi. Uske andar ki aag ab aankho mein
bhi nazar aa rahi thi.

Magar iztirab badta jaa raha tha ke woh Jannat Kamal ki har asliyat se
waqif thi. Woh jaanti thi uska kirdar kitna shafaf tha. Uski niyat kitni saaf
thi. Woh be-gunah thi aur yehi haqeeqat ab uske hawaso par sawar ho rahi
thi. Woh chehra jo woh sab ko dikha rahi thi, woh use nazar nahi aata tha.

Woh Jannat Kamal ko usi roop mein dekhna chahti thi jo usne bana diya
tha. Bad-kirdar, be-hiss aur awara ladki. Woh apne andar ki siyahiyo mein
gark hotay Burhan se baate karti ek baar phir uske kirdar ko sawali nishan
bana rahi thi aur usne ek dum se gaari be-kaabu ho gayi thi.

"BURHAN..." Maheen cheekh uthi thi.

Jhatka shadid tha. Usse apna sar ghoomta hua mehsoos hua tha. Doosray hi
pal woh hosh o khud se be-gana ho gayi thi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH103
Dopehar mein rawangi ka plan tha. Mukammal tayariyo ke sath gaari mein
sawar hone lagi toh Aqsa ne ro kar bura haal kar liya.

"Please Aapi!"

"Tum chhuttiyo me gawo nahi jana chahti thi aur kaha jaogi?" Jannat hairan
huyi.

"Jahan aap ja rahi hai, mujhe bhi saath le jaye. Mujhe ghar nahi jana. Aapko
nahi pata amma phir se shaadi rishte ka zikr chhed deingi. Woh zaide se
mangni karna chahti hain aur zaida Shazia ko pasand karta hai."

Faris Wajdan se ahkamat lete huye adeel Ahmad ke kaan khade ho gaye.

"Abhi toh maine bohot saara parhna hai. Aapi, main doctor banoon gi."

"Haan toh kaun mana kar raha hai?" Uske kandho par haath rakhe pyar se
boli.

"Gao jaoongi toh nikah mangni kuch na kuch yeh log mera kar denge. Phir
aage se khala ki alag demand aayegi ke rishta pakka ho gaya hai, hamare
bete ko nahi pasand hai larki parhne jaye."

"Lekin tumhare Baba toh tumhare saath hi hain na!"

"Lekin amma se woh haar gaye toh? Please Aapi, saath le jaye. Abba se keh
dein Aqsa ki bohot zarurat hai aapko, please! Pehle bhi Faris sahab ne hi
Abba ko kaha tha mujhe parhne dein," haath pakar kar minnat ki.

Jannat confuse ho gayi. Adeel ke chehre par ab pareshani si nazar aa rahi

thi. Jannat usay tasalli deti Faris ke paas chali gayi. Woh aqbi nashist par
Rayyan ko car chair par bitha kar belt bandh raha tha. Faris se baat ki toh
usne sar uthakar Aqsa ko hi dekha. Woh modib sar jhuka gayi. Usne sar
hilaya toh quarters ki taraf chali gayi. Kuch dair baad wapas aayi toh labo
par muskurahat nazar aa rahi thi.

"Maine tumhare Abba se baat ki hai, woh toh keh rahe hain jab tak unki beti
doctor nahi ban jaati, woh iska rishta kahin par tay nahi karenge."

"Sach mein, Aapi?"

"Haan! Ab aram se ghar jao, chhuttiya guzaro, maze karo!"

Aqsa khushi se uske gale lag gayi. "Thank you, Aapi! Thank you so much!"

Adeel Ahmed ke chehre par mukammal itminan utar aaya.

Faris ki nazar pari toh usne foran se muskurahat sambhali. Modib sa

darwaza khol kar peeche hota gaya. Faris ki pur soch nigahe door Aqsa tak
gayi, phir sar jhatak kar gaari mein sawar ho gaya tha.

•••

Quetta ka safar taweel aur khushgawar sa raha tha, ke dauraan-e-safar woh

waqfe waqfe se gaari rukwa kar qudrati haseen manazir ka maza lete,
tasveere kheenchte aur apni pasand ki cheeze khate rahe. Doctor ki bhi
hidayat thi ke chehal qadmi zaroori hai, so yeh safar bohot aram, tasalli aur
kaafi takheer se tay hua tha. Beech mein hotel par bhi rukka gaya aur Jannat
ne khaasa enjoy kiya, ke Jamila Dawood bhi saath thi.

Jis waqt gaari Shirazi Mansion ke ihate mein daakhil hui, us waqt saare
barah ka waqt tha. Jannat neend ki wadiyo mein thi. Bahar mausam theek
nahi tha; tez barish ho rahi thi. Woh itni thaki hui thi ke shiddat se barasti
barish ka shor aur kadakti bijli bhi uske aaram mein koi khalal nahi daal
sake the.

Passenger seat par barajman mrs. Shirazi ne sir utha kar Shirazi Mansion ko
dekha. Aalishan qasar raat ki is tareeki mein roshniya bikher raha tha.
Mulazim muntazir kharay the. Aik ke baad aik andar daakhil hoti teen
gaariya sadar darwaze ke ain samne porch mein rok di gayi thi.
"Jannat beta, uth jao. Hum pahunch gaye hai." Mrs. Shirazi ne usay awaz di
magar woh neend mein aisi gharq thi ke farq hi na pada.

Faris unki taraf ka darwaza khol chuka tha. Wheelchair paas hi thi. Woh
ehtiyaat se unhein utha kar kursi par bitha raha tha. Mudhat doosri gaari se
nikal kar unke paas aa gayi thi. Ab unhein andar le ja rahi thi.

"Mohtarma uthiye!" Usne aqbi nashist ka darwaza khola.

Rayyan apni car chair mein tha. Woh uska belt kholne laga.

"Sone do mujhe," neend mein burburaai.

Usse behtar toh Rayyan tha. Shor sharaba sun kar foran alert ho kar uth
gaya. Usne Rayyan ko mulazim ke hawale kar diya ke usay andar le jaye.
Garaj chamak aur barish ki bochhaar se woh khauf zada ho kar rone laga
tha.

"Jannat."

"Hmm?" Badqat aankhein kholi.

"Hum pohanch gaye hain!"

"Kahan?"

"Quetta."

"Quetta kyu?"

"Aur kahan jaate the humne?" Tahammul se poocha.

Ab ke neend se bojhal aankhein kholte idhar udhar dekha. Zara sa hosh

aaya to jooto ki fikar hui.

Dupatta shawl har cheez sambhalti uska sahara liye bahar aa gayi.

"Rayyan, Rayyan kahan hai?" mazeed hosh aaya to poocha.

"Wo andar hai!"

Uske bazoo par girift jamaye, wo uske saath sadar darwaza aboor kar gayi
thi. Ek to thakan, upar se neend ka ghalba aisa tha ke baar baar jhool rahi
thi.

"Kya kar rahi ho?" Rahdari se guzarte huye usne aahista se jhurka to zara si
bedar hui.

"Daant kyu rahe ho tum?"

Lift se upar ke manzil par pohanchte hi usne kamre ka rukh kiya. Andar
dakhil hote hi bed par so gayi. Doosre hi pal harbada kar uthi.

"Rayyan!"

"Main usay dekhta hoon, tum aaram karo."

Takiya durust karte, shawl lihaf odhate woh bahar aa gaya.

Rayyan Shirazi ne ro ro kar hashar kar liya tha. Ajnabi se chehre the. Na
usay Dadu nazar aa rahi thi, na Jannat. Phir Faris nazar aaya to jaan mein
jaan aayi. Faris ne usay mulazim se le liya. Seene se lag kar fori chup ho
gaya. Aankho mein aansu hanooz thehre hue the.

"Begum Sahiba keh rahi hain aap aaram kare,. Unke saath Mudhat hai."
Mulazima ne Rayyan ka pair pakadate hue agah kiya to wo sir hila kar apne
kamre mein chala gaya.

Aasman par bijli zor se chamki thi. Shirazi Mansion ke tareek kamre aur
rahdariyo ko roshan karti phir se andhero mein doobo gayi thi.

•••

Hawas bedar hue to Maheen hospital mein thi. Sar par, baazu par, haathon
par sakht chote aayi thi. Gaari ka sheesha toota tha. Wo zinda salamat thi.
Burhan bhi khairiyat se tha. Magar ek khabar thi jo bata di gayi thi. Ek
report thi jo dikha di gayi thi.
Burhan dukh aur sadme mein tha. Uske aas paas jaise dhamaake hote
mehsoos ho rahe the. Sama'at par yaqeen nahi aa raha tha. Nafi mein sar
hilati mutawahosh hone lagi. Use apni zindagi, apni duniya ne.

Yeh kya ho gaya tha? Yeh kaise ho gaya tha? Wo to bilkul theek thi. Uska
bacha bhi theek tha. Yeh haadsa... haadsa kyun kar pesh aaya? Uske saath
yeh sab kaise ho gaya? Yaqeenan koi mazaaq kar raha hai. Yaqeenan uske
hawaso se khelna chahta hai. Uske labon par sakta thehar gaya tha. Uska
dimaag maflooj ho gaya tha. Uski aankhein pathhara kar reh gayi thin.

Woh haadsa koi mamooli haadsa na tha.

"Tum banjh ho, Jannat! Aur banjh aurat mard par ek bojh ke siwa kuch nahi
hoti."

Usay bohot azamm tha, ghuroor tha ke wo maa banne wali hai. Usne Jannat
ko haqeer samajh liya tha. Qudrat ki tamam mehrbaniya khud par tasawwur
karke khud ko Bani Israel ki tarah ladla kar liya. Pakad nahi hogi, saza nahi
milega, azaab nahi aayega.

Woh Jannat Kamal ko banjh pan ka taane dene wali, wo ab maa nahi ban
sakti thi.

Report ab uske haatho mein thi. Bilkul waise hi jaise Jannat Kamal ke
haathon mein hua karti thi. Jo jawab Jannat ko diya tha, wohi usay mil gaya
tha. Usne bhi wohi alfaaz sun liye jo usne Jannat ko kahe thay. Barha kahe
thay. Jata kar, takabbur se tamaskhur udate huye kayi martaba kahe thay.

Usne Jannat Kamal ko bojh kaha tha.

Us ne khud ko Khuda samajh liya tha.

Us ne ata aur jaza, karam aur naimaton ke maamle apni zaat se jor liye the.

Us ne ek mehroom shakhs ko un atao se aziyat pohanchayi thi jo Allah ki

taraf se thin.

Jismein us ka bazate khud na koi kamal tha na dil, woh to woh rizq tha jo
upar kahin aasman par tay hua tha.
Jo de raha tha, woh lene par bhi qudrat rakhta tha.

Bulandiyo se uthakar zameen mein dhansa sakta tha.

Yeh sab maamlaat to us ke the.

Usay pehli warning Jannat ki shaadi ke doosre mahine hi mil gayi thi.

Us ka chheh mah ka bacha zaya ho gaya tha.

Sadma khaa kar woh ek dum se sambhali thi.

Usay chand maheeno baad phir se khush khabri mili thi.

Aur yeh khush khabri bhi teen maheeno baad chhin gayi thi.

Us ki maa ko, khandan bhar mein sab ko yeh lagta tha ke Jannat hi kuch
karwa rahi hai.

Koi sifli amal, koi jadoo.

Apne zameer ko murda karke us ne bhi yeh samajh liya.

Ab ki baar chaar maah tak hamal thehra Aur is haadse mein us ne hamesha
hamesha ke liye maa banne ki salahiyat ko hi kho di.

Woh wohin aa gayi thi, us maqam par jahan kabhi us ne Jannat ko khada
dekha tha.

Us raat us ne khud apna haath zakhmi kiya tha.

Ab ki baar gaadi ke sheeshe se hua tha.

Us raat to na phor us ne khud ki thi.

Ab ki baar kar di gayi thi.

Pehle warning mili thi, phir saza.

Pehle pukar aayi thi, phir faisla.

Us ne ek saath kai ghar, kitni zindagiya, kai dil ujaar diye.

Pur sukoon zindagiyo ko jahannum bana diya.

Apne gharoor aur takabbur mein apni hi khushiyo ka soda kar diya.

Bhala koi aurat apne hi bachon ki qatil hoti hai?

Woh ho gayi thi.

Us ne sab khatam kar diya tha.

Apne haatho se, apni soch, apni tadbeero se, apne dhokay, jhoot aur fraud
se.

Jinhein girane ki koshish ki thi, woh gir kar uth gaye the.

Jahan girana chaha tha, wahan woh khud gir gayi thi.

Woh andar hi andar apni siyahiyo mein gum hoti paagal ho rahi thi.

Sakte mein be-yaqeeni ke, apne aap mein bikhar ti ja rahi thi.

Yeh us ke saath kya ho gaya tha?

Dimagh hanuz sawalat par inka tha. Apna jurm phir bhi nazar nahi aa raha
tha.

Abhi bhi woh sakte mein, be-yaqeeni ke denial mein thi.

Shab ki tareeki aankhon mein utar kar us ke wujood ko saakin karne lagi.

Burhan bahar tha. Apne gham aur sade se nidhal woh toot kar bikhar ta ja
raha tha.

Woh raat un ke liye tareek aur be-had taweel kar di gayi thi.
Na seene se bojh hat raha tha, na mission ka ehsaas khatam ho raha tha.

••••

Barasti hui barish ki madhur awaaz sunte us ki aankh khul gayi thi.

Aankhein masal kar peshani par haath rakhe phir jamahi lete hue koshish se
uth kar baith gayi.

Qeemti furniture se aarasta wasee o ariz kamre mein us ki nigahen chaaron

taraf gayi.

Deewar, gaya khidkiyo par phaile hue parde, Irani qaleen, ceiling ki
sajawat. Deewaron ki paintings, sofa us ne aali shan kamre ka jaiza lete hue
apne pehlu mein dekha.

Faris ki pusht us ki taraf thi.

Us ki doosri jaanib Rayyan tha. Us ke baazu ke neeche us ka nanha baazu

doosri taraf se nikla hua tha. Tang kisi aur taraf thi.

Be-tarteeb baalo ko kaan ke peeche karte hue woh uth kar doosri taraf aa
gayi.

Labo par muskaraahat bikhar gayi. Jis tarah se woh soye hue the, usay woh
manzar pyara laga.

Be-had ehtiyaat se usne Faris ke baazu zara sa neeche kiya.

Rayan ki taange seedhi kar ke lehaaf theek kiya.

Phir khidki se parde sarka kar bahar dekha to aasman par ghataayen chhayi
hui nazar aayin. Barish hanuz Baras rahi thi.

Door tak had-e-nigaah dhundhi thi. Sabzay mein kahin kahin darakhto ka
bhi gumaan ho raha tha.

Shawl odh kar woh aahista se darwaza khol kar bahar aayi.
Kushada raahdariyo mein khamoshi si chhayi thi. Dheere qadam uthate har
taraf dekh rahi thi.

Phir lift se neeche aayi.

Kitchen ki doosri taraf lounge tha aur us ke ain samne spiral staircase nazar
aa raha tha.

Us ghar ki deewargir khidkiyon par latakte pardo se le kar har aik cheez
qeemti thi.

Woh ab un paintings ko dekh rahi thi jo deewaro par lagi hui thin.

Woh qeemti decoration pieces jo showcase mein sajay hue the.

Study room mein ruk kar us ne rack mein tarteeb se lagi hui kitabo ko
dekha.

Phir darwaza khol kar gallery mein aa gayi.

Gehri saans le kar door tak had-e-nigaah sabzar ko dekha.

Mausam theek ho jaye to woh Faris se kahegi ke use Nana ke ghar le jaye.
Soch kar andar aa gayi.

Ek baar phir sar utha kar us ne spiral staircase ko dekha. Woh goya ek
mahal mein thi.

Upar tak kitna khoobsurat architecture tha Shirazi Mansion ka. Aur kitna
qeemti aur nafees furniture tha jo nazar aa raha tha.

Carpet, sofas, qaleen, paintings, tiles aur ceiling, har aik cheez nafees aur
munfarid thi.

Kitchen mein nashtay ka intezam ho raha tha.

Woh kuch der baad kamray mein wapas chali gayi.

Bag se kapray nikale, shower le kar kamray mein aayi to zara si hairan ruk
gayi.

Rayyan jaag gaya tha, aur itne sukoon se woh chup chaap letha hua tha.
(Faris ka baazu us par tha) Majal hai jo zara sa shor kiya ho ya roya ho.

Bohat ehtiyaat se Faris ka baazu hata kar use bed se utaar diya.

Faris ki aankh khul gayi.

Adh khuli aankhon se Jannat ko dekhte waqt ka poocha phir uth kar bahar
chala gaya.

"Tumhari tabiyat kaisi hai?" Woh Rayyan ka munh haath dhulwa kar samne
sofa par baithi us ke kapray badal rahi thi jab poocha.

"Main theek hoon, bas zara si thakawat ho gayi hai."

Darwaze par dastak hone lagi. Nashta lag chuka tha. Mrs. Shirazi neeche aa
gayi theen. Unhein bulaya ja raha tha.

"Tum jao! Main fresh ho kar aata hoon..."

Woh Rayyan ko saath le kar wasi o areez dining hall mein chali gayi. Mrs.
Shirazi se mil kar unke paas baith gayi. Ajeeb si fikar ne ghera, unki
aankhein mutawarram si lag rahi theen. Is ghar mein unhone ek muddat
guzari thi. Shohar, baap jese sasur aur bete ki yaad ghamzada kar rahi thi.
Unhone Rayaan ko god mein le liya. Uske gaal aur maatha chooma aur phir
apne haatho se usay Cerelac khilane lagi.

Kuch hi dair mein Faris aa gaya toh nashta shuru kar diya gaya. Chhuri
kaanon ki awaaz ke saath dining hall mein guftagu hoti rahi. Ghoomne
phirne ka plan banaya ja raha tha aur is plan mein Jannat Kamal shamil nahi
thi.

"Rayaan... uski daado, uska chachu, bas yeh teen!"

"Aur main?"
"Tum ghar mein aaram karo.

Meri delivery tak apne saare plans cancel kar tum!" Woh bhi urd gayi.

"Ab tumhari wajah se hum bhi apni zindagi enjoy na kare?" Faris ne
poocha.

Jameela dawood hans pari. "Kya hai Faris! Hum intezaar kar lete hain."

Woh muskura kar plate par jhuk gaya.

•••

Apne pur soch khayalaat mein galta Hafsa gum sum hi kamre mein baithi
theen. Guzishta kai dino se unka dil pareshan tha. Sakeena ki baatein zehan
mein goonjti theen toh be-sukooni barhti jati thi. Bahut se sawal se aane
lagte thay. Jannat ka chehra aankhon mein aa jata tha.

Abhi bhi unhein kuch sochte, kuch samajhte apni saanso par ek wazan sa
mehsoos ho raha tha.

Side table par rakha mobile bajne laga toh unhon ne haath barhakar uthaya.

Taayi Ammi ki call thi. Unki aankho mein izteraab aa gaya.

Receive karna chahti thin, kar na payi.

Phir message bheja gaya jise parhte hi unke andar dukh ki lehar dour gayi.

Unhe, ab ghar mein bulaya ja raha tha.

Haadse ki kuch maloomat Imaan ke paas bhi thi.

Us se baat karne ke baad bacho ko Masi ke hawale kiya aur woh ussi waqt
rawana ho gayi.

Taayi Ammi ke ghar pohanch kar unke ehsaasat ek baar phir badalne lage.

Jannat ki talaq ke baad jaise ab wahan qadam rakh rahi thi.

Markazi darwaze se andar lounge mein taqreeban khandan ke sab bade
mard aur khawateen mojood thi.

Saira Khala ko bhi bulaya gaya tha.

Unki aamdan se jo guftagu jaari thi, khatam ho gayi.

Jo sannata chhaya, woh unki raftaar ko sust karne laga.

Sab ki aankhon mein unke liye jo gussa aur nafrat ka t'assur tha, woh
unhein andar tak zakhmi kar gaya.

Jannat ke gunaho aur ghaltiyon ki saza woh chhe behnein pichhle solah
mahino se bhugat rahi thi.

Burhan samne hi seene par baazu bandhe khada tha.

Us ka sar jhuka hua tha. Uske t'assuraat mein hairani utri hui thi.

Uski aankho mein gham thehra hua tha.

Faiza Chachi ki un par nazar pari toh ek dum se gusse aur ishtiaal mein apni
jagah se uth gayin.

"Aa gayi badbakht! Dekho tumhari manhoos behen ne kya kiya meri bachi
ke saath?"

"Dayan ghar chor gayi lekin apne hathkandon se baaz na aayi..."

"Meri Maheen ka yeh teesra bacha zaya hua hai..."

"Uski wajah se meri chhati ki god baar baar ujad rahi hai..."

"Woh jhooti makkar, taweez ganday karwati phir rahi hai..."

"Kuch na kuch kar gayi hai is ghar ke saath jo uske jaate hi itna kuch ho
gaya."

Ab woh dukh aur sadme se ro rahi thi.

Ek baar pehle bhi woh yeh ilzam Jannat Kamal ke sar daal chuki thi. Ab
phir wohi kar rahi thin. Tab gusse mein woh uske ghar Islamabad tak chali
gayi thi. Ab bhi shayad woh kuch karne wali thi. Baat chhoti thi na haadsa
mamooli tha.

Tayi ka chehra bhi gusse se laal ho raha tha. Unka Burhaan kitni aziyat se
guzar raha tha. Uski tabahiyo ki zimmedar sirf aur sirf

Jannat

thi.

Darwaza khul gaya toh Maheen ki dost Farah, siyah suit mein malboos, bag
kandhe par daale, doosre haath mein mobile liye, udi rangat ke saath andar
daakhil hui thi. Lamhe bhar ke liye apni jagah ruk gayi thi ke usay logon ki
mojoodgi ki tawaqqu nahi thi. Mushtarka salaam karti woh Maheen se
milne ke liye raahdaari ki taraf barh gayi thi.

"Abhi ke abhi usay call karo. Aur bolo band kare woh yeh tamasha!" Taayi
Ammi bharak kar boli. Raaste mein Farah ki raftaar seham gayi. Mur kar
usne samne khadi Hafsa ko dekha. Sab ki nigahe un par thin. Sab ka gussa
bhi un par tha.

Maheen ki saas mushtail ho kar bohot kuch keh rahi thi. Jannat ka kirdar ek
baar phir zair-e-bahas aa raha tha.

"Jannat taweez-gandho ke chakron mein kabhi nahi pari, Taayi!" Hafsa ke

lab aahista se hilay. "Jab woh kabhi apni aulaad ke liye kisi mazaar ya kisi
peer ke paas nahi gayi, kisi aur ke liye kaise ja sakti hai?"

Baat haqeeqat thi. Labo par aa gayi. Jannat Kamal ne toh apni saas ke
kehne par bhi kisi mazaar ka rukh nahi kiya tha, na kisi peer se mulaqat ki
thi.

"Achaa, toh yeh jo hamare saath ho raha hai, yeh aise hi ho raha hai?" Woh
cheekh pari. Farah ke uthte hue qadam ek baar phir tham gaye the. Uske
seene par bojh barh gaya. Uski gardan jaise kisi apni shikanjay mein aagai.
Bag ki straps par is ki girift itni mazboot ho gayi ke ungliyo ke poor surkh
hone lage.

"Tumhein kya lagta hai hum andhay hain? Humein kuch nazar nahi aa raha?
Jab se woh yahan se gayi hai, saare nuqsaan ho rahe hain hamare. Pehle
Burhan ki job chali gayi. Phir gaari ka khsara hua. Mishi ko talaq ho gayi.
Bari mushkil se halaat kuch theek huye to yeh baar baar ho raha hai aur tum
hum se keh rahi ho ke woh kuch nahi kar rahi."

Unka bas nahi chal raha tha ke Jannat kisi tarah inke samne ho aur woh
uska gala ghont dein.

"Jannat yeh nahi kar sakti!" Muzrim bank Hafsa ke lab hilay.

Woh jaanti thi apni behan ko. Shirk woh nahi kar sakti thi. Jadu, taweez,
gandho ke chakro mein apna imaan khatre mein kabhi nahi daal sakti thi.
Itna jaanti thein woh use. Nana ki yeh tarbiyat... khud apni aankho se dekhi
thi usne.

"Yeh hi to main keh rahi hoon. Iss tarah bagair kisi saboot ke us par ilzam
lagana durust nahi hai," Saira khala apne taur par samjha chuki thi, magar
wahan koi kuch samajhne ko tayar hi nahi tha.

"Saboot? Abhi hum bade Peer sahab se baat karke aaye hai. Jannat ka naam
liya usne. Bol rahe the wohi sab karwa rahi hai."

"Tayi, please!" Hafsa ne kuch be-basi se unhein dekha. Aankhein nam ho

gayi thin. Awaaz kapkapaa rahi thi.

"Bari himayat mein bol rahi ho behan ke. Bhool gayi ho kya nahi kiya
usne? Maheen ko nuqsan pohnchane ki jo koshish ki usne, yeh koi zyada
purani baat to nahi hai. Aur tumhari maa... woh kiski maut mari thi bhala?"

Farah ke chehre par ek saaya sa lehra gaya. Maheen ka kamra samne tha.
Aage badhne ki himmat wahi khatam ho gayi.

Phupho foran se maidan mein kud gayi. "Aur ab yeh teesri dafa Maheen ka
nuqsaan hua hai. Woh apni koshisho mein lagi hui hai. Nahi basne de rahi
woh hamare Burhan ka ghar."

Ungliya masalte hue unhon ne iztirab chupane ki koshish ki. Bas woh yehi
aakar lajawab ho jaati thi. Kuch keh nahi paati thi.

Kisi qadar koshish se aage barhte hue Farah ne Maheen ke bedroom ka adh
khula darwaza andar ko dhakel diya.

Maheen sofa bed par baithi thi. Uska sar jhuka hua tha. Uski bhatakti hui
nigahe un reports par thin jo usne abhi abhi bag se nikali thin. Woh Burhan
ke saath Islamabad gayi thi. Uska miscarriage wahi hua tha. Phone par ghar
walon ko ittila to kar di gayi thi, magar woh khabar nahi batayi gayi jo is
waqt uski reports mein likhi hui thi. Woh khabar jisne Burhan Wasif ko
gham aur sakte mein daal diya tha, jisne use mukammal fana kar diya tha.

Aahat par sar utha kar usne Farah ko dekha. Uske taasuraat mein ek wehsat
si nazar aa rahi thi.

"Farah! Dekho yeh mere saath kya ho gaya?" Aankhon se aansu toot kar
gire. Aur rahdaari ke us jaanib lounge se ek wazeh awaaz phir se goonji.

"Woh to hai hi banjh. Woh bhala kyun chahegi Maheen ka bacha ho. Khud
ghar nahi basa saki to kisi aur ka kyun basne degi. Arey! Usne to apne
doosre shohar ka ghar bhi chhod diya tha."

Hafsa aapi ne larazti palko ko uthate phupho ko dekha.

Aur andar kamre mein Maheen Farah ke samne subak pari.

"Farah! Mera teesra bacha bhi zaya ho gaya aur ab main kabhi maa nahi
ban sakti."

Jo baat abhi tak maa ko, sas ko bhi nahi bata saki thi, apni azeez dost aur
razdaan ko bata di.

Farah ke kande se bag phisal kar neeche gir gaya. Uski aankhein saakit ho
gayi. Uska chehra safed ho gaya.

Woh apni dost ko dekh rahi thi aur use pehchanne ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Woh aankhein jin mein hamesha fatah ka taassur hota tha, woh tareek nazar
aa rahi thin. Jo gardan hamesha ghuroor aur takabbur se akri rehti thi, woh
jhuki hui thi. Jo khuda ki naimato ko apna khusoosi inaam samajhti thi, woh
ab khaali haath tehi daman ho gayi thi.

"Yahan aap ghalat hain, Aapa. Woh apna ghar chhod kar kahin nahi gayi.
Woh maa banne wali hai," Saira khala ne bar waqt jawab diya. Lounge
mein har taraf har kisi ko sakta ho gaya. Be-yaqeeni har aankh mein utar
aayi thi. Takhir se unhein dekha gaya.

"Mazaq kar rahi ho, Saira! Woh maa kaise ban sakti hai?"

"Zaroor tumhein koi ghalti fehmi hui hai."

Unhein is baat ka zyada sadma tha ke aisa kyun ho gaya. Woh maa kaise
ban gayi. Is ke yahan yeh khush khabri kaise aayi. Jis larki ko woh barbad
dekhna chahte the, uska ghar abad kaise ho gaya. Jiski mehroomiyo ka
hisaab rakhna chahte the, us par naimato ka nuzool kaise ho gaya?

Burhan khamosh raha.

Aur andar sofa par baithi Maheen ne Farah ko dekha. Woh is tarah
munjamid si darwaze mein hi kyun khadi thi. Woh abhi tak andar kyun nahi
aayi thi.

"Yeh humne kya kiya, Maheen?" Farah ke lab hile.

Maheen apni jagah se uth khadi hui.

"Allah barbad kare use. Allah gharath kare usay!" Faiza chachi ki awaaz
buland hui.

Woh lafz goya teer ki tarah Farah ke seene ke aar paar huye. Yun laga jaise
woh bad-dua us ke liye ho. Nafi mein sar hilaate, woh surkh padti aankho
ke saath ulte qadam peeche hatti. Us ke taasuraat woh? Se aglay qadam ka
andaza lagate, Maheen Abdul Kareem ko apne pairo tale zameen nikalti hui
mehsoos hui.
Woh use awaaz deti, tezi se peeche lapki, magar Farah nahi ruki thi. Usne
Maheen ko barbad hota dekh liya tha. Khud nahi ho sakti thi.

"Jannat be-gunah hai! Usne kuch nahi kiya." Lounge mein pohanch kar us
ke bhaari saanso ke darmiyan qadam wahin thamm gaye. Sab ki gardane
Farah ki taraf ghoom gayin. Hafsa ne aahista se sar uthaya.

Faiza aunty jholi bhar bhar kar Jannat ko bad-duaen de rahi thi.

"Bas karein aunty! Aur bad-duaen na de. Yeh Jannat ko nahi lag rahi, yeh
aap ki apni beti ko lag rahi hain, mujhe lag rahi hain."

Ghar ke baro ko sakta ho gaya. Maheen sadme se patthar ho gayi. Uski

zaban ko tala lag gaya tha. Uski himmat, quwwat salb kar li gayi thi.

"Jannat bad-kirdar nahi thi," Farah ke wujood par ek kapkapi si tari thi.
Woh aise khauf ki zad mein thi jo us ki buniyad andar tak hila gaya tha.

"Uska kisi ke saath koi affair nahi tha. Uska phone number maine phailaya
tha. Mujhe Maheen ne aisa karne ko kaha. Use wrong calls meri wajah se
aati thi. Ghar mein phool, khat thay, woh sab main bhijwati rahi thi. Uske
mobile par jitne messages the, woh mere aur Maheen ke darmiyan thay.
Woh sab hum dono ne mil kar kiya tha."

Burhan Wasif sadmay se, be-yaqeeni se phati phati aankhon se use dekh kar
reh gaya tha.

Hafsa Kamal pathar ho gayi thin.

"Main ne un bando ko hire kiya tha, jo darwaze par aate the, jo uska rasta
rokte thay. Woh sab, woh maine Maheen ke saath mil kar kiya tha."

Maheen Abdul Kareem ka dimagh ma'oof hone laga. Taange bejaan hone
lagin. Uske aas paas jaise dhamake ho rahe thay. Use apna ghar, apni
zindagi, apni duniya fana hoti hui nazar aa rahi thi.

Tayi ami ko sakta ho gaya tha. Phuppho khamosh ho gayi thin, aur Faiza
baji ko jaise ab saans nahi aa raha tha.
"Maheen chahti thi ke Jannat, Burhan se talaaq le kar is ghar se chali jaye,
aur woh ja nahi rahi thi..."

"Phir usne kaha ke woh usey jane par majboor kar degi. Us raat Maheen ne
usey khud kamre mein bulaya tha. Darwaza andar se lock kar ke saari tod
phod usne khud ki thi. Haath bhi khud zakhmi kar liya. Yeh sab humne
pehle se tay kiya tha."

Woh bhaari dil se sab kuch batai ja rahi thi. Sakhit wa viran khadi Hafsa ke
qadam ladkhada gaye. Arz-o-sama unhe girta hua mehsoos hua. Unke sar
par jaise pahaad toota tha.

"Woh be-gunah thi. Uske saath jo hua, humne kiya." Farah siski bhar kar
boli.

Bejaan mujasama hoti Maheen ki bhatakti hui dehshat zada nigahen Burhan
tak gayin, aur uske andar ka jamoot toot gaya.

"Ghalat keh rahi hai! Jhoot bol rahi hai! Bakwas kar rahi hai yeh!" Woh
halaq ke bal chillai. Uska andaaz hizyani tha. Woh hawaso mein nahi lag
rahi thi.

Farah ro rahi thi. Maheen ne ek haadse ka drama kiya, lekin uske saath sach
much ka haadsa ho gaya. Kisi ki mehroomi ka mazaq uraya, wohi
mehroomi uske hisson mein aa gayi. Ab uski baari thi. Ab uske saath kuch
hone wala tha. Ab woh hi tabahi ke dorahe par aane wali thi.

Tayi sofa par baithi reh gayin. Faiza chachi viran si khadi thin. Phuppho ka
mooh band ho chuka tha. Sab ko jaise saanp soongh gaya tha. Burhan Wasif
ki pathrai hui nigahen Maheen par jam gayi.

Woh tezi se uske paas aayi thi. Woh ek lamhe ke liye bhi Burhan ki aankho
mein apne liye shak, sadma, nafrat, aur bardasht nahi kar pai thi.

"Nahi, nahi Burhan! Farah jhoot bol rahi hai. Aisa nahi hua. Maine aisa
kuch nahi kiya. Taayi ami, Burhan, main aisa kuch kar hi nahi sakti. Yeh
bakwas kar rahi hai," woh bokhlahat ka shikaar, dehshat ke aalam mein
kehne lagi. Uska chehra faq ho chuka tha.
"Bas kar do, Maahi!" Farah cheekh padi thi. "Ab bas kar do khuda ke liye.
Ab aur kuch na karo. Maine saath diya hai tumhara, main is sab mein
tumhare saath thi. Main ne..."

"Pagal ho gayi ho tum? Kya keh rahi ho sabko? Jhooti, makkaran! Mera
ghar barbad karna chahti ho? Paagal ho gayi ho," Maheen usse jhunjhoda
kar cheekhne lagi.

Farah ne tassuf se usse dekha. Itna kuch ho janay ke baad bhi, itni tabahi
aur barbadi ke baad bhi, woh wahi thi. Na usne warning se kuch samjha, na
ikraar-e-jurm ki koshish ki.

"Burhan! Yeh sach nahi hai," phir tadap kar Burhan ki taraf lapki. Uska
haath pakad liya. "Farah jhoot bol rahi hai. Aap mujhe jaante hain, main
aisa kar hi nahi sakti. Main aisa kuch..." Aankho se aansu behte ja rahe the.

Uska haath jhatak kar, woh bejaan qadmon ke saath peeche hata. Aankho
mein gham, sadma, aur dukh liye...

"Kya aapki biwi ko hamesha se Jannat par keechad uchhalne ka shauq hai,
ya yeh shaadi ke baad hua hai?"

Usay laga dimagh ki nas phat jayegi.

"Kyunke maine apni biwi ke kirdar mein aaj tak koi jhol nahi dekha."

Poore yaqeen se apni biwi ke kirdar par hone wali har baat ko ek hi sawal
se radd karta, uska shauhar hawaso par chha gaya.

"Kyunke maine apni biwi ke kirdar mein aaj tak koi jhol nahi dekha."

Rote, siskte, ghabra kar uska samna karti Jannat Kamal...

"Burhan! Yeh, yeh jhoot bol rahi hai?"

Uske alfaaz, talaq se pehle khauf ki halat mein kapkapati awaaz mein ada
kiye gaye, woh aakhri alfaaz!
Kamray ka manzar, toota hua aaina, thapar se ladkhada kar kanch ke tukdo
par girti Jannat Kamal...

Usay saans lene mein dushwari hone lagi thi. Sar pakad kar woh panjo ke
bal farsh par jhuka.

"Ye usse kya ho gaya."

Hafsa apni jagah sadme se sakht khadi thin. Palko par uske aansu, gaal par
phelne lage.

"Aapi, aapi! Maine kuch nahi kiya. Mera yaqeen karein, aapi!" Hafsa ki
saansen bhaari hone lagin.

"Yeh tumne kya kar diya, Maheen? Yeh tumne kya kiya?"

"Allah" mutohash ho kar Maheen ko pakad liya, rote hue jhunjhoda dala.

Saira khaala ne unhein pakad kar peeche hataya.

"Hafsa, sambhaal lo khud ko!"

"Aapi! Mujhe ammi ko dekhne dein. Please! Ammi ko aakhri baar, aapi!"

Unka dil ek dum se phatne laga. Woh sach bol rahi thi.

Woh sara waqt apni safai mein sach bol rahi thi.

Woh Jannat Kamal, jo janwaro ke gham mein bojhal ho jaati thi, kisi insaan
ki jaan kaise le sakti thi?

Jo Itni hasas thi ke billiyo ke liye ro padti thi. Woh kisi insaan ke liye kaise
be-hiss ho sakti thi. Kisi ke saath bura kaise kar sakti thi?

Unhone kyun na suni baat, kyun yaqeen na kiya. Kyun Nana ki tarbiyat par
shak kar liya. Kyun us par zulm hone diya. Beghar hone diya. Kyun unhone
usay bhari duniya mein tanha chhod diya. Chhe sogi aur shaadi shuda
behnoun ke hotay hue bhi uski zindagi ka faisla doosron ne kiya. Unke hote
hue bhi woh lawaaris ki tarah rahi.
"Main tumhein kabhi maaf nahi karungi Maheen, main tumhein kabhi maaf
nahi karungi!" Woh cheekh rahi thi.

"Hafsa" Saira khala unhein utharahi thin. Woh shadeed ghusse aur ishtiaal
mein apna aap chura rahi thi. nse zulm ho gaya.

"Maine kuch ghalat nahi kiya," Maheen phat parhi. "Jab maine usse keh
diya tha Burhan se talaq le kar alag ho jao, toh kyun usne meri baat nahi
mani? Kyun zidd ki usne, usne mujhe majboor kiya."

Woh keh rahi thi. Woh ab aur bhi bohot kuch keh rahi thi. Farah ko laga
woh hawas kho chuki hai. Tai Ami ka chehra veeran ho raha tha. Faiza
chachi mein jaise ab jaan nahi rahi thi.

Saira khala, Hafsa ko sahara dete hue bahar le gayi thi. Maheen abhi bhi
cheekh rahi thi.

Parda yun chaak hoga, haqeeqat yun a'yaan hogi, yeh toh usne kabhi socha
hi nahi tha.

Abhi bhi uska ghussa Jannat par hi tha. Abhi bhi tabahi ka sabab uska
wujood hi tha. Hasad ki aag mein jal kar raakh hote usay apna hi nuqsan
nazar aa raha tha.

Burhan ka wajood ek andekhi aag mein jal raha tha. Taa'suraat mein junoon
aur wahshat si thi.

"Burhan! Please, mera yaqeen karein, main aap se... main aap se bohot
mohabbat karti hoon, maine..."

Woh uska haath jhank kar shadeed ghusse mein do qadam peeche hua. Uski
aankhon mein angare se nazar aa rahe the.

"Burhan please meri baat sune," tadap kar aage badhi. Bazoo pakra. Munt
ki.

"Tai Ami kehti thin ke yeh na-hoosat jab tak is ghar se nahi niklegi, kuch
bhi theek nahi hoga. Maine toh bas wohi kiya jo woh chahti thin. Maine
toh…"
Apni aankhon mein karb liye, Burhan ne apni maa ko dekha. Woh nafi mein
sar hilate, labo ko jumbish dete. Kuch bhi kehne ke qabil nahi rahi thi.

"Burhan! Main aap se pyar…"

"Bas kar do Maheen!" Woh is par baras pada. Haath bhi uthaa deta agar
waqt par phupho beech mein aakar usay rok na leti. Usay lag raha tha ke
agar woh mazeed wahan rukta, toh pagal ho jayega. Woh usi waqt dukh aur
sadma mein mushtahal ghar se nikal gaya.

Maheen Abdul Karim usay aawaze deti reh gayi thi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH104
Faris taiyaar ho kar ja chuka tha. Mrs. Shirazi apne kamre mein thi. Woh
kuch der tak unke paas baithi rahi thi. Hammad ki, Haroon Shirazi ki
baatein sunti rahi thi. Rayyan kamre mein yahan wahan ghoom raha tha.
Apne khilono se khel raha tha. Apne papa ki hi tasveer ke frame ko chhed
raha tha. Bahut sabr aur himmat wali khatoon thin Sir Shirazi. Bahut zabt se
baat kar rahi thin. Bahut tahammul se bardasht kar rahi thin.

Unki hatheli sehlate woh unki sunti rahi aur dila sa bhi deti rahi. Phir usne
topic badal diya. Kitaab uthai. Phir magazine, unse baatein kar rahi thi.
Apni baatein aur Rayyan ki baatein.

Rayyan ki hansi, Rayyan ka wujood unke dil ko halka kar deta tha. Apne
pote mein to jaan thi unki. Rayyan hanste khelte apna feeder peete Dadoo
ke paas hi so gaya to woh unse ijazat lete uth khadi hui.

"Ab aap bhi aaram kijiye. Kaafi waqt ho chuka hai..." Takiya durust kar ke
unhein letne mein madad karte huye boli.

"Faris abhi tak nahi aaya?"

Jannat ne wall clock par waqt dekha.

"Keh raha tha ke das baje tak aa jaayega. Main usse call karke poochti
hoon."

Shab ba khair keh kar lights off karte, darwaza aahistagi se band kar ke woh
neeche aa gayi.

Lounge mein baith kar usse call ki. Usne receive nahi ki. Phir message likha
"kaha ho?" "Kab tak aaoge?" Ghaleeban woh kisi aise jagah par tha jahan
signals ka masla tha ke message moosool hote nazar nahi aa rahe the.

WhatsApp par Aqsa aa gayi. Woh apne gao pohanch gayi thi aur bohat
khush thi.
"Aapko zaide nikamme ki tasveer dikhau Aapi?"

"Haan"

Phir tasveer dikhadi. Zaida nikamma kisi dali par chadh kar baitha hua tha.
Kaafi dilchasp laga.

"Zaida itna bura bhi nahi hai Aqsa!" Usne hans kar kaha.

Aqsa bura maan gayi. Jo usay bura lagta hai woh uski Apni ko bhi bura
lagna chahiye.

"Shazia pasand karti hai isey. Pata nahi Shazia ko is mein kya nazar aata
hai. Aapko pata hai Khala kehti hain, Shazia aur zaide ka rishta to woh
kabhi nahi hone denge."

"Kyun bhai? Tumhari Khala kyun villain ban rahi hain?"

"Unhein mera rishta chahiye. Main bhala wahan kyun shaadi karoon jinko
meri padhai par hi aitraaz hai?"

"Bilkul. Tumhare liye to tumhare abba bohat accha sa ladka dhoondenge..."

Usne muskurate hue likha to doosri taraf apne gaon mein khule aasman tale
chaar pai par lati Aqsa sharma gayi.

"Haan! Aap bhi na. Abhi to main bohat saara padhungi aur doctor banugi.."
Uske bohat se khawab the.

"To woh bhi to padhai ke baad hi kuch sochenge na?" Aqsa muskurai. Usay
apne abba par bohat pyaar aata tha.

"Filhal studies par dhyan do aur apne khandan ki siyasat ko ignore karo..."

"Ok Aapi!"

"Aur zaida bhi kehta hai, Aqsa tu padhai na chhodi take amma tere se mera
vyaah na kare..."

"Kamal hai..." Woh hansi.

"Accha Aapi subah baat karoongi, aur gao ki tasveer bhi bhejoongi.

Theek hai.."

Aqsa se baat karne ke baad usne dobara Faris ko call ki. Uska mobile ab off
ja raha tha. Woh uske intezaar mein raahdari mein hi tehalne lagi thi.

Kamar par haath rakhe, aahistagi se qadam uthate, daaye taraf dekha, samne
taweel corridor tha. Do darwazay the. Ek raahdari ke ikhtitam par tha aur
doosra daayein taraf. Pehla darwaza store room ka tha. Khol kar sarsari sa
andar jhaanka. Mulazimo ko usne kai baar yahan aate dekha tha. Ek tarah
ka store room magar yahan zyada tar files, documents ka zakhira tha. Kuch
ghair zaroori samaan, gamle, kuch purani paintings, parde, guldan aur glass
tables ke ilawa bohat hi arayishi ashya packed haalat mein rakhi thi.

Haal numa kamra tha to rack tartib se wusat mein rakhe gaye the. Inmein
kitaabein, kaaghazat, files nazar a rahi thin. Kehne ko store room tha magar
iski bhi jaise baqaidagi se safai ki jaati thi. Mitti aur gard ka nishan tak na
tha.

Darwaza band kar ke saamne brown darwaze ko dekha. Is manzil par yeh
wahid darwaza tha jo band rehta tha.

"Is taraf jaane ki ijaazat nahi hai..."

Poore ghar ka tour karate hue Mudhat ne aaj subah hi usse kaha tha.
Yakeenan yeh hukumaat mulazimo ke liye honge.

Kuch soch kar woh usi taraf aa gayi. Usne handle ghuma kar darwaza andar
ki taraf dhakel diya. Neem tareeki mein bulb ki roshni andar tak gayi.
Bilkul saamne hi khidkiya thi jin se baahar ki tareeki nazar aa rahi thi. Usne
saamne wale darwaze ko bhi aahistagi se khol diya. Kamre mein tareeki thi.
Haath badha kar sui dabaya to lights on ho gayi. Pura kamra roshni mein
naha gaya.

Woh aik haath handle par rakhe apni jagah khadi reh gayi.
"Kya yeh Faris Wajdan ka kamra hai?" Uski aankhon mein hairat ke saath
izterab utar aaya.

Neelgo theme mein sajah hua kamra. Khidkiyo ke parde hum rang thay.
Kitabein ke reek, almari jismein uper tak mukhtalif asnaad aur trophies bhi
hui thin.

Woh bhaari saanso ke saath andar aa gayi thi.

Packed cartoons, kuch khulay, kuch khol kar band kiye hue. Shishe se
jhaankti trophies, kuch salaamat, aur kuch toot kar jodi hui. School aur
Faris ka naam behad numaaya tha.

Nazaar aa raha tha woh kitna ahem aur mehnati tha. Woh apni teenage mein
padhai aur deegar sargarmiyo mein shandaar Karkardagi dikhata raha tha.
Usne glass aik taraf slide kar diya.

Wajdan House mein to usse bachpan se judi chand ashya hi nazar aayi thin,
magar yahaan to jaise uska poora bachpan tha.

Woh result card uthakar dekhne lagi. Phir usne diaries utha li. Siyah jild
wali jismein tamam ke tamam safay takreeban khaali the. Kharid kar jaise
yunhi rakh di gayi thi. Usne siyah cover ke aik kone par sunehri calligraphy
mein likhe lafz VON ko chhua. Phir usse rakh kar box apni jaanib kheench
liya.

Kinare par rakhi koi shay hila gayi. Woh lamhe bhar ke liye thitik gayi ke
jis talwar par nazar padhi woh uski thi. Wohi neelgo nishan, wohi siyah
lakeeron se jhalakta sunehri dasta, wusat mein joda surkh kameena, naqrai
blade aur dasta ke saath jodi baarik si zanjeer...

"Yeh yahaan kaise? Oh!" Lamhe bhar ke liye shishdar hui thi. Phir usne sar
uthaya. Jis jagah se talwar uthai thi, usi jagah par gard ki halki si teh par
talwar ki hi chaap nazar aa rahi thi. Goiya woh cheez yaha kaafi arsay se
mojood thi jabke uski talwar to box mein hamesha mojood rahi thi.

Shiddat se dhadakte dil ke saath usne doosri cheezo ko ulat palt karna shuru
kiya. Tasweero ke kuch ahem magar woh sirf qudrati tasweero se bhare hue
thay. Ek box jis mein kuch cheeze rakhi huyi ti. Ek gulabi hair pin jis par
strawberry bani hui thi. Zard rang ki nanhi si ghari, ek nail polish, chhota sa
aaina jis ke peeche mita mita sa "Janna" likha tha.

Jannat kamal apni jagah sadme se gung reh gayi.

Usne safed sheet mein dhare kaaghazaat baahar kheenche.

Aur kuch tasveer mein nikal kar qadamo mein bikhar gayi.

Ek saat saal, das saal aur barah saal ka Faris Wajdan ke humraah khare,
uske nana...

Doctor Mustafa!

Woh aankhon mein be yaqini liye saakt hi apni jagah khadi reh gayi.

Patthar, Harkaat or saknaat se mukammal aari...

Usse laga aankho ne dhoka khaya hai. Shayad har adher umr shakhs usse
apne nana ka gumaan hota tha. Bahut ehtiyat se neeche farsh par baithte hue
usne kapkapati ungliyo se tasveer mein uthai. Unhein qareeb se dekha.

Woh uske nana, Doctor Mustafa hi the. Wohi ba noor chehra, chakti hui
roshan aankhein. Wohi meherban muskurahat. Woh jis bachhe ko apne
saath liye har tasveer mein nazar aa rahe thay, woh koi aur nahi, Faris
Wajdan tha. Tasveero ke peeche, sarsabz maidan ke us paar aik aali shaan
qasar nazar aa raha tha. Uske zehan ke parde par dhand ki shabih wazeh
hone lagi.

Phoole tanaffus ke saath woh neeche baithi deegar ashya nikalti gayi. Uski
drawing ka aik dheer tha. Aur har safay par uska naam likha tha.

"

Made by janna Mustafa"

Drawings mein baagh ka manzar tha, nadiyo aur naalo ka, oonche pahaadon
ka... Badi saari haweli aur uske samne khade aik chhote se ghar ka. Woh
ghar uska tha. Woh baagh uska tha. Woh khushiyo bhare pal, woh safay par
bikhre rang, woh manzar mein dhalti yaadein uski thi.

Nana, janna, aur teesra fard jo har safay par tha, woh Faris tha.

Uska dahina haath besakhtha labon par aa gaya. Aankhein mukammal bhar
gayi. Saans bhaari ho gaya.

"Aaj tareekh kya hai Saleem?"

"Teen November!"

"Abhi do din baqi hain.." Calendar dekh kar waqt ka hisaab lagate nana,
ainak utar kar aankhein ponchhte, kami ko chhupate, kuch soch kar
muskurate.

"Aisi kya khaas baat hai paanch November mein?" Saleem uske paas aakar
pooch raha tha.

"Baba ke dost ka birthday hai..."

"Kis dost ka?" Saleem ko jaise unke tamam dosto ke naam azbar thay.

"Faris ka...."

"Kaun Faris? Faris ki baat kar rahi ho?"

"Mujhe kya maloom?" Kandhe achka kar kisi aur kaam mein masroof hoti
woh...

"Bees saal..." ungliyo par hisaab karte Nana. "Haan ab poore hain saal ka
hota woh..."

Uski aankho se aansoo toot kar gire.

"Tumhein yaad nahi, tum bahut chhoti thin. Mujhe yaad hai woh. Mujhe
woh nahi bhoolta. Main usse bhool bhi nahi sakta."
Nana ke tamam dosto mein sabse kam umar. Sabse tanha. Sabse pareshan
haal dost. Woh bhi bahut yaad aata tha.

"Tumse pehle maine usse kabhi bhi kisi bachhe se baat karte nahi dekha
tha..." Woh aksar kehte the.

"Tumhare saath woh bahut hansta tha..."

Uska dil dard se phatne laga.

"Hadsati mout thi, car accident se huyi thi.."

Uski saskiya bandh gayi. Chehra tar hone laga.

"Bahut pyaara ladka tha. Bohat well mannered aur dheeme mizaj ka..."

November ka mahina ho aur Nana apne dost ka zikr na kare, aisa kaise
mumkin tha?

"Ab khair se aap usse well mannered aur dheeme mizaj ka to na kahe..."
Saleem in dino chhuttiyon par aaya hua tha.

"Achha khaasa badtameez ladka tha woh. Mazrat ke saath!"

"Sirf is liye ke woh tumhe ignore karta tha?"

"Sirf mujhe ignore karta tha? Aap shayad bhool gaye hain magar mujhe
yaad hai. Usse iss baat se bhi masla tha ke main aap ke ghar kyun ro raha
hoon..."

"Woh tumse jealous hota tha..." Woh hansey. Aur phir kaafi der tak bante
rahe. Aankhein tar ho gayi. Dil tut gaya. Phir chup ho gaye. Raat gaye tak
chaht par tehlte rahe.

"Us ke saath yeh na hona chahiye tha,.." zair lab dohrate jaate. "Woh to
mera bahadur bachha tha..."

Apna kaam karte, practical standalone, woh sab chhod kar darwaze ke paas
aa kar khadi ho jati thi. Woh usay dekhte thay aur aankhon mein khauf utara
hota tha. Bohat der tak haath apne haatho mein leke se khud se laga lete.

"Khudkushi be zat khud ek masla hai. Kisi masla ka hal hargiz nahi!"

Uska chehra apne nehayif haatho mein le kar, uski shahed aankho mein
jhank kar kehte.

Woh tab pandrah saal ki thi. Nana ne pehli baar jaise jese usay aane wale
samayon ki taklifo par sabar aur bardasht ka sabaq padhane ki koshish ki
thi.

"Saanso ki dor khud se toote to toote, hum toordne ki koshish Mat karna."

Uske haath bejan hote god mein aa gire. Uski yaadash mein sab dhandla ho
chuka tha. Magar usse wafqe wafqe se milne wali Nana ki baatein yaad rahi
thin. Woh Faris naam ke ladke ko kabhi nahi bhoolay thay. Bistar marg par
bhi.

Woh uski umr ka andaza lagaya karte thay. Har November ki paanch
tareekh ussi hisaab kitab ke liye mukhtas ho jaya karti thi. Agar woh zinda
hota to aaj poore bees saal ka hota. Ab uski umr yaqinan baees baras ki hoti.
Height tab bhi achi thi, ab bhi achi hoti. Lambe baal suit karte thay, chhote
baalo mein bhi khoobsurat lagta tha. Ab to ba kamal hota. Apne hum umr
ladko ki tarah ulfool rough huliye mein ghoomna usse pasand nahi tha. Bila
ka safai aur nafisati pasand.

Woh unhein dekhte hue, unhein sunti rahi. Woh thoda sa waqt, thodi si
baatein, thoda sa zikr kar ke bilkul chup ho jaate. Ooper se khamoshi magar
andar hi andar khud se baate jaari rakhte. Woh uske liye bohat zyada dukhi
the.

Unhone apna clinic, apna ghar hatta ke woh sheher woh ilaqa tak chhod
diya magar uski yaadash se pehchana chhuda na sake. Khud ko pachhtawo
se na nikaal sake. Sirf ek tasveer apne wallet mein lagaay rakhte. Sab se
pehli tasveer, ladka 6 saal ka aur woh 60 saal ke thay. Dosti ki alamat unki
pehli tasveer paas rakhi. Baqi sab wahan ghar chhod aaye. Kai baar usne
kaha tha wapas chalte hain. Chand din ke liye hi sahi. Magar woh nahi gaye
the. Pehle kohat shift huay, phir Lahore lekin Quetta dobara nahi gaye.
"Uski maa usse apne saath le kar nahi gayi. Uske baba ne usse chhod diya.
Woh bilkul akela tha. Yeh baat samajh mein aati hai. Jate waqt to bohat
khush tha. Tum se keh kar gaya tha chhuttiyo mein wapas aaye."

"Phir kya hua? Kya hua?" Woh rukh mod kar aansu chhupane ki koshish
karte the.

Usne be-sakhtha dahina haath seene par rakha.

Nana ka dost...

Nana ka Faris...

Nana ka bahadur bachha.

Uska chehra tar ho chuka tha. Woh ab doosri ashya ko dekh rahi thi.

Friendship Day ke cards, aur Get Well Soon ke teen chaar papers, woh
theek ho gaya. Phir bhi usne likh kar de deti rahi. Har baar woh jab bhi
phool le kar gayi, woh kabhi bhi kachre ki zinat nahi tha. Plastic sheet mein
dhare, surkh be rang uske diye hue phool!

Uski nail polish, uski makeup kit, uska aaina, uske khawab, uski khushiya.
Woh sab jo zindagi ke haalaat mein gum ho kar woh bhool chuki thi, ab
yaad aa raha tha. Woh puzzle ki tarah aik aik shay ki takhliyat par chunti,
aik achhuti tasveer mukammal kar rahi thi.

Faris Wajdan Shirazi

Sarsabz baagh, aik wasee aur ariz lawn ka sabza zar, unchi deewaro mein
muqeed aik shandar qasar numa haweli. Sadak ke is paar daurte bhagte
bacche, nehr ke kinare patthar, phool, patte aur tooti hui tankiyan, woh aur
aik mubhim sa saathi. Aik dhundhla sa chehra, aik halki si shabiha...

Qadamo ki aahat ke saath hi adh khulay darwaze ko andar ki jaanib

dhakelta Faris apni jagah ruk gaya tha. Woh neeche thande farsh par baithi
thi. Uski ashya mein apni yaadon ko khojti hui. Cards, gifts aur khilonon
mein ghari hui.
Aahista se qadam uthate woh andar aa gaya. Uske samne panjon ke pal
jhuka to Jannat Kamal ne sar uthaya. Uski aankhein nam aur chehra tar tha.
Uska wujood siskiyo ki zed mein lag raha tha. Uske ta'ssurat batla rahe the
rahe the woh usay pehchaan ki thi.

Ek janna, Aur uska dost Faris!

Ab na pariyon ki baatein ki ja sakti thi, na shehzadiyo ke qisse sunaye ja

sakte thay. Na rangon ka junoon tha, na khaali safho ka craze ab sirf woh thi
aur Faris tha. Zindagi ne kisi aur mod par, kisi aur waqt mein, kuch aur
halaat ki zadd mein dono ko saamne la khada kiya tha.

Faris ke ehsasat dukh ki lapait mein aa gaye. Uske andar ki kayfiyat badal
hi gayi thi. Woh ajeeb ranj ki zadd mein apne andar bikhra sa gaya. Uske
saamne ab uski biwi na thi. Woh ab Dr. Mustafa ki nawasi thi jo usay dekh
rahi thi.

"Tum jante ho mein kaun hoon?" Sawal mukhtasar sa bohot aziyat se

poocha gaya.

Faris ka sira asbat mein hila.

Woh andar tak sakin ho gayi.

"Kab se?" Aankhein bheegi hui thi.

"Jab tum ne ghar chhod diya tha. Tab tumhare samaan mein unki tasveer
dekhi thi."

Woh lab bhich kar tahammul aur zabt se surkh parti aankho ke saath usay
dekhti gayi.

"Mujhe kyun nahin bataya?"

Shikhwah tha. Dukh tha. Jazbaat par mushkil qaboo rakhe hui thi.

"Mujhe laga mumkin hai tumhe kuch yaad nah ho.." Faris ke liye apne hi
alfaz kuch bhari ho gaye.
"Lekin tum toh yaad dila sakte thay. Tum toh mujhe bata sakte thay." Woh
ro rahi thi. Uska dil doob raha tha. Woh saari yaadein, woh waqt aur liye
uska dost aur nana.

Usay ab Nana bohot shiddat se yaad aa rahe the.

"Jannat" uske labo se be-ikhteyaar nikla.

"Mujhe tumhein khud dhoondna parta hai. Mujhe tum tak khud aana parta
hai. Koi pehl tum kyun nahi karte? Tumhein khud mujhe kyun kuch nahi
batate?" Us ne Faris ka hath jhatak diya.

"Mujhe darr tha. Mein Dr. Mustafa ki nawasi ka samna nahi kar paunga."

Woh apni jagah tum kar gayi. Aankho mein aansu thehr gaye.

Apne andar ek dukh, ek karb sa liye woh himmat mujtama karta uske paas
baitha gaya tha.

Chand hi lamho mein uska haath apne haath mein le chuka tha. Us ne
shikwa kiya tha. Koi ibtida woh khud se kyun nahi karta, ek ibtida woh ab
khud kar raha tha. Bahut si baatein thi jo dil ki thi aur dil mein hi reh gayi
thi. Bahut. I'tiraaf aise thay jo ta-hal nahi ho sake thay. Woh ab keh sakta
tha. Woh ab usay sab bata sakta tha. Woh is bojh ko apne dil se hata sakta
tha. Woh is khala ko ab pur kar sakta tha.

"Main doosri shaadi kabhi nahi karna chahta tha. Sirf mummy ki khwahish
par maine majbooran tum se nikah kiya tha. Mujhe tum se nafrat thi. Sirf
tum se hi nahi, apne nikah mein aane wali har ladki se hoti. Tumhari jagah
koi bhi hoti toh main yehi karta. Nikah ko contract rakhta aur fursat milte hi
apni jaan chhuda leta. Mere liye yeh aasan tha. Ba nisbat bharosa karne ke,
mujhe yeh aasan laga."

Jannat aankho mein dard liye lab bheinch kar usay dekh rahi thi. Uski
aankhon mein haza thehra hua tha. Uski awaaz se dard jhalak raha tha. Woh
bol raha tha. Woh usay bolne de rahi thi.
"Main rishte, aitbaar, wafa aur mohabbat jaise mamlaat se bohot aage nikal
chuka tha. Meri zindagi mein inki koi gunjaish nahi thi. Mujhe lagta tha
main sakht rawaiya doon ga toh tum mujh se koi umeed nahi rakhogi. Main
chahta tha..."

"Tumhein bhi mujh se nafrat ho aur.. aur tum mere saath zindagi guzarne ka
khawab na dekho. Tumhein nafrat sikhate sikhate kab main ne tum se
mohabbat seekh li, pata hi nahi chala..."

Uska woh aakhri jumla Jannat ki dhadkanon ka tha.

"Mujh se sirf ek bhool hui. Mere ehsasaat badal rahe thay toh mujhe
chahiye tha main tumhari har ghalat fehmi door karta, apne ehsaasaat sirf
dil tak mehdood na rakhta. Mujhe chahiye tha main tum par apni marzi
musallat na karta. Mujhe tumhein time dena chahiye tha. Mujhe tum par sab
wazeh karna chahiye tha. Agar main baat kar leta toh tum us raat ghar
chhod kar na jati."

Woh rawani se baat karte hue ek lamhe ke liye ruk gaya tha. Usay dukh tha
woh uske hote hue bhi is tarah beghar kyun hui thi. Kyun uski zindagi mein
woh is tarah shaamil hui ke uske paas nafrato ke siwa aur kuch dene ko nahi
tha.

"Maine apne faisle kabhi nahi badle. Magar tumhare liye, maine apna har
faisla, apna har irada badla. Nikah mummy ki pasand se hua tha magar
maine tumhein apni marzi se biwi ka darja diya."

Woh uske gaal par haath rakhe ab aankho mein dekh raha tha.

"Jo maine kiya, ya jo nahi diya, usay main kisi tor justify nahi kar sakta. Jo
ghalat hai, so ghalat hai." Jannat ki shehad aankho mein uska aks jhilmilane
laga.

"Meri nafrato mein tumhara koi hissa nahi hona chahiye tha." Woh be-had
ranjida tha. "Agar Dr. Mustafa zinda hote, aur unhein maloom hota main ne
unki nawasi ke saath kya kiya toh woh mujhe kabhi maaf nahi karte."
Jannat ne be-ikhteyaar apne gaal par thehr uske haath par apna haath rakha.
Bahut dukh, fikar aur pareshani se uski jaanib dekha.

Usay jaise ab samajh mein aaya tha woh apne khol mein band kyun tha.

"Mujhe duniya ka woh aakhri mard hona chahiye tha jo tumhari

aankho mein aansu lata."

"Tumhe lagta hai tumhara rawaiya zyada bura tha?" Woh boli toh bheegi
awaaz mein ek thehrav tha. Lehja narmi liye huye tha.

Apne gaal se Faris ka haath hata kar usay mazbooti se thaam liya.

"Jis tarah ki zindagi mein ne guzari hai, aur jis tarah ke rawaiye meine
sahay hain, jo dukh, mehroomiya aur azmaishe jheli hain, in sab ke
muqable mein tumhara ghar mere liye kisi jannat se kam nahi tha."

Aankho mein gham ki surkhi liye usay kuch azmaish se dekha.

"Mujhe tumhare rawaiye ka dukh zaroor tha lekin main sukoon se soti thi
aur aaram se poore ghar mein phirti thi aur aunty thi mere paas aur koi ki
nahi thi wahan aur tum chup chaap sab sunte, dekhte aur bardasht karte thay
kyunki main tumhari koi baat maan nahi rahi thi."

Guzra hua waqt unke darmiyan aakar thehr gaya tha.

"Jis raat tum ne sirf setting badalne par mujhe ghussa dikhaya tha, us raat
mein ne apna har khauf mita diya tha. Us raat mein ne faisla kar liya tha ke
main tumhari koi bhi ghalat baat bardasht nahi karungi. Main halaat se
aakhri saans tak ladun gi aur tumhare samne haar nahi manungi. Yeh mera
faisla tha tum se mil kar lene ka. Tumhare muqable mein aane ka, main is
baar chup chaap sehna nahi chahti thi. Main ladna chahti thi."

"Tumse, apni zindagi se halat se, to haan tough time mene bhi tumhe bahut
diya hai."

Narm mazboot lehja mazboot aasab ki tarjumani kar raha tha.

"Mujhe yaad hai main tumhe zabardasti maal le kar gayi aur tumhare samne
bachay ki shopping ki. Main sirf tasavvur kar sakti hoon meri is harkat se
tumhe is waqt kitni takleef pahunchi hogi."

Servant quarter ke us kamre ki khidkiyo se baahir halki halki ram jham phir
se barasne lagi thi. Andar ka mahaul phir se sard hone laga tha.

"Maine tum par shak kiya. Tumhein kai baar hurt kiya. Tum par bharosa
nahi kiya. Ghaltiya sirf tum se nahi hui hain, mujh se bhi to hui hain. So
tum baar baar yeh mat kaha karo ke woh waqt bura tha. Mere liye woh
bohot se bure waqt se sab se acha waqt tha, Faris!"

Aankho mein mohabbat ki chaashni liye woh poore ehtmad se keh rahi thi.
Faris ka dil bhaari hua. Woh waqt asaan nahi tha jiska zikr woh itni asaani
se kar rahi thi.

"Tumhara ghussa, baikhudi, nafrat beshak ghalat thi lekin uski bhi to wajah
thi. Tumhari biwi ne dhoka diya. Tum ne apni beti ko kho diya. Aur jis
tarah ke halaat se tum guzre the, tumhare liye bharosa karna mushkil tha..."
Woh ek ek kar ke un tamam ghirao ko khol rahi thi jo maazi ke gham ko
taza karte thi. Chhataon aur dukh ko hawa deti thi. Jin ka saaya haal par
padta tha to woh apne khol mein band hone lagta tha.

"Tum yeh dekho, hum ne kamzoriyon ka faida uthaya aur chhupaya bhi.
Hum ne iraade bhi badle aur khud ko badalne ki koshish bhi ki..." Uske lafz
marham the, uski awaaz mein sukoon tha. Woh sun raha tha, bohot tawajjo
aur khamoshi se.

"Nana hote to main unhe batati, unke dost ne mujhe us waqt apna liya jab
mere apne mujhe kiya kar chuke the. Main unhe batati ke main unke dost se
bohot ladi hoon aur woh apna har faisla badalne par majboor ho gaya hai.
Woh jaise pehle badal gaya tha, waise hi ab bhi badal gaya hai. Main unhe
tumhari ek ek baat batati. Aur woh khush hote. Woh tumse bohot khush
hote!"

Faris Wajdan ki aankhein tar ho chuki thin. Jannat ne tasweere samet li.
"Nana tumhein bohot yaad karte the." Woh ab keh rahi thi. "Tumhari
baatein, tumhare sawaal, woh baar baar tumhara zikar karte the. Woh
doosre ladkon mein tumhein dhoondhte thay. Unhein tumhari maut ka
bohot dukh tha." Woh ab tafseel se unke baare mein batari thi. Woh sab
baatein jo zehan mein thin. Jo uski zaat se jodi hui thin. Woh bhaari dil ke
saath sun raha tha.

Usne baat karte karte kuch bechaini se pehlu badalna chaaha to uski halat
ka khayal karte hue Faris ne sahaara de kar uthate hue single bed par
baithaya. Khud woh uske paas hi baitha tha.

"Tum ne meri sab cheezen sambhal kar rakhi hui hain..." Kamre mein
tairana nigah daudate hue boli. Woh muskuraya.

"Tumhare paas bhi to abhi tak mere gifts hain. Talwar hai, diary hai,
stickers hain." Woh nam aankho ke saath dheere se hansi.

"Haan! Tumhare in tohfo mein mere nana ki yaadein thin aur aise dost ki
bhi jo wada kar ke wapas nahi aaya tha."

"Aa nahi saka tha, uski qabar ban gayi thi. Woh dafan ho gaya tha."

Aankho mein nami liye usse dekh kar reh gayi. Phir uske kandhe par sar
rakh kar uske baazu par girfta mazboot kar li.

"Bahut mushkil waqt tha?"

"Bahut..."

"Kya main tumhein yaad aayi?"

"Phoolo ko dekh kar, haan! Hamesha!"

Jannat ke labon par muskurahat aa gayi.

"Sirf phoolo ko dekh kar?"

"Do poniyo ko dekh kar bhi..."

Woh nam aankhon ke saath nahi di.

"Aur kab?"

"Jab jab mrs Grant ki nawayasiya Harry ko Grande aayi, tab bhi."

"Mrs. Grande? Woh kaun hain?"

"London mein hamari neighbour hain..."

"Aur Harry?"

"Woh Raahim ka tota hai!"

"Aur Raahim kaun hai?"

"Woh bhi bas kuch hai..."

"Koi anokhi makhlooq hai kya?"

"Yehi samajh lo"

Muskura kar usne atraaf mein ek baar phir nigah daudayi.

"Tumhare kamre mein har cheez kitni tarteeb aur safai se rakhi hai, Faris!"

Usne bhi dekha. Sar uthakar aur bohot hi takleef se.

Usay mohabbat se pata chala tha ke Azam Shirazi aksar uske kamre mein
aate thay. Uski cheezo ko dekhte thay, dairies ko parhte the aur trophies ko
chhote thay. Aur chand ek baar to unki yahin aankh lag gayi thi. Uske
kamre ko saaf rakhne ki zimmedari unhone nibhayi thi. Usne dard sa
mehsoos karte hue, khayalat ko jhatkna dena chaaha.

"Faris!" Usne aahista se pukara.

"I'm sorry!"

"Kis liye?"
"Main tumhein bohot hurt karti rahi..."

Woh gardan modh kar usse dekhne laga.

"Main apni manmani is liye nahi karti thi ke tumhein dukh pohanche. Main
sirf apna ghar bachane ki koshish kar rahi thi." Uski aankhon mein dekh kar
aasaniyat se boli.

Woh narmi se muskuraya.

"Tum ne pehle bhi meri baat na maan kar meri zindagi badal di thi, ab bhi
tum ne wohi kiya..." Apne baazu ke ghere mein lete woh aahista se gaya.

Jannat ki dhadkan taiz hui.

"Pandrah saal pehle tum ne mujhe jeena sikhaya tha. Pandrah saal baad bhi
tum ne wohi kiya. Koi bachchi agar apne maa baap ki mushtarka nafrat ko
sehate hue bhi hans sakti hai, khel sakti hai, shararate kar sakti hai, to...
main kyun nahi..."

"Aur koi ladki agar apni marriage failure ke baad, bakht ilzaam, khandaan
bhar ki nafrat sehne ke baad bhi, itni positive ho kar mere saath apni nai
zindagi ka aaghaz, Sadiq dil aur chahat se kar sakti hai, to main kyun nahi?"

Woh uski aankho mein dekh raha tha.

"Apologies mujhe karna chahiye."

Woh aankho mein mohabbat ka asar liye use dekh rahi thi.

Woh Nana jaisa tha. Bohat shafeeq aur mehrbaan sa apni galtiyo ka idraak
karta, unhein samajhta hua, khud ko badalta hua, jeene ki koshish karta hua.

"Chalain, yahan bohot thand hai," Faris ne kaha to awaaz bhaari thi.

"Yeh kamra bohot si aise yaado se bhi joda hua tha jo uske aasab par bhaari
par rahi thi."
Jannat sar hila kar uth gayi. Kamre se baahar nikalte hi darwaza band karte
karte woh ruk gaya.

Khidki ke aein neeche wahaan woh tha. Aur rote hue bed ke neeche bhi.
Chhupa hua sa, aur aankhein ragar ragar kar saaf karta. Aur bahaduri se
rone par qaboo paata hua bhi.

Uske ta'ssurat ek dum se khauf aur wahshat mein badal gayi.

Jannat ko is lamhe shiddat se ehsaas hua ke usne yahaan aakar takleef deh
yaadon mein usse ek baar phir dhakel diya hai.

Darwaza band kar ke, Faris ka baazu giraft mein liya.

"Chalain?"

Usne chonk kar usse dekha phir uske sath aage barh gaya.

Aur mazi ka Faris wahi kahin andheray mein apne bistar ke neeche chhup
raha tha. Khamosh, veeran Kamre mein bachpan ki yaadein, siskiyo samet
wahi kahi sard fiza mein thehri rahi thi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH105
Ghar pahunch kar unho ne khud ko kamre mein band kar liya. Khabar aisi
nahi thi ke khandan bhar mein na phailti. Sham mein sab behne wahin
ikathi ho gayi thi. Peshimani ka asar har aik chehre par nazar aa raha tha.

"Aapi!" Hafsa qaleen par deewar ke saath hi baithi hui thi. Unke bacche
pareshan ho rahe thay. "Yeh hum ne kya kar diya?" Unhone apna sar
hathelio par gira liya tha.

Iman samne hi kursi par baithi thi. Uska sar jhuka hua tha. Aankhe
mukammal tar thi. Nafisa ki wafat par sab se bura rawaiya uska tha, sab se
zyada sakhti bhi usne dikhayi thi. aur usne ghusse se rote cheechne hue
Jannat ko ammi ke qareeb bhi nahi aane diya tha.

Unhone maa ko kho diya tha. Woh gham us waqt dil cheer raha tha. Woh
mehroomi us waqt bohot bhaari thi. Bhari duniya mein bilkul tanha ho jane
ka tasavvur unke hwaas mafluj kar gaya tha. Woh sab behnein, narm khoo
ehsaas karne wali apni hi sagi bahen ke liye phir aur behis ho gayi thi. Woh
bhi Jannat ko har takleef ka zimmedar thahrane lag gayi thi. Har musibat
aur pareshani ko uske wajood se jodne lag gayi thi.

Woh be-gunah thi. Jannat be-gunah thi. Hafsa rote hue dohra rahi thi.
Haniya ne bohot dekha aur be-basi se unhein dekha. Kise ilm tha be-
gunaahi yun sabit hogi aur Jannat kamal par se har ilzaam hat jayega.

"Aapi! Hum bhi to jin halat se guzre hain, woh" Mariya ke lab hile.

Koi hujat, daleel kuch to ho jiss se woh khud ko bari kar sake. Magar alfaz
kam ho gaye. Jo talum Jannat kamal ke saath hua tha, woh kisi tor jisify
nahi kiya ja sakta tha. Apni sagi behen ko lawaaris kar dena kisi tor bhi
maslay ka hal nahi tha.

"Kisi aur se pehle hum Jannat ke jurm hai. Hum usay apni har takleef aur
musibat ka zimmedar samajhtay rahey. Un logo ke darmiyan hansi khushi
rehtay rahe, jin ki wajah se hamara yeh ghar jahannum ban gaya, tabah hua,
jin ki wajah se ammi nafsiyati mareeza ban gayi."

Iman ne aahiste se sar uthakar unhein dekha.

"Tum sab chhoti thee. Main to chhoti nahi thi." Aankho mein haza liye, rote
tadhapte maazi ke woh tamam manazir aankho mein lete, bohot dukh se lab
bhainch kar boli,

"Mujhe Tai Ammi ki, badi chachi ki dadi ki, phapho ki, sab ki baatein, sab
ke tanz, sab ki nafratein yaad hain. Woh sab ammi ko baate sunane, unki
beboosi ka mazaak udane aati thi."

Nafeesa aur Kamal ki betiyan apni zindagi mein ek khala sa liye bilkul
khamosh khadi thi Woh bohot karb se badi behen ko dekh rahi theen.

"Ammi chup chaap sunti theen aur chhup chhup kar roti thi. Baba ka
rawaiya hamarey saath kaisa hota tha, Iman? " Ab ke usey mukhatib kiya.
"Yaad nahi, hum kaise unse darte the, aur unke ghar aate ho kamare mein
chhup jate the? Baat tak karne ki himmat nahi hoti thi. Jara jara si ghalti par
maar par jani thi. Dadi poore ghar ka mahaul jahannum bana kar rakh deti
theen. Har waqt un par tanaz karti theen. Betiyo ki line ka rakhhi hai. Abbu
ko doosri shaadi ka mashwara kitni baar diya gaya."

Kamre mein sakoot chhaya hua tha. Woh dam sade usi waqt ke daire mein
is talkh zindagi ko ek baar phir jeete hue dekh sakti thi.

"Har baar hum mein se kisi na kisi ki paidaish par log afsos karne aate thay.
Amma kitne dino tak la parwah rehti thi, bacchi ko uthakar dekhti tak nahi
thi, sab kehte the hamari maa badnaseeb hai, manhoos hai, betiyo ko duniya
me laa rahi hai.." wo ro rahi thi. "Magar koi khushi ka izhar nahi karta tha,
ammi bhi nahi, har waqt ki tension me kaha yaad rehta tha ki khush rehna
chahiye, jab zindagi azab hi hamari wajah se thi" sisak padhi, aankhe ragad
dali.

"Baba ki pehle ek dukan thi phir dusri aa gayi, phir unhone store khol liya
tha, unhone plot kharid liya tha ghar ke halat achhe ho rahe the, kisi ne nahi
kaha ki betiya naseeb layi hai, izzat layi hai ba barkat hai is ghar ke liye,
kisi ne nahi samjha , sabne hame auk azaab , auk bhojh aik karb bana diya
aur ham ne phir ham sab ne mil kar Jannat ke saath yeh sab kiya. Ham
bhool gaye hamari muzrim to Jannat kabhi thi hi nahi, jo muzrim the unke
sath milkar hamne jannat ko akela kar diya.."

Iman ne kuch aziyat se aankhein meech li thi.

"Mujhe ammi ka rawaiya kabhi bhi normal nahi laga. Pehle woh hum se
uljhti rehti thi, phir Husnain paida hua to theek ho gayi. Aur jab Husnain
nahi raha to apni nafrato ka rukh Jannat ki taraf kar liya. Aur hum ne, hum
chhe behno ne aise hone diya. Hum ne kabhi bhi ammi aur Jannat ke
darmiyan faasla kam karne ki koshish nahi ki. Hum ne kabhi bhi ammi ko
nahi samjhaya. Hum ne kabhi nana se nahi kaha ke woh Jannat ko wapas le
aaye"

Unhone aankhein saaf ki.

"Ham ne usay apne se door kar diya. Apne sasural mein woh laawariso ki
tarah rahi. Taya ki puri family ne usay jis tarah torture kiya, kya hum is baat
se waqif nahi the? Kya hum mein se koi uski madad ko gaya? Kya hum
mein se kisi ne uske liye stand lene ki koshish ki? Woh kitni baar yahan
aayi, ammi se milne, ammi nahi mili. Hum to mil sakte the. Baat kar sakte
the. Sahara de sakte the. Kya hum ne diya?"

Esi be-hissi par, khudgarzi par jo hum ne Jannat ke saath ki thi, us par jitni
bhi malamat karain, wo kam thi. Hania ne kuch sharmindagi se sar jhuka
liya.

"Uski shaadi ho gayi, hum ne ek baar bhi uski khabar nahi li. Usne ghar
chhod diya tab bhi nahi. Kya itna patthar dil bhi hota hai Iman? Yeh humein
kya ho gaya tha?"

Waqt aur halaat kuch is tarah ke ho gaye ke Jannat Kamal ko apni behan
samajhna hi unhein kisi gunaah se kam nahi lagta tha. Uska mashkook
kirdar sab ki zubaan par rehta tha. Uski zaat ke qisse barha chadha kar
sunaye jaate the. Usne jaane kin halaat mein ghar chhoda, aur yehi phaila
diya gaya ke wo kisi aur ke saath bhag gayi hai. Usse to khabar bhi nahi
hogi ke kitne afsane the jo us par ghad diye gaye the. Kitne ilzaam the jo us
par dhar diye gaye the. Aur uski apni saggi behnein ne sar jhuka liya tha.

"Humne bhi wahi kiya jo ammi karti rahi. Jo abba karti rahe. Jo poore
khandaan ne kiya. Hum ne bhi Nana ki tarbiyat par sawal uthaya. Hum ne
bhi sach maan liya."

Iman uth kar unke paas aa bethi thi. Yeh gham ke unhone Jannat ko aakhri
waqt mein apni maa bhi milne nahi diya tha, yeh gham, yeh dukh ab dil ko
cheer raha tha.

Zakhm gehre the jo unhone use diye. Makhsoos kar ke apni behen ko, bohot
buri tarah se toda tha unhone. Dhatkar alag kiya tha. Bohot nafrat se taalluq
khatam hua tha. Bhale se uski Zaman se shaadi ho ya Kamran se. Kisi ko
koi farq nahi pada tha. Woh chacha ke ghar kis haal mein thi. Kisi ko zara
ehsaas nahi hua tha. Jis se shaadi kar rahe the, wo satrah saal bara tha usse.
Unhein kuch bhi nahi hua. Apni iddat ke dino mein, terrace ke veeran
kamre mein jane kaise usne waqt guzara hoga. Woh sab to ikathi the, ek
doosre ko sambhalne aur sahara dene ke liye bhi, us mushkil ghadi mein
talaaq ki aziyat aur maa ki judai ka gham sehate hue, usne kaise sambhala
tha khud ko? Sabko ghalti ka ehsaas shiddat se ho raha tha. Jannat kamal
muzrim aur gunahgar hoti tab bhi usay alag nahi kiya jaa sakta tha. Uski
zindagi ka faisla dusro ke hath me nahi diya jaa sakta tha.

Us raat unhon ne nam aankhon se baar baar sab ko dekha.

"Ammi ne apne aakhri waqt mein Jannat ka naam liya..."

Iman ne gehre gham aur sadme se unki taraf dekha...

"Woh baat nahi kar pa rahi thi lekin uska naam le rahi thi. Mujhe kuch
samajh nahi aaya. Kaash main Jannat ko usi waqt hospital bula leti. Kaash!"

Khushk labo ko tar karte, aankhein ragar kar saaf ki.

"Jab se unka inteqal hua hai, uske baad se baar baar yeh baat kehna ke woh
naam kyun le rahi thi. Kis liye le rahi thi. Kehna kya chaah rahi thi? Pehle
to kabhi bhi nahi liya. Kabhi bhi nahi. To phir us waqt kyun? Yeh sawal
mujhe bohot bechain karta raha aur main ignore karti rahi. Main ne kuch
samjha hi nahi. Woh us waqt, woh Jannat se milna chahati thi. Woh aakhri
lamhon mein us waqt Jannat ke paas rahi thi aur maine, maine apne gusse
mein unki baat, unka ishaara nahi samjha."

"Sakina bata rahi thi ke woh Jannat ka haal poochti thi. Unhein sab pata tha
uske saath is ghar mein kya ho raha tha. Woh unhone Jannat ko wapas ghar
laane ka faisla kar liya tha..."

Darwaze par dastak de kar Khalah andar aayi to Hafsa foran se uth kar unke
paas chali gayi. Haath tham liya.

"Please Khala! Mujhe uske paas le jaayein. Main usse milna chahti hoon."

"Meri uske shauhar se baat hui hai. Woh Quetta mein hain..." Unhone
sanjeedagi se aagaah kiya.

"Kya aap mujhe wahan le ja sakti hain? Khala! Sirf aap hi humein usse
milwa sakti hain."

"Main tumhare khalu se baat karti hoon." Unhon ne kandhay par narmi se
haath rakh kar kaha. Tasalli di.

Iman bhi un ke saath hi jana chahti thi magar khala ne mana kar diya tha.

Woh nahi jaanti thi is tamam situation par Jannat ka rad-e-amal kya hone
wala tha.

•••

Agle din mausam kuch behtar tha to woh usay usi aqbi darwaze se hi baagh
mein le gaya tha. Yeh darwaza haal hi mein dobara banwaya gaya tha.

Faris ka haath tha aur woh behad ehtiyat se qadam utha rahi thi. Darakht,
podhe, sabz o zar, aur thandi yakh basta fiza mein saans lete hue us ne door
tak dekha tha.

"Janna" sannate me bachho ki awaaz goonji. Aasman se badal hat gaye.

Kirne zameen par utaar aayi. Khamosh baagh mein aik dam se zindagi ke
aasaar door tak phail gaye.

Woh baagh ke wusat mein us Jannat ko dekh sakte the jo khelti koodti
hanste muskarate bhagti ja rahi thi. Us ke dost shor macha rahe thay aur
peeche kahin Faris bhi tha. Aur uski aankhe thi aur halki ka halka sa tassur
tha. cycle thi. Ghubare the aur darakhto par charhne ki mashqe ho rahi thi.
Aur koi ro raha tha. Kisi ko hansi rahi thi. Woh raasta woh bohat si yaado
mein jura hua tha. Aur jo phool the pagdandi par unhe todte, sunghte nanhu
Janna apne Twiti bag mein daale ja rahi thi.

Samne hi woh ghar tha jo nana ka tha. Us ke aahani gate par taala laga hua
tha. Goya waqt ko tham kar har aik yaad ko wahi kahi mehfooz kar diya
gaya tha. Gate khol kar andar daakhil hotay Jannat ki nigahen kiariyon se
markazi darwaze tak gayi.

Kitni khamoshi aur wiraani thi wahan, rounaqein to thi hi Nana ke dam se.

Woh Faris ke hamrah lawn mein khadi thi. Aur Nana ko podon ko pani deta
hua dekh sakti thi. Woh deewar par rang kar rahe the aur woh frock mein
unke aage peeche bhagti phir rahi thi. Woh seedhiyo par baithi thi. Aur
kuch gaa rahi thi.

Woh chhupke se phal todh kar kha rahi thi. Muny ko bhi khila rahi thi.
Darwaze se andar ghar mein sanbato ka raaj tha magar do sun sakti thi.
Woh Nana ki awaaz aur apni khilkhilahat sun sakti thi. Badi badi aankho
mein taaro ki chamak liye, har naye adventure ke liye mustaid apna Twiti
bag pehne yahaan wahan har jagah pahuchne ki justuju karti hui. Woh
kitchen mein dieting table par tang chalate hue khana kha rahi thi aur
musalsal bol rahi thi aur Saleem ke sar mein dard ho raha tha aur Nana
hanse ja rahe thay. Aur woh sawal kar rahi thi. Woh khidki mein baithi
chidiya ka naam rakh rahi thi. Billi ko zabardasti ghar ka aik fard bana rahi
thi.

Nana uski peshaani par bikhre balo ko barabar kaat rahe thay. Woh uski do
poniya bana rahe thay. Uske kaanon mein tops pehna rahe the.

Wo Eid ke din gulabi frock pehne aik jeeti jaagti gudiya ke roop mein hasti
khilkhilati apni Eidi gun rahi thi. Is baar usay Eidi Azam Shirazi se bhi mili
thi. Apni siyah gaadi ko rok kar sheesha neeche kar ke. jis tarah pehle aik
baar us se sani di thi to ab ki baar Eidi.

Wahan aik Faris tha. Dr. Mustafa se baate karta, khafgi dikhata hua, apna
homework karta, shikwe mein ghar hua nazar aa raha tha. Woh ab usi table
ke paas khada tha jahan baith kar usne pehli baar do judwa bachho ki
tasveer mein dekhi thi.

" Tum ne Mummy se kaha tumhara naam Dr. Mustafa ke kisi dost ne rakha
tha."

"Haan!" Woh kitchen ki khidki se bahar dekh rahi thi.

"Woh main tha, Tumhara naam main ne rakha tha."

Ek jhatke se palat kar usne Faris ko dekha. Be yaqini se...

" Tum ne rakha tha."

"Haan!" Woh deewar par lagi kisi tasveer ko dekh raha tha.

Aur woh samjhti rahi thi Nana ka koi dost tha. Nana hi ka ham umar.

"Woh tum the?" Paas aakar tasdeeq chaahi. Abhi tak sakte mein thi.

"Bilkul main tha, yahan baith kar rakha tha."

Jannat Kamal apne shohar se ek dam se bohot marub hui. Yaqeen abhi bhi
nahi aarha tha.

"Shayad main woh pehla mard hoon jisne apni biwi ka naam khud rakha
hai." Hans kar bola to uski biwi asbat mein sar ko janbish deti bari mutaasir
nazar aayi. Phir kuch kehne ko munh khola hi tha ke Faris ne haath khada
kiya.

"Ab yeh mat poochna yeh Jannat kaun thi jiske naam par main ne tumhara
naam rakha. Woh koi nahi thi."

Rahdari se usne seerhiyon ki taraf dekhte hue dekha.

"Tumhari one class ki koi crush hogi."

Jannat ko yaqeen tha.

"Main us waqt two main tha."

"To yeh bhi batao woh kaun thi?"

"Meri kisi teacher ki beti paida hui thi. Meri kisi teacher ki beti paida huyi
thi uska naam jannat tha ab bas ya kuch aur taftees baki hai?"

Nafi mein sar hila kar muskurahat dabati wo modid si ho gayi, aankho me
sararat nzar aa rahi thi.

Seedhiya chadh kar woh uske saath upar uske kamre me gaya, bohut sa
samaan Nana saath le gaye thay magar bohot kuch yahi reh gaya tha.
Khidki ka nazara karte apne Nana ki hi kisi cheez ko haath mein le kar
unhein yaad karte woh abdeeda hoti rahi. Unki baatein karti rahi.

Kitni awaaz mein thi wahan, kitna shor aur raunak woh usay sun raha tha
aur yaad kar ke suna bhi raha tha. Jannat Kamal apne khilono ke naam khud
rakhti thi. Uske paas ek naam tom tha aur Jerry nahi tha. Uski pas ek batakh
thi aur chhota sa kachwa jo sir se chalta tha. Ab woh yaad kar ke bata raha
tha. Woh kaisi thi. Woh kya karti phirti thi aur kaise baate kiya karti thi. Aur
uske sawaal kitne ajeeb hotay thay. Woh pariyo ki baatein karti thi aur Ted
poles ko machhliya samjhjti thi.

"Abhi kuch din pehle tak to kisi ki yaaddasht bohot kamzor thi..." Woh ab
chidh rahi thi.

Usne phir uska ek aur kaarnama sunaya. Matar ka daana bistar ke neeche
rakhne se woh shehzadi sabit nahi ho sakti thi.

"Aisa to bilkul bhi nahi hua tha..."

"Bilkul yehi hua tha..."

Pata nahi uski yaaddasht itni tez kyun thi? Jannat ko pehli baar tap chadhyi.
Uski saari yaadain usay yaad thein.
"Saleem bohot tang tha tum se."

"Qasoor bhi uska hai."

"Woh bechara ab tajurbe ke liye gadde ikattha karta phirta."

"Ek bachhe ki khwahish ke liye, haan karna chahiye tha." Woh ab chhoti
Jannat ka difa kar rahi thi.

Woh muskara kar reh gaya.

Aur uski biliya, Unhein yaad kar ke Jannat Kamal ko gehre dukh ne gher
liya.

"Tumhari wajah se main biliyon ko ab haath bhi nahi laga sakti!"

"Kya maine mana kiya hai?" Apne coat ki jebo mein haath daale ulta
sawaal kiya.

"Bewa bhi to nahi hona chahti." Be basi se kaha.

Aur woh hans diya tha.

•••

Siyah rang ki maxi numa frock pehene, jis ki peti aur gale par nageeno ka
khoobsurat kaam hua tha. Cap sleeves kandho se neeche tak phailw hue,
baalo ka joda bana rakha tha. Mascara, eye shadow ke saath usne surkh
rang ki lip stick laga rakhi thi. Uski siraahi numa gardan par lambe ear rings
jhool rahe the. Mrs. Shirazi ke humraah woh mehmaan khawateen ke saath
lawn mein baithi thi. Khane ke baad wahan chai ka daur chal raha tha. Upar
apne bedroom ki gallery mein khada Faris railing par kohniya jamaye use hi
dekh raha tha.

Woh kisi ladki se baate kar rahi thi. Aur mobile par kuch dikhayi bhi rahi
thi. Phir uski kisi baat par hans bhi rahi thi. Rayyan uske paas hi khada tha
wo gubbare jesi gend ko bazu me bhare hue tha aur un bacho ko dekh raha
tha jo door tak bhage ja rahe the. Kisi baat ka jawab de kar sar hilate uski
nigah zard roshniyo mein nazar aati us aalishan gallery uth gayi, vas mein
hi woh khada tha.

Gharelu se huliye mein, saadah trousers par dheele dheele se gale ka

sweater mein malboos.

Chai ka mug zara sa upar kar ke saraha to woh muskura kar reh gayi.

Zindagi se bhar poor muskurahat uski aankho mein thehr gayi. Jo shawl
usne le rakhi thi, usse durust karte apni jagah se uth gayi. Ahate mein
gaadiya daakhil ho rahi thi. Khawateen ab jaane ko tayar thi. Jannat unse
mil rahi thi. Woh doosri ladki ki kisi baat par muskara bhi rahi thi. Kuch hi
dair baad woh kamre ka darwaza khol rahi thi aur woh gallery ki slides
band karta andar aa gaya tha. Khaali table par rakh diya. Jannat ne shaala
utaar kar kursi par daal di.

"Kya koi humein miss kar raha tha?"

"Bilkul bhi nahi..."

"Lekin koi gallery se taar to raha tha."

"Ab insaan khuli fiza mein saans bhi na le..."

Woh hans di.

"Yeh insaan kuch zyada ajeeb nahi hai?" Aankhein roshan thi. Lehje mein
shararat.

Faris ke narm haatho ki giraft uske kandho par pathar gayi.

"Apni baat kar rahi ho?"

"Tumhara zikar kar rahi hoon..."

"Mujhe nahi pata tha meri biwi aik alien hai..."

Bohat acha aur khushgawar sa mood bas aik lamhe mein ghaarat ho gaya
tha. Lab bheench gayay bhanwe sukad gayi.
"Tum pehle zyada acchi lag rahi thi..."

"Tum mujhe ab zyada bure lag rahe ho..."

Woh hans parha.

Apna necklace utaarne ko haath uthaye to Faris ne hook kholne mein

madad kar di. Khafa khafa si apne libas ka ghera sambhalay dressing table
par ja baithi. Woh uske peeche khada tha. Labo par muskurahat thi,

"Itni si baat par itna ghussa?"

"Mujhse baat nahi karo please..."

"Zaahir hai aliens ko insaanon ki baatein kahan samajh mein aayengi?"

Bhunna kar rukh badla, larne ko munh kholne hi wali thi ke Faris ka mobile
baj uthha.

"Aik second!" Haath uthakar usay rok diya.

Goya woh bhi is jang ke liye mukammal tayar tha bas call zaroori thi.
Jannat Kamal lab bheench kar rukh badal gayi. Phone par doosri taraf Agha
Ali tha. Uski baat sunte Faris ne be-ikhtiyar Jannat ki taraf dekha. Earrings
utarte hue usne bhi aaine mein Faris ko hi dekha. Aankho hi aankho mein
ishratan sawal kiya. Ke kya hua? Uske ta'ssurat kuch the thi aise ke na
chahte hue bhi woh alert ho gayi.

"Theek hai, aane do unhein,.." sanjeedgi se baat karta woh usi waqt kamre
se chala gaya.

Jannat ne joda khol kar dheeli si braids banayi. Munh dhoya aur kapde
badal kar bahar aa gayi. Mulazima kar bhi tak upar nahi laayi thi. Woh lift
se neeche floor par aa gayi. Aahista se qadam uthate aage barhi. Kuch jani
pehchani awaaz mein samaat se takrayi to chonk gayi. Khadshaat ki zadd
mein uska dil zor se dhadakne laga.

Dahine taraf lounge ka manzar numaya hua to uski raftaar aik dam se sust
padi. Jameela Dawood wahan thi. Saira Khala unke shohar aur uski Hafsa
Aapi bhi.

Jannat ka wajood patthar ho gaya.

---- •♡• ----

ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH106
Hafsa ka sar dukh aur sharmindagi se jhuka hua tha. Un ki aankhe gham
mein doobi hui thin. Un ka chehra aansuon se tar ho raha tha. Saira khala ab
bol rahi thin. Bohut aahista aur shikastagi se Maheen Abdul Kareem ka zikr
ho raha tha, jis ki haqeeqat poore khandan par aiyan ho chuki thi. Ab kuch
bhi chhupa nahi raha tha.

Jannat Kamal zakhmi rooh aur nidhal wujood ke saath sakit si khadi thi.
Roti sukti nigahen Hafsa Kamal par jami hui thi.

Us ki be-gunahi sabit ho chuki thi. Qatal ka ilzam hat gaya tha. Kirdar ki
gawahi mil gayi thi. Magar use khusi nahi hui thi, us ka dard kam nahi hua
tha. Rawaiye ki aziyat khatam nahi hui thi.

Hafsa ki nazar us par pari toh apni jagah tham si gayi. Jannat ki aankho se
jhalakta huzn ka samandar unhe andar tak fana kar gaya.

"Janna.." unke lab hile. Unho ne usay pukarna chaha.

Jannat ki larzti palko se aansu gaal par larkhakh gaye. Labo par kapkapi si
theher gayi. Sun hote wujood ke saath us ne be-ikhtiyar deewar ka sahara
liya. Is se pehle ke woh himmat kar ke us se kuch kehti, woh bhari saanson
ke sath nafi mein sar hilati wapas palat gayi thi.

•••

Us ne sar utha kar neem tareeki mein apne aas paas har taraf dekhne ki
koshish ki thi, magar usay kuch bhi nazar nahi aaya tha. Darwaza ek hi tha
jo band tha, jis par musalsal dastak di ja rahi thi. Hafsa ki awaaz samato
mein par rahi thi. Un ke alfaaz, un ki minnat aur lijajat bhar lehja sab
samajh mein aa raha tha, magar woh uth nahi rahi thi.

Woh band darwaze se qadray door, siskio ke saath khadi thi. Us ka chehra
bheega hua tha. Jin ki aas thi, jin ka intezar kiya, woh us ke liye nahi aaye
the, Unhein us ki tanhai ka ehsaas kabhi nahi hua tha. Woh us ke gham ka
andaza kabhi nahi laga sakay the,

"Main nahi maaf kar sakti. Mujh se koi maafi na mange. Yeh mere paas
nahi hai." Woh phoot phoot kar rone lagi.

"Mere paas kisi ke liye koi maafi nahi hai." Woh hichkiyon ke saath takleef
ki shiddat se cheekhi thi. Hafsa Api darwaze ke us paar khadi reh gayi thi.

Waqt beet chuka tha. Talaq ke saath ghar mein dakhil hoti Jannat Kamal ko
sab ne radd kar diya tha. Us waqt us ki minnatain, us ki pukar aur aansuon
ka un par koi asar nahi hua tha. Us waqt unhe us ki bebasi ko nazar andaz
kar diya tha. Us waqt unhone maa ke gham mein nidhal, khud ko pathar kar
liya tha.

"Jayein yahan se." Usne bed par baithte hue apne kaano par haath rakh liye
thay. Aansoo gir rahe the aur dil dhadak raha tha.

Darwaze par phir se dastak hui thi. Ab ke us ne Faris ki awaaz suni thi.
Aansoo saaf karte hue uth kar darwaza khol diya.

Faris usay dekh kar apni jagah ruk sa gaya. Us ki aankhe suji hui thin.
Rangat zard pad rahi thi. Baal bikhre hue se lag rahe thay. Usay nahi pata
tha, apne kisi rishte ki wapsi Jannat ki yeh halat kar degi.

"Tum Rayyan ko nahi laye?" Bheegi hui awaaz mein yun poocha jaise is
ghar mein Hafsa Kamal na aayi ho.

Jaise us par gham ka koi pahaad na toot raha ho. Jaise woh reza reza na ho
rahi ho. Chehre ke ird gird bikhari laton ko kaan ke peeche karte hue palat
gayi. Lehaaf durust karte hue phailaya. Rayyan ka takiya aur us ka nanha sa
mubl rakhte hue us ki jagah banayi. Ab woh dressing table ki daraz khol
rahi thi. Daraz ki cheezon ko ulat pulat karte phir se tarteeb de rahi thi. Kai
baar usne wardrobe slide kar ke apne kapdon ko idhar udhar kiya. Uska
zehan muntashir tha. Woh apne dard se nikal nahi paa rahi thi.

"Jannat..." Faris ne use haath se pakad kar rok liya.

Us ne lab kaat kar aansuo ko zabt karte hue us ki taraf dekha.

"Kis se chhup rahi ho?" Faris ke dono haatho ki giraft us ke baazuon par
theher gayi. Jannat ke andar ek dum se sannata cha gaya. Bhari hui aankho
se usay dekhte hue apni jagah jamad ho gayi. Woh bhool gayi thi ke yeh
Burhan Wasif ka ghar tha, na Safdar chacha ka aur na Saira khala ka. Woh
bhool gayi thi ke na woh waqt thehra raha tha na haalat baqi rahe the. Ab
zakhm chhupane ki zarurat nahi rahi thi. Aansoo galo par larkhakh gaye.

"Maine unki minnat ki thi. Maine kaha tha, mujhe Ammi ko dekhne dein.
Maine kaha tha, mujhe...mujhe Ammi ka chehra aakhri baar dekhne dein.
Unhone mujhe nikaal diya. Faris... unhone mujhe kamre se nikal diya."

Sadma liya huye cheekhti, woh manzar aankho mein ghoom raha tha. Wohi
waqt... wohi dard...

"Unhone mujhe Ammi ke ghar se nikaal diya. Main kehti rahi, main ghalat
larki nahi hoon, badkar nahi hoon. Main... maine kuch nahi kiya." Woh
Faris Wajdan ke seene se lagi, bohot shiddat se ro rahi thi.

"Main kehti rahi. Main baar baar kehti rahi. Lekin un sab ne... unho ne
mujhe chhod diya, Faris! Unhone..."

Faris ki giraft mazboot hoti gayi. Jannat Kamal rote hue bolti ja rahi thi.

"Sab ne mil kar... un sab ne mil kar..." Woh hichkiyo ki zadd mein rote
sulagte ab baat nahi kar paa rahi thi. Woh gham se nidhal ek baar phir toot-
ti bikharti ja rahi thi.

"Main ne kai baar socha, main mar jaati. Main khudkushi kar leti. Lekin...
main ne... main ne nahi ki. Mujhe Nana ne roka tha. Lekin un sab ne, Faris!
Un sab ne mil kar mujhe maar diya."

"Janna.." Faris ne ruk kar uska chehra haatho mein lete uska sar uthaya.
Woh hichkiyo ke saath rote hue chand lamho ke liye chup ho gayi thi.

Woh is haalat mein nahi thi ke koi stress bardasht kar paati. Ab woh bed par
baithi thi. Faris ka haath mazbooti se pakde, gehri saans lete hue ab khud ko
sambhalne ki koshish kar rahi thi. Us ke zehan se na is waqt ka maazi nikal
raha tha, na is pehar milne wali aziyat khatam ho sakti thi.

Pani ke chand ghoont liye, aankhe ragad kar saaf ki. Faris uske paas hi
baitha hua tha. Darwaze ke us paar raahdari mein khadi Hafsa Kamal be-
had khamoshi se palat gayi thi.

Shirazi Mansion ki wasee o areez khidkiyo ke us paar thitharti hui

sarsarawat be-had tareek hone lagi.

Raat ke aakhri pehar, kuch iztirabi kefiyat mein uski aankh khul gayi thi.
Surkh aur mutwaram aankho ke saath woh uth kar baith gayi. Apne barabar
mein letay Rayyan ko dekha. Phir us par lehaaf durust karte ek nazar Faris
par daalti, raahdaari mein aa gayi.

Samne hi Mrs. Shirazi ka kamra tha. Lights roshan thi. Woh tahajjud ke liye
uthti thin. Mulazima ki awaaz bhi aa rahi thi. Dastak de kar andar dakhil hui
toh woh nawafil ki ibtida kar chuki thin.

Zard roshni mein woh samne hi sofa par ja baithi. Aankho mein nami liye
woh unhein sakoon aur tasalli se ibadat karte hue dekhti rahi. Unho ne
farigh ho kar pani piya aur phir usay dekha. Wheelchair ka rukh modey kar
us ke paas aagayin.

"Tabiyat kaisi hai ab?"

"Theek hoon!" Jhuke sar ke sath aahista se boli, magar Jamila Dawood
jaanti thi, woh theek nahi thi.

"Itna stress le liya tumne?" Woh uske liye fikarmand hui thi. Haath tham
liya. Uski aankhe phir se tar hone lagi. Aahistagi se sar uthaya.

"Agar main kisi ko maaf na kar paun toh kya main bohot buri ho jaugi?
Allah ki nazar mein bhi?" Jamila Dawood ne kuch hairan ho kar usay
dekha. Uske chehre par karb sa nazar aa raha tha.

"Maafi farz nahi hai, ek choice hai beta! Kar sako toh kar do. Na kar sako
toh koi jabar nahi!" Unhone narami se samjhaya.
"Agar maafi yeh hai ke main sab bhula du, toh aisi maafi mere paas nahi
hai." Uski awaaz had kamzor ho rahi thi.

"Mujhe abhi tak woh sab aise yaad hai jaise kal ki baat ho."

Mrs. Shirazi tarhim bhari nigahon se usay dekhte wheelchair mazeed qareeb
le aayin. Darwaze ke aahista se andar dhakelte Hafsa Kamal wahin ruk gayi
thi. Mulazima ne bataya tha, Jamila Dawood jaag rahi theen. Aur woh sari
raat ki beqarari ke baad unse baat karne ayi theen.

"Main ne Allah se hamesha un logo se hisaab lene ka kaha jinhone mujhe

takleef di, lekin behnon ka khayal na kabhi dil mein laya na zehan mein.
Halanke takleef mujhe unse bhi pohanchi thi." Usne aankhein ragi.

"Pata nahi kyun, par main unse kabhi nafrat nahi kar pai. Lekin raat jab
maine unhein dekha, is tarah apne samne, toh meri bardasht khatam ho
gayi. Unhone toh chhod diya tha. Phir kyun aa gayi?"

Unki aankhon se dard jhalak raha tha. Awaaz kapkapa rahi thi.

"Unhein toh tab aana chahiye tha jab sab mujhe ghalat samajh kar chhod
gaye the. Bhale se thappad martin, kamray mein qaid kar deti, koi haq toh
jatati. Koi had toh rakhtin woh. Pure khandan ke samne sirf is liye dat jatin
ke behan hoon main, toh saza bhi woh khud hi degi."

Hafsa ko laga, dil phat jaayega. Dard ki shiddat apne andar mehsoos karte,
pachtawa ki zadd me surkh mutwarram aankho se apni jagah khadi reh
gayi, woh usay dekh kar reh gayin. Unke liye apne qadam par khara rehna
mushkil ho raha tha.

"Woh ek baar... woh ek baar meri sun letin. Aunty! Woh ek baar, main
ghalat nahi thi. Phir bhi maafi mangti rahi ke shayad maaf karke mujhe na
chhod dein. Meri shadi Zaman se na hone de, Aunty main..."

Jamila Dawood ne be-ikhtiyar uske gaal par naram se haath rakha. Uska
chehra tar tha. Woh kapkapa rahi thi. Hafsa Kamal ki haalat bhi usse kuch
mukhtalif na thi.
"Mujhe Ammi se bhi milne nahi diya." Woh ek baar phir ro rahi thi. Hatheli
ki pusht se aansu saaf karte unhein dekha.

"Lekin maine kabhi bhi yeh nahi chaha unme se kisi ke sath kuch bura ho.
Maine khud se kisi ko bhi baddua nahi di. Maheen ko bhi nahi. Lekin maine
Allah se yeh zarur kaha ke Allah saza aur badla le. Kya aisi khwahish
rakhna bhi aap ko bura bana deta hai?"

"Yeh kaisi baatein soch rahi ho, beta?"

"Kya main zalim hoon agar kisi ko maaf hi na kar paun?"

Hafsa ke aansu behne lage. Darwaze par hath rakhe woh sar jhuka gayin.

"Itne saalo ki aziyat sirf mafi se kaise khatam kar di jaye?" Woh sisak padi.

"Yeh kya soch rahi ho?" Bohat pyar aur narami se unhon ne uska haath apni
god mein rakha.

"Yahi toh sab sochte hain. Zulm ke baad maafi... har haal mein maafi, sab
khatam ho jaye. Ek hi lamhe mein jaise kabhi kuch hua hi na ho."

"Meri taraf dekho," unhon ne usay kaha.

"Main ne abhi tak apne shohar aur bete ke qatil ko maaf nahi kiya hai. Apne
khandan ko pehle maine chhoda, phir unhon ne. Zalim ko chhutt de do,
maafi de do, azad kar do. Mera dil nahi mana, maine nahi kiya."

Woh aankho mein aansu liye unhe dekh kar reh gayi.

"Mere walid ne mujh se kaha, 'Mera ek hi beta hai.' Maine kaha, 'Mera bhi
ek hi tha jise maine janam diya.'" Unki awaaz bhi bheegi thi. "Apne
khandan mein ab main is liye buri hoon kyunke main apne qatil bhai ko
maaf nahi kar saki. Jabke yeh mera haq hai. Tum batao, kya ek maa ka yeh
faisla ghalat hai?"

Jannat ka sir be-ikhtiyar nafi mein hila.

"Surah Shura ki ek ayat hai."

Tarjuma:

"Aur jo koi zulm uthane ke baad badla le, to un par koi ilzaam nahi. Ilzaam
to un par hai jo logo par zulm karte hain aur mulk mein na-haq sar-kashi
karte hain. Yahi hain jin ke liye dardnak azaab hai. Aur albatta jis ne sabr
kiya aur maaf kar diya, beshak yeh badi himmat ka kaam hai."

(Surah Shura 41 42 43)

Woh aankho mein aansu liye, dum sadhe unhein dekh rahi thi.

"Maafi ya apne zulm ka badla – yeh do raste hain jo dikha diye gaye hain.
Yeh dono hal hain jo de diye hain. Mafi ka ajar is liye azeem hai kyunke
woh bohot mushkil, bohot bhari aur bohot badi baat hai. Wo har kisi ke bas
ki baat nahi hai. Har koi iska bojh nahi utha sakta. Sala ki takleef par yeh
keh dena ke 'mujhe tum se koi badla nahi chahiye,' yeh chhoti baat nahi
hai."

"Jab aap aisa chahte hain ya sochte hain, aapka dil us waqt bhi hazar tukro
mein bat jata hai. Lekin kuch log hote hain, jin mein bohot jazba hota hai.
Hum jo bhi takleef sehte hain, uska humein ajar milta hai. Aur jo ghalat
karta hai, zulm karta hai, uska hisab lazmi deta hai. Chahe aap baddua de ya
na de.."

Rawani se baat karte unho ne ek lamhe ka tauqaf kiya.

"Jab zulm karne wala toot jaaye, jhuk jaye aur jab woh apne hisse ki saza
jhelte hue apne kiye par pachtaye aur maafi mange, toh maaf kar dena
chahiye. Zabardasti ki maafi, maafi nahi hoti. Jo dil se di jaye, woh hoti
hai."

Apne khushk labo ko tar karte, woh unhein khamoshi se sun rahi thi.

"Main janti hoon tumhari behnon ne jo kiya, woh bohot ghalat tha. Kyunke
unki khamoshi se hi doosro ko apne zulm ka mauqa mila. Unse ek ghalti
hui. Aur unhein us par bohot pachtawa hai," woh bohot narami se samjha
rahi theen.
Hafsa gaal saaf karte peeche hui. Jitni aziyat woh apni chhoti behen ko de
chuki thi, ab aur nahi dena chahti thi. Ab kuch bhi theek nahi ho sakta tha.
Na waqt palat sakta tha, na faisle badle ja sakte thay. Woh apni behen ke
zehan se apna zulm nahi nikal sakti thi.

Shikast khurdagi ke aalam mein qadam uthati neeche aa gayi. Kuch der
kamre mein baithi rahin. Roti rahin. Fajr ki azaan hone lagi toh wuzu kar ke
namaz ada ki. Taweel sajday mein ab Allah ke samne thin.

"Maafi us gunah ki, jo behan ke haq mein kar diya tha. Kya Khaliq maaf
kar dega, agar uski makhlooq maaf na kare?"

Sajde se sar uthate, aansu saaf kar ke woh mazeed apni jagah tham gayi.

Jannat darwaze mein khadi thi.

Unka dil doob gaya. Aankhein bhar aayi.

"Bohat intezar kiya hai main ne aapka."

Hafsa aankhon mein nami liye khadi reh gayi.

"Aap aayengi aur poochhengi, 'Kya hua tha, Jannat?' Main sab kuch sach
sach bata doongi. Aur aap... aap yaqeen kar legi!"

Unki siskiya bandh gayin.

"Chacha ke ghar aayegi. Khala ke ghar. Islamabad jayengi. Lekin aap nahi
aayi."

Woh unki Jannat woh chhoti si, masoom si Jannat. Woh jo phoolo jaisi thi
aur kanto se zakhmi phir rahi thi. Kitna tod diya unho ne use. Kitna zulm
kar diya us par.

"Bohat intezar kiya maine."

Uski aankhein suni hui thi, Uski rangat zard pad rahi thi. Uske baal bikhre
hue the. Unhein nahi pata tha ke unki wapsi Jannat ki yeh haalat kar degi.
Uska dukh itna barh jayega ke woh toot kar bikharne lagegi.
"Jaanti hoon, beta! Main jaanti hoon. Bohat ghalat kiya maine. Bohat zulm
kar diya tum par."

Aahistagi se qadam uthate uski taraf badhin. Dar sa tha, ke woh phir se tum
na ho jaye. Aisa na ho haath jhatak de, door kar de. Kapkapate haatho se
uska chehra apne haatho mein liya. Uske aansu saaf kiye, uski peshani par
bikhare balo ko peeche kiya. Phir use bheench kar khud se laga liya. Bilkul
waise hi jaise woh use bachpan mein lagaya karti thi.

Kitni hi der tak khud se lagaye roti rahi.

Faris unke kamre ke bahar khada tha. Woh adh-khule darwaze se unhein
dekh sakta tha, unhe sun sakta tha. Woh khud ro rahi thin, magar Jannat ko
chup karwa rahi thin. Phir use saath le kar bed par baith gayi. Ab woh bol
rahi thin aur woh sun rahi thi.

Woh use Nafisa ke aakhri lamhon ke baare mein bata rahi thin.

Nafisa ne uska naam liya tha. Baar baar liya tha. Woh tumhe apne ghar
bulane wali thi.

Aankho mein be-yaqeeni ka tassur liye, bohot tadap aur dukh se unhein
dekh rahi thi.

"Ammi ne mera naam liya tha? Woh mujh se milna chahti thi? Meri maa...
woh aakhri lamhe mere naam karna chahti thi?"

Woh harat aur jazbat se labraiz thi.

"Woh heart patient thi. Agar Maheen woh harkat na karti... agar tumhari
talaaq aur ilzaam se unhein sadma na pahuncha hota... agar yeh sab na
hota..."

Unhon ne baat adhoori chhod di. Woh bohot karb se unhein dekh rahi thi.

"Jannat! Ammi... woh bas normal nahi thin. Unhein Husnain ki wajah se
zehni sadma hua tha."

Chehra haatho mein liye aahista se boli

"Tumse nafrat nahi karti thin. Woh ek maa thin. Bas tumhe dekh nahi sakti
thi. Unhein Husnain yaad aa jata tha. Woh bas bhool gayi thin ke tum bachi
ho. Woh bhool gayi thin ke tum unki aulaad ho. Nafsiati tor par theek nahi
thi. Woh bardasht nahi kar paayin. Unke liye yeh gham bohut bara tha."

Woh sar jhukaye hue thi. Maa ki wafat ka gham woh jaise ab baat rahi thin.

"Maaf kar do Jannat! Mujhe maaf kar do beta!"

Unka chehra, unki awaaz, unmein Nafisa ki kitni shabahat nazar aa rahi thi.

"Aapi.."

"tum theek keh rahi thin. Agar tum ghalat hoti, toh mujhe tab bhi tumhein
akela nahi karna chahiye tha. Mujhe is tarah be-rahm nahi hona chahiye tha.
Mera gunaah chhota nahi hai."

"Main ne aap ko kabhi bad-dua nahi di. Main ne kabhi yeh nahi chaha ke
aap ka kuch bura ho."

Hafsa ki aankhe phir se nam hone lagi. Woh pursukoon hona chahti thin,
magar dil phir bhi bojhil ho raha tha. Unki chhoti behan, unki hi wajah se jo
halaat se guzar rahi thi, uska tasavvur kar ke woh kisi tor khud ko maaf nahi
kar pa rahi thin.

"Iman bohot dukhi hai. Sharminda hai. Ammi ki wafat par jo rawaiya tha us
par..."

Unho ne baat adhoori chhod di.

Jannat ne kuch nahi kaha.

Woh jaanti thi, usse waqt chahiye tha. Toot kar phir se jurna aur rishtey itni
takleefo ke baad banana ek muddat le sakti thi. Ye sab ek hi lamhe mein aur
ek hi dam se theek nahi ho sakta tha.

Yehi ganimat tha ke woh unke paas baithi thi. Woh unhein pyaar karne de
rahi thi. Bolne de rahi thi. Unhe toh lag raha tha ke yeh aakhri mulaqat hogi
aur unki behan hamesha ke liye unse raabta khatam kar legi. Jo be-hisi unho
ne dikhayi thi, wohi be-hisi Jannat Kamal unhe nahi dikhayi thi.

Adh khule darwaze mein khada Faris Jannat ko dekh sakta tha. Woh ab ro
nahi rahi thi, aur bol bhi nahi rahi thi. Woh bas sun rahi thi. Wo pas sun rahi
thi, Chehre par dukh tha, magar tehraav bhi nazar aa raha tha. Jise usne
khud ko kisi had tak sambhal liya tha.

Uski taraf se kuch tasalli kar ke woh khamoshi se palat gaya tha.

•••

Agli subah nashtay ki mez par raunaq hi thi. Saira Khala, Ibrahim Uncle ke
hamrah woh Jannat ke samne baithi thi. Mrs. Shirazi se baat karte, nigahe
un dono ki taraf hi uthti rahi thi.

Faris Wajdan ko qareeb se dekhne ka moka jaise ab mila tha. Mosib aur
sanjeeda sa jawan unhein chha laga. handsome aur sober.

Rayyan ka khayal karte Jannat apne shohar ki baat uski taraf jhuk kar sun
rahi thi. Woh uski plate mein kuch rakh raha tha, nafi mein sar hilate usne
haath se usay roka tha, jaise ab mazeed kuch bhi khane ki talab na rahi ho.

Rangat zard thi. Aankhein sooji hui thin, lekin apne shohar ke hamrah
unhone usay bohot mazboot aur mutmayin dekha.

Dil hi dil mein Allah ka shukriya ada karte unho ne kai aansu apne andar
samet liye the.

Jise beghar kar diya gaya tha, usay Allah ne kitna acha ghar ataa kar diya.
Naye rishtey bana diye, nayi mohabbate dikhayi. Maa jaisi saas thi,
mohabbat karne wala shohar tha, aur ek mukammal si zindagi thi, tehraav
sa liye hue. Sukoon se bhari hui.

Yahan tak pohanchne ke liye usay kitni mushkilat se guzarna pada tha aur
kitne talkh rawaiye aur nafrato ko sehna pada tha. Woh nam aankho ke
saath sar jhuka gayi.

Nashte ke baad unhon ne kuch waqt Jameela Dawood ke saath guzaara.

Bahut mehrban aur nafees khatoon thin. Har sawal ka jawab bahut tadabbur
se dene wali. Jannat Saira Khala ke saath thi. Phir woh unke paas bhi baith
gayi thi. Unhon ne kai baar uska haath thama, kai baar matha choom kar
khud se laga liya, lekin unka dard kam nahi hota tha. Jo bojh dil par tha,
woh kisi soorat utarta nazar nahi aa raha tha.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ..CH107
Raat ke khane ke baad woh lounge mein bilkul akeli baithi thi. Subah wapis
aane ka program tha. Baccho se baat kar ke abhi farigh hui thi. Sata hua
chehra tha aur behad khamoshi se deewar geer khidkiyo se bahar dekh rahi
thin. Seedhiya utar kar neeche aata Faris Wajdan unki mojudgi ka ehsaas
kar ke usi taraf aagaya tha. Woh be-ikhteyar apni jagah se uthne lagi to
haath ke ishare se unhein mana kar diya.

"Aap ko kisi cheez ki zarurat to nahi?" Baazabta tor par yeh pehli baat thi jo
woh unse kar raha tha. Mahzab aur shista sa lehaja tha. Unhon ne nafi mein
sir ko janbosh di. Uski barub si shakhsiyat ka asar un par bhi hua.

"Kaisi hai woh?" Unhon ne Jannat ka poocha, uski tabiyat kuch theek nahi
thi is liye jald sone chali gayi thi.

"Behtar hai ab! Coffee piyegi?" Us ne poocha to chand lamhon ki khamoshi

ke baad unhone aahistagi se asbaat mein sar ko janbosh di. Woh kitchen
mein chala gaya to woh uske peeche wahan aa gayi. Kursi par baith kar
kaam karte hue dekhne lagi.

"Aap ka bohot shukriya! Is tarah Jannat ka khayal rakhne ke liye."

"Jannat mujhe tum kehti hai." Uska be-sakhta diye jaane wala jawab lamha
bhar ke liye unke chehre par muskurahat bikher gaya.

Faris ki pusht unki taraf thi. Woh Capri trouser par safed rang ka dheela
dhala sa sweater zaib-e-tan kiye coffee mug me undhel raha tha.

Baal peshaani par bikhre hue thay. Halki si shave badhi hui. Chehre ki
sanjidgi. Hazel aankhon mein koi sakht ya ajnabi bhara taasur na tha.

Us ne coffee teng unhein pesh kar diya aur apna ang haath mein liye
counter table se tek lagaye khada ho gaya.

"Shuru kare..."
Unki narm nigahe uske chehre par jamee rahi gayi. Pehli nazar mein woh
unhein sanjeeda aur khadus lagta tha, magar woh itna bhi sakht nahi tha
jitna unhein nazar aaya tha.

"Allah ka shukr hai, woh mehfooz haatho mein rahi. Warna hum ne usay
barbaad karne mein kasar nahi chhodi thi..." Nichla lab kat-te, zabt pakadte
unhon ne Faris ki aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha. "Uski shaadi agar kisi
ghalat insan se ho jaati... agar woh..."

Unse baat poori nahi ki gayi. Jannat kamal apne poore khandan se kat-t gayi
thi. Shadi kahan kis se hui, koi khabar kisi ne na li. Koi palat kar peeche na
gaya. Kisi ne usay dhoondhne ki koshish bhi na ki. Woh itni be-rahm sakht
dil kaise ho gayi? Kaise unhone yeh sab kar liya? Kyun dilo par mohar lag
gayi? Aur hon par taale pad gaye? Kyun ehsaas khatam ho gaya?

"Woh mere naseeb mein thi. Usay mujh tak aana hi tha."

Faris ka jawab sunte hi unki dhadkan ruk gayi thi.

"Sab darwaze band na hote to uske hisse mein mera darwaza kaise aata?"

Woh usay dekh rahi thi. Apni jagah tum kar aur saans rok kar gehraiyo
mein utar kar unhein laga tha ke zindagi ki fikro se pare shehzado ki aan-
ban rakhne wala ek ameer naujawan hai jis ne sirf asayse hi dekhi hain. Aur
jo zindagi ki talkhiyo ko na samajhta hoga, na jaanta hoga. Magar woh na
tha. Sirf mohabbat nahi thi, usay Jannat Kamal se Woh uske har dard, har
gham, har karb se waqif tha.

"Coffee pee lein, thandi ho jayegi."

Us ne tawajjo dilayi to unhon ne mug uthaa liya.

"Main jaanti hoon, mere yahaan aane se Jannat kaafi upset ho gayi hai."

Woh khamosh raha.

"Main baat karu to chup ho jaati hai. Rone lag jaati hai. Main usay bohot
kamzor kar rahi hoon..."
"Nahi, woh theek hai ab. Pehle se kaafi behtar." Us ki bhari gambhir awaaz
mein ek sukoon tha.

"Abhi dopeher mein behas hui to us ne mujh se kaha us ki aapi is waqt ghar
mein hai. So yeh ek khush aind baat hai."

Jis lehze aur andaaz mein us ne baat ki, woh ranjidagi ke aalam mein bhi
karb se muskara kar reh gayi.

"So don't worry!" Woh keh raha tha.

Mobile par call aane lagi to mazrat karte huye study room ki taraf chala
gaya aur Hafsa Kamal aankhon mein nami liye usay jata hua dekhti rahi.

•••

Woh shawl odhe balcony mein khadi thi. Door ta hadd nigah dhand hi
dhand thi. Sardi ka thartharata hota hua ehsaas khoon mein manzid kar raha
tha. Us ne hathilya ragar kar dono haath jor kar hontho par laga liye.

Hafsa Kamal kuch der pehle hi Lahore ke liye rawana hui thin. Jaane se
pehle kaafi der tak us ke paas baithi rahi thin. Un ke paas Nafisa ka ek
locket tha, un ki namaz ki chadar, unka Qur'an aur jaaye namaz bhi. Woh
sone ki chain jo un ke gale mein padi rehti thi, aur chandi ki ek angoothi jo
ungli mein pehene rkhti thi. Kamal manzil ki chaabi bhi thi. Woh nam
aankho se bas dekhte reh gayi.

Baqiyo ke hisse mein maa ki khoobsurat yaade thi. Mohabbat bhare alfaaz
thay. Zindagi se bhar pur awaaz thi. Magar us ke hisse mein maa ki woh be-
jaan cheeze aayi thin jinhein woh chhoo to sakti thi magar mamta ka ehsaas
nahi kar sakti thi.

"Main nahi jaanti aisa kya hua ke unka dil badal gaya. Shayad tumhari duao
se, ya shayad unhein apni taltiyon ka ehsaas hua hoga. Warna is se pehle
unhone kabhi bhi tumhare baare mein nahi poocha tha." Palko ki baadh
phalang kar aansu ki chadar par aa gire the
"Lekin Sakina se woh musalsal poochti rahi. Faisla bhi kar liya. Tumhein
ghar bula lenge. Shayad woh jaan gayi thi ke durust simt par woh bhi nahi
hain. Shayad unhein bhi andaza ho gaya tha ke auron se mukhtalif woh bhi
nahi hai. Doosro ke zulm sabah sabah kar woh bhi andar se be-hiss ho gayi
thi... Woh bas chahti thi koi aisa mil jaye jo jispe wo apni saari bad
kismatiyo ke ilzam daal sake. Woh bas kisi tarah farar chahti thi. Hum insan
hum yehi to karte hain janna! Aur shayad is liye shaitan ka mukalba bata
diya gaya hai. Taake har insaan jaan le ke apni ghaltiyo ka bojh usay khud
hi uthana hai."

Shirazi Mansion ki balcony mein khade unke alfaaz yaad karte, unka dukh
mehsoos karte uski aankhein ek baar phir nam hone lagi thi.

"Unhein bhi maaf kar do. Baba ko bhi maaf kar do."

Aqb mein kamre ka darwaza khol kar Faris andar aaya tha. Coat utarte hue
uski nigah balcony mein khadi Jannat Kamal ki taraf gayi thi.

"Main tumhein dobara nahi khona chahti. Aur yeh bhi nahi chahti ke tum
unhi logo mein wapas palat aao."

"Bas itni si khwahish hai ke aur kisi ko na sahi, apni behno ko apna lo.
Nana kaha karte the hum saat pariya hain. Aur pariya jab kisi kathin safar
par nikalti hain to ekhatte nikalti hai. Bas ab yeh hua ke hum ne sab se
chhoti pari ko khud se alag kar diya aur jo kathin safar humara tha, woh
phir kabhi aasan nahi ho saka..."

Uski nigahen jhuk gayi thi.

"Main tumhein apna number de kar ja rahi hoon. Main tumhare palatne ka
intezaar karungi. Main chahti hoon ke ammi ka ghar hai woh hum sab se
phir se aabaad ho jaye aur jab kabhi hum sab behne wahan ekhtti ho, to yehi
lage jaise hamara maika aabaad ho gaya hai."

Slide khol kar Faris ne bahar qadam uthaye. Woh apne khayalat aur soch
mein itni garaq thi ke uski mojudgi ka ehsaas tak na hua.

"itni thand mein bahar kya kar rahi ho?"

Chonk kar rukh modha to laga ke us se takra gayi. Aansoo se tar aankhein
surkh ho rahi thi.

"Woh bas waise hi. Apne tassurat sambhalte hue woh muskarayi..." Faris ne
haath thamaya to woh uske sath andar aayi.

"Hafsa aapi chali gayi?" Woh pooch raha tha. Subah jaane se pehle woh
alwidayi mulaqat karke gaya tha. Zaroori call aa gayi thi jise attend karte hi
woh Haider ke saath kahi chala gaya tha.

Asbaat mein sir hilate uska coat utara.

"Khana lagau?"

"Nahi, khana khaa kar aaya hoon." Usay apne saath hi bed par betha liya.

"Kya hua? Pareshan lag rahi ho."

"Nahi, to" woh muskarayi to chamak aankho mein bhi nazar aane lagi. Faris
ki mojudgi mein woh pursukoon ho jaati thi.

"To phir chup chaap gum sum kya soch rahi thi?" Woh uski aankho mein ek
dum se Khayal aaya ke subah se ghaib tha.

"Yehhi ke maine ek workaholic bande se shadi kyun kar li?"

"Yani koi nikamma, nalayak hona chahiye tha?"

Usne aankhon mein khafgi bhar kar usay dekha.

"Ab maine yeh bhi nahi kaha."

"Matlab to yehi banta hai."

"Tum ghar se saat bajay niklay aur ab wapas aaye ho. Meri calls bhi attend
nahi ki."

"Lekin message to kar diya tha ke aane mein der ho jaayegi." Jawab deta
uth khada hua.
"Islamabad mein to kabhi is tarah tum nahi hote the. Yahan kya khaas baat
hai?" Ab ke zara mashkook ho kar boli."

"Masroofiyat hai. Aur kya?"

"Is masroofiyat ka naam kya hai?" Tafteeshi andaaz mein poocha. Aur Faris
ke labo par muskarahat aa gayi.

"Yeh to confirm hai ke meri koi doosri ya teesri biwi nahi hai jiske paas
main jau?"

"Ho bhi sakti hai." Jannat Kamal behad sanjeeda thi.

"Kitna shak karti ho tum."

"Jis tarah ki harkate tum kar rahe ho, us par shak nahi, bohot saare shak
bante hain."

Woh dressing room ka darwaza slide karta, daye janib mud gaya. Woh
kapde badalna chahta tha.

Khayal nahi tha naraziya liye Jannat peeche hi andar aa jaayegi. Jis shirt ke
button khol raha tha, us shirt ke

Cufflinks par khoon laga tha. Jannat dhak si reh gayi.

"Tum zakhmi ho."

"Nahi, nahi, kuch nahi hua mujhe." Woh har bara kar tezi se bola.

"Tum ne Junaid Lashari ko jail bhej kar bohot se dushman ikhatte kar liye
hain. Shayad humein Quetta aana hi nahi chahiye tha."

"Jannat, main theek hoon."

"Kya tum ne koi banda maar diya?" Jannat ka dahina haath seene par
aathra. Woh uski sun nahi rahi thi.

"Nahi, for God's sake!"

"Yahan kya hua hai? Tum... tum sach mein zakhmi ho?" Haath pakad kar
tatolna chaaha. Woh tasalli karna chahti thi ke uske shohar theek hain.

"Mera aik aadmi zakhmi ho gaya tha. Yeh uski wajah se..." Cuffs hata kar
usay dikhaya. "Koi zakhm, chot... kuch nahi."

"Tumhara aadmi zakhmi ho gaya tha? Sadma? Kisi ne tum par hamla
kiya?"

"Jannat..."

"Kya firing hui thi? Kaun the woh log? Kya masla hua?"

"Kuch nahi hua, Relax karo.."

"Tum mujh se ab kuch nahi chhupa sakte. Sach sach batao, kya hua?"

Woh kuch sun nahi rahi thi, Faris ne kandhon se pakad kar aahistagi se
kheenchte hue dressing room se bahar nikal diya. Darwaza band hua to
Jannat hakka bakka khadi reh gayi. Rayyan kamre mein so raha tha, warna
us ne itna chikhna tha ke awaaz bahar tak jati. Gussa aisa shadeed tha ke
sulag kar munh banaye sone ke liye let gayi. Takiye wagairah phaila kar bed
ke wasat mein, take mohsoof ko sone ki jagah bhi na mile.

Kuch hi der baad darwaza khol kar woh bahar aa gaya. Lihaf mein dabak
kar lete us ne qadamo ki aahat se andaza lagaya woh daayein taraf aa khada
hua hai. Aur doosre hi pal us ne darwaza khulne aur band hone ki awaaz
suni.

"Kya hai?" Jhunjhla kar uth gayi. Darwaza khol kar bahar aayi to woh usay
Jameela Dawood ke kamre ka darwaza kholta nazar aaya.

"Andar aajau mummy?"

"Aajao."

"Aur aap ke paas hi so jau, agar ijazat ho."

"Kya biwi ne kamre se nikal diya hai?"

"Yahi samajh le"

Darwaze ke paas khadi Jannat ne aankhein bech kar cheekh dabayi.

"Ab kya sochengi aunty?" Zabt pakad kar tan fan karti darwaza khol kar
andar aayi.

"Aunty! Yeh jhoot bol rahe hain. Main ne unhein kamre se nahi nikala hai."

Woh bed par takiya sir ke neeche rakhe aaram de haalat mein neem draaz
ho chuka tha. Chehre par itminaan tha aur sukoon tha. Woh aur tap gayi.

"Asal mein..."

"Kya mujhe yahan sukoon ki chand ghadiya mayyassr ho sakti hain?" Faris
ne uski baat kaayi.

"Um hmm Faris!" Mrs. Shirazi ne khafgi se sarzarish ki to us ne lihaf sar

tak taan liya.

Jannat tazbazab ka shikar chand lamho tak khadi rahi. Samajh mein nahi aa
raha tha aunty ki mojoodgi mein kya kahe, kya na kahe. Gaal par phailti lat
ko peeche karte bed ke qareeb hui.

"Ab uth, chalo!" Daant pees kar lihaf kheenchte hue bud budayi. Ab poori
baat jaane bina usay kaise neend aa sakti thi? Pata nahi kaun zakhmi hua
tha aur kaise zakhmi hua tha.

"Do not disturb!" Uski awaaz aayi.

"Aunty ko bata du, hamla hua hai, koi zakhmi hua hai?" Sargoshi mein badi
dhamki di.

Faris ne lihaf hata kar Jannat ko sakht nazro se dekha. Aankho hi aankho
mein Jannat ne chand aur dhamkiyo ka izafa ki. Woh lab bheench kar reh
gaya.

"Ab tum maafi maang hi rahi ho to theek hai." Daant pees kar awaaz buland
ki, taki Jameela Dawood bhi sun le, Jannat ka dil chaaha is par cheekh
parhe.

"Aunty! Yeh fazool mein bole ja rahe hain. Main ne koi maafi nahi mangi
hai."

"Faris.." Jameela Dawood ne ab ke kitaab se nazrein hata kar bete ko dekha.

"Meri bahu ko tang mat karo,"

"Bahu beshak mujhe tang kar le?" Unhone ghoori di.

"Bechari lene aayi hai. Ab jao apne kamre mein."

Us ne sar par khadi bechari ko dekha, jis ki aankho mein kaher utra hua tha.

Woh uth kar ek tapa dene wali muskurahat usay dikhata kamre se chala
gaya.

"Ab jao!" Unhone muskurate hue usay ijaazat di to woh mutfakkar nazar se
unhein dekhte hue sar hila kar chal gayi.

Kamre mein aayi to woh sar ke neeche takiya rakhe leta hua tha.

"Agar tumne mujhe sach sach nahi bataya ke kya hua tha to main abhi aur
is waqt aunty ko sab kuch bata dugi. Woh tum se saari baat aglaa lenge."

Bazahir lab bheench kar ghusse se khadi thi lekin aankho mein fikr aur
pareshani bhi nazar aa rahi thi. Faris ko ek dam sw ehsaas hua ke baat agar
uske liye mamooli hai bhi to uski biwi ke liye nahi ho sakti. Woh uth kar
beth gaya. Haath barhaya to woh zara dair tak kuch khafgi se ghoorti rahi,
phir haath tham kar paas hi baith gayi.

"Main zameeno ke mamlaat dekhne gaya tha. Zahir hai jo mere dada ke
dushman the, woh ab mere dushman hain... So jara si badmashgi hui lekin
sab control ho gaya. Main bhi mehfooz hoon. Akram Khan ko goli lag gayi,
baazu mein, aur kuch nahi hua."

"Aur kuch nahi hua?" Woh sakit nigaho se usay dekh kar reh gayi. Uska dil
shiddat se dhadakne laga tha. Jab tak uske maazi se na waqif nahi thi to
mamlat ki nazakat ko samajhne se qasir rahi thi lekin ab woh janti thi ke
Azam Shirazi ke dushmanon ke saath uske mamlat bhi jung ki tarah the.

"Pareshani ki koi baat nahi hai." Woh narmi se keh raha tha.

"Pareshani ki baat hai tabhi tum ne kaha main aunty ke samne zikar nahi
karu."

Faris ne gehri saans le kar usay dekha. Kaash woh khoon ke dhabe na
dekhti to itni tension mein na aati. Wazahat se bhi uski pareshani aur barh
gayi thi.

"Sab theek hai. Main ghar par hoon. Tumhare saamne hoon aur Allah hai
hifazat karne wala."

Khushk labo ko tar karte Jannat ne sambhal kar baalo ki lat ko peeche kiya.

"Tum ne mujhe dressing room se nikala."

"God!" Woh hans parha. "Kabhi kabhi tum bilkul baccho ki tarah behave
karti ho."

"Agar main yeh harkat karu to tumhe kaisa lagega? Haan?" Tunak kar
poocha.

"Kuch bhi nahi. Biwi ho, Nikal diya to kya hua?" Jawaab de kar usay
mazeed tapa diya.

"Abhi to yeh keh rahe ho, lekin agar main tumhe nikalti to tum..." uski baat
adhoori hi reh gayi ke Faris ka mobile bajne laga tha. Usne side table se
utha kar call receive kar li. Jannat kuch fiqar se dekhte lagi. Kuch dair tak
woh sunta raha. Chehre ke ta'ssurat mein sakhti utar ti aayi.

"Main abhi aata hoon! Haider se kaho mera intezaar kare. Baat khatam hui
to Jannat ne pareshani se dekha."

"Kahi jaa rahe ho?"

"Bahar Haider aaya hai. Baat kar ke aata hoon, tum so jao. Uske ta'ssurat ab
kuch aur the."

"Faris! Sach mein koi masla nahi hai." Baazu pakad kar roka liya.

"Bilkul nahi hai, aaram karo, main das minute tak aa jaaunga."

"Please zyada dair mat lagana. Mujhe bohot pareshani ho rahi hai."

Usne ruk kar uska haath thapatapaya. "Abhi aa jaaunga tum so jao."

Kamre ka darwaza band hua to usne kuch fikrmandi se khidkiyo ki taraf

dekha. Raat bohot sare dar tareek ho rahi thi. Bed par neem daraz woh uski
wapsi ka intezaar karne lagi. Tareeki mein aik hi nuqte par nazar jhamaye
uski aankh lag gayi. Jaane kaun sa peher tha jab yunhi bechaini ke aalam
mein aankh khul gayi. Kohni le bal upar ho kar takiya durust karna chaaha
to aik dam se Faris ka khayal aa gaya. Jara sa mathosh ho kar usne apne
pehlu mein nigah daurayi. Rayyan ki doosri taraf woh mojood tha. Uski atki
hui saanse aik dam se bahaal huein. Be ikhtiyaar peshaani par haath rakha.

Ek ajeeb sa khauf tha jo uske andar thehr sa gaya tha.

•••

"Akram Khan kaisa hai?"

Agli subah nashte ki mez par Jameela Dawood ne Faris se poocha to Jannat
ko achhu lag gaya. Khanshte hue glass mez par rakh kar Faris ko dekha.
Woh bade itminaan se bread par jam laga raha tha.

"Thik hai, bhi pehle se behtar hai woh."

Woh sakte ke aalam mein apne shohar ko dekh rahi thi. Nashte ke baad
usne Faris ko study room mein jaaliya.

"Tum ne aunty ko bata diya?" Sadme se pucha.

"Batana para warna tum pata nahi kitne arsay tak dhamkati rehti. Yeh karo
warna mein aunty ko bata dugi."
"Yeh karo, warna mein aunty ko bata dugi wo karo warna mein poori
duniya ko bata dugi?"

Jannat ne lab bhinch kar usay dekha. Bohat hi khafgi se. Itni mushkil se to
koi kamzori hath lagi thi.

"Main ab tumse koi baat nahi Karugi."

"Kabhi tum apni is baat par qayam bhi rahi ho, My Dear wife?" Aankho
mein shararat sambhal kar poocha.

"Ab zaroor rahugi." Sulag kar aik tafseeli nigah us par daalti chali gayi.
Woh jeebo mein haath daale muskara kar reh gaya.

•••

Rayyan ko high chair par bithaye woh usay cirileck khila rahi thi. Apni
jagah par woh bohot chup sa baitha ho tha. Bhook lagi hui thi. Khoob ser ho
kar khaa liya to tissue se honth saaf karte woh muskurayi. Phir usay kirki se
utar diya. Woh uske paas hi khada hua tha.

Uska pyala sink mein dhoote woh usse baatein kar rahi thi. Mobile bajne
laga to call receive karte uska haath thaam ke kitchen se bahar aa gayi.
Saira Khala ki call thi. Woh khairiyat se Lahore pohanch gayi thi. Rayyan
apna haath chhura kar peeche ko bhaaga to unki baat sunte usay bhi mudna
parh gaya aur aglay hi pehle woh ruk si gayi.

Lounge ke samnay hi woh Rayan ko Fars ki tangon se lipta hua dekh sakti
thi. Apni jagah Fars Wajdan bhi lamhay bhar ke liye tha tha. Phir usne jhuk
kar Rayyan ko uthaa liya tha. Gardan mein baazu daale usne puray sukoon
se Fars ke kandhay par apna sar rakh diya.

Saira Khala ki baat sunte uski nigahen Faris Wajdan par jee rahi gayi.

Usne Faris ko Rayyan se baat karte kabhi nahi dekha tha. Ab dekh rahi thi.
Woh kuch keh raha tha se lagarayaan samajh raha hai. Ooni cap durust karte
usne soofi se uska coat mangwa liya. Kuch hi deir bad woh usay saath liye
bahar chala gaya tha.
Aisa pehli baar nahi hua tha ke Rayyan uske paas gaya ho. Yeh roz ka
mamool tha. Magar yeh pehli baar hi hua tha ke Faris ne usse koi baat ki thi
aur usay saath le kar gaya tha.

Khala se baat karne ke baad woh glass walls ke paas aakhari hui thi. Woh
chacha bhatija ko Haider ke maraah istilaab ki taraf jata hua dekh sakti thi.
Dil mein thehrah hua, narmi ka, mohabbat ka ehsaas uski shahed rang
aankho mein ubhar ne laga tha.

Jaane kya baat thi jo Rayyan Shirazi ko is tarah Faris ki taraf mutawajah
karti thi. Shayad khoon ki kashish thi ya phir baap ki khushboo usay baar
baar ehsaas hota. Dono ka talluq aam sa nahi tha. Jaise koi raaz tha jo dono
mein hi chhupa raha gaya tha.

Woh apne liye chai banane kitchen se nikal kar raahdari ki taraf ja rahi thi
ke office room se baam kalte hi Fars uska rasta rok kar khada ho gaya. Chai
lena chahi to haath peeche hata liya.

"Mujhe laga yeh chai mere liye hai."

Usne sakht nazron se ghurte hue apne kain sweater ki jeeb se note pad
nikaal kar samne kiya.

"Mujh se baat mat karo." Wazeh likha hua tha.

"Oh" Jannat subah wali baat par qaim thi. Woh to sab bhool bhool bhi gaya
tha. Muskurahat dabaye aage ko jhuka.

"Ab likh kar baatein kiya karo gi?"

Jannat ka chehra ghusse se surkh parh gaya. Writing pad ko wapas jeeb
mein thonsa kar aik ada se jaane ko murri magar Faris ne baazu se pakad
kar roka liya.

"Maine to woh baat mazaaq mein kahi thi."

Woh gardan seedhi kiye suni un-suni kiye khadi rahi. Lab bhinche hue the.
Khamoshi barqarar rakhna thi. Faris ko uski yeh nakhirili aur usay bhali
lagi. Woh muskuraya diya.
"Well, if you excuse me," writing pad ka dosra safha khol kar usay dobara
dikhaya. Goya kuch jawab pehle se likh rakhe the ke zarurat pari to woh
dikhade gi.

"Isay bhi baat karta hi kehte hai mohatarma" mutabasim lehje mein qadray
sanjeedagi se goyaa hua. Woh lab bhinche kar daaye taraf store room ka
darwaza khol kar andar chali gayi.

Mrs. Shirazi wahan mojood thi. Madhat box mein rakhi kuch qeemti nafees
paintings aur decoration pieces nikal kar dikhari thi. Unhein charity ke liye
kuch samaan alag karna tha.

Cup haath mein liye woh khidki ke paas hi baith gayi. Chand ghunht bhare
to dil mein be-sukooni utar aayi.

"Shohar sahab ko chai chahiye..." Dil ne kaha.

Usne sar jhatka, baithi rahi.

Naukar hain uske banwa sakta hai woh apni chai.

"Tumhare haath k chahiye usay..." Dil phir se pighla.

"Kya keh raha tha kal mujhe? Main apni baat par qaim kyun nahi rehti?"
Narm padte padte phir se gusse ki zadd mein aa gayi.

Gussa waqt tha. Aadat se majboor jhijhula kar uth gayi. Kuch hi der mein
chai bana kar uske office room ka darwaza khatkhata kar andar aayi to
khamoshi aur sunai ne istiqbaal kiya. Office table ke us paar khidkiyon ke
parde samtay huay the. Laptop, mobile, kuch kagzaat aur files wahi rakhi
hui thi.

Azam Shirazi ke zair istemal rehne wale is shandar office mein taairana
nigah daurate usne chai ka cup mez par rakh diya.

Golden name plate wast mein thi. Is par Arabi khattati mein likhe naam par
nazar padte hi woh apni jagah se bhar ke liye manjamid hui thi.

"Azam Wajdan Shirazi!"

Naam padhte uski aankhe tahyur se phail gayi. Faris ke dada ka mukammal
naam.

Usay jaise ab samajh mein aaya tha Fars ne apna naam kyun nahi badla tha.
Woh naam dada ki taraf se tha aur dada ka hi tha.

"To kya pehchan chhupa kar unhon ne jaan boojh kar apna naam joda tha ya
phir yeh lafz sirf aik ittefaq hi tha?"

"Bade sahib ko bohot mohabbat thi Faris se, hain woh bhi pehchaan nahi
paye..." Mudhat ki awaaz zehan mein goonji to name plate par haath phaira.
Dil mein ajeeb dard sa thehr gaya. Office room mein unki har aik shey jo ki
to rakhi thi. Faris ne koi tabdeeli ki thi na singh badli thi, na unka naam
hataya tha. Darwaza khulne ki awaaz par woh aahista se mudi. Faris haath
mein koi file uthaye andar daakhil ho raha tha. Us par nazar padte hi
khushgawar si hairat ne gher liya.

"Baat karne aayi ho?"

Usne cup zara sa aage khar ka kar ishaara diya ke woh uske liye aayi hai.

"Lekin mujhe to tumhari chai chahiye thi..." Muskurahat dabaye uske paas
aakhda ho gaya. Woh chup ka roza rakhe kisi aur taraf dekhne lagi.
Mukammal nazar andaaz karne ki koshish karte huye.

"Mrs. Faris?

Lekin mrs. Faris ne tahya kar liya tha. Woh apni baat par har soorat qaim hi
rahe.

Hath jhatak kar badi nazakat se qadam uthati office room se chali gayi.
Faris ki nazar qadamoun mein gire writing pad par padhi. Jhuk kar uthaa
liya. Ghaliban sweater ki jeeb se ghalti se gir gaya tha.

Khool kar dekha. Hasb-e-zaroorat jumlay likhe the.

"Mujh se baat nahi karo..."

"Main musroof hoon..."

"Mere raaste se hatt jao!"

"Aunty bula rahi hain..."

"Alarm laga lo, main tumhein subah nahi jagaongi."

"Meri taraf dekhna band karo."

Faris ke labo par muskurahat aa gayi. Dusre hi lamhe darwaza khol kar woh
ujlat mein andar aayi aur writing pad haatho se cheen liya.

"Yeh jo likh kar hoti hain, yeh bhi batein hi hoti hain."

Jannat tap kar reh gayi.

Chand aik safhat palat kar uske samne kiya.

"Mind your business!" Goya apni baat par qaim thi. Chup hi rahe gi.

Pehle woh muskurahat daba raha tha. Ab ke hans diya. Woh use ghoorti
huye bahar chali gayi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH108
Do peher mein neend le kar uthi to Sofi ne bataya Faris sahab kahi bahar
gaye hain. Usne mobile kamal kar dekha ke mumkin hai usne message kar
ke bataya ho, woh kahan ja raha hai lekin koi paigham nahi tha. Jameela
Dawood se poocha to unhe bhi ilm nah tha. Woh shayad kuch der pehle hi
ajlat mein Haider ke saath kahi gaya tha.

Kuch pareshani se khidkiyo ki taraf dekhte use apni dhadkane tez mehsoos
hui. Har tarah ke nafi khayalat ko jhatak kar usne khud ko Rayyan ke saath
masroof kar liya. Nahla dhola kar kapde badle, uske hair tayar kiye. Phir
Jameela Dawood ke kamre mein chali gayi. Sham ka khana dono ne waha
khaya. Woh baar baar waqt dekh rahi thi. Uske iztirab mein izafa hota ja
raha tha. Jameela Dawood daulat albatta pur sukoon thi. Usne Faris ke
baare mein poochna chaaha, phir ruk gayi. Kahi aisa na ho unhe pareshan
kar de. Socha khud pooch legi. Rayyan ko saath liye kamre mein wapas
aayi. Use sila kar mobile uthaa liya. Das baj rahe the. Uski dhadkan Beyhad
tez thi. Fikr aankho se ayan ho rahi thi.

"Aunty pooch rahi hain ghar kab aaoge?" Usne phir message kiya.

"Mummy se abhi baat hui hai meri! Main ne unhein bata diya hai." Hairat
angaiz tor par jawab fori aaya tha. Jannat jhunjhula kar reh gayi.

"Kab aaoge?"

"Call karo, phir bataunga!"

Lab bhinch kar screen ko ghura. Aadha ghanta mazeed intezar kar ke usne
call ki. Ghari ab raat ke gyarah baja rahi thi.

"Hello"

"Shuqr hai tumhari awaaz sunne ko mili."

"Kahan ho tum?" Woh tapti hui thi, mazeed tap gayi.

"Time dekha hai, kya ho raha hai?"

"Kya ho raha hai?"

"Barah bajne wale hai.."

"Toh bajne do barah ko tumhein kya pareshani hai?"

Bohat hi zabt kar ke Jannat ne khud ko kuch sakht kehne se baaz rakha aur
usi waqt qadmo ki aahat ke saath hi darwaza khul gaya tha. Jannat ne be
ikhtiyar sar uthaya. Bhoore rang ke trousers par siyah t-shirt mein malboos
uska shohar aam se gharelo huliye mein kamre mein dakhil ho raha tha.

"Tum ghar par the?" Awaaz cheek se musabal, sadme se dabi hui.

"Haan."

"Magar Sofi ne kaha.."

"Bahar to main gaya tha, yahi astabal tak." Lehja mutabasim tha, goya
astabal ka chakkar laga kar wapas aa gaya tha. Use toh pata hi nahi tha ke
Haider aur Agha Ali ke saath uski office room mein meeting chal rahi thi.

"Toh yeh sab tumne is liye kiya ke main tumse baat karu?" Uski poori chaal
samajh kar uska para mazeed chadha.

"Main nahi jaanta tha tumhein is baat ka ilm nahi ke main ghar par hoon.
Yeh toh jab tumne message kiya toh pata chala."

Uski muskurahat Jannat ko andar tak sulgha gayi. Usne khud ko bohut
kosa, chup kar ke baithi rehti toh aise mazak toh na banta uska.

"Pareshaan ho rahi thi tum?"

Uske paas aakar usne mamool ke mutabiq cushion durust kiye.

"Main bhala kyun pareshan hone lagi?" Budbuda kar ehtiyaat se sone ke
liye let gayi. Aindah usay call ya match se pehle woh uska office room
dekhegi, yeh usne tay kar liya.
"Tumhara woh notepad kahan hai?" Baayi taraf lihaf hata kar bed par
baithte hue Faris ne yaad dilaya toh usne lab bheench kar aankhein band kar
le.

"Jannat!"

"Mujhe neend aa rahi hai. Sone do ab!"

"Likh kar batao mujhe sunayi nahi de raha."

Karwat ke bal leti thi, jal kar cushion kaan par rakh liya. Ab pata nahi kitne
din tak woh uske writing pad ka mazaak udayega. Ruhansa ho kar aankhe
band kar lein.

"Tum apni baat par qaim kyun nahi rehti, Jannat, haan?" Usne dil hi dil
mein khud ko bohot daata. Faris ne muskara kar usse dekha phir apni side
table ka lamp off kar diya.

Mobile haath mein tha, do chand lamhe pehle moosool hone wale message
ko dekh raha tha. Tareeki mein roshan hoti screen par "RA" ka naam
jagmaga raha tha.

Raat ka jane kaunsa pehar tha jab uski achanak aankh khul gayi thi. Nichla
lab dabate kisi qadar koshish se uth kar baith gayi. Takleef ka ehsas shiddat
se ho raha tha. Gehri saans lete kuch der tak baithi rahi. Khayal tha tabiyat
behtar ho jayegi, magar...

"Faris!" Dard ki shiddat se usne ba mushkil se pukara. Uski awaaz sunte hi

woh foran bedar ho gaya tha.

"Tum theek ho?" Uska haath thaam kar sahara dete pareshani se poocha tha.

Nafi mein sar hilate usne mushkil se saans lene ki koshish ki thi. Uska
chehra arq-aalood ho raha tha.

"Main mummy ko jagata hoon."

Shirazi Mansion ki battiya yake baad deegar roshan hoti gayi. Kuch hi der
mein servant quarters ke darwaze khul gaye. Mudhat Bano chadar lapete
tezi se seedhiya chadhti upar ja rahi thi. Driver hukum milte hi gadi nikalne
ko bhaga tha.

Is harbarahat mein Zaufeshan ki bhi aankh khul gayi.

Khala kahin jane ki tayari pakar rahi thi.

"Kya hua?" Aankhein masalte poocha.

"Chhoti Bibi ki tabiyat kharab ho gayi hai. Hospital le ja rahe hai, main zara
Bari Begum ke paas ho aau, tu soja!"

Sofi sir hila kar wapas apne bistar par daraz hui. Woh janti thi ke ghar mein
ek naya mehmaan aane wala tha.

"pata nahi beta hoga ya beti?" Zara sa soch kar muskurai. "Jo bhi ho, Khala
bacche ka khayal rakhne ke liye mujhe zarur apne sath le jayegi."

Woh inhi socho mein thi ke darwaza ek baar phir khul gaya tha. Khala usay
bula rahi thi, Woh uth kar unke saath hi upar aa gayi. Rayyan ko mulazma
uthaye hui thi. Woh ro raha tha.

Bari Begum Sahiba kamre mein thi. Unke chehre se pareshani jhalak rahi
thi.

"Tu Rayyan ko sambhal, ise apne paas sula le."

Sir hila kar woh Rayyan ko uthaye dusre kamre mein chali gayi. Woh aksar
Rayyan ke sath khelti thi, isliye woh uski god mein pur-sukoon ho kar so
gaya.

Ab usay bhi neend aa rahi thi, magar woh aankhe malti baar baar darwaze
ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Rahdari se awaze aa rahi thi.

"Allah khair karega, Begum Sahiba! Aap pareshan na ho."

Bahar raat bohot sard thi. Zaufeshan ne lehaaf zara achhe se oadh liya tha.

•••
Usne upar manzil par apne kamre ka darwaza aahista se khol diya tha. Woh
kamra jo ab iska jannat ka bedroom nahi raha tha. Furniture badal chuka
tha, parde hata diye gaye the.

Magar woh dekh sakta tha. Woh abhi bhi is kamre ko sabiq halat mein dekh
sakta tha. Bate karti, hasti, apni padhai karti, woh guldaan me taza ful saza
rahi thi, woh uske kapde ishtri kar rahi thi, woh uska haath thame mushkura
rahi thi.

"Yeh meri

nawasi

hai, Burhan! Mere jigar ka tukda hai yeh. Main uski aankhon mein ek
aansoo bhi nahi dekh sakta!"

"Main wada karta hoon aap se. Main Jannat ko kabhi akela nahi
chhorunga. Marte dum tak uska sath dunga."

Uski awaaz aas paas har taraf goonj rahi thi. Uska adhoora wada dil par teer
ho raha tha. Woh ab apne ta'ssurat ko sakhti mein, mohabbat ko nafrat mein,
aur yaqeen ko shubhaat mein badalte dekh raha tha.

Dil par ek bhari bojh liye woh girne ke andaz mein baith gaya tha. Apna sir
hathailiyo mein giraye woh zindagi mein pehli baar kisi nuqsan par ro raha
tha. Woh nuqsan jo 17 mah pehle usse ho gaya tha. Aisa nuqsan jiska idraak
ab ja kar ho raha tha.

"Mere sar par kya khadi ho, jao yahan se."

"Khuda ke liye jaan chhod do meri!"

"Amma ne kuch keh diya toh kya qayamat aa gayi?"

"Mahin se kya keh rahi thin tum?"

"Chahti kya ho tum? Kyun meri zindagi jahannum bana rahi ho?"

"Mahin meri biwi hai. Mere bache ki maa hai woh."

Woh cheekh raha tha. Woh usay bazu se sakhti se pakre intehai haqarat aur
karahat se dekh raha tha.

"Tum itna gir jao gi mujhe andaza nahi tha."

"Burhan! Mujhe takleef ho rahi hai."

"Aaj agar tumhare Nana zinda hote, toh tumhara yeh ghatiya kirdar dekh
kar wahi mar jate."

Uska jumla yaad tha aur uski aankhon ka woh zakhmi tasur bhi, jaise lafzo
ki kaat ne usay wahin maar diya ho.

"Main aisi nahi hoon."

Sakht giraft mein woh sikur kar reh gayi thi.

"Ek nahi, do nahi, chaar? Kaun hain yeh?"

Jo khat usay dressing table se mile they, unhe phaad kar uske munh par de
mare tha. Gusse aur ishtial mein uska mobile tak tod diya tha. Woh dare,
sehmi aur motohash hi khadi thi.

Woh dekh raha tha. Woh gham se nidhal, khauf zada aur pareshaan haal
Jannat Kamal ko apni aankho se dekh raha tha.

Jis se kabhi usne unchi awaaz mein baat tak nahi ki thi, ab woh usay
jhidakne laga tha, datne laga tha, nafrat dikhane laga tha. Woh usay ek bojh,
ek museebat ki tarah nazar aane lagi thi. Mahin ke saath zindagi mukammal
thi. Ab usay aur koi wujood nahi chahiye tha. Manzar bhar kar ab mit nahi
rahe the.

"Jannat Kamal..."

Us se judi tamam ki tamam yaadein, sakhtiyan, nafratein use yaad aane lagi
thin. Apna har rawaiya, faisla aur alfaz bhi...

"Main ne apni biwi ke kirdar mein aaj tak koi jhol nahi dekha."
Apna sar hathailiyo par girate usne baal noch liye the.

Uski amma darwaze mein khadi thin. Apni jawan aulaad ko yun rote
dekhna bara takleef deh manzar tha unke liye. Bete ke kandhe par haath
rakh kar pukarna chaha toh gusse se jhatak diya.

"Burhan!"

"Chali jaye yahan se. Akela chhod dein mujhe." Woh bhikhre hue andaaz
mein kehte huye bekabu hote huya to mazbootan unhe bahar jana
padha.lock lagaye wo darwaze se tek lagaye neeche beth gaya tha.

Jo ghalti kar baitha tha, woh chhoti nahi thi. Khasara aisa jo kisi surat poora
nahi ho sakta tha. Ab saase bhaari lag rahi thin. Ab zindagi mushkil lag rahi
thi. Use Jannat Kamal apni zindagi mein wapas chahiye thi. Woh usi rishte
ko, mohabbat ko dobara haasil kar lena chahta tha.

Woh Jannat Kamal ki pehli mohabbat tha. Woh uske bagair jeene ka
tasavvur nahi kar sakti thi. Woh usay chhod kar kabhi ja bhi nahi sakti thi.
Is ghar mein har tarah ki sakhti usne sirf uski zaat ke liye bardasht ki thi.
Uske sath jude rehne ke liye sab khamoshi se saha tha.

Talaq usne di thi. Rasta usne khud band kiya tha. Ab agar woh palat aaye
toh? Rasta khol kar dobara apna le toh?

Woh Burhan Wasif hai. Nana ki taraf se joda gaya woh rishta hai jise woh
kabhi bhi faramosh nahi kar payegi. Woh khud ko bata raha tha, samjha
raha tha. Woh uske paas jayega, maafi mangega. Woh usay mana lega.

Jannat Kamal uski zindagi mein wapas aa jayegi. Magar mall mein padne
wala thappad usay haqeeqat ki duniya mein wapas le aaya tha. Woh apne
aap mein tham gaya tha. Usne zindagi mein pehli baar un shehad aankho
mein apne liye nafrat dekhi thi. Usne pehli baar un mein dard ke saath ek
ajeeb sa tas'ssur dekha tha.

"Ainda tum mujhe apni biwi ke aas paas bhi nazar aaye, toh mujh se bura
koi nahi hoga."
Apne shauhar ka hath mazbooti se thaam kar nazro se ojhal hoti Jannat
Kamal uske hawaason par sawar ho chuki thi. Woh saki wujood ke saath sar
giraye chup baitha raha tha.

Aur bahar Fazila Tai apne bete ke gham mein nidhhal roti rahi thi.

•••

Gehri aur tabij dhund mein lipta hua woh ek ajeeb sa mahol tha. Sard, parta
sukoon karta hua. Usne apni maa ko dekha. Aur baap ko bhi. Woh dhund ki
shabih ki tarah the. Usne apne purane ghar ki seedhiyo ka manzar ek baar
phir dekha.

Woh Husnain tha jo upar khada hua tha. Aur Jannat wahan kahin nahi thi.
Kachi eento ka khoon tha, na cheekh-o-pukaar aur kohram tha.

Usne Nafisa ko dekha. Woh namaz parh rahi thi.

"Ammi!"

Woh unke paas ruk gayi thi. Woh panjo ke bal jhuk gayi thi. Usne kandhe
par haath rakh diya tha. Unhone use tar aankho se dekha. Phir haath pakda,
phir gale laga liya. Unka lams use pehli baar mehsoos hua. Kuch tha jo
unhone uske haath par rakh diya.

"Mujhe maaf kar dei, Ammi!"

Muskura kar use dekha. Phir hath chhuda liya. Husnain saath hi tha. Woh
usay seene se lagaye uth gayi thi. Farsh par ab khoon nahi tha, aur seedhiyo
par ab koi Husnain nahi tha. Woh purana ghar ek dum se khali ho gaya tha.

"Ammi!"

Hospital mein aamad-o-raft ke sath ubharti woh madham si awaaz ek dum

se sunai mein badal gayi thi ke la-shaor se shaoor ki manzilen tay karte
uske hawas ek dum se bedaar ho gaye the.

Kamre mein pheli roshni mein ek tareeki si nazar aa rahi thi. Usne apne aas-
paas har taraf nigah daudai thi. Uska bacha kahi nazar nahi aaya tha.
Ghabra kar, motohash ho kar, usne uthne ki koshish ki thi. Usne awaaz dena
chahi thi, magar awaaz nahi nikal rahi thi. Uska chehra tar ho raha tha. Uski
halat ghair ho rahi thi. Darwaza khul kar nurse andar aayi thi.

"Leti rahe, please!"

"Mere shohar kahan hain?" Uska dil khauf aur andesho mein ghir shiddat se
dharak raha tha. Kuch bura ho gaya hai. Usse apni jaan nikalti hui mehsoos
ho rahi thi. Nurse kya keh rahi thi, woh sun nahi rahi thi.

"Mere shohar kaha hain? Please, mere shohar ko bula de!"

Usi waqt Mudhat andar aayi thi. Uske peeche hi Faris tha. Haal se behaal
hoti uska haath pakre woh rone lagi thi. Woh shock aur sadme ki zad mein
thi. Usne khud ko tanha aur bebas mehsoos kiya. Uska wujood andar se
khali aur khokhla lag raha tha.

"Faris..."

"Woh theek hai. Bilkul theek hai." Chehre ke ird-gird bikhre baalon ko
peeche banate, usne Jannat se kaha tha. "Nursery mein hai. Abhi le aate
hain usse. Relax!"

Jannat ki ruki hui saansein ek lamhe mein bahal ho gayi thi, magar dil
shiddat se dharak raha tha.

"Tumhari halat theek nahi thi. Tumhein yahan rakhna zaruri tha." Giraft
mein lete, naram lahje mein woh bola. Woh guzashta 24 ghanto se ICU
mein thi.

"Sab theek hai ab."

Maa ko aise karar nahi aa sakta tha jab tak woh apne bache ko khud na
dekh leti. Bechaini se woh tasalli nahi kar sakti thi.

Kuch hi der mein baby crib ko dhakelte hue nurse andar aayi toh Jannat se
alag ho kar Faris uth gaya. Ab woh dekh sakti thi. Faris Wajdan baby crib
par jhuk raha tha.
Bed ko sitting position mein adjust karte hue Mudhat ne use takiyon ka
sahara diya tha. Faris ne baby cot se safed makhmali kapro mein lipte bache
ko uthaya toh Jannat ki dhadkane tham si gayi.

"Tum banjh ho, Jannat Kamal!"

Maheen Abdul Kareem ka sarapa aankho mein aya'n hua tha. Use apne galo
par nami mehsoos hui.

"Dusri shadi ka socho, Burhan. Is ladki se tumhein koi khushi nahi milegi."

Uske ird-gird har cheez par jaise ek sukoon aur khamoshi cha gayi thi. Uski
saansein ruk gayi thi.

Bacche ko uthaye, jab woh uski taraf jhuka toh usne safed makhmali
kambal se jhankti nanhi si mutthi dekhi jo band thi. Phir rooi jaisa chhota sa
chehra samne aya.

Aankhe band thi, jinhe kholne ki koshish mein woh phir se rone laga. Woh
itna chhota tha ke Faris ke hatho se lete hue usse dar laga.

"Zakariya A.S. ne toh kabhi dua nahi chhodi thi, Jannat!"

Usne sakte ke baad himmat kar ke apne kapkapate haath badhaye. Faris ne
bohot ehtiyat ke sath bacha uske hawale kar diya.

"

Mo'jzat

toh Ambiya ke liye bhi hote hain, magar woh

mo'jzat

bina dua, sabr aur

aajzi

ke nahi hue. Yeh point tum miss kar rahi thi."

Bacha apne haath-pair hilata, harkat karta, aur rone laga. Jannat bhi rone
lagi. Usne apne bete ko bhincha aur apne se laga liya. Uska chehra chuma,
phir uske gaal, naak, hont, aur phir uski peshani par apne lab rakh diye.

Har dukh jo usne saha, har takleef jo usne sahi, har aziyat jo uske hisse
mein aayi... sab bhula diya. Woh lamha bas ek lamha tha, jisne sare zakhmo
ko mita diya.

"Allah hamesha barh kar ata karta hai, Jannat. Jo aapko hairan kar deta
hai."

Bache ki aankhe khuli hui thi. Rang numaya ho raha tha. Woh aankhein
Faris Wajdan ki thi. Rang bhi uska tha. Khado-o-khal bhi uske. Woh Faris
Wajdan ka ek mini version tha.

Usne phir sar utha kar Jannat ko dekha. Uska be-tereeb sa chehra bata raha
tha ke guzishta 24 ghante uske liye kitne mushkil guzre the. Bacha theek
tha, magar biwi ki wajah se jo pareshani hui thi, uski jhalak ab bhi uske
chehre par thi.

"Kitna pyara hai yeh, MashaAllah!"

Woh jhuk kar apne bete ko dekhne laga. Jannat rone ke saath hansi thi. Woh
bache ko bar bar choom rahi thi.

Apni aankho mein tashakkur ki nami liye woh apni jagah thehr sa gaya tha.

Woh Jannat Kamal ki aankho mein wohi mohabbat dekh raha tha jo ek maa
ki aankho mein apni aulad ke liye hoti hai. Wohi tarap, wohi reham, wohi
dil jo ek maa ka hona chahiye. Wohi ehsaas jo ek maa mein hona chahiye.

Uski aulad ke hisse mein ab na dukh aa sakte the, na nafrate, aur na

tanhaiya. Maa usse chhod kar kahi nahi ja sakti thi aur na baap zindagi ke
bhir mein gum ho kar use bhula sakta tha.

Bacha phir se rone laga tha. Jannat usse feed karwane gayi. Mudhat takiya
theek karte uske paas baith gayi. Kuch hi der mein Jameela Dawood usse
milne aayi thi. Rayyan bhi saath tha. Unhone naye family member ko apni
god mein uthaya.

"Yeh toh bilkul Faris hai," unhone mohabbat se apne pote ka matha chuma.
Jannat muskarayi.

"Bohat bohat mubarak ho, beta!" Woh duaye parh kar bache par phoonk
rahi thi.

Rayyan Jannat ke paas baitha hua tha, chhote se baby ko zara hairat se
baghor dekhta hua.

Tas'suraat sab ko maze de rahe thay. Zara der ke liye uski god mein diya.
Bacha rone laga toh Rayyan ne bhi ghabra kar rona shuru kar diya. Usse
laga bache ko dard hua hai ya kisi ne use mara hai. Woh nahi chahta tha ke
bacha roye.

"Bhai ko bhook lagi hai isliye ro raha hai," Jannat ne samjhana chaha. Usne
bache se apne dono haath peeche kar liye. Phir kisi tarah zid karke bed se
utar kar door ho gaya.

Masoom aankho mein abhi bhi koi fikr thahri hui nazar aa rahi thi. Baar
baar bache ko dekh raha tha, jo ab uski mama ke paas tha aur ab ro bhi nahi
raha tha.

"Iska naam kya rakhe?" Jameela Dawood ke jane ke baad ab sirf woh dono
the jo is nanhe ke paas the.

"Tum batao?" Faris usse keh raha tha.

"Hame aunty se poochna chahiye!"

"Mummy ne kaha hai iska naam tum rakho gi."

Woh chand lamho tak usse mohabbat bhari nazro se dekhti rahi. Kai naam
soch rakhe the, magar ab bas ek naam zehan mein aa raha tha.

"Zayn kaisa rahega?"

Faris ne uski taraf dekha. Tas'suraat se wazeh tha ke use accha laga hai.

"Zayn Faris Shirazi!" Jannat ne mukammal naam liya toh woh muskara
diya.

"Perfect hai."

Jannat ne apne nanhe zain ko dekha jo aankhe mundhe, muthhiya beeche

neend ki wadiyo mein utra hua tha.

•••

Teesre din usse hospital se discharge kar diya gaya tha. Woh Shirazi
Mansion pohanchi toh usne aali shaan qasr numa haveli ko roshniyo mein
nahaya hua dekha. Mulazim apna kaam kar rahe the. Wasee sabzar par
dawat-e-khas ka intezam abhi se ho raha tha. Aur yeh sab Jameela Dawood
ki khwahish par ho raha tha.

Is ghar mein woh Hammad ke liye aise kai functions aur gathering organize
kar chuki thi. Ab pote ki khushi thi aur is khushi ko woh Jannat aur Faris ke
sath celebrate karna chahti thi.

Hafte ke din dawat rakhi gayi thi. Us din unka ghar mehmano se bhar gaya
tha. Jannat ki behno ko khususan bulaya gaya tha. Woh dawat-e-aqiqah thi
jisme unke bohot se qareebi dosto ne bhi shirkat ki thi.

Aima khas tor par apni bhabhi ke sath aayi thi. Junaid bhai bacho ke sath
Canada gaye the, isliye woh nahi aa sake. Aqsa bohot zid karke do hafto ke
liye aa gayi thi. Jannat apne kamre mein thi jab neeche dining hall mein
mehman khawateen ke liye khana lagaya ja raha tha. Woh badi fursat se
bache ko dekhne upar aayi thi.

"Allah aapi, yeh toh itna pyara hai, dil chahta hai kha jaun!"

Jannat Kamal ne sar uthaya. Dusri taraf woh kalai par wristwatch chadhate
Faris Wajdan ki aqbi nazro ki zad mein aayi thi.

Zain ko god mein liye Aqsa ek dum bokhlayi.

"Woh main pyar se khane ki baat kar rahi hoon," foran se wazehat di. Jumla
aur zyada khatarnak ho gaya.

"Aqsa! Idhar lao." Jannat ne kameez ki silwate theek karte hue apne hath
barhaye. Usne afiyat ismein jani ke bache ko khamoshi se unke hawale
karke chali jaye, aur woh chali gayi.

"Ab Faris sahib samjhenge ke main koi sach-much ki adam khor hoon."
Staircase ki daye taraf deewar se lag kar burburai. Apni peshaani par haath
maar kar khud ko saza di.

"Maa baap ke samne keh rahi hoon bache kha jaun. Taf hai tujh par Aqsa!"
Dobara haath maara.

"Koun aadam khor hai?" Adeel samne hi akhbar haath mein liye khada tha.
Us par nazar padte hi woh bad maza hui. Kitne tez kaan the uske. Majal hai
jo koi lafz bhi chok jaye.

"Main hoon aadam khor! Main!" Apni taraf ishara kar ke kaha.

Akhbar phelaye usne chand lamhon tak Aqsa ko dekha. Na hairat hui, na
sadma pohcha. Yun jaise woh is khud sakhta haqeeqat se bohot pehle se
waqif ho.

Yaqeen kar ke sir hila kar dobara se parhne laga.

Aqsa jal kar koyla ho gayi. "Pata nahi yeh yahan kyun khada hai."

Sidhiya utar kar Faris neeche aaya toh Aqsa seedhi ho gayi.

"Tumhari aapi bula rahi hai," Faris ne kaha toh adab se sir jhuka gayi.

"Aqsa!"

"Ji sahab!"

"Mere bete ke ilawa kuch aur kha lo," three-piece suit mein malboos,
muskaraahat daba kar, woh jebo mein hath dale sanjeedgi se bola toh sir
jhukaye Aqsa ne aankhe bhinch li.
Phir upar gayi toh Jannat Zayn ko baby cot mein sula rahi thi. Bacho ka
khayal rakhne ke liye Sofi wahin baithi thi.

"Aapi! Main ne sach-much khane ki baat thori na ki thi."

Jannat muskarai. Safaid Maxie mein woh bohot pyari lag rahi thi. Shehad
rang baal khule chor rakhe the.

"Khana kha liya tumne?"

"Abhi nahi."

Mardo ke khane ka intizam bahar tha, jabke khawateen ka neeche dining

hall mein. Sofi ke liye khana kamre mein bhijwa kar woh Aqsa ke saath
neeche aayi. Woh mubarak baad qabool karte kuch nai mehman khawateen
se mil rahi thi. Phir woh apni behno ke paas ja baithi. Apne bhanjo se ek
baar phir mil rahi thi.

Usne nahi socha tha ke uski aulaad ki khushi par uski tamam behne bhi
shareek hongi. Woh sab ko acha akhlaq aur behtareen tawajju de rahi thi.
Woh khush aur mutmayin nazar aa rahi thi.

Jameela Dawood bayhad khush thi. Unki sehat pehle se kafi behtar thi. Aur
unka chehra bhi khila hua tha. Mauqe ki munasibat se kaafi arse baad bohot
achhe se tayar hui thin.

"Looking so pretty," Faris Wajdan wheelchair par unki taraf jhuka toh
unhone be-ikhtiyar uska chehra haatho mein lete uski peshaani ka bosa liya.

"Is sab ke liye thank you so much mummy!" Unke haath apne haathon mein
le kar woh panjo ke bal jhuka.

"Mere pote ki khushi hai."

"Bas ab main chahta hoon aap apne pairo par dobara khadi hoon."

Unhone irada bandh kar asbat mein sar ko jumbish di. Woh uske liye yeh
bhi karengi. Kuch hi dair baad woh unse ijazat le kar bahar chala gaya.
Sofi Rayyan ko Jannat ke paas chor kar gayi toh Aqsa ne use uthaa liya.

"Iska khayal main rakh loongi, Aapi!"

Jannat Jameela Dawood ke saath hi unki dost se baat kar rahi thi. Sar hila
diya. Woh Rayyan se bate karti, usey apne sath hi bahar le aayi. Seedhiyo
par ruk kar woh door ishara karti usey bohot kuch dikha rahi thi.

Lawn roshan tha. Aqsa ne usey zara der ko neeche utaar diya. Uski maa ki
call aa gayi thi.

Aur saamne, wahan jahan mardo ke baithne ka intizam kiya gaya tha,
wohin Faris Wajdan khada tha. Raha badalte, uski nazar Rayyan Shirazi par
pari aur woh apni jagah ruk gaya.

Shirazi Mansion ke sar sabz lawn par apne chhote chhote qadam dharte,
woh kuch betaabi se, beqarari se uski taraf aa raha tha.

Faris ke ta’asuraat lamhe bhar ke liye mutaghayyar huye. Woh muskarahat

jo hontho par thi, ek dum se khatam ho gayi. Dost sath hi tha, jo itne pyare
se bache ko dekh kar muskaraaya.

"Koun hai yeh?" Munjamid wujood par woh ek sawal kari zarb ban kar
laga.

Shirazi Mansion ka wasee lawn, mulazimo ke saath tamkinat se qadam

uthata, balon mein haath pher kar usse khud se alag karta Haroon!

Wohi sawal, wohi lawn, wohi ghar, wohi manzar...

"Hamara mulazim ka beta hai."

Woh awaaz, baap ki awaaz, woh usey andar tak munjamid aur kanasa kar
gayi. Rayyan Shirazi ne apne dono haath upar kar liye.

Apne hisar se nikalte, usne jhukh kar usey narmi se utha liya. Dost
mutwajeh tha, jawab ka muntazir, ke usne bhi Faris ka yeh roop nahi dekha
tha.
"Mera beta hai yeh," jawab de kar Rayyan ki taraf mutwajeh hua jo usse
lipat gaya tha. Faris ka dahina hath uski pusht par aa gaya.

Rayyan par nazar padte hi Aqsa ne beqarari se hatheliyo ko masla.

"Abhi toh yahin khada tha, wahan kaise chala gaya? Faris sahib zarur
daantenge, bache ko thand mein bahar kyun le aayi?"

Lekin Faris sahab ke chehre par koi ghussa nahi tha. Woh Rayan ke saath hi
us shed ke neeche bhadakti hui aag ke paas baitha tha. Woh ab Rayyan ko
kuch khila bhi raha tha.

"Khair hai! Keh doongi khud hi chala gaya." Woh andar aa gayi.

"Rayyan kahan hai, Aqsa?"

"Woh Faris sahab ke paas bahar hai," Jannat ne poocha toh foran jawab
diya.

"Bahar toh kaafi thand nahi hai?" Woh zara pareshan hui. Mobile nikal liya
taake Faris ko call kare aur Rayyan ko andar le aaye.

"Wahan thand nahi hai jahan saare mard baithe hain. Aag jalai hui hai,
Aapi! Bahar mard zyada enjoy kar rahe hai."

Woh call karte karte ruk gayi. Agar aisi baat hoti toh Faris usey foran andar
le aata. Sar hila kar mulazima ke zimmede chand kaam lagati, drawing
room mein chali gayi. Aqsa ne khushi khushi staircase ke saath apni chand
tasveere banayi, phir khawateen mein ja baithi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH109
"Mubarak ho, aap daadi ban gayi, Beta hua hai" Ye khabar thandi phuwar ki
tarah aarzoo Jahangir ko apne wujood par parti mehsoos hui.

"Uski koi tasveer?" foran se poocha tha. Wo is tasveer ko apne laakho

followers mein share karna chahti thi. Wo apne dadi ban jane ki khabar
poori duniya ko sunana chahti thi. Wo ek maa hai, ek saas hai, aur ab dadi
bhi. Wo Faris se jude tamam rishte se jud jana chahti thi. Magar bache ki
koi tasveer na thi. Sham tak dobara call ki, tasveer ka poocha. Faris Wajdan
ke qareebi dosto mein bohot se log aise the jin tak Aarzoo ki rasai mumkin
thi, lekin tasveer kisi ke paas na thi. Jo bache ke aqeeqe par gaye unke paas
bhi nahi.

"Tasveer lene ki ijaazat nahi thi."

Aarzoo lab kaat kar reh gayi thi. Wo jaan gayi thi, is tarah ki sakhti wo kyun
kar raha tha. Wo hargiz nahi chahta tha ke uske bacche ki tasveer mein
Aarzoo Jahangir ke saath jod kar phaila di jaye. Zabt pakar kar dobara
message likha,

"Koshish to karo, ghar milne chali jao. Mujhe bas uski ek jhalak dekhni
hai."

Usay bara baje shoot par jana tha, teen baje uska interview tha, chhe baje
meeting thi, aur wo apne sabhi zaroori kaam choray, beqarar si bethi hui thi.
Dil chahta tha Pakistan pahunch jaye aur apne potay se mil le.

"Naam kya rakha hai?"

"Zayn."

"Zayn Faris Shirazi," zair-e-lab dohraya.

Neelgu jooto ki ek random tasveer apne Instagram par share karke usne
apne dadi ban jane ki khabar poori duniya ko suna di. Uska pota Zayn
Shirazi. Mubarakbaad ke mohabbat bhare paighaam moosul hone lage. Aisi
nojawan dadi par sab ko rashk aane laga. Kuch hi minute mein tasveer par
kai million likes ho gaye, magar wo khush na ho saki. Wujood andar se
khokhla sa...

Mubarakbaad ke message mazaak udate mehsoos hue. Kuch bhi uske

hisaab se nahi ho raha tha. Zindagi mein pehli baar wo apni barhti hui
kamiyabi par khush nahi ho pa rahi thi. Likes ka graph uske labo par
muskarahat nahi la raha tha. Jo wo hasil karna chahti thi, usay hasil karne
mein buri tarah nakaam ho rahi thi.

"Mein bacho ke kapron ke liye ek brand launch karungi, ZF ke naam se."

Javeriya Habib ne gehri saans lekar apni ma'am ko dekha tha. Unka focus
apne kaam se hat raha tha. Unke khayal mein wo ghair zaroori mamlat par
zyada tawajju dene lagi thi. Wo apne bete Faris Wajdan ka zikr ab zyada
karne lagi thi. Apni ma'am ko wo samjha nahi sakti thi, magar woh dekh
sakti thi wo apne maksad se bhatak rahi thi apne irado ko badal rahi thi.
Achanak se badlta unka rawaiya uski samajh se bahar ho raha tha.

•••

Zayn ki paidaish ke doosre maheene wo Islamabad wapas aa gaye the. Jo

dost pehle nahi mil sake the, wo ab aa rahe the. Junaid bhai ki family
Canada se wapsi ke baad pehli fursat mein milne aayi thi. Baccho ko
unhone agle din van me bheja tha.

Zaid, apni nanhi behan Zoya aur unke chashmatu cousin naye mehmaan par
jhuke usay baghor dekh rahe the. Rayyan bhi paas hi baitha tha, wo bhi
baby ko dekhna chahta tha.

"Iski aankhein kyun band hain?" sar uthaye Zaid ne Jannat se poocha.

"So raha hai is liye."

"Itni der se kyun so raha hai? Aap isko jagaye, I want to see his eyes!"

"Faris ki dekh lo!"

"Unki nahi dekhni mujhe," bigad kar jawab diya.

Darwaze par neem daraz mobile par kuch dekhta Faris tap kar reh gaya.
Apne bed par bacho ke ghere mein baithi Jannat Kamal ne ba mushkil se
muskarahat zabt ki.

"Yeh unka baby hai, to unki jaisi aankhe hai"

"Yeh aap ka bhi to baby hai. Aap ki jaisi aankhe kyun nahi hain?" Zaid
jealous ho gaya. Baby sach much mein piyara tha. Bahut piyara tha.

"Iske baal golden shade kyun hain?" Zaid ka sawal tha.

"Kyun ke iske papa ke bhi aise hi baal the jab wo chhote the."

"Yeh aap ka baby hai ya Janna Jani?"

"Bilkul mera baby hai!"

"Phir yeh unke jaisa kyun hai?" Jhanjhlai hui awaaz.

"Kyunke wo iske papa hai, jaise aap ke bhi papa hai."

Zaid ne bhawe sikud kar Faris ko dekha. Faris ki nigahe bhi kaat-daar thi.
Dono ki dushmani aaj bhi top par thi.

"Babi! Baby royega?" Sawal Zoya ne kiya. Wo itne chhote se baby ko

bharpoor study kar rahi thi. Wo uske liye gudde jaisa tha. Gudde se rone ki
awaaz aati thi, magar ye wala gudda bilkul chup tha.

"Haan, jab bhook lagti hai tab rota bhi hai."

Unhone Zayn ki chhoti chhoti bandh ungliyo ko kholne ki koshish ki. Phir
uski nanhi si thori ko chhua.

"Can I see his feet?"

Jannat ne kambal ka fold kholte hue uske paon dikhaye. Chhote chhote se.
Zoya ne shauq bhari aankhon ke saath un paon ko chhua.
"So cute!" Phir khilkhilayi, zaid aankhein chamak uthi.

"Iske pau aapke pau jaise hai. Hath bhi."

Faris ki mukhalifat jo karni thi.

Faris jhanjhlahat ke aalam mein uth kar baith gaya.

"Chalo, tum apne ghar jao ab."

"Kyun?" Zaid gusse se bhar gaya, ladne marne ko tayar.

Zabt pakad kar Jannat ko dekha jo muskaraahat dabane ki koshish kar rahi
thi.

"Kya hai, Faris! Baccha hi to hai."

"Yeh meri fiancee hai, hai na Janna Jani?"

Janna Jani ne hansi ke saath isbaat mein sar hilaya, to uska shauhar bar-
baraata hua uth gaya. Bacche Zayn ke kapde, uske chhote chhote khilone
aur baby cot par latakte khilone dekh rahe the. Rayyan ko Zoya sambhal
rahi thi. Wo usse pyar kar rahi thi aur usse chocolate khila rahi thi.

Allah Allah kar ke Zayn bedaar hua, to bacche ek baar phir us par jhuk
gaye. Ghaneeri palko ke neeche, hazel aankhein numaya ho rahi thi. Uski
rangat gulabi si thi. Chhote chhote, bareek honth khile hue thay. Jamaai lete
hue usne angdaai li, to Zaid ko usse pyar ho gaya.

"Main isse dosti karunga. Main iska best buddy banuga, Janna Jani!" Usne
mosin irada kar liya. Jannat muskarate hue usse sun rahi thi, aur unke
maasoomana sawaalon ka jawab de rahi thi. Baccho ke saath uska wo din
bohot khushgawar guzra tha.

•••

Rayyan Shirazi apne chhote bhai ka bohot zyada khayal rakhne wala aur
pyar karne wala bada bhai tha. Usay bohot fikr hoti thi jab wo rona lagta tha
ya jab wo shor karte hue beqabu ho jata tha.
Usay pata hota tha ke baby jab rota hai to usay feeder dena hai, gaal par
hont rakhne hai. Wo intehai hassas aur utna hi caring tha. Jannat usay
dekhti, to toot kar pyar aa jata.

"Good boy, bhai ke paas baitho, main feeder le kar abhi aayi," usne us raat
kaha aur wo bhai ke paas baitha raha. Khilone utha utha kar dikhata raha,
hath par pyar kiya, phir mathe par.

Faris samne hi sofa par laptop uthaye baithe tha, apna kaam kar raha tha.
Magar nazar Rayyan par padi aur thehar gayi.

Wo usay chhote chhote ghair mafhoom se alfaz mein jaane kya keh raha
tha, magar andaz se wazeh tha ke wo Jannat ko copy kar raha tha. Wo
Jannat ki tarah Zayn ko pyar karna chahta tha.

Zayn ne rona shuru kar diya, aur Rayyan ek dum se bohot pareshaan ho
gaya.

"Papa!" foran se usay mutwajjeh kiya, ki baby ro raha hai!

Faris ne laptop rakh kar Zayn ko utha liya. Zayn ro raha ho aur Rayyan ki
rone wali shakal na bane, yeh na mumkin na tha. Aankhe bhar aayi, chehra
surkh hone laga.

"It's okay, ise bhook lagi hai, isliye ro raha hai. Abhi chup ho jayega."
Magar wo lab bhinche siskne laga.

"Jao, mama se kaho, jaldi aaye!"

Bhari pareshani ke saath wo bahar bhag gaya. Jab tak Zayn Jannat ki baaho
mein pur-sukoon ho kar so nahi gaya, tab tak Rayyan bari fikr mandi se
baitha raha. Uske hairan kun aur masoomiyat bhare tas'suraat Faris Wajdan
ko ajeeb si kefiyat mein mubtala kar gaye.

"Rayyan aap par gaya hai," us raat Faris ne bila taradud mrs. Shirazi se keh
diya. Woh nam aankho se haans di.

"Mujhe to tumhare jaisa lagta hai."

"Tareekh gawah hai main bohut rude tha."

"Yeh Mudahat ka naam tareekh kab se ho gaya?"

Faris muskara kar reh gaya.

"Wo aap ki tarah bohot caring aur hassas hai, mummy!"

"Tum bhi aise ho," unhone kaha.

Woh aankho me narmi bhari nigaho se dekh kar reh gaya.

•••

Office se wapsi ke baad wo kapre badal kar Jameela Dawood ke kamre

mein aaya. Rayyan apni dadi ki god se nikal kar Faris ki taraf bhaga tha.
Zayn ko feed karwati hui Jannat ye manzar dekh kar muskurai thi.

"Dekh rahi hain, jab papa samne ho to phir koi aur nazar nahi aata."

Mra. Shirazi haans di.

Faris usay uthaye bed par aa baitha tha. Ab ghour se uski baat sun raha tha.
Chhote chhote lafz the, toote phoote, pyare pyare. Hath se ishara bhi kar
raha tha. Baat Zayn ki thi.

Woh bata raha tha ke uska bhai kitna roya tha.

"Itni mushkil se chup karwaya hai. Doodh bhi nahi le raha tha," Jannat ne
bataya. To wo jhuk kar Zayn ki taraf mutwajjeh hua. Khoob sher ho kar wo
ab so gaya tha. Bhare bhare gulabi gaal... bhinche hue haath upar uthay hue.
Bohot pur-sukoon tha ab wo.

"Bahut chalak aur active hai, mashallah se. Bechari Jannat halkan hui rehti
hai,"

Faris ke labo par muskarahat aa gayi.

"To gaya kis par hai?"

"Tum par aur kisi par?" Jannat ne foran jawab diya.

"Main aisa nahi tha."

"Ab chaar mah ki umr mein tum kaise the, ye yaad hai tumhe?" Jannat tap
gayi.

"Lekin mujhe yeto yaad hai tum kaisi thi. Dr. Mustafa kehte the meri
nawasi bohut active hai, bohot shararti hai, chaalaak hai, tez hai."

"Ek to iski yaadasht... Tumhe kuch bhoolta bhi hai ya nahi?" Jannat sharm
se surkh hui.

"Tumse mutaliq kuch nahi bhoolta."

Wo ghur kar reh gayi.

•••

Raat ka khana khane ke baad wo Zayn ko sula rahi thi jab Rayyan apne qad
jitna blanket kheenchta bed se utar kar bahar bhaag gaya.

"Rayyan!" Beikhtiyar awaaz di magar wo nahi ruka. Khilkhalate hue

raahdari mein tez tez qadam uthata Blanket se ulajh kar gira, phir uth kar
blanket ka kona mazbooti se pakda aur woh Faris ke study room ke aadh
khule darwaze ko dhakel kar andar gaya.

"Papa"

Wo samne hi couch par baitha tha. Sar uthaya aur foran bhaga bhaga aaya.
Chehra khila hua tha. Faris ke chehre par muskaraahat aa gayi. Haath
barhakar usay bazu se pakad kar utha liya. Uski god mein baithe, usne apna
blanket sar par daal liya. Chhupne ki koshish kar raha tha.

"Rayyan!" Wo awaaz deti hui study mein aayi thi.

Wo uski god mein blanket mein chhup kar baitha hua alert ho kar bilkul
chup ho gaya tha.
"Faris! Kya tumne Rayyan ko dekha hai?"

Usne bhi yoon zaahir kar diya jaise wo usay nazar nahi aaya.

"Nahi, maine nahi dekha."

Aankhon mein chamak bhari shararat liye, Rayyan ne apna gaal apne papa
ke seene par rakha aur khush hua ke Mumma ko nazar nahi aaya. (Yaani
ache se chhupa hua hoon!)

"To yeh chhote chhote pair kiske hain?" Wo unke samne hi jhuk gayi.

"Billi ke hain," jawab Faris ne diya tha. Ek bazu mein Rayyan ko liya hua
tha, doosre haath se typing jari thi.

"Billi ke pair itne pyare pyare!" Jannat ne beikhtiyar uske talwo ko chuha to
usne foran hi khilkhalate hue apne pair upar ko kheench liye, jis se harkat
paida hui aur Mumma ko shak ho gaya.

"Yeh tumne kise uthaya hua hai, Faris?"

"Billi ko!?"

"Billi ko?"

"Ji bilkul!"

"Mujhe nahi lagta, yeh billi hai," usne blanket kheench kar hataya aur wo
ek dum se machal kar cheekha,

"Papa! Ehtejajan "ke, pakda gaya hoon, madad karo!"

"Tum humein disturb mat karo, please!" Usne usay baazu mein chhupa liya.

"Tumhari billi ka sone ka waqt hai."

"Achha, tum jao. Hum aa jayenge."

Faris ne laptop rakh diya. Jannat ne muskura kar dono ko dekha aur study
room se chali gayi. Rayyan ne gardan moor kar dekha ke mumma gaye ya
nahi? Phir chamakti shararti aankho ke saath khilkhilaya. Adh khule
darwaze se Jannat ne yeh manzar muskura kar dekha aur sar jhatak kar chali
gayi.

•••

Faris apne karobar ke silsile mein America gaya. Manhattan Beach par apne
ghar mein guzari gayi woh pehli raat usay bohot bhaari mehsoos hui. Reh
reh kar Jannat aur baccho ka khayal aata raha. Timing ka masla tha, jitni
baar call ki, Rayyan se baat nahi ho saki. Teesre din waqt tay kar ke video
call ki to pehla chehra Rayyan ka hi nazar aaya.

"Rayyan! Dekho, Papa!"

Wo aankhon mein nami liye, nichle lab tale upar wala lab dabaye bohot
emotional sa khada tha. Usne Papa ki awaaz itni der baad suni thi. Wo apne
Papa ke paas ja bhi nahi sakta tha. Papa mobile se bahar nahi aa sakte. Uska
dukh bohot bara tha.

"Kya tum Rayyan ko candy de sakti ho?"

Faris ne is baar Jannat ko mukhatib kiya, Rayyan ko god mein liye mobile
samne rakha, muskurahat dabayi.

"Is waqt?"

"Haan, is waqt."

"Abhi to Rayyan ke sone ka waqt hai."

"Rayyan brush bhi to karta hai," Faris ne side li. Woh do saal ka chooza
zara jara aur hasaas hua. Sari baate samajh aati thi, ta'ssurat bhi. Papa ko
usse kitna pyaar tha.

"Achha, theek hai."

"Abhi do mere samne do. Aur jo iska favourite color hai, usi me dena
hoga."

"To kaunsa favourite color hai Rayyan ka?"

"Sukh!" (Surkh). Foran jawab diya.

"Oh surkh colour?" Jannat ne bhinch kar uska gaal chuma.

Faris ke samne hi candies se bhara box khol kar Rayyan ke samne rakha.
Usne surkh wrapper wali ek candy khud nikal li. Dusri nikal kar mobile ki
taraf barhai, Papa ko dene ke liye.

Uski mohabbat, uska andaaz, uska khilta hua chehra, har baar Faris ka dil
naye siray se jeet leta tha.

"Yeh bhi Rayyan ki hai."

"Do do?" Jannat mu'taraz hui.

"Ek Rayyan abhi khayega, ek subah kha lega. Hai na, Rayyan?"

Usne asbat par sar ko jambish di, maamla tay ho gaya.

Kuch der tak usne apne Papa ko dekha, awaaz bhi suni, sir bhi hilaya. Phir
baatein shuru ho gayi.

Kuch Faris ki samajh mein aayi, kuch nahi aayi. Jannat translate kar rahi
thi. Bata rahi thi, woh kya kehna chaah raha hai. Zyada tar roz marra ki
routine ke waqiyat the, Ek shikayat Jannat ki bhi thi jo bahar jaane nahi
diya. Kitchen mein "gaash" (glass) toota tha, aur "Ashka" (Aqsa) uske saath
khelte hue lawn mein gir gayi thi. Aur usne "Ash keem" (ice cream) bhi
khai thi.

Woh uski sunta raha, muskuraata raha. Phir Jannat se baat hui, aur Jamila
Dawood se bhi. Masrufiyat zyada thi, isliye jaldi se apna kaam mukammal
karke Pakistan wapas aana zaroori tha. Bacho ke bagair ab uska guzara
namumkin sa tha. Is doran apne zaroori mamlat ko dekhte hue usay apni
company ke liye ek program ka hissa banna pada.
Jis kursi par woh baitha tha, us kursi par baith kar Azam Shirazi kai baar
interviews de chuke thay. Ye uska pehla tajurba tha. Zati zindagi se mutaliq
koi sawal nahi tha; tamam guftagu karobari nu'iyat ki thi. Woh pur-aitmaad
aur confidence ke sath Shirazi Enterprises ko represent karta jawab de raha
tha.

Ehtetam se pehle, khatoon anchor ne Azam Shirazi ki tareef karte huye

achanak guftagu ka rukh uski niji zindagi ki taraf mod diya.

"Uski kamiyabi ka sara shera kis ke sar jata hai?" Woh pooch rahi thi.

"Meri maa!"

Uska jawab ne khatoon anchor ke chehre par muskurahat bikhair diya Jaise
is jawab ka hi intezaar tha. Program ko ratings chahiye thi aur Lady
Esperanza ka naam na liya jaye, aisa kaise ho sakta tha?

Bari screen par Arzoo Jahangir ka chehra numaya kar diya gaya aur Faris
Wajdan ke ta'asuraat ek dum se badal gaye.

Kya ye script ka hissa tha? Kya ye sawal aur iske mumkin jawabat ka pehle
se tay tha? Shows ke producers, directors aur channel ke malik jis aurat ke
isharo par chalte thay, woh aurat apni madhkhalat se kaise baaz aasakti thi?

"Bila shuba, Arzoo Jahangir ek bohot hi kamiyab businesswoman hain. Hal

hi mein jo unhone jawan nasl ke liye startup program launch kiya hai, woh
bohot hi kamaal ka hai. Aisi aurat ki aulaad kamiyabi ki bulandiyon tak..."

"Mazrat ke saath, lekin aap kiski baat kar rahi hai?" Usne kuch sakhti se
baat kaat di thi. Anchor ne chonk kar usay dekha. Screen ki taraf ishara
kiya.

"Main aapki maa, Aarzoo Jahangir, Lady Esperanza ki baat kar rahi hoon."

"Lekin main is naam ki kisi khatoon ko nahi jaanta."

Apne luxury flat mein screen ke samne khadi Aarzoo Jahangir ko is ek

jawab ne uska wujood dhamake se fana hota mehsoos karwa diya. Usay
nahi pata tha ke uska beta bhari duniya ke samne is tarah sakht alfaaz mein
uska rishtha manzoor karne se inkaar kar dega.

"Main apni maa ki baat kar raha hoon. Unka naam Jamila Dawood hai. Woh
ek artist hain. Aaj main jis maqam par hoon, Allah ke baad unki wajah se
hu, Kamiyab hoon to isliye ke unhone mera hamesha saath diya hai"

Aarzoo Jahangir apne apartment mein thi aur Jamila Dawood wajdan House
mein. Screen unki bhi roshan thi. Program woh bhi dekh rahi thi. Chaar
mahine ke Zayn ko uthaye Jannat kitchen se bahar aa rahi thi. Rayyan uske
saath tha. Feeder haath mein pakde, woh zara chir-chira sa roye ja raha tha.
Use neend aa rahi thi. Woh bacho ko sulane ke liye doosre kamre mein ja
rahi thi. Irada tha, fursat mein baad mein program dekh legi.

Jamila Dawood ka chehra tar hone laga.

"Magar Aarzoo Jahangir aap ki biological mother..."

"Sorry, main unhein nahi janta."

Yeh jawab de kar mic utarte hue woh break ya program ke ikhtitam ka
intezaar kiye bagair apni jagah se uth gaya tha, goya is program ka hissa
banne ki ab usmein koi khwahish baqi nahi thi.

Screen taarik hui toh Aarzoo girte hue andaz mein sofa par baithti chali gayi
thi. Dimagh sun ho gaya tha. Kaan saaye saaye kar rahe thay. Aarzoo
Jahangir ka beta apni maa ko nahi jaanta? Jise poori duniya jaanti thi, woh
apni aulaad ke liye ek gumnaam shakhsiat thi.

Us jawab ke kitne hi clips agle ek ghante mein share kar diye gaye, aur
kitne hi articles likhe gaye. Ek taraf woh thi jo baat-baat par apne bete ka
zikr karti thi, doosri taraf beta tha jo usay apni maa tasleem karta hi na tha.

Us raat Aarzoo Jahangir ko laga, woh ab kabhi bhi Faris ka zikr media par
nahi kar sakegi. Woh uske mutalliq kisi bhi sawal ka jawab ab kabhi nahi de
sakegi. Us raat usay apni shikast tasleem karni pari thi.

Us raat usay khamosh hona pada tha.

•••

Washbasin par jhuk kar Faris ne thande pani ke kayi cheente maare thay.
Lady Esperanza ka naam, tasveer, anchor ka sawal, aur ab social media par
chhidne wali behas uske hosh o hawas par chha rahi thi. Iztarari kefiyat
mein bathroom counter ko mazbooti se pakde, woh kafi dair tak wahi jhuka
raha.

Subah uski flight thi. Woh aaraam karna chahta tha, magar neend aankhon
se koson door thi.

Jameela Dawood ne call ki toh usne utha li.

"Tum theek ho?" Unhon ne fikar mand lahje mein poocha. Usne kaha, woh
theek hai. Tafseel se baat bhi ki, magar woh theek nahi tha. Sukoon jaise ab
sirf ghar laut kar hi mil sakta tha.

Safar ke dauran bhi woh bechain raha.

Ghar pahunchte hi, jab woh gaari se utaara, toh pehli nazar uski biwi par hi
pari. Woh Zayn ko uthaye seedhiyo par uska intezaar kar rahi thi. Rayyan
haath chhuda kar uski taraf bhaga. Uski harkat bekhtiyari thi; poore pandrah
din baad woh ab usay dekh raha tha.

Usne Rayyan ko uthaliya. Ab wo apni biwi se mila, aur apne chhote bete
Zayn se bhi. Usne Rayyan ko neeche utaara aur chaar mah ke is chhote
chhooze ko godh mein uthaliya tha, jo dup me aankhe jhampkata usay
dekhne ki koshish kar raha tha, jara sa heran Pareshan ki chehra naya tha.

"Zayn! Dekho, Papa!" Jannat ne puchkarte huye kaha.

"Zayn!" Usne beikhtiyar uska gaal chooma.

Pandrah dino me woh bhool bhal bhi gaya tha ke kaun Papa hai aur kaun
Faris. Rona shuru

"Kya ho gaya?"
Aur hamesha ki tarah, uske rone par Rayyan foran alert ho gaya. Bada bhai
jo tha!

Andar gaye toh Jannat ne usay lounge mein couch par leta diya.

"Rayyan, yahan baitho!"

Aur woh baith gaya, yun jaise yeh roz ka mamool ho. Jhuk kar chhote bhai
ko pyar karta, uski band ungliya khol kar kuch pakrata, uske gaal par pyar
karta. Bari zimmedari ka izhaar karta hua.

Faris kapray badal kar bahar aya, toh yeh manzar dekh kar ruk gaya.

Rayyan ke ta’asuraat bohot hi pyare thay. Samajhdari aur zimmedari ka

tassur dete hue.

Uska chehra khila hua tha. Masoom aankhon mein pyar nazar aa raha tha.
Woh itna khush tha ke hase jaa raha tha. Gaal bhare bhare se aur gulabi ho
rahe the, aankhein roshan uske Papa ghar aa gaye thay.

Sara waqt woh uski god mein chadha raha.

Cars, khilone utha utha kar dikhata raha. Uski pyari pyari baatein thi,
sawaal the, Jannat unhein dekhti muskurati rahi.

"Tumhare jaane ke baad isay bohot tez bukhaar ho gaya tha," shaam mein
woh usay seene par sulaye hue thi jab Jannat ne kaha. Woh Zayn ko baby
cot mein lita kar abhi uske paas aayi thi.

"Yaqeenan tumhein miss kar raha tha."

"Bataya kyun nahi?"

"Aunty ne mana kar diya tha. Kaam ki tension kam thi, iski bhi fikr mein
daal dete!"

Woh Rayyan ki pusht par haath rakhe hue tha. Beikhtiyar girift mazboot kar
li.
"Tumne toh miss nahi kiya!"

Ab usne Jannat se poocha tha.

"Bilkul bhi nahi!" Baazu mor kar sar ke neeche rakhe, aahistagi se boli toh
woh muskurahat daba gaya.

"Baar baar call aur message toh bohot karte rehte the?"

"Mujhse zyada calls aur messages is baar tumne kiye hain." Usne jata diya.

"Mujhe toh Rayyan se baat karni thi." Bahana tayar tha.

"Ajeeb baat hai ke har baar baat sirf mujhse hi hui." Uski aankho mein
shararat aa gayi.

Woh muskara kar reh gaya.

•••

Dining hall mein naukar ne Faris ki taraf jhuk kar Adina zubair ki aamad ki
ittila pahunchayi toh har taraf ek sannata chha gaya. Chhuriyo aur kaanto ki
harkat tham gayi.

Faris ne nazar utha kar Jameela Dawood ko dekha. Unki aankhon se

pareshani jhalakne lagi thi. Jannat ne beikhtiyaar Faris ko dekha. Rayyan
uski barabar wali kursi par baitha hua tha. Woh usay apne haath se khana
khila rahi thi.

"Usay andar aane do!"

Faris ka jawab Jannat kamal ki dhadkan tez kar gaya.

Jameela Dawood ne bhi kuch mutawajjah nigahon se Faris ko dekha.

Mulazim ko huqm deta, woh napkin se haath saaf karta dining table chhod
kar uth gaya tha.

"Aap khana khaye mummy, main abhi aata hoon."

Jameela Dawood ke ta’asuraat badal gaye thay. Woh ek dum se bohot
pareshan aur fikar mand nazar aane lagi thi. Jannat unke pehlu mein bethi,
glass mein paani daal kar diya. Phir uth kar raahdari mein aa khadi hui.
Jameela Dawood ne apne pote ko khud se laga liya tha.

Adina Rayyan ki maa thi. Woh bachay ko yahan se le jaane ka poora haq
rakhti thi. Woh Hammad ki nishani ko kho nahi sakti thi. Jane kya hone
wala tha.

"Kahan hai mera beta? Mujhe apna beta chahiye!"

Haider ke hamrah andar daakhil hotay hi woh shadeed gusse ke alam mein
chhillayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH110
•

‫اﺧﯿﺮ‬

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‫ﻧﻤﺒﺮ‬

٢٣

Apni safed hoodie ki jebo mein hath daale, woh be had sanjeedgi se Adina
zubair ke samne khada ho gaya tha. Sard nigahe uske gusse se surkh parte
chehre par jam gayi thi. Faris ki ijazat se hi woh andar aa saki thi aur itni
jurrat bhi dikha saki thi.

"Mujhe mera beta chahiye." Faris ki aankho mein aankhen gaad kar usne
apna mutalba wazeh kiya. Aaj woh har soorat Rayyan ko saath le jane ke
liye aayi thi.

"Mujhe bhi meri beti chahiye. De sakti ho?"

Adina Zubair ke andar ek dam se sannata phail gaya tha.

Aankho mein iztirab liye, Jannat Kamal ne Faris Wajdan ko dekha.

"Toh badla le rahe ho tum mujh se?" Adina ka lehja pathreela hua.

"Tumhare saath tumhari tarah pesh aa raha hoon." Uske lehje ki baroodat
Adina Zubair ko andar tak sulga gayi thi.

"Main yahan sirf apne bete ke liye aayi hoon." Uski awaaz buland hui.
"Aur main Rayyan ko tumhare ghar se nahi laya." Faris ki karakht awaaz
sunane mein goonj kar reh gayi thi. Adina zubair ek dam se la jawab hui.
Bete ko maa ke hawale karke usne ek baar bhi palet kar khabar nahi li thi.
Apne muntashir khayalat ko yakja kar ke usne sar uthaya.

"Main apne bete ko ab apne sath rakhna chahti hoon," sambhal kar boli.

"Pichhle pandrah maah se Rayyan tumhare bhaiyo ke sath reh raha tha. Yeh
muddat kafi nahi thi use apne sath rakhne ke liye?"

Woh janti thi baat kis taraf ja rahi thi. Woh pehle kabhi Rayyan ke liye na
aayi, ab kaise aa sakti thi. Woh bhi tab jab woh apni dadi ke paas aa gaya
tha.

"Main kabhi nahi chahungi, mera beta apne baap ke qatil ke paas rahe."

Faris ki istehzai muskaraahat dahine gaal ki jaanib uth gayi.

"Qatil kharcha utha sakta hai, apne saath nahi rakh sakta?" Uska lehja
tanzia hua.

Adina ki nigahe sulag uthi.

"Main tumhare saath koi behas karne nahi aayi. Mujhe mera beta chahiye.
Abhi aur isi waqt."

"Aur mera jawab bhi wazeh hai. Tum Rayyan Shirazi ko is ghar se kahi
nahi le ja sakti."

Adina Zubair ko laga sunne mein ghalti hui hai. Woh Rayyan Shirazi ke
liye aisi baat nahi keh sakta. Aise stand nahi le sakta.

"Main maa hoon uski, jab chahu, jis waqt chahu, use apne saath le ja sakti
hoon. Tum kaun hote ho mere raste mein aane wale?" Woh mushtael hokar
cheekh padi.

Woh jeebo mein hath daale use dekhta raha.

"Chacha hoon, uska haq rakhta hoon."

Dining hall mein Mrs. Shirazi thi. Woh uski awaz ba aasani se sun sakti thi.
Rayyan unki god mein tha. Unka dil laraz raha tha.

Adina ki mutthiya takhti se bheench gayi.

"To tum aise nahi manoge. Main apne bete ke liye adalat mein jaungi. Main
tum par case karungi. Tumhein media par badnaam kar dungi. Tumhein kya
lagta hai, sirf tum hi sab kuch ho? Main tumhara woh hashar karungi ke
tum kisi ko munh dikhane ke kabil nahi rahoge." Uska lehja zahreela ho
raha tha.

"Tumhein nahi lagta, ab chal chalne ki baari meri hai?"

Apni jeebo se hath nikalte hue woh seedha hua. Adina zubair ki girift bag
straps par sakht ho gayi.

"Tumhara kya khayal hai, pichhle do salo se jo tum kar rahi ho, mere paas
uska record nahi hoga?" Usne na samjhi ke aalam mein Faris ko dekha.

Agle hi pal uske chehre par saaya sa lehra gaya.

"Aur woh kaun hai jis ke saath tumhari khufiya shadi chal rahi hai? Senator
Kamran Javed ka beta?"

Uske pairo tale se zameen nikal gayi thi. Aas paas dhamako ka gumaan
hone laga tha.

"Tumhare Dubai ke kaafi chakkar lagte rahe hain. Kya uski details se bhi
aagah kar du?"

Aankho mein herat liye woh sannato mein ghiri reh gayi thi.

"Agar media ko beech mein la rahi ho toh I guess tumhari khabro ko rating
zyada milegi. Hype bhi zyada create hogi. Aur Senator Kamran kam az kam
nahi chahenge ke unka siyasi career is tarah se tabah ho jaye."

Wo sadme se ghung khadi thi. Tod phod ka shikaar hoti ek dum se fana.
Jo shakhs uska naam nahi sunna chahta tha, shakal nahi dekhna chahta tha,
woh us par yun nazar rakhe hue tha uske toh zehan mein kabhi khayal hi
nahi aaya tha.

"Rayyan ki custody ke liye adalat jana chahti ho? Shauq se jao. Tumhein
challenge karta hoon! Mere Jeete ji use mujh se le kar dikhao tum!"

Woh bhari saanso ke sath mutohash si khadi reh gayi thi. Usne socha tha,
woh use adalato mein dakhelegi, use media par badnaam karegi, us par
pressure barhaye gi, aur uski zindagi tabah kar degi.

Usne kya socha tha aur kya ho gaya tha. Aasab par aisi zarb pari thi ke woh
kuch bhi karne ke qabil nahi rahi thi.

"To ab batao, beta chahiye ya apni zindagi?" Usne ek lamhe ka tauqaf kiye
bagair jumla adhoora chhod diya. "Faisla abhi hoga. Main nahi chahta roz
roz koi tamasha khada ho."

Patthar jism par daraar pad gayi. Aankho mein qahar utar aaya. Uska
wujood khud-saakhta aag mein jalne laga tha. Uske liye zindagi ahem thi.
Apna ghar aham tha. Jis shakhs ke saath woh rishte mein munsalik thi, woh
shaks bhi ahem tha.

"Main tumhein dekh lugi." Mutthiya bheench kar, haatho ki kapkapaahat

par qaboo pate hue, sakht lehje mein dhamka kar woh usi waqt ghar se nikal
gayi thi.

Darwaza band hua toh gehri saas lete hue Jannat Kamal ne Faris ko dekha.

"Adalati notice aa bhi sakta hai," Haider modabsa Faris ke barabar mein
khada keh raha tha.

"Dekhte hain, kya karti hai." Woh aam se lehje mein bola, goya uske liye
yeh masla sire se masla tha hi nahi. Woh Rayyan ke maamle mein Adina
Zubair jaisi aurat se nimatne ke liye mukammal tayyar tha.

Gehri saans le kar mura toh Jannat par nazar padte hi ruk gaya. Usne qareeb
aakar Faris ka haath bohot mazbooti se pakad liya.
"I’m so proud of you," Faris Wajdan ne saans bhar kar apni biwi ko dekha,
jiski kuch der pehle tak achhi khasi hawaiya udi hui thi.

"Main K2 sar karke nahi aaya."

"Lekin mere liye yeh masla K2 jaisa hi tha. Kasam se bohot dari hui thi,
pata nahi kya hoga."

"Thank you, Faris. Thank you so much.."

"Kis liye?" Woh zara sa hairan hua.

"Tumne Rayyan ke liye jo stand liya, uske liye."

"Woh toh mujhe lena hi tha."

"Haan, lekin jo tumne kiya..."

"Kya kiya?"

Kehna chahti thi jo Adina Zubair ke saath kiya, uske liye bhi shukriya,
magar muskan honto par sajaye woh chup rahi. Yun laga jaise Adina Zubair
ki tamaam harkato ka badla le liya gaya ho.

Dining hall mein dakhil hote hi, Mrs. Sherazi ke barabar mein baithte Faris
ne paani ka glass utha liya.

Mrs. Shirazi aankho mein nami liye use dekh rahi thi. Rayyan unki god
mein tha, aur maiz par hath rakhe plate ko chherne ki koshish kar raha tha.

"Aap khana nahi kha rahi hain?" Sar uthakar poocha.

Unki aankh se aansoo beh nikle, foran hi saaf kiye.

Jannat, Faris ke barabar mein baith gayi thi.

"Mummy?" Woh unki taraf mutawajjah hua.

"Agar woh Rayyan ko lene phir aa gayi toh?" Jo khadsha tha, woh labo par
aa gaya. Aaj woh khaali haath chali gayi thi. Kon Jane kab woh wapas aa
jaye.

"Allah par bharosa rakhein. Mere hote huye woh Rayyan ko aap se nahi
chhin sakti," unke haatho par apna haath rakhte hue yaqeen dilaya.

"Maa hai, kuch bhi kar sakti hai," unki awaaz kanp gayi.

"Mummy! Agar usse Rayyan ki fikr hoti toh woh use apne paas rakhti.
Yahan woh sirf hamara reaction dekhne aayi thi." Usne mukhtasir jawab de
kar unhein andar tak pur sukoon kar diya. Woh Faris ko dekh kar reh gayi
thi, jo pur sukoon aur mutmaeen nazar aa raha tha. Woh us aurat ko bohot
andar tak samajh kar, parakh kar baat kar raha tha. Unka dil bhar aaya.

"Aap khana shuru karein," woh unse keh raha tha.

Jameela Dawood ke dil par jo khauf ke baadal the, chhat gaye. Aankho
mein nami liye unhone apne pote ka gaal chuma. Jannat ne Rayyan ko unse
le kar kursi par bitha diya. Khana ek baar phir shuru kar diya gaya tha.

•••

Sham mein, woh unke kamre mein aaya toh woh bed crown se tek lagaye
jaag rahi thi. Usse dekhte hi muskarayi, magar aankhon mein gham thehra
hua nazar aa raha tha. Unke haatho mein mobile tha aur mobile par
Hammad ki tasveer thi. Rayyan ki wajah se aaj unhein woh bohot shiddat se
yaad aaya tha.

Faris unke paas baith gaya.

"Bachhe so gaye?" Unhone poocha. Usne asbat mein sar ko jambish diya.

Unhone mobile rakh diya.

"Aap pareshaan lag rahi hain?"

Unhone sar utha kar Faris ko dekha. Chand lamho tak chup rahi, jaise apne
khauf ke izhaar ke liye munasib lafz na mil rahe ho.
"Rayyan tumhara bhateeja hai, tum uske baap ki jagah par ho. Ho sakta hai,
uski maa ki wajah se bhi tumhare dil mein koi nafrat aa jaye ya kabhi
tumhare liye yeh sab mushkil ho jaye."

"Mummy!" Usne unka haath pakad kar, nafi mein sar hilate unhein rokna
chaha.

"Main sirf itna keh rahi hoon, Adina ki wajah se Rayyan ko kabhi akela mat
kar dena, Faris! Uska poori duniya mein tumhare siwa aur koi nahi hai."
Unki awaaz bheegi hui thi. Chehra tar tha. Woh bohot hassas ho rahi thi.
Usne unki kefiyat samajh kar unki aankho mein narmi se dekha.

Shayad unhein darr tha ke Adina in dono ke darmiyan koi doori na paida
kar de. Kahin woh baar baar ki mudakhlat se Faris ko Rayyan Shirazi se
muntafar na kar de.

"Is aurat ka muqabla mujh se hai, mummy. Aap be fikar rahe, main Rayyan
ko is jang mein kabhi istemal nahi hone duga." Uska mawqif wazeh tha.
Irada wazeh tha. Niyat wazeh thi.

Rayyan Shirazi is ghar ka ek fard tha, uski family ka ek hissa, uska

bhateeja. Woh sahi mano mein ab uska guardian hi tha.

Unhein ehsas hua woh bila wajah ki fikr paal rahi hain.

Kuch der tak unke paas baithe rehne ke baad jab woh ja chuka toh unhone
gehri saans lekar nam aankhon ko saaf kiya. Phir duaaein parhte hue sone
ke liye let gayi.

•••

Ghar pahunchte hi Adina Zubair ne bedroom ka darwaza zor se band kiya

tha. Bag neeche phenk kar, gusse mein tehalte hue apne baal noch liye the.

"Beta chahiye ya apni zindagi? Faisla abhi hoga. Main nahi chahta, roz roz
koi tamasha ho." Faris Wijdaan ki awaaz baazgasht ban kar ek baar phir
goonji thi. Usne apna faisla suna diya tha. Woh har tarah ki qanooni jung ke
liye taiyar tha. Uske paas bohot se raaz aur kamzoriya thi. Woh isay
barbaad kar sakta tha.

Woh jaldbazi mein koi step nahi utha sakti thi. Senator Kamran Javed ke
sath apne is rishte ko chhupakar rakhna tha. Woh is tarah nazro mein aa
sakti thi.

Uska zehan maflooj ho raha tha. Na andar ki aag kam ho rahi thi, aur na hi
qissa khatam ho raha tha. Dil chah raha tha ke woh har ek cheez tod phod
kar rakh de.

Aakhir woh Rayyan ko apne saath kaise le jaye?

Kuch bebasi se is tamaam maamle ko sochte hue woh kisi khayaal ke tehat
ek jhatke se ruk gayi thi. Uske ta’assuraat lamhe bhar mein badal gaye the.
Uski bhujhi hui aankho mein chamak utar aayi thi. Tar hue chehre par
muskarahat saj gayi thi.

"Yeh mere zehan mein kyun na aaya?" Haste hue beikhtiyar apne baalo
mein haath phera aur bed par baith gayi.

Shaitaan ne ek chaal chal di thi. Usay ek rasta dikha diya tha.

"Hal toh yeh hi hai ke Rayyan uske paas hi rahe," uske andar ka shor tham
gaya tha. Aag bujh gayi thi. Woh ab Faris Wajdan ka muqabla nahi kar sakti
thi, lekin baad mein toh kar sakti thi. Aur poore haq se apna beta bhi le sakti
thi.

Iske liye waqt aur planning darkaar thi. Faris Wajdan ko shikast se dochar
karne ke liye uski mazbooti ko kamzori mein badalna zaroori tha. Uski
aankhon se shaitaniyat jhalak rahi thi.

Faris Wajdan ka mehfooz deewaro ka woh qila andar se hi aag pakad sakta
tha. Tabahi kisi qareebi se hi shuru ho sakti thi. Woh qareebi koi aur nahi,
uska beta Rayyan Shirazi hi ho sakta tha.

Khandan ka naam, jaidad mein hissa, karobar mein shares. Agar woh
peeche hat jaaye to Rayyan ko yeh sab mil sakta hai. Aur phir woh khel
sakti thi. Soda khasare ka nahi tha.

Rayyan ko Faris ke paas hi rehna chahiye. Usne tay kar liya.

Uski aankhe apni mumkinah kamiyabi ko soch kar chamakne lagi.

Tasawwur mein ek hi naam aur aankhon mein ek hi chehra tha. Rayyan
Shirazi ka chehra jo uska beta tha aur jiske bade hone ka ab usse intezaar
tha. Mansooba ban gaya. Irade bandh gaye. Pehla qadam usne utha liya.
Mutmayin ho kar usne apni ticket book karwai aur agle din ki flight se
London rawana ho gayi. Aankhon mein chamak thi aur labo par fatahana si
muskurahat. Woh Adina Zubair thi. Nafrat aur intezam ki aag mein apne hi
bete ki barbaadi ka soch kar muskura rahi thi.

•••

Lawn chair par Mrs. Shirazi ke hamrah baithay usne dhoop mein door
phoolo ke paas Rayyan, zayn aur Faris ko dekha. Woh Rayyan ki baat
tawajjo se sunta, sar hila raha tha, aur Zayn ko uski walker mein bitha raha
tha. Rayyan haste hue apni khilona car, giraffe, aur plastic ka bhalu sab
tarteeb se zameen ke aas paas rakh raha tha. Woh blocks jodne ki koshish
mein apne papa ki baat bohut tawajjo se sun raha tha. Woh ghutne par baith
kar Faris ki gardan mein baazu dale apne chhote bhai ko gubbare se behla
raha tha.

Zayn ne apne haath upar uthaye hue the. Uske bhare bhare gaal aur honth
gulabi ho rahe the. Phool se labo se neeche ke do daant jhalak rahe the.
Woh bohot active aur shararti sa bachha Walker ko harkat de raha tha. Uski
kilkariya sunayi de rahi thi.

Jameela Dawood ke hamrah baith kar chai peete woh musalsal unhein dekh
rahi thi. Woh manzar bohot mukammal sa lag raha tha. Bacho ki zimmedari
sirf uske kandho par nahi thi. Faris rozana ki buniyad par bacho ko time
deta tha. Aur chhutti ka din toh tha hi sirf unke liye.

Phir woh khud bhi uth kar unke paas chali gayi. Jameela Dawood ne
muskurate hue unhein dekha. Unke ghar ki raunake Allah ne lauta di thi. Us
par woh apne Rabb ka jitna shukr ada karti kam tha.
•••

Woh Eid ki shopping par gaye toh Jameela Dawood ko apne saath hi mall le
kar gaye the. Zayn ki woh pehli Eid thi. Wajdan house mein Rayyan ki bhi.

Dono ki khwahish thi, baccho ke kapde Jameela Dawood hi khareede. Woh

aankho mein mohabbat ki narmi liye unhein dekh kar reh gayi thi.

"Pehle din aapki pasand ke ho jaayein. Doosre din meri pasand ke, aur
teesre din Faris ki.."

"Mujhe teesra din milega..?" Zara sa shikawa kiya.

"Bilkul tum teesre number par ho.."

Jameela Dawood muskara kar reh gayi. Rayyan aur Zayn ke kapde bohot
chahat se khud pasand kiye. Unki hamesha khwahish rehti thi, woh Faris
aur Hammad ko bhi aise hi ek jaise kapdo mein dekhein. Toh ab kaafi arse
baad yeh khwahish bhi poori ho rahi thi. Eid ke roz unke hi pasand kiye
gaye shorts aur shirts mein malboos Zayn aur Rayyan unhein Faris aur
Hammad hi lage. chand lamho tak bilkul saakit ho kar nam aankho se unhe
dekhte rahi thi. Phir unhone pehle Rayyan ka bosa liya tha, phir Zayn ka.
Woh Zayn ko god mein liye aansu pochhti rahi.

Bacho ke saath guzari jani wali woh Eid unke liye bohot khas hogayi. Do
peher mein Zoya apne bhai ke saath aa gayi. Phir unke chasmatu cousin bhi
aa gaye. Aur dekhte hi dekhte ghar bacho se bhar gaya.

Woh lawn mein baithi haste hue bacho ke sath Rayyan ko khelta dekhte
rahi.

Eid ke teesre din Lahore ka program ban gaya. Jannat ki behno ki taraf se
dawat thi. Woh Jameela dawood ko apne saath hi le jana chahte the lekin
unhone inkaar kar diya. Unki chand doste Pakistan aane wali thi.

Lahore ka safar shuru hua toh Jannat ne kuch yaad aane par ek dum se uski
taraf dekha.

"Tumhein woh jagah yaad toh hogi jahan hum ruke the?"
"Kaunsi jagah?" Steering wheel par grip jamaye woh siyah gaadi ki zadd
mein sadak par nazre jamaye.

"Jahan accident hua tha."

"Kab hua tha?"

"Faris!" Zara jhunjhla kar uski taraf rukh moda.

"Oh! haan yaad aaya..."

"Ham wahi rukege. Mein us larke se milna chaungi..."

Aqbi nishisht par baby chair par Rayyan baitha tha aur barabar mein Zayn
tha. Woh chhe mah ka chooza gehri pur sukoon neend so raha tha.

"Mumma" Rayyan ke haath mein ek jahaaz tha. Neele rang ka.

"Ji mama ki jaan!" Gardan modh kar uski taraf mutawajeh hui. Rayyan ko
pani chahiye tha. Uski mukhtasir bottle nikaal kar usay dee jismei straw
laga hua tha. Chand ghoont le kar uski bas ho gayi.

Do ghanto ka safar tay hua. Aur ab ke Faris ne jis station par gaadi roki, to
Jannat ne khidki se bahar dekhte hue andaza lagana chaha ke woh kahan par
the.

Petrol pump aur saamne kuch stores. Aur duka nahi aur phir uski nazar
saamne hi pakore ke stall par pad gayi. Wahan pandrah solah baras ka larka
khada tha. Haatho par dastane thay, sar par cap tha. Woh wahi larka tha,
Jannat foran pehchaan gayi.

Bachhe so rahe thay. Woh gaadi se nikal kar baahar ke stall ki taraf gayi.

"Assalamualaikum Khan!"

Pathan larke ne sar uthakar usay dekha. Aankhein chhoti kar ke aqb mein
darwaza khol kar uske shohar baahar aaye to Khan ka pehle munh khula,
phir aankhe.
"Arey barish wala baji!" Uska tahtum Jannat kamal ke saare josh par pani
pher gaya. Faris ne bamushkil muskurahat zabt ki. Khushbash sa Gul Khan
foran uski khidmat mein hazir hua.

"Baji! Tum wohi ho na, wahan ruka tha tum jab barish ho rahi tha?"

Woh pehchaan kar tasdeeq chaah raha tha ke wo bhi wohi thi ya nahi.

"Aur tum waha phisal kar gira tha. Humein tum yaad hai."

Woh khush tha. Faris ki hansi be-sakhta thi. Jannat ne gardan modh kar
qaherbar nazro se usay dekha to zabt pakar kar usne mazrat khwahana
andaaz mein apne haath khade kiye.

"Haan, main wohi hoon jo is raat store mein ruki thi. (Yani jo giri thi, woh
koi aur hogi.)"

Usne foran se kursi kheench kar samne rakhi.

"Baji, bohot khushi hui hamko. Aur tum pakore khayega hamare?"

Jannat ka mood zara sa khushgawar hua.

"Haan bilkul. Main isi liye toh aayi hoon..." Faris ka baazu pakar kar usay
bhi apne saath ghaseet layi.

"Jannat main yeh nahi khata."

"Tum dekh nahi rahe, Gul Khan kitna safai pasand hai?"

"Main safai ki baat nahi kar raha. Main ne kabhi is tarah kuch khaya nahi."

"Toh aaj khaa lo!" Usay apne saath hi kursi par bithaa liya. Tawajja gaadi ki
taraf bhi thi ke bache se lage hue the.

Gul Khan ne plate mein pakore tal kar garam garam pesh kiye toh usne
foran ek utha liya aur doosra Faris ko diya.
"Yeh toh bohot tasty hain Khan!" Usay beech mein bohot maze ka zayka
laga. Thoda sa tukda tod kar khate hue Faris ne bhi maza chakha. Pasand
aaya toh doosra bhi utha liya. Phir teesra bhi.

"Hamare haath mein Allah ne zayka rakha hai. Aur Ammi bolta hai, tum
achi niyat se pakore banayega toh is mein Allah aur barakat daal deta hai. Is
liye sab ko hamare pakore bohot pasand aate hain."

Khan se baate karke uske ghar ka haal-chal poocha. Woh Eid ki chhuttiyo
par tha lekin school bhi jaata tha. Pakoro ki keemat ada karke, uski aur uske
stall ki tasveerein kheench kar usne Jamila, Dawood, Aima aur apne pados
ki khwateen ke group mein bhej di.

"Tum hamari mashori kar rahe ho?" Gul Khan bara khush hua.

"Haan bilkul! Dekhna yahan se jitne log guzre ge, tumhare pakore zaroor
khayenge." Jannat bohot ek excited thi.

"Tum humein pakore wala banayega?" Jannat ko hansi aa gayi.

"Nahi bhai! Hum to bas yeh koshish kar raha hain ke tumhare bohot saare
customers ho." Woh uska lehja aur andaaz apna kar boli.

"Acha ek minute!" Gul Khan ab ke bari sanjeedgi se apne stall ke aage

huliya behtar karke khada ho gaya. Seene par baazu bandhe, gardan unchi
ki.

"Tum ab hamara tasveer kheencho!"

Aur Jannat kamaal professional photographer ban gayi. Ek tassuf-bhari

nigah apni biwi par dalte hue darwaza khol kar zayn par jhuka jo abhi abhi
neend se bedar hua tha. Seat belt ko kholkhar usay utha liya. Seedha hua
toh Gul Khan pakore ki plate haath mein liye muskurahat dikha raha tha.

"Baji, tum hamara aik video banao hum apne bare mein batayega"

"Haan, theek hai. Aima ko send kar dungi. Woh apni kisi dost ke zariye kisi
channel par chalwa degi."
Ab video shooting shuru ho gayi.

"Salam Alaikum! Hamara naam Gul Khan hai aur hum pakore banate hain.
Hum bohot mehnat karta hain. Hamara pakora jo khata hai, bolta hai bohot
zaykedar hai. Tum hamara pakora khane yahan zaroor aao."

Saath hi jagah ka pata, petrol station ka naam aur jis area mein stall tha uska
bhi tafseel se bataya.

"Apni mumma ko dekh rahe ho?" Zayn ke baalo mein haath pherte hue
usne apne bete se kaha. Woh dhoop mein mundi-mundi aankhe khol kar
idhar-udhar dekhne ki koshish ki. Phir usay cheenk aa gayi.

"Jannat"

"Bas Faris, abhi aayi."

Phir jab Zayn rona laga toh Gul Khan ko bohot si shabashi aur mehnat ki
talqeen karke woh wapas aayi. Zayn Faris ki girift se nikalne ki koshish
karte hue uski taraf hamakne laga.

“Baaki sab ka bhi interview kar lo,” Faris ne tanz kiya.

“Woh baad mein phir kabhi kar lugi.” Mood acha tha, so mind nahi kiya.
Hanste hue bade pyaar se Zayn ko le liya.

“Is tareekhi jagah ki bhi tasveer leni thi jahan tumhari hungami landing hui
thi.”

Zayn ko feeder dete hue lab bheench kar usne Faris ko dekha.

“Baat toh aise kar rahe ho jaise tum khud toh kabhi phisal kar gire hi nahi!”

“Itni buri tarah se kabhi nahi gira. Bilkul!” Uska pursukoon lehja Jannat ko
aur tapa gaya.

“Woh sab tumhari wajah se hua tha. Tumne mujhe nazar lagayi thi!”

Faris ka sadaqe se munh khula. Driving karte hue usne dekha,

“Meri nazar lag gayi thi tumhein?"

"Itne aaram se aur itminan se chal rahi thi tum aur mujhse bardasht nahi
hua? Aur tumne mashallah nahi kaha”

“Kis baat par mashallah kehna chahiye tha mujhe? Ke tez barish mein
chhatri pakad kar dolti hui ja rahi ho?”

Aur bagair kisi warning ke uske bazu par ghoosa pada tha.

“Mujhe pata tha! Tum mera mood zaroor kharab karoge. Tum ho hi aise!
Tum mujhe kabhi khush nahi dekh sakte!” Uska chehra gusse se laal ho
raha tha.

Hontho par muskaraahat liye usne back-view mirror ki position theek ki.

“Acha hai, ghanta aadha ghanta is tarah ladte hue achha guzar jayega.” Woh
mehfooz hua.

“Mujhe tumhare saath Lahore aana hi nahi chahiye tha. Main hi bewaqoof
hoon jo har baar yeh soch leti hoon ke nahi mera tumhare saath acha waqt
guzrega. Tum mujhe khushi doge. Lekin tumne mujhe sirf gussa dilana hota
hai. Yeh nahi ke biwi ki thodi si tareef kar do!”

“Yeh girne wali baat mein tareef kahan se aa gayi?” Mutahair hokar poocha.

“Main toh tumhari foran tareef karti hoon. Main toh keh deti hoon, ab tum
achhe lag rahe ho. Lekin tum kya kehte ho? Kapre ache lag rahe hain. Baal
ache lag rahe hain.”

“Toh yeh kapre aur baal hote kis ke hain?” Ab ke woh jhunjhla utha.

“Toh tumhein kehna chahiye tha ke tum par yeh kapre ache lag rahe hain.
Tumhare baal pyare lag rahe hain.”

“Dono mein kya farq hai?”

“Zameen aasmaan ka farq hai!”

“La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.”

“Aur tumhein kya lagta hai?”

“Okay fine, theek hai. Sorry. Maaf kar do. Ghalti ho gayi mujhse. Ainda
tum barish mein chhatri le kar niklogi toh mashallah zaroor bolunga.”

Aur woh Zayn ko seene se lagaye, bigre tevaron ke saath khidki ki taraf
rukh mod gayi. Baat yahan tak rehti toh theek tha, lekin Lahore pohanch kar
Nafisa ke ghar mein apne bhanje bhanjiyo ke saath barish enjoy karte hue,
jab woh Faris ke ain samne phisal kar giri, toh din mein tare nazar aa gaye.

Upar se Faris ki hansi ne mohabbat barhadi. Usne dono haath chehre par
rakh liye.

“Khala gir gayi!”

“Khala! Aap ko chot lag gayi?”

"Khala! Aap ro rahi hain?"

Woh shade ke tale khada tha. Coffee mug hue uske paas aa gaya.

"Kya tum theek ho?" Panjo ke bal jukhte hue muskurahat zabt kar ke
poocha.

"Baat mat karo mujhse!" Haath hata kar woh gusse se cheekh pari. Uski
aankhein nam aur aansuon se laal ho rahi thi. Isay haste huye ho dekh liya
tha.

"Yaqeen karo, maine nazar nahi lagayi."

Lekin Jannat ne sar nahi uthaya. Chehre se haath nahi hataye.

"Ab khud uth jaogi ya uthaa lu?" Jhuk kar sarghoshi ki.

Uske azaaim se ba-khabar hote hi Jannat ne jhatkay se sar uthaya. Ghabra

kar idhar-udhar dekha. Phir uska haath pakar kar foran se uth khadi hui.
Baramde ki khidki se bahar ka manzar dekhte hue Hafsa ke labo par
muskurahat aayi. Unki naram aankhein Faris ke wajdan par jami rahi thi.
Woh Jannat ko wapas shade ke neeche le gaya tha.

Faris uski peshaani par chipke hue balon ko dahine haath se hata raha tha.
Jannat halki si gardan modey huye thi. Aur phir uski kisi baat par chahte
hue bhi muskurane lagi thi.

Haniya, Zayn ko uthaye baithi thi. Rayyan unke bete ke sath khel raha tha.
Wo mug haath mein liye unke paas aayi thi. Jhuk kar Zayn ko dekha.

"MashaAllah khala kitna pyara hai yeh," Haniya ne zameen ke kai baar
chume jane wale gaal ko ek baar phir chuma.

"Kya aap dono mein se koi bahar nahi aana chahega?"

Khidki mein hi Jannat ka chehra numoodar hua. Woh muskuraayi.

Unke Bachhe Jannat ka haath kheench rahe the.

"Bas kar do ab, beemar ho jaugi." Unka lehja shafqat bhara tha.

"Bas abhi aayi aapi.."

"Woh Faris ka mobile de dein. Woh bahar ja raha hai."

Unhone mobile uthakar de diya. Kuch hi dair mein Faris chala gaya toh
Jannat kapray badal kar unke paas aa baithi. Barish ruk chuki thi. Mausam
kaafi khushgawar sa ho gaya tha.

Zayn ko Haniya kamrw mein sula aayi thi. Rayyan ko khana khila kar
farigh hui toh bahir ke gate par dastak hone lagi. Gate par Hafsa aapi gayi
thi. Woh Jannat ke kamray mein kuch dair baad aayi. Ghaliban baithak
mein kisi ke saath mojood rahi thi.

"Tayi ammi aayi thi." Isne nahi puchha tha magar unhone bata diya.

Jannat Zayn ke kapre bag mein rakh rahi thi. Suni ansuni karte hue chup
chap kaam karti rahi.
"Tumse milne ka keh rahi thi."

Jannat ka sar jhuka raha.

Hafsa aapi ne Jannat ki taraf dekha. Woh na kisi se sawal karti thi, na kisi se
milna chahti thi. Darwaza usne sirf behno ke liye khola tha. Mafi bhi sirf
unhein di thi.

"Aapi, main yahan sirf aapke kehne par aur sirf aapse milne aayi hoon." Sar
uthakar boli toh lehje mein ek ghum chhupa tha.

"Janti hoon, is liye mana kar diya."

"Mumma" Rayyan darwaza dhakel kar andar aaya. Hafsa aapi ke chhote
bete se uski kaafi dosti ho chuki thi. Woh uske saath khelta raha. Ab bhook
lagi thi, neend bhi aa rahi thi.

Jannat ne be-ikhtiyar use godh mein utha liya. Unhone mohabbat bhari
nigahon se us bache ko dekha, phir Jannat ko.

"Faris ko Sachme koi farq nahi padta?" Uske liye cirilek bana kar layi to
Hafsa ne puchha

"Kis baat se?"

"Rayyan uski pehli biwi ka beta hai."

Jannat ne be-ikhtiyar sar uthaya, muskarayi, phir nafi mein sar hilaya.

"Nahi, hum dono is tarah usay nahi dekhte."

Jannat ki aankho mein narmi thi. Woh Rayyan ko bohot pyar se khila rahi
thi. Hafsa aapi shayad kabhi samajh nahi sakti thi. Rayyan to jaise ek ayna
tha, jismein Faris ko apna aks nazar aata tha aur Jannat Kamal ko apna.

"Bachhe to mohabbat aur sirf mohabbat ke haqdar hote hain, aapi! Unke
hisse mein nafratein kyun aaye?"
Hafsa aapi ne takeed mein sar hilate hue naram se Rayyan ke sar par haath
phera. Us yateem bache ki muskurahat bohot pyari thi. Woh tote-phote
alfazo mein Jannat se batein kiye ja raha tha. Baar-baar apne papa ka pooch
raha tha.

Jab Jannat usay sulane lagi, to Hafsa baahar chali gayi. Sukoon bhari saans
lete hue unhone Nafisa ke roshniyo mein doobe hue ghar ko dekha, jismein
har taraf zindagi ke aasar nazar aa rahe the.

Haniya kitchen mein khane ka intezam dekh rahi thi. Sohail bacho ke sath
lounge mein baithe the. Eman abhi pahunchi thi, aur uska shohar das baje
tak aane wala tha.

Wo dupatta theek kartu isha ki namaz padhne chali gayi.

Jannat ne gehri saans lekar khidki ki taraf dekha.

Raat ki tareeki mein rimjhim barish baras rahi thi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH111
Uska business trip par London jane ka irada hua to apne sath Jannat aur
bachon ko bhi le kar gaya. Program achanak bana tha. Wo to chahta tha
Jamila Dawood bhi saath chale, magar unho ne mana kar diya. Do maah
baad waise bhi unhe apne ilaaj ke liye America jana tha, so tay paya gaya
ke wo baccho ke saath ghoom phir aaye.

Phone par Haider ko ahkaamat jari karte Faris ne Begonia House ki safai
aur us ke intezamat ki dekh bhaal ka hukm jari kiya. Wo us ghar ko bechne
ka irada karke bhi abhi tak bech nahi saka tha. London pohanche to barf
bari ne istaqbaal kiya. Kuch yaad karke wo muskara diya. Gari tayar khadi
thi. Aadhe ghante ki drive ke baad gaari ek rehaishi colony mein rok di gayi
thi.

“Yeh ghar to bohot khubsurat hai,” Jannat ke mooh se baghair ikhtiyar nikal
aaya jab naye house ko bahar se dekha.

“Haan! Khubsurat to hai,” Faris ne Rayyan ko uthaya hua tha. Zeyn Jannat
ki baho mein tha.

“Itna pyara ghar hai, isay bech kyun rahe the?” Poore ghar ka jaiza lene ke
baad usne Faris se poocha. Wo khidkiyo ke paas khara barabar wale ghar ko
dekh raha tha.

“Tumhein pasand aaya?”

“Bohut!”

Faris ne usay apni baho ke ghere mein le kar kareeb kar liya. Samne wale
ghar ki us taraf ki khidkiyan roshan thi.

“Yeh Mrs. Grande ka ghar hai.”

“Jin ke paas Flora naam ki tooti hai?”

“Bilkul wohi.”

“unki nawasiyo ko dekh kar tumhe mein yaad aaya karti thi.”

"Haan"

Jannat muskurayi.

Agle din wo Rayyan aur Zayn ke sath barabar wale ghar mein Faris ke
humrah Mrs. Grande se milne gayi thi. Goke wo kafi beemar thi aur unki
yaad-dasht bhi theek se kaam nahi karti thi, magar Faris ko dekhte hi
unhone usay pehchan liya. Unhone Zayn aur Rayyan ko bohut pyar kiya
woh bohot khush thi.

Baat karte karte unka zehan bhatak jata tha. Wo batein bhool jati thi. Har
thodi dair baad mutfakkar si usay dekhti. Kisi waqt ke dayre mein qaid ho
jati thi. Aise sawal karti thi jin ka jawab dete Faris ke tas'surat mein kabhi
kabhi karb utar aata. Phir wo bhool jati thin ke wo kis se baat kar rahi hai.
Ghar wapas aaye to Faris bohut khamosh tha.

Agle din Faris office ke liye rawana hua to wo khud unse milne chali gayi
thi. Fauran pehchan gayi ke Faris ki biwi hai. Hasti muskara kar baate karti
rahi.

"Ek billi pali thi, mar gayi. Ek kutta pala tha, wo bhi mar gaya. Bas flora
zinda thi, aur harry nahi raha tha, wo bas ek raat achanak mar gaya tha.
Apne malik ke bagair wo bas chand hafte hi guzar saka."

Faris ki bohot si batein thi jo wo batati rahi. Ruk ruk kar alfaz ada karte hue
British accent ki samajh usay bas is liye asani hui ke wo Faris ki biwi thi.
Usse jo sunti thi.

Unse mil kar jab wo bahar aayi to hall mein lagi tasaveer ne uska dhyan
kheench liya. Wo tasaveer dekhte hi ruk gayi. Chand tasaveero mein Faris
bhi tha kisi café ke samne apne kisi sathi ke hamraah. Uske barabar mein
khada daraz qad, surkhi mael shade dete siyah balo wala naujawan Jannat ki
nigaho ka markaz ban gaya. Siyah frame wale square glasses, bal halka sa
curl aur gham se bhare huay. Aankhe gehri aur tareek lag nazar aati thi.
Tasaveer mein uski muskarahat har dafa uske daye gaal ki taraf uthi huyi
thi. Bohot good looking tha, Faris se shayad 2-4 saal bara hoga, lekin
dekhne mein ham umar hi lagte the Phir tasveer uthai jis mein wo Harry ke
sath tha.

"Yeh jadugar hai," aqb me se awaaz ayi to wo chonk kar murhi. Sofie ki
beti, Emma, khadi thi.

"Jadugar?"

"Haan, bohot khatarnak wala jadugar, sansani khej lehja apnate huye wo
aath saal ki ladki kareeb aa gayi.

"Isne hamare sare sikke gayab kar diye the aur James ki topi se itna bara
phool nikala tha!" Woh iski fan thi, bade mutasirheen andaz me uske
karname bata rahi thi.

"Wo Granny se milne aata hai to ghar mein kisi ko pata nahi chalta wo kaise
aaya. Mom kehti hain wo khidki se aata hai, lekin main janti hoon wo
khidki se bhi nahi aata. Kyunke Main aur James weekend par saari khidkiya
lock kar dete hai, phir bhi wo mil ke chala jata hai."

"Wo ab kahan hai?"

"Pata nahi!" Emma ne kandhe uchkaaye.

"Wo na batakar aata hai, na batakar jata hai, lekin wo hamari saari
chocolates utha kar le jata hai." James ne shikwa kiya tha

Wo baghor uski tasaveer dekh rahi thi. Ek mein uske bal kadre chhote the,
doosre mein gardan tak lambe aur aage se kham khate hue peshani par gir
rahe the. Teesre mein zyada ghunghrale lag rahe the. Woh hair dye karta tha
jo is tarah lagta tha ke siyah balo mein surkh shade nazar aata tha.

Har tasveer mein ek si muskarahat thi, aankho ka ek hi ta’assur, khada hone

ka ek hi andaz yun jaise jaan boojh kar hi wo mehsoos sa pose deta ho.

Chand aik tasveer me woh Faris ke pehlu mein khada tha. Unme sirf aik
tasaveer thi jisme 17 saal ke Faris ke labo par muskaraahat nazar aa rahi thi.
Usay woh tasveer bohot achi lagi. Woh kuch der tak Emma ke sath bate kar
ke Begonia House wapas aagayi.

"Ghaliban woh tumhara bohut achhe dost hai," Faris ne kaha.

"Kon?"

"Raahim," usne sar uthakar Jannat ko dekha.

"Tum usay janti ho?"

"Thoda bohot jaan bhi gayi hoon," woh zara si muskrai.

(Jannat kya jane kaun tha Raahim?)

"Tum usay nahi jaan sakti," Faris ne kaha.

"Tum hi bata do," Jannat ne kaha.

"Woh ek museebat hai," Faris ne intehai sanjeedgi se apni biwi ko aagah

kiya.

Jannat usay dekh kar reh gayi. Aur bilkul yeh hi baat agle din lambe chaure
James Anderson ne unke lounge mein baith kar dohraai. Woh unke ghar
dawat par aaye thay.

Uske chhote bhai William ko James ki baat par foran aitraaz hua.

"Uske baare mein aisi baat mat karo, James," William ki awaaz bhaari thi.

Jannat ne dono ki bachpan ki tasveer dekh rakhi thi, lekin ab to woh itne
bade ho pehchaan hi nahi saki thi. Siyah rang ke three-piece suit mein
malboos, woh Faris ke dost se kam mashkook guard jada lag rahe the.
Hairstyle se leke jooto tak unki har shey nafees aur stylish thi.

Aik business aur doosra engineering student tha. Jo business student tha wo
aik adad writer bhi tha, aur jo engineering kar raha tha wo hounted house
documentaries ka deewana tha. Jannat unke studies aur career ko leke
bahute confused huyi. Aise mashaghlo ke liye waqt mil jata hoga unhe?
"Parhai mein sifar (zero) hain yeh, dimag unka inhi cheejo me chalta hai jo
ye bata rahe hai." Faris ne urdu mein sarghoshi ki.

"Yeh jhoot bol raha hai," James ne urdu mein ek ek lafz dhora kar Jannat
par apni dhaak bitha di.

"Ham parhai mein bohot acche hain."

"Unhein urdu bhi aati hai?" Uski aankhein phaili.

"Humne Raahim se seekhi hai," James ne jawab diya.

Jannat marhoob ho gayi.

"Ab jab ke Raahim yahan nahi hai, main uski koi bhi burai bardasht nahi
karunga." William aagah kar diya. Woh usay uska Ustaad manta tha.

"Ham teeno mein ye uska wahid jasus hai jo hamari baatein us tak
pahuncha deta hai," James ne doosri maloomat pahuchayi.

"Main yeh bhi usay zarur bataunga." William ne agah kar diya.

"Kya tumhein usne bataya hai, Raahim ke baare mein?" James ne kureda.
Jannat ne nafi mein sir hila diya.

"Woh do kashtiyo par paon rakh kar, ajeeb si situation mein phas kar hame
ye batata hai ke, 'Ab yeh ho raha hai.' 'aur me yeh karne laga hu' Humein
lagta hai ke uski kahani khatam, aur phir wo agle din rabta karke batata hai,
'Main to zinda hoon,'" James ne kahani sunai.

"Tum kitne ehsaan faramosh ho, James. Unhone tumhare novel ke liye kitne
achhute ideas diye hain,"

Ab ke James ne intehai sanjeedgi se Jannat ki taraf mutwajja hua.

"Meri wohi tahreer is waqt aath publishers reject kar chuke hai,"

Jannat ne tassuf se sir hilaya.

"Rejection ka matlab yeh nahi ke tum nakam ho chuke ho," William ne
samjhana chaha.

James ne gehri saans lekar apni coffee ka mug uthaya aur khidki ke samne
ja khada hua. Uske chehre par fikr ke asaar thay.

"Asal mein iski Raahim se ladai chal rahi hai, is liye buraiya kar raha hai.
Kal tak gun gaa raha hoga," Jannat ne samjh kar sir hilaya.

Faris, jo ab tak khamoshi se unki baat sun raha tha, apne bete ki taraf
mutawajeh raha. Jannat ko khane ka intizam dekhna tha, is liye maazrat
karte hue uth gayi.

"Tumhari yeh wali biwi zyada acchi hai," William ne casual andaaz mein
kaha.

"Comparison ka kaun keh raha hai?" Faris ne sulag kar puchha to William
uske ghusse se khayif ho gaya.

"Waise hi keh raha tha,"

"Suno guys!" James apne khayalo se nikal kar wapas aaya. "Bahut ho gayi
aankh micholi! Ab waqt aa gaya hai ke hum Raahim ko block kar de."

William ne Zayn ko Faris se le liya. Bacha roya nahi, to usay apni bahut
badi kamiyabi mehsoos hui.

"Hey! Little buddy main hoon Uncle William,"

"Kuch keh raha hoon main!"

William ko ghuusa chadha

"Sun rahe hai.." Faris ki bezar si awaaz aayi.

"Pehle tay hua tha har teen mah baad. Phir tay hua chhe mah bad Aur ab
poora ek saal hone wala hai aur usne humein apni shakal nahi dikhai. Video
calls karta tha, woh bhi band kar di usne. Kya sirf 'I’m fine, thank you' likh
dene se dosti ka haq ada ho jata hai? Jab woh mrs. Grande se mil sakta hai,
to humse kyun nahi?"

"Kya sach mein woh yahan aata hai?" William ne hairan ho kar usay dekha.
Faris ka nanha beta uske muh par hath rakhna chah raha tha.

"Emma se pucho, har weekend uski chocolates chori ho jati hai, kala
bechari ne mujhe bataya tha ke yeh raahim ka kam hai."

"Mera nahi khayal ke woh yahan aata hai."sine par bazu bandhe faris ne
sanjeeda se goya hua,

"Lekin Emma ne jo baat kahi, usay bhi to nahi jhutla sakte. Usne apne
kaano se Raahim aur Miss Grande ki baate suni hain."

"Aath saal ki bachi ki kahani zyada credible hai tum dono ke liye?" Faris ne
ghoora.

"Tum shayad Emma ko jaante nahi ho. Hamare paros mein sabse hoshiyar
aur zaheen bachi hai woh."

" Aur Us bachi ko sirf yeh gham hai ke uske kamre se chocolates gayab ho
jati hain."

William ne samajh kar taqeed ki aur Zayn ko oopar uthaya. Bacche ki

khilkhilahat raahdaari tak gunji, jahan Rayyan khada yeh sab dekh raha tha.

"Bohot friendly hai tumhara beta! Iska matlab hai ke tum par to bilkul nahi
gaya,"

James ki nazar Rayyan par pari.

"Oh hello!" Usne door se haath hilaya, to Rayyan kuch fikrmandi ke sath
khada raha. Faris ne gardan mod kar usay dekha, phir usay bulaya to woh
unke paas aagaya. Ab woh ajnabi nigaho se dono ko dekh raha tha, apne
bhai ko bhi jo unke paas tha. Uski fikr ek dum se barh gayi.

(Kahin uske bhai ko le na jaye...)

"Isko batao ke hum zayn ko le jane wale hain," Faris ne ahistagi se bataya
to Rayyan ke lab bhinch gaye.

"Jane dein unhein?" Ab woh pooch raha tha.

Nafi me sar hilaya "Nahi.." Rayyan ki aankhein bharne lagi thi.

William ko shararat soojhi to uth khada hua.

"Bye bye!" woh uske bhai ko le jaa raha tha.

Aur usne ek dum rona shuru kar diya. Kuch beqaraari aur khauf se.

"Bas kar do, William! Kafi hai itna," Faris ne kaha, magar William ne
darwaza khol diya.

"William!" Faris ab apni jagah se uth gaya tha.

Aur is lamhe James Anderson par ye baat wazeh hua ke Faris Wajdan ko us
baache ka rona bilkul bardasht nahi hua tha.

"Kahin le kar nahi jaa rahe. Yeh dekho, wapas aagaya,"

Usne jab tak William se zayn ko le nahi liya, tak tak Rayyan ka rona band
nahi hua tha. Siskiya bharte aur hichkiya lete hue woh Faris ke paas sahem
kar betha tha. Uska bhai ab "Papa" ke paas tha bas itni si tasalli thi.

William ne maazrat khwahana andaaz mein haath uthaye. Phir uske samne
jhuk kar apna haath barhaya dosti ke liye. Rayyan ne Faris ke seene mein
munh chhupa liya. Usse dosti nahi karni thi.

Open kitchen se yeh manzar dekhte huye jannat kamal muskura kar reh
gayi thi.

Mobile par ek notification mosool huyi, to Faris ne apni jeb se nikal kar
dekha.

RA ka message tha.
"Jald milte hain, bro!"

Usne parh kar mobile wapas jeb mein dal liya. woh William ki taraf
mutawajeh tha, jo apni university ka koi kissa suna raha tha.

•••

Shandar studio mein kamyab aur pur-sukoon zindagi ke mutalliq interview

deti pur-aitmad Aarzoo Jahangir mushkura kar haath hilati, audience ke
saath tasveer khinchwati, sign karti apni secretary aur manager ke humraah
qadam uthati jaa rahi thi.

Sunehri rang ke maxi numa libas mein uska mutanasib sarapa numaya ho
raha tha. Lambi pencil heels ne jaise shaan badha di thi. Uske brown baal
halka sa curl liye hue uske dahine kandhe par gire hue the.

Ghaneri palke upar ko uthi, khoobsurat katao liye hotho par dilfareb si
muskan theher gayi thi. Uski ek ek cheez nafees, qeemti aur mehngi thi.

Haat hilate halka sa muskaraate hue woh kai dhadkano ko tham rahi thi.
Woh ek kaamyaab aurat thi, kamyab model, jiski chaal mein ek khaas
waqaar sa jhalakta nazar aa raha tha.

Woh camera flashes ki zad mein haath hilati apni siyah aala shaan gaari
mein sawar ho chuki thi. Woh kuch hi der mein Manhattan ki ek taweel
imarat ke luxury flat mein daakhil ho rahi thi. Aur tanha dakhil ho rahi thi.

Aur tab jo uski chaal ka waqaar, jo gaari se lift aur raahdari tak tha, woh ab
khatam ho raha tha. Iski seedhi kamar aur uthi hui gardan ab jhuk rahi thi.
Isne apna mehnga qeemti bag chhod diya.

Iske Branded ke nafees joote, jinke poori duniya mein bas teen hi joore
thay, unhein kheench kar utarte kuch be-dardi se phainka, jaise woh uske
talwon ko jalate rahe ho. Ab woh cream tiles par qadam uthati apne aali
shaan bedroom ka darwaza khol rahi thi. Woh kamra aisa tha jaisa kisi
malka ka hujra...
Wardrobe ne poori deewar ko gher rakha tha. Uske mehnge tareen kapro ka,
jooto ka, aur bags ka collection nazar aa raha tha. Uske jeete gaye awards
sheeshe ke us paar saje hue dikhai de rahe thay. Woh apne jahazi size ke
bed par dheh si gayi thi.

Itni roshniya thi uske apartment mein aur aisi sahuliyat ke tangi ka to
gumaan bhi nahi ho sakta tha, magar usay ho raha tha.

Woh kaamyab aurat...

Woh Aarzoo Jahangir...

Woh Lady Esperanza...

Uska dam ghut raha tha. Woh ek kamiyab aurat, jo kamyabi, khushi aur
sukoon ka har raaz jaanti thi. Jise dekh kar log rashk karte thay, jise
khushqismat aur kamyaab samjha jata tha.

Woh aurat ab side table ki daraz khench rahi thi. Andar anginat dawaiyo ka
dher tha. Woh har ek pack se goli nikalti jaa rahi thi. Uski Hazel aankho
mein surkhi tair rahi thi. Pani ke sath usne kayi goliya ek sath nigal li thi.

Ab woh qeemti aur naram reshmi safed qaleen par baithi thi. Usne haal hi
mein jo Instagram post ki thi, woh do lakh likes ka pichla record bhi tod
rahi thi. Mohabbat bhare comments aur messages se DM bhar chuka tha.
Uske fans usay kitna chahte the. Uski mohabbat mein woh kitne pagal the,
nazar aa raha tha. Unki tadaad crores mein thi. Woh usay idealize karte the,
uski misaalein dete the.

Magar uske lakho madaho par ab ek insan ki nafrat bhari thi. Woh ek insan,
jo uski kaamyabi aur shohrat ki har chamak ko mand kar raha tha.

Usne jis cheez ki bhi khwahish ki thi, hamesha hasil kar ke hi rahi thi.
Magar ab jo khwahish thi, woh hasil nahi ho rahi thi. Jo na dolat se poori ho
rahi thi, na paiso se kharidi ja rahi thi.

Duniya ki mehngi tareen brands ki aurat, jis ka ab duniya ke kaamyab

tareen logo mein shumar hone laga tha, woh aurat apne balo mein ungliyan
phansaye mathosh ho rahi thi. Uske bedroom ka manzar ek bar phir badal
raha tha.

"Woh mera beta hai! Iski maa sirf main hoon. Usay maine janam diya, nau
mahine apne pait mein rakha. Woh mujhe kaise faramosh kar sakta hai?"
Woh cheekhte hue keh rahi thi.

Char saal pehle woh Faris Wajdan se milne Shirazi House gayi thi, aur usne
milne se inkaar kar diya tha. Mulaqat Jamila Dawood se hui, to usne apna
sara gussa unpar nikal diya tha.

"Tumne usay bharkaya hai, tumne Faris ko mere khilaf kiya hai. Bhala koi
aise bhi karta hai apni maa ke sath? Meri majboori woh kisi taur samajh
nahi pa raha! Uske baap ne mujh se usay cheen liya tha."

Woh shadeed gusse aur iztaraari kefiyat mein Jamila Dawood ke samne
khadi zehar ugal rahi thi. Woh apne lafzo, rawayye aur lehje se kisi taur
normal nahi lag rahi thi. Jo baat usne us waqt kahi thi, wohi baat isi lamhe
phir dohra rahi thi.

"Main tumse milne aayi thi," Jamila Dawood ki awaaz saadaton se takrane
lagi.

"Palat-palat kar aur baar-baar maine tumse kaha tha, apne bete ko sath le
jao."

Be-tehsha surkh aankho mein nami liye woh apni jagah tham gayi.

"Tum ne kuch kaha tha mujh se? Bhool gayi ho to yaad dilau?"

Ab woh kamre ke wast mein khadi thi, yun jaise fiza mein ma'looq ho.

"To yun kehte ho ke tum ne mere bete ko mere khilaf kiya hai. Tum ne uske
dil mein mere liye nafrat bhari hai. Tum ne usay vargalaya hai."

Chikh pari.

"Aarzoo Jahangir.." ne Jamila Dawood ko nok diya tha. "Bacha sirf paida
kar dene se koi maa nahi ho jaati."
Uske aas paas ajeeb sa shor aur awaazain ubharne lagin. Camera ke flash,
mike, sawalat ki bochar, taaliyo ki golnj, ramp par uske jalww, magazines
par uski tasweere, uski brands ki promotion, kisi shaahi khandaan se
mulaqat...

Duniya ki kaamyab tareen karobar karne wale shakhsiyat ki list mein uska
naam..

"Baees saalo ke baad tumhein yaad aaya ke ek beta bhi hai?" Jamila
Dawood use dekh rahi thi. Jis taqat se woh aurat uske bete ki baat kar rahi
thi, uska poora wajood aag hone laga tha.

"Woh mera beta hai, mera. Main use hasil kar ke rahungi."

Jamila Dawood se mulaqat ke baad woh aik zidd si ho gayi thi. Ab usay
apna hona chaahiye. Uski zindagi mein apna wajood chahiye. Uski
mohabbat mein apna hissa chahiye.

"Woh koi cheez ya award nahi hai jise tum jeet sako." Awaaz kamre mein
gonj kar rahi thi. Uska wajood sakt ho gaya.

"Kamyabi ki seedhi bhi nahi, jis par qadam rakh sako."

Uski palke larz uthin.

"Khoyi hui aisi cheez bhi nahi jise saalo baad own kar sako"

Woh bejaan tango ke saath neeche baith gayi thi.

Awaazw samato par hathore ki tarah baras rahi thi.

Woh zid, aik zid, aur khwahish, sirf khwahish reh gayi thi ke jiske peeche
aik duniya marti thi, uske wajood se uski aulaad ko nafrat thi. Aur yeh
nafrat use paagal kar rahi thi.

Us waqt usay apne bete ko apne se jodne ka bas aik hi rasta nazar aaya tha
aur usne woh rasta apna liya tha. Woh interviews mein apne bete ka naam
lene lagi thi. Uski tasweer dikhane gayi thi. Use apni zaat se jodne lag gayi
thi.
Jane kaun si kami thi jo woh poora karna chahti thi. Duniya ki saari
mohabbate aik taraf, aur uski aulaad ki nafrat doosri taraf...

Uski tarjihayat mein aik dam se beta aa gaya tha. Aik kamiyab, khoobsurat
aur jo bhi uska beta ho, jiske wajahat ki log tareef karte to use apna kamal
apna lagta. Woh uski aulaad hai, woh batana chahti thi. Woh uska khoon
hai, woh itrana chahti thi.

Uski tamaam duniya isi daire ke gird ghoomne lagi thi.

Jo woh chahti thi, woh ho gaya tha. Google search iski aulaad ke tor par
Faris Shirazi ka naam dikhane laga tha. Woh sirf aik naam tha. Jo nazar aata
tha. Beta kahi na tha. Rishte aise nahi jode ja sakte the. Aise nahi banaye ja
sakte the. Naam ke sath naam likh dene se kuch nahi hota tha, kuch nahi ho
sakta tha.

Javeriya Habib uski awaaz sun kar darwaze par dastak deti andar aayi thi.
Usne tartib aur nafasat se apne is kamre ka aik baar phir hashar bigad diya
tha. Woh aik baar phir us halat mein thi ke ek cheez ko tahes nahes kar dena
chahti thi.

"Usne kaha, 'Woh mujhe nahi janta.' Mere bete ne kaha." Uski awaaz goonj
kar reh gayi thi

Faris ka chehra aankho mein aa gaya tha.

"Ma'am, sambhale khud ko."

Preshani aur fikar mandi ke aalam mein Javeriya uske saamne baith gayi
thi.

"Javeriya, woh meri aulaad hai."

Sine par haath rakhe takeedi andaz apnaya, jaise yaqeen dilana chahti ho.
"Mera beta, mera khoon hai woh. Uske inkar karne se yeh haqeeqat nahi
badlegi. Kabhi nahi badlegi, bilkul bhi nahi."

Nafi mein sar hilane lagi. Javeriya usay sahara dete huye uthaa rahi thi.
Kabhi kabhi uski madam ki halat aisi ho jati thi. Woh depression ki mareeza
thi. Har hafte psychiatrist ke paas jaati thi. Adwayat par zindagi guzar rahi
thi, aur unhi se neend le rahi thi. Jaane achanak unhe kya ho jata tha. Woh
bhari duniya ke saamne kuch aur hoti thi, tanhaai mein kuch aur.

Javeriya t'asuf se usay dekh kar reh gayi thi.

"Woh aap se nahi milna chahta. Aap is baat ko chhod kyun nahi deti?"

"Mujhe tanhaai ka ehsaas hota hai. Mere khayal se mujhe, mujhe Habib se
baat karni chahiye. Main isa ko apne paas bula leti hu..."

"Haan, yeh theek rahega."

Aarzoo ne jaldi se apna mobile uthaya.

"Ma'am," Javeria ke lab hile.

"Mansoor se kehti hoon, wohi sab manage karega."

"Ma'am, isa mar chuka hai."

Mobile phone kaan se lagaye, apne tamam tar josh ke saath woh ek dum se
sakit ho gayi. Mobile kaan se lagaye kuch lamho tak khadi rahi. Aankho
mein tafakkur ki parchhaiyan lehraye. Peshani par haath rakha, aur khud par
hairan hui ke woh kaise bhool gayi. Isa ki wafat ko poore 9 saal ho chuke
the. Yeh baat uske zehan se kaise nikal gayi? Kya hota ja raha hai?

Javeriya Habib ko ab ke zyada tashweesh hone lagi thi. Is mukhtaair arse

mein yeh teesri martaba ho raha tha ke woh Isa ko is tarah se yaad kar rahi
thi.

"Isa toh mar chuka hai."

Zair-e-lab dohrati, neeche baith gayi. Paanch saal ka Faris aur teen saal ki
isa, jab woh unhe chhod kar gayi thi. Tab usay kyu khayal na aaya ke uske
bacche abhi bahut chhote hai.

Usne peshani masal kar sir uthaya. Kamre ka manzar phir se badal chuka
tha. Usay aas paas bohut se khilone bikhre huye dikhai diye. Faris ki chhoti
si care, isa ke jahaz aur teddy bears, uski chhoti si cycle. TV par chalne
wale cartoons ka shor, khaali safhe par qalam ghaseet kar rang bharta apne
peshani par se balo ko hata ta Faris...

"Mumma"

Usne gardan morkar pichhe dekha. Awaz ki simit. Woh safed shorts par
siyaah shirt pehne seedhiyo ki taraf bhaaga tha. Phir woh uski tango se lipat
gaya tha.

Usay yeh sab kyun yaad aa raha hai? Aarzoo ki aankhon mein ajeeb si
wehsat utar aayi.

Habib, Isa ko uthaye khade the. Messi shiddat se ro rahi thi. Aur woh apna
bag ghaseet ti, glasses ankho mein tehrate behrooni gate aboor kar rahi thi.

"Talaaq ho gayi. Rishta khatam. Taluq khatam. Sab khatam."

"Aapko aaram ki zarurat hai. Aap so jaaiye," Javeriya Habib keh rahi thi.
Magar woh apne bacho ko dekh rahi thi.

Isa cart mein tha. Faris uski god mein baitha baate kar raha tha. Uski chhoti
chhoti baate ajeeb sa sukoon ragh-o-pe mein sarayat karta hua mehsoos ho
raha tha.

Us ne baby cart ki taraf haath barhaya to Isa wahan nahi tha. Faris ki awaaz
ek dum se khatam ho gayi.

"Faris"

Awaaz ke taaqib mein woh qadam uthati doosre kamre tak gayi aur pathra
kar reh gayi. Us ne teen sala beti ko dekha. Uska poora wajood bheega hua
tha. Woh neeche baitha tha aur apne jhoole ko khud hi hila raha tha. Aahista
aahista uske kapdo se abhi bhi paani tapak raha tha.

Uske ragh-o-pe mein khauf ki lehr sarayat kar gayi. Us ne rote hue moun
par haath rakh liye.
"Ma'am!" Javeriya Habib ne kandho se pakad kar hilaya tha. Aarzoo
Jahangir ki aankho se wahshat dikhayi de rahi thi.

"Mujhe yeh sab kyun nazar aa raha hai?" Uska wajood kapkapa raha tha.

Javeriya Habib tarham bhari nigaho se usse dekhti peeche hat gayi thi.

Usay guman hua.

Woh fikr mandi ke aalam mein tezi se bahar nikal gayi thi.

"Doctor ko call karo." Woh kisi se keh rahi thi.

Aarzoo Jahangir carpet par let gayi. Apne aap mein simat kar us ne apne
gird bazu bandh liye.

Kamre mein uski madham si awaaz abhi bhi gonj rahi thi. Woh rhymes thi
jo woh bacho ko suna rahi thi.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ.CH112
"Faris, woh jara Zayn ko pakdo, jaldi se pakdo..." Baithe baithe chhekhi.
Wo kapre badal kar dressing room se nikla tha, tas'suf se usay dekh kar reh
gaya.

Bahar ja kar apne wali-ehad ko pakar kar le aaya. Wo uske bhi qaboo mein
nahi aa raha tha. Jab se usne chalna shuru kiya tha, tab se kuch yeh hi haalat
the.

Jannat, Rayyan ke kapre badal kar mudi to Faris ne usay uske hawale kiya.
Wo aik dam se chheekhe laga. Chahta tha ke usay farsh par chor diya jaye
aur wo jis tarah marzi chahe, cheezo ko chhekhe, chillaye, bhage. Raat bhar
so kar subah tak full battery charge thi uski.

"Main to bohot decent bacchi thi. Bilkul shor nahi karti thi." Faris ne aaine
ke samne apne aur chhote Rayyan ke baal banate hue uski naqal utari.

"To yeh kaise tay hua ke tum bachpan mein aise nahi the?"

"Main qatan aisa nahi tha."

Wo burbura kar reh gayi.

Jaldi se apni tayari mukammal kar ke Rayyan ko saath le kar bahar aaya to
Mrs. Shirazi dining table par uska intezaar kar rahi thi.

"Good morning mummy!" Faris ne Mrs. Shirazi ko ja kar kaha.

Jannat Zayn ke kapre badal kar kuch hi dair mein aa gayi thi. Usay kursi par
belt mein jakar kar bithaya. Ab wo haath utha utha kar "Papa" kiye ja raha
tha.

Jannat ne gehri saans lekar usay dekha magar Faris usay apni god mein utha
chuka tha. Haatho mein bread ka chhota sa tukda pakra diya.
Lekin usay ab wo woh cheeze bhi khani thi jo baaqi sab kha rahe the.

"Zayn ye lo.." aise moko par Rayyan apne haatho se usay khilane ki
koshish karta tha. Ab bhi yahi kar raha tha.

"Tum office ke liye late ho jaoge." Jannat ne Zayn ko Faris se le liya. Usay
cirilek khilane lagayi. Nashte ki

mez par kaafi raunaq lagi hoti thi. Jameela Dawood muskurate hue Rayyan
ki baate sunti rehti. Nashte ke baad wo usay bahar office karne ke liye gayi.
Aur wapis aane par wo usay darwaze par muntazir nazar aaye.

Kapde badal kar usne kuch waqt bachon ke saath guzara, phir Jameela
Dawood ke studio mein chala gaya. Jannat bhi wahan thi.

Barabar wala kamra unka play room tha. Rayyan zayn ko saath liye andar
khel raha tha. Uske khilone ki almari ka darwaza khula hua tha. Zayn ne aik
aik kar ke saare khilone nikaal diye. Khud andar ghus gaya. Phir darwaze
ko aage piche karte hue Rayyan se chhupta hue khilkhilane laga. Rayyan ko
bhi maza aane laga. Wo almari ka darwaza khol leta, phir band kar deta.
Zayn ko lagta wo ghaib ho gaya hai. Phir usay lagta wo nazar aa raha hai.
Usse khushi hui thi. Wo hasne lagta. Inhi sharaarto mein darwaza itni zor se
band hua ke phir khula hi nahi. Ab Zayn sahab andar the aur Rayyan
bahar...

"Aiyan!" (Rayyan) Zayn ne uth kar apne dono hath almari ke pate par rakh
kar bajaye, Rayyan ne bahar se kholne ki koshish ki, nahi khula, phir handle
par grip jama kar kheencha.

Zayn bade aaram se baith gaya. (Bara bhai hai na bahar!)

Aur bahar Rayyan Shirazi ka chehra surkh par gaya. Aankhe bharne lagay.
Dheemi dheemi siskiyo ke saath Zayn ko awaaz di ke darwaza to khul hi
nahi raha tha. Aur samne studio room mein Jameela Dawood ke paas baithi
Jannat kamal unse baat karte hue ek dum se chup ho gayi thi.

"Yeh sirf mujhe ajeeb lag raha hai ya tumhein bhi?" Us ne Faris se poocha
to usne mobile se sar uthaya.
Zayn aur Rayyan apne pehle room mein aur itni khamoshi?

Dono hi ek dam se bokhla kar uth gaye the. Play room mein dakhil huye to
Rayyan siskia bharte hue nazar aaya.

"Zayn kahan hai, Rayyan?"

"Zayn andar?" Uski aankho mein ek duam se khauf aur dehshat utar aayi
thi. Aur wo pata nahi kyun cheekh kar rone laga tha.

Jannat ne ghabra kar foran se almari kholi to band aankho ke saath Zayn
saqit nazar aaya. Kahi usay kuch ho na gaya ho. Pareshani ke aalam mein
uthakar seene se lagaya to maloom hua ke wo neend mein tha.

"Allah!" Usne sukoon bhari saans lete hue Rayyan ki taraf dekha, jo
hichkiyo ke sath rote huye piche hat gaya tha. Faris usay uthane ki koshish
kar raha tha aur wo uski girift mein aana nahi chaah raha tha.

"Kya hua?"

Jameela Dawood bhi pareshani ke aalam mein wahi aa gayi thi.

Jannat ne bed par Zayn ko lita kar mobile nikala. Unke kamre mein
guzishta 20 minute ki video nikali. Itne aaram se khelte kudte shararti Zayn
ne almari ka rukh kar liya tha. Aur bechara Rayyan kitni der tak apni taraf
se almari ka darwaza kholne mein laga raha tha, aur phir wo rone laga tha
aur abhi tak bhi ro raha tha.

Woh teen saal ka tha, itni samajh usmein bhi thi ke kuch ghalat hua hai.

"Rayyan," Jameela Dawood ne mutfakkar lehje mein usay pukara.

Faris ne usay bed par samne bitha liya tha.

"Kya hua, batao kya hua? Kyun ro rahe ho?"

Uski hichkiya bandhi hui thi. Wo ab Jannat aur Faris dono ko dekh raha tha.
Jannat ne phir usay seene se laga liya.
"Papa! Aap maate? (Marte) Aap mujhe maate?" Us ki siskiyo ki zad mein
poocha gaya sawal Faris ke andar sannata phaila gaya.

"Main kyun maarunga?"

Uska chehra haatho mein le kar aansu saaf kiye.

"Mona pa pa ne Mona ko maara, zor se maara."

Mona unke padosi Akram sahab ki nawasi thi. Bohat shararti thi. Do roz
qabl hi Zaid ke saath Rayyan bhi unke ghar gaya tha. Zara se sawal jawab
kiye to maloom hua ke Mona ne apne chhote bhai ko seedhiyo se dhakka de
kar gira diya tha. Aur uski harkaton se aajiz uske papa ne Rayyan ke samne
hi usay thappad maar diya tha. Yeh baat uske zehan mein baith gayi. Zayn
almari mein band hua to usay laga papa bhi usay munh par marenge.

Faris ne be ikhtiyar saans bhar kar apne bhatije ko dekha. Jannat ne kursi
kheench kar milte hue juice mein straw daal kar diya to wo Sambhal kar
ghoont lene laga. Phir usse bahut pyar se samjhaya gaya ke mama papa
usay kabhi bhi nahi maarenge. Aur yeh ke Mona ke papa alag hain, uske
papa alag hain. Aur Rayyan to Mona jaisa shararti bhi nahi hai. Wo to kitna
pyara hai. Shor karta hai na shararate, Aur apne bhai ka bohot khayal rakhta
hai.

Iss tarah pyaar aur narmi se, chhote chhote lafzo mein samjhane par wo
kuch had tak sambhal gaya aur so gaya.

•••

Rayyan ka kindergarten mein dakhila hua to ibtedai kuch din tak usne bahut
tang kiya. Wo ek liye ke liye bhi apne mama papa se door nahi reh sakta
tha. Lekin jab Faris ne kindergarten se pick kar ke apne office le jana shuru
kiya to wo sambhal gaya. Ab wo kindergarten is liye jata tha kyun ke usay
phir papa ke saath office jana hota tha.

Is din apne play room me se apna nanha sa bag utha laya. Samajhdari se zip
khol kar apni coloring book nikali. Phir rang bhi samne rakh liye. Zayn
uske paas aa gaya.
Wo chahta tha ke Rayyan uske saath khele. Magar Rayyan ab school-going
bacha tha. Usay giraffe mein rang bharne ka pehla homework mila tha. Woh
kaam bahut zaroori tha. Wo kaise khel sakta tha?

Zayn uski notebook par let gaya.

Wo ek dam se sar uthaa kar chikha, phir apni notebook kheench chahi to
safha phat gaya. Aur phir "papa" ke wo zaar-o-qatar rote hue Faris ki study
mein gaya. Notebook haath mein thi. Safha phata hua tha. Gham se nidhal...

Faris apni legal team se mazrat karte hue usay uthaye bahar aaya.

Usne rote huye zayn ki poori karastani sunayi. Apni notebook dikhayi.
Uske aansu saaf karte, dilasa dete wo wapas unke kamre mein aaya to zayn
sahab naraz the.

Faris ne usko neeche utar kar khilono ki almari kholi, phir bed ke paas aa
khada hua, jhuk kar, farsh ke sath lag kar dekha to wo bigre tewaro ke saath
khafa khafa sa deewar ki taraf rukh kiye leta tha.

"Zayn bahar aao."

Khamoshi...

"Zayn"

lehja zara sa sakht...

Magar phir bhi khamoshi.

"Main teen take ginuga. Agar tum bahir na aaye to punishment milegi."

Aankhein ragarte, sakte Rayyan ne zara sa ghabra kar Faris ko dekha. Uska
nanha sa dil dhadak gaya ke Zayn ko punishment milegi. Apna gussa aur
narazgi bhool gaya.

Bed ke paas ghutne tika kar, farsh se gaal mis kar ke, haath phela kar usay
pukara.
"Zayn bai! (Bhai), bahar aao!" Usay pyar se aur bado ke andaz mein
pukara.

Phir khud bhi farsh ke saath lag kar bed ke neeche chala gaya.

Faris ne gehri saans le kar peshaani masli.

Har doosre din usay inki narazgi aur mohabbat ka amali muzahira dekhne
ko milta tha.

"Zayn!"

Faris ne apna hath barha kar, uska pair pakad kar kheencha to wo shor karne
laga. Wo rona chahta tha magar jis tarah Faris ne usay kheench kar bahar
nikala, usay bohot maza aaya.

Faris ne bazuo se pakad kar masnui khafji se jhinjhoda to khilkhila utha.

Lekin saz usay bahar haal jhelni pari. Phir usne Jannat ke paas ja kar
shikayat lagayi,

apni dado ko, Zaufshan ke saath apni dil-azeez "Ashka" ko bhi.

"Papa" naam le kar phir kuch ishare karta aur gair-mafhoom ki awaaze aur
alfaz mein batata.

Wo theek se bol nahi sakta tha magar sab ko samajh aa raha tha ke wo
kehna kya chahta hai.

"Ainda mere bete ko kuch kaha to achha nahi hoga!" Jameela Dawood ne
usay seene se laga kar Faris ko khafgi bhare andaz mein data to wo
muskurate huye sar jhuka gaya.

•••

ehri tareeki mein flashlight ki tej roshni aadhi khulti band hoti aankho par
pari to kuch aziyat se mich kar usne apna sar jhuka liya tha. Wo jis kursi par
baitha tha, uske peeche hath sakhti se bandhe hue the.
Frankfurt ki taweel o kamat imarat zair-e-tameer imarat ki koi chhati ya
satvi manzil hogi. Daye taraf pillers se aage tareek sheher ke daman mein
falakboj imarato par jalti bujhti aur thehri hui kayi roshniya aur rang the,
nuqto ki soorat.

Peshani se gaal tak behte hue khoon ki dhar collar par rang chod rahi thi.

Siyah faam ne do teen baar flash light chamka kar band kar di. Iklota bulb
jo sar par tha, roshan ho gaya. Wo teen log the, in mein ek siyah faam tha,
hatta katta sa. Aur baaqi do ladke the.

Usne bari bari teeno ki shakal dekhi. Do ka chehra bilkul soojha hua tha,
teesre wale ki kuch bachat ho gayi thi. Wo bas langda kar chal raha tha.

Teeno bilkul alert aur mohabbat ho kar usay ghere khade the. Ek ne to
baqaida gun bhi taan rakhi thi.

"Kya hai yaar? Mil baith kar aaram se masla hal kar lete hain." Lehja
dostana tha. Mojooda surat-e-haal ka na to tassurat izharat par tha, na hi
chehre par.

Yaka yak phone baj utha. Call receive kar ke kisi ko Raahim Afaq ki khabar
pahuchayi gayi. Doosri taraf se unhe, ek hukm diya gaya. Siyah faam ne ek
nazar usay dekha, phir baaqi do saathiyo ko.

Baat khatam kar ke usne apne do saathiyo ki sargoshi mein kuch kaha. Ek
ko wahan rakha aur baaqi do baahar pehre ka soch rahe the.

"To kis ke hukum par kaam kar rahe ho? Hanery ke? Faisal? Ya phir
Sulaiman ke?"

Teeno ne sawal suna, jawab na diya. Wo samajh gaya, uske saath baat cheet
se unhe roka gaya hai. Wo ab unke chehre ke ta'ssurat parh raha tha.

"Faisal ka kaam lagta hai mujhe. Yaqeenan usne hire kiya hoga tum logo
ko."

Apni taraf se andaza laga kar mutmayin andaz mein sar ko dayein bayein
jhumbish di.
"Kya Faisal ne tum teenon ko bataya hai wo kis ke liye kaam karta hai? Ya
usne mujhe pakadne ka kyun kaha hai?"

"Apna muh bandh rakho warna goli se tumhara bheja uda doonga."

Karahat lehje mein dhamki de kar siyah faam ne taar ke paas ruk kar neeche
sheher ki sarak par door tak kisi gaadi ke nishan dhoondhna ki koshish ki.

"Uda dena goli bhi chala lena. Lekin pehle apni fikr karo. Yahan se aaj tum
teen bhi zinda bach ke nikalne wale nahi ho." Be-parwa lehje mein keh kar
usne apna sar jhatka.

"Tum hamari giraft se bach kar nahi nikal sakte." Siyah faam ki ghurrahat
uske qareeb se goonji thi.

"Kisne kaha, main nikalna chahta hoon? Mujhe waise bhi parwah nahi ke
tum log mujhe Henry ke hawale karte ho ya Faisal ke." Teeno ne na-
samajhi ke aalam mein ek doosre ki shakal dekhi thi.

"Ye to tay hai ke wo meri jaan nahi lenge, lekin tumhare saath jo sulook
karenge, uski fikar ho rahi hai mujhe." Uski muskurahat ek dam se gehri ho
gayi thi. Aankho ka tassur ajeeb si pur-asraariyat mein dhal gaya.

"Kehna kya chah rahe ho tum?"

Jisne pistol tani thi, sawal bhi usne kiya. Wo bhool gaya tha ke kuch der
pehle tak phone par usay Raahim Afaq se koi baat na karne ka huqm diya
gaya tha.

"Yahi ke mujhe pakad kar tum teenon ne apni zindagi khatre mein daal di
hai." Baat wazeh na thi, samajh se bahar ho gayi.

"Tumhein hum bewakoof lagte hain?" Usne poore yaqeen ke sath sar ko
asbat me jhumbish di.

Is se pehle ke siyah faam gusse mein usay ek aur mukka raseed karta, wo ek
dum se cheekh utha.

"Ruko, Ruko, ek second, meri baat to sun lo!"

Siyah faam ne ruk kar usay girebaan se daboch liya tha. Usne bhi suspence
ki inteha karte hue fara-far bolna shuru kar diya:

Woh Raahim afaq. Ek hacker tha. Usay Faisal ke boss ne 6 mah pehle apne
ghar ka security system design karne ke liye hire kiya tha. Library mein ek
khufiya darwaza tha jo kisi kitaab ko harkat dene par khulta tha, aur wo
kitaab paas ke bedroom mein rakhi thi. Uske aali shan ghar ke darmiyan ek
bagh tha, us bagh mein beri ka darakht ke neeche char laashe dafan thi. Ek
uski mashooqa thi, doosra uska qareebi dost tha, aur baaqiya do lasho ka
usay koi ilm nahi tha.

Phir usne bataya ke wo kitna majboor aur gareeb tha, uski maa bimar thi,
aur ilaj ke liye paise chahiye the. Aur usay na chahte yeh kaam karna pada.

Usne itni tafseel di ke kaise wo is ghar mein gaya, kaise deal hui, aur kaise
haqeeqat khulne par usay jaan se maarna chahta tha. Kahani sunane ka
andaz itna asar-kun tha ke woh saans roke sunte gaye.

Usne password se lekar safe, khufia darwaza aur chhupe hue kisi tehkhaane
tak ki maloomat unhein bata di. Kuch aise raazo se parda uthaya jo aankhon
mein dehshat bhar gaye, aur kuch aise karnamo ka izhaar kiya jo khatre se
khaali nahi the.

Aur wo teeno apne client ki har maloomat se be-khabar, usay sadme se take
jaa rahe thay.

Kya? Wo itne khatarnaak aadmi ke liye kaam kar rahe hai? Samaat par
yaqeen na aaya. Ke jis ne hire kiya tha, khasa maqbool aadmi lagta tha.

"In sab baato ka hum se kya lena dena?" Akadpan se Kharahat lehje mein
sawal uchala gaya. Ke unhe bas ek naujawan ko pakad kar kisike hawale
karna tha aur apni matlooba raqm hasil karni thi. Baat khatam!

"Kyunke yeh raaz ab mujhe tak hai, isliye woh mere peechhe hai. Jab unhe
pata chalega ke tum logo ko bhi maine sab kuch bata diya hai, to woh
tumhein bhi zinda nahi chhodenge." Woh hansa tha, aur un teenon ke pairo
tale zameen nikal gayi thi. Itni tawajjo se sari baatein sunne par unhone
khud ko lanat malamat ki.
"Kya bakwas hai yeh?"

"Koi bakwas nahi. Bas aane do unhe. Yahan ek nahi, chaar-chaar laashe
girengi."

Usne sar par bomb phodkar muskuraya, jaise fikar sire se naa thi.

Achanak peeche kahi gaadi ke tyre chirchir aaye. Siyah faam ne jhuk kar
dekha to van se kuch suited buited log nikalte nazar aaye. Tadaad mein woh
6 the.

Siyah faam ke dil mein pehli baar haqeeqi khauf paida hua. Kaam chhota sa
lagta tha usay Raahim afaq ko zinda salamat hawale karna aur apni rakam
lena tha aur phir apne do saathiyo ke sath chlte banna tha. Lekin jo
khaufnaak naqsa Raahim afaq ne kecha tha usay madde nazar rakhte huye
ab usay ye sab mushkil lagne laga tha. Na usne apne kabhi khoon se range
the na wo yaha kisi aur ko rangne de sakta tha.

"Bro mene pehle bhi bola tha yeh kaam hamare bas ka nahi hai." Surkh
jacket wala ladka ghabra gaya. Woh chand maheene pehle tak ek boxing
club se jude hue the, magar kisi chhoti si badmazgi ke baad club ne unhe
nikal diya tha. Tab unhone faisla kiya ke paisa kama kar apna club
kholenge. Paisa aik din me nahi kmaya jaa sakta tha. Wo part-time jobs
karte karte woh is Faisal ke hatte chad gaye. Jisey kuch boxer ki talash thi.

Kaam asaan tha ke kisi ladke ke pakad kar unke hawale karna tha aur badle
me wo unhe maqool raqm adaa kar rahe the. Lekin ab jab kaam ho chuka
tha, toh unhe apni zindagi khatre mein padhti aane lagi.

"Aane do unhe, bilkul aane do unhe," Raahim Afaq gunguna raha tha.

"Tum ne humein kuch nahi bataya..." Tees hazar doller ki raqm aankho me
lehrayi to ghurraya.

"Sab kuch bata diya hai, aur unke samne bhi bataunga, bar-bar dohraunga."

"Woh upar aa rahe hain!"

Teesre ne mathosh ho kar ittela di.

Isse pehle ke koi aur baat hoti, siyah faam ne ishtial (ghusse) mein pistol ka
butt uske ke sar par de maara. Sadid dard se Raahim ka sar ghoom kar reh
gaya.

"Kholdo usay."

Niche sidhiyo par ujlat me kadm uthate bhari jhuto ki awaaz wajeha hone
lagi thi. Wo jo badi mushkil se usey pakad kar waha laye the. uske hath
kholte, collar se pakad kar doosre darwaze ki taraf dhakel kar. Bahar ko
bhage, ujalat me emergency ahini sidhiya utarte huye

Wo berooni deewar ke sath lag kar ahini rods par grift jamaye imarat se
nichli manzil ka rukh karte kuch der ke loye ojhal hua, uska sarapa phir
dusri manzil par namudar hua. Deewar phalang kar kuch hi der me khidki
se bahar tha.

Samne imarat ki manzil se kisi ne doorbeen ke zariye uski sari karwahi ka

malhata karte huye , bheenche huye labo me zumbish huyi thi.

"Un gadho ko kaha bhi tha, usse baat na karna."

Un teen logo ko pichhli sadak se jate hue dekha ja sakta tha.

Aur mall ki taraf logo ke hajoom mein gum hote huye, Raahim afaq dayi
janib ek dukan ka darwaza kholkar andar chala gaya. Kuch hi der me woh
samne ke darwaze se bahar tha.

Ab na woh jacket wo thi, na huliya, aur na hi woh chaal.

Woh ek adher umar ka, beemar aur zaheef sa boodha tha, jo kapkapate
huye, kanshta hua, sust royi se kadam utha raha tha.

"Kaha gaya?"

"Tum is taraf dekho, main us taraf jata hoon, aur tum waha samne."

Hukam milte hi woh log apna rasta banate huye nikal gaye.
Hat ke neeche sar jhuka hua tha, Raahim Afaq ke labo par muskarahat saj
gayi thi. Aur aankho ki chamak khatarnak hadd tak bhadh gayi thi.

Woh budha, zaheef beemar aur khansta hua, rahdari se nikal kar jaa chuka
tha.

❏❏❏
ּ ֪ ֶָ. LAST CHAPTER
Hath mein mobile liye woh hospital ke waiting room mein baithi thi.
Message type karte hue us ne apne barabar mein hi khali jagah par aik
nojawan khatoon ko baithne ki jagah di to us ne muskurate hue shukriya
ada kiya.

Woh kaafi dair se bag kandhe se lagaye kisi ke intezaar mein wahan khadi
thi.

"Pehla baby hai aap ka?" Us ne poocha to Jannat muskurayi.

"Nahi, doosra hai."

"Masha Allah." Us ka jawab us ki aankho mein ajeeb tarah ka hazan aur

nami le aaya tha.

"Aur aap ke kitne bachay hai?" Ab baat shuru ho hi gayi thi to us ne khush
gawar lehje mein poocha.

Woh lamhe bhar ke liye kisi dard ki aziyat mein aayi thi.

"Meri aulad nahi hai, main yaha meri chhoti behn ke sath aayi hoon."

Jannat ne is aik hi lamhe mein us ke etmaad ko bikharte muskurahat ko

simat'te aur hazan ki daldal mein tarte hue dekha. Yoon laga jaise woh us ka
hi huzn ho. Kisi aur ki aankho mein thehra hua nazar aa gaya ho.

"Shadi ko kitne saal hue hain?" Us ne poocha.

"Barah saal." Aankho ki nami barh gayi thi.

"Dua kijiye ga mere liye Allah mujhe bhi de."

Jannat ne aahistagi se us ka haath pakda. Zabt pakadti us ki muthi sakhti se

band ho chuki thi. Pata nahi wo kin halat se guzar rahi thi ke chehra surkh
padne laga tha aur aankhe tar ho rahi thi.

"Main paanch saalo tak be aulaad rahi." Jannat ne kaha to us ne besakhta us

ki taraf dekha. "Paanch saalo tak jo zehni torture main ne saha hai, shayad
main usay lafzo mein bayan na kar saku."

"Phir meri talaaq ho gayi..."

Siyahi mail gehri aankhe Jannat kamal ke chehre par jamkar reh gayi thi.

"Phir meri doosri shaadi huyi. Me apni zindagi ko le kar itni mayoos thi ke
mujhe lagta tha, kabhi kuch theek ho ga hi nahi. Main be aulaad rahungi aur
sab aise hi khatam ho jaye ga. Main ne duaen karna bhi chhod di thi."

"Phir meri saas ne mujhe duaon ki taraf mutawajja kiya. Aur unhi duaon ke
zariye maine apne andar umeed jagayi aur Allah ki taqdeer ke aage sar
jhuka diya. Aur shukar ada kiya ke woh jis haal mein bhi rakhe,
alhamdulillah" iski awaaz mazboot thi. Lehje mein thehrav sa tha.

"Main ne kabhi tawajjo hi nahi di ke jin banjh soorat ka zikar Qur'an mein
kiya gaya, woh dono hi ambiya ki biwiya thi. Aur dono ko hi sahib e aulad
kar diya gaya tha. Dono ke batan se nabiyo ne janm liya. Main ne kabhi is
bare mein nahi socha ke Maryam alayhissalam ke hujre mein jo be
mausami phalo ka zikr hua, to kyun hua? Phalo ko dekh kar Zakariya
alayhissalam ne umeed pakdi li, ayat ko parh kar, main kabhi kyun nahi
pakad saki?"

"Zakariya alayhissalam ko Laga tha ke woh ab badi umar ke hain aur unki
zaujah banjh hai. Unhone yeh baat Allah se kahi, aur Allah ka jawab woh
sirf unke liye nahi tha. Woh har is aurat aur mard ke liye tha jo aulaad ki
ne’mat se mehroom hai..." Usne ruk kar uski aankhon mein dekha. Zabt
pakadte lab kapkapaa uthay thay.

"Duaen radd nahi hoti. Kabhi nahi hoti. Allah plan karta hai, usne hame kab
kis waqt kya dena hai, aur kis tarah dena hai..."

"Is liye main aap se bhi yeh kehungi, na umeed mat ho. Sabr karein aur dua
aur azmaish. Guzarne ki himmat mange. Is duniya ne to phir bhi khatam ho
jana hai. Lekin yeh jo azmaish ke dauran hamare aamaal honge, hamari
ibadat, hamara yakeen, hamara imaan aur Allah par aitbar aur dua mein,
yeh aakhirat tak jayegi. Yahi aakhirat mein kaam aayengi."

Ruk kar uski aankho mein dekha.

"Har insaan ke test ka dauraniya mukhtalif hai. Mera imtihan panch saalo
tak raha. Aur Allah ne phir mujhe diya. Woh aapko bhi dega." Usne phir
uski muthi aahistagi se kholi.

"Isay khula rakhe, band na hone dein. Jo aap apni aulaad par kharch karti,
usey yateemon, miskeeno par kharch karein. Jaise Zakariya alayhissalam ne
Maryam alayhissalam ki kafaalat ki thi, usi tarah aap bhi kisi ki kafaalat kar
lein. Allah ki raah mein jitna ho sakein. Aur duaen jaari rakhe, Duae
taqdeer se ladhti hain aur sadqa musibat, pareshaniyo ko talta hai."

Woh saans rok kar usay sun rahi thi.

"Meri dua hai Allah aap ko bohut naik, saalih aulaad se nawaze... Ameen!"
Grift barhakar boli to usne tashakkur bhari nigah se dekha, apne aansu saaf
kar liye.

Uska mobile bajne laga to uthakar dekha, Faris ki call aa rahi thi.

"Main chalti hoon," keh kar muskurate hue uthne lagi to usne haath pakad
kar rok liya.

"Tumahara naam kya hai?"

"Jannat Kamal!" Jawab de kar woh muskurate hue jaane ke liye mud gayi
thi.

Waiting room mein baithi khatoon ne aankho mein nami liye usay door tak
jaate hue dekha tha.

•••

Woh business trip se wapas lauta to ehsasat be-had mukhtalif the. Guzishta
raat phone par milne wali khabar ne usay mazeed wahan thehrne nahi diya
tha. Woh jald hi wapas aa gaya tha. Ghar mein dakhil hua to khamoshi ka
raz tha. Kisi ko uski aamad ki khabar nahi thi.

Sidhiya chad kar apne bedroom ka rukh kiya. Darwaza aahistagi se khol
diya.

Nim taareeki mein Jannat usay bed par dairaz dikhayi di. Be awaaz qadamo
ke saath usne baby cart ka rukh kiya. Gulabi makhmali kambal mein lipta
hua nanha wujood gehri neend mein tha.

Woh apni jagah munjamid sa khada reh gaya tha. Usne ek baar phir
mehsoos kiya jaise uska wujood tukdo me baṭ gaya ho. Awaaz dhadkano ki
thi jo samaat mein thehr gayi thi. Ehsasat ajeeb hone lagay the.

Usne himmat pakadte hue jhakar be-had ehtiyaat se usay uthaa liya tha.
Nigahe uske pyare se chehre par jami reh gayi.

Usay yun laga jaise woh wohi ho. Woh usay ata kar di gayi ho.

Aahat par Jannat ki aankh khul gayi. Kohni ke bal ooper hui aur Faris par
nazar padte hi thehr gayi.

Nim tareeki mein woh usay dekh sakti thi. Woh apni beti ko seene se lagaye
khada tha. Woh uska matha, uske gaal choom raha tha. Uski aankhe tar thi.
Woh be-had ehtiyaat se uth kar beth gayi thi. Lihaf hataa kar uske paas aa
gayi.

Usne Faris ke bazoo par haath rakha. To usne gardan modh kar Jannat ko
dekha. Woh maut ki sarhado ko choo kar patti thi. Uski rangat zard aur
aankhon ke halqe gehre lag rahe the lekin momi chehre par ilahi si khushi
nazar aa rahi thi. Woh apni beti ki paidaish par yahan nahi tha, usay soch
kar dukh hua. Usay yahan hona chahiye tha.

"Hum tumhara intezaar kar rahe the," woh boli to muskurahat liyon par aa
gayi. Woh apni beti ko baahon mein liye uske paas hi baith gaya tha.

Jannat ka dahina haath uske haath mein tha. Woh dono hi ab usay dekh rahe
the. Woh mundi mundi aankhe khole hui thi. Labo ko jumbish dete dekhne
ki koshish kar rahi thi. Muthhiya bhinchi hui thi. Gulabi libaas uski apni
rangat se match kar raha tha.

Woh anguthe se uske gaal ko chhoote hue ab usse baat kar raha tha.

"Zayn ka naam maine rakha tha, iska naam tum rakhoge" woh kandhe se
gaal mish kiye bohot narmi se boli.

"Kya rakhna chahiye?"

"Jo tum apni pehli beti ka rakhna chahte the." Aahistagi se kehte hue usne
Faris ke bazoo par apni grip mazboot kar li thi.

"Main uska naam jannat rakhna chahta tha."

Lamha bhar ke liye Jannat Kamal ki dhadkanein tham gayi thi. Aankho
mein mohabbat ki narmi liye usne Faris ko dekha. Woh uska naam tha.
Chhota sa ek lafz. Jo uski pehchan ban gaya tha. Aur woh usay kabhi bhi
bhool nahi saka tha.

"Maa aur beti ka ek sa naam."

"Bilkul! Kya khayal hai?" Faris ne poocha to woh muskurayi.

"Mujhe zayn ka naam phir Faris rakhna chahiye tha."

Woh hans diya.

"To ab tay karo." Usne kapda jara sa neeche karte hue apni beti ki naak ko
chhua.

"Jannat, janna, aur is se juda hua ek aur naam Jinaan!"

Woh naam Jannat Kamal ko bohot pyara laga.

"Jinaan alhad"

Aur iski pyari si pari ka naam is raat mile ho gaya. Safar ki thakan ke
bawajood is raat Faris Wajdan raat gaye tak apni beti ko god mein liye
baitha raha tha. Woh uske wujood se gayi thi to zindagi ka ehsaas ho raha
tha. Aur woh dard jo dil mein tha, uski chubhan halki ho rahi thi.

•••

Wajdan House ke lawn mein dhoop utri hui thi. Khali canvas ke samne
brush haath mein liye Jameela Dawood wahi baithi thi. Rayyan apni gaind
se khel raha tha. Daudte bhagte, cheekhte huye Zayn iskka bhar poor saath
de raha tha. Upari manzil ki deewar gir khidkiyon se bahar ka manzar
dekhte hue Jannat ne kagzat se bhara hua "usri yusra" ka folder daraz mein
rakh diya tha. Sirf ek safha tha jo uske haath mein dhara reh gaya tha.

Talash ka safar mukammal ho gaya tha. Jis jawab ki talash thi woh use mil
chuka tha. Usne baby cart par jhakar apni nanhi si gudiya ko baho mein
uthaa liya. Safed frock mein malboos Jinaan apne haath pair chala rahi thi.

Ehtiyaat se sidhiya utar kar woh bahar aa gayi thi.

Jameela Dawood ne use apni jaan aate hue dekha to brush rakh diya. Lawn
cheez par unke paas baithte hue unhone Jinaan ko pukara to woh
muskurayi. Rayyan bhaga chala aaya tha. Unki behna abhi jagi thi. To
Jannat ke ghuthno par haath rakhe, ooper ho kar uske gaal par pyaar kiya.
Zayn ko filhaal bosa lena nahi aata tha. Usne bhi apne bhai ki dekha dekhi
apne lab Jinaan ke gulabi gaalo par rakh kar hata liye. Mrs. Shirazi haans
padhi.

Jannat ne usri yusra ke kagazat unke samne mez par rakh diye.

"Mujhe lagta hai shayad main kisi muddat tak jawab tak pahunch gayi
hoon."

Usne kaha to Mrs. Shirazi ki aankho mein ishtiyaq ki ek lehje bhari

muskurate hue unhone ek nazar safhat par daali.

"Main tumse sunna chahti hoon."

Ek baar pehle unhone iska research work padha tha. Uski ghair maujoodgi
mein padha tha. Ab wo usse sunna chahti thi, gehri saans le kar gaal par
phisalte lat ko kaan ke peeche kar diya tha. Dhoop mein uski ujlat rangat
chamak rahi thi. Usne pehla safha khol diya.

"Aayat hai: Inna ma'al 'usri yusraa. Inna ma'al 'usri yusraa. Usne ek lamha
ruk kar kaha,

"Al-'usr" ism ma'rifah hai, aur "yusr" ism nakrah. Al-'usr ke aaghaz mein
alif laam hai, jo isse "muqayyad" kar deta hai, yaani ek hadd mein qaid kar
deta hai. Jabke "yusr" alif laam ke bagair mutlaq hai.."

"Mutlaq woh alfaaz hote hain jo har lehaz se ghair muqayyad, ghair
mashroot, ghair mu'ayyan ya ghair mahdood hote hain. Aasan alfaz mein
yun kehna behtar hoga, jo mukammal ya azaad ho."

Jameela Dawood ne asbat mein sir ko jambish di to usne baat jaari rakhi.

"Al-'usr muqayyad hai. Muqayyad yani baandha hua. Ek had mein rakha
hua. Aur yusra azaad aur muqammal..."

Lawn ki sarsabz ghaas par se lehra kar uthti hui hawae darakhto ki shaakho
se guzr gayi thi. Neele aasman ki bulandiyon par kahi kahin safedi phailne
lagi thi.

"Ayat ne al-usar ko alif laam se khaas (ma'rifah) kar diya aur yusr ko bina
alif laam ke aam kar diya.."

Usne ahistagi se safa palat diya.

"Lekin yahan al-‘usar ke muqable mein yusr nahi yusra hai. Alif ke sath.
Alif yusr ki tazeem ke liye hai. Yusra isme takbeer hai. Isme takbeer
nishandahi karti hai har us shay ki jo azim hai..."

Uski awaaz mazboot aur lehja thehra hua tha. Woh aankho mein chak liye,
bohot shauq aur excitement ke saath unhe bata rahi thi.

"To is hisaab se ayat ka matlab hua, 'Beshak har mushkil ke saath azeem
asaani hai."
Jameela Dawood shakk bhari nigahon se use dekh rahi thi. Jannat Kamal
apne sawaal ki teh tak pahunch gayi thi. Usne apne halat ko samajh kar
jawab ikhtiza kar liya tha. Talak ko samajh liya tha. Yusra ko pa liya tha.

"Har woh takleef, aziyat, azmaish ya ibtila jise hum guzar rahe hote hain ya
jis mein hum rote tadhpte guzar hai, uske saath hamare liye ek bohot badi
asaani hai, jo inaam humein milega woh hamari soch se barh kar hoga. Jo
usar ki tarah sirf yusr nahi hoga, woh yusra hoga. Yani woh azeem hoga..."

Rayyan ki gaind bohot door ja giri thi. Zayn ne bhaagte hue pehle
pahunchne ki koshish ki thi. Kiyari mein chand aik phoolo ki pankhudiya
toot kar neeche aa gayi thi.

Hawaon ne rukh badal liya.

"Ayat ya to takeed ke liye dohrayi jati hain ya taheed yani khauf ke liye ya
phir tazeem ke liye. Yani Allah ke us kalam ki gehraai ya azmat bayan
karne ke liye, aur kya aap yakeen karengi ke is aik jaisi dohrayi jaane wali
ayat mein mujhe aik mukammal tor par mukhtalif matlab nazar aaya hai..."
Usne aik lamha ka tawaquf kar ke unki aankho mein bohot umeed aur
yakeen se dekha tha. Jinaan ab uski choodiyo par hath rakh rahi thi.

"Main ne seekha hai, usar kabhi bhi tanha nahi aata. Woh aap ki zindagi
mein jab bhi, jis bhi soorat mein aata hai, yusra ko saath le kar aata hai.
Yusra yani aik bohot badi asaani. Main ne yeh bhi seekha hai ke chunke aap
usar se guzar rahe hote hain, is liye aap us se waqif hote hain lekin yusra aik
aisi cheez hai jo nigahk se ojhal rehti hai. Baz aukat hum usay samajh nahi
sakte. Pehchaan nahi paate tabhi to kaha gaya hai saath hai taakw hum
yakeen qaim rakhe ke "woh" hai. Main ne is ayat se yeh bhi seekha hai ke
yusra do tarike ke hote hain. Aik, yusra woh hai jo aapko sabr ke badle
mehnat ke badlay mustaqbil mein mil jata hai. (Woh mehnat jis ka zikar
Surah ki agli ayato mein bhi hai) doosra, yusra hai jise sakht mushkil halat
se guzar kar aap usse pa chuke hote hain aur usse jee bhi rahe hote hain par
aap ko uska ilm nahi hota."

Woh bohot gehraai mein baat kar rahi thi. Jo unhone bhi nahi socha tha.
Jannat Kamal woh bhi soch rahi thi.
"Misaal ke taur par aik nojawan aik sheher se doosre sheher ja raha hai.
Raaste mein gaari kharaab ho jaati hai. Ab chunke amd or raft bhi kam hai
to use koi sawari nahi milti. Woh pareshan ho jaata hai kyun ke usay job
interview ke liye muqarra waqt par pohanchna tha.."

"Woh udaas ho kar rone lagta hai, is liye ke beemar maa ko akela ghar
chhod kar aaya hai. Use gham hai ke woh us nokri ko bhi haasil nahi kar
sakega. Woh ruk gaya, phansa gaya, rota raha. Is baat se qata'i be khabar ke
agar woh is sadak par gaari chalta rehta to aage kisi truck se takra kar uski
gaari tabah ho jaati aur woh ain moqa par dum tor deta..."

"Gaari ka kharaab hona usar hai..."

"Job interview ka chhoot jana bhi ‘Usar hai..."

"Magar is usar ke badle jo yusra usay mila hai, kya woh azeem nahi? Is usar
ki ba nisbat jisse wo guzar raha hai, aur jiska usay ilm bhi nahi.."

Jameela Dawood ki nigahen uske chehre par jam kar reh gayi thi.

"Har gham, har dukh, har dard, har pareshani aur mushkil ka tanasuf yusra
ke saath is tarah hota hai. Yusra hamesha usar se bara hota hai."

Us ne ruk kar chand lamho ka tawquf kiya tha.

Jameela Dawood be had khamoshi aur sukoon se usay sun rahi thi. Unke
chehre par itma'inan nazar aa raha tha. Unke zakhmo par phir se marham
lag raha tha.

"Main ne yusra par ghour is liye bhi kiya. Kyunki aap ne mujhe Surah At-
Talaq ka hawala diya tha. Usri yusra aik jagah 'maa' aur doosri jagah par
'baap' ke saath hai. Aik usar aisa hai jiska yusra us ke sath hi hota hai, jura
hua. Aur doosra yusra asar ki ghatai se guzarne ke baad ataa kar diya jata
hai."

Khali canvas par kai manazir ubharne lagay the. Unki nigahen uske chehre
par jam kar reh gayi thi.

"Aur beshak tamam ilm Allah ka hi hai. Allah hi hai jo behtar janta hai."
Apni baat khatam kar ke ab woh islah ke liye muntazir unhein dekhne lagi
thi. Apna nuqta-e-nazar usne wazeh kar diya, apni tehqiq aur mehnat
dikhadi thi.

"MashaAllah " unki aankhein num thi. Muhabbat se uski mehnat aur lagan
ko saraha. Dua bhi di. Phir unhone safhat uthaa liye. Palat kar dekhne lagi
thi. Parhne lagi thi. Us ne highlighter pen se kai nishan laga rakhe thay. Kai
lafzo ke anginat ma'ani ki list bana rakhi thi. Sirf 'usri yusra' ko samajhne ke
liye usay Quran ki un tamam ayato ki depth ko dekhna pada tha jin mein
yeh lafz istemal hua tha. Nakrah aur ma'arifah ki pehchaan deni padi thi.
Siyaaq-o-Sabaq par ghour karna pada tha. Kai jagaho par 'usar' alif ke sath
Yusra lafz ke saathhua tha aur kai jagaho par yera sirf usar ...

"Kya talash ka yeh safar yahin khatam hua?"

"Nahi," Jinaan ne uske baalo mein haath uljha liye the, Chhudate huye
unhein dekha.

"Khatam nahi hua. Abhi is par mazeed research karongi. Main apni zindagi
ke waqt halat ke tanazur mein aur mazeed dekhne aur samajhne ki koshish
karongi." Ruk kar muskurayi. "Aur main to ab yeh bhi soch rahi hoon Surat
al nasrah ka aaghaz, aik sawaal se hi kyun kiya gaya..."

Jameela Dawood muskurakar reh gayi thi.

"Ab main uska jawab dhudugi."

"Mumma" Rayyan bhaga hua uske paas aaya tha.

Jameela Dawood ki nigahe khali canvas par thehr gayi thi.

Zehen mein ab aik naya manzar tha. Aik naya mafhoom liye hue. Naye
rango mein ghira hua. Nayi umeedo se saza hua

"Beshak har mushkil ke saath azeem asaani hai."

Unhone brush uthaa liya.

Bairooni darwaze khul gaye the, Farjs ki gaari andar daakhil ho rahi thi.
Apni gaind ko chhod chhaad diya, Rayyan zayn apne papa ki taraf bhagay
the. Jinaan ko seene se lagaye Jannat bhi apni jagah se uth gayi thi.

Unhone apne bete ko dekha jis ke labo pad zindagi se bhar poor muskurahat
thi. Safed makhmali libas mein malboos Jannat Kamal hanste hue kuch keh
rahi thi.

Faris ne Jinaan ko uthaa liya tha jo baap ko dekhte hi Jannat ki girift se

nikalne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

"Papa!" Woh pyari si awaaz Rayyan Shirazi ki thi. Us ke siyah baal

peshaani par bikhre ja rahe the, Woh aik hi lamhe mein apne papa ko subah
se ab tak ki tamam baate bata dena chahta tha. Us ka chehra khila hua tha.
Us ki aankhe roshan ho rahi thin.

Unhone apni aankho se zindagi se bharpoor is manzar ko dekha. Un kadi

azmaisho ko socha, mushkilat se ghare waqto ko khoja. Woh aansuo se
bhare lamhe, woh duao se ghire huye Sazde aur tadhap liye huye nidaye...

"Aur yusra to aise hai jaise aik tang aur taareek surang ke aakhir par phaila
hua wasee' sabza zaar."

Suraj asman par tha aur kirne par.

"Yusra aise hai jaise aik chhote se sote se phootta pani ka chashma.."

Unhone colour paint haath mein liya, brush uthaa liya.

"Usar marz hai to yusra aik azeem shifa!"

"Usar zakhm hai to yusra aik azeem marham..."

"Usra sabr hai to yusra aik azeem ajar..."

"Usra aansu hai to yusra aik azeem farah..."

"Usar mehrumi hai to yusra Allah ki azeem ata!"

Safed canvas par rang bikharne lage thay. Aik naya manzar tehleeq ke
marahil se guzarne laga tha.

Woh aaghaz tha jise woh dekh rahi thi. Woh ibtida thi jise woh sun rahi thi.

Naam Allah ka tha…

Sirf uska hi tha…

Wahi Mujib...

wohi Khaliq ...

wohi Raziq aur wohi Malik hai.

Jis ne ahata kar rakha apni makhlook ka. Un ki duao aur aamal ka. Unke
yaqeen aur imaan ka.

"Be shak har mushkil ke saath azeem asaani hai."

Hawae taiz chalne lagi thi. Aasman par badal phel rahe the, Dharti par
amalatas ke darakhto se Sunehri baarish hone lagi thi.

Safhe palat diye gaye the, Aur qalam uthaa liya gaya tha. Aik nai hiqayat ke
liye jo waqt ke kisi aur daire par ubharne wali thi.

ＴＨＥ
ＥＮＤ
•