आँख की किरकिरी उपन्यास भाग-5

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is lekh ka punarikshan evan sampadan hona avashyak hai. ap isamean sahayata kar sakate haian. "sujhav"

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rajalakshmi ne aj subah se vinodini ko bulaya nahian. roz ki tarah vinodini bhandar mean gee. rajalakshmi ne sir uthakar usaki or nahian dekha.

yah dekhakar bhi usane kaha- "bua, tabiyat thik nahian hai, kyoan? ho bhi kaise? kal rat bhaee sahab ne jo karatoot ki! pagal-se a dhamake. mujhe to phir niand hi n aee."

rajalakshmi muanh latakae rahi. haan-na kuchh n kaha.

vinodini boli- "kisi bat par chakh-chakh ho gee hogi asha se. kuchh bhi kaho! bua, naraj mat hona, tumhare bete mean chahe hazaroan sipht hoan, dhiraj zara bhi nahian. isilie mujhase haradam jh dap hi hoti rahati hai."

rajalakshmi ne kaha- "bahoo, jhooth bakati ja rahi ho tum, mujhe aj koee bhi bat nahian suhati."

vinodini boli- "mujhe bhi kuchh nahian suha raha hai, bua. tumhare dil ko thes lagegi, isi dar se jhooth se maian tumhare bete ka gunah dhakana chahati thi. lekin is had ko pahuanch gaya hai ki ab dhaka nahian rahana chahata."

rajalakshmi- "apane bete ka gun-dosh mujhe maloom hai, magar tum kaisi mayavini ho, yah pata n tha."

vinadini n jane kya kahane ja rahi thi ki apane ko zabt kar gee.

boli- "yah baja hai bua, koee kisi ko nahian janata; apane man ko hi kya sab koee janate haian? kabhi kya tumhian ne apani bahoo se dah karake is mayavini ke zariye apane bete ka man mohane ki koshish nahian karaee thi? zara sochakar dekho!"

rajalakshmi ag-si dahak uthian. bolian- "abhagin, l dake ke lie too maan par aisa arop laga sakati hai? jibh galakar nahian giregi teri?"

vinodini usi adig bhav se boli- "bua, ham haian mayavini ki jat- mujhamean kaun-si maya thi maian thik-thak nahian janati thi, tumhean pata tha, tumamean bhi kya maya thi- isaka tumhean thik pata n tha, maian janati thi. magar maya zaroor thi, nahian to yah ghatana n ghatati. maianne bhi kuchh janate aur kuchh ajanate phanda dala tha. aur phanda tumane bhi kuchh to janakar bina jane dala tha. hamari jat ka dharm hi aisa hai- ham mayavini haian."

krodh ke mare rajalakshmi ka kanth jak d gaya. vah tezise kamare ke bahar nikal geean.

vinodini soone kamare mean jara der sthir kh di rahi. usaki aauankhoan mean ag jal uthi.

subah ka kam-kaj chuk gaya to rajalakshmi ne mahendr ko bulava diya. mahendr samajh gaya, kal rat ki ghatana ke bare mean kaheangi. is bich vinodini se chitthi ka uttar pakar man bekal ho gaya. usi aghat ke prati-ghat svaroop usaka laharaya hriday vinodini ki or zoroan se dau d raha tha. is sthiti mean maan se saval-javab karana usake lie kathin tha. vah khoob samajh raha tha jahaan se maan ne vinadini ke bare mean use phatakar bataee ki vah vidrohi ki tarah sach bata dega aur sach kahate hi bhishan grih-yuddh shuroo ho jayega. lihaza is samay kahian bahar jakar sari batoan par thik se gaur kar lena thik hai. mahendr ne naukar se kaha- "maan se jakar kah de, aj k aaulej mean mujhe vishesh kam se, jaldi jana hai; lautakar milooanga."

aur turant kap de pahanakar bina khae-pie vah bhag kh da hua. vinodini ki jis sakht chitthi ko vah aj subah se hi barambar padhata aur jeb mean liye-liye phirata raha- jaldi mean vah chitthi kurate mean hi chho dakar chala gaya.

ek jhamak barish ho gee, phir ghum dan-si ho rahi. vinodini ka man aj khijha hua tha. usaka man bhi jab aisa hota hai to vah kam zyada karati hai. isilie aj ghar bhar mean jitane bhi kap de mile sabako batorakar nishan laga rahi thi. asha se kap de maangane gee to usake chehare ka bhav dekhakar usaka man aur bhi big d gaya. sansar mean agar kasooravar hi thaharana hai to usaki sari zahamatean hi kyoan jhele, kasoor ke sukhoan se hi kyoan vanchit haan?

jhamajham barish shuroo ho gee. vinadini kamare ke pharsh par a baithi. samane kap doan ka paha d laga tha. naukarani ek-ek kap da usaki or badha rahi thi aur vah syahi se us par haraph uga rahi thi. mahendr ne koee avaz n di. daravaza kholakar sidha kamare mean dakhil ho gaya. naukarani ghooanghat nikalakar vahaan se bhag gee.

vinodini ne apani god par ka kap da utar pheanka aur bijali-si lapak kh di huee. boli- "jao, mere kamare se chale jao!"

mahendr bola- "kyoan, maianne kya kiya hai?"

vinodini- "kya kiya hai! darapok, kayar! kuchh karane ki jurrat hi kahaan hai tumamean! n pyar karana ata hai, n kartavy ka pata hai. bich mean mujhe kyoan logoan ki nazaroan mean gira rahe ho?" mahendr- "tumhean pyar nahian kiya, yah kya kahati ho?"

vinodini- "maian yahi kah rahi hooan- chori chup-chup, jhop-top, ek bar idhar to ek bar udhar- tumhari yah chor- jaisi harakat dekhakar mujhe napharat ho gee hai. ab achchha nahian lagata. tum jao yahaan se ." mahendr murajha gaya. bola- "tum mujhase napharat karati ho, vinod?"

vinodini- "haan, karati hooan."

mahendr- "ab bhi prayashchitt karane ka samay hai. maian agar duvidha n karooan, sab-kuchh chho d-chha dakar chal dooan to tum mere sath chalane ko taiyar ho?"

yah kahakar mahendr ne zor se usake donoan hath pak dakar use apani or khianch liya. vinodini boli-"chho do, dar lagata hai."

mahendr- "lagane do. pahale batao ki tum mere sath chalogi?"

vinodini- "nahian! nahian! hargij nahian."

mahendr- "kyoan nahian chalogi? tumane hi mujhe khianchakar sarvanash ke jab de mean pahuanchaya. ab aj tum mujhe chho d nahian sakatian. chalana hi p dega tumhean."

mahendr ne balapoorvak vinodini ko apani chhati se lagaya aur kasakar pak date hue kaha- "maian tumhean le jakar hi rahooanga aur chahe jaise bhi ho, pyar tumhean karana hi p dega."

vinodini ne zabaradasti apane ko usake shiankaje se chhu da liya. mahendr ne kaha- "charoan taraph ag laga di hai, ab bujha bhi nahian sakati, bhag bhi nahian sakati."

kahate-kahate mahendr ki avaz ooanchi ho aee. zor se bola- "akhir aisa khel tumane khela kyoan, vinod! ab ise khel kahakar talane se chhutakara nahian. tumhari aur meri ab ek hi maut hai." rajalakshmi andar aeean. bolian- "kya kar raha hai, mahendr?"

mahendr ki unmatt nigah pal-bhar ko maan ki or phir gee. usake bad usane phir vinodini ki taraph dekhakar kaha- "maian sab-kuchh chho d-chha dakar ja raha hooan, batao, tum mere sath chalati ho?" vinodini ne naraj rajalakshmi ke chehare ki or ek bar dekha aur adig bhav se mahendr ka hath thamakar boli- "chalooangi."

mahendr ne kaha- "to aj-bhar intajar karo! maian chalata hooan. kal se tumhare siva mera aur koee n hoga."

kahakar mahendr chala gaya.

itane mean dhobi a gaya. vinodini se usane kaha-"maan ji, ab to jane hi dijie. aj phurasat nahian hai, to maian kal akar kap de le jaooanga." naukarani aee- "bahoo ji, saees ne bataya hai, gho de ka dana khatm ho gaya hai."

vinodini ikattha sat din ka dana astabal mean bhijava diya karati thi aur khud khi daki par kh di hokar gho doan ke khane par nazar rakhati thi. naukar gopal ne akar khabar di- bibiji, jhadoodar se dadaji (sadhucharan) ki jh dap ho gee hai. vah kah raha hai, usake tel ka hisab samajh lean to vah divan ji se apana lena-dena chukakar naukari chho d dega." grihasthi ke sare kam-kaj pahale ki tarah chalate rahe.

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bihari ab medikal k aaulej mean padh raha tha. ain imtahan ke vakt chho d diya. koee acharaj se poochh baithata, to kahata- "paraee sehat ki bat phir dekhi jaegi, pahale tandurusti ka khyal zaroori hai." asal mean bihari ke adhyamavasay ki had n thi, kuchh-n-kuchh kie bina rahana usake lie mushkil tha- halaanki yash ki pyas, daulat ka lobh aur gujar-basar ke lie kamane-dhamane ki use bilkul zaroorat n thi. k aaulej ki digri hasil karane ke bad pahale vah ianjiniyariang sikhane ke lie shivapur mean dakhil hua tha. use jitana sikhane ka kautoohal tha aur hath ke jitane-bhar hunar ki vah zaroorat mahasoos karata tha- utana-bhar hasil kar lene ke bad hi vah medikal k aaulej mean bharti ho gaya. mahendr sal-bhar pahale digri lekar medikal k aaulej gaya tha. k aaulej ke l dakoan mean in donoan ki maitri mashahoor thi. mazak se sab inhean ju davaan kaha karate the. pichhale sal mahendr pariksha mean ludhak gaya aur donoan dost sath ho ge. achanak yah jo di toot kaise gee, sangi-sathiyoan ki samajh mean n aya. roz jahaan mahendr se se bheant avashyanbhavi hoti magar pahale jaisi n ho pati-vahaan bihari hargij n ja saka. sabako vishvas tha, bihari khoob achchhi tarah pas hoga aur samman tatha puraskar zaroor paega lekin usane imtahan hi n diya. bihari ke ghar ke pas hi ek jhoanp de mean rajendr chakravarti nam ka ek garib brahman rahata tha. chhapekhane mean barah rupaye ki naukari karake apani roti chalata tha. bihari ne usase kaha, "apane l dake ko tum mere zimme kar do, maian use likhaooanga-padhaooanga."

bechara brahman to mano ji gaya. usane khushi-khushi apane ath sal ke l dake basant ko bihari ke hathoan sauanp diya.

bihari use apane tarike se shiksha dene laga. bola-"das sal ki umr tak maian ise kitab n chhoone dooanga-zabani padhaooanga. usake sath khelane mean, use lekar maidan, myooziyam, chi diyaghar, shivapur ka bagicha ghoomane mean bihari ke din katane lage. zabani aangreji sikhata, kahaniyoan mean itihas batana, balakoan ke manobhav ka adhy yan aur vikas- bihari ke poore din ka yahi kam tha- apane ko vah pal-bhar ka bhi avakash n deta.

us din sham ko ghar se nikalane ki guanjaish n thi. dopahar ko barish tham gee thi, sham ko phir shuroo ho gee. apane dumanjile ke b de kamare mean batti jalakar bihari basant ke sath apane ne dhang ka khel khel raha tha.

"achchha, kamare mean lohe ke kitane shahatir haian, jaldi batao."

"uanhooan, ginana nahian hoga."

basant- "bis."

bihari- "har ge. attharah haian."

bihari ne jhat khi daki ki jhilamili kholakar poochha-"kitane palle haian isamean?"-aur, jhilamili usane band kar di. basant ne kaha- "chh:."

"jit ge."

'yah beanch kitani lambi hai, is kitab ka vazan kya hoga'- aise savaloan se vah basant ke dimag ke vikas ki cheshta kar raha tha ki baire ne akar kaha-"babooji, ek aurat...." usaka kahana khatm bhi n ho paya tha ki vinodini kamare mean a gee.

bihari ne acharaj se kaha- "yah kya, bhabhi?"

vinodini ne poochha- "tumhare yahaan apani sagi koee stri nahian?"

bihari- "apani-sagi bhi koee nahian- paraee bhi nahian. bua hai, gaanv mean rahati hai."

vinodini- "tum mujhe apane gaanv vale ghar le chalo."

bihari- "kis nate?"

vinodini- "naukarani ke nate."

bihari- "bua ko kaisa lagega! unhoanne naukarani ki zaroorat to bataee nahian hai. khair. pahale yah to batao, achanak aisa irada kaise? basant, tum jakar so raho." basant chala gaya.

vinodini boli- "bahari ghatana se tum andar ki bat zara bhi nahian samajh sakoge."

bihari- "n samajhooan to bhi kya, galat hi samajh looan to kya harj hai."

vinodini- "achchhi bat hai, n ho galat hi samajhana. mahendr mujhe pyar karata hai."

bihari- "yah khabar kuchh nee to hai nahian. aur n koee aisi hi khabar hai ki dobara sunane ko ji chahe."

vinodini- "bar-bar sunane ki ichchha bhi nahian apani. isalie tumhare pas aee hooan, mujhe panah do."

bihari- "ichchha nahian hai? yah aphat akhir dhaee kisane! mahendr jis raste ja raha tha. usase use digaya kisane?"

vinodini- "maianne digaya hai. tumase kuchh nahian chhipaooangi, yah sari karatoot meri hai. maian buri hooan ya jo kuchh bhi hooan zara mujh- jaise hokar mere man ki bat samajhane ki koshish karo. maianne apane ji ki jvala se mahendr ki duniya mean ag lagaee hai. ek bar aisa laga ki maian mahendr ko pyar karati han, lekin galat hai."

bihari- "agar pyar hi ho to bhala koee aisi ag laga sakati hai?"

vinodini- "bhaee sahab, yah sab apake shastr ki bat hai. ye batean sunane- jaisi mati abhi apani nahian huee. apani pothi patakakar ek bar aantaryami ki tarah mere dil ki duniya mean baitho. aj maian apana bhala-bura, sab tumase kahana chahati hooan."

bihari- "pothi kya yoan hi khole baitha hooan, bhabhi? hriday ko hriday ke qanoon se samajhane ki zimmedari aantaryami par hi rahe, ham pothi ke anusar n chalean to aant mean par nahian p dane ka." vinodini- "behaya hokar kahati hooan suno, tum mujhe lauta sakate ho. mahendr mujhe chahata hai, magar vah aandha hai, mujhe nahian samajhata. kabhi yah laga tha ki tumane mujhe samajha hai- kabhi tumane mujh par shraddha ki thi- sach-sach batao, aj is bat ko chhipane ki koshish mat karo!"

bihari- "sach hai, maianne shraddha ki thi."

vinodini- "tumane galati nahian ki thi bhaee sahab! lekin jab samajh hi liya, jab shraddha ki hi thi, to phir vahian kyoan ruk ge? mujhe pyar karane mean tumhean kya badha thi? aj maian behaya banakar tumhare pas aee hooan aur behaya hokar hi tumase kahati han, tumane bhi mujhe pyar kyoan nahian kiya? meri phooti takadir! ya tum bhi asha ki muhabbat mean gark ho ge! n, naraz nahian ho sakate tum! baitho, aj maian chhipakar kuchh nahian kahana chahati. asha ko tum pyar karate ho, is bat ka jab khud tumhean bhi pata n tha, maian janati thi. lekin maian samajh nahian pati ki asha mean tum logoan ne dekha kya hai! bura ya bhala- usake pas hai kya? vidhata ne kya mardoan ko zara bhi antardrishti nahian di hai? tum log akhir kya dekhakar, kitana dekhakar divane ho jate ho."

bihari uth kh da hua bola- "aj tum jo kuchh bhi kahogi, adi se aant tak maian sab sunooanga, magar itani hi vinati hai, jo bat kahane ki nahian hai, vah mat kaho."

vinodini- "tumhe kahaan dukhata hai, janati hooan bhaee sahab. lekin maianne jisaki shraddha paee thi aur jisaka prem pane se meri zindagi ban sakati thi, laj-dar, sabako bala-e-tak dhar kar usake pas dau di aee hooan-kitani b di vedana lekar aee hooan, kaise bataooan? maian bilakul sach kahati hooan, tum asha ko pyar karate hote to usaki aj yah gat n huee hoti."

bihari phak rah gaya. bola- "asha ko kya hua? kaun-si gat ki tumane."

vinodini- "apana ghar-bar chho dakar mahendr mujhe lekar kal chal dene ko taiyar hai."

bihari ekaek chikh p da- "yah hargij nahian ho sakata, hargij nahian."

vinodini- "hargij nahian? mahendr ko rok kaun sakata hai?"

bihari- "tum rok sakati ho."

vinodini zara der chup rahi, usake bad bihari par apani aauankhean rokakar kaha- "akhir kisake lie rokooan? tumhari asha ke lie? mera apana sukh-du:kh hai hi nahian? tumhari asha ka bhala ho, tumhare mahendr ki duniya bani rahe- yah sochakar maian apane aj ka apana sara dava tyag dooan. itani bhali maian nahian hooan- itana shastr maianne nahian padha. maian chho d dooangi to usake badale mujhe kya milega?"

dhire-dhire bihari ke chehare ka bhav sakht ho aya. bola- "tumane bahut saph-saph kahane ki koshish ki hai, ab maian bhi ek bat spasht bataooan. aj jo bhi harakat tumane ki hai, aur jo behooda batean kah rahi ho, isaki adhikaansh hi us sahity se chori ki huee haian, jo tumane

padha hai. isaka pachahattar phisadi natak aur upanyas hai."

vinodini- "natak! upanyas!"

bihari- "haan, natak, upanyas. vah bhi vaise mahatv ka nahian. tum sochati ho, yah sara kuchh tumhara niji hai- bilakul galat. yah sab chhapekhane ki pratidhv ni hai. tum agar nihayat abodh, sidhi-sadi balika hotian, to bhi sansar mean prem se vanchit n hotian- lekin natak ki nayika rangamanch par hi phabati hai, usase ghar ka kam nahian chalata."

kahaan hai vinodini ka vah tikha tej, darun darp! mantrabiddh nagin-si vah stabdh hokar jhuk gee. b di der ke bad bihari ki or dekhe bina hi shaant aur namr svar mean boli- "to maian kya karooan?" bihari bola- "anokha kuchh n karo. ek samany stri ke achchhe vichar se jo ae, vahi karo. apane ghar chali jao."

vinodini ne kaha- "kaise jaooan?"

bihari- "ga di mean tumhean auratoan vale dibbe mean bithakar tumhare ghar ke steshan tak chho d aooanga maian." vinodini- "aj ki rat yahian rahooan?"

bihari- "nahian, apane oopar mujhe itana vishvas nahian."

sunate hi vinodini kursi se utarakar zamin par lot gee. bihari ke donoan pairoan ko ji-jan se apani chhati se chipakakar boli- "itani kamazori to rakho bhaee sahab! bilakul patthar ke devata- jaise pavitra mat bano. bure ko pyar karake zara-sa bura to bano."

kahakar vinodini ne bihari ke paanvoan ko bar-bar chooma. vinodini ke aise akasmik aur akalpaniy vyavahar se zara der ke lie to bihari mano apane ko zabt n kar saka. usaki tan-man ki sari gaanthean dhili p d geean. bihari ki is vihnal dasha ka anubhav karake vinodini ne usake pair chho d die, apane ghutanoan ke bal ooanchi hokar usane kursi par baithe bihari ki gardan ko baanhoan se lapet liya. boli- "mere sarvasv, janati hooan, tum mere sada ke lie nahian, lekin aj ek pal ke lie tum mujhe pyar karo! phir maian apane usi jangal me chali jaooangi- kisi se kuchh bhi n chahooangi. marane tak yad rakhane layaq ek koee chiz do."

aauankhean mooandakar vinodini ne apane hoth bihari ki or badha die. zara der ke lie donoan sann rah ge, sara ghar sannata. isake bad dhire-dhire vinodini ki baanhean hatakar bihari doosari kursi par ja baitha aur ruandhi-si avaz saf karake kaha- "rat ko ek baje ek paiseanjar ga di hai."

vinodini zara der khamosh rahi, phir boli- "usi ga di se chali chalooangi." itane mean nange paanv, khali badan apana gora svasth sharir liye basant bihari ke pas a kh da hua aur ganbhir hokar vinodini ko dekhane laga.

bihari ne poochha- "sone nahian gaya, basant?"

basant ne koee uttar n diya. usi tarah ganbhir kh da raha. vinodini ne apane donoan hath phaila die. basant ne pahale to zara aga-pichha kiya, phir vinodini ke pas chala gaya. vinodini use chhati se lagakar zor se ro p di.

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asanbhav bhi sanbhav ho jata hai, asahy bhi sahy ho jata hai. aisa n hota to us din ki rat mahendr ke ghar mean katati nahian. vinodini ko taiyar rahane ka kahakar mahendr ne rat hi ek patr likha tha. vah patr dak se savere mahendr ke yahaan pahuancha. asha us samay bistar par hi thi. baire ne avaz di- "maan ji, chitthi."

asha ke kaleje par lahoo ne dhakh se chot ki. palak marane bhar ki der mean hazaroan asha-ashankaean ek sath hi usaki chhati mean baj uthian. jhatapat sir uthakar usane patr dekha, mahendr ke aksharoan mean vinodini ka nam. turant usaka matha takie par ludhak p da. boli kuchh nahian. chitthi baire ko vapas kar di. baire ne poochha- "kise dooan?"

asha ne kaha- "maian nahian janati."

rat ke ath baj rahe hoange. mahendr aauandhi ki tarah lapakakar vinodini ke kamare ke samane hazir hua. dekha, kamare mean roshani nahian hai. ghupp aandhera. jeb se diyasalaee nikalakar ek tili jalaee. kamara khali p da tha. vinodini nahian thi, usaka saro-saman bhi nadarad. dakkhin vale baramade mean gaya. vah bhi soona p da tha. avaz di- "vinodini!" koee javab nahian.

'nasamajh! nasamajh hooan maian. usi samay sath le jana chahie tha. maan ne zaroor use is buri tarah daanta-phatakara hai ki vah tik n saki.'

dhyaan mean yahi aya aur atal vishvas ban gaya. adhir hokar vah usi dam maan kamare mean gaya. roshani vahaan bhi n thi, lekin rajalakshmi bistar par leti thian- yah aandhere mean bhi dikha. mahendr ne ranjish mean kaha- "maan, tum logoan ne vinodini se kya kaha."

rajalakshmi bolian- "kuchh nahian."

mahendr- "to vah kahaan gee?"

rajalakshmi- "maian kya janooan?"

mahendr ne avishvas ke svar mean kaha- "tum nahian janatian? khair use to maian jahaan bhi hogi, dhooandh hi nikalooanga."

mahendr chal p da. rajalakshmi jhatapat uth kh di huee aur usake pichhe-pichhe chalati huee kahane lagian- "mat ja, meri ek bat sun le, thahar."

mahendr dau dakar ek hi saans mean ghar se bahar nikal gaya. ulate paanvoan lautakar usane daraban se poochha- "bahooji kahaan geean?"

daraban ne kaha- "hamean batakar nahian geean. pata nahian."

mahendr ne chikhakar kaha- "pata nahian."

daraban ne hath baandhakar kaha- "ji nahian, nahian maloom."

mahendr ne socha, "maan ne inhean patti padha di hai." bola- "khair."

mahanagari ke rajapath par gais ki roshani ke mare aandhere mean barf vala barf aur machhali vala machhali ki rat laga tha. bhi d ki halachal mean ghusakar mahendr ojhal ho gaya.

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rat ke aandhere mean bihari kabhi akele dhyaman nahian lagata. apane lie apane ko usane kabhi bhi alochy nahian banaya. vah padhaee-likhaee, kam-kaj, hit-mitroan mean hi mashagool rahata. apane bajay apane charoan taraph ki duniya ko pramukhata dekar vah maje mean tha. lekin achanak zor ke dhakke se ek din usaka sab kuchh vichchhinn ho gaya-pralay ke aandhere mean vedana ki akash-chhooti choti par use akele khud ko lekar kh da hona p da. usi samay apane nirjan sang se use bhoolakar bhi avakash nahian dena chahata.

lekin aj apane us bhitar vale ko bihari kisi bhi tarah se door n rakh saka. kal vah vinodini ko usake ghar chho d aya, usake bad jo bhi kam, jis bhi adami ke sath juta raha hai, usaka gupha ke andar ka vedanamay hriday use apane gahare ekaant ki or lagatar khianch raha tha.

thakavat aur avasad ne aj bihari ko parast kar diya. rat ke thik nau baje hoange. ghar ke samane dakkhin vali chhat par garmi ke din-dhale ki hava utavali-si ho uthi thi. vah aandheri chhat par ek aram-kursi par baith gaya.

aj sham ko usane basant ko padhaya nahian- jaldi hi vapas kar diya. aj saantvana ke lie, sang ke lie, prem-sudha- sane apane pichhale jivan ke lie usaka hriday mano maan dvara tyage ge shishu ki tarah sansar ke aandhere mean donoan baanhean phailakar n jane kise khoj raha tha! jinake bare mean n sochane ki usane kasam khaee thi- usaka aantarman unhian ki or dau d raha tha- rokane ki shakti hi nahian rah gee thi. chhutapan se chhoot jane tak mahendr se usaki maitri ki jo kahani rangoan mean chitrit, jal-sthal, nadi-parvat mean banti manachitr- jaisi usake man mean simati p di thi, bihari ne use phaila diya. lekin phir bhi yah bichhoh aur vedana anokhi neh-kiranoan rangi madhuri se bhari-poori rahi. usake bad jis shani ka uday hua, jisane mitr ke sneh, danpati ke prem ghar ki shaanti aur pavitrata ko ekabaragi matiyamet kar diya, us vinodini ko bihari ne behad ghrina se apane man se nikal pheankane ki koshish ki. lekin gazab! chot goya nihayat halki ho aee, use chhoo n saki. vah anokhi khoobasoorat paheli apani agam rahasyabhari ghani kali aauankhoan ki sthir nigah liye krishna paksh ke aandhere mean bihari ke samane datakar kh di ho gee. garmi ki rat ki umagi huee dakkhini bayar usi ke gahare ni:shvas-si bihari ko chhoone lagi. dhire-dhire un apalak aauankhoan ki jalati huee nigah malin ho ane lagi, pyas se sookhi vah tej najar aauansuoan mean bhigakar snigdh ho gee aur dekhate-hi-dekhate gahare bhavaras mean doob gee. achanak us moorti ne bihari ke kadamoan ke pas lautakar usaki donoan jaanghoan ko ji-jan se apani chhati se pak d liya. usake bad ek anoothi mayalata ki tarah usane pal mean bihari ko lapet liya aur phailakar turant khile sugandhit phool- jaise chumbanonmukh mukh de ko bihari ke hothoan ke pas badha diya. aauankhean mooandakar apani sudhiyoan ki duniya se bihari us kalpamoorti ko nirvasit kar dene ki cheshta karane laga; lekin us par aghat karane ko usaka hath hargij n utha! ek adhoora akulaya chuanban usake muanh ke pas utsuk ho raha- pulak se usane use achchhann kar diya.

chhat par ke soone aandhere mean bihari aur n rah saka. kisi aur taraph dhya n bantane ke khyal se vah jaldi-jaldi chirag ki roshani se jagamag kamare mean chala aya.

kone mean tipaee par reshami kap de mean tanki ek madhi huee tasvir thi. bihari ne kap da hataya, tasvir ko lekar roshani ke pas baitha aur use apani god mean rakhakar dekhane laga.

tasvir mahendr aur asha ki thi- byah ke turant bad ki. usamean mahendr ne apane lekh mean 'mahendr bhaiya' aur asha ne 'asha' likh diya tha.

tasvir ko apani god mean rakhakar dhikkarate hue bihari ne vinodini ko man se door hatana chaha. lekin vinodini ki prem-katar, yauvan komal baanhean bihari ki jaanghoan ko jak de rahian. bihari man-hi-man bola- 'prem ki itani achchhi duniya ko tabah kar diya! lekin vinodini ka umaga akul chuanban- nivedan usase chupachap kahane laga- 'maian tumhean pyar karati hooan. sari duniya mean maianne tumhian ko apanaya hai.' 'lekin yahi kya isaka uttar hua! ek uj di huee duniya ki karunabhari chikh ko yah bat dhak sakati hai! pishachin!'

pishachin! yah bihari ki nikhalis jhi daki thi ya isamean zara sneh ka sur bhi a mila tha? jivan mean prem ke sare adhikaroan se vanchit hokar jab vah nira bhikhari-sa rah par ja kh da hua, tab anamaange ajasr prem ke aise upahar ko vah tahedil se thukara sakata hai! aur isase behatar use mila bhi kya! ab tak to vah apane jivan ki bali dekar prem ki annapoorna ne mahaz usi ke lie sone ki thali mean pakavan parosakar bheja hai, to kis sankoch se vah abhaga apane ko usase vanchit kare ?

tasvir ko god mean rakhe vah isi tarah ki batoan mean dooba hua tha ki pas hi ahat huee. chauankakar dekha, mahendr aya hai. vah h dab di mean kh da ho gaya. tasvir god se pharsh ke kalin par ludhak p di. bihari ne isaka khyal n kiya.

mahendr ekabaragi poochh baitha- "vinodini kahaan hai?"

bihari ne zara age badhakar usaka hath tham liya. bola- "mahendr bhaiya, baith jao, abhi batean karate haian."

mahendr ne kaha- "mere pas baithane aur bat karane ka vakt nahian hai. tum yah batao ki vinodini kahaan hai?"

bihari ne kaha- "tum jo poochh rahe ho, ek vaky mean javab nahian diya ja sakata. usake lie zara baithana p dega." mahendr ne kaha- "upadesh doge? ve sare upadesh maian bachapan mean hi padh chuka hooan."

bihari- "nahian. upadesh dene ka n to mujhe adhikar hai, n kshamata."

mahendr- "to dhikkaroge? mujhe pata hai, maian papi hooan, aur tum jo kahoge, vah sab hooan maian. lekin sirph itana poochhana chahata hooan, vinodini kahaan hai?" bihari- "maloom hai."

mahendr- "mujhe to bataoge ya nahian?"

bihari- "nahian bataooanga."

mahendr- "tumhean batana hi p dega. tum use chura lae ho aur chhipakar rakhe hue ho. vah meri hai. mujhe lauta do."

bihari kuchh kshan thaga-sa raha. phir dridhata se bola-"vah tumhari nahian hai. maian use churakar bhi nahian laya- vah khud-b-khud mere pas aee hai." mahendr chikh utha- "sarasar jhooth!"

aur mahendr ne bagal ke kamare ke daravaze par dhakka dete hue avaz di- "vinod! vinod!"

andar se rone ki avaz sunaee p di. bola- "koee dar nahian vinod, maian mahendr hooan- maian tumhean koee kaid karake nahian rakh sakata."

mahendr ne zor se dhakka diya ki kiva d khul gaya. dau dakar aandar gaya. kamare mean aandhera tha. dhuandhali chhaya-si use lagi. n jane vah kis dar ke mare kath hokar takie se lipat gaya. jaldi se bihari kamare mean aya. bistar se basant ko god mean uthakar dilasa deta hua bola- "dar mat basant, mat dar."

mahendr lapakar vahaan se nikala. ghar ke ek-ek kamare ki khak chhan dali. udhar se lautakar dekha, ab bhi basant dar se rah-rahakar ro uthata tha. bihari ne usake kamare ki roshani jalaee. use bichhaune par sulakar badan sahalate hue use sulane ki cheshta karane laga.

mahendr ne akar poochha- "vinodini ko tumane kahaan rakha hai?"

bihari ne kaha- "mahendr bhaiya, shor n machao. nahak hi tumane is bachche ko itana dara diya ki yah bimar ho jaega. maian kahata hooan, vinodini ke bare mean janane ki tumhean koee zaroorat nahian."

mahendr bola- "mahatmaji, dharm ka adarsh n bano. meri stri ki tasvir apani god mean rakhakar is rat ko kis devata ke dhyakan mean kis puny mantr ka jap kar rahe the? pakhandi!"

kahakar mahendr ne tasvir ko joote se rauandakar choor-choor kar dala aur photo ke tuk de-tuk de karake bihari par pheank diya. usaka pagalapan dekhakar basant phir ro p da. gala ruandh aya bihari ka. aanguli se daravaze ka ishara karate hue vah bola- "jao!"

mahendr aauandhi ki tarah vahaan se nikal gaya.

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rel ke auratoan vale soone dibbe mean baithi vinodini ne khi daki mean se jab jute hue khet aur bich-bich mean chhaya se ghire gaanv dekhe, to man mean soone shital gaanv ki ziandagi tazi ho aee. use lagane laga, pe doan ki chhaya ke bich apane-ap banae kalpana ke basere mean apani kitaboan se ulajhakar kuchh dinoan ke is nagar-pravas ke du:kh-dah aur jakhm se use shanti milegi.

pyasi chhati mean chain ki vah ummid dhoti huee vinodini apane ghar pahuanchi. magar hay, chain kahaan! vahaan to keval shoonyata thi, thi garibi. bahut dinoan se band p de sile ghar ke bhap se usaki saans atakane lagi. ghar mean jo tho di-bahut chiz thian, unhean ki de chat ge the, choohe kutar ge the, gard se bura hal tha. vah sham ko ghar pahuanchi- aur ghar mean pasara tha baanh- bhar aandhera. sarasoan ke tel se kisi tarah roshani jalaee- usake dhuean aur dhimi jot se ghar ki dinata aur bhi saf jhalak uthi. pahale jisase use pi da nahian hoti thi, vah ab asahy ho uthi-usaka bagi hriday ak dakar bol utha- "yahaan to ek pal bhi nahian katane ka. tak par do- ek purani patrikaean aur kitabean p di thian, kintu unhean chhoone ko ji n chaha. bahar sann p de-se am ke bagiche mean jhiangur aur machchharoan ki tanean aandhere mean gooanjati rahian."

vinodini ki jo boodhi abhibhavika vahaan rahati thi, vah ghar mean tala dalakar apani beti se milane usaki sasural chali gee thi. vinodini apani p dosin ke yahaan gee. ve to use dekhakar dang rah geean. uph, rang to khasa nikhar aya hai, bani-thani, mano mem sahab ho. ishare se apas mean jane kya kahakar vinodini par gaur karati hueean ek-doosare ka muanh takane lagian.

vinodini pag-pag par yah mahasoos karane lagi ki apane gaanv se vah sab tarah se bahut door ho gee hai. apane hi ghar mean nirvasit-si. kahian pal-bhar aram ki jagah nahian.

dakakhane ka boodha dakiya vinodini ka bachapan se parichit tha. doosare din vah pokhar mean dubaki lagane ja rahi thi ki dak ka thaila liye use jate dekh vinodini apane-apako n rok saki. agochha pheank jaldi se bahar nikalakar poochha- "panchoo bhaiya, meri chitthi hai?"

bundhe ne kaha- "nahian."

vinodini utavali hokar boli- "ho bhi sakati hai. dekhooan to zara."

yah kahakar usane chitthiyoan ko ulat-palatakar dekha. paanch-chh: hi to chitthiyaan thian. muhalle ki koee n thi. udas-si jab ghat par lauti to usaki kisi sakhi ne tana diya- "kyoan ri bindi, chitthi ke lie itani pareshan kyoan?"

doosare ek batooni ne kaha- "achchhi bat hai, achchhi! dak ke zariye chitthi ae, aisa bhag kitanoan ka hota hai? hamare to pati, devar, bhaee parades mean kam karate haian, magar dakie ki meharabani to kabhi nahian hoti." batoan-hi-batoan mean mazak saf chi‍‍koti gahari hone lagi. vinodini bihari se nihora kar aee thi- nihayat hi roz-roz likhate n bane, to kam-se-kam haphte mean do bar to do panktiyaan zaroor likhe. aj hi bihari ki chitthi ae, yah ummid nahian ke barabar hi thi, lekin akaanksha aisi balavati ho ki vah door sambhavana ki asha bhi vinodini n chho d saki. use lagane laga, jane kab se kalakatta chhoot gaya hai! gaanv mean mahendr ko lekar kis qadar usaki ninda huee thi, dost-dushman ki daya se yah usaki ajani n rahi. shaanti kahaan!

gaanv ke logoan se usane apane ko achhoota rakhane ki koshish ki. log-bag isase aur bhi big d uthe. papini ko pas pakar ghrina aur pi dan ke vilas sukh se apane ko ve vanchit nahian rakhana chahate. chhota-sa gaanv- apane ko sabase chhipae rakhane ki koshish bekar hai. yahaan jakhmi hriday ko kisi kone mean dubakakar aandhere mean seva-jatan ki guanjaish nahian- jahaan-tahaan se kautoohal-bhari nigah jakhm par akar p dane lagi. usaka antar tokari mean band p di zinda machhali-sa t dapane laga. yahaan azadi ke sath poori tarah du:kh bhog sakane ki bhi jagah nahian.

doosare din jab chitthi ka samay nikal gaya to kamara band karake vinodini patr likhane baithi- "bhaee sahab, daro mat, maian tumhean prem-patr likhane nahian baithi hooan. tum mere vicharak ho, tumhean pranam karati hooan. maianne jo pap kiya, tumane usaki b di sakht saza di. tumhara hukm hote hi maianne us saza ko mathe par rakh liya hai. aphashos isi bat ka hai ki tum dekh nahian sake ki yah saza kitani k di hai. dekh pate, kahian jan pate, to tumhare man mean jo daya hoti, maian usase bhi vanchit rahi. tumhean yad karake, man-hi-man tumhare paanvoan ke pas matha teke maian use bhi bardasht karooangi. lekin prabhu, kaidi ko kya khana bhi nasib nahian hota? vyanjan n sahi, jitana-bhar n milane se kam nahian chal sakata, utana bhojan to usaka bandha hota hai? mere is nirvasan ka ahar hai tumhari do panktiyaan- vah bhi n bada ho to vah nirvasan-dand nahian, pran-dand hai. saza dene vale meri itani b di pariksha n lo. mere papi man mean dambh ki had n thi- svapn mean bhi mujhe yah pata n tha ki kisi ke age mujhe is qadar sir jhukana p dega. jit tumhari huee prabho, maian bagavat n karooangi. magar mujh par raham karo, mujhe jine do. is soone jangal mean rahane ka tho da-bahut sahara mujhe diya karana. phir to tumhare shasan se mujhe koee bhi kisi bhi halat mean diga n sakega. yahi dukh da rona tha. aur jo batean ji mean haian, kahane ko kaleja muanh ko ata hai.- par ve batean tumhean n bataooangi, maianne shapath li hai. us shapath ko maianne poora kiya. -tumhari vinodini."

vinodini ne patr dak mean dal diya. muhalle ke log chhi:-chhi: karane lage. kamara band kie rahati hai, chitthi likha karati hai, chitthi ke lie dakie ko jakar tang karati hai- do din kalakatta rahane se kya laj-dharam ko is tarah gholakar pi jana chahie!

usake bad ke din bhi chitthi n mili. vinodini din-bhar gumasum rahi.

bihari ka usake pas kuchh bhi n tha- ek pankti ki chitthi tak nahian. kuchh bhi nahian. vah shoony mean mano koee chiz khojati phirane lagi. bihari ki kisi nishani ko apane kaleje se lagakar sookhi aauankhoan mean vah aauansoo lana chahati thi. aauansuoan mean man ki sari kathinata ko galakar, vidroh ki bhabhakati ag ko bujhakar, vah bihari ke kathor adesh ko antar ke komalatam prem-sianhasan par bithana chahati thi. lekin sookhe ke dinoan ki dopahari ke asaman- jaisa usaka kaleza sirph jalane laga.

vinodini ne sun rakha tha, hriday se jise pukaro, use ana hi p data hai. isilie hath baandhe aauankhean mooandakar vah bihari ko pukarane lagi- 'mera jivan soona p da hai, hriday soona hai, charoan or sunasan hai- is soonepan ke bich tum ek bar ao. gh di-bhar ko hi sahi- tumhean ana p dega. maian tumhean hargiz nahian chho d sakati.' hriday se is tarah pukarane se vinodini ko mano sachcha bal mila. use laga, prem ki pukar ka yah bal bekar nahian jane ka.

saanjh ka dip-vihin aandhera kamara jab bihari ke dhyadan se ghane taur par paripoorn ho utha, jab din-duniya, gaanv-samaj, samoocha tribhuvan pralay mean kho gaya to achanak daravaze par thapaki sunakar vinodini jhatapat zamin par se uth kh di huee aur dridh vishvas ke sath dau dakar daravaza kholati huee boli- "prabhu, a ge?" use pakka vishvas tha ki is gh di doosara koee usake daravaze par nahian a sakata. mahendr ne kaha- "haan, a gaya vinod!"

vinodini behad khijh se bol uthi- "chale jao, chale jao, chale jao yahaan se. abhi chal do turant." mahendr ko mano kath mar gaya.

"haan ri bindi, teri dadiya sas agar kal..." kahate-kahate koee praudha p dosin vinodini ke daravaze par akar sahasa 'hay ram!' kahati huee lamba ghooanghat kadhakar bhag gee.

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tole mean ek halachal-si mach gee. devi than mean ikatthe hokar b de-boodhoan ne kaha- "ab to bardashat ke bahar hai. kalakatta ke karanamoan ko anasuna bhi kiya ja sakata tha- magar isaki yah himmat! lagatar mahendr ko chitthi, likh-likhakar use bulakar yahaan aisa khulakar khelana, yah behayaee! aisi papin ko gaanv mean nahian rahane diya ja sakata."

vinodini ko vishvas tha ki bihari ka javab aj zaroor aega. lekin n aya. apane man mean vah kahane lagi- 'bihari ka mujh par adhikar kaisa! maian usaka hukm manane kyoan gee? maianne use yah kyoan samajhane diya ki vah jaisa kahega, sir jhukakar maian vahi man looangi. usase to mera mahaz utane hi bhar ka nata hai, jitana-bhar usaki pyari asha ko bachane ki zaroorat hai. mera apana koee pavana nahian, dava nahian, mamooli do panktiyaan ki chitthi bhi nahian- maian itani tuchchh hooan?' dah ke zahar se vinodini ka kaleza bhar gaya.

kath ki moorat- jaisi sakht bani vinodini jab kamare mean baithi thi, usaki dadiya sas damad ke yahaan se lautian aur ate hi usase bolian- "ari muanhajali, yah sab kya sun rahi hooan?" vinodini ne kaha- "jo sun rahi ho, sab sach hai."

dadiya sas bolian- "to phir is kalank ka bojha liye yahaan ane ki kya p di thi- aee kyoan yahaan?" ruandhe krodh se vinodini chup baithi rahi.

vah bolian- "maian kahe deti hooan, yahaan tum nahian rah sakati. apani khoti takadir, sab to mar hi ge- vah du:kh sahakar bhi maian zinda hooan- tumane hamara sir jhuka diya. tum turant yahaan se chali jao." itane mean bina nahaya- khaya mahendr rookhe- bikhare baloan se vahaan a pahuancha. tamam rat jagata raha tha-aauankhean lal-lal, chehara sookha p da. usane sankalp kiya tha ki muanhaandhere hi akar vah vinodini ko sath le jane ki phir se koshish karega. lekin pahale din vinodini mean abhootapoorv ghrina dekh usake man mean tarah-tarah ki duvidha hone lagi. dhire-dhire jab vela chadh aee, ga di ka samay ho aya, to steshan ke musaphirakhane se nikalakar, man se sare tark-vitark door karake vah ga di se sidha vinodini ke yahaan pahuancha. haya-sharm chho dakar dussahas ka kam karane par amada hone se jo ek spardhapoorn bal paida ho ata hai, usi bal ke avesh mean mahendr ne ek udabhraant anand ka anubhav kiya- usaka sara avasad aur duvidha jati rahi. gaanv ke kautuhal vale log us unmatt drishti mean use kagaz ke nirjiv putale-se lage. mahendr ne kisi taraph nahian dekha, sidha vinodini ke pas jakar bola- "vinod, is lokanianda ke khule muanh mean tumhean akela chho d jaooan, aisa kayar maian nahian hooan. jaise bhi ho, tumhean yahaan se le hi jana p dega. bad mean tum mujhe chho d dena chaho, chho d dena! maian kuchh bhi n kahooanga. tumhara badan chhookar maian kasam khata hooan, tum jaisa chahogi, vahi hoga. daya kar sako, to jiooanga aur n kar sako, to tumhari rah se door hat jaooanga. duniya mean avishvas ke kam maianne bahutere kie haian. par aj tum mujh par avishvas n karo. abhi ham kayamat ke muanh par kh de haian, yah dhokhe ka samay nahian." vinodini ne b de hi sahaj bhav se dridh hokar kaha-"mujhe apane sath le chalo. ga di hai?"

mahendr ne kaha- "hai."

vinodini ki sas ne bahar akar kaha- "mahendr, tum mujhe nahian pahachanate, magar tum ham logoan ke birane nahian ho. tumhari maan rajalakshmi hamare hi gaanv ki l daki hai, gaanv ke rishte se maian usaki mami hoti hooan. maian tumase poochhati hooan, yah tumhara kya ravaiya hai! ghar mean tumhari stri hai, maan hai aur tum aise behaya pagal bane phirate ho? bhale samaj mean tum muanh kaise dikhaoge?"

mahendr niruttar ho gaya to budhiya boli- "jana hi ho to abhi chal do, turant. mere ghar ke baramade par kh de n raho- pal-bhar ki bhi der n karo. ab."

kahakar budhiya bhitar gee aur andar se daravaza band kar liya. be-nahaee, bhookhi, gande kap de pahane vinodini khali hathoan ga di par ja savar huee. jab mahendr bhi chadhane laga to vah boli- "nahian, steshan bahut qarib hai, tum paidal chalo."

mahendr ne kaha- "phir to gaanv ke sab log mujhe dekheange."

vinodini ne kaha- "ab bhi laj rah gee hai kya?"

aur ga di ka daravaza band karake vinodini ne ga divan se kaha- "steshan chalo!" ga divan ne poochha- "baboo nahian chaleange?"

mahendr zara aga-pichha karane ke bad jane ki himmat n kar saka. ga di chal di. gaanv ki gail chho dakar mahendr sir jhukae khetoan ke raste chala.

gaanv ki bahuoan ko nahana-khana ho chuka tha. jin praudhaoan ko der se phurasat mili, keval vahi agochha aur tel ka katora liye baurae am ke mahamah bagiche ki rah ghat ko ja rahi thian.

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mahendr kahaan chala gaya, is ashanka se rajalakshmi ne khana-sona chho d diya. sanbhav-asanbhav sabhi jagahoan mean sadhucharan use dhooandhata phirane laga- aise mean vinodini ko lekar mahendr kalakatta aya. pataladaanga ke makan mean use rakhakar vah apane ghar gaya.

maan ke kamare mean jakar dekha, kamara lagabhag aandhera hai. lalaten ki ot di gee hai. rajalakshmi mariz- jaisi bistar par p di hai aur payatane baithi asha unake paanv sahala rahi hai. itane dinoan ke bad ghar ki bahoo ko sas ke pairoan ka adhikar mila hai.

mahendr ke ate hi asha chauanki aur kamare se bahar chali gee. mahendr ne zor dekar sari duvidha hatakar kaha- "maan, mujhe yahaan padhane mean suvidha nahian hoti, isalie maianne k aaulej ke pas ek dera le liya hai. vahian rahooanga."

bistar ke ek or ka ishara karake rajalakshmi ne kaha- "zara baith ja."

mahendr sakuchata hua bistar par baith gaya. boli-"jahaan tera ji chahe, too rah. magar meri bahoo ko takaliph mat dena!" mahendr chup raha.

rajalakshmi bolian- "apana bhag hi khota hai, tabhi maianne apani achchhi bahoo ko nahian pahachana."- kahate-kahate rajalakshmi ka gala bhar aya- "lekin itane dinoan tak samajhata, pyar karake toone use is takaliph mean kaise dala?"

rajalakshmi se aur n raha gaya. ro p dian.

vahaan se uth bhage to ji jay mahendr. lekin turant bhagate n bana. maan ke bistar ke ek kinare chupachap baitha raha. b di der ke bad rajalakshmi ne poochha- "aj rat to yahian rahega n?"

mahendr ne kaha- "nahian."

rajalakshmi ne poochha- "kab jaoge?"

mahendr bola- "bas abhi."

takaliph se rajalakshmi uthian. kaha- "abhi? bahoo se ek bar milega bhi nahian? are behaya, teri berahami se mera to kaleja phat gaya." kahakar rajalakshmi tooti dal-si bistar par let geean.

mahendr uthakar bahar nikala. dabe paanv sidhiyaan chadhakar vah apane oopar ke kamare ki or chala. vah chahata nahian tha ki asha se bheant ho.

oopar pahuanchate hi usaki nazar p di, kamare ke samane sayaban vale baramade mean asha zamin par hi p di thi. usane mahendr ke pairoan ki ahat nahian suni thi, achanak use samane dekh kap de samhalakar uth baithi. is samay kahian ek bar bhi mahendr ne chunni kahakar pukara hota, to vah mahendr ke sare aparadhoan ko apane sir lekar maph ki gee aparadhini ki tarah usake donoan pair pak dakar jivan-bhar ka rona ro leti. lekin mahendr vah nam lekar n pukar saka hai.

asha sankochi baithi rahi. mahendr ne bhi kuchh n kaha. chupachap chhat par tahalane laga. chaand abhi tak uga n tha. chhat ke ek kone mean chhote-se gamale ke andar rajanigandha ke do danthaloan mean do phool khile the. chhat par ke asaman ke ve nakhat, vah satabhaiya, vah kalapurush, unake jane kitani sandhyar ke ekaant premabhinay ke maun gavah the- aj ve sab tukur-tukur takate rahe.

mahendr sochane laga- idhar ke in kee dinoan ki is viplav-katha ko is asaman ke aandhere se poanchhakar thik pahale ki tarah agar khuli chhat par chataee dale asha ki bagal mean usi sada ki jagah mean sahaj hi baith pata! koee saval nahian, koee javabadehi nahian; vahi vishvas, vahi prem, vahi sahaj anand! lekin hay, yahaan utani-si jagah ko phir lautane ki guanjaish nahian. chhat ki chataee par asha ke pas ki jagah ka vah hissa mahendr ne kho diya hai. ab tak vinodini ka mahendr se ek svadhin sanbandh tha, pyar karane ka pagal sukh tha, lekin atoot bandhan nahian tha. ab vah vinodini ko khud samaj se chhinakar le aya hai, ab use kahian bhi rakh ane ki, kahian bhi lauta ane ki jagah nahian rahi- mahendr hi ab usaka ek-matr avalanb hai. ab ichchha ho ya n ho, vinodini ka sara bhar use uthana hi p dega.

lambi usaans lekar mahendr ne ek bar asha ki or dekha. maun rulaee se apani chhati bhare asha tab bhi usi tarah baithi thi- rat ke aandhere ne maan ke daman ki tarah usaki laj aur vedana lapet rakhi thi. n jane kya kahane ke lie mahendr achanak asha ke pas akar kh da hua. sarvaang ki nasoan ka lahoo asha ke kan mean simatakar chikhane laga- usane aauankhean mooand lian. mahendr soch nahian paya ki vah akhir kya kahane aya tha- kahane ko us par hai bhi kya? lekin, bina kuchh kahe ab laut bhi n saka. poochha- "kuanjiyoan ka jhabba kahaan hai?"

kuanjiyoan ka jhabba bistar ke niche tha. asha uthakar kamare mean chali gee. mahendr usake pichhe-pichhe gaya. bistar ke niche se kuanjiyaan nikalakar asha ne bistar par rakh dian. jhabbe ko lekar mahendr apane kap doan ki alamari mean ek-ek kuanji lagakar dekhane laga. asha rah n saki. bol p di- "us alamari ki kuanji mere pas n thi."

kuanji kisake pas thi, yah bat usaki zaban se n nikal saki, lekin mahendr ne samajha. asha jaldi-jaldi kamare ke bahar nigal gee; use dar laga, kahian mahendr ke pas hi usaki rulaee n chhoot p de. aandheri chhat ki divar ke ek kone ki taraph muanh pherakar kh di-kh di uphanati huee vah rulaee dabakar rone lagi.

lekin rone ka zyada samay n tha. ekaek use yad a gaya, mahendr ke khane ka samay ho gaya. tezi se vah niche utar gee. rajalakshmi ne asha se poochha- "mahendr kahaan hai, bahoo?"

asha ne kaha- "oopar."

rajalakshmi- "aur tum utar aee?"

asha ne sir jhukakar kaha- "unaka khana..."

rajalakshmi- "khane ka iantazam maian kar rahi hooan- tum zara hath-muanh dho lo aur apani vah dhaka vali sa di pahanakar mere pas ao- maian tumhare bal sanvar dooan."

sas ke la d ko talana bhi mushkil tha, lekin saj-shrriangar ke is prastav se vah sharma gee. maut ki ichchha karake bhishm jaise chupachap tiroan ki varsha jhel ge the, usi prakar asha ne bhi b de dhiraj se sas ka sara saj siangar svikar kar liya.

ban-sanvarakar dhime-dhime vah oopar gee. jhaankakar dekha, mahendr chhat par nahian tha. kamare ke daravaze se dekha, vah kamare mean bhi n tha- khana yoan hi p da tha.

kuanji nahian mili, so alamari to dakar mahendr ne kuchh zaroori kap de aur kam ki kitabean nikal lian aur chala gaya.

agale din ekadashi thi. nasaz aur bhari-bhari-si rajalakshmi bistar par leti thian. bahar ghataean ghiri thian. aauandhi-pani ke asar. asha dhire-dhire kamare mean gee. dhire-se unake pairoan ke pas baithakar boli- "tumhare lie doodh aur phal le aee hooan maan, chalo, kha lo!"

karuna-moorti bahoo ki seva ki cheshta, jisaki vah adi n thi, dekhakar rajalakshmi ki sookhi aauankhean um d aeean. vah baithian. asha ne apani god mean khianchakar usake gile gal choomane lagian. poochha- "mahendr kar kya raha hai, bahoo!"

asha laja gee. dhime-se kaha- "ve chale ge."

rajalakshmi- "chala gaya? mujhe to pata bhi n chala."

asha boli- "ve kal rat hi chale ge."

sunate hi rajalakshmi ki komalata mano kafoor ho gee; bahoo ke prati unake sneh-sparsh mean ras ka nam n rah gaya. asha ne ek maun laanchhan ka anubhav kiya aur sir jhukae chali gee.