आँख की किरकिरी उपन्यास भाग-8

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

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51

sham ko mahendr jab us yamuna ke tat par ja baitha, to prem ke avesh ne usaki nazaroan mean, saansoan mean, nas-nas mean, haddiyoan ke bich ga de moh ras ka sanchar kar diya asaman mean doobane sooraj ki kiranoan ki sunahari vina vedana ki moochchhana se jharati jot ke sangit se jhankrit ho uthi!

barish jaisa ho raha tha. nadi apane uddam yauvan mean. mahendr ke pas nirdisht kuchh nahian tha. use vaishnav kaviyoan ka varshabhisar yad aya. nayika bahar nikali hai; yamuna ke kinare vah akeli kh di hai. us par kaise jae? are o, par karo, par kar do. mahendr ki chhati ke andar yahi pukar pahuanchane lagi- 'par karo'.

nadi se us par b di door par vah abhisarika kh di thi- phir bhi mahendr use saf dekh paya. usaka koee kal nahian, umr nahian, vah chirantan gopabala hai, magar mahendr ne use phir bhi pahachan liya- pahachana ki vah vinodini hai. sara virah, sari vedana yauvan ka sara bhar liye vah us yug ke abhisar ke lie chali thi aur aj ke yug ke kinare a nikali hai. aj ke is soone yamuna-tat ke oopar akash mean vahi svar sunaee p d raha hai. 'are o, par karo, par kar do!'

mahendr matavala ho gaya. vinodini use thukara degi, chaandani rat ke is svarg-khand ko vah lakshmi banakar poora n karegi, vah soch bhi nahian saka. vah turant uthakar vinodini ko dhooandhane chal diya. sone ke kamare mean gaya. kamara phooloan ki khushaboo se mahamaha raha tha. khuli khi dakiyoan se chhanakar chaandani saphed bichhaune par a p di thi. bagiche ke phooloan se saji vah basant ki bikhari lata-jaisi chaandani mean bistar par leti huee thi.

mahendr ka moh duguna ho gaya. usane ruandhe gale se kaha- "vinod, maian yamuna ke tat par tumhari rah dekh raha tha aur tum yahaan intazar kar rahi ho, yah sandesha mujhe chaand ne diya. isi se maian yahaan a gaya." yah kahakar mahendr bistar par baithane hi ja raha tha ki vinodini uth baithi aur dayaan hath badhakar boli-"jao; is bistar par mat baitho." pal vali nav mano chauanr mean atak gee- mahendr kaha n mane, isilie vinodini bistar se utarakar kh di ho gee.

mahendr ne poochha- "to tumhara yah shrriangar kisake lie hai? kisaka intazar kar rahi ho?"

vinodini ne apani chhati ko dabakar kaha- "maian jisake lie saji-sanvari, vah mere aantastal mean hai." mahendr ne poochha- "akhir kaun? bihari."

vinodini boli- "usaka nam tum apani zaban par mat lao!"

mahendr- "usi ke lie tum pachhaanh ka daura kar rahi ho?"

vinodini- "haan, usi ke lie."

mahendr- "usaka pata maloom hai?"

vinodini- "maloom nahian, magar jaise bhi ho, maloom karooangi."

mahendr- "tumhean yah hargiz n maloom hone dooanga."

vinodini- "n sahi, magar mere hriday se use nikal nahian paoge."

yah kahakar vinodini ne aauankhean band karake apane hriday mean ek bar bihari ka anubhav kar liya.

phooloan se saji virah-vidhura vinodini se ek sath hi khianchakar aur thukaraya jakar mahendr achanak bhayankar ho utha; vah mutthi kasakar bola- "chhuri se chirakar maian use tumhare kaleje se nikal bahar karooanga." vinodini ne dridhata se kaha- "tumhare prem se tumhari yah chhuri mere hriday mean asani se ghus sakegi."

mahendr- "tum mujhase darati kyoan nahian? yahaan tumhean bachane vala kaun hai?"

vinodini- "bachane vale tum ho! tumhian mujhe apane se bachaoge."

mahendr- "itani shraddha, itana vishvas ab bhi hai!"

vinodini- "yah n hota to maian khudakushi kar leti, tumhare sath parades n ati."

mahendr- "kyoan n kar li khudakushi- us vishvas ki phaans mere gale mean dal kar mujhe desh-deshantar mean ghasitakar kyoan mar rahi ho? soch dekho, tum mar jati to kitana kalyan hota!" vinodini- "janati hooan, magar jab tak bihari ki ummid hai, mar n paooangi."

mahendr- "jab tak tum nahian maratian, tab tak meri asha bhi nahian marane ki, maian bhi chhutakara nahian pane ka. aj se maian hriday se bhagavan se tumhari mrityu ki kamana karata hooan. tum meri bhi n bano, bihari ki bhi nahian! jao, mujhe mukti do. meri maan ro rahi hai, stri ro rahi hai, unake aauansoo door se hi mujhe jala rahe haian. jab tak tum mar nahian jatian; meri aur duniya-bhar ki asha se pare nahian ho jatian, tab tak mujhe unake aauansoo poanchhane ka avasar nahian milega."

itana kahakar mahendr b di tezi se bahar nikal gaya. akeli p di vinodini apane charoan taraph maya ka jal bun rahi thi, use vah pha d gaya. vinodini kh di-kh di chupachap bahar dekhati rahi- akash-bhari chaandani ko khali karake usaka sara sanchit amrit kahian chala gaya? vah kyariyoan vala bagicha, usake bad reti-bhara kinara, usake bad nadi ka kala-kala pani, usake bad sara par ka dhuandhalapan- sab mano ek sade kagaz par peansil ka bana chitr ho- niras, bemani.

usane mahendr ko kis buri tarah apani or khiancha hai khauphanak toofan ki tarah kaise use j d samet ukha d liya hai- yah anubhav karake aj usaka hriday mano aur bhi bechain ho gaya. usamean yah sari shakti to hai, phir bhi bihari poornima ki rat mean um de hue samudr ki tarah usake samane akar pachha d kyoan nahian khata? kyoan be-matalab pyar ki kachot roz usake dhyan mean akar roti hai? use laga sab bekar aur nirarthak hai. itani vyarthata ke bavajood jo jahaan hai, vahian kh da hai- duniya mean kisi bat ka koee karyakram nahian. sooraj to kal bhi ugega aur duniya apane chhote-se kam ko bhi n bhoolegi. aur bihari jaise door raha hai, vaise hi door rahega aur us brahman ke bachche ko kitab ka naya path padhata rahega.

usaki aauankhoan se aauansoo phootakar jharane lage. apani ichchha aur shakti liye vah kis patthar ko dhakel rahi hai? usaka hriday lahoo se naha utha, lekin usaki takadir suee ki nok ke barabar bhi n khisaki.

52

rat mean mahendr soya nahian- thakavat ke mare subah-subah use niand aee. subah ath-nau baje ke qarib jagakar vah jhat uth baitha. pichhali rat ki koee adhoori pi da niand ke bhitar-hi-bhitar ghoomati rahi thi. sachetan hote hi mahendr usaki takaliph mahasoos karane laga. kuchh hi der mean rat ki sari ghatana man mean jag p di. subah ki us dhoop mean, poori niand n a pane ki thakavat se sari duniya aur zindagi b di sookhi-si lagi. ghar chho dane ki glani, dharm chho dane ka paritap aur is udbhraant jivan ki ye zillatean akhir vah kisake lie jhel raha hai! moh ke avesh se rahit subah ki is dhoop mean mahendr ko laga, vah vinodini ko pyar nahian karata. usane raste ki or jhaanka- sari duniya pareshan-si kam ke pichhe bhag rahi hai aur atm-gaurav ko kich d mean dubokar ek berukhi aurat ke pairoan se lipate rahane ki jo nadani hai, vah mahendr ki nigahoan mean spasht ho uthi. aveg ke kisi b de jhoanke ke bad hriday mean avasad ata hai, aise vakt thaka-hara hriday anubhooti ke vishay ko kuchh samay ke lie door hatana chahata hai.

phir to dhikkar ke is mar-chakr se apane ko chhudakar ghar jane ke lie mahendr lalak utha, bihari ko nirbhar karane yogy adig mitaee b di beshakimati lagane lagi. mahendr man-hi-man kah utha- 'jo vastav, gambhir aur sthayi hota hai, usamean anayas, badha-vihin-sa apane ko poori tarah khoya ja sakata hai, isilie usake gaurav ko ham nahian samajhate. jo mahaj dhokha hai, jisaki tripti mean bhi sukh ka nam nahian, chooanki vah hamean apane pichhe ghu dadau d-si karata hai, isalie ham use apani charam kamana ka dhan samajhate haian.'

mahendr ne tay kiya- 'maian aj hi apane ghar jaooanga. vinodini jahaan bhi rahana chahegi, vahian usaka intazam karake maian mukt ho jaooanga'- yah zor se uchcharan karate hi usake man mean ek anand ka uday hua. lagatar duvidha ka jo bhar vah dhota chala a raha tha, halka ho gaya. ab tak hota aisa raha ki, abhi-abhi jo bat use ruchati n thi, doosare hi kshan use manane ko majaboor hona p data tha, haan- na kahate n banata; usaki antaratma use jo adesh deti, sada balapoorvak use dabakar vah doosari hi rah par chala karata. abhi jaise hi usane zor se kaha- 'maian mukt ho jaooanga'-vaise hi sharan pakar usake jhakajhore hue hriday ne use badhaee di.

mahendr bistar se utha, muanh-hath dhoya aur vinodini se milane gaya. dekha, kamara andar se band hai. daravaze par dhakka dekar poochha- "so rahi ho?" vinodini boli- "nahian, abhi jao!"

mahendr ne kaha- "tumase zaroori bat karani hai. zyada der n rukooanga." vinodini boli- "bat ab maian nahian sunana chahati, tum jao, mujhe tang mat karo- akeli rahane do."

aur din hota, to isase mahendr ka aveg aur badh hi jata. lekin aj use behad ghrina huee. sokh, is mamooli aurat ke age apane- apako maianne aisa gaya-bita bana chho da hai ki ab usamean mujhe buri tarah dutkarakar door kar dene ki himmat ho gee hai? yah adhikar isaka svabhavik nahian. maianne hi yah adhikar dekar isake mizaj ko satavean asaman par pahuancha diya hai.

vinodini ki is jhi daki se mahendr ne apane mean apani shreshthata ke anubhav ki koshish ki. usake man ne kaha- "maian vijayi hoooanga- isake bandhan to dakar chala jaooanga."

bhojan karake mahendr rupaya nikalane baiank gaya. rupaya nikala aur asha tatha maan ke lie kuchh nee chizean kharidane ke khyal se vah bazar ki dukanoan mean ghoomane laga.

vinodini ke daravaze par ek bar phir dhakka p da. pahale to ajizi se usane koee javab hi n diya; lekin jab bar-bar dhakka p dane laga to ag-baboola hokar daravaza kholate hue usane kaha- "nahak kyoan bar-bar mujhe tang karane ate ho tum?"

bat poori karane ke pahale hi usaki nazar p di- bihari kh da tha. kamare mean mahendr hai ya nahian, yah dekhane ke lie bihari ne ek bar bhitar ki taraph jhaanka. dekha, kamare mean sookhe phool aur tooti malaean bikhari p di thian. usaka man jabardast dhang se vimukh ho utha. yah nahian ki bihari jab door tha, to usake man mean vinodini ke rahan-sahan ke bare mean sandeh ka koee chitr aya hi nahian, lekin kalpana ki lila ne us chitr ko dhakakar bhi ek damakati huee mohini chhavi kh di kar rakhi thi. bihari jis samay is bagiche mean qadam rakh raha tha, us samay usaka dil dh dakane laga tha- kalpana ki pratima ko kahian chot n pahuanche is aanshaka se usaka hriday sankuchit ho raha tha. aur vinodini ke sone ke kamare ke dvar par kh de hote hi vahi chot lagi.

door rahate hue bihari ne socha tha ki apane prem ke abhishek se maian vinodini ke jivan ki sari kalima ko dho dooanga. lekin pas akar dekha, yah asan nahian. man mean karuna ki vedana kahaan upaji? balki ekaek ghrina ne jagakar use abhibhoot kar diya. bihari ne use b da malin dekha.

vah turant mu dakar kh da ho gaya aur usane 'mahendr-mahendr' kahakar pukara. is apaman se vinodini ne namr svar mean kaha- "mahendr nahian hai, shahar gaya hai." bihari lautane laga. vinodini boli- "bhaee sahab, maian pair p dati hooan, zara der baithana p dega."

bihari ne soch rakha tha, vah koee arajoo-minnat nahian sunega. tay kar liya tha ki napharat ke is nazare se turant apane ko alag kar lega. lekin vinodini ki karun vinati se usake qadam kshan-bhar ke lie uth n sake.

vinodini boli- "aj agar tum mujhe is tarah thukarakar chal die, to tumhari kasam khakar kahati hooan, maian mar jaooangi."

bihari palatakar kh da ho gaya, bola- "tum apane jivan se mujhe jak dane ki koshish kyoan karati ho? maianne tumhara kya biga da hai? maian to kabhi tumhari rah mean nahian aya, tumhare sukh-du:kh mean kabhi dakhal nahian diya."

vinodini boli- "tumane mujh par kitana adhikar kar rakha hai, ek bar tumase kaha tha maianne- tumane vishvas nahian kiya. to bhi tumhari berukhi mean bhi phir vahi kahati hooan. bina bole jatane ka sharm se batane ka mauqa to tumane mujhe diya nahian. tumane mujhe pairoan se jhatak diya hai, maian phir bhi tumhare paanv pak dakar kahati hooan- maian tumhean..."

bihari ne tokate hue kaha- "bas-bas, rahane do, yah bat jaban par mat lao. etabar ki guanjaish nahian rahi."

vinodini- "itar log is par vishvas n karean, par tum karoge. isilie maian tumhean zara der baithane ko kah rahi hooan."

bihari- "mere vishvas karane, n karane se kya ata-jata hai. tumhari zindagi to jaisi chal rahi hai, chalati rahegi."

vinodini- "isase tumhara kuchh ata-jata nahian, maian janati hooan? apana nasib hi aisa hai ki tumase mujhe sada door hi rahana hoga. bas maian keval itana hak nahian chho dana chahati ki maian chahe jahaan rahooan, mujhe zara madhury ke sath yad karana. mujhe maloom hai, mujh par tumhean tho di-si shraddha huee thi, maian usi ko apana avalamb banae rahooangi. isilie meri poori bat tumhean sunani hogi. maian hath jo dati hooan, zara der baitho!" "achchha chalo!" kahakar bihari us kamare se aur kahian jane ko taiyar hua.

vinodini boli- "bhaee sahab, jo soch rahe ho, vah bat nahian hai. is kamare ko kalank ki chhaya nahian chhoo saki hai. kabhi yahaan soe the- ise maianne tumhare hi lie utsarg karake rakha hai. sookhe p de ye phool tumhari hi pooja ke haian. tumhean yahian baithana hoga."

sunakar bihari ke man mean pulak ka sanchar hua. vah kamare mean gaya. vinodini ne donoan hathoan se use khat ka ishara kiya. bihari khat par baitha. vinodini usake pairoan ke pas zamin par baithi. vinodini ne bihari ko vyast hote dekhakar kaha- "tum baitho, bhaee sahab! sir ki kasam tumhean, uthana mat. maian tumhare pairoan ke pas bhi baithane layaq nahian- daya karake hi tumane mujhe yah jagah di hai. door rahooan, to bhi itana adhikar maian rakhooangi."

yah kahakar vinodini jara der chup rahi. usake bad achanak chauankakar boli- "tumhara khana?"

bihari bola- "steshan se khakar aya hooan."

vinodini- "maianne gaanv se tumhean jo patr diya tha, use kholakar padha aur koee javab n dekar use mahendr ke marphat lauta kyoan diya?"

bihari- "kahaan, vah chitthi to mujhe nahian mili."

vinodini- "is bar kalakatta mean mahendr se tumhari bheant huee thi."

bihari- "tumhean gaanv pahanchakar lauta, usake doosare din bheant huee thi. usake bad maian pachhaanh ki or sair ko nikal p da, usase phir bheant nahian huee."

vinodini- "usase pahale aur ek din meri chitthi padhakar bina uttar ke vapis kar di?"

bihari- "nahian, aisa kabhi nahian hua."

vinodini but-si baithi rahi. usake bad lambi saans chho dakar boli- "sab samajh gee. ab apani bat bataooan-magar yakin karo to apani khushakismati samajhooan aur n kar sako to tumako dosh n dooangi, mujh par yakin karana mushkil hai."

bihari ka hriday pasij gaya. bhakti se jhuki vinodini ki pooja ka vah kisi bhi tarah apaman n kar saka. bola- "bhabhi, tumhean kuchh kahana n padega. bina kuchh sune hi maian tumhara vishvas karata hooan. maian tumase ghrina nahian kar sakata. tum ab ek bhi shabd n kahana!"

sunakar vinodini ki aauankhoan se aauansoo bahane lage. usane bihari ke charanoan ki dhool li. boli- "sab n sunoge, to maian ji n sakooangi. tho da dhiraj rakhakar sunana hoga-tumane mujhe jo adesh diya tha, maianne usi ko sir mathe utha liya tha. tumane mujhe patr tak n likha, to bhi apane gaanv mean maian logoan ki nianda sahakar zindagi bita deti, tumhare sneh ke badale tumhare shasan ko hi svikar karati- lekin vidhata usamean bhi vam hue. jis pap ko maianne jagaya, usane mujhe nirvasan mean bhi n tikane diya. mahendr vahaan pahuancha, mere ghar par jakar usane sabake samane meri mittipalid ki. gaanv mean mere lie jagah n rah gee. maianne dubara tumhean behad talasha ki tumhara adesh looan, par tumako n pa saki. meri khuli chitti tumhare yahaan se lakar mujhe dete hue mahendr ne dhokha diya. maianne samajha, tumane mujhe ekabaragi tyag diya. isake bad maian bilakul nasht ho sakati thi-magar pata nahian tumamean kya hai, tum door rahakar bhi bacha sakate ho. maianne dil mean tumhean jagah di hai, isi se pavitra vahi kathin parichay sakht sone ki tarah, thos mani ki tarah mere man mean hai, usane mujhe moolyavan banaya hai. devata, tumhare pair chhookar kahati hooan, vah mooly nasht nahian hua hai."

bihari chup raha. vinodini bhi aur kuchh n boli. tisare pahar ki dhoop pal-pal par phiki p dane lagi. aise samay mahendr daravaze par aya aur bihari ko dekhakar chauank p da. vinodini ke prati usamean jo udasinata a rahi thi,eershya se vah jane-jane ko ho gee. vinodini ko bihari ke paanvoan ke pas baithi dekhakar thukarae hue mahendr ko chot pahuanchi.

vyangy ke svar mean mahendr ne kaha- "to ab rangamanch se mahendr ka prasthan hua, bihari ka pravesh! drishy behatarin hai. taliyaan bajane ko ji chahata hai. lekin ummid hai, yahi antim aank hai. isake bad ab kuchh bhi achchha n lagega."

vinodini ka chehara tamatama utha. mahendr ki sharan jab use leni p di hai, to is apaman ka kya javab de-vyakul hokar usane keval bihari ki or dekha. bihari khat se utha. bola- "mahendr, kayar ki tarah vinodini ka yoan apaman n karo- tumhari bhalamanasahat agar tumhean nahian rokati, to rokane ka adhikar mujhako hai." mahendr ne hansakar kaha- "is bich adhikar bhi ho gaya? aj tumhara naya namakaran hai- vinodini!"

apaman karane ka hauansala badhata hi ja raha hai, yah dekhakar bihari ne mahendr ka hath dabaya. kaha- "mahendr, maian vinodini se byah karooanga, sun lo! lihaza sanyat hokar bat karo." mahendr acharaj ke mare chup ho gaya aur vinodini chauank uthi. usaki chhati ke andar ka lahoo khalabala utha.

bihari ne kaha- "aur ek khabar deni hai tumhean. tumhari maan mrityu-sej par haian. bachane ki koee ummid nahian. maian aj rat ko hi ga di se jaooanga- vinodini bhi mere sath jaegi." vinodini ne chauankakar poochha- "bua bimar haian?"

bihari bola- "haan, sakht. kab kya ho jay kuchh kaha nahian ja sakata."

yah sunakar mahendr ne aur kuchh n kaha! chupachap kamare se bahar nikal gaya.

vinodini ne bihari se poochha- "abhi-abhi tumane jo kaha, tumhari juban par yah bat kaise aee? mazak to nahian?" bihari bola- "nahian, maianne thik hi kaha hai. maian tumase byah karooanga."

vinodini- "kisalie? uddhar karane ke lie."

bihari- "nahian, maian tumhean pyar karata hooan, isalie."

vinodini- "yahi mera puraskar hai. itana-bhar svikar kiya, mere lie yahi bahut hai, isase zyada maian kuchh nahian chahati. zyada mile bhi to rahane ka nahian." bihari- "kyoan?"

vinodini- "vah sochate hue bhi sharm ati hai. maian vidhava hooan, badanam hooan- sare samaj ke samane tumhari phajihat karooan, yah hargij nahian hoga. chhi:, yah bat jaban par n lao." bihari- "tum mujhe chho d dogi?"

vinodini- "chho dane ka adhikar mujhe nahian. chupachap tum bahutoan ki bahut bhalaee kiya karate ho-apane vaise hi kisi vrat ka koee-sa bhar mujhe dena, usi ko dhoti huee maian apane-apako tumhari dasi samajha karooangi. lekin vidhava se tum byah karoge, chhi:! tumhari udarata se sab-kuchh mumakin hai, lekin maian yah kam karooan, samaj mean tumhean nicha karooan to zindagi mean yah sir kabhi utha n sakooangi." bihari- "magar maian tumhean pyar karata hooan."

vinodini- "usi pyar ke adhikar se aj maian ek dhithaee karooangi."

itana kahakar vinodini jhuki. usane pair ki uangali ko choom liya. pairoan ke pas baithakar boli- "tumhean agale janm mean pa sakooan, isake lie maian tapasya karooangi. is janm mean ab koee ummid nahian. maianne bahut du:kh uthaya-kafi sabak mila. yah sabak agar bhool baithati, to maian tumhean nicha dikhakar aur bhi nichi banati. lekin tum ooanche ho, tabhi aj maian phir se sir utha saki hooan- apane is ashray ko maian dhool mean nahian mila sakati."

bihari ganbhir ho raha.

vinodini ne hath jo dakar kaha- "galati mat karo-mujhase vivah karake tum sukhi n hoge, apana gaurav ganva loge- maian bhi apana garv kho baithooangi. tum sada nirlipt raho, prasann raho. aj bhi tum vahi ho-maian door se hi tumhara kam karooangi. tum khush raho, sada sukhi raho."

53

mahendr maan ke kamare mean ja raha tha ki asha dau di-dau di aee. kaha- "abhi vahaan mat jao!" mahendr ne poochha- "kyoan?"

asha boli- "d aauktar ne bataya hai, maan chahe du:kh ka ho chahe sukh ka- achanak koee dhakka lagane se aphat ho sakati hai."

mahendr bola- maian dabe paanvoan unake sirahane ki taraph jakar ek bar dekh aooan jara. unhean pata n chalega."

asha- "nahian, abhi ap maan se nahian mil sakate."

mahendr- "to tum karana kya chahati ho?"

asha- "pahale bihari baboo unhean dekh aean, ve jaisa kaheange, vahi karooangi."

itane mean bihari a gaya. asha ne use bulavaya tha.

bihari ko dekhakar asha ko tho da bharosa hua. boli- "tumhare jane ke bad se maan aur bhi akula uthi haian, bhaee sahab. pahale din jab tum n dikhaee p de unhoanne poochha- 'bihari kahaan gaya?' maianne kaha- 've ek zaroori kam se bahar ge haian. brihaspati tak laut aeange.' usake bad se ve rah-rahakar chauank-chauank p dati haian. muanh se kuchh nahian kahatian lekin andar-hi-andar mano kisi ki rah dekh rahi haian. kal tumhara tar mila. maianne unhean bataya, tum a rahe ho. unhoanne aj tumhare lie khasataur se khane ka intazam karavane ko kaha hai. tumhean jo-jo chizean achchhi lagati haian, sab mangavaee haian, samane baramade par rasoee ka prabandh karaya hai, andar se vah khud banati raheangi. d aauktar ne lakh mana kiya, ek n sunian. abhi-abhi zara der pahale mujhe bulakar kaha, 'bahoo, rasoee tum apane hathoan banana, aj bihari ko maian apane samane baithakar khilaooangi'.

sunate hi bihari ki aauankhean chhalachhala uthian. poochha- "maan haian kaisi?"

asha ne kaha- "tum khud chalakar dekho, mujhe to lagata hai, bimari aur badh gee hai."

bihari andar gaya. mahendr kh da acharaj mean p d gaya. asha ne maje mean grihasthi samhal li hai- kitani asani se mahendr ko andar jane se rok diya. n sankoch kiya, n roothi. mahendr aj kitana sakucha gaya hai! vah aparadhi hai-chupachap kh da raha, bahar. maan ke kamare mean n ghus saka.

phir bhi yah ajib bat-bihari se vah kaise be-khatake boli. salah-paramarsh sab usi se. vahi aj is ghar ka sabase b da shubhachiantak hai, ekamatr rakshak hai. usako kahian rok nahian, usi ke nirdesh par sab-kuchh chalata hai. kuchh dinoan ke lie mahendr jo sthan chho dakar chala gaya tha, lautakar dekha, vah sthan ab thik vaisa hi nahian hai.

bihari ke andar jate hi rajalakshmi ne poochha- "too a gaya, bete?"

bihari bola- "haan maan, laut aya."

rajalakshmi ne poochha- "kam ho gaya tera?"

khush hokar bihari bola- "haan maan, ho gaya. ab mujhe koee chinta nahian rahi."

aur usane ek bar bahar ki taraph dekha.

rajalakshmi- "bahoo aj tere lie khud khana pakaegi-maian yahaan se use batati jaooangi. d aauktar ne mana kiya hai-magar ab kahe ki manahi, bete! maian kya in aauankhoan se ek bar tum logoan ka khana bhi n dekh paooangi!"

bihari ne kaha- "d aauktar ke mana karane ki bat to samajh mean nahian ati- tum n bataogi to chalega kaise? chhutapan se tumhare hath ki hi rasoee hamean bhaee hai- mahendr bhaiya ka ji to pashchim ki dal-roti se oob gaya hai-tumhare hath ki banaee machhali milegi, to vah ji jaega. aj ham donoan bhaee jaise bachapan mean karate the, ho d lagakar khaeange. tumhari bahoo juta sake, tab jano." rajalakshmi samajh to gee thi ki bihari ke sath mahendr aya hai, phir bhi usaki dh dakan badh gee.

bihari ne kaha- "pachhaanh jakar mahendr ki sehat bahut-kuchh sudhar gee hai. aj saphar se aya hai, isalie thaka-maanda lagata hai. nahane se thik ho jaega."

rajalakshmi ne phir bhi mahendr ke bare mean kuchh n kaha. is par bihari ne kaha- "maan, mahendr bahar hi kh da hai. jab tak tum nahian bulaogi vah nahian aega."

rajalakshmi kuchh bolian nahian, sirph daravaze ki taraph nazar uthaee. unaka udhar dekhana tha ki bihari ne kaha-"mahendr bhaiya, a jao!"

mahendr dhire-dhire andar aya. kaleje ki dh dakan kahian ekaek tham jae, is dar se rajalakshmi turant mahendr ki or n dekh saki. aauankhean adhamuandi rahian. bistar ki taraph takakar mahendr chauank utha. use mano kisi ne pita ho.

maan ke pairoan ke pas sir rakhakar unaka pair pak de p da raha. kaleje ki dh dakan se rajalakshmi ka sarvaang kaanpata raha. kuchh der bad annpoorna ne dhime-se kaha-"didi, tum mahendr ko kaho ki vah uthe, nahian to vah yahian baitha rahega."

b di mushkil se unhoanne kaha- "mahendr uth!" bahut dinoan ke bad mahendr ka jo nam liya to unaki aauankhoan se aauansoo ki dhara phoot p di. aauansoo bahane se man ki pi da kuchh halki huee. mahendr utha, zamin par ghutana ga d, khat ki pati par chhati rakhakar maan ke pas baitha. rajalakshmi ne b di tasalli se karavat badali. donoan hathoan se apani or khianchakar unhoanne mahendr ka sir sooangha, aur lalat ko choom liya. mahendr ne ruandhe kanth se kaha- "maianne tumhean b di takaliph pahuanchaee hai, maan mujhe maph karo."

kaleja thanda hua to rajalakshmi ne kaha- "aisa mat kah bete, tujhe maph kie bina maian ji sakati hooan bhala! bahoo kahaan gee? bahoo!" asha pas hi doosare kamare mean pathy taiyar kar rahi thi. annapoorna use bula laee.

rajalakshmi ne mahendr ko zamin par se uthakar bistar par baithane ka ishara kiya. mahendr baitha, to usaki bagal ki jagah dikhati huee rajalakshmi ne kaha-"tum yahaan baitho, bahoo! aj tum donoan ko maian pas-pas bithakar dekh looan, tabhi meri takaliph mitegi. bahoo, aj mujhase sharm n karo! mahendr ke lie jo malal hai, use bhi bhula do. usake pas baitho.

is par asha ghooanghat nikale dh dakate dil se lajati huee akar mahendr ke pas baith gee. rajalakshmi ne mahendr ka dahina hath liya aur asha ke dahine hath se milakar dabaya. boli- "apani is bitiya ko maian tere hathoan sauanp jati hooan, mahendr- isaka khyal rakhana, aisi lakshmi tujhe aur kahian nahian milegi. manjhali ao, donoan ko ashirvad do, tumhare puny se hi donoan ka mangal ho." annapoorna unake samane geean. donoan ne aauansoo-bhare netroan se unake charanoan ki dhul li. unhoanne donoan ke mathe ko chooma- "eeshvar tumhara mangal kare!" rajalakshmi- "bihari, age ao bete, mahendr ko tum maphi do."

bihari jyoan hi mahendr ke samane jakar kh da hua, usane use baanhoan mean lapetakar kasakar chhati se laga liya.

rajalakshmi ne kaha- "maian ashirvad deti hooan mahendr, bihari chhutapan se tera jaisa mitr tha, sada vaisa hi rahe."

isake bad rajalakshmi thakavat ke mare aur kuchh n kah sakian. chup ho geean. bihari koee uttejak dava unake hothoan tak le gaya. hath hatakar rajalakshmi ne kaha- "ab dava nahian bete, ab maian bhagavan ko yad karooan- vahi mujhe duniya ki sari jalan ki dava deange. mahendr, tum log tho da aram kar lo bete! bahoo, rasoee chadha do!"

sham ko mahendr aur bihari rajalakshmi ki khat ke pas niche khane baithe. parosane ka zimma rajalakshmi ne asha ko de rakha tha. vah parosane lagi. mahendr ka kaur nahian uth raha tha, kaleje mean aauansoo um de a rahe the. rajalakshmi bolian- "too thik se kha kyoan nahian raha hai, mahendr? kha, maian aauankhean bharakar dekhooan." bihari ne kaha- "tum to janati hi ho maan, mahendr bhaiya ka sada ka yahi hal hai. vah kha nahian saka. bhabhi, jara yah ghant tho da-sa aur do mujhe, behatarin bana hai." khush hokar rajalakshmi zara hansi....."mujhe maloom hai, bihari ko yah behad pasand hai. bahoo, bhala utane se kya hoga, aur do." bihari bola- "tumhari yah bahoo ahale darje ki kanjoos hai. isake hath se kuchh nikalata hi nahian."

rajalakshmi bolian- "sun lo bahoo, tumhara hi namak khakar bihari tumhari hi nianda karata hai."

asha bihari ki pattal mean sabji dal gee.

bihari bol utha- "hay ram, mujhe to sabji dekar hi dhata batani chahati hai, achchhi-achchhi chizean sab mahendr bhaiya ke hisse." asha phusaphusakar kah gee- "kuchh bhi karo, nindak ki jaban band nahian hone ki." bihari bola- "mithaee dekar dekho, band hoti hai ya nahian."

donoan dost kha chuke to rajalakshmi ko b di tripti mili. bolian- "bahoo, ab tum jakar kha lo." asha unake hukm par khane chali gee. unhoanne mahendr se kaha- "too tho da so le, mahendr!" mahendr bola- "so jaooan abhi se!"

mahendr ne soch rakha tha, rat ko vah maan ki seva mean rahega. magar rajalakshmi ne dhime-se kaha- "bahoo, dekh jao ki mahendr ka bistar thik bhi hai ya nahian. vah akela hai." asha laj ke mare mari-si kisi tarah kamare se bahar chali gee. vahaan keval bihari aur annpoorna rah ge. tab rajalakshmi ne kaha- "tumase ek bat poochhani hai, bihari. vinodini ka kya hua, pata hai. kahaan hai vah?" bihari ne kaha- "vah kalakatta mean hai."

rajalakshmi ne aauankhoan ki maun drishti se hi prashn kiya. bihari samajh gaya. bola- "usaki tum ab fikr hi n karo, maan!"

rajalakshmi bolian- "usane mujhe bahut du:kh diya hai bihari, phir bhi maian aandar se use pyar karati hooan." bihari bola- "vah bhi man-hi-man tumhean pyar karati hai, maan!"

rajalakshmi- "mujhe bhi yahi lagata hai, bihari. dosh-gun sabamean hota hai, lekin vah mujhe pyar karati thi. dhoang karake koee us tarah ki seva nahian kar sakati." bihari bola- "tumhari seva karane ke lie vah t dap rahi hai."

rajalakshmi ne lambi saans li. kaha- "mahendr, asha, sab to sone chale ge. rat mean use ek bar le ao to kya harj hai?"

bihari ne kaha- "vah to isi ghar ke bahar vale kamare mean chhipi baithi hai, maan. usane pratijna ki hai ki jab tak tum use bulakar maph nahian kar dogi, vah pani bhi n piegi." rajalakshmi pareshan ho uthian. bolian- "sare din se bhookhi hai? are to ja use bula lo!"

jyoanhi vinodini kamare mean aee, rajalakshmi bol uthian- "ram-ram, tumane yah kiya kya bahoo, din-bhar be-khae-pie baithi ho. jao, pahale kha lo, phir bat-chit hogi." vinodini ne unake charanoan ki dhool li. boli- "pahale is papin ko tum maph karo bua, tabhi maian khaooangi."

rajalakshmi- "maph kar diya bitiya, maph kar diya- ab mujhe kisi se bhi koee malal nahian."

vinodini ka dahina hath pak dakar unhoanne kaha-"bahoo, tumase jivan mean kisi ka bura n ho aur tum bhi sukhi raho!"

vinodini- "tumhara ashirvad jhootha n hoga bua, maian tumhare paanv chhookar kahati hooan, mujhase is ghar ka bura n hoga."

jhukakar annapoorna ko pranam karake vinodini khane gee. lautane par rajalakshmi ne poochha- "to ab tum chalian?"

vinodini- "maian tumhari seva karooangi, bua. eeshvar sakshi hai, mujhase kisi buraee ki shanka n karo."

rajalakshmi ne bihari ki taraph dekha. bihari ne kuchh socha. phir kaha- "bhabhi rahean, koee harj nahian."

rat mean bihari, annapoorna aur vinodini- tinoan ne milakar rajalakshmi ki seva ki.

idhar rat ko asha rajalakshmi ke pas nahian aee, is sharm se vah t dake hi uthi. mahendr ko sota hi chho dakar usane jaldi se muanh dhoya, kap de badale aur taiyar hote hi aee. tab bhi dhuandhalaka tha. daravaze par akar usane jo kuchh dekha, vah avakh rah gee. svapn to nahian!"

spirit-laianp jalakar vinodini pani garam kar rahi thi. rat ko bihari ne palakean bhi n jhapakaee thian. unake lie chay banani thi.

asha ko dekhakar vinodini kh di ho gee. boli-"sare aparadhoan ke sath maianne aj tumhari sharan li hai-aur koee to jane ki n kah sakega, magar tum agar kah do, 'jao', to mujhe turant jana p dega." asha koee javab n de saki. vah yah bhi thik-thik n samajh saki ki usaka man kya kah raha hai- isalie vah hakki-bakki ho gee.

vinodini- "mujhe tum kabhi maph nahian kar paogi-isaki koshish bhi mat karana. magar mujhe ab koee khatara mat samajhana. jin kuchh dinoan ke lie bua ko zaroorat hai, mujhe inaki seva karane do, phir maian chali jaooangi." kal jab rajalakshmi ne asha ka hath mahendr ke hathoan mean diya to usane man ka sara malal hatakar solahoan ane ko mahendr ke hathoan sauanp diya tha. aj vinodini ko apani nazar ke samane kh di dekhakar usake khandit prem ki jvala shaant n ho saki. ise kabhi mahendr ne pyar kiya tha, shayad ab bhi man-hi-man pyar karata ho- yah bat usake kaleje mean lahar ki tarah phool-phool uthane lagi. jara hi der bad mahendr jagega aur vah vinodini ko dekhega, jane kis nazar se dekhega.

bhari hriday liye asha rajalakshmi ke kamare mean pahuanchi. bahut sharmati huee boli- "mausi, tum rat-bhar soee nahian, jao so jao!" annapoorna ne ek bar achchhi tarah se asha ke chehare ko dekha. usake bad sone jane ke bajay asha ko sath liye apane kamare mean gee. bolian- "chunni, khulakar bat karana chahati hai, too ab batoan ko man mean mat rakh. gair ko doshi banane ka jo sukh hai, man mean dosh rakhane ka du:kh usase kahian b da hai."

asha ne kaha- "man mean koee gaanth maian rakhana to nahian chahati hooan mausi, sab bhool jana hi chahati hooan, magar bhoolate hi to nahian banata."

annapoorna bolian- "too thik hi kahati hai bitiya, upadesh dena asan hai, kar dikhana hi mushkil hai. phir bhi maian tujhe ek upay batati hooan. ji-jan se is bhav ko kam-se kam rakho, mano bhool gee hai. pahale bahar se bhulana shuroo kar, tabhi bhitar se bhi bhool sakegi."

asha ne sir jhukae hue kaha-"batao, mujhe kya karana hoga?"

annapoorna bolian- "bihari ke lie vinodini chay bana rahi hai too. doodh, chini, pyala-sab-kuchh lekar ja. milakar kam karo!"

asha adesh-palan ke lie uthi. annapoorna ne kaha- "yah asan hai- lekin mujhe ek bat aur kahani hai, vah aur bhi sakht hai aur usaka palan tujhe karana hi p dega. jab-tab mahendr se vinodini ki mulakat hogi hi aur tab tere man mean kya hoga, maian janati hooan-lekin vaise maian kabhi kanakhiyoan se bhi mahendr ya vinodini ke bhav ko dekhane ki koshish tak n karana. kaleja phatata rahe, lekin adig rahana p dega. mahendr yah samajhega ki tujhe koee shak nahian raha.- tootane ke pahale jaisa tha, jo d vaisa hi ju d gaya hai. mahendr ya aur koee teri shakl dekhakar apane ko doshi nahian samajhega. chunni, yah koee mera upadesh nahian, agrah nahian, yah teri mausi ka adesh hai. maian jab kashi chali jaooan, tab too ek din ko bhi yah bat n bhoolana!"

chay ka pyala liye asha vinodini ke pas pahuanchi. poochha- "ubal gaya pani? maian doodh le aee hooan."

vinodini acharaj se asha ka muanh takane lagi. bolian- "bihari bhaee sahab baramade mean baithe haian. tum unako chay bhej do. itane mean bua ka muanh dhulane ka iantajam karati hooan. ab jag jayean shayad." vinodini chay lekar bihari ke pas nahian gee. usake prem ko kabool karane ke nate bihari ne jo adhikar use diya tha, usake manamane istemal mean use sankoch hua. adhikar pane ki jo maryada hai, use bachana ho to adhikar ke prayog ko sanyat hona chahie. jitana milata hai, utane ke lie chhina-jhapati karana kangale ko thik lagata hai.

itane mean mahendr a pahuancha. asha ka dil dhakh kar utha, to bhi apane ko jabt karake usane svabhavik svar mean mahendr se kaha- "tum itani jaldi jag ge. roshani n ae is vajah se maianne khi dakiyaan band kar di thian."

vinodini ke samane hi is sahaj bhav se asha ko bat karate dekhakar mahendr ke kaleje par mano koee patthar utar gaya. vah khush hokar bola- "dekhane a gaya ki maan kaisi hai. ve so rahi haian abhi tak?" asha ne kaha, "haan, so rahi haian. abhi vahaan mat jana! bhaee sahab ne bataya- aj ve pahale se achchhi haian. bahut dinoan ke bad kal rat-bhar ve maje mean soee haian." mahendr nishchint hua. poochha- "chachi kahaan haian?" asha ne chachi ka kamara dikha diya.

asha ki yah dridhata aur sanyam dekhakar vinodini ko bhi hairat huee.

mahendr ne pukara- "chachi!"

annapoorna snan karake pooja karane ki soch rahi thi. phir bhi unhoanne kaha- "a mahendr, a!"

mahendr ne unhean pranam kiya. kaha- "chachi, maian papi hooan. tum logoan ke samane ate mujhe sharm ati hai."

annapoorna bolian- "aisa nahian kahate, bete! bachche to gard mean sanakar bhi maan ki god mean baithate haian."

mahendr- "magar meri yah dhool kabhi dhulane ki nahian, chachi!"

annapoorna- "do-ek bar jha d dene se yah jh d jaegi. achchha hi hua, mahendr. tujhe apane bhale hone ka abhiman tha. apane par tujhe behad vishvas tha. pap ki aauandhi ne tere us garv ko to d giraya hai, aur kuchh nahian biga da."

mahendr- "ab tumhean maian n jane dooanga, chachi. tumhare chale jane se hi meri yah durgati huee."

annapoorna- "maian rahakar tujhe jis durgati se bachati, vah ho gee, achchha hua. ab tumako meri koee zaroorat n p degi." daravaze par phir pukar machi- "chachi pooja karane baithi ho, kya?"

annapoorna ne kaha- "nahian, too a!"

bihari andar aya. itane t dake mahendr ko jaga dekhakar vah bola- "jivan mean aj shayad pahali bar tumane sooryoday dekha, bhaiya!"

mahendr ne kaha- "haan bhaee, mere jivan mean yah pahala sooryoday hai. tumhean chachi se koee ray karani hai shayad- maian chalata hooan."

bihari ne hansakar kaha- "tumhean bhi kaibinet ko ministar bana liya gaya samajho. tumase to maianne kabhi kuchh chhipaya nahian- aitaraj n ho to aj bhi n chhipaooan."

mahendr- "maian aur aitaraj! haan, dava zaroor nahian kar sakata. tum agar mujhase kuchh n chhipao, to maian bhi phir se ap apane oopar shraddha karane ka mauqa paooan."

baharahal bihari ke lie be-hichak sab-kuchh kahana mushkil tha. bihari ki zaban ruk-si gee, magar usane zor dekar kaha- "aisi bat aee thi ki maian vinodini se vivah karooanga- chachi se usi ke bare mean phaisala lena tha."

mahendr sakucha gaya. annapoorna chauankakar bolian- "yah kaisi bat hai, bihari?"

mahendr ne b da bal dalakar apane sankoch ko hataya. kaha- "bihari, yah vivah nahian hoga."

annapoorna ne kaha- "is prastav mean kya vinodini ka hath hai?"

bihari ne kaha- "bilakul nahian."

annapoorna bolian- "vah bhala kya razi hogi is par?"

mahendr bola- "vah bhala raji kyoan n hogi, chachi! maian janata hooan, vah hriday se bihari ki bhakti karati hai. aise ashray ko vah chho d sakati hai bhala!" bihari ne kaha- "vivah ka prastav vinodini se maianne kiya tha, bhaiya usane sharm se inkar kar diya hai."

sunakar mahendr chup rah gaya.

54

bhale-bure rajalakshmi ke do din nikal ge. ek din subah unaka chehara khila-khila dikh raha tha. pi da ka namonishan nahian tha. usi din unhoanne mahendr ko bulakar kaha- "maian ab zyada der ki mehaman nahian, bete-magar maian b de sukh se mar sakooangi, mahendr mujhe ab koee du:kh nahian hai. too jab chhota tha, to tujhe pakar jo khushi mujhe thi, aj usi khushi se mera hriday bhar utha hai-tum meri godi ka la dala hai, mere kaleje ka ratn-maian teri sari bala sath liye ja rahi hooan, yahi mera sabase b da sukh hai."

itana kahakar vah mahendr ke mukhade aur badan par hath pherane lagian. mahendr ki rulaee ka baandh toot gaya.

rajalakshmi ne kaha- "ro mat bete! lakshmi ghar mean rahi. kuanji meri bahoo ko dena. maianne sab-kuchh sanjokar rakha hai, girasti mean kisi bat ki kami n p degi tumhean. ek bat aur kah looan, meri maut se pahale kisi ko mat batana. mere baks mean do hazar ke not p de haian. ve rupaye vinodini ko de rahi hooan. vah vidhava hai, akeli hai, in rupayoan ke sood se usake din maze mean kat jayeange. magar use apane yahaan mat rakhana. rajalakshmi ne bihari ko bulavaya. kaha- "bete bihari, kal mahendr bata raha tha, toone lachar janoan ki chikitsa ke lie ek bagicha liya hai- bhagavan tumhean lambi ayu dekar gariboan ka bhala kare. mere byah ke samay mere sasur ne mujhe ek gaanv diya tha; vah gaanv maian tujhe deti hooan, use gariboan ki seva mean lagana. isase mere sasur ka puny hoga."

55

rajalakshmi ki mrityu ke bad shraddhadi khatm kahake mahendr ne kaha- "bhee bihari, maian d aauktari janata hooan. tumane jo kam shuroo kiya hai, mujhe bhi usamean shamil kar lo! chunni ab aisi grihini ban gee hai ki vah bhi tumhari madad kar sakegi. ham sab log vahian raheange."

bihari ne kaha- "khoob achchhi tarah soch dekho, bhaiya-yah kam hamesha ke lie kar sakoge. vairagy ke is kshanik avesh mean aisa sthayi bhav mat le baitho!" mahendr bola- "tum bhi zara sochakar dekho, jivan ko maianne is tarah bakhe da kiya hai ki ab baithe-baithe usake upabhog ki guanjaish n rahi. ise agar sakriyata mean n khianchata chalooan to jane kis roz yah mujhe avasad mean khianch le jayaga. apane kam mean mujhe shamil karana hi p dega." yahi bat tay rahi.

annapoorna aur bihari donoan baithakar shant udasi liye pichhale dinoan ki charcha kar rahe the. donoan ke ek-doosare se alag hone ka samay qarib tha. vinodini ne daravaze ke pas akar poochha- "chachi, maian yahaan baith sakati hooan."

annapoorna bolian- "a jao bitiya, ao!"

vinodini aee. usane do-char batean karake bichhauna uthane ka bahana karake annapoorna chali gee.

vinodini ne bihari se kaha- "ab mere lie tumhara jo adesh ho, kaho!"

bihari ne kaha- "bhabhi, tumhian batao, tum kya chahati ho?"

vinodini boli- "maianne suna hai, gariboan ke ilaj ke lie tumane koee bagicha liya hai. maian vahian tumhara koee kam karooangi aur kuchh n bane to khana pakaooangi." bihari bola- "maianne bahut soch dekha hai, bhabhi! in-un hangamoan se apane jivan ke jal mean behad gaanthean p d gee haian. ab ekant mean baithakar ek-ek karake unhian gaanthoan ko kholane ka samay a gaya hai. pahale sabaki saphashee kar leni hogi.

ab ji jo chahata hai, sabako man lene ki himmat nahian p dati. ab tak to guzara, jitana kuchh jhela, un sabake avartan aur andolan ko shant n kar looan to jivan ki samapti ke lie taiyar n ho sakooangi. agar sare bite din anukool hoan, to sansar mean keval tumase hi mera jivan poorn ho sakata tha. ab tumase mujhe vanchit hona hi p dega. sukh ki koshish ab bekar hai ...ab to dhire-dhire toot-phootakar marammat kar leni hai."

itane mean annapoorna aee. unake ate hi vinodini ne kaha, "maan, tumhean apane charanoan mean mujhe sharan deni p degi. papin ke nate tum mujhe mat thukarao." annapoorna boli, "chalo mere hi sath chalo."

annapoorna aur vinodini jis din kashi jane lagian, mauqa dhooandhakar bihari ne akele mean vinodini se bheant ki. kaha, "bhabhi, tumhari koee yadagar maian apane pas rakhana chahata hooan." vinodini boli, "apane pas aisa kya hai, jise nishani ki tarah pas rakho."

bihari ne sharm aur sankoch ke sath kaha, "aangrejoan mean aisi rivaj hai, apani priy patra ki koee lat yad ke lie rakh lete haian- tum agar..."

vinodini- "chhi: kaisi ghinauni bat! mere baloan ka tum kya karoge? vah muee napak chiz kuchh aisi nahian ki tumhean dooan. abhagin maian, tumhare pas rah nahian sakati-maian aisa kuchh dena chahati hooan, jo mera hokar tumhare kam mean ae."

bihari ne kaha, "looanga."

is par vinodini ne aauanchal ki gaanth se kholakar hazar-hazar ke do not bihari ko die.

bihari gahare avesh ke sath vinodini ke chehare ki or ekatak dekhata raha. jara der bad bola- "aur maian kya tumhean kuchh n de paooanga?"

vinodini ne kaha- "tumhari nishani mere pas hai, vah mere aang ka bhooshan hai, use kabhi koee chhin nahian sakata. mujhe aur kuchh nahian chahie."

yah kahakar usane apane hath ki chot ka vah dag dikhaya.

bihari hairan rah gaya. vinodini boli, "tum nahian janate, yah aghat tumhara hai aur yah aghat tumhare hi yogy hai. ise tum bhi vapas nahian le sakate." mausi ke itana samajhane-bujhane ke bavajood vinodini ke lie asha apane man ko nishkantak n kar saki thi. rajalakshmi ke seva-jatan mean donoan sath juti rahian, par jab se usaki najar vinodini par p di, tabhi usake dil ko chot lagi-zaban se avaz n nikali aur hansane ki koshish ne use dukhaya. vinodini ki koee mamooli seva lene mean bhi usaka man naraz rahata. shishtata ke nate vinodini ka lagaya pan use lena p da, lekin bad mean turant thook diya hai. lekin aj jab judaee ki gh di aee, mausi dobara ghar-bar chho dakar jane lagian aur asha ka hriday aauansoo se gola ho utha, to vinodini ke lie bhi usaka man bhar aya. jo sab-kuchh chho d-chho dakar ekabaragi ja raha ho, use maph n kar sake, aise log duniya mean kam hi haian. use maloom tha, vinodini mahendr ko pyar karati hai, kyoan n kare mahendr ko pyar! mahendr ko pyar karana kitana zaroori hai yah bat usase zyada kaun jan sakata hai.

vah dhire-dhire vinodini ke pas jakar vishad se boli, "didi, ja rahi ho?"

asha ki tho di pak dakar vinodini ne kaha, "haan bahan, jane ka samay a gaya. kabhi tumane mujhe pyar kiya tha, ab apane sukh ke dinoan mean us pyar ka tho da-sa aansh mere lie rakhana bahan, baki sab bhool jana."

mahendr ne akar namaste karake kaha, "maph karana, bhabhi!"

usaki aauankhoan ke konoan se aauansoo ki booandean dhulak p dian. vinodini ne kaha, "tum bhi mujhe maph karana bhaee-sahab, bhagavan tum logoan ko sada sukhi rakhean!"