आँख की किरकिरी उपन्यास -रविन्द्र नाथ टैगोर

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

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vinod ki maan hasmiti mahendr ki maan rajalakshmi ke pas jakar dharana dene lagi. donoan ek hi gaanv ki thian, chhutapan mean sath kheli thian.

rajalakshmi mahendr ke pichhe p d gee- "beta mahendr, is garib ki bitiya ka udhdar karana p dega. suna hai, l daki b di sundar hai, phir likhi-padhi bhi hai. usaki ruchiyaan bhi tum logoan jaisi haian.

mahendr bola- "ajakal ke to sabhi l dake mujh jaise hi hote haian."

rajalakshmi- "tujhase shadi ki bat karana hi mushkil hai."

mahendr- "maan, ise chho dakar duniya mean kya aur koee bat nahian hai."

mahendr ke pita usake bachapan mean hi chal base the. maan se mahendr ka bartav sadharan logoan jaisa n tha. umr lagabhag baees ki huee, em.e. pas karake d aauktari padhana shuroo kiya hai, magar maan se usaki roj-roj ki zid ka ant nahian. kangaroo ke bachche ki tarah mata ke garbh se bahar akar bhi usake bahari thaili mean tange rahane ki use adat ho gee hai. maan ke bina ahar-vihar, aram-viram kuchh bhi nahian ho pata.

abaki bar jab maan vinodini ke lie buri tarah usake pichhe p d gee to mahendr bola, "achchha, ek bar l daki ko dekh lene do!"

l daki dekhane jane ka din aya to kaha, "dekhane se kya hoga? shadi to maian tumhari khushi ke lie kar raha hooan. phir mere achchha-bura dekhane ka koee arth nahian hai." mahendr ke kahane mean paryapt gussa tha, magar maan ne socha, "'shubh-drishti'1 ke samay jab meri pasand aur usaki pasand ek ho jaegi, to usaka svar bhi narm ho jaega." rajalakshmi ne bephikr hokar vivah ka din tay kiya. din jitana hi qarib ane laga, mahendr ka man utana hi bechain ho utha. matra do-char din pahale vah kah baitha- "nahian maan, yah mujhase hargij n hoga."

chhutapan se mahendr ko har tarah ka sahara milata raha hai. isalie usaki ichchha sarvopari hai. doosare ka dabav use bardasht nahian. apani svikriti aur doosaroan ke agrah ne use bebas kar diya hai, isilie vivah ke prastav ke prati nahak hi usaki vitrishna badh gee aur vivah ka din nazadik a gaya to usane ekabaragi 'nahi' kar di. mahendr ka jigari dost tha bihari; vah mahendr ko 'bhaiya' aur usaki maan ko 'maan' kaha karata tha. maan use stimar ke pichhe ju di doangi- jaisa bharavahi saman manati thian aur vaisi hi us par mamata bhi rakhati thian. ve bihari se bolian- "bete, yah to ab tumhean hi karana hai, nahian to us bechari l daki...."

bihari ne hath jo dakar kaha- "maan, yah mujhase n hoga. achchhi n lagi kahakar mahendr jo mithaee chho d deta hai vah maianne bahut khaee; magar l daki ke bare mean aisa nahian ho sakata."

rajalakshmi ne socha, 'bhala bihari vivah karega! use to bas ek mahendr ki p di hai, bahoo lane ka khyal bhi nahian ata usake man mean.'

yah sochakar bihari ke prati unaki kripa-mishrit mamata kuchh aur badh gee.

vinodini ke pita kuchh khas dhani n the, parantu apani ikalauti beti ko mishanari mem rakhakar b de jatan se padhaya-likhaya. itana hi nahian ghar ke kam mean bhi chak-chauband kiya. ve gujar ge aur bechari vidhava maan beti ke vivah ke lie pareshan ho gee. pas mean rupaya-paisa nahian, oopar se l daki ki umr bhi zyada.

akhir rajalakshmi ne apane maike mean gaanv ke ek rishte ke bhatije se vinodini ka vivah kara diya.

kuchh hi dinoan mean vah vidhava ho gee. mahendr ne hansakar kaha, "ganimat thi ki shadi nahian ki."

koee tin sal bad maan-bete mean phir ek bat ho rahi thi.

"beta, log to meri hi shikayat karate haian."

"kyoan bhala, tumane logoan ka aisa kya biga da hai?"

"bahoo ke ane se beta paraya n ho jae, maian isi dar se teri shadi nahian karati- log yahi kaha karate haian."

mahendr ne kaha, "dar to hona hi chahie. maian maan hota, to jite-ji l dake ka vivah n karata. logoan ki shikayatean sun leta."

maan hansakar boli- "suno, jara isaki batean sun lo."

mahendr bola- "bahoo to akar l dake ko apana bana hi leti hai. phir itana kasht uthane vali maan apane-ap door ho jati hai. tumhean yah chahe jaisa lage mujhe to thik nahian lagata."

rajalakshmi ne man-hi-man gadgad hokar hal hi aee apani vidhava devarani se kaha, "suno manjhali, jara mahendr ki suno! kahian bahoo akar maan par havi n ho jae, isi dar se vah vivah nahian karana chahata. aisi bat kabhi suni hai tumane?"

chachi bolian, "yah tumhari jyadati hai bete! jabaki jo bat ho, vahi achchhi lagati hai. maan ka daman chho dakar ab ghar-grihasthi basane ka samay a gaya hai. ab nadani achchhi nahian lagati ulti sharm ati hai."

rajalakshmi ko yah bat achchhi nahian lagi. is silasile mean unhoanne jo kuchh kaha, vah jaisa ho magar svamar bhiga to nahian tha. bolian- "mera beta agar aur l dakoan ki apeksha apani maan ko zyada sneh karata hai, to tumhean sharm kyoan lagati hai, manjhali bahoo? kokh ka l daka hota to samajh mean ata."

rajalakshmi ko laga, 'nipooti bete ke saubhagyavali seeershya kar rahi hai.'

manjhali bahoo ne kaha- "tumane bahoo lane ki charcha chalaee isilie yah bat nikal gee, varna mujhe kya hak hai?"

rajalakshmi bolian- "mera beta agar vivah nahian karata, to tumhari chhati kyoan phatati hai! thik to hai, l dake ki jaise aj tak dekh-bhal karati aee hooan, ainda bhi kar looangi- isake lie aur kisi ki madad ki zaroorat n hogi."

manjhali bahoo aansoo bahati chupachap chali gee. mahendr ko man-hi-man isase chot pahuanchi. k aaulej se kuchh pahale hi lautakar vah apani chachi ke kamare mean dakhil hua.

vah samajh raha tha ki chachi ne jo kuchh kaha tha, usamean sivay sneh ke aur kuchh n tha. aur use yah bhi pata tha ki chachi ki ek bhanaji hai, jisake mata-pita nahian haian. ve chahati haian ki mahendr se usaka byah ho jae. halaanki shadi karana use pasand n tha. phir bhi chachi ki yah aantarik ichchha use svabhavik aur karun lagati hai. use maloom tha ki unaki koee santan nahian hai.

mahendr kamare mean pahuancha, to din zyada nahian rah gaya tha. chachi annapoorna khi daki par matha tikae udas baithi thi. bagal mean kamare mean khana dhaka rakha tha. shayad unhoanne khaya nahian.

bahut tho de mean hi mahendr ki aankhean bhar atian. chachi ko dekhakar usaki aankhean chhalachhala uthian. qarib jakar snigdh svar se bola- "chachi!"

annapoorna ne hansane ki koshish ki. kaha, "a bete, baith!"

mahendr ka man bhiga hua tha. chachi ko dilasa dene ke vichar se vah achanak bol utha, "achchha chachi, tumane apani bhanaji ki bat bataee thi, ek bar dikha sakati ho?" kahakar mahendr dar gaya.

annapoorna hansakar bolian- "kyoan? shadi ke laddoo phoot rahe haian beta!"

mahendr jhatapat bol utha- "nahian-nahian, apane lie nahian, maianne bihari ko razi kiya hai. l daki dekhane ka koee din tay kar do!"

annapoorna bolian- "aha, us bechari ka aisa bhagy kahaan? bhala use bihari-jaisa l daka nasib ho sakata hai!"

mahendr chachi ke kamare se nikala ki daravaze par maan se mulakat ho gee. rajalakshmi ne poochha, "kyoan re, kya ray-mashavira kar raha tha?"

mahendr bola- "ray-mashavira nahian, pan lene gaya tha?"

maan ne kaha- "tera pan to mere kamare mean rakha hai."

mahendr ne kuchh nahian kaha. chala gaya.

rajalakshmi andar gee aur annapoorna ki rulaee se sooji aankhean dekhakar lamahe-bhar mean bahut soch liya. chhootate hi phuphakar chho di- "kyoan manjhali bahoo mahendr ke kan bhar rahi thi, hai n?"

aur bina kuchh sune tatkal tezi se nikal gee.

2

kanya dekhane ki bat mahendr ne ki zaroor magar vah bhool gaya phir bhi annapoorna nahian bhooli. unhoanne l daki ke abhibhavak, usake b de chacha ko jaldi mean shyamabazar patr bheja aur ek din tay kar liya.

mahendr ne jab suna ki dekhane ka din pakka ho gaya hai to bola- "chachi, itani jaldi kyoan ki! bihari se to maianne abhi tak zikr nahian kiya."

annapoorna bolian- "aisa bhi hota hai bhala! ab agar tum log n jao to ve kya socheange?"

mahendr ne bihari ko bulakar sari batean bataeean kaha-"chalo to sahi, l daki n janchi, to tumhean majaboor nahian kiya jaega."

bihari bola- "yah maian nahian kah sakata. chachi ki bhanaji ko dekhane jana hai. dekhakar mere muanh se yah bat hargij n nikal sakegi ki l daki mujhe pasand nahian."

mahendr ne kaha- "phir to thik hi hai."

bihari bola- "lekin tumhari taraph se yah jyadati hai, mahendr bhaiya! khud to halke ho jaean aur doosare ke kandhe par bojh rakh dean, yah thik nahian. ab chachi ka ji dukhana mere lie bahut kathin hai."

mahendr kuchh sharminda aur naraj hokar bola-"akhir irada kya hai tumhara?"

bihari bola- "mere nam par jab tumane unhean ummid dilaee hai to maian vivah karooanga. yah dekhane jane ka dhoang bekar hai."

bihari annapoorna ki devi ki bhaanti bhakti karata tha. akhir annapoorna ne khud bihari ko bulavakar kaha- "aisa bhi kahian hota hai, bete! l daki dekhe bina hi vivah karoge. yah hargij n hoga. l daki pasand n ae to tum hargij 'haan' nahian karoge. samajhe. tumhean meri kasam....!"

jane ke din k aaulej se lautakar mahendr ne maan se kaha- "jara mera vah reshami kurata aur dhaka vali dhoti nikal do!"

maan ne poochha- "kyoan, kahaan jana hai?"

mahendr bola- "kam hai, tum la do, phir bataooanga."

mahendr tho da sanvare bina n rah saka. doosare ke lie hi kyoan n ho, l daki ka masala javani mean sabhi se tho da sanvar kara hi leta hai.

donoan dost l daki dekhane nikal p de.

l daki ke b de chacha anukool baboo ne apani kamaee se apana bag vala timanjila makan muhalle mean sabase ooancha bana rakha hai.

garib bhaee ki maan-bap-vihina beti ko unhoanne apane hi yahaan rakha hai. usaki mausi annapoorna ne kaha tha, mere pas rahane do. isase kharch ki kami zaroor hoti, lekin gaurav ki kami ke dar se anukool razi n hue. yahaan tak ki mulakat ke lie bhi kabhi use mausi ke yahaan nahian jane dete the. apani maryada ke bare mean itane hi sakht the ve.

l daki ke vivah ki chinta ka samay aya. lekin in dinoan vivah ke vishay mean 'yadrishi bhavana yasy sidhdarbhavati tadrishi' vali bat lagoo nahian hoti. chinta ke sath-sath lagat bhi lagati. parantu dahej ki bat uthate hi anukool kahate, 'meri bhi to apani l daki hai, akele mujhase kitana karate banega.' isi tarah din nikalate ja rahe the. aise mean ban-sanvarakar khushaboo bikherate hue rang-bhoomi mean apane dost ke sath mahendr ne pravesh kiya.

chait ka mahina. sooraj doob raha tha. dumanjile ka dakshini baramada chikane chini tailoan ka bana, usi ke ek or donoan mehamanoan ke lie phal-phool, mithaee se bhari chaandi ki tashtariyaan rakhi geean. barf ke pani-bhare gilas jaise os-booandoan se jhalamal. bihari ke sath mahendr sakuchate hue khane baitha. niche mali paudhoan mean pani dal raha tha aur bhigi mitti ki soandhi sugandh liye dakkhini bayar mahendr ki dhap-dhap dhuli chadar ke chhor ko hairan kar rahi thi. asapas ke daravaze ke jharokhoan ki ot se kabhi-kabhi dabi hansi, phusaphusahat, kabhi-kabhi gahanoan ki khanakhanahat sunaee de rahi thi.

khana khatm ho chuka to andar ki taraph dekhate hue anukool baboo ne kaha- "chunni, pan to le a, beti!"

jara der mean sankoch se pichhe ka daravaza khul gaya aur sare sansar ki laj se simati ek l daki hath mean panadan liye anukool baboo ke pas akar kh di huee. ve bole, "sharm kahe ki bitiya, panadan unake samane rakho!"

usane jhukakar kaanpate hue hathoan se mehamanoan ki bagal mean panadan rakh diya. baramade ke pashchimi chhor se doobate hue sooraj ki abha usake lajjit mukh de ko mandit kar gee. isi mauke se mahendr ne us kaanpati huee l daki ke karun mukh ki chhavi dekh li.

balika jane lagi. anukool baboo bole- "zara thahar ja, chunni! bihari baboo, yah hai chhote bhaee apoorv ki l daki, apoorv to chal basa, ab mere sivay isaka koee nahian." aur unhoanne ek lambi usaans li.

mahendr ka man pasij gaya. usane ek bar phir l daki ki taraph dekha.

usaki umr saph-saph koee n batata. sage-sambandhi kahate, barah-terah hogi. yani chaudah-pandrah hone ki sambhavana hi zyada thi. lekin chooanki daya par chal rahi thi isalie sahame se bhav ne usake navayauvan ke arambh ko zabt kar rakha tha.

mahendr ne poochha- "tumhara nam?"

anukool baboo ne utsah diya- "bata beti, apana nam bata!"

apane abhyast adesh-palan ke dhang se jhukakar usane kaha- "ji, mera nam ashalata hai."

"asha!" mahendr ko laga, nam b da hi karun aur svar b da komal hai.

donoan mitroan ne bahar s dak par akar ga di chho d di. mahendr bola- "bihari, is l daki ko tum hargij mat chho do?"

bihari ne isaka kuchh saf javab n diya. bola-"ise dekhakar isaki mausi yad a jati hai. aisi hi bhali hogi shayad!"

mahendr ne kaha- "jo bojha tumhare kandhe par lad diya, ab vah shayad vaisa bhari nahian lag raha hai."

bihari ne kaha- "nahian, lagata hai to dho looanga."

mahendr bola- "itani takaliph uthane ki kya zaroorat hai? tumhean bojha lag raha ho to maian utha looan."

bihari ne gambhir hokar mahendr ki taraph taka. bola- "sach? ab bhi thik-thik bata do! yadi tum shadi kar lo to chachi kahian zyada khush hoangi- unhean hamesha pas rakhane ka mauqa milega."

mahendr bola- "pagal ho tum! yah hona hota to kab ka ho jata."

bihari ne koee etaraj n kiya. chala gaya aur mahendr bhi yahaan-vahaan bhatakakar ghar pahuanch gaya.

maan pooriyaan nikal rahi thian. chachi tab tak apani bhanaji ke pas se lautakar nahian aee thian.

mahendr akela sooni chhat par gaya aur chataee bichhakar let gaya. kalakatta ki ooanchi attalikaoan ke shikharoan par shukla saptami ka adha chaand tahal raha tha. maan ne khane ke lie bulaya, to mahendr ne alasaee avaz mean kaha- "chho do, ab uthane ko ji nahian chahata."

maan ne kaha- "to yahian le aooan?"

mahendr bola- "aj nahian khaooanga. maian khakar aya hooan."

maan ne poochha- "kahaan khane gaya tha?"

mahendr bola- "bad mean bataooanga."

ve lautane lagian to tho da sochate hue mahendr ne kaha-"maan! khana yahian le ao."

3

rat mean mahendr thik se so nahian paya. aj hi vah bihari ke ghar pahuanch gaya. bola- "bhee yaro, maianne b di dhya n se socha or dekha- ki chachi yahi chahati hai ki shadi maian hi karooan."

bihari bola- "isake lie sochane ki zaroorat nahian thi. yah bat to ve khud kee bar kah chuki haian."

mahendr bola- "tabhi to kahata hooan, maianne asha se vivah n kiya to unhean du:kh hoga."

bihari bola- "ho sakata hai!"

mahendr ne kaha, "mera khyal hai, yah to jyadati hogi."

"haan! bat to thik hai." bihari ne kaha- "yah bat tho di der se apaki samajh mean aee. kal a jata to achchha hota."

mahendr- "ek din bad hi aya, to kya bura ho gaya."

vivah ki bat par man ki lagam ko chho dana tha ki mahendr ke lie dhiraj rakhana kathin ho gaya. usake man mean aya- is bare mean bat karane ka to koee arth nahian hai. shadi ho hi jani chahie.

usane maan se kaha- "achchha maan, maian vivah karane ke lie raji hooan."

maan man-hi-man bolian- "samajh gee, us din achanak kyoan manjhali bahoo apani bhanaji ko dekhane chali gee. aur kyoan mahendr ban-thanakar ghar se nikala."

unake anurodh ki bar-bar upeksha hoti rahi aur annapoorna ki sajish karagar ho gee, is bat se vah naraz ho uthian. kaha- "achchha, maian achchhi-si l daki ko dekhati hooan."

asha ka zikr karate hue mahendr ne kaha- "l daki to mil gee."

rajalakshmi bolian- "us l daki se vivah nahian ho sakata, yah maian kahe deti hooan."

mahendr ne b de sanyat shabdoan mean kaha- "kyoan maan, l daki buri to nahian hai."

rajalakshmi- "usake tinoan kul mean koee nahian. aisi l daki se vivah rachakar kutumb ko sukh bhi n mil sakega."

mahendr- "kutumb ko sukh mile n mile l daki mujhe khoob pasand hai." usase shadi n huee to maian dukhi ho jaooanga."

l dake ki zid se rajalakshmi aur sakht ho geean. vah annapoorna se bhi d geean- "ek anath se vivah karakar tum mere l dake ko phansa rahi ho. yah harakat hai."

annapoorna ro p di- "usase to shadi ki koee bat hi nahian huee, usane tumhean kya kaha, isaki mujhe jara bhi khabar nahian."

rajalakshmi isaka ratti- bhar yakin n kar sakian.

annapoorna ne bihari ko bulavaya aur aansoo bharakar kaha- "tay to sab tumase hua tha, phir tumane pasa kyoan palat diya? maian kahe deti hooan shadi to tumhean hi karani p degi. yah be da tum n par karoge to mujhe b di sharmindagi uthani hogi. vaise l daki achchhi hai."

bihari ne kaha- "chachi, tumhari bat manjoor hai. vah tumhari bhanaji hai, phir mere 'na' karane ki koee bat hi nahian. lekin mahendr..."

annapoorna bolian- "nahian-nahian bete, mahendr se usaka vivah kisi bhi halat mean n hoga. yakin mano, tumase vivah ho, tabhi maian zyada nishchiant ho sakooangi. mahendr se rishta ho yah maian chahati bhi nahian."

bihari bola- "tumhian nahian chahatian to koee bat nahian."

aur vah rajalakshmi ke pas jakar bola- "maan, chachi ki bhanaji se meri shadi pakki ho gee. sage-sambandhiyoan mean to koee mahila hai nahian isalie maian hi khabar dene aya hooan."

rajalakshmi- "achchha! b di khushi huee bihari, sunakar. l daki b di bhali hai. tere layak. ise hath se jane mat dena!"

bihari- "hath se bahar hone ka saval hi kya! khud mahendr bhaiya ne l daki pasand karake rishta pakka kiya hai."

in jhanjhat se mahendr aur bhi uttejit ho gaya. maan aur chachi se naraz hokar vah mamooli-se chhatravas mean jakar rahane laga.

rajalakshmi roti huee annapoorna ke kamare mean pahuanchian; kaha- "manjhali bahoo, lagata hai, udas hokar mahendr ne ghar chho d diya, use bachao!"

annapoorna boli- "didi, dhiraj rakho, do din ke bad gussa utar jaega."

rajalakshmi bolian- "tum use janati nahian bahan, vah jo chahata hai, n mile to kuchh bhi kar sakata hai. jaise bhi ho, apani bahan ki l daki se...."

annapoorna- "bhala yah kaise hoga didi, bihari se bat lagabhag pakki ho chuki."

rajalakshmi bolian- "ho chuki, to tootane mean der kitani lagati hai?"

aur unhoanne bihari ko bulavaya. kaha- "tumhare lie maian doosari l daki dhooandh deti hooan- magar isase tumhean baj ana p dega."

bihari bola- "nahian maan, yah nahian hoga. sab tay ho chuka hai."

rajalakshmi phir annapoorna ke pas geean. bolian- "mere sir ki kasam manjhali, maian tumhare pairoan p dati hooan... tumhian bihari se kaho! tum kahogi to big di ban jaegi." akhir annapoorna ne bihari se kaha- "beta, tumase kuchh kahane ka muanh nahian hai, magar lachari hai kya karooan. asha ko tumhean sauanpakar hi maian nishchiant hoti, magar kya bataooan, sab to tumhean pata hai hi."

bihari- "samajh gaya. tum jo hukm karogi, vahi hoga. lekin phir kabhi kisi se vivah karane ka mujhase agrah mat karana!"

bihari chala gaya. annapoorna ki aankhean chhalachhala geean. mahendr ka amangal n ho, is ashanka se unhoanne aankhean poanchh lian. bar-bar dil ko dilasa diya- "jo hua, achchha hi hua."

aur is tarah rajalakshmi- annapoorna- mahendr mean kil-kil chalate-chalate akhir vivah ka din aya. roshani hansati huee jali, shahanaee utani hi madhur baji jitani vah baja karati hai. yani usake dil ke sath koee n tha.

saj-sanvarakar lajjit aur mugdh-man asha apani nee duniya mean pahali bar aee. usake kanpit komal hriday ko pata hi n chala ki usake is basere mean kahian kaanta hai. balki yah sochakar bharose aur anand se usake sare hi sandeh jate rahe ki is duniya mean ekamatr maan- jaisi apani mausi ke pas ja rahi hai.

vivah ke bad rajalakshmi ne kaha- "maian kahati hooan, abhi kuchh din bahoo apane b de chacha ke ghar hi rahe."

mahendr ne poochha- "aisa kyoan, maan?"

maan ne kaha- "tumhara imtahan hai. padhaee-likhaee mean rukavat p d sakati hai."

mahendr bola- "akhir maian koee nanha-nadan hooan. apane bhale-bure ki samajh nahian mujhe?"

rajalakshmi- "jo ho, sal-bhar ki hi to bat hai."

mahendr ne kaha- "isake maan-bap rahe hote, to mujhe koee etaraj n hota lekin chacha ke yahaan ise maian nahian chho d sakata."

rajalakshmi-(apane ap) "bap re ap hi malik, sas koee nahian! kal shadi aur aj hi itani hamadardi! akhir hamari bhi to shadi huee thi. magar tab aisi behayaee n thi."

mahendr ne dridhata se kaha- "tum bilkul mat socho, maan! imtahan mean koee farq nahian p dega."

4

akhir rajalakshmi asim utsah se bahoo ko grihasthi ke kam-kaj sikhane mean jut gee. bhandar rasoee aur pooja-ghar mean asha ke din katane lage, rat ko apane sath sulakar vah usake atmiy bichhoh ki kami ko poora karane lagian.

kafi soch-samajhakar annapoorna asha se door hi raha karatian. koee abhibhavak jab khud sari eekh ka ras choosane lagata hai, tab nirash bachche ki ranjish kam nahian hoti. mahendr ki halat bhi vaisi hi ho gee. usaki aankhoan ke samane hi navayuvati vadhoo ka sara mitha ras girasti ke kamoan mean nichu data rahe, yah bhala kaise saha ja sakata hai.

annapoorna janati thian ki rajalakshmi jyadati kar rahi hai. phir bhi unhoanne kaha- "kyoan bete, bahoo ko grihasthi ke dhandhe sikhae ja rahe haian; achchha hi to hai. ajakal ki l dakiyoan ki tarah upanyas padhana, karpet bunana aur sirph baboo bane rahana kya achchha hai?"

mahendr uttejit hokar bola- "ajakal ki l dakiyaan ajakal ki l dakiyoan ki tarah hi raheangi. vah chahe bhali hoan, chahe buri. meri stri agar meri hi tarah upanyas padhakar ras le sake to isamean kya buri bat hai. yah n to parihas ki bat hai n pachhatave ki."

annapoorna ke kamare mean bete ki avaz sunakar rajalakshmi sab chho dakar a geean. rookhe svar mean bolian- "kya manasoobe banae ja rahe haian?"

mahendr ne vaise hi uttejit bhav se kaha, "manasoobe kya hoange, bahoo ko ghar mean naukarani ki tarah kam maian n karane dooanga."

maan ne apani tikhi jalan ko dabakar b de hi tikhe dhir bhav se kaha- "akhir usase kya karana hoga?"

mahendr bola- "maian use likhana-padhana sikhaooanga."

rajalakshmi kuchh n bolian. tezi se qadam badhati huee chali geean aur bahoo ka hath pak dakar khianchati huee mahendr ke pas lakar bolian- "yah rahi tumhari bahoo, sikhao likhana-padhana!"

aur annapoorna ki taraph palatakar gale mean achara dalakar kaha- "maph karo manjhali bahoo, maph karo! tumhari bhanaji ki maryada meri samajh mean n aee. maianne isake komal hathoan mean haldi lagaee hai. ab tum ise dho-poanchhakar pari banakar rakho- mahendr ko sauanpo- ye aram se likhana-padhana sikhe, naukarani ka kam maian karooangi."

rajalakshmi apane kamare mean chali geean aur daravaza zor se band kar liya.

kshobh se annapoorna zamin par baith gee. achanak yah kya ho gaya, asha ke palle nahian p da ki majara kya hai? mahendr naraz ho gaya. man-hi-man bola- "jo hua so hua, ab se apani stri ka bhar apane hathoan mean lena p dega, nahian to julm hoga."

man aur kartavy bodh donoan mil jaean to achchha lagata hai. patni ki unnati ke chakkar mean mahendr ram gaya. n to use kam ka dhyahan raha n logoan ki paravah.

ghamandi rajalakshmi ne apane- ap kaha- 'ab agar mahendr bivi ko lekar mere daravaze par sir pitakar jan de de to bhi maian mu dakar nahian dekhooangi. dekhati hooan, maan ko chho dakar bivi ke sath kaise rahega?'

din bitane lage. rajalakshmi ke daravaze par kisi anutapt ke paanvoan ki ahat n sunaee p di.

rajalakshmi ne apane man mean tay kiya- 'achchha maphi maangane aega to maph kar dooangi, nahian to kahaan jaega. bahut dukhi ho jaega bechara. lekin maphi koee maange tabhi to ap maph kar sakate haian. koee maphi ke lie dahalij par aya hi nahian. rajalakshmi ne socha ki maian hi jakar use kshama kar aooangi. l daka rooth gaya hai to kya maan bhi roothi rahe!'

timanjile par ek kone ke chhote-se kamare mean mahendr soya karata tha, vahi usaki padhane ki jagah bhi thi. idhar kee dinoan se maan ne usake kap de sahejane, bistar bichhane, jha dane-buharane mean koee dilachaspi nahian li. matri-sneh ke jin kartavyoan ki vah adi thian, bahut dinoan tak un kamoan ko n karane se vahi dukhi ho gee. us din dopahar ko ekaek man mean aya, 'abhi mahendr k aaulej gaya hoga, isi bich usaka kamara thik kar aooan, lautakar vah samajh jaega ki kamare se maan ka hath phira hai.'

sidhiyoan se rajalakshmi oopar gee. mahendr ke kamare mean daravaze ka ek palla khula tha. samane jate hi mano kaanta chubh gaya. chauankakar thithak gee. dekha, pharsh par mahendr leta hai aur daravaze ki taraph pith kie bahoo dhire-dhire usake paanv sahala rahi hai. dopahar ki tez dhoop mean khule kamare mean dampaty-lila dekhakar rajalakshmi sharm aur dhikkar se simat gee aur chupachap niche utar aee.

5

kuchh din sookha p dane se naj ke jo paudhe sookhakar pile p d jate haian, barish ane par ve turant badh jate haian. asha ke sath bhi aisa hi hua. jahaan usaka rakt sambandh tha, vahaan vah kabhi bhi atmiyata ka dava n kar saki, aj parae ghar mean jab use bin maange hak mila, to usane ise lene mean der n ki.

us din dopahar mean rajalakshmi niche utar aee. usane socha annapoorna ko jalaya jae. boli- "ari o manjhali, jakar dekh zara tumhari navab ki beti navab ke ghar se kaisa path padhakar aee hai! ghar ke b de-boodhe aj hote to ."

annapoorna ne katar hokar kaha- "didi, apani bahoo ko tum shiksha do, ya hukoomat chalao mujhe kya? mujhase kyoan kah rahi ho."

rajalakshmi dhanush ki tani dori-si tankar uthi- "hooan, meri bahoo! jab tak tum mantri ho, vah mujhe kaise man sakati hai!"

yah sunakar annapoorna pair patakati huee mahendr ke kamare mean pahuanch gee. asha se boli- "too is tarah se mera sir nicha karegi ri, muanhajali! sharm nahian, haya nahian, samay-asamay ka khyal nahian, boodhi sas par sara grihasthi ka bojh dalakar tum yahaan aram pharama rahi ho? mera hi nasib jala ki maian tujhe is ghar mean le aee."

kahate-kahate unaki aankhoan se aansoo bahane lage aur asha bhi sir jhukae aanchal ke chhor ko nakhoon se noanchati huee chupachap rone lagi.

mahendr ne kaha- "yah dekho, isake lie maian slet, bahi, kitab sab kharid laya hooan. ise maian likhana-padhana sikhaooanga, chahe log meri ninda karean."

annapoorna bali- "thik hai, lekin yah kya tamam din? sham ke bad ghanta-adha ghanta padh liya bas! ghanta-adha ghanta padhana hi to kafi hoga."

mahendr- "itana asan nahian hai chachi, padhane-likhane mean samay lagata hai."

annapoorna khijhakar chali gee. asha bhi unake pichhe-pichhe chal p di. mahendr daravaza rokakar kh da ho gaya-usane asha ki gili aankhoan ki vinati n mani. vaise asha ko nahian lagata ki likhana-padhana zaroori bhi hai phir bhi vah apani pati ki khatir kitaboan par ekabaragi jhukakar sir hilati huee bataee chizean yad karati rahati. kamare ke kone mean chhoti-si mez par d aauktari ki kitab khole mastar sahab kursi par baithe hote, bich-bich mean kanakhiyoan se chhatra ko dekhate rahate. achanak apani kitab band karake avaz di- "chunni!" yah asha ka hi ghareloo nam tha.

chauankakar asha ne udhar dekha. vah bola, "jara lao to kitab dekhooan, kahaan padh rahi ho? asha ko laga jaanch hogi aur usamean pas hone ki ummid kam hi thi. age-age path aur pichhe sapat kuchh yahi hal tha. ek hath se usaki kamar ko kasakar lapetakar doosare hath se kitab pak dakar poochha- "aj kitana padh gee- dekhooan to."

jitani panktiyoan par vah sarasari nigah pher gee thi, dikha diya. mahendr ne acharaj se kaha- "oh, itana padh gee! maianne kitana padha, bataooan?"

aur apani kitab ke kisi adhyaeey ka shirshak-bhar dikha diya. acharaj se aankhean b di-b di karake asha ne poochha- "to itani der se kar kya rahe the?"

usaki thodhi pak dakar mahendr ne kaha- "maian kisi ke bare mean soch raha tha; aur jisake bare mean soch raha tha, vah dimak ka varnan padhane mean mashagool thi!"

is be-vajah shikayat ka satik javab asha n de saki, lekin prakam ki pratiyogita mean jhoothi har man leni p dati hai.

aise hi ek roz mahendr maujood nahian tha. mauqa pakar asha padhane baith gee ki achanak kahian se akar usane aankhean mianch lian aur kitab chhinakar kahane laga, "be-raham, maian nahian hota hooan to tum mere bare mean sochati tak nahian. kitaboan mean doob jati ho!"

asha ne kaha- "tum mujhe ganvar banae rakhoge?"

mahendr ne kaha- "tumhari kripa se apani hi vidya kaun age badh rahi hai!" bat asha ko lag gee. phauran chal dene ka upakram karati boli- "maianne tumhari padhaee mean aisi kaun-si rukavat dali hai?"

usaka hath thamakar mahendr ne kaha- "yah tum nahian samajhogi? mujhe bhool kar tum jitani asani se padh-likh leti ho, tumhean bhoolakar utani asani se maian nahian padh-likh pata."

shikshak hi jab shiksha ki sabase b di badha ho to chhatra ki kya majal ki vidya ke van mean rah banakar chal sake. kabhi-kabhi mausi ki jhi daki yad ati aur chitt vichalit ho jata. sas ko dekhakar sharm se g d jati lekin sas use kisi kam ko n kahati. apane man se unaki madad karana chahati to vah padhaee ke harje ki bat kahakar vapas bhej deti.

akhir annapoorna ne asha se kaha- "teri jo padhaee chal rahi hai, vah to dekh hi rahi hooan, mahendr ko kya d aauktari ka imtahan n dene dogi?"

yah sunakar asha ne apane ji ko k da kiya. mahendr se kaha- "tumhare imtahan ki taiyari nahian ho pa rahi hai. aj se maian niche mausi ke kamare mean raha karooangi."

is umr mean aisa kathor sannyas-vrat! sone ke kamare se ekabaragi mausi ke kamare mean nirvasan! aisi kathor pratijna karate hue usaki aankhoan ke konoan mean aansoo jhalak p de, bebas hoth kaanp uthe aur gala ruandh gaya. mahendr bola- "behatar hai, chachi ke kamare mean hi chalo! magar tab unhean hamare kamare mean oopar ana p dega."

aisa ek gambhir prastav mazak ban gaya, asha isase naraz huee. mahendr ne kaha- "isase to achchha hai ki tum rat-din mujhe aankhoan-aankhoan mean rakho aur nigarani karo! phir dekho ki meri imtahan ki padhaee chalati hai ki nahian."

ek din barish ho rahi thi. badal ghire the. aise mean badan par ek suvasit mahin chadar aur juhi ki mala gale mean dale mahendr magan-man apane sone ke kamare mean pahuancha. achanak asha ko chauanka dene ke vichar se- jootoan ki avaz n hone di. jhaankakar dekha, poorab ki khuli khi daki se pani ke chhiante liye hava ke tikhe jhoanke kamare mean a rahe haian, diya bujh gaya hai aur asha niche bichhavan par p di ro rahi hai.

mahendr jaldi se usake qarib gaya aur poochha- "kya bat hai?" vah doone aveg se rone lagi. b di der ke bad mahendr ko javab mila ki "mausi se aur bardasht n ho saka. vah apane phuphere bhaee ke yahaan chali geean."

mahendr ke man mean aya, 'geean to geean, lekin badali ki aisi suhani saanjh ko kharab kar geean.'

ant mean sara gussa maan par aya. vahi to in sare anarthoan ki j d hai.

mahendr ne kaha- "ham bhi vahian chale jaeange, jahaan chachi gee haian. dekhate haian, maan kisase jhag dati hai?"

aur usane nahak hi shor-gul ke sath asabab baandhane ke lie kuli ko bulana shuroo kar diya.

rajalakshmi samajh geean. dhire-dhire mahendr ke pas aeean. shant svar mean poochha- 'kahaan ja raha hai?"

mahendr ne pahale koee javab hi n diya. do-tin bar poochhe jane par bataya- "chachi ke pas."

rajalakshmi bolian- "are to maian hi unhean yahaan bula deti hooan."

rajalakshmi usi samay palaki par savar hokar annapoorna ke ghar geean. gale mean kap da dalakar hath jo date hue kaha- "khush ho manjhali bahoo, mujhe maph karo!"

annapoorna ne jaldi-jaldi unake pairoan ki dhool li. katar svar mean kaha- "didi, mujhe doshi kyoan bana rahian? tum jaisa hukm dogi, vaisa hi karooangi."

rajalakshmi ne kaha- "tum chali aee ho, to mere beta-patohoo bhi ghar chho dakar yahian a rahe haian."

kahate-kahate vah ro p di.

jithani-devarani donoan ghar laut aeean. tab bhi varsha ho rahi thi. annapoorna jab mahendr ke kamare mean pahuanchi, asha ka rona tham chuka tha. mahendr batoan se use hansane ki koshish kar raha tha. asar the ki badaliyaan yooan hi nahian gujar jaeangi.

annapoorna ne kaha- "chunni, too mujhe ghar mean bhi n rahane degi aur kahian jaooan to bhi pichhe lag jaegi. kya mere lie kahian chain nahian!"

asha chauank p di.

mahendr b da hi khijhakar bola- "kyoan chachi, chunni ne tumhara kya biga da hai?"

annapoorna ne kaha- "bahoo ki aisi behayaee bardasht n ho saki tabhi yahaan se chali gee thi. phir apani sas ko rulakar muanhajali ne mujhe kyoan bulavaya?"

jivan ke adhyaiy mean maan-chachi aisi vighnakarini hoti haian, mahendr ko isaka pata n tha.

doosare din rajalakshmi ne bihari ko bulavakar kaha-"beta bihari, tum ek bar mahendr se poochh dekho, jamane se gaanv nahian ge. maian ek bar barasat jana chahati hooan."

bihari ne kaha- "jamane se nahian geean to kya hua? khair, maian poochh dekhata hooan. magar vah raji bhi hoga, aisa nahian lagata."

mahendr ne kaha- "janm-bhoomi ko dekhane ki ichchha zaroor hoti hai. lekin maan ka vahaan zyada din n rahana hi achchha hoga. barasat ke mausam mean vah jagah achchhi nahian."

mahendr b di asani se raji ho gaya, isase bihari kudh gaya. bola- "maan akeli jaeangi, vahaan unaki dekh-bhal kaun karega?"

"bhabhi ko bhi sath bhej do n?"

kahakar bihari hansa.

bihari ke is gahare vyangy se kunthit hokar mahendr ne kaha- "mere lie yah koee mushkil hai kya?"

magar bat isase age n badhi.

bihari isi tarah asha ke man ko vimukh kar diya karata aur yah janakar ki asha isase kudhati hai, use maja ata.

kahana bekar hoga, rajalakshmi janm-bhoomi ke darshan ke lie utani betab n thian. garmi ke dinoan mean jab nadi ka pani sookh jata hai, to mallah kadam-kadam par laggi se thah leta hai ki kahaan kitana pani hai. rajalakshmi ne socha n tha ki unake barasat jane ka prastav itani jaldi manjoor ho jaega. socha, 'annapoorna aur mere donoan ke ghar se bahar jane mean farq hai.'

annapoorna bhitari matalab samajh gee. kahane lagi, "didi jaeangi, to maian bhi n rah sakooangi."

mahendr ne maan se kaha- "sun liya tumane? tum jaogi to chachi bhi jaeangi. apani grihasthi ka kya hoga phir?"

rajalakshmi vidvesh ke zahar se jarjar hokar bolian- "tum bhi- ja rahi ho manjhali? tumhare jane se kam kaise chalega? nahian, tumhean rahana hi p dega."

rajalakshmi utavali ho gee. doosare din dopahar ko hi taiyar ho gee. mahendr hi unhean pahuanchane jaega, isamean kisi ko bhi shubaha n tha. lekin ravana hote vakt maloom p da mahendr ne maan ke sath jane ke lie pyade aur daraban tak kar rakhe haian.

bihari ne poochha- "tum abhi tak taiyar nahian hue kya, bhaiya?"

mahendr ne lajakar kaha- "mere k aaulej ki..."

bihari ne kaha- "khair, tum chho d do! maan ko maian vahian chho d ata hooan."

mahendr man-hi-man naraj hua. akele mean asha se bola, "sachamuch, bihari ne jyadati shuroo kar di hai. vah yah dikhana chahata hai ki vah maan ka khyal mujhase zyada rakhata hai."

annpoorna ko rah jana p da. parantu laj, kudhan aur khijhane se vah simati-si rahian. chachi mean yah durav dekhakar mahendr naraj hua aur asha bhi roothi rahi.

rajalakshmi maike pahuanchi. tay tha ki unhean chho dakar bihari a jaega lekin vahaan ki halat dekhakar vah thahar gaya.

7

rajalakshmi ke maike mean mahaj do-ek boodhi vidhavaean thian. charoan taraph ghana jangal aur baans ki jha diyaan; pokhar ka hara-bhara pani; din-dopahar mean syar ki 'huaan-huaan' se rajalakshmi ki rooh t dap uthati.

bihari ne kaha- "maan, janm-bhoomi yah zaroor hai, magar ise 'svargadapi gariyasi' to haragij nahian kaha ja sakata. tumhean yahaan akeli chho dakar laut jaooan to mujhe pap lagega." rajalakshmi ke pran bhi kaanp uthe. aise mean vinodini bhi a gee. vinodini ke bare mean pahale hi kaha ja chuka hai. mahendr se, aur kabhi bihari se usake vivah ki bat chali thi. vidhana ki likhi bhagy-lipi se jis adami se usaka vivah hua vah jaldi hi chal basa.

usake bad se vinodini ghane jangal mean akeli lata-si, is gaanv mean ghutakar ji rahi thi. vahi anath, rajalakshmi ke pas aee, unhean pranam kiya aur unake seva-jatan mean jut gee. seva to seva hai, gh di ko alas nahian. kam ki kaisi saphaee, kitani achchhi rasoee, kaisi mithi batachit! rajalakshmi kahati- "kafi der ho chuki bitiya, tum bhi tho da-sa kha lo jakar!"

vaise rajalakshmi usaki phuphiya sas thi.

apane prati b di laparavahi dikhati huee vinodini kahati- "hamare du:kh- sahe sharir mean narajagi ki guanjaish nahian. aha, kitane dinoan ke bad to apani janm-bhoomi aee ho! yahaan hai bhi kya? kahe se tumhara adar karooan!"

bihari to do hi dinoan mean muhalle-bhar ka bujurg ban baitha. koee dava-daroo, to koee mukadame ke ray-mashavire ke lie ata; koee usaki isalie khushamad karata ki kisi b de daftar mean usake bete ko naukari dila de; koee usase apani darakhast likhavata. boodhoan ki baithak aur kuli-majooroan ke ta di ke adde tak vah saman roop se jata-ata. sabhi usaka samman karate.

ganvee-gaanv mean ae kalakatta ke us navayuvak ke nirvasan-dand ko bhi vinodini aant:pur ki ot se halka karane ki bharasak koshish kiya karati. muhalle ka chakkar katakar jab bhi vah ata to pata ki kisi ne usake kamare ko b de jatan se sahej-sanvar diya hai; kaanse ke ek gilas mean kuchh phooloan-pattoan ka guchchha saja rakha hai. aur sirahane ke ek taraph padhane yogy kuchh kitabean rakh di haian. kitaboan mean kisi mahila ke hath se b di kanjoosi ke sath chhote aksharoan mean likha hai.

gaanvoan mean atithi-satkar ka jo am tarika hai, usase isamean tho da farq tha. usi ka zikr karate hue bihari jab tariph karata, to rajalakshmi kahatian- "aur aisi l daki ko tum logoan ne kabool nahian kiya!"

hansate hue bihari kahata- "beshak hamane achchha nahian kiya maan, thaga gaya. magar ek bat hai, vivah n karake thagana behatar hai, byah karake thagata to musibat thi!" rajalakshmi ke ji mean bar-bar yahi ata raha, "yahi to meri patohoo hone yogy thi. kyoan n huee bhala!"

rajalakshmi kalakatta lautane ka zikr karatian ki vinodini ki aankhean chhalachhala uthatian. kahatian- "akhir tum do din ke lie kyoan aeean, bua? ab tumhean chho dakar maian kaise rahooangi?"

bhavavesh mean rajalakshmi kah uthatian- "too meri bahoo kyoan n huee beti, maian tujhe kaleje se lagae rakhati."

sunakar sharm se vinodini kisi bahane vahaan se hat jati. rajalakshmi is intajar mean thian ki kalakatta se vinit anurodh ka koee patr aega. maan se alag mahendr aj tak itane din kabhi n raha tha. maan ke is lambe bichhoh ne nishchay hi usake sabr ka baandh to d diya hoga. rajalakshmi bete ke gi dagi dahat-bhare patr ka intajar kar rahi thian.

bihari ke nam mahendr ka patr aya. likha tha, 'lagata hai maan bahut dinoan ke bad maike gee haian, shayad b de maje mean hoangi.'

rajalakshmi ne socha, 'mahendr ne roothakar aisa likha hai. b de maje mean hoangi. mahendr ko chho dakar badanasib maan bhala sukh se kaise rah sakati hai?'

"are bihari, usake bad kya likha hai usane, padhakar suna to jara!"

bihari bola- "aur kuchh nahian likha hai, maan!"

aur usane patr ko mutthi se dabochakar ek kapi mean rakha aur kamare mean ek or dhapp se patak diya.

rajalakshmi ab bhala thir rah sakati thian! ho n ho, mahendr maan par itana naraj hua hai ki bihari ne padhakar sunaya nahian.

gau ke than par chot karake bachh da jis prakar doodh aur vatsaly ka sanchar karata hai, usi prakar mahendr ki narajagi ne aghat pahuanchakar rajalakshmi ke ghute vatsaly ko ubhar diya. unhoanne mahendr ko maph kar diya. bolian- "aha, apani bahoo ko lekar mahendr sukhi hai, rahe-jaise bhi ho, vah sukh se rahe. jo maan use chho dakar kabhi ek pal nahian rah sakati, vahi use chho dakar chali aee hai, isalie mahendr apani maan se naraj ho gaya hai."

rah-rahakar unaki aankhoan mean aansoo um dane lage.

us din vah bar-bar bihari se jakar kahati rahian-"bete, tum jakar naha lo. yahaan b di badaparaheji ho rahi hai tumhari."

rajalakshmi a d geean- "nahian-nahian, naha dalo!"

bar-bar zid karane se bihari nahane gaya. usaka kamare se bahar qadam rakhana tha ki jhapatakar rajalakshmi ne vah kitab utha li aur usake andar se patr ko nikala. padhakar vinodini sunane lagi. shuroo mean mahendr ne maan ke bare mean likha tha, lekin b da mukhtasar. bihari ne jitana-bhar sunaya, usase zyada kuchh nahian.

usake bad asha ka zikr tha. mauj-maje aur khushiyoan se vibhor hokar likha tha.

vinodini ne tho da padha aur sharm se thak gee. kaha-"yah kya sunogi, bua!"

rajalakshmi ka sneh se akulaya chehara pal-bhar mean jamakar patthar-jaisa sakht ho gaya. jara der chup rahian, phir bolian- "rahane do!"

aur chitthi unhoanne vapas n li. chali geean.

chitthi lekar vinodini ko kya ras mila, vahi jane. padhate-padhate usaki aankhean dopahar ke tape baloo-si jalane lagi- usaka ni:shvas registan ki bayar- jaisi garm ho uthi.

'kaisa hai mahendr, kaisi hai asha aur in donoan ka prem hi kaisa hai!' yahi bat usake man ko mathane lagi. patr ko god mean dale, paanv phailae, divar se pith tikakar samane takati vah der tak sochati rahi.

mahendr ki vah chitthi bihari ko phir dhooandhe n mili.

achanak usi din dopahar mean annapoorna a dhamakian. kisi buri khabar ki ashanka se rajalakshmi ka kaleja sahasa kaanp utha. kuchh poochhane ki unhean himmat n huee. vah phak p de chehare se annapoorna ki taraph takati rah geean.

annapoorna ne poochha- "kalakatta ka samachar thik hai."

rajalakshmi ne poochha- "phir tum yahaan kaise?"

annapoorna boli- "didi, apani grihasthi tum jakar samhalo. sansar se apana ji uchat gaya hai. maian kashi jane ki tay karake nikali hooan. tumhean pranam karane a gee. jan mean, anajan mean jane kitane kasoor ho ge haian maph karana. aur tumhari bahoo...," kahate-kahate aankhoan se aansoo uphan uthe- "vah nadan bachchi hai, usake maan nahian. vah doshi ho chahe nirdosh, tumhari hai."

annapoorna aur n bol saki.

rajalakshmi jaldi se unake nahane-khane ka intazam karane gee. bihari ko maloom hua to vah ghosh ki mathiya se dau d aya. annapoorna ko pranam karake bola-"aisa bhi hota hai bhala, ham sabako nirdayi ki tarah thukarakar tum chal dogi?"

aansoo jabt karake annapoorna ne kaha- "mujhe ab pherane ki koshish mat karo bihari, tum log sukhi raho, mere lie kuchh ruka n rahega."

bihari kuchh kshan chup raha. phir bola- "mahendr ki kismat khoti hai usane tumhean rukhsat kar diya."

annapoorna chauankakar bolian- "aisa mat kaho, maian us par bilkul naraj nahian hooan. mere ge bina unaka bhala n hoga."

bahut door takata hua bihari chup baitha raha. apane aanchal se sone ki do baliyaan nikalakar annapoorna bolian- "bete, ye baliyaan rakh lo! bahoo ae to mera ashirvad jatakar inhean pahana dena!"

baliyaan mastak se lagakar aansoo chhipane ke lie bihari bagal ke kamare mean chala gaya.

jate vakt bolian- "mere mahendr aur meri asha ka dhyakan rakhana, bihari!"

rajalakshmi ke hathoan unhoanne ek kagaz diya. kaha--'sasur ki jayadad mean mera jo hissa hai, vah maianne is vasiyat mean mahendr ko likh diya hai. mujhe har mah sirph pandrah rupe bhej diya karana!"

jhukakar unhoanne rajalakshmi ke pairoan ki dhool mathe lagaee aur tirth-yatra ko nikal p di.