ढपोरशंख -प्रेमचंद

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

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muradabad mean mere ek purane mitr haian, jinhean dil mean to maian ek ratn samajhata hooan par pukarata hooan dhaporasankh kahakar aur vah bura bhi nahian manate. eeshvar ne unhean jitana hriday diya hai, usaki adhi buddhi di hoti, to aj vah kuchh aur hote ! unhean hamesha tangahast hi dekha; magar kisi ke samane kabhi hath phailate nahian dekha. ham aur vah bahut dinoan tak sath padhe haian, khasi betakalluphi hai; par yah janate hue bhi ki mere lie sau-pachas rupaye se unaki madad karana koee b di bat nahian aur maian b di khushi se karooanga, kabhi mujhase ek paee ke ravadar n hue. agar hile se bachchoan ko do-char rupaye de deta hooan, to bida hote samay usaki dugani rakam ke muradabadi bartan ladane p date haian. isalie maianne yah niyam bana liya hai ki jab unake pas jata hooan, to ek-do din mean jitani b di-se-b di chapat de sakata hooan, deta hooan. mausam mean jo mahangi-se-mahangi chiz hoti hai, vahi khata hooan aur maang-maangakar khata hooan. magar dil ke aise behaya haian, ki agar ek bar bhi udhar se nikal jaooan aur usase n milooan

to buri tarah d aaut batate haian. idhar do-tin sal se mulakat n huee thi. ji dekhane ko chahata tha.

mee mean nainital jate hue unase milane ke lie utar p da. chhota-sa ghar hai, chhota-sa parivar, chhota-sa dil. dvar par avaz di dhaporasankh ! turant bahar nikal aye aur gale se lipat gaye. taange par

se mere trank ko utarakar kandhoan par rakha, bistar bagal mean dabaya aur ghar mean dakhil ho gaye. kahata hooan, bistar mujhe de do magar kaun sunata hai. bhitar qadam rakha to deviji ke darshan hue. chhote bachche ne akar pranam kiya. bas yahi parivar hai. kamare mean gaya to dekha khatoan ka ek daftar phaila hua hai. khatoan ko surakshit rakhane ki to inaki adat nahian ? itane khat kisake haian ? kutoohal se poochha, yah kya koo da phaila rakha hai ji, sameto.

deviji musakarakar bolian, ‘qoo da n kahie, ek-ek patr sahity ka ratn hai. ap to idhar aye nahian. inake ek naye mitr paida ho gaye haian. yah unhian ke kar-kamaloan ke prasad haian.‘

dhaporasankh ne apani nanhi-nanhi aankhean siko dakar kaha, ‘tum usake nam se kyoan itana jalati ho, meri samajh mean nahian ata ? agar tumhare do-char sau rupaye us par ate haian, to unaka denadar maian hooan. vah bhi abhi jita-jagata hai. kisi ko beeeman kyoan samajhati ho ? yah kyoan nahian samajhatian ki use abhi suvidha nahian hai. aur phir do-char sau rupaye ek mitr ke hathoan doob hi jayean, to kyoan roo. mana ham garib haian, do-char sau rupaye hamare lie do-char lakh se kam nahian; lekin khaya to ek mitr ne !’

deviji jitani roopavati thian, utani hi jaban ki tej thian.

bolian –‘agar aisoan hi ka nam mitr hai, to maian nahian samajhati, shatru kise kahate haian.‘

dhaporasankh ne meri taraph dekhakar, mano mujhase hami bharane ke lie kaha--

‘auratoan ka hriday bahut hi sankirn hota hai.‘

deviji nari-jati par yah apeksh kaise sah sakati thian, aankhean tarerakar bolian --

‘yah kyoan nahian kahate, ki ulloo banakar le gaya, oopar se hek di jatate ho ! dal gir jane par tumhean bhi sookha achchha lage, to koee ashchary nahian. maian janati hooan, rupaya hath ka mail hai. yah bhi samajhati hooan ki jisake bhagy

ka jitana hota hai, utana vah khata hai; magar yah maian kabhi n manooangi, ki vah sajjan tha aur adarshavadi tha aur yah tha, vah tha. saph-saph kyoan nahian kahate, lanpat tha, dagabaj tha ! bas, mera tumase koee jhag da nahian.‘

dhaporasankh ne garm hokar kaha, ‘maian yah nahian man sakata.‘

deviji bhi garm hokar bolian –‘tumhean manana p dega. mahashayaji a gaye haian. maian inhean panch badati hooan. agar yah kah deange, ki sajjanata ka putala tha, adarshavadi tha, viratma tha, to maian man looangi aur phir usaka nam n looangi. aur yadi inaka phaisala mere anukool hua, to lala, tumhean inako apana bahanoee kahana p dega !’

maianne poochha, ‘meri samajh mean kuchh nahian a raha hai, ap kisaka zikr kar rahi haian ? vah kaun tha ?’

deviji ne aankhean nachakar kaha, ‘inhian se poochho, kaun tha ? inaka bahanoee tha !’

dhaporasankh ne jheanpakar kaha, ‘aji, ek sahity-sevi tha qarunakar joshi. bechara vipatti ka mara yahaan a p da tha ! us vakt to yah bhi bhaiya-bhaiya karati thian, halava bana-banakar khilati thian, usaki vipatti-katha sunakar tesave bahati thian aur aj vah dagabaj hai, lanpat hai, labar hai ?’

deviji ne kaha, ‘vah tumhari khatir thi. maian samajhati thi, lekh likhate ho, vyakhyan dete ho, sahity ke marmajn banate ho, kuchh to adami pahachanate hoge. par ab maloom ho gaya, ki kalam ghisana aur bat hai, manushy ki

na di pahachanana aur bat.‘

maian is joshi ka vrittaant sunane ke lie utsuk ho utha dhaporasankh to apana pach da sunane ko taiyar the; magar deviji ne kaha, khane-pine se nivritt hokar panchayat baithe. maianne bhi ise svikar kar liya. deviji ghar mean jati huee bolian –‘tumhean kasam hai jo abhi joshi ke bare mean ek shabd bhi inase kaho. maian bhojan banakar jab tak khila n looan, tab tak donoan adamiyoan par dapha 144 hai.‘

dhaporasankh ne aankhe marakar kaha, ‘tumhara namak khakar yah tumhari taraphadari kareange hi !’

is bar deviji ke kanoan mean yah jumala n p da. dhime svar mean kaha, bhi gaya tha, nahian to deviji ne kuchh-n-kuchh javab zaroor diya hota. deviji choolha jala chukian aur dhaporasankh unaki or se nishchint ho gaye, to mujhase bole, ‘zab tak vah rasoee mean haian, maian sankshep mean tumhean vah vrittaant suna dooan ?’

maianne dharm ki a d lekar kaha, ‘nahian bhaee, maian panch banaya gaya hooan aur is vishay mean kuchh n sunooanga. unhean a jane do.‘

'mujhe bhay hai, ki tum unhian ka-sa phaisala kar doge aur phir vah mera ghar mean rahana apadh kar degi.'

maianne dhadhas diya –‘yah ap kaise kah sakate haian, maian kya phaisala karooanga ?’

'maian tumhean janata jo hooan. tumhari adalat mean aurat ke samane mard kabhi jit hi nahian sakata.'

'to kya chahate ho tumhari digri kar dooan !'

'kya dosti ka itana hak bhi nahian ada kar sakate ?'

'achchha lo, tumhari jit hogi, chahe galiyaan hi kyoan n milean.'

khate-pite dopahar ho gayi. rat ka jaga tha. sone ki ichchha ho rahi thi par deviji kab mananevali thian. bhojan karake a pahuanchian. dhaporasankh ne patroan ka pulianda sameta aur vrittant sunane lage. deviji ne savadhan kiya ek shabd bhi jhooth bole, to jurmana hoga. dhaporasankh ne gambhir hokar kaha, ‘jhooth vah bolata hai, jisaka paksh nirbal hota hai. mujhe to apani vijay ka vishvas hai.‘

isake bad katha shuroo ho gee.

do sal se zyada hue, ek din mere pas ek patr aya, jisamean sahity seva ke nate ek drame ki bhoomika likhane ki prerana ki gee thi. karunakar ka patr tha. is sahityik riti se mera unase pratham parichay hua.

sahityakaroan ki is jamane mean jo durdasha hai, usaka anubhav kar chuka hooan, aur karata rahata hooan aur yadi bhoomika tak bat rahe, to unaki seva karane mean pasopesh nahian hota. maianne turant javab diya ap drama bhej dijie. ek saptah mean drama a gaya, par abake patr mean bhoomika likhane hi ki nahian koee prakashak thik kar dene ki bhi prarthana ki gayi thi. maian prakashakoan ke jhanjhat mean nahian p data. do-ek bar p dakar kee mitroan ko jani dushman bana chuka hooan. maianne drame ko padha, us par bhoomika likhi aur hastalipi lauta di. drama mujhe sundar maloom hua; isalie bhoomika bhi prashansatmak thi. kitani hi pustakoan ki bhoomika likh bhi chuka hooan. koee nee bat n thi; par abaki bhoomika likhakar piand n chhoota. ek saptah ke bad ek lekh aya, ki ise apani

patrika mean prakashit kar dijie. (dhaporasankh ek patrika ke sampadak haian.) ise gun kahie ya dosh, mujhe doosaroan par vishvas bahut jald a jata hai. aur jab kisi lekhak ka muamala ho, to meri vishvas-kriya aur bhi

tivr ho jati hai. maian apane ek mitr ko janata hooan jo sahityakaroan ke saye se bhagate haian. vah khud nipun lekhak haian, b de hi sajjan haian, b de hi zinda-dil. apani shadi karake lautane par jab-jab raste mean mujhase bheant huee, kaha, apaki mithaee rakhi huee hai, bhejava dooanga, par vah mithaee aj tak n aee, halaanki ab eeshvar ki daya se vivah-taru mean phal bhi lag aye, lekin khair, maian sahityaseviyoan se itana chaukanna nahian rahata. in patroan mean itani vinay, itana agrah, itani bhakti hoti thi, ki mujhe joshi se bina sakshatkar ke hi sneh

ho gaya. maloom hua, ek b de bap ka beta hai, ghar se isilie nirvasit hai, ki usake chacha dahej ki lambi rakam lekar usaka vivah karana chahate the, yah use manjoor n hua. is par chacha ne ghar se nikal diya. bap ke pas gaya. bap adarsh bhratri-bhakt tha. usane chacha ke phaisale ki apil n suni. aisi dasha mean siddhant ka mara yuvak sivay ghar se bahar nikal bhagane ke aur kya karata ? yoan van-van ke patte to data, dvar-dvar thokarean khata vah gvaliyar a gaya tha. us par mandagni ka rogi, jirn jvar se grast.

ap hi batalaie, aise adami se kya sahanubhooti n hoti ? phir jab ek adami apako 'priy bhaee sahab' likhata hai, apane manorahasy apake samane kholakar rakhata hai, vipatti mean bhi dhairy aur purusharth ko hath se nahian chho data, k de se k da parishram karane ko taiyar hai, to yadi ap mean saujany ka anumatr bhi hai, to ap usaki madad zaroor kareange. achchha, ab phir drame ki taraph aie. kee dinoan bad joshi ka patr prayag se aya. vah vahaan ke ek masik patrika ke sampadakiy vibhag mean naukar ho gaya tha. yah patr pakar mujhe kitana santosh aur anand hua, kah nahian sakata. kitana udyamashil adami hai ! usake prati mera sneh aur bhi pragadh ho gaya. patrika ka svami sanpadak sakhti se pesh ata tha, jara-si der ho jane par din-bhar ki mazadoori kat leta tha, bat-bat par ghu dakiyaan jamata tha; par yah satyagrahi vir sab kuchh sahakar bhi apane kam mean laga

rahata tha. apana bhavishy banane ka aisa avasar pakar vah use kaise chho d deta. yah sari batean sneh aur vishvas ko badhane vali thian. ek adami ko kathinaiyoan ka samana karate dekhakar kise usase prem n hoga, garv n hoga !

prayag mean vah zyada n thahar saka. usane mujhe likha, maian sab kuchh jhelane ko taiyar hooan, bhookhoan marane ko taiyar hooan par atmasamman mean dag nahian laga sakata, kuvachan nahian sah sakata. aisa charitr yadi ap par prabhav n dal sake, to maian kahooanga, ap chalak chahe jitane hoan par hriday-shoony haian. ek saptah ke bad prayag se phir patr aya yah vyavahar mere lie asahy ho gaya. aj maianne istipha de diya. yah n samajhie ki maianne halake

dil se lagi-lagaee roji chho d di. maianne vah sab kiya, jo mujhe karana chahie tha. yahaan tak ki kuchh-kuchh vah bhi kiya, jo mujhe n karana chahie tha; par atmasamman ka khoon nahian kar sakata. agar yah kar sakata, to mujhe ghar chho dakar nikalane ki kya avashyakata thi. maianne bambee jakar apani kismat ajamane ka nishchay kiya hai. mera dridh sankalp hai ki apane gharavaloan ke samane hath n phailaooanga, unase daya ki bhiksha n maangooanga. mujhe kuligiri karani manjoor hai, tokari dhona manjoor hai; par apani atma ko kalankit nahian kar sakata.

meri shrriddha aur badh gee. yah vyakti ab mere lie keval drama ka charitr n tha, jisake sukh se sukhi aur du:kh se dukhi hone par bhi ham darshak hi rahate haian. vah ab mere itane nikat pahuanch gaya tha, ki us par aghat hote dekhakar maian usaki raksha karane ko taiyar tha, use doobate dekhakar pani mean koodane se bhi n hichakata. maian b di utkantha se usake banbee se ane vale patr ka iantazar karane laga. chhathavean din patr aya. vah banbee mean kam khoj raha tha, likha tha ghab dane ki koee bat nahian hai, maian sabakuchh jhelane ko taiyar hooan. phir do-do, char-char din ke antar se kee patr aye. vah viroan ki bhaanti kathinaiyoan ke samane kamar kase kh da tha, halaanki tin din se use bhojan n mila tha.

oh ! kitana ooancha adarsh hai. kitana ujjval charitr ! maian samajhata hooan, maianne us samay b di kripanata ki. meri atma ne mujhe dhikkara yah bechara itane kasht utha raha hai aur tum baithe dekh rahe ho. kyoan usake pas kuchh rupaye nahian bhejate ? maianne atma ke kahane par amal n kiya, par apani bedardi par khinn avashy tha. jab kee din ki bechaini bhare hue intajar ke bad yah samachar aya, ki vah ek saptahik patr ke sampadakiy vibhag mean jagah pa gaya hai, to maianne aram ki saans li aur eeshvar ko sachche dil se dhanyavad diya. saptahik mean joshi ke lekh nikalane lage. unhean padhakar mujhe garv hota tha. kitane sajiv, kitane vichar se bhare lekh the. usane mujhase bhi lekh maange; par mujhe avakash n tha. kshama maangi, halaanki is avasar par usako protsahan

n dene par mujhe b da khed hota tha. lekin shayad badhaean hath dhokar usake pichhe p di thian. patr ke grahak

kam the. chande aur doneshan se kam chalata tha. rupaye hath a jate, to karmachariyoan ko tho da-tho da mil jata, nahian asara lagaye kam karate rahate. is dasha mean garib ne tin mahine kate hoange. asha thi, tin mahine ka hisab hoga, to achchhi rakam hath lagegi; magar vahaan sookha javab mila. svami ne tat ulat diya, patr band ho gaya aur karmachariyoan ko apana-sa muanh liye bida hona p da. svami ki sajjanata mean sandeh nahian; lekin rupaye kahaan se lata ! sajjanata ke nate log adhe vetan par kam kar sakate the lekin pet baandhakar kam karana kab mumakin tha. aur phir bambee ka kharch. bechare joshi ko phir thokarean khani p dian ! maianne khat padha, to bahut du:kh hua. eeshvar ne mujhe is yogy n banaya, nahian bechara kyoan pet ke lie yoan mara-mara phirata.

abaki bar bahut hairan n hona p da. kisi mil mean gaanthoan par nambar likhane ka kam mil gaya. ek rupaya roj majoori thi. bambee mean ek rupaya, idhar ke char ane barabar samajho ! kaise usaka kam chalata tha, eeshvar hi jane.

kee din ke bad ek lamba patr aya. ek jarman ejeansi use rakhane par taiyar thi; agar turant sau rupaye ki jamanat de sake. ejeansi yahaan ki faujoan mean joote, sigar, sabun adi saplaee karane ka kam karati thi. agar yah jagah mil jati, to usake din aram se katane lagate. likha tha, ab zindagi se tang a gaya hooan. himmat ne javab de diya. atmahatya karane ke siva aur koee upay nahian soojhata. keval mataji ki chinta hai. ro-rokar pran de deangi ! pitaji ke sath unhean sharirik sukhoan ki kami nahian; par mere lie unaki atma t dapati rahati hai. meri yahi abhilasha hai, ki kahian baithane ka thikana mil jata, to ek bar unhean apane sath rakhakar unaki jitani seva ho sakati, karata. isake siva mujhe koee ichchha nahian hai; lekin jamanat kahaan se laooan ? bas, kal ka din aur hai. parasoan koee doosara ummidavar jamanat dekar yah le lega aur maian takata rah jaooanga. ejeant mujhe rakhana chahata hai; lekin apane karyalay ke niyamoan ko kya kare. is patr ne meri kripan prakriti ko bhi vashibhoot kar liya. ichchha ho jane par koee-n-koee rah nikal ati hai. maianne rupaye bhejane ka nishchay kar liya. agar itani madad se ek yuvak ka jivan sudhar raha ho, to kaun aisa hai, jo muanh chhipa le. isase b da rupayoan ka aur kya sadupayog ho sakata hai. hindi mean kalam ghisanevaloan ke pas itani b di rakam jara mushkil hi se nikalati; par sanyog se us vakt mere kosh mean rupaye maujood the. maian isake lie apani kripanata ka rrini hooan. deviji ki salah li. vah b di khushi se raji ho geean; halaanki ab sara dosh mere hi sir madha jata hai. kal rupayoan ka pahuanchana avashyak tha, nahian to avasar hath se nikal jayaga. maniardar tin din mean pahuanchega. turant taraghar gaya aur tar se rupaye bhej diye. jisane barasoan ki katar-byoant ke bad itane rupaye jo de hoan aur jise bhavishy bhi abhavamay hi dikhata ho, vahi us anand ka anubhav kar sakata hai, jo is samay mujhe hua. seth amirachand ko das lakh ka dan karake bhi itana anand n hua hoga. diya to maianne rrin samajhakar hi; par vah dosti ka rrin tha, jisaka ada hona svapn ka yatharth hona hai.

us patr ko maian kabhi n bhoolooanga, jo dhanyavad ke roop mean chauthe din mujhe mila. kaise sachche udgar the ! ek-ek shabd anugrah mean dooba hua. maian use sahity ki ek chiz samajhata hooan. deviji ne chutaki li ‘sau rupaye mean usase bahut achchha patr mil sakata hai !’ dhaporasankh ne kuchh javab n diya. katha kahane mean tanmay the.

bambee mean vah kisi prasiddh sthan par thahara tha. keval nam aur post-baks likhane hi se use patr mil jata tha. vahaan se kee patr aye. vah prasann tha.

deviji bolian prasann kyoan n hota, ‘kampe mean ek chi diya jo phॅs gee thi. ‘

dhaporasankh ne chidhakar kaha, ‘ya to mujhe kahane do, ya tum kaho. bich mean bolo mat.‘

bambee se kee din ke bad ek patr aya ki ejensi ne usake vyavahar se prasann hokar use kashi mean niyukt kar diya hai aur vah kashi a raha hai. use vetan ke uparant bhatta bhi milega. kashi mean usake ek mausa the

jo vahaan ke prasiddh daktar the; par vah unake ghar n utarakar alag thahara. isase usake atmasamman ka pata chalata hai. magar ek mahine mean kashi se usaka ji bhar gaya. shikayat se bhare patr ane lage subah se sham tak fauji adamiyoan ki khushamad karani p dati hai, subah ka gaya-gaya das baje rat ko ghar ata hooan, us vakt akela aandhera ghar dekhakar chitt du:kh se bhar jata hai, kisase bolooan, kisase hansooan. bazar ki pooriyaan khate-khate tang a gaya hooan. maianne samajha tha, ab kuchh din chain se kateange; lekin maloom hota hai abhi kismat mean thokarean khana likha hai. maian is tarah jivit nahian rah sakata. rat-rat bhar p da rota rahata hooan, adi. mujhe in patroan mean vah apane adarsh se girata hua maloom hua. maianne use samajhaya, lagi roji n chho do, kam kiye jao. javab aya, mujhase ab yahaan nahian raha jata ! faujiyoan ka vyavahar asahy hai. phir mainejar sahab mujhe rangoon bhej rahe haian aur rangoon jakar maian bach nahian sakata. maian koee sahityik kam karana chahata hooan. kuchh din apaki seva mean rahana chahata hooan. maian is patr ka javab dene ja hi raha tha ki phir patr aya. maian kal deharadoon-eksapres se a raha hooan. doosare din vah a pahuancha. dubala-sa adami, saanvala rang, lamba muanh, b di-b di aankhean, aangreji vesh, sath mean kee

cham de ke trank, ek sootakes, ek holdal. maian to usaka that dekhakar dang rah gaya. deviji ne tippani ki—‘fir bhi to n chete ! maianne samajha tha, gadhe ka kurtta, chappal, zyada-se-zyada phaunten pen vala adami hoga, magar yah mahashay to poore sahab bahadur nikale. mujhe is chhote-se ghar mean unhean thaharate hue sankoch hua.

deviji se bina bole n raha gaya, ‘ate hi shri-charanoan par sir to rakh diya, ab aur kya chahate the.‘

dhaporasankh abaki musakaye—‘dekho shyama, bich-bich mean toko mat. adalat ki pratishtha yah kahati hai ki abhi chupachap sunati jao. jab tumhari bari aye, to jo chahe kahana.‘

phir silasila shuroo hua tha --- to dubala-patala magar b da phurtila, batachit mean b da chatur, ek jumala aangreji bolata, ek jumala hindi, aur hindi-aangreji ki khich di, jaise ap jaise sabhy log bolate haian. batachit shuroo huee-- ‘apake darshanoan ki b di ichchha thi. maianne jaisa anuman kiya tha, vaisa hi apako dekha. bas, ab maloom ho raha hai, ki maian bhi adami hooan. itane dinoan tak kaidi tha.‘

maianne kaha, ‘to kya istipha de diya ?

'nahian, abhi to chhutti lekar aya hooan. abhi is mahine ka vetan bhi nahian mila. maianne likh diya hai, yahaan ke pate se bhej dean. naukari to achchhi hai; magar kam bahut karana p data hai aur mujhe kuchh likhane ka avasar nahian

milata.'

khair, rat ko maianne isi kamare mean unhean sulaya. doosare din yahaan ke ek hotal mean prabandh kar diya. hotalavale peshagi rupaye le lete haian. joshi ke pas rupaye n the. mujhe tis rupaye dene p de. maianne samajha, isaka vetan to

ata hi hoga, le looanga. yahaan mere ek mathur mitr haian. unase bhi maianne joshi ka zikr kiya tha. usake ane ki khabar pate hi hotal dau de. donoan mean dosti ho gee. joshi do-tin bar din mean, ek bar rat ko zaroor ate aur khoob batean karate. deviji unako hathoan par lie rahatian. kabhi unake lie pakau diyaan ban rahi haian, kabhi halava. joshi haraphanamaula tha. gane mean kushal, haramoniyam mean nipun, indrajal ke karatab dikhalane mean kushal. salan achchha pakata tha. deviji ko gana sikhane ka shauq paida ho gaya. use myoojik mastar bana liya.

deviji lal muanh karake bolian –‘to kya muft mean halava, pakau diyaan aur pan bana-banakar khilati thi ?’

ek mahina gujar gaya par joshi ka vetan n aya. maianne poochha, bhi nahian. socha, apane dil mean samajhega, apane hotalavale rupayoan ka takaja kar rahe haian. mathur ke ghar bhi usane ana-jana shuroo kar diya. donoan sath ghoomane jate, sath rahate. joshi jab ate, mathur ka bakhan karate, mathur jab ate joshi ki tariph karate. joshi ke pas apane anubhavoan ka vishesh bhandar tha. vah fauj mean rah chuka tha. jab usaki mangetar ka vivah doosare adami se ho gaya, to shok mean usane fauji naukari chho d di thi. samajik jivan ki n jane kitani hi ghatanaean use yad thian. aur jab apane maan-bap aur chacha-chachi ka zikr karane lagata, to usaki aankhoan mean aansoo bhar ate. deviji bhi usake sath rotian.

deviji tirachhi aankhoan se dekhakar rah geean. bat sachchi thi.

ek din mujhase apane ek drame ki b di tariph ki. vah drama kalakatte mean khela gaya. aur madan kanpani ke mainejar ne use badhaiyaan di thian. drame ke do-char tuk de jo usake pas p de the, mujhe sunaye. mujhe drama bahut pasand aya. usane kashi ke ek prakashak ke hath vah drama bech diya tha aur kul pachis rupaye par. maianne kaha,use vapas manga lo. rupaye maian de dooanga. aisi sundar rachana kisi achchhe prakashak ko deange, ya kisi thiyetar kampani se khelavayeange. tin-char din ke bad maloom hua ki prakashak ab pachas rupaye lekar lautayega. kahata hai, maian isaka kuchh aansh chhapa chuka hooan. maianne kaha,manga lo pachas rupaye hi sahi. drama vi.pi. se vapas aya. maianne pachas rupaye de diye. mahina khatm ho raha tha. hotalavale doosara mahina shuroo hote hi rupaye

peshagi maangeange. maian isi chinta mean tha, ki joshi ne akar kaha, maian ab mathur ke sath rahooanga. bechara garib adami hai. agar maian bis rupaye bhi de dooanga, to usaka kam chal jayaga. maian bahut khush hua. doosare din vah mathur ke ghar dat gaya. jab ata, to mathur ke ghar ka koee-n-koee rahasy lekar ata. yah to maian janata tha, ki mathur ki arthik dasha achchhi nahian hai. bechara relave ke daftar mean naukar tha. vah naukari bhi chhoot gee thi. magar yah n maloom tha ki usake yahaan phake ho rahe haian. kabhi malik makan akar galiyaan suna jata hai, kabhi doodhavala, kabhi baniya, kabhi kap devala. bechara unase muanh chhipata phirata hai. joshi aankhoan mean aansoo bhar-bharakar usake sankatoan ki karun kahani kahata aur rota. maian to janata tha, maian hi ek aphat ka mara hooan. mathur ki dasha dekhakar mujhe apani vipatti bhool gee. tujhe apani hi chinta hai, koee doosari fikr nahian. jisake dvar par ja padooan do rotiyaan mil jayangi, magar mathur ke pichhe to poora khatala hai. maan, do vidhava bahanean, ek

bhaanji. do bhaanje, ek chhota bhaee. itane b de parivar ke lie pachas rupaye to keval roti-dal ke lie chahie. mathur sachcha vir hai, devata hai jo itane b de parivar ka palan kar raha hai. vah ab apane lie nahian, mathur ke lie dukhi tha.

deviji ne tika ki ‘zabhi mathur ki bhaanji par dore dal raha tha. du:kh ka bhar kaise halaka karata.‘

dhaporasankh ne big dakar kaha, ‘achchha to ab tumhian kaho.‘

maianne samajhaya --‘tum to yar, jara-jara si bat par tinak uthate ho ! kya tum samajhate ho, yah phulajh diyaan mujhe nyay-path se vichalit kar deangi ?’

phir kahani shuroo huee ek din akar bola, aj maianne mathur ke uddhar ka upay soch nikala. mere ek mathur mitr bairistar haian. unase jaggo (mathur ki bhaanji) ke vivah ke vishay mean patr-vyavahar kar raha hooan. usaki ek vidhava bahan ko donoan bachchoan ke sath sasural bhej dooanga. doosari vidhava bahan apane devar ke pas jane par raji hai. bas, tin-char adami rah jayange. kuchh maian dooanga, kuchh mathur paida karega, gujar ho jayega. magar aj usake ghar ka do mahinoan ka kiraya dena p dega. malik makan ne subah hi se dharana de rakha hai. kahata hai, apana kiraya lekar hi hatooanga. apake pas tis rupaye hoan to de dijie. mathur ke chhote bhaee ka vetan kal-parasoan tak mil jayaga, rupaye mil jayange. ek mitr sankat mean p da hua hai; doosara mitr usaki sipharish

kar raha hai. mujhe inakar karane ka sahas n hua ! deviji ne us vakt nak-bhauan zaroor siko da tha par maianne n mana, rupaye de diye.

deviji ne dank mara, ‘yah kyoan nahian kahate, ki vah rupaye meri bahan ne bartan kharidakar bhejane ke lie bheje the.‘

dhaporasankh ne gussa pikar kaha, ‘khair, yahi sahi ! maianne rupaye de diye.‘ magar mujhe yah ulajhan hone lagi, ki is tarah to mera kachoomar hi nikal jayaga. mathur par ek-n-ek sankat roj hi savar rahega. maian kahaan tak unhean ubarooanga. joshi bhi jan kha raha tha ki kahian koee jagah dila dijie. sanyog se unhian dinoan mere ek agare ke mitr a nikale. kauansil mean membar the. ab jel mean haian. gane-bajane ka shauq hai, do-ek drame bhi likh chuke haian, achchhe-achchhe reesoan se parichay hai ! khud bhi b de rasik haian. abaki vah aye, to maianne joshi ka unase zikr kiya. usaka drama bhi sunaya. bole to use mere sath kar dijie. apana praivet sekretari bana looanga. mere ghar mean rahe; mere sath ghar ke adami ki tarah rahe. jeb kharch ke lie mujhase tis rupaye mahina leta jay. mere sath drame likhe. maian phoola n samaya. joshi se kaha,. joshi bhi taiyar ho gaya; lekin jane ke pahale use kuchh rupayoan ki zaroorat huee. ek bhale adami ke sath phatehaloan to jate nahian banata aur n yahi uchit tha, ki pahale hi din se rupaye ka takaja hone lage. bahut kat-chhaant karane par bhi chalis rupaye ka kharch nikal aya. joote toot gaye the, dhotiyaan phat gee thian, aur bhi kee kharch the jo is vakt yad nahian

ate. mere pas rupaye n the. shyama se maangane ka hausala n hua.

deviji bolian –‘mere pas to karooan ka khazana rakha tha n ! kee hazar mahine late ho, sau-do sau rupaye bachat mean a hi jate hoange.‘ dhaporasankh is vyangy par dhyan n dekar apani katha kahate rahe --rupaye pakar joshi ne that banaya aur kaunsilar sahab ke sath chale. maian steshan tak pahuanchane gaya. mathur bhi tha. lauta, to mere dil par se ek bojh utar gaya tha.

mathur ne kaha, ‘b da muhabbati adami hai.‘

maianne samarthan kiya –‘b da. mujhe to bhaee-sa maloom hota hai.‘

'mujhe to ab ghar achchha n lagega. ghar ke sab adami rote rahe. maloom hi n hota tha, ki koee gair adami hai. ammaan se l dake ki tarah batean karata tha. bahanoan se bhaee ki tarah.'

'badanasib adami hai, nahian to jisaka bap do hazar rupaye mahavar kamata ho, vah yoan mara-mara phire.'

'darjiliang mean inake bap ki do kothiyaan haian ?'

'aee.em.es. haian !'

'joshi mujhe bhi vahian le jana chahata hai. sal-do-sal mean to vahaan jayaga hi. kahata hai, tumhean motar ki ejeansi khulava dooanga.' is tarah khayali pulav pakate hue ham log ghar aye.

maian dil mean khush tha, ki chalo achchha hua, joshi ke lie achchha silasila nikal aya. mujhe yah asha bhi bandh chali, ki abaki use vetan milega, to mere rupaye dega. char-paanch mahine mean chukata kar dega. hisab lagakar dekha, to achchhi-khasi rakam ho gee thi. maianne dil mean samajha, yah bhi achchha hi hua. yoan jama karata, to kabhi n jama hote. is bahane se kisi tarah jama to ho gaye. maianne yah socha ki apane mitr se joshi ke vetan ke rupaye peshagi kyoan n le looan, kah dooan, usake vetan se mahine-mahine katate rahiega. lekin abhi mushkil se ek saptah hua hoga ki ek din dekhata hooan, to joshi aur mathur, donoan chale a rahe haian. mujhe bhay hua, kahian joshiji phir to nahian chho d aye; lekin shanka ko dabata hua bola, ‘qaho bhaee, kab aye ? maje mean to ho ?’

joshi ne baithakar ek sigar jalate hue kaha, ‘bahut achchhi tarah hooan. mere baboo sahab b de hi sajjan adami haian. mere lie alag ek kamara khali kara diya hai. sath hi khilate haian. bilakul bhaee ki tarah rakhate haian. ajakal kisi kam se dilli gaye haian. maianne socha, yahaan p de-p de kya karooan, tab tak ap hi logoan se milata aooan. chalate vakt baboo sahab ne mujhase kaha tha, muradabad se tho de-se bartan lete ana, magar shayad unhean rupaye dene ki yad nahian rahi. maianne us vakt maangana bhi uchit n samajha. ap ek pachas rupaye de dijiega. maian parasoan tak jaooanga aur vahaan se jate-hi-jate bhijava dooanga. ap to janate haian, rupaye ke muamale mean ve kitane khare haian.‘

maianne jara rukhaee ke sath kaha, ‘rupaye to is vakt mere pas nahian haian.‘

deviji ne tippani ki –‘kyoan jhooth bolate ho ? tumane rukhaee se kaha, tha, ki rupaye nahian haian ?’

dhaporasankh ne poochha, ‘aur kya chikanaee ke sath kaha, tha ?’

deviji –‘to phir kagaz ke rupaye kyoan de diye the ?’ b di rukhaee karanevale !

dhaporasankh –‘achchha sahab, maianne hansakar rupaye de diye. bas, ab khush hueean. to bhee, mujhe bura to laga; lekin apane sajjan mitr ka vasta tha.‘

mere oopar bechare b di kripa rakhate haian. mere pas patrika ka kagaz kharidane ke lie pachas rupaye rakhe hue the. vah maianne joshi ko de diye. sham ko mathur ne akar kaha, zoshi to chale gaye. kahate the, baboo sahab ka tar a gaya hai. b da udar adami hai. maloom hi nahian hota, koee bahari adami hai. svabhav bhi balakoan ka-sa hai. bhaanji ki shadi tay karane ko kahate the. len-den ka to koee zikr hai hi nahian, par kuchh najar to deni hi p degi. bairistar sahab, jinase vivah ho raha hai, dilli ke rahane vale haian. unake pas jakar najar deni hogi. joshiji chale jayange. aj maianne rupaye bhi de diye. chalie, ek b di chinta sir se tali.

maianne poochha, ‘rupaye to tumhare pas n hoange ?’

mathur ne kaha, ‘rupaye kahaan the sahab ! ek mahajan se stamp likhakar liye, do rupaye saik de sood par.‘

deviji ne krodh bhare svar mean kaha, ‘maian to us dusht ko pa jaooan to muanh noch looan. pishach ne is garib ko bhi n chho da.‘

dhaporasankh bola, ‘yah krodh to apako ab a raha hai n. tab to ap bhi samajhati thian, ki joshi daya aur dharm ka putala hai.‘

deviji ne virodh kiya –‘maianne use putala-putali kabhi nahian samajha. haan, tumhari takaliphoan ke bhulave mean p d jati thi.‘

dhaporasankh –‘to sahab, is tarah koee do mahine gujare, is bich mean bhi joshi do-tin bar aye; magar mujhase kuchh maange nahian. haan, apane baboo sahab ke sanbandh mean tarah-tarah ki batean kian, jinase mujhe do-char galp likhane ki samagri mil gee.

mee ka mahina tha. ek din prat:kal joshi a pahuanche. maianne poochha, to maloom hua, unake baboo sahab nainital chale gaye. inhean bhi liye jate the; par unhoanne ham logoan ke sath yahaan rahana achchha samajha aur chale aye.

deviji ne phulajh di chho di –‘qitana tyagi tha bechara. nainital ki bahar chho dakar yahaan garmi mean pran dene chala aya.‘ dhaporasankh ne isaki or kuchh dhyan n dekar kaha, ‘maianne poochha, koee nee bat to nahian huee vahaan ?’

joshi ne hansakar kaha, ‘bhagy mean to nee-nee vipattiyaan likhi haian. unase kaise jan bach sakati hai. abaki bhi ek nee vipatti sir p di. yah kahie, apaka ashirvad tha, jan bach gee, nahian to ab tak jamunaji mean baha

chala jata hota. ek din jamuna kinare sair karane chala gaya. vahaan tairaki ka maich tha. bahut-se adami tamasha dekhane aye hue the. maian bhi ek jagah kh da hokar dekhane laga. mujhase tho di door par ek aur mahashay ek yuvati ke sath kh de the. maianne batachit ki, to maloom hua, meri hi biradari ke haian. yah bhi maloom hua, mere pita aur chacha, donoan hi se unaka parichay hai. mujhase sneh ki batean karane lage tumhean is tarah thokarean khate to bahut din ho gaye; kyoan nahian chale jate, apane maan-bap ke pas. mana ki unaka lok-vyavahar tumhean pasand nahian; lekin mata-pita ka putr par kuchh-n-kuchh adhikar to hota hai. tumhari mataji ko kitana du:kh ho raha hoga. sahasa ek yuvak kisi taraph se a nikala aur vriddh mahashay tatha yuvati ko dekhakar bola, ‘apako sharm nahian ati ki ap apani yuvati kanya ko is tarah mele mean liye kh de haian.‘

vriddh mahashay ka muanh jara-sa nikal aya aur yuvati turant ghooanghat nikalakar pichhe hat gee. maloom hua ki usaka vivah isi yuvak se thahara hua hai. vriddh udar, samajik vicharoan ke adami the, parade ke kayal n

the. yuvak, vayas mean yuvak hokar bhi khoosat vicharoan ka adami tha, parade ka kattar pakshapati. vriddh tho di der tak to aparadhi bhav se batean karate rahe, par yuvak pratikshan garm ho jata tha. akhir boodhe baba bhi tej hue.

yuvak ne aankhean nikalakar kaha, ‘maian aisi nirlajja se vivah karana apane lie apaman ki bat samajhata hooan.‘

vriddh ne krodh se kaanpate hue svar mean kaha, ‘aur maian tum-jaise lanpat se apani kanya ka vivah karana lajja ki bat samajhata hooan.‘

yuvak ne krodh ke avesh mean vriddh ka hath pak dakar dhakka diya. batoan se n jitakar ab vah hathoan se kam lena chahata tha. vriddh dhakka khakar gir p de. maianne lapakakar unhean uthaya aur yuvak ko d aauta. vah vriddh ko chho dakar mujhase lipat gaya. maian koee kushtibaj to hooan nahian. vah l dana janata tha. mujhe usane bat-ki-bat mean gira diya aur mera gala dabane laga. kee adami jama ho gaye the. jab tak kushti hoti rahi, log kushti ka anand uthate rahe; lekin jab dekha muamala sangin hua jata hai, to turant bich-bachav kar diya. yuvak boodhe baba se jate-jate kah gaya - tum apani l daki ko veshya banakar bazar mean ghumana chahate ho, to

achchhi tarah ghumao, mujhe ab usase vivah nahian karana hai. vriddh chupachap kh de the aur yuvati ro rahi thi. bhaee sahab, tab mujhase n raha gaya. maianne kaha, mahashay, ap mere pita ke tuly haian aur mujhe janate haian. yadi ap

mujhe is yogy samajhean to maian in deviji ko apani hridayeshvari banakar apane ko dhany samajhooanga. maian jis dasha mean hooan, ap dekh rahe haian. sanbhav hai, mera jivan isi tarah kat jay, lekin shrriddha, seva aur prem yadi jivan ko sukhi bana sakata hai, to mujhe vishvas hai ki devi ke prati mujhamean in bhavoan ki kami n rahegi. boodhe baba ne gadgad hokar mujhe kanth se laga liya. usi kshan mujhe apane ghar le gaye, bhojan karaya aur vivah ka sagun kar diya. maian ek bar yuvati se milakar usaki sammati lena chahata tha. boodhe baba ne mujhe isaki saharsh anumati de di. yuvati se milakar mujhe jnat hua, ki vah ramaniyoan mean ratn hai. maian usaki buddhimatta dekhakar chakit ho gaya. maianne apane man mean jis sundari ki kalpana ki thi, vah usase hoobahoo milati hai, mujhe utani hi

der mean vishvas ho gaya ki mera jivan usake sath sukhi hoga. mujhe ab ashirvad dijie. yuvati apaki patrika barabar padhati hai aur apase use b di shrriddha hai. joon mean vivah hona nishchit hua hai. maianne spasht kah diya maian jevar-kap de namamatr ko laooanga, n koee dhoomadham hi karooanga. vriddh ne kaha, maian to svayan yahi kahanevala tha. maian koee taiyari nahian chahata, n dhoomadham ki mujhe ichchha hai. jab maianne apaka nam liya, ki vah mere b de ke tuly haian to vah bahut prasann hue. apake lekhoan ko vah b de adar se dekhate haian.‘

maianne kuchh khinn hokar kaha, ‘yah to sabakuchh hai; lekin is samay tumhean vivah karane ki samarthy bhi nahian hai. aur kuchh n ho, to pachas rupaye ki bandhi huee amadani to honi hi chahie.‘

joshi ne kaha, ‘bhaee sahab, mera uddhar vivah hi se hoga. mere ghar se nikalane ka karan bhi vivah hi tha aur ghar vapas jane ka karan bhi vivah hi hoga. jis samay pramila hath baandho hue jakar pitaji ke

charanoan par gir p degi, unaka pashan hriday bhi pighal jayaga. samajheange vivah to ho hi chuka, ab vadhoo par kyoan julm kiya jay. jab use ashray mil jayaga, to mujhe jhak marakar bulayeange. maian isi zid par ghar se nikala tha, ki apana vivah apane ichchhanusar bina kuchh liye-diye karooanga aur vah meri pratijna poori huee ja rahi hai. pramila itani chatur hai, ki vah mere gharavaloan ko chutakiyoan mean mana legi. maianne takhamina laga liya hai. kul tin sau rupaye kharch hoange aur yahi tin-char sau rupaye mujhe sasural se mileange. maianne socha hai, pramila ko pahale yahian laooanga. yahian se vah mere ghar patr likhegi aur ap dekhiega tisare hi din chacha sahab gahanoan ki pitari liye a pahuancheange. vivah ho jane par vah kuchh nahian kar sakate. isalie maianne vivah ki khabar

nahian di.‘

maianne kaha, lekin mere pas to abhi kuchh bhi nahian hai bhaee. maian tin sau rupe kahaan se laooanga ?

joshi ne kaha, ‘tin sau rupaye nakad tho de hi lageange. koee sau rupaye ke kap de lageange. sau rupaye ki do-ek sohag ki chizean banava looanga aur sau rupaye rahakharch samajh lijie. unaka makan kashipur mean hai. vahian se vivah

kareange. yah bangali sonar jo samane hai, apake kahane se ek saptah ke vade par jo-jo chizean maangooanga, de dega. bajaj bhi apake kahane se de dega. nakad mujhe kul sau rupaye ki zaroorat p degi aur jyoan hi udhar se lauta tyoan hi de dooanga. barat mean ap aur mathur ke siva koee tisara adami n hoga. apako maian kasht nahian dena chahata, lekin jis tarah ab tak apane mujhe bhaee samajhakar sahayata di hai, usi tarah ek bar aur dijie. mujhe vishvas tha, ki ap is shubh kary mean apatti n kareange. isalie maianne vachan de diya. ab to apako yah doangi par lagani hi p degi.‘

deviji bolian maian kahati thi, ‘use ek paisa mat do. kah do ham tumhari shadi-vivah ke jhanjhat mean nahian p date.

dhaporasankh ne kaha, ‘haan, tumane abaki bar zaroor samajhaya, lekin maian kya karata. shadi ka muamala; us par usane mujhe bhi ghasit liya tha. apani ijjat ka kuchh khayal to karana hi p data hai.‘

deviji ne mera lihaz kiya aur chup ho geean.

ab maian us vrittant ko n badhaooanga. saraansh yah hai, ki joshi ne dhaporasankh ke matthe sau rupaye ke kap de aur sau rupaye se kuchh oopar ke gahanoan ka bojh lada. bechare ne ek mitr se sau rupaye udhar lekar usake saphar kharch ko diya. khud byah mean sharik hue. byah mean khasi dhoomadham rahi. kanya ke pita ne mehamanoan ka adar-satkar khoob kiya. unhean jaldi thi; isalie vah khud to doosare hi din chale aye; par mathur joshi ke sath vivah ke

ant tak raha. dhaporasankh ko asha thi, ki joshi sasural ke rupaye pate hi mathur ke hathoan bhej dega, ya khud leta ayega. magar mathur bhi doosare din a gaye, khali hath aur yah khabar laye, ki joshi ko sasural mean

kuchh bhi hath nahian laga. mathur se unhean ab maloom hua ki l daki se jamuna-tat par milane ki bat sarvatha nirmool thi. is l daki se joshi bahut dinoan tak patr-vyavahar karata raha tha. phir to dhaporasankh ke kan kh de ho gaye. mathur se poochha, ‘achchha ! yah bilakul kalpana thi usaki ?’

mathur-- ‘zi haan.‘

dhaporasankh –‘achchha, tumhari bhaanji ke vivah ka kya hua ?’

mathur –‘ abhi to kuchh nahian hua.

dhaporasankh –‘magar joshi ne kee mahine tak tumhari sahayata to khoob ki ?’

mathur –‘meri sahayata vah kya karata. haan, donoan joon bhojan bhale kar leta tha.‘

dhaporasankh –‘tumhare nam par usane mujhase jo rupaye liye the, vah to tumhean diye hoange ?’

mathur –‘kya mere nam par bhi kuchh rupaye liye the ?’

dhaporasankh –‘haan bhaee, tumhare ghar ka kiraya dene ke lie to le gaya tha.‘

mathur –‘sarasar beeemani. mujhe usane ek paisa bhi nahian diya, ulate aur ek mahajan se mere nam par sau rupayoan ka stamp likhakar rupaye liye.‘

maian kya janata tha, ki dhokha de raha hai. sanyog se usi vakt agare se vah sajjan a gaye jinake pas joshi

kuchh dinoan raha tha. unhoanne mathur ko dekhakar poochha, ‘achchha ! ap abhi jianda haian. joshi ne to kaha tha, mathur mar gaya hai.‘

mathur ne hansakar kaha, ‘mere to sir mean dard bhi nahian hua.‘

dhaporasankh ne poochha, ‘achchha, apake muradabadi baratan to pahuanch gaye ?’

agara-nivasi mitr ne kutoohal se poochha, ‘qaise muradabadi baratan ?’

'vahi jo apane joshi ki maraphat mangavaye the ?'

'maianne koee chiz usaki maraphat nahian mangavaee. mujhe zaroorat hoti to apako sidha n likhata !'

mathur ne hansakar kaha, ‘to yah rupaye bhi usane hajam kar liye.‘

agara-nivasi mitr bole –‘mujhase bhi to tumhari mrityu ke bahane sau rupaye laya tha. yah to ek hi jaliya nikala. uph ! kitana b da chakama diya hai isane ! zindagi mean yah pahala mauqa hai, ki maian yoan bevakooph bana.

bachcha ko pa jaooan to tin sal ko bhejavaooan. kahaan haian ajakal ?’

mathur ne kaha, ‘abhi to sasural mean hai.‘

dhaporasankh ka vrittant samapt ho gaya. joshi ne unhian ko nahian, mathur jaise aur garib, agara-nivasi sajjan-jaise ghagh ko bhi ulate chhure se moo da aur agar bhanda n phoot gaya hota to abhi n-jane kitane dinoan tak moo data.

usaki in maulik chaloan par maian bhi mugdh ho gaya. beshak ! apane phan ka ustad hai, chhॅta hua gurga.

deviji bolian --sun li apane sari katha ?

maianne darate-darate kaha, ‘haan, sun to li.‘

'achchha, to ab apaka kya phaisala hai ? inhoanne ghoanghapan kiya ya nahian ? jis adami ko ek-ek paise ke lie doosaroan ka muanh takana p de, vah ghar ke paanch-chh: sau rupaye is tarah u da de, ise ap usaki sajjanata kaheange ya bevakoophi ? agar inhoanne yah samajhakar rupaye diye hote, ki pani mean pheank raha hooan, to mujhe koee apatti n thi; magar yah barabar is dhokhe mean rahe aur mujhe bhi usi dhokhe mean dalate rahe, ki vah ghar

ka maladar hai aur mere sab rupaye hi n lauta dega; balki aur bhi kitane salook karega. jisaka bap do hazar rupaye mahina pata ho, jisake chacha ki amadani ek hazar masik ho aur ek lakh ki jayadad ghar mean ho, vah aur kuchh nahian to yoorop ki sair to ek bar kara hi sakata tha. maian agar kabhi mana bhi karati, to ap big d jate aur udarata ka upadesh dene lagate the. yah maian svikar karati hooan, ki shuroo mean maian bhi dhokhe mean a gee thi, magar pichhe se mujhe usaka sandeh hone laga tha. aur vivah ke samay to maianne zor dekar kah diya tha, ki ab ek paee bhi n dooangi. poochhie, jhooth kahati hooan, ya sach ? phir agar mujhe dhokha hua; to maian ghar mean rahanevali stri hooan. mera dhokhe mean a jana kshamy hai, magar yah jo lekhak aur vicharak aur upadeshak banate haian, yah kyoan dhokhe mean aye aur jab maian inhean samajhati thi, to yah kyoan apane ko buddhimatta ka avatar samajhakar meri batoan ki upeksha karate the ? dekhie, roo-riayat n kijiega, nahian maian buri tarah khabar looangi. maian nishpaksh nyay chahati hooan.'

dhaporasankh ne dardanak aankhoan se meri taraph dekha, jo mano bhiksha maang rahi thian. usi ke sath deviji ki agrah, adesh aur garv se bhari aankhean tak rahi thian. ek ko apani har ka vishvas tha, doosari ko apani jit

ka. ek riayat chahati thi, doosari sachcha nyay. maianne kritrim ganbhirata se apana nirnay sunaya mere mitr ne kuchh bhavukata se avashy kam liya hai, par unaki sajjanata nirvivad hai. dhaporasankh uchhal p de aur mere gale lipat gaye. deviji ne sagarv netroan se dekhakar kaha, yah to maian janati hi thi, ki chor-chor mausere bhaee hoange.

tum donoan ek hi thaili ke chatte-batte ho. ab tak rupaye mean ek paee mardoan ka vishvas tha. aj tumane vah bhi utha diya. aj nishchay hua, ki purush chhali, kapati, vishvasaghati aur svarthi hote haian. maian is nirnay ko nahian

manati. muft mean eeman biga dana isi ko kahate haian. bhala mera paksh lete, to achchha bhojan milata, unaka paksh lekar apako s de sigaretoan ke siva aur kya hath lagega. khair, haan di gee, kutte ki jat to pahachani gee. us din se do-tin bar deviji se bheant ho chuki hai aur vahi phatakar sunani p di hai. vah n kshama chahati haian; n kshama kar sakati haian.

sanbandhit lekh

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