आँख की किरकिरी उपन्यास भाग-2

chitr:Icon-edit.gif

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

8

asha ko dar laga. kya hua yah? maan chali geean, mausi chali geean. un donoan ka sukh mano sabako khal raha hai, ab usaki bari hai shayad. soone ghar mean dampaty ki nee prem-lila use n jane kaisi lagane lagi. sansar ke kathor kartavyoan se prem ko phool ke saman to dakar alag kar lene par yah apane hi ras se apane ko sanjivit nahian rakh pata, dhire-dhire murajhakar vikrit ho jata hai. asha ko bhi aisa lagane laga ki unake athak milan mean ek thakan aur kamazori hai. vah milan rah-rahakar mano shithil ho jata hai- prem ki j d agar kamoan mean n ho to bhog ka vikas poorn aur sthaee nahian hota. mahendr ne bhi apane vimukh sansar ke khilaf vidroh karake apane premotsav ke sabhi dipoan ko ek sath jalakar b di dhoom-dham se soone ghar ke amangal mean hi usane asha se kaha- "tumhean in dinoan ho kya gaya hai, chunni! mausi chali geean to is tarah muanh latakae kya rahati ho? ham donoan ke prem mean kya sabhi prem samae hue nahian haian."

asha dukhi hokar sochati- 'apane prem mean koee apoornata to hai. maian to mausi ki bat socha karati hooan. sas chali gee haian, isaka mujhe dar lagata hai.'

ghar ke kam-kaj ab thik se nahian chalate. naukar-chakar kanni katane lage. 'tabiyat kharab hai' kahakar naukarani ek din nahian aee- rasoee pakane vala brahman sharab pikar gayab ho gaya. mahendr ne asha se kaha-"khoob maja aya, aj ham log khud hi rasoee banae."

ga di se mahendr nyoo market gaya. kaun-si chiz kitani chahie, isaka use kuchh bhi pata n tha, bahut-sa saman uthakar khushi-khushi ghar lauta. un chijoan ka kiya kya jae, yah asha bhi thik se n janati thi. prayog mean hi din ke do-tin baj ge aur bahut-se ajibo-garib khana taiyar karake mahendr ko b da maja aya. lekin asha mahendr ke us maje mean sath n de saki. apani ajnata par use man-hi-man b di lajja aur kudhan huee.

kamare ki chizean is qadar bikhar gee thian ki zaroorat par kuchh pana hi kathin tha. mahendr ki d aauktari vali chhuri ek din tarakari katane ke kam aee aur koo doan ke dher mean ja chhipi; jis par vah not likha karata tha, vah kapi pankhe ka kam karake ant mean rasoee ki rakh mean aram karane lagi.

in anahoni ghatanaoan se mahendr ke kautoohal ki sima n rahi, lekin asha ko isase takaliph hone lagi. be-taratibi ke bahav mean sari grihasthi ko bahakar hansate hue usi ke sath bahate chalana us balika ko vibhishika jaisa laga.

ek din sham ko donoan baramade mean baithe the. samane khuli chhat. barish khul jane se kalakatta ki door tak phaili imaratoan ki chotiyaan chaandani mean naha rahi thian. bagiche se maulasiri ke bahut-se ode phool lakar asha matha jhukae mala gooanth rahi thi. mahendr khianchatani karake, rukavat dalakar, ulta-sidha sunakar nahak hi jhag da karana chah raha tha. be-vajah is tarah satae jane ke karan asha use jhi dakana chahati thi ki kisi banavati upay se usaka muanh dabakar mahendr usaki kahan ko akurate hi kuchal raha tha.

kisi p dosi ke pianjare ki koyaliya kook uthi. mahendr ne usi dam apane sir par jhoolate hue pianjare ko dekha. apani koyal p dosi ki koyal ki boli chupachap kabhi nahian sah sakati- aj vah chup kyoan hai? mahendr ne kaha- "tumhari avaz se laja gee hai."

utkanthit hokar asha ne kaha- "aj ise ho kya gaya."

asha ne nihora karake kaha- "majak nahian, dekho n, use kya hua hai?"

mahendr ne pianjare ko utara. pianjare par lipate hue kap doan ko hataya. dekha, koyal mari p di thi. annapoorna ke jane ke bad khanasama chhutti par chala gaya tha. koyal ka kisi ne khyal hi n kiya tha. dekhate-hi-dekhate asha ka chehara phika p d gaya. usaki aguliyaan chal n sakian- phool yoan hi p de rah ge. chot to mahendr ko bhi lagi, lekin nahak hi ras-bhang hoga, isalie usane ise hansakar tal jane ki koshish ki. bola- "achchha hi hua. maian idhar d aauktari ko nikalata aur udhar yah kamabakht 'koo-koo' karake tumhean jalaya karati thi." kahakar apane bahu-pash mean lapetakar usane asha ko apane pas khianch lena chaha. apane ko dhire-dhire usake bandhan se chhu dakar asha ne aauanchal se maulasiri ke sab phool gira die. boli- "chhi:-chhi: ab der kyoan? jaldi jakar maan ko le ao!"

9

itane mean dutalle se 'mahendr bhaiya' ki pukar sunaee p di. "are re, ao- ao..." mahendr ne javab diya. bihari ki avaz se usaka hriday khil utha. vivah ke bad vah in donoan ke sukh ka badhak banakar kabhi-kabhi ata raha hai, aj vahi badha sukh ke lie nihayat zaroori lagi. bihari ka ana asha ko bhi achchha laga. vah jara ghooanghat khianchakar jaldi se uth baithi. mahendr bola-"are, ja kahaan rahi ho, aur koee nahian, bihari a raha hai." asha ne kaha- "bhaee sahab ke lie nashta le aooan?"

ek kam ka mauqa a gaya, isase asha ka avasad kuchh halka ho gaya.

sas ki kushal ke lie ghooanghat kadhe vah kh di rahi. bihari se abhi bhi vah bolati-chalati nahian.

andar qadam rakhate hi bihari ne kaha- "tauba-tauba! kaise kavitv ke bich a tapaka maian! khair fikr n karo bhabhi, maian bairang vapas jata hooan."

asha ne mahendr ki taraph taka. mahendr ne poochha- "maan ki kya khabar hai, bihari?"

bihari bola- "maan aur chachi ki charcha abhi kyoan bhaee, kafi samay hai."

sach e nait vaj nat med phar madars eand aants.

kahakar bihari laut p da. mahendr ne use jabardasti khianchakar bitha diya. bihari ne kaha- "dekh lo bhabhi, kasoor mera nahian hai- yah mujhe jabaran khianch laya hai- pap isane kiya hai, abhishap mujh par n p de." asha se koee javab dete nahian banata, isalie aisi batoan se vah khijh uthati hai. bihari janakar use tang karata hai.

bihari ne kaha- "ghar ki halat aauankhoan se dekh raha hooan- ab bhi kya maan ko lane ka vakt nahian aya?"

mahendr ne kaha- "beshak! ham to unhian ki rah dekh rahe haian.'

bihari ne kaha- "yahi jatate hue unhean patr likhane mean tumhean nam ka samay lagega, lekin unaki khushi ka ant n rahega. bhabhi, un do minatoan ke lie mahendr bhaiya ko tumhean phurasat deni p degi, meri darakhast rahi."

asha big dakar chali gee. usaki aauankhoan se aauansoo bahane lage.

mahendr bola- "jane kis shubh gh di mean tum donoan ki bheant huee thi- akhir sulah nahian hi ho saki- vahi khat-pat."

bihari ne kaha- "tumhean tumhari maan ne to barbad kiya hi, patni bhi barbad karane par tuli hai. yahi mujhase nahian dekha jata, isi se jab-tab kuchh kah deta hooan."

mahendr- "magar natija kya hota hai usaka?"

bihari- "natija tumhare lie kuchh khas nahian hota, mere lie tho da-bahut hota hai."

10

bihari ne khud baithakar mahendr se chitthi likhavaee aur us patr ke sath doosare hi din rajalakshmi ko lene gaya. rajalakshmi samajh gee, chitthi bihari ne likhavaee hai- magar phir bhi usase raha n gaya. sath-sath vinodini aee.

lautakar unhoanne ghar ki jo badatar halat dekhi- tamam yoan hi ganda p da, titar-bitar- isalie bahoo ke prati unaka man aur bhi kharab ho gaya.

lekin bahoo mean yah kaisa parivartan! vah chhaya-si unake pichhe dolati-phirati. kahean, n kahean, haradam har kam mean hath bantane ko mustaid. azij akar vah kah uthatian- "chho do-chho do, mitti palid karake rakh dogi tum! jo kam ata nahian, usamean hath kya dalana?"

rajalakshmi ke ji mean aya, 'ho n ho, annapoorna ke chale jane se hi bahoo ki yah taraqqi huee hai.' lekin phir man mean aya, 'mahendr sochega, chachi thian to maian bivi ke sath nishkantak mauj karata tha aur maan ka pahuanchana tha ki virah ka du:kh shuroo ho gaya. isase yahi sabit hoga ki chachi usaki shubhaishi rahian, maan sukh ka kaanta hai. rahane do, apane ko kya p di?"

idhar kahian mahendr din ko bula bhejata to bahoo jane mean anakani karati. rajalakshmi hi jhi daka karatian-"mahendr bula raha hai, tum tal jati ho! zyada dular pane ka yahi natija hota hai. jao, sabjiyaan maian dekh looangi."

phir shuroo hota vahi slet-peansil aur 'charupath' ka jhooth natak. prem ke akaran abhiyog se ek-doosare ko doshi thaharana- kisaka prem zyada vazani hai, is par nirarthak vad-vivad. varsha ke din ko rat aur chaandani rat ko din banana.

aise mean ek vinodini asha ke gale se lipatakar boli- "bahan, tumhara saubhagy akshay ho... jug-jug! lekin chooanki maian dukhiya hooan, isalie kya meri taraph ek nazar takana bhi gunah hai?"

chhutapan se hi apane atmiy ke yahaan paraee-si pali thi, isalie logoan ke samane asha sada sankuchit raha karati. ju di bhauanhean aur tikhi nigah, aniandy mukh da aur bhari huee javani liye jab vinodini aee, to khud badhakar usase parichay karane ki himmat asha ki n huee.

asha ne gaur kiya, rajalakshmi se vinodini ko kisi bhi tarah ka sankoch nahian. aur mano asha ko dikha-dikhakar rajalakshmi bhi usaka kafi adar karatian. yah bhi dekha, ghar ke kamakaj mean vinodini patu hai, prabhutv mano usake lie bahut hi sahaj hai, svabhav-siddh naukar-naukaraniyoan se kam lene, jhi dakane-phatakarane aur hukm dene mean use zara si hichak nahian hoti. yah sab dekh-bhalakar vinodini ke age asha apane ko bahut chhota samajhane lagi.

vahi sarvagun sanpann vinodini jab khud usase neh ki bhikh maangane aee, to usaka anand chauguna ho um d p da. jadoogar ke maya-taru ki tarah usake prem ka bij ek hi din mean akuraya, pattoan se lad gaya aur phal-phool utha.

asha ne kaha- "ham-tum sakhiya hueean, ek koee nam rakh chho dean ham apana."

vinodini ne hansakar poochha- "kya akhir?"

asha ne bahut-se achchhe-achchhe nam ginae-"harasiangar, kadamb, maulasiri"

vinodini boli- "ye sare-ke-sare b de purane p d ge. in dular ke namoan ki koee kadr nahian."

asha ne poochha- "phir tumhean kaun-sa pasand hai?"

hansakar vinodini ne kaha- "aauankh ki kirakiri."

asha koee mitha-sa nam hi chahati thi, lekin vinodini ki pasand se usane dular ki is gali ko hi kabool kar liya. baanhoan se usaki gardan lapetakar boli-"meri aauankh ki kirakiri!" aur hansate-hansate lot-pot ho gee.

11

asha ko ek sathi ki b di zaroorat thi. pyar ka tyohar bhi mahaj do adamiyoan se nahian manata- mithi batoan ki mithaee baantane ke lie gairoan ki bhi zaroorat p dati hai.

bhookhi-pyasi vinodini bhi nee bahoo se prem ke itihas ko sharabi ki dahakati huee sura ke saman kan phailakar pine lagi. sooni dopahari mean maan jab soti hotian, ghar ke naukar-chakar nichale talle ke aramagah mean chhip jate, bihari ki takid se mahendr kuchh der ke lie k aaulej gaya hota aur dhoop se tapi nilima ke ek chhor se chil ki tikhi avaz bahut dhimi sunaee deti, to kamare ke pharsh par apane baloan ko takie par bikhere asha let jati aur pet ke niche takiya rakhakar pat p di vinodini usaki gun-gun svar se kahi jane vali kahani mean tanmay ho jati- usaki kanapati lal ho uthati, saans zor-zor se chalane lagati.

vinodini khod-khodakar poochhati aur chhoti-se-chhoti bat bhi nikal leti, ek hi bat kee bar sunati-ghatana khatm ho jati to kalpana karati; kahati- "achchha bahan, kahian aisa hota to kya hota aur yah hota to kya karati?" in anahoni kalpanaoan ki rah mean sukh ki batoan ko khianchakar door tak le jana asha ko bhi achchha lagata.

vinodini kahati- "achchha bhee aauankh ki kirakiri, tujhase kahian bihari baboo ka byah hua hota to?"

asha- "ram-ram, aisa n kaho! b di sharm ati hai mujhe. haan, tumhare sath hota to kya kahane! charcha to tumase hone ki bhi chali thi."

vinodini- "mujhase to jane kitanoan ki, kitani hi batean chalian. n hua, thik hi hua. maian jaisi hooan, thik hooan."

asha prativad karati. vah bhala yah kaise kabool kar le ki vinodini ki avastha usase achchhi hai. usane kaha- "zara yah to soch dekho, agar mere pati se tumhara byah ho jata! hote-hote hi to rah gaya." hote-hote hi rah gaya. kyoan nahian hua? asha ka yah bistar, yah palang sabhi to usi ka intazar kar rahe the. us saje-sajae shayan-kaksh ko vinodini dekhati aur is bat ko kisi bhi tarah n bhula pati. is ghar ki vah mahaz ek mehaman hai- aj use jagah mili hai, kal chho d jana hoga.

tisare pahar vinodini khud apani anoothi kushalata se asha ka joo da baandh deti aur jatan se shrriangar karake usake pati ke pas bheja karati.

is tarah khamakhah der kar dena chahati.

naraz hokar mahendr kahata, "tumhari yah saheli to tas-se-mas nahian hona chahatian- ghar kab jaeangi?"

utavali ho asha kahati, "n-n, meri aauankh ki kirakiri par tum naraj kyoan ho. tumhean pata nahian, tumhari charcha use kitani achchhi lagati hai- kis jatan se vah saja-sanvarakar mujhe tumhare pas bheja karati hai." rajalakshmi asha ko kuchh karane-dharane n detian. vinodini ne usaki taraphadari ki, aur use kam mean jutaya. vinodini ko alas jara bhi nahian tha. din-bhar ek-si kam mean lagi. asha ko vah chhutti nahian dena chahati. ek ke bad doosara, vah kamoan ka kuchh aisa kram banati ki asha ke lie zara bhi chain pana gairamumakin tha. asha ka pati chhat vale soone kamare mean baitha chidh ke mare chhatapata raha hai- yah sochakar vinodini man-hi-man hansati rahati. asha akulakar kahati, "bhee aauankh ki kirakiri, ab ijazat do, vah naraz ho jaeange."

jhat vinodini kahati, "bas, zara-sa. ise khatm karake chali jao! zyada der n hogi." zara der mean asha phir udvign hokar kahati- "n bahan, ab vah sachamuch hi naraz hoange. mujhe chho d do, chalooan maian." vinodini kahati, "zara naraz hi hue to kya. suhag mean gussa n mile to muhabbat mean svad nahian milata- jaise sabzi mean namak-mirch ke bina."

lekin namak-mirch ka maja kya hota hai, yah vinodini hi samajh rahi thi- n n thi sirph usake pas sabzi. usaki nas-nas mean mano ag lag gee. jidhar bhi nazar karati, chinagariyaan ugalati usaki aauankhean. aisi aram ki girasti! aise suhag ke svami! is ghar ko to maian raja ki risayat, is svami ko apane charanoan ka das banakar rakhatian. (asha ko gale lagakar) "bhee aauankh ki kirakiri, mujhe batao n, kal tum logoan mean kya batean hueean. tumane vah kaha tha, jo maianne karane ko kaha tha? tum logoan ke pyar ki batean sunakar meri bhookh-pyas jati rahati hai."

12

ek din akhir ajiz akar mahendr ne maan se kaha-"yah achchhi bat hai, maan? doosare ke ghar ki ek javan vidhava ko ghar rakhakar ek bhari zimmedari kandhe par lad lene ki kya p di hai? jane kab kya musibat ho?"

rajalakshmi ne kaha- "are, yah to apane vipin ki bahoo hai, ise maian birani tho de hi samajhati hooan."

mahendr ne kaha- "jo kaho, lekin yah achchha nahian hai. meri ray mean ise rakhana thik nahian."

rajalakshmi khoob janati thian ki mahendr ki ray ko thukarana asan nahian. isalie unhoanne bihari se kaha-"are bihari, too ek bar mahendr ko samajhakar dekh! yah vipin ki bahoo jab se yahaan hai, tabhi se is budhape mean mujhe tho da aram mila hai. vah paraee ho ya jo ho, kisi se kabhi aisi seva nahian mili."

bihari ne koee javab n diya. vah jakar mahendr se bola, "yar, vinodini ki bhi sochate ho?"

mahendr ne hansakar kaha- "sochakar rat ki niand haram hai. apani bhabhi se poochh dekho, vinodini ke dhyaran se in dinoan aur sab dhyaman toot gaya hai."

ghooanghat ki a d se asha ne mahendr ko chupachap dhamakaya. bihari ne kaha- "achchha, doosara vishavriksh!" chunni use yahaan se nikal bahar karane ko chhatapata rahi hai.

ghooanghat se asha ki aauankhoan ne phir use jhi daka.

bihari ne kaha- "nikal hi bahar karo to laut ane mean kitani der lagati hai! are, vidhava ka vivah racha do, vish ke daant ekabaragi toot jaeange."

mahendr bola- "vivah to kund ka bhi kar diya gaya tha."

bihari ne kaha- "is upama ko abhi chho do! vinodini ki bat kabhi-kabhi maian socha karata hooan. tumhare yahaan to zindagi-bhar yah rah nahian sakati aur inake yahaan ka jangal kisi ke lie bhi vanavas hai." vinodini aj tak mahendr ke samane nahian gee, par bihari ne usako dekha hai. usane sirph itana samajha hai ki yah stri jangal mean chho dane layaq nahian hai. lekin shikhar ghar ke die mean ek tarah se jalati hai, aur doosari tarah vah ghar ko ag bhi laga deti hai. mahendr ke man mean yah shanka bhi thi.

mahendr ne is bat par bihari ki khoob khilli u daee. bihari ne bhi isaka javab diya. lekin usake man ne samajha tha ki yah stri khilava d karane ki nahian, usaki upeksha bhi nahian ki ja sakati. rajalakshmi ne vinodini ko savadhan kar diya. kaha- "dekhana beti, bahoo se itani mithas n rakhana! tum gaanv-ghar se grihasth ke yahaan rahi ho- ajakal ke chal-chalan ko nahian janatian. budhdimati ho, samajh-boojhakar chalana!"

isake bad vinodini ne asha ko door-hi-door rakha. kaha- "maian bhee hoti kaun hooan! meri jaisi stri se agar ap apani ijjat bachakar chalana nahian chahate to kab kya ho jaega, kaun kah sakata hai?" asha nihore-vinati karati, gi dagi dati, roti-pitati, lekin vinodini ekadam adig. batoan se asha akanth bhar uthi, magar vinodini ne tarajih n di.

idhar mahendr ke bajoo shithil ho ge. jo aniyam aur uchchhriankhalata pahale use kautuk-si lagati thi, vahi ab dhire-dhire use dukhane lagi. asha ki saansarik apatuta se use khijh hoti, lekin jaban kholakar kahata nahian.

pyar ki jalati huee sej par aauankh kholakar dhire-dhire ghar-grihasthi ke dhandhoan, likhaee-padhaee mean dhyalan dekar mahendr ne karavat badali. apani chikitsa-sambandhi kitaboan ka usane jane kahaan-kahaan se uddhar kiya aur apane kot-pataloon ko dhoop dikhane ki cheshta ki.

13

vinodini jab bilkul hi pak d mean n aee, to asha ko ek tarakib soojhi. boli, "bhee aauankh ki kirakiri, tum mere pati ke samane kyoan nahian ati, bhagati kyoan phirati ho?" vinodini ne b de sankshep mean lekin tez svar mean kaha- "chhi:!"

asha boli- "kyoan? maan se mujhe pata chala hai, tum ham logoan ki gair nahian ho."

gambhir hokar vinodini ne kaha- "sansar mean apana-paraya koee nahian hota. jo apana manata hai, vahi apana hai aur jo paraya samajhata hai, vah apana hote hue bhi paraya hai."

asha ne dekha, yah bat lajavab hai. vastav mean usake pati vinodini ke sath jyadati karate haian, sachamuch use gair samajhate haian aur nahak hi usase khijha karate haian.

us din saanjh ko asha ne b de nazo-aandazase pati ke samane chhe da- "tumhean meri aauankh ki kirakiri se parichay karana p dega."

mahendr hansakar bola, "tumhare sahas ki balihari!"

asha ne poochha- "kyoan, isamean dar kis bat ka?"

mahendr- "apani sakhi ki jis gazab ki khoobasoorati ka zikr kiya karati ho vah to khatare se khali nahian."

asha ne kaha- "khair, vah maian dekh looangi. tum usase bologe ya nahian, itana bata do."

vinodini ko dekhane ka kautoohal mahendr ko bhi tha. phir bhi yah agrah use thik nahian lag raha tha.

hriday ke nate ke bare mean mahendr ke uchit-anuchit ka adarsh auroan ki apeksha kuchh k da tha. isake pahale vah vivah ki bat nahian sunana chahata tha, isalie ki kahian maan ke adhikar par aauanch n ae. aur ab asha ke sambandh ki raksha vah is tarah se karana chahata ki kisi paraee aurat ke lie man mean zara-si kautoohal n paida ho. pyar ke mamale mean vah b da vaisa-sa hai, lekin pakka- is bat ka use man-hi-man naz bhi tha. yahaan tak ki vah chooanki bihari ko apana dost kahata, isalie doosare kisi ko bhi vah mitr nahian manana chahata. koee usaki or khianchakar ata bhi to vah zabardasti usaki or se laparavahi dikhata aur bihari ke samane us bechare ka mazak u date hue apani udasi zahir karata. bihari kahian etaraj karata to mahendr kahata, "yah tumase ho sakata hai. kahian bhi jate ho, tumhean mitroan ki kami nahian rahati magar maian har kisi ko mitr nahian man sakata."

aise mahendr ka man jab idhar ek aparichita ki or kautoohal aur vyagrata se barabas khianch jaya karata, to apane adarsh ke age vah nicha ho jata. so vah vinodini ko ghar se hatane ke lie apani maan ko tang karane laga.

mahendr ne kaha- "rahane bhi do chunni, tumhari kirakiri se gap-shap ki phursat kahaan hai apane pas? padhane ke vakt kitaboan se nata aur phursat ki gh diyoan ke lie tum ho- is bich...!" donoan ke bich mean vinodini ke lie suee ki nok-bhar bhi jagah chho dane ko mahendr taiyar nahian tha, yah bat usake garv ka vishay ban baithi. usaka vah garv asha se saha nahian jata, par aj usane har kabool kar li. kaha- "khair, meri hi khatir tum meri kirakiri se bolo!"

asha ke age apane prem ki dridhata aur shreshthata pramanit karake ant mean b di kripa karake vah vinodini se bat karane ko razi hua.

doosare din subah asha gee aur soee huee vinodini se lipat gee. vinodini boli- "yah kaisa gazab! chakori aj chaand chho dakar megh ke darabar mean?"

asha ne kaha- "tum logoan ki yah kavita meri samajh mean nahian ati, phir gashebar mean nahak ghi kya dalana! jo in batoan ka javab de sakata hai, chalakar ek bar use sunao!"

vinodini ne poochha- "akhir vah rasik hai kaun?"

asha ne kaha- "tumhare devar- mere pati. mazak nahian, tumase batean karane ke lie vah mujhe pareshan kar rahe haian."

vinodini apane man mean boli- 'bivi ke hukm se meri bulahat huee hai aur maian sir par paanv rakhakar bhagi jaooangi- aisi samajha hai mujhe!'

vinodini kisi bhi tarah taiyar n huee. asha pati ke samane b di lajjiu‍t huee.

man-hi-man mahendr is par b da naraj hua, "mere samane ane mean etaraj! mujhe doosare mamooli logoan-sa samajhati haian? aur koee hota to jane kab, kitane bahanoan se vinodini se milata, bolata-chalata. lekin mahendr ne isaki kabhi koshish tak n ki, isi se vinodini ko kya mera parichay nahian mila? vah ek bar bhali tarah jan leti to samajh jati ki mujhamean aur doosare kisi purush mean kya farq hai."

do din pahale vinodini bhi kudhan se boli thi, "itane dinoan se is ghar mean hooan aur mahendr ek bar mujhe dekhane ki koshish bhi nahian karata! bua ke kamare mean hoti hooan tab bhi vah kisi bahane apani maan ke pas nahian ata. aisi laparavahi kis bat ki. maian koee j d padarth hooan! maian adami nahian... stri nahian! kahian vah mujhe jan pata to pata chalata ki usaki pyari chunni aur mujhamean kya farq hai!"

asha ne tarakib sujhaee- "tum k aaulej ge ho, yah kahakar maian use apane kamare mean le aooangi ki achanak bahar se tum a jana! bas, koee bas n chalega."

mahendr ne poochha- "akhir kis gunah ke lie use itani b di saja?"

asha boli- "mujhe gussa a gaya hai- tumase mulakat karane mean bhi apatti! usaki ak d to dakar hi rahooangi."

mahendr bola- "tumhari pyari sakhi ko dekhe bina maian mara nahian ja raha hooan. maian yoan choroan ki tarah milana nahian chahata."

asha ne mahendr ka hath pak dakar vinati ki- "mere sir ki kasam tumhean, ek bar, bas ek bar to tumhean yah karana hi p dega. jaise bhi ho, usaki hek di to bhulani hi p degi. phir tumhara jaisa ji chahe karana."

mahendr chup raha. asha boli- "meri arajoo hai, man jao!"

mahendr ko bhi lalak ho rahi thi. isilie behad udasi dikhakar vah sahamat hua.

sharath ki dhuli dopahari. mahendr ke kamare mean vinodini asha ko karpet ke joote banana bata rahi thi. asha anamani-si bar-bar bahar tak-takakar ginati mean bhool karake apana behad sidhapan dikha rahi thi. akhir tang akar vinodini ne usake hath ka karpet jhapatakar gira diya aur kaha- "yah tumhare bas ka nahian, maian chalati hooan, kam p da hai."

asha ne kaha- "bas, zara der aur dekho, ab bhool nahian hogi."

asha sine se lag gee.

itane mean dabe paanv mahendr aya aur daravaze ke pas vinodini ke pichhe kh da ho gaya. asha silaee par aauankhean ga de hue hi dhire-dhire hansane lagi.

vinodini ne poochha- "ekaek hansi kis bat par a gee?"

asha se aur n raha gaya. vah khilakhila p di aur vinodini ke badan par karpet pheankakar boli, "tumane thik hi kaha, yah mere bas ka nahian." aur vinodini se lipatakar aur zor se hansane lagi. vinodini pahale hi ta d gee thi. asha ki chanchalata aur hav-bhav se usase chhipa kuchh n tha. vah yah bhi khoob jan gee thi ki mahendr kab chupachap usake pichhe akar kh da ho gaya. niri nadan banakar usane apane ko asha ke asan jal mean phansane diya.

andar ate hue mahendr ne kaha- "maian badanasib hi is hansi se kyoan vanchit hooan."

chauankakar vinodini ne mathe par kap de ka palla dala aur uthane lagi. asha ne usaka hath dhar dabaya.

mahendr ne kaha- "ya to ap baithie, maian chala jata hooan, ya phir ap bhi baithie, maian bhi baithata hooan."

jaisa ki am taur se auratean karati haian, chhina-jhapati, shor-gul karake vinodini ne sharm ki dhoom nahian machaee. usane sahaj hi sur mean kaha- "apake hi anurodh se baithati hooan, lekin man-hi-man abhishap n dijiega."

mahendr ne kaha- "abhishap dooanga. dooanga ki ap mean der tak chalane ki shakti n rah jae."

vinodini ne kaha- "is abhishap se maian nahian darati. kyoanki apaka der tak zyada der ka nahian hoga, shayad ab khatm bhi ho chala."

aur usane phir uthakar kh da hona chaha. asha ne usaka hath tham liya. kaha- "sir ki saugandh tumhean, aur kuchh der baitho!"

14

asha ne poochha, "ab sach-sach batana, meri aauankh ki kirakiri kaisi lagi tumhean?"

mahendr ne kaha- "buri nahian."

asha bahut hi kshubdh hokar boli, "tumhean to koee achchhi hi nahian lagati."

mahendr- "sirph ek ko chho dakar."

asha ne kaha- "achchha, parichay zara jamane do, phir dekhati hooan, achchhi lagati hai ya nahian."

mahendr bola- "jamane do? yani aisa lagatar chala karega ravaiya?"

asha ne kaha- "bhalamanasahat ke nate bhi to logoan se bolana-chalana p data hai. ek din ki bheant ke bad hi agar milana-julana band kar do, to kya sochegi bechari? tumhara hal hi ajib hai. aur koee hota to aisi stri se dau dakar mila karata aur tum ho ki aphat a p di mano!"

auroan se apane is farq ki bat sunakar mahendr khush hua. bola- "achchha yahi sahi. magar aisi jaldabazi kya? maian kahian bhaga to nahian ja raha hooan, n tumhari sakhi ko bhagane ki jaldi hai- lihaza, bich-bich mean bheant hua hi karegi aur bheant hone par bhalamanasahat rakhe, itani akl tumhare pati ko hai."

mahendr ne socha tha, ab se vinodini kisi-n-kisi bahane zaroor a jaya karegi. lekin galat samajha tha. vah pas hi nahian phatakati kabhi, achanak jate-ate bhi kahian nahian milati. apani stri se vah isaka zikr bhi n karata ki kahian mera agrah n jhalak p de. bich-bich mean vinodini se milane ki svabhavik aur mamooli-si ichchha ko chhipae aur dabae rakhane ki koshish mean usaki akulahat badhane lagi. phir vinodini ki udasinata use aur uttejit karane lagi.

vinodini se bheant hone ke doosare din prasangavash yoan hi mazak mean mahendr ne asha se poochha- "tumhara yah ayogy pati tumhari aauankh ki kirakiri ko kaisa laga?"

mahendr ko isaki zabaradast asha thi ki poochhane se pahale hi asha se use isaka b da hi achchha byaura milega. lekin sabr karane ka jab koee natija n nikala, to dhang se yah poochh baitha.

asha mushkil mean p di. vinodini ne kuchh bhi nahian kaha. isase asha apani sakhi se naraz huee thi. boli-"thaharo bhi, do-char din mil-julakar to kahegi. kal bheant bhi kitani der ko huee aur batean bhi kitani ho sakian."

mahendr isase bhi kuchh nirash hua aur vinodini ke bare mean laparavahi dikhana usake lie aur bhi kathin ho gaya.

isi bich bihari a pahuancha. poochha- "kyoan bhaiya, aj kis bat par vivad chhi da hua hai?"

mahendr ne kaha- "dekho n, tumhari bhabhi ne kumudini ya pramodini jane kisase to jane kya nata jo da hai lekin mujhe bhi agar usase vaisa hi kuchh jo dana p de to jina mushkil jano!" asha ke ghooanghat ke andar ghor kalah ghir aya. bihari zara der chupachap mahendr ki or takata raha aur hansata raha. bola- "bhabhi, bat to yah achchhi nahian. yah sab bhulane ki batean haian. tumhari aauankh ki kirakiri ko maianne dekha hai, aur bhi agar bar-bar dekh paooan, to use durghatana n samajhooanga, yah maian kasam khakar kah sakata hooan. lekin itane par bhi mahendr jab kabool nahian karana chahate to dal mean kuchh kala hai."

mahendr aur bihari mean bahut bhed hai, asha ko isaka ek aur saboot mila.

achanak mahendr ko photographi ka shauq ho aya. pahale bhi ek bar usane sikhana shuroo karake chho d diya tha. usane phir se kaimare ki marammat ki, aur tasvirean leni shuroo kar di. ghar ke naukar-chakaroan tak ke photo lene laga.

asha zid pak d baithi- "meri sakhi ki tasvir leni padegi."

bahut mukhtasar mean mahendr ne javab diya- "achchha!"

aur usase mukhtasar mean usaki aauankh ki kirakiri ne kaha- "nahian." asha ko isake lie phir ek tarakib khojani p di.

tarakib yah thi ki asha kisi tarah use apane kamare mean bulaegi aur sote samay hi usaki tasvir ko lekar mahendr ek khasa sabak dega. maze ki bat yah ki vinodini din mean kabhi soti nahian. lekin us din asha ke kamare mean use jhapaki a gee. badan par lal ooni chadar dale, khuli khi daki ki taraph muanh kie, hatheli par sir rakhe vah aisi sundar ada se soee thi ki mahendr ne kaha- "lagata hai, photo khianchane ke lie taiyar huee hai."

dabe paanv mahendr kaimara lekar aya. kis tarah se tasvir achchhi aegi, yah tay karane ke lie vinodini ko b di der tak bahut achchhi tarah dekh lena p da. yahaan tak ki kala ki khatir chhipakar sirahane ke pas usake bikhare baloan ko zara-sa hata dena p da. nahian jancha to use phir se sudhar lena p da. kanoankan usane asha se kaha- "paanv ke pas se chadar ko zara baeean taraph khisaka do!" bholi asha ne usake kanoan mean kaha- "mujhase thik n banega, kahian niand n toot jae. tumhian khisaka do."

mahendr ne chadar khisaka di.

aur tab usane tasvir khianchane ke lie kaimare mean plet dali. dalana tha ki khataka hua aur vinodini hil uthi, lamba ni:shvas chho d ghabarakar uth baithi. asha zor se hans p di. vinodini behad naraj huee. apani jalati huee aauankhoan se mahendr par chinagariyaan barasati huee boli- "bahut buri bat hai."

mahendr ne kaha- "beshak buri bat hai. lekin chori bhi ki aur chori ka mal hath n laga, isase to mere donoan kal ge. is buraee ko hi lene dijie, usake bad mujhe saza dijiega." asha bhi bahut arajoo-minnat karane lagi. tasvir li gee. lekin pahali tasvir kharab ho gee. lihaza doosare din doosari tasvir liye bina photographar n mana. usake bad mitrata ke chidd-svaroop donoan sakhiyoan ki ek sath ek tasvir lene ki bat aee. vinodini 'na' n kah saki. boli- "yahi lekin akhiri hai."

yah sunakar mahendr ne us tasvir ko barbad kar diya. is tarah tasvir lete-lete parichay kafi age badh gaya.

15

bahar se hila-dula do to dabi rakh mean ag phir se lahak uthati hai. asha aur mahendr ki muhabbat ka uchhah mand p data ja raha tha, vah tisari taraph ki thokar se phir jag p da. asha mean hansi-dillagi ki takat n thi, par asha usase thakati n thi, lihaza vinodini ki a d mean asha ko bahut b da ashray mil gaya. mahendr ko hamesha anand ki umang mean rakhane ke lie use lohe ke chane nahian chabane p date the.

vivah hone ke bad kuchh hi dinoan mean asha aur mahendr ek-doosare ke lie apane ko uja dane par amada the- prem ka sangit shuroo hi pancham ke nishad se hua tha, sood ke bajay pooanji hi bhuna khane par tule the. ab usaki apani koshish n rah gee. mahendr aur vinodini jab hansi-mazak karate hote, vah bas ji kholakar hansane mean sath deti. patte khelane mean mahendr asha ko betarah chakama deta, to asha vinodini se phaisale ke lie gi dagi dati huee shikayat karati. mahendr koee mazak kar baithata ya gairavajib kuchh kahata to asha ko yah ummid hoti ki usaki taraph se vinodini upayukt javab de degi. is prakar in tinoan ki mandali jam gee.

magar isase vinodini ke kam-dhandhoan mean kisi tarah ki dhilaee n a paee. rasoee, grihasthi ke doosare kam-kaj, rajalakshmi ki seva-jatan- sara kuchh khatm karake hi vah is anand mean shamil hoti. mahendr aziji se kahata- "naukar-mahari ko kam nahian karane deti ho, chaupat karogi unhean tum."

vinodini kahati- "kam n karake khud chaupat hone se yah behatar hai. tum apane k aaulej jao!"

mahendr- "aisi badali ke din?"

vinodini- "n yah nahian hone ka... ga di taiyar hai, jana p dega."

mahendr- "maianne to ga di ko mana kar diya tha."

vinodini ne kaha "maianne kah rakha tha." kahakar mahendr ki poshak lakar hazir kar di.

mahendr- "tumhean rajapoot ke ghar paida hona chahie tha, l daee ke samay apane atmiy ko kavach pahanati."

mauz-maje ke lie k aaulej n jana, padhaee mean dhilaee karana vinodini qatee n sah pati thi. usake kathor shasan se din 'dopahar ko vinod ekabaragi uth gaya aur saanjh ka avakash mahendr ke lie b da hi ramanik aur mohak ho utha. usaka din mano avasan ke intazar mean rahata.

pahale bich-bich mean rasoee samay par n banati aur mahendr ko k aaulej n jane ka bahana mil jata. ab vinodini sara intazam khud karake samay par rasoee banati. khana khatm hota ki mahendr ko khabar kar di jati- "ga di taiyar kh di hai." pahale kap doan ka is taratib se rahana to door raha. yahi pata n hota tha ki ve dhobi ke yahaan haian ki alamari ki hi kisi gupha mean p de haian. shuroo-shuroo mean vinodini in betaratibiyoan ke lie mahendr ke samane asha ko mitha ulahana diya karati thi- mahendr bhi us bechari ki la-ilaj yogyata par sneh se hans diya karata. ant mean sakhi ke neh se usane asha ki sari zimmedari apane oopar le li. ghar ki shakl badal gee.

achakan ka batan nadarad hai, asha jhatapat koee tarakib nahian nikal pati ki vinodini akar achakan usake hath se jhapat leti aur bat-ki-bat mean si deti. ek din mahendr ki parasi huee thali billi ne joothi kar di. asha pareshan. dekhate-hi-dekhate vinodini ne rasoee se jane kya-kya lakar kam chala diya. asha dang rah gee.

apane khane-pahanane, kam aur aram mean, har bat mean tarah-tarah se mahendr ko vinodini ke seva-sparsh ka anubhav hone laga. vinodini ke banae reshami joote usake paanvoan mean p de, vinodini ka buna reshami gulaband gale mean ek pati ke pas jati- usamean kuchh to hota asha ka apana aur kuchh kisi aur ka- apani vesh-bhoosha ke roop aur anand mean vah apani sakhi se mano ganga-yamuna-si mil gee hai. bihari ki ab vah kadr n rahi thi- usaki bulahat nahian hoti. usane mahendr ko likh bheja- 'kal itavar hai, dopahar ko akar maian maan ke hath ka bana bhojan khaooanga.' mahendr ne dekha, yah to itavar hi gobar ho jaega. usane jaldi se likh bheja, 'itavar ko kuchh zaroori kam se mujhe bahar jana p dega.'

phir bhi bhojan kar chukane ke bad bihari khoj-khabar ke lie mahendr ke yahaan aya. naukar se pata chala, mahendr kahian bahar nahian gaya hai. 'mahendr bhaiya' kahakar usane sidhi se avaz di aur kamare mean dakhil hua. mahendr b da apratibh ho gaya. 'sir mean be-hisab dard hai'-kahakar usane takie ka sahara liya. yah sunakar aur mahendr ke chehare ka hav-bhav dekhakar asha to achakacha gee. usane vinodini ki taraph is ashay se taka ki kya karana chahie. vinodini khoob samajh rahi thi- mamala sangin nahian hai, phir bhi ghabarakar boli, "b di der se baithe ho, tho di der let jao! maian yoodikolon le ati hooan." mahendr bola- "rahane do, usaki zaroorat nahian."

vinodini ne us par dhyasan n diya. vah jaldi se barph-mile pani mean yoodikolon dalakar le aee. asha ko gila roomal deti huee boli- "unake sir par baandh do!"

mahedr bar-bar kahane laga- "are chho do-chho do!" bihari hansi rokakar chupachap yah natak dekhata raha. man mean garv karate hue mahendr ne kaha- "kamabakht bihari dekhe ki meri kitani ijzat hoti hai!"

bihari kh da tha. laj se kaanpate hathoan se asha thik se patti n baandh paee ludhakakar yoodikolon ki ek booand mahendr ki aauankh se gir gee. vinodini ne asha se roomal lekar apane kushal hathoan se thik se baandh diya. saphed kap de ke doosare tuk de ko yoodikolon mean bhigokar dhime-dhime patti par nicho dane lagi. asha ghooanghat kadhe pankha jhalati rahi.

snigdh svar mean vinodini ne poochha- "mahendr baboo, aram milata hai?" avaz mean is tarah shahad gholakar vinodini ne tez kanakhiyoan se bihari ko dekh liya. dekha, kautuk se bihari ki aauankhean hans rahi haian. usako yah sab kuchh prahasan-sa laga. vinodini samajh gee, 'is adami ko thagana asan nahian, isaki paini nigah se kuchh nahian bach sakata.'

bihari ne hansakar kaha- "vinodini bhabhi, aisi timaradari se bimari jane ki nahian, aur badh jaegi."

vinodini- "maian moorkh stri, mujhe isaka kya pata! apake chikitsa-shastr mean aisa hi likha hai, kyoan?"

bihari- "likha to hai hi. seva dekhakar apana bhi matha dukhane laga. lekin phoote kapal ko chikitsa ke bina hi changa ho jana p data hai. mahendr bhaiya ka kapal joradar hai."

vinodini ne kap de ka ochha tuk da rakh diya. kaha- "n, hamean kya p di! dost ka ilaj dost hi kare."

16

bihari ne socha- 'ooanhooan! door-door rahane se ab kam nahian chalane ka. chahe jaise ho, isake bich- apane lie bhi jagah banani p degi. inamean se kisi ko yah pasand to n hoga, lekin phir bhi mujhe rahana p dega.' bulave ya svagat ki apeksha kie bina hi bihari mahendr ke vyooh mean dakhil hone laga. usane vinodini se kaha- "vinod bhabhi, is shakhs ko isaki maan ne barbad kiya, isaki bivi barbad kar rahi hai- tum bhi us jamat mean shamil n hokar ise koee nee rah sujhao."

mahendr ne poochha- "yani?"

bihari- "yani mere-jaisa adami, jise kabhi koee nahian poochhata..."

mahendr- "usako barbad karo! barbad hone ki ummidavari itani asan nahian bachchoo ki darakhast de di aur manjoor ho gee."

vinodini hansakar boli- "barbad hone ka dam hona chahie bihari, baboo!"

bihari ne kaha- "apane-ap mean vah khoobi n bhi ho to parae hath se a sakati hai. ek bar dekh hi lo panah dekar!"

vinodini- "yoan taiyar hokar ane se kuchh nahian hota- laparavah rahana hota hai. kya khyal hai, bhee aauankh ki kirakiri! apane is devar ka bhar tumhian uthao n!"

asha ne do aguliyoan se use thel diya. bihari ne bhi is dillagi mean sath n diya.

vinodini se yah chhipa n raha ki bihari ko asha se majak karana pasand nahian. vah asha par shraddha rakhata hai aur vinodini ko ulloo banana chahata hai, yah bat use chubhi.

usane asha se phir kaha- "tumhara yah bhikhari devar mujhe iangit karake tumase hi dular ki bhikh maangane aya hai- kuchh de do n, bahan!"

asha bahut khijh uthi. jara der ke lie bihari ka chehara tamatama utha, doosare hi dam vah hansakar bola- "doosare par yoan tal dena thik nahian hai."

vinodini samajh gee ki bihari sab bantadhar karake aya hai- isake samane hathiyaraband rahana zaroori hai. mahendr bhi ajij a gaya. bola- "bihari tumhare mahendr bhaiya kisi vyapar mean nahian p date, jo pas hai, usi se khush haian ve."

bihari- "khud n p dana chahate ho chahe, magar kismat mean likha hota hai to vyapar ki lahar bahar se bhi a sakati hai."

vinodini- "baharahal apaka to hath khali hai, phir apaki lahar kidhar se ati hai?"

aur vyangy ki hansi hansakar usane asha ko dabaya. asha kudhakar chali gee. bihari muanh ki khakar gusse mean bhi chup raha. vah jane ko taiyar hua, to vinodini bol uthi- "hatash hokar n jaie bihari baboo, maian aauankh ki kirakiri ko bheje deti hooan."

vinodini ke uthane se baithak toot gee. isase mahendr man-hi-man naraj hua. mahendr ki naraj shakl dekhakar bihari ka aveg um d aya.

bola- "mahendr bhaiya, apana satyanash karana chahate ho, karo! tumhari aisi hi adat rahi hai. lekin jo saral hriday ki sadhvi d tumhara vishvas karake panah mean hai, usaka satyanash to n karo. ab bhi kahata hooan, aisa n karo!"

kahate-kahate bihari ka gala ruandh gaya.

dabe krodh se mahendr ne kaha- "bihari, tumhari bat bilkul samajh mean nahian ati. bujhaual rahane do, saph-saph kaho."

bihari ne kaha- "maian do took hi kahooanga. vinodini tumhean jan-boojhakar pap ki or khianch rahi hai aur tum bina samajhe qadam badha rahe ho?"

mahendr garaj utha- "sarasar jhooth hai. tum agar bhale ghar ki bahoo-beti ko galat subahe ki nigah se dekhate ho to tumhara ghar ke andar ana thik nahian."

itane mean vinodini ek thali mean mithaiyaan lekar aee aur bihari ke samane rakhi. bihari bola- "are, yah kya! mujhe bilkul bhookh nahian."

vinodini boli- "aisi kya bat! muanh mitha karake hi jana hoga."

bihari bola- "meri darakhast manjoor huee shayad? adar-satkar shuroo ho gaya?"

vinodini hoth dabakar hansi. kaha- "ap jab devar thahare, rishte ka zor to hai. jahaan dava kar sakate haian, vahaan bhikh kya maangana? adar to ap chhinakar le sakate haian. ap kya kahate haian, mahendr baboo?" mahendr baboo ne koee tippani nahian ki.

vinodini- "bihari baboo, ap sharm se nahian kha rahe haian ya narajagi se! kisi aur ko bulana p dega?"

bihari- "nahian, zaroorat nahian. jo mila hai, kafi hai."

vinodini- "majak? ap se to par pana mushkil hai. mithaee se bhi muanh band nahian hota."

rat ko asha ne mahendr se bihari ki shikayat ki. mahendr aur din ki tarah hansakar tal nahian gaya, balki usane sath diya. subah hi mahendr bihari ke ghar gaya. bola- "bihari, lakh ho, vinodini akhir apane ghar ki to nahian hai. tum samane hote ho to use kaisi jhi dak hoti hai."

bihari ne kaha- "achchha! tab to yah thik nahian. unhean agar etaraj hai, to maian samane n jaooanga."

mahendr nishchiant hua. yah apriy kam is asani se ban jaega vah soch bhi n saka tha. bihari se vah darata tha.

vah usi din mahendr ke ghar gaya. bola- "vinod-bhabhi mujhe, maph kar do!"

vinodini- "kaisi maphi?"

bihari- "mahendr se maloom hua, maian yahaan akar samane hota hooan, isalie ap naraj haian. isalie maian maphi maangakar rukhasat ho jaooanga."

vinodini- "aisa bhi hota hai bhala! maian to aj hooan, kal nahian rahooangi- meri vajah se ap kyoan rukhsat hoange? itana jhamela hoga, yah janati hoti to maian yahaan n ati....' kahakar vinodini muanh malin kie bina aauansoo chhipane ko tezise chali gee.

bihari ke man mean aya- 'jhoothe sandeh par maianne nahak hi vinodini ke man ko chot pahuanchaee hai.'

us din mano mushkil mean p di rajalakshmi mahendr ke pas jakar boli- "mahendr vipin ki bahoo ghar jane ke lie utavali ho gee hai."

mahendr ne poochha- "kyoan, yahaan unhean koee takaliph hai?"

rajalakshmi- "takaliph nahian, vah kahati hai, mujh-jaisi vidhava zyada din doosare ke ghar rahegi, to log ninda kareange."

mahendr kshubdh hokar bola- 'to yah paraya ghar hai!'

bihari baitha tha. mahendr ne use khijhi nigah se dekha.

bihari ne socha tha, 'kal maianne jo kuchh kaha, usamean ninda ka abhas tha- shayad usi se vinodini ka ji dukha.'

pati-patni donoan vinodini se roothe rahe.

ye bolian- "hamean paraya samajhati ho, bahan!"

ve bole- "itane dinoan mean ham parae ho ge."

vinodini ne kaha- "hamean kya tum ajivan pak de rahogi?"

mahendr bola- "aisi jurrat kahaan!"

asha boli- "phir aise kyoan hamare ji ko churaya tumane?"

us din kuchh bhi tay n ho saka. vinodini boli-"nahian bahan, bekar hai, do dinoan ke lie mamata n badhana hi thik hai."

kahakar akulaee huee aauankhoan se usane ek bar mahendr ko dekha.

doosare din bihari ne akar kaha- "vinod bhabhi, yah jane ki zid kyoan? koee kusoor kiya hai- usi ki saja?"

muanh pherakar vinodini boli- "kusoor ap kyoan karane lage, kusoor hai meri takadir ka."

bihari- "ap agar chali jaean, to mujhe yahi lagata rahega ki mujhi se naraj hokar chali gee ap."

karun aauankhoan se vinati zahir karati huee vinodini ne bihari ki or taka. kaha- "ap hi kahie n, mera rahana uchit hai?"

bihari mushkil mean p d gaya. rahana uchit hai, yah bat vah kaise kahe?

bola- "thik hai, apako jana to p dega hi, lekin do-char din rukakar jaean, to kya harj hai?"

apani donoan aauankhean jhukakar vinodini ne kaha- "ap sab log rahane ka agrah kar rahe haian ap logoan ki bat talakar jana mere lie mushkil hai, magar ap log galati kar rahe haian."

kahate-kahate usaki b di-b di palakoan se aauansoo ki b di-b di booandean tezise dhulakane lagian.

bihari in maun aauansuoan se vyakul hokar bol utha- "mahaj in kuchh dinoan mean hi apane sabako moh liya hai, isi se apako koee chho dana nahian chahata. anyatha n sochean vinod bhabhi, aisi lakshmi ko chahakar vida bhi kaun karega?"

asha ghooanghat kadhe ek kone mean baithi thi. ghooanghat sarakarakar vah rah-rahakar aauankhean poanchhane lagi.

ainda vinodini ne jane ki bat n chalaee.

bich mean yah jo jhamela kh da hua, use ekabaragi chuka dene ki niyat se mahendr ne prastav rakha ki agale itavar ko damadam ke bagiche mean pikanik kar aean.

asha bahut khush ho gee. lekin vinodini raji n huee. usake taiyar n hone se asha aur mahendr mayoos ho ge. unhean laga, "in dinoan vinodini n jane kyoan door hat jana chahati hai!"

tisare pahar bihari aya. vinodini boli- "jara dekhie to bihari baboo mahendr baboo damadam ja rahe haian pikanik ke lie. maian nahian jana chahati, to subah se donoan mujhase roothe haian."

bihari bola- "naraj hona unaka beja nahian. ap sath n geean to inaki jo pikanik hogi, eeshvar kare satavean dushman ki bhi vaisi n ho."

vinodini- "phir ap bhi chalie n! ap chalean, to maian bhi chalooangi."

bihari- "thik to hai. magar bat yoan hai ki karm, darasal kartta ki ichchha par hota hai. baboo ki kya ray hai.?"

bihari ke prati is pakshapat se malik aur malakin, donoan hi bhitar-bhitar kudh ge. bihari ko sath le chalane ki bat se mahendr ka adha utsah jata raha. vah bihari ko har tarah se yah jata dene ko atur tha ki usaki maujoodagi vinodini ko kabhi pasand nahian-lekin ab to use chho d jana asambhav hoga.

mahendr ne kaha- "beja kya hai, achchha hi to hai. lekin bihari tumhara khas aib hai ki jahaan jate ho, vahaan koee-n-koee hangama machane se baj nahian ate. ya to vahaan as-pas ke bachchoan ki jamat juta loge ya phir goroan se mar-pit ki naubat. kya kar baithoge kya pata?"

bihari mahendr ki anichchha ko samajh gaya. man-hi-man hansa. bola- "duniya mean yahi to maja hai. kya se kya ho jae, kahaan kaun-sa phasad kh da ho jae- pahale se kuchh nahian kaha ja sakata. to vinod-bhabhi, t dake hi chal dena p dega. maian samay se hajir ho jaooanga."

saman aur naukaroan ke lie ek thard klas aur un logoan ke lie ek sekend klas ki bagghi laee gee. khasa b da ek paik baks liye bihari thik samay par hajir ho gaya. mahendr ne kaha- "are yah phir kya utha lae? naukaroan vali ga di mean to ab yah aega nahian."

bihari bola- 'ap pareshan n hoan, maian thik kie deta hooan."

vinodini aur asha ga di par savar hue. bihari ka kya kare, mahendr jara aga-pichha karane laga. bihari ne apana saman ga di ke oopar pataka aur ap koch-baks par ja baitha.

mahendr ke ji mean ji aya. vah soch raha tha, 'jane bihari andar hi baith jaega ki kya karega!'

vinodini ne pareshan hokar poochha- "gir to nahian p deange bihari baboo?"

bihari bol utha- "ap fikr n karean girana ya behosh ho jane ki bhoomika nahian."

jaise hi ga di khisaki, mahendr ne kaha- "n ho to maian hi oopar jata hooan, bihari andar a jae."

asha ne jaldi se usaki chadar khianchi. kaha- "nahian, tum nahian ja sakate."

vinodini boli- "apako adat nahian, kya pata gir-vir p dean."

josh mean akar mahendr ne kaha- "gir padooanga? hargij nahian."

aur vah ga di se bahar nikalane ka prayatn karane laga.

vinodini- "tohamat ap bihari baboo par lagate haian, magar hangama machane mean bejo d to ap hi haian."

mahendr ne jara muanh latakakar kaha- "achchha ek kam karean. maian ek aur ga di lekar chalata hooan, bihari yahaan a jae."

asha ne kaha, "to maian tumhare hi sath chalooangi."

vinodini boli- "aur maian tab ga di mean se kood padooan?" hote-hote jhanjhat akhir nibat gaya.

raste-bhar mahendr b da gambhir raha.

ga di damadam ke bagiche mean pahuanch gee. naukaroan vali ga di bahut pahale hi ravana huee thi, par lekin abhi tak usaka pata n tha.

sharath ka savera! b da hi suhana. dhoop nikal aee thi. os ki booandean sookh chuki thian, par nirmal prakash se pe d-paudhe jhilamila rahe the. divar se lagi harasiangar ki katar thi. niche phool bichh ge the. mah-mah khushaboo!

kalakatta ki eeant ki ooanchi divar ke ghere mean bahar akar asha van ki hirani-si umag uthi. vinodini ke sath usane dheroan phool bine, pe d se shariphe to de aur niche baithakar khae. donoan sakhiyoan ne pokhar mean der tak snan kiya. ek nirarthak anand se in do nariyoan ne pe doan ki chhaya aur chhitaki kiranoan, pokhar ke pani aur kuanjoan ke phool-pattoan ko pulakit sachetan kar diya.

donoan sakhiyaan naha aeean. dekha, naukaroan vali ga di ab bhi nadarad hai. mahendr bangale ke baramade mean bichhi ek chauki par baitha-baitha udas hokar ek vilayati ishtahar padh raha tha.

vinodini ne poochha- "aur bihari baboo?"

sankshep mean mahendr bola- "pata nahian."

vinodini- "chalie, unhean dhooandhe."

mahendr- "akhir unhean koee churakar to le nahian jaega! dhooandhe bina bhi mil jaeange."

vinodini- "magar ho sakata hai, apaki fikr se vah behal ho rahe hoan. chalakar unhean dilasa hi de aean."

talab ke kinare bandha hua vishal baragad tha. usi ke chauantare par bihari apana paik-baks kholakar mitti ke tel ka choolha jalakar pani garam kar raha tha. jaise hi log pahuanche, usane sabako chauantare par bithakar ek-ek pyala garam chay aur tashtari mean do-ek mithaiyaan dekar unaki khatir ki. vinodini bar-bar kahane lagi-"ganimat hai ki bihari baboo sara saranjam sath le ae haian! varana chay n milati to kya hal hota mahendr baboo ka."

chay mili, to mahendr ji utha. phir bhi bola- "yah sab bihari ki jyadati hai. ae haian hazarat pikanik ko aur yahaan bhi badastoor sara intazam utha lae haian. isase maza nahian rahata!"

tapi dopahari ki hava pattoan mean marmarahat lakar bahati rahi, talab ke baandh par jamun ki daloan par koyal rah-rahakar kookati rahian. vinodini apane bachapan ka qissa sunane lagi- maan-bap ki bat, chhutapan ki sakhi-saheliyoan ki charcha. achanak usake mathe par ka palla khisak p da. vinodini ki aauankhoan mean kautuk ka jo tikha kataksh dekh paini nigahoan vale bihari ke man mean aj tak tarah-tarah ki shankaean uthati rahi thian, vah shyam chamak jab ek shant sajal rekha se mand p d gee, to bihari ne mano aur hi nari ko dekha. lajili sati ki naeean vinodini ekant bhakti se pati ki seva kar rahi hai, mangalamayi mata ke saman santan ko apani god mean liye hue hai-pahale yah chhavi kshan ke lie bhi kabhi bihari ke man mean n aee-aj mano zara der ke lie rangamanch ka parada uth gaya aur andar ka ek mangal drishy use dikhaee diya. bihari ne socha, 'vinodini bahar se vilasini yuvati to hai, par usake aantarman mean pooja-nirat ek nari tapasya mean lin hai.' ek lambi saans to dakar bihari ne man-hi-man kaha- 'sahi-sahi apane ko manushy ap bhi nahian janata- aantaryami hi janate haian- paristhitivash jo roop bahar ban jata hai, duniya usi ko sach samajhati hai.' bihari ne batoan ke silasile ko tootane n diya, prashnoan se use jagae raha. aj subah hi jagane ke julm se thake hue mahendr ki niand paanch baje khuli. aziji se bola- "ab chal dena chahie."

vinodini ne kaha- "tho di der aur rukean to?"

saman sahejane mean aandhera ho aya. naukaroan ne itane mean khabar di, kirae ki ga di n jane kahaan gayab hai. dhooandhe n mili. ga di bagiche ke bahar kh di thi. do gore jabardasti use lekar steshan chal die. doosari ga di thik karane ke lie naukar bheja gaya. kudha hua mahendr bar-bar man mean kahane laga- 'aj ka din muft mean barbad ho gaya.' aisi naubat a gee ki apani adhirata vah chhipa n saka. bihari phir koch-baks par ja baitha. vinodini chupachap hi bahar ki taraph dekhati rahi- chaandani mean avakh pe doan ki paant dau date hue ghane chhaya-pravah ki tarah usaki aauankhoan se hokar guzarane lagi. asha ga di ke ek kone mean so gee aur mahendr sari rah udas baitha raha.