आँख की किरकिरी उपन्यास भाग-3

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

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18

pikanik ke din jo vakaya guzara usake bad phir mahendr mean vinodini ko apanane ki chahat badhane lagi. lekin doosare hi din rajalakshmi ko phloo ho gaya. bimari kuchh khas n thi, phir bhi unhean takaliph aur kamazori kafi thi. vinodini rat-din unaki seva mean lagi rahati.

mahendr bola- "maan ke seva-jatan mean yoan din-rat ek karogi, to tumhian bimar p d jaogi."

bihari ne kaha- "ap nahak pareshan haian, bhaiya! ye seva kar rahi hai, karane do. doosara koee aisi seva tho de hi karega."

mahendr bar-bar mariz ke kamare mean ane-jane laga. ek adami kam kuchh nahian karata, lekin har gh di pichhe laga phirata hai, yah bat vinodini ko achchhi n lagi. tang akar usane do-tin bar kaha- "mahendr baboo, yahaan baithe rahakar ap kya kar rahe haian? jaie, nahak kyoan k aaulej se gair-hazir hote haian?"

mahendr usake pichhe laga dolata hai, isaka vinodini ko naz tha. khushi thi. lekin phir bhi aisa kya, bimar maan ke bistar ke pas bhi kshubdh baithe rahana- usaka dhiraj toot jata, ghrina hoti. apane oopar kisi kam ki zimmedari rahane par vah aur kisi bat ka khyal nahian karati. jab tak khilana-pilana, rogi ki seva, ghar ke kam-dhandhe ki zaroorat rahati- kisi ne use kabhi dhila-dhala nahian dekha aur khud bhi kam-kaj ke samay nikammapan pasand nahian karati.

kabhi-kabhi zara der ko, maan ka hal poochhane ke lie bihari a jaya karata. kamare mean qadam rakhate hi vah samajh jata ki kahe ki zaroorat hai, kahaan kaun-si chiz ki kami hai, usaki aauankhean turant ta d jatian aur lamahe-bhar mean sab-kuchh thik karake vah kamare se nikal jata. vinodini samajh rahi thi ki meri seva ko bihari shraddha ki nazar se dekhata hai. lihaza bihari ke ane se use jaise vishesh puraskar milata tha. mahendr niyam se k aaulej jane laga. ek to usaka mizaj hi b da k dava ho gaya, us par yah kaisa parivartan! samay par khana taiyar nahian hota, sais jane kahaan gayab rahata, moje ka chhed dhire-dhire b da hota jata. aisi g dab d mean use pahale- jaisa anand nahian ata. jab jis chiz ki zaroorat ho, usi kshan use pa jane se aram kaisa hota hai, is bare mean vah kee din pahale hi svad chakh chuka tha. ab usaki kami se asha ki jahalat mean maza khatm ho gaya- "chunni, maianne bahar tumase kaha ki mere nahane ke pahale hi kurate mean batan laga rakhana, achakan, pataloon thik karake rakhana- magar yah kabhi nahian hota. nahakar batan lagane aur kap de dhooandhane mean hi mera ghanta-bhar nikal jata hai.

sharmasar hokar asha kahati- "maianne baire se kah diya tha."

"...baire se kah diya tha! khud kar leti to kaun-sa gunah ho jata! kabhi jo tumase koee kam ho!"

asha par mano gaj giri. aisi jhi daki use kabhi nahian sunani p di. usaki zaban par ya man mean yah javab n aya ki meri is jahalat ke tumhian to zimmedar ho. use to maloom hi n tha grih-kary ki kushalata abhyas ke anubhav se ati hai. vah socha karati thi ki apani ayogyata aur nirbudhdita ke karan hi maian koee bhi kam thik se nahian kar pati. jab-jab mahendr ne vinodini ki upama dekar asha ko dhikkara hai, usane use vinamrata se svikara hai.

kabhi-kabhi asha bimar sas ke as-pas chakkar katati, kabhi-kabhi sharmaee-si daravaze ke pas kh di ho jati. usaki ichchha hoti ki apane- apako vah grihasthi ke upayukt banae, kuchh kam karake dikhae, parantu usase koee bhi kaisi manovedana usamean bhitar-hi-bhitar badh rahi thi, lekin apani aspasht vyatha aur ajani ashanka ko vah saf samajh nahian pati. vah khoob mahasoos kar rahi thi ki use chaturdikh ka sab-kuchh barbad ho raha hai. lekin yah sab kaise bana tha aur nasht hi kaise ho raha hai aur kaise isaka pratikar ho- vah nahian janati. rah-rahakar yahi kahane ko ji chahata ki maian ayogy hooan,- meri moodhata ki tulana nahian ho sakati.

ab tak to pati-patni donoan ghar ke ek kone mean dubake kabhi bol-batiyakar kabhi yoan hi chupachap maje mean din bitate rahe. magar jab vinodini n hoti to asha ke sath akele baithakar mahendr bat hi n kar pata.

mahendr ne baire se poochha- "kisaki chitthi hai?"

"bihari baboo ki."

"kisane di hai?"

"bahooji (vinodini) ne."

"dekhooan jara." chitthi le li. ji mean aya, pha dakar use padhe. ulat-palatakar dekha, phir baire ki taraph pheank diya.

baramade mean kuchh der chahalakadami karake kamare mean akar mahendr ne dekha, kamare ki divar par taangi ek tasvir ki dori tootane vali hai aur isaki vajah se tasvir tedhi ho gee hai. asha ko daantate hue mahendr ne kaha- "tum kuchh bhi nahian dekhatian. is tarah sari chizean barbad ho rahi haian."

damadam ke phooloan ka jo guchchha banakar vinodini ne pital ki phooladani mean sajaya tha, vah aj bhi vahian sookha p da hai. mahendr kabhi in batoan par gaur nahian karata tha, aj usaki nigah us par p di. bola- "jab tak vinodini akar pheank n de, yah p da hi rahega."

usane phool-samet phooladani uthakar bahar pheank di. thanh-thanh bajati vah sidhi par ludhakati ja p di. 'asha mere man ke layaq kyoan nahian rahati, kyoan vah mere man-mutabiq kam nahian karati?' mahendr bahar nikala. jakar phooladani utha laya. kone mean ek mez p di sidhi par baithakar usi tebal par kohani tikae hathoan par sir rakhe soya raha.

aandhera hone par kamare mean batti aee, lekin asha nahian. mahendr chhat par zor-zor se chahal-kadami karane laga. rat ke nau baje, mahendr ke soone kamare mean adhi rat ka sannata chha gaya- asha phir bhi n aee. mahendr ne bulava bheja. sakuchaee-si akar vah chhat par daravaze ke pas thithak gee. mahendr pas gaya- use chhati se laga liya. pati ke kaleje se lagakar vah zoroan se ro p di- apane ko zabt n kar saki, aauansoo rukane ka nam nahian le rahe the. kaleje se lagakar mahendr ne usake baloan ko chooma- maun asaman ke sitare chupachap dekhate rahe.

rat ko mahendr ne bistar par baithakar bataya- "k aaulej mean meri rat ki dayooti lagi hai, kuchh dinoan ke lie mujhe k aaulej ke hi as-pas kahian dera lena p dega."

asha sochane lagi- "gussa shayad rah hi gaya hai? mujh par naraj hokar to nahian ja rahe? akhir niguni maian. pati ko ghar se rukhsat karake hi rahi! mera to mar jana hi achchha tha."

lekin mahendr ke hav-bhav mean gusse ka koee lakshan n dikha. b di der tak vah chup raha. asha ke mukh de ko kaleje se lagakar uangali se baloan ko chirate-chirate usake joo de ko dhila kar diya. pahale pyar se mahendr isi tarah asha ka joo da khol diya karata tha- asha is par etaraz karati thi. aj magar usane chooan bhi n ki. achanak usake kapal par aauansoo ki ek booand tapak p di. mahendr ne usaka muanh apani or pherakar sneh se ruandhe svar mean pukara- "chunni!"

asha ko koee javab n mila. apane komal hathoan se usane kasakar mahendr ko daba liya. mahendr ne kaha-"mujhase galati ho gee, maph kar do."

apane phool-se sukumar hath se mahendr ke hothoan ko dabati huee vah boli- "chhi:, aisa n kaho! tumane koee kasoor nahian kiya. kasoor mera hai. mujhe dasi ke saman phatakaro. mujhe apane paanvoan mean rahane layaq bana lo!"

jis din jana tha, subah jagate samay mahendr ne kaha- "chunni, meri ratan, tumhean maian apane hriday mean sabase oopar rakhooanga. koee tumase age nahian ja sakega."

kaleje ko k da karake sab tarah ka tyag karane ko taiyar hokar usane pati se apani ek nihayat mamooli-si maang ki. boli- "mujhe roz-roz chitthi likhana!"

mahendr ne poochha- "tum bhi likhogi?"

asha ne kaha- "maian kya likhana janati hooan?"

usake kan ke pas ki lat ko sarakata hua mahendr bola- "tum akshay kumar datta se bhi achchha likh sakati ho- jise charupath kahate haian!"

asha ne kaha- "mazak rahane do, haan."

jane ke pahale asha mahendr ka saman sahejane lagi. mote-mote garam kap doan ki tah banana kathin tha, baks mean sabaka saman aur bhi kathin. donoan ne milakar daba-dubookar jo ek baks mean a jata, use do baksoan mean rakha. phir bhi bhool se jo chizean chhoot geean, unaki kee gathariyaan alag se ban geean. isase asha sharm mahasoos karati rahi, to bhi apas ki chhina-jhapati aur hans-hansakar ek-doosare ko doshi thaharane mean anand ke pichhale din laut ae. yah taiyari vidaee ki hai, zara der ke lie asha yah bhool gee. saees kam-se-kam das bar jata gaya ki ga di taiyar hai, magar kaun sunata hai. ant mean khinn hokar bola- "khol do gho doan ko."

subah se tisara pahar ho gaya aur ab saanjh hone ko aee. tab kahian ek doosare ko sehat ka khyal rakhane ki takid karake, niyam se chitthi likhane ka bar-bar vada karake bhari hriday liye donoan juda hue. do-din hue, rajalakshmi uthane-baithane lagi haian. sham ko badan par ek moti chadar lapete vinodini ke sath tash khel rahi thi. aj use koee hararat n thi. mahendr kamare mean aya. vinodini ki taraph usane bilkul nahian dekha. maan se bola- "maan, k aaulej mean meri rat ki dayooti lagi hai. yahaan se ate-jate nahian banata-k aaulej ke pas hi ek dera le liya hai. aj se vahian rahooanga."

rajalakshmi andar se roothakar bolian- "jao, padhaee mean harj hoga, to rah bhi kaise sakate ho!"

bimari to unaki jati rahi thi, lekin jaise hi unhoanne suna ki mahendr ja raha hai, apane ko bimar aur kamazor mahasoos karane lagian. vinodini se kaha- "zara takiya to idhar khisaka do, bitiya!" aur vah takie ka sahara lekar let gee. vinodini dhire-dhire unake badan par hath pherane lagi.

mahendr ne unake kapal par hath rakha, nabj dekhi. maan ne apani kalaee hata li. kaha- "nabz se kya khak pata chalata hai! too fikr mat kar, maian thik hooan."

kahakar unhoanne b di bamushkil karavat badali.

vinodini se mahendr ne kuchh n kaha. rajalakshmi ko pranam karake vah chala gaya.

19

vinodini ne socha, 'akhir majara kya hai? man ya gussa ya dar, pata nahian kya? mujhe yah dikhana chahate haian ki vah meri paravah nahian karate? bahar jakar raheange? achchha, yahi dekhana hai, kitane din?' lekin khud usake man mean bhi bechaini lagane lagi.

vah roj hi us par naya phanda pheanka karati, tarah-tarah ke tiroan se vedha karati thi. us kam ke chuk jane se vah chhatapatane lagi. ghar ka nasha hi utar gaya. mahendr vihina asha usake lie bilkul svad-rahit thi. asha ko mahendr jitana pyar karata tha, vah vinodini ke pyar ke bhookhe hriday ko matha karata tha. jis mahendr ne usake jivan ki sarthakata ko chaupat kar diya, jisane us jaisi nari-upeksha karake asha- jaisi mandabudhdi balika ko apanaya- us mahendr ko vinodini chahati hai ya usase chidhati hai, use isaki saza degi ya apane hriday mean ek ag lahakaee hai, vah ageershya ki hai ya prem ki ya donoan ki milavat hai, yah vah soch n pati. vah man-hi-man tikhi hansi hansakar kahati- 'mujh-jaisi gat kisi bhi stri ki nahian huee hogi. maian yahi nahian samajh saki ki maian marana chahati hooan ki marana.' lekin chahe jis vajah se bhi ho, jalane ke lie ya jalane ke lie, mahendr ki use nitant avashyakata thi. gahara ni:shvas chho dati huee vinodini boli- "bachchoo jaega kahaan? use ana p dega. vah mera hai." ghar ki saphaee ke bahane sham ko asha mahendr ke kamare mean usaki kitabean, usaki tasvir adi samanoan ko chhoo-chha rahi thi, apane achare se unhean jha d-poanchh rahi thi. mahendr ki chijoan ko bar-bar chhookar, kabhi uthakar kabhi rakhakar apane bichhoh ki saanjh bita rahi thi. vinodini dhire-dhire usake pas akar kh di ho gee. asha sharma gee. chhoona to usane chho d diya aur kuchh aisa jataya mano vah kuchh khoj rahi hai. vinodini ne hansakar poochha-"kya ho raha hai, bahan?"

hothoan par halki hansi lakar boli- "kuchh bhi nahian."

vinodini ne use gale lagaya. poochha- "bhee aauankh ki kirakiri, devaraji is tarah ghar se chale kyoan ge?"

vinodini ke is saval se hi asha shankit ho uthi. kaha- "tumhean to maloom hai. janati hi ho, kam ka dabav rahata hai.

dahine hath se usaki thuddi uthakar, mano karuna se gal gee ho is tarah sann hokar usane asha ko dekha aur lambi saans li.

asha ka dil baith gaya. vah apane ko abodh aur vinodini ko chalak samajha karati thi. vinodini ke chehare ka bhav dekhakar usake lie sara sansar aandhakaramay ho gaya. vinodini se saph-saph kuchh poochhane ki usaki himmat n p di. divar ke pas ek sophe par baith gee. vinodini bhi bagal mean baithi. use apane kaleje se jak d liya. sakhi ke is aliangan se vah apane-apako samhal n saki. donoan ke aauansoo jharane lage. daravaze par andha bhikhari manjira bajata hua ga raha tha, 'tarane ko apane charanoan ki tarani de maan, tara!'

bihari mahendr ki talash mean aya tha. daravaze par se hi usane dekha, asha ro rahi hai aur vinodini use apani chhati se lagae usake aauansoo poanchh rahi hai. dekhakar bihari vahaan se khisak gaya. bangale ke aandhere kamare mean jakar baith gaya. donoan hatheliyoan se apana sir dabakar sochane laga, 'asha akhir ro kyoan rahi hai? jo bechari svabhav se hi koee kasoor karane mean asamarth hai, aisi nari ko bhi jo rulae use kya kaha jae.' vinodini ki us tarah ki saantvana, nisvarth sakhi-prem ko dekhakar abhibhoot ho gaya."

vah b di der tak aandhere mean baitha raha. andhe bhikhari ka gana jab band ho gaya to vah pair patakakar khaansata hua mahendr ke kamare ki taraph badha. dvar par pahuancha bhi n tha ki asha ghooanghat kadhakar ant:pur ki or bhag gee.

andar pahuanchate hi vinodini ne poochha- "are, kya apaki tabiyat kharab hai, bihari baboo?"

bihari- "nahian to."

vinodini- "phir aauankhean aisi lal kyoan haian?"

bihari ne is bat ka javab nahian diya. poochha-"vinod-bhabhi, mahendr kahaan gaya?"

vinodini gambhir hokar boli- "suna hai, k aaulej mean kam zyada hai. isalie unhoanne vahian kahian pas mean dera le liya hai. achchha, maian chalooan!"

anamana bihari daravaze ke samane rah rokakar kh da ho gaya tha. chauankakar vah jaldi se hat gaya. sham ke vakt bahar se soone kamare mean is tarah vinodini se bat karana logoan ko achchha n lagega.- achanak isaka dhyadan aya. usake jate-jate bihari itana kah gaya-"vinod-bhabhi, asha ka khyal rakhiega. sidhi hai bechari. use kisi ko n to chot pahuanchana ata hai, n chot se apane ko bachana."

aandhere mean bihari vinodini ka chehara n dekh paya-usameaneershya ke bhav jag ae the. aj bihari par nazar p date hi vah samajh gee thi ki asha ke lie usaka hriday du:khi hai. vinodini ap kuchh nahian! usaka janm asha ko surakshit rakhane, usaki rahoan ke kaantoan ko binane ke lie hi hua hai! shrimanh mahendr baboo asha se vivah karean, isilie kismat ki mar se vinodini ko baramat ke barbar bandar ke sath vanavas lena p dega. aur shrimanh bihari baboo se asha ki aauankhoan mean aauansoo nahian dekhe jate, so vinodini ko apana daman uthae sada taiyar rahana p dega! vah mahendr aur bihari ko ek bar apane pichhe ki chhaya ke sath dhool mean patakakar batana chahati hai ki yah asha kaun hai, aur kaun hai vinodini! donoan mean kitana farq hai! durbhagy se vinodini apani pratibha ko kisi purush-hriday ke rajy mean vijayi banane ka avasar nahian pa saki, isalie usane jalata shaktishel uthakar sanharamoorti dharan ki.

b de hi mithe svar mean vinodini bihari ko kahati gee- "ap bephikr rahean, bihari baboo! meri aauankh ki kirakiri ke lie itani chinta karake ap nahak itana kasht n uthaean."

20

jaldi mahendr ko ek chitthi mili. us par pahachane akshar dekhakar vah chauank gaya. din mean jhameloan ke karan usane use khola nahian- kaleje ke pas jeb mean dal diya. k aaulej ke laikchar sunate hue, aspatal ka chakkar katate hue yak-b-yak use aisa lag ata ki usake kaleje ke ghoansale mean muhabbat ki ek chi diya so rahi hai. use jagaya nahian ki usaki mithi chahak kanoan mean gooanj uthegi.

sham ko apane soone kamare mean mahendr laimp ki roshani mean aram se kursi par baitha. apani deh ke tap se tapi us chitthi ko bahar nikala. der tak usane use khola nahian, magar gaur se dekhata raha. use pata tha ki khat mean khas kuchh hai nahian. aisi sambhavana hi nahian ki asha apane man ki bat sulajhakar likh sakegi. usake tedhe-medhe haraphoan aur a di-tirachhi panktiyoan se usake man ke bhavoan ki kalpana kar leni hogi. asha ke kachche hathoan, b de jatan se likhe apane nam mean mahendr ko ek ragini sunaee p di-"sadhvia nari ke man ke gahan baikunth se uthane vala pavan prem-sangit."

do hi char dinoan ki judaee se mahendr ke man ka vah avasad chala gaya. saral asha ke navin prem ki smriti phir taji ho gee. in dinoan girasti ki rozamarra ki asuvidhaean use khijhane lagi thian, ab vah sab mit gaya, bas karm aur karanahin ek vishuddh premanand ki jot mean asha ki manasi moorti usake man mean jivant ho uthi.

mahendr ne liphaphe ko itminan se khola. usamean se chitthi nikalakar apane gal aur kapal se lagaee. mahendr ne jo khooshaboo kabhi asha ko bheant ki thi, akulae ni:shvas-si usi ki mahak khat mean se nikalakar mahendr ke pranoan mean paith gee.

khat kholakar padha. are jaisi tedhi-medhi panktiyaan haian, vaisi bhasha to nahian hai! haraph kachche, magar unase batoan ka mel kahaan? likha tha- 'priyatam, jise bhoolane ke lie ghar se chal die, is likhavat se usaki yad kyoan dilaooan? jis lata ko maro dakar mati mean pheank diya, kis haya se vah phir dh d ko jak dakar uthane ki koshish kare! jane vah mitti mean milakar mitti kyoan n ho gee!

"lekin isase tumhara kya nukasan hai nath, lamahe-bhar ko yad hi a gaya to! usase ji ko chot bhi kitani lagegi! magar tumhari upeksha kaante-si mere panjar mean chubhakar rah gee hai! tum jis tarah bhool baithe, mujhe bhi usi tarah bhulane ki tarakib bata do."

"nath, tumane mujhe pyar kiya tha, yah kya mera hi kasoor tha! aise saubhagy ki maianne svapn mean bhi asha ki thi kya? maian kahaan se aee, mujhe kaun janata tha? mujhe nazar uthakar n dekha hota, mujhe agar yahaan muft ki baandi banakar rahana hota, to maian kya tumhean dosh de sakati thi? jane mere kis gun par tum khud hi bina megh ke bijali hi k daki, to us bijali ne sirph jalaya hi kyoan? tan-man ko bilkul rakh kyoan n kar dala?

"in do dinoan mean behad sabr kiya, bahut sochati rahi, lekin ek bat n samajh saki ki yahaan rahakar bhi kya tum mujhe thukara nahian sakate the? mere lie bhi kya ghar chho dakar jane ki zaroorat thi? kya maian tumhean itana ghere hooan? mujhe apane kamare ke kone mean, daravaze ke bahar pheank dene par bhi kya maian tumhari nazar mean ati? yahi tha, to tum phir ge kyoan? mere kahian jane ka kya koee upay n tha? bahakar aee thi, bahakar chali jati...."

yah chitthi kaisi! bhasha kisaki thi, mahendr ko samajhate der n lagi. mahendr us patr ko lie stanbhit raha.

b di der tak sochata raha. khat ko usane kee bar padha. kuchh dinoan tak jo door ke abhas ki tarah raha, aj vah saf prakat hone laga. usaki zindagi ke asaman ke ek kone mean jo dhoomaketu chhaya tha, aj usaki uthi huee pooanchh ag ki rekhaoan mean jalati huee dikhaee p di.

chitthi yah asal mean vinodini ki hai. bholi asha ne ise apani bat samajhakar likha hai. pahale jin batoan ko usane kabhi socha nahian, vinodini ke likhane se ve hi batean usake man mean jag uthian. jo nee vedana paida huee, use is khoobi ke sath asha to hargiz zahir nahian kar sakati thi. vah sochane lagi, 'sakhi ne mere man ki bat ko aisa thik-thik kaise samajh liya! aur, itana thik se zahir kaise kiya!' vah apani aantarang sakhi ko aur bhi mazaboot sahare ki tarah pak d baithi. kyoanki jo bat usake man mean hai, usaki bhasha usaki sakhi ke pas hai-itani bebas thi vah!

mahendr kursi se utha. bhavoan par bal dala. vinodini par krodh karane ki koshish ki. magar bich mean asha par gussa a gaya. asha ki moorkhata to dekho, pati par yah kaisa julm! vah phir baith gaya aur is bat ke saboot mean us khat ko phir se padh gaya. andar-hi-andar khushi hone lagi. yah samajhakar usane chitthi ko padhane ki bahut cheshta ki, mano vah asha ki hi likhi ho. lekin isaki bhasha kisi bhi tarah se bholi asha ki yad nahian dilati. do hi char panktiyaan padhate hi sukh se pagal kar dene vala ek jhag bhari sharab- jaisa sandeh man ko dhap leta. prem ki is pratiti ne mahendr ko matavala bana diya. use lagane laga chahe khud ke prati hiansa karake hi man ko kisi aur taraph laga de. usane mez par zoroan ka mukka mara aur uchhalakar kh da ho gaya. bola- "hatao, chitthi ko jala dalean." chitthi ko vah laimp ke qarib le gaya. jalaya nahian, phir ek bar padh gaya. agale din naukar kagaz ki bahut-si rakh utha le gaya tha, lekin yah rakh asha ki chitthiyoan ki n thi, usake uttar ki kee adhoori koshishoan ki rakh thi, jinhean ant mean mahendr ne jala diya tha.

is bich aur ek chitthi a pahuanchi-

"tumane mere patr ka javab nahian diya? achchha hi kiya sahi bat likhi to nahian jati; tumhara jo javab hai, use maianne man mean samajh liya. bhakt jab apane devata ko pukarata hai to devata kya zaban se kuchh kahate haian? lagata hai, dukhiya ki tulasi ko charanoan mean jagah mil gee."

"lekin bhakt ki pooja se kahian shiv ki tapasya tootati ho to mere hriday ke devata, naraj n hona! varadan do ya n do, aauankhean uthakar niharo ya n niharo, jan sako ya n jan sako- pooja kie bina bhakt ki doosari gati nahian. isalie aj bhi do panktiyaan likh bhejati hooan-he! mere patthar ke devata tum adig hi raho!"

mahendr phir javab likhane baitha. lekin patr ko asha ko likhate hue kalam ki noank par javab vinodini ka a jata. chalaki se idhar-udhar ki haankate usase likhate hue nahian banata. likh-likhakar bahut-se panne pha d dale. ek likha bhi gaya to use liphaphe mean bharakar asha ka nam likhate hue achanak kisi ne usaki pith par chabuk jamaya- 'beeeman! vishvast balika se is tarah daga!' mahendr ne patr ko tuk de karake pheank diya aur baki rat mej par donoan hatheliyoan mean muanh chhipae apane ko mano apani hi nazar se chhipane ki koshish karata raha.

tisara patr? "roothana jo qatee nahian janata, vah bhi kya pyar karata hai? apane pyar ko anadar aur apaman se bachae n rakh sakooan to vah tumhean dooangi kaise?"

"shayad tumhare man ko thik-thik samajh nahian paee hooan, tabhi itani himmat kar saki hooan. tum chho d ge to bhi maian hi badhakar chitthi likhi; jab tum chup ho ge the, tab bhi man ki kah gee hooan. magar tumhare sath agar galati ki hai, to vah bhi kya mera hi kasoor hai? shuroo se akhir tak sari batean ek bar duharakar dekho to sahi ki maianne jo kuchh samajha tha, vah tumhian ne nahian samajhaya kya?"

"chahe jo ho, galat ho ya sahi, jo likha hai, vah mitane ka nahian, jo diya hai, vah vapis nahian le sakooangi, yahi shikayat hai. chhi:-chhi: aisi sharm bhi nari ke nasib mean ati hai. lekin isase yah hargiz n samajhana ki jo pyar karati hai, vah apane pyar ko bar-bar apamanit kar sakati hai. saf batao ki meri chitthi ki chahat nahian ho to batao aur isaka javab n mila to yahian tak bas."

mahendr se aur n raha gaya. man mean bola- 'khoob naraj hokar hi ghar laut raha hooan. vinodini ka khyal hai, maian use bhoolane ke lie ghar se bhag kh da hua hooan.' usaki is hek di ko bhulane ke lie hi mahendr ne usi dam ghar laut jane ka sankalp kiya.

itane mean bihari a gaya. use dekhate hi mahendr ke man ki umang duguni ho gee. ab tak sandehoan ke chalate bihari se useeershya hoti rahi thi aur donoan mean gaanth p dati ja rahi thi. chitthi padhane ke bad aur zyada aveg mean usane usaki agavani ki.

lekin bihari ka chehara aj utara hua tha. mahendr ne socha, 'bechare ne is bich vinodini se zaroor mulakat ki hogi aur vahaan se thokar khakar aya hai!' usane poochha- "kyoan bhaee, is bich mere ghar ge the kabhi?"

bihari ne kaha- "vahian se hokar a raha hooan abhi."

man-hi-man bihari ki pi da ka anuman karake mahendr ko achchha n laga. usane man mean kaha- 'abhaga! kisi mahila ne kabhi use nahian chaha.' phir bhi usane batachit shuroo karate hue poochha- "kaise haian sab?" is bat ka javab dene ke bajay vah bola- "ghar chho dakar achanak yahaan."

mahendr ne kaha- "idhar lagatar nait-dayooti p d rahi hai- vahaan dikkat ho rahi thi."

bihari bola- "nait-dayooti to isake pahale bhi p di hai, magar ghar chho date to nahian dekha kabhi?"

mahendr ne hansakar kaha- "kyoan koee shak ho raha hai."

bihari bola- "majak n karo. tumhean kahian nahian rahana hai. chalo isi vakt ghar chalo."

ghar jane ko to vah taiyar hi baitha tha; magar bihari ne agrah kiya to vah mana kar gaya, goya ghar jane ki use zara bhi ichchha nahian. bola- "pagal hue ho, mere ek sal par pani phir jaega." bihari ne kaha- "dekho mahendr bhaiya, maian tumhean tab se dekhata aya hooan, jab tum chhote-se the. mujhe phusalane ki koshish n karo! tum julm kar rahe ho."

mahendr- "julm kar raha hooan, kis par, jaj sahab!"

bihari naraz hokar bola- "tum sada dil ki tariph karate ae ho, ab tumhara dil kahaan gaya?"

mahendr- "philahal to aspatal mean hai."

bihari- "chup raho! tum yahaan hans-hansakar mujhase mazak kar rahe ho aur vahaan tumhari asha tumhare kamaroan mean roti phir rahi hai." asha ke rone ki bat sunakar achanak mahendr ko dhakka laga. apane ne nashe mean use isaki sudh n thi ki duniya mean aur bhi kisi ka sukh-du:kh hai. vah chauanka! poochha- "asha kyoan ro rahi hai?" bihari ne apani aauankhoan jo kuchh dekha, adi se ant tak kah sunaya. use yad a gaya kaise vinodini se lipatakar asha ki aauankhean bah rahi thi. usaka gala ruandh gaya. mahendr ko khoob pata tha ki asha ka man vastav mean kidhar hai!

mahenchhr bola- "khair chalo. ga di bula lo!"

22

mahendr ghar pahuancha. usaka chehara dekhate hi asha ke man ka sara sandeh kuhare ke saman ek hi kshan man. phat gaya. apani chitthiyoan ki bat sochakar mahendr ke samane mare sharm ke vah sir n utha saki. is par mahendr ne shikava kiya- "aise arop lagakar tumane chitthiyaan likhi kaise!"

aur usane jane kitani bar padhi huee ve tinoan chitthiyaan apani jeb se nikalian. asha ne gi dagi dakar kaha- "tumhare pair p dati hooan, in chitthiyoan ko pha d pheanko!" mahendr se un chitthiyoan ko le lene ke lie vah utavali ho gee. mahendr ne use rokakar chitthiyoan ko jeb ke havale kiya. kaha- "maian kam se gaya aur tumane mera matalab hi nahian samajha? mujh par sandeh kiya?" chhalachhalati aauankhoan se asha boli- "abaki bar mujhe maph kar do! ainda aisa n hoga." mahendr ne kaha- "kabhi nahian?"

asha boli- "kabhi nahian."

mahendr ne use apane pas khianchakar choom liya. asha boli- "lao, chitthiyaan de do, pha d dalooan!"

mahendr bola- "rahane do unhean." asha ne vinay se yah samajha-"meri saza ke roop mean inhoanne chitthiyaan rakh li haian."

chitthiyoan ke chalate asha ka man vinodini ki taraph se zara aianth gaya. pati laut ae, yah khabar vah vinodini se kahane n gee, balki usase katarati rahi. vinodini ise ta d gee aur kam ke bahane bilkul door hi rahi.

mahendr ne socha- "ajib hai! socha tha, abaki bar vinodini ko maze se dekh paooanga- ulata hi hua. phir un chitthiyoan ka matalab?"

mahendr ne apane man ko isake lie sakht banaya ki nari ke dil ko ab kabhi samajhane ki koshish nahian karega. soch rakha tha, "vinodini pas ana bhi chahegi to maian door-door rahooanga." abhi usake ji mean aya, 'n, yah to thik nahian ho raha hai- sachamuch hi ham logoan mean koee vikar a gaya hai. khule dil ki vinodini se batachit, hansi-dillagi karake sandeh ki is ghutan ko mita dalana hi thik hai.' usane asha se kaha- "lagata hai, maian hi tumhari sakhi ki aauankh ki kirakiri ho gaya. unaki to ab jhaanki bhi nahian dikhaee p dati."

udas hokar asha boli- "jane use kya ho gaya hai!"

idhar rajalakshmi akar roni-si hokar boli- "beti, ab to vipin ki bahoo ko rokana mushkil ho raha hai."

rajalakshmi bolian- "mujhe kya pata." mahendr chauankate magar apane par niyantran karate hue usane poochha- "kyoan maan?"

"beta, vah to abaki bar apane ghar jane ke lie a d gee hai. tujhe to kisi ki khatiradari ati nahian. ek paraee l daki apane ghar aee hai, usaka agar ghar ke logoan- jaisa adar-man n ho to rahe kaise?" vinodini sone ke kamare mean chadar si rahi thi. mahendr gaya. avaz di- "kirakiri!"

vinodini samhalakar baithi. poochha- "ji! mahendr baboo!"

mahendr baboo ne kaha- "ajib musibat hai! ye hazarat mahendr baboo kab se ho ge!"

apani silaee mean aauankhean g dae hue hi vinodini boli- "phir kya kahakar pukarooan apako?"

mahendr ne kaha- "jis nam se apani sakhi ko pukarati ho- 'aauankh ki kirakiri'!"

aur din ki tarah vinodini ne mazak karake koee javab n diya. vah apani silaee mean lagi rahi.

mahendr ne kaha- "lagata hai, vahi sachcha rishta hai, tabhi to dubara ju d pa raha hai."

vinodini zara ruki. silaee ke kinare se badh rahe dhage ke chhor ko daantoan se katati huee boli- "mujhe kya pata, ap janean!"

aur doosare javaboan ko talakar gambhirata se poochh baithi- "k aaulej se ekaek kaise laut ae."

mahendr bola- "keval lash ki chir-pha d se kab tak chalega?"

vinodini ne phir daant se soot kata aur usi tarah sir jhukae hue boli- "to ab jivan ki zaroorat hai?"

mahendr ne socha tha, 'aj vinodini se b de sahaj dhang se hansi-mazak karooanga' lekin bojh itana ho gaya ki lakh koshish karake bhi halka javab juban par n a saka. vinodini aj kaisi doori rakhakar chal rahi hai, yah dekhakar mahendr udvelit ho gaya. ichchha hone lagi, ek jhatake se is rukavat ko matiyamet kar de. usane vinodini ki kati huee vaky-chikoti ka koee javab n diya-achanak usake pa ja baitha. bola- "tum ham logoan ko chho dakar ja kyoan rahi ho? koee aparadh ho gaya hai mujhase!" vinodini is par zara khisak gee. silaee se sir uthakar usane apani b di-b di aauankhean mahendr ki or lagakar kaha- "kam-dhandha to har kisi ko hai. ap sab chho dakar kahian aur rahane chale die. vah kya kisi aparadh se kam hai."

mahendr ko koee achchha javab dhooandhe n mila. zara der chup rahakar poochha- "aisa kya kam p da hai ki ge bina hoga hi nahian?"

b di savadhani se suee mean dhaga dalati huee vah boli-"kam hai ya nahian, yah maian hi janati hooan. apako usaki pheharist kya dooan!"

mahendr khi daki se bahar chintit-sa b di der tak ek nariyal ki phunagi par nazar tikae chup baitha raha. vinodini chupachap silaee karati rahi. yah hal ki pharsh par suee gire, to avaz sunaee de! b di der bad mahendr achanak bol utha. hathath jo nistabdhata bhang huee, vinodini chauank p di. usaki uangali mean suee chubh gee.

mahendr ne poochha- "kisi bhi tarah se n ruk sakogi?"

suee chubhi aanguli ka khoon choosati huee vinodini ne kaha- "vinati kis bat ki? maian rahi n rahi, apako kya farq p data hai."

kahate-kahate usaka gala bhar aya. phir jhukakar vah silaee mean lag gee. laga, usaki palakoan ki kor mean aauankhoan ki halki-si rekha jhalak p di hai. magh ka aparadd udhar sham ke aandhere mean khone laga tha. lamahe-bhar mean mahendr ne vinodini ka hath dabakar ruandh aur sajal svar mean kaha, "agar isase mera kuchh big data ho to rukogi."

vinodini ne jhat se hath chhu da liya. tho da sarakakar baith gee. mahendr chauanka. apani antim bat apane hi kanoan mean vyangy- jaisi gooanjati rahi. doshi jibh ko usane daant se kata phir kuchh kahate n bana. ghar mean sannata chhaya tha, tabhi asha a gee. vinodini jhat kah uthi, "khair, tum logoan ne jab meri ak d itani badha rakhi hai, to mera bhi pharz hai ki tum logoan ki ek bat man looan. jab tak vida nahian karoge, maian yahian rahooangi."

pati ki kamayabi se phooli n samati huee asha sakhi se lipat gee. boli- "to phir yahi pakka raha! tin bar kabool karo ki jab tak ham vida nahian karate, tab tak rahogi, rahogi, rahogi." vinodini ne tin bar kabool kiya. asha ne kaha-"bhee kirakiri, rahana to p da, phir nakoan-chane kyoan chabavae? ant mean mere pati se har manani hi p di?"

vinodini hansakar boli- "bhaee sahab, har maianne mani ki tumane mani?"

mahendr ko jaise kath mar gaya ho. lag raha tha, jaise unaka aparadh tamam kamaroan mean bikhara p da hai. usane gambhir hokar kaha- "har to meri hi huee hai." aur vah kamare se bahar chala gaya.

aur doosare hi kshan phir andar aya. akar vinodini se kaha- "mujhe maph kar do!"

vinodini boli- "kya kusoor kiya hai tumane, lalaji?"

mahendr bola- "tumhean yoan zabaradasti yahaan rok rakhane ka hamean koee adhikar nahian."

vinodini hansakar boli- "zabaradasti kahaan ki hai? pyar se sidhi tarah hi to rahane ko kaha- yah zabaradasti tho de hai."

asha solahoan ane sahamat hokar boli- "hargij nahian."

vinodini ne kaha- "bhaee sahab, tumhari ichchha hai, maian rahooan. mere jane se tumhean takaliph hogi- yah to meri khushakismati hai. kyoan bhee kirakiri, aise sahriday duniya mean milate kitane haian? aur du:kh mean dukhi, sukh mean sukhi bhagy se koee mila, to maian hi use chho dakar jane ko kyoan utavali hoooan?"

pati ko chup rahate dekh asha zara khinn man se boli- "batoan mean tumase kaun jite? mere svami to har man ge, ab zara ruk bhi jao."

mahendr phir tezi se bahar ho gaya. udhar bihari kuchh der rajalakshmi se batachit karake mahendr ki or a raha tha. daravaze par jyoanhi bihari par nazar p di, mahendr bol utha- "bhaee bihari, mujh-sa nalayaq duniya mean doosara nahian."

usane kuchh aise kaha ki vah bat kamare mean pahuanch gee.

andar se usi dam pukar huee- "bihari baboo?"

bihari ne kaha- "abhi aya, vinod-bhabhi!"

kamare mean jate hi bihari ne turant asha ki taraph dekha- ghooanghat mean se jitana-bhar dikhaee p da, usamean vishad ya vedana ki koee nishani hi n thi. asha uthakar jane lagi. vinodini use pak de rahi. kaha- "yah to bataean bhaee sahab, meri aauankhoan ki kirakiri se apaka saut ka nata hai kya? apako dekhate hi vah bhag kyoan jana chahati hai?" asha ne sharmakar vinodini ko jhi daka.

bihari ne hansakar kaha- "isalie ki vidhata ne mujhe vaisa khoobasoorat nahian banaya hai."

vinodini- "dekh liya bhee kirakiri, bihari baboo kis qadar bachakar bat karana janate haian! inhoanne tumhari pasand ko dosh nahian diya, diya vidhata ko. lakshman-jaise sulakshan devar ko pakar tujhe adar karana n aya, teri hi takadir khoti hai."

bihari- "is par tumhean agar taras ae vinod-bhabhi, to phir mujhe shikava hi kya rahe!"

vinodini- "samudr to hai hi, phir bhi badaloan ke barase bina chatak ki pyas kyoan nahian mitati?"

asha ko akhir rokakar n rakha ja saka. vah zabaradasti hath chhu dakar chali gee. bihari bhi jana chah raha tha. vinodini ne kaha- "mahendr baboo ko kya hua hai, kah sakate haian ap?" bihari thithak p da. bola- "mujhe to kuchh pata nahian, kuchh hua hai kya?"

vinodini- "pata nahian, mujhe to thik nahian dikhata."

utsuk hokar bihari kursi par baith gaya. poori tarah sun lene ke khyal se vah unmukh hokar vinodini ki or takata raha. vinodini kuchh n boli. man lagakar chadar sine lagi. kuchh der rukakar vah bola, "tumane mahendr mean khas kuchh gaur kiya kya?"

vinodini b de sahaj bhav se boli- "kya janean, mujhe to thik nahian dikhata. mujhe to apani kirakiri ke lie fikr hoti hai."- aur ek lambi usaans lekar vah silaee chho dakar jane lagi. bihari ne vyast hokar kaha- "zara baitho, bhabhi!"

vinodini ne kamare ke sare khi daki-kiva d khol die. lalaten ki batti badha di aur silaee ka saman liye bistar ke us chhor par ja baithi. boli- "maian to yahaan sada rahooangi nahian- mere chale jane par meri kirakiri ka khyal rakhana- vah bechari dukhi n ho."

kahakar man ke udveg ko zabt karane ke lie usane muanh pher liya.

bihari bol p da- "bhabhi, tumhean rahana hi p dega. tumhara apana kahane ko koee nahian- is bholi l daki ko sukh-du:kh mean bachane ka bhar tum lo- kahian tum chho d gee, to phir koee chara nahian." vinodini- "bhaee sahab, duniya ka hal tumase chhipa nahian, maian yahaan sada kaise rah sakata hooan? log kya kaheange?"

bihari- "log jo chahean kahean, tum dhyatan hi mat do! tum devi ho, ek asahay l daki ko duniya ki thokaroan se bachana tumhare hi yogy kam hai."

vinodini ka roaauan-roaauan pulakit ho utha. bihari ke is bhakti-upahar ko vah man se bhi galat manakar thukara n saki, halaanki vah chhalana kar rahi thi. aisa vyavahar use kabhi kisi se n mila tha. vinodini ke aauansoo dekhakar bihari mushkil se apane aauansoo zabt karake mahendr ke kamare mean chala gaya. bihari ko yah bat bilkul samajh mean n aee ki mahendr ne achanak apane-apako nalayaq kyoan kah diya. kamare mean jakar dekha, mahendr nahian tha. pata chala, vah tahalane nikal gaya hai. pahale be-vajah vah ghar se kabhi bahar nahian jaya karata tha. jane-pahachane logoan ke ghar se bahar use b di pareshani hoti. bihari sochata hua dhire-dhire apane ghar chala gaya.

vinodini asha ko apane kamare mean le aee. use chhati se lagakar chhalachhalaee aauankhoan se kaha- "bhee kirakiri maian b di abhagin hooan, b di badashakun."

asha dukhi man se boli- "aisa kyoan kahati ho, bahan?"

subakate bachche ki tarah vah asha ki chhati mean muanh ga dakar boli- "maian jahaan bhi rahooangi, bura hi hoga. mujhe chho d de bahan, chhutti de! maian apane jangal mean chali jaooan." mahendr se bihari ki mulakat n ho saki, isalie koee bahana banakar phir vah vahaan aya taki asha aur mahendr ke bich ki ashanka vali bat ko aur kuchh saf taur se jan sake. vah vinodini se yah anurodh karane ka bahana liye aya ki kal mahendr ko apane yahaan bhojan ke lie ane ko kahe. usane avaz di- "vinod bhabhi." aur bahar se hi batti ki maddham roshani mean gili aauankhoan vali donoan sakhiyoan ko aliangan mean dekhakar vah thithak gaya. achanak asha ke man mean hua ki ho n ho, aj bihari ne zaroor vinodini se kuchh ninda ki bat kahi hai, tabhi vah jane ki bat kar rahi hai. yah to bihari baboo ki b di jyadati hai. ooanhoo achchhe mizaj ke nahian haian. kudhakar asha bahar nikal aee aur bihari bhi vinodini ke prati man ki bhakti ki or badhakar bairang vapas ho gaya. rat ko mahendr ne asha se kaha- "chunni, maian subah ki ga di se banaras chala jaooanga."

asha ka kaleja dhakh se rah gaya. poochha..."kyoan?"

mahendr bola- "kafi din ho ge, chachi se bheant nahian huee."

mahendr ki yah bat sunakar asha sharminda ho gee. use yah isase bhi pahale sochana chahie tha. apane sukh-du:kh ke akarshan mean vah apani snehamayi mausi ko bhool gee. mahendr ne kaha- "apane sneh ki ekamatr thati ko vah mere hi hathoan sauanp gee haian- unhean ek bar dekhe bina mujhe chain nahian milata."

kahate-kahate mahendr ka gala bhar aya. sneh-bhare maun ashirvad aur avyakt mangal-kamana se vah bar-bar apana dayaan hath asha ke mathe par pherane laga. achanak aise um d ae sneh ka marm asha n samajh saki. usaka hriday keval pighalakar aauankhoan se bahane laga. aj hi sham ko sneh-vash vinodini ne use jo kuchh kaha tha, yad aya. in donoan mean kahian yog bhi hai ya nahian, vah samajh n saki. lekin use laga, "yah mano usake jivan ki koee soochana hai. achchhi buri, kaun jane!"

bhay se vyakul hokar usane mahendr ko baanhoan mean jak d liya. mahendr usake nahak sandeh ke avesh ko samajh gaya. bola- "chunni, tum par tumhari punyavati mausi ka ashirvad hai. tumhean koee khatara nahian. tumhari hi bhalaee ke lie vah apana sarvasv chho dakar chali gee-tumhara kabhi koee bura nahian ho sakata."

is par asha ne nidar hokar apane man ke bhay ko nikal pheanka. pati ke is ashirvad ko usane akshay-kavach ke saman grahan kiya. man-hi-man usane mausi ke charanoan ki dhool ko bar-bar apane mathe se lagaya aur ekagr hokar boli- "tumhara ashirvad sada mere svami ki raksha kare."

doosare din mahendr chala gaya. vinodini ne jate samay kuchh n bola. vinodini man mean kahane lagi-'galati khud ki aur gussa mujh par! aisa sadhu-purush to maianne nahian dekha. lekin aisi sadhuta zyada din nahian tikati!'

23

bahut dinoan ke bad achanak mahendr ko ate dekhakar ek or to annapoorna gadgad ho gee aur doosari or unhean yah shanka huee ki shayad asha ki maan se phir kuchh chakh-chakh ho gee hai- mahendr usi ki shikayat par dilasa dene aya hai. chhutapan se hi mahendr musibat p dane par apani chachi ki sharan mean jata raha hai. kabhi kisi par use gussa aya, to chachi ne use shant kar diya aur kabhi use koee takaliph huee to chachi ne dhiraj se sahane ki nasihat di. lekin vivah ke bad se jo sabase b da sankat mahendr par a p da, usake pratikar ki koshish to door rahi- saantvana dene tak mean vah asamarth rahian. isake bare mean jab vah yah samajh gee ki chahe, jaise bhi vah hath dalean, ghar ki ashanti duguni ho jaegi, to unhoanne ghar hi chho d diya. bimar bachcha jab pani ke lie chikhata rota hai aur pani dene ki manahi hoti hai, to dukhiya maan jaise doosare kamare mean chali jati hai, annapoorna thik vaise hi kashi chali gee thian. sudoor tirth mean rahakar dharm-karm mean dhyaman lagakar din-dukhiya ko kuchh bhulaya tha- mahendr kya phir unhian jhag de-jhanjhatoan ki charcha se unake chhipe ghav par chot karane aya hai?

lekin mahendr ne asha ke sambandh mean apani maan se koee shikayat nahian ki. phir to unaki shanka doosari or badhi. jis mahendr ke lie asha ko chho dakar k aaulej tak jana ganvara n tha, vah chachi ki khoj-khabar lene ke lie kashi kaise a pahuancha? to kya asha ke prati usaka akarshan dhila p d raha hai?"

unhoanne poochha- "mere sir ki kasam mahendr, thik-thik batana, chunni kaisi hai?"

mahendr bola- "vah to khase maje mean hai, chachi!"

"ajakal vah karati kya hai, bete! tum log abhi tak vaise hi bachchoan-jaise ho ya ghar-girasti ka bhi dhya n rakhate ho ab?"

mahendr ne kaha- "bachapana to bilkul band hai, chachi! sare jhanjhatoan ki j d to kitab thi- charupath- vah jane kahaan gayab ho gee, ab dhooandhe bhi nahian milati, kahian." -"are, bihari kya kar raha hai?"

mahendr ne kaha- "apana jo kam hai, use chho dakar vah sab-kuchh kar raha hai. patavari-gumashte usaki jayadad ki dekh-bhal karate haian. ve kya dekh-bhal karate haian, khuda jane. bihari ka hamesha yahi hal raha. usaka apana kam doosare log dekhate haian, doosaroan ka kam vah khud dekhata hai.'

annapoorna ne poochha- "vivah nahian karega kya?"

mahendr zara hansakar bola- "kahaan, aisa kuchh to dikhaee nahian p data."

annapoorna ko antar ke gopan-sthan mean ek chot-si lagi.

mahendr ne kabhi mazak se, kabhi gambhir hokar apani girasti ka maujooda hal unhean sunaya, keval vinodini ka koee zikr usane nahian kiya.

k aaulej abhi khula tha. mahendr ka zyada din kashi mean rahane ki guanjaish n thi. lekin sakht bimari ke bad achchhi abohava mean sehat sudharane ki jo tripti hoti hai, kashi mean annapoorna ke pas mahendr ko har roz usi tripti ka anubhav ho raha tha- lihaza din bitane lage. apane-ap hi se virodh ki jo sthiti ho gee thi, vah mit gee. in kee dinoan tak dharmapran annapoorna ke sath rahakar duniyadari ke pharz aise sahaj aur sukh dene vale lage ki mahendr ko unake haua lagane ki pichhali bat hansi u dane- jaisi lagi. use laga- vinodini kuchh nahian. yahaan tak ki usaki shakl bhi vah saph-saph yad nahian kar pata. akhirakar b di dridhata se mahendr man-hi-man bola- 'asha ko mere hriday se bal-bhar bhi khisaka sake, aisa to maian kisi ko, kahian bhi nahian dekh pata.'

usane annapoorna se kaha- "chachi, mere k aaulej ka harj ho raha hai, ab is bar to maian chalooan! tum sansar ki maya chho dakar yahaan a basi ho akele mean, phir bhi anumati do ki bich-bich mean tumhare charanoan ki dhool le jaya karooan!"

kashi se lautakar mahendr ne asha ko jab mausi ke bheje ge snehopahar- ek sindoor ki dibiya aur saphed patthar ka ek lota- diya, to usaki aauankhoan se aauansoo bahane lage. mausi ka vah snehamay dhiraj aur un par apani tatha sas ki phazihatoan ki bat yad ate hi usaka hriday vyakul ho utha. usane mahendr se kaha- "b di ichchha ho rahi hai ki ek bar maian bhi kashi jaooan aur mausi ki kshama tatha charanoan ki dhool le aooan. kya yah mumakin nahian?"

mahendr ne asha ke man ki pi da ko samajha aur is bat par razi bhi hua ki vah kuchh dinoan ke lie apani mausi ke pas jae. lekin phir apani padhaee ka harj karake khud use kashi le jane mean use hichak hone lagi.

asha ne kaha- "meri b di chachiji to jaldi hi kashi jane vali haian. unake sath chali jaooan to kya harj hai?"

mahendr ne jakar rajalakshmi se kaha- "maan, bahoo ek bar chachi se milane ke lie kashi jana chahati hai."

rajalakshmi ne vyang se kaha- "bahoo jana chahati hai, to zaroor jae. jao, unhean le jao!"

bihari rajalakshmi se milane aya, to vah bolian-"are, bihari, suna toone? apani bahoo kashi ja rahi hai?"

bihari bola- "kah kya rahi ho maan, mahendr bhaiya phir padhaee harj karake jaeange?"

rajalakshmi boli- "n-n, mahendr kyoan jaeange? mahendr yahian raheange. bahoo apane b de chacha ke sath jaegi."

bihari bhitar-hi-bhitar pareshan hua. vah sochane laga, "akhir majara kya hai. mahendr kashi gaya to asha yahaan rahi aur vah lauta, to ab asha kashi ja rahi hai. donoan mean kuchh aisa hua hai. akhir aisa kitane din chalega? dost hokar bhi ham isaka koee pratikar nahian kar sakate- door se kh de-kh de tamasha dekhate raheange?"

mata ke vyavahar se b da hi kudhakar mahendr apane kamare mean akar baitha tha. vinodini ne is bich mahendr se bheant nahian ki thi, so asha use bagal ke kamare se yahaan le ane ke lie anurodh kar rahi thi. aise mean bihari aya. usane mahendr se poochha- "asha-bhabhi ka kashi jana tay hua hai?"

mahendr bola- "kyoan n ho, koee a dachan hai?"

bihari bola- "a dachan ki bat kaun kah raha hai! magar achanak tumhare dimag mean yah aya kaise?"

mahendr ne kaha- "apani mausi ko dekhane ki ichchha, parades mean rahane vale atmiy ke lie vyakulata-manav-charitra mean hoti hai."

bihari ne poochha- "sath tum ja rahe ho?"

poochhate hi mahendr ke dimag mean aya, 'b de chacha ke sath bhejana thik nahian- bihari isi par bat karane aya hai.'- zyada bol-chal se kahian gussa n phat p de, isilie usane sankshep mean kaha- "nahian." bihari mahendr ko pahachanata tha. vah naraj hai, yah bihari se chhipa n tha. vah yah bhi janata tha ki usane zid pak d li, to use tas-se-mas nahian kiya ja sakata. isalie usane phir usake jane ka zikr hi n kiya. socha- 'bechari asha agar ji mean koee pir hi chhipae jati ho, to vinodini ke sath jane se use tho di-si rahat milegi.' usane dhire-se kaha- "unake sath vinod-bhabhi jaean, to achchha n rahega?" mahendr chikh utha- "bihari, apane man ki bat kholakar hi kaho! mere sath tedhe-tedhe chalane ki kya zaroorat hai? maian samajh raha hooan, tumhean shubaha hai ki maian vinodini ko pyar karata hooan. galat hai. pyar maian nahian karata. mujhe bachane ke lie pahara dete phirane ki zaroorat nahian. apane ko samhalo!

jahaan par kafi dard ho, vahaan agar koee berahami ke sath paanvoan se masal dale to chot khaya hua adami chot karane vale par jis tarah bina kuchh vichare toot p dana chahata hai- usi tarah ruddh gale se badarang p da chehara liye bihari kursi se uthakar mahendr ki or lapaka-aur, sahasa rukakar kisi tarah bol paya- "eeshvar tumhean kshama karean, maian chala."

l dakh data hua vah kamare se bahar nikal gaya. bagal ke kamare se vinodini jhapatakar aee- "bihari baboo!"

divar ka sahara lie hansane ki koshish karate hue bihari ne kaha- "kya hai, vinod bhabhi!"

vinodini boli- "kirakiri ke sath maian bhi kashi jaooangi."

bihari ne kaha- "nahian-nahian bhabhi, yah n hoga. maian arajoo karata hooan, mere kahane se kuchh mat karana. maian yahaan ka koee nahian hota, yahaan ki kisi bhi bat mean maian dakhal nahian dena chahata. tum devi ho, jo tumhean thik janche, vahi karana! maian chala."

vinodini ko namrata se namaskar karake bihari jane laga.

vinodini boli- "maian devi nahian hooan bhaee sahab, suno to sahi. tum chal doge, to kisi ka bhala n hoga. phir mujhe dosh mat dena!"

bihari chala gaya. mahendr thaga-sa baitha raha.

vinodini bijali-si kataksh karati huee bagal ke kamare mean chali gee jahaan asha mare sharm ke mari-si ja rahi thi. bihari use pyar karata hai- mahendr ke muanh se aisa sunakar vah muanh nahian utha pa rahi thi. lekin us samay us par vinodini ko daya na aee. asha ne agar nigah uthakar dekha hota, to vah dar jati. sare sansar par mano khoon chadh aya tha vinodini ka jhooth! beshak vinodini ko koee bhi nahian pyar karata.

avesh mean vahi jo ek bar mahendr ke muanh se nikal p da tha ki maian nalayaq hooan, usake bad jab vah avesh jata raha to apane us achanak ubal p dane ki vahaj se bihari se vah sakucha gaya tha. use lag raha tha ki usaki sari batean khul gee haian. vah vinodini ko pyar nahian karata, phir bhi bihari ka khyal hai, pyar karata hai. jo kudhan badh rahi thi, aj vah achanak bhabhak p di.

lekin bagal ke kamare se vinodini dau dati aee, aur usane bihari ko rokane ki koshish ki aur bihari ke kahe mutabiq vah kashi jane ko taiyar ho gee- yah sab mahendr ki kalpana ke bhi bahar tha. is drishy ne mahendr ko ek chot pahuanchakar abhibhoot kar diya. usane kaha tha ki vah vinodini ko pyar nahian karata; lekin jo kuchh suna, jo kuchh dekha, usane use chain n lene diya- mahendr ne socha, galat, maian vinodini ko pyar nahian karata. shayad pyar n bhi karata hooan, magar kahana ki nahian karata hooan yah to aur bhi kathin hai. isase chot n pahuanche, aisi stri kaun hai? isake prativad ki guanjaish kaise ho?

mahendr ne baks se nikalakar usaki tinoan chitthiyaan ko phir se padha. vah man-hi-man bola- "isamean koee sandeh nahian ki vinodini mujhe pyar karati hai. magar kal vah bihari ke samane is tarah kyoan aee? shayad mujhe dikhane ke hi lie. maianne jab saf jata diya ki maian use pyar nahian karata, to phir kisi mauke se mere samane pyar ko thukarae nahian to aur kya kare? ho sakata hai, mujhase is tarah thukaraee jane par vah bihari ko pyar bhi karane lage."

mahendr ko is tarah kshobh badh chala ki apani utavali se vah ap hi acharaj mean p d gaya. dar utha. aur, vinodini ne sun hi liya to kya ki mahendr use pyar nahian karata? isamean dosh bhi kya? aauandhi ane par nav ki janjir jaise langar ko kasakar pak dati hai, vaise hi akulahat mean mahendr ne asha ko aur bhi kasakar pak da.

rat ko mahendr ne asha ka muanh apani chhati se lagakar poochha- "chunni, thik batao, tum mujhe kitana pyar karati ho?"

asha sochane lagi- "yah saval kaisa! bihari ke bare mean jo sharmanak bat nikali hai, kya usi se us par sandeh ki aisi chhaya p di?"

vah sharm se muee-si hokar boli- "chhi:, aj yah kya poochh rahe ho tum! tumhare pair p dati hooan, saf batao, mere pyar mean tumhean kab kya kami dikhaee di?"

use satakar usaka madhury nicho dane ki niyat se mahendr bola- "phir tum kashi kyoan jana chahati ho?"

asha boli- "maian nahian jana chahati. kahian bhi nahian jaooangi maian."

mahendr- "lekin chaha to tha pahale?"

asha bahut dukhi hokar boli- "tumhean pata hai, maianne kyoan chaha tha?"

asha boli- "hargij nahian, maje se rahane ke lie nahian jana chahati thi maian."

mahendr ne kaha- "sach kahooan chunni, aur kisi se vivah kiya hota to tum isase kahian zyada sukhi hoti."

sunate hi chauankakar asha mahendr se chhitak p di aur takie mean muanh ga dakar kath ki mari-si p di rahi. kuchh hi kshan mean usaki rulaee roke n ruki. saantvana dene ke lie mahendr ne use kaleje se lagane ki koshish ki, par asha takie se chipaki rahi. pativrata ke aise roothane se mahendr sukh, garv aur dhikkar se kshubdh hone laga.

vinodini sochane lagi, 'akhir aisi tohamat lagae jane par bihari ne prativad kyoan nahian kiya? usane jhootha prativad bhi kiya hota, to mano vinodini ko khushi hoti. thik hi hua ki mahendr ne bihari par aisi chot ki. yah usaka pavana hi tha. akhir bihari- jaisa adami asha ko pyar kyoan karega? is chot ne bihari ko door jo hata diya, mano vah achchha hi hua'-vinodini nishchint ho gee. lekin mrityu-ban se biandhe bihari ka raktahin pila mukh da vinodini ke har kam mean usake pichhe-pichhe ghoomata-sa raha. vinodini ke andar jo ek seva parayan nari-prakriti thi, vah us katar chehare ko dekhakar rone lagi.

do-tin din tak vah sabhi kamoan mean anamani rahi. akhir usase n raha gaya. usane ek santvana patr likha-

"bhaee sahab, tumhara jo sookha chehara dekha, hai, tab se maian hriday se yahi kamana karati hooan ki tum bhale-change ho jao, jaise tum the, vaise hi ho jao- tumhari vah sahaj hansi phir kab dekhooangi- vah udar batean phir kab sunooangi; ek pankti mean apani kushal mujhe likh bhejo!- tumhari vinodini, bhabhi."

daraban ke marphat chitthi usane bihari ko bhej di.

bihari asha ko pyar karata hai, is bat ko mahendr is rookhaee aur is behayaee se juban par la sakata hai.- bihari ne yah kabhi svapn mean bhi n socha tha. kyoanki usane khud bhi kabhi aisi bat ko dil mean jagah n di thi.

lekin bat jab ek bar muanh se nikal p di, to ekabaragi mar to nahian dala ja sakata. usamean sachchaee ka bij jitana tha, dekhate-hi-dekhate vah akurane laga. ab usane khud ko kasooravar samajha. man-hi-man bola- "mera gussa karana to shobha nahian deta, mahendr se maphi maangakar vida leni hogi. us roz maian kuchh is tarah chala aya tha, mano mahendr doshi hai, maian vicharak hooan... apani yah galati mujhe kabool karani p degi."

bihari samajh raha tha, asha chali gee hai. ek din sham ko vah dhire-dhire jakar mahendr ke daravaze par jakar kh da hua. rajalakshmi ke door ke rishte ke mama sadhucharan par nazar p di. kaha- "kee dinoan se idhar a nahian saka-sab kushal to hai?"

sadhucharan ne kushal kahi. bihari ne poochha- "bhabhi kashi kab geean?"

sadhucharan ne kaha- "kahaan, gee kahaan? unaka jana ab n hoga."

yah sunakar bihari sab-kuchh bhoolakar andar jane ko bechain ho utha. pahale vah jaise grahan bhav se khushi-khushi apanoan-sa parichit sidhiyoan se andar jaya karata tha, sabase hansata-bolata tha, ji mean kuchh hota n tha, aj usaki manahi thi, durlabh tha vah- isaki yad ate hi usaka man pagal ho gaya. bas ek bar, keval antim bar isi tarah andar jakar parivar ke sadasy-sa rajalakshmi se ghooanghat nikale asha- bhabhi se do batean- matr kar ana usake lie param akaanksha ka vishay ban baitha.

sadhucharan ne kaha- "are, aandhere mean kh de kyoan rah ge, andar ao!"

bihari tezi se do-char dag ki taraph badha aur mu dakar bola- "nahian, chalooan maian, kam hai." aur jaldi se laut gaya.

usi rat bihari pashchim ki or kahian chala gaya.

bihari ghar par nahian mila- daraban vinodini ki chitthi lekar laut aya. mahendr dayodhi ke samane vale bagiche mean tahal raha tha. usane poochha- "kisaki chitthi hai?" daraban ne bataya. mahendr ne usase chitthi le li. ek bar to ji mean aya, chitthi vah vinodini ko de ae- kuchh kahe nahian, sirph vinodini ka lajjit chehara dekh ae. use isamean zara bhi shak n tha ki khat mean lajja ki bat zaroor hai. yad aya, pahale bhi ek bar usane bihari ko chitthi bheji thi. akhir khat mean hai kya, yah jane bina mano usase raha hi n gaya. usane apane- apako samajhaya, 'vinodini usi ki dekh-rekh mean hai, usake bhale-bure ka vahi zimmedar hai. lihaza aise sandeh vale khat ko kholakar dekhana vazib hai. vinodini ko galat raste par hargiz nahian jane diya ja sakata. kholakar mahendr ne us chhoti-si chitthi ko padha. vah sahaj bhasha mean likhi thi, isalie usamean man ka sachcha udveg phoot p da tha. mahendr ne use bar-bar padha. khoob socha, magar samajh nahian saka ki vinodini ka jhukav hai kis taraph. use rah-rahakar yahi ashanka hone lagi, chooanki maianne yah kahakar usaka apaman kiya hai ki maian use pyar nahian karata, isilie roothakar vah apane man ko aur taraph lagana chahati hai. isake bad mahendr ke lie dhiraj rakhana asambhav ho utha. jo l daki apane-apako usake hathoan sauanp dene ke lie aee thi, vah mahaj zara-si galati se usake kabje se nikal jaegi. yah sochakar mahendr bhitar-hi-bhitar sulagane lagi. man mean socha, 'vinodini man-hi-man agar tujhe chahati hai, to usaki khair jano-kyoanki vah ek jagah bandhi rahegi. apane man ka to mujhe pata hai, maian us par kabhi julm nahian kar sakooanga... vah mujhe nishchint hokar pyar kar sakati hai. maian asha ko pyar karata hooan, mujhase use koee khatara nahian. yadi vah aur kisi taraph khianchi to kya anarth hoga, vah kaun janata hai?" mahendr ne nishchay kiya, 'apane ko prakat kie bina kisi-n-kisi tarah phir se vinodini ko apani or khianchana hi p dega.'

andar jate hi mahendr ne dekha, vinodini bich mean hi kh di utsukata se kisi ka intazar kar rahi hai aur mahendr ka man dah se jal utha. bola- "nahak intazar mean kh di hai, bheant nahian hone ki. yah lijie, apaki chitthi laut aee."

kahakar usane chitthi usaki or pheank di.

vinodini boli- "khuli kyoan?"

mahendr javab die bina hi chala gaya. 'bihari ne chitthi kholakar padhi aur koee javab n dekar chitthi vapas bhej di' yah sochakar vinodini ki sari nasean dap-dap karane lagian. usane chitthi le jane vale daraban ko bulava bheja. vah aur kahian chala gaya tha- n mila. chirag ki kor se jaise garam tel ki booandean tapak p dati haian- band kamare mean vinodini ki damakati huee aauankhoan se aauansuoan mean tapak ge. usane apani chitthi ke tuk de kar dale, phir bhi use chain n mila. syahi ki un do-char lakiroan ko bhoot aur vartaman se poanchh dalane ki, qatee manahi kar dene ki guanjaish kyoan nahian? gusse mean aee madhumakkhi jis prakar har samane p dane vale ko kat khati hai- usi prakar kshubdh vinodini apane charoan or ki duniya ko jala dalane par amada ho gee. maian jo bhi chahati hooan, usi mean rukavat? kisi bat mean kamayabi nahian!

25

us din phagun ki pahali basanti bayar bah aee. b de dinoan ke bad asha sham ko chhat par chataee bichhakar baithi. madhdim roshani mean ek masik patrika mean chhapi huee ek dharavahik kahani padhane lagi. ek jagah jab kahani ka nayak kafi dinoan bad pooja ki chhutti mean apane ghar laut raha tha ki dakaitoan ke changul mean phans gaya. asha ka dil dh dak utha. idhar thik usi samay nayika sapana dekhakar roti huee jag p di. asha ke aauansoo roke n ruke. vah kahaniyoan ki b di udar samalochak thi. jo bhi kahani padhati, vah use achchhi lagati. vinodini ko bulakar kahati, "bhee aauankh ki kirakiri, mere sir ki kasam rahi, is kahani ko padh dekhana. aisi hi hai! padhakar rote-rote bedam!"

vinodini ki achchhe-bure ki kasauti se asha ke umang, utsah ko b di chot pahuanchati.

mahendr ko vah kahani padhane ka nishchay karake gili aauankhoan se usane patrika band ki. itane mean mahendr a gaya. mahendr bola- "chhat par akeli kis bhagyavan ko yad kar rahi ho?"

asha nayak-nayika ki bat bhool gee. unase poochha-"aj tumhari tabiyat kuchh kharab hai kya?"

mahendr- "nahian, tabiyat thik hai."

asha- "phir tum man-hi-man jo kuchh soch rahe ho mujhe saph-saph batao."

asha ke dibbe mean se ek pan nikalakar khate hue mahendr ne kaha- "maian yah soch raha tha ki tumhari bechari mausi ne n jane kab se tumhean nahian dekha. achanak hi ek din tum vahaan pahuanch jao to ve kitani khush ho jaean."

asha ne koee javab n diya. usaki or takati rahi. vah samajh n saki ki ekaek phir kyoan yah bat mahendr ke man mean aee.

asha ko chup dekhakar mahendr ne poochha- "tumhari jane ki ichchha nahian hoti kya?"

is bat ka javab dena kathin tha. mausi se milane ki ichchha bhi hoti hai aur mahendr ko chho dakar jane ka dil bhi nahian chahata. asha boli- "k aaulej ki chhuttiyaan hone par jab tum chaloge to maian bhi sath chalooangi."

mahendr- "chhuttiyoan mean bhi jane ki guanjaish nahian hai. imtahan ki taiyari karani hai."

asha- "phir rahane do. n hi gee to kya?"

mahendr- "rahane kyoan de? tumane jana chaha tha, jao!"

asha- "nahian, meri ichchha jane ki nahian hai."

mahendr- "abhi-abhi us din to aisi zabaradast ichchha thi aur achanak hi vah ichchha gayab ho gee!"

asha nazar jhukae baithi rahi.

vinodini se sulah ke lie mauqa dhooandhate hue mahendr ka man bhitar-hi-bhitar adhir ho utha tha. asha ko chupachap dekhakar nahak hi use gussa a gaya. bola-"mujh par tumhean kisi tarah ka shubaha hua hai kya ki aauankhoan ki nigarani mean rakhana chahati ho mujhe?" asha ki svabhavik namrata, komalata aur dhirajata mahendr ki bardasht se bahar ho gaya. apane-ap bola- "mausi ke yahaan jane ki ichchha hai.- yah kaho ki maian jakar hi rahooangi, jaise bhi ho. kabhi haan, to kabhi nahian, kabhi chup-yah kya karati rahati ho?"

mahendr ki aisi rukhaee se asha acharaj mean p di dar gee, lakh koshish karane par bhi use koee javab n soojha. yah samajh hi n pati thi ki kyoan mahendr kabhi to itana adar karata hai aur phir achanak be-raham-sa ban jata hai. is tarah asha ke lie mahendr jitana hi durbodh banata jata, asha utana hi dh dakate kaleje se, bhay aur pyar se use zyada jak dati jati.

vah mahendr par shak kare, use aauankhoan ki nigarani mean rakhana chahati hai. yah koee kathor upahas hai ki nirday sandeh! kasam khakar isaka prativad karana zaroori hai ki use hansakar tal jae?

asha thi aur ab bhi chup rahate dekhakar adhir mahendr tezi se uthakar chala gaya. phir kahaan to raha kahani ka nayak aur kahaan gee nayika. sooryast ki abha aandhere mean kho gee, saanjh vali basanti bayar jati rahi aur sard hava chalane lagi. phir bhi asha usi chataee par leti rahi.

jab bahut der bad vah kamare mean gee, to dekha, mahendr ne use bulaya bhi nahian, so gaya hai. man mean aya, snehamayi mausi ki taraph se use udasin dekhakar mahendr man-hi-man shayad usase ghrina karata hai. khat par jakar asha ne usake donoan pair pak d liye. isase mahendr karuna se vigalit ho gaya aur usane use khianch lene ki koshish ki. lekin asha bilkul n uthi. usane kaha-"mujhase koee kusoor hua ho, to mujhe maph karo!"

mahendr ne pighalakar kaha- "tumhara koee kusoor nahian hai, chunni! maian hi b da pakhandi hooan, isalie nahak hi maianne tumhean chot pahuanchaee."

is par asha ki aauankhean barasati huee mahendr ke pairoan ko bhigone lagian. mahendr uth baitha. apani baanhoan mean use kasakar pas mean sulaya. rulaee ka veg kuchh kam hua to asha boli- "bhala mausi ko dekhane jane ko ji nahian chahata mera? lekin tumhean chho dakar jane ka man nahian hota. isi se jana nahian chahati. tum isase naraz mat ho."

asha ke gile galoan ko dhire-dhire poanchhate hue mahendr ne kaha- "bhala yah bhi koee naraz hone ki bat hai? tum mujhe chho dakar nahian ja sakati, is par maian naraj hoooan? khair, tumhean kahian nahian jana p dega."

asha ne kaha- "nahian, maian kashi zaroor jaooangi."

mahendr- "kyoan?" asha- "maian tum par sandeh kar rahi hooan isalie nahian jati- jab yah bat ek bar tumhare muanh se nikal gee, to kuchh dinoan ke lie mujhe jana hi p dega."

mahendr- "pap maianne kiya hai aur prayashchit tumhean karana p dega?"

asha- "maian nahian janati- lekin kahian-n-kahian pap mujhase hua hai, nahian to aisi batean uthati hi nahian. jin batoan ko maian khvab mean bhi nahian soch sakati, akhir ve batean kyoan sunani p d rahi haian."

mahendr- "isalie ki maian kitana bura hooan, isaka tumhean pata nahian."

asha ne pareshan hokar kaha- "phir! aisa n kaho, magar kashi ab maian zaroor jaooangi."

mahendr ne hansakar kaha- "to jao! lekin tumhari nazaroan ki ot mean maian agar big d jaooan to?"

asha boli- "itana darane ki zaroorat nahian... manoan maian is vichar mean hi ghabara rahi hooan."

mahendr- "lekin sochana chahie. laparavahi se apane aise svami ko agar tum biga d do, to dosh kise dogi?"

asha- "dosh kam-se-kam tumhean n dooangi, bephikr raho!"

mahendr- "aise mean apana dosh man logi?"

asha- "hazar bar man looangi."

mahendr- "thik hai. to kal maian tumhare b de chachaji se milakar sab tay kar aooanga."

aur mahendr ne kaha, "rat bahut ho gee." karavat badalakar vah so gaya.

zara der bad phir idhar palatakar achanak kah utha-"chunni, rahane bhi do. n bhi jaogi to kya ho jaega?"

asha boli- "phir manahi kyoan? ab agar ek bar maian ja n paee, to mere badan se tumhari vah jhi daki hamesha lagi rahegi. do hi char din ke lie sahi, mujhe bhej do!"

mahendr bola- "achchha."

vah phir karavat badalakar so gaya.

kashi jane se ek din pahale asha ne vinodini ke gale se lipatakar kaha- "bhee kirakiri, mera badan chhookar ek bat batao!"

vinodini ne asha ka gal daba diya. kaha- "kaun-si?"

asha- "pata nahian ajakal. tum kaisi to ho gee ho. mere pati ke samane tum nikalana hi nahian chahatian."

vinodini- "kyoan nahian chahati, yah kya too nahian janati? us din mahendr baboo ne bihari baboo se jo kuchh kaha, toone apane kanoan nahian suna? jab aisi batean hone lagian, to phir kamare mean kya nikalana!"

'thik nahian hai'- asha yah samajh rahi thi aur ye batean kaisi sharmanak haian, philahal usane apane man se yah bhi samajha hai. to bhi boli- "batean to aisi jane kitani uthati haian, unhean agar bardasht nahian kar sakati to phir pyar kya! tumhean yah sab bhoolana p dega!"

vinodini- "thik hai, bhool jaooangi."

asha- "maian kal kashi ja rahi hooan. tumhean isaka khyal rakhana hoga ki unhean koee takaliph n ho. jaise bhagati-phirati ho, aisa karane se n chalega."

vinodini chup rahi. usaki hatheli dabakar asha ne kaha- "mere sir ki kasam, vah vachan to tumhean dena hi p dega."

vinodini boli- "achchha."