आँख की किरकिरी उपन्यास भाग-4

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

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26

ek or chaand doobata hai, doosari aur sooraz ugata hai. asha chali gee lekin mahendr ke nasib mean abhi tak vinodini ke darshan nahian. mahendr dolata-phirata, jab-tab kisi bahane maan ke kamare mean pahuanch jata- lekin vinodini use pas ane ki koee mauqa hi n deti.

mahendr ko aisa udas dekhakar rajalakshmi sochane lagi- 'bahoo chali gee, isilie mahendr ko kuchh achchha nahian lagata hai.'

ab mahendr ke sukh-dukh ke lihaz se maan gair jaisi ho gee hai. halaanki is bat ke jahan mean ate hi use marmaantak hua! phir bhi vah mayank ko udas dekhakar chintit ho gee.

unhoanne vinodini se kaha- "is bar inaphlooeanja ke bad mujhe dama-jaisa kuchh ho gaya hai. bar-bar sidhiyaan chadhakar mujhase oopar jate nahian banata. mahendr ke khane-pine ka khyal tumhian ko rakhana hai, bitiya!

usaki hamesha ki adat hai, kisi ke jatan ke bina mahendr rah nahian sakata. dekho to, bahoo ke jane ke bad use pata nahian kya ho gaya hai. aur bahoo ki bhi balihari, vah chali gee!" vinodini boli- "zaroorat kya hai, bua!"

rajalakshmi bolian- "achchha, koee zaroorat nahian. mujhase jo ho sakega, vahi karooangi."

aur vah usi samay mahendr ke oopar vale kamare ki jha d-poanchh karane jane lagi. vinodini kah uthi- "tumhari tabiyat thik nahian, tum mat jao! maian hi jati hooan. mujhe maph karo bua, jaisa tum kahogi, karooangi." rajalakshmi logoan ki batoan ki qatee paravah nahian karati. pati ki mrityu ke bad se duniya aur samaj mean unhean mahendr ke sivay aur kuchh nahian pata. vinodini ne jab samaj ki ninda ka ishara kiya, to vah khijh uthian. janm se mahendr ko dekhati aee hai, usake jaisa bhala l daka milata kahaan hai? jab koee usaki alochana karata to rajalakshmi se rah n jata unhean lagata ki isi pal usaki jaban gal kyoan nahian rahi!

mahendr k aaulej se lauta aur aj apane kamare ko dekhakar tajjub mean p d gaya. daravaza kholate hi chandan aur dhoop ki khushaboo se ghar mahak utha. masahari mean reshami jhalar bichhaune par dhap-dhap dhuli chadar aur purane takie ke bajay doosara reshami phool kadha chaukor takiya- usaki khoobasoorat kadhaee vinodini ki kafi dinoan ki mehanat ka phal tha. asha usase poochha karati thi- 'ye chizean too banati akhir kisake lie hai kirakiri?' vinodini hansakar kahati- 'apani chita ki sej ke lie. maran ke siva apane suhag ke lie hai bhi kaun?'

divar par mahendr ki jo tasvir thi, usake phrem ke charoan konoan par b di kushalata se reshami gaanthean baandhi gee thian- niche ki tipaee par phooladaniyoan mean guladaste- mano mahendr ki pratimoorti ko kisi ajane bhakt ki pooja mili ho. kul milakar ghar ki shakl hi badal gee thi. khat pahale jahaan thi, vahaan se tho di khisaki huee thi. kamare ko do hissoan mean baant diya gaya tha. khat ke pas ki do b di alamariyoan mean kap de dalane se ek ot jaisi ho gee thi, jisase pharsh par baithane ka bichhauna aur rat ko sone ki khat alag-alag ho gee thi. kaanch ki jis alamari mean asha ki shaukiya sajavat thi, khilaune the, usamean ke kaanch par andar se lal kap da j d diya gaya tha. ab kuchh n dikhata tha. kamare ke purane itihas ki jo bhi nishani thi, ne hath ki nee sajavat se vah dhak gee thi.

thaka-maanda mahendr pharsh ke saph-suthare bichhaune par let gaya. takiyoan par matha rakhate hi ek mithi-si khooshaboo mili- takie ki ruee se nagakesar ka parag aur kuchh itr dala gaya.

mahendr ki aauankhean jhap aeean. laga, is takie par jin hathoan ki kala-kushalata ki chhap p di hai, mano usi ki champa-kali-si aguliyoan ki sugandh a rahi hai.

itane mean chaandi ki tashtari mean phal-phool aur kaanch ke gilas mean barf dala anannas ka sharbat liye naukarani aee.

mahendr ne b di tripti se khaya. bad mean chaandi ke dibbe mean pan lekar vinodini aee. boli- "idhar kee din maian khane ke samay n a payi, maph karana! aur jo chahe so karo, magar mere sir ki kasam rahi, meri aauankh ki kirakiri ko yah mat likh bhejana ki tumhari dekh-bhal thik se nahian ho rahi hai. jahaan tak mujhase banata hai, karati hooan."

vinodini ne pan ka dibba mahendr ki taraph badhaya. pan mean bhi aj kev de ki khushaboo thi.

mahendr ne kaha- "seva-jatan ke mamale mean kabhi-kabhi aisi kami rahana bhi achchha hai."

vinodini boli- "kyoan bhala?"

mahendr ne kaha- "bad mean ulahana dekar byaj samet vasoolane ki guanjaish rahati hai."

"mahajanaji, sood kitana?" mahendr ne kaha- "khane ke samay hazir n rahian, to bad mean hazir hone ke bad bhi bakaya rah jaega."

vinodini boli- "aisa k da hisab hai tumhara ki dekhati hooan, tumhare hathoan p d jane par chhutakara nahian."

mahendr ne kaha- "hisab k da to use kahate haian jab vasoola ja sake. yadi vasool hi n pao to hisab to rakhana apane pas?"

vinodini ne kaha- "vasool karane yogy hai bhi kya! magar kaid to kar hi rakha hai."

aur mazak ko ekaek ganbhir banate hue usane ek lambi saans chho di.

mahendr ne bhi gambhir hokar kaha- "to yah kaidakhana hai, kyoan?"

aise mean roz ki tarah baira tipaee par batti rakh gaya.

achanak aauankh par roshani p di, to hath ki ot karake nazar jhukae vinodini ne kaha- "kya pata bhee, batoan mean tumase kaun jite? maian chali." mahendr ne achanak kasakar usaka hath pak d liya. kaha- "bandhan jab man hi liya, to phir jaogi kahaan?"

vinodini boli- "chhi: chho do! jisake bhagane ka koee rasta nahian, use baandhane ki koshish kaisi!"

zabaradasti hath chhu dakar vinodini chali gee. mahendr sugandhit takie par sir rakhe bichhavan par p da raha. usake kaleje mean khalabali mach gee. sooni saanjh, soona kamara-nav vasant ki bayar- vinodini ka man mano pak d mean aya- aya; laga mahendr ab apane ko sanyamit nahian kar paega. jaldi se usane batti bujha di, daravaza band kar liya aur samay se pahale hi bistar par so gaya. bichhavan bhi to yah pichhale vala nahian. char-paanch gadde p de the. kafi narm. ek khushaboo yahaan bhi. agaru ki, khas ki ya kahe ki thi, thik-thik samajh mean n aee. mahendr bar-bar is-us karavat letane laga- mano koee bhi purani ek nishani mile ki use jak d le. magar kuchh bhi hath n aya.

rat ke nau baje daravaze par dastak p di. bahar se vinodini ne kaha- "bhaee sahab, apaka bhojan! daravaza kholie!"

mahendr jaldi se utha aur daravaza kholane ke lie kuandi par hath lagaya. lekin daravaze ko khola nahian, pharsh par pat p d gaya. bola- "nahian, mujhe bhookh nahian hai."

bahar se ghabarahat-bhari avaj- 'tabiyat to kharab nahian hai? pani la dooan? aur kuchh chahie?"

mahendr ne kaha- "nahian mujhe nahian chahie."

vinodini boli- "apako hamari kasam. kya hua batao! achchha chalo tabiyat kharab hai to kuandi to kholo." mahendr ne zor se kaha- "uanhooan! nahian kholooanga. tum jao."

mahendr phir jakar apane bistar par let gaya aur asha ki smriti ko sooni sej par tatolane laga.

lakh koshish karane par bhi jab niand n aee, to davat-kalam lekar asha ko khat likhane baitha. likha, 'asha, ab aur zyada din mujhe akela mat chho do-tumhare n rahane se hi meri sari pravrittiyaan janjir to dakar mujhe n jane kahaan khianch le jana chahati haian. jisase rah dekh-dekhakar chalooan vah roshani kahaan? vah roshani to tumhari vishvas-bhari aauankhoan ki premapoorn drishti hai. meri mangal, dhruv, tum jaldi chali ao! mujhe avichal banao, mujhe bachao, mere hriday ko bhar do.'

mahendr n jane kab tak likhata raha. door, aur door ke kee girajoan ki gh diyoan mean tin baje. kalakatta ki s dakoan par ga diyoan ki gh dagh dahat tham chuki thi, muhalle ke us chhor par kisi nati ke kanth se vihag ki jo tan uth rahi thi, vah bhi sari duniya par phaili huee shaanti aur niand mean bilkul doob gee. asha ko hriday se yad karake aur man ke aveg ko lambe patr mean zahir karake mahendr ko kafi rahat mili aur letate hi use niand ane mean der n lagi.

subah usaki niand khuli to bela ho aee thi. kamare mean dhoop a rahi thi.

mahendr jaldi se uth baitha, rat ki batean man mean halki ho gee thian. dekha, rat ki likhi chitthi davat se dabi tipaee par p di hai. use phir se padh gaya. use laga-'are, yah kiya kya maianne! yah to mano upanyas ka vrittaant ho gaya. ganimat kaho ki bheji nahian. kya sochati asha man mean! adhi to vah samajhati hi nahian.'

rat ko jo aveg behisab badh gaya tha, usaki yad ate hi mahendr sharmasar ho gaya. chitthi ke tuk de-tuk de karake pheank die. saral bhasha mean asha ko ek chhota-sa patr likha- "aur kitani der karogi tum? tumhare b de chacha ke ane mean agar vilamb ho, to mujhe vaisa likho. maian khud akar tumhean le jaooanga. akele mujhe achchha nahian lag raha hai."

27

mahendr vapas a gaya aur kuchh hi dinoan mean asha kashi pahuanch gee, isase annapoorna ko b di ashanka huee. asha se vah tarah-tarah ke saval poochhane lagi- "kyoan ri chunni, aur teri vah aauankh ki kirakiri! teri ray mean jisake mukabale doosari gunavanti nahian?"

"sach mausi, maianne badhakar bilkul nahian kaha hai. jaisi budhdi, vaisa hi roop! kam-kaj mean utani hi kushal."

"teri to sakhi thahari. too to gunavanti bataegi hi. ghar ke aur doosare log kya kahate haian?"

"maan to usaki tariph karate nahian thakatian kabhi. jab bhi vah apane ghar jane ko kahati hai, maan pareshan ho uthati haian. usake jaisi seva koee nahian kar sakata. ghar ki naukar-naukarani bhi bimar p d jaean, to maan-si, bahan-si usaki seva karati hai."

"aur mahendr ki kya ray hai?"

"unhean to tum janati hi ho, nihayat apana koee n ho to unhean nahian janchata. har koee use chahata hai, lekin unase ab tak thik patari nahian baithi." "so kyoan?"

"jor-jabaradasti maian kabhi mila bhi deti hooan, par bol-chal lagabhag band hi samajho! kitane kam bolane vale haian, maloom hi hai tumhean! log samajhate haian, danbhi haian. magar bat vaisi nahian, do-ek khas-khas adamiyoan ke siva auroan ko ve bardasht nahian kar pate."

aantim bat kahakar asha ko achanak laj lagi-donoan gal tamatama uthe. annapoorna khush hokar man-hi-man hansi. boli- "thik kahati ho, mahendr jab aya tha yahaan, usaka nam kabhi usaki jaban par bhi n aya."

asha ne dukhi hokar kaha- "yahi unamean khami hai. jise nahian chahate vah mano hai hi nahian. use mano n kabhi dekha, n jana." shaant snigdh muskan se annapoorna ne kaha- "aur jise chahata hai, mano janm-janmaantar usi ko dekhata-janata raha hai, yah bhav bhi usamean hai, hai n chunni?"

asha ne uttar n dekar najar jhuka li.

annapoorna ne poochha- "aur bihari ka kya hal hai, chunni? vah shadi karega hi nahian?"

sunate hi asha ka chehara gambhir ho gaya. vah soch hi n paee ki kya javab de.

asha ko niruttar dekhakar annapoorna ghabara gee. poochha- "sach-sach bata chunni, bihari bimar-vimar to nahian hai."

asha ne kaha- "dekh mausi, unaki bat unhian se poochh.'

acharaj se annapoorna ne kaha- "kyoan?"

asha boli- "yah maian nahian bata sakati." kahakar vah kamare se bahar chali gee.

annapoorna chupachap baithi sochane lagi- hire jaisa l daka bihari, kaisa ho gaya hai ki usaka nam sunate hi chunni uthakar bahar chali gee. kismat ka pher!

saanjh ko annapoorna pooja par baithi thian ki koee ga di bahar akar ruki. ga divan ghar vale ko pukarata hua daravaze par thapaki dene laga. pooja karati huee annapoorna bol uthi- "are lo! maian to bhool hi gee thi ekabaragi. aj kuanj ki sas aur usaki bahan ki do l dakiyoan ke ane ki bat thi ilahabad se. shayad a geean sab. chunni batti lekar daravaza khol jara!"

lalaten liye asha ne daravaza khol diya. bahar bihari kh da hai. vah bol utha- "are yah kya bhabhi, maianne to suna tha, tum kashi nahian aogi?"

asha ke hath se lalaten chhoot gee. use mano bhoot dikh gaya. ek saans mean vah dutalle par bhagi aur ghabarakar chikh p di- "mausi! tumhare pair p dati hooan maian, inase kah do, aj hi chale jaean." pooja ke asan par annapoorna chauank uthian. kaha- "are, kinase kah dooan chunni, kinase?"

asha ne kaha- "bihari baboo yahaan bhi a ge!"

aur bagal ke kamare mean jakar usane daravaza band kar liya.

niche kh de bihari ne sab sun liya. vah ulte paanvoan bhag jane ko taiyar ho gaya- lekin pooja chho dakar annapoorna jab niche utar aeean to dekha, bihari daravaze ke pas zamin par baitha hai- usake sharir ki sari shakti chali gee hai.

vah roshani nahian le aee thian. aandhere mean bihari ke chehare ka bhav n dekh sakian, bihari bhi unhean n dekh saka.

annapoorna ne avaz di- "bihari!"

bihari ka bebas sharir e di se choti tak bijali ki chot se chauank p da. bola- "chachi, bas aur ek shabd bhi n kaho, maian chala."

bihari ne zamin par hi matha teka, annapoorna ke paanv bhi n chhue. maan jis tarah gangasagar mean bachche ko dal ati hai, annapoorna ne usi tarah rat ke us aandhere mean chup-chap bihari ka visarjan kiya- palatakar use pukara nahian. dekhate-hi-dekhate ga di bihari ko lekar ojhal ho gee.

asha ne usi rat mahendr ko patr likha- "aj sham ko ekaek bihari yahaan ae the. b de chacha kab tak kalakatta lauteange, thikana nahian. tum jaldi akar mujhe yahaan se le jao?"

28

us din rat tak jagate rahane aur bhari aveg ke karan subah mahendr mean ek avasad tari tha. phagun ke adhabich-garmi p dani shuroo ho gee thi. aur savere mahendr apane sone ke kamare ke ek or baithakar padhata tha. aj vah takie ke sahare pharsh par p da raha. bela ho aee, nahane nahian gaya. raste mean pheri vale avaz lagate hue guzarane lage. daftar jane vali ga diyoan ki aviram g dag dahat. p dosi ka naya makan kh da ho raha tha. mazadoorinean chhat ki kutaee ki tal par ek svar se gane lagian. halki garm dakkhini bayar se mahendr ki dukhati nasean shithil ho aee thian. koee kathin nishchay, koee durooh cheshta, man se joojhana aj ke is alasae gire-gire se vasant ke din ke layaq n tha.

"bhaee sahab, aj ho kya gaya tumhean? nahaoge nahian, khana taiyar hai. are, so rahe ho. tabiyat kharab hai? sir du:kh raha hai?"- aur, pas akar vinodini ne usake mathe par hath rakha. adhamuandi aauankhoan aur l dakh daee avaz mean mahendr ne kaha- "aj tabiyat kuchh achchhi nahian- nahaooanga nahian aj."

vinodini boli- "n nahaoge, to tho da-sa kha lo!"

zid karake vinodini use rasoee mean le gee aur b de jatan aur agrah se khilaya.

kha-pikar mahendr phir akar let gaya. vinodini usake sirahane baithakar dhire-dhire sir dabane lagi! aauankhean band kie mahendr ne kaha- "tumane abhi khaya nahian hai, bhee kirakiri! jao, kha lo!" magar vinodini n gee. alasaee dopahari ke garm jhoankoan se ghar ke parade u dane lage, divar ke pas vale nariyal ke pe d ki bemani maramarahat kamare mean ane lagi. mahendr ka kaleja jor-jor se thirakane laga aur vinodini ka ghana ni:shvas usi tal par mahendr ke kapal par p de baloan ko nachata raha. kisi ke bhi gale se ek shabd n nikala. mahendr sochane laga- "or-chhor-hin is sansar ke anant srot mean baha ja raha hooan, jara der ke lie kabhi kahian nav agar kinare par lage to usase kisi ka kya ata-jata hai, aur kitane dinoan ke lie!"

sirahane baithi mahendr ka sir sahalati vinodini ka sir vihnal yauvan ke bhar se dhire-dhire jhuka ja raha tha aur ant tak usaki latoan ki nok mahendr ke kapol ko chhoone lagi. hava se hilati huee latoan ke komal sparsh se usaka sara sharir rah-rahakar kaanp uthane laga, saans mano kaleje ke pas ruk gee, bahar nikalane ki rah n mili. mahendr jhatapat uth baitha. bola- "n meri klas hai. k aaulej chalooan!" kahakar vah vinodini ki taraph take bina kh da ho gaya.

vinodini boli- "pareshan n ho, kap de maian la deti hooan."

jakar vah mahendr ke k aaulej jane ke kap de le aee.

mahendr jaldi-jaldi chala gaya, lekin k aaulej mean man n laga. der tak padhane mean ji lagane ki koshish ki magar bekar. akhir jaldi hi ghar laut aya.

kamare mean dakhil hua to dekha, pet ke niche takiya rakhe zamin par baithi vinodini koee kitab padh rahi hai-ghane kale baloan ka dher usaki pith par bikhara p da hai. mahendr ke jootoan ki avaz shayad use sunaee nahian di. pair dabakar mahendr usake qarib ja kh da hua. padhate-padhate usane vinodini ko ek dirgh-ni:shvas chho date hue dekha.

mahendr ne kaha- "ari o karunamayi, kalpana ki duniya ke lie hriday ki phijoolakharchi mat karo! padh kya rahi ho?"

ghabarakar vinodini uth baithi. kitab apane aauanchal mean chhipa li. mahendr ne jhapatakar chhinane ki koshish ki. der tak hathapaee, chhina-jhapati ke bad mahendr ne vinodini se kitab chhin li. dekha bankim baboo ki likhi 'vishavriksh' thi. jaldi-jaldi saans leti huee gusse mean muanh pherakar vinodini chup ho rahi.

mahendr ke kaleje mean behad uthal-puthal machi thi. b di koshish ke bad vah hansakar bola- "ja, behad chhaka diya. maianne socha tha, kuchh b di hi gopaniy chiz hogi aur paha d khodane ke bad nikali kya, chuhiya hi n! bankim baboo ka 'vishavriksh'?"

vinodini boli- "mere pas bhala kya gopaniy ho sakata hai, sunooan to zara."

mahendr phat se kah utha- "kahian bihari ki chitthi aee hoti!"

pal mean vinodini ki nigah se bijali chhitak p di. ab tak mano kamadev kamare ke kone mean khilava d kar raha tha- vah mano doosari bar jalakar rakh ho gaya. jalati huee ek lapat ki tarah vinodini lamahe-bhar mean uth kh di huee. usaki kalaee pak dakar mahendr ne kaha-"maph karo, maianne mazak kiya tha."

vinodini ne tezi se apani kalaee chhu da li aur kaha- "mazak akhir kisaka! unase maitri ke yogy hote, to maian mazak sah leti. tumhara dil b da chhota hai- maitri karane ki jurrat nahian, phir mazak!" vinodini chalane lagi. mahendr ne donoan hathoan se usake pair tham liye.

thik isi samay samane ek chhaya dikhi. mahendr ne chauankakar usake pair chho d die. dekha, bihari kh da tha.

bihari ne apani sthir drishti se donoan ko jalate hue shaant aur dhir svar se kaha- "b de bemauke a pahuancha maian. khair! zyada der thaharana nahian hai. ek bat kahani thi. maian kashi gaya tha. pata nahian tha ki bhabhi vahaan haian. anajane unake prati yah kasoor ho gaya. unase maphi maangane ka avasar nahian hai, so tumase maangane aya hooan. jane-anajane agar kabhi mere man ko koee pap chhoo gaya ho, to usake lie unhean bhi koee du:kh n sahana p de, tumase yahi meri vinati hai."

achanak bihari ke samane usaki kamazori zahir ho gee, isase mahendr ka man dahak utha. abhi udar banane ka mauqa n tha. vah zara hansakar bola, "ek kahavat hai- thakur ghar mean kaun? to maianne kela nahian khaya. tumhara thik vahi hal hai. maianne n to tumhean dosh manane ko kaha, n inkar karane ko hi. phir maphi maangakar sadhu banane kyoan ae?"

bihari kuchh der kh da raha. phir javab dene ki joradar koshish se usake hoth kaanp uthe, to vinodini bol p di- "bihari baboo, tum koee javab mat do- kuchh mat kaho! yah adami jo kuchh bhi jaban par laya, vah usi ke muanh ka kalank ho raha hai- vah kalank tumhean nahian chhoo paya hai."

jane vinodini ka kaha bihari ke kanoan tak pahuancha ya nahian- jaise svapn mean chalata ho, vah vahaan se sidhiyoan par hokar niche utarane laga.

vinodini pichhe lagi huee gee. kaha- "bhaee sahab, mujhase tumhean kuchh bhi nahian kahana hai? jhi dakana ho to jhi dako!"

bihari phir bhi jab kuchh n bola aur age hi badhane laga to vinodini ne age akar donoan hathoan se daean hath ko kasakar pak d liya. behad napharat se use jhatakakar bihari chala gaya. use yah bhi n maloom hua ki us jhatake se vinodini gir p di. girane ki avaz sunakar mahendr dau da aya. vinodini ke baean hath ki kohani phoot gee thi. lahoo bah raha tha.

mahendr bola- "uph, kafi kat gaya hai!" aur apane mahin kurate se tho da-sa kap da pha dakar mahendr ne vahaan patti baandh deni chahi.

vinodini ne jhat apana hath hata liya. kaha- "ooanhooan, chho d do. lahoo bahane do!"

mahendr ne kaha- "patti baandhakar ek dava deta hooan- dard jata rahega, ghav jaldi thik ho jaega."

vinodini khisak gee. boli- "maian dard mitana nahian chahati- yah jakhm rahe."

mahendr ne kaha- "aj betab hokar doosare ke samane maianne tumhari hethi ki hai, maph kar sakogi mujhe?"

vinodini boli- "maphi kis bat ki? thik kiya hai. maian kya kisi se darati hooan? maian kisi ko nahian manati! jo mujhe dhakka dekar gira jate haian, vahi kya apane sab haian aur jo pair pak dakar khianchate hue rok rakhana chahate haian, ve koee nahian?"

mahendr unmatt-sa gadgad svar mean bola- "vinodini! to mere prem ko tum pairoan se thukaraogi nahian?"

vinodini ne kaha- "sir-aauankhoan rakhooangi. zindagi mean mujhe itana zyada to nahian mila ki maian 'nahian chahie' kahakar lauta dooan."

mahendr ne phir to donoan hathoan se usake donoan hath thamakar kaha- "to phir mere kamare mean chalo! aj maianne tumhara dil dukhaya hai- tum bhi mujhe chot pahuanchakar chali aee ho, yah malal jab tak mit nahian jata, mujhe n khane mean chain hai, n sone mean."

vinodini boli- "aj nahian. aj chho d do mujhe. agar maianne takaliph pahuanchaee ho to maph karana!"

mahendr bola- "tum bhi maph kar do mujhe, varana rat maian so nahian sakooanga."

vinodini boli- "maianne maph kar diya."

usi dam vinodini se pyar aur kshama ka nidarshan pane ke lie mahendr vyagr ho utha. lekin usake muanh ki or nazar p date hi vah thithak gaya. vinodini niche utar gee aur vah bhi chhat par tahalane laga. aj achanak bihari ke samane usaki chori pak di gee, isase usake man mean mukti ki ek khushi aee. chori-chupake mean ek ghinaunapan hai, vah ghinaunapan mano ek adami ke pas prakat hone se bahut had tak jata raha. man-hi-man vah bola- 'khud ko bhala batakar maian ab yah jhooth nahian chalana chahata- lekin maian pyar karata hooan, pyar karata hooan- yah bat jhoothi nahian hai.' apane prem ke garv se usaki ak d itani badh gee ki khud ko manakar vah ak d mean garv ka anubhav karane laga.

29

doosare din sokar uthate hi ek mithe aveg se mahendr ka hriday paripoorn ho gaya. prabhat ki sunahali kiranoan ne mano usaki sabhi chinta-vasana par sona pher diya. kitani pyari hai prithvi, kitana achchha akash! phool ke parag jaisi hava mano usake man ko u da le jane lagi.

savere-savere mridang-majire liye vaishnav bhikhari ne gana shuroo kar diya tha. daraban unhean khade dane laga. mahendr ne daraban ko jhi daka aur bhikhari ko ek rupaya de diya. baira batti lekar laut raha tha. laparavahi se usane batti gira di. choor-choor ho gee. mahendr ko dekhakar to usake pran kooch karane lage. mahendr ne lekin daant nahian bataee. kaha- "vahaan achchhi tarah se jhadoo laga de, kisi ko kaanch n chubh jae." aj koee nukasan use nukasan jaisa n laga.

ab tak prem parde ke pichhe nepathy mean chhipa baitha tha. ab samane akar usane parada utha diya hai. mano sare sansar par se parada utha gaya. roz-roz ki dekhi-suni duniya ki sari tuchchhata gayab ho gee. pe d-paudhe, rah chalate log, shahar ki chahal-pahal... aj sab-kuchh jaise anokha ho! sansaravyapi yah navinata ab tak akhir thi kahaan!

use lagane laga, aj vinodini se aur dinoan- jaisa sadharan milan n hoga. aj subah se vah betab ghoomata raha- k aaulej n ja saka. jane milan ki gh di achanak kab a jae- yah to kisi patr mean likha nahian.

ghar ke dhandhoan mean juti vinodini ki avaz kabhi bhandar se, kabhi rasoee se mahendr ke kanoan mean pahuanchane lagi. aj yah use achchha n laga. aj man-hi-man vinodini ko usane sansar se bahut door le jakar sthapit kiya tha.

samay kate nahian kat raha tha. mahendr ka khana-pina chuk gaya. ghar ke kam-dhandhoan se chhutti huee. dopahar sunasan ho gee. magar vinodini ka pata nahian. du:kh aur sukh, betabi aur ummid mean mahendr ke man ke sitar ke sare tar jhanajhanane lage.

kal jisake lie chhina-jhapati huee thi, vah 'vishavriksh' kitab pharsh par p di thi. use dekhate hi chhina-jhapati ki yad ho aee aur mahendr ke man mean pulakan bhara avesh jag gaya. kal vinodini ne jis takie par apana sir rakha tha, use qarib khianchakar mahendr ne us par apana matha rakha. p da-p da 'vishavriksh' ke panne palatane laga. jane kab kitab mean ji lag gaya aur kab paanch baj ge, pata nahian.

itane mean ek muradabadi thali mean phal-mithaee aur ek tashtari mean barph-chini dal khushaboo-basa kharabooza liye vinodini aee. mahendr se boli- "kar kya rahe haian! akhir bat kya hai, paanch baj ge aur n tumane muanh-hath dhoya, n kap de badale!"

mahendr ke man mean ek dhakka-sa laga. use kya hua hai, yah bhi poochhane ki bat hai? mahendr khane laga. vinodini jaldi se mahendr ke chhat par sookhate kap de lakar tah karane aur apane kushal hathoan se unhean alamari mean karine se rakhane lagi.

mahendr ne kaha- "jara-ruko to sahi, kha looan, phir maian bhi tumhara hath bantata hooan."

vinodini ne hath jo dakar kaha- "duhaee hai, aur chahe jo karo, hath mat bantana!"

mahendr kha chuka to uthakar bola- "achchha, mujhe nikamma samajhati ho khair, ho jae aj imtahan!"

aur mahendr ne nahak hi kap de tah karane ki koshish ki.

vinodini boli- "janabeman, ap rakh dijie. mera kam mat badhaie!"

mahendr bola- "to tum kam kie jao, maian dekh-dekhakar sikhooan."

vah alamari ke samane vinodini ke pas jakar baith gaya. vinodini kap de jha dane ke bahane kabhi-kabhi mahendr ki pith par unhean patakakar dhang se tah lagane aur sahejane lagi.

aur is tarah aj ka milan shuroo hua. t dake se uthakar mahendr ne jaisi kalpana kar rakhi thi, us anokhepan ka koee abhas hi nahian. mahendr phir bhi dukhi n hua, balki use tho da aram mila. apane kalpanik adarsh ko kis tarah vah roop deta, usaka dhang kya hota, kya kahata, kya jatata, tay nahian kar pa raha tha. kap de sahejane ke is hansi-mazak mean mano apane gadhe ek asambhav aur kathin adarsh se use mukti mili.

itane mean rajalakshmi aee. kaha- "mahendr, bahoo kap de sahej rahi hai, too vahaan baitha kya kar raha hai?"

vinodini boli- "zara dekho to sahi bua, nahak hi mere kam mean der kar rahe haian."

mahendr bola- "are re! maian to madad kar raha tha."

rajalakshmi bolian- "hay meri takadir! too aur madad, sunati hai bahoo, isaki sada ki yahi adat hai. maan chachi ke la d mean pala- kabhi jo apane hath se tinaka bhi hilae!"

vinodini se jab bhi batachit hoti sirph yahi ki isaka kya kiya jae! yah to har bat mean apani maan ka muanh dekhata rahata hai. vah usaki seva ka bhar vinodini par dalakar nishchint thian, vah isase bhi khush thi ki mahendr ne vinodini ki maryada samajhi hai. mahendr ko suna-sunakar vah bolian- "bahoo, aj tumane mahendr ke garam kap de dhoop mean sukha liye, kal usake ne roomaloan mean usake nam ka haraph tumhean kadh dena p dega. jab se tumhean sath le aee hooan, adar-jatan to kuchh kiya nahian, bas kam mean hi pareshan karati rahi."

vinodini ne kaha- "aisa kahogi bua, to maian samajhooangi tum mujhe paraee samajhati ho."

dular se rajalakshmi ne kaha- "aha bitiya, tumhari-jaisi apani aur hai kaun meri?"

vinodini kap de sahej chuki. rajalakshmi ne poochha- "to ab chini ka siraka chadha dooan ki aur koee kam hai tumhean?"

vinodini boli- "nahian bua, aur koee kam nahian hai. chalo mithaiyaan bana looan chalakar."

mahendr bola- "abhi-abhi to tum rona ro gee ki ise kam se hi pareshan karati rahi aur phir turant kam ke lie khianche liye ja rahi ho." vinodini ki tho di pak dakar rajalakshmi ne kaha- "meri rani bitiya ko to kam karana hi pasand nahian hai."

mahendr bola- "aj maianne soch rakha tha, isake sath koee kitab padhooanga baithakar kyoanki mere pas koee kam nahian tha."

vinodini ne kaha- "thik hai bua, sham ko ham donoan bhaee sahab ka padhana suneangi- kyoan?"

rajalakshmi ne socha- "mahendr b da akela p d gaya hai- use bahalae rakhana zaroori hai." boli- "haan, thik to hai. khana banakar sham ham log padhana sunane aean?"

kanakhiyoan se vinodini ne ek bar mahendr ko dekh liya. vah bola- "achchha." lekin use koee utsah nahian rah gaya. vinodini rajalakshmi ke sath-sath chali gee.

naraj hokar mahendr ne socha- "thik hai, maian bhi kahian chala jaooanga aur der se lautooanga." aur samay usane bahar jane ke lie kap de badale. b di der tak vah chhat par tahalata raha, bar-bar zine ki taraph takata raha aur ant mean kamare mean jakar baith gaya. khijhakar man-hi-man bola 'aj maian mithaee nahian khaooanga. maan ko yah bata dooanga ki der tak chini ke ras ko ubalate rahane se usamean mithas nahian rahati.'

mahendr ko bhojan karane ke samay aj vinodini rajalakshmi ko sath le aee. dam phoolane ke dar se ve oopar nahian ana chahati thian. mahendr bahut gambhir hokar khane baitha. vinodini boli- "are yah kya bhaee sahab, tum to aj kuchh kha hi nahian rahe ho."

pareshan hokar rajalakshmi ne poochha- "tabiyat to kharab nahian?"

vinodini boli- "itane jatan se mithaiyaan banaee, kuchh to khani hi p deangi. thik nahian banian shayad. to phir rahane do. zid par khana bhi kya! rahane do!"

mahendr bola- "achchhi musibat mean dal diya hai! mithaee hi khane ki ichchha zyada hai aur achchhi lag bhi rahi hai; tum roko bhi to sunane kyoan laga bhala." donoan hi mithaiyaan mahendr ras lekar kha gaya.

khana ho gaya, to tinoan mahendr ke kamare mean a baithe. rajalakshmi ne kaha- "toone kaha tha n, koee kitab padhega. shuroo kar n!" mahendr bola- "magar usamean dharm aur devataoan ki koee bat nahian hai. tumhean achchhi nahian lagegi."

achchhi nahian lagegi! jaise bhi ho, achchhi to rajalakshmi ko lagani hi thi. mahendr chahe kisi bhasha mean padhe, use achchhi lagani hi thi. ah, bechara mahendr, bahoo kashi chali gee hai.- akela p d gaya hai. use jo achchha lagega, vah maan ko achchha kyoan nahian lagega?

vinodini boli- "ek kam kyoan nahian karate bhaee sahab, bua ke kamare mean "shanti-shatak" p da hai, aj vahi padhakar sunao. bua ko bhi achchha lagega aur sham bhi maje mean kategi."

mahendr ne b de hi karun bhav se ek bar vinodini ki taraph dekha. itane mean kisi ne akar khabar di-"maanji, lalain akar apaka intazar kar rahi haian."

lalain rajalakshmi ki jigari dost hai. sham ko unase gap-shap karane ka lobh chho d sakana unake lie asambhav hai. phir bhi vah naukarani se bolian-"unase jakar kah, aj mujhe mahendr se kuchh kam hai. kal magar zaroor ae. maian unaki pratiksha karooangi."

mahendr jhatapat bol utha- "tum unase mil kyoan nahian ati ho? maan!"

vinodini boli- "n ho to tum ruko bua; maian hi balki unake pas jati hooan."

rajalakshmi pralobhan n chho d sakian. bolian- "bahoo, tab tak tum yahaan baitho-dekhooan, maian agar unhean rukhsat karake a paooan. padhana shuroo karo tum log. meri pratiksha ki zaroorat nahian hai."

rajalakshmi ka kamare se bahar jana tha ki mahendr se aur n raha gaya. kah utha- "jan-boojhakar kyoan tum mujhe is tarah pareshan karati ho?"

vinodini ne acharaj se kaha- "maianne kya sataya tumhean! mera ana gunah hai kya? to phir kya zaroorat hai, maian jati hooan."

aur vah naraj-si hokar uthane lagi.

mahendr ne usaka hath pak d liya. bola- "isi tarah se to tum mujhe jalaya karati ho."

vinodini ne kaha- "achchha, mujhe kisi bat ki khabar n thi ki mujhamean itana tej hai. aur tumhari jan to kam kathin nahian hai, behad jhel sakate ho. shakl se to samajhana mushkil hai ki kafi jale-jhulase ho."

mahendr ne kaha- "shakl se kya samajhogi?"- aur zabaradasti vinodini ka hath khianchakar apani chhati se laga liya.

vinodini 'uphh' kar uthi zor se. mahendr ne jhat usaka hath chho d diya. poochha- "dard ho gaya kya?"

kal usaka hath jahaan se kat gaya tha, vahaan se phir rakt bahane laga.

afasos se mahendr ne kaha- "galati ho gee, maian bhool gaya tha. lekin maian aj vahaan par patti baandhakar hi rahooanga."

vinodini boli- "nahian-nahian, kuchh nahian hua. dava maian nahian lagati."

mahendr bolian- "kyoan?"

vinodini ne kaha- "tumhari d aauktari ki mujhe zarurat nahian. jaisa hai, vaisa hi rahe."

mahendr turant gambhir ho gaya. man-hi-man bola-"aurat ka man samajh pana bahut hi mushkil hai."

vinodini uth kh di huee. roothe mahendr ne rokane ki koshish n ki. keval poochha- "ja kahaan rahi ho?"

vinodini boli- "kam hai."

kahakar vah dhire-se chali gee.

mahendr ek minat to baitha raha, phir use lautane ke lie tezi se lapaka. lekin sidhi tak hi badhakar laut aya aur chhat par jakar tahalane laga. vinodini pratipal use khiancha bhi karati, magar pas nahian phatakane deti. koee use jit nahian sakata, mahendr ko is bat ka naz tha. is naz ko aj usane tilaanjali de di. lekin auroan ko vah jit sakata hai kya-usaka yah garv bhi ab nahian rahane ka? aj usane har man li, par hara n saka. dil ki babat mahendr ka sir sada ooancha raha tha, vah apana sani nahian samajhata tha- lekin usi bat mean use apana sir mitti mean ga dana p da. apani jo ooanchaee usane kho di, usake badale kuchh paya bhi nahian.

phagun-chait mean bihari ki zamiandari se sarasoan ke phool ka shahad ata hai aur har sal vah rajalakshmi ke lie shahad bheja karata tha. is bar bhi bhej diya.

shahad ka mataka vinodini khud rajalakshmi ke pas le gee. kaha- "bua, bihari bhaee sahab ne bhijavaya hai."

rajalakshmi ne use bhandar mean rakh dene ko kaha. boli- "bihari baboo, tum logoan ki khoj-khabar mean kabhi nahian chookate. bechare ki maan nahian, tumhean hi maan manate haian."

rajalakshmi bihari ko mahendr ki aisi ek chhaya samajha karati thian ki usake bare mean vishesh kuchh janati n thian. vah usaka bina dam ka, bina jatan ka aur bina chinta ka pharamabaradar tha. vinodini ne unhean usaki maan ke bare mean jo bataya, vah bat unake marm ko chhoo gee. sahasa unhean laga- 'sach hi, bihari ki maan nahian, vah mujhe hi maan manata aya hai. yad aya, du:kh pareshani mean, rog-shok mean bina bulae, bihari sada chupachap nishtha ke sath unaki seva karata aya hai. un sevaoan ko rajalakshmi ni:shvas-prashvas ki tarah grahan karati rahi haian aur unake lie kisi ke prati kritajnata prakat karane ki bat unake man mean bhi n aee. lekin bihari ki khoj-khabar kisi ne n rakhi? annapoorna jab tak thian, khoj-khabar rakhati thian.' rajalakshmi socha karati thian ki bihari ko vash mean rakhane ke lie annapoorna adambar phailati hai. usaans lekar rajalakshmi ne kaha- "bihari kokh ke l dake-jaisa hi hai."

kahate hi unake ji mean aya ki bihari apane l dake se bhi zyada karata hai aur usane apani bhakti sada ek-si rakhi. khyal ate hi ek lamba ni:shvas barabas unake antar se nikal p da. vinodini boli- "unhean tumhare hath ki rasoee b di priy hai."

sneh-bhare garv se rajalakshmi bolian- "machhali ka shoraba to use aur kisi ke hath ka ruchata hi nahian."

kahate-kahate use yad aya- "udhar bahut dinoan se bihari nahian aya."

vinodini ne kaha- "yahi to maian soch rahi thi, bua! magar vivah ke bad apake bete bahoo ko lekar is qadar doob ge haian ki hit-mitr koee akar bhi kya kare?" bat rajalakshmi ko thik lagi. bivi ko pakar mahendr ne apane sare hitaishiyoan ko door hata diya. bihari ka roothana to thik hi hai- ae bhi kyoan vah? bihari ko apani hi jamat ka adami samajhakar usake prati unaki sanvedana badh gee. vah vistar se vinodini ko batane lagi ki chhutapan se bihari ne bina kisi svarth ke mahendr ka kitana upakar kiya hai, usake lie kitani bar kitani takaliphean jheli haian usane- aur, bete ke lie unhean apani jo shikayat thi, bihari ke vivaran se vah usaka samarthan karane lagi. kuchh dinoan mean apani bahoo ko pakar mahendr agar apane sada ke sathi ki aisi upeksha kare, to duniya mean nyay-dharm phir kahaan raha?

vinodini boli- "kal ravivar hai. tum bihari baboo ko bhojan par amantrit karo. vah khush ho jaega."

rajalakshmi bolian- "thik kaha tumane mahendr ke hath se kahakar kisi se nyota bhijava dete haian."

vinodini- "nahian, nyota tum khud bhejo, bua."

rajalakshmi- "tumhari tarah maian kya likhana-padhana janati hooan."

vinodini- "n sahi, tumhari taraph se maian hi likhe deti hooan."

rajalakshmi ke nam se vinodini ne khud likhakar nyota bheja.

ravivar mahendr ke b de agrah ka din hota. pichhali rat se hi usaki kalpana uddam ho uthati- jo ki aj tak usaki ummid ke anuroop hua kuchh bhi n tha. to bhi itavar ke savere ki abha usaki aauankhoan mean amrit barasane lagi. jage hue shahar ki sari halachal anokhe sangit- jaisi usake kanoan mean pravesh karane lagi.

magar majara kya hai? aj koee vrat hai maan ka? aur din jaisa karati rahi haian, aj to vah ghar ke kam-kaj ka khas bhar vinodini par sauanpakar nishchint nahian hai. aj khud bhi bahut vyast haian ve. isi hangame mean das baj ge. is bich kisi bhi bahane mahendr ek pal ke lie bhi vinodini se n mil saka. kitab mean man lagana chaha, bilkul n laga. akhabar ke ek vijnapan par nahak hi pandrah minat tak nazar g dae raha. akhir n raha gaya. niche gaya. dekha, maan khud rasoee kar rahi haian aur kamare mean aauanchal baandhe vinodini unaki madad kar rahi hai. mahendr ne poochha- "bat kya hai aj? b di dhoom-dham hai."

rajalakshmi bolian- "bahoo ne bataya nahian tumhean? aj bihari ko khane ke lie bulaya hai."

"bihari ko nimantran!" mahendr ko sunakar bahut kharab laga. usane turant kaha- "maian ghar par nahian rahooanga maan." rajalakshmi- "kyoan?"

mahendr- "mujhe bahar jana hai."

rajalakshmi- "kha-pikar jana. zyada der n hogi."

mahendr- "mujhe bhojan ke lie nimantran hai."

kanakhiyoan se use dekhakar vinodini boli- "davat hai, to jane do, bua! n ho bihari baboo akele hi kha leange."

lekin apane hath se jatan se pakaean aur mahendr n khae, yah unhean kaise bardasht ho! vah jitana bhi agrah karane lagian, mahendr utana hi talane laga.- is tarah naraj mahendr ne maan ko saza dene ki thani. rajalakshmi ki ichchha huee, rasoee chho dakar chal dean. vinodini bolian- "tum fikr n karo, bua- bhaee sahab yah sab bekar ki batean kar rahe haian- aj vah davat par hargiz nahian jaeange."

rajalakshmi gardan hilakar bolian. "nahian-nahian bitiya, tum mahendr ko nahian janatian. vah ek bar jo tay kar leta hai, usase nahian digata." lekin sabit yahi hua ki vinodini mahendr ko rajalakshmi se kam nahian janati. mahendr ne samajha tha ki bihari ko vinodini ne hi nyota bhijavaya hai. isase usaka ji dah se jitana jalane laga, utana hi usake lie bahar jana kathin ho gaya. bihari kya karata hai, vinodini kya karati hai, yah dekhe bina vah bhala jie kaise? dekhakar jalana hi p dega, phir bhi dekhana zaroori tha. aj bahut dinoan ke bad ek nimantrit atmiy ki tarah bihari mahendr ke ant:pur mean aya. chhutapan se hi jo ghar usaka jana-pahachana raha hai, ghar ke l dake hi tarah jahaan usane bachapan ki shararatean ki haian, usi dvar par akar aj vah thithak gaya. usake antar ke daravaze par aauansoo ki ek lahar um d uthane ke lie aghat karane lagi. us chot kase pikar hothoan mean hansi liye andar gaya aur turant nahakar aee rajalakshmi ko pranam karake unake charanoan ki dhool li. jin dinoan bihari haradam vahaan aya-jaya karata tha, aise pranam ki pratha n thi. aj mano vah sudoor pravas se ghar lauta ho. pranam karake uthate hi sneh se rajalakshmi ne usake sir par sparsh kiya.

aj gahari sanvedanaoan ke sath rajalakshmi ne bihari ke prati pahale se zyada sneh jataya. kaha- "bihari, too itane dinoan se yahaan kyoan nahian aya? maian roz hi sochati thi, aj zaroor aega, magar tera pata nahian?"

bihari ne hansakar kaha- "roz ata hota, to maan roj tum apane bihari ko yad nahian karatian. kahaan haian mahendr bhaiya?"

rajalakshmi udas hokar bolian- "jane kahaan aj davat hai usaki, ruk n saka."

sunakar bihari ka man pareshan ho gaya. 'chhutapan ki maitri ka akhir yah aanjam? ek lamba ni:shvas chho dakar man se sare vishad ko hata dene ki koshish karata hua bola- "achchha, kya-kya bana hai." aur vah apane priy vyanjanoan ki bat poochhane laga.

itane mean mahendr ne akar sookhe svar mean poochha-"bihari, kaise ho?"

rajalakshmi bolian- "davat mean nahian ge?"

sharm chhipate hue mahendr bola- "nahian, gaya."

vinodini nahakar aee, to pahale to bihari kuchh bol hi n saka. vinodini aur mahendr ko jis roop mean vah dekh gaya tha, vah hriday mean aankit hi tha. vinodini usake qarib akar boli- "kyoan bhaee sahab, mujhe bhool ge haian kya?"

bihari bola- "sabako pahachana ja sakata hai kya?"

vinodini ne kaha- "agar tho da-sa vichar ho to ja sakata hai."

aur usane bua ko pukarakar kaha- "bua, khana taiyar hai."

mahendr aur bihari khane baith ge. rajalakshmi pas baithakar dekhane lagian.

mahendr ka dhyaran khane par n tha. vah parosane ke pakshapat par gaur kar raha tha. use laga, bihari ko bhojan parosate hue vinodini ko mano ek khas anand mil raha hai. bihari ki pattal par hi dahi ki malaee aur rohoo machhali ka sir dala gaya. par chooanki vah mezaban tha isalie shikayat ki koee guanjaish nahian thi. mausam n hone par bhi tapasi machhali mil gee thi. unamean se ek thi ande vali. vinodini use bihari ki pattal par parosane ja rahi thi ki usane kaha- "mahendr bhaiya ko do, unhean b di priy hai yah."

mahendr tikhi dabi khijh se bol utha- "nahian-nahian, mujhe nahian chahie."

vinodini ne doosari bar usase anurodh nahian kiya aur use bihari ki pattal par dal diya.

khana khatm hua. donoan dost bahar nikale. vinodini akar boli, "bihari baboo chale mat jana, chalie, oopar ke kamare mean baithie zara der." bihari ne poochha- "aur tum nahian khaogi."

vinodini boli- "aj mera ekadashi ka vrat hai."

tikhe vyangy ki ek halki hasy-rekha bihari ke hothoan ke kinaroan par khel gee.

hansi ki yah lakir vinodini ki nigah se chhipi n rahi, lekin jis tarah vah hath ke jakhm ko sah gee thi- ise bhi pi gee. nihora karati huee boli- "mere sir ki kasam, chalo, baitho!" mahendr achanak ajib dhang se garm ho utha. bola-"akl se to koee vasta hi nahian- kam-dham p da rahe, khva hish ho ya n ho, baithana hi p dega. itani zyada khatiradari ka matalab meri samajh mean nahian aya." vinodini thathakar hans p di. boli- "bhaee sahab, khatiradari shabd ka kosh mean doosara koee matalab nahian."

phir mahendr se kaha- "kahane ko chahe jo kaho bhaee sahab, khatiradari ka matalab chhutapan se jitana tum samajhate ho, shayad hi koee samajhata ho." bihari bola- "mahendr bhaiya, ek bat hai, sun jao jara!"

bihari ne vinodini se vida n maangi aur mahendr ke sath bahar chala gaya. baramade par kh di vinodini chupachap soone aauangan ko takati rahi.

bahar jakar bihari ne kaha- "bhaiya, ek bat ka maian khulasa karana chahata hooan, hamari dosti kya yahian khatm ho gee?"

us samay mahendr ke kaleje mean ag lag rahi thi. vinodini ka vyangy bijali ki lapat-sa usake dimag ke ek sire se doosare sire tak lapakata hua bar-bar use vedha raha tha. vah bola- "is bat ke phaisale se shayad hi tumhean kuchh labh ho, par mere lie yah kamy nahian. apani duniya mean maian kisi bahari adami ka pravesh nahian chahata. ant:pur ko maian ant:pur rakhana chahata hooan." bihari ne kuchh nahian kaha. chala gaya.

eershya ke dah se jarjar mahendr ne ek bar pratijna ki- "vinodini se maian nahian milooanga." aur phir usase milane ki ummid mean vah ghar-bahar, oopar-niche chhatapatata hua chakkar katata raha. asha ne ek din annapoorna se poochha- "achchha mausi, mausaji tumhean yad ate haian?"

annapoorna bolian- "mahaj gyarah sal ki umr mean maian vidhava huee, pati ki soorat mujhe chhaya-si dhuandhali yad hai." asha ne poochha- "phir tum kisaki bat sochati ho?"

annapoorna hansakar bolian- "ab maian un bhagavan ki yad karati hooan jinamean mere pati haian."

asha ne poochha- "isase tripti hoti hai?"

sneh se asha ke mathe par hath pherate hue annapoorna ne kaha- "mere man ki too kya samajhegi bitiya!"

asha apane man mean sochane lagi- "aur maian jinaki bat athoan pahar socha karati hooan, ve kya mere man ki nahian janate! maian thik se chitthi nahian likh sakati, isilie unhoanne mujhe patr likhana band kyoan kar diya?" idhar kuchh dinoan se use mahendr ki chitthi nahian mili. ek usaans lekar asha ne man mean socha- 'is vakt meri aauankh ki kirakiri pas rahi hoti, to mere man ki bat chitthi mean thik-thik likh deti.' 'achchhi tarah se n likhi gee chitthi ka koee mol pati ke lie n hoga', yah sochakar asha ne chitthi nahian likhi. jitana hi jatan se likhana chahati utana hi chitthi big d jati. man ki batoan ko jitana hi sulajha-sahejakar likhana chahati, usaki panktiyaan poori n p datian. agar sirph ek shabd, 'mere devata', likhane se hi antaryami ki naeean mahendr sab-kuchh samajh sakata, to asha ka patr likhana sarthak ho sakata tha. eeshvar ne prem diya hai, tho di-si bhasha kyoan n di?

sandhyar ki arati ke bad annapoorna mandir se lautian, to asha dhire-dhire unake pair sahalane lagi. b di der tak sannata raha. usake bad asha boli- "achchha mausi, tum to kahati ho ki devata ke saman pati ki seva karana stri ka dharm hai, lekin jo stri moorkh ho, jise budhdi n ho, jise yah n maloom ho ki pati ki seva kaise karani chahie, vah kya kare?" annapoorna der tak asha ki or dekhati rahian. ek lambi saans chho dakar bolian- "moorkh to maian bhi hooan bitiya, magar phir bhi to bhagavan ki seva karati hooan."

asha ne kaha- "bhagavan to tumhare man ko samajhate haian, tabhi ve khush hote haian. lekin yoan samajho, svami agar moorkh stri ki seva se santusht n ho?"

annapoorna ne kaha- "sabako khush karane ki shakti sabamean nahian hoti, beti. lekin stri agar tahedil se shraddha aur bhaktipoorvak pati ki seva aur grihasthi ke kam karati hai, to pati chahe nachiz samajhakar use thukara de, svayan jagadishvar jatan se use chun lete haian."

javab mean asha chup rahi. mausi dvara di gee saantvana ko usane apanane ki bahut koshish ki, lekin yah bat, usake dimag mean hargiz n baith saki ki pati jise nachiz samajhakar thukara deange, use jagadishvar sarthak kar sakeange. vah sir jhukae mausi ke paanv sahalati rahi.

annapoorna ne is par asha ko apane aur qarib khianch liya. usake mathe ko chooma. ruandhe kanth ko balapoorvak kholakar boli- "chunni, takaliph jhelakar jivan mean jo sabak sikha ja sakata hai, keval sunakar vah sambhav nahian. teri is mausi ne bhi teri umr mean sansar se len-den ka bahut b da nata jo d liya tha. us samay mere bhi ji mean teri hi tarah hota tha ki jisaki maian seva karooangi, vah akhir santusht kyoan n hoga. jisaki pooja karooangi, usaka prasad bhala kyoan n milega? jisake bhale ki karooangi, vah meri cheshta ko bhali kyoan n samajhega? lekin har qadam par dekha, vaisa hota nahian hai. aur ant mean ek din duniya ko chho dakar chali aee. aur aj yah pa rahi hooan ki mera kuchh bhi bekar nahian hua. asal mean bitiya jisase len-den ka sahi sambandh hai, jo sansar ki is paianth ke asali mahajan haian, vahi mera sab-kuchh svikar kar rahe haian, aj mere antar mean baithakar unhoanne yah bat kabool ki hai, kash! tab yah janati hoti! agar sansar ke karm ko unaka samajhakar karati, unhian ko de rahi hooan yah samajhakar sansar ko apana hriday deti to phir kaun tha jo mujhe du:kh de sakata hai!"

bistar par p di-p di asha b di rat tak bahut batean sochati rahi. lekin to bhi thik-thik kuchh n samajh saki.

asha ke b de chacha ke laut jane ka din aya. jane ke pahale din sham ko annapoorna ne asha ko apani godi mean bithakar kaha- "chunni, meri bitiya, sansar ke shok-du:kh se sada tujhe bachate rahane ki shakti mujhamean nahian hai. mera itana hi kahana hai ki jahaan bhi, jitana bhi kasht kyoan n mile, apane vishvas, apani bhakti ko dridh rakhana, tera dharm jisase atoot rahe."

asha ne unake charanoan ki dhool li. boli- "ashirvad do mausi! aisa hi ho."

31

asha laut aee. roothakar vinodini ne kaha- "bhee kirakiri, itane din pihar rahi, khat likhana bhi pap tha kya?" asha boli- "aur tumane to likh diya jaise!"

vinodini- "maian pahale kyoan likhati, pahale tumhean likhana tha."

vinodini ke gale se lipatakar asha ne apana kasoor man liya. boli- "janati to ho, maian thik-thik likh nahian pati. khasakar tum-jaisi pandita ko likhane mean sharm ati hai."

dekhate-hi-dekhate donoan ka vishad mit gaya aur prem um d aya. vinodini ne kaha- "athoan pahar sath rahakar tumane apane pati-devata ki adat bilakul biga d rakhi hai. koee haradam pas n rahe, to rahana mushkil."

asha- "tabhi to tum par zimmedari sauanp gee thi. aur sath kaise diya jata hai, yah tum mujhase zyada achchhi tarah se janati ho."

vinodini- "din ko to kisi tarah se k aaulej bhejakar nishchian‍t ho jati thi- magar saanjh ko kisi bhi tarah se chhutakara nahian kitab padhakar sunao, aur-aur n jane kya-kya? poochho mat, machalane ka to ant nahian."

asha- "aee n kaboo mean! jab ji bahalane mean patu ho, to log chhutti kyoan dean?"

vinodini- "magar savadhan bahan, bhaee sahab kabhi-kabhi to aisi ati kar baithate haian ki dhokha hone lagata hai, shayad maian jadoo-mantar janati hooan." asha- "jadoo tum nahian janatian to kaun janata hai! tumhari vidya jara mujhe a jati, to ji jati maian."

vinodini- "kyoan, kisake bantadhar ka irada hai! jo sajjan ghar mean hai, un par raham karake kisi aur ko mohane ki koshish bhi n karana."

vinodini ko tarjani dikhakar asha boli- "chup bhi rah, kya bak-bak karati hai!"

kashi se lautane ke bad pahali bar asha ko dekhakar mahendr ne kaha- "tumhari sehat to pahale se achchhi ho gee hai. kafi tandurust hokar lauti ho." asha ko b di sharm aee. usaki sehat achchhi nahian rahani chahie thi- magar us garib ka bas nahian chalata.

asha ne dhime-se poochha- "tum kaise rahe?"

pahale ki bat hoti to mahendr kuchh to mazak aur kuchh man se kahata- 'mara-mara'. magar abhi mazak karate n bana- gale tak akar atak gaya. kaha- "beja nahian achchha hi tha."

asha ne gaur kiya, mahendr pahale se kuchh dubala hi ho gaya hai. chehara pila p d gaya hai, aauankhoan mean kaisi ek tez chamak hai. koee bhitari bhookh mano ag ki jibh se use chate ja rahi ho. asha pi dit hokar sochane lagi-"svami apane durust nahian rahe yahaan, maian kyoan kashi chali gee. pati dubale ho ge aur khud vah tag di ho gee"-isake lie usane apani sehat ko dhikkara.

mahendr der tak sochata raha ki ab kaun-si bat ki jae. bola- "chachi maje mean haian."

uttar mean kushal-kshem pakar poochhane ko doosari bat man mean lana usake lie muhal ho gaya. pas hi ek phata-purana akhabar p da tha, use uthakar vah anamana-sa padhane laga. asha sir jhukae sochane lagi, 'itane dinoan ke bad bheant huee, lekin unhoanne mujhase thik se bat kyoan nahian ki? balki laga, meri or unase takate bhi n bana.'

mahendr k aaulej se lauta. jal-pan karate samay rajalakshmi thian. asha bhi ghooanghat nikale pas hi daravaza pak de kh di thi- lekin aur koee n tha.

rajalakshmi ne pareshan-si hokar poochha- "aj teri tabiyat kuchh kharab hai kya, mahendr?"

jaise oob gaya ho, mahendr bola- "nahian thik hai."

rajalakshmi- "phir too kuchh kha kyoan nahian raha hai?"

mahendr phir khijhe hue svar mean bola- "kha to raha hooan- aur kaise khate haian?"

garmi ki saanjh. badan par ek halki chadar dal mahendr chhat par idhar-udhar ghoomane laga. b di ummid thi ki idhar jo padhaee niyam se chal rahi thi, vah vaisi hi chalegi. 'anandamath' lagabhag khatm ho chala hai. gine-chune kuchh adhyaey rah ge the. yoan jitani bhi nirdayi ho vinodini, ye baki adhyaday vah zaroor padhakar sunaegi. lekin sham ho gee aur mahendr ko kuchh hasil n hua to vah sone chala gaya. saji-sanvari sharamaee asha dhire-dhire kamare mean aee. dekha, mahendr bistar par soya hai. vah yah n soch paee ki kis tarah se age badhe. judaee ke bad zara der ke lie ek nee lajja hoti hai- jahaan par se juda hote haian, donoan, thik vahaan par milane se pahale ek-doosare ko ne sambhashan ki ummid hoti hai. apani us chiraparichita sez par asha aj bebulae kaise jay? daravaze ke pas der tak kh di rahi. mahendr ki koee ahat n mili. dhime-dhime pag-pag badhi. achanak kisi gahane ki avaz ho uthati to mare sharm ke mar-si jati. dh dakate hriday se vah machchharadani ke pas ja kh di huee. laga, mahendr so gaya hai. usaka sara saj-shrriangar use sarvaang ke bandhan-sa laga. usaki yah ichchha hone lagi ki bijali ki gati se bhag jay aur jakar aur kahian so rahe.

apane janate bharasak chupachap sankuchit hokar asha bistar par gee. phir bhi itani avaz zaroor huee ki mahendr agar sachamuch hi soya hota, to jag p data. lekin aj usaki aauankhean n khulian, kyoanki darasal vah so nahian raha tha. vah palang ke ek kinare karavat liye p da tha. lihaza asha usake pichhe let gee. p di-p di asha aauansoo baha rahi thi. udhar muanh karake sone ke bavajood mahendr ko isaka saf pata chal raha tha. apani berahami se vah chakki ki tarah kaleje ko pisakar dukha raha tha. lekin vah kya kahe, kaise sneh jatae- yah usaki samajh mean hi nahian a raha tha.

lekin asha ne khud hi usaki yah musibat bhaga di. vah t dake hi apamanit saj-shrriangar liye uthakar chali gee. vah bhi mahendr ko apana muanh n dikha saki.

32

asha sochane lagi- 'lekin aisa kyoan hua hai?' maianne kya kiya? lekin asali aphat jahaan thi, vahaan usaki najar n p di. mahendr vinodini ko pyar kar sakata hai, isaki sambhavana tak usake man mean n a saki thi. duniya ke anubhav use kuchh the nahian. usake siva vivah ke kuchh hi din bad se mahendr ko jaisa samajh liya tha, vah usake siva bhi kuchh ho sakata hai, isaki usane kalpana bhi n ki thi. mahendr aj kuchh pahale hi k aaulej gaya. k aaulej jate vakt asha sada khi daki ke pas a kh di hoti aur mahendr ga di mean se ek bar jhaank leta- yah usaka sada ka niyam tha. isi adat ke mutabiq yantravat vah khi daki ke samane a kh di huee. abhyasavash mahendr ne bhi ek bar nigah uthakar taka. dekha, asha khi daki par kh di hai- dekhate hi mahendr nazar jhukakar apani god mean rakhi kitabean dekhane laga. aauankhoan mean vah nirav bhasha kahaan thi, kahaan thi vah bolati huee muskan!

ga di nikal gee. asha vahian zamin par baith gee. yah duniya, yah girasti- sabaka svad phika p d gaya. achanak asha ko laga- 'haan, samajhi. bihari baboo kashi ge the, yahi sunakar shayad ve naraz haian. isake siva aur to koee apriy ghatana is bich nahian ghati. magar isamean mera kya kasoor!'

sochate-sochate ek bar achanak mano usake dil ki dh dakan band ho gee. use sandeh hua, shayad mahendr ko yah shanka ho gee ki bihari ke kashi jane mean usaki bhi saanth-gaanth thi. ram-ram! aisi shanka! sharm ki had!

mahendr achanak ga di se jhaankakar asha ka jo malin karun mukh da dekh gaya, use vah din-bhar apane man se n met saka. k aaulej ke lekcharoan, chhatroan ki kataroan mean vah khi daki, asha ka vah sookha-rookha chehara, bikhare bal, maili dhoti aur vah akul-vyakul drishti bar-bar saf lakiroan mean khianch-khianch ane lagi.

k aaulej ka kam khatm karake vah goladigghi ke kinare tahalane laga. sham ho gee. vah phir bhi tay n kar saka ki asha se kaisa bartav kiya jae- dayapoorn chhal ya kapatarahit nishthurata, kaun-sa uchit hai? vinodini ka vah tyag kare, ya n kare yah bat hi man mean n aee. daya aur prem-donoan ka dava vah kaise kare?

akhir usane yah kahakar apane man ko samajhaya ki aj bhi asha ke prati usaka jo prem hai, vah bahut hi kam striyoan ko nasib hota hai. vah sneh, vah prem milata rahe, to asha santusht kyoan n rahegi? vinodini aur asha, donoan ko jagah dene ki yogyata mahendr ke prashast hriday mean hai. vinodini se usaka sambandh jis pavitra prem ka hai, usase dampaty mean kisi tarah ki aauanch n aegi.

man ko is tarah samajhakar usane ek bhar utar pheanka. 'donoan mean se kisi ko chho de bina do chandrama vale grah ki tarah vah maje mean jivan ke din kat lega', yah sochakar usaka ji khil utha. yah sochakar vah tezise qadam badhata hua ghar ki or chal p da ki aj jara pahale hi vah bistar par ja letega aur sneh-jatan se, mithe vachan se asha ke man ki sari vedana dho dega.

usake khane ke samay asha maujood n thi-' lekin sone to aegi hi,' yah sochakar mahendr bistar par let gaya. lekin us sannate mean sooni sej par kis smriti ne mahendr ke man ko chha liya? 'vishavrish' ke lie vinodini se us din ki chhina-jhapati yad aee. saanjh ke bad vinodini 'kapalakundala' padhakar sunana shuroo karati- dhire-dhire rat ho ati, ghar ke sare log so jate, soone kamare ki stabdh nirjanata vinodini ki avaz-avesh se mano dhimi ho ati, ruandh-si jati; achanak vah apane ko jabt karake uth kh di hoti, kitab rakh deti- mahendr kahata, "chalo, maian tumhean sidhi tak chho d aooan." ye batean yad ane lagian aur sarvaang mean siharan hone lagi. rat kramash: zyada hone lagi- mahendr ko rah-rahakar ashanka hone lagi, ab asha aegi, ab aegi. lekin vah n aee. mahendr ne socha, maian to apane kartavy ke lie taiyar tha, ab agar vah nahak hi naraj hokar n ae to maian kya karooan? aur gahari rat mean usane vinodini ke dhyahan ko gadha kar liya.

jab ek baj gaya, to mahendr se n raha gaya. masahari hatakar vah bahar nikala. chhat par gaya. dekha, chaandani rat b di hi suhani ho rahi hai. mahendr ki jamane se ruki p di akaanksha ab apane-apako n rok saki. jab se asha aee, vinodini ki jhalak bhi n dikhaee di. chaandani se umagi sooni rat mahendr ko moh se achchhann karake vinodini ki taraph thelakar le jane lagi. mahendr niche utara. vinodini ke kamare ke pas gaya. dekha, kamara band nahian hai. andar gaya. sej bichhi thi, us par koee soya n tha. kamare mean ahat pakar dakkhin vale khule baramade se vinodini ne poochha- "kaun hai?" ruandhe hue gile svar se mahendr bola- "maian hooan, vinod."

aur mahendr sidha baramade mean pahuanch gaya.

garmi ki rat. baramade mean chataee dalakar vinodini ke sath rajalakshmi soee thian. unhoanne kaha- "mahendr, itani rat ko too yahaan kaise?"

apani kali ghani bhauanhoan ke niche se vinodini ne mahendr par vajr-kataksh dala. mahendr ne koee javab n diya. tezise vahaan se chala gaya.

33

doosare din subah se hi ghata ghum di rahi. kuchh der behad garmi thi, phir kale-kajal se meghoan mean se jhulasa akash ju d gaya. aj mahendr samay se pahale hi k aaulej chala gaya. badale hue kap de pharsh par p de the. asha gin-ginakar kap de dhobi ko dene lagi. hisab likhakar rakhane lagi.

mahendr zara laparavah hai. isi se asha ko hidayat thi ki dhobi ko kap de dete vakt jeb zaroor dekh liya kare. asha ne usake ek kurate ki jeb mean hath dala ki ek chitthi mili. vah chitthi agar zaharila nag banakar usi kshan asha ki uangali ko kat khati, to achchha tha, kyoanki tikha zahar sharir mean phail jata aur kuchh hi minatoan mean shayad usaka kam tamam kar deta; lekin zahar man mean phailata hai to maut ki pi da to hoti hai, maut nahian hoti.

khuli chitthi. nikalakar dekha to vinodini ki likhavat. palak marate asha ka chehara pila p d gaya. us chitthi ko usane bagal ke kamare mean le jakar padha. "kal rat tumane jo harakat ki, usase bhi ji n bhara? aj phir tumane naukarani ke hath chhipakar mujhe patr bheja. chhi:, usane man mean kya samajha hoga! duniya mean mujhe kisi ko bhi muanh dikhane layaq nahian rahane doge tum?

"mujhase tum kya chahate ho? pyar! yah bhikhamangi kyoan akhir? janm se tum pyar-hi-pyar pate a rahe ho, phir bhi tumhare lobh jagah ka koee hisab nahian!

"mere prem karane aur prem pane ki sansar mean koee jagah nahian- isilie maian khel mean pyar ke khed ko mitaya karati hooan. jab tumhean phursat thi, tumane bhi us jhoothe khel mean hath bantaya tha. lekin khel ki chhutti kya khatm nahian hoti? ab gard-gubar jha d-poanchhakar vapas jao? mera to koee ghar nahian, maian akeli hi khela karooangi- tumhean nahian bulaooangi.

"tumane likha hai, tum mujhe pyar karate ho. khel-kood mean yah bat man li ja sakati hai- magar sach kahana ho to is par yakin nahian karati! kabhi tum yah sochate the ki asha ko pyar karate ho. vah bhi jhootha hai. asal mean tum sirph khud ko pyar karate ho.

"pyar ki pyas se meri chhati tak sookh gee hai aur vah pyas mitane ka sahara tumhare hath mean nahian, yah maian achchhi tarah dekh chuki hooan. maian bar-bar kahati hooan, mujhe chho d do, mere pichhe mat p do, besharm hokar mujhe sharminda n karo! mere khel ka shauq bhi poora ho chuka, ab pukaroge bhi to javab nahian milega. khat mean tumane mujhe nirdayi likha hai- shayad yah sach ho, lekin mujhamean tho di daya bhi hai, isalie aj maianne daya karake tumhean tyag diya. kahian tumane mere is patr ka javab koee diya, to samajhooangi ki yahaan se bhage bina tumase bachane ka koee upay nahian."

chitthi ka padhana tha ki lamahe-bhar mean asha ke charoan taraph ke sahare toot gire, sharir ki sari shiraean mano ekabaragi tham geean, saans lene ke lie hava tak mano n rahi- sooraj ne usaki aauankhoan ke samane se jaise sari roshani samet li. asha ne pahale divar thami, phir alamari, aur phir kursi pak date-pak date zamin par gir p di.

ant mean kaleja dabakar usaansean bharati huee bol p di-"mausi!"

sneh ke is sambhashan ke um date hi usaki aauankhoan se aauansoo chhalakane lage. rulaee par rulaee, aur phir rulaee-akhir jab rulaee thami to vah sochane lagi- 'lekin is chitthi ka kya maian karooangi? kahian unhean pata chal jay ki yah chitthi mere hath lag gee hai to! aise mean unaki sharmindagi ki yad karake asha betarah kuanthit hone lagi. sochakar akhir yah tay kiya ki chitthi ko usi kurate ki jeb mean rakhakar use khooanti par lataka degi- dhobi ko n degi.

isi vichar se chitthi liye vah sone ke kamare mean gee. is bich maile kap doan ki gathari se tikakar dhobi so gaya tha. vah kurate ki jeb mean chitthi dalane ki cheshta kar rahi thi ki avaz sunaee di- "bhee kirakiri!" chitthi aur kurate ko jhatapat palang par dalakar vah us par baith gee. vinodini andar akar boli- "dhobi kap de bahut ulat-pulat karane laga hai. jin kap doan mean nishan nahian lagae ge haian, maian unhean le jati hooan." asha vinodini ki or dekh n saki. chehare ke bhav se sab-kuchh zahir n ho jae, isalie khi daki ki or muanh karake vah asaman takati rahi. haanth-se-hoth dabae rahi ki aauankhoan se aauansoo n bah aean. vinodini thithak gee. ek bar asha ko gaur se dekha. socha, "o, samajhi, kal ka vakaya maloom ho gaya hai. lekin sara gussa mujhi par! mano kasoor mera hi hai." usane asha se bat karane ki koshish hi n ki. kuchh kap de uthakar jaldi-jaldi vahaan se chali gee.

ek bar milakar dekhane ki ichchha huee.

vah khat kholane lagi ki itane mean lapakakar mahendr kamare mean aya. jane kya use yad aya ki lekchar ke bich se hi achanak uthakar chala aya.

asha ne patr aauanchal mean chhipa liya. asha ko kamare mean dekhakar mahendr bhi saham gaya. usake bad vyagr drishti se kamare ke idhar-udhar dekhane laga. asha ta d gee ki mahendr kya dhooandh raha hai, lekin chitthi ko chupachap jahaan thi, vahaan rakhakar vah kaise bhag kh di ho, yah n samajh saki.

mahendr ek-ek karake maile kap de utha-uthakar dekhane laga. mahendr ki us bekar koshish ko dekhakar asha se n raha gaya. usane kurate aur chitthi ko pharshsh par pheank diya aur daean hath se palang ke dande ko thamakar muanh ga d liya. mahendr ne bijali ki tezi se chitthi uthaee. ek pal ko asha ki or kuchh n bolate hue lekin kuchh kahane ke aandazamean usane dekha magar kuchh kaha nahian. phir turant asha ko sidhiyoan par usake tej qadam ki ahat mili. idhar dhobi ne pukara- "maan ji, kap de dene mean aur kitani der kareangi? b di der ho gee, mera ghar bhi to pas nahian."