ग़बन उपन्यास भाग-15

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

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jalapa ab vah ekaantavasini ramani n thi, jo din-bhar muanh lapete udas p di rahati thi. use ab ghar mean baithana achchha nahian lagata tha. ab tak to vah majaboor thi, kahian a-ja n sakati thi. ab eeshvar ki daya se usake pas bhi gahane ho ge the. phir vah kyoan man mare ghar mean p di rahati. vastrabhooshan koee mithaee to nahian jisaka svad ekaant mean liya ja sake. abhooshanoan ko sandookachi mean band karake rakhane se kya fayada. muhalle ya biradari mean kahian se bulava ata, to vah sas ke sath avashy jati. kuchh dinoan ke bad sas ki zaroorat bhi n rahi. vah akeli ane-jane lagi. phir kary-prayojan ki kaid bhi nahian rahi. usake roop-lavany, vastr-abhooshan aur shil-vinay ne muhalle ki striyoan mean use jaldi hi samman ke pad par pahuancha diya. usake bina mandali sooni rahati thi. usaka kanth-svar itana komal tha, bhashan itana madhur, chhavi itani anupam ki vah mandali ki rani maloom hoti thi. usake ane se muhalle ke nari-jivan mean jan-si p d gee. nity hi kahian-n-kahian jamav ho jata. ghante-do ghante ga- bajakar ya gapashap karake ramaniyaan dil bahala liya karatian.kabhi kisi ke ghar, kabhi kisi ke ghar, gagun mean pandrah din barabar gana hota raha. jalapa ne jaisa roop paya tha, vaisa hi udar hriday bhi paya tha. pan-pattoan ka kharch prayah usi ke matthe p data. kabhi-kabhi gayanean bulaee jatian, unaki seva-satkar ka bhar usi par tha. kabhi-kabhi vah striyoan ke sath ganga-snan karane jati, taange ka kiraya aur ganga-tat par jalapan ka kharch bhi usake matthe jata. is tarah usake do-tin rupaye roz u d jate the. rama adarsh pati tha. jalapa agar maangati to pran tak usake charanoan par rakh deta. rupaye ki haisiyat hi kya thi? usaka muanh johata rahata tha. jalapa usase in jamaghatoan ki roz charcha karati. usaka stri-samaj mean kitana adar-samman hai, yah dekhakar vah phoola n samata tha.

ek din is mandali ko sinema dekhane ki dhun savar huee. vahaan ki bahar dekhakar sab-ki-sab mugdh ho gee. phir to ae din sinema ki sair hone lagi. rama ko ab tak sinema ka shauq n tha. shauq hota bhi to kya karata. ab hath mean paise ane lage the, us par jalapa ka agrah, phir bhala vah kyoan n jata- sinema-grih mean aisi kitani hi ramaniyaan milatian, jo muanh khole nisankoch hansati-bolati rahati thian. unaki azadi guptaroop se jalapa par bhi jadoo dalati jati thi. vah ghar se bahar nikalate hi muanh khol leti, magar sankochavash paradevali striyoan ke hi sthan par baithati. usaki kitani ichchha hoti ki rama bhi usake sath baithata. akhir vah un phaishanebul auratoan se kis bat mean kam hai? roop-rang mean vah hethi nahian. sajadhaj mean kisi se kam nahian. batachit karane mean kushal. phir vah kyoan paradevaliyoan ke sath baithe. rama bahut shikshit n hone par bhi desh aur kal ke prabhav se udar tha. pahale to vah parade ka aisa anany bhakt tha, ki mata ko kabhi ganga-snan karane liva jata, to pandoan tak se n bolane deta. kabhi mata ki hansi mardane mean sunaee deti, to akar big data, tumako zara bhi sharm nahian hai ammaan! bahar log baithe hue haian, aur tum hans rahi ho, maan lajjit ho jati thian. kiantu avastha ke sath rama ka yah lihaz gayab hota jata tha. us par jalapa ki roop-chhata usake sahas ko aur bhi ubhojit karati thi. jalapa roopahin, kali-kalooti, phooh d hoti to vah zabaradasti usako parade mean baithata. usake sath ghoomane ya baithane mean use sharm ati. jalapa-jaisi anany suandari ke sath sair karane mean anand ke sath gaurav bhi to tha. vahaan ke sabhy samaj ki koee mahila roop, gathan aur rriangaramean jalapa ki barabari n kar sakati thi. dehat ki ladaki hone par bhi shahar ke rang mean vah is tarah rang gee thi, mano janm se shahar hi mean rahati aee hai. tho di-si kami aangrezi shiksha ki thi,use bhi rama poori kie deta tha. magar parade ka yah bandhan toote kaise. bhavan mean rama ke kitane hi mitr, kitani hi jan - pahachan ke log baithe nazar ate the. ve use jalapa ke sath baithe dekhakar kitana hanseange. akhir ek din usane samaj ke samane tal thoankakar kh de ho jane ka nishchay kar hi liya. jalapa se bola, ‘aj ham-tum sinemaghar mean sath baitheange.’

jalapa ke hriday mean gudagudi-si hone lagi. hardik anand ki abha chehare par jhalak uthi. boli, ‘sach! nahian bhaee, sathavaliyaan jine n deangi.‘

ramanath—‘is tarah darane se to phir kabhi kuchh n hoga. yah kya svaang hai ki striyaan muanh chhipae chik ki a d mean baithi rahean.‘

is tarah yah mamala bhi tay ho gaya. pahale din donoan jheanpate rahe, lekin doosare din se himmat khul gee. kee dinoan ke bad vah samay bhi aya ki rama aur jalapa sandhya samay park mean sath-sath tahalate dikhaee die.

jalapa ne muskarakar kaha,’kahian babooji dekh lean to?’

ramanath—‘to kya, kuchh nahian.’

jalapa—‘maian to mare sharm ke g d jaooan.’

ramanath-abhi to mujhe bhi sharm aegi, magar babooji khud hi idhar n aeange.’

jalapa-‘aur jo kahian ammaanji dekh lean!’

ramanath—‘ammaan se kaun darata hai, do daliloan mean thik kar dooanga.’

das hi paanch din mean jalapa ne ne mahila-samaj mean apana rang jama liya. usane is samaj mean is tarah pravesh kiya, jaise koee kushal vakta pahali bar parishad ke manch par ata hai. vidvanh log usaki upeksha karane ki ichchha hone par bhi usaki pratibha ke samane sir jhuka dete haian. jalapa bhi ‘aee, dekha aur vijay kar liya.’ usake sauandary mean vah garima, vah kathorata, vah shan, vah tejasvita thi jo kulin mahilaoan ke lakshan haian. pahale hi din ek mahila ne jalapa ko chay ka nimaann de diya aur jalapa ichchha n rahane par bhi use asvikar n kar saki. jab donoan prani vahaan se laute, to rama ne chiantit svar mean kaha, ‘to kal isaki chay-parti mean jana p dega?’

jalapa—‘kya karati- iankar karate bhi to n banata tha! ’

ramanath—‘to sabere tumhare lie ek achchhi-si sa di la dooan? ’

jalapa—‘kya mere pas sa di nahian hai, zara der ke lie pachas-sath rupaye kharch karane se fayada! ’

ramanath—‘tumhare pas achchhi sa di kahaan hai. isaki sa di tumane dekhi?aisi hi tumhare lie bhi laooanga.’

jalapa ne vivashata ke bhav se kaha,mujhe saf kah dena chahie tha ki phurasat nahian hai.’

ramanath—‘phir inaki davat bhi to karani padegi.’

jalapa—‘yah to buri vipatti gale p di.’

ramanath—‘vipatti kuchh nahian hai, sirph yahi khayal hai ki mera makan is kam ke layaq nahian. mez, kursiyaan, chay ke set ramesh ke yahaan se maang laooanga, lekin ghar ke lie kya karooan ! ’

jalapa—‘kya yah zaroori hai ki ham log bhi davat karean?’

rama ne aisi bat ka kuchh uttar n diya. use jalapa ke lie ek joote ki jo di aur suandar kalaee ki gh di ki fikr paida ho gee. usake pas kau di bhi n thi. usaka kharch roz badhata jata tha. abhi tak gahane valoan ko ek paisa bhi dene ki naubat n aee thi. ek bar gangoo maharaj ne ishare se takaja bhi kiya tha, lekin yah bhi to nahian ho sakata ki jalapa phate haloan chay- parti mean jay. nahian, jalapa par vah itana anyay nahian kar sakata is avasar par jalapa ki roop-shobha ka sikka baith jayaga. sabhi to aj chamacham sadiyaan pahane hue thian. jadaoo kangan aur motiyoan ke haroan ki bhi to kami n thi, par jalapa apane sade avaran mean unase kosoan age thi. usake samane ek bhi nahian janchati thi. yah mere poorv karmo ka phal hai ki mujhe aisi suandari mili. akhir yahi to khane-pahanane aur jivan ka anand uthane ke din haian. jab javani hi mean sukh n uthaya, to budhape mean kya kar leange! budhape mean man liya dhan hua hi to kya yauvan bit jane par vivah kis kam ka- sa di aur gh di lane ki use dhun savar ho gee. ratabhar to usane sabr kiya. doosare din donoan chizean lakar hi dam liya. jalapa ne jhuanjhalakar kaha, ‘maianne to tumase kaha tha ki in chizoan ka kam nahian hai. dedhasau se kam ki n hoangi?

ramanath—‘dedhasau! itana phajool-kharch maian nahian hooan.‘

jalapa—‘dedhasau se kam ki ye chizean nahian haian.‘

jalapa ne gh di kalaee mean baandha li aur sa di ko kholakar mantramugdh najaroan se dekha.

ramanath—‘tumhari kalaee par yah gh di kaisi khil rahi hai! mere rupaye vasool ho ge.

jalapa—‘sach batao, kitane rupaye kharch hue?

ramanath—‘sach bata dooan- ek sau paiantis rupaye. pachahattar rupaye ki sa di, das ke joote aur pachas ki gh di.‘

jalapa—‘yah dedhasau hi hue. maianne kuchh badhakar tho de kaha tha, magar yah sab rupaye ada kaise hoange? us chudai.l ne vyarth hi mujhe nimaann de diya. ab maian bahar jana hi chho d dooangi.‘

rama bhi isi chianta mean magn tha, par usane apane bhav ko prakat karake jalapa ke harsh mean badha n dali. bola,sab ada ho jayaga. jalapa ne tiraskar ke bhav se kahaan,kahaan se ada ho jaega, zara sunooan. kau di to bachati nahian, ada kahaan se ho jayaga? vah to kaho babooji ghar ka kharch sanbhale hue haian, nahian to maloom hota. kya tum samajhate ho ki maian gahane aur sadiyoan par marati hooan? in chizoan ko lauta ao. rama ne premapoorn najaroan se kaha, ‘in chizoan ko rakh lo. phir tumase bina poochhe kuchh n laooanga.‘

sandhya samay jab jalapa ne nee sa di aur ne joote pahane, gh di kalaee par baandhi aur aine mean apani soorat dekhi, to mare garv aur ullas ke usaka mukhamandal prajvalit ho utha. usane un chizoan ke lautane ke lie sachche dil se kaha ho, par is samay vah itana tyag karane ko taiyar n thi. sandhya samay jalapa aur rama chhavani ki or chale. mahila ne keval bangale ka nanbar batala diya tha. bangala asani se mil gaya. gatak par sainabord tha,’indubhooshan, aidavoket, haeekort’ ab rama ko maloom hua ki vah mahila pan. indubhooshan ki patni thi. panditaji kashi ke nami vakil the. rama ne unhean kitani hi bar dekha tha, par itane bade adami se parichay ka saubhagy use kaise hota! chhah mahine pahale vah kalpana bhi n kar sakata tha, ki kisi din use unake ghar nimantrit hone ka gaurav prapt hoga, par jalapa ki badaulat aj vah anahoni bat ho gee. vah kashi ke bade vakil ka mehaman tha. rama ne socha tha ki bahut se stri-purush nimantrit hoange, par yahaan vakil sahab aur unaki patni ratan ke siva aur koee n tha. ratan in donoan ko dekhate hi baramade mean nikal aee aur unase hath milakar aandar le gee aur apane pati se unaka parichay karaya. panditaji ne aramakursi par lete-hi-lete donoan mehamanoan se hath milaya aur muskarakar kaha, ‘kshama kijiega baboo sahab, mera svasthy achchha nahian hai. ap yahaan kisi aphis mean haian?’

rama ne jheanpate hue kaha,’ji haan, myunisipal aphis mean hooan. abhi hal hi mean aya hooan. qanoon ki taraph jane ka irada tha, par ne vakiloan ki yahaan jo halat ho rahi hai, use dekhakar himmat n p di. ’

rama ne apana mahatv badhane ke lie zara-sa jhooth bolana anuchit n samajha. isaka asar bahut achchha hua. agar vah saf kah deta, ‘maian pachchis rupaye ka klark hooan, to shayad vakil sahab usase batean karane mean apana apaman samajhate. bole, ‘apane bahut achchha kiya jo idhar nahian ae. vahaan do-char sal ke bad achchhi jagah par pahuanch jaeange, yahaan sanbhav hai das sal tak apako koee mukadama hi n milata.‘

jalapa ko abhi tak sandeh ho raha tha ki ratan vakil sahab ki beti hai ya patni vakil sahab ki umr sath se niche n thi. chikani chaand asapas ke saphed baloan ke bich mean varanish ki huee lak di ki bhaanti chamak rahi thi. mooanchhean saf thian, par mathe ki shikan aur galoan ki jhurriyaan batala rahi thian ki yatri sansar-yatra se thak gaya hai. aramakursi par lete hue vah aise maloom hote the, jaise barasoan ke mariz hoan! haan, rang gora tha, jo sath sal ki garmisardi khane par bhi u d n saka tha. ooanchi nak thi, ooancha matha aur badi-badi aankheanan, jinamean abhiman bhara hua tha! unake mukh se aisa bhasit hota tha ki unhean kisi se bolana ya kisi bat ka javab dena bhi achchha nahian lagata. isake pratikool ratan saanvali, sugathit yuvati thi, badi milanasar, jise garv ne chhua tak n tha. sauandary ka usake roop mean koee lakshan n tha. nak chipati thi, mukh gol, aankheanan chhoti, phir bhi vah rani-si lagati thi. jalapa usake samane aisi lagati thi, jaise sooryamookhi ke samane joohi ka phool. chay aee. meve, phal, mithaee, barg ki kulphi, sab mezoan par saja die ge. ratan aur jalapa ek mez par baithian. doosari mez rama aur vakil sahab ki thi. rama mez ke samane ja baitha, magar vakil sahab abhi aramakursi par lete hi hue the.

rama ne muskarakar vakil sahab se kaha, ‘ap bhi to aean. ‘

vakil sahab ne lete-lete muskarakar kaha, ‘ap shuroo kijie, maian bhi aya jata hooan.‘

logoan ne chay pi, phal khae, par vakil sahab ke samane hansate-bolate rama aur jalapa donoan hi jhijhakate the. jiandadil boodhoan ke sath to sohabat ka anand uthaya ja sakata hai, lekin aise rookhe, nirjiv manushy javan bhi hoan, to doosaroan ko murda bana dete haian. vakil sahab ne bahut agrah karane par do ghooant chay pi. door se baithe tamasha dekhate rahe. isalie jab ratan ne jalapa se kaha,chalo, ham log zara bagiche ki sair karean, in donoan mahashayoan ko samaj aur niti ki vivechana karane dean, to mano jalapa ke gale ka ganda chhoot gaya. rama ne pianj de mean band pakshi ki bhaanti un donoan ko kamare se nikalate dekha aur ek lanbi saans li. vah janata ki yahaan yah vipatti usake sir p d jayagi, to ane ka nam n leta.

vakil sahab ne muanh siko dakar pahaloo badala aur bole, ‘maloom nahian, pet mean kya ho gaya hai, ki koee chiz hazam hi nahian hoti. doodh bhi nahian hazam hota. chay ko log n jane kyoan itane shauq se pite haian, mujhe to isaki soorat se bhi dar lagata hai. pite hi badan mean aianthan-si hone lagati hai aur aankhoan se chinagariyaan-si nikalane lagati haian.‘

rama ne kaha, ‘apane hazame ki koee dava nahian ki? ‘

vakil sahab ne aruchi ke bhav se kaha, ‘davaoan par mujhe ratti-bhar bhi vishvas nahian. in vaidy aur daktaroan se zyada besamajh adami sansar mean n mileange. kisi mean nidan ki shakti nahian. do vaidyoan, do daktaroan ke nidan kabhi n mileange. lakshan vahi hai, par ek vaidy raktadosh batalata hai, doosara pittadosh, ek daktar pheph de ka soojan batalata hai, doosara amashay ka vikar. bas, anuman se dava ki jati hai aur nirdayata se rogiyoan ki gardan par chhuri tthari jati hai. in daktaroan ne mujhe to ab tak jahannum pahuancha diya hota; par maian unake panje se nikal bhaga. yogabhyas ki badi prashansa sunata hooan par koee aise mahatma nahian milate, jinase kuchh sikh sakooan. kitaboan ke adhar par koee kriya karane se labh ke badale hani hone ka dar rahata hai. yahaan to arogy-shastr ka khandan ho raha tha, udhar donoan mahilaoan mean pragadhasneh ki batean ho rahi thian.

ratan ne muskarakar kaha, ‘mere patidev ko dekhakar tumhean bada ashchary hua hoga. ‘

jalapa ko ashchary hi nahian, bhamr bhi hua tha. boli, ‘vakil sahab ka doosara vivah hoga.

ratan, ‘haan, abhi paanch hi baras to hue haian. inaki pahali stri ko mare paiantis varsh ho ge. us samay inaki avastha kul pachchis sal ki thi. logoan ne samajhaya, doosara vivah kar lo, par inake ek l daka ho chuka tha, vivah karane se iankar kar diya aur tis sal tak akele rahe, magar aj paanch varsh hue, javan bete ka dehaant ho gaya, tab vivah karana avashyak ho gaya. mere maan-bap n the. mamaji ne mera palan kiya tha. kah nahian sakati, inase kuchh le liya ya inaki sajjanata par mugdh ho ge. maian to samajhati hooan, eeshvar ki yahi ichchha thi, lekin maian jab se aee hooan, moti hoti chali jati hooan. daktaroan ka kahana hai ki tumhean santan nahian ho sakati. bahan, mujhe to santan ki lalasa nahian hai, lekin mere pati meri dasha dekhakar bahut dukhi rahate haian. maian hi inake sab rogoan ki j d hooan. aj eeshvar mujhe ek santan de de, to inake sare rog bhag jaeange. kitana chahati hooan ki dubali ho jaooan, garam pani se tab-snan karati hooan, roz paidal ghoomane jati hooan, ghi-doodh kam khati hooan, bhojan adha kar diya hai, jitana parishram karate banata hai, karati hooan, phir bhi din-din moti hi hoti jati hooan. kuchh samajh mean nahian ata, kya karooan.

jalapa—‘vakil sahab tumase chidhate hoange? ‘

ratan, ‘nahian bahan, bilakul nahian, bhoolakar bhi kabhi mujhase isaki charcha nahian ki. unake muanh se kabhi ek shabd bhi aisa nahian nikala, jisase unaki manovyatha prakat hoti, par maian janati hooan, yah chianta unhean mare dalati hai. apana koee bas nahian hai. kya karooan. maian jitana chahooan, kharch karooan, jaise chahooan rahooan, kabhi nahian bolate. jo kuchh pate haian, lakar mere hath par rakh dete haian. samajhati hooan, ab tumhean vakalat karane ki kya zaroorat hai, aram kyoan nahian karate, par inase ghar par baithe raha nahian jata. keval do chapatiyoan se nata hai. bahut zid ki to do char dane aangoor kha lie. mujhe to un par daya ati hai, apane se jahaan tak ho sakata hai, unaki seva karati hooan. akhir vah mere hi lie to apani jan khapa rahe haian.‘

jalapa—‘aise purush ko devata samajhana chahie. yahaan to ek stri mari nahian ki doosara byah rach gaya. tis sal akele rahana sabaka kam nahian hai.‘ ratan—‘haan bahan, haian to devata hi. ab bhi kabhi us stri ki charcha a jati hai, to rone lagate haian. tumhean unaki tasvir dikhaooangi. dekhane mean jitane kathor maloom hote haian, bhitar se inaka hriday utana hi naram hai. kitane hi anathoan, vidhavaoan aur gariboan ke mahine baandha rakkhe haian. tumhara vah kangan to bada suandar hai! ‘

jalapa—‘haan, bade achchhe karigar ka banaya hua hai.‘

ratan—‘maian to yahaan kisi ko janati hi nahian. vakil sahab ko gahanoan ke lie kasht dene ki ichchha nahian hoti. mamooli sunaroan se banavate dar lagata hai, n jane kya mila dean. meri sapatniji ke sab gahane rakkhe hue haian, lekin vah mujhe achchhe nahian lagate. tum baboo ramanath se mere lie aisa hi ek jodakangan banava do.‘

jalapa—‘dekhie, poochhati hooan.‘

ratan—‘—‘aj tumhare ane se ji bahut khush hua. dinabhar akeli p di rahati hooan. ji ghabadaya karata hai. kisake pas jaooan?’ kisi se parichay nahian aur n mera man hi chahata hai ki unase maui karooan. do-ek mahilaoan ko bulaya, unake ghar gee, chaha ki unase bahanapa jo d looan, lekin unake achar-vichar dekhakar unase door rahana hi achchha maloom hua. donoan hi mujhe ulloo banakar jatana chahati thian. mujhase rupaye udhar le gee aur aj tak de rahi haian. rriangar ki chizoan par maianne unaka itana prem dekha, ki kahate lajja ati hai. tum gh di-adha gh di ke lie roz chali aya karo bahan.‘

jalapa—‘vah isase achchha aur kya hoga.‘

ratan—‘maian motar bhej diya karooangi.‘

jalapa—‘kya zaroorat hai. taange to milate hi haian.‘

ratan—‘n-jane kyoan tumhean chho dane ko ji nahian chahata. tumhean pakar ramanathaji apana bhagy sarahate hoange.‘

jalapa ne muskarakar kaha, ‘bhagy-vagy to kahian nahian sarahate, ghu dakiyaan jamaya karate haian.‘

ratan—‘sach! mujhe to vishvas nahian ata. lo, vah bhi to a ge. poochhana,aisa doosara kangan banava deange.‘

jalapa—‘(rama se) kyoan charanadas se kaha jae to aisa kangan kitane din mean bana dega! ratan aisa hi kangan banavana chahati haian.‘ rama ne tatparata se kaha—‘haan, bana kyoan nahian sakata isase bahut achchhe bana sakata hai.—‘

ratan—‘is jo de ke kya lie the? ‘

jalapa—‘ath sau ke the.‘

ratan—‘koee haraz nahian, magar bilakul aisa hi ho, isi namoone ka.‘ rama—‘haan-haan, banava dooanga. ‘

ratan— ‘magar bhaee, abhi mere pas rupaye nahian haian.

rupaye ke mamale mean purush mahilaoan ke samane kuchh nahian kah sakata kya vah kah sakata hai, is vakt mere pas rupaye nahian haian. vah mar jaega, par yah ujr n karega. vah karz lega, doosaroan ki khushamad karega, par stri ke samane apani majaboori n dikhaega. rupaye ki charcha ko hi vah tuchchh samajhata hai. jalapa pati ki arthik dasha achchhi tarah janati thi. par yadi rama ne is samay koee bahana kar diya hota, to use bahut bura maloom hota. vah man mean dar rahi thi ki kahian yah mahashay yah n kah baithean, sarraph se poochhakar kahooanga. usaka dil dh dak raha tha, jab rama ne virata ke sath kaha, —‘haan-haan, rupaye ki koee bat nahian, jab chahe de dijiega, to vah khush ho gee.

ratan—‘to kab tak asha karooan? ‘

ramanath—‘maian aj hi sarraph se kah dooanga, tab bhi pandrah din to lag hijaeange.‘

jalapa—‘ab ki ravivar ko mere hi ghar chay pijiega. ‘

ratan ne nimantran saharsh svikar kiya aur donoan adami vida hue. ghar pahuanche, to sham ho gee thi. ramesh baboo baithe hue the. jalapa to taange se utarakar aandar chali gee, rama ramesh baboo ke pas jakar bola—‘kya apako ae der huee?

ramesh—‘nahian, abhi to chala a raha hooan. kya vakil sahab ke yahaan ge the?‘

rama—‘ji haan, tin rupaye ki chapat p d gee.‘

ramesh—‘koee haraz nahian, yah rupaye vasool ho jaeange. bade adamiyoan se raharasm ho jay to bura nahian hai, b de-bade kam nikalate haian. ek din un logoan ko bhi to bulao.‘

rama—‘abaki itavar ko chay ki davat de aya hooan.‘ ramesh—‘kaho to maian bhi a jaooan. janate ho n vakil sahab ke ek bhaee ianjiniyar haian. mere ek sale bahut dinoan se bekar baithe haian. agar vakil sahab usaki sipharish kar dean, to garib ko jagah mil jay. tum zara mera iantrodakshan kara dena, baki aur sab maian kar looanga. parti ka iantajam eeshvar ne chaha, to aisa hoga ki memasahab khush ho jaeangi. chay ke set, shishe ke rangin guladanaur phanoos maian la dooanga. kursiyaan, mezean, pharsh sab mere oopar chho d do. n kuli ki zaroorat, n majoor ki. unhian moosalachand ko ragedooanga.‘

ramanath—‘tab to bada maza rahega. maian to badi chianta mean pada hua tha.‘

ramesh—‘chianta ki koee bat nahian, usi lauande ko jot dooanga. kahooanga, jagah chahate ho to karagujari dikhao. phir dekhana, kaisi dau d-dhoop karata hai.‘ ramanath—‘abhi do-tin mahine hue ap apane sale ko kahian naukar rakha chuke haian n?’

ramesh—‘aji, abhi chhah aur baki haian. poore sat jiv haian. zara baith jao, zaroori chizoan ki soochi bana li jae. aj hi se dau d-dhoop hogi, tab sab chizean juta sakooanga. aur kitane mehaman hoange? ’

ramanath—‘mem sahab hoangi, aur shayad vakil sahab bhi aean.’

ramesh—‘yah bahut achchha kiya. bahut-se adami ho jate, to bhabhbh d ho jata. hamean to mem sahab se kam hai. thaluoan ki khushamad karane se kya fayada? ’ donoan adamiyoan ne soochi taiyar ki. ramesh baboo ne doosare hi din se saman jama karana shuroo kiya. unaki pahuanch achchhe-achchhe gharoan mean thi. sajavat ki achchhi-achchhi chizean bator lae, sara ghar jagamaga utha. dayanath bhi in taiyariyoan mean sharik the. chizoan ko karine se sajana unaka kam tha. kaun gamala kahaan rakkha jay, kaun tasvir kahaan latakaee jay, kaun?sa galicha kahaan bichhaya jay, in prashnoan par tinoan manushyoan mean ghantoan vad-vivad hota tha. daftar jane ke pahale aur daftar se ane ke bad tinoan inhian kamoan mean jut jate the. ek din is bat par bahas chhi d gee ki kamare mean aeena kahaan rakha jay. dayanath kahate the, is kamare mean aine ki zaroorat nahian. aeena pichhe vale kamare mean rakhana chahie. ramesh isaka virodh kar rahe the. rama duvidho mean chupachap khadatha. n inaki-si kah sakata tha, n unaki-si.

dayanath—‘maianne saik doan aangarezoan ke draiang-eem dekhe haian, kahian aeena nahian dekha. aeena rriangar ke kamare mean rahana chahie. yahaan aeena rakhana betuki-si bat hai.‘

ramesh—‘mujhe saik doan aangarezoan ke kamaroan ko dekhane ka avasar to nahian mila hai, lekin do-char zaroor dekhe haian aur unamean aeena laga hua dekha. phir kya yah zaroori bat hai ki in zara-zara-si batoan mean bhi ham aangarezoan ki nakal karean- ham aangarez nahian, hindustani haian. hindustani reesoan ke kamare mean b de-b de adamakad aine rakkhe jate haian. yah to apane hamare big de hue babuoan kisi bat kahi, jo pahanave mean, kamare ki sajavat mean, boli mean, chay aur sharab mean, chini ki pyaliyoan mean, garaz dikhave ki sabhi batoan mean to aangarezoan ka muanh chidhate haian, lekin jin batoan ne aangarezoan ko aangarez bana diya hai, aur jinaki badaulat ve duniya par raz karate haian, unaki hava tak nahian chhoo jati. kya apako bhi budhape mean, aangarez banane ka shauq charraya hai?‘

dayanath aangarejoan ki nakal ko bahut bura samajhate the. yah chay-parti bhi unhean buri maloom ho rahi thi. agar kuchh santosh tha, to yahi ki do-char bade adamiyoan se parichay ho jayaga. unhoanne apani ziandagi mean kabhi kot nahian pahana tha. chay pite the, magar chini ke set ki kaid n thi. katora-katori, gilas, lota-tasala kisi se bhi unhean apatti n thi, lekin is vakt unhean apana paksh nibhane ki p di thi. bole, ‘hindustani reesoan ke kamare mean mezean-kursiyaan nahian hotian, pharsh hota hai. apane kursi-mez lagakar ise aangarezi dhang par to bana diya, ab aine ke lie hindustaniyoan ki misal de rahe haian. ya to hindustani rakhie ya aangarezib yah kya ki adha titar adha baterab kotapataloon par chaugoshiya topi to nahian achchhi maloom hoti! ramesh baboo ne samajha tha ki dayanath ki zaban band ho jayagi, lekin yah javab suna to chakarae. maidan hath se jata hua dikhaee diya. bole, ‘to apane kisi aangarez ke kamare mean aeena nahian dekha- bhala aise das-paanch aangarejoan ke nam to bataie? ek apaka vahi kiranta hed klark hai, usake siva aur kisi aangarez ke kamare mean to shayad apane qadam bhi n rakkha ho usi kirante ko apane aangarezi ruchi ka adarsh samajh liya hai khoob! manata hooan.‘

dayanath—‘yah to apaki zaban hai, use kiranta, chamareshiyan, pilapili jo chahe kahean, lekin rang ko chho dakar vah kisi bat mean aangarezoan se kam nahian. aur usake pahale to yoropiyan tha.

ramesh isaka koee javab soch hi rahe the ki ek motarakar dvar par akar rooki, aur ratanabaee utarakar baramade mean aee. tinoan adami chatapat bahar nikal ae. rama ko is vakt ratan ka ana bura maloom hua. dar raha tha ki kahian kamare mean bhi n chali ae, nahian to sari kalee khul jae. age badhakar hath milata hua bola, ‘aie, yah mere pita haian, aur yah mere dost ramesh baboo haian, lekin un donoan sajjanoan ne n hath badhaya aur n jagah se hile. sakapakae- se kh de rahe. ratan ne bhi unase hath milane ki zaroorat n samajhi. door hi se unako namaskar karake rama se boli, ‘nahian, baithooangi nahian. is vakt phurasat nahian hai. apase kuchh kahana tha.‘ yah kahate hue vah rama ke sath motar tak aee aur ahista se boli, ‘apane sarraph se kah to diya hoga? ‘

rama ne niahsankoch hokar kaha, ‘ji haan, bana raha hai.‘

ratan—‘us din maianne kaha tha, abhi rupaye n de sakooangi, par maianne samajha shayad apako kasht ho, isalie rupaye mangava lie. ath sau chahie n?‘

jalapa ne kangan ke dam ath sau batae the. rama chahata to itane rupaye le sakata tha. par ratan ki saralata aur vishvas ne usake hath pak d lie. aisi udar, nishkapat ramani ke sath vah vishvasaghat n kar saka. vah vyapariyoan se do-do, char-char ane lete zara bhi n jhijhakata tha. vah janata tha ki ve sab bhi grahakoan ko ulte chhure se mooan date haian. aisoan ke sath aisa vyavahar karate hue usaki atma ko leshamatr bhi sankoch n hota tha, lekin is devi ke sath yah kapat vyavahar karane ke lie kisi purane papi ki zaroorat thi. kuchh sakuchata hua bola,kya jalapa ne kangan ke dam ath sau batalae the? use shayad yad n rahi hogi. usake kangan chhah sau ke haian. ap chahean to ath sau ka banava dooan! ratan—‘nahian, mujhe to vahi pasand hai. ap chhah sau ka hi banavaie.‘

usane motar par se apani thaili uthakar sau-sau rupaye ke chhah not nikale.

rama ne kaha, ‘aisi jaldi kya thi, chiz taiyar ho jati, tab hisab ho jata.‘

ratan—‘mere pas rupaye kharch ho jate. isalie maianne socha, apake sir par lad aooan. meri adat hai ki jo kam karati hooan, jald-se-jald kar dalati hooan. vilamb se mujhe ulajhan hoti hai.‘

yah kahakar vah motar par baith gee, motar hava ho gee. rama sandook mean rupaye rakhane ke lie aandar chala gaya, to donoan vriddh'janoan mean batean hone lagian.

ramesh—‘dekha?‘

dayanath—‘ji haan, aankheanan khuli huee thian. ab mere ghar mean bhi vahi hava a rahi hai. eeshvar hi bachave.‘

ramesh—‘bat to aisi hi hai, par ajakal aisi hi auratoan ka kam hai. zaroorat p de, to kuchh madad to kar sakati haian. bimar p d jao to daktar ko to bula la sakati haian. yahaan to chahe ham mar jaean, tab bhi kya majal ki stri ghar se bahar paanv nikale.‘

dayanath—‘hamase to bhaee, yah aangareziyat nahian dekhi jati. kya karean. santan ki mamata hai, nahian to yahi ji chahata hai ki rama se saf kah dooan, bhaiya apana ghar alag lekar raho aankh phati, pir gee. mujhe to un mardo par krodh ata hai, jo striyoan ko yoan sir chadhate haian. dekh lena, ek din yah aurat vakil sahab ko daga degi.‘

ramesh—‘mahashay, is bat mean maian tumase sahamat nahian hooan. yah kyoan man lete ho ki jo aurat bahar ati-jati hai, vah zaroor hi big di huee hai? magar rama ko manati bahut hai. rupaye n jane kisalie die? ‘

dayanath—‘mujhe to isamean kuchh golamal maloom hota hai. rama kahian usase koee chal n chal raha ho? ‘

isi samay rama bhitar se nikala a raha tha. aantim vaky usake kan mean p d gaya. bhauanhean chadhakar bola, ‘ji haan, zaroor chal chal raha hooan. use dhokha dekar rupaye aianth raha hooan. yahi to mera pesha hai! ‘

dayanath ne jheanpate hue kaha,to itana big date kyoan ho, ‘maianne to koee aisi bat nahian kahi.‘

ramanath—‘pakka jaliya bana diya aur kya kahate?apake dil mean aisa shubaha kyoan aya- apane mujhamean aisi kaun?si bat dekhi, jisase apako yah khayal paida hua- maian zara saph-suthare kap de pahanata hooan, zara nee pratha ke anusar chalata hooan, isake siva apane mujhamean kaun?si buraee dekhi- maian jo kuchh kharch karata hooan, eeman se kamakar kharch karata hooan. jis din dhokhe aur phareb ki naubat aegi, zahar khakar pran de dooanga. haan, yah bat hai ki kisi ko kharch karane ki tamiz hoti hai, kisi ko nahian hoti. vah apani subuddhi hai, agar ise ap dhokhebazi samajhean, to apako akhtiyar hai. jab apaki taraph se mere vishay mean aise sanshay hone lage, to mere lie yahi achchha hai ki muanh mean kalikh lagakar kahian nikal jaooan. ramesh baboo yahaan maujood haian. ap inase mere vishay mean jo kuchh chahean, poochh sakate haian. yah mere khatir jhooth n boleange.‘

saty ke rang mean rangi huee in batoan ne dayanath ko ashvast kar diya. bole, ‘jis din mujhe maloom ho jayaga ki tumane yah dhang akhtiyar kiya hai, usake pahale maian muanh mean kalikh lagakar nikal jaooanga. tumhara badhata hua kharch dekhakar mere man mean sandeh hua tha, maian ise chhipata nahian hooan, lekin jab tum kah rahe ho tumhari niyat saf hai, to maian santusht hooan. maian keval itana hi chahata hooan ki mera l daka chahe garib rahe, par niyat n biga de. meri eeshvar se yahi prarthana hai ki vah tumhean satpath par rakkhe.‘

ramesh ne muskarakar kaha, ‘achchha, yah qissa to ho chuka, ab yah batao, usane tumhean rupaye kisalie die! maian gin raha tha, chhah not the, shayad sau-sau ke the.‘

ramanath—‘thag laya hooan.‘

ramesh—‘mujhase shararat karoge to mar baithooanga. agar jat hi lae ho, to bhi maian tumhari pith thokooanga, jite raho khoob jato, lekin abaroo par aanch n ane pae . kisi ko kanoankan khabar n ho eeshvar se to maian darata nahian. vah jo kuchh poochhega, usaka javab maian de looanga, magar adami se darata hooan. sach batao, kisalie rupaye die - kuchh dalali milane vali ho to mujhe bhi sharik kar lena.‘

ramanath—‘jadaoo kangan banavane ko kah gee haian.‘

ramesh—‘to chalo, maian ek achchhe sarraph se banava dooan. yah jhanjhat tumane bura mol le liya. aurat ka svabhav janate nahian. kisi par vishvas to inhean ata hi nahian. tum chahe do-char rupaye apane pas hi se kharch kar do, par vah yahi samajheangi ki mujhe loot liya. nekanami to shayad hi mile, haan, badanami taiyar kh di hai.‘

ramanath—‘ap moorkh striyoan ki batean kar rahe haian. shikshit striyaan aisi nahian hotian.‘

zara der bad rama aandar jakar jalapa se bola, ‘abhi tumhari saheli ratan aee thian.‘

jalapa—‘sach! tab to bada g dab d hua hoga. yahaan kuchh taiyari to thi hi nahian.‘

ramanath—‘kushal yahi huee ki kamare mean nahian aee. kangan ke rupaye dene aee thian. tumane unase shayad ath sau rupaye batae the. maianne chhah sau le lie. ‘ jalapa ne jheanpate hue kaha,maianne to dillagi ki thi. jalapa ne is tarah apani saphaee to de di, lekin bahut der tak usakeman mean uthal-puthal hoti rahi. rama ne agar ath sau rupaye le lie hote, to shayad uthal-puthal n hoti. vah apani saphalata par khush hoti, par rama ke vivek ne usaki dharm-buddhi ko jaga diya tha. vah pachhata rahi thi ki maian vyarth jhooth boli. yah mujhe apane man mean kitani nich samajh rahe hoange. ratan bhi mujhe kitani beeeman samajh rahi hogi.