गोरा उपन्यास भाग-13

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

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harimohini doosare din sabere bhi bhoomi par baithakar pareshababoo ko pranam karane lagian. h dab dakar hatate hue bole, "yah ap kya kar rahi haian?"

aauankhoan mean aauansoo bharate hue harimohini ne kaha, "maian apaka rrin kee janmoan mean bhi nahian chuka sakooangi. mere-jaisi itani nirupay stri ka jo upay apane kar diya, vah aur koee n kar sakata. chahakar bhi mera bhala koee nahian kar sakata, yah maianne dekha hai- ap par bhagavan ka b da anugrah hai isilie ap mujh-jaisi abhagin par anugrah kar sake haian."

pareshababoo ne sankoch karate hue kaha, "maianne to khas kuchh nahian kiya, yah sab to radharani.... "

bat katakar harimohini ne kaha, "vah to maian janati hooan-lekin radharani hi to apaki hai- vah jo karati haian, vah ap hi ka kiya hua to hai. usaki maan jab mari, jab bap bhi nahian rahe, tab maianne socha tha l daki b di abhagini hai. lekin usake bhagy ke du:kh ko bhagavan aise dhany kar deange yah maian kaise janati? ghoom-phirakar aant mean jab apako dekha tab se samajhane lagi hooan ki bhagavan ne mujh par bhi daya ki hai."

"mausi, maan hai tumhean lene ke lie.... " kahata hua vinay a kh da hua. h dab dakar uthate hue sucharita ne kaha, "kahaan haian?"

vinay ne kaha, "niche apaki maan ke pas baithi haian."

jaldi se sucharita niche chali aee.

harimohini se pareshababoo ne kaha, "maian zara apake ghar mean sab saman thik-thak kar aooan!"

pareshababoo ke chale jane par chakit vinay ne kaha, 'mausi, apake ghar ki bat to maian nahian janata tha."

harimohini ne kaha, "maian bhi kahaan janati thi, beta? janate the keval pareshababoo! hamari radharani ka ghar hai."

sari bat sunakar vinay ne kaha, "maianne socha tha, duniya mean vinay kisi ke to kabhi kam a sakega-vah bhi rah gaya. aj tak maan ke lie to kuchh kar nahian saka, jo kuchh karane ko tha vah maan hi mere lie karati rahi haian- mausi ke lie bhi kuchh nahian kar sakooanga, unase bhi prapt karooanga. meri kismat mean lena hi lena likha hai, kuchh dena nahian."

kuchh der bad hi lalita aur sucharita ke sath anandamee a geean. harimohini ne age badhakar kaha, "bhagavan jab daya karate haian tab phir kanjoosi nahian karate- didi, aj maian tumhean bhi pa gee." kahate hue hath pak dakar unhoanne anandamee ko chataee par bithaya.

harimohini ne kaha, "didi, tumhari bat ke sivay vinay koee bat hi nahian karata."

hansakar anandamee ne kaha, "bachapan se use yahi rog hai, jo bat pak d leta hai. chho data hi nahian. jaldi hi mausi ki bari bhi a jaegi."

vinay ne kaha, "vah to hoga hi, pahale se hi maian kahe rakhata hooan. maianne b de hokar apane ap mausi ko dhooandh nikala hai, itane din jo vanchit raha usaki kisi tarah kami to poori karani hogi."

lalita ki or dekhate hue muskarakar anandamee ne kaha, "hamare vinay ko jis chiz ki kami ho vah use dhooandh lena bhi janata hai, aur dhooandh lene par ji-jan se pyar karana bhi janata hai. tum logoan ko vah kis drishhi se dekhata hai yah maian hi janati hooan- jo kabhi soch bhi nahian sakata tha mano vah samane pa gaya hai. usaki jan-pahachan tum logoan se ho jane se mujhe kitani kitani khushi huee hai, yah tumhean kya bataooan, beti! tum logoan ke yahaan vinay ka man aisa bas jane se usaka b da bhala hua hai. yah bat vah achchhi tarah samajhata hai, aur svikar karane se bhi nahian hichakata."

javab mean kuchh kahane ki koshish karake bhi lalita koee bat nahian pa saki. usaka chehara lal ho gaya. lalita ki mushkil dekhakar sucharita ne kaha, "vinay baboo har kisi ke bhitar ki achchhaee dekh lete haian, isilie jisamean jitani bhalaee hoti hai vahi unake hisse a jati haian yah bahut-kuchh unaka niji gun hai."

vinay ne kaha, "maan, vinay ko batachit karane ke lie tum jitana b da vishay samajhati ho, duniya ki drishti mean usaka mahatv nahian hai. yah bat tumh‍he samajhane ki maian kee bar sochata hooan, lekin ahankaravash hi abhi tak nahian kar paya. lekin ab bas-ab vinay ki bat chho dakar aur kuchh bat ki jay."

thik isi samay satish apane kutte ke pille ko chhati se chipatae uchhalata-koodata a pahuancha. harimohini ne ghabarakar kaha, "beta satish, too b da raja beta hai, is kutte ko bahar le ja."

satish bola, "vah kuchh nahian karega, mausi-tumhare kamare mean nahian jaega! tum use zara pyar kar lo, vah kuchh nahian kahega."

harimohini ne aur bhi door hatate hue kaha, "nahian beta nahian- use le jao."

tab kutte samet satish ko anandamee ne apani or khianch liya. kutte ko god mean lete hue ananidamee ne poochha, "tum satish ho n- hamare vinay ke dost?"

apane ko vinay ka dost kahakar parichay dena satish ko zara bhi asangat n lagata tha, isalie usake jhijhak bina kaha, "haan." aur anandamee ke chehare ki or dekhata raha.

anandamee ne kaha, "maian vinay ki maan hoti hooan."

pilla anandamee ke hath ka k da chabane ke khel se apana manoranjan karane laga. sucharita ne kaha, "baktyar, maan ko pranam kar!"

sakapakakar satish ne jaise-taise pranam kar diya.

itane mean varadasuandari a gee. unhoanne haramohini ki or dekhe bina anandamee se poochha, "ap kya hamare yahaan kuchh khaeangi?"

anandami ne kaha, "halaanki khan-pan aur chhoot-chhat ke bare mean kuchh soch-vichar nahian karati, lekin aj rahane dijie- gora laut ae tab kabhi khaooangi."

gora ki anupasthiti mean anandamee aisa koee kam nahian karana chahati thian jo gora ko achchha n lage.

vinay ki or dekhakar varadasuandari ne kaha, "are, vinay baboo bhi to yahaan haian. maian bhi kahooan ap kyoan nahian ae!"

vinay ne phauran kaha, "maian jo aya hooan to ap samajhati haian ki apako batae bina hi chala jata?"

varadasuandari ne kaha, "kal nimantran ke samay to ap khisak ge; aj chalie, bina nimantran ke hi kha lijiega."

vinay ne kaha, "mujhe to vahi zyada ruchega. tanakhvah se bakhshish ka akarshan adhik haian."

man-hi-man harimohini ko ashchary hua. vinay us ghar mean khata-pita hai, anandamee bhi khan-pan ka vichar nahian karatian, yah unhean achchha nahian laga.

varadasuandari ke chale jane par harimohini ne sakuchate hue poochha, "didi, tumhare svami kya.... ?"

anandamee ne kaha, "mere svami kattar hiandoo haian."

harimohini avakh bani rahian. unake man ka bhav samajhakar anandamee ne kaha, "bahan, mere lie jab tak samaj sabase b da tha tab tak samaj ko hi manakar chalati thi. lekin ek din bhagavan ekaek mere ghar mean aise roop mean prakat hue ki samaj ko unhoanne mujhe aur nahian manane diya. jab unhoanne svayan akar meri jat chhin li tab mujhe aur kisi ka kya bhay!"

is bat ka arth harimohini nahian samajh sakian. bolian, "aur tumhare svami?"

anandamee ne kaha, "mere svami naraz hote haian."

harimohini, "aur l dake?"

anandamee, "l dake bhi khush nahian haian, lekin unhean khush karake bhi kya hoga? bahan, meri yah bat kisi ki samajh mean nahian a sakati- jo sab janate haian vahi samajhate haian." kahate-kahate hath jo dakar anandamee ne pranam kiya.

harimohini ne socha-shayad koee mishanari aurat akar anandamee ko phusalakar khristan bana gee hai.-unaka man ek gahare sankoch se bhar utha.

yah bat sunakar sucharita ko b di tasalli huee thi ki vah pareshababoo ke ghar ke pas hi aur barabar unaki dekh-rekh mean rah sakegi. kiantu jab usake ne ghar ki sajavat ka kary poora ho gaya aur vahaan chale jane ka samay a gaya, tab sucharita ke man mean rah-rahakar ek tis uthane lagi. bat keval pas rahane ya n rahane ki nahian hai, jivan ke sath jivan ka jo sarvaangin yog tha usamean itane din bad aj ek vichchhed ghatit hone ja raha hai. yah sochakar sucharita ko aisa lag raha tha jaise usake ek aansh ki mrityu hone vali ho. sucharita ka is parivar mean jitana bhi sthan tha, usaka jo kuchh bhi kam tha, naukaroan se bhi usaka jitana sanpark tha, sabhi sucharita ke hriday ko vyakul karane lage.

sucharita ka apana niji bhi kuchh hai, aur usi ke sahare vah aj svadhin hone ja rahi hai, is khabar se varadasuandari bar-bar yahi bhav prakat karane lagian ki yah achchha hi hua; itane dinoan se itani savadhani se jo uttaradayitv vah nibahati a rahi thian usase mukt hokar vah nishchiant hi huee hai. lekin sucharita ke prati man-hi-man unamean ek shikayat ka bhav bhi utpann hua. aj sucharita unase alag hokar apane bhagy ke sahare kh di ho sakati hai, yah jaise usaka ek aparadh hai. unake siva sucharita ki or koee gati nahian hai, yah sochakar varadasuandari kee bar sucharita ko apane parivar ke lie sankat manakar svayan apane oopar karuna karati rahi haian. lekin sahasa yah soochana pakar ki unhean sucharita ke bhar se chhutakara mil gaya hai, unhean zara bhi achchha nahian laga. sucharita ke lie unaka ashray avashyak nahian hai, yah janakar sucharita ghamand karane lag sakati hai. unaki anugat rahana apane lie anavashyak samajh sakati hai, yah sochakar unhoanne pahale se hi use aparadhi thahara diya. pahale jaise vah ghar ke kam-kaj ke samay sucharita ko bulati thi, use bilh‍kul bhoolakar asvabhavik dhang se vah usake prati samman dikhane lagian. vida hone se pahale man-hi-man du:khit hokar sucharita varadasuandari ke ghar ke kam-kaj mean kuchh zyada hi hath bantane ki koshish kar rahi thi, tarah-tarah ke bahane karake unake asapas ghoomati rahati thi. kiantu varadasuandari kuchh aisa bhav dikhakar ki kahian sucharita ka asamman n ho jae, use door hi door rakhati thian. itane dinoan se sucharita jinhean maan kahati huee jinake pas rahakar b di huee hai, aj vida ke samay bhi apane man ko unhoanne pratikool kar liya, isaki pi da sucharita ko sabase adhik kasht de rahi thi.

har samay lavany, lalita aur lila sucharita ke asapas mandarati rahatian. sucharita ka naya ghar sajane ve b de utsah se geean, lekin us utsah ke bhitar mano avyakt vedana ke aauansoo chhipe hue the.

sucharita anek bahane karake ab tak pareshababoo ke kee chhote-mote kam karati aee thi. phool donoan mean phool sajana, mez par kitabean sanvarana, bistar dhoop mean phailana, snan ke samay unhean pani rakhe jane ki soochana dena- in sab nity ke abhyast kamoan ko usane kabhi koee vishesh mahatv nahian diya tha. lekin inhian sab anavasyak kamoan ko chho dakar chale jane ka samay a jane par ye sab chhoti-chhoti sevaean hi, jinhean kisi ek ke badale sahaj hi koee doosara kar sakata hai, aur jinake n karane se bhi kisi ki koee vishesh hani nahian hoti, donoan pakshoan ke man mean kasakane vali ho gee thian. sucharita pareshababoo ke kamare mean koee mamooli-sa kam karane bhi ati to vah kam pareshababoo ke lie b da ho jata or unaki chhati bhar uthati. doosari or, yah sochakar ki yahi kam ab se kisi doosare ke hathoan sanpann hua karega, sucharita ki aauankhean chhalachhala uthatian.

jis din dopahar ke bhojan ke bad sucharita ke apane ne ghar mean chale jane ki bat tay thi, us din sabere pareshababoo apane ekaant kamare mean upasana karane ge to unhoanne dekha, unake samane ka sthan phooloan se sajakar sucharita kamare ke ek kone mean pratiksha karati huee baithi hai. lavany, lila vagairah bhi aj upasana mean aeangi, aisi unhoanne mantrana ki thi, lekin lalita ne unhean rok diya tha. lalita janati thi ki pareshababoo ki upasana mean akeli yog dekar sucharita ko unaka ashirvad pakar vishesh anand hoga. aj sucharita us ashirvad ke lie vishesh utsuk hogi yah anubhav karake lalita ne unhean aj ki upasana ki nirjanata bhang karane se rok diya.

upasana poori ho gee. sucharita ki aauankhoan se ashru jhar rahe the. pareshababoo ne kaha, "beti, pichhe ki or mat dekho, samane ke marg par badhati jao- man mean kuchh sankoch mat karo. jo bhi ghate, jo bhi samane upasthit ho, usamean se apani sari shakti se achchhaee ko grahan karane ka sankalp karake anandapoorvak chal p do. sanpoorn roop se eeshvar ko atm-samarpan karake ek matr usi ko apana sahayak mano-tab bhool-chook aur kshati ke bich bhi labh ka rasta pati rah sakogi. aur yadi apane ko adha-adha baantana chahogi- tho da-sa eeshvar ko aur tho da-sa kahian aur aur-tab sabhi kuchh mushkil ho jaega. eeshvar aisa hi karean ki ham logoan ke is kshudr sahare ka bhi tumhare lie prayojan n karean."

donoan ne upasana ke bad bahar akar dekha ki baithane ke kamare mean haranababoo pratiksha kar rahe haian. kisi ke prati aj vah koee virodh-bhav man mean nahian ane degi, yah thanakar sucharita ne haranababoo ko namr bhav se namaskar kiya. phauran haranababoo kursi par sakht hokar baith ge or atyant ganbhir svar se bole, "sucharita, itane dinoan tum jis saty ke ashray mean thian aj usase vanchit hone ja rahi ho, ham logoan ke lie aj shok ka din hai."

sucharita ne koee javab nahian diya. lekin usake man mean shaanti ki jo karuna mishrit ragini baj rahi thi ek besura svar bhi usamean a mila.

pareshababoo ne kaha, "kaun pa raha hai aur kaun vanchit ho raha hai, yah to aantaryami hi janate haian, ham log bahar se vichar karake vyarth bechain hote haian."

haranababoo bole, "to ap kya yah kahana chahate haian ki apake man mean koee ashanka nahian hai? aur yah ki aisi bhi koee bat nahian huee jis par apako anutap ho?"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "panoo baboo, maian kalpanik ashanka ko man mean sthan nahian deta. aur anutap karane ki koee bat huee hai ya nahian, yah to tabhi janooanga jab anutap hoga."

haranababoo ne kaha, "yah jo apaki kanya lalita akeli vinay baboo ke sath stimar mean chali aee, kya yah bhi kalpanik hai?"

sucharita ka muanh lal ho gaya. pareshababoo ne kaha, "panoo baboo, apaka man is samay kisi karan se uttejit hai, isalie is samay is sanbandh mean apase batachit karana ap hi ke prati anyay hoga."

sir uthakar haranababoo ne kaha, "maianne uttejana ki jhoank mean koee bat nahian kahi- maian jo kah raha hooan usake bare mean apani zimmedari ka mujhe poora jnan hai, ap usaki fikr n karean. jo kuchh apase kah raha hooan vyaktigat apani or se nahian kah raha, brahm-samaj ki or se hi kah raha hooan- n kahana anyay hoga isilie kah raha hooan. agar ap aandhe n hue rahate to yah jo vinay baboo ke sath lalita akeli chali aee, isi ek ghatana se samajh sakate the ki apaka yah parivar brahm-samaj ka bandhan to dakar bhrasht ho jane vala hai. isaka keval ap hi ko anutap karane ka karan mile so bat nahian hai, isamean sare brahm-samaj ke apaman ki bat hai."

pareshababoo ne kaha, "buraee to bahar se ki ja sakati hai, lekin nyay karane ke lie bhitar paithana hota hai. keval ghatana ke karan kisi ko aparadhi n thahara dean."

haranababoo ne kaha, "ghatana akhir yoan hi to ghatit hoti, use ap log bhitar se hi ghatit kie de rahe haian. ap aise-logoan ko atmiy banakar parivar mean la rahe haian jo apake parivar ko hi apake atmiy samaj se door le jana chahate haian. balki door le bhi ge, yah kya ap nahian dekh rahe haian?"

kuchh virakt hokar pareshababoo ne kaha, mera dekhane ka dhang apake dhang se mel nahian khata."

haranababoo bole, "n khata hoga mel. kiantu maian sucharita ko hi sakshi manakar poochhata hooan, vahi sach-sach bata dean ki vinay ka lalita ke sath jo sanbandh hai vah kya bilh‍kul bahar ka hi sanbandh hai? kya usane unake aantar ko zara bhi nahian chhua? nahian, sucharita, tumhare chale jane se nahian hoga- is bat ka javab dena hi hoga. yah b di ganbhir bat hai."

sucharita ne sakht pak dakar kaha, "chahe jitani ganbhir ho, apaka to isamean koee dakhal nahian hai."

haranababoo ne kaha, "yadi dakhal n hota to n keval maian chup hi rahata balki is bare mean sochata bhi nahian. tum logoan ko samaj ki paravah nahian ho sakati hai, lekin jab tak samaj mean ho tab tak samaj tum logoan ke mamale mean vichar karane ko majaboor haian."

aauandhi ki tarah lalita ne pravesh karate hue kaha, "agar samaj ne ap hi ko vicharak ke pad par niyukt kiya hai, tab to is samaj se nirvasit hona hi ham logoan ke lie behatar hai."

kursi par se uthakar kh de hote hue haranababoo ne kaha, "lalita, tum a geean yah achchha hi hua. tumhare bare mean jo abhiyog hai us par tumhare samane hi vichar hona chahie."

gusse se sucharita ka chehara aur aauankhean jal uthian. usane kaha, "haranababoo, apani kachahari apane ghar kijiega. kisi grihasth ghar mean ghusakar usaka apaman karean, ham log apaka yah adhikar kisi tarah nahian maneange. chal lalita, chal yahaan se!"

lalita nahian hili. boli, "nahian didi, maian bhagooangi nahian. panoo baboo ko jo kuchh kahana hai sab sunakar hi maian jana chahati hooan. kahie, apako kya kahana hai, kah dali‍e!"

haranababoo sannate mean a ge. pareshababoo ne kaha, "beti lalita, aj hamare ghar se sucharita ja rahi hai-maian aj kisi tarah ki ashaanti hone dena nahian chahata. haranababoo, ham logoan ka aparadh chahe jitana ganbhir ho, aj-bhar ke lie apako hamean maph kar dena hoga."

haranababoo chupachap ganbhir hokar baithe rahe. sucharita jitana hi unase vimukh hoti thi, sucharita ko baandh rakhane ka unaka hath utana hi badhata jata tha. unaka atal vishvas tha ki apane asadharan naitik bal ke karan unaki jit avashy hogi. ab bhi unhoanne patavar chho d di ho, aisa nahian tha; lekin is ashanka se unaka man kshubdh tha ki mausi ke sath sucharita ke doosare makan mean chale jane par vahaan unaki shakti mean kuchh kami a jaegi. isilie aj vah apane sab brahmastroan ko san par chadhakar lae the. kisi tarah aj sabere hi b di k daee se kuchh nibatara kar lene ki unhoanne than rakhi thi. aj unhoanne sab sankoch chho d diya tha- lekin doosara paksh bhi isi tarah sankoch ko door kar dega, lalita aur sucharita bhi sahasa myan mean se talavar nikalakar kh di ho jaeangi, isaki unhoanne kalpana nahian ki thi. unhoanne yah soch rakha tha ki jab vah apane prabal naitik agni-ban chho deange tab doosare paksh ka sir phauran jhuk jaega. thik vaisa nahian hua, aur avasar bhi nikal gaya. lekin haranababoo har manane vale nahian the. man-hi-man unhoanne kaha, saty ki jay hogi hi- arthath haranababoo ki jay hogi hi. lekin jay yoan hi to nahian ho jati- l dana to hoga hi. so haranababoo kamar kasakar maidan mean utar ae the.

sucharita ne kaha, "mausi, aj maian sabake sath baithakar khaooangi- tum kuchh bura mat manana."

harimohini chup hi rahi. man-hi-man unhoanne tay kar liya tha ki sucharita sampoornataya unaki ho gee hai- vishesh roop se jab vah apani sanpatti ke bal par svadhin hokar alag ghar chalane lagegi- aur ab harimohini ko aur koee sankoch nahian karana hoga, solah ane apane matanusar vah chal sakeangi. isilie sankoch nahian karana hoga, solah ane apane matanusar vah chal sakeangi. isilie jab sucharita ne shuchita khokar phir sabake sath baithakar khane ka prastav kiya tab unhean achchha nahian laga- par vah chup hi rahian.

unamean man ka bhav samajhakar sucharita ne kaha, "tum nishchay janoan mausi, thakur isase prasann haange. mere aantaryami thakur ne hi aj mujhe sabake sath baithakar khane ko kaha hai. unaki bat n manane se vah naraz hoange. aur unake krodh se to maian tumhare krodh se i adhik darati hooan."

jab tak varadasuandari ke hathoan harimohini apamanit hoti rahati thian tab tak unake apaman mean hissa bantane ke lie sucharita ne unaka achar apana rakha tha, kiantu ab us apaman se chhutakara mil jane par, sucharita ko achar ke sanbandh mean svadhin hone mean duvidha nahian rahi, yah bat harimohini nahian samajh sakian. sucharita ko harimohini poori tarah nahian samajh saki thi, aur samajhana bhi unake lie kathin tha.

sucharita ko harimohini ne saph-saph mana to nahian kiya, lekan man-hi-man naraz hueean. sochane lagian- maianya ri, kaise usaki pravritti udhar ho sakati hai maian to soch hi nahian sakati. brahman ke ghar mean janm lekar.... !"

unhoanne tho di der chup rahane ke bad kaha, "ek bat kahooan beti, tum jo karo so to karo, lekin us baire ke hath ka pani mat pina."

sucharita ne kaha, "kyoan mausi, vahi ramadin baira to apaki gay duhakar tumhare lie doodh de jata hai."

aauankhean b di-b di karake harimohini ne kaha, "too had karati hai. doodh aur pani kya saman haian?"

hansakar sucharita ne kaha, "achchha mausi, maian ramadin ka chhua pani aj nahian piooangi. lekin agar tumane satish ko roka to vah isase thik ulta hi karega."

harimohini ne kaha, "satish ki bat alag hai."

harimohini manati thian ki niyam-sanyam ki chook purushoan ke mamale mean maph karani hi p dati hai.

haranababoo l daee ke maidan utar ae.

stimar mean vinay ke sath ae hue lalita ko pray: pandrah din ho ge the. do-ek janoan ke kanoan me yah bat p d chuki thi aur dhire-dhire phail rahi thi. lekin ab do hi din mean yah samachar phoos mean lagi ag ki tarah charoan or phail gaya.

kafi logoan ko haranababoo ne yah samajhaya ki brahm-samaj ke dharmapoorn naitik jivan ko dhh‍yan mean rakhate hue is dhang ke kadachar ka daman karana unaka param kartavy hai. vaise aisi batean samajhane ke lie adhik mehanat bhi nahian karani p dati. jab ham 'saty ke anurodh', se 'kartavy ke anurodh' se prerit hokar doosaroan ki galati par ghrina prakat karane ka dand ka vidhan karane ko taiyar hote haian, tab saty aur kartavy ke anurodh ko manana hamare lie bahut kathin nahian hota. isilie jab haranababoo ke brahm-samaj mean 'apriy' saty ki ghoshana ki aur 'kathor' kartavy ki bat uthaee, tab itani b di apriyata aur kathorata ke dar se bhi adhikatar log utsahapoorvak unaki madad karane se n hichakichae. brahm-samaj ke hitaishi log ga di-palaki kirae par lekar bhi ek-doosare ke ghar jakar kah ae ki ajakal jab aisi-aisi batean honi shuroo ho gee hai tab brahm-samaj ka bhavishy bahut aandhakarapoorn hai. sath hi tarah-tarah se alankrit hokar yah bat bhi phailane lagi ki sucharita hiandoo ho gee hai aur hiandoo mausi ke ghar ashray lekar jap-tap, yajn-anushthan thakur-pooja mean hi din bitane lagi hai.

lalita ke man mean kee din se ek l daee chal rahi thi. roz rat ko sone jane se pahale vah kahati, "maian kabhi nahian manooangi' aur roz sabare niand khulate hi bistar par baithe-baithe duharati thi, 'kabhi kisi tarah har nahian manooangi.' yah jo vinay ki chianta usake poore man par chhaee huee thi, vinay nichale kamare mean baitha batachit kar raha hai, yah sun pate hi usake man mean ek khalabali mach jati thi, do din lagatar vinay ke unake ghar n a pane par vah jaise roothakar apane ko hi satane lagati thi, bich-bich mean kee bahanoan se satish ko vinay ke ghar jane ke lie protsahit karati thi aur usake lautane par vinay kya kar raha tha tatha usase kya bat huee, isaka poora byaura janane ki cheshta karati thi- in sabake lie lalita jitana hi apane ko vivash pati, utana hi apani har ki glani use aur bechain kar deti. kabhi-kabhi use is bat par bhi gussa ho ata ki pareshababoo ne vinay aur gora ke sath kh‍yoan unake mel-milap mean badha nahian di. lekin vah akhir tak l dati hi rahegi, mar jaegi par haregi nahian, yahi usaki pratijna thi. usaka jivan kaise katega, is sanbandh mean usake man mean tarah-tarah ki kalpanaean udit hoti rahati thian. yoorop ki lok hitaishini striyoan ke jivan-charitr aur kirti ki jo sab batean usane padh rakhi thian, ve sab savayan usake lie sadhh‍y aur sanbhav haian, aisa use lagane laga tha.

usane ek din jakar pareshababoo se kaha, "baba, maian kya kisi l dakiyoan ke skool mean padhane ka kam nahian kar sakati?" sthir drishti se pareshababoo ne apani l daki ke chehare ki or dekha. usaki do karun aauankhean jaise hriday ki atripti ki vedana ke karan kangal-si hokar yah prashn poochh rahi thian. unhoanne snigdh svar se kaha, "kyoan nahian kar sakati, beti? lekin l dakiyoan ka aisa skool hai kahaan?"

jis samay ka zikr ho raha hai us samay l dakiyoan ke skool adhik nahian the; sadharan pathashalaean thian aur bhadr gharoan ki l dakiyoan ne abhi mastarani ka kam karana shuroo nahian kiya tha. lalita ne udas hokar kaha, "skool nahian hai, baba?"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "kahaan, maianne to nahian dekha!"

lalita ne kaha, "achchha baba, l dakiyoan ka skool kya shuroo nahian kiya ja sakata?"

pareshababoo ne kaha, "kafi kharch ka mamala hai, aur bahut logoan ki madad ki bhi zaroorat p degi."

lalita yahi samajhati thi ki achchhe kam ka sankalp kar lena hi kathin hai. usake sadhan jutane ke marg mean bhi itani badhaean hoangi yah usane nahian socha tha. tho di der vah chupachap baithi rahi, phir uthakar dhire-dhire chali gee. apani is sabase chaheti beti ke hriday mean kahaan kaun-si vyatha hai, pareshababoo baithakar yahi sochane lage. haranababoo vinay ke bare mean us din jo ishara kar ge the, vah bhi unhean yad aya. unhaanne lanbi saans lekar apane ap se poochha- maianne kya nasamajhi ka kam kiya hai? apani kisi doosari l daki ki bat hoti to unhean vishesh fikr nahian hoti, lekin mano lalita ka jivan lalita ke lie bahut hi sachcha padarth hai, vahaan adhoori bat karana vah janati hi nahian. usake lie sukh-du:kh, adhe saty aur adhe jhooth nahian hote.

apane jivan mean lalita pratidin yah vyarth ka dhikkar sahati huee kaise ji sakegi? usake samane kahian koee pratishtha, koee mangal parinam nahian dikhata, aur is tarah nirupay bahate chale jana bhi usake svabhav mean nahian hai.

lalita usi din tisare pahar sucharita ke ghar ja pahuanchi. sucharita ke ghar mean sajavat kuchh khas nahian thi. pharsh par ek mamooli dari, jisake ek taraph sucharita ka bistar laga tha aur doosari taraph harimohini ka. harimohini khat par nahian soti, isalie ek hi kamare mean sucharita bhi unake sath pharsh par hi bistar lagati hai. divar par pareshababoo ka chitr tanga tha. sath ke chhote kamare mean satish ki khat p di thi aur ek taraph ek chhoti mez par kalam-davat, kitab-kapiyaan tatha slet adi idhar-udhar bikhari huee thian. satish skool gaya hua tha, ghar mean niravata thi.

harimohini bhojan ke bad apani chataee par leti sone ki taiyari kar rahi thian aur sucharita pith par khule bal phailae dari par baithi huee god mean takiya rakhe magan hokar kuchh padh rahi thi. usake samane aur bhi do-ek kitabean rakhi huee thi.

sahasa lalita ko kamare mean ate dekhakar sucharita ne jaise lajjit hokar pahale kitab band kar di, phir mano apani lajja par hi lajjit hokar pustak ko jyoan ka tyoan rakh diya. ye sab pustakean gora ki rachanaean thi.

uthakar baithate hue harimohini ne kaha, "ao, ao lalita beti, ao! tum logoan ka ghar chho dakar sucharita ka ji kaisa hota rahata hai, yah maian janati hooan. jab usaka man bechain hota hai tabhi vah kitabean lekar padhane baith jati haian maian abhi leti-leti soch rahi thi ki tum logoan mean se koee a jata to achchha hota-tabhi tum a geean, b di lanbi umr hai tumhari."

jo bat lalita ke man mean thi, vahi usane sucharita ke pas baithate hi shuroo kar di. boli, "suchi didi, hamare muhalle mean l dakiyoan ke lie ek skool shuroo kiya jae to kaisa rahe?"

hakka-bakka hokar harimohini ne kaha, "lo aur suno! tum log skool chalaogi?"

sucharita ne kaha, "lekin chalega kaise, yah to bata. kaun hamari madad karega! baba se bat ki thi?"

lalita ne kaha,"ham donoan to padha sakeangi. shayad b di didi bhi taiyar ho jaean."

sucharita boli, "sirph padhane bhar ki to bat nahian haian kaise skool ka kam chalaya jaega, isake sab niyam banane hoange, makan thik karana hoga, chhatr jutanian hoangi, kharch ke lie paisa jutana hoga. ham do l dakiyaan yah sab kaise kar paeangi?"

lalita ne kaha, "didi, aisa kahane se to nahian chalega. l daki hokar janm liya hai, kya isilie jivan-bhar man marakar ghar mean p di-p di kudhati raheangi? duniya ke kisi kam n aeangi?"

jo dard lalita ki bat mean tha vah sucharita ke hriday mean bhi gooanj gaya. vah kuchh uttar n dekar sochane lag gee.

lalita ne kaha, "muhalle mean hi anek l dakiyaan haian. agar ham unhean yoan hi padhana chahean to maan-bap khush hi hoange. unamean se jitani mil jaean unhean jutakar isi ghar mean padhaya ja sakata hai- isamean kaun-sa kharch lagega?

muhalle bhar ki aparichit gharoan ki l dakiyoan ko jutakar ghar hi mean padhane ke prastav se harimohini udvign ho uthian. apani pooja-archana lekar vah to alag-thalag shudhd hokar rahana chahati haian, usamean vighn ki sanbhavana se vah apatti karane lagian.

sucharita ne kaha, "daro mat mausi, chhatr mil geean to unaka kam hamare nichale talle ke kamare mean hi chal jaega, unhean ham oopar tumhare kamare mean utpat karane nahian laeangi. achchha lalita, padhane vali l dakiyaan yadi mil jaean to maian razi hooan."

lalita ne kaha, "achchha, dekh hi kyoan n liya jay!"

bar-bar harimohini kahati rahian, "beti, har mamale mean jab tum log khristanoan ki tarah ho jaogi to kaise chalega? achchhe ghar ki l dakiyaan jakar skool mean padhaeangi, aj tak yah to kabhi nahian suna!"

pareshababoo ke ghar ki chhat se asapas ke gharoan ki chhatoan par kh di l dakiyoan se batachit hoti rahati thi. is parichay mean ek badha bhi thi, kyoanki aksar asapas ke gharoan ki l dakiyaan is bare mean saval poochhati thian aur vismay prakat karati thian ki is ghar ki l dakiyoan ka itani umr ho jane par bhi abhi tak vivah kyoan nahian hua? isilie lalita chhat par ki is batachit mean bhag nahian leti thi. chhatoan ke dvara dosti ke is vistar mean lavany ka hi utsah sabase adhik tha. doosari grihasthiyoan ke halachal janane mean usake kautoohal ki sima nahian thi. p dosiyoan ke rozamarra jivan ki pradhan aur apradhan anek batoan ki charcha door se hi hava ke sahayog se usake sath hoti rahati thi. aksar tisare pahar khule akash ke niche hath mean kanghi lie bal sanvarate-sanvarate usaki aur usaki saheliyoan ki sabha juta karati thi.

apane prastavit l dakiyoan ke skool ke lie chhatraean jutane ka bhar lalita ne lavany ko sauanp diya. jab chhatoan par se lavany ne is prastav ki ghoshana kar di tab kee l dakiyaan utsahit ho uthian. lalita prasann hokar sucharita ke ghar ki nichali manzil ka kamara jha d-poanchhakar, dhokar, sajakar taiyar karane mean jut gee.

lekin usaka skool soona hi rah gaya. padhane ke bahane apani l dakiyoan ko phusalakar brahm ghar mean le jane ke prastav par p dosi grihash‍vami bahut big d uthe. yahaan tak ki jab unhean pata laga ki pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ke sath unaki l dakiyoan ki jan-pahachan hai aur unamean batachit hoti rahati hai, tab ise rokana bhi unhoanne apana kartavy samajha. unhean l dakiyoan ka chhat par jana band karane ka avasar mil gaya. brahm p dosi ki l dakiyoan ke sadhh‍y sankalp ke bare mean bhi unhoanne jo batean kahian ve kuchh prashansa ki nahian thian. bechari lavany ne yatha-samay kanghi hath mean lie chhat par pahuanchakar dekha, as-pas ki chhatoan par navinaoan ka sthan pravinaoan ne le liya hai, aur unamean se kisi se bhi vah do madhur shabd n pa saki.

isase bhi lalita hatash n huee. usane socha-bahut-si garib brahm l dakiyaan aisi haian jinake lie bethyoon skool padhane jana sahaj nahian hai, unhian ko padhane ka bhar lene se upakar ho sakata hai.

aisi chhatraoan ki khoj mean vah svayan bhi lagi aur sudhir ko bhi usane laga diya.

un dinoan pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ke padhane-likhane ki khyati door-door tak phaili huee thi. yahaan tak ki yah khyati sachchaee ko bhi bahut pichhe chho d gee thi. isalie yah sunakar ki ye l dakiyaan padhane ka avaitanik bhar leangi, anek mata-pita prasann ho uthe.

shuroo mean to do-char din ke bhitar hi paanch-chh: l dakiyoan ko lekar lalita ka skool chal nikala. pareshababoo ke sath skool ki charcha karake usake niyam banane, usaki vyavastha karane adi mean lalita ne apane lie koee samay hi nahian chho da. yahaan tak ki varsh ke aant mean pariksha ke bad l dakiyoan ko inam kaise die jaeange, isake bare mean lalita ki lavany ke sath bakayada bahas bhi chhi d gee. jo pustakean lalita sujhati thi ve lavany ko pasand nahian thian aur lavany ki pasand lalita ko nahian janchati thi. pariksha kaun-kaun leange, is par bhi bahas ho gee. lavany ko yadyapi haranababoo bilh‍kul achchhe nahian lagate the tathapi unake paandity ki khyati se vah prabhavit thi. unako skool ki pariksha ya shiksha ya kisi ek kam mean haranababoo ke niyukt hone se vah skool ke lie vishesh garv ki bat hogi, is bare mean use zara bhi sandeh nahian tha. kiantu lalita ne sari bat hi nirast kar di-haranababoo ke sath unake is skool ka kisi prakar ka sanbandh nahian ho sakega. do-tin din ke bhitar hi usaki chhatraoan ki sankhya kam hote-hote aantat: klas sooni ho gee. lalita klas mean akeli baithi bairoan ki ahat sunate hi chhatraoan ke ane ki sanbhavana se sajag ho uthati, lekin koee ata hi nahian. is prakar jab dopahar bit gee tab usane samajh liya ki kahian kuchh g dab d hai.

jis chhatr ka ghar usase nazadik tha, lalita usase milane gee. usane ruanasi-si hokar kaha, "maan mujhe jane nahian detian." maan ne bataya, asuvidha hoti hai, lekin kya asuvidha hai, yah unhoanne spasht nahian bataya. lalita svabhimanini thi, doosari or se anichchha ka zara-sa bhi lakshan dekhane par zid karana ya karan poochhana usase nahian hota tha.

usane kaha, "asuvidha hoti hai to jane dijie."

isake bad jis doosare ghar mean lalita gee vahaan saph-saph bat sunane ko mili. unhoanne kaha, "sucharita ajakal hiandoo ho gee hai, jat-paant manane lagi hai, usake ghar thakur-pooja hoti hai" ityadi.

lalita ne kaha, "agar is karan se apatti ho to skool ham logoan ke ghar bhi chal sakata hai."

lekin apatti ka nirakaran isase bhi hota nahian dikha- aur bhi kuchh bat thi. aur kisi ke ghar n jakar lalita ne sudhir ko bula bheja aur poochha, "sudhir kya hua hai, sach-sach batao to?"

sudhir ne kaha, "panoo baboo tumhare is skool ka virodh karane par lage hue haian."

lalita ne poochha, "kyoan? didi ke ghar moorti-pooja hoti hai, isalie?"

sudhir ne kaha, "keval isalie nahian."

adhir hokar lalita ne poochha, "aur kya, kah hi dalo!"

sudhir ne kaha, "bahut-si batean haian."

lalita ne poochha, "mera bhi kuchh aparadh hai?"

sudhir chup raha. lalita ka chehara lal ho utha usane kaha, "yah meri us stimar-yatra ki saza hai. maianne agar galat kam bhi kiya ho to achchha kam karake usaka prayashchit karane ka rasta hamare samaj mean kya bilh‍kul band ho gaya hai? kya mere lie is samaj mean sab shubh kary nishidhd haian? meri aur hamare samaj ki adhh‍yatmik unnati ka tum logoan ne yahi rasta nikala hai?"

bat ko kuchh naram karane ke lie sudhir ne kaha, "thik isalie nahian. unhean yah bhi dar hai ki kahian vinay baboo vagairah bhi age chalakar is skool ke sath n ju d jaean."

ekaek ag ki tarah bh dakakar lalita ne kaha, "vah dar ki nahian bhagy ki bat hogi. yogyata mean vinay baboo ki barabari kar sakane vale unamean kitane hoange?"

sudhir lalita ka gussa dekhakar sankuchit hota hua bola, "yah bat to hai. lekin vinay baboo to...."

"brahm-samaj ke nahian haian, yahi n! isilie brahm-samaj unhean saza dega. maian aise samaj par garv nahian kar sakati!"

sucharita chhatraoan ke bilh‍kul gayab ho jane se samajh gee thi ki kya mamala hai aur kaun isaki j d mean hai. is bare mean vah koee bat n kahakar oopar ke kamare mean satish ko usaki pariksha ki taiyari karane mean lag gee thi.

sudhir se bat hone par lalita sucharita ke pas gee aur boli, "suna?"

musakarakar sucharita ne kaha, "suna to nahian, lekin samajh sab liya."

lalita ne kaha, "kya yah sab sah lena hoga?"

lalita ka hath pak dakar sucharita ne kaha, "sah lene mean to apaman nahian hai. baba kaise sab sah lete haian, yah tumane nahian dekha?"

lalita ne kaha, "lekin suchi didi, kee bar mujhe lagata hai ki anyay ko sahana use svikar kar liya jana hai. anyay ke prati uchit vyavahar yahi hai ki use saha n jae."

sucharita boli, "to too kya karana chahati hai, vah bata!"

lalita ne kaha, "vah to maianne abhi nahian socha- maian kya kar sakati hooan yah bhi nahian janati- lekin kuchh-n-kuchh to karana hi hoga. ham-jaisi l dakiyoan ke sath jo aisi nichata kar rahe haian vah apane ko chahe jitana b da adami samajhate hoan, haian darapok hi. unase maian kisi tarah har nahian manooangi- kisi tarah nahian, vah jo karana chahean kar lean." kahate hue lalita ne zor se pair patak diya.

koee uttar die bina sucharita dhire-dhire lalita ke hath par hath pherati rahi. tho di der bad usane kaha, "bhee lalita, ek bar baba se bat karake to dekh."

lalita uth kh di huee, "maian abhi unake pas jati hooan."

apane ghar ke dvar ke pas pahuanchakar lalita ne dekha, vinay sir jhukae hue vahaan se nikal raha tha. lalita ko dekhakar vinay chauankakar pal-bhar kh da raha-man-hi-man tark-vitark karata raha ki lalita se do-ek bat kar le ya nahian- phir apane ko rokakar lalita ki or aauankhean uthae bina use namaskar karake sir jhukae hue hi chala gaya.

mano lalita ko kisi ne garm salakh se dag diya ho. vah tezi se bhitar gee aur sidhe apane kamare mean pahuanchi. mez ke pas baithi varadasuandari ek lanba khata lie hisab mean man lagane ka prayatn kar rahi thi.

lalita ka chehara dekhakar hi varadasuandari ke man mean khataka hua unhoanne h dab dakar hisab ki kapi mean bilh‍kul doob jane ka aisa natak kiya mano usamean koee rakam hai jo thik-thik mil n jane se unaki sari grihasthi chhinn-bhinn ho jaegi.

kursi khianchakar lalita mez ke pas baith gee. varadasuandari ne tab bhi muanh nahian uthaya. lalita ne kaha, "maan!"

varadasuandari boli, "thahar beti, maian yah.... " aur kapi ki or aur bhi jhuk geean

lalita ne kaha, "maian zyada der tang nahian karooangi. bas ek bat janana chahati hooan. vinay baboo ae the?"

kapi par se aauankhean hatae bina varadasuandari ne kaha, "haan."

"unase tumhari kya bat huee?"

"vah lanbi bat hai."

"mere bare mean koee bat huee ki nahian?"

bach nikalane ka koee upay n dekhakar varadasuandari ne kalam rakh di aur kapi se aauankhean uthakar kaha, "huee to thi. maianne dekha ki bat badhati hi ja rahi hai, samaj ke log charoan or nianda kar rahe haian, isilie chetavani dene ki zaroorat p di."

lalita ka chehara lajja se lal ho aya, usaka sir mano jhanajhana utha. usane poochha, "baba ne kya vinay baboo ko yahaan ane se mana kiya hai?"

varadasuandari bolian, "vah kh‍ya ye sab batean sochate haian? sochate hote to shuroo se hi yah sab kuchh n ho pata."

lalita ne poochha "panoo baboo hamare yahaan a sakeange?"

ashchary mean akar varadasuandari ne kaha, "lo aur suno! panoo baboo kyoan nahian aeange?"

"vinay baboo hi kyoan nahian aeange?"

varadasuandari ne kapi phir apani or khianchate hue kaha, "lalita, tujhase maian par nahian pa sakati. too ja, abhi mujh jala mat- mujhe bahut kam hai."

dopahar ke samay lalita sucharita ke ghar skool mean padhane jati hai, isi avasar se labh uthakar varadasuandari ne vinay ko bulakar jo kahana tha kah-sun liya tha. unhoanne socha tha, lalita ko pata bhi n lagega. achanak aise pak di jakar vah mushkil mean p d geean. unhoanne samajh liya ki isaka parinam thik nahian hoga aur ab yah mamala asani se sulajhega bhi nahian. unaka gussa jakar apane gair-zimmedar svami par hi p da. aise budhdoo ke sath grihasthi chalana stri ki kaisi musibat hai!

lalita hriday mean um dati huee aauandhi lie chali gee. pareshababoo nichale kamare mean baithe chitthi likh rahe the, vahaan jakar ekaek lalita unase poochh uthi, "baba, vinay baboo kya ham logoan se milane ke yogy nahian haian?"

pareshababoo prashn sunate hi sari paristhiti samajh ge. unake parivar ko lekar unake samaj mean ajakal jo anand uth kh da hua tha vah pareshababoo se chhipa hua n tha. usako lekar vah kafi chiantit bhi the. agar vinay ke prati lalita ke man ke bhav ke bare mean unhean koee shanka n hoti, to keval bahar ki batoan ki or vah zara bhi dhh‍yan n dete. lekin agar vinay ke prati lalita ke man mean anurag ho tab us avastha mean unaka kya kartavy hai, yah prashn bar-bar vah apane se poochhate the. brahm-dharm mean diksha lene ke bad se unake parivar mean yahi ek sankat ka avasar aya hai. isilie jahaan ek or bhay aur kasht bhitar-hi-bhitar unhean kachot rahe the, vahaan doosari or unaki sari chitt-shakti jagrit hokar kah rahi thi- brahm-dharm gahan karate samay jaise ek matr eeshvar ki or dhh‍yan rakhakar kathin pariksha mean uttirn hua tha; jaise sukh, sampatti, samaj sabhi ke oopar keval saty ko svikar karane se jivan hamesha ke lie dhany ho gaya th, ab bhi agar vaisi hi pariksha ka din upasthiti ho to usi ko dharan karake uttirn hoooanga.

pareshababoo ne lalita ke prashn ke uttar mean kaha, "maian to vinay ko achchha hi samajhata hooan. unaki jitani vidya-budhdi hai, utana hi ooancha charitr bhi hai."

tho di der chup rahakar lalita ne phir kaha, "gaur baboo ki maan is bich do bar hamare ghar a chuki haian. aj suchi didi ke sath zara udhar ho aooan?"

kshan-bhar pareshababoo javab n de sake. vah nishchay janate the ki is charcha ke samay is tarah ane-jane se unaki nianda ko aur bhi bal milega. lekin unake man ne kaha-jab tak yah anyay n ho maian isaka nishedh nahian kar sakata. vah bole, "achchhi bat hai, ho ao. mujhe kuchh kam hai, nahian to maian bhi tum logoan ke sath chalata."

jis jagah par vinay itane dinoan se yoan nishchiant bhav se atithi aur mitr ke roop mean ata-jata raha hai, usi ke niche samaj ka jvalamukhi phoot p dane ki taiyari kar raha hai, svapn mean bhi use isaka guman n tha. shuroo mean pareshababoo ke parivar se milane-julane mean use bahut sankoch hota tha, kahaan kitani door tak usake adhikar ki maryada hai, yah nishchayapoorvak n janane ke karan vah sada dara-dara rahata tha. dhire-dhire jab usaka dar mit gaya, tab vah yah bhool hi gaya ki kahian bhi kuchh bhi sankat ki shanka ho sakati hai. aj hathath yah sunakar ki usake vyavahar ke karan lalita ko samaj ke logoan mean niandit hona p da hai, usake sir par mano vajr gir p da. usake kshobh ka vishesh karan yah bhi tha ki vah svayan janata tha, lalita ke sanbandh mean usake manobhav sadharan bandhutv ki sima par karake kahian age badh ge the, aur vartaman paristhiti mean donoan samajoan ka matabhed dekhate hue man-hi-man ise vah apana aparadh hi samajhata tha. usane anek bar socha tha, is parivar mean vishvast atithi ke roop mean akar vah apane uchit sthan par nahian rah saka- ek st par vah chhal kar raha hai aur usake man ka bhav is parivar ke logoan par thik-thik prakat ho jane par usako sharmianda hona p dega.

aise samay ek din dopahar ko jab varadasuandari ne chitthi likhakar vinay ko vishesh roop se bula bheja aur poochha, "vinay baboo, ap to hiandoo haian?" vinay ke svikar karane par jab phir poochha, "ap hiandoo-samaj ko chho d to nahian sakeange" phir vinay ke yah kahane par ki vah usake lie asanbhav hoga, jab vah phir kah uthian, "tab kyoan ap.... ?" tab is 'tab kyoan' ka koee uttar vinay ko nahian soojh p da. sir jhukae vah baitha hi rah gaya. use laga, vah pak da gaya hai, sabake samane usaki ek aisi bat prakat ho gee hai jise vah chandr-soory-vayu tak se chhipae rakhana chahata tha. bar-bar vah yahi sochane laga ki pareshababoo n jane kya samajhate hoange, lalita n jane kya samajhati hogi, sucharita bhi use n jane kya samajhati hoangi. devadootoan ki kisi bhool ke karan tho de din is svarg-lok mean use sthan mil gaya tha, aj apane anadhikar pravesh ki lajja ka bojh sir par ladakar use yahaan se nirvasit ho jana hoga.

isake bad hi pareshababoo ki dehari par karate usane jab lalita ko dekha tab usane socha- lalita ne aantim vida ke is kshan mean apana bhari aparadh svikar kar aur apamanit hokar pichhale parichay ka ek samadhan kar dena chahie. lekin yah kaise kiya jay yahi vah soch n saka, isalie chupachap lalita ke chehare ki or dekhe bina namaskar karake chala gaya.

abhi us din tak pareshababoo ke parivar ke bahar hi to tha vinay, aj phir vaise hi bahar a kh da hua. lekin kitana aantar! yah bahar aj itana soona kyoan hai? usake pahale jivan mean to koee kami nahian huee, usake gora, usaki anandamee to vahi haian. phir bhi use aisa lag raha tha jaise vah jal vihin huee machhali hai, kisi or apane jivan ka koee avalanban use nahian dikh raha tha. gharoan se pate p de is shahar ke bhi d-bhare rajapath par sab or vinay ko apane jivan ke sarvanash ka ek dhuandhala vivarn chehara dikhane laga. is vishvavyapi sannate aur soonepan se vah svayan ashcharyachakit ho gaya. kyoan aur kab kaisa hua, kyoan yah sanbhav hua, yahi prashn vah ek hridayahin niruttar shoony se bar-bar poochhane laga.

"vinay baboo! vinay baboo!"

vinay ne pichhe mu dakar dekha, satish tha. vinay ne use gale se laga liya, bola, "kyoan bhaee, kya hai bandhu!"

vinay ka svar bharra utha tha. pareshababoo ke ghar ke sneh mean is balak ka bhi kitana yog tha yah vinay ne jaise aj anubhav kiya vaise pahale kabhi nahian kiya tha.

satish ne kaha, "ap hamare yahaan kyoan nahian ate? kal lavany didi aur lalita didi hamare yahaan aeangi, mausi ne apako nimantran dene ke lie mujhe bheja hai."

vinay ne samajh liya ki mausi ko kuchh maloom nahian hai. bola, "satish baboo, mausi ko mera pranam kahana- lekin maian a to nahian sakooanga."

anunayapoorvak satish ne vinay ka hath pak date hue kaha, "kyoan nahian a sakeange? apako ana hi p dega, maian kisi tarah nahian chho dooanga."

satish ke itane agrah ka ek vishesh karan bhi tha. skool mean use 'pashuoan ke prati vyavahar' vishay par ek nibandh likhane ko mila tha, us nibandh par use pachas mean se bayalis nanbar mile the, vahi nibandh vinay ko dikhane ki usaki b di tivr ichchha thi. vinay b de bhari vidvanh aur samajhadar haian, yah vah janata tha use vishvas tha ki vinay jaisa rasajn adami hi usake lekh ka thik mooly samajh sakega. vinay yadi ghoshit kar dega ki usaki rachana shreshth hai to arasik lila dvara satish ki pratibha ke bare mean avajna prakat karane par svayan usi ki hansi hogi. usi ne mausi ko kahakar nimantran bhijavaya tha; kyoanki jis samay vinay usake lekh ke bare mean apani ray prakat kare us samay usaki didiyaan vahaan upasthiti hoan, yahi usaki ichchha thi.

kisi tarah vinay nimantran par nahian a sakega, yah sunakar satish bilh‍kul udas ho gaya.

vinay ne usake gale mean baanh dalakar kaha, "satish baboo, tumhian hamare ghar chalo."

satish ka lekh usaki jeb mean hi tha, isalie vinay ka nimantran vah asvikar n kar saka. kaviyash: prarthi balak skool ki pariksha nikat hone par bhi samay nasht karane ka rask lekar bhi vinay ke ghar chal p da.

vinay jaise use kisi tarah chho dana hi n chahata tha. satish ka nibandh to suna hi, jo prashansa ki usamean bhi samalochak ki nirapekshata nahian dikhaee di. bazar se mithaee mangakar usane satish ko jalapan bhi karaya.

phir satish ko usake ghar ke pas tak pahuanchakar usane anavashyak vyastata dikhate hue kaha, "achchha satishababoo, chalooan!"

satish usaka hath pak dakar khianchane laga, "nahian ap hamare ghar chalie."

par aj is anunay ka bhi koee asar nahian hua.

vinay kisi svapn mean chalata hua-sa anandamee ke ghar ja pahuancha, lekin unake samane n ja saka. chhat par ke us soone kamare mean chala gaya jo gora ka sone ka kamara tha. isi kamare mean unaki bachapan ki dosti ke kitane sukhadayak din, kitani sukhad ratean biti haian- kitani anand-bhari batean, kitane sankalp, kitane ganbhir vishayoan ki charcha yahaan huee hai- kitane dostana jhag de aur usake bad kitani snehapoorn sulah! vinay ne chaha, apane ko bhoolakar phir usi purane jivan mean pravesh kar jae, lekin tho de dinoan ka naya parichay usaka rasta rokakar kh da ho gaya; usane thik usi jagah n lautane diya. jivan ka keandr kab khisak gaya hai aur usaki kaksha mean kitana parivartan a gaya hai, yah vinay itane dinoan se spasht nahian samajh saka tha, aj jab is bare mean koee sandeh n raha tab vah bhayakul ho utha.

chhat par sookhane ke lie kap de dale ge the, tisare pahar dhoop dhalane par anandamee unhean uthane aeean to gora ke kamare mean vinay ko dekhakar acharaj mean a geean. jaldi se pas akar usake kandhe par hath rakhakar bolian, "vinay, kya hua hai vinay? tera chehara aisa saphed kyoan ho gaya hai?"

vinay uth baitha. bola, "maan, pareshababoo ke ghar maianne jab ana-jana shuroo kiya tab gora naraz hota tha. tab usake gusse ko maian jyadati samajhata tha. lekin vah usaki jyadati nahian thi, meri bevakoophi thi."

zara hansakar anandamee ne kaha, "too b da samajhadar l daka hai yah to maian nahian kahati, lekin is mamale mean teri budhdi mean kya dosh tujhe dikha hai?"

vinay ne kaha, "maan, hamara samaj bilh‍kul doosara hi hai- yah bat tab maianne bilh‍kul nahian sochi thi. unaki dosti se, vyavahar se aur udaharan se mujhe b da anand hota tha aur lagata tha ki upakar bhi hota hai, isi karan maian akrisht hua tha. aur bhi batean sochane ki ho sakati haian, yah mujhe kabhi soojha hi nahian."

anandamee bolian, "mujhe to teri bat sunakar ab bhi vah nahian soojhata."

vinay ne kaha, "maan, tum nahian janatian, samaj mean maianne un sabake bare mean b di ashaanti paida kar di-log aisi buraee karane lage haian ki maian ab vahaan.... "

anandamee ne kaha, "gora bar-bar ek bat kaha karata hai, vah mujhe bahut khari lagati hai. vah kahata hai, jahaan bhitar kahian anyay ho vahaan bahar shaanti rahana hi sabase b da anisht hai. unake samaj mean ashaanti phaili bhi to tere pachhatane ki to koee zaroorat mujhe nahian dikhati-usase fayada hi hoga, dekh lena. tera apana vyavahar sachcha rahe yahi kafi hai." lekin isi ke bare mean to vinay ke man mean khataka tha. usaka apana vyavahar buraee se pare hai ki nahian, yahi to vah kisi tarah nishchit nahian kar pa raha tha. lalita jab doosare samaj ki hai, usake sath vivah jab sambhav hi nahian hai, tab use prati usaka anurag hi use ek chhupe pap-sa akhar raha tha. aur yah sochakar ki isi ghor pap ke prayashchit ka samay a upasthiti hua hai, man-hi-man vah dukhi ho raha tha.

hathath vah kah utha, "maan, shashimukhi ke sath mere vivah ka jo prastav hua tha vah ho-hua gaya hota to thik hi hua hota. jo meri sahi jagah hai vahian baandh rakhana hi thik hai- aisa ho ki maian vahaan se zara bhi hil n sakooan."

hansakar anandamee ne kaha, "yani shashimukhi ko apane ghar ki bahoo n banakar apane gale ka phanda banakar rakhana chahata hai- vah to jaise shashi ka bahut b da saubhagy hoga n!"

isi samay baire ne akar soochana di ki pareshababoo ke ghar se do l dakiyaan aee haian. sunakar vinay ka dil zor se dh dakane laga. usane samajha, ve anandamee ke pas shikayat lekar aeean haian ki vinay ko chetavani de di jae. vah ekaek uth kh da hua aur bola, "maian ja raha hooan, maan!"

anandamee ne bhi uthakar usaka hath pak date hue kaha, "bilh‍kul ghar se hi mat chale jana, vinay! tho di der nichale kamare mean chalakar baith!"

niche jate-jate bar-bar vinay kahane laga, "isaki to koee avashyakata nahian thi. jo ho gaya so to ho gaya, ab to maian marakar bhi vahaan jane vala nahian tha. aparadh ki saza jab ag ki tarah bh dak uthati hai tab aparadhi ke jalakar rakh ho jane par bhi saza ki ag mano bujhana hi nahian chahati!"

s dak ki or nichali manzil mean gora ka jo kamara tha, vinay usamean pravesh karane hi ja raha tha ki mahim apani chapakan ke batanoan ke bandhan se apani toand ko azad karate hue aauphis se ghar laut ae. vinay ka hath pak dakar bole, "are, yah to vinay hai. bahut achchha hua-maian tumhian ko dhooandh raha tha." kahate-kahate vinay ko vah gora ke kamare mean le ge aur use kursi par baithakar svayan bhi baith ge. jeb se dibba nikalakar unhoanne phauran ek pan vinay ko diya. "are, tambakoo lana re!" ki pukar lagakar unhoanne phauran kam ki bat chalaee. poochha, "us mamale ka kya tay hua? aur to.... "

unhoanne dhh‍yan diya, vinay ka bhav pahale se kahian naram hai. koee vishesh utsah dikha ho aisa to nahian hai, lekin jaise-taise bahana karake bat ko tal dene ki cheshta bhi nahian jan p dati. mahim ne usi samay tithi-muhoort sab pakka kar lena chaha. vinay ne kaha, "gora to laut ae."

ashvast hokar mahim ne kaha, "vah to ab do-char din ki bat hai. vinay, kuchh jalapan lane ko kah dooan- kya ray hai? aj tumhara chehara bahut sookha hua jan p data hai. tabiyat to thik hai n?"

vinay ne jalapan ke bojh se chhutakara pa liya to mahim apani kshudha-shaanti ke lie bhitar chale ge. vinay gora ki mez se yoan hi koee pustak uthakar panne palatane laga, phir kitab pheankakar kamare mean ek sire se doosare sire tak tahalane laga.

baire ne akar kaha, "maan bula rahi haian."

vinay ne poochha, "kise bula rahi hai?"

baira bola, "apako."

vinay ne poochha, aur sab log haian?"

baire ne kaha, "haan, haian."

vinay is tarah oopar chala jaise bachche pariksha bhavan ki or jate haian. kamare ke daravaze tak pahuanchakar vah kuchh idhar-udhar kar hi raha tha ki sucharita ne sada ki bhaanti sahaj sauhard-bhare snigdh svar se kaha, "aie, vinay baboo!"

yah svar sunakar vinay ko aisa laga jaise usane koee apratyashit nidhi pa li ho.

vinay ke kamare ko aisa laga jaise usane koee apratyashit nidhi pa li ho.

vinay ke kamare mean ane par use dekhakar sucharita aur lalita achanbhe mean a geean. use kitani gahari chot pahuanchi hai, isake chihn tho de samay mean hi usake chehare par aankit ho ge the. sada hansate rahane vala vinay ka chehara ekaek aisa ho gaya tha mano lahalahate khet par achanak tiddi-dal akraman karake age badh gaya ho. lalita ke man mean vyatha aur karuna ke sath-sath ek anand ka bhi abhas dikhaee p da.

aur din lalita sahaj hi vinay ke sath batachit shuroo nahian karati thi, lekin aj jaise hi vinay ne kamare mean pravesh kiya vase hi vah kah uthi, "vinay baboo, apase hamean ek salah karani hai."

mano hathath kahian se vinay ke hriday mean anand ka ek shabd-vedhi ban a laga. vah ullas se bhar utha. usaka phika udas chehara pal-bhar mean hi chamak utha.

lalita ne kaha, "ham sab bahanean milakar l dakiyoan ka ek chhota skool chalana chahati haian."

utsahit hokar vinay ne kaha, "l dakiyoan ka skool chalana to mere jivan ka ek bahut purana sankalp hai."

lalita ne kaha, "apako is mamale mean ham logoan ki madad karani hogi."

vinay ne kaha, "mujhase jo kuchh ho sakega usamean koee chook nahian hogi. mujhe kya karana hoga, bataie!"

lalita ne kaha, "ham log brahm haian, yah sochakar hiandoo abhibhavak hamara vishvas nahian karate. isake lie apako yatn karana hoga."

khilakar vinay ne kaha, "ap bilh‍kul chianta n karean, yah maian dekh looanga."

anandamee ne kaha, "ap bilh‍kul chianta n karean, yah maian dekh looanga."

anandamee ne kaha, "yah kam yah achchhi tarah kar sakata hai. logoan ko batoan mean ulajhakar moh lene mean isake saman koee nahian hai."

lalita ne kaha, "skool ka kam kis niyam se, kis dhang se chalana chahie, samay ka vibhajan, klasoan ki vyavastha, kaun-kaun-si pustakean padhaee jaeangi, yah sab bhi apako hi karana hoga."

vinay ke lie yah kam bhi mushkil nahian tha. lekin vah ulajhanh mean p d gaya. varadasuandari ne apani l dakiyoan se milane-julane se use mana kar diya hai, aur samaj mean usake virudhd jo andolan chal raha hai, yah bat kya lalita bilh‍kul nahian janati? is skool ke bare kean lalita ka agrah manakar vinay vachan de de to vah anuchit hoga ya nahian aur lalita ke lie anishtakar hoga ya nahian, ye prashn use kachotane lage. doosari or agar lalita kisi shubh kam mean usaka sahayog chahati hai to yah kaise ho sakata hai ki vah poori nishtha se us anurodh ka palan n kare?

idhar sucharita bhi acharaj mean a gee thi. usane sapane mean bhi nahian socha tha ki lalita hathath is dhang se l dakiyoan ke skool ke bare mean vinay se anurodh kar uthegi. ek to yoan hi vinay ko lekar kafi samasya paida ho gee hai, us par aur nee samasya! lalita sab samajhakar jan-boojhakar aisa kar rahi hai, yah dekhakar sucharita dar gee. lalita ke man mean vidroh udit hua hai, yah to usane samajh, lekin is jhanjhat mean vinay ko ghasitana kya usake lie uchit hai? kuchh chiantit hokar sucharita ne kaha, "is bare mean ek bar baba se bhi to salah karani hogi. kahian abhi se vinay baboo yah ummid n laga baithean ki unhean l dakiyoan ke skool ki ianspektari mil gee."

sucharita chaturaee se prastav ko talana chah rahi hai, yah vinay samajh gaya. isase usake man mean aur bhi khataka hua. yah saf samajha ja sakata hai ki jo sankat a kh da hua hai use sucharita janati hai, tab nishchay hi vah lalita se bhi chhipa nahian hai, tab lalita kyoan kuchh bhi usaki samajh mean nahian aya.

lalita ne kaha, "baba se to poochhana hi hoga. vinay baboo razi haian, yah janakar hi to unase kahooangi. vah kabhi etaraj nahian kareange- unhean bhi hamare is vidyalay mean shamil hona hoga."

phir usane aannadamee ki or mu dakar kaha, "apako bhi ham nahian chho deangi."

hansakar anandamee ne kaha, "maian tumhare skool mean jha doo laga aya karooangi. isase zyada maian aur kya kar sakati hooan bhala!"

vinay ne kaha, "itana hi bahut hoga maan! tab vidyalay bilh‍kul nirmal ho jaega!"

vida lekar sucharita aur lalata ke chale jane par vinay bhi phauran paidal hi eedan gardan ki sair ko nikal p da. mahim ne anandamee ke pas jakar kaha, "vinay to dekhata hooan kafi razi ho chala hai, ab jitani jaldi ho sake kam nibata dena hi achchha hai-kaun jane kab phir usaki ray badal jae."

mahim ne kaha, "aj hi mere sath usaki batachit tay ho gee hai, usane kaha hai, gora ke ate hi din thik kiya jaega."

sir hilakar anandamee ne kaha, "mahim, tum galat samajhe ho, yah maian nishchay se kah sakati hooan."

mahim ne kaha, "meri akal kitani bhi moti ho, sidhi-sidhi bat samajhane layaq umar meri ho gee hai, yah tum mano."

anandamee ne kaha, "beta tum naraz hoge yah maian janati hooan, lekin mujhe dikh raha hai ki isako lekar ek mushkil kh di hogi."

ganbhir chehara banakar mahim ne kaha, "mushkil kh di karane se hi mushkil kh di hoti hai."

anandamee ne kaha, "mahim ne kaha, "mahim, mujhe tum log chahe jo kaho maian sah looangi, lekin jis bat se zara bhi ashaanti ho sakati hai usamean maian yog de sakati. yah tumhian logoan ke bhale ke lie hai."

kathor hokar mahim ne kaha, "ham logoan ke bhale ka jimma hamare hi oopar chho d do to tumhean bhi kuchh n sunana p de aur shayad hamara bhi bhala hi ho. balki shashimukhi ka byah ho jane do, usake bad hi hamare bhale ki chianta karo to kaisa rahe?"

aur kuchh n kahakar anandamee ne ek lanbi saans li. mahim jeb se dibba nikalakar ek pan muanh mean rakhakar chabate-chabate chale ge.