गोरा उपन्यास भाग-9

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

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gora jis samay yatra par nikala usake sath avinash, motilal, vasant aur ramapati, ye char sathi the. lekin gora ke nirday utsah ke sath ye log layabadhdata nahian rakh sake. bimar ho jane ka bahana karake avinash aur vasant to char-paanch din mean hi kalakatta laut ae. keval gora ke prati shradhda ke karan hi motilal aur ramapati use akela chho dakar vapis nahian a sake, anyatha unake kashtoan ki sima nahian thi. gora n to paidal chalakar thakata tha, n kahian ruke rah jane se oobata tha. gaanv ka jo koee grihasth brahman janakar gora ko shradhdapoorvak ghar mean thaharata, usake yahaan bhojan ityadi ki chahe jitani asuvidha ho, tab bhi gora vahian tika rahata tha. gaanv-bhar ke log usaki bat sunane ke lie usake charoan or ikatthe ho jate aur use chho dana hi n chahate.

padhe-likhe bhadr samaj aur kalakatta ke samaj ke bahar hamara desh kaisa hai, gora ne yah abhi pahale-pahal dekha. yah vishal akela bharatavarsh gram kitana titar-bitar, kitana sankirn aur durbal hai, apani shakti ke sanbandh mean kaisa atyant bhramit aur apane shubh ke sanbandh mean yajn aur udasin. har paanch-sat kos ki doori par usaka samaj itana badal jata hai, sansar ke brihath karm-kshetr mean chalane ke usake marg mean kitani apani gadhi huee ya kalpanik a dachanean haian, chhoti-chhoti batoan ko vah kitana badha-chadhakar dekhata hai aur us par kisi bhi roodhi ka bandhan kitana kasa hua aur atoot hai, usaka man kaisa soya hua, usake pran kitane durbal aur usaka udyam kitana kshin hai- yah gora gramavasiyoan ke bich aise rahe bina kisi tarah kalpana bhi n kar sakata th. usake gaanv mean rahate-rahate vahaan ke ek hisse mean ag lag gee thi. itane b de sankat mean bhi ek hokar pranapan se koshish karake vipatti ka samana karane ki shakti unamean kitani kam hai, gora yah dekhakar vismay mean p d gaya. hakke-bakke se sabhi idhar-udhar dau d rahe the aur ro-chikh rahe the, par vyavasthiti dhang se koee kuchh nahian kar pa raha tha. gaanv ke pas koee jalashay bhi nahian tha. striyaan rozana door se pani lakar ghar ka kam chalati haian, phir bhi roz-roz ki is musibat se bachane ke lie ghar hi mean ek mamooli kuaauan khod lene ki bat un tak ko n soojhi thi jo ki kafi sanpann the. pahale bhi is gaanv mean kee bar ag lagi hai, use keval bhagy ka prakop manakar sabhi hath par hath dhare baithe rahe haian, pas kahian pani ki koee vyavastha kar rakhane ki koee koshish kisi ne nahian ki. gaanv ki aisi zaroorat ke bare mean bhi jinaka bodh nahian cheta, unake samane sare desh ki bat karana gora ko bevakoophi hi lagi. gora ko sabase adhik vismay isi bat par hota ki in sab drishyoan aur ghatanaoan se motilal aur ramapati zara bhi vichalit n hote the, balki gora ke kshobh ko bhi asangat samajhate the. chhote log to aisa karate hi haian, aise sochate hi haian, ve in sab kashtoan ko kasht nahian samajhate. chhote adamiyoan ke lie aisa chho dakar aur kuchh kabhi ho bhi sakata hai aisa sochane ko hi ve apani aukat se b di bat karana samajhate haian. is ajnata, j data aur du:kh ka bojh kitana bhari aur bhayankar hai aur yah bojh hamare padhe-likhe aur anapadh, dhani aur nirdhan, sabhi ke kandhoan par ek-sa hai aur kisi ko bhi age nahian badhane deta, aj yah bat achchhi tarah samajhakar gora ka chitt har pal vyakul rahane laga.

ghar se koee shok-sandesh milane ki bat kahakar motilal bhi chal diya. keval ramapati gora ke sath rah gaya.

ghoomate-phirate donoan ek nadi ke kinare base ek musalaman gaanv mean pahuanche. atithy pane ki ummid mean sare gaanv mean ghoomate-ghoomate keval ek ghar hiandoo naee ka mila. usi ke ghar donoan brahmanoan ne ashray lene jakar dekha, boodha napit aur usaki patni ek musalaman l dake ko pal-pos rahe haian. ramapati b da dharmabhiru brahman tha, vah to bahut bechain ho utha. napit ko gora ne usake anachar ke lie phatakara to usane kaha, "thakur, ham log kahate hai. hari, ve log kahate haian allah, donoan mean koee bhed nahian hai."

dhoop tez ho chali thi, phaili huee retoan ke par bahut door nadi thi. ramapati ne pyas se vyakul hokar poochha, "hiandoo ka pine ka pani kahaan milega?"

ek kachcha kuaauan napit ke ghar mean tha, lekin us bhrasht kue ka pani ramapati kaise pi sakata tha? vah muanh latakakar baitha raha.

gora ne poochha, "is l dake ke maan-bap nahian hai?"

napit ne kaha, "donoan haian, lekin unaka hona-n hona barabar hai."

gora ne poochha, "vah kaise?"

jo itihas napit ne sunaya sankshep mean vah yoan hai-

"jis zamiandari mean ve log rahate the nilahe sahaboan ka us par ijara tha. nadi-kinare ki khadar zamin ko lekar vahaan ki praja ka nil-kothi ke sahaboan ke sath barabar jhag da chal raha tha. aur praja to har man chuki thi, lekin khadar ke is ghoshapur gaanv ki praja ko sahab log kisi prakar nahian daba sake haian. gaanv ke sabhi log musalaman haian aur unaka pradhan pharroo saradar kisi se nahian darata. nil-kothi valoan se jhag de ke chalate pulis se mar-pith karake do bar jel bhi ho aya hai. ghar ki arthik halat aisi ho gee ki khane ko do kaur bhat nahian jutata, phir bhi vah kisi ka raub nahian manata. is bar khadar mean kheti karake gaanv ke logoan ne kuchh bore dhan pa liya tha- lekin koee ek mahina pahale nil-kothi ke mainejar sahab lathait lekar svayan ae aur praja ka dhan lootakar le chale. pharroo saradar ne isi jhag de ke samay sahab ki dahini baanh par aisi lathi jamaee ki aspatal le jakar usaki baanh katavani p d gee. sare ilake mean itana b da hausala kabhi kisi ne nahian kiya tha. tab se pulis ka atank ag ki tarah gaanv-gaanv mean phail gaya hai. praja ke gharoan mean kahian kuchh nahian raha, gharoan ki auratoan ki ijzat-abaroo bhi surakshit nahian, pharroo saradar ke sath aur bahut-se doosare log havalat mean band kar die ge haian aur anekoan gaanv chho dakar bhag ge haian. pharroo ke parivar ke pas khane ko ann ka dana nahian hai, usaki bahoo ki ekamatr dhoti ka yah hal hai ki lajjavash ghar se bahar nahian nikal sakati. unaka ikalauta l daka tamiz napit ki stri ko gaanv ke nate se mausi pukarata tha, usaki mohataj halat dekhakar nain use apane ghar le aee aur usaka palan kar rahi hai. nil-kothi valoan ki ek kachahari vahaan se lagabhag dedh kos par lagi hai, dal-bal ke sath daroga ab bhi vahian maujood hai. vahaan se kab kis bahane vah gaanv par dhava kar de ya kya kar baithe isaka koee thikana nahian hai. abhi kal hi naee ke p dosi boodhe nazim ke ghar par pulis ne chhapa mara tha- nazim ka javan sala doosare ilake se apani bahan se milane aya hua tha- bilh‍kul bina vajah daroga ne yah kahakar ki 'yah pattha achchha javan dikhata hai- chhati to dekho patthe ki!' apane hath ki lathi se use aisa dhakka diya ki usake daant toot ge aur khoon bah nikala. yah atyachar dekhakar bahan dau di huee aee to us bechari budhiya ko bhi dhakka dekar gira diya gaya. pahale is ilake mean pulis itana julm karane ka sahas nahian karati thi par ab gaanv ke sab tag de javan ya to havalat mean haian ya gaanv chho dakar bhag ge haian. un bhage hue logoan ki talash ka bahana karake hi pulis gaanv par aisa kahakar dha rahi hai, isase kab chhutakara hoga kuchh kaha nahian ja sakata."

idhar gora uthane ka nam hi nahian le raha tha. udhar ramapati ki pyas ke mare jan jan nikal rahi thi. naee ki kahani samapt hone se pahale hi usane phir poochha, "koee hiandoo ghar yahaan se kitani door hoga?"

naee ne kaha, "vahi dedh kos par jo nil-kothi ki kachahari hai, usaka tahasiladar brahman hai- nam hai madhav chatarji."

gora ne poochha, "svabhav kaisa hai?"

naee ne kaha, "thik yamadoot jaisa. aisa nirdee aur dusht dhooandhe se bhi nahian milega. daroga ko jitane din khilae-pilaega usaka sab kharcha hamian logoan se vasool karega- balki kuchh munapha bhi kamaega."

ramapati ne kaha, "gora baboo, ab chalie- aur nahian saha jata."

us musalaman l dake ko nain apane aauangan ke kuean ke pas kh da karake gh de bhar pani khianchakar nahalane lagi thi, is bat se ramapati ko aur bhi gussa a raha tha aur usase vahaan baitha nahian ja raha tha. chalate samay gora ne naee se poochha, "tum to is dange-phasad ke bich bhi isi gaanv mean tike hue ho- tumhare ghar ke aur log kahian nahian haian?"

naee ne kaha, "kafi dinoan se yahian rahata hooan, in sabase moh ho gaya hai. maian hiandoo naee hooan, kheti-veti se mujhe koee matalab nahian hai. isilie nil-kothi vale mujhe kuchh nahian kahate. aur phir gaanv-bhar mean koee b da to aur raha nahian, maian bhi agar chal dooan to auratean dar se mar jaeangi."

gora ne kaha, "achchha kha-pikar maian phir aooanga."

bhookha-pyasa ramapati nil-kothi valoan ke atyachar ki is lanbi kahani se ulte gaanva valoan par hi aur big d utha. ye moorkh balavan ke virudhd sir uthana chahate haian, ise usane in ganvar musalamano ki spardha aur bevakoophi ki charam sima hi samajha. isamean use sandeh nahian tha ki sakht saza dekar inaki ak d dhili karana hi inake lie uchit hoga. aise abhagoan par pulis atyachar karati hi hai, karane ko badhh‍y hoti hai aur usaki zimmedari mukhyataya inhian logoan par hoti hai, yahi usaki dharana thi. karmachariyoan se samajhauta hi kar lean, danga-phasad kyoan karate haian? inamean utani takat bhi kahaan haian?

vastut: nil-kothi ke sahaboan ki or hi ramapati ki bhitari sahanubhooti thi.

dopahar ki tez dhoop mean tapi huee baloo par chalate hue gora ne sare raste-bhar koee bat nahian ki. aant mean jab pe doan ki ot se kuchh door par kachahari ki chhat dikhaee dene lagi tab sahasa gora ne rukakar kaha, "ramapati, tum jakar kuchh kha-pi lo, maian usi naee ke ghar ja raha hooan."

ramapati bola, "yah kaisi bat hai- ap nahian khaeange? chatarji ke yahaan kha-pikar phir jaiega."

gora ne kaha, "maian apana kartavy karooanga, tum kha-pikar kalakatta laut jana- mujhe yahian ghoshapur gaanv mean shayad kuchh din rahana hoga- tumase vah nahian nibh sakega."

sunakar ramapati ke to roangate kh de ho ge. gora-jaisa dharmashil hiandoo kis muanh se un mlechchhoan ke ghar rahane ki bat kah sakata hai, vah soch hi nahian saka. khana-pina chho dakar gora ne kya bhookh h datal karane ki thani hai? lekin tab zyada sochane ka bhi samay kahaan tha, use ek-ek pal ek-ek yug jan p d raha tha. gora ka sath chho dakar kalakatta bhag jane ke lie usase adhik anurodh nahian karana p da. kuchh door se usane ghoomakar dekha, gora ki lanbi deh apani chhoti-si chhaya ko phalaangati huee dopahar ki tej dhoop mean sunasan garm reti ke par akeli badhati chali ja rahi hai.

halaanki gora bhi bhookh-pyas se bechain ho raha tha par us dusht atyachari madhav chatarji ka ann khakar hi usaki jati bachegi, is bat ko jitana hi vah sochata utana hi vah aur asahy hoti jati. usaka chehara aur aauankhean lal ho gee thian, sir tap raha tha, usake man mean ek tivr vidroh uth raha tha. vah soch raha tha pavitrata ko bahar ki chiz banakar bharatavarsh mean ham yah kitana bhayankar adharm kar rahe haian- jan-boojhakar jo adami phasad kh da karake in musalamano par julm dha raha hai usake ghar mean meri jati bani rahegi, aur jo us julm ko sahakar bhi musalaman ke bachche ki raksha kar raha hai aur samaj ki nianda sahane ko taiyar hai usake ghar mean meri jati nasht ho jaegi? jo ho, achar-vichar ke bhale-bure ki bat phir sochooanga- abhi to nahian soch sakata.

gora ko akele lautate dekhakar naee ko ashchary hua. gora ne pahale to akar naee ka lota achchhi tarah apane hath mean maanjakar kuean se pani khianchakar piya, phir bola, "ghar mean kuchh dal-chaval ho to do, maian banakar khaooanga." h dab dakar naee ne sab saman juta diya. khane se nitakar gora ne kaha, "maian do-char din tumhare pas hi thaharooanga॥"

darakar hath jo date hue naee ne kaha, "is adham ke ghar ap thahareange isase b da saubhagy mere lie aur kya hoga- par dekhie, ham logoan par pulis ki nazar apake rahane se n jane kya upadrav uth kh da ho."

gora ne kaha, "mere yahaan rahate pulis ko koee utpat karane ka sahas nahian hoga. yadi kuchh karegi to maian raksha karooanga."

naee ne kaha, "mere yahaan rahate pulis ko koee utpat karane ka sahas nahian hoga. yadi kuchh karegi to maian raksha karooanga."

naee ne kaha, "duhaee hai apaki, ap yadi raksha karane ki koshish kareange tab to aur bhi koee upay n rahega. ve log socheange ki maianne hi sath-gaanth karake apako bulaya hai aur unake khilaf gavah juta raha hooan. ab tak to kisi tarah tika hua tha, phir nahian tik sakooanga. agar mujhe bhi yahaan se uth jana p da tab to gaanv anath hi ho jaega."

hamesha se gora shahar mean rahata aya hai, naee kyoan itana bhayabhit tha yah samajhana bhi usake lie kathin tha. vah yahi janata tha ki iansaph ke lie datakar kh de ho jane se hi anyay ka pratikar hota hai. usaki kartavy-budhdi kisi tarah us vipann gaanv ko asahay chho dakar jane ki ajna nahian de rahi thi. tab naee ne usake pair pak dakar kaha, "dekhie, ap brahman haian, mere puny-phal se mere ghar atithi hue haian, apako chale jane ko kahata hooan, to isase mujhe pap lagata hai lekin apake man mean ham logoan ke prati daya hai, yah janakar hi kahata hooan ki mare ghar rahakar ap pulis ke atyachar mean koee badha deange to mujhe hi aur b di musibat mean dal deange."

gora naee ke is dar ko vyarth ki kapurushata manakar kuchh virakt hokar hi tisare pahar usake ghar se chal p da. is mlechchhachari ke ghar usane bhojan kiya hai, yah sochakar man-hi-man use glani bhi hone lagi. sharir se thaka hua aur chitt se virakt vah saanjh ko nil-kothi ki kachahari par ja pahuancha. ramapati ne kha-pikar kalakatta ravanana ho jane mean jara bhi der nahian ki thi, isalie vah vahaan nahian mila. madhav chatarji ne b di av-bhagat ke sath gora ko bhojan ke lie nimantrit kiya. gora ne ag-baboola hokar kaha "maian apake yahaan ka pani bhi nahian pi sakata."

vistim hokar madhav ne karan poochha, to gora ne use atyachari aur anyayi kahakar phatakar diya aur baithane se bhi iankar kiya. daroga takhtaposh par takie ke sahare baitha hua huqqa gu dagu da raha tha, tab uthakar baithate hue usane rukhaee se poochha, "kaun ho ji tum? ghar kahaan hai?"

gora ne usake pashn ka uttar n dekar kaha, "to tumhian daroga ho? ghoshapur gaanv mean jo julm tumane kiya hai maianne sab suna hai. ab bhi agar n sanbhale to.... "

"to kya phaansi doge? zara isaka hausala to dekho. maian to samajha tha bhikh maangane aya hai, yah to lal-pila hone laga. are, tavari!"

ghabarakar madhav ne daroga ka hath dabate hue kaha, "are kya karate ho, achchhe ghar ka hai beijzati nahian hai?"

madhav bola, "vah jo kahate haian bahut jhooth to nahian kahate-gussa karane se kya hoga? nil-kothi ke sahaboan ki gumashtagiri karake khata hooan, isase age to aur kuchh kahane ki zaroorat nahian hai, aur dada, tum gussa mat karo- tum pulis ke daroga ho, tumhean yam ka doot kahana kuchh gali tho de hi hai? bagh to adami mar khaega hi- koee vaishnav to hai nahian- mani huee bat hai. use khana to hoga hi, vah aur kya karega?"

bina prayojan madhav ko krodh karate kabhi kisi ne nahian dekha, kisase kab kaun-sa kam nikala ja sakata hai, ya tedhe hone par kaun kya hani pahuancha sakata hai, yah pahale se kaun thik janata hai? kisi ka bhi bura ya apaman vah achchhi tarah hisab jaanchane ke bad hi karata tha- gusse mean kisi par hamala karake apani kshamata ko phijool mean kharch nahian karata tha.

tab daroga ne gora se kaha, "dekho ji, yahaan ham log sarakari kam karane ae haian- isamean taang a dane ya golamal karane se musibat mean p d jaoge."

bina kuchh kahe mu dakar gora bahar chala gaya. madhav jaldi se uthakar usake pichhe-pichhe jakar bola, "mahashay, ap jo kahate haian sahi hai- hamara kam hi kasaee ka hai- aur yah jo sala daroga hai isake to sath baithane mean bhi pap lagata hai- lekin jo-jo julm usake dvara karavane p date haian maian zaban par bhi nahian la sakata. aur adhik din nahian hai, do-tin baras aur naukari karake l dakiyoan ko byahane ka sadhan jutakar phir ham stri-purush donoan kashivas ko chal deange. mujhe khud yah sab achchha nahian lagata- kabhi-kabhi to man hota hai, gale mean phaansi dalakar latak jaooan. khair, ab aj rat ap kahaan jaeange- yahian bhojan karake vishram kar lean. us daroga sale ki soorat bhi apako nahian dikhegi- apake lie sab bandobast alag kar dooanga."

gora ko sadharan logoan se kuchh adhik bhookh lagati thi, aur aj din-bhar use thik se khane ko nahian mila tha. lekin abhi usaka sara sharir gusse se jal raha tha. kisi tarah vah vahaan n ruk saka. bola, "mujhe zaroor kam hai."

madhav ne kaha, "to rukie, ek lalaten sath kar dooan."

gora ne koee javab nahian diya, tezi se chala gaya. lautakar madhav ne daroga se kaha, "dada, yah adami zaroor sadar gaya hai. tum abhi majistret ke pas kisi ko bhejo."

daroga ne kaha, "kyoan, kisalie?"

madhav bola, "aur to kuchh nahian, bas unhean ek bar kah ae ki ek bhadr jan n jane kahaan se akar gavahoan ko to dane ki koshish karata hua ghoom raha hai."

27

sham ko majistret braunalo sahab nadi-kinare ki s dak par tahal rahe the, haranababoo unake sath the. tho di door par ga di mean unaki mem pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ke sath havakhori kar rahi thi.

bich-bich mean braunalo sahab bangali bhadr-samaj ke logoan ko apane ghar gardan-partiyoan mean amantrit karate rahate the. zile ke eantres skool ke puraskar-vitaran samaroh ke samay sabhapatitv bhi vahi karate the. sanpann gharoan mean vivah adi shubh sanskaroan ke samay amantrit kie jane par anugrahapoorvak vah use svikar kar lete the. yahaan tak ki yatra-abhinay ki majalis mean nimantrit hone par ek b di aram-kursi par baithe-baithe kuchh der tak dhairyapoorvak gan sunane ka prayatn bhi karate the. unaki adalat ke sarakari vakil ke yahaan pichhale dashahare ki jhaankiyoan mean jo l dake bhishti aur mahatarani bane the, majistret sahab ne unaka abhinay vishesh roop se pasand kiya tha aur unaki pharmaish par jhaankiyoan ke is aansh ka kee bar pradarshan kiya gaya tha.

inaki patni mishanari ki l daki thian. isalie jab-tab unake ghar mishanari auratoan ki chay-pan ki mahaphil jutati rahati thi. zile mean unhoanne ek l dakiyoan ka skool sthapit kiya tha aur barabar isake lie prayas karati thian ki us skool mean chhatraoan ki kami n ho. pareshababoo ke ghar ki l dakiyoan mean padhaee ki vishesh charcha hoti dekhakar barabar vah unaka hausala badhati rahati thian, door rahane par bhi bich-bich mean chitthi-patri deti rahati thian. krisamas ke samay unhean dharm-granth upahar svaroop bhejati thian.

pandal lag gaya tha. haranababoo, sudhir aur vinay ko sath lekar varadasuandari aur unaki l dakiyaan sabhi aee thian- un sabako sarakari dak-bangale mean thaharaya gaya tha. pareshababoo ko yah sab pasand nahian tha isalie vah akele kalakatta mean hi rah ge the. unaka sath dene ke lie sucharita ne vahian rah jane ki bahut koshish ki thi, parantu pareshababoo ne majistret ke nimantran ke sanbandh mean kartavy ka vishesh upadesh dekar sucharita ko bhej diya tha. tay yah hua tha ki do din bad majistret ke ghar dinar ke bad eevaniang parti mean kamishnar sahab aur patni sahit chhote lat sahab ke sammukh pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ka abhinay aur kavy-avritti adi hoga. usake lie majistret ne anek aangrez-bandhuoan ko zile aur kalakatta tak se bulaya tha. gine-chune kuchh bangali bhadr janoan ka bhi prabandh kiya gaya tha, unake lie bagiche mean ek alag tanboo mean brahman rasoie dvara jal-pan taiyar karane ki vyavastha ki jaegi, aisa suna gaya tha.

tho de samay mean hi haranababoo ne apani uchch koti ki batachit se majistret sahab ko kafi santusht kar liya tha. khristan dharmashastr ke vishay mean haranababoo ka asadharan jnan dekhakar sahab ashcharyachakit ho ge the. unhoanne haranababoo se yahaan tak poochh liya tha ki khristan dharm svikar karane mean hi vah kyoan pichhe rah ge?

aj sham ko nadi-kinare ki sair ke samay vah haranababoo ke sath brahman-samaj ki kary-pranali aur hiandoo-samaj ke sudhar ke bare mean ganbhir charcha kar rahe the. isi samay 'gud eevaniang, sar' kahata hua gora unake sammukh a kh da hua.

usase pahale din bhi majistret sahab se mulakat ki koshish karane par yah usaki samajh mean a gaya tha ki sahab ke pas ane se pahale unake pyade ko nazarana dena p data hai. yah dand aur apaman svikar n karane ka nishchay karake aj vah sahab ke havakhori karane ke samay unake samane upasthiti hua hai. is sakshath ke samay haranababoo athava gora ki or se parichay ka koee utsah nahian dekha gaya.

sahab agantuk ko dekhakar kuchh vismit ho ge. aisa chh: phut se adhik ooancha, lanba-tag da javan unhoanne bangal mean ab se pahale kabhi dekha ho, yah unhean yad nahian p da. usaka rang bhi sadharan bangaliyoan-jaisa nahian tha. sharir par khaki rang ka kurta, moti maili dhoti, hath mean baans ki lathi, chadar sir par pag di ki tarah bandhi huee thi.

majistret se gora ne kaha, "maian ghoshapur gaanv se aya hooan."

majistret sahab ne vish‍may soochak halki-si siti bajaee. ghoshapur ke mamale mean koee gair adami taang a da raha hai, isaki soochana unhean ek din pahale hi mil chuki thi. shayad yahi vah adami hai. sir se pair tak gora ko ek tikhi nazar se dekhakar unhoanne poochha, "tum kaun jat ho?"

gora bola, "bangali brahman hoo."

sahab bole, "oh! kisi akhabar se sanbandh hai shayad?"

gora ne kaha, "nahian."

majistret bole, "ghoshapur mean tum kya karane ae?"

gora ne kaha, "ghoomata hua vahaan ja thahara tha. pulis ki jyadati se gaanv ki durgati hoti huee dekhakar tatha ne upadrav ki ashanka janakar use rokane ke lie apake pas aya hooan."

majistret ne kaha, "ghosapur gaanv ke log b de badamash haian, yah tumhean maloom hai?"

"ve badamash nahian haian," gora bola, "nirbhik aur azad-dimag haian. atyachar chupachap nahian sah sakate."

majistret big d uthe. unhoanne man-hi-man socha-ne bangali itihas ki pustakean padhakar bahut batean sikh ge haian- inase phareb.... prakat mean gora ko dapatakar bole, "yahaan ke halat ka tumhean kuchh pata nahian hai."

megh ganbhir svar mean gora ne javab diya, "yahaan ke halat ka apako aur bhi kam pata hai."

majistret ne kaha "maian tumhean khabaradar kie deta hooan, ghosapur ke mamale mean yadi koee dakhal doge to saste mean nahian chhootoge."

gora ne kaha, "jab apane tay hi kar liya hai ki atyachar ko rokane ki karravaee nahian kareange, aur gaanv ke logoan ke bare mean bhi pahale se mithya dharana bana li hai tab mere pas isake alava aur koee chara nahian hai ki gaanv ke logoan ko pulis ke mukabale mean kh de hone ke lie badhava dooan."

chalate-chalate majistret ruk ge aur bijali ki tezi se-gora ki or palatakar garaj uthe, "kya tumhari itani majal!"

aur kuchh kahe bina gora dhire-gati se chala chala gaya. majistret, "haranababoo, apake desh ke log "kya-tumhari itani majal!"

haranababoo ne kaha, "padhaee-likhaee vyavasthiti dhang se nahian hoti, visheshakar adhh‍yatmik aur naitik shiksha desh mean hoti hi nahian; isilie ye sab batean hoti haian. aangrezi shiksha ka jo uttam aansh hai vah grahan karane ka adhikar in logoan ko nahian hai. bharatavarsh mean aangrezoan ka rajy niyati ka hi vidhan hai, ye akritajn log ab bhi is bat ko svikar karana nahian chahate. ek matr karan isaka yahi hai ki in logoan ne keval kitabean rat li haian, inaka dharm-bodh bilh‍kul adhoora hai.

majistret bole, "kraist ko svikar kie bina bharatavarsh ka dharm-bodh kabhi nahian ho sakata."

haranababoo ne kaha, "ek tarah se yah sach hi hai."

yoan kahate hue haranababoo ne eesa ko svikar karane ke bare mean ek eesaee mean aur haranababoo mean kahaan tak sahamati hai aur kahaan matabhed, isake sookshm vivechan mean majistret ko itana ulajha liya ki mem sahab jab pareshababoo ki l dakiyoan ko dak-bangale pahuanchakar laut aeean aur pati se bolian, "hairi, ab vapas chalana chahie" tab chauankakar unhoanne gh di nikalakar dekhate hue kaha, "maee g aaud! yah to ath bajakar bis minat ho ge."

unhoanne ga di par savar hote samay haranababoo se hath milakar vida late hue kaha, "apake sath batachit mean saanjh bahut achchhi kat gee."

haranababoo ne dak-bangale par lautakar majistret ke sath apani batachit vistarapoorvak sunaee. lekin gora ke ane ka unhoanne koee ullekh nahian kiya.

28

kisi aparadh ke lie bina kisi sunavaee ke sirph gaanv ko sabak sikhane ke lie saiantalis adamiyoan ko havalat mean band kar diya gaya tha.

majistret se bheant hone ke bad gora kisi vakil ki khoj mean nikala. kisi se usane suna ki satakau di haladar yahaan ke nami vakil haian. satakau di ke ghar pahuanchate hi vakil sahab kah uthe, "are yah to gora hai! tum yahaan kahaan?"

gora ka anuman thik hi tha- satakau di usaka sahapathi tha. gora ne kaha, "ghoshapur ke asamiyoan ko zamanat par chhu dakar unaki pairavi karani hogi."

satakau di ne kaha, "zamanat kaun dega?"

gora bola, "maian dooanga."

satakau di ne kaha, "saiantalis adamiyoan ki zamanat dena tumhare boote ka hai?"

gora ne kaha, "agar mukhtyar log milakar zamanat dean to unaki phis maian de dooanga."

satakau di ne kaha, "usamean kuchh kam kharch nahian hoga."

doosare din majistret ke ijalas mean zamanat ki darakhast pesh ki gee. majistret ne kal mile maile kap de aur pag di vale dabang adami ki or ek nazar dali aur darakhast namanjoor kar di. chaudah varsh ke l dake se lekar assi varsh ke boodhe tak havalat mean s dane ke lie chho d die ge.

satakau di se gora ne usaki or se kes l dane ka anurodh kiya.

satakau di ne kaha, "gavah kahaan mileange? jo gavah ho sakate the vahi sab to asami haian. inake alava sahab ko marane ke is kaand ki jaanch ke mare sare ilake ke logoan ki nak mean dam hai majistret samajhata hai ki bhitar-hi-bhitar isamean bhadr logoan ka bhi hath hai, shayad mujh par bhi karata ho, kaun jane. aangrezi akhabar barabar likh rahe haian ki deshi logoan ke hausale itane badh jaeange to arakshit, asahay aangrezoan ka nishchiant rahana mushkil ho jaega. idhar to aisi halat ho gee hai ki deshi log desh mean tik hi nahian pate haian. maian janata hooan ki anyay ho raha hai, lekin koee upay nahian hai.'

garajakar gora ne kaha, 'upay kyoan nahian hai?"

hansakar satakau di ne kaha, "jaise tum skool mean the ab tak thik vais-ke-vaise hi ho. upay isalie nahian hai ki ham logoan ke ghar mean bivi-bachche haian- roz kamakar n laean to kee logoan ka phaka karana p d jay. doosare ka bojh apane oopar aut lene ko taiyar hone vale vyakti duniya mean kam hi hote haian- aur us desh mean to aur bhi kam jisamean kunaba bhi kuchh chhota nahian hota. jisake ghar das khane vale haian vah un das ko chho dakar doosare das adamiyoan ki or dekhane ka samay kahaan se paega?"

gora ne kaha, "to in logoan ke lie tum kuchh nahian karoge? haeekort ke samane yadi.... "

adhir hokar satakau di ne kaha, "are, tum yah kyoan nahian dekhate ki ek aangrez zakhmi hua hai. har aangrez raja hai- chhote aangrez ko marana bhi chhote kism ka raj-vidroh hi hai. jisaka koee suphal nahian nikalane vala usake lie bekar mean dau d-dhoop karake khamakhah majistret se bhi biga dooan, yah mujhase nahian hoga."

gora ne nishchit kiya ki agale din sadhe das baje ki ga di se kalakatta jakar dekhega ki vahaan ke kisi vakil ki madad se kuchh ho sakata hai ya nahian. isi samay lekin ek aur badha a kh di huee.

yahaan ke karyakram ke silasile mean kalakatta ke vidyarthiyoan ki ek tim ke sath sthaniy vidyarthiyoan ka kriket-maich nishchit hua tha. abhyas ke lie kalakatta ke l dake apas mean khel rahe the ki ek l dake ke pair mean geand se gahari chot lag gee. maidan se laga hua ek b da pokhar tha. jakhmi l dake ko kinare par litakar usake do sathi kap da pani mean bhigokar usake pair mean patti baandh rahe the ki achanak kahian se ek paharedar ne akar ek chhatr ko zor se dhakka dekar bhaddi galiyaan dena shuroo kar diya. pokhar pine ke pani ke lie hi tha, usamean utarana mana tha, yah bat kalakatta ke vidyarthi nahian janate the; janate bhi hote to akasmath aisa apaman sahane ka unhean abhyas nahian tha. unake badan bhi gathe hue the. unhoanne apaman ka yathochit pratikar shuroo kar diya. yah drishy dekhakar char-paanch sipahi aur dau de hue a ge. thik isi samay gora bhi vahaan se guzara. chhatr gora ko pahachanate the- unake sath gora kee bar kriket khel chuka tha. gora ne jab dekha ki vidyarthiyoan ko pak dakar marate-marate le jaya ja raha hai, tab vah sah nahian saka. bola, "khabaradar jo mara to."

paharedar aur usake sathiyoan ne use bhi bhaddi gali di, is par gora ne ghooanse aur latean jamakar aisa bakhe da kar diya ki bhi d lag gee. idhar dekhate-dekhate vidyarthiyoan ka jhuand bhi ikattha ho gaya aur gora ke utsah se shah pakar ve bhi pulis par tut p de. paharedar aur usake sathi maidan chho dakar bhag kh de hue. sari ghatana mean rah chalate logoan ko b da maza aya. lekin kahane ki zaroorat nahian ki yah tamasha gora ke lie tamasha n raha.

lagabhag tin-char baje, dak-bangale mean jab vinay, haranababoo aur l dakiyaan abhyas kar rahi thian, vinay ke pirichit chhatroan ne akar khabar di ki gora or kuchh-ek vidyarthiyoan ko giraphtar karake pulis ne havalat mean band kar diya hai, agale din pahale ijalas mean hi majistret sahab ke samane unaki peshi hogi.

gora havalat mean! khabar sunakar haranababoo ko chho d sab log chauank uthe. dau da hua vinay pahale apane sahapathi satakau di haladar ke pas gaya, use sari bat batakar usake sath havalat pahuancha.

satakau di ne gora ki or pairavi karane aur use zamanat par chhu dane ki koshish ka prastav kiya to gora ne kaha, "nahian, maian vakil bhi nahian karooanga aur mujhe zamanat par chhu dane ki cheshta bhi nahian karani hogi."

"yah bhi koee bat huee?" vinay ki or mu dakar satakau di ne kaha, "dekha isako? kaun kahega ki gora skool se nikal aya hai! isaki akl abhi bhi thik vaisi hi hai!"

gora ne kaha "sanyog se mere pas sadhan haian, dost haian, isilie maian havalat se bach jaooan, yah maian nahian chahata. hamare desh ki jo dharmaniti hai usake anusar nyay karane ki zimmedari raja ki hai, praja ke sath anyay ho yah raja ka hi adharm hai. lekin is raj mean yadi vakil ki phis n juta sakane par praja ko havalat mean s dane ya jel mean marana p de, sir par raja ke rahate bhi paisa dekar insaph kharidane ki koshish mean lut jana p de, to aise anyay ke lie ek dhela bhi maian kharch karana nahian chahata."

satakau di ne kaha, "lekin qazi ke raj mean to ghoos dene ke lie hi sir bechana p data tha."

gora ne kaha, "lekin ghoos dene ka vidhan raja ka to nahian tha. jo qazi bura hota tha vah ghoos leta tha- aj-kal bhi vahi hal hai. lekin aj-kal iansaph ke lie raja ke samane jane par chahe vadi ho chahe prativadi, chahe doshi ho chahe nirdosh, praja ko rona hi p data hai. jo garib hai, insaph ki l daee mean usake lie har-jit donoan hi mean sarvanash hai. phir jahaan raja vadi hai aur ham-jaise log prativadi, vahaan unaki or se hi sab vakil bairistar haian, aur agar maian juta sakooan to thik hai, nahian to mera bhagy. iansaph ke lie agar saphaee vakil ki zaroorat nahian hai to phir sarakari vakil kisalie? aur agar zaroorat hai to phir gavarnameant ke khilaf apana vakil svayan khojane ki majaboori kyoan ho? yah kya praja ke sath shatruta nahian hai? kaisa rajadharm hai yah?"

satakau di ne kaha, "big date kyoan ho bhaee. sivilaijeshan koee sasti chiz to nahian hai. iansaph mean bariki ke lie qanoon mean bhi bariki avashyak hai-kanoon mean bariki hone par bina peshevar qanoonadaan ke kam nahian chalata- peshe ki bat ate hi bikri-kharid ki bat a jati hai isalie sabhyata ki adalat mean iansaph apane-ap dukanadari ho jata hai isi se jisake pas paisa nahian hai usake thage jane ki sanbhavana rahati hi hai. yadi tum raja hote to kya karate bhala?"

gora bola, "yadi aisa qanoon banata ki hazar-dedh hazar rupaya vetan pane vale jaj ki akl ke lie bhi usase bhugat pana asanbhav hota, to abhage vadi-prativadi donoan pakshoan ke lie sarakari kharch par vakil niyukt karata. thik iansaph hone ka kharcha praja ke sir madhakar apani nyay-vyavastha par garv karata hua mugal-pathan rajaoan ko galiyaan n deta."

satakau di ne kaha, "thik hai, lekin abhi vah shubh din jab nahian aya, tum raja bhi nahian hue, jab aj tum sabhy raja ki adalat mean asami bane peshe ho tab tumhean ya to apani gaanth se paisa kharch karana hoga ya kisi dost-vakil ki sharan leni hogi, nahian to aur kisi prakar to musibat talati nahian."

hath karake gora ne kaha, "koee koshish n karane se jo sir par ayegi bhale hi vah mere sir par ae. bilh‍kul asahay ki is rajy mean jo gati hogi vahi meri bhi ho."

vinay ne bhi b di minnatean kian, lekin gora ne sabaki anasuni kar di. usane vinay se poochha, "achanak tum yahaan kaise a pahuanche?"

vinay ka chehara zara tamatama utha. gora aj havalat mean n hota to shayad vinay kuchh vidroh ke svar mean hi apane vahaan hone ka karan bata deta. lekin aj spasht bat usake muanh par nahian aee. vah bola, "meri bat phir hogi, abhi to tumhari.... "

gora ne kaha, "maian to aj sarakari mehaman hooan. meri chianta to sarakar svayan kar rahi hai, tum logoan ko koee chianta karane ki zaroorat nahian hai!"

vinay janata tha ki gora ko digana sanbhav nahian, isalie vakil karane ki koshish usane chho d di. bola, "yahaan ka to tum kha nahian sakoge, bahar se kuchh khana bhejane ka prabandh kar dooan."

adhir hokar gora ne kaha, "vinay, kyoan tum bekar mean dau d-dhoop karate ho? mujhe bahar se kuchh nahian chahie. sabake bhagy mean havalat mean jo ata hai usase adhik maian kuchh nahian chahata."

lachar hokar vinay dak-bangale laut aya. sucharita raste ki or vale ek sone ke kamare mean daravaza band karake khi daki khole vinay ke lautane ki pratiksha kar rahi thi. kisi prakar bhi doosaroan ka sath ya unaki batachit use sahan nahian ho pa rahi thi.

jab sucharita ne dekha ki vinay udas aur chiantit chehara lie dak-bangale ki or a raha hai tab usake hriday mean anek ashankaean uthane lagian. b di mushkil se apane ko shaant karake ek kitab hath mean lekar vah baithane ke kamare mean aee. silaee ka kam lalita ko bilh‍kul nahian ruchata, lekin aj ek kone mean chupachap baithi vah silaee kar rahi thi, lavany sudhir ke sath aangrezi shabd banane ka khel khel rahi thi, lila darshak bani baithi thi. haranababoo varadasuandari ke sath agami kal ke utsav ke bare mean batachit kar rahe the. vinay ne aj sabere pulis ke sath gora ke jhag de ka sara qissa byaurevar suna diya. sucharita stabdh baithi rahi, lalita ki god se silaee niche gir gee aur usaka muanh lal ho aya.

varadasuandari ne kaha, "ap koee chianta n kijie, vinay baboo- aj sham ko hi majistret sahab ki mem se maian gaur baboo ke lie kahooangi."

sudhir ne kaha, "usake bachav ke lie to koee prabandh karana hoga."

zamanat par chhu davane aur vakil niyukt karane ke bare mean gora ne jo apattiyaan ki thian vinay ne ve sab bata dian. sunakar haranababoo chidhakar bole, "yah sab bekar ki hek di hai."

lalita ke man ka bhav haranababoo ke prati jaisa bhi raha ho, par ab tak vah unaka samman karati aee thi aur kabhi unake sath bahas mean nahian p di thi. aj zor se sir jhatakakar bol uthi, "bilh‍kul bekar nahian hai. gaur baboo ne jo kiya hai bilh‍kul thik kiya hai. majistret sirph hamako dabata rahega aur ham apani raksha khud kareange? usaki moti tanakhvah jutane ke lie taiks bhi bharana hoga, aur phir usi se apani jan chhu dane ke lie gaanth se vakil ki phis bhi deni hogi? aisa iansaph pane se jel jana kahian achchha hai."

haranababoo lalita ko ab tak bachcha hi samajhate ae the- unhoanne kabhi kalpana bhi nahian ki thi ki usaki bhi koee ray ho sakati hai. usi lalita ke muanh se tikhi bat sunakar vah hakke-bakke rah ge. phir use daantate hue bole, "tum ye sab batean kya jano! jo do-char kitabean ratakar kalij pas kar ae haian, jinaka n dharm hai n dharana, unake muanh se gair-zimmedarana pagalapan ki bakavas sunakar tumhara sir phir gaya hai."

yah kahakar haranababoo ne kal sham ko majistret ke sath gora ke sakshath ki aur usake bare mean unase majistret ki jo batachit huee thi usaka poora byaura suna diya. vinay ko ghoshapur gaanv ka mamala maloom n tha. bat sunakar vah shankit ho utha, usane samajh liya ki gora ko majistret sahaj hi n chho deange.

jis matalab se haran ne bat sunaee thi usase thik ulta asar hua. gora ko dekhane ki bat jo ab tak unhoanne chhipa rakhi thi, usase jo ochhapan jhalakata tha vah sucharita ko chubh gaya. gora ke prati unaki pratyek bat se ek vyaktigat eershya tapakati thi. gora ki is musibat ke samay unake vyavahar ke karan sabhi ko unake prati ek ghrina huee. sucharita ab tak chup hi thi, kuchh kahane ko usaka man akula raha tha, kiantu apane ko rokakar vah kitab kholakar kaanpate hathoan se usake panne palatane lagi. lalita ne udhdat bhav se kaha, "haranababoo ki ray mean aur majistret ki ray mean chahe jitani samanata ho, ghoshapur ke mamale mean gauramohan baboo ki b daee hi sabit hoti hai."

29

chhote lal sahab aj padhareange, isalie majistret sahab thik sadhe das baje ijalas pahuanch ge jisase din ka kam jaldi nibata lean.

k aaulej ke l dakoan ki or se pairavi karate hue satakau di baboo ne apane dost ko bhi bachane ki cheshta ki. mamale ka rukh dekhakar unhoanne samajh liya tha ki aparadh svikar karana hi yahaan fayademand hoga. l dake manachale hote hi haian, ve abhi nirbodh haian, ityadi dalilean dekar unaki or se unhoanne kshama-prarthana ki. majistret ne vidyarthiyoan ko jel le jakar pratyek ki umr aur usake aparadh ke anusar paanch se lekar pachchis tak beant lagane ki saza suna di. gora ka koee vakil nahian tha. khud apani pairavi karate hue pulis ke atyachar ke bare mean usake kuchh kahane ki shuruat karate hi majistret ne tiraskar poorvak use rok diya aur pulis ke kam mean hastakshep karane ke aparadh mean use ek mas ke kathin karavas ki saza sunate hue yah bhi kaha ki itani halki saza dekar vah vishesh daya dikha rahe haian.

sudhir aur vinay adalat mean upasthit the. vinay gora ke muanh ki or nahian dekh saka. mano usaka dam ghutane laga, vah jaldi se kachahari se bahar nikal aya. sudhir ne usase dak-bangale par lautakar snan-bhojan karane ka anurodh kiya, par vah use anasuna karake maidan par karate-karate rah mean hi ek pe d ke niche baith gaya aur sudhir se bola, "tum dak-bangale laut jao, maian bad mean aooanga."

sudhir chala gaya.

kitana samay aise hi bit gaya, isaka vinay ko hosh n raha. soory shikhar tak pahuanchakar pashchim ki or utarane laga tha tab ek ga di thik usake samane akar ruki. muanh uthakar vinay ne dekha, sudhir aur sucharita ga di se utarakar usaki or a rahe the. vah jaldi se uth kh da hua. sucharita ke pas utarakar ane par vah jaldi se uth kh da hua. sucharita ne pas akar sneh-bhare svar mean kaha, "vinay baboo, chalie!"

sahasa vinay ne lakshy kiya ki ve rah chalate logoan ke lie kautoohal ka vishay ban ge haian. jaldi se vah ga di par savar ho gaya. sare raste koee bhi kuchh bat n kar saka.

vinay ne dak-bangale par pahuanchakar dekha, vahaan l daee chal rahi hai. lalita is bat par a di huee thi ki kisi tarah vah majistret ke ghar nahian jaegi. varadasuandari b di mushkil mean p d gee thian. haranababoo lalita- jaisi bachchi ke is asangat vidroh se krodhavash pagal ho rahe the. bar-bar vah kahe ja rahe the- ajakal ke l dake-l dakiyaan n jane kyoan aise big d rahe haian, koee anushasan hi nahian manana chahata. aire-gaire logoan ki sangat mean phijool batachit karate rahane ka yahi natija hota hai.

lalita ne vinay ke ate hi kaha, "vinay baboo, mujhe maph kar dijie, maianne apake nikat bhari aparadh kiya hai. tab apane jo kaha tha maian kuchh samajh nahian saki thi. ham log bahar ki halat bilh‍kul nahian janatian isilie aisa ulata samajh leti haian. panoo baboo kahate haian ki bharatavarsh mean majistret ka yah shasan niyati ka vidhan hai- aisa hai to phir is shasan ko tan-man-vachan se shap dene ki ichchha jagana bhi usi niyati ka hi vidhan hai."

haranababoo big dakar kahane lage, "lalita, tum.... "

haranababoo ki or pith pherakar kh de hote hue lalita ne kaha, "chup rahie, maian ap se bat nahian kar rahi. vinay baboo, kisi ki mat suniega. aj abhinay kisi tarah nahian ho sakega."

jaldi se varadasuandari ne lalita ki bat katate hue kaha, "lalita, too to b di ajib l daki hai! vinay baboo ko aj nahane-khane bhi nahian degi? dedh baj gaya hai, usaki bhi khabar hai? dekh to unaka chehara kaisa sookh raha hai."

vinay ne kaha, "ham log yahaan usi majistret ke mehaman haian- is ghar mean mera snan-bhojan ab nahian ho sakega."

varadasuandari ne vinay ko samajhane ki b di koshish ki, khushamad bhi ki. l dakiyoan ko chup dekhakar unhoanne big dakar kaha, "tum sabako hua kya hai? suchi, vinay ko zara tumhian samajhao n. ham logoan ne vayada kiya hai- itane log bulae ge haian- aj to kisi tarah nibhana hi hoga, nahian to ve log kya soanchege bhala? phir kabhi unake samane muanh n dikha sakeange."

chupachap sucharita sir jhukae baithi rahi.

nadi door nahian thi, vinay stimar-ghat ki or chala gaya. stimar lagabhag do ghante bad chhootega- kal ath baje ke lagabhag kalakatta pahuanch jaega.

uttejit hokar haranababoo vinay aur gora ki buraee karane lage. sucharita ne jaldi se kursi se uthakar sath ke kamare mean jakar kiva d band kar lie. tho di der bad hi lalita ne kiva d thelakar kamare mean pravesh kiya to dekha, donoan hathoan se muanh dhake sucharita bistar par p di hai.

lalita ne bhitar se daravaze band kar lie aur sucharita ke pas baithakar dhire-dhire usake sir ke baloan ko uangaliyoan se sahalane lagi. bahut der bad sucharita jab shaant ho gee tab zabaradasti usake hath chehare ke samane se hatakar lalita usake kan se muanh satakar kahane lagi, "didi, chalo ham log yahaan se kalakatta laut chalean- aj majistret ke yahaan to nahian ja sakate."

sucharita ne bahut der tak is bat ka koee uttar nahian diya. lalita jab bar-bar kahane lagi tab vah bistar par uth baithi aur boli, "yah kaise ho sakata hai, ri. meri to ane ki zara bhi ichchha nahian thi- jab baba ne bhej diya hai tab jis kam ke lie aee hooan vah poora kie bina kaise laut sakati hooan?"

lalita ne kaha, "baba ye sab batean kahaan janate the? janate to kabhi hamean yahaan rukane ko n kahate."

sucharita ne kaha, "yah maian kaise janooan, bhala?"

lalita, "didi, kya too ja sakegi? kaise jaegi bhala? phir ban-thanakar stej par kh de hokar kavita sunani hogi. meri to jaban kat jae tab bhi bat nahian nikalegi!"

sucharita ne kaha, "vah to janati hooan, bahan, lekin narak yantrana bhi sahani hi hoti hai. ab aur to koee chara nahian hai. aj ka din jivan-bhar bhool nahian sakooangi."

lalita sucharita ki is becharagi par big dakar bahar nikal gee. jakar maan se boli "maan, kya tum ja nahian rahian?"

varadasuandari ne kaha, "too pagal to nahian ho gee! rat ko nau baje ke bad jana hai."

lalita ne kaha, "maian kalakatta jane ki bat kar rahi hooan."

varadasuandari, "zara is l daki ki bat to suno?"

sudhir ne lalita se poochha, "sudhir, to tum bhi yahian rahoge?"

gora ki saza se sudhir ka man vyakul zaroor tha, lekin b de-b de sahaboan ke samane apani vidya dikhane ka lobh chho d dena usake vash ki bat nahian thi. usane kuchh aspasht-sa gunaguna diya, jisase yahi samajh mean aya ki use sankoch to hai, par vah yahian rah jaega.

varadasuandari ne kaha, "g dab di mean itani der ho gee ab aur der karane se nahian chalega. ab sadhe paanch baje tak bistar se koee uth n sakega- sabako aram karana hoga, nahian to rat ko thakan se muanh sookh jaega- dekhane mean achchha nahian lagega."

unhoanne yoan kah-kahakar sabako zabaradasti sone ke kamaroan mean le jakar lita diya. sabhi so ge, keval sucharita ko niand n aee aur doosare kamare mean lalita bhi apane bistar par baithi rahi.

rah-rahakar stimar ki siti sunaee dene lagi.

jab stimar chhootane hi vala tha aur khalasi sidhi uthane ki taiyari kar rahe the, tab dek se vinay ne dekha, ek bhadr mahila tezi se jahaz ki or badhi a rahi hai. usaki vesh-bhoosha se vah vinay ko lalita-si hi jan p di kiantu sahasa vah aisa vishvas nahian kar saka. aant mean lalita ke nikat a jane par jab bilh‍kul sandeh n raha tab usane ek bar socha ki shayad lalita use lauta le jane ke lie aee ho-lekin lalita hi to majistret ka nimantran n manane ke lie a di huee thi. lalita stimar par savar ho gee, khalasiyoan ne sidhi utha li. shankit-sa vinay oopar dek se niche utarakar lalita ke samane a kh da hua. lalita boli, "mujhe oopar le chalie!"

vismit hokar vinay ne kaha, "jahaz to chhoot raha hai."

lalita boli, "maian janati hooan." aur vinay ki pratiksha n karake samane ki sidhi se oopar chali gee. stimar sitiyaan deta hua chal p da.

pahale darje ke dek par lalita ko aram-kursi par bithakar vinay chupachap prashn-bhari aauankhoan se usak chehare ki or dekhane laga.

lalita ne kaha, "maian kalakatta jaooangi- yahaan mujhase kisi tarah nahian raha gaya."

vinay ne poochha, "aur ve sab?"

lalita ne kaha, "abhi tak kisi ko maloom nahian hai. maian chitthi rakhakar aee hooan- padheange to pata lagega."

lalita ke is du:shahas se vinay chakit ho gaya. sakuchata hua kahane ko hua, "kiantu.... "

jaldi se lalita ne use tokate hue kaha, "jahaz to chhoot gaya, ab kiantu-parantu ko lekar kya hoga. l daki hokar janmi hooan isilie chupachap sab sah lena hoga, maian aisa nahian manati hamare lie bhi nyay-anyay aur sanbhav-asanbhav hai. aj ke nyote mean abhinay karane jane se atmahatya kar lena mere lie kahian zyada sukhad hai."

vinay ne samajh liya ki jo hona tha vah ho gaya hai, ab is kam ki achchhaee-buraee sochakar man ko ulajhane se koee labh nahian hai.

tho di der chup rahakar lalita ne kaha, "dekhie, apake mitr gaur mohan baboo ke prati man-hi-man maianne b da anyay kiya tha. n jane kyoan shuroo se hi unhean dekhakar, unaki bat sunakar mera man unake virudhd ho gaya tha. vah bahut zyada zor dekar apani bat kahate the, aur ap sab log mano unaki haan-mean-haan mila dete the- mujhe yah dekhakar gussa ata rahata tha. mera svabhav hi aisa hai, jab dekhati hooan ki koee bat mean ya vyavahar mean zor dikha raha hai to maian bilh‍kul sahan nahian kar sakati. lekin gauramohan baboo keval doosaroan par hi zor nahian dikhate, apane ko bhi vaise hi kaboo mean rakhate haian- yahi sachchi takat hai. aisa adami maianne nahian dekha."

lalita is prakar bolati hi chali gee. keval gora ke bare mean use anutap ho raha ho isalie yah ye sab batean kah rahi ho, bat itani hi nahian thi. vastav mean usane josh mean akar jo kam kar dala tha usaka sankoch hi usake man ke bhitar um d ana chahata tha. bar-bar yah duvidha man mean uth ati thi ki yah kam shayad thik nahian hua. vinay ke sath stimar par aise akele baithe rahana kitane asamanjas ki bat ho sakati hai, isase pahale yah vah soch bhi nahian saki. lekin lajja dikhane se to yah mamala aur bhi lajjajanak ho jaega, isilie vah pran-pan se cheshta karake batean kie ja rahi thi. vinay ke muanh se koee bat hi nahian nikal rahi thi. ek or gora ka du:kh aur doosari or is bat ki glani ko lekar is akasmik paristhiti ka sankat, sabane milakar vinay ko mook kar diya tha.

pahale kabhi aisa hota to lalita ke is du:sahas par vinay ke man mean tiraskar ka hi bhav udit hota, lekin aj vaisa nahian hua. itana hi nahian, usake man mean jo vismay udit hua tha usamean shradhda bhi mili huee thi. sath hi ek anand bhi tha ki unake sare gut mean gora ke apaman ke pratikar ki-chahe samany pratikar ki bhi- cheshta karane vale keval vinay aur lalita hi the. vinay ko to isake lie vishesh kuchh takaliph nahian uthani p degi, lekin lalita ko apane kam ke phalasvaroop bahut dinoan tak kafi kasht bhogana p dega. aur isi lalita ko barabar vinay gora ka virodh samajhata aya tha! vinay jitana hi sochata raha utana hi lalita ke is bina aant soche-samajhe sahas par aur anyay ke prati ekaant ghrina ke bhav par vinay ko shradhda hone lagi. kaise, kya kahakar vah is shradhda ko prakat kar sakata hai, kuchh soojh n saka. usak man mean bar-bar yah bat ane lagi ki lalita use jo sahasahin aur doosaroan ka muanh johane vala kahakar tiraskar karati thi, vah thik hi tha. vah to kabhi kisi vishay mean bhi apane sab atmiy-bandhuoan ki nianda-prashansa ki upeksha karake sahasapoorn acharan ke dvara apana mat prakashit n kar sakata. usane jo kee bar gora ko kasht pahuanchane ke dar se, athava kahian gora use kamazor n samajh le is ashanka se apane svabhav ka anusaran nahian kiya, aur kee bar bal ki khal utarane vali daliloan se apane ko yah bhulava dene ki cheshta ki hai ki gora ki ray usaki ray hai, aj man-hi-man yah svikar karake usane lalita ko usake svadhin budhdi-bal ke karan apane se kahian shreshth man liya. isase pahale vah man-hi-man anek bar lalita ki buraee bhi karata raha tha. yah yad karake use sharm ane lagi. usane yahaan tak chaha ki lalita se kshama maang le, kiantu kaise kshama maange, yah vah nahian soch saka. lalita ki kamaniy stri-moorti apane aantarik tej ke karan vinay ki aauankhoan mean aisi mahimamee hokar dikhaee di ki nari ke is apoorv parichay se vinay ne apane jivan ko dhany mana. apane sare ghamand, sari kshudra ko usane is madhury-mandit shakti ke age utsarg kar diya.