bharati hans p di. boli, yadi mlechchh jivanadan de to usamean koee dosh nahian, lekin muanh mean jal dete hi prayashchitt hona chahie. phir jara hansakar boli, achchha, maian ja rahi hooan. agar kal samay mila to ek bar dekhane aooangi. yah kahakar jate-jate achanak ghoomakar boli, aur n a sakooan to tivari ke achchha ho jane par usase kah dijiega ki agar ap n a jate to maian n jati. lekin mlechchh ka bhi to ek samaj hai. apake sath ek hi kamare mean rat bitane mean vah log bhi achchha nahian manate. kal savere apaka chaparasi aega to talavalakar baboo ko khabar de dijiega. sab vyavastha kareange. achchha namaskar.
apoorv ne kaha, karavat badalavane ki zaroorat p di to kaise badalooanga?
savadhan hokar badaliega. maian stri hokar agar kar sakati hooan to ap kyoan nahian kar sakate?
apoorv chup hi raha. jane ke lie bharati ne jyoan hi daravaza khola, apoorv ne bhay se akul hokar kaha, aur agar yah baith jae?.... agar rone lage?
in prashnoan ka uttar n dekar bharati daravaza band karake chali gee. jab tak usake kadamoan ki avaz sunaee deti rahi, apoorv shaant baitha raha. lekin khamoshi hote hi svayan ko n sanbhal saka. bhay se dau data hua bahar aya. dekha, bharati tezise chali ja rahi hai. mis bharati n kahakar usane ooanchi avaz mean pukara, bharati?
bharati mu dakar dekhate hi apoorv donoan hath jo dakar bola, jara idhar aie.
bharati laut p di. aandar jakar dekha, vahaan apoorv nahian hai. tivari akela p da hai, vah baramade mean bhi nahian tha. kahian dikhaee nahian de raha tha. charoan or najarean dau dakar dekha, snanaghar ka daravaza khula hai, daravaze ke aandar gardan badhakar dekha to usake bhay ki sima nahian rahi. apoorv pharsh par p da tha. dopahar ko jo kuchh khaya tha, ulat diya tha. aankhean band haian aur sharir pasina-pasina ho raha hai. pas jakar boli, apoorv baboo!
apoorv ne aankhean kholakar dekha lekin phir tatkal aankhean mooand lian. ek pal duvidha ke bad bharati usake pas a baithi aur mathe par hath rakhakar boli, uthakar baithana hoga. sir par aur muanh mean jal n dene par tabiyat thik nahian hogi. apoorv baboo!
apoorv uth baitha. bharati hath pakadakar use nal ke pas le gee, aur nal khol diya. usane hath-muanh dho dale. bharati use dhire-dhire kamare mean le aee aur charapaee par litakar aanchal se usake hathoan aur pairoan ka pani poanchh dala. phir pankhe se hava karati huee boli, jara sone ki koshish karo. apake svasth n hone tak maian yahian rahooangi.
apoorv lajjit hokar bola, lekin apaka khana?
bharati boli, apane khane ka avasar hi kahaan diya.
palabhar chup rahakar apoorv ne poochha, achchha apako mis bharati kahakar n pukarane par ap kya naraj hoangi?
zaroor, lekin keval bharati kahakar pukarane par nahian hoooangi.
lekin aur logoan ke samane?'
bharati hansakar boli, aur logoan ke samane bhi. lekin ab chup hokar jara so jaie. mujhe kafi kam karane haian.
apoorv bola, sote hue dar lagata hai. pichhe kahian tum chali n jao.
agar jagate rahane par bhi chali jaooan to ap kya kar leange?
apoorv chup rah gaya.
bharati boli, 'hamare mlechchh samaj mean kya nekanami aur badanami se bachakar nahian chalana p data?
apoorv ki budhdi thikane nahian thi. pratyuttar mean usane ek vichitr prashn kar dala. bola, meri maan yahaan nahian hai. mere bimar p d jane par ap kya kareangi? tab to apako hi rahana hoga.
mujhe rahana hoga? apake mitr talavalakar baboo ko khabar dene se kam nahian chalega?
apoorv gardan hilakar bola, nahian. yah nahian ho sakata. ya to maan ya phir ap. ap donoan mean se ek ko n dekh pane par maian nahian bachooanga. kal agar mujhe chechak nikal jae to ap yah bat bhool mat jana.
usake anurodh ke aantim shabd kis tarah sunaee die ki bharati jaise svayan ko hi bhool gee. bichhaune ke ek chhor par baithakar apoorv ke sharir par ek hath rakhakar ruandhe gale se boli, nahian....nahian bhoolooangi....kabhi nahian bhoolooangi...is bat ko kya kabhi bhool sakati hooan. lekin in shabdoan ke muanh se nikalate hi apani bhool samajhakar ekadam uth kh di huee. zor lagakar jara hansakar boli, lekin achchha ho jane par bhi to kam vipatti nahian aegi apoorv baboo! dhoomadham se prayashchitt karana p dega. achchha ab so jaie. mujhe bahut kam karane haian.
kaun se kam? -khana khana hai?
bharati boli, khana to door, abhi tak snan bhi nahian kiya.
lekin saanjh ke samay snan karane se bimar n p d jaogi?
bharati boli, asambhav nahian hai. lekin snanaghar mean apane jo gandagi phaila di hai, use saf karane par snan kie bina kya raha ja sakata hai?
apoorv lajjit hokar bola, vah sab maian saf kar dooanga. ap mat kijie, kahakar vah uthane laga.
bharati roothakar boli, ab bahaduri dikhane ki zaroorat nahian hai. tho da sone ki koshish karo. lekin aise komal adami ko maan ne videsh kaise bhej diya, yahi soch rahi hooan. uthie mat, vah nahian haian. banavati krodh aur shasan ke svar mean ajna dekar vah chali gee.
nirjiv ki tarah apoorv kab so gaya, vah jan bhi n saka.
usaki niand tooti, bharati ke pahuanchane par. aankhean malakar uthane par dekha, rat ke barah baj ge haian. bharati samane kh di hai. apoorv ki pahali najar p di usake baloan ki lambaee par. sugandhit sabun ki gandh se kamare ki hava hathath pulakit ho uthi thi. kali pa d ki sa di pahane hai. badan par aangiya n hone ke karan vahaan ka adhikatar bhag dikhaee de raha hai. bharati ki yah mano koee nootan moorti hai jise apoorv ne isase pahale kabhi nahian dekha tha. muanh se ekaek nikala, itane bhige bal, sookheange kaise?
kaise sookheange, ap inaki chianta mat kijie. mere sath aie.
tivari kaisa hai?
thik hai. kam-se-kam aj ki rat to apako sochana n p dega!
usake sath-sath doosare kamare mean akar dekha-ek chhoti-si tokari mean kuchh phal-phool, ek thali, ek gilas rakha hai. bharati ne dikhakar kaha, isase adhik aur kuchh nahian kiya ja sakata tha. pani se sab dho dalie. thali-gilas sab. gilas mean jal lekar us kamare mean jaie. maianne asan laga diya hai.
apoorv ne poochha, ap yah sab kab le aeean?
bharati boli, ap so rahe the. pas hi phaloan ki ek dukan hai. door nahian jana p da. tokari to ap logoan ki hi hai. phir jate-jate savadhan karati gee, chakoo dhote samay kahian hath mat kat lena.
kuchh der bad apoorv asan par baitha phal kat raha tha aur pas hi baithi bharati hans rahi thi. apoorv ne kaha, ap hansie, koee harj nahian, lekin apane mere bhojan ke lie jo vyavastha ki hai usake lie sahasroan dhanyavad! maan ke atirikt aur koee aisa nahian karata.
usaki bat ko anasuni karake bharati ne kaha, hansati hooan kya apani ichchha se? apoorv baboo! tivari ke svasth ho jane par maian avashy hi maan ko chitthi likhooangi ki ya to vah a jaean ya phir apane l dake ko vapas bula lean. aise manushy ko bahar nahian chho dana chahie.
apoorv bola, maan apane l dake ko achchhi tarah janati hai. lekin dekhie, agar yahaan mere bajay mere bhaiyoan mean se koee hota to apaki itani batean n chalatian. vah log apase hi sare kam kara lete.
bharati samajhi nahian.
apoorv bola, bhaee log sab kuchh khate-pite haian. murgi aur dinar bina unaka pet nahian bharata.
bharati ashchary se boli, yah kya kah rahe haian ap?
apoorv bola, sach kah raha hooan. pitaji bhi to adhe eesaee the. maan ko us halat mean kya kam kasht bhogane p de the.
bharati utsuk hokar boli, kya yah sach hai? lagata hai, maan ji bhayanak hiandoo haian.
apoorv bola, bhayanak kyoan? hiandoo ghar ki l daki ko jaisa hona chahie vaisi hi haian. maan ki bat kahate-kahate usaka svar karun aur snigdh ho utha. bola, ghar mean do bahuean haian, phir bhi maan ko apani rasoee ap hi banani p dati hai. lekin maan ka svabhav hi aisa hai. kabhi kisi par dabav nahian dalatian. kisi se koee shikayat nahian karatian. kahati haian-maian bhi to apane achar-vichar tyag kar apane pati ke mat ko svikar nahian kar saki. agar yah log mere mat se sahamat n ho sakean to shikayat karana thik nahian? meri budhdi aur mere sanskar manakar bahuoan ko chalana p dega, isaka koee arth bhi hai?
bharati ne bhakti aur shradhda se avanat hokar kaha?, maan purane jamane ki mahila haian. lekin unamean dhiraj bahut hai.
apoorv ne utsahit hokar kaha, dhiraj? maan ke dhiraj ki kya koee sima hai? apane unako dekha nahian hai. dekhane par ekadam hi ashcharyachakit rah jaeangi.
bharati prasann maun mukh se takataki lagae takati rahi. apoorv bola, yah man lena p dega ki samooche jivan mean meri maan du:kh hi bhogati rahian. unaka sampoorn jivan pati-putroan ke mlechchhachar sahate hi bita hai. unaka ekamatr bharosa maian hooan. bimari ki halat mean keval mere hi hath ka pakaya bhojan muanh mean dalati haian.
bharati ne kaha, tab to unako kasht ho sakata hai.
apoorv ne kaha, shayad ho bhi raha ho. isalie to unhoanne mujhe pahale chho dana nahian chaha par maian hamesha to ghar mean baitha nahian rah sakata. unhean ekamatr asha hai ki meri patni rasoee banakar unhean khilaya karegi.
bharati hansakar boli, unaki is asha ko ap poora karake kyoan nahian ae?
apoorv bola, l daki pasand karake jab maan ne sab thik-thak kar liya, tabhi mujhe jhatapat yahaan chala ana p da. maian kah aya hooan ki maan jab chitthi likhegi to akar ajna ka palan karooanga.
bharati boli, yahi thik hai.
apoorv bola, maian chahata hooan ki vah maan ko kabhi du:kh n de. mujhe kya zaroorat hai gan-vady janane vali k aaulej mean padhi huee vidushi l daki ki.
bharati boli, haan zaroorat hi kya hai?
apoorv svayan bhi kisi din isaka virodhi tha. bhabhi ka paksh lekar jhag da karake krudhd hokar maan se kaha tha, kisi brahman-pandit ke ghar se jaise bane ek l daki pak d lakar jhamela khatm kar do-'is bat ko aj bilkul hi bhool gaya. bola, ap jo bat samajhati haian mere bhaee aur bhabhiyaan us bat ko samajhana nahian chahatian. apana dharm manakar chalana chahie. poora ghar adamiyoan se bhara hone par bhi meri maan akeli hai. isase badhakar durbhagy aur kya ho sakata hai unaka? isilie maian bhagavan se prarthana karata hooan ki mere kisi acharan se maan ko du:kh n ho.
kahate-kahate usaka gala bhari ho gaya aur aankhoan mean aansoo chhalachhala uthe.
tabhi tivari kuchh b dab da utha, bharati uthakar chali gee. aj apoorv ka tan-man bhay aur chianta se atyant vikal ho utha tha. maan ko apane pas dekhane ki aandhi akulata se usake bhitar-hi-bhitar kuhara ghoom dane laga tha. yah bat antaryami se chhipi nahian rahi. lekin bharati ka hriday apaman ki vedana se t dap utha.
tho di der bad lautakar usane dekha-apoorv kisi tarah phal katane ka kam samapt karake chupachap baitha hai. boli, baithe haian? khaya nahian?
nahian apake lie baitha hooan.
kyoan?
ap nahian khaeangi?
nahian. ichchha hogi to mere lie alag rakhe haian.
apoorv ne phaloan ka thal hath se kuchh age thelakar kaha, kya aisa kabhi ho sakata hai? apane sare din nahian khaya, aur....
usaki bat poori nahian huee thi ki atyant sookhe dabe svar mean uttar mila, ah! ap to bahut pareshan karate haian, bhookhe haian to khaie. nahian to khi daki se bahar pheank dijie. yah kahakar vah kamare se chali gee.
usake chehare ko apoorv ne dekh liya. us chehare ko vah phir kabhi nahian bhool saka. ane ke din se lekar ab tak anek bar bheant huee thi. jhag de mean, mel-jol mean, shatruta mean, mitrata mean, sampatti aur vipatti mean-kitani hi bar to is l daki ko dekha hai. lekin us din ke dekhane aur aj ke dekhane mean koee samata nahian hai.
bharati chali gee. phaloan ka thal usi tarah p da raha. apoorv usi tarah kath ki tarah avakh aur nispand baitha raha.
ekadh ghante ke bad usane kamare mean jakar dekha, tivari ke sirahane ke pas chataee bichhae bharati apani baanh par sir tikae so rahi hai.
vah jaise aya tha usi tarah laut gaya aur jakar so gaya.
niand jab tooti to savera ho chuka tha.
bharati ne akar kaha, maian ab ja rahi hooan.
apoorv h dab dakar uth baitha. lekin abhi vah achchhi tarah hosh mean bhi n aya tha ki vah kamare se nikalakar bhag p di.
tivari rog mukt ho chuka hai lekin abhi kamazori baki hai. jo adami apoorv ke sath mamo gaya tha, vahi rasoee bana raha hai. tivari ko bachane ke lie apoorv ke aauphis ke adhikariyoan ne athak parishram kiya tha. ramadas to kee din ghar bhi nahian ja saka tha. shahar ke ek b de d aauktar se ilaj karaya gaya tha. barma desh tivari ko kabhi achchha nahian laga. apoorv ne use chhutti de di hai. nishchay hua ki kuchh aur svasth ho jane par vah ghar chala jaega. agale saptah mean shayad yah sambhav hoga.
us din ki gee bharati phir nahian aee. tivari kabhi sochata-bharati bahut chalak l daki hai. apoorv ke ane ka samachar pakar bhag gee. kabhi sochata-apoorv ne yahaan ane ke bad shayad usaka apaman kiya ho. apoorv svayan kuchh n batata. usase poochhate hue tivari darata ki usaki poochhatachh se batean khul jaeangi. usake hath ka chhua jal usane piya hai. usaka pakaya hua saboo-barli khaya hai. shayad jati itane bhayankar roop se nasht ho gee hai ki usaka koee prayashchitt nahian hai. tivari ne nishchay kar rakha tha ki kalakatta pahuanchakar vah apane gaanv chala jaega. vahaan ganga-snan karake, kisi brahmanoan ko bhojan karake, sharir ko kam-kaj chalane yogy shudhd kar lega. idhar-udhar ki batoan mean yahaan ki batean apoorv ki maan ke kanoan tak pahuancha dene se kya hoga, kuchh nahian kaha ja sakata. haladar parivar ki naukari jaegi, sath hi samaj mean badanami bhi ho jaegi.
lekin is svarth aur bhay ke atirikt tivari ke hath mean ek bat aur bhi thi. vah bat jitani madhur thi utani hi vedanapoorn bhi thi. apoorv ke mamo chale jane ke bad is l daki ke sath usaka ghanisht parichay hua tha. jis din achanak usaki maan ki mrityu huee, us samay tak tivari ka khana-pina bhi nahian hua tha. l daki ne rote hue akar usaka daravaza khatakhataya. do din pahale hi joseph mara tha. kiva d kholate hi bharati kamare mean akar usake donoan hath pak dakar aisi roee ki kya kahean. tivari ka pakaya hua bhat haandi mean hi rah gaya. sare din chitthi lekar n maloom kahaan-kahaan dau dana p da. doosare din jate samay usaki aankhoan ke aansoo jaise rukana nahian chahate the. is bich usane bharati ko kabhi didi, kabhi bahin bhi kahakar pukara tha. char-paanch din tak svayan hi rasoee banakar khilaee thi. phir usake bimar p d jane par bharati ne usaki kitani seva ki thi, yah bat vah achchhi tarah janata tha. kabhi sochata bhi n tha. yad ate hi jati nasht hone ki bat yad a jati thi. subah snan karake bhige baloan ki vishal rashi pith par latakae pratidin usaka samachar janane ke lie aya karati thi. rasoee ghar mean nahian jati thi. koee chiz nahian chhooti thi. chaukhat ke bahar pharsh par baithakar kahati, aj kya-kya pakaya tivari? dekhooan to.
didi, asan bichha dooan?
nahian, phir chauka dhona p dega.'
kya asan bhi chhoone se big data hai?
bharati kahati, tumhare baboo to sochate haian ki mere rahane se samooche makan ko chhoot lag gee hai. apana makan hota to shayad jal chhi dakakar pavitr kar lete. yahi bat hai n tivari?
tivari hansakar kahata, tum nahian jan sakian. isalie sabhi ko vaisa hi samajhati ho. lekin agar baboo ko ek bar bhi achchhi tarah jan jatian to tum bhi kahatian ki aisa manushy sansar mean doosara koee nahian hai.
bharati kahati, nahian hai, yah to maian bhi kahati hooan. tabhi to jisane chori hone mean rukavat dali usi ko chor samajh baithe.
is vishay mean apana aparadh yad karake tivari du:khi ho uthata. bat dabakar kahata, lekin tumane bhi to kam kam nahian kiya. janaboojh kar baboo par bis rupe jurmana karaya.
bharati kahati, lekin us dand ko to maianne svayan hi jhela tha tivari tumhare baboo ko to dene nahian p de.
nahian dene p de? maianne apani aankhoan se dekha ki do not dekar adalat se bahar ae.
aur maianne bhi to apani aankhoan se dekha tha tivari ki tumane kamare mean ghusate hi do not niche se uthakar apane baboo ko die the.
tivari ke hath ki kalachhul hath-ki-hath mean rah gee, oh, yah sach hai didi.
lekin sabji jali ja rahi hai tivari.
tivari ne kaha, baboo se maian yah bat zaroor kahooanga didi.
bharati hansakar boli, to kya hoga? maian tumhare baboo se darati tho de hi hooan.
lekin yah ashcharyajanak bat chhote baboo se kahane ka avasar tivari ko nahian mila. kab aur kis tarah milega, yah bhi nahian jan saka.
ek din basi haldi se tarakari bana raha tha ki bharati ki jhi daki sunani p di. aur jis din snan kie bina hi usane rasoee taiyar ki, bharati ne usake hath ka bhojan nahian khaya.
tivari gusse se bola, tum logoan mean itana vichar hai. dekhata hooan, tum to mata ji ko bhi par karake age badh rahi ho?
bharati ne koee uttar nahian diya. hansati huee chali gee.
barma mean ab vah kabhi nahian lautega. jane se pahale bharati se bheant hone ki asha bhi nahian hai. din-pratidin ek hi pratiksha mean chupachap baithe rahane se usaki chhati mean bhari kasak uthati rahati hai.
us din aauphis se lautakar apoorv ne achanak poochha, bharati ka ghar kahaan hai tivari?
tivari bola, maianne kya jakar dekha hai baboo?
jate samay tumhean bataya ho shayad?
mujhe batane ki bhala kya zaroorat thi.
apoorv bola, mujhe bataya to tha lekin thik se yad nahian raha. kal pata lagana.
tivari ke man mean toofan machal utha.
apoorv bola, pulis us chori ka mal dena chahati hai lekin bharati ke hastakshar avashyak haian.
tivari kuchh der chup rahakar bola, 'us din vah yahi soochana dene aee thi. lekin meri halat dekhakar phir lautakar n ja saki.
yadi vah dekhabhal n karati to too kab ka mar chuka hota tivari! mujhase bhi bheant n hoti.
tivari kuchh nahian bola.
apoorv ne phir kaha, 'akar maianne dekha ki aandheri kothari mean too hai aur vah hai, tisara koee nahian. kahaan jana hoga, kahaan sona hoga, isaka kuchh bhi nishchay nahian. do din pahale hi usake mata-pita ki mrityu huee thi. b de k dak dil ki l daki hai tivari!
tivari chup n rah saka. bola, vah kab chali gee?
apoorv bola, mere ane ke doosare hi din. savera hote-n-hote hi avaz aee, 'ab maian ja rahian hooan,' kahakar ekadam chali gee.'
naraj hokar gee thi kya?
naraj hokar? apoorv ne jara sochakar kaha, nahian janata, shayad ho sakata hai. use samajhaya bhi to nahian ja sakata, nahian to tera khayal rahata tha, ek bar samachar janane bhi nahian aee ki too achchha ho gaya hai ya nahian.
yah bat tivari ko achchhi nahian lagi. bola, ho sakata hai. svayan apane hi rog-shok ke jhamele mean p d gee hoan.
apane rog-shok mean? apoorv chauank p da. usake sanbandh mean kee din bahut-si batean yad aee haian, lekin aisi ashanka man mean paida nahian huee. apoorv ko ekadam dhyan aya ki unake ne dere par to dekhane sunane vala bhi koee nahian hai. ho sakata hai aspatal vale le ge hoan. ho sakata hai ab tak jivit bhi n ho.
yah sab sochakar vah man-hi-man vyakul ho utha. ek kursi par baithakar nekataee-vest kot kholate-kholate un donoan mean batachit shuroo huee thi. usake hath ka kam vahian ruk gaya. muanh se ek bhi shabd nahian raha. kursi par kath ki putali ki tarah baitha raha.
kuchh der bad tivari dhire-dhire bola, chhote baboo, makan malik ka adami aya tha. agar tisari manzil ka kamara lena ho to isi mahine badal lena chahie, vah kah gaya hai. mujhe chianta ho rahi hai ki koee phir a jae.
apoorv ne poochha, aur kaun ane vala hai?
tivari bola, aj maanji ka ek postakard mujhe mila hai. daraban se likhavakar bheja hai unhoanne. maian achchha ho gaya isake lie bahut prasannata prakat ki haian. daraban ka bhaee apane gaanv chhutti lekar ja raha hai. usake hath paanch rupe vishveshvar ki pooja ke lie bheje haian.
apoorv bola, thik to hai. maan tujhe bete jaisa pyar karati hai tivari.
tivari bola, 'bete se bhi adhik. maian to chala hi jaooanga. maan to chahati haian ki chhutti lekar ham donoan hi chalean. charoan or rog-shok....
apoorv bola, rog-shok-maran kahaan nahian hai? kalakatte mean nahian hai? toone shayad bahut-si batean likhakar unhean dara diya hai.
ji nahian, tivari bola, kali baboo pichhe p d ge haian. sabhi ki ichchha hai ki vaisakh ke arambh mean hi yah shubh kary sampann ho jae.
kali baboo ki chhoti l daki ko mata ji ne pasand kiya hai. is bat ka abhas unake kee patroan mean bhi tha. tivari ki bat apoorv ko achchhi nahian lagi. bola, itani jaldi kis lie? agar kali baboo ko bahut adhik jaldi ho to vah aur kahian prabandh kar sakate haian.
tivari jara hansakar bola, jaldi mata ji ko hai. shayad log unako yah kahakar darate haian ki barma mean l dake big d jate haian.
apoorv ko krodh a gaya. bola, 'dekh tivari, mujhe panditaee dikhane ki zaroorat nahian hai. maan ko roj-roj chitthiyaan kyoan likhata rahata hai? maian bachcha nahian hooan.
akaran krodh se tivari pahale vismit hua. bimari ke bad se usaka dimag achchha nahian tha. rosh bhare svar mean bola, ate samay yah bat maan ko kahakar n a sake? aisa hone se maian bach jata. jat-dharm nasht karane ke lie jahaz par n chadhana p data.
apoorv ne usake prashn ka koee uttar nahian diya. khooanti se kot nekataee lekar pahanata hua tezise kamare se nikal gaya.
tivari garam hokar bola, kal ravivar ko jahaz chatagaanv jata hai. maian usi se ghar chala jaooanga, kahe deta hooan.
apoorv jate-jate bola, n jao to hajaroan saugandhean rahian.
apoorv ke jane ka ekamatr sthan tha talavalakar ka ghar. lekin raste mean use yad aya ki aj shanivar hai. usaka patni ke sath thiyetar jane ka program hai. tabhi use achanak bharati ki yad a gee. usaka ahat, aparadhi man apane hi prati bar-bar kahane laga- vah achchhi tarah hi hai. use kuchh bhi nahian hua. nahian to itani b di jivan-maran ki samasya mean khabar bhi n deti? tel ke karakhane ke asapas hi kahian usaka naya makan hai yah bat vah bhoola nahian tha. use khojakar dhooandh nikalane ki kalpana se usaka man nach utha.
lekin ise mahasoos karake man ke chor ke pak de jane ki lajja se bhi vah nahian bach saka. shayad vah mujhe nahian chahati. shayad vah mujhe dekhakar upeksha kare. yah sochakar vah svayan ko saik doan tarah se samajhane laga. pulisavale usase hastakshar lena chahate haian. isi kam se vah aya hai. vah kaisi hai, kahaan hai, yah sab kautoohal use akaran nahian hai. is tarah itane dinoan bad jane ka vah koee ulahana bhi nahian de paegi.
is ilake mean apoorv pahale kabhi nahian aya tha. kafi door chalane par daeean or nadi ke kinare rasta dikhaee diya. ek adami se poochha, idhar sahab-mem log kahaan rahate haian? pratyuttar mean us adami ne asapas ke chhote-b de bangale dikha die. unaki sajavat dekhakar apoorv samajh gaya ki usaka prashn galat tha. sanshodhan karake poochha, anek bangali bhi to yahaan rahate haian? koee karigar, koee mistri hai.
vah adami bola, bahut haian. maian bhi ek mistri hooan. tum kisako khoj rahe ho.?
apoorv ne kaha, dekho maian jise khoj raha hooan.... achchha jo bangali eesaee athava....
vah adami ashchary se bola, kya kah rahe haian? bangali-phir eesaee kaise? eesaee ho jane par phir koee bangali rah jata hai kya? eesaee, eesaee hai. musalaman, musalaman hai. yahi to.....
apoorv bola, 'are bhaee, bangal ka adami to hai. bangala bhasha bolata hai.
vah garm hokar bola, bhasha bolane se hi ho gaya? jo jat dekar eesaee ban gaya, usamean aur kya padarth rah gaya mahashay? koee bhi bangali usake sath ahar-vyavahar kare to dekh looan. n maloom kahaan se mastari karane kuchh l dakiyaan a gee haian. bachchoan ko padhati haian-bas, isilie koee bhi kya unake sath kha raha hai ya baith raha hai?
apoorv ne poochha, vah kahaan rahati haian-ap janate haian?
vah bola, janata kyoan nahian. is raste se sidhe nadi ke kinare jakar poochhie ki naya skool kahaan hai, chhote-chhote bachche bhi bata deange. yah kahakar vah apane kam par chala gaya.
usi raste chalakar apoorv ko lal rang ka kath ka ek makan dikhaee diya. rat ho chuki thi. sunasan tha. oopar ki khuli khi daki se batti ki roshani a rahi thi. kisi se poochhane ke lie vahian kh da ho gaya. use nishchay ho gaya ki bharati yahian rahati hai.
pandrah minat bad do-tin adami bahar nikale. use dekhakar ek poochha, kaun haian? kise chahate haian?
apoorv ne lajjit hokar poochha, mis joseph nam ki koee mahila yahaan rahati hai?
vah bola, avashy rahati hai. aie.
apoorv ki jane ki ichchha n thi. use duvidha mean dekh vah adami bola, ap kab se kh de the? aie n, ham apako pahuancha dean. yah kahakar vah age ho liya.
chalie, kahakar vah usake pichhe-pichhe makan ke nichale kamare mean pahuanch gaya. kamara kafi b da tha. chhat se ek bahut b di batti latak rahi thi. kuchh tebal-kursiyaan, ek blaikabord aur divaroan par charoan or tarah-tarah ke akar aur rangoan ke nakshe tange hue the. yahi naya skool hai. dekhate hi apoorv pahachan gaya.
vahaan char-paanch striyoan-purushoan mean kisi vishay par bahas ho rahi thi. sahasa ek aparichit purush ko ate dekh sab chup ho ge. apoorv ne ek bar un logoan ki or dekha. phir jisake sath aya tha usi ke pichhe-pichhe chadh gaya. bharati kamare mean hi thi. apoorv ko dekhate hi usaka chehara chamak utha. kursi par baithakar boli, itane dinoan tak apane meri khoj-khabar khoob li?
apoorv bola, 'apane bhi to ham logoan ki khoj-khabar nahian li.lekin yah uttar uchit nahian tha, yah kahate hi vah samajh gaya.
bharati hansakar boli, tivari ghar jana chahata hai to chala jae. n jane par vah achchha bhi n hoga.
apoorv bola, isaka matalab yah hai ki mera yah abhiyog galat hai ki ap ham logoan ki khoj-khabar nahian rakhatian.
bharati phir hansakar boli, parasoan barah bajane se pahale hi kort jakar rupaya aur chizean vapas le aiega. bhool n jaiega.
lekin us par to apake hastakshar hone zaroori haian.
maian janati hooan.
apake sath tivari ki bheant nahian huee?
nahian. lekin ap jakar us par bekar naraj n hoan.
apoorv bola, 'jhootha nahian, sachcha krodh karana uchit hai. apane pran bachane vale ke prati man mean kritajnata rahana uchit hai.
bharati boli, vah to hai hi. nahian to vah mujhe jel bhejane ki bhi kam-se-kam cheshta zaroor karata.
apoorv is sandeh ko samajh gaya. nicha muanh karake bola, ap mujh par bhayankar roop se naraj haian.
bharati boli, kabhi nahian. sare din skool mean bachchoan ko padhakar ghar lautakar phir samiti ki sekretari ki haisiyat se anek chitthi-patri likhane ke bad bistar par letate hi so jati hooan. naraj hone ke lie mere pas samay hi nahian hai.
apoorv bola, oh, naraj hone tak ka samay nahian hai.'
bharati ne kaha, kahaan hai? ap kisi din savere se dekhie ki sach kahati hooan ya jhooth.
apoorv ke muanh se anajane hi ek lambi saans nikal gee. boli, mujhe dekhane ki kya zaroorat hai? phir jara rukakar bola, skool se apako kya vetan milata hai?
bharati hansi dabakar boli, ap bhi khoob haian? kya vetan ki bat poochhane par usaka apaman nahian hota?
apoorv kshubdh kantha se bola, maianne apaman karane ke lie nahian kaha. jab naukari hi kar rahi haian....
bharati ne kaha, n karake kya bhookha mar jane ko kahate haian?
aisi naukari se bhookha marana hi achchha hai. hamare aauphis mean ek jagah khali hai. vetan ek sau rupe mahavar milega. shayad do ghante se adhik kam nahian karana p dega.
ap mujhe vah kam karane ko kahate haian?
kya harj hai?
bharati boli, nahian, maian nahian karooangi. ap usake malik haian. kam mean kabhi bhool huee to lathi lekar dvar par a kh de hoange.
apoorv ne uttar nahian diya. man-hi-man samajh gaya ki bharati ne keval majak kiya hai. phir bola, maloom ho raha hai ki ap logoan ka skool shuroo ho gaya. bachchoan ne padhana shuroo kar diya hai.
bharati boli, aisa hota to shor kuchh kam rahata. lagata hai ki unake shikshak vishay ka nirvachan kar rahe haian.
ap nahian jaeangi?
jana to hai. lekin apako chho dakar jane ki ichchha nahian ho rahian. yah kahakar vah hans p di. lekin apoorv ke kan tak lal ho uthe. divar par saje kachche jhaoo ke pattoan par aankit kuchh aksharoan par najar dalakar apoorv bola, vahaan par vah kya likha hua hai?
ap padh sakate haian.
apoorv bola-path ke davedar-isaka kya arth hai?
yah ham logoan ki sanstha ka nam hai. is vidyalay ka sanchalak bhi yahi hai. ap isake sadasy baneange?
isamean kya karana hoga?
bharati boli, ham sab rahi haian. manushyatv ke marg se manushy ke chalane ke sabhi prakar ke dave svikar karake, ham sabhi badhaoan ko thelakar chaleange. hamare bad jo log aeange, vah badhaoan se bachakar chal sakean, yahi hamari pratijna hai. chalie hamare sath?
hamara rashtr paradhin hai bharati! steshan ki ek beanch par baithane tak ka hamean adhikar nahian hai. apamanit hone par dava karane ka upay nahian. kahate-kahate us din ki laanchhana, phirangi l dakoan ke bootoan ke aghat se lekar steshan mastar dvara nikale jane tak ki sabhi apamanajanak batoan ko yad karake usaki aankhean lal ho uthian. bola, hamare baithane se beanch apavitr ho jati hai. hamare rahane se makan ki hava big d jati hai. jaise ham manushy hi nahian haian. agar ham logoan ki yahi sadhana ho to maian ap logoan ke dal mean hooan.
ap kya manushy ki pi da ka kuchh pata pa sake haian apoorv baboo? kya vastav mean manushy ke chhoone mean, apatti ki koee bat nahian hai? usake sharir ki hava lagane se doosare ke makan ki hava kya gandi nahian ho jati?
apoorv ne dridh svar mean kaha, bilkul nahian. manushy ke cham de ka rang usaki manushyata ka mapadand nahian. kisi vishesh desh mean janm lena usaka koee aparadh nahian hai. kshama karana, apake pita eesaee the. isalie kort ne mujh par bis rupaya jurmana kiya. yah kahaan ka nyay hai? yad rakhie, isi karan ek din hamara sarvanash hoga. akaran manushy ko chhota samajhana, yah ghrina-dvesh, yah aparadh bhagavan kabhi bhi sahan nahian kareange.
bharati chup baithi rahi. apoorv ki batean samapt hote hi usane muskarakar apana muanh doosari or ghooma liya. apoorv is tarah chauank p da, jaise kisi ne usake muanh par kasakar thapp d mar diya ho. bharati ke kisi prashn par ab tak usane dhyan nahian diya tha. lekin ab vah agni shikha ki tarah usake dimag mean sanasanate hue chakkar katakar use ekadam hi vakyahin kar ge.
kuchh kshanoan ke bad jab bharati ne najar uthaee to usake hothoan par hansi nahian thi. boli, 'aj shanivar hai. hamara skool band hai. lekin samiti ka kam hoga. chalie n, niche chalakar apaka d aauktar sahab se pariyach karakar apako 'path ke davedar' ka sadasy banava dooan.
kya vah adhyaksh haian?
adhyaksh nahian, vah ham logoan ki j d haian. dharati ke bhitar rahate haian. unaka kam aankhoan se dikhaee nahian deta.
kya is sabha ke sabhi sadasy eesaee haian?
nahian. mere atirikt sabhi hiandoo haian.
lekin mahilaoan ki avaz bhi to sun raha hooan.
vah sab hiandoo haian.
apoorv bola, sambhavat: vah log jati-bhed arthath khan-pan aur chhoot-chhat ka vichar nahian karate hoange?
bharati ne kaha, nahian. phir hansati huee boli, lekin agar koee yah sab mane to usake muanh mean ham log koee khady padarth jabardasti thooans bhi nahian dete. manushy ki vyaktigat manyata ka ham samman karate haian. apako koee bhay nahian hai.
bhay ki bat kya hai?-apaki tarah shikshit mahilaean bhi sanbhav hai apake dal mean haian?
meri tarah?- hamari jo adhyaksha haian unaka nam hai sumitra. vah akeli hi poore vishv ka bhraman karake aee haian. d aauktar ke atirikt un jaisi vidushi sambhavat: is desh mean aur koee nahian hai.
aur jinhean ap d aauktar kah rahi haian vah?
d aauktar? shradhda aur bhakti se bharati ki donoan aankhean chhalak aeean, boli, unaki bat rahane dean, apoorv baboo! parichay dene lagooangi to unako chhota bana dalooangi.
apoorv chup raha. desh-prem ka pagalapan to unake rakt mean vidyaman tha hi. 'path ke davedar' ka vichitr nam use apani or akarshit karane laga. usake sath ghanishth roop se milane ke lobh ko rok rakhana kathin ho gaya. phir bhi ek prakar ki vijatiy, dharmahin, asvasthyakar bhap niche se uthakar usake man ko dhire-dhire glani se bharane lagi.
shor badh raha tha. bharati boli, chalie, niche chalean.
apoorv bola, chalie.
donoan niche pahuanche to bharati ne use beant ke ek sophe par baithane ko kaha aur jagah ki kami ke karan svayan bhi usake pas baith gee.
aisa adbhut acharan bharati ne isase pahale kabhi nahian kiya tha. apoorv ko lajja anubhav hone lagi. lekin yahaan in mamaloan mean akshep karane ka kisi ke pas avasar nahian tha.
vahaan pahuanchate hi apoorv ko ek vyakti ekatak dekhata rah gaya. vah kuchh likh raha tha.
apoorv ne ginakar dekha-chh: mahilaean aur ath purush milakar ek sath kisi vishay par batachit kar rahe the. vah sabhi log aparichit haian, keval ek adami ko dekhate hi apoorv pahachan gaya. vesh-bhoosha mean kuchh parivartan avashy ho gaya tha. lekin usane isi adami ko kuchh din pahale mikthila steshan par bina tikat hone ke aparadh mean pulis ke hath p dane se bachaya tha aur jisane jald-se-jald rupaye vapas karane ka vachan diya tha. us adami ne najarean dau dakar dekha. lekin sharab ke nashe mean jisake samane hath pasarakar sahayata grahan ki thi sharab ke pie hue usaki yad tak nahian a saki. lekin is bat ke lie nahian, bharati ke sanbandh mean sochakar usake hriday mean pi da ki kasak uthi ki vah aise logoan ke bich kaise a phansi.
bharati ne samane kh di mahila ki or ishara karake kaha, 'yah hamari adhyaksha haian sumitra devi.
kahane ki avashyakata nahian thi. apoorv ne use pahale hi pahachan liya tha. umr tis ke lagabhag hogi. lekin jan p data hai jaise kahian ki rajarani haian. sharir ka rang tape sone ke saman hai. dakshini dhang se sir ke bal dhile baandhe hue haian. kalaee mean sone ki do-char choo diyaan haian. gale par sone ke har ka kuchh bhag chamak raha hai. kanoan mean hare patthar ke jhumakoan par prakash p dane se saanp ki aankhoan jaise dikhaee dete haian. yahi to chahie. matha, tho di, nak, aankh, hoanth- kahian bhi koee kami nahian hai. itana ashyarchajanak sauandary! blaikabord par vah ek hath rakhe kh di thian. sahabi poshak vale sajjan ke pratyuttar mean vah bolane lagian-yahi to. isi ko to nari ka kanth svar kahate haian.
sumitra ne kaha, manohar baboo, ap nausikhie vakil nahian haian. apaka tark asambadhd ho jane par maian isaka vivechan kar sakati hooan.
manohar baboo bole, 'asambadhd tark karana mera vyavasay bhi nahian hai.
sumitra hansate hue boli, mujhe bhi yahi asha hai. bahut achchha! apake bayan ko chhota kar dene par yah spasht ho jata hai ki ap navatara ke pati ke mitr haian. vah jabardasti use vapas le jana chahate haian. lekin unaki patni grihasthi chalane ki ichchha n rakhakar, desh ka kam karana chahati hai. isamean to koee anyay nahian hai.
lekin pati ke prati bhi to patni ka kuchh karttavy hai? desh ka kam karooangi kah dene se isaka nirvah nahian ho jata.
sumitra boli, manohar baboo, navatara ke pati ka apani patni ke prati jo karttavy tha, kya use unhoanne kabhi nibhaya? yah sab janate haian. karttavy ka bhar to donoan or saman hi rahata hai.
manohar baboo krudhd svar mean bole, lekin kya isilie stri ko kulata ban jana chahie? aisi to koee yukti hai nahian. is dal mean shamil hokar, satitv ko surakshit rakhakar, vah desh ki seva kar sakeangi. yah to kisi prakar bhi sambhav nahian hai.
sumitra ke chehare par halki-si lalima chha gee, lekin doosare pal hi samany ho geean. bolian, jor dekar kuchh bhi nahian kahana chahie. lekin ham dekh rahe haian ki navatara mean hriday hai, pran hai, sahas hai aur sabase b da karm-jnan hai. desh-seva mean ham isi ko paryapt manate haian. lekin ap jise satitv kahate haian, usaki raksha karane ki unako suvidha mil sakegi ya nahian, yah vah hi janati haian.
navatara ke chehare par najar dalakar manohar baboo ne vyangy se kaha, achchha karm-jnan hai. sambhavat: desh ke kam mean vah mahilaoan ko yahi shiksha deti phireangi?
sumitra boli, usake uttaradayitv par hamean vishvas hai. vyakti vishesh ke charitr ki alochana karana hamare niyamoan ke virudhd hai. jis pati ko vah prem n kar saki aur is mahanh kary ke lie unhoanne jise chho d dena anyay nahian samajha. agar desh ki mahilaoan ko vah yahi shiksha de to hamean koee apatti nahian hogi.
hamare sita-savitri ke desh mean kya ap striyoan ko yahi shiksha deangi?
sumitra boli-dena anuchit nahian hai. mahilaoan ke samane arthahin shabd n kahakar agar navatara kahe ki is desh mean ek din sita ko bhi atm-samman ki raksha ke lie pati ko tyagakar patal mean jana p da tha aur raj-kanya savitri ne daridr satyavan ko vivah se pahale itana pyar kiya tha ki usaki alp ayu ke bare mean janate hue bhi hichaki nahian aur maian svayan bhi us dusht pati ko pyar nahian kar saki aur use chho dakar chali aee hooan. isalie meri jaisi avastha mean tum log bhi vahi karo. is shiksha se to desh ki bhalaee hi hogi manohar baboo.
manohar baboo ke hoanth krodh se kaanpane lage. pahale to unake muanh se bat hi nahian nikali. phir bola, aisa hone par desh nasht ho jaega. ap logoan ki jo ichchha ho kijie, lekin doosaroan ko aisi shiksha mat dijie. yoorop ki sabhyata ki hava lagane se kafi kshati huee hai. lekin mahilaoan mean is sabhyata ka prachar karake samooche bharat varsh ko rasatal mean mat bhejie.
sumitra ke chehare par virakti tatha klanti ek sath hi phoot p di. bolian, desh ko rasatal se bachane ka yadi koee marg hai to vahi hai. apako yoropiyan sabhyata ke sanbandh mean yathesht jnan nahian hai. isalie is vishay par bahas karana samay ki barbadi hogi. bahut taim barbad ho gaya. ham logoan ko aur bhi bahut se kam karane haian.
manohar baboo ne yathasambhav apana krodh dabakar kaha, mere pas bhi adhik samay nahian hai?-to navatara nahian jaegi?
nahian, navatar ne sir jhukakar kaha.
manohar ne sumitra se kaha, tab isaki zimmedari ap par hi hai.'
navatara boli, meri zimmedari svayan mujh par hi hai. apako chianta karane ki zaroorat nahian.
manohar ne vakr drishti se usaki or dekhakar sumitra se poochha, pati-grih mean vivahit jivan se adhik gaurav ki vastu nari ke lie aur bhi kuchh hai kya?
doosaroan ki bat jo bhi ho, lekin navatara ka pati ke ghar rahakar jivan bitana koee gaurav ka jivan nahian hai.
is uttar par manohar svayan ko n rok sake. krudhd hokar poochh baithe- lekin ghar se bahar rahakar jo yah vyabhicharapoorn jivan bitaegi, use ap sambhavat: gauravapoorn jivan kaheangi.
itane bhishan vidroop se bhi kisi ke chehare par chanchalata dikhaee nahian di. sumitra ne shaant svar mean kaha, ham logoan ki samiti mean sankshep mean batachit karane ka niyam hai, yah n bhoolie.
aur agar maian is niyam ko man n sakooan to?
to hamean bahar nikalana p dega.
manohar baboo pagal ho uthe. ekadam sidhe kh de hokar bole, achchha, maian jata hooan. gudabaee.- yah kahakar daravaze ke pas pahuanchakar krodh se pagal hokar bole, maian tum logoan ka sara hal janata hooan. tum log british rajy ko samapt kar sakogi, kabhi sochana mat. maian ek aidavoket hooan. kis tarah tumhare hathoan mean hathak diya dali ja sakati haian, maian achchhi tarah janata hooan. achchha....yah kahakar vah chale ge.
achanak yah kaun-sa kaand ho gaya. yadyapi kisi ne bhi uttejana pradarshit nahian ki to bhi sabhi ke chehare par ek chhaya-si dol gee. keval ek vyakti, jo kone mean baitha likh raha tha, usane ek bar bhi aankh uthakar nahian dekha. apoorv ne socha-ya to yah ekadam bahara hai ya patthar ki bhaanti nirvikar hai. manohar ne is samiti ke virudhd jo bat kahi, vah atyant sandehapoorn hai. itani b di sankhya mean in ashcharyamayi nariyoan ne kahaan se akar yah samiti sthapit ki hai? isaka uddeshy kya hai? bharati ko achanak isaka pata kaise laga? aur yah adami jo tikat ke badale sharab kharidakar pi lene par usake samane hi pak da gaya tha-aur sabase badhakar vah navatara, jo pati ko chho dakar desh ka kam karane aee hai. satitv ki raksha ki bat par sochane ke lie jisake pas samay nahian hai-phir bhi yah sab log itane b de anyay ka samarthan hi nahian kar rahe, use prashray bhi de rahe haian aur jo is dal ki adhyaksha haian, unhoanne svayan stri hote hue bhi khuli sabha mean itane purushoan ke samane sati dharm ke prati usaki gahari avajna nissankoch prakat karane mean lajja nahian ki.
kuchh der tak logoan mean khamoshi chhaee rahi. bahar aandhera tha. rajapath sunasan p da tha. ek prakar ki udvign ashanka se apoorv ka man bhari ho gaya.
achanak sumitra bol uthian, apoorv baboo!
apoorv ne chakit hokar muanh uthakar dekha.
sumitra ne kaha, ap ham logoan ko nahian janate, lekin bharati ke dvara ham sabhi apase parichit haian. suna hai, ap hamari samiti ke sadasy banana chahate haian. kya yah sach hai?
apoorv ne gardan hilakar sammati prakat ki. inakar n kar saka. jo vyakti ekagrachitt se likh raha tha, use lakshy karake sumitra ne kaha, apoorv baboo ka nam likh lijie. phir hansakar apoorv se kaha, hamare yahaan kisi prakar ka chanda nahian liya jata. hamari samiti ki yahi visheshata hai?
pratyuttar mean apoorv ne hansane ki cheshta ki, lekin hans n saka. ek moti jild vale rajistar mean unaka nam likh liya gaya hai, yah dekhakar vah chup n rah saka. bola, lekin uddeshy kya hai? mujhe kya karana p dega? yah to maian kuchh nahian janata.
bharati ne apako bataya nahian?
apoorv bola, kuchh to bataya hai. lekin ek bat apase poochhana chahata hooan- navatara ke acharan ko kya ap vastav mean anuchit nahian samajhatian?
sumitra ne kaha, kam-se-kam maian nahian samajhati. kyoanki desh se badhakar mere lie doosari koee vastu nahian hai.
apoorv shradhda se bhare svar mean bola, desh ko maian hriday se pyar karata hooan aur desh ki seva karane ka adhikar stri-purush ko saman hai. lekin inake karm-kshetr bhi to ek nahian haian. purush bahar kam kareange to stri to ghar mean pati-putr ki seva karake hi sarthak hogi. usake saty kalyan se desh ka jitana b da kam hoga, purushoan ke sath ghar se nikalakar kh di hone se utana n ho sakega.
sumitra hans p di.
apoorv ne dekha, sabhi ne usaki or dekhakar, hoanth bhianchakar hansi chhipa li.
sumitra ne kaha, apoorv baboo, yah bat bahut purani ho chuki hai aur koee bat bahut logoan ke varshoan se kahane ke karan sach nahian ban jati yah chhal hai. jin logoan ne kabhi desh ka kam nahian kiya yah bat unaki bat hai. ap svayan jab kam mean lag jaeange, tabhi is saty ko samajh sakeange ki jise ap nari ka bahar ana kah rahe haian, vah jab hoga, tabhi desh ka kam hoga. nahian to purushoan ki bhi d mean sookhi baloo ki bhaanti sab jhar p dega, tik nahian paega.
apoorv lajjit-sa hokar bola, lekin kya isase charitr kalushit hone ka bhay nahian hoga?
sumitra boli, kya gharoan mean rahakar bhay kam rahata hai? yah dosh bahar ane ka nahian, vidhata ka hai-jisane nari ka nirman kiya. usamean anurag aur akarshan diya. jara sahanubhootipoorvak sansar ke any deshoan ki or dhyan se dekhie to.....
is bat se apoorv ko prasannata nahian huee. tikhe svar mean bola, any deshoan ki bat any desh hi sochean. apane desh ki hi chianta kar sakooan, yahi bahut hai. kshama kijiega, ek bat par dhyan die bina maian nahian rah sakata. shayad vivahit jivan ke prati apaki astha nahian. yahaan tak ki satitv aur pativrat dharm ka bhi apaki najaroan mean koee mooly nahian hai. isase kya desh ka kalyan hoga?
sumitra ne mithe svar mean kaha, apoorv babooh! ap krodh mean akar vichar kar rahe haian. nahian to mera bhav vah nahian hai. lekin apane adi se aant tak galat hi samajha hai, yah bat bhi nahian hai. jis samaj mean keval purush dvara hi patni grahan karane ka vighn hai, nari hokar maian use shradhda nahian kar sakati. ap satitv ke gaurav ki b daee kar rahe haian. lekin jis desh mean aisi hi vivah-vyavastha hai, usake desh mean yah vastu b di nahian hoti. satitv keval deh mean nihit nahian hai, man mean hona zaroori hai. tan aur man-donoan se pyar n kar sakane par to use ooanche star par pahuanchaya nahian ja sakata. kya ap vastav mean aisa hi samajhate haian ki mantr padhakar vivah kar dene se hi koee stri kisi bhi purush ko pyar kar sakati hai?
apoorv bola, lekin yugoan-yugoan se aisa hi chal raha hai.
sumitra hansakar boli, avashy chal raha hai. patr mean pranadhikar pati kahakar sambodhit karane mean bhi to koee rukavat nahian hoti. vastav mean ghar-grihasthi ke kam mean isase adhik ki use zaroorat nahian p dati. apane to yah katha padhi hogi-kisi muni ke l dake doodh ke sthan par chaval ka dhovan pikar hi sukh se jivan bitate the. lekin sukh jaisa bhi kyoan n ho, jo nahian hai use vahi kahakar to garv nahian kiya ja sakata.
yah alochana apoorv ko b di katu lagi. lekin uttar n dekar bola, kya ap yah kahana chahati haian ki isase adhik kisi ke bhagy mean kuchh nahian hota?
sumitra boli, nahian, kyoanki sansar mean bhagy nam ka ek bhi shabd nahian hai.
apoorv bola, bhagy! lekin agar apaki bat sach bhi ho to bhi maian kahata hooan ki ane vali pidhiyoan ke kalyan ke lie ham logoan ki yah vyavastha uchit hai.
sumitra boli, nahian apoorv baboo! kisi ka isase kalyan nahian hoga. samaj aur vansh ke nam par kisi samay vyakti ki bali chadhaee jati thi, lekin usaka phal achchha nahian hua. aj vah chetana thik hai. prem aur pyar ka sabase adhik prayojan agar bhavi vanshajoan ke lie n rahata to aise bhayankar sneh ki vyavastha usake bich mean sthan n pati. is arthahin vivahit jivan ka moh, nari ko tyagana hi p dega. use samajhana hi hoga ki isamean lajja hi hai gaurav nahian.
apoorv bola, 'lekin vichar kar dekhie-ap logoan ki in sab shikshaoan se ham logoan ke sugathit samaj mean ashaanti aur viplav hi badhega.
sumitra boli, bhale hi badhe. ashaanti aur viplav ka arth vinash nahian hota apoorv baboo! jo rugn, jirn aur grast hai keval vahi satarkata se svayan ko alag rakhana chahata hai. jisase kisi bhi or se usake sharir mean dhakka n lage. agar samaj ki aisi dasha ho gee ho to ek prakar se eb kuchh samapt ho jae to kya hani hai?
apoorv ne is bat ka koee uttar nahian diya. palabhar maun rahakar sumitra boli, rrishi putr ki upama dekar lagata hai maianne apake man ko chot pahuanchaee hai. lekin jo chot lagane hi vali thi usase maian apako bacha bhi kaise sakati thi?
aantim bat ko samajhate hue apoorv bola, jagannath ji ke marg mean kh de hokar eesaee mishanari ke log yatriyoan ko bahut satate haian. is par bhi us loole mastar ji ko chho dakar koee prabhu ko nahian poojata. loole se hi un logoan ka kam chal jata hai. yahi ashchary ki bat hai.
sansar mean ashchary hai. isilie to manushy ka bachana asambhav nahian ho jata apoorv baboo! pe d ki patti ka rang sabhi hara nahian dekhate, ise vah janate bhi nahian. phir bhi log use hara hi kahate haian. kya yah kam ashchary ki bat hai? satitv ka mooly jan lene se kya....?
jo vyakti itani der se chupachap baitha likh raha tha, uth kh da hua. any log bhi uth kh de hue.
apoorv ne dekha-girish mahapatr.
bharati ne usake kan mean kaha, yah hi hamare d aauktar sahab haian. uthakar kh de ho jaie.
mashin ke purjoan ki tarah apoorv uthakar kh da ho gaya. lekin krodhit manohar ki aantim batean yad ate hi usake sharir ka rakt jaise thanda p dane laga.
girish ne usake pas akar kaha, sambhavat: mujhe ap bhoole nahian hoange. yah sabhi log mujhe d aauktar kahate haian kahakar vah hans p de.
apoorv hans n saka. lekin dhire-dhire bola, mere chacha ji ke rajistar mean apaka koee bhayanak nam likha hua hai.
girish ne ekaek usake donoan hath apane hath mean lekar dhire se kaha, savyasachi hi n? phir hansate hue bole, 'lekin ab rat ho gee hai apoorv baboo! chalie apako kuchh door tak pahuancha aooan. rasta koee achchha nahian hai. pathan mazadoor jab sharab pi lete haian tab unhean bilkul sudh-budh nahian rahati. chalie, yah kahakar ek tarah se jabardasti hi use kamare se bahar le
gaya.
use sumitra ko bhi namaskar karane ka avasar nahian mila. n bharati se hi koee bat kah saka. lekin jis bat se usake hriday ko dhakka laga, vah tha usake chacha ka rajistar, jisamean us vidrohi ka nam likha tha.
