फातिहा -प्रेमचंद

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

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sarakari anathalay se nikalakar maian sidha fauj mean bharati kiya gaya. mera sharir hrisht-pusht aur balishth tha. sadharan manushyoan ki apeksha mere hath-pair kahian lambe aur snayuyukt the. meri lambaee poori chhah phut nau ianch thi. palatan mean ‘dev’ ke nam se vikhyat tha. jab se maian fauj mean bharati hua, tab se meri kismat ne bhi palata khana shuroo kiya aur mere hath se kee aise kam hue, jinase pratishtha ke sath-sath meri ay bhi badhati gee. palatan ka har ek javan mujhe janata tha. mejar saradar himmatasianh ki kripa mere oopar bahut thi; kyoanki maianne ek bar unaki pran-raksha ki thi. isake atirikt n jane kyoan unako dekh kar mere hriday mean bhakti aur shraddha ka sanchar hota. maian yahi samajhata ki yah mere poojy haian aur saradar sahab ka bhi vyavahar mere sath snehayukt aur mitratapoorn tha.

mujhe apane mata-pita ka pata nahian hai, aur n unaki koee smriti hi hai. kabhi-kabhi jab maian is prashn par vichar karane baithata hooan, to kuchh dhuandhale-se drishy dikhati dete haian-bade-b de paha doan ke bich mean rahata hua ek parivar, aur ek stri ka mukh, jo shayad meri maan ka hoga. paha di ke bich mean to mera palan-poshan hi hua hai. peshavar se 80 mil door poorv ek gram hai, jisaka nam ‘kulaha’ hai, vahian par ek sarakari anathalay hai. isi mean maian pala gaya. yahaan se nikal kar sidha fauj mean chala gaya. himalay ki jalavayu se mera sharir bana hai, aur maian vaisa hi dirghakriti adi barbar hooan, jaise ki simapraant ke rahane vale aphridi, gilajee, mahasoodi adi paha di kabiloan ke log hote haian. yadi unake aur mere jivan mean kuchh aantar hai to vah sabhyata ka. maian tho da- bahut padh-likh leta hooan, batachit kar leta hooan, adab-kayada janata hooan,. chhote-bade़ ka lihaz kar sakata hooan, kintu meri akriti vaisi hi hai, jaisi ki kisi bhi sarahadi purush ki ho sakati hai.

kabhi-kabhi mere man mean yah ichchha balavati hoti ki svachhand hokar paha doan ki sair karooan; lekin jivika ka prashn meri ichchha ko daba deta. us sookhe desh mean khane ka kuchh bhi thikana nahian tha. vahaan ke log ek roti ke lie manushy ki hatya kar dalate, ek kap de ke lie murade ki lash chi d-pha d kar pheank dete aur ek bandook ke lie sarakari fauj par chhapa marate haian. isake atirikt un jangali jatiyoan ka ek-ek manushy mujhe janata tha aur mere khoon ka pyasa tha. yadi maian unhean mil jata, to zaroor mera nam-nishan duniya se mit jata. n jane kitane aphridiyoan aur gilajiyoan ko maianne mara tha, kitanoan ko pak d-pak d kar sarakari jelakhanoan mean bhar diya tha aur n maloom unake kitane gaanvoan ko jala kar khak kar diya tha. maian bhi bahut satark rahata, aur jahaan tak hota, ek sthan par haphte se adhik kabhi n rahata.

2

ek din maian mejar saradar himmatasianh ke ghar ki or ja raha tha. us samay din ko do baje the. ajakal chhutti-si thi; kyoanki abhi hal hi mean kee gaanv bhasmibhoot kar diye gaye the aur jaldi unaki taraph se koee ashanka nahian thi. ham log nishchiant ho kar gapp aur hansi-khel mean din gujarate the. baithe-baithe dil ghabara gaya tha. sirph man bahalane ke lie saradar sahab ke ghar ki or chala; kiantu raste mean ek durghatana ho gayi. ek boodha aphridi, jo ab bhi ek hindustani javan ka sir maro d dene ke lie kafi tha, ek fauji javan se bhi da hua tha. mere dekhate-dekhate usane apani kamar se ek tej chhura nikala aur usaki chhati mean ghuse d diya. us javan ke pas ek karatoosi bandook thi, bas usi ke lie yah sab l daee thi. palak marate-marate, fauji javan ka kam tamam ho gaya aur boodha bandook le kar bhaga. maian usake pichhe dau da; lekin dau dane mean vah itana tej tha ki bat-ki-bat mean aankhoan se ojhal ho gaya. maian bhi betahasha usaka pichha kar raha tha. akhir sarahad par pahuanchate-pahuanchate usase bis hath ki doori par rah gaya. usane pichhe phir kar dekha, maian akela usaka pichha kar raha tha. usane bandook ka nishana meri or sadha. maian phauran hi zamin par let gaya aur bandook ki goli mere samane patthar par lagi. usane samajha ki maian goli ka shikar ho gaya. vah dhire-dhire satark padoan se meri or badha. maian saans khianch kar let gaya. jab vah bilakul mere pas a gaya, sher ki tarah uchhal kar maianne usaki garadan pak dakar zamin par patak diya aur chhura nikal kar usaki chhati mean ghuse d diya. aphridi ki jivan-lila samapt ho gayi. isi samay meri palatan ke kee log bhi a pahuanche. charoan taraph se log meri prashansa karane lage. abhi tak maian apane ape mean n tha; lekin ab meri sudh-budh vapas ayi. n maloom kyoan us buddhe ko dekhakar mera ji ghabarane laga. abhi tak n maloom kitane hi aphridiyoan ko mara tha; lekin kabhi bhi mera hriday itana ghabaraya n tha. maian zamin par baith gaya aur us buddhe ki or dekhane laga. palatan ke javan bhi pahuanch gaye aur mujhe ghayal jan kar anek prakar ke prashn karane lage. dhire-dhire maian utha aur chupachap shahar ki or chala. sipahi mere pichhe-pichhe usi buddhe ki lash ghasitate hue chale. shahar ke nivasiyoan ne meri jay-jayakar ka taanta baandh diya. maian chupachap mejar saradar himmatasianh ke ghar mean ghus gaya.

saradar sahab us samay apane khas kamare mean baithe hue kuchh likh rahe the. unhoanne mujhe dekh kar poochha-kyoan, us aphridi ko mar aye ?

maianne baithate hue kaha-ji haan, lekin saradar sahab, n jane kyoan maian kuchh bujadil ho gaya hooan.

saradar sahab ne ashchary se kaha-asadakhaan aur bujadil ! yah donoan ek jagah hona namumakin hai.

maianne uthate hue kaha-saradar sahab, yahaan tabiyat nahian lagati, uthakar bahar baramade mean baithie. n maloom kyoan mera dil ghab data hai.

saradar sahab uth kar mere pas aye aur sneh se meri pith par hath pherate hue kaha-asad, tum dau date-dau date thak gaye ho, aur koee bat nahian hai. achchha chalo baramade mean baithean. sham ki thandi hava tumhean taja kar degi.

saradar sahab aur maian, donoan baramade mean jakar kursiyoan par baith gaye. shahar ke chaumuhane par usi vriddh ki lash rakhi thi aur usake charoan or bhi d lagi huee thi. baramade mean jab mujhe baithe hue dekha, to log meri or ishara karane lage. saradar sahab ne yah drishy dekh kar kaha-asadakhaan, dekha, logoan ki nigah mean tum kitane ooanche ho ? tumhari virata ko yahaan ka bachcha-bachcha sarahata hai. ab bhi tum kahate ho ki maian bujadil hooan.

maianne muskara kar kaha-jab se is buddhe ko mara hai, tab se mera dil mujhe dhikkar raha hai.

saradar sahab ne hans kar kaha-kyoanki tumane apane se nirbal ko mara hai.

maianne apani dilajamee karate hue kaha-mumakin hai, aisa hi ho.

isi samay ek aphridi ramani dhire-dhire a kar saradar sahab ke makan ke samane kh di ho gayi. jyoan hi saradar sahab ne dekha, unaka muanh saphed p d gaya. unaki bhayabhit drishti usaki or se phir kar meri or ho gayi. maian bhi ashchary se unake muanh ki or niharane laga. us ramani ka- sa sugathit sharir maradoan ka bhi kam hota hai. khaki rang ke mote kap de ka payajama aur nile rang ka mota kurata pahane hue thi. baloochi auratoan ki tarah sir par roomal baandh rakha tha. rang chanpee tha aur yauvan ki abha phoot-phoot kar bahar nikali p dati thi. is samay usaki aankhoan mean aisi bhishanata thi, jo kisi ke dil mean bhay ka sanchar karati. ramani ki aankhean saradar sahab ki or se phir kar meri or ayian aur usane yoan ghoorana shuroo kiya ki maian bhi bhayabhit ho gaya. ramani ne saradar sahab ki or dekha aur phir zamin par thook diya aur phir meri or dekhati huee dhire-dhire doosari or chali gayi.

ramani ko jate dekh kar saradar sahab ki jan mean jan ayi. mere sir par se bhi ek bojh hat gaya.

maianne saradar sahab se poochha-kyoan, kya ap janate haian ? saradar sahab ne ek gahari thandi saans lekar kaha-haan, bakhoobi. ek samay tha, jab yah mujh par jan deti thi aur vastav mean apani jan par khel kar meri raksha bhi ki thi; lekin ab isako meri soorat se napharat hai. isi ne meri stri ki hatya ki hai. ise jab kabhi dekhata hooan mere hosh-havas kafoor ho jate haian aur vahi drishy meri aankhoan ke samane nachane lagata hai.

maianne bhay-vihval svar mean poochha-saradar sahab, usane meri or bhi to b di bhayanak drishti se dekha tha. n maloom kyoan mere bhi roean kh de ho gaye the.

saradar sahab ne sir hilate hue b di gambhirata se kaha-asadakhaan, tum bhi hoshiyar raho. shayad is boodhe़ aphridi se isaka sanpark hai. mumakin hai, yah usaka bhaee ya bap ho. tumhari or usaka dekhana koee mani rakhata hai. b di bhayanak stri hai.

saradar sahab ki bat sunakar meri nas-nas kaanp uthi. maianne batoan ka silasila doosari or pherate hue kaha-saradar sahab, ap isako pulis ke havale kyoan nahian ankar dete ? isako phaansi ho jayagi.

saradar sahab ne kaha-bhaee asadakhaan, isane mere pran bachaye the aur shayad ab bhi mujhe chahati hai. isaki katha bahut lambi hai. kabhi avakash mila to kahooanga.

saradar ki batoan se mujhe bhi kutoohal ho raha tha. maianne unase vah vrittanat sunane ke lie agrah karana shuroo kiya. pahale to unhoanne talana chaha; par jab maianne bahut zor diya to vivash ho kar bole-asad, maian tumhean apana bhaee samajhata hooan; isalie tumase koee parada n rakhooanga. lo, suno-

3

asadakhaan, paanch sal pahale maian itana vriddh n tha, jaisa ki ab dikhayi p data hooan. us samay meri ayu 40 varsh se adhik n thi. ek bhi bal saphed n hua tha aur us samay mujhamean itana bal tha ki do javanoan ko maian l da deta. jarmanoan se maianne muthabhe d ki hai aur n maloom kitanoan ko yamalok ka rasta bata diya. jarman-yuddh ke bad mujhe yahaan simapranat par kali palatan ka mejar bana kar bheja gaya. jab pahale-pahal maian yahaan aya, to yahaan kathinaiyaan samane ayian; lekin maianne unaki jara paravah n ki aur dhire-dhire un sab par vijay payi. sabase pahale yahaan akar maianne pashto sikhana shuroo kiya. pashto ke bad aur jabanean sikhian; yahaan tak ki maian unako b di asani aur muhaviroan ke sath bolane laga; phir isake bad kee adamiyoan ki toliyaan bana kar desh ka aantarbhag bhi chhan dala. is p datal mean kee bar maian marate-marate bacha; kiantu sab kathinaiyaan jhelate hue maian yahaan par sakushal rahane laga. us jamane mean mere hath se aise-aise kam ho gaye, jinase sarakar mean meri b di namavari aur pratishtha bhi ho gayi. ek bar karnal haimilatan ki memasahab ko maian akele chhu da laya tha aur kitane hi deshi adamiyoan aur auratoan ke pran maianne bachaye haian. yahaan par ane ke tin sal bad se meri kahani arambh hoti hai.

ek rat ko maian apane kaimp mean leta hua tha. aphridiyoan se l daee ho rahi thi. din ke thake-maande sainik gaphil p de hue the. kaimp mean sannata tha. lete-lete mujhe bhi niand a gayi. jab meri niand khuli to dekha ki chhati par ek aphridi-jisaki ayu meri ayu se lagabhag dooni hogi-savar hai aur meri chhati mean chhura ghuse dene hi vala hai. maian poori tarah se usake adhin tha, koee bhi bachane ka upay n tha, kintu us samay maianne b de hi dhairy se kam liya aur pashto bhasha mean kaha-mujhe maro nahian, maian sarakari fauj mean aphasar hooan, mujhe pak d le chalo, sarakar tumako rupaya de kar mujhe chhu dayegi.

eeshvar ki kripa se meri bat usake man mean baith gayi. kamar se rassi nikal kar mere hath-pair baandhe aur phir kandhe par bojh ki tarah lad kar kheme se bahar aya. bahar mar-kat ka bazar garm tha. usane ek vichitr prakar se chilla kar kuchh kaha aur mujhe kandhe par lade vah jangal ki or bhaga. yah maian kah sakata hooan ki usako mera bojh kuchh bhi n maloom hota tha aur b di tezise bhaga ja raha tha. usake pichhe-pichhe kee adami, jo usi ke giroh ke the, loot ka mal liye hue bhage chale a rahe the.

pratahkal ham log ek talab ke pas pahuanche. talab b de-b de paha doan se ghira hua tha. usaka pani b da nirmal tha aur jangali pe d idhar-udhar ug rahe the. talab ke pas pahuanch kar ham sab log thahare. buddhe ne, jo vastav mean us giroh ka saradar tha, mujhe patthar par dal diya. meri kamar mean b di zor se chot lagi, aisa maloom hua ki koee haddi toot gayi hai; lekin eeshvar ki kripa se haddi tooti n thi. saradar ne mujhe prithvi par dalane ke bad kaha-kyoan, kitana rupaya dilayega ?

maianne apani vedana dabate hue kaha-paanch sau rupaye.

saradar ne muanh biga d kar kaha-nahian, itana kam nahian lega. do hazar se ek paisa bhi kam mila, to tumhari jan ki khair nahian.

maianne kuchh sochate hue kaha-sarakar itana rupaya kale adami ke lie nahian kharch karegi.

saradar ne chhura bahar nikalate hue kaha-tab phir kyoan kaha tha ki sarakar inam degi ! le to phir yahian mar.

saradar chhura lie meri taraph badha.

maian ghab da kar bola-achchha, saradar, maian tumako do hazar dilava dooanga.

saradar ruk gaya aur b de zor se hansa. usaki hansi ki prratidhvani ne nirjiv paha doan ko bhi kanpa diya. maianne man hi man kaha-b da bhayanak adami hai.

giroh ke doosare adami apani-apani loot ka mal saradar ke samane rakhane lage. usamean kee bandookean, karatoos, rotiyaan aur kap de the. meri bhi talashi li gayi. mere pas ek chhah phayar ka tamancha tha. tamancha pa kar saradar uchhal p da, aur use phira-phira kar dekhane laga. vahian par usi samay hissa-baant shuroo ho gaya. barabar ka hissa laga; lekin mera rivalvar usamean nahian shamil kiya gaya. vah saradar sahab ki khas chiz thi.

tho di der vishram karane ke bad, phir yatra shuroo huee. is bar mere pair khol diye gaye aur sath-sath chalane ko kaha-meri aankhoan par patti bhi baandh di gayi, taki maian rasta n dekh sakooan. mere hath rassi se bandhe hue the, aur usaka ek sira ek aphridi ke hath mean tha.

chalate-chalate mere pair dukhane lage, lekin unaki manzil poori n huee. sir par jeth ka sooraj chamak raha tha, pair jale ja rahe the, pyas se gala sookha ja raha tha; lekin ve barabar chale ja rahe the. ve apas mean batean karate jate the; lekin ab maian unaki ek bat bhi n samajh pata. kabhi-kabhi ek-adh shabd to samajh jata; lekin bahut aanshoan mean maian kuchh bhi n samajh pata tha. ve log is samay apani vijay par prasann the, aur ek aphridi ne apani bhasha mean ek git gana shuroo kiya. git b da hi achchha tha.

asadakhaan ne poochha-saradar sahab, vah git kya tha ?

saradar sahab ne kaha-us git ka bhav yad hai. bhav yah hai ki ek aphridi ja raha hai, usaki stri kahati hai-kahaan jate ho ?

yuvak uttar deta hai-jate haian tumhare lie roti aur kap da lane.

stri poochhati hai-aur kuchh apane bachchoan ke lie nahian laoge ?

yuvak uttar deta hai-bachche ke lie bandook laooanga, taki vah jab b da ho, to vah bhi l de aur apani premika ke lie roti aur kap da la sake.

stri kahati hai-yah kaho, kab aoge ?

yuvak uttar deta hai-aooanga tabhi, jab kuchh jit laooanga; nahian to vahian mar jaooanga.

stri kahati hai-shabash, jao, tum vir ho, tum zaroor saphal hoge.

git sun kar maian mugdh ho gaya. git samapt hote-hote ham log bhi ruk gaye. meri aankhean kholi gayian. samane b da-sa maidan tha aur charoan or guphaean bani huee thian, jo unhian logoan ke rahane ki jagah thi.

phir meri talashi li gayi aur is daphe sab kap de utarava liye gaye, keval payajama rah gaya. samane ek b da-sa shilakhand rakha hua tha. sab logoan ne mil kar use hataya aur mujhe usi or le chale. meri atma kaanp uthi. yah to jianda qabr mean dal deange. maianne b di hi vedanapoorn drishti se saradar ki or dekh kar kaha-saradar, sarakar tumhean rupaya degi. mujhe maro nahian.

saradar ne hans kar kaha-tumhean marata kaun hai, kaid kiya jata hai. is ghar mean band rahoge, jab rupaya a jayaga, chho d diye jaoge.

saradar ki bat sun kar mere pran mean pran aye. saradar ne meri paketabuk aur peansil samane rakhate hue kaha-lo, isamean likh do. agar ek paisa bhi kam aya, to tumhari jan ki khair nahian.

maianne kamishnar sahab ke nam ek patr likh kar de diya. un logoan ne mujhe usi aandh koop mean lataka diya aur rassi khianch li.

4

saradar sahab ne ek lambi saans li aur kahana shuroo kiya-asadakhaan, jis samay maian us kuean mean latakaya ja raha tha, meri aantaratma kaanp rahi thi. niche ghatatop aandhakar ki jagah halaki chaandani chhayi huee thi. bhitar se gupha n bahut chhoti aur n bahut b di thi. pharsh khuradara tha, aisa maloom hota tha ki barasoan yahaan par pani ki dhara giri hai aur yah gadha tab ja kar taiyar hua hai. patthar ki moti divar se vah koop ghira hua tha aur usamean jahaan-tahaan chhed the, jinase prakash aur vayu ati thi. niche pahuanch kar maian apani dasha ka her-pher sochane laga. dil bahut ghabarata tha. kalakothari ki yantrana bhogana bhi bhagy mean vidhata ne likh diya tha.

dhire-dhire sandhya ka agaman hua. un logoan ne abhi tak meri kuchh khoj-khabar n li thi ! bhookh se atma vyakul ho rahi thi. bar-bar vidhata aur apane ko kosata. jab manushy nirupay ho jata hai, to vidhata ko kosata hai.

aant mean ek chhed se char b di-b di rotiyaan kisi ne bahar se pheankian. jis tarah kutta ek roti ke tuk de par dau data hai, vaise hi maian dau da aur utha kar us chhed ki or dekhane laga; lekin phir kisi ne kuchh n pheanka, aur n kuchh adesh hi mila. maian baith kar rotiyaan khane laga. tho di der bad usi chhed par ek lohe ka pyala rakh diya gaya, jisamean pani bhara hua tha. maianne paramatma ko dhanyavad de kar pani utha kar piya. jab atma kuchh tript huee, to kaha-tho da pani aur chahie.

is par divar ki us or ek bhishan hansi ki pratidhvani sunayi di aur kisi ne khanakhanate hue svar mean kaha-pani ab kal milega. pyala de do, nahian to kal bhi pani nahian milega.

kya karata, har kar pyala vahian par rakh diya.

isi prakar kee din bit gaye. nity donoan samay char rotiyaan aur ek pyala pani mil jata tha. dhire-dhire maian bhi is shushk jivan ka adi ho gaya. nirjanata ab utani n khalati. kabhi-kabhi maian apani bhasha mean aur kabhi-kabhi pashto mean gata. isase tabiyat kuchh bahal jati aur hriday bhi shaant ho jata.

ek din ratri ke samay maian ek pashto git ga raha tha. majanooan jhulasane vale baguloan se kah raha tha-tumamean kya vah hararat nahian hai, jo kaphishloan ko jala kar khak kar deti hai ? akhir vah garami mujhe kyoan nahian jalati ? kya isalie ki mere aandar khud ek jvala bhari huee hai ?

dekho, jab laila dhooandhati huee yahaan ave, to mera sharir baloo se dhak dena, nahian to shishe ki tarah laila ka dil toot jayaga.

maianne gana band kar diya. usi samay chhed se kisi ne kaha-kaidi, phir to gao !

maian chauank p da. kuchh khushi bhi huee, kuchh ashchary bhi, poochha-tum kaun ho ?

usi chhed se uttar mila-maian hooan tooraya, saradar ki l daki.

maianne poochha-kya tumako yah gana pasand hai ?

tooraya ne uttar diya-haan, kaidi gao, maian phir sunana chahati hooan.

maian harsh se gane laga. git samapt hone par tooraya ne kaha-tum roj yahi git mujhe sunaya karo. isake badale mean maian tumako aur rotiyaan aur pani dooangi.

tooraya chali gayi. isake bad maian sada rat ke samay vahi git gata, aur tooraya sada divar ke pas akar sunati.

mere manoranjan ka ek marg nikal aya.

dhire-dhire ek mas bit gaya, par kisi ne abhi tak mere chhu dane ke lie rupaya n bheja. jyoan-jyoan din bitate jate maian apane jivan se nirash hota jata.

thik ek mahine bad saradar ne akar kaha-kaidi, agar kal tak rupaya n ayega, to tum mar dale jaoge. ab rotiyaan nahian khila sakata. mujhe jivan ki kuchh asha n rahi. us din n mujhase khaya gaya aur n kuchh piya hi gaya. rat huee, phir rotiyaan pheank di gayanian; lekin khane ki ichchha nahian huee.

nishchit samay par tooraya ne akar kaha-kaidi, gana gao.

us din mujhe kuchh achchha n lagata tha. maian chup raha.

tooraya ne phir kaha-kaidi, kya so gaya ?

maianne b de hi malin svar mean kaha-nahian, aj so kar kya karooan, kal soooanga ki phir jagana n pade़ga.

tooraya ne prashn kiya-kyoan, kya sarakar rupaya n bhejegi ?

maianne uttar diya-bhejegi to; lekin kal to maian mar dala jaooanga, mere marane ke bad rupaya aya bhi, to mere kis kam ka !

tooraya ne saantvanapoorn svar mean kaha-achchha, tum gao, maian kal tumhean marane n dooangi.

maianne gana shuroo kiya. jate samay tooraya ne poochha-kaidi, tum kathaghare mean rahana pasand karate ho.

maianne saharsh uttar diya-haan, kisi tarah is narak se to chhutakara mile.

tooraya ne kaha-achchha, kal maian abba se kahooangi.

doosare hi din mujhe aandh koop se bahar nikala gaya. mere donoan pair do moti shahatiroan ke chhedoan mean band kar diye gaye. aur vah kath ki hi kiloan se prakritik gaddhoan mean kas diye gaye.

saradar ne mere pas a kar kaha-kaidi, pandrah din ki avadhi aur di jati hai, isake bad tumhari gardan tan se alag kar di jayagi. aj doosara khat apane ghar ko likho. agar eed tak rupaya n aya, to tumhian ko halal kiya jayaga.

maianne doosara patr likh kar de diya.

saradar ke jane ke bad tooraya ayi. yah vahi ramani thi, jo abhi gayi hai. yahi us saradar ki l daki thi. yahi mera gana sunati thi aur isi ne sipharish karake meri jan bachayi thi.

tooraya ne akar mujhe dekhane lagi. maian bhi usaki or dekhane laga.

tooraya poochha-kaidi ghar mean tumhare kaun-kaun haian ?

maianne b de hi katar svar mean kaha-do chhote-chhote balak; aur koee nahian.

mujhe maloom tha ki aphridi bachchoan ko bahut pyar karate haian.

tooraya ne poochha-unaki maan nahian hai ?

maianne keval daya upajane ke lie kaha-nahian, unaki maan mar gayi hai. ve akele haian. maloom nahian, jite haian ya mar gaye, kyoanki mere sivay unaki dekh-rekh karane vala aur koee n tha.

kahate-kahate meri aankhoan mean aansoo bhar aye. tooraya ki bhi aankhean sookhi n rahian. tooraya ne apana aveg sanbhalate hue kaha-to tumhare koee nahian hai ? bachche akele haian ? ve bahut rote hoange !

maianne man hi man prasann hote hue kaha-haan, rote zaroor hoange. kaun janata hai, shayad mar bhi gaye hoan?

tooraya ne bat kat kar kaha-nahian, abhi mare n hoange. achchha, tum rahate kahaan ho ? maian ja kar pata laga aooangi.

maianne apane ghar ka pata bata diya. usane kaha-us jagah to maian kee bar ho ayi hooan. bazar se sauda lene maian aksar jati hooan, ab jaooangi to tumhare bachchoan ki bhi khabar le aooangi.

maianne shankit hriday se poochha-kab jaogi ?

usane kuchh soch kar kaha-us jumerat ko jaooangi. achchha tum vahi git gao.

maianne aj b di umang aur utsah se gana shuroo kiya. maianne aj dekha ki usaka asar tooraya par kaisa p data hai. usaka sharir kaanpane laga, aankhean dabadaba ayian, gal pile p d gaye aur vah kaanpati huee baith gayi. usaki dasha dekhakar maianne doone utsah se gana shuroo kiya aur ant mean kaha-tooraya, agar maian mara jaooan, to mere bachchoan ko mere marane ki khabar dena.

meri bat ka poora asar p da. tooraya ne bharraye hue svar mean kaha-kaidi, tum maroge nahian. maian tumhare bachchoan ke lie tumhean chho d dooangi.

maianne nirash ho kar kaha-tooraya, tumhare chho d dene se bhi maian bach nahian sakata. is jangal mean maian bhatak-bhatak kar mar jaooanga, aur phir tum par bhi musibat a sakati hai. apani jan ke lie tumako musibat mean n dalooanga.

tooraya ne kaha-mere lie tum chinta n karo. mere oopar koee shak n karega. maian saradar ki l daki hooan, jo kahooangi vahi sab man leange, lekin kya tum ja kar rupaya bhej doge.

maianne prasann ho kar kaha-haan tooraya, maian rupaya bhej dooanga.

tooraya ne jate hue kaha-to maian bhi tumhean chhutakara dila dooangi.

is ghatana ke bad tooraya sadaiv mere bachchoan ke sambandh mean batean karati. asadakhaan, sachamuch in aphridiyoan ko bachche bahut pyare hote haian. vidhata ne yadi unhean barbar hiansak pashu banaya hai, to manushyochit prakriti se vanchit bhi nahian rakha hai. akhir jumerat ayi aur abhi tak saradar vapas n aya. n koee us giroh ka adami hi vapas aya. us din sandhya samay tooraya ne a kar kaha-kaidi, ab maian nahian ja sakati; kyoanki mera pita abhi tak nahian aya. yadi kal bhi n aya, to maian tumhean rat ko chho d dooangi. tum apane bachchoan ke pas jana; lekin dekho, rupaya bhejana n bhoolana. maian tum par vishvas karati hooan.

maianne us din b de utsah se gana gaya. adhi rat tak tooraya sunati rahi, phir sone chali gayi. maian bhi eeshvar se manata raha ki kal aur saradar n aye. kath mean bandhe-bandhe mera pair bilakul nikamma ho gaya tha. tamam sharir duahkh raha tha. isase to maian kalakothari mean hi achchha tha, kyoanki vahaan hath-pair to hila-dula sakata tha.

doosare din bhi giroh vapas n aya. us din tooraya bahut chiantit thi. sham ko a kar tooraya ne mere pair khol kar kaha-kaidi, ab tum jao. chalo, maian tumhean tho di door pahuancha dooan.

tho di der tak maian avash leta raha. dhire-dhire mere paire thik hue aur eeshvar ko dhanyavad deta hua maian tooraya ke sath chal diya.

tooraya ko prasann karane ke lie maian raste bhar git gata aya. tooraya bar-bar sunati aur bar-bar roti. adhi rat ke qarib maian talab ke pas pahuancha. vahaan pahuanch kar tooraya ne kaha-sidhe chale jao; tum peshavar pahuanch jaoge. dekho hoshiyari se jana, nahian to koee tumhean apani goli ka shikar bana dalega. yah lo, tumhare kap de haian; lekin rupaya zaroor bhej dena. tumhari jamanat maian looangi. agar rupaya n aya, to mere bhi pran jayangee, aur tumhare bhi. agar rupaya a jayaga, to koee bhi aphridi tum par hath n uthayega, chahe tum kisi ko mar bhi daloe. jao, eeshvar tumhari raksha kare aur tumako apane bachchoan se milaye.

tooraya phir thahari nahian. gunagunati huee laut p di. rat do-pahar bit chuki thi. charoan or bhayanak nistabdhata chhayi huee thi, keval vayu saany-saany karati huee bah rahi thi, akash ke bichobich chandrama apani solahoan kala se chamak raha tha. talab ke tat par rukana surakshit n tha. maian dhire-dhire dakshin ki or badha. bar-bar charoan or dekhata jata tha. eeshvar ki kripa se pratahkal hote-hote maian peshavar ki sarahad par pahuanch gaya.

sarahad par sipahiyoan ka pahara tha. mujhe dekhate hi tamam fauj bhar mean halachal mach gayi. sabhi log mujhe mara samajhe hue the. jita-jagata lauta hua dekh kar sabhi prasann ho gaye.

karnal haimilatan sahab bhi samachar pakar usi samay milane aye aur sab hal poochh kar kaha-mejar sahab, maian apako mara hua samajhata tha. mere pas tumhare do patr aye the, lekin mujhe svapn mean bhi vishvas n hua tha ki ye tumhare likhe hue haian. maian to unhean jali samajhata tha. eeshvar ko dhanyavad hai ki tum jite bach kar a gaye.

maianne karnal sahab ko dhanyavad diya aur man hi man kaha-kale adami ka likha hua jali tha aur kahian agar gora adami likhata, to do ki kaun kahe, char hazar rupaya pahuanch jata. kitane hi gaanv jala diye jate, aur n jane kya-kya hota.

maian chupachap apane ghar aya. bal-bachchoan ko pakar atma santusht huee. usi din ek vishvasi anuchar ke dvara do hazar rupaye tooraya ke pas bhej diya.

5

saradar ne ek thandi saans lekar kaha-asadakhaan, abhi meri kahani samapt nahian huee. abhi to duahkhaant bhag avashesh hi hai. yahaan akar maian dhire-dhire apani sab musibatean bhool gaya, lekin tooraya ko n bhool saka. tooraya ki kripa se hi maian apani stri aur bachchoan se mil paya tha, yahi nahian, jivan bhi paya tha; phir bhala maian use kaise bhool jata !

mahinoan aur saloan bit gaye. maianne tooraya ko aur n usake bap ko hi dekha. tooraya ne ane ke lie kaha bhi lekin vah ayi nahian, vahaan se a kar maianne apani stri ko usake mayake bhej diya tha; kyoanki khayal tha ki shayad tooraya aye, to phir maian jhootha banooanga. lekin jab tin sal bit gaye aur tooraya n ayi, to maian nishchiant ho gaya aur stri ko mayake se bula liya. ham log sukhapoorvak din kat rahe the ki achanak phir durdasha ki gh di ayi.

ek din sandhya ke samay isi baramade mean baitha hua apani stri se batean kar raha tha ki kisi ne bahar ka daravaza khatakhataya. naukar ne daravaza khol diya aur bedh dak jina chadhati huee ek kabuli aurat oopar chali ayi. usane baramade mean a kar vishuddh pashto bhasha mean poochha-saradar sahab kahaan haian?

maianne kamare ke bhitar a kar poochha-tum kaun ho, kya chahati ho ?

usi stri ne kuchh mooange nikalate hue kaha-yah mooange maian bechane ke lie ayi hooan, kharidiega ?

yah kah kar usane b de-b de mooange nikal kar meej par rakh diye.

meri stri bhi mere sath kamare ke bhitar ayi thi. vah mooange utha kar dekhane lagi. usi kabuli stri ne poochha-saradar sahab, yah kaun hai apaki ?

maianne uttar diya-meri stri hai, aur kaun hai ?

kabuli stri ne kaha-apaki stri to mar chuki thi, kya apane doosara vivah kiya hai ?

maianne roshapoorn svar mean kaha-chup bevakooph kahian ki, too mar gayi hogi.

meri stri pashto nahian janati thi, vah tanmay hokar mooange dekh rahi thi.

kiantu meri bat sun kar n maloom kyoan kabuli aurat ki aankhean chamakane lagian. usane b de hi tivr svar mean kaha-haan, bevakooph n hoti, to tumhean chho d kaise deti ? dojakhi pille, mujhase jhooth bola ! le, agar teri stri n mari thi, to ab mar gayi !

kahate-kahate sherani ki tarah lapak kar usane ek tej chhura meri stri ki chhati mean ghuse d diya. maian use rokane ke lie age badha; lekin vah kood kar aangan mean chali gayi aur boli-ab pahachan le, maian tooraya hooan. maian aj tere ghar mean rahane ke lie ayi thi. maian tujhase vivah karati aur teri ho kar rahati. tere lie maianne bap, ghar, sab kuchh chho d diya tha, lekin too jhootha hai, makkar hai. too ab apani bivi ke nam ko ro, maian aj se tere nam ko roooangi. yah kah kar vah tezise niche chali gayi !

ab maian apani stri ke pas pahuancha. chhura thik hriday mean laga tha. ek hi var ne usaka kam tamam kar diya tha. daktar bulavaya; lekin vah mar chuki thi.

kahate-kahate saradar sahab ki aankhoan mean aansoo bhar aye. unhoanne apani bhigi huee aankhoan ko poanchh kar kaha-asadakhaan, mujhe svapn mean bhi anuman n tha ki tooraya itani pishach-hriday ho sakegi. agar maian pahale use pahachan leta to yah aphat n ane pati; lekin kamare mean aandhakar tha; aur isake atirikt maian usaki or se nirash ho chuka tha.

tab se phir kabhi tooraya nahian ayi. ab jab kabhi mujhe dekhati hai, to meri or dekh kar nagin ki bhaanti phuphakarati huee chali jati hai. ise dekhakar mera hriday kaanpane lagata hai aur maian avash ho jata hooan. kee bar koshish ki, maian ise pak dava dooan, lekin use dekh kar maian bilakul nikamma ho jata hooan, hath-pair bekaboo ho jate haian, meri sari virata hava ho jati hai.

yahi nahian, tooraya ka moh ab bhi mere oopar hai. mere bachchoan ko hamesha vah koee n koee bahumooly chiz de jati hai. jis din bachche use nahian milate daravaze ke bhitar pheank jati hai. unamean ek kagaz ka tuk da bandha hota hai jisamean likha rahata hai-saradar sahab ke bachchoan ke lie.

maian abhi tak is stri ko nahian samajh paya. jitana hi samajhane ka yatn karata hooan, utani hi yad kathin hoti jati hai. nahian samajh mean ata ki yah manavi hai ya rakshasi !

isi samay saradar sahab ke l dake ne a kar kaha-dekhie, vahi aurat yah sone ka tavij de gayi hai.

saradar ne meri or dekh kar kaha-dekha, asadakhaan, maian tumase kahata n tha. dekho, aj bhi yah tavij de gayi. n maloom kitane hi tavij aur kitani hi doosari chizean arjun aur nihal ko de gayi hogi. kahata hooan ki tooraya b di hi vichitr stri hai.

6

saradar sahab se vida ho kar maian ghar chala. chauraste se buddhe ki lash hata di gayi thi; par vahaan pahuanch kar mere roean kh de ho gaye. maian ap hi ap ek minat vahaan kh da ho gaya. sahasa pichhe dekha. chhaya ki bhaanti ek stri mere pichhe-pichhe chali a rahi thi. mujhe kh da dekh kar vah stri ruk gayi aur ek dookan mean kuchh kharidane lagi.

maianne apane hriday se prashn kiya-kya vah tooraya hai.

hriday ne uttar diya-haan, shayad vahi hai.

tooraya mera pichha kyoan kar rahi hai ? yah sochata hua maian ghar pahuancha aur khana kha kar leta; par aj ki ghatanaoan ka mujh par aisa asar p da tha ki kisi tarah bhi niand n ati thi. jitana hi maian sone ka yatn karata utani hi niand mujhase door bhagati.

fauji gh diyal ne barah bajaye, ek bajaye, do bajaye; lekin mujhe niand n thi. maian karavatean badalata hua sone ka upakram kar raha tha. isi udhe dabun mean kab niand ne mujhe dhar dabaya; mujhe jara bhi yad nahian.

yadyapi maian so raha tha; lekin mera jnan jag raha tha. mujhe aisa maloom hua ki koee stri, jisaki akriti tooraya se bahut kuchh milati thi lekin usase kahian adhik bhayavani thi, divar pho d kar bhitar ghus ayi hai. usake hath mean ek tej chhura hai, jo lalaten ke prakash mean chamak raha hai. vah dabe paanv satark netroan se takati huee dhire-dhire meri or badh rahi hai. maian use dekh kar uthana chahata hooan, lekin hath-pair mere kaboo mean nahian haian. mano unamean jan hai hi nahian. vah stri mere pas pahuanch gayi. tho di der tak meri or dekha, aur phir apane chhurevale hath ko oopar uthaya. maian chillane ka upakram karane laga; lekin meri ghiggi bandh gayi. shabd kanth se phoota hi nahian. usane mere donoan hathoan ko apane ghutane ke niche dabaya aur meri chhati par savar ho gayi. maian chhatapatane laga aur meri aankhean khul gayian! sachamuch ek kabuli aurat meri chhati par savar thi. usake hath mean chhura tha. aur vah chhura marana hi chahati thi.

maianne kaha-kaun, tooraya ?

yah vastav mean tooraya hi thi . usane mujhe balapoorvak dabate hue kaha-haan, maian tooraya hi hooan. aj toone mere bap ka khoon kiya hai, usake badale mean teri jan jayagi.

yah kah kar usane apana chhura oopar uthaya. is samay mere samane jivan aur maran ka prashn tha. jivan ki lalasa ne mujhamean sahas ka sanchar kiya maian marane ke lie taiyar n tha. mere araman aur umangean ab bhi baki thian. maianne balapoorvak apana dahina hath chhu dane ka prayatn kiya aur ek hi jhatake mean mera hath chhoot gaya. maianne apani poori takat se tooraya ka chhuravala hath pak d liya. n maloom kyoan tooraya ne kuchh bhi virodh n kiya. vah mere hath ko dekhati huee meri chhati se utar ayi. usaki aankhean patharayi huee thian aur vah ekatak mere hath ki or dekh rahi thi.

maianne hans kar kaha-tooraya, ab to pasa palat gaya. ab tere marane ki pari hai. tere bap ko mara aur ab tujhe bhi marata hooan.

tooraya ab bhi ekatak mere hath ki or dekh rahi thi. usane kachh bhi uttar n diya.

maianne use jhanjho date hue kaha-bolati kyoan nahian ? ab to teri jan meri mutthi mean hai.

tooraya ka moh toota. usane b de gambhir aur dridh kanth se kaha-too mera bhaee hai. toone apane bap ko mara hai aj !

tooraya ki bat sun kar mujhe us avasar par bhi hansi a gayi.

maianne hansate hue kaha-aphridi makkar bhi hote haian, yah aj hi mujhe maloom hua.

tooraya ne shaant svar mean kaha-too mera khoya hua b da bhaee najir hai. vah jo tere hath mean nishan hai, vahi batala raha hai ki too mera khoya hua bhaee hai.

bachapan se hi mere hath mean ek saanp guda hua tha. aur yahi meri pahachan fauji rajistar mean bhi likhi huee thi.

maianne hans kar kaha-tooraya, too mujhe bhulava nahian de sakati. maian ab tujhe kisi tarah n chho dooanga.

tooraya ne apane hath se chhura pheank kar kaha-sachamuch too mera bhaee hai. agar tujhe vishvas nahian hota, to dekh, mere dahine hath mean bhi aisa hi saanp guda hua hai.

maianne tooraya ke hath par drishti dali, to vahaan bhi bilakul mera hi jaisa saanp guda hua tha.

maianne kuchh sochate hue kaha-tooraya, maian tera vishvas nahian kar sakata, yah ittaphak ki bat hai.

tooraya ne kaha-mera hath chho d de. maian tujh par var n karooangi ! aphridi jhooth nahian bolate.

maianne usaka hath chho d diya, vah prithvi par baith gayi aur meri or dekhane lagi. tho di der bad usane kaha-achchha, tujhe apane maan-bap ka pata hai ?

maianne sir hilakar uttar diya-nahian, maian sarakari anathalay mean pala gaya hooan.

meri bat sun kar tooraya uth kh di huee aur boli-tab too mera khoya hua b da bhaee najir hi hai. mere paida hone ke ek sal pahale too khoya tha ! mere maan-bap tab sarakari fauj par chhapa dalane ke lie aye the aur too bhi sath tha. meri maan l dane mean b di hoshiyar thi. too unaki pith se bandha hua tha aur ve l d rahi thian. isi samay ek goli unake pair mean lagi aur ve gir kar behosh ho gayian. bas, koee tujhe khol le gaya. meri maan ko mera bap apane kandhe par utha laya; lekin tujhe khoj n saka. bahut talash ki; lekin kahian bhi tera pata n laga. ammaan aksar teri charcha kiya karati thian. unake hath mean bhi nishan tha.

yah kah kar usane phir vahi hath mujhe dikhalaya. maian usaka aur apana saanp milane laga. vastav mean donoan saanp hoobahoo ek-se the, bal bhar bhi antar n tha. maian hatash-sa ho kar charapaee par gir p da.

tooraya mere pas baith kar sneh se mere mathe ka pasina poanchhane lagi. usane kaha-najir, maan kahati thian ki too mara nahian, zinda hai. ek din zaroor too ham logoan se milega.

tooraya ki bat par ab mujhe vishvas ho chala tha. jane kaun mere hriday mean baitha hua kah raha tha ki tooraya jo kahati hai, thik hai. maianne ek lambi saans le kar kaha-kyoan tooraya, maianne jise aj mara hai, vah ham logoan ka bap tha ?

tooraya ke muanh par shok ka ek chhota-sa badal ghir aya. usane b de hi duahkh poorn svar mean kaha-haan najir, vah abhaga hamara bap hi tha. kaun janata tha ki vah apane pyare l dake ke hathoan halal hoga.

phir saantvanapoorn svar mean boli-lekin najir, toone to anajan mean yah kam kiya hai. bap ke marane se maian bilakul akeli ho gayi thi; lekin ab tujhe pa kar bap ke ranj ko bhool jaooangi. najir, too ranj n kar. tujhe kya maloom tha ki kaun tera bap hai aur kaun teri maan hai. dekh, maian hi tujhe marane ke lie ayi thi. tujhe mar dalati; lekin khuda ki meharabani se maianne apana khanadani nishan dekh liya. khuda ki aisi hi maraji thi.

tooraya se maloom hua ki mere bap ka nam haidar khaan tha, jo aphridiyoan ke ek giroh ka saradar tha. maianne saradar himmatasianh ke sambandh mean bhi tooraya se batean kian to maloom hua ki tooraya saradar sahab ko pyar karane lagi thi. vah hamare bap se l d-bhi d kar saradar sahab se nikah karane ayi thi; lekin vahaan inaki stri ko pa kar vah eershya aur krodh se pagal ho gayi, aur usane unaki stri ki hatya kar dali. kabuli aurat ke bhesh mean ja kar vah kuchh majak karana chahati thi; lekin ghatana-chakr use doosari or le gaya.

maianne saradar sahab ki dasha ka varnan kiya. sun kar vah kuchh sochati rahi aur phir kaha-nahian vah adami jhootha aur dagabaj hai. maian usase nikah nahian karooangi. lekin teri khatir ab sab bhool jaooangi. kal unake bachchoan ko le ana, maian pyar karooangi.

pratahkal tooraya ko dekh kar mera naukar ashchary karane laga. maianne usase kaha-yah meri bahan hai.

naukar ko meri bat par vishvas n hua. tab maianne vistarapoorvak sab hal kaha aur usi samay apane bap ki lash ki khabar lene ke lie bheja. naukar ne a kar kaha-lash abhi tak thane par rakhi huee hai.

maianne b de sahab ke nam ek patr likh kar sab hal bata diya aur lash pane ke lie darakhvast ki. usi samay sahab ke yahaan se svikriti a gayi.

ek patr likh kar mejar sahab ko bhi bulavaya.

mejar sahab ne a kar kaha-kya bat hai asad ? itani jaldi ane ke lie kyoan likha ?

maianne hansate hue kaha-mejar sahab, mera nam ab asad nahian raha, mera asali nam hai najir.

mejar sahab ne sashchary meri or dekhate hue kaha-rat bhar mean tum pagal to nahian ho gaye.

maianne hansate hue kaha-nahian saradar sahab, abhi aur sunie. tooraya meri sagi bahan hai, aur jise kal maianne mara vah mera bap tha.

saradar sahab meri bat sun kar mano akash se gir p de. unaki aankhean kapal par chadh gayian. unhoanne kaha-kyoan asad, tum mujhe pagal kar daloge ?

maianne saradar sahab ka hath pak d kar kaha-aie, tooraya ke muanh se hi sab hal sun lijie. tooraya mere yahaan baithi huee apaki pratiksha kar rahi hai.

saradar sahab sakate ki halat mean mere pichhe-pichhe chale. tooraya unhean ate dekh kar uth kh di huee aur hansati huee boli-kaidi, tum vahi git phir gao. tooraya ki bat sun kar maian aur saradar sahab bhi hansane lage.

saradar sahab ko bitha kar maianne vistarapoorvak sab hal kaha. kahani sun kar saradar sahab ne mujhase kaha-najir, ab tumhean najir hi kahooanga. tooraya ko maian tumase maangata hooan ! maian isake sath vivah karooanga.

maianne hans kar kaha-lekin ap hiandoo haian, aur ham log musalaman.

saradar sahab ne hans kar kaha-palataniyoan ki koee jati-paanti nahian hoti hai.

tooraya ne usi samay kaha-lekin saradar sahab, maian tumase vivah nahian karooangi. haan, agar tum apane donoan bachchoan ko mere pas bhej do to maian unaki maan ban jaooangi.

saradar sahab hansate hue vida hue.

usi din sham ko hamane saradar sahab, tooraya aur doosare palataniyoan ke sath ja kar apane bap ki lash daphanayi.

sooraj doob raha tha. dhire-dhire aandhera ho raha tha; aur ham donoan, tooraya aur maian, apane bap ki qabr par phatiha padh rahe the.