सोहाग का शव -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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madhyapradesh ke ek paha di g aauanv mean ek chhote-se ghar ki chhat par ek yuvak mano sandhya ki nistabdhata mean lin baitha tha. samane chandrama ke malin prakash mean oodi parvatamalaऍan anant ke svapn ki bh aauanti gambhir rahasyamay, sangitamay, manohar maloom hoti thian, un paha diyoan ke niche jal-dhara ki ek raupy rekha aisi maloom hoti thi, mano un parvatoan ka samast sangit, samast gambhiry, sampoorn rahasy isi ujjval pravah mean lin ho gaya ho. yuvak ki veshabhoosha se prakat hota tha ki usaki dasha bahut sampann nahian hai. haan, usake mukh se tej aur manasvita jhalak rahi thi. usaki aankho par ainak n thi, n mooanchhean mu di huee thian, n bal sanvare hue the, kalaee par gh di n thi, yahaan tak ki kot ke jeb mean phauntenapen bhi n tha. ya to vah siddhantoan ka premi tha, ya adambaroan ka shatru.

yuvak vicharoan mean maun usi parvatamala ki or dekh raha tha ki sahasa badal ki garaj se bhayankar dhvani sunayi di. nadi ka madhur gan us bhishan nad mean doob gaya. aisa maloom hua, mano us bhayankar nad ne parvato ko bhi hila diya hai, mano parvatoan mean koee ghor sangram chhi d gaya hai. yah relaga di thi, jo nadi par bane hue pul se chali a rahi thi.

ek yuvati kamare se nikal kar chhat par ayi aur boli—aj abhi se ga di a gayi. ise bhi aj hi vair nibhana tha.

yuvak ne yuvati ka hath pak d kar kaha—priye ! mera ji chahata hai; kahian n jaooan; maianne nishchay kar liya hai. maianne tumhari khatir se hami bhar li thi, par ab jane ki ichchha nahian hoti. tin sal kaise kateange.

yuvati ne katar svar mean kaha—tin sal ke viyog ke bad phir to jivanaparyant koee badha n kh di hogi. ek bar jo nishchay kar liya hai, use poora hi kar dalo, anant sukh ki asha mean maian sare kasht jhel looangi.

yah kahate hue yuvati jalapan lane ke bahane se phir bhitar chali gee. aansuoan ka aveg usake baboo se bahar ho gaya. in donoan praniyoan ke vaivahik jivan ki yah pahali hi varshag aauth thi. yuvak bambee-vishvavidyalay se em0 e0 ki upadhi lekar nagapur ke ek kalej mean adhyapak tha. navin yug ki nayi-nayi vaivahik aur samajik kraantiyoan n use leshamatr bhi vichalit n kiya tha. purani prathaoan se aisi pragadh mamata kadachith vriddhajanoan ko bhi kam hogi. prophesar ho jane ke bad usake mata-pita ne is balika se usaka vivah kar diya tha. prathanusar hi us aankhamichauni ke khail me unhean prem ka ratn mil gaya. keval chhuttiyoan mean yahaan pahali ga di se ata aur akhiri ga di se jata. ye do-char din mithe svpn ke saman kat jate the. donoan balakoan ki bh aauanti ro-rokar bida hote. isi kothe par kh di hokar vah usako dekha karati, jab tak nirdayi paha diyaan use a d me n kar letian. par abhi sal bhi n gujarane paya tha ki viyog ne apana shadyantr rachana shuroo kar diya. keshav ko videsh ja kar shiksha poori karane ke lie ek vritti mil gayi. mitroan ne badhaiy aauan di. kisake aise bhagy haian, jise bina m aauange svabhagy-nirman ka aisa avasar prapt ho. keshav bahut prasann tha. vah isi duvidha mean p da hua ghar aya. mata-pita aur any sambandhiyoan ne is yatra ka ghor virodh kiya. nagar mean jitani badhaiy aau mili thian, yah aauan usase kahian adhik badhaऍan milian. kintu subhadra ki uchchakaankshaoan ki sima n thi. vah kadachith keshav ko indrasan par baitha hua dekhana chahati thi. usake samane tab bhi vahi pati seva ka adarsh hota tha. vah tab bhi usake sir mean tel dalegi, usaki dhoti chh aauantegi, usake p aauanv dabayegi aur usake pankha jhalegi. upasak ki mahatvakaanksha upasy hi ke prati hoti hai. vah usako sone ka mandir banavayega, usake sianhasan ko ratnoan se sajayega, svarg se pushp lakar bheant karega, par vah svayan vahi upasak rahega. jata ke sthan par mukut ya kaupin ki jagah pitambar ki lalasa use kabhi nahian satati. subhadra ne us vakt tak dam n liya jab tak keshav ne vilayat jane ka vada n kar liya, mata-pita ne use kanlakini aur n jane kya-kya kaha, par ant mean sahamat ho ge. sab taiyariyaan ho gayian. steshan samip hi tha. yahaan ga di der tak kh di rahati thi. steshanoan ke samipasth g aauanv ke nivasiyoan ke lie ga di ka ana shatru ka dhava nahian, mitr ka padarpan hai. ga di a gayi. subhadra jalapan bana kar pati ka hath dhulane ayi thi. is samay keshav ki prem-katar apatti ne use ek kshan ke lie vichalit kar diya. ha ! kaun janata hai, tin sal me kya ho jae ! man mean ek avesh utha—kah dooan, pyare mat jao. tho di hi khayeange, mota hi pahanegean, ro-rokar din to n kategean. kabhi keshav ke ane mean ek-adha mahina lag jata tha, to vah vikal ho jaea karata thi. yahi ji chahata tha, u dakar unake pas pahuanch jaooan. phir ye nirdayi tin varsh kaise kateangean ! lekin usane kathorata se in nirashajanak bhavoan ko thukara diya aur k aauanpate kanth se boli—ji to mera bhi yahi chahata hai. jab tin sal ka anuman karati hooan, to ek kalp-sa maloom hota hai. lekin jab vilayat mean tumhare samman aur adar ka dhyan karati hooan, to ye tin sal tin din se maloom hote haian. tum to jahaz par pahuanchate hi mujhe bhool jaoge. naye-naye drishy tumhare manoranjan ke lie a kh de hoange. yoorop pahuanchakar vidvano ke satsang mean tumhean ghar ki yad bhi n ayegi. mujhe to rone ke siva aur koee dhandha nahian hai. yahi smritiy aauan hi mere jivan ka adhar hoangi. lekin kya karuan, jivan ki bhog-lalasa to nahian manati. phir jis viyog ka aant jivan ki sari vibhootiy aauan apane sath layega, vah vastav mean tapasya hai. tapasya ke bina to varadan nahian milata.

keshav ko bhi ab jnat hua ki kshanik moh ke avesh mean svabhagy nirman ka aisa achchha avasar tyag dena moorkhata hai. kh de hokar bole—rona-dhona mat, nahian to mera ji n lagega.

subhadra ne usaka hath pak dakar hriday se lagate hue unake muanh ki or sajal netroan se dekha or boli—patr barabar bhejate rahana.

subhadra ne phir aankhean mean aansoo bhare hue muskara kar kaha—dekhana vilayati misoan ke jal mean n phans jana.

keshav phir charapaee par baith gaya aur bola—tumhean yah sandeh hai, to lo, maian jaooanga hi nahian.

subhrada ne usake gale me b aauanhe dal kar vishvas-poorn drishti se dekha aur boli—maian dillagi kar rahi thi.

‘agar indralok ki apsara bhi a jaee, to aankh uthakar n dekhooan. brahma ne aisi doosari srishti ki hi nahian.’

‘bich mean koee chhutti mile, to ek bar chale ana.’

‘nahian priye, bich mean shayad chhutti n milegi. magar jo maianne suna ki tum ro-rokar ghuli jati ho, dana-pani chho d diya hai, to maian avashy chala aooanga ye phool jara bhi kumhalane n payean.’

donoan gale mil kar bida ho gaye. bahar sambandhiyoan aur mitroan ka ek samooh kh da tha. keshav ne b doan ke charan chhue, chhotoan ko gale lagaya aur steshan ki or chale. mitragan steshan tak pahuanchane gaye. ek kshan mean ga di yatri ko lekar chal di.

udhar keshav ga di mean baitha hua paha diyoan ki bahar dekh raha tha; idhar subhadra bhoomi par p di sisakiy aau bhar rahi thi.

2

din gujarane lage. usi tarah, jaise bimari ke din katate haian—din paha d rat kali bala. rat-bhar manate gujarati thi ki kisi tarah bhor hota, to manane lagati ki jaldi sham ho. maike gayi ki vahaan ji bahalega. das-p aauanch din parivartan ka kuchh asar hua, phir unase bhi buri dasha huee, bhag kar sasural chali ayi. rogi karavat badalakar aram ka anubhav karata hai.

pahale p aauanch-chhah mahinoan tak to keshav ke patr pandrahavean din barabar milate rahe. usamean viyog ke du:kh kam, naye-naye drishyoan ka varnan adhik hota tha. par subhadra santusht thi. patr likhati, to virah-vyatha ke siva use kuchh soojhata hi n tha. kabhi-kabhi jab ji bechain ho jata, to pachhatati ki vyarth jane diya. kahian ek din mar jaooan, to unake darshan bhi n hoan.

lekin chhathe mahine se patroan mean bhi vilamb hone laga. kee mahine tak to mahine mean ek patr ata raha, phir vah bhi band ho gaya. subhadra ke char-chhah patr pahuanch jate, to ek patr a jata; vah bhi bedili se likha hua—kam ki adhikata aur samay ke abhav ke rone se bhara hua. ek vaky bhi aisa nahian, jisase hriday ko shaanti ho, jo tapakate hue dil par maraham rakhe. ha ! adi se ant tak ‘priye’ shabd ka nam nahian. subhadra adhir ho uthi. usane yorap-yatra ka nishyach kar liya. vah sare kasht sah legi, sir par jo kuchh p degi sah legi; keshav ko aankhoan se dekhati rahegi. vah is bat ko unase gupt rakhegi, unaki kathinaiyoan ko aur n badhayegi, unase bolegi bhi nahian ! keval unhean kabhi-kabhi aankh bhar kar dekh legi. yahi usaki shaanti ke lie kafi hoga. use kya maloom tha ki usaka keshav usaka nahian raha. vah ab ek doosari hi kamini ke prem ka bhikhari hai.

subhadra kee dinoan tak is prastav ko man mean rakhe hue seti rahi. use kisi prakar ki shanka n hoti thi. samachar-patroan ke padhate rahane se use samudri yatra ka hal maloom hota rahata tha. ek din usane apane sas-sasur ke samane apana nishchay prakat kiya. un logoan ne bahut samajhaya; rokane ki bahut cheshta ki; lekin subhadra ne apana hath n chho da. akhir jab logoan ne dekha ki yah kisi tarah nahian manati, to raji ho gaye. maikevale samajha kar har gaye. kuchh rupaye usane svayan jama kar rakhe the, kuchh sasural mean mile. m aauan-bap ne bhi madad ki. raste ke kharch ki chianta n rahi. ianglaiand pahuanchakar vah kya karegi, isaka abhi usane kuchh nishchay n kiya. itana janati thi ki parishram karane vale ko rotiyoan ki kahian kami nahian rahati.

vida hote samay sas aur sasur donoan steshan tak ae. jab ga di ne siti di, to subhadra ne hath jo dakar kaha—mere jane ka samachar vahaan n likhiega. nahian to unhean chianta hogi or padhane mean unaka ji n lagega.

sasur ne ashvasan diya. ga di chal di.

3

landan ke us hisse mean, jahaan is samriddhi ke samay mean bhi daridrata ka rajy haian, oopar ke ek chhote se kamare mean subhadra ek kursi par baithi hai. use yahaan aye aj ek mahina ho gaya hai. yatra ke pahale usake man me jitani shankaean thi, sabhi shant hoti ja rahi hai. bambee-bandar mean jahaz par jagah pane ka prashn b di asani se hal ho gaya. vah akeli aurat n thi jo yorop ja rahi ho. p aauanch-chhah striy aauan aur bhi usi jahaz se ja rahi thian. subhadra ko n jagah milane mean koee kathinaee huee, n marg mean. yahaan pahuanchakar aur striyoan se sang chhoot gaya. koee kisi vidyalay mean chali gayi; do-tin apane patiyoan ke pas chalian gayian, jo yahaan pahale a gaye the. subhadra ne is muhalle mean ek kamara le liya. jivika ka prashn bhi usake lie bahut kathin n raha. jin mahilaoan ke sath vah ayi thi, uname kee uchch- adhikariyoan ki patniy aauan thi. kee achchhe-achchhe aangarej gharanoan se unaka parichay tha. subhadra ko do mahilaoan ko bharatiy sangit aur hiandi-bhasha sikhane ka kam mil gaya. shesh samay me vah kee bharatiy mahilaoan ke kap de sine ka kam kar leti hai. keshav ka nivas-sthan yahaan se nikat hai, isilie subhadra ne is muhalle ko pansad kiya hai. kal keshav use dikhayi diya tha. oh ! unhean ‘bas’ se utarate dekhakar usaka chitt kitana atur ho utha tha. bas yahi man mean ata tha ki dau dakar unake gale se lipat jae aur poochhe—kyoan ji, tum yahaan ate hi badal ge. yad hai, tumane chalate samay kya-kya vada kiye the? usane b di mushkil se apane ko roka tha. tab se is vakt tak use mano nasha-sa chhaya hua hai, vah unake itane samip hai ! chahe roj unhean dekh sakati hai, unaki batean sun sakati hai; haan, sparsh tak kar sakati hai. ab yah usase bhag kar kahaan jaeegean? unake patroan ki ab use kya chinta hai. kuchh dinoan ke bad sambhav hai vah unase hotal ke naukaroan se jo chahe, poochh sakati hai.

sandhya ho gayi thi. dhuऍan mean bijali ki lalatanean roti aankhean ki bhaanti jyotihin-si ho rahi thian. gali mean stri-purush sair karane ja rahe the. subhadra sochane lagi—in logoan ko amod se kitana prem hai, mano kisi ko chinta hi nahian, mano sabhi sampann hai, jab hi ye log itane ekagr hokar sab kam kar sakate hai. jis samay jo kam karane hai ji-jan se karate haian. khelane ki umang hai, to kam karane ki bhi umang hai aur ek ham haian ki n hansate hai, n rote haian, maun bane baithe rahate haian. sphoorti ka kahian nam nahian, kam to sare din karate haian, bhojan karane ki phurasat bhi nahian milati, par vastav mean chauthaee samay bhi kam mean nahian lagate. keval kam karane ka bahana karate haian. maloom hota hai, jati pran-shoony ho gayi haian.

sahasa usane keshav ko jate dekha. haan, keshav hi tha. kursi se uthakar baramade mean chali ayi. prabal ichchha huee ki jakar unake gale se lipat jae. usane agar aparadh kiya hai, to unhian ke karan to. yadi vah barabar patr likhate jate, to vah kyoan ati?

lekin keshav ke sath yah yuvati kaun hai? are ! keshav usaka hath pak de hue hai. donoan muskara-muskara kar batean karate chale jate haian. yah yuvati kaun hai?

subhadra ne dhyan se dekha. yuvati ka rang s aauanvala tha. vah bharatiy balika thi. usaka pahanava bharatiy tha. isase zyada subhadra ko aur kuchh n dikhayi diya. usane turant joote pahane, dvar band kiya aur ek kshan mean gali mean a pahuanchi. keshav ab dikhayi n deta tha, par vah jidhar gaya tha, udhar hi vah b di tezise lapaki chali jati thi. yah yuvati kaun hai? vah un donoan ki batean sunana chahati thi, us yuvati ko dekhana chahati thi usake p aauanv itani tej se uth rahe the mano dau d rahi ho. par itani jaldi dono kahaan adrishy ho gaye? ab tak use un logoan ke samip pahuanch jana chahie tha. shayad donoan kisi ‘bas’ par ja baithe.

ab vah gali samapt karake ek chau di s dak par a pahuanchi thi. donoan taraph b di-b di jagamagati huee dukane thi, jinamean sansar ki vibhootiy aauan garv se phooli uthi thi. kadam-kadam par hotal aur restr aauan the. subhadra donoan aur netroan se takati, pagapag par bhraanti ke karan machalati kitani door nikal gayi, kuchh khabar nahian.

phir usane socha—yoan kahaan tak chali jaooangi? kaun jane kidhar gaye. chalakar phir apane baramade se dekhooan. akhir idhar se gaye hai, to idhar se lauteange bhi. yah khyal ate hi vah ghoom p di or usi tarah dau dati huee apane sthan ki or chali. jab vahaan pahuanchi, to barah baj gaye the. aur itani der use chalate hi gujara ! ek kshan bhi usane kahian vishram nahian kiya.

vah oopar pahuanchi, to grih-svamini ne kaha—tumhare lie b di der se bhojan rakha hua hai.

subhadra ne bhojan apane kamare mean manga liya par khane ki sudhi kise thi ! vah usi baramade me usi taraph takataki lagaye kh di thi, jidhar se keshav gaya.

ek baj gaya, do baja, phir bhi keshav nahian lauta. usane man mean kaha—vah kisi doosare marg se chale gaye. mera yahaan kh da rahana vyarth hai. chalooan, so rahooan. lekin phir khyal a gaya, kahian a n rahe hoan.

maloom nahian, use kab niand a gayi.

4

doosare din prat:kal subhadra apane kam par jane ko taiyar ho rahi thi ki ek yuvati reshami sa di pahane akar kh di ho gayi aur muskarakar boli—kshama kijiega, maianne bahut sabere apako kasht diya. ap to kahian jane ko taiyar mamool hoti hai.

subhadra ne ek kursi badhate hue kaha—haan, ek kam se bahar ja rahi thi. maian apaki kya seva kar sakati hooan?

yah kahate hue subhadra ne yuvati ko sir se p aauanv tak usi alochanatmak drishti se dekha, jisase striy aauan hi dekh sakati haian. sauandary ki kisi paribhasha se bhi use sundari n kaha ja sakata tha. usaka rang s aauanvala, muanh kuchh chau da, nak kuchh chipati, qad bhi chhota aur sharir bhi kuchh sthool tha. aankhoan par ainak lagi huee thi. lekin in sab karanoan ke hote hue bhi usamean kuchh aisi bat thi, jo aankhoan ko apani or khianch leti thi. usaki vani itani madhur, itani sanyamit, itani vinamr thi ki jan p data tha kisi devi ke varadan hoan. ek-ek aang se pratima vikirn ho rahi thi. subhadra usake samane halaki evan tuchchh maloom hoti thi. yuvati ne kursi par baithate hue kaha—

‘agar maian bhoolati hooan, to mujhe kshama kijiega. maianne suna hai ki ap kuchh kap de bhi siti hai, jisaka praman yah hai ki yahaan siviang mashin maujood hai.‘

subhadra—maian do le diyoan ko bhasha padhane jaea karati hooan, shesh samay mean kuchh silaee bhi kar leti hooan. ap kap de layi haian.

yuvati—nahian, abhi kap de nahian layi. yah kahate hue usane lajja se sir jhuka kar muskarate hue kaha—bat yah hai ki meri shadi hone ja rahi hai. maian vastrabhooshan sab hiandustani rakhana chahati hooan. vivah bhi vaidik riti se hi hoga. aise kap de yahaan ap hi taiyar kar sakati haian.

subhadra ne hansakar kaha—maian aise avasar par apake jo de taiyar karake apane ko dhany samajhooangi. vah shubh tithi kab hai?

yuvati ne sakuchate hue kaha—vah to kahate haian, isi saptah mean ho jae; par maian unhean talati ati hooan. maianne to chaha tha ki bharat lautane par vivah hota, par vah itane utavale ho rahe haian ki kuchh kahate nahian banata. abhi to maianne yahi kah kar tala hai ki mere kap de sil rahe haian.

subhadra—to maian apake jo de bahut jald de dooangi.

yuvati ne hansakar kaha—maian to chahati thi ap mahinoan laga detian.

subhadra—vah, maian is shubh kary mean kyoan vighn dalane lagi? maian isi saptah mean apake kap de de dooangi, aur unase isaka puraskar looangi.

yuvati khilakhilakar hansi. kamare mean prakash ki laharean-si uth gayian. bolian—isake lie to puraskar vah deange, b di khushi se deange aur tumhare kritajn hoange. maianne pratijna ki thi ki vivah ke bandhan mean p dooangi hi nahi; par unhoanne meri pratijna to d di. ab mujhe maloom ho raha hai ki prem ki be diy aauan kitani anandamay hoti hai. tum to abhi hal hi mean ayi ho. tumhare pati bhi sath hoange?

subhadra ne bahana kiya. boli—vah is samay jarmani mean haian. sangit se unhean bahut prem hai. sangit hi ka adhyayan karane ke lie vahaan gaye haian.

‘tum bhi sangit janati ho?’

‘bahut tho da.’

‘keshav ko sangit bahut prem hai.’

keshav ka nam sunakar subhadra ko aisa maloom hua, jaise bichchhoo ne kat liya ho. vah chauank p di.

yuvati ne poochha—ap chauank kaise gayian? kya keshav ko janati ho?

subhadra ne bat banakar kaha—nahian, maianne yah nam kabhi nahian suna. vah yahaan kya karate haian?

subhadra ka khyal aya, kya keshav kisi doosare adami ka nam nahian ho sakata? isalie usane yah prashn kiya. usi javab par usaki ziandagi ka phaisala tha.

yuvati ne kaha—yahaan vidyalay mean padhate haian. bharat sarakar ne unhean bheja hai. abhi sal-bhar bhi to ae nahian hua. tum dekhakar prasann hogi. tej aur buddhi ki moorti samajh lo. yahaan ke achchhe-achchhe prophesar unaka adar karate hai. aisa sundar bhashan to maianne kisi ke muanh se suna hi nahian. jivan adarsh hai. mujhase unhean kyoan prem ho gaya hai, mujhe isaka ashchary hai. mujhamean n roop hai, n lavany. ye mera saubhagy hai. to maian sham ko kap de lekar aooangi.

subhadra ne man mean uthate hue veg ko sabh aauanl kar kaha—achchhi bat hai.

jab yuvati chali gayi, to subhadra phoot-phootakar rone lagi. aisa jan p data tha, mano deh mean rakt hi nahian, mano pran nikal gaye haian vah kitani ni:sahay, kitani durbal hai, isaka aj anubhav hua. aisa maloom hua, manoan sansar mean usaka koee nahian hai. ab usaka jivan vyarth hai. usake lie ab jivan mean rone ke siva aur kya hai? unaki sari jnaneandriy aauan shithil-si ho gayi thian manoan vah kisi ooanche vriksh se gir p di ho. ha ! yah usake prem aur bhakti ka puraskar hai. usane kitana agrah karake keshav ko yahaan bheja tha? isalie ki yahaan ate hi usaka sarvanash kar dean?

purani batean yad ane lagi. keshav ki vah prematur aankhean samane a gayian. vah saral, sahaj moorti aankhoan ke samane nachane lagi. usaka jara sir dhamakata tha, to keshav kitana vyakul ho jata tha. ek bar jab use phasali bukhar a gaya tha, to keshav ghabara kar, pandrah din ki chhutti lekar ghar a gaya tha aur usake sirahane baitha rat-bhar pankha jhalata raha tha. vahi keshav ab itani jald usase oob utha! usake lie subhadra ne kaun-si bat utha rakhi. vah to usi ka apana pranadhar, apana jivan dhan, apana sarvasv samajhati thi. nahian-nahian, keshav ka dosh nahian, sara dosh isi ka hai. isi ne apani madhur batoan se anhean vashibhoot kar liya hai. isaki vidya, buddhi aur vakapatuta hi ne unake hriday par vijay payi hai. hay! usane kitani bar keshav se kaha tha, mujhe bhi padhaya karo, lekin unhoanne hamesha yahi javab diya, tum jaisi ho, mujhe vaisi hi pasand ho. maian tumhari svabhavik saralata ko padha-padha kar mitana nahian chahata. keshav ne usake sath kitana b da anyay kiya hai! lekin yah unaka dosh nahian, yah isi yauvan-matavali chhokari ki maya hai.

subhadra ko is eershya aur du:kh ke avesh mean apane kam par jane ki sudh n rahi. vah kamare mean is tarah tahalane lagi, jaise kisi ne jabaradasti use band kar diya ho. kabhi donoan mutthiy aauan bandh jatian, kabhi d aauant pisane lagati, kabhi oanth katati. unmad ki-si dasha ho gayi. aankhoan mean bhi ek tivr jvala chamak uthi. jyoan-jyoan keshav ke is nishthur aghat ko sochati, un kashtoan ko yad karati, jo usane usake lie jhele the, usaka chitt pratikar ke lie vikal hota jata tha. agar koee bat huee hoti, apas mean kuchh manomaliny ka lesh bhi hota, to use itana du:kh n hota. yah to use aisa maloom hota tha ki manoan koee hansate-hansate achanak gale par chadh baithe. agar vah unake yogy nahian thi, to unhoanne usase vivah hi kyoan kiya tha? vivah karane ke bad bhi use kyoan n thukara diya tha? kyoan prem ka bij boya tha? aur aj jab vah bich pallavoan se laharane laga, usaki j dean usake antastal ke ek-ek anu mean pravisht ho gayian, usaka rakt usaka sara utsarg vriksh ko sianchane aur palane mean pravritt ho gaya, to vah aj use ukha d kar pheank dena chahate haian. kya hriday ke tuk de-tuk de hue bina vriksh ukh d jayaga?

sahasa use ek bat yad a gayi. hiansatmak santosh se usaka uttejit mukh-mandal aur bhi kathor ho gaya. keshav ne apane pahale vivah ki bat is yuvati se gupt rakhi hogi ! subhadra isaka bhandapho d karake keshav ke sare mansooboan ko dhool mean mila degi. use apane oopar krodh aya ki yuvati ka pata kyoan n poochh liya. use ek patr likhakar keshav ki nichata, svarthaparata aur kayarata ki kalee khol deti—usake paandity, pratibha aur pratishtha ko dhool mean mila deti. khair, sandhya-samay to vah kap de lekar ayegi hi. us samay usase sara kachcha chittha bayan kar dooangi.

5

subhrada din-bhar yuvati ka intajar karati rahi. kabhi baramade mean akar idhar-udhar nigah dau dati, kabhi s dak par dekhati, par usaka kahian pata n tha. man mean jhuanjhalati thi ki usane kyoan usi vakt sara vritaant n kah sunaya.

keshav ka pata use maloom tha. us makan aur gali ka nambar tak yad tha, jahaan se vah use patr likha karata tha. jyoan-jyoan din dhalane laga aur yuvati ke ane mean vilamb hone laga, usake man mean ek tarangi-si uthane lagi ki jakar keshav ko phatakare, usaka sara nasha utar de, kahe—tum itane bhanyakar hiansak ho, itane mahanh dhoort ho, yah mujhe maloom n tha. tum yahi vidya sikhane yahaan aye the. tumhare paandity ki yahi phal hai ! tum ek abala ko jisane tumhare oopar apana sarvasv arpan kar diya, yoan chhal sakate ho. tumamean kya manushyata nam ko bhi nahian rah gayi? akhir tumane mere lie kya socha hai. maian sari ziandagi tumhare nam ko roti rahooan ! lekin abhiman har bar usake pairoan ko rok leta. nahian, jisane usake sath aisa kapat kiya hai, usaka itana apaman kiya hai, usake pas vah n jayagi. vah use dekhakar apane aansuoan ko rok sakegi ya nahian, isamean use sandeh tha, aur keshav ke samane vah rona nahian chahati thi. agar keshav usase ghrina karata hai, to vah bhi keshav se ghrina karegi. sandhya bhi ho gayi, par yuvati n ayi. battiy aauan bhi jalian, par usaka pata nahian.

ekaek use apane kamare ke dvar par kisi ke ane ki ahat maloom huee. vah koodakar bahar nikal aee. yuvati kap doan ka ek pulianda lie samane kh di thi. subhadra ko dekhate hi boli—kshama karana, mujhe ane mean der ho gayi. bat yah hai ki keshav ko kisi b de zaroori kam se jarmani jana hai. vahaan unhean ek mahine se zyada lag jayaga. vah chahate haian ki maian bhi unake sath chalooan. mujhase unhean apani thisis likhane mean b di sahayata milegi. barlin ke pustakalayoan ko chhanana p dega. maianne bhi svikar kar liya hai. keshav ki ichchha hai ki jarmani jane ke pahale hamara vivah ho jae. kal sandhya samay sanskar ho jayaga. ab ye kap de mujhe ap jarmani se lautane par dijiega. vivah ke avasar par ham mamooli kap de pahan leange. aur kya karati? isake siva koee upay n tha, keshav ka jarman jana anivary hai.

subhadra ne kap do ko mej par rakh kar kaha—apako dhokha diya gaya hai.

yuvati ne ghabara kar poochha—dhokha? kaisa dhokha? maian bilakul nahian samajhati. tumhara matalab kya hai?

subhadra ne sankoch ke avaran ko hatane ki cheshta karate hue kaha—keshav tumhean dhokha dekar tumase vivah karana chahata hai.

‘keshav aisa adami nahian hai, jo kisi ko dhokha de. kya tum keshav ko janati ho?

‘keshav ne tumase apane vishay mean sab-kuchh kah diya hai?’

‘sab-kuchh.’

‘mera to yahi vichar hai ki unhoanne ek bat bhi nahian chhipaee?’

‘tumhe maloom hai ki usaka vivah ho chuka hai?’

yuvati ki mukh-jyoti kuchh malin p d gayi, usaki gardan lajja se jhuk gayi. atak-atak kar boli—haan, unhoanne mujhase..... yah bat kahi thi.

subhadra parast ho gayi. ghrina-soochak netroan se dekhati huee boli—yah janate hue bhi tum keshav se vivah karane par taiyar ho.

yuvati ne abhiman se dekhakar kaha—tumane keshav ko dekha hai?

‘nahian, maianne unhean kabhi nahian dekha.’

‘phir, tum unhean kaise janati ho?’

‘mere ek mitr ne mujhase yah bat kahi he, vah keshav ko janata hai.’

‘agar tum ek bar keshav ko dekh letian, ek bar usase batean kar letian, to mujhase yah prashn n karati. ek nahian, agar unhoanne ek sau vivah kiye hote, to maian inakar n karati. unhean dekhakar mean apane ko bilakul bhool jati hooan. agar unase vivah n karooan, ta phir mujhe jivan-bhar avivahit hi rahana p dega. jis samay vah mujhase batean karane lagate haian, mujhe aisa anubhav hota hai ki meri atma pushpaki bh aauanti khili ja rahi hai. maian usamean prakash aur vikas ka pratyaksh anubhav karati hooan. duniya chahe jitana hanse, chahe jitani ninda kare, maian keshav ko ab nahian chho d sakati. unaka vivah ho chuka hai, vah saty hai; par us stri se unaka man kabhi n mila. yatharth mean unaka vivah abhi nahian hua. vah koee sadharan, arddhashikshita balika hai. tumhian sochoan, keshav jaisa vidvan, udaracheta, manasvi purush aisi balika ke sath kaise prasann rah sakata hai? tumhean kal mere vivah mean chalana p dega.

subhadra ka chehara tamatamaya ja raha tha. keshav ne use itane kale rangoan mean ranga hai, yah soch kar usaka rakt khaul raha tha. ji mean ata tha, isi kshan isako dutkar dooan, lekin usake man mean kuchh aur hi mansoobe paida hone lage the. usane ganbhir, par udasinata ke bhav se poochha—keshav ne kuchh us stri ke vishay mean nahian kaha?

yuvati ne tatparata se kaha—ghar pahuanchane par vah usase keval yahi kah deange ki ham aur tum ab stri aur purush nahian rah sakate. usake bharan-poshan ka vah usake ichchhanusar prabandh kar deange, isake siva vah aur kya kar sakate haian. hindoo-niti mean pati-patni mean vichchhed nahian ho sakata. par keval stri ko poorn riti se svadhin kar dene ke vichar se vah eesaee ya musalaman hone par bhi taiyar haian. vah to abhi use isi ashay ka ek patr likhane ja rahe the, par maianne hi rok liya. mujhe us abhagini par b di daya ati hai, maian to yahaan tak taiyar hooan ki agar usaki ichchha ho to vah bhi hamare sath rahe. maian use apani bahan samajhooangi. kiantu keshav isase sahamat nahian hote.

subhadra ne vyangy se kaha—roti-kap da dene ko taiyar hi haian, stri ko isake siva aur kya chahie?

yuvati ne vyangy ki kuchh paravah n karake kaha—to mujhe lautane par kap de taiyar mileange n?

subhadra—haan, mil jaeeange.

yuvati—kal tum sandhya samay aogi?

subhadra—nahian, khed hai, avakash nahian hai.

yuvati ne kuchh n kaha. chali gayi.

6

subhadra kitana hi chahati thi ki samasya par shaantachitt hokar vichar kare, par hriday mean manoan jvala-si dahak rahi thi! keshav ke lie vah apane pranoan ka koee mooly nahian samajhi thi. vahi keshav use pairoan se thukara raha hai. yah aghat itana akasmik, itana kathor tha ki usaki chetana ki sari komalata moorchchhit ho gayi ! usake ek-ek anu pratikar ke lie t dapane laga. agar yahi samasya isake viparit hoti, to kya subhadra ki garadan par chhuri n phir gayi hoti? keshav usake khoon ka pyasa n ho jata? kya purush ho jane se hi sabhi bate kshamy aur stri ho jane se sabhi batean akshamy ho jati hai? nahian, is nirnay ko subhadra ki vidrohi atma is samay svikar nahian kar sakati. use nariyoan ke ooanche adarsho ki paravah nahian hai. un striyoan mean atmabhiman n hoga? ve purushoan ke pairoan ki jootiyaan banakar rahane hi mean apana saubhagy samajhati hoangi. subhadra itani atmabhiman-shoony nahian hai. vah apane jite-ji yah nahian dekh sakati thi ki usaka pati usake jivan ki sarvanash karake chain ki banshi bajaye. duniya use hatyarini, pishachini kahegi, kahe—usako paravah nahian. rah-rahakar usake man mean bhayankar prerana hoti thi ki isi samay usake pas chali jae, aur isake pahile ki vah us yuvati ke prem ka annad uthaye, usake jivan ka ant kar de. vah keshav ki nishthurata ko yad karake apane man ko uttejit karati thi. apane ko dhikkar-dhikkar kar nari sulabh shankaoan ko door karati thi. kya vah itani durbal hai? kya usamean itana sahas bhi nahian hai? is vakt yadi koee dusht usake kamare mean ghus ae aur usake satitv ka apaharan karana chahe, to kya vah usaka pratikar n karegi? akhir atm-raksha hi ke lie to usane yah pistaul le rakhi hai. keshav ne usake saty ka apaharan hi to kiya hai. usaka prem-darshan keval pravanchana thi. vah keval apani vasanaoan ki tripti ke lie subhadra ke sath prem-sv aauang bharata tha. phir usak vadh karana kya subhadra ka karttavy nahian?

is antim kalpana se subhadra ko vah uttejana mil gayi, jo usake bhayankar sankalp ko poora karane ke lie avashyak thi. yahi vah avastha hai, jab stri-purush ke khoon ki pyasi ho jati hai.

usane khooanti par latakati huee pistaul utar li aur dhyan se dekhane lagi, mano use kabhi dekha n ho. kal sandhya-samay jab kary-mandir ke keshav aur usaki premika ek-doosare ke sammukh baithe hue hoange, usi samay vah is goli se keshav ki prem-lilaoan ka ant kar degi. doosari goli apani chhati mean mar legi. kya vah ro-ro kar apana adham jivan kategi?

7

sandhya ka samay tha. ary-mandir ke aangan mean var aur vadhoo isht-mitroan ke sath baithe hue the. vivah ka sanskar ho raha tha. usi samay subhadra pahuanchi aur badamade mean akar ek khambhean ki a d mean is bh aauanti kh di ho gee ki keshav ka muanh usake samane tha. usaki aankhean mean vah drishy khianch gaya, jab aj se tin sal pahale usane isi bh aauanti keshav ko mandap mean baithe hue a d se dekha tha. tab usaka hriday kitana uchhavasit ho raha tha. aantastal mean gudagudi-si ho rahi thi, kitana apar anurag tha, kitani asim abhilashaऍan thian, manoan jivan-prabhat ka uday ho raha ho. jivan madhur sangit ki bh aauanti sukhad tha, bhavishy usha-svapn ki bh aauanti sundar. kya yah vahi keshav hai? subhadra ko aisa bhram hua, manoan yah keshav nahian hai. haan, yah vah keshav nahian tha. yah usi roop aur usi nam ka koee doosara manushy tha. ab usaki muskurahat mean, unake netroan mean, usake shabdoan mean, usake hriday ko akarshit karane vali koee vastu n thi. use dekhakar vah usi bh aauanti ni:spand, nishchal kh di hai, manoan koee aparichit vyakti ho. ab tak keshav ka-sa roopavan, tejasvi, saumy, shilavan, purush sansar mean n tha; par ab subhadra ko aisa jan p da ki vahaan baithe hue yuvakoan mean aur usamean koee antar nahian hai. vah eershyagni, jisamean vah jali ja rahi thi, vah hiansa-kalpana, jo use vahaan tak layi thi, mano egadam shaant ho gayi. virikt hiansa se bhi adhik hiansatmak hoti hai—subhadra ki hiansa-kalpana mean ek prakar ka mamatv tha—usaka keshav, usaka pranavallabh, usaka jivan-sarvasv aur kisi ka nahian ho sakata. par ab vah mamatv nahian hai. vah usaka nahian hai, use ab parava nahian, us par kisaka adhikar hota hai.

vivah-sanskar samapt ho gaya, mitroan ne badhaiy aauan dian, saheliyoan ne mangalagan kiya, phir log mejoan par ja baithe, davat hone lagi, rat ke barah baj gaye; par subhadra vahian pashan-moorti ki bh aauanti kh di rahi, mano koee vichitr svapn dekh rahi ho. haan, jaise koee basti uj d gee ho, jaise koee sangit band ho gaya ho, jaise koee dipak bujh gaya hai.

jab log mandir se nikale, to vah bhi nikale, to vah bhi nikal ayi; par use koee marg n soojhata tha. parichit s dakeanan use bhooli huee-si jan p dane lagian. sara sansar hi badal gaya tha. vah sari rat s dakoan par bhatakati phiri. ghar ka kahian pata nahian. sari dukanean band ho gayian, s dakoan par sannata chha gaya, phir bhi vah apana ghar dhooandhati huee chali ja rahi thi. hay! kya isi bh aauanti use jivan-path mean bhi bhatakana p dega?

sahasa ek pulisamain ne pukara—mai dam, tum kahaan ja rahi ho?

subhadra ne thithak kar kaha—kahian nahian.

‘tumhara sthan kahaan hai?’

‘mera sthan?’

‘haan, tumhara sthan kahaan hai? maian tumhean b di der se idhar-udhar bhatakate dekh raha hooan. kis strit mean rahati ho?

subhadra ko us strit ka nam tak n yad tha.

‘tumhean apane strit ka nam tak yad nahian?’

‘bhool gayi, yad nahian ata.‘

sahasa usaki drishti samane ke ek sain bord ki taraph uthi, oh! yahi to usaki strit hai. usane sir uthakar idhar-udhar dekha. samane hi usaka dera tha. aur isi gali mean, apane hi ghar ke samane, n-jane kitani der se vah chakkar laga rahi thi.

8

abhi prat:kal hi tha ki yuvati subhadra ke kamare mean pahuanchi. vah usake kap de si rahi thi. usaka sara tan-man kap doan mean laga hua tha. koee yuvati itani ekagrachit hokar apana shrriangar bhi n karati hogi. n-jane usase kaun-sa puraskar lena chahati thi. use yuvati ke ane ki khabar n huee.

yuvati ne poochha—tum kal mandir mean nahian ayian?

subhadra ne sir uthakar dekha, to aisa jan p da, mano kisi kavi ki komal kalpana moortimayi ho gayi hai. usaki up chhavi aniandy thi. prem ki vibhooti rom-rom se pradarshit ho rahi thi. subhadra dau dakar usake gale se lipat gee, jaise usaki chhoti bahan a gayi ho, aur boli — haan, gayi to thi.

‘maianne tumhean nahian dekha.‘

‘h aauan, maian alag thi.‘

‘keshav ko dekha?’

‘haan dekha.‘

‘dhire se kyoan boli? maianne kuchh jhooth kaha tha?

subhadra ne sahridayata se muskarakar kaha — maianne tumhari aankhoan se nahian, apani aankhoan se dekha. majhe to vah tumhare yogy nahian janche. tumhean thag liya.

yuvati khilakhilakar hansi aur boli—vah ! maian samajhati hooan, maianne unhean thaga hai.

ek bar vastrabhooshanoan se sajakar apani chhavi aine mean dekhi to maloom ho jaeega.

‘tab kya maian kuchh aur ho jaooangi.‘

‘apane kamare se pharsh, tasavirean, haan diy aauan, gamale adi nikal kar dekh lo, kamare ki shobha vahi rahati hai!’

yuvati ne sir hila kar kaha—thik kahati ho. lekin abhooshan kahaan se laooan. n-jane abhi kitane dinoan mean banane ki naubat aye.

‘maian tumhean apane gahane pahana dooangi.‘

‘tumhare pas gahane haian?’

‘bahut. dekho, maian abhi lakar tumhean pahanati hooan.‘

yuvati ne muanh se to bahut ‘nahian-nahian’ kiya, par man mean prasann ho rahi thi. subhadra ne apane sare gahane pahana diye. apane pas ek chhalla bhi n rakha. yuvati ko yah naya anubhav tha. use is roop mean nikalate sharm to ati thi; par usaka roop chamak utha tha. isamean sandeh n tha. usane aine mean apani soorat dekhi to usaki soorat jagamaga uthi, mano kisi viyogini ko apane priyatam ka sanvad mila ho. man mean gudagudi hone lagi. vah itani roopavati hai, use usaki kalpana bhi n thi.

kahian keshav is roop mean use dekh lete; vah akaanksha usake man mean uday huee, par kahe kaise. kuchh der mean bad lajja se sir jhuka kar boli—keshav mujhe is roop mean dekh kar bahut hansegean.

subhadra —hansegean nahian, balaiya leange, aankhean khul jaeegi. tum aj isi roop mean usake pas jana.

yuvati ne chakit hokar kaha —sach! ap isaki anumati deti haian!

subhadra ne kaha—b de harsh se.

‘tumhean sandeh n hoga?’

‘bilkul nahian.‘

‘aur jo maian do-char din pahane rahooan?’

‘tum do-char mahine pahane raho. akhir, p de hi to hai!’

‘tum bhi mere sath chalo.‘

‘nahian, mujhe avakash nahian hai.‘

‘achchha, lo mere ghar ka pata not kar lo.‘

‘haan, likh do, shayad kabhi aooan.‘

ek kshan mean yuvati vahaan se chali gayi. subhadra apani khi daki par use is bh aauanti prasann-mukh kh di dekh rahi thi, mano usaki chhoti bahan ho, eershya ya dvesh ka lesh bhi usake man mean n tha.

mushkil se, ek ghanta gujara hoga ki yuvati laut kar boli—subhadra kshama karana, maian tumhara samay bahut kharab kar rahi hooan. keshav bahar kh de haian. bula looan?

ek kshan, keval ek kshan ke lie, subhadra kuchh ghab da gayi. usane jaldi se uth kar mej par p di huee chizean idhar-udhar hata dian, kap de karine se rakh diye. usane jaldi se ulajhe hue bal sanbhal liye, phir udasin bhav se muskara kar boli—unhean tumane kyoan kasht diya. jao, bula lo.

ek minat mean keshav ne kamare mean qadam rakha aur chauank kar pichhe hat gaye, mano p aauanv jal gaya ho. muanh se ek chikh nikal gayi. subhadra gambhir, shaant, nishchal apani jagah par kh di rahi. phir hath badha kar boli, mano kisi aparichit vyakti se bol rahi thi—aiye, mistar keshav, maian apako aisi sushil, aisi sundari, aisi vidushi ramani pane par badhaee deti hooan.

keshav ke muanh par havaiy aauan u d rahi thian. vah path-bhrasht-sa bana kh da tha. lajja aur glani se usake chehare par ek rang ata tha, ek rang jata tha. yah bat ek din hone vali thi avashy, par is tarah achanak usaki subhadra se bheant hogi, isaka use svapn mean bhi guman n tha. subhadra se yah bat kaise kahega, isako usane khoob soch liya tha. usake akshepoan ka uttar soch liya tha, patr ke shabd tak man mean aankit kar liye the. ye sari taiyariy aauan dhari rah gayian aur subhadra se sakshath ho gaya. subhadra use dekh kar jara si nahian chauanki, usake mukh par ashchary, ghabarahat ya du:kh ka ek chihn bhi n dikhayi diya. usane usi bhanti usase bat ki; mano vah koee ajanabi ho. yah aauan kab ayi, kaise ayi, kyoan ayi, kaise gujar karati hai; yah aur is tarah ke asankhy prashn poochhane ke lie keshav ka chitt chanchal ho utha. usane socha tha, subhadra use dhikkaregi; vish khane ki dhamaki degi—nishthur; nirday aur n-jane kya-kya kahegi. in sab apadaoan ke lie vah taiyar tha; par is akasmik milan, is garvayukt upeksha ke lie vah taiyar n tha. vah prem-vratadharini subhadra itani kathor, itani hriday-shoony ho gayi hai? avashy hi is sari batean pahale hi maloom ho chuki haian. sab se tivr aghat yah tha ki isane apane sare abhooshan itani udarata se de dale, aur kaun jane vapas bhi n lena chahati ho. vah parast aur apratim hokar ek kursi par baith gaya. uttar mean ek shabd bhi usake mukh se n nikala.

yuvati ne kritajnata ka bhav prakat karake kaha—inake pati is samay jarmani mean hai.

keshav ne aankhean pha d kar dekha, par kuchh bol n saka.

yuvati ne phir kaha—bechari sangit ke path padha kar aur kuchh kap de si kar apana nirvah karati hai. vah mahashay yahaan a jate, to unhean unake saubhagy par badhaee deti.

keshav is par bhi kuchh n bol saka, par subhadra ne muskara kar kaha—vah mujhase roothe hue haian, badhaee pakar aur bhi jhallate. yuvati ne ashchary se kaha—tum unhian ke prem me yahaan ayian, apana ghar-bar chho da, yahaan mehanat-mazadoori karake nirvah kar rahi ho, phir bhi vah tumase roothe hue haian? ashchary!

subhadra ne usi bh aauanti prasann-mukh se kaha—purush-prakriti hi ashchary ka vishay hai, chahe mi. keshav ise svikar n karean.

yuvati ne phir keshav ki or prerana-poorn drishti se dekha, lekin keshav usi bh aauanti apratim baitha raha. usake hriday par yah naya aghat tha. yuvati ne use chup dekh kar usaki taraph se saphaee di—keshav, stri aur purush, donoan ko hi saman adhikar dena chahate haian.

keshav doob raha tha, tinake ka sahara pakar usaki himmat bandh gayi. bola—vivah ek prakar ka samajhauta hai. donoan pakshoan ko adhikar hai, jab chahe use to d dean.

yuvati ne hami bhari—sabhy-samaj mean yah andonal b de joroan par hai.

subhadra ne shanka ki—kisi samajhaute ko to dane ke lie karan bhi to hona chahie?

keshav ne bhavoan ki lathi ka sahar lekar kaha—jab isaka anubhav ho jae ki ham is bandhan se mukt hokar adhik sukhi ho sakate haian, to yahi karan kafi hai. stri ko yadi maloom ho jae ki vah doosare purush ke sath ...

subhadra ne bat kat kar kaha—kshama kijie mi. keshav, mujhamean itani buddhi nahian ki is vishay par apase bahas kar sakooan. adarsh samajhauta vahi hai, jo jivan-paryant rahe. maian bharat ki nahian kahati. vahaan to stri purush ki lauandi hai, maian iglaiand ki kahati hooan. yahaan bhi kitani hi auratoan se meri batachit huee hai. ve talakoan ki badhati huee sankhya ko dekh kar khush nahian hoti. vivah sabase ooancha adarsh usaki pavitrata aur sthirata hai. purushoan ne sadaiv is ardash ko to da hai, striyoan ne nibaha hai. ab purushoan ka anyay striyoan ko kis or le jaeega, nahian kah sakati.

is gambhir aur sanyat kathan ne vivad ka ant kar diya. subhadra ne chay mangavayi. tinoan adamiyoan ne pi. keshav poochhana chahata tha, abhi ap yahaan kitane dinoan raheangi. lekin n poochh saka. vah yahaan pandrah minat aur raha, lekin vicharoan mean dooba hua. chalate samay usase n raha gaya. poochh hi baitha—abhi ap yahaan kitane din aur rahegi?

‘subhadra ne zamin ki or takate hue kaha—kah nahian sakati.‘

‘koee zaroorat ho, to mujhe yad kijie.‘

‘is ashvasan ke lie apako dhanyavad.‘

keshav sare din bechain raha. subhadra usaki aankhoan mean phirati rahi. subhadra ki batean usake kanoan mean gooanjati rahian. ab use isamean koee sandeh n tha ki usi ke prem mean subhadra yahaan ayi thi. sari paristhiti usaki samajh mean a gayi thi. us bhishan tyag ka anuman karake usake royean kh de ho gaye. yahaan subhadra ne kya-kya kasht jhele hoange, kaisi-kaisi yatanaऍan sahi hoangi, sab usi ke karan? vah us par bhar n banana chahati thi. isalie to usane apane ane ki soochana tak use n di. agar use pahale maloom hoti ki subhadra yahaan a gayi hai, to kadachith use us yuvati ki or itana akarshan hi n hota. chaukidar ke samane chor ko ghar mean ghusane ka sahas nahian hota. subhadra ko dekhakar usaki karttavy-chetana jagrat ho gayi. usake pairoan par gir kar usase kshama maangane ke lie usaka man adhir ho utha; vah usake muanh se sara vritaant sunega. yah maun upeksha usake lie asahy thi. din to keshav ne kisi tarah kata, lekin jyoan hi rat ke das baje, vah subhadra se milane chala. yuvati ne poochha—kahaan jate ho?

keshav ne boot ka les b aauandhate hue kaha—jara ek prophesar se milana hai, is vakt ane ka vada kar chuka hooan?

‘jald ana.‘

‘bahut jald aooanga.‘

keshav ghar se nikala, to usake man mean kitani hi vichar-tanragean uthane lagian. kahian subhadra milane se inakar kar de, to? nahian aisa nahian ho sakata. vah itani anudar nahian hai. haan, yah ho sakata hai ki vah apane vishay mean kuchh n kahe. use shaant karane ke lie usane ek kripa ki kalpana kar dali. aisa bimar tha ki bachane ki asha n thi. urmila ne aisi tanmay hokar usaki seva-sushrusha ki ki use usase prem ho gaya. katha ka subhadra par jo asar p dega, isake vishay mean keshav ko koee sandeh n tha. paristhiti ka bodh hone par vah use kshama kar degi. lekin isaka phal kya hoga lekin isaka phal kya hoga? kya vah donoan ke sath ek-sa prem kar sakata hai? subhadra ko dekh lene ke bad urmila ko shayad usake sath-sath rahane mean apatti ho. apatti ho hi kaise sakati hai! usase yah bat chhipi nahian hai. haan, yah dekhana hai ki subhadra bhi ise svikar karati hai ki nahian. usane jis upeksha ka parichay diya hai, use dekhate hue to usake man mean sandeh hi jan p data hai. magar vah use manayega, usaki vinati karega, usake pairoan p dega aur aant mean use manakar hi chho dega. subhadra se prem aur anurag ka naya praman pa kar vah mano ek kathor nidra se jag utha tha. use ab anubhav ho raha tha ki subhadra ke lie usake hriday jo sthan tha, vah khali p da hua hai. urmila us sthan par apana adhipaty nahian jama sakati. ab use jnat hua ki urmila ke prati usaka prem keval vah trishna thi, jo svadayukt padarthoan ko dekh kar hi utpann hoti hai. vah sachchi kshudha n thi ab phir use saral samany bhojan ki ichchha ho rahi thi. vilasini urmila kabhi itana tyag kar sakati hai, isamean use sandeh tha.

subhadra ke ghar ke nikat pahuanch kar keshav ka man kuchh katar hone laga. lekin usane ji k da karake jine par qadam rakkha aur kshan mean subhadra ke dvar par pahuancha, lekin kamare ka dvar band tha. aandar bhi prakash n tha. avashy hi vah kahi gayi hai, ati hi hogi. tab tak usane baramade mean tahalane ka nishchay kiya.

sahasa malakin ati huee dikhayi di. keshav ne badh kar poochha— ap bata sakati haian ki yah mahila kahaan gayi haian?

malakin ne use sir se p aauanv tak dekh kar kaha—vah to aj yahaan se chali gayian.

keshav ne hakabaka kar poochha—chali gayian! kahaan chali gayian?

‘yah to mujhase kuchh nahian bataya.‘

‘kab gayian?’

‘vah to dopahar ko hi chali gayi?’

‘apana asabav le kar gayian?’

‘asabav kisake lie chho d jati? haan, ek chhota-sa paiket apani ek saheli ke lie chho d gayi haian. us par misej keshav likha hua hai. mujhase kaha tha ki yadi vah a bhi jaean, to unhean de dena, nahian to dak se bhej dena.’

keshav ko apana hriday is tarah baithata hua maloom hua jaise soory ka ast hona. ek gahari s aauans lekar bola—

‘ap mujhe vah paiket dikha sakati haian? keshav mera hi nam hai.’

malakin ne muskara kar kaha—misej keshav ko koee apatti to n hogi?

‘to phir maian unhean bula laooan?’

‘haan, uchit to yahi hai!’

‘bahut door jana p dega!’

keshav kuchh thithakata hua jine ki or chala, to malakin ne phir kaha—maian samajhati hooan, ap ise liye hi jaiye, vyarth apako kyoan dau daooan. magar kal mere pas ek rasid bhej dijiega. shayad usaki jarurat p de!

yah kahate hue usane ek chhota-sa paiket lakar keshav ko de diya. keshav paiket lekar is tarah bhaga, manoan koee chor bhaga ja raha ho. is paiket mean kya hai, yah janane ke lie usaka hriday vyakul ho raha tha. ise itana vilamb asahy tha ki apane sthan par jakar use khole. samip hi ek park tha. vahaan jakar usane bijali ke prakash mean us paiket ko khola dala. us samay usake hath k aauanp rahe the aur hriday itane veg se dh dak raha tha, manoan kisi bandhu ki bimari ke samachar ke bad mila ho.

paiket ka khulana tha ki keshav ki aankhoan se aansuoan ki jh di lag gayi. usamean ek pile rang ki sa di thi, ek chhoti-si seandur ki dibiya aur ek keshav ka phota-chitr ke sath hi ek liphapha bhi tha. keshav ne use khol kar padha. usamean likha tha—

‘bahan maian jati hooan. yah mere sohag ka shav hai. ise tems nadi mean visarjit kar dena. tumhian logoan ke hathoan yah sanskar bhi ho jae, to achchha.

tumhari,

subhadra

keshav marmahat-sa patr hath mean liye vahian ghas par let gaya aur phoot-phoot kar rone laga.

sanbandhit lekh

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