ईदगाह -प्रेमचंद

eedagah -premachand
manasarovar, bhag-1|150px|center
lekhak	muanshi premachand
mool shirshak	eedagah
mukhy patr	hamid, amina, mahamood, mohasin, noore, sammi
kathanak	hamid ke manobhavoan aur paristhitiyoan ka sookshm chitran
prakashak	dilli pustak sadan
prakashan tithi	janavari 01, 2008
ISBN	978-81-88032-23
desh	bharat
prishth:	264
bhasha	hiandi
shaili	saral, adarshonmukh yatharthavad
vishay	bal manovaijnanik
vidha	kahani
bhag	ek
vishesh	eedagah, eed ki samoohik namaz padhane ka vishesh sthan
tippani	premachand bahumukhi pratibha sanpann sahityakar the. premachand ki rachanaoan mean tatkalin itihas bolata hai. premachand ne kahani aur upanyas donoan hi likhe haian. ve bharat ke shreshthatam kahanikar aur upanyasakar ke roop mean jane jate haian.

ramazan ke poore tis rozoan ke bad eed ayi hai. kitana manohar, kitana suhavana prabhav hai. vrikshoan par ajib hariyali hai, khetoan mean kuchh ajib raunak hai, asaman par kuchh ajib lalima hai. aj ka soory dekho, kitana pyara, kitana shital hai, yani sansar ko eed ki badhaee de raha hai. gaanv mean kitani halachal hai. eedagah jane ki taiyariyaan ho rahi haian. kisi ke kurate mean batan nahian hai, p dos ke ghar mean suee-dhaga lene dau da ja raha hai. kisi ke joote k de ho ge haian, unamean tel dalane ke lie teli ke ghar par bhaga jata hai. jaldi-jaldi bailoan ko sani-pani de dean. eedagah se lautate-lautate dopahar ho jayagi. tin kos ka paidal rasta, phir saik doan adamiyoan se milana-bheantana, dopahar ke pahale lautana asambhav hai.

l dake sabase zyada prasann haian. kisi ne ek roza rakha hai, vah bhi dopahar tak, kisi ne vah bhi nahian, lekin eedagah jane ki khushi unake hisse ki chiz hai. roze b de-boodhoan ke lie hoange. inake lie to eed hai. roj eed ka nam ratate the, aj vah a gayi. ab jaldi p di hai ki log eedagah kyoan nahian chalate. inhean grihasthi ki chiantaoan se kya prayojan! sevaiyoan ke lie doodh or shakkar ghar mean hai ya nahian, inaki bala se, ye to seveyaan khayeange. vah kya janean ki abbajan kyoan badahavas chaudhari kayamali ke ghar dau de ja rahe haian. unhean kya khabar ki chaudhari aankhean badal lean, to yah sari eed muharram ho jay. unaki apani jeboan mean to kuber ka dhan bhara hua hai. bar-bar jeb se apana khazana nikalakar ginate haian aur khush hokar phir rakh lete haian. mahamood ginata hai, ek-do, das,-barah, usake pas barah paise haian. mohasin ke pas ek, do, tin, ath, nau, pandrah paise haian. inhian anaginati paisoan mean anaginati chizean layeangean— khilaune, mithaiyaan, bigul, geand aur jane kya-kya. aur sabase zyada prasann hai hamid. vah char-paanch sal ka garib-soorat, dubala-patala l daka, jisaka bap gat varsh haije ki bheant ho gaya aur maan n jane kyoan pili hoti-hoti ek din mar gayi. kisi ko pata nahian kya bimari hai. kahati to kaun sunane vala tha? dil par jo kuchh bitati thi, vah dil mean hi sahati thi aur jab n saha gaya to sansar se vida ho gayi. ab hamid apani boodhi dadi amina ki god mean sota hai aur utana hi prasann hai. usake abbajan rupaye kamane ge haian. bahut-si thailiyaan lekar ayeange. ammijan allah miyaan ke ghar se usake lie b di achchhi-achchhi chizean lane gayi haian, isalie hamid prasann hai. asha to b di chiz hai, aur phir bachchoan ki asha! unaki kalpana to raee ka parvat bana leti hai. hamid ke paanv mean joote nahian haian, sir par ek purani-dhurani topi hai, jisaka gota kala p d gaya hai, phir bhi vah prasann hai. jab usake abbajan thailiyaan aur ammijan niyamatean lekar ayeangi, to vah dil se araman nikal lega. tab dekhega, mohasin, noore aur sammi kahaan se utane paise nikaleange. abhagin amina apani kothari mean baithi ro rahi hai. aj eed ka din, usake ghar mean dana nahian! aj abid hota, to kya isi tarah eed ati or chali jati! is aandhakar aur nirasha mean vah doobi ja rahi hai. kisane bulaya tha is nigo di eed ko? is ghar mean usaka kam nahian, lekin hamid! use kisi ke marane-jine se kya matalab? usake andar prakash hai, bahar asha. vipatti apana sara dal-bal lekar aye, hamid ki anand-bhari chitavan usaka vidhvans kar degi.

hamid bhitar jakar dadi se kahata hai— 'tum darana nahian ammaan, maian sabase pahale aooanga. bilkul n darana.'

amina ka dil kachot raha hai. gaanv ke bachche apane-apane bap ke sath ja rahe haian. hamid ka bap amina ke siva aur kaun hai! use kaise akele mele jane de? us bhi d-bha d mean bachcha kahian kho jay to kya ho? nahian, amina use yoan n jane degi. nanhi-si jan! tin kos chalega kaise? pair mean chhale p d jayeange. joote bhi to nahian haian. vah tho di-tho di door par use god mean le leti, lekin yahaan sevaiyaan kaun pakayega? paise hote to lautate-lautate sab samagri jama karake chatapat bana leti. yahaan to ghantoan chizean jama karate lageange. maange ka hi to bharosa thahara. us din phahiman ke kap de sile the. ath ane paise mile the. us athanni ko eeman ki tarah bachati chali ati thi isi eed ke lie lekin kal gvalan sir par savar ho gayi to kya karati? hamid ke lie kuchh nahian hai, to do paise ka doodh to chahie hi. ab to kul do ane paise bach rahe haian. tin paise hamid ki jeb mean, paanch amina ke batuve mean. yahi to bisat hai aur eed ka tyauhar, allah hi be da par lagave. dhoban, nain, mehatarani aur chu diharin sabhi to ayeangi. sabhi ko sevaiyaan chahie aur tho da kisi ko aankhoan nahian lagata. kis-kis se muanh churayegi? aur muanh kyoan churaye? sal bhar ka tyauhar hai. ziandagi khairiyat se rahe, unaki taqadir bhi to usi ke sath hai. bachche ko khuda salamat rakhe, ye din bhi kat jayange.

gaanv se mela chala aur bachchoan ke sath hamid bhi ja raha tha. kabhi sabake sab dau dakar age nikal jate. phir kisi pe d ke niche kh de hokar sath valoan ka iantazar karate. yah log kyoan itana dhire-dhire chal rahe haian? hamid ke pairoan mean to jaise par lag ge haian. vah kabhi thak sakata hai? shahar ka daman a gaya. s dak ke donoan or amiroan ke bagiche haian. pakki charadivari bani huee hai. pe doan mean am aur lichiyaan lagi huee haian. kabhi-kabhi koee l daka kank di uthakar am par nishana lagata hai. mali aandar se gali deta hua nikalata hai. l dake vahaan se ek pharlaang par haian. khoob hans rahe haian. mali ko kaisa ulloo banaya hai.

b di-b di imaratean ane lagian. yah adalat hai, yah k aaulej hai, yah klab-ghar hai. itane b de k aaulej mean kitane l dake padhate hoange? sab l dake nahian haian ji! b de-b de adami haian, sach! unaki b di-b di mooanchhe haian. itane b de ho ge, abhi tak padhane jate haian. n jane kab tak padheange aur kya kareange itana padhakar! hamid ke madarase mean do-tin b de-b de l dake haian, bilkul tin kau di ke. roj mar khate haian, kam se ji churane vale. is jagah bhi usi tarah ke log hoange aur kya. klab-ghar mean jadoo hota hai. suna hai, yahaan murdoan ki khop diyaan dau dati haian. aur b de-b de tamashe hote haian, par kisi ko aandar nahian jane dete aur vahaan sham ko sahab log khelate haian. b de-b de adami khelate haian, mooanchhoan dadhi vale. aur memean bhi khelati haian, sach! hamari ammaan ko yah de do, kya nam hai, bait, to use pak d hi n sakean. ghumate hi ludhak jayan.

mahamood ne kaha— 'hamari ammijan ka to hath kaanpane lage, alla kasam.'
mohasin bola— 'chalo, manoan ata pis dalati haian. zara-sa bait pak d leangi, to hath kaanpane lageange! saik doan gh de pani roz nikalati haian. paanch gh de to teri bhaians pi jati hai. kisi mem ko ek gh da pani bharana p de, to aankhoan tale aandhera a jay.'
mahamood— 'lekin dau dati to nahian, uchhal-kood to nahian sakatian.'
mohasin— 'haan, uchhal-kood to nahian sakatian; lekin us din meri gay khul gayi thi aur chaudhari ke khet mean ja p di thi, ammaan itana tej dau dian ki maian unhean n pa saka, sach.'

age chale. halavaiyoan ki dukanean shuroo hueean. aj khoob saji huee thian. itani mithaiyaan kaun khata hai? dekho n, ek-ek dukan par manoan hoangi. suna hai, rat ko jinnat akar kharid le jate haian. abba kahate the ki adhi rat ko ek adami har dukan par jata hai aur jitana mal bacha hota hai, vah tulava leta hai aur sachamuch ke rupaye deta hai, bilkul aise hi rupaye.
hamid ko yakin n aya— 'aise rupaye jinnat ko kahaan se mil jayeange?'
mohasin ne kaha— 'jinnat ko rupaye ki kya kami? jis khazane mean chahaian chale jayan. lohe ke daravaze tak unhean nahian rok sakate janab, ap haian kis pher mean! hire-javaharat tak unake pas rahate haian. jisase khush ho gaye, use tokaroan javaharat de diye. abhi yahian baithe haian, paanch minat mean kalakatta pahuanch jayan.'
hamid ne phir poochha— 'jinnat bahut b de-b de hote haian?'
mohasin— 'ek-ek ka sir asaman ke barabar hota hai ji! zamin par kh da ho jay to usaka sir asaman se ja lage, magar chahe to ek lote mean ghus jay.'
hamid— 'log unhean kaise khush karate hoange? koee mujhe yah mantar bata de to ek jinn ko khush kar looan.'
mohasin— 'ab yah to mai nahian janata, lekin chaudhari sahab ke kaboo mean bahut-se jinnat haian. koee chiz chori jay, chaudhari sahab usaka pata laga deange aur chor ka nam bata deange. jumarati ka bachhava us din kho gaya tha. tin din hairan hue, kahian n mila tab jhakh marakar chaudhari ke pas gaye. chaudhari ne turant bata diya, maveshikhane mean hai aur vahian mila. jinnat akar unhean sare jahan ki khabar de jate haian.'
ab usaki samajh mean a gaya ki chaudhari ke pas kyoan itana dhan hai aur kyoan unaka itana samman hai.

age chale. yah pulis lain hai. yahian sab k aaunstebal kavayad karate haian. raitan! phay pho! rat ko bechare ghoom-ghoomakar pahara dete haian, nahian choriyaan ho jayan.
mohasin ne prativad kiya— yah k aaunstebal pahara dete haian? tabhi tum bahut janate ho aji hajarat, yah chori karate haian. shahar ke jitane chor-dakoo haian, sab inase mile rahate haian. rat ko ye log choroan se to kahate haian, chori karo aur ap doosare muhalle mean jakar 'jagate raho! jagate raho!' pukarate haian. tabhi in logoan ke pas itane rupaye ate haian. mere mamoo ek thane mean k aaunstebal haian. bis rupaya mahina pate haian, lekin pachas rupaye ghar bhejate haian. alla kasam! maianne ek bar poochha tha ki mamoo, ap itane rupaye kahaan se pate haian? hansakar kahane lage— 'beta, allah deta hai.' phir ap hi bole— 'ham log chahean to ek din mean lakhoan mar layean. ham to itana hi lete haian, jisamean apani badanami n ho aur naukari n chali jay.'
hamid ne poochha— 'yah log chori karavate haian, to koee inhean pak data nahian?'

mohasin usaki nadani par daya dikhakar bola- 'are, pagal! inhean kaun pak dega! pak dane vale to yah log khud haian, lekin allah, inhean saja bhi khoob deta hai. haram ka mal haram mean jata hai. tho de hi din hue, mamoo ke ghar mean ag lag gayi. sari leee-pooanji jal gayi. ek baratan tak n bacha. kee din pe d ke niche soye, alla kasam, pe d ke niche! phir n jane kahaan se ek sau karz laye to baratan-bhaande aye.'
hamid— 'ek sau to pachas se zyada hote haian?'
'kahaan pachas, kahaan ek sau. pachas ek thaili-bhar hota hai. sau to do thailiyoan mean bhi n aऍan?'

ab basti ghani hone lagi. eedagah janevaloan ki toliyaan nazar ane lagi. ek se ek bh dakile vastr pahane hue. koee ikke-taange par savar, koee motar par, sabhi itr mean base, sabhi ke diloan mean umang. graminoan ka yah chhota-sa dal apani vipannata se bekhabar, santosh or dhairy mean magan chala ja raha tha. bachchoan ke lie nagar ki sabhi chizean anokhi thian. jis chiz ki or takate, takate hi rah jate aur pichhe se bar-bar harn ki avaz hone par bhi n chetate. hamid to motar ke niche jate-jate bacha.

sahasa eedagah nazar ayi. oopar imali ke ghane vrikshoan ki chhaya hai. niche pakka pharsh hai, jis par jajam bichha hua hai. aur rozedaroan ki panktiyaan ek ke pichhe ek n jane kahaan tak chali gayi haian, pakki jagath ke niche tak, jahaan jajam bhi nahian hai. naye ane vale akar pichhe ki katar mean kh de ho jate haian. age jagah nahian hai. yahaan koee dhan aur pad nahian dekhata. islam ki nigah mean sab barabar haian. in graminoan ne bhi vajoo kiya or pichhali pankti mean kh de ho gaye. kitana sundar sanchalan hai, kitani sundar vyavastha! lakhoan sir ek sath sijade mean jhuk jate haian, phir sabake sab ek sath kh de ho jate haian, ek sath jhukate haian, aur ek sath ghutanoan ke bal baith jate haian. kee bar yahi kriya hoti hai, jaise bijali ki lakhoan battiyaan ek sath pradipt hoan aur ek sath bujh jayan, aur yahi kram chalata raha. kitana apoorv drishy tha, jisaki samoohik kriyaean, vistar aur anantata hriday ko shraddha, garv aur atmanand se bhar deti thian, manoan bhratritv ka ek sootr in samast atmaoan ko ek l di mean piroye hue hai.

2

namaz khatm ho gayi hai. log apas mean gale mil rahe haian. tab mithaee aur khilaune ki dukan par dhava hota hai. graminoan ka yah dal is vishay mean balakoan se kam utsahi nahian hai. yah dekho, hiandola hai ek paisa dekar chadh jao. kabhi asaman par jate hue maloom hogean, kabhi zamin par girate hue. yah charkhi hai, lak di ke hathi, gho de, ooant, chh doan mean latake hue haian. ek paisa dekar baith jao aur pachchis chakkaroan ka maja lo. mahamood aur mohasin or noore or sammi in gho doan or ooantoan par baithate haian. hamid door kh da hai. tin hi paise to usake pas haian. apane kosh ka ek tihaee zara-sa chakkar khane ke lie nahian de sakata.

sab charkhiyoan se utarate haian. ab khilaune leange. idhar dukanoan ki katar lagi huee haian. tarah-tarah ke khilaune haian— sipahi aur gujariya, raja aur vakil, bhishti aur dhobin aur sadhu. vah! kitane sundar khilaune haian. ab bola hi chahate haian. mahamood sipahi leta hai, khaki vardi aur lal pag divala, kandhe par bandook rakhe hue, maloom hota hai, abhi kavayad kiye chala a raha hai. mohasin ko bhishti pasand aya. kamar jhuki huee hai, oopar mashak rakhe hue hai. mashak ka muanh ek hath se pak de hue hai. kitana prasann hai! shayad koee git ga raha hai. bas, mashak se pani u delana hi chahata hai. noore ko vakil se prem hai. kaisi vidvatta hai usake mukh par! kala choga, niche saphed achakan, achakan ke samane ki jeb mean gh di, sunahari janjir, ek hath mean qanoon ka potha liye hue. maloom hota hai, abhi kisi adalat se jirah ya bahas kiye chale a rahe haian. yah sab do-do paise ke khilaune haian. hamid ke pas kul tin paise haian, itane mahange khilaune vah kaise le? khilauna kahian hath se chhoot p de to choor-choor ho jay. zara pani p de to sara rang ghul jay. aise khilaune lekar vah kya karega; kis kam ke!
mohasin kahata hai— 'mera bhishti roj pani de jayaga saanjh-sabere.'
mahamood— 'aur mera sipahi ghar ka pahara dega koee chor ayega, to phauran bandook se phair kar dega.'
noore— 'aur mera vakil khoob mukadama l dega.'
sammi- 'aur meri dhobin roj kap de dhoyegi.'
hamid khilaunoan ki nianda karata hai— 'mitti hi ke to haian, girean to chakanachoor ho jayan.' lekin lalachaee huee aankhoan se khilaunoan ko dekh raha hai aur chahata hai ki jara der ke lie unhean hath mean le sakata. usake hath anayas hi lapakate haian, lekin l dake itane tyagi nahian hote haian, visheshakar jab abhi naya shauq hai. hamid lalachata rah jata hai.
khilaune ke bad mithaiyaan ati haian. kisi ne rev diyaan li haian, kisi ne gulabajamun kisi ne sohan halava. maje se kha rahe haian. hamid biradari se prithakh hai. abhage ke pas tin paise haian. kyoan nahian kuchh lekar khata? lalachayi aankhoan se sabaki or dekhata hai.
mohasin kahata hai— 'hamid rev di le ja, kitani khushaboodar hai!'
hamid ko sandeh hua, ye keval kroor vinod hai, mohasin itana udar nahian hai, lekin yah janakar bhi vah usake pas jata hai. mohasin done se ek rev di nikalakar hamid ki or badhata hai. hamid hath phailata hai. mohasin rev di apane muanh mean rakh leta hai. mahamood, noore aur sammi khoob taliyaan baja-bajakar hansate haian. hamid khisiya jata hai.
mohasin— 'achchha, abaki zaroor deange hamid, allah kasam, le jao.'
hamid— 'rakhe raho. kya mere pas paise nahian haian?'
sammi— 'tin hi paise to haian. tin paise mean kya-kya loge?'
mahamood— 'hamase gulabajamun le jav hamid. mohamin badamash hai.'
hamid— 'mithaee kaun b di nemat hai. kitab mean isaki kitani buraiyaan likhi haian.'
mohasin— 'lekin dil mean kah rahe hoange ki mile to kha lean. apane paise kyoan nahian nikalate?'
mahamood— 'ham samajhate haian, isaki chalaki. jab hamare sare paise kharch ho jayeange, to hamean lalacha-lalachakar khayaga.'
mithaiyoan ke bad kuchh dukanean lohe ki chijoan ki, kuchh gilat aur kuchh nakali gahanoan ki. l dakoan ke lie yahaan koee akarshan n tha. ve sab age badh jate haian, hamid lohe ki dukan par rook jata hai. kee chimate rakhe hue the. use khyal aya, dadi ke pas chimata nahian hai. tave se rotiyaan utarati haian, to hath jal jata hai. agar vah chimata le jakar dadi ko de de to vah kitana prasann hoangi! phir unaki uangaliyaan kabhi n jaleangi. ghar mean ek kam ki chiz ho jayagi. khilaune se kya fayada? vyarth mean paise kharab hote haian. zara der hi to khushi hoti hai. phir to khilaune ko koee aankh uthakar nahian dekhata. yah to ghar pahuanchate-pahuanchate toot-phoot barabar ho jayeange ya chhote bachche jo mele mean nahian aye haian zid kar ke le leange aur to d daleange. chimata kitane kam ki chiz hai. rotiyaan tave se utar lo, choolhe mean seank lo. koee ag maangane aye to chatapat choolhe se ag nikalakar use de do. ammaan bechari ko kahaan phurasat hai ki bazar ayean aur itane paise hi kahaan milate haian? roj hath jala leti haian.

hamid ke sathi age badh gaye haian. sabil par sab-ke-sab sharbat pi rahe haian. dekho, sab kitane lalachi haian. itani mithaiyaan lian, mujhe kisi ne ek bhi n di. us par kahate hai, mere sath khelo. mera yah kam karo. ab agar kisi ne koee kam karane ko kaha, to poochhooanga. khayean mithaiyaan, ap muanh s dega, pho de-phunsiyaan nikaleangi, ap hi jaban chatori ho jayagi. tab ghar se paise churayeange aur mar khayeange. kitab mean jhoothi batean tho de hi likhi haian. meri jaban kyoan kharab hogi? ammaan chimata dekhate hi dau dakar mere hath se le leangi aur kaheangi— mera bachcha ammaan ke lie chimata laya hai. kitana achchha l daka hai. in logoan ke khilaune par kaun inhean duayean dega? b doan ki duayean sidhe allah ke darabar mean pahuanchati haian, aur turant suni jati haian. mere pas paise nahian hai tabhi to mohasin aur mahamood yoan mizaj dikhate haian. maian bhi inase mizaj dikhaooanga. khelean khilaune aur khayean mithaiyaan. mai nahian khelata khilaune, kisi ka mizaj kyoan sahooan? maian garib sahi, kisi se kuchh maangane to nahian jata. akhir abbajan kabhian n kabhi ayeange. amma bhi ayeangi hi. phir in logoan se poochhooanga, kitane khilaune loge? ek-ek ko tokariyoan khilaune dooan aur dikha dooan ki dostoan ke sath is tarah ka salook kiya jata hai. yah nahian ki ek paise ki rev diyaan lian, to chidha-chidhakar khane lage. sabake sab khoob hanseange ki hamid ne chimata liya hai. hansean! meri bala se. usane dukanadar se poochha— yah chimata kitane ka hai?
dukanadar ne usaki or dekha aur koee adami sath n dekhakar kaha— 'tumhare kam ka nahian hai ji!'
‘bikaoo hai ki nahian?’
‘bikaoo kyoan nahian hai? aur yahaan kyoan lad laye haian?’
to batate kyoan nahian, kai paise ka hai?’
‘chh: paise lageange.‘
hamid ka dil baith gaya.
‘thik-thik paanch paise lageange, lena ho lo, nahian chalate bano.‘
hamid ne kaleja mazaboot karake kaha- 'tin paise loge?'
yah kahata hua vah age badh gaya ki dukanadar ki ghu dakiyaan n sune. lekin dukanadar ne ghu dakiyaan nahian di. bulakar chimata de diya. hamid ne use is tarah kandhe par rakha, mano bandook hai aur shan se ak data hua sangiyoan ke pas aya. jara sunean, sabake sab kya-kya alochanaean karate haian!
mohasin ne hansakar kaha— 'yah chimata kyoan laya pagale, ise kya karega?'
hamid ne chimate ko zamin par patakakar kaha— 'jara apana bhishti zamin par gira do. sari pasaliyaan choor-choor ho jayan bachchoo ki.'
mahamood bola— 'to yah chimata koee khilauna hai?'
hamid— 'khilauna kyoan nahian hai! abhi kandhe par rakha, bandook ho gayi. hath mean le liya, fakiroan ka chimata ho gaya. chahooan to isase majire ka kam le sakata hooan. ek chimata jama dooan, to tum logoan ke sare khilaunoan ki jan nikal jay. tumhare khilaune kitana hi zor lagayean, mere chimate ka bal bhi baanka nahian kar sakate. mera bahadur sher hai chimata.'
sammi ne khanjari li thi. prabhavit hokar bola— 'meri khanjari se badaloge? do ane ki hai.'
hamid ne khanjari ki or upeksha se dekha- 'mera chimata chahe to tumhari khanjari ka pet pha d dale. bas, ek cham de ki jhilli laga di, dhab-dhab bolane lagi. jara-sa pani lag jay to khatm ho jay. mera bahadur chimata ag mean, pani mean, aandhi mean, toofan mean barabar data kh da rahega.'
chimate ne sabhi ko mohit kar liya, ab paise kisake pas dhare haian? phir mele se door nikal aye haian, nau kab ke baj gaye, dhoop tej ho rahi hai. ghar pahuanchane ki jaldi ho rahi hai. bap se zid bhi karean, to chimata nahian mil sakata. hamid hai b da chalak. isilie badamash ne apane paise bacha rakhe the.

ab balakoan ke do dal ho gaye haian. mohasin, mahamood, sammi aur noore ek taraph haian, hamid akela doosari taraph. shastrarth ho raha hai. sammi to vidharmi ho gaya! doosare paksh se ja mila, lekin mohasin, mahamood aur noore bhi hamid se ek-ek, do-do sal b de hone par bhi hamid ke aghatoan se atankit ho uthe haian. usake pas nyay ka bal hai aur niti ki shakti. ek or mitti hai, doosari or loha, jo is vakt apane ko faulad kah raha hai. vah ajey hai, ghatak hai. agar koee sher a jay to miyaan bhishti ke chhakke chhoot jayan, miyaan sipahi mitti ki bandook chho dakar bhagean, vakil sahab ki nani mar jay, choge mean muanh chhipakar zamin par let jayan. magar yah chimata, yah bahadur, yah roostame-hiand lapakakar sher ki garadan par savar ho jayaga aur usaki aankhean nikal lega.
mohasin ne e di—choti ka zor lagakar kaha— 'achchha, pani to nahian bhar sakata?'
hamid ne chimate ko sidha kh da karake kaha— 'bhishti ko ek daant batayega, to dau da hua pani lakar usake dvar par chhi dakane lagega.'
mohasin parast ho gaya, par mahamood ne kumuk pahuanchaee— 'agar bachcha pak d jayan to adalat mean bandhe-bandhe phireange. tab to vakil sahab ke pairoan p deange.'
hamid is prabal tark ka javab n de saka. usane poochha— 'hamean pak dane kaun ayega?'
noore ne ak dakar kaha— 'yah sipahi bandookavala.'
hamid ne muanh chidhakar kaha— 'yah bechare ham bahadur roostame—hiand ko pak deange! achchha lao, abhi jara kushti ho jay. isaki soorat dekhakar door se bhageange. pak deange kya bechare!'
mohasin ko ek nayi chot soojh gayi— 'tumhare chimate ka muanh roj ag mean jalega.'
usane samajha tha ki hamid lajavab ho jayaga, lekin yah bat n huee. hamid ne turant javab diya— 'ag mean bahadur hi koodate haian janab, tumhare yah vakil, sipahi aur bhishti lauandiyoan ki tarah ghar mean ghus jayeange. ag mean koodana vah kam hai, jo yah roostame-hind hi kar sakata hai.'
mahamood ne ek zor lagaya— 'vakil sahab kurasi-mej par baitheange, tumhara chimata to bavarchikhana mean zamin par p da rahega.'
is tark ne sammi aur noore ko bhi sajiv kar diya! kitane thikane ki bat kahi hai patthe ne! chimata bavarchikhana mean p da rahane ke siva aur kya kar sakata hai?

hamid ko koee ph dakata hua javab n soojha, to usane dhaandhali shuroo ki— mera chimata bavarchikhane mean nahian rahega. vakil sahab kursi par baitheange, to jakar unhean zamin par patak dega aur unaka qanoon unake pet mean dal dega.
bat kuchh bani nahian. khasi gali-galauj thi; lekin qanoon ko pet mean dalane vali bat chha gayi. aisi chha gayi ki tinoan soorama muanh takate rah gaye mano koee dhelacha kanakaua kisi gandevale kanakaue ko kat gaya ho. qanoon muanh se bahar nikalane vali chiz hai. usako pet ke aandar dal diya jana betuki-si bat hone par bhi kuchh nayapan rakhati hai. hamid ne maidan mar liya. usaka chimata roostame-hind hai. ab isamean mohasin, mahamood noore, sammi kisi ko bhi apatti nahian ho sakati.
vijeta ko haranevaloan se jo satkar milana svabhavik hai, vah hamid ko bhi mila. auroan ne tin-tin, char-char ane paise kharch kie, par koee kam ki chiz n le sake. hamid ne tin paise mean rang jama liya. sach hi to hai, khilaunoan ka kya bharosa? toot-phoot jayange. hamid ka chimata to bana rahega barasoan?
sandhi ki shartean tay hone lagian. mohasin ne kaha— 'jara apana chimata do, ham bhi dekhean. tum hamara bhishti lekar dekho.'
mahamood aur noore ne bhi apane-apane khilaune pesh kiye.
hamid ko in shartoan ko manane mean koee apatti n thi. chimata bari-bari se sabake hath mean gaya, aur unake khilaune bari-bari se hamid ke hath mean aye. kitane khoobasoorat khilaune haian.
hamid ne harane valoan ke aansoo poanchhe— 'maian tumhe chidha raha tha, sach! yah chimata bhala, in khilaunoan ki kya barabari karega, maloom hota hai, ab bole, ab bole.'
lekin mohasin ki parti ko is dilase se santosh nahian hota. chimate ka sikka khoob baith gaya hai. chipaka hua tikat ab pani se nahian chhoot raha hai.
mohasin— 'lekin in khilaunoan ke lie koee hamean dua to n dega?'
mahamood— 'dua ko liye phirate ho. ulte mar n p de. ammaan zaroor kaheangi ki mele mean yahi mitti ke khilaune mile?'
hamid ko svikar karana p da ki khilaunoan ko dekhakar kisi ki maan itani khush n hoangi, jitani dadi chimate ko dekhakar hoangi. tin paisoan hi mean to use sab kuchh karana tha or un paisoan ke is upayog par pachhatave ki bilkul zaroorat n thi. phir ab to chimata roostamean-hind hai or sabhi khilaunoan ka badashah.
raste mean mahamood ko bhookh lagi. usake bap ne kele khane ko diye. mahamood ne keval hamid ko sajhi banaya. usake any mitr muanh takate rah gaye. yah us chimate ka prasad tha.

3

gyarah baje gaanv mean halachal mach gayi. melevale a gaye. mohasin ki chhoti bahan ne dau dakar bhishti usake hath se chhin liya aur mare khushi ke ja uchhali, to miyaan bhishti niche a rahe aur suralok sidhare. is par bhaee-bahan mean mar-pit huee. danoan khub roye. unaki ammaan yah shor sunakar big dian aur donoan ko oopar se do-do chaante aur lagaye.
miyaan noore ke vakil ka aant unake pratishthanukool isase zyada gauravamay hua. vakil zamin par ya tak par to nahian baith sakata. usaki maryada ka vichar to karana hi hoga. divar mean khooantiyaan ga di gayi. un par lak di ka ek patara rakha gaya. patare par kagaz ka kalin bichhaya gaya. vakil sahab raja bhoj ki bhaanti sianhasan par viraje. noore ne unhean pankha jhalana shuroo kiya. adalatoan mean khas ki tattiyaan aur bijali ke pankhe rahate haian. kya yahaan mamooli pankha bhi n ho! qanoon ki garmi dimag par chadh jayagi ki nahian? baans ka pankha aya aur noore hava karane lage. maloom nahian, pankhe ki hava se ya pankhe ki chot se vakil sahab svargalok se mrityulok mean a rahe aur unaka mati ka chola mati mean mil gaya! phir b de jor-shor se matam hua aur vakil sahab ki asthi ghoore par dal di gayi.
ab raha mahamood ka sipahi. use chatapat gaanv ka pahara dene ka charj mil gaya, lekin pulis ka sipahi koee sadharan vyakti to nahian, jo apane pairoan chalean. vah palaki par chalega. ek tokari ayi, usamean kuchh lal rang ke phate-purane chith de bichhaye gaye, jisamean sipahi sahab aram se lete. noore ne yah tokari uthayi aur apane dvar ka chakkar lagane lage. unake donoan chhote bhaee sipahi ki tarah ‘chhonevale, jagate laho’ pukarate chalate haian. magar rat to aandheri hi honi chahiye. mahamood ko thokar lag jati hai. tokari usake hath se chhootakar gir p dati hai aur miyaan sipahi apani bandook liye zamin par a jate haian aur unaki ek taang mean vikar a jata hai.
mahamood ko aj jnat hua ki vah achchha d aauktar hai. usako aisa maraham mila gaya hai jisase vah tooti taang ko anan-phanan jo d sakata hai. keval goolar ka doodh chahie. goolar ka doodh ata hai. taang javab de deti hai. shaly-kriya asaphal huee, tab usaki doosari taang bhi to d di jati hai. ab kam-se-kam ek jagah aram se baith to sakata hai. ek taang se to n chal sakata tha, n baith sakata tha. ab vah sipahi sannyasi ho gaya hai. apani jagah par baitha-baitha pahara deta hai. kabhi-kabhi devata bhi ban jata hai. usake sir ka jhalaradar safa khurach diya gaya hai. ab usaka jitana roopaantar chaho, kar sakate ho. kabhi-kabhi to usase bat ka kam bhi liya jata hai.
ab miyaan hamid ka hal sunie. amina usaki avaz sunate hi dau di aur use god mean uthakar pyar karane lagi. sahasa usake hath mean chimata dekhakar vah chauanki.
‘yah chimata kahaan tha?’
‘maianne mol liya hai.
‘kai paise mean?’
‘tin paise diye.‘
amina ne chhati pit li. yah kaisa besamajh l daka hai ki dopahar hua, kuchh khaya n piya. laya kya, chimata! ‘sare mele mean tujhe aur koee chiz n mili, jo yah lohe ka chimata utha laya.
hamid ne aparadhi bhav se kaha— 'tumhari uangaliyaan tave se jal jati thian, isalie maine ise liya.'
budhiya ka krodh turant sneh mean badal gaya, aur sneh bhi vah nahian, jo pragalbh hota hai aur apani sari kasak shabdoan mean bikher deta hai. yah mook sneh tha, khoob thos, ras aur svad se bhara hua. bachche mean kitana tyag, kitana ‍sadh‌bhav aur kitana vivek hai! doosaroan ko khilaune lete aur mithaee khate dekhakar isaka man kitana lalachaya hoga? itana jabt isase hua kaise? vahaan bhi ise apani budhiya dadi ki yad bani rahi. amina ka man gadh‌gadh‌ ho gaya.
aur ab ek b di vichitr bat huee. hamid ke is chimate se bhi vichitr. bachche hamid ne boodhe hamid ka part khela tha. budhiya amina balika amina ban gayi. vah rone lagi. daman phailakar hamid ko duaean deti jati thi aur aansoo ki b di-b di booandean girati jati thi. hamid isaka rahasy kya samajhata!