पथ के दावेदार -शरत चंद्र

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

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apoorv ke mitr majak karate, tumane em. es-si. pas kar liya, lekin tumhare sir par itani lambi choti hai. kya choti ke dvara dimag mean bijali ki tarangean ati jati rahati haian?
apoorv uttar deta, em. es-si. ki kitaboan mean choti ke virudhd to kuchh likha nahian milata. phir bijali ki tarangoan ke sanchar ke itihas ka to abhi arambh hi nahian hua hai. vishvas n ho to em. es-si. padhane valoan se poochhakar dekh lo.
mitr kahate, tumhare sath tark karana bekar hai.
apoorv hansakar kahata, yah bat sach hai, phir bhi tumhean akal nahian ati.
apoorv sir par choti rakhe, k aaulej mean chhatravritti aur medal prapt karake parikshaean bhi pas karata raha aur ghar mean ekadashi adi vrat aur sandhya-pooja adi nity-karm bhi karata raha. khel ke maidanoan mean phutabal, kikret, h aauki adi khelane mean usako jitana utsah tha prat:kal maan ke sath ganga snan karane mean bhi usase kuchh kam nahian tha. usaki sandhya-pooja dekhakar bhaujaiyaan bhi majak karatian, babua ji padhaee-likhaee to samapt huee, ab chimata, kamandal lekar sannyasi ho jao. tum to vidhava brahmani se bhi age badhe ja rahe ho.
apoorv hansakar kahata, age badh jana asan nahian hai bhabhi! mata ji ke pas koee beti nahian hai. unaki umr bhi kafi ho chuki hai. agar bimar p d jaeangi to pavitr bhojan banakar to khila sakooanga. rahi chimata, kamandal ki bat, so vah to kahian gaya nahian?
apoorv maan ke pas jakar kahata, maan! yah tumhara anyay hai. bhaee jo chahean karean lekin bhabhiyaan to murga nahian khatian. kya tum hamesha apane hath se hi bhojan banakar khaogi?
maan kahati, ek joon ek mutthi chaval ubal lene mean mujhe koee takaliph nahian hoti. aur jab hath-paanv kam nahian kareange tab tak meri bahoo ghar mean a jaegi.
apoorv kahata, to phir ek brahman pandit ke ghar se bahoo, mangava kyoan nahian detian? use khilane ki samarthy mujhamean nahian hai-lekin tumhara kasht dekhakar sochata hooan ki chalo bhaiyoan ke sir par bhar banakar rah looanga.
maan kahati, aisi bat mat kah re apoorv, ek bahoo kya, too chahe to ghar bhar ko bithakar khila sakata hai.
kahati kya ho maan? tum sochati ho ki bharatavarsh mean tumhare putr jaisa aur koee hai hi nahian?
aur yah kahakar vah tezise chala jata.
apoorv ke vivah ke lie log b de bhaee vinod ko akar pareshan karate. vinod ne jakar maan se kaha, maan, kaun-si nishthavan jap-tapavali l daki hai, usake sath apane bete ka byah karake qissa khatm karo. nahian to mujhe ghar chho dakar bhag jana p dega. b da hone ke karan log samajhate haian ki ghar ka b da-boodha maian hi hooan.
putr ke in vakyoan se karunamayi adhir ho uthi. lekin bina vichalit hue madhur svar mean boli, log thik hi samajhate haian beta. unake bad tum hi to ghar ke malik ho. lekin apoorv ke sanbandh mean kisi ko vachan mat dena. mujhe roop aur dhan ki avashyakata nahian hai. maian svayan dekh-sunakar tay karooangi.
achchhi bat hai maan. lekin jo kuchh karo, daya karake jaldi kar dalo, kahakar vinod roothakar chala gaya.
snan ghat par ek atyant sulakshana kanya par kee din se karunamayi ki najar p d rahi thi. vah apani maan ke sath ganga-snan karane ati thi. unhian ki jati ki hai, gupt roop se vah pata laga chuki thian. unaki ichchha thi ki agar tay ho jae to agami baisakh mean hi vivah kar dalean.
tabhi apoorv ne akar ek achchhi naukari ki soochana di.
maan prasann hokar boli, abhi us din to pas hua hai. isi bich tujhe naukari kisane de dali?
apoorv hansakar bola, jise zaroorat thi. yah kahakar usane sari ghatana vistar se bataee ki usake priansipal sahab ne hi usake lie yah naukari thik ki hai. votha kampani ne barma ke rangoon shahar mean ek naya karyalay khola hai. vah kisi sushikshit aur eemanadar bangali yuvak ko us karyalay ka sara uttaradayitv dekar bhejana chahati hai. rahane ke lie makan aur char-sau rupe mahavar vetan milega aur chh: mahine ke bad vetan mean dau sau rupe ki vridhdi kar di jaegi.
barma ka nam sunate hi maan ka muanh sookh gaya, boli, pagal to nahian ho gaya? tujhe vahaan bhejooangi? mujhe aise rupe ki zaroorat nahian hai.
apoorv bhayabhit hokar bola, tumhean n sahi, mujhe to hai. tumhari ajna se bhikh maangakar bhi ziandagi bita sakata hooan lekin jivan bhar aisa suyog phir nahian milega. tumhare bete ke n jane se votha kampani ka kam rukega nahian. lekin priansipal sahab meri or se vachan de chuke haian. unaki lajja ki sima n rahegi. phir ghar ki halat to tumase chhipi nahian hai maan.
lekin sunati hooan vah mlechchhoan ka desh hai.
apoorv ne kaha, kisi ne jhooth-mooth kah diya hai. tumhara desh to mlechchhoan ka desh nahian hai. phir bhi jo manamani karana chahate haian unhean koee rok nahian sakata.
maianne to isi baisakh mean tera vivah karane ka nishchay kiya hai.
apoorv bola, ekadam nishchay? achchhi bat hai. ek do mahine bad jab tum bulaogi, maian tumhari ajna ka palan karane a jaooanga.
karunamayi bahar se dekhane mean purane vicharoan ki avashy thi lekin bahut hi budhdimati thi. kuchh der maun rahakar boli, jab jana hi hai to apane bhaiyoan ki sahamati bhi le lena.
yah kul gokul didhi ke suprasidhd bandyopadhyay gharane mean se hai. vansh-paranpara se hi vah log atyant achar parayan kahalate haian. bachapan se jo sanskar unake man mean jag ge the-pati, putroan ne jahaan tak laanchhit aur apamanit karana tha kiya, lekin apoorv ke karan vah sab kuchh sahan karati huee is ghar mean rah rahi thi. aj vah bhi unaki aankhoan se door anajane desh ja raha hai. is bat ko soch-sochakar unake bhay ki sima nahian rahi. boli, apoorv maian jitane din jivit rahooan, mujhe du:kh mat dena bete, kahate-kahate unaki aankhoan se do booand aansoo tapak p de.
apoorv ki aankheanan bhi gili ho uthian. bola, maan, aj tum is lok mean ho lekin ek din jab svargavas ki pukar aegi, us din tumhean apane apoorv ko chho dakar vahaan jana hoga. mere jane ke bad tum yahaan baithakar mere lie aansoo mat bahati rahana, itana kahakar vah doosari or chala gaya.
us din saanjh ke samay, karunamayi apani niyamit sandhya-pooja adi karyoan mean man nahian laga sakian. apane b de bete ke kamare ke daravaze par chali geean. vinod kachahari se lautakar jalapan karane ke bad klab jane ki taiyari kar raha tha. maan ko dekhakar ekadam chauank p da.
karunamayi ne kaha, ek bat poochhane aee hooan, vinoo!
kaun-si bat maan?
yahaan ane se pahale maan apani aankhoan ke aansoo achchhi tarah poanchhakar aee thi, lekin unaka ruandha gala chhipa n rah saka. sari ghatana aur apoorv ke masik vetan ke bare mean batane ke bad unhoanne chiantit svar mean poochha, yahi soch rahi hooan beta ki in rupayoan ke lobh mean use bhejooan ya nahian.
vinod dhiraj kho baitha. shushk svar mean bola, maan, tumhare apoorv jaisa l daka bharatavarsh mean aur doosara nahian hai. is bat ko ham sabhi manate haian. lekin is dharati par rahakar is bat ko mane bina bhi nahian rah sakate ki pahale char sau rupe, phir chh: mahine mean do sau rupe aur-vah is l dake se bahut b da hai.
maan du:khi hokar boli, lekin sunati hooan ki vah to ekadam mlechchhoan ka desh hai.
vinod ne kaha, tumhara janana-sunana hi to sare sansar ka antim saty nahian ho sakata.
putr ke aantim vaky se maan atyant du:khi hokar boli, beta! jab se samajhadar huee, isi ek hi bat ko sun-sunakar bhi jab mujhe chet nahian hua to is umr mean aur shiksha mat do. maian yah janane nahian aee ki apoorv ka mooly kitane rupe hai. maian keval yah janane aee thi ki use itani door bhejana uchit hoga ya nahian.
vinod ne daean hath se maan ke charanasparsh karake kaha, maan, maianne tumhean du:khi karane ke lie yah nahian kaha. yah sach hai ki pita ji ke sath hi ham logoan ka mel baithata tha aur unase ham logoan ne sikha hai ki ghar-grihasthi ke lie rupaya hona kitana avashyak hai. is hait kot ko pahanakar vinoo itana b da sahab nahian ban gaya ki chhote bhaee ko khilane ke dar se uchit-anuchit ka vichar n kar sake. lekin phir bhi kahata hooan ki use jane do. desh mean jaisi hava bah rahi hai isase vah kuchh dinoan ke lie desh chho dakar, kahian doosari jagah jakar kam mean lag jae to isamean usaka bhi hit hoga aur parivar ki raksha bhi ho jaegi. tum to janati ho maan, us svadeshi aandolan ke samay kitana chhota tha. phir bhi usi ke pratap se pita ji ki naukari jane ki naubat a gee thi.
karunamayi boli, nahian, nahian, ab apoorv vah sab nahian kar sakata.
vinod bola, maan, sabhi deshoan mean kuchh log aise hote haian jinaki jati hi alag hoti hai. apoorv usi jati ka hai. desh ki mitti hi isake sharir ka maans hai, desh ka jal hi inaki dhamaniyoan ka rakt hai. desh ke vishay mean inaka vishvas kabhi mat karana maan, nahian to dhokha khaogi. balki apane is mlechchh vinoo ko, apane us chotidhari, gita padhe em. es-si. pas apoorv se adhik hi apana samajhana.
putr ki in batoan par maan ne vishvas to nahian kiya lekin man-hi-man shankit ho uthi. desh ke pashchimi kshitij par jo bhayanak megh ke lakshan prakat hue haian, use vah janati thi. yad aya ki us samay to apoorv ke pita jivit the, lekin ab nahian haian.
vinod ne maan ke man ki bat jan li. lekin klab jane ki jaldi mean bola, achchha maan, vah kal hi to ja nahian raha. sab log baithakar jo nishchay kareange, kar leange, kahakar tezise bahar nikal gaya.
apane brrahmanatv ki b di satarkata se raksha karate hue apoorv ek jalayan dvara rangoon ke ghat par pahuanch gaya. votha kampani ke ek daraban aur ek madrasi karmachari ne apane is ne mainejar ka svagat kiya. tis rupe mahine ka ek kamara aauphis ke kharche se yathasambhav saza hua taiyar hai, yah samachar dene mean un logoan ne der nahian ki.
samudr-yatra ki jhanjhatoan ke bad vah khoob hath-pair phailakar sona chahata tha. brahman sath tha. ghar mean atyant asuvidha hote hue bhi is bharose ke adami ko sath bhejakar maan ko bahut kuchh tasalli mil gee thi. keval brahman rasoiya hi nahian balki bhojan banane ke lie kuchh chaval, dal, ghi, tel pisa hua masala yahaan tak ki aloo, paraval tak vah sath dena nahian bhooli thian.
ga di a jane par madrasi karmachari to chale ge lekin rasta dikhane ke lie daraban sath chal diya. das minat mean hi ga di jab makan ke samane pahuanchakar ruki to tis rupe kirae ke makan ko dekhakar apoorv hatabudhdi-sa kh da rah gaya.
makan bahut hi bhadda hai. chhat nahian hai. sadar daravaza nahian hai. aangan samajho ya jo kuchh, is ane-jane ke raste ke alava aur kahian tanik bhi sthan nahian hai. ek sankari kath ki sidhi, raste ke chhor se arambh hokar sidhi tisari manzil par chali gee hai. is par chadhane-utarane mean kahian achanak pair phisal jae to pahale patthar ke bane rajapath par phir aspatal mean aur phir tisari sthiti ko n sochana achchha hai. naya adami hai isalie har qadam b di savadhani se rakhate hue daraban ke pichhe-pichhe chalane laga. daraban ne oopar chadhane ke bad daeean or mean do manjile ke ek daravaze ko kholakar bataya.
sahab, yahi apake rahane ka kamara hai.
daeean or ishara karake apoorv ne poochha, isamean kaun rahata hai?
daraban bola, ek chini sahab haian.
apoorv ne poochha, oopar timanjile par kaun rahata hai?
daraban ne kaha, ek kale-kale sahab haian.
kamarean mean qadam rakhate hi apoorv ka man bahut hi khinn ho utha. lak di ke takhte lagakar ek-doosare ki bagal mean chhoti-b di tin kothariyaan bani huee haian. is makan ki sari chizean lak di ki haian. divarean, pharsh, chhat aur sidhi-sabhi lak di ki haian. ag ki yad ate hi sandeh hota hai ki itana b da aur sarvaang suandar lakshagrih to sambhav hai duryodhan bhi apane paandav bhaiyoan ke lie n banava saka hoga. isi makan mean isht-mitr, atmiy-svajanoan, maan aur bhabhiyoan adi ko chho dakar rahana p dega. apane ko sanbhalakar, tho di der idhar-udhar ghoomakar har chiz ko dekhakar tasalli huee ki nal mean abhi tak pani hai. snan aur bhojan donoan hi ho sakate haian. apoorv ne rasoie se kaha, maharaj, maan ne to sabhi chizean sath bheji haian. nahakar kuchh bana lo. tab tak maian daraban ke sath saman thik kar looan.
rasoee mean koyala maujood tha. lekin choolhe mean kalikh lagi thi. pata nahian isamean pahale kaun rahata tha aur kya pakaya tha? yah sochakar use b di ghrina huee. maharaj se bola, ek uthane vala dam choolha hota to bahar vale kamare mean baithakar kuchh dal-chaval bana liya jata, lekin kaun jane, is desh mean milega ya nahian.
daraban bola, paise dijie, abhi das minat mean le ata hooan.
vah rupaya lekar chala gaya.
tivari rasoee banane ki vyavastha karane laga aur apoorv kamara sajane mean lag gaya. kath ke ale par kap de sajakar rakh die. bistar kholakar charapaee par bichha diya. ek naya tebal klath mej par bichhakar us par likhane ka saman aur kuchh pustakean rakh di. uttar ki or khuli khi daki ke donoan palloan ko achchhi tarah kholakar usake donoan konoan mean kagaz thooansakar sone vale kamare ko suandar banakar bistar par letakar sukh ki saans li.
daraban ne lohe ka choolha la diya. tabhi yad aya, maan ne sir ki saugandh dekar pahuanchate hi tar karane ko kaha tha. isalie daraban ko sath lekar chatapat bahar nikal gaya. maharaj se kahata gaya ki ek ghante pahale hi laut aooanga.
aj kisi eesaee tyauhar ke upalaksh mean chhutti thi. apoorv ne dekha, yah gali deshi-videshi sahab-memoan ka muhalla hai. yahaan ke pratyek ghar mean vilayati utsav ka kuchh-n-kuchh chidd avashy dikhaee de raha hai. apoorv ne poochha, daraban ji! suna hai, yaha bangali bhi to bahut haian. vah kis muhalle mean rahate haian?
usane bataya ki yahaan muhalle jaisi koee vyavastha nahian hai. jisaki jahaan ichchha hoti hai, vahian rahata hai. lekin aphasar log isi gali ko pasand karate haian. apoorv bhi aphasar tha. kattar hiandoo hote hue bhi kisi dharm ke virudhd bhavana nahian thi. phir bhi svayan ko oopar-niche, daean-baean, bhitar-bahar, charoan or se eesaee p dosiyoan ko qarib dekh atyant ghrina anubhav karate hue usane poochha, kya kisi doosare sthan par ghar nahian mil sakega?
daraban bola, khojane se mil sakata hai. lekin itane kirae mean aisa makan milana kathin hai.
apoorv jab tar ghar pahuancha to tarababoo khana khane chale ge the. ek ghante pratiksha karane ke bad jab ae to gh di dekhakar bole, aj chhutti hai. do baje aauphis band ho gaya.
apoorv ooanchi avaz mean bola, yah aparadh apaka hai. maian ek ghante se baitha hooan.
baboo bola, lekin maian to sirph das minat hue yahaan se gaya hooan.
apoorv ne usake sath jhag da kiya. jhootha kaha, riport karane ki dhamaki di. lekin phir bekar samajhakar chup ho gaya. bhookh, pyas aur krodh se jalata hua b de taraghar pahuancha. vahaan se apane nirvighn pahuanchane ka samachar jab maan ko bhej diya tab use santosh hua.
daraban ne vinay bhare svar mean kaha, sahab, hamako bhi bahut door jana hai.
apoorv ne use chhutti dene mean koee apatti nahian ki. daraban ke chale jane ke bad ghoomate-ghoomate, galiyoan ka hisab karate-karate, aant mean makan ke samane pahuanch gaya.
usane dekha-tivari maharaj ek moti lathi patak rahe haian aur n jane kya aant-shant bakate-jhakate ja rahe haian.
sath hi ek-doosare vyakti timanjile se hiandi aur aangreji mean isaka uttar bhi de rahe haian aur gho de ke chabuk se bich-bich mean sat-sat ka shabd bhi kar rahe haian. tivari se niche utarane ko kah rahe haian aur vah unako oopar bula raha hai. shishtachar ke is adan-pradan mean jis bhasha ka prayog ho raha hai use n kahana hi uchit hai.
apoorv ne sidhi par se tezise oopar chadhakar tivari ka lathivala hath zor se pak dakar kaha, kya pagal ho gaya hai? itana kahakar use thelata hua ghar ke aandar le gaya. aandar akar vah krodh, kshobh aur du:kh se rote hue bola, yah dekhie, us haramajade ne kya kiya hai.
us kaand ko dekhate hi apoorv ki thakan, niand, bhookh aur pyas ekadam hava ho gee. khich di ke haandi se abhi tak bhap tatha masale ki bhini-bhini gandh nikal rahi hai, lekin usake oopar, niche, as-pas, charoan or pani phaila hua hai. doosare kamare mean jakar dekha, usaka saph-suthara bichhauna maile kale pani se san gaya hai. kursi par pani, tebal par pani, yahaan tak ki pustakean bhi pani mean bhig gee haian.
apoorv ne poochha, yah sab kya hua?
tivari ne durghatana ka vistarapoorvak varnan karate hue bataya-
apoorv ke jane ke kuchh der bad hi sahab ghar mean ae. aj eesaiyoan ka koee tyauhar hai. pahale gana-bajana aur phir nrity arambh hua aur jaldi hi donoan ke sanyog se yah shastriy sangit itana asahay ho utha ki tivari ko ashanka hone lagi ki lak di ki chhat sahab ka itana anand shayad sahan n kar paegi tabhi rasoee ke pas oopar se pani girane laga? bhojan nasht ho jane ke bhay se tivari ne bahar jakar isaka virodh kiya. lekin sahab chahe kala ho ya gora-deshi adami ki aisi abhadrata nahian sah sakata. vah uttejit ho utha aur dekhate-hi-dekhate aandar jakar balti-par-balti pani dharakana arambh kar diya. isake bad jo kuchh hua vah apoorv ne apani aankhoan se dekh liya.
kuchh der maun rahakar apoorv bola, sahab ke kamare mean kya koee aur nahian hai.
shayad koee ho. koee use piyakk d sale ke sath daant kit-kitakar to kar raha tha. apoorv samajh gaya ki kisi ne use rokane mean koee kasar nahian chho di hai. lekin ham logoan ke durbhagy ko til bhar bhi kam nahian kar saka.
apoorv chup raha. jo hona tha ho chuka tha. lekin ab shaanti thi.
apoorv ne hansane ki koshish karake kaha, tivari, eeshvar ki ichchha n hone par isi tarah muanh ka gras nikal jata hai. ao, samajh lean ki ham log aj bhi jahaz mean hi haian. chiu da-mithaee ab kuchh bachi hai. rat bit hi jaegi.
tivari ne sir hilakar huankari bhari aur us haandi ki or phir ek bar hasarat bhari najaroan se dekhakar chiu da-mithaee lene ke lie uth kh da hua. saubhagy se khane-pine ke saman ka sandook rasoeeghar ke kone mean rakha tha. isalie eesaee ka pani ise apavitr nahian kar paya tha.
phalahar jutate hue tivari ne rasoeeghar se kaha, baboo, yahaan to rahana ho nahian sakega.
apoorv anyamanask bhav se bola, haan, lagata to aisa hi hai.
tivari usake parivar ka purana naukar hai. ate samay usaka hath pak dakar maan ne jo batean samajhakar bataee thian, unhian ko yad kar udvign svar mean bola, nahian baboo, is ghar mean ab ek din bhi nahian. krodh mean akar kam achchha nahian hua. maianne sahab ko galiyaan di haian.
apoorv ne kaha, use galiyaan n dekar marana thik tha.
tivari mean ab krodh ke sthan par sadbudhdi paida ho rahi thi. ham log bangali haian.
apoorv maun hi raha. sahas pakar tivari ne poochha, aauphis ke daraban ji se kahakar kal savere hi kya is ghar ko chho da nahian ja sakata? mera to vichar hai ki chho d dena thik hoga.
apoorv ne kaha, achchhi bat hai, dekha jaega. durjanoan ke prati use koee shikayat nahian hai. samay nasht n karake chupachap jagah chho d dena hi usane uchit samajh liya hai. bola, achchhi bat hai, aisa hi hoga. tum bhojan adi ka prabandh karo.
abhi karata hooan baboo! kahakar kuchh nishchiant hokar apane kam mean lag gaya.
lekin usi ki batoan ka sootr pak dakar, oopar vale phirangi ka rduvyavahar yad kar achanak apoorv ka samoocha badan krodh se jalane laga. man mean vichar aya ki ham logoan ne chupachap, bina kuchh soche-samajhe ise sahan kar lena hi apana karttavy samajh liya hai. isilie doosaroan ko chot pahuanchane ka adhikar svayan hi dridh tatha ugr ho utha hai. isilie to aj mera naukar bhi mujhako turant bhagakar atmahatya karane ka upadesh dene ka sahas kar raha hai. tivari bechara rasoeeghar mean phalahar thik kar raha tha. vah jan bhi n saka. usaki lathi lekar apoorv bina ahat kie dhire-dhire bahar nikala aur sidhiyoan se oopar chadh gaya.
doosari manzil par sahab ke band dvar ko khatakhatana arambh kiya. kuchh der bad ek bhayabhit nari kanth ne aangreji mean kaha, kaun hai?
maian niche rahata hooan aur us adami ko dekhana chahata hooan.
kyoan?
use dikhana hai ki usane mera kitana nukasan kiya hai.
vah so rahe haian.
apoorv ne kathor svar mean kaha, jaga dijie. yah sone ka samay nahian hai. rat ko sote samay maian tang karane nahian aooanga. lekin is samay usake muanh se uttar sune bina nahian jaooanga.
lekin n to dvar hi khula aur n hi koee uttar hi aya. do-ek minat pratiksha karane ke bad apoorv ne phir chillakar kaha, mujhe jana hai, use bahar bhejie.
is bar vah vinamr aur madhur nari svar dvar ke samip sunaee diya, maian unaki l daki hooan. pitaji ki or se kshama maangati hooan. unhoanne jo kuchh kiya hai, sachet avastha mean nahian kiya. ap vishvas rakhie, apaki jo hani huee hai kal ham use yathashakti poori kar deange.
l daki ke svar se apoorv kuchh narm p d gaya. lekin usaka krodh kam nahian hua. bola, unhoanne barbar ki tarah mera bahut nukasan kiya. use bhi adhik utpat kiya hai. maian videshi adami hooan. lekin asha karata hooan ki kal subah mujhase svayan milakar is jhag de ko samapt kar lene ki koshish kareange.
l daki ne kaha, achchhi bat hai. phir kuchh der chup rahakar boli, apaki tarah ham log bhi yahaan bilkul ne haian. kal sham ko hi malapin se ae haian.
aur kuchh n kahakar apoorv dhire-dhire utar aya. dekha, tivari bhojan ki vyavastha mean hi laga tha.
tho da-sa kha-pikar apoorv sone ke kamare mean akar bhige takie ko hi lagakar so gaya. pravas ke lie ghar se bahar paanv rakhane ke samay se lekar ab tak vipattiyoan ki sima nahian rahi thi. sukh-shaanti hin, chianta grast man mean ek hi bat bar-bar uth rahi thi-us eesaee l daki ki bat! vah nahian janata ki dekhane mean vah kaisi hai. kya umr hai, kaisa svabhav hai. lekin itana zaroor jan gaya ki usaka uchcharan aangrejoan jaisa nahian hai aur jo bhi ho, eesaee ke nate svayan ko raja ki jati ka samajhakar pita ki bhaanti ghamandi nahian hai. apane pita ke anyay tatha utpat ke lie usane lajja anubhav ki hai. usaki bhayabhit, vinamr svar mean kshama-yachana, use apane karkash tatha tivr abhiyog ki tulana mean asangat-si lagi. usaka svabhav ugr nahian hai. k di bat kahane mean use hichak hoti hai.
tabhi bihari ka mota kanth svar usake kanoan tak pahuancha. vah kah raha tha, nahian mem sahab yah ap le jaie. baboo bhojan kar chuke. ham log yah sab chhoote tak nahian.
apoorv uth baitha aur us eesaee l daki ke shabdoan ko kan lagakar sunane ki koshish karane laga. tivari bola, kaun kahata hai ki hamane bhojan nahian kiya? yah ap le jaie. baboo suneange to naraj hoange.
apoorv ne dhire-dhire bahar akar poochha, kya bat hai tivari?
l daki jaldi se pichhe hat gee. sham ho chali thi lekin kahian bhi roshani nahian jali thi. l daki ka rang aangrejoan jaisa saphed nahian hai lekin khoob saf hai. umr unnis-bis ya kuchh adhik hogi. kuchh lanbi hone se dubali jan p dati hai. oopari hoanth ke niche samane ke donoan daantoan ko kuchh ooancha n samajha jae to chehare ki banavat achchhi hai. pairoan mean chappal, sharir par bh dakili-si sa di, chal-dhal kuchh bangali aur kuchh parasi jan p dati hai. ek dali mean kuchh narangi, nashapati, do-char anar aur aangoor ka ek guchchha samane dharati par rakhe haian.
apoorv ne poochha, yah sab kya hai?
l daki ne aangreji mean dhire se uttar diya - aj hamara tyauhar hai. maan ne bheja hai. aj to apaka khana bhi nahian hua.
apoorv ne kaha, apani maan ko ham logoan ki or se dhanyavad dena aur kahana ki hamara khana ho gaya hai.
l daki chup thi. apoorv ne poochha, hamara khana nahian hua, apako yah kaise pata laga?
l daki ne lajjit svar mean kaha, isilie to jhag da hua tha.
apoorv bola, nahian. vastav mean hamara khana ho chuka hai.
l daki boli, ho sakata hai. lekin yah to bazar ke phal haian, inamean koee dosh nahian hai.
apoorv samajh gaya ki use kisi prakar shaant karane ke lie donoan aparichit striyoan ke udveg ki sima nahian hai. kuchh der pahale vah apane svabhav ka jo parichay de aya hai, usase n jane kya hoga? yah sochakar use prasann karane ke lie hi to yah bheant lekar aee hai isalie mithe svar mean bola, nahian, koee dosh nahian hai. phir tivari se bola, le lo, inamean koee dosh nahian hai maharaj.
tivari isase prasann nahian hua. bola, rat mean ham logoan ko zaroorat nahian hai. aur maan ne mujhe yah sab karane ke lie bar-bar mana kiya hai. mem sahab, ap inhean le jaie. hamean zaroorat nahian hai.
maan ne mana kiya hai ya kar sakati haian, isamean asambhav kuchh bhi nahian tha aur varshoan ke vishvasaniy tivari ko in sab jhanjhatoan ko sauanpakar usaka abhibhavak bhi vah niyukt kar sakati haian, yah bhi sambhav hai. abhi sankuchit, lajjit aur aparichit l daki, jo use prasann karane usake dvar par aee hai, use upahar ki samany vastuoan ko asprishy kahakar apamanit karane ko bhi vah uchit n man saka. tivari ne kaha, yah ham sab nahian chhueange mem sahab. inhean utha le jaie. maian is sthan ko dho dalooan.
l daki kuchh der chupachap kh di rahi. phir dali uthakar dhime-dhime chali gee.
apoorv ne dhime aur rookhe svar mean kaha, n khate, lekin lekar chupake se pheank to sakate the.
tivari bola, nasht karane ka kya labh hota baboo?
moorkh, ganvar kahian ka, itana kahakar apoorv sone chala gaya. bistar par letakar pahale tivari ke prati krodh se usaka sampoorn sharir jalane laga. lekin is vishay mean vah jitana hi sochata tha, lagata tha ki shayad yah thik hi hua ki usane spasht kahakar lauta diya. use apane b de mama ki yad a gee. us nishthavan brahman ne ek din bhojan karane se mana kar diya tha. karunamayi ne pati se bhaee ka man-mutav door karane ke lie ek chaturaee ka sahara lena chaha, lekin daridr brahman ne hansakar kaha- nahian bahan, yah sab nahian ho sakata. jija ji krodhi vyakti haian. is apaman ko vah sah n paeange. ho sakata hai, tumhean bhi isamean bhagidar banana p de. mere svargiy gurudev kaha karate the, 'murari, saty-palan mean du:kh hai. vanchana aur pratanana ke mithe path se vah kabhi nahian ata.' maian bina bhojan kie chala jaooanga. yahi uchit hai bahan.
is ghatana ke karan karunamayi ne anek du:kh sahe lekin bhaee ko kabhi dosh nahian diya. isi bat ko yad kar apoorv ke man mean bar-bar yah bat uthane lagi, uchit hi hua. tivari ne thik hi kiya.

apoorv ki ichchha thi ki subah bazar ghoom ae. lekin n ja saka. kyoanki oopar vala sahab kab kshama-yachana karane aega, isaka kuchh thik nahian tha. vah aega avashy, isamean koee sandeh nahian tha. aj jab usaka nasha tootega tab usaki patni aur beti, use kisi bhi dasha mean chhodeangi nahian. kyoanki unake dvara aisa sanket vah kal hi pa chuka tha. niand tootane ke bad se vah l daki kee bar yad aee. niand mean bhi usaki bhadrata, saujanyata aur usaka vinamr kanth svar kanoan mean ek parichit sur ki bhaanti ate-jate rahe. apane sharabi pita ke durachar ke karan us l daki ki lajja ki sima nahian thi. moorkh tivari ke rookhe vyavahar se apoorv bhi lajja ka anubhav kar raha tha.
achanak sir ke oopar p dosiyoan ke jag uthane ki ahat aee aur pratyek ahat se vah asha karane laga ki sahab usake dvar par akar kh da hai. kshama to vah karega hi, yah nishchit hai. lekin vigat din ki vibhatsata, kya karane se saral aur samany hokar vishad ka chidd mita degi? yahi usaki chianta ka vishay tha. asha aur udveg ke sath pratiksha karate-karate jab nau baj ge to suna, sahab niche utar rahe haian. unake pichhe bhi do pairoan ka shabd sunaee diya. tho di der bad hi unake dvar ka lohe ka k da zor se baj utha. tivari ne akar kaha, baboo, oopar vala sahab k da hila raha hai.
apoorv ne kaha, daravaza kholakar unako ane do.
tivari ke daravaza kholate hi apoorv ne atyant gambhir avaz suni, tumhara sahab kahaan hai?
uttar mean tivari ne kaha, thik-thak sunaee nahian p da.
svar se apoorv chauank p da, bap re! yah kya samany kanth svar hai?
socha, shayad sahab ne savere uthate hi sharab pi li hai. isalie is samay jana uchit hai ya nahian. sochane se pahale hi phir udhar se adesh hua, bulao jaldi.
apoorv dhire-dhire pas jakar kh da ho gaya. sahab ne ek pal use oopar se niche tak dekhakar aangreji mean poochha, aangreji janate ho?
janata hooan.
mere so jane ke bad kal tum oopar ge the?
ji haan.
lathi thoanki thi? anadhikar pravesh karane ke lie daravaza to dane ki koshish ki thi?
apoorv vismay ke mare stabdh ho gaya. sahab ne kaha-sanyog se daravaza khula hota to tum kamare mean ghusakar meri patni ya beti par akraman kar baithate. isilie mere jagate rahane par nahian ge?
apoorv ne dhime svar se kaha, ap to so rahe the, kaise pata chala?
sahab ne kaha, meri l daki ne mujhe bataya hai. use tumane gali bhi di.
itana kahakar usane bagal mean kh di l daki ki or uangali se ishara kiya, yah vahi l daki hai. kal bhi ise apoorv achchhi tarah nahian dekh paya tha. aj bhi sahab ke vishal sharir ki a d mean usaki sa di ki kinari ko chho d aur kuchh bhi nahian dekh paya. sir hilakar usane pita ki haan-mean-haan milaee ya nahian, yah bhi samajh mean nahian aya. lekin itana avashy samajh gaya ki yah log bhale adami nahian haian. sare mamale ko jan-boojhakar vikrit aur ulata karake sidhd karane ka prayatn kar rahe haian. isalie bahut satark rahane ki zaroorat hai.
sahab ne kaha, maian jag raha hota to tumhean lat marakar dhakel deta. tumhare muanh mean ek bhi daant sabut n rahane deta. lekin yah avasar ab kho chuka hooan. isalie pulis ke hath se jo kuchh nyay milega utana hi lekar santusht hona p dega. ham log ja rahe haian. tum isake lie taiyar rahana.
apoorv ne sir hilakar kaha, achchhi bat hai.-lekin usaka muanh utar-sa gaya.
sahab ne l daki ka hath pak dakar kaha, chalo! aur sidhi se utarate-utarate bola, maianne to pahale hi kaha tha baboo, ki jo hona tha ho gaya. ab unhean aur chhe dane ki zaroorat nahian hai. vah sahab aur mem thahare.
apoorv ne kaha, sahab-mem thahare to isase kya hota hai?
tivari ne kaha, yah log pulis mean jo ge haian.
apoorv ne kaha, jane se kya hota hai?
tivari ne vyakul hokar kaha, b de baboo ko tar kar dooan? chhote baboo, unhean bula hi liya jae.
kya pagal ho gaya hai tivari ja udhar dekh. khana sara jal gaya hoga. sadhe das baje mujhe aauphis jana hai, itana kahakar vah apane kamare mean chala gaya. tivari rasoeeghar mean chala gaya. lekin rasoee banane se lekar baboo ke aauphis jane tak ka sabhi kuchh usake lie atyant arthahin ho gaya.
vah karunamayi ke hath ka bana hua adami hai isalie man kitana hi dushchinta grast kyoan n ho, hath ke kam mean kahian bhool-chook nahian hoti. yathasamay bhojan karane baithakar apoorv ne use utsahit karane ke abhipray se bhojan ki kuchh badha-chadhakar prashansa ki tatha do-ek gras muanh mean dalakar bola, tivari, aj ka bhojan to mano amrit hi banaya hai. kee dinoan se achchhi tarah bhojan nahian kiya tha. kaisa darapok adami hai too? maan ne bhi achchhe adami ko sath bheja hai.
tivari ne kaha, hooan.
apoorv ne usaki or dekhakar hansate hue kaha, muanh ekadam haandi jaisa kyoan bana rakha hai? us haramajade phirangi ki dhamaki dekhi? pulis mean ja raha hai. are jata kyoan nahian? jakar kya karega, sunean to? tera koee gavah hai?
tivari ne kaha, mem sahab ko bhi kya gavahi ki zaroorat hai?
apoorv ne kaha, unake lie kya koee doosare niyam-kanoon haian phir vah mem sahab kaise? rang to mere p aaulish kie hue joote ki hi tarah hai?
tivari maun raha.
kuchh der chupachap bhojan karane ke bad apoorv ne muanh oopar uthaya. kaha, aur vah l daki bhi kitani dusht hai. kal is tarah aee jaise bhigi billi ho. aur oopar jate hi itani jhooth-mooth batean jo d di.
tivari bola, eesaee hai n?
janate ho tivari, jo asali sahab haian vah inase ghrina karate haian. ek mej par baithakar kabhi nahian khilate. chahe kitana hi hait-kot pahanean aur giraje mean jaean.
tivari ne aisa kabhi nahian socha tha. chhote baboo ka aauphis jane ka samay ho raha hai. ab ghar mean akele usaka samay kaise katega? sahab thane gaya hai. ho sakata hai, lautakar daravaza to d dale. ho sakata hai, pulis sath lekar ae. ho sakata hai use baandhakar le jae. kya hoga? kaun jane.
apoorv bhojan karane ke bad kap de pahan raha tha. tivari ne kamare ka parda hatakar kaha, dekhakar jate to achchha hota.
kya dekhakar jata?
unake lautane ki rah.....
apoorv ne kaha, yah kaise ho sakata hai? aj meri naukari ka pahala din hai. log kya socheange?
tivari chup rah gaya.
apoorv ne kaha, too daravaza band karake nishchiant baitha rah, maian jaldi hi lautooanga. koee daravaza nahian to d sakata.
tivari ne kaha, achchha. lekin usane ek lambi saans daba rakhane ki jo koshish ki use apoorv ne dekh liya. bahar jate samay tivari ne bhari gale se kaha, paidal mat jana chhote baboo! kirae ki ga di le lena.
achchha, kahakar apoorv niche utar gaya. usake chalane ka dhang aisa tha, jaise nee naukari ke prati usake man mean koee harsh n ho.
votha kampani ke bhagidar poorviy kshetr ke mainejar rojen sahab us samay barma mean hi the. rangoon karyalay unhoanne hi sthapit kiya tha. unhoanne apoorv ka b de adar se svagat kiya. usake svaroop, batachit tatha yoonivarsiti ki digri dekhakar bahut hi prasann hue. sabhi karmachariyoan ko bulakar parichay karaya aur do-tin mahine mean vyavasay ka sampoorn rahasy sikha dene ka ashvasan diya. batachit, parichay tatha ne utsah se usaki manasik glani kuchh samay ke lie mit gee. ek vyakti ne use vishesh roop se akarshit kiya. vah tha aauphis ka ekauntent. brahman hai. nam hai ramadas talavalakar. ayu lagabhag usake jitani hi ya kuchh adhik ho sakati hai. dirgh akriti, balishth, gauravarn hai. pahanave mean pajama, lamba kot, sir par pag di, mathe par lal chandan ka tika. b di achchhi aangreji mean batachit karate haian, lekin apoorv ke sath unhoanne pahale se hi hiandi mean bolana arambh kar diya. apoorv hiandi achchhi tarah nahian janata. lekin jab dekha ki vah hiandi chho dakar aur kisi mean uttar nahian deta to usane bhi hiandi bolana arambh kar diya. apoorv ne kaha, yah bhasha maian nahian janata. bolane mean bahut galatiyaan hoti haian.
ramadas bola, galatiyaan to mujhase bhi hoti haian. kyoanki yah meri bhi matribhasha nahian hai.
apoorv bola, agar paraee bhasha mean hi batachit karani hai to aangreji mean kya dosh hai?
ramadas bola, aangreji mean to ham log aur adhik galatiyaan karate haian. ap aangreji mean bola karean. lekin agar maian hiandi mean uttar dooanga, kshama kar dijiega.
apoorv bola, maian bhi hiandi mean hi bolane ki cheshta karooanga. lekin galati hone par ap bhi mujhe kshama karoge.
is batachit ke bich rojen sahab svayan mainejar ke kamare mean a ge. umr pachas ke lagabhag hogi. halaiand ke nivasi haian. sadharan dhang ke kapade. chehare par ghani dadhi-mooanchhean. tooti-phooti aangreji bolate haian. pakke vyavasayi haian. ab tak barma ke anek sthanoan mean ghoomakar tarah-tarah ke logoan se milakar, tathy sangrah karake, kam kaj ke karyakram ka unhoanne khaka taiyar kar liya hai. us karyakram ke kagaz apoorv ki tebal par rakhate hue bole, isake vishay mean apaki kya ray hai? phir talavalakar se bole, isaki ek prati apake kamare mean bhi bhej di hai. lekin ise abhi rahane diya jae. kyoanki aj ne mainejar ke samman mean aauphis band ho jaega. maian jaldi hi chala jaooanga. tab ap donoan par hi sara karyakram rahega. maian aangrez nahian hooan. yadyapi yah rajy ham logoan ka ho sakata tha. phir bhi un logoan ki tarah ham bharatiyoan ko nich nahian samajhate. apane saman hi samajhate haian. keval pharm ki hi nahian, ap logoan ki unnati bhi ap logoan ke karttavy-jnan par nirbhar hai. achchha gudd. aauphis do baje ke bad band jo jana chahie. kahate hue jis tarah ae the usi tarah chale ge.
thik do baje donoan sath-sath aauphis se nikale. talavalakar shahar mean nahian rahata. lagabhag das mil pashchim mean inasin namak sthan mean dera hai. dere mean usaki patni tatha ek chhoti-si beti rahati hai vahaan shahar ka ho-halla nahian hai. tehranoan mean ane-jane se koee asuvidha nahian hoti.
haldar baboo, kal aauphis ke bad mere yahaan chay ka nimantran raha, talavalakar ne kaha.
apoorv bola, maian chay nahian pita baboo ji.
nahian pite? pahale maian bhi nahian pita tha. lekin meri patni naraj hoti hai. achchha, n ho to phal-phool, sharbat... ham log bhi brahman haian.
apoorv ne hansate hue kaha, brahman to avashy haian, lekin agar ap log mere hath ka khaean to maian bhi apaki patni ke hath ka kha sakata hooan.
ramadas ne kaha, maian to kha sakata hooan. lekin meri patni ki bat...achchha, apaka dera to pas hi hai. chalie n, apako pahuancha aooan. meri tren to paanch baje chhootegi.
apoorv ghabara gaya. is bich vah sab kuchh bhool gaya tha. dere ka nam lete hi kshan bhar mean usaka sara upadrav, sara jhag da bijali ki rekha ki bhaanti chamakakar usake chehare ko shrihin kar gaya. ab tak vahaan kya hua hoga, vah kuchh nahian janata. ho sakata hai, bahut kuchh hua to. akele usi ko bich mean jakar kh da hona p dega. ek parichit vyakti ke sath rahane se kitani suvidha aur sahas rahata hai. lekin parichay ke arambh mean hi....yah kya sochega?.... yah sochakar apoorv ko b da sankoch ho utha. bola, dekhie....?
abhi bat poori nahian kar saka tha ki usake sankoch aur lajja ko anubhav karake ramadas ne hansate hue kaha, ek hi rat mean poori suvyavastha ki maian asha nahian karata baboo ji! mujhe bhi ek din naya dera thik karana p da tha. phir meri to patni bhi thi. apake sath to vah bhi nahian hai. ap aj lajja ka anubhav kar rahe haian. lekin unhean n lane par ek varsh bad bhi apaki lajja door nahian hogi. yah maian kahe deta hooan. chalie dekhooan kya kar sakata hooan. avyavastha ke bich hi to mitr ki avashyakata hoti hai.
is mitrahin desh mean aj use mitr ki atyant avashyakata hai. donoan tahalate-tahalate dere ke samane pahuanche to talavalakar ko ghar mean amantrit kie bina n rah saka. oopar chadhate samay dekha ki vahi eesaee l daki niche utar rahi hai. usaka pita usake sath nahian tha. vah akeli thi. donoan ek or hatakar kh de ho ge. l daki dhire-dhire utarakar s dak par chali gee.
ramadas ne poochha, yah log tisari manzil par rahate haian kya?
haan.
yah log bhi bangali haian?
apoorv ne sir hilakar kaha, nahian, desi eesaee haian. sambhav hai madrasi, goanij ya aur kuchh hoange, lekin bangali nahian haian.
ramadas ne kaha, lekin sa di pahanane ka dhang to thik ap logoan jaisa hi hai.
apoorv ne hairani se poochha, ham logoan ka dhang apako kaise maloom?
ramadas ne kaha, maianne bambee, poona, shimala mean bahut-si bangali mahilaoan ko dekha hai. itana suandar sa di pahanane ka dhang bharat ki kisi jati mean nahian hai.
ho sakata hai, kahakar apoorv dere ke band daravaze ko khatakhatane laga.
tho di der bad aandar se satark kanth ka uttar aya, kaun?
maian hooan, maian. daravaza kholo. bhay ki koee bat nahian hai, kahakar apoorv hansane laga. yah dekhakar ki is bich koee bhayanak ghatana nahian huee, tivari kamare mean surakshit hai. aur yah anubhav karake usake oopar se jaise ek bahut b da bojh utar gaya.
kamara dekhakar ramadas bola, apaka naukar achchha hai. sab kuchh achchhi tarah sajakar rakha hai. yah sara saman maianne hi kharida tha. apako aur jis chiz ki zaroorat ho, bataie, bhej dooanga. rojen sahab ki ajna hai.
tivari ne madhur svar mean kaha, aur saman ki zaroorat nahian hai baboo ji, yahaan se sakushal hat jaean to pran bach jaeange.
usaki bat par kisi ne dhyan nahian diya. lekin apoorv ne sun liya. usane a d mean le jakar poochha, aur kuchh hua tha kya?
nahian.
tab phir aisi bat kyoan kahata hai?
tivari ne kaha, shauq se thode hi kahata hooan. dopahar bhar sahab jaisi ghu dadau d karata raha hai, vaisi kya koee manushy kar sakata hai?
apoorv muskarakar bola, to too chahata hai ki vah apane kamare mean chalane-phirane bhi n pae? lak di ki chhat hai! adhik avaz hoti hai.
tivari ne rusht hokar kaha, ek sthan par kh de hokar gho de ki tarah pair patakane ko chalana kaha jata hai?
apoorv bola, isase pata chalata hai ki vah sharabi hai. usane zaroor sharab pi rakhi hogi.
tivari bola, ho sakata hai. maian usaka muanh sooanghakar dekhane nahian gaya tha. phir aprasann bhav se rasoee ghar mean jate hue bola, chahe jo bhi ho, is ghar mean rahana nahian hoga.
tren ka samay ho jane par ramadas ne vida maangi. pata nahian tivari ke abhiyog ya usake svami ke chehare se usane kuchh anuman lagaya ya nahian, lekin jate samay achanak poochh baitha, baboo ji, kya apako is dere mean asuvidha hai?
apoorv ne tanik hansakar kaha, nahian. phir ramadas ko jijnasu bhav se niharate dekhakar bola, oopar jo sahab rahate haian vah mere sath achchha vyavahar nahian kar rahean.
ramadas ne vismit hokar poochha, vahi l daki to nahian?
ji haan, usi ke pita, itana kahakar apoorv ne kal saanjh aur aj savere ki ghatanaean suna dian. ramadas kuchh der maun rahane ke bad bola, maian hota to itihas doosara hi hota. bina kshama maange vah is daravaze se ek qadam bhi niche n utar pata.
apoorv ne kaha, agar vah kshama n maangata to ap kya karate?
ramadas ne kaha, to utarane n deta.
apoorv ne bhale hi usaki batoan par vishvas n kiya ho, lekin sahas bhari batoan se use kuchh sahas avashy mila. hansate hue bola, chalie ab niche chalean. apaki tren ka samay ho gaya hai. itana kahakar mitr ka hath pak dakar niche utarane laga. use yah dekhakar ashchary hua ki jis tarah ate samay us l daki se bheant huee thi usi tarah jate samay bhi ho gee. usake hath mean kagaz ka ek mu da hua bandal tha. shayad kuchh kharidakar laut rahi thi. use rasta dene ke lie apoorv ek or hatakar kh da ho gaya. lekin sahasa ghabarakar dekha-ramadas rasta n dekar use roke kh da hai. vah aangreji mean bola, kshama karana, maian baboo ji ka mitr hooan. inake sath akaran kie ge rduvyavahar ke lie ap logoan ko lajjit hona chahie.
l daki ne aankh uthakar krudhd svar mean kaha, ichchha ho to yah batean ap mere pita ji se kah sakate haian.
apake pitaji ghar par haian.
nahian.
mere pas pratiksha karane ke lie samay nahian hai. meri or se unase kah dijiega ki unake upadrav se inaka rahana doobhar ho gaya hai.
l daki ne poorvavath k dave svar mean kaha, unaki or se maian hi uttar die deti hooan ki ap agar chahean to kisi doosari jagah ja sakate haian.
ramadas tho da hansakar bola, bharatiy eesaeeyoan ko maian pahachanata hooan. unake muanh se isase b de uttar ki asha maian nahian karata. lekin isase unako suvidha nahian hogi. kyoanki inake sthan par maian aooanga, mera nam ramadas talavalakar hai. maian jat se brahman hooan. talavar shabd ka kya arth hota hai apane pita ko jan lene ke lie kahiega. gud ivaniang. chalie baboo ji, itana kahakar vah apoorv ka hath pak dakar ekadam raste mean a gaya.
l daki ke chehare ko apoorv ne chhipi najaroan se dekh liya tha. ghatana ke aant mean vah kis prakar kathor ho uthi thi-yah sochakar vah kuchh kshan tak koee bat hi nahian kar saka. isake bad dhire se bola, yah kya hua talavalakar?
talavalakar ne uttar diya, yahi hua ki apake jate hi mujhe yahaan ana p dega. keval khabar mil jani chahie.
apoorv ne kaha, arthath dopahar ko apaki patni akeli raheangi?
ramadas ne kaha, akeli nahian. meri do varsh ki l daki bhi hai.
yani ap majak kar rahe haian.
nahian, maian sach kah raha hooan. hansi-majak ki meri adat hi nahian hai.
apoorv ne ek bar apane sathi ki or dekha. phir dhire se kaha, to phir maian yah dera nahian chho d sakooanga.....
usaki bat poori nahian ho paee thi ki ramadas ne sahasa usake donoan hathoan ko apane shaktishali hathoan se pak dakar zor se jhakajhorate hue kaha, maian yahi chahata hooan baboo ji! utpat ke bhay se ham log bahut bhag chuke haian, lekin ab nahian.
saanjh hone mean abhi der thi. ek ghante tak kisi tren ka samay bhi nahian tha. isalie steshan ke doosari or vale pletapharm par yatriyoan ki bhi d adhik nahian thi. apoorv tahalate hue ghoomane laga. achanak usake man mean vichar aya ki kal se aj tak is ek hi din mean jivan n jane kaise sahasa kee varsh purana ho gaya hai. yahaan par maan nahian hai, bhaee nahian hai. bhabhiyaan nahian haian. sneh ki chhaya bhi kahian nahian hai. karmashala ke asankhy chakr daean-baean, sir ke oopar, pairoan ke niche, charoan or veg se ghoomate hue chal rahe haian. tanik bhi asamarth hone par raksha pane ka kahian koee upay nahian hai.
usaki aankhoan ki korean gili ho uthian. kuchh doori par kath ki ek beanch thi. us par baithakar aankheanan poanchh raha tha ki sahasa pichhe se ek zor ka dhakka khakar pet ke bal zamin par ja gira. kisi tarah uthakar kh da hote hi dekha paanch-chh: phirangi badamash l dake haian. kisi ke muanh mean sigaret hai to kisi ke muanh mean paip hai aur vah daant nikalakar hans rahe the. shayad vahi l daka jisane dhakka mara tha, beanch ke oopar likhe aksharoan ko dikhakar bola, sale! yah sahab logoan ke vaste hai, tumhare lie nahian.
lajja, krodh tatha apaman se apoorv ki gili aankheanan lal ho uthian, hoanth kaanpane lage.
sala, doodhavala, aankheanan dikhata hai? sab ek sath ooanche svar se hans p de. ek ne usake muanh ke samane akar atyant ashlil dhang se siti bajaee.
apoorv pal bhar bad hi shayad sabake oopar jhapat p data lekin kuchh hiandustani karmachariyoan ne, jo kuchh door baithe chimani saf kar rah the, bich mean p dakar use pletapharm se bahar kar diya. ek phirangi l daka bhagata hua aya aur bhi d mean pair badhakar apoorv ke saphed silk ke kurttoan par joote ka dag laga gaya. hiandustaniyoan ke is dal se vah apane ko mukt karane ke lie khianchatani kar raha tha. ek ne use jhakajhorate hue kaha, are bangali baboo! agar sahab logoan ka sharir chhuega to ek sal ki jel ho jaegi. jao bhago. ek ne kaha, are baboo hai, dhakka mat do. jo log kuchh nahian janate the vah karan poochhane lage. jo log janate the, tarah-tarah ki salah dene lage. apoorv aauphis ka pahanava chho dakar samany bangali ki poshak mean steshan gaya tha. isalie phirangiyoan ne use doodhavala samajhakar mara tha.
apoorv sidha steshan mastar ke kamare mean gaya. steshan mastar aangrez the. muanh uthakar unhoanne dekha. apoorv ne joote ka dag dikhakar ghatana sunaee, vah avajnapoorvak bole, yoropiyan ki beanch par baithe kyoan?
apoorv ne kaha, mujhe maloom nahian tha.
maloom kar lena chahie tha.
kya isilie unhoanne ek bhale adami par hath uthaya?
sahab ne daravaze ki or hath badhakar kaha, go-go-go, chaparasi isako bahar kar do. kahakar ve apane kam mean lag ge.
apoorv n jane kis tarah ghar lauta. do ghante pahale ramadas ke sath is raste se jate samay usake hriday mean jo durbhavana sabase adhik khatak rahi thi, vah akaran madhyasthata hi thi. utpat aur ashaanti ki matra usase ghategi nahian, balki badhegi hi. isake atirikt us eesaee l daki ka kitana hi aparadh kyoan n ho, vah nari hai. isalie purush ke muanh se aise kathor vachan nikalana uchit nahian hua. isake atirikt us samay ekadam akeli bhi thi. jab us l daki ki bat yad aee to vah sahab ki l daki maloom huee, sadharan nari-jati ki nahian. jin phirangi l dakoan ne kuchh pal pahale akaran hi usaka apaman kiya, jinaki kushiksha, nichata aur barbarata ki sima nahian thi, unaki hi bahan jan p di. jis sahab ne atyant avichar ke sath use kamare se bahar nikal diya tha, manushy ka samany adhikar bhi nahian diya tha, usaki param atmiy jnat huee.
tivari ne akar kaha, chhote baboo, bhojan thanda ho raha hai.
chalo ata hooan, apoorv ne kaha.
das-pandrah minat bad usane phir kaha, bhojan thanda ho raha hai.
apoorv ne krodhit hokar kaha, kyoan bekar tang karata hai tivari? maian nahian khaooanga. mujhe bhookh nahian hai.
usaki aankhoan mean niand nahian aee. rat jitani hi badhane lagi, sara bichhauna mano kaante ki sej ho utha. ek marmantak vedana usake sampoorn aang mean chubhane lagi aur usi ke bich-bich steshan ke un hiandustaniyoan ki yad ane lagi jinhoanne sankhya mean adhik hote hue bhi usaki laanchhana ko kam karane mean bilkul hi bhag nahian liya. balki usake apaman ki matra badhane mean hi sahayata ki. deshavasiyoan ke virudhd deshavasiyoan ki itani lajja, itani glani sansar ke aur kisi desh mean hai? aisa kyoan hua? kaise hua? inhian batoan par vichar karata raha.

do-tin din shaantipoorvak bit ge. oopar ki manzil se sahab ka atyachar jab kisi ne roop mean prakat nahian hua to apoorv ne samajh liya ki us eesaee l daki ne us din ki batean apane pita ko nahian bataee. l daki se bhi sidhiyoan mean do-ek bar bheant huee. vah muanh mo dakar utar jati hai. us din savere chhote baboo ko bhat parosakar tivari ne prasannata bhare svar mean kaha, lagata hai, sahab ne koee nalish-valish nahian ki.
apoorv ne kaha, jo garajata hai barasata nahian hai.
tivari bola, ham logoan ka dere mean adhik din rahana nahian ho sakega. sale, sab kuchh khate-pite haian. yad ate hi.....
chup rah tivari, vah us samay bhojan kar raha tha. bola, isi mahine ke bad chho d deange. lekin achchha makan to mile.
usi din sham ko aauphis se lautakar tivari ki or dekhakar apoorv stabdh rah gaya. itani hi der mean vah jaise sookhakar adha ho gaya tha. poochha, kya hua tivari?
pratyuttar mean usane badami rang ke kuchh kagaz apoorv ko pak da die. faujadari adalat ka samman tha. vadi je. di. joseph the aur prativadi tin nambar kamare ka apoorv namak bangali aur usaka naukar tha. dopahar ko kachahari ka chaparasi de gaya tha.
chaparasi ke sath vahi sahab aya tha. parasoan hajir hone ki tarikh hai. apoorv ne kagaz padhakar kaha, kort mean dekha jaega.
yah kahakar vah kap de badalane kamare mean chala gaya.
tarikh vale din tivari ko sath lekar apoorv adalat mean hajir hua. is vishay mean ramadas se sahayata lene mean use lajja anubhav huee. keval zaroori kam ka bahana karake usane ek din ki chhutti le li thi.
dipti kamishnar ki adalat mean mukadama tha. vadi joseph-sach, jhooth jo man mean aya, kah gaya. apoorv ne n to koee bat chhipaya aur n koee bat badhakar hi kahi. baki ki gavah usaki l daki thi. adalat ke samane us l daki ka nam aur bayan sunakar apoorv khinn rah gaya. ap kisi svargiy rajakumar bhattachary mahashay ki suputri haian. pahale yah log parisal mean the. lekin ab bangalaur mean haian. apaka nam meri bharati hai. inaki maan kisi mishanari ke sath bangalaur chali aee thian vahian joseph sahab ke roop par mohit hokar unase vivah kar liya. bharati ne paitrik bhattachary nam ko nirarthak samajhakar use tyag diya aur joseph nam ko grahan kar liya. tabhi se vah mis meri joseph ke nam se prasidhd haian. nyayadhish ke prashn karane par vah phal-phool upahar dene ki bat se inakar kar gee. lekin usake kanth svar mean asaty bolane ki ghabarahat itani spasht ho gee ki keval nyayadhish hi nahian usake chaparasi tak ko dhokha nahian de saki. phaisala usi din ho gaya. tivari chhoot gaya, lekin apoorv par bis rupaya jurmana ho gaya. niraparadh hote hue dandit hone par usaka muanh sookh gaya. rupe dekar ghar akar dekha- daravaze ke samane ramadas kh da hai. apoorv ke muanh se nikal p da-bis rupe jurmana hua ramadas. apil ki jae?
uttejana se usaki avaz kaanp uthi. ramadas ne usake daean hath ko thamakar hansate hue kaha, bis rupe jurmane ke badale do hazar ki hani uthana chahate haian?
hone do. lekin yah to jurmana hai. dand hai. rajadand hai.
ramadas hansate hue bola, 'kisaka dand? jisane jhoothi gavahi dilaee. lekin isake oopar bhi ek adalat hai. usaka nyayadhish anyay nahian karata. vahaan ap nirdosh haian.
apoorv bola, lekin log to aisa nahian samajheange ramadas! unake samane to yah badanami hamesha ke lie bani rahegi.
ramadas ne kaha, chalo nadi kinare tahal aean. chalate hue raste mean vah bola, apoorv baboo, vidya mean apase chhota hote hue bhi umr mean apase b da hooan maian. agar kuchh kahooan to khayal n karana.
apoorv maun raha.
ramadas ne kaha, vah is mamale ko janata tha. log janate haian ki 'haladar' ke sath joseph ka mukadama chalane par aangreji nyayalay mean kya hota hai. bis rupe ki jurmane ki badanami.....
lekin yah to bina aparadh ka dand hua ramadas?
haan, bina aparadh maian bhi do varsh jel mean rah aya hooan.
do varsh jel mean?
haan, do varsh, phir hansakar bola, 'agar apane kurttoan ko utar dooan to dekhoge ki beantoan ke dagoan se koee sthan bacha nahian hai.
beant bhi lag chuke haian ramadas?
ramadas hansakar bola, haan, aisa hi. bina aparadh ke bhi maian itana nirlajj hooan ki logoan ko muanh dikhata hooan aur ap bis rupe jurmane ki badanami nahian sah sakate?
apoorv usaka muanh dekhakar chup ho gaya. ramadas bola, achchha, chalie apako pahuanchakar ghar jaooan.
abhi hi chale jaoge? abhi to bahut-si batean janani haian.
ramadas ne hansakar kaha, sab aj hi jan loge? yah nahian hoga. mujhe sambhavat: bahut dinoan tak batana p dega.
bahut dinoan par usane is tarah zor diya ki apoorv ashchary se use dekhata rah gaya, lekin kuchh samajh nahian paya. ramadas gali ke aandar nahian gaya. bahar se hi vida lekar steshan chala gaya.
apoorv ne dvar par dhakka diya. tivari ne akar daravaza khol diya. vah ghar ke kamoan mean laga hua tha, usaka chehara utar gaya tha. vah bola, us samay jaldabaji mean do not pheank ge the ap?
apoorv ne ashchary se poochha, 'kahaan pheank gaya tha ji?
yahian to.... kahate hue usane daravaze ke pas rakhi mej ki or ishara kiya, apake takie ke niche rakh die haian. bahar kahian nahian gire, yahi saubhagy hai.
vah not kaise gir p de? yahi sochate hue apoorv apane kamare mean chala gaya.

tivari ne rat ko rote hue hath jo dakar kaha, is boodhe qi bat manie baboo! chalie, kal savere hi ham log jahaan bhi ho bhag chalean.
apoorv ne kaha, 'kal hi? sunooan to? kya dharmashala mean chale, chalean?
tivari bola, isase to vahi achchha hai. sahab mukadame mean jit gaya hai. ab kisi din ham donoan ko pit bhi jaega.
apoorv sahan n kar saka. krodhit hokar bola, maan ne kya tujhe mere ghav par namak chhi dakane ke lie bheja tha? mujhe teri zaroorat nahian, too kal hi ghar chala ja. mere bhagy mean jo bada hai vahi hoga.
tivari phir kuchh nahian bola. chupachap sone chala gaya. usaki bat apoorv ko apamanajanak jan p di. isalie usane aisa uttar diya tha. agale din ne makan ki khoj hone lagi. talavalakar ko chho dakar aauphis ke lagabhag sabhi logoan se usane kah diya tha. isake bad tivari ne phir koee shikayat nahian ki.
svabhavik bat thi ki mukadama jit jane ke bad joseph parivar ke vichitr upadrav ne-ne roop mean prakat hoange. lekin upadrav ki bat kaun kahe, oopar koee rahata nahian, kabhi-kabhi yah sandeh hone laga tha.