Update 1
"Maa.. Aapko pata hai meri Meena kaha hai? Shaam se khoj raha hu par wo abhi tak lauti nahi aur dekho uska doodh bhi kasore me jaisa ka taisa pada hai. Maa, aap ro rahi hai?", 2 pakke kamro ki kothri wala ye pakka makaan aaj is andhkaar bhari raat sa he khamosh tha jiske ek kamre me laalten ki roshni se bach kar baithi ye shwet dhoti pehni mahila khamoshi se aansu baha rahi thi apne seene se us laal kameej ko lagaye. Kache aangan se tej kadam bharta hua ye pareshan sa yuwak kiwaad ki chuakhat par rukk kar pehle toh apni kehta raha parantu jaise he naarangi peeli maddim roshni me apni maa ke baayen gaal par paani ki chamak dekhi, wo ghutno ke bhaar uske kadmo ko pakadte hue is rudan ki wajah poochne laga. Ye vidhwa stree Anuradha thi, is 18 baras ke kishor ki maa jo apni maa ke jiwan ka ab ekmatra sahara tha. Apne bete ki pukaar se Anuradha usi laal kameej se apne aansu saaf karti hui dusre hath se apne bhole bete ka chehra sehlaane lagi.
"Tum jaante ho Chandan beta kal kya hai?", Bete ka naam Chandan tha jo swayam bahri duniya ke badalte rango se achoota raha tha aur uski ekmatra dost uski Meena thi, ek desi vidaal jisko shishu avastha me ghayal milne par Chandan ne he paal pos kar bada kiya tha. Kothri jaise is kamre me jyada suvidhaye nahi thi. Kuch gathariyan ek kone me bandhi thi aur ek sann ki chaarpayi jiske kinare baithi Anuradha pehle ashru baha rahi thi. Maasik niyamit hone ki umar me he Anuradha byaah kar is ghar aayi thi aur 19 baras dampatya jiwan me uski aulaad bas yahi 18 baras ka Chandan he tha.
"Kal.. Kal toh hum naani ke yaha ja rahe hai. Maine apna jhola bhar liya hai jaisa aapne kaha tha. Parantu main wapis yaha nahi aanewala maa. Yaha log bahot bure hai, mera majaak banate hai aur ganda ganda bolte hai. Main naani ke ghar he rahunga ab.", Us naari ke chehre par bhi apne bete ke bholepan se ek snehi muskaan ubhar aayi.
"Ab toh mujhe bhi wahi rehna hoga beta. Tumhare pita ji ko gujre aaj is raat poora ek baras ho raha hai. Ye ghar bhi hume kal savere khaali karna hai jiske baad hamare sar par siwaye tumhari naani ke koyi aasara nahi. Aur tumhe waha koyi nahi satayega lekin koshish karna ki tum aage bhi padh likh sako.", Anuradha ka pati Manohar ek sarkaari sewadaar tha aur behad he sajjan insaan, pariwaar ke sath sath samaaj se bhi prem rakhne wala sabke sukh dukh me shaamil. Thik ek baras pehle aaj he ke din jab Manhohar ghar laut raha tha toh agle chaurahe par he uske kadam thamm gaye the. Jyesth maah ka wo antim samay tha aur khet khalihaan se wapis laut rahe jaankar kisaan ne he uske mrit sharir ki chaurahe par milne ki soochna inke ghar pahuchaayi thi. Amavaas ki us syaah raat me ek khush-haal chhote se pariwar par kudrat ki ye aisi bijli giri thi ki Anuradha ka sansaar ujad gaya. Samaaj me jitne bhi Manohar aur uske pariwar ki tareef karne wale hiteshi the, unhone uski chita jalte he besahara maa aur uske bhole bete se kinara kar liya tha. Anuradha ke ghar ke aangan me baith kar gappe haankne wali wo sabhi mahilaayen ab uski dehleej tak ko apshagun kehne lagi. Bhala ho Angrez hukumat ka jinhone apne mulazim ki mrityu par uske pariwar ko ek baras tak rehne ke liye chhatt, khaane ko anaaj aur thodi aarthik madad di jo kal khatam ho rahi thi. Ghar ka jo bhi thoda bahot samaan tha wo Anuradha ne chaadar-dhoti me bandh liya tha, jitna le jana munasib laga. Ab usko chinta thi toh uske badhte bete ki jo jism se paripakva hone ke sath mehnati bhi poora tha lekin samaaj ka gyaan lagbhag nil tha uske bholepan ki wajah se.
"Pita ji ki barsi hai toh aapko bhi diya jagana chahiye na maa jaise daadi dada ji ki barsi par karti thi. Aur ye burshat baaki kapdo me kyun nahi baandhi aapne? Pita ji ko ye behad pasand thi na maa? Jab hum shehar ghoomne jaate the toh wo yahi burshat pehante the apni safed dhoti ke sath. Mujhe bhi ye bahot pasand hai par aapne toh ganji aur kurte ke siwa kuch pehan ne he nahi diya.", Anuradha he jaanti thi ki uska beta samaaj se jyada samajhdar hai bas usme bahar jaisi milawat nahi thi. Raat ka teesra pehar shuru hone laga tha par jaise dono ki aankhon se neend aujhal thi. Apna gharonda chhod kar toh panchi bhi rudan karte hai aur yaha toh Anuradha dulhan ban ke aayi thi, jo baad me maa bani aur fir kushal grahini.
"Dekh jara bhojankaksh (Rasoi) me kadwa teil bacha hai patili me. Main diya le kar aati hu aur kal savere tum yahi burshat pehan kar chalna apni naani ke yaha. Aur Meena ke liye itna pareshaan the na toh dekho wo waha kasore se kaise doodh pee rahi hai? Isko waha bhi apne paas rakhna chahte ho na tum?"
"Ji maa. Aapke baad ek yahi toh hai jo mujhe paagal, anaath aur mandbuddhi nahi kehti. Maa aapko jara bhi bura nahi lagta jab kaka-kaaki tak aapke baare me galat baat bolte hai? Mera jhagda isliye he hua tha kal raat us Bansi se jo baar baar keh raha tha ke teri maa he khaa gayi poore pariwar ko. Daayan bol rahi thi uski maa isliye maine sar pe patthar maar diya tha dono ke. Aur baad me aapne mujhe mara aur bina bhojan kiye he so gayi. Ye maine kapaas ki batti bhi bana di aur isme dher sara teil hai maa.", Khule aangan me dono maa beta ab wo mitti ka diya teil se bharne ke baad usko prajwalit karke us tooti chaarpayi tale rakh hath jodd kar baithe the. Ek patni apne swargiya pati ko yaad kar rahi thi aur ek beta apne prehri, margdarshak aur gyaan se bharopoor shikshak roopi pita ko. Aasman aaj bhi utna he syaah tha jitna ek baras pehle us raat me jab Manohar hridya-gati rukne se ye duniya chhoda gaya tha. Insaano se kahi behtar thi wo vidaal jo apne is insaani pariwar ko dhyaan me leen dekh Anuradha ke he kadmo me satt kar diye ki aur pasar chuki thi. Ek katu satya tha is samaaj ka jaha chaurahe par mrityu prapt karne wale ka pariwar har raah se prithak kar diya gaya tha. Kuch pal maun ke baad jab dono uth khade hue toh Chandan ne he apni maa se kaha.
"Aap jab jab aansu bahati hai na maa toh mere hridya me atyadhik peeda hoti hai. Aap swayam he dekhiye is Meena ko jo aapke dukh me khud bhi dukhi lagti hai. Pita ji bahot he nek insaan the maa par master ji kehte hai ki insaan is duniya se jaane ke baad laut kar nahi aata. Hum bhi is ghar me laut kar nahi aayenge jaha aap har pal aansu bahati ho. Main naani se aapki shikayat karunga."
"Chal ab tu so ja beta aur kar lena shikayat apni naani se. Jaane waale toh laut kar nahi aate Chandan par unki yaadein bhulana unka tiraskaar he hoga. Main ab kabhi dukhi nahi houngi, bas mera raja beta apne pita ki shiksha ko sarthak kare aur ek behtar insaan bane. Khaat gira kar so ja, main bhi sone lagi hu. Savere bhor nikalte he chalna hai hume.", Chandan bhi apni maa ki baat sunn kar pehle us khule kiwaad par saankal laga ke aaya aur uske baad apni maa ke kamre me unke sirhaane paani ki gadwi rakh kar wo laltein bujha kar bahar khule aangan me sann ki chaarpaayi bicha us par aa leta. Aasmaan me toh aaj dekhne ke liye wo sitare bhi nahi the jinhe aksar wo bachpan se ginta aaya tha. Meena kuch par aangan ka daura karti rahi aur mahol ko poori tarah khamosh dekh uchal kar Chandan ki bagal me he jagah banati pasar gayi. Wo chanchal vidaal is maamle me bhi poora adhikaar jamati thi jaise wo Chandan ki chhoti behan ho. Ek baar Meena ko puchkaar kar Chandan ne bhi karwat us aur he kar li jidhar wo deepak jagmag tha.
Ye ghar sehar ki jaisi aakhir hadd par tha aur is se ek kos aage he eekh-dhaan ke khet aur unse pare prakritik jungle faila tha. Khamoshi ko bhang kare wo siyaaro ki huaaan huaan ki awaaj atche khaase vyakti ke chitt ko dehla deti thi aise mahol me parantu Chandarn ko toh ye ek madhur baansuri ki taan he lagti thi. Madhur taan me wo jald he diye ko dekhte hue gehri neend me chala gaya. Aisa he khamosh mahol aur syaah kaali raat idhar se 25 Kos dur uske nanihaal waale us chhote se gaanv Paatan me bhi thi lekin kuch log jaise is syaah andhkaar ke he itchhuk the.
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"Abe Chaggu, dekh bhai mera jee bahot ghatt raha hai.", Us chhote se gaanv me jaise kutte bhi is andhkaar ki wajah se kone me dubke the par badan par chaadar audhe aur ek hath me baans ka latth liye ye 2 insaan ghane andhkaar aur us se jyada biyabaan jungle me dabe paanv aage badh rahe the. Jaise din ke ujaale ne inki chaahat ko poora karne se mana kar diya hoga aur ab inhone chuna tha andhkaar aur kaali duniya ki kathin raah ko. Kahi kahi toh ghane vriksh aur jhaadiyan he jameen par aise saaye bana dete jaise koyi pret inke peeche se ubhar raha ho. Ye 2 log Paatan gaanv ke gareeb tabke se the. Jhamru kumhaar aur uska khaasam-khaas Chhagan julaha. Chaggu urf Chhagan ek gambhir aur majboot vyakti tha apne sathi ke mukable par is ghangor andhere me chalte hue uske maathe par paseene ke sath bal padd rahe the. Par jaise uski aankhon me ek ummeed thi jo uske darr ko dabaye thi.
"Jhamru, ghutt ghutt ke jeene se toh shaan se marna hai mere bhai. Kabtak us kachi kholi me hath ki ungliyon se jyada sadasyo ke sath dusro ki bheekh par nirvaah karega? Main toh ab aisi haalat me agla suryodaya nahi dekh sakta. Mandhaari baba ne behtar jiwan ki aas dikhaayi hai aur aaj main har haal me unka kaha poora karunga. Dekhna jald he hum log bhi 2 waqt daal-chawal kha sakenge, badhiya dhoti kurta hoga, dudharu pashu honge. Phir meri mehru ko haweli par jhaadu pauncha nahi karna padega, meri Laali bitiya udhar bartan nahi maanjegi. Darr toh mujhe bhi lagta hai Jhamru par ye us dard ke aage kuch bhi nahi jo mere hridya me hota hai jab jab main apni mehru ke jism par vastra ki jagah purane aur fate vastra dekhta hu. Meri Laali ko ek he vastra ki jodi me 5 maah se dekh raha hu. Bas aaj amaavas ki devi hum par kirpa barsa de, phir dukh ka namo-nishaan na hoga.", Ghane umas bhare jungle se nikal kar ye dono ab kachi pagdandi par aa pahuche the. Idhar bhi andhkaar aisa ki hath ko hath na dikhe par inki aankhen abtak abhyast ho chali thi. Dil ki dhadkan itna chalne aur darr-ummeed ki wajah se abhi tak bhukamp si dhadd-dhadd chal rahi thi.
"Bahut bura lagta hai Chaggu bhai jab jab main apni mehru ko bhabhi se batiyate sunta hu. Gajju halwai ka mustanda Surja sare aam uske jism ke baare fabtiyan kasta hai. Aur 2 din pehle toh unhone Phulwa ko daboch he liya tha. Bhala ho Jaanki amma ka jo udhar se gujar rahi thi aur samay rehte unhone na sirf Phulwa ki ijjatt bachaayi balki 2 latth Surja ke bhi dhar diye. Par har baar toh amma ji nahi hongi ijjatt bachane ko. Tu sahi kehta hai re, amavas ki devi he ab aakhiri aas hai. Tune samaan ka jugaad kaise kiya bhai?", Baat batane ke dauraan he Jhamru ki aankhe paniya gayi thi jinhe saaf karta wo ab lambe kadmo se gaanv ke bahar wale us chaurahe tak aa pahucha tha jaha wo ghana bargad beecho beech khada tha. Inki aahat milte he us mahakaaye bargad par baithe ullu rudan karne lage. Unke rudan ne khamosh jungle me alag si aag bhar di thi soye panchiyon ke kolahal ke sath sath siyaaron ka rudan bhi prarambh ho gaya. Ekdum se bhang hui is shaanti se dono vyaktiyon ka hridya darr se labrej ho gaya. Jhumru ne aankhe moond kar Chaggu ki kalaai majbooti se pakad li. Bade paro wala parinda unke sar ke upar se gujra tha aur ab hilte daal jaise unhe apna kaal dikhne lage jo apne kareeb bula raha ho.
"Darr matt mere bhai.. darr matt.. Ye sab itna asaan rehta toh har koyi smridh na ban jata? Teri Phulwa ke baare soch aur kal ko Kusum bhi byaah karne laayak hogi. Baba ne kaha tha na ki Amavas devi prasann hui toh jiwan me kabhi kisi ke saamne hath na failane padenge. Ye tu thaili pakad main diya banata hu.", Us bade bargad ke samanya se adhik gheraav liye tane ke gird anginat laal-safed dhaage bandhe the jiske baare me kaha jaata tha ki ye us pret ko shaant rakhne ki mannat thi jo is par niwaas karta tha aur jaane ab tak kitne he nirdosh-doshi is khamosh chaurahe ne leel liye the. Saanjh hone ke baad kya din dopehari me bhi jan-maanas idhar akele aane se gurej karta tha. Sameep ki upjaau jameen chaurahe ke darr ki wajah se dhire dhire jungle me he vileen hone lagi thi. Chaggu ne bargad tale bane us chabutre par ukdu baithte hue dono hatho se geela aata modd modd kar diya banaya aur uske kareeb waise he ukdu baithe Jhamru ne thaile se ek ek karke anushthaan ka samaan apne saamne nikaal kar rakha. Paseena ab jism se chabutare par tapakne laga tha aur uski adhikta itni thi ki baar baar Jhamru apni dhoti ka seera utha kar chehra saaf karte hue vidhi ka samaan jaanchne lagta.
"Ye laddu kaha se mila Chaggu? Aur ye murge ka he rakt hai ya tune apna bhara hai is shishi me? Le pehle devi yantra bana le jaise baba ne kaha tha. Aahuti ke baad he poora 7 keela thokna hai hume mil kar. Tabhi pret hume sampann banayega. Keela ke liye tere paas dhan kaha se aaya?", Chhagan poori tanmayta se diya bana kar usme teil aur baati lagane ke baad ab us syaah kaale dikhte rakt ko ek sookhe patte par girane ke baad ungli se chabutare par aadi tirchi rekhaayen banane laga. Ekake umas bhare vatavaran me jordaar hawa chalne lagi thi jis se wo raktim patta bhi udd kar andhere me kho gaya.
"Dhatt tere ki. Laa ye thoda rakt meri hatheli par gira Jhamru. Hawa ka bhi kuch pata nahi chalta, kab rukti hai kab behne lagti hai. Ye laddu maine badi mehnat se mandir se churaya tha. Jaanta hu hamara udhar pravesh karna varjit hai bhai par Gajju ek laddu ek dhibri (Paise) me deta hai aur apni haalat toh sab jaante hai. Keele maine Jaanki amma ke naye kamre ki putaai karte waqt waha bache samaan se churaye hai. Unke kaam ke nahi the lekin apne jiwan me inki kitni mehta hai ye toh tu bhi jaanta hai. La diyasalaai de jara.", Wo yantra poora karke apna rakt se sana hath Jhamru ki he dhoti ke palle se paunch kar aate ka diya thik us yantra ke beecho beech rakh kar gehri saans lene he laga tha ki tej khadkhadahat ki awaaj se dono mitra idhar udhar jhaankne lage. Ye aisi awaaj thi jaise koyi janwar dusre ko jhaadiyon me kheench raha ho par ye kareeb se aayi thi. Mahol ek bar fir se bhayanak ho chala tha aur reh reh kar sookhe patto par kisi ke chalne ki awaaj ke sath siyaaro ka rona tivra hone laga.
"Huhhhh.. Chaggu bhai.. jaldi kar.. Baba ne kaha tha na ki anushthaan me jara bhi chook hui toh lene ke dene bhi padd sakte hai. Aahh.. Lagta hai kisi cheente ne kaat khaya.. Yaha bhookhe peit hum amaavas devi ko laddu chadha rahe hai, murge ka khoon pila rahe hai par ye cheente apni bhookh hamare khoon se bujhane me lage hai. Isme .. isme toh 2 he tilli hai bhai.", Jhamru ne thaile se tatol kar kaath ki wo dibbiyan nikali toh uske hath reh reh kar aati bhayanak awaajo aur bargad se girte sookhe patto ki wajah se kaanpne lage the. Ekaek dono ke sar ke upar se ghani chhaya gujri toh jism tivra thandak se bhar utha jo reedh se behta hua unke kulho ko jhanjhana gaya.
"Galti nahi karni.. galti nahi karni... Thodi aut de Jhamru.. bada kaam karne se pehle bahot kuch sehna padta hai. Ye darr vyarth nahi hai.. Haan jal gayi... Jai amaavas devi.. hamari har manokaamna poori karna.", Jaise taise dono us diye ko gher kar prajvalit kar gaye. Par ab baari thi us diye ke gird 7 keele thokne ki par diya bujhne nahi dena tha.
"La pehla keela main thokta hu Chaggu. Ekaek jism thanda padd raha hai bhai.", Waise he kaanpte hatho se usne wo lamba keela utha kar lakdi ke mutthe wali hathodi se pakke chabutre par tika kar chot ki toh chaaro dishaaon me ye tannnn ki awaaj goonj uthi. Aisa lagta tha jaise wo awaaj dur se inke kareeb aayi ho. Ek bar dono ne ek duje ko dekha aur sehmati me Chaggu ne sar hilaya. Diye ki low abhi bhi fadak rahi thi itni aad hone ke bawjood. Har prahaar par tannn ke ye awaaj paida hoti aur dono sihar uththe. Aisa karte karte dono ne he 5 keele thok diye the aur us chakra ko poora karne ke liye ye chhehva keela ab Chhagan ne gaadna tha. Diya ab joro se fadakne laga tha aur itni mehnat ke baad dono dosto ke chehre ke sath jism paseene se labrej the. Ekake hawa aise ruk gayi jaise uska koyi wajood he na tha. Chhagan ne apne dost ki taraf wo keela tika kar lagataar 2-3 chot pahuchaayi jaise ab wo ye sab aur sehan nahi kar sakta tha. Darr badhne laga tha jaise jaise mausam apne chehre badalta. Chauthi chot par eksath 3 kaam hue. Diya Chhagan ke tapakte paseene se bujha, ullu ki bhayanak awaaj joro se unke kaano ko bendh gayi jaise wo kandhe par baith ke chillayan ho aur Jhamru ne darr ke peeche hona chaha toh jaise kisi adrishya taagat ne usko chabutare se niche jor se patak diya.
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh.. Pret... pret... aaaaa..", Bas wo girne se pehle cheenkhta hua yahi bol paaya tha aur uska jism mirgi ke mareej samaaan tadapne laga. Par abhi toh jaise kuch aur bhi hona tha jis se marnaasan Chhagan apne dost ki haalat bhool kar khood bhi cheekhne chinghaadne laga tha. Uske sar par kuch pathar sa gira tha bargad ki kisi unchi shaakh se aur jab usne uthna chaha toh jaise koyi usko chabutre ke bhitar khinchne laga. Chhagan ne poori jaan laga kar khud ko chhudaya, sab samaan aur apne dost ko wahi chhod kar wo sarpat andhere me daudne laga tha ki wo andhkaar me aisa gira, fir uth na saka. Jhamru toh fir bhi marne se pehle 2 shabd bol gaya tha par uske diler dost ko chaurahe ke pret ne itni mohlat bhi na di ki wo pukaar sake. Ek baar fir hawa ruk thamm chuki thi.. Ek baar fir jungle khamosh ho chuka tha.. siwaye bargad par baithe us ullu ke jo reh reh kar rudan karta fir udta fir laut aata.. Amavas ne apne andhere me dono mitro ko samet liya tha behtar bhavishya ki rishwat ke bhulawe me. Cheente khush the jinhe rakt ke sath mishthan mil gaye. Is amavas aur chaurahe ne sirf 2 jaan he nahi li thi, apitu kayi pariwaro par gehra asar hone wala tha is biyabaan me ghate anushthaan se. Jhamru aur Chhagan ke pariwaro par iska kya asar hoga, ye toh suryodaya behtar bata sakta tha.
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Dur viraane me jirn-shirn khade us khandhar ke bhitar chhamm chhamm ki madhur dhwani is yuwak ko apni aur kheench rahi thi jo raah bhool kar is aur aa pahucha tha. Tapti dhoop se kab waqt raat me badla ye uska jism bhali bhaanti jaanta tha aur upar se bhookh pyaas ne uski hatasha me ijafa he kiya. Marusthal ke beecho beech jaise jal strot dikh gaya tha usko is khandhar ke roop me. Bahar bhare saaf jalashya se chulu me bhar kar paani peeta hua wo ab badhte andhkaar se beparwaah ho chala tha. Paani me ek saya najar aate he najre uthaane par bas paayalo ke ghungruon ki chhann chhann he sunaai di jaise koyi roopsi nange paanv khandhar me gayab ho gayi.
Darr ki jagah ab yuwak ke damakte chehre par ek gehri muskaan thi jo is viraane me akela hone par bhi ab akela nahi tha. Kadam jyon jyon aage badhne lage waise waise uski dhadkan ek khoobsurat anhoni ke intjaar me tej hone lagi. Bhitar aadhi adhuri laal kaali diwaro aur thode jhaad jhakaad ke siwa kuch najar na aaya. Itna gehra sannata jaise yuwak ko fir se hataash karne laga tha aur aasman ki taraf uthte chaand ko dekhte hue wo roshan laalten le jaati ghoongat audhe roopsi.. Yuwak ke mooh se bas ek aahhh si nikal gayi us pardarshi ghoongat ke peeche chhipe itne khoobsurat chehre ko ek pal dekh lene bhar se. Tej aur lambe lambe kadam leta wo maili seedhiyon ko laangta hua upari manzil ke usi galiyare ma pravesh kar gaya jaha se usne wo roopsi jaati dekhi thi. Ek baar fir waisi he antheen khamoshi ne sama gher liya.
'Chhann chhann', ye awaaj bahot thi usko sahi sthaan batane ke liye aur is baar wo us bina kiwaad ke kaksh ki taraf badh chala jaha us yuvti ke milne ki ummeed thi. Pratipal uski dhadkan badhne lagi thi par chehre par ek aas aur atyadhik prem. Aakhir wo us kaksh ke saamne pahuch he gaya tha jaha aut se wo halki roshni phoot rahi thi. Pallu kiye wo naar uski taraf peeth kiye the, hare ghaagre aur laal choli me. Paanv me chaandi ki ghungroo jadit paayal aur taraashi si sughad gori-saanwli baahen. Yuwak kuch bolna chahta tha, bahot kuch kehna chahta tha par jaise koyi uska gala dabane laga. Jism thanda padne laga tha aur wo yuvti awaaj ke liye tarasti palatne lagi thi ki jaise yuvak us galiyare se niche girne laga, cheekh gale se bahar na nikli.
"Maa..", Murge ki baang se pehle he paseene se lathpath Chandan chaarpayi par baitha haanf raha tha. Aaj fir wahi khwaab dekha tha usne jo aaj se pehle jaane kitni baar aa chuka tha. Har baar uski jubaan par tala padd jata aur wo anant gehraai me girta chala jata. Jism ka ekmatra vastra, wo sooti dhoti bhi paseene se halki bheeg chuki thi aur upar nirvastra badan shishe sa chamak raha tha jaise wo naha kar nikla ho. Meena uski khaat par nahi thi jaisa aksar wo karti thi par aur kuch jarur tha uski bagal me. Ek kapde ki gudiya jo sindoor me lipti thi jiski wajah se uski dhoti par bhi jaha taha laal nishaan ban chuke the.
'Bas yahi sab toh aata hai inhe aur fir bura bhi mujhe aur meri maa ko batate hai. Kitni bholi hai maa jo inhe kuch kehti nahi aur mujhe bhi rok leti hai. Atcha hai na aaj ke baad na idher rehna padega aur na inki galat baatein harkaten jhelni padengi. Nahane ke baad he maa ko uthata hu, mujhse baad me he soyi hongi.', Us kapde ki gudiya ko char-diwari se bahar fenk kar Chandan khoonti par tanga angocha liye he hath se chalane wale nalke ki taraf badh chala. Angrejo ka ye toh sukh tha ki kothri jaise ghar me unhe har waqt jal ki suvidha thi. Shoch ke liye pichle hisse me bane pakhane se nivrat ho kar wo babool ki daatun ragadta hua baalti ko bharne laga. Mann me atyadhik uthal puthal thi Chandan ke par wo sehaj reh kar wahi pakke paat par baith nahane laga. Dhoti jism par waise he pehne jiske sath sindhoor dhona jaruri tha. Murge baang dene lage the aur aasman ka rang kuch feeka hone laga. Naya din kitna khoobsurat dikhta hai andheri raat ke baad. Jaise punarjanam hua ho.
"Mujhe jaga toh deta Chandu? Deri hone par taangwala bhi nakhre karega.", Bahar aangan me nikalte he Anuradha ne sar ko safed dhoti ke pallu se dhakte hue aangan me padi chaarpayi diwar sang khadi ki aur bete ko nahata dekh thoda khij si gayi. Aksar wahi sabse pehle uthti thi aur Chandan ko bhor ke baad he uthati thi chai dene ke sath.
"Maa, Mansukh kaka din nikle he aayenge aur usme abhi bahot samay hai. Aap nityakram se nibat lo, main snaanghar me nahane ka paani rakh deta hu.", Anuradha ek pal ko thithak kar apne bhole bete ko dekhne lagi thi fir uski awastha dekh kar bas haan me sar hila kar wo pichle hisse ki aur badh chali jaha ek paikhana aur chaadar bandh kar 3 diwaro wala snaanghar he tha. Jism ko atche se paunchne ke baad Chandan ne apni maa ke liye nahane ke paani bhi yatha-sthaan rakh diya aur kamar par saaf dhoti pehan kar chulha sulgane aangan ke kone me he aa baitha. Ek saal me waqt ne usko itna badal diya tha ki wo apni dukhiyari tooti hui maa ko sambhalne ke sath sath ye sab kaam bhi seekh chuka gaya. Safar lamba tha aur uspe chalne ke liye achaar roti bhi bandhni thi. Chai chulhe par chadha kar Chandan paraat me aata goondne laga. Reh reh kar usko apna wahi swapan aur usme shamil wo rehasyamayi yuvti zehan me aane lagi. Is ghar aur kasbe se bahar wo adhik se adhik kahi nikla tha toh apne dada daadi ke ghar jo ab is duniya se ja chuke the aur dusra sthaan tha nanihaal lekin usko waha ka kuch bhi yaad na tha. Uske mata pita me prem he itna tha ki swayam Anuradha is ghar ko chhod apne maayke nahi gayi thi pichle ek dashak me. Haan uski naani Jaanki devi jarur saal 2 saal me milne aati rahi par kabhi bhi wo ruki nahi thi apni beti ke ghar siwaye jab Manohar ka dehant hua. Tehravi ke baad swayam Anuradha ne he apni maa ko yaha aane se mana kar diya tha jab aas-pados walo ne dabe chhipe is par bhi baatein banani shuru kar di thi. Sarkari sewadar tha Manohar aur sabka yahi kehna tha ki Jaanki devi ki najar us daulat par hogi jo Angrezo se Anuradha aur uske bete ko milne wali thi. Abhi chai ubal kar patili se bahar nikalne he lagi thi ki lohe ke dwaar par dastak sunn kar Chandan ne garam patili turant hatho se he pakad kar ek taraf rakhi. Aisa karne se uski ungaliyon me atyadhik peeda hui thi par sab andekha karta hua ye yuwak turant darwaja kholne dauda.
"Beta tumhari maa kaha hai? Hujur Sterling sahab swayam unhe unki sampatti saunpne aaye hai jaise he unhe Mansukh se tum logo ke jaane ka pata chala.", Chandan ne apne saamne safed kurte aur dhoti ke sath safed pagdi pehne muneem ji ke sath sath taange se utar kar aaye apne se bhi unche Angrez sahab ko dekha jo itni savere unke dwaar aa pahuche the. Chandan ne dono ko he pranaam karne ke baad ghar ki bhitar aane ki jagah di aur turant daud kar diwar se lagi charpaayi aur lakdi ki patli niwar se buni kursi dono ko pesh ki. Pehle aangan ka nirikshan ghoom fir kar kiya gaya aur Sterling sahab ne kursi ka chunaav kiya. Hath se unhone muneem ji ko chaarpaayi par baithne ka ishara diya jabki dhad se nirvastra Chandan dono hath jodde unke saamne sehma khada tha.
"Humko chaai nai pilao gay Chaandan?", Bhoori moonchen aur gulabi saaf gaalo wale ye angrez sahab tooti footi hindi bhali bhaanti bol lete the aur kholti chai ki patili bhi unhone dekh he li thi nirikshan ke sath. Chandan wapis kone ki taraf dauda aur aanan faanan me he raakh se saaf karke rakhe 2 gilaaso me kapde se chhan kar aadhi gehrai tak chai bharne ke baad dono ke paas laut aaya. Angrez sahab uski kushalta aur teji dekh prabhavit the. Peene se pehle unhone us garam chaai ki vashp ko atche se nathune me bhara aur muskuraye.
"Tumhara pita atcha aadmi tha aur tum bhi bada ho gaya hai. Muneem humko bataya tumhari haalat. Idhar jeena muskil hai widow.. vidhwa ka. Tumhara maa atcha aurat hai Chaandan aur ab tumko he mehnat karna hai. Wo idar nahi rehna chahta. Khade matt raho beta.. Bait jaao.", Dono hatho ko garam gilaas par ragadte hue sahab tukdo tukdo me Chandan ko sab batane aur samjhane lage the. Hindustaan me rehte rehte wo yaha ki kuritiyon, andhvishwas aur samaajik soch ko jaan chuke the jaha ek vidhwa aurat ka jiwan narak bann kar reh jata hai agar sahara na mile. Chandan charpaayi par bhi kohni tak hath jode baitha tha. Sahab ne ek ghoont bharne ke baad muskura kar he prashansa ki thi chaai ki.
"Sahab main meri maa ko kabhi kasht nahi hone dunga ye aapse vaada karta hu. Wo boli thi ki aap he kahe hai ghar khaali karne ko aur waise bhi idhar rehne ka mann bhi nahi karta."
"Hum wahi bola beta. Ye ghar Manohar ka he hai par tumhara maa isko lene se inkaar kiya aur atcha baat hai tum log apna pariwar ke pas rahega. Muneem tum Chaandan ka padhne ka paisa har mahina pahuchayenge. Iska maa paisa nahi liya tha us samay jo thik kiya. Inko 200 rupaya ke sath 2 sone ka sikka bhi do. Manohar iski umar ka he tha jab naukri laga. Beta tum kabi bhi idhar aa kar muneem se mil sakta aur humse darna nai. Apna maa ka dhyaan rakhna aur itna rupaya ka bhi.", Sahab ne apni baat kehne ke baad jab muneem par dhyaan diya toh wo sar par palla karti Anuradha ko chori chori dekhne me laga tha. Abhi abhi naha kar aayi Anuradha ko kaha pata tha ki itni subah ghar me mehmaan darshan denge aur uske jism par ek safed dhoti aur kasi hui choli kahi kahi se gili ho kar pardarshi padne lagi thi. Anuradha ko muneem ki najar ki samajh kaise lagti jab wo inse palla karte hue rasoighar ki taraf badh chali. Muneem chai ka gilaas khud he us taraf rakhne ke liye uth raha tha jisko kuch sakht shabdo me Angrez sahab ne ye aadesh dete hue apne hone ka bhi ehsaas karwa diya.
"Beta angootha lagana hai idhar tumhe.", Fatafat jhole se ek safed kaagaj jis par sarkari mohar lagi thi wo muneem ne Chandan ke saamne rakh diya, neeli syaahi ki dawaat bhi khol kar.
"Muneem kaka main naam likh sakta hu."
"Haan beta bhool gaya tha ki tum 8 jamaat paas kar chuke ho.", Muneem ji ne Chandan ko ek ek rupaye ke chaandi ke 200 sikko ki pautli saunpne ke sath Sterling sahab se prapt wo chamchamati sone ki 2 mohre bhi supurd ki. Dekh kar lagta tha ki jaise wo sab muneem ki jeb se ja raha ho. Itni adhik rakam sachmuch aasha se adhik thi. Chandan kaanpte hatho se wo pautli le kar jabtak dhnyawaad deta Sterling sahab uth chuke the. Uski maa chulhe ke saamne baithi hui ab pallu se idhar dekhne lagi toh jaate waqt bhi muneem palat kar Anuradha ki kamar aur peit nihaar raha tha. Thik tabhi Sterling sahab bhi palte aur gala khankhaar kar muneem ko jis tarah se ghoora wo sitpita gaya.
"Mansukh ko paisa dene ka jarurat nai Chaandan.", Darwaja unhone he dhaal diya tha bahar nikalte hue aur itna jarur tha ki Sterling sahab ab muneem se tabiyat se baat karne wale the uski harkat ki wajah se. Aur idhar Anuradha ne apne bete ko chai ke sath thaali me 2 roti aur achaar dete hue baat shuru ki.
"Beta, paisa nahi lena chahiye tha tumhe bade sahab se. Tumhare pita sahi kehte the ki bade sahab bahot bhale insaan hai chahe wo gore hai aur hum unke gulaam. Par unhone kabhi bhi gulaam nahi kaha tha unhe. Ye tumhare muneem kaka sahi aadmi nahi hai isliye main inse mulakaat nahi karna chahti thi.", Ab pallu se he chehra saaf karti hui Anuradha apne bete ko sansarik gyaan dene lagi toh apni maa ke saral aur soone chehre ko dekh kar Chandan ne pehla niwala unke he mukh ki aur badhate hue kaha.
"Bade sahab kehte hai ki is duniya me paisa bahot jaruri hai jeene ke liye maa. Aap toh naani ka bhi ehsaan nahi leti isliye ye papa ki kamaai aapki he hai. Aap naani ke sath reh kar bhi ghar khud chalana chahengi par ab jimmewari uthane ki baari meri hai maa. Aap thik kehti hai ki muneem kaka jitne bhale lagte hai wo utne nahi hai. Bade sahab un par krodhit ho rahe the jitna maine samjha. Ye 200 sikke hai maa, aur aap inhe sambhalengi.", Potli ki taraf ishara karte hue Chandan ne apni maa ko spasht bataya tha ki wo chahe aam jiwan aur logo ki najro me bhola/saral kuch bhi ho par ab wo mehnat karke pariwar ki jimmewari apne yuva kandho par lega.
"Mujhe toh waha bhi samaaj me ekaantvaas he naseeb hoga bete. Par main hardam apne samajhdar bete ke sath rahungi. Chal ab tu ye swayam kha aur main raste ke liye bhojan bandhti hu.", Chandan apni maa ke chehre par aayi is halki si muskaan se he prasann ho gaya. Maa bete halke bhojan ke baad baaki sabhi tayaariyan kar li thi aur thik samay par he wo bhoore ghode se juda chajj wala tanga ghar ke bahar ruk gaya. Apna ye bikhra hua aashiyana chhodte hue uski maa ke netra fir se sajal ho uthe par taange me baithi wo ghoongat se bhi apne bete ko dekh rahi thi jo agle hisse me Mansukh kaka ke sath paanv latkaaye baitha unke kisse bade chaav se sunn raha tha. Taange ke chayadaar hisse me sirf Anuradha he thi aur chand kapdo/samaan ki gathriyan. Shehar ka aakhiri chauraha paar karte hue usne apne bete ko dekha jo chaurahe ko pranaam kar raha tha.
"Jaante ho Mansukh kaka, mere pita ji kehte the ki hum chaurahe par holi-diwali ya amavas ko diya isliye rakhte hai kyonki yaha chaar raahen milti hai aur andhere me raahgir, bailgaadi ya taanga aa-jaa rahe ho toh wo aapas me na takraaye. Diye ki thodi bahot roshni bhi unhe unki raah toh dikha he deti hai. Aur log kaisi kaisi baatein karte toona-totka aur chaurahe ke pret ki. Aap maante hai is sabko kaka?", Bete ke vichaar duniya se kahi alag he the aur Anuradha khush hone ke sath bhitar he bhitar chintit bhi thi kyonki Chandan ya toh kuch kehta he nahi tha lekin jo shiksha mili hai us par amal jarur karta tha. Taange wale Mansukh kaka uski baat sunn kar aasmaan me badhte ujaale ko dekh muskuraye saaf mausam dekh.
"Ab meri samajh toh beta ye kehti hai ki duniya me har naam aur vastu ki wajah jarur hai. Pret kaho ya tona, hote toh hai par tumhari baat us sabse behtar lagi mujhe. Andhkaar me tum jarur raah dikhane wale Chaand banoge. Waise ye tumhari Meena itni shaant kyun hai aaj?"
"Ye vichaar bana rahi hai ki nayi jagah par ja kar kya kya karnaame karne hai. Wo ek gali peeche jo Shanno kaaki rehti hai na, Meena unke yaha se zinda chooja pakad laayi thi. Iske badle fatkaar mujhe padi par ye kisi ka bura nahi karte aur log kehte hai ki ye ashubh hai jo mere pita ko kha gayi. Wahi log kabhi maa ko toh kabhi mujhe aisa kehte hai. Ab aap he socho jab wo apne kathan par he barkaraar nahi hai toh wo kaisa samaaj denge aane wali peedhi ko?", Ab wo samaajik shikshit aur shiksha se vanchit Mansukh kaka kaise uska samarthan karte. Par Anuradha us chaurahe ko dur hota dekh rahi thi jiske andhkaar ne uske pati ko leel liya tha. Ab wo is se dur ja rahi thi par naseeb me aage bhi chaurahe intjaar kar rahe the, jo is se kahi jyada khatarnaak the aur anginat logo ki mrityu ke gawaah.
Waha ke ek chaurahe ne beeti raat he Jhamru aur Chhagan ko parlok bheja tha aur unke ghatnasthal par mile shavo ke sath sath tantra mantra ki kriya ki saja un dono ke jiwit pariwaro ne jheli jinhe sarpanch Karam Singh ne sahara dene ki jagah gaanv nikala diya tha. Rote bilakhte bache aur auraton ki haalat waha ke baaki 50 gharo me se sirf Jaanki Devi ne samjhi thi jinhone kuch paiso ke sath unhe rehne ke liye apni he jungle ke sameep wali jameen ka ek chota sa tukda diya tha aur wo vichaar bana chuki thi in sabhi ka sahi prayog karne aur unhe unki roji-roti dilwane ka. Aakhir unki beti bhi toh samaaj ki sataayi hui thi jo apna jiwan naye seere se shuru karne aaj Paatan aane wali thi. Phulwa apne 3 bacho aur Jhamru ki kunwari behan ke sath lachaar ho chuki thi aur uske sath he Chaggu ki mehru aur bitiya Laali ke sath 2 chote bache bhi apne apne pita ka antim sanskaar jungle se pare aur gaanv se dur us nirjan khandhar ke kareeb karke aaye the jiska maalikana haq bhi Jaanki devi rakhti thi.
"Kaka aur kitna samay lagega hume?", Chaayadar vriksho se ghire us kache raaste par tanga pichle 3 ghante se sarpat dauda tha aur ek ghanta chara-paani aur araam ke baad safar fir se shuru hue bhi 2 ghante beet chuke the. Dhoop patto se chhan kar niche girti toh uski bas halki si tapish mehsoos hoti kudrat ke pehlu me.
"Bas beta 2 ab toh haathi ki dum baaki reh gayi. Aur ek baat yaad rakhna apne kaka ki. Paatan me jaise chaho waise raho aur ghumo phiro par na toh jungle ki taraf saanjh dhale jana aur na pokhar se aage banjar ilaake me."
"Waha aisa kya hai kaka? Mujhe toh andhere jyada pasand hai aur khamoshi bhi."
"Bas beta mera farj hai tumhe chetana aur tum atche bache ho jis par ab apni maa ke sath naani ki dekhbhal ka bhi jimma hai."
"Batao na kaka udhar kya hai? Nahi pata hoga toh waha jaane ka jee jyada karega.", Mansukh kaka uski baat sunn kar kuch kehne se pehle peeche palat kar dekhe aur waha Anuradha ko mooh dhake gathri ke sahare soya paya toh fir bade dhime se bole.
"Jungle ki taraf pret hai aur pokhar se aage daayan. Jo udhar andhere me gaya wo andhere se jiwit bahar nahi aaya. Abhi raaste me jaha araam ko ruke the waha par bhi dusra gaadiwan jo Paatan ki aur se aaya tha bata raha tha ki biti raat bhi jungle wale bargad ke chaurahe par 2 log mrit mile hai. Tum chaurhe par diya kis wajah se jalate ho isko koyi nahi poochega par wo tumhe hamesha galat he samjhenge aur andhkaar araam karne ke liye hota hai, virano me soyi dusri duniya me dakhal karne ke liye nahi. Bas ab ye dhyaan me rakhna aur kisi se bhi faaltu baat nahi karna.", Mansukh kaka ko kaha pata tha ki wo is yuvak ke chaurahe se mann ko diya dikha chuke hai uske gaanv pahuchne se pehle he.
Copyright to Enigma203
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