Update 2
Bada he manoram drishya tha ye jungle wale chaurahe ko paar karne ke baad. Ek aur sakande ki bani chhoti chhoti jhopdiyan jinke ird-gird hari sabjiyan ugaayi gayi thi ghane gulmohar, shehtoot aur shisham ke vriksho ki chhayan me toh chaudi pagdandi ke dusri aur taja paani ki nehar ke sath ghaans aur vanaspatiyon se labrej khule bade maidaan me sustaate jugaali karte paaltu pashu. Taanga dhimi raftaar se is kachi sadak par aage badhta raha aur Chandan prakriti ki itni vistrit chhata niharta mantramugdh sa iski tulna apne sehar wale ghar parivesh se karke aane wale samay ke khwaab sanjota raha.
"Chandu beta apni maa se pucho jara ab yaha se kis taraf jana hai.?", Mansukh kaka ki awaaj sunn kar Chandan apne khayalo se bahar nikla. Taanga abhi saamne wale chaurahe se pehle ek taraf ruk chuk tha jaha se ek path seedha jaata tha jidhar kuch kache makaan ek dusre se atchi khaasi duri par bane the aur wo peetal ke gumbaj par jhoolti pataka batati thi ki aage wo ek mandir hai. Baayi aur khaprail ki chhatt wala ye bada sa chai ka adda jo is dopehar me khamosh jaan padta tha. Jyeshth maah ki garmi itne prakriti se bhare poore gaanv me bas is taraf he thi jaha is raah par na utne vriksho ki chhaya tha aur na he thandak. Daahini aur Lala ki parchoon ki dukaan ke aage kuch duri par neem ke atyadhik vishaal vriksh ki chhanv me lakdi ke lambe mej aur unse aage chikni maati ki bhatti par chadhe bade kadaahe batate the ki ye Gajju halwaai ki dukaan aur is gaanv ke jyadatar purusho ki gupshap ka adda hai. Is taraf bhi rihayash aage chal kar kaafir duri par thi jaha gharo se kahi badi unki chaar-diwari ya katili baado ka ghera tha. Itna saaf tha ki har raah jitni alag thi utna he us par base log.
"Maa, naani ka ghar kis taraf hai? Mujhe toh kuch bhi yaad nahi siwaye us nehar ke jo raaste me dikhi thi aur wahi naani ke ghar ke peeche se bhi nikalti hai na?", Chandan ki baat sunn kar ghoongat se he Anuradha bas halke se muskura di. Itni der se taange me baithe baithe Anuradha bhi thak chuki thi aur uske paanvo me jakdan ke sath sath dhamniyon ke aanshik avrudh hone se aaya soonapan bhi pareshaan kar raha tha. Par sab bhool-bhal kar Anuradha ne us taraf he ishara diya jaha sadak kinare parchoon ki dukaan thi. Mansukh chacha ne bhi taanga us taraf haank diya. Ghode ko bhi manzil par pahuchne ki jaldi thi jaise, aakhir bhookh aur pyaas bhi toh itni mehnat karne wali ko he adhik lagti hai. Amrood chabata hua ye chail-chhabila se yuvak jo dhoti ke sthaan par patloon pehne tha aur ek chatakh burshat, taange ki bagal se nikalte waqt pehle toh Chandan ko dekhne laga aur fir taanga paar hone ke baad pallu se he apna chehra saaf karti hui safed vastro me pichle hisse me akeli baithi Anuradha ko. Uske shaant chehre ke bawjood yuvak aisi khoobsurati dekh pratikriya dene se baaj na aaya. Angootha aur ungli mooh me daba kar seeti maarta hua wo beech sadak khada ye dussahas kar baitha tha. Anuradha ne sehamte hue poora chehra fir se pallu me qaid kar liya tha par sunsaan sadak par is awaaj ko Chandan bhala kaise andekha karta. Peeche ghoom kar usne dekha ki wahi yuvak ektak taange ko dekh raha tha aur Chandan se najre milne par wo apne lambe baalo par ek hath ghumata aisa dikha raha tha jaise wahi is gaanv ka karta dharta ho.
"Kaka, mujhe lagta hai ki insaan chahun aur ek jaise he hote hai. Koopit maansikta aur taaqat ka ghamand atchi baat toh nahi kaka? Badi badi chattaane bhi nirmal jal dhara se jirn-shirn ho jaati hai phir humara eham toh utna majboot bhi nahi. Wo beri aur beil ke vriksh jaha lage hai na kaka, wahi naani ka ghar hai. Maine abhi unhe chhatt par he dekha tha jaise wo hamari he raah dekh rahi ho. Maa, naani ka ghar itna bada hai?", Chandan taanga dhire hote he chalte taange se niche utar gaya. Pakka ghar chaaro taraf se pathar aur gaare se bani unchi diwaro se ghira tha jo abhi tak dikhaai diye gaanv ke tamaam gharo se kahi jyada he bada aur sampann prateet hota tha. Diwaar ke pare bhi kayi ghane vriksh the us ghar me aur wo bahar se jitna dekh sakta tha utna bhi na dekh paaya jab safed dhile kurte, gehre hare ghaaghre ke sath sar par audhni aur hath me majboot laathi thaame uski naani apni ek mehri ko sath liye taange ke samaksh aa ruki. Ek mahila hote hue bhi unki chaal me dambh aur majbooti saaf jhalakti thi. 50 baras ki Jaanki devi ne hath badha kar apni bitiya ko utarne me madad di toh wo dubli patli si kishori mehri vastro aur samaan ki gathtiyon ko uthane lagi.
"Charan sparsh naani maa. Aapka gaanv toh sachmuch kisi swarg sa khoobsurat hai aur ye ghar mujhe kabhi yaad nahi tha par ye kaafi bada hai.", Apni naani ke paanv choone ke paschaat Chandan ne mehri ke sath gathariyan utaarni chaahi toh apne naati ko gale lagaate hue unhone Mansukh kaka ko he aadesh de dala.
"Arre bhai, taanga aangan me laga do. Kab tak bechari ko dhoop me khada rakhoge? Gulaabo, tu inke jalpaan ka prabandh kar bitiya aur hara chara bhi dikha dena. Chal beta tu ghar baad me dekhna, mujhe pehle apne bache ko jee bhar ke dekhne de. Is mooyi se toh mera koyi vaasta nahi, ek tu he hai jo meri chita ko agni dega.", Pakke thadde par teeno chalte hue lohe ke majboot dwaar ko laangh kar bhitar pahuche toh unke peeche he ghode ke lagaam thaame paidal Mansukh kaka. Wo bhi apne angoche se chehre par aaya paseena saaf karte hue bade avishwaas se is haweli sareekhi imaarat ko dekh rahe the jaise unhe iski ummeed he na ho. Jitni jagah me wo bada hawadaar pakka makaan tha us se 4 guna adhik jagah kachi chhodi gayi thi khule aangan ki tarah aur kayi hare vriksho se bhari. Wo yuvti Gulabo ghar ke bhitar seene par dupatta kiye usko kamar par bandh badi dakshta se sara samaan pehle kaksh me utaar kar rakhne lagi, Mansukh kaka ko matke ka sheetal jal dene ke baad.
"Beta ghar tabhi bada kehlata hai jab usme pariwar rehta ho fir chaahe wo 2 kamro ka he kyun na ho. Ye aaj se pehle mere liye toh khandhar sa he tha dhero kamro aur samaan se saja bas ek khandhar. Aaj mera bacha aur beti yaha aaye hai toh iski tasvir aur naseeb badlenge. Anuradha bitiya tu kuch bhi kehna chaahe us se pehle bas meri praarthana sunn lena.", Yaha bhitar bhi ek alag mehri thi Jaanki ji ke ghar me jo lakdi ke mej par 3 chini mitti ke cup me chai ke sath namki aur mishthaan rakh kar bina kuch kahe wapis andar he vileen ho gayi. Khuli khidkiyon ki wajah se baithak me mahol jara bhi garam na tha balki bahar ki tapti hawa is khule aur bade kaksh me thandak de rahi thi. Ab sooni maang liye apni maa ke saamne baithi Anuradha ke sar par pallu nahi tha. Itne khoobsurat chehra aur ba-mushkil 32-33 baras ki Anuradha ke kaan, gala aur kalaai tak uski maang ki tarah khaali the jo ek maa he dekh sakti thi.
"Main aapki sharan me hu maa jaisa aap chahti thi aur aap aadesh kijiye prarthna shabd keh kar aap mujhe sharminda kar rahi hai.", Hath mooh dhone ke baad safed niwaar ki kursi par baitha Chandan kabhi apni maa ko dekhta aur kabhi apni naani ko jo abhi tak apne naati ko apne kandhe sang lagaaye thi.
"Sharan? Kitni aulaad hai bhala meri jo tumne ek he pal me mujhe begana kar diya beti? Tumhare pita toh apni beti ko byaah kar duniya se vida le gaye aur peeche bachi ye besahara aurat jisko log dhanwaan toh kehte hai par uska sach nahi jaante ki duniya me sabse gareeb aur abhagan bhi yahi hai. Swabhimaani hona atchi baat hai beti par kataaksh aur bematlab ka eham kis kaam ka? Tumhare paas toh ek beta hai par mere paas kya tha? Aaj jab meri bitiya apne ghar lauti hai toh wo isko ehsaan ka naam degi toh kya gujregi mujh badnaseeb par?", Ab is charcha ke beech Chandan ko he shamil hona pada baat sambhalne ke liye
"Naani, aap bhi sahi ho aur maa bhi. Unhe bas thoda samay chahiye aur aapka pyaar. Kaun kiski sharan me hai ye toh insaan taye nahi kar sakta kyonki jis tarah taanga 2 chakko par chalta hai waise he aapka sahara maa aur maa ka sahara aap. Vartmaan me toh yahi sach hai isliye aap chai peejiye aur uske baad maa chaahe toh araam kar sakti hai par aapne mujhe ye poora ghar dikhana hai. Meena toh apne aap he dekh rahi hai maje se, sabse samajhdar jo hai.", Bete ke meethe tanj aur khushi ko dekh Anuradha ne bhi chaai ki pyaali thaam li. Apne naati ki samajhdaari par Jaanki devi ko behad garv hua tha jo sateek udaharan dene ke sath apni baat rakhta tha hamesha.
"Ghar tumhe Gulaabo ya Kavita dikha dengi. Dono yahi rehti hai aur meri dekhbhal bhi ab tak inhone he ki. Makaan ke pichle hisse me inka kamra hai, jaha dono sath he rehti hai. Tumhari maa ka bachpan ka kamre haal he me maine fir se tayaar karwaya hai jahan se ye din bhar peeche jungle aur nehar dekhti rehti thi. Niche 5 kamre hai Chandu beta aur tumhe jo pasand ho main udhar he tumhara samaan aur bister lagwa dungi. Gaadiwaan ko kitna mehantana dena hai beta?", Jaanki devi ke sooti kurte me thik peit aur seene ke beecho beech goji (jeb) lagi thi jaha se wo taambe ke sikke nikaalne lagi thi aur udhar Anuradha apni maa ka pyaar aur unki baatein sunn kar mann he mann khud ko kosne lagi apne aajtak ke vyavahaar par. Wo maa jo aaj bhi uske bachpan ke kaksh ko behtar banaaye hue hai aur itne baras akele jiwan bitaya jabki Anuradha ne sirf ek baras aur usme bhi Chandan toh uska sahara tha he. Pyaali me he aansuon ki boonde ludhakne lagi thi jinhe Jaanki devi ne meethi chai ko namkeen karne se pehle he rok diya. Pyaali ek taraf rakh kar wo apni audhni ke naram kapde se he apni bitiya ka chehra saaf karti usko seene se laga kar sath baith gayi.
"Unka hisaab bade baabu ne he kar diya tha naani aur aap ye apne paas rakh lijiye, unhone he diye the ye chaandi ke sikke jiwan me aage badhne ke liye. Main Mansukh kaka se milne ke baad khud he ghar dekh leta hu. Meena aao bahar chale.", Chandan maa beti ko ekaant de kar wapis bahar wale aangan me nikal aaya tha jabki Meena uske peeche aane ki bajaaye Anuradha ki he goad me ja chadhi.
"Tujhe toh ye goonga jeev bhi dukhi nahi dekh sakta meri bachi toh teri maa par soch kya gujarti hogi teri haalat dekh kar? Manohar laakhon me ek tha aur mujhe bada naaj tha apne damaad par. Ye jitne sikke is thaili me hai na, itne teri saas bhi mujhe saunp gayi thi teerath karne se pehle. Wo Manohar ne he jama kiye the tumhare aur Chandan ke bhavishya ke liye par tere devar ki najar thi jameen aur daulat par jis wajah se wo mujhe ye teri amaanat saunp gayi. Badle me tune toh meri sune bagair he mujhe wapis bhej diya apne ghar se. Ab meri prarthana sunegi meri bholi gudiya?", Jaanki devi ne sab kehne ke sath ye bhi dekha ki unki beti jo seene se lagi beawaaj ro rahi thi, uska ek haath Meena ko bhi thapak raha tha jo uske seene par aahista se panja chalati apne he tarike se chup karwa rahi thi.
"Maa, tum toh jaanti he ho ki mera pehle bhi bahar ki duniya me jee ghabrata tha aur inke jaane ke baad se toh main bikhar he gayi. Bhool gayi thi ki main anaath nahi hu aur besahara bhi nahi. Chandan bahot kaabil beta hai aur aap .. aap toh jaisi maine bachpan me dekhi thi aaj bhi waisi he hai. Main utni majboot nai hu maa aur yaha aane se pehle main vichaar kar chuki thi ki is rakam ke badle main aapse wo jungle ki hadd wali jameen le kar Chandan ke sath us par he mehnat karungi."
"Kar liyo jaha tune mehnat karni hai aur ye ghar, jameen, daulat sab teri he toh hai. Tere baabu ji hamesha kehte the ki wo itna anaaj ugaayen ki unke gaanv me aisa koyi ghar na bache jisme saanjh ko chulha na jale. Bas tu is ghar ke bhitar mujhe in safed vastro me nahi dikhni chahiye aainda. Ye meri prarthana samajh ya maa ki itcha. Yaha koyi vidhwa bahu thodi aayi hai, meri beti lauti hai apne ghar wapis. Is gaanv me aaj bhi kisi ki majaal nahi jo aankh utha kar dekh sake is taraf. Poori zindagi hai tere saamne aur berang dekhne se bhala bhagwaan mujhe utha he le.", Anuradha jaha unki baat sunn kar pehle hairat me thi fir wahi maut ki dua par apni hatheli apni maa ke mooh par rakh di.
"Ye galat hai maa. Main ab vidhwa hu toh hu, isko jhuthlaya toh nahi ja sakta."
"Kis granth me likha hai ki sirf safed he pehan kar jeena jaruri hai? Main ye kurta isliye pehanti hu kyonki is ghar ki aurat aur marad main he thi ab tak. Lekin berang aur bebas nahi hui main. Maang sajane ko nahi kaha jo tu aankhen badi kar rahi thi. Ye teri duniya hai Anuradha jaha tu paida hui, pali badhi aur laal rang me sajj kar vida hui thi. Chahe laal se parehj kar lekin ye safed bhi pratibandhit hai. Chal aa tujhe main tera kamra dikhati hu. Bechara wo Chhagan isme aaj lakdi ke khaane banane wala tha par jaane kis nashe me apni jaan ganwa baitha, kal raat. Ye dekh parde bhi teri pasand ke aasmaan ke rang ke aur inke peeche tera wahi najara jo tujhe pasand tha. Udhar aaj bhi wo jhoola laga hai jo tu basant me subah shaam jhoolti rehti thi, tere baabu ji ne mere mana karne ke baad bhi wo wahi bandha tha kyonki unki laadli ki jidd thi.", 5 gaj unchi motti diwaare aur itni he lambaai chaudaai wala ye kaksh ghar ka sabse badhiya hissa tha jaha 2 taraf lakdki ke bade darwaje the jinme se ek ghar ke bhitar aur dusra bahar khule aangan me jo ghar ka pichla hissa tha, waha khulte the. Atrikt laaltein ke sath kaath ka mej, 2 kursiyaan aur paani bhare phooldan me rakhe taaje peele phool. Anuradha toh bas khidki ke saamne khadi bahar us najare ko he dekhne lagi jo hamesha se uski pasnd tha.
"Baabu ji kehte the ki saanjh me waha nahi jana, pret nadi par paani peene aate hai aur raat wahi rukte hai. Kitna darr lagta tha mujhe aur fir main neend me aapke kamre me pahoch jaati thi. Kitni raatein aapne bas mujhe thapkate aur samjhaate hue jaag kar kaati thi maa. Subah aapke kop (gusse) ka shikaar baabu ji he bante the fir aur saanjh ko ghar lautne par unke hath me wahi khoye ki barfi rehti thi jis se aap bhi maan jaati thi aur main bhi kitna khush hoti thi. Aap sach kehti ho maa ki meri wo duniya aaj se pehle kahi kho si gayi thi. Waise Sajjan kaka (Gajju halwai ke pita) ki mrityu ki jaankaari jab aapne di thi tab jarur ek pal sab yaad aaya tha, phir.."
"Aangan me ab pakka snaanghar hai bas chhatt dalni baaki thi. Koyi baat nahi puaal ya lakdi ke fatte dalwa dungi waha main. Ja Gulaabo na waha paani rakh diya hoga tere nahane ke liye. Aaj bhi tujhe he sabse jyada garmi khaati hai par chinta matt kar ab teri maa hai pankha jhaalne ke liye. Ab halwai ka kaam Gajju sambhalta hai aur wo apne pita se he seekha tha isliye hath badhiya hai uska. Aulaad ke maamle me wo apne baap jaisa dhani nahi nikla bas. Bitiya maanglik hai isliye 18 ki hone par bhi ghar baithi hai aur uske bete ka pichwada abhi 2 din pehle he soota tha maine. Nirlajj aur jama begairat ladka hai wo. Basti ki taraf rehne wali unhi ladkiyon aur auraton ke aage peeche ghoomta firta hai jo bechari 2 bakhat ke khane ke liye dhoop-garmi bhula kar khet khalihaan aur gharo me mehnat karti hai. Us din toh muaa bach gaya tha parli taraf ludhak kar aur andhere me bhaagne se par is baar aisa waisa karta dikha toh uske baap ki kadaahi me he paka dungi naas-peete ko. Chal bitiya tu pehle na ke sehaj ho ja, main rasoi me dekhti hu khana pakne me abhi kitna samay lagega.", Apni maa ke aise tewar dekh kar Anuradha nischall roop se muskuraayi thi jaise aaj se pehle ye muskaan apna raasta bhool baithi ho. Jaanki devi ne he lakdi ki ek almaari se sooti toliya aur ek gulabi dhoti, choli nikaal kar bitiya ke saamne he bister par rakh di jaisa wo uske bachpan me karti thi.
"Maa, safed he thik.."
"Dobara dohrana mujhe aaj bhi pasand nahi. Tumhara samaaj mere is gaanv se bahar hai aur kam se kam meri jameen aur ghar me toh unka dakhal main hone nahi dungi. Waise Chandan ko idhar udhar ghoomne ki aadat hai ya bas ghar me he rehta tha waha?", Apni beti ke hatho me khudse he sabhi kapde rakhte hue unhone uske bandhe hue baalo ko dheela karke khola toh wo kaale reshmi gensu Anuradha ke nitambh tak ja pahuche. Jaanki devi unhe bhi tatol kar jaise taaseer jaanch rahi ho.
"Wo na toh mere jaisa hai aur na he apne pita jaisa. Jo mana karo wo ek baar toh jarur karke dekhega fir chahe nuksaan ho ya gyaan mile. Par wo logo se ulajhta nahi hai maa, chahe log ulajhne ke bahane dhoondte rahe. Jab hadd paar ho jaati hai fir wo bhi Meena bann jata hai. Shayad aapka asar hai us par.", Ab Jaanki devi bhi apni beti ko gale se laga kar alag hoti hui hansne lagi thi. Samanya kad aur sughad naram sharir ki Anuradha apni maa ke saamne aaj bhi bachi he thi jo majboot sharir ke sath apni beti se aadha hath unchi thi, Chandan se kuch ungal chhoti bas.
"Wo main atche se jaanti hu kyonki teri saas se jyada maine maalish ki hai uski. Par teri wajah se wo chanchal Chandu bhi mandir ka chandan bann baitha jo apni devi ke saamne rehna he jaanta hai bas. Ja naha le, tere chakkar me mujhe bhi bhojan naseeb nahi hua abhi.", Bahar aangan me apni bitiya ko wo pakki gara eento se bana snaanghar dikhane ke baad Jaanki devi bahar ki taraf se he chhajje ki chhaya me chalti hui saamne aangan ki taraf badh chali. Kaanse ki 2 balti thande paani se bhari us shehar wale se dugne bade snaanghar me Anuradha ke saamne he thi. Jism se dhoti prithak karne se pehle upar najre utha kar aasman ko dekha toh khule hisse ko aadha toh neem ki daal ne he gher rakha tha aur baaki khula hissa dhoop me hone ki wajah se Anuradha chhaya ki taraf khadi ho kar vastra kholne lagi. Lakdi ke 4 phatton se bana wo darwaja 4 lohe ke killon se yukt tha, vastra taangne ke liye jaha ek par Anuradha ne toliya tanga tha aur gulabi dhoti darwaje ke upar, jis se wo paani se bachi rahe.
"Choli kaha reh gayi?", Manohar ne bhi Anuradha ko kabhi dhoop aur garmi me nahi rakha tha jis wajah se aajtak uski rangat hindustani gorvarn thi aur is pal toh bas seene par safed kasi choli ke siwa duja vastra na hone se uska samoocha roop prakritik prakaash me saphtik sa damak raha tha. Lambe kesh wapis sar pe joode ki mudra me baandhte hue Anuradha ne najre neechi ki toh apne pake chakotare jitne bade aur kase stanno se neeche samtal chikne peit aur chhoti si gehri naabhi ke baad uljhe hue ghane kesh dekh kar mann dohra ho chala. Ek taraf toh wo unka ghantatva dekh sharminda thi aur dusra usko wo pal yaad aaya jab pehli raat ke baad kaise uske pati Manohar ne swayam he katarni se uske youvan par ghiri badra ko saaf karke uski yoni ka purn swaroop dekha tha. Us samay inki rangat itni pakki na thi jo bas sunehre-bhoore aur kache the bas. Manohar ne uski yoni ko antrang palo me ek alag he naam de rakha tha, Chanda jo pehle badra me ghiri thi. Aur Chandan ke naamkaran ke baad jab kabhi Anuradha ke mooh se apne bete ke liye chanda shabd nikalta toh Manohar ke hansne maatra se wo sharam se dohri ho jaati thi jiska hal swayam Manohar ne he nikala tha Chandu ke roop me. Inhi vicharo me doobe hui Anuradha hosh me aayi jab ek totta snaanghar ki munder par baitha taayen taayen karne laga. Wo lajjati hui apni choli ke kasaav se un pusht youvan kalson (kalash) ko ajaad karti hui ghutne modd kar farsh par baith gayi. Yaadon ne he usko stanno ke agrabhaag dabaav se nikaal kar sakhte kaale chane se kar diye the jin par shital jal girati hui wo apne jism ko mal mal kar nahane lagi.
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"Kaka, waapis lautne par aapko bina sawaari jana padega. Is se nuksaan nahi hoga aapka?", Mansukh ka ashwa atche se paani peene ke sath bhar peit hara chara aur bheege chane khaane ke baad ab khada khada he susta raha tha, us ghane vriksh ki chaav me jiske niche he sar se angocha utaare araam se baithe Mansukh kaka beedi phoonk rahe the. Inka jalpaan bhi ho chuka tha aur vida lene se pehle bas yahi aakhiri kaam bacha tha inke paas. Chandan pakke hisse me chajje ke saayen me baitha unse he baatchit me laga tha kyonki uski maa aur naani aapas me vyast thi aur Galaabo-Kavita se parichit na hone ki wajah se Chandan udhar jaane se bhi katra raha tha.
"Aane aur jaane ka hisaab rehta hai beta jo bade saheb ne pehle he 4 aane atirikt de kar bheja tha. Upar se yaha badi maalkin ne itna badhiya chara mere ghode ko aur bharpet bhojan mujhe karwa kar or 4 aane bacha diye mere. Gaanv toh bahot badhiya hai beta tumhara aur ghar bhi bhara poora hai lekin jara hamaari baatein bhi dhyaan me rakhna. Aur wo jo raaste me dikha tha waise manchalo se dur rehna, shayad kisi sarpanch ya bade ghar se vaasta rakhne wala hoga nahi toh itni himakaat din chadhe toh koyi nahi karta.", Chandan ko bhi wo yuwak atche se yaad tha jiske jikar par wo bas muskura diya.
"Sab yaad rakhunga kaka lekin baat sirf itni si hai ki main bhoot-pret aur jaadu tone ko nahi maanta. Samaaj ka ek bada hissa jarur in par vishwaas karta hai ya jaise wo darte hai inse parantu hai toh sab veham he. Wo shehar me Bholu ne kaha tha ki usne hawa me udta hua diya dekha tha jiski wajah se uske taap (bukhaar) chadh gaya. Uska kehna tha ki diye ko pret he le kar ja raha tha us andheri raat me jab wo apne pita ko khana de kar laut raha tha. Matlab aap he batao na kaka ki ek pret jo khud sabko dikhaai nahi deta usko diye ki kya aavashyakta hogi? Pita ji ke ek mitra the jinka kehna tha ki unhone mere pita ko hamesha he mana kiya tha ki wo ghar jaate samay us chaurahe se na gujra kare, khaaskar andhere aur amavas ki raat ko. Matlab jaha jameen par 2 rekhaayen humne bana kar aapas me kaati nahi, wo ban gaya bhoot-pret ka thikana? Toh pehle wo kaha rehte the jab chauraha nahi bana tha?", Mansukh kaka toh iska ab kya he jawaab dete par kameej ghaagri pehne wo dubli lambi Gulaabo, jo jaise inki baatein prarambh se he sunn rahi thi wo chup na reh saki.
"Chote maalik, agar aapne pret nahi dekha toh iska matbal eh toh nahi ki oh hote nahi hai. Maaf karna par kal raat he meri saheli Jugni ke baapu Jhamru aur dusri saheli Laali ke pita Chhagan kaka ko biraane (viraane) wale pret ne khatam kar diya. Log batate hai ki Jhamru kaka ke paanv bargad wale chabutare par peeche ko moode the aur sar jameen par ludkha hua tha, dono aankhen dehshat se bahar. Jism par bade bade cheente chadh chuke the subah tak. Aur Chhagan kaka ki haalat unse bhi buri mili thi jinka jism unki maut ke baad siyaaro ne noch khaya. Badi maalkin ne he unko sahara diya hai aur unse bhi pooch lena jungle ke pare wale purane chaurahe ke baare me aur khandhar wali bhootni ke bhi. Chaurahe par laash toh mil jaati hai par udhar khandhar me toh jo gaya na wo waapis lauta aur na uske avshesh mile. Lijiye, jeere wali chaach (lassi) pee lijiye. Badi maalkin ne kaha tha ke aap chaai nahi peete dopehar ko.", Gulaabo ki baaton se bas Mansukh kaka he prabhavit the. Chandan ko toh is bebaak ladki ke bolne ka andaaj bhaya par khud ko chota maalik kehalwana nahi.
"Dekhiye main aapna na bada maalik hu aur na he chhota. Mera naam hai Chandan aur aapka hai Gulaabo. Naam se bulana he behtar rahega aur jaha ye aapka bhoot pret wala chauraha hai us taraf ki jameen bhi shaayad naani ki he hai. Paani bhi atcha hai us taraf aur bagal me jungle bhi. Aapke saamne he naani mujhe ijajat dengi udhar kheti karne ki. Uske baad dekhte hai us khandhar ka rehasya kya hai.", Chandan ne wo thandi chhaanch ka lamba ghoont lete he dono ke he mayoos aur naraaj chehre dekhe jinhe thoda aghaat pahucha tha ki unki bataayi kahaani se ye yuwak jara sa bhi prabhavit nahi hua tha.
"Khandhar wali jameen bhi aapki he hai aise toh. Pokhar bhi hai udhar toh waha bhi kuch na kuch ugaa lena. Mujhe kya hai, main toh sach bata rahi thi par sehar wale 2 jamaat padh kar khud ko baabu samajhne lagte hai.", Mooh bana kar wo bas jaane ke liye he mudi thi ki Anuradha ko snaanghar dikhane ke baad Jaanki devi yahi prakat hui.
"Teri jubaan kabhi araam bhi leti hai ya har samay katarni si chalti rehti hai? Iska jaha dil kare jaane de bas saanjh hote he ye ghar milega. Ja Chandan ko ghar aur aaspaas ghuma la. Kavita ne saag daal tayaar kar li ho toh bol de jara bhaat (chaawal) bhi ubaal degi jeera jyada nahi. Ja beta atche se dekh le poora ghar, aangan, 2-4 pashu hai aur upari hisse me bhi 2 kamre aur khuli chhat hai. Pichle hisse ka darwaja khol kar nehar ki taraf bhi ja sakte hai jaha tumhe baithna ghoomna atcha he lagega. Arri Gulaabo..", Sarkando ke bane moodhe par baithte hue Jaanki devi ne sab batane ke baad jaise kuch yaad aate he aage badhti Gulaabo ko awaaj lagaai.
"Ji amma ji?", Wo tunak kar aise boli thi jaise inke beech bhi daadi pauti sa sneh ho aur yakinan wo tha bhi par Gulaabo unke liye badi maalkin he prayog karti thi baaki sabke saamne. Mehri ya sewika bhi wo unhi najro me thi par Jaanki devi ko moh tha Gulaabo aur Kavita se jo khud bhi inhe he apna sarvesarva maanti thi baaki inki kahaani kya thi ye Chandan kaise jaan sakta tha jab aaye hue 2 ghadi bhi na gujri ho.
"Dekh saanjh dhalne se pehle wo Phulwa aur Bandana ki taraf chakkar laga liyo. Aaj ek taraf toh un bechariyon ka sab ujda hai aur dusri taraf wo sar pe chhatt durust karengi ya chulha karengi? Haan Chandan sath chala jaayega anaaj aur sabjiya le kar. 2-3 din baad kuch farak padega toh tu Laali ko apne yaha laga liyo aur uski maa ke sath kaaki apni jameen par dihadi kar lengi. Apne se toh wo dono kabhi kuch maangne se rahi par sukh dukh me hum he unke kaam na aaye toh bade hone ka farz kaha nibhaya.? Chandan beta, kal ye tumhe darji tak le chalegi, kurte ke sath pajama banwa lena apne liye. Dhoti me sehaj nahi lagta hoga."
"Kurte banwa lunga naani par pehnunga toh dhoti he uske sath. Baaki jaha bhi jana ho bata dijiyega. Mujhe bhi gaanv ghoomne ka dil hai naani. Wahi ghar aur ek gali jiske aage paathshala thi, wo raasta bhoolna chahta hu main.", Darshnik andaaj me apni jiwan-dasha sunata fir Chandan hanste hue makaan ke dursri aur nikal liya jaha Gulaabo badhi thi. Yaha lagbhag kamre jitni he badi rasoi thi jiska ye jharokha chulhe aur bhojan pakaanke waqt paida hone wale dhuen aur garmi ki wajah se khula rakha gaya tha. Bhitar farsh par chulhe ke saamne baithi Kavita bade bartan ko utha kar aag par rakhne ke baad usme paani bhar rahi thi jisko Gulaabo ne bahar se he awaaj di.
"Aye rasoiyyaa.. Amma ji bole hai ki bhaat bhi chadha do aur roti tabhi banengi jab unka aadesh hoga. Waise bhagone se jyada paani toh tum gira rahi ho. Thik ho na mutalli?", Chandan thoda kareeb khada bas Gulaabo ki ye hansi thitholi sunn raha tha jabki Gulaabo se khijti hui Kavita sookhi lakdi utha kar usko dhamkaane ke liye uthi toh hath jaha ka taha hawa me he ruk gaya. Gulaabo saanwli si patli chharhari aur bebaak thi wahi Kavita uski humumar hone par ek bhari poori yuvti thi, gora gol aakarshak chehra aur kaali badi badi aankhen. Paseena maathe se le kar gale ki taraf se uske bhaari seene par kapde ke bhitar sama raha tha. Is se pehle wo bas chai dene he gayi thi jaha usne sar par wahi dupatta liya hua tha jo is waqt rasoi me ek taraf khoonti par latka jhool raha tha. Kavita sa haal he ek pal ke liye Chandan ka hua jisne pehli baar kisi hum-umar yuvti ko aise dekha tha.
"Tumhare bas ka nahi hai ye danda daudana mutalli behna. Ye jiskho shobha deta hai uske hath he rehne do. Kya samjhi? Chalo paani kholne laga hai, usme thoda chaawal utaaro aur fir namak jeera. Aao chhote maalik pehle aapko chhat he ghuma dete hai.", Is taraf se he wo pakki seedhiyan upari manzil par jaati thi jidhar Gulaabo aage aage chalne lagi aur uske peeche badhte waqt thodi himmat karte hue Chandan ne ek najar fir se Kavita ko dekhna chaha. Usko khud samajh nahi aaya tha ki wo aisa kyun kar raha hai par kismat se waisa he Kavita ne bhi kiya, chehre par aayi us latt ko kaan ke peeche qaid karte hue. Wo wapis chulhe ko dekhne lagi jaha tapish Chandan ki najro se banisbat kam he thi. Seedhiyan chadh kar ab dono upar aa chuke the jidhar niche wali baithak samet 2 kamro aur chajjo ke vistaar tak ye chaude banere wali chhat phaili thi. Saamne wale aangan ki taraf se neem aur amrood ke vriksh munder ko sparsh karte hue aur bhi upar chadhe the. Dur dur tak najar pahuch rahi thi jaha kahi kahi chokor khet khalihaan dikhte the aur kahi hare ghane jungle. Puaal, kanno aur gara mitti se bani jhopdiyan bhi thi jo inki rihayash wali raah par chalte hue koyi aadha kos dur rahi hongi.
"Wo udhar vann hai Chandan ji aur us se pehle jo jhuggiyan hai wo julahon kumhaaron ki basti hai. Marad toh ghade, matki aur eente banane ke sath chota mota marammat ka kaam pakad lete hai par unki joru, behne khet khalihaano me kaam karti hai thode anaaj ke badle. Pehle Laali bhi udhar he rehti thi par aaj savere un dono pariwaro ko gaanv nikala milne par amma ji ne wo jidhar suryast hota hai na udhar wali jameen par rehne ki jagah de di. Amma ji batayi rahi ki aapke nana ji udhar se he shuruwaat kiye the kheti ki aur phir jameen jyada hone se badhti umar ke sath wo bas nehar kinare wali jameen tak simat gaye. Udhar jo tabela aur jhopda raha hoga wahi ab un 2 pariwaro ka ghar hai.", Gulaabo toh un kamro ko laanghne ke baad banere se pehle he ruk gayi, us aur ishara karti hui jaha se naagin si ghoomti sadak nehar ke sath gaanv me daakhil hoti thi aur aage wo ghana vann tha jidhar ke shraapit chaurahe ne 2 bhai jaise dosto ko nigla tha beeti raat. Chandan us prakriti se bhari jameen ke hisse ko nihaarta raha par bola kuch nahi.
"Aap gaanv me abhi abhi aaye hai isliye jyada kuch nahi jaante. Yaha jo chowk hai na adde wala, waha se 4 raaste alag hote hai. Gaanv me jahaa se aap log aaye waha jamindaar aur chaudhary log rehte hai. Kuch hindu kuch muslim lekin hai chaudhary he aur unki jameen bhi raaste ke dono taraf hai. Wo kaam se kaam rakhne wale log hai aur kabhi kabhaar dikhenge bhi toh tyohaar ya kisi ke shaadi byaah me. Par mandir wali taraf jo log hai unhe apne kaam se jyada dusre kya karte ya chahte hai uski jaankari rakhna adhik pasand hai. Sarpanch ji bhi udhar he rehte hai aur 10 makaano ke sath udhar ke bahot si jameen bhi unki he hai. Bas 2 ghar unse alag hai waha, ek Lala ji ka aur dusra Baano kaaki ka jo amma ji ki khaas hai. Gaanv me us taraf walo se najre milaate hue sabhi katraate hai siwaye amma ji ke. Nehar kinaare sirf chaudhariyon wala hissa chhod do toh baaki saari jameen amma ji ki hai aur wo mandir wali bhi.", Gulaabo ka is gaanv ka chappa chappa pata tha aur wo sahi bhi kar rahi thi Chandan ko abhi se sabkuch samjha kar. Chandan bhi banere par hath tikaye muskurata hua neeche dekhne laga tha jaha ghar ka ye khula hissa tha par achanak he us chokor khuli chhat wale hisse par najar padte he uske jism ko jaise lakwa sa maar gaya. Uski maa, Anuradha chhatt ki taraf aut ki bajaye saamne wali diwar ke kareeb baithi apne nirvastra jism ko malne ke baad ab paani udel rahi thi. Lambe ghane baalo ko sar pe baandhe wo apne stanno ko bhigone ke baad uth kar maansal jaangho ko bhigone lagi toh Chandan ko aisa lagne laga jaise wo garam tawe par khada ho par aisa karna bhi ek alag sa maja de raha tha. Jo jaane jism me kaha asar kar raha tha par turant he sach ko swikaar karta wo munder se mudd gaya aur udhar Anuradha ne bhi usko tabhi dekha jab wo uski aur peeth kiye najro se aujhal hota gaya.
"Idhar bahot jyada garmi hai Gulaabo ji, neeche he chalte hai."
"Ye kamre bhi dekh lijiye, banwaye toh Amma ji ne aapke liye he hain ye.", Gulaabo ki baaton me Chandan ab jaise us drishya ko bhulana chahta tha isliye darwaja khulte he wo bhitar daakhil hua. Ye kamra thik niche wale ke upar he bana tha par diwaaro par taja choona paut kar isko ranga gaya tha aaj kal me he. Lakdi ka samaan ek taraf saleeke se rakha tha jaise waha almaari ban ni ho.
"Atcha kamra hai par poora nahi hua shayad. Aur ye bagal wala kamra rasoighar ke upar hai na?"
"Haan ji thik samjhe. Amma bolti hai ki barsaat me mere aur Kavita ke liye wo neeche bahar wala kamra thik nahi hai aur Kavita ko kamre me sona bhi pasand nahi kyonki duniya ki saari garmi toh bas us mutalli ko he lagti hai par main khule me kabhi nahi soti, chahe garmi pade ya thandi. Toh ek kamre ke sath unhone raaj-mistri se bol diya ki teen diware aur khadi kar do. Chhat par lagta he kya hai, ek sapheda aur 2 darjan phatte. Uske upar jaal bicha kar gara mitti aur choona mila kar leep do. hahaha..", Gulaabo ka is tarah muskurana khilkhilana Chandan ko bada he bhala lag raha tha.
"Mere raakhi baandhogi tum?", Gulaabo itna sunn kar he dang reh gayi thi aur uski wo hansi wahi thamm gayi.
"Agar kuch bura laga ho toh maafi chahta hu. Meri koyi behan nahi hai.. hai toh bhai bhi nahi par hum-umar behan se atcha kya he hoga? Mere kaka kaaki ke 4 santaan hai, 2 ladke aur 2 ladkiyan. Bachpan me bas 2 baar raakhi bandhwaayi hogi unse rakshabandhan par lekin uske baad kalaai par kabhi mauli bandhi toh bandhi.", Gulaabo itna kuch sunn kar bheege netra liye sarpat niche daud gayi aur Chandan apni he jagah jadd reh gaya jaise us se bhaari galti ho gayi ho. Phir aatm-manthan karta hua wo kamra band karke uski chaya me chatt ke banere he peeth tikaye khada ho gaya.
"Tumhe yahi pagli mili thi behan banane ke liye?", Jaanki devi seedhiyon ki taraf niche he khadi Chandan se keh rahi thi jinke chehre par khushi thi aur unke paanv chhoo kar kaanse ki thaali me tilak chandan aur dhaga gudd liye utni he teji se bhaagti hui Gulaabo upar aane lagi thi.
"Naani ji, sab kehte hai na main mandbuddhi hu toh koyi samajhdar bhi sath hona chahiye ke nahi? Bahot gyaan hai Gulaabo Devi ko samaaj aur gaanv ke chappe chappe ka. Bhai ki raksha yaha yehi kar sakti hai jitna mujhe samajh lagi.", Chandan dwara apni he raksha karwane par Gulaabo bhi bheegi aankhon ke bawjood apni hansi na rok saki. Niche khadi Jaanki Devi toh gadgad thi apne naati ke aise unmukt vyavahaar se aur jaise he Chandan ne apni kalaai saamne ki Gulaabo ke hath dhaage par he ruk gaye.
"Main nichli jaat se hu toh aapki behan nahi bann sakti."
"Naani, main nichli jaat ka bann raha hu abhi kyonki bhai bann ne ke liye waisa karna jaruri hai. Aapne inke bartan alag kiye honge toh mere bhi kar dijiyega.", Jaanki devi Chandan ke is tanj par barabar bol uthi.
"Haan isliye isko apne sath sulaane lagi thi main. Alag kamra maanga isne, kapde marji ke ye leti hai aur amma se rishta bann gaya par bhai behan ke beech isko jaat dikhne lagi? Chal Gulaabo aaja niche aur abse mera khana tu nahi parosegi."
"Ab hum unchi jaat ke ho gaye hai amma ji aur chhote maalik ki bahin bhi. Jabardasti khila denge parosne ke sath. Mooh kholiye Chandan ji aur main uphaar aapki mata ji se swayam maang lungi.", Tilak lagane ke baad gudd khila kar wo aashirwad ke liye jhukne lagi toh Chandan ne dono kandho ko niche jhukne na diya.
"Paap chadhayengi kya? Behan maan hoti hai aur wo kadmo me nahi jhukti. Naani mujhe bahot bhukh lagi hai.", Wo Gulaabo se aage chalta hua niche utar raha tha aur Jaanki devi apne naati ke kareeb aate he uska sar sehla kar apne sath le chali.
"Tere bhai ka khana lagwa de katarni (kainchi), maa ke chakkar me ye bhi bhookha ghoom raha. Ye tune atcha kiya mere bache. Gulaabo bahot baar mujhse kehti thi ki kitna atcha hota agar uska bhi koyi bhai hota jisko wo tilak kar sakti aur uske sath ghar se bahar bhi aa ja sakti. Ladki hona itna asaan nahi hai na beta par shukar hai ki ye Kavita jaisi dabbu aur antarmukhi nahi hai.", Jaanki devi Chandan ko sang liye baithak me chali aayi thi aur udhar apne kamre me seene par toliya lapete sehmi aur chintit si Anuradha ke mann me hajaaro khayaal anjana bhaye baitha rahe the. Aaj wo chintit thi kyonki usko abhaas tha ki uske jawaan bete ne apni maa ko nirvastra dekh liya hoga aur ab wo uski najro ka saamna kaise kar sakegi. Bister par Meena uski gulaabi choli me lipti uljhi chaaron paanv uthaye aisa bholapan jaahir kar rahi thi jaise wo vastra khud us par aa lipta ho.
"Baksh de ri is vastra ko. Pehle he paap ho gaya hai mujhse aur ab tu meri ijatt ko khud par audh le.", Is dwand me wo ye bhi bhool gayi thi ki kamre ka dusra kiwaad aadha khula hai. Toliya seene se hata kar wo wahi gulaabi choli jhaadti hui abhi pehan ne he lagi thi ki chaukhat par khadi muskurati hui apni maa ko dekh turant dhoti ka pallu seene par audh liya.
"Maa hu tumhari aur aise samay par tumhe jarur darwaje laga lene chahiye agar itna he darr lagta hai. Aakhir ghar me hai he kaun yaha? 2 pyaari bachiyaan hai aur ek tumhara ansh. Baaki kisi ko toh dehleej laanghne tak ki ijajat nahi hai. Waise kabhi khud ko darpan me dekh lena jab fursat mile. Wo ladki toh naam aur shararto ki wajah se Gulaabo hai par tum sachmuch ek jiwant gulaab ho Anuradha. Darr itna bhi haavi matt hone do ki khud ki parchaayi se ghabrahat hone lage.", Kiwaad laga kar Jaanki devi bhitar he aa gayi thi aur Meena nakhre se adaa dikhati hui us khuli khidki ki diwaar par baithi jaise ek aur jharokha bata rahi thi jaha se Anuradha ke saundarya par najar padd sakti thi.
"Maa, snaanghar ke upar fatta he lagwa do ya koyi taat-bori. Chatt se kisi ki bhi najar padd sakti hai udhar."
"Aut me ho kar naha lena aur waise bhi nahana din nikle aur din dhale he hota hai jyadatar aur geeli jagah ka sek band chhat se toh jaane se raha. Kahi kisi ne dekh liya kya?"
"Pata nahi par lagta hai ki chatt par Chandan tehal raha tha. Mujhe bas uski peeth dikhi thi."
"Hahaha.. beta maa ko dekh kar galat toh nahi sochne wala. Bachpan me doodh pilaya he hoga usko aur ghodi chadhega tab bhi stann-paan karwana padega. Khair agar tum is baat se chintit ho toh main us par rok lagane ke sath he kachi chhat dalwa deti hu. Dhoti lapet kar bhi nahaya ja sakta hai jaise main aajtak karti aayi hu. Thoda mann ka daayra badhao bitiya, wo tumhara he ansh hai jiske saamne tum chahe nirvastra bhi raho, uski maa he rahogi.", Jaanki devi baat ko badhana nahi chahti thi par Anuradha ke apne tark the, apna darr tha uske jehan me kyonki wo is prakaran ko ek naari aur purush sandarbh me dekh rahi thi.
"Wo ab doodh peeta bacha nahi raha maa chaahe wo bhola aur saral hridya hai par aisa kabhi nahi hua aur na he usne ye kabhi aur kahi dekha hoga. Insaan aise he toh kadam badhata hai chahe wo gyaan ki khoj ho ya gaman ka path. Aap bhi sahi hai ki wo aisa waisa khayaal nahi laane wala mann me agar dekha bhi hoga toh."
"Aa gayi na apni shanka par khud he? Dekha ya nahi dekha, abhi itna bhi nahi pata lekin jaal bunn baithi makde ka jisme fansi bhi toh khud tum. Khaane ke liye bulaane aayi thi tumhe kyonki wo tumhara Chanda bina tumhare nahi khaane wala.", Phir se wahi naam le diya tha inhone jisko sunn kar Anuradha paani paani ho uthi aur ab maa ke saamne he pallu hata kar apne bhaari stanno ko ek baras baad kisi dusre rang se dhanka tha, gulabi rang se. Khaane ke dauraan bhi kuch khaas nahi ghata tha aur safar ki thakaan se Anuradha apne kamre me sone chali gayi. Gulaabo ko sab samjhane ke baad aur samaan nikaal kar ek taraf rakh kar Jaanki Devi ne araam karne se pehle thoda Kavita ki bhi sudh li jo pashuon ke baade aur rasoighar ke beech wale khaali kache aangan me baithi sabse aakhir me bhojan kar rahi thi.
"Thoda araam kar le Kavita bitiya aur kya hamesha ye alag thalag baithi rehti hai? Tumhari amma ki bitiya ke aane se sankoch ho raha hai kya?", Jaanki devi ne sar dularte hue dusre hath se paani ka bhara gilaas uski thaali ke kareeb rakhte hue kaha toh mooh me niwala liye he Kavita ne naa mar sar hilaya.
"Bartan aur saaf safaai Gulaabo dekh legi, tu khaane ke baad araam kar le thoda. Phir tujhe Chandan ke sath jana hai Laali ki taraf aur is bahane tu ghar se bahar bhi kadam rakhegi. Pehle toh wahi ja rahi thi lekin ab wo kapde dhulwane wali hai apni chhoti amma sang aur Chandan ko kuch pata nahi hai. Chali jaayegi na uske sath?", Jaanki devi ne jiska jikar kiya tha wahi toh sankoch ki wajah tha Kavita ke par jab sath he rehna tha toh iska nivaran bhi karna jaruri tha.
"Unhe keh dijiyega ki bas kaam se aana jana karenge. Gulaabo jaise mujhe seedhe jana aur aadhe tedhe aana pasand nahi amma ji.", Paani ka ghoont leti hui wo fir se chehra dupatte se paunch kar uth khadi hui. Suraj ki tapish kam hone tak is ghar me sabhi log araam karte rahe siwaaye Chandan aur Kavita ke. Chandan jaha kuch samay pehle hui us ghatna ke baare me vichaaro me khoya tha wahi Kavita uske sath jaane se asehaj thi. Uske gaanv me vichran karne ke anubhav utne atche nahi the aur sabse jyada bura lagta tha agar Sarju kahi dikh jata. Ek baar toh usne bhari dopehar he Kavita ka hath pakad liya tha jab wo nehar ke raaste wapis aa rahi thi. Par aaj uske sath wo lamba uncha aur bhola sa Chandan rehne wala tha jiski aankhon me usne kuch alag paya tha. In socho me doobe dono ko he Jaanki devi ne uthaya.
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"Kitna khoobsurat drishya hai na is pagdandi ke dono taraf? Aapne gaanv wali sadak ki jagah iska chunaav karke atcha kiya Kavita ji.", Kavita apne gale me liye dupatte ko ungliyon me lapet rahi thi. Chandan uske kadam se kadam milata hua is khamoshi ko bhang karne me juta tha jo ghar se nikalne ke itni der baad bhi vyaapt thi.
"Isme kuch khoobsurat nahi. Ek taraf paani hai aur dusri aur ye jhaadi jhakhaad. Gaanv se nikalte toh log baatein banate aur wo Sarju dikh jata toh mera din kharaab ho jata. Aap maalik hai aur agar kahenge toh wapsi me us taraf se aa jaayenge.", Kavita har lafz ko dabe swar me bolti hui khud bhi dekh rahi thi us naarangi rang ko jo dhire dhire neele me ghul raha tha. Wo tej kadmo se chal rahi thi sirf hath me ek halka thaila pakde jabki Chandan ke kandhe par bhaari taati ki bori jisme 25-30 ser anaar aur dusre hath me sabji-daal ka jhola tha. Lekin uncha lamba Chandan dhoti aur surkh kameej pehne utni he mustadi se chal raha tha. Beech beech me wo Kavita ke bhare bhare gaal aur halke gusse se bhare chehre ko dekh leta jaha narajgi ki wajah khud Kavita ko na pata thi.
"Kudrat ka har rang khoobsurat hai Kavita ji aur main aapka maalik kaise hua jara is par prakaash daalengi? Sarju jab idhar hai he nahi toh uska jikar karke kyun mehtava dena aise vyakti ko jo maayne he nahi rakhta.", Ab Kavita ne kankhiyon se Chandan ko dekha aur tej kadam kuch dhime kar liye. Uski laal kameej par kayi jagah rang gehra ho chala tha paseene ki wajah se jiski wajah Kavita ka tej chalna aur Chandan dwara itna bojha dhona.
"Maalik hai toh maalik he kahungi na aapko? Amma ji ne kaha ki unke baad unka sabkuch aapka he hai toh abhi main unke paas kaam kar rahi hu fir roti aap denge. Aankhen band karne se andhera door nahi hota balki badhta he hai. Sarju bhi wahi andhkaar hai aur wo jo puliya par baitha hai na apne manchale saathi ke sath wahi Sarju hai, peeli burshat wala uddand.", Kavita ke jabde bhinchne lage the aur us puliya ko paar karke he inhe dusri aur jana tha jaha Chhagan aur Jhamru ke pariwar ko panaah mili thi. Chandan ab Kavita se ek kadam aage chalne laga tha jaise wo usko aad dene laga ho un 2 manchalo se. Kavita ye na samajhti phir se uske samkaksh chalne lagi aur dono he puliya ki taraf mudne lage.
"Dekh rahe ho Sunil aaj chhammiya ke sath badki amma ka naya naukar suracha ke liye aaya hai. Kaisi ho chhammakchallo? Bada ghabra rahi ho?", Sarju ne paanv aage badha kar Chandan ke aage nikalte he Kavita ki raah rok li thi. Uska saathi laal kameej aur dhoti pehne apne se kahi adhik dehaati ko dekh kar khinse niporta hansne laga tha jabki Kavita apni jagah jadd thi Sarju ke darr se. Abhi usne apna hath he badhaya tha uski kalaai pakadne ko aur wo peeth ke bal nehar me ja gira... jordaar 'Chapaak' ki awaaj karta. Uska sathi hairaani se najre faade ye dekh raha tha aur puliya ke dusri aur bahar nikalte apne mitra Sarju ke upar wo bhi ja gira. Taat ki bori puliya kinaare tikata Chandan dono buri tarah bheege aur ghabraaye yuvako se shaalinta se bola.
"Inka naam hai Kavita aur ye hamari naani ko amma bulati hai, matlab daadi. Aur aainda kabhi aisa dussahas kiya toh wahi chaurahe wale bargad par latka dunga aur log kahenge ki aisa waha rehne wale pret ne kiya hai. Filhaal toh naukar hum inke hai jinse ye bojha uthwa rahi hai aur ek baar inhone fir se kaha na ke tum logo ne inhe daraya hai toh kasam hai hume hamari poojniya maa ki, apne kahe shabd saarthak karne me samay nasht nahi karenge. Naam hai Chandan aur agar maamla jaat paat wala leke aaoge toh sath jodd dena Singh, yaane Sher. Chalte hu bhai dil par matt lena bas yaad rakhna kyonki meri naani ki tarah mujhe bhi baat dohraane ki aadat nahi hai." Dhoti ko sahi se peit me khonste hue Chandan ne wapis wo bori kandhe par tikaayi aur is baar wo thaile wale hath se he unke saamne Kavita ka hath thaame aage badh chala, jo abhi bhi sadme me he thi. Ab usko Sarju se darna chahiye ya is insaan se jo bolne se jyada toh jab kuch karta hai wo bhayanak lagta hai. Par is sab ko darkinaar karti hui wo swabhavikta se muskura uthi.
"Ab aap hamare naukar kaise bane? Aur ye aapne atcha nahi kiya unke sath. Wo halwaayi kaka ki santaan hai aur gaanv me unka bhi atcha naam hai.", Sankoch se Kavita ne hath chhuda liya tha kyonki iske aage he baayi taraf thodi bahot mausmi fasal ke aage wo 2 jhopde the jaha ye log samaan dene aaye the ghar se nikal kar. Chandan un 2 ladkiyon aur us 12-13 baras ke ladke ko dekh raha tha jo jhopdi ke toote hue hisse par bhari tana baithane me jute the.
"Naukar matlab jo aapko kaam de, gulaami nahi. Aap hume yaha le kar aayi aur bojha bhi humne he dhoya aapke margdarshan me. Toh ye naukari hui na? Halwai kaka ka naam sudharne ki koshish ki hai maine aur baaki un par nirbhar karta hai ki wo isko kaise samajhte hai. Ae munna, chot lagg jaayegi tumhe.", Shehtir ko ek taraf ludhakte dekh Chandan bojha wahi utaar jhopde ki taraf lapka. Samay rehte usne sthiti sambhaal li thi jis se wo ladka aur dono kishori salamat bachi. Kavita toh apni sakhiyon aur unki maaon se unka dukh samajhti sab poochne bataane lagi aur agle ek sawa ghante Chandan sann ki rassi, lakdi ke tukdo aur puaal se us bade jhopde ka sudhaar karta raha. Mehnat karna uske pita ne he sikhaya tha aur shehar wale ghar me ye sab kaam wo unke jaane ke baad bhi karta raha tha. Aaj usne Jhamru aur Chhagan ke jaane ke baad unke pariwaro ki rihayash majboot ki thi apni naani ki jagah par jinhone jiwan nirwaah ke rasad yaha bhijwaayi thi is pariwar ke paas jo ab unse judd chuka tha. Kaam poora hone tak Chandan paseene me lathpath ho chuka tha aur idhar dono jhopdo me laalten roshan thi aur ek uske kareeb jo Kavita liye khadi thi jab wo hath mooh dhone laga Laali dwara paani dene par.
"Kaaki, kal main naani ke sath aaunga aap logo se milne. Apna dhyaan rakhiyega aur aapko kaam ke liye bhi kahi jaane ki aavashyakta nahi. Yahi mil kar kaam karenge. Ab chalte hai andhkaar badhne laga hai aur suna hai yaha har taraf pret daayan bhatakte firte hai jinke paas chauraha aur khandhar jaise pakke sthaan nahi hai.", Laali ke dukhbhare chehre par is sabke baad ek halki muskaan anukurit hui thi aur usne ek saaf gamcha Chandan ki taraf badha diya.
"Isko aap he rakh lijiyega chhote maalik. Aapka dhanywaad karna aur bhi galat lagega kyonki itna sab karne ke baad aapne aaj ek nichli jaat ke ghar paani bhi piya aur unka kaam apne hatho se kiya."
"Kaam mil kar he hoti hai, akele sirf najar rakhi jaati hai. Aap samajhdar aur badi hai isliye bhai behano ka dhyaan rakhiyega baaki baad ka prabandh naani ke sath aane par karwa denge. Chalte hai.", Din chhip chuka tha jab ye dono idhar se nikle aur wahi neela paani ab is andhkaar me kala rakt lag raha tha jaha jhinguro ke sang mendhak ki tarr tarr isko behad darawana sama bana rahi thi.
"Darr lag raha hai?"
"Aapko nahi lagta kya?", Kavita ka kanth sookhne laga tha kyonki ab ghar tak jaane ke sirf 2 raaste the jisme se ek chaurahe se jata tha aur dusra is daravani nehar kinare jungle ke beecho beech jaha ye ajeeb ajeeb si awaajen atche khaase vyakti ki himmat danvadol kar de. Puliya paar karte he us doraahe par Kavita ne swayam he Chandan ka hath thaam liya tha, darr se he sahi.
"Darr.. jitna lagna tha wo apne samay par lag chuka hai Kavita ji. Ab toh bas itchha balwati ho rahi hai darr se ru-ba-ru hone ki.", Chandan ne itna kaha tha ki dur andhere me wo tivra roshni jhurmut se nikal kar nehar ko paar karti aujhal ho gayi. Aur aisa dobara bhi hua jisko dekh Kavita tej kadmo se uska hath thaame gaanv wale seedhe raaste chal padi. Uska jism kaanp raha tha aur wo kampann aur darr Chandan bhi atche se mehsoos karne laga
"Aapko ab yahi se leke jana hai Kavita ji, gaanv se nahi. Ek baar bhi aapko agar ye laga ho ki main aapki suraksha karne ke kaabil hu toh hum wahi se chalenge jaha se aaye the. Nahi toh aap apni raah ja sakti hai aur main akela he us raaste par nikal raha hu.", Chandan hath chhod kar 10 kadam bharta us gehre andhkaar ki taraf badh chala tha jaha sirf saaya he najar aa sakta tha kyonki aasman me chandrama toh aaj bhi nadarad tha. Apne sthaan par sehmi ghabraayi Kavita bas usko dhire dhire vilupt hote saaye ko dekhti rahi jo yakinan paagalpan tha sab dekhne ke bawjood.
"Ae.. mujhe marne se darr nahi lagta. Par moorakh nahi hu aapke jaisi. Jis nehar me Sarju ko fenke the na wo bhale hue utni gehri nahi hai par raat me laash tairti hui subah kaha milegi, ghar pariwar ko maloom tak na hoga. Zidd kyun kar rahe hai aap Chandan ji? Dhero maute hui hai yaha aur 2 ghar toh aap he abhi rasad pahucha kar aaye hai jinke sar se pati aur pita ka saayan uthe ek din poora bhi nahi hua."
"Sath chalna chahengi?", Chandan ne sankshipt sa sawaal poocha tha aur andhere me bas dono chamakti aankhon ko he dekh sakte the ek dusre ki.
"Mujhe is baar mat bachana agar aafat mujh par aaye toh? Seedha daud laga dena bas aur jaha jagah saaf dikhe wahi se ghar me daakhil hone ka pichla raasta hai.", Kavita ne sookhe kanth aur paseene se bhare jism ke sath Chandan ka hath thaam liya tha. Ab kisi ek ke vishwaas ki jeet honi sunischit thi is raah par jiska ishara milne ke bawjood Chandan usko najar-andaaj karta us raah badh chala jaha sachmuch raah dubhar hone nischit thi. Nidar aur bewkoof ke beech ka fansla aaj is gehri raat me wo jaan ne wala tha jab Kavita ke mana karne ke bawjood wo is raah chal diya. Chaurahe kya sirf insaan dwara he banaye jaate hai? Kudrat ke chaurahe toh kahi bhi mil sakte hai jinki bhayavahta insaani chauraho se kahi adhik andhkaarmaye thi.
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