Update 8
"Badi amma... O badi amma.. Koyi hai kya?", Ghar ke bahar is tarah raat me aati is ladki ki pareshaan awaaj sunn kar bhojan karta hua Chandan he niwala thaali me wapis rakhta hua bahar nikla. Gulaabo aur Kavita bhi rasoighar me he aasan bicha kar garam garam roti ka swaad le rahi thi jo Anuradha chulhe se utaar kar inhe baari baari se parosti. Beech beech me wo dhoti se apna chehra saaf karke in teeno ko he dekh kar muskura deti. Jaanki Devi ne thoda pehle he bhojan kar liya tha aur wo ghar ke pichle hisse me kursi par baithi prabhu ka smaran karne me khoyi thi. Bahar se aati awaaj unhe bhi sunaai padi lekin unse aage Chandan pehle he darwaje par ja pahucha. Saankal khol kar chhota kiwad khola toh waha lalten liye pareshan si Laali khadi dikhi.
"Kya ho gaya Laali jo itni raat gaye tumhe aana pada? Khet me koyi durghatna hui hai ya koyi pareshan kar raha hai?", Chandan ki baat par wo naa me gardan hilaati hui uski bagal se idhar udhar kuch khojne ki koshish karti rahi aur Jaanki Devi ke aate he usne kaanpte hontho se apne aane ki wajah bataai.
"Badi amma, maa ki tabiyat bahot jyada bigdi hui hai. Baar baar hosh kho deti hai aur badan bhi taap (bukhaar) raha. Baidh (vaidh) ji ko nahi bula sakti. Kuch kijiye na badi amma, kaaki bolti hai ke maa nahi bachne wali.", Majboot jigar wali laali ki aankhon me he ashru aa gaye poora vivran dete hue. Baap ka saya abhi toh sar se utha tha aur yaha wo ghar ko sambhalne ki koshish karti toh ab uski maa Bandana ki haalat nasaaj ho chali. Jaanki devi ne sar pe hath pherte hue usko darwaje se ghar ke aangan me la kar pehle paani pilwaya aur phir Gulaabo ko kuch samaan bataya le kar aane ke liye.
"Jwar adhik badh jaaye toh behoshi hone lagti hai. Chhagan ke viyog ko sehan nahi kar pa rahi tumhari maa lekin main samjhati hu usko. Teri choti behne aur fir munna bhi hai uske paas. Baap ki jimmewari tu utha rahi phir teri maa ko bhi tera sath dena chahiye na? Khaat pakad legi toh na tujhe kaam karne degi aur na bache paal sakegi. Chandan, teri maa se keh de ki darwja laga legi aur Kavita uske pas he rahe. Gulaabo aur tu mere sath he chalo iske ghar.", Chandan toh sthiti ko samajhta turant he rasoighar ke bahar khadi apni maa ko sandesh de aaya aur uske sath he ek lalten, jhola aur laathi liye Gulaabo bhi aa gayi. Kavita bhojan chhod kar ye sab khamoshi se dekhti rahi aur sabke jaane ke baad wo dwaar band karne Anuradha ke sang aayi toh aahista se boli.
"Kaaki, itni raat me jana mujhe thik nahi lag raha.", Anuradha saankal laga kar Kavita ki taraf palti aur laalten ki roshni me uske bhole chehre ko dekhte hue jawaab dene lagi.
"Kisi ke jiwan aur pariwar ki baat aaye toh fir raat andhera nazar nahi aata. Main bhi aajtak tumhare he jaisi hu Kavita lekin apne darr ke sath maine ye bhi swikaar kiya ki jo insaan farz se bandha ho uska sath na de sako toh kam se kam virodh bhi nahi karna chahiye. Jaanti ho jab main chhoti thi tab fasal pakne ke samay maa raat me pita ji ko khana dene akele he khet ko chali jaati thi. Main yaha ghar par 2 logo ki suraksha me bhi ek kamre se dusre me jaane se darti rehti. Phir ghar wala darr toh chala gaya lekin ghar ke bahar toh aaj bhi meri himmat nahi padti.", Kavita ko ye jaankar jaane kyun atcha laga ki koyi toh hai uske jaisa jo darta hai. Anuradha ne kamre ki taraf jaane ki bajaaye pichle aangan ka rukh kiya rasoi se apna bhojan lene ke baad. Kavita ne khaat bichaayi toh Anuradha ne usko bhi upar he baithaya, apne saamne.
"Chandan ji toh jara sa bhi nahi darte andhere se kaaki. Jaise unhe toh andhkaar kahi jyada pasadn hai din ke ujaale se.", Anuradha ye sunn kar mand mand muskurane lag padi jaise Kavita ne sahi insaan ka jikar kiya ho.
"Wo toh paida bhi us raat hua tha jab ghar me laalten tak khaali thi aur aasman me chaand bhi nahi. Nanhe kadmo se jab chalna dauda seekha toh aksar andhero me ja chhupta. Iske baba ne bhi bachpan me yahi sikhaya tha ke bahadur insaan he jiwan ko safal bana sakte hai. Aur iske liye kabhi bhi aur kaise bhi halaat me ghabrana nahi. Bahot baar toh ye ghar ke bahar baith kar Meena ke sath khelta rehta. Uski aankhen andher me chamakti hai toh unke sahare he aankh micholi khelte rehte. Iske baba jis raat poore hue, main toh us jagah tak na ja saki aur ye apni baba ke shav ko andheri raat me jaane kaha kaha le kar ghooma. Mann se bhola hai lekin himmat bahot hai mere Chandu me. Tumhare kaka ke jaane ke baad agar ye mere paas na hota toh jaane kis haal me hoti main, zinda hoti ya nahi.", Yaadon me doobti Anuradha ko Kavita ne paani ka gilaas pakdaya toh wo namm aankhen paunch kar muskurane lagi kyonki Meena ab Kavita ki goad me aa baithi thi.
"Waise aap utni badi toh nahi lagti kaaki. Mera matlab hai ki.. Chandan ji aapke putra nahi lagte.. lagte hai par.. mera matlab hai ki maa bete nahi lagte. Byaah jaldi karwa diya tha kya aapke baba ne? Badi amma toh ladkiyon ki sahi umar ko mehtva deti hai isliye wo toh nahi karengi aisa."
"XX ki thi main us waqt aur 19 ke Chandan ke pita ji the. Mujhe toh laga tha ke byaah karna atchi baat hoti hai, naye vastra milte hai aur gehne bhi. Choodiyon ke sath mujhe shringaar ka bahot shauk tha. Maa ye sab jyada karne nahi deti thi aur ab baba ko kya pata tha is sabka kyonki wo toh purush the. Unhone mujhse baat ki toh maine bhi keh diya ke kar do byaah. Maa ki jyada nahi chali beshak unhone poori koshish ki thi ki kam se kam 3-4 baras ruka jaaye. Jab mujhe aur baba ko apni galti ka ehsaas hua tab tak toh main maa ban ne ke kasht he jhel chuki thi. Aur jiwan ke us kashtdaayi samay me bhi maa ne he sath diya kyonki main paripakva nahi thi. Wo samajhdar aur bahot nidar hai Kavita, kaash ke main unke jaisi ban paati.", Yaha Anuradha apne gujre samay ko Kavita sang sanjha karti hui aatmglani se bhar uthi lekin phir Chandan ka chehra yaad aate he dil alag he sukoon se bhar utha.
"Haan kaki. Badi amma sabke sukh dukh me shamil hoti hai. Gaanvwale toh jaat-dharam ki wajah se 4 hisso me bant gaye lekin badi amma hai jinki dehleej par koyi aata hai toh unhone sabko sammaan aur pyaar he diya. Waise yaha ke vaidh bhi ucchkoti ke ghamandi aur lobhi vyakti hai. Gareeb ka upchaar toh dur wo unse milte bhi nahi. Isliye majdoor aur gareeb apni samasya badi amma ke he idhar leke aate hai. Unse ban padta hai toh wo upchaar kar deti hai nahi toh aarthik madad se bade kasbe bhijwa deti hai.", Kavita jis mudde par baat kar rahi thi us se alag he kuch daud raha tha Anuradha ke mann me.
"Atcha ek baat puchu tujhse Kavita?"
"Ji kaaki, behichak puchiye. Aapse baat karna mujhe bhi bhala lagta hai jaise aap.. aap pichle janam hamari he koyi sagi thi.", Kehte hue Kavita thodi sharmane lagi jo laalten ki maddim low me dekh Anuradha bhi waise he muskurayi.
"Tumhe agar main apni bahu banau toh tumhe eitraaj hai koyi? Tum Chandan ke sath janchti ho aur mujhe kahi na kahi lagta hai ke tum bhi mera he pratibimb ho jisko jiwan me majboot insaan ki darkaar hai. Chandan ka ekaant mujhe akharta hai lekin wo shayad tumhare sath baatchit karna pasand krta hai.", Kavita ye baat sunn kar kuch pal toh jadd si ho gayi aur fir khaat se uthne lagi toh uski reshmi kalaai ko Anuradha ne thaam kar wapis baitha diya.
"Jor jabardasti matt samajhna Kavita, ye tumhari zindagi ka fainsla hai aur mujhe mere bete ki parwaah hai jo ab bada ho chuka hai. Kisi anjaan sang uska byaah karke main apne bete ke jiwan ke sath waisi galti nahi dohrana chahti jo anjaane me mujhse hui. Tum sushil ho, khoobsurat bhi aur Chandan jaisa he gehra-mann hai tumhara. Samay lo jitna le sakti ho par mujhe uske liye tum aur Gulaabo dono he pasand thi. Chandan ne Gulaabo ka bhai ban kar mera fainsla asaan kar diya. Beti nahi hai na mere aur Gulaabo bhi mujhe choti amma he bulaati hai. Tum phir mujhe maa bulaogi toh lagega jiwan me sabkuch prapt ho gaya.", Kavita ki ukhadti saansein kuch hadd tak sambhli toh usne bhigi palko se Anuradha ki taraf dekhte hue jawaab diya.
"Samaaj aur badi amma nahi maanenge kaaki. Aur main aapse sach he kahungi ki aisi wajah se maine badi amma ko bhojan karwaate samay poocha tha ke wo mujhe is ghar se kab vida karengi. Aaj aapke bete ne.. ", Kavita itna keh kar khamosh ho gayi. Wo ab najre nahi mila sakti thi aur Anuradha ko laga jaise Chandan ne jawaani ke naye naye ehsaas me kuch kar he na diya ho. Waise bhi wo swayam Chandan ki taraf khinch rahi thi aur yahi wajah thi ki ab wo apne bete ko bandhna chahti thi jis se uska vichlit mann ye soch kar he kaabu me reh jaaye ki Chandan kisi aur ka pati hai. Anuradha ki najar me Kavita se behtar vikalp nahi tha.
"Aane do usko tum. Jara sa dhyaan nahi diya toh usne tumhare sath.."
"Nahi kaaki.. aisi baat nahi hai.. Wo.. wo unhone yahi kaha.. ki unke jiwan me sarvopari koyi hai toh wo aap hai.. Aapke liye unka pyaar aur moh maine bhi dekha isliye wo kabhi galat kaam nahi kar sakte. Ulta wo toh sabki madad karte hai chahe wo insaan galat he kyun na ho. Chandan ji ne toh aap wali he baat kahi thi mujhse. Durdarshi hone ke sath mehnati hai jo khud ko pehle saabit karna chahte hai aur phir mujhse byaah. Aisa nahi hai kaaki ki aapke bete mujhe pasand nahi. Aakhir kaun aisa insaan nahi chahega jo niswarth dusre ki sahayta kare, uska khayaal rakhe? Badi amma ne naya jiwan diya hai mujh anaath ko aur main upkaar ke badle aisa vardaan nahi maang sakti. Ek bar toh halwaai kaka bhi mere sath unke bete ke rishtey ke liye badi amma ke paas aaye the jinhe unhone saaf mana kar diya. Ab wo jaha kahengi main udhar he byaah kar lungi. Unke ehsaan bahot hai kaaki, aap samjhengi meri baat ko. Inkaar nahi kar rahi hu lekin swarthi kehlana bhi pasand nahi.", Kavita ki saari baat sunn kar Anuradha ko apne bete aur uski pasand par pehle se kahi jyada fakar hua. Beshak wo jawaan ho chuka tha aur sharir me atyadhik badlaav bhi aa chuke the lekin Chandan ka apni hadd me bane rehna Anurahd ko gadgad kar gaya. Par wahi Chandan ne is baat se inkaar nahi kiya tha ki uski maa uske liye sarvopari hai. Iske kya kya maayne the ye toh tarksangat tha kyonki na keh kar bhi Chandan ki najro ne Anuradha ko bahot kuch bayaan kiya tha. Uska beta jaise samaajik jiwan ko smajh kar bhi kuch maamlo me paheli sa aboojh tha aur kahi na kahi uski chahat me Anuradha swayam viraajman thi.
"Ehsaan toh tum karogi Kavita haan keh kar. Jaanti ho tumhari badi amma ne he kaha tha ke tumhe main Chandan ke liye kaisi lagti hu. Wo tumhe kahi aur vida nahi kar sakti aur na mujh par jor de sakti hai kyonki unke anusaar Chandan ke jiwan ka fainsla ya toh wo kar sakta hai ya main. Ab batao tumhara kya jawaab hai sach sunn kar? Gulaabo bhi tumhare liye bahot der tak makhan lagati rahi jab tum dono bahar the. Abhi bhi tum badi amma ke mooh se he sunn na chahti ho? Haan Chandan ki baat se toh main bhi vaasta rakhti hu ki agar wo safal hota hai tabhi wo tumhari jimmewari apne kandhe lega. Shravan maas (Saawan) fainsla kar dega ki wo kitna kushal hai aur baaki mera beta tumhe 2 roti aur sampoorn ijatt dene ke kaabil hai.", Ab Kavita kuch hairaan hui badi amma wali baat sunn kar aur jaha 4 log is rishtey ke liye khud tayaar the jabki Kavita ko toh swayam Chandan se lagaav ho chala tha toh wo ab kya jawaab deti.
"Main bartan saaf kar deti hu amma, aap hath mooh dho lijiye.", Kavita dono ke beech rakhe jhoothe bartan samet kar turant he andhere me rasoighar ki aur aujhal ho gayi. Laalten wahi chhod kar.
"Arri, haan ya na toh bol ja.", Anuradha ne hanste hue Kavita se uska jawaab jaan na chaha tha jo andhere me he apne ghutno me mooh dabaye khushi se aansu baha rahi thi. Usko apni kismat par yakeen he nahi ho raha tha ki bhagwaan itne dukh dikhane ke baad uska jiwan itna swapnil bana denge. Wahi Anuradha ne uski kahi baat ko yaad kiya toh muskurati hui wo bhi uth kar apni hone wali bahu ki taraf badh gayi. Amma kaha tha kavita ne usko aur yahi jawaab paryapt tha.
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"Khaane me kya diya tha apni amma ko tumne? Dekh ke lagta hai Bandana kayi din se he kuch nahi khaa rahi. Peit bhitar dhansa hai aur kamjor sharir ke sath agar thodi si mehnat bhi ki toh yahi haal hona tha.", Jhopdi ke bhitar Bandana ki jaanch karti Jaanki Devi ke sath Gulaabo aur Laali he maujood thi kyonki Bandana ke jism par siwaye uski yoni par patle se vastra ke poora badan nirvastra tha. Chandan bahar ek taraf andhere me baitha khule aasman aur behti hui taja hawa me khoya idhar udhar ki he soch raha tha.
"Jab pucho toh kehti hai ki kha liya aur apne hath se toh maine kal savere he khichdi parosi thi. Khaane baithti hai toh rone lagti hai ya hum bacho se thoda parda rakhti hai. Thik toh ho jaayengi na meri maa, badi amma.?", Laali ka dhyaan apni maa ke chehre par he tha jaha Jaanki Devi ne nehar ke thande paani se kayi martba geeli patti rakhi thi. 2 baar us bhagone ka paani Gulaabo ne he badla tha aur baaki badan par Laali ne geele kapde se safaai karke apni maa ko kuch araam pahuchaya.
"Fikar wali baat nahi hai lekin agar ye roti se aana-kani karti rahi toh fir kuch nahi keh sakte. Aisa kar kal se tu jab ghar aane lage toh iske liye alag se doodh leti aaya karna waha se. Teri kaaki se keh dena ki wo iski thodi maalish karni shuru kare, kamjori kuch adhik hai. Pehle toh marad bache karne se peeche nahi hatenge aur fir 4-4 paida karke aurat bhookhi rahe toh jism jarjar he hoga. Tujhe bhi yahi kehti hu aur is Gulaabo ko bhi. Aurat bann ne se pehle ladki ko he khuraak par dhyaan dena chahiye nahi toh phir yahi haalat hogi byaah karke. Ye is thaile me kaali mirach, mishri, tulsi aur jaayephal ka choora hai. Jaayephal paani me ghol ke deti rehni thoda thoda aur jab ye subah uthe toh baaki teeno cheej thodi si khichdi ya daliya khilane ke baad apne saamne he dena. Apni behno ko bol de ki wo kuch der tak iske talwe masle aur jaise main geeli patti rakh rahi hu waise karti rahe. Dekh ab iska matha utna garam nahi hai jiska matlab taap utar raha hai. 2 din dhoop me na nikalne diyo isko aur khana-kapde dhona bhi aapas me baant lo. Savere samay rehte main desi ghee aur aanwle ka murabba bhijwa dungi iske hath. Ab aise ghabrana nahi choti choti baat se. Ek jan Bandna ke paas he dari bicha le sone ke liye aur peene ka paani bhi rakh lena. Neend me jarur pyaas lagegi isko.", Jaanki Devi jhopdi se bahar nikalne lagi toh Laali unke paanv me he padd gayi. Wo baar baar unka dhanywaad kar rahi thi jiske sar ko dulaarte hue unhone naa me sar hilaya. Is beech laalten ki roshni aur jhopdi ka parda hatne ki wajah se khaat par nirvastra soyi Bandna par Chandan ki najar bhi padi jo turant dusri taraf dekhne laga.
"Tum isko ehsaan ki jagah mera kartavya samjho toh behtar rahega bitiya. Sukh me toh koyi kisi ko yaad nahi karta lekin insaan ko dukh me jarur shamil rehna chahiye. Tum log he toh mehnat karke mujhe araam dete ho, fasal ugaate ho aur badle me main itna bhi na karu toh fir insaaniyat kaisi? Ab se apni maa ka khayaal tumhe rakhna hai aur apni choti behan ke sath kaaki ko bhi samjha dena jab tum yaha nahi ho toh wo dekhbhal kare. Waise wo karti toh hai he lekin Bandana jiddi bahot hai. Tumhari he maanti hai kyonki tum bhi kam nahi. Apna dhyaan rakhna. Chal oh choti amma.. Ab raah dikhayegi ya khud ka bhavishya he dekhti rahegi?", Gulaabo mooh chidhaati hui turant he unse ek kadam aage badhi aayi. Chandan bhi uth kar inke sath chal diya. Yaha kaafi samay lag gaya tha aur is baar wapsi ka safar purn sunsaan aur nirjan rehne wala tha. Ek laalten jo Gulaabo ke hath thi aur Chandan ke sath sath Jaanki devi ke hath me majboot laathi.
"Naani, ye nehar kinare wala rasta chhota nahi padega ghar wapis lautne ke liye?", Chandan ne jaan-boojh kar aisa sawaal kiya tha aur Gulaabo palat kar Chandan ko aise ghoorne jaise usne ye keh kar aafat bula li ho. Par uske kuch kehne se pehle Jaanki devi ne he puliya se seedhe chalte hue jawaab diya.
"Jiwan me jo raaste chhote mile, unki jagah jis raah ka gyaan ho wahi chunn ni chahiye beta. Bada rasta beshak thoda deri se manzil par le jata hai lekin pahuchata jarur hai. Raat ke samay vann ke bhitar dakhal deni ki jarurat he kya hai jab humne khud apni raah banaai ho.? Be-matlab jeev-jantu pareshaan honge aur unhe asuraksha mehsoos hui toh tum dono jawaan log is budhiya ko chhod bhaago ge.", Jaanki devi kitni sakratmak thi ye unki boli aur har sthithi ko sambhalne se he sabit hot tha par Chandan ke mann me bahot kuch umad raha tha aur is se behat mauka usko ghar pe toh milne se raha.
"Koyi Nandita ka saya udhar hamari jameen par kabja kiye hai naani aur pokhar tak ko phir se nahi bhara gaya uske waha doobne par. Jab wo aatma hai toh kya bas khandhar aur pokhar tak he simit rahegi? Gaanv me nahi aa sakti kya?", Chandan ke mooh se Nandita ka naam sunn kar Jaanki devi ke toh reedh tak siharan daud gayi. Upar se sabhi ko ijjatt dene wala Chandan Nandita ko spasht saya aur aatma keh kar bula raha tha.
"Tumhe Nandita ji ke baare me kisne bataya Chandan? Wo koyi pret ya chudail nahi hai agar tum yahi poochna chahte ho. Kayi baar uparwala bhi jab kisi ko bulana nahi chahta ho aur wo akaal mrityu praapt ho toh kaise bhi karke wo aatma apne hone ka saboot deti rehti hai. Maksad aur itchaayen adhuri rehne se wo atript jarur hoti hai par samanya aur saafdil insaan ka bura nahi karti. Jabtak wahi insaan koyi hatth na kar baithe. Waise wo pokhar aur khandhar unke he hai aur agar mujhe unse darr hota toh kya main tumhe waha ki jameen dekhne ke liye Sukhlaal ke sath kal jaane deti? Kitna bhi padh likh lo beta par har sawaal ka jawaab koyi pustak nahi de sakti. Ya kuch sawaalo ke jawaab kahi nahi milte. Agar unki marji hogi toh jarur wo apni jameen bhi tumhare hawaale karengi. Bas tum kisi prakaar ki zidd matt kar baithna. Jaanti hu tum nehar wale raaste he ghar laute the us raat aur kuch na kuch toh dekha he hoga. Nandita ji waha jaane se khud he dusro ko rokti hai kyonki waha kuch aur hai jo akelepan me he khush hai.", Chandan bade dhyaan se sab sunn raha tha aur is beech uski najar raste par jara bhi na thi jis wajah se ek pathar ki thokar lagte he wo ladkhadaya par baaki dono us se aage thi jinhone usko girte na dekha. Aur wo gira bhi nahi jaise kisi ne uski baah ko majbooti se pakad liya ho. Wo sparsh itna thandak bhara tha jo Chandan ne pehle kabhi baraf sa mehsoos na kiya ho. Wo hairat se usi jagah rukk kar idhar udhar dekhne laga jabki uski naani aur Gulaabo aage nikal chuki thi.
'Ab ye kya tha? Aahhh.. pehle toh dard nahi hua.'
"Kaha reh gaya peeche? Chal teri maa ka jee ghabra raha hoga, apne Chandu ke liye."
"Aaya naani.. Wo jooti utar gayi thi chalte chalte.", Chandan ab chaurahe se us disha me dekh raha tha jidhar Sukhlaal ka ghar tha. Usko andhere me yahi laga ki ek saya udhar ko nikla hai. Jism me bhitar thandak aur bahar paseena ubhar aaya kyonki ye spasht ehsaas hua tha usko kisi upari taqat ka. Lekin ab wo baaki dono ko darana nahi chahta tha.
"Waise naani aapki kabhi Nandita ji se mulakaat hui hai kya? Suna hai wo badi khoobsurat thi aur pehle unka he vivaah hone wala tha nana ji se.", Chandan jaise apni naani ka he mann parakh raha tha aisi baat poochte hue par wo muskurate hue Chandan ke pichwade he halke se laathi maarne ke baad uska hath pakad kar chalne lagi. Halki thakaan si lag rahi thi par baaton se safar bhi kat gaya.
"Tere nana bhi kuch kam nahi the agar aisi baat hai toh. Haan Nandita ji ke liye toh dur daraaj se rishtey aate the par unke pita ji ne tere nana ji ke pita se unhe he maang liya. Dono ke beech pariwarik awasar par he 2-3 baar mulakaat hui thi aur jab bhi tere nana khet jaate toh Nandita ji chupke se unke liye khana aur paani pehle he rakh deti. Bahot gehra pyaar tha tere nana ka unse isliye toh unki mrityu ke baad 10 baras tak unhone byaah ka naam na liya. Main tang aa chuki thi rishto se aur maine keh diya tha ke byaah wahi karungi jaha jyada bada pariwar na ho. Kismat se tumhare nana ke pita ji ne unhe mere liye mana liya. Dikhte kuch kuch tere he jaise the lekin tu unse kuch lamba hai aur samajhdar bhi. Hahaha.. Sunn li kahaani ya ab kuch sawaal hai? Tere chakkar me kahi ye Gulaabo na darne lage raat me.", Jaanki Devi ki baat sunn kar Gulaabo ne fir se mooh chidhate hue kaha.
"Darr mere aaspas nahi fatakta badi amma, keh deti hu. Ye bhai ko thoda samjha do ki kahi devi ke chakkar me shaitaan se na ja mile. Aur bhai tumne jo bhi suna hai na Nandita ji ke baare me ye baat aadhe gaanv ko pata hogi. Haan bahot se unhe maante hai aur bahot se nahi kyonki dekha kisi ne nahi hai unko aajtak. Aur badi amma aap bhi aadhi he baat batati ho jabki us khandhar aur pokhar me aajtak jo gaya wo zinda na bacha. Ek darjan ke kareeb toh mujhe pata hai jo ab nahi rahe waha jaane ki wajah se. Baaki badi amma waha tumhe isliye bhej rahi hai kyonki pokhar aur khandhar toh uske bhi kaafi aage hai. Haan nahi toh.", Ab Jaanki Devi kuch bhi kehti us se pehle Gulaabo darvaja khadka chuki thi aur Chandan bas muskura raha thi jiski muskaan dekh kar uski naani ye na samajh saki ki wo Gulaabo ki baat par hans raha hai ya apni naani ka sach jaan kar.
"Waise aapne bataya nahi naani ke aapne kabhi unhe dekha ya unka ehsaas hua hai aapko?", Darwaja kholne ke liye Anuradha he aa rahi thi jo abhi kuch kadam dur the aur Gulaabo bhi mudd kar apni badi amma ki taraf laalten karke dekhne lagi ki aakhir wo kya jawaab deti hai.
"Ye kabhi mumkin he nahi Chandan. Aakhir main unki byaahta hu jinke sath Nandita ji ka rishta hua tha. Mujhe jab sabkuch pata chala tab toh tere nana ji bhi duniya se jaane he wale the. Unhe khud kabhi ehsaas nahi hua tha lekin unka kehna tha ke Nandita ji ko tabhi sukoon milega jab unki chahat poori hogi ya phir badla. Chal ab is baat ko yahi khatam kar aur itna dhyaan rakh ki gaanv ke bhitar jitne raaste hai un par darne jaisa kuch nahi. Haan unse bhatakne ki galti matt karna beta kyonki ab aulaad nahi hai koyi jo pariwar sambhal sake. Tumhara mann ashaant ho toh chahe mujhse sawaal kar lena par kuch aisa matt karna jisko jhelna hamare liye mumkin na ho. Ja hath mooh dho kar araam kar le, pehle he raat kaafi gujar chuki hai.", Chandan khamoshi se unki baat sun kar makaan ki bagal se he pichle aangan jaane laga lekin is beech he apni maa ki awaaj sunaai di jo uski naani se keh rahi thi.
"Saari laalten khaali hai maa. Aise toh kaam nahi chalega aur abhi maine nahaya bhi nahi hai."
"Andhere me nahana mushkil nahi hai. Tujhe nahana hai ya dikhana hai? Aasmaan me itne taare hai aur ye Gulaabo wali bhi timtima rahi hai. Bacha ke rakh, subah mattiya teil lete aayenge bache.", Rasoi ke bahar he Kavita ne badi amma ke hath dhulwa diye the jaise wo ye jaanti thi. Par abhi bhi uske chehre par alag si muskaan thi. Gulaabo toh angdaai leti hui laalten Anuradha ko pakdati hui seedhiyon par chadh gayi teeno ko batate hue.
"Main chali sone badi amma aur is mutalli ko bhi bhej dena. Niche hawa nahi lagti utni jitni khuli chhat par hai.", Anuradha kavita ko dekhne lagi aur phir apni maa se boli.
"Main bhi upar he na so jau maa? Bandar toh nahi aate na ab is taraf? Aur machhar?"
"Tu niche he so ja meri naajuk bitiya. Andhere me akele sona tere bas ka nahi hai.", Ab Jaanki devi ki baat poori hone se pehle Chandan bhi bahar ka darwaja jaanchne ke baad upar he chal diya.
"Chandu so raha hai na upar toh fir darr kis baat ka? Aur main akeli kaha hu, Gulaabo ke sath ye Kavita bhi toh upar he sone wali hai.", Ab Anuradha ne keh toh diya tha par usko ye nahi pata tha ke Kavita ke liye Chandan kitna intjaar kar raha tha.
"Pehle naha le aur phir jaha dil kare so ja. Bandar bechare kaha raat ko idhar pareshan hone aayenge. Main thoda thakk gayi hu Kavita isliye Gulaabo se keh dena ki savere jaga degi mujhse samay se. Wo gehri neend jarur soti hai lekin uthti murge ki baang se bhi pehle hai.", Jaanki Devi ke bhitar jaate he wo timtimati hui laalten bhi dum todd gayi. Anuradha abhi kareeb he thi Kavita ke aur uske mooh se vivashta bhari aah sunn kar Kavita ne bholepan se pooch liya.
"Kya hua kaaki? Aapne nahana hai toh main paani rakh deti hu snaanghar me aur chaho toh darwaja matt lagana. Main seedhiyon par najar rakh lungi."
"Amma he bol liya kar akele me mujhe. Aur paani toh maine he rakh diya tha lekin kapde laane ke liye toh roshni ki jarurat padegi."
"Amma, aapki kurti aur ghagra sookh gaya tha aur maine samet kar peeche aangan me khaat par he rakha hai. Dhoti baandh kar he naha lijiyega aur main sukhne daal dungi.", Ab ek baar wo pehle he Gulaabo ke kahe ghagra kurti pehan kar galti kar baithi thi jo wo Kavita se kaise kehti. Ab raat thi toh utni pareshani wali baat nahi thi jiske sath andhkaar bhi Anuradha ke paksh me he tha.
"Thik hai par tumhe agar neend lagi ho toh upar chali jana. Waise mujhe toh chaadar aur dari bhi leni thi bister lagane ke liye."
"Mere sath he so jana amma. Aap kyun itna pareshan hoti hai. Nahi toh main utha laati hu kahi se dhoond kar.", Dono he andhere se darti thi aur na Anuradha usko akele jaane dena chahti thi kyonki peeche wo akeli ho jaati aur na Kavita aisa karne ki himmat rakhti thi.
"Tu snaanghar ke paas he baith, main bas paani gira kar aati hu.", Kavita ne kapde thamaaye toh ek baar andhere me he sab taraf jaanch-padtaal karne ke baad Anuradha ne apni dhoti wahi dhili karke utaari aur saaya choli pehan kar snaanghar me ghus gayi. Darwaja halka se he dhaalte hue wo apne dono vastro ke upar he jaldi jaldi paani udelne lagi. Udhar chhat par Chandan ki bagal me he Gulaabo ne ek aur bister bichha diya tha.
.
.
"Tum aaj idhar he sone wali ho?", Chandan ki baat sunn kar Gulaabo bister ke sirhaane takiya rakhti hui uske bilkul kareeb he aa leti. Wo jaanti thi ki Chandan ke aisa kehne ki wajah kya hai.
"Bhai tumhe pareshani hai kya mere yaha sone par? Tum nahi chahte toh main ye bister dusri taraf laga deti hu.", Itne kareeb lete hone par raat me bhi dono ek dusre ke chehre ko kuch hadd tak dekh pa rahe the aur Gulaabo ki tarah Chandan bhi karwat kiye tha jis se ek dusre ke jism ki roop-rekha thik se pata chalti thi. Gulaabo ne uska jawaab sunn ne se pehle he garmi ka hawala dete hue apni dhili si kurti ke 2 kaaj khol diye. Niche ki taraf ka vastra toh palle sa bichavan par aa tika aur vastra ke upar se mamuli sa lagne wala seena ab ek taraf se apni kathor golaai kuch kuch darshane lage.
"Mujhe toh jara bhi pareshani nahi hogi. Waise bhi toh main idhar akela he sota hu. Tumhe itni garmi lagti hai toh fir band kamre me kaise so rahi thi kal?", Chandan abhi bhi uske chehre ko he dekh raha tha jaise uska dhyaan Gulaabo ke seene par gaya he na ho ya usne dekh kar andekha kiya. Wo bhi badle me mand mand muskurati hui Chandan ki chalaaki dekh rahi thi.
"Mutalli ko jyada garmi lagti hai aur waise bhi kamre ke bhitar utna bura haal bhi nahi hota. Na baarish ka darr, na keede makode ka. Haan chhat par keede nahi aate isliye socha ki aaj main bhi bahar he so jau. Waise bhai tumhe bhi mutalli ki tarah jyada he garmi lagti hai. Dekho ganji (baniyaan) bhi nahi pehante raat me tum.",Chandan ne is baat ko bhi jyada gambhirta se nahi liya. Usne aksar purusho ko raat me sirf dhoti pehne he dekha tha. Gaanv-dehaat me bhi adhiktar vyakti raat ke samay kamar par gamcha ya dhili dhoti he pehante hai.
"Ho sakta hai sehat bhi wajah ho jaise tum dubli patli si ho toh tumhe jara bhi garmi nahi lagti. Meri maa ko toh Kavita se bhi jyada garmi khaati hai lekin phir bhi wo jaane kyun apne kamre me sona pasand karti hai jaise tum karti ho. Band kamre me kaise so sakta hai koyi wo bhi grishm hritu jab charam par ho?", Gulaabo ke maan me jaane kya chal raha tha jo wo iska jawaab alag he de baithi.
"Tum jaise soye ho na yaha khule me, waise he mujhe pasand hai. Isliye kamra band rakhti hu bhai. Kya pata choti amma ki bhi yahi pareshani ho aur wo tumhare rehte thik se nahi so sakti ho. Kuch maamlo me tumhara gyaan bahot kamm hai aur main dubli nahi hu. Jidhar jaruri hai udhar utna maans hai. Mutalli se toh na dauda jata hai aur na wo tairaaki kar sakti sahi se. Haan sundar bahot hai wo.", Chandan toh uski pehli baat sunn kar he apne vicharo me kho gaya. Uski maa isliye karme me soya karti hai aur ek aadh baar toh usne bhi dekha tha ke wo subah ke waqt dhoti sahi se lapet rahi hoti thi jab kabhi wo jaldi naha leta aur rasoi ki taraf jata aur dono ki mulakaat ho jaati. Gulaabo uski tarah.. matlab upari jism nirvastra rakhti hai.
"Kaha kho gaye bhai?"
"Huhh. nahi kahi nahi. Yahi soch raha tha ke aisa kya alag hai aurat aur aadmi me ki aadmi khule me bina ganji-kurte ke reh sakta hai aur yaha tak ki khet me bhi kaam kar sakta hai lekin koyi ladki ya aurat aisa nahi kar sakti. Waise tumne kaha ki Kavita bahot sundar hai toh main thoda sehmat nahi hu. Har insaan ek dusre se alag hota hai Gulaabo aur tum bhi utni he khaas ho. Haan aur tum bhi bahot sundar ho.", Gulaabo ab chahti toh baat ko khinch sakti thi purush-mahila ke sandarbh me par Chandan ne jab uski tareef ki toh bholepan se usko tukur tukur dekhne lagi.
"Ab tumhe kya hua jo khamosh ho gayi?"
"Kuch nahi bhai. Aaj se pehle mujhe kisi ne bhi nahi kaha ki main khoobsurat hu aur ek he din me tumne mujhe ye baat 2 baar keh di. Jaante ho Gori, Laali, Shabri aur Leela se meri baatchit hoti hai toh aksar sunn ne ko mila hai ki gaanv ke ladke mujhe ladki nahi maante. Haan darr ki wajah se mooh par toh keh nahi sakte lekin ghar par dosto ke beech baatchit hoti hai tab mujhe unki behno se pata chalta hai. Gauri toh Darshan Chaudhary kaka ki beti hai, bahot pyaari ladki hai wo lekin uska bhai Sunil utna he badtameej hai jisko tumne nehar me fenka tha. Leela hai halwaai kaka ki beti aur Shabri us dumuhe Sushil ke behan, kameena kahi ka.", Ab Chandan ko bhi bada dukh hua ye sunn kar aur usne Gulaabo ka hath apne hath me lete hue kaha.
"Duniya ki jyada parwaah nahi karni chahiye Gulaabo. Wo toh tumhe khush dekh kar sath khush hone ka dikhawa karte hai aur tumhari dukhi hone par bhitar se khush. Waise tumne Sushil bhai ko dumuha kyun kaha? Insaan sahi nahi hai kya wo?", Gulaabo bhi uske apnepan se apne bhitar ka dard bayaan karne lagi. Chandan ka aise hath pakad kar kareeb hona usko wo himmat de raha tha jo aksar Gulaabo khud me hone ka dikhawa karti thi jabki ek majboot sahare ki jarurat toh usko bhi thi.
"Uska aacharan duniya ke saamne toh aisa hai jaise gangajal ho lekin bhitar se bahot maila insaan hai. Main jyada bolti nahi ye sab kyonki pehle he badi amma akeli sab dekhne wali hai aur binawajah ki baatein bata kar main unka sukoon kharaab nahi karna chahti. Uski biwi hai na Sushila bhabhi, dil ki bahot bhali hai wo. Par Sushil ne unke garbhavati hone ke baad unhi par atyachar shuru kar diye. Bhabhi nahi kehti kuch lekin Shabri ne mujhe bataya is baare me. Sushil aur Dinu dhurt insaan hai jo khet par kaam karne waliyon ko kapde aur sahayata ka dikhawa karke behla lete hai aur fir unke sath dushkaram karte hai. Ladki baad me majbur ho kar unki sab baatein manti hai. Yaha tak ki Dinu ne toh apni biwi ki behan tak ko nahi baksha aur wo kamini hai bhi badchalan jo har dusre saptaah idhar mari rehti hai.", Gulaabo ki naak par itna gussa tha ki Chandan ne muskura kar pehle uske maathe ko sehlaya aur is beech uski baah thapakte waqt galti se hath anavrit ubhaar ko chhoo gaya toh Gulaabo sihar uthi. Chandan ko toh bas ek mulayam sa reshmi ehsaas bhar hua tha.
"Tum toh pakki jasoos ho gayi ho Gulaabo. Waise tumhe toh har tarah ka gyaan hai jitna main bhi nahi jaanta. Tumhe Dinu wali baat kaise pata chali?", Is baar Gulaabo ne he Chandan ka hath pakad kar apne kareeb kar liya tha jaise fir waisi he durghatna ho aur wo Chandan ka sparsh le sake.
"Shabri ne bataya mujhe ki Sushil bhai apni biwi se akele me is baat par jhagda kar rahe the ki jabtak Sushila bhabhi peit se tabtak wo apni choti behan ko yaha kyun nahi bula leti. Bhabhi ne jawaab diya ki unhe Dinu ki saali wala sach pata hai isliye wo aisa hargiz nahi karengi. Aur pehle bhi jab unki behan aayi thi toh Sushil ne uske sath thodi bahot galat harkat ki thi jiska pata bhabhi ko baad me chala tha. Shabri ne ye sab suna aur baaton baaton me bata bhi diya mujhe. Waise toh Dinu Shabri ke bhi peeche pada hai aur Sushil ki najar tumhari.. matlab hamari mutalli par hai. Shambu kaka jo khet sambhalte hai us se pehle wala Sushil aur Dinu ka adda hai aise kukarm karne ke liye. Mujhe toh bas us din ka intjaar hai jis din wo mere saamne koyi auchhi harkat kare aur main phir uski aisi sutaai karu jaise kapaas bharte waqt karte hai.", Gulaabo ne ab hath apne thode nirvastra seene par sata diya tha aur Chandan bhi baaton ke dauraan un sakht golaai ke kinaare jaanchta hue thoda sehlane laga.
"Tumhe kuch jyada he gussa hai unse aur pakka yakeen hai ki wo log Kavita ke baare me galat khayaal rakhte hai? Unhe kya naani ka darr nahi jo aisa sochne ki galti kare?", Gulaabo saansein sambhalti hui is ehsaas ka bhi maja le rahi thi. Usko sahi galat ka kuch bhaan na tha par Chandan ka sparsh sukhad tha aur itna uske liye paryapt.
"Kavita dabbu hai aur jis din wo galti se kahi takra gayi toh yakinan ye log kuch na kuch kar gujrenge. Phir ulta iljaam badi amma par aa sakta hai kyonki marad toh marad hota hai na bhai. Uski galti nahi hoti, aurat he galat hogi chahe saja he mili ho. Mujhe is Sushil ne peeth peeche kinnar kaha tha. Us din mujhe ye samajh nahi aaya jab Shabri ne bataya ki meri wajah se Kavita bachti aayi hai kyonki badi amma ne kinnar suraksha me lagaya hai uske. Baad me pata laga ki jo na ladki ho na ladka usko kinnar kehte hai. Chandan kya main tumhe kahi se bhi ladki nahi lagti? Abhi tumne kaha ki main sundar hu par kya main ek ladki ki tarah dikhti hu?", Yahi wo pal tha ki Chandan ki kaalai dono hatho se thaame uska poora hath apne seene par he tika diya jabki is pal me wo thodi bhavuk thi aur Chandan ko toh khud apni dhadkan badhti lagi kyonki jo ang uski hatheli ke niche tha wo khoob ubhra hua aur maans se bhara hua aise tana tha jaise aadhi musambi chipki ho Gulaabo ke seene se. Lekin iske upar ek teekha ubhaar tha, chota sa par kuch kathor. Chandan purush mann ke adheen hota jaane kaise us kade stann par hath firane lag pada.
"Ye jo tumhara seena hai, gawaah hai ki tum ek sampurn yuvti ho Gulaabo. Aur jo bhi Sushil ne kaha hai tumhare liye, uski dasha waisi he karne wala hu. Tum hamesha dhile vastra pehanti ho na bas isliye tum dubli lagti ho,par ho nahi.", Ab Gulaabo ne aankhen moond kar Chandan ka hath thoda jor se apne seene par dabaya aur phir jaldi se uske gaal ko choom kar wo kamre me daud gayi. Chandan toh apni hatheli ko sehlata he reh gaya. Wo ehsaas aisa tha jiske liye koyi shabd nahi tha uske paas aur jaate hue Gulaabo ka uska gaal choomna. Chandan ne bhi karwat badal kar kamre ki taraf dekha jaha Gulaabo ne pehle nichli manzil ko dekha aur fir Chandan ko.
"Savere nehar par thoda jaldi chalna hai. So jao bhai.", Chandan ko ab kaha neend aane wali thi jab Gulaabo ne uske sath aisa anokha salook kar dala. Fir bhi wo waise he karwat liye aankhen band karke wahi ehsaas sanjone laga. Aaj usne ek nirvastra stann thama tha aur sachmuch uska ehsaas har sparsh se adhik romanchit karne wala tha. Mann me yahi vyatha thi ki kaash ki wo usko dekh sakta ya kuch samay aur Gulaabo uske kareeb rehti, waise he hath tikwaye. Idhar Kavita sang Anuradha bhi upar chali aayi aur Chandan ke kareeb dusra bichawan dekhte he Kavita ke gaal laal ho uthe. Par Anuradha ko ye dikhne se raha is andhere me.
"So gaya ye bhi aur idhar pehle se dusra bichhawan.?"
"Wo Gulaabo ne he bichaya hoga kaaki. Sone se pehle baatein kar rahe honge. Main ye thoda dur kar deti hu."
"Nahi, thoda sath mila de. Dekh ye toh kinaare par mooh fer ke soya hua hai. Main beech me aa jaati hu tum meri bagal me let jao. Jagah jyada hai na ek bichhawan se.", Aur yahi wo pal tha jaha Anuradha ne apne jiwan ki sabse badi bhool kar di. Beshak Chandan ki aankh lag chuki thi par usko yahi gyaat tha ki agar koyi uski bagal me sone wala hai toh wo Kavita he hogi aur Gulaabo ka anjaane he sikhaya naya paath ab wo Kavita par ajmaane wala tha lekin bagal me toh ab uski maa Anuradha aa leti thi, ghaaghra aur dheeli kuri pehan kar. Ghar me ban rahe naye chaurahe se agyaat Jaanki Devi toh chain se niche soyi thi jabki upar unki beti ke jiwan me bahot kuch ghatne wala tha.
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