Update 15
"Chandan.... Chandan.. Kaha ho..", Ghane vriksho ke chote se vann ko cheer kar Gulaabo is vistrit nirjan se marusthal samaan bhukhand par aayi toh tapti hui barso se pyaasi jameen par uske kadmo se rista rakt bhi vashp ban kar udd chala. Ghaav risne band hue lekin dil me dard badh chuka tha paseene se tar-batar is thaki haari ladki ke. Chahu-aur najar daudati hui Gulaabo ko agar waha kuch dikhaai diya toh papdi si ukhdi jameen par rengte kaale bhoore bichhu, ek aadh keekar babool ke vriksh jarur the kahi kahi lekin unki chhaav me khade hona he maut ko nyota dene samaan tha. Kodhi sarp wahi toh latak kar vishraam kar rahe the is tapti dhoop me. Ab bas Gulaabo ke saamne 2 he raaste the. Ek baayi taraf wo sookha gehra pokhar aur dusra is marusthal se 250-300 kadam dur wo khandhar jo yaha se viprit hari bhari kudrat ke beecho beech jarjar haalat me khada jaise pyaase ko behla kar apne kareeb aane ka nyota de raha ho. Waha se toh aajtak koyi lauta na tha jo bhi chhaya ki aas ya laalach liye udhar gaya ho. Is waqt Gulaabo ko na kisi pret ka darr tha aur na apni maut ka. Zehan me bas ek he naam tha aur uska he chehra yaad karti hui wo pokhar ki disha me badhne lagi.
'tadak.. chatt chatt..', Aisi awaaj uske kadam rakhne par ho rahi thi mitti tootne se jo papdi se jami thi. Aansu sookh chuke the jaise bhitar ab unhe banane wala jal he samapt ho chuka ho. Yaha surya bhi jaise Gulaabo ko kamjor karne ki bharsak koshish karta dikha lekin uski tapish aur chamak se adhik buland iraade wali Gulaabo na ruki aur na is bhayanak sthaan se jara bhi dari. Aisa lagta tha jaise is khaas hisse me hawa behti he na ho aur insaan apni he dhadkan ko sunn sakta tha.
'Bhaiiiiiii.. Tum udhar ho.. ?', Sookhi mitti ke bade bade dhelo se bana pokhar ka kinara kuch he dur tha jidhar pahuchne se pehle Gulaabo ne jaise mehsoos kiya ki wo yaha akeli nahi hai. Ek thandi hawa ka jhonkha jaise uske jism ke agal bagal gol gol ghum kar nikla ho. Jism se paseena vilupt ho kar ab royen khade ho gaye. Par Gulaabo na is saaye se dari aur na usne parwaah dikhaai. Wo is baar poori urja se cheekhi.
'Chandannnnnnn... Tum pokhar me niche ho?'
"Haan.. Ye tum ho kya Gulaabo? Arre dekho jara is Mansukh kaka ke gadhe ho.. bewkoof ghaas charne ki bajaye idhar pokhar ke tal me aa pahucha aur ab ye phans gaya hai. Pokhar poori tarah se sookha nahi tha.. Daldal jaisa hai upari parat ke niche... Aur tumhe kaise pata chala ke main idhar hu? Wo ladki bataai kya jo keekar ke niche khadi thi? Uski bakri jhaad pe chadh gayi thi jo maine he nikaal kar di thi..", Gulaabo toh awaaj sunn kar sabkuch bhool baithi aur khaai ke jaise dhalaan wale us pokhar me niche daudti chali gayi. Pokhar ke tal me gaare ke bhitar Dholu ke paanv dhanse the aur Chandan daldal se bachta hua usko khinchne ki koshish karta paseene me nahaya dikha. Ludhakti girti Gulaabo ke ghutne tak chill gaye par wo itne na ruki jitne Chandan ke seene se ja na lagi. Gulaabo ki betarteeb dhadkan, jagah jagah se maili aur fatt ho chuki kurti, ghaghri uski haalat ko bakhubi byaan kar rahi thi. Aankhon se sookh chuke ashru dobara beh chale aur hairaan Chandan bas usko apne seene se chipkaye mitti jhaadne ke sath sar sehlate hue apni pyaari Gulaabo ko chup karwane laga. Jald he uski subkiyan sambhli toh beparwaah si Gulaabo ne Chandan ke chehre par asankhya chumbano ki bauchhaar he kar daali.
"Arre.. shaant ho jaao.. Sab thik hai sab thik hai meri Gulaabo.. Tum jara apni haalat dekho. Pata nahi log kaisi manghadant baatein banaye baithe hai is pokhar aur jagah ke baare me. Bas ye gadha kuch jyada bewkoof hai aur iske chakkar me mujhe bhi niche utarna padd gaya. Dekho, khud he bahar nikal aaya. Chalo..", Gulaabo ko apni bagal me lagaye Chandan ne pyaar se uska chehra saaf karne ke baad dusri taraf dekha toh Dholu daldal se nikal kar ek hari naram tehni mooh me dabaye pokhar se bahar nikalne laga tha. Gulaabo bina kuch bole Chandan ke sath aage badhne lagi toh mooh se ek karaah foot padi. Chandan ne uske chehre par dard aur paanv me kampann dekhne ke sath he niche baith kar wo nange paanv hatheli me rakhte hue jancha toh kankadd kaanto se unki haalat buri dikhi.
"Ab tum chalogi nahi.", Itna bol kar wo Gulaabo ki kamar se niche hath daal kar saavdhani se uthata hua chadhaai chadhne laga.
"Jaante ho Dholu yaha kaise pahucha? Bhai tum nahi jaante ki aajtak idhar se koyi bhi sakushal wapis nahi lauta hai.", Bade prem se Chandan ko niharti Gulaabo ne apni baahon ka ghera uske gale daalte hue bataya.
"Veham hai sabka lekin chalo main dobara idhar nahi aaunga. Aur ye Dholu ko toh Kaali ne aage peeche paanv me rassi se bandha tha jo mujhe toh nahi dikhi. Kisne pahuchaya is bejubaan ko idhar?"
"Dinu karamjale ne aur tumhe meri kasam hai bhai ki tum ab beech me nahi padoge jab main uski durgati sabke samne karungi. Wo dhurt yaha apna ullu seedha karne ke chakkar me tha tumhe marwane aur Sukhlal kaka ko kshati pahuchane ke iraade se. Waise tum keh rahe the kuch kisi yuvti ke baare me.", Ab Gulaabo ko jab dhyaan aaya toh pokhar se bahar nikate Chandan ne bhi chahu aur najar ghumaai. Waha toh usko koyi yuvti na dikhi aur jaise drishya kuch badla badla sa dikha.
"Haan.. pehle toh yaha badi atchi ghaas aur hariyali thi Gulaabo. Aur wo hare ghagre aur laal choli me jo yuvti thi, uska chehra toh nahi dekh saka tha main lekin wo us keekar ke vriksh tale khadi thi jiske upar se maine bakri ka bacha utara tha. Haan.. usne mujhe jimidaar ji kaha tha toh mujhe laga ki wo jaanti hogi mujhe. Tumne jooti kyun nahi pehni aur ye Dinu aakhir chahta kya hai?", Dholu bina rassi ke he inke sath sath chal raha tha aur Chandan ki hairaani khatam hone ki bajaye badhti gayi jaise jaise wo is sthaan ko gor se dekhta raha. Ek baar gardan palat kar us laal-kaale se khandhar ki taraf dekha toh hare bhare hisse ke beech jaise koyi hulchal si dekhi par abhi yaha se nikalna jaruri tha. Gulaabo ne kaha bhi ki wo chal sakti hai apne aap parantu Chandan ne inkaar kar diya. Ghane vriksho wali hadd par aate he ek jhaad par wo rassa dikha jo Kaali ne Dholu ke paanv me bandha tha. Uski khuli gaanthe aur waha upar gira hona saboot tha ki Dholu ka prayog Dinu ne he kiya tha. Rassa utha kar Chandan jhurmut se bahar nikla toh waha Sukhlal ke sath sath Kaali, Muniya aur un dono ki maa Sukhiya ko dara sehma khada paaya jinke chehre harsh aur hairat se bhar uthe jab in teeno ko dekha. Waha Shabri bhi thi jo apni sakhi ko sakushal dekh usko gale lagate hue ek tarah se Chandan se bhi ja lagi.
"Bhagwaan ka laakh laakh shukar hai beta.. Hum toh sabhi log khudkhushi ka soch baithe the agar kuch samay tak tum log nahi laut-te.. Arri Muniya ki amma, Gulaabo ko sambhalo.. Chandan beta, tum thik toh ho na?", Sukhlal toh hath laga laga kar Chandan ko jaanchne laga tha aur Gulaabo ne Sukhiya kaaki ko kasht na karne ka kehne ke sath wo rassi pakda di.
"Ab gaanv ke asli jimidar ji apni jameen bhi na dekhne ja sakte kya kaka? Kuch nahi hua hai Chandan ko aur maine jyada daud lagaai na isliye ab ye saja hai Chandan ji ki aur ye mujhe aise he le kar jaayenge ghar tak. Kaali, apne bhai ke gale me rassi bandh lo.. is baar ye bhaga na toh main na pakadne jaungi. Keh deti hu.", Kaali bhi toh apna dard bhool baithi thi is anhoni ki wajah se aur ab aansu saaf karte hue usne he apni jooti utaar kar Gulaabo ko pehna di. Par Gulaabo ne paanv niche na rakhe aur sabko shaant karta Chandan usko uthaye hue he baaki duri taye karta hua apni bailgaadi tak aa pahucha, Shabri ne Gulaabo ka hath yaha bhi thaame rakha. Muniya bhitar se dono ke liye paani aur angocha laayi toh pehle Chandan ne Gulaabo ke wo dhool se sane paanv dhoye, jakhmo ki jaanch ki aur kapde se unhe saaf kiya. Gulaabo ke ghutne bhi chhile the jinhe Shabri ne dho kar saaf kiya aut me aur dono ne apni haalat sudharne ke baad is baat ka jikar kisi aur se na karne ka vachan liya Sukhlal se jiske baad bailgaadi par baith Chandan aur Gulaabo apne sath Shabri ko liye dusri manzil ki taraf nikal gaye.
"Dekha bhaagwan? Ye toh chamatkar he ho gaya jo Chandan-Dholu ke sath sath Gulaabo bitiya bhi sakushal laut aayi. Waise aaj ek pal ko toh Gulaabo badi amma se bhi khunkhaar dikh rahi thi jab yaha se vann ke bhitar bhaagi thi. Uparwale ka karishma he hai jo ye dono jiwit laut aaye."
"Baapu, dono nahi teeno. Aapka ye Dhillu Dhollu naaspeeta he wajah hai jo aaj hua.", Muniya ne apne pita ko paani dete hue gadhe ki yaad dilaai jiski gardan ko jakde Kaali uska matha choomne ke baad sar ko apne kandhe par dhare thi. Ek janwar ke sang Sukhlal ke poore pariwar ka he ye atoot prem tha aur bhari aankhon se muskurate hue Sukhlal ne Kaali ke sar pe hath firate hue wo rassi dikhaai.
"Tumne toh iske dono paanv me rassi bandhi thi bitiya lekin Chandan ko ye mili waha jhaad ke upar. Aur ab unhone kaha ki iska jikar wo kisi se na kare. Matlab jo bhi tha wo hamare sath sath badi amma ke pariwar ka chiraag bhi bujhana chahta tha. Kamtar aank baitha wo badi amma ke khoon ko aur ye Gulaabo jaane ab uska kya karegi jisne ye kukarm kiya."
"Bhitar chal kar hath mooh dho lo ji. Ye mooa Dholu toh peit bharne ke sath sabki jaan nikaalta laaya hai ghar. Aaj isko na deti main khaane ko kuch aur naaspeete ko bandhti hu abhi chardiwari me. Karamjala.", Sukhiya ki baaton se dard aur dukh me simte is poore pariwar ke sadasyo ke chehre khil uthe. Wo mook Dholu bhi apni maa samaan maalkin ki kamar aur bagal me sar ragadta jaise galti maan raha ho. Aankhen chalchala aayi thi Sukhiya ki jisne rassi fenkte hue isko laad dulaar kiya aur kaan pakad kar apne sath bhitar le chali.
"Dekh liya tumhari amma ko Muniya bitiya? Abhi pehle uski najar utaaregi aur phir ghee shakkar ki roti khilane ke baad hamari sudh legi wo. Kaali bitiya, tum abhi tak baithi hui ho? Chalo bhitar.. Haan main toh bhool he gaya tha ke tumhara paanv bhi mudd gaya tha. Muniya, apni behan ko kamre me le ja bitiya aur garam teil se iski maalish kar dena bhojan ke baad.", Chandan ne apna bhari bharkam hal jo chala diya tha aaj is durghatna se pehle jiske lautne ke sath dard bhi daubara ubhar aaya tha.
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Bijju ke chauthe par samoocha gaanv he waha upasthit tha aur ab toh Jaanki Devi ne Shambhu ko bhijwa kar ghar se apni bitiya Anuradha aur uske sath sath Kavita-Gauri tak ko yaha bulwa liya tha. Katha samapan ke baad ek taraf jaha mahilaon ko shwet pandaal tale prasaad bhojan karwaya ja raha tha toh dusri taraf Karam Singh ke nohre me bhi chhaya karwa kar jameen par he dariyan bichhayi gayi. Mahilaon aur ladkiyon ki taraf vyavastha swayam Karam Singh ki dharampatni aur bitiya dekh rahi thi sewako dwara pattal lagaane se bhojan parosne tak. Aaj kahi Rukmani, Kusum ke sath Sharda aur Malti ki mulakaat sahi se Anuradha se ho paayi thi jo abhi bhoj me shamil hone ki jagah ek taraf charpaayi par Kavita aur apni maa Jaanki Devi sang baithi thi. Yahi par Mandhari baba bhi ghar pariwar ki ladkiyon aur mahilaon ko aane wale samay me kiye jaane wale kaarya, amavasya ityadi ka byora de rahe the. Jin jin mahilaon ne Anuradha ko dekha tha wo sabhi uski khoobsurati par chakit thi chahe mann he mann kuch ko irshya bhi hui parantu jo satya tha wo unke chehre se prakat tha.
"Baba, aapne Rukmani ki toh kundali aur bhavishya dekha he nahi aur ab aap keh rahe hai ki kal savere he aap yaha se vida le lenge. Gauri bitiya toh aapse mil bhi li aaj.", Maalti Devi ko bhi apni beti ki chinta thi jo hamesha sirf apne mann ki he karti rehti thi aur abhi bhi wo Anuradha aur Kavita me ruchi leti unke he sameep thi. Is pandaal se bahar gali ka swaroop bakhubi dikhta tha jaha idhar udhar bhaag-daud karte sewak, unki madad karte gaanv ke yuvak aur aane jaane waalo se mulakaat karte Karam Singh, unke bade bhai Sube Singh, Panch aur baaki log bhi dikh jaate.
"Bitiya, Rukmani ka bhavishya main kaha dekh sakta hu? Bhavishya toh kisi ka bhi nahi dekha ja sakta bas greh-dasha padhi ja sakti hai agar kahi vyavdhaan ho. Ye bachi honhaar hone ke sath he swayam-siddh hai. Jo bhi karegi, uttam he hoga. Waise Jaanki Devi ne bitiya aur is bachi ko toh bulwa liya parantu na hume yaha inka jatil naati dikh raha hai aur na uski prehri vidaal.", Baba dwara prayukt kiye shabdo par Jaanki devi toh mooh niche karte hue muskura uthi parantu Anuradha vismit si ho kar anjaane he bol uthi. Jabki baaki ladkiyan aur is ghar ki teeno mahilaye utsuk ho uthi ki ye sambodhan kinke prati kiya gaya.
"Baba, Meena ko aise sthaan par nahi la sakte aur wo beshak vidaal hai parantu itne logo ke beech sehaj nahi rehti. Chandan toh kaam se jameen ki taraf gaya tha, pata nahi yaha aayega ya seedha ghar jaayega.", Anuradha ki ye meethi awaaj aur adharo ke khulne se jhaankte motiyon se chamakte eksaar daant dekhti ladkiyon ko ye kahi se na laga ki wo Chandan ki maa hai aur ek 30 baras paar kar chuki mahila. Haan Chandan ka naam sunn kar Rukmani jarur mann he mann khush hui.
"Ye us mooyi billi ki baat nahi kar rahe bitiya. Chandan ki prehri wo teekhi mirchi hai na.. Gulaabo.. uska pooch rahe hai aur hain kaha wo maharani?", Gulaabo naam he suna tha inhone ki ab Anuradha ko wo drishya yaad aaya jab Gulaabo ghar se nikli thi.
"Wo.. wo toh kuch bata kar he nahi gayi thi maa aur atchi bhali bhojan pakati hui beech me uth kar ghar se nikal gayi thi... Kavita se bhi kuch nahi kaha tha usne..", Kavita jo itne samay se bas shaant sar jhukaye he baithi thi usne swikriti me sar hilaya. Baba ek pal in sabko dekhte rahe aur fir unke maathe par bhi bal padne lage jaise unhe kisi durghatna ka andesha ho.
"Ye kaunsi jameen par gaya hai tumhara beta Anuradha bitiya? Aur wo akele he chala gaya tha.?"
"Ji baba aur apni jameen dekh toh chuka he tha pehle se. Wahi vann se pehle wala bada hissa jo uske nana ji ko priya tha, Chandan wahi kheti karna chahta hai sabse pehle.", Jaanki Devi ko he sahi pata tha jinhone jawaab diya par ab jaise unhe bhi bhaye lagne laga tha pehle apni bitiya ki baat sunn kar aur ab baba dwara jameen poochne se.
"Hey Prabhu sab sankat dur karna. Devi, anisht swayam nahi hota. Uske hone ke peeche hamari andekhi ya kisi ki buri mansha he rehti hai sarvada. Wo wahi bhoomi hai na jiske aage vriksho ki sarhad hai aur fir sookha talaab? Kadam swatah bhatak jaaye ya koyi bhatka de toh kaise anisht se bacha jaaye? Uski prehri vidaal khatra mehsoos kar sakti hai par wo bhi uska saamna nahi kar sakti jo vriksho ki sarhad ke paar rehti hai. Maa mahamaya bacho ki suraksha kare agar wo raah bhatak baithe.", Idhar baba khade hue aur udhar bahar gali me bailgaadi ruki he thi jiski taraf Karam Singh muskurate hue badha lekin pichle hisse se sachmuch bilaav ki gati se nikli Gulaabo ko na is sthaan se kuch lena dena tha aur na yaha kiye ja rahe anushthaan me aaye logo ki parwaah. Chandan ko jara bhi ehsaas nahi tha ki uski Gulaabo jo itne samay se shaant baithi thi apni sakhi sang wo asliyat me ek tufaan se pehle ki khamoshi thi.
"Wo bahar Chandan he aaya hai. Main aati hu Anuradha.. Yahi rehna.", Jaanki Devi ko toh samajh he na aaya tha ke pichle hisse se wo yuvti utri thi ya koyi aasmani bijli vastra pehne. Baba ne bhi 8-10 kadam me wo duri maap li thi jaha bailgaadi ruki thi aur Chandan Karam Singh ke sath aage badhte badhte ruk gaya. Beech raah se gujarta Dinu jiske hatho me bade thaal the, wo jameen par bikhar chuke the aur uska jism bhi. Gulaabo itne adhik veg se ja bhidi thi us majboot 33-34 baras ke vyakti se ki palak jhapakne se pehle Dinu mitthi soonghne laga. Jabtak koyi aage badhta ya sthiti samajhta, Gulaabo ne chulhe se nikaal kar ek taraf rakhi wo motti majboot tehni utha kar Dinu ke dono ghutno par he jadd di. Tadaak ki ye awaaj lakdi ke sath Dinu ki ek taang ki haddi chatakne se utpann hui thi.
"Dhurt jaanwar... Tu kya samjha tha.. Chandan akela hai jisko tu maut ke mooh me dhakel dega aur kisi ko khabar bhi na hogi? Tujhe teri umar aur pariwar ki wajah se aaj se pehle main bakshti rahi lekin aaj jo dussahas tune kiya hai na.. uski saja se tujhe koyi nahi bacha sakta.. Sunn raha hai.. Yaaahhhhhh..", Guraati hui wo dubli patli Gulaabo is samay ektarafa he koyi aur charitra me thi jisne cheekhte hue Dinu ko uska kukritya sunaane ke sath dusra bharpoor vaar us lakdi ke motte tehne se Dinu ki baah aur kandhe ke beech kiya toh tooti lakdi ke khapche Dinu ke gaal, thuddi aur hontho tak se rakt baha gaye. Wo cheekhne ke sath chatpatya par chaati par tika wo durbal paanv jaise insaani tha he nahi jo tass se mass na hua. Karam Singh ke sath sath Panch, Jaanki Devi, Baba aur aadha darjan log bhi aage badhe jinme se Panch ne seedha Gulaabo ki gardan par hath daal diya aur yahi usne galti kar di jo karaare tamaache ke sath 3 kadam peeche hatt gaya.
"Koyi beech me nahi aayega.. Koyi matlab.. koyi bhi.. Kisi ne mere fainsle aur saja ke beech dakhal di toh kasam hai mujhe swargiya Milakh Raj ji ki, waha dafan karungi jaha jism ko hawa bhi naseeb na hogi. Karmu, ye teri panchayat nahi hai.. Ye mere pariwar ka ahit karnewala vyakti gunehgaar hai aur pariwar ke bhitar ke maamlo se tum dur raho.", Gulaabo ki shole se jalti aankhen dekh kar Panch ki dhoti geeli ho chuki thi aur gaal par ungliyon ke neele nishaan saboot the is yuvti ke samarthya ka. Karam Singh ka jism he sunn padd gaya tha aur Jaanki Devi jaan chuki thi is waqt wo Gulaabo katai na thi. Din dahaade wo bhi gaanv ke itne logo ke beech, Mandhari baba ki upasthiti me jo saamne tha wo aaj ek swaroop me tha. Idhar chetawani dene ke sath he Gulaabo ne ek aur prahaar kiya jiski chot Dinu ka jism bardasht na kar paya. Wo murchit ho chuka tha lekin Gulaabo ne dono hatho me kulhaadi chalane ki mudra me wo bhari lakdi unchi utha kar apna aakhiri vaar karna chaha toh is baar uske kadam ladkhada gaye. Usko baahon me kasta hua Chandan Gulaabo ka jism aagosh me liye hue he uchhla tha aur yaha bhi usne apne jism ko he jameen par niche girne diya, Gulaabo ko surakshit rakhte hue. Par wo utna bhagyashali na raha is saahasi pryaas me aur girte samay uska sar ek taraf se lohe ke bade deg se ghista gaya jo kinare rakha gaya tha. Teekha kinara uski aankh ke upari hisse bani gehri bauh (eyebrow) ko chaaku sa cheer gaya. Gulaabo turant gusse se palti is insaan ko dekhne ke liye jisne itna saahas dikhaya. Chehra dekhte he wo safed kata maans aur fir usme se behte rakt ko dekhti uski peeli aankhen band hoti gayi. Wo dhamm se chakkar khaati hui Chandan ki baahon me simatne se pehle yahi bol saki, 'Jimidar ji.. aap..'.. Chandan toh bas jameen par baitha hua usko apni baahon me samete tha aur poore gaanv ke log dare sehme dekhte rahe jo kuch yaha din dahade hua.
"Beta, tujhe chot aayi hai.. Aur kaha se aa rahe the tum log? Dekhna baba meri Gulaabo thik toh hai na? Vaidh ji..", Mandhari baba aur Karam Singh bina samay ganwaye aage badhe jaha Jaanki Devi aansu bahati hui apne naati ke maathe par safed angochha dabaye thi. Chandan bas apni goad me soyi si jaan padti bholi bhaali gulaabo ko dekh raha tha jiski maang se rista rakt naak tak pahuch chuka tha. Baba ne hath aage badhaya toh ek baar Chandan ne unhe bina dekhe he hath beech me pakad liya jaise usko gyaat he na ho ki saamne kaun hai. Par baba se najre milte he hath chhod kar wo Gulaabo ka chehra paunchne laga.
"Gulaabo bitiya bas murchhit hui hai Devi. Atyaadhik peeda bhi kabhi kabhi kshamta se bahar ho jaati hai parantu ye bachi saksham hai aur kahi majboot bhi. Vaidh.. jara thoda jal le kar aao. Aaj toh Karam Singh ne bhi dekh liya swayam ko Karmu bulane wali ko. Hahaha.. Yaad hai pehle kab mile the us se?", Karam Singh ne sharmindgi se sar jhuka liya par jo yaad dilwaya tha wo jaise ek meethi yaad thi is adhed vyakti ke liye. Vaidh ne paani ka bhara lauta baba ke sammukh kiya toh unhone ye karya bhi Chandan ko he karne ko kaha.
"Karam Singh jab chota tha tab pokhar ki taraf bhatak gaya tha. Phir isko maar bhi padi aur wahi isko chaurahe tak chhod kar gayi jisne aaj isko us upnaam se pukara tha jo siwaye iske baba ke aur koyi na leta tha. Tum samajh gaye hoge na Karam Singh ki kyun maine inkaar kiya tha? Lo Chandan beta apni ardhangini ki murchha dur karo. Ab jimidar ji tum ho iske toh ye jimmewari hui tumhari. Jao bhai, sab log bhojan karo aur jo marg me murchhit pada hai usko bhi le jao. Sarpanch ji swayam fainsla karenge ab aage kya saja deni hai. Devi ne jitni deni thi wo de kar ja chuki.", Baba lauta Chandan ko thama kar chal diye aur aas-paas khade baaki logo ke sath Chandan hairaani se unhe jata dekhne laga. Karam Singh ko ehsaas ho chuka tha ki wo jis Nandita ko pareshani bata kar gaanv se dur karna chahta tha aaj usne jiwan me dusri mulakaat hone par bhi kisi chote bache jaise samjhaya tha. Kam se kam is sakshatkaar me wo toh ek satya samajh chuka tha ki Nandita uska ahit karna chahti toh balyawstha me he wo pokhar me dafan hota.
"Aise kya dekh rahe ho tum sab? Chalo kaam dekho aur bhojan paani sucharu rakho..", Chandan dwara Gulaabo ke chehre par paani girane par usne aankhen kholi toh apni awastha dekh kar sakpakati hui chhitak kar Jaanki Devi ki bagal me ja ghusi. Logo ko toh kuch khaas samajh he na aaya tha ke baba kya keh gaye aur yaha Jaanki Devi ne bhi koyi khulasa na kiya bas muskurati hui wo bade laad se Gulaabo ka chehra ek hath se sehlati rahi aur dusre se Chandan ke ghaav ko dabaye rakha.
"Tum Kavita se dur nahi rehna chahti na kabhi bhi toh uska hal bhi aaj tumhare prem ne he kar dikhaya. Chal khadi ho choti amma.. aaj tune din dihaade bahot utpaat macha liya. Bhookh lagi hogi tujhe aur tere bhai.. maaf karna.. tere Chandan ke chot bhi aayi hai teri wajah se toh isko le ja Vaidh ji ke ghar. Malham patti karwa la.", Jaanki Devi khadi ho kar Gulaabo ko dulaar karne ke baad sthithi ka sangyaan dene lagi toh Gulaabo sar jhukaye he yaha se Chandan aur Vaidh ji ke sang chal di. Chandan ke maathe par gamcha dabaye hue wo kuch kehne ya sawaal karne ki haalat me toh nahi thi lekin badi amma dwara tere Chandan kaha jana sunn kar jaise bhitar barso se bhara ek khaalipan poora ho gaya tha. Chandan ke mastak ka rakt uske mastak par suhaag ke swaroop lagna ek niyati he thi jisne sabki duvidha he hal kar di. Na kabhi Gulaabo ye swikaar kar sakti thi ki wo Chandan ki bann ke rehna chahti hai aur na Jaanki Devi Anuradha iska hal khoj saki thi. Kavita toh hamesha he Gulaabo ke sang jeena chahti thi aur ab ye pakka ho gaya tha. Mahilaon ke pandaal tak poori baat nahi pahuchi thi jaha ab Jaanki Devi apni bitiya ko liye gayi thi aur unke peeche swayam Karam Singh bhi. Dinu ko filhaal nohre me he ek kone me leta diya gaya tha jaha uski sthiti ka bhaan lene ke pashchaat Mandhari baba bhi pooja-sthal ki taraf chale gaye. Sushil, jo is saare prakaran me jaise dubak sa gaya tha ab wahi vyakti geele kapde se Dinu ke ghaav saaf karte hue wo maar ke nishaan aur jakhm dekh kar tharthara raha tha jo Gulaabo ne diye the.
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"Waha jhagda kaisa hua tha maa? Aur ye Gulaabo jabse lauti hai apne kaksh me he band hai. Chandan bhi hume chhodne ke baad Shabhu kaka ke sang chala gaya. Udhar baatein ho rahi thi ki Gulaabo ne kisi ko atchi maar lagaai hai. Aapne toh waha kisi ko charcha tak nahi karne di aur Chandan ke chot aayi hai shayad. Kurte par rakt ke dhabbe se the.", Anuradha ghar latne par vastra badal kar apni maa ke kareeb baithak me aayi toh Kavita wahi mej par dono ke liye chai rakhne ke baad chupchap chali gayi. Raosighar se apni aur Gulaabo ki chai le kar ab wo bhi Gulaabo ke he kaksh me band thi. Dusri taraf aaj subah se Chandan dwara Anuradha se duri banaye rakhne par Anuradha bhitar he bhitar vyathit thi lekin kaise kisi se kehti ki uske bete ne aaj jiwan darshan ka apna alag he pehlu rakh chhoda tha jo sarasar anaitik tha. Lekin Chandan he toh ekmatra sahara tha Anuradha ke jiwan ka jis se prem toh wo swayam bhi karti thi lekin usme mamta aur parwaah ka mishran adhik tha, naari prem ke dabe hue bhaav ke samkaksh. Jiwan me pehli baar Anuradha ne Chandan ka algaav dekha tha jo kahi na kahi asehniya bhi tha.
"Jhagda na kare toh kya kare jab baat uske apne ki ho Anuradha? Chandan toh hai he saral mann ka jo samajhta tab hai jab durghatna ho chuki ho lekin Gulaabo chupchaap rehne walo me se nahi hai. Atcha he hua jo tumne wo drishya nahi dekha jiske charche is gaanv me ab misaal ban kar jiwit rahenge dekhne walo ke zehan me. Dinu ne Sukhlal ke bete samaan Dholu gadhe ko pokhar ki taraf khaded diya jaise wo usko pata ho ki waha uske peeche jaane wala sirf Chandan he maujood hai aur tha bhi toh wahi. Jaane ye Gulaabo kaunse taar-paheliyan jodti hui pahoch gayi waha maut ke kuen me. Wapis lauti toh pill padi Dinu par sabke saamne poore dum-kham se. Panch ki daadh (jaad) bhi hila di ek jhaapad me jiske chehre se neel nahi jaane wala Gulaabo ke panje ka. Dinu toh hosh me aate he fir behosh ho raha. Main itna dard nahi deti kisi apradhi ko par Gulaabo ne atcha kiya. Jaan lena toh mushkil nahi par dard me jeena nasoor bana deta hai. Waise main dekh rahi hu tum khud he kuch khinchi khinchi si ho subah se. Chandan ki chinta hai toh wo vyarth hai Anuradha. Gulaabo uski parchhaayi hai aur aanewale samay me Kavita is ghar ke sath Chandan ko bhi aadha sambhal legi. Waise bhi tumhe toh apna ekaki jiwan jyada pasand hai toh ye chinta jatana uchit nahi lagta.", Jaanki Devi jaane kis mann me baithi thi jo ek ke baad ek dhero vaar karti gayi apni bitiya ke mann aur hridya par. Unke kathan ne toh Chandan ki surksha aur grehasthi tak ke maamle se Anuradha ko dur kar diya tha jo pehle se ghutt rahi thi. Chai ka gilaas utha kar Jaanki Devi ne ghoont bhari toh aaj unhe ye bhi aur din se badhiya lagi thi.
"Chahe Gulaabo aur Kavita se byaah kyun na ho jaaye par adhikar mera he sarvopari rahega mere bete par. Gulaabo ne ye Chandan ke liye kiya toh main hrini ho gayi uski lekin jiwan maine diya hai maa mere Chandan ko, Gulaabo ne nahi."
"Dwesh? Agar aisa hai toh tum ek baar fir galat ho Anuradha. Tumne Chandan ko paida kiya wo bhi apne jiwan ke us fainsle ke baad jiske natije tak tumhe gyaat na the. 13 baras ki umar me byaah aur 14 poore karne se pehle ek aisi aulaad meri goad me rakh di jiske ang bhi poore tayaar na the. Chuchi se doodh na utarta tha tumhari aur kapaas se bakri ka doodh maine pilaya hai mere naati ko. Haad-maans bharne ke liye poore 6 mahine in jaangho ke beech lita kar maalish ki hai uski jo aaj majboot khada hai pahaad sa. Aayi badi janam dene wali.. Arre bhala ho uske shikshako aur jiwan-darshan ka gyaan dene walo ko jo wo 10 ki umar se he apni maa ka hath bantane laga. Manohar insaan atcha tha lekin maaf karna wo samajhdar pati nahi tha jo tumhe waqt se pehle toh maa bana gaya parantu uske baad? Jab tumhe apne sehbhagi ki jarurat thi, wo na toh tumhe samay de saka aur na wo samarth tha. Inhe kaarano se wo apne ghar jaane se bachta raha aur tumne mujhse duri bana li. Isko aatmglani kehte hai, aatmsammaan nahi beti. Aur ab jo adhikar tum jata rahi ho na ki tumne jiwan diya hai Chandan ko toh sunn lo dusra pehlu bhi.", Jaanki devi jaise aaj ek jwalansheel mudde ko seere se he khatam karna chahti thi. Parinaam ghaatak bhi ho sakte the lekin jo aaj ghatna hui thi wo bhi toh kahi se sadharan na thi. Anuradha ab na uth sakti thi aur na wo saamna karna chahti thi us satya ka jo wo yahi soch kar saheje hui thi ki uske siwaye kyo dusra ye sab jaanta he na hoga.
"Jiwan dene se bada hota hai jiwan bachane wala aur us se bhi upar hota hai paraspar aatmiyata jo Gulaabo me sarvadhik hai. Bhale he Kavita aur Chandan ek dusre ko prem karte hai aur mujhe bhi chahat hai ki Kavita he meri bahu bane aur wo banegi bhi. Gulaabo ke bhitar Chandan rum chuka hai aur jo aatma se judd jaye usko parmatma bhi alag nahi kar sakta. Kudrat ne aaj jo dikhaya na waha Karam Singh ki gali me, kamjor hridya wali tum jhel bhi na paati." Ek baar fir Jaanki Devi ne yaha ghatna ko poora bayaan karne se khud ko jaise taise roka. Unhe toh abhi tak wo khunkhaar Gulaabo dhyaan thi jiske saamne swayam Mandhari baba ke kadam peeche hatt gaye the. Kaise wo abhi is gambhir charcha ke beech ek aur vajrapaat karti apni beti par.? Baat ka wo hissa charcha se prithak karte hue kshanik viraam lete hue aage baat jaari ki.
"Gulaabo ne na sirf jhela apitu khud ko sarthak bhi kiya. Aur usi kudrat ne gaanv ke sabhi purusho ke saamne Chandan ke rakt se uski maang ko seencha. Hum toh bas vichaar karte reh gaye ki kaise apni baat rakhe Gulaabo ke saamne Chandan se vivaah karne ke liye. yaha wo uski bani aur sabke saamne bani. Jis din tum yahi aatmiyata apne bhitar le aaogi na Anuradha, ye dwesh aur haq najar nahi aayenge. Sirf Chandan dikhega tumhe aur uske liye kuch bhi kar gujarne ke liye ek pal na sochna padega. Kabhi kuch kiya hai tumne apne bete ke liye? Koyi shiksha di ho, kabhi jiwan par sankat aaya toh us se pehle swayam saamna kiya ho ya phir usko apni oat me liya ho jab samaaj usko mandbudhi, paagal keh kar bulata raha waha shehar me? Bas janani ho na toh is se he tumhara jiwan sidh ho gaya bitiya. Bhala bura kaha toh maaf chahe matt karna lekin vichaar karna ki tumhare aur Chandan ke beech sanrakshak kaun hai, jimmedari uthane wala kaun aur kamjor nirasha se bhara praani kaun. Chai garam kar laati hu tumhari, ye bhi jali kati sunn kar thandi ho gayi.", Aur Jaanki Devi ne is charcha ke dusre bhaag me toh koro kasar he na chhodi Anuradha ko taar taar karne me. Uske dampatya ke sabhi samikaran jo Anuradha parosti thi dikhawe ke liye, unki dhajjiyan uda kar rakh di thi uski anubhavi maa ne. Maa-bete ke rishta bann ne ke sath aage ke poore jiwan ka saar tikshn baan chalate hue jis tarah se chhalni kiya tha, Anuradha ki khoobsurat aankhen namm hone ke baad bheeg kar aansu tapkane lagi. Rasoghar tak jaati Jaanki Devi ka haal bhi kuch aisa he tha jo pallu se chehra saaf karti hui apni bitiya ko aahat karne par khud dard mehsoos kar rahi thi lekin bitiya ke saamne apna chehra majboot rakhti is mahila ne aansu bahane ke liye rasoighar he chuna.
'Tumhari kahi baat ek katu satya hai maa.. aisa kala sach jo mujhe lagta tha bas mere he kaleje me daba hai... Galti ho gayi, abodh jo thi.. Parantu mujhe ye keh kar pratadit na kijiye ki main sirf janani hu Chandan ki..', Yaha akeli baithi Anuradha mann he mann jawaab dene ki koshish me lagi thi jhar jhar aansu bahati jinhe paunchna bhi usko he pada. Aakhir Chandan jo nahi tha yaha. Parantu Gulaabo dwara anjaam diya gaya ghatnakram yaad karke wo swayam he khud ko kamtar aankne lagi. Uski maa ne sahi kaha tha ki jis umar me Anuradha ko apne bete ka samuchit laalan paalan karna chahiye tha, wo asaksham rahi. Umar ka jyada farak bhi na tha aur halaat anusaar uska beta he kam-umar me paripakva ho gaya. Chandan choti umar se apni maa ki kamjori ko pehchaan kar dhaal ban gaya tha aur aaj savere jab wahi dhaal apna prem pradarshan kar rahi thi tab ekaant me Anuradha talwar se kaise akad gayi. Vaar sehne wala wo uske he kaleje ka tukda tab bhi apni maa ka he sammaan karta gaya tha lekin ek baar bhi Chandan ne apni kahi baat se inkaar tak na kiya ho Anuradha ke sammaan ko chubhi.. Uske naritva ko chubhi.. Us khokhli diwar ka eham tha wo jo swayam ek quile ki aad me dubki rehti thi parantu us majboot quile ka tiraskaar kar diya tha Anuradha ne.
"Din chhipne laga hai beti. Chai pee kar dono ladkiyon ko bula le upar se, rasoi sambhal lengi aaj. Baba se bhi milna tha lekin aaj mumkin nahi aur aage jaane wo kab dobara laute.", Chai dono ki he garam karke laayi thi Jaanki Devi aur unke aane se pehle he Anuradha apna chehra aadha adhura saaf kar chuki thi. Jaanki Devi ne bade gor se us apratim sondarya ki moorat ko dekha aur sapaat bhaav se agla sawaal kar baithi.
"Tujhe aankhon me kaajal lagane se pareshani hai kya? Laali-choodiyan na sahi par thoda toh khudka khayaal rakha kar. Darshan mujhse bol raha tha ke Chandan ki bahin bhi hai ye unhe kyun na bataya. Tab maine kaha tha ke ye Chandan ki maa hai. Yaha ghar me tere liye rishta leke toh koyi aa nahi raha jo simti rehti hai aur na main tujhe byaah rahi dobara. Kal toh Gulaabo aur Kavita jaa rahi hai kasbe lekin baad me kabhi khud bhi chali jana, chahe toh Shambhu ko bol dungi le jaayega tujhe. Aur dhang se raha kar. Tere baapu ko bhi duniya se gaye 18 baras ho liye par maine toh na safed rang me apni duniya gholi. Laali, choodiyon ki umar nahi hai par hath me sone ke kade toh abhi bhi pehne hu.", Shambhu ke sath jaane ka mashwara toh Anuradha ka para he chadha gaya. Pehle he wo adhik aahat thi par kuch sambhli jab behan wala udaharan diya tha uski maa ne lekin ab wo ek bitiya waale swaroop me apni maa par he baras uthi.
"Na aapke liye toh Chandan mooh andhere bailgaadi nikaal leta hai aur main jau Shambhu kaka ke sath? Nahi pasand mujhe laali surkhi aur choodiyan.. Na lagati main kaajal par agar kharidi ke liye jana hoga toh mere paas mera Chandu hai. Aur mujhe kade dikha rahi ho jo khud pehne hue hai.. meri choodiyan kaunse bakse me band karke rakhi ho? Saamne dikhengi tabhi pehnungi. Mujhe uske sath he jana hai aur paise aap dengi naye vastro ke. Ab tumhara budhapa aane ka naam nahi le raha aur main abhi se soch soch ke marti hui aadhi ho rahi hu. Banati hu is Kavita ko ghar ki maalkin main..", Paav patakti hui Anuradha aag babula si baithak se nikal kar upar chhat ki taraf jaati seedhiyon par badhi aur idhar chai ki chuskiyan leti Jaanki Devi muskurane lagi. Wo bhi toh yahi chahti thi ki Anuradha ek bujhe deepak si na rahe. Haq jamaaye, chehke, majboot bane aur sabse jaruri tha ki wo Jaanki Devi ke baad is ghar ke sath sath Paatan ko sambhale. Gulaabo saksham thi lekin usme narmi ka abhaav tha aur Kavita uske ulat thi. Jo rasayan un dono ko milane se banta, Jaanki Devi wahi apni is eklauti aulaad ko banana chahti thi. Ek nayi Anuradha.. Jaanki Devi ki utaradhikari Anuradha Singh.
'Badi aayi raub jhaadne wali. Dekhti hu kitne samay bana rehta hai ye adhikaar jatana. Bhagwaan kare tu ab aise he rahe meri bachi.'
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"Aakhir maajra kya hai ye Shambhu kaka? Aap toh naani se bhi bade lagte hai aur jis waqt unka vivaah hua wo nana ji se 10-12 baras chhoti thi. Matlab Nandita ji wala vaakeya hua us samay aap toh yakinan he Paatan me rahe honge? Ye gaanv ka chauraha aur gaanv se bahar wala shrapit chauraha aapke saamne he bana hoga?", Taaji sabjiyan, aam aur angoor todd todd kar tokriyan bharne ke baad Chandan aur Shambhu kaka khet ke ek saaf hisse me baithe suryast dekh rahe the. Jism par sirf dhoti pehne Chandan baaki badan ko saaf karne ke pashchaat aise he baitha tha aur uski mehnat ke mureed hue Shambhu kaka ne apni biwi se wahi par apna hukka mangwa liya jisme alaav bharne ke baad wo pehle Chandan ko mausmi sabjiyon aur pramukh kheti ke itra fasle bata rahe the aur gaanv ke logo ka vivran dete rahe ki achanak Chandan ne ye vishaya la khada kiya. Jaane doobte surya ko dekh kar kaise uske zehan me Nandita aa baithi aur Gulaabo ki wo peeli sholey se jalti aankehin jinme sirf aur sirf Chandan ke prati pyaar tha. Uski naani tak ke kadam thithak gaye the us pal lekin kyun? Yahi sawaal Chandan ko khaaye ja raha tha aur is se pehle wo yaha aaya toh apni maa ko andekha karke aaya tha, sataane ke iraade se.
"Kya karoge beta gade murde ukhaad kar? Ateet ke dukho se pehle he badi mushkil se peech chhoota hai. Dekh rahe ho na hamara jiwan? Ye pichle 35 baras se bas isi khet aur pashuon ke beech gujra hai. Haan us se pehle halaat alag the lekin ab waha kuch bacha nahi hai jisko bataane se khushi mile.", Shambhu kaka mehnatkash insaan the aur ek he buri aadat thi unme, hukka gudgudane ki. Nahi toh wo 50 ke bhi nahi dikhte the.
"Aur agar main kahu ki murde sahi se mukti he na pa sake ho toh kya aapka kartavya nahi banta unhe sukoon dene ka? Jaante ho kaka, maine jitno se suna ya jinhone khudse mujhe bataya, wo bas ek najariya he bata sake ya aap usko dhaarna maan lijiye. Aap naani ke pehle se he pariwar se jude hai aur main jaanta hu ki is poore khet me ek tihaai hissa aapko mila hua hai aur wo ghar, pashuon ka bada bhi. Matlab spasht hai ki ya toh ye keemat hai ya aapke prati pariwar ka pyaar aur sammaan. Jis daur me jaane se aap darr rahe hai, kahi kal ko us se mujhe he bhidna pada toh bade jamindaar ji ko aap kya kahenge upar jaa kar.?", Chandan dwara is tarah se ghuma fira kar swaal karna aur isme apne nana tak ko shaamil karte he Shambhu kaka ne hukka ek kinare rakhte hue uske sar ko puchkarte hue naa me sar hilaya.
"Gaali de do beta mujhe manjoor hogi parantu aisa matt kehna ki ye ek keemat hai aur tumhe kuch hua toh jawaab dene ka bojha mere sar aayega. Ye kandhe hamesha itne jhuke hue nahi the Chandan beta. Inhone yaha ki samoochi dharti me bade maalik Rannvijay Singh ke sath parishram kiya hai. Unhe jab apne pariwar se prithak kiya gaya tab wo tumhari umar ke the aur sath aaye mere pita ji, jo unke yaha tanga chalane se le kar mandi me muneem-giri tak karte the. Atyadhik dhanadaye pariwar tha bade maalik ka jaha wo sabse chhote bete the aur mere pita ji unke sewak ke sath sath antrang mitra bhi. Jaane kya shadyantra hua ya uparwale ki maya jo unhe unke bhaiyon ne alag kar diya aur us samay ek vann se is Paatan ko unhe saunp diya. Maalik ne ye fainsla bhi seharsh swikaar kiya tha aur unki aadat bhi nahi thi kisi se sawaal ya inkaar karne ki. Mere pita ji batate the ki yaha par ye nehar aisi nahi thi, bas ek jaldhara si nikalti thi aur wo log idhar chale aaye toh ek baras laga sirf kheti laayak jameen tayar karne me. Ye sab main wo bata raha hu jo mere saamne nahi ghata.", Ateet me jaate Shambhu kaka ki aankhon me halka dhundlapan sa aane laga jaise chitra saaf kar rahe ho. Chandan bade gor se sab sunn raha tha aur wo samiksha karta gaya jaisa usko Sushil ne bataya tha aur naani ne.
"Phir 2 baras baad yaha Milakh Raj ji padhare, ghanisth mitra the wo tumhare padd nana ji ke. Unhone mana karne ke bawjood apne asankhya majdoor yaha laga kar nehar ko swaroop diya, pokhar banwa diya sinchaai ke liye aur jitni jameen par kheti mumkin thi wo saaf karwaai. Mere baapu batate the ki Milakh Raj bhi us samay takriban 19-20 ke rahe honge lekin durdarshi vyapari hone ke sath he wo bade maalik ke aatma samaan the. Phir sudhaar ko dekh kar yaha logo ne basne ki itchha jataai par kaagaj banwaye ja chuke the jisme eklaute maalik sirf bade maalik he the aur yaha fasal bhi aisi hoti ki dusre gaanvo ke kheto me agar 5 mann genhu ugta toh Paatan me 8-10 mann, utni jagah me. Jaha pehle ek he bail tha, wo baad me ek darjan ho gaye. Kuch chhoot raha hai jo yaad nahi lekin phir ek din mere pita ji ne byaah kar liya toh unhe bade maalik ne yaha ye ghar dalwa diya. Aamdani badhiya hone lagi thi aur Milakh Raj ji ne fasle khud le kar bechne ka vyapaar shuru kar diya. Ek din aise he wo apni bahin sang aaye the idhar aur pita ji batate hai ki us sasmay me wo yuvti jara bhi na lajjai aur bol diya ki byaah karna hai toh inse he karna hai.. Matbal bade maalik se.. Poore sawa 2 gaj unche the wo tumhare jaise aur itne he majboot, thode jyada bhi honge toh maine kaunsa dekha tha us samay.", Ab kahaani sunte hue Chandan bhi muskuraya aur Shambhu kaka bhi. Paani ka ek ghoont bharne ke baad unhone aage batana shuru kiya.
"Rishta turant ho gaya jabki tumhare padd nana ne unhe mana bhi kiya tha is nirjann sthaan aur sirf khetihar jiwan ki wajah se. Byaah ho gaya aur idhar mere pita ji bhi vivahit the. Batate hai ki tumhari padd naani sakshat apsara he thi, badi amma toh unke saamne kuch bhi nahi beta bhale he tumhe badi amma ko pehle nahi dekha jinhe misaal he kaha jata raha hai aur wo aaj bhi kamtar nahi dikhti lekin Devi Vaibhavi ka vaibhav aisa tha ki charcha dur dur tak gayi. Sab badhiya chal raha tha aur phir 3-4 jaimindaro ko jaan-parakh kar is gaanv me thodi bahot jameen bade maalik ne bechi. Tab Saaheb Singh paida ho chuke the.. Saaheb naam tha tumhare nana ka aur hum unse 6 maas bade the. Jaise jaise hum log bade hone lage toh swatah he kheto me ja lage. Hamare liye toh hal khinchna ek khel tha aur khuraak bhi badhiya thi. Bade hone lage toh main toh tumhare saamne he hu, kala jirn shirn parantu Saaheb aisa tha jaise chaand me gulaab mila diya gaya ho. Dhoop me kala na padta tha wo.. gulaabi ho jata tha kyonki pita majboot aur mata swayam he sabse roopwati. Is baar jab wo 12 ka hua toh bade maalik lage pokhar ke paas choona mitti ki majboot haweli banane. 5 baras me wo tayar hui thi lekin tabtak Saaheb ka rishta pakka ho chuka tha Nandita ke sath.. Wahi Nandita jisko sab daayan, chudail bulate hai.. Hum rehte the udhar pokhar wale khet me jab wo chori se roj bhojan ki pautli dene aati aur Saaheb ke sath aane wale samay ki baatein karti. Dekhte nahi the ek dooje ko lekin poora din Saaheb mast ho kar poora khet jaut dete jaise Nandita na hui, meetha murabba ho gayi. Hahaha.", Shambhu kaka ke hanste hanste aankhon se paani nikal aaya tha aur Chandan ko toh itni khushi hui jaise wo swayam he Saaheb ho.
"Phir.. Phir kabhi wo aapas me mile aamne saamne?"
"Kyun nahi milte? Saalgirah ka din tha wo Nandita ka aur hum he Saaheb ke kurte ko koyle se khada kiye the. Us din dono ka gauna hua tha aur humne najar rakhi jis wajah se Saaheb ne haweli ke peeche Nandita.. Nahi Nandita ne Saaheb ka gaal chooma. 3 din toh wo nahaye bhi na the iske baad. Jaane kis manhoos ki najar lag gayi thi is khushaal hote gaanv aur un 2 pariwaro ko? Us roj main aur Saaheb gehne banwane sehar gaye the aur yaha bade maalik ghar ke pichle hisse me behti nehar ka kinara tootne se udhar vyast rahe. Milakh Raj ji badi mandi jaate toh unhe parwaah nahi hoti thi 2-3 din bhi rukna pade tab bhi. Hume deri ho gayi thi waha Saaheb ki pasand napasand ke baad aur bhi kharidi se. Raat saraaye me rukne ka vichaar kiya toh maine inkaar kiya. Gaanv ke bahar wala chauraha tab bhi manhoos he tha lekin hum laangte nahi the usko. Raat ka jaane kaunsa pehar tha jab hum laute lekin laute toh sab lutt chuka tha. Sehar me rukne wali baat ke chalte main thodi sharaab pee chuka tha par Saaheb hosh me he tha. Savere din nikalne se pehle wo mere yaha aaya tab tak toh der ho chuki thi. Bahot pooch-taach karwaai par pata na chala ke wo daikait kaun the par Saaheb na ja saka Nandita ka shav dekhne.. Pokhar kinare likha tha jimindar ji aur niche uski laash maine he nikaali thi. Phir wo laash bhi dekhte dekhte gaayab ho gayi aur Ranvijay Singh ji ne pratishodh me Pokhar se lagte pehle jamidaar Baankelal aur Puran ko bhi gaayab kar diya. Apne mitra ke jaane se jyada dukh unhe Nandita ka tha aur apne bete ka. Bahot buri haalat thi Saaheb ki..", Aankhen namm he ho chali Shambhu kaka ki aur wo dard Chandan jaise swayam me mehsoos karne laga tha. Ab usne bhi aage koyi sawaal na kiya aur kaafi samay gujarne ke baad Shambhu kaka ne he ye chuppi todi.
"Baanke ka ek beta tha jo kuch waqt tak gaanv me dikha lekin phir wo aur uski maa gaayab ho gaye. Phir Saaheb ne ek dashak baad Jaanki Devi sang byaah kar liya kyonki ekaant bahot jee liya tha unhone aur sanyog se pehli aulaad he beti ho gayi jiska naam toh wo Nandita he rakhne lage the lekin phir Anuradha rakha gaya. Tumhari maa.. Phir Saaheb ne jeene ka sahara dhoond liya tha aur bas wo har pal apni bitiya sang rehne lage. Bahot darte the wo apni beti ke maamle me aur bahar nahi nikalne dete the. Kehte hai ki jis umar me Nandita ko pehli baar Saaheb ne dekha tha Anuradha bhi thik waisi he thi. Phir aksamaat he bitiya ka byaah ho gaya aur uske jaane ke baad toh jo niradharmi, kapti aur kukarmi raah bhatkata wo kaal se jaa milta. Ghatnaye pehle bhi hui thi lekin utni charcha nahi hoti thi par beete 2 dashak me toh jo bhi galat insaan raah bhatakta wo Nandita ke hatthe chadh jata. Yahi nahi, jo udhar pokhar ka rukh bhi karta wo jiwit na bachta chahe wo atcha insaan ho ya bura. Tumhare nana aur hamare maalik Saaheb ji toh tabhi chal base the jab tum paida hue. Aaj bhi Nandita he maalkin hai ek tarah se lekin tum eklaute ho jo us jagah se sakushal laute bhi aur ek kharonch tak na hai jism pe.", Shambhu kaka ka avlokan sunn kar Chandan ko jaise kuch samajh aaya lekin usne jaahir na kiya. Surayast ho chuka tha lekin abhi ghar jaane ki jaise itchha he na thi.
"Aur wo Baanke ka beta? Wo nahi lauta kya dobara?"
"Kehte hai ki uski maa ka nidhan ho gaya tha arse pehle aur wo yuvak duniyadari chhod kar sanyaas jiwan me chala gaya. Sach toh uparwala he jaane lekin usko ek baar nehar ke dusre kinaare dekha gaya tha, kuch siddhi karte hue. Jabtak koyi kuch karta ya usko pakadta wo duri ki wajah se gaayab ho gaya. Wo sthaan wahi hai jaha gora adhikari mara gaya tha lekin Kamlesh dobara na dikha kabhi 15 baras ho chale. Kehte hai ki wo Nandita se ek ankaha yudh chhed baitha hai aur Mandhari baba ke anusaar Tantrik Kamalnath he Kamlesh hai jo pret saadhna me daksh hai. Tum sehar se laute ho toh shayad he is sab par vishwas karo beta. Maine toh swayam apni najro ke saamne laash gaayab hote dekhi hai Nandita ki aur kayi shavv jale hai is gaanv me jo ameer gareeeb dekh kar nahi maare gaye.", Ye sab kahi naya tha Chandan ke paripakva hote mann ke liye. Is gaanv me aise haadse hue hai aur abhi bhi koyi tantrik Kamalnath jaisa vyakti kshati pahuchane me juta hai.
"Kamalnath ka jikar toh kisi ne nahi kiya kaka? Aur jab swayam baba jaante hai uske baare me toh kyun koyi kadam na uthaya gaya usko rokne ke liye? Adhikari ji maare gaye tab bhi prashasan ne koyi kadam na uthaya Kamlesh urf Kamalnath ko pakadne ka? Gaanv smridh hai aur panch-sarpanch ne aakhir kyun koshish nahi ki? Sab log kya Nandita aur Kamalnath ke beech hone wale yudh ka intjaar kar rahe hai?", Chandan ke in sawaalo ka bhi jawaab tha Shambhu kaka ke paas jo feeki muskaan dete hue batane lage.
"Tumhe aisa kyun laga ki gore adhikariyon ne usko pakadne ki koshish na ki hogi? Swayam sarpanch gaye the goro ke paas jaanch me sehyog karne. Jiske baad ek badi tukdi liye gore tantrik ke dere par gaye par waha unhe mila toh sirf Kamalnath ka shavv.. buri tarah kshat-vishatt us tantrik ka sharir he prapt hua. Anokhi baat ye thi ki Kamalnath ki kutiya bahar se band thi jiske kiwaad todne ke baad bhitar uski laash mili. Sabne maan liya ki wo ab marr gaya hai ya kisi ne uska vadh kar diya. Kissa wahi khatam ho gaya aur jiwan dobara se waise he chalne laga jaisa hamesha se Paatan me chalta aaya hai. Parantu uska jikar bade bujurgo ne kabhi bhi apne bacho ya panchayat me nahi kiya. Kamalnath ki mrityu bhi ek paheli thi aur wo aaj bhi ek paheli he hai.", Chandan ke royen khade hone lage the ye sunn kar. Pehle toh swayam Shambhu kaka ne he kaha tha ke wo hai aur ab bataya ki uski laash mili.
"Kaka, ye kaisi kahaani bata rahe ho aap? Ek vyakti jo pehle jiwit tha, phir uski lash mili aur ab bhi wo Nandita se badla lene me juta hai. Bhala marr kar koyi dobara jiwit kaise ho sakta hai?"
"Hahaha.. arre beta.. Yahi baat toh pate ki hai aur isko gine chune log he jaante hai, ungliyon se bhi kam log. Jo lash mili thi wo Kamlesh urf Kamalnath ki nahi thi balki hu-ba-hu uske jaise he tantrik ki thi jisko maar kar Kamlesh aujhal ho gaya aur sabne maan liya ki wo ab nahi raha. Sarpanch ji uski kutiya par pahuchne wale hai ye baat us tak kisne pahuchaai? Kaun tha jisne agaah kiya aur itne he samay me usne kaise dusre vyakti ko maar kar apne sthaan par chhod diya? Koyi 3 baras pehle Mandhari baba ne usko kahi nirjan sthaan par dekha tha aur ye baat unhone kisi se na kahi. Phir maine usko pichle baras dekha yahi jyesth maah ke dauraan. Baba se baat kahi toh unhone apna bataya aur mujhe chup rehne ko kaha. Ab logo ko vishwaas hai ki wo tantrik nahi raha toh sab sukoon me hai. Aur tum bhi ye baat apne tak he simit rakhna baaki uparwala aur baba iska hal jarur karenge.", Shambhu Kaka se Chandan abhi kuch aur baatchit karta ki ek adhed sa vyakti khet ke bahar se unchi awaaj me pukarta dikha.
"Oh Shambhu bhai.. jara turant bailgaadi nikaalo aur hamare sath chalo. Sarpanch ji bhi chaurahe par pratiksha kar rahe hai.", Shambhu kaka ne turant apne kandhe par angocha rakha aur Chandan ko samay se ghar pahuch jaane ka aagrah karte hue apne baade ki taraf daud chale. Chandan ne idhar is vyakti ko awaaj de kar poocha.
"Kaka, kuch chinta ki baat hai kya?"
"Bitwa, Dinu ko dikhane kasbe leke gaye the sarpanch ji ki bailgaadi se. Uh sasure ko koyi udhar se gayab kar diya. 2 log jo sath gaye the wo murchhit hai abhi aur sandesh le kar jo teesra lauta hai uske bhi atchi khaasi chot aayi hai. Kisi se matt kehna Chandan bitwa. Tum pooche ho isliye bataya par gaanv me ye baat nahi failni chahiye.", Ab Chandan bhi chintit ho utha ye khabar sunn kar. Kisi ne Dinu ko he chhudwa liya aur aisa karke kisi ko kya milne wala tha. Yaha wo jabtak apni soch se bahar aata Shambhu kaka toh bahar khadi bailgaadi haankte hue tej raftaar se nikal chale jisme ek ki bajaye 2 bail joote the aur gati aisi ki dhool udaate wo bail pal me he aujhal ho gaye, peeche dhool ka gubaar chhod kar. Chandan ne apna kurta seedha karke jhada aur pehan ne ke baad sabjiyon se aadha bhara bora uthate hue dhime kadmo se bagal wale khet ki pagdandi par chal diya. Ye khet Sushil ke the jaha aadhe hisse me chara lehlaha raha tha aur sadak kinare lagti aadhi jameen par kaamgaro ki jhuggi jhopdi ke sath kahi kahi sabjiyan ugi thi. Tircha jata ye rasta chaurahe par seedhe marg se kahi jaldi pahuchta tha.
"Arre.. aap? Hamare khet dekhne aaye ho? Par kya faayeda, ab toh din bhi dhal gaya aur mujhe bhi ghar lautna hai. Kal samay se aayenge toh Sushil bhai ghuma denge aapko poore khet.", Ek kyaari jaise hisse me taaji tudwaai sabjiyan jhole me jama karwati hui Shabri kisi anjaan ke kadmo se thithakti si uthi toh saamne he Chandan ko dekha. Khet ki dekhbhal karne ke liye rakhe majduro ke pariwar ki 2 ladkiyan he uske liye taaji bhindi, kakadi, kachariyan chhaant kar todd rahi thi. Chandan ko dekhte he un dono ladkiyon ne toh sar par audhni chadha li, thoda mooh chupaate hue lekin Shabri ne waisa kuch na kiya.
"Tum akeli he ghar se yaha chali aayi? Sushil bhai nahi hai kya jo sabjiyan lene tumhe aana pada? Main bhi apne he kheto par aaya tha aur ghar ke liye sabjiyan le kar wapis ja raha hu. Kheto ke beech se nikal kar rasta jaldi kat jata hai aur duri bhi kam ho jaati hai.", Shabri ne bhi apna bada sa jhola taat ki dori se bandha toh Chandan ne aage badh kar swayam he uski gaanth kasne ke baad dusre hath me utha liya. Shabri se na mana karte bana aur na Chandan ka ye bojha uthate hue dekh atcha laga.
"Bhai nahi hai na gaanv me aur maa 2 din se unhe bol rahi thi ki saag sabji lete aaye lekin unke kaan par joo na rengti. Ab subah se toh waha lage rahe Bijju kaka ki taraf aur ghar lautne ki bajaye jaane kaunse kaam se nikal gaye gaanv se. Aap mera jhola kyun utha liye? Main le chalti hu.", Shabri din dhalne ke baad ki is halki laalima me kisi kamlini samaan prateet ho rahi thi. Chehre ki chhata aur teekhe nayan-naksh ke sath bharpoor saadgi jo viral he thi. Chandan ka yu apni taraf dekhe jana mehsoos hote he najre saamne karti hui Shabri bas dhime se muskuraai aur ek lambi hari patti tood kar ungliyon me lapet-te hue waise he dhimi gati se barabar chalne lagi.
"Utna wajan nahi isme aur jab ek he taraf hume jana hai toh ye atchha thodi na lagega ki mere hote hue tum jhola uthao. Waise din chhipne ke baad yaha toh koyi nikalta nahi, phir tum wo bhi akeli. Darr nahi lagta kya?", Shabri ne jab bojha uthane ka suna toh uski lambi palke baar jhapki par wo abhi is aakarshan me barkaraar he rehna chahti thi. Panchi apne ghonslo me laut rahe the aur dur kahi kahi gharo se uthta safed dhuna gawaah tha chulha jalne ka. Chandan ne dopehar me bhi Shabri ko dekha tha par us waqt yahi khoobsurat yuvti dari sehmi aur pareshan thi jabki is pal me wo bilkul viprit ek khoobsurat chanchala jisko sharam aur laaj ka pata bhi tha aur kaha jaahir karni hai uska bhi sangyaan tha. Filhaal toh bas yahi dono the unche hare chaare ke beech se gujarte, baatein karte hue.
"Kaunsa aap hamesha bojha uthate phiroge mera.? Aur ye darr bhi bas aaj dopehar tak he tha mujhme.. Aapko aur Gulaabo ko wapis lauta dekh kar ab darr ki jagah he na bachi. Haan deri toh ho gayi hai lekin gaanv se bahar toh nahi hu na aur meri bhabhi ko 2-3 din se itchha ho rahi thi hari mirch aur kachariyon ki chutney ki. Maa unhe hari sabjiyan jyada khilati hai jo unhe beswaad lagti hai toh unke liye maine wo sab bhi le liya. Waise aapki taraf toh aam bhi lagte hai na? Yaha bas 3 he khet hai jaha aam ke vriksh lage hai par sabse badhiya aapke ghar ke peeche wale bagiche me lagte hai ya idhar wale khet ke. Badi amma ne toh bagiche wale pehle he tudwa liye the achaar ke liye, toh khaane ko he na mile.", Shabri ki kahi ye sab bholi baatein aur aam ki chahat dekh kar Chandan muskurate hue wahi ruk gaya. Apne kandhe se bada wala bora utaar kar usne hath se he jaanch kar 2 bade bade pake aam nikal kar Shabri ko thamaaye. Yahi pal tha jab Shabri ke naram hatho ko usne apne ek hath thama tha. Aur phir bora band karke dobara kandhe par rakhne ke baad hairan khadi Shabri se kaha.
"Hamare khet me aane par tumhe koyi manaahi toh nahi hai na Shabri? Dekh lena inme se koyi thik se paka hua bhi hai ya nahi. Meri maa ko bhi aam bahot pasand hai isliye chhaant kar he tode the. Tum jab bhi apne khet ki taraf aao toh hamare khet me bhi ja sakti ho.", Shabri ne dono aam apni audhni me bandh liye, jo jaise khaas uphaar ho.
"Mehak he bata rahi hai ki ye pake hue hai aur sabse badhiya bhi. Waise aam todne ke liye peid par chadhna padta hai ya fir lambi chhadi par darati bandh kar todna. Mujhe ye dono he nahi aate aur ab toh Gulaabo ne bhi aam todne band kar diye."
"Main hu.. main todd dunga jab bhi tumhara jee kare aam khaane ka. Waise bhi ek saptaah ke baad toh aam dikhenge bhi nahi aur baarish hone par angoor amrood me bhi keeda lag jaayega.", Ye anjaane me diya nyota Shabri ko toh mann chahi muraad sa laga par wahi naari-sulabh mann jo khul kar kaha keh pata hai kuch.
"Main aapke sath kyun jaane lagi khet me aam todne?"
"Mujhme kaante lage hai kya Shabri? Ya main bura insaan hu? Haan.. tum toh halwaai kaka ki dukaan se bhi bhaag gayi thi na us ghatna ke baad.. Thik hai.. Gulaabo ko de dunga, wahi pakda degi tumhe.", Chandan ko Sarju wali ghatna yaad aayi toh uske sath he Shabri ko bhi Sarju dwara bahin jija bolna chet hua. Wo sharam se dohri hone ke sath nakhra bhi dikhati gayi.
"Aapne Sarju ko roka kyun nahi jab usne .. kuch nahi.. Aur aap bure nahi ho lekin akele nahi aa sakti aapke khet me aapke sath. Kal dopehar me bhojan ke baad aaungi agar aapne kahi aur nahi jana. Wahi toh peeng (jhoola) daalte the pehle hum sab. Main Gulaabo, Mutalli, Kusum aur Gauri.. Haan kabhi kabhi Kaali aur Leela bhi aa jaati thi.. Pichle baras saawan me jhoola nahi laga tha Nanua kaka ki mrityu ki wajah se. Mujhe peeng lena bahot pasand hai aur badi amma sabko saawan ki pooja par bahot sagun deti hai peeng daalne ke baad. Pata nahi is baar peeng daalenge bhi ya nahi.", Dono kheto se bahar he nikalne wale the ki Shabri ka paanv kahi atka aur wo achanak mooh ke bal girne he lagi thi ki Chandan dono hatho me bojha hone ke bawjood ek baah uski kamar ke saamne karte hue Shabri ko sambhal gaya. Halke andhkar ke waqt Shabri apne dono hath Chandan ke seene par tikaye khud ko baahar se toh sambhalne me kaamyab rahi parantu bhitar jaise tufaan sa uth gaya tha. Uska kora jawaan hua seena jiske ubhaar bhi pake aam se bade bade ho chuke the, wo Chandan ke majboot seene ki nichaai se takraaye aur apni narmi ka ehsaas usko bhi karwate gaye.
"Wo.. jadd bahar nikli hui hai na.. paanv atak gaya tha."
"Tumhare paanv me lagi toh nahi na Shabri? Dono hatho me samaan tha na isliye mujhe he saamne aana pada.", Shabri abhi bhi waise he khadi thi aur chehre uncha utha kar sar naa me hilate hue wo peeche hui aur najre niche karti hui ab 2 kadam aage ho kar kheto se bahar nikal aayi. Ab tak aasman bhi gehra hone laga tha aur chaurahe se pehle is raaste par saamne he Dinu ka ghar tha jaha bhitar laalten roshan thi. Chandan ne bhi idhar udhar dekha toh ikka dukka he log najar aaye wo bhi apne apne ghar nikal rahe the ya kheto me.
"Ab ghar tak bhi chhodne nahi chalenge? Yaha tak aaye hai toh 10 kadam aur sath aa jaiye. Maa bhi phir taane nahi dengi ki main khet ki bajaye kahi aur chali gayi thi.", Chandan ne ek gehri saans lene ke baad ye nyota swikaar kiya. Aise kisi ke ghar me jaane ke ye uska pehla awsar tha bina bataye aur pehchaan kiya. Abhi bhi Shabri us se aage he chal rahi thi jaise sath chalne par Chandan ki najre koyi aur harkat na kar de uske mann me. Nohra band tha jaha Sushil aksar saanjh ke samay hukka gudagudata dikhta keht jaane se pehle aur lakdi ke dono kapaat dhakelti Shabri ek taraf khadi hui ki Chandan bhitar aate hue ek baar fir uske jism se halki ragad leta sa nikla.
"Maa, dekho aaj hamare ghar kaun padhare hai? Paatan ke chhote maalik aaj mere hisse ka bojha bhi khud uthaye laaye. Maine mana bhi kiya tha par ye maane he nahi.", Khule aangan me jaha ek taraf chulhe me jalawan bharne Sushila baithi thi wahi saamne he charpaayi par dono ladkiyon ko khilati hui Shabri-Sushil ki mata ji is mehmaan ko dekh kar jaangh pakadti si khadi hui. 2-3 laalten se atchi khaasi roshni thi ghar ke aangan me aur Chandan ne dono bore niche utarne ke baad Shabri ki maa ke charan sparsh kiye toh badle me usko aashirwad aur Shabri ko daant he mili.
"Jug jug jeete raho beta. Ye pagli bhi na dekhti nahi kisko pareshan kar rahi hai. Bahu,.. rehne de ye Shabri he pilayegi paani Chandan beta ko. Baitho beta ye moodha lo. Bas bachiyon ko bhojan karwa rahi thi, inke sone ka samay ho chala hai na aur Shabri Sushil ki raah dekhne ke baad khud he saag-sabji lene nikli.", Sushil ki maa sab dasha batati hui dobara khaat ke kinare ja baithi aur sameep he Chandan ko baitha liya. Sushila ko door se he namaskar karke Chandan ne paani liya toh Shabri turant apne kaksh ki taraf badh gayi.
"Akele Sushil bhai bhi kitna kar sakte hai kaaki? Phir bhi Shabri saksham hai aur atchi baat hai na ki wo hath bantati hai. Meri naani ke yaha he dekh lijiye, Gulaabo he bahar ke kaam karti hai aur ghar ke Kavita. Waise bhabhi ko khuraak aur araam ka dhyaan rakhna chahiye.", Sushila apne baare me sunn kar ghoongat thoda upar karti hui uski taraf dekhne lagi aur uski saas ye sunn kar muskuraye ja rahi thi.
"Devar ji, tum thehre ladke toh ye samjhoge nahi. Yahi waqt hota hai jab mehnat karna jyada jaruri hai. Waise daal chadhane lagi hu aur pasand ho toh choorma bana du iske sath?", Ek atche mejbaan aur badi bhabhi ke haq se Sushila ne bhojan ka poocha toh Chandan ne spasht inkaar kar diya.
"Aise nahi bhabhi.. aaj toh main bas khet ke majdoor wale hisaab se aaya hu. Agli baar khudse aaunga tab jo chutney aap banane wali hai na, uske sath jo khila dengi kha lunga.", Yaha jaise Sushila ko he mauka mil gaya is bhole aur saral jawaab par. Hath mooh dho kar lauti Shabri apni maa ke kareeb he baithne lagi thi ki uski bhabhi ke sawaal ne Chandan ke sath usko bhi hairaan kar diya.
"Toh ab baat yaha tak chal rahi hai ki main chutney peesne wali hu ye tak batane lagi meri nanad tumhe? Dekh rahi ho amma ye kaunsi majduri ho rahi hai?", Shabri ki maa bhi is mauke par mooh daba kar hansne lagi thi.
"Arri bahu.. ab devar hath laga toh isko toh baksh de. Beta bura matt maan na Sushila ki baat ka. Ek aurat apne sasural me devar se hansi thitholi na kare toh kis se karegi? Aur iski ye laadli nanad bhi aisi he teekhi hai jiska mann ha na lagta apni bhabhi ke bina. Doodh garam karwa du Chandan beta?", Ab Chandan ko bhi samajh lagi ki ye sirf hansi majaak he tha rishtey ki wajah se par Shabri apni bhabhi ko ghoor ka jhoota gussa dikha rahi thi.
"Ab toh chalta hu kaaki aur mujhe atcha laga ki meri wajah se bhabhi ko hansi makhol ka mauka toh mila. Bache toh so gaye, inse phir kabhi milunga. Aagya chahta hu, savere se bahar hu aaj toh ghar samay par pahuchna he hoga.", Chandan khada hua toh Shabri bhi baithne ki bajaye us se pehle he darwaje ki taraf badh gayi.
"Shabri, ab tu nahi jana Chandan ko ghar tak chhodne. Yahi hota rahega phir raat bhar.", Sushila bhabhi se ye muthbhed toh Chandan ko he bhari padi thi jabki Shabri usko vida dene ke baad darwaje band karke chulhe ki taraf he chali aayi. Uski maa ek bachhi ko wahi khaat par sahi se litane ke baad dusri ko apne sang liye kamre me ja chuki thi. Sushila ki bade wali bitiya jyadatar apni daadi ke he paas rehti thi aur kabhi kabhaar he apni maa ke paas sone jaati.
"Bhabhi tumhari jubaan na katarni (kainchi) si chalti hai. Maa ke saamne toh thoda dhyaan rakha karo. Ye lo kachri aur mirche.. sabjiyan khud he rakh dena.."
"Meri laado, jo 2 aam tu apne kamre me rakh kar aayi hai kahi unke badle Chandan ne teri kairi (kache aam) toh na kaat li? Aur amma ka bahana jo tu bana rahi hai, unki kamjor najro ka faayeda utha kar tu apna seena jo uski baah se ragad rahi thi darwaje se bhitar wo kya tha.?", Ab Shabri sharam ke maare uthne lagi toh Sushila ne hanste hue uska hath pakad wahi baitha liya wapis.
"Naraaj kyun hoti hai? Tujhe Chandan pasand hai na?"
"Pasand napasand se kuch nahi hota bhabhi aur maine apna kuch na ragda unke sath. Haan aam diye the mujhe unhone kyonki maine he kaha tha ke mujhe pasand hai. Tum chaaho toh ek le sakti ho."
"Na baba.. Chandan se aam lena mehnga sauda hai. Dekh liya maine bhi kitna tagda yuvak hai aur apne khet ke aam ke badle kahi usne mere aam maang liye toh tumhare hone wale bhatije ko kya pilaungi? Tumhi rakho uske aam aur pasand napasand he sab hota hai meri bholi nanad rani. Jo insaan tumhari ijjatt aur parwah kare na tum usko pasand he karogi. Napasand toh tumne poore gaanv ke ladke kar rakhe par aaj pehli baar kisi ko khud le kar aayi yaha. Khet dikha diye, ghar bhi dikha diya.. baaki bacha kya?", Ab Shabri ko bhi ye baatein sunn ne me maja aa raha tha chahe jitni bhi sharam aa rahi ho ya wo uthne ka naatak karti rahi par Sushila bhabhi ne sahi taar dabaye the uske dil ke.
"Rishta na ho sakta bhabhi kyonki wo badi amma ke naati hai, is gaanv ke waaris hai. Aur tumhe jara bhi laaj na aati jo aisi gandi baatein kar rahi ho mujh jaisi bachi ke sath."
"Aaye haaye... dekho toh is bachi ko.. Aaj wo bail jaisa ladka tum jaisi gadraai bachhiya par chadh jaaye toh aathve mahine he bachhda fenk dogi. Rahi baat ki wo kaun hai aur kyun hai toh is se bhala farak padega tumhare mann me jo prem uske liye janam chuka hai us par? Aise he na 2-2 bache paida kiye hai maine aur teesre peit me liye hu. Duniyadari ki samajh bahot hai Sushila ko aur Chandan jis tarah se najre bachata tumhe dekhne ki koshish kar raha tha us se saaf hai ki ye chahat ektarfa na hai. Aise aadhe adhure toh na tum kisi aur ke jiwan me patni bann kar ja sakti ho aur na khud ko khush rakh sakogi agar kahi byaah bhi diya toh. Prem me niyam na chalte laado rani..", Sushila ne antim baat badi gambhirta se kahi thi jis par Shabri bhi gehri soch me doob gayi.
"Bhabhi.. sachmuch wo mujhe dekhne ki koshish kar rahe the? Jaanti ho Gauri bhi pasand karti hai unhe lekin dur dur se. Wo darti hai na Gulaabo se aur Gulaabo keh rahi thi ki.. ki Mutalli hai na.. kavita.. Usko badi amma pasand kari hai Chandan ji ke liye.", Ye kehte kehte Shabri ko bhitar he bhitar teekhi chubhan si mehsoos hui par Sushila ne toh alag he dhamaka kar diya usko jawaab dete hue.
"Ek badi baat batau agar tu ye kisi se bhi na kahe toh? Tujhe tere aane wale bhatije ki saugandh agar tune iska jikar Gulaabo se bhi kiya toh.", Sushila ne pehle Shabri ka hath apne peit par rakhwaya aur fir uske sar hilane ke baad aage baat kahi.
"Waha chauthe me aaj baba ke paas jab badi amma akele me baithi thi na tab main diwal ke pichli taraf he baithi hui thi. Pata hai waha par maine saaf suna tha ke Chandan ke ek se jyada byaah hone hai. Kuch samay tak toh jyada sunaai na diya jaise dhimi awaaj me baat ho rahi ho parantu baba ne baad me saaf tera aur Gauri ka naam liya tha badi amma ko. Unhone kaha tha ki Sunehari devi (Shabri ki maa) ki bitiya aur Darshan Singh ki beti Chandan ke liye uchit jodidar hai. Jaanti hai badle me badi amma ne kya kaha?", Pehle toh 4 byaah ka sunn kar he Shabri ki aankhen phail gayi thi par un 4 patniyon me uska aur Gauri ka bhi naam shumaar ho sakta hai ye jaan kar usko yakeen he na hua.
"Bhabhi, satane ka khel toh nahi hai na ye?"
"Nahi ri.. Main tujhse saugandh uthwati kya bhala? Badi amma ne kaha ki unhe toh is se adhik prasannta ho he nahi sakti ki Gulaabo Kavita ki ye dono sakhiyan unke ghar ki bahuen bane. Shabri toh hai bhi roop ki dhani aur Gauri ki samajhdari bhi kam nahi. Par..", Shabri ki dhadkan he badh gayi thi ye sunn kar. Wo Chandan ki patni ban sakti hai ye avishwaas se kam na tha uske liye aur achanak baat ke ant me par lagte he wo vichlit si ho uthi.
"Par.. Par kya bhabhi? Kya samasya hai?", Ab Sushila ne gambhir chehra banate hue kehna shuru kiya.
"Par baat aisi hai na Shabri ki..
"Ki.. kya ki bhabhi? Mera kaleja baitha ja raha hai. Tum ek baar me he maar do mujhe ya baat keh do."
"Hahaha.. arre mere tere dushman meri laado.. Par Sushil ki maa aur Darshan Singh apni apni betiya dene ke liye maanenge ya nahi? Unke naati ke 4 byaah ka sunn kar unhe toh lagega na ki unki beti ka sthaan waha kam ho sakta hai? Par baba ne kaha tha ki wo tumhare bhai se udhar he baat kar lenge aur Darshan kaka toh saanjh samay dere par aane ka bol chuke hai. Ab dekho agar unhone tumhare bhai se baat kari bhi hogi toh ye toh ghar laute nahi hai par isko tum haan he samjho nanad rani. Jaanti ho amma ji ko tumhari kitni chinta rehti hai aur ye bhi yahi sochte rehte hai ki tumhara byaah ek 2 baras me kisi thik-thaak se ghar me kar diya jaaye. Badi amma toh na dahej lengi aur na yaha byaah ka kharcha karne dengi. Ek mamuli se jamidari wale ghar se nikal kar tum poore Paatan ke waaris ki biwi banogi Shabri.. Haan 4-4 patniya sadharan baat nahi lekin Chandan jaisa tagda bail 40 bhi sambhal sakta. Waise ab tum usko mana matt karna agar wo aam ke badle kairiyan chakhna chaahe.. Chudaai.. mera matlab jutaai khet me baad me he hogi lekin itna sukh toh de he sakti ho jis se wo tumhare kareeb rahe.", Spasht itna bhadda shabd sunn kar khush hoti Shabri achanak he mooh par hath rakhti apni bhabhi ko ghoorne lagi jo hansti hansti dohri hue ja rahi thi.
"Nirlajj bhabhi.. chhii.."
"Hahaha.. main nirlajj.. ? Meri laado.. jab tere ang ang me wo apna rang bharega na toh uski dhoti se pehle tu apni angiya choli utaar fenkegi."
"Bhai ke saamne tum bhi aisa he kari thi kya bhabhi?", Mooh banate hue Shabri ne baat khatam karne ke lehje me ye keh dala jis se wo apni bhabhi ko chup karwane ka anumaan lagaye thi.
"Arre kaha meri aisi kismat Shabri.. Pehli raat he unhone daaru ke nashe me bas meri ghagri uthai aur apna kela dhakiya diya bhitar. Garam tak na kiya tha jaise meri bhabhi batati rahi ki mard pehle sangini ko garam karte hai phir chadhai. Yaha toh ye bas upar chadhe aur dard dene ke baad karwat karte so gaye. Subah jaldi uthe aur dobara wahi kiye. Phir tab se le kar aajtak yahi hota raha hai. Pehle pehle din me 2 baar ho jata tha aur ab toh ek saptaah me bhi ek baar ho jaaye toh ganimat. Jab se peit phula hai tab se toh ye khet par jyada rehne lage kyonki ab main unhe aanand nahi de sakti aur munna paida hone ke baad 2 mahine mujhe bhi thik hone me lagenge. Waise Chandan ka hal dekhi ho ya nahi? Pata lage sharir se he tagda hai aur niche kacha kela."
"Hahahaha.. Hans lo jee khol kar hans lo. Dekhi hu main tumhe bhi bhai ke sath aur jisko kela bata rahi wo bhindi se jyada na hai.", Shabri ne jis andaaj me mooh banate hue hansna dohraya aur apne he bade bhai ke ling par kataaksh kiya tha us se Sushila mooh par hath rakh kar dekhne lagi.
"Wo tujhe bhindi jaan padta hai? Arri hath me pakdi hu main anginat baar aur muthi lapetne ke baad bhi 2 ungal lambai bahar rehti hai."
"Unka na latka hua bhi mere pedu se saanthal tak mehsoos kiya maine. Jaanti ho is lambaai ka matlab bhabhi? Girne lagi thi main medd se nikal kar apni gali me aate hue tab unhone he mujhe apne jism se lagate hue roka. Kad toh mera unki gardan tak he hoga par jo naram ang maine us waqt mehsoos kiya na toh jubaan ke lakwa maar gaya tha.", Ye vivran sunn kar toh Sushila ke he jaangho ke beech khujli uthne lagi. Wo gaal par hath rakhe hairaani se sunti hui dusre hath ko apni jaangho ke beech ragadne lagi.
"Kuch veham toh na hua tujhe? Ye tera pedu aur idhar 8 ungal dur teri saanthal.. arri meri maa.. matlab dono mutthi ki lambaai sirf latke hue ki?", Ab Shabri ne bhi bade bholepan se swikriti me sar hilaya ki usne itni he lambaai mehsoos ki thi us pal aur fir usne dekha apni bhabhi ko jo phule hue peit ki wajah se paanv phailaye baithi bhi apni yoni ke sameep khuja rahi thi.
"Aisa bhala insaano me hota hai kya? Waise gaahe-bagahe auraton ke beech holi-tyohaar par suna tha ki sabka alag alag hota hai. Kisi ke mard ka tagda majboot ho toh wo aisa ghamand karti hai jaise suniyare ki dukaan bas uske he paas ho. Shabri waise toh tere bhaag he khul gaye ri agar Chandan ki mardangi aisi hai toh. Pehli raat jarur dukhega lekin uske baad tera je na karega apne pati se ek raat bhi dur sone ka.", Ab aakhir me Shabri ko khud he mauka de diya tha Sushila ne.
"Toh bhabhi main toh is maamle me kori hu aur ab darr bhi baith gaya hai mann me jab se tulna ki hu. Ek aur baar mujhe dur se dikha kar sikhla do na?"
"Dhatt.. aathwa mahina lagne wala hai mera aur abhi tere bhai najdeek bhi naa aate kyonki unhe main waha se dhili lagti hu ab. Intjaar kar abhi nahi toh kahi aur dekh."
"Bhai ke sath kab kaha maine? Unka khel mujhe pasand na aaya. Aap na inka le kar dikhao, phir mera darr bhi dur ho jaayega aur mujhe nahi lagta ke unhe (Chandan) ko shikayat hogi aapse. Bolo na bhabhi.. is bahane mujhe bhi pata lag jaayega ki meri durgati hogi ya khushkismati byaah ke baad.", Hath pakad kar dhimi awaaj me jis tarah se bholepan ke sath Shabri anugrah kar rahi thi, Sushila ke toh haath paanv he sunn pad gaye.
"Hatt pagli.. Kaam karne de mujhe. tujhe sikhlane ke chakkar me main apne pati ki jagah dusre marad ko upar chadhwa lu. Paagal na ho toh. Jo tera hai usko apne tak he rakh."
"Arre wo bhi kaunsa ye sab jaante honge. Aur rishtey me bhai unke saale lagenge toh salhaj hui na tum? Aadhi gharwali ke adhaar par he sahi. Kahi byaah ke baad main sath na de saki toh wo mujh par dhyaan dena band kar denge na bhabhi jaise ab bhai tumhe jyada mehatva nahi deta? Maan jao na.."
"Mera pallu chhod pagli.. Aisa nahi ho sakta.. Kaise main usko.. matlab nahi ye uchit nahi hai jo tu keh rahi hai."
"Haan bhai us dhurt Dinu sang kaha kaha .. Wo mard hai toh sab thik.. Jao main baat nahi karti tumse..", Shabri toh bachpane me itna kuch keh kar uth chali par peeche Sushila apne sar pe hath rakhe akeli sochti reh gayi ki uski ye nanad jaane kab badi hogi. Upar se jo baat usne Sushil ke liye kahi thi ki wo mard hai isliye jaha chahe ghar se bahar sambandh banata phir toh wo uchit hai. Yahi baat anjaane he Sushila ke bhale mann me faans si chubh gayi. Ab chulha jalaate hue wo bhojan banane me jutt chuki thi, pehle he Shabri sang khatte meethe vritaant karte kaafi samay nikal chuka tha.
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"Ye aaj is waqt kaise naha raha hai? Aaya bhi kuch deri se aur aate he yaha peeche chala aaya tanki par.", Jaanki devi ke yaha mahol toh hamesha jaisa he tha parantu sabke mann me vichaar aneko daud rahe the. Rasoighar me sabji pakaane ke baad Anuradha paseena sukhane pichle aangan me aayi aur aata goonth kar hath dhoti Kavita ke kareeb he paani ki balti bhar kar chabutare par rakhne ke sath Chandan kamar par angocha bandhta hua peedhi par he baith gaya tha. Kavita ne he uski balti me wo lauta rakha tha jis se pehle wo hath dhul rahi thi. Gulaabo bina kisi ke kahe he Chandan ke liye toliya aur saaf sookhi dhoti liye aayi aur is najare ko pashuon ke baade ke bahar baithi Jaanki Devi ke sath sath hath sukhati Anuradha ne bhi dekha. Kavita waha peeche khulne wala darwaja jaanchne ke baad maile vastra dhone ke liye ekatrit kar rahi thi jabki Gulaabo dhimi awaaj me Chandan se kuch poochtach leti rahi jabtak ki usne paani badan par girana shuru na kar diya.
"Mujhe kya pata maa, main toh rasoighar me thi. Gulaabo ne he waha thaila rakha tha la kar sabjiyon ka. Kavita, maile vastra pade rehne de. Main samet lungi jab dhone honge. Thoda baith bhi jaya kar kabhi."
"Ye naha lete hai kaaki toh main roti pakati hu. Phir araam he karna hai.", Kavita sabhi vastra utha kar kothri me rakhne chali gayi aur Gulaabo Chandan se kuch he duri par ghutno ke bhar baithi mand mand hansti kuch bata rahi thi. Chandan apne badan ko ragad kar saaf karta uske sath he muskuraye ja raha tha jo laalten ki roshni me Jaanki Devi sang Anuradha bhi dekh rahi thi bhalibhanti.
"Prem dekh rahi hai jara in teeno ka tu? Kavita kaam ke bahane aaspas rehna chahti hai aur muskura bhi rahi hai aur wo teekhi mirchi jaane kya katha suna rahi hai jo Chandan bhi hanse ja raha hai. Dekh Anuradha inke prem me koyi milawat ya parda hai? Gulaabo ko toh ye bhi parwaah na hai ke us par chhinte gir rahe hai aur Chandan iska dhyaan bhi rakh raha hai. Balti Chandan ne uthaai toh pehle se bhar kar Kavita rakh chuki thi. Vastra aur toliya Gulaabo liye aayi jaise usko pehle he pata ho ki Chandan aate he snaan lene wala hai. Ye sab taalmel na banane se nahi banta.. ye wo adrishya dhaage hote hai prem ke jo ek dusre se bandhe sab bata dete hai bina kuch kahe. Kitna kaam kiya hai Chandan, Gulaabo aur Kavita ne sara din lekin jism ko araam dene se behtar aatma ko sukoon dene wala ye pal na jaane diya inhone.", Anuradha ko jaha ek taraf ye sab sunn kar khushi ho rahi thi wahi kahi na kahi saamne ke drishya me wo apna riktsthaan dekhne me lagi thi. Par waha toh jaise pehle he sabkuch sampoorn sa tha ya Anuradha ke liye koyi sthaan he nahi.
"Bada ho raha hai na aapka naati aur dono aakhir uski jiwan-sanginiya jo bann ne wali hai. Sab uchit hai mata Jaanki Devi ki chhaya me.", Ye kataaksh sunn kar Jaanki Devi bhi muskura uthi jaise unhone apni beti ki jalan ko atche se jaan liya ho.
"Tera sthaan toh wo dono bhi nahi le sakti. Kis baat se tum maa beta mooh phere hue ho aaj? Tu niwale gale se niche majburi me utaar rahi thi aur usko maine bhojan karte he na dekha subah se. Gulaabo hath na lagane wali aur wo moorakh kahega nahi ki peeth ragad de. Ja.. apne laal ki madad kar.", Jaanki Devi ne jab Anuradha ko uske uchit sthaan ka ehsaas karwaya toh Anuradha swayam he apni pehle wali soch par sharminda si ho gayi. Wo apni tulna Gulaabo aur Kavita se karne lagi thi, Chandan ke samipya me sthaan ke liye. Ab Jaanki Devi toh uth kar rasoighar me chali gayi chulha dekhne aur Anuradha ko awasar deti hui par yaha akeli reh gayi Anuradha bas chand kadam he aage chal paayi ki fir thithak kar us hanste muskurate chehre ko dekhne lagi jo apne balisht sharir par paani giraane ke sath peeth ko ragadne ki asafal koshish kiye ja raha tha.
"Ae Mutalli, dikh nahi raha ki peeth saaf na ho rahi inse? Meri bhi toh tu he ragadti hai apne naram hatho se. Meena ko khojne ja rahi hu main, tu inki peeth mal de jara.", Ab yaha se Gulaabo bhi nadarad ho gayi aur bachi toh Chandan ke baayi taraf Kavita aur daayi taraf utni he duri par khadi Anuradha jo kuch andhere me thi. Kavita ke gaalo ki surkhi toh maa aur beta na dekh sake par apni ungliyan aapas me uljhati Kavita ne jaise taise kaha.
"Ji, paani girana band kar dijiye.", Chandan ne jis tarah se uski taraf dekha tha, sar ke peeche he jaise Anuradha ne apne bete ki muskaan dekh li ho. Wo dono hath bandhe waise he baith gaya aur udhar se chalti aayi Kavita ne har taraf dekhne ke baad jab pakka kar liya ki yaha koyi nahi hai toh wo Chandan ke peeth ke peeche aa khadi hui. Anuradha ki kismat kharaab thi jo wo faasla dur karne badhi toh andhere me ghar ki parchhaayi ne he usko najro se aujhal sa kar diya.
"Ab peeth malne me tumhe lajja aa rahi hai? Sankoch hai toh rehne do, main geele angoche se ragad leta hu."
"Nahi nahi.. angoche se jyada ragad lag sakti hai ji. Wo toh aap upar se.. vastra nahi ..", Ab Kavita jaise thoda aage jhuki aur geele hatho se us majboot peeth ka sparsh liya toh Chandan ne uski ek kalaai thaam kar apne seene par hatheli la rakhi. Wo chhudaane me nakaam rahi toh dhime se khilkhilati hui boli.
"Dekhiye ye galat hai.. badi amma aur maa ji rasoighar se idhar aaye toh main.."
"Shh.. Roka thodi hai.. Bas aaj dinbhar tumse baat he na saki. Ek haath se peeth sehla do na, dusre wala mere paas rehne do.", Anuradha ne toh jaise prem ka swaroop aaj he dekha tha jisme aisi meethi harkate sabse chhup kar wo log kar rahe the jo hridya se saral hone ke sath jyada duniyadari se anjaan the. Aise sukhad pal usko toh sapne me bhi naseeb na hue the jaha sangini ke sang uska sathi bas ek sukhad sparsh me he santusht ho. Kavita bhi haule haule us chaudi peeth ko malne lagi thi aur ab usne he baat shuru ki.
"Kal aap hume kasbe le kar ja rahe hai toh maa se bhi pooch lena tha. Wo bhi toh jana chahti hongi. Aur aaj aapne Kaali ke waha bhi bhojan nahi kiya, sarpanch kaka ki taraf bhi nahi toh kya bhookhe rehna atchi baat hai?", Jo baat Anuradha ko kehni chahiye thi apne bete se wo Kavita kabulwa rahi thi is ekaant me.
"Abhi se najar rakhti ho mujhe par? Aaj upwaas ka mann tha mera aur ab din dhal gaya hai toh doodh pee kar so jaunga. Haan tum pooch lena maa se agar wo chalna chahti hai toh sath chal padengi. Waise tum mere vastra dhone nahi bhoolti."
"Upwaas aise nahi rakha jata aur aap bana rahe hai mujhe toh thik hai mat bataaye. Par raat me khaali peit nahi sona chahiye na. Ab Gulaabo kahegi toh mana bhi na karenge.", Kavita jaise thoda samajhne lagi thi Chandan ko aur wo bhi khush tha par ya tulna hone par Chandan ne uska hath he choom liya jo Anuradha ne bhi dekha aur Kavita simat si gayi.
"Apne hatho se tum khilaogi tab bhi kha lunga. Gulaabo na zidd kar leti hai aur baat manwaye bina hategi bhi nahi. Tum koyi zidd he nahi karti. Waise tumhe aur maa ko aam pasand hai na toh khet se wo bhi laya hu. Aam khaane ke baad chumban dogi?"
"Dhatt.. main ja rahi hu..", Kavita mauka dekh kar dusri taraf se he nikal bhaagi hath chudwati hui aur Anuradha ab aur bhi khindit si ho uthi jab suna ki Chandan uski pasand ka kitna khayaal rakhta hai. Khud bhookha raha lekin ghar lauta bhi toh uske he khaane ke liye aam le kar. Jabtak wo vichaar karti uske kareeb ja kar baat karne ka tab tak Chandan khada ho kar apne badan par aadhi balti jitna bacha paani girane ke baad sharir paunchte hue apna anghocha bhi dhila kar chuka tha. Kshanik maatra ke liye Anuradha ko wo bhujang sa ling dikha jisko Chandan ne dhoti me dhakne ke baad toliye se baaki jism saaf karna aarambh kar diya. Us ang ki tasvir jaise mann me he baith chuki thi jo nehar kinare dikha tha. Uske dhundlane se pehle ab ye ho gaya tha Anuradha sang aur wo palat kar bina aahat kiye wahi chali gayi jaha ab baaki sab log the.
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"Aaj bhojan ki sudh nahi hai kya tumhe?", Chandan khuli hawa me chhat par tehal raha tha jab ye awaaj sunaai padi. Ek hath me laalten aur dusre me bhojan ki thaali liye swayam Anuradha he upar chali aayi. Bichhawan farsh par laga dekh kar pehle toh thaali ko waha rakha aur laalten ek taraf farsh par.
"Bhookh nahi thi maa aur aapne yu he kasht kiya.", Chandan ki chehal-kadmi toh ruk gayi thi lekin tha wo abhi bhi Anuradha se kuch duri par he khada hua. Anuradha ko he pata tha ki aaj uske bete ne ek bhi niwala kis wajah se nahi khaya. Par baat dobara shuru karna baat ko badhana he hota jis wajah se badi narmi se usne pukara.
"Gussa nahi reh sakte tum mujhse phir jhoothi narajgi dikhana band karo aur yaha baitho. Kavita aur Gulaabo ke haatho khaane ko tayaar the par apni maa ka kehna nahi maanoge.?", Yaha Anuradha ne bina soche he un dono ka jikar kar diya tha jo Chandan ko thode samay me he samajhne lagi thi. Jo prem se anjaan rehne ke bawjood ab prem-bandhan me bandhi thi is yuvak se.
"Tulna bhi kaisi kari hai maa aapne? Ab batao ki main galat tha aaj subah? Aapne abhi jo kaha hai jara wahi dohra dijiye, jawaab galat hoga ya jo aapne kaha tha wo?", Chandan ne seedhiyon ki taraf dekha jaha koyi na tha. Aur is sawaal par roti ka niwala banati Anuradha ka jaise sabar pal me he toot gaya.
"Tulna lag rahi hai tumhe? Wo ladkiyan 4 din pehle tumhare jiwan me aayi hai aur main tabse tumhare sath hu jab tum paida hue. Maa hu main tumhari aur isko jhuthla nahi sakte. Agar tumhare mann me iske itar kuch bhi hai toh doshi main nahi sirf tum ho sirf tum. Nahi khana toh meri bala se mat khao.", Thaali me wo niwala wapis rakhti hui Anuradha bhannati hui jaise upar aayi thi us se tiguni gati se seedhiyan utarti chali gayi. Chandan ne ek najar bhar dekha tha apni maa ko jaate aur dusri najar us thaali par ki jaha wo niwala sabji se sana hua baaki rotiyon ko bhigo raha tha. Ajeeb
sa vyavahaar ho chala tha Anuradha ka aur ye ab Chandan ki he samajh se bahar ho gaya. Sar fatne laga tha din bhar khaali peit rehne ke baad ab apni maa ke aise bartaav se. Pehle kabhi bhi Anuradha ne apne bete ko khilaye bina bhojan na kiya tha aur aaj 3 waqt se uska beta khaali peit raha jabki unhe teeno samay Jaanki Devi ne apni bitiya ko bhojan apne saamne karwaya tha. Thaali ek taraf rakh kar Chandna ne maa annapurna se maafi maangi aur bichhawan utha kar chhat ke aakhir me chala gaya jaise abhi usko kuch pal sabse dur rehna ho. Gulaabo bhi aayi aur fir Kavita ne bhi Chandan ko khoja, par usko karwat liye ek kone me soya dekh wo dono he kamre me chali gayi.
"Kar liya kya bhojan tere Chanda ne?", Niche apne kaksh me bister par leti Anuradha vicharo me he khoyi thi ki apni maa ki awaaj se uth baithi.
"Aap soyi nahi?"
"Main soyi nahi kyonki abhi sone ka samay nahi hua hai mera. Chandan ne roti khaayi?", Jaanki Devi ne bas sapaat sa sawaal poocha tha aur bister par baithi unki beti ne talkhi se jawaab diya.
"Leke gayi thi main aapke laadle ke liye thaali paros kar par usne nahi khana toh main jabardasti khilau?", Jaanki Devi ko yahi jawaab jaise ek chot sa laga jo aage kuch kahe bina he wapis mudd kar chali gayi.
'Sabko fikar hai ki usne khana khaaya nahi khaaya toh kyun nahi khaya. Tulna bata raha hai wo mujhe jisko maine paida kiya.', Swayam Anuradha anjaan thi ki aakhir uske antarmann me ye nayi irshya aakhir kis wajah se panapne lagi jisme wo Chandan ki baat samajhne ki bajaye us se aise roothne lagi thi jaise wo uski sataai hui premika ho. Par Jaanki Devi har maayne me ek aadarsh maa thi jo ja pahuchi chhat par ek aur thaali liye. Chandna ke mana karne ke bawjood usko uthaya aur apne hatho se tab tak khilaati rahi jab tak 8 ki 8 rotiyan thaali se aujhal na ho gayi.
"Garam doodh rakha hai sirhane aur ye peene ke baad apna bister waha chhat ke beech me laga lena. Teri maa ki maa hu lekin mere liye tu he beta hai aur mera sabkuch. Wo seedhe mooh baat kare ya na kare, par is ghar me khaali peit koyi nahi soyega. Tu jo waha aut me khadi khadi yaha jhaank rahi hai na, ja apne 'inki' ye thaali niche rakh kar aa. Aur bister bhi tu he lagayegi Chandan ka. Aainda mujhe roti na khilani padi mere bache ko nahi toh tera byaah na karwaati main iske sath.", Gulaabo ki chori pakdi ja chuki thi jo chupke chupke yaha dekh rahi thi. Kaise so sakti thi wo bina Chandan se baat kiye aur yaha byaah ki baat hote he wo sar jhukaye aayi aur thaali, gilaas utha kar chupchap laut gayi.
"Dekha badlaav tumne? Ye hoti hai patni jo aagya ka paalan kare aur jaha galat ho waha sar uthaye. Tumhare liye jitni jaruri Kavita hai, utni he ye hai jiske jimindar ji ho tum. Man mutaav dono taraf se suljhane chahiye aur agar tum galat nahi ho toh hamesha tike rehna."
"Waise Gulaabo aaj din me.."
"Haan jaan pehchaan badhao uske sath. Jo din me thi wo bhi Gulaabo he thi aur jo saamne rehti hai wo bhi. Nandita bas ek Gulaabo ka he toh sammaan karti hai. Shubhratri."
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