"Bataao.....warna main ye sitaar tumhaare sar par patak dungi."
"Pahli patake me table ki awaaz aayegi.....aur uske baad vidhiwat gaana bhi shuru kar doonga......chalo shuru ho jaao..."
"Achhi baat hai......ab mujh se koi kaam lena...."
"Hmm.....thahro.....main kya bataaun....sun kar dukh hoga......anyway suno....Foreign ministry ke daftar me ek suit case se navjaat shishu ki lash nikli hai...."
"Kya bakwaas hai...."
"Achha bas ab chup raho......kahani sunaata hun to bakwaas ho jaati hai. Thoda mujhe ye to bataao ki ek aurat kam se kam kitne bachche deti hogi?"
"Kisi bachce paida karne waali aurat se puchho..."
"Mere vichar se duniya ki har aurat minimum aath bachche avashya deti hogi..."
"Khatam karo.....main kuchh nahin sunna chaahti."
"Main vastav me ek business ki sambhaavana par gaur kar raha hun.....ye atom bomb aur hydrogen bomb bekaar banaaye jaate hain. Unka uddeshya yahi hai ki duniya ki aabadi ko kam ki jaaye......main kahta hun ki agar aabadi kam hi karni hai to koi aurat-maad DDT kyon na aavishkaar ki jaaye."
"Chup raho..."
"Nahin mujhe kahne do......main iss samay bahut udaas hun. Mujhe apne ek dost ki pareshaniyaan yaad aa rahi hain. Us bechaare ka kahna hai ki jab raat ko bistar par let'ta hun to ek taraf mujhe machchar kaan khaate hain aur dusri taraf se wife......machcharon ko pichkaari maar kar bhagaata hun......lekin wife ka kya karun. Mujhe teen din ke bhitar uske liye bhi koi upaaye bataao.......warna main tumhari bhi shadi kara dunga.
Rushy dear.......thik usi samay maine socha tha ki koi aurat-maar liquid ya spray kyon na aawishkaar ki jaaye. Dukaan aisi chalegi ki kya bataaun......tumhara kya khayaal hai?"
Rushy koi uttar diye bina uthi aur dusre room me chali gayi.
Imran apna gaal khujaata hua kuchh soch raha tha.......kuchh der baad usne phir receiver uthaaya aur Juliana Fitzwater ke number dial kiye.
"Hello...." Dusri taraf se aawaz aayi......bolne waali Julia hi thi.
"X2...."
"Yes sir...."
"Saint Lawrence colony me ek building hai....Deccan Lodge....usme rahne waalon ki detail chaahiye...."
"Ok sir......kya ye koi case hai?"
"Nahin..." Imran ne vyang se kaha..."Main ugly ladies ki jangan'na karaa raha hun...."
"Sorry sir...." Julia ne sahmi huyi awaaz me kaha.
Imran ne receiver rakh kar hanger se coat utaara aur phir paanch minut ke bhitar hi wo baahar jaane keliye taiyar ho gaya. Usi bich Rushy bhi andar se aa gayi thi.
"Tum aaj office kyon nahin gayi?"
"Kya tumhen nahi pata ki maine isteefa de diya hai..."
"Haayenn......ye kab aur kyon?"
"Parson..." Rushy ne laparwahi se kaha. "Ek officer sahab mujh par bahut adhik meharbaan ho gaye the. Parson kahne lage main aksar tumhen sapne me dekhta hun...."
"Chch....chch..." Imran ne sar hila kar dukh prakat karte huye kaha..."Ab tum.....logon ke sapne me bhi dikh jaana pasand nahin karti. Mujhe dekho.....main aaj kal kaajal laga kar sota hun ki kabhi to saaf dikhaai do..."
"Tum kahaan jaa rahe ho...?"
"Main......pata nahin..."
"Mujhe bhi pata nahin hai ki iss samay kahaan jaaun.....isliye kyon na ham sath hi chalen?"
"Tum ne istifa dekar bahut hi bura kiya..."
"Chalo....niklo...." (Aage......)
Ek jagah usne car rok di. Bayin taraf ek darwaaze par ek budhi si aurat khadi thi.
Imran ne ishaare se usay kareeb bulaaya aur dhire se puchha. "Maaii Jaggu hai?"
"Jee sahab hai..." wo Rushy ko ghoorti huyi boli.
"Zara usay turant bhejo...." Imran ne aurat ke hath par 500 ka note rakhte huye kaha. "Ye tumhaara inaam hai....usay majboor karna ki wo mere sath chali jaaye....ye ek bahut bade gharaane ki ladki hai."
"Nishchint raho sahab..." Aurat sar hila kar boli...."Main usay abhi bhejti hun....magar jaana kahan hoga?"
"Aray....jagah bhi wahi bataayegi......agar main jagah ki vyawastha kar sakta to isay aisi haalat me sath liye kyon phirta...mujhe yahi bataaya gaya hai ki maaii Jaggu jagah ki bhi vyavastha kar deti hai..."
"Bass bass thik hai......sab ho jaayega.....main Jaggu ko abhi bhejti hun..."
Imran kankhiyon se Rushy ki taraf dekha. Uski position me koi antar nahin aaya tha. Wo unghti huyi si lag rahi thi.
Thodi der baad budhi aurat ek dusri aurat ke sath waapas aayi. Dusri aurat bhi aged hi thi. Lekin uska swaasth bahut achha tha. Uske shareer par halke neele rang ki saari aur peele rang ka blouse tha. Aankhon par mote frame ka chashma. Wo shakal se padhi likhi aur samajhdar lag rahi thi.
"Ohh.....bahut bahut shukriya..." Imran ne murkhon ki tarah kaha "Pichhli seat par baith jaaiye.....bahut aabhari hun main...."
Aane waali aurat ne ek uchat'ti huyi nazar Rushy par daali aur pichhla gate khol kar andar baith gayi.
Phir car chal padi thi ki baahar khadi aurat ne daant nikaal kar kaha..."Mera inaam na bhuliyega sahab..."
"Ohh.....kabhi nahin..." Imran ne sar hila kar kaha.
"Thirty sixth colony le chaliye sir...." Pichhli seat par baithi aurat ne kaha.
"Achha..." Imran ne uttar diya.
Achanak Rushy dhire se karaahi.....aur Imran bokhlaaye huye dhang se kaha...."Ye....ye...karaah rahi hai..."
"Chinta mat kijiye..." aurat ne uttar diya.
Aur Imran ne dil hi dil me dua maangi...."Aye saare jagat ke paalne waale.....mujhe aisi chintaaon se mukt hi rakhna..."
Thirty sixth colony me pahuch kar aurat ne ek taraf car modne ko kaha.....phir shayad 2 ya 3 minut baad car ek chhote se sundar imaarat ke saamne ruk gayi. Main gate locked tha. Aurat ne taala khola aur unko kuchh kahe bina ab=ndar chali gayi.
"Utariye shreemati jee..." Imran ne dukhi swar me Rushy se kaha...."Agar aap iss yogya hon..."
"Tum ye kya kar rahe ho?"
"Bass dekhti jaao.....utro jaldi karo. Agar uss ne baahar hi iss frod ka anumaan kar liya to kathinaayi ho jaayegi."
Rushy car me hi shawl phek kar baahar aa gayi....aur donon tezi se imaarat me
ghuste chale gaye. Imran ne gate band kar diya tha. Raahdari me hi the ki aurat se muthbher ho gayi......aur aurat Rushy ko ghoore jaa rahi thi. Uska muhh hairat se khul gaya tha.....aur aankhen phail gayi thin.
"Haan....maaii Jagu.." Imran dhire se bola...."To isi tarah log tum se milte hain aur tum unhen yahaan laati ho. Aur phir shahar ke vibhinna bhaagon me jivit ye mrit navjaat bachche paaye jaate hain......chalo kahin aaram se baith kar baaten hongi."
"Aurat ka chehra dhuwaan dhuwaan ho gaya tha.....us ne khud par niyantran karne keliye nichla hont daanton me daba liya.
"Chalo....chalo....yahaan baithne ki bhi jagah hogi..." Imran bola....lekin aurat waise hi khadi rahi.
"Chalo..." Rushy ne aage badh kar usay dhakka diya.
Aurat unhen ek kamre me laayi. Yahan dhool se bhari kuchh kursiyaan thin......aur kamre me halki raushni thi. Imran ne switch on kar ke ek bulb jala diya.
"Baitho maaii jagu..." aurat kisi lash ki tarah kursi me dher ho gayi.
"Ab bataao....tum ne pichhli raat kahaan aur kon sa kaarnaama anjaam diya tha?"
"Aap....aapko galat-fahmi huyi hai sir.....main kabhi koi gair-kanooni kaam nahin leti. Ye prasav kendra to un logon ke liye hai jo zachha ki dekh bhaal ki vyavastha nahin kar sakte...."
"Chalo thik hai.....lekin pichhli raat tum ne kahaan kaam kiya tha?"
"Kahin nahin sir....vishvaas kijiye ki pichhle hafte se bekaar hun. Waise main logon ke gharon par bhi jaati hun."
"Magar pichhli raat ko......nahin tum jhoot bol rahi ho..."
hain.....agar safalta nahin milti to maamla police ke hathon me chala jaata hai.....aur ye to tum jaanti hi hogi ki police waale kis prakar pesh aate hain. Tum to aurat ho.
Bade bade tees maar khan bhi thaane pahuch kar hath pair daal dete hain."
Aurat usi tarah padi haanfti rahi.
"Tum bolti kyun nahin?" Rushy ne kade swar me kaha...."Muhh se phooto....warna main tumhaare sath wahi salook karungi jo police karti hai."
"Ho sakta hai tumhaare sweekar kar lene ke baad main iss maamle ko aage na badhaaun..." Imran ne dhire se kaha.
"D..dd...dekhiye..." Wo haklaayi..."Ye mera pesha hai. Main kya jaanu ki bachcha kanooni hai ya gair kanooni...ab aap hi....dd...dekhiye aapke maathe par to kuchh likha hai nahin..."
Wo saans lene ko ruki.
"Main kab kahta hun ki tum jaan bujh kar koi awaidh kaam karti hogi."
"Main aap ke baare me bhi yahi samjhi thi ki aap donon pati-patni hain.....yahaan akele hain aur dekh bhaal ki vyavastha nahin hai...."
"Bilkul....bilkul..." Imran sar hila kar bola..."swabhavik baat hai..."
"Isi tarah pichhli raat ek sahab aaye the aur mujhe apne sath apne ghar le gaye the. Delivery karaane ke baad main waapas aa gayi thi. Main nahin jaanti ki maamla kya tha."
"Bachcha jeevit tha?"
"Ji haan..."
"Uske baal brown the?"
"Jee haan brown the."
"Kya wo aurat anglo Indian thi?"
"Jee nahin desi....lekin rahan sahan pashchimi tha..."
"Address..."
"Highway 11 pe ek gali hai.....main uska naam nahin jaanti. Makan ka number bhi nahin bata sakungi. Lekin agar aap mujhe sath le chalen to dikha zaroor sakungi."
"Kitna paisa mila tha?"
"5 hazar sir..."
"Ohh....aur tab bhi tumhen samajh me nahin aaya tha ki wo koi awaidh case ho sakta hai. Agar unhen itna hi kharch karna tha to koi lady doctor kyon nahin bulaayi gayi?"
"Main iska kya uttar de sakti hun..."
"khair....Chalo mujhe ghar dikhao jahaan....."
"Magar......mera anjaam kya hoga.....kya un logon ne bachche ko khatam kar diyaa?"
"Pata nahin.....tum uski chinta me na pado. Tumhara anjaam bura na hoga.....yadi soojh bujh se kaam lo."
"Main samjhi nahin sir..."
"Very simple....matlab tumm apna muhh band rakhogi.....agar kisi se bhi iss ghatana ki charcha karogi to ek hi ghanta baad tumhen bure parinaam ka saamna karna padega."
Wo baahar nikal kar phir car me baith gaye. Aurat pichhli hi seat par thi.
"Tum apna chashma utaar kar ye shawl odh lo.....is tarah ki kewal tumhari aankhen hi khuli rahen.....thand adhik hai..." Imran ne aurat se kahte huye shawl us par phenk di.
Kuchh der baad car highway 11 par pahuch gayi. Imran ne raftaar kam kar di.
"Wo gali sir..." Aurat bharrayi huyi aawaz me boli. "Jiske sire par neela board dikhayi de raha hai"
"Hmm....ok.." Imran ne car usi gali me mod di.
Speed kuchh aur kam ho gayi thi.
"Baayen taraf waala makan sir...jiski khidkiyon par peele parde hain..." Aurat boli.
"Thik..." Imran barbadaaya.....aur car ki speed lagataar tez hoti gayi.
Gali se nikal kar usne car phir thirty sixth colony ki taraf mod di.
Aurat khamosh thi. Achanak Imran ne puchha..."Us makan me kitne log the?"
"3 sir.....ek mard, pregnant lady aur ek budhi aurat."
"Bachche waali ki umar kya thi?"
"20 saal se adhik nahin."
"Shayad teesra bachcha hoga...( ) khair....tum yahaan utar jaao....lekin main ek baar phir yaad dilaata hun ki tumhen apna muhh band rakhna hai."
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Waapsi par Imran ne Julia ko phone kiya.....lekin uttar nahin mila. 2 ghante se adhik samay beet chuka tha......lekin abhi tak Julia ki taraf se koi suchna nahin mili thi. Usne Suleman se puchha ki uski anupasthiti me private phone ki ghanti to nahin baji thi. Lekin Suleman ne inkar me uttar diya. Hamesha ke anusar ye asambhav tha ki Julia 2 ghante baad usay phone na karti......agar 2 ghante me usay safalta na mili hoti to wo apni nakaami ki hi suchna dekar aur samay ki maang karti.
Uss samay Imran apne flat me akela tha. Rushy ko wo usi makaan ke niwasiyon ke baare me jaankari lene keliye highway11 par hi chhod aaya tha.
Kuchh der wo sochta raha phir Tanwir ke number dial kiye.
"Hello..." dusri taraf se awaaz aayi.
"X2..."
"Yes sir..."
"Saint Lawrance colony me ek building hai Deccan lodge.....tum sab uske aas paas phail jaao...jitni jaldi sambhav ho..."
"Kya Imran ko bhi suchna di jaaye sir...?"
"Nahin.....kewal apne sathiyon ko le jaao..."
"All right sir..."
Imran ne phone kaat diya. Usne abhi tak kapde change nahin kiye the. Mez ki daraaz khol kar usne revolver nikaala aur usay jeb me daalta hua flat se nikal aaya. Aur phir thodi hi der baad uski car saint Lawrance colony ki taraf jaa rahi thi.
Deccan Lodge is colony ki ek famous building thi. Buiding ke location ke anusar usay colony se baahar hi samajhna chaahiye kyonki uske aas paas aur koi imaarat nahin thi. Colony ki ghani aabadi se uska koi sambandh nahin tha lekin shayad daak ki sahulat ke kaaran usay bhi colony ka hi ek bhavan ghoshit kar diya gaya tha. Deccan Lodge ke aas paas vibhinn prakar ke phalon ke bagiche the......aur unka sambandh usi imarat se tha.
Imran ne thik imaarat hi ke saamne car rok di aur door hi se dekh liya tha ki main gate par ek bada sa taala latak raha tha. Imran ne chaaron taraf dekh kar ek lambi saans li......shayad abhi tak Tanwir aadi wahaan nahin pahuche the.
Wo car se utar kar imaarat ki taraf badha. Compound ke gate par ek chhota sa board laga hua tha jise Imran ne door se name plate samjha tha. Lekin nikat pahuchne par us par ye likha paaya...
"Kiraaye keliye khali"
Imran ne bura sa muhh bana kar sar ko jhatka.....3 din pahle to ye buiding aabad thi. Khud usne iski khidkiyon me kuchh videshiyon ko dekha tha.
Compound ka gate bhi band tha....lekin wahaan taala ki jagah mota sa taar lapet diya gaya tha. Imran ne taar ko khol kar gate ko dhakka diya.
Baahari gate se Bhawaan ke main gate ki doori adhik nahin thi. Wo baraamde me aaya......aur jhuk kar taala dekhne laga......jiski satah ekdam saaf thi......dhool gard bikul nahin pade huye the.
Usne khidkiyon ke sheeshon par bhi nazar daali.....wo bhi saaf suthre the.
"Duffer..." wo muskuraata hua barbadaaya. Phir usne bade aaram se ek khidki ka sheesha toda......aur hath bhitar daal kar bolt niche gira diya. Dono palle khul gaye. Khidki me salaakhen nahin thi. Isliye bhitar pahuchne me koi kathinaayi nahin huyi.
Wo ek bade kamre me tha. Ye shayad drawing-room tha. Yahaan bhi kisi chiz par Imran ko dust dikhayi nahin diya. Aisa lagta tha jaise aaj hi sab jagah achhi tarah safaayi ki gayi ho.
Wo aage badha. Raahdari bahut lambi thi. Donon taraf darwaaze the jo sabhi band the.
Imran ka vichar tha ki ek baar poori imaarat ka sarsari nirikshan kar le phir ek ek room ko dekhega.
Achanak kahin se kisi bhaari vastu ke girne ki aawaz aayi......aur sath hi usne halki si karaah bhi suni. Wo chalte chalte ruk gaya. Nishchit roop se wo kisi ke karaahne ki aawaz thi.
Imran aage badha. Aawaz phir aayi.....aur wo usi disha me chalta raha. Raahdari right side mud gayi thi. 3-4 kadam chalne ke baad usne khud ko ek bade se aangan me paaya.....jiske dusri taraf lagbhag 20 feet unchi diwaar thi.
Ek taraf ek shade tha.....jiske niche ek aurat kursi se bandhi huyi dikhayi di. Shayad aazad hone ke sangharsh me kursi ulat gayi thi. Aurat ka chehra dusri taraf tha......aur baar baar uske kanth se ghuti ghuti karaah nikal jaati thi.
Imran tezi se aage badha aur kursi utha kar sidhi kar di.
"Haayennn.....tummmm??" Usne hairat se kaha. Kyonki ye Juliana Fitzwater thi.....jiska muhh rumaal se jakad diya gaya tha.
"Ye kya hua?"
"Aaghh...ghaa.." Julia tezi se gardan jhatakni shuru kar di. Uski aankhon se gussa jhaank raha tha.
"Nahin bataao to....!" Imran ne murkhon ki tarah kaha. Julia ke muhh se phir ghuti ghti aawaz nikalne lagi.
"Ohh.....tauba taubaa....tum bataaogi bhi kaise.....tumhaare to muhh par patti bandhi huyi hai.......kaash sabhi auraton ke muhh par aise hi pattiyaan rahta...." Usne bokhla kar kaha aur rumaal ki girah kholne laga.
"Tumhen sharam nahin aati.....aise awasaron par bhi..." wo gusse se aage bol nahin pa rahi thi. Pata nahin aur bhi kya kya usko bakti rahi......aur Imran kisi aagyakari baalak ki tarah sar jhukaaye rassi ke bal kholta raha. Julia ki aankhen laal thin aur un me aansu bhi the.....aur gusse ki chingaariyaan bhi.
"Kis bedard ne tumhen yahaan bheja tha?" Imran ne thandi saans lekar kaha.
"Chalo....bekaar bakwaas na karo....yahaan se nikalna bhi aasan kaam na hoga. Wo baahar bagiche me maujood honge..."
"Kk....kon....arre baap re....main to yahaan apni bakri ka bachcha khojta hua aaya tha."
"Julia uski baat par dhyaan diye bina kahti rahi...."Yahaan aayi thi lekin unhone mujhe pakad kar rassi se baandh diya......aur aapas me baat karne lage ki ab kya karna chaahiye. Ek ne kaha ki abhi aur bhi aayenge......isliye makaan ko lock kar ke ham log baagh me chhup jaayen.....phir jab sab aa jaayen tab silencer yukt rifle se sab ko thikaane laga denge."
"Very good...." Imran sar hila kar bola...."Tum yahan aayi kyon thi?"
"Tum kyon aaye ho?" Julia chadh daudi.
"Main to is liye aaya tha ki imaarat ko kiraaya par le sakun.....baahar kiraaye par diye jaane keliye board laga hua hai."
"Mujhe X2 ne bheja tha aur mujhe vishwaas hai ki tum bhi uske aadesh par hi yahaan aaye hoge."
"Kya tum meri hi tarah yahaan prawesh ki thi?"
"Tum kaise aaye ho?"
"Kewal ek khidki ko thoda sa damage kar ke..."
"Main chechak ke teeke lagaane aayi thi."
"Really...?" Imran ne khush hokar kaha....."Ek mere bhi laga do......warna agar mere daddy ko chechak nikal aaye to main bemaut mar jaaunga......magar tum se kis ulloo ke chacha ne kaha tha ki tum chechak ke teeke lagaane chali aana. Yahaan ke muncipal hospitals me ek bhi videshi mahila nahin hai."
"Ab to galti ho hi gayi...."
"Agar un logon se bhi galti ho jaati.....to kya hota...." Imran dardnaak aawaz me bola.....phir gambhir swar me kaha..."Tum dino din adhik se adhik akalmand hoti jaa rahi ho.....anyway unki sankhya kitni thi?"
"Char aadmi the...." Julia bura sa muhh bana kar boli...."Lekin tum apna lahja thik karo.....kya main tumhari naukar hun....?"
"Nahin tum to lady Mcbeth ho....." Imran chidh kar bola..."Agar main X2 hota to...."
"Tum to bade genius ho..." Julia hath nacha kar boli...."Main kah rahi hun ki wo chaaron baagh me hi honge.....lekin tum samay barbad kar rahe ho..."
"Main iss samay walking ke mood me nahin hun....warna tumhen bhi baagh ki sair kara deta......ab chup raho.....chup chap baahar niklo. Meri car baahar khadi hai."
"Kya matlab?"
"Matlab ye ki wo car tab tak prize me nahin mil sakegi jab tak ki tum formally teeke lagaane ki training na le lo...."
"Main akeli nahin niklungi..."
"Kyon...?"
"Chalo..." Julia usay dhakelne lagi.
"Mera khayal hai ki secret service ke dusre rangroot bhi iss building baahar maujood honge. Tumhare choohe X2 ne mujh se yahi kaha tha......daro nahin......jaao.....meri gaadi le jaao......kya tumhen Shukraal ka Imran yaad nahin?"
Lekin Julia uski baaton par dhyan diye bina usay dhakelti huyi baahar le aayi.
"Kyon.....wo silence lagi rifles kahaan gayi?" Imran ne muskura kar puchha.
"Shukraal waale Imran ke kadam jahaan padte hain....."
Wo sentence poora nahin kar saki kyonki usne Tanwir aur dusre sathiyon ko pedon ke jhund se nikalte dekh liya tha. Wo tezi se uski taraf aa rahe the......jaise hi wo nikat aaye Julia ne puchha....
"Kya tum ne un chaaron ko dekha tha?"
"Kon?" Tanwir ne teekhe swar me puchha.....wo usay Imran ke sath dekh kar jhallaa gaya tha.
(........Jaari)
(Aage.....)
"Wahi chaar aadmi jo iss imaarat se nikle the."
"Ho sakta hai hamaari aankhen itni kamzor ho gayi hon ki chaar ke do dikhayi de rahe hon..." Tanwir ke swar me vyangya tha.
"Ek aur ek hamesha teen hote hain...." Imran shoonya me ghoorta hua barbaraaya. "Isay hamesha yaad rakhna."
Phir Julia se aadeshaatmak swar me bola...."Maine tum se kya kaha tha?"
Julia chup chaap baahari gate se nikal kar car me ja baithi.
"Ye car tumhari hai?" Captain Khawir ne Imran se puchha.
"Haan.....meri hai hai.....kyon?"
"Kahaan hath saaf kiya?"
"Towel me......waise mere hath har samay saaf rahte hain......aur daanton ki safaayi par bhi poora dhyan deta hun."
Julia car start kar ke dusri taraf mud gayi. Imran kah raha tha....."Khair...ab aao dekhen iss makaan ka kiraaya zyada to nahin hai?"
"Kya matlab?" Khawir aankhen nikaal kar bola..."Tum donon yahaan kya kar rahe the?"
"Santosh kar rahe the....waise hamaara vichaar tha ki agar yahaan is samay ham donon ke mummy aur papa bhi maujood rahte to kitna maza aata....." Imran ne kaha aur building ki taraf mud gaya.
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Rushy aankhen nikaale khadi thi......aur Imran iss tarah sar jhukaaye baitha tha jaise palken uthaate hi tadaak se ek thappad gaal par padega.
"Kya ye case tumhaare level ka hai?" Rushy gurraayi.
"Mere level ka to kuchh bhi nahin.....isi liye to aaj tak daddy ki chhat ke niche panaah na mil saki." Imran ne bharraayi huyi aawaz me kaha. Rushy aur adhik biphar gayi.
"Aray.....aray....ye tum kahaan ki baaten nikaal baithin? Report please....."
"Report.....? Report ye hai ki wo ek shareef family hai. Kisi ne uss bechari ko dhoka diya. Daily anginat auraten dhoke khaati rahti hain......mujhe vishwaas hai ki un donon me se kisi ne bhi bache ka gala na ghonta hoga. Ye kaam usi mard ki ho saka hai......jo midwife ko delivery karaane keliye le gaya tha...."
"Kya wo mard bhi wahaan tha?"
"Nahin.....wahaan koi mard permanent nahin rahta. Wo maa beti akeli hain."
"Mujhe bachche ya uski lash se koi matlab nahin hai...." Imran ne kaha....."Agar us suit-case se kutte ke pille ki lash bhi nikalti to main ye pata karne ka prayas zaroor karta ki iss pille ki maa kahaan paayi jayegi."
"Kya matlab?"
"Khopadi istemaal karo......aakhir wo suit-case videsh martalay ke office tak kaise jaa pahucha? Usay to kisi police station hi tak seemit rahna chaahiye tha. Pahle wo thaane pahucha tha......lekin wahaan kisi ne bhi usay kholne ki himmat nahin ki......phir wo videsh mantralay ke hawaale kar diya gaya."
"Ohh.....to wo suit-case..."
"Bahut importance rakhta hai.......lekin samajh me nahin aata ki in harkaton ka matlab kya hai."
"Main tum se puchhti hun ki iss bakwas ka kya matlab hai?"
"Suno.......really ye harkaten bahut vichitra hain...ki pichhle dinon ki baat hai.......ek aadmi Saint Lawrance colony ki ek building Deccan Lodge ke niche se guzar raha tha. Achanak koi chiz uske sar se takra kar door jaa giri.....ye kaagaz ki ek chhoti si pudiya thi. Swabhavik si baat thi....wo upar ki taraf dekhta. Usay sandeh hua ki wo pudiyaa Deccan Lodge ki kisi khidki se aayi thi. Usne pudiya uthaayi.....usay khol kar dekha......aur uski aankhen hairat se phail gayin. Ye ek anguthi thi jisne bada sa heera jhilmilaa raha tha. Aadmi imaandar tha. Usne uske liye Deccan Lodge ke niwaasiyon se sampark kiya. Lekin unhone uss anguthi ke baare me anbhigyata prakat ki. Us bechaare ka shak badhne laga. Usne socha ho sakta hai ki wo log usay kisi prakar ke jaal me phasaana chaahte hon......kyon ki us building ke nikat koi dusri building bhi nahin thi. Usne iss samassya par un logon se bahas karni chaahi. Lekin unhone usay dhakke dekar nikaal diya. Uski hairat badhti hi rahi. Usay poora vishwas tha ki anguthi Deccan Lodge se hi phenki gayi thi......is liye ab usne thaane ki raah li. Lekin tumhen ye sun kar aashcharya hoga ki wo anguthi bhi thaane se Videsh mantralay bhejwaa di gayi."
"Ohh......yaad aaya. Tum ne Julia ko us imaarat ki nigrani keliye phone kiya tha."
"Haan......uss se pahle hi police ne us building par chhaapa maara.......lekin koi safalta nahin mili. Kyonki buiding uss samay khaali thi......aur baahri gate par ek board laga hua tha jis par likha hua tha 'Kiraaye keliye khaali'. Police nakaam waapas aayi. Phir mujhe suchna mili ki building me koi kiraayadar aa gaya hai. Maine Julia ko inquiry keliye bheja."
"Aakhir tum apne mard staff se kaam kyon nahin lete?"
"Main vastav me un se badla leta hun. Kya wo pade pade mote aur aalsi nahin ho jaayenge? Agar wo mote aur aalasi huye to samajh lo unka future dark ho gaya...."
"Befizool bakwaas mat karo.....haan to jab tumne Julia ko bheja....."
"Haan.....to phir...." Imran ne ek lambi saans li aur wo sab kuchh bataane laga jo uski adheen staff Julia par beeti thi. Rushy hairat se sunti rahi. Imran chup hokar ek lambi saans li aur phir kahne laga.
"Lekin......khuda keliye abhi mujh se ye mat puchhna ki wo anguthi aur wo suit-case thaane se videsh mantralay me kyon bheje gaye....."
"Ye to tumhen bataana hi padega."
"Kabhi nahin.....tum khud pata karne ki koshish karo...."
"Achhi baat hai....." Rushy gusse me boli. "Kya tum mujhe gaaudi samajhte ho?"
"Ladki aur gaaudiiii?" Imran aankhen phaad kar bola....."Duniya ki har aurat gaaudii hone ke siwaa sab kuchh ho sakti hai. Aurat se adhik chalaak praani prithwi par dusra nahin. Arre yahi kya kam hai.....ki usne bade bade buddhimaanon ko apne gaaudii(Moorkh) hone ka vishwaas dilaaya. Kewal isliye ki zimmedariyon se chhutkaara mila rahe. Aurat uss samay bhi buddhimaan thi jab aadmi ped-podhon ki jaden khod kar apna pet bharta tha. Sau mard me kam se kam das mard stupid hote hain. Lekin agar tum 500 auraton me se aadhi moorkh aurat bhi nikaal sako to Ali Imran M Sc, Ph D. Gurdaspuri uss se shadi kar lega......aadhi hi sahi aur kya?"
"Samaapt huyi bakwaas ya abhi aur hai?"
"Kyon?"
"Agar wo suit-case aur anguthi aise hi hangaamedaar saabit hone waale the to iss tarah pheke kyon gaye?"
"Good...! Aur tab bhi tum kahti ho ki main tum se shadi kar lun?"
"Kab kaha maine....?" Rushy mez se rool utha kar uski taraf jhapti.
"Arrrrr....hupppp.....ss...suno to sahi.....kisi aur ne kaha hoga....main bhul bhi to jaata hun...." Imran ne mez ki dusri taraf chhalaang lagaayi.
Rool mez par pada. Imran door khada muhh bana raha tha. Rushy jahaan thi wahin rahi lekin usko kahar barsaane waali nigaahon se ghoorti rahi.
"Ab dekho na...." Wo dukhi swar me bola...."Aisi hi ghatnaayen mujhe udaas kar deti hain aur main udaasi ki haalat me sitaar bajaana shuru kar deta hun."
"Hath laga kar dekho sitaar ko.....kya hashar karti hun...."
"Agar ye baat hai to main koshish karunga ki udaas na hone paaun." Imran ne thandi saans lekar kaha.
Next
"Aadmi bano.....warna main tumhaara jeewan nark kar doongi."
"Nahin......tum mera jeewan nark nahin kar sakti......waise bahut jaldi ye filmi geet mujhe nishchit roop se maut ke ghat utaar dega........
"Mera naam Abdul rahman,
Piste waala main hun pathaan...."
Rushy kuchh kahne waali thi ki phone jaag utha....Imran ne receiver uthaya. Dusri taraf se Juliana Fitzwater hello hello kar rahi thi.
"Hello......main hi hun."
"Imran...kya main tumhari gaadi police ke hawaale kar dun?"
"Kyon kya wo tum se tumhaare khandan ke baare me puchhne lagi hai?"
"Nahin.......ab tum se puchhegi aur tum apne baap ka naam bhi nahin bata sakoge."
"Chalo jaldi kaho.....kya kahna hai........mere paas abhi tame nahin hai...."
"Achha to suno....tumhari gaadi me plastic ka ek bada sa thaila pada hua hai."
"Haaiinnn.....tum meri saari moong-phaliyaan to nahin kha gayi?"
"Ghabraao nahin......abhi tumhari akal apni satah par aa jaayegi." Julia ne tez lahje me kaha. "Uss thaile me se aadmi ka sar mila hai...."
"Main uss gadhe ko goli maarrrr......aann.....kyaaa??? Kya kaha tumne?"
"Ek aadmi ka sar jiss se taaza taaza khoon tapak raha hai."
"Khuda raham kare......kya tum sach kah rahi ho?"
"Kya tum aa rahe ho?" Julia ne shushk lahje me kaha.
"Agar tum ek murkh ko aur adhik murkh banaane ka iraada nahin rakhtin to aana hi padega...."
"Tumhen vishwaas nahin hua? OK.....to ab tumhen police station se hi sushna milegi."
"Ruko......mere khayal se tum iss baare me X2 se bhi baat kar lo....Julia....paristhiti aisi ban gayi hai ki meri car se gadhe ka sar bhi nikal sakta hai."
"Achha.....main usay phone karti hun...."
Dusri taraf se phone kat gaya aur jaldi hi Suleman ne suchna diya ki private phone ki ghanti baj rahi hai.
Ek baar phir Julia ki aawaz sunaayi di. Usne apni poori kahani sunaane ke baad kaha...."Jab main ghar pahuch kar car se utar hi rahi thi tab pichhli seat par ek poly bag dikhayi diya......mujhe kuchh ajeeb sa laga isliye maine usay utha kar dekha. Us me kisi aadmi ka sar tha aur kuchh khoon. Aisa lag raha hai ki sar ko dhad se alag huye adhik der nahin guzri...."
"Achha.....uss sar ki tasweer lekar usay secret service ki taraf se police ke hawaale kar do..."
"Kya Imran ko iss case ke baare me adhik jaankari hai?"
"Nishchit hai.....agar ye baat na hoti to wo tumhari sahayata ko kaise pahuchta.......tum uski chinta mat karo......abhi jo kuchh kaha jaaye karti raho...."
"All right sir...."
Phone kat gaya. Rushy jo iss se pahle bhi iss baat chit ka kuchh bhag sun chuki thi Imran ke sar par sawaar ho gayi. Imran jaldi me tha......isliye bataana hi pada. Lekin wo is par taiyar nahin hua ki Rushy bhi uske sath jaayegi. (Aage.........)
"Stove me tel nahin hai."
"Main jhapat kar tel le aaunga."
"Chai ki pattiyaan bhi na hongi.....aaj tees tarikh hai."
"Tel ke sath chaipatti bhi le aaunga."
"Ohho....main bhool hi gayi....stove bhi kharab ho gaya hai."
"Main chai ki pattiyaan chaba kar upar se doodh ka glass chadha lunga......tum bekaar chinta karti ho."
"Chai nahin milegi." Julia jhunjlaa gayi.
"Tum koshish to karo....awashya milegi.....Nepolian ki maa ne kaha tha ki duniya me koi baat asambhav nahin...."
"Nepolian ki maa hi tumhen chai bhi pilaayegi."
"Haayenn....nahiiinnn...." Imran harsh mishrit chakit swar me kaha...."Ye to very good news hai.....kya Nepolian hi naam rakhogi...?"
Julia jhenp gayi aur paper weight utha kar khadi hoti huyi boli..."Bas chale hi jaao yahaan se warna achha nahin hoga..."
"Aray.....aray.....kya matlab?"
"Matlab ye ki tumhaara sar phaad dungi. Jaao yahaan se."
Imran achanak gambheer ho gaya aur rundhe huye swar me bola..."Main chai nahin piyunga....mummy kahti hain ki chai peene se pet kharab ho jaata hai. Aur kahin se vida hone me jaldi karne se kabhi kabhi hath pair toot jaate hain."
"Nahin.....tumhen jaana padega."
"Ye bhi sambhav hai...." Imran ne gambhirta se kaha..."Lekin isi shart pe ki tum har daswen minut par Chauhan ko print keliye phone karo. Main un tasweeron ke print liye bina nahin jaaunga. Agar adhik bore karogi to main tumhare choohe X2 ko bore karunga..."
Julia baith gayi lekin aankhon me gussa ab bhi dikhayi de raha tha. Imran ko aise ghoor rahi thi jaise kachcha hi chaba jaayegi. Imran chewingum ka packet phaadne laga aur uske chahre par murkhta ke bhav paida ho chuke the. Next
"Uski har chiz par isi tarah ki tasweer ho thi sirjee..."
"Ohh....kya aap mujhe uski koi aisi chiz dikha sakti hain jis par naag ka chitra ho......matlab iss suit case ke alaawa....."
"Sorry.....main aisi koi chiz na dikha sakungi......kyonki wo apni ek ek chiz samet kar le gaya hai."
"Waise do ek chiz ka naam to bata hi sakti hain jin par aisi tasweer thin..."
Aurat kuchh der sochti rahi phir boli...."Ek to anguthi thi.....wo bhi naag ki shakal ki thi. Matlab aisa lagta tha jaise naag ne apni puchh ko mod kar muhh me daba liya ho....uss naag ke sar par ek bada sa heera tha."
"Hunnn....." Imran jeb me hath daalta hua bola "Mere paas bhi ek aisi hi anguthi hai.......kahin wo aapke damaad ki to nahin....?"
"Laaiye dekhun..." Aurat bechaini bhare andaz me boli. Imran ne anguthi uski taraf badha di.
"Ekdam......bilkul...." Aurat joshile swar me boli. "Ye anguthi usi ki hai.....kya aapke paas platinum ka wo cigerette-case bhi hai......jis par naag ka chitra hai?"
"Dhiraj....dhiraj..." Imran uth kar bola. "Laaiye anguthi mujhe dijiye.....haan thik.....thanks. Ab ye bataaiye aapki ladki ka marriage certificate kahaan hai?"
"cc....certificate....!" aurat haklaayi.
"Nahin hai....." Imran dhire se bola. "Phir iss murkhta ki kya zarurat thi? Tum ne bachche ki gumshudgi ki report kyon darj karaayi?"
Aurat ka chehra peela pad gaya tha.....aur wo buri tarah haanf rahi thi. Uske hont hile zaroor lekin aawaz nahin nikli.
"Bolo.....jawaab do....iski kya zaroorat thi......tumhare padosiyon tak ko tumhare kisi damaad ke baare me pata nahin...."
Aurat thodi der chup rahi phir boli..."Majburiyaan sab kuchh kara deti hai sir..." "Chalo....main maanta hun iss baat ko...."
"Lekin shadi huyi thi sir..."
"Certificate..."
"Certificate bhi usi ke paas hai."
"Lekin tumhare padosi ko pata nahin ki tumhari beti shadi shuda hai..."
"Haann....sach much sab anbhigya honge..." aurat ne bharraaye huye swar me kaha.
"Phir kya baat hai....baat ko badhaaye bina kam se kam shabdon me bayaan karo....police ko shak hai ki tum unhen dhoka dene ki koshish kar rahi ho..."
"Ye shadi ek majboori ke kaaran huyi thi." Aurat ne thandi saans lekar kaha. "Donon kewal dost the. Ek din mujhe pata chala ki meri beti kewal usi haalat me izzat ke sath zinda rah sakti hai agar dono shadi kar len......warna kuchh hi dinon me unki galti sab ke saamne ujaagar ho jaati. Maine badi mushkilon se Arther ko shadi ke liye raazi kiya. Lekin wo yahaan hamaare sath nahin rahta tha. Marriage certificate bhi usne apne paas hi rakha. Aur shadi se pahle usne ye shart rakhi thi ki atyant aawashyak hone par hi wo shadi ko open karega. Warna hamen iss sambandh me khamosh hi rahna hoga. Ladki shadi ke 3 mahine baad se hi kahin aana jaana aur kisi se bhi milna band kar di. Aisi haalat me usay yahi karna tha. Arther kahta tha ki ek majboori ke kaaran apni shadi ko gupt rakh raha hai. Majboori ye bataayi ki iss shadi se ek aise wsiyat-naama par bura prabhav pad sakta hai jis se wo do saal baad ek bahut badi sampatti ka maalik ho jaayega. Lekin......" wo thandi saans lekar chup ho gayi.
"Yess.....bayaan jaari rakho..." Imran ne ghadi ki taraf dekhte huye kaha.
"Bachche ke janm waali raat wo bachcha samet gayab ho gaya. Uska ye suit case bhi yahin tha.....lekin dusri subah nahin mila...."
"Kya delivery waali raat wo yahin soya tha?"
"Jee haan....pahli baar.....aur apne sath ye suit case bhi laaya tha. Us par bhi naag ka chitra dekh kar mujhe badi hairat huyi thi."
"Waise to kabhi kabhi wo yahaan aata hi raha hoga.."
"Ji haan....aata tha. Aur ladki ke liye jo paise deta tha wo bade logon jaise the...."
"Khud wo kahaan rahta tha?"
"wo hamesha yahi kahta tha ki uska jahaan bhi niwaas hota hai.....temporary hota hai. Waise do saal baad wo shahar ki kayi badi badi buildings ka maalik ho jaayega. Lekin sir aap iss tarah uske baare me chhan been kar rahe hain jaise uske baare me pahle hi se bahut kuchh jaante hain.."
"Anawashyak baato se parhez karo....main tumhari ladki se bhi milna chaahta hun...."
"Usay bahut tez bukhaar hai aur uski maansik sthiti par bharosa nahin kiya jaa sakta."
"Main usay dekhna chaahta hun." Imran ne dhire se kaha. "Rahi baat maansik sthiti ki to mujhe tumhaari maansik sthiti bhi bharosemand nahin lagti..."
"Na ho..." Aurat jhunjlaa gayi. "Ab to jo kuchh hua hai....bhugatna hi padega. Lekin wo kamina iss layak hai ki bich chauraahe par goli maar di jaaye. Ek din ke bachche ko iss tarah utha le gaya. Chaliye uss abhaagin ko bhi dekh lijiye.....jiske kaaran ye din dekhna par raha hai."
Imran uth gaya....Wo usay ek kamre me laayi. Uski ladki bekhabar so rahi thi......aur uska chehra tamtamaaya hua tha. Tez fever ke lakshan the. Imran usay kuchh der dekhta raha.....phir kamre par sarsari nigaah daalta hua baahar nikal gaya. Donon phir drawing room me aaye.
Ishwar ke liye mujhe bataaiye.....kya bachche ka suraag mil gaya hai?" Aurat ne vyakulta se puchha. "Agar bachcha na mila to wo mar jaayegi."
"Baith jaaiye..." Imran hath utha kar bola. "Kya aap uski koi tasweer de sakti hain?" "Tasweer...? Uss kambakht ne aaj tak meri beti ki ye ichha poori nahin ki. Wo chaahti thi ki kam se kam ek photo uske saath khichwaaye......lekin wo hamesha taalta raha. Ab mahsoos ho raha hai ki wo pakka frod tha. Aap kisi bhi tarah uss bachche ko talash kijiye sir."
"Tasweer bhi nahin mil sakegi..." Imran ne nirasha vyakt karte huye kaha.
"Achha....kewal uska huliya hi bata do. Naam kya tha? Aur uske kisi dost ko to zaroor jaanti hogi."
"Usne apna naam Mac Arther bataya tha. Ham uske kisi dost ko nahin jaante. Wo madhyam kad aur mazboot shareer ka aadmi hai. Rangat gori aur muchhen brown rang ki.....baayen gaal par laal rang ka bada sa til."
"Ohh...." Imran ne apni hairat par kaabu paane ki koshish ki.....phir jaldi se bola....."Uske niwas ka pata bataao. Main koshish karunga ki bachcha waapas aa sake."
"Kya wo abhi tak aapke hath nahin laga? Phir ye suit case?"
"Meri baat ka jawaab dijiye....main uska pata chaahta hun. Aap kisi aise aadmi se apni beti shadi nahin kar sakti jiska pata maloom nahin ho. Duniya ki koi ladki bhi is par taiyar nahin hogi."
"Main kab kahti hun ki mujhe uske thikaane ka pata nahin maloom. Sab se pahle main wahin gayi thi. Lekin jab wahaan taala laga dekha to iske alawa aur koi upaaye samajh me nahin aaya ki police ko iski suchna de dun."
"Lekin........thahariye......kya yahi bayan aap ne police ko bhi diya hai?"
"Nahin.......main bahut adhik gusse me thi......aur mujhe apne upar kaabu paana mushkil ho raha tha. Isliye maine bahut hi galat salat baaten report me likhwa di hai. Lekin ab majburi-wash usi par kayam hun......bayan kaise badal sakti hun."
"Phir mujh se sachi baat kaise kah di?"
"Kisi na kisi se sach bolna hi padta hai.......aur na jaane kyon mujhe mahsoos hota hai ki aap aam police waalon ki tarah rude nahin hain."
"Main unse bhi adhik rude hun. Haan wo kon si baaten tum ne report me galat darj karaayi hai?"
"Yahi ki wo mere sath hi rahta tha. Maine ye nahin bataaya ki shadi kin paristhiti me huyi."
"Lekin agar police padosiyon se puchh taachh kar baithi to?"
"Kah to rahi hun ki uss samay mera dimaag lagbhag aape se baahar tha. Main kewal ye chaahti thi ki iss apradh ki usay adhik se adhik saza mil sake. Maine to apni report me ye bhi likhwaaya hai ki wo mere ghar se pachaas hazaar rupiye bhi chura kar le gaya hai.......Ab aap mujhe bataaiye ki main iss baare me aur kya karun?"
"Main bataaunga.....lekin tumhen sab se pahle apni ladki ki khabar leni chaahiye.....wo bahut adhik beemar lag rahi hai."
"Arthik sthiti aisi nahin ki main usay kisi hospital me bharti karaa sakun."
"Aarthik shrot kya hai tumhaara?" Imran usay ghoorta hua bola.
"Kuchh paitrik makaanon ka kiraaya......jo itna adhik nahin hota ki ham vastav me khush-haal zindagi guzaar saken."
"Chinta mat karo...." Imran sar hila kar bola. "Main uski dekh bhaal keliye ek angloindian nurse bhej dunga.......wo tum se kuchh nahin maangegi. Usay samaaj sewa ka shauk hai."
"Arre......aap kahan kasht karenge."
"Nahin.....mujhe tum logon se sahanubhuti hai. Lekin tum ab apna muhh band hi rakhna. Iss suit case ya un chizon ki charcha to bilkul nahin hone paaye jin par tum ne naag ki tasweer dekhi hai."
"Police waale agar puchhen?"
"Main police hi ke baare me kah raha hun."
"Kyon? Aapka sambandh police se nahin hai?" Aurat ne hairat se kaha.
"Khufiya police....kya tum ne nahin dekha ki wo sub inspector mujh se baaten kar raha tha?"
"Ji haan.....ji haan..."
"Bas ab uske thikaane ka pata bataao." Imran wrist watch dekhta hua bola. "5-Gresham street...."
Imran ne naam aur pata note kar liya.
"Achha....nurse do ghante ke bhitar hi pahuch jaayegi." Usne kaha aur waapasi ke liye uth gaya. Aurat uske sath darwaaze tak aayi.
Phir Imran ne pahle milne waale telephone booth se apne flat ke number dial kiye. Rushy maujood thi. Usne kaha....."Kyon Rushy.....tumhen us pariwar se hamdardi hai naa?"
"Haan....bilkul."
"Achha to suno. Wo donon auraten ya to pakki frod hain ya 100% innocent. Agar wo masoom hain to samajh lo ki unki zindagiyaan bhi khatre me hain."
"Main samjhi nahin."
"Samjhaane ke liye samay nahin hai. Tum wahaan turant pahuch jaao. Tumhen ek nurse ki haisiyat se us ladki ki dekh bhal karni hai......lekin apna pistal sath me rakhna mat bhoolna."
"Kya unhen pata hai ki main nurse ki haisiyat se wahaan thahrungi?"
"Haan....unhen maloom hai. Bas tum itna hi kah dena ki jachcha ki dekh bhaal keliye aayi ho.....lekin tum kewal nurse hi rahogi......kuchh puchh tachh nahin karogi......bas apni aankhen khuli rakhna."
Imran ne aage ki bahas aur takraar se bachne keliye jaldi se phone kaat diya. Ab uski car usi mid wife ke makaan ki taraf jaa rahi thi jisne delivery karaayi thi.
Wo ghar par hi mili aur Imran ki shakal dekhte hi uska rang peela pad gaya. Imran ne jeb se wo tasweer nikaali jiske liye wo Julia ko kaafi der tak bore karta raha tha. Usi kate huye sar ki tasweer jo uski car me mila tha.
"Ohh......ji haan..." Maai Jagu sar hila kar boli. "Ye wahi aadmi hai jo delivery karaane keliye mujhe le gaya tha."
"Pahchaanne me dhoka to nahin kha rahi?" Imran ne puchha.
"Nahin sahab......yehi tha."
"Uski muchhen kis rang ki thin?"
"Waisi hi jaisi angrezon ki hoti hain.....halka baadami....."
"Aur koi khas baat?"
"Khaas baat kya?"
"Chehre par koi aisa nishaan jo alag se hi dikhta ho"
"Nishan to nahin tha.....haan.....laal rang ka ek ubhra hua til tha....bada sa."
"Achha.....shukriya.....ho sakta hai ki mujhe phir tumhari zarurat pade."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kuchh der baad Imran Gesham street me ghus raha tha. Car usne bahut door hi chhod di thi aur paidal chal raha tha. Pachwen makaan ki diwaar par Mc Arther ke naam ka name-plate laga hua tha. Lekin makaan me taala laga hua tha. Imran ne apni chaal tez kar di. Wo jaldi se jaldi kisi aisi jagah pahuch jaana chaahta tha jahaan telephone mil sake.
Usne ek medicene store se black zero ko call kiya.
"Black zero......tum X2 ki haisiyat se mere adheen sathiyon ko nirdesh do ki wo Gresham street ke pachwen makaan ki nigraani karen. Makaan par Mac Arther ka name plate laga hua hai......aur makaan me taala laga hua hai. Agar koi aadmi us makaan me ghusne ki koshish kare to uski bhi nigraani ki jaaye."
"All right sir........kitne aadmiyon ko is kaam par lagaaya jaaye?"
"Meri samajh se teen kaafi honge.....tum Safdar, Nomani aur Chauhan ko is kaam par laga sakte ho........haan koi nayi khabar?"
"No sir......abhi to koi nayi suchna nahin hai."
Imran ne phone d/c kar diya.
Suraj doob chuka tha. Imran apne flat me waapas aa gaya. Uske dimaag me ek saath kayi baaten chakra rahi thin. Ab ye maamla achha khaasa puzzle ban gaya tha.
"Wo victim jis ka sar uski car me paaya gaya tha, ab clear tha ki wo budhi aurat ka damaad tha. Shadi rahassmayi dhang se huyi thi. Delivery waali raat ko wo pahli baar budhi ke ghar me thahra tha......aur apne sath ek suit case laaya tha jis par naag ka chitra bana hua tha. Subah budhi ne usko suit case aur bachcha samet gayab paya. Usi din usi suit case me bachche ki lash mili. Arthaat wo suit case budhi ke ghar isi liye laaya gaya tha ki bachche ki lash usme rakh kar kisi public place par daal di jaaye.
Budhi ka statement tha ki uske paas ek aisi anguthi bhi thi jiski banawat naag ki si thi. Usne aise hi ek cigerette case ki bhi charcha kiya jis par naag ka chitra bana hua tha. Anguthi aur suit case rahassyamayi dhang se police tak pahuch chuke the lekin cig case baaki tha.
Ye sab kya tha? Phir wo aadmi bhi maar daala gaya jiske kabze me ye teenon chizen thin. Shayad wo un chizon se chhutkaara paana chaahta tha. Warna wo aise vichitra paristhitiyon me police tak kaise pahuchtin? Lekin uski hatya kisne kar diya......hatya ka kaaran???
Achanak private phone ki ghanti baji. Imran dusre kamre me aaya.
"Hello..."
"Julia sir...."
"Yes....?"
"Shahar ke vibhinn bhagon se teen sar aur mile hain."
"Kya tum ne unhen dekha hai?"
"Ji haan..........aur ye sar unhin chaar aadmiyon me se teen ke hainjinhone mujhe uss building ke qaid kiya tha."
"Ek aur pechidgi...."
"Kyaa.....?"
"Kuchh nahin..." Imran ne kaha aur phone kaat diya.Phir Sir Sultan ke number dial kiye aur unhen un teen saron ke baare me suchit karte huye kaha ki usay un ke photographs chaahiye.
'Wo chaar aadmi' Imran sochne laga. Jinhone Julia ko uss imaarat me baandha tha......aur usay wahin chhod kar bhaag gaye the. Kya wo bhi usi aadmi se sambandh rakhte the jiska sar us car me paaya gaya tha.......aur us aadmi ka sambandh to us imaarat se saaf prakat tha kyonki wo anguthi usi imaarat se pheki gayi thi. Lekin uska sar uski car me kyon daal diya gaya? Kya uske hatyaare wahi chaaro aadmi the jinhone Julia ko qaid kiya tha. Magar un me se teen aadmiyon ka hatyaara kon hai tha?
Imran ne jaeb se chewingum ka packet nikaala aur usay phaadne hi jaa raha tha ki uska naukar Suleman aakar uske saamne khada ho gaya.
"Kya baat hai?" Imran ne daant kar puchha.
"Mangal ki aath tareekh ko maine aap se jo 500 rupiye karz liye the wo waapas kar dijiye...."
"Abhi kuchh nahin milega.....dafa ho jaao..."
"Nahin sahab.....main to le kar rahunga. Aaj mausam bahut suhaana hai. Aap hi ki izzat badhti hai. Pichhli raat main aapka dinner suit pahan kar chandu-khaana gaya tha. Jisne dekha bas dekhta hi rah gaya. Phir sab ne thandi saansen li.......aur kaha.....haan bhai. Bade aadmi ke naukar bhi bade hi hote hain."
"Mera dinner suit pahan kar chandu-khana gaya tha?" Imran ne hairat se aankhen phaad kar kaha.
"Ji haan......aur aaj kisi bar me jaaunga. Dinner suit pahan kar mujh se to desi nahin pi jaayegi."
"Abbe hosh me hai yaa nahin?"
"Ji haan.....abhi to hosh hi me hun......aaj cream colour waala suit pahnunga."
"Aye Suleman ke bachche.....maarte maarte khaal gira doonga. Tu mere suit pahna karta hai....."
"Kya karun sarkar.......majburi hai. Agar na pahnu to ye kaise pata chalga ki main Imran sahab ka naukar hun?"
"Chaahe Imran sahab langoti hi kyon na lagaaye phiren...."
"Ye to aur bhi tareef ki baat hai. Log kahenge......ye wo bada aadmi hai....jo khud to langoti lagaaye phirta hai......lekin uske naukar governer general lagte hain."
"Sach much?" Imran ne khush ho kar kaha.
"Ji haan..."
"Achha.....tab tu langoti laga kar phira kar.......main khud ko tera naukar ghoshit kar doonga." Imran ne sar hila kar kaha.
"500 rupiye sahab.....chaahe kuchh ho jaaye."
"Haaiinnn......abhi tune kya kaha tha......bar me jaaunga. Abbe kya sharab peene laga hai?"
"Sharab nahin to kya charas pitunga sahab? Aap jaise bade aadmi ka naukar aur charas?" "eek"
"Suleman..."
"Ji sahab...."
"Ek taang par..."
"Arre baap re...." Suleman ek taang par khada hota hua karaaha.
"Ek ghante ki...."
"Aray mar gayaaaa...."
"Suleman...."
"Ji sahab...."
"Agar ek ghanta se pahle dusri taang zameen par rakhi to saari zindagi ek hi taang par khada rahna padega."
"Maine aap se jo 500 rupiye karz liye the......kal waapas kar dunga."
"Kal nahin abhi....isi samay.....abbe o kabutar ke patthe.....hamen koi marwaadi seth samjha hai?"
"Nahin saahab.....aap to din raat bhooke rahte hain..."
"Taang giraao...."
Suleman ne dusri taang bhi zameen par rakh di. Phir turant bola..."Sahab 500."
"Abbe.....aadmi hai ya bater...abhi tu ne kaha tha ki aap din raat bhooke marte hain."
"Ab ye to aap ki aadat thahri.....jeb me hazaar hazaar ke note thoonse rah kar bhooke marte hain......to main kya kar sakta hun......bass kabhi 500 maang liye kabhi hazaar....."
"Shaam ke khaane me kya hai?"
"Nargisi kofte...."
"Khamosh......khamosh......agar tu ne koi she'r padha to sar tod dunga.......namak haraam. Mujhe ulloo samajhta hai......sher sunaata hai."
"Sher kab suna raha tha sahab?"
"Phir ye nargisi wargisi kya tha?"
"Nargisi kofte...."
"Oh my god...." Imran aankhen phaad kar bola. "Ye haandiyon me kab se shayari chal padi hai? Abbe dekh........agar tu ne mujhe kabhi nargisi kofte ya bulbul ke pankh ki tarkaari khilaayi to turant dismiss kar ke Tandola paar bhijwaa dunga. Kya samjhe?"
"Kuchh nahin samjha......ab aap mujhe phaansi de dijiye."
"Abbe.....kabhi 500 rupiye maangta hai kabhi phaansi.....tera wo to nahin chal gaya......kya kahte hain usay bol...."
"Khota sikkaa......ji haan chal gaya tha.....lekin sahab 500 rupiye...."
"Tu bahut bada kharcheela ho gaya hai......main teri shadi kara dunga."
"Nahin....aap kewal 500 de dijiye.....shadi par iss se adhik laagat aayegi."
"Dafa ho jaao...." Imran ne jeb se 500 ke do note nikaal kar uske muhh par phekte huye kaha.
"Bass ek kaafi hai."
"Nahin.......donon...." Imran aankhen nikaal kar bola.
"Badi musibat hai. Kis janjaal me phans gaya...." Suleman bura sa muhh bana kar bola...."Maangunga ek to milenge do......mujh se aap ki naukari nahin ho sakegi sahab."
"Sirf ek saal aur nikaal de Suleman pyare.....agar ek ke chaar milen tab bhi santosh kar aur ek ke aath mile tab bhi khoon ke ghoont pi kar sabar kar......upar waala sab dekh raha hai. Shayad uske baad mujhe hi teri naukari karni pade."
Suleman thandi saans lekar chala gaya.
Thodi der baad private phone ki ghanti baji. Imran ne uth kar receiver uthaaya. "Hello."
"Black zero sir.........us makaan ki nigraani ho rahi hai. Abhi tak kisi ne bhi usme ghusne ki koshish nahin ki hai. Taala waise hi latak raha hai."
"Very good. Main thik 11 baje usme prawesh karunga."
"Kya main bhi rahun sath?"
"Sirf tum.....11 baje se 15 minut pahle unhen wahaan se hata dena."
"Ok sir...."
Imran ne phone kaat kar receiver rakh diya.
*********************
Gresham street sunsaan ho gayi thi. Imran tahalta hua 5th makaan ke nikat aaya. Black zero pahle hi se wahaan tha. Imran ne jeb se patla se koi auzaar nikaala aur taala par jhuk pada. Taala kholne me usne kuchh second se adhik samay nahin liya.
"Aao..." Wo dhire se bola aur black zero ne uske baad imaarat me prawesh kiya aur darwaaza ko dhire se band kar ke bolt laga diya.
Lekin Imran iss prakaar thithak gaya jaise kisi jaanwar ki tarah khatre ki mahak soongh liya ho.
"Kya baat hai?" Black zero ne dhire se puchha.
"Iss andhere kamre me kisi kaali billi ki talash hai."
Black zero iss par kuchh nahin bola. Lekin wo Imran ki yogyataaon se achhi tarah awagat tha......aur phir achanak uske bhi kaan khade ho gaye. Usne bhi yahi mahsoos kiya ki wahaan un donon ke alaawa bhi koi maujood hai. Imran ne uska hath pakad kar khicha.........aur wo donon diwaar se jaa sate.
"Chik.....chik...." Awaaz phir aayi.
Lekin iss baar uski disha badli huyi thi. Balck zero ne bhi mahsus kiya. Jeb me pade huye revolver ke daste par uski pakad mazbut hoti rahi. Imran ka hath uske kandhe par tha. Achanak aisa laga jaise koi bhaari wastu zamin par giri ho. Uske baad hi ek halki si cheekh bhi kisi band kamre me ghut kar rah gayi.
"Aao..." Imran dhire se bola. Usne ek chhoti si torch nikaal li thi......jiski seemit raushni me wo aage badhe. Imran ne darwaaze ka handle ghumaaya. Ye darwaaz locked nahin tha. Ek jhatke ke sath usay khol kar wo aage hi badhta raha. Raahdari chhoti si thi. Jisme donon taraf chaar kamre the. Unke darwaaze khule huye the. Wo un me torch ki raushni daalta jaa raha tha. Raahdari ki samaapti ek darwaaze par huyi thi aur ye darwaaza bhi band tha. Imran ruk gaya. Darwaaze ki jhiri se raushni dikhayi de rahi thi. Imran ne torch bujha di thi. Uski aankh darwaaze ki jhiri se jaa lagi. Bhitar do aadmi dikhayi diye. Ek farsh par chit pada dusre ko bebasi se dekh raha tha......aur dusra aadmi jo uske sameep hi kursi par baitha usay ghoor raha tha. Kursi par baitha vyakti aadmi se adhik koi gorilla lag raha tha. Uska kad mushkil se 5 feet raha hoga. Lekin phailaao bahut adhik tha. Sar se pair tak kaale rang ke chust kapdon me tha. Aisa lag raha tha jaise poore shareer par kaala kapda mandh diya gaya ho.
Chehra bhi usi me chhup kar rah gaya tha. Kewal aankhon ki jagah do chhed the. Kamre me dusri taraf ek khidki thi......jo khuli huyi thi......aur prakat tha ki uski salaakhen nikaal kar bhitar aane ka raasta banaaya gaya hoga. Kayi mudi tudi salaakhen kamre ke farsh par padi huyi thin.
"Utho...." Achanak gorilla jaisa aadmi gurraaya.
Wo aadmi chup chaap farsh se uth gaya.
"Darwaza kholo..." Gorille ne kaha. "Dusre kamre me chalo.......tum se bahut si baaten karni hain. Lekin itna samajh lo ki tum yahaan se uss samay tak nahin nikal sakoge jab tak main na chaahun...."
Imran ne black zero ka hath pakd kar kheecha aur donon badi tezi se chalte huye dusre sire ke kamre me chale gaye. Imran uski khidki ke paas hi ruk kar raahdari ke andhere me aankh phaadta raha.
Tabhi darwaaza khulne ki aawaz aayi lekin us kamre ki raushni bujha di gayi thi. Imran kewal kadmon ki aawazen sunta raha. Phir shayad usi kamre ke barabar waale kamre hi me un aawazon ki samaapti ho gayi. Raushni ka ek bada sa dhabba raahdari me dikhayi dene laga. Us kamre ka bulb jalaaya gaya tha.
Imran aur black zero dabe paaon kamre se nikle. Raushni waale kamre ki khidki band hi thi. Imran ek baar phir uski jhiri se jhaank raha tha.
Gorilla jaisa aadmi chair par baitha hua tha. "Haan....tum yahaan is samay kya kar rahe the?"
"Ch....ch....chori karne aaya tha." Dusra aadmi haklaaya.
"Aaye kidhar se the.....gate to locked tha."
"Barabar waale makaan ki chhat se..."
"Chori karne aaye the to karo chori......main bhi tumhaara hath bataaunga." Gorilla bola.
"Mm....maaf kar dijiye sahab....dubaara aisi galati nahin hogi."
"Tum gadhe ho..." Gorilla hans pada. "Main bhi chor hun aur khidki tod kar bhitar aaya hun."
Dusra aadmi kuchh na bola. Achanak gorilla krodh bhare swar me gurraya..."Agar tum apna muhh na khologe to tumhaara bhi wahi anjaam hoga jo tumhaare chaar sathiyon ka ho chuka hai."
"Main nahin samjha..."
"Kya tum Arther ke saathiyon me se nahin ho?"
"Nahin sir......main kisi Arther ko nahin jaanta hun..."
"Achhi baat hai to ab tum chori shuru kar do. Main dekhunga ki tum kya churaane aaye ho."
"Mujhe jaane dijiye..." Usne bhaybheet swar me kaha.
"Nahin.....achha hoga ki tumhaara sar bhi....."
"Nahiiiinnn....." Wo aadmi dono hath phaila kar cheekha.
"Naqaab..." Imran ne ekdam dhimi aawaz me kaha. Black zero ne jeb se naqaab nikaal kar chehre par chadha li. Imran bhi naqaab laga chuka tha.
Kamre ke bhitar dari dari si cheekhen goonjne lagin. Gorilla jaisa aadmi apne dono hath phailaaye dhire dhire dusre aadmi ki taraf badh raha tha......aur dusra aadmi cheekhta hua darwaaze ki taraf khisak raha tha.
"Bataao.......mujhe apne aur saathiyon ke naam aur pate bataao." Gurilla jaisa vyakti kah raha tha. Dusre hi pal Imran bhitar tha. Black zero ne revolver nikaal liya tha.
