"Yaar main to kahta hun ki Jaffery aur Nashad bahut achhe rahe....."
"To tumhen bhi resign de dena chahiye tha...." Khawir ne kaha.
"Arre meri jaan......tum itni jaldi badal gaye.........abhi Imran ko phaad khaane daude the...."
"Sharaab par X2 ne rok lagaayi hai. Imran ki baat alag hai......us par mujhe waise bhi taao aata hi rahta hai..."
"Laao.....main piyunga."
"Lekin agar Imran ne tumhari be-izzati ki to ham saath nahin denge."
"Ohh......to kya main uss maskhare se kamzor hun...? Tum mat dena sath.......main sharab pi kar Julia ki tent me jaaunga."
"Hamaari taraf se tum nark me jaao..." Chauhan ne lakadi ke box ki taraf ishara kiya......jo ek kone me rakha hua tha. Tanwir ne sandook se Jin ki botal nikaali. Lekin usay glass me dhaalte samay uske maathe par bal pad gaye. Phir usne glass ko utha kar soongha......aur ek ghoont lene ke baad usko zameen par patakta hua dahaada.
"Ye kya hai........ye to paani hai......simple water...."
"Kyaaa....?" Chauhaan aur Khawir ek sath uchhal pade.
"Paani...." Tanwir phir usi tarah chillaaya.......aur sandook khali karna shuru kar diya. Usme lagbhag 3 darzan botalen thin.......har ek ka corck nikaalta, chakhta......aur uske munh se gaaliyon ka toofan umad padta. Phir kuchh der baad uske hath me kaagaz ka ek bada sa tukda dikhayi diya.....jise zor zor se padh raha tha......
"X2 ke aagyakari sadssyon ko pata hona chaahiye ki unki jin ki botalen surakshit hain......aur waapasi par unhen waapas mil jaayengi. In botalon me ati swachh......aur meetha paani hai. Ho sakta hai safar me kahin par paani na mil sake. Atah uss samay tum apne officer ko duwaayen doge.
Main hun tm sab ka shubh-chintak
"X2"
"Lo......dekho iss bhoot ko. Usne yahaan bhi pichha na chhoda." Tanwir kaagaz phenk kar apne baal nochne laga. Khawir aur Chauhan hairat se ek dusre ka munh dekh rahe the.
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Safdar rengta hua tent ke pichhe se nikla......kuchh door isi tarah chalta raha.....phir sidha khada hokar badi tezi se Imran ki tent ki taraf badhne laga.
Imran zameen par hiran ki khaal daale us par usi tarah baitha hua tha jaise kisi sadhu ne aasan jamaa rakha ho.
"Kya khabar hai?" Usne Safdar ki taraf dekhe bina kaha.
"Safdar haanf raha tha. Usne apni saanson par niyantran paane ki cheshtaa karte huye kaha......"Unke paas botalen thin.....lekin Tanwir buri tarah apne sar peet raha hai..."
"Kyon...?"
"Botalon se sharaab ki jagah paani nikla.....aur sandook me X2 ki chitthi mili jisme likha tha ki unki botalen iss safar se waapasi par waapas kar di jaayengi...."
Imran ne bachchon ki tarah thahaaka lagaaya.....phir hairat se aankhen phaad kar bola..."Yaar ye X2 koi jinn hai jisne jin ki botalon me ghus kar usay paani kar diya...!"
"Jin...." Safdar chaunk kar Imran ko ghoorne laga..."Lekin maine aap ko ye kab bataaya ki wo jin ki botalen thin?"
"Bataao.....na bataao..." Imran ne laparwaahi se kandhe jhatak kar kaha...."Mujhe pata hai ki wo jin ke alaawa aur koi sharab nahin peete."
"Tanwir X2 ko gaaliyaan de raha hai...." Safdar bola.
"Khuda ne chaaha to uski zubaan me keede padenge...." Imran ne auraton ki tarah lachak kar kaha....phir jamhaayi lekar kaha....."Ab jaao....mujhe nind aa rahi hai..."
"Tanwir kah raha tha ki main sharab pikar Julia ki tent me ghus jaaunga..." Safdar ne kaha.
"Ab wo thanda paani pikar so jaayega.....jaao tum bhi so raho.."
"Phir jaagega kon?"
"Ghabraao mat.....kaafile ki suraksha Danny Wilson ke zimme hai......aur main us par bharosa karta hun...."
Safdar kuchh der khada kuchh sochta raha phir tent se baahar chala gaya.
Imran usi tarah mrig-chhaale par baitha raha. Shayad usay kisi ki pratiksha thi. Thodi der baad tent ke sire par aahat huyi......aisa laga jaise koi wahaan aakar ruka ho.
"Aa jaao..." Imran ne kaha......aur dusre hi pal ek aadmi tent me prawesh kiya. Ye sar se pair tak kaale kapdon me lipta hua tha. Imran ne hath badha kar kerocene lamp bujha diya.
"Kya khabar hai?" Usne puchha.
"Pichha kiya jaa raha hai sir......wo teen aadmi hain aur shayad yahaan se ek km pichhe wo log ek gufa me thahre hain."
"Ohho......lekin wo desi hain ya bideshi....?"
"Main andaaz nahin laga saka sir.....kyonki unhone pahaadiyon jaisi huliyaa bana rakhi thi."
"Good......kya unke paas transmeter bhi ho sakte hain?"
"Main kah nahin sakta. Waise agar unke paas Tranmeter hote to wo itna lamba safar kyon karte? Wahin se baithe baithe apni suchnaayen Shukraal tak pahucha dete."
"Sambhav hai lambe range ka transmeter na ho unke paas. Anyway.....iss se bahas nahin hai.....tum un teenon par nazar rakho."
"Kyon na unhen thikaane hi laga diya jaaye."
"Nahin....ho sakta hai wo hamaare kisi kaam aa saken."
"All right sir."
"Lekin tumhara kaam bahut kathin hai. Tumhen na kewal un teenon se chhup kar rahna hai balki mere kaafile waalon ki nazar bhi tum par na padne paaye."
"Aap nishchint rahen sir......aisa hi hoga."
"Bass ab jaao...."
Kuchh der baad lamp phir jal gaya......lekin ab tent me Imran ke alawa aur koi na tha.
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Teesre din wo ek chhoti si basti me pahuche......jahaan kewal lakdi aur phoos ki jhopadiyan thin. Log jhopadiyon se baahar nikal aaye......aur kaafile ko hairat se aise dekhne lage jaise unke ilaake me pahli baar koi kaafila dekhne ko mila ho.
Lekin kuchh hi der baad unki aankhon me hairat ki jagah darindagi jhaankne lagi. Wo sab sawasth aur lambe chaude log the.
Phir Imran ne kulhaadiyaan nikalti dekhi.......barchhiyaan unchi hote dekhin.....ek do ke hathon me barood se chhootne waali bandooken bhi thin. Imran apne khachar ko haankta hua sab se aage pahuch gaya. Yahaan danny aur uske sathi apni rifles sidhi kar rahe the.
"Thahar jaao..." Imran hath utha kar cheekha. "Bekaar hangaama kar ke apni energy barbaad karne ki zaroorat nahin hai." Unhone rifles jhuka lin. Lekin pahaadi log waise hi kulhaadiyon aur barchhiyon ko nachaate huye unki taraf badhte rahe.
"Ham se tumhen koi khatra nahin...." Imran donon hath utha kar pahaadi bhasha me cheekha...."Pahle meri baat sun lo.." Wo log ruk gaye. Imran pahaadi bhasha me kahta raha..."Ham kisi ko koi haani pahuchaaye bina yahaan se guzar jaayenge. Haan agar tum log loot-maar karne ka iraada rakhte ho to baat dusri hai. Lekin ham tumhen uske khatron se tumhen aagaah kara dena aawashyak samajhta hun. Ham me se koi bhi aisa nahin hai jiske paas aag chhodne waala hathiyaar na ho. Tum sab minton me bhoon ke rakh diye jaaoge.......aur tumhari basti veeran ho jaayengi. Tum kisi prakar bhi hamaara mukaabala nahin kar sakte."
Wo sab khamosh khade hokar unhen ghoorte rahe. Phir ek budha uss bheed ko cheerta hua aage nikal kar aaya.
"Ham udhar jaa rahe hain." Imran ne uttar disha me hath utha kar kaha. "Un pahaadon ke pichhe."
"Udhar tum hargiz nahin jaa sakte.....kyonki usi par hamara jeewan tika hua hai...."
"Kyon...?"
"Kyonki wo hamen maar daalenge....agar tum udhar chale gaye..."
"Ham unke dushman nahin hain.....khel tamaashe dikha kar pet paalte hain......aur ye safar hamaare liye naya nahin hai. Ham Maklaak aur Karagaal ka safar kayi baar kar chuke hain...."
"Lekin ye Maklaak aur Karagaal ka raasta nahin hai."
"To phir ye kahaan ka raasta hai?"
Budha dhire dhire chalta hua Imran ke khachar ke nikat aa gaya......aur sar utha kar Imran ki aankhon me dekhta hua dhire se kaha...."Ye Shukraal ka raasta hai..."
"Ahhaa....Shukraal.....tab to ham udhar hi jaayenge....kya wahaan hamen adhik aamdani ho sakegi?"
"Aamdani.....?" Budhe ke hont dhire se hile aur usne uttar disha me hath utha kar kaha..."Ladke.....udhar maut hai. Un manhoos pahaadiyon ke pichhe maut hai......darindagi(brutality......pashuta) hai.......wahaan insani khoon ka koi mol nahin...wahan apna sab kuchh kho aaya hun.....waapas jaao.....chale jaao. Wahaan insaaf nahin hai........wahaam kamzori apradh hai..........aur yahaan ham kewal iss liye jeevit hain ki unki chaukidaari karte hain. Agar iss taraf se ek aadmi bhi udhar chala gayato doosre hi din yahaan ki bhumi par khoon ki nadi bahti huyi dikhayi degi.......aur ye basti sadaa keliye veeran ho jaayegi."
"Achha agar koi fauj idhar se guzre......tab? Nahin bade miyaan......tum jhoot bol rahe ho. Tum itne se aadmi Shukraal ki chaukidari kaise kar sakte?"
"Haan......main jhoot bol raha hun bacche.....main tujhe udhar nahin jaane doonga.......main apne teen jawaan beton ko wahaan kho aaya hun. Isliye main nahin chaahta ki koi uss manhoos zameen par apne kadam rakhe."
"Kya wo hamen dekhte hi maar denge?" Imran ne bachkaane dhang se puchha.
"Ladke......mujh se bahas mat karo. Main dekh raha hun ki tumhaare sath auraten bhi hain......lekin tum nishchint raho.......ye ekdam surakshit rahengi......lekin tumhaare sath ka ek ek jawaan maar daala jaayega."
Imran kuchh pal kuchh sochta raha.....phir bola....."Achha....ham iss par vichaar karenge......agar tum anumati do to aaj ham yahin padaao daal len........nahin to yahaan se pichhe hat jaayen?"
Budhe ne turant koi uttar nahin diya.......thodi der kuchh sochta raha.....phir bola..."Main apne aadmiyon se raai kiye bina kuchh nahin kah sakta...."
"Thik hai......raai kar lo...." Imran ne kaha aur budha pahaadiyon ki bheed ki taraf chala gaya.
"Ye kya kah raha tha master?" Danny ne badi utsukta se puchha.
Imran ne sankshep me budhe se huyi baat bata diya. Danny kuchh der bura sa munh banaaye raha.....phir bola..."Mera vichar hai ki inse dab jaana hamaare aage ke programme keliye khatarnak saabit hoga."
"Nahin Danny......main nirdoshon ke khoon se apne hath rangna pasand nahin karta."
"Mujhe vishwaas hai ki ye hamen na to aage jaane denge na hi yahaan padaao daalne denge......isse likh lijiye. Inse nibte bina kaam nahin chalega. Maine bhi bahut duniya dekhi hai. Aap dayaalu ban jaaiye lekin dusron ko sudhaarna aapke wash se baahar ho jaayega. Main ye bhi dekh raha hun ki wo ladkiyon par lalchaayi nigaah daal rahe hain."
Tabhi Imran ko apne transmeter par signal mila......"Hello..." usne dhire se mouth piece me kaha.
"It's black-zero sir...."
"Kya baat hai?"
"Do aadmiyon ne mil kar teesre ko maar daala...."
"Kyon....?"
"Pata nahin sir."
"To ab do hi shesh bache hain...."
"Yes sir...."
"Achha to dekho......ham ek basti me pahuch gaye hain.......ummid nahin hai ki yahaan se log hamen aage jaane denge. Main abhi tak un logon ko thik se nahin samajh saka. Isliye koshish karo ki wo donon iss basti tak nahin pahuch paayen...."
"Main koshish karunga sir......lekin aapko kaamyabi ka vishwaas nahin de sakta....."
"Kyon?'
"Aap hi bataaiye ki main unhen kis prakar rok sakun?"
"Ab main hi ye bhi bataaun? Black-zero......you are a duffer........yahaan iss veerane me hamaare desh ka qanoon lagu nahin ho sakta. Is liye jabki iss samay command mere hath me hai......isliye aawashyakta ke anusar qanoon banaane ka poora poora adhikar rakhta hun...."
"Main nahin samjha sir...."
"Wo dono ek aadmi ke hatyaare hain.......isliye main aadesh deta hun ki unhen maut ki sazza de do...."
"Haan.....ye sambhav hai sir...."
"Aur iss tarah tum unhen iss basti tak pahuchne se rok sakte ho......over & all...."
Danny Imran ko hairat se dekh raha tha lekin wo kuchh bola nahin. Kuchh der baad budha aakar dhire se bola....."Achha yahi hai ki tum waapas jaao. Iss basti me kuchh shararati log bhi hain.......isliye tumhari suraksha ki zimmedari nahin le sakta."
Kuchh der tak donon me kuchh bahas hoti rahi. Phir Imran waapasi par raazi ho gaya.
Shayad uske iss faisle se Danny ko kaafi aaghat pahucha tha. Lekin wo kuchh bola nahin. Kaafila usi raaste par mud gaya.......jis se wo yahaan tak pahucha tha.
"Yahi munasib tha Danny...." Imran ne usko santusht karna chaaha.
"Kaarwan ke sardar aap hain.....main nahin. Agar yahi munasib tha to yahi sahi."
"Dekho.....dhyaan rakhna.....budhe ne basti me kuchh shararati logon ke baare me kaha tha....'
"Aap nishchint rahen....mujhe un logon se nibatne ka tareeka maloom hai."
Imran ne khachchar par hi baithe baithe naksha nikaala aur shayad koi dusra raasta nikaalne ki chinta me tha.
Uss jagah se waapas hone ke sambandh me log naraaz lag rahe the. Vishesh roop se X2 ke aadmi to buri tarah jhallaa gaye the. Imran ne Tanwir aur Khawir ko apne khachchar rokte dekha aur wo samajh gaya ki wo log uss se bahas karna chaahte hain.
Imran ne apne khachchar ko chaabuk maari aur wo tez chalne laga. Thodi der baad Khawir aur Tanwir uske daayen baayen chal rahe the.
"Tum.......sab ko le dooboge."
"E....zara zubaan sambhaal ke....haan. Main mallaah nahin hun.....iss samay tumhaara officer hun. Aur tum khachar pe sawaar ho....kisi naav par nahin ki main dubaa doonga. X2 ne tumhari comand mere hath me di hai."
"Comand ke bache.....tum aakhir un logon se dab kyon gaye?"
"X2 ka aadesh...."
"Bakwaas hai....wo saikadon km door se jhak nahin maar sakta...."
"Ahhaa.....saikadon kilometer.....agar ye banjar zamin nahin hoti to main kahta ki tum log ghaas kha gaye ho. Kya tum samajhte ho ki X2 wahin baitha rah gaya hai? Tum log achhi tarah kaan khol kar sun lo......wo kisi samay bhi tum sab ko sazaayen de sakta hai."
Tanwir zor se hans pada.....lekin uski hansi kisi sahi dimaag waale ki hansi nahin lag rahi thi.
"X2........wo yahaan aayega.....kaayar.....hamen nark me jhonk kar khud chaIN ki bansi baja raha hai." Usne cheekh kar kaha.
"Aahistaa Tanwir.....aahistaa...." Imran ne bhaybheet swar me kaha. "Agar usne tumhari aawaz sun li to tum kahaan hoge?"
"Bakwaas mat karo..." Khawir gurraya. "Hamen bahlaane ki koshish mat karo.....iss se koi lena dena nahin ki X2 yahaan hai ya nahin.....lekin ham tumhen murkhta karne nahin denge..."
"Achha Khawir.......tumhen uski maujoodagi ka proof mil jaayega. Abhi raasta me tumhen do laashen milengi......aur ham dekhenge ki wo kon ho sakte hain..."
"Bekaar apna dimaag kharab na karo." Khawir Tanwir ki taraf dekh kar bola. "Iske pair kabhi zamin se nahin lagte.......ab to jo bewakoofi ham se honi thi ho hi gayi..."
"Kya bewakoofi huyi hai?" Imran ne badi saadagi se puchha.
"Yahi ki hamne tumhare selection par protest nahin kiya..."
"Sach-much tum se bhaari murkhta huyi.....lekin ab kya ho sakta hai. Chalo jaao.....wahin jaao jahaan tumhen hona chaahiye...."
Khawir aur Tanwir apne khacharon ko aage badha le gaye. Kaarwaan chalta raha. Ant-tah 2 kilometer chalne ke baad Danny jo sabse aage tha.....ruk gaya. Uske sath hi poora kaafila ruk gaya. Niche ek khadd me do laashen padi huyi thin......jinki khopadiyon se khoon bah kar pattharon par phail gaya tha.
Imran pichhe tha. Danny ne transmeter ke dwara usay laashon ke baare me suchit kiya......aur Imran bola.....
"Wahin ruke raho......main aa raha hun....."
Kuchh door chalne pat Tanwir aur Khawir se muthbher huyi.
"Ab kyon ruk gaye?" Khawir usay ghoorta hua bola.
"Tum donon mere sath aao....main yahaan X2 ki upasthiti ka pramaan doonga."
Uske pichhe un donon ne bhi apne apne khachar badha diye......aur wahaan pahuche jahaan donon laashen padi huyi thin. Imran khadd me utarta hua bola....."Aao aao....wahaan kyon khade ho?"
Wo donon bhi khacharon se utar gaye. Imran ne Danny se kaha...."Tum chalte raho.....jahaan se ham idhar keliye mude the wahin se poorab ki taraf mud jaana. Phir main koi raah nikaal loonga."
Kaarwan phir chalne laga. Khawir aur Tanwir bhi khadd me utar gaye. Laashen do pahaadiyon ki thin......jinke sharir par pahaadiyon waale kapde the. Chehre par ghani daadhiyaan thin. Imran un par jhuk pada......aur kuchh der baad dhire se bola...."Daadhiyaan 100% nakli hain."
Aur phir unke chehron se gunjaan baalon ka jangal saaf karne laga. Thodi hi der me unka asli roop spasht ho gaya. Wo kisi gora nasl se samabandh rakhne waale videshi the.
"Ab kya khayaal hai? Kaho to amonia se inke chehre aur bhi saaf kar dun?" Imran ne kaha. Tanwir aur Khawir kuchh nahin bole.
Imran ne thaile se liquid amonia ki botal nikaali aur unke chehre saaf karne laga. Kuchh hi der me uske bayaan ka satyaapan ho gaya. Tanwir aur Khawir apne sookhe honton par zubaan pher rahe the.
"Bolo......ab kya vichar hai? Tum donon chup kyon ho gaye?"
"Kuchh nahin..." Khawir ne laparwaahi dikhate huye kaha..."Ab ham santusht hain. X2 ham se koi galati nahin hone dega."
"To ye kaho na..." Tanwir ne phiki hansi ke sath kaha..."Ki hamari comand X2 hi ke hath me hai."
Imran kuchh na bola. Kuchh pal un laashon ko ghoorta raha phir bola..."Hamen inhen kisi gufa me chhupa dena chaahiye."
Lagbhag 20 minut baad wo phir apne khacharon ppar sawaar hokar chal pade. Donon laashen ek gufa me chhupa kar gufa ka munh band kar diya gaya tha. Teesri lash ke baare me Imran ko vishwaas tha ki black zero ne usay bhi chupa diya hoga. Black zero uske adheenasth logon me sab se adhik samajhdaar aur geneus aadmi tha. Iss naye appointment ko us ne apne shesh adhinasth sathiyon se gupt rakha tha. Lekin ye bhi usi samay hua tha jab Jaffery aur Nashad ko alag kar ke Safdar aur Imran ko liya gaya tha.
Kuchh der baad wo kaafile se jaa mile.
Ye uss safar ki 11th raat thi. Agar wo raasta nahin badalte tab shayad saatvin raat me hi yahaan hote. Ab wo Shukraal ki seema ke nikat the. Abhi tak unhen bahut nuksaan uthana pada tha. 10 khacharon aur 2 mazdooron ne praan gawa chuke the. Us basti se palatne ke baad unhen jo raasta pakadna pada tha wo atyant hi durgam tha. Thodi si asaavdhani jeevan leela samaapt kar sakti thi. Un raahon par ladkiyon ko bhi paidal chalna pada tha......aur unki haalat bahut hi dayneeye thi. Halaaki Juliana Fitzwater khud ko bahut adhik sambhaale huyi thi.
Kabhi kabhi wo aise sankirn aur andhere surangon se guzre the ki dusri baar raushni dekh kar unhen apne wajood par vishwaas nahin hota. Hawaayen cheekhti chinghaadti huyi tang daraadon aur khohon me ghustin aur un par dusht aatmaaon ka sandeh hone lagta.
Aaj bhi unhen badi kathinaayi se ek aisi samtal chattaan mil saki thi jis par wo padaao daal saken. Lekin aaj unke saron par tents ki chhaya nahin thi. Chattaan me keel thokna asambhav tha. Isliye ye raat unhen khule aakash ke niche hi guzaarni thi.
Ye chattaanen ekdam shushk thin. Agar unke paas paani ke bhandaar nahin hota to zinda rahna mushkil ho jaata. Isliye wo paani badi saavdhani se kharch karte the. Jaanwaron ke liye samassya thi. Lekin kisi tarah bhi unhen bhi thoda paani milta tha.
Ye safar sardiyon me ho raha tha ye ganimat baat thi.....warna garmiyon me ab tak aadhe log bhi zinda nahin bachte.
Waise sardi se bachne keliye mazdooron ke paas paryaapt mote kambal the. Imran ne iss baat ka vishesh khayal rakha tha.....ki safar ki kathinaaiyon ke alawa unhen kisi aur chiz ki kathinaayi nahin ho.
Wo iss samay ek taraf khada un logon ko dekh raha tha jo pahre pat tainaat kiye gaye the.
Tabhi teeno ladkiyon ne usay aa ghera. Lizy bahut gusse me thi.
"Kya matlab hai tumhaara?" Wo biphar kar boli..."Tum ne hamne dhoka diya. Tum ne ye nahin bataya tha ki safar itna kathin hoga."
"Confucius ne kaha tha..........."
"Confucius ki aisi ki taisi...." wo chinghaadne lagi..."Dhokebaaz.....makkaar..."
"Kya faida cheekhne se....ok.....agar tum waapas jaana chaaho to main tumhen rokunga nahin....shauk se jaao....."
Un teenon ladkiyon ne uska dimaag chaahtna shuru kar diya. Tabhi Julia bhi wahin aa gayi.
"Tum wahaan itna dhan kamaaogi...." Imran ne kuchh kahna chaaha......lekin Julia ne usay rok diya.......aur ladkiyon ko samjhane lagi. Kisi kisi tarah unhen chup karaa ke unki jaghon par waapas bheji.
"Main khud hi tumhen goli maar deti magar......"
"Mujh se wo karne lagi ho......wo....wo.....muhabbat.....kyon?" Imran ne Julia ki baat bich me kaat kar chahakte huye kaha.
"Muhabbat aadmiyon se ki jaati hai....janwaron se nahin. Mujhe sab se muhabbat hai." Wo kaafile waalo ki taraf hath utha kar boli....."jo thakan se nidhaal ho rahe hain. Jo bhawishya ke bhay se kaanp rahe hain. Jin ke honton par maine kayi dinon se muskuraahat nahin dekhi. Mujhe un se muhabbat hai.......tum se nahinnn.....tum jaanwar ho."
"Kyon main jaanwar kyon hun?"
"Kyonki na to tumhaare chehre par thakan ke lakshan hain aur na tum uthte baithte karaahte ho. Maine tumhen uss samay bhi hanste dekha hai jab log ubad-khaabad raaston par gir rahe the, cheekh rahe the, girgida rahe the.......maine tumhen un awasaron par sheving karte dekha hai jab dusron ko apne chehron par hath pherna bhi kasht-dayak tha........tum aadmi nahin ho jaanwar ho."
"Magar mujhe goli kyon maar detin?"
"Nahin......main tujhe goli nahin maar sakti."
"Kyon...?"
"Uska soch kar jis ne tumhen officery pradan kiya hai........lekin kyon pradan kiya hai.......ye main us se zaroor puchhungi."
"Isi liye ki main aadmi nahin jaanwar hun. Wo samajhta hai ki manushyon par pashuon ka shashan hona chaahiye...........warna wo thakan se nidhaal ho kar jeewan ke safar me aage badh hi nahin sakenge."
"Tum thoda idhar dekho......meri taraf." Julia dhire se boli.
"Main tumhari taraf dekh raha hun.....lekin andhera hai."
Juliana dhire dhire uski taraf badhi aur uske kandhon par donon hath rakh diye.
"Arre baap re....." Imran bokhla kar pichhe hata.
"Tum X2 ho..." Julia ki phuphkaar door tak sunaayi di hogi.
"Arre....alag hato.....hushttt.....daddy.....o mummy..." uske kanth se kuchh aisi hi aawazaen nikalne lagi jaise koi bhaybheet bachcha apne mummy-daddy ko pukaarta hai.
"Tum X2 ho.......tumhaare siwa aur koi nahin ho sakta......"
"Aray.....khuda keliye hoto......" Imran ro dene waali aawaz me bola.
Ye shor-gul dusron ne bhi suna....lekin kisi ne bhi wahan tak aane ki awashyakta nahin samjhi. Kyonki Imran ki aawaz sab pahchante the. Unhone socha hoga ki koi murkhta hi ho rahi hogi.
"Tum jhoote ho......X2 tumhaare siwa aur koi nahin ho sakta.........haan main tumhen chaahti hun......tumhaare liye aag me bhi kood sakti hun."
"Pahle mujh se alag ho.....hato tum..." Imran kanpkapaati huyi aawaaz me kaha "Warna main chattaan se niche kood jaaunga."
"Tum accept kar lo ki tumhi X2 ho...." Julia ne dhire se phuphkaari....."Main waada karti hun ki kisi se nahin bataaungi."
"Main X2 nahin hun.......kya tum ne wo donon laashen nahin dekhi?"
"Mujhe kab inkaar hai......ki X2 asambhav ko sambhav nahin kar sakta...."
"Main proove kar sakta hun ki main X2 nahin hun."
"Tum kabhi saabit nahin kar sakte..."
"Arre jaao......agar Tanwir ne hamen yahaan akele me dekh liya to donon ko goli maar dega..."
"Tanwir....!!" Julia vyang se hansi...."Ab us me ishq karne ki shakti nahin bachi hai.....wo kisi beemar kuutte ki tarah ungh raha hai......magar tum apni baat karo..."
"Main apni baat to har samay karta rahata hun.....kabhi kabhi dusron ki bhi sun liya karo......aakhir Tanwir me kya buraayi hai?"
"Tumhare munh se aisi baaten main nahin sun sakti..."
"Chalo aao mere sath......tum bahot thak gayi ho..."
"To tum sweekar nahin karoge?"
"Arre main tumhen kis tarah samjhaaun ki main X2 nahin hun?
Ahhaa.....thahro.....abhi tumhen uss se milaaye deta hun.....tum khud uss se puchh lo..."
"Mujhe bewakoof banaane ki koshish mat karo.......tumne long distance waala transmeter isiliye apne paas rakha hai ki......bematlab X2 ke sandesh ham tak pahuchane ki acting karte raho.......halaaki wo sandesh tumhaare apne hote hain...."
"Achhi baat hai......aao mere sath.....main saabit kiye deta hun."
Imran usay apne thikaane par laaya aur transmeter ka head-phone kaanon se laga kar mouth piece me laga kar bola...."Hello.....hello...X2 please......hello...."
"Yess sir..." dusri taraf se black-zero ki unghti huyi aawaz aayi.
"nn...no sir..." Julia ne bokhlaaye huye andaaz me head phone utaar kar Imran ke saamne daal diya....aur kuchh kahe bina uth kar chal di.
Kuchh aur raat beetne par chaand ne kshitij se sar ubhaara.....aur door tak bikhri huyi chattaanen raushni me nahaati chali gayin.
Imran abhi jaag raha tha. Halaaki dusre sone waalon ke agar galaa bhi ret diya jaata to unki aankhen nahin khultin. Wo kuchh issi tarah thake huye the. Lekin wo log bahut chaukasi se apni duty nibha rahe the jinhen pahredaari saunpi gayi thi. Ye Danny ke sathi the. Unhen shuru se hi danny ne ye kaam supurd kiya tha. Aadhe log jaagte the aur aadhe sote the. Isi tarah unki raaten guzarti aayi thin. Aur Imran uss samay tak jaagta tha jab tak ki nind usay bebas nahin kar deti thi.
Wo iss samay bhi chattaan ke sire par khada pashchimi chhitij ko dekh raha tha. Kabhi kabhi sanaate me Khacharon ki aawaz gunjti aur phir pahle ki tarah shaanti chha jaati. Aksar sone waalon ki karaahen bhi sunaayi deti jo karwat badalte samay anayaas hi unke munh se nikal jaati thin.
Tabhi usne kisi ladki ke rone ki aawaz suni.....aur uss tarah jhaptaa jahaan chaaro ladkiyaan soyi huyi thin. Raaste hi me usne pahchaan liya tha ki wo Julia hi ho sakti thi.
Pahle wo tez aawaz se royi thi magar ab kewal siskiyaan rah gayi thin. Do pahredaar bhi wahaan pahuch gaye the. Imran ne ek ke hath se mashaal lekar ladkiyon par raushni daali. Wo bekhabar so rahi thin......aur Julia bhi shayad sapne me hi royi thi.....aur ab bhi siskiyaan le rahi thi. Magar uski aankhen band thin. Achanak siskiyon ke bich me uske hont iss tarah hile jaise kuchh kah rahi ho. Imran ne saaf saaf suna.....usne yahi kaha tha....."Tum jhoote ho.....tum jhoote ho.....mera dil na todo...."
Aur phir usne ek karaah ke sath karwat badli......wo ab bhi so rahi thi.
Imran ek thandi saans lekar sar hilaata hua wahaan se hat aaya. Danny bhi jaag raha tha. Waapasi me uss se mulaakat ho gayi.
Imran kuchh der tak chup raha phir bola...."Danny....jawaan hokar ye ladkiyaan paagal kyon ho jaati hain?"
"Main nahin samjha master?"
"Matlab ye ki .......kya zaroori hai ki unhen kisi na kisi se ishq ho jaaye?"
"Ohh......haan master.....magar ye baat aapki samajh me nahin aayegi. Aap dusre kism ke aadmi hain."
"Main har kism ka aadmi hun Danny. Magar ye paagalpan aaj tak meri samajh me nahin aa saka. Anyway chhodo.......kal shayad ham Shukraal ki seema me prawesh kar jaayen......isliye main ye munasib samajhta hun ki kam se kam mere sathi make-up men hon...."
"Aap bahut satarktaa barat rahe hain master Imran.....!"
"Iske alawa aur koi chaara nahin hai."
"Kya ham logon ke liye bhi ye zaroori nahin hai?"
"Nahin.....tum log apni asli roop me rahoge..."
"Kabhi kabhi master Imran ki logic meri samajh me nahin aati...."
"Ye koi aisi baat nahin hai......jiske liye dimaag par zor daalo.....tum iski chinta mat karo.....pahle ham mar jaayenge......phir tumhaare aadmiyon par aanch aayegi. Tum Imran ko bahut dinon se jaante ho.....kyon Danny?"
"Maut aur zindagi ki to baat hi mat kijiye......Mujhe ya mere aadmiyon ko iski koi chinta nahin. Aap bhi mujhe bahut dinon se jaante hain maste Imran."
"Aur isi liye maine iss safar keliye tumhaara chunaav kiya tha."
Dusri subah sab se pahle Imran ne apne sathiyon ke huliye change kiye......aur unhen pahaadi logon jaisa dress pahnaaya aur khud bhi waisa hi roop dhaaran kiya......aur ye kaarwaan phir chal pada.
Imran baar baar map dekhta tha....aisa lagta tha jaise wo pahle bhi kabhi in pathreele raaston par chal chuka ho. Ab uske sathiyon ka ye haal tha ki wo uske kisi bhi baat me virodh karne ki himmat nahin karte the.
Aksar Tanwir Khawir se kahta......"Ye wo Imran to nahin lagta......jiske sath ham ne safar ki shuruwaat ki thi.
Khawir ke maathe par rekhaayen ubhar aayin lekin wo chup hi raha. Leutinent Chauhan pahle bhi Imran se ulajhne ki koshish nahin kiya karta tha. Rah gaye teen naye aadmi......wo usi raat se Imran ke bhakt ho gaye the jab usne achha khaasa jaal bichha kar un videshi agenton ke giroh ko samaapt kiya tha.
Un me kewal ek Julia hi aisi thi jo aaj bhi Imran se baat baat par ulajhti rahti thi. Usne pahle to make up karne se saaf inkaar kar diya. Magar jab Imran ne X2 ka refrence diya to uski aankhon me ek baar awishwaas ki jhalak saaf dikhayi di......lekin usne bina bahas kiye maan li.
Kaafile waalon ke kadam ab iss tarah uth rahe the jaise wo sach much maut ke munh me jaa rahe hon. Un ke chehre murjhaaye huye the......aur aankhon me veerani thi. Imran ne unki haalat dekhi aur sochne laga ki ye to thik nahin hai. Iss tarah ho sakta hai ki unke hath pair hi jawaab de jaayen.
Usne Danny se iss baare me baat ki.
"Aap kam se kam mere aadmiyon ki taraf se nishchint hi rahen. Danny bharaayi huyi aawaaz me bola. "Un me se koi bhi anubhav-heen nahin hai. Ye sab pichhle mahayuddh ki musibaten jhele huye hain. Chunki ye apni aankhon se bahut badi badi ghatnaayen dekhe huye hain.....isliye unka gambhir ho jaana natural hai....isse aap bedili ya bezaari mat samjhen."
"Mere sathi bhi bhaybheet to nahin lagte lekin unki bezaari badh gayi hai."
"Chinta mat kijiye.....jab aadmi ko vishwaas ho jaata hai ki maut bahut nikat hai to unki bedili bhi badh jaati hai aur sangharsh ki shakti bhi paida ho jaati hai. Magar master Imran aap ke sathiyon me wo ladki ajeeb hai."
"Kuchh bhi nahin.....maine kaha na kisi zamaane me wo mere circus me kaam kiya karti thi........magar wo ajeeb kyon hai?"
"Maine aksar dekha hai......jab bhi aap uske sameep se guzarte hain.......kabhi to wo atyant krodh me aap par daant peesne lagti hai aur kabhi aisi nazron se dekhti hai jaise aap keliye hazaar baar mar sakti ho."
"Arre........wo paagal hai."
"Nahin.......paagal aap hain master Imran.......uski bhaavnaaon ki qadar nahin karte...."
"Ye sab mujhe aata hi nahin hai Danny......main kya karun?"
"Aap ajeeb hain master Imran........main aajtak aapko samajh nahin saka."
"Kisi ko samajhne ki koshish karna bekaar kaam hai...........achha
Danny.........bahut adhik sachet rahne ki zaroorat hai......apne aadmiyon se kah do ki agar ladaayi bhiraayi ka koi mauka aa jaaye to hath chhodne me jaldi nahin karenge."
"Wo sab aap se bahut adhik prabhavit hain. Mere vichar se wo sab aap hi ki comand me rahne adhik pasand karenge. isliye ab aap mujhe iss duty se free kar dijiye."
"Chalo thik hai yahi sahi.....achha jaao aage jaao.....ab ham log Shukraal ki seema me hain."
"Danny aage badh gaya. Aaj unhone ek pahaadi jharne se apne paani ke bhandaar bhar liye the......aur kuchh taaza dam bhi ho gaye the. Janwaron ki susti bhi door ho gayi thi.
Achanak Imran ne transmeter par signal mahsoos kiya.
"Hello......black-zero..."
"Yess sir......kaafile ki vyavastha jitni jaldi sambhav ho thik kar daaliye......purvi dhalaan se ghodon ki taapon ki aawazen aa rahi hain."
"Ohho.....achha.....hoshiyaar rahna....kya tum unki sankhya ka anumaan kar sakte ho? Magar thahro......tum unhen dekh bhi sake ho ya nahin?"
"Main abhi do minut me aap ko suchna doonga."
"Okk..." Imran ne kaha aur aage badh gaya. Phir jaldi hi khatre ki suchna phail gayi. Saare transmeter ek vishesh prakar ke sandook me chhupa diye gaye.......jisme circus ka saaman bhara hua tha. Ab Imran ke sar par bhi head phone nahin tha......jis se usay black zero ki taraf se koi suchna mil sakti thi. Lekin usne jaldi hi un sawaaron ko dekh liya. Unki sankhyaa nishchit roop se chaalis aur pachaas ke bich rahi hogi. Abhi wo lagbhag aadhe mile ki doori par rahe honge. Lekin Imran ke nirdesh ke anusar kaafila badhta hi raha.
Achanak teen chaar goliyaan nichli chataanon se takraayin.
"Ab ruk jaao...." Imran ne Danny ko aawaz di. Kaafila unchaayi par tha.....aur ek ek aadmi goliyon ke nishaane par the.
"Apne hath upar utha do." Imran ne aawaz di. Lekin Danny daudta hua uske paas aaya.
"Ye kya zulm kar rahe ho master? Iss tarah pahle hi se haar maan lene ka kya matlab?"
"To kya tum ye chaahte ho ki ham me se kuchh log kam ho jaayen? Nahin
Danny......main apna ek ek khachar bhi Shukraal le jaaunga."
"Magar kis tarah?"
"Haann.....bas tum dekhte raho.....jo kuchh kah raha hun kiya jaaye...."
Julia aur X2 ke dusre maatahat bhi Imran ke paas jamaa ho gaye the."
"Tum log khud ko qaabu me rakhoge....." Imran unhen ghoorta hua bola. "Main jo kuchh bhi kar raha hun iske liye mujhe hi jawaab dena padega.....iski zimmedari kisi aur par nahin hai."
"Lekin ham pahle hi shikast kyon maan len?" Julia ne kaha.
Sawaar bahut nikat aa gaye the......aur ab wo half circle ke roop me the. Shayad unka maksad kaafile ko gher lana tha.
"Hath utha rakho..." Imran gurraaya. Do minut ke andar andar poora kaafila un sawaaron ke bich ghir gaya aur wo log apne hath upar uthaaye rahe.
Aane waale sabhi lambe tadange aur shaktishali log the. Unke saron par bade baalon waali kaali topiyaan thin......aur shareeron par chamde ke jackets. Lower itne chust the ki unki jaanghon se chipke huye lagte the. Joote ghutnon tak the.......lekin unki aankhen iss phurteele-pan ka saath deti nahin lagti thin. Unki adhkhuli aankhen gahri udaasi me doobi huyi si lag rahi thin.
Unme se ek sawaar niche utar aaya aur khamoshi se ek ek ke chehre ko ghoorta hua unke bich chalne laga. Jiske nikat se wo guzarta uski rooh fana ho jaati. Ladkiyon ki taraf usne rukh bhi nahin kiya tha.
Un sab ka nirikshan karne ke baad wo ek chattaan par chadh gaya. Uske baayen kandhe se rifle latki huyi thi.....aur daahine hath me revolver tha.
"Tum kon ho aur kahaan jaa rahe ho?" usne ek baar phir kaafile par uchat'ti nigaah daalte huye kaha.
Imran aur Safdar ke alawaa koi bhi nahin samajh saka. Ye sawaal Shukraali hi bhasha me kiya gaya tha.
"Mahin.....Maqlaaki..." Imran ne uttar diya. Ham circus waale hain aur hamen Sarkhistan me bulaaya gaya hai."
"Circus....?" Wo na jaane kyon hans pada.......aur uski udaas aankhon me chamak si lahraane lagi. Waisi hi jaisi aksar khel tamashon ke shaukeen bachchon ki aankhon me uss samay dikhayi deti hai jab anayaas unke saamne koi rochak chiz saamne aa jaaye.
"Main pahle hi samajh gaya tha ki tum circus waale ho......" Usne kaha. "Tumhare sath janwar bhi hain..." Usne reechhon aur bade baalon waale kutton ki taraf ishaara kiya.
"Badi kripaa hogi agar tum hamen Sarkhistan ka raasta bata do." Imran ne badi narmi se kaha.
Wo kuchh der sochta raha phir bola...."Thahro.....main abhi jawaab deta hun..." phir wo chattaan se utar kar apne sathiyon ki taraf chala gaya.
"Kya kar rahe ho tum?" Julia Imran ke paas pahuch kar dhire se boli.
"Bakwaas mat karo....chup raho." Imran gurraaya. Julia saham gayi. Imran ne aaj tak aise lahje me uss se baat nahin ki thi. Wo chup chap pichhe hat gayi....dusri taraf wo aadmi apne sathiyon se kuchh kah raha tha......aur un me se kuchh bade josheele andaz me sar hila rahe the. Kuchh der baad phir wo chattaan ki taraf waapas aa gaya.
"Tum log bina anumati ke Shukraal ki seema me ghuse ho..." Usne hath utha kar unchi aawaz me kaha. "Isliye tumhen iski saza bhugatni padegi."
"Lekin ham bekasoor hain sardar..." Imran ne roni soorat bana kar kaha. "Agar ham
Shukral ki seema me ghus aaye hain to vishwaas kijiye ham raah bhatke hain.......waise aap malik hain jo saza chaahe den..."
"Tab phir ham sar ke bal chalenge sardar....maine Shukral ke sardaron ki dariyadili ki ke charche bahut sune hain.."
"Achha to badhaao apne aadmiyon ko....." Wo donon hath hilaata hua chattaan se niche utar gaya......aur sawaaron ne apni rifalen jhuka lin.
Imran ne apne sathiyon se hath niche gira lene ko kaha. Safdar unhen baat-chit ka nichod bata raha tha.......aur unke chehre khilte jaa rahe the. Ab jo kaafila chala to unke kadam sust nahin the aur chehre par bhi taazgi dikhayi dene lagi thi.
Sawaaron ka sardar Imran se baaten karta hua chal raha tha.
"Kya sab Maqlaaki hain?" usne puchha.
"Nahin.....kewal main Maqlaaki hun. Ye log vibhinna deshon ke hain. Main ne badi mehanat se iss circus ka nirmaan kiya hai. Bahut mehnat se sardar......apni saari zindagi issi chakkar me barbaad kar di......bass shauk hi thahraa..."
"Tum maalik ho circus ke?"
"Haan sardar..."
"Tum Shukraali bahut achhi bol sakte ho."
"Haan sardar........main kayi bhashayen bahut achhi tarah bol sakta hun...agar na bol sakun to main......apna ye dhanda ek din bhi jaari nahin rakh sakta."
"Thik hai......aajkal Maqlaak ka kya haal hai? Tumhara Khan to budha ho gaya hoga..." "Magar himmat jawaanon ki si rakhta hai sardar...."
"Aaann....haann.....maine bachpan me usay dekha tha."
"Uss samay to wo babbar sher lagta raha hoga..."
"Isme shak nahin..."
"Kya main sardar ka naam puchh sakta hun?"
"Shahbaaz Kohi......aur tumhaara?"
"Mere maa-baap ne mera naam Shaf Shikan rakha tha.......magar main bahut darpok hun........makkhi bhi nahin maar sakta."
(Shaf Shikan ka arth Yudh me sainikon ki kataaron ko bhed dene waala.....chhinnbhinn kar dene waala....)
Shahbaaz hansne laga. Imran sar hila kar bola..."Main jhoot nahin kahta sardar ye sach hai..."
Kaafila chalta raha. Ek baar Shahbaz ka ghoda aage badh gaya........aur Imran ne apne khachar bar chaabuk barsaani shuru kar di. Lekin uski raftaar me koi antar nahin aaya. Iss tarah Danny ki wo icchha poori ho gayi jo bahut der se usay bechain kiye huyi thi.
"Maanta hun master.....!" Wo dabe huye josh ke sath bola. "Jagat Guru ho........jo kuchh kaha kar ke dikha diya. Ham ek khachar bhi gawaaye bina Shukraal jaa rahe hain."
"Jahaan baaton se kaam nikal sakta hai wahaan shakti ka prayog nahin karna chaahiye baliki apni urjaa ko kisi kisi dusre awasar ke liye bacha kar rakhna chaahhiye......kya main galat kah raha hun?"
"Nahin master......tum kabhi kabhi mujh jaise puraane shikaari ko bhi chakit kar dete ho."
"Ab bahut adhik satark rahne ki zarurat hai Danny........ye bhi bahut achhi baat hai ki tum sab Shukraali nahin bol sakte."
"Nishchit roop se achhi baat hai......pata nahin kab munh se kya nikal jaaye...."
"Apne aadmiyon se kah dena.....Shukraali auraton ke chakkar me nahin padenge. Wo bahut chanchal aur hansmukh hoti hain.....ho sakta hai hamaare aadmi kisi galatfahmi ka shikaar ho jaayen......wo zinda dil zarur hoti hain......lekin aawara nahin."
"Main unhen sachet kar dunga.......magar aap ke aadmi bahut manmaani karte lagte hain...."
"Anyway......unhen bhi pata chal hi jaayega ki galat kadam Shukraal me maut ki taraf hi le jaata hai."
Pichhle dinon ke durgam aur sankirn darron me doliyaan bekaar ho gayi thin......aur unhen wahin gufaaon me sawadhani se chhupa diya gaya tha.......taaki agar zinda lauten to waapasi me kaam aa jaaye.
"Sach-much tum ne kamaal kar diya." Julia kah rahi thi.
"To phir ab main aasha karun?"
"Kaisi aasha?"
"Kahin na kahin meri shadi zaroor karaa dogi."
"Imran.....main pichhli raat hosh me nahin thi.....mujhe bahut sharmindagi hai."
Phir Julia ne wo baat uda di aur aage ki scheme ke baare me baat karne lagi.
**********************
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Ye basti sach much vichitra thi. Har prakar se unhen vichitra aise lagi ki unhon ne ab tak iske baare me jo bhi suna tha wo uske vipreet tha. Yahaan charon taraf chhote chhote gharon ki shrinkhlaayen bikhri padi thin. Shayad hi koi aisa makaan raha ho jiske saamne ek chhota sa bageecha na raha ho. Wahaan ke niwaasi bhi bade saaf suthre the. Dhire dhire chalne waale shaant log. Kabhi kabhi to aisa lagta jaise basti ke saare mardon ne afeem ki chuski laga rakhi ho.
Unke dhang se aisa lagta tha jaise kisi jagah baithe baithe uthne keliye sochne me bhi 10-15 minut laga dete hon. Normal haalat me atyant aalsi aur sust lagte.
Lekin unki auraten unke vipareet thin. Badi tez tarraar....ang ang thirakta tha jaise.....halaaki unka ye dhang chhoti bachchiyon jaisa tha. Abhi tak Imran ki nigaah se ek bhi aisi aurat nahin guzri thi jiski aankhon me kaam-pipaasa ki jhalkiyaan miltin. Wo khel tamashon.....aur raag rang ki shaukeen awashya thin.......sath hi sath aagyakari betiyaan aur patiwrata patniyaan bhi thin.
Unke liye ye khabar bahut ullaas bhari thi ki unke mard kahin se circus waalon ko pakad laaye hain.
Imran vishesh roop se Shahbaz hi ka mehmaan tha. Usne usay un tents me nahin rahne diya.......jisme kaafile waale rah rahe the.
Ek samtal maidan me tents gaad di gayi thin.........aur kaafila wahin utar pada tha.
Shahbaz raaste hi men Imran se free ho gaya tha. Ya ye kaha ja sakta hai ki Imran hi uss se free ho gaya tha. Saaf baat hai ki agar Imran iske awasar nahin paida karta to shahbaaz ke free hone ka sawaal hi paida nahin hota. Kaafile waalon ki vyawashta ho jaane ke baad wo usay apne ghar leta chala gaya. Yahaan teen kamre the jinki diwaaren pattharon ki thin.......aur chhat phoos ki. Shahbaz ke anusar chhaton ke upari satah par janwaron ki khaalen mandhi huyi thin.
"Khaalen hi hamaari daulat hain." Usne kaha. "Ham anaaj ke badle tumhen khaalen de sakte hain......sone chandi ke badle nahin."
"Aap yahaan akele rahte hain?" Imran ne puchha.
"Main iska aadi hun. Har vyakti ko hona chaahiye. Agar ghar me koi aurat maujood ho to har tarah se aadmi ke sharir me ghun lag jaata hai. Isliye iss ghar me kabhi koi aurat nahin aayegi."
"Bahut achha vichar hai..."
"Tum sach kah rahe ho ya aise hi.......dusre log to mere iss vichar ka samarthan nahin karte."
"Wo galti karte hain." Imran ne sar hila kar kaha.
"Achha tum bhooke hoge.....haan uss kamre me chulha hai.....indhan hai....laal dibbe me ande honge.....aur lakadi ke sandook me aata. Lekin tum chai ko hath nahin lagaaoge......kyonki iske liye hamen peele registan ka kuchh hissa paar karna padta hai. Peela registan.......jahaan maut aandhiyon ke roop me chakraati aur chinghaadti phirti hain."
"Chai peene se mujhe zukaam ho jaata hai.....isliye main kabhi nahin peeta."
"Tab tum ek bahut achhe mehmaan ho. Hamesha yahaan raho...." Shahbaz hansne laga. safed daanton ki kataar se darindagi jhalak rahi thi.
Wo ek din ki to thakan thi nahin ki do chaar ghanton me door ho jaati. Kaafile waale jo chain se lete......to unhone dusre hi din ki khabar li. Na khane ka hosh na peene ki sudh.
Phir agar unke sath safdar nahin hota to shayad wo paagal hi ho jaate. Kyonki log jhund ke jhund aakar un se circus ke baare me puchhte........aur kuchh iss dhang se puchhte ki unke praan sukh jaate. Unke shor machane ka matlab wo samajh nahin paate.
Unke bolne ke dhang se aisa hi lagta jaise maar daalne ki dhamkiyaan de rahe hon.
Jab safdar unhen batata ki wo to bade prem se tumhari haal chaal puchh rahe hain. Tab unke hawaas thikaane aaye. 3 din tak wo aaram karte rahe. Phir ek sham un logon ne apne kartab dikhaye.......jiske liye unhone kaafi tauari ki thin. Ek hi show me unhone kaafi daulat kamaayi. Ye lagbhag dedh pond chai thi. Usay bhi Shahbaz bahut lalchi nigaahon se dekh raha tha. Imran jab usay samet karek taraf rakh chuka tab usne ek thandi saans lekar kaha.
"Agar tum ek hafta bhi yahaan thahre to kaafi daulatmand hokar lautoge."
Wo donon ek tent me akele the. Imran ne chai ke do hisse kiye....aur ek hissa uski taraf badhaya.
"Kyaaa??" Shahbaz ne hairat se kaha. Phir hans kar bola..."Tum mazaak kar rahe ho..."
"Nahin dost..." Imran ne gambhirta se kaha. "Main doston ke liye jaan bhi de sakta hun......ye to kewal chai hai.......ek duniyaawi daulat jo pet me jaakar khatam ho jaati hai..."
"Tum gambhirta se kah rahe ho?" Shahbaz ab bhi hairat me tha.
"Haan dost............main ekdam gambhir hun."
"Phir soch lo......itni chai ke badle tumhen 20 khaalen mil sakti hain."
"20 hazaar khaalen tum par qurbaan kar sakta hun. Aajkal tum jaise dost kahaan milte hain?"
"Tum mujhe sharminda kar rahe ho." Shahbaz achanak bigad gaya....."Main chhuraa maar kar tumhari aanten baahar nikaal dunga..."
"Imran apna pet khol kar khada ho gaya.......aur muskura kar bola....""Pyare sardar
Shahbaz ke hathon marna main bahut pasand karunga."
Imran ke pet kholne par wo gusse ki sthiti me hi hans pada. Phir kuchh der chup chap Imran ko ghoorte rahne ke baad bola..."Kyo tum apne circus me joker ka kaam karte ho?"
"Haan.......kabhi kabhi...." Imran ne sar hila kar kaha.
Shahbaz ne aadhi chai samet kar apne kabze me ki aur phir kuchh kahne hi waala tha ki ek aadmi tent me ghus aaya. Ye bhi Shahbaz ki hi tarah lamba chauda Shukraali tha. Wo kuchh der tak Shahbaz ko kha jaane waali nazron se dekhta raha phir jeb se lohe ka ek chhota sa chhallaa(bracelet or ring) nikaal kar usay dikhaata hua bola....
"Iske naam par main tum se puchhta hun.......ki tum in logon ko kiski anumati se yahaan laaye ho?"
"Kya iss ilaake me koi mujh se bhi adhik shaktishali hai?" Shahbaaz zamin par pair patak kar dahaada.
"Haan......nishchit hai...wo jo gufaaon me rahta hai. Jo maweshi nahin paalta phir bhi uske saamne khaalon ke dher lage rahte hain.......aur jis par peela registan ki ret ka ek kann bhi aaj tak nahin pada...........lekin wo chai pee sakta hai.......wo jiske ek ishaare par tum sab maut ke ghaat utaare jaa sakte ho."
"Jaao...." Shahbaaz darwaze ki taraf hath utha kar bola...."Usay pata hai ki mujhe uski thoda bhi parwaah nahin hai. Uss se kah dena ki agar us ne iss aabadi ki taraf aankh uthayi to poore Shukraal me khoon ki nadiyaan bahengi."
"Tum sapne me ho Shahbaaz....." Wo aadmi vyang se muskura kar bola. "Iss basti ka ek kutta bhi tumhara sath nahin dega. Gufaa waale ka naam sunte hi unke baapdaadaon ki aatmaayen bhi kaanp uthengi."
"Main akela saari basti ko lalkaar sakta hun......tum dafa ho jaao."
"Achhi baat hai..." Wo usay keena bhari nigaahon se dekhta hua bola.
"Aadhi chai aap le lijiye........aakhir isme naraaz hone ki kon si baat hai?" Imran jaldi se bol pada. Shahbaz usay iss tarah ghoorne laga jaise kachcha hi chaba jaayega.
"Wo apni khushi se de raha hai......tum adanga mat lagaao" Wo aadmi chai ki potali par hath rakhta hua Shahbaz se bola.......aur Imran ne phir jaldi se kaha....."Jee haan.......jee haann....shauk se. Aap hi ki hai."
Wo aadmi potali ko utha kar tent se baahar chala gaya.
"Tum gadhe ho.....bilkul stupid ho..." Shahbaz daant pees kar bola.
"Kyon sardar? Nahin......main ne achha kiya.......bekaar aap donon me ladaayi ho jaati."
"Arre....wo. Geedad....makkaar....uski himmat thi? Uska gufaa waale se koi sambandh nahin......usay kahin se ek kataali mil gayi hai......aur wo isi tarah logon ko dhamkiyaan dekar apna pet paalta hai."
"Ab main kya jaanun......main samjha tha shayad wo bhi koi sardar hai."
"Chup raho......" Shahbaz usay mukka dikha kar bola. "Chalo ab mujhe nind aa rahi hai."
Wo donon ghar ki taraf chal pade. Raaste me Imran ne puchha..."Ye gufaa waala kaun hai?"
"Ek shaitaan jiske shareer me suwar ki aatma maujood hai."
"Bura aadmi hai?"
"Bahut bura. Usay kuchh bhi nahin karna padta.......phir bhi uske saamne daulat ki dher lagi rahti hai. Na wo maweshi paalta hai aur na kabhi ghode ki pith par baithta hai.....iske baad bhi uske saamne khaalon ki dher dikhayi dete hain."
"Jadugar hai?"
"Jadugar hi samjh lo....main bataata hun......usne hamesha muft ki roti khayi hai. Aaj se paanch saal pahle tak ham us par taras kha kar uska pet bhar diya karte the.......aur wo hamen tarakki aur khush-haali ki duaayen diya karta tha. Phir achanak wo ham sab se zabardasti apna haq wasool karne laga. Na jaane kaise Shukraal ke chhate huye badmaashon se saaj-baaj kar li. Wo uski suraksha karte hain......aur wo Shukraal ke sabhi ilaakon se tax wasool karta hai. Uske aadmi kahte phirte hain ki uski mutthi me zindagi aur maut hai. Uski duwa se Shukraal me maayen nar bachche janam deti hain.......uska krodh maut ke roop me prakat hota hai. Uske niyantran me aakash par chamakne waali bijli hai......wo jab chaahe jis samay chaahe poori ki poori bastiyon ko tabaah kar sakta hai."
"Waahh bhai.......khudaayi ka daawa kar baitha hai...." Imran barbadaaya.
"Nahin...wo kahta hai khuda ne usko buraaiyaan door karne duniya me bheja hai. Chaahe koi bhi ho.....log uss se darne lage hain. Uss se nahin balki un rahassyamayi shaktiyon se jo uski mutthi me hain. Ham Shukraali kewal ghode ki pith par hi marna pasand karte hain.......chaahe hamaare hath me bandook ho ya talwar. Ham har samay maut ka swaagat karne keliye taiyar rahte hain. Magar wo maut hamen pasand nahin hai jo gufaa waale ki taraf se ham par aati hai...."
"Wo maut kaisi hoti hai dost?"
"Yahi ki aadmi raat ko soye aur usi bister se subah uski laash uthaani pade."
"Kya ye aksar hota hai?"
"Haan.....jo bhi gufaa waale ki krodh ka shikaar hota hai......uska yahi anjaam hota hai."
"Matlab wo usay pahle hi uski maut ki suchna de deta hai?" Imran ne puchha.
"Haan.....wo kahta hai ki tum falaan din ka suraj na dekh sakoge......aur phir tum sach much uss subah ka suraj nahin dekh sakoge........dusre ko tumko tumhaare bister se murda uthaana padega."
"Kya aaj tak koi nahin bach saka? Mera matlab hai aisa aadmi jis ke baare me usne bhawishya-vaani ki ho...."
"Dusron ke baare me to nahin kah sakta......lekin ek baar khud main hi bach chuka hun."
"Wo kaise?"
"Arre.....tum to dimaag chaatne lage." Shahbaz jhunjlaa gaya...."Bass ab chup raho......ghar pahuch kar bataaunga..."
Imran chup ho gaya.....wo donon ghar pahuche, khana khaya aur Shahbaz chai keliye paani rakh kar muskuraata hua Imran ki taraf muda...."Yaar Shaf Shikan.....tum mujhe aksar yaad aaya karoge. Pata nahin kyon tum se itna lagaao paida ho gaya hai..."
"Yahi haal mera bhi hai Sardar Shahbaz...." Imran ne sar hila kar kaha....."Magar tum ek baar Gufaa waale ki shraap se kaise bache the?"
