"Maine wo raat bister ke bajaaye ghode ki pith par guzaari thi."
"Phir uske baad kya hua?"
"Phir kuchh bhi nahin......phir wo shayad iske baare me bhool hi gaya tha."
"Lekin us ne tumhen shraap kyon di thi?"
"Maine ek kataali waale ko maar daala tha."
"Kataali waala? main nahin samjha."
"Abhi jo tum se chaai ainth kar le gaya......kataali waala hi ban kar aaya tha. Har basti me do-chaar kataali waale rahte hain. Ye vaastav me usi gufaa waale ke aadmi hain. Tumne dekha tha ki nahin........usne lohe ka ek chhallaa nikaal kar mujhe dikhaaya tha.......wahi hai kataali. Gufaa waale ki pahchaan chinh. Log kataali waalon se darte hain. Agar do aadmi kahin lad rahe hain aur koi kataali waala pahuch jaaye to wo iss tarah ek dusre se alag hat jaayenge jaise kisi adrishya shakti ne unhen alag kar diya ho. Haan.......to ek baar main bhi ek aadmi se ulajh pada tha. Ek kataali waala hamaari taraf badha. Pahle maine usi ko khatam kar diya......phir dusre aadmi ki taangen cheer daalin.......tum sharab nahin peete kya?"
"Nahin........" Imran bola..."kya sharab tumhen aasani se mil jaati hai?"
"Sharab to Shukraal hi men banti hai. Wo hamen baahar se nahin mangwaani padti. Balki ham khud baahar waalon ko sharab dete hain.......aur uske badle un se bandooken, Kartoos aur revolver laate hain. Shukraal jaisi Sharab tumhen poori duniya me nahin milengi. Ye phate huye doodh ke paani aur angoor se taiyar ki jaati hai."
"Mujhe uss gufaa waale ke baare me bataate raho Shahbaz..."
"Kya uski charcha tumhen achha lagta hai?" Shahbaz ne krodh-mishrit swar me kaha.
"Nahin......uss se nafart maloom hoti hai......magar wo mujhe vichitra lagta hai....kya tum vichitra prakar ki baaten sunna pasand nahin karoge?"
"Agar wo ghreena yogya baaten ho to main unhen sunna pasand nahin karunga."
Imran khamosh ho gaya.......phir kuchh der baad Shahbaz chaai laaya. Imran soch raha tha ki matlab ki baat chhede ya nahin.....ho sakta hai Shahbaz hi uss saazish ka sargana ho......jiski kadiyaan usay apne desh me mili thin......aur jiske kaaran usay Shukraal ka safar karna pada tha.
Aakhir Shahbaz khud hi bola...."Main uska ghreena-yogya charcha awashya karunga......taaki uss samay tak mere seene me uske khilaaf aag bhadakti rahe jab tak ki main.......usko maar na daalun. Wo firangiyon ka dost hai Shaf Shikan! Aur ham ne aaj tak apni maatribhumi par kisi firangi ka napaak kadam nahin bardaasht kiya. Ab yahaan firangi aate hain.......aur unke paas kataaliyaan hoti hain......aur un kataaliyon ke kaaran koi un par hath uthaane ki himmat nahin karta. Firangiyon ne apni auraten usay di hain.......uske paas kayi firangi auraten hain.......jo uske sath gufaaon me rahti hain."
Imran ki ruchi ab badh gayi thi. Usne kaha....."Sachmuch wo tumhaari bhumi ko apawitra kar raha hai. Maine Shukraal ke baare me suna tha ki wahaan ke log bade gairat waale hote hain......lakin ab tumhari auraten dogle bachchon ko janam dengi."
"Kya bakte ho?" Shahbaz chaai ki pyaali farsh par patakte huye khada ho gaya. Uska hath revolver ke daste par tha.
"Main thik kah raha hun........jahaan firangiyon ke kadam jaate hain....wahaan badchalni aur aawargi phailti hai.....auraten nangi hokar naachne lagti hain...aur mard dar ke maare apna munh pher kar khade ho jaate hain."
"Khamosh..........tum apna munh band karo warnaa....." usne revolver ko holster se khich liya tha.
Imran ki nishchintata me koi antar nahin aaya. Usne dukhi swar me
kaha......."Dost.....tum mere dost ho.....main tumhaara hi nahin, poore Shukraal ka dost hun. Mujhe bhi un firangiyon se nafrat hai......jo auraton ko dogle bachche paida karne par majboor kar dete hain. Maine suna hai ki Shukraal me firangi aane lage hain to main ab yahaan se zinda waapas nahin jaaunga." Usne kuchh ruk kar Shahbaz ki aankhon me dekhte huye uske revolver ki taraf hath utha kar kaha...."Shahbaz isay rakh lo.......mere seene me dil ki jagah ek bahut badi chattaan hai."
Shahbaz kuchh pal usay ghoorta raha phir usne revolver holster me rakh liya. Imran aaram se chaai peeta raha. Shahbaz apna hont daanton me dabaaye farsh ki taraf dekh raha tha.
"Chinta mat karo......agar tum isi samay uski gufaaon me ghusna chaaho to main tumhaara hath bataane keliye taiyar hun." Imran ne kaha.
"Shahbaz ne usay gaur se dekha aur bola..."Ham do aadmi kya kar lenge. Mere paas pachaas jawaan hain.....jo mere ek ishaare par aandhiyon ki disha badal sakte hain. Lekin un me se koi bhi uske chhetra me ghusne ki himmat nahin karega........wo sabhi andekhi maut se darte hain."
"Kya unhone tumhen maut se bachte nahin dekha tha?"
"Dekha tha magar wo usay maatr sanjog samajhte hain."
"Aur tum kya samajhte ho?"
Main samajhta hun ki uss suwar ke paas adrishya shakti nahin hai......wo jise bhi shraap deta hai usko zahar dilwaa deta hai. Maine uss din kuchh bhi nahin khaaya piya tha......jis din mujhe uski shraap ki suchna mili thi. Aur raat bister par kaatne ki jagah ghode par baith kar guzaara tha."
"Main tum se poori tarah sahmat hun." Imran ne sar hila kar kaha. "Firangiyon ke hathkande isi tarah ke hote hain. Magar Shahbaz tum bahut chalaak ho aur mujhe vishwaas hai ki gufaa waala tumhaare hi hath se maara jaayega."
Shahbaz ka chehra kisi aise bachche ki tarah khil utha jise achanak bahut badi khushi mil gayi ho.
"Tum aadmiyon ki fikar mat karo..." Imran phir bola..."Mere paas behtareen kism ke ladaaka maujood hain.......jo kisi bhi mauke par peechhe nahin hatenge. Wo ye bhi jaante hain ki firangiyon se kis prakar yuddh karni chaahiye. Main apne saathiyon sahit tumhaara saath doonga."
"Nahinnn...." Shahbaz ke swar me achambha tha.
"Haan dost.....mard ki zubaan ek." Imran uski taraf hath phailaata hua bola.
"Shahbaz uske hath par hath maar kar khada ho gaya.
"Achha dost.....tum dekhoge ki main kis prakar Shukraal keliye jaan ki baazi lagaata hun. Main Khan Zargham Kohi ka beta hun.......jis se saara Shukraal tharraata tha. Kragaal, Maqlaak aur Sarkhistan ke rahne waale bhi uske naam se kaanpte the........tumhaare tewar kahte hain ki tum bhi Shaf Shikan hi saabit hoge......tumhaare baap ka naam kya tha?"
"Sanjeeda Khan Mohtaat....wo badi saawdhani se sab kaam karta hai aur kisi din bahut saavdhani se mar jaayega...."
(Sanjeeda=Gambhir ; Mohtaat= Saavdhaan.)
"Maine aaj tak Maqlaak ke kisi Sanjeeda khan ka naam nahin suna."
"Na suna hoga......wo koi mash'hoor vyakti nahin hai......lekin mere ladke avashya bahut garv se kahenge ki wo Shaf Shikan ke bete hain."
"Achha dost ab mujhe nind aa rahi hai....." Shahbaz munh par hath rakh kar jamhaayi leta hua bola.
Imran bhi khamosh ho gaya. Wo ab khud bhi apne bister par let chuka tha.
********************
************
Pata nahin kyon achanak Imran ki aankh khul gayi. Halaanki kamre me prawesh karne waale bahut saavadhani se ghuse the. Ye chaar the aur unke hathon me revolver bhi the. Imran uchhal kar baith gaya.
"Khabadar......chup-chaap pade raho..." Ek ne garaj kar kaha. Shahbaz bhi jaag pada aur us ki bhi wahi haalat huyi jo Imran ki huyi thi.
"Tum to ekdam hi chup pade raho..." Ek aadmi ne apni jeb se ek lohe ka chhallaa nikaal kar usay dikhaate huye kaha. Uske revolver ka rukh Shahbaz ke seene ki taraf tha.
"Tum kya chaahte ho?" Shahbaz aankhen nikaal kar bola.
"Ham isay gufaa waale ke paas le jaayenge.....agar tum taang adaaoge to hamen ye aadesh mila hai ki tumhen khatam kar den."
"Arre yaaro.....kyon ghabraate ho...?" Imran murkhon ki tarah bola...."Kal raat ki chaai tum chaaron me baant doonga."
"Chup raho...." Shahbaz dahaahda..."Tum bina samjhe boojhe iss prakar ka koi waada nahin kar sakte."
"Gufaa waala tum logon ki tarah chaai ka muhtaaj nahin hai." Ek aagantuk ne munh bana kar kaha. "Tum ajnabiyon ko yahaan kyon laaye ho?"
"Gufaa waala safed suwwaron ko yahaan kyon bulaata hai?" Shahbaz ne garaj kar puchha.
"Tum gufaa waale par aiteraaz nahin kar sakte......wo maalik hai."
"Hamaare hi tukdon par palne waala bhikaari aaj hamaara maalik ban gaya hai. Wo tum jaise badbudaar kutton ka maalik hoga......mera nahin ho sakta......main Zargham ka beta Shahbaz hun....."
"Aur main..." Imran kapkapaati huyi aawaz me kaha...."Sanjeeda Khan Mohtaat ka bb....bb....bakhhhh....."
bakhh.....ke sath hi usne ek ki taang pakad li......aur jaise hi wo jhuka.....Imran ne badi phurti se usay donon hathon par utha kar dusron par uchhaal diya. Teen fire ek sath huye aur uss chauthe ka shareer chhalni ho gaya. Shahbaz ke liye itna hi mauka kaafi tha. Dusri taraf se usne bhi un par chhalaang laga di.
Iss apratyashit hamle ne unhen bokhlaa diya.......aur phir unme se ek ke hath me revolver rah gaya. Usne Imran par fire kiya. Lekin goli phoos ki chhat me jaa ghusi.......aur phir usay dusre fire ka awasar nahin mil saka. Imran ne na kewal uska revolver chheen liya balki balki khud usay bhi sar se uncha kar ke iss zor se deewar par maara ki uski dusri cheekh na suni jaa saki.
Dusri taraf wo donon Shahbaz se lipte huye the. Imran ne un me se bhi ek ki taang li.......aur uska bhi wahi haal hua jo dusre ka hua tha. Phir Shahbaz ne chauthe ka gala ghont kar maar daala.
"Oye......Shaf Shikan......Oye Shaf Shikan.....!" Wo Imran ko niche se upar dekhta hua bola. "Yaar tu aadmi hai ya......"
Wo aage badh kar Imran ka baazu tatolne laga......aur phir muskura kar bola....."Tu bhi bade baap ka beta lagta hai...."
"Nahin....mera baap saadhe chaar feet ka aadmi hai...."
"Tab phir uski aatma bahut badi hogi."
"Inka kya hoga?" Imran ne laashon ki taraf ishara kiya.
Shahbaz ne thahaaka lagaaya. Der tak hansta raha....phir bola...."Main inhen bich chauraahe par daal dunga........aur in laashon ke paas ek aadmi dhol baja baja kar kahega..........ki inhen Zarghaam ke bete Shahbaz ne maar daala hai. Ye gufaa waale ke aadmi the. Inke paas pavitra kataaliyaan thin.......haha.....wo kahega ki Zarghaam ka beta Shahbaz un aasmaani vipattiyon se nahin darta jo gufaa waale ke kabze me hain. Ek din wo usay bhi maar kar uss gaddhe me phenk dega.......jisme mare huye maweshi pheke jaate hain."
"Iss se kya hoga Shabaz....?"
"Main vaastav me iss basti waalon ke dilon se gufaa waale ka bhay nikaalna chaahta hun."
"Thik hai..........lekin kahin wo sab tumhaare viruddh ho gaye to?"
"Mujhe iski parwaah nahin hai."
"Tum galti par ho dost.....tumhaara mukaabla uss vyakti se hai jo firangiyon ka dost hai.......aur tum nahin jaante ki firangi kitne makkaar(Dhongi) hote hain....."
"Main jaanta hun...."
"Phir tumhen bhi lomadi ki tarah chalaak aur Sher ki tarah nidar hona chaahiye."
"Main samjha nahin..."
"Suno dost....." Imran uske kandhe par hath rakh kar bola. "Main ye nahin kahta ki tum veerta ke kaushal mat dikhaao.......lekin thoda saawadhani se...."
"Main ekdam saaf saaf kahunga.....tum sunte jaao. Maan lo ki ye firangi ek gaddhe me aag bhar den aur tum se kahen ki uss me kood jaao.......warna ham tumhen bahadur Zargham ka beta nahin maanenge.......to tum kya karoge?"
"Main apne baap ka naam uncha rakhne keliye awashya kood jaaunga...."
"Haha.........." Imran ne thahaaka lagaya. "Tab to wo yahi karenge.......aur Shukraal ki auraten dogale bachche janam dengi."
"Khamoshhhh....warna main tumhaara gardan udaa dunga."
"Agar tum mar gaye to yahi hoga jo main kah raha hun."
"Phir mujhe kya karna chaahiye?"
"Chalaak bano.......agar tum bhediye ho to bhed ki khaal pahan lo. Bahaaduri tab dikhaao jab uski zarurat ho...iss tarah agar dushman tum se adhik shaktishali hua tab bhi tum usay maar loge...."
"Shahbaz thodi der sochta raha phir bola "Tum thik kah rahe ho.......phir in lashon ka kya kiya jaaye...?"
"Aao......ham inhen dafan kar den..."
"O....baba....." Wo kaanon par hath rakh kar bola...."Zamin khodni padegi..."
"Tum chinta mat karo......main subah hone se pahle hi inhen dafan kar doonga...."
Dusri subah Imran wahin pahuch gaya jahaan uske sathi aur dusre kaafile waale thahre huye the. Unka bhay ab kisi had tak kam ho chuka tha. Imran ne wahaan pahuchne me jaldi isliye ki thi ki kahin kaafile waale bhi raat jaisi kisi ghatna se dochaar na huye hon. Lekin wahaan usay aisi suchna nahin mili.
X2 ke puraane sathiyon ne usay gher liya.
"Ye bahut galat baat hai Imran." Julia ne kaha...."Tum hamen yahaan chhod kar uske sath chale jaate ho..."
Julia usay gaur se dekh rahi thi. Imran ne kuchh der baad kaha...."Hamen bahur sachet rahna hoga...."
Phir usne pichhli raat ki ghatna bataate huye uss rahassyamayi gufaa waale ki kahaani bhi sunaayi.
"Ahhaa..." Julia boli....."To ham uss saazish ke sarganaa tak pahuch hi gaye......videshiyon se uske sampark ka yahi matlab ho sakta hai...."
"Sambhav hai.....tumhara vichar sahi ho. Magar tum logon ki suraksha ke liye main abhi tak kuchh nahin kar saka. Tum sab bhi khatre se ghire huye ho. Pata nahin wo kab tum par aa paden. Basti waale uss rahassyamayi vyakti se bhaybheet hain......isliye wo uske viruddh koi kadam nahin uthaayenge. Agar unhen sandeh bhi ho gaya ki hamaare kaaran un par koi vipatti aane waali hai.......to wo hamen fanaa kar dene ka koi bhi kasar nahin chhodenge."
"Main tumhaare vichar ka samarthan karti hun......lekin kya wo Shahbaz basti waalon par itna bhi prabhaav nahin rakhta?"
"Prabhaav to rakhta hai lekin wo aasmaani vipattiyon ke dar ke saamne kuchh bhi nahin. Ho sakta hai ki wo Shahbaz hi ko maar daalen......jisne gufaa waalon se jhagdaa mol liya hai."
"Phir kya upaaye hoga?"
"Bass yahi ki hamen har samay satark rahna chaahiye." Imran ne kaha aur leutinent Chauhan se bola..."Zara bojh dhone waale mazduron ko yahaan bulaa laao..."
"Kyon.....kya isi samay kooch ka iraada hai?"
"Mujh se anawashyak prashn mat karo...." Imran ne krodh bhare swar me kaha aur leutinenet Chauhan chup chaap chala gaya.
Ab yahaan pahuch kar un me itni himmat nahin rah gayi thi ki Imran ke aadesh ki awahelanaa karen. Wo unhen jis prakar bhi chaahta istemaal kar sakta tha.
Had to ye ki Tanwir bhi us ke mukaable me bujha bujha sa rahta tha. Yahaan pahuch jaane ke baad us ne phir Imran se ulajhne ki koshish nahin ki thi.
Thodi der baad mazdoor aa gaye aur Imran ne unke head se kaha..."Ab samay aa gaya hai. Mera vichar hai ki tum sab yahaan ke waatavaran se kuprabhavit nahin hoge."
"Ham poori tarah taiyar hain sir........aur ye to samay aane par hi aapko pata chal jaayega ki ham prabhavit huye hain ya nahin."
"Suno.......agar aisa koi samay aaya to tum unhen bahut aasaani se parajit kar sakoge. Un logon me vyavasthit dhang se yuddh karne ki yogyata nahin hai. Ye jab bhi aayenge.......biphre huye bhediye ki tarah tum par aayenge. Uss samay agar thoda sa bhi dimaag thanda rakha jaaye.......to minton me unki ek poori regiment saaf ki jaa sakti hai. Kya samjhe?"
"Samajh gaye sir....."
"bass isi ke liye bulaaya tha. Ab tum log jaa sakte ho." Imran ne kaha.
Unke chale jaane ke baad Julia ne hairat se kaha....."Tum inn mazdooron ko ladaaoge?"
"Haan.......kya karun........jab inhen ladne ke alawa kuchh aata hi nahin..."
"Kya matlab?"
"Ye uchch koti ke prashikshit(Trained) fauji hain."
"Ohhhh...."
Phir Imran Danny Wilson ke paas aaya.......aur usay bhi khatron ke prati chetaawani dete huye kaha..."Wo sardar jo hamen yahan tak laaya hai.....hamaara dost hi hai.......lekin ek dusra sardar jo uss se adhik shaktishali hai yahaan hamaari upasthiti pasand nahin karta. Tumhen bataaun ki wo ladki jiski talash me ham yahaan aaye hain......usi sardar ke kabze me hai. Isliye tumhare shikaariyon ko har samay chaukanna aur taiyaar rahna chahiye."
"Wo taiyar hi hain master Imran. Lekin iss kaaran kuchh udaas ho gaye hain ki yahaan ke niwasiyon ki bhasha unki samajh me nahin aati."
"Hay.....Danny......kaisi baaten kar rahe ho? Kya wo yahaan ke niwaasiyon ke sath rishta banaane aaye hain?"
"Aap mera matlab nahin samjhe. Main ye kahna chaahta hun ki wo iss ajnabipan se uktaa gaye hain."
Imran ne transmeter nikaal kar black-zero se sampark karna chaaha. Lekin dusri taraf se koi reply nahin mila aur phir achanak usay ek khayaal aaya. Kahin wo un logon ke hath na lag gaya ho.......aur pichhli raat ki ghatna usi ke kaaran na ghati ho.
"Kyon....?" Julia usay shak ki nazar se dekhti huyi boli.
"Kuchh nahin......meri samajh se transmeter kharab ho gaya hai."
"Phir ab kya hoga?"
"Kuchh bhi nahin. Main doodh peeta bachcha nahin hun......ki baat baat par uske nirdeshon ka muhtaaj rahun. Meri khopadi second hand hi sahi......lekin chal jaati hai. Tum chinta mat karo."
"Tum aakhir accept kyon nahin kar lete ki tum hi X2 ho."
"Julia kya tumhaara dimaag chal gaya hai. Kya tum ne transmeter par uski awaaz nahin suni thi. Kya tum ne wo do laashen nahin dekhi thin."
Julia kuchh na boli. Uski aankhon me phir usi tarah ki uljhan ke bhaav dikhayi dene lage the jaise paagalon ki tarah cheekhna shusru kar degi.
Imran ko black zero ki chinta thi. Isliye usne adhik baaten nahin ki. Phir wo uske tent se baahar jaane ka nishchay kar hi raha tha ki leutinent Chauhan bokhlaaya hua andar ghusa lekin Imran par nazar padte hi hans pada.
"Yaar Imran sahab.....bas maza aa gaya...."
"Matlab?"
"Tanwir ko kuchh auraton ne gher liya hai aur uska dam nikla jaa raha hai. Bhai Julia....iss samay tum to uski soorat awashya hi dekh lo......taaki kuchh dinon tak sukoon se zindagi guzaar sako."
Julia muskuraati huyi uthi.....aur Imran bhi baahar nikal aaya.
Vaastav me usay 6 shukraali ladkiyon ne gher rakha tha......aur Tanwir ka chehra peela pad raha tha.
"Aaye haaye.....tumhaari kismat....Tanwir Raja...." Imran daant par daant jama kar bola...."Magar tum mare kyon jaa rahe ho?"
Infact ladkiyaan uss se kah rahi thin ki wo unhen sar ke bal khade hokar dikhaaye. Shayad unka khayal tha ki iss kaafile ka har vyakti circus waalon hi ki tarah kartab dikha sakta hai.
"Arre Tanwir raja......wo kah rahi hain ki tum unhen sar ke bal khade hokar dikhaao.....aur pichhli raat tumne apne kartab kyon nahin dikhaaye the?"
"Arre baap re..." Tanwir bhrraayi huyi aawaz me bola. "Khuda keliye in se pichha chhudaao."
"Arre mujhe kya padi hai ki bematlab taang adaaun. Tum to bade 'sondarya ke pujaari' ho Tanwir Raja......aur mujhe un me ek bhi bad-surat nahin dikhti."
"Yaar Imran pyaare.....inhen samjhaao. Agar inka koi mard idhar aa nikla to mera kya hoga?"
"Arre Tanwir miyaan......ye khud hi mard bhi hoti hain. Himmat ho to inmen se kisi ko aankh maar kar dekho. Tum to aankh maarne ke expert bhi ho."
"Imran bhai....." Tanwir ghighiyaya.....kyonki ab un ladkiyon ne usay jhanjhorna shusru kar diya tha.
"Achha apna kaan pakad kar kaho ki kabhi Imran se nahin akdunga..."
"Tanwir ne apna kaan pakad kar kaha...."Main kabhi Imran se nahin akdunga..."
Phir Imran ne unhen samjha bujha kar kisi kisi prakar wahaan se hataaya. Iske liye Tanwir ke badle khud usi ko sar ke bal khada hona pada tha. Julia betahaasha Tanwir ka mazaak udaaye huyi thi.
Ab sham ke circus show keliye taiyari karni thi. Lekin Imran kewal black-zero ke baare me soch raha tha. Usne uss samay se sham tak baar baar transmeter par uss se sampark karne ka prayas kiya lekin kaamyabi nahin mili. Sham hote hi Shahbaz bhi aa gaya. Lekin hamesha ki tarah iss samay bhi uska chehra nishchint hi lag raha tha aur aankhon ke bhi wahi udaas udaas bhaav the.
"Sardar Shahbaz.....mera ek aadmi kal se gayab hai. Kahin usay gufaa waale hi ke paas na pahucha diya gaya ho." Imran ne kaha.
"Sambhav hai." Shahbaz ne laparwaahi se uttar diya. Phir kuchh ruk kar bola. "Tum aaj bekaar hi pratiksha kar rahe ho."
"Kyon?"
"Aaj basti ka koi beemar kutta bhi circus dekhne nahin aayega. Basti waalon ko iska pata ho gaya hai ki gufaa waala iss ilaake me circus waalon ki upasthiti pasand nahin karta."
"Phir kya hoga?"
"Apne aadmiyon se kaho har samay taiyar rahen."
"Wo har samay taiyar hain.....tum iski chinta mat karo..."
"Aur ab main yahin rahunga..." Shahbaz ne kaha. "Agar uss suwwar ke aadmiyon ne hamla kiya to....."
"Thahro dost...." Imran hath utha kar bola....."Mujhe ye bataao ki shukraal ki kitni bastiyaan uske sath hain?"
"Ek bhi nahin.....sab us se nafrat karte hain lekin aasmani badhaaon se darte hain." "Main ye puchh raha hun ki kya Shukraal ki bastiyaan kisi yuddh me bhi uska sath de sakengi.....ya nahin?"
"Agar wo adrishya vipattiyon ke aane ka dar de de to ye bhi sambhav hai." Shahbaz ne kaha...."Lekin meri suno.....Shukraal kya agar saari duniya bhi uske sath ho to Zargham ke bete ka hath uske viruddh hi uthega."
"Wo to thik hai diler sardar lekin....." Imran kisi soch me pad gaya.
"Phir ab tum kayaron jaise soch me kyon doobne lage ho?"
"Zargham ke bete....! Meri baat samajhne ki koshish karo. Gufaa waalon ke sath firangiyon ki buddhi aur chalaaki hai. Isliye main apni uss buddhi ko pukaar raha hun.....jo firangiyon ki chaturaayi ka saamna kar sake."
"Jaldi pukaar bhi chuko...main iss basti ke paagal aadmiyon ki shakalen der tak nahin dekhna chaahta."
"Kya matlab?"
"Wo meri nahin sunte......main apni chhaati par hath maar kar kahta hun ki uss suwwar ka shraap milne ke baad bhi zinda hun......tum bhi uss se na daro......lekin wo meri nahin sunte. Tum unhen paagal nahin to kya kahoge?"
"Achha to aao ab suno....mere paas 75 aise aadmi hain jo poori shakti se kisi bhi kathinaayi ka saamna kar sakte hain."
"Ohh.....phir.....phir hamen bilkul der nahin karni chahiye...." Shahbaz ne kaha. "Ham sidhe gufaa par jaa chadhen.....ekdam thik.....lekin tumhare paas kewal teen ghode hain."
"Aur wo bhi ekdam bekaar..." Imran sar hila kar bola..."Wo circus ke ghode hain sawaari aur ladaayi ke nahin.....fire ki awaaz sun kar unka dam hi nikal jaayega."
"Pachhattar ghode...." Shahbaz khamosh ho kar kuchh sochne laga. Phir kuchh der baad bola..."Main vyavastha karunga......tum befikar raho. Magar iske liye raat gaye tak yahaan thaharna padega."
"Magar meri samajh se tumhaare paas do hi ghde hain." Imran ne kaha.
"Arre.....tum nahin samjhe...." Wo dhire se bola. Uski udaas aankhen chamakne lagi thin......aur honton par ek natkhat si muskurahat thi. Wo kuchh pal iss tarah chup raha jaise apne hansi par niyantran kar raha ho......phir bola...."Main un paagalon ke liye aasmani vipatti ban jaaunga.......jo uss suwwar se darte hain...."
"Ab tum paheliyaan bujhaane lage..." Imran ne ukta kar bola.
"Suno.....main un sabon ke astabal khaali kara dunga......wo ghode bhi sath le chalunga jin ki zarurat na ho...."
"Bahut achhe...." Imran ne uske kandhe par hath maar kar thahaaka lagaaya. "Haan ab tumhaari akal bhi firangiyon ki akal ka mukaabala karne yogya hoti jaa rahi hai.......lekin ye to socho agar uss se pahle hi ham par hamla ho gaya to?"
Shahbaz phir soch me pad gaya. Imran bhi khamosh ho gaya tha. Kuchh der baad Shahbaz bola.
"Achha to suno.....tum apne aadmiyon ki wo taiyar ho jaayen......andhera hote hi main unhen ek surakshit sthaan par le jaaunga. Magar tumhaare sath chaar auraten bhi hain. Tum unhen mere makaan me chhod sakte ho."
"Kya wo wahaan surakshit rahengi?"
"Bilkul surakshit rahengi.......yahaan auraton par koi hath nahin uthaata...."
"Phir un auraton ke sath kisi mard ko bhi chhodna padega...."
"Haann.....haann chhod dena. Lekin uss se dubaara mulakaat wahin ho sakegi......dusri duniya me."
"Shayad auraten akeli rahne par taiyar na hon..."
"Tab phir un se kaho ki ek dusre ko goli maar den...."
"Kyon na unhen bhi sath le chalen...."
"Zaroor le jaao.....lekin uss sthiti me Zargham ka beta tumhaare sath nahin hoga......tum nahin jaante aise abhiyaanon me auraton ko sath liye phirna ham Shukraliyon keliye kitni badi gaali hai."
"Ohh......aisa bhi hai."
"Sanjeeda Khan Mohtaat ke bete tum baaton me bahut samay barbad karte ho..."
"Thahro dost......main apne sathiyon ko taiyari ka aadesh dekar abhi waapas aata hun."
Imran sidha Julia ke tent me gaya.....aur usay paristhiti ki jaankari dete huye kaha....."Achha hoga ki tum teeno ladkiyon ke sath Shahbaz ke makaan me thahro."
"Ye asambhav hai..."
"Zid mat karo.....warna tumhaare anjaam par mujhe bahut dukh hoga. Main kya bataaun.....agar mujhe pataa hota ki ham itni aasani se Shukraal me prawesh kar sakenge......to main itna lamba chauda dhong nahin rachta. Matlab ye ki ladkiyon ko sath na laata. Magar ab achha yahi hai ki mere kahne ke anusar kaam karo."
"Kabhi nahin..." Julia paagalon ki tarah boli..."Tum ladkiyon ko wahaan bhej do.....main kabhi wahaan na jaaungi. Tum mujhe iss tarah akele nahin chhod sakte.....main X2 ka aadesh bhi maanne se inkaar kar dungi.......haan....nahin to tum mujhe goli maar do.....jaisa uss jangali ne kaha hai...."
"Tumhaare kaaran haalat pechida ho jaayenge....." Imran nirasha bhare swar me kaha. "Main kewal iss kaaran se kah raha tha ki tum un ladkiyon ko apne control me rakhogi. Ham unhen apne sath laaye hain.....isliye unki suraksha ham par aniwaarya hai."
"Tum un ladkiyon keliye mujhe wahaan chhod rahe ho...." Julia ne premikaaon ke andaaz me shikwa kiya.
"Arre baap re..." Imran ne Hindi me kaha aur phir English me bola..."Tum ek zimmedar officer ho Julia. Iss safar me zarur mujhe tum par haakim banaya gaya hai.......lekin iske baad tumhaare mukaabale me meri haisiyat wahi purani hogi. Isliye tumhen aisi gair zimmedari bhari baat mat karo."
"Tum agar iss baat ko accept kar lo ki tum hi X2 ho.....to shayad main iss par taiyar bhi ho jaaun...."
"Main ek galat baat ko kaise maan lun. Ok.....agar tum is par taiyar nahin to main tumhen majboor nahin karunga." Wo uske tent se nikal kar Danny ki taraf chala gaya. Phir Julia ko kisi na kisi tarah Imran ke prastaav se sahmat ho gayi. Dusri ladkiyon ko ye nahin bataaya gaya ki unhen dusri jagah kyon transfer kiya ja raha hai. Julia ke sath usne ek seemit range waala transmeter bhi rahne diya jo 60-70 km ki doori tak kaam kar sakta tha.
Shahbaz ka anumaan sahi saabit hua. Aaj ek bhi aadmi circus dekhne keliye nahin aaya. Shahbaz kuchh bechain sa dikhayi de raha tha.
"Aadhi raat ko ham ghodon keliye niklenge." Usne Imran se kaha.
"Lekin main ye kahta hun ki agar uss se pahle aasmani vipdaaon se daraane waalon ne zamin par tabaahi phaila di to kya hoga?"
"Nahin tum chinta mat karo......itni jaldi kuchh nahin hoga."
"Lekin Sardar Shahbaz......tumhari aankhon se chinta prakat ho rahi hai."
Iske baad ek baar phir Imran ne Danny se baat kiya aur danny ne usay suggestion diya ki aadhi raat ki pratiksha me nishchint hokar nahin baithna chaahiye. Waise to mere aadmi taiyar hi hain.....lekin agar wo log achanak hi aa pade to thodi bahur awyavastha zaroor paida ho jaayegi."
"Sahi baat hai..."
"Lekin master Imran....maine bojh dhone waale mazdooron ke paas light machine guns dekhi hain." Danny ne hairat prakat kiya.
"Wo mazdoor nahin hain Danny balki trained aur anubhavi fauji hain. Wo tumhaare shikariyon se kisi tarah bhi kam saabit nahin honge."
"Aapne iss baare me pahle bataaya nahin master."
"Bhool gaya hounga Danny."
"Aap bhool gaye honge?" Danny ne thahaaka lagaya...."Main hamesha yahi kahta rahunga ki aapko samajhna bahut kathin kaam hai."
Achanak unhone ghode ki taapon ki aawaz suni aur Imran uchhal kar khada ho gaya. Awaz tezi se nikat aati ja rahi thi. Danny ne jhapat kar rifle utha li.
"Ye ek hi ghoda lagta hai." Imran ne kaha. Aur phir donon baahar nikal aaye. Lagbhag sabhi tenton se baahar aa gaye the. aaane waala nazdik aata ja raha tha.......aur raftaar sust hoti jaa rahi thi.
"Shahbaz......Shahbaz...." Aane waale ne aawaz di. Ye koi Shukraali hi tha.
"Kon hai........Daaraab?" Shahbaz ne kaha.
"Shahbaz...mere paas aao..." Aane waale ne kaha.
Imran bhi tezi se aawaz ki taraf badha. Aane waale ka chehra nahin dekh saka.....kyonki wahaan andhera tha. Phir shayad Imran aur Shahbaz sath hi aane waale ke sameep pahuche.
"Shabaz..." Aane waale ne dhire se kaha.
"Kya khabar hai Daraab?"
"Khabar achhi nahin hai. Teen aadmi kataaliyaan dikha dikha kar basti waalon se kahte phir rahe hain ki agar unhone circus waalon me se ek ek ko nahin maar daala to zameen phategi aur poori basti usme sama jaayegi."
"Phir.....wo log kya bakte hain?"
"Feelzor taiyar ho gaya hai....aur wo dedh sau sawaaron ke sath yahaan pahuch jaayega."
"Ohh......uss kafan-chor ki maut usay aawaz de rahi hai. Main saaf sun raha hun."
"Aur suno....! Gufaa waale ne chaar firangiyon ko bhi bheja hai. Wo unki madad karenge."
"Shaf Shikan...." Shahbaz ne Imran ko aawaz di.
"Main yahin hun...." Imran dhire se bola.
"Tum ne suna?"
"Haan....maine sun liya.....tum chinta mat karo.....un firangiyon ki bhi parwaah mat karo. Tum bhahadur Zargham ke bete ho.......aur mera naam Shaf Shikan hai."
"Magar...." Aane waale ne kaha...."Un firangiyon ke paas aisi bandooken hain jo ruke bina goliyaan hi goliyaan barsaati chali jaati hain."
"Ohh.....aane do..." Shahbaz gurraaya...."Mujhe khushi hai ki Feelzor unhen laan raha hai.....main dekhunga ki usne kitna vikaas kiya hai. Wo kis raaste se aayenge?"
"Ye mujhe nahin pata. Wo bahut raazdaari se kaam le rahe hain. Unhen pata hai ki tum circus waalon ki sahayata kar rahe ho."
"Aane do uss haraam ke bachche ko......uski cheekhen sun kar uski maan apni qabar me jaag uthegi. Aaane do.....magar kya tum mere sath ho?"
"Agar na hota to yahaan aata kyon?" Aane waale ne kaha.
"Ye Feelzor janmjaat chor hai..." Shahbaz ne Imran ke kandhe par hath rakh kar kaha....."Itna dhire se aayega ki hamen kaano kaan bhi khabar na hogi.....ab tum apni uss aqal ko pukaaro.......jo firangiyon se takraane ka daawa karti hai."
"Main aawaz de chuka hun." Imran ne kaha.
Unhone apne tents ek samtal jagah par khade kiye the......aur uske teen taraf dhalaann thin. Imran ne pahle hi kuchh soch samajh kar uss jagah padaao daala tha. Usne tents ko jyon ka tyon rahne diya. Unme lamps bhi jalte rahe. Lekin uske saare aadmi hathiyaar sambhaal kar dhalaanon me reng gaye the.
"LMG se lais dasta me aath aadmi the. Unhen dhalaan ki dusri taraf ek unchi
chattaan par chadha diya gaya.......jahaan se wo chaaron taraf maar kar sakte the.
Ye sab kaam 20 minut ke bhitar ho gaya.
"O.....Shaf Shikan...!" Shahbaz uska baazu pakad kar garmjoshi se dabaata hua bola. "Tum sach much waisi hi aqal rakhte ho.......magar us din jab maine tumhen ghera tha.....tum choohe kyon ban gaye the?"
"Ham akaaran kisi se nahin ulajhte....Shahbaz...." Imran ne garveele swar me kaha...."Agar ham dekhte ki tum zabardasti par tule ho to bahut bhayanak yuddh hoti aur tum hamaare kisi ek jaanwar ko bhi zinda nahin laa sakte. Tum dekh hi rahe ho ki hamaare paas aath machine guns hain."
"Tum bahadur bhi ho aur rahassyamayi bhi...." Shahbaz ne dhire se kaha.
"Lekin kya tumhen uss aadmi daraab par bharosa hai?"
"Wo bhi Zargham ka hi beta hai. Halaanki hamaari maayen alag alag thin....lekin Shukraal me ek baap ke bete kabhi ek dusre ko dhoka nahin dete......chaahe un par aasmani vipattiyaan hi kyon na toot pade."
Phir unhone ghodon ki taapon ki aawaz suni. Ye aawazen achanak hawa ke jhonke ke saath aayi thin aur phir wahi pahle jaisa sannaata chha gaya.
"Ohh...ohh..." Shahbaz bechaini se bola...."Feelzor......aaj to mardon ki tarah aa raha hai. Main ab yahaan iss tarah chhup kar nahin ladunga......mera ghoda tum ne kahaan chhoda hai?"
"Zargham ke bete.....tum bahut bahadur ho lekin main uss par vishwaas nahin kar sakta. Agar unke paas ek bhi firangi hai......to wo unhen iss tarak saamne se nahin aane dega....kahin ye bhi unka koi chaal na ho....."
Shahbaz kuchh na bola. Imran ne phir kaha....."Uss samay tak thahro......jab tak ki wo saamne na aa jaayen."
"Achha......wahi karunga jo tum kahoge...."
Thodi der baad phir hawa ke jhonke ke sath aisi hi aawazen aayi jaise bahut door hazaaron ghode toofan ki tezi se daud rahe hon. Uske baad phir sannaata chha gaya.
"Bilkul dhoka hai Shahbaz....." Imran ne dhire se kaha...."Kya tum aawazon ki disha nahin mahsoos kar rahe......ye saamne se aa rahi hain."
"Ye to udhar se aati huyi lagti hai jidhar gufaa waala rahta hai."
"Kuchh bhi ho......meri samajh se hamla saamne se bilkul nahin hoga."
"To phir hamen apna rukh badal lena chaahiye."
"Nahin......abhi iski zarurat nahin. Chattaan ke upar waala dasta chaaron taraf ki khabar le sakta hai. Upar aath machine guns hain." Imran chattaan ki taraf hath utha kar bola. Usi samay upar machine guns kahkahe lagaane lage.
"Tum ne dekha...."Imran thahre huye swar me bola...."Main jaanta tha ki saamne se kabhi nahin aayenge."
Phir usne dhalaan me pade huye logon ke liye ek ishaara kiya......jiska arth tha ki wo abhi jahaan hain wahin rahen.
Chattaan ke pichhe se shor uthne laga tha. Machine ganen barabar chal rahi thin. Dusri taraf se bhi shayad firing shusru ho gayi thi.
"Ohh...mujhe jaane do Shaf Shikan...." Shahbaz uthta hua bola.
"Nahin..." Imran ne kathor lahje me kaha...."Tum khel bigaad doge."
"Oye.....apna lahja sudhaaro Sanjeeda Khan ke bete......warna...."
"Pyare bhai.....main niwedan karta hun ki iss samay mere kahne ke viruddh mat karo.......tum sher ke bachche ho.....lekin lomadi ki tarah chalaak bhi bano."
"shahbaz ek thandi saans lekar rah gaya.......lekin wo atyant vyakul lag raha tha.
Chattaan ke upar se imran ko raushani ka ishaara mila.
"Wo bhaag rahe hain.....unke paaon ukhad gaye hain...." Imran ne Shahbaz se kaha.
Lekin thik usi samay Tents me aag ke sholay uthne lage.
"Danny....Safdar.....Chauhan......Chalo" Imran cheekha......aur uski rifle aag barsaane lagi. Wo fire karte huye upar chadh rahe the. Dusri taraf se bhi goliyaan chalne lagin.
Andheri raat ka sannaata fire ki goonj aur zakhmiyon ki cheekhon se chhalni hone laga. Shahbaz aur Imran sath hi badh rahe the. Jin do machine gans ki suchna Daraab ne di thi wo idhar garaj rahi thin.
"Ham chaaro taraf se ghir gaye hain...." Imran barbadaaya.
"Ham chaaro taraf se ghir gaye hain...." Imran barbadaaya.
Shahbaz bahut bahaduri se lagataar firing kar raha tha. Ho sakta hai usne Imran ki baat suni hi na ho.
Upar pahuch kar wo deewanon ki tarah jalte huye tents ki taraf badhta raha. Imran ne usay aawazen bhi din lekin us par kuchh asar nahin hua. Wo kisi mendhak ki tarah uchhal uchhal kar aage badhta raha.
Ye hangaama lagbhag paun ghante tak chalta raha. Phir uske baad sannaata chha gaya. Imran ke sathi kuchh kuchh der ke antaraal par ab bhi fire kar rahe the. Saare tents jal kar rakh ho chuke the.......aur chaaron taraf laashen hi laashen dikhayi de rahi thin.
Imran ne mashaalen jalwaayi aur un lashon me apne aadmi khojne laga. Ek jagah usay Shahbaz dikhayi diya......jo ek lash ke seene par sawaar chaaku se uski gardan alag karne ki koshish kar raha tha.
"Ye kya ho raha hai?" Imran ne hairat se puchha.
Shahbaz ne sar utha kar uski taraf dekha.......aur Imran chaunk kar peechhe hat gaya. Wo kisi aadmi ka chahra nahin tha......kabhi nahin....usay kisi tarah bhi aadmi nahin kaha jaa sakta tha.....ya phir Imran aaj tak itni darindagi...kisi aadmi ke chehre par dekhi hi nahin thi.
Uski aankhen khoon ki tarah laal thin......aur daant baahar nikle pad rahe the. Aisa lag raha tha jaise wo uss lash ko apne daanton se udhed raha tha.
"Ye Feelzor hai...." Usne paagalon ki tarah thahaaka lagaaya. "Main iska sar kaat kar basti me le jaaunga. Main unhen dikhaaunga........kahaan hain aasmani vipattiyaan.....aur wo kis par giri? Haha......"
Daraab bhi uske paas khada tha. Shahbaz ne laash se sar alag kar liya aur usay baalon se pakad kar latkaaye huye ek taraf daudta chala gaya. Daraab bhi uske pichhe hi daud raha tha.
Phir Imran ne ghoodon ki taapon ki aawazen suni jo door hoti jaa rahi thi.
*********************
**************
Dusri subah achhi nahin thi kyonki unke aas paas laashen hi laashen thin........aur wo bhi apne paanch aadmi kho chuke the. Un laashon me do gore logon ki laashen bhi dikhaayi din.......aur do light machine guns bhi unke hath lagi.
Aakraman-kaariyon ke lagbhag sattar aadmi maare gaye. Dass zakhmi bhi the......jo iss samay bhi wahin pade kabhi karaahte aur kabhi gufaa waalon ko gaaliyaan dene lagte the. Lekin unme itni shakti nahin thi ki wo apne pairon par khade ho sakte.
Phir uss samay lagbhag aath baje the jab ek baar phir unhen badi jaldi me marne maarne keliye taiyar hona pada......kyonki wo bahut se ghodon ke daudne ki aawazen sun rahe the. Lekin phir kuchh der baad chakit rah gaye kyonki anginat aise ghode dikhayi diye jin par sawaar nahin the lekin unki peeth par zeenen kasi huyi thin. Pahle to wo kuchh nahin samjhe......lekin phir Imran ne kaha ki un ghodon ko gher kar pakdo.
Itne me teen chaar sawaar bhi dikhayi diye jo ruk ruk kar hawaayi fire karte huye aa rahe the. Wo jaldi hi pahchaan liye gaye kyonki un me Shahbaz bhi tha. Ghode gher gher kar pakde gaye. Shahbaz ke sath ek to Daraab tha aur teen dusre log bhi the.
"Wo pleg waale choohon ki tarah apne apne gharon se nikal kar bhaag rahe hain......lekin maine unhen kuchh nahin kaha.......bas Feelzor ka sar ek unche baans par rakh kar usay zameen me gaad aaya hun." Shahbaz bol kar bachchon ki tarah kahkahe lagaane laga aur uske sathi bhi hansne lage.
Wo apne aas paas padi huyi laashon ko dekh kar thoda sa bhi prabhavit nahin lag rahe the. Unhone zakhmiyon ki taraf bhi koi dhyaan nahin diya......jo unhen dekh kar aur adhik karaahne lage the.
"Maine abhi abhi teen kataali waalon ko maut ke ghaat utaara hai......aur unke ghode bhi inhin ghodon me maujood hain." Shahbaz ne kaha.....phir apne aadmiyon se kaha....."un ghodon ko idhar laao.......main in do safed laashon ko un par baandh kar gufaa waalon keliye tohfaa bhejunga......taaki wo hamen fana kar dene keliye dusri aasmani vipattiyon ko bheje."
Imran chup chaap sab kuchh dekhta raha.......halaaki ye sab uske scheme ke viruddh tha. Magar wo chup hi raha. Iss stage par wo Shahbaz ko thoda sa bhi ye feel nahin hone dena chaahta tha ki wo usay apne adheen banane ki koshish kar raha hai.
Uske sathi ghodon ko khoj kar le aaye aur un do goron ki laashen un par baandh di gayin. Shahbaz aise thahaake laga raha tha uske iss mazaak se gufaa waala khud ko bewakoof mahsoos karega.
Thodi der baad Imran ke sabhi sathi bhi Shahbaz ke laaye huye ghodon par baith gaye aur phir unki taapon ki dhamak se zameen tharraane lagi.
Ab Imran badi aazadi se apna transmeter use kar raha tha. Head phone uske kaanon par chadhe huye the.......aur wo thodi thodi der par Julia aur teenon ladkiyon ki haal chaal maloom kar raha tha. Julia ne usay bataya ki kuchh log makaan me ghus aaye the lekin unhen hath lagaaye bina waapas chale gaye.
Lekin wo chaaron buri tarah bhaybheet thin. Julia ne bataaya ki teenon ladkiyaan adhiktar roti aur Imran ko gaaliyaan deti rahti hain. Imran ne uttar me kaha ki ek din duniya ki saari auraten usay gaali dengi.......kyonki wo ek aisa ghol(Solution) taiyar karne ka iraada rakhta hai jo "machhar maar" ki jagah "Aurat maar" hoga.
"Shahbaz ne Imran se kaha...."Tumhaare paas kitna aur kis kis tarah ke samaan hain.........ab to main ye sochne par majboor hun ki Gufaa waalon ki laashen kutte ghaseet'te phirenge."
"Lekin...." Imran kuchh sochta hua bola...."Haan tumhaari basti waale to shayad ab uska sath dene ki himmat nahin karen........lekin dusri bastiyon ke sambandh me tumhaara kya vichaar hai?"
"Meri basti ke alawaa aisi paanch bastiyaan aur bhi hain jahaan gufaa waale ki pahuch jaldi ho sakti hai......kyonki wo nikat hain. Magar un paanchon bastiyon me maine apne aadmi bhi raat hi bhej diye hain."
"Agar unhone tumhaara sath dene se inkaar kar diya to?"
"Main tum se kahta hun ki wo sab uss se bezaar hain.....wo poore Shukraal ko apna gulaam banana chaahta hai."
Imran phir chup ho gaya. Unke ghode bahut tez gati se aage badh rahe the.......aur door door tak bhoori chattaani zameen phaili huyi thi.
"Achanak head phine se Julia ki aawaz aayi....."Imran.....Imran....."
"Yess Julia...."
"Yahaan jang chhid gayi hai...."
"Kyon......kya hua?"
"Shayad wo gufaa waala ab khud hi nikal aaya hai.......uske sath lagbhag 200 sawaar hain......aur wo iss makaan me ghusne ka prayaas kar rahe hain."
"Kiss makaan me?"
"Jis me ham log thahre huwe hain. Basti waale unhen makaan me ghusne se rok rahe hain."
"Achha......thahro.....ham khud waapas ho rahe hain..." Imran ne kaha.
Aur phir jaise hi Shahbaz ko ye pata chala usne apna ghoda mod kar dusre raaste par daal diya.
"Jaldi.......jaldi.......tezi se aao. Jitni jaldi sambhav ho chalo...." Shahbaz cheekh raha tha.
Imran ne bhi cheekh kar yahi kaha........aur ghodon ki taapen chattaani raaste par bajti rahin. Wo aandhi aur toofan ki tarah badhe.
Shahbaz ke ghode ke pair to zameen se lagte maloom hi nahin ho rahe the. Wo sab se aage tha. Iss bhagam bhaagi me transmeter Imran ke ghode se gir gaya. Agar usne badi phurti se head phone na utaara hota to shayad wo bhi jhonk me niche chala gaya hota. Iss pal itna samay kahaan tha ki wo uska anjaam dekhne keliye mud bhi sakta. Wo ab tak kewal tranmeter ki suraksha keliye soch kar hi ghode ki gati par niyantran rakhe huye tha. Lekin ab uska ghoda bhi Shahbaz ke ghode ke barabar hi daud raha tha.
"Do sau me se do bhi nahin bachenge...." Shahbaz cheekh raha tha. "Badho apne ghodon ko sust mat hone do. Basti waale hamaare hi liye un se bhid gaye hain."
Shayad wo short se short raasta chun raha tha.......lagbhag bees minut baad wo basti me prawesh kiye.......aur pahla fire Shahbaz ne hi kiya. Waise wo door hi se firon ki aawazen sunte aa rahe the.
Yahan kaafi maar kaat hua tha lekin aakraman-kaari ab tak Shahbaz ke makaan me ghusne me safal nahin ho sake the.
Basti waalon ne unhen dekh kar khushi ke naare lagaaye aur ek baar phir zor shor se yuddh shuru ho gaya.
Shahbaz to ekdam deewana ho gaya tha. Uske baayen hath me revolver tha aur daayen hath me khanjar. Ghode ki lagaam usne chhod rakha tha. Revolver shayad khaali ho chuka tha.
Fire ab waise bhi nahin ho rahe the. Aamne saamne ki ladaayi chhid gayi thi. Donon paksh ek dusre se bhid gaye the. Ab ya to talwaaren chal rahi thin ya khanjar.
Imran ke sathi faujiyon ne kulhaadiyaan aur pharse sambhaal liye the.......aur jhapat jhapat kar hamle kar rahe the.
Tabhi Imran ne Danny ko aawaz di ki wo apne aadmiyon ko lekar bheed se nikale ki koshish kare. Danny samajh gaya ki Imran kya chaahta hai.
Wo apne gyarah shikaariyon ko ek taraf nikaal le gaya......aur uss taraf badhne ka prayas karne laga jahaan se aakraman-kaari Shabaz ke makaan me ghusne ki koshish kar rahe the. Sanyog se position lene keliye unhen ek suitable jagah bhi mil gayi........aur unhone bahut tezi se poori shakti ke sath aakraman-kaariyon par baadh maari. Dusri taraf se Imran ne apne faujiyon ko badhaaya. Wo badi tezi se kulhaadiyaan chala rahe the. Imran unhen uss raaste keliye rukaawat banaana chaahta tha jidhar se aakraman-kaariyon ke pair ukhadne ke baad bhaagne ki sambhaavana thi.
Wo isme safal bhi ho gaya. Jaise hi Danny ke shikaariyon ne teesri baadh maari aakraman-kaariyon ke paaon ukhad ukhad gaye. Idhar Imran ne teer(arrow) waale faujiyon ko aage badhaaya. Chauthi baadh maarne me Danny ke shikaariyon ne der nahin ki......aur phir diler faujiyon ne bhaagne waalon ko kulhaadiyon par rakh liya. Wo ghode se girte aur cheekh cheekh kar gufaa waale ko gaaliyan dete. Shahbaz ka thahaaka unki aawazon se bhi uncha jaata.
Kuchh hi der me naksha hi palat gaya. Lekin Shahbaz ke cheekhne ke baad bhi basti waale bhaagne waalon ka pichha kar ke unpar fire karte. Imran aur uske sathiyon ne hath rok liye.
"Bhagodon ko mat maaro.......bhagodon ko mat maaro......" Shahbaz cheekhta raha lekin kisi ne bhi nahin suna. Basti waale bhaagne waalon ka pichha kar ke un par barabar fire karte ja rahe the. Kuchh der baad donon hi nigaahon se ojhal ho gaye. Halaanki ghodon ke taapon ki aawaazen aur fire ki aawazen wo ab bhi sun rahe the.
Shahbaz deewanon ki tarah laashon ko ulat'ta pulat'ta phir raha tha. Imran sidha uske makaan me ghusta chala gaya. Do ladkiyaan behosh padi thin.......aur teesri Julia se lipti buri tarah kaanp rahi thin.
Imran ko dekhte hi wo bhi ek taraf ludhak gayi. "Julia...." Imran ne uske sar par hath rakhta hua bola....."Kya haal hai.....Wo bhaag gaye.....!"
Julia kuchh na boli. Usne donon hathon se Imran ka hath pakad liya tha aur usay apni poori shakti se bhinch rahi thi. Phir achanak uski pakad dheeli pad gayi.......aur Imran ne bahut dhire se usay farsh par daal diya. Wo bhi teenon ladkiyon ki tarah behosh ho chuki thi.
"Wo nikal gaya....!" Achanak shahbaz aandhi ki tarah andar ghusta hua bola. "Uski laash in me nahin hai."
"Kya tum ne usay dekha tha?" Imran ne puchha.
"Nahin.....wo mujhe nahin dikhayi diya tha."
"Tab phir ye kaise kaha jaa sakta hai ki wo unlogon ke sath yahaan aaya tha?"
"Pata nahin...." Shahbaz ne kaha. Phir behosh ladkiyon ki taraf dekh kar bola...."Kya ye mar gayin?"
"Nahin......behosh ho gayi hain."
Shahbaz darwaaze ki taraf mud gaya. Imran Julia ko hosh me laane ke upaaye karta raha. Phir X2 ke aadmi bhi wahain par aa gaye. Un sab ke chehre utre huye the aur aisa lag raha tha jaise jaise koi bhayanak sapna dekh kar jaag pade hon.
Unke munh se koi bol nahin nikle. Wo chup chap khade behosh ladkiyon ko dekhte rahe.
"Kyon dosto...! Kya haal hai?" Imran ne hans kar puchha.
"Thik hai..." Khawir ne lambhi saans khich kar kaha.
"Apni aawaz me kuchh mardaangi paida karo pyare." Imran ne vyang bhare swar me kaha. "Tum fauji aadmi ho."
"Haan....zaroor raha hun lekin kabhi kisi yuddh me shaamil hone ka awasar nahin mila tha."
"Tum log ab mujh se bahas nahin karte......kyon? Kya main aaj kal tum sab ki marzi ke anusaar kaam karta hun?"
Kisi ne koi uttar nahin diya. Imran ek ek ko prashn-wachak drishti se dekh raha tha. Phir wo sidha khara ho kar bola.
"Apne chehron se aatank ki parchhayin door karo.......abhi to bahut kuchh karna hai."
"Hamne kab kaha ki nahin karenge....." Tanwir apne sukhe honton par zubaan pherta hua bola.
Imran phir ladkiyon ki taraf aakrisht ho gaya......aur kisi kisi prakaar unhen hosh me laaya jaa saka. Julia ko chhod kar sabhi hosh me aate hi cheekhne lagin. Lekin unki bhasha sun kar sabhi hairaan rah gaye......kyonki ye bhasha unki samajh se baahar thi. Wo bilkul Shukraaliyon ke lahje ki nakal utaar rahi thin.......lekin bhasha shukraali nahin thi. Wo sire se koi bhasha hi nahin thi. Shayad unke dimaag thikaane par nahin the. Julia phati phati nigaahon se unhen dekhti rahi.
"O....Joli.....khuda ke liye......tum apna dimaag kaabu me rakhna."
"Main thik hun...." Julia ne kamzor si aawaz me kaha aur phir apne sar jhukaa liya.
Phir sham tak laashen uthaayi jaati rahin. Lagbhag derh sau laashen. Ladkiyon ki haalat waisi hi thi. Wo apne kapde phaadtin.......aur ek dusre ko nochne khasotne ki koshish kartin. Majburi-wash unke hath pair baandh diye gaye.
Julia tezi se normal ho rahi thi lekin ab bhi bhaybheet thi. Shukraaliyon ki khooni harkaton ka sabhi ke dimaag par gahra asar tha.
Imran ke sathi Shukraaliyon ko dekhte aur unki bolti band ho jaati. Na wo dushi lagte the aur na hi khush. Unki haalat jaanwaron ke uss jhund jaisi thi jiske kuchh jaanwar mar gaye hon.......aur ab zinda bachne waalon ko yaad bhi na ho ki kuchh der pahle unki ginti kitni thi. Ab bhi unki aankhon se wahi pahle jaisi bojhalpan prakat hoti thi.
Shaam ko Imran ne dekha ki kuchh log Shahbaz ke makaan ki deewaron par chadh kar neele rang ka ek jhandaa khada kar rahe hain.
"Ye kya ho raha hai?" Imran ne Shahbaz se puchha.
"Ohh...." Shahbaz hans kar bola..."Aaj in logon ne mujhe basti ka pradhaan maan liya hai."
"Kya ye jhanda pahle kisi aur ke makaan par laga hua tha?"
"Wo dekho..." Shahbaz ne deewar ki taraf ungali uthaayi. "Wo bada sa munh waala aadmi jo jhanda gaad raha hai......ye jhanda aaj subah tak usi ke makaan par lahraa raha tha."
"Kya tum ne unhen iss par majboor kiya hai?"
"Bilkul nahin......wo khud hi aisa kar rahe hain. Ye jhanda dusri baar iss makaan par lahraaya jaa raha hai. Ek baar mere baap ki zindagi me lahraaya tha.......aur aaj......."
Shahbaz phir hansne laga. Basti waale un donon ke pichhe khamosh khade the. Jaise hi jhanda sthaapit ho chuka unhone hath hilaa hilaa kar cheekhna shuru kar diya. Wo apni prasannata prakat kar rahe the.
Jhanda lagaane waala deewar se utar kar Shahbaz ke paas aaya. Wo muskura raha tha. Usne uske kandhon par donon hath rakhe aur jhuk kar uske maathe (Peshaani) coom li......aur apne gale se laal rang ka roomal khol kar uske gale me baandh diya.
Shahbaz ne uske maathe (Peshaani) par teen baar chooma aur uska daahina hath pakad kar dheeme swar me kahne laga..."Tum mere buzurg ho. Main kathin ghadi me tum se hi raai loonga......kyonki tum ne mujh se adhik duniya dekhi hai.....main apne diler baap Zargham ki saugandh le kar kahta hun ki Shukraal ki suraksha keliye mere khoon ka antim boond bhi bah jaayega."
Imran aur uske sathi hairat se ye sab dekhte rahe. Phir raat ko ek bahut bada utsav manaaya gaya. Sharaab ke peepe khul gaye.......aur ek baar phir Imran ne unko jaanwaron ke roop me dekha.
Thi isi jashn aur ullaas ke hangaame ke bich Shahbaz ke wo do aadmi waapas aaye jinko usne pichhli raat dusri paanch bastiyon keliye bheja tha. Wahaan se sandesh aaya tha ki wo log gufaa waalon ka sath nahin denge.
Shahbaaz ne cheekh kar iski ghoshna ki aur phir logon ne khushi ke naare lagaaye.
Imran aur uske sathiyon ko bhi sharab offer ki gayi thi.......lekin unhone inkaar kar diya tha. Wo log jo pakke sharaabi the unhone bhi us me hath nahin lagaaya.
"Arre.....tum log sharab kyon nahin peete?" Shahbaz ne kaha.
"Hamaara vishwaas hai ki agar ham sharaab piyenge to ishwar hamaare liye prajay utaar dega.....ham par kutte bhookenge aur ham apmaanit honge."
Shahbaz ne gambhirta se suna aur chup ho gaya. Chaaron taraf thahaake goonjte rahe.
"Achha ab tum glass rakh do." Imran ne krodh bhare swar me kaha.
