Final Update
Armaan kaafi der tak aankhe moonde leta raha. Phir use apni aankhein kholi, Pankhudi ko dekha aur muskuraya.
"Bhookh lagi hogi na?" Armaan ne Pankhudi se poocha, "Kya khaogi?"
"Jo bhi tum khilana chaho," Pankhudi ne muskurakar jawab diya.
"Tumhari favorite fish curry banwau?" Armaan ne poocha, "With white rice?"
Pankhudi muskurayi. Fish curry aur rice uska favorite khana tha. Usne haan me sar hilaya. Armaan ne chef ko order ke diya. Kuch servants ne uske bedroom ke terrace par table aur chairs lagwaye aur us table to candles se sajaya. Pankhudi yeh sab dekh kar muskura rahi thi.
Armaan ne use apni ek white shirt pehnayi thi. Pankhudi ko uski shirt pehen na bahot accha lagta tha. Jungle mein bitaye meethe lamho ki yaad dilata tha use.
Thodi der mein khana ready hua. Fish curry aur rice ke saath saath chef ne ek salad bhi banaya tha. Ek servant ne 2 wine glasses lagwaye aur Armaan ne sabse expensive wine ki ek bottle khulwayi. Servant ne dono glasses mein wine bhari.
"Cheers!" Armaan ne kaha.
Pankhudi hesistate kar rahi thi. "Maine pehle kabhi drink nahi kari hai," Pankhudi ne kaha.
"Aaj try kar lo," Armaan ne kaha, "Red wine ka taste kuch angoor jaisa hota hai. Tumhe pasand aayega."
Pankhudi ne ek sip liya lekin uske chehre se saaf pata lag raha tha ki use taste pasand nahi aaya. Armaan muskuraya. "Koi baat nahi," usne kaha, "Nahi pasand aayi to rehne do."
Servant ne Pankhudi ko fish curry aur rice parosa. Pankhudi ne is se pehle kabhi Armaan ke saath kahan nahi khaya tha, woh hichkicha rahi thi.
"It's alright cupcake," Armaan ne kaha, "Shuru karo."
Pankhudi ne khana shuru kiya. Khana bahot tasty tha. Pankhudi ko bhookh bhi lagi thi. Use khana enjoy karte hue dekh kar Armaan ko accha laga.
"This is really good," Armaan ne khana taste karte hue kaha.
"Acchi hai," Pankhudi ne kaha, "Kisi din mere haath ki khake dekhna, is se bhi acchi bana sakti hun main."
Armaan muskuraya. "Zaroor," usne kaha.
"Adrak aur laal mirch thodi kam hai. Inki matra sahi to to bahot chatpati banti hai. Meri maa duniya mein sabse acchi fish curry banati hai, unhi se seekha hai maine," Pankhudi ne muskurakar kaha. Phir apni maa ki yaad aate hi uski aankhein nam ho gayi, is khayal se ki woh apni maa ko dobara kabhi nahi dekh payegi. Pankhudi ekdum se chup ho gayi.
Armaan samajh gaya ki Pankhudi kya mehsoos kar rahi thi. Woh apni chair se utha aur Pankhudi ko gale lagaya. Pankhudi uske kandhe par sar rakh kar rone lagi. Armaan ne uski peeth par pyaar se haath phera. Thodi der mein Pankhudi shaant ho gayi.
Khana khatam karke dono bistar par let gaye. Armaan ne Pankhudi ke kapde utare aur uske badan par pyaar se haath pherna laga. Uski aankhon mein ek aisa emotion tha jo Pankhudi samajh nahi paa rahi thi. Usne Pankhudi ke nazuk haatheliyon ko apne haathon mein thama aur chuma. Phir usne Pankhudi ko apni baahon mein liya aur pyaar se sehlakar chuma. Pankhudi dheere dheere uski baahon mein so gayi.
****************
Alge din subah jab Pankhudi ki aankhein khuli to woh apne apartment mein thi. Wahin apartment jahan woh Nisha ke saath rehti thi, uski bistar par thi jahan usne Armaan ke saath apni zindagi ka pehla sex kiya tha. Us chadar par khoon ka daag abhi bhi tha.
Pankhudi bistar se uthi aur apne chaaron taraf dekhne lagi. Usne lage mein jo metal collar daala tha Armaan ne woh hata diya gaya tha. Woh bina kapdon ke apne bistar par thi. Kabhi kabhi use laga ki kahin woh sapna to nahi dekh rahi thi. Lekin uski gardan par aur talwaon par cigarette se jalne ke nishaan the. Matlab woh sab sach mein hua tha. Sapna nahi tha. Toh kya yeh sapna hai?
Pankhudi kuch der tak kuch samajh nahi paayi. Apna sar apni hatheliyon mein thame baithi rahi. Phir uski nazar uske bistar ke paas rakhe side table par padi. Wahan uska phone rakha hua tha jo contract sign karte samay usne Armaan ko saunpa tha. Usne time aur date dekha. Continously andhere kamre mein band rehne ke kaaran use andaza hi nahi tha ki kitna samay beeth chuka hai. Date dekhkar use ehsaas hua ki usne Armaan ke saath lagbhag 3 mahine bitaye the. Phir uski nazar ek envelope par padi jispar uska naam likha hua tha. Envelope par ek laal gulaab tha. Pankhudi ne envelope khola to ek chitthi thi. Pankhudi ne writing pechaan li.
My precious Pankhudi,
Tumhare liye mein jo mehsoos karta hun, shayad main khud kabhi samajh nahi paaya. Kabhi lagta hai tumhari masoomiyat lootke tumhe poori tarah se barbaad kar dun, kabhi lagta hai tumhe pyaar karun, tumhara khayal rakhun, aur kabhi tumhare aankhon se ek aansu na girne dun. Main nahi jaanta main kya chahta hun, Pankhudi, I'm so messed up in my head.
Lekin tum...tum duniya ki sabse pyari ladki ho. Tumhari aankhon mein itni massomiyat, itna pyar hai, aur main sach mein us pyaar ke kaabil nahi hun. Kitna kuch kiya tumne mere liye, apna sab kuch saunp diya mujhe, aur sirf mujhe...kabhi kabhi sochta hun, aisa kya dekhti ho tum mujh me, jo itna chahti ho mujhe?
I am setting you free, Pankhudi. Tumhare jitne bhi photos aur videos mere paas hai, sab delete kar diye hai main. Maine tumpar bahot julm kiye hai, ab aur nahi karunga. Tum ek pyari chidiya ki tarah ho, meri sweet cucake, ab pinjre mein band nahi rakhunga, tum azad ho, apne aasmaan mein udne ke liye.
Love
Armaan
p.s. Drawer mein dekhna, tumhare liye tohfa rakha hai.
Pankhudi woh chitthi padhe rone lagi. Woh nahi samajh paa rahi thi ki woh aisa kyu mehsoos kar rahi thi, woh Armaan ko itna kyu miss kar rahi thi. Armaan ne use azaad kar diya, ab woh jo chahe kar sakti thi, jahan chahe jaa sakti thi, use ab kisi cheez se darne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Lekin uske mann mein ek khalipan sa tha.
Usne drawer khola to usme ek jewellery box paaya. Kholkar dekha to usme woh saare gehne the jo usne majboori mein beche the. Usne pyaar se un gehnon par haath phera aur uske aankhon se ek aansu gira. Us drawer mein uski scooty ki chabi bhi thi. Woh daudkar khidki ke paas gayi. Usne dekha ki uski scooty wahin khadi thi jahan woh use hamesha park karti thi. Woh daudkar seedhiyon se neeche utari aur apni scooty ko pyaar se chhune lagi. Yeh wahi scooty thi jis se woh itna pyaar karti thi, jo usne apne mehnat se kamaye hue paise jodkar khareedi thi. Scooty ko paint kiya gaya tha aur woh ekdum naye jaisi chamak rahi thi, lekin thi woh wahi purani pyari si scooty.
Pankhudi apne apartment mein wapas aayi aur turant Palak ko phone kiya.
"Didi!" Palak chehek kar boli, "Kya sach mein tum ho? Main koi sapna to nahi dekh rahi?"
"Haan Palak," Pankhudi ne kaha, "Main ghar aa rahi hun chukti."
Pankhudi shaam ki bus se ghar ke liye nikal padi. Jab woh Armaan ke saath gayi thi, usne kabhi nahi socha tha ki woh apni family se dobara mil payegi. Agle din subah woh ghar pahunch gayi. Palak uska intezaar kar rahi thi.
Dono behene ek doosre ko dekh kar bhavuk ho gayi aur gale lagakar rone lagi.
"Mujhe laga tha main aapko kabhi nahi dekh paungi," Palak ne kaha.
"Mujhe bhi kuch aisa hi laga tha," Pankhudi ne kaha, "Lekin usne mujhe azad kar diya."
Palak Pankhudi ko cab mein bithakar ek doosri jagah le jaa rahi thi.
"Hum kahan jaa rahe hai Palak?" Pankhudi ne poocha.
"Shhh surprise hai," Palak ne kaha.
Pankhudi muskurati hui apne surprise ka intezaar kar rahi thi. Thodi der mein woh wahan pahunche.
Palak use ek chhote se makaan ke andar le gayi.
"Yeh humara apna ghar hai didi," Palak ne kaha, "Ab hum us kiraye ke ghar mein nahi rehte. Aapne jo paise diye the, us se maine yeh ghar khareeda hai. Kagaz bhi poore hai iske, maa ke naam par. Ab koi humare ghar par bulldozer nahi chalayega. Is ghar par humara kanoonan haq hai."
Pankhudi woh pyara sa ghar dekh kar bahot khush hui. Aangan mein ek chhota sa garden tha, jahan Palak ne kuch gulaab ke paudhe lagaye the. Ek jhula bhi tha. Pankhudi uspar baithkar jhulne lagi.
"Mera medical college mein admission ho gaya hai didi," Palak ne kaha, "Bas ab 5 saal mehnat karni hai, phir main doctor ban jaungi, jaisa aapka samna tha. Goverment college mein admission mila hai mujhe, to jo paise aapne diye, uske aadhe se bhi kam mein mera MBBS poora ho jayega."
Pankhudi khushi se Palak ko gale laga liya.
"Aapne itni badi kurbaani di didi," Palak ne kaha, "Itna to maine kar hi sakti thi aapka sapna poora karne ke liye."
"Yeh to sabse bada surprise tha Palak," Pankhudi ne kaha, "I am so proud of you."
"Sabse bada surprise to abhi baaki hai didi," Pankhudi ne kaha, "Andar aao."
Palak Pankhudi ko kitchen me le gayi. Wahan Pankhudi ki maa khana bana rahi thi. Woh apne do pairon par khadi thi. Pankhudi ne apni maa ko itne saalon se wheelchair mein dekha tha. Lekin aaj apne pairon par khada dekha dar, uski aankhon se khushi ke aansu nikal aaye.
"Maine ek accha physiotherapist hire kiya," Palak ne kaha, "Abhi maa lathi ke sahare chal paati hai. Kuch dino mein to laathi ki bhi zaroorat nahi padegi."
Pankhudi ki maa ne mud kar dekha to Pankhudi khadi thi Palak ke saath.
"Pankhudi beta," uski maa ne muskurate hue kaha, "Kitne dino baad dekh rahi hun tumhe. Kaisi ho beta? Tumhe bhookh lagi hogi na? Maine kitni saari cheezein banayi hai tumhare liye. Ghar ka khana kahan mila hoga tumhe London mein."
Pankhudi muskurakar apni maa ke gale lagi.
Teeno ne milkar khana khaya. Pankhudi itni khush shayad pehle kabhi nahi thi. Uske pariwar mein ab sab kuch theek ho gaya tha.
Raat mein Palak ke saath leti thi.
"Kaise beete itni din didi?" Palak ne kaha, "Kya unse tumhe hurt kiya?"
"Nahi," Pankhudi ne muskurate hue kaha.
"Kaisa hai woh?" Palak ne poocha.
"Woh...kabhi aag to kabhi paani ki tarah hai, har pal rang badalta hai, itne saare dard samaye hue hai apne andar, lekin bolta kuch nahi hai, bas uski aankhein bolti hai, kabhi ek rakshas ki tarah tadpata hai...to kabhi ek farishte ki tarah tookar pyaar karta hai...use koi nahi samajh sakta...shayad woh khud bhi apne aap ko nahi samajhta..." Pankhudi ne kaha.
Pankhudi ki aankhon mein itna pyaar tha, Palak samajh gayi ki ki use Armaan se ek khaas lagaav ho gaya hai. Palak ne Pankhudi ko gale lagaya.
Dono behen baatein karte karte so gayi. Pankhudi ne kuch din apne family ke saath bitaye phir mumbai laut aayi. Kuch dino baad use ek call aayi. Ek job ki offer thi, aur salary uske pichle job se kayi behtar thi. Usne inteview ke liye bulaya gaya. Turant select kar liya gaya. Pankhudi ne job join kari, aur uski life ab pehle jaisi ho chuki thi, bilkul saral aur shaant.
Kayi din beet gaye. Pankhudi apni life jeeti rahi. Lekin woh Armaan ko bahot miss kar rahi thi. Kayi baar raaton mein use yaad karti. Uska touch miss karti. Us chadar par laga woh khoon ka daag abhi tak nahi dhoya tha Pankhudi ne. Woh aksar us daag ko chhukar Armaan ko yaad karti. Armaan ne use apni kahani kabhi nahi batai, lekin uski aankhon mein beshumaar dard aur tadap dekhti thi Pankhudi ne. Woh use jaan na chahti thi. Kabhi kabhi uska mann karta ki kaash woh Armaan ko contact kar paati lekin uska koi tareeka nahi tha. Jtine bhi number se Armaan ne kabhi use call kiya tha woh saare band the. Armaan ne bhi saamne se use kabhi contact nahi kiya. Pankhudi samajh nahi paa rahi thi, ki jis aadmi se woh itna darti thi, jisne uska jeevan yun narak bana diya tha, woh us se milne kar liye, us se baat karne ke liye itna kyu taras rahi thi. Use apni yeh shaant zindagi ab kyu raas nahi aa rahi thi.
Ek raat bhayank toofan tha, aur tez baarish ho rahi thi. Pankhudi ne khana banakar khaya aur apne bistar par let gayi. Bijli kat gayi thi aandhi ke kaaran aur Pankhudi andhere mein hi leti rahi. Uski nazar uske bedroom ke sheeshe par padi. Usne dekha ki sheeshe se peeche se ek halki si light chamak rahi hai. Usne sheesha deewar se hataya to dekha ki ek camera laga hua tha sheeshe ke peeche. Usi se woh light aa rahi thi.
Pankhudi us camere ke saamne apne ghuton ke bal batih gayi aur us camere ko chhute hue pyaar se muskurayi.
"Kya tum mujhe ab bhi dekh rahe ho?" Pankhudi ne camere mein dekhe hue kaha, "Please wapas aa jao, I miss you."
********
Armaan camere me se Pankhudi ko dekh raha tha. Uski screen par Pankhudi ki khoobsoorat ki image dikh rahi thi. Woh uski pyari si baat sunkar kar muskuraya.
"Mat bulao mujhe cupcake," Armaan ne mann hi mann kaha, "Badi muskhil se door kiya hai mein tumhe apne aap se...darta hun, kahin kuch bahot bura na kar dun tumhare saath..."
Utne mein Armaan ke bedroom ke darwaze par dastak hui.
Armaan ne screen band kar di aur kaha, "Yes, come in."
Ek aadmi andar aaya aur kaha, "Sir, Mr. Nishant Malhotra aaye hai, aapke milna chahte hai."
Armaan ne ghadi dekhi. Raat ke 10 baj rahe the. Woh soch mein pad gaya ki Nishant us se itni der raat kyu milne aaya hai.
Armaan us kamre mein pahuncha jahan Nishant baitha tha. Nishant ek cigarette pita hua, table par apne dono pair rakhe baitha tha. Armaan ne use gaur se dekha, woh nashe mein lag raha tha.
"Hello Nishant," Armaan ne kaha, "Rihaan ki kuch khabar mili?"
"Wahi to lene aaya hun," Nishant ne muskurate hue kaha.
"Kya matlab?" Armaan ne poocha.
"Bhai kya gazab chutiya kata tune mera, Armaan," Nishant ne kaha, "Pichle 3 mahino se main chutiyon ki tarah har jagah Rihaan ko khojta raha, jabki tune use usi raat maar kar kahin gaada hai."
"Aur yeh galatfemhni tumhe kaise hui?" Armaan ne poocha.
Nishant muskyraya. "Tune kaha tha ki Rihaan yahan se nikalkar Hotel Golden Tulip gaya."
"Haan uski ek meeting thi," Armaan ne kaha.
Nishant ne kaha, "Hotel ke bahot saare staff ne confirm kiya ki usne check in kiya tha. Rihaan ka card swipe hua tha reception par, uski phone location bhi thi wahin ki. Ek CCTV footage bhi dikhayi gayi thi jisme Rihaan wahan check in karke, ek ghate baad apne driver ke saath kahin jaate hue nazar aa raha hai."
Armaan dhyaan se Nishant ki baat sun raha tha.
"Maine use har jagah khoja," Nishant ne kaha, "Din raat khojta raha apne bhai ko, kahin nahi mila. Phir maine woh CCTV footage baar baar dekhi. Uski gaadi par theek usi jagah dent dikh raha hai jahan 6 mahine pehle laga tha. And guess what? Rihaan 6 mahine pehle bhi usi hotel gaya tha."
"It could be a coincidence," Armaan ne kaha.
"Co-incidence my foot!" Nishant chillaya, "Hotel jaakar poocha to koi saala apna muh nahi khola. Phir woh IT waale bande ke beti ke gale par chaku rakha tab bola saala tote ki tarah ki yeh 6 mahine purani footage thi."
"Usne bataya ki yeh sab usne kisne kehne par kiya?" Armaan ne poocha.
Nishant muskuraya. "Naam bataya hota to main yahan sirf baat karne nahi aaya hota, Armaan," Nishant ne kaha, "Us saale ki to poori family ki gardan kaat di maine par phir bhi naam nahi bola saala."
Armaan ne gehri saans li.
"Kehna kya chahte ho?" Armaan ne kaha, "Get to the point."
"Alright, I'll get to the fucking point," Nishant ne Armaan ki aankhon se aankhein milkar kaha, "Mera bhai kahan hai Armaan?"
"Mujhe nahi pata," Armaan ne eye contact maintain karte hue kaha.
"Abhi bhi waqt hai, sach bata do," Nishant ne kaha, "Kyunki agar mujhe sach khodke nikana pada to tum jaante ho kya hoga. Agar tumne Rihaan ko kuch kiya hai to abhi bata do. We will sort it out, like gentlemen."
"Rihaan aur mere beech bahot saare deals hui hai," Armaan ne kaha, "Mera business partner tha, main use kyu kuch karunga?"
"Lekin is baar deal nahi hui thi," Nishant ne kaha, "Papers sign nahi kiye the na usne?"
"Agreement ke kuch clauses mein changes chahiye the use," Armaan ne kaha, "Agle hafte phir se meeting hone waali thi humari."
"Kaise hoti meeting jab tumhe use raat usko gayab kar diya tha," Nishant daant peeste hue bola.
"Usko gayab karke deal sign ho jaati kya?" Armaan ne kaha, "Jara dimaag se socho, mere paas Rihaan ho hurt karne ki koi wajah nahi thi. In fact uske gayab hone se mera nuksaan hi hua hai."
"Main maan sakta hun Rihaan ko tumne hurt nahi kiya," Nishaant ne kaha, "Shayad kisi aur ne kiya hai aur tum use bachane ki koshish kar rahe ho."
"Agar tumne bina kisi proof ke mujhpar aarop lagane ka mann bana liya hai to meri koi bhi baat tumhe samajh mein nahi aayegi," Armaan ne kaha.
"Proof?" Nishant ne hanste hue kaha, "Jis din milega na...jaante ho us din kya hoga?...Sarvanaash!"
Nishaant pagalon ki tarah hasne laga. Armaan gambhir nazar se usko ghoorta raha.
"To ab bhi muh nahi khologe, huh?" Nishant ne Armaan ke aankhon mein dekha aur muskurate hue kaha, "Lagta hai jise bhi tum bachane ki koshish kar rahe ho woh tumhare liye special hai. Bahot jald pata laga lunga. Phir uske saath main kya karunga yeh tum soch bhi nahi sakte."
Nishant uthkar chala gaya. Armaan shaanti se use jaate hue dekh raha tha. Usne ek cigarette jalayi aur wahin sofa par baitha cigarette pine laga. Uske dimag mein bahot saare khayal daud rahe the.
Thodi der baad woh wapas apne kamre mein gaya. Usne screen on kari aur Pankhudi ki pyari chavi us screen par ubhar aayi. Woh apne bistar par apna teddy bear apni baahon mein liye shaanti se so rahi thi. Armaan ne screen par bani uski soti hui tasveer ko apni ungli se chhua aur muskuraya. Doosre hi pal uske mann mein khayal aaya ki woh kitne khatre mein hai. Uska mann yeh soch kar kaanp utha ki woh Nishant ke haath lagi to uske saath kya hoga.
"Tum nahi jaanti tumne kitni badi museebat mol le li hai cupcake," Armaan ne mann hi mann kaha.
THE END
Armaan kaafi der tak aankhe moonde leta raha. Phir use apni aankhein kholi, Pankhudi ko dekha aur muskuraya.
"Bhookh lagi hogi na?" Armaan ne Pankhudi se poocha, "Kya khaogi?"
"Jo bhi tum khilana chaho," Pankhudi ne muskurakar jawab diya.
"Tumhari favorite fish curry banwau?" Armaan ne poocha, "With white rice?"
Pankhudi muskurayi. Fish curry aur rice uska favorite khana tha. Usne haan me sar hilaya. Armaan ne chef ko order ke diya. Kuch servants ne uske bedroom ke terrace par table aur chairs lagwaye aur us table to candles se sajaya. Pankhudi yeh sab dekh kar muskura rahi thi.
Armaan ne use apni ek white shirt pehnayi thi. Pankhudi ko uski shirt pehen na bahot accha lagta tha. Jungle mein bitaye meethe lamho ki yaad dilata tha use.
Thodi der mein khana ready hua. Fish curry aur rice ke saath saath chef ne ek salad bhi banaya tha. Ek servant ne 2 wine glasses lagwaye aur Armaan ne sabse expensive wine ki ek bottle khulwayi. Servant ne dono glasses mein wine bhari.
"Cheers!" Armaan ne kaha.
Pankhudi hesistate kar rahi thi. "Maine pehle kabhi drink nahi kari hai," Pankhudi ne kaha.
"Aaj try kar lo," Armaan ne kaha, "Red wine ka taste kuch angoor jaisa hota hai. Tumhe pasand aayega."
Pankhudi ne ek sip liya lekin uske chehre se saaf pata lag raha tha ki use taste pasand nahi aaya. Armaan muskuraya. "Koi baat nahi," usne kaha, "Nahi pasand aayi to rehne do."
Servant ne Pankhudi ko fish curry aur rice parosa. Pankhudi ne is se pehle kabhi Armaan ke saath kahan nahi khaya tha, woh hichkicha rahi thi.
"It's alright cupcake," Armaan ne kaha, "Shuru karo."
Pankhudi ne khana shuru kiya. Khana bahot tasty tha. Pankhudi ko bhookh bhi lagi thi. Use khana enjoy karte hue dekh kar Armaan ko accha laga.
"This is really good," Armaan ne khana taste karte hue kaha.
"Acchi hai," Pankhudi ne kaha, "Kisi din mere haath ki khake dekhna, is se bhi acchi bana sakti hun main."
Armaan muskuraya. "Zaroor," usne kaha.
"Adrak aur laal mirch thodi kam hai. Inki matra sahi to to bahot chatpati banti hai. Meri maa duniya mein sabse acchi fish curry banati hai, unhi se seekha hai maine," Pankhudi ne muskurakar kaha. Phir apni maa ki yaad aate hi uski aankhein nam ho gayi, is khayal se ki woh apni maa ko dobara kabhi nahi dekh payegi. Pankhudi ekdum se chup ho gayi.
Armaan samajh gaya ki Pankhudi kya mehsoos kar rahi thi. Woh apni chair se utha aur Pankhudi ko gale lagaya. Pankhudi uske kandhe par sar rakh kar rone lagi. Armaan ne uski peeth par pyaar se haath phera. Thodi der mein Pankhudi shaant ho gayi.
Khana khatam karke dono bistar par let gaye. Armaan ne Pankhudi ke kapde utare aur uske badan par pyaar se haath pherna laga. Uski aankhon mein ek aisa emotion tha jo Pankhudi samajh nahi paa rahi thi. Usne Pankhudi ke nazuk haatheliyon ko apne haathon mein thama aur chuma. Phir usne Pankhudi ko apni baahon mein liya aur pyaar se sehlakar chuma. Pankhudi dheere dheere uski baahon mein so gayi.
****************
Alge din subah jab Pankhudi ki aankhein khuli to woh apne apartment mein thi. Wahin apartment jahan woh Nisha ke saath rehti thi, uski bistar par thi jahan usne Armaan ke saath apni zindagi ka pehla sex kiya tha. Us chadar par khoon ka daag abhi bhi tha.
Pankhudi bistar se uthi aur apne chaaron taraf dekhne lagi. Usne lage mein jo metal collar daala tha Armaan ne woh hata diya gaya tha. Woh bina kapdon ke apne bistar par thi. Kabhi kabhi use laga ki kahin woh sapna to nahi dekh rahi thi. Lekin uski gardan par aur talwaon par cigarette se jalne ke nishaan the. Matlab woh sab sach mein hua tha. Sapna nahi tha. Toh kya yeh sapna hai?
Pankhudi kuch der tak kuch samajh nahi paayi. Apna sar apni hatheliyon mein thame baithi rahi. Phir uski nazar uske bistar ke paas rakhe side table par padi. Wahan uska phone rakha hua tha jo contract sign karte samay usne Armaan ko saunpa tha. Usne time aur date dekha. Continously andhere kamre mein band rehne ke kaaran use andaza hi nahi tha ki kitna samay beeth chuka hai. Date dekhkar use ehsaas hua ki usne Armaan ke saath lagbhag 3 mahine bitaye the. Phir uski nazar ek envelope par padi jispar uska naam likha hua tha. Envelope par ek laal gulaab tha. Pankhudi ne envelope khola to ek chitthi thi. Pankhudi ne writing pechaan li.
My precious Pankhudi,
Tumhare liye mein jo mehsoos karta hun, shayad main khud kabhi samajh nahi paaya. Kabhi lagta hai tumhari masoomiyat lootke tumhe poori tarah se barbaad kar dun, kabhi lagta hai tumhe pyaar karun, tumhara khayal rakhun, aur kabhi tumhare aankhon se ek aansu na girne dun. Main nahi jaanta main kya chahta hun, Pankhudi, I'm so messed up in my head.
Lekin tum...tum duniya ki sabse pyari ladki ho. Tumhari aankhon mein itni massomiyat, itna pyar hai, aur main sach mein us pyaar ke kaabil nahi hun. Kitna kuch kiya tumne mere liye, apna sab kuch saunp diya mujhe, aur sirf mujhe...kabhi kabhi sochta hun, aisa kya dekhti ho tum mujh me, jo itna chahti ho mujhe?
I am setting you free, Pankhudi. Tumhare jitne bhi photos aur videos mere paas hai, sab delete kar diye hai main. Maine tumpar bahot julm kiye hai, ab aur nahi karunga. Tum ek pyari chidiya ki tarah ho, meri sweet cucake, ab pinjre mein band nahi rakhunga, tum azad ho, apne aasmaan mein udne ke liye.
Love
Armaan
p.s. Drawer mein dekhna, tumhare liye tohfa rakha hai.
Pankhudi woh chitthi padhe rone lagi. Woh nahi samajh paa rahi thi ki woh aisa kyu mehsoos kar rahi thi, woh Armaan ko itna kyu miss kar rahi thi. Armaan ne use azaad kar diya, ab woh jo chahe kar sakti thi, jahan chahe jaa sakti thi, use ab kisi cheez se darne ki zaroorat nahi thi. Lekin uske mann mein ek khalipan sa tha.
Usne drawer khola to usme ek jewellery box paaya. Kholkar dekha to usme woh saare gehne the jo usne majboori mein beche the. Usne pyaar se un gehnon par haath phera aur uske aankhon se ek aansu gira. Us drawer mein uski scooty ki chabi bhi thi. Woh daudkar khidki ke paas gayi. Usne dekha ki uski scooty wahin khadi thi jahan woh use hamesha park karti thi. Woh daudkar seedhiyon se neeche utari aur apni scooty ko pyaar se chhune lagi. Yeh wahi scooty thi jis se woh itna pyaar karti thi, jo usne apne mehnat se kamaye hue paise jodkar khareedi thi. Scooty ko paint kiya gaya tha aur woh ekdum naye jaisi chamak rahi thi, lekin thi woh wahi purani pyari si scooty.
Pankhudi apne apartment mein wapas aayi aur turant Palak ko phone kiya.
"Didi!" Palak chehek kar boli, "Kya sach mein tum ho? Main koi sapna to nahi dekh rahi?"
"Haan Palak," Pankhudi ne kaha, "Main ghar aa rahi hun chukti."
Pankhudi shaam ki bus se ghar ke liye nikal padi. Jab woh Armaan ke saath gayi thi, usne kabhi nahi socha tha ki woh apni family se dobara mil payegi. Agle din subah woh ghar pahunch gayi. Palak uska intezaar kar rahi thi.
Dono behene ek doosre ko dekh kar bhavuk ho gayi aur gale lagakar rone lagi.
"Mujhe laga tha main aapko kabhi nahi dekh paungi," Palak ne kaha.
"Mujhe bhi kuch aisa hi laga tha," Pankhudi ne kaha, "Lekin usne mujhe azad kar diya."
Palak Pankhudi ko cab mein bithakar ek doosri jagah le jaa rahi thi.
"Hum kahan jaa rahe hai Palak?" Pankhudi ne poocha.
"Shhh surprise hai," Palak ne kaha.
Pankhudi muskurati hui apne surprise ka intezaar kar rahi thi. Thodi der mein woh wahan pahunche.
Palak use ek chhote se makaan ke andar le gayi.
"Yeh humara apna ghar hai didi," Palak ne kaha, "Ab hum us kiraye ke ghar mein nahi rehte. Aapne jo paise diye the, us se maine yeh ghar khareeda hai. Kagaz bhi poore hai iske, maa ke naam par. Ab koi humare ghar par bulldozer nahi chalayega. Is ghar par humara kanoonan haq hai."
Pankhudi woh pyara sa ghar dekh kar bahot khush hui. Aangan mein ek chhota sa garden tha, jahan Palak ne kuch gulaab ke paudhe lagaye the. Ek jhula bhi tha. Pankhudi uspar baithkar jhulne lagi.
"Mera medical college mein admission ho gaya hai didi," Palak ne kaha, "Bas ab 5 saal mehnat karni hai, phir main doctor ban jaungi, jaisa aapka samna tha. Goverment college mein admission mila hai mujhe, to jo paise aapne diye, uske aadhe se bhi kam mein mera MBBS poora ho jayega."
Pankhudi khushi se Palak ko gale laga liya.
"Aapne itni badi kurbaani di didi," Palak ne kaha, "Itna to maine kar hi sakti thi aapka sapna poora karne ke liye."
"Yeh to sabse bada surprise tha Palak," Pankhudi ne kaha, "I am so proud of you."
"Sabse bada surprise to abhi baaki hai didi," Pankhudi ne kaha, "Andar aao."
Palak Pankhudi ko kitchen me le gayi. Wahan Pankhudi ki maa khana bana rahi thi. Woh apne do pairon par khadi thi. Pankhudi ne apni maa ko itne saalon se wheelchair mein dekha tha. Lekin aaj apne pairon par khada dekha dar, uski aankhon se khushi ke aansu nikal aaye.
"Maine ek accha physiotherapist hire kiya," Palak ne kaha, "Abhi maa lathi ke sahare chal paati hai. Kuch dino mein to laathi ki bhi zaroorat nahi padegi."
Pankhudi ki maa ne mud kar dekha to Pankhudi khadi thi Palak ke saath.
"Pankhudi beta," uski maa ne muskurate hue kaha, "Kitne dino baad dekh rahi hun tumhe. Kaisi ho beta? Tumhe bhookh lagi hogi na? Maine kitni saari cheezein banayi hai tumhare liye. Ghar ka khana kahan mila hoga tumhe London mein."
Pankhudi muskurakar apni maa ke gale lagi.
Teeno ne milkar khana khaya. Pankhudi itni khush shayad pehle kabhi nahi thi. Uske pariwar mein ab sab kuch theek ho gaya tha.
Raat mein Palak ke saath leti thi.
"Kaise beete itni din didi?" Palak ne kaha, "Kya unse tumhe hurt kiya?"
"Nahi," Pankhudi ne muskurate hue kaha.
"Kaisa hai woh?" Palak ne poocha.
"Woh...kabhi aag to kabhi paani ki tarah hai, har pal rang badalta hai, itne saare dard samaye hue hai apne andar, lekin bolta kuch nahi hai, bas uski aankhein bolti hai, kabhi ek rakshas ki tarah tadpata hai...to kabhi ek farishte ki tarah tookar pyaar karta hai...use koi nahi samajh sakta...shayad woh khud bhi apne aap ko nahi samajhta..." Pankhudi ne kaha.
Pankhudi ki aankhon mein itna pyaar tha, Palak samajh gayi ki ki use Armaan se ek khaas lagaav ho gaya hai. Palak ne Pankhudi ko gale lagaya.
Dono behen baatein karte karte so gayi. Pankhudi ne kuch din apne family ke saath bitaye phir mumbai laut aayi. Kuch dino baad use ek call aayi. Ek job ki offer thi, aur salary uske pichle job se kayi behtar thi. Usne inteview ke liye bulaya gaya. Turant select kar liya gaya. Pankhudi ne job join kari, aur uski life ab pehle jaisi ho chuki thi, bilkul saral aur shaant.
Kayi din beet gaye. Pankhudi apni life jeeti rahi. Lekin woh Armaan ko bahot miss kar rahi thi. Kayi baar raaton mein use yaad karti. Uska touch miss karti. Us chadar par laga woh khoon ka daag abhi tak nahi dhoya tha Pankhudi ne. Woh aksar us daag ko chhukar Armaan ko yaad karti. Armaan ne use apni kahani kabhi nahi batai, lekin uski aankhon mein beshumaar dard aur tadap dekhti thi Pankhudi ne. Woh use jaan na chahti thi. Kabhi kabhi uska mann karta ki kaash woh Armaan ko contact kar paati lekin uska koi tareeka nahi tha. Jtine bhi number se Armaan ne kabhi use call kiya tha woh saare band the. Armaan ne bhi saamne se use kabhi contact nahi kiya. Pankhudi samajh nahi paa rahi thi, ki jis aadmi se woh itna darti thi, jisne uska jeevan yun narak bana diya tha, woh us se milne kar liye, us se baat karne ke liye itna kyu taras rahi thi. Use apni yeh shaant zindagi ab kyu raas nahi aa rahi thi.
Ek raat bhayank toofan tha, aur tez baarish ho rahi thi. Pankhudi ne khana banakar khaya aur apne bistar par let gayi. Bijli kat gayi thi aandhi ke kaaran aur Pankhudi andhere mein hi leti rahi. Uski nazar uske bedroom ke sheeshe par padi. Usne dekha ki sheeshe se peeche se ek halki si light chamak rahi hai. Usne sheesha deewar se hataya to dekha ki ek camera laga hua tha sheeshe ke peeche. Usi se woh light aa rahi thi.
Pankhudi us camere ke saamne apne ghuton ke bal batih gayi aur us camere ko chhute hue pyaar se muskurayi.
"Kya tum mujhe ab bhi dekh rahe ho?" Pankhudi ne camere mein dekhe hue kaha, "Please wapas aa jao, I miss you."
********
Armaan camere me se Pankhudi ko dekh raha tha. Uski screen par Pankhudi ki khoobsoorat ki image dikh rahi thi. Woh uski pyari si baat sunkar kar muskuraya.
"Mat bulao mujhe cupcake," Armaan ne mann hi mann kaha, "Badi muskhil se door kiya hai mein tumhe apne aap se...darta hun, kahin kuch bahot bura na kar dun tumhare saath..."
Utne mein Armaan ke bedroom ke darwaze par dastak hui.
Armaan ne screen band kar di aur kaha, "Yes, come in."
Ek aadmi andar aaya aur kaha, "Sir, Mr. Nishant Malhotra aaye hai, aapke milna chahte hai."
Armaan ne ghadi dekhi. Raat ke 10 baj rahe the. Woh soch mein pad gaya ki Nishant us se itni der raat kyu milne aaya hai.
Armaan us kamre mein pahuncha jahan Nishant baitha tha. Nishant ek cigarette pita hua, table par apne dono pair rakhe baitha tha. Armaan ne use gaur se dekha, woh nashe mein lag raha tha.
"Hello Nishant," Armaan ne kaha, "Rihaan ki kuch khabar mili?"
"Wahi to lene aaya hun," Nishant ne muskurate hue kaha.
"Kya matlab?" Armaan ne poocha.
"Bhai kya gazab chutiya kata tune mera, Armaan," Nishant ne kaha, "Pichle 3 mahino se main chutiyon ki tarah har jagah Rihaan ko khojta raha, jabki tune use usi raat maar kar kahin gaada hai."
"Aur yeh galatfemhni tumhe kaise hui?" Armaan ne poocha.
Nishant muskyraya. "Tune kaha tha ki Rihaan yahan se nikalkar Hotel Golden Tulip gaya."
"Haan uski ek meeting thi," Armaan ne kaha.
Nishant ne kaha, "Hotel ke bahot saare staff ne confirm kiya ki usne check in kiya tha. Rihaan ka card swipe hua tha reception par, uski phone location bhi thi wahin ki. Ek CCTV footage bhi dikhayi gayi thi jisme Rihaan wahan check in karke, ek ghate baad apne driver ke saath kahin jaate hue nazar aa raha hai."
Armaan dhyaan se Nishant ki baat sun raha tha.
"Maine use har jagah khoja," Nishant ne kaha, "Din raat khojta raha apne bhai ko, kahin nahi mila. Phir maine woh CCTV footage baar baar dekhi. Uski gaadi par theek usi jagah dent dikh raha hai jahan 6 mahine pehle laga tha. And guess what? Rihaan 6 mahine pehle bhi usi hotel gaya tha."
"It could be a coincidence," Armaan ne kaha.
"Co-incidence my foot!" Nishant chillaya, "Hotel jaakar poocha to koi saala apna muh nahi khola. Phir woh IT waale bande ke beti ke gale par chaku rakha tab bola saala tote ki tarah ki yeh 6 mahine purani footage thi."
"Usne bataya ki yeh sab usne kisne kehne par kiya?" Armaan ne poocha.
Nishant muskuraya. "Naam bataya hota to main yahan sirf baat karne nahi aaya hota, Armaan," Nishant ne kaha, "Us saale ki to poori family ki gardan kaat di maine par phir bhi naam nahi bola saala."
Armaan ne gehri saans li.
"Kehna kya chahte ho?" Armaan ne kaha, "Get to the point."
"Alright, I'll get to the fucking point," Nishant ne Armaan ki aankhon se aankhein milkar kaha, "Mera bhai kahan hai Armaan?"
"Mujhe nahi pata," Armaan ne eye contact maintain karte hue kaha.
"Abhi bhi waqt hai, sach bata do," Nishant ne kaha, "Kyunki agar mujhe sach khodke nikana pada to tum jaante ho kya hoga. Agar tumne Rihaan ko kuch kiya hai to abhi bata do. We will sort it out, like gentlemen."
"Rihaan aur mere beech bahot saare deals hui hai," Armaan ne kaha, "Mera business partner tha, main use kyu kuch karunga?"
"Lekin is baar deal nahi hui thi," Nishant ne kaha, "Papers sign nahi kiye the na usne?"
"Agreement ke kuch clauses mein changes chahiye the use," Armaan ne kaha, "Agle hafte phir se meeting hone waali thi humari."
"Kaise hoti meeting jab tumhe use raat usko gayab kar diya tha," Nishant daant peeste hue bola.
"Usko gayab karke deal sign ho jaati kya?" Armaan ne kaha, "Jara dimaag se socho, mere paas Rihaan ho hurt karne ki koi wajah nahi thi. In fact uske gayab hone se mera nuksaan hi hua hai."
"Main maan sakta hun Rihaan ko tumne hurt nahi kiya," Nishaant ne kaha, "Shayad kisi aur ne kiya hai aur tum use bachane ki koshish kar rahe ho."
"Agar tumne bina kisi proof ke mujhpar aarop lagane ka mann bana liya hai to meri koi bhi baat tumhe samajh mein nahi aayegi," Armaan ne kaha.
"Proof?" Nishant ne hanste hue kaha, "Jis din milega na...jaante ho us din kya hoga?...Sarvanaash!"
Nishaant pagalon ki tarah hasne laga. Armaan gambhir nazar se usko ghoorta raha.
"To ab bhi muh nahi khologe, huh?" Nishant ne Armaan ke aankhon mein dekha aur muskurate hue kaha, "Lagta hai jise bhi tum bachane ki koshish kar rahe ho woh tumhare liye special hai. Bahot jald pata laga lunga. Phir uske saath main kya karunga yeh tum soch bhi nahi sakte."
Nishant uthkar chala gaya. Armaan shaanti se use jaate hue dekh raha tha. Usne ek cigarette jalayi aur wahin sofa par baitha cigarette pine laga. Uske dimag mein bahot saare khayal daud rahe the.
Thodi der baad woh wapas apne kamre mein gaya. Usne screen on kari aur Pankhudi ki pyari chavi us screen par ubhar aayi. Woh apne bistar par apna teddy bear apni baahon mein liye shaanti se so rahi thi. Armaan ne screen par bani uski soti hui tasveer ko apni ungli se chhua aur muskuraya. Doosre hi pal uske mann mein khayal aaya ki woh kitne khatre mein hai. Uska mann yeh soch kar kaanp utha ki woh Nishant ke haath lagi to uske saath kya hoga.
"Tum nahi jaanti tumne kitni badi museebat mol le li hai cupcake," Armaan ne mann hi mann kaha.
THE END
