Ankhein khulte hi aisa laga mano lambe samay baad ankhein khuli ho, sar itna bhari tha ki keh nahi sakta ki uske andar kya chal raha hai. Khuli ankhon ke samne asman to tha par usme na to roshni thi aur na hi andhera bada hi ajeeb vatarvaran tha. Mei apni jagah se kahda hota use pehle meri nazar apne hathon par gayi jinpr lal lakrein aur nishan pade the, ye kab aye aur kaise aye mujhe malum nahi lekin chune par dard utha jiske baad dimag ne jo bhi kuch bhula tha vo sab ek jhatke mein yaad kara diya " anshika " mei fauran kahda hua aur samne ka pal dekh meri hairat dimag par havvi ho gayi, jo tha samne vo sach nahi ho sakta tha aur agar ye sach tha to kuch bahut bhayanak ghat chuka tha aur mere pas samay behad kam tha.
" wahan pahunchne ke baad mei use khojunga kaise ? " shreyas ne apne akhri do bache sawalon mein se ek sawal kiya.
" mujhe nahi lagta tumhe use khojne ki jarurat padegi " bol kar guruji ek pal ke liye shant hue " vo tumhe har kadam par milega bhi aur nahi bhi " shreyas samajh raha tha ki guruji kehna kya chahte hain vo har dum sath to rahega lekin use pakad nahi payega. " lekin mujhe lagta hai vo tujhe usi jagah milega jis jagah se use sabse jada pyar hai " guruji ki baat ne shreyas ko uske puche gaye sawal ka jawab de diya.
Meri nazar samne padi to hairat meri ankhon mein jhalakne lagi. Ek taraf yani Bayein aur sabarwal ka bangla tha aur dusri aaur yani dayein taraf vo resort jo apas mein jude hue the. Adha bangla aur adha resort. Jaise bangle ke ek hisse ko resort ke ek hisse se jod diya ho jisme jahan ek taraf bangle ki unchai resort ki unchai se kam thi. Mene ek kadam aage badane se pehle ek dafa piche ki aaur dekha jahan andhkar maujud tha jo sayein ki tarah har taraf mere sath tha. Meri manzil shayad samne thi aur vo mujhe khud yahan le aya tha. Fir wahi bangla, fir wahi resort, kahani ke sawal jahan se shuru hue the unka ant bhi usi mein maujud the.
Samne dekh kar chalte hue mere per kisi chiz mein ja ghuse jise mehsus karte hue mene apni nazar samne se hata kar niche ki aaur ki. Per lal padarat ke andar dhanse hue the aur us padart mein sainkdon chiz padi hui dikh rahi thi. Mene per bahar khincha to us padart ke sath vo chizen bhi bahar ki aaur khinchti hui aa gayi jinhe dekhte hi mei samajh gaya ki ya kya hai. Insano ke mans ke tukdon ke sath unke sharir ke alag-alag ang ke chote chote tukde ter rahe the. Samjhte hi mujhe ubkai aa gayi par kisi tarah dil majbut kar mene andar jane ka faisla aur majbut kar liya. Per jab bhi andar rakhta ek ajeeb si jhunjhunahat hoti aur aisa lagta mano kisi ke sharir par chalte hue aage badh raha hun.
Ek ajeeb si ' chaaapp ssiyaaaapp ' jaisi awaz mere kano mein padhti aur usi ke sath peron ke niche kuch kuchal jata. Chalte hue nazar bich mein bane gol fountain par bhi gayi jiska adha hissa hi dikhai de raha tha baki dusri taraf resort ka khali ujda hua maidan tha. Waqt ki maya samjhte hue mei darwaje ke samne aa khada hua. Bayein hisse ka darwaja bangle ka tha aur dayein walla hissa resort ka. Sirf hisse hi nahi bante hue the balki pura mahol usi tarah banta hua tha jahan bangle mein peele aur safed rang ki halki roshni maujud thi wahin resort mein ek ajeeb sa andhkar aur behad halki roshni thi jise vatavaran halke nile rang mein duba hua tha. Asharye ki ye baat thi ki darwaja khula hua tha jaise mere liye hi khol kar rakha gaya ho.
Mene ek kadam aage badhaya aur andar aa khada hua, mera ek hissa bangle mein tha aur ek hissa resort mein. Aisa laga mano do waqt mein ek sath khada hun. Kya yahi nahi socha tha us shaitain ne us waqt bhi, do waqt ko ek sath jodna? Kya vo kamayab hone ke najdeek khada tha? Ye jagah uski hai zahir hai usne apni shakityun se hi iska roop diya hoga aur sab kuch pehle se tay kiya hoga, sivai mere yahan ane ke. Sochte hi pure sharir mein dar aur bhay ki chinta umad padi. Mere bayein taraf bangle ka vo lamba corridor tha jo behad kam ujale mein simta hua tha, dayein aaur resort ka vo hall jise dekhne par us raat ki yaad aa gayi. Bangle ki sidiyun ka ek hi hissa dikh raha tha baki dusra hissa resort ki sidiyun ne le rakha tha. Pehli baar aisa drishye dekh raha tha jo sapne se kam nahi lag raha tha. Bhale hi Hakikat mein tha fir bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise hakikat se koson dur khada hun.
Dil ki dhadkan bahut tez thi har pal lag raha tha jaise vo abhi ayega lekin wahan ki shanti dekh aisa laga jaise vo khud apna ghar bana kar kahin aaur ho. Mene apne sukhe galle ko thuk se geela kiya aur ek kadam andar rakhte hue thoda aur andar ghus gaya. Apne sharir par do waqt ki alag-alag roshni mehsus karte hue mujhe aisa lag raha tha jaise mei abhi isi waqt mein kahin kho sa jaunga. Asliyat ka wajud is jagah se mit chuka tha.
Ye khamoshi mujhe khatak rahi thi kyun ki har bar is khamoshi ke piche koi na koi dard chupa hota tha. Abhi per utha kar aage badne hi wala tha ki ek awaz ne kadam rok diye aur dhadkane badha di. Mene fauran awaz ki disha mein apni nazrein modi, awaz corridor ki aaur se aa rahi thi.
" shrey " awaz meri taraf badhti hui mehsus hone lagi " shrey " aur is baar ek parchai mere samne aa khadi hui. Ek parchai jise andhere mein jakda hua tha.
" sonia? " shrey naam suna to laga ki wahi hogi. Mere bolne par usne koi jawab nahi diya aur phir mujhe subakne ki awaz ayi " sonia " mei ek kadam us aaur badha to parchai ek kadam piche ho gayi. " tum mujhe dikh kyun nahi rahi ? "
Vo ek pal subakne ke baad boli " usne chin li hai "
" chinn li hai ? " mei bolte hue ek pal ruka " tum yahan kaise ? "
" vo... vo mere piche hai.. mujhe le jana chahta hai " uski baat ka jawab mei de pata use pehle mujhe ek aur awaz sunai di. Mene sonia ki parchai se nazar hatai aur samne dekha aur hairat mei meri ankhein badhi ho gayi " maa " kadam apne aap us waqt mud gaye jab sidiyun par shilpi maa ko khade hue paya. Baal bikhre hue the chehre par kai jagah bade bade kalle dabbe pade hue the.
" maa aap yahan kaise ? "
" vo mujhe le jana chahta hai.. " unhone bhi wahi baat kahi aur subakne lagi. Kuch bol pata use pehle ek aur awaz ne mera dhayan apni taraf khincha aur is baar jab mene awaz ki disha mein dekha to meri ruh kanp uthi. Awaz dayein taraf se ayi thi, mene nazre utha kar us aaur dekha to resort ke hall mein ek pillar par rassi si bandhi hui anshika khadi meri hi taraf dekh rahi thi.
" anshika " uske chehre par bade-bade nishan lage hue the aur ankhein bilkul kali padh chuki thi.
" vo.. vo mujhe le jana chahta hai " anshika ne bhi wahi kaha aur subakne lagi. Samajh hi nahi aa raha tha ki kya ho raha hai, teen taraf teen zindagiyan teen waqt ki maujud kahani ek sath mere samne khade the aur ek hi baat keh rahe the. Per kis taraf mude unhe mei bata nahi paa raha tha. Nazre anshika se maa par aur phir sonia ki parchai par aur phir vapis anshika par.
" aap log kaise? " samajh pana mushkil tha aur sawalon ka jawab dene wala teeno mein se koi nahi tha. Vo teeno bas ek hi baat keh rahe the ' vo mujhe le jana chahta hai ' vo kaun tha janta tha lekin kahan aur kaise le jaa sakta tha? Kaise? Khud ke sawalon mein aise kho gaya ki itna bhi dhayan nahi diya ki teeno ne bolna band kar diya hai. Meri ankhein jhuki hui thi isliye jab uthi to sabse pehle maa par gayi jo shant khadi thi. Jo chehre par kuch pal pehle dar aur khauf tha vo ab ek dum fika padh chuka tha, achanak se ankhon ki putliyan badi ho gayi aur chehre par lambi muskan ter ayi.
" maza aya " awaz mein itna rukhapan aur akdan sun meri sansein ukhad gayi. Samne se awaz suni ki bayein aur khadi sonia ki taraf se bhi ek awaz ayi.
" ye jayegi aur iska shrey hihihihihi " kuch usi tarah ki awaz wahan se bhi ayi.
" pyar ya maaaa.... sssiiiii haaaaaaaa... " anshika ki aaur se atti awaz par jab mene usko dekha to chehre par chai lakere aur bhi jada gehra gayi. Ankhein kanche jaisi badi ho chuki thi aur chehre par kutil muskan chai hui thi.
Mujhe kuch kehne aur karne ki jarurat padi hi nahi kyun ki usi dauran anshika dahadi " aargghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh " phir maa " aargghhhhhhhhhhhh " fir sonia " arrghhhhhh "
Kano mein us shaitan ki itni takat sun kar takleef hone lagi par agle hi pal vo chillane ki awaz achanak dard mein badal gayi aur maa ka sharir hawa mein thoda uppar uth gaya aur vo zor-zor se cheekhne lagi jaise kitne dard mein ho " aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh "
" maaaa " mei uski taraf jata use pehle sonia dard mein rone lagi. " aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh naaaaahiiiiiiii naahi naaaahiiiii naahiiiii " per ek dum ruk gaye ab is duvidha ko kaise mitaun dono mein se ek par faisla karta use pehle anshika ne is baat ko soch se hi bahar kar diya.
Anshika ki taraf jab mene dekha to vo chatpate hue chilla rahi thi, ab uska dard aur shaitan ki darandigi ek sath mil kar kabhi shaitan ki awaz mein tabdeel hoti to kabhi uske dard ki. " aaaaaahhhh aaaaahh shreyas..s..s.s.. " agle pal vo shaitan havi ho gaya " aaaaaaaaaaaaaarggghhhhhhhhh " Aisa laga mano mere samne vo shaitan teeno ke sath wahi kar raha hai jo jeete jii karna chahta tha. Maa mere samne thi aur cheekh rahi thi, dard mein apne sharir ko kisi chiz se chudwane ki kosish mein tadap rahi thi. Usi taraf sonia bhi usi ladai ko ladh rahi thi jiski parchai ab wahan to nahi thi lekin awaz kano mein padh rahi thi.
Un sabhi ki cheekhein bardasht se bahar ho gayi thi, apni ankhon ke samne teeno ke dard mein bilkahta dekha nahi gaya aur mene akhir bujdilon jaise apne kano par hath rakh liye aur chehra chupate hue ghutno ke bal baith gaya is intezar mein ki ye dard bhari cheekhein khud hi suljah jaye. Na jane kyun par ye mujhe kamjor aur lachar bana rahi thi. Teeno mein se ek ko chunna, mere liye namumkin tha isliye itna kamjor ho gaya ki teeno ko dard jhelne ke liye chhod diya.
Pata nahi kab tak nazre chipaye aur gardan jhukaye subakta raha aur jab awazein band hui to mene apni nazar utha kar samne dekha. Maa ab wahan nahi thi aur na hi anshika wahan maujud thi, jab bayein aaur dekhte hue khada hokar thoda aage badha to ab sonia ki na hi koi parchai thi aur na hi koi awazein us taraf se aa rahi thi. Ek pal ke liye dil seham gaya ye sochkar ki kya shaitan teeno ko le gaya? Par aisa nahi kaise ho sakta tha ye bhi un sabhi mayajaal ki tarah tha jo vo mere sath khel kar mujhe todna chahta tha. Mei vapis hall ki taraf aya aur vapis us khamoshi ko mehsus karne laga.
Pehli bar kahani itni anjan thi, samajh nahi aa raha tha ki aage badhne ke liye rasta kaise khojna hai. Ek taraf itna samajh aa raha tha ki waqt ko nazar-andaz nahi kar sakte lekin dusri taraf kuch mil bhi nahi raha tha jisse shuruwat kar sakun. Mei charon taraf dekhte hue soch raha tha taki uske ane se pehle apne kaam ko anjam de sakun lekin shuru karun to kahan se? Sochte hue achanak se dimag mein aya ki jis kahani ki shuruwat bangle se hote hue resort tak gayi to uski kamjori bhi to wahin chupi hogi. Pichli baar jis tarah usne apni takat ikhati ki thi mujhe wahin dhundna tha. Sabse pehla sahi rasta mujhe yahi laga kyun ki jo kahani ki shuruwat bani jisne uski takat dilwai wahi shayad uski kamjori bhi ban sakti thi.
Mei tez kadmo se corridor ki aaur badha aur kamre ke bahar ja khada hua. Darwaja band tha, mene uska kunda niche kiya aur darwaja khol kar andar dakhil hua. Ye wahi kamra tha jahan ki book shelf se wahi book gira karti thi, jisne kahani ke raaz se parda hataya tha. Isi umeed mein ki koi sanket chupa hoga mei andar dakhil hua aur meri sari umeed ek jhatke mein tut gayi. Shelf par koi bhi kitab nahi thi pura shelf khali pada tha. Mene use ache se dekha, jahan se book gira karti thi usme hath dal kar bhi dekha lekin wo khali nikla. Agar ye khali tha to ? mei sochte hue piche ki taraf gaya vahan pahunch kar bhi mujhe hairani hi hassil hui. Jis jagah vo darwaja hona chahie tha vahan ab kuch nahi tha, vo jagah khuli hui thi. Vo kamra? Mei hall mein vapis aya to jahan vo kamra hona chahie tha ab us jagah par resort ka hissa tha. Sahi kaha tha guruji ne vo apni sari takat ikhati karne ke baad use chupa dega isliye usne apni har kamjori is jagah se hata di jahan-jahan se kahani judi thi taki mujhe kuch bhi na mil sake iska matlab vo jaan kar mujhe is jagah par laya taki vo mere samne apni shakti hassil karke jo chahta hai vo kar sake. Sochte hi dil kanp utha ankhon ke samne bure-bure khayal ane lage ek pal laga chakar kha kar gir jaunga.
Kaise dhundun? Kahan se shuru karun ? nazre zameen par tiki thi aur mei dimag ko sochne par majbur kar raha tha.
" apne kaha ki vo mujhe khud khojega ? "
" kyun ki vo tujhse juda hai, vo tujhe dikhana chahta hai jo kaam vo jeete jee tere samne nahi kar paya use vo marne ke baad kar paye "
" aise to vo khud apni haar ko apne samne laa raha hai " thode rukhe andaz mein jawab dete hue shreyas apne dant pisne laga.
" tu use kamjor samajh raha hai bhool mat uske pas ab uski takat hai "
" lekin use abhi tak mili nahi hai "
" mana ki vo abhi apni takat ko chu nahi sakta lekin vo janta hai ki use kya karna hai aur tu bhi " guruji ne baton ke piche chupe ishare ko samjhaya.
" janta hun isliye apse apna dusra aur akhri sawal karna chahta hun, mei use khojunga kaise? " guruji shreyas ka matlab samjhte hue ek pal shant rahe.
" zindagi pyar se judi hoti hai aur maut se bhi, bina pyar ke zindagi nahi hoti aur zindagi bina maut kabhi dastak nahi deti " guruji ne apni baat shreyas ki ankhon mein dekhte hue khatam ki.
Jo sawal man mein ghum rahe the unka jawab mere pas hi tha bas kuch waqt ke liye bhool gaya tha shayad is jagah ka asar tha. Mene apne hathon ko khujane laga jo kafi der se pareshan kar rahe the. Hath par pade lal nishan mere khujane ki wajah se aur gehra gaye mano khoon ubhar kar bahar aa gaya ho. Achanak kuch samajh aya aur mei fauran vapis usi kamre mein pahuncha jahan par khali book shelf khali pada hua tha. Na jane kya khoj raha tha us khalipan mein ek pal dur se dekhta raha phir uske kareeb aa khada hua. Khamoshi itni thi ki khud ke sochne ki awaz bhi bahar aa rahi thi.
" Kahani bhale hi usne apni dunia mein badal di ho par judi to phir bhi unhi chizon se hai " mene shelf par apna hath rakha aur kamre mein nazar daudane laga aur fir ek kone par nazar ja ruki. Mene darwaje ke piche se danda uthaya jo is kamre mein shuru se hi maujud tha par kabhi nazar nahi gayi thi. Dande ko lekar wapis shelf ke pas aya aur ek pal is dhoke ki sachai ko samjhne laga aur dusre pal danda shelf par de mara. ' khaatttttttt ' shelf ek hissa aage se tut gaya jiske baad mene usi jagah par marna shuru kar diya. Khali ghar mein jaise awaz gunjti hai vo awaz mere kano mein gunj rahi thi. Ek samay aisa aya jaise koi mujhe darwaje par khada dekh raha hai lekin jab mene nazar ghuma kar udhar dekha to wahan koi bhi maujud nahi tha shayad in ankhon se nahi dikha lekin wahan koi tha. Mene fir dhayan hataya aur dande ko shelf par de mara is baar marte hi shelf ki lakdi mein ched ho gaya, ched abhi chota tha lekin mene use agle kuch hi minute mein bada kar diya. Us ched ke bada hote hi mene danda niche kiya aur ek kadam aage aakar us ched par apni ankh rakh kar uske piche dekhne laga.
Andhera itna jada tha ki piche kuch dikhai nahi de raha tha isliye wahan se hat kar ched bada karne ki soch hi raha tha ki tabhi us taraf se ek ankh meri ankhon ke samne ayi jise dekh mein hadbadate hue piche hat gaya aur tez sanson ke sath usi taraf dekhne laga. Mera weham tha ya sach mein koi tha uske piche, halak sukhne laga, andazan piche deewar honi chahie thi lekin wahan koi khali jagah maujud thi. Wahin khada reh kar usi aur dekhta raha jaise koi abhi bahar ayega lekin jab koi ahat nahi hui to mei phir aage bada aur shelf ke andar hath dal diya jise dalte hue ghabrahat bhi ho rahi thi. Ek pal hath dal kar ruka kyun ki har dafa yahi lag raha tha ki ab piche se koi mera hath pakad kar khinch lega lekin aisa kuch nahi hua. Andar kya hai ye tatolne ke liye hath uppar niche kiye par aise kuch nahi mila isliye thoda aur andar ki taraf hath diya jisme vo kisi chiz se takraya. Ek ungli, do ungli aur phir jab pura hath uspar pada to samjhte der nahi lagi ki ye kya hai. Mene use uthaya aur apna hath bahar nikal liya.
" chabi " dhul mitti se bhari chabi ko mene funk mar kar uski mitti ko hataya aur chabi ko dhayan se dekhne par pata chala. " ye to sonia ke college locker ki chabi hai " uspar likhe 'ocs' symbol ko dekhte hi samajh gaya tha kyun ki wahin se to is kahani ka parda hataya gaya tha. Chabi ka yahan milna vo bhi is tarah, mene nazar chabi se hata kar usi ched ki taraf dekha aur phir aisa laga jaise piche se koi hawa awaz lekar meri aaur aa rahi hai.
Mene fauran chabi pocket mein dali aur danda lekar shelf par de mara aur use todne laga. Sans fulh rahi thi lekin mei nahi ruka aur tab tak use toda jab tak sehlf ka ek tukda aage se nahi tod dala. Sharir pasine se tar batar ho chuka tha, ghutne par hath rakh samne dekhte hue mei hanf raha tha. Shelf ke tut jane par ab mujhe bahar ki roshni se andar pada locker dikhai de raha tha jiska yahan hona apne aap mein ek mayajaal tha. Aage badh kar mene pocket se chabi nikali aur locker mein laga kar ghuma di ' kaaatttt ' awaz ayi aur mene use khol diya. Andar dhool miti ke alawa kuch aur bhi pada hua tha, jaisi mujhe umeed thi ye wahi diary thi jo sonia ne likh kar chupai thi. Mene diary nikali, dhool puri tarah se uspar jami hui thi jise mene apne hathon se hataya aur use khol dia.
Mene diary ka cover khola jiske sath hi meri hairani badh gayi " chabi " mene chabi uthai jo wahi chabi thi jise mene abhi locker mein lagai thi, par agar ye wahan thi to yahan kaise? Mene fauran locker ki aaur dekha to vahan par jo chabi mene lagai thi vo maujud nahi thi. Kuch samajh pana mushkil ho gaya tha isliye mene vahan se dhayan hata kar vapis diary par gaur kiya aur panna palat diya. " khali " pehle panne par jahan sonia ne kahani ki shuruwat ki thi vo panna khali thi. Meri ankhein hairani mein choti hui aur jaise jaise mene panne palatne shuru kiye vo utni hi tezi se badi hoti chali gayi. Puri diary kore kagaz jaisi khali thi mano koi kahani likhi hi nahi gayi ho. Aisa to ho nahi sakta tha, mene locker mein hath dala ye soch kar ki shayad wahan kuch aur mil jaye lekin kuch nahi mila. Locker ko chhod kar mene kitab par vapis nazar dali. Khali kitab ka is tarah chupane ka kya matlab ho sakta tha? sochte hue yaad aya ki pichli baar mene panne fade the tab kuch mila tha kya is baar bhi aisa to nahi hai? Aisa sochte hi mene panne fadne ki sochi par phir ruk gaya kyun ki tabhi meri samajh aya ki us waqt vo kitab sonia ki diary nahi thi aur agar mene ye diary fad di to mei kahani ko khud khatam kar dunga. Ye uska mayajaal hai aur shayad mei tabhi diary par likha kuch nahi dekh paa raha hun. Aisa ho sakta hai, bilkul ho sakta hai. Agar mene sahi samay par na soch hota to mere hathon phir anarth ho jata. Iska jo bhi matlab ho agar usne ise chupaya hai to jarur aage kuch milega filal ke liye mujhe ye sochna hai ki ye dusri chabi kis chiz ki hai jispar bhi 'ocs' likha hai. Mene locker ki taraf dekha aur jo chabi diary se mili thi use locker ki key hole mein lagaya jiske baad wahi hua jiski mujhe shanka thi, vo chabi se lock khul-band hua hi nahi. Ye kafi tha mujhe samjhane ke liye ki meri pehal ek dum sahi disha mein shuru hui hai.
Mene book ko apne sath hi le jana sahi samjha aur kamre se bahar nikal aya. Corridor se guzarte waqt wahan maujud ek kamre se nazar takrai jiska darwaja bhi band pada tha, andheka karke mei aage bada ki kadam apne aap ruk gaye. Pehli baar aisa hua tha ki kahani kuch ulti chal rahi thi. Bahar ka darwaja chhod koi bhi darwaja nahi khula tha jabki hamesha hume har darwaje khule mile the sivai bangle aur resort ke main darwaje ko chhod ke. Vaise bhi is kamre se koi taluk nahi tha lekin jigasya purvak mene darwaje ko dhakela lekin vo nahi khula. Mene handle niche karke use dhakka diya lekin vo tab bhi nahi khula. Ab jigasya shanka mein tabdeel ho gayi aur na chahte hue bhi man mein dheron sawal ane lage ' Band darwaja aksar rehasyon ko jodta hai to kya ab koi naya rehasye chupa hai? ' Meri nazar darwaje ke key hole par gayi na jane kyun par vo mujhe locker ke key hole jaisa hi lag raha tha, kuch samay hi beete the isliye andaza laga raha tha par kya ye mumkin ho sakta hai. Khud se sawalon ko azad karne ke liye mene chabi pocket se nikal kar darwaje ke key hole mein dal di. Chabi asani se andar ghus gayi aur ' takkkkk ' awaz ke sath lock khul gaya. Achambit hote hue mene darwaje ko dhakka diya aur jo dekha usne mujhe hairani mein la khada kiya.
Ankhon ko yakeen nahi ho raha tha ya phir vo karna nahi cha rahi thi par samne kamre ka hulia bata raha tha ki sach us jagah par maujud hai. ' mera kamra yahan kaise?'
Mei ek anjan shaitani dunia mein khada tha aur samne mujhe mere ghar ka kamra dikhai de raha tha. Hairani ki baat to tb hoti jab sirf kamra dikhta lekin vo sirf kamra hi nahi tha balki wahan rakhi har cheez usi tarah thi jaise mei apne asli kamre mein khada hun. Andar kadam rakhte hue mene apni nazar charon taraf ghumai aur is kamre ke hone ki wajah sochne laga. Har saman wesa hi rakha tha jaise akhri baar chhod kar aya tha lekin koi wajah thi isliye mei yahan khada tha, sochne laga ki aisa kya hai yahan jo mujhse aur is jagah se juda hai. Dimag par jada zor dala to nazar almira par ja ruki jiski taraf badh kar mene use khol diya.
' maa ki diary ' us raat mene unki diary padi thi unke liye gaye faislon par apatti bhi jatai thi. Mene almira se diary nikali aur jaise hi meri nazar sishe par padi piche ek behad darawani shakal ke sayein ko meri aaur ghurta paya. Uski safed kanche jaisi ankhein chamkta dekh mei ghum gaya jiske sath hi vo sayan bhi dikhna band ho gaya. Mene apna dhayan uspar se hataya aur diary ko khola, " ek aur chabi? " chabi utha kar dekha to uspar bhi ' ocs ' likha hua tha. Chabi ko hathon mein dabate hue mene diary kholi. Diary khali nahi thi the lekin bich-bich mein se kayi shabad gayab the, kuch pal padh kar samajh aya ki vo shabad kaun se hain. Mene diary ko band kiya aur use apne sath lekar bahar nikla aur nikalte waqt dekha ki jis chabi se khol kar mei andar ghusa tha vo vahan maujud nahi thi. Mere pas abhi ek chabi aur thi jiska matlab tha ki abhi aur baki hai. Mene chabi pocket mein dali aur sochta hua hall ki taraf chal diya. Abhi bas hall se kuch hi duri par tha ki samne dekh kar mere badte kadam ruk gaye aur aisa laga jaise phir koi ankhon ka dokha ho. Sonia aur shilpi maa dono bahar ki taraf dekhte hue wahan khadi thi, dono mein se safed roshni teevr matra mein bahar nikal rahi thi.
Mere galle se to awaz nahi nikali par sonia ne mujhe mehsus kar liya tha isliye vo meri taraf ghum kar mujhe dekhne lagi. Uske agle hi pal maa bhi ghum kar meri taraf dekhne lagi. " shreyarsh " pehli dafa mujhe is naam se bulaya gaya tha. Jis naam ko mene bachpan mein hi bhula diya tha use sun kar ek pal ke liye laga jaise vo kisi aur ko bula rahi hai par unki ankhein mere uppar hi thi aur meri unke uppar. Ankhon mein dard bhi tha aur pyar bhare ansu bhi, na jane kyun us ehsas ko mehsus karne ke liye kadam khud ba khud aage chal diye.
" maa " muh se nikla aur uske baad honth seham gaye, jazbat chehre par dil se uthne lage.
" shreyarsh " vo muskurai lekin ankhon mein ansu unke bhi the. Jo baatein unke pas thi kuch waisi hi mere pas bhi thi. Kuch keh nahi paya to ankhon se ansu hi aa nikla, apni maa ko is halat mein samne dekh ek pal yahi mehsus hua ki sab kuch khone ke baad kis jagah khada hun. Dono ek dusre ko dekhte rahe bolne ko itna sab kuch tha lekin aaj na hi koi sawal kar paa raha tha aur na hi bata paa raha tha.
" tu theek nahi hai na ? " unhone kaha to jaise mujhe bas isi sawal ka intezar tha. Mei bhar-bharate hue roo pada aur phir kisi tarah rona bandh kar apne ansu poche lekin vo phir nikal aye. Mene is baar unhe ache se saaf kiya aur ek kadam aage badha. Jada doori nahi bachi thi hamare bich, ek baar mei unhe chunna chahta tha bas ye chahta tha ki vo mere sar ko sehla de taki unki di gayi zindagi ko mehsus kar sakun. Abhi apna hath utha kar unko mehsus karna chahta tha lekin sonia ne mujhe rok diya.
" tum hume nahi chhu sakte " mene uski taraf dekha jispar mera dhayan tabse gaya nahi tha. Shayad vo meri pareshani dekh samajh chuki thi " tumne uski burai apne hath mein pehni hui hai isliye tum hume nahi chhu sakte " sonia ki baat sunte hi mene apni anguthi ki taraf dekha aur apna hath vapis khinch liya. Mei uski baat samajh gaya aur itne pas hote hue bhi mei apni maa ko nahi chuu sakta tha.
" mera beta " vo usi andaaz mein boli to chehre par fiki muskan aa gayi, dukh lag raha tha dil mein ki itne intezar ke baad bhi mei unka ehsas nahi le sakta tha jabki vo mere samne khadi thi. Khud ko samjhate hue ek sawal man mein aya jo mene chutte hi puch liya " aap yahan kaise aayi? "
" pata nahi beta ek pal mein kahin aur thi aur agle pal yahan aa khadi hui " maa ne fauran jawab diya.
" tumne khoja hume " mei kuch aur puchta use pehle sonia ne jawab diya.
" mene? " sawal karte hi meri nazar hath mein pakdi diary par gayi " yani mei aap dono ko yahan lekar aya? aur ab aap dono meri wajah se yahan par ho, ye mene kya kiya aap dono ko bhi us shaitan ke samne laa khada kiya " hairani mei meri ankhein fatti hui thi.
" nahi " sonia ke lehaze mein wahi namrta thi jesi kahani mei humne padh kar mehsus ki thi. " agar tum hume nahi khojte to vo hume khoj kar kaid kar leta "
" kaise? aap dono ko toh " mene apna sawal bich mein rok diya kyun ki mei janta tha vo samajh jayegi aur hua bhi aisa hi.
" janti hun tum yahi puchna cha rahe ho ki hum dono yahan kaise aye jabki hume to mukti mil chuki hai lekin bhulo mat vo apni takat se waqt ko badal raha hai, is kahani ko badal raha hai "
" tabhi apki diary khali hai ? usme mujhe apki kahani nahi mili "
" shabdon ka sach kore kagaz par ho na ho dil mein jarur hota hai " uski baat par mei koi jawab nahi de paya. Aur phir us par se dhayan hata kar maa ki aaur dekhne laga.
" ye sab meri galti hai mujhe maaf kar dena maa, aap aur aap bhi " mene sonia ki aaur ishara kiya " mujhe nahi pata tha ki mei jis pyar ko bachane ke liye sab kar raha hun vo darasal shaitan tha jo mujhse apna kaam karwa raha tha. Mei to bas anshika ko bachana chahta tha aur nahi janta tha ki uski wajah se aap dono ko bhi takleef hogi "
" tumhe use abhi bhi bachana hai " maa ne sabhi baton ko nazar-andaz karke jawab diya.
" anshika? " ek pal chup hua " kya vo bhi hai yahan.. " kehte hue alfaz behad dhime ho chuke the.
" han " jawab sonia ne diya.
" anshika yahan kaise ho sakti hai vo to apni dunia mein hai "
" janti hun lekin uska ek hissa yahan se vo jod chuka hai lekin tumne uski shakti pehan kar khud ko bhi yahan fansa liya " sonia ka ishara anguthi par tha jise usne anshika ka hissa joda hua tha aur wo chahta bhi yahi tha ki anshika yahan aye aur kabhi vapis na nikal sake lekin mene anguthi pehen kar uska khel badal diya yani jo bhi mere sath ab tak hua vo ek sach tha?
" matlab jo bhi hua mere sath abhi tak " jawab mein shayad sehmati chahta tha isliye pucha.
" vo sab ek sach tha, usne tumhe apni dunia aur shakti dikhai aur phir vo dikhaya jo vo karna chahta hai " sonia ne meri baat par sehmati de di.
" guruji ne sahi kaha tha vo anshika ko tab bhi apne sath le jayega agar mene use nahi roka to " mene khud se hi kaha aur sonia ki baat sun hosh mein aya.
" tumhe use khojna hai aur waqt behad kam hai " bolte hue vo bahar ki taraf dekhne lagi.
" waqt kam hai? kya apko pata hai ki kitna waqt hai abhi mere pas ? " mere sawal par unhone jawab nahi diya aur bahar ki taraf ishara kar diya. Unka ishara dekh mei bhi bahar ki aaur dekhne laga sath mein maa bhi usi taraf ghum gayi. Samne dekhte hi mujhe mere sawal ka jawab mil gaya jiska jawab mei kuch hadh tak lekar hi aya tha.
" andhera bas pahunchne wala hai " sonia ki baat ka ishara samne us andhkar par tha jo bangle ke bahar tha jab mei yahan aya tha lekin ab usme aur is jagah ki dehleez ka fasla kafi kam bacha tha.
" pichli baar to anshika ka pyar tha jo mujhe us jagah se khinch laya tha lekin is baar mujhe waqt ka andaza kaise hoga? apne kaha tha ki vo sirf ek hi waqt par apni takat ikhati karne ayega, us waqt ko mei kaise pehchanunga ? " shreyas ne sawal kiya kyun ki khel hi sara waqt ka tha.
" shaitan ki dunia mein na hi roshni hoti hai na hi waqt "
" to phir ? "
" uski dunia mein bas wahi milta hai jisme vo apni haiwaniyat chupata hai " guruji ek pal chup hue " andhkar, tujhe har padav par milega aur wahi andhkar tujhe tera samay batayega kyun ki ek baar usne apni jagah par andhkar kayam kar liya to samajh lio ki use apni manzil mil chuki hai "
" tumhe anshika ko waqt rehte khojna hoga " awaz sonia ki thi jisne mujhe apni soch se bahar kiya. Ek dafa mei us andhkar ko dekhta raha jiski piche aur andar shayad sirf andhkar tha.
" agar mei aap logon ko nahi khojta tab? " mene sonia ki aaur apni nazar ghuma kar sawal kia.
" tab shayad vo tumhare samne hume apne purane waqt ke ghav de jata " jawab sun kar mere rongte khade ho gaye, dehshat jam gayi dil ke andar.
" mujhe ye chabi mili hai jo kisi kamre ki ho sakti hai ya phir koi aisi cheez jo mujhe anshika tak pahuncha sake " mei ek pal chup hua " iski madad se hi mene apko khoja hai dekhie ispar 'ocs' likha hai yani apke college locker ki chabi " mene sans li aur phir pucha " kya aap janti hain ki ye akhri chabi jo shayad anshika tak le jaye vo kahan ki ho sakti hai ? " mene chabi dono ke samne ki lekin kisi ne koi jawab nahi diya. Dubara puchta use pehle ek awaz ne sharir ko jhanjhod diya. Ek pal ki ayi awaz achanak se shant ho gayi lekin vo awaz aisi thi mano koi cheez patki gayi ho. Awaz piche se ayi thi isliye mein piche ki taraf ghuma aur tabhi hawa mein ek cheez udti hui us andhere se mere pas ayi jise mene ek dum akhri mein dekha aur dekhte hi niche jhuk gaya. ' thaaaannnnnnnnnn dhaappppppp ' jaise hi vo chiz zameen se takrai usne wesa hi shor kiya jaisa kuch der pehle suna tha.
" tu theek to hai na ? " maa ne mujhse pucha to mene sidhe khade hote hue han mein sar hila kar jawab diya. Nazar usi cheez par thi jo mere samne padi thi.
" vo jaan chuka hai ki tum kya kar rahe ho, samay kam hai jaldi karo " sonia ne kaha par meri nazar us lock par jami hui thi jo udta hua meri taraf aya tha aur ab zameen par pada tha. Ye wahi lock tha jo piche wale darwaje par laga tha jise tod kar mene uski shakti wapis ki thi.
" mei aap dono ko yahan chhod kar nahi jaa sakta, vo yahi chahta hai "
" jab tak ye andhkar kabza nahi karega tab tak vo hume kuch nahi kar sakta, tujhe anshika ko khojna hai " maa ne jawab diya.
" par ? " man nahi maan raha tha lekin fir kuch suja. Mei hall ke kone mein gaya jahan par dhool jami hui thi aur wahan par ungli se likhne laga kyun ki vo hamari baat sun sakta tha aur mei nahi chahta tha ki use malum pade. Mei apni jagah se khada hua aur dono ki taraf dekhte hue ishare se us taraf dekhne ko kaha jo mene abhi abhi farsh par dhool se likha tha ' Kuch ho to Isi lock ko zor se zameen par marna ' Unko zameen ki aaur dekhta pakar mene vo lock uthaya aur unke pas rakh diya. Ek dafa unhe dekha aur phir waqt ke chakrwiyu ko paar karte hue bangle se resort ke andar kadam rakh diya.
Yahan ane ka maksad sirf yahi tha ki jaise sonia aur maa bangle se judi thi waise hi anshika ki kahani is resort se judi thi. Par yahan akar kya karna tha ye abhi socha nahi tha. Hall mein pahunchte hi vo raat samne aa gayi, us taraf sidiyun par anshika khadi thi aur jahan mei is waqt khada hun vahan trishti laiti hui thi besudh, bejaan. Dil mein kheez uthi aur mene apne kadam aage badha diye. Sidiyan chadte hue uppar aya jahan behad andhera tha aur mere pas use dur karne ke liye koi roshni nahi thi isliye anadaza lagate hue chalne laga. Corridor mein thoda aage ane ke baad nazar kamre ki taraf gayi aur us raat ki yaad taza ho gayi jab bhai anshika ke sath jabardsti kar raha tha. Yaad atte hi nazre jhuk gayi aur mein aage chal diya. Thoda aage badha to dayine aaur mujhe vo kamra dikha jahan mein tab ruka tha.
Kamre ko ek dafa dekh mein uske andar ja ghusa. Pura kamro saaf tha sivai ek jagah ke. Palang ke kone mein rakhi table par dhool jami hui thi. Mene dhool hatai to meri nazar wahan khuli hui dairy par gayi jo ki meri hi thi. Us raat ke hadse ke baad mei ise wahin bhool aya tha. Nazar shabdon par padi to maa ki yaad aa gayi kyun ki jo bhi usme likha tha sab uske pyar se juda hua tha. Achanak bahar se shor aya to mei apni soch se bahar nikla aur un dono diary ko wahin rakh kar bahar nikal aya.
Shor corridor se hi aa raha tha, mei ek kadam aage bada to paya ki corridor ke dono hisson par lagi tasveerein zor-zor se hil rahi hai aur ye unhi ka shor tha. Mene apne halak ko thuk se gila kiya aur tabhi 'kaaccccccchhhh' ek painting niche aa giri aur kanch tut kar felh gaya iske baad ek-ek kar wahan par lagi sari tasveerein gir kar bikhar gayi aur usi ke sath shor khatam ho gaya. Dil itna zoron se dhadak raha tha ki chai khamoshi mein saaf sunai dene laga. Agle hi pal aisa laga mano koi parchai meri aaur badhte hue aa rahi ho jise zameen par bikhre kanch pade-pade hilne lage. Mujhe wahan se bhagna chahie lekin per wahin jam gaye the aur mei hil bhi nahi paa raha tha, vo parchai mere behad nazdeek aa chuki thi aur usi ke sath vo tute hue kanch aur zoron se hilne lage jiske baad ek dum se shanti cha gayi.
Waqt kam tha aur vo mera waqt jaya kar raha tha isliye har jagah dhundne ki jagah mujhe ye sochna tha ki anshika mujhe kahan mil sakti hai. Sonia ka locker, vo kitab, maa ki likhi diary, unki ruh ka shaitno se judna, anshika ki ruh neha ki ruh ke sath judna, sab ko jod kar anshika kahan milegi bas soch raha tha ki achanak dimag mein ek baat ayi jahan mene abhi tak dekha nahi tha " generator room " jahan se vo shaitan juda hua tha, vo bhi uski ek kamjori thi, wahan mil sakti hai mujhe anshika. Mei fauran muda aur corridor ke ant mein pahunch kar piche ki sidiyan utarta gaya aur niche atte hi ek andhere galiyare se gujara, mujhe bas lift ki disha ko follow karna tha kyun ki vo kamra uske kafi nazdeek tha. ' Yahi hai ' lift ke pass pahunch kar thoda aur chala ki mujhe darwaje par likha hua dikh gaya.
' generator room ' Sans thodi chadi hui thi aur bechaini bhi man mein thi jiske sath hi mene handle pakad kar niche kiya aur darwaje ko piche ki aaur dhakela, vo khula hua tha isliye halka dakhelte hi khul gaya. Use khula dekh man mein shanka hui lekin andar kya hai ye janne ke liye mene use khol diya. Ankhein hairani aur pareshani mein idhar udhar dekhne lagi kyun ki andar bhi wahi chiz thi jo bahar thi. Samjhna mushkil tha aur kisi ko samjhana bhi par jo mei dekh raha tha wo sach tha kyun ki jab mene darwaja khola to samne wahi galyara tha aur wahi darwaja jispar likha tha ' generator room '
Andar jaun ya vapis bahar man mein sawalon ke jawab na milne par mene andar jane ka hi faisla kiya aur aage badh kar vapis ' generator room ' ke samne aa khada hua. Mene uska handla niche kiya par ruk kar ek dafa piche dekha jahan ab vo darwaja nahi tha jise khol kar aya tha. Ajeeb jaal tha ye jise samajhne ke liye waqt nahi tha. Mujhe laga tha ki is baar darwaja band hoga lekin vo abhi bhi band nahi tha aur khul gaya jiske baad ek baar phir wahi hua mere sath, ek baar fir wahi galyara aur
' generator room ' ka darwaja.
Ab mujhe lagne laga ki agar mene ye guthi nahi suljhai to kabhi anshika tak pahunch hi nahi paunga. Is baar andar na jatte hue mene darwaja vapis band kiya aur wahin khada raha. Koi to galti kar raha tha tabhi mei andar nahi jaa paa raha tha. Sochte hue mujhe chabi ka khayal aya jiske sath mene us key hole ko gaur se dekha. Ab samajh nahi aa raha tha ki ye wahi hai ya nahi lekin agar ye wahi hai to darwaja band kyun nahi hai? Kahin aisa to nahi ki mei galat jagah aya hun aur us wajah se darwaja khula hua hai aur kahin mere is chabi ko lagate hi vo gayab ho gayi to shayad mei sahi jagah jane se vanchit ho jaun. Bahut bada faisla tha aur mere pas galat karne ka to mauka nahi tha.
Mene faisla kar liya tha, kahani waqt mei ulti jaa rahi hai aur akhri padav bhi wahi batana cha raha tha. Chabi us lock mein laga kar mene sidhi yani kholne ki bajaye ulti ghuma di jise ' khaaattttt' awaz hui. Band lock wapis apni jagah par hi awaz kar baitha aur mene darwaje ko dhakka de diya.
' taaaaiannnnnnnn ' darwaje mei awaz hui aur vo khul gaya jiske baad ankhon ke samne jo nazara aya usne mere sansein udedh di. Anshika samne hawa mein jhul rahi thi. Ye drishye mei kabhi bhool nahi sakta tha kyun ki ye wahi waqt tha jab neha ki ruh ne use kaid kar rakha tha aur humne use kamre mein band kar diya tha. Mei kamre mein dakhil hua aur aaj bhi use is roop mein dekh roo pada jabki janta tha ki ye asliyat nahi hai. Ek pal dur se hi dekhta raha aur phir pass akar uske samne aa khada hua. Nazar chehre par thi aur ankhon ke aage wahi purana waqt tha. Na jane kyun par dil keh raha tha ki vo uthegi lekin aisa mumkin nahi tha. Pata nahi kaun sa khel tha uska jo har kadam par mujhe dil ka dard de raha tha, kyun vo mujhe anshika ke is roop ko dikhana chahta tha.
Mene apni ankhon par aye ansu saaf kiye aur usi dauran meri nazar anshika ke galle par pehne hue locket par gayi jo us raat mene use pehnaya tha. Locket, anshika aur ye waqt yani ye wajah thi generator room se mujhe yahan tak lane ki. Khan ki ruh se judi thi neha ki ruh jisne anshika par kabza kiya tha aur us locket se bani vo ring jisne use aaj mein jod diya yani mujhe is locket ko khojna tha. Mene anshika ke gale se locket ko nikala aur use hath mein lekar dekhne laga. Dekhte hue mene apni nazre uthai to hairani ankhon pe havi ho gayi kyun ki mei ab usi galyare mein khada tha jiske samne tha ' generator room ' aur darwaje par vo chabi bhi nahi thi. Shayad anshika ko mene khoj liya tha aur bakiyun ki tarah vo bhi mujhe uppar hi mil sakti thi. Aisa hone ki sambhwana jada thi isliye mei jitni jaldi ho sakta tha utni jaldi wahan se nikala. Uppar atte hi jab mei corridor ki taraf badh raha tha tab mujhe dhayan aya ki mei diary kamre mein hi bhool gaya tha. Bina waqt gawaye kamre mein ghusa aur vahan rakhi diary uthai ki tabhi mujhe apne piche kisi hone ka ehsas hua.
" anshika " ghum kar jab samne dekha to anshika khadi thi usi tarah ki roshni usme se bhi aa rahi thi. Use dekhte hi mei uske najdeek pahuncha lekin phir do kadam piche hatte hue khada ho gaya, vajah thi meri anguthi.
" tumne aisa kyun kiya shreyas "
" jaruri tha anshika " ek pal chup hua aur phir bola " bekifar raho mei use kuch nahi karne dunga "
" apni fikar nahi hai mujhe " uski ankhein sukh chuki thi lekin chehre par dard tha.
" mujhe to hai " itna keh kar ek pal chup hua " aur hamesha rahegi "
" kyun karte ho itna pyar " vo aksar yahi sawal kiya karti thi.
" kyun ki tumne samjha hai mujhe aur mere pyar ko "
" tum karte ho isliye samjha "
" nahi anshika balki tumne mere shabdon ko jana hai mujhe jana hai isliye karti ho tabhi ye rishta itna majbut hai. Tum kehti thi na ki tum kabhi mere pyar ko pehchan nahi payi thi lekin us raat tumne meri diary padi jiske baad tumhe samajh aya " mene apni diary utha kar anshika ki samne ki. " ise to tum nahi bhooli hogi hai na? " mere sawal ka usne koi jawab nahi diya.
" mujhe kuch mehsus ho raha hai shreyas "
" kya? "
" waqt kam hai "
" theek hai chalo " mere kehte hi vo vahan se gayab ho gayi. Mei kuch pal wahin khada raha aur diary ko dekhta raha aur phir kuch der baad teeno diary lekar mei bahar nikla.
" Pyar yani anshika, zindagi shilpi maa aur maut sonia jiski wajah se kahani ka janam hua " sidiyun ke najdeek pahunch kar nazar teeno par thi jo bahar ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Mei sidiyan utar kar bilkul bich mein jaa khada hua, ek hissa mera bangle ki mein tha aur dusra resort mein. Andhkar dehleez paar kar chuka tha aur ab vo andar ki aaur badhta hua aa raha tha jo mei apni ankhon se dekh sakta tha.
" kya waqt ho gaya hai? " meri awaz sun teeno mud gayi. Sonia ka chehra bilkul shant tha, maa ke chehre par ek choti muskan thi aur ankhon mein ansu wahin anshika ka chehra behad thaka hua tha. " koi baat nahi ab aap teeno mere sath hi ho, mei tayar hun us shaitan se ladne ke liye, aap log mere sath rahiyega jarurat padne par aap logon ki madad chahie hogi " mei unke thoda kareeb aya, dil zoron se dhadak raha tha par chehre par chaye dar ko mene bahar nahi ane diya.
" hum bhi tayar hain " teeno ek sath boli aur piche ka andhkar unko apne andar sameta hua aage aa gaya aur mujhe bhi apni agosh mein le gaya. Jaise hi vo mujhse guzra mene apne aap ko dekha to paya ki pura sharir ek kali parchai mein tabdeel ho chuka hai aisa lag raha tha jaise meri hakikat ka vajud mit gaya ho. Khud ko dekhne ke baad jab mene apni nazre samne ki aaur ki to ruh mein kapkapi daud padi. Sonia, maa aur anshika ki jagah wahan par wahi teen deform shaks khade the jo us andhere mein bhi alag se chamak rahe the, andhere ka unpar koi asar nahi ho raha tha. Tabhi un teeno ki jhakiyan dhundli hone lagi aur vo apas mein judne lage jaise ek dusre ko jaan kar jod rahe ho. Agle hi pal teeno ek mein aa jude aur usi tarah khade ho gaye jis tarah mei khada tha. Ek hissa uska resort mein tha aur dusra bangle mein. Ye dekhte hi mere hath se diary chhut kar niche gir gayi aur kadam khud ba khud piche hat gaye lekin jada piche ho hi nahi paya kyun ki tabhi ek adrishye takat ne mujhe pakda aur khinchta hua uske pass le gaya.
Mene fauran apne sine par hath rakh kar us shakti ko rokne ki kosish ki lekin uski takat ke aage mere bejaan hath bekar sabit hue aur mein badi asani se ghasitta hua uske pass aa gaya. Mei uske behad najdeek tha, uski gandh meri naak mein ghus rahi thi. Aur tabhi meri nazar uske chehre se hote hue niche gayi jahan uski ungli mein anguthi thi uski takat. Yahi sahi mauka tha, soch kar mene jaise hi apna hath badana cha to vo hila hi nahi. 'eeeeghhhhhhhhhhh ' mene pura dum lagaya lekin hath nahi hila paya.
' eghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ' mera pura chehra dum lagane par lal ho chuka tha lekin fir bhi hath nahi hila paa raha tha. Meri manzil mujhse kuch hi dur par thi lekin fir bhi bahut dur lag rahi thi. Mene ek baar phir kosish ki par is baar bhi safal nahi ho paya. Nazar uske chehre par gayi aur jo aage hua uski gawah meri ankhein ban gayi. Vo achanak se mitti mein tabdeel ho gaya aur sidhe mere andar ja ghusa. Aisa hote hi mei us pakad se azad ho gaya aur ghutno ke bal zameen par gir gaya.
Kuch pal pehle aye is tufan ke baad ek pal ke liye shanti cha gayi aur phir mujhe aisa laga jaise muh se kuch nikalna chahta hai. Mei muh khol kar ubkai lene laga 'uggghhhhhhhhh aaaaa ughghhhhhh ' lekin na to andar se kuch nikal raha tha aur na hi nikalne wala tha. Sina jalne laga aur uski jalan ankhon se behti hui bahar aa nikli, chehre par sara khoon jama hone laga aur usi pal laga jaise kisi ne meri sans hi rok di ho. Mei apna galla pakad kar use azad hone laga aur agle pal ho bhi gaya jiske sath hi mei niche gir gaya par apne hathon ki madad se zameen se nahi takraya. Mei apne sharir ki takleef mein itna kho chuka tha ki apni anguthi par dhayan hi nahi gaya jo bahut teevr matra mein chamak rahi thi. Abhi us jalan ko azad karta use pehle mehsus hua jaise koi andar se bahar ki taraf aana cha raha hai, kuch kehna cha raha hai jise mei rok na saka aur vo bahar aa gaya.
' aarrgghghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ' mei itni zor se cheekha ki meri shakal ka rang dhire-dhire nila hone laga jaise khoon jamna shuru ho gaya ho. Kuch hi pal ke andar pura chehra nila padh gaya aur nasein kali padh kar chehre par ubhar ayi. Mei apna sar zor-zor se idhar udhar jhatkane laga taki us chiz ko apne chehre se hata sakun lekin kuch hatne ki jagah vo mere chehre pas bas chuka tha. Aisa lag raha tha jaise ek sath kai chehre mere chehre par rehna chahte hain. Mei bas kisi tarah is jalan ko dur karna chahta hun lekin vo havi hoti jaa rahi thi. ' aarrgghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ' is bar mene apna sar uppar kiya aur itni zor se cheekha ki wahan rakha har saman apni jagah se hilta hua niche girne laga aur agle hi pal ' fuuttttttttt futttttttttt ' ek-ek karte hue kanch futne lagge aur us cheekh ke sath kanch ke tutne ki awaz wahan gunj uthi. Ek samay tak awaz meri rahi fir badal kar vo bhari aur akdan mein tabdeel ho gayi. Ankhein chat ki taraf thi aur usi dauran vo bhi badal kar kale moti jaisi badi ho gayi.
' ugghhhhhhhhh ' muh se sharir ki akhri tadap ko mene nikala jiske baad chehre par ek shaitani muskan cha gayi. Kuch hi pal bitte the ki achanak phir puri takat lagate hue mei cheekhne laga jisme ke se jada awazein thi.
" argghhhh-uggghhhhh-argghhhhhhh " Cheekhte hue sharir ka santulan bigda aur mei zameen ki aaur gira lekin hathon ki madad se khud ko rok liya. " arrghhh-argghhhhh " lambi lambi sansein lene ke baad ek akdan sharir mein ter gayi jisne kuch hadiyan tak chatka di " aarggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh " mei cheekh raha tha aur anguthi jo ab pehle se jada chamak rahi thi achanak ek awaz ke sath vo chatakne lagi aur dhire dhire chatakte hue vo tut kar tukdon mein bikhar gayi.
Shreyas ne jis ungli mein anguthi pehni hui thi vo ungli mitti ban kar farsh par jama ho gayi. Ye dekhte hi anshika apni jagah se khadi hui lekin vo kuch keh pati use pehle vo bahut tezi se zameen par pith ke bal aa giri. Bal itna jada tha ki vo uthne ki kosish bhi karti to nahi uth pati kyun ki uske sharir ko behad takat ke sath piche ki taraf khincha jaa raha tha jiski wajah se uske chehre ka mans bhi piche ki taraf khinch raha tha. Uski ankhein felti jaa rahi thi aur dhire-dhire sans bhi tutne lagi thi, ek pal aisa laga jaise vo abhi is zameen ke andar sama jayegi.
" anshika " nidhi ke chillate sath amb, guruji aur chote pandit ne apni ankhein kholi aur unhone anshika ko us halat mein dekha. Nidhi fauran anshika ke pas ayi aur jaise hi vo uske uppar jhuki us takat ne nidhi ko utha kar piche fenk diya. Nidhi hawa mein udti hui ek kone mein jaa giri 'aaahh' apne sharir ko kasmasate hue vo dard mein bilakh kar reh gayi aur agle hi pal usne anshika ki aaur dekha.
Guruji ne turant apni ankhein band ki aur zor-zor se mantr padne lage jiske sath farsh par jis rukdraks se 'om' bana rakha tha vo sabhi rudraksh zameen se hawa mein aa gaye aur anshika ki taraf badh chale. Guruji ne ye kaam us shaitan ki shakti ko kam karne ke liye kiya tha lekin jaise hi rudraksh anshika ke uppar aya usi dauran us takat ne 'om' ke chidte kar diye aur rukdraksh kahi jada teevr matra ke sath kamre mein idhar udhar bikhar gaye.
Ek rudraksh chote pandit ke bheje mein aage se ghusa aur piche se nikal gaya jiske sath hi unka sharir wahin zameen par gir gaya. Chote pandit ko dekh amb chillai aur vo uski akhri cheekh ban gayi kyun ki ek rudraksh sidhe uske galle ke aar-paar ho gaya aur ek uske bheje ko aage se chedte hua piche se nikal gaya. Amb ka sharir ek pal ke liye chadi ankhon ke sath khada raha aur phir vo farsh par aa gira. Nidhi uske sharir se behte khoon ko farsh par bikharta hua dekhti rahi.
" wahan pahunchne ke baad mei use khojunga kaise ? " shreyas ne apne akhri do bache sawalon mein se ek sawal kiya.
" mujhe nahi lagta tumhe use khojne ki jarurat padegi " bol kar guruji ek pal ke liye shant hue " vo tumhe har kadam par milega bhi aur nahi bhi " shreyas samajh raha tha ki guruji kehna kya chahte hain vo har dum sath to rahega lekin use pakad nahi payega. " lekin mujhe lagta hai vo tujhe usi jagah milega jis jagah se use sabse jada pyar hai " guruji ki baat ne shreyas ko uske puche gaye sawal ka jawab de diya.
Meri nazar samne padi to hairat meri ankhon mein jhalakne lagi. Ek taraf yani Bayein aur sabarwal ka bangla tha aur dusri aaur yani dayein taraf vo resort jo apas mein jude hue the. Adha bangla aur adha resort. Jaise bangle ke ek hisse ko resort ke ek hisse se jod diya ho jisme jahan ek taraf bangle ki unchai resort ki unchai se kam thi. Mene ek kadam aage badane se pehle ek dafa piche ki aaur dekha jahan andhkar maujud tha jo sayein ki tarah har taraf mere sath tha. Meri manzil shayad samne thi aur vo mujhe khud yahan le aya tha. Fir wahi bangla, fir wahi resort, kahani ke sawal jahan se shuru hue the unka ant bhi usi mein maujud the.
Samne dekh kar chalte hue mere per kisi chiz mein ja ghuse jise mehsus karte hue mene apni nazar samne se hata kar niche ki aaur ki. Per lal padarat ke andar dhanse hue the aur us padart mein sainkdon chiz padi hui dikh rahi thi. Mene per bahar khincha to us padart ke sath vo chizen bhi bahar ki aaur khinchti hui aa gayi jinhe dekhte hi mei samajh gaya ki ya kya hai. Insano ke mans ke tukdon ke sath unke sharir ke alag-alag ang ke chote chote tukde ter rahe the. Samjhte hi mujhe ubkai aa gayi par kisi tarah dil majbut kar mene andar jane ka faisla aur majbut kar liya. Per jab bhi andar rakhta ek ajeeb si jhunjhunahat hoti aur aisa lagta mano kisi ke sharir par chalte hue aage badh raha hun.
Ek ajeeb si ' chaaapp ssiyaaaapp ' jaisi awaz mere kano mein padhti aur usi ke sath peron ke niche kuch kuchal jata. Chalte hue nazar bich mein bane gol fountain par bhi gayi jiska adha hissa hi dikhai de raha tha baki dusri taraf resort ka khali ujda hua maidan tha. Waqt ki maya samjhte hue mei darwaje ke samne aa khada hua. Bayein hisse ka darwaja bangle ka tha aur dayein walla hissa resort ka. Sirf hisse hi nahi bante hue the balki pura mahol usi tarah banta hua tha jahan bangle mein peele aur safed rang ki halki roshni maujud thi wahin resort mein ek ajeeb sa andhkar aur behad halki roshni thi jise vatavaran halke nile rang mein duba hua tha. Asharye ki ye baat thi ki darwaja khula hua tha jaise mere liye hi khol kar rakha gaya ho.
Mene ek kadam aage badhaya aur andar aa khada hua, mera ek hissa bangle mein tha aur ek hissa resort mein. Aisa laga mano do waqt mein ek sath khada hun. Kya yahi nahi socha tha us shaitain ne us waqt bhi, do waqt ko ek sath jodna? Kya vo kamayab hone ke najdeek khada tha? Ye jagah uski hai zahir hai usne apni shakityun se hi iska roop diya hoga aur sab kuch pehle se tay kiya hoga, sivai mere yahan ane ke. Sochte hi pure sharir mein dar aur bhay ki chinta umad padi. Mere bayein taraf bangle ka vo lamba corridor tha jo behad kam ujale mein simta hua tha, dayein aaur resort ka vo hall jise dekhne par us raat ki yaad aa gayi. Bangle ki sidiyun ka ek hi hissa dikh raha tha baki dusra hissa resort ki sidiyun ne le rakha tha. Pehli baar aisa drishye dekh raha tha jo sapne se kam nahi lag raha tha. Bhale hi Hakikat mein tha fir bhi aisa lag raha tha jaise hakikat se koson dur khada hun.
Dil ki dhadkan bahut tez thi har pal lag raha tha jaise vo abhi ayega lekin wahan ki shanti dekh aisa laga jaise vo khud apna ghar bana kar kahin aaur ho. Mene apne sukhe galle ko thuk se geela kiya aur ek kadam andar rakhte hue thoda aur andar ghus gaya. Apne sharir par do waqt ki alag-alag roshni mehsus karte hue mujhe aisa lag raha tha jaise mei abhi isi waqt mein kahin kho sa jaunga. Asliyat ka wajud is jagah se mit chuka tha.
Ye khamoshi mujhe khatak rahi thi kyun ki har bar is khamoshi ke piche koi na koi dard chupa hota tha. Abhi per utha kar aage badne hi wala tha ki ek awaz ne kadam rok diye aur dhadkane badha di. Mene fauran awaz ki disha mein apni nazrein modi, awaz corridor ki aaur se aa rahi thi.
" shrey " awaz meri taraf badhti hui mehsus hone lagi " shrey " aur is baar ek parchai mere samne aa khadi hui. Ek parchai jise andhere mein jakda hua tha.
" sonia? " shrey naam suna to laga ki wahi hogi. Mere bolne par usne koi jawab nahi diya aur phir mujhe subakne ki awaz ayi " sonia " mei ek kadam us aaur badha to parchai ek kadam piche ho gayi. " tum mujhe dikh kyun nahi rahi ? "
Vo ek pal subakne ke baad boli " usne chin li hai "
" chinn li hai ? " mei bolte hue ek pal ruka " tum yahan kaise ? "
" vo... vo mere piche hai.. mujhe le jana chahta hai " uski baat ka jawab mei de pata use pehle mujhe ek aur awaz sunai di. Mene sonia ki parchai se nazar hatai aur samne dekha aur hairat mei meri ankhein badhi ho gayi " maa " kadam apne aap us waqt mud gaye jab sidiyun par shilpi maa ko khade hue paya. Baal bikhre hue the chehre par kai jagah bade bade kalle dabbe pade hue the.
" maa aap yahan kaise ? "
" vo mujhe le jana chahta hai.. " unhone bhi wahi baat kahi aur subakne lagi. Kuch bol pata use pehle ek aur awaz ne mera dhayan apni taraf khincha aur is baar jab mene awaz ki disha mein dekha to meri ruh kanp uthi. Awaz dayein taraf se ayi thi, mene nazre utha kar us aaur dekha to resort ke hall mein ek pillar par rassi si bandhi hui anshika khadi meri hi taraf dekh rahi thi.
" anshika " uske chehre par bade-bade nishan lage hue the aur ankhein bilkul kali padh chuki thi.
" vo.. vo mujhe le jana chahta hai " anshika ne bhi wahi kaha aur subakne lagi. Samajh hi nahi aa raha tha ki kya ho raha hai, teen taraf teen zindagiyan teen waqt ki maujud kahani ek sath mere samne khade the aur ek hi baat keh rahe the. Per kis taraf mude unhe mei bata nahi paa raha tha. Nazre anshika se maa par aur phir sonia ki parchai par aur phir vapis anshika par.
" aap log kaise? " samajh pana mushkil tha aur sawalon ka jawab dene wala teeno mein se koi nahi tha. Vo teeno bas ek hi baat keh rahe the ' vo mujhe le jana chahta hai ' vo kaun tha janta tha lekin kahan aur kaise le jaa sakta tha? Kaise? Khud ke sawalon mein aise kho gaya ki itna bhi dhayan nahi diya ki teeno ne bolna band kar diya hai. Meri ankhein jhuki hui thi isliye jab uthi to sabse pehle maa par gayi jo shant khadi thi. Jo chehre par kuch pal pehle dar aur khauf tha vo ab ek dum fika padh chuka tha, achanak se ankhon ki putliyan badi ho gayi aur chehre par lambi muskan ter ayi.
" maza aya " awaz mein itna rukhapan aur akdan sun meri sansein ukhad gayi. Samne se awaz suni ki bayein aur khadi sonia ki taraf se bhi ek awaz ayi.
" ye jayegi aur iska shrey hihihihihi " kuch usi tarah ki awaz wahan se bhi ayi.
" pyar ya maaaa.... sssiiiii haaaaaaaa... " anshika ki aaur se atti awaz par jab mene usko dekha to chehre par chai lakere aur bhi jada gehra gayi. Ankhein kanche jaisi badi ho chuki thi aur chehre par kutil muskan chai hui thi.
Mujhe kuch kehne aur karne ki jarurat padi hi nahi kyun ki usi dauran anshika dahadi " aargghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh " phir maa " aargghhhhhhhhhhhh " fir sonia " arrghhhhhh "
Kano mein us shaitan ki itni takat sun kar takleef hone lagi par agle hi pal vo chillane ki awaz achanak dard mein badal gayi aur maa ka sharir hawa mein thoda uppar uth gaya aur vo zor-zor se cheekhne lagi jaise kitne dard mein ho " aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh "
" maaaa " mei uski taraf jata use pehle sonia dard mein rone lagi. " aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh naaaaahiiiiiiii naahi naaaahiiiii naahiiiii " per ek dum ruk gaye ab is duvidha ko kaise mitaun dono mein se ek par faisla karta use pehle anshika ne is baat ko soch se hi bahar kar diya.
Anshika ki taraf jab mene dekha to vo chatpate hue chilla rahi thi, ab uska dard aur shaitan ki darandigi ek sath mil kar kabhi shaitan ki awaz mein tabdeel hoti to kabhi uske dard ki. " aaaaaahhhh aaaaahh shreyas..s..s.s.. " agle pal vo shaitan havi ho gaya " aaaaaaaaaaaaaarggghhhhhhhhh " Aisa laga mano mere samne vo shaitan teeno ke sath wahi kar raha hai jo jeete jii karna chahta tha. Maa mere samne thi aur cheekh rahi thi, dard mein apne sharir ko kisi chiz se chudwane ki kosish mein tadap rahi thi. Usi taraf sonia bhi usi ladai ko ladh rahi thi jiski parchai ab wahan to nahi thi lekin awaz kano mein padh rahi thi.
Un sabhi ki cheekhein bardasht se bahar ho gayi thi, apni ankhon ke samne teeno ke dard mein bilkahta dekha nahi gaya aur mene akhir bujdilon jaise apne kano par hath rakh liye aur chehra chupate hue ghutno ke bal baith gaya is intezar mein ki ye dard bhari cheekhein khud hi suljah jaye. Na jane kyun par ye mujhe kamjor aur lachar bana rahi thi. Teeno mein se ek ko chunna, mere liye namumkin tha isliye itna kamjor ho gaya ki teeno ko dard jhelne ke liye chhod diya.
Pata nahi kab tak nazre chipaye aur gardan jhukaye subakta raha aur jab awazein band hui to mene apni nazar utha kar samne dekha. Maa ab wahan nahi thi aur na hi anshika wahan maujud thi, jab bayein aaur dekhte hue khada hokar thoda aage badha to ab sonia ki na hi koi parchai thi aur na hi koi awazein us taraf se aa rahi thi. Ek pal ke liye dil seham gaya ye sochkar ki kya shaitan teeno ko le gaya? Par aisa nahi kaise ho sakta tha ye bhi un sabhi mayajaal ki tarah tha jo vo mere sath khel kar mujhe todna chahta tha. Mei vapis hall ki taraf aya aur vapis us khamoshi ko mehsus karne laga.
Pehli bar kahani itni anjan thi, samajh nahi aa raha tha ki aage badhne ke liye rasta kaise khojna hai. Ek taraf itna samajh aa raha tha ki waqt ko nazar-andaz nahi kar sakte lekin dusri taraf kuch mil bhi nahi raha tha jisse shuruwat kar sakun. Mei charon taraf dekhte hue soch raha tha taki uske ane se pehle apne kaam ko anjam de sakun lekin shuru karun to kahan se? Sochte hue achanak se dimag mein aya ki jis kahani ki shuruwat bangle se hote hue resort tak gayi to uski kamjori bhi to wahin chupi hogi. Pichli baar jis tarah usne apni takat ikhati ki thi mujhe wahin dhundna tha. Sabse pehla sahi rasta mujhe yahi laga kyun ki jo kahani ki shuruwat bani jisne uski takat dilwai wahi shayad uski kamjori bhi ban sakti thi.
Mei tez kadmo se corridor ki aaur badha aur kamre ke bahar ja khada hua. Darwaja band tha, mene uska kunda niche kiya aur darwaja khol kar andar dakhil hua. Ye wahi kamra tha jahan ki book shelf se wahi book gira karti thi, jisne kahani ke raaz se parda hataya tha. Isi umeed mein ki koi sanket chupa hoga mei andar dakhil hua aur meri sari umeed ek jhatke mein tut gayi. Shelf par koi bhi kitab nahi thi pura shelf khali pada tha. Mene use ache se dekha, jahan se book gira karti thi usme hath dal kar bhi dekha lekin wo khali nikla. Agar ye khali tha to ? mei sochte hue piche ki taraf gaya vahan pahunch kar bhi mujhe hairani hi hassil hui. Jis jagah vo darwaja hona chahie tha vahan ab kuch nahi tha, vo jagah khuli hui thi. Vo kamra? Mei hall mein vapis aya to jahan vo kamra hona chahie tha ab us jagah par resort ka hissa tha. Sahi kaha tha guruji ne vo apni sari takat ikhati karne ke baad use chupa dega isliye usne apni har kamjori is jagah se hata di jahan-jahan se kahani judi thi taki mujhe kuch bhi na mil sake iska matlab vo jaan kar mujhe is jagah par laya taki vo mere samne apni shakti hassil karke jo chahta hai vo kar sake. Sochte hi dil kanp utha ankhon ke samne bure-bure khayal ane lage ek pal laga chakar kha kar gir jaunga.
Kaise dhundun? Kahan se shuru karun ? nazre zameen par tiki thi aur mei dimag ko sochne par majbur kar raha tha.
" apne kaha ki vo mujhe khud khojega ? "
" kyun ki vo tujhse juda hai, vo tujhe dikhana chahta hai jo kaam vo jeete jee tere samne nahi kar paya use vo marne ke baad kar paye "
" aise to vo khud apni haar ko apne samne laa raha hai " thode rukhe andaz mein jawab dete hue shreyas apne dant pisne laga.
" tu use kamjor samajh raha hai bhool mat uske pas ab uski takat hai "
" lekin use abhi tak mili nahi hai "
" mana ki vo abhi apni takat ko chu nahi sakta lekin vo janta hai ki use kya karna hai aur tu bhi " guruji ne baton ke piche chupe ishare ko samjhaya.
" janta hun isliye apse apna dusra aur akhri sawal karna chahta hun, mei use khojunga kaise? " guruji shreyas ka matlab samjhte hue ek pal shant rahe.
" zindagi pyar se judi hoti hai aur maut se bhi, bina pyar ke zindagi nahi hoti aur zindagi bina maut kabhi dastak nahi deti " guruji ne apni baat shreyas ki ankhon mein dekhte hue khatam ki.
Jo sawal man mein ghum rahe the unka jawab mere pas hi tha bas kuch waqt ke liye bhool gaya tha shayad is jagah ka asar tha. Mene apne hathon ko khujane laga jo kafi der se pareshan kar rahe the. Hath par pade lal nishan mere khujane ki wajah se aur gehra gaye mano khoon ubhar kar bahar aa gaya ho. Achanak kuch samajh aya aur mei fauran vapis usi kamre mein pahuncha jahan par khali book shelf khali pada hua tha. Na jane kya khoj raha tha us khalipan mein ek pal dur se dekhta raha phir uske kareeb aa khada hua. Khamoshi itni thi ki khud ke sochne ki awaz bhi bahar aa rahi thi.
" Kahani bhale hi usne apni dunia mein badal di ho par judi to phir bhi unhi chizon se hai " mene shelf par apna hath rakha aur kamre mein nazar daudane laga aur fir ek kone par nazar ja ruki. Mene darwaje ke piche se danda uthaya jo is kamre mein shuru se hi maujud tha par kabhi nazar nahi gayi thi. Dande ko lekar wapis shelf ke pas aya aur ek pal is dhoke ki sachai ko samjhne laga aur dusre pal danda shelf par de mara. ' khaatttttttt ' shelf ek hissa aage se tut gaya jiske baad mene usi jagah par marna shuru kar diya. Khali ghar mein jaise awaz gunjti hai vo awaz mere kano mein gunj rahi thi. Ek samay aisa aya jaise koi mujhe darwaje par khada dekh raha hai lekin jab mene nazar ghuma kar udhar dekha to wahan koi bhi maujud nahi tha shayad in ankhon se nahi dikha lekin wahan koi tha. Mene fir dhayan hataya aur dande ko shelf par de mara is baar marte hi shelf ki lakdi mein ched ho gaya, ched abhi chota tha lekin mene use agle kuch hi minute mein bada kar diya. Us ched ke bada hote hi mene danda niche kiya aur ek kadam aage aakar us ched par apni ankh rakh kar uske piche dekhne laga.
Andhera itna jada tha ki piche kuch dikhai nahi de raha tha isliye wahan se hat kar ched bada karne ki soch hi raha tha ki tabhi us taraf se ek ankh meri ankhon ke samne ayi jise dekh mein hadbadate hue piche hat gaya aur tez sanson ke sath usi taraf dekhne laga. Mera weham tha ya sach mein koi tha uske piche, halak sukhne laga, andazan piche deewar honi chahie thi lekin wahan koi khali jagah maujud thi. Wahin khada reh kar usi aur dekhta raha jaise koi abhi bahar ayega lekin jab koi ahat nahi hui to mei phir aage bada aur shelf ke andar hath dal diya jise dalte hue ghabrahat bhi ho rahi thi. Ek pal hath dal kar ruka kyun ki har dafa yahi lag raha tha ki ab piche se koi mera hath pakad kar khinch lega lekin aisa kuch nahi hua. Andar kya hai ye tatolne ke liye hath uppar niche kiye par aise kuch nahi mila isliye thoda aur andar ki taraf hath diya jisme vo kisi chiz se takraya. Ek ungli, do ungli aur phir jab pura hath uspar pada to samjhte der nahi lagi ki ye kya hai. Mene use uthaya aur apna hath bahar nikal liya.
" chabi " dhul mitti se bhari chabi ko mene funk mar kar uski mitti ko hataya aur chabi ko dhayan se dekhne par pata chala. " ye to sonia ke college locker ki chabi hai " uspar likhe 'ocs' symbol ko dekhte hi samajh gaya tha kyun ki wahin se to is kahani ka parda hataya gaya tha. Chabi ka yahan milna vo bhi is tarah, mene nazar chabi se hata kar usi ched ki taraf dekha aur phir aisa laga jaise piche se koi hawa awaz lekar meri aaur aa rahi hai.
Mene fauran chabi pocket mein dali aur danda lekar shelf par de mara aur use todne laga. Sans fulh rahi thi lekin mei nahi ruka aur tab tak use toda jab tak sehlf ka ek tukda aage se nahi tod dala. Sharir pasine se tar batar ho chuka tha, ghutne par hath rakh samne dekhte hue mei hanf raha tha. Shelf ke tut jane par ab mujhe bahar ki roshni se andar pada locker dikhai de raha tha jiska yahan hona apne aap mein ek mayajaal tha. Aage badh kar mene pocket se chabi nikali aur locker mein laga kar ghuma di ' kaaatttt ' awaz ayi aur mene use khol diya. Andar dhool miti ke alawa kuch aur bhi pada hua tha, jaisi mujhe umeed thi ye wahi diary thi jo sonia ne likh kar chupai thi. Mene diary nikali, dhool puri tarah se uspar jami hui thi jise mene apne hathon se hataya aur use khol dia.
Mene diary ka cover khola jiske sath hi meri hairani badh gayi " chabi " mene chabi uthai jo wahi chabi thi jise mene abhi locker mein lagai thi, par agar ye wahan thi to yahan kaise? Mene fauran locker ki aaur dekha to vahan par jo chabi mene lagai thi vo maujud nahi thi. Kuch samajh pana mushkil ho gaya tha isliye mene vahan se dhayan hata kar vapis diary par gaur kiya aur panna palat diya. " khali " pehle panne par jahan sonia ne kahani ki shuruwat ki thi vo panna khali thi. Meri ankhein hairani mein choti hui aur jaise jaise mene panne palatne shuru kiye vo utni hi tezi se badi hoti chali gayi. Puri diary kore kagaz jaisi khali thi mano koi kahani likhi hi nahi gayi ho. Aisa to ho nahi sakta tha, mene locker mein hath dala ye soch kar ki shayad wahan kuch aur mil jaye lekin kuch nahi mila. Locker ko chhod kar mene kitab par vapis nazar dali. Khali kitab ka is tarah chupane ka kya matlab ho sakta tha? sochte hue yaad aya ki pichli baar mene panne fade the tab kuch mila tha kya is baar bhi aisa to nahi hai? Aisa sochte hi mene panne fadne ki sochi par phir ruk gaya kyun ki tabhi meri samajh aya ki us waqt vo kitab sonia ki diary nahi thi aur agar mene ye diary fad di to mei kahani ko khud khatam kar dunga. Ye uska mayajaal hai aur shayad mei tabhi diary par likha kuch nahi dekh paa raha hun. Aisa ho sakta hai, bilkul ho sakta hai. Agar mene sahi samay par na soch hota to mere hathon phir anarth ho jata. Iska jo bhi matlab ho agar usne ise chupaya hai to jarur aage kuch milega filal ke liye mujhe ye sochna hai ki ye dusri chabi kis chiz ki hai jispar bhi 'ocs' likha hai. Mene locker ki taraf dekha aur jo chabi diary se mili thi use locker ki key hole mein lagaya jiske baad wahi hua jiski mujhe shanka thi, vo chabi se lock khul-band hua hi nahi. Ye kafi tha mujhe samjhane ke liye ki meri pehal ek dum sahi disha mein shuru hui hai.
Mene book ko apne sath hi le jana sahi samjha aur kamre se bahar nikal aya. Corridor se guzarte waqt wahan maujud ek kamre se nazar takrai jiska darwaja bhi band pada tha, andheka karke mei aage bada ki kadam apne aap ruk gaye. Pehli baar aisa hua tha ki kahani kuch ulti chal rahi thi. Bahar ka darwaja chhod koi bhi darwaja nahi khula tha jabki hamesha hume har darwaje khule mile the sivai bangle aur resort ke main darwaje ko chhod ke. Vaise bhi is kamre se koi taluk nahi tha lekin jigasya purvak mene darwaje ko dhakela lekin vo nahi khula. Mene handle niche karke use dhakka diya lekin vo tab bhi nahi khula. Ab jigasya shanka mein tabdeel ho gayi aur na chahte hue bhi man mein dheron sawal ane lage ' Band darwaja aksar rehasyon ko jodta hai to kya ab koi naya rehasye chupa hai? ' Meri nazar darwaje ke key hole par gayi na jane kyun par vo mujhe locker ke key hole jaisa hi lag raha tha, kuch samay hi beete the isliye andaza laga raha tha par kya ye mumkin ho sakta hai. Khud se sawalon ko azad karne ke liye mene chabi pocket se nikal kar darwaje ke key hole mein dal di. Chabi asani se andar ghus gayi aur ' takkkkk ' awaz ke sath lock khul gaya. Achambit hote hue mene darwaje ko dhakka diya aur jo dekha usne mujhe hairani mein la khada kiya.
Ankhon ko yakeen nahi ho raha tha ya phir vo karna nahi cha rahi thi par samne kamre ka hulia bata raha tha ki sach us jagah par maujud hai. ' mera kamra yahan kaise?'
Mei ek anjan shaitani dunia mein khada tha aur samne mujhe mere ghar ka kamra dikhai de raha tha. Hairani ki baat to tb hoti jab sirf kamra dikhta lekin vo sirf kamra hi nahi tha balki wahan rakhi har cheez usi tarah thi jaise mei apne asli kamre mein khada hun. Andar kadam rakhte hue mene apni nazar charon taraf ghumai aur is kamre ke hone ki wajah sochne laga. Har saman wesa hi rakha tha jaise akhri baar chhod kar aya tha lekin koi wajah thi isliye mei yahan khada tha, sochne laga ki aisa kya hai yahan jo mujhse aur is jagah se juda hai. Dimag par jada zor dala to nazar almira par ja ruki jiski taraf badh kar mene use khol diya.
' maa ki diary ' us raat mene unki diary padi thi unke liye gaye faislon par apatti bhi jatai thi. Mene almira se diary nikali aur jaise hi meri nazar sishe par padi piche ek behad darawani shakal ke sayein ko meri aaur ghurta paya. Uski safed kanche jaisi ankhein chamkta dekh mei ghum gaya jiske sath hi vo sayan bhi dikhna band ho gaya. Mene apna dhayan uspar se hataya aur diary ko khola, " ek aur chabi? " chabi utha kar dekha to uspar bhi ' ocs ' likha hua tha. Chabi ko hathon mein dabate hue mene diary kholi. Diary khali nahi thi the lekin bich-bich mein se kayi shabad gayab the, kuch pal padh kar samajh aya ki vo shabad kaun se hain. Mene diary ko band kiya aur use apne sath lekar bahar nikla aur nikalte waqt dekha ki jis chabi se khol kar mei andar ghusa tha vo vahan maujud nahi thi. Mere pas abhi ek chabi aur thi jiska matlab tha ki abhi aur baki hai. Mene chabi pocket mein dali aur sochta hua hall ki taraf chal diya. Abhi bas hall se kuch hi duri par tha ki samne dekh kar mere badte kadam ruk gaye aur aisa laga jaise phir koi ankhon ka dokha ho. Sonia aur shilpi maa dono bahar ki taraf dekhte hue wahan khadi thi, dono mein se safed roshni teevr matra mein bahar nikal rahi thi.
Mere galle se to awaz nahi nikali par sonia ne mujhe mehsus kar liya tha isliye vo meri taraf ghum kar mujhe dekhne lagi. Uske agle hi pal maa bhi ghum kar meri taraf dekhne lagi. " shreyarsh " pehli dafa mujhe is naam se bulaya gaya tha. Jis naam ko mene bachpan mein hi bhula diya tha use sun kar ek pal ke liye laga jaise vo kisi aur ko bula rahi hai par unki ankhein mere uppar hi thi aur meri unke uppar. Ankhon mein dard bhi tha aur pyar bhare ansu bhi, na jane kyun us ehsas ko mehsus karne ke liye kadam khud ba khud aage chal diye.
" maa " muh se nikla aur uske baad honth seham gaye, jazbat chehre par dil se uthne lage.
" shreyarsh " vo muskurai lekin ankhon mein ansu unke bhi the. Jo baatein unke pas thi kuch waisi hi mere pas bhi thi. Kuch keh nahi paya to ankhon se ansu hi aa nikla, apni maa ko is halat mein samne dekh ek pal yahi mehsus hua ki sab kuch khone ke baad kis jagah khada hun. Dono ek dusre ko dekhte rahe bolne ko itna sab kuch tha lekin aaj na hi koi sawal kar paa raha tha aur na hi bata paa raha tha.
" tu theek nahi hai na ? " unhone kaha to jaise mujhe bas isi sawal ka intezar tha. Mei bhar-bharate hue roo pada aur phir kisi tarah rona bandh kar apne ansu poche lekin vo phir nikal aye. Mene is baar unhe ache se saaf kiya aur ek kadam aage badha. Jada doori nahi bachi thi hamare bich, ek baar mei unhe chunna chahta tha bas ye chahta tha ki vo mere sar ko sehla de taki unki di gayi zindagi ko mehsus kar sakun. Abhi apna hath utha kar unko mehsus karna chahta tha lekin sonia ne mujhe rok diya.
" tum hume nahi chhu sakte " mene uski taraf dekha jispar mera dhayan tabse gaya nahi tha. Shayad vo meri pareshani dekh samajh chuki thi " tumne uski burai apne hath mein pehni hui hai isliye tum hume nahi chhu sakte " sonia ki baat sunte hi mene apni anguthi ki taraf dekha aur apna hath vapis khinch liya. Mei uski baat samajh gaya aur itne pas hote hue bhi mei apni maa ko nahi chuu sakta tha.
" mera beta " vo usi andaaz mein boli to chehre par fiki muskan aa gayi, dukh lag raha tha dil mein ki itne intezar ke baad bhi mei unka ehsas nahi le sakta tha jabki vo mere samne khadi thi. Khud ko samjhate hue ek sawal man mein aya jo mene chutte hi puch liya " aap yahan kaise aayi? "
" pata nahi beta ek pal mein kahin aur thi aur agle pal yahan aa khadi hui " maa ne fauran jawab diya.
" tumne khoja hume " mei kuch aur puchta use pehle sonia ne jawab diya.
" mene? " sawal karte hi meri nazar hath mein pakdi diary par gayi " yani mei aap dono ko yahan lekar aya? aur ab aap dono meri wajah se yahan par ho, ye mene kya kiya aap dono ko bhi us shaitan ke samne laa khada kiya " hairani mei meri ankhein fatti hui thi.
" nahi " sonia ke lehaze mein wahi namrta thi jesi kahani mei humne padh kar mehsus ki thi. " agar tum hume nahi khojte to vo hume khoj kar kaid kar leta "
" kaise? aap dono ko toh " mene apna sawal bich mein rok diya kyun ki mei janta tha vo samajh jayegi aur hua bhi aisa hi.
" janti hun tum yahi puchna cha rahe ho ki hum dono yahan kaise aye jabki hume to mukti mil chuki hai lekin bhulo mat vo apni takat se waqt ko badal raha hai, is kahani ko badal raha hai "
" tabhi apki diary khali hai ? usme mujhe apki kahani nahi mili "
" shabdon ka sach kore kagaz par ho na ho dil mein jarur hota hai " uski baat par mei koi jawab nahi de paya. Aur phir us par se dhayan hata kar maa ki aaur dekhne laga.
" ye sab meri galti hai mujhe maaf kar dena maa, aap aur aap bhi " mene sonia ki aaur ishara kiya " mujhe nahi pata tha ki mei jis pyar ko bachane ke liye sab kar raha hun vo darasal shaitan tha jo mujhse apna kaam karwa raha tha. Mei to bas anshika ko bachana chahta tha aur nahi janta tha ki uski wajah se aap dono ko bhi takleef hogi "
" tumhe use abhi bhi bachana hai " maa ne sabhi baton ko nazar-andaz karke jawab diya.
" anshika? " ek pal chup hua " kya vo bhi hai yahan.. " kehte hue alfaz behad dhime ho chuke the.
" han " jawab sonia ne diya.
" anshika yahan kaise ho sakti hai vo to apni dunia mein hai "
" janti hun lekin uska ek hissa yahan se vo jod chuka hai lekin tumne uski shakti pehan kar khud ko bhi yahan fansa liya " sonia ka ishara anguthi par tha jise usne anshika ka hissa joda hua tha aur wo chahta bhi yahi tha ki anshika yahan aye aur kabhi vapis na nikal sake lekin mene anguthi pehen kar uska khel badal diya yani jo bhi mere sath ab tak hua vo ek sach tha?
" matlab jo bhi hua mere sath abhi tak " jawab mein shayad sehmati chahta tha isliye pucha.
" vo sab ek sach tha, usne tumhe apni dunia aur shakti dikhai aur phir vo dikhaya jo vo karna chahta hai " sonia ne meri baat par sehmati de di.
" guruji ne sahi kaha tha vo anshika ko tab bhi apne sath le jayega agar mene use nahi roka to " mene khud se hi kaha aur sonia ki baat sun hosh mein aya.
" tumhe use khojna hai aur waqt behad kam hai " bolte hue vo bahar ki taraf dekhne lagi.
" waqt kam hai? kya apko pata hai ki kitna waqt hai abhi mere pas ? " mere sawal par unhone jawab nahi diya aur bahar ki taraf ishara kar diya. Unka ishara dekh mei bhi bahar ki aaur dekhne laga sath mein maa bhi usi taraf ghum gayi. Samne dekhte hi mujhe mere sawal ka jawab mil gaya jiska jawab mei kuch hadh tak lekar hi aya tha.
" andhera bas pahunchne wala hai " sonia ki baat ka ishara samne us andhkar par tha jo bangle ke bahar tha jab mei yahan aya tha lekin ab usme aur is jagah ki dehleez ka fasla kafi kam bacha tha.
" pichli baar to anshika ka pyar tha jo mujhe us jagah se khinch laya tha lekin is baar mujhe waqt ka andaza kaise hoga? apne kaha tha ki vo sirf ek hi waqt par apni takat ikhati karne ayega, us waqt ko mei kaise pehchanunga ? " shreyas ne sawal kiya kyun ki khel hi sara waqt ka tha.
" shaitan ki dunia mein na hi roshni hoti hai na hi waqt "
" to phir ? "
" uski dunia mein bas wahi milta hai jisme vo apni haiwaniyat chupata hai " guruji ek pal chup hue " andhkar, tujhe har padav par milega aur wahi andhkar tujhe tera samay batayega kyun ki ek baar usne apni jagah par andhkar kayam kar liya to samajh lio ki use apni manzil mil chuki hai "
" tumhe anshika ko waqt rehte khojna hoga " awaz sonia ki thi jisne mujhe apni soch se bahar kiya. Ek dafa mei us andhkar ko dekhta raha jiski piche aur andar shayad sirf andhkar tha.
" agar mei aap logon ko nahi khojta tab? " mene sonia ki aaur apni nazar ghuma kar sawal kia.
" tab shayad vo tumhare samne hume apne purane waqt ke ghav de jata " jawab sun kar mere rongte khade ho gaye, dehshat jam gayi dil ke andar.
" mujhe ye chabi mili hai jo kisi kamre ki ho sakti hai ya phir koi aisi cheez jo mujhe anshika tak pahuncha sake " mei ek pal chup hua " iski madad se hi mene apko khoja hai dekhie ispar 'ocs' likha hai yani apke college locker ki chabi " mene sans li aur phir pucha " kya aap janti hain ki ye akhri chabi jo shayad anshika tak le jaye vo kahan ki ho sakti hai ? " mene chabi dono ke samne ki lekin kisi ne koi jawab nahi diya. Dubara puchta use pehle ek awaz ne sharir ko jhanjhod diya. Ek pal ki ayi awaz achanak se shant ho gayi lekin vo awaz aisi thi mano koi cheez patki gayi ho. Awaz piche se ayi thi isliye mein piche ki taraf ghuma aur tabhi hawa mein ek cheez udti hui us andhere se mere pas ayi jise mene ek dum akhri mein dekha aur dekhte hi niche jhuk gaya. ' thaaaannnnnnnnnn dhaappppppp ' jaise hi vo chiz zameen se takrai usne wesa hi shor kiya jaisa kuch der pehle suna tha.
" tu theek to hai na ? " maa ne mujhse pucha to mene sidhe khade hote hue han mein sar hila kar jawab diya. Nazar usi cheez par thi jo mere samne padi thi.
" vo jaan chuka hai ki tum kya kar rahe ho, samay kam hai jaldi karo " sonia ne kaha par meri nazar us lock par jami hui thi jo udta hua meri taraf aya tha aur ab zameen par pada tha. Ye wahi lock tha jo piche wale darwaje par laga tha jise tod kar mene uski shakti wapis ki thi.
" mei aap dono ko yahan chhod kar nahi jaa sakta, vo yahi chahta hai "
" jab tak ye andhkar kabza nahi karega tab tak vo hume kuch nahi kar sakta, tujhe anshika ko khojna hai " maa ne jawab diya.
" par ? " man nahi maan raha tha lekin fir kuch suja. Mei hall ke kone mein gaya jahan par dhool jami hui thi aur wahan par ungli se likhne laga kyun ki vo hamari baat sun sakta tha aur mei nahi chahta tha ki use malum pade. Mei apni jagah se khada hua aur dono ki taraf dekhte hue ishare se us taraf dekhne ko kaha jo mene abhi abhi farsh par dhool se likha tha ' Kuch ho to Isi lock ko zor se zameen par marna ' Unko zameen ki aaur dekhta pakar mene vo lock uthaya aur unke pas rakh diya. Ek dafa unhe dekha aur phir waqt ke chakrwiyu ko paar karte hue bangle se resort ke andar kadam rakh diya.
Yahan ane ka maksad sirf yahi tha ki jaise sonia aur maa bangle se judi thi waise hi anshika ki kahani is resort se judi thi. Par yahan akar kya karna tha ye abhi socha nahi tha. Hall mein pahunchte hi vo raat samne aa gayi, us taraf sidiyun par anshika khadi thi aur jahan mei is waqt khada hun vahan trishti laiti hui thi besudh, bejaan. Dil mein kheez uthi aur mene apne kadam aage badha diye. Sidiyan chadte hue uppar aya jahan behad andhera tha aur mere pas use dur karne ke liye koi roshni nahi thi isliye anadaza lagate hue chalne laga. Corridor mein thoda aage ane ke baad nazar kamre ki taraf gayi aur us raat ki yaad taza ho gayi jab bhai anshika ke sath jabardsti kar raha tha. Yaad atte hi nazre jhuk gayi aur mein aage chal diya. Thoda aage badha to dayine aaur mujhe vo kamra dikha jahan mein tab ruka tha.
Kamre ko ek dafa dekh mein uske andar ja ghusa. Pura kamro saaf tha sivai ek jagah ke. Palang ke kone mein rakhi table par dhool jami hui thi. Mene dhool hatai to meri nazar wahan khuli hui dairy par gayi jo ki meri hi thi. Us raat ke hadse ke baad mei ise wahin bhool aya tha. Nazar shabdon par padi to maa ki yaad aa gayi kyun ki jo bhi usme likha tha sab uske pyar se juda hua tha. Achanak bahar se shor aya to mei apni soch se bahar nikla aur un dono diary ko wahin rakh kar bahar nikal aya.
Shor corridor se hi aa raha tha, mei ek kadam aage bada to paya ki corridor ke dono hisson par lagi tasveerein zor-zor se hil rahi hai aur ye unhi ka shor tha. Mene apne halak ko thuk se gila kiya aur tabhi 'kaaccccccchhhh' ek painting niche aa giri aur kanch tut kar felh gaya iske baad ek-ek kar wahan par lagi sari tasveerein gir kar bikhar gayi aur usi ke sath shor khatam ho gaya. Dil itna zoron se dhadak raha tha ki chai khamoshi mein saaf sunai dene laga. Agle hi pal aisa laga mano koi parchai meri aaur badhte hue aa rahi ho jise zameen par bikhre kanch pade-pade hilne lage. Mujhe wahan se bhagna chahie lekin per wahin jam gaye the aur mei hil bhi nahi paa raha tha, vo parchai mere behad nazdeek aa chuki thi aur usi ke sath vo tute hue kanch aur zoron se hilne lage jiske baad ek dum se shanti cha gayi.
Waqt kam tha aur vo mera waqt jaya kar raha tha isliye har jagah dhundne ki jagah mujhe ye sochna tha ki anshika mujhe kahan mil sakti hai. Sonia ka locker, vo kitab, maa ki likhi diary, unki ruh ka shaitno se judna, anshika ki ruh neha ki ruh ke sath judna, sab ko jod kar anshika kahan milegi bas soch raha tha ki achanak dimag mein ek baat ayi jahan mene abhi tak dekha nahi tha " generator room " jahan se vo shaitan juda hua tha, vo bhi uski ek kamjori thi, wahan mil sakti hai mujhe anshika. Mei fauran muda aur corridor ke ant mein pahunch kar piche ki sidiyan utarta gaya aur niche atte hi ek andhere galiyare se gujara, mujhe bas lift ki disha ko follow karna tha kyun ki vo kamra uske kafi nazdeek tha. ' Yahi hai ' lift ke pass pahunch kar thoda aur chala ki mujhe darwaje par likha hua dikh gaya.
' generator room ' Sans thodi chadi hui thi aur bechaini bhi man mein thi jiske sath hi mene handle pakad kar niche kiya aur darwaje ko piche ki aaur dhakela, vo khula hua tha isliye halka dakhelte hi khul gaya. Use khula dekh man mein shanka hui lekin andar kya hai ye janne ke liye mene use khol diya. Ankhein hairani aur pareshani mein idhar udhar dekhne lagi kyun ki andar bhi wahi chiz thi jo bahar thi. Samjhna mushkil tha aur kisi ko samjhana bhi par jo mei dekh raha tha wo sach tha kyun ki jab mene darwaja khola to samne wahi galyara tha aur wahi darwaja jispar likha tha ' generator room '
Andar jaun ya vapis bahar man mein sawalon ke jawab na milne par mene andar jane ka hi faisla kiya aur aage badh kar vapis ' generator room ' ke samne aa khada hua. Mene uska handla niche kiya par ruk kar ek dafa piche dekha jahan ab vo darwaja nahi tha jise khol kar aya tha. Ajeeb jaal tha ye jise samajhne ke liye waqt nahi tha. Mujhe laga tha ki is baar darwaja band hoga lekin vo abhi bhi band nahi tha aur khul gaya jiske baad ek baar phir wahi hua mere sath, ek baar fir wahi galyara aur
' generator room ' ka darwaja.
Ab mujhe lagne laga ki agar mene ye guthi nahi suljhai to kabhi anshika tak pahunch hi nahi paunga. Is baar andar na jatte hue mene darwaja vapis band kiya aur wahin khada raha. Koi to galti kar raha tha tabhi mei andar nahi jaa paa raha tha. Sochte hue mujhe chabi ka khayal aya jiske sath mene us key hole ko gaur se dekha. Ab samajh nahi aa raha tha ki ye wahi hai ya nahi lekin agar ye wahi hai to darwaja band kyun nahi hai? Kahin aisa to nahi ki mei galat jagah aya hun aur us wajah se darwaja khula hua hai aur kahin mere is chabi ko lagate hi vo gayab ho gayi to shayad mei sahi jagah jane se vanchit ho jaun. Bahut bada faisla tha aur mere pas galat karne ka to mauka nahi tha.
Mene faisla kar liya tha, kahani waqt mei ulti jaa rahi hai aur akhri padav bhi wahi batana cha raha tha. Chabi us lock mein laga kar mene sidhi yani kholne ki bajaye ulti ghuma di jise ' khaaattttt' awaz hui. Band lock wapis apni jagah par hi awaz kar baitha aur mene darwaje ko dhakka de diya.
' taaaaiannnnnnnn ' darwaje mei awaz hui aur vo khul gaya jiske baad ankhon ke samne jo nazara aya usne mere sansein udedh di. Anshika samne hawa mein jhul rahi thi. Ye drishye mei kabhi bhool nahi sakta tha kyun ki ye wahi waqt tha jab neha ki ruh ne use kaid kar rakha tha aur humne use kamre mein band kar diya tha. Mei kamre mein dakhil hua aur aaj bhi use is roop mein dekh roo pada jabki janta tha ki ye asliyat nahi hai. Ek pal dur se hi dekhta raha aur phir pass akar uske samne aa khada hua. Nazar chehre par thi aur ankhon ke aage wahi purana waqt tha. Na jane kyun par dil keh raha tha ki vo uthegi lekin aisa mumkin nahi tha. Pata nahi kaun sa khel tha uska jo har kadam par mujhe dil ka dard de raha tha, kyun vo mujhe anshika ke is roop ko dikhana chahta tha.
Mene apni ankhon par aye ansu saaf kiye aur usi dauran meri nazar anshika ke galle par pehne hue locket par gayi jo us raat mene use pehnaya tha. Locket, anshika aur ye waqt yani ye wajah thi generator room se mujhe yahan tak lane ki. Khan ki ruh se judi thi neha ki ruh jisne anshika par kabza kiya tha aur us locket se bani vo ring jisne use aaj mein jod diya yani mujhe is locket ko khojna tha. Mene anshika ke gale se locket ko nikala aur use hath mein lekar dekhne laga. Dekhte hue mene apni nazre uthai to hairani ankhon pe havi ho gayi kyun ki mei ab usi galyare mein khada tha jiske samne tha ' generator room ' aur darwaje par vo chabi bhi nahi thi. Shayad anshika ko mene khoj liya tha aur bakiyun ki tarah vo bhi mujhe uppar hi mil sakti thi. Aisa hone ki sambhwana jada thi isliye mei jitni jaldi ho sakta tha utni jaldi wahan se nikala. Uppar atte hi jab mei corridor ki taraf badh raha tha tab mujhe dhayan aya ki mei diary kamre mein hi bhool gaya tha. Bina waqt gawaye kamre mein ghusa aur vahan rakhi diary uthai ki tabhi mujhe apne piche kisi hone ka ehsas hua.
" anshika " ghum kar jab samne dekha to anshika khadi thi usi tarah ki roshni usme se bhi aa rahi thi. Use dekhte hi mei uske najdeek pahuncha lekin phir do kadam piche hatte hue khada ho gaya, vajah thi meri anguthi.
" tumne aisa kyun kiya shreyas "
" jaruri tha anshika " ek pal chup hua aur phir bola " bekifar raho mei use kuch nahi karne dunga "
" apni fikar nahi hai mujhe " uski ankhein sukh chuki thi lekin chehre par dard tha.
" mujhe to hai " itna keh kar ek pal chup hua " aur hamesha rahegi "
" kyun karte ho itna pyar " vo aksar yahi sawal kiya karti thi.
" kyun ki tumne samjha hai mujhe aur mere pyar ko "
" tum karte ho isliye samjha "
" nahi anshika balki tumne mere shabdon ko jana hai mujhe jana hai isliye karti ho tabhi ye rishta itna majbut hai. Tum kehti thi na ki tum kabhi mere pyar ko pehchan nahi payi thi lekin us raat tumne meri diary padi jiske baad tumhe samajh aya " mene apni diary utha kar anshika ki samne ki. " ise to tum nahi bhooli hogi hai na? " mere sawal ka usne koi jawab nahi diya.
" mujhe kuch mehsus ho raha hai shreyas "
" kya? "
" waqt kam hai "
" theek hai chalo " mere kehte hi vo vahan se gayab ho gayi. Mei kuch pal wahin khada raha aur diary ko dekhta raha aur phir kuch der baad teeno diary lekar mei bahar nikla.
" Pyar yani anshika, zindagi shilpi maa aur maut sonia jiski wajah se kahani ka janam hua " sidiyun ke najdeek pahunch kar nazar teeno par thi jo bahar ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Mei sidiyan utar kar bilkul bich mein jaa khada hua, ek hissa mera bangle ki mein tha aur dusra resort mein. Andhkar dehleez paar kar chuka tha aur ab vo andar ki aaur badhta hua aa raha tha jo mei apni ankhon se dekh sakta tha.
" kya waqt ho gaya hai? " meri awaz sun teeno mud gayi. Sonia ka chehra bilkul shant tha, maa ke chehre par ek choti muskan thi aur ankhon mein ansu wahin anshika ka chehra behad thaka hua tha. " koi baat nahi ab aap teeno mere sath hi ho, mei tayar hun us shaitan se ladne ke liye, aap log mere sath rahiyega jarurat padne par aap logon ki madad chahie hogi " mei unke thoda kareeb aya, dil zoron se dhadak raha tha par chehre par chaye dar ko mene bahar nahi ane diya.
" hum bhi tayar hain " teeno ek sath boli aur piche ka andhkar unko apne andar sameta hua aage aa gaya aur mujhe bhi apni agosh mein le gaya. Jaise hi vo mujhse guzra mene apne aap ko dekha to paya ki pura sharir ek kali parchai mein tabdeel ho chuka hai aisa lag raha tha jaise meri hakikat ka vajud mit gaya ho. Khud ko dekhne ke baad jab mene apni nazre samne ki aaur ki to ruh mein kapkapi daud padi. Sonia, maa aur anshika ki jagah wahan par wahi teen deform shaks khade the jo us andhere mein bhi alag se chamak rahe the, andhere ka unpar koi asar nahi ho raha tha. Tabhi un teeno ki jhakiyan dhundli hone lagi aur vo apas mein judne lage jaise ek dusre ko jaan kar jod rahe ho. Agle hi pal teeno ek mein aa jude aur usi tarah khade ho gaye jis tarah mei khada tha. Ek hissa uska resort mein tha aur dusra bangle mein. Ye dekhte hi mere hath se diary chhut kar niche gir gayi aur kadam khud ba khud piche hat gaye lekin jada piche ho hi nahi paya kyun ki tabhi ek adrishye takat ne mujhe pakda aur khinchta hua uske pass le gaya.
Mene fauran apne sine par hath rakh kar us shakti ko rokne ki kosish ki lekin uski takat ke aage mere bejaan hath bekar sabit hue aur mein badi asani se ghasitta hua uske pass aa gaya. Mei uske behad najdeek tha, uski gandh meri naak mein ghus rahi thi. Aur tabhi meri nazar uske chehre se hote hue niche gayi jahan uski ungli mein anguthi thi uski takat. Yahi sahi mauka tha, soch kar mene jaise hi apna hath badana cha to vo hila hi nahi. 'eeeeghhhhhhhhhhh ' mene pura dum lagaya lekin hath nahi hila paya.
' eghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ' mera pura chehra dum lagane par lal ho chuka tha lekin fir bhi hath nahi hila paa raha tha. Meri manzil mujhse kuch hi dur par thi lekin fir bhi bahut dur lag rahi thi. Mene ek baar phir kosish ki par is baar bhi safal nahi ho paya. Nazar uske chehre par gayi aur jo aage hua uski gawah meri ankhein ban gayi. Vo achanak se mitti mein tabdeel ho gaya aur sidhe mere andar ja ghusa. Aisa hote hi mei us pakad se azad ho gaya aur ghutno ke bal zameen par gir gaya.
Kuch pal pehle aye is tufan ke baad ek pal ke liye shanti cha gayi aur phir mujhe aisa laga jaise muh se kuch nikalna chahta hai. Mei muh khol kar ubkai lene laga 'uggghhhhhhhhh aaaaa ughghhhhhh ' lekin na to andar se kuch nikal raha tha aur na hi nikalne wala tha. Sina jalne laga aur uski jalan ankhon se behti hui bahar aa nikli, chehre par sara khoon jama hone laga aur usi pal laga jaise kisi ne meri sans hi rok di ho. Mei apna galla pakad kar use azad hone laga aur agle pal ho bhi gaya jiske sath hi mei niche gir gaya par apne hathon ki madad se zameen se nahi takraya. Mei apne sharir ki takleef mein itna kho chuka tha ki apni anguthi par dhayan hi nahi gaya jo bahut teevr matra mein chamak rahi thi. Abhi us jalan ko azad karta use pehle mehsus hua jaise koi andar se bahar ki taraf aana cha raha hai, kuch kehna cha raha hai jise mei rok na saka aur vo bahar aa gaya.
' aarrgghghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ' mei itni zor se cheekha ki meri shakal ka rang dhire-dhire nila hone laga jaise khoon jamna shuru ho gaya ho. Kuch hi pal ke andar pura chehra nila padh gaya aur nasein kali padh kar chehre par ubhar ayi. Mei apna sar zor-zor se idhar udhar jhatkane laga taki us chiz ko apne chehre se hata sakun lekin kuch hatne ki jagah vo mere chehre pas bas chuka tha. Aisa lag raha tha jaise ek sath kai chehre mere chehre par rehna chahte hain. Mei bas kisi tarah is jalan ko dur karna chahta hun lekin vo havi hoti jaa rahi thi. ' aarrgghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ' is bar mene apna sar uppar kiya aur itni zor se cheekha ki wahan rakha har saman apni jagah se hilta hua niche girne laga aur agle hi pal ' fuuttttttttt futttttttttt ' ek-ek karte hue kanch futne lagge aur us cheekh ke sath kanch ke tutne ki awaz wahan gunj uthi. Ek samay tak awaz meri rahi fir badal kar vo bhari aur akdan mein tabdeel ho gayi. Ankhein chat ki taraf thi aur usi dauran vo bhi badal kar kale moti jaisi badi ho gayi.
' ugghhhhhhhhh ' muh se sharir ki akhri tadap ko mene nikala jiske baad chehre par ek shaitani muskan cha gayi. Kuch hi pal bitte the ki achanak phir puri takat lagate hue mei cheekhne laga jisme ke se jada awazein thi.
" argghhhh-uggghhhhh-argghhhhhhh " Cheekhte hue sharir ka santulan bigda aur mei zameen ki aaur gira lekin hathon ki madad se khud ko rok liya. " arrghhh-argghhhhh " lambi lambi sansein lene ke baad ek akdan sharir mein ter gayi jisne kuch hadiyan tak chatka di " aarggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh " mei cheekh raha tha aur anguthi jo ab pehle se jada chamak rahi thi achanak ek awaz ke sath vo chatakne lagi aur dhire dhire chatakte hue vo tut kar tukdon mein bikhar gayi.
Shreyas ne jis ungli mein anguthi pehni hui thi vo ungli mitti ban kar farsh par jama ho gayi. Ye dekhte hi anshika apni jagah se khadi hui lekin vo kuch keh pati use pehle vo bahut tezi se zameen par pith ke bal aa giri. Bal itna jada tha ki vo uthne ki kosish bhi karti to nahi uth pati kyun ki uske sharir ko behad takat ke sath piche ki taraf khincha jaa raha tha jiski wajah se uske chehre ka mans bhi piche ki taraf khinch raha tha. Uski ankhein felti jaa rahi thi aur dhire-dhire sans bhi tutne lagi thi, ek pal aisa laga jaise vo abhi is zameen ke andar sama jayegi.
" anshika " nidhi ke chillate sath amb, guruji aur chote pandit ne apni ankhein kholi aur unhone anshika ko us halat mein dekha. Nidhi fauran anshika ke pas ayi aur jaise hi vo uske uppar jhuki us takat ne nidhi ko utha kar piche fenk diya. Nidhi hawa mein udti hui ek kone mein jaa giri 'aaahh' apne sharir ko kasmasate hue vo dard mein bilakh kar reh gayi aur agle hi pal usne anshika ki aaur dekha.
Guruji ne turant apni ankhein band ki aur zor-zor se mantr padne lage jiske sath farsh par jis rukdraks se 'om' bana rakha tha vo sabhi rudraksh zameen se hawa mein aa gaye aur anshika ki taraf badh chale. Guruji ne ye kaam us shaitan ki shakti ko kam karne ke liye kiya tha lekin jaise hi rudraksh anshika ke uppar aya usi dauran us takat ne 'om' ke chidte kar diye aur rukdraksh kahi jada teevr matra ke sath kamre mein idhar udhar bikhar gaye.
Ek rudraksh chote pandit ke bheje mein aage se ghusa aur piche se nikal gaya jiske sath hi unka sharir wahin zameen par gir gaya. Chote pandit ko dekh amb chillai aur vo uski akhri cheekh ban gayi kyun ki ek rudraksh sidhe uske galle ke aar-paar ho gaya aur ek uske bheje ko aage se chedte hua piche se nikal gaya. Amb ka sharir ek pal ke liye chadi ankhon ke sath khada raha aur phir vo farsh par aa gira. Nidhi uske sharir se behte khoon ko farsh par bikharta hua dekhti rahi.
