" apne bache ko marne ka gum tum kabhi nahi samajh sakte " amb ke jawab se shreyas ko apne sawal karne ka tarika malum hua. Chehre par aye tanav ko usne hataya aur apni jagah par baith gaya. Amb ne uspar se nazar hatai aur unhe jhuka lia " mujhe malum nahi tha ki sam mar chuka hai, humne us raat wahi kiya jo jaruri tha. Sam ko zameen ke niche gaadh diya taki uski vo shaitani ruh hamesha wahin kaid hokar reh jaye. Kuch salon baad vo jagah kabristan mein tabdeel kar di gayi aur hamare alawa dunia ke liye bhi sam panch saal ki umar mein mar chuka tha " usne ek gehri sans khinchte hue chhodi " Sam ke jane ke baad harsh ke sharir par pade ghav dhire-dhire guruji ki chatr-chaya mein theek to hone laga lekin na vo kuch bolta tha aur na hi use kuch yaad aa raha tha. Shayad use pyar aur sneh ki jarurat thi lekin mei jab bhi uski taraf dekhti mujhe sam hi nazar ata isliye jab mujhe shilpi mili to mene harsh ko use de diya is umeed mein ki vo pyar aur sneh jo mei nahi de sakti thi vo use shilpi jarur degi bas use kuch isliye nahi bataya kyun ki mei nahi chahti thi vo mere bete ko ek shaitan ki nazar se dekhe " amb ki jazbaton ko shreyas bhali batti samjhne laga. Bangle mein hue hadse ne jo kiya uski wajah se ek bete ko use khud marna pada aur dusre ko khud se alag karna pada.
" harsh ko dene ke baad mei kabhi vapis nahi gayi aur khud ko guruji ke chatr chaya mein saunp dia " amb ne apni baat khatam ki aur hath jod kar uppar ki taraf dekhne lagi " har har mahadev "
" par apko kese pata ki sam mar chuka hai? " puri baat sunte hue shreyas ne sawal kiya aur phir shabdon ko asan karke dubra pucha " apko kab malum hua ki sam mar chuka hai, guruji ne bataya ki apse galti hui hai ? "
" nahi gurji ko to pata hi nahi ki sam mar chuka hai aur na hi mujhe malum tha " shreyas ki ankhein hairani mein badi ho gayi, vo kabhi amb ki taraf to kabhi anshika ki taraf dekhne laga kyun ki vo bhi shreyas jitni hi confuse thi.
" lekin apne hume bataya ki sam mar chuka hai? aur abhi aap keh rahi hai na hi apko pata tha aur na hi guruji ko to phir kaise? " shreyas ne apni uljhan bhari nighaon se jawab ki umeed mein amb ki tarf dekha.
" usne bataya mujhe " vo phir fusfusane wale lehaze mein boli.
" kisne ? " shreyas halka sa aage jhuka par shayad sawal ka jawab uske pas tha " sam ne? " uska dil zoron se dhadakne laga tha.
" han... " amb ki bhi dil ki dhadkan tez thi " kuch waqt pehle kitna dhang se yaad nahi par takreeban ek saal pehle " vo bol kar chup hui aur purane waqt mein ja phunchi. Baat kareeb ek saal pehle ki hai, guruji ke bhawan se ane ke baad aksar mein ghat par der tak baith kar dhayan kiya karti thi aur baki din ki tarah us raat bhi mei mahadev ke dhayan mein khoi hui thi, thandi hawa ka jhonka mere chehre par padh raha tha. Andhera hone ki wajah se ghat khali ho chuka tha aur ghat se thodi dur mandiro mein aarti chal rahi thi. Vatavaran bhakti mein leen tha aur mei bhi us bhakti mein leen thi ki usi waqt " maaaaa " kano mein jaise hawa kuch kehti hui nikal gayi aur meri ankhein khudba khud gayi.
Ankhein khuli to na mere pas koi tha aur na hi dur dur tak koi maujud tha. Bharam samajh kar mene phir apni ankhein band ki " ooommmmmmm " Mei prmathma mein ek baar phir leen ho gayi aur jaise hawa ne rukh badal diya. Samne behti hawa ek dum shant ho gayi aur ab vo mere piche se behne lagi, kuch kehna cha rahi thi.
" maaaa " hawa mere balon ko uda kar tan ko chutte hue kano mein ghusi jiske ghuste hi mene turant apni ankhein kholi aur dayein aaur apni nazare ki jis taraf se hawa ne dastak di thi. Itna lamba waqt guzar chuka tha us baat ko isliye zehan mein prabhu ke alawa ab kuch nahi bacha tha. Mujhe wahan koi nai dikha par laga to aisa hi tha ki koi mujhe usi taraf se bula raha hai. Kuch pal jab wahan koi nahi dikha to mene apni nazar wapis modhi aur jaise hi samne ki to ankhein hairani mein haki baki reh gayi. Sam ukhdu hokar theek mere chehre ke samne baitha tha, uska chehra puri tarah se kala padh chuka tha jaise murdon ka ho jata hai. Ankhein kali aur bade kanche jaisi jo choti badhi ho rahi thi, muskurane ki wajah se uske dant dikh rahe the jo saddh chuke the, vo meri aaur gaur se dekh raha tha jaise mujhse kitna pyar karta ho.
" maaaaaaa " awaz kisi bache ki nahi thi balki us awaz ke piche ek aisi awaz thi jaise koi sadiyun se soya hua shaitan jaga ho. Man mein shradha ka bhav lene ke baad bhi us pal mere rongte khade ho gaye. Ankhon par vishwas nahi ho raha tha, shayad mera hi bhram tha ye soch kar mene ek baar ankhein band kar prabhu ka naam liya aur phir unhe khola jahan ab koi bhi maujud nahi tha. Sardi ke mausam mein bhi pasina mere mathe par tha, sansein itni zor se chal rahi thi ki laga kitni fulh gayi ho. Mei apni jagah se khadi hui aur kuch sidi utar niche ayi aur apne dono taraf dekhne lagi, koi bhi maujud nahi tha. Aksar sardi mein ganga nandi mein dubki sham se pehle hi laga lete hai log isliye is samay bhi koi nahi tha nadi mein. Par phir bhi nadi ke pani mein ek halchal thi jo aksar logon ke dubki lagane par hoti hai. Samne koi nahi tha par pani mein banti lehre to kuch hi dikha rahi thi.
" hari om, hari om " dekhne ki chahat se mei nange paun hi dhire-dhire sidiyan utarne lagi, thande pani ne pairon ko chuha to sansein aur tezz ho gayi. Lavzon par sirf mahadev ka naam tha par uske sath nadi ka sanata jaise kano mein gunj raha tha. Kabhi bhi ganga nadi mein mujhe is tarah ki ashanka nahi hui thi par kuch pal pehle dekha drishye man mein anjane pal ki dastak de raha tha. Jal mere ghutno tak pahunch chuka tha par nadi mein ayi silvate abhi bhi mujhse thoda dur thi. Mene pairon ko uthaya aur dhire-dhire aage badi aur jal mere sine tak aa pahuncha. Mei uske bilkul kareeb aa khadi thi lekin wahan ab jal ek dum shant tha jaise kuch hua hi na ho. Kuch pal pehle harkat yahin hui thi par ab kahin nahi thi, thand badan mein chadh rahi thi lekin mahadev ne jaise uska ehsas hone se rok rakha tha, kareeb ek minute mei wahi khadi rahi aur phir ganga mata ko pranam karke mud kar jane lagi lekin agle hi pal mere per jaise andar kisi chiz se takraya aur mei jal ke andar ja ghusi. Andhera aur jal ke prabhav ke sath achanak hui is prakriya mei mujhe sambhalne ka mauka hi nahi mila, na hi mei kuch dekh payi. Mei jal se bahar ane lagi lekin kisi ne mujhe niche hi pakad liya. Vo hath mere galle par the aur mujhe niche hi khinch rahe the, mei jal ke bheetar chatpatane lagi. Sans bhi dhire-dhire lena mushkil hota jaa raha tha, vo chiz mere galle ko puri tarah se jakdi hui thi aur tabhi ganga nadi ke pavitra jal ke niche ek pal ke liye mei bilkul sthir ho gayi, na chatpatana aur na hi galle par koi pakad mehsus hona aisa laga mano mein apna sharir chhod baithi hun, sansein rok baithi hun lekin agle hi pal ek chehra jo behad khatarnak tha vo itni zor se dahada ki mei fulhi hui sanson liye jal se bahar aa nikli.
Bahar atte hi mere sarre veham dur ho gaye, itne waqt baad vo vapis aaya tha ek hi jhatke mein usne mujhe sab samjha diya. Mera pura sharir thand se kanpne laga ek pal ke liye mujhe laga mei wahin jal mein dub jaungi lekin mujhe chote pandit ne dekh liya aur vo nadi se mujhe bahar le aye.
" matta aap itni der andar kya kar rahi thi "
" vo vapis aa gaya hai, vo vapis aa gaya hai, vo vapis aa gaya " kanpte hue honth bas yahi keh rahe the.
" kaun vapis aa gaya hai mata " chote pandit mujhe bhawan tak le jaa rahe the.
" vo nahi aa sakta, kaise aa sakta hai vo vapis "
" matta kaun nahi aya hai mujhe apki baat kuch samajh nahi aa rahi " chote pandit abhi tak uljhe hue the.
" vo vapis aa gaya jo kabhi nahi aa sakta tha " mera pura sharir kanp raha tha " us...usne.. bataya mujhe abhi ganga nadi ke andar... " sehmi hui si mene chote pandit ko ek shaitani shakti ke bare mein bataya jo mere piche padi hai par unhe ye nahi bataya ki vo kaun hai kyun ki guruji ne kisi ko bhi is barre mein batane se mana kiya tha taki uska prakop uspar na padh jaye. Meri baat sun kar unhe yahi laga ki mene apna beta harsh shilpi ko isliye hi diya taki uspar us shakti ka koi prkop na pade.
" mahadev, mahadev, matta ye aap kya bol rahi hai, is pavitra jal mein kaise koi shaitani shakti aa sakti hai "
" mei nahi janti chote pandit mujhe abhi guruji se milna hai "
" lekin aap unse nahi mil sakti, vo abhi tak apne dhyan se bahar nahi aye hain "
" aisa nahi ho sakta mera beta harsh khatre mein hai mujhe use batana hoga " mei bad-badai jo chote pandit nahi samjhe. Mene fauran harshit ke ghar phone lagaya lekin number nahi laga, na hi harshit aur shilpi ka koi phone laga. Mujhe ye baat unhe batani behad jaruri thi kyun ki agar sam apni shaitani shakti ke sath kisi tarah vapis aa gaya hai to is bare mein unhe pata hona jaruri tha. Mene akhir khud hi delhi jane ka faisla kiya lekin na jane kaise us raat ke baad meri tabiyat bigadne lagi, khoon ki ultiyan hone lagi aur har dum pet mein dard rehne laga. Isliye phir mene chitti likhni ki sochi aur usme bangle se lekar sam tak hue sabhi hadson ke barre mein bataya aur yahan tak ye bhi ki vo ab vapis aa chuka hai aur harsh ki jaan ko khatra hai. Mene chitti likhi aur chote pandit ke hath unhe delhi janne ko kaha. Meri bigadti halat ko dekh mei samajh chuki thi ki mei ab jada din jee nahi paungi lekin marne se pehle vo sach shilpi tak pahunchna behad jaruri thi lekin jab chote pandit vapis laute to unke pas ek buri khabar thi.
" matta vahan ab koi nahi rehta " meri halat itni bigad chuki thi ki mei ab dhang se bol bhi nahi paa rahi thi. Jo halat harsh ki hui thi mere sath bhi wahi hoti ja rahi thi, sharir ke kai hisson mein mere vo kalle nishan padhne lage the aur shayad bahut si chizen bhulne bhi lagi thi. Agar ye baat mei bhool gayi to shayad sab kuch khatam ho jata isliye har dum bas prabhu ka naam hi jeeva par hota. Lekin mei kisi ko bata bhi nahi sakti thi isliye chote pandit ko mene chitti ki baat mujhse karne ke liye mana kar diya tha. Badi himmat karke mene ek kagaz aur pen lekar unhe likh kar batane ki kosish ki.
" mujhse koi bhi baat mat kijeye, jo bhi apke pas hai use apne pas rakhie " chote pandit ne meri likhi hui baat ko man hi man pada aur han mein sar hila dia. " chitti kisi tarah bhi mujhe shilpi ko bhijwani hai behad jaruri hai " iske baad unhone mujhse koi dusra sawal nahi kiya aur mene unhe mere pas ane se saaf maan kar diya. Mei janti thi ki sam ka asar mujhpar hai aur vo mujhe har halat mein rokne ki kosish karega isliye mei nahi chahti thi ki vo meri baat sunne ya phir chote pandit ko kuch kare aur jis baat ka dar tha us raat wahi hua.
Der raat mei jaap kar rhi thi, ankhein aisi khuli hui thi mano kisi ne unhe khinch kar badi kar diya ho. Achanak hi mere kamre ka darwaja ' thhaaddddddddd ' jhatke mein khul gaya aur aisa mehsus hua ki koi darwaje par khada hai aur dhire dhire meri aaur aa raha hai lekin mene apna dhayan us taraf nahi kiya. Vo sayan mere kareeb aa khada hua aur mujhe dekhne laga. Ansu ankhon se utar aya, janti thi ant nikat hai isliye us ant mein mera dhayan sirf ishwar par tha. Mei zor-zor se mahadev ka naam lene lagi aur tabhi mera sharir hawa mein uthne laga, dhire-dhire vo hawa mein uthta gaya aur mei apne palang se uthte hue chatt ki aaur badhti gayi badhti gayi aur agle hi pal chatt se jaa takrai lekin abhi bhi koi mere badan ko piche se dhakka de raha tha aisa laga jaise vo chatt se mujhe daba dena chahta hai. Mera chehra aur mera sharir pisne laga muh se sirf " unggh unggghh " hi nikal paa raha tha jaise vo chahta tha ki mei apne ishwar ka naam na le sakun aur vo usme kayamab bhi ho chuka tha kyun ki mei ab apne parmatha ka naam lene mein saksham nahi thi.
" Mera ant najdeek tha lekin usi pal wahan chote pandit aa pahunche jabki unhe mene ane ke liye mana kiya tha. Jaise mera ishwar mujhe zinda rakhna chahta tha taki ek din aisa aye jab mei ye kahani khud bata sakun aur apne bete ko bacha sakun " amb ne chote pandit ki aaur dekhte hue apni baat khatam ki tab sabko samajh aya ki chote pandit ne us raat kya dekha tha, ek sawal unse bhi puchna baki tha par use jada jaruri amb ko kuch batana tha.
" mujhe apse ek baat kehni hai " shreyas soch raha tha ki vo ye baat kaise bataye " bhai ab hamare bich nahi raha " ye sunte hi amb ki ankhon mein jo dukh pasar raha tha vo usi pal beh nikla. Use sans lene mein dikkat si hone lagi. " bholenath ye tune kya kiya.. " shreyas uske dard ko samajh sakta tha, jo us raat hua uska dukh uske dil mein aaj tak dhadak raha tha, jis jagah use hona chahie tha us jagah uske bhai ne us raat le li thi jiski wajah se vo ab inke bich maujud nahi tha.
" sab bholenaath ki maya hai, mujhe laga usne isliye zinda rakha hai taki mei apne bete ko bacha sakun lekin shayad kahani sirf harsh ki thi hi nahi vo to use kahin jada aage nikal chuki thi " amb ek pal ke liye chup rahi " harsh ke sath aisa kya hua tha aur tum log sam ke sayein mein kaise aa gaye " amb jo ab tak sawalon ka jawab deti ayi thi usne ek sawal pucha. Uska sawal sun shreyas ne puri kahani ko sanchep mein batate hue khan aur neha ki ruh vapsi ke bare mein bata diya aur uske piche jo jo hua aur kaun kaun mara gaya sab kuch uske samne rakh diya.
" har har mahadev, tum bachon ne itna sab kuch saha hai " amb ka dil seham utha tha. Vo sochne lagi aur jaise baton ko jodne lagi, shreyas janta tha ki vo achanak se kya soch rahi hai aur vo kuch bolti use pehle shreyas bol utha.
" aap jo soch rahi hai wahi sawal mere pas bhi hai, hamare sath hue hadse ke baad humne bangle ki ruh ko khatam kar diya tha par saal bhar pehle sam ki ruh apse judi jiske baad aapke sath jo hua uski wajah se aap kisi ko kuch bata na saki aur usi dauran anshika ko usne chapet mein le liya shayad us anguthi ki madad se jo apne aap mein ek bahut bada rehsaye hai par abhi sawal ye hai ki use hamare bare mein kaise pata aur kya chahta hai vo humse? Kyu vo anshika ko chahta hai aur akhir itne saal baad vo vapis aya to aya kaise? " shreyas ne apne aur sabhi ke man mein chal rahe sawalon ko sabke samne rakh diya.
" is baat ka jawab mere pas bhi nahi hai beta, jis raat sam ne mujhe ganga nadi mein pakda tha usne bas itna hi kaha tha ki mene use maar diya tha taki hum use kaid kar sake lekin ab vo azad hai " amb ek pal ke liye ruki " mera yakeen karo vo chiz jo koi bhi hai vo bahut takatwar hai shayad pehle se kai jada guna " amb ki baat mein vo dehshat maujud tha jisne sabhi ke dilo mein dar ki ek aisi lehar chhodi ki uska asar unke chehre ki udi hui shaksiyat par nazar ane lagi. Shreyas kuch pal chup baitha amb ko dekhta raha.
" kahan gadda tha apne sam ko ? "
" harsh ko dene ke baad mei kabhi vapis nahi gayi aur khud ko guruji ke chatr chaya mein saunp dia " amb ne apni baat khatam ki aur hath jod kar uppar ki taraf dekhne lagi " har har mahadev "
" par apko kese pata ki sam mar chuka hai? " puri baat sunte hue shreyas ne sawal kiya aur phir shabdon ko asan karke dubra pucha " apko kab malum hua ki sam mar chuka hai, guruji ne bataya ki apse galti hui hai ? "
" nahi gurji ko to pata hi nahi ki sam mar chuka hai aur na hi mujhe malum tha " shreyas ki ankhein hairani mein badi ho gayi, vo kabhi amb ki taraf to kabhi anshika ki taraf dekhne laga kyun ki vo bhi shreyas jitni hi confuse thi.
" lekin apne hume bataya ki sam mar chuka hai? aur abhi aap keh rahi hai na hi apko pata tha aur na hi guruji ko to phir kaise? " shreyas ne apni uljhan bhari nighaon se jawab ki umeed mein amb ki tarf dekha.
" usne bataya mujhe " vo phir fusfusane wale lehaze mein boli.
" kisne ? " shreyas halka sa aage jhuka par shayad sawal ka jawab uske pas tha " sam ne? " uska dil zoron se dhadakne laga tha.
" han... " amb ki bhi dil ki dhadkan tez thi " kuch waqt pehle kitna dhang se yaad nahi par takreeban ek saal pehle " vo bol kar chup hui aur purane waqt mein ja phunchi. Baat kareeb ek saal pehle ki hai, guruji ke bhawan se ane ke baad aksar mein ghat par der tak baith kar dhayan kiya karti thi aur baki din ki tarah us raat bhi mei mahadev ke dhayan mein khoi hui thi, thandi hawa ka jhonka mere chehre par padh raha tha. Andhera hone ki wajah se ghat khali ho chuka tha aur ghat se thodi dur mandiro mein aarti chal rahi thi. Vatavaran bhakti mein leen tha aur mei bhi us bhakti mein leen thi ki usi waqt " maaaaa " kano mein jaise hawa kuch kehti hui nikal gayi aur meri ankhein khudba khud gayi.
Ankhein khuli to na mere pas koi tha aur na hi dur dur tak koi maujud tha. Bharam samajh kar mene phir apni ankhein band ki " ooommmmmmm " Mei prmathma mein ek baar phir leen ho gayi aur jaise hawa ne rukh badal diya. Samne behti hawa ek dum shant ho gayi aur ab vo mere piche se behne lagi, kuch kehna cha rahi thi.
" maaaa " hawa mere balon ko uda kar tan ko chutte hue kano mein ghusi jiske ghuste hi mene turant apni ankhein kholi aur dayein aaur apni nazare ki jis taraf se hawa ne dastak di thi. Itna lamba waqt guzar chuka tha us baat ko isliye zehan mein prabhu ke alawa ab kuch nahi bacha tha. Mujhe wahan koi nai dikha par laga to aisa hi tha ki koi mujhe usi taraf se bula raha hai. Kuch pal jab wahan koi nahi dikha to mene apni nazar wapis modhi aur jaise hi samne ki to ankhein hairani mein haki baki reh gayi. Sam ukhdu hokar theek mere chehre ke samne baitha tha, uska chehra puri tarah se kala padh chuka tha jaise murdon ka ho jata hai. Ankhein kali aur bade kanche jaisi jo choti badhi ho rahi thi, muskurane ki wajah se uske dant dikh rahe the jo saddh chuke the, vo meri aaur gaur se dekh raha tha jaise mujhse kitna pyar karta ho.
" maaaaaaa " awaz kisi bache ki nahi thi balki us awaz ke piche ek aisi awaz thi jaise koi sadiyun se soya hua shaitan jaga ho. Man mein shradha ka bhav lene ke baad bhi us pal mere rongte khade ho gaye. Ankhon par vishwas nahi ho raha tha, shayad mera hi bhram tha ye soch kar mene ek baar ankhein band kar prabhu ka naam liya aur phir unhe khola jahan ab koi bhi maujud nahi tha. Sardi ke mausam mein bhi pasina mere mathe par tha, sansein itni zor se chal rahi thi ki laga kitni fulh gayi ho. Mei apni jagah se khadi hui aur kuch sidi utar niche ayi aur apne dono taraf dekhne lagi, koi bhi maujud nahi tha. Aksar sardi mein ganga nandi mein dubki sham se pehle hi laga lete hai log isliye is samay bhi koi nahi tha nadi mein. Par phir bhi nadi ke pani mein ek halchal thi jo aksar logon ke dubki lagane par hoti hai. Samne koi nahi tha par pani mein banti lehre to kuch hi dikha rahi thi.
" hari om, hari om " dekhne ki chahat se mei nange paun hi dhire-dhire sidiyan utarne lagi, thande pani ne pairon ko chuha to sansein aur tezz ho gayi. Lavzon par sirf mahadev ka naam tha par uske sath nadi ka sanata jaise kano mein gunj raha tha. Kabhi bhi ganga nadi mein mujhe is tarah ki ashanka nahi hui thi par kuch pal pehle dekha drishye man mein anjane pal ki dastak de raha tha. Jal mere ghutno tak pahunch chuka tha par nadi mein ayi silvate abhi bhi mujhse thoda dur thi. Mene pairon ko uthaya aur dhire-dhire aage badi aur jal mere sine tak aa pahuncha. Mei uske bilkul kareeb aa khadi thi lekin wahan ab jal ek dum shant tha jaise kuch hua hi na ho. Kuch pal pehle harkat yahin hui thi par ab kahin nahi thi, thand badan mein chadh rahi thi lekin mahadev ne jaise uska ehsas hone se rok rakha tha, kareeb ek minute mei wahi khadi rahi aur phir ganga mata ko pranam karke mud kar jane lagi lekin agle hi pal mere per jaise andar kisi chiz se takraya aur mei jal ke andar ja ghusi. Andhera aur jal ke prabhav ke sath achanak hui is prakriya mei mujhe sambhalne ka mauka hi nahi mila, na hi mei kuch dekh payi. Mei jal se bahar ane lagi lekin kisi ne mujhe niche hi pakad liya. Vo hath mere galle par the aur mujhe niche hi khinch rahe the, mei jal ke bheetar chatpatane lagi. Sans bhi dhire-dhire lena mushkil hota jaa raha tha, vo chiz mere galle ko puri tarah se jakdi hui thi aur tabhi ganga nadi ke pavitra jal ke niche ek pal ke liye mei bilkul sthir ho gayi, na chatpatana aur na hi galle par koi pakad mehsus hona aisa laga mano mein apna sharir chhod baithi hun, sansein rok baithi hun lekin agle hi pal ek chehra jo behad khatarnak tha vo itni zor se dahada ki mei fulhi hui sanson liye jal se bahar aa nikli.
Bahar atte hi mere sarre veham dur ho gaye, itne waqt baad vo vapis aaya tha ek hi jhatke mein usne mujhe sab samjha diya. Mera pura sharir thand se kanpne laga ek pal ke liye mujhe laga mei wahin jal mein dub jaungi lekin mujhe chote pandit ne dekh liya aur vo nadi se mujhe bahar le aye.
" matta aap itni der andar kya kar rahi thi "
" vo vapis aa gaya hai, vo vapis aa gaya hai, vo vapis aa gaya " kanpte hue honth bas yahi keh rahe the.
" kaun vapis aa gaya hai mata " chote pandit mujhe bhawan tak le jaa rahe the.
" vo nahi aa sakta, kaise aa sakta hai vo vapis "
" matta kaun nahi aya hai mujhe apki baat kuch samajh nahi aa rahi " chote pandit abhi tak uljhe hue the.
" vo vapis aa gaya jo kabhi nahi aa sakta tha " mera pura sharir kanp raha tha " us...usne.. bataya mujhe abhi ganga nadi ke andar... " sehmi hui si mene chote pandit ko ek shaitani shakti ke bare mein bataya jo mere piche padi hai par unhe ye nahi bataya ki vo kaun hai kyun ki guruji ne kisi ko bhi is barre mein batane se mana kiya tha taki uska prakop uspar na padh jaye. Meri baat sun kar unhe yahi laga ki mene apna beta harsh shilpi ko isliye hi diya taki uspar us shakti ka koi prkop na pade.
" mahadev, mahadev, matta ye aap kya bol rahi hai, is pavitra jal mein kaise koi shaitani shakti aa sakti hai "
" mei nahi janti chote pandit mujhe abhi guruji se milna hai "
" lekin aap unse nahi mil sakti, vo abhi tak apne dhyan se bahar nahi aye hain "
" aisa nahi ho sakta mera beta harsh khatre mein hai mujhe use batana hoga " mei bad-badai jo chote pandit nahi samjhe. Mene fauran harshit ke ghar phone lagaya lekin number nahi laga, na hi harshit aur shilpi ka koi phone laga. Mujhe ye baat unhe batani behad jaruri thi kyun ki agar sam apni shaitani shakti ke sath kisi tarah vapis aa gaya hai to is bare mein unhe pata hona jaruri tha. Mene akhir khud hi delhi jane ka faisla kiya lekin na jane kaise us raat ke baad meri tabiyat bigadne lagi, khoon ki ultiyan hone lagi aur har dum pet mein dard rehne laga. Isliye phir mene chitti likhni ki sochi aur usme bangle se lekar sam tak hue sabhi hadson ke barre mein bataya aur yahan tak ye bhi ki vo ab vapis aa chuka hai aur harsh ki jaan ko khatra hai. Mene chitti likhi aur chote pandit ke hath unhe delhi janne ko kaha. Meri bigadti halat ko dekh mei samajh chuki thi ki mei ab jada din jee nahi paungi lekin marne se pehle vo sach shilpi tak pahunchna behad jaruri thi lekin jab chote pandit vapis laute to unke pas ek buri khabar thi.
" matta vahan ab koi nahi rehta " meri halat itni bigad chuki thi ki mei ab dhang se bol bhi nahi paa rahi thi. Jo halat harsh ki hui thi mere sath bhi wahi hoti ja rahi thi, sharir ke kai hisson mein mere vo kalle nishan padhne lage the aur shayad bahut si chizen bhulne bhi lagi thi. Agar ye baat mei bhool gayi to shayad sab kuch khatam ho jata isliye har dum bas prabhu ka naam hi jeeva par hota. Lekin mei kisi ko bata bhi nahi sakti thi isliye chote pandit ko mene chitti ki baat mujhse karne ke liye mana kar diya tha. Badi himmat karke mene ek kagaz aur pen lekar unhe likh kar batane ki kosish ki.
" mujhse koi bhi baat mat kijeye, jo bhi apke pas hai use apne pas rakhie " chote pandit ne meri likhi hui baat ko man hi man pada aur han mein sar hila dia. " chitti kisi tarah bhi mujhe shilpi ko bhijwani hai behad jaruri hai " iske baad unhone mujhse koi dusra sawal nahi kiya aur mene unhe mere pas ane se saaf maan kar diya. Mei janti thi ki sam ka asar mujhpar hai aur vo mujhe har halat mein rokne ki kosish karega isliye mei nahi chahti thi ki vo meri baat sunne ya phir chote pandit ko kuch kare aur jis baat ka dar tha us raat wahi hua.
Der raat mei jaap kar rhi thi, ankhein aisi khuli hui thi mano kisi ne unhe khinch kar badi kar diya ho. Achanak hi mere kamre ka darwaja ' thhaaddddddddd ' jhatke mein khul gaya aur aisa mehsus hua ki koi darwaje par khada hai aur dhire dhire meri aaur aa raha hai lekin mene apna dhayan us taraf nahi kiya. Vo sayan mere kareeb aa khada hua aur mujhe dekhne laga. Ansu ankhon se utar aya, janti thi ant nikat hai isliye us ant mein mera dhayan sirf ishwar par tha. Mei zor-zor se mahadev ka naam lene lagi aur tabhi mera sharir hawa mein uthne laga, dhire-dhire vo hawa mein uthta gaya aur mei apne palang se uthte hue chatt ki aaur badhti gayi badhti gayi aur agle hi pal chatt se jaa takrai lekin abhi bhi koi mere badan ko piche se dhakka de raha tha aisa laga jaise vo chatt se mujhe daba dena chahta hai. Mera chehra aur mera sharir pisne laga muh se sirf " unggh unggghh " hi nikal paa raha tha jaise vo chahta tha ki mei apne ishwar ka naam na le sakun aur vo usme kayamab bhi ho chuka tha kyun ki mei ab apne parmatha ka naam lene mein saksham nahi thi.
" Mera ant najdeek tha lekin usi pal wahan chote pandit aa pahunche jabki unhe mene ane ke liye mana kiya tha. Jaise mera ishwar mujhe zinda rakhna chahta tha taki ek din aisa aye jab mei ye kahani khud bata sakun aur apne bete ko bacha sakun " amb ne chote pandit ki aaur dekhte hue apni baat khatam ki tab sabko samajh aya ki chote pandit ne us raat kya dekha tha, ek sawal unse bhi puchna baki tha par use jada jaruri amb ko kuch batana tha.
" mujhe apse ek baat kehni hai " shreyas soch raha tha ki vo ye baat kaise bataye " bhai ab hamare bich nahi raha " ye sunte hi amb ki ankhon mein jo dukh pasar raha tha vo usi pal beh nikla. Use sans lene mein dikkat si hone lagi. " bholenath ye tune kya kiya.. " shreyas uske dard ko samajh sakta tha, jo us raat hua uska dukh uske dil mein aaj tak dhadak raha tha, jis jagah use hona chahie tha us jagah uske bhai ne us raat le li thi jiski wajah se vo ab inke bich maujud nahi tha.
" sab bholenaath ki maya hai, mujhe laga usne isliye zinda rakha hai taki mei apne bete ko bacha sakun lekin shayad kahani sirf harsh ki thi hi nahi vo to use kahin jada aage nikal chuki thi " amb ek pal ke liye chup rahi " harsh ke sath aisa kya hua tha aur tum log sam ke sayein mein kaise aa gaye " amb jo ab tak sawalon ka jawab deti ayi thi usne ek sawal pucha. Uska sawal sun shreyas ne puri kahani ko sanchep mein batate hue khan aur neha ki ruh vapsi ke bare mein bata diya aur uske piche jo jo hua aur kaun kaun mara gaya sab kuch uske samne rakh diya.
" har har mahadev, tum bachon ne itna sab kuch saha hai " amb ka dil seham utha tha. Vo sochne lagi aur jaise baton ko jodne lagi, shreyas janta tha ki vo achanak se kya soch rahi hai aur vo kuch bolti use pehle shreyas bol utha.
" aap jo soch rahi hai wahi sawal mere pas bhi hai, hamare sath hue hadse ke baad humne bangle ki ruh ko khatam kar diya tha par saal bhar pehle sam ki ruh apse judi jiske baad aapke sath jo hua uski wajah se aap kisi ko kuch bata na saki aur usi dauran anshika ko usne chapet mein le liya shayad us anguthi ki madad se jo apne aap mein ek bahut bada rehsaye hai par abhi sawal ye hai ki use hamare bare mein kaise pata aur kya chahta hai vo humse? Kyu vo anshika ko chahta hai aur akhir itne saal baad vo vapis aya to aya kaise? " shreyas ne apne aur sabhi ke man mein chal rahe sawalon ko sabke samne rakh diya.
" is baat ka jawab mere pas bhi nahi hai beta, jis raat sam ne mujhe ganga nadi mein pakda tha usne bas itna hi kaha tha ki mene use maar diya tha taki hum use kaid kar sake lekin ab vo azad hai " amb ek pal ke liye ruki " mera yakeen karo vo chiz jo koi bhi hai vo bahut takatwar hai shayad pehle se kai jada guna " amb ki baat mein vo dehshat maujud tha jisne sabhi ke dilo mein dar ki ek aisi lehar chhodi ki uska asar unke chehre ki udi hui shaksiyat par nazar ane lagi. Shreyas kuch pal chup baitha amb ko dekhta raha.
" kahan gadda tha apne sam ko ? "