Kerosine lamp ki raushni us ghata-top andhere me aisi hi lag rahi thi jaise gahre kaale badalon se dhake huye aasman me kahin koi nanha sa udaas taara nazar aa jaaye.
Daisy apni nazar ko bhi usi raushni hi tak seemit rakhna chaahti thi. Us me itni himmat nahin thi ki baahar phaile huye andhere ki taraf aankhen bhi utha sakti. Un logon ne yahi badi kripaa kiya tha ki usay ek chhota sa tent de diya tha. Is par majboor nahin kiya tha ki wo bhi unhin khemon me se ek me raat guzaare.....jo samaan dhone waale mazdooron ya khud un ke liye tha. Magar Daisy soch rahi thi ki kya usay neend aa sakegi? Agar darawani sochen dimaag se jhatak bhi diye jaayen to ye samudra tat se takraane waali lahron ka shor aur dusri taraf jangal se aane waali bhayanak aawazen kab sone dengi. Wo nahin jaanti thi ki jis tapoo me film ki shooting hone waali hai wo itna weeran aur itna darawana hoga.
Sham dhalte hi wo kinaare par utre the aur Daisy ne director ke bartaav me saaf antar mahsoos kiya tha. Bas aisa hi laga tha jaise uski poori vyaktitva hi badal gayi ho. Yahaan pahunchne se pahle uske lahje me badi mithaas thi. Aur Daisy ne anumaan lagaya tha ki wo nishchit hi koyi high qualifide aur shareef aadmi hai.
Port Sayeed me usi ne us se karobaari baat cheet ki thi.....aur iss film ke liye agreement kiya tha jis ki shooting ek nazdiki taapu me hone waali thi.
Ye se kuchh bas achanak sanyog se hua tha. Daisy ek shaam shahar ke ek chhote se cafe me chai peene ke liye ruk gayi thi.
Magar wahan rukna kewal sanyog nahin tha. Office se waapasi par lagbhag har din wo sham ki chai wahin piya karti thi. Hamesha ki tarah us sham ko bhi akeli hi thi. Shayad hi kabhi kisi ne uske sath koi mard bhi dekha ho. Wahaan ke kisi customer ne bhi kabhi us se mil baithne ki koshish nahin ki thi, Iska kaaran shayad yahi ho sakta tha ki Daisy ka rakh-rakhaao opposite gender ke liye attractive nahin rahta tha. Bahut sundar aur aakarshak ladki thi lekin nain naksh me teekhapan bhi tha. Chup baithi ho to aisa lagta tha ki andar hi andar kisi baat pe kudh rahi ho. Aisa lagta thi ki jahaan koi us se bola ki bas phaad hi khayegi. Ye aur baat hai ki us se baat cheet karte samay kabhi kisi ne lahje me tez mizaaji hi halki si jhalak bhi na mahsoos kiya ho.
Lekin us sham jo kuchh hua usay anhoni hi kahna chaahiye. Us ne cafe me aa kar ek khali mez chuni thi aur wahaan ke eklaute waiter ka intezaar kar rahi thi. Lekin us se pahle hi ek ajnabi uski taraf badha tha.
"Madam....kya aap mujhe thoda sa time dengi?" us ne kuchh jhuk kar bade hi gentle dhang se puchha tha aur wo nervous ho gayi thi.
Dress aur style se wo koi sabhya aadmi hi laga tha.
"jj....ji....yy....yes sure....." wo zabardasti muskura kar haklaayi thi.
Us ne baithne se pahle ek baar phir se anumati maangi thi.....aur apna card us ki taraf badha diya tha.
"Ohhh...." Daisy ki aankhen hairat se phail gayi thin kyon ki wo to Misr(Egypt) ka ek seb se popular film director tha aur wo khud bhi us ke banaayi huyi films bahut pasand karti thi.
Kuchh formal baat cheet ke baad wo khula tha.
"Main aaj kal ek nayi film ki tayari kar raha hun madam aur us ke liye mujhe naye chehron ki talash hai. Aap ko agar film se interest hai to aap ye bhi jaanti hongi ki mere select kiye huye naye chehre ek hi film me star ho jaate hain." "jj....ji haan.....main jaanti hun."
"Mujhe ek heroine ki talash hai."
"Ohh.....to phir....mm...main kya kar sakti hun?" Us ne bechaini se puchha.
"Main aap ko kayi dinon se dekh raha hun. Maaf kijiyega.....I think ki us film ke liye aap se adhik suitable heroine aur koi nahin ho sakti. Again sorry for my straight talk."
Daisy ke liye ye ek bahut hi sansani-poorn anubhav tha. Kyonki us ki sab se pasandida entertainment film dekhna hi thi. Aur aam ladkiyon ki tarah wo bhi apne herine banne ki sambhavanaaon ko lekar hawaai mahal banaya karti thi.
Atlast dusre din hi wo usay apni maa ke paas le gayi aur budhi aurat ne ek bhaari rakam ke badle apni sahmati prakat kar di thi. Maamlaat tai ho gaye the. Lekin Daisy ne isay raaz hi rakha tha. Wo nahin chaahti thi ki ye baat uske firm ke asstt manager tak pahunche jo usay har keemat par firm hi me dekhna chaahta tha. Daisy uska kaaran bhi jaanti thi lekin khud asstt manager us samay tak nahin khula tha.
Anyway Daisy ne agreement sign kar diye the aur director ke anusar ek 'nazdiki taapu' ke safar ki taiyari kar rahi thi. Ye aur baat hai ki safar ka ant 8-10 ghante ke bajaaye 3 din baad hua. Raaste me usay yahi jawaab mila ki wo raah bhatak gaye hain aur ab kaafi ghumaao phiraao ke baad unka boat tapoo tak pahunch sakegi. Usay vishwaas nahin hua tha aur wo chintaaon me ghir gayi thi. Phir usay ye baat bhi buri tarah khatakne lagi thi ki 20 logon ki party me wo akeli ladki hai. Kya story me kewal ek hi aurat hogi? Us ne iske baare me bhi puchha tha jis ka jawab ye mila tha ki kuchh log aage bhi jaa chuke hain jin me 6-7 ladkiyaan bhi shaamil hain.
Lekin yahaan pahunch kar usay iss party ke alaawa door door tak aur koi nahin dikhayi diya tha. Wo to pahle hi se uljhan me thi.
Phir kinaare par utarte hi wo uss party ke baare me kyon na puchhti jo kuchh din pahle yahaan aa chuki thi.
Jawab me director ne usay iss buri tarah jhidki di thi ki wo sannaate me aa gayi. Us ne us ke lahje me darindagi mahsoos ki thi. Wo usay aisa hi khunkhaar laga tha ki phir wo us se aankhen milaane ki bhi himmat na kar saki thi.....aur ab us ki samajh me na aa raha tha ki usay kya karna chaahiye.
Saahil ki taraf se aane waali tez hawaayen tent ko buri tarah jhinjhod rahi thin. Lamp kabhi ka bujh gaya hota agar wo mamooli banawat ki hoti.
Achanak Daisy ne kadmon ki aahat suni aur seedhi ho kar baith gayi. Us ka dil tezi se dhadak raha tha. Phir jaise hi kisi ne tent ka parda hataya wo uth khadi huyi.
Aane wala wahin par ruk gaya. Ye wahi director tha jisay uske sathi Mr Bin Haam kah kar sambodhit karte the. Boat par hi Daisy ko pata chala tha ki us ka koi dusra naam bhi hai warna film director ki haisiyat se wo usay Yusuf Gamil ke naam se jaanti thi. Wo kisi jaduyi aakarshan ki tarah uske chehre par nazar tikaaye rahi. Is samay wo kitna darawana lag raha tha. Aisa hi lag raha tha jaise Daisy ne usay pahli baar dekha ho.
Yahi chehra us ne Port Sayeed me bhi aksar dekha tha. Lekin wahaan us par kitni narmi mahsoos hoti thi. Us ne aksar socha tha ki wo bad-soorat zaroor hai lekin kitna achha dil rakhta hai seene me jis ki jhalkiyaan aankhon me hi dekhi jaa sakti hain. Magar ab wo aankhen kitni bhayanak lag rahi thin. Moti si bhaddi naak.....tang peshani....bhaari jabde aur baayen nathune ke jod pe ek bada sa kaala ubhra hua til, Kitna khauf-naak chehra tha.....wo kaanp gayi.
"Kya tum dar rahi ho?" Bin Haam ne bharrayi huyi aawaz me puchha.
Daisy kuchh na boli. Wo buri tarah haanf rahi thi.
"Darne ka koi kaaran nahin." Wo muskuraaya. "Ye adventure bhi tumhen zindagi bhar yaad rahega." "Wo dusri ladkiyaan kahaan hain?" Daisy ke muhh se badi kathinaayi se nikal saka.
"Dusri ladkiyan...!" Bin Haam aage badhta hua bola..."Kya dusri ladkiyon ka hona tumhara darr door kar dega?"
Daisy phir kuchh na boli. Bhala is sawal ka jawab hi kya hota. Bin Haam ne canvas ke chhote se folding stool par baithte huye kaha. "Tumhare baare me mera anuman tha ki tum adventure pasand karti ho.....baith jaao." Daisy waise hi khadi rahi.
Achanak Bin Haam ne krodh bhari aawaz me kaha "Baith jaao....kya tum ne suna nahin." Daisy chup chap baith gayi.
"Kya tumhen apna baap Gasper yaad hai?" Haam ne kuchh der baad puchha.
"Kyon....?" Daisy chaunk padi. "Aap unhen kya jaanen....wo to das saal huye..........."
"Haan main jaanta hua uski maut ke das saal ho gaye. Main ne puchha tha wo tumhen yaad hai?"
"Main nahin samajh sakti un ka charcha kyon chheda hai aap ne...pahle to kabhi......"
"Ladkiiiiiii....kewal mere sawaalon ke jawaab do." Haam ne uski baat ko kaat'te huye kaha.
Achanak Daisy ne bhi jhunjlaahat mahsoos ki. Wo soch rahi thi ki wo is tarah ke betuke sawaal kyon kar raha hai. "Main apne baap ka zikr sunna pasand nahin karti.....aur na hi un ke sambandh me kisi sawaal ka jawaab doongi. Haam usay tez nigaahon se ghoor raha tha.
Safdar ko is ke alawa aur kisi baat ki chinta na thi ki Dangu ka kya hua. Kya Monica ne usay maar daala hoga. Waise wo to ab bhi 'Kabir Hause" me hi rah rahi thi.....aur Dangu ka casino ab bhi chal raha tha. Lekin Safdar ko wahaan un aadmiyon me se ek bhi dikhayi nahin diya jinhone Dangu aur Monica ki ladaayi me sar dhar ki baaziyaan lagayi thin.
Raat ke 9 baje the. Safdar casino me hi ek table par Imran ka wait kar raha tha. Pichhle 3 dinon se wo yahin mil rahe the. Safdar ab bhi usi hotel me rah raha tha.....aur aaj bhi usay pata nahin tha ki Imran kahan thahra hua hai.
Uski jaankari ke anusar Julia aur Chauhan waapas jaa chuke the. Lekin un ki waapasi ka kaaran bhi Imran se nahin maloom ho saka tha.
Kaale taapuon ke safar ki baat bhi us ke liye uljhan ka kaaran bana hua tha.
Khud Imran ka vichar bhi yahi tha ki iss baare me badi kathinaaiyaan saamne aayengi. X2 ke local agenton ne to saaf saaf kah diya tha ki wo iss safar ki bandobast ka zimma nahin le sakte. Is ka sab se bada kaaran ye tha ki ye taapuen aam jahaazi raaston se alag thalak awasthit the.
Anyway Safdar ki samajh se to ye safar asambhav hi sa ho kar rah gaya tha. Phir kya Imran pichhe hat jaayega?
9.15 pe Imran apni sampoorn murkhtaaon samet ek darwaaze me dikhayi diya. Lekin sharir par aisa dress nahin tha ki us par akaaran hi nazren uthen. Aaj kal wo iss sambandh me kaafi sawadhani barat raha tha. Aisi harkaten nahin karta tha ki log us ki taraf aakarshit ho jaayen. Haan agar sadharan haalat me chehre par murkhta bhi nazar na aaye to Imran hi kaisa.
Dhire dhire chalta hua wo Safdar ki mez tak aaya aur iss tarah sar jhuka kar baith gaya jaise kisi apne ka antim sanskar se lauta ho.
"umm...umm....kuchh nahin....." Imran ne thandi saans li aur phir kaha "Main kab se soch raha hun ki murge ki doom ko jharna kyon nahin kahte."
"Aur main ye soch raha hun ki yahaan hamaare makbare kis namoone ke banenge." "Chinta mat karo....main design taiyar kar raha hun." Imran ne ek aankh dabaayi.
"Ham kab tak is tarah jhak maarte rahenge?"
"Jab tak ki jhak khud hamen hi maarne ko taiyar na ho jaaye."
"To is baare me kisi tarah ki baat bhi na ki jaaye?" Safdar ne gusse bhare swar me kaha,
Imran kuchh kahne hi waala tha ki ek waiter ne chaandi ke plate me ek lifafa pesh kiya aur do kadam pichhe hat kar adab ke sath khada ho gaya.
Imran lifafa se khat nikaal raha tha. Safdar ki uchat'ti nigaal likhawat par padi. Lekin wo khat ke sandesh ko nahin jaan paaya.
Lekin itna anumaan ho hi gaya ki 2 line ka wo koi sandesh hi ho sakta hai.
"Ok.....chalo...." Wo lifafa ko tod marod kar jeb me thoonsta hua utha aur Safdar ko bhi sath aane ka ishara kar ke waiter ke pichhe chal pada.
Kuchh der baad wo 'Kabir House' ke residencial hisse ke ek kamre me the. Waiter unhen wahaan pahuncha kar jaa chuka tha.
"Dangu ka kya bana?" Safdar ne dhire se puchha.
"Bhala us bechaare ka kya ban sakta. 2-4 inch bhi bada hota to main usay assistant Tahseeldaar banwa deta."
"Nahin main us ke baare me seriously soch raha hun."
"Soche jaao....lekin Monica ke saamne unchi aawaz me na sochna warna ho sakta hai tumhen apni birth date yaad aa jaaye." Phir Safdar ke kuchh kahne se pahle hi Monica kamre me aa gayi aur wo usay dekhta hi rah gaya. Lambi chaudi hone ke baad bhi wo badi hi dilkash thi. Aur iss samay to.......specially us ka husn nikhar aaya tha kyon ki pahle kabhi Safdar ne usay itne achhe mood me nahin dekha tha. Aankhon me ajeeb si chamak thi aur honton ke kinaare is dhang se thirak rahe the jaise wo hansi rokne ki koshish kar rahi ho. Aur wo Imran hi ki taraf dekh rahi thi.
"Kyon shaitaan ke guru....kis chinta me ho?" us ne Imran hi se puchha.
"Tum ne mujhe pahchaanne me galati ki hai. Mujhe yaad nahin ki kabhi main ne kisi aurat ko apna chela banaya ho......waise kya tum fauran hi kaam ki baaten nahin shuru kar saktin?"
"haan...aannn....kaam ki baaten...." Wo saamne waale sofe par baithti huyi boli. (Jaari)
"Tum ne mujhe pahchaanne me galati ki hai. Mujhe yaad nahin ki kabhi main ne kisi aurat ko apna chela banaya ho......waise kya tum fauran hi kaam ki baaten nahin shuru kar saktin?"
"haan...aannn....kaam ki baaten...." Wo saamne waale sofe par baithti huyi boli.(Aage....)
"Yahaan ka koi jahaazi(Sailor) is safar ke liye raazi na ho saka." "Phir kya hoga?"
"Ab ek antim ghar dekhna hai. Agar us me bhi nakaami huyi....to phir kuchh bhi na ho sakega." "Ho sakega...." Imran ne josh bhare swar me kaha.
"Kya ho sakega?" Monica ne laparwaahi se kandhe uchkaaye.
"Badle ki aag thandi pad gayi..." Imran ne vyang bhare swar me kaha.
"Tum galat samjhe. Aag ab pahle se bhi tez bhadak uthi hai."
"Dekho...." Imran hath utha kar bola...."Main abhi tak isi liye ruka hua raha ki tum ne safar ke bandobast ki zimmedaari liya tha."
"Thik hai. Main samajhti hun. Lekin dusri sthiti me tum kya karte?"
"Ye mat puchho. Main samandar ki satah par bhi 400km/ghanta ki raftaar se daud sakta hun."
"Shhhh.....is samasya me tum bilkul bebas dikhaayi doge." Monica ne bura sa muhh bana kar kaha.
"Kisi antim ghar ki baat kar rahi thi tum...."
"Haan....tumhen is samay bulaane ka maksad yahi tha ki us par bhi gaur kiya jaaye. Is sambandh me jis vyakti se saamna hoga wo bahut chalaak hai. Shayad Dangu se bhi adhik. Lekin wo gumnaami me zindagi guzaar raha hai. Koi nahin jaanta ki uske kayi maal-waahak jahaz gair kanooni dhang se us ke liye karodon ki kamaayi karte hain."
"Achha to phir?"
"Phir kya. Main dekhungi ki tum kis tarah us ko raazi karte ho."
"Sawaal ye hai ki ham us se kahenge kya?" Safdar bola...."Asli maksad to prakat nahin kar sakte."
"Ohh.....shayad tum ne samundari luteron ke chupaaye huye khazaanon ki charcha bhi kiya tha." Imran ne Monica se puchha. "Haan.....ye baat famous hai ki un taapion me zameen me gade huye khazaane bhi hain. Khud mere baap Hopy ne bhi prakat me isi maksad se safar kiya tha.....aur mujhe pata hai ki wo kisi taapu ke kinaare par utra tha." "Anjaam kya hua tha us safar ka?" Safdar ne puchha.
"Aath aadmiyon ki party me se kewal Hopy zinda waapas aa saka tha. Lekin us ne bhi detail kabhi nahin bataayi. Yahi kahta raha ki wo us jagah tak pahunch hi nahin saka jahaan khazaane ke milne ki aasha thi."
Imran chewingum ka packet phaad raha tha aur us ki aankhen soch me doobi huyi thin. Achanak us ne kaha "Magar tumhen vishwaas hai ki wo Bogha ki hi talash me gaya hoga."
"Mujhe vishwaas hai."
"Lekin aakhir kis aadhaar par us ne itna bada khatra mol liya hoga?"
"Wo bhi badle ki aag me jal bhun raha tha."
"Ohho....kya boga ne usay direct koi takleef pahunchayi thi?"
"Us ne uske do jawaan bhaiyon ko maut ke ghaat utaar diya tha. Aur ant'tah uski maut ka kaaran bhi bana. Hopy itna chhichhoda nahin tha ki wo un papers ka sauda kisi desh ki sarkar se kar leta. Wo apne bhaaiyon ke hatyaare ko bech nahin sakta tha. Ye Tony ki bakwaas thi ki wo badi keemat lagaane waali kisi party ki talash me tha." Imran phir kisi soch me pad gaya. Kayi sawaal Safdar ke dimaag me bhi kulbula rahe the.
"Yahaan un logon me se ek bhi nahin dikhaayi deta jinhone tumhare khilaaf Dangu ya Bogha ka sath diya tha." Safdar aakhir puchh hi baitha.
"Wo sab meri qaid me hain." Monica muskuraayi. "us jhagde ka pata kewal unhin ko tha jinhone us me bhaag liya tha. Dusre kuchh bhi nahin jaante. Isliye unhen raaste se hataana hi pada. Lekin wo bhi nahin jaante ki Dangu ka kya anjaam hua. Kyonki
Dangu ne antim ladaai akele hi ladne ka prayas kiya tha aur abb......."
Monica chup ho kar muskuraayi aur boli...."Ab dusron ko ye samjhaya gaya hai ki Dangu 6 month ke liye Japan gaya hai. Aksar wo Jappan ka safar karta rahta tha."
"Kya sach much tum ne usay maar daala?"
"Badle ki bhavana se kisi ko maar daalana atyant murkhta ka kaam hai. Usay to is tarah zinda rakhna chaahiye ki wo maut ko maange.....cheekh cheekh kar kahe ki mujhe maar daalo."
Imran ne Dafdar ko ghoor kar dekha. Shayad wo usay is topic par baat karne se rokna chaah raha tha.
Safdar ne phir koi sawaal nahin kiya.
"Maamle ki baat karo." kuchh pal baad Imran ne Monica se kaha.
"Yahaan se ham sath nahin jaayenge. Tum donon baahar chalo. Jab tumhen koi taxi mil jaayegi tab hi meri gaadi harkat karegi.
Tum donon chup chaap pichhe chale aana."
"Ok...." Imran sar hila kar bola."Tum ne ye nahin bataya ki us vyakti se madad haasil karne ke liye kis prakar ki kathinaaiyan saamne aa sakti hain?"
"Wo mujhe pahchaanta hai.....yahi sab se badi kathinaayi hai."
"To phir ye kathinaayi ham apne sath kyon le kar jaayen?" Imran ne kaha aur Monica hans padi.
"Akele jaa kar dekho. Tum building me prawesh bhi nahin kar sakoge. Wo aise logon se milta hi nahin jinehn pahchaanta na ho."
"Aur tumhen chunki pahchaanta hai isliye koi help nahin karega. Main is ka kaaran jaanna chaahta hun."
"Dangu."
"Main nahin samjha."
"Wo Dangu se nafrat karta hai. Clear hai ki main bhi us ki nafrat se nahin bach sakti."
"Lekin wo tum se mil sakta hai. Kewal tum se hi nahin.....agar tumhare sath kuchh ajnabi hon tab bhi."
"Mere vichar se aisa ho sakega.....tum donon mere sath andar jaa sakoge."
"Agar tum usay vishwaas dila sako ki Dangu se tumhara jhagda ho chuka hai tab kya sthiti paida hogi?"
"Wo kabhi vishwaas nahin karega. Yahi samjhega ki main kisi prakar ka fraud karna chaahti hun." "Phir to ye khayal hi chhod do." Imran ne usay tatolne waali nazar se dekh kar kaha.
"Isi liye tumhen sath le jaa rahi hun ki shayad tum koi raah nikaal sako."
"Agar mujhe us ko achhi tarah samajhne ka mauka mil jaaye....to ye namumkin bhi nahin hai. Waise meri khopadi bharosemand nahin. Abhi shareefon ki tarah baat kar raha hun. Nahin kah sakta ki kab kutton ki tarah bhaunkne lagun."
"Main uski ek khaas kamzori tumhen bata rahi hun. Socho ki tum us se kya laabh haasil kar sakte. Us ka ek partner us ke liye headache ban kar rah gaya hai. Wo us se pichha chhudaana chaahta hai. Lekin is par us ki pakad mazboot hai. Vastav me wo iske kuchh bahut hi personal type ke raaz jaanta hai. Jis ke kaaran is ko dabna padta hai." (Jaari)
"Jis ke paas ham chal rahe hain wo Gaskar kahlaata hai aur partner ka naam hai Bin Haam. Ye Bin Haam bahut chalaak aadmi hai. Gaskar ki tarah gumnam bhi nahin hai. Dono ki partnership poonji aur labour ki partnership kahi jaa sakti hai. Matlab poonji Gaskar ki hai aur labour Bin Haam ka. Lekin Bin Haam poore business kar kabza karna chaahta hai. Yahi baat Gaskar ko khatakti hai. Aur wo har keemat par us ka ant chaahta hai."
"Ohh....to ye baat Bin Haam ko bhi para hoga.....kyonki jab tumhen pata hai....."
"Sahi hai. Agar wo na jaanta hota to kab ka khatam ho gaya hota."
"Hmmm.....lekin tumhari samajh se uski is kamzori se kaise faida uthaya ja sakta hai?"
"Ab ye bhi main hi bataaun?"
"Zaroor batao....kyon ki time bahut kam hai. Main adhik din yahaan nahin rukna chaahta. Agar khud hi koi raah nikaalne baithun to is ke liye in donon ko kareeb se dekhna hoga. Jaanti ho kisi ko kareeb se dekhna kitna kathin hota hai.......kitne dinon baad tumhen kareeb se dekh raha hun."
"Monica apni aankhon me nasha paida kar ke muskuraayi.....aur Imran hindi me badbadaaya...."Yaa pitaji urf abba-jaan...." "Whattt...." Monica chaunk padi.
"Kuchh nahin....main apne sathi se mashwira maang raha tha. Ham aapas me paitrik bhasha ka hi prayog karte hain." Imran ne uttar diya.
"Paitrik bhasha....?" Monica ne hairat se duhraaya.
"Haan....hamaari taraf maayen aksar goongi hoti hain. Is liye 'Father Tongue' hi chalti hai."
"Nahin.......mujhe dar mahsoos hota hai aisi bhasha sun kar jise main samajh na sakun. Isliye mere presence me sawadhani barto. Anyway....utho hamen Gaskar se milne chalna chaahiye."
Imran ne phir Safdar ki taraf dekha. Shayad wo usay khamosh hi dekhna chaahta tha.
"Suno.....ham yahaan se sath nahin jaayenge." Monica ne uthte huye kaha. "Tum donon baahar jaa kar ek taxi lo." Safdar ne darwaaze ki taraf mudte huye bura sa muhh banaya tha.
Baahar aa kar us ne kaha "Hamare sath jaane me kya buraayi thi?"
"Hoshiyar rahna....!" Imran bola. "Shayad ham phir kisi uljhan me padne waale hain."
"Kyon....kyon?"
"Parwaah mat karo....taxi dekho."
Safdar aage badh gaya. Kabir House ke gate ke nikat hi ek taxi mil gayi.
Abhi wo baithne bhi nahin paaye the ki Monica ki buke gate se nikli jise wo khud hi drive kar rahi thi.
"Isi gaadi ke pichhe chalo." Imran ne driver se kaha.
Buke ki raftar tez nahin thi. Kuchh der baad Safdar ne kaha "Ab ham nishchit roop se koi badi galti karenge. Meri samajh se to Monica bharose mand nahin hai."
Imran kuchh na bola. Safdar ne apni baat jaari rakhi.
"Iss samay ki be sar pair ki scheme mujhe samajh me nahin aayi."
"Iss liye sabar karo....aur....aur....ohh....ye to aisa lagta hai ki ham khandaron ki basti me safar kar rahe hain."
Charon taraf toote phoote makaan dikhayi de rahe the aur taxi aise raaste par chal rahi thi jise sadak to kisi haalat me nahin kaha ja sakta tha.
Gaadi ki head lamps hi raasta dikha rahe the warna yahaan raushni kahan. Tabhi monica ki gaadi ki pichhli red light jaag uthi. "Rok do..." Imran ne driver se kaha. Monica ki car ki speed bhi bahut kam ho gayi thi. Andaaz rukne hi jaisa tha.
Wo dono taxi se utar aaye. aur Imran ne kiraaya ada karte huye driver se kaha. "Agar tum us taraf diwaaron ke pichhe ruk sako to waapas bhi ja sakenge. Waapasi me tumhen adhik laabh hoga."
"No sir..." Driver la lahja achha nahin tha. Safdar ne us samay bhi us ki aankhon me sandeh ki jhalak dekhi thi jab wo gaadi ke bhitar raushni kar ke un ki shaklon ko dekh raha tha.
"Kya problem hai?" Imran ne puchha.
"Bass sir...." Driver ki aawaz me ab bhi kathorta thi "Agar mujhe pata hota ki aap idhar aayenge to main is par taiyar hi na hota." "Lekin kyon dost..." Imran ne dhire se puchha lekin uski aawaz shayad engine ke shor me dab kar rah gayi. Driver gaadi back kar raha tha.
Monica apni gaadi se utar kar unki taraf badh rahi thi, Chandani raat thi aur aas paas bikhre huye khandaron ka sannaata bada hi rahasyamay lag raha tha.
"Chalo....tumlog ruk kyon gaye?" Monica nazdik aa kar boli. "Kuchh door paidal bhi chalna padega. Aage raasta aisa nahin ki gaadi jaa sake."
"Gaskar kisi anubhavi ulloo ka naam to nahin hai." Imran ne ulloo ki tarah aankhen nachaate huye kaha. "Ohh ye bastiii.........basti vastav me aage hai. haha....tum samjhe shayad wo in khandaron me rahta hai." "Chalo...." Imran hath utha kar bola.
Monica aage thi aur ye donon pichhe chal rahe the. Raat thandi thi lekin itni bhi nahin ki Imran kisi sardi khaye huye bchche ki tarah kaanpne lagta. Uske halak se aisi hi aawazen nikal rahi thin jaise wo daant par daant jamaaye rakhne ki koshish kar raha ho.
"Kyon...? Kya ho gaya tumhen?" Monica ne chalte chalte ruk kar kaha.
"ss,,,,sardi....ll...lag rahi hai...." Imran ne kaanpte huye jawab diya.
"Sardi....? Monica ne hairat se kaha "Sardi kahaan hai........ohh...." us ne thahaaka lagaya..."Shayad tum dar rahe ho..." "Ho...ho...hope..."
"Agar in khandaron se dar rahe ho to Zulmaat me tumhara kya haal hoga?" "Wahaan ss...sardi to nahin hoti...." Imran ne daant kitkitaaye.
"Ohh....chalo..." Monica ne us ka kandha daboch kar aage badhaya.
Kuchh hi der baad wo ek basti me prawesh kiye. Bedhange banawat ke chhote bade makaanon ka silsila shuru ho gaya tha.
Iss samay wo ek sakri gali se guzar rahe the aur Monica ne torch jala li thi. Wo kewal apne kadmon ki aawazen sun rahe the.
Wahaan to marghat jaisa sannaata chhaya hua tha.
Kuchh der baad Monica ek makaan ke saamne ruk gayi. Lekin ab wo gali se nikal aaye the aur yahan donon taraf makaanon ke bich kaafi distance tha.
Monica ne darwaaze par dastak di aur achanak wo teeno tez kism ki raushni me naha gaye. Safdar ne baukhla kar upar dekha aur uski aankhen chaundhiya si gayin.
Monica ne darwaaze par dastak di aur achanak wo teeno tez kism ki raushni me naha gaye. Safdar ne baukhla kar upar dekha aur uski aankhen chaundhiya si gayin.(Aage....)
Bahut powerful searchlight thi. Monika barabar dastak diye jaa rahi thi. Kuchh der baad raushni gayab ho gayi aur darwaza ke pichhe se bharraayi huyi si aawaz aayi "Aahaa....Lady Monica....! Magar tumhare sath do ajnabi bhi hain.....shayad videshi...."
"Yess.....ham dostana mahaul me baat karenge. Hopy ki beti zubaan ki pakki hai."
"Gaskar bhi darpok nahin hai." Awaaz aayi aur halki si charcharahat ke sath darwaaza khula. Magar bhitar andhera tha.
Monica aage thi. Imran ne Safdar ko dhakka diya. Aur wo bedili se aage badha. Corridoor me enter karte hi pata chal gaya ki wahan gahra andhera nahin tha. Wo ek dusre ko dekh sakte the. Kuchh door chal kar Monica left me mudi.
Saamne hi darwaaza dikhaayi diya jis ki jhirriyon se tez raushni phoot rahi thi.
"Welcome Hopy ki beti....." Darwaaze ke pichhe se phir wohi aawaz aayi. Bolne waale ke lahje me is baar bahut kathorta thi.
Darwaaz khula aur unhen ek ajeeb si shakal dikhaayi di. Pahli nigaah me yahi tai karna mushkil tha ki wo koi aurat hai ya mard. Dress mardaana. Hathon me chamakdaar kade. Sar ke baal is had tak zaroor badhe huye the ki pichhe se kisi aurat hi ka dhoka hota. Umar 40 se kam na rahi hogi. Lekin chehra.....chehra hi usay vichitra bana raha tha. Kyon ki siray se daadhi aur moochh thi hi nahin. Ekdam tamatar jaisi chikni khopadi. Hont patle aur donon taraf bahut lambe. Aankhen kisi khunkhaar bhediye ka bhaav de rahi thi. Anyway wo chehra kayi different bhaavon ka effect de raha tha.
"Udhar...." wo kursiyon ki taraf donon hath utha kar saanp ki tarah phuphkaara.
Safdar aur Imran ne Monica ka hi anusaran kiya. Jab wo baith chuke ti us ne Monica se puchha "Main tumhare doston ko kis language me mukhatib karun?"
"Yugoslavia ke bashinde hain lekin English jaante hain." Monica ne kaha.
"Sure.....aisa hi hoga....kyon ki shaitaan ne Adam ko sab se pahle English hi sikhaayi thi." Gaskar ne kaha phir Imran se puchha...."Kya tum dono hathiyar-band ho?"
Safdar ne jhurjhuri si li....kyon ki usay ye sawaaal Monica se hi karna chaahiye tha. Sidhe un se puchhne ka matlab to yahi ho sakta tha ki Monica ne unhen dhoka diya hai. Us ne Monica ki taraf dekha jis ke chehre se be-parwaahi zaahir ho rahi thi. Uski bhanwen tan gayin.
Dusri taraf Imran ke chehre par aise bhaav the jaise uska to dam hi niklaa jaa raha ho. Us ne abhi tak Gaskar ke sawaal ka jawaab bhi nahin diya tha.
"Kya tum bahre ho?" Achanak Gaskar gurraaya.....aur us ki aankhen pahle se bhi adhik darawani ho gayin.
"Ye sawaal tumhen us se karna chaahiye jis ke sath ham aaye hain." Safdar ne bhi jhallaaye huye lahje me kaha.
"Wo tumhare baare me kuchh bhi nahin jaanti." Gaskar ka jawaab tha aur is jawaab ne Safdar ko yakeen dila diya ki Monica hi unhen kisi jaal me phasaane waali hai.
Kam se kam Safdar to bina hathiyar ke hi tha. Imran ke baare me nahin kah sakta tha ki wo kis position me hoga.
"Lady Monica...." Gaskar ne dhire se kaha. "In ki talashi lo."
Ab Safdar ko us ke hath me revolver bhi dikhayi diya.....jis se us ne donon ko cover kar rakha tha.
"Khade ho jaao." Monica ne thande swar me kaha.
"Ye sharafat hai tumhari...." Safdar gusse se paagal hua jaa raha tha.
Monica ne uttar dene ke bajaaye sakhti se hont bhinch liye. Wo un ki jeben tatol rahi thi. Imran ne to ab kaanpna bhi shuru kar diya tha. Wo daant kitkitaata hua bola...."Khuda ke liye raham karo......wo chewingum ka packet hai." "Imran saahab hosh me aaiye." Safdar gurraaya. Bhasha hindi thi.
Imran kuchh na bola. Monica un ki jeben tatol kar hat gayi thi. Safdar soch raha tha ki ab wo is tarah un se Bogha waale papers wasool karna chaahti hai.
"Aao...." Tabhi Gaskar ne unchi aawaz me kisi ko sambodhit kiya. Dusre hi pal 6 aadmi alag alag darwaazon se andar aaye.
"Inhen maaro..." Gaskar ne Safdar aur Imran ki taraf hath utha kar kaha.
"Aye......zyada zor se na maarna....." Imran ghighiyaya. "Mere maa-baap bahu gareeb hain. Agar toot phoot bhi ho gayi to dubaara meri marammat nahin karwaa sakenge."
Safdar un se nibatne ke liye paitraa badal raha tha lekin Monica ki hansi ki aawaz us ke kaanon tak pahunch hi gayi. Is liye jhalla kar bola "Tum log apni maut ko invite kar rahe ho."
Is par Gaskar bhi hans pada tha aur Safdar ka dil chaah raha tha ki wo apni hi botiyaan noch daale. Aakhir Imran jaisa ghaagh aadmi yahaan kaise aa phansa? Usay achhi tarah yaad tha ki Kabir House se nikalne ke baad us ne kisi nayi uljhan me phans jaane ki chinta prakat ki thi. Phir us ke baad bhi aa phansa.
Wo log un ki taraf badh hi rahe the ki Imran hath utha kar bola...
"Aye....dekho....mere sathi ko maaf kar do. Abhi haal hi me us ke baap ki shadi huyi hai. Hat jaao dost tum alag hat jaao....warna tumhare naujawaan baap ka dil toot jaayega."
Gaskar ne Monica ki taraf dekha. Andaaz sawaalia tha.
Safdar jhalaaya hua tha hi. Us ne bhi kaha...."Achhi baat hai....agar ye log is par agree hon to mujhe koi aapatti nahin hogi. Jap tum mar chukoge us ke baad sochunga ki ab mujhe kya karna chaahiye."
"Samajhdaar ladke ho." Imran sar hila kar bola...."Ab tum dekhoge ki naujawaan baap ka bhurtaa kaise banta hai."
Safdar jaanta tha ki Imran se anumaan ki galati shayad hi kabhi hoti hai. Wo nishchit un 6 aadmiyon par bhaari rahega. Lekin ye zaroori nahin ki is building me 6 hi aadmi hote.
Wo chup chaap kamre ke ek kone me khisak gaya. Usay ye bhi to dekhna tha ki iss jokering ka un par kya reaction hota hai. "Chalo yahi sahi...." Us ne Gaskar ki aawaz suni....aur us ki taraf dekhne laga. Wo khud us se sambodhit tha "Tum wahin thahro....lekin apni jagah se harkat nahin karoge.....revolver me poore round maujood hain."
Phir wo sab ek sath Imran par toot pade. Kamra itna bada tha ki Imran apni kalakaari ka pradarshan kar sakta tha. Uske halak se dari dari si aawazen nikal rahi thin. Lekin hamlawaron ke hosh bhi thikaane aate jaa rahe the.
2 minuts ke andar hi andar teen aadmi bekaar hokar rah gaye. Wo iss samay aise hi jache-tule hath maar raha tha. Jo nishane par aata tha apni kanpati sahlaata hua dher ho jaata tha. Gaskar aashcharya se palken jhapka raha tha......aur Monica bilkul iss dhang se muskura rahi thi jaise ye khal usay pasand aaya ho.
Ladte ladte ek baar Imran ne Gaskar ke daahine hath par jhapattaa maara aur revolver is tarah uchhal kar Safdar ki taraf gaya jaise us ke pankh lag gaye hon. Safdar ne bhi usay catch karne me kotaahi nahin kiya.
"Khel samaapt..." Wo unhen cover karta hua dahaada.
"Nahin.....chalne do..." Imran ne haank lagaayi. "Ye bechaare bhi bahut dinon se gahri neend ko taras rahe hain."
"Gaskar aur Monica....! Tum apni jagah se hilne ki himmat nahin karna." Safdar traggar par ungali rakhta hua bola. Lekin us ne Gaskar aur Monica donon hi ke andaaz me la-parwaahi mahsoos ki. Ab to Gaskar bhi muskuraa raha tha.
Itni der me chautha bhi gira. Baaki donon ab is tarah katraa rahe the jaise apna bhi wahi anjaam dekhna nahin chaahte hon. Tabhi Monica boli....
"Tum bekaar apna samay barbaad kar rahe ho Gaskar."
"Hunnn..." wo dhime se kuchh barbadaaya. Phir hath utha kar goonjili aawaz me bola. "Ruk jaao.....tournament samaapt ho gaya."
"Abhi to semi final hi chal raha hai dear..." Ye Imran ki aawaz thi. "Ab agar chaaho to mujh par fire bhi kar sakte ho."
"Nahin....nahin....thik hai....bas karo.....tum really kaam ke aadmi ho. Mujhe Lady Monica ki baat pe vishwaas nahin hua tha. Ye sab poori tarah dostaana mahaul me hua hai."
"Bakwaas band karo..." Safdar ne revolver ko hilaate huye kaha "Hamen itna murkh bhi na samjho......Imran sahab jaldi kijiye." Thik usi samay donon ladaakon ki gardanen Imran ki pakad me aa gayin aur un ke sar ek dusre se aise takraaye ki kamre ke seemit fiza me goonj kar rah gayi. Is goonj me donon ki cheekhen bhi shaamil thin.....aur takraane ki aawaz bhi. Wo donon bhi bejaan wastuon ki tarah zameen par dher ho gaye.
"Imran ne donon hath jhaade aur jeb se chewingum ka packet nikaalta hua bola...."Agar yahaan kewal 6 hi the to mujhe tum se hamdardi hai Gaskar."
Lekin Gaskar uski baaton ko udaa kar Monica se bola "Nishchit roop se mere ye 6 aadmi 60 par bhaari the.....lekin.....lekin....." Wo khamosh ho kar Imran ko ghoorne laga.
"Kya in me se koi mar bhi gaya hai?" Us ne puchha.
"Agar Lady Monica par nazar pad gayi hogi to zarur mar gaya hoga." Imran ne murkhon ki tarah kaha "Kyon ki ye ekdam bandook ki tarah muskuraati hain aur toap ki tarah lachak lachak kar chalti hain." "Aye....tum mera mazaak kyon udaa rahe ho?" Monica gusse se boli.
Imran us ki baat ka uttar diye bina Safdar ki taraf mud kar bola...."Revolver waapas kar do.....kyon ki wo khaali hai." "Tum kya jaano...!!!" Gaskar ne baukhlaaye huye lahje me kaha.
"Wazan pyaare...." Imran muskuraaya. "Different makes ke wazan ka anumaan hai mujhe."
Safdar ne revolver ke chamber check kiye. Phir wo Gaskar se bola "Kuchh bhi ho....main tum donon ko zinda nahin chhodunga." "Arre....jaane do." Imran hath hila kar bola...."Lady Monica ki khopadi ka ulloo abhi roohon ki duniya ki taraf flight kar jaane ke mood me nahin hai.....ab hamen waapas chalna chaahiye."
"Bewakoof na bano..." Monica ne kaha. "Baith jaao. Gaskar tumhara test lena chaah raha tha. Main pahle hi us se maamla tai kar chuki hun. Main ne tumhare baare me jo kuchh bataaya tha, isay us par vishwaas nahin hua tha......ab ham kaam ki baaten karenge. Bin Haam ke baare me bahut kuchh bata chuki hun."
Safdar ne hairat se usay dekha. Gaskar apne aadmiyon ko ulat palat kar check kar raha tha.
Kuchh pal baad us ne sar utha kar Imran se puchha "Ye mar to na jaayenge?"
"Agar aage bhi aisi harkar karenge to zaroor mar jaayenge. Abhi iski koi sambhavana nahin."
"Aao....to chalen....kisi dusre kamre me baithenge. Lagbhag kitni der baad inhen hosh aa jaayega?"
"Paristhiti par nirbhar hai. Agar farsh me khatmal honge to ye abhi hosh me aa jaayenge.....warna subah tak chain se soyenge." Wo dusre kamre me aaye jo kuchh chhota lekin wel maintained tha. Monica ne jaldi maamle ki baat shuru kar di. "Bin Haam kal usi island ka safar karne waala hai.....jahaan ham jaane waale hain." "Taapuon ki baat kar rahi ho ya kisi khaas taapu ki?" Imran ne puchha.
"Main is ke chehre par thakan ke bhaav bhi nahin dekhta." Gaskar bol pada. Wo Imran ko aisi hi nigaahon se dekh raha tha jaise wo koi ajooba ho.
"Please..." Imran hath utha kar bola. "Mere paas time bahut kam hai. Gair zaroori baaten na karo."
"Main usi vishesh island ki baat kar rahi hun jahaan se Hopy sab kuchh lutaa kar lauta tha. Us ke sab se unche pahaad ki choti kisi magarmachh ke phaile huye muhh jaise lagte hain. Aur isi relation se usko Crocodial island kahte hain." "Bin Haam wahaan kyon jaa raha hai?" Imran ne puchha.
Monica ne Gaskar se kaha..."Ab tum hi bataao."
"Main jaanta hun ki Bin Haam ko film making se kabhi interest nahin raha lekin wo achanak film producer ban baitha hai. Is sambandh me har baat anhoni si lagti hai. Film banaana....aur wo bhi kahaan.....Zulmaat me? Jahaan ki kalpana se bhi rongte khade ho jaate hain."
"Achha to phir?"
"Us ke sath jaane waalon me sabhi mere liye ajnabi hain. Kewal boat ka Strocker hi mere aadmiyon me se hoga., Baaki team wo khud hi select karega, Is chaal ka maksad samjhe ya nahin?"
"Wo bhi lage hath samjhaate chalo....time kam hai."
"Usay dar hai ki agar poora staff aisa hua jis par mera bhi control ho wo island me hi rah jaayega.....aur boat waapas aa jaayega. Lekin akela Strocker waapas aane hi himmat nahin kar sakta." "Thik hai." Imran kuchh sochte huye sar hilaaya.
"Usay 20 aadmi bharti karne hain. 16 ho chuke hain lekin 4 abhi tak nahin mile."
"Main khuda se dua karunga ki wo bhi mil jaayen." Imran ne badi imaandari se kaha,
"Suno.....mazaak udaane waali baaten na karo." Gaskar jhunjala gaya. "Jis aadmi ke dwaara wo bharti kar raha hai us par mera bhi kuchh prabhaav hai. Agar main chaahun to wo tum logon ko un 20 aadmiyon me khapa sakta hai."
"Bakwaas mat karo." Monica bol padi "Agar main na gayi to tum bhi na jaa sakoge." "Kya Bon Haam tujhe nahin pahchaanta?" Imran ne puchha.
"Pahchaanta hai."
"Phir kya wo tumhen le jaana pasand karega?"
"Ohh....abhi tum kal hi to kah rahe the ki mera sathi make up ka specialist hai." Monica ne safdar se kaha. "Make up...?" Imran ne hairat se kaha. "Sawaal to ye hai ki wo kisi aurat ko le jaana pasand bhi karega ya nahin." "Right Lady Monica......usay ab kewal bojh dhone waale mazdooron ki hi zaroorat hai." Gaskar bola.
Monica kuchh na boli.
Imran thodi der tak khamosh rah kar bola...."Achhi baat hai Monica main tumhen mazdoor bana dunga....magar tumhen apne baal katwaane padenge."
"Chinta na karo.....ye bhi ho jaayega."
"Ohho....Lady Monica tum aakhir kyon jaana chaahti ho wahaan?" Gaskar bola.
"Main tumhen pahle hi bata chuki hun ki mere baap ki hatya ka us island se kuchh na kuchh sambandh zaroor hai."
"Ok....mujhe is bahas se kya lena dena." gaskar barbadaaya. Phir Imran ko ghoorta hua bola...."Magar main is par agree kyon hua hun. Bhala mujhe is se kya interest ki Monica ke baap ki hatya ki kadi us island se jaa milta hai."
"Iss sawaal ka jawaab bhi khud hi de daalo. Is tarah ke arithmatic me main bahut kachcha hun"
"Main Bin Haam ki waapasi nahin chaahta." Gaskar ne thande swar me kaha. Tumhen usay har haal me khatam kar dena hoga." "Ohh....ye to bayen hath ka khel hai." Imran chutki baja kar bola.
"Bas main itna hi chaahta hun. Main Strocker ko samjha doonga jab tak tum usay wahaan rokna chaahoge ruka rahega aur tumhen waapas le kar hi aayega." Wo sab khamosh ho gaye.
Har ek kuchh na kuchh soch raha tha.
Lekin Safdar is ke alawa aur kya sochta ki is samay haalat ne Monica ki scheme chaupat kar di thi is liye ab wo koi dusra jaal bichhaane ki koshish kar rahi thi. Wo kewal sochta hi raha. Kuchh bola nahin. Infact ab wo Bogha waale case se buri tarah bore ho gaya tha. Us ki samajh hi me nahin aata tha iska ant kab aur kahaan hoga.
"Haan to tumhen vishwaas nahin hai ki Bin Haam film ki shooting ke liye hi wahaan jaa raha hai." Imran ne Gaskar se puchha.
"Yess...mujhe yakeen nahin hai."
"Phir kya sochte ho?"
"Khazaane ka chakkar." Gaskar ne bura sa muh bana kar kaha. "Zulmaat ke islands isi liye vishesh roop se famous hain. Warna un me rakha hi kya hai.....aur main to yahaan tak kahne ko taiyar hun ki tum log bhi usi chakkar me jaa rahe ho."
"Arre waahh...." Imran ne bhonda sa thahaaka lagaya. "Ye to samajh gaya."
"Achhi baat hai." Gaskar uthta hua bola. "Ab tum log jaao. Kal shaam tak wo niklenge." (Jaari) Update-7 Zulmaat Ka Devta:
Daisy ko bahut mushkil se neend aayi thi. Baar baar oonghti aur chaunk padti. Kabhi aisa lagta jaise koi jangali darinda jhapat pada ho. Kabhi mahsoos hota jaise boat doob rahi ho. Kabhi lagta Bin Haam apne bhayanak chehre ke sath us par jhapat raha ho.
Lekin phir bhi dare huye dimaag aur adhik thakan ke kaaran neend aa hi gayi......aur usay sapno ki andheri duniya me dhakel diya.
Magar phir wo ek cheekh ke sath jaagi thi. Aisa laga tha jaise koi gala ghont raha ho. Us ne uthne ki koshish ki aur tabhi usay ehsaas hua ki wo sapna nahin tha. Sach much kisi ke hath us ki gardan par the.
Ek baar phir wo cheekh padi.
"Kon hai......kya hai....?" Kisi ne baahar se cheekh kar kaha aur agyaat hath us ki gardan par se hat gaye. Tent me andhera hi tha.
Lekin usay pata chal gaya ki gardan dabaane waala tezi se baahar nikal gaya hai. Wo phir se cheekhne lagi.
"Kya hai.....kya baat hai?" Kisi ne tent ka parda hataaya......aur phir wo torch ki raushni me naha gayi. Aane waala Bin Haam tha.
Daisy buri tarah haanf rahi thi. Usay aisa lag raha tha jaise wo naamaloom(agyaat) hath ab bhi us ka gala ghont raha hai.
"Kya hai.....kya hua....?" Chaaron taraf se aawazen aane lagin. Shayad dusre bhi jaag gaye the.
"Khamosh raho." Bin Haam ne andar se kaha aur Daisy ko ghoorta hua bola "Kya baat thi?"
"kk....koi....mera gala ghont raha tha." Wo gardan sahlaati huyi kathinaayi se bol rahi thi."
"Ohh....tum ne sapna dekha hoga."
"Nahin.....sapna nahin." Us ne kaha. Phir achanak uchhal padi aur paagalon ki tarah chillaane lagi...."Mera locket......mera locket...."
"Bin Haam usay gaur se dekh raha tha aur us ke hont bhinche huye the. Light ka focus ab bhi Daisy ke chehre par tha. "Mera locket Mr. Haam......wo mera locket le gaya...." Daisy ne kisi tarah apni hysterian type ki cheekhon par control paate huye kaha.
"Kon le gaya....?"
"Main kya jaanun? Mujhe aisa laga tha jaise koi gala ghont raha ho.....lekin wo locket hi le gaya hai." Us ne gardan par hath pher kar siskaari li aur ungaliyon me chipcipaahat mahsoos huyi.
"Ohho....khoon...." Bin Haam bola kyon ki Daisy ka hath raushni me tha aur wo bhi bura sa muh banaate huye khoon lagi ungaliyon ko dekh rahi thi.
Bin Haam aage badha. Daisy ki gardan par ek lambi si kharaash thi jis se khoon riss raha tha.
"Kya dekh rahe ho?" Daisy ne siski li. "Mera locket mujhe de do.....khuda ke liye.....warna wo tum sab par tabaahi laayegi." "Mujh se maang rahi ho locket....main kya jaanun. Magar ye kya. Bhala koi locket ham par kaise tabaahi laa sakta hai?" Bin Haam ne kaha aur chup ho kar baahar ki aawazen sunne laga.
"Jaao....tum sab khemon me jaao..." Us ne goojti huyi aawaz me kaha aur phir wahaan sannaata chha gaya. Kewal kadmon ki aawazen vatavaran me halchal kar rahi thin.
Bin Haam phir ladki ki taraf mudaa aur jeb se diya-salaai ki dibiya nikaal kar us ke saamne phenkta hua bola....."Lamp jalaao.....tum ne usay bujhaya hi kyon tha?"
"Main ne nahin bujhaya tha. Bujha hi nahin sakti thi. Itne mazboot dil waali nahin hun ki aise darawane mahaul me light bujha kar soti." Daisy ne kaha aur lamp jalaane lagi sath hi barbadaati bhi jaa rahi thi "Mera locket mujhe waapas milna chaahiye warna main khudkashi kar lungi. Aakhir tum log mujhe yahaan kyon laaye ho. Mujhe vishwaas hai ki locket tumhaare hi paas hai."
"lagta hai paagal ho gayi ho....main koi aisa tedha tareeka kyon apnaata?"
"O...my god.....kya main paagalon me aa phansi hun?" Us ne donon hathon se sar thaam liya.
"Idhar dekho..." Haam ko gussa aa gaya "Tum kya bakk rahi ho?"
"Mujhe yahaan kyon laaye ho.......kyon laaye ho?"
"Meri baat ka jawaab do.....aakhir tum kis buniyaad par kah rahi ho ki locket mere hi paas hoga?"
"Tum ne island 'Zulmaat' aur mere baap ka refrance kyon diya tha?"
"Ohho....to kya wo locket usi silsile ki koi kadi thi?" Haam ka lahja chunkne waala hone ke sath sath hairat bhara bhi tha. Daisy jawaab dene ki bajaaye phoot phoot kar rone lagi. Haam kisi soch me pad gaya. Usay dekh kar aisa nahin lag raha tha ki usay ladki ke rone ki thodi se bhi chinta rahi ho.
"Ohh.....samjha...." thodi der baad wo barbadaaya....."Dhoka..."
Phir kass ke hont bhinch liye. Shayad wo apne bhitar ke gussa ko dabaane ki koshish kar raha tha.
Bade kheme me wo sab ikattha the.....aur Bin Haam ek ek ko aise ghoor raha tha jaise kachcha hi chaba jaayega.
"Bataao...wo kaali bher kon hai jis ne ladki ke gale se locket paar kiya?" Bin Haam garjaa.
Usay koi uttar na mila. Phir achanak us ne ek aadmi ki taraf hath utha kar bola...."Moren....tum jawaab do.?"
Ye gatheele sharir ka ek aakarshak vyakti tha. Kad me Haam ke barabar hi raha hoga. Aankhon se chalaaki prakat ho rahi thi. "Pata nahin....kin hawaaon me udd rahe ho Haam...?" Us ne hairat se kaha...."Kaisa locket?" "Ladki ke baare me kis ne jaankari di thi?" Haam kadwe swar me bola.
"Main ne...." Moren ne uttar diya.
"Lekin koi baat chhupaayi thi."
"Bewakoofi ki baaten na karo..."
"Ohh.....ye himmat....!!" Bin Haam aankhen nikaal kar bola..."Zaroor tumhara dimaag phir gaya hai."
"Tum khud ko party ka leader samajhte ho Haam....jabki ye bakwaas hai."
"Kya matlab....?"
"Agar in logon me se koi bhi tumhara order maanne ke liye taiyar ho jaaye....to mujhe zaroor maar daalo."
Bin Haam ne palken jhapkaayi. Iss tarah ke challange kisi mazbooti ke kaaran hi kiye jaate hain. Usay sochna pada.
Moren badi nischintata se usay dekh raha tha. Petromax ki raushni me us sab ke diwaangi bhare chehre ajeeb se lag rahe the. Moren Haam ko khamosh dekh kar bola...."Suno...tumhen leader banaaye bina ham boat haasil nahin kar sakte the....kya samjhe."
"To locket tumhaare hi paas hai..."
"Main nahin jaanta ki tum kis locket ki baat kar rahe ho?"
"Ladki so rahi thi. Kisi ne us ke gale se zabardasti us ka locket khinch liya. Us ki gardan par badi si kharaash hai." "Ye sugestion kitni murkhta bhari thi ki usay alag tent me rakha jaaye." Moren ne kaha.
"Wo bhaybheet thi." Bin Haam ne kaha. phir daant pees kar bola...."Ohh....kya bakwaas hai....main to sach much isi dhang se baat kar raha hun jaise tum hi leader ho."
"Hukm de kar dekho kisi ko...." Moren ne thahaaka lagaya.....aur Daisy aage badh kar boli "Agar locket tumhaare paas hai to waapas kar do.....warna wo tum sab par tabaahi laayegi."
"Bakwaas band karo." Moren ne hath hila kar kaha. Phir Haam se bola...."In sab ke baad bhi main nahin chaahta ki yahaan koi jhagdaa ho. Lekin ab tumhen ek qaidi ki haisiyat se rahna padega. No no......jeb me hath daalne ki koshish na karo."
"Aye.....thahro...." achanak ek lamba tadanga habshi hath utha kar bola...."Aisa lag raha tha jaise wo kuchh sunne aur samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho.
"Sunaa...." Wo ungali utha kar bola.
"Haan....wo kisi chidiya ki aawaz thi." Moren bola "Tum kya kahna chaahte ho?"
"Nahin.....ye kisi chidiya ki aawaz nahin thi. Main jangalon ka keeda hun."
"Phir tum usay kya samajhte ho?"
"Bahut kareeb se hamaari nigraani ki jaa rahi hai......aur ye aawaz.....ye kisi ke liye kisi ka sandesh tha."
Achanak Haam ne Moren par chhalaang lagaayi aur wahaan achha khaasa hangaama shuru ho gaya. Phir chaar aadmiyon ke alaawa sabhi ladaayi me ulajh pade. Un chaaron me ye habshi bhi tha. Ek taraf Daisy khadi haanf rahi thi. Phir wo bhi khisak kar unhin chaaron ke kareeb aa gayi.
"Ye kya ho raha hai.....ye kaisa paagalpan hai? Kya ye log usay maar hi daalenge?" Us ne kanpkapaati huyi aawaz me kaha.
"Nahin.....pyar kar ke chhod denge." Us aadmi ne kaha jo soorat se hi murkh lag raha tha "Us locket me kya tha?"
"Duniya ka se se khatarnaak jaadu.....ye sab mar jaayenge....o my god...."
"Ab kya vichar hai?" ek naujawan sa aadmi ne murkh se puchha. "Kya usay bachaane ki koshish ki jaaye?"
"Khud ko bachaane ki koshish karo...." Habshi bola. "Wo aawazen aisi hi thi ki.....ki.....holy father....." (Jaari) Update-8 Zulmaat Ka Devta:
Wo uchhal pada aur baukhlaaye huye dhang se murkh se bola...."Ham gher liye gaye hain boss......wo bahut nikat hain." Murkh kuchh kahne hi waala tha ki Haam ki ghuti ghuti si cheekhen sunaayi dene lagin. "Aray tum sabhi kya namak-haram ho.....koi bhi meri madad nahin karega?"
Eka-ek murkh ke donon hathon me revolver dikhaayi diye aur us ne cheekh kar kaha...."Hat jaao.....Mr. Haam ko chhod do....warna koi bhi zinda nahin bachega."
"Kya kar rahe hain...?" Naujawaan aadmi uske kandhe par hath rakhta hua bola...."Haam ke mar jaane me hamaara kya nuksaan hai?"
Lekin murkh waise hi un logon ki taraf revolver taane raha. Wo sab Haam ko chhod kar hat gaye the.
"Kya tumhara dimaag kharab ho gaya hai?" Moren apna donon hath upar uthaaye huye dahaada. "Tumhen kis ne naukar rakha hai?"
"Iss ne..." Murkh ne apne sameep khade naujawaan aadmi ki taraf ishara kiya.
Haam zameen par baitha haanf raha tha. Us ke kapde kayi jagah se phat gaye the aur chehre par kayi zakham the. "Ye kon hai...?" Moren ne naujawaan vyakti ki taraf ishaara kar ke puchha.
"Party leader...."
"Kya bakwaas hai...."
"Yahi baat kuchh der pahle Mr Haam ne bhi kaha tha. Is liye main bura nahin maanunga. Waise tumhari jaankari ke liye niwedan hai ki ham sab nark bheje jaa rahe hain. Jangaliyon ne hamen chaaron taraf se gher liya hai. Kaala aadmi jhoot nahin bolta."
Haam utha aur bilkul paagalon ki tarahMoren ki taraf badhne laga. Us ke hath is tarah phaile huye the jaise Moren ka gala ghontna chaahta ho.
"Mr. Haam....!! Goli maar dunga agar tum ne Moren ko hath bhi lagaya." Murkh ne usay lalkaara.....aur Haam ke kadam ruk gaye. Phir wo uski taraf muda. Haam ki aankhen khunkhaar thin. Us ne muh se kuchh nahin kaha lekin sawaia nigaah se usay dekh raha tha.
"Mujhe tum se koi matlab nahin hai Mr. Haam. Main to party ke leader ke liye kah raha hun." Murkh ne kaha.
"Tum Moren se bhi adhik paagal lagte ho."
Murkh usay koi jawaab dene ke bajaaye habshi se bola...."Kya tum baahar nikal kar apni aashanka ko clear kar sakte ho?" "Main andhere me marna pasand nahin karta boss. Ham subah tak usi haalat me surakshit rah sakte hain ki kheme se baahar kadam na nikaalen. Wo hamen gher chuke hain.....lekin subah se pahle hamla nahin karenge."
Murkh thodi der chup raha phir Haam se bola "Ham tumhari leadership maan lenge agar tum is samay kheme se baahar nikalne ki himmat kar sako......ohh nahin Mr Moren.....tum ya tumhare aadmi mujhe kabhi gaafil nahin paa sakte. Apni jagah se ek kadam bhi hat kar dekho....khopadi ka chhed seetiyaan bajaayega."
"To iss tarah tum hamen jangaliyon ke hawaale karna chaahte ho jo tumhare kahne ke anusaar hamen gher rahe hain." Moren gurraaya.
"Haha...." Murkh ne thahaaka lagaya. "Mr Moren tumhare 2 aadmi iss samay bhi kam hain. Kya tumhen un ke baare me chinta nahin hai?"
"Kya matlab?"
"Kuchh bhi nahin." Murkh ka swar kathor tha "Josef aur Safdar....tum in logon ko jaldi se jaldi be-hathiyar kar do."
Bahuton ne murkh ko gaaliyaan dena shuru kar diya tha.....lekin Safdar aur Josef ne unki talashi le kar unhen behathiyar kar dene me der nahin lagaayi.
"Mr Haam kis khushi me chhod diye gaye hain?" Murkh ne kaha. Uske sathiyon ne Haam ki talashi nahin li thi.
"Ye nahin ho sakta." Haam gurraya.
"Haan....khud tum se to nahin ho sakega....is liye dusre hi ye takleef karenge......Josef....!!"
Habshi ne Haam ko bhi tatolna shuru kar diya aur us ki jeb se sirf ek bada shikaari chaaku hi baraamad kar saka.
"Ab jaao...." Murkh kuchh der baad hath utha kar bola...."Un donon ko talash karo jinhon ne tumhen is shanka me daala ki jangali hamen ghere me le rahe hain."
"Main nahin samjha boss."
"Mr Moren kya tum is kaali aqal waale ko samjhaane ki koshish nahin karoge?" Murkh bola.
"Tum apni maut ko aawaz de rahe ho.....isay yaad rakhna." Moren ne daant pees kar kaha.
"Meri memory bahut kamzor hai isliye note kar loonga. Josef.....Safdar baahar jaao.....wo donon tumhen aas paas ki jhaadiyon me zaroor milenge. Ab tumhen anumaan to ho hi gaya hoga ki kaun yahaan nahin hain." Safdar ne sar ko dhire se hila kar Josef ko baahar chalne ka ishara kiya.
Murkh ke donon hathon me ab bhi revolver the aur wo kisi ki tara se bhi laparwaah nahin tha. Josef aur Safdar baahar chale gaye. Murkh Moren se kah raha tha "Tumhari scheme ye thi ki habshi hi logon me bhay phailaane ka kaaran bane. Tumhen vishwaas tha ki wo aawazen sun kar jangaliyon ke hamle ki hi aashanka prakat karega. Wo jaanta hai ki jab kayi toliyaan shikaar ki khoj me nikalti hain to ek group dusre ko apni safalta ki suchna dene ke liye chidiyon ki aawazon ka hi sahaara lete hain. Lekin tum aatank kyon phailaana chaahte the?" Wo chup ho kar Moron ko ghoorne laga.
"Bakte raho..." Moren chidh kar bola.
"Ok.....main iska jawaab bhi rakhta hun." Murkh sar hila kar bola. Tum jaante the ki locket ke kaaran hangaama zarur hoga. Aur Haam nishchit roop se tumhen hi doshi samjhega. Is liye tum ne ye scheme banaayi ki thik usi samay jab locket ki samasya chhidi ho jangaliyon ke aane ka hullad mach jaaye aur is hangaame se faida utha kar tum apne kuchh khaas sathiyon ke sath kisi taraf nikal jaao.....kyon kya main galat kah raha hun?"
"Tum bakwaas kar rahe ho."
"To phir ye hi sahi hoga ki tum nikal bhaagne ke liye ye hangaama nahin karaana chaahte the balki maksad ye tha ki hangaame ke bich Haam aur uske khaas sathiyon ko chun chun kar maar daalo....aahaan.....yahi ho sakta hai........warna locket haasil kar lene ke baad tum kheme ki taraf waapas hi kyon aate?"
Moren kuchh na bola.....wo apne sookhe honton par zubaan pher raha tha.
Tabhi Safdar aur Josef do aadmiyon ko dhakelte huye andar laaye.
"Good..." Murkh muskuraaya. "Ye hain wo jangali....jinhone hamaara ghraao kiya tha. Moren locket nikaalo. Warna ek sath 2 goliyaan tumhari khopadi me prawesh kar jaayengi."
Moren kuchh na bola. Haam ki aankhon me paagalon jaisi chamak dikhai de rahi thi. Us ne murkh se puchha...."Aur mera kya anjaam hoga?"
"Iska faisla ye ladki karegi" Murkh ne Daisy ki taraf ishaara kiya.
"Nahin nahin..." Daisy bechain dhang se boli "Main kisi ki laash dekhna pasand nahin karungi."
"Lekin tumhin ne kaha tha ki tumhara locket in logon par tabaahi zaroor laayega."
"Nahin nahin....main maut aur khoon dekhne ki himmat nahin kar sakti."
"Iss bechaari ko yahaan khinch laane ka kya maksad tha Haam?"
"Yahi suwar bataayega." haam ne Moren ki taraf dekh kar kaha. "Isi ne mujhe us ka pata bataya tha aur yahaan laane ki scheme banaayi thi."
"Lekin kyon...? Locket to tum wahaan bhi chheen sakte the?"
"Mujhe kisi aise locket ke baare me koi jaankari nahin thi. Wahaan is ne mujhe yahi bataya tha ki ye ladki island me gupt khazaane ke baare me bataayegi. Us ke baap ne usay un chhupe huye khazaanon ke baare me bahut kuchh bata diya hai." "Nahin,,,,nahin.....mera baap samudri lutera nahin tha. Us ne mujhe kabhi chhupaaye gaye khazaanon ke baare me nahin bataaya. Bas wo meri maa se naraz tha.....is liye hamaare sath nahin rahta tha."
"Baapon ko samajhna mushkil kaam hai. Yahaan tak ki baapon ke baap bhi ek dusre ko nahin samajh sakte. Magar ye locket....!
Kya tumhari samajh se iska koi importance tha?" Murkh ne Daisy se puchha.
"Bahut zyada....kyonki wo ek marte huye baap ka tohfaa tha." daisy ne thandi saans li. Kuchh pal khamosh rahi phir bharraayi huyi aawaz me boli..."Wo hamaare sath nahin rahta tha. Meri maa to uski shakal bhi dekhne ko taiyar nahin thi. Lekin us ne kabhi mujhe iska kaaran nahin bataaya. Bahut hi kathor dhang se manaahi thi ki main baap se kabhi na milun. Lekin mujhe us se badi muhabbat thi. Main aksar us ke ghar jaati rahti thi. Maa ko ye baat kabhi pata nahin chali. Ek baar wo bahut bimar ho gaya. Bachne ki koi ummid na thi. Usi samay me us ne mujhe wo locket diya tha aur request kiya tha ki main us samay tak locket ko na kholun jab tak meri shadi na ho jaaye. Is ke sath hi us ne is baat pe zor diya tha ki main kisi aise aadmi se shadi karun jo achha jahazi(Sailor) ho aur bahut himmat waala ho. Ye bhi kaha tha ki agar main ne shadi se pahle isay khola ya kisi ko diya to wo locket donon par tabaahi laayega. Iss se adhik main us locket ke baare me kuchh nahin jaanti." Daisy chup ho gayi aur Murkh Moren ko ghoorne laga.
"Mujhe jawab do Moren..." Us ne kaha "Ladki ko tum yahaan kyon laaye the?"
"Tum meri zabaan se kuchh nahin sun sakoge. Kaash main ne sab se pahle tumhen hi thikaane laga diya hota." "Nahin....ye kabhi nahin ho sakta Mr Moren.....log aksar mujhe murkh samajh kar maaf kar dete hain." "Tum kon ho?" Haam ne bharrayi huyi aawaz me puchha.
"Main us patni ka pati hun jo shayad kabhi paida na hogi.......aur agar paida ho hi gayi to sar par hath rakh kar royegi zindagi bhar."
"Main us patni ka pati hun jo shayad kabhi paida na hogi.......aur agar paida ho hi gayi to sar par hath rakh kar royegi zindagi bhar." < image >(Aage....)
Safdar ki ye samajh me nahin aa rahi thi ki ab aage kya hoga. Imran Haam ka sath dega ya Moren ka. Port Sayeed se isi shart par aane ka upaaye hua tha ki island me pahunchte hi Haam ko thikaana laga denge. Magar bhala Imran ko us shart se kya interest hota. Wo to kewal apna kaam nikaalana chaahta tha.
Khud Monica ne bhi is par zor nahin diya tha.....shart poori hi ki jaaye. Waise boat ka srocker poori tarah un ke control me tha.
Ho sakta hai ki usay pata hi na ho ki Gaskar ne kin sharton par usay un ka adheen rahne ka nirdesh diya tha.
Anyway safdar jaanta tha ki wo Monica ke alaawa aur kisi ki baat nahin maanega.
Magar ye to baad ki baaten thin. Abhi is nayi uljhan se chhutkaara mushil dikhaayi de raha tha. Party me Daisy samet 22 log the.
Lekin is samay 17 aadmi apne hath uthaaye khade the aur Imran ke hathon me revolver the.
In 17 aadmiyon ko is tarah kaabu me rakhna ki wo aage un ke liye kaam bhi karte rahen lagbhag asambhav hi tha. Ab Safdar yahi soch raha tha ki dekhiye Imran ki ulti khopadi kya gul khilaati hai. Tabhi Monica ne kaha "Moren ko is frod ki saza zaroor milni chaahiye." "Lekin tum ho kon?" Moren gala phaad kar dahaada.
"Agar main khud ko prakat kar dun to tumhara dam hi nikal jaayega."
"Main dekhna chaahta hun ki dam kaise nikalta hai."
"Ye dekhna hai to 5-6 bachchon ke baap ban jaao." Imran bol pada.
"Khel khatam hona chaahiye" Monica ne kuchh sochte huye kaha. "Main Haam ke paksh(favour) me hun."
"Tab to phir hamen kewal 6 aadmiyon se nibatna padega. Paanch hi Moren ke khaas aadmiyon me se hain. Baaki sabhi unke roab(prabhaav) me aa gaye the. Lekin Haam ko is ka pemission nahin hoga ki wo un 6 aadmiyon ko kisi tarah ka nuksaan pahunchaaye."
"Mujhe tum logon ki har shart sweekar kai." Haam sar hila kar bola. "Lekin locket isay waapas karna padega."
"Locket iss samay is ke paas nahin hai." Imran bola...."Chinta mat karo....wo bhi mil hi jaayega. Achha dost Moren ab tum hamaare qaidi ho."
Moren kuchh na bola. Imran ke ishaare par Safdar aur Josef ne 6 aadmiyon ke hath baandh diye.
"Khuda ke liye mujhe waapas bhijwaa do....ab kya hoga?" Daisy sisakti huyi boli. Koi kuchh na bola. Yahaan tak ki Moren aur us ke sathi bhi chup the. Kuchh der baad Haam ne phir locket ka zikr chhed diya.
"Mujhe pata hai ki locket us ne kahaan chhupaya hai." Imran ne kaha.
"Aakhir tumhen in sab baaton ka pata kaise chala?" Haam ne puchha.
"Moren samajhta tha ki is party me german bhasha kis ko bhi nahin aati. Is liye wo apne in donon sathiyon se german me baaten kiya karta tha. Is ne yahaan pahunchte hi locket udaane ki scheme banaayi thi. In donon aadmiyon par usay shayad poora poora bharosa hai."
"Ab mujhe yaad padta hai ki ye paanch Moren ne hi select kiye the." Haam bola. "My Godd....meri haisiyat is se adhik nahin thi ki main in logon ke liye boat available kar dun. Moren ne mujhe isi liye sathi banaaya tha.....warna unhen boat kahaan se mil sakti...."
"To Moren hi ne tumhen is safar ke liye uksaaya tha?"
"Bilkul.....warna main to in harkaton ko murkhta hi samajhta tha. Isi ke bahkaane par main ne Gasper ke baare me chhaan been ki thi aur mujhe pata chala tha ki wo kisi zamaane me samudri daaku tha." "Gasper kon....?"
"Daisy ke baap ka naam Gasper tha."
"Ok.....khatam kari is kisse ko. Kya tum baaki logon par bharosa kar sakte ho?" Imran ne unchi aawaz me kaha. Shayad maksad sab ko sunaana tha.
Wo aadmi jin ke hath nahin baandhe gaye the....gidgidaane lage. Unhone kaha ki wo kuchh samajh hi nahin paaye the. Un ke liye faisla karna kathin tha ki wo kis ka sath den. Vastav me yahaan is weerane me jhagda karna nahin chaahte the. Unhon ne waada kiya ki wo ab Haam hi ko leader samjhenge. Unhon ne ye bhi kaha ki unhen aise jhagdon se ka matlab? Wo to achhi khaasi rakam milne ki lalach me yahaan chale aaye the.
"Nahin main leader nahin banna chaahta. Main to ab waapasi me hi sab ki bhalaayi dekhta hun. Mujhe dukh hai ki main ne
Moren ki jaal me phans kar iss bechaari ladki ko dhoka diya. Pata nahin isay yahaan laane ka maksad kya tha."
Wo khamosh ho kar Moren ko ghoorne laga. Phir bola. "Tum wo locket kisi na kisi tarah wahaan bhi haasil kar sakte the.....khud usay yahaan sath laane ki kya zaroorat thi?"
"Sochte raho." Moren dhithaayi se muskuraaya. "Mere muh se tum iske baare me ek shabd bhi nahin sun sakoge."
Phir us ne Imran se kaha "Tum ne iss suwar par bharosa kar liya hai. Zara locket is ke hath aane do....phir dekhna." "Locket me kya hai?" Imran ne puchha.
"Main kah chuka hun ki kuchh bhi nahin bataaunga. Tum shayad jaante hi ho ki wo kahan hai. Khud dekh lena."
Imran ne laa-parwaahi se kandhe uchkaaye :dased: aur Monica ki taraf mud gaya. Wo mardaana libaas me thi aur sar par chamde ka khol is tarah mandha hua tha ki baal chhup gaye the. Ye upaaye Imran ne isliye ki thi ki Monica ke baal na kaatne paden. Warna pahle to us ne kaha tha ki is make-up ke liye usay baal katwaane zaroori ho jaayenge. Monica is par taiyar bhi ho gayi thi. Magar phir shayad Imran ko us par raham hi aa gaya tha.
Imran ne to apni samajh se bhalaayi hi ki thi....lekin isay kya kaha jaaye ki Monica khud hi baalon se tang aa gayi thi. Us ka vichar tha ki chamde ka cover chadhaane se to yahi achha tha ki baal katwaa diye jaate. Barabar sar dard se phata jaata. Aisa lagta ki baalon ki jaron me suiyaan chubh rahi hain.
Is samay us ne Imran aur Safdar ko alag le jaa kar kaha "Agar ab main khud ko zaahir kar dun to situation badal sakte hain." "Kaisa situation?" Imran ne puchha.
"Haam ki taraf se nischint ho jaayenge. Ye aashanka hi baaki nahin rahega ki wo hamen dhoka bhi de sakta hai." "Kaise........kis basis par?"
"Agar usay meri asliyat ka pata chal jaaye to wo kisi wafadar kutte ki tarah mere pichhe dum hilaata phirega." "Pahle hi kyon nahin bataya tha ki tumhar pichhe dum bhi hai....."Imran ne chinta bhare swar me kaha.
"Shuttup.....fizool bakwaas mat karo." Monica jhunjlaa gayi.
Imran kuchh pal khamosh raha phir bola "Mujhe is se matlab nahin ki tum kya karogi. Har haal me ye safar Bogha keliye jaari rahna chaahiye.....na ki kisi khazaane ke liye."
"Mujhe khazaane se kya lena dena...."
"Ham chaar aadmi ye safar jaari nahin rakh sakenge. Is liye ye zaroori hai ki in sabhi logon ko sath rakha jaaye. Hame coolie ki bhi zaroorat hogi. Aise logon ki zaroorat padegi jo jangal me raasta bana saken......ye party poori bandobast ke sath aayi hai." "Lekin ruko....." Monica kuchh sochti huyi boli. "Inhen kaabu me rakhna aasan kaam na hoga agar sab ko ye pata chal jaaye ki ham kisi dusre maksad ke liye safar kar rahe hain."
"Unhen ye pata hi kaise chalega ki ham kisi dusre maksad ke liye safar kar rahe hain."
"Kya ye zaroori hai ki un ki aur hamaari raahen ek hi hon?" "In bechaaron ki abhi koi raah hi nahin hai." Imran ne kaha.
"Kyon....? Ye kaise kah sakte ho?"
"Agar hoti to Moren itni jaldi-baazi se kaam na leta. Haam ko us ne yahi bataaya tha ki island me pahunch kar ladki khazaane ka raasta bata sakegi. Lekin waastav me usay locket ki chinta thi. Kyon ki shayad locket hi is baare me koi raah dikha sakkega." "Tum jaante ho ki us ne locket kahan chhupaaya hai?"
"Wo iss samay meri jeb me hai."
"Kya tumhen vishwaas hai ki Moren ne usay khol kar nahin dekha hoga."
"Mauka hi nahin mil saka tha usay. Us ne locket khincha tha aur ladki cheekhi thi aur Haam uth kar bhaaga tha. Yahi ho sakta hai ki Moren achanak usay dekh kar nervous ho gaya ho. Warna usay khatam kar dene ki scheme to pahle hi se bana rakhi thi. Anyway Haam ko dekh kar us ne locket ek jagah chhupa diya tha."
"Aur tum ne shuru hi se us par nigaah rakhi thi."
"Na rakhi hoti to is samay haalat dusre hote." Imran ne kaha aur kisi soch me pad gaya.
Baaki raat chain se beet gayi. Lekin un me se koi shayad hi soya hoga.
Abhi subah ki raushin me raat ke andhkaar ki kuchh milaawat baaki hi thi. Safdar kheme se baahar nikla to usay aisa laga jaise saari thakan ekaa-ek gayab ho gayi ho. Hawa fresh aur pleasant thi. Door chhitij me phail rahi halki si laali badi bhali lag rahi thi. Wo chattaan ke kinaare tak chala aaya. Kheme samudra kinaara se unchaayi par fix kiya gaya tha. Aas paas se suraksha ke liye hi shayad aisa kiya gaya tha.
Safdar ne ek cig jalaya aur chattaan ke kinaare par baith gaya.
Us ki samajh me nahin aa raha tha ki Imran is situation ko kis tarah control karega. Haam aur Moren donon hi khatarnaak the. Wo is samasya par us se baat karna chaahta tha.....lekin abhi tak koi aisa mauka hath nahin laga tha jab Monica bhi sath me na hoti. Hindi me bhi baat ho sakti thi lekin Monica jaan ke pichhe pad jaati. Jaise hi Hindi me baat start hoti wo chillaane lagti "Zaroor tum log mere khilaaf koi saazish karoge." Bas baat jahaan ki tahaan rah jaati.
Safdar ne ek lambi saans li aur cig ke halke halke kash lene laga. Subaah ki raushni badhti jaa rahi thi aur poorab ki laali gahri hoti jaa rahi thi.
Achanak khemon ki taraf se shor sunaayi diya. Aisa laga tha jaise sab ek sath bolne lage hon. Phir Josef dikhayi diya jo Safdar ki hi taraf aa raha tha.
Kareeb pahunch kar us ne faujiyon ke andaaz me ediyaan bajaayi aur sidha khada ho gaya.
"Kya baat hai?" Safdar ne puchha.
"Aurat....." Josef ne dukhi andaaz me muhh banaya.
"Kya matlab?"
"Us aurat ne yahaan bhi pichha nahin chhoda.....jisay main master Tony kahta tha....."
"O....haa.....wo aurat ban gaya.....kya?"
"Main isay pasand nahin karta Mister Safdar. Lekin boss ko kon samjhaaye. Aakhir us manhoos aurat ko yahaan laane ki kya zaroorat thi. Us ki reedh ki haddi se 'Tatarmi ki chhipkili chimti huyi hai. Aisi auraten manhoos hoti hain Mr Safdar.....tabaahi laayegi wo. Solahwen(16th) ka chaand hone do. Khud dekh lena. Wo chamgaadar jhaptegi us par jo aadhi kaali aur aadhi safed hoti hai......Holy Father....."
Us ne ungaliyon se seene par cross banaya aur honton se kuchh badbadaane laga.
Safdar ne cig ke antim kash liye aur usay uchhaalta hua bola..."Kya wo un sab ke saamne aa gayi hai?"
"Aa gayi hai aur wo iss tarah khush ho rahe hain jaise us se naachne ko kahenge. Haam uske charon taraf nach raha hai aur Moren kahta hai ki wo usay apne hathon hi se qatal kar de. Ye kutte ke pille khud ko mard kahte hain." "Tumhara boss kya kar raha hai?" Safdar ne puchha.
"Wo ibaadat me vyast ho gaya hai." Josef ne badi aastha(aqeedat) se kaha. ibaadat ka arth yahi tha ki Imran sar ke bal khada ho gaya hoga.
"Jo bhi ho raha hai bahut bura hai." Josef ne thodi der baad kaha "Aurat ne Moren aur us ke sathiyon ke hath khulwaa diye hain. Moren aur Haam ne samjhauta kar liya hai." "Ye achha nahin hua." Safdar uthta hua bola.
"Koi nahin jaanta ki in jangalon ke pichhe kya hai." Josef ne dusri taraf hath utha kar kaha. "Boss ne agar dhoka khaya to hamaari haddiyon tak ka pata nahin chalega."
Safdar khemon ki taraf chal pada tha. Josef kahta raha "Nahin kaha jaa sakta ki idhar kaise log milenge. Mujhe is jangal se khoon hi khoon ki boo mil rahi hai. Pichhli raat wo aawaz sun kar main yahi samjha tha ki main un logon ko samajh loonga. Magar wo to Moren ka fraud tha.....ohh....magar locket ka kya kissa tha Mr Safdar?" "Main nahin jaanta. Us ne mujhe nahin bataya tha." Safdar ne jawab diya.
Kheme me pahunch kar us ne Monica ko apne asli roop me dekha aur wo sab bahut khush dikhayi de rahe the. Imran ek kone me bura sa muh banaaye baitha tha.....aur Daisy bhi us ke kareeb hi thi. Aisa lag raha tha jaise ye donon dusron se bore ho kar alag jaa baithe hon.
"Aao aao....tum log kahaan the.....lady Monica ke special sathiyo...." Moren hath utha kar bola..."Tum ab jaan se bhi adhik pyare ho."
Safdar ne Monica ki taraf dekha jo iss dhang se khadi thi jaise wo sab us ke gulaam hon.
Phir Safdar Imran ki taraf badha. Us ne Moren ki garmjoshi par halka sa sar hilaaya. Josef jahaan tha wahin khada raha. Daisy Imran se dhire dhire puchh rahi thi "Bataao....ye aurat kon hai. Kya ye wahi Monica hai jo Port Sayeed me bahut famous hai."
"Pata nahin." Imran barbadaya. "Agar kuchh der baad main bhi aurat ho gaya to duniya ka naksha badal jaayega."
"Tum nahin jaante the ki ye koi aurat hai?"
"Jaanta to mar hi gaya hota." "Kyon?"
"Auraton se dar lagta hai mujhe." Imran ek taraf khisakta hua bola. Phir Safdar ko dekh kar khada ho gaya.
"Baitho baitho.....tum yahaan baitho....main thoda apni yaad-daasht(memory) durust kar aaun."
Daisy usay jaate dekhti rahi. Jab wo baahar nikal gaya to us ne Safdar se puchha. "Tum usi ke sathiyon me se ho?" "Haan..." Safdar ne laparwaahi se uttar diya.
"Ye kaisa aadmi hai?"
"Usi se puchhna.....main nahin jaanta....magar kyon?"
"Kuchh nahin....us ki baaten ajeeb hoti hain. Meri samajh me nahin aati. Ab wo apni yaad'dasht durust karne gaya hai......kya matlab hua is ka?"
"Moscio Safdar...." Monica ne usay aawaz di. aur wo daisy ki baat ka jawab diye bina us ki taraf chala gaya.
"Kareeb aao.....mujhe tum se kuchh baaten karni hain."
Safdar aage badh gaya. Monica kuchh pal usay gaur se dekhti rahi phir boli...."Usay samjhao."
"Kise samjhaaun?"
"Apne sathi ko. Kabhi wo hosh ki baaten karta hai aur kabhi paagalon jaisi."
"Mera vichar hai ki tum khud hi achhe dhang se samjha sakogi. Ab yahi dekho.....wo jo kal tak ek dusre ke khoon ke pyase the.....iss samay....."
"Ssshhhh....main uski baat kar rahi hun. Kya mujhe uske baare me kuchh bataaoge?"
"Kya puchhna chaahti ho?"
"Kya tumhen us ki leadership par poora poora bharosa hai?"
"Bilkul bekaar sawaal hai ye."
"Moscio Safdar....main uljhan me hun."
Baat itni dhimi ho rahi thi ki dusron tak pahunchne ki sambhavana nahin thi.
"Wo dusron ko uljhan me daale rahne ka specialist hai. Us me sudhar asambhav hai."
"Wo jo kuchh kahta hai usay samajhne nahin deta. Jab kuchh kar guzarta hai tab baat samajh me aati hai. Jaise shayad abhi us ne tum se yahi kaha tha na ki wo apni yaaddasht durust karne jaa raha hai. Isi ka matlab samjha do mujhe."
"Mujhe dar hai ki kahin wo tum sabon ki yaad-dasht durust kar na de."
Aur phir Safdar ne usay tezi se aage badh kar baahar nikalte dekha. Usi ke baad sabhi baahar aa gaye. Monica us chattan ki taraf daudi jaa rahi thi jahaan se samandar ka kinaara dikhayi de raha tha. "Ohh.....ye kya....." cheekh hi padi thi wo.
Chattan ke sire par ruk kar wo donon hath uthaaye huye cheekh rahi thi....."O....deewaane....ye kya ho raha hai?"
Boat samandar ka seena cheerta huya aage badhta jaa raha tha. Phir wo sabhi cheekhne lage. Safdar baukhlaa gaya tha....lekin phir bhi itna hosh me to tha hi ki wo apni aur Josef ki salamati ki chinta kar sakta. Wo sab gala phaad phaad kar cheekh rahe the. Safdar ne Josef ka hath pakad kar kheme ki taraf daudna shuru kar diya. Wo un ke sambhalne se pahle hi hathiyar ke bhandaar par kabza kar lena chaahta tha.
Pata nahin Imran ko kya soojhi thi. Achanak ye Safdar ki samajh me nahin aa saka. usay to iss samay bachaao ki chinta thi. Wo jaanta tha ki abhi ye log paagal ho jaayenge. Ho sakta hai ki Monica bhi unhin ka sath de. Imran se harkat hi aisi huyi thi.
Kheme me pahunch kar unhone hathiyaaron ke bhandar par kabza kar liya. Safdar ne ek Tommy gun uthayi aur Josef se kaha
"Tum yahin ruko....main unhen kheme se door hi rakhunga."
"Magar Mr Safdar ye hua kya?"
"Tumhara boss boat le bhaga. Wo sab ab hamaare khoon ke pyase ho jaayenge."
"Magar boss ne aisa kiya hi kyon?"
"Ohh....leave it.....unhen hathiyar se door hi rakhna hai. Hoshiyar rahna...." Safdar ne kaha aur baahar nikal aaya. (Jaari)
"Ohh....leave it.....unhen hathiyar se door hi rakhna hai. Hoshiyar rahna...." Safdar ne kaha aur baahar nikal aaya.(Aage....) Wo shor machaate huye waapas ho rahe the. Safdar par nazar padte hi unke josh badh gaye.
"Ruk jaao...!" Safdar ne tommy gun ko hilaate huye kaha.
Wo ruk to gaye lekin gala phaad phaad kar cheekh rahe the....gaaliyaan de rahe the. Tabhi Monica aage badh kar cheekhi...."Ye kya behoodagi hai.....aisa kyon hua?"
"Inhen chup karaao. Main tumhen samjhaane ki koshish karunga." Safdar ne cheekh kar kaha.
Badi mushkil se wo shaant huye aur Monica phir Safdar ki taraf mudi.
"Wo apni yaad'dasht durust karne gaya hai." Safdar ne kaha.
"Kya bakwas hai ye?"
"Us ne yahi kaha tha ntum khud sun chuki ho.....aye tum donon kahaan chale? Apni jagah par khade raho....." Wo donon aadmi ruk gaye jo bheed se kat kar kisi aur taraf nikal jaana chaahte the.
"Kya tum bhi usi ki tarah paagal ho gaye ho? Tommy gun zameen par daal do." Monica ne narm swar me kaha.
"Iss se adhik buddhimaani mujh se pahle kabhi nahin huyi." Safdar muskuraaya. "Agar thodi si bhi susti karta to ye bhediye pal bhar me hamaari botiyaan kar dete."
"Lekin maksad kya hai is ka?"
"Wo hamen yahaan chhod kar nahin jaa sakta. Waapas aayega. Kyon gaya hai.....iss baat se utna hi anjaan main bhi hun jitni tum hogi. In logon ko samjhaao aur kaabu me rakho. Wo waapas aayega. Aur main ne jo kuchh bhi kiya hai.....apni safety ke liye kiya hai."
"Agar koi scheme thi to us ne mujhe kyon nahin bataya?" "Tum se pahle usay mujhe batana chahiye tha." Safdar bola.
"Ok....khatam karo. Mujhe bhi yakeen hai ki wo kam se kam mujhe dhoka dene ki koshish nahin karega. Tommy gun niche daal do."
"Us ki waapasi se pahle ye asambhav hai Monica."
"Tum mujhe order to Monica.....main iss se gun chheen leta hun." Moren aage badh kar bola.
"Apni maut ko mat bulaao....pichhe hato...." Safdar gurraaya.
"Nahin...." Monica ne hath utha kar kaha. "Is ki zaroorat nahin hai. Mujhe vishwas hai ki wo waapas aayega. Aur isay bhi apna dushman mat samjho. Is ne majboori me aisa kiya hai. Khud mujhe itna gussaa aaya tha ki in donon ki dhajjiyaan udaa deti.
Koi kuchh na bola.
Safdar ne unhen uss kheme me jaane ko kaha jahaan kewal khane pine ka saman tha.
Us ne unhen to kisi had tak satisfied kar diya tha lekin khud dil hi dil me Imran ko bura bhala kahta raha. Is murkhta ka bhi jawab nahin tha. Khud bhi khatre me pada tha aur unhen bhi khatre me daal gaya tha. Maksad kuchh bhi raha ho....ye tareeka Safdar ki samajh se waahiyaat tha.
Kuchh der baad Monica kheme se phir nikli. Wo akeli thi. Safdar aisi jagah khada kheme ki nigrani kar raha tha jahaan se chaaron taraf nazar rakh sakta. Wo achhi tarah jaanta tha ki thodi si bhi laparwahi jahanum hi pahuncha degi.
"Dekho Safdar....Ye bahut bura ho raha hai." Monica ne kaha.
"Phir bataao main kya karun? Wo to isi kism ka aadmi hai."
"Us ne ye bhi na socha ki tum donon ki zindagiyaan khatre me pad jaayengi."
"Wo khud khatron ka keeda hai aur apne sathiyon ko bhi aisa hi dekhna chaahta hai. Usay tum hamesha unghta hua paaogi....lekin us ke sathiyon ko isi tarah jaagte rahna padta hai jaise talwar ki dhaar par chal rahe hon. Aahaa....ruko....nazdik aao....main tumhen bataaun...."
Safdar ne mahsoos kiya ki Monica hichkicha rahi hai.
"Daro nahin....aao..."
"Bako matt....main darungi?" Monica ne jhunjlaa kar kaha aur uski taraf badh gayi.
"Dekho....kya ye zaroori hai ki ham usi jagah utre hon jahaan se hamen safar shuru karna hai.......tumhare baap ke papers ke anusar." Safdar ne dhire se kaha.
"Nishchit nahin kaha ja sakta...."
"Ye log apna raasta bhi fix nahin kar paaye the....kyon ki wo locket pe depend karta tha."
"Right...."
"Hamara sathi jaanta hai ki safar kahaan se shuru karna hai.....kyonki tumhare papers me raaste ki pahchan di huyi hai. Lekin wo yahaan utarne se pahle unhen suggest nahin kar sakta tha."
"Haan....chalo....ye bhi sahi hai."
"Ab usay ye zaahir karna hai ki locket waale map ke anusar safar jaari hai.....is liye kya zaroori nahin hai ki pahle hi se wo jagah khoj li jaaye jahaan se safar shuru karna hai. Agar wo apna iraada zaahir karta to Haam aur Moren bhi sath jaane ki zid karte aur unhen kisi tarah bhi nahin roka jaa sakta tha....lekin unke rahte huye bhala tumhare waale papers kaise nikaale jaa sakte the? Un papers me raaste ke baare me kisi map ke roop me nahin bataya gaya hai balki uska detail kisi safarnaama ke roop me kayi pages me hain. Phir bataao unhen kaise vishwaas dilaata ki itne pages uss nanhe se locket me se nikle honge? Baat samajh rahi ho naa meri?"
Monica ne ek lambi saans li. Thodi der kuchh sochti rahi phir boli...."Aisa aadmi aaj tak meri nazron se nahin guzra. Tum thik kahte ho. Yahi baat hogi. Magar phir wo itna murkh kyon dikhayi deta hai. Yahi dar laga rahta hai ki kahin koi badi murkhta na kar baithe."
"Murkh bhi hai." Safdar muskuraya.
"Us ki harkaten mujhe gussa dilaati hain."
"Un ki taraf dhyan hi na do......o...haan....kya tumhen vishwas hai ki Moren aur Haam tumhen dhoka nahin denge?"
"Ye mujh par chhod do." Monica muskuraayi. "kaise kaise mard bhi in kadmon me jhuk jaate hain." "Tab to phir mera sathi nishchit roop se tumhare liye kasht-dayak ho raha hoga." "Main usay aadmi hi nahin samajhti." MOnica ne bura sa muh bana kar kaha. Safdar chup ho gaya. Monica bhi chup chap kahdi kuchh sochti rahi.
