"Arre.....arre....nariyal nahin khopadi hai bhaaiii...." Imran ke muh se itna hi nikal saka tha. Is ke baad us ka mastishk andhkaar me doobta chala gaya tha.(Aage........)
Dusre din bhi wo suraj na dekh sake. Kyon ki aasman me baadal the. Gufaa ke muh se nikalte hi unhen ehsaas hua tha ki ab wo ghane jangalon me nahin hain. Lekin un ka raasta durgam jhaadiyon se guzarta tha. Pichhli raat bhi wo so nahin sake the. Is liye is samay kadam uthana bhi unke liye kathin ho raha tha.
Daisy ki haalat to shuru se hi kharab thi lekin ab Monica ke chehre par bhi murdani chhaayi dikhayi de rahi thi.
Safdar Imran ko le kar uljhan me tha. Ho sakta hai ki us ki koi himaakat(murkhta) ant-tah usay le hi doobi ho. Josef bhi subah hi se usi ke baare me baaten kar raha tha.
Haam Monica ke sath hi rahne ki koshish karta hua nazar aa raha tha. Baaki log aise bezaar se chal rahe the maano is safar ka ant phaansi ke phande par hi hone waala ho.
"Lady Monica...." Haam kah raha tha "Pahle ham sab mar jaayenge tab kahin tum tak kisi ka hath pahunch sakega." "Hmmm...."
"Tumhen pareshan na hona chaahiye."
"Haam....kya tum samajhte ho ki main maut se darti hun?"
"Main apne liye nahin......us ke liye pareshan hun."
"Ohh.....naukar isi liye hote hain ki maalik ke kaam aayen." Haam bola.
"Naukar.....?" Monica ne hairat se kaha "Tum galat samjhe. Wo mera naukar nahin dost hai. Aisa dost jo kayi baar mere liye apni zindagi khatre me daal chuka hai."
"Ohh...main samjha tha ki us naukar me 'surkhaab ke pankh' lage huye hain." Haam ne vyang se kaha.
"Itni bedardi se uska zikr na karo." Monica ne bharrayi huyi aawaz me kaha....."Tum bhool gaye ki us ne tumhari bhi jaan bachayi thi."
"Wo to lady Monica ki buddhimani thi."
"Bilkul nahin.....mere farishton ko bhi pata nahin tha ki tumhare aur Moren ke bich kya hai."
"Lekin tum aayi hi kyon thi?"
"Hamen khazaane ki talash me yahaan aana tha....lekin boat ka bandobast mumkin nahin tha.....isi silsile me mujhe Gaskar ke paas jaana pada tha."
"Kyaa...?" Haam ne hairat se kaha "Bhala Gaskar ko kya pata ki main kahan ka safar karne waala tha......."
"Mujhe nahin pata ki wo kaise jaanta tha.....shayad moren ne hi bataya ho......."
"Haannn....ye possible hai. Wo to shuru se hi mujhe dhoka deta raha tha."
Phir donon hi khamosh ho gaye. Dusri taraf Daisy bhi Imran ki hi charcha kar rahi thi.
Dopahar ko wo phir ek jagah ruke. Ye khula maidan tha aur jangali unke charo tafa ghera banaaye rahe. Hathiyar ab bhi un jangaliyon ke hi kabze me the aur wo bahut hoshiyari se un ki nigrani kar rahe the.
Josef ko khane ki chinta nahin thi. Wo to ek bade se jug me rum undel kar ek taraf jaa baitha tha.
Monica ek ped ke tane se tek lagaye baithi weeran aankhon se shoonya me ghoor rahi thi. Daisy dhire dhire chalti huyi uske paas aayi. Kuchh pal usay dekhti rahi. Phir boli "Tumhen nidhaal dekh kar dil aur bhi doobne lagta hai."
"Ooonn..." Monica is tarah chaunki thi jaise usay wahaan kisi aur ke hone ka ehsaas hi na raha ho. Kuchh pal khaali khali nazron se usay dekhti rahi phir ek lambi saans le kar boli......"Mujh se galati huyi thi. Mujhe tumhare suggestion ko maan lena chaahiye tha."
"Beeti baato ko duhraana hi fizool hai." daisy ne kaha "Dekho main pahle hi kah rahi thi ki wo locket mere alawa kisi ko bhi raas na aayegi."
"Haa....aannn.....locket usi ke paas tha"
"Main bhi usi ke liye dukhi hun."
"Kyon....?" Monica chaunk kar usay ghoorne lagi.
"Wo kitna ajeeb tha......jab tak hamaare sath raha....hamen nidhaal nahin hone diya. Chaahe hansa kar ya gussa dila kar hamen musibaton ki taraf se dhyaan baant'ta raha tha. Kuchh nahin to us par gussa hi aata tha aur thodi der ke liye darawane aur anishchit bhavishya ki soch dimaag se hat jaati thi. Iss samay bhi wo hamen itna nirash na hone deta." "Tum to aise bol rahi ho maano wo mar hi gaya ho." Monica ne aankhen nikaalin.
"nn....nahin....ohh....galat na samjho.. Matlab ye ki main bhi us ke liye pareshan hun."
"Wo kabhi nahin mar sakta...........samjhiiii...." Monica halak phaad kar cheekhi. Us ki aankhen laal ho gayi thin. Hont is tarah kaanp rahe the jaise atyadhik aawesh ne dimaag par bura prabhaav daala ho.
"Ohh.....mai ne ye kab kaha...." Daisy kahti huyi uthi aur bhaybheet si pichhe hatne lagi.
"Nahinnn....tum sab yahi samajhte ho." Monica usi dhang se cheekhi. "Magar main kahti hun wo kabhi nahin mar sakta.....kabhi nahin.....wo sadharan aadmi nahin hai."
Phir wo khamosh ho gayi aur pahle hi ki tarah ped ke tane se tik kar aankhen band kar lin.
"Kya baat thi?" Safdar ne Daisy se puchha.....jo ab usi ke paas khadi kaanp rahi thi.
"Sab par sanak sawaar ho gayi hai." Us ne haanfte huye kaha "Sab jangali ho gaye........ab ye khamakha kaatne ko daud rahi hai."
"Main ne tumhen pahle hi samjhaya tha ki us se zyada baat karne ki zaroorat nahin. Wo sadharan auraton se bilkul alag hai. Lekin baat kya thi?"
Us ne poori baad duhra di.
Safdar ne ek lambi saans li aur kuchh sochne laga. Daisy boli "Isi liye main chaahti thi ki locket mere hi paas rahe. Dusron par zaroor tabaahi laayega."
"Hmmm......dekho tum thak gayi ho. Meri samajh se ye log kuchh der aaram karenge. Tum bhi so jaao."
Achanak Josef ne rona shuru kar diya. Wo poora jug khatam kar chuka tha. Shayad ye jaagte rahne aur thakawat hi thi jis ke kaaran usay achha khaasa nasha ho gaya tha.......warna usay nasha hota nahin tha. Rone ka dhang itna bhonda tha ki jangali bhi hans pade.
"Ab isay kya ho gaya." Haam se mazaak udaane ke dhang se Safdar se kaha.
"Puchho.....shayad tumhari baat ka jawaab de hi de." Safdar ne laparwaahi se kandhe jhatke.
"Main har ek ki baat ka jawab de sakta hun." Josef Bho....bho.....rota hua bola. "Puchho kya puchhna hai." Kuchh puchhne ki jagah sab hans pade. Yahaan tak ki Monica ke honton par bhi halki si muskaan aa gayi.
"Mujhe rone do..." Josef hichkiyaan leta hua kah raha tha "Main shayad yateem ho gaya hun...........wo mera baap tha......wo mera baap tha."
"Kyon bakwaas kar raha hai?" Monica paagalon ki tarah cheekhi......aur jhuk kar ek bada sa patthar uthaane lagi.
Safdar jhapat kar un ke bich aata hua bola "Kya kar rahi ho.......wo nashe me hai."
Wo sidhi khadi ho kar donon hath hilaati huyi chillaayi "To phir main bhi paagal ho gayi hun.....har us aadmi ka sar kuchal dungi jo us ke baare me buri baat sochega........samjhe.....tum sab sun lo."
"Haan.....haan....thik hai koi nahin sochega." Safdar us ka baazu pakad kar dusri taraf le jaata hua bola. "Main usay achhi tarah jaanta hun. Wo isi upaaye me laga hoga ki hamen is musibat se chhutkaara dilwaye. Sath rah kar kuchh nnahin kar sakta tha." Monica thandi pad gayi. Safdar kaafi der tak usay samjhaata raha. Is bich Josef bhi khamosh ho gaya tha.
Dopahar ke baad safar phir shuru hua. Josef Safdar ke sath hi chal raha tha....aur ab uski maansik sthiti thik thi.
Achanak Safdar ne us ke kandhe par hath rakh kar kaha "Josef.....tumhen jangalon ka anubhav hai. Mujhe bataao ki ye kaise jangal hain. Itna safar tai kar chuke hain lekin ek bhi hinsak pashu (Darinda) ki aawaz sunai nahin padi aur na hi takraao hua." "Tum ne badi achhi baat sochi Mr Safdar. Haan ye badi ajeeb baat hai. Main bhi isi ke baare me sochta raha hun. Main ne un se puchha bhi tha. Kahne lage ye sab usi devta ki kripaa hai jo khud bhi dhuwaan hai aur dhuwen me rahta bhi hai. Us ne saare darindon ko khatam kar diya. Ab wo bedhadak jangal ke sab se ghane bhaag me bhi ghus sakte hain. Aur Mr Safdar us ki aawaz ekdam dheemi ho gayi "Main in jangaliyon ko bhi sandeh ki nazar se dekhta hun." "Kyon? Kis baare me sandeh?" Safdar ne puchha.
"Ye Nigeria ke hi jangalon ke log lagte hain."
"Hazaaron kilometer ki doori tai kar ke yahaan aa base hain?" Safdar ne mazaak udaane ke andaaz me kaha.
"Ye bhi sahi hai ki aisa asambhav hai." Josef sar hila kar bola. "Aqal kaam nahin karti. Kabhi main bhi devtaaon ka pujaari tha. Lekin mujhe aaj tak koi devta dikhai nahin diya. Lekin ye apne devta ko dekhte bhi hain. Pichhli raat waala kafan-posh tumhen yaad hi hoga."
"Haan.......kya wahi tha un ka devta?"
"Nahin....usay to wo sab devta ka senapati kahte hain."
"Boss ne badi zabardast galati ki hai. Ham bhooton ke island me aa phanse hain Mr Safdar." "Hushtttt....." Safdar ne bura sa muhh banaya.
"Achha to bataao wo suraj kaisa tha jis ne andhere me hamen raasta dikhaya tha. Tomy gun to usi tarah bahak gayi thi jaise pacheeson botal chadha li hon. Aakhir hamaari goliyaan unhen chhod kar us ped ke tane par kyon padti thin?"
Safdar kuchh na bola. Bolta bhi kya. Wo khud bhi in baaton ke liye koi clear opinion nahin bana saka tha......phir pichhli raat waala kafan-posh.
Kaafila badhta raha aur ab wo dhalaan me utar rahe the. Lekin dhalaan aisi nahin thi ki chalne me kathinaayi hoti. Meelon tak hara bhara maidaan phaila hua tha. Bhoori chattaanon ka door door tak pata nahin tha. Kisi kisi jagah paaltu jaanwaron ke jhund charte dikhaai diye the.
Phir suraj doobne se pahle maidaan paar ho gaya. Ab phir unhen durgam jangalon ka saamna tha.
Koi kuchh na bola. Safdar Josef se kah raha tha "Gaayon ke jhund to kayi jagah dikhayi diye lekin koi basti na mili." "Khuda raham kare......." Josef bharrayi huyi aawaz me bola. "Mera khayal galat nahin hai. Ham bhooton ke changul me aa phanse hain. Kabhi ghat rahe chaand ki raaton me tumhare pairon tale koi anda aa kar to nahin toota tha?"
"Kya bakwaas hai? Kya matlab?"
"Ohh....mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai Mr Safdar. Main bachcha hi tha us zamaane me." Josef rundhi huyi aawaz me bola "Ek raat mere pairon se anda toot gaya tha aur meri maa ne apna sar peetna shuru kar diya tha. Dahaaden maar maar kar royi thi aur kaha tha ki main kabhi na kabhi bhooton ke changul me zaroor phansunga."
"Kaash tumhaare boss ne ye baat suni hoti."
"Haaye boss...." Josef ne siskaari si li. Aur thik usi samay jangaliyon ne cheekh cheekh kar kuchh kahna shuru kar diya. Wo jangal me prawesh kar chuke the, Josef thodi der tak sunta raha....phir khud bhi unchi aawaz me kuchh bola. Us ke baad sannata chha gaya.
"Wo kah rahe hain ki apna sar jhuka lo." Josef ne english me kaha. Uski aawaz itni unchi thi ki sabhi sun sakte the. "Apne sar jhuka lo.....kyon ki tum pawitra pujaarin ki seemaon me prawesh kar rahe ho." aur Haam dabi dabi aawaz me gaaliyaan bak raha tha.
***
Imran ko hosh aa gaya tha lekin wo aankhen band kiye hi pada raha. Aankhen kholne se pahle wo apni saari shaktiyon ko jamaa kar lena chaahta tha. Pata nahin kis situation ka saamna ho. Isliye mastisk kam se kam is layak hona hi chaahiye ki aankh khulte hi halaat ka mukabala kiya jaa sake.
Kuchh der baad usne yun hi karaah kar karwat badli aur aankhen khol di. Chaaron taraf halki raushni dikhayi di. Wo gufa ke hi kisi bhaag me tha. Lekin ye raushni.....ye raushniiii......raushni ke source par nazar padte hi wo baukhla kar uth baitha. Ek manav khopadi thi jis ki aankhon ke chhed de aag ki lapaten nikal rahi thin. Isi kaaran chaaron taraf bikhri raushin me bhi thartharahat paayi jaa rahi thi.
Dusre hi pal Imran ko pata chala ki us ka leather bag gayab hai.
Ye bahut bura hua.......us ne socha. Monica waale papers bhi usi thaile me the.
Phir us ne apni jeben tatoli aur kisi had tak santusht lagne laga.
Ajnabi bhi kareeb hi aundha pada hua tha. Imran donon hathon se apna sar tatolne laga. Kayi jagah sujan tha.
Wo khisakta hua ajnabi ke nikat pahuncha aur jhuk kar dekhne laga ki wo kis haal me hai.
"Ohh.....shayad hamara antim samay nikat hi hai." Ajnabi dhire se bola aur aankhen band kar lin.
"Zara uth kar baith jaao pyare....taaki main tumhen ji bhar ke dekh sakun." Imran ki aawaz dardnaak thi.
"Wo khopadi dekh rahe ho." Ajnabi ne puchha.
"Meri khopadi us se adhik raushan hai....vishwaas na ho to khud tatol kar dekh lo.....ohho....kahin tumhari khopadi 'Baag-obahaar' na ban gayi ho."
"Mere sar me kayi zakham hain."
"Anyway.......2 khopadiyaan mil kar bahut kuchh kar sakti hain."
Ajnabi karaah kar uth baitha. Wo aankhen phaad kar Imran ko dekh raha tha. Kuchh der baad us ne kaha "Kya is khopadi ko yahaan se hataya nahin jaa sakta? Mujhe bechaini ho rahi hai usay dekh kar."
"Pahunch se baahar hai. Kaafi unchaayi par rakhi huyi hai. Us ki chinta mat karo. Ye dekho ki is bhaag me pahle kabhi aa chuke ho ya nahin?"
Wo chaaron taraf dekhne laga. Jagah adhik phaili huyi nahin thi.Isay bhi gufaa ka gufaa kah sakte the.....lekin nikaasi ka raasta kisi taraf nahin tha.
"Pata nahin tumhara kya hashar ho." Ajnabi bharrayi huyi aawaz me bola "Mujhe to khair marna hi tha.....waise hi zindagi se tang aa chuka hun."
"Main ne puchha is bhaag me pahle kabhi aa chuke ho?" "Nahin...." ajnabi ne kaha aur khopadi ko ghoorne laga.
Imran uth kar aas paas ka nirikshan karne laga. Tabhi baayen taraf raushni ki ek patli si lakeer dikhayi di jo gufaa me phaili huyi raushni se alag thi.
Kareeb pahunchne par wo ek patli si daraad saabit huyi.Raushni dusri taraf se phoot rahi thi. Lekin ye daraad bas itni hi chaudi thi ki us se dusri taraf aasani se dekha jaa sakta tha. Ajnabi bhi uth kar us ke paas aa gaya.
"Udhar kya hai?" us ne puchha.
"Raushni ke alawa aur kuchh nahin dikhayi diya." Imran ne uttar diya.
Phir wo shayad kisi tarah ki aawaz hi ko sun kar tezi se muda tha.
"Ohh...." Us ne ulluon ki tarah apni aankhen nachaayi. Saamne hi ek kafan-posh khada unhen ghoor raha tha.....aur us ke pichhe gufaa me ek itni chaudi daraad dikhaayi de rahi thi jis se do aadmi ek sath aasani se guzar sakte. Usay vishwaas tha ki hosh aane par is tarah ki koi daraad nahin dekhi thi.
Ajnabi bhi us naye aane waale ko aankhen phaade ghoor raha tha. Us ka pahnaawa ajeeb tha. Sar se pair tak aise libaas me tha jis se kewal aankhen hi dikhayi de rahi thi. Daayen hath me ek chhota sa "Gada" jaisa danda tha jis ke chude sire par nanhi nanhin nukeeli keelen jaisi ubhri huyi thi.
"Tumhen wo kagazaat kahaan se mile the?" us ne unhen english me sambodhit kiya.
"Bataao..." Imran ne apne sathi ki taraf dekh kar kaha.
"Achha to tum wahi ho." Imran ka sathi sar hila kar bola. "Jis ne hamen jhaadiyon se sambodhit kiya tha. Tum english bol sakte ho. Mujhe kisi aise hi bhoot ki talash thi. Tum hamen yahaan kyon laaye ho?"
"Chhutkaare ka raasta yahi hai......mere sawaal ka jawaab do."
"Jawaab..." Imran ka sathi daant pees kar bola. "Tum ne hamaare paas kuchh bhi nahin chhoda.....lekin ye hath ab bhi mere kaabu me hi hain."
Achanak wo kafan-posh ki taraf badha......aur kafan posh ne gada numa danda us ki taraf is prakaar uthaya jaise usi se us ko pichhe dhakel dega. Lekin dusre hi pal gada ke sire me ubhri huyi keelon se chingaariyon ki phuhaar si nikal kar us par padi aur wo cheekhta hua pichhe hat gaya.
Us ke coat me aag lag gayi thi aur wo usay utaar phekne ki koshish kar raha tha.
"Arre....ruko ruko...." Imran aage badhta hua bola....."Zara mujhe cigarette to sulgaa lene do." Us ne jeb se ek cig-case nikaala tha aur usay khol kar cig nikaal raha tha.
Achanak kafan posh ki kanth se ek halki si karaah nikli aur wo daraad me ulat gaya. Phir kuchh pal hath pair patakta raha aur us ke baad shaant ho gaya.
Imran ka sathi coat utaar chuka tha.....lekin phir wo apni takleef bhool gaya. Us ki aankhen hairat se phaili huyi thin. Kyon ki us ne Imran ko kafan posh ki taangen pakad kar gufaa me khinchte dekha.
Kafan posh ke maathe se khoon ka fawwara chhoot raha tha......aur Imran is koshish me tha ki us ka safed libaas me khoon nahin lagne paaye. (Jaari)
Kafan posh ke maathe se khoon ka fawwara chhoot raha tha......aur Imran is koshish me tha ki us ka safed libaas me khoon nahin lagne paaye.
(Aage..........)
Kafan posh ke maathe se khoon ka fawwara chhoot raha tha......aur Imran is koshish me tha ki us ka safed libaas me khoon nahin lagne paaye.
Badi mushkil se wo is me kaamyab ho saka tha.
"yy....ye kk....kaise hua...." Us ka sathi haklaaya.
"Chhutkaare ka raasta yahi hai...." Imran ne khush ho kar kaha "Lekin ye mere sawaal ka jawaab dene ke layak nahin rah gaya." Cigarette ab bhi us ke honton hi me dabi huyi thi.
"Kya tum ne fire kiya tha. Magar main ne fire ki aawaz nahin suni thi......aur na tumhare hath me revolver hi dekha.
"Chinta mat karo. Nasheeli aankhen bade badon ka kaam tamaam kar deti hain."
"Yaar tum ajeeb aadmi ho.....aakhir kaise maar daala usay? Ufff.....ye gada jaisa hathiyar.............ye hai kyaa?"
"Khabardar usay hath na lagana."
"Kyon...?"
"Usay mujh par chhod do.....warna ho sakta hai ki phir koi musibar aa pade."
*****
Basti me ye un ka teesra din tha lekin abhi tak ye nahin pata chala tha ki yahaan laaye jaane ka maksad kya tha.
Anginat chhoti badi jhopadiyon waali ye basti thi. Har jhopadi ke saamne 2-3 gaayen zaroor dikhayi deti thin. Kayi jagah puraani banawat ke lakadi ke hal bhi dikhayi dete the. Is ka matlab yahi tha ki yahan ke bashinde kheti baadi bhi karte hain......is liye iss taraf se itmeenan ho gaya tha ki wo aadam-khor nahin ho sakte the.
Unhen ab tak kisi kism ki takleef nahin huyi thi. Haan Josef ka maamla dusra tha. Us ne yahaan kadam rakhte hi jangaliyon ke mar
jaane ki duaayen karni shuru kar diya tha. Kyon ki unhone sharaab ke bhandaar par kabzaa kar ke unhen nasht kar diya tha...........aur kaha tha ki pawitra pujaarin ki seemaaon me nasha waali chizen banned hain.
Anyway Josef ki haalat bahut kharab thi. Wo kisi murde ki tarah bekaar ho kar rah gaya tha. Monica ke chehre par permanant jhallahat ke bhaav bane huye the.
Haam subah se shaam tak baat baat par gaaliyaan hi bakta rahta. Jhopadi ke baahar pahraa dene waale jangali agar angrezi samajhte to kab ka usay bhaalon se chhalni kar dete.
Monica ka vichar tha ki unhen lad marna chaahiye.....anjaam chaahe kuchh bhi ho. Wo to ye bhi bhula baithi thi ki iss safar ka maksad kya tha.
Hakikat to ye thi ki maksad ki taraf Safdar ka dhayan bhi nahin jaata tha. Halaat hi aise ho gaye the.
Wo ek bahut bade smuggler ki talash me nikla tha. Lekin bhala us ka in jaadugaron se kya sambandh? Pata nahin ye log kon the aur kya chaahte the.
Imran ke sambandh me wo Monica ko to tasaaliyan deta rahta tha lekin khud usay yakeen nahin tha ki wo zinda hi hoga. Phir to bhavishya ke baare me kuchh sochna hi bekaar tha.
Agar Haam aur Monica ki jhadapen samay samay par chaunkaati na rahti to wo itna bhi nahin soch paata. jab bebasi ki haalat ho to dimaag unghte hi rahne me aaram mahsoos karta hai.
Iss samay bhi donon lad pade the. Haam kah raha tha ki ye jangali aadam khor hi hain. Kisi khaas mauka par un donon ke kabaab banaayenge. Abhi to makaii ki roti khila khilaa kar unhen motee bana rahe hain.
"Tum zaleel kameene ho....bakwaas band rakho." Monica dahaadi. Agar wo aadamkhor hain to bhi mujhe parwaah nahin.....lekin
main tumhara jism nezon se chhalni hota dekhna chaahti hun."
Haam ne is par thahaaka laga kar usay taao dilaaya tha. Ho sakta hai ki Haam ka ye bartaao vartamaan bebasi ka hi parinaam raha ho.
"Usay mana karo.....warna main us ka gala ghont dungi." Monica ne safdar se kaha.
"Tum kyon bekaar chidhti ho......bakne do."
"Ye ehsaan faramosh aur zaleel hai."
"Mujh par kisi ne koi ehsaan nahin kiya." Haam gusse se bola.
"Bataaunnn?" Monica ne aankhen nikaalin.
"Iss se kya faida? Tum log khamosh kyon nahin rahte?" Safdar ne bich bachaao karna chaaha.
Usi samay baahar se dhol nagaadon ki aawazen aayin aur jhopadi ke pahredaaron ne naare lagaane shuru kiye.
Safdar jhapat kar jhopade ke darwaaze ke kareeb aa gaya. Suraj doob raha tha. Aakash me rangeen dhaariyaan se chamak rahe the. Jangaliyon ka ek giroh dikhayi diya jo naachta gaata hua usi taraf aa raha tha.
Dekhte hi dekhte wo log kareeb aa pahunche. Jhopadi ke aas paas phail gaye. Un ka dance pahle ki hi tarah jaari raha....lekin ab wo gaa nahin rahe the.
Achanak pahredaron me se ek ne unhen sambodhit kar ke kuchh kahna shuru kiya. Josef zameen par pada karwaten badal raha tha. Us ke chehre par takleef ke bhaav the.
"Suno....ye kya kah rahe hain...." Safdar ne us par jhuk kar kaha.
"Jahannum me jaayen...........kah rahe honge kuchh......main mar raha hun." "Tumhari takleef kisi had tak door ho sakti hai." "kaise....??" Josef ek jhatke ke sath uth baitha.
"Main jhoot nahin bolta. Magar pahle tum unki baat sun kar mujhe bataao ki wo kya kah rahe hain?"
Josef kuch pal tak palken jhapkaata raha.....phir khisakta hua darwaaze tak aaya. Thodi der un se baaten karta raha phir Safdar se bola. "Wo log party ke leader ko pooja sthal par le jaana chaahte hain." "Kyon....?"
"Pawitra Pujarin ka aadesh hai."
"mm....magar leader?" Safdar ne nirsha se sab ki taraf dekha. Wo sabhi josef ke paas aa gaye the. Safdar ki nigaah Haam ke chehre
par ruk gayi.
"Nahin.....meri taraf na dekho." Haam ne hath hila kar zahreele lahje me kaha. "Mujh me leadership ki yogyata nahin hai."
"Tum ne is ki taraf kyon dekha?" Monica Safdar pe chadh daudi."Tum bhi choodiyaan pahan kar baitho.....main khud jaaungi."
"Main munasib nahin samjha tha ki Haam jaise anubhavi aadmi ke aage main badhun."
"Tum hi jaao.....kyon ki tum ek bahut bade samajhdaar aadmi ke sathi ho."
"Zaroor jaao." Haam chidh kar bola "Tum bhi bahut bade samajhdaar ban jaao."
"Monica phir Haam ki taraf jhapti hi thi ki Safdar ne us ka baazu pakadte huye kaha...."Mera request hai ki khud ko kaabu me rakho.
Isay bakne do. Hamen satarkta baratni hai."
"Taaki satarkta ke sath dafan ho jayen." Haam ne paagalon ki tarah thahaaka lagaya.
"Tum ne mujh se kya kaha tha Mr Safdar...." Josef aage pichhe jhoolta hua bola,
"Haam....ruko....mere thaile me ractified sprit ki ek botal maujood hai."
Aahaa.......chalegi." Josef khushi se uchhal pada. "Laao.....nikaalo jaldi karo......ye basterd jhoote hain....ki yahaan nasha ki chizen rakhne ki anumati nahin hai. Main ne unhen taadi peete dekha hai. Taad ke pedon par haandiyaan latakte dekhi hain. Ye sab fraud
hain. Un se kaho ki mere liye taadi hi laa diya karen."
Kuchh der baad safdar un ke sath jaane ke liye baahar nikalne laga. Lekin achanak Daisy raasta rok kar boli "Tum na jaao.....mujhe dar lag raha hai."
Daisy saham kar ek taraf hat gayi aur Safdar ne Monica se kaha "Main kahta hun dimaag thanda rakho. Tumhen is bechari ka khayal rakhna chaahiye."
"Jaao.......sab thik hai." Monica ne rookhe swar me kaha.
Daisy Safdar ke alawa aur kisi se baat tak nahin karti thi. Adhiktar yahi koshish karti thi ki us ke nikat hi rahe. Wo kahti thi ki iss poori bheed me us ke alawa aur kisi me bhi insaaniyat nahin dikhayi deti.
Safdar baahar nikla aur Josef ne cheekh kar kuchh kaha aur naachne gaane waalon ki bheed uske paas jama hone lagi.
Phir kuchh hi der baad wo sab ek taraf chal pade. Safdar bich me tha aur wo do line me us ke donon taraf chal rahe the. Sooraj doob chuka tha. Aakash ka laal rang aur gahra ho chuka tha. Basti se guzar kar ab wo ek pathreele raasta par chal rahe the.
Yahaan jhaadiyaan nahin thin. Lekin iske baad bhi wo raasta kathin tha. Andhere me to is taraf se guzarna aatm-hatya ke barabar tha.
Jangali Safdar ko bich me le kar ab ek hi kataar me aa gaye the. Itna andhera nahin phaila tha ki gadhe aur khaaiyaan dikhaayi nahin detin.
Achanak safdar ko ek sureeli si aawaz sunaayi di.....lekin door ki aawaz thi. Mithaas se bharpoor naari aawaz. Utaar chadhaav se wo koi geet hi lag raha tha. Jaise jaise wo aage badhte gaye aawaz kareeb hoti gayi.
Phir ek samtal(plane) jagah par pahunch kar jangaliyon ne us ke charon taraf ghera bana liya. Kuchh hi doori par safdar ko ek badi
si imaarat ki dhundali si aakriti dikhayi de rahi thi. Itni andhkaar to phail hi gayi thi ki kuchh hi doori se bhi imaarat ka detail awalokan lena kathin tha. Aawaz usi imaarat se ab bhi aa rahi thi. Wo nishchit koi geet hi tha.....lekin words Safdar ke liye aparichit the. Uff....ye aawaaz.....kaisi aawaz thi.....Safdar ko aisa lag raha tha jaise us ka astitva(Wajood) aawaz ke har utaar chadhaav ke sath fiza me wileen hota jaa raha ho. Kitni mithaas.....kitna ras tha.
Aakash ki nilima samaapt hote huye gahre kalapan me badal gaya tha. Achanak geet tham gaya. Jangali bhi ruk gaye. Aisa laga jaise prithwi ki gati hi tham gayi ho. Kuchh pal kewal jhinguron ki aawaz hi fiza me goonjti rahi. Phir ek naari aawaz ubhri........ "Swagat hai aye sachaayi se bhatke huye manav......! iss pawitra sthal ki diwaaron se tumhen dosti ki sugandh milegi. Aa jaa.....ki tere aas-paas andhere apna jaal bun rahe hain.....aa ki andhkaar tujhe hadap karne ke liye tumhari taraf badh rahi hai......aa ki yahaan jyotiyaan teri pratiksha kar rahi hain....."
Safdar aage badha lekin jangali apni jagah se hile bhi nahin.....lekin unhone usay raasta dene ke liye apna ghera tod diya tha. Safdar poori taakat se apne kadam badhaata hua imaarat ki taraf badha. Jise hi nikat pahuncha ek darwaaze me raushni ka flash jaisa hua.....aur wo jhijhak kar ek kadam pichhe hat gaya. Us se ye harkat anayaas hi hua tha. Usay dar ka parinaam nahin kaha jaa sakta tha.
Ye ek khula hua dwaar tha. Is me darwaaze ke paat nahin the. Magar raushni ab bhi maujood thi. Safdar aage badha.
Usay aasha thi ki andar koi aisa aadmi zaroor hoga jo usay raasta dikhaayega.....lekin wahaan to sannaata tha. Kareeb aur door wahaan koi bhi nahin tha.
Diwaaron se sugandh ki lapaten nikalti lag rahi thi. Tabhi phir wahi geet shuru ho gaya.....jis wo door hi se sunta raha tha.
Magar......ohh.....ye geet to khushbuon hi ki tarad daro-deewar se phoot raha tha. Safdar ke kadam ladkhadaane lage. Wo bhaybheet nahin tha. Isay geeto aur wahaan ke mahaul ke prabhav se us ke andar paida ho jaane waali aatm-vibhore kah sakte hain. Khushbuon ki lapaten aut geet ki surreeli mithaas usay andekhe sansaar ki sair karaa rahe the.
Usay aisa mahsoos ho raha tha jaise khud ruii ke gaalon ki tarah fiza me udta phir raha ho. Geet ki utaar chadhaav ke sath halkore le raha ho. Us ke mastishk par kewal teen chizen chhaaii huyi thin. Madhim si swapnil raushni.....dil ko chhu lene waali sangeet aur khushboo. In ke alawa aur kisi chiz ka ehsaas usay nahin tha.
Us ke kadam uthte rahe. Bas wo kisi aise andhe ki tarah chala jaa raha tha jis ke hath me laathi bhi na ho.
Achanak ek karkash si jhankaar ne usay jhanjhod kar rakh diya. Jahaan tha wahin kadam ruk gaye.....hosh aaya.....raushni ab bhi phaili huyi thi. Khushbuyen ab bhi chakraa rahi thin.....lekin geet tham chuka tha.
Us ne jhurjhuri si li......aur aankhen phaad phaad kar chaaron taraf dekhne laga. Aage raasta band tha. Saamne hi ek uncha sa stage dikhayi diya. Bich me dhuwen ki ek patli si lakeer phoot kar bal khati huyi fiza me wileen ho rahi thi. Us ki samajh me nahin aa raha tha ki ab usay kya karna chaahiye. Aas paas koi bhi na tha. Wo aurat kahan thi jis ne usay swagat kiya tha. Kitni saaf angrezi me usay sambodhit kiya tha.
Achanak us ne mahsoos kiya ki stage ke farsh se phootne waali dhuwen ki lakeer ka radius badhta jaa raha hai.
Phir dekhte hi dekhte 3 feet ke circle me dhuwaan chakraane laga. Farsh se chhat tak. Lekin dhuwen ki ek patli lakeer bhi us circle se baahar nahin nikal rahi thi.
Kuchh der baad Safdar ko laga ki circle ke bich me ek aakriti ubhar rahi hai. Dhire dhire uski banawat spasht hoti gayi aur phir achanak safdar larkhadaata hua kayi kadam pichhe hat gaya.
Uski aankhen dhoka nahin de sakti thin aur usay apni yaad-daasht par poora vishwaas tha. Ye shat-pratishat Bogha tha. Lekin dhuwen ki moorat ke roop me.
Aashcharya se us ki aankhen ubal padin......kyon ki dhuwen ki wo moorat harkat bhi kar sakti thi. Us ne apna hath uthaya tha. Hont hile the aur phir Safdar ne Bogha ki aawaz bhi saaf pahchaani thi. Wo kah raha tha.........
"Khazaanon ki talash me aaye ho......magar kis kaam ke wo khazaane jo tumhara pet bhi na bhar saken. Tumhara boat tabaah ho
chuka hai is liye waapasi ka sawaal hi nahin paida hota. Jaao sone aur chaandi ke dher khod nikaalo. Aur unhen is tarah chaba kar niglo ki wo hazam ho kar shareer ke tatwa ban jaayen. Kar sakoge aisa? Nahin? To phir ediyaan ragad ragad kar marna padega.
Yahaan tum 50 kilo sona ke badle me ek mutthi makaii ya ek glaas doodh bhi praapt nahin kar sakoge."
Safdar ke hont ghreena se sikud gaye. Us ne krodh bhare swar me kaha "Tum meri aawaz sun sakoge?" "Haan....haan....kyon nahin?"
"Hamen yahaan is tarah kyon laaya gaya hai?"
"Taaki tumhen najaat(Paap se chhutkaara) ke raaste par lagaya jaa sake.....ki asli chiz mehnat hai....daulat nahin. Mehnat hi tumhara yahaan pet bhar sakegi."
Safdar ne socha ki shayad wo abhi pahchaana nahin jaa saka isliye behtar hai ki wo adhik baaten na kare. (Jaari)
Safdar ne socha ki shayad wo abhi pahchaana nahin jaa saka isliye behtar hai ki wo adhik baaten na kare."Main kamzor ichhashakti ka aadmi nahin hun." Us ne jawab diya.
"Jo bhi ho bahut khoob ho. Faide hi faide me rahoge. Achha jaao.....left side jo darwaza hai us me jaao.....aur wahin thahro.
Tumhari musibaton ke din khatam ho gaye."
Lekin Safdar jahaan tha wahin khada raha. Dhire dhire dhuwen ki aakriti ke nain naksh dhundale padte gaye aur kuchh hi der me wahaan kewal dhuwaan hi chakraata rah gaya. Phir dhuwen ka radius bhi kam ho gaya.....aur ant-tah wo ek patli si lakeer ke roop me rah gaya.
Ab phir pahle ki tarah shaanti chha gayi.
Wo kuchh pal wahin khada raha phir baayen taraf waale darwaaze ki taraf mud gaya. Jaise hi wo darwaze se guzra ek 'khatt' ki aawaz aayi aur wo chaunk kar muda. Magar ab kya ho sakta tha. Upar se ek stonr slab sarakti huyi niche aayi thi aur wo darwaaza bhi deewar ka hi hissa ban gaya tha.
Lekin is se pahle hi Safdar ko us kamre me ek aisa scene dikhayi diya jis ne usay darwaaze ke baare me adhik sochne ka mauka hi nahin diya tha.
Us ke sabhi sathi wahaan wahaan maujood the.....lekin koi bhi hosh me nahin lag raha tha. Sabhi besudh pade huye tha. Pahli nazar me to aisa hi laga tha jaise sab mar hi chuke hon. Kuchh hi der pahle us ne unhen basti ke ek jhopade me chhoda tha.
Aakhir wahaan kaise aa pahunche? Ho sakta hai ki unhen laane ke liye koi dusra raasta apnaya gaya ho.
Yahaan itni tez raushni ki har kone me ujaala hota. Achanak ek andhere bhaag se ek aurat aage badhi. Wo prachin design ke safed labaade(gown) me thi aur chehra bhi safed naqaab me chhupa hua tha.....lekin sunahre baal kandhon par bikhre huye the. Us ke daahine hath me ek chhota sa gada numa danda tha jis ke sire par nukeeli keelen jaisi ubhari huyi thin.
"Welcome...." Us ki sureeli aawaz goonji......aur phir Safdar ne mahsoos kiya jaie wo kisi baat par achanak baukhlaa gayi ho. Aise larkhada kar pichhe hati thi jaie koi un-expected chiz saamne aa gayi ho. Naqaab se maano us ki aankhen ubli pad rahi thin. Phir wo un logon ki taraf mudi jo farsh par behosh pade huye the. Agle hi pal me Safdar ne usay jhuk jhuk kar har ek ka chehra nihaarte huye dekha. Aisa lag raha tha jaise usay kisi khaas aadmi ki talash ho.
Kuchh der baad wo seedhi khadi ho kar safdar ki taraf mudi aur usay apne sath aane ka ishara ki.
Lambi raahdari(Corridoor) se guzar kar wo phir ek bade kamre me pahunche. Aurat us se kuchh doori par ruk gayi. Dono aamne saamne khade the.
Wo apna danda utha kar boli "Tum yahaan kyon aaye ho?"
"Abhi tumhara devata khud hi bata chuka hai ki ham khazaane ki talash me aaye hain." Safdar muskuraaya.
"Main nahin maanti."
"To phir ye bhi sweekar karo ki tumhara devta ahmaq(murkh) hai. Be par ki udaata hai."
"Devta ne galat nahin kaha tha. Tum usi bahaane se aaye ho. Lekin meri aantarik shakti isay nahin maanti ki tum khazaane ke liye hi yahaan tak ka safar kiye ho."
"Na maane.....ab to aa hi phanse hain."
"Waapasi namumkin hogi."
"Mujhe pata hai. Main jaanta hun. hamara boat ya to waapas gaya hoga ya tabaah kar diya gaya hoga. Main bhi ab kuchh kuchh samajh raha hun pawitra pujarin.......lekin tumhara devta meri samajh me nahin aaya."
"Kya samajh rahe ho?"
"Kuchh bhi nahin." Safdar ne laparwaahi se kaha. "Ab tumhara agla kadam kya hoga?"
"Tumhara leader kahaan hai?"
"Main hi leader hun."
"Isay bhi nahin maan sakti."
"Tumhari marzi."
"Hosh me aao. Main tumhen isi jagah fana kar dene ki taakat rakhti hun."
"Apni aantarik shakti se kaho ki mujhe pahchaanne ki koshish kare. Wo tumhen bataayega ki meri nigaah me maut ka koi mahaatva nahin hai."
"Ok.....phir sambhalo...." Us ne apna hathiyar(danda) uthaya hi tha ki pichhe se aawaz aayi...."Thahro...." Danda niche jhuk gaya. Safdar bhi aawaz ki taraf muda.
Usay ek darwaaze me wahi kafan-posh dikhayi diya jisay wo kuchh din pahle gufaa me dekh chuka tha. Us ke hath me bhi waisa hi danda dikhayi diya jaisa pujarin ke paas tha.
"Tum ne bina anumati ke yahaan aane ki himmat kaise ki?" Pujaari kahar barsaati huyi aawaz me boli,
"mm....main....devta ka peshkaar.....nahin....thaanedaar.....ohh....kk...kya kahte hain....sipah-saalar hun....." Kafan posh ne kaha.
"Paagal hua hai.....dafa ho jaao yahaan se....." Wo cheekhi. "Tu ne aaj phir pi li hai shayad.....is ki saza milegi tujhe."
"Mujhe adhikaar praapt hai ki main har ek ko galat kadam uthaane se rok dun. Tumhara khayal galat hai ki main nashe me hun.
Tum isay fana karne jaa rahi thin. Jabki ye devta ki policy ke viruddh hai."
"Tu mujh se bahas kar raha hai.....!!!!"
"Devta ne mujhe god le liya hai. Is liye main chaand sitaaron se bhi bahas kar sakta hun......tum kya ho. Is samay meri aatmik shakti shuddh makkhan se bhi adhik zordaar saabit ho sakti hai......pyari Thressia Bimbol B of Bohemia......"
Aurat anayaas uchhal padi.....aur Safdar par to maano bomb gir pada tha.....kyon ki is baar us ne Imran ki aawaz saaf pahchani thi. Iss se pahle wo aawaz badal kar bol raha tha.
Shayad ek minut tak kisi ke muh se koi aawaz nahin nikal saka tha. Phir naqaab posh aurat bharraayi huyi aawaz me boli
"Jaao.....chale jaao yahaan se. Tum shayad paagal ho gaye ho."
"Paidaaishi paagal samajh lo. Ye aaj ki nayi baat nahin hai."
"Tum kya chaahte ho?"
"Bogha ki laash.....ya us ke hathon me hathkadiyan. Main soch bhi nahin sakta tha ki uska sambandh tum logon se hoga."
"Wo bahut bada aadmi hai. Jaao yahaan se chale jaao......warna main tumhen maar daalungi."
"Tumhare hathon to main itni baar mara hun ki ab khud ko bhoot kahte huye bhi sharm aati hai."
"Deewane.....sach much teri maut aayi hai. Usay tumhari iss harkat ki suchna mil chuki hogi. Tum ne jis aadmi se ye sab haasil kiya hai us ne tumhare kaabu me aane se pahle hi isi dande ke dwaara sandesh bhej diya hoga."
"Chinta mat karo. Ab us safar ki taiyari karni hai tumhen jis ke liye ye sab kuchh hua hai. Main jaanta hun ki devta ka sipah saalar (Senapati) iss safar me tumhare sath hi hota hai."
"Ohh......tum mujhe majboor karoge?"
"Phir kya tum wo us safar se khud ko alag kar logi?"
"Nahin.....ye log to nishchit roop se jaayenge......lekin tum donon........." Wo kuchh pal sochti rahi phir jhallaaye huye lahje me boli "Nahin......main is baar tumhen zinda nahin chhodungi."
"Confucius ne to ye nahin kaha tha ki kisi aurat ke hathon marne se 'surkhaab ke pankh lag jaate hain."
"Bakwaas mat karo......chalo usi kamre me jahaan tumhare dusre sathi bhi hain."
"Thressia.......hosh me aao. Tum is samay meri qaid me ho. Farar ke sabhi raaste main band kar chuka hun." (Jaari) Update-27 Zulmaat Ka Devta:
"Ahmak na banon. Tum yahaan ke baare me kuchh nahin jaante. Main phir kahti hun ki Bogha ko tumhari is harkat ka pata chal chuka hoga. Abhi us ne Safdar se baaten ki thi. Main us ki aawaz sun rahi thi. Us ne ye nahin prakat hone diya ki wo safdar ko pahchaanta hai. Halaaki shayad hazaaro me bhi pahchaan le. Tum donon us ke liye shayad permanent sardard ban kar rah gaye ho. Latoshe me us ne tum se ek kaam lena chaaha tha lekin nakaami ke baad jhalla gaya hai."
"Lekin us ne mujhe kaise pahchana hoga? Wo kahaan hai?"
"Aaj kal isi taapu me hai. Lekin koi nahin jaanta ki wo kahaan milega." "Tum bhi nahin jaanti?" Imran ne puchha.
"Hargiz nahin."
"Ye tumhara apmaan hai Thressia. Main soch bhi nahin sakta tha ki Bogha tum se uncha position rakhta hoga."
"Thanks......" Thressia hans padi. "Lekin tum meri bhavna ko ubhaar kar mujhe Bogha ke khilaaf nahin uksaa sakoge." Wo dhire dhire pichhe hat rahi thi.
"Thahro.....apni jagah se hilna bhi nahin." Imran ne gada jaisa danda utha kar kaha. Lekin thressia ek hi jump me pichhli diwaar se jaa lagi aur Safdar ko aisa hi laga jaise prithwi apni dhoori se hat gayi ho. Wo muhh ke bal zameen par gira tha.
Samajh hi me na aa saka tha ki hua kya tha. Ho sakta hai ki wo kewal maansik jhatka raha ho......jo usay iss tarah farsh par le aaya tha. Bas us ne bijli ke kadaake ki si aawaz suni thi aur uski aankhon me sitaare naach uthe the. Kadam larkhadaaye the aur wo dher ho gaya tha.
Tabhi us ne Imran ki aawaz suni "Sir Isac Neuton ki aisi ki taisi."
Phir Thressia ka thahaaka sunaayi diya tha aur us ne uthne ki koshish ki lekin ghutnon ke bal baitha hi rah gaya. Imran ko jo bhi us haalat me dekhta wo stabdh rah jaata.
Wo hawa me jhoolta hua bebasi se hath pair hila raha tha......aur us ke sar par chhat me ek prakashit circle tezi se nach raha tha. Us ki raushni kamre me pahle se paayi jaane waali raushni se ekdam alag thi......aur us ka focus bhi seemit tha.
"Sir Isac Neuton ko gaaliyaan de rahe ho tum...." Thressia ne phir thahaaka lagaya.
"Kyon na dun......gravitation ka rule hi false ho kar rah gaya hai.....aur mujhe nahin yaad aata ki is baare me Confucius ne kya kaha tha."
"Confucius ne yahi kaha hoga ki har maamle me kood padna afune kha kar so rahne se bhi bad-tar hai. Bas ab isi tarah latke raho." Thressia ne kaha aur phir Safdar ko ghoorti huyi boli "Agar tum aage badhe to rakh ka dher ho kar rah jaaoge."
Wo kuchh na bola. Waise bhi wo asawadhani waale kadam uthaane ka aadi nahin tha. Chup chaap usi tarah baitha raha. "Ab us chiz ka kya value raha gaya jis ke bal par tum mujhe apna qaidi samajh rahe the?" Thressia ne phir Imran ko sambodhit kiya.
"Haan.....ye bekaar ho gaya hai." Imran ne gada numa dande ko hilaane ki koshish ki lekin nakaam raha.
"Kewal bekaar hi nahin ho gaya balki usi ke kaaran tum iss musibat me pade ho." "Aahaaa.....ab yaad aaya ki Confusius ne kya kaha tha." Imran ne khush ho kar kaha.
"Kya kaha tha?" Thressia ne mazaak udaane waale andaaz me kaha.
"Yahi ki agar biwi bad-zubaan ho to chhod do. Ghoda be-lagaam ho to chhod do."
"Ye kah kar us ne dande ko chhod diya. Phir khud to dhamm se farsh par aa gira aur danda chhat waale raushan gole se jaa chipkaa.
"Samajhdaar ho.....leki ye bhi zaroor jaante hoge ki mere kareeb aane ka kya anjaam hoga." "Shayari karne lagunga." Imran ne murkhon jaisa uttar diya.
"Ab bataao.....un teenon aadmiyon ka kya hua?"
"Ek to ab kayamat ke din ka hi pratiksha karega. Aur baaki donon wahin qaid hain."
"Tumhara kya hashar hona chaahiye?"
"Bas ek baar muskuraa kar dekh lo.....beda paar ho jaayega. Phir Confucius kuchh bhi kaha kare mujhe parwaah nahin hogi."
"Bakwaas band karo...." Achanak Thressia gazabnaak ho gayi. "Iss baar main tujhe zinda nahin chhodungi."
"Lekin abhi to yahaan se bhaag jaane ka mashwiraa de rahi thi."
"Kisi tarah wo danda tum se haasil karna tha samjhe. Kisi galat-fahmi me na rahna. Tum jaise na jaane kitne mittee me mil chuke hain."
"Aye......isay samjhaao ki main ne kitni raaten iski judaayi me so kar kaati hain." Imran ne safdar se kaha. "Isay yakeen dilaao ki kitni baar hafton ka khaana ek hi time me kha gaya hun."
"khamosh raho. Aur chup chaap dusri taraf mud jaao. Tum bhi utho." Thressia ne safdar ki taraf dekh kar kaha.
Safdar chup chaap utha gaya. Wo us gada numa danda ke baare me kuchh nahin jaanta tha. Lekin us ne ye zaroor mahsoos kiya tha ki danda hath se nikal jaane ke baad se Imran ke rawaiye me saaf badlaao aa gaya tha. Ab wo na to pahle ki tarah chahak raha tha aur na yahi lag raha tha ki ab bhi Thressia ko thahaakon me udaata rahega. Wo bhi chup chaap dusri taraf mud gaya. "Usi kamre ki taraf chalo jahaan tumhare dusre sathi bhi hain." Thressia ka lahja ab behad kadwa tha.
"Chalo bhai." Imran ne thandi saans li. "Confucius ne is mauka ke liye bhi kuchh na kuchh kaha hi hoga. Lekin meri yaad-dasht phir mera sath chhod rahi hai."
Wo chalte rahe. Safdar Thressia ke kadmon ki aawaz bhi sun raha tha. Lekin us ne ya Imran ne mud kar nahin dekha. Safdar ko andaaz lag gaya tha ki Bogha yahaan maujood nahin hai. Magar wo chaahe kahin ho. Unhen us ke saamne zaroor pesh kiya jaayega. Isliye abhi is ka sambhavana nahin tha ki wo us se pahle hi maar daale jaayen.
Achanak us ne kisi tarah ki bu(smell) mahsoos kar ke naak sikode. Imran bhi ek jhatke ke sath ruk gaya. Safdar ne kuchh kahne ke liye hont khole hi the ki sar chakra gaya. Phir usay hosh nahin raha ki us ke baad kya hua tha aur Imran ne kitni der apni naak ko chutki se dabaya hoga.
Dusri baar hosh aane par us ne sab se pahle Monica ki aawaz suni thi. Shayad wo kisi par baras rahi thi.. Us ne uthan chaha lekin hil bhi nahin saka. Poore sharir me chubhan si mahsoos ho rahi thi. Mastishk abhi poori tarah saaf nahin hua tha. Lekin usay aisa lag raha tha jaise wo fiza me tair raha ho. Aankhon ke saamne dhund si chhaayi huyi thi.
Phir dhire dhire pata chala ki uska poora shareer rassiyon se jakda hua hai aur karwat bhi nahin le sakta. Sar par baadalon se dhaka hua aasman tha. Aur wo chit leta hua is tarah aankhen phaad raha tha jaise baadalon ke paar dekhne ki koshish kar raha ho.
Bahut se kadmon ki aawazen kaanon me goonj rahi thin. Wo sochne laga ki aakhir kyon usay iss tarah le jaaya jaa raha hai. Us ke dusre sathi to shayad apne pairon pe hi chal rahe the. To phir Imran ki bhi haalat iss se alag nahin hogi. Wo bhi isi tarah strecher me jakad iya gaya hoga......aur dusron hi ke kandhon par us ka bhi safar jaari hoga.
Phir us ne Josef ki aawaz suni jo shayad jangaliyon se baaten kar raha tha.
Safdar kewal gardan ghuma sakta tha. Uske hath bhi free nahin the.. Achanak us ne Thressia ki aawaz sun kar gardan ghumaayi. Wo usi libaas me thi jis me pichhli raat dikhayi di thi. Vishesh danda us ke hath me tha.....aur wo kisi prachin rani ki tarah safar kar rahi thi.
Ek nakkashi ki huyi kursi thi jis ke paayon se do lambe lambe baans baandhe gaye the. Aur iss tarah usay aath jangali apne kandhon par uthaaye huye chal rahe the.
"kya tum jaag rahe ho?" Thressia ne Safdar se puchha.
"Mujhe yahi samajhne do ki main sapna dekh raha hun."
"Aisa sapna jo permanant neend par samaapt hoga."
"Magar mujhe is tarah kyon le jaaya jaa raha hai."
"Special care hai tumhare liye. Baaki sab to paidal hi ghisat rahe hain."
Achanak Monica garajne lagi "Tum nishchit roop se koi europeon ho. Lekin in jangaliyon se adhik jangali lagti ho. Kya tumhen is bechari ladki pe raham nahin aata......jis ke liye do kadam chalna bhi kathin hai."
"Ab Safdar ko Daisy ka khayal aaya. Sach much uski haalat bahut hi dayneeye hogi.
"Tum me kayi raham-dil bhi honge." Thressia ne kadwe swar me jawab diya. "Un se kaho ki wo usay apne kandhon par utha len."
"In donon ko rassiyon se kyon jakada hua hai. Kya wo bhaag jaayenge?"
"Shut....uppp...." Thressia garji. "Ab mujhe mukhatib mat karna. Main har aire-gaire se baat nahin karti." Monica barbadaati rahi aur Thressia phir Safdar ki taraf mudi.
"Aakhir ye auraten kyon aayi thin?" Us ne hans kar puchha.
"Kya auraton ko khazaane se lagaao nahin hota?"
"Meri samajh se tum donon mazdooron ki haisiyat se iss party ke sath aaye hoge."
"Khayal gakat nahin hai. Lekin tumhari baaton se ye anumaan lagta hai jaise tum iss tarah ki partiyon ke intezar me hi rahti ho."
"Thressia halka sa kahkahaa laga kar boli. "Tumhari soch bhi galat nahin hai. Ham iss tarah ki partiyan bulwaate rahte hain." "Kya matlab?"
"Hamaare agent aas paas ke deshon me khazaanon ka propaganda karte hain. Is liye is tarah ki partiyaan aksar aati rahti hain." "To kya khazaane kewal bakwaas hain?"
"Ab to bakwaas hi hain. Kyon ki ham bahut pahle un par kabza kar chuke hain."
"Magar tum un logon ka kya karti ho jo partiyon me aate hain."
"Ye ek naye rastra ke nagarik banenge. Zeroland ke nagarik kahlaayenge."
"Nahin.......ye Zeroland ka kewal ek mamooli sa hissa hain. Zeroland ka capital kahan hai......shayad tumhare farishte bhi wahaan tak na pahunch paayen."
"Magar Bogha tum logon se kaise jaa mila? Wo to ek smuggler tha?"
"Wo hamesha se hi hamaare sath raha hai. Hamaare sansadhan ka sambandh bhi tumhari hi duniya se hai. Iss liye hamen sab kuchh karna padta hai. different zone se currencies ikattha karne ke liye smuggling ko zariya banaya jaata hai. Lekin wo jo hamaare liye kaam karte hain wo isay kewal international level par hone waali smuggling hi samajhte hain. Unhen iske asli maksad ka pata nahin."
"Aur Bogha bhi waise hi logon me se hai?"
"Hargiz nahin. Wo to is organization ka head hai......aur Zeroland ki ek baut badi personality. Haan uske adheen kaam karne waale Zeroland ke baare me kuchh nahin jaante." "To in islands me tum log bastiyaan basa rahe ho?"
"Temporary bastiyaan. Yahaan zeroland ke liye kaam hota hai."
"Ohho....to is tarah tum log civilized world se mazdoor haasil karte ho."
"Thik samjhe. Jangaliyon se mashinon par kaam nahin liya jaa sakta. In se to bas aise hi kaam liye jaate hain jaisa tum abhi dekh rahe ho. Ye to ye bhi nahin jaante ki yahaan aa phansne waale civilized log ka anjaam kya hota hai. Ye us basti se bhi anjaan hainjahaan tum le jaaye jaa rahe ho. Unhen ek vishesh jagah se aage na badhne diya jaayega."
"To phir mera khayal hai ki kewal inhen kaabu me rakhne ke liye tum logon ne ye dhong racha hai.....tum pujarin ho aur wo devta."
"Na kewal unhen kaabu me rakhne ke liye balki civilized duniya ke logon ko prabhavit karne ke liye bhi. Taaki wo kabhi hamaare khilaaf saazish karne ka na soch saken. Tum bhi us samay baukhla gaye hoge jab tumhari goliyaan aashcharya-janak dhang se bekaar huyi hongi. Mujhe suchna mili thi ki tum logon ne tommy gun se jangaliyon par goliyaan barsaayi thi."
"Ye hakeekat hai ki main baukhla gaya tha......lekin jaanti ho Imran uss samay kya kar raha tha?" "Kya?"
"Mouth organ baja raha tha."
"Magar ab is time kyon khamosh hain ye shriman. Main uljhan me hun."
"Magar ab is time kyon khamosh hain ye shriman. Main uljhan me hun."(Aage.......)
"Kya hosh me hai?"
"Poori tarah. Lekin mujhe is tarah aankhen phaad phaad kar dekhta hai jaise pahli baar dekha ho. Ho sakta hai ki koi nayi chaal sujh gayi ho. Mere sitaare achhe the ki wo achanak us tarah prakat ho gaya.....warna baad me mujhe shayad aatmhatya hi karni padti."
"Shayad apni us murkhta par jiwan bhar afsos karta rahe."
"Usay murkhta na kaho. Agar tumhari zindagi khatre me na hoti to wo kabhi aisa kadam na uthaata." "To kya sach mujh tum mujhe maar daalti?" Safdar ne muskura kar puchha.
Lekin Thressia iss sawaal par khamosh hi ho gayi thi. Kuchh der baad Safdar ne puchha. "Lekin wo pichhli raat hawa me kaise latak gaya tha? Wo raushni ki circle kaisi thi?"
"Wo raushni abhi experiment ke test period me hai. Lekin ek din ham usi ke dwara grahon tak pahunchne me safal ho jaayenge.
Imran kewal us stick ke kaaran hawa me jhool raha tha. Attraction us par nahin balki usi stick par active thi."
"Lekin hawa me latak kyon gaya tha. Agar us bright circle ka attraction power prithwi ki gurutwakarshan se adhik shaktishali ho chuki thi to Imran ko bhi usi se jaa chipakna tha. Agar wo danda us ko uss unchayi tak upar le jaa sakta tha to bich me hi latke rah jaane ka kya kaaran tha?"
"Shayad ye tum bhool rahe ho ki ek danda mere hath me bhi tha. Us se nikalne waali rays Imran ko niche khinch rahi thin.....phir wo hawa me kyon na latakta. Maksad us ko nihattha karna aur hamar wo khaas hathiyaar us ke kabze se le lena tha. Agar mere hathiyaar se electronic rays nahin nikal rahi hotin to us ka danda usay upar hi liye chala jaata."
"Tumhara danda bhi kyon nahin khinch gaya tha?"
"Agar us light ke focus me hota to nishchit roop se uska bhi wahi haal ho jaata. Zeroland ke scientists ka ye ek bahut chhota sa invention tumhari duniya ke sab se hairat angez aawiskaar par bhi bhaari hai. Ek nanhi si neuclear battery iss se hazaar tarah ke kaam le sakti hai......aur isay kewal wahi raushni.................ohh magar main tumhen ye sab kyon bata rahi hun."
"Na bataao......magar main un aadam-khoron ke baare me zaroor puchhunga jo kewak auraton ka gosht khaate hain." "Aur tum log un aadam-khoron se bhi adhik bhayanak ho jo in bechaariyon ko un ki bhent chadhaane ke liye sath laaye ho. Wo aadam khor yahaan nahin hain. Aisi khatarnak abhiyaanon me auraten hissa nahin leti hain......is liye ye tadbir nikaali gayi hai. Aakhir basti ke liye auraton ki bhi to zaroorat hai. Aksar log yahaan aaye aur un false aadam khoron ne hamaari scheme ke anusar unhen aage nahin badhne diya. Aur wo waapas chale gaye. Phir dubaara aaye aur kisi na kisi tarah kuchh auraten bhi sath laaye. Aur ab to har party ke sath do chaar auraten zaroor hoti hain.....taaki unhen aadam khoron ke hawaale kar ke khazaane tak pahunch saken. Lekin wo aadam khor unhen daudaate huye thik usi jagah pahuncha dete hain jahaan se tum logon ne yahaan ke liye safar shuru kiya tha. Magar ye bataao ki tum donon ne idhar ka rukh kyon kiya tha?"
Tabhi Imran ne haank lagaayi "Safdar mere pet me dard ho raha hai is liye mouth organ bajaana chaahta hun. In se kaho ki mera hath ko aazad kar den."
Monica jhapat kar us ke paas pahunchi aur donon hath utha kar cheekhne lagi "Kholo isay khol do.....sang-dil aurat...." "Hato.....hat jaao us ke kareeb se...." Thressia gurraayi. Phir us ne jangaliyon se kuchh kaha aur wo usay ghaseet kar pichhe le gaye.
"Ye kon hai......aur khaas taur se Imran hi ke aas paas kyon nachti rahti hai? Pata nahin kyon mujhe aisa lagta hai ki main isay pahle bhi kahin dekh chuki hun." Thressia ne Safdar se kaha "Magar ye Juliana Fitzwater to nahin ho sakti...."
"Main nahin jaanta kon hai." Safdar ne short me jawaab diya. Us ne anumaan laga liya tha ki Imran usay khamosh hi dekhna chaahta hai.
"Usay samjhao ki wo us se door hi rahe warnaaa....." Thressia ne zahar bhare lahje me kaha.
Monica ab bhi cheekhe jaa rahi thi.
"Ye baat meri samajh me nahin aati ki ham nihatthe log tumhara kya bigaad lenge jo iss tarah le jaaye jaa rahe hain." Safdar ne kaha.
"Jo nihatthe log kuchh na bigaad sakte wo apne pairon par hi chal rahe hain....haan...kisi had tak ye bhi sambhav hai ki tum aazad kar diye jaao......lekin wo.....quite impossible."
"Thressia kya tumhen Shukraal ka abhiyan yaad nahin.........kya ham ne tumhen apna qaidi nahin banaaya tha?"
"Mujhe aaj tak afsos hai apni himaakat par.......ki main ne Imran ko qatal kyon nahin kar diya tha."
"Main sun raha hun....." Imran ne haank lagaayi. Us ka strecher bhi kareeb hi tha. "Ab qatal kar do......wahaan le jaa kar kya karogi?"
"Iss se kaho ki khamosh rahe...." Thressia ne krodh bhare swar me Safdar se kaha. "Achha.....ek baat bataao...." Safdar ne dhire se puchha "Kya tum usay marte dekh sakogi?" "Khamosh raho...." Thressia ne dusri taraf muh pher liya.
Dopahar ko ek jagah unhone thahraav kiya. Thressia ke nakkashi waali kursi ek unchi jagah par rakh di gayi. Haam aur us ke sathiyon ko chawal aur dry fish khaane ko di gayi.
Khane ki taiyari me lagbhag dedh ghanta lag gaya. Safdar aur Imran ab bhi strechers me hi jakde pade the. Khane ke liye bhi unhen uthne ki anumati na mili. Thressia ka order tha ki koi unhen wise hi lete huye haalat me khila de. Monica aur Daisy uthi thin. Daisy Safdar ke paas ruk gayi.
Monica Imran par jhukti huyi boli "Bataao main kya karun tumhare liye. Mujhe is ki parwaah nahin ki mera sharir nezon se chhidd jaaye. Magar us ke baad kya hoga. Aakhir ye log chaahte kya hain."
"Tum inhen kya samjhti ho?"
"Samajh me nahin aata."
"Ye Bogha hi ki shakti hain."
"Nahinnnn...." Monica ki aankhen hairat se phail gayin.
"Vishwaas karo......mai ne bhi uske baare me galat anumaan lagaya tha."
"Kya tum us aurat ko pahle se jaante ho?"
"Boghe ke bahut se sathi mere jaane pahchaane hain."
"Magar mujhe to aisa mahsoos hota hai jaise ye aurat tumhare sath kisi prakar ki lagaao rakhti hai."
"Main to nahin soongh saka. Tumhari naak tez lagti hai. Arre......tum baithi kyon ho......khilaao na mujhe. Antim samay me chawal aur machhli hi naseeb hona tha.
Achanak Thressia jhallaaye huye lahje me cheekhi "Aye aurat........!! Tum hato....koi aur khilaayega usay." "Kyon....?" Monica palat kar gurraayi.
"Bakwaas mat karo.....ye mere hukm hai."
"Hat jaao Monica.....warna wo tumhen raakh ka dher bana degi." Imran ne thandi saans li.
"Aakhir ye mujhe khaas tor pe tumhare kareeb kyon nahin aane deti. Mujhe bataao kya baat hai?"
"Usi se puchho.....main to kuchh nahin jaanta."
"Tum hati nahin ab tak...??" Thressia ne phir usay lalkaara.
Monica jhallahat me mudi.....aur kareeb hi se ek patthar utha kar usay kheench maari. Thressia bhi shayad gaafil nahin thi. Us ne badi phurti se apna hathiyar (Danda) uthaya tha.....patthar aadhe hi raaste se palat kar Monica ke sar par padi. Aur wo cheekh maar kar ulat gayi. Bas aisa laga jaise us patthar ne us ka kaam tamaam kar diya ho.
Kis me itni himmat thi ki wo Monica ke kareeb jaata. Monica uthi lekin khadi na ho saki. Ghutnon ke bal baithi aage pichhe jhoolti rahi. Peshani se bahta khoon se poora chehra laal ho gaya tha.
"Main tumhen iss paagalpan ki saza zaroor doonga." Achanak Safdar ne Imran ki gurraahat suni. Magar ye ahmak Imran ki shokhiyon se bharpoor aawaz nahin thi. Ye to us khunkhaar aatma ki aawaz thi jo aksar Imran ke shareer me mix ho jaati thi. Us ke jism se lipti huyi rassi ke kayi bal tadaa-tadd toote aur wo uchhal kar khada ho gaya. (Jaari)
Us ke jism se lipti huyi rassi ke kayi bal tadaa-tadd toote aur wo uchhal kar khada ho gaya.
(Aage......)
Kayi jangali neze taan kar us ki taraf jhapte.....lekin un ke kareeb pahunchne se pahle hi Imran ne strecher ki ek patti khinch li thi.
Jangali bhala us patti ko kab value dete. Kyon ki un ke hathon me to neze the. Unhone us par bharpoor hamla bola. Imran ki jagah agar aur koi hota to ek sath teen neze usay chhed kar rakh dete. Lekin do neze to zameen par pade the......aur ek utha hi rah gaya tha. Wo is liye utha rah gaya tha ki usay chalane wale ki khopadi gulo-gulzaar ban gayi thi.....aur wo shayad soch raha tha ki aage gire ya pichhe.
Nezo se mahroom ho jaane waale phir se sambhle....aur phir to chaaron taraf se Imran par nezon ki barsaat ho gayi. Imran is se pahle hi itna pichhe hat gaya tha ki us ke sathi iss aakraman se bache rahen.
Josef ne bhi badi phurti dikhayi thi......aur wo Safdar ka strecher dusri taraf na ghaseet le jaata to wo buri tarah se kuchla gaya hota.
Imran jangaliyon me ghira hua baane aur binawt ke kartab dikha raha tha. Kya majaal ki jism par ek halki si kharoch bhi aayi ho. Saare neze stretcher ki patti se hi takraate the. 2 minuts ke bhitar hi kayi zakhmi bhi huye the. Jis ke sar par patti pad jaati thi dubaara wo uth nahin paata tha.
Thressia baukhlahat me kursi par khadi ho gayi thi. Usay shayad is ka bhi hosh nahin rah gaya tha ki Imran ke dusre sathi jo aazad hain kisi samay bhi us par yalgaar kar sakte hain.
Yahi kaaran tha ki usay Safdar ki aazadi ka pata nahin chal saka tha. Josef ne chup chaap usay khol diya tha.
Safdar lete hi lete kareeb ki jhaadiyon me reng gaya.. Wo us chattan ke pichhe pahunchne ki koshish kar raha tha jis par Thressia ki kursi rakhi huyi thi.
Haam aur us ke sathiyon se ye aasha karna fizool hi tha ki wo kisi kism ki mada karenge. Kyon ki unhen to vishwaas ho chuka tha ki wo kisi shaitaani taakat ke ghere me aa chuke hain .
Iss samay bhi Haam apne baal nochta hua kah raha tha "Ye kya kiya......us pagal aadmi ne. Kya us ne Monica ko zakhmi hote nahin dekha tha.....kya wo kisi aadmi ki shakti thi jis ne pheke huye patthar ka rukh mod diya tha. Ye suwar ka bachcha sab ki tabaahi ka kaaran banega."
Monica ek taraf behosh padi thi.
Josef jahaan tha wahin khada raha. Wo nahin chaahta tha ki safdar waale khaali stretcher par Thressia ki nazar pade. Us ne to koshish ki thi ki Haam ke sathiyon me se koi Safdar ki jagah let jaaye. Lekin sab ne katkhanne kutton ki tarah daant nikaal kar usay gaaliyan di thin. Koi aur mauka hota to Josef un ke sar tod dene ki koshish karta lekin iss samay wo apna dimaag thanda hi rakhna chaahta tha.
Imran ke hath abhi tak sust nahin huye the. Achanak Josef ne Thressia ki cheekh suni.....aur wo kulaanche bharta us taraf dauda. Danda numa hathiyar us ke hath se gir gaya tha.......aur wo Safdar se guthi huyi thi. Josef na dande par kabza karne me badi phurti dikhaayi.
Ab jangali Imran ko chhod kar Safdar ki taraf jhapte......aur Imran ne cheekh kar kaha "Josef....daste me laga hua red button dabaao."
Josef careful tha hi. Is liye us se kisi kism ki baukhlaahat nahin huyi.....aur phir ye to jang aur maar dhaad ka samay tha. Aise hi samay par Josef complete hosh me rahta tha.
Red button dabte hi rangeen keelon se chingaariyon ko bauchaad shuru huyi. Jangali thithke aur phir bhaybheet andaaz me pichhe hatne lage. Itni der me Imran un se katraata hua Josef ke kareeb pahunch gaya tha. Us ne jhapat kar us ke hath se danda liya aur phir jangaliyon ki taraf daud pada. Dande se chingaariyaan ab bhi phoot rahi thi. Jangaliyon ke paaon ukhad gaye. Shayad wo danda hi un ke dam nikaal lene ke liye kaafi tha. Wo be-tahasha ek disha me bhaagte chale ja rahe the. Jab nigaahon se ojhal ho gaye to wo Thressia ki taraf badha.....jo ab bhi Safdar se uljhi huyi thi.
"Ab alag hat'ti ho ya main tum par bhi chingaariyan barsaaun?" Imran ne kaha. "Tum bhi isay chhod do Safdar."
Safdar ne usay chhod diya lekin Thressia par to shayad pagalpan ka daura pad gaya tha. Wo usay buri tarah noch khasot rahi thi.
Ant-tah safdar me jhalla kar usay dhakka diya aur wo chattan ke niche ludhak gayi.
"Khabardaar...." Imran ne chetawani di "Ab patthar phekna mat start kar dena warna tumhara bhi wahi parinaam hoga." Lekin wo bhi shayad jangaliyon ki tarah hi kisi taraf bhaag nikalne ke chakkar me thi. Imran taad gaya.....aur dusre hi pal me us ne chattan ke niche chhalaang laga di.
"Bahut mushkil hai Thressia. Ab tum mushkil hi se mujhe dhoka de sakogi." us ne kaha. "Tumhari bhalaai isi me hai ki mujhe Bogha tak pahuncha do."
"Thressia khamosh khadi rahi. Itne me Safdar bhi niche aa gaya.
"Is ke donon hath peeth par baandh do." Imran ne us se kaha.
"Haaa.....aaa...." Imran ne murkhon ki tarah thandi saans li aur bola...."Ab to sach much nahin ho sakta.....magar kewal mujh se.
Achha yahi hoga ki chup chaap hath bandhwaa lo."
"Aur tum ne ye sab kuchh us aurat ke liye kiya hai......kyon??" Thressia aankhen nikaal kar boli.
Imran kuchh na bola. Safdar aage badh kar Thressia ke hath baandhne laga.
"Achhi baat hai...." Thressia daant pees kar boli. "Main dekhungi ki tum kidhar jaate ho. Mujh se ye ummeed mat rakhna ki main Bogha tak tumhen raasta dikhaungi."
"Jahnnum me gaya Bogha...." Imran ne gardan jhatak kar kaha "Ab tum mil gayi ho. Yahaan se sidha Switzerland chalenge. Wahaan ek chhota sa banglaw banwa kar main ande diya karunga aur tum talaa karna." "Bade zaalim ho...." Thressia ki hansi me bebasi shamil thi.
"Chinta mat karo. Tumhen isi shaan se le chalenge. Usi kursi par baitho. Hamaare aadmi tumhen uthaayenge. Lekin ye danda main apni doom me latkaaunga.....taaki jangali pichhe se hamla na karen."
"Ohh.....thahro....tum zakhmi to nahin huye?" Thressia ne puchha. "Un ke neze bade zahreele hote hain."
Thressia hansne lagi. Dil khol kar kahkahe laga rahi thi. Phir us ne hanste huye kaha "Mazaak samajhte ho. Mujh par is tarah hath daal dena koi hansi khel nahin hai. Ye na samjho ki wo bhaag gaye honge. Jhaadiyon me chhup chhup kar neze phekenge.....aur tum me se ek bhi zinda nahin bachega."
"Tab phir dusra upaaye bhi ho jaayega."
"main bhi to sunun...." Thressia ne zahreele swar me kaha.
"Daisy tumhare kapde pahnegi.....aur tum Daisy ke. Main aur Safdar phir stretchers par let jaayenge. Unhone tumhari shakal kabhi na dekhi hogi. Is liye clear hai ki wo log tumhari taraf dhyan nahin denge. Daisy ke chehre par naqaab hoga aur hath me danda."
"Ye nahin ho sakta." Thressia phir cheekh padi.
"Yahi hoga aur tumhare halak me kapda thoons kar upar se patti baandh di jaayegi.....taaki tum unhen un ki bhasha me pukaar kar kuchh kah na sako."
"Achhi baat hai.....dekhna kya anjaam hota hai tumhara."
"Wo jhaadiyon se chhup chhup kar dekhenge. Aur isay bhi pawitra pujarin ki rahassyamayi shaktiyon kaarnama samjhenge. Aur phir ho sakta hai ki naara lagaate huye baahar aa jaayen aur juloos me shaamil ho jaayen......kya khayal hai???" Thressia sar jhukaaye khadi apna nichla hont chabaati rahi.
Imran ne unhen lalkaara.....aur khud jhapat kar Thressia ke paas jaa pahuncha.(Aage......)
Tum nischint raho." Thressia ne muskura kar kaha. "Main apne muh se ek shabd bhi nahin nikaalungi."
"Tum aksar mujhe chakit kar deti ho."
"Ye na samjho ki is me kisi tarah ki koi chaal hai." Thressia ne thandi saans le kar kaha "Mera hath tum par kabhi na uth sakega.
Agar chaahti to tumhen pooja ghar me hi khatam kar deti."
"Agar khud hath na utha saktin to kisi dusre se qatal kara do."
Achanak Monica cheekhi "Aye.....hato us aurat ke paas se."
"Khuda ki qasam....is kutiya ko hargiz zinda nahin chhodungi." Thressia daant pees kar boli "Kab se jaante ho usay?" "Main to ab bhi nahin jaanta." Imran ne murda si aawaz me kaha. "Magar ye mere baap dada tak ko jaan baihi hai."
"Dekhungi main usay......aur kaan khol kar sun lo. Agar tum ne ab usay muh lagaya to apne hak me mujhe bura hi samjhna." "Arre baap re............lo wo kaloote bhi aa pahunche."
Jangaliyon ka jhund achanak saamne aa gaya. Kaafile ko ruk jaan pada. Pujarin ki kursi aage hi thi. Unhon ne neze hila hila kar naare lagaaye aur kursi ke charon taraf naachne lage.
"Ye thik hai..." Imran barbadaya.
"Agar main is haal me bhi kewal ek ishara kar dun to tum sab ke haddiyon tak ka pata nahin chelga." Ye dekh lo ki stretcher ki patti ab bhi mere hath me hi hai." Imran ne laparwahi se kaha.
"Main tumhare is kamaal ki bhi daad deti hun. Kaash tum hamaare sath hote...........Imran zeroland jannat hai."
"Bhala jannat me shaitan ka kya kaam?"
Ab jangaliyon ne kaafile ke sath 2 kataaron me chalna shuru kar diya tha.
Imran ne hans kar kaha "Dekha.....main na kahta tha ki wo usay tumhara chamatkar hi samjhenge. Lekin unhen kam se kam mujh se to ulajhna hi chaahiye tha."
"Jab Pujarin hi ne maaf kar diya to wo kar sakenge." Thressia muskuraayi. "E....tum nahin hate wahaan se....?" Minoca phir chillaayi.
"Thahro kutiya....abhi bataati hun tumhen." Thressia dhire se barbadaayi.
Imran ne unchi aawaz me kaha...."Monica....kya tumhen khatre ka ehsaas nahin hai? Khamoshi se chalo."
"Mujhe is ke alawa aur kisi khatre ka nahin pata ki wo tumhen zinda dafan kar dene ke chakkar me hai." Monica ne jawaab diya.
"Main kahta hun khamosh raho." Imran gurraya.
"Main isay bardaasht nahin kar sakti. Tum ne aise lahje me mujh se kabhi baat nahin ki."
"Ab karega...." Thressia hans padi. "Kyon ki ye meri hi talash me yahaan aaya hai. Ham bahut dinon se ek dusre ko jaante hain." "Kyon....? Kya ye sach hai?" Monica Imran ki taraf daud padi.
Thressia ruk gayi. Us ke hath bandhe the lekin tewar se aisa lag raha tha ki is haal me bhi wo lad jaayegi. Kaafila aage badhta raha. Monica dusron ke bich se raasta banaati huyi jhapti chali aa rahi thi. Thressia ke sath hi Imran ko bhi ruk jaana pada. Jangaliyon ko laga shayad wo bhaagne ki soch rahe hain. Is liye un me se kuchh neze taane huye un ki taraf badhne lage. Josef ne un se kuchh kaha lekin wo un ki taraf badhte hi rahe. Ye ek unchi si chattan thi jis par ye log ruke the. Jaise hi Monica kareeb aayi Thressia ne tezi se jhuk kar us ke ssene par takkar maari. Ye itna achanak aur apratyashit hua ki Imran koi interfare nahin kar saka. Monica bhi shayad aise hamle ke liye taiyar nahin thi. Wo larkhadaati huyi chattan ke sire tak pahunch gayi. "Ohhhh...." Imran cheekh pada. Chattan ke sire par Monica apne kadam jamaane nakaam rahi thi. Phir parinaam kya hona tha.............
"Bahut hi hriday vidaarak(Dil dahlaane waali) cheekh thi. Jangali bhi sire ki taraf jhapat pade the. Monica saikadon feet ki gahraayi me dikhayi di. Lekin aisa lag raha tha jaise wo dubaara uthne ki koshish kar rahi ho.
Imran is ki parwaah kiye bina ki khud uska kya anjaam hoga dhalaan me daudne laga. Us ke alawa shayad hi koi aisi himmat kar sakta tha.
"Monica............Monica......." wo cheekh raha tha.
"Us se hoshiyar.....bye....good bye...." Ye shabd nahin balki cheekhen thin.....Monica ki antim cheekhen. Aur phir uska shareer shaant ho gaya.
****
Daisy buri tarah badhawaas ho gayi thi. Agar Safdar sachet nahin hota to bahut afra-tafri fail gayi hoti. Shayad Daisy bhi danda phenk kar kisi taraf bhaag nikal gayi hoti.
Dusri taraf Haam daant peesta hua Thressia ki taraf badha tha. Shayad irada yahi tha ki us ka gala ghont de. Lekin Josef neza utha kar bola. "Wahin ruko. Boss ke hukm ke khilaaf tum ek kadam bhi na utha sakte." "To kya wo usay maaf kar dega?" Haam dahada.
"Main nahin jaanta ki wo kya karega. Tum door hi raho."
Thressia khamosh khadi thi. Lekin us ke chehre par na to pachhtawe ka bhav tha aur na hi bhay ka. Aisa lag raha tha jaise us se koi asadhanran harkat huyi hi na ho.
Imran kuchh der baad kuchh jangaliyon ke ghere me waapas aaya. Us ka chehra dukh se bhara tha. Achanak wo Thressia se bola..."Tumhara anjaam bahut bhayanak hoga." "Us aurat ke liye...?" Thressia aankhen nikaal kar gurraayi.
"Nahin......aise hi hazaaro jaandar insanon ke liye.....jinhen tumhare hathon tabaahi nasib huyi." Thressia ne laparwahi se kandhe uchkaaye aur dusri taraf dekhne lagi.
Kya us ki laash yun hi padi rahegi boss?" Josef ne bharrayi huyi aawaz me puchha.
"Yahaan is ke alawa aur kya ho sakta hai. Main usay ek gadhe me chhod aaya hun." Imran ne kaha aur tezi se kadam badhata hua Daisy ke kareeb pahunch gaya.
"Darna mat...." Us ne dhire se kaha "Tumhari hifazat ki jaayegi. Main sath hi chal raha hun." ****
Imran ne unhen lalkaara.....aur khud jhapat kar Thressia ke paas jaa pahuncha.(Aage......)
Tum nischint raho." Thressia ne muskura kar kaha. "Main apne muh se ek shabd bhi nahin nikaalungi."
"Tum aksar mujhe chakit kar deti ho."
"Ye na samjho ki is me kisi tarah ki koi chaal hai." Thressia ne thandi saans le kar kaha "Mera hath tum par kabhi na uth sakega.
Agar chaahti to tumhen pooja ghar me hi khatam kar deti."
"Agar khud hath na utha saktin to kisi dusre se qatal kara do."
Achanak Monica cheekhi "Aye.....hato us aurat ke paas se."
"Khuda ki qasam....is kutiya ko hargiz zinda nahin chhodungi." Thressia daant pees kar boli "Kab se jaante ho usay?" "Main to ab bhi nahin jaanta." Imran ne murda si aawaz me kaha. "Magar ye mere baap dada tak ko jaan baihi hai."
"Dekhungi main usay......aur kaan khol kar sun lo. Agar tum ne ab usay muh lagaya to apne hak me mujhe bura hi samjhna." "Arre baap re............lo wo kaloote bhi aa pahunche."
Jangaliyon ka jhund achanak saamne aa gaya. Kaafile ko ruk jaan pada. Pujarin ki kursi aage hi thi. Unhon ne neze hila hila kar naare lagaaye aur kursi ke charon taraf naachne lage.
"Ye thik hai..." Imran barbadaya.
"Agar main is haal me bhi kewal ek ishara kar dun to tum sab ke haddiyon tak ka pata nahin chelga." Ye dekh lo ki stretcher ki patti ab bhi mere hath me hi hai." Imran ne laparwahi se kaha.
"Main tumhare is kamaal ki bhi daad deti hun. Kaash tum hamaare sath hote...........Imran zeroland jannat hai."
"Bhala jannat me shaitan ka kya kaam?"
Ab jangaliyon ne kaafile ke sath 2 kataaron me chalna shuru kar diya tha.
Imran ne hans kar kaha "Dekha.....main na kahta tha ki wo usay tumhara chamatkar hi samjhenge. Lekin unhen kam se kam mujh se to ulajhna hi chaahiye tha."
"Jab Pujarin hi ne maaf kar diya to wo kar sakenge." Thressia muskuraayi. "E....tum nahin hate wahaan se....?" Minoca phir chillaayi.
"Thahro kutiya....abhi bataati hun tumhen." Thressia dhire se barbadaayi.
Imran ne unchi aawaz me kaha...."Monica....kya tumhen khatre ka ehsaas nahin hai? Khamoshi se chalo."
"Mujhe is ke alawa aur kisi khatre ka nahin pata ki wo tumhen zinda dafan kar dene ke chakkar me hai." Monica ne jawaab diya.
"Main kahta hun khamosh raho." Imran gurraya.
"Main isay bardaasht nahin kar sakti. Tum ne aise lahje me mujh se kabhi baat nahin ki."
"Ab karega...." Thressia hans padi. "Kyon ki ye meri hi talash me yahaan aaya hai. Ham bahut dinon se ek dusre ko jaante hain." "Kyon....? Kya ye sach hai?" Monica Imran ki taraf daud padi.
Thressia ruk gayi. Us ke hath bandhe the lekin tewar se aisa lag raha tha ki is haal me bhi wo lad jaayegi. Kaafila aage badhta raha. Monica dusron ke bich se raasta banaati huyi jhapti chali aa rahi thi. Thressia ke sath hi Imran ko bhi ruk jaana pada. Jangaliyon ko laga shayad wo bhaagne ki soch rahe hain. Is liye un me se kuchh neze taane huye un ki taraf badhne lage. Josef ne un se kuchh kaha lekin wo un ki taraf badhte hi rahe. Ye ek unchi si chattan thi jis par ye log ruke the. Jaise hi Monica kareeb aayi Thressia ne tezi se jhuk kar us ke ssene par takkar maari. Ye itna achanak aur apratyashit hua ki Imran koi interfare nahin kar saka. Monica bhi shayad aise hamle ke liye taiyar nahin thi. Wo larkhadaati huyi chattan ke sire tak pahunch gayi. "Ohhhh...." Imran cheekh pada. Chattan ke sire par Monica apne kadam jamaane nakaam rahi thi. Phir parinaam kya hona tha.............
"Bahut hi hriday vidaarak(Dil dahlaane waali) cheekh thi. Jangali bhi sire ki taraf jhapat pade the. Monica saikadon feet ki gahraayi me dikhayi di. Lekin aisa lag raha tha jaise wo dubaara uthne ki koshish kar rahi ho.
Imran is ki parwaah kiye bina ki khud uska kya anjaam hoga dhalaan me daudne laga. Us ke alawa shayad hi koi aisi himmat kar sakta tha.
"Monica............Monica......." wo cheekh raha tha.
"Us se hoshiyar.....bye....good bye...." Ye shabd nahin balki cheekhen thin.....Monica ki antim cheekhen. Aur phir uska shareer shaant ho gaya.
****
Daisy buri tarah badhawaas ho gayi thi. Agar Safdar sachet nahin hota to bahut afra-tafri fail gayi hoti. Shayad Daisy bhi danda phenk kar kisi taraf bhaag nikal gayi hoti.
Dusri taraf Haam daant peesta hua Thressia ki taraf badha tha. Shayad irada yahi tha ki us ka gala ghont de. Lekin Josef neza utha kar bola. "Wahin ruko. Boss ke hukm ke khilaaf tum ek kadam bhi na utha sakte."
"To kya wo usay maaf kar dega?" Haam dahada.
"Main nahin jaanta ki wo kya karega. Tum door hi raho."
Thressia khamosh khadi thi. Lekin us ke chehre par na to pachhtawe ka bhav tha aur na hi bhay ka. Aisa lag raha tha jaise us se koi asadhanran harkat huyi hi na ho.
Imran kuchh der baad kuchh jangaliyon ke ghere me waapas aaya. Us ka chehra dukh se bhara tha. Achanak wo Thressia se bola..."Tumhara anjaam bahut bhayanak hoga." "Us aurat ke liye...?" Thressia aankhen nikaal kar gurraayi.
"Nahin......aise hi hazaaro jaandar insanon ke liye.....jinhen tumhare hathon tabaahi nasib huyi." Thressia ne laparwahi se kandhe uchkaaye aur dusri taraf dekhne lagi.
Kya us ki laash yun hi padi rahegi boss?" Josef ne bharrayi huyi aawaz me puchha.
"Yahaan is ke alawa aur kya ho sakta hai. Main usay ek gadhe me chhod aaya hun." Imran ne kaha aur tezi se kadam badhata hua Daisy ke kareeb pahunch gaya.
"Darna mat...." Us ne dhire se kaha "Tumhari hifazat ki jaayegi. Main sath hi chal raha hun." ****
