1. بچپن

Album ka ek ek safa palat te hue agar woh kehti ke use kuch yaad nahi aya tha to yeh shayad bohat bara jhoot hota. Jab usne pehla safaa palta to usme uski 10 saal ke waqt ki ek tasweer thi jisme woh saaf dekh sakti thi ke woh dekh camera me rahi thi magar uski do poniyon me se ek kisi ke haath me thi. Purani ek yaad jese wapis ayi aur kuch aur yaadon se takrayi aur phir woh muskura di.

"Mere baal..!"

Das saala hooriya cheekhi to jisne uski poni ko pakra hua tha usne yak dam chora aur ghar ke andar ko bhaaga tha.

"Kabir!!"

Woh wahin se route hue chir kar cheekhi aur dusri taraf khare haste hue Saif ko dekha. Jo uske ghoorne se yak dam hasna band kar ke andar apne bhai ke peechey bhaga tha.

"Mamu Kabir ne phir mere baal khenche..!"

Woh jaa ke apne mamu ki goud me ankhe ragarte hue jaa bethi. Unho ne muskura ke use dekha.

"Acha? Main abhi puchta hun usse magar rona to band karo bachey?"

Unho ne kaha to Miraal ne ankhe ragrin.

"Kar diya band ab use bulaa ke dante..!"

Usne masoom shakal ke saath kaha to uske taya abbu muskurae aur Kabir kko awaaz lagane lage. Jab Kabir aaya to use khoob daant pari aur saath hi murga bhi bana diya gaya jispe Miraal beyhad khush hui thi aur use masnooyi muskurahat sajae dekhti hui zubaan nikaal ke chiraya jispe Kabir ko aur aag lag gayi ho jese aur woh apne baazu chor ke phir uski taraf aya magar usse pehle hi hooriya cheekh chuki thi aur uske mamu phir wahan mutawajjah ho chuke the. Kabir to dugni maar aur daant parwane ke baad jese Miraal ke seene me thand si par gayi thi.

Aur phir jab raat ko ghar jaane ka waqt aya to uski nazre yak dam use dhoond ne lagin. Dupeher kis us daant ke baad se woh use nahi dikha tha aur use tajassus sa hone laga woh chalti hui uske kamre me gayi magar woh use na mila woh phir charti hui upar chat tak gayi woh use wahan bhi na mila phir chat se neechey aate hue seerion ke beech bane chote se darwaze pe nazar uski gayi jo uske liye to zara chota nahi tha magar kisi bare bande ke jaane ke liye thora chota tha. Usne kuch darte hue darwaze ko khola aur do kadam leti hui andar ayi aur uski nazar bohat se samaan me se dayen taraf ke kone pe gayi jahan halki halki roshni thi. Use dar to lag raha tha magar woh phir bhi mu pe haath rakhe chalti gayi. Jab us roshni ke kareeb kuch kadmo me hi ponchi to usne ek taraf lamp rakhe dusri taraf juice se bhara hua thermos aur chips ka packet rakhe hue Kabir ko dekha jiske duri taraf Harry potter ki sari kitaben bohat achey se kataar me lagi pari huin thi. Woh page ko palat ta hua chips khane me masroof tha jab uski nazar wahan khari ankhe phaare dekhti Hooriya pe pari.

"Tum kya kar rahi ho yahan loomri?"

Woh hamesha use loomri kaha karta tha ab yeh pyaar se kehta ya gusse se magar woh thi to uski loomri hi.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?"

Usne uske aas paas dekhte hue pucha to Kabir ne fakhriya andaaz me us mitti aur andhere se bhari pari jagah ko dekh ke kaha.

"Welcome to my secret stair house"

"Stair house? Yeh kya hua bhala!"

"Tum bewakoof bacho ka yehi masla hota hai ek to. Jese treehouse hota hai waise hi yeh mera stair house hai"

Usne kaha aur Miraal jese kuch mutassir hui thi.

"Hai to acha magar mitti bohat hai..!"

"Haan to mujhe konsi tumhari tarah house dust se allergie hai jo main safai karun!"

Woh bola to Miraal ne bhi kuch kehne ke liye mu se haath hatay aur bolne hi lagi magar uski aadhi baat me hi use cheenke aane lag gayin aur usse baat na ho paari thi. Kabir ne kisi bare ki tarah sar jhatka aur uth ke aage hue aur uska haath pakarta hua use wahan se bahir nikal ne laga.

"Pata bhi hai tumhe phir bhi yahan aa gayi bewakoof loomri"

Do safe aur palte to uske chehre ki muskurahat kuch kam hui aur woh wahan lagi pehli tasveer ko dekhti rahi jo paharo me li gayi ek efamily picture thi jisme woh apne mama baba ke saath khari thi.

"Bhai mujhe to ab tak yaqeen nahi aa raha... ke Asad bhai bhabi aur Maiza aapi.."

Asiya ki ansuon se rundhi awaaz is kadar bhaari ho chuki thi ke uske liye baat karna bhi mushkil ho chuka tha. Apni bari behen aur bhai ke inteqaal ki khabar uske liye choti nahi thi.

"Sabar karo Asiya.."

Safeerullah ne na jane kis tarah apne aap ko ab tak sambhala hua tha. Asad aur Maiza apni biwi aur shohar ke saath northern area ki taraf chuttiyan manaane gaye the aur us doraan wapsi pe ek khaai ki taraf gari driver ki galat ki wajah se girne wali ho chuki thi aur us me se koi bhi baaki nahi bach saka tha magar shayad khush kismati aisi th ke dono ke bache us gaari me na the balke peechey wali gari me Safeerullah Nazia aur Saaif ke saath the.

Baro ke apne gam the magar woh do bachey jo apne maa baap ko kho bethe the unka dard samjh ne wala shayad koi nahi tha ek dusre ke siwa...

Raat ke 12 baje ke kareeb ka waqt tha sab so chuke the jab dar kar yak dam Miraal jaagi thi aur aas paas dekhti hui apni maa ko pukaarne lagi magar uski maa na kahin th na ab use mil sakti thi aur yeh baat woh 11 sala bachi jaanti thi. Woh mout kya thi jaanti thi.. Usne apne saath bed pe soyi hui Asiya ko dekha phir apnni siskiyon ko roukne ke liye apne mu pe haath rakha magar jab siskiyan na ruki to woh bed se utri aur kamre se bahir nikal gayi. Andhere me giri pari raah dari se guzar ke woh seeriyon me aa bethi jab usne kuch neechey wali seeriyon ki taraf ek aur saya dekha woh neechey gayi aur wahan beth gayi. Usne yak dam apna chehra ragra tha to Miraal ne use apne ansuon ke beech se dekha.

"Tumhe bhi mama baba yaad aa rahe hain..?"

Miraal ki awaaz pe Kabir ne sar jhuka liya.

"Woh kyun chale gaye Miraal.."

Woh bola to Miraal ne apni ankhe ragri aur phir siskiyon ke saath rone lagi jab use apne kandhe pe thapki mehsoos hui. Usne sar nahi uthaya magar roti rahi. Woh bhi kuch nahi bola magar rota chala gaya. Woh dono jaante the woh aziyat kya thi humesha ke liye tanha ho jaane ka ehsaas kya tha.

Ek aur safa palat te hi yak dam jese dukh muskurahat me dubara tabdeel hua tha. Is baar samne 17 saala Miraal 18 sala Saif aur Kabir ki tasveer thi jisme Miraal ke sar pe Saif ne koni rakhi hui thi aur unke peechey se dono pe paani ka pipe pakar ke paani phenkta Kabir tha.

"Kabirr!!!"

Woh dono cheekhe to Kabir ne dono ke khulte mu me paani phenka. Dono yak dam jhuke.

"Kya hua?"

Woh hasta hua peechey hote hote bola to Saif aur Miraal ne ek dusre ko dekha. Aur yak dam uski taraf dhore the aur Kabir ko pakar ne ke liye dono taraf se uski tarf gaye taake uske bhaagne ki koi jagah na bache magar jab paani ka pipe Miraal ke paun pe atka to woh yak dam mu ke bal gir pari. Dekhne wala sab se pehle kabir tha aur uski taraf aane wala bhi.

"Miraal heek ho?"

Woh use baazu se pakar ehtiyaat se bithane laga. Miraal dheere se boli.

"Ah...sab tumhari wajah se hua he bandar ki tarah uchal rahe the"

"Mera kya kasoor hai agar tum dekh ke nahi bhaag sakti?"

Woh bola to Miraal jawaab dene lagi magar Saif tabhi wahan aya tha.

"Oye lar baad me lena pehle uske ghutne ko dekho khoon nikal raha hai"

Saif ke kehne pe un dono ne uske ghutne ko dekha jike jeans me khoon jazb hota nazar aa raha tha.

"Allah yeh kese ho gaya"

Miraal boli

"Shayad koi kaanch gira hua tha"

Saif ne jawaab to diya magar Miraal ka dihaan Kabir pe tha jo yak dam khamosh ho gaya tha. Saif aage hue aur Miraal ko uthane laga magar Kabir ne usse pehle Miraal ko pakra tha aur use kandhe aur baazu se pakar ke utha liya. Saif aur Kabir ke kad me ziyada farak to nah tha magar kabir waise Saif se ziyada chora aur mazboot nazar aata tha. Magar akhir ko the to dono hi 17 saala larke.

Kabir Miraal ko andar le gaya aur sofey pe bithaya aur fist aid box lene jaane laga jab Miraal ne uske haath ko pakra. Kabir ne use dekha phir isse pehle ke Miraal kuch kehti yak dam kamre me ek awaaz gunji.

"Ya Allah!! Miraal yeh kya hua he?"

Asiya bhaagti hui sofey ki taraf ayi aur uske pas beth gayi.

"Kuch nahi khala bas gir gayi thi"

Usne kaha tha.

"Kabir Saif yeh tum dono ki shararat ho gi na!"

Asiya ne Paas ghutno ke bal jhuke Kabir ko dekha aur thore faasle pe first aid box ke saath chalte aate Saif ko jo ke toba toba karta kaano ko haath laga raha tha.

"Yar phupho aap ko koi aur nahi milta to mere pe hamla kar deti hain mujh masoom ka kya kasoor"

Saif ne kaha to Asiya ne uski kamar ke haath maara.

"Bari achi tarah jaanti hun tumhe aur tumhari masoomiyat ko"

Asiya ne kaha to Saif muskura diya.

"Phupho bas abbu ka mat batayi ye ga warna unki laadli ki chout pe meri aur Kabir ki class lag jaani hai"

Saif ne minnat ki thi magar Miraal ka sara dihaan Kabir ki tarf tha jiski nazre uske ghutne pe tiki hui thi.

Bandaid lagaane ke baad Asiya ne use uske kamre me haldi wale dood ke cup ke saath letaya aur bahir aa gayi. Miraal ko Kabir se baat karne ka nouka nahi mila tha us waqt se aur woh wahan usse baat karne ko pagal ho rahi thi. Kabir in chand saalo me uske liye bohat khaas ho chuka tha uska best friend jo use sab se achey se jaanta tha jo uski ankahi baate samjhta tha jo uska gam dukh ehsaas haqeeqat me mehsoos kar sakta tha.

Woh uska chehra dekh ke yeh pehchan chuki thi ke uski chout ko dekh ke woh pareshan ho gaya tha magar yeh uski samjh se bahir tha ke kyun? Aisa nahi tha ke use khoon se koi khaas phobia tha phir yak dam kya hua tha use.

Woh bed se uthi aur kamre se bahir nikal ayi kuch kadam chalte hi reh dari ke akheer me Kabir ka kamra tha woh uske kamre me dakhil hui aur use pukaarne lagi magar woh wahan nahi tha woh wapis murne lagi jab yak dam peechey kisi ke hone pe woh ghabrayi aur us apni jaani pehchani khushbu pe thak gayi.

"Kya kar rahi ho Miraal abhi tumhe chout lagi hai sakoon nahi hai?"

Woh uske baazu ko dheere se pakre bola to Miraal ne use ghoora.

"Tumhe kya masla hai?"

"Kya matlab?"

Woh kehta hua uske side se nikalta andar dakhil hua. Miraal uski tarf muri. Woh book shelf ki taraf jaata books uthane laga to Miraal uski taraf chalti ayi aur uske haath se books pakar ke side pe rakhi.

"Meri taraf dekho Kabir."

Kabir ne uski abkho me dekha.

"Kin socho me gum ho kya chal raha hai tumhare dimaag me?"

Miraal boli to Kabir ne sar jhatka.

"Agar kuch nahi kaha na Kabir Khan tumhara sar phaar dun gi!"

"Ab kuch hai hi nahi to zabardasti koi kahani banaun kya?"

Woh bola aur wahan se hat gaya. Miraal ne use ghoora.

"Ab tum mujhse jhoot bolo ge?"

"Bilkulll! Niklo ab yahan se"

Usne kaha to woh pair zameen pe marti bahir nikal gayi. Kabir ne uske nikal te hi saans liya aur sar jhatka. Woh use kya batata jab woh khud nahi jaanta tha apni yak dam hone wali bechaini ki wajah. Uska zakhm dekh ke use takleef hui thi magar jab ehsaas hua ke woh zakham uski wajah se tha to takleef guilt me tabdeel ho gayi thi.

Waqt guzra aur raat ke khane ka waqt tha jab sab dining room ki taraf aane lage.

"Saif haath dho ke ao!"

Shazia ne apne bete ko daanta tha.

"Ammi yar Kabir ne bhi nahi dhoye!"

Shazia ne table pe bethe Kabir ko dekha usne kandhe uchkae aur uth gaya.

"Jaa raha hun ghoore to mat tai ammi!"

Woh bola to Shazia ne sar jhatka.

"Yeh dono larke kabhi tameez se nahi beth sakte meri tarbiyat pe ungliyan uthwaen ge yeh!"

Woh boli to Safeer andar aate hue has pare.

"Shazia tum inke chakkar me apna bp zaroor high karo gi aur kuch ho na ho"

Khaane ki table pe sab beth chuke the jab Asiya andar ayi thi aur apni jagah pe bethi to Safeer ne use dekh ke pucha.

"Miraal kahan he Asiya?"

"So rahi thi usne painkiller li thi is liye shayad."

Asiya ki baat pe sab mutmaeen ho chuke the siwae ek insaan ke jo kuch bechain hua tha.

Raat ke das baje ke kareeb ka waqt tha jab Miraal ke pait me bhook ke mare dard utha.

Woh bed se utar ke bahir nikli aur seeriyon tak ayi thi jab samne khare Kabir ko dekh ke ruki aur wapis pair maarti hui mur gayi.

Kabir zehre lab muskura diya aur seeriyan charta hua upar aa gaya. Miraal ke kamre ka darwaza kholta andar aaya to Miraal cheekhi.

"Niklo yahan se!"

"Loomri cheekhna band karo"

Kabir ne kaha aur haath me pakre white bag ko uske samne rakha.

Miraal ne jawaaban takiya utha ke uske mu pe maara.

"Kya ho gaya he yaar bas karo ab!"

Kabir khud ko bachata hua cheekha.

"Acha shopper bag me dekhlo ek baar sara gussa khatam ho jae ga meri maa"

"Koi. Gussa. Nahi. He. Mujhe. Tum. Jese. Ghatiya. Gadhe. Khote. Insaan pe!!"

Woh ek ek lafz kehti use takiye se maarti gayi. Jab thak gayi to takiya rakh ke saans lene lagi. Kabir bag uthata hua utha aur usme se white paper me roll hua shawarma nikala aur white paper utaar ke bola.

"Tum naraaz ho to main khaa leta hun"

Usne ek burki li to Miraal phati ankho ke saath uski taraf lapki.

"Mera shawarma!"

Usne uske haath se cheen na chaha jab Kabir ne shawarma ko upar kiya jahan uska haath najaa sake.

"Pehle bolo ke tumne mujhe maaf kiya"

Miraal ne use ghoora woh pur sakoon muskurahat ke saath bhawen uchkane laga.

"Fazool insaan ho tum magar maaf kiya."

Uske kehne pe Kabir ne muskurate hue use shawarma diya. Woh beth ke khaane lagi to woh uske samne beth ke use dekhne laga.

"Bhaaga nahi jaa raha kahin araam se khao"

Woh bola to Miraal ne kandhe uchkae.

"Tumhe andaaza bhi nahi he kitni bhook lag rahi thi mujhe"

Woh use kya batata ke use andaaza tha isi liye to woh is waqt Taya abbu se chup ke bike le kar gaya tha jab ke saif aur use 9 baje ke baad bike le ke bahir nikal ne ki ijazat nahi thi. Woh uske liye to sab kar sakta tha.

Kabir Miraal ko naraz kese chor sakta tha.

_________

Woh aaj bohat dino baad collage ke baad tuition parhane nahi gaya tha aaj students ke exam the to woh free tha. Itne dino baad collage ke baad milne wali azaadi per woh khush tha aur jaib me paise bhi the to usne phone ko jeans ki pocket me se nikaala aur dial list pe sab se upar wale number ko milaya. Call do bellon ke baad hi utha li gayi thi.

"Kya he?"

"Bohat hi batameez ho tum waise"

Kabir ne kaha to aage se chir kar Miraal boli.

"Call kyun ki hai?"

Kabir uske har andaaz ko pehchanta tha aur uski awaaz se yeh to bata sakta tha ke kuch hua tha.

"Van me bethi to nahi?"

"Nahi"

"Main aa raha hoon mat bethna"

Woh bola aur call kaat di. Uska collage Miraal ke collage ke paas me hi tha to use bike me wahan ponchne me ziyada waqt nahi laga tha. Jab woh gate ke aage aa ke ruka to garmi me maathe pe haath rakhe khari Miraal ko kone me dekha. Woh bhi use dekh ke uske paas chalti ayi.

"Tum tuition parhane nahi gaye aaj?"

Woh uske peechey bethti hui boli thi.

"Aaj chutti thi."

Woh aage se kuch nahi boli aur bas uske peechey bethe uske bike chalane ka wait karti rahi magar woh halka sa chehra mor ke use dekhne laga.

"Tumhe kya hua he?"

Usne pucha to Miraal khamosh rahi phir boli.

"Kuch nahi"

"Miraal."

Woh usko dekh ke bola to Miraal ne uske kandhe pe haath maara.

"Mujhe garmi lag rahi hai Kabir niklo yahan se.."

Woh boli to woh kuch aur seconds use ghoorne ke baad wahan se nikal para. Motorcycle ko kuch der baad ek park me khara kiya aur usse utr ke woh kone pe khare ice cream wale se ek strawberry aur ek chocolate ki le kar aaya aur strawberry wali Miraal ko di jiska chehra ab bhi utra hua tha. Yahan tak ke ice cream dekh ke bhi uska mood theek na hua. Woh dono wahan pari bench pe aa bethe.

"Miraal ab tum mujhe pareshan kar rahi ho yaar hua kya he?"

Woh bola to Miraal ki anoho me dheere se ansu ubharne lage jis per Kabir ka dil yak dam ghabrane laga.

"Aaj...sab dosten collage me bethi apne apne parents ki baate kar rahi thi..ke exams ke baad woh unhe kya le kr den ge ya kahan le kar jaen ge.."

Uski ankho me nami ubharti chali gayi yahan tak ke woh ankho se beh ke uske gaalo pe utar ayi.

"Main bas chup kar ke bethi rahi...sochti rahi ke kitni tanha hoon main.."

"Khud ko tanha keh ke tum mujhe tanha kar deti ho.."

Uski awaaz me shikwa tha jis pe usne nazre utha ke use dekha.

"Mera...woh matlab nahi tha.."

"To kya tha..? Main hoon Miraal tumhare saath. Koi ho ya na ho main humesha hoon tumhare saath."

Uski baat per woh uski nazro me dekhti rahi. Sach hi to tha uske paas woh hi to tha.

"Aur tum phupho ko kese bhool sakti ho? Unho ne hume kab maa ki kami mehsoos hone di hai"

"Acha ab is tarah bura feel mat karwao waise hi kaha.."

Woh boli to Kabir ne haath aage barha le uske gaal ko saaf kiya.

"Ice cream khao loomri! Mera movie ka plan bhi kharab kar diya tumne"

"Movie ka plan? To chalo na!"

"Ab to time nikal gaya he upar se isse ziyada late hui to daant pare gi tai ammi se bhi aue phupho bhi naraaz hon gi."

Usne kaha to Miraal ne mu banaya magar phir Kabir ke aur bhi bura mu banane per qehqa laga ke has pari aur use dekh ke Kabir bhi uske saath hasne laga.

________

College se wapsi per woh aaj kuch late ho gayi thi aur uski van ab tak jaa chuki thi. Usne bahir nikal ke ricksha ya texi dhoonda na chaha magar aas paas kuch na mila to woh kuch dar si gayi. Phone nikaal ke Asiya ko call karne lagi jab uske samne koi aa ke ruka tha. Woh ghabra ke peechey hui aur samne dekha to sakoon ka saans bhara.

"Saif..!"

"Kya hua itna dar kyun gayi?"

Woh has ke bola to Miraal ne sar ko jhatka.

"Mujhe laga pata nahi kon hai."

"Khair chalo betho ab"

Uske bike ke peechey ishara kiya.

"Tum kese aa gaye?"

Woh bethi aur usse pucha tha.

"College se wapis gaya to phupho pareshan khari thi ke tum ghar nahi ayi to bas aa gaya tumhe lene"

Usne kaha aur bike ko dhora diya.

"Kabir tumhare saath nahi tha?"

Usne pucha.

"Nahi woh Abbas ke saath tha shayad."

Usne Kabir ke dost ka naam liya jiski Saif ke baad usse sab se ziyada dosti thi.

Jab woh dono ghar ponche to kisi baat pe woh dono kehka laga ke has rahe the. Dono ko maloom na hua tha magar chat pe khara koi tha jo unhe dekh raha tha.

Lounge me Shazia Asiya aur Safeer chai peene bethe hue the woh dono bhi andar gaye aur salaam kar ke wahin beth gaye. Kuch baato ke doraan seeriyan utarta hua Kabir aaya to sab khamosh hue.

"Aao Kabir chai piyo ge?"

Asiya ne pucha to usne sar ko jhatka.

"Nahi phupho koi baat karni thi aap sab se."

"Bolo?"

Safeer ne pucha.

"Actually mene apne future ke liye kuch faidla kiya hai. Umeed he aap sab mera saath den ge"

Uski baat pe sab seede hue khaas tor pe Miraal.

"Kesa faisla Kabir?"

Shazia ne pucha tha.

"Main army join karna chahta hun"

Usne kaha to sab khamosh rage phir yak dam sab ke chehre khushi se khil uthe.

"MashAllah yeh to bohat acha faisla kiya hai is pe hum kyun ehteraaz karen ge bhala!"

Safeer ne kaha to Shazia ne bhi haan me sar ko hilaya.

"Lekin beta achanak?"

Asiya ke tassuraat kuch mukhtalif the. Usne apni talaaq ke baad Miraal aur Kabir dono bacho ko apne jeene ki wajah bana li thi jese. Woh unke liye ek maa ke jazbaat rakhti thi aur apne behen bhai ko khone ke baad aur apna ghar ujarne ke baaf Kabir ko yun khud se door karna uske liye asaan nahi tha. Aur Asiya ke baad wahan pe agar kisi ke chehre ka rang ura hua tha to woh Miraal thi.

"Phupho kafi der se soch raha tha bas ab paper ke baad aage kya karna he yeh sochne ki baari ayi to socha yehi kar lun."

"Lekin Kabir-"

"Asiya kyun bachey ko pareshan kar rahi ho tum, woh tumhara beta to nahi hai jo har baat tum apni uspe musallat karo"

Shazia ki zubaan me kuch karwahat si thi jo Asiya ko mehsoos hui. Balke wahan bethe har shaks ko. Kabir yak dam aage hue aur apni phupho ke paas aa betha.

"Nahi tai ammi phupho ne aur aap ne mujhe apna beta bana ke hi paala hai aap doko ka hukam sar ankho pe.."

Usne keh ke Asiya ke haath ko chuma to Asiya ke bujhe hue chehre pe dheemi muskurahat ne jagah li aur Kabir ki peshani ko chuma.

"Tum yehi chahte ho?"

Asiya ke puchne pe Kabir ne unki ankho me dekha aur ek lamhe ko ruka aur nazre us traf uthi jo use musalsal ankhe phaare dekh rahi thi.

Nazre mili to dono saans lena bhool gaye. Miraal ka dil is kadar dharakne laga ke use laga kahin bahir hi aa jaye ga. Dil me itni duaen ki ke woh sar ko nafi me hilae aur kahe ke nahi jaana chahta woh magar kuch duaen qabool nahi hoti shayad.

Kabir ne usse nazre churayi aur Asiya ko dekh ke sar ko kham kiya.

"Jee."

Usne sar kham kiya aur sar uthaya to wahan se Miraal gayab ho chuki thi.

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Poori raat un do logon ki is kadar bechaini se guzri thi ke ek lamhe ko ankh tak na lag sagi.

Subha ka sooraj asmaan pe nazar aana shuru hua to Miraal apne bed se uthi aur kursi pe pari jacket utha ke pehni aur baalo ko baandh ke woh bahir nikli aur neeche baraamde me aa gayi aur jooti ko ek side pe utaarke ghaas pe nange paun chalne lagi. Deewar ke saath ek kone pe phool lage the aur dusre kone me ek bara sa darakhta tha jike paas jhoola aur usse kuch doori pe saadi si kursion aur table ka set tha jahan aksar uske mamu mami chai piya karte. Woh darakht ki taraf gayi. Darakht ke paas aa ke uske kadam ruke aur usne dayen taraf neechey likhi tehreeron ko dekha. Uska Saif ka aur Kabir ka naam wahn likha hua tha. Usne apne poron se un naamo ko chua aur haath ek naam pe tham sa gaya.

"Kyun Kabir..?"

Ek shikwa zubaan pe aaya aur dil ke kahi tukre hue. Use dukh Kabir ke fesle per nahi tha use dukh is baat ka tha ke woh uske liyr itni na ehem thi ke woh akhri thi jise yeh khabar mili. Mashwara door ki baat usne usse zikar tak na kiya tha. Aur sab se bhar kar shayad woh uski doori se ghabra rahi thi. Kyun? Woh nahi jaanti thi. Magar uska aur Kabir ka saath to humesha ka tha. Aisa woh shayad khudi teh kiye bethi thi.

"Mere naam se sawaal puchne se bhi jawaab nahi mile ga.."

Us awaaz pe woh apni jagah theher gayi phir ankh ke kone ko ragra aur uth khari hui.

Uski ankho me ankhe daal kar dekha aur phir kuch kahe bagair wahan se hatne lagi magar uski giraft taiz aur mazboot thi.

"Haath choro mera Kabir."

"Tum meri baat suno pehle."

Miraal ne uski nazro me gusse se dekha. Kabir ne apni giraft dheeli ki.

"Kya sunun?"

"Miraal yaar gussa kyun ho rahi ho? Aage kuch na kuch to hum sab ne karna hai na? Tumhe jese chemical engineering karni hai mujhe Air Force pilot banna hai."

"Yehi farak hai Kabir. Tum jaante ho mujhe kya karna hai kyun ke main tumse kabhi kuch nahi chupati. Aur tum? Mujhe kal pata chal raha he sab ke beech ke tum apply kar bhi chuke ho. Aaj tak jab tumse puchti thi main ke tumhara plan kya he chahte kya ho to tum humesha kehte the nahi pata tumhe koi plan nahi hai confuse hoon"

Woh bolti chali gayi to woh sar jhukae khara raha. Use kya kehta us waqt.

"Maine batana chaha tha...yaad karo Miraal maine tumse pucha tha .."

Miraal yak dam confuse ho gayi aur yak dam use yaad aya jab shaam ke waqt woh dono chat pe bethe hue the aur Kabir ne usse army me jaane ka zikar kiya tha jis pe Miraal yak dam react kar bethi. Woh dar gayi thi aur keh bethi ke yeh acha idea nahi tha. Woh darti thi har rishta khone ke baad use bhi khone se.

"Tumhare us reaction ke baad mujhme himmat nahi thi aur kal jab tumhe Saif ke saath dekha-"

Woh ruka aur ankhe bheench lin. Aur apni baat ko pee gaya magar Miraal uska bazu pakre boli thi.

"Baat poori karo."

Usne kaha Kabir ne sar jhatka aur dusri taraf dekhne laga jab Miraal ne uske mu ko pakar ke apni taraf kiya.

"Baat poori karo Kabir Khan!"

Kabir use dekhta raha ankho me narmi utri aur zubaan kholi hi thi jab peechey se awaaz aane per dono mure.

"Tum dono subha subha kya kar rahe ho?"

Saif jamayi leta hua ab bhi apne grey trouser aur black shirt me tha aur un dono ki tarag chalta aaya tha. Aa ke dono ko ankhe mal ke bhawen uchka ke baari baari dekha.

"Kya he?"

Kabir ne kaha to woh Kabir ke hi kandhe pe baazu rakhe bola.

"Mujhe pata chal gaya he tum dono meri surprise birthday party plan kar rahe ho na?"

Usne dono haatho se taali bajate hue kaha to Miraal ne sar jhatka aur Kabir ne ankhe ghumayi.

"Itne farigh nazar aa rahe hain hum?"

Kabir ne kaha to jawaab tak se aaya.

"Nahi aur tum dono bari koi siyaasi party ke meeting kar rahe the na yahan"

"Saif bohat hi farigh insaan ho tum"

Miraal bolti hui chalti hui andar ki taraf bari to Saif ne awaaz lagayi.

"Banaa ke rakho is farigh insaan se ab yeh sariyal to ho ga nahi yahan main hi kaam aaun ga bure waqt me!"

Woh bola to Miraal ke kadam ek lamhe ko ruke usne mur kar ek nazar use dekha jo use hi dekh raha tha. Dono ki ankho me kuch tha jo bas un dono ko hi nazar aa raha tha. Kuch ankaha sa.

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Usne ek aur page ko palta to nazro ke samne ek aur tasveer aayi jispe uske haath ruke aur ankhe jese usi tasveer pe theher si gayi jisme us din ki tasveer thi jis din Kabir ko yeh maloom hua tha ke woh pass ho gaya tha. Woh taya ke gale laga khara tha aur peechey Asiya dheemi muskurahat ke saath un dono ko dekh rahi thin.

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Din guzarte gaye the Miraal aur Kabir ki us din ke baad baat nahi hui thi. Dono bechain the magar apni apni zid aur naraazgi me the. Ya shayad naraazgi aur zid Miraal ki thi Kabir to bas...khamosh tha. Apne hi jazbaato me uljha.

Hafte ki dupeher ka waqt tha jab Miraal apne kamre me se nikal ke bahir aa kar kitchen se chips ka packet pakar ke lounge me sofey per bethi thi. Ghar me us waqt sab apne apne kamre me the aur Kabir aur Saif Kabir ka kuch samaan lene bahir gaye hue the kyun ke do din me Kabir jaa raha tha wahan se. PFA ki training shuru hone wali thi. Miraal uske apne khuwaab pura karne pe naraaz nahi thi woh khush thi magar woh uske rawaiyye se naraaz thi. Woh uska best friend tha woh dono ek dusre ke itne kareeb to the ke ek dusre ko naraaz nahi rehne dete the phir is dafa woh aise kyun kar raha tha? Woh ek koshish kar ke us din ke baad se usse nazre tak nahi mila raha tha.

Use uski sochon se bahir hone wali bell ne nikaala tha. Woh bahir gayi aur gate khola to samne khare logon ko dekh ke ek lamhe ko tham si gayi phir samne khar shaks aage bara tha.

"Assalaamu Alaikum Miraal beta"

Miraal ne samne khare 45- 50 saal ke darmiyaan ke umar ke shaks ko dekha tha.

"Walaikum assalaam chachu"

Usne sar jhukae kaha tha. Peechey se uski chachi ayi jinho ne use gale se lagaya. Aur usse peechey usse ek do saal bara larka khara tha jo use dekh ke dheere se muskura diya aur sar ko kham kar ke salaam kiya jis ka jawaab Miraal ne muskura ke diya. Woh sab andar bar gaye the.

Miraal ne apni mami aur khala ko jagaya aur mamu ko bulaya to kuch hi der me sab heraan se lounge me aa chuke the. Sab ki herani apni jagah jayaz thi kyun ke Miraal ke chacha chachi koi bure log nahi the magar unho ne itne saalo me apne bhai ke jaane ke baad mur kar khaas nahi dekha tha naa hi Miraal se kabhi milne aye na use apne paas Amsterdam bulaya.

"Safeer bhai main maafi chahta hun is tarah aane per"

"Nahi Musaddiq tumhara apna ghar he lekin Kheriyat to hai?"

Unho ne pucha to Musaddiq ne sar uthaya.

"Jee, bas Hussain bhai ke jaane ke baad se main chahta tha ke Miraal ko apne paas bula lun magar mere halaat bilkul bhi theek nahi the aur main aap sab ko bata bhi nahi saka. Ab Alhumdulilah main is financial situation me hoon ke apni Miraal ko apne saath le jaa sakta hoon."

Unho ne kaha to sab yak dam chonk se gaye. Kisi ke paas kuch kehne ko nahi tha.

"Apne saath? Kya matlab Musaddiq?"

Safeer ne pucha tha.

"Apne saath Amsterdam le ke jaana chahta hun Safeer bhai. Aap sab pe already itne arse se chor chuka hun Miraal ko ab kab tak aap log zimedari uthaen ge."

Unki baat pe Shazia boli.

"Itne saal hum pe zimedari daal rakhi aap logob ne apni shukar he khayal to aaya."

Shazia ki baat pe woh sab kuch seedhe hue jese bura manaya tha.

"Shazia."

Safeer ne khamosh karwaya tha.

"Miraal se hi puch len aap behtar rahe ga."

Musaddiq bola tha. Miraal wahan kone me bethi har bara gayi thi. Woh kya lehti? Unke saath itni door woh kese jaa skti thi? Yehi uska ghar tha yehi uski jagah thi. Magar phir dil se ek awaaz si uthi woh to jaa raha tha wahan se woh uske bagair kya us ghar me reh sakti thi? Is ghar ka har kona to use uski yaad dilwata tha.

"Miraal beta batao kya chahti ho tum?"

Safeer ki naram awaaz pe usne sar uthaya. Wahin khari rahi wog ilfaaz dhoondti socho me uljhi.

"Miraal?"

Asiya ki awaaz thi is dafa. Uski khala. Woh unhe kese bhool sakti thi? Unho ne to use aur Kabir ko apne bacho ki tarah paala tha Kabir ke saath woh bhi chali gayi to Asiya kya karti?

"Main...nahi jaaun gi chachu"

Usne kaha to Musaddiq uth khara hua.

"Kyun beta?"

"Chachu mere maa baap ki kabr hai yahan main yahan pali bhari hun mujhse ab kisi nayi jagah nahi jaye ga.."

Musaddiq khamosh ho chuka tha aur baki sab bhi mutmaeen nazar aa rahe the siwae Shazia begam ke.

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"Assalaamu alaikum phupho"

Kabir aur Saif lounge me bethi Asiya ko salaam karte andar aye. Saif khaali pare single sofey pe beth gaya aur Kabir Asiya ke saath beth gaya aur apni maa jesi phupho ke kandho ke aas paas baazu ghumaye aur foran hi unke chehre ke tassuraat ko notice kar liya.

"Phupho? Kya hua he aap ko?"

"Kuch nahi.."

Asiya ne kaha to Kabir fikarmandi se aage hua.

"Nahi phupho kuch to hua he aap ke chehre pe itni udaasi kyun he?"

"Phupho yaar pareshan kyun kar rahi hain"

Saif bhi bola tha.

"Bas udaas thi ke mere sab bachey mujhe chor ke jaa rahe hain..main to akhir me reh gayi na tanha.."

Apni phupho ki baat pe usne unke dono haatho ko thama.

"Phupho sab bachon se kya matlab main to chuttiyon me aata jaata rahun ga na?"

Usne kaha to Asiya ne ankh ka kona saaf kiya.

"Tum to aate jaate raho ge Miraal to najane kitne saalo baad aaya kare gi..."

Unki baat pe Kabir ko jese apne kaano pe shak hua tha.

"M..Miraal kahan jaa rahi hai?"

Asiya ne use sara kissa suna diya jise sunta woh kuch na keh paya tha bas pero tale khisakti zameen ke ilawa kuch mehsoos na ho paya tha.

Raat ke 10 baj chuke the Miraal namaaz par ke uthi aur abhi jaanamaz teh kar ke rakh hi rahi thi jab darwaze pe itni taiz dastakh hui ke woh heran aur foran se aage hui. Darwaza khula to samne khare shaks ko dekh ke woh darwaza wapis band karne lagi jab usne haath rakha aur darwaza kholta andar aaya. Woh usse nazre milaye bagair chadar utaar ke bed pe rakhne lagi jab peechey se awaaz ayi.

"Yeh kya drame chal rahe hain Miraal?"

Woh jawaab diye bagair apne bed ki chadr theek karti rahi to woh is baar zor se bola tha.

"Main tumse baat kar raha hoon!"

"Maine konsa drama kiya hai?"

Miraal muri thi. Woh do kadam aage aata uske ain samne khara hua tha.

"Tum khud jaanti ho. Zid naraazgi apni jagah magr yeh sab kya he Miraal tum kese jaa skati ho?"

"Kyun ke mujhe wahan behtar zindagi nazar aa rahi hai apne liye."

Woh boli to Kabir tanzia andaaz me hasa.

"Yeh jhoot usse bolo jo tumhe nahi jaanta kyun ke Miraal Hussain tum duniya se jhoot bol sakti ho mujhse nahi. Main tumhare ek andaaz se tumhara mood bata sakta hoon main tumhari ek nazar ka ishara samjh sakta hoon aur tum mujhse yeh behtar life wali bakwas kar rahi ho?"

Uski ankh me har kisam ke jazbaat the aur woh aaj unhe chupa tak nahi paa raha tha.

"Tum mujhe jaan ne ka daawa karte ho Kabir Khan magar tum mujhe kabhi samjh nahi sake ho. Is liye jao yahan se main faisla kar chuki hoon."

Woh uske saath se guzar ke hatne lagi thi jab usne uska baau pakar ke use apni taraf khencha. Mazbooti se magar kahin narmi se.

Woh uske is kadar kareeb thi uski ankho ke hr jazbaat ko par sakti thi.

"Reh lo gi mere bagair...?"

Uski awaaz me kuch toota sa tha. Miraal ka dil is tarah toota tha ke woh ek lamhe ko sab bhool ke uske gale lag jaana chahti thi sab bhula dena chahti thi magar khud ko sambhal chuki thi.

"Tum reh sakte ho to main kyun nahi..?"

Khamoshi. Gehri khamoshi. Is kadar gehri khamoshi me bhi toofan jesa shor mehsoos ho raha tha. Judaai jab naseeb me ho to insaan use kese rouk sakta tha?

Album ko band kar ke rakhte hue usne apne gaal ko chua aur haath pe nami ko mehsoos kiya. Waqt guzar chuka tha magar yaaden ab bhi wahin thi usi tarah thi.

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Assalamu alaikum!

Here is the first part of this story i hope you guys enjoyed it!🥺♥️

Actually im very nervous about this one aa i have never written short story before so i am still worried if it is too rushed or not.

Well let me know your thoughts and don't forget to vote y'all!

Lots of love you beautiful peopleee<3