Chapter 19: •CHAPTER-18•

•••

uske baad woh andar nahi aayi thi. Dr bukhari ke ilawa chand aik dost bhi usse milne aa chuke the. Aadil Ahmed bhi company ke kuch mamlaat discuss karne aaya tha. mrs. Shirazi se bhi uski baat hui thi magar Jannat kamaal dobara kamre mein nahi aayi thi.

maghrib se pehle hi nurse ne usey drip lagai thi. kuch adwiyaat ka assar tha aur kuch is mehlool ka bhi jo uski nason mein sarayat kar raha tha ke woh so gaya tha. aur phir raat ke jane kis pehar jannat ke musalsal bajte mobile ki aawaz se hi uski aankh khul gayi thi.

dawaon ke zair assar hone ki wajah se usay artkaz pakarney mein kuch diqqat hui thi. wujood bhaari ho raha tha. baa-mushkil kohaniyo ke bal upar hote hue usne  ehtraaf mein nigah doraayi. jannat kamre mein nahi thi.

unglio se ankhen masalte hue kisi qader koshish se woh uth betha tha. agar uska hand bag aur mobile glass table par nahi parre hote to woh yahi samjhta ke woh ghar chali gayi ho gi.

taham woh hospital mein hi mojood thi. magar yahan nahi aa rahi thi. aik lamhe ke liye uski aankhon ke samne jannat ka rota sakta chehra lehra gaya. ghar ki tarah ab bhi woh hospital ke kisi kone mein roti payi gayi to.

lab bhinch kar usne be ikhtiyar apni peshani ko masla. kuch soch kar woh bahar agaya. chand qadam uthane se hi uska tanaffus phool gaya tha. peshani arq alood hone lagi thi. ward mein woh nahi thi. yaqeenan woh neeche hogi. ya phir bahar lawn mein. usey gussa ane laga. sidiyan utar kar us ne waiting area ka rukh kiya tha. aur tab hi woh usey samne baithi dikhayi de gayi thi.

Etraaf se yaksar be niaz, labon par muskurahat sajaye woh teen chaar mah ke nanhe se bacche ko baho mein liye fidder se doodh pila rahi thi. baccha uski goad mein pur sukoon tha. woh har thori der baad uska nanha sa haath, us ka ma tha, uska gaal choomne lagti thi. etraaf mein bhikri safaid roshiniyo mein woh us par nigah jamaye khara reh gaya. woh manzar kisi khawab kisi khayaal sa tha.

"I'm sorry, mein ne aap ko zehmat di." siyah paint shirt mein malboos chhabbis satais baras ka no jawan chehre par thakan aur pareshani ke tassurat liye room se nikal kar jannat ke paas agaya tha.

"Aap, apne bacche ko zehmat keh rahe hain?" jannat ne sar utha kar zara si khafgi dikhayi. Jawaban wo muskura diya. pichlle kayi ghanton se woh anjaan larki uska baccha sambhaal rahi thi. woh uska be had shukar guzaar tha.

"Meri mother bhi aati hi hogi." woh keh raha tha.

"it's ok! aap pareshan mat ho, agar koi nahi bhi aaya to mein usey sambhaal lugi." usne nilgon kambal soye hue bacche  par dala.

"Ab aap ki wife ki tabiyat kaisi hai?"

"Behtar hai." woh zara faasle par baith gaya tha.

"Usey aap mujhe de de, aap thak gayi hogi." usne bachay ko lena chaha. jannat inkaar karne hi wali thi ke nigah faris wajdan par par gayi. kuch der pehle jab woh kamre mein gayi thi to woh gehri neend so raha tha.

Aur ab kuch kuch herat kuch beyakeeni se usne kalai mod kar waqt dekha , bacche ko uske baap ke hawale karke foran se utha khadi hui. Fir usi saraiyyat se kadam uthate hue uske paas aa gayi. Chehre par subah wale wakiye ka ab koi ta-assur nahi tha. bas wohi kafgi thi gussa tha, ajanbiyat thi jo lahor ke wapsi ke bad se uska mamool rahi thi.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?" Usne dabi awaz me jhad kar puchha tha. Wo khamosh tha. Khamosh hi raha.

"Tumahara hospital se discharge hone ka irada hai bhi ya nahi?" Wo tab bhi khada raha. uski nigaho or gair tassur khamoshi ko dekh kar jannat uljhan me padh gayi. Sayad wo ab bhi nind me hi tha. warna utha kar bahar kyu aata? Bhoot ban kar khada kyu rehta? Wo use ese kyu dekhta? Jese pehli baar dekh raha ho!

Gehra tanaffus lekar khuda ki panaho me aate hue usne kuch mukhtad hokar faris ke bazu par grift jamayi or usey apne sath le jane lagi. Uske sath chlte hue wo bahut ahistgi se kadam utha raha tha. Jese ba-mushkil uthana padh rahe ho. Usse jada kowwat to jannat ko lagani padhi rahi thi. Bad par baithate hue jannat ne bulb jala diya. Apna hath bhi hata diya.

"Tum subah se bahar kya kar rahi ho?" awaz bhojan thi lekin sawal pure hosh o hawas me puchha gaya tha.

Jannat ne darr kar yu jhtka khaya tha jese raat ke sannate me kisi bhoot se mukhatib kar liya ho. Phir usi saraiyyat se ese pichhe hatti jese pehle wala Faris koi aur ho aur ab wala Faris koi aur ho gaya ho.

"Tum acting kar rahe the?".aawaz sadme se phatt gayi thi.

"kis baat ki?"  jannat ne lab bhinch kar muthiya band kar ke usey intehai ghusse se dekha.

"Abhi tum aise zahir kar rahe they jaise tumhe apna koi hosh nahi." sard lehjey mein jurm ki nishaan dahi ki gayi.

"Really? yeh kab ki baat hai?" bed par let te hue usne kuch herat se poocha. jannat ko jaisey aag lag gayi. achha mazaaq ban raha tha is ka. yahi kami reh gayi thi ke ab toheen ke sath sath  usey be waqoof bhi banaya jaye.

muthiyaan bhinch kar zabt karti woh usi waqt kamre se chali gayi. dobara uski wapsi nurse ke sath hui thi. khoob shikayaat laga kar layi thi woh uski mareez ward ke chakkar lagaata phir raha hai aur aaraam karne ke bajaye baatein banaye ja raha hai. Magar nurse ne dekha. kaise woh mareez gehri neend so raha tha aur kaise uski biwi

khwamkhwa us par ilzaam lagaye jarahi thi.

Hospital mein admit hone wale beshtar shohar sabir hote hain aur biwiyan zalim. woh chali gayi to jannat ne lab bhinch kar faris ko dekha. woh karvat ke bal ankhen band kiye leta tha. Us ne sar nahi uthaya tha. mazeed koi baat bhi nahi ki thi. woh khafgi ke aalam mein jhatks se murr kar sofe par ja baithi thi.

siyah jeans ke sath of white shirt par surmai round naik sweeter mein malboos woh apne siyah sneakers ke shoe less bandh kar jab seedha huwa to nigah jannat kamaal par ja thehri jo Dr bukhari se kaafi be dili se interaction le rahi thi. Aaj usey hospital se discharge Kiya ja raha tha aur jannat is faislay se qatei khush nahi lag rahi thi.

Ajeeb uljha huwa sa andaaz tha uska kofat zada si ho rahi thi woh kuch kuch pareshan bhi thi. jaise aik mehfooz aashiyina chhut raha ho. gaari mein bhi woh darwaze ki taraf kaafi simat kar baithi thi. bazu seene par bandhe rakhe the. haath chhupa rakhe the. Shawl achhi tarah se ourh rakhi thi.

douran safar unke darmiyan koi baat nahi hui thi. ghar pahonch kar bhi khamoshi haail rahi thi. khanay ki maiz par mrs. shirazi ke kamre mein, shaam ki chai par uska andaaz uljha huwa sa tha. jaisey woh mojood hai aur nahi bhi. uski tamam tar koshish yahi thi ke woh bas kisi tarah idhar udhar ke kamon mein uljhi rahe.

jab woh aaraam ki gharz se apne kamre mein gaya tha to woh jaan boojh kar hi neeche lounge mein baithi rahi thi halaanke thakawat usey bhi thi. Hospital mein be aaraam woh bhi to hui thi. magar usey filhaal kamre mein nahi jata tha. jane kyun aik anjana sa khauf dimagh par sawaar ho gaya tha.

channel par channel badalte hue usne aqsa ko bhi apne paas hi bethaye rakha. Dry fruits ki plate samne hi dhari thi. magazine ke safhe khule parre the. kisi article ko yaksoi se parha ja raha tha. woh sofe par thi aur aqsa flour cushion par.

"Aqsa!"  kuch soch kar usne barre hi raaz daarana andaaz mein usey mukhatib Kiya tha.

"Jee jannat aapi? Jannat ne hi usey mana kar rakha tha ke woh usey bi bi na kahe.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai mard is baat ko kitna serious laita hai agar koi aurat usey thappar maar de."

aqsa ka taizi se chalta muh ruk gaya. TV screen se nazrain hata kar usne jannat ko dekha. Clutcher mein jakde shehad rang baal. jin ki kuch latey mutfakir se momi chehray par bhikri hui theen.

"Yeh jo mard hote haina aapi bare hi ajeeb hote hain! Kasam se! kisi aurat se parnee wale thappar ko apni anaa aur izzat ka masla bana lete hain. aur soch lete hain ke bas ab har soorat intiqam hi lena hai" aqsa ne apne makhsoos andaaz mein baat kar ke suspense  ki intehaa kar di.

"Kaisa intiqam? jannat ke lab hille woh itni kamzor aur be bas kabhi nahi hui thi jitni ke ab ho rahi thi. goya usey Faris wajdan se kisi bhi achhai ki koi tawaqqa nahi thi.

"Ameer zade serial killer hire karte hain. kuch agwa bhi karwa lete hain, kuch saari Umar ke liye qaidi bana lete hain.."

"Aur kuch?"

jawab Faris wajdan ne diya tha. aur itne achanak se diya tha ke woh maare bokhlahat ke sofe se uchhal kar uth khari hui thi aur phir usi saraiyyat se us ne murr kar peechay dekha tha. surmai trousers par halke aasmani rang ke sweater mein malboos, laa parwa se huliye me.woh pockets mein haath daley khara tha sard nigahein jannat ke chehre par jami theen. kandhe se phisalti shawl ko theek se ourte hue jannat ne halaq se ubharti gilty ko baa-mushkil neeche utaara. aqsa ka lehaaz kar ke apni ghabrahat par qaboo paaya. khauf ko bhaga kar sar uthaya.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" sawal aqsa se poocha gaya tha aur jara sakti ke sath poocha gaya tha.

"Jannat aapi ne kaha ke unhen neend nahi aa rahi to.."

"To tum ne socha, baith kar lori suna deti hoon, shayad is tarah aajay!"  aqsa ne garbara kar Faris ko dekha phir sar jhuka liya.

"Jao" hukum mlite hi woh peeron mein chappal urejti , apne magazine sambhalti foran zarro posh hogayi.

ab lounge mein jannat khari thi aur samne Faris. woh apni kefiyat samajh nahi parhi thi. khauf kis baat ka tha aakhir. woh usse dar kyun rahi thi? aik thapar hi to tha? jo ke na guzeer tha. be dardi aur nafrat ke sath do baar dhakela tha usne jaise woh koi achhot ho. jis ke qareeb aane se uski mout wakai ho jani thi.

aisi soorat mein agar usne ghusse mein thapar maar bhi diya to kya huwa? woh bhi to sakhti dekhata raha hai? kamre se nikalta raha hai. woh bhi to use parking area mein chhor kar aaya tha. taizi se bhagta daud taa zehen ruk gaya. sukhey patte ki tarah laraz taa dil tham gaya.

himmat mujtma kar ke usne sir uthaya lab bhinch kar, Faris ki aankhon mein ankhen dalain taakay usey yeh ta-assur day sake ke woh hargiz hargiz usse khaif nahi. faris agle chand lamhoon tak usey daikhta raha. woh bhi datt kar khari rahi.

"Thappar ki saza direct mujh se pooch lo."  bil akhir usne khamoshi ka qatal toda tha.

"Sazaye ghaltion ki hoti hain aur mein ne koi ghalti nahi ki."

"yani tumhe koi pachtawa, koi ehsas nahi?" jannat ne ankhen phela kar usey dekha. yeh pachtawe aur ehsaas ki baat kon kar raha hai?

"Kis baat ka pachtaawa?" lehjey mein qaher bhar kar poocha.

"Shayad tumhe yaad nahi. do baar dhkila tha tum ne mujhe, do baar.."  ungelian khari kar ke dikhayi.

"To phir tum dur kyun nahi hui?"

"oh! haan yaad aaya tumhe darr tha, kahin tum bewa nah ho jao. faris ka

lehja istejaya huwa. jannat ka chehra  khaft ke maare surkh ho gaya. kash waqt usey peechay le jaye aur woh hospital mein saib kaatetay hue khud ko aik Adad thapar se Nawaz sakay. ae kash ae kash!

"haan! mujhe apni fikar thi. aur bohat ziyada fikar thi. tumhe is se kya?" datt kar, jam kar, aik baar phir sar utha kar gurrayi.

Pockets mein haath daale. zara sa sar jhuka kar woh baa-mushkil kaandho tak pahunchti jannat kamaal ko agle chand lamhoon tak daikhta raha. phir sar jhatak kar jane ke liye murr gaya. uska rukh office room ki taraf tha. goya woh apne kisi kaam se hi neeche aaya tha.

aik sard nazar uspar daalti woh zeena te karti kamre mein chali gayi. usne takiya aur kambal uthaya aur phir tan fun karti sittting area mein sofa come bed par ja soyi. tewar bigre hue the. jabre bheeche hue, aur aankhon mein ghusse ke sath sath be naam si khafgi lehra rahi thi.

study room mein woh pichlle aik ghants se mojood tha. files dekhte, sign karte, zaroori reports ka sarsari sa jaiza lete usey coffee ki talabb hui thi to woh uth kar bahar agaya tha. sidiya utarte hue is ki samaat se jannat ki aawaz takrayi to raftaar khud hi madham ho gayi. pehlay uska khayaal tha woh mummy se hi baat kar rahi hogi magar woh to is waqt tak so jati theen. Kitchen ki taraf dekhte hue woh sidiyon ke paas hi ruk gaya tha. yun ke ab woh open kitchen Yu ke uqbi hisse se ba aasani dekh sakta tha.

"Ab dekhen mujhe mein kahin se aap ko pareshan ya upset lag rahi hoon?"

mobile kitchen counter table par stand position par rakh kar woh ultay qadam peeche hote  hue muskarayi thi. screen par saira khaala ka chehra wazeh tha. un ke labon par madham si muskurahat ubhri thi magar aankhon me fiqr the rahi thi.

counter table ke sath take lagate hue woh ab barah e raast unhen dekhne lagi thi. poore aik hafte baad jannat ne un ki call receive ki thi. poore aik hafte baad khud se rabta kiya tha.

"Tum ne faris se baat ki?"

"Kis bare mein?" woh anjaan ho gayi .

"Jo kuch us raat huwa." Khaala mohtaat ho kar poonch rahi theen. jhuke sar ke sath jannat ne nafi mein sir hila diya.

"Kyun?"

"Mein ne zaroori nahi samjha." ahistagi se murr kar burner band kar diya. Chai kettle se cup mein Undhelne lagi.

"Ab dekhen ghalti to meri hi hai na! faris ne to kaha tha ke sath hi chalo. mein ne hi zidd ki ke sidra ka walima attend kar ke hi jaoon gi."

Piller ke peeche sidiyon ke paas pockets.mein haath daaley woh uske chehre par nazrain jamaye khada raha tha.

"Tumhare khalu Safdar bhai se mile the, baat bhi ki thi. samjhaya bhi tha. lekin tum to janti ho Zaman kisi nature ka hai. mujhe fikar ho rahee thi ke woh.."

"Kahin woh mujhe nuqsaan nah pahuncha de?" usne murr kar achambhe se saira khaala ko dekha, phir hans di. Uski hansi khokli thi. uski ankhen jhooti theen. uske tasurat masnoi the. uski bahaduri dhoka thi.

"Mein soch rahi thi ke agar mein faris ko aetmaad mein le kar baat karoon to ho sakta hai woh is masle ka haal.."

"Aap yeh kaisi baatein kar rahi hain khaala?"  Jannat ne foran unhen toak diya.

"Jannat mein janti hoon ke..."

"Aap ne pehley bhi usey dhoka diya. aap ab bhi usey dhoka degi?" uska rawaiyya badla tha. uski himmat bhikri thi. uska hosla toota tha.

Saira khaala sadme se gung usey dekh kar reh gayeen thi.

"Jannat !"  aur phir lafz goya khatam ho gaye. woh mazeed kuch keh hi nahi saki.

"Wada kare, aap aisi koi bhi baat usse nahi karengi, kabhi bhi nahi."  usne do toak lehjey mein keh diya tha. Saira khaala usey bebasi se dekh kar reh gayeen.

"Meri zindagi mein sab normal hai. mein nahi chahti ke phir se koi tufaan utthe aur mera tamasha bane."

"Lekin Zaman chup nahi baithega" saira khaala ko bas yahi fikar thi. jannat ne agey se koi jawab nahi diya na pareshan hui na khauf ka izhaar kiya aise jaisey ye masla koi masla raha hi nahi ho.

"Mujhe tumhe shadi attend karne ke liye force nahi karna chahiye tha." kaafi der tak jab woh kuch na boli to unhone kaha.

"Aap ne force nahi Kiya tha. mein apni marzi se aayi thi." Poore aetmaad ke sath usne jhoot bola. phir aik lamhe ka tawaquf kiya.

"Aap mere liye is tarah fiqrmand hoti hain to mujhe acha nahi lagta khaala theek hai bare baba ne aap ko wasiyat ki thi mere bare mein lekin aap yeh bhi to dekhen meri shadi ho chuki hai, aur ab me apne ghar me bahut khush hu! Yaha sab mera bahut khayal rakhte hai. Auntie mujhe bahut chahti hai!" Chai ka ghoot bhar kar phir usne unhe dekha woh khamosh theen.

"Agar Faisal bhai keh rahe hain to canada shift ho jane mein harj hi kya hai? ab to sidra ki bhi shadi hogayi hai. mein bhi apne ghar ki hogayi hoon. ab to aap ko mukammal sukoon se chale jana chahiye."

Saira khaala ne poori baat khamoshi se suni phir kuch yaad aa jane par unhon ne faris se mutaliq poocha. unhen ghaliban mrs. Shirazi ne hi bataya tha ke woh do din hospital mein admit raha hai. aur baton ke douran unhen poochna yaad hi na raha.

Jannat ke tasurat aik dam badal gaye. bhanwain ghair mehsoos andaaz mein suker gayeen.

"Guess what!  usey cat allergy hai. kya aap yaqeen kar sakti hain mere shohar ko cat allergy hai?"

aur is tamam arsay mein saira khaala ke chehre par pehli baar muskurahat bhikri thi aur phir woh hans pari. jannat billiyon ke liye kitni dewaani thi, un se behtar aur koi nahi jaan sakta tha.

"Mein ne socha tha yahan set ho jaoon gi to phir billi palun gi. mein ne mrs. Yazdani se baat tak kar li thi ke un ki irani cat ka aik bacha mein lugi aur ab gehra tanaffus le kar usne be basi se haath utha kar dheels chhore diye.

"Aap ko kam az kam rishta tay karne se pehle yeh to maloom karwa lena chahiye tha ke larke ko billiyan pasand hain bhi ya nahi." woh ab un par khafa ho rahi thi.

"itna serious masla to nahi hoga jannat!"  woh hanste hue boli.

"Woh do din hospital mein raha hai khaala. ab aap khud samajh jaye, yeh us ke liye kitna serious masla hai."

"To thik hai.. door door se billi ko hello hi kar liya karo. Ab shohar ke liye itna to karna padega!"

Khali cup sink me dhote hue jannat ne jara si kafgi  ke sath unhe dekha

"Aap ko mera ghum ghum nahi lag raha hai?"

"Nahi bacche, me apke ghum me Barabar ki Shariq hu" wo hans di.

"Accha ye baat kisi se bhi share mat kijiyega." Dupatte ke sath hath khusk karte hue wo mobile screen ke taraf jhuki.

"Konsi baat?"

"Yahi ki Faris ko billiyo se Ellery hai! Mujhe lagta hai ghar me mulajimo ko bhi nahi maloom. Ek tarah se ye thik bhi hai , agar ye baat bahar nikle or kisi ko pata chal jaye to Faris ka reaction kitna shadid hota hai, yakeenan uske dushman iska fayda uthana chahenge! Haina?"  Khaala uski soch par angishbanda reh gayi.

"Bade bade karobari logo ke dushman bhi to bade bade hote hoge!" Khaala uski soch par heran ho rahi thi. Ye khayaal unke zehen me ek lamhe ke liye bhi nahi aaya tha.

"Aqsa bhi sara waqt mere sath rahi lekin mene use bhi jara bhanak nahi padne di, ke wo hospital me kis wajah se hai!" Bahoot mohtat andaaz me sanjidgi or samjhdari se wo unse baat kar rahi thi. Andaaz pur sarar riyat liye hua tha.

"Haan! Tum thik keh rahi ho" unhone ehtraaf kiya. Aur tabhi dabi kadmo ki awaaz par usne besakta sar uthaya. Fir ghum kar counter table par aayi. Aur wahi se usne bohat agey tak dekha. magar wahan koi nahi tha.

"Achha khaala! aap se phir baat hogi." un ko alvida kar ke use kitchen ki lights off kardi. Sidiyon ki taraf jate hue uski nazar be sakhta hi office room ki taraf uth gayi thi. Darwaza khula huwa tha. aur Faris wajdan rake se kuch files nikalta nazar araha tha. Sar jhatak kar woh sidiya charh gayi.

(Flashbacks)

'Mujhe girne se dar nahi lagta Khan! mein pandra din pehle bhi parking area mein giri thi. aur phir khud uth gayi thi. ab bhi agar girungi ki to uthne ki himmat hai mujh mein'

Office chair par baithe hue usne file table par rakh di thi. jaib se mobile nikaal kar number milatas hue woh musalsal apni peshani masal raha tha. aur phir tareekh ke sath sath shadi hall ki tafseelat se aagah karte hue is ne aadil Ahmed se das se baara bajey ke darmiyan parking area ki CCTV footage talab karli thi.

•••

Usne sara din khud ko mrs. Shirazi ke sath masroof rakha. kaafi arse baad us ke israar par wo qudrati manazair ki aik painting bana rahi theen. un ke studio mein chhotey size karpt par baith kar woh bhi canvas par aisay hi rang bekhair ne lagi thi.

'sabz, sunehra, siyah, surkh, gulaabi'

rangon se khailte uski tawwajah aik baar phir faris wajdan ke box ki taraf chali gayi haath barha kar usne box apni janib ghasit liya. aik baar phir khol kar woh ashya ka jaiza laine lagi.

neechey, bohat neechey tasweero ka aik album bhi tha. rukh badal kar usne mrs Shirazi ki taraf dekha. go ke woh

janti thi agar unhon ne dekh bhi liya tab bhi unhen koi aitraaz nahi ho ga magar phir bhi jane kyun woh kuch mohtaat hi ho rahi thi. usne album khol diya. pehli tasweer samne thi.

Sunehri aankhon mein balaa ki masomiyat liye woh chaar paanch saal ka aik khubsurat bacha tha. dhoop mein

uski rangat gulaabi ho rahi thi. shehad rang ki ameezash liye choclate rang ke naramo mulaem baal qadray lambe the. Uski peshani par bikhare the, gardan tak atey hue. aankhon mein Ishtiaq aur tazasus  liye woh safhe palatti gayi.

bed par, almaari ke samne, darakht ke neechey, sar sabz maidan ke wast mein, result card lete hue, trophy jeete hue, khail ke maidan mein, ghode ki pust par,  chhe se solah saal tak, faris wajdan ki tasaveer uske samne theen. magar kahin bhi woh muskura nahi raha tha. har tasweer mein woh akela tha. har tasweer mein uske tasurat bhi bhi aik se the. family ka ka koi aik fard bhi uske sath nahi tha. hatta ke mrs. Shirazi ke sath bhi uski koi tasweer nahi thi. album ke aakhir mein aik tasweer thi.

sirsabz baagh ka manzar tha. woh Shah baloot ke saaye mein lakdi ki pahad ke paas khara tha. Ladkhadata huwa football uske paas aa raha tha. Us taraf paanch chhey saal ki bachi khari thi.

Football uski taraf araha tha. aur jis taraf se araha tha is taraf is ki pusht camera ki taraf thi. apna sar ouncha kiye usne josh se haath oopar utha rakhe the. Uski safaid frock par jagah jagah dhabbay lagey thay, safaid jurabe (socks) mein to mukammal tor par mitti se ati hui theen.

poorey album mein sirf aik yahi tasweer aisi thi jis mein aik teenager  Faris ke labon par muskurahat nazar aa rahi thi. zindagi se bhar poora aik khoob soorat muskurahat! aisey lagta tha jaisay yeh tasweer is ki be khaberi mein li gayi ho. yaka yak kisi ne uske hathon se album le liya. usne choank kar jhatke se sar uthaya. saans ruk sa gaya.

usey nagwari se dekhte hue Faris ne box mein album phenka, jhat se band Kiya aur usey utha kar almaari ke oopri khane mein rakh diya. ab kam az kam woh aqsa ki madad ke baghair is box tak nahi pahonch sakti thi. faris mrs. Shirazi ke paas chala gaya. un ke gird baz o Hamael karte hue jhuka to mrs. Shirazi ne mohabbat se uske gaal par haath rakha.

"Tum kab aaye?"

"Abhi abhi" stool khech kar woh un ke paas hi baith gaya. ab woh canvas par safaid phool ko dekh raha tha jis mein mrs. Shirazi surkh lakiron ka izafah kar rahi theen. usne apni maa ke par Ishtiaq chehre ko dekha. phir rang se attey us brush ko.

"Bil akhir aap ne brush utha hi liya." woh muskuraya.

"Yeh jannat ki wajah se mumkin huwa, sab kuch set kar ke mujhe bitha diya ke kuch bana de, usey bed room mein lagana hai. faris ki nigahe be sakhta jannat tak gayeen. sae jukaye woh aik baar phir bilaa wajah ke rang phelane lagi thi.

"Goya mujh se ziyada ahem aap ki baho hai." usne shikwa Kiya. jannat ke kaan kharre ho gaye. Mrs. Shirazi hans di.

"Jealous ho rahe ho?"

"To kya nahi hona chahiye?"

"Hona to chahiye mein apni beti ki koi baat ni taal sakti."

"Agar jo mein aap ko aap ki beti ke kartuto se aagahi dun to kya aap tab bhi iski koi bat nahi talegi?"

jannat ke chehre ka rang faq huwa. aankhon mein khauf o khraas phail gaya.

"Haan, tab bhi nahi, by the way, tumhe is se masla kya hai?"

"Abdul alghfor shikayat kar raha tha, ghulaab ki pattiyan khane ka bohat shoq hai aap ki Ladli ko." Mrs. Shirazi ne zara heran ho kar jannat ko dekha. woh mathos si apni jagah baithi reh gayi thi. halaanke baat to kuch aisi na thi magar uske tasurat. Wo hans di.

"Really Jannat? mujhe bhi try karna chahiye." sath hi faris ko apne irade se aagah kiya. Faris apni maa ko dekh kar reh gaya.

"Aap ki aadate kharab ho rahi hain mummy!" un ki hansi be sakhta thi.

"M-Mein khane ka intizam dekh lu" woh moazrat chahte hue usi waqt uth kar chali gayi thi. faris ne mrs Sharazy se yeh kya kaha tha, woh shiddat se dharaktey dil ke sath agle kayi lamho tak raahdaari mein hi khari rahi thi.

Faris wajdan ki nigahon ka ta-assur badal gaya tha. aankhon mein narmi agar nahi thi to sakhti bhi nahi rahi thi lekin jannat kamaal ke liye woh ankhen ab bhi azaab bani hui theen. magar jane kya baat thi ke uthte baithte ate jate woh uski nigahon ka hisaar ab khud par mehsoos karne lagi thi aur aisa un teen mah mein pehli baar huwa tha. bajaye khush ya mutmaen hone ke, woh uljhano mein par gayi thi. reh reh kar ya to khayaal thapar ka aata tha ya phir us maazi ka jo faris wajdan par munkashif huwa tha. aur jis par usne khul kar apne radd amal ka izhaar nahi kiya tha.

Usne kan akhion se faris ko dekha. bed par takiyo ke sahare nim daraaz,  leptop ki screen par masrufiyat bhare andaaz mein kuch daikhta, kuch type karta huwa. yaka yak hi parking area ka manzar jannat ki aankhon mein lerha gaya, chehre ke tassurat badal gaye, gussa naye sirey se ud aaya. sofe par tangon ke gird baz o bandhte  hue is ne tanafur se usey aik nazar dekha phir rukh phaire deewaro ko ghorne lagi. aisaw be hiss insaan ko aakhir usne socha bhi to kyun? Faris ne zara si nazrain utha kar usey rakha. kuch der pehley tak chehra uljhano ki hikayaat suna raha tha, ab ghusse ki jhalak nazar aa rahi thi. pal pal uska rang, uske tassurat badle the.

"waise mein kuch soch raha tha"  leptop aik taraf rakhe woh uski taraf mutwajjah huwa tha.

"Tum mummy ka bohat khayaal rakhti ho, badle mein tumhe kuch to chahiye hoga?" Aur Jannat ko laga, december ki sard raton mein kisi ne thande pani ki bochhar kar ke use hila kar rakh diya ho.

"Aaj ke daur mein sab apna faida dekhte hain. baghair kisi maqsad, baghair kisi gharz ke koi na kisi ki itni care karta hai aur na itni sakhti aur tauheen bardasht karta hai. kuch na kuch to tum ne bhi soch rakha hoga. kuch nah kuch to tumhe bhi chahiye hoga."

"Aankhon mein dukh, sadma, be yakeeni liye woh usey dekh kar reh gayi. is liye tum bila jhijak kuch bhi maang sakti ho." bed crown se take lagaye, taang par taang rakhe woh uski aankhon mein dekhte hue keh raha tha. tasurat sulah jo the. jaisey koi len den mutawaqqa ho. nah sakhti thi, na gussa tha. Uske liye yeh guftagu bohat aam noiyat ki thi magar jannat par jaisey pahad toot rahay the. woh fanaa ho rahi thi. kya samjhta tha woh usey? andar hi andar ghusse se bal khate hue usne lab bhinch kar sar uthaya.

"Tumhe lagta hai, mein auntie ka khayal tumhari wajah se rakhti hoon? agar tumhe aisa lagta hai to tum apni ghalat fehmi dur kar lo."

"Haan! jaanta hoon, un ka khayaal rakhna, unhen waqt dena tumhari majboori hai. lekin mein majburiyo se faida nahi uthata. mere ghar mein baghair muawze  ke koi kaam nahi karta. sab ko payment ada karta hoon mein"

Jannat ka Para charh gaya .

"Mere khayaal se tum bhool rahe ho, mein tumhari koi mulazma nahi hoon aur nahi tumahre  ishare par kaam karti hoon. auntie ke sath mera apna rishta hai."

"Aur yeh rishta kab tak hai?" Faris ka lehja tanzia huwa. sakut mein dhal kar woh dam sadhe usey dekh kar reh gayi. woh aik dam se usey bohat ghair, bohat ajnabi sa laga. halaanke woh uska tha bhi nahi. phir bhi usey dukh huwa. phir bhi usey bura laga.

"Kya chahte ho tum?" woh mazeed koi sawal koi istafsaar nahi chahti thi.

"Apne sawal ka jawab." Jannat ke liye wahan baithe rehna mushkil ho gaya.

"Tumahre sawal ka jawab mein tumhe de chuki hoon. ab tum yaqeen nahi karna chahte to mein kuch nahi kar sakti. itna keh kar woh kamre se nikal aayi thi."

"Mulazimo ko payment ada karta hoon." faris ki naqal utarti woh shadeed ghusse ke aalam mein sitting room mein jaa bethi. ankhen baar baar bhiig rahi theen.

"Nikah kar ke mulazmat de rakhi hai mujhe, job kar rahi hoon mein is ke ghar samjhta kya hai yeh khud ko!"  aankhen ragad kar saaf kee. gaal, naak surkh hone lagi.

Faris ka chehra darwaze ke frame mein namodaar huwa. uski roti basurti shakal ko bohat ghhor se mulahiza farmaya gaya. Jannat ne sar utha kar usey qehar baar nazron se dekha. woh chokhat ke sath pusht tikaye khara ho gaya.

dono haath paint ki pockets mein the. chehra mutabasim tha. aankhon mein wohi chamak jo Jannat kamaal ko zaleel kar ke kuch aur barh jati thi.

"Aik baar phir soch lo, Dubai mein flat bhi dilwa sakta hoon."

"Tum mujhe zaleel kiye baghair sukoon se Talaq de dena. tumhari barri meharbani hogi" usne ba qaida haath jore.

"lekin mein tumhe amarat daine ki baat kar raha hoon. ab itna kathor bhi nahi hoon ke Talaq de kar bas farigh kar dun, bank balance, zameen, ghar kuch to ho."

"Agar tum is tarah mere sar par musallat rahe to mein auntie ko sab kuch bata dun gi. " uski bardasht ab khatam ho rahi thi.

"Shoq se jao mein bhi tumahri pol un ke samnay khol dun ga, hisaab barabar!"

Jannat sadme se usey dekh kar reh gayi. woh kya bol gayi thi, uska ehsaas use ab hua tha. faris kya keh gaya tha, us ka ehsas bhi jaise ab huwa tha .

"Tum aisa nahi karo ge!"  Uske lab hile woh apni jagah se uth khari hui thi.

"Kar sakta hoon. mein to ab un se yeh bhi keh sakta hoon ke meri biwi banjh hai, mein doosri shadi karna chahta hoon." wo apni jagah tham kar reh gayi janti thi ki wo agar soch raha hai to karke bhi dikha sakta hai. uske pas bahut se option the. mehdood to jannat reh gayi thi. woh ain us ke samne aa khada huwa. agle kayi pal khamoshi ki Nazar hue.

"Mein ab bhi sochon to heran hota hoon, aakhir tum mein itni himmat kaise aagai thi ke aik bacche ki jaan laine ki  koshish ki, tumhe dar nahi laga tha?" pehle woh uski zaat ki dhajiyan bikherta tha, ab woh uske zakham udhair raha tha.

"Tumhari narazgi to yaqeenan uske baap se hogi. Us mein bacche ka kya qasoor?" muthiyaan bheenche woh khamosh rahi.

"Yeh wrong calls ka kya maamla tha?" seenay par bazu bandhe faris uski aankhon mein dekhne laga. Labon par madham si muskurahat thi jaise woh us ki kefiyat se mehjooz ho raha ho .

woh jhatke se muri, glass door slight kar ke bahar nikli . khich kar band karti konay mein jaa khadi hui. ab jab tak woh andar tha, jannat kamaal bahar hi rehna chahti thi. is takleef se bachney ka sirf yahi aik rasta tha. kuch hi der mein woh wahan se ja chuka tha, magar jannat raat gaye tak balcony mein hi khari rahi thi.

"Aik cup chai mere liye bhi"

shadeed ghusse aur jhunjhlaht ke aalam mein woh apne liye chai bana rahi thi jab aqab mein faris wajdan ki aawaz achanak se gunji thi. jannat ne murr kar achambhe se usey dekha. kya usey jannat nazar nahi aayi thi? ya phir usne jannat ko hi made samajh liya tha ?

"Mujh se keh rahe ho?" ungli se apni janib ishara kar ke poocha. herat se be yakeeni se.

"Tumahare alawa bhi koi yahan hai?" counter table ke sath pusht tikaye, seene par baazu bandhe woh sanjeedgi se usey hi dekh raha tha.

"Mere hathon ki chaye peenay se tum mar nahi jao ge?"

"Mumkin hai zinda reh jaoon."

jannat ne lab bhinch kar usey dekha. pehle woh khamosh reh kar usey be izzat karta tha. ab baat kar ke usey be waqat kar raha tha.

"Yeh jo naukro  ki fouj hai tumhari, un se banava lo apni chai." bigde tewaro ke sath khasay jarehana andaaz mein jawab de kar usne mug counter par patak diya.

"Pehle to khud bana bana kar paish karti rahi ho tum."

"Us waqt mein apne hawaso mein nahi thi."

"Ab tum hawaso mein ho?"

jannat ne baa-mushkil khud par zabt ke pehre bitha kar uske mutabasim chehre ko dekha. phir gehri saans le kar jaisey apne asaab ko pursukoon karne ki koshish ki. chand lamhoon ke baad usne burner band kar diya mug me chai undail kar woh jane ke liye muri hi thi ke Faris rasta rok kar khara ho gaya.

"Kya chahte ho tum?" woh zich hui thi.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai?"

"Sorry! mein tumhe apni chai nahi de sakti."  Mug par girift jama kar usey ankhen dikhayi.

Wo khamosh khada raha. usne phir dayen taraf se guzar jana chaha to faris ne baazu phela kar rok liya. kofat se us ne baen simt ka rukh kya to usne phir wohi Kiya. jannat ka Para charh gaya.

"Hato mere rastay se"

"Sorry! mein tumhe rasta nahi de sakta." woh bhi itna hi sanjeeda tha jitni ke woh thi.

"Mein phir bhi apni chai tumhe nahi dun gi." Ghoont bhar kar jataya bhi gaya ke lo ab yeh chai tumahre kisi kaam ki nahi. phir kursi khech kar baith gayi. ke ab yahan se jane ka mera koi iradah bhi nahi. phir kursi ki back side par baazu tika kar shane be nayazi se Faris ko dekhte hue ta-assur diya ke mein Jeeti aur tum haare!  aur is se qabal ke woh kuch samajh paati, faris ne aik hi jist mein haath barha mug utha liya. jannat ka dimagh bhak se urra.

ghoont lete hue usne jatati nigahon se jannat ko dekha ke lo ab yeh chaye tumahre bhi kisi kaam ki nahi. phir kursi khech kar shahana andaaz mein baith gaya ke yaha se jane ka mera bhi koi iradah nahi.

Uske baad kursi ki back side ke sath pusht lagate hue teesra ghoont le kar aankhon se jataya ke mein jeeta tum haari.

aur woh hakka bakka usey dekh kar reh gayi. kahan woh uske haath ka khana dekh kar dining table chhore deta tha.

kahan woh uske hathon se chai le kar pi gaya tha. yeh waqt bhi aana tha? yeh anhoni bhi honi thi ? kahin thappar se is ka dimagh to nahi hil gaya? kahin Dr bukhari ne usey ghalat adwiyaat to nahi

de di? usey sahih maeno mein tashweesh hui thi. chai ka khaali mug us ke samne rakh kar woh ja chuka tha. aur woh kitni hi der tak heran o shashdar baithi rahi.

•••

Thandhi sard hawae pattoun ko aik aik kar ke sabz ihate par girati ja rahi theen. bheegi hui sarkon par khamoshi thi. park mein bhi ikka dukka log hi nazar aa rahe the.

siyah rang ke designer track suit mein malbos, sar par hoodie charhaye, kaanon mein wireless air phones lagaye woh jogging track par tha. chehre par bhagne ki wajah se surkhi thi. tanaffus phoola huwa tha. usey Dr bukhari ki call masool hui to woh ruk gaya tha. haal ahwaal puchhte hi woh seedha mudde  par aagaye.

"Jannat ne phone Kiya tha?"

"Achha" usey herat hui.

"Woh un medicine ke side effects ke bae mein maloomat lena chaah rahi thi jo tum istemaal kar rahe ho!"

faris ki bhanwain ghair mehsoos andaaz mein suker gayeen.

"Usey lagta hai dawaon ka assar tumahray dimagh par ho raha hai."

"What?" samne hi sangee bench par baithe aik udhair Umar sahab ne sar utha kar usey dekha.

"Aur aap ne kya kaha?" dahinay haath ki unglio se ab woh apni peshani masal raha tha.

"Yahi ke ghunodghi ke ilawa aur to koi side effects nahi, magar woh misar thi ke tum mein dizziness ke ilawa bhi side effects zahir ho rahe hain!"

Faris ne be sakhta apne balo me haath fera. Ba-mushkil unhe apne tabiyat ke hawale se har tarah ki tasalli dene ke bad wo majid jogging ka irada tarr karte hue usi waqt ghar aa gaya. Jannat use library me mili thi. Kitabo me uljhi hui.

"Ye doctor bukhari se kya kaha hai tumne?" Saans chada hua, rage fuli hui, chehre par surkhi, aankho me ghussa. Jannat ne kitab aage kar li, use subah saware Faris Wajdan ke muh nahi lagna tha.

"Kuch puchha hai maine?" Faris ne kitab jhatak kar maiz par patak di.

"Unhone puchha tum kese ho, maine bata diya tum thik nahi ho!"  Kamal beniazi sa jawab de kar doosri kitab ki warkdani karne lagi.

"Kyun? Mujhe kya hua?" Tewar chada kar puchha. Jannat ne jawab nahi diya. Able Faris ne doosri kitab bhi khichke hata di.

"Mere khayal se me tumse kuch puchh raha hu?" Wo maiz par hath tikaye hue jhuka.

"Mere khayal se me bhi jawab de chuki hu!" Jannat ne sar utha kar uski aankho me dekha.

Isi lamhe aqsa kitabo ka dher bhao me bhare andar dakhil hui.

"Jannat aapi!" Uski aapi plus Malkin ke miya ne uski jin kaher bhaar nazro se use dekha kitabe to ba mushkil hi usse girte girte bachi. Gadhbadha kar wo bahot adab se sar jhuka gayi. Jere rab barr barate hue Faris usi waqt library se nikal gaya tha.

•••

"Faris bhai itne bhi bure nahi hai jitna wo khudko zahir karte hai!"

Mall me shopping ke douran sells par lage hue kapdo ko idhar udhar karte hue usne sar utha kar aima zaheer ko dekha.

"Idhar mene kaha jannat chalo shopping par chalte hai , udhar Faris bhai ne wallet se credit card nikal kar tumahare samne rakh diya. Matlab kaha se milte hai ese shohar? Jo kahe bina hi biwi ke dil ka haal jan le."

Lekin Jannat ye nahi bata sakti thi ki uska haal e dil credit card ke taraf to hargiz nahi ghumta tha wo to aima ke sath shopping par aaj aana bhi nahi chahti thi. Sofey ke pichhe kadhe hokar usne mrs Shirazi ko ishare ki niv me samjhne ke kitne jatan kiye the. Wo kisi tarah koi bhi bahana taras karke keh de  jannat aaj nahi ja sakegi, magar bhala ho Faris Wajdan ka.

Isne open kitchen se bahar niklte hue use esa karte hue dekh liya tha.

"Haan haan, Sure! tum le jao ise, koi masla nahi!" Lounge me sofe par bethte hue usne credit card samne table par rakh diye the. Ijazat to ese de raha tha jese wo uske huqam ki muntazir ho. Jannat sulag kar reh gayi thi.

Aima zaheer ke majboor karne par wo uske sath aa to gayi thi magar Faris ki is harkat par use jo ghussa chada tha wo kisi surat kam nahi ho paa raha tha. Pehla uska rawaiyya samet se bahar hua tha. Ab har mamle me uski madakhlat Jannat ko pareshan kar rahi thi.

"Waise Jannat! Ek sawal puchu tumse?"

"Hmm" wo kapdo ka jaiza lete hue bas waqt hi guzar rahi thi.

"Faris bhai ne kabhi tumse mohabbat ka aitraaf kiya?" Ek lamba sa chakkar kat kar chand ek shirt pasand kiye wo dabe dabe josh ke sath puchh rhi thi. annat ne palken jhapka kar usey dekha.

"Mohabbat ka aitraaf?"

"Haan!"

"Kaise bhala?"  Usne sawalia abr uthaye.

Aima ne bhanwain uchakka kar usey dekha. kya uska sawal itna mushkil tha ke jannat ki samajh mein nahi aaye?

"Matlab jaise shohar kehte hain. tum meri zindagi ho, saans ho, dil gurda ho falan falan falan ya simple I love you?"

Aisa koi jumla to jannat kamaal ke tasawwur mein bhi nahi aasakta tha. mohabbat aur faris ko ho gi? woh bhi jannat kamaal se? Sabey or istehlat ( duniya ke saat na mumkinaat  ) khayalat me se ek.

"Kya zindagi guzarne ke liye yeh aitraaf zaroori hota hai?" use poocha.

"Haan zaroori hota hai. infact zaroori hona chahiye."

"Mohabbat aamaal se jhalakti ho to aitraaf ki zaroorat nahi padtee." woh be sakhta keh gayi. aisi mushkil baatein Aima ke sir par se guzarti theen. usne jannat ko kuch khafgi se dekha.

"Ye falsafi baatein mere sath mat Kiya karo."

"Yeh colour kaisa rahey ga Aima" usne mauzo badalna chaha.

"Tum mujhe theek se kuch bata kyun nahi rahi ho?" Aima chirr gayi .

woh theek se kuch betaye bhi to kaisay jab kuch bhi sirey se theek hi na ho?

"Aakhir tum mujh se sunna kya chahti ho?" usne ukhta kar kaha.

"Matlab faris bhai ko dekh kar lagta to nahi hai ke woh zara se bhi romantic honge, lekin.."

"Meri pyari Aima! kya aisa nahi ho sakta ke hum kuch der ke liye faris nama band kar de."

Baat karte hue is ki nazar Aima ke aqab mein aik ajnabi shanasa chehre par pari. sahej sahej qadam uthai aik stylish si larki un ke paas aakar ruk gayi thi.

"Hiee"  dilfaraib muskurahat ke sath is ne apna dahna haath agey badhaya tha.

Jannat ki nigahon ke taqub mein Aima ne murr kar peechay dekha. aankhon mein herat ka ta-assur ubhra, labon ki muskurahat simattee, chehray ka rang faq ho gaya.

"Pehchana mujhe ghaliban hamari mishael ki mangni par mulaqaat hui thi."

jeans par safaid full neck shirt mein malboos, balon ka Messy bun banaye, baghair kisi make up ke woh aam se huliye mein bhi gazabb dhaa rahi thi. Haseen woh itni thi ke aas paas guzarte log murr murr kar usey dekhte the.

"Jee, bohat achi tarah se" usma rawaiyya lehja aur talkh jumle jannat bholi nahi thi. tab hi usne haath nahi milaya tha.

"oh hii Aima kaisi ho?" apna haath neeche kar ke ab ke woh Aima Zahir se mukhatib hui thi jo katu to lahoo nahi ki amli tasweer bani khari thi.

"Tum hi taaruf karwado, ghaliban yeh to mujhe janti hi nahi hai."

"Chalein jannat Aima ne uska baazu pakra aur usey apne sath le jane ke liye murr gayi." uski unglio ki larzish jannat ko apne baazu par wazeh mehsoos hui thi.

"Tum janti ho, is larki ko? kon thi?" maal se nikal kar parking ki taraf jatay hue is ne poocha tha.

"Hai koi!" Aima ka andaaz sarsari tha magar chehrey ke tassurat kuch aur hi hikayaat suna rahi the.

"Mishael ki mangni par ye tum se mili thi?" chand lamhoon ke baad usne tafteeshi andaaz mein poocha tha.

"Haan!"  Aima ke chehre par aik saya sa lehra gaya.

"Kya, kya keh rahi thi?"  Usne sambhal kar poocha .

"Kuch khaas nahi." usne kandhey uchkaye. magar haqeeqat to yeh thi ke usey mishael ki mangni par hone wali talkh mulaqaat kisi soorat bhuli nahi thi.

"Dobara kabhi tum se baat karne ki koshish kere to mat karna, achi ladki nahi hai."

mukhtasir keh kar Aima ne apni taraf ka darwaaza khol diya tha. jannat kamaal aankhon mein na samjhi liye usey dekh kar reh gayi thi.

---- •♡• ----

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