Chapter 30: •CHP-29•

•••

Mudhat uski care taker thi. magar Jamila dawod care se aage ka sochti thi. mohabbat aur tarbiyat.

"Faris ko apni duty nahi, apni zimmedaari samajh kar treat Kiya karo Mudhat! mein janti hoon baba tumhe tumahre kaam ki salary dete hain magar kuch kaam aise bhi hote hain jo hamein khuloos dil se ajar ki niyat se  karna chahiye."

Mudhat kuch herat se apni malikan ko dekhne lagi. Jamila dawood, faris wajdan ka schedule tarteeb de rahi thi. woh school lunch mein Kya le kar jaye ga, do pehar mein kya khayega, shaam mein woh kya le ga. yeh saare mamlaat ab woh khud te kar rahi thi.

"Khana mein ghar se hi dugi jo kuch Hammad ke liye bunaugi uska aik hissa Faris ke liye bhi hoga."

"Magar bade sahab?"

Jamila ne sar utha kar tanbeehi nigahon se Mudhat ko dekha. woh modab ho kar sar jhuka gayi.

"kya shirazi mansion se servants quarters mein pehle khana nahi jata?"

"Jata hai jee."

Mudhat ka sar jhuka raha.

"Zaroori nahi tum har khabar apne abba ko diya karo, janti to ho woh har baat tumahare bade sahab tak pahuncha

dete hain. raaz rakhna sikho. har baat batane wali nahi hoti."

"Jee behtar." Mudhat ne asbat mein sar hila diya.

"Isse pyar aur narmi se baat Kiya karo sakhti mat pukara karo Mudhat!"

bohat si tanbihat aur nasihato ke sath is ne baqaidagi se Mudhat ko trained karna shuru kar diya tha. woh khud bhi ab Faris ko waqt daine lagi thi.

"Mein nahi chahti, woh zindagi guzare mein chahti hoon woh zindagi jiye."

woh aksar Mudhat se kehti.

wasee o Areez raqbe par phaile sae sabz lawn par woh har shaam uski ungli thaam kar chalti jati chalti jati aur waha ja kar ruk jati jahan Azam shirazi ke ghodon ka astabal tha.

aala nasal ke arabi ghodo ko dekhte

hue faris ki aankhon mein har baar taajjub aur Ishtiaq sa ubharta. har baar woh unhen aise daikhta jaise pehli baar dekh raha ho. Uski aankhon mein zindagi ka yeh rang Jamila ko bhala lagta. woh muskura deti. woh uski muskurahat ko daikhta.

phir atraaf mein dekhte hue be dhayani mein hi Jamila ki ungli par apni girift mazboot kar laita. aur Jamila ko uski is harkat par toot kar pyar aata.

aik raat jab woh Faris ko kamre tak chhor kar ghar aayi thi to Azam shirazi lounge mein uske intezaar me tehel rahay the. pichhle aik mah se Jamila kya kar rahi thi unhen sab maloom tha. usey faris ke mamlaat se baz rakhne ki apni si koshish kar ke bhi woh dekh chuke the magar ab jaise un ki bardasht khatam ho rahi thi.

"Mein agar usey udaan ke liye par de raha hoon to munasib waqt par laine ka poora ikhtiyar bhi rakhta hoon, mein jis waqt usey hudood o quyood se nikalta daikhuga upay wapas uski auqaat mein le aauga!"

"Magar jo tum kar rahi ho Jamila! Is par tum bahut pachhtaogi."

"Jo kaam ajar ki niyat se kiya jaye us par pachtawe nahi mila karte."

"To tum ajar kama rahi ho?"

Azam shirazi ka lehja istezaya huwa.

"Aik maa hone ka haq ada kar rahi hoon baba."

"Mujhe herat hai yeh tum keh rahi ho."

"Souteli hoon be reham nahi hoon!"

Azam shirazi aankhon mein gazabb liye khade rahe.

"Waise bhi yahan sab Faris ko aap ke aik jaan Nisar mulazim ke yateem bete ki hesiyat se jante hain. aap bhi yahi samajh len ke mein aik yateem bacche ke sar par haath rakhe hui hoon."

saddar darwaze se andar daakhil hota Haroon apni jagah munjamid huwa tha.

'Yateem' us ka saans ruka tha.

'Yateem' uski dharkan ruki thi.

Azam shirazi agle kayi lamhon tak sakht nigaho se Jamila ko dekhte rahe phir unhon ne hunkara bhara.

"Hammad agle hafte wapas aa raha hai, mein nahi chahta tum usey is sab mein involve karo!"

"Aap kehna kya chaah rahe hain?"

usne achambhe se unhen dekha.

"Faris mere mulazim ka beta hai, Hammad ke ilm mein bhi yahi baat aani chahiye."

unhone intehai thande lehjey mein bhaari tamir aawaz mein kisi haakim ki tarah hukum sunaya tha. aankhon ka ta-assur batata tha ke ab ke Jamila ne apni mann maani ki to nataij achhe nahi hoge.

"Atleast aap ne yeh to mana ke Hammad ka faris ke sath koi rishta hai jisey chhupane ki zaroorat hai."

Azam shirazi muthiya bhinch kar reh gaye. Jamila mazeed kuch bhi kahe bina wahan se chali gayi thi. Haroon kamre mein aaya to woh wardrobe khole khadi thi.

Ghadi aur cufflinks utaar kar dressing table par rakhte hue usne Jamila ko dekha. Night gown haath mein pakde woh siyah aankhon mein gussa liye uski taraf murr gayi thi.

"Yateem bachon ko sabr aa jata hai ke woh jante hain un ke maa baap qabro mein hain, agar jo zinda hote un ki haalat aisi nahi hoti lekin jin bachon ko maloom ho un ke maa baap zinda hain aur tab bhi un ki yeh haalat hai. jara sochen unhen sabr kaise aata hoga?"

"Bas kar do Jamila!"

"Mein bas kar dun?" woh Haroon par chilla uthi.

"Aap bas kyun nahi karte?'

"Baba ka faisla.."

"Bhad mein gaya un ka faisla.."

woh zabt kho baithi thi.

Haroon Shirazi ne aaj se qabal usey itne shadeed ghusse mein nahi dekha tha.

"Apne aap ko mere samne mazloom aur be bas bana kar paish mat karen Haroon! zalim ki muvaniyat karne wala bhi zalim hota hai."

Haroon karb ke aalam mein Jamila ko dekh kar reh gaya.

"Mein yeh sab faris ke liye hi kar raha hoon.

"Galat aap sirf apne liye kar rahe hain."

Ungli utha kar usne kaha.

"Sirf aur sirf apne liye warna koi bhi baap is tarah apni aulaad ka soda nahi karta.."

"Tum samajh kyun nahi rahi Jamila!"

"Mein nahi samajh rahi? aap apne bete ki kefiyat samajh rahe hain? woh koi doodh peeta bacha nahi hai ke chand dinon mein kisi aur ki goad mein rahe ga to maa baap ka lams bhool jaye ga. usey aap yaad hain, usey aarzoo yaad hai. aur yeh yaad uske liye kitni badi aziat ban'ne jarahi hai kuch andaza hai aap ko?"

Haroon karb ke aalam mein lab bhinch gaye.

"Tum yaqeen karo ya na karo lekin mein yeh sab faris ke bhale ke liye kar raha hoon!"

"Apne faisle par nazar sani karen Haroon! kahin aisa na ho yeh bhalai aap ke bete ko barbadi ki taraf dhakel de.."

paon jatakhte hue woh washroom mein chali gayi. darwaaza usne qadre zor se band Kiya tha.

Haroon Shirazi be basi se apni jagah khada reh gaya tha.

school se wapsi par sabza zaar par qadam uthate hue woh servants quarter ki taraf ja raha tha jab usey drive way par bairooni gate ke ain samne aik gaari rukti hui nazar aayi thi.

siyah three piece suit mein malboos Haroon Shirazi apne dosto ke hamrah gaadi se nikal raha tha.

faris apni jagah ruk gaya. Usne poorey teen mah baad apne baap ko dekha tha. kitni khush naseebi ki bat thi ke is lamhe wahan Mudhat ya Agha Ali nahi thay jo usey Haroon ke paas jane se rok lete.

woh taqreeban bhagte hue aaya aur baap ke doston ke samne hi uski tango se lipat kar phoot phoot kar rone laga tha.

Haroon aik lamhe ke liye jaamad huwa tha sakit, Samit aagle hi lamhe woh sambhal gaya.

"Yeh pyara sa bacha kon hai?"

Uske dost ki biwi ne kuch Ishtiaq se dekhte hue poocha tha. Haroon ke haath mutharrak hue the. Usne faris ko khud se allag kiya.

"hamare mulazim ka beta hai. Faris wajdan."

Uske naram o mulaem balon mein haath pherte hue usne aage badna chaha tha magar faris uski tamam tar koshish nakaam banate hue aik baar phir usse lipta tha. aur ain isi lamhe Mudhat jane kahan se bhaagti hui aayi thi. Faris ki tamam tar muzahmat aur cheekh o pukaar ke bawajood usey utha kar sath le gayi thi.

"Yateem bacha hai. is ghar ke sab hi malkaan isse bohat pyar karte hain to is liye..."

Agha Ali ne foran wazahat dete hue Haroon shirazi ko is situation se nikaalte ki apne ki koshish ki thi.

dost Haroon ke ikhlaq se mutasir nazar aate shirazi mension mein ja chuke the aur Mudhat usey kamre mein wapas le aayi thi .

Ro ro  kar woh apni haalat ab-tar kar chuka tha. na kuch kha raha tha, na kuch pi raha tha. har kaam sukoon aur tasalii se karne wala bacha ka aik haziyani ho gaya tha. darwaaza band kiye usey sambhale ki apni si koshish karte Mudhat khud bhi rone baith gayi.

woh apne baba ka beta tha aur baba usey kisi mulazim ka beta keh kar gaye the. yeh baat apni tamam tar talkhiyo ke sath usey is Umar mein samajh mein anay wali nahi thi. woh 'Haroon'  se 'Wajdan' kar diya gaya tha us haqeeqat ka idraak bhi uski muzahmat torne ke liye na kafi tha.

is din woh Jamila dawood ki wajah se kuch had tak sambhal gaya tha magar usne Haroon tak pounchane ki koshish

tark nahi ki thi. har baar Mudhat aur agha Ali is ke samne aajate the. har baar koi na koi uski deewar ban jaya karta tha.

woh kuch bada huwa to pabandio ke sath talkh haqeeqato ka etraaf bohat achhe se hone laga. ravaiye behtar andaaz mein samajh aaye to woh jaan gaya Mudhat aur agha Ali kabhi bhi uski deewar nahi the. deewar to sirey se thi hi nahi faqat aik darwaaza tha aur yeh darwaaza uska baap apni marzi or Mansha se is par band kar chuka tha.

•••

Mudhat ki bahen jane kahan se billi layi thi aur chunke uski faris ke sath achi khasi dosti ho chuki thi to woh baho mein bhare taqreeban bhaagti hui uske paas aagai thi. kuch der tak woh dono hi billi ke sath khailte rahe the.

Uske baad jab woh kamre mein wapas aaya to uski tabiyat achanak hi bigad gayi thi. nam ankhen surkh ho gayeen. naak behne lagi, cheenkain, khansi ke sath sath uska saans bhi bhaari hone

laga. uske baazu, seene aur gardan ke pichlle hisse par surkh rashes bhi ubhar aaye the. Mudhat ne dekha to buri tarah se ghabra gayi. Jamila us roz ghar mein mojood thi, usey hospital bhi wohi le kar gayi thi.

"He is allergic to cats!"

Doctor ne check up ke baad aagahi di thi.agle kayi lamho tak woh doctor ke sath uski condition discuss karti rahi thi aur woh kuch ahteyati tadabeer se mutaliq jaankaari dete rahe.

shaam ke saat bajey jab woh ghar aayi to usey sasur ki aamad ki ittila pahuncha di gayi. Mudhat , faris ko sath liye servant quarter chali gayi thi aur usne lounge ka rukh kiya tha. woh khud ko sawal jawab ke liye tayyar kar ke un ke samne aan khadi hui thi.

"Mujhe yaad nahi parta, mein ne faris ki zimma daari tumhe sopi ho."

woh faris ke mamlaat mein Jamila ki be ja mudakhlat se tang aa chuke the.

"Uski tabiyat kharab ho gayi thi,  emergency mein le jana para."

"Yeh kaam Mudhat aur agha Ali bhi kar satke the?"

"Mein farigh thi, socha mein hi kar dun. waise aap puchege nahi uski tabiyat kyun kharab hui?"

"I'm not interested!"

"You should be interested!"

"usey bhi aap ki tarah billiyon se allergy hai."

Apni baat ke ekhtataam par woh murr gayi thi. seedhiyan charhte hue is ne aik martaba bhi Azam shirazi ke chehre ke tasurat dekhne ki koshish nahi ki thi.

•••

woh baagh mein masnoi aabshaar ka nazara kar ke aqbi darwaze se shirazi mansion ke ihate mein daakhil huwa tha to nigah ghode sawari karte Hammad shirazi par thehr gayi.

Breeches mein malboos woh apne instructor ke hamrah tha.

Hamad shirazi uska bada bhai aik khandani izzat daar khandan se talluq rakhne wali aurat ka beta Jamila ka beta!

apne nanhiyal ki badolat, maa ke mazboot back ground aur dono khandano ke beech hone wali business deals ki wajah se woh aik trophy child tha. par kashish, zaheen aur phir us ghar mein woh apne dada kala dala tha.

maa ka chaheeta aur baap ke liye to wo waise bhi ahem tha. faris ki zindagi school se faqat is kamre tak hi mehdood thi aur Hammad to us Umar mein duniya ghoom raha tha. woh apne baap ke saaye mein pal raha tha. na is ne koi mehroomi dekhi thi, na apnon ki judai sahi thi. dono ka to kisi soorat koi muaja na tha.

Azam shirazi ki sohbat ka assar tha ke Hammad ne un ke jaisi shakhsiyat aur maghrurana andaaz apna rakha tha.

ghar bhar kavl ladala tha to andaaz aur tor tareeqe bhi aise hi the jaise woh kisi milkiyat ka shehzada ho. aaj uska birth day tha aur isi munasbat se shirazi mension ko decorate kiya ja raha tha. uski har khushi aur kamyabi ko hamesha aise hi shandaar andaaz mein celebrate kiya jata tha. usne apne baap ko dekha.

Haroon shirazi jeans par white shirt mein malboos. aankhon se glasses utaar kar jaib mein atkate hue event planner se baat kar raha tha. usne bas aik lamhe ke liye usey dekha, phir rukh badal kar apne kamre mein aa gaya.

kamre ki khidkiya khuli hui thi. samaat se Haroon shirazi aur Hammad ki aawaz takarane lagi. zindagi se bhar poor qehqe the. khushiya thi aur musarrat ke rang jo un ki aankhon se jhalakte the.

usey Shirazi mansion mein rehte hue daidh saal hone ko tha magar woh abhi tak un rawaiyon ka aadi nahi ho paaya tha. hamesha ki tarah woh aaj bhi buri tarah se disturb ho gaya tha.

Khidkiya darwaze band kar ke woh apne bed mein ghus kar kahaniyon ki kitaab parhne laga. phir usne drawing book nikaal li. kuch der tak rang bharta raha. phir usne stickers utha liye aur apni note book par jagah jagah lagane laga. Isse bhi ukta kar usne note book ke tamam safhe phaar daale. unhen noch khasoot kar purzey purzey kar ke dustbin mein phenka aur aik baar phir Khirki ke samne ja khada huwa.

safaid aur navy blue rang ki theme mein stage decorate kiya ja chuka tha. kursiya aur gol maiz ab tarteeb se rakhi ja rahi thi.

yaka aik hi usey neela rang bohat bura lagne laga. safaid rang se usey yak dam nafrat hui. aur tab hi uski nazar Jamila dawood par pari. woh intizamat ka jaiza le rahi thi. masrufiyat ki bina par aaj woh is se milne nahi aaski thi aur chunke aaj chhutti ka din tha to mamool ke mutabiq pichlle chaar ghanton se uska hi intezaar kar raha tha.

Jamila aaj nahi aaye gi. woh jaanta tha. woh Shirazi house mein munaqid kiye jane wali har taqreeb mein aise hi nazar andaaz kar diya jata tha. baqi sab nazar andaaz kar den, woh qubool kar laita tha. Jamila se woh nazar andaaz ho jaye to is ki jaan par ban jati thi.

aur chunke shirazi mansion mein khandan bhar ke log ikathe hote the is liye har function, gathering aur taqreeb par faris ke liye aik hi usool hota tha. shaam ke paanch bajey ke baad usey kisi tor par bhi apne kamre se bahar aane ki ijazat nahi hoti thi. aur Mudhat is baat ka khaas khayaal rakhti thi ke woh jaldi so jaye. magar kya usey neend aajaya karti thi? shayad nahi yaqeenan nahi!

aaj bhi aik pabandi aed hogi. aaj ki taqreeb bhi uske liye aik saza ki tarah ho gi. aur phir jaise zehen mein koi khayaal ubhra aur woh bag mein zaroorat ki chand ashya, story box, drawing papers colours aur chocolate waghera rakh kar bahar nikal gaya. jane se pehle woh Mudhat ke liye pegham chore kar gaya tha ke woh kal tak ghar wapas aa jayega. lekin woh ja kahan raha hai yeh usne nahi bataya.

Shirazi mansion ke aqbi darwaze se bahar nikal kar baagh mein chalte hue is ne Sadaq dil se dua ki ke 'Aaj barish ho jaye. aisi mosla-dhaar barish ke stage urr jaye, kursiya maiz toot jayen.

safaid rang melgaja sa ho aur aasmani rang par dhabbe par jaye'

woh ab Dr. mustafa ki taraf ja raha tha. main road par do manzila makaan se munsalik un ka zaati cilinic tha. jis ki mukhalif simt road ki doosri taraf wasee o Areez raqbe par phela sabza zaar, khait khalyan aur baaghat the. Shirazi mansion un baaghat ke aqab mein bulandi par waqey tha. Faris baagh ke rastay aksar auqaat un ke paas chala jaya karta tha. kabhi woh usey cilinic ke andar apne office mein bitha kar farigh auqaat mein baatein karte rehte aur kabhi apne sath ghar le jate.

is din un ka off tha. woh usey ghar mein hi mile the. aur kuch heran ho kar usey dekh rahe the. bhanwain sukdi huien, tevare bigre hue aur chehre par surkhi ki phaile thi jaisey woh khud par zabt kiye hue ho. Dr. mustafa apne nanhe maheman ko andar aane ka rasta diya. aur isse qabal ke woh khud se kuch daryaft karte usne sar utha kar poocha.

"Can I stay here tonight?" (kya mein aaj raat aap ke paas ruk sakta hoon)

Dr. mustafa ne achambhey se usay dekha, phir apne bhoore balon mein haath phertey hue iske samne baith gaye.

"haan! kyun nahi. kya tumhari caretaker jati hain ke aaj tum yaha rahoge?"

aik lamhay ke liye is ne Dr. mustafa ko dekha. uske halaq mein gilty ubhar kar madoom hui phir usne asbat mein sar hila diya. Dr. mustafa muskura diye. Uske naram mulaem balon mein haath pherte hue uth kar kitchen mein chale

gaye. woh bhi apna bag utaar kar un ke paas aa gaya.

Apne sade saat sala nanhe maheman ki khatir madarat karte hue woh aaj kuch ziyada hi par josh aur khush dikhayi diye.

"Meri sab se badi beti ke yahan kal poore pandrah baras baad beta huwa hai."

plate se roll uthate hue Faris ne unhen dekha.

"Asal mein woh twins hain. aik beti hai aur aik beta!"

woh muskurate hue kursi khech kar baith gaye the.

"Bahut bahadur hai meri nawasi, bhai ko sath hi layi hai."

jane kya soch kar woh muskuraye. phir

unhon ne tasweer nikaal kar usey dikhayi.

"Is mein ladki kon hai aur ladka kon hai?"

aik jaisey bachon ne faris ko uljha diya. dono ke kapre bhi aik hi jaisey safaid rang ke the. Dr. mustafa ne tasweer pakar kar dekhi. phir dobarah dekhi. Allah jane barr bara kar uth gaye.

ab woh uske liye fruit Trifle bana rahe the. faris ne tasweer uthali. nanhe Munne se bacche gehri neend mein the. woh kaafi der tak dilchaspi se unhen daikhta raha. ghaliban itne chhote bachon ko dekhne ka ittafaq usey pehli baar huwa tha.

"Apni saari nawasiyo ke naam mein ne hi rakhe hain. ab meri badi nawasi hafsa chaah rahi hai ke uska naam bhi mein hi rakhu"

Unhon ne aik lamhe ke liye ruk kar kitchen ki khidki se bahar lawn ki kiyarion mein phoolon ko dekha.

"Phir kuch socha?"

"Warda kaisa rahega?"

ab woh apne maheman se pooch rahe

the jo plate se doosra roll utha raha tha.

"Ward yani phool, bahar ke mausam mein aayi hai woh, hai bhi phoolon jaisi."

aik baar phir tasweer pakar kar woh apni no is ko khojne lagey.

"Ya phir koi aur naam."

"Mein batau?

Apna roll khate hue Faris ne kaha. Dr. mustafa uske best friend the. un ki mushkil aasaan karna uska farz tha.

"haan kyun nahi." woh khush hue.

"ap jannat rakh de."

Dr mustafa ne choank kar sar uthaya.

"Jannat..!"

"Miss Hadia ne apni beti ka naam jannat rakha hai. pyara naam hai na?"

woh ke raha tha. Dr. mustafa uspar nigah jamaye baithe reh gaye the. un ki tawajah kisi aik phool par thi magar faris unhen la ilmi mein kitni bari tasweer

dikha gaya tha.

Warda - ek phool, or Jannat me to kitne phool sama jate hai. Unhone socha.

"Wakai bahut payara naam hai! Bas.. aaj se meri nawasi ka nam Jannat hai!"

Wo Faris ke balon me ungliya ferte hue muskura kar uth gaye. usne fruit Trifle khaya, Dr. Mustafa ke sath chai bhi pii.

Lawn ke phoolo ko pani bhi diya. Australian tote ko churi bhi khilayi, drawing me rang bhi bhare, aur barish ki dua bhi ki.

Aur phir ek ghante ke bad sa paher guroob ke Suraj par kali ghata chha gayi. Hawae tez hui, to dur se Matti aur dhool udhti hui nazar aayi. aur dekhte hi dekhte har taraf dhool chha gayi. Barish ka pehla katra uske gaal par hi gira tha.

Usne khush gawar herat se sar utha kar aasman ko dekha. Phir hath felaye sidiyan utar kar lawn me aa gaya. Badalo ki ghargharahat ke sath aasman par kahi bijli chamki thi. wo raat ki barish se jitna khaif hota tha. din ki barish use utna hi mehsoos karti thi.

Dr. Mustafa bhi uske sath hi rimjhim barish enjoy karte rahe. aur jese hi barish ne jor pakda wo use sath liye andar aa gaye. Kafi arshe bad unhone Faris ko beintehaa khush dekha.

Tasawwur hu tasawwur me nili theme se saji kursiya ko fiza me tutta bhikharta dekha.

"Maine Allah se dua ki thi barish ho jaye"

Usne istihak ke aalam me Dr. Mustafa ko bataya tha.

"Maine Allah se kaha bahut jor ki aandhi aaye.."

Usne hath bhi failaye. Uchhal kar bhi dikhaya, paishani par bikhre Baal aankho ke upar gire. Dr. Mustafa ne uski aankho me alag si khusi dekhi or muskuraye.

"Take Hammad ke bhi saarey khilone tut jaye, uski party bhi kharaab ho jaye."

Dr. Mustafa ki muskurahat yak lab taher gayi. Unhe sapta hua, wo tajjud se Faris wajdan ko dekh kar reh gaye. Hammad shirazi business tiecon Azam shirazi ka pota!

"Achhe bacche kisi ka bura nahi chahte!"

Unhone toka.

"Mein achha hu hi nahi!"

Faris ne bade aaram se etraaf kar liya. wo use dekh kar reh gaye.

"Maine bura nahi chaha, maine bas yeh kaha barish ho jaye aur aandhi bhi aaye."

Abe usne jara si khafgi ke sath unhe safai di thi. Dr. Mustafa apni muskurat zabt kar gaye.

"Tum Hammad ko napasand karte ho?"

Kuch soch kar unhone puchha.

"Wo mujhe napasand karta hai!"

"Tumhe esa kyu laga?"

"Jab bhi uski mummy mere paas aati hai, to usey bura lagta hai. Jab bhi wo mere liye kuch lati hai, to wo mind karta hai."

Dr. Mustafa uske samne panjo ke bal beth gaye. Baraye raaz wo ab Faris ki aankho me dekh rahe the.

"Kuch din pehle wo mere kamre me aaya tha. Aur usne meri wo sari care tod di, jo bilkul uske jaisi thi. use achha nahi lagta na! ki uske jaisi chij or kisi ke paas ho!"

Sar jhukaye wo ab shirt ke kinaro ko chher raha rha tha.

"Mujhe bhi achha nahi lagta ke mera sab kuch kisi or ke paas ho, magar me to kuch nahi kehta."

Dr. Mustafa jaisey apni jagah munjamid hue the.

"Hai to herat ki baat! Hammad Babu is tarah kisi mulazim ke bete se muqabla karta hai."

Kamwali maasi waha se guzar rahi thi to sunte hi boli.

"Mein mulazim ka beta nahi hoon!"

Puri quwwat se wo is aurat par chikh para tha. Jaha kamwali masi sakte me aayi thi. to waha Dr. Mustafa bhi uske rawaiyye se sadme me chale gaye the. Aankhon me ghussa, nami, be basi liye wo is toofani mousam me ghar chhorh kar jane laga. ye to Dr. Mustafa hi usey jabarjasti pakad kar wapas laye.

Kamwali maasi se moazrat bhi karwayi. aur use khane ke liye bhi rajamand kiya. aur iske baad wo ek baar phir uske samne bethe the. wo shirazi khandan ke family doctor the or aj se kabl unhone kabhi bhi unke khandani mamle ki jaanch padtal nahi ki thi. aur nahi wo esa karna pasand karte the magar aaj na jane kyu wo Faris wajdan ke bare me achambhey ka shikar hue the.

Daidh saal pahle ye baccha achanak samne aaya tha. wo usey kahi baar attend kar chuke the. kahi baar wo unke clinic me admit ho chuka tha. Jamila dawood is bacche ka bahut khayal rakhti thi. wo ye bhi jante the.

Shirazi mansion me ek baar Faris ke mabain daryaft karne par Azam Shirazi ne uska tarruf apne mulazim ke Yateem bacche ke tor par karwaya tha. Magar ab?

"Tum kiske bete ho?" wo ab puchh rahe the.

"Kisi ka bhi nahi!" wo har muh daraz tha.

"Aisa nahi hota ke aap kisi ke bhi bete na ho!"

"Aisa hi hai, me kisi ka bhi beta nahi!"

Dr. Mustafa use dekh kar reh gaye phir jese unhe mazak suja.

"Yaani tum sidhe aasaman se gire the, darkhat par ughe the."

Usne bhawein sukud kar unhe ghoora. Wo mazaak ke mood me hargiz nahi tha. aur tab kisi khayal ke taher Dr. Mustafa ki muskurahat simat gayi.

"Kya tum wakai ghar me sabko bata kar aaye ho?"

"Mujhe nind aa rahi hai me sona chahta hu."

Wo sar jhukaye apne bag ki zip band karne laga. aur dr. Mustafa ko jese unke har sawal ka jawab mil gaya.

"Is mousam me tum ghar se bahir ho, ba khuda un par kya bit rahi hogi?"

Magar Faris bata nahi saka ke is waqt un sab par kuch nahi bit rahi hogi. Kyu ke wo sab to ghar ke andar us waqt khusiya mana rahe hoge. Dr. Mustafa taizi se uth kar phone ki taraf lapke the. Magar mousam ki kharabi ki wajah se signal ka masla tha. Call na ho saki. Receiver hath me.liye unhone Faris ko khafgi se dekha.

"Mein aaj ghar nahi jana chahta!"

uski aawaz aansuon se rundi hui thi. Dr. Mustufa gehra tanaffus le kar reh gaye the.

Wo raat jo uske liye aasan si thi wo raat Jamila dawood ke liye kisi kayamat se kam nahi thi. Azam shirazi ke guard us is khatarnak mousam me kaha kaha nahi dhundh rhe the. Hammad ka para chadh gaya tha. Pehle barish or andhi ne uska mood kharab Kiya tha aur ab kisi mulazim ke bete ke liye uske ma baap ki fiqarmandi use sadid ghusse me mubtila kar rahi thi.

Cake kata ja chuka tha, gifts liye ja chuke the. Maheman is waqt dining haal me khana kha rahe the. Aur uski maa mutfakkar si lounge me chakrati fir rahi thi. aur uske papa to usi waqt ghar se nikal gaye the jab unhe Faris ki na mojudgi ki ittela mili thi. Jabkey azam shirazi ne is khabar par kuch khash notice nahi kiya tha.  Wo mahemano ko chhorh kar bhi nahi uthe the.

Agley din hi Dr. Mustafa ne Faris ki mojudgi ki ittela pahuchai thi aur Jamila usi waqt driver ke sath unke ghar aa gayi thi.

Kamre ka darwaza khol kar jab wo andar dakhil hui to Faris samne hi bag me kitabe rakhta dikhai diya. Aahat par rukh kar usne Jamila ko dekha aur apni jagah par ruk sa gaya. Jamila ki aankhe surkh thi. Chehra zard tha. Fikar, khouf aur pareshani ang ang se ayaa. Dr. Mustafa ne dekha wo tadap, wo khouf,  aur pareshani esi thi jaisey kisi saggi maa ki apne bacche ke liye hoti hai.

Usne Faris ko bazu se pakad kar pehle to khub daata phir rone lag gayi. Aur rote hue use bhich kar gale se laga liya.

"Kyu kiya? Is tarah?"

"Tumhe maloom tha me pareshan ho jaungi phir bhi?"

"I'm sorry!"

Usne labon ko jambish di. wo ba-mushkil apne rone par kabu paye hue tha.

"Wada karo tum aayinda kabhi is tarah se nahi jaoge?"

Chehra hatho me le kar usne kaha.

"Bataye baghair kahi nahi jaoge, kabhi ghar nahi chhoroge!"

"Wada!" Wo keh raha tha. Usne Jamila ko pehli bar rote hue dekha tha. Wo uski wajah se royi thi us khayaal se usey dukh pouncha tha.

"Aap bhi nahi jayen gi?"

is arse mein pehli baar woh apna koi khadsha labon par laya tha.

"Haan, mein bhi nahi jaoon gi."

Jamila ne yaqeen dehani karai thi. Dr. mustafa apni jagah khamosh khade the. unhon ne koi sawal nahi kiya tha.

"Mein apne shohar aur sasur ki tarah be rukhi nahi dikha payi, mere dil par mera ikhtiyar nahi hai."

Wo chai ke liye un ke paas ruk gayi thi. aur saari baat batane ke baad sar jukaye keh rahi thi.

"Mohabbat bhi rizq ki tarah hoti hai, jiski jo jagah jis dil mein likhi ho mil kar rehti hai. yeh is bacche ka rizq hai Jamila! woh tum se wohi hissa le raha hai jo iske liye aasman par te kar diya gaya tha."

woh keh rahe the. woh nam aankhon se unhen dekh kar reh gayi thi.

jo wada usne kya tha woh is waday par qaim raha tha. magar jo wada Jamila ka tha usey aifaa nah kar saki thi.

•••

theek teen saal baad jab Hammad ka admission America ke aik behtareen school mein huwa to aanan fanaan Azam Shirazi ne Jamila ko America shift ho jane ka Andia day diya. Haroon pehle se wahan mojood tha. Shirazi interprisess ki America ki firm ko aaj kal woh hi sambhaal raha tha.

11 saal ki Umar mein woh khabar faris ke liye kisi sadme se kam nahi thi. Jamila ke baghair uski zindagi ka to koi tasawwur hi nahi tha. woh uske liye maa thi aur woh is maa ke baghair zindah nahi reh sakta tha. Jamila ke liye bhi yeh sab mushkil tha. magar woh majboor thi. Hammad ke liye is ka America mein hona be had zaroori tha jo wada is ne kiya tha woh is wade par qaim raha tha.

"Mein jald wapas aa jaugi."

jane se qabal woh is se milne aayi thi to usne kaha tha aur woh chup chaap khada raha tha. Jamila ne aage badh kar uska maatha, uska gaal chooma tha. usey gale se laga kar usey bohat pyar Kiya tha. aur woh khamoshi se yu khada raha tha jaise woh chand dino ke liye doosre shehar tak ja rahi ho. aur uske jane se usey koi farq hi na par raha ho.

Uska rawaiyya jahan Mudhat ko pareshani mein mubtala kar gaya tha wahan Jamila dawood ke andar bohat se andaishe jaga raha tha. woh normal halaat mein pala bada bacha nahi tha keh kisi bhi situation ko normal andaaz mein handle kar sakta.

har chout uske liye gehri, har gham uske liye bada aur har judai uske liye na qabil bardasht thi. Jamila is qader mehnat se usey is maqam tak layi thi aur ab jab bikharta dekha to dil kirchi kirchi ho gaya. sara rasta woh bhi roti rahi thi aur baagh ke darakhton ke jhund mein chhup kar faris wajdan bhi.

Us din woh Mudhat ko bohat der tak dhoandne ke baad baagh se mila tha aur kisi bhi soorat ghar wapsi jane ko razamand nahi ho raha tha. woh sada ka ziddi hamesha Jamila ke hi qaboo mein aaya karta tha magar us din Jamila thi to dr mustafa hi is ke paas aaye the.

woh aik ghane pairr ke neeche duniya jahan se rukh more panjoo ke bal betha tha. haath mein chaaku tha. darakht ke tanae par kayi lakeere khenchi gayi theen. kayi sorakh khode gaye the.

"Tum jante ho woh tum se bohat pyar karti hain."

Unhon ne qareeb pahonch kar kaha tha.

"aur yeh bhi jantey ho ke woh apni marzi se tumhe chhor kar nahi gayi hain."

Faris ka sar hanooz jhuka raha tha. woh darakht ke tanay par isi dasti chaako se khur chitta raha tha. ghutno par jooton par jagah jagah matti lagi thim

unhon ne aaga badh kar usey kandho se pakra to woh ruk gaya. rukh morra to woh apna sir mazeed jhuka gaya. magar woh dekh chuke the. woh aansoo se bhari hui uski surkh mutwaram ankhen dekh chuke the.

Us ka chehra laal ho raha tha. uske sakit labon par shikwe dhare the. Uski khamoshi cheekh cheekh kar aik aur zulm par ehtijaj kar rahi thi. unhon ne us ke chhootey chhootey haath apne hathon mein le liye. unglio par ja baja chhootey chhootey cut lagey the aur darakht ke tanay ka jo hashar tha, woh to un ke samnay hi tha.

"Aise hathyaar ko kisi soorat hathon mein nahi lena chahiye jo khud aap ko bhi zakhmi kar de."

unhon ne chaaku le liya. usey barabar mein apne ghutney par bitha liya.

Mudhat qadray faasle par bulandi se unhen hi dekh rahi thi. unhon ne haath hila kar usey jane ka ishara kar diya to woh un ki mojoodgi se kuch mutmaen ho kar chali gayi.

"Isse darakht nahi kat sakta."

"Mein darakht kaat nahi raha tha."

"Ro kya kar rahe the?"

woh chup raha. nazrain jhuki rahi. aanso-on ki lakerain phir se numaya huien. magar uska zabt kamaal ka tha. woh ro raha tha magar zahir karna chahta tha ki wo nahi ro raha. usey Jamila dawood ke jane ka koi gham nahi, usey sirey se koi fikar, koi parwah hi nahi magar uska chehra uske tasurat uski ankhen.

'Bhala woh gham bhi chupaye ja sakte hain jo aankhon mein bas jate hon?'

"Tum to itne pyare, itni himmat wale itne sabr wale bache ho.."

unhon ne usey baho mein bhar kar khud se laga liya. woh unhen batana chahta tha woh bohat bura hai tab hi to uske sath itna bura ho raha hai. magar woh keh na saka.

zabt toota to wo siskiya, hichkiyo mein badal gayi. woh un ke kandhay se lag kar roya to phir chup na huwa.

kitni hi der tak woh us ghane saya daar shajar ke neeche baithe uski pusht sehlate rahe. usey tasalii aur dilase dete rahe. usey yaqeen dehani kerwate rahe ke woh use chhore kar nahi gayi hain. woh jald aa jayen gi.

Magar Faris wajdan ko lagta tha use papa, uski ma ki tarah Jamila dawood bhi kabhi wapas nahi ayegi.

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