mYnUM pqf hY, Auh iKzfrI nhIN hY. Kyzdf hY, pr AusdI Kyz ids nhIN rhI. Ausdy idmfg dy iksy kony ivc iewk cOPfl iviCaf hoieaf hY. cOPfl dy dovyN pfsy Auh afp hI bYTf hY. gItIaF df Zyr Aus ny iewkTf kr rwiKaf hY. AusdI Kyz df koeI asUl nhIN hY. rfh cwldI hr sLYa AusdI Kyz ivc sLfml ho skdI hY, sLrq iewko hY ik Auh AusqoN pRBfivq ho jfvy.
jy Kyz-vyKxI df cfa vyKxf hovy qF AusqoN AuWqm nmUnf mYN awj qwk nhIN vyiKaf. rvI ivc ieh cfa koeI luikaf iCipaf nhIN. ieh jrUrI nhIN qusIN Ausdy dosq hI hovo. AusdI idlcspI df cyhrf mohrf kI hY, ieh smJx leI quhfnUM AusnUM imlx iglx dI koeI jLrUrq nhIN hY. imlky krogy vI kI? nIrs qy bor iksm dy bMdy ny nF qF quhfnUM koeI pwlf PVfAuNxf hY qy nF quhfzy afey dI AusnUM koeI KusLI hoxI hY. KusLI mnfAuxI qF bVI dUr dI gwl hY. myry nfl AusdI dosqI ieqPfk hY. ieho ijhy ieqPfkF nfl hI awjkl ijLMdgI BrI peI hY jF ieMJ kih lvo ik aYsy ieqPfkF nfl awj kl ijLMdgI AulJI peI hY. ies AulJx dI isKLr hY rvI.
dosqI dI gwl hI Czo AusdI qy bIvI vI AusdI bIvI nhIN lgdI bws iewk aOrq lwgdI hY. Auh vI iewk ajUby qoN Gwt nhIN. ieMJ lwgdf hY ijvyN Auh mIaF-bIvI nf hoky koeI nMbr hox. do, cfr jF ey[bI[sI. iksy rYPrI ny sItI mfrI, do jIaF ny ijLMdgI sLurU kr idwqI hovy. rvI df kwd kfT, rMg rUp vyKky ieMJ nhIN lgdf ijvyN rwb ny Aus nfl koeI byiensfPI kIqI hovy. pihlI njLry Auh sunwiKaF ivc hI suLmfr huMdf hY. pr do cfr idnF bfad quhfnUM pqf lwg jfvygf ik Auh sohxf nhIN hY. Ausdf mwQf ijLafdf cOVf hY. awgoN kuJ vfl vI AuWz gey hn. nfsF cOVIaF hn pr lwgdf hY Ausny AuNglF mfr mfr AunHF nUM cOVIaF kIqf hY. awKF cMgIaF BlIaF idsdIaF cuMnHIaF idsx lwg pYxgIaF. quhfzy vwl vyKx vyly Auh awKF CotIaF kr lvygf, hflF ik iesdI jLrUrq nhIN huMdI. TozI dy Qwly iewk zUMG hY. hF Auh jLrUr sohxf lwgdf hY. mYnUM qF ieMJ lgdf hY ijvyN ies zUMG qy Auhdf jLor nhIN cilaf, nhIN qy AuhnUM vI Ausny koJf kr lYxf sI. bs ieh hI smJo rwb awgy kfhdf jLor.
sLrnjIq qoN bxI sLfnI AusdI kfrbn kfpI hY. ieMJ lwgdf hY ijvyN rwb ny dovF nUM iewk dUjy leI hI bxfieaf hY. AusnUM qusIN kdy vI hwsidaF nhIN dyKogy. ieMJ lgdY ijvyN hwsx qy jI[aYs[tI lwgdI hovy. ieho ijhy tYks bcf bcf ky Auh ijLMdgI nUM roVHI jFdy hn.
ipCly vIh sflF ivc mYN AunHF ivc iewk sFJ vyKI hY, Auh hY kbUqrF nUM hr rojL brYWz pfAux dI. vIk aYNz qy grosrI ilafAuNx lwigaF AunHF nUM awDI idhfVI cfhIdI hY. ijwQy ikqyy vI syl lwgI hovy, Auh GuMm iPLr afAuNdy hn qy nfly KRIdo ProKLq krdy hn pr aMq ivc Auh iewk spYsLl bykrI qy jFdy hn qy AuWQoN hPqy Br leI kbUqrF nUM pfAuNx leI qfjLf brYzF KRdIdy hn.
icVIaF df cogf Auh kdy vI syl qy nhIN KrIddy, Kfsy pYsy lgdy hn AunHF dy ies sLOk qy pr iesqy kdy vI do rfvF nhIN AuBrIaF, AuhdoN vI nhIN jdoN AunHF dIaF ibl bwqIaF vI KVH geIaF sn. ieh smJOqf AunHF df iks qrHF hoieaf, mYnUM nhIN pqf.
sLfnI vI rvI vFg KUbsUrq hY pr Ausdy BrvitaF dy drimafn iewk iswDI ryKf bVy icr qoN hOlI hOlI AuBrdI hux kfPI gihrI hoky sQfeI GUrI jhI bx geI hY.
rwb jfxy ies GUrI df jnm kdoN qy ikwQy hoieaf pr Ausdy do bwicaF df jnm sfzIaF awKF sfhmxy hoieaf. vzf pRIq hux aTfrF twp cilaf hY qy CotI bMtI pMdrF solF dy gyV ivc hY. bwicaF ny Gr df pRBfv nhIN kbUilaf. clo ieh vI cMgf hI hoieaf jF qusIN kih skdy ho ik rYPrI ny AunHF nUM mnHF kr idqf sI ik qusIN vwKry Kyzxf hY qy mYN quhfnUM iksy hor grfAUNz ivc ByjFgf vylf afAuNx qy.

drdF BrI ijLdgI dy AuBry Cfly rvI ny myry sfmHxy keI vfr Pyhy, AunHF ivcoN inkilaf kwcf pfxI bydrdI nfl hwQ nfl pUMJ ky afpxI duKdfeI ijLMdgI dI hfjLrI luvfeI. Ausny jd vI afpxI ijMLdgI dI kuwVqx myry nfl sFJI kIqI sI mYnUM Auh TIk lwigaf sI. iewk afm ijMLdgI qoN htky, Ausdy htkory isrP pl do pl leI hI mYnUM hlUxdy. tfeIm pfky mYnUM koeI Kfs nF lwgdy. ies qrHF qF sfrI dunIaF hI duwKI hY.
mYnUM ipwCy afAuNdI kfr ny hOrn mfiraf. myrI kfr icwtI lfeIn nUM krfs kr rhI sI. mYN hwQ AuWTfky Auhdf DMnvfd kIqf. sLfied myrf iDafn tAUNn sYNtr dy mfl vwl cilaf igaf sI. rvI jd vI iewQy afAuNdf ieMnstYNt lftrI jLrUr hI KrIddf. mYnUM pqf nhI, ies vwkq rvI hspqfl iks hflq ivwc sI. jy koeI Kqry vflI gwl nFh huMdI qF Auhdy leI ieMsntYNt lftrI iewk vDIaf gYt-vYl igPt huMdI.
“sfzy leI hr mOsm hI kMm krn df mOsm hY rvI. ieh lftrIaF qy pYsy nFh lutfieaf kr ies qrHF.”
“vyK lvIN iewk idn qyry ies kuwqy kMm ny kMm nhIN afAuNxf. igxqIaF imxqIaF kridaF ies jhfnoN qur jfvyNgf. bws lftrI dy nMbr iewk vfrI iswDy ho jfx. pr dosq hr vfrI ieh roNdl ijhy nMbr hI ikAuN inkl afAuNdy hn. kdy qy cwj dy nMbr inklx.” ieMnstYNt lftrI df guwCfmuwCf kridaF Ausny awKF df nmUnf ijhf bxfky gfrbyjL dy Zwkx nUM hUtf idwqf.
“rqf Tihr, bMidaF vFg gwl sux myrI.” mYN AuCfly afey pfxI nUM bih jfx leI afK irhf sI. “ijwdx ieh nMbr qyry nMbrF nfl mYc kr gey Audx ieh nMbr qYNnUM roNdl nhIN lwgxy.”
“hux afieaf nf phfV dy nIcy.” rvI ny hws ky jIa prcfieaf.
“pr AuWdoN qwk itktF KrIdI jfvyNgf?”
“hF afKrI sfh qwk mYN lftrI dIaF itktF KrIdFgf. qYnUM nhIN pqf ies ivc ikqnf mjLf hY. lftrI inklx df cFns qF vIh prsYNt vI nhIN huMdf. asl mjLf qF afAuNdf hY jd lftrI df nqIjf inkldf hY. iekwlI iewklI lftrI df nMbr jd imlfAuNdf hF qF suafd afAuNdf hY. jdoN ikqy pihly iewk do iqMn nMbr iml jfx qF mYN bfkI nMbr cYWk krn qoN pihlF AuWTdf hF, kmry df cwkr lgfAuNdf hF. iPr pfxI pINdf hF qy bfkI dy bykfr nMbrF dIaF sLklF vyKx qoN pihlF jo Auqsukqf huMdI hY Aus nfl hI myry lftrI qy Krcy pYsy pUry ho jFdy hn. qUM nhIN smJyNgf ieh gwl. bws iewk ieMqjfr hY myrI.”
mYN hwkf bwkf Ausdy mUMh vwl vyK irhf sI.
“mYN kfr hOlI kr leI. lfeItF qoN koeI pMjfh ku gjL Aury iewk kfr Krfb hoeI KloqI sI. pihlF qF idl kIqf ik PurqI mfrF, pr ipClI kfr qF AuWpr hI cVHI afAuNdI sI. mYN ierfdf bdl ilaf. arfm nfl hI clFgy, mYN soicaf. awgy jfky ikhVf iklHf Piqh krnf hY, ienHF df qF rojL df hI kMm hY. mYN ikqnI vfr kih cuwkf hF jy quhfzI vIh sfl ivc vI nhIN bxI qF qusIN vwK vwK ikAuN nhIN ho jFdy [[[pr suxdf kOx hY? mYnUM qF ieMJ lgdf hY, iehnF nUM iewk dUjy dI afdq pY cuwkI hY. jdoN vI iksy bfhrI gwl df guwsf huMdf hY, bfhr qy jLor nhIN cldf iewk dUjy nUM blym vI krdy hn qy afpxf guwsf vI kwZ lYNdy hn.
ipwCly mhIny hI kMjrKfnf hoky hwitaf hY. gwl vI bhuq mfmUlI sI. sLfnI dI afiern GtI hoeI sI. golIaF KFdI hI sI, qbIaq Krfb hoeI qy Gr af geI. mfVI iksmq nUM pRIq ny zYz nUM Pon kr idwqf. Auh kMm Cwzky Gr af igaf. agoN sLfnI iGAu nfl gwc prONTy Ck rhI sI. rvI ny afAuNdy ny vyiKaf qy pihlF qF Ausny acfr vflIaF kOlIaF cwkky rwg qy iKlfr idwqIaF. imwTI goBI qy aMb df acfr ijwQy ijwQy vI izgy afpxf afpxf Gr bxf ky bYT gey. bws ho geI PV lAu PV lAu. qUM ieh hYN qUM Auh hYN. mfvF BYxF puxIaf jfx lwgIaF. awgly idn sLfnI kMm qy nf geI. rvI sfrI gwl mYnUM suxf irhf sI qy kih irhf sI sfzI rfsLI nhIN imldI. boilaf, “qUM hI dws mYN qy Gr qF igaf sI ik Auh ibmfr hY qy AusnUM myrI loV hY, mYN AusdI syvf krFgf pr agoN nfly Auh glqIaF kry qy nfly myry isr dy vflF nUM pvy, aKy qUM kMm Cwzky afieaf hI ikAuN? hux vI ivs GoldI hoAU mYN Pon krky Ausdf hfl ikAuN nhIN puwCdf? mYN vI lMc qwk Pon nhIN krnf, afpy Ausdf Pon afAU.”
swc hI lMc qy sLfnI df Pon af igaf. mYN dUroN dyK irhf sI. Pon qy rvI hws irhf sI, XkInn sLfnI vI hws hI rhI hovygI. myrf sLk hI hY vYsy mYN kdy vyKI nhIN hwsdI. rvI Pon qoN myry vwl af irhf sI. hws irhf sI,“sLfnI sOrI kih rhI sI. hux AusnUM aihsfs hoieaf hY ik kwlH Auh glq sI.
“quhfzIaF qusIN hI jfxo, pr iewk gwl pwkI hY, qusIN mMndy nhIN pr iewk dUjy dI afdq bx cuwky ho. iewk imMt vI quhfzf bygfnf nhIN hY.”
lAu hspqfl df pfrikMg lOt af igaf hY. iewk imMt Tihro mYN pfrikMg itkt kwZ lvF. mYN kfr dI ivMzo df sLIsLf nIvF kIqf. btn dibaf qy itkt hOlI hOlI pirMt hoky bfhr af geI. rvI ipwCy awj kfr pfrikMg lOt ivc lfAuxI pY rhI hY, nhIN qF mYN plfjLy ivcoN qurky af jfxf sI. Gto Gto pMj zfly qF Tuwk hI jfxy sn. mYN kfr df lOk lfieaf. bfhr hlkI hlkI snoa pY rhI sI. tYlIvIXn vfly qF sno stOrm df rOlf pfeI jf rhy sn pr awj dUjy idn vI koeI qUPfn nhIN afieaf sI. rvI qy sLfnI vI jdoN lVdy hn qF ieMJ lgdY bhuq vzf qUPfn afAux vflf hY. pr hmysLF bUMdF bFdI hI inkldI hY. keI vfr qF mYnUM iKJ vI afAuNdI hY ik iehnF ivc qUPfn AuTdf ikAuN nhIN rojL rojL dI ikwc ikwc Kqm hovy. mYnUM sLrm afAuxI cfhIdI hY, ieh mYN kI soc irhf hF.
mYnUM hspqfl dy aMdr jfky ‘kI hoieaf’ jfnx dI Auqsukqf ikAuN nhIN sI. mYN soc irhf sI aYvyN koeI mfmUlI gwl hI hoAU, hmysLF dI qrHF. pr awgy kdy hspqfl dI nObq nhIN afeI sI. jrUr hI lVy hoxgy. jy rvI ibmfr huMdf, iPr mYnUM sLfnI ny ikAuN swdxf sI, mYN ikhVf zfktr hF. mYN qF iehnF dI lVfeI df zfktr hF. socF ivc hI aYlIvytr af igaf. aYlIvytr Kulx qy mYN qIsry Plor df btn dwb idwqf. sLfnI ny kmry df nMbr QrI tYn hI disaf sI. AunHF dy iblkul kol phuMc ky mYN swcIN hI Audfs ho igaf. aYlIvytr ivc myrf idl kfhlf ipaf, ieh rvI nUM cMgy Bly nUM awj kI ho igaf sI. mYnUM qF sLfnI df Pon afieaf sI. BfjLI, jldI hspqfl phuMco. mYN puwiCaf qy kihx lwgI bs qusIN jldI afAu iewQy afey qy hI dwsFgI. pRIq huxI kYlgrI hI hn. AunHF nUM Pon kIqf Auh dovyN boly, vUeI zoNt kyar. sLfnI rox lwg peI sI.
awj sLnIvfr df idn sI. mYN Evr-tfeIm lfAuxf Cizaf hoieaf sI jF qusIN kih skdy ho ik zfktr ny Cuzf idqf sI. ipCly idnI myrI sLUgr kfPI vD geI sI. vYsy zfktr dI gwl myrI smJ ivc nhIN afeI. pr imsjL bIr awgy qF mYN AudF hI nhIN kdy bol skdf. rvI sLnIvfr jFdf sI. AusdI jLrUrq vI sI. sLyar mfrkIt ivc afeI qyjI ny Ausdf jIxf hrfm kIqf hoieaf sI. Pyr jFdy nUM hI kI ho igaf? ho skdf hY kMm qy igaf hI nf hovy, Gry hI koeI mhF-XuwD afrMB ilaf hovy. AusnUM awj kwlH pYsy pYsy dI loV sI. sfry pfisAuN AuDfr PV cuwkf sI qy hux sLfnI dy bYNk bYNlMs duafly hoieaf sI. sLfnI vI Gr nUM bhuq isafxI sI. sfrIaF qklIPF Jwl ky vI Auh afpxy vwl iksy nUM JFkx nhIN idMdI sI nFh Gr vfly nUM qy nFh bwicaF nUM. Auh BuwKI rih skdI sI pr iewk vfrI ijhVf zflf syivMg-Kfqy cly igaf Auh PrIjL ho igaf.
bs Aus PkIr vFg ijhVf kwCf pfky byr Kf irhf sI. iksy dy puwCx qy boilaf, afpxy qF do hI sLOk hn, cMgf Kfxf qy cMgf pfAuxf. rvI qy sLfnI dy vI afpxy afpxy sLOk sn qy dovyN jIvn bsr kr rhy sn. iewk vfrI asIN gey sI mYN qy minMdr. afeIs hfkI cl rhI sI. mypl lIP qy bPlo dy isMg Psy hoey sn. mypl iewk gol nfl awgy sI. rvI tihk irhf sI. huwbky dws irhf sI ik iekwqI nMbr vflf mypl lIP vfilaF swq imlIan df KrIidaf hY qy qyrF nMbr vflf ipCly sfl dy Cy nMbr vfly nfl tryz kIqf hY, aYqkIN mUv bVI awCI bx rhI hY. bPlo qy cIjL hI kI hY, bws qUM vyKdf jf. sfzy vyKdy vyKdy bPlo ny pihlf gol brfbr krky do hor Tok idwqy. jdoN vI bPlo gol kry, sLfnI qfVIaF mfr dyvy. pRIq qy bMtI vI mF df sfQ dy rhy sn. rvI dy hwQ pYr TMzy hox lwgy. rvI dy asfvyNpn ny sLfnI nfl pqf nhIN kI pMgf lY ilaf. sfnUM qF smJ vI nhIN lgx idqI ik kI gwl hoeI hY. iesLfiraF nfl hI koeI cwkr cwilaf, bws sLfnI dI iswDI iqAUVI vI hor gUhVI ho geI. gym iqMn iewk dy Prk nfl cwl rhI sI. rvI ibPiraf ijhf AuWiTaf qy vfsLrUm clf igaf. ieqny ivc pihlf iprIaz Kqm ho igaf.
jd Auh vfps afieaf qy mYN puwiCaf, “qUM afp qy kdy Kyizaf nhIN ijLMdgI ivc, iPr ieh KyzF dI hObI qy Auh vI Kfskr afeIs hfkI. ieh mypl lIP? qUM hmysLF ieh ikAuN cfhuMnY ik mypl lIP ijwqy dUsry pfsy BfvyN qyrf sfrf pirvfr hI ikAuN nf KVf hovy.”
rvI bhuq hI Audfs sI mypl lIP hfr rhI sI. bhuq hI hOlI boilaf, “myrf pirvfr mypl lIP dy Ault nhIN, myry Ault hY. jy mYN ienHF nfl rlky bPlo vwl ho jfvF qF ieh sfry mYnUM AuDr iewkwly nUM Cwzky mypl lIP vwl ho jfxgy.” rvI cuwp kr igaf, iPr muskrfAuNx lwgf qy hOlI hOlI gfAux lwgf, “ieh mMzI sfrI pYsy dI hr cIjL vkyNdI Bfa swjxf, iewQy roNdy cyhry nhIN ivkdy[[[” Auhdy bfkI sLbd mUMh ivc hI rih gey. mypl lIP ny bVI PurqI nfl afpxf dUsrf gol kr idwqf sI. rvI AuWTky nwcx lwg ipaf. Ausdy nfc df iksy vI noits nhIN ilaf. sLfnI ny ipwT kr leI. bwcy vI AuWTky sLfnI kol cly gey. mYnUM bhuq hI ajIb lwgf. ieh qF vfikaf hI koeI gym nhIN vyK rhy. ieh qF Kyz hI nhIN cl rhI. ieh qF hor qrHF df iKcfa cwl irhf sI.
rvI ny hux AuWcf bolxf sLurU kr idwqf sI “mypl lIP kdy hfr hI nhIN skdI qy Auh vI ienHF XwikaF koloN[[[” rvI ny gwl aDUrI hI Cwz idwqI. Ausdf iesLfrf XkInn bPlo vwl nhIN sI.
“zYz ibhyv Xuar sYlP.” bMtI ny ikhf pr iksy ny Ausdf juafb nf idqf. rvI ny vI nhIN.
“af qIsrf gol vI hoieaf lY ajyL pUry Cy imMt bfkI hn. mYN qF cfhuMnf iewk GMty ivc iewk gol quMinaf jfvy. bws ijwq vwl viDaf jfvy. ieh brfbr ijhI, hfrI ijhI Kyz mYnUM cMgI nhIN lgdI.”
ieqny nUM sLfnI ny bolx dI iejfjLq mMgI. rvI ny mUMh qy AuNgl rwKky AusnUM cuwp rihx df iesLfrf kIqf, qy AuNgl dI syDy tYlIvIXn vyKx leI ikhf.
sLfnI df sbr juafb dy irhf sI, Auh bolI, “BfjLI sfnUM pYsy pYsy dI loV hY. AuproN mihMgfeI ikqnI ho geI hY. mYN iesnUM kihMdI hF iewk jOb nfl srdf nhIN koeI pfrt-tfeIm kMm kr. iesnUM bws gymF vyKx qoN hI Pursq nhIN imldI. myry vwl dyKo mYN Gr df vI sfrf kMm krdI hF qy do jObF vI krdI hF. bws do GMty Evr-tfeIm lf ilaf qy gwl Kqm qy bws bih igaf hfkI vyKx. mYN ijwQy pfrt-tfeIm kMm krdI hF AunHF nUM keI vfr puwiCaf. Auh kihMdy vI hn lY af pr ieh myrI suxdf hI nhIN.”
rvI ny hwQ dy iesLfry nfl sB nUM cuwp krfieaf. mypl lIP dy iKzfrI pwkf nUM mUv bxfky iljf rhy sn qy vyhidaF vyhidaF hI AunHF gol kr idwqf. rvI nUM ijvyN cfa cV igaf hovy. Auh boilaf, “cl kr lAUN pfrt-tfeIm kMm vI.” tYnsLn kuJ Gwt ho geI.
“zYz qF sfzf lyjLI bMmp hY.” pRIq vI afpxI izAUtI inBf ky AuWpr dIaF pOVIaF cV igaf.
mYN afsy pfsy njLr mfrI. Gr dI mMdI hflq sI. soPy dI gwdI dI nuwkr ivcoN QoVI jyhI rUM bfhr Jfk rhI sI. kMDF df pyNt mYlf sI. vIizE dy iewk isry AuWqy mfsikMg typ lfky tuty nUM joVy df jugfV bxfieaf hoieaf sI. zfieinMg tybl dI iewk kursI Qwly izwgI peI sI. ijsnUM cuwkx dI ijMmyvfrI ies Gr ivc pqf nhIN kIhdI sI. ipClI vfrI isMk dI tUtI myry hwQ ivc hI af geI sI. ieh kI musIbq pY geI ikwqy ieh nf socx mYN tUtI qoV idwqI hY, mYN qF bs tUtI nUM hwQ lfAux df gunfh hI kr bYTf. mYN afsy pfsy dyiKaf, mYnUM koeI nhIN dyK irhf sI mYN cuwp krky tUtI hOlI dyxI AuWQy hI itkf idqI sI. mYN mlkVy ijhy afky soPy qy bYT igaf, ijvyN kuJ hoieaf hI nhIN huMdf. myry vyKdy vyKdy pRIq afieaf, Ausny glfs ilaf, Ausy tUtI nUM jLor nfl Qwly jhy nipaf, glfs pfxI nfl Biraf qy sItI mfrdf afpxy kmry ivc jf viVaf. bVf sohxf srI jf irhf sI. mYN vI aYvyN CyqI hI Gbrf jFdf hF.
jd mYN cfry pfsy dyK irhf sF qF rvI ny myrI njLr qfV leI qy boilaf, “ajy qy qYnUM Gr dy cUhy nhIN idsy.”
sLfnI bolI, “sfzy Gr qy koeI cUhy nhIN.”
rvI ny juafb idqf, “cUhy qy dOVy iPLrdy hn, qYnUM hI nhIN idsdy. cfry pfsy kuqr kuqr hoeI jFdI hY, pr iksy nUM idsdy ikwQy hn?”
mYN minMdr vwl dyiKaf. Auh byvs ijhI Auslvty lY rhI sI, ijvyN iewQy afky koeI glqI kIqI hovy. mYN soc irhf sI rotI Kfx qoN bgYr ienHF ikwQy jfx dyxf hY? jbrdsqI dI hd dy aMdr hI sI ieh gwl vI. “qyrI ieh cUihaF vflI gwl myrI smJ ivc nhIN afeI.” mYN dubfrf gwl CyVI qF rvI boilaf, “kmilaf, sfzy Gr qF nONqI sO cUhy hn. iewk qF afh qurI iPrdI hY.” Ausny sLfnI vwl iesLfrf kIqf. bws iPr kI sI plyt PVI hoeI hvf ivc AuClI myry isr dy AuWqoN CUkdI hoeI, aYn imjLfiel vFg afpxy insLfny vwl vDdI hoeI rvI dy isr ivc vwj ky Pnfh ho geI. rvI ny afpxf isr mfVf ijhf Kurikaf qy iPr Auh hwsx lwg ipaf.
mypl lIP hux ijq rhI sI. AusnUM hsdf vyK ky sLfnI vI hws peI. AusdI iqAUVI mwQy dy ivcfly PYlky kuwJ mwDm pY geI. sfnUM cfrF nUM hsdy vyKky inafxy hor vI iKJ gey. bMtI bolI, vt ey stUipz PYmlI.” ieh kihx qoN bfad nFh Auh hwsI qy nFh Auh iKJI. rotI pY geI sI qy ilv rUm ivc hI aKbfrF ivCf leIaF geIaF. ikhVf hux AuWTky kursIaF iswDIaF krdf iPry nfly zfieinMg tybl qy sbjLI mMzI ijnHF smfn ipaf sI ijsnUM KflI krn leI Gto Gt awDf GMtf cfhIdf sI qy AunHF icr nUM rotI TMzI ho jFxI sI qy jy dubfrf rotI grm krnI pYNdI qy awiDaF ny sON jfxf sI.
rotI Kfx qoN pihlF hI mypl lIP dI ijwq nfl Kyz Kqm ho geI. “clo ieh vI cMgf hoieaf, ivcoN isafpf muwkf.” sLfnI ny suwK df sfh lYNdI ny afiKaf. bMtI ny afpxf koeI cYnl lf ilaf qy vzy tIvI vloN vyhly ho gey. “sfrf idn tIvI vfc krdf rihMnf, kdy koeI Gr df kMm vI kr ilaf kr. hor nhIN qF Gfh hI kt lY. sfrf nhIN ktxf qF lMGx jogf rsqf hI bxf lY.” rvI ny pRIq nUM JfiVaf.
“zYz mfeINz Xuar bolI.”
“asIN aYnf kMMm krky mrdy hF ienHF dI Kfqr. sfzf qF Auh ihsfb hY bwkry dI jfn geI Kfx vfly nUM suafd nf afieaf.” rvI ny pRIq qy qoVf JfiVaf.
“afeI zoNt lfeIk got mIt eIdr.” aYnf afKky pRIq pOVIaF cV ky afpxy rUm ivc vVky kMmipAUtr mUhry jf bYTf. pRIq dy juafb ny sfzf sfiraF df hfsf Cutf idqf.
“ieMzIaf qoN afeI koeI icwTI pqrI?” mYN sFJf ijhf suafl kIqf.
“msF msF qy icwTIaF bMd hoeIaF, qusIN iPr sLurU krvfAuxIaF.” sLfnI ny ijvyN guwsf ijhf kIqf hovy. mYN sLfnI vwl dyiKaf. Auho qyvr ijho jyhy hmysLF sn. muskrfAuxf qy ijvyN Auh Bul hI geI sI. mYnUM Ausqy qrs ijhf afieaf. mYN ikhf, “sLfnI Aury af iewQy sfzy kol bYTky aj dws qUM ies qrHF AuKVI AuKVI ikAuN rihMdI hYN.” iewk imMt BfjLI mYN jLrf pRIq nUM rotI leI afKF. ieh afK ky Auh Pon krn lwg peI. AuWpr ipaf sYl Pon KVk ipaf, sfnUM sux igaf pr pRIq nUM suxfeI nhIN idwqf. Auh kMmipAUtr qy kjLf isstm nfl dysI gfxy sux irhf sI. rvI boilaf, “Pon nhIN AuhnUM suxfeI idMdf. Cotf ijhf kMmipAUtr rK lY hux ikcn ivc jdoN vI rotI leI sdxf hovy eI-myl kr idaf krIN.” rvI AuWcI AuWcI hwsx lwg ipaf. mYN Ausdy mUMh vl dyK irhf sI Auh hws nhIN irhf sI. Auh qy afpxy afp nUM icVf irhf sI. hsx dI isrP avfjL sI KyVf nhIN sI. pRIq nUM jfky bMtI swd ilafeI.
“kI dsF BfjLI myrI qy iksmq hI sVI peI ey. AuKVIN mYN kfhqoN rihxf, myrI koeI suxdf hI nhIN ies Gr ivc. sB krmF dIaF gwlF ny.”
“qyry krky hI qF mYN lftrIaF pfAunf, ijdx inkl afeI qyry sB krm TIk ho jfxy hn.”
“qusIN dyK ilaf nf ies lft sfhb vwl. iehdIaF ieho gwlF myrf isr duKfeI rKdIaF. hux ies AuWmr ivc mYN ikhVy KUh ivc jf pvF.”
“jy mYN qyrf isr dKFAudf hF qF Gutdf vI qF mYN hI hF.”
“qUM myrf isr nf Guwitaf kr, myrf glf Guwt dy ieko vfr, kMm muwky ivcoN. llf Bwbf qy krnf bQyrf afAuNdf qYnUM. iesy krky qF mYN nf jIAUNidaF `c qy nFh miraF `c. qyry bgYr cYn vI ikwQy afAuNdf mYnUM . bQyrIaF JwlIaF qUM vI myry nfl. hux qy rwb cuwk eI lvy mYnUM.” myry krm cMgy huMdy qF afpxf myl hI nFh huMdf. iksy hor dy lV lwgI huMdI qF ieh idn nf dyKxy pYNdy.”
“hux lV PV lY iksy JyzU df, ajy kI ivgiVaf.”
“mYN qF lV PV lvF iksy JyzU df, pr qyrf iPkr rihMdf mYnUM.”
rvI hwsx lwg ipaf. hsdy hsdy ny mIt dI qrI vflI plyt Aultf idqI. qrI vCfeI aKbfr qy zul geI. gusf vI bVf sMkoc vflf sI. inrI bwicaF vrgI hrkq. ijvyN guwsy ivc vI Auh kflIn nUM ilbVn qoN bcf igaf.
“dyK ilaf BfjLI, iehdIaF hrkqF? myrf qy bws qusIN PYslf kr dyvo. iehnUM kho ies mkfn ivwc myrf vI nfm ilKfvy. jd iksLq awDI aWDI dyNdy hF qF Gr iehdy iewkly dy nfm ikAuN hY?” sLfnI Gr dy Byd dIaF prqF Prolx lwg peI.[[[
mYN qIsry Plor qy jfky aYlIvytr ivcoN bfhr af igaf. zYsk qoN rUm puwCx lwgf hI sF ik sLfnI qurI aFAuNdI njLr pY geI. mYN kfhly kdmIN sLfnI vl hoieaf.
“kI hoieaf?”
“hoxF kI sI myry krm hI mfVy hn. aYs Aumry rolx lwgf hY mYnUM .”
“pr hoieaf kI?”
“hfrt atYk.” sLfnI ny afpxy hwQF nfl mUMh Zwk ilaf. svyry kMm qy jFdf sI. kfr clfAuNdy nUM hI hfrt atYk ho igaf. kfr KMby ivc vwjI. Auh qy sLukr hY prmfqmf df, iewk gory ny sYWl qy pulIs nUM Pon mfr idqf. aYNbUlYNs vfly cuwkky iewQy lY afey.”
mYN agoN kuJ vI puCxf nf cfihaf. Bwjky kmry ivc viVaf qF rvI bYz qy byhosL ijhf hI inZfl ipaf sI.
“BfjLI iewk vfrI ieh bc jfey mYN kdy iehnUM qMg nhIN krdI hux.”
“rvI mYN hOlI ijhI ikhf.” rvI jo hOlI kIqI gwl df juafb jrUr idMdf sI. awj iblkul nhIN boilaf. mYN AudoN vI hOlI hI boilaf sI jd Ausny afpxI ijLMdgI dI kuwVqx myry nfl sFJI kIqI sI.
“qyrI qlK klfmI qyrI jfn lY lvygI iksy idn.” swq-hIn hoeI AusdI grdn vyKky mYnUM afpxI iksy vkq idqI nsIhq Xfd afeI.
mYN rvI vwl dyiKaf, Ausdf cyhrf iewk pfsy nUM luVkx lwg ipaf sI. ijvyN hfr irhf hovy. hfr qF Auh bVy icr qoN irhf sI. ijLdgI dI Kyz ivcoN mnPI hoieaf Ausdf syk pfxI dy bulbly vrgf sI.
Aus idn Auh bhuq cMgy mUz ivc sI. “ijLMdgI ivc amIr bxn df myry kol iewko hI rfh hY. isrP lftrI. bIr qYNnUM pqf supny kI huMdy hn?”
“cwl qUM hI dws, mYN qF buwDU hF.” mYN kmfn Auhdy hwQ hI PVf idqI.
“supny huMdy hn sfzIaF aphuMc hkIkqF df drpx. jy drpx nhIN dyKogy qF iksqrHF bxfAugy afpxI qkdIr. sLihrF ivc qIvIaF CuwtI vfly idn ijLafdf iqafr ikAuN huMdIaF hn.”
“mYnUM nhIN pqf.”mYN JuMJlf igaf.
“qYnUM kuwJ nhIN pqf. ikAuNik qyrf Gr iksy Qfxy dy kol nhIN sI. mYN bhuq Cotf sI. ieho koeI awT nO sfl rwK lY. sfzf Gr pulIs Qfxy dy iblkul kol sI. sfzy cbfry ivcoN idsdf sI jdoN pulIs iksy nUM rVy lMmy pfky kuwtdI sI. kuwt Kfx vflf hmysLF ieho kihMdf ‘ieh srdfro jfx idAu [[[Auh moqIaF vfilE bKsL idE. mYN keI vfr suwqf huMdf, iehnF avfjLF dI gUMj nfl AuTdf huMdf sI AuTdy sfr hI sihm jFdf. myrI mF hmysLF iPkrmMd rihMdI qy kihMdI afpF ieQoN isLPt ikAuN nhIN ho jFdy? myrf bfpU kdy vI kMn nf Drdf. ijLafdf qoN ijLafdf ieqnf hI kihMdf, ieho ijhf kMjrKFnf qF hr jgHf huMdf hY,ikwQy jfvFgy Bwj ky. bIr sBqoN ijafdf kuwt KFx vflf awj kroVpqI hY.
iewk gwl hor vI dsdF qYNnUM, kflj pVHidaF iewk vfr mYN vI kfbU af igaf sI. myry mUhoN vI moqIaF vfilE srdfro hI inkilaf sI. mYN bVf hI sLrimMdf hoieaf, myry nflidaF ny myrf bhuq mjLfk Auzfieaf, mYN socdf sI kdy myrf burf tfeIm afieaf mYN kdy vI iksy nUM moqIaF vfilE nhIN kihxf.”
“pr ies sBdf ies cIjL nfl kI sbMD juVdf hY ik ibnf mqlb qo lftrIaF KrIdI jfE. myhnq kro, rwb jLrUr brkq pfvygf.”
“bs ieho smJ lY ies lftrI ny hI iek idn ‘moqIaF vfilaF qoN myrf KihVf CuzfAuNxf hY.”
nrs ny afky rvI df isr iswDf kIqf qy iewk pfsy ijDr isr Juwkdf sI qih krky qOlIaf rwK idqf. mYN rvI dy iswDy kIqy mUMh vwl dyiKaf. acfnk mYnUM aihsfs hoieaf, mYN kmry ivc iekwlf nhI hF, koeI hor vI hY afby-hXfq Aus jfn dI, jo ibsqr qy peI afpxy qfxy-bfxy ivc msq ies vkq bol qy nhIN skdI sLfied koeI iksy Kyz dI cfl dI vrxmflf soc rhI hovy.
“ieh sLfnI myrI koeI prymkf nhIN hY. ieh qy iewk iesLiqhfrI kflm dI dyx hY. dyK lY, aKbfr ivcoN hI kwZ leI qyrI BfbI.” Auh hwsx lwg ipaf . mYN cuwp ho igaf. myrI cuwp iewko iewk rfh sI. mYN socx lwgf pqf nhIN ikho jyhIaF blfvF df asr hY rvI qy afp qy Kyzdf nhIN pr Kyz vyK vyK iKzfrI bxdf jf irhf hY ieh ajIb ijhf ikrdfr.
svyry asIN cfry iewkTy jFdy sI kMm qy. mYN qy rvI iewkTy kMm krdy sI qy sLfnI qy minMdr iewko jgHf kMm krdIaF sI. do hPqy asIN afpxI kfr iljFdy sI qy do hPqy rvI qy sLfnI dI kfr ivc asIN rfeIz lYNdy sI. sLurU sLurU ivc qF rvI bhuq bor krdf sI sLfied myry qoN bor huMdf vI hovygf pr dIp nfl dIp jg hI ipaf. dosqI ho geI moh pY igaf.
Auh ieqnf JgVdy ijvyN rfq qwk kuJ nf kuJ ho jfvygf. lVfeI vI inwkI qo inwkI gwl qoN. iewk dUjy nUM brdfsLq nf krdy. bwicaF dI vI koeI prvfh nhIN. iewk ien asIN afpxI kfr ivc bYTy AunHF dI bfhr afAux dI AuzIk kr rhy sF . pihlF sLfnI afeI qy bolI “muMzf kuVI lVI jFdy hn. pIRq kihMdY mYN guwzI nUM kuwtky skUl jFxf qy guwzI ny vfsLrUm nUM aMdroN kuMzI lfeI hoeIey. mYN bQyrf smJfieaf. guwzI nUM vI ikhf nI mr jfxIey qUM hI bfhr af jf. iewk awDf QwpV Kfky kMm mukf ivcoN. muMzy nUM vwK smJfieaf ik puwqf skUloN afky kuwt leIN ivcoN gwl mukf. BfjLI qusIN jfieE jLrf, mfro iewk iewk dbkf quhfzy qoN sfry zrdy hn.”
myrf hfsf inkl igaf.
kfr ivc gwl iPr iCV peI. rvI boilaf, “bIr Brf sB pYsy dy cwkr ny. iewk vyr lftrI inkl afvy nf ieh sfry JgVy Kqm ho jfx.”
“Auh ikvyN?” mYN hYrfnI nfl puwiCaf.
“Auh ievyN myry vIr, jy lftrI inkl afvy qF sB TIk ho jfvy. sLfnI nUM kMm qy nf jfxf pvy. ieh vkq isr AuWTky pihlF myry leI bYz tI bxfvy. iPr bwicaF df isr plosy. lfz nfl AuTfvy. bwicaF dy vwKry vwKry kmry hox. sohxIaF posLfkF hox. sihj nfl iqafr hox. asIN AuhnF nUM vDIaf kfr ivc skUl Cwzky afeIey. muMzy nUM dsIey ik kuVI vI Gr dI mYNbr hY, qyrI BYx hY. AusnUM dwbkf vI mfrIey qy jy guwsf kry qF ipafr nfl smJfeIey. hux qy vkq hI nhIN hY ieh sB kuwJ krn df. skUl Cwzx qoN bfd asIN dovyN lONg zrfeIv qy jfeIey rfh ivc ikqoN kfPI pIvIey. bwicaF nfl smr CuwtIaF df koeI progrfm bxfeIey.” Auh ajy boldf hI ipaf sI ik sLfnI hwsx lwg peI. Auhdy hfsy ivc asIN sfry sLfml ho gey. sLfnI nUM qy mYN sLfied hI kdy hsidaF vyiKaf hoAU.
“qy iehdf mqlb hY jdoN qwk lftrI nhIN inkldI lVfeI iewdF hI jfrI rhU. kuVI kut KFdI rhU. qUM ieqnf ibjLI qy nhIN ik afpxI DI df iKafl hI nf rwK skyN.” mYN ikhf.
“mYnUM kI pqf mYN QoVoN lVdF, mYN qy iksy nUM kuJ nhIN kihMdf.” rvI ny sPfeI idqI. “ieh vwzI do jfbF krn vflI nUM puwC iehdIaF do jfbF dy pYsy rlky vI myrI iewk jOb ijNMny vI bxdy hn ik nhIN.”
“Auey qusIN iPr nf lV ipE, msF msF qusIN hwsy ho. bwicaF df iKafl rwiKaf kro. kuJ nF kihxf vI kuJ nhIN svfrdf. nf jdoN qusIN lVdy ho vwK hox dIaF gwlF krdy ho bwcy kI kihMdy hn, AunHF kIhdy nfl jfxf hY.” mYN mjLfk nfl puwiCaf.
“bwicaF df juafb vI sux lvo. Auh kihMdy hn ijhdy ihwsy kMipAUtr afieaf asIN Auhdy nfl hI jfxf hY.”
“myrI iewk gwl qusIN iDafn nfl sux lvo. quhfnUM dovF nUM iewk dUjy dI afdq pY geI hY. qusIN mrky vI vwK nhIN ho skdy. quhfzf ipafr nPrq df ieh irsLqf kdy vI ies jnm ivc KLqm nhIN hovygf. pMjfbI ivc iesnUM Bus kihMdy hn. ies Bus ny quhfzy pirvfr nUM sFiBaf hoieaf hY. suLkr kro ies Bus df.” mYN gwl Kqm krky pCqFAux dy GoVy qy svfr hoxf hI cfhuMdf sI jdoN sLfnI ny myrI bFh PVky myrf hwQ afpxy isr qy rwK ilaf. AusdIaF awKF ivc prl prl hMJU sn.
iewk idn rvI myry kol afieaf. kihMdf qyry nfl slfh krnI hY. mYN ikhf, “dws.”
kihx lwgf, “jObF jUbF nfl kuJ nhIN bxdf. awj kwl sLyar mfrkIt kfPI awp jf rhI hY. myry jIjf jI ny disaf hY nOrtl nYtvrk dy sLyar KrId lY, idno idn AuWqy jf rhy hn. myry kol brokr df nMbr hY Auh hY vI afpxf hirafxvI Brf rfTOr. mYN qy lwgf hF sLyar KrIdx jy qyrI slfh hY qy qUM vI gwl kr. qyrI vI gwl krvf idMdf hF.” mYN mUloN hI nFh kr idwqI. mYN ikhf, “mYN ies swtf bjLfr, jUey df ivsLvfsL nhIN krdf. ijs cIjL dI smJ hI nhIN Auhdy ivc mNY hwQ pfAux nUM iqafr nhIN.” rvI cuwp kr igaf. gwl afeI geI ho geI . rvI ny sLyar KrId ley, pihlF pMj hjLfr dy qy iPr vDdy BfvF vwl dyKky ds hLjLfr dy hor. idnF ivc hI dUxy cOxy ho gey qy sfzy iKzfrI dI KusLI vI dUx svfeI ho geI. jdoN Auhdy KrIdy sLyarF dI kImq swT hjLfr qoN AuWpr ho geI qF Auhny sLfnI nfl vI KusLI sFJI kr leI. hux AuhdI cfl ivc vI Prk pY igaf. pqlUx dIaF jybF ivc hwQ pfky lwqF nUM Kolky Klox lwgf. ijAuN ijAuN sLyarF dy Bfa AuWqy jfx lwgy iqAuN iqAuN hI dovyN jIa ikrsF krdy sLyar KrIdx lwgy.
rvI df Kfqf KflI ho cuwkf sI Auh Evr tfeIm df koeI GMtf nf gvfAuNdf. sLfnI vflf suJfieaf pfrt tfeIm kMm vI krn lwg ipaf. afeI clfeI qoN bfad jo vI bcdf Ausdy sLyar KrIdI jFdf. aMnHy vfh sLyar-KrId ny sLfnI dy pYr AuKfV idwqy. AusdI ijvyN qIjI awK KulH geI hovy. Auh klpx lwgI. Gr dIaF jLrUrqF kUkx lwgIaF. Gr df pyNt hor vI Ksqf hox lwgf. AunHF df Gr ieMJ lwgdf sI ijvyN musfPr-Kfnf hovy. bws QoVy idn rihMxf hY qy iksy hor gwzI ivc suafr ho jfxf hY. inafixaF dI prvfh hI iksnUM sI. inafixaF nfl jdoN sMprk hI twut igaf qF inafxy vI afp hudry ho gey. sfrf pirvfr hI iewk hnyrI guPf ivc sPLr kr irhf sI. bolF dI sFJ muwk geI. bws iesLfiraF nfl hI ijLMdgI dI Kyz jfrI sI.
ies ivcfly hI sLfnI dI BqIjI df ivafh af igaf. bVy cfh nfl sLfnI ny iqafrI sLurU kr idqI. vIh akqUbr df ivafh sI. sqMbr dy pihly hPqy sLfnI qy rvI dI jMmky lVfeI hoeI. Gr ivc iqMn iDrF bx geIaF. bwcy iksy vI gwl qoN axjfx sn. sLfnI bwicaF dy hwk ivc Buwgq rhI sI qy rvI bwicaF dy BivK leI icMqf idKfAuNdf hoieaf sLfnI qoN icV vI irhf sI qy Kud vI Aubl irhf sI. rvI kihMdf ivafh dI sLfipMg, sLfnI afpxy Kfqy ivcoN kry jF ies qrHF purfxy kpiVaF nfl hI sfr lAu. Aus rfq qF hwd hI ho geI jdoN rvI Gr phuMicaf qF Gr KflI sI. rvI ny bYzrUm ivc dyiKaf qF vwzy atYcIkys guMm sn. rvI ny mYnUM Pon kIqf. mYN minMdr nUM puwiCaf, AusnUM vI kuJ pqf nhIN sI. rfq pY geI, awDI rfq ho geI qy iPr svyr vI cVH peI pr sfrf pirvfr vfps nhIN muiVaf. agly idn rvI kMm qy qF afieaf pr buiJaf buiJaf. do idn cfr idn hPqf lMG igaf. sLfnI dI koeI KLbr nhIN sI. iesy dOrfn rfTOr df rvI nUM Pon afieaf, nOrtl nYtvrk dy Bfa AuWpr jf rhy sn. ryt sO zflr qoN vwD pRqI sLyar ho irhf sI. sinhrI mOkf sI. rvI ny kMm qoN CuwtI krky Gr dI akivtI qy awsI hjLfr zflr cuwk ilaf. sfrf idn Bwj nwT krky rfTOr koloN nOrtl nYtvrk dy syLar KrId ley. idnF ivc hI ienHF nvyN KrIdy sLyarF dI kImq ivc pwcI pRqIsLq hor vfDf ho igaf. aYqvfr df idn sI jdoN lONg izstYNs irMg hoeI. jdoN Pon cuwikaf qF awgoN sLfnI bol rhI sI. mYN hYrfnI nfl puwiCaf, “qUM ikwQy hYN?”
“mYN kYlgrI qoN bol rhI hF. asIN iewQy hI rihx df PYslf kr ilaf hY. bwcy vfps afAuNx leI mMndy nhIN. BfjLI quhfnUM kI dsF bWcy ikqnf aYmbYrs PIl kr rhy hn. afpxI kjLn dy ivafh ivc iehnF kol nf ZMg dy kpVy hn qy nFh ienHF kol koeI pirvfrk imwTIaF XfdF. hux qy kihMdy hn, mMm qusIN vfps trFto jfxf hY qy jfAu asIN nhIN Aus hYl ivc jfxf. plIjL BfjLI qusIN sfzf smJOqf krvfky mkfn ivkvf idAu qy myry ihwsf mYnUM iml jfey mYN hux hor nhIN rvI nfl rih skdI.”
mYN Ausdf Pon nMbr not kIqf qy ikhf, “cMgf mYN krdf hF gwl rvI nfl. Auh vI awj kwl iZwlf mwTf rihMdf hY. ijvyN Qwk igaf hovy. vYsy quhfzy sLyarF dI kImq bhuq awp jf rhI hY, hux qy qusIN amIr ho gey ho, hux ikAuN lVdy ho. hux qy ieMJ lgdY ijvyN quhfzy Gr dI mypl lIP sYmI PfeInl ivc phuMc geI hovy.” qy mYN hws ipaf.
“ikqny ku dy ho gey hn sLyar?” sLfnI ny AuWqskqf nfl puwiCaf.
mYN ikhf, “pqf nhIN qUM afp hI rvI nUM puwC lvIN. vYsy myrf nhIN iKafl quhfnUM hux PYktrI ivc jfx dI loV pvy. hux qy bfrF iswDIaF hoeIaF peIaF hn qy qusIN ajy qwk lVI jFdy ho.” mYN Pyr Pon krn dI hfmI Brky tYlIPon krYizl qy rwK idwqf.
Aus sLfm mYN iewklf hI rvI dy Gr igaf. awj rvI kMm qy vI nhIN afieaf sI. mYN soicaf rfTOr vwl igaf hoAU. mYN GMtI kIqI qF rvI ny POrn bUhf Kol idwqf ijvyN AusnUM koeI ieMqjfr hovy.
“Auh qusIN?”
mYN aMdfjLf lfieaf ijvyN Auh iksy hor dI AuzIk kr irhf hovy. buiJaf buiJaf Auh ilv rUm ivc af igaf. Gr ivcoN afKrF df musLk af irhf sI. ijvyN mudqF qoN sPfeI nf hoeI hovy. rvI sLrfb pI irhf sI, pqf nhIN kdoN qo. awj ipCly vIh sflF ivc mYN pihlI vfr AusnUM ies qrHF zgmgfAuNdy dyK irhf sI. Auh inrfsL sI, KusL sI jF Qwk igaf sI. myry vfsqy iksy iswty qy phuMcxf musLkl sI. iqMny kfrx AuBrvyN sn. pirvfr kol nhIN sI ies krky inrfsL ho skdf sI. aQfh pYisaF dI ilsLkor jyb ivc peI sI iesleI KusL vI ho skdf sI qy Kyz ivc hMiBaf hox krky Qwk vI skdf sI. aksr iensfn Qwk vI qy jFdf hY.
mYN bYT igaf. Auh vI bYT igaf qy myry vwl dyKx lwgf. bVf ajIb ijhf mfhOl sI. mYnUM smJ nhIN af rhI sI ik mYN AusnUNM pirvfr df hfl puwCF ik sLyarF df. ikhVI gwl pihlF kIqI jfvy. afKr Auh afp hI bol ipaf, “bIr Xfr smJ nhIN af rhI kI krF qy kI nf krF. iewk qy rfq nUM nINd nhIN afAuNdI.”
“nINd afvy vI ikdF, bwicaF bgYr kfhdI ijMLdgI.”
“nhIN nhIN mYN bwicaF bfry nhIN soc irhf. Auh qy sLfnI mUrK hY afpy muV afAU, Auhny jfxf ikwQy hY. mYnUM qy pihly idn hI pqf lwg igaf sI, myyry sFZU ny Pon qy dws idwqf sI. inafxy vI af jfxgy, AunHF dI mYnUM koeI bhuqI icMqf nhIN. icMqf qy ieh hY ik Gr dy inq-idn dy Krcy KVH gey hn. mOrgyjL dI iksLq holz krfeI sI afKr kdoN qwk, AunF dI icTI afeI peI hY. gYs, hfeIzro dy ibwl ipCly do mhIny qoN rokky mYN pYsy rfTOr nUM idwqy sn, clo Auh qF nyk bMdy ny nyk kMm qy lf idwqy pr hux jF qF kuJ sLyar vycF jF AuDfr cuwkF vrnf ikqy ibl bqIaF hI nf kwtIaf jfx. sLyar vycx dy nfm qoN hI mMn Kusdf hY. msF msF qF rwb ny suxI hY. bfrF zflr dy KrIdy sLyar awj iewk sO bfeI zflr qoN vI AuWqy jf rhy hn. ienHF ny vyKIN do sO qoN vI twp jfxf hY. rfTOr kihMdf dm rwKIN aYvyN nFh iksy dIaF gwlF ivc afky mok mfr jfeIN.”
mYN Aus vwl gOr nfl dyiKaf. myry kol AuWQy bYTxf aOKf ho igaf. afeIs hfkI dyKdf dyKdf ieh kI krn lwg ipaf hY. pirvfr dI iesnUM icMqf hI nhIN. inafxy iesdI sLkl vI vyKx nUM iqafr nhIN qy ieh sLyarF dy Zyr AuWqy bYTf nINd nUM qrsI jf irhf hY. ieh qy iksy hoxI dy sMkyq lgdy hn.
mYN dubfrf bYT igaf qy ikhf, “rvI qYnUM sLyar qy pirvfr ivc koeI Prk njLr nhIN afAuNdf? qYNnUM koeI icMqf hI nhI? rfq sLfnI df Pon afieaf sI. Auh Gr vycx nUM kih rhI sI. afpxf ihwsf mMg rhI sI.”
rvI hsx lwg ipaf qy boilaf, “qUM vI AuhdIaF gwlF ivc af igaf. sLfnI ikqy nhIN jFdI. mYnUM ieqnf sLyarF qy XkIn nhIN ijMnHF sLfnI qy. Auh mYnUM dwsky nhIN geI pr mYnUM pqf hY Auh kYlgrI geI hY. afpxy BYx BrfvF nUM imlky guB-gubfr kwZ lvygI. vYsy Auhdf vI ksUr nhIN. ipwCly do dhfikaF qoN Auh vI qnfa ivc hI rhI hY. ieh qnfa mYN nhIN idwqf. ieh qnfa qF grIbI df hY. jdoN grIbI dUr ho geI Pyr vyKIN jy nf gulfb vFg tihk peI qF gwl krIN. vYsy bIr sfzy qF idn lwd gey lVn dy. mYN qF iPr suhfgrfq vFg suhfg ijLMdgI qwsvr kr leI hY isrP myrI sLfnI nUM hI pqf nhIN, asIN hfP imlIan dy mflk qF hF hI, moqIaF vfilE. nfly bwicaF df iKafl myry qoN vwD kOx krdf hY?qyrf kI iKafl hY ies mihMgfeI ivc qUM afpxy inafxy XUnIvristI ivc pVHf skdf hYN? pr qUM icMqf nf kr qyry iewk inafxy dI ijLMmyvfrI mYN lYNdf hF.” rvI ny hwQlf glfs KflI kIqf.
“ieh mfmUlI glF hn mYN smJf lfAUNgf sLfnI nUM qUM AuhnUM Pon kr qy kih vfps af jfvy.”
rvI ny awj qwk mYnUM kdy vI qUM kihky nhIN bulfieaf sI qy kdy vI hukmIaF lihjy ivc trIt nhIN kIqf sI. ieh AuhdI sLrfb nhIN sI blik iewk bdl rhI jLihnIaq df iewk ax-suKFvF ijhf kox sI, ijsdI jLd ivc iksy dosqI df Tihrf nhIN sI, ijsdI AusnUM ieMqjfr sI. ies dosqI df iewk insicq muwl vI qih ho cuwkf sI Ausdy idmfg dI iksy KuMdr ivc. myry iewk bwcy dI pVfeI df Krcf.
rvI dI ies sOiKafeI ny mYnUM kuJ aOKf kr idqf. Auh ies qrHF ivcr irhf sI ijvyN Ausdf kMm isrP Kyzxf hY qy jdoN Auh ijwq irhf hY qy sfnUM sfiraF nUM jo Ausdy afpxy hn nNUM cfhIdf hY qfVIaF mfrn qy imlx vfly kwp dI ieMqjfr krn. AusnUM cuwkky hvf ivc AuCflx leI afpxy moZy iqafr rwKx. ieh bwcy ieh bIvI ieh inwkIaF motIaF gwlF leI Auhdy kol phuMc hI nf kIqI jfvy.
“qYnUM pqf mYN ZfeI lwK df aflmost PrI Gr iehnF vfsqy dfa qy lfieaf hY?awj myry KrIdy sfry sLyarF dI kImq Cy lwK qoN AuWpr hY. bws do ku lwK hor bx jfey Pyr sfry sLyar vyc ky pihlF koeI ibjins KrIdFgf qy Pyr dubfrf sLyar. mOjF krngy sfry. inafxy pVngy TIk vrnf loV vI nhIN. iewko iek qy muMzf.”rvI ny ijvyN ajy afpxy rfAUNz pUry nf kIqy hox.
zfktr ny ajIb iksm dIaF golIaF idqIaF sn, rvI nUM. ijvyN iKzfrI bYn kIqI dvfeI KFdy hn. rvI ijLMdgI qoN iQVk cuwkf sI. ijLMdgI dy kfiedy Buwlky PfAUl Kyz irhf sI.
mYN sLfm nUM sLfnI nUM Pon krky sfrI gwl ds idwqI. ieh vI ik Ausdf idmfgI qvfjLn ivgV igaf hY. Auh kuJ vI kr skdf hY. pr Gr dI akivtI qy morgyjL cuwkx vflI gwl mYN lukf igaf. do idn bfd sLfnI vfps af geI. bwcy Ausdy afKy nhIN afey. AusnUM guwzI df iPkr sI. sLfnI nvyN isirAuN koeI ivAuNqbMDI krnf cfhuMdI sI pr bwicaF ny sfP hI ienkfr kr idwqf.Auh iksy vI sUrq ivc jfxy anjfxy hoeI afpxI hyTI nUM Bul nhIN rhy sn. sLfnI iswDI Gr hI geI. rvI Gr nhIN sI. sLfnI ny sfnUM Pon kIqf mYN qy minMdr AunHF dy Gr cly gey.
sLfm swq vjLy qoN bfd rvI Gr afieaf. AusdI nFh sLyp kIqI sI qy nF vfl vfhy sn. lgdf sI ijvyN keI idnF qoN nhfqf nf hovy. rvI ny bYTidaF hI sLfnI df hfl puwiCaf. bwicaF dI KLbrsfr puwCI qy sLfnI dy pyky pirvfr df puwiCaf. sLfnI cuwp sI, kuJ vI bol nhIN rhI sI. Pyr acfnk sLfnI rox lwg peI. rvI AusnUM roNdf vyKky hwsx lwgf qy boilaf, “hux ikAuN roNdI hYN, jdoN duK klysL hI sfry kwty gey. dyK qUM ikqnf cIkdI sI, mYN inwKtU hF, kMm nhIN krdf ZMg nfl. qyrf myrf koeI lMmf cOVf iKlfrf nhIN sI qy hux iblkul hI nhIN hoxf. aKy lftrI nf pf, afeIs hfkI nf dyK. dyK dovyN gwlF afpF nUM Bfg lf idwqy hn. lwT vrgI sfhx jwtI bxf idwqf qYnUM mYN. kZf lY mrszIjL jf bIaYm zvlXU. af bih jf myry kol, qYnUM qwkdf rhF mYN, qUM hux imlIanr hYN.”
Ausny soPy qy hwQ mfrky bihx df iesLfrf kIqf. sLfnI bYT qy geI pr AuhdI QpQpfeI jgHf qy nhI. Auh hor vI AuWcI rox lwg peI hOky lYky. minMdr ny Ausdy kol bYTky AusdI ipwT plosI.
“dyK qyrf myrf koeI tkrf nhIN, afpxf koeI eIgo klYsL vI nhIN, pYsy Dyly dy rOly nUM idmfg coN hI kwZdy.”
sLfnI dy hOky bMd nf hoey.
“afKr qUM cfhuMdI kI hYN myry koloN.” rvI ny afpxIaF gwlF df rfh rok ky ijvyN koeI lkIr iKcI hovy.
“bs mYnUM nhIN pqf, bhuqf Krcf myry koloN Jwl nhIN huMdf. inafixaF dy Jwgy vI aDorfxy hn.” sLfnI ijvyN ajy vI KflI hwQ sI.
“nf Krcy dI qyrI kI prfblm hY jd afpxy Kfqy hI vKry hn.”
“nFh suvfh vKry hn, afey idn qy myry koloN momoTgxIaF mfrky koeI nf koeI Krc krvf lYNny.”
“Auey kmlIey KqUny ieho qF mYN kih irhf hF ik afpF hux amIr ho gey hF. qyry Byjy ivc ieh gwl vVdI ikAuN nhIN. bwicaF nUM swd. AunHF nUM lYky dy brYNz kpVy ijhVy AunHF nUM psMd hn. iek vfr hwQ lfky dwsx qy nfly afpF vI mrsIzIjL KrIdxI hY qy Auhdy qy bihky afpF jfxf kYlgrI qyry pyikaF nUM sfVn.” nfl hI rvI ny tIvI df btn aOn kr idwqf. kudrqI afeIs hfkI hI cl rhI sI. sLfied rvI cYnl bdldf hI nhIN sI. qIsrf rfAUNz cl irhf sI qy mypl lIP cfr iewk dy skor nfl hfr rhI sI.
“hYN ieh kI ho irhf hY awj?” rvI ny hYrfnI nfl ikhf ijvyN mypl lIP koeI cYNpIan tIm hovy jo iksy qoN vI hfr nhIN skdI. jd ik aslIaq ivc mypl lIP qy sLyar bjLfr ivc koeI bfhlf Prk nhIN hY. Kyz ivc ajy Cy imMt pey sn qy rvI nUM afs sI ik iehnF Cy imMtF ivc mypl lIP iqMn gol kr lvygI qy Pyr Evr tfeIm ivc szn zYQ rfhIN ijwq jfvygI. tIvI qy rvI afmo sfmHxy sn. ies nvyN Aukry qnfv ivc hor koeI vI bol nhI skdf sI.
acfnk tYlIPon dI GMtI vwjI. sLfnI ny Pon cuwikaf agoN rfTOr bol irhf sI. rvI ny sLfnI nUM ikhf ik rfTOr nUM khy pMj imMt bfad Pon krdf hF, ajy gym cwl rhI hY. rfTOr ny dubfrf ikhf bhuq jLrUrI kMm hY pr rvI ny koeI iDafn nhIN idwqf. Kyz Kqm hox dI lMbI sItI vwj geI. mypl lIP gym hfr geI sI qy iesdy nfl hI sYmI PfeInl qoN bfhr ho geI.
“Auh isLt.” rvI ny irmot ptkf ky soPy qy mfiraf. Pon PVky rfTOr df nMbr GuMmfAux lwgf. rfTOr df nMbr ibjLI af irhf sI. rvI df pfglpn dyKky asIN iqMnoN Gbrf rhy sF.
“iesy krky inafxy GroN tuwt rhy hn. vyKlIaF qusIN iehdIaF hwrkqF?” sLfnI nUM sfzy AuWQy hox df sLfied koeI ijLafdf hONslf sI. cfh peI peI TMzI Tfr ho geI sI. tYlIPon dI dubfrf GMtI vwjI. rvI ny pihlI bYwWl qy hI Pon cuwk ilaf. rfTOr df Pon sI. rvI Pon suxky iewkdm Gbrf ijhf igaf. rvI ny Pon rwKx qoN bfd soPy dI gwdI PVky afpxI godI ivc rwK leI. Auh Gbrfieaf hoieaf boilaf, “nOrtl nYtvrk dy Bfa acfnk igrn lwg pey hn, kwl qk qF pRqI sLyar dI kImq iewk sO cOvI zflr sI. rfTOr ny kwl hI dws hjLfr zflr dy sLyar hor KrIdy hn myry nfm qy ijsdy myry koloN pYsy mMg irhf sI qy nfly kihMdf sI ik jy khyN qF kuJ sLyar vyc dyvF. sflf afpxy dws hjLfr zflr df iPkr kr irhf sI.”
“nFh qUM ikhf sI ds hjLfr zflr dy sLyarF bfry?” mYN AuWqsukqf nfl puwiCaf.
“kih idwqf hoAU sLrfbI hoey ny mYnUM ikhVf cyqf hux. nfly mYnUM ikhVf pqf sI, kdy sLyar vI ssqy hoxgy.”
ibnHF siQqI nUM BfipaF rvI ny iewk hPqf ieMJ hI lMGf idqf. sLyar mfrkIt ivc hfhfkfr mwc geI. rvI nUM pwkI afs sI ik ieh aYvyN bYlUn aPvfhF hI hn smF pfky TIk ho jfvygf sB kuJ. afKr nOrtl nYtvrk aYzI vwzI kMpnI hY AusnUM vI qy iPkr hovygf afpxI hoNd df. pr nOrtl nYtvrk dy Bfa qyjI nfl izg rhy sn. rvI ny sLfnI nUM Gr dI akivtI qy ckI mfrgyjL bfry kuwJ nhIN dwisaf sI.
mYN rvI dy rUm ivcoN inklky nrisMg stysLn vwl igaf. zIAUtI nrs nUM rvI bfry puwiCaf.
Auh bolI, “imstr quhfzf dosq bc qF igaf hY pr iesdI kyar bhuq jLrUrI ho geI hY. strok df Kqrf sI, Auh vI tl igaf hY. ajy pUrIaF irportF nhIN afeIaF pr iewk gwl XkInI hY ik imstr rvI Kqry qoN bfhr hY.” mYN nrs df DMnvfd krky Pyr sLfnI kol af igaf. AusdIaF awKF bhuq gihrIaF sn. mwQy ivclI zUMGI iqAUVI qrs nfl KfeI ijhI hI ids rhI sI. mYN Ausdy mwQy vwl bhuq iDafn nfl dyiKaf. Ausdy mwQy dy afr-pfr do ku lkIrF sn, bhuq hI iPkIaF jo aksr hI keI lokF dy huMdIaF hn pr Auh smyN anusfr afpxy mqlb bdl lYNdIaF hn kdy Auh afm ijhIaf lgdIaF hn pr kdy ieh iksy irsLI df qwp jfpdIaF hn. awj sLFnI df iPkr ienHF lkIrF qy AuWkiraf hoieaf sI. mYN puwiCaf, “sLFnI bwicaF nUM dws idwqf hY jF nhIN.”
“hF Auh af rhy hn, pr bVI ajIb ijhI gwl lwgI jdoN mYN dyiKaf AunHF nUM bhuqf iPkr nf hovy. BfjLI sfzf pirvfr bhuq iKMizaf hY. clo ijvyN rwb dI mrjLI. bws rvI bc jfvy mYN qF ieho hwQ joVdI hF. svyry iPr rfTOr df Pon afieaf sI.” Ahny iesqrF dwisaf ijvyN koeI hmlfvr iKzfrI pwkf lYky golF vwl Bwjf af irhf hovy.
“quhfzy kol rfTOr df nMbr hY?”
sLfnI ny mYnUM rfTOr df nMbr idwqf. mYN pbilk Pon qoN nMbr zfiel kIqf. agoN typ boldI peI sI. ‘lIv Xoar nMbr aYNz mYsjL.’ mYN axmMny ijhy mMn nfl hspqfl df Pon nMbr qy aYkstYsLn Br idwqy. kfPI Kqm krky asIN iPr rUm ivc af gey.
rvI jfg cuwkf sI. bhuq hI inZfl ijhf boilaf jo iksy nUM vI suxfeI nf idwqf. asIN suxI qy isrP awKF ivcoN vgI kxI. bhuq hI hlkI avfjL vI ijvyN gUMjI hovy. sLfnI ny stUl qy bYTky rvI df hwQ PiVaf qy Guwtky afpxI CfqI nfl lf ilaf.
Pon dI GMtI vjI. sLfnI ny Pon cuwikaf qF agoN rfTOr sI. Ausny pqf nhIN kI ikhf pr sLfnI bolI, “ZwTy KUh ivc pvy dws hjLfr zflr qy sfry sLyar. qUM pypr iqafr krvf lY ijwQy khyNgf asIN dsKq kr dyvFgy. awgy qoN sfzf KihVf Cwz qy Kbrdfr jy myry rvI nUM Pon kIqf. jo kihxf hY, jo zIl krnI hY, mYnUM dws.” ptk dyxy sLfnI ny Pon rwK idqf. mYN suaflIaf njLrF nfl sLfnI vwl dyiKaf. sLfnI sfnUM dohF nUM suxfAuNdI hoeI bolI, “BfjLI mYnUM myrf rvI cfhIdf hY. Gr vyc idE. myrf mkfn myrf rvI hY. kI hoieaf jy hfr igaf hY. hY qF iKzfrI. rvI ny DOx QwilAuN qOlIaf kiZaf qy sLfnI dy aQrU pUMJx lwgf.