| 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.
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