jYadyv dI iswiKaf dy jd qwk pMj sfl pUry hoey, qd qwk acfrIaf kilafn imwqr dI puqrI kilafnI vI jvfn ho geI sI. jYadyv afÈrm dy sfry ividafrQIaF ivcoN huiÈafr, imhnqI aqy buwDImfn sI. XfdÈkqI eynI qyË ik iek vfrI suixaf hrÌ-bhrÌ Xfd ho jFdf. kilafnI jd vI afÈrm dy ividafrQIaF dy koloN dI lMGdI, sfry cor awKF nfÜ Aus vwl vyKy ibnHF nhIN sn rih skdy. awKF ivc msqI aqy buwlHF AuWqy ivsmfd BrI muskfn. pr kI mjfl ik kilafnI dI suMdrqf jF JFjrF dI Jnkfr jYadyv dI iekfgrqf ƒ BMg kr skdy.
isiKaf pUrI ho jfx qoN bfad jYadyv afpxy Gr rUpngr vfps prqx dI iqafrI kr irhf sI qF Aus smyN dI prMprf anusfr acfrIaf kilafn imwqr ny afpxI puqrI kilafnI df ivafh afpxy prmuwK iÈÈ jYadyv nfÜ kr ky Aus nfÜ kr idwqI.
jYadyv kilafnI ƒ lY ky Gr vwl qur ipaf. qurn qoN pihlF AunF dohF ny iek rfq iek kmry ivc ibqfeI. pr jd kilafnI jYadyv dy ibsqry Auqy af ky bYTI qF Auh AuWT ky BuMjy ctfeI AuWqy pY igaf. jd Auh Aus kol ctfeI AuWqy af lMmI peI, jYadyv ibsqry AuWqy jf bYTf. sfrI rfq iesy qrHF bIq geI. kilafnI ny soicaf, hfly ÈrmfAudf hY, jF Èfied pqf hI nhIN ies ƒ ivafhuqf jIvn dy sMbMDF bfry! KYr! koeI gwl nhIN. iek-do-idnF ivc sB kuJ smJ af jfvygf. ies bRhmcfrI ƒ. qy afAux vfly smyN dI klpxf kridaF Auh mn hI mn hws peI.
hux jYadyv dy nfÜ-nfÜ quridaF kilafnI soc rhI sI, ajIb afdmI hY! kI ies ƒ myry aMgF ivcoN PwutdI awg df syk anuBv nhIN ho irhf? kI myrIaF ilÈkdIaF awKF, Èihd vrgy buwlHF ivc koeI kiÈÈ nËr nhIN af rhI? kI ies jMglI pgzMzI AuWqy quridaF cihkdy pMCI, msq ihrnF dy joVy ies ƒ koeI sunyhf nhIN dy rhy? qy ieh qurdf jf irhf hY, cup-cfp, myrI hoNd qoN byÉbr! cMgf, awj rfq pY jfx dy. mYN vI vyKFgI ikMnf ku sMjm hY ies ivc!
sUrj iCpx qk Auh purUiÈnI ndI kMZy af ky ruk gey. ikÈqI iknfry AuWqy bMnHI hoeI sI, ikwlI nfÜ, pr mlfh Êfieb sI. Èfied Gr cilaf igaf sI.
lwkVF dI awg bfÜ ky Auh Aus koÜ bYT gey. GroN ilaFdIaF rotIaF Kfx qoN bfad kilafnI ny afpxIaF bfhF AucIaF krky afkVI leI qF AusdI ipwT ipwCy bMnHI gMZ KuwlH geI. jF Ausny jfx ky pihlF hI awDI ku KolH CwzI sI. kilafnI ny aMg Zwkx df Xqn nhIN kIqf aqy niÈafeIaF awKF nfÜ jYadyv vwl qwkdI Aus nfÜ juV ky bYT geI. jYadyv qRBk ky AuWiTaf aqy Aus qoN dUr jf KVHf hoieaf.
kilafnI dIaF awKF ivc kroD Jlk AuWiTaf aqy Auh ËKmI ÈyrnI vFg Aus vwl qwkidaF bolI, ‘kI qYƒ myry aMgF dy AuBfrF, gol suzOl pwtF-bFhF ivcoN koeI iKwc anuBv nhIN huMdI? kI myrf iesqrIqv qyrI mrdfngI ƒ vMgfrdf nhIN idwsdf?’
jYadyv ƒ afpxy aMdr kuJ jfgdf, AuBrdf mihsUs hoieaf, hVH ivc afey diraf dIaF lihrF vFg. pr CyqI Ausny afpxy afp ƒ sMBfilaf aqy ÈFq afvfË ivc boilaf, ‘mYƒ iKmF krnf dyvI kilafnI. qusIN myry pUjnIk gurU dI puwqrI ho. qy…’
‘gurU-puwqrI! ’ Auh Aus dI gwl ƒ kwtidaF ivaMg nfÜ bolI, ‘kI mYN qyrI pqnI nhIN?’ qy Pyr acncyq hI Aus dy mUMhoN inkÜ igaf, ‘jF…jF qusIN pUrn purÈ nhIN, inpuMsk ho?’
‘bYT jfE kilafnI. qy mYƒ vI bYT jfx dyvo. mYN bhuq Qwk igaf hF.’ Pyr kuJ dyr bfad boilaf, ‘myry kol qyry svflF df koeI jvfb nhIN, isvfey ies dy ik mYN qyrf pqI hox df Xog nhIN. ieh gwl mYN gurU jI ƒ vI afKI sI. pr AunHF ny myrI iek nf mMnI. jo qUM vyK rhI hY, mYN Auh nhIN aqy qYƒ myry koloN inrfÈqfvF qoN ibnHF hor kuJ nhIN iml skdf. hfly vI smF hY, kuJ ivgiVaf nhIN. mYN iehI slfh idaFgf ik qUM Gr vfps prq jf…’
Auh bhuq dyr qwk iesy qrHF boldf irhf, by-isrpYr. kilafnI ƒ kuJ smJ nhIN afieaf ik Auh kI kih irhf hY. Auh vI bhuq Qkfx anuBv kr rhI sI, sfrf idn qurdy rihx aqy mfnisk Gflxf dy kfrn. Auh afpxy goizaF `qy isr rwK ky bYT geI aqy Aus ƒ pqf hI nf lwigaf, kdoN Aus ƒ nINd ny af Gyiraf.
svyry awK KuwlHI qF vyiKaf, iek BUry rMg df kMbl Aus AuWqy ipaf hoieaf hY. jYadyv AuWQy nhIN sI aqy pwqx AuWqy ikwlI nfÜ bwJI ikÈqI vI gfieb sI.
* * *
rfjf ivȃ vrmn afpxy kuJ sYnkF nfÜ iÈkfr vfsqy jMgl ivc GuMm rhy sn ik ndI kMZy AudFbr (aMjIr) dy iewk ruwK AuWqy iek suMdr kuVI ƒ ciVHaf vyK ky bhuq hYrfn hoey. kuVI ruwK AuWqy cVHI aMjIrF Kfx ivc mgn sI. rfjy ƒ vyK ky Auh QwlHy AuWqr afeI.
‘qMU kOx eyN? qy iekwlI ies jMgl-bIafbfn ivc kI kr rhI eyN?’ rfjy ny pwuiCaf.
kilafnI ny pihlF rfjy vwl aqy iPr Aus dy sYnkF vwl qwikaf. kuJ dyr socdI rhI. Pyr bolI, ‘mYN jo vI bolFgI, Aus AuWqy quhfƒ XkIn nhIN afeygf. bws iehI smJ lE ik mYN iekwlI hF ies dunIaf ivc. nf koeI, nf ipwCy.’
‘mYN kI lYxf hY qyrf awgf-ipwCf jfx ky’ , rfjy Aus dI suMdrqf ƒ vyKidaf mn hI mn ikhf. Pyr boilaf, ‘kI qMU myry nfÜ jfxf cfhyNgI?’
‘ies ivc puwCx dI kI gwl hY! ’ kol KVHy iek syvk ny rfjy dI BFpidaF afiKaf. ‘ÈfsqrF ivc iliKaf hY, jo vsqU aYvyN hI peI imÜy aqy ijs df koeI mflk nf hovy, Auh rfjf dI! ’
‘qyrf nF kI ey?’ rfjf ny pwuiCaf.
‘mYN afpxf aqIq Buwl jfxf chuMdI hF. afpxf nF vI.’
‘ieh vI TIk ey. qMU mYƒ AudFbr dy ruwK AuWqy bYTI imlI. mYN qYƒ AudFbrf dy nF nfÜ bulfieaf krFgf.’
* * *
AudFbrf kuJ idn rKyÜ dy qOr AuWqy rfjf dy rxvfs ivc rhI. pr CyqI Auh afpxI suMdrqf, sUJ-bUJ aqy cqurfeI nfÜ AusdI chyqI rfxI bx geI. ivdvfn ipqf koÜ rihx kfrn vyd-ÈfsqrF ivcoN bhuq kuJ ËubfnI Xfd ho igaf sI. gwlF gwlF ivc ÈfsqrF dIaF tUkF suxf ky suxn vfÜy ƒ pRBfivq kr idMdI. bhuq vfrI rfjf Aus nfÜ rfj dy kMmF aqy smwisafvF bfry slfh-mÈvrf vI kr lYNdf.
iek idn jd rfjf ivȃ vrmn AudFbrf nfÜ ndI qoN sYr kr ky vfps prq rhy sn qF iek bRfhmx hwQ joV ky sfhmxy af KVHf hoieaf. puwCx AuWqy boilaf, ‘mYN iek ivdvfn bRfhmx hF. mYƒ pqf lwigaf hY ik quhfzy sMdyÈ-lyKk surgvfs ho gey hn. jy mYƒ Aus dI quhfzI syvf krn df avsr pRfpq ho jfey qF afpxy DMnBfg smJFgf.’
‘qMU TIk suixaf ey. pr mYƒ iek anuBvI aqy kuÈl lyKk cfhIdf hY,” rfjf AusdI afXU df anumfn lfAuNidaF boly.
‘myrI afXU vyK ky anumfn nf lfE, rfjn. qusIN vyKogy ik mYN afpxI kuÈlqf qoN bhuq Gwt dI mMg kr irhf hF.’
AudFbrf ƒ bRfhmx dI avfË jfxI-pCfxI jfpI. Aus ny grdn GuMmf ky vyiKaf qF hor kooeI nhIN, jYadyv hI sI.
Ausy vyÜy jYadyv dIaF nËrF vI Aus nfÜ imlIaF aqy Ausny rfxI AudFbrf awgy siqkfr pUrvk isr inBf ky nËrF Jukf leIaF. AudFbrf ƒ lwigaf ijvyN jYadyv ny Aus ƒ pCfixaf nhIN. Aus dIaF nËrF ivc koeI aijhf sMkyq nhIN sI.
AudFbrf dy msqk ivc iekdm purUiÈnI ndI kMZy ibqfeI rfq df idRÈ GuMm igaf. Ausny jYadyv vwl qwikaf aqy afpxy mn ivc AuWT rhy kroD ƒ dbfAuNidaf ivaMg nfÜ bolI, ‘kdy ikqy koeI kMm vI kIqf hY jF vyd-Èfsqr hI rtdy sfrI Aumr?’
ieh vyK ik Aus ny nhIN pCfixaf, AudFbrf dy mn ivc Aus pRqI kroD hor AuWBr afieaf. ies ny Èfied myry vwl kdI iDafn nfÜ qwikaf vI nhIN hovygf. KYyr! hux lvFgI sfry bdly ies afdmI qoN!
‘mYN pftlIpuwqr dy pusqkfly ivc ÈfsqrF dIaF pRiqilpIaF bxfeIaF aqy kuJ dyr qRYgfrqf dy rfjy dI vI syvf kIqI hY.’
AudFbrf dy awKF hI awKF ivc rfjy ƒ ieÈfrf kIqf. Ausdf sMkyq smJ ky rfjf jYadyv ƒ sMboDn kridaF boilaf ‘TIk ey! kwl hfËr ho jfxf. vyKFgy, ikMnI ku kuÈlqf hY qyry ivc.’
pr ieh AudFbrf df BlyKf hI sI ik jYadyv ny Ausƒ pCfixaf nhIN. Auh ies rfj ivc afieaf hI Ausdy iewQy hox bfry sux ky sI. AudFbrf ƒ BulyKy ivc rwKx dI sÌlqf leI Ausƒ pRsMnqf sI. qy ieh vI Auh jfx igaf sI ik AudFbrf ny vI Aus ƒ pCfx ilaf hY.
ipCly iqMn cfr virHaF dOrfn QF-QF BtkidaF Ausdy mn ivc kilafnI ƒ vyKx aqy Aus bfry jfnx dI iewCf AuWqr afeI sI. hux Auh kfPI cqur aqy anuBvI ho igaf sI. do-iqMn QfeIN Ausƒ bRfhmxF hwQoN Kuafr vI hoxf ipaf. ieQy afky Auh kI krygf, ies bfry Aus ny koeI Kfs Dfrnf nhIN sI bxfeI. pr eynf ivÈvfs ËrUr sI ik rfxI AudFbrf AusdI ivafhuqf hY. swcy mn nfÜ kdy Ausny ipafr vI kIqf hovygf jYadyv nfÜ. qy ieQy afAux df ipRxfmjy suKdfrI nf vI hovy, hfnIkfrk nhIN hovygf.
* * *
Cy mhIny bIq gey.
Auh pwqr-lyKk df pwqr-lyKk hI irhf. koeI qrwkI nhIN. nf rfjf vwloN koeI ivÈyÈ puwC-pVqfl. rihx leI vI do kmry df iek Cotf ijhf mkfn. iehnF Cy mhIinaF ivc kuJ aijhy avsr vI afey, jd AudFbrf aqy jYadyv iek dUjy snmuwK iekwly sn. pr jYadyv ny kdy Aus nfÜ afpxfpx, afpxf koeI hwk jqfAux df Xqn nhIN kIqf. qy mn hI mn Auh cfhux lwgI sI ik jYadyv kuJ ies qrHF df Ëfhr kry, afpxf hwk jqfvy. rfq ƒ lMimaF ipaf kdI kdI Auh Aus bfry socx lwgdI aqy Ausdf srIr Aus dI Coh pRfpq krn leI ivafkul ho AuWTdf.
‘nhIN, nhIN! ieh nhIN hoxf cfhIdf! mYƒ ies bfry ieMJ nhIN socxf cfhIdf. mYN rfxI hF. afpxI mfx-mirafdf kfiem rwKx leI ËrUrI hY ik ieh dUrI bxI rhy. mYN Aus ƒ nf pCfxF, Auh mYƒ nf pCfxy.’
pr nfÜ hI nfÜ Aus dy mn ivc Aus pRiq Auqsukqf, ros aqy kRoD vI pYdf ho AuWTdf. iks kfrn ies ny myry rUp, myry iesqrIqv dI avwigaf kIqI? mYƒ iekwilaF, byshfrf, jMgl ivc Cwz ky nws igaf. jy ivȃ vrmn nf afAuNdy qF kI dÈf hoxI sI myrI! iksy jMglI jfnvr df Bojn bxdI jF jMglI lok cuwk ky lY jFdy mYƒ.
qy iPr AudFbrf ny afpxI iek ivÈvfsI, suMdr dfsI kMcn mflf ƒ sB kuJ cMgI qrHF isKf ky Aus vwl Byj idwqf.
aglI svyr jd jYadyv ndI qoN ieÈnfn krky prq irhf sI qF lokF ny bUiJaF-ruwKF ivckfroN iksy iesqrI dI cIk-pukfr suxI. koÜ jf ky vyiKaf qF kMcn mflf dy kwpVy pfty pey sn aqy Auh kih rhI sI ik jYadyv ny Aus nfÜ sq BMg dI nIq nfÜ Aus dI ieh dÈf kIqI hY.
mfmlf rfjf ivȃ vrmn qk jf phuMicaf. AudFbrf ny kroiDq huMidaF afiKaf, ‘ies ny myrI dfsI nfÜ blfqkfr krn df Xqn kIqf hY. ies ƒ sÉq sËf imÜxI cfhIdI hY, koiVaF dI.’
rfjy df ivcfr sI ik jYadyv aqy kMcn mflf, dohF ƒ vwKrf-vwKrf bulf ky cMgI qrHF puwC-igwC kIqI jfey. kI pqf, gwl ivcoN koeI hor hI hovy? qy jy ieh swc vI hoieaf qF Ausƒ Ausdy pd qoN htf ky rfj qoN bfhr kwZ dyxf kfPI hovygf. bRfhmx ivdvfn hY, koiVaF dI sËf dyxf Auicq nhIN.
AudFbrf Gbrf geI. jy aslIaq Ëfhr ho geI qF bfËI AuÜtI pY jfeygI. rfjy ny jYadyv ƒ bulf puiCaf, ‘jo asIN suixaf hY, kI swc hY?’
jYadyv ny iqwKI nËr nfÜ koÜ KVHI AudFbrf vwl qwikaf. AusdIaF awKF ivc ies vfr AudFbrf pRqI pCfx sI aqy iek vMgfr vI. Pyr rfjy ƒ sMboiDq huMidaF boilaf, ‘mYN iek grIb bRfhmx hF aqy Auh mhfrfxI dI dfsI. jy Auh kihMdI hY qF TIk hI hovygf.’
‘TIk hY jF TIk hI hovygf? sfÌ-sfÌ bolo.’
‘ieh kI bolygf sfÌ-sfÌ, AudFbrf ny jYadyv vwl iqwKIaF nËrF nfÜ qwkidaF afiKaf. ‘mYN cMgI qrHF jfxdI jF ies qrHF dy afdmIaF ƒ.
hux BoÜf-BfÜf aqy byksUr bxn df nftk kr irhf hY. pqf nhIN iks-iks dy jIvn nfÜ Kyzdf irhf hY ieh bRfhmx.’ Aus dy bolF ivc qlKI sI aqy bdly dI Bfvnf sI.
jYadyv cuwp-cfp KVHf sux irhf sI.
‘hux qyry awgy do suJfa hn.’ rfjf kuJ socidaF boly, ‘myry rfj ivcoN inklxf jF koiVaF df dMz.’
‘afdmI axjfxy ivc bQyrIaF ÊlqIaF kr bYTdf hY,” Auh rfjy ƒ Gwt aqy AudFbrf ƒ iËafdf suxfAuNidaF boilaf. ‘Bfvukqf-vws jF iksy hor kfrnF-vws Auh aijhf kuJ kr bYTdf hY ijs dy Auicq-anuicq hox bfry vI mn ivc ÈMkfvF AuqpMn ho AuTdIaF hn. jy… jy koiVaF dy dMz qoN bfad myrf aprfD iKmF kr idwqf jfey qF apxy afp ƒ BfgÈflI smJFgf.’
rfjy ny iek vfrI rfxI vwl aqy Pyr bUhy ipwCy KVHI kMcn mflf vwl qkidaF afiKaf, ‘TIk ey. ijvyN qyrI iewCf.’
kMcnmflf hYrfn KVHI soc rhI sI, rfxI ny ieh sfrf CVXMqr ikAuN ricaf? kI vYr hY ies ƒ ies ivcfry bRfhmx nfÜ? qy ieh vI ikAuN sih irhf hY, cuwpcfp, ieh sB kuJ? rfjf jy Aus ƒ vwKrI bulf ky puwCdf qF Èfied Auh sfÌ-sfÌ dws idMdI.
qy jd sYnk Ausƒ PV ky iljf rhy sn qF kMcnmflf ny hOslf kridaF jf ky sYnkF ƒ afiKaf, ‘mhfrfj df afdyÈ hY ik ienHF ƒ koVy hlky-hlky mfry jfx. bhuqI swt nf lwgy.’ AuNJ mn hI mn mhfrfj ivȃ vrmn dI vI iehI iewiCaf sI Èfied.
rfjf iÈkfr Kyzx gey hoey sI qF AudFbrf ny kMcnmflf dy hwQ sunyhf Byj ky bulfieaf ik rfxI koeI sMdyÈf ilKvfAuxf chuMdI hY. jYadyv afieaf qF AudFbrf Ausƒ sMboiDq huMidaF bolI, ‘mYN iek sMdyÈf Byjxf cfhuMdI hF, Aus afdmI ƒ, jo mYƒ purUinÈI kMZy rfq dy hnyry ivc iewkilaF Cwz ky cilaf igaf sI.’
jYadyv ny pihlI vfrI AudFbrf dIaF awKF ivc awKF pf ky vyiKaf aqy boilaf, ‘jy qusIN pCfx hI ilaf sI qF ieh nftk krn dI kI loV sI?’
‘AuNJ nftk qF qusIN vI kr rhy ho myry nfÜ. pCfx qF qusIN vI ilaf sI. myrf qF isrÌ iehI doÈ hY ik quhfzI aslIaq dws ky quhfƒ iksy duivDf ivc nhIN sI pfAuxf cfhuMdI.’
‘qy awj ikvyN Xfd kIqf?’
‘mYN isrP ieh jfnxf cfhuMdI hF ik kI kfrn sI jo qusIN mYƒ jMgl ivc Cwz ky cly gey. kI mYN lMgVI-lUlHI sI? krUp sI? jF iksy AuWc-kuÜ pirvfr dI puwqrI nhIN sI?’
‘kroiDq nf hovo, kilafnI.’
‘kilafnI! ’ AudFbrf dy muUMhoN inkilaf, ‘qF Xfd hY quhfƒ myrf nF.’
‘sB kuJ Xfd hY. qy ieh vI ik qusIN iek ivdvfn bRfhmx-puwqrI ho. iesy kfrn mYN quhfƒ Cwz ky clf igaf sI.’
‘iesy kfrn?’
‘jy swc puwCo qF mYN AudoN vI nftk kr irhf sI. mYN nI jfxdf ik swc jfnx qoN bfad qusIN mYƒ iKmf kr skogy ik nhIN.’
‘mYƒ sfÌ-sfÌ dwso aqy hor guMJlF nf pfE.’
‘swc ieh hY ik kilafnI ik mYN bRfhmx nhIN, iek grIb ÈUdr-pwqr hF.’
AudFbrf df mUMh KuwlH y df KuwlHf rih igaf aqy Auh hYrfnI-BrIaF awKF nfÜ Aus vwl qwkx lwgI.
jYadyv ny afpxI afpxI gwl jfrI kridaF afiKaf, ‘myry ipqf iek mlfh sn. jdoN myrf jnm hoieaf aqy Pyr mYN kuJ vwzf hoieaf qF myrf rMg rUp, smJ-sUJ vyK ky lok kihMdy, jy iksy CwqrI-bRfhmx dy Gr pYdf hoieaf huMdf qF…. ËrUr ies dy puriKaF ivcoN koeI CwqrI jF bRfhmx irhf hovygf. jdoN mYN cOdF-pMdrF virHaF df hoieaf qF iek CotI ijhI Gtnf vfpr geI. AuNj ies qrHF dIaF GtnfvF nIvIN jfqI dy lokF nfÜ vfprdIaF hI rihMdIaF ny. Aus idn myry ipqf suqduruj ndI afr pfr keI Pyry lf cuwky sn. bhuq Qwk gey sn. mF rotI lY ky AuzIk kr rhI sI. Aus qoN lY ky rotI Kfx lwg pey. hfly awDI ku KfDI sI ik AuWcI kul dy pMj-Cy afdmI ndI kMZy af phuMcy. AunHF ivc iek bRfhmx sI aqy bfkI CwqrI. Èfied bhuq kfhlI ivc sn. afAuNidaF hI AunHF dy bfpU ƒ ruhb nfÜ afiKaf, ‘AuWT qy CyqI sfƒ Aus pfr pucf dy.’ bfpU boilaf, ‘Ërf mYN rotI Kf lvF, Pyr cldf hF.’ ‘rotI Pyr af ky Kf lvIN. sfƒ bhuq CyqI hY’ , iek ny rohb nfÜ bfpU ƒ qfVidaF ikhf. bfpU zr igaf. awDf Kfxf AuvyN hI Cz idwqf. CyqI CyqI ndI qoN Do ky hwQ JfVy, qF Èfies do-cfr iCwty bRfhmx AuWqy pY gey. bRfhmx kroD ivc af ky bolx lwigaf, ‘myrf jnm iBRÈt kr idwqf ies nIc ny. hux mYƒ ieÈnfn krnf pAU. hor dyr ho jfAU.’ qy AuWnF CwqrIaF ny myry bfpU ƒ bhuq kuwitaf. kuwt-kuwt ky Èfied mfr hI suwtdy jy AunHF ny ikÈqI ivc pfr nf jfxf huMdf.’
‘Pyr?’ AudFbrf bolI.
‘pqf nhIN myry bfpU dy mn ivc kI kI bIqI. jF ies qrHF dIaF hor ikMnIaF GtnfvF bIqIaF hoxgIaF Aus AuWqy. afpxy kroD ƒ kfbU ivc kridaF bfpU ny cwpU cuwky. AuWnF CyaF vwl KunI nËrF vwl qwikaf aqy sfiraF ƒ ikÈqI ivc ibTf ky cwpU clfAuxy ÈurU kr idwqy. mYN aqy myrI mF byvws ijhy ikÈqI ƒ ndI ivc jFidaF dyKx lwgy. bfpU ny iek-do vfrI sfzy vwl BfvpUrn nËrF nfÜ qwikaf, ijvyN kuJ kihxf cfhuMdy hox. ikÈqI jd aYn ndI dy ivckfr phuMcI qF asIN vyiKaf, Auh zfvF-zoly Kfx lwgI. qy Pyr iek dm Ault geI. Auh Ciey aqy myrf bfpU pfxI ivc zuwb moey.’
‘quhfzf bfpU vI?’ AudFbrf kuJ socidaF bolI. ‘myry bfpU cMgy qYrfk sn. pr AunHF CyaF ivcoN Èfied iek jxf qYrnf jfxnf sI. jdoN Auh qYrn lwgf qF bfpU ny Ausƒ jf PiVaf. qy ies qrHF Auh dovyN vI pfxI dIaF lihrF ivc smf gey.’
AudFbrf kuJ dyr cuwp-cfp bYTI rhI. lgdf sI, ies Gtnf df Aus AuWqy kfPI pRBfv ipaf sI. jYadyv ny afpxI gwl jfrI rwKidaF afiKaf, ‘Èukr ieh ik ies Gtnf ƒ iksy hor ny nhIN sI vyiKaf. nhIN qF ies dI sËf sfƒ dohF ƒ BugqxI pYxI sI. mlfh dI mOq pfxI ivc aqy sYnk dI mOq lVfeI dy mYdfn ivc hovy qF hYrfnI dI gwl nhIN. kuJ idn rox-Dox qoN bfad jd mYN cwpU sMBfly qF myrI mF ny mYƒ bulf ky afiKaf, ‘vyK puwqr, mYN nhIN cfhuMdI ik qMU vI sfzy vFg pÈUaF vrgf jIvn bqfvyN. qMU sfzy vFg mUrK vI nhIN. qMU huiÈafr eyN. sUJbUJ hY qyry ivc. qMU iksy cMgy gurU kol jf ky ivwidaf pRfpq kr. purUiÈnI pfr, suixaf hY, koeI jfqpfq bfry bhuqI puwC-pVqfl nhIN krdf. qy myrI mF ny afpxy afp ƒ iksy sRyst kol vyc mYƒ sony dIaF mdrfvF dI potlI PVf ky qyry ipqf kol Byj idwqf. Ausny myrI Kfqr afpxy afp ƒ vyicaf, iesdf mYƒ bfad ivc pqf lwigaf.’
‘ies df Bfv ik qusIN myry ipqf kol af ky JUT boilaf. ies qrHF df JUT bolxf aprfD hI nhIN, pfp vI hY.’
‘ies bfry vI mYN bhuq socdf irhf hF aqy hux vI soc irhf hF. iek afdmI ƒ afdmI nf smJxf, Aus nfÜ ibnF iksy kfrn pÈUaF qoN vI BYVf vrqfE krdy rihxf, ies qoN vwzf aprfD aqy pfp hor koeI ho nhIN skdf. mYƒ lgdf hY ik mYN qyry ipqf pMj sfl qwk, jy sfrf nhIN qF awDy qoN vwD JUT hI piVHaf hY. pqf nhIN iks vyÜy, iks qrHF dy lokF ny bYT ky ieh KVXMqr ricaf ik awDy qoN vwD lokF ƒ afpxf dfs bxf ilaf, jnmF-jnmF leI.’ jYadyv ƒ lwigaf ijvyN Auh kuJ iËafdf hI bol igaf hY. Auh cuwp kr igaf aqy AudFbrf Aus dy ichry AuWqy psrI hoeI vydnf qy byvsI vyKdI rhI.
‘Èfied qusIN hux smJ hI gey hovogy’ , Auh afpxI gwl jfrI rwKidaF boilaf. ‘iehI kfrn sI ik mYN quhfƒ purUiÈnI dy kMZy rfq ƒ Cwz ky Bwj igaf. mYN nhIN sI chuMdf ik quhfzy sfhmxy sfrI Aumr bRfhmx hox df nftk Kyzdf rihMdf. jF quhfƒ vI ÈUdrqf dI dilwdrqf ivc GsItdf. dilwdrqf, ÊrIbI, bVI Gfqk vsqU hY. npuMsk bxf idMdI hY afdmI ƒ.’
‘jo qusIN afiKaf’ , AudFbrf kuJ dyr cuwp rihx qoN bfd bolI, ‘mYN byswLk sB kuJ qF nhIN, QoVHf-bhuq skJ skdI hF. pr myry bfry vI soicaf hY kdI? QusIN hI dwso mYN kI krF?’
‘smJ lY kilafnI ik agnI duafly jo Pyry mYN ley sn, Auh nftk sI aqy jo awj hY, Auh aslIaq hY.’
‘kihx nfÜ qF swc JUT aqy JUT swc nhIN ho jFdf.’
‘swc ƒ jfxnf bhuq gihn smwisaf hY, kilafnI. swc ƒ jfxy ibnF swc ƒ jfixaf nhIN jf skdf.’
keI idn, keI mhIny hor lMG gey.
jYadyv sMdyÈ-lyKk qoN sMDI mMqrI bx igaf. Ausny ivȃ vrmn nfÜ sfkl, sunyqrf, qRYgfrqf aqy sB qoN mhwqvpUrn mgD dy smrft cMdrgupq nfÜ sMDI krvfAux ivc ivsyLÈ Xogdfn idwqf. pftlIpuwqr dy sMDI mMqrI ny sMDI-pwqrF df vtFdrf kridaF iqwKIaF nËrF nfÜ jYadyv vwl qwikaf aqy KcrI ijhI hfsI hwsidaF afiKaf, ‘afs hY ik afrIaf jYadyv pftlIpwuqr nfÜ afpxy purfxy sMbMDF ƒ iDafn ivc rwKidaF smrft cMdrgupq dy ihq df iDafn rwKxgy.’
rfjf ivȃ vrmn dy bhuq sfry idn rfjBvn qoN bfhr hI bIqdy. kdy rfh dy kMmF leI aqy kdy iÈkfr kridaF. jdoN Auh ies qrHF bfhr huMdy qF AudFbrf afpxI dfsI kMcnmflf ƒ Byj ky iksy nf iksy bhfny jYadyv ƒ afpxy kol bulf lYNdI.
Aus idn vI rfjf iÈkfr Kyzx igaf hoieaf sI. AudFbrf ny dfsI kMcnmflf ƒ ikhf ik jYadyv ƒ kho, rfxI ny bulfieaf hY, ËrUrI kMm hY. kMcnmflf ny BfvpUrn nËrF nfÜ rfxI vwl qwikaf aqy jYadyv ƒ jf sMdyÈf idwqf.
‘kI kMm ho skdf hY rfxI ƒ myry nfÜ?’ jYadyv ny smJidaF hoieaf vI kMcnmflf ƒ sMboDn kridaF afiKaf.
‘mYN kI jfxf? QusIN jfxo jF rfxI jfxy’ , Ausdy bolF ivc ivaMg luikaf hoieaf sI.
‘TIk hY’ , kih ky jYadyv iqafr hox lwigaf. kMcnmflf geI nhIN. Auh jYadyv dy kmry ivc iKlry smfn ƒ slIky ƒ rwKx itkfAux lwgI. Auh jd vI kdI rfxI df sMdyÈ ly ky jF hor iksy kMm afAuNdI qF ieMJ hI kiraf krdI sI. suLrU-ÈurU ivc, jd jYadyv df dfs- nOkr nhIN sI, qF kMcnmflf Aus leI cONky ivc jf ky rotI vI bxf idMdI sI. hux Aus dy kmry dIaF cIËF slIky nfÜ rwKidaF KVHI ho geI aqy cuwp-cfp jYadyv vwl vyKx lwgI.
‘kI gwl ey? kuJ kihxF cfh rhIN ey kMcnmflf?’ jYadyv Ausƒ ieMJ qwkidaF vyK ky boilaf.
‘nhIN, kuJ nhIN’ , Ausny sMgidaF AuWqr idwqf.
‘iPr vI. inÈMg boly. keI vfrI mfnuwK sfP suxn aqy sfÌ socx dI mnovsQf ivc huMdf hY.’
‘soc rhI hF, mYN quhfzy AuWqy quhmq lfeI, koiVafF dI mfr pvfeI, qusIN iPr vI myry pRqI koeI ros pRgt nhIN kIqf.’
‘ies ivc Blf qyrf kI doÈ. jo rfxI ny afiKaf, qMU Ausy afnusfr kIqf.’
‘qF iPr doÈ iks df? AuNj mYN puwC nhIN rhI, bws soc rhI hF.’ qy ieh vI ik Auh nhIN jo ids rhy ho.’
‘qMU TIk hI kih rhI eyN kMcn. swc Auh nhIN, jo idwsdf hY. swc Auh jo afdmI socdf hY. AuNj swc Auh vI nhIN. swc dI vI iek sImf huMdI ey, hr afdmI dI, afpxI soc-ÈkqI anusfr.’
‘qusIN myrI soc-sImf dI gwl kr rhy ho?’
‘nhIN kMcn. qMU vI Auh nhIN jo qYƒ krnf pY irhf hY. jy qMU iksy AuWcI kuwl ivc jnm ilaf huMdf qF Èfied…’ , kihMidaF aqy kMcnmflf vwl qwkidaF Auh cuwp ho igaf.
rfxI AudFbrf ny jYadyv df hfl-cfl puiwCaf. Pyr bhuq dyr qwk eyDr-AyuDr aqy rfj dIaF gqIivDIaF bfry gwlF krdI rhI. jd hnyHrf psrn lwigaf qF jYadyv ny AuWTx df Xqn kridaF afiKaf, ‘hux afigaf dyvo, mYƒ jfxf cfhIdf hY.’
‘jy jfxf hI sI qF afey hI ikAuN’ , AudFbrf BfvpUrn nËrF nfÜ qwkidaF bolI.
‘ieh vI myrI glqI sI. hux socdf hF ik myrf ieQoN cly jfxf hI Auicq hovygf, quhfzy aqy myry, dovF leI.’
‘Auicq?’ AudFbrf dy ichry AuWqy duwK aqy kroD Jlkx lwigaf. ‘kI Auh Auicq sI jdoN mYƒ purUiÈnI kMZy iekwilaF Cwz ky cly gey sI?’
‘vfr-vfr myrIaF glqIaF vwl sMkyq krky mYƒ ÈrimMdf nf kro kilafnI. mYN quhfzIaF BfvnfvF ƒ smJdf hF.’
‘smJdy ho?’ mYN afdmI nfÜ iek pqnI dy qOr AuWqy rih rhI hF ijs ny myry nfÜ pUrI qrHF ivafh vI nhIN krfieaf. qy ijs nfÜ agnI duafly Pyry ley, Aus sfhmxy ajnbI hox df nftk krnf pY irhf hY mYƒ! ’
‘ieh gwl nhIN kilafnI ik ies bfry mYN kdy soicaf hI nf hovy. jy swc puwCy qF ies dy ielfvf myry pfs kuJ hor hY hI nhIN socx leI. qMU myrf duKFq vI dyK kilafnI. mYN afpxy duÈmn, afpxy jnm-jfq dy ivroDI dy rUp ivc jI irhf hF. drasl sfzf duKFq ieh hY ik asIN dovyN hI bhUrUpIey hF aqy afpxy aslI rUp ivc afAux dI ihMmq nhIN sfzy ivc.’ qy Pyr kuJ dyr cuwp rihMidaF Aus afiKaf, ‘myry ipqf jI jMmidaF hI hfry hoey sn. pr AunF ny afpxy aMq vyÜy ijwq df anuBv kIqf. mYN…mYN eynf kuJ pRfpq krn bfad vI afpxy afp ivc hfiraf tuwitaf anuBv kr irhf hF.’
AudFbrf kuJ dyr Aus dy Audfs ichry vwl qkdI rhI. Pyr bolI, ‘Kmizq mnuwK ƒ kdI suwK dI pRfpqI nhIN ho skdI. mYN qF iehI rfie idaFgI ik Buwl jfE afpxy aqIq ƒ, ik qusIN iksy mlfh dy Gr jnm ilaf sI. vfsqivkqf ieh hY ik qusIN iek sUJvfn pMizq purÈ ho. ies rfj dy sMDI mMqrI ho. awgy hor vI bhuq kuJ ho skdf hY. jo Aus ƒ mfxo, jo nhIN hY, Aus ipwCy ikAuN duKI huMdy ho?’
‘jo mYN vfsqv ivc hF, AuhI hoxf locdf hF. pr myrI vfsqivkqf kI hY? mYƒ hfly qwk ieh hI nhI
N pqf. mYN ÈUdr hF jF pMizq? Quhfzf pqI hF jF rfjy df ivÈvfs-Gfqk? Lwgdf hY mYN…’
‘bhuqf soc-soc ky aYvyB duKI nf kro afpxy afp ƒ. mnuwK afpxy afp ivc kuJ vI nhIN. smyN aqy hflfq dIaF lihrF ivc vihaf quiraf jFdf hY sfrI Aumr. mnuwK pl-pl bdldf quiraf jFdf hY. nf qusIN Auh ho jo Aus idn purUiÈnI kMZy sI aqy nf mYN Auh kilafnI hF jo AudFbr dy ruwk AuWqy cVHI aMjIrF Kf rhI sI.’
AudFbrf ny iek lMbf sfh Biraf aqy jYadyv dy kol bih ky Ausdy moZy AuWqy isr rwKidaF bolI, ‘smF bhuq ÈkqIÈflI hY, jYadyv. sfƒ hI Zflxf pvygf afpxy afp ƒ smyN aqy pRsiQqIaF anusfr.’
Rfjf ivȃ vrmn ies vfr iÈkfr Kyzx leI, sgoN iÈkfr dI iqafrI krn gey sn. jYadyv dy rfjf dIaF nËrF ivc AuWcf AuWTx aqy sMDI mMqrI dI pdvI pRfpq krn qoN bfad Auh keI mMqrIaF, sfmMqF dIaF awKF ivc rVkx lwigaf sI. jdoN AunF ƒ jYadyv aqy rfxI AudFbrf dy vDdy myl-jol bfry pqf lwigaf qF AunHF ny rfjy kMn Brny ÈurU kr idwqy. qy ieh afiKaf ik jdoN vI mhfrfjf kuJ idnF leI bfhr jFdy hn qF ies avsr df lfB AuTfieaf jFdf hY.
Iesy kfrn rfjf iÈkfr df bhfnf lf ky gey sn, pr CyqI hI muV afey. AunHF ƒ afpxy sYnkF ƒ rfxI dy Bvn duafly Gyrf pfAux leI ikhf aqy afp cuwp-cfp, dby pYrIN rfxI dy kmry vwl vDy. Aus vyÜy rfq dy do pihr bIq cuwky sn.
Asusy vyÜy dfsI kMcnmflf ny AudFbrf dy kmry df drvfËf hOlI ijhy KoilHaf aqy bolI, ‘iKmf krnf rfxI, mhfrfj ivȃ vrmn af rhy hn.’
AudFbrf Gbrf ky plMG qoN AuWTI aqy zrIaF awKf nfÜ jYadyv vwl qwkx lwgI. jYadyv ny pRÈn BrIaF awKF nfÜ AudFbrf vwl qwikaf, ijvyN kih irhf hovy, ‘hux lukfAux df koeI lfB nhIN. ieko Aupfa hY ik sfÌ-sfÌ dws idwqf jfey. ieko Jtky nfÜ Cutkfrf pf leIey ies duivDf qoN.’
rfjy dy pYrF dI avfË suxfeI dyx lwgI. rfjy dy kmry df drvfËf KolHx qoN kuJ pihlF dfsI kMcnmflf iekdm dUjy bUihAuN aMdr af vVI aqy AudFbrf ƒ bfh PV ky bUhy QfxIN kmirEN bfhr kZidaF jYadyv kol af KVHI hoeI.
guwsy nfÜ lfl aqy afpxI qlvfr dI muwT AuWqy hwQ ksidaF jd rfjy ny drvfËf KolH ky kmry ivc pYr Diraf qF kMcnmflf afpxy arD-ngx aMgF ƒ afpxy aMgvsqr nfÜ Zkx df Xqn kr rhI sI.