Raaz...the_vampire

[vamp545]

Chapter 9 - A Failed Marriage


"Aap kab aaoge Papa?" Us raat main apne bete se phone par baat kar raha tha toh usne mujhse puchha.

"Bahut jaldi aaoonga beta"

"Mere liye kya laoge?"

"Mere bete ko kya chahiye?"

"Mummy chahiye, mere sab doston ke paas Mummy hai, mere paas toh hai bhi nahi" Usne badi masoomiyat se kaha aur mujhe laga jaise ek pal ke liye mera kaleja phat padega.

Maan baap ke liye unke bachchon se badhkar duniya mein shayad aur kuchh nahi hota par jaane kyun kabhi kabhi zindagi ki is bhaag daud mein ek pati patni ek doosre se itna door ho jaate hain ke apne bachchon tak ka khyaal nahi rehta. Kyun kabhi kabhi dilon mein itni kadvahat bhar jaati hai ke masoom bachchon ki meethi baatein tak us zehar ko dil se nahi mita sakti. Kyun do aise log jinhone bade pyaar se kabhi ek nayi zindagi ki shurat ki thi ek doosre se itna alag ho jaate hain ke ek ghar mein rehkar bhi ajnabhi hote hain.

Aisa hi kuchh mere saath bhi meri shaadi shuda zindagi mein hua tha. Ek aisi khoobsurat aurat jise main apni jaan se zyada chahta tha, jise main kabhi bade pyaar se apni biwi bana kar apne ghar laya tha, jiske har naaz, har nakhre ko main apni palkon par rakhta tha kab mujhse itni door hoti chali gayi mujhse ehsaas hi nahi hua. Aaj agar sochta hoon ke galti kahan thi, kiski thi toh hazar koshish ke baad bhi is baat ka jawab nahi dhoondh pata.

Mujhe aaj bhi achhi tarah se vo din yaad hai. Us din ki har ghatna mere dil-o-dimag mein kisi movie ki tarah chhapi hui hai, kyunki vo pehla din tha jab mere aur Renuka ke rishte mein darar padi thi.

Main ek mall ke bahar khada Kamini ka wait kar raha tha. Use kuchh shopping karni thi aur meri maan ne zabardasti mujhe uske saath chalta kar diya tha. Kamini hamesha mere ghar ka hissa rahi. Bhale hi mere maan ke baap ki marzi ke mutaabik maine usse shaadi nahi ki par kabhi usko apne se door samjha bhi nahi. Vo hamesha meri achhi dost rahi aur yahi vajah thi ke us din main uske saath shopping ke liye bhi chala aaya tha.

Uska wait karte karte main gaadi mein betha bore ho raha tha toh Renuka ko phone mila diya.

"Hey Sweet, shopping ho gayi?" Usne mujhse sawal kiya.

"Arrey nahi abhi kahan. Kamini aayi hi nahi abhi tak. Us manhoos ka wait hi kar raha hoon filhal toh"

"Vo aisi hi hai. Pehlo ghanto wait karati hai aur phir ghanto lagati hai shopping karne mein"

"Isliye toh main tumhein keh raha tha ke please uske saath chali jao"

"Yeah right taaki tumhari jagah main phas jaoon?" Vo haste hue boli "Uske saath shopping jaane se toh janab meri tauba"

Shuruat ke kuchh dino mein Kamini aur Renuka ek doosre ko pasand nahi karte the aur shayad aisa karne ka unke paas ek valid reason bhi tha. Vo dono ek hi ladke se pyaar karti thi, be-intehaan. Kamini ko Renuka ka yun meri zindagi mein daakhil hona pasand nahi aaya tha aur is baat ko lekar vo kaafi din mujhse bhi naraz nahi rahi thi. Aur kyun pasand aata bhala, Renuka usse us ladke ko chheen le gayi thi jise Kamini bachpan se chahti thi, jisse vo shaadi karna chahti thi.

Aisa hi haal Renuka ki taraf bhi tha. Use maine Kamini ke baare mein sab bata diya tha toh usko hamesha khatra laga rehta tha ke Kamini kahin mujhse usse na chheen le.

Dono ke beech mujhe lekar ek cold war si chalti rehti thi jo meri shaadi tak qayam rahi par jab Renuka shaadi ke baad mere ghar aa gayi toh cheezen dheere dheere badalne lagi. Kamini ka mere ghar bahut aana jana tha jiski vajah se shaadi ke baad use Renuka se bhi milna padta tha aur dheere dheere dono ne ek doosre ko accept kar liya. Yahan tak ke dono mein khaasi dosti ho gayi aur aksar shopping ke liye vo saath hi jaane lagi.

"Achha suno i got to go, baad mein baat karti hoon aapse" Phone ke doosre chhor se Renuka ki aawaz aayi.

"Kahan ho abhi?"

"Office mein hi hoon, filhal ek bahut zaroori conference hai uske liye jana hai. Presentation maine hi deni hai"

"Chaliye theek hai, all the best for your presentation. Luv you"

"Love you too, bye" Kehkar usne phone rakh diya.

Peshe se Renuka ek vakeel thi aur criminal law practice karti thi. Usne Delhi ki ek bahut hi mash-hoor law firm join kar li aur aksar din bhar kaam mein uljhe rehna ya shaam ko der se ghar aana ek aam baat thi.

Renuka se phone karke maine Kamini ka number milaya.

"Kahan hai yaar?"

"Bas pahunch gayi, 10 min aur"

"Aadha ghanta ho gaya mujhe yahan khade khade"

"Bas aa gayi, Traffic mein phasi hui hoon"

Usse baat karke maine phone rakha hi tha ke meri gaadi se kuchh door ek gaadi aakar ruki. Driver seat ka darwaza khula, ek aadmi bahar nikla aur agle hi pal passenger seat ka darwaza khol kar meri biwi us gaadi se bahar nikli. Vo biwi jisne abhi 2 minute pehle mujhse phone par jhooth bola tha ke vo shehar ke doosre kone mein apne office mein hai aur ek meeting mein presentation dene ja rahi hai.


Ek pal ke liye toh mujhe apni nazron par yakeen nahi hua, laga ke shayad dhokha hua hai. Par agle hi pal mehsoos bhi ho gaya ke koi dhokha nahi tha, mere saamne meri biwi hi khadi thi.

Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke kaise react karun. Renuka ke saath vo ladka kaun tha ispar toh mera dhyaan gaya hi nahi, aur sach kahun toh maine ye tak nahi socha ke uske saath koi ladka hai, kaun aur kyun toh bahut door ki baat thi. Renuka se main be-intehaan mohabbat karta tha, khud se zyada bharosa tha uspar isliye ye khyaal toh mujhe chhu kar bhi nahi guzra ke vo mujhe dhokha de rahi hai. Hairat sirf is baat par ho rahi thi ke abhi 2 min pehle usne mujhse jhooth kyun bola tha.

Un dono ne gaadi lock ki aur Mall ke andar ki taraf badh chale. Main bhi apni gaadi se bahar nikla aur vahin khade khade cell nikal kar phir Renuka ka number dial kiya. Cell ki ghanti baji toh vo Mall ke gate ke paas ruk gayi aur bag se cell nikal kar meri call dekhi. Agle hi pal uske chehre ke bhaav badal gaye.

Hadbadhat mein usne apna cell us ladke ko dikhaya aur phir dono na jaane kya baat karne lage. Zahir baat thi ke vo yahan meri call receive nahi kar sakti kyunki uske jhooth ke hisaab se use ek conference room ke andar hona chahiye, kisi mall ke saamne nahi jahan phone par mujhe shor aur gaadiyon ki aawaz saaf sunai deti.

Vo ladka use kuchh keh raha tha aur Renuka ek haath se apna sar pakde cell ki taraf dekh rahi thi. Aur phir kuchh soch kar usne meri call disconnect kar di aur cell mein kuchh type karne lagi. Mera andaza tha ke vo koi message type kar rahi hai aur andaza sahi nikla. Kuchh seconds baad mere cell par uska message aaya.

"In a meeting. Cant talk. Will call you later"

Maine jawab diya.

"Something urgent, need to talk for a min"

Mera message uske paas pahuncha toh uske chehre ki pareshani aur badh gayi. Usne phir cell ladko ko dikhaya, shayad mera message padha rahi thi, aur jawab type karne lagi.

"Cant step out. Sorry"

Maine message padha aur is baar mera gussa jaise aasman chhu gaya. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke vo mujhse jhooth kyun bol rahi hai. Maine ek baar phir uska number milaya par is baar cell switched off mila. Usne apna phone band karke bag mein rakha aur dono Mall mein daakhil ho gaye.

Main kuchh der vahan yun hi sakte mein khada dekhta raha. Kya sochun, kya karun kuchh samajh nahi aa raha tha. Meri aankhon ke theek saamne meri biwi jispar main jaan chhidakta tha kisi aur ke saath thi aur mujhse saaf jhooth bol rahi thi.

Kuchh der baad apni gaadi ke lock check kar main bhi unke pichhe pichhe mall mein aa gaya. Gate se andar aane ke baad main chaaron taraf dekha par vo dono mujhe kahin dikhai nahi diye. Main soch hi raha tha ke kis taraf jaoon ke mera phone phir baja. Call Kamini ki thi.

"Main pahunch gayi, tumhari gaadi ke paas khadi hoon bahar. Tum kahan ho?"

"Tu ruk vahin, main abhi aaya bas"

Kehkar maine call disconnect kar di aur andaaze se ek aur badh chala. Nazar meri chaaron taraf unko hi dhoondh rahi thi. Koi 10 min bhatakne ke baad mera phone phir baja. Call phir Kamini ki hi thi.

"Arrey aa raha hoon yaar, ruk thodi der. Besabri kyun ho rahi hai"

"Policewale khade hain yahan tumhari gaadi ke paas"

"Policewale?"

"Haan. Main road par No Parking mein gaadi chhod gaye ho tum. Kam se kam Mall ki parking mein toh laga dete"

Mujhe yaad aaya ke main road par hi gaadi rok kar Kamini ka intezaar kar raha tha aur phir jaldbaazi mein vahin gaadi khadi chhod aaya tha.

"Tu sambhal, main aaya bas abhi"

Ye Mall kaafi bada tha aur agle aadhe ghante tak main usmein yun hi bhatakta raha par Renuka aur vo ladka mujhe phir dikhai nahi diye. Mall ki har shop, har restaurant mein maine jhaank kar dekha par vo dono kahin dikhai nahi diye. Kayi baar Renuka ka number try kiya par phone band hi mila. Thak haar kar main phir Mall se bahar aaya. Kamini meri gaadi ke paas khadi thi.

"Ye lo" Main gaadi ke paas aaya toh usne mere haath mein ek paper ka tukda thama diya.

"Kya hai ye?"

"No Parking mein gaadi khadi karne ka chalan jo mujhe bharna pada. The kahan tum aur meri call bhi receive nahi kar rahe the?"

Maine uski baat ko ansuna kar us ladki ki gaadi ki taraf dekha. Vo vahan se ja chuki thi.

"Yahan ek white color ki car khadi thi"

"Kahan"

"Vo vahan, us laal wali gaadi ke saath" Maine Mall ki parking mein khadi ek laal gaadi ki taraf ishara kiya.

"I dunno, why?"

"Tune jaate dekhi?"

"I dont think so. 15 min se toh vo policewale hi mera dimag kha rahe the, dhyaan nahi diya maine"

"Jab tu aayi tab thi yahan?"

"Kya gaadi?"

"Haan"

"I dont know yaar, dhyaan nahi diya maine. Itni gaadiyan khadi hai yahan par. Kiski gaadi thi?"

Maine uski baat ko phir ansuna kar diya.

"Chal chalen?"

"Kahan?"

"Ghar"

"Meri shopping?"

"Phir kabhi kar lenge yaar, abhi chal"

"Par kyun, kya hua? Kiski gaadi thi vo" Vo kehti reh gayi aur main gaadi ka darwaza khol kar andar ja betha. Cell nikal kar Renuka ka number milaya, phone ab bhi band tha.

"Kise phone kar rahe ho? Hua kya hai?" Kamini jhunjhlati hui mere saath gaadi mein aa bethi.

 

[vamp545]

Chapter 10 - Pratap Rana

Agle din subah meri kuchh zyada hi jaldi aankh khul gayi. Kuchh der tak toh main bistar par leta karwaten leta raha, dobara sone ki koshish mein, par jab aankh lag kar nahi di toh main uthkar drawing room mein aa gaya.

Mausam mein halki thandak thi jo mujhe living room ki khidki kholte hi mehsoos hui. Bahar abhi tak andhera hi tha. Maine ghadi par nazar daali, subah ke 5 baj rahe the.

Main chaai banane ke iraade se kitchen ki taraf badha par phir irada badal kar apne joote pehne or early morning walk ke liye ghar se nikal gaya. Kamini abhi tak padi so rahi thi aur main janta tha ke morning walk ke naam par usko uthana bekaar tha. Vo marti mar jaati par itni subah bistar nahi chhodne wali thi.

Main bina koi jacket daale ek t-shirt aur pajama pehne bahar aa gaya tha. Bahar thodi door chal kar hi thandak ke ehsaas se mere haath kaanpne lage aur mujhe apni galti ka ehsaas hua. Haathoh ko seene par baandhkar main us pahadi subah ka aanand leta hue dheere dheere aage badha.

Kaafi farak hota hai hamari aam shehri aur pahadi zindagi mein. Jahan subah hote hi aksar shehron mein doodhwale, akhbaar wale bhaag daud karne lagte hain vahin yahan pahadon mein aisa kuchh bhi nahi tha. Yahan toh sadak par door door tak koi nahi tha, bas main hi akela tehal raha tha.

Kuchh der baad hi aasman mein halki roshni hone lagi aur pedon par chidiyon ke chehchehane ki aawazen aane lagi. Jaise is khamosh wadi mein kudrat ne apna hi ek saaz chhed diya ho.

Kuchh door chal kar main sadak kinare pade ek bade se patthar par beth gaya aur subah ke is khoobsurat aur khamosh nazare ko khamoshi se betha dekhta aur sunta raha.

Aur phir jaane kahan se is Khamoshi ko bhang karti hui ek dhamake ki aawaz hui.

Is tarah ke dhamake main pehle bhi sun chuka tha. Bandook maine khud bhi kayi baar chalai thi aur goli chalne ki aawaz se bakhubi wakif tha. Ye aawaz ek rifle se aayi thi par itni subah yahan goliyan kaun chala raha hai?

Hairat mein main khada hokar chaaron taraf dekhne laga. Phir se goli ki aawaz aayi, is baar thoda aur zor se.

Maine chaaron taraf nazar ghuma kar dekhne ki koshish karne laga ke goli chala kaun raha hai par roshni ab bhi kaafi halki thi aur pedon ke beech toh jaise ab bhi raat ka hi andhera phela hua tha. Lakh koshish ke baad bhi mujhe kuchh nazar nahi aaya.

Aur ek baar phir goli chalne ka dhamaka hua, aur is baar pehle dono baar ke muqable aawaz kaafi zordar thi yaani jo koi bhi goli chala raha tha vo dhere dheere mere kareeb aa raha tha. Aur achanak ek dhamaka mere dimag mein hua,

"Kahin ye goliyan mujh par hi toh nahi chalayi ja rahi?"

Ye khyaal aate hi main fauran us bade se patthar ke pichhe dubak gaya. Goli chalne ki aawaz se jo pehle aas paas pedon par bethe panchhi chehcheha rahe the ab udkar bhaag chuke the aur hawa mein phir se khamoshi chha gayi thi. Aur us khamoshi mein mujhe pedon ke beech neeche gire patton par kisi ke chalne ki aawaz saaf sunai dene lagi. Jo koi bhi tha, ab mere aa paas hi tha. Maine apni gardan halki si uper uthayi taaki patthar ke pichhe se dekh sakun ke kaun hai par tabhi us shaks ne zor se mera naam pukara.

Is baat ne mere is shak ki pushti kar di ke goliyon ka nishana main hi tha, par kyun?

Us aadmi ne ek baar phir mera naam pukara. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ke kya karun. Jahan uske haath mein bandook thi vahan mere paas toh ek chhota sa danda bhi nahi tha. Khaali haath us patthar ke pichhe chhipa betha tha.

"Kya vo janta hai ke main is patthar ke pichhe hoon?" Maine dil hi dil mein socha, "Kya dekha tha usne mujhe"

"Main janta hoon tum us patthar ke pichhe chhipe ho" Us aadmi ne jaise itni door se hi mere khyaal padh liye "Dekh liya tha maine tumhein. Bahar aa jao"

"Ab kya karun?" Main phir soch mein pad gaya, "Patthar ke pichh se nikla toh ye goli maar dega par yahan chhipa raha bhi toh kitni der tak, vo yahan aake goli maar dega. Bhaag loon kya? Par ye mujhpar goli chala kyun raha hai?"

"Arrey bhai tum par goli nahi chala raha hoon" Usne ek baar phir jaise mere khyaal sun liye, "Bahar aa jao, main toh chidiya maar raha tha, bird hunting. Ye dekho"

Maine patthar ke pichhe se gardan nikal kar dekha. Usne wakai haath mein mari hui do teen birds pakad rakhi thi. Maine rahat ki saans li aur patthar ke pichhe se uth kar khada hua.

"Hello " Vo aadmi muskurata hua meri taraf aaya. Vo koi 60 ke aas paas ka lamba chauda shakhs tha. Chehre par robdaar moonchhen, badi badi aankhen, gora rang. badi chhati, tandrust jism. All and all, ek raubdaar personality. Par pata nahi kyun usko dekhte hi pehli nazar mein hi main use na=pasand karne laga. Ek ajeeb sa gussa aa raha tha mujhe uspar, ajeeb chid si ho rahi thi. Shayad is vajah se ke thodi der pehle hi usne meri achhi khaasi subah ka satya-naash kar diya tha. Shayad isliye ke abhi thodi der pehle mujhe lag raha tha ke vo goliyan mujh par chala raha tha.

"Tum khamkhwah dar rahe ho yaar, main tumhein goli kyun maarunga" Vo mere kareeb aaya aur meri taraf haath badhaya.

"Aap mujhe kaise jaante hain?" Maine uska haath milaya.

"Sakshi ne bataya tha. Ek nazar mein dekhte hi pehchan gaya main tumhein" Usne is tarah se kaha ke mujhe pehchan kar jaane kaun sa bada teer maar liya.

"Aur aap?"

"Mujhe nahi pehchana?" Vo phir aise bola jaise ke ye mera farz tha ke mujhe uski pehchan ho. Paida hote hi mujhe maan shabd se pehle uska naam bolna chahiye tha. Jaise vo koi bahut bada superstar tha.

"Maaf kijiyega" Main thoda kheejte hue bola "Aapki koi film maine dekhi nahi"

"Ha ha ha" Vo zor se dil khol kar hasa "Pasand aaya mujhe tumhara sense of humor. Ham Pratap Rana hain"

Uske bolne ka andaaz aisa tha jaise ke mujhe ye sunte hi uske pairon mein gir jana chahiye tha.

"Sakshi ke Papa" Usne baat aage jaari rakhi.

"Ji haan, bataya tha usne mujhe aapke baare mein"

"Aur hamein tumhare baare mein bataya tha. Ham subah aksar aate hain idhar shikar par" Vo mujhe rifle dikhate hue bola.

"Chidimaar sala" Maine dil hi dil mein socha.

"Ham jaante hain tum kya soch rahe ho, chidimaar sala, hai na?" Use jaise phir se mere khyaal sunai de gaye.

"Nahi, aisa kuchh bhi nahi" Main nakli hasi hasta hua bola.

"Koi baat nahi, sab hamein dekhke yahi bolte hain"

"Toh kya galat bolte hain?" Maine phir dil mein socha.

"Aur nahi, galat nahi bolte" Usne jaise phir mera dimag padh liya.

Main andar tak kilas utha. Main sochta hoon toh koi aawaz aati hai kya?

"Haath mein bandook uthaye ek buddha pedon par chidiya maarta phir raha ho toh use chidimaar hi kahenge, kyun hai na?" Vo hasta hua bola.

Jawab mein main sirf muskura kar reh gaya.

"Kaisi lag rahi hai ye jagah?" Usne apne haath mein pakdi rifle ko ghuma kar apne kandhe par taang liya. Doosre haath mein uske 3 mari hui chidiyan thi jinhein usne pairon se pakad kar rakah tha. Shayad kabootar the par unse goli lagne ke baad aur khoon se sane hone ki vajah se pehchan pana zara mushkil tha.

"Khoobsurat hai" Maine mari hui chidiyon ki taraf dekhte hue kaha.

"Dont worry, inhein main paka kar khaoonga nahi" Usne jaise phir mera dimag padh liya kyunki main soch hi raha tha ke vo in kabooraton ko uthaye kyun ghoom raha hai, "come on, help me"

Usne thoda aage badhkar bandook ko usi patthar par rakh diya jiske pichhe main chhipa hua tha aur kabootaron ko neeche zameen par. Phir usne apni jeb se ek bada sa swiss knife nikala aur pairon se zameen ko daba daba kar dekhne laga.

"Aajkal thoda baarish ho rahi hai isliye aaram se dafnane ke liye jagah mil jaati hai" Vo zameen ka jaayza lete hue bina meri taraf dekhe kahe ja raha tha, "Varna aksar badi mushkil ho jaati hai aisi jagah dhoondhne mein jo aaram se khodi ja sake"

"I think i will leave" Maine uski baat ko ansuna karte hue kaha.

"Arrey ruko ek min" Vo ek jagah par ukdoon beth gaya aur swiss knife ki madad se zameen mein gaddha khodne laga, "Bas zara ye nipta loon"

"I am kind of getting hungry" Maine jawab diya, "Think i will go and grab a bite to eat"

"Yahan thoda aage hi chaai ki dukaan hai ek, khul jaati hai subah subah. Badi mazedaar chaai banata hai, aaloo ke paranthe bhi. Vahin chalke nashta karte hain. Main toh apni roz subah ki chaai vahin pita hoon"

"Matlab roz subah 3-4 kabootar shaheed karta hai sala" Maine dil hi dil mein socha.

"Nahi shikar par roz nahi aata" Usne ek baar phir usi baat ka jawab diya jo main soch raha tha, "Ye toh bas kabhi kabhi mood ki baat hai. Par haan roz subah ki chaai main usi dukaan par pita hoon"

Mere dimag mein kayi khyaal aaye par maine sabko door kar diya. Kuchh sochunga aur buddha sala phir taad jaayega.

"Nahi i dont really drink and eat outside" Maine bahana mara.

"Arrey Hindustan mein rehkar dhaabo par chaai nashta nahi kiya toh kya kiya. Ek baar saath chalo, phir kehna" Usne jawab diya toh mere paas kehne ko aur kuchh nahi bacha"

Agle 10 min tak main vahan khada use un kabootaron ko dafnate dekhta raha. Usne swiss knife ki madad se ek khasa gehra gaddha khoda aur dafnane ke baad aankh band karke jaane kya mantar se padhne laga.

"Chala jaaye?" Haathon se mitti jhadta hua vo utha aur mujhse bola.

Yun toh mujhe vo ek aankh bhi nahi bha raha tha aur shayad iski vajah ye thi ke abhi thodi der pehle mujhe ye lag raha tha ke vo mujh par goliyan chala raha hai. Kaha jata hai ke First impression is the last impression aur mujhpa uska pehla impression bandook liye ek sanki chidimaar ka tha.

"Khair, pehla impression galat bhi ho sakta hai" Maine khud se kaha aur dil hi dil mein ye sochkar uske saath ho liya ke shayad case se related koi information isse mil jaaye.

"Kaisa lag raha hai hamara chhota sa town?" Usne phir mujhse vahi sawal kiya.

"Khoobsurat jagah hai" Is baar jawab maine muskura kar diya.

"Listen i am sorry if i scared you back there" Mujhe muskurata dekh vo bhi muskura utha.

"No thats all right. Galti meri hi thi. Kuchh zyada hi jaldi dar gaya"

'Nahi aapki jagah koi bhi hota toh darr hi jata. Subah subah ka wat, halka andhera, sunsaan jagah aur agar aise mein achanak kahin nazdeek se goliyon ki aawaz aane lage toh koi bhi dar jaayega"

"Aap bhi yahin paas mein hi rehte hain na?"

"Haan yahan thoda aage hi hamara bhi ghar hai. Ravi ko dhoondhne mein koi progress ab tak?"

Uska sawal sunkar maine hairat se uski taraf dekha.

"Arrey bhai agar mujhe ye pata hai ke tum kaun ho toh zahir si baat hai ke ye bhi pata hoga ke tum yahan kya kar rahe ho"

"Yes, you are right" Maine jhenpte hue kaha "I am sorry"

"No dont worry. Sakshi ne bataya tha mujhe sab kuchh"

"And to answer your question, No. Kuchh khaas pata nahi chal paya hai"

"Aur chalega bhi nahi"

"Aap itna yaqeen se kaise keh sakte hain"

"Ravi ek hoshiyar ladka tha. Jo koi bhi vajah thi magar usne yahan se jana hi behtar samjha. Aur aisa gaya ke koi uska suraag tak nahi dhoondh saka 20 saal se. Ab tum hi batao, jo aadmi 20 saal se chhupa hua hai aur saamne nahi aana chahta, use dhoondh pana kya mumkin hai? 20 saal ek bahut lamba arsa hota hai, ab tak toh shakal bhi badal gayi hogi uski. Saamne se nikal jaayega aur pehchan mein nahi aayega"

"Shukar hai" Maine haste hue kaha.

"Kis baat ka?"

"Koi toh hai jo ye manta hai ke vo zinda hai varna yahan toh almost har koi yahi maan chuka hai ke vo mar chuka hai"

"20 saal tak koi bina bataye, bina kuchh kahe gayab rahe toh sabka aisa maan lena jayaz bhi hai"

"I agree. Mujhe toh kabhi kabhi aisa lagta hai ke mujhe Ravi ko nahi, uske murderer ko dhoondhne ke liye hire kiya gaya hai"

"There is no murderer. Ravi is alive somewhere. Or at least he was alive when he left here. Vo apni marzi se gaya hai kahin"

"Aap itna yakeen se kaise keh sakte hain?"

"Pehli baat toh ye ke agar mara hota toh der sawer laash zaroor milti uski"

"Zaroori nahi"

"Uske dost ki bhi toh mili thi"

"Kanha?"

"Yep"

"Phir bhi. Hamare desh mein hazaron log marte hain aur phir kabhi unke bodies nahi milte. Its not something new"

"Nahi, i think i know ke vo kyun gaya yahan se"

"Kyun?"

"Ek ladki ke chakkar mein"

"Kaun ladki"

"Sunanda"

"Vo jise prostitute kehte hain sab?"

"Oh so you do know about her. I am impressed"

"Thanks. Us ladki ka Ravi se kya lena dena?"

"Agar aap ladki ke baare mein jaante hain toh ye bhi jaante hain ke vo bhi Ravi ki tarah hi gayab hui thi"

"Yeah i know that"

"Dont you think its strange ke vo pehle khud gayab hui aur phir kuchh time baad Ravi lapata ho gaya?"

"It could be a co-incidence"

"No it was not. I am sure vo dono saath hi gayab hue hain"

"Aisa kyun?"

"Who knows. Maybe they were in love aur Mr. Rana kabhi is baat par na maante ke Ravi aisi ladki se shaadi kare. Isi liye vo lapata hua"

"Gayab hone ki kya zaroorat thi. Alag bhi toh ho sakta tha ghar se"

 

[vamp545]

Pratap Rana se milkar main vaapis Guest house pahuncha toh Kamini living room mein bethi TV dekh rahi thi.

"Uth gayi Maharani Sahiba?" Main uske saath sofe par bethta hua bola.

"Kahan mar gaye the subah subah?"

"Haan ek pal ke liye toh mujhe bhi yahi laga tha ke maara hi jaoonga"

"Kya matlab?"

Maine use Pratap Rana ke goli chalane wale incident ke baare mein bataya.

"Hmmmm, interesting fellow" Vo meri baat sunkar boli.

"Crazy is the word i was hoping for" Maine hairat se uski taraf dekhte hue kaha.

"Haan crazy bhi keh sakte ho. Vaise aaj ka kya plan hai?"

"Jo thodi bahut leads hain filhal haath mein unhi par kuchh aage ki taraf badhte hain"

"Jaise ke?"

"Jaise ke sabse pehle toh ye dekhna hai ke vo jo chaabi hamein mili hai vo kahin fit hoti hai ya nahi"

"Vo kaise pata karenge?"

"Chhota kasba hai Chail aur paas ka Shimla bhi koi khaasa bada shehar nahi aur Ravi Rana ek bada aadmi tha. Pata lagana hai ke kaun se bank 20 saal pehle bhi locker service available karate the"

"Bank hi kyun?"

"Shimla 20 saal pehle aur bhi chhota shehar raha hoga toh i am sure aaj se 20 saal pehle locker jaise suvidha Bank ke alawa kahin aur nahi milti hogi"

"Gym bhi toh ho sakta hai"

"20 saal pehle, i doubt it par pata kar sakte hain"

"Aur ye bhi toh ho sakta hai ke chaabi kisi locker ki ho hi na. Aise bhi toh chaabiyon par numbers likhe hote hain"

"Hone ko toh kuchh bhi ho sakta hai par check karne mein kya harj hai"

"Ok, what about the other leads?"

"Ravi ke finances par ek nazar daalni hai maine, balki Ravi ke kya poore Rana Khandaan ke 20 saal purane financials dekhne hain"

"Is that possible? Wouldnt they object?"

"I am sure they will but if Mrs. Rana expects me to find her any information about her son then she better co-operate"

"Co-operate toh main bhi karne ko taiyyar hoon vaise, magar tum try hi nahi karte" Vo bethi bethi thoda sa mere paas ko khiski.

"Bakwaas na kar" Maine use pichhe ko dhakela.

"Haan theek hai , theek hai, bhaav na khao zyada"

"Iske alawa Kanha ke baap se jakar baat karni hai"

"Kanha?"

"Haan Ravi ka best friend" Maine use Kanha se related poori kahani batayi.

"Hmmmm, this makes things even more interesting"

"And complicated too. Lets see if Kanha's father can tell us anything interesting. And then the last one is Sunanda"

"Ye Sunanda kaun hai?"

"Ek prostitute"

"Had karte ho yaar, mere rehte tumhein prostite ke paas jaane ki zaroorat pad rahi hai, sharam karo"

"Sharam main nahi tu kar, har baat ka ulta hi matlab nikalti hai. Ye bhi case se related hi hai"

"Is case mein ek prostitute bhi shaamil hai?"

"Yep"

"Porstitute ka kya angle hai?"

"Angle filhal assumption wala hai. Vo ye ke ye shayad Ravi ki lover bhi ho sakti thi aur vo iske saath bhaga hai kahin"

"Ye bhi gayab hai?"

"Haan, Ravi se ek hafta pehle ye gayab hui thi aur phir iske baad Ravi bhi gayab. Toh ek assumption ye nikal raha hai ke dono saath bhaage hain kahin because they were lovers and Ravi ke gharwale kabhi unhein saath na rehne dete"

"Agar sahi mein aisa hai toh sahi haath mara prostitute ne, just like old hindi movies ki tarah. Ek gareeb sundar kothe-wali aur ek ameer raees-zada uska chahne wala"

"Well, lets see what the fact is"

"Shuru kahan se karna hai?"

Kamini ne sawal kiya hi tha ke mera phone bajne laga, call Negi yani Inspector Falana Falana ki thi.

"Well i think its gonna be Sunanda" Maine muskura kar Kamini ki taraf dekha.

"Hows that?"

"Because over helpful and super active Inspector Falana Falana is calling me"

 

[vamp545]

Chapter 11 - Sunanda

Pahadon mein basi duniya bhi badi ajeeb hoti hai, aur usse ajeeb hote hain vahan ke raaste. Ek gaon ek pahad par basa hota hai aur doosra ek doosre saamne wale pahad par. Khamoshi itni hoti hai ke doosre pahad par koi zara chilla ke baat kare toh aapko bade aaram se apne wale pahad par sunai de jaaye.

Dekhne mein itna nazdeek ke aisa lage ke bas kadam uthane ki der hai aur pahunch gaye doosre gaon par haqeeat mein aisa hota nahi. Ek gaon se doosre gaon jana ho ya yun kahiye se ek pahad se doosre pahad jaana ho toh pehle toh aap apne wale pahad ke gol gol chakkar kaat kar neeche utariya aur phir doosre pahad ke gol gol chakkar kaat-te hue uper chadhiye. Jo fasta dekhne mein bas minute bhar ka lag raha tha use paar karne mein ghanto lag jaate hain.

Aise hi jaane kitne pahadon ke gol gol chakkar kaat-te main aur Kamini Inspector Negi urf Falana Falana ke saath police ki gaadi mein bethe us gaon mein pahunche jahan Sunanda raha karti thi.

"Wow, jagah toh bahut khoobsurat hai"

"Barsaat mein yahan ki baat hi alag hoti hai Ma'm. Har pahad jaise apne aap mein khil kar rangeen ho jata hai hai" Negi ne gaadi chalate hue muskura kar jawab diya.

"Yeah i can see that. You people are blessed that you get to live here"

"Aisa kuchh nahi hai ma'm. Har jagah ke apne pros and cons hote hain. Yahan rehne ki bhi kayi aisi baatein hain jo pareshan karti hai"

"Yeah and i am sure unmein awwal number par toh ye gol gol raaste hi honge" Is baar jawab maine diya.

"Sahi keh rahe hai sir" Negi darwaza khol kar gaadi se bahar nikalte hue bola, "Aap dono yahin rukiye, main zara gaon walon se puchhke aata hoon ke uska ghar kis taraf tha"

Ham log gaon ke bahar khade hue the. Shimla ke baad ham kuchh der tak toh main highway par hi chalte rahe aur phir pakki sadak chhodkar ek kachche raaste se hote is gaon tak pahnche the. Negi ne pehle sahi kaha tha, gaon kya bas 10-15 ghar hi the. Ek pahad ke uper pedon ke beech bane chhote chhote ghar aur unke saamne hari chadar ki tarah bichhe hue seedhi-daar ghar.

"Indeed its a beautiful place" Maine khidki se bahar dekhte hue kaha.

"Yahi sab khoosurat lagta hai tumhein, hai na?" Kamini ne thoda chidi hui aawaz mein kaha.

"Ab tujhe kya hua, abhi toh khud hi tu is jagah ki tareef kar rahi thi"

"Saamne bethi main bhi hoon tumhare. Kabhi do bol tareef ke mere liye hi bol diya karo" Kehkar vo doosri taraf dekhne lagi.

Uska ye achanak reaction mujhe kuchh samajh nahi aaya.

"Kamini yaar ham ye baat kitni baar kar chuke hain aur tu ...." Maine kehna shuru hi kiya tha ke gaadi ke window par knock hua. Maine palat kar dekha toh bahar khada Negi hamein gaadi se bahar aane ka ishara kar raha tha.

"Iske aage gaadi nahi ja sakegi Sir, paidal hi jana padega. Ghar vo vahan saamne hai" Usne thodi door bane ek chhot se ghar ki taraf ishara kiya.

Ham gaadi se nikle aur phir ek chhoti si pagdandi se pahad ke neeche ki taraf utarte hue us ghar tak pahunche. Ghar ke bahar ek pahadi kutta betha hua tha jo hamein dekh kar fauran gurrane laga.

"Koi hai?" Negi ne aawaz di.

"Haan ek minute" Ghar ke andar se aawaz aayi aur phir takreeban ek minute baad darwaza khol kar ek 50 saal ke aas paas ki aurat bahar aayi.

"Kaun chahiye" Usne bahar aate hue kaha aur phir apne saamne police uniform mein khade Negi ko dekh kar thithak gayi.

"Namaste Maan ji" Uske jhijhak ko dekh kar maine fauran muskurate hue kaha.

"Kisse kaam hai?"

"Aap hi se" Jawab Negi ne diya.

"Kis baare mein?"

"Aapki beti ke baare mein"

"Sunanda ke baare mein?"

"Haan"

"Kya?"

"Kuchh sawal puchhne hain"

"Sawal toh mujhe puchhna chahiye, kahan hai 20 saal se meri beti"

"Aapke isi sawal ka jawab main dene ki koshish kar raha hoon Maan ji" Ab tak Negi hi bol raha tha, pakke policiya andaaz mein par is sawal
ka jawab maine diya.

Kaun hai aap?" Boddhi aurat ne shakki nazar se meri taraf dekhte hue puchha.

"Ji main is case mein chhan been kar raha hoon isliye aapse baat karna chah raha tha"

"Chhan been kar rahe hain? 20 saal baad?" Vo thoda mazak sa udane wale andaaz mein boli.

"Ji haan"

"Police mein hain aap?" Usne ek baar phir Negi ki taraf dekh kar mujhse puchha.

"Ji nahi" Ek baar toh maine socha ke keh doon ke policewala hoon par phir Negi ki taraf uske ravaiyye ko dekh kar mana kar diya.
Aur vaise bhi policwalo par hamare desh mein logon ko itna bharosa hota hai ke filhal apne aapko policewala batana apne hi pairon par kulhadi maarne jaisa hota.

"Is case ko investigate karne ki zimmedari mujhe di gayi hai" Maine golmol sa jawab diya.

"Chaliye sahi hai, varna in nikamme policewalo ko toh vaise hi kuchh nahi aata sivaay ghoos khaane ke"

"Baat kar sakta hoon aapse thodi der?" Negi uski baat sunkar kuchh kehne hi laga tha ke maine usse pehle sawal daag diya.

"Mujhe jo pata tha maine tab hi police walo ko bata diya tha"

"Jab Sunanda gayab hui thi"

"Haan aur kitne chakkar kaate the maine police station ke par kahin se kuchh haasil nahi hua"

"Isi liye mujhe is case ki zimmedari saunpi gayi hai" Maine aashwasan sa dete hue kaha.

"20 saal baad kya zimmedari nibhaoge sahab, ab tak toh uski haddiyan bhi gal gayi hongi"

"Aap itne bharose se kaise keh sakti hai ke vo mar chuki hai?"

"Agar hoti zinda toh bataiye aap, kya apni boodhi maan ka haal chaal puchhne nahi aati?"
Uske is sawal ka mere paas koi jawab nahi aata.

"20 saal mein kya ek baar bhi use apni maan ka khyaal nahi aaya hoga" Usne baat jaari rakhi, "Aur agar maan bhi loon ke kahin zinda hai vo toh zaroor kisi aise narak mein hai jahan se vo majboori se bhi aur marzi se bhi mere paas aa hi nahi sakti"

Main shayad janta tha ke vo kis tarah ke narak ki baat kar rahi hai.

"Agar main ye maan bhi loon ke aapki beti ab is duniya mein nahi rahi toh kya aap jaanna nahi chahengi ke kya hua tha uske saath?"

"Usse kya meri beti vaapis aa sakegi?"

"Shayad nahi par kya aap apni saari zindagi ek bojh apni chhati par lekar jeena chahti hain? Ye nahi jaanna chahengi ke us din kya hua tha ke aapki beti ghar se nikli toh par vaapis nahi aa saki?"

Meri baat sunkar vo ek pal ke liye khamosh ho gayi.

"Jo bhi vo majboori thi ya vo jo koi bhi tha jisne aapki beti aapse chheen li, kya aap use saza milte nahi dekhna chahengi?"

"20 saal se jo koi nahi dhoondh paya vo ab aap talashne nikle hain?"

"Aisa hi kaam hai mera"

"Aur aapko lagta hai ke aapko kamyabi milegi?"

"Bina koshish kiye ye koi kaise jaan sakta hai ke koshish kaamyab hogi na na-kaamyab?"

Meri baat asar kar gayi. Uska lehza thoda naram ho gaya.

"Aaiye andar aaiye" Usne meri aur Kamini ki taraf dekhte hue ishara kiya. Ham teeno uske ghar ke andar ki taraf chale.

"Tum nahi" Usne Negi ki aur dekh kar ishara kiya, "Main poliewalo ko apne ghar mein nahi ghusne deti. Apavitra ho jata hai ghar"

Uska ye kehna hi tha ke Kamini ki hasi chhoot padi aur agle hi pal vo Negi ki taraf dekhti hui sharminda ho gayi.

"Sorry"

"Aap car mein wait kariye, main aata hoon"

Negi ko ye baat pasand toh bilkul nahi aayi thi par vo majbooran vaapis gaadi ki taraf chala gaya aur ham ghar ke andar daakhil hue.

"Kya naam hai tumhara?" Hamne ghar ke andar kadam rakha toh us aurat ne Kamini se puchha.

"Ji Kamini"

"Meri beti bhi tumhare jaisi hi thi jab aakhri baar maine use dekha tha. Shaadi shuda ho dono?"

"Ji nahi" Maine fauran kaha, "Ye meri assistant hain"

Kamini ke chehre par fauran na-pasandgi ke aasar aaye. Use shayad achha lagta agar main ham dono ko shaadi shuda hi batata.

"Aaiye bethiye" Us aurat ne hamein kursiyon ki taraf ishara karte hue kaha.

Vo ek vaisa hi ghar tha jaisa ke hamare desh mein har gareeb ka hota hai. Ek bada sa kamra jisse lagta hua kitchen tha, ek darwaza doosre kamre mein khul raha tha aur ek taraf kuchh kursiyan aur ek table rakhi hui thi.

"Chaai lenge aap log?"

"Ji nahi" Maine kaha.

"Ji zaroor, main madad karti hoon aapki" Kamini ne fauran kaha aur us aurat ke saath kitchen ki taraf chal padi.

 

[vamp545]

read n rply

 

[vamp545]

Maine ghar mein nazar ghumayi. Khaas kuchh tha nahi, bas zaroorat bhar ka saman. Tabhi meri nazar deewar par tangi ek tasveer par padi.Vo ek lakdi ke photo mein framed photographed thi, black and white. Kursi se uthkar main us photo ke paas gaya aur gaur se dekha aur pal bhar mein hi meri soch ka rukh fauran badal gaya.

Maine ghar mein ek baar phir chaaro taraf dekha par aur kahin koi tasveer dikhai nahi di, bas vahi ek photo thi poore ghar mein. Tasveer ek ladki ki thi, face close up jaisa ke aksar ham passport size photographs khinchvate hain. Tasveer khinchne ka andaaz bhi passport size photograph wala hi tha. Ek ladki saamne camera ki taraf dekh kar muskura rahi thi aur pichhe background mein ek kala parda tanga hua tha jaisa ke photographers ki dukaan mein hota hai.

Maine tasveer mein bethi ladki ko gaur se dekha. Ek baat toh saaf thi ke yahi ladki Sunanda thi. Jis waqt ki ye tasveer thi us waqt uski umar koi 20 se 25 ke beech rahi hogi.

Aajkal toh digital photography aur photoshop jaise softwares ki aa jaane ke baad shakal kaisi bhi ho, photo kaise bhi karke achhi aa hi jaati hai par 20 saal pehle aisa nahi tha. Us waqt jaisi shakal vaisi tasveer wala funda hi tha. Yani ke ye ladki jaisi tasveer mein dikh rahi thi vaisi hi asal zindagi mein bhi dikhti hogi. Saanwla rang, aankhon mein kajal ke dore, kaan mein baaliyan, naak mein bhi ek chhoti si baali, baal khinch kar kamar par baandhi gayi choti aur baalon mein tel itna ke camera ka flash bhi sar pe pad kar chamak raha tha. Yun toh tasveer sirf seene tak thi par uske chehre ko dekh kar lagta tha ke ladki thodi si moti bhi thi. Shakal soort se bhi vo bas ek aam si hi ladki thi, koi khaas baat nahi thi usmein.

Ek baat aur jispar mera dhyaan gaya vo ye thi ke yun toh iski maan ko Sunanda ki maut par poora yakeen tha par na toh photo ke uper hi koi phool the aur na saamne.

"Ye meri beti Sunanda hai" Pichhe se aawaz aayi toh main palta. Vo aurat aur Kamini dono table par chaai rakh rahe the.

"Ji mujhe laga bhi tha" Main vaapis kursi par aakar bethta hua bola.

"Ab aap hi bataiye, us photo mein aapko ek sidhi saadi gharelu ladki dikhai di ya koi dhandha karne wali?"

Sawal itna sidha tha ke main ek pal ke liye baukhla utha.

"Oh" Agle hi pal sambhlata hua main bola, "Toh aap jaanti hain"

"Main kya poora gaon janta hai ke meri beti ke baare mein is tarah ki afwaah udi hui thi"

"Aur ye baat aapko kab pata chali?"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab kya aapki is baare mein kabhi Sunanda se baat hui koi?"

"Nahi ye baat mujhe uske jaane ke baad pata chali, jab main police station ke chakkar kaat rahi thi. Policewalo ka kehna tha ke ek dhandha karne wali ka kya bharosa. Bhaag gayi hogi apne kisi yaar ke saath. Mujhe toh iske baad pata chala ke policewale hi nahi, aas paas ke gaon ke log sab yahi kehte the meri beti ke baare mein"

"oh"

"Meri beti aisi nahi thi, bahut hi dhaarmik kism ki thi vo. Kaise kaise ilzaam lagaye in logon ne meri bechari bachchi par"

"Us din jab Sunanda ghar se nikli thi, toh kya kehkar gayi thi"

"Kuchh kapde lene the usne isliye Solan gayi thi. Subah nikli thi ye kehkar ke shaam tak aa jaayegi par aisi gayi ke aaj tak nahi lauti"

"Agar aap bura na maanen toh ek baat puchhun?"

"Puchhiye"

"Kya aapki beti kisi ko pasand karti thi?"

"Vo toh sab hi ko pasand karti thi, sab se has bol kar milti thi"

"Ji nahi, mera matlab koi ladka. Jise vo chahti ho, jisse shaadi karna chahti ho?"

"Koi tha toh"

"Kaun?"

"Ye mujhe pata nahi"

"Aapko kaise pata ke koi ladka tha?"

"Usne khud bataya tha ke ek ladka hai jise vo pasand karti hai aur shaadi karna chahti hai"

"Naam nahi bataya?"

"Maine puchha tha ke kaun hai, kai baar puchha par vo taal gayi. Kehti thi ke waqt aane par batayegi"

"Aisa kyun?"

"Ye toh bhagwan jaane. Kehti thi ke samaj shayad unke rishte ko manzoor na kare isliye vo abhi se baat nahi udana chahti thi"

"Aapka koi andaza ke kaun ho sakta tha?"

"Pata nahi par mujhe toh lagta tha ke shayad koi neechi jaati ka ladka hoga jise lekar itna jhijhak rahi hai"

"Agar hota toh aap mana karti?"

"Nahi, bilkul nahi. Ladka achha hota, khata kamata hota yahi kaafi tha mere liye"


"Aapne kabhi is baat par zor dene ki koshish ki ke aap us ladke se milna chahti hain? Mera matlab aap uski maan thi, kabhi aapko aisa laga ho ke is tarah kisi ladke se uska milna julna theek nahi tha, ya kabhi aapne use is tarah ka kuchh kaha ho?"

"Nahi kabhi rok tok toh nahi ki thi maine uske saath par haan, ek jawan ladki ki maan hone ke naate fikar toh lagi hi rehti thi. Jaane ladka kaun tha, kya karta tha, kaisa tha? Shaadi karna bhi chahta tha ya bas yun hi shaadi ki baatein karke uska fayda utha raha tha"

"Ye baat kabhi kahi thi aapne usse?"

"Haan kahi thi, kayi baar par use us ladke par poora bharosa tha. Kehti thi ke fayda uthane ki koshish karna toh door ki baar, us ladke ne kabhi use haath tak nahi lagaya tha"

"Bura na maanein toh ek baat aur puchhun?"

""Kahiye"

"Aapki beti us tarah ka kaam karti hai, kabhi aapne ye socha ke ye baat shuru kaise aur kyun hui?"

"Nahi, kabhi nahi socha kyunki mujhe pata tha ke ye baat kyun aur kaise shuru hui?"

"Kaise?"

Mera ye sawal sunkar vo ek pal ke liye chup ho gayi jaise apne aap mein ulajh rahi ho ke bataye ya na bataye. Uske chehre ke haav bhaav dekh kar uske batane se pehle hi mujhe andaza ho gaya ke vo ab aage kya kehne wali hai.

"Sach sunna chahenge ya jhooth?" Thodi der ki khamoshi ke baad vo boli.

"Is baat se koi farak nahi padta ke main kya sunna chahta hoon" Maine muskurate hue kaha, "Main sirf vo sununga aur maan loonga jo aap mujhe batayengi. Faisla aapne karna hai ke aap mujhe sach batana chahti hai ya jhooth"

"Toh phir sach hi sun lijiye" Usne ek lambi saans lete hue kaha, "Vaise bhi ab mere aage pichhe hai hi kaun jise mere sach bolne se koi farak pade"

"Shayad mujhe andaza hai ke aap kya kehne wali hain" Maine uski mushkil ko kuchh aasan karne ki koshish ki.

"Tab toh phir aap ye bhi jaante honge ke ek sharabi aur juanri ki biwi ko ghar chalane ke liye is tarah ka kaam bhi karna pad sakta hai"

"Bilkul janta hoon, is tarah ke kayi cases dekh bhi chuka hoon" Maine jawab diya.

"Main samjhi nahi" Kamini beech mein bol uthi.

"Mera pati ek sharabi aur juanri tha. Sharab pi pike mar gaya aur pichhe mere paas chhod gaya ek beti aur bahut sara karza jise chukate chukate sab kuchh bik gaya. Jab bechne ko aur kuchh nahi bacha toh majboor hoke apna aur beti ka pet paalne ke liye mujhe apne paas bachi aakhri cheez bhi bechni padi, apna jism"

"Oh" Jawab sunkar Kamini ne apni nazar neeche jhuka li, shayad apne sawal par hi sharminda ho rahi thi.

"Pata nahi kitne waqt tak maine ye kaam kiya par vo ek bahut lamba arsa tha. Jab kuchh paise jama ho gaye toh main yahan aakar bas gayi, chhoti si zameen kharid li"

"Sunanda jaanti thi ye baat?"

"Sach kabhi chhupta nahi aur aapka ateet aapka pichha kabhi chhodta nahi, aisa hi kuchh hua mere saath bhi. Yun toh main yahan is ummeed mein aake basi thi ke apni guzri zindagi se door aa jaoongi par mere ateet ne mujhe yahan bhi aakar pakad hi liya. Gaon mein aur aas paas ke saare gaon mein baat ud gayi ke main kis tarah ka kaam karti thi"

"Aur aapke saath logon ne Sunanda ka naam bhi isi mein jod diya"

"Haan, sabka yahi maanna tha ke maan agar dhandhe wali thi toh beti kaise shareef sidhi ho sakti hai par aisa tha nahi. Meri beti thi bahut shareef sidhi, ekdam paak pavitra"

"Jab Sunanda ko pata chali ye baat toh usne kya kaha?"

"Samajhdaar thi meri beti, jaanti thi ke maine jo kiya usi ke liye kiya"

"Aapki beti ki us waqt koi aur dost rahi ho jise pata ho us ladke ke baare mein?"

"Ek ladki jise sab dhandhe wali kehte the, aapko lagta hai ke kisi ladki ne use dosti ke kaabil samjha hoga?"

"Nahi i guess not, koi aur baat jo aap batana chahti hon? Jo kabhi kisi se aapne na kahi ho?"

"Maine toh sab usi waqt police ko bata diya tha, beti ko dhoondhne ki koshish mein par 20 saal se bas intezaar hi kar rahi hoon ke ya toh beti laut aaye ya koi aake bata de ke kya hua tha uske saath"

"Koshish karunga ke aapke sawal ka jawab aapko de sakun" Maine kaha, "Aapki beti school college vagerah kahin gayi thi?"

"Bas school hi padi thi, college nahi gayi kabhi"

"Us ladke se kahan mili thi vo?"

"Ye toh main khud bhi nahi jaanti"

"Aur vo dono kahan milte the? Zahir hai yahan gaon mein toh nahi milte honge"

"Nahi gaon mein toh nahi, bahar hi kahin milte the dono. Pehle toh bahana bana kar jaati thi par jab mujhe saari baat bata di toh mujhe bata kar hi jaati thi ke us ladke se milne ja rahi hai"

"Ek aakhri sawal, aapki beti ka sangeet mein koi interest tha? Gaati achha ho ya dance vagerah mein koi dilchaspi?"

"Gaati bada pyara thi, hamesha se filmon mein gana chahti thi. Lata Mangeshkar ki toh jaise pooja hi karti thi"

Is poori baat cheet ke dauran hamne chaai ko bilkul nazar andaaz kar diya tha jo ke ab tak rakhi rakhi thandi ho chuki thi. Chaai ek baar phir garam ki gayi aur kuchh der baad ham ghar se bahar nikle.

"Aapke paas Sunanda ki koi tasveer hai kya?" Jaate jaate maine Sunandi ki maan se puchha, "Koi aisi tasveer jo aap mujhe de sakti hon?"

"Ji zaroor" Kehkar vo andar gayi aur ek tasveer haath mein liye vaapis aayi.

"Ye uske lapata hone se kuchh din pehle ki tasveer hai"

Maine tasveer par nazar daali. Vo ek saade suit mein ek ped ka sahar liye khadi thi.

"Kisne li thi ye tasveer?"

"Jaanti nahi, shayad usi ladke ne jisse vo mil rahi thi

"Ok, thank you" Maine tasveer apni jeb mein rakhi aur apna card nikala, "Ye yahan uper mera mobile number likha hai. Aapko aur kuchh agar yaad aaye toh mujhe is number pe phone kar lijiyega"

Ham pagdandi par vaapis chalte hue us jagah tak aaye jahan Police ki gaadi khadi thi. Hamein aata dekh Negi gaadi se bahar nikla.

"I DID NOT like that woman" Hamein dekh vo thoda gusse mein bola aur meri aur Kamini ki hasi chhut padi.

 

[vamp545]

"Yaar Negi Bhai bhookh lagi hai, kahin ruk kar kuchh khaya jaaye?" Ham gaadi mein bethe toh maine Negi se kaha.

"Haan zaroor, idhar thoda aage hi ek dhaba hai, vahin rukte hain" Kehkar usne gaadi vaapis ghuma li.

"He said a dhaba" Kamini meri taraf dekh kar boli.

"So?"

"So its a dhaba, not a fancy restaurant and you didnt object to it"

"Haan toh theek hai na, kya farak padta hai. Bhookh mein toh gullar bhi pakwaan lagte hain"

"Am i missing something? Tum kabse ye roadside dhaabe vagerah pe khane lag gaye"

"Times change, situations change, people change" Maine uski taraf muskura kar dekha.

"Time and situation didnt change what i want to change about you" Usne serious andaaz mein meri taraf dekhte hue kaha.

Main janta tha ke vo kis baare mein baat kar rahi hai aur uski baat ka mere paas koi jawab nahi tha isliye chup hi raha.

"Kuchh pata chala sir?" Negi ne gaadi chalate hue puchha.

"Haan kaafi kuchh" Maine dil hi dil mein uska shukriya ada kiya ke usne topic kuchh aur chhed diya, "I am pretty sure Sunanda aur Ravi ka ek saath gayab hona was not a mere co-incidence"

"Aapka matlab dono baatein connected hain"

"Thats right. In dono ki gumshudgi ki vajah mujhe poora yakeen hai ke ek hi hai. Bas ab ye samajhna hai ke vo kya baat thi jo Ravi aur Sunanda ko jodti thi, jis din ye baat pata chal gayi ye saara mamla sulajh jaayega"

"Kya lagta hai Sir, zinda hain dono ya nahi?"

"Sach kahun toh 50/50 chances hain par ek baat toh tay hai. Agar zinda hain dono toh jahan kahin bhi hain saath hain aur agar mar chuke hain toh ek hi vajah se mare hain"

"Aapka matlab vo dono aapas mein....?"

"Right. Andhesha toh yahi hai mera ke dono aapas mein involved the"

"Vo kaise Sir?"

"Sunanda ka kisi ladke ke saath chakkar tha jiske baare mein vo apni maan ko bata chuki thi par Ladke ka naam batane se katra rahi thi. Shayad use darr tha ke agar ye baat bahar hui toh problem ho sakti hai. Phir vo ek din ghar se nikalti hai aur vaapis nahi aati. Uske ek hafte baad hi Ravi gayab ho jata hai. Is situation mein agar do aur do jodkar 4 karna mushkil nahi hai"

"Kanha bhi toh ho sakta hai" Achanak pichhe bethi Kamini boli, "Vo bhi toh mara hai kuchh din baad hi"

"Nahi Kanha ke hone ke chances nahin hain itne"

"Kyun?"

"Pehli baat toh ye ke agar ladka Kanha hota toh Sunanda ghar mein apni maan ko bata deti, society ka sochke itna ghabrati nahi"

"Par considering ke maan beti ki kya reputation thi, vo ghabra bhi sakti thi"

"Nahi agar maan beti ki reputation ke baare mein socha jata toh phir Kanha apne ghar mein apne baap se baat karne mein katrata, Sunanda nahi"

"Yeah i guess" Vo haami bharti hui boli.

"Plus, Sunanda ko gaane ka shauk tha"

"Yeah how is that related? I was wondering when you asked that question but then forgot to ask you"

"That is how they met"

"Ravi aur Sunanda?"

"Yes. Ravi ko bhi music ka shauk tha aur Sunanda ko bhi. Mujhe poora yakeen hai ke isi shauk ke chalte dono ki mulaqat hui and they both fell in love. Ravi kisi music school vagerah jata tha aur vahin mila hoga Sunanda se. And that reminds mein ke main ye baat puchhna bhool hi gaya ke Sundanda kisi aise school mein gayi thi kya"

"Yeah that makes sense"

"Sahi ja rahe ho Sir" Meri baat sunkar Negi muskurata hua bola.

"Vaise aapse bhi ek kaam hai"

"Haanji zaroor"

"Ye pata karna hai ke yahan aas paas kis bank mein locker service available hai. Ya koi aisi company jo locker ya vault vagerah provide karati ho"

"Chal jaayega Sir. Aajkal toh takreeban har bank mein hi hota hai ye system"

"Right par pata ye karna hai ke 20 saal pehle kaun se bank mein tha"

"20 saal pehle?"

"Right"

"Us waqt toh sir bank bhi ginti ke hi hote the vo bhi sarkari. Mujhe nahi lagta ke us waqt kisi bank mein yahan thi ye facility par puchh loonga"

"Bank mein nahi agar toh kisi gym vagerah mein pata kariye ya kisi club mein. Sirf ameer log jahan jaate hain us type ke club"

"Ek baat batao" Kamini ne kaha, "Agar tha bhi aisa koi locker toh 20 saal pehle tha. Ab tak thode hi hoga mujood and kya guarantee hai is baat ke Ravi ke gharwalo ne uske gayab hone ke baad locker khaali nahi kiya hoga"

"Koi guarantee nahi hai par pata karne mein kya harj hai. Mil gaya kuchh toh theek varna toh vaise bhi filhal haath mein koi solid lead nahi hai"

Kuchh der baad Negi ne ek chhote se dhaabe ke paas lakar gaadi rok di.

"Aaiye sir, pet puja ho jaaye" Vo muskurata hua bola.

 

[vamp545]

Chapter 12 : The Unfaithful Wife


Us din jo hua tha vo kehne ko toh bas ek incident hi tha aur ise dekhne ke hazaar nazariye ho sakte the. Ye zaroori nahi tha ke jo aadmi us din Renuka ke saath tha vo uska lover hi ho jiske saath vo mujhse dhokha de rahi thi. Vo aadmi koi bhi ho sakta tha, ek dost, ek colleague ya koi aur. Aur sach kahun toh mujhe is baat ne itna pareshan nahi kiya ke vo kisi ladke ke saath thi. Jo baat mere dil se lagi vo ye thi ke usne mujhse jhooth bola tha. Lakh koshish ke baad bhi main us din ke jhooth ko apne zehan se nikal nahi paya. Jaise uske ek jhooth ne ek bahut hi oonchi deewar se khadi kar di thi ham dono ke beech.

Us din ke baad main kaafi kata kata sa rehne laga tha usse. Vo sawal karti toh ek ya do line ke jawab deta, vo hasti toh bas ek nakli si muskurahat apne chehre par le aata. Kayi baar socha ke usse baat karun us din ke baare mein par chah kar bhi aisa nahi kar paya. Aur iski vajah mere apne dil mein chhupa chor tha. Main faisla hi nahi kar pa raha tha ke kya sahi hai aur kya galat.

Uske chehre ki taraf dekhta toh apne uper sharam aati. Vo ek layak biwi ki tarah meri har zaroorat ka khyaal rakhti. Aksar office se aane ke baad khud apne haathon se mere liye khana banati, agar main office se late aata toh intezaar karti aur mere bina khana na khati. Raat ko bistar par kisi tote ki tarah apne poore din ka haal mujhe sunati. Uski aankhon mein ek ajab masoomiyat si hoti thi jo mujhe apne aapko kosne par majboor kar deti thi ke kitna gir gaya hoon main. Us din jo hua uske baare mein baat karne ke bajaay apni biwi par shak kar raha hoon. Par phir agle hi pal jab khyaal aata ke kis tarah se usne mera phone kata tha, mujhse jhooth bola tha aur jab maine baar baar phone kiya toh apna phone band kar diya tha toh mera gussa phir sar chadh kar bolne lagta.

Dil hi dil mein main usse anjaane mein itna door ho gaya tha ke khud use haath lagana toh door ki baat, raat ko bistar par jab vo khud pehal karti toh main mana kar deta. Aksar jab vo bistar par khisak kar mere kareeb aati toh main doosri taraf karwat badal kar so jata tha.

Us din ke lagbhag 3 hafte baad ki baat hai. Main office se apne ghar pahuncha toh Renuka ghar par akeli thi. Jaise hi darwaza khol kar main andar daakhil hua vo bhaagti hui mere kareeb aayi aur mujhse lipat kar rone lagi.

"Kya hua?" Use yun rota dekh main ek pal ke liya apna sara gussa bhool gaya aur fauran uske uljhe baal suljhata hua bola.

Jawab mein vo mere seene mein apna sar chhupaye khamoshi se subakti rahi.

"Kya hua beta?" Maine uska chehra apni taraf uthaya. Un aankhon mein mote mote aansoo dekh ek pal mein har fasla jaise apne aap mit gaya.

"Nahi kuch nahi" Usne sar hilate hue kaha.

"Phir ro kyun rahi ho?"

Jawab mein usne mere haath mein ek plastic ki dandi jaisa kuchh thama diya.

"Kya hai ye?"

"Pregnancy test"

"What?"

"I missed my period this month"

Vo kya keh rahi thi achanak mujhe samajh aaya.

"WHAT !!! ?" Main bhi uske saath khush hota hua bola.

"Ye toh khushi ke aansoo hain. We are going to have a baby" Vo haste hue boli.

Main use apni baahon mein lekar jhoom utha. Mujhe yaad hi nahi raha ke aaj subah tak main usse kitna naraz tha. Use bas apni baahon mein bhar kar uske sar ko choom liya.

Tab hi achanak phone ki ghanti bajne par ham dono ek doosre se alag hue. Renuka ne aage badhkar phone uthaya. Shayad uske office se koi tha aur vo phone par hi kisi presentation ko lekar baat karne lagi. Main bedroom ki taraf change karne ke liye badh gaya.

"Suno, mere bag mein ek green color ka notepad hai, vo lete aaoge?" Living room se uski aawaz aayi.

Maine aage badhkar uska bag khola aur notepad nikal kar use de aaya. Bedroom mein vaapis daakhil hua toh zameen par ek kagaz ka tukda gira dikha jo shayad ya toh Renuka ke bag se tab nikal kar gira tha jab maine notepad nikala ya phir shayad notepad ke andar hi rakha hua tha aur nikal kar gir gaya tha. Maine aage badhkar vo paper uthaya aur meri poori duniya mujhe ek baar phir bikharti hui nazar aane lagi.

Vo ek hotel ka bill tha. Hotel Sunrise. Ye ek 5 star hotel tha aur jis mall mein maine us din Renuka ko dekha tha, us Mall mein hi ye hotel bhi tha. Maine date check ki. Bill usi din ka tha. Ek kamra book kiya gaya tha hotel mein aur ye uska bill tha. Ab samajh aa raha tha ke vo us din achanak mall mein gayab kaise ho gayi thi aur main dhoondh kyun nahi paya tha. Main jab mall ke dhakke khata ghoom raha tha tab tak toh vo dono ek hotel ke kamre ke andar band ho chuke the.

"We are going to have a baby" Renuka ke thode der pehle bole shabd mere kaano mein ek baar phir goonje, "I missed my period this month"

Par ab mere dimag mein sirf ek hi sawal ghoom raha tha.

"Kya ye bachcha mera hai?"

Pehle dimag mein sirf shak tha ke, ek halka sa khyaal ke kahin Renuka mujhe dhokha toh nahi de rahi. Ek sawal beth gaya tha dimag mein ke us din uske saath vo ladka kaun tha. Kya vo sirf koi pehchan wala aadmi tha, Renuka ka koi dost tha ya usse zyada? Agar sirf dost tha toh us din mujhse jhooth bolne aur mera phone na uthane ki kya vajah thi aur agar vo dost se zyada tha toh kabse chal raha tha ye?

Par us din vo hotel ka bill haath lagne ke baad shak yakeen mein badal gaya. Mujhe is baat par bharosa ho gaya tha ke Renuka mujhe dhokha de rahi hai.

Vo jab bhi meri aankhon ke saamne hoti toh baar baar dil mein yahi khyaal aata ke kya hua hoga us din hotel mein? Kya karne gayi thi vo uske saath? Sone gayi thi? Kabse chal raha hai ye meri peeth ke pichhe? Aur sabse bada sawal ye ke kya vo bachcha mera tha?

Jab vo haskar mere gale lagti toh mujhe ghinn aane lagti? Mere kareeb hoti toh mujhe chid si hone lagti. Jab vo khilkhila kar hasti toh dil mein yahi khyaal aata ke isi tarah milkar haste honge dono mujhpar ke kis tarah se bevakoof pati ko koi andaza nahi ke uske peeth pichhe kya ho raha hai. Jab raat ko vo mere kareeb hokar soti toh main yahi sochta ke isi tarah se ye us ladke ki baahon mein bhi soti hogi.

Aur sach kahun toh is khyaal ko kaafi had tak badhava us Renuka ne bhi diya jise main college mein janta tha, jo hamesha ladko se ghiri rehti thi. Har ladke ke dil mein basti thi, har ladke ki khwahish thi.

"Aakhir aa hi gayi na vaapis apni asli aukat par" Use dekhkar main aksar sochta aur apna chehra doosri tarah ghuma leta.

Magar itna sab hone ke baad bhi main Renuka se is baare mein baat nahi kar paya. Dil hi dil mein kudhta raha, jalta raha par kabhi usse sidha sawal nahi kar paya. Iski sabse badi vajah mere apne maan baap hi the. Jaldi hi sabko pata chal gaya ke vo pregnant hai aur ghar mein ek khushi ki lehar daud gayi. Vo jaise sabki aankhon ka tara ban gayi. Mere maan baap apne hone wale pehle pote ya poti ko lekar bahut khush the aur main achhi tarah janta tha ke is tarah ki koi bhi baat uthane ka matlab hai ghar mein aag lagana, apne maan baap ki khushiyon ko nazar laga dena. Vo sara din Renuka ki dekh bhaal aur uska dulaar karte rehte aur main apne dil ki baat ko dil mein daba kar reh gaya.

Aur usse baat na kar paane ki doosri vajah main khud hi tha. Main usse be-intehaan mohabbat karta tha aur ye mohabbat lakh koshish ki baad bhi nafrat mein nahi badal saki. Haan naraz tha main usse, gussa tha uske upar ke usne aisa kyun kiya par ye gussa kabhi nafrat mein nahi badal saka. Ek darr mere dil apne dil mein bhi tha ke agar main galat saabit hua toh? Agar mera shak sirf shak hi nikla toh? Agar is poore vaakiye ko dekhne ka mera nazariya galat nikla toh?

Aur iska anjaam main bahut achhi tarah janta tha. Agar maine Renuka par anguli utha di, uske charitra par anguli utha di, apne hone wale bachche ko najayaz bata diya toh matlab saaf tha. Main Renuka aur apne bachche se door toh hota hi, apne maan baap aur rishtedaar sabki nazron mein gir jata.

Aur sabse pehle khud apni hi nazar mein gir jata.

Renuka ke pregnant hone ke kuchh din baad hi mera birthday tha. Ek chhoti si party rakhi gayi. Sab dost aur rishtedaar ghar par maujood the. Cake kaatne se thodi der pehle main apne kamre mein sheeshe ke aage khada taiyyar ho raha tha ke Renuka pichhe se aayi aur mere gale mein baahen daal mujhse satkar khadi ho gayi.

"You know that i love you, right?" Usene mujhse puchha

"Until now i believed that, i dont anymore" Dil hi dil mein maine uske sawal ka jawab diya, "I dont know who you love anymore Renuka, me or someone else. I dont know who you are anymore"

"I bought you a little something" Vo mujhse alag hui aur almari khol kar ek chhota sa packet lekar aayi.

"Kya hai?" Maine be-dili se puchha.

"Khol kar dekho" Usne packet mere haath mein thama diya aur kisi chhoti bachchi ki tarah chehakte hue meri taraf dekhne lagi.

Packet ke size ke hisaab se main andaza laga chuka tha ke andar kya hoga. Khola toh mere andaza sahi nikla. Andar ek bahut hi mehengi ghadi thi.

"I saw you looking at this watch online a few days ago, i know you wanted it so i ordered it" Vo khush hote hue boli, "You like it?"

"Of course i like it" Maine jawab diya. Vo sach keh rahi thi, kuchh din pehle hi ek din main internet par betha is ghadi ko dekh raha tha, kharidne ki soch raha tha. Usne shayad mujhe aisa karte dekh liya hoga aur mere baad online jakar vo ghadi order kar di hogi.

"And this is my second gift to you" Kehte hue usne mera haath pakda aur apne pet par rakh diya.

"Really?" Mere dil mein phir khyaal utha, "Is it mine really? Kya sach mera hi hai ye bachcha? Kya ye hamare pyaar ki nishani hai ya tumhari bewafai aur badchalni ki nishani hai?"

Par ek baar phir maine use kuchh nahi kaha. Birthday celebrate kiya gaya, cake kata gaya aur sab log laut gaye. Raat ko main aur Renuka apne kamre mein aaye aur so gaye.

Waqt ka andaza nahi par hamein soye hue zyada waqt nahi hua tha ke kisi aawaz se meri aankh khul gayi. Main uthkar bethne hi wala tha ke phir Renuka ke hasne ki aawaz sunkar thithak gaya. Vo phone par kisi se baat kar rahi thi.

"Haramzadi" Maine zindagi mein pehli baar use gaali di, "Mere bistar par leti, mere bagal mein leti apne yaar se baat kar rahi hai"

Maine aankhen band ki aur chup chap leta raha. Vo bahut halki si aawaz mein baat kar rahi thi, lagbhag khusphusa hi rahi thi. Par kuchh lafz the jo mujhe saaf sunai diye aur jiske baat usne phone rakh diya.

"I know that yaar, tum par toh main aankh band karke bharosa kar sakti hoon. You know how dear you are to me" Kehkar vo hasi, phir dheere se kuchh kaha jo mujhe samajh nahi aaya aur phone kaat diya.

Usne baad vo toh sukoon se karwat badal kar so gayi par mujhe poori raat neend nahi aayi. Poori raat main nafrat ki aag mein jalta raha.

Haan vo pehli baar tha ke mujhe apne dil mein uske liye nafrat mehsoos hui.

 

[vamp545]

Uske agle hi din meri maan ke zor daalne par Renuka ne office se maternity leave le li. Halanki vo abhi sirf mushkil se ek mahina pregnant thi par meri maan ne use office jaane se saaf mana kar diya. Uske office wale bhi is shart par maan gaye ke vo rozana kuchh ghante ke liye ghar se kaam karegi.

Jahan mere maan baap is baat ko lekar behad khush the vahin mere toh jaise armano par pani phir gaya tha. Kahin apne dil mein main is baat par yakeen kar chuka tha ke Renuka ki kokh mein pal raha bachcha mera nahi tha. Hamare ghar mein ek naya member judne wala tha aur har koi bas usi ki taiyyari mein laga hua tha. Sara din ghar mein kabhi is baat par charcha rehti ke ladka hoga ya ladki toh kabhi is baat par ke bachche ka naam kya rakhenge. Jab bada ho jaayega toh kaun se school mein bhejenge, bada hokar vo kya banega vagerah vagerah. Par mere dimag mein in sabse hatkar ek alag hi soch badhti ja rahi thi.

Sabse badi baat jo mujhe pareshan kar rahi thi vo ye thi ke us din Renuka ke saath vo ladka kaun tha. Kaun tha jo meri bagal se meri biwi ko nikal le gaya aur mujhe khabar tak nahi hui. Peshe se main ek investigative journalist tha, is tarah ki baatein pata lagana mera kaam tha. Maine faisla kiya tha ke agle kuchh din tak Renuka par nazar rakhunga, uski har movement ka pata lagaoonga ke kahan jaati hai, kisse milti hai aur kitna waqt kahan guzarti hai. Par uske maternity leave lene ke baad mera ye plan fail ho gaya. Usne maternity leave kya li, ghar se toh usne jaise nikalna hi chhod diya. Bas sara din ghar par meri maan ke saath bethi baatein karti rehti thi aur agar ghar se nikalti bhi toh maan ke saath. Kayi baar chupke se maine un dono ka pichha kiya ye sochkar ke shayad vo maan ko kuchh bahana banakar chori se us ladke se mile par aisa kuchh hua nahi. Vo jis kaam se nikalte the nipta kar ghar vaapis aa jaate the. Na toh vo maan se alag hoti thi aur na hi beech mein kahin koi use milta tha.

Doosri baat ye ke main pata lagana chahta tha ke bachcha mera hai ya nahi. Yun toh mujhe yakeen tha ke bachche ka baap main nahi hoon par phir bhi apne dil ki tasalli ke liye ek baar confirm karna chahta tha. Kuchh doctors se maine pata kiya toh jawab ye mila ke is tarah ka test karne ke liye kuchh mahine wait karna padega. Pregnancy ke shuru ke dino mein is tarah ka koi test nahi kiya ja sakta.

Par pareshani ki baat ye thi ke aisa koi test karaya kaise jaaye. Zahir si baat thi ke main asal vajah toh Renuka ko bata nahi sakta tha. Jo bhi karna tha use bina bataye karna tha. Par phir iske liye kisi aise doctor ki bhi zaroorat thi jo is kaam merin khamoshi se mera saath de. Mere saath saath vo bhi Renuka se jhooth bole ke normal koi test kar raha hai aur baad mein nateeja chahe kuchh bhi ho, bachcha mera ho ya na ho, is baat ko bahar na nikalne de, sirf apne tak rakhe.

Renuka ki jasoosi karne ka ab mere paas sirf ek hi tareeka tha. Uske phone aur laptop ko track karna. Kayi baar maine uska phone utha kar contact list, call list aur inbox mein messages dekhe par aisa kuchh nahi mila jo mujhe uske aashiq ka naam aur pata bata sakta. Vo jo bhi kar rahi thi bahut hi hoshiyari se kar rahi thi aur mere paas sivaay uske phone aur laptop ko track karne ke aur koi rasta nahi bacha tha. Kaam mushkil nahi tha. Ek aadmi tha meri pehchan mein jo ye mere liye kar sakta tha, Akram Ballebaaz.

"Kya haal hain sarkar, bade din baad idhar ka rasta bhoole" Main Akram se milne gaya toh vo bahut hi garam joshi se mujhse mila.

Uska naam Akram Ballebaaz kyun tha ye koi nahi janta tha sivaay uske aur vo kisi ko batata nahi tha. Asli naam kya tha ye bhi koi nahi janta tha aur sab use bas Akram Ballebaaz hi keh kar bulate the. Yahan tak ke uske driving licence aur passport par bhi uska naam Akram Ballebaaz hi tha. Aage pichhe uska koi nahi tha aur koi nahi janta tha ke vo kaun tha, kahan se aaya tha par aadmi kaam ka tha. Bina kisi degree aur formal education ke computers aur electrical gadgets ki bahut hi zabardast knowledge thi use.

"Ek kaam tha yaar" Maine kaha.

"Bataiye kiski jasoosi karni hai ab" Vo bola, "Par pehle ye bataiye ke garam lenge ya thanda"

Ye bhi uski bahut purani aadat thi. Apne paas aane wale har insaan ko kuchh khila pila kar zaroor bhejta tha, bhale hi saamne wala lakh mana karta rahe. Isse pehle bhi jab bhi main usse mila toh kuchh kha pikar hi nikla, bhale hi mera dil ho ya na ho. Is waqt bhi main janta tha ke mana karke kuchh haasil nahi hoga isliye khamoshi se use kuchh thanda laane ke liye bol diya. Usne phone uthaya aur kisi ko 2 cold drinks aur samose laane ko kaha.

"Ek baat bata Akram"

"Kahiye"

"Tu sala sara din yahan betha khata rehta hai aur phir bhi hai single pasli?"

Aur ye haqeeqat bhi tha. Vo apne office mein betha sara din bhains ki tarah jugali karta rehta tha par phir bhi itna dubla tha ke agar hawa chale toh udne ka darr ho jaaye.

"Allah ka karam samajh lijiye bas" Usne haskar jawab diya.

"Achha ek toh mujhe ek sim ka clone chahiye" Main matlab ki baat par aate hue kaha.

"Ho jaayega"

"Aur doosra mujhe ek laptop mein koi aisa bug ya virus daalna hai jo us laptop se jaane wali har email ki ek copy mujhe forward kare. Agar Skype, Yahoo ya MSN jaisi kisi chat service ke zariye koi chat ki ja rahi ho toh vo chat save kare aur mujhe email kar de"

"Email wala toh aasan hai, vo toh mil jaayega par ye chat wala zara tricky hoga"

"Ho paayega?"

"Haan ho toh jaayega par ek do din lagenge"

"Uski tension nahi hai. Jab taiyyar ho jaaye toh bata dena main laptop leta aaoonga"

"Kiska laptop hai?"

"Hai kisi ka. Ek kaam aur karna hai, ek landline tap karna hai ke jo bhi call incoming ya outgoing us phone se ho vo kahin record ho jaaye"

"Haan ho jaayega par jaake ek chhota sa device phone ke andar bethana padega"

"Vo toh tu jab chaahe kar dena. Mera hi landline hai"

"Apna phone tap kar rahe ho?" Usne hairat se meri taraf dekhte hue puchha.

"Haan yaar" Maine jawab diya, "Karna padta hai kabhi kabhi aisa bhi?"

"Par kyun?" Usne hairani se mujhse puchha.

"Arrey aisa kuchh nahi hai, aajkal zara ajeeb ajeeb se phone aa rahe hain ghar par aur uper se mera kuchh kaam bhi aisa hai. Toh sochta hoon ke ghar par kuchh install kara loon aisa jisse ke ghar par aane wali calls track ki ja saken, conversation record ho sake"

"Haan ho jaayega, aap jab bolo main ghar aake laga jaoonga"

"Main phone kar doonga tujhe" Main nahi chahta tha ke vo ye kaam Renuka ke saamne aakar kare isliye use kisi aise time par bulana zaroori tha jab ghar par koi na ho, "Most probably kal ya parso hi"

"Ye emails aur chat ka kya chakkar hai?"

"Track kar raha hoon kisi ko, evidence chahiye hogi kuchh uska gunaah saabit karne ke liye"

"Email wala toh aasan sa hi kaam hai, ek chhota sa spyware dalna hai bas. Chat record karne wala bhi ho jaayega, thoda sa time chahiye hoga"

"Theek hai"

"Aur Bhabhi ji ke kya haal chaal hain?"Usne achanak sawal kiya.

"Theek hai vo bhi" Ek pal ke liye mere munh se nikalne hi wala tha ke vo pregnant hai par phir maine baat zubaan tak hi rok li.

Usi raat dinner ke baad jab main aur Renuka sone ke liye lete toh vo mere kareeb hokar let gayi. Maine bas ek baar uski taraf bedili se muskura kar dekha aur aankhen band kar li. Usne khud hi apna sar utha kar mere seene par rakhe aur aur meri ek bazu ko apne jism par lape-te hue mere baahon mein simat si gayi. Uska aisa karna mujhe bilkul pasand nahi aaya par man maarkar main chup chap aankhen band kiye leta raha.

"Ek baat puchhun?" Kuchh lamhon ki khamoshi ke baad vo boli.

"Hmmmm" Maine jawab mein sirf haami bhari.

"Naraz ho mujhse kya?"

"Nahi toh" Uske achanak is sawan ne mujhe aankhen khol kar uski taraf dekhne par majboor kar diya.

"Kuchh din se dekh rahi hoon ke bade kate kate se rehte ho, jaisa kuchh kehna chah rahe ho mujhse, kuchh puchhna chah rahe ho par keh nahi pa rahe. Sirf khamoshi se andar hi andar ghut rahe ho. Mujhse koi bhool ho gayi kya?"

Dil mein toh aaya ke keh doon ke tumse vo galti hui hai jiske baad har galti chhoti pad jaati hai.

"Nahi toh, aisa toh kuchh bhi nahi hai" Main sirf itna hi keh paya.

"Jaanti hoon main tumhein bahut achhi tarah" Vo vaise hi lete lete boli, "Tumhari aankhon mein dikhta hai mujhe ke koi baat pareshan kar rahi hai tumhein. Kya hua hai"

"Tumhein is tarah pareshan dekh kar jaan nikalti hai meri, please agar kuchh hai toh bata do"

"Main sach keh raha hoon aisa kuchh nahi hai" Maine jhoothi tasalli deni chahi, "Veham hai tumara. Thoda kaam vagerah ke chakkar mein phasa hua hoon isliye aisa lag raha hai tumhein"

"Is it because of the child?" Usne jaise meri baat suni hi nahi.

"Child? What do you mean?"

"Dekh rahi hoon ke jabse main bataya hai ke i am pregnant tum kuchh pareshan se ho. Maine vo ghadi lakar di thi, tumne ek baar bhi use nahi pehna. Pasand nahi aayi?"

Mujhe achanak yaad aaya ke uski laayi hui ghadi toh main bhool hi gaya tha.

"Nahi pasand toh bahut hai, you know i wanted to buy it" Mujhe samajh hi nahi aaya ke kya bahana banaoon ke main kyun ghadi ek baar bhi try nahi ki.

"If you dont want a baby right now then we dont have to do it" Usne phir baat ka rukh bachche ki taraf mod diya.

"Matlab?"

"Jabse main pregnant hoon khoye khoye se rehte ho, mere kareeb tak nahi aate. Agar bachche ko lekar pareshan ho toh we dont have to go through it. We can abort the baby"

"Kya bol rahi ho?" Mujhe uske andaaz se mehsoos hua ke vo serious thi toh main uthkar betha.

"There is nothing more imporant to me than you are. If you dont want this baby then i dont want it either" Aur ye kehte hue uski aankhen chhalak aayi. Do mote mote aansoon uski palkon se behkar uske gaalon par ludhak gaye.

Dil hi dil mein ye toh khud maine bhi kayi baar socha tha ke is bachche ko gira diya jaaye par Renuka se kaise kahun ye decide nahi kar paya. Aur ab jabki vo khud hi mere saamne bachcha girane ki baat kar rahi thi toh main ye decide nahi kar pa raha tha ke kaise react karun.

"Kuchh bolo na, kyun naraz ho?" Usne apna ek haath mere gaal par rakha.

"Main nahi hoon naraz, seriously"

"Jhooth bol rahe ho, chhupa rahe ho mujhse. Nahi batana toh mat batao par jo bhi galti hui mujhse, maaf to kar sakte ho. Please? I am sorry" Aur ye kehkar usne badi masoomiyat se kisi chhoti bachchi ki tarah apne dono kaan pakad liye.

Us ek lamhe main samajh nahi paya ke kya sahi hai aur kya galat. Hazar sawal ek baar phir dil mein umad pade. Kya mera shak sahi tha ya main bas yun hi baat ka batangad bana raha tha? Mere saamne bethi ye ladki jo bhaari palken liye apne kaan pakde mujhse maafi maang rahi thi, bina ye jaane ke vo kis baat ki maafi maang rahi hai, kya ye asal thi ya sirf ek natak? Kya is maafi mein sachchai thi ya apni bewafai ko chhupane ki koshish?

Kya vo mera pyaar tha jo use yun tadpa raha tha ya uska apna mujhe dhokha dene ka guilt jisne use is tarah maafi maangne par majboor kar diya tha? Ek pregnant aurat jo apna bachcha tak girane ko taiyyar thi meri khushi ke liye, meri mohabbat mein, kya ye haqeeat thi ya vo aurat haqeeat thi jo us din ek hotel ke band kamre mein kisi paraye mard ke saath kuchh ghante bita kar aayi thi? Kya vo bachcha isliye gira rahi thi kyunki use lagta tha main is baat se pareshan hoon aur bachcha nahi chahta? Ya isliye ke vo jaanti thi ke ye bachcha mera hai hi nahi?

Vo bachchon ki tarah kaan pakde mere saamne bethi ro rahi thi aur main bas uske chehre ki taraf dekhe ja raha tha.

 

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next Chapter 13 - The Day It Happened in line post soon

 

[vamp545]

@Chaya @Hoorain

 

[vamp545]

@LaaraibLikhaari @DesiGirl

 

[vamp545]

@maheeeeeeeen @Mahen

 

[vamp545]

Next update jald hi

 

[vamp545]

Chapter 13 - The Day It Happened

Mujhe Chail aaye ek hafta ho chuka tha aur is beech mere haath koi bhi khaas information nahi aayi thi. Haan ek theroy zaroor maine bana li thi aur mujhe poora andesha tha ke aisa hi kuchh hua tha par vo theroy bhi abhi tak adhoori thi. Ab tak sirf itna hi mujhe samajh aaya tha ke Ravi aur Sunanda ka aapas mein affair tha. Dono ki shaadi na-mumkin thi aur iski vajah dono ke social status ke beech ka antar thi. Jo kuchh bhi dono ke saath hua tha uski vajah ye love affair hi tha par sabse bade jo sawal the unka jawab ab tak mere paas nahi tha.

Kya hua tha un dono ke saath?

Kya vo abhi zinda the ya mar chuke the?

Aur in sabse kahin badhke jo sawal tha vo ye tha ke jo information mujhe ek hafte mein pata lag gayi, Ravi aur Sunanda ke beech ki ye baat kahin bhi police files mein kyun nahi hai? Kya police aur CBI milkar is chhote se point ko dhoondh nahi paayi thi yar unhein is baat ko daba dene ke liye kaha tha? Aakhir kaun chahega ke unke khandan ke ladke ka naam kisi prostitute ki beti se joda jaaye?

"Kya soch rahe ho?" Main subah subah betha police files ki khaak chhan raha tha ke Kamini ek cup chaai bana laayi.

"Samajh nahi aa raha kuchh bhi"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab yaar ye ke aaj tak maine jo bhi cases investigate kiye hain vo ya toh kisi aise mamle se related hote the jo abhi bhi chal raha tha ya kisi aisi ghatna ko lekar jo abhi haal filhal mein hui hai. Had se had kuchh mahino pehle"

"Ok"

"Aise cases mein evidence ya toh fresh hoti hai aur agar fresh nahi hoti toh at least damaged ya khatam bhi nahi hoti. Logon ki yaad dasht taza hoti hai. Incidents ko jodne mein aasani rehti hai"

"Jo ki filhal is case mein nahi hai"

"Nahi bilkul nahi. Main 20 saal purani ek kabar khod raha hoon. 20 saal ek bahut lamba arsa hota hai Kamini. Us waqt is case mein involved kitne log toh shayad ab tak mar bhi chuke honge aur jo zinda hai unhein dhang se yaad nahi hoga"

"So toh hai"

"Aur koi nayi evidence dhoondhna toh almost impossible hi hai jaise. Jo kuchh bhi hai purani evidence hi hai aur vo yahan police files mein darj hai"

"Jo ke i am sure zyada helpful nahi hogi"

"Exactly. Ab samajh nahi aa raha ke is sabko lekar us 20 saal purani ghanta ko kaise samjhun"

"Why dont you recreate it?"

"What do you mean"

"You know like they show on the TV, on news channel"

"Yeah i know, i work for one"

"So i think a good place to start will be to recreate the incidents of that day, ke us din kya hua tha"

"Arrey vahi toh pata lagana hai par kaise"

"At least jitna pata laga sakte ho toh vo karo"

"I think you are right. Shaam ke baad jab Ravi ghar se nikla toh kya hua ye nahi pata par usse pehle ka toh pata chal hi sakta hai"





"Right"

"I mean jo us din hua of course there will be incidents for day prior to that, or maybe weeks or months which led to what happened to that day. Par in sab sawalon ka jawab is baat mein hai ke us din exactly hua kya tha"

"True" Kamini aise muskura rahi thi jaise pata nahi mera kaun sa bada marg-darshan kar diya ho.

"Samajhdaar ho gayi hai tu bhi mere saath reh rehke"

"Excuse me, main hamesha se hi bahut samajhdaar thi. Tumhein har thode waqt mein meri salah lete rehna chahiye, faayde mein rahoge"

"I agree," Maine apne baalon mein haath pherte hue kaha. "Kuchh saal pehle teri salah le leta toh aaj ye din dekhna nahi padta. Us din hospital mein hi teri baat maan li hoti Renuka ke baare mein toh aaj kahani kuchh aur hi hoti"

"Abhi bhi kuchh nahi bigda hai" Usne fauran mera haath apne haath mein liya, "Ab jo hua use bhool jao aur jo ja chuki hai use dosh nahi dete. Vo jaisi bhi thi, biwi thi tumhari. Bhale thode waqt ke liye hi sahi, ek bahut achha waqt saath guzara tum dono ne aur ek khoobsurat beta deke gayi hai vo tumhein. Ab vo ja chuki hai toh sabki behtari isi mein hai ke tum bhi ab har gile shikve ko dil se chale jaane do. Ek mari hui aurat ke khilaff apne dil mein nafrat paalkar tumhein kuchh haasil nahi hoga. Maaf kar do use. Apne gunaah ki saza usne khud hi apne aapko de di, khud apne haathon apni jaan le li. Ab tumhari baari hai use maaf kar dene ki"

"Yahi maafi agar vo zinda rehte mujhse maangti toh kya main maaf na karta use? Sirf ek baar mere saamne bethkar mujhse maafi ke do shabd kehne the, sab bhool jata main par usne mujhe is layak bhi nahi samjha. Maut ki saza usne sirf apne aapko nahi, apne pichhe apne chhote se bachche aur apne pati ko bhi di hai. Suicide was never the way out, all she needed to do was come back to her family, come back to me"

Mere is sawal ka jawab shayad Kamini ke paas bhi nahi tha. Vo kuchh pal ke liye bas chup chap dekhti rahi aur phir jab uski aankhen bhar aayi toh chehra doosri aur ghuma liya.

"I cant see you like this" Vo chehra doosri aur kiye boli, "Makes my heart break and my eyes water" You will have to let it go, if not for yourself then for your son and your family. And maybe for me"

Ek baar phir kamre mein khamishi chha gayi. Kuchh der baad ek baar phir khamoshi usi ne todi.

"So how are we gonna start" Apne chehre se baal hatate hue usne chehre par muskurahat bikheri aur meri taraf dekha.

"I think a good place to start will be to find out who Ravi spoke to that day, who he spent time with, where all did he go"

"We will have to talk to everyone about that"

"True"

"Who do you want to start with?"

"I think i have a name in mind"

"Who?"

"The same guy who takes care of the entire household, has been doing it for all his life"

"Liyaqat? Vo butler?"

"Right. Raat ko ghar ka main gate vahi lock karta hai aur subah vahi kholta bhi hai. Is ghar ke har insaan ki movement par uski nazar rehti hai. Usse maine pehle ek baar aur baat ki thi par tab koi zyada khaas information haasil nahi hui thi"

"Is baar bolega vo?"

"Nahi I am sure bolega toh abhi bhi kuchh khaas nahi vo. Kaafi ghunna type ka hai par at least mere paas puchhne ke liye behtar sawal hain"

"Do you think he has anything to do with it?"

"I dont think so really"

"Why not?"

"Sabse badi vajah ke aisa karne ka koi motive nahi tha uske paas and i dont think koi fayda bhi hua hai use. Aage pichhe i dont think ke koi hai use aur Ravi ke gayab hone ke baad bhi 20 saal se vo vahi same zindagi ji raha hai"

"Baat toh sahi hai"

"But still, i havent really checked him off my suspect list entirely. He is still on it"

"So when do you want to talk to him"

"Abhi bula leta hoon use. Meanwhile tu ek kaam kar"

"Kya?"

"Kanha ke baap se baat kar"

Main Kamini ko already Kanha ka kissa poora suna chuka tha, aur uske baap ke baare mein bhi.

"Main kya baat karungi usse?"

"Dekh agar koi information milti hai toh"

"You are asking me to go and investigate? Dont you think you will be better off doing it yourself? I wouldnt even know what to ask"

 

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"See that is the point" Maine kaha

"What is?"

"Ke tu vahan investigate karne nahi, usse baat karne ja"

"Usse kya hoga?"

"Jis tarah se tune Sunanda ki maan ke saath bahave kiya tha , vaise hi kar. Usko baaton mein laga aur dekh kya bolta hai buddha"

"Aur usne mujhse puchha ke main kaun hoon aur kyun is baare mein soonghti phir rahi hoon?"

"Toh kehna ke tu is 20 saal pehle hui ghanta ke baare mein ek story likhne ki soch rahi hai"

"Reporter?"

"Nahi, reporter bolegi toh shayad bidak jaaye buddha"

"Phir?"

"Book writer bol. Author"

"Author?"

"Haan, kehna ke tu hamare desh mein hue unsolved cases ke uper ek book likh rahi hai. Aur since ye 20 saal pehle ka ek bahut bada aur famous unsolved case hai toh tu iske baare mein likhna chahti hai. Thoda senti maar, uske bete ko lekar ke tu uski kahani sabke saamne lana chahti hai blah blah"

"Isnt that kinda mean?"

"Could be but that is best choice"

"Do you think it will work?"

"Worth a shot"

Kamini ke jaane ke baad main Liyaqat ko bula bheja aur stove par chaai chadhayi. 10 minute baad main chaai ke cup lekar drawing room mein betha hi tha ke darwaze par knock hua. Khola toh bahar Liyaqat khada tha.

"Aapne bulaya tha?"

"Haan" Maine use andar aane ka ishara kiya," Aao betho"

"Nahi theek hai, kahiye" Usne khade khade hi kaha.

"Beth jao, thoda waqt lagega" Mere zor dene par vo beth gaya.

"Tumse kuchh case ke baare mein baat karni thi"

"Main jo janta tha vo bata chuka hoon aapko"

"Haan par main ek baar phir baat karna chahta tha"

"Jo us din maine bataya tha usse zyada kuchh pata nahi mujhe"

"Well then i need you to repeat what you said that day"

"Puchhiye" Vo hathyaar daalta hua bola.

"Apna poore din ka haal sunao ke kya kiya tha tumne us din, kahan the, kab the vagerah vagerah. Aur ye dialogue mat maarna ke main 20 saal purani baat puchh raha hoon, tumhein yaad nahi. Jo us din hua tha aur jitna hangama us din ke baad hua tha itna kuchh hone ke baad toh ek bachche ke dimaag par bhi us din ka poora naksha chhap jata hai"

"Jitna mujhe yaad hai utna main bata deta hoon" Mere mana karne ke baad bhi usne adiyal ghode ki tarah phir yaad-dasht ka hawala diya.

"Theek hai, batao"

"Subah 4.30 baje main utha"

"Itni subah uthne ki koi khaas vajah?"

"Subah ki namaz"

"Padhte ho?"

"5 waqt"

"Kahin masjid hai aas paas yahan?"

"Nahi thoda door hai isliye ghar par hi padhta hoon"

"Ok, phir?"

"Namaz padhi, ghar ka main gate khola aur phir jogging ke liye bahar nikal gaya"

"Jogging?" Maine hairat se use sar se paon tak dekha.

"Main buddha hi paida nahi hua tha" Usne mere bolne ke andaaz aur nazar ko taadte hue kaha, "Aaj se 20 saal pehle main 34 saal ka hua karta tha. Ab umar ho gayi hai par ab bhi main 10 kms bhaag loon aur mera haath tak na kaanpe"

Baat saaf thi, use mera is tarah se bolna bura laga tha. Aur vaise bhi use dekh kar andaza hota tha ke sehat ka khaas khyaal rakhta hai. Is umar mein bhi uska pet ek inch bhi bahar nahi tha aur jism poori tarah se tandrust aur kasrati lagta tha.

"I am sorry, phir?"

"Yahan se thodi door ek chaai ki dukaan hai, achhi chaai banata hai vo. Ek waqt par main subah roz vahan tak bhaag kar jata tha aur roz subah ki chaai vahin peeta tha."

"Haan jaanta hoon us dukaan ke baare mein, ja chuka hoon ek baar. Phir?"

"Vahan mujhe subah subah Rana Sahab mile"

"Mr. Rana?"

"Nahi hamare Sahab nahi, Pratap Rana Sahab"

"Oh, matlab unki bhi bahut purani aadat hai vahan jakar chaai pine ki?"

"Ji haan"

"Phir?"

"Maine chaai pi, kuchh khaya aur phir tehalta hua vaapis aa gaya"

"Mr. Rana se us din vahan koi baat hui?"

"Nahi koi khaas nahi, bas aise hi haal chaal puchha"

"Ok, phir?"

"Ek baat hui thi us din jo mere dimag se kabhi nikli nahi, mera bhram bhi ho sakta hai"

"Kya?"

"Jab main vaapis aa raha tha toh mujhe laga ke maine ek ladki dekhi"

"Ladki dekhi?"

"Haan"

"Koi khaas baat ismein?" Mujhe uski baat kuchh samajh nahi aayi,

"Us waqt toh koi khaas baat nahi lagi sivaay iske ke kuchh ghabrayi si lag rahi thi"

"Ghabrayi si?"

"Haan jaise kisi se bachke bhaag rahi ho"

"Tumhein aisa kyun laga?"

"Pedon ki aat lekar chal rahi thi, sadak se hatkar jaise darr rahi ho ke sadak par koi dekh na le aur kaafi tezi ke saath chal rahi thi, matlab lagbhag bhaag hi rahi thi"

"Ho sakta hai vo bhi tumhari tarah jogging kar rahi ho"

"Nahi"

"Kyun?"

"Kyunki Saree pehankar koi bevakoof aurat hi jogging karne jaayegi"

"Point, kahan dikhi thi tumhein vo?"

"Yahin ghar se thodi door. Main Bungalow ki taraf aa raha tha aur vo Bungalow ki taraf se Chail ki taraf ja rahi thi"

"Phir tumne kya kiya?"

"Ek pal ke liye toh samajh nahi aaya ke kya karun. Matlab socha ke rok kar puchh loon par is tarah subah subah sunsaan jagah par ladki ko rokna kuchh theek sa nahi laga. Maine socha ke hogi kisi baat ko leke pareshaan isliye maine kuchh nahi kaha"

"Us ladki ne tumhein dekha?"

"Haan bilkul. Mujhe door se aata dekh vo shayad thithak kar ped ke pichhe chhup gayi thi. Maine toh use dekha bhi tab jab main kareeb aaya aur vo ped ke pichhe se nikal kar aage chali gayi"

"Aur tum yahan aa gaye?"

"Haan subah subah ghar par vaise bhi kaafi kaam hota hai toh main ghar vaapis aa gaya"

"Koi idea kaun thi vo ladki?"

"Us waqt toh mujhe yaad nahi aaya haan par shakal kuchh pehchani si lagi. Ghar vaapis aaya aur phir apne kaam mein lag gaya aur phir Ravi Sahab ki gumshudgi ko lekar kuchh din tak hangama raha. Kuchh din baad ek din mere kamre mein rakha ek purana paper mere haath laga jismein us ladki ki tasveer thi. Tab mujhe samajh aaya ke kyun mujhe us ladki ki shakal pehchani si lag rahi thi"

"Kabka akhbaar tha?" Mujhe kuchh kuchh samajh aana shuru ho gaya tha ke vo kya kehne ja raha hai.

"Maine jis din us ladki ko dekha tha usse 3-4 din pehle ka. Us akhbaar mein uski photo chhapi thi aur likha tha ke vo lapata hai, 3 din se ghar nahi aayi hai aur agar kisi ko koi jaankar hai toh falana falana pate par ya police station mein jakar bata de"

"Aur vo ladki Sunanda thi?"

"Ji haan" Usne sar hila kar jawab diya.

"Jis din tumne use dekha vo usse ek hafta pehle se apne ghar se gayab thi"

"Ji haan"

 

[vamp545]

"Aur tumhein ye baat pata thi?"

"Jaisa ke maine kaha, us waqt pata nahi thi. Us waqt toh sirf shakal jaani pehchani lagi. Baad mein pata chala ke vo kaun thi"

"Toh tum mujhe ye keh rahe ho ke jo ladki ek hafte se ghar se gayab thi us din subah tumne use dekha aur usi din Ravi bhi gayab ho gaya?

"Ji haan"

"Tum ye baat itne yakeen se kaise keh sakte ho ke ladki Sunanda hi thi, koi aur bhi toh ho sakti hai"

"Shakal kaafi gaur se dekhi thi maine. Pehchanne mein galti nahi kar sakta" Use bade confidence se jawab diya.

"Toh tumhein yakeen hai ke vo Sunanda hi thi"

"Haan"

"Aaj 20 saal baad bhi? Aur tumhein ye ek baat itni achhi tarah se yaad hai?"

"Iski bhi ek vajah hai"

"Kya?"

"Jab maine use saamne se dekha toh bas ek ghabrayi si ladki dikhai di jo kisi vajah se chhup chhup kar ja rahi thi. Ek pal ko maine ye bhi socha ke shayad aisa kuchh nahi hai, mujhe hi aisa lag raha hai ke ye thodi pareshan hai. Aur ye bhi ho sakta hai ke ho kisi baat ko lekar pareshan, ab aise sadak chalte har kisi se toh nahi puchh sakte na"

"Right"

"Par jab vo aage nikal gayi toh maine ek baar phir palat kar uski tarah dekha. Us din hawa kaafi tez thi aur ek pal ke liye, sirf ek pal ke liye hawa ka ek tez jhonka aaya aur uski saree ka pallu uske jism se khiska"

"Ok, toh?"

"Use shareer ke upari hisse mein saree ke andar kuchh nahi pehen rakha tha"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab usne sirf uper se saree pehen rakhi thi. Jab aanchal sarka toh mujhe pichhe se uski poori nangi peeth dikhai di. Andar blouse nahi tha. Aise lah raha tha jaise vo kahin se jaldbaazi mein nikli ho, bas shareer par fatafat saree lapet kar hi nikal bhaagi ho"

"Hmmmm"

"Ab aap hi bataiye, ek din aapko ek ladki yun badhawas si aadhe kapdo mein sadak par chhup kar chalti dikhe aur baad mein aapko pata chale ke vo ladki ghar se ek hafta pehle se gayab thi toh kya aap kabhi uska chehra bhool paayenge? Kya is baat ko apne zehan se nikal paayenge?"

"I guess not. Tumne kisi ko ye baat batayi?"

"Nahi"

"Kyun?"

Maine puchha toh vo ek pal ke liye chup ho gaya.

"Kyun?" Maine phir sawal dohraya.

"Vajah thi"

"Jaan sakta hoon ke vo vajah kya thi?"

"Uske baad thodi hi door mujhe Ravi Sahab bhi usi taraf jaate dikhe"

"Tumhara matlab ladki ke pichhe?"

"Pata nahi, par ja usi taraf rahe the"

"Aur tumhein laga ke Ravi us ladki ke pichhe ja raha hai? Ke vo ladki Ravi se bachkar bhaag rahi hai"

Usne phir koi jawab nahi diya par uski khamoshi ne hi mere sawal ka jawab haan mein de diya.

"Ye bhi toh ho sakta hai ke Ravi subah subah yun hi ghoomne nikla ho? Ya jogging karne?"

"Nahi, vo jogging wale kapdo mein the nahi. Shirt pent pehen rakhi thi aur neeche leather wale joote aur ...."

"Aur kya?"

"Aur vo chal aise rahe the jaise kisi ke pichhe ja rahe hon. Bhaag toh nahi rahe the par kaafi jhapat kar chal rahe the jaise jaldi mein hon. Meri bagal se guzre toh maine good morning kaha par meri toh unhone jaise suni hi nahi. Apne hi khyaalon mein khoye aage ki taraf chale gaye"

"Toh tumhein ye darr tha ke agar kisi ko tumne ye baat batayi toh sabko yahi lagega ke Ravi us ladki ka pichha kar raha tha?"

Usne haan mein sar hilaya.

"Par us waqt toh Ravi khud bhi gayab tha. Kya tumhein ye nahi laga ke ho sakta hai is baat ko batane se shayad Ravi ko dhoondhne mein madad milti?"

"Ye baat agar main kehta toh Ravi Sahab ka naam us jaisi ladki ke saath judta, badnami hoti"

"Aur tumne apni zubaan band rakhi. Par tumhein kaise pata ke sunanda kaisi ladki thi? Abhi toh tum keh rahe the ke tumhein uske baare mein pehli baar pata hi newspaper mein photo dekh kar chala?"

"Uske baad mein ghar ke ek do naukar ko tasveer dikha kar puchha ke vo us ladki ko jaante the kya? Paas ke gaon ki hi thi aur yahan sab naukar aas paas ke gaon se hi hain. Unmein se ek ne pehchan kar bataya ke vo dono maan beti kis tarah ka kaam karte the"

"Hmmmm. Tumhein lagta hai ke Sunanda yahan Rana Sahab ke ghar se bachkar bhaag rahi thi?"

"Nahi yahan ek hafta agar vo hoti toh pata zaroor chalta. Aur uper se us subah main gate ka lock maine hi khola tha aur uske baad se gate par watchman betha tha, usne kisi ko yahan se jaate nahi dekha"

"Zaroori nahi ke ghar mein hi ho. Ravi vahan pichhe guest house bhi toh use karta tha apne liye. Ho sakta hai usne vahan rakha ho Sunando ko?"

Jawab mein Liyaqat ne sirf pata nahi ke andaaz mein kandhe uchka diya.

"Ek baat aur, tumne jab mujhse pehli baar baat ki us waqt mujhe ye sab kyun nahi bataya?"

"Usi darr se jis darr se 20 saal pehle kisi ko nahi bataya tha"

"Aur ab kyun bata rahe ho?"

"Kyunki 20 saal se ye kissa chala aa raha hai. Ravi Sahab khud toh chale gaye par vo har kisi ke dimag mein abhi bhi base hue hain. Har koi 20 saal se ye jaanna chahta hai ke kya hua tha us din aur kahan gaye vo. Aur un logon mein main khud bhi shaamil hoon. Main bas ab is qisse ko khatam karna chahta hoon. Memsahab ne aapko itni ummeedon se milaya hai, umar ke aakhri padav par hain vo aur is umar mein ek maan ka haq banta hai ke use pata chale ke uske bete ke saath kya hua tha"





"Ok" Maine apna notepad khola, "Ye subah kitne baje ki baat hai?"

"Yahi koi 6 baje ke aas paas"

"Tum ghar se kitne baje nikle the?"

"Takreeban 5.15 ke kareeb, subah ki namaz padhkar"

"Aur usi waqt tumne ghar ka main gate bhi khola tha?"

"Ji haan"

"Un dino Ravi kahan reh raha tha, yahin ghar mein ya vo us guest house mein?"

"Unka aisa kuchh pakka nahi the, ek din yahan rehte the toh agle din vahan"

"Jis roz vo gayab hua usse pichhle din kahan tha?"

"Guest house, do teen din se vahin the. Khane khane bhi ghar nahi aate the, vahin bhijva diya jata tha"

"Kuchh yaad hai ke khana ek aadmi layak ja raha tha ya do aadmi kha sake itna?"

"Ab ye toh sach bataoon toh yaad nahi. Ab ye mujh aur aap jaise middle class aadmi ka ghar toh hai nahi ke andaze se khana banega ke kitne khane wale hain taaki kuchh bekaar na jaaye aur ghar ka ration faaltu kharch na ho"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ke yahan agar kisi ek aadmi ka bhi chicken khane ka dil kar raha ho toh poora murga kata jata hai, phir vo insaan usmein se sirf ek leg piece khata hai aur baaki ka ya toh naukar le jaate hain ya phenk diya jata hai"

"Hmmmmm"

"Toh Ravi Sahab ke saath bhi aisa hi tha. Ghar mein jo bana hota toh sab dishes jaati thi. Jitna vo khate the kha lete the aur baaki ka naukar vaapis le aate the"

"Koi khaas vajah ke vo un dino khana vahin kyun khata tha?"

"Sahab se kuchh dino se unki kaha-suni chal rahi thi"

"Mr. Rana?"

"Ji haan"

"I thought kaha suni sirf us din hui thi jis din vo gayab hua tha?"

"Us din bhi hui thi. Us din actually kuchh zyada hi garma garmi ho gayi thi, behas is had tak chali gayi ke unki aawaz ghar ke har naukar ne suni. Par baat asal mein usse kuchh din pehle se hi bigdi hui thi"

"Kitne din pehle se?"

"Takreeban mahina pehle se"

"Aur tumhein ye baat kaise pata?"

"Kayi baar Sahab aur Ravi Sahab ko gusse mein baat karte dekha, dheemi aawaz mein aur phir mujhe aata dekh kar chup ho jaate the"

"Mrs. Rana ko pata hai ye baat?"

"Ji haan"

"Unhone bataya nahi. Mujhe toh unhone sirf ye kaha ke jis din Ravi gayab hua tha usi din kuchh behas hui thi"

"Ab kyun nahi bataya ye toh vahi jaane par baat asal mein mahina bhar se bigdi hui thi"

"Ok, toh tumne raaste mein Sunanda aur Ravi ko dekha aur phir tum ghar aa gaye"

"Ji haan"

"Kitne baje"

"6.15 ya 6.30 ke aas paas"

"Phir?"

"Phir main ghar ke kaamo mein lag gaya. Takreeban 11 baje ke kareeb Mem-Sahab ne kaha ke unhein Solan jana hai aur mujhe gaadi taiyyar karne ko kaha"

"Kitne baje nikle yahan se?"

"12 ke aas paas"

"Tum, Mrs. Rana aur Raj?"

"Ji haan"

"Subah jab Ravi gaya toh vaapis kab aaya phir?"

"Jab tak ham log Solan ke liye nikle tab tak vaapis nahi aaye the"

"Subah ka gaya dopahar tak nahi aaya?"

"Nahi"

"Ok, Phir?"

"Phir ham log Solan pahunche, Madam ko kuchh shopping karni thi vo unhone kari aur ham vaapis aa gaye"

"Vahan kuchh aisa hua ho jo ajeeb laga ho?"

"Nahi vahan toh nahi par jab ham Chail se nikal rahe the toh ek jagah mujhe Ravi Sahab aur unka dost Kanha baat karte hue dikhe"

"Yahi raaste mein sadak ke kinare, Kanha ke ghar se zara door"

"Tum log ruke?"

"Nahi vo zara sadak se thoda hatke khade the, shayad Memsahab ne unhein dekha hi nahi. Vo aur Raj Sahab pichhe ki taraf bethe the gaadi mein"

"Baat karne ke andaaz se kuchh laga?"

"Nahi kuchh khaas nahi. Thoda door khade the mujhe par jaise baat kar rahe the usse yahi lag raha tha ke kisi bade mudde par baat kar rahe hain"

"Jab tum Solan pahunche toh Raj poora time tumhare saath hi tha?"

"Ji haan"

"Vahan koi mila ho, kisi se baat hui ho? Raj kahin gaya ho thodi der ke liye?"

"Nahi, na koi mila aur na hi Raj Sahab kahin gaye"

"Aur vaapis kitne baje aaye?"

"Shaam ke 5 baje"

 

[vamp545]

"5 baje?"

"Ji haan"

"Yahan se Solan tak jaane aane aur thodi der vahan shopping karne ke liye 5 ghante? Solan toh kareeb hi hai na? Uhar Kaali ke Tibbe se nazar aata hai neeche valley mein"

"Haan hai toh nazdeek hi"

"Phir 5 ghante?"

"Sadak idhar abhi kuchh saal pehle tak hi itni theek hui hai. Un dino sadak koi khaas nahi hoti thi. Pahadai ilaka hai aur uper se barish. Ek dedh ghanta toh Solan pahunchne mein hi lag jata tha"

"Hmmmmm"

"Aur phir aap bhool rahe hain ke hamare saath ek aurat shopping kar rahi thi" Usne muskurate hue kaha.

"I agree on that" Main bhi uski baat sunkar hasa. Itne waqt se main yahan tha par maine pehli baar use muskurate hue dekha tha.

"Toh aap log 5 baje vaapis aaye, phir?"

"Phir vahi jo maine aapko pehle bataya tha. Hamne gaadi bahar roki, andar aaye, Sahab ke kamre se jhagadne ki aawaz aa rahi thi. Ham logon ke aate hi Ravi Sahab ghar se bahar chale gaye aur Raj Sahab unke pichhe pichhe. Phir baarish shuru ho gayi"

"Aur uske baad se Ravi kabhi vaapis nahi aaya"

"Nahi"

"Uske baad kabhi Sunanda nazar aayi tumhein?

"Nahi, bas vo pehli aur aakhri baar tha ke maine use dekha tha. Phir kabhi nahi. Ek do baar dil mein aaya ke uski maan se mil aaoon par phir irada badal diya"

'Uski maan se, kyun?"

"Jab idhar hamari Memsahab ho dekhta tha ke kaise ek maan apne bete ke liye pareshan ho rahi hai toh aksar us ladki ka khyaal aata tha. Bhale hi vo maan beti kisi bhi tarah ka kaam karti hon, ek maan ke dil mein apni beti ke liye pyaar toh barabar hi hoga. Sochta tha ke kabhi jakar use bataoon ke maine us din uski beti ko dekha, kis haal mein dekha"

"Kya kiya kabhi aisa?"

"Nahi socha kayi baar aur phir irada badal diya"

"Kyun?"

"Kyunki use jis halat mein jis tarah se maine aakhri baar dekha tha, usse andaza laga sakte hain ke kya hua hoga. Ab uski maan ko jakar ye sab batata toh bekaar use takleef hi hoti. Filhal toh gham us bechari ko ye hoga ke beti gayab hai par kahin dil mein shayad ek aas hogi ke vo khud chali gayi hai kisi ke saaath, kahin zinda hai, salamat hai. Agar main bata deta toh ek ye ummeed bhi usse chheen leta"

"Tumne kya andaza lagaya ke kya hua hoga uske saath?" Maine use aur kuredne ki koshish ki.

"Aap sach mujhe sawal hi puchh rahe hain ya mere munh se koi aisi baat sunna chah rahe hain jo aapke matlab ki ho?" Usne fauran mera irada bhaanp liya.

"Mera kaam hi aisa hai Liyaqat" Maine muskura kar raha, "Logon ko kuredna, unse har chhoti chhoti baat puchhna jo unke khud ke mutabik ko ehmiyat na rakhti ho. Aur phir aisi hi 2 aur 2 baaton ko jodkar main 5 banata hoon"

"Toh aapki baat ka jawab ye hai ke mera andaza ek ladki ke saath zabardasti ka hai"

"Kisne ki hogi zabardasti?"

"Ab aap phir mere munh mein alfaaz daalne ki koshish kar rahe hain" Vo muskurata hua bola.

"Nahi main sirf ek sawal puchh raha hoon"

"Toh aapke sawal ka jawab ye hai ke main nahi janta. Main sach nahi janta. Main aapko nahi bata sakta ke kya Ravi Sahab us ladki ke saath zabardasti kar rahe the, kya unhone hi ek hafte se use kahin chhupa kar rakha hua tha. Mere dekhne ki haqeeat sirf itni hi hai ke maine ek ladki ko adh-nangi halat mein jaate hue dekha aur uske pichhe Ravi Sahab ko"

"Tumhein lagta hai ke Ravi uske pichhe ja raha tha?"

"Aapne mera andaza puchha, mera andaza yahi tha par kabhi ye samajh nahi aaya ke Sahab ko uske saath zabardasti karne ki ya zaroorat thi?"

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ke vo maan beti paiso ke liye yahi kaam toh karte the, toh zabardasti kyun. Kuchh paise de dete use, apni marzi se jo kehte vo karti"
Ek pal ke liye maine socha ke use Sunanda ke baare mein bataoon par uska koi fayda nahi tha. Main ise bata deta ke vo ek prostitute nahi thi par yahan toh saara ilaaka yahi manta hai, main kis kisko samjhata phirunga.

"TUmhein kya lagta hai, vo zinda hai kahin ya mar gayi"

"Andaza ye hai ke mar chuki hai aur dua meri ye hai ke kahin zinda ho"

"Dua?"

"Mushkil se 22-23 saal ki umar thi us bachchi ki us waqt. Bhale hi vo kaisi bhi thi, kaisa bhi kaam karti thi par kisi majboori ke rehte hi karti hogi, marzi se koi aisa kaam kyun kare bhala"

Uski baat sunkar ek pal ke liye mere dil mein aaya ke use bade sheharon ki haqeeqat bataoon jahan ladkiyan ab aise kaam marzi se hi karti hain, aasan paisa kamane ke liye.

"Use bhi haqt tha ke apni zindagi ko poori jeekar jaati aur kisi ko koi haq nahi tha ke usse ye haq chhene" Vo apni baat jaari rakhta hua bola, "Toh meri toh dua yahi hai ke vo us din jis bhi halat mein thi, nikal gayi ho aur salamat ho kahin"

Liyaqat ke jaane ke baad main soch mein pad gaya. Agar uski baat maanta toh Ravi Sunanda ke saath zor zabardasti kar raha tha par phir ye samajh nahi aata ke vo is halat mein kaise thi ke saamne se dekhne par Liyqat ko andaza hi nahi hua ke uske jism par kapda nahi hai? Vo bhale hi chhup kar par chal toh sadakh par hi rahi thi? Agar vo kahin hafte bhar se band thi aur bachkar bhaag rahi thi toh aise mein insaan sabse pehle madad ke liye pukarta hai. Vo Liyqaqt ke paas se guzri aur madad nahi maangi? Kya vo jaanti thi ke Liyaqat Ravi ke yahan kaam karta hai? Kya isliye dar kar madad nahi maangi? Par phir Liyaqat ko dekh kar vo bhaagi bhi toh nahi, aaram se uski bagal se guzar gayi.
Abhi main soch hi raha tha ke mera phone baj utha. Maine call receive ki toh aawaz ek aurat ki thi.

"Sahab main Sunanda ki maan bol rahi hoon"

"Hanji kahiye"

"Vo aapne kaha tha ne mujhe kuchh mile toh aapko phor karun?"

"Ji haan"

"Mila hai mujhe kuchh jo shayad aapki madad kare"

"Kya?"

"Ek letter jaisa hai kuchh"

 

[vamp545]

Next line is

Chapter 14 : The Extra-Marital Affair

 

[vamp545]

@adnan1 @jaribhai