Author's POV:

Agle din subah Henry tayyari mein tha. Apni uniform ko suljha kar pehna, collar thoda sa seedha kiya, aur ek gehri saans lekar sheeshe mein apne aap ko dekha apni topi pehnte hue. Uski gehri neeli ankhon ke neeche thakan thi, par iradon mein pehli baar ek sukoon bhi tha. Shayad Heer ko raat bhar apne kandhe par roti dekh kar uska dil bhi roya tha.

Par ek faisla woh le chuka tha—apne vardi se alag hone ka. Us kursi se alag hone ka jahan insaaf ka naam sirf kaagazon mein hota tha.

Jaliawala bagh ke us manzar ne Henry ke andar kuch to aisa jga diya tha ke use apni vardi se nafrat si ho gayi thi.

Un begunaho ka behta lahu use apni uniform par hamesha mehsoos hota hai.

Heer jab tak uthi Henry ghar se ja chuka tha.

Wo base headquarters ke liye nikla. Gadi mein safar ke dauran usne baar-baar apna resignation letter dekha. "I hereby tender my resignation..."

Har bar us par likhe lafzon ko jaise dobara sochta, par pen ki siyahi jaise uski apni rooh se nikal kar kagaz par aayi thi—kuch badal nahi sakta tha ab.

Lahore Cantonment ka safed colonial building—jahan wo kabhi garv se chala karta tha, aaj uska bojh uske kadmon mein tha.

Headquarters ke darwaze uske liye hamesha se khulte aaye the—ek proud officer ke liye. Par aaj uske kadmon mein kuch bojh tha. Ek aakhri bar usne un corridors mein dekha jahan usne bahut waqt guzare tha. Kai faisle liye the. Par aaj uske dil mein sirf ek faisla tha—chhod dena.

Commanding Office ke samne khada hua to gatekeeper ne bina kisi sawaal ke salute maara—lekin Henry ko laga jaise har aankh uspar ek chhupa hua ilzaam tha.

Wo andar gaya, darwaza khat-khataya.

Wo Commanding Officer ke saamne jaakar khada hua, seedha, vardi mein bilkul theek jaise British fauj ka ek misaali afsar hota hai. Aankhon mein koi jhijhak nahi thi, bas ek thehraav tha.

“Permission to enter, sir,” uski awaaz mein ek khurdura sankalp tha.

“Come in, Colonel Caldwell,” Brigadier ne nazrein uthane bina kaha, jaise wo uski aamad se waqif tha.

Henry ne file unke desk par rakhi. “This is my formal resignation, sir. I believe you already know why.”

Officer ne hairani mein apne bhawe uthaye, “Colonel Caldwell?”

“I’m resigning, sir. Effective immediately.” Henry ne dridta se jawab diya.

Ek sannata chhaya gaya.

Commanding Officer ne letter liya, pada… phir ek lambe chup rehne ke baad kursi se uthkar khidki ke paas chala gaya.

“Is this because of what happened in Amritsar?” unhone pucha, bina peeche dekhe wo jante the Henry ki biwi ke pariwar ke sath waha kya hua tha.

Henry chup raha.

“Do you think this is the way an officer should walk away from his responsibilities?” officer ki awaz teekhi thi, sawal sirf us kaam par nahi balki is insaan par bhi tha.

Henry ka chehra thoda sa sakht hua, “No, sir. I believe it's the only way I can live with myself.”

Woh officer palat kar uske samne aaya, aur file desk par rakh di. “Resignation not accepted.”

Henry ne aankhen uthakar uski taraf dekha—thoda hairan, thoda naraaz.

Uska chehra ek pal ke liye suna ho gaya. “Excuse me?”

“You’re not walking out, Colonel. Not when the system you served for years is being questioned. Not when your credibility is at stake. And most of all—not when we’re under public and international scrutiny after Jallianwala.”

Henry ka dimaag sun pad gaya. “Sir, with all due respect, I cannot continue in this post. After what happened—”

“Exactly because of what happened, I said not accepted. That’s final. You will serve till further orders. And you are being reassigned temporarily to internal intelligence duties. Desk work. You’re off the field.” Officer ki awaz tez aur sakht thi.

Ek chuppi chha gayi. Henry ki aankhon mein wohi dard tha jo Heer ki aankhon mein tha—bas rang alag tha.

Henry apne muthiyan kas li par usne us waqt kuch nahi kaha. Bas ek gehri saans li, uska irada tha azaadi lene ka… par hukumat ne usse azaadi bhi nahi di.

Aur is pal mein, kahin andar ek aur darar pad gayi us insaan mein… jo kab ka toot chuka tha, par ab tak sirf jod kar khada tha.

“Sir, may I ask... what if I insist on resigning?” Henry ne pucha.

Brigadier apni kursi par piche ki aur baithe, ab unki awaaz thodi sakht aur berukhi se bhai thi, "You're not paid to feel. You're paid to command. And if you walk away, you’ll be court-martialed for dereliction.”

Henry ke paun tale se zameen khisak gayi ek pal ke liye court martial ki baat sun kar.

Uske dil mein ek pal ko dar ki ek teekhi lehar daud gayi.

Court martial.

Woh shabd uske kaano mein goonj utha jaise kisi ne talwar se use cheer diya ho.

Uske mare hue pita, Field Marshal Caldwell, ka naam... usi Crown ke liye ladte hue shaheed hua tha. Unka pura jeevan wafadari aur imandari ki misaal tha. Agar Henry court-martial hota, to unka saara samman, saari izzat mitti mein mil jaati.

Ek kala dhabba ban jaaega unke virasat par.

Kya jawab dega wo apni maa ko ya marne ke baad apne pita ko?

Jahan ek beta kashmakash mein tha wahi ek pati ko apni patni ki bhi chinta thi.

 Heer.

Heer, jo abhi-abhi apne parivaar ka khoon aur apni maasoomiyat ka sangharsh dekh kar nikli thi.

Kaise wo uss nayi toheen ka bojh uthayegi? Kaise log usse dekhtenge—ek disgraced officer ki patni ke roop mein?

Heer ke liye yeh sab sahna asambhav hoga.

Nahi wo usi phir kisi bhi aziyat se guzarne nahi dega.

Henry ne apni akhein ek pal ko band ki aur uske samne sirf Heer thi—tooti, thaki hui, lekin ab bhi apni saari taqat se jeene ki koshish karti hui.

Wo usse aur todenge?

Usse aur neecha dekhenge?

Nahi.

Kisi bhi halat mein nahi.

Agar Heer ko izzat ki zindagi dene ke liye use is khoon lagi wardi ka bojh sari zindagi bhi sehna pada to wo seh lega.

Henry ne apne muthiyan dheere se kholi. Ek gehri, thandi saans kheench kar apne aap ko sambhala. Uska gurur, uska gussa, sab kuch us waqt ek taraf tha. Bas ek farz tha, Heer ke prati, apne pita ke prati.

Usne nazar uthakar Brigadier ki aankhon mein dekha.

"Understood, sir," Henry ne finally kaha, apne jazbaat ko andar dabaate hue usne letter wapas uthaya aur pucha, "Can I at least be granted a few days of leave, or will that also be denied?"

"Of course, Colonel. Take as long a leave as you need—get your mind straight and return to work." Officer ne jawab diya aur Henry waha se bahr nikla.

Us waqt, wo Haar gaya tha... apne liye.

Par jeet gaya tha Heer ke liye ek pati aur ek mare hue baap ke bete ke roop mein bhi.

Aur jab wo headquarters se bahar nikla, uski vardi ab bhi uske kandhon par thi, lekin uska dil... us vardi se bohot door nikal chuka tha.

Wo jab ghar pahuncha, Heer darwaze par uska intezaar kar rahi thi.
“Aap jaldi laut aaye?” Heer ne pucha, uske liye rasta chhodte hue.

Henry ne ek gehri saans li aur Heer ki aankhon mein dekh kar maafi maangi, “Forgive me, little jewel.”

Heer ne hairani mein uski taraf dekha aur dheere se pucha, “Kis liye?”

"My resignation was not accepted,” Henry ne sar jhukate hue kaha, kyunki usse lag raha tha ke usne Heer se kiya hua wada pura nahi kiya, aur wo sharminda tha.

Par use kya maloom, Heer to kab se yehi dua kar rahi thi. Aur Henry ki baat sunte hi, usne to Bhagwan ka shukrana karte hue chain ki saans li.

“Toh aap maafi kyun maang rahe hain? Isme aapki koi galti thodi hi hai,” Heer ne jawab diya, use paani dete hue.

Henry ne ek thakan bhari saans li aur apni topi utarte hue Heer ke haathon se paani liya.

“I had no choice left, Heer. My commanding officer refused to accept my resignation — and when I persisted, he threatened me with court-martial. After that, I couldn't fight back. The honor of a fallen father for his son, and a husband's duty towards his wife… they stood before me, and I bowed my head, Heer. For them, I buried my own pain and the promise I made to you.”

Heer hairani mein bas use dekhti reh gayi.

“If I had been court-martialed, they would have made your life a living hell, Heer. I could never bear that — not under any circumstances. And if giving you a life of dignity means I have to carry the burden of this bloodstained uniform for the rest of my life, then so be it. I will endure it.”

Heer ki ek pal ke liye saans tham gayi. Use apni aankhon aur kaanon par yakeen nahi ho raha tha ke uske samne baitha ye aadmi uske liye itna sab kuch kar sakta hai.

Aur tab Heer ke kaanon mein bas uske pita ke alfaaz goonj rahe the jo unhone usse shaadi se pehle kahe the.
Uske pita bilkul sahi the — wo Henry ko pehchanne mein zara bhi galat nahi the.

“Aisa mat sochiye. Bas imaandari se apna kaam kijiye,” Heer ne dheere se kaha, apne sar ka dupatta sambhalte hue.
“Aur sach batau toh main chahti bhi nahi thi ke aap apni naukri meri wajah se chhod dein. Bahut mehnat ki hai aapne is mukaam ke liye.”

Henry ke paas kuch kehne ko nahi tha. Wo bas use ek tak dekhta reh gaya — hairani aur samvedna se bhara hua.

“Aur aap apni is post ko khairaat kyu kehte hain? Kabhi aapne socha hai, aapke mare hue pita ke dil par kya beeti hogi jab aap ye sochte hain?” Heer ne dheere se kaha.

Henry ki aankhon mein gham aur asmanjas ka ghera tha, jaise wo Heer ki baat ko samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho. Uske dil mein ab bhi uske pita ki maut ka dard tha, aur jab bhi usne apni promotion ke baare mein socha, usse lagta tha jaise wo unke naam par ek aur bojh dal raha ho.

"Because the government has offered me this as compensation, isn't it, Heer? They took my father away in this war. Can any promotion ever replace him?” Henry ne kaha.

Heer ne dheere se uske chehre par nazar daali, jaise wo uski har baat samajh rahi ho. “Nahi kar sakti kabhi bhi nahi kar sakti par aap ise aise kyu soch rahe hai? Ise is nazariye se kyu nahi dekhte aap ke apke pita ki bahaduri se hui shadat ko aap is promotion ke zariye aur is naukri ke zariye hamesha zinda rakhenge.”

Henry ne uski baat samjhte hue sar hilaya par uski aankhon mein ek chhupa hua andhera ab bhi tha. Usne Heer ki nazron mein dekhte hue kaha, "I thought I would take you far away from this pain and suffering.”

“Par main kahi nahi jana chahti thi, colonel saab. Ye mera ghar hai. Meri mitti. Main ise chod kar jane ka tasavvur bhi nahi kar skti.” Heer ye kehna chahti thi par usne kuch kaha nahi.

“Main apke liye chai banwati hun.” Heer ye keh kar waha ne jane hi wali thi ke Henry ne uska hath pakad kar use rok liya.

"No, go to the room and pack your things.” Henry ne kha.

“Kyu?” Heer ne hairani mein pucha.

"The resignation letter wasn't accepted, but I did get a leave.” Henry ne ek choti si muskan ke sath kaha.

“Kaisi chuti?” Heer ne pucha.

"We are going to Kashmir. You always wanted to go there, right?" Henry ne pyar se jawab diya aur Heer hairani thi. Uski ankhon mein ajeeb hi chamak aur hairani thi.

Akhir ye baat ise kaise pata?

"Apko kaise maloom?" Heer ki aankhon mein ek pal ke liye aansuon ki nami aa gayi ke kaise Henry ko uski kahi har choti se badi baat yaad rehti hai.

"I heard you once when you were talking to Elizabeth. I had been trying to find the right time... and now it feels right. If we go away for a few days, it might lift your mood." Henry ne uske samne khade hote hue kaha.

Heer ke chehre ki udasi aur gehri ho gayi.

Haa wo kashmir ki wadiyon mein ghoomna chahti thi par aise waqt mein nahi jab wo apna sab kuch gawa chuki hai.

Henry ne uski udasi dekhi aur dheere se uske kandhon se use pakda aur pyar se kaha, "Look, Heer, we can't stop living just because our loved ones are gone. But we can live for them, can't we?”

Heer ne dheere se sar hilaya aur dono ne jane ki taiyari shuru ki.

Dono raat ka khana khane baithne hi wale the jab Arthur aur Elizabeth aaye unke ghar afsos karne.

Wo kuch der unke pass baithe aur Elizabeth ne ek achi saheli ki trha Heer ko himmat rakhne ko kaha aur phir wo Jane hi wale the ke Heer ne unhe raat ka khana uske sath khane ko kaha.

Agli subah dono station ke liye nikle. Heer ne safed salwar kameez aur uske sath surkh phulkari li hui thi jisne Henry ka dil ek pal ke liye mano tham hi diya tha.

Wo khud bhi aaj apni wardi mein nahi tha. Civil kapdo mein hi tha aur uski safed kameez se mel khata Heer ka suit use aur bhi khushi de raha tha.

Uske dil mein ek hi umeed thi ke shayad ye safar dono ki zindagi mein ek naya mod le aaye.

Iqbal Ali unhe khud station chod kar aya aur unka saman bhi khud gadi ke dibe mein rakah.

Lahore ka station bheed se bhara hai, lekin Henry aur Heer alag se akelay mehsoos ho rahe hain.

Un logon ki bheed mein bhi sabki nigahen us vivahit jode par thi, Jo aam logon ki nazron mein beshak bemeil sa tha par unke dil mein nahi.

Henry ne Heer ka haath Kas kar tham rakha tha, uski aankhon mein sirf uski salamati ki fikr.

Ek chhoti reserved bogie mein dono chadhte hain, jisme kuch aur log bhi hain — zyadatar sipahi aur afsar.

Station par kahin kahin goliyon ke nishaan ya tooti hui deewaren nazar aa rahi thi — Jallianwala ke baad ka asar.

Heer ki jab bhi us par padti uska dil seham jata par Henry uska hath thame use ek pal ke liye bhi akela mehsoos hone nahi de raha tha.

Kuch der baad train dhak dhak karti rawani mein aage badhi.

Heer khidki ke paas baithi thi, baahar ke lambe khet aur nadiyan dekh rahi thi. Usne nahi socha tha wo kabhi kashmir yun aisi paristhitiyo main jaegi.

Kabhi kabhi aankhon mein aansu aa jaate, to kabhi Henry uska haath daba kar tasalli deta.

Safar ke dauraan dono ne jyada baat nahi ki sirf ek doosre ki khamoshi ko samajhte rahe.

Henry ne pal ke liye bhi uska hath nahi choda aur uske hath ko beech beech mein halka halka dbata raha jaise ke use ashwasan dila raha ho ke, "Sab theek hoga."

Ghanton ka lamba safar tha, aur abhi bhi door-door tak Rawalpindi ka koi nishaan nahi dikhaayi de raha tha.

Safar ki thakan se Heer ki aankhen bhari hone lagi thi, aur na jaane kab uski palken bojhil ho kar band ho gayi. Neend mein hi uska sar Henry ke kandhe par aahista se tik gaya.

Henry ne soti hui Heer ka sukoon bhara chehra dekhna chaha, lekin khidki se aati thandi hawa uske ghane, siyah baalon ka parda uske chehre par bicha gayi thi.

Henry ne apni naram ungliyon se bade hi sanbhal kar uske baal uske chehre se hataaye — itni dheere se ki kahin uski neend na toot jaaye.

Aur jab uske baal hatt gaye, to amaavas ki raat jaise andheron ke baad poornima ke chand sa uska roshan chehra Henry ke samne tha.

Uske chehre ki narmi, uski masoomiyat aur chhupi hui dard ki kahani, sab kuch Henry ke dil mein ek gehra raaz chhupa gaye.

Henry ki aankhon mein kuch tha jo kehne ki koshish kar raha tha, par uske labon se kuch bhi nahi nikla. Bas wo Heer ko dekhta raha, uske chehre mein ek purani udaasi aur ek naye sukoon ki jhankaar thi.

Aaj bhi jab wo uska chehra dekh raha tha, uske dil mein ek nayi kasam thi — Heer ko kabhi dard na dene ki. Uski aankhon mein ek raaz tha, ek vada tha, ek anjaana sa junoon tha jo sirf Heer ke saath jeene ki tamanna mein ghula tha.

Heer ki narmi ke saath, wo bhi apne andheron se nikalne ki koshish kar raha tha, lekin usne khud ko wahan rok liya. Aur jab Heer ki aankhon ne dhundhli si roshni se Henry ki aankhon mein dekha, to unke beech mein ek khamoshi thi, jo sab keh gayi thi.

Aise lamhon mein, na koi lafz zaroori tha, na koi khubsurat jumla. Bas dono ek dusre ke saath the, ek duje ke chehre mein apni zindagi dhoond rahe the.

Lekin tabhi train ruki aur khidki ke paas ek chai wale ki awaaz sunai di. Heer thoda chonk gayi aur seedhi ho kar baith gayi, Henry se thoda sa door sarakti hui.

“Would you like to have some tea?" Henry ne pyaar se puchha.

Par Heer ne dheere se mana karte hue sir hilaya aur puchha, “Aur kitni door hai Rawalpindi?”

"The next station is Rawalpindi," Henry ne jawab diya. Heer ne dheere se sir hilaya.

Kuch ghanton ke baad, train Rawalpindi station par aa ruki.

Station par utarte hi, Heer ne mehsoos kiya ki mausam thoda thanda tha. Hawa mein ek halki si nami thi.

Heer apni phulkari mein aur bhi kas gayi. Jab Henry ne dekha ki wo thand se sikud rahi hai, to usne apna coat, jo uske haath mein tha, pyaar se Heer ke kandhon par dal diya.

Heer ne hairani se uski taraf dekha, lekin Henry ki nazrein jhuki hui thi, aur wo zameen par pada Heer ka dupatta ek haath mein liye aage badh raha tha.

Jab dono station ke bahar aaye, to ek sipahi ek motorgadi ke saath unka intezaar kar raha tha.

Jaise hi unhone dono ko door se aate dekha, wo bhaag kar aaya aur Henry ke haath se saman le kar gadi mein rakh diya.

Ab aage ka safar aur bhi lamba aur kathin hone wala tha, kyunki pahadi raaston par train nahi chalti thi.

Henry ne pehle se hi sab intazam kar rakha tha, taki Heer ko safar mein kisi bhi tarah ki asuvidha na ho.

Dono gadi mein baith kar Rawalpindi se Murree ke safar par nikal pade.

Safar lamba tha, aur raste kharab.

Ghanto lag gaye Murree pahunchne mein.

Raste mein ghane jungle, kabhi-kabhi barish ki halki bundiyaan, aur pahaadiyon se girte chhote jharne Heer ko nazar aaye.

Lagbhag dedh din ke lambi train aur phir motorgadi ke safar ke baad, Heer bahut thak gayi thi.

Kyunki na to usse itne lambe safar ki aadat thi, aur na hi wo kabhi ghar se is tarah door gayi thi.

Isliye, Murree pahunchte hi, Henry ne ek din ke aaram ka faisla kiya aur dono ek British Dak Bungalow mein ruk gaye.

Henry, Heer ko unke kamre tak le gaya.

“Go freshen up, I'll bring the food,” Henry ne kaha aur saman andar rakhte hue Heer se bola.

Heer ne apne kapde nikale aur kamre ke sath wale snangreh (bathroom) mein nahane chali gayi.

Jab Heer andar chali gayi, to Henry ko yaad aaya ki Heer ke jaane ke baad darwaza kaise band kare?

Isliye wo bahar se darwaza band kar, khana lene chala gaya.

Thodi der baad jab Henry wapas aaya aur darwaza khola, to dekha — Heer apne gile baal sukha rahi thi.

Usse achanak dekh kar Heer ghabra gayi aur turant paas ki kursi par rakha dupatta lene bhaagi.

Henry ne turant nazrein jhuka li aur maafi maangte hue kaha, “I... umm... sorry, you had gone to take a bath so I locked the door from outside, otherwise I would have knocked before coming in.”

Heer ne apna sar apne dupatte se dhak liya, lekin sheeshe mein wo dekh sakti thi ki Henry ki nazrein ab bhi jhuki hui thi — jaise wo apne aap ko dosh de raha ho.

Uska dil zor-zor se dhadakne laga.

"The food is getting cold. You start eating, I'll just go and get fresh," Henry ne apna gala saaf karte hue kaha.

Lekin jab Henry naha kar wapas aaya, to dekha — khana waise ka waisa pada tha.

"You still haven’t started eating yet?" Henry ne hairani se poocha.

“Nahi,” Heer ne dheere se jawab diya, aur phir chup-chaap Henry ke liye plate mein khana dalne lagi.

Dono ne bina kuch kahe, shaantipurn tareeke se khana khatam kiya.

Safar ki thakan se dono turant apne bistar par jaakar let gaye aur kuch hi der mein so gaye.

Bahut dinon baad, Heer ne aankhen band karke thodi der ke liye gehri neend li, par wo neend zyada der tak tik nahi paayi.

Kuch waqt baad, wo achanak hanfte hue uth gayi.

“Little jewel!” Henry jaag hi raha tha.

Heer ko aise hanfte hue dekh, wo bhi ghabra gaya.

Ye pehli baar nahi tha.

Us din ke baad se, jab bhi Heer aankhen band karti, uske zehan mein wahi bhayanak manzar laut aata, aur wo ghabra kar uth jaati thi.

Henry ne use paani diya, aur uska sir sehlane laga jab tak Heer ki saansen sadharan nahi ho gayi.

Agli subah, dono ne apna aage ka safar shuru kiya. Ab unhe Murree se Muzaffarabad jana tha.

Age gadi bhi nahi ja sakti thi toh ab age ka safar Heer palki mein karegi kyu ke use ghodsavari nahi ati thi aur Henry uski palki ke sath apne ghode par sawar tha.

Sath kuch sipahi bhi the kyu ke rasta sunsan tha aur unhein janglo ke beech se guzar kar jana tha aur raat wo wahi junglon mein hi camp laga kar guzarte the.

Muzaffarabad ke baad ab unka akhri safar tha kashmir.

Raste mein khubsurat wadiyon, khule maidano  aur jharno ke nazare Heer ko dikhane ke liye Henry palki har thodi der baad rukwa leta.

Lekin un khubsurat nazaron ko dekhte hue bhi Heer ki aankhon ki udasi nahi ja rahi thi.

Aur akhirkar wo kashmir pouhnch hi gaye 7 se 8 din ke lambe safar ke baad.

Srinagar ki thandi hawaon ne jaise Amritsar ke zakhamo par ek narm marham rakhnr ki koshish ki. Henry ne carriage ke parde halka sa hata kar Heer ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhen ab bhi soojhi hui thi, jaise Jallianwala ke khooni manzar ab tak unke dilon mein resham ki tarah uljhe hue the.

"Just a little further, little jewel." Henry ne dheere se kaha. Uski awaz mein wohi pehla sa lagav tha, par ab usmein kuch aur bhi tha — shayad bepanah toota hua afsos, shayad ek bechain kosish sambhalne ki.

Kyu ke usne sare raste koshish ki ke kaas Heer thoda sa muskura hi de par uski aankhon ki udasi Henry ko todh rahi hai.

Gulmarg ki aur jaane wala rasta ghane devdaron aur safed chinaron ke beech se hokar nikalta tha. Har mod par thandi hawa unke chehron ko choo jaati, jaise kudrat khud unka swagat kar rahi ho.

Palki ne jab ek chhoti si pahadi cottage ke saamne rukne ka ishaara diya, Heer ne thak kar apni aankhen kholi. Samne ek purana, lakdi ka bungalow tha — sab taraf se safed phoolon aur jangli ghason se ghira hua.

Henry ne haath badhaya.

"Some time here... just for the two of us," usne dheere se kaha.

Heer ne kuch nahi kaha. Sirf uska haath Henry ke haath mein aaya — naram, thoda kapkapata hua — lekin zinda.

Aur us pal, dono jaise waqt se udhar maang kar kuch pal jeene ki koshish kar rahe the.

Heer ne bahar akar jab dekha to manzar bahut hi khubsurat tha.

Jo usne socha tha usse bhi bahut zyada khubsurat.

Bungalow ke andar kadam rakhte hi ek purani lakdi ki khushboo ne unka swagat kiya. Kamra chhota tha, par garam. Ek kone mein angithi jal rahi thi, jiski laal roshni lakdi ki deewar par naach rahi thi.

Henry ne aage badh kar fireplace mein kuch aur lakdiyaan dali, aur phir Heer ki taraf palta. Heer, apni chadar ko aur kas kar lapet rahi thi, jaise apne andar ke toofan ko bhi is sukoon mein lapetna chahti ho.

"Come, sir.," Henry ne uske liye ek kursi kheechte hue kaha. Uski har harkat mein ab ek ajeeb si sanjeedgi thi, jaise har pal Heer ki thakan, uska dard halka karne ki chhupi si koshish kar raha ho.

Heer chup chaap baith gayi. Bahar barfili hawa ghar ke chhote sheeshe ke khidkiyon ko chum rahi thi. Kahin door se Jhelum ke paaniyon ki halki si goonj sunayi de rahi thi.

Henry uske saamne baitha, aur ek garam kambal uske pairon par phela diya.

“Did you like it?” Henry ne pucha uske samne baith te hue.

“Hmm.” Heer ne dheere se kaha. “Par mujhe maloom nahi tha yahan ana itna muskil hai.”

Henry halka sa muskaya aur use kaha, “I want to tell you that, this isn't a government guest house. I’ve rented it from a local for our stay here.”

Heer ne dheere se sar hilaya.

"Do you need anything else?" usne poocha, awaz mein wohi halka sa adraapan tha — jaise kahin andar se pachtave ka ek bhaari sa paimana ab tak bhar raha ho.

Heer ne sirf 'nahin' mein sir hila diya. Uski aankhon mein aansu nahi the, par unmein woh udaasi thi jo lafzon se pare hoti hai.

Kuch der dono chup rahe. Sirf lakdi ke jalne ki khusphusahat aur kabhi kabhi Heer ke saans lene ki aahat kamre mein gunjti rahi.

Tabhi Henry ne aage badh kar Heer ka haath apne dono haathon mein le liya — naram, sambhalta hua, jaise ek kasam khud se khud ke liye.

"I will take care of you, Heer. Always," usne dheere se kaha, jaise yeh wada usne duniya ke khilaf kiya ho. "At any cost."

Bahaar, Kashmir ki shaam dheere dheere rat mein dhal rahi thi.

Aur us chhoti si cottage mein, Henry apni Heer ka tuta dil dubara jodne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Pehle ke kuch din Heer cottage se bahar bhi nahi nikli. Uska kuch karne ko mann hi nahi chahta tha ab. Reh-reh kar uske dil mein ek hi khayal aata, jab bhi wo khidki se bahar barf ki us safed chadar ko dekhti thi, “Agar uska Sahib uske saath hota to kitna khush hota.”

Sahib ke us muskurate chehre ko jitni baar bhi Heer yaad karti, uski aankhein nam ho jaati. Ek din, zid kar Henry ne use Shikara ki sawari par le aaya. Heer ana nahi chahti thi, par Henry kisi bhi halat mein use khush dekhna chahta tha.

Shikare mein baithte hue bhi, Heer apne aas-paas ka manzar dekhne ki bajaye, uski nazrein bas uski godh mein rakhe uske haathon par thi. Henry ne uska chehra apne haathon mein le, use apni aankhon mein dekha aur kaha,

"Zara nazrein to utha lijiye, aji zara nazrein toh utha lijiye, Kashmir ki in wadiyon ko apni ek nazar se haseen to bana dijiye.

Khubsurat to ye wadiyan bahut hain, suna hai logo se,

Khubsurat to ye wadiyan bahut hain, aisa suna hai logo se.

Par hume apni nazron se, inhe ek nayi roshni se dikha dijiye.

Janta hoon, gham bahut chupa rakhe hain apni gehri aankhon mein,

Par humse unhe baant ke apna muhafiz bana lijiye.

Dil ke andar jo dard hai, usse thoda sa halka kar lijiye,

Aapki muskurahat se, yeh Kashmir ki wadiyon ko aur khoobsurat bana lijiye."

Heer ki saansen ek pal ke liye tham si gayi Henry ki itni achi Urdu sun kar. Wo bas ek tak Henry ko dekhe ja rahi thi, kyunki Henry ke woh shabdon mein mehaz kuch alfaz nahi the, balki unmein bahut gehra matlab tha, jo Heer ke dil ko chu gaya tha.

“I know my Urdu is a bit shaky, but at least say something. Even if it’s that it was bad, just say that.” Henry thoda haste hue kaha. Heer ne apni palken jhapkate hue jheel ke chhoro aur dekhte hue kaha,

“Nahi, acha tha.”

Wo Henry se nazrein na mila sake, kyunki uski dhadkane jo badh gayi thi.

Dono cottage wapas aa gaye, aur us din ke baad se dono roz Shikara ki sair par jaate. Heer beech pani mein kisi kitab mein khoi hoti to Henry use niharne mein.

Wo use ek din baraf mein bhi le gaya aur us safed chadar ko dekh kar, itne samay baad Heer ke labon par halki si muskan aayi thi. Chahe wo ek pal ki kyu nahi thi, par Henry ke liye wo kafi thi.

Dheere dheere Heer ka pathar dil Henry ke liye pighalne laga tha, chahe wo kitna keh le ke nahi, use ab bhi usse nafrat hai. Henry apni jagah to bana raha tha uske dil mein.

Ek dopahar, Chinar ke paid ke neeche baitha Henry ek kitaab mein khoya hua tha, aur door, kadam kadam par Heer ki nigahein usse hat hi nahi rahi thi. Jaise hi Henry ne kitaab se apni nazrein hatayi aur Heer ki aur dekha, Heer ne turant apni nazrein jhukayi aur waha se andar cottage mein bhag gayi.

Henry ke labon par ek halki si muskan aayi, aur wo phir se apni kitaab mein dub gaya.

Heer jaise hi cottage mein aayi, darwaze par ek sipahi khada tha aur uske haath mein thi ek chithi aur ek chota sa parcel jaisa diba bhi tha. "Colonel Caldwell ke liye ek zaroori chithi aayi hai." Usne bas itna hi kaha, aur Heer ghar ke pichle hise ki aur gayi Henry ko bulane.

Henry aaya aur usne chithi li, lekin jaise hi usne chithi kholi, aur wo pehli line padhte hi sunn sa ho gaya aur chup chaap kamre mein chala gaya.

Heer thoda hairan hui aur uske piche chal di, usse ye samajh nahi aaya ke aakhir Henry itna chup kyun ho gaya tha. Usne kamre mein jaa kar dheere se darwaza khola aur andar dekha. Henry bistar ki kinare par apna sar jhukae bas us chitti ko dekhe ja raha tha.

“Colonel Saab!” Heer ne dheere se pukara par Henry ne koi jawab nahi diya.

Henry ne apni aankhon ko jhuka liya aur kuch nahi kaha. Heer ne uski taraf kadam barhaye, aur thoda ruk kar usse poocha, "Colonel Saab, aap theek ho? Kya hua? Kaisi chithi hai ye?"

Heer ne dheemi si awaz mein pucha.

 Heer uske paas gayi aur usne dekha Henry ke hath kanp rahe the lekin phir bhi usne chithi ko kas ke thama hua tha jaise ki uski zindagi us par nirbhar ho.

Heer ne palke zhukha kar jab dekha wo bas pehli line hi padh saki aur uske paun tale se zameen khisak gayi ek lamhe ke liye, 

 "If you are reading this letter, then I am gone my boy…….."

Wo chithi uski maa ki thi jo ab is duniya mein nahi rahi.

Heer ne bina ek lamha gawe Henry ko apni bahon mein bhar liya uska sar apne seene se laga liya wahi uske samne khade khade.

Henry ke ansu mano bas uski akhon mein hi the par wo unhein behne nahi de raha tha lekin jaise hi Heer ne use apne seene se lagaya uski akhon ka selab beh nikla.

Aur apne bahein Heer ke girad daal wo pehli baar phoot kar roya.

Jo beta apne pita ki maut apne sine mein dafan kar gaya tha aaj wo khud ke jazbaaton par kabu na rakh saka aur na hi ye baat apne andar chupa saka.

Heer ki apni akhon se ansun jhar jhar beh nikale.

Akhir wo kyu ro Rahi thi?

Henry ke liye?

Uski maa ke liye jise wo janti tak nahi thi?

Ya phir ek beti apne pati ka gham bant rahi thi jo apne maa baap khone ka dard janti thi?

“Bas kar de colonel saab.” Heer ne uska sar sehlate hue kaha.

Par Henry bas roye ja raha tha.

Ek chote bache ki tarah.

Akhir kyu nahi?

Maa to maa hoti hai aur hum uske liye hamesha chote bache hi rehte hai chahe beshak hum kitne bhi bade kyu na ho jaye.

“Heer, she is gone forever, and I couldn't even meet her.” Henry ne rote hue kaha.

Uski siskiyaan Heer ke dil ko kachot rahi thi. Use bahut rona aa raha tha sirf ye soch soch kar ke usne to akhiri bar apne maa baap ko dekh liya tha sirf is admi ki badolat par wo bichara khud apni maa ko dekh bhi na saka.

Aur na hi apne baap ko.

Uske maa baap ki kabrein tak use maloom nahi hai.

Us lamhe mein Heer ko ehsas hua ke sirf usne hi nahi uski bahon mein roo rahe insaan ne bhi uski tarah apna sab kuch gawa diya hai.

Jiske liye ab uska sab kuch aur pariwar sirf aur sirf bas uski Heer hi hai.

“I have become orphaned, Heer.”

Henry bas roye ja raha tha.

“Nahi colonel saab.” Heer ne apne ansun jhapkate hue aur uska sar sehlate hue kaha. “Aisa mat kahiye.”

“I couldn't even see them for the last time.”

Henry ka har shabd aur uski har sisaki Heer ke dil ko cheer rahi thi.

Tab use ehsaas hua jab wo yun tut kar Henry ki bahon mein roo rahi thi toh uske dil par kya guzari hogi.

Toh uske muh se bhi wahi nikla jo Henry ne hamesha use ashwasan dilaya tha, “Main hun na apke sath.”