Heer

“Nooran!” Mere kanpte honthon se hairani mein bas itna hi nikla aur main bina ek lambha bhi gavaye uski aur bhagi aur use apni bahon mein bhar liya.

“Tu zinda hai!”

Main rote hue bas yehi dohraye ja rahi thi. Maine uska chehra apne kanpte hathon mein liya, “Rabb da lakh lakh shukar hai ke tu zinda hai. (Bhagwan ka lakh lakh shukar hai ki tum zinda ho.)”

Uski aankhon se bhi ashru beh rahe the lekin wo kuch bol hi nahi rahi thi.

“Kaha thi tu? Maine us raat bahut dhunda tujhe lekin tu mili hi nahi toh mujhe laga ke maine tujhe bhi sabki tarah kho diya hai.” Main puchti gayi aur wo bas rotti chali gayi.

“Nooran kuch to bol na. Kha thi tu? Aur Shafaq bhaijaan kaha hai? Mujhe to chacha chachi bhi kahi nahi mile? Akhir hua kya tha usdin?” Maine use uske kandhon se pakad zor se hilate hue pucha.

“Sab chale gaye Heer.” Akhir wo sisakte hue boli mere gale lag aur mera tuta hua dil ek bar aur tut gaya.

Meri ankhon se aur ansoo beh nikle.

“Sab chale gaye.”

“Toh tu kha thi ab tak…..”

“Little jewel!”

Bahr se jaise hi colonel saab ki awaz sunai di Nooran ek dum se chonk gayi.

Mujhe thodi hairani hui use yun ghabrata dekh itne mein colonel saab ki phir se awaz ayi.

Main unhein jawab dene hi wali thi jab Nooran ne mujhe roka. “Nahi Heer!” Usne dabi si awaz mein kaha aur uski awaz mein ghabrahat mujhe aur dra rahi thi. “Use kuch mat batana aur na hi us par kabhi bhi bharosa karna. Mujhe abhi jana hoga par main phir milungi tujhe. Lekin mujh se wada kar tu use nahi btaegi ke main zinda hun.”

Main kuch samjh nahi paa rahi thi ke akhir ye ho kya raha hai. “Par Nooran….”

“Wada kar Heer.” Usne mujhe tokte hue kaha mera hath thamte hue. “Wada kar.”

Mujhe kuch samajh na aayi par maine keh diya, “wada.”

“Main jald aungi ya tujhe koi sanket dungi. Tab tak apna khyal rkhna.” Bas itna keh kar wo piche ke raste se bhag gayi.

Main wahan kuch pal tak bas khadi reh gayi, jaise mere pair zameen mein gad gaye ho. Nooran ki aankhon mein chhupa dard aur dar ki wo parchai mujhe ab bhi chubh rahi thi.

Kitne sawal kitne jawab. Akhir kaise intezar kar sakungi Nooran se dusri mulakat ka?

Nooran ke ye shabad mere kano mein gunj rahe hai.

“Us par kabhi bharosa mat karna?”

Colonel Saab par?

Par kyu?

Nooran ne aisa akhir kyun kaha hoga?

Mera dil ab is vishwas aur shak ke beech jhool gaya.

Tabhi colonel saab saamne wale darwaze se andar aaye. Unke kapde barish mein bheege hue the.

“Little jewel, what are you doing here?” Unhone mujhe dekha aur turant paas chale aaye aur mera utra chehra dekh chinta mein pucha. “You are looking tense. Is everything alright?”

Maine apne aap ko sambhalte hue jhoothi muskan di. “Kuch nahi… bas thodi hawa tez ho gayi thi… dar gayi thi. Khidki hi band kar rahi thi bas.”

Colonel Saab ne mera haath pakad liya. “It’s just some wind sweetheart don't worry and I am right here. Okay.”

Us pal jab maine unki aankhon mein dekha. Un aankhon mein bas pyaar tha, par ab us pyaar ke peeche Nooran ke shabd goonj rahe the mere zehan mein.

“Us par kabhi bharosa mat karna…”

Maine apna haath dheere se chudwaya unke hath se aur apne dupatte ke cone se unka barish mein bheega chehra pahunchne lagi.

Nooran ki batein mere dimag par havi ho rahi hai par mera dil kuch bhi manne ko taiyar nahi hai.

Mere samne wo insaan hai jisne apne gham tak sirf meri khushi ke liye chupaye hain. Jisne meri sirf ek muskan ke liye na jane kya kya kiya.

Main kaise kisi ki bhi baat maan kar unpe bharosa na karu?

Par wo meri saheli hai. Meri behan jaisi dost.

Aur ye mere pati.

Wo insaan jisne mujhe tab sambhala jab mera sab kuch chin gaya tha.

Yah mere Rabb!

Ye kaisi kashmakash mein daal rahe hain aap mujhe aur tabhi itni zor se bijli kadki jis se main ek dam se ghabra kar kanp gayi.

Unhone turant mujhe apni bahon mein bhar liya, “Shush, my love, it’s just lightning. There’s nothing to be scared of.”

“Mujhe bahut dar lagta hai.” Maine dabi si awaz mein unki bahon mein simatte hue kaha aur unhone mujhe aur zor se apni bahon mein kas liya. “Bebe ji nahi hai na ab warna wo mujhe chupa leti thi aur phir kabhi ye awazein mujhe nahi darati thi.”

“She’s not here, but I am… right by your side. Forgive me sweetheart for being caught up in work when you needed me the most….”

“Nahi koi baat nahi. Main samjhti hun apka kaam bhi zaruri hai.” Maine unki bahon se bahr ate hue pucha, “khana garam kar du apke liye?”

“Did you eat?” Unhone pucha.

“Nahi….”

“Why did you wait for me? You should have eaten on time.” Unhone mujhe tokte hue kaha.

“Aap kapde badal lijiye main khana lagati hun.” Maine bas itna kaha aur waha se chali gayi, par har kadam ke sath mere dil mein ek naya savaal janam le raha tha.

Us raat neend meri aakhon se koso dur thi. Sari raat karwate badalte bas Nooran ki batein hi ghoom rahi thi mere zehan mein.

“Usse mat batana.”

“Uss par bharosa mat karna.”

Agle din bhi mera dil bahut bechain tha aur Colonel Saab ko bhi mere chehre par wo saaf dikhai de raha tha.

“Sweetheart, what's wrong? You've been very quiet since last night.” Unhone chinta mein pucha.

“Kuch nahi…wo.. bas Bebe-Bappu ji ki yaad aa rahi hai aur kuch nahi. Aap chinta mat kijiye.” Maine unhe ek halki si muskan dete hue kaha.

“I know how it feels but you have to be strong for them.” Unhone pyar se kaha aur maine dheere se sar hilaya aur wo kam par chale gaye.

Sara din meri nigahen darwazon par thi ke kahi se kuch to Nooran ka sanket mile par kuch nahi hua.

Sham ke waqt jab Colonel Saab ghar laute unke hath mein ek file thi jise unhone har roz ki tarah mujhe ya Iqbal chacha ko nahi kaha rakhne ko wo use khud study mein le gaye.

Mujhe kuch ajeeb sa laga aur na chahte hue bhi Nooran ki wo baat mere zehan mein dubara goonjne lagi.

Main pani le study mein unke piche gayi.

Maine jaise hi darwaza khola, mujhe nahi maloom tha ke wo darwaze ke hi pass khade the aur darwaza lagne ki wajah se file unke hath se gir gayi.

“Maaf kar dijiye ga colonel saab mujhe malum nahi tha aap darwaze ke pass hi khade hai.” Maine hadbadaht mein kha aur file ke bikhre panne sametne mein unki madad karne lagi pani ka gilas niche rakh.

“It's ok. I'll do it.” Unhone mere hath se panne lene ki koshish ki par tab tak main wo dekh chuki thi jo shayad wo mujh se chupana chahte the.

‘Shafaq Ahmad: Suspicion of espionage. Declared missing. Unconfirmed reports of death in Amritsar but still not confirmed.’

Wo padhte hi mere haath thandey pad gaye.

Colonel Saab ne mere hath se wo panne liye aur maine unki taraf dekha. Meri aakhein bhar aayi thi.

“That's exactly why I didn't want you to see it.” unhone darwaza band karte hue kaha.

“I know you don’t know anything about his rebellious activities, and I want you to promise me you won’t talk about this to anyone. No one should find out that you even knew about it or him. The situation isn’t right, Heer. Please try to understand and don’t let emotions cloud your judgment.” Unhone mujhe samjhane ki koshish ki.

Par wo kaha jante the ki main to sab janti hun aur main bhi unhi mein se ek hun. Kya karenge aap jab aisi ek file mere naam ki apke hath mein aayi toh?

Kya Nooran janti thi is bare mein? Aur Isi liye usne mujhe colonel saab ko kuch bhi batane se mana kiya tha?

Kya colonel saab Nooran ke bare mein bhi jante honge?

Ye soch kar hi mujhe ghabrahat hone lagi aur mera gala sukhne laga.

“Not only him but also Gurbaksh Singh is a rebellion.”

Unki ye baat sun kar meri dhadkane aur badh gayi. Kya mere sab sathiyon ka parda fash ho chuka hai?

“Look Heer, I know you have a pure heart, and you believe that the world is just as pure-hearted. But it’s not like that, my love. I’m telling you this because, even though they may be your people, and you believe they won’t harm you, that’s not the case anymore. To them now, you are first and foremost the wife of a British colonel.” Unhki awaz mein chinta saaf jhalak rahi thi.

“And what I’m about to tell you, please listen to it carefully. Gurbaksh Singh has become extremely dangerous, he is now one of the most wanted criminals by the British army. He isn’t just killing British officers, but also their families. He and his allies have been raiding officers' homes, looting and causing harm. These incidents have increased so much that I’ve decided from now on, whenever I’m not home, Iqbal Ali or another soldier will stay with you to ensure your safety….”

Maine unhe hadbadaht mein toka. “Nahi iski koi zarurat nahi hai.”

“I’m not telling you this to frighten you, but to make you aware, so that no one takes advantage of your innocence under the guise of friendship.” Unhone mere hath apne hathon mein lete hue kaha. “What I’ve told you, I wasn’t authorized to share with anyone but I only wanted to make you aware.”

Unhone jab kehna shuru kiya meri to saans hi tham gayi.

“When I went to Sialkot before heading to Amritsar, it was based on solid intel from one of our informants. I went there with my soldiers to capture rebels, one of them was Shafaq Ahmad. I was shocked to see him there but he managed to escape, and no one knows whether he’s alive or dead. But Gurbaksh Singh is alive. Just a few days ago, he attacked one of our military outposts.”

“Koi galat fehmi hogi colonel saab.” Maine nakarne ki koshish ki.

Par unhone mera chehra apne hathon mein lete hue kaha, “I wish it was but the danger is very close, and I only want to see you safe. I’ve made a promise to your father and I will keep it at any cost.”

Mera saans lena bhi mushkil sa ho gaya par maine colonel saab ke samne kuch zahir nahi hone diya.

Ab Nooran ki batein kuch kuch mere zehan mein baith rahi thi par mujhe usse milna hoga. Sari sachi janni hogi ke akhir meri gair maujudgi mein party mein aur Amritsar mein kya kya hua hai.

Us raat main neend mein bhi chain se nahi so pai. Colonel saab ke shabdon ne, Nooran ke chehre ki ghabrahat ne, aur un dard bhare sachchaiyon ne mere dil-o-dimaag mein ek toofan sa macha diya tha. Main apni patni hone ki zimmedari nibha rahi thi, par ek beti, ek saheli aur ek Hindustani hone ke naate mere andar pachtave ka ek bojh badhta ja raha tha.

Agle din subah main ne kisi tarah apne jazbaat ko chhupakar unke samne aane ki koshish ki, par Colonel saab ki nazar mujh par padte hi unki aankhon mein dobara wahi chinta utar aayi.

“Heer, are you sure you’re alright?” unhone nashte ki mez par pucha.

Main ne bas sir hila diya. “Haan… thik hoon.”

Par main jhoot bol rahi thi unse bi aur…… khud se bhi.

Sham hone ko thi jab mujhe apne kamre ki khidki ke paas kuch halchal mehsoos hui. Main turant khadi ho gayi. Chhat ke us paar ek parchai jhalak gayi.

Kya ye koi sanket tha?

Main tezi se uthi, bina kisi ko bataye chhat par chali gayi. Wahaan mujhe ek chhoti si kagaz ki chitthi mili, ek chhoti si gathbandhi mein bandhi hui.

“Mandir ke peeche waale jungle ke paas purani haveli mein milungi. Sirf tum aana aur is baat ka khyal rakhna koi tumhara picha karte waha na aa jaye.”

Mera dil zor zor se dhadakne laga. Nooran! Wo phir se sampark kar rahi thi. Par jungle? Aur haveli?

Is waqt?

Wo jagah itni asurakshit thi… par Nooran ke liye main kuch bhi kar sakti thi. Maine tay kiya ki main jaungi akele.

Khair se us raat Colonel saab kisi military meeting ke liye nikle. Mere liye rasta saf tha. Ab mein ghar se bahr ja skti thi.

Maine apna dupatta le kar narm kadmon se ghar se nikalna shuru kiya. Iqbal chacha ko kaha main kuch der ke liye Guru ghar tak ja rahi hoon, dua mangne. Unhone kuch nahi kaha, sirf dua di par ek sipahi ko mere sath bheja kyu ke sham ka waqt tha.

Wo choti si umar ka nojawan angrez sipahi tha. Guru ghar pohnchte hi wo bahr ruk gaya aur maine use adesh diya andar jane se pehle, “I’ll need a little time inside.”

“Yes, of course, Mrs. Caldwell. Take as much time as you need. I’ll be right here waiting for you.” usne halka sa sar jhukate hue kha aur main andar aa gayi uske samne.

Lekin jald se dusre raste se main uski nazar se bach kar mandir ke raste ki aur badhi.

Raat ke sannate mein jungle ka wo raasta pehle se zyada bhayanak lag raha tha. Har patte ki khar-kharahat mein jaise kisi ki saans chhupi ho. Par mere kadam nahi ruke.

Purani haveli ab bhi waise hi thi, veeran, tooti hui, lekin kuch ajeeb si shanti thi usmein.

“Nooran?” maine dheere se pukara.

Ek lamha guzar gaya, phir ek aur.

“Nooran!” Meri awaz mein bechaini badhne lagi.

“Tum zaroor asogi, mujhe maloom tha.” Peeche se ek awaaz aayi. Wo awaz jo maine nahi socha tha dubara kabhi sun paungi, aur main palat gayi.

Nooran thi. Lekin is baar wo akele nahi thi.

Uske saath tha… Gurbaksh Singh.

Wo mere samne aate hi bola, “Jo kuch bhi hua tumhare pariwar ke sath mujhe bahut dukh hai.”

Main bina gham ka saya apne chehre par aye bas halka sa sar hilaya aur Nooran ki taraf mudi.

“Nooran ye sab akhir ho kya raha hai? Mujhe btao tum kaha thi aur …..”

“Sab kuch batungi Heer par mere paas waqt kam hai. Agar kisi ko bhi humare yahan hone ki bhanak pad gayi to qyamat aa jaegi.” Nooran ne mujhe tokte hue kaha.

“Meri gair maujudgi mein akhir hua kya tha?” Maine pucha. “Kash main us din Amritsar hoti. Shayad sab ko bacha pati main.” Maine Nooran ka hath thamte hue kaha. “Tera sandesh mila tha mujhe aur main Baisakhi par Amritsar ane bhi wali thi waha baagh ke morche mein shamil hone ke liye par colonel saab ko achanak se koi kaam aa gaya aur.…..”

“Kaam aa gaya ya phir usne tumhe bacha liya.” Gurbaksh Singh ki sakht awaz me mujhe tokte hue pucha.

Main turant uski taraf mudi aur meri aankhon mein bhi wahi aag thi jo uski aankhon mein thi aur maine apne pati ka paksh rakha.

“Wo nahi jante the waha kya hone wala hai. Agar jante to mujhe batate…..”

“Kya Sialkot jane se pehle usne tumhe bataya tha jo ye qubool karta ke use us hatyakand ke bare mein nahi pata.” Nooran ne mujhe tokte hue kaha.

“Nooran ye sach nahi hai. Colonel Saab nahi jante the. Agar wo jante to kabhi bhi aisa nahi hone dete. Wo baki afsran jaise nahi hai.”

“Aisa ek biwi soch sakti hai bas. Bharat maa ki beti nahi.” Nooran ki awaaz mein alag si kadwahat mehsoos hui mujhe. Ek pal ke liye laga wo meri Nooran hai hi nahi. “Wo insaan aur uske jaisa har ek angrez afsar jhootha hai. Wo Sialkot Shafaq ko pakdne gaya tha….”

“Janti hun.” Maine use tokte hue kaha aur dono ne hairani se meri aur dekha. Maine unhe samjhane ki koshish ki. “Kal raat hi pata chala hai mujhe. Colonel Saab ki ek file dekhi thi maine aur unhone bataya wo nahi jante the Sialkot jane se pehle waha jakar unhe pata laga aur Shafaq bhaijaan bhaag gaye the waha se.”

“Haa, main hi le gaya tha use waha se bacha kar par kash us din meri goli chuk na gayi hoti kam se kam tum to uski qaid se azad hoti.” Gurbaksh Singh ki ye baat sunte hi mere to paun tale se zameen khisak gayi.

Colonel Saab par hamla hua tha aur unhone kabhi mujhe zahir tak na hone diya?

“Heer!” Nooran ne mere hath tham mujhe is naye sadme se bahar nikala. “Bahut kuch ho gaya is waqt mein. Us jalse mein humare sab sathi mare gaye. Jab goliyan chalni shuru hui aur charo taraf baghdad machi Shafaq ne mujhe baagh ki ek deewar se fand kar bahar nikal diya par iss se pehle wo mere sath aa skte bahut der ho chuki thi. Unhe goli lag gayi aur wo mujhe hamesha ke liye chod kar chale gaye. Main zakhmi thi kuch samjh nahi aa raha tha ke kya karu. Ghar ki aur jane hi wali thi ke dekha Ammi abbu mujhe dhundhte hue baagh ki taraf ja rahe the aur sipahi unhein rok rahe the. Unhain rokhne ke liye maar diya gaya. Mera sab kuch meri aankhon ke samne ujad gaya us kuch palo mein aur shayad main bhi khatam ho jati agar Gurbaksh mujhe waha se kisi surakshit jagah na le jata.”

Nooran ki aankhon se aansu behne lage aur meri bhi.

“Bebe Bapu ji waha kyu gaye the?” Maine sisakte hue pucha.

“Sahib ki zid thi. Wo to masoom bacha tha use kaha pata tha kuch. Use to bas mela ghoomna tha. Usi ki zid par Baldev chacha ji use baagh laye the aur …..”

Kehte kehte Nooran ruk gayi aur usne mujhe gale se laga liya.

“Mujhe maaf karde meri jaan, main kuch na kar saki aur na tere gham ke waqt tera sath de saki par main majboor thi. Aayi thi main waha jab tujhe meri sabse zyada zarurat thi par wo kafir (Henry) har waqt tere sath tha. Uske baad Lahore bhi aayi thi tujh se milne par yahan aa kar pata chala tu kashmir gayi hai. Phir mujhe bengal jana pada aur laut te hi tere paas aayi hu tujhe agah karne ke kabhi bhi us par bharosa mat karna. Ye sab angrez afsar ek jaise hai aur ab mera maqsad in sab se humari miti ko azadi dilana.”

Nooran bolti jaa rahi thi aur main bas chup chap use sunti ja rahi thi.

“Tu akeli nahi hai. Main hun tere sath hum mil kar apno ka badla lenge.” Usne kaha aur maine bas rote hue haa mein sar hila diya.

Badla to mujhe chahiye un sab begunaho ka jinhone jaliawala mein apni jaan gawai chahe jo ho jaye. Main zariye dhoodh rahi thi aur bhagwan ne zariye khud mere paas bhej diya.

“Inquilab zindabad.” Nooran ne kaha.

“Inquilab zindabad.” Maine dohraya uske piche.

“Ab tum jao Heer.” Gurbaksh Singh ne kaha. “Bahut der ho gayi hai kahi use shaq na ho jaye aur haa agli purnima ki raat ko hume mandir mein milna. Har Purnima ki raat hum yaha mandir mein apne krantikari bhai behno se milte hai.”

“Haa tujhe sab se milwa bhi dungi aur hum apna agla mansooba wahi bnaenge.” Nooran ne kaha aur maine dheere se sar hilaya aur waha se chal di.

Har kadam uthana itna mushkil ho raha tha mere liye ke main nahi janti main kaise Guru ghar wapis pohnchi kaise nahi.

Mere maan mein ab bhi lakhon sawal uth rahe hai. Kuch samajh nahi aa raha aur Gurbaksh ne jo bataya uske baad to mujhe saans tak lena mushkil ho raha hai.

Jo sochna bhi ab main tasavvur nahi kar sakti aur agar aisa sach mein ho jata toh main to kahi ki na rehti.

Kha jati kya karti agar mere colonel saab ko kuch ho jata toh?

Nahii!

Ye baat ab reh reh kar mujhe dra rahi hai agar us din Gurbaksh Singh Colonel Saab ko kuch kar deta aur waha bebe Bappu ji ko main pehle hi kho chuki thi toh main to akeli mar hi jati.
Main to shayad kabhi apne mare hue pariwar ko bhi dekh na skti agar colonel saab na hote.

Ye kis asmanjas mein phas chuki hun main?

Ek taraf meri mitti ke liye mera farz hai aur dusri aur Colonel Saab ke liye meri mohabbat.

Haan, ho gayi hai mujhe un se mohabbat. Bahut rokne ki koshish ki khud ko par kya karu nahi rok saki.

Ab apna farz bhi nibhaungi aur Colonel Saab ki raksha bhi karungi. Chahe jo karna pade.

Main dusre raste se andar ja bahar aai aur us sipahi ke sath Ghar ki aur chal di. Ghar pohnchte hi dekha colonel saab Iqbal chacha par chila rahe the.

"Is this the time to go out? You shouldn't have let her go at all."

Bichare Iqbal chacha unke gusse ke age pasina pasina ho rahe the. “Saab ji…”

“I h……”

“Iqbal chacha, aap jaiye raat bahut ho rahi hai.” Maine andar ate hue unhein tokte hue kaha.

Iqbal chacha ne unki aur dekha.

“Maine kaha na jaiye.” Maine ek baar phir kaha aur Colonel Saab ne halka sa sar hila kar unhe ijazat di tab wo gaye.

Aur Iqbal chacha ke jate hi unhone mujhe dantna shuru kar diya. “Is this a time to go …..”

Unke sahab adhe hi reh gaye jab main bhag kar unke gale se ja lagi.

Wo thoda hairan hue mere is achanak rawaiye se par unhone khud ko sambhalte hue mera sar sehlaya aur chinta mein pucha, “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I was just worried.” Unhone pyar se kaha.

Ab maine aapko btaun bhi to kya btaun aur kaise btaun ki jo raaz aap apne dil mein chupaye baithe hai main jaan chuki hu aur mujhe ab dar lag raha hai.

“Maaf kar dijiye wo bas dil thoda bechain tha to chali gayi bandagi karne.” Maine apni muthiyon mein unki kameez kaste hue kaha. “Aap bhi raat ko bahar mat jaya kijiye na. Mujhe bhi dar lagta hai.” Maine unki aur dekte hue kaha.

Lekin abhi bhi main unse lipti hi hui thi jaise unko chodte hi wo chale jayenge.

“My love, this is just the nature of my work.” Unhone ne mera chehra thamte hue kaha bahut hi pyar se.

Aur mera dil aur aatm glani mein doob gaya. Main unko dhoka de rahi hun. Ye insaan niswarth mujhe chahta hai aur maine kabhi unhe apna pati tak hone ka haq nahi diya.

Apni mitti ki beti hone ke farz ke chalte main ek biwi to kabhi bani hi nahi.

"Let me cheer you up with some good news." Unhone meri ek lat mere kan ke peeche karte hue kaha.

"Kaisi khushkhabri?” Maine hairani mein pucha.

"First tell me, have you ever seen a ballroom party?" Unhone muskurate hue pucha.

"Nahi, wo kya hota hai?"

“It’s a grand evening affair, little jewel… held in a large hall called a ballroom, often lit with chandeliers, polished floors beneath, and music echoing through every corner. Gentlemen wear their best suits or military dress, and ladies come in elegant gowns, their hair styled with care, gloved hands waiting to be asked for a dance.”

Wo batate ja rahe the aur main unhe sunti ja rahi thi.

“We dance the waltz, foxtrot, or even the tango, slow, graceful movements… not just steps, but conversations without words. There’s laughter, soft music, sometimes even champagne. But more than anything, it’s a night where people let go of the world outside. For a few hours, it’s just light, music, and the person in your arms.”

Unhone mere kareeb ate hue dheere se kaha. “I’d like you to see it with me, just once. To wear something you love, walk into that room with my hand in yours… and let the world watch us dance.”

Maine apni palkein jhapkate hue unhein dekha kyu ke unke itne kareeb ane se mere saanse badh rahi thi.

“Will you dance with me?”

“Mujhe to nahi ata nachna.” Maine dheere se kaha.

“I'll teach you. We have a whole month for preparations.” Unhone mera hath pakad mujhe zor se ghumaya.

“Colonel Saab!” Main chonk gayi aur wo bas muskura rahe the aur mera hath pakad mujhe apni aur khinka.

Maine ghabra kar apne haath unke kandho par rakh liye.

“Nahi mujhe kuch nahi seekhna. Choddein mujhe, bahut kaam hai.” Maine unhe dheere se dhaka diya aur unki bahon se nikal rasoi ki taraf bhaag gayi.

Kuch hi dino mein purnima hai tab tak mujhe pata lagana hoga ke akhir colonel saab ke paas aur kin kin krantikariyo ke naam hai taki main apne bhai behno ko agah kar saku.

Agli subha colonel saab ke daftar jane ke baad maine unki study mein chan been shuru kar di. Kuch naam mile bhi mujhe par main unhein janti nahi. Shayad Nooran aur baki sab se mil kar kuch malumat mil sake.

Wo chand din bahut mushkil se guzre mere liye aur akhirkar aaj purnima ki raat aa hi gayi.

Ghar mein sab kuch shaant tha, lekin mera dil toofan ki tarah machal raha tha. Colonel Saab toh poore din kisi file mein hi uljhe rahe aur maine bhi har pal bas yahi dua ki ke wo raat bhar kisi tarah ghar se bahar na jaayein.

Agar unhone mujhe dekh liya toh?

Mujhe apne jhooth se ghin aa rahi thi, par sach kehne ka samay abhi nahi aaya tha.

Lekin kya wo samay kabhi aega bhi ya nahi? Kya colonel saab kabhi samjhenge?

“Are you alright?” Unhone raat ke khane ke baad meri aankhon mein jhaank kar pucha kyu ke pareshani mere chehre par saaf nazar aa rahi thi.

Maine bas muskara kar sir hila diya. “Thodi thakawat hai bas.”

“Alright then, tomorrow morning I’ll bring you something that will refresh your spirit again.” Unhone kaha aur meri maang pe halke se hoth rakh diye.

Mere gale mein kuch atak gaya, par maine aankhon se unka shukriya kiya aur kaha, “Main zara thoda der ke liye mandir tak ho aau? Purnima ki raat hai… maa se kuch baatein karni hai.”

Unhone kuch pal mujhe dekha, jaise kuch soch rahe ho. Phir dheere se sir hila diya, “Iqbal Ali will go with you.”

“Main chali jaungi mandir ghar ke pass hi toh hai… sirf kuch der ki baat hai, Colonel Saab.” Maine unka haath apne dono haathon mein lekar kaha, “Main wada karti hoon, zyada der nahi lagayungi.”

Wo ab bhi kuch soch rahe the, par meri aankhon mein dekh kar unhone bas ek halki si muskan di. “Alright. But be careful.”

Maine haan mein sir hila kar dupatta sir pe le liya aur nikal gayi. Unka mujhpar atoot vishwas ab mujhe darane laga hai par ye darne ka waqt nahi hai.

Mandir mein aaj ek alag hi roshni thi. Deepak ki lau, shankha ki dhvani aur peepal ke neeche baithi kuch parchaiyaan, sab kuch ek gupt baithak ki tarah lag raha tha. Nooran pehle se waha thi, aankhon mein waisa hi jazba, jaisa main kuch din pehle dekha tha.

“Tu aa gayi,” usne muskara kar kaha.

Maine sir hila kar uske paas ja baithi. Gurbaksh Singh bhi tha, aankhon mein wohi angaar. Aur unke alawa, aur bhi kuch log, kuch aur kranti ke sathi.

Nooran ne mujhe sabse milwaya- Ram Anand, Jenab bibi, Charan Singh, aur ek naujawan ladka Farooq.

“Aaj se tu hum sab mein se ek hai, Heer.” Nooran ne kaha aur bakiyo ki taraf mudi, “Heer ne pehle bhi bahut jokhim utha humara sath diya hai aur ab bhi deti rahegi.”

Sabne mera garam joshi se swagat kiya aur sabne jo jo bhi unhone maloom kiya tha ya jo bhi agla masuba wo bana rahe the wo sanjha kiya.

“Heer!” Gurbaksh Singh achanak se bola aur maine uski aur dekha. “Tum kya khabar layi ho?”

“Sarkar in dono ke bare mein janti hai aur inhe dhondh rahi hai.” Maine Charan Singh aur Jenab bibi ki taraf dekhte hue kaha. “Colonel Saab ki file mein inke bhi naam the.”

“Gayab hone ka waqt aa gaya hai.” Gurbaksh ne un dono ko kaha aur wo dono sar jhuka kar chale gaye.

“Aap ka nam file mein nahi hai par sarkar apke bare mein bhi jante hai.” Maine Gurbaksh Singh se kaha.

“Janta hun par mujhe unse koi dar nahi balki unhein mera khauf hai.” Gurbaksh ne apni muchon ko taw dete hue kaha.

Ram Anand ne kaha, “Sarkar ke hathiyar ghar mein naye hathiyar aur barood aaye hain. Agar hume wo mil jayei toh humare agle hamle mein bahut madad ho jaegi.”

“Par armory par kada pehra rehta hai.” Farooq ne kaha.

“Kuch dino mein ek bahut bada jashan hone wala hai. Sare afsar waha vayast honge. Iss se acha moka aur kya hoga.” Gurbaksh Singh ne kaha.

Kya ye wahi ballroom to nahi jiske bare mein colonel saab baat kar rahe the?

“Haa, pehra itna sakht nahi hoga.” Farooq ne kaha.

“Aur agar koi raste mein aya bhi toh use raste se hata denge.” Gurbaksh ne ye baat jab kahi uski aankhon mein jo aag thi usne mujhe dara diya.

“Hum us jashan mein hi hamla nahi kar sakte kya?” Nooran ne jab ye baat kahi maine hairani se uski aur dekha. “Ek saath kitne sanp mar jayege.” Uski baton se zehar tapak raha tha.

“Nahi.” Ram Anand ne sakhti se kaha. “Us jashan mein humare log bhi honge. Beshak gadar hi sahi hain to humare apne hi. Humara nishana gore hain.”

Un sab ki batein sun kar mera gala sukh raha tha. Kyu ab mujhe colonel saab ke liye dar jo lagne laga tha.

“Ab agli mulaqat loot ke baad agar zindagi rahi to hogi.” Farooq ne kaha khade hote hue. “Inquilab zindabad!”

“Inquilab zindabad!” Hum sab ne kaha aur sab chal diye.

“Ruk!” Nooran ne mera hath thamte hue kaha aur main uske paas baith gayi. “Tu theek to hai na?” Usne chinta mein pucha.

“Haa.” Maine use bharosa dilate hue kaha.

“Mujhe bahut fikar rehti hai teri.” Usne kha mere hath mein us anguthi par hath ghumate hue jo usne mujhe meri shadi ke waqt di thi.

“Bilkul chinta mat kar…..”

“Kaise na karu? Tujhe ek dushman ke sath rehna pad raha hai.” Nooran ne mujhe tokte hue kaha.

“Wo bure nahi hai. Mera yakeen karo Nooran.”

“Theek hai maan leti hun par agar kabhi bhi wo tujhe nuksan pohnchane ki koshish kare to is anguthi ka istemal karne se mat hichkichana.”

Nooran ne jab ye baat kahi meri to saans hi mere gale mein atak gayi.

“Chalti hun main tu us se dur rehna.” Nooran ne jane se pehle ye kaha aur phir bakiyon ki trha raat ke andhere mein kho gayi mujhe sawalon mein duba kar.