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Heer jab ghar pohnchi Henry darwaze par uska intezar kar raha tha.

“Aap soye nahi abhi tak?” Heer ne pucha.

"Knowing you're away from home, how could I possibly sleep? Anyway! Are you done talking to your goddess mother?" Henry ne uske kandhe par hath rakh use andar le jate hue pucha.

“Ji.” Heer ne dheere se ek halki muskurahat ke sath kaha aur dono andar aa gaye is baat se anjaan koi unhe dekh raha tha dur khada.

Kamre mein ate hi Henry ne apni roz ki adat ki tarah kitab uthai aur Heer ke liye padhna shuru kar diya.

Heer ne uske kandhe par sar rakha par pehli baar usne shabd nahi suna jo Henry ne padha sirf uske dil ki dhadkan suni jo sirf uska naam le rahi thi. Uske dimag mein wahi sab batein ghoom rahi thi.

Inteqam uska maqsad tha lekin ab us maqsad ke ade ek biwi ka suhag aa raha tha.

Uska maqsad aj bhi azadi hi hai par ab use kisi bhi kimat par apna pati bhi sahi salamat chahiye.

Aur kya ye dono baatein ek saath mumkin thi?

Wo nahi janti thi.

Agli subah Henry jab kaam par nikla toh Elizabeth uske paas aa gayi.

"Mrs. Caldwell, come on, let me take you to get a dress for the ballroom." Elizabeth ne utsukta mein kaha.

"No, I already have clothes, Mrs. Wilson" Heer ne vinamrata se inkar kar diya.

"I'm sure your outfit is beautiful, but just imagine how stunning you'd look in a gown! You know what they say, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' Of course, this is your country, but the party is in true British style. Come on, it'll be so much fun!" Elizabeth ne zid ki.

Darasal Elizabeth ki bhi koi saheli nahi hai yahaan aur Heer ke roop mein use bhi ek sathi mil gaya hai.

To wo ye ballroom apni ekloti saheli ke sath jana chahti hai.

Heer Elizabeth ke chehre par chamakti umang dekh kar kuch nahi keh paayi. Ek pal ko usne socha, shayad ek shaam, bas ek shaam, wo apne sab dard bhool kar kisi ki khushi ke liye muskara sakti hai.

“Alright” usne dheere se kaha. “But can I have my dupatta….”

Elizabeth hans padhi. “No sweetheart. You can have a hat to cover your head.”

“But…”

“No buts. Trust me you will love your look. Just trust me.” Elizabeth ne use tokte hue kaha.

Dopahar tak Elizabeth Heer ko le kar Lahore ke ek angrez darzi ke dukaan mein pahunch gayi. Duniya bhar ke kapdon aur silaiyon ke beech Heer ka man thoda chowk gaya. Resham, net, lace aur moti, sab kuch kuch zyada hi naya tha uske liye. Par Elizabeth ne sab dekh kar ek royal blue gown chun liya, jisme chhoti chhoti sapphire jaisi moti jadi thi.

“Perfect match for your name, Heer, a rare gem,” Elizabeth ne kaha.

Heer ne bas muskarakar sir hila diya. Gown ka design British tha, par jab Heer ne use pehna to wo bahut hi tang tha uske naap se.

Darzi ne kuch aur gown dikhae par Heer ko kuch samajh na aaya toh Elizabeth ne ab uske liye ek safed rang ka motiyon wala gown chuna aur Heer use pehan kar bahar aai.

"Mrs. Caldwell, did you wear a gown at your wedding or a traditional Indian outfit?" Elizabeth ne pucha.

"Indian outfit." Heer ne jawab diya khud ko aaine mein niharte hue.

"Then this is absolutely perfect for you! Colonel Caldwell will be completely blown away!" Elizabeth ne use chedte hue kaha aur Heer ke gaal sharam ke mare laal pad gaye.

Wo janti hai ke angrez ladkiya apni shadi par safed gown pehnti hai aur uski shadi par toh Henry ko usne dhang se us surkh jode mein bhi khud ko dekhne nahi diya tha. Toh shayad yehi moka tha.

Heer ne wo gown khareed liya. Dono dukan se bahr nikli toh Elizabeth ne kaha, “Come, let me also get you some jewelry to go with the gown.”

“No, I have a few things that belong to Colonel Saab’s mother. I’ll wear those instead." Heer ne kaha.

"That's even more perfect," Elizabeth ne muskurate hue kaha. "Wearing something that belonged to his mother will make it all the more special. I'm sure Colonel Caldwell will be lost for words when he sees you."

Ye baat sun kar Heer ke dil mein alag si kasak uthi ye soch kar kya sach mein Henry use is naye libas mein dekh khush hoga?

Dono shaam tak bazar mein hi ghoomti rahi kyu ke dono ke pati kaam se dusre shehar gaye hue the aur kal subha hi lautenge.

Heer der sham jab ghar lauti Henry ghar tha.

“Aap to kal subha ane wale the.” Heer ne pucha.

“Change of plans, now we’re going after two days.” Henry ne muskurate hue kaha. “Show me what you got….”

“Nahi! Abhi nahi.” Heer ne apne hath piche chupate hue kaha. “Kuch khas nahi hai. Main khana lagwati hun.” Ye keh kar wo bhag gayi aur Henry bichara bas hasta reh gaya.

Do din baad jab Henry kuch dino ke liye gaya to suna ghar Heer ko katne ko daud raha tha. Na chahte hue bhi use Henry ki adat aur us se mohabbat dono ho gayi thi.

Sari raat usne karwate badal kar kati. Henry ki khali jagaha uska ehsas aur paka kar rahi thi ki kitni shadeed mohobbat use ho gayi hai uske colonel saab se.

Usne jaise hi karwat li aur khali bistar ko apne hath se sehlaya uske dil se bas ek hi baat nikli, “Jaldi laut aaiye colonel saab.”

Aur tabhi uski khidki par ek dastak hui.

Heer ek pal ke liye dar gayi kyu ke wo haveli mein is waqt bilkul akeli thi. Usne duty par tenat sipahi ko bhi sone bhej diya tha.

“Kaun hai?” Heer ne skht awaz mein pucha.

“Heer!” Dabi si awaz aayi.

“Nooran!”

Heer ne turant khidki kholi aur Nooran andar aa gayi.

“Tu is waqt yahan? Sab khairiyat toh hai na?” Heer ne chinta mein pucha.

“Haa, wo bas pata chala ke Henry shehar mein nahi hai toh tujhe milne chali aayi.” Nooran ne use gale se lagate hue kaha.

“Acha kiya.” Heer ne kaha.

“Kuch khane ko milega? Bahut bhook lagi hai.” Nooran ne dheere se kaha.

“Haa haa zarur. Tu yahi baith main kuch lati hun.” Ye keh kar Heer turant rasoi ki taraf dodhi par wo nahi janti thi Nooran ke irade kuch aur hi the.

Heer ke jate hi wo yaha waha kuch tlashne lagi jab use kamre mein kuch na mila toh wo kamre se bahar nikli.

Sidiyon ke paas ek kamra dikha use jiska darwaza band tha. Nooran uski aur badhai darwaza khola to wo kamra Henry ki study thi.

Nooran daud kar kamre ke andar chali gayi.

Wahi dusri aur Heer jab khana le kamre mein pohnchi to khali kamra dekh uske shareer mein darr ki ek lehar daudh uthi.

Wo khana wahi chod kamre se bahr bhagi. Na jane kyu wo jis din se Nooran se mili hai use wo kuch badli si lagti hai aur yun uske ghar mein ghoomna khatre se khali nahi.

Agar kisi naukar ya sipahi ne dekh liya toh museebat to hogi hi par ghar mein Henry ke itne zaruri dastavej jo hai agar yahan se wahan ho gaye to Henry ke liye musibat ho jayegi.

Wo pehle hi field duty se hata kar desk job bitha diya gaya hai uski wajah se ab wo use aur kisi musibat mein nahi dal sakti apni bewakoofi ki wajah se.

Heer jab yahan se wahan dhundh rahi thi Nooran ko toh usne dekha Henry ki study ka darwaza khula tha.

Heer ka dil ek pal ke liye uske muh ko aa gaya aur wo andar bhagi aur dekha Nooran wo chota sa lakdi ka sandook kholne wali thi jisme Henry ke Mata pita ki chitiyan thi.

Heer ne jhat se sandook ki taraf kadam badhaye aur Nooran ka haath pakad liya. Uske chehre par gusse aur hairani ka mila-jula rang tha.

“Nooran! Tu yahaan kya kar rahi hai?” Heer ki awaaz thodi tez thi.

Nooran ne ek jhatke se apna haath chhudaaya aur beparwahi se muskuraayi. “Main tujhe hi toh dhoondh rahi thi, Heer. Socha tu khana la rahi hogi teri madad kar du.”

Heer ne uski aankhon mein dekha, lekin is baar us purani dost ki aankhon mein vo masoomiyat nahi thi. Kuch aur hi tha… kuch chhupa hua, kuch bechaini bhara, aur Heer ka dil usi pal sankuchit ho gaya.

“Toh mujhe dhoondhne ke liye tu Colonel Saab ki study mein ghus gayi?” Heer ne thande lekin kadak swar mein kaha. “Aur ye sandook? Isse khol ke kya dhoondh rahi thi tu?”

Nooran ne aankh tak nahi jhuki. “Bas yun hi… mujhe laga shayad tu yahin ho. Darwaza khula tha… socha dekh loon.”

“Main sandook mein to nahi thi.” Heer ne sandook ko turant bandh kiya aur taala lagaya. “Main tujhe bachpan se jaanti hoon, Nooran. Par is waqt jo meri aankhon ne dekha, us par bharosa karna mushkil ho raha hai.”

Nooran kuch nahi boli. Sirf apne dupatte ko theek karti rahi.

Heer ne gehri saans li. “Agar tu meri dost hai, toh mujhe sach bata. Tu kya dhoondhne aayi thi? Mujhse kya chhupana chahti hai?”

Nooran ka chehra thoda naram pada. “Heer… tu badal gayi hai. Ek angrez ki biwi bankar tu mujh par shak kar rahi hai.”

“Shak nahi hai bas janana chahti hun.” Heer ne ek kadam uske paas badhaya.

“Main toh bas dekh rahi thi koi kitab padhne ke liye. Darwaza khula dekha to kitabein dekh khud ko rak na saki. Par meri hi galati hai bhool gayi thi ke ab aap british officer ki biwi hai. Shak karna to aap ka sbhwav ho gaya hai.” Nooran ne sari baat hi palat di.

“Aisa nahi hai Nooran….”

“To wo ab tak zinda kyun hai Heer?” Nooran ne use tokte hue kha uska hath thamte hue. “Maine ye anguthi tujhe akhir kyu di thi? Ab to tere mata pita bhi nahi hai toh kaisa khauf? Marde use aur ho ja aazad.”

Heer ne ek jhatke se us se apne hath chudwane, “Aur phir uske baad mera kya? Ye kabhi socha hai? Bina colonel saab ke saye ke ye duniya mujhe noch khaegi. Mere baap ne us insaan ko mere liye kuch soch samjh kar hi chuna hoga Nooran aur main us nirdosh ki jaan nahi le skti jisne aaj tak mujhe sirf diya hai aur kabhi badle mein kuch manga nahi. Itni pathar dil nahi hun main. Toh mujh mein aur is hukumat mein kya farak reh jaega agar maine bhi begunaho ki jaan leni shuru kardi toh?”

“Begunah toh nahi hoga wo. Kisi mazloom ka khoon to hoga uske hathon par bhi. Ye sab darinde hai.” Nooran ke shabdon se zehar tapak raha tha.

“Jis din ye sabit hoga usdin dekha jaega.” Heer ne dridh vishwas se kaha kyon ki itna toh wo Henry ko janti hai ab Henry ko. Wo kisi begunah ko nahi maar sakta.

Nooran ne kuch nahi kaha. Sirf ek lamhe ke liye Heer ko dekha, fir bina kuch bole, wapas chali gayi.

Jaise ki dil mein than rahi ho ke ab wo saboot laegi.

Nooran isi maqsad se toh aayi thi. Pata nahi kyu ab use Heer par bharosa nahi hai to wo khud dekhne aayi thi ke kahi koi raaz Heer to nahi apne dil mein chupa ka baithi.

Heer sandook ke paas khadi, haath us par rakhe. Uske dil mein tufan macha tha. Nooran ke iradon ne ek naya dar khada kar diya tha aur uske aur Henry ke darmiyaan ab ek aur saaya aa gaya tha vishwas ka.

Nooran jis raste se aayi thi usi raste se laut gayi par Heer ab ek baat jan chuki thi ab kuch bhi pehle jaisa nahi tha.

Sari raat use neend nahi ayi aur wo ab bas har lamha Henry ke lautne ki duaein hi mangti rahi.

Nooran ke wo shabd aur uski aankhon ka wo rang Heer ko bata gaye ke ab ye uski pehle wali saheli nahi rahi.

Wo badal chuki hai.

Us hatyakand ne use badal diya aur wo manzar apni akhon se dekh koi bhi badal sakta tha.

Ab Heer ka dar aur badhne laga tha.

Henry do din tak ghar nahi lauta aur wo do din Heer ke liye kisi pariksha se kam nahi the. Har lamha yehi dar use satata rehta tha ke kahi Gurbaksh ne use kuch kar na diya ho.

Raat ka pichhla peher tha. Haveli ke aas-paas har cheez neend mein doobi thi, magar Heer ki aankhon mein neend ka naam-o-nishaan nahi tha.

Wo baramde mein khamoshi se bethi thi sare khidki darwaze ache se band kar, jahan se darwaza dikhai deta tha. Uske haathon mein Henry ka wo rumaal tha, jo usne pehli baar uske liye khud bnaya tha, us par uske naam ke aakshar ki kadhai Heer ne khud ki thi: "H.C." Us rumaal ko woh kab se ungliyon ke darmiyaan ghumaye ja rahi thi jaise har silai mein apna sukoon dhoondh rahi ho.

Tabhi ek dheemi si jeep ki awaz sunai di aur Heer nange paun hi darwaza kholne bhagi.

Darwaza khula.

Thaka-hara, dhool se lathpath Henry andar aaya. Uska chehra thakan se bhara tha lekin jaise hi uski nazar Heer par padi, wo theher gaya.

"Little jewel…?" uski awaaz mein hairani thi, "You haven't slept yet?"

Heer ne apne aansuon ko chhupate hue muskurane ki koshish ki, "Aap aaye nahi… to neend kaise aati?"

Henry uske paas aaya. Uske baalon mein haath ferte hue kaha, "I'm sorry. The work stretched longer than I expected.”

Heer ne sirf uske haath pakad liye. Us pal mein sab lafz bekaar lagne lage. Henry uske samne jhuk gaya aur uski aankhon mein dekhte hue bola, "You're trembling... What happened, sweetheart?"

Heer chhup rahi. Usne sirf apna sir Henry ke seene se laga diya, jaise us pal mein uski poori duniya uske samne ho.

Henry ne use apni baahon mein bhar liya.

"Tell me… did something happen?" usne dheere se poocha.

Heer ne sirf itna kaha, "Ek bura khwab dekha tha….Main bas aapko khone se dar gayi thi."

Henry ne uske baalon mein haath phirate hue kaha, "It was just a dream. Look, I am right here.”

Heer ne apni nam aankhon se uski aur dekha aur kuch nahi kaha. Usne sirf us rumaal ko aur kas ke thaam liya, jaise uske har dhaage mein uski dua bandhi ho.

Henry use kamre mein le gaya aur tab Heer ne use wo rumal diya, “maine aap ke liye banaya tha.”

Henry ne bade pyar se use dekha, “It's very beautiful. I'll always keep it near my heart.” Usne us rumal ko apni kameez ki upar wali jeb mein rakhte hue kaha aur Heer ka sar chuma aur Heer ne aankhein band karli uske pyar ko mehsoos karte hue.

Henry ne phir kitab uthai padhne ke liye par Heer ne woh dobara wahi rakh di uske hath se lekar.

“What happened?” Henry ne pucha.

“Kuch nahi bas mujhe apka sath chahiye.” Ye keh kar Heer ne pehli bar uske seene par sar rakh diya aur apni aankhein band karli.

Henry ne use zor se apni bahon mein jakad liye kyu ke ye choti choti koshishein or nazdikiya unka rishta aur mazbut kar rahi thi.

Har guzarte din ke sath Heer ka dar badhta chala ja raha tha. Jab tak Henry kaam se ghar na aa jata use bechaini lagi rehti aur darwazon par bewaqt dastak ka khauf ab use har pal stane laga hai.

Aaj raat ballroom party hai aur Heer ka dil bahut bechain hai.

Wo nahi janti ke aaj raat akhir kya hoga. Wo bas itna janti hai use azadi ke sath sath Henry ki dhaal bhi banna hai.

Sham ke waqt jab Henry ghar lauta toh uske kamre ka darwaza band tha.

“Little jewel!” Usne darwaja khatkhtaya.

Lekin andar se Elizabeth ki awaz aayi, “Your little jewel is still getting ready. You can go and get ready in the other room.”

Henry ke hothon par halki si muskurahat aayi aur wo dusre kamre mein chala gaya jahan uski uniform padi thi aur usne taiyar hona shuru kiya.

Lekin jab wo bahar aaya to dekha Arthur pehle hi hall mein taiyar khada tha aur Henry ko dekh wo straight posture mein khada ho gaya use salute karte hue.

“At ease, captain.” Henry ne kaha. “Seems like ladies are still getting ready.”

“Yes, Colonel. Elizabeth was a little too eager to help Mrs. Caldwell.” Arthur ne jawab diya.

“So generous of her.” Henry ne kaha aur tabhi unhein sidiyon se unke utarne ki awaz aayi.

Dono ne jab mud kar dekha Elizabeth halke gulabi rang ke libas mein sidiya utar rahi thi, “Good evening, Colonel Caldwell.” Elizabeth ne Henry ka abhiwadan kiya.

“Good evening, lady wilson. You look lovely tonight.” Henry ne uska hath apne hath mein lete hue thoda jhukte hue uski tareef karte hue kaha.

“Thank you very much, Colonel, but it seems someone else is looking more charming this evening. Try not to faint, will you?” Elizabeth ne thoda mazakiya andaz mein use chedte hue kaha aur Arthur ke sath chali gayi.

Henry ne nazrein utha kar jab sidiyon ki taraf dekha toh Heer upar khadi thi apne dhadhkte dil ke sath.

Wo chinta mein thi ke pata nahi Henry ko uska ye naya libass pasand aayega bhi ya nahi par use kya maloom Henry to pehle hi saanse tham kar khada hai use dekhne ke baad.

Heer jaise hi sidiyan utari, uske rang-roop se kamra roshan ho gaya. Off-white pearl gown uske tan mein chamak raha tha, jaise ek nayi roshni ne usse apne aap mein bhar liya ho.

Uske lambe, ghane baal jo hamesha choti mein bandhe rehte the, ab sundar latton mein bandhe hue the, uske chaand jese chehre ke saath ek nayi khoobsurati bana rahe the. Henry ki maa ki motiyon ki mala aur neelam ki anguthi uske husan ke age pheeki lag rahi thi, itna roop aya tha Heer par Henry ki mohabbat ka.

Henry ki nazar jaise us par padhi, uske dil ki dhadkan kuch tez ho gayi. Uska chehra pehle thoda be-dhyan tha, lekin jaise hi Heer ko dekha, wo ruk gaya. 

"Little jewel..." Uski awaaz mein chhupi hui hairani aur khushi thi Heer ko us off-white gown mein dekh kar. Usne Heer ko dheere se dekha, wo aasman se utri kisi pari se kam nahi lag rahi thi.

Heer ki khoobsurati ne usse ek pal ke liye bas chup karne par majboor kar diya usne bas itna hi kaha. “You look like... royalty.”

Heer ne thoda jhijhak kar aankhen jhuka di. “Elizabeth insisted...”

Henry ne haan mein sir hila kar uska haath pakda. “And I'm glad she did.” aur apne labon ke paas le aya aur dheere se uska sath chuma.

Heer ne dastana pehna hua tha phir bhi Henry ke chune se uske shareer mein karant ki tarah dauda.

Usne Henry ki gehri neeli aankhon mein sirf aur sirf mohabbat dekhi khud ke liye. 

"You're absolutely breathtaking..." Henry ne apne jazbaat control karte hue kaha, lekin uska dil thoda zyada dhadak raha tha. Heer ki aankhon mein aaj pehli baar usne kuch dekha.

Henry ne apni dil ki baat kehne se pehle apne haath uski baazu par rakha, "You're more beautiful than I can ever say, Little jewel." Uske liye har shabd bekaar tha, kyunki Heer ki khoobsurati mein koi lafz uss khoobsurati ke barabar nahi tha.

Heer ne apne jism ki hairat se anjaani si muskurahat dikhayi aur phir apne aankhon mein thoda sharm ki muskaan lekar kaha halki si awaaz mein sharmate hue, "Aap hamesha meri bebat tareef karte hai."

Henry ne apni aankhon mein usse pyaar bhare jazbaat diye, aur dheere se kaha, 

“Bebat kabhi tareef nahi ki jati. Aji Bebat kabhi tareef nahi ki jati, meri jaan. Aap ke noor ke samne to ye chand bhi pheeka hai toh humare lafzon ki kya aukat?
Hum toh bas koshish karte hai ke aapke hussan ke in motiyon ko lafzon ke dhage mein piro sake warna aap ke didar bhar se hum ho jate hai bezubaan.

(Compliments are never made without reason. Oh no, my love, compliments are never made without reason. Compared to your radiance, even the moon looks pale, so what worth do my mere words hold?
I simply try… try to string the pearls of your beauty into threads of words, but truth be told, one glimpse of you renders me utterly speechless.)”

Heer ne nazrein zhukha li, uske gaal aur laal ho gaye aur dhadhkane tez.

Usne sharma kar apna chehra dusri aur ghuma liya. Henry ne halke hathon se uska chehra apne hath mein liya taki wo Heer ke gulabi gal dekh sake par Heer ne sharma kar apni aankhein kas kar band karli.

Henry ne apne anguthe se uske gulabi gal sehlate hue kaha uske aur kareeb ate hue, “Look at me, my moon.”

“Chand mein daag hai, Colonel Saab.” Heer ka gala bhar aya ye kehte hue par usne apni aankhein na kholi.

“Mere Chand mein nahi.”

Ye sunte hi Heer ka dil bhar aya aur usne apni nam akhon se uski samandar si gehri aankhon mein dekha aur dheere se kaha, “Aap yun hindi-urdu mein na bola kijiye.”

“Kyu itni buri bolta hun?” Henry ne aur kareeb ate hue pucha aur Heer ki saanse aur tez ho gayi.

Heer ne dheere se ek gehri saans lete hue kha, “Nahi itni achi bolte hain ke mera dil dhadakna bhul jata hai.” aur apni nazrein zhukha li aur Henry ke chehre par badi si muskaan aa gayi.

Heer ki baat sunkar Henry ek pal ke liye suni si aankhon ke saath uski taraf dekhta raha. Heer ka yun dil ki baat keh dena uske liye naya tha, anjaana tha kyunki Heer, jo aksar apne jazbaat ko aankhon tak simit rakhti thi, aaj unhe labon tak le aayi thi.

Uske alfaaz ab bhi Henry ke kaanon mein goonj rahe the, “Nahi, itni achhi bolte hain ke mera dil dhadakna bhool jaata hai.”

Henry ke chehre par ek narm, hairat bhari muskaan thi. Usne apna haath ab bhi Heer ke gaalon par thaame rakha tha, par ab uski ungliyon mein ek nayi naram si thartharahat thi aur is nazdeeki se Heer ki dhadhkane badhti hi ja rahi thi.

Henry uski is halat se bakhubi waqif tha aur kahi na kahi use maza bhi aa raha tha apni sherni ko yun bili bante dekh.

"Toh phir," usne dheere se kaha, "shayad mujhe roz kuch naya seekhna padega, taake aapka dil dhadakna bhoolta hi rahe."

Heer ki muskaan mein ab thoda shararat thi, par uski aankhon mein nami ab bhi basi thi. Henry ne uski aankhon ki taraf dekha aur halka sa jhuk kar kaha, "This thing you said… it’s so deep that I might not be able to fully understand it, but one thing I do know for sure, today, I’ve fallen even more in love with you.."

Heer ne dheere se nazar uthai, aur Henry ke chehre par woh sachchai dekhi jo uska apna dil mehsoos kar raha tha.

Wo apne dil ka izhar karna chahti thi par shayad abhi sahi waqt nahi tha 

"Main kabhi soch bhi nahi sakti thi ke ek angrez afsar, ek Colonel, itni khubsurati se meri zubaan mein itni khubsurat baatein keh sakta hai," Heer ne halki si hansi ke saath kaha.

Henry ne thoda jhuk kar uske kaan ke paas fuskaya, "Aur main kabhi soch nahi sakta tha ke kisi mulk ki mitti meri zubaan se mujhe is kadar roshan kar degi."

Aur Heer ki muskan aur badh gayi.

Un dono ke beech ek pal ke liye khamoshi chha gayi, lekin woh khamoshi bhi kisi mehfil se kam na thi. Sirf aankhen bol rahi thi aur un aankhon mein sirf ek baat thi pyaar, jo ab bepanah tha.

Elizabeth ki awaaz ne iss pal ko toda, “If you two are done exchanging poetry, the carriage is waiting.”

Henry ne Heer ki aankhon se ek baar phir wo khamosh ijaazat li, uska haath apne haath mein le kar kaha, “Shall we, my moonlight?”

Heer ne sirf ek halki si muskaan ke saath haan mein sir hila diya aur carriage mein baith kar wo ballroom ki aur nikle.

Raste mein Henry ki nazarein sirf apni Heer par the aur Heer ki nazrein sharm ke mare uth bhi nahi rahi thi.

Carriage ruka aur Henry ne use utarne mein madad ki aur utar kar dono ballroom ki taraf bade bahon mein bahein dal kar, aur unke kadam jaise hi ballroom ke darwaze ke andar aaye, ek aisa mahaul tha jo unki rooh ko chhoo gaya.

Jahan tak nazar jaati thi, wahan tak roshni mein chamak rahe chehre the aur motiyon se saja hua ballroom tha. Ooper se lahrate hue jhoomron ki roshni ne har cheez ko ek shaahi rang diya tha, jaise har cheez apne aap mein ek kahani kah rahi ho. Farsh par shahi rang ka kaleen bichha tha, jo unki har kadam ki awaaz ko halki si gungunahat mein badal raha tha.

Dheere dheere, Heer aur Henry ballroom mein badhe, unke aas-paas dancers elegant steps mein ghoom rahe the, ek se badh kar ek khoobsurat kapde pehene hue. Khushboo se bhari hawa mein rozmarra ki chhoti-chhoti baatein, hansna-hansana aur khushgawar baatein sunayi de rahi thi, lekin Heer aur Henry ke beech ek alag hi rishta tha, unka pyaar jo is bhi shaam ke har rang mein ghul gaya tha.

Kuch ladkiyo ko ladke dance ke liye puch rahe the. Kuch khilkhila rahi thi aur kuch sharma rahi thi.

Kahi kone mein kuch officers haath mein jaam ke glass liye kuch batein kar rahe the.

Ballroom mein sirf Britishers nahi the Hindustani bhi the. Bade raje-rajwade, vayapari, Nawab aur kuch angrezo ke wafadar.

Par jaise hi Henry aur Heer ballroom main aye sabki nigahen un par thi. Akhir sab is jode ko dekhne ko bekrar jo the.

Ke kon hai wo aam si ladki jisne ek British officer ke dil par raaj kar rakha hai.

Aur Heer ka roop dekh waha mojood har ladki irsha mein jal rahi thi. Chahe wo Britisher ho ya hindustani.

Henry ne apni Heer ka haath thame rakha tha, jaise duniya ki bheed mein bhi usse bas wahi ek roshni nazar aati ho. Ballroom ki chhoti-badi baatein, hansi, surila sa sangeet, sab ek pichhle hisse ki tarah mehsoos ho raha tha, jaise waqt sirf un dono ke liye thama ho.

Heer ne aankhon mein thodi jhijhak ke saath charon taraf dekha, lekin Henry ke haath ki garmi ne use himmat di. Use bahut dar lag raha tha par Henry ka sath use hamesha ki tarah himmat de raha tha.

Elizabeth ne door se muskara kar unhe aankhon se salaam kiya, aur kuch aur angrez afsar aur unki biwiyan Heer ko dekh kar halki muskaan se uska swagat karne lagi, lekin unki aankhon mein hairani thi. Ek Hindustani ladki, ek British officer ke saath, itni grace aur shaan se ballroom mein kadam rakh rahi thi, ye unke liye ek naya drishya tha.

Heer ne unki muskaan ek halki si muskan ke sath lautai aur Henry ke sath aage badhti rahi par uski ghabrahat Henry ache se mehsoos kar pa raha tha.

Henry ne dheere se Heer ki taraf jhuk kar kaha, “Don’t worry, they’ll get used to seeing an angel walking among them.”

Heer ne ek muskurahat ke saath aankhen jhuka li. “Aap sab kuch itna asaan bana dete hain.”

“Only when you’re with me,” Henry ne jawab diya.

Isi beech ek ballroom attendant ne aakar Henry ko jhuk kar salaam kiya. “Colonel, would you lead the opening waltz? The General wants the new couple to begin the first dance before the celebration starts.”

Henry ne apni nazrein General ki aur modi to dekha wo apni champagne ka glass uthaye use aage badhne ko utsah de rahe the.

Henry ne Heer ki taraf dekha. “Mrs. Caldwell! Shall we?”

Heer ne aankhon mein thoda sa sankoch aur sharm liye uski taraf dekha. “Mujhe nachna nahi aata colonel saab.”

Henry thoda jhuka aur Heer ke kaan mein kaha jo sirf wahi sun skti thi. “Everyone present here should know that my tigress is second to none in anything and I know you learned a little dancing from her Elizabeth too.”

Heer ki aankhen hairani mein badi ho gayi ke akhir ise kaise pata.

“Maine… maine toh thoda hi dance seekha tha..” Heer ne hichkichate hue jawab diya.

Henry ne muskurate hue uska haath apne dil ke paas le aaya. “So just follow my lead tonight… I won’t let you fall.”

Heer ne thoda ghabra kar haan mein sir hila diya.

Aur phir... ballroom mein madhur violin ki dhun gunj uthi. Henry ne uska haath apne haathon mein le kar usse dance floor ke beech laaya.

Waha mojood sabki nigahen un par thi. Kaiyon ki khushi mein (jo sirf Elizabeth thi), kaiyon ki utsukta mein, toh kaiyan ki bas is umeed mein wo ek Hindustani ko muh ki khate dekhna chahte the.

Ke uska yahan un sab ke beech koi sthan nahi hai. Yahi karan tha general ne pehle is dono ko nachne ko kaha.

Henry ne apna ek hath Heer ki kamar par rakha aur dusre hath mein uska hath pakada aur dheere dheere unke kadam sur ke saath milne lage.

Pehle thodi jhijhak, thodi ghabrahat... par phir Heer ne Henry ki aankhon mein dekha aur sab kuch bhool gayi.

Wo pal jaise kisi sapne ka hissa tha.

Unki ghoomti jodi ke aas-paas log thame hue the, kuch hairaan, kuch mohit. Heer ke lehza mein ek aisi shiddat thi, jisme ek Hindustani tehzeeb ki sharm, ek nayi duniya ka darr, aur ek anjaane par bharose ka hausla tha.

Henry ke liye, us dance floor par sirf ek chehra tha, Heer ka. Uski topi halki si hawaa mein ud rahi thi, toh Henry ne jaise hi use ghumaya Heer ne bahut hi tehzeeb aur ada se apni hat utar kar Elizabeth ki taraf fenki jise uske hawa mein hi pakad liya aur phir wo dubara Henry ki bahon mein thi.

Wo ek pal itna haseen aur lubhawna tha ke sab awayawahit ladkiya pagal si ho gayi aur jo jo insaan waha mojood Heer ko incha dekhna chahta tha wo bas un dono ko niharte hi reh gaye.

Halki hawa se lehrate Heer ke reshami bal uske chehre se jhank kar Henry ke dil ko chhoo rahe the.

Woh dono ek pal ke liye sirf ek doosre mein simat gaye the. Na desh, na rivaaz, na rang, na darja… sirf pyaar tha. Sirf ek Heer thi… aur uska Henry.

Jaise hi sangeet ruka sabne dono ke liye taliya bajani shuru kardi par wo dono sirf ek dusre ki aankhon mein khoye hue the waha majood logo se bilkul anjan.

Pehli bar Heer bahut khush thi.

Dil se.

Aur wo bas is pal mein thame rehna chahti thi.

Apne colonel saab ki bahon mein aur Henry ka hal bhi kuch Heer jaisa hi tha.

Lekin jaise hi sangeet dobara shuru hua dono apni duniya se bahar aaye aur baki log bhi dheere dance floor par aane lage.

Dance ke baad, Henry ne Heer ka haath apne haathon mein le kar ek halka sa jhukav diya, jaise uske saath uss pal ka shukriya ada kar raha ho. Heer ki aankhon mein ab bhi uski baahon ka asar tha, dhadkanen tez thi, gaal gulabi, aur muskaan mein ek gehri si sharam.

Dono dance floor se hat kar thoda kone ki taraf chale gaye jahan se ballroom ki roshni, logon ki chahal-pahal aur madhur sangeet ka ek shaahi nazara mil raha tha.

“Shall we meet the others?” Henry ne pyaar bhari nazar se Heer ko dekha.

Heer ne halka sa sir hila kar haan kaha, aur dono logon ke beech se narmi se guzarte hue kuch mehmaanon se milne lage.

Sabse pehle Henry ne use Lord Dane aur unki biwi Lady katherine se milwaya. Ek buzurg lekin bhale dil wale joda jo Heer ke kapdon aur tehzeeb se kaafi prabhavit hue.

“Oh dear, you’ve brought the moonlight with you tonight, Colonel,” Lady Katherine ne Heer ko dekh kar kaha, “What a vision!”

Heer ne sharmate hue Henry ki taraf dekha, jise ye sunkar garv mehsoos ho raha tha.

Uske baad Henry ne Heer ko apne kuch military colleagues se milwaya, Captain Harrington, Major Norris, aur unki wives, jo Heer ko dekhte hi hairani se muskura uthi.

“Is she really the girl for whom Colonel Henry broke so many hearts?” kisi ne mazaak mein kaha, lekin Heer ke nazuk sharmili muskaan aur Henry ki rakhwali bhari nazar ne sabko chup karwa diya.

Isi beech Henry ko bahut baar kisi kisi ne jaam ki peshkash ki par usne bade hi adab se sabko inkar kiya.

Ab wo bilkul bhi nahi pita kyu ki uski Heer ko jo pasand nahi hai aur uske is chote bhaw ne Heer ke dil ko uske liye ek bhar phir se dhadaka diya.

Phir unki mulaqat hui ek hindustani nawab se, Nawab Sejad Ali Khan, jo Lucknow se aaye the. Unhone Henry ko adaab kaha aur Heer ki taraf dekh kar ek tehzeebi jhukaav diya.

“Aapki begum mein to mashriq ki sharafat aur maghrib ki tehzeeb dono ki jhalak hai, Colonel Saab,” Nawab sahab ne kaha.

Heer ne jhuk kar adaab kiya, aur Henry ne fakhr se uski taraf dekha, uski sherni, jo har mehfil mein roshan ho jaati thi.

Tabhi Heer ki nazar ek aurat par padti hai, ek angrez memsahib, jiska chehra Heer ko kuch zyada hi taiyyar lag raha tha. Uske saath ek do aur auratein bhi theen jo aapas mein kuch khusphus kar rahi thi, aur Heer ko dekh kar ek dusri ko dekh muskara rahi thi.

Henry ne Heer ka haath thoda zor se pakda jaise kehna chahta ho, “I’ve got you.”

Heer ne uske haathon ki us thapki ko mehsoos kiya aur us pal sab kuch theek lagne laga.

“Sabke beech mein ho kar bhi, main sirf aapke saath hoon,” Heer ne dheere se kaha.

Henry ne muskura kar uski aankhon mein dekha, “And I am only yours.”

Henry ne sari raat Heer ka hath ek pal ke liye bhi nahi choda taki wo yahan is bheed mein akela mehsoos na kare.

Lekin wo kya janta tha har guzarte lamhe ke sath Heer to ek nayi kashmakash mein dubti ja rahi hai.

Aaj ki raat kuch bahut bada jo hone wala hai. Lekin is sab mein Heer ko sirf ek chinta hai uske colonel saab ki.

Fir ek ladki aayi aur usne Henry se uske sath nachne ki guzarish ki. Henry ne apni biwi ki taraf dekha jisne bas use halki si muskan di kyu ke wo general ki beti thi.

Jise wo dono hi inkar to nahi kar sakte the par dur se apne pati ko kisi aur ki bahon mein nachte dekh Heer ek baat ache se samajh gayi thi ke ab wo Henry ko kisi aur ke sath dekhna bhi tasavvur nahi kar skti thi.

Mehfil ab apne shab-e-rang par thi. Violin ki dhun thodi tez ho gayi thi, chand glasses aur chehre surkh hone lage the, aur ballroom ki roshni ab aur narm aur sunehri lag rahi thi. Har kone mein hansi, chahak, aur takarte glasses ki awaaz goonj rahi thi.

Lekin Heer… Heer ab bhi khadi thi, ek aise kone mein jahan se uski aankhon ne ballroom ki badi si diwaar ghadi ko dhoondh liya tha, woh ghadi jo British samay ki pabandi ki misaal thi, lekin Heer ke liye ab waqt ke khatarnak mod ka paimana ban chuki thi.

Raat ke theek 12 bajne mein sirf 1 ghanta baaki tha.

Uske dil ki dhadkane tez ho gayi thi. Har second, us ghadi ki suiyon ke saath ek naya zakhm deta ja raha tha. Woh jaanti thi,  theek 12 baje, uske sathiyon ne armory par hla bolna tha. Lahori cantonment ke ek hisse mein, jahan barood aur bandooken rakhi thi waha khoon ka aaghaz hone wala tha.

Uske chehre se muskaan dheere se fisal gayi. Henry uski taraf mud kar kuch kehne hi wala tha ki usne Heer ki aankhon ka us ghadi par tikna dekh liya.

“Sweetheart?” Henry ne naram se poocha, “Are you alright?”

Heer ne turant apni nazar hata li aur ek jhooti muskurahat ke saath bola, “Bas... thodi thakan si lag rahi hai.”

Henry ne uske haathon ko apne haathon mein liya. “Do you want to leave?”

Heer ne pal bhar ke liye socha. Agar wo ab nikle toh Henry shak ke dayare mein aa sakta hai. Aur agar ruki… toh kaan mein gunshot ki goonj sirf Lahore nahi, uske dil ko bhi cheer degi.

Wo is asmanjas mein thi ke kahi wo khoon ki holi yahan tak na aa jaye.

“Bas ek minute... mujhe thodi hawa chahiye,” Heer ne kaha.

Aur usne ek corner ki taraf kadam badha diye, jahan se vo angan tak ja sakti thi, jahan chandni mein sab kuch shaant lagta tha… lekin uske andar tufaan tha.

Aur Heer ki ragon mein ek thartharahat daud gayi,  aaj raat sirf ek imtihaan nahi tha... balke is pal se uske do chehre, ek Colonel ki patni aur doosra desh ki beti, takraane wale the.

Henry uske piche bahar aya, “Little jewel we can leave if you are not feeling well.”

Aur tabhi Heer ne dekha ke kuch afsaron ki gadiyan jane lagi thi. Matlab log jashan se lautne lage the aur ab sirf uske jane par shaq uske pati par nahi aega.

“Ji!” Heer ne dheere se kha.

“Let's say goodbye to a few people inside, then we will take our leave.” Henry ne pyar se kha aur Heer ne dheere se sar hilaya.

Dono kuch logon se mile aur itne mein hi 11:30 ho chuke the aur har guzarte pal ke sath Heer ki bechaini badhti ja rahi thi.

Akhirkar wo ballroom se nikle ghar ki aur sare raste Heer yahi sochti rahi ke agar armoury par hamle ke baad Henry ko bulawa aaya bhi us loot ko rokne ka to wo use jane se akhir kis trha rokegi.

Kyon ki agar Henry waha gaya toh Gurbaksh is bar bhi us par zaroor hamla karega Heer ye baat samjh chuki thi ke ab Gurbaksh Singh apne raste mein ate kisi angrez afsar ko nahi bakshta.

Ballroom se wapas aate waqt raat ka asmaan ghunghta odh chuka tha. Jaise hi carriage ne haveli ke darwazon ka rukh kiya, ek tez bijli chamki aur turant uske baad baarish zameen ko chhoo gayi, pehli boondein carriage ki chhat par tapp-tapp karne lagi.

Heer ne khidki se bahar dekha, jaise chand ki roshni bhi us baarish mein bheeg rahi ho. Henry ne uski taraf dekha aur muskara diya.

“Here, it rains even out of season.” usne halka sa haath Heer ki ungliyon par rakha.

Heer use batana chahti thi ke ye kis toofan ka sanket hai par wo chup rahi.

Carriage ruki. Par jaise hi dono utarne lage, ek zor ki baarish ne unhe gher liya.

Unke utarte hi carriage chala gaya aur Henry Heer ka hath pakad use jaldi se andar ki aur le jane laga par Heer wahi ruk gayi.

Henry ne palat kar dekha, Heer khula asmaan dekh kar muskura raha tha, jaise har boond uski rooh tak ja rahi ho.

Wo samjh chuki thi Henry ko kam se kam aaj raat bachane ka ek hi akhri tareeka hai uske paas.

Mohabbat ka izhar.

"What are you doing? You will catch a cold." Henry ne hansi chhupate hue pucha.

Heer ne uska haath khinch kar kaha, "No. I will not."

Chaand, bijli aur baarish ke darmiyan, Heer Henry ki bahon mein thi aur uske kareeb ate hi Henry ne use apni bahon mein bhar liya. Uska off-white gown bheeg chuka tha aur uske jism se uski rooh ki trha lipti hua tha, baal galon se chipak gaye the, par aankhen… aankhen usi shiddat se Henry ko dekhti rahi.

Henry ne apna coat Heer ke opar daala, par Heer ne use pakad kar ek pal ke liye roka.

“Let's go inside.” Henry ne dheere se kha.

“Let me stay like this… just for a moment,” uski awaaz mein ek gehra sukoon tha.

Henry ne uska chehra apni hathon mein liya aur uske bheege bal htata hua kehne laga, “What are you doing little jewel?.”

Heer ne palkein jhuki, aur phir pehli baar, usne wo lafz keh diye jo kab se uski ruh mein the…

“Kuch aisa jo bahut pehle kar dena chahiye tha.” Heer ne dheere se kha Henry ke aur paas aate hue.

Jaise hi wo apne panjo ke bal khadi hui, Henry ek pal ke liye jaise behosh ho gaya, Heer ne usse kabhi is tarah nahi dekha tha. Uske hoth hilte nahi the, par uski aankhen sab kuch keh gayi thi.

Heer ne apna haath Henry ke seene par rakha, uske dil ki dhadkan mehsoos karte hue apni aankhein ek pal ke liye band ki, Henry bas use dekhta ja raha tha.

Heer ne uska hath apne kanpte hathon mein liya aur apne dil par rakh diya. Henry ne ek gehri kpkpati sans li kyu ke usne kabhi Heer ko yun nahi chua tha aur Heer ka yun use haq dena use apni aankhon par yakeen nahi aa raha tha.

“Yeh dil… sirf aapka hai, colonel saab.” Heer ne dheere se kha. “Na sirf ye dil….par ye jism, ye rooh aur ye Heer sirf aur sirf apki hai.”

Henry ne Heer ko apne kareeb khinch liya, uski peshani par narmi se apne honth rakh diya, aur dheere se kaha, “Say that again, little jewel.”

Heer ne uska chehra apne hathon mein thamte hue kaha, “Mujhe aap se beintehaa mohabbat ho gayi hai colonel saab.”

Aur phir… unke beech sirf baarish thi, saansen thi, aur ek door tak jaata hua geela path, jahan unka pyaar har kadam ke saath gehra hota gaya.

Henry use kheench kar haveli ki aur le gaya par dono ke jazbaat is kadar umad rahe the ke darwaze ke paas ke khambe ke peeche Henry ne Heer ko kheencha ke Heer chonk gayi.

Uski saanse tez hoti ja rahi thi aur dhadhkane bekabu. Usne pehle kabhi aisa mehsoos nahi kiya tha jaisa wo is pal mein kar rahi thi.

Wo bas is ek lamhe mein kho jana chahti thi sirf aur sirf apni mohabbat ke saath.

Henry ka hal bhi bilkul aisa hi tha aur dono ki aankhen ek dusre mein dubi hui thi. Bina kuch kahe bhi bahut kuch bayan karti hui.

“Stop me, Heer, or I might end up doing something reckless.” Henry ne jab ye kaha uski sanse ukhdi hui thi aur uska angutha Heer ke labon ko sehla raha tha.

Heer kuch kehne hi wali thi ke jab uske kano mein dur se bajti unke telephone ki ghanti padi jo andar Henry ki study mein baj raha tha aur bas wahi ek pal tha.

Heer ne dheere se inkar mein sar hilaya aur Henry khud par kiya hua sara niyantran kho betha aur agle hi pal uske lab Heer ke labon se ja mile.

Heer ne apne haath uske gardan ke gird lapet liye, aur apna pura wajood uske samarpan mein de diya.

Henry ne jaise hi uske labon se apne lab hatae Heer gehri saanse le rahi thi aur uske gaal laal ho chuke the.

Henry uska hath tham use haveli ke andar kheench laya.

Haveli ke andar, unhone bheege kapdon ke sath andar kadam rakha. Nokar so chuke the. Dono apne kamre mein aaye aur Henry ne use apni bahon mein khincha.

Heer kanp rahi thi.

Thand ke karan ya Henry ke pyar jatane ke tareke ke karan wo nahi janti thi.

Henry ne ye dekha aur usne Heer ke kandhe par chadar daali, phir kamre ke andar ka fireplace jalane laga. Heer use kone mein khadi dekh rahi thi apne dhadhkte dil ke sath.

Henry ne fireplace jala diya. Jaise hi aag dheere-dheere kamre ko roshan kar rahi thi. Bahar baarish ab bhi baras rahi thi,  lekin andar, ek alag hi sukoon tha. Henry ne Heer ke kandhon se bheegi chadar hata kar usse dheere se apne kareeb khinch liya. Uski aankhon mein kuch tha, izzat, chahat, aur ek aisi bechaini jo sirf Heer ke liye thi

Heer uske kareeb thi. Bijli ki chamak mein unke chehre roshan hue. Heer ne Henry ka haath apne seene par rakha… uski dhadkan us pal sirf uske liye thi.

Har saans bas Henry ka naam liye ja rahi thi.

Heer ne apni saans roki, jab Henry ne uske bheege baalon ko apni ungliyon se suljhaya. Har chuan mein ek sneh tha, ek vachan tha, ki tum meri ho, aur hamesha rahogi.

“You know... I've been waiting for this moment for so long.” uski awaaz aahista thi, jaise sirf uske dil ke liye nikli ho.

Heer ne uska chehra apni hathon mein liya, aur uski aankhon mein jhankti rahi, “Aur main kab se apna sab kuch sirf aapko dene ka intezar kar rahi hu, colonel saab.”

Unki aankhen mili, aur phir... lafzon ki zarurat nahi thi. Sirf unka pyaar bol raha tha, labon se, haathon se, aur har thartharati saans se.

Kapde dheere-dheere utarte gaye, na jaldi thi, na hichkichahat. Har baat unki aankhen keh rahi thi, har chuan ek kahani suna raha tha. Henry ne uske kandhon par apne hoth rakhe aur Heer ne ek gehri saans li, aur Henry uski peeth par apni ungliyon se likhne laga mohabbat ke har lamhe ko jo wo dono na jane kab se sirf apne andar dabae baithe the.