Henry

Heer ne us raat mujhe kabool kar mujhe ek nayi zindagi di hai. Ab main akela nahi hun meri zindagi mein bhi koi hai jo mujhe bahut mohabbat karti hai jitni ki main usse karta hun.

Pehle mujhe dar tha ke kahi wo apne jazbaaton mein beh kar mere kareeb aayi hai aur shayad baad mein use pachtawa ho par shukr hai aisa kuch nahi hua.

Agli subah wo bahut khush thi. Uske chehre ka noor ye saaf bata raha tha. Mujhe dar tha ke kahi main use chot na pohncha du isi liye us raat main baar baar use puchta raha ke wo theek to hai na.

Par uske galon ki laali aur sharam mein jhuki un palkon ne mujhe sab bayan kar diya.

Wo khush thi.

Itni khush jitni wo kabhi nahi thi jis din se hamari shadi hui thi.

Aur mere liye itna hi kafi tha humari zindagi ko ek kadam aur age badhane ke liye.

Aaj main Delhi se ghar wapas ja raha hun…..Ghar!

Ye shabd pehle bahut ajnabi sa lagta tha. Kyon ki ye mulk paraya tha mere liye, main toh bas yahan apni duty karne aaya tha par phir Heer meri zindagi mein aayi aur maine is paraye mulk mein bhi apna ek chota sa ashiyana bsa liya meri Heer ke sath.

Us din jab mujhe achanak Delhi ke liye rawana hona pada tha to meri jaan bahut udas thi aur uska utra chehra dekh main bhi pareshan tha.

Par vade ke mutabik maine har roz use phone kiya. Wo mere bina kitna akela mehsoos kar rahi thi wo har raat mujhe us se baat karte waqt ehsaas hota tha, par kya karu ab naukri hi aisi hai jise main chah kar bhi chhod bhi nahi sakta.

Warna jo kuch bhi ab crown hum se karwa raha hai wo dekhte hue main ye sab chhod kar apni Heer ke sath kahin sakoon se jeena chahta hun.

Mere pita ji itni dolat to chhod gaye hai aur maine bhi aaj tak itna to kamaya hai ke hum apni zindagi ki phir se shuruaat kar saken yahan se kahin bahut dur par kuch cheeze chah kar bhi humare hath mein nahi hoti.

Main train se utra aur ghar ke liye rawana hua. Iqbal pehle hi station par mera intezar kar raha tha.

Station se ghar tak ka rasta bhi mujhe itna lamba lag raha tha ke main kya bataun. Main bas apni Heer ke paas jana chahta hun jald se jald.

Kal raat jab maine use btaya tha ke main wapas aa raha hu toh uski awaaz mein bhi khushi saaf jhalak rahi thi, itna yaad kar rahi thi wo mujhe. Itni akeli thi woh mere bina.

Jaise hi Jeep ghar ke bahr ruki main turant andar badha aur maine ek samay mein do-do teen-teen sidiya chad kar upar pohncha, par jaise hi humare kamre ke paas pohncha to darwaza andar se band tha.

Mujhe bahut hairani hui kyu ke maine use kaha tha ke darwaza khula rakhe.

Maine dubara koshish ki ke kahi darwaza atak na gaya ho par wo nahi khula.

Shayad wo so chuki hai aur main uski neend nahi kharab karna chahta to main muda dusre kamre mein ja kar sone ke liye, tab achanak se mujhe darwaza khulne ki aahat sunai di aur main turant muda par samne ke nazare ne meri saanse hi ek lamhe ke liye rok di.

Jo nazara mere samne tha uska tasavur maine apne kisi khwab mein bhi nahi kiya tha. Kamre mein diye ki halki lau thi aur khidki se aati chandni us mein ghul kar use aur bhi khoobsurat bna rahi thi.

Aur us chandani andheri raat mein chamakti meri Heer apne shaadi ke jode mein khadi thi ghunghat se apna chehra chupaye.

Us din kya wo samajh gayi thi mere dil ki icha? Kya sun li thi usne meri baat?

Main humari shadi ki raat use dekh bhi nahi saka tha kyu ke Heer khush nahi thi is shaadi se aur main us par koi dabaw nahi dalna chahta tha.

Par mujhe ye bhi nahi maloom tha ke Heer mere liye aisa kuch karegi.

Main age badha aur maine apne piche darwaza band kar diya.

Wo jahan thi wahi simmatti khadi rahi par wo ghabra rahi thi ye dastan uske bandhe hathon ki machalti ungliyan mujhe bata rahi thi.

Maine dheere se uski aur badha aur pucha, “What is all this, little jewel?”

“Khud dekh lijiye.” Usne bas dheere se yehi kaha aur wahi apni jagah par khadi rahi. Uski awaaz mein thodi kanpan thi, matlab wo sharma rahi thi.

Meri bholi biwi.

Maine uske samne ja kar khada ho gaya aur dheere se uska ghunghat uthaya. Iss bar uski nazrein jhuki hui nahi thi pichle bar ki trha aur na hi unmein ansun the pichle baar ki tarah, wo apni un gehri ankhon se mujhe dekh rahi thi bas is umeed mein ke kya mujhe uska saaj shringar pasand aya bhi ya nahi.

Uski saanse tez thi aur dil bhi jooron se dhadak raha tha.

Us surkh jode aur sunehri gehno mein wo kisi khwab se kam nahi lag rahi thi ke main bas use dekhta hi reh gaya.

Aur uske jode se bhi zyada surkh to uske gaal ho rahe the.

Jab maine itni der tak kuch nahi kaha aur bas use ek tak dekhta raha toh uske dil mein bechaini shayad koi darr bharne lagi thi aur ye uske chehre par saaf nazar aa raha tha.

“Kya hua colonel saab? Kya main achi nahi lag rahi hun?” Usne dabi si udasi bhari awaz mein pucha thoda ghabrate hue.

“Achi?” Maine dheere ne apni ungliyo se uski thodi pakadte hue kaha uske shadh dohraye aur kaha. “Not just beautiful, my love, you look so breathtakingly lovely that I no longer have the words to describe it..”

Wo waqye hi itni khubsurat lag rahi thi ke mere paas alfaz nahi the uski khoobsurati bayan karne ko.

Uske sharam se laal hote gaal use aur bhi zyada khubsurat bana rahe the.

Usne apni muskaan chupate hue apni nazrein jhuka li aur meri muskaan aur badh gayi.

Ye haya aur pyaar ka katilana sanyog ek din meri jaan le kar rahega.

“Look at me, sweetling.” Maine use pyar se pukara aur usne meri taraf dekha dheere se apni palkein uthate hue. “Thank you so much, my love.” Maine uska matha chumte hue kaha aur usne apni aankhein band karli.

“You may not believe it, but I had been longing restlessly to look at you like this, to take you in with my eyes to my heart’s content.”

“Janti hun.” Usne kanpte labo se bas itna nikla aur maine uski ankhon mein dekha jo ke pehle hi mujhe dekh rahi thi.

“Mujhe maaf kar dijiye ga, colonel saab.” Usne mera hath thamte hue kaha. “Shuru ke dino mein maine bahut hi bura salook kiya tha apke sath. Ho sake to mujhe maaf kar dijiye ga.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for, my love. I was a stranger to you back then, so your behavior was perfectly justified.” Maine pyar se use kha aur uske labon par halki si muskan aai.

“Aap thak gaye honge. Safar bhi kitna lamba tha. Apke liye khana lga dun?” Usne pucha.

“No, I’m not hungry.” Maine jawab diya usko apni bahon mein uthate hue.

“Colonel Saab!” Wo chonk gayi aur uske labon se halki si cheekh nikli hairani main aur main dheere se hasa pada.

“Bahut shaitan hain aap!” Usne mujhe itne pyar se dante hue mere seene par halka sa mara ke main ek baar phir uski mohabbat mein giraft ho gaya.

Maine use palang ki aur le gaya, use waha bithaya aur khud uske samne baitha.

Wo abhi bhi sharma kar muskurate hue mere samne baithi thi.

“I’ve brought something for you from Delhi.” Maine meri coat ki andarwali jeb se ek chhoti si resham ki potli nikalte hue kaha.

Heer ki aankhon mein ek chamak si aa gayi. “Kya laye hain?” Usne utsukta se thoda jhuk kar poocha, jaise bachpan mein koi ladki apne pita se tohfa mangti ho.

Maine dheere se potli uske haathon mein rakhi. Uske haath bhi kaamp rahe the, na jaane utsukta zyada thi ya bhavnatmak sambandh. 

Heer ne dheere se potli ka resham ka dhaaga khola, aur jaise hi usne uske andar dekha, ek mithi si sans nikal gayi.

“Pajeeb!” usne khusi se kaha meri aur dekhte hue.

“Did you like it?” Uske chehre ki khushi aur aankhon mein chamak dekh mujhe mera jawab to mil gaya tha par maine phir bhi pucha.

“Bahut.” Usne wo payal apni nazuk ungaliyo mein lete hue kaha.

Chandi ki cham cham karti wo payal. Itni nazuk, itni khubsurat, jaise Heer ke liye hi bani ho. Uski aankhein khushi me mare jhil mil karne lage.

Usne bas ek baar meri aur dekha, kuch kehna chaha, par shabdon ne saath chhod diya. Uski aankhen hi sab kuch keh gayi.

“You know what?” maine uske haathon se payal lekar kaha. “I love it so much when you walk around this house, and the sound of your anklets echoes in every corner. It reminds me that this place is alive because you’re in it.”

Meri ye baat sun kar Heer ki aankhon mein aansuon ki nami chhup nahi paayi.

Maine uska paon apne hothon mein liya aur wo achanak ghabra gayi.

“Ye aap kya kar rahe hai colonel saab!”

“This is my right. Let me put it on you.” Maine uski aur dekhte hue kaha pyar se phir uska paon apni aur thoda sa khinch kar paas laaya, aur us payal ko uske paon mein pehnaaya. Pehle ek… phir doosri.

Pura waqt Heer ki saans tez thi kyun ke main uske itna kareeb tha aur uske paon chu raha tha itne pyar se.

“Beautiful!” Maine dheere se khud se kaha aur thoda jhuka aur apne honth uske paon par rakh diye.

Heer ka dil ek pal ko ruk gaya.

“Colonel Saab!” usne halki si hichki ke saath kaha apna paon mere haath se chudwane ki koshish karte hue. “Yeh… yeh aap kya kar rahe hain?” uska chehra laal ho gaya, aankhen sharm se jhuk gayi. Uska gala sukh raha tha.

“What happened?” Maine uski aankhon mein jhankte hue poocha, uski masumiyat dekh mere labon par khud ba khud muskaan aa gayi par meri nazron mein aur bhi gehri izzat uttar aayi meri Heer ke liye.

Usne hichkichate hue kehna suru kiya apne dupatte ke kone ko haathon mein marodte hue. “Hamare yahaan… hamari sanskriti mein… pati kabhi patni ke paon chhoota bhi nahi. Aur aap ne toh…….”

Woh kehte kehte ruk gai. Itni haya ke wo ye baat keh bhi na saki apne labon se.

Maine uske paon ko apne haathon mein lete hue kaha, “Maybe that’s what I love about your culture, little jewel. The way you place so much respect in a relationship. But I want you to know……..You are my wife but not just because a ritual had to be fulfilled. You are my companion, a part of my very soul. And when I touch your feet, I don’t feel lesser, I feel complete.”

Heer ki aankhon mein aansuon ke moti thartharane lage meri baat sun kar. Usne apna haath mere haathon par rakh diya, jo ab bhi uske paon ko sambhale hue tha.

“Aap… aapne toh mujhe har roz naya mohabbat ka matlab samjhaya hai, colonel saab.” Heer ne kaha, uski awaaz mein ek dard bhi tha aur ek sukoon bhi. “Mujhe kabhi laga hi nahi tha ke ek videshi aadmi mere liye itni gehraiyaan le kar aayega.”

Maine apna doosra haath uske haath par rakha, “I am yours, Heer. And if being yours means I must learn your values, your language, your world every single day… then I’ll wear that as a badge of honour.”

Heer ek pal ke liye mere kareeb jhuk gayi aur apna matha mere kandhe par rakh diya. Uski payal ki halki si jhankaar humare beech ki khamoshi mein baj uthi, jaise hamari mohabbat ne ek naya raag chhed diya ho.

Wo bahut bhavuk ho rahi thi ke uske paas ab shabd nahi the kuch bhi kehne ko.

Maine uske baalon mein ungliyan phirate hue kaha, “This anklet of yours, little jewel, it’s not just jewelry. It’s a promise. Every time I hear its chime, I’ll know you’re near, and I’ll always find my way back to you.”

Mujhe mehsoos hua ke Heer ne aankhen band kar li, uske hothon par ek shaant muskaan thi. Us pal mein, hamara jism bhale hi alag tha, par rooh ek hi saans le rahi thi.

“Arz kiya hai!” Heer ne dheere se kaha mere kandhe se apna sar uthae bina.

“Irshad.” Maine muskurate hue uska sar sehlate hue kaha.

“Apke intezar mein har shab ye akhein ashq hui thi bar bar, apke intezar mein har shab ye akhein ashq hui thi bar bar aur ye qalab bhi hua tha bekarar. Is nadan ko shamjaya tha aur ashqon ko bhi chupaya tha par phir bhi apke intezar mein ye the muntazir har saans.” Heer ne mere kandhe se sar uthaya aur apni nam aankhon se meri gehri neelon aakhone mein dekhte hue kaha, “Ab wada kijiye Colonel Saab yun kabhi na chod kar jayege aap mujhe is tarha tanha na fasle honge humare darmiyan. Hoga to bas ye ishq, har mod aur har mukam.”

Mere labon par ek gehri muskurahat aur aankhon mein Heer ke liye aur pyar bhar aya uske shabdon mein piroe izhar ko sun kar.

Maine uska chehra apne hathon mein thamte hue kaha, “Wada.” aur agle hi pal mere lab uske labon se ja mile.

Us ke hoth mere hothon se mile toh jaise samay thehar gaya. Na koi shabd raha, na koi doori. Sirf saanse thi, jo ek doosre mein ghul rahi thi. Heer ka haath ab bhi mere seene par tha, aur maine uske kamar ko apni baahon mein thoda aur tham kar use apni aur khincha, jaise use apne andar sama lena chahta hoon, hamesha ke liye.

Uske lab naram the, thode thartharaye hue. Shayad sharm se, ya is anjaani kasak se jo dono ke beech mehsoos ho rahi thi. Maine dheere se uski pith par haath phiraya, jaise ek kalakar apne sabse anmol kalpana ko chu raha ho.

Heer ne apne hoth alag kiye, par door na gayi. Maine dheere se uski nath utari aur usne sharma kar uska matha mere seene se laga liya, aur uski saans meri dhadkan ke saath ho gayi. Maine uske baalon mein apni ungliyaan phirayi aur dheere dheere uske reshmi baal bandhi choti se azaad karne laga, uske kaan ke peeche se ek chhoti si lat ko halka sa suljhaya. Us pal mein bas ek sukoon tha, jaise sadiyon se bhatakti do roohen aakhir apni manzil tak pahunch chuki ho.

“Mujhe darr lagta hai kabhi kabhi…” Heer ne halki si fusahat mein kaha, jaise kisi sapne ke toot jaane ka andesha ho.

“What for?” maine uske kaan ke paas fusa fusa kar pucha.

“Ki kahin ye sab…..ye sab ek khubsurat khwab na ho. Ki ek din aap uth kar chale jaayein aur main fir se akeli reh jaaun,” uski awaaz mein thodi si kaanp thi, ek dar tha par uski baat meri rooh tak utar gayi.

Maine uske kandhon ko pakad kar use thoda piche kiya, taki uski aankhon mein jhaank sakun. “I’m not a dream, sweetling. I’m your reality, your truth. And no matter what happens now, every morning I’ll wake up by your side, and every evening I’ll find peace in the sound of your anklets.”

Usne dheere se muskurate hue mera chehra apne haathon mein le liya. Uske anguliyaan thodi thandi thi, par uska sparsh mera har gham bhula raha tha. Us pal mein koi lazzat nahi thi, koi hawas nahi, tha toh sirf ek ghanisht samarpan. Ek pavitra sparsh, ek vachan, jisme har chhooav ek geet ban gaya.

Maine uske haath apne honthon tak le jaakar ek ek ungli ko apne hothon se chuma. Heer ki palkein dheere se jhukiin, aur uske galo par halki si laali khil uthi. Maine use apni baahon mein bhar kar use bistar par litaya aur ek ek kar uske gehne utarta gaya aur piche apne honthon ka wajood chodta gaya. 

Usne koi virodh nahi kiya. Uski saansen tez thi, par uske hothon par ab bhi muskaan thi, ek vishwas bhari, ek samarpan bhari muskaan.

Kamre mein madhyam roshni thi. Chadar par chandan ki mehek thi, aur uski payal ab bhi dheere se chham chham kar rahi thi jaise uski har aahat meri rooh tak koi paighaam bhej rahi ho.

Maine ek pal ke liye uski aankhon mein dekha wo bhi meri aankhon mein dekh rahi thi.

Heer ka dupatta uske kandhon se halka sa fisal gaya, aur maine use adab se uthakar phir se uske gardan ke paas dhang se rakh diya. Uski aankhen meri aankhon mein thi, be-sharam nahi, be-dard nahi, sirf khula sa ek vishwas tha.

“You are mine, Heer. Only mine.,” maine dheere se kaha, uske haath apne seene par rakhte hue.

Heer ne us baat ka jawab kisi shabd se nahi diya. Usne bas meri taraf apna sar jhukaya, apne hoth mere gala ke paas laayi aur usne ek chhoti si pyaar bhare honthon ke sparsh se diya. Us pal mein meri ragon mein sirf ek hi naam tha, Heer.

Ham dono us raat ek dusre mein simat gaye, shabdon ke bina, bas chhoan ke madhyam se ek doosre ke jazbaat samajh rahe the. Har lamha ek nayi kasam tha, har sans ek naya bandhan.

Chadar ke neeche sirf pyaar tha. Koi lalsa nahi, koi lajja nahi, bas mohabbat thi, ek gehra pyaar jo har maryada se upar tha.

Puri raat uski pyaar bhari aahein jab uski payal ki jhankar ke saath mere kaano mein ghulti mujhe ek naye madhur sangeet mein duba jati.

Aur jab subah ki pehli roshni hamare kamre mein utri, Heer meri baahon mein thi; uske payal ki jhankaar ab bhi mere seene ke paas baj rahi thi, jaise meri rooh ko yaad dila rahi ho ki mohabbat, jab asli ho, toh woh har ek lamha mein saans leti hai.

Maine uske chehre ki aur dekha wo ab bhi so rahi thi chain se. Uske baal khule, sindoor bikhra hua, chudiya tuti hui.

Lekin phir bhi wo itni khubsurat lag rahi thi pata hai kyu?

Kyon ki wo us ek pal mein sirf meri lag rahi thi. Meri mohabbat mein rangi hui.

Usne dheere se ankhein kholi main pehle hi use dekh raha tha.

“Good morning, sweetheart.” Maine uska matha chumte hue kha.

“Good morning.” Usne dheere se kaha sharmate hue.

“Thank you so much for last night.” Maine uska hath apne labon ke paas late hue kaha aur usne sharma kar apni palkein jhuka li.

Maine uska chehra tham use apni aur dekhne ko kaha.

Wo jab yun sharma kar tamatar ki trha laal ho jati hai to dil karta hai use kha jaun par maine apne jazbaaton ko kaabo mein rakha kyon ke main use drana nahi chahta.

“Apko duty ke liye der nahi ho rahi?” Usne pucha.

“I’m thinking of taking the day off today  just so I can keep looking at you.” Maine besharmo ki tarah kaha aur wo sharma gayi.

“Behaya!” Usne dheere se mujhe danta.

Mere labon se halki si hansi nikli aur main bistar se utha taiyar hone ke liye.

Main nashte ke mez par uska intezar kar raha tha jab wo taiyar ho kar aayi aur hum dono ko nashta parosne lagi.

Jab wo mere samne baithi maine pucha, “Do you know what next Tuesday is?”

“Ji!” Usne bina meri aur dekhe sharma kar kaha.

“What is it?” Maine pucha.

“Hamari shadi ki pehli salgirah.” Heer ne dheere se kaha.

Mere honthon par muskan aai aur uske baad maine kuch nahi kaha.

Main daftar ke liye nikla aur sara din mere khyalao mein bas Heer hi thi. Kal raat humare beech jo kuch hua uska pyara sa ehsaas tha.

Jab kal raat Heer ne pehli baar pehl kar ek baar mere labon ko apne labon ko sehlaya tha wo pal mere liye sabse khas tha.

Us pal ke baad sab kuch theher gaya tha. Jaise waqt ne apni chaal rok di ho, jaise duniya ki saari awaazein us jhankaar mein doob gayi ho jo Heer ke paayalon se nikal kar mere dil tak pohonch rahi thi.

Uske honthon ka sparsh ab bhi mere honthon par mujhe mehsoos ho raha tha, lekin mera dil us se bhi aage badh gaya tha, uske dil ke raaz tak ke wo bhi kitna chahne lagi hai mujhe. Kitna vishwas karne lagi hai mujhe par.

Shaam ke waqt hamesha ki tarah main uske liye kuch le gaya khane ke liye. Kyu ki sardi thodi thodi mehsoos hone lagi thi to aaj main uske liye garma garam pakode le gaya tha.

Jo usne hamesha ki tarah bahut hi chav se khaye the.

Ye chand din yunhi pyar aur mohabbat mein guzar gaye aur phir aayi hamari pehli salgirah ki subha.

Jaise hi maine apni aankhein Kholi to dekha Heer meri bahon mein nahi thi.

Ek darr ki lehr mere sare badan mein doodh gayi. Akhir wo subah subah kaha chali gayi?

Wo har subha meri bahon mein hi hoti hai toh ab kaha chali gayi? Main turant bistar se utha aur use puri haveli mein use dhoondhne laga lekin wo kahin bhi nahi thi.

Na rasoi mein, na chat par aur na hi library.

Meri dhadhkane tez honi lagi chinta mein ke akhir itni subah subah wo ja kaha skti hai mujhe batae bina? Mere haath paanv chinta mein phulne lage.

“Heer! Heer! Little jewel!”

Yehi chilata hua main ek kamre se dusre kamre mein use dhoondh raha tha aur nokron par bhi chila raha tha; jab wo kahi nahi mili, to main haveli se nikalne hi wala tha use dhoondne jab wo darwaze se haveli mein dakhil hui.

Bina kuch soche samjhe main uski aur bhaga aur use apni bahon mein bhar apne seene se laga maine chain ki saans li.

“Where did you go? Do you even realise how worried I was? Who just disappears like that without a word?” Maine ek saans mein us par sawalon ki bochar kar di aur haveli ke sare nokar angan mein hame dekhne lage apna sab kaam kaj chod kar.

“Colonel Saab main to bas Gurudware tak gayi thi.” Usne kaha meri bahon se nikalne ki koshish karte hue.

“You could’ve at least told me, couldn’t you? Who leaves without saying a word?” Maine use bahon mein aur zor se jakadte hue pucha.

“Colonel Saab! Sab dekh rahe hain. Chodiye mujhe.” Usne sakhti se kaha aur tab main apne hosho hawas mein wapis aya aur apne charon aur dekha.

Sab hume dekh rahe the.

Haveli ke sare mard nokar apni nazron ko jhukae khade the aur aurtein apni hasi bada kar khadi thi aur sabse zyada to ek nayi nokrani muskura rahi thi. Wo choti si umar ki ek kuwari ladki hai jise Iqbal ne abhi kuch din pehle kaam par rakha hai.

Maine sab ko ghoor kar dante hue dekha aur sab waha se bhag gaye hume akela chhod kar.

“Aap kya bache hain, colonel saab!” Heer ne mujhe dheere se dhaka de khud ko meri bahon se azaad karwa kar dante hue pucha. “Huh! Boliye?”

Wo jab mujhe yun haq se danti hai to main sab kuch bhool jata hun aur bas use hi dekhta reh jata hun.

Ab bhi wahi hua.

Main chup chap uski daant kahata raha.

“Ab chup kyu ho gaye hain aap? Jawab dijiye? Bache hain aap? Jise main har jagah apne pallu se bandh kar le jaun?”

“I was scared…..”

“Chup!” Usne sakhti se mujhe tokte hue kaha aur maine apna muh turant band kar liya. “Darr gaye the ye! Main kya bhag gayi thi ghar se? Boliye? Akhir mera hai kon jiske paas main jaungi? Aap bhi jante hain mera aapke alawa koi nahi hai is duniya mein to kaha jaungi main? Aap hi ke paas aungi na?”

“I am sorry, my love.” Maine use apni bahon mein bhar mafi mangi. “Every morning begins with you by my side, so today, when you weren’t there, I got scared. You know it too, don’t you? I have no one else in this world but you.”

Usne ek gehri saans le kar apni bahein mere charo aur kas li.

“Janti hun Colonel Saab. Main toh bas Guru ghar tak hi gayi thi. Baba ji ka shukriya adah karne ki unhone aap ko meri zindagi mein bheja.”

Mere chehre par muskurahat aa gayi aur maine uska sar chuma use thoda sa peeche khinchne se pehle taki main uski aankhon mein dekh sakun.

“Shadi ki pehli salgirah mubarak ho, colonel saab.” Usne mujhe apne hath se kadah prasad khilate hue kaha.

“Happy anniversary Mrs. Caldwell.” Maine bhi pyaar se use prasad khilate hue kaha.

Wo muskurai aur phir mujhe dante hue rasoi ki aur chali gayi.

Nashte ke mez par bhi mujhe nashte se zyada dant hi mili kyu ke maine un chand minton mein sari haveli sar par utha kar sab nokron par chikhna chilana jo shuru kar diya tha aur Heer ko ye pata chal chuka tha.

Main chup chap bas sunta raha kyu ke ek Kamyab shadi ka akhir yehi to raaz hota hai. Chup chap apni biwi ko sunte raho.

“Hun bitar bitar bas mainu dekhi jao! (Ab bas mujhe ek tak dekhte rahiye!)” Usne gusse mein kaha aur maine bas use pyari si muskan di jawab mein.

Use gussa to aur zyada aya mujh par phir wo bhi muskura di meri shakal dekh aur meri muskurahat aur bhi badi ho gayi.

Usne dheere se haste hue mujh par apna sar hilaya aur sakhti se pucha, “Aap ne kaam par nahi jana kya aaj?”

“No, I’m not going anywhere today. I’m going to spend the entire day with my wife, just you and me.” Maine uska hath thamte hue kaha aur usne dheere se sar hilaya muskurate hue.

“Lekin pehle mujhe aap ko kuch dena hai.” Heer ne utsukta se kaha. Uski aankhon mein chamak thi.

“I am waiting.” Maine bhi usi utsukta se kaha.

“Yahan nahi kamre mein aaiye….”

Usne to masumiyat se kaha tha par maine use chedte hue pucha, “Oh, so my wife is in quite the mood this morning, is she?”

“Chii, colonel saab! Aap bhi na!” Usne aisi shakal bnai ke meri hasi nikal gai. “Jaiye kuch nahi dungi aapko.” Gusse mein ye bol wo waha se chal di aur main uske piche piche use mnata hua bhaga.

“I am sorry, little jewel. I was just kidding.” Maine use piche se apni bahon mein bhar liya.

“Haww! Colonel Saab! Kya kar rahe hai? Ghar nokron se bhara hua hai! Apko kuch sharam haya hai ya nahi ?” Usne mujhe danta shuru kar diya.

“First, forgive me.” Maine pyar se uske kaan mein kaha aur uske galon ki laali ne mujhe meri mafi dedi.

Maine use apni bahon ki giraft se riha kiya aur wo mera hath pakad mujhe hamare kamre mein le gayi.

Almari mein se kuch akhbar mein lipta hua nikala aur mujhe diya.

Maine jaldi jaldi wo akhbar ke pane khole aur usmein se ek bahut hi khubsurat buna hua muffler nikla gehre laal rang ki oon ka.

“Kaisa laga?” Heer ne utsukta se pucha. Uski aankhon mein aas thi ke mujhe tohfa pasand aya ya nahi.

“That is absolutely lovely.” Maine wo muffler pehnte hue pucha, “Did you make this?”

“Ji.” Usne dheere se kaha aur mera dil aur bhi khush ho gaya. Heer ne sirf mere liye ye bnaya. Meri to khushi ka koi thikana hi nahi tha.

Uske chehre ki khushi aur badh gayi tab maine dhiyan diya usne ek kone par jo likha tha,

“Heer & Henry: Forever”

Maine wo shabd dohraye pyaar se aur Heer ki muskan aur badi ho gayi.

“I’ll wear only this muffler for the entire winter now.” Maine kaha aur wo khilkhila uthi. “Now it's time for your present…”

“Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye, colonel saab!” Usne mujhe tokte hue kaha.

“But I want to give a gift to my lovely wife.” Maine daraz se ek chota lakdi ka diba nikalte hue kaha aur use diya.

Heer ne use utsukta se khola aur main intezar kar raha tha ke use tohfa pasand aya ya nahi kyu ke maine ye khas ek vyapari se mangaya hai Heer ke liye.

Lekin diba kholte hi Heer ka chehra utar gaya.

“What happened, my love? Didn't you like it? I’ll get it exchanged, there’s nothing to worry about. Just… Please don’t be upset like this.” Maine chinta mein kaha.

“Nahi bahut khubsurat hai colonel saab.” Usne us chandi ke sheeshe aur kanghi par apni ungliya ferte hue kaha. “Lekin maine to apko dhang ka tohfa bhi nahi diya aur apne mujhe itna kimti tohfa diya hai. Ab mujhe bura lag raha hai colonel saab.” Usne masumiyat se kaha aur wo rone wali halat mein thi.

Maine haste hue apne seene se laga liya, “My love, I only spent money, but you put your love, your time, your heart into making something for me… so tell me, what holds more value? Money, or a gift given from the heart?” maine pucha.

“Dil se diya gaya tohfa.” Usne dheere se kaha.

“Everything you give me is priceless.” Maine uska matha chumte hue kha. “I love it but there is one more gift for you. Wait here. I'll get it for you.” Ye keh kar main kamre se bahar nikla aur apni study ki almari mein se wo leather ki journal laya aur use dete hue kaha, “Do you remember how you always used to ask what I kept writing under the chinar tree during our vacations in Kashmir? Well… it was for you.”

Heer ne muskurate hue wo journal li aur utsukta se pehla panna padha. Jise padhte hi uski aankhein bhar aayi.

Maine ismein humare Kashmir ke safar ka har pal likha hai sirf sirf aur sirf Heer ke liye.

Usne journal band ki apne aansu pochte hue, “Raat ko aap hi padh kar sunaege mujhe.”

“Sure yo majesty.” Maine halka sa jhuk kar kha aur wo halka sa khilkhilai.

Main uske chehre ko apne haathon mein liye kuch der tak bas uski aankhon mein jhaankta raha. Un aankhon mein wo saari baatein thi jo kabhi kehna mumkin na ho, par mehsoos karna zaroori ho.

“Bahut bahut shukriya, colonel saab,” usne dheere se kaha.

“Little jewel…,” Maine uska naam itni narmi se liya ke jaise koi dua ho. “You're not just my wife; you are my every reason. The light of my mornings, the comfort of my nights. Your presence is the most beautiful part of my life. So thank you, darling, for accepting me and coming into my life.”

Heer ne bas meri baahon mein apne aap ko dheere se dheela chhod diya. Jaise har deewar gir gayi ho, har dar khatam ho gaya ho. Uska matha mere seene se lag gaya tha, uski saansein ab mere dil ki dhadkano ke saath humsafar ban chuki thi.

Maine uske baalon mein apni ungliyaan phirate hue kaha, “You know, this past year had its share of highs and lows, but still it’s been the most beautiful year of my life. Because you were my companion through it all.”

“Main bhi apki shukr guzar hu colonel saab ke apne mujhe apna humsafar chuna.” Usne meri aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha.

“I know, Heer, that my world is different from yours, my language, my ways, my traditions are separate from yours. But every single day, I learn from you. Every little habit of yours becomes my whole world.”

Heer ne dheere se apna haath meri shirt ke button par rakha, aur halki si muskaan ke saath kaha, “Aur main bhi seekh rahi hoon, Colonel Saab. Seekh rahi hoon aapse, ke mohabbat zubaan nahi poochhti, bas niyat aur jazbaat samajhti hai.”

Main ne uska haath apne haathon mein le kar apne hothon se chhoo liya, jaise ek vachan ki mohar ho.

Phir maine kaha, “Get ready quickly, we’re going to spend the whole day out today. And we’ll have lunch at that club. It gets too crowded at night, and I know you don’t like crowds.”

Usne muskurate hue sar hilaya aur main kamre se bahr nikal aya use taiyar hone dene ke liye.

Par main darwaze ke paas ruka aur mud kar use kaha, “And yes, leave your hair open. You look irresistibly beautiful that way.”

Wo sharma gayi aur main muskurate hue bahar aa gaya.

Main uska intezar kar raha tha jab wo niche aayi ek halka gown pehne hue, meri to saans hi ek pal ke liye tham gayi.

Itni khoobsurat lag rahi thi wo ke use dekh koi nahi manega ke wo angrez nahi balki ek jatni hai.

"I’ve read tales of queens and muses, but none come close to how regal you look right now. You've stolen my breath and my heart, once again.” Maine uska hath tham apne hothon ke paas late hue kaha.

Aur hamesha ki tarah meri biwi sharma kar kashmiri seb ki trha laal ho gayi.

“Colonel Saab, bas karde ab.” Usne dheere se kaha.

“No, I am serious.” Maine uski kamar par hath rakh use bahr ki aur lejate hue kaha, "I don't know if it's the dress, the way your hair cascades, or the glow in your eyes or your beetroot red cheeks but today, Mrs. Caldwell, you look like the beginning of every love story worth telling.”

Heer ne sharmate hue mere seene par halka sa apna ulta hath mara aur main has pada.

Hum dono haveli se bahr nikle aur buggy main chal diye Lahore ki sair par.

Buggy mein baith kar purane Lahore ke galliyon se guzarte hue Sheesh Mahal ki taraf ja rahe the. Ghar ke naukaron ko maine chutti de di thi aur aaj ka din humne sirf ek dusre ka saath chuna tha.

Heer ke hawa mein lehrata baal mujhe aur deewana bana rahe the. Maine bhi aaj uniform nahi civil kapde pehne the.

Buggy Ravi ke kinare se guzari to Heer ne nadi ki lehron ki taraf dekha, “kitna sukoon hai na.” Usne dheere se kaha.

Maine muskurate hue uska chehra dekhte hue kaha, “Yes, a lot.”

Wo hans padi aur buggy Sheesh Mahal ke samne ruk gayi.

Waha ab zyada bheed nahi thi. Ye ab British officers ka area hai. 

Maine Heer ka hath thama aur hum dono haath mein haath dale Sheesh Mahal ke sheeshe ke darwazon ke paas khade hue. Heer ne kaha, “Pehle yahan raaja raaniyaan rehte the… aaj main bhi apne raja ke saath hoon.”

Uski baaton ne mere labon ki muskan aur badi kardi. Maine uski kamar ke gird apna hath rakhte hue kaha, “I don't know if I’m a king or not but what I do know is that in every lifetime, I want you to be my queen.”

Heer ne muskurate hue apna sar mere kandhe par rakha aur mere honth khud b khud uske sar par the.

Wahan se hum Badshahi Masjid ke courtyard tak gaye. Heer ne wahan jhuk kar dua maangi. Main thoda door khada uska chehra dekh raha tha. Uske chehre ki roshni, aankhon ki taskeen mujhe andar tak chhoo gayi.

Itni masumiyat.

Jo har baar mujhe uski mohabbat mein giraft kar leti hai.

Uske baad hum dono Gawalmandi ke ek mashhoor parsi club mein lunch ke liye gaye jahan maine pehle se hi humare liye corner table reserve karwa rakhi thi.

Waha mojood kuch british officers ki patniya bar bar mud kar meri biwi ko dekh rahi thi. Akhir uska roop hi aisa tha ke koi bhi jal jaye.

Hum waha se nikalne hi wale the ke tabhi waha general ki beti aa gayi.

“Colonel Caldwell, it's good to meet you again.” Wo mujhe mere gal chuma kar mili.

Maine meri aankhon ke kono se dekha ke Heer ke chehre ke bhav badal chuke the.

Aise milna hamari sanskriti mein aam tha par Heer ki nahi.

General ki beti mujh se aur batein karna chahti thi par meri biwi apna gussa dabae khadi thi. Maine vinamrata se kaha, “We will surely talk again sometime, my lady. Right now, I have some important work to attend to. My wife is waiting.”

“Sure, Colonel.” Usne muskurate hue kaha aur phir Heer ki taraf mudi. Usne Heer ko upar se niche tak dekha aur bas ek bnawti se musakan ke sath dheere se sar hilaya.

Typical British behaviour!

Par meri biwi ko sab ko unki jagah dikhani ati hai. Heer ne apna hath meri baju ke gird lapeta aur ek pyari si muskan de kar general ki beti ko mili aur mujhe wha se kheench layi.

Meri Sherni.

Jise apna haq jatana ache se ata hai.

Hum buggy mein baithe lekin Heer bahut chup thi ab. Jo muskan aur athkhelia uske chehre par pehle thi ab ja chuki thi aur wo gusse mein aur bhi haseen lag rahi thi.

Aur is jalan ne mujhe bahut khushi di ki meri biwi kisi aur ko mere paas nahi dekh skti.

“Are you jealous?” Maine apni hansi rokte hue pucha.

“Main kyu jalne lagi us gori kakdi se?” Usne frate se jawab diya aur meri hasi choot gayi.

“Gori kakdi? What is gori kakdi?”

Par wo bolti gayi, “Jalti to wo hai mujh se. Isi liye ballroom ki raat bhi apko le gayi aur phir kaise chipak rahi thi. Behaya kahin ki. Kisi aur ke pati ko koi bhala aise chipkta hai? Main bata rahi hu colonel saab aapki nokri ka khyal na hota aur wo general ki beti na hoti toh…ohdi gutni honi si mere hath ch! (Uski choti mere haath mein hoti.)”

Wo bolti chali gayi aur main hasta chala gaya. Mujhe nahi maloom tha meri masoom si dikhne wali biwi itni possessive bhi ho skti hai.

Maine kuch nahi kaha bas sare raste use chup chap haste hue sunta gaya.

Buggy haveli ke bahr ruki. Wo mujhe se pehle chlanag laga utri aur mujhe apne sath khinchti hui andar le gayi, “Mai keh riya colonel saab, j agli wari oh kamini mainu thonu chimdi dikhi na main usda bura hal karda gi. (Main keh rahi hu colonel saab agar agli baar wo mujhe apke sath yun chipkti nazar aayi na to main uska hasar kar dungi.)”

Maine uska hath kheench kar use apni baahon mein bhar liya aur main bas hasta ja raha tha uski pyari pyari dhamkiya sun kar.

“Hasi aa rahi hai apko?” Usne gusse mein pyari si shaql bna kar pucha aur maine apne lab uske labon par rakh diye.

Maine thoda sa piche hath pucha, “This much proof should be enough to show that I’m only yours or should I go upstairs and give you more?”

Usne sharma kar apni nazrein zhukha li aur maine use apne kandhe par utha liya.

“Haye Rabba main mar gayi!”

Uske muh se cheekh nikli aur main use upar hamare kamre mein le aya jahan maine use ghanton tak apna pyar jtaya.

Sham ka waqt tha jab maine use chhoda par ab bhi main use apni bahon main bhar kar hi leta hua tha uske balon se khel raha tha.

Tabhi wo thoda sa meri aur mudi aur uski payal ki awaaz aayi.

Maine uske kaan ke paas pyar se kaha, “God! I love this sound.”

Heer ne khilkhilate hue apne pair hilaya, aur halka sa muskarate hue pucha, “Toh aapko meri payal ki awaaz achhi lagti hai?”

“A lot,” maine aankhon se haan kaha, “When you walk, Little jewel, it feels like life itself is flowing through every corner of this house.”

Heer ne apne pair thode se aur zor se hila diye, aur wo chandi ki payal phir se jhank uthi. “Toh phir sunte rahiye, Colonel Saab,” usne sharm se jhuk kar kaha, “kyunki ab main sirf aapke liye hi chalungi, cham cham karti hui.”

Main ne usse apne kareeb khinch liya, uske kaanon ke paas jhuk kar kaha, “As long as I can hear the sound of this anklet, I’ll always remember that this is my life, you are my life.”

Heer ne aankhen band kar li, uske honton par ek shaant, tript muskaan thi. Uske dono haath mere seene par the, jaise usne apna dil wahi chhod diya ho.

Woh pal ek narm kashish thi jahan mohabbat koi tamasha nahi, ek sankalp ban gayi thi.

Thodi der baad, Heer ne halki si awaaz mein kaha, “Agar main kabhi bhatak jaaun, ya waqt ke jhonkon mein kho jaun, toh mujhe is jhankaar se yaad rakhna, Colonel Saab aur mujhe dhoodh lana apne paas.”

Main ne uske mathay par ek bohot hi narmi se apne honth rakh diya. “That will never happen, my love. I’ll never let you go anywhere away from me.”

Phir Heer ne apna sar mere seene par rakh diya, aur hum dono us khamoshi mein doob gaye jo sirf sachchi mohabbat mein hoti hai. Bahar hawayein chal rahi thi, raat ka asmaan humare upar tha, chaand ki roshni Heer ke paayal par pad rahi thi jo ab bhi halki halki awaaz de rahi thi.

Jaise wo bhi yeh gunguna rahi ho, ‘Ishq ab lafzon ka mohtaaj nahi raha.’

“Shukriya colonel saab mera aaj ka din sabse yadgar banane ke liye.” Usne mere seene par hi dheere se fusafusaya.

“Can I tell you a truth? I fell in love all over again today with my jealous, possessive and fierce Heer.” Maine uski kamar par dheere se ungaliya ferte hue kaha aur wo has padi. Uske sath main bhi.

Jaise jaise waqt beet raha tha hamari mohabbat ka rang hamari rooh tak gehra  utarta ja raha tha.

Sardiyan ja chuki thi aur basant ki bahar ke baad garmi ka mausam shuru ho chuka tha.

Meri har subha Heer ki muskurahat se hoti hai aur har shaam ab uski baahon mein simmatti hai.

Har subha jab main ghar se kaam ke niklta to uski aankhon mein udasi aur mere lautne par khushi hoti hai aur mere hathon mein chupe uske tohfe ko dekhne ki utsukta hoti hai.

Har shaam duty se laute waqt mein uski pasand ki Jalebi, toh kabhi ilmi ki goliya, toh kabhi mufli ya til ki gajak, toh kabhi samose ya chaat, kabhi kache aam ki keriyan to kabhi uski man pasand mithai lata hun.

Toh kabhi uski pasand ki chudiyan, toh kabhi koi poshak ya, kabhi koi itar ya kuch bhi jis par nigahen pad jaye ke ye meri Heer par acha lagega ya use pasand ayega.

Heer ab ek bache ki tarah roz intezar karti hai ke main aakhir uske liye laya kya hu.

Aaj maine uske liye ek reshmi suit liya hai jo maine ek chini Vyapari se khareeda. Jaise hi main ghar pohncha.

Heer pani ka glass liye darwaze par hi mera intezar kar rahi thi. Mujhe pani dete hi usne pucha, “Aaj kya laye aap?”

“I’m sorry, little jewel. I couldn’t bring anything today. There was so much work at the office that by the time I left and came back, the market had already closed.” Maine use chedne ke liye jhooth bol diya.

Par mujhe kya pata tha mera mazak meri Heer ko rula hi dega.

Meri baat sunte hi uske aankhon se itne bade bade aansu behne lage aur main dar gaya.

“My love, I was just kidding.” Maine use chup karwane ki koshish ki par wo to aur zor zor se rone lagi.

Akhir ise ho kya gaya hai? Pichle kuch dino se aisa hi chal raha hai sab kuch.

Ya to ye rone lagti hai ya bina baat mujhe dante lagti hai.

“Bahut bure hain aap!” Usne subakte hue kaha.

“I swear I was kidding.” Maine uski minat ki par wo kuch sun ne ko razi ho nahi thi. Toh maine Iqbal ko bulaya, “IQBAL GO AND FETCH THAT DAMN THING FROM THE JEEP.”

“Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye. Aap apne paas hi rakhiye.” Usne bacho ki trha rote hue kaha.

Aur mujhe kuch samjh hi nahi aa raha ke ise akhir ho kya raha hai.

Meri wo sharmili, bholi biwi kaha gum ho gayi hai?

Ye kon hai jo roti rehti hai ya bas chilati rehti hai?

“Jab dekho chilate rehte hai sab ke upar. Rob jmate rehte hain. Khadoos kahi ke.” Usne rote hue kaha aur mere paas koi jawab hi nahi tha.

Bhala maine kab is par rob jmaya?

“Little jewel….”

“Chup rahi…….” Is se pehle ke wo apni baat puri kar sakti use achanak se vaman hua aur wo apne muh par hath rakh aangan ki dusri aur bhagi.

Usne sab khaya piya ulti kar nikal diya aur mujhe uski aur chinta ho gayi.

Mai turant uski aur bhaga aur uski kamar ko sehlata gaya jab tak ke usne sab kuch nikal nahi diya.

“Iqbal! Go and get a damn doctor.” Maine use kaha jo gate ke paas wo suit haath mein liye khada tha. “Now!”

Wo turant waha se bhaga aur maine Heer ki halat jab dekhi mera toh dil baith gaya uska yun pila rang dekh.

Achanak kya ho gaya meri Heer ko.

Maine use pani mangwa kar diya aur apne rumal se uska chehra poncha.

“I’ve sent Iqbal to call the doctor. Don’t worry, everything will be alright. Come on, let’s go upstairs to the room and you rest. Whatever you need, I promise I’ll bring it to you, just please don’t cry now.”

Maine kaha aur usne kuch nahi kaha. Bas chup chap mere sath kamre mein chl di.

Sirf ek ulti se kitni kamzor lag rahi hai meri Heer. Meri chinta badhti hi ja rahi hai. 

Hum raste mein rasoi ke pass se guzar hi rahe the ke use na jane kya mehak chadi ke wo apna nak band kar fir ulti karne bhagi.

Ab meri chinta badhti ja rahi hai.

“Did you eat anything wrong?” Maine bechaini mein pucha aur aune inkaar main sar hila diya.

Main use kamre mein laya tbhi Iqbal bhi aa gaya tha par uske sath doctor nahi koi budhi aurat thi.

“Who is she? And where the hell is the doctor?” Maine gusse se pucha.

Meri biwi yahan ulti par ulti kar rahi hai aur ye admi na jane kise utha laya.

“Colonel Saab! Bahar jaiye.” Heer ki awaz aayi aur maine uski taraf hairani mein dekha.

“You need a doctor…..”

Usne mujhe tokte hue kaha, “Aap ja rahe hain ya main hi chali jaun?”

Ek to ye mujhe dhamkiya bahut dene lagi hai aaj kal. Main bahar aa gaya us budhi aurat ko andar chod kar. Par mera dil bechain hua ja raha tha.

“Iqbal, I sent you to bring the doctor, who is this that you’ve brought instead?” Maine gusse se pucha.

“Saab ji, dai hai.” Usne sehme hue jawab diya.

Dai? 

Ab ye kya hota hai?

Koi indian doctor?