Author 

Henry to roz ki tarah apna kaam hi kar raha tha jab Arthur uske paas aya tha use ye btane ke uske khabri se khabar mili hai ke krantikari aur loot ka saman Lahore mein hi chupa hua hai.

Toh Henry apne sainikon ki tukdi le waha pohncha tha, par use kya maloom tha waha use uski zindagi ka sabse bada jhatka milne wala tha.

Jab usne wo sari batien suni Heer aur us aurat ke muh se ke khabriyo ke naam Heer ne diye the aur usne waha Heer ko apni aankhon se loot ke saman ke saath dekha bhi toh uski to duniya hi ek pal mein palat chuki thi.

Use kuch samjh ata. Itne mein sipahi Heer ki aur badh rahe the to ek mehboob ne, ek pati, ek hone wale baap ne un sipahiyon ko maar apni wardi tak se daga karli aur raat ke andhere mein chipte hue use haveli le aya.

Wahi dusri aur jab Iqbal ne raat ko Heer ko yun haveli se nikalte dekha toh wo bhi uske piche piche pohncha par tab tak sab kuch pehle hi bikhar chuka tha. Use uske saab ji aur Heer ko bachane ke liye jo sahi laga usne kiya.

Heer ke behte aansun Henry ke dil par churiyon ki tarah chal rahe the par phir bhi ek aas ka dhaga ab bhi bandha hua tha ke kaash ye sab koi galat fehmi ho.

Ek galat fehmi hi hogi warna uski Heer aisa nahi kar sakti. Wo ab bhi yehi soch raha tha.

Isi kashmakash mein duba woh apne andar ke toofan se jujh raha tha. Usne Heer se ek shabad nahi kaha na ilzaam tarazi ki bas chup raha aur uski ye chupi Heer ko andar hi andar tode ja rahi thi.

Jaisi hi haveli pohnche dono, Heer uske piche piche roti-bilakti hui, bheekh mangti hui bas us se ek baar uski baat sunane ki minate kar rahi thi.

Par Henry khamosh tha.

Usne Heer ko paas rakhi ek kursi par bithaya aur khud uske samne zameen par ghutno ke bal baith gaya.

Use ab bhi ek aas thi. Wo vishwas ka dhaga ab bhi bandha hua tha jo use umeed de raha tha ke ye sab galatfehmi hai aur kuch nahi.

"Just tell me that it was all a misunderstanding!" Pehli bar jab se Henry use waha se laya tha wo bola aur usne pucha bhi kya?

Ke ye sab kuch ek galat fehmi hai bas.

Wo bas ye hi sunana chahta hai Heer ke labon se. Bas use itna hi ashwasan chahiye jo sirf uski Heer hi use de sakti hai.

Usne dard bhari awaz mein pucha, aur bebasi uski awaz mein saf sunai de rahi thi jisne Heer ka dil kachod kar rakh diya. “I won’t ask what you were doing there or why you went. Just say it once: say that you have nothing to do with any of them. That’s all I need to hear.”

Wo bas yehi sunana chahta tha aur Heer se bheekh maang raha tha ke bas ek baar, ek baar wo kehde ke ye sab sach nahi hai aur wo palat kar ek baar bhi nahi puchega ke wo waha kar kya rahi thi.

"Please, I am begging you." Yeh alfaaz jaise teeron ki tarah seedha Heer ke dil ke paar ho gaye. Henry ki awaaz ki dard bhari kapkapahat, uski aankhon ki nami jo selab banane ko taiyar thi, aur woh bebasi jo uske har shabd ke saath aur gehri hoti ja rahi thi, sab kuch Heer ko tod raha tha.

Heer ko itni bebasi aur lachari kabhi mehsoos nahi hui jitni ke use aaj ho rahi thi. Wo bas roye jaa rahi thi pachtave mein ke ye kya ho gaya hai us se.

Heer ki saanson ki raftaar tez ho gayi aur usne apni aankhein band kar li, kyuki ab usmein Henry se nazrein tak milane ki himat nahi hai. Lekin uski chup, uski khamoshi, Henry ko uske sawalon ka jawab de chuki thi. Aur shayad yehi jawab uske dil ko sabse zyada chot pahuncha gaya.

Wo bas ek baar Heer ke muh se sunana chahte the ke ye sab jhooth hai, par ab Heer janti thi ke wo aur jhooth bol kar Henry ko chot nahi pohncha sakti.

Heer ki himmat mar chuki thi. Na to usse sach quboola gaya aur na hi jhooth bola gaya.

Wahi uski khamoshi ne Henry ka dil chur chur kar diya. Bas ek hi baat uske zehan mein goonj rahi thi ke kya ye sab fareb tha?

Sab kuch ek chalawa tha?

Kya Heer ne kabhi us se mohabbat ki bhi thi ya nahi?

Akhir kab se wo andhere mein jee raha hai?

Na jane aise kitne hi sawal uske zehan mein uth rahe the aur use pagal bana rahe the.

Ek lamba sannata chha gaya aur ekloti awaz thi toh bas Henry ki saanso ki thi, tez, bechain, aur dukh se bhari hui.

"Was that all a lie?" Henry ki zuban par akhir wo alfaz aa hi gaye jo use pagal bana rahe the. "Did you never love me? Not even for a moment?"

Henry ke alfaz sun tuti hui Heer ek baar aur bikhar gayi. Wo Henry se nazrein na mila saki aur Henry ke agle shabdon ne toh use uski hi nazron mein gira diya.

"Was this marriage also a part of your plan?"

Ab ki baar, uski awaaz mein sirf dukh nahi, ek toot chuki rooh ki goonj thi. Jaise har umeed, har yakeen, har pyaar ek pal mein bikhar gaya ho.

Itna sab kuch dekhne ke baad bhi use Heer par yakeen tha aur wo bas yehi chahta tha ke Heer ye keh de ke ye sab galat fehmi hai.

Bas ek bar. Baki sab wo sambhal lega.

Par Heer ki chupi ne uska uspar atoot vishwas, uska guroor, uska maan sab tod diya.

Na jane kon kon se toofan us ke dil mein uth rahe the baar baar jise bas Heer ka ek bol hi shant kar sakta tha par Heer ki khamoshi sab sach bayan kar rahi thi aur Henry ko jeete jee mar rahi thi.

Itna hara hua to usne kabhi jung ke maidan mein bhi nahi mehsoos kiya hoga, na hi uske mata pita ki maut ke waqt jitna bebas aur hara hua wo aaj mehsoos kar raha hai.

Ek shakhs jise usne apna khuda tasavvur kiya tha usne kabhi us se mohobbat nahi ki bas yehi baat uske dil-o-dimag mein goonj rahi thi aur use pagal bna rahi thi.

“You never loved me.” Uske tharthrate honthon se tut chuki awaz yun nikli ke Heer ka seena channi kar gayi. Ab har ek paheli ka hissa Henry ko samjh aane laga tha.

“Nahi aisa nahi hai, Colonel Saab…”

Heer phoot phoot kar ro padhi. Wo zameen par ghutno ke bal baith chuki thi, Henry ka chehra apne tharthrate haathon mein le kar uske aankhon mein jhankne lagi, jahan ab sirf toota hua bharosa tha, aur kuch nahi.

"Maine aapse sachi mohabbat ki hai, har us pal mein jismein maine jeena seekha hai, aapke saath. Yun na kahe maine kabhi apse mohobbat nahi ki, meri mohabbat ki toheen na kare, colonel saab. Meri mohabbat kabhi jhoothi nahi thi…. "

Henry uske chehre ko dekhta raha, aankhon mein dard, par abhi bhi ek aas ki chingari jhalak rahi thi.

Heer ne uska haath apne dil par rakha. "Mainne aapse jhooth nahi bola tha, Colonel Saab. Kabhi nahi. Lekin jo sach tha, bas wo main keh nahi pai. Mujhe khud samajh nahi aata tha ke kaise kahun. Mera ye sach sab barbad kar skta tha…."

“Everything is already ruined, Heer.” Henry ki awaaz ab bhi bikhri hui thi aur uske labon se sirf Heer sunana aaj Heer ke dil mein phans ki tarah chubh raha tha.

“Aisa na kahe, Colonel Saab.” Heer ne sisakte hue bheekh mangi.

“Then for God's sake, please, Heer, say something, anything. Even if it’s a lie, I’ll believe it if it comes from your lips. Just don’t stay silent like this. Your silence is tearing me apart. Tell me what I heard from that woman was all a lie. Tell me you didn’t betray me. That you’re not one of them, not a revolutionary. That you had nothing to do with that place, with the stolen treasury and arms. Just tell me, little jewel, tell me I’m wrong. Please... I am begging you. Just say that you haven't stolen information from my files.” Henry uske hath tham usse bheekh mangta hara.

Heer ki aankhon se nadiyan beh rahi thi. Akhir kya kahe wo aur kaise kahe. Sab kuch ab itna zyada ulajh chuka hai ke ab kuch bhi kehna ya sunana use aur uljha dega.

Heer ne ek gehri saans li aur apni sari bikhari hui himmat ko dubara smette hue kha.

“Ye sach hai ke main ek krantikari hun, Colonel Saab. Ek aisa sach jo maine sab se chupa rakha tha. Mere Bebe Bappu ji tak se bhi.”

Heer ke ye baat sunte hi Henry ke hathon se uska hath chhut gaya aur wo tham se zameen par yun nidhal hua ke uski peeth piche rakhi kursi par lagi. Lekin Heer ruki nahi aur kehti chali gayi apna sara sach.

“Par ye shadi mere kisi maqsad ka hissa nahi thi, colonel saab. Main toh shadi ki baat sunte hi marne chali gayi kyu ke mujhe meri bharat maa ki azadi chahiye thi aur ek Britisher se shadi ek sabse badi daga thi mere us safar mein. Main toh bas khud ko khatam hi kar leti agar Nooran mujhe na rokti. Usne aur mere baki sathiyon ne mujhe kaha apse shadi karne ke baad mujhe andar ki wo sab batein pata chal sakti hai jo kisi ko pata na ho. Maine shadi ke baad kuch baatein un tak pohnchai bhi par wo hamesha aisi batein thi jisne aap par koi shaq na ho.”

Henry bas use ek tak dekhe ja raha tha hairani mein jaise use kabhi janta hi na ho. Kaise uski nazrein ye sab na pehchan saki, kaise?

“Yaad hai Amritsar mein jab aap lieutenant the aur khabar mili thi ke ek purane gadar party ke member ko pakadne ki jo Amritsar mein chupa tha? Maine hi use British officers ke hath lagne se pehle bhaga diya tha. Jis se crown ko bahut nuksan bhi hua tha.”

Henry ko wo baat ache se yaad hai uska colonel is taak mein kab se tha us krantikari ko pakadne ki, lekin jab wo na mila to colonel ne naumeedi mein England jana behtar samjha.

Wo bas chup chap sunta gaya ke akhir Heer ne us se kya kya chupa rakha hai.

Wo ab bhi uski baaton ko samajhne ki koshish kar raha tha.

“Main sab qubool karti hun, Colonel Saab. Jee rahi thi ek dohri zindagi main jahan apni mitti ki raksha ki kasam khai thi maine aur ek patni hone ka farz bhi nibha rahi thi, par ye sara sar jhooth hai colonel Saab ke apki study se guptcharon ke naam maine churaye. Wo Radha ne Nooran ke kehne par churae the aur sabko keh diya ke maine use chura kar diye hai.” Heer ne sisakte hue bolna shuru kiya.

Nooran ka naam sunte hi wo chonk gaya par uske muh se bas yehi nikla hairani mein. “The maid?” Heer ne dheere se haa mein sar hilaya. “And Nooran, the same Nooran? Your friend?”

“Ji.” Heer ke labon se mushkil se nikla.

“But…but she was dead, wasn't she?” Henry ne pucha.

Jaise jaise gutthiyan sulajh rahi hain, Henry un mein aur ulajhta ja raha tha.

Nooran zinda hai!

Uske ghar ki nokrani ek krantikari jasoos hai.

Uski biwi ek Krantikari hai aur use aaj tak kisi baat par shaq nahi hua.

Kya wo itna bewakoof hai ke apni aakhon ke samne bhi kuch dekh na saka ya pyaar mein itna andha ho chuka tha ke kabhi dekhne ki koshish hi nahi ki? Ye sab sawal ab Henry ko khud par sawal karne par majboor kar rahe hai.

“Mujhe bhi aisa hi laga tha par wo zinda thi. Jab wo mujhe milne aayi main bahut khush thi, apko bhi batana chahti thi par Nooran ne mujhe rok diya aur wasta diya ke apko kuch na btaun. Mujhe laga jo kuch usne Jallianwala mein saha shayad uska dar ho, par wo to kuch aur hi chahti thi. Balda chahti thi wo aap se aur na jane kis baat ka mujh se.”

Heer rone lagi. Par Henry dheere dheere sab samjh raha tha.

“Because I was about to shoot Shafaq in Sialkot. She is mad because of that.” Henry ne kaha aur Heer ne dheere se haa mein sar hilaya. “But why you? What problem does she have with you? You were her best friend as far as I remember.”

“Usne apna bacha kho diya tha us din vaisakhi par.” Heer ne sisakte hue kaha, Apni kokh par hath rakhte hue rote hue kaha, “Toh ab wo humare bache ko marna chahti thi.”

Henry ke pure badan mein dar ki lehar daudh uthi aur usne Heer ko apni bahon mein bhar liya jaise ke wo aur uska bacha abhi us se Nooran cheen kar le jaegi.

“Aap sahi the, Colonel Saab, aur main bahut galat.” Heer uske seene mein chup phoot phoot kar rote hue kehne lagi. “Mere apne logon ke liye, meri apni behn jaisi saheli ke liye ab main Heer nahi balki sirf ek British officer ki biwi ban kar reh gayi hun. Meri is bewakufi ka khamiyaza humara bacha bhugat ta mujhe maaf kar dijiye, colonel saab.”

“Shush! Quiet now, I’m here, aren’t I? I won’t let anything happen to either of you.” Henry ne uski kamar sehlate hue kaha.

“Main nakamyab hogayi, Colonel Saab. Na hi toh main achi biwi ban saki aur na hi Bharat Mata ki beti. Agar humare bache ko kuch ho jata toh na hi main achi maa rehti.”

Heer ne uski aankhon mein dekha apni ashqon bhari nigahon se. Henry ki aakhein bhi nam thi.

“Humare bache ki kasam, Colonel Saab, maine wo khabriyo ke naam ki file nahi churai aur na hi maine kabhi kisi ko bhi apki study mein jane ki ijazat di. Pata nahi Radha kaise wo naam le gayi aur apko yun is zilat ka samna karna pada. Mujhe zra bhi bhanak hoti main ye nobat hi nahi ane deti. Kuch bhi karti par aap par wo inquiry na baithne deti. Har baar ki tarah kuch bhi kar leti.”

Heer bhawnao mein beh kar bolti chali gayi aur uske alfazon ne Henry ke dil mein naye sawal khade kar diye.

Henry sab batein samjhne ki koshish kar raha tha. Har ek paheli suljhane ki koshish kar raha tha, har ek bikhre hisse ko jodne ki koshish kar raha tha, tab ek sabse eham uljan aur sulajh gayi.

Agar wo wahi hui jo wo samjh raha hai to shayad unke rishte ka wajood hi khatam ho jaye.

Us raat jab Heer ne mohabbat ka izhar kiya tha jab uske taar Henry ne jode to ek hi sawal uske dil mein utha, “Did you take that next step in our marriage that night because it, too, was a part of your plan? That attack on the armory. You knew about that too, didn't you?” Henry ki awaz mein dard tha aur ek akhri aas ke kash Heer ise to nakar de.

Agar wo aas tut gayi toh shayad Henry kabhi bhi na jud sake.

Heer turant bol uthi uska chehra apne kanpte hue hathon mein tham kar. Apni daleel dene lagi. Uski awaaz mein bechaini thi, darr tha Henry ko khone ka.

“Aisa kuch nahi hai, colonel saab. Mera yakeen manne. Moka thoda nazuk zarur tha par mere jazbaat sache the. Main manti hun mujhe dar tha us raat ke kahi agar aap ghar se gaye toh apko kuch chot na pohnche bas ye darr tha ke main aapko jane nahi dena chahti thi par mere jazbaat pak the. Bepanah mohobbat hai mujhe aap se aur yehi mera sach hai. Na chahte hue bhi aap ko dil de baithi thi main aur ab aapke bina nahi reh sakti ek pal bhi. Bas yahin har chuki hun main, apse aur hamare ishq ke hathon. Apse kiya har wada sacha tha. Maine apke dil se kabhi khilwad nahi kiya, kasam kha kar kehti hun. Jab koi jazbaat nahi the tab kabhi apko koi asra nahi diya par jab mohobbat hui toh kabhi chupaya bhi nahi.”

Heer ki aankhon mein jo sachai thi wo Henry se chupi nahi thi aur use itna sukoon mila tha ye jaan kar ke Heer ne kabhi pyar ka natak nahi kiya aur uske liye itna hi kafi tha.

Use uski ab koi bewakufi kahe ya use pyar mein andha samjhe, par Heer us se mohobbat karti hai; uske liye ye hi kafi hai jeene ke liye.

“Did you also know about the looting of the treasury?” Henry ne pucha aur phir khud hi jawab diya, “Of course, you know that's why you were there where the loot was kept….”

“Nahi, main nahi janti thi ke khazane ki loot ka saman waha chupa hai.” Heer ne use tokte hue kaha. Par is bar usne apne alfaz bahut soch samjh kar istemal kiye: “Mujhe loot ke bare mein bhi kuch nahi pata tha. Mujhe toh bas ek sandesh mila tha ke khazane ki loot hone wali hai. Us khazane par duty aap ki hai, toh main apko waha na jane dun.”

“Who sent the message?” Henry ne pucha.

Heer ka dil zor zor se dhadakne laga ke kahi Gurbaksh ka naam sun kar Henry kuch galat na samjhe, par wo chupa bhi nahi sakti thi toh usne dheere se kaha, “Gurbaksh bhaji…”

Henry has pada hairani mein, “Why would he even try to save me? You don't even know….”

“Janti hun. Usne aap par goli chlai thi.” Heer ne dheere se kaha uski aankhon mein dekhte hue. “Aapne nahi btaya mujhe par mujhe maloom ho gaya tha. Us din se har mumkin koshish karti thi ek apko Gurbaksh se jitna ho sake bacha sakun.”

“And he agreed so easily?”

“Wada liya tha ke wo apko kuch na kare badle mein apni sari dhan dolat dene ko taiyar thi main. Par wo bure insaan nahi hai. Khud apne maa baap ke bina pale hai. Humare bache ke liye unhone kasam khai ki apko kabhi nuksan nahi pohnchaenge.” Heer ne kaha par Henry ko yakeen nahi aya. “Isi liye unhone sandesh bhijwaya tha ke main apko rok lu; wo to ittefaq se sach mein meri tabiyat kharab ho gayi aur aap duty par nahi gaye. Par pata nahi kaha se ye inquiry……”

“How do you know about the inquiry?” Henry ne pucha. Wo hairan tha ke jo batein usne shiddat se Heer se chupane ki koshish ki wo sab batein bhi Heer ko kaise pata?

“Iqbal chacha se pata chala tabhi toh Radha par shaq hua aur uska peecha karte karte waha tak pohnchi thi. Par waha jakar to meri aakhein hi khul gayi. Nooran pata nahi kon se mansube bana rahi hai, Colonel Saab. Arthur bhi uske jal mein fasa hua hai aur Elizabeth ko dhoka de raha hai.” Heer ki aankhon se aur aansun beh nikle.

Par wahi Henry chonk gaya ye nayi baat sun kar. Bhala, Nooran, aur Arthur ka kya taluk?

“What do you mean?”

“Elizabeth ko lagta tha ke Arthur ki zindagi mein koi dusri aurat hai, aur maine use Nooran ke saath bahut nazdeekiyon mein dekha hai. Par jitna main Nooran ko janti hun wo Shafaq bhaijaan se kabhi bewafai nahi kar sakti, toh agar wo Arthur se yun nazdeekiya badha rahi hai toh zarur iske piche koi wajah hogi.” Heer ne sisakte hue kaha.

Par uski baatein sun kar Henry ko ab sab kuch samajh aa chuka tha. Kyu Arthur ne use waha bheja aur Henry par jo ye achanak inquiry baithi uske piche kisi andar ke admi ka hi hath hai ye to wo pata laga chuka tha. Bas naam use abhi tak pata nahi chala tha, jo ab pukhta ho chuka hai, ke use dhoka kisne diya.

Arthur ne.

Ye baat to sach hai ke dhoka hamesha jo sabse kareeb hote hain wahi dete hain.

Ab har ganth sulajhti nazar aa rahi thi use. Kyu Arthur ne use hi bheja aur kyu wo inquiry baithi aur kyun Henry abhi tak nigrani mein hai?

“Shit!” Wo hadbadaht mein ek dum se utha aur Heer chonk kar use dekh rahi thi. 

“Get up quickly, we have to leave. Now!” Henry ki awaz mein ghabrahat thi. Bechaini thi. Wo Heer ka hath pakad use utha raha tha uske kadmon par.

“Kya hua, colonel saab?” Heer ne pucha.

“Arthur knows everything. He knows about your connection with the rebels. That’s why he sent me there. They must be on their way any moment now. Hurry, we need to get out of here.”

Henry ke chehre par Heer ne pehli bar darr dekha tha aur wo darr uske liye tha, sirf aur sirf uske liye. Par Heer ko darr nahi lag raha tha.

Wo janti thi ye to ek din hona nishchit tha. Lekin yun is tarah hoga ye usne nahi socha tha aur aaj wo pal tha ab kuch bhi kar ke wo nahi bhag sakti apni kismat se.

Henry hadbadi mein use upar ki aur khinchne laga. “Come on, grab only the essentials quickly; we don’t have any time left!”

Par Heer wahi raste mein hi ruk gayi. Henry hairani se use dekhne ke liye muda, “Hurry up, Heer! We don’t have much time left!”

Heer ke labon par mand si muskan thi aur aankhon mein aashru, usne pyar se kaha, “Heer nahi bas ek akhri baar pyar se little jewel keh dijiye na.”

“What are you saying? This isn’t the time for all this. Let’s go…….”

“Nahi, aap mujhe khud unke hwale kar dijiye.” Heer ne use usi muskurahat ke sath tokte hue kaha.

“Have you gone mad?” Henry achambhit hi nahi balki darr gya tha uski ye baat sunkar.

“Meri baat samjhne ki koshish kijiye.” Heer ne dheere se kaha uske hath thamte hue. “Agar Arthur waqay apko nuksan pohnchana chahta hai toh ab tak ye baat sab jaan chuke honge. Koi rasta nahi hai mere bhagne ka, samajhiye is baat ko.”

“You have lo…….”

“Colonel Saab, thande dimag se sochiye. Mere liye nahi, iske liye sochiye.” Heer ne uska hath apni kokh par rkhte hue kha, aur Henry ke hath kanp rahe the. “Ye is duniya mein aaye hum iss se zyada kuch aur nahin chahte. Haina? Aap mujhe khud unke hawale karde aur unse apeel kare ki bacha apko chahiye. Humare Sahib ko lekar bahut durr chale jaiega…..”

“Have you lost your mind? What are you saying? I would never do such a thing,” Henry ki awaz tez ho gayi. Gusse se nahi balki khauf se.

Uski Heer ko khone ka khauf.

Usne Heer se aisi niswarth mohabbat ki hai ke uske liye Heer ke age kuch bhi nahi hai. Na uski wardi aur na hi uska farz.

Is waqt wo ek sipahi nahi balki sirf ek pati aur pita hai jise uski biwi aur bache ko bachana hai is hukumat ke julmon se kisi bhi haal mein.

Usne Heer ka chehra apne haathon mein liya bahut pyar se aur bahut narmi se kaha, “And our Sahib needs both of us. Don’t you trust me? I’m telling you, nothing will happen. We’ll go far away, somewhere no one will ever be able to find us….”

“Aisi koi jagah nahi hai jahan hum hukumat se bach kar reh sake. Ye baat aap mujh se behtar jante hain.” Heer ne sisakte hue use toka. “Aur main nahi chahti meri wajah se aap takleef sahe. Ye sab log pehle hi aapko nicha dikhana chahte the aur ab unke paas moka hai. Aap moke ki nazakat ko samjhe aur mujhe unke hawale karde.”

Heer ka irada dridh tha aur wo than chuki thi. Ye baat Henry ko itna dara rahi thi ke uske hath paon kanp rahe the.

Wo bichara mohobbat aur halat se majboor uske samne zameen par ghutno ke bal gir pada aur uska darr uski ankhon se beh nikla.

“I’m begging you, my love… Please don’t do this. I have no one else in this entire world but you and our child. Don’t talk about leaving me like this. Please… come with me.”

Henry rote hue bheekh maang raha tha aur Heer ki aankhon se aansun ka jharna rukne ka naam hi nahi le raha tha. Henry ko yun lachar dekh uska dil bhi dukh raha tha.

Wo janti hai ke agar wo dono yahan se ab bhage toh hukumat ke hathon bedardi se mare jaenge.

Wo khud to sar par kafan bandh kar is inquilab ki jung mein utri thi par apni mohabbat aur bache ko kisi museebat mein nahi dekh skti.

Wo kisi bhi haal mein unki salamti chahti hai.

“Don't do this. Let's go.” Henry ne ek bache ki trha bilakte hue kha aur Heer ka dil sehmta ja raha tha. Uski himmat tut rahi thi Henry ko yun bebasi dekh kar.

Heer zameen par uske samne baithi aur uska chehra apne hathon mein lete hue apna matha uske mathe se lgaya.

“Aap aur humara bacha surakshit honge nah toh main kisi bhi haal mein khush reh lungi….”

Henry ne tez lehze mein use tokte hue kaha. “You have no idea what these people will do to you if you fall into their hands. Please, let’s leave now. Why won’t you try to understand what I’m saying?” Henry ki awaz mayusi aur nirasha se jhalak rahi thi.

Lekin jab usne apne chehre ko thoda piche kar dekha Heer ki aur, wo toh muskura rahi thi, aur wo hairan tha ki is pal mein bhi wo muskura rahi hai.

Heer ne muskurate hue uska chehra sehlaya aur uske zehn mein uske pita ki baatein ghoom rahi thi.

Aaj use ehsaas hua ke wo hamesha kitni galat thi aur uske bapu ji kitne sahi.

Henry se acha jeevan sathi koi aur ho hi nahi sakta tha uske liye. Jo use yun niswarth chahe.

Lekin isse pehle wo use kuch keh sakti, kisi ne use uske balon se pakad piche ki aur khincha.

“AH!” Heer dard mein chillai aur Henry ki aankhein chonk kar badi ho gayi ke kaise uske ghar ke andar ye log ghuse aur kab?

Iss se pehle wo kuch samajh sakta ya Heer ko Arthur se giraft se chhudwa sakta, use kuch sipahiyon ne pakad liya aur ek ne lahu luhan hue Iqbal ko Henry ke pairon mein patak diya.

Ek wafadar jisne har halat mein uske namak ka haq ada kiya hai aaj yun nidhal ho kar uske kadmon mein gira hua hai.

“Saab ji, maaf kar dijiye, main inhe rok nahi saka.” Iqbal ne badi mushkil se dard se krahte hue kha aur uske muh se khoon nikal raha tha.

Henry ki aankhon ke saamne sab kuch andhera ho gaya. Heer, jise wo apne dono haathon se bacha kar le jaana chahta tha, ab Arthur ke haathon mein thi aur Arthur ke chehre par wahi ghinauni jeet ki muskurahat thi jo kisi ke dil ko cheer kar rakh de.

“HEER!” Henry chillaya aur jhatpata raha un sipahiyon ki pakad se chutne ke liye. “LEAVE HER! LET HER GO, YOU BASTARD! SHE IS PREGNANT!”

Heer ki cheekh, uski aankhon mein dar, aur uska jhatakte hue Henry ki taraf haath badhana, ye sab kuch Henry ke dil mein kisi aag ki tarah lag gaya.

“Colonel Saab!”

Arthur ne Heer ke baalon ko jhatka dekar uska chehra upar uthaya aur Henry ki taraf dekh kar thande, shatir lehje mein kaha, “Is this what you fell for, Henry? A bloody traitor? A revolutionary hiding under your roof, carrying your child no less?”

Uski aankhon mein nafrat nahi, sirf ek thanda sa hisaab tha, jaise koi purana badla poora hua ho.

Henry ka sabr ab tut raha tha. “LET HER GO, ARTHUR,” Usne Dahad kar kaha, “or I swear, I will forget every ounce of loyalty I ever had for this bloody crown!”

Arthur hans pada, ek aisi hasi jo Henry ke saare vishwason ko chidha rahi thi. “Oh, but you already have, Colonel,” Usne jor se “Colonel” ka uccharan kiya, jaise ek tamacha ho Henry ke chehre par. “You betrayed your oath, your queen, and your country the moment you let this witch into your bed.”

“SHUT UP! OR I SWEAR I WILL PULL YOUR BLOODY TONGUE!” Henry gusse se chilaya.

Wo yun bekabu hua ja raha tha Heer ko dard mein rota dekh ke sipahi bahut mushkil se use pakde khade the.

Arthur ki pakad Heer ke balon par kasti chali ja rahi thi aur Henry ka gussa asman chuta ja raha tha.

Wo is waqt bas Arthur ke wo hath uske jism se alag karna chahta tha jinse wo uski Heer ko chu raha tha.

“Take both these traitors away; now the government will decide their fate.” Arthur ne kha.

Heer ki aankhon mein darr tha Henry ke liye, us se bichadne ka. Wo samjh chuki thi uska ant nazdeek hai, par wo yun nahi jaa sakti.

Ek akhri mafi to use uske colonel saab se mangni hogi.

“Arthur! Arthur, bas ek bar colonel saab se mil lene do mujhe. Akhri baar.” Heer ne sisakte hue bheekh mangi.

“Do you think I am a fool?” Arthur ne dant kiste hue uske baal aur jor se khinche.

“ARTHUR, STOP TOUCHING HER!” Henry ek baar to un sipahiyon ke hathon se azad ho hi gaya aur Arthur ki aur badha.

Par Arthur har mumkin cheez ke liye taiyar tha. Usne turant apni revolver nikali aur Heer ke sar par daag di.

“Stay right there, Colonel, or I swear I’ll kill your treacherous wife right here and now.”

Henry darr ke mare wahi ruk gaya aur usi waqt piche se aa kar sipahiyon ne phir use daboch liya.

“Arthur, par ek baar. Main bheekh mangti hun. Dekho, main nihati hun. Colonel Saab bhi sipahiyon ki giraft mein hai. Mujhe mil lene do unse.” Heer ne bheekh mangte hue kaha.

“Heer, what are you saying? Don’t beg this vile man for anything!” Henry jab ye chilaya, Arthur ne apni jhuthi shaan ko badhane ke liye aur Henry ko aur nicha dikhane ke liye Heer ko chhod diya.

Heer bhaag kar Henry ke gale ja lagi.

“Colonel Saab, mujhe maaf kar dijiye.” Heer ne sisakte hue kaha aur bebasi aur lachari mein bandha. Henry koshish karta raha un sipahiyon ki pakad se azad hone ko, par nakamyab raha.

“Little jewel….”

“Shush!” Heer ne uske labon par apni kanpti hui ungali rakh use chup karwaya. “Zyada waqt nahi mere paas. Bas mujhe sun lijiye ek aur akhiri baar.”

Heer ne jab ye kaha Henry ke dil par lakhon barche chale. Heer se bichadne ke darr ne use jhanjhoar kar rakh diya.

“Stop talking like that. I’m here, aren’t I? I’ll take you far away from all this, somewhere no one can ever hurt you again.”

Heer ne apni behti ankho se muskurate hue kaha, “Aap jante hai Bappu ji ne ek baar mujhe kya kaha tha? Unhone kaha tha ke aap marte mar jaenge par kabhi bhi mujh se bewafai nahi karenge.”

Heer ne uska chehra apne hathon mein lete hue kaha, aur Henry ki aankhon se aur aansun beh niklne.

Usne kanpte hathon se Henry ke aansun poche aur uska matha chuma, “Aur aaj main garv se kehti hun ke bappu ji bilkul sahi the par main kitni galat. Koi bahut ache karam kiye honge maine kisi Janam mein jo aap mujhe mile.”

Ye kehte hue wo Henry ke aage zameen par baithi aur uske kadmon mein jhuk gayi. Henry rote hue use uthane ko kehta raha, par Heer ne apna matha uske pairon se laga liya uske paun chute hue.

Uske aansun Henry ke pairon par yun gir rahe the jaise uske goonaho ko apne pachyatap se dhone ki koshish kar rahi ho.

“Maaf kar dijiye, Colonel Saab. Iss janam mein to apse mein wo wafai na kar saki par wada karti hun agle janam mein sirf apki Heer ban kar lautungi. Kyunki mujhe vishwas hai meri Bharat Maa to azad ho jaegi aur mera farz pura hoga. Tab main sirf aur sirf apki Heer ban kar lautungi.”

Heer ne sisakte hue uske paon chume aur Henry andar se tutta ja raha yun lachar khada hua.

Uske liye ye doob marne ka sabab tha ke uski Heer yun uske kadmon mein baithi hai, wo bhi Arthur jaise insaan ke rehmo karam par.

“Heer, please get up…”

Henry ne jab dard bhari awaz mein use pukara toh Heer ne uski aur dekha aur dheere se apne kadmon par khadi hui aur Henry ke aage hath jodte hue kha.

Uske lab kanp rahe the, “Bas ye akhri galati samajh kar maaf kar dijiye, Colonel Saab. Mai humare Sahib ko in logon ke hath nahi lagne de sakti. Isi liye use apne sath le ja rahi hun.”

Heer ne jab ye kaha kisi ko kuch samjh nahi aya.

Bas itna keh Heer ne uske haath mein jo Nooran ki di hui anguthi thi us se zehar kha liya aur hamesha hamesha ke liye ek nayi duniya mein chali gayi.

“HEER!” Henry dard mein yun chilaya ke haveli ki deewaren tak dehal uthi, usne un sipahiyon ko Dhaka de giraya aur Heer ko zameen par girne se pehle pakad liya.

“No! No! No!”

Arthur bas dekhta hi reh gaya aur uske hathon se sab chala gaya. Wo wahi khada Heer ke bejan sareer aur rote chilate Henry ko dekhta reh gaya.

“Hey! Open your eyes; don’t do this to me. Open your eyes, love… I’m right here. I can’t lose you both like this, please… Just wake up.” Henry ne rote hue Heer ka bejaan chehra thapthapaya par wo ja chuki thi hamesha ke liye.

Uske bejaan chehre par ek sukoon ki muskan thi jo ye bata rahi thi ke wo azad ho chuki hai.

Ek tamacha thi wo muskan is hukumat ke chehre par ke wo inke haath nahi aayi. Inke hathon se ghut ghut kar marne se acha usne ek baar mein azadi chun li.

Sipahi age badhe Henry ko Heer se juda karne ke liye par Arthur ne hath se ishara kar unhe roka.

Henry ne Heer ke nishchala sharir ko apne bahon mein jor se bhincha liya, jaise uske gale lagane se wo uski jaan wapas laa sake. Uske aansuon ne Heer ke chehre ko bhigo diya, lekin Heer ki woh sukoon bhari muskan ab bhi wahi thi, jaise wo keh rahi ho: "Main jeet gayi, colonel saab. Aap ko bachakar."

“NO!” Henry Chillaaya, uski aawaz mein sirf dard hi nahi, ek aurat ke khwab tutne ki goonj thi. “You bastards took her away from me... SHE WAS MY LIFE!”

Arthur ab bhi chupp khada tha. Pehli baar uski aankhon mein wo jeet ki chamak nahi thi. Pehli baar wo nishabdh tha. Heer, ke us antim balidan ne uska har shabd, har ghamand khaak kar diya tha. Itni mashakkat ke baad bhi uske haath lagi toh sirf bas khakh. Usne kuch kehna chaha, par kuch keh nahi saka. Uske samne ek patni thi jisne uske pati ke liye, uske mulk ke liye kurbaan hone ka chunav kiya tha.

Iqbal, jo ab bhi zameen par pada tha, dard se karahte hue uthne ki koshish karta raha. “Dheeraniye…” usne thartharati aawaz mein kaha, “ye kya kar diya tune….”

Henry Heer ke bejaan jism ko apni baahon mein liye zameen par baitha tha, jaise waqt wahi tham gaya ho. Uske haathon mein Heer ka halka sa wazan bhi ab ek pahaad ban chuka tha. Uska chehra, jisme kuch der pehle tak zindagi thi, aankhon mein aasra tha, ab bas ek sukoon bhari muskan ke saath shant padha tha.

“NO! NO, LITTLE JEWEL, YOU DON’T GET TO DO THIS!” Henry chilla raha tha, uski aawaaz mein bas ek tooti hui rooh ki karah thi.

“YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME…”

Uske aansu Heer ke mathe par tapak rahe the, jise wo baar-baar apne hathon se ponchta, jaise wo jee jaaye, jaise Heer aankhein khol de.

“YOU PROMISED WE’D LIVE AND DIE TOGETHER… You can’t leave me like this. This wasn’t how our story was supposed to end. Please, little jewel… don’t break your promise. Not like this… not today!”

Uske hoth kaanp rahe the, aankhon se aansuon ka silsila thamne se inkaar kar raha tha.

Wo baar-baar Heer ke gaal ko chhoota, uski zulfon ko sehlata, uske haathon ko apne seene se lagata, jaise in sab mein uski jaan chhupi ho, jaise pyar se fir se uske andar zindagi bhar de.

Par Heer to ja chuki thi.

Arthur peeche khada bas is prem, is tooti hui duniya, is haarte hue sapne ko dekhta raha. Aaj Henry haar gaya tha, na kisi dushman se, na kisi jang se, balki apne hi dil se, apne hi insaaf se.

Henry ne dheere se Heer ke haathon ko apne labon se lagaya, uski aankhon mein jhaanka aur ek dum se cheekh maar kar chilaya, “WHY! WHY DIDN’T YOU TRUST ME ENOUGH TO FIGHT WITH ME? WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME TO FIGHT ALONE?”

Sipahi tak is dard se hil gaye. Unhone kabhi kisi angrez afsar ko is tarah roti, tutti, chillaati halat mein nahi dekha tha.

Ye sirf ek colonel nahi tha, ye ek tuta hua ashiq tha, ek pati tha, ek pita tha, ek insaan tha jiska sab kuch uski baahon mein bejaan pada tha.

Henry ne Heer ko zameen par dheere se sulaya, jaise ek antim vidayi de raha ho. Uske chehre se aansu tapak kar uske galo par girte rahe. Uski aankhon mein ab sirf ek hi baat thi, insaaf.

Usne dheere se apna haath Heer ke mathhe par phiraya, phir uske honthon par dheere se apni ungaliya firai, aur uth kar sidha Arthur ki taraf mud gaya.

Henry ki aankhon mein aag thi jo ab Arthur ko jlae bina bhujhne wali nahi thi.

Is se pehle koi kuch samajh sakta, Henry ne paas khade ek sipahi ke haath se bandook cheen li.

“YOU BASTARD!”

Uska chehra lahu se bhara hua tha, aankhen agni jaisi lapak rahi thi.

Usne bandook ka nishana Arthur ke mathe ke beechon beech lagaya.

Arthur ne peeche hatne ki koshish ki, par Henry ka haath pathar ki tarah thehra tha.

“YOU TOUCHED HER! YOU KILLED HER! YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!”

Henry ki aawaaz mein ek tooti hui rooh ka dard tha, aur us goli mein saari duniya ke liye uska virodh.

DHAAN!

Ek goli ki goonj ne poori haveli ko hila diya. Sab kuch ankh jhapakte hi yun hua ke kisi ko kuch samajh hi na aya.

Paas khade sipahi Henry ke aankhon mein khoon dekh itna dare hue the ke kisi ne bhi age badh use rokne ki koshish tak nahi ki.

Arthur seedha zameen par gir gaya, aankhen khuli reh gayi, par chehra ab us jeet ki muskan se mukt tha. Henry ne uske laash ko dekha tak nahi. Uske liye Arthur ab sirf mitti tha.

Phir usne un sipahiyon ki taraf dekha, unke haathon par bhi uski Heer ka lahu tha.

Ek ek karke usne goliyan chalani shuru kar di akrosh mein chilate hue.

“YOU KILLED MY WIFE!”

Dhaan!

“YOU KILLED MY CHILD!”

Dhaan!

“This is for every moment I turned a blind eye in the name of loyalty.”

Dhaan!

“For every time I silenced my own doubts,”

Dhaan!

Sipahi bhaagne lage, par Henry rukne wala nahi tha. Uske sar par khoon sawar tha. Use uski Heer aur bache ke khoon ka inteqam chahiye tha.

Wo aaj khud ek jang tha, poora ka poora toofaan.

Ant mein, jab sab kuch khatam ho gaya, uske aaspaas sirf sannata reh gaya, laashon ka dher, barood ki boo, aur Heer ki bejaan jism ke paas ek lahu se bhiga hua Colonel Henry Caldwell.

Jo wardi kabhi uski shaan hua karti thi, jis par kabhi dhool ka ek kan bhi nahi hua karta tha, aaj wo wardi lahu se rangi hui hai uski crown ke sipahiyon se jis crown ki wafadari ki kabhi usne kasam khai thi.

Jo haveli kabhi Heer ki khilkhilahat aur uski payalon ki jhankar se gunja karti thi, aaj us haveli main maut ka sannata chaya hua hai aur wo Colonel Caldwell ki siskiyon se gunj rahi hai.

Wo chatan sa sipahi jo har gham apni muskurahat ke piche chupa jata tha aaj apni Heer ke liye bilak raha tha ek bache ki trha.

Usne Heer ko dubara apni baahon mein liya aur rote hue uska matha chuma aur phir bandook ka nishana ab apne hi seene ki taraf kiya.

“Saab ji nahi!” Iqbal chillaya aur apne zakhmi shareer se rengte hue Henry ke paas ane ki koshish bhi ki, par wo itna lachar tha ke samay rehte chaa kar bhi kuch na krne ke kabil tha.

“Little jewel, I am coming, my love... I promised I’d never leave you alone, and I never will.”

Uski aankhon mein ek sukoon tha. Usne apna haath Heer ke haath par rakha, muskuraya, aur aakhri baar asmaan ki taraf dekha.

DHAAN!

Ek aur goonj, aur Henry ka jism Heer ke saath lag kar zameen par gir gaya.

Unke beech koi fasaala nahi tha. Ab koi sipahi nahi, koi crown nahi, koi vishwasghaat nahi.

Bas pyaar, antim vachan, aur azaadi.

Wahi haveli ki aur bhagta aa raha Gurbaksh Singh haveli ke gate tak pohoch chuka tha.

Lekin jab tak wo pohncha, sab kuch khatam ho chuka tha.

Usne jaise hi andar kadam rakha, ek goli ki goonj ne hawa ka seena cheer diya. Uske kadam thame, uske dil ne ek ashubh sanket diya.

"HEER!" Uska mann chilla utha.

Wo bhaagta hua haveli ke andar dauda aur uski aankhon ke saamne jo drishya tha, usne uska poora vujood hila diya.

Zameen par,

Henry ki lash ki bahon mein Heer ka bejan sareer tha.

Dono ke chehre ek doosre ki taraf modhe hue the, jaise kisi prem kahani ka antim prastaav wahi likha gaya ho.

Unke aaspaas laashon ka dher tha, barood ki boo thi, aur lahu se rangi hui wo haveli maut ka ghar lag rahi thi jahan sirf Iqbal ke rone ki awazein gunj rahi thi.

Gurbaksh ke kadam thartharaye.

Uske hont se awaaz bhi nahi nikli.

Usne pehle Henry ki laash ko dekha, ek angrez afsar jiska usne hamesha virodh kiya, par jo Heer ke liye apna sab kuch haar gaya.

Phir Heer.

Uski Heer…….

Jo kabhi uski thi hi nahi.

Wo Heer, jise wo apne sapnon mein jeeta tha, par kabhi keh nahi saka. Use apna kabhi bana nahi saka.

“Nahi…” Uski aawaz phusphusaahat se zyada kuch nahi thi.

Wo dheere dheere unke paas gaya. Uske kadam ladkhada rahe the.

Par jab wo uske paas pohncha toh usne dekha, Heer ke chehre par ek sukoon tha. Jaise saari ladai jeet chuki ho, jaise ab koi dor usse kheech nahi sakta. Uska badan neela pad chuka tha jisne Gurbaksh ko bata diya ke wo kya kar guzari hai khud ko aur apne bache ko in zalimon se bachane ke liye.

“Tu kya kar gayi, Heer…?” Usne zameen par ghutne tek diye, uske haath kaanp rahe the. Usne usi kanpte hue haath se Heer ke haath ko chhuna chaha par chu na saka, wo haath jisme kabhi wo apna bhavishya dekhna chahta tha.

Lekin aaj us haath mein sirf thandak thi.

“Ye kya kar diya pagli tune?” Uska gala bhar gaya. Aankhon mein aansuon ka toofan tha, par wo ro bhi nahi paya.

“Kyu? Is mitti ko teri zarurat thi. Tu aise nahi jaa sakti! Uth ja Heer! Uth ja! Bas ek baar uth ja, wada karta hun kabhi kuch aur nahi mangunga na hi kabhi tere raste mein aunga. Utha ja!”

Par Heer na uthi, na hi usne koi jawab diya.

Usne Henry ke chhati par rakhke ek baar Heer ko chuna caha par apne apne haath piche kheench liye kyu ke wo kabhi uska haq tha hi nahi, wo prem jo kabhi uska tha hi nahi.

Uski aankhein bhar aayi lekin is se pehle uski aankhon se aansun nikalte use payalon ki jhankar sunai di.

Piche mud kar dekha toh Nooran andar chali aa rahi thi. Use dekh Gurbaksh ka gussa satwein asman par pohnch gaya.

Isi aurat ki wajah se uski Heer yun bejan padi hai.

Nooran jaise hi andar aayi, usne jo khooni manzar dekha us se uski rooh ko wo thandak pohnchi jo na jane wo kab se talash rahi thi.

Age badhte hue Arthur ki lash uske pairon mein jab aayi to Nooran ne uske bejan chehre ko apne paon se thokar mari ghin aur nafrat se, aur uske muh par thuka.

“Achha hua mar gaya aur mere hathon se ek khoon bach gaya.” Nooran ne itni nafrat se kaha aur uske mare hue shareer se nikalte lahu ko apne badan par pagalon ki tarah malne lagi jahan jahan Arthur ne use kabhi chua tha jaise ke uski chuan apne jism se hata rahi ho.

Wo pagalon ki tarah chila rahi thi aur apni jeet ka jashan mna rahi thi. Usne apni jeet ke nashe mein abhi tak Gurbaksh ko nahi dekha waha aur chilate hue Heer aur Henry ki lash ki taraf pohnchi.

“Shafaq! Shafaq, maine inteqam le liya, Shafaq! Maine bhi Heer ke bache ko maar diya jaise mera bacha mara tha. Maine…..ughhh….aaa.hhhg…”

Is se pehle wo Heer tak pohnch sakti uske pak shareer ko chu sakti Gurbaksh ne piche se uske gale ka haar khinch uska gala ghontna shuru kar diya.

“Gaddar!”

Gurbaksh ne gusse mein kaha aur Nooran tadapti rahi. Jab tak ke uski rooh na nikal gayi, Gurbaksh ne use nahi chhoda.

“Gaddar hai tu! Ye inteqam nahi teri buzdili thi!"

Usne Nooran ke bejan sareer ko zameen par patka aur khud wahi zameen par baith gaya apna sar apne hathon mein liye.

Paas dewar ke sath laga. Iqbal bhi roo raha tha apne un do bacho ke liye jo kabhi uske the nahi par paraye ho kar bhi bahut apne the uske liye.

Wahi nafrat ki aag mein andhi hui Nooran ka ant bhi bura hua.

Is inquilab ki rah mein kuch kamyab ho kar bhi nakamyab rahe to kuch adhure ho kar bhi mukamal rahe. Na kisi ko mohabbat mili aur na kisi ko inteqam.

Azadi mili bhi toh bas maut se.

Ek aisa gulam jiski wafadari ab bhi use wahi uske malik ki lash par baithe rula rahi thi.

Ek aisa ashiq jo mohabbat mein nakamyab ho kar bhi mukamal tha.

Ek aisa premi joda jo mar kar bhi sukoon se sayad sath hoga.

Par ek aisi saheli jisne rishton ki aad mein ghinoni ranjishein rachi, apni mahatvakanshaon mein itni andhi ho gayi ke wo jeet kar bhi haar gayi.

Ye kaisa inquilab tha?

Koi nahi janta.

Par mohabbat adhuri ho kar bhi jeet gayi, ye sabse bada sach tha.

Gurbaksh ne Iqbal ke saath mil kar Heer aur Henry ko usi haveli ke angan mein dafnaya aur us haveli ko unki amar prem kahani ka smarak bana diya.

Dono ko ek saath dafnaya gaya taki jo fasle is duniya ne dono mein jeete jee paida kiye the wo ab marne ke baad to na ho.

Aaj Gurbaksh ki aankhon mein Henry ke liye izzat thi.

“Isne sabit kar diya ke pyar kisi bhi crown, rang, roop ya auhde se bahut upar hota hai.” Gurbaksh ne kaha.

Usne Iqbal ko waha se jane ko kaha aur khood wahi baitha raha aur us kabar ki gili miti ko dekhta raha.

“Wada karta hun, Heer, jab tak is miti ko azadi nahi dilaunga chain se nahi baithunga.
Inquilab….. zindabad.”

Ek akhri wade ke sath wo raat ke andheron mein kho gaya.

Agali subha jab tak hukumat ko khabar lagti, sab unki pakad se bahut durr ja chuke the.

Azadi paa chuke the, mohabbat se, nafrat se, sab kuch se.

Henry uski hukumat ke liye beshak ek gaddar ban chuka tha, par ab wo kayi krantikariyo ke dil mein bahut izzat rakhta tha.

Waqt guzar gaya. Desh azaad ho gaya. Angrez wapas chale gaye. Heer aur Henry ki haveli ek samadhi ban gayi, jahan log chupke se phool chhodd jaate hain, nafrat bhool kar sirf prem ko yaad karte hue.

Unki kabar par ek pathar par haath se kisi ne trash kar likha hua hai,

“Jinhe duniya samajh na saki, unhe mitti ne gale laga liya.
Heer & Henry: In Death, United.”

Log kehte hain wo Gurbaksh ne likha tha.

Gurbaksh kab gaya, kisi ko nahi pata. Kehte hain usne kabhi shaadi nahi ki. Ek krantikari bankar wo junglon aur pahadon mein kho gaya, par har saal Heer ki barsi par uski qabar par ek laal dupatta aur ek neela phool chhupa milta hai.

Shayad, uski Heer aaj bhi uske sapnon mein muskurati hai…….