Heer

"Hayee, Rabba! Eh keho jeha ziddi banda mere pale paya tusi?"
(Hay, Bhagwan! Yeh kaisa ziddi aadmi hai jo mujhe mila hai?)

Main chahe jitna bhi inkaar kar lun, jo bhi keh lun, par is aadmi par koi asar hi nahi hota. Roz mere liye kitaab le kar baithta hai aur wahi kursi par so jata hai. Teen hafte ho chuke hain shaadi ko, aur teen hafton se yahi natak chal raha hai. Uski gardan ki takleef badhti ja rahi hai, aur ab main khud ko kasoorwar samajhne lagi hoon.

Iqbal chacha ne doctor bhi bulwaya tha. Doctor ne aram karne ki sakht hidayat di, aur ghar ke naukar chup-chup kar hanste hain ki ye meri wajah se ho raha hai. Par unhein kaise samjhau ki masla woh nahi hai jo woh soch rahe hain—masla toh kuch aur hi hai.

Khair!

Main is ziddi insaan ka kuch nahi kar sakti. Pata nahi kis mitti ka bana hai. Aaj tak apne baap ke marne ka sog nahi manaaya, na hi mujhse kuch kaha. Aur na hi mujhe himmat hui kehne ki ki mujhe sab pata hai.

Aakhir main afsos jatati bhi toh kaise? Mujhe nahi aata. Kya kahu ya kya nahi.

Sham ka waqt tha aur mere paas karne ko kuch nahi tha, toh ek kitab utha kar bahar aangan mein aa gayi.

Main aaram se baithi apni kitab padh rahi thi, jab Iqbal chacha ladduon ka ek dabba liye aa gaye.

"Leh dhiye, ladoo kha. (Lo bitiya, laddu khao.)," unhone kaha.

"Nahi, hale dil ni hai. Tusi rakh do, main baad ch kha laangi. (Nahi, abhi mann nahi hai. Aap rakh dijiye, main baad mein kha lungi.)," maine turant mana kar diya.

Kyuki ye Henry ki ek aur aadat hai jisne mujhe pareshaan kar rakha hai. Har roz shaam ko khali haath nahi aate, kuch na kuch zaroor le aate hain mere liye. Maine socha, ye bhi wahi hoga, isliye bina dekhe hi mana kar diya.

Par Iqbal chacha ke jawaab ne mujhe chonka diya.

"Oh dhiye, kha le te muh mitha kar. Bahut vaddi khushkhabri ye! (Are beta, khao aur muh meetha karo. Bahut badi khushkhabri hai!)," unhone laddu dete hue kaha. "Saab ji di tarakki ho gayi te hun oh Colonel ban gaye ne. (Sahib ji ki padonnati ho gayi hai, ab wo Colonel ban gaye hain.)"

Samajh nahi aya—khushi manau bhi toh akhir kyun? Kehne ko toh wo ab mera pati hain, par main ab tak ya shayad kabhi bhi unhein apna pati tasleem na kar saku.

Hath mein laddu liye main isi soch mein khoi thi, jab wo ghar mein daakhil hue. Par hairani ki baat ye thi ke unke chehre par padonnati ki koi khushi nahi thi. Balki ajeeb si mayoosi thi.

Par kyun?

"Saab ji!" Unhein dekhte hi Iqbal chacha utsukta se unki taraf bhage, unka muh meetha karwane ke liye.

Par isse pehle ki Iqbal chacha laddu unhein khila sakte, Henry ne rok diya.

"Iqbal Ali! It’s not such a big deal that you’re celebrating. Stop this drama and go do your work," unhone aram se kaha, par unki awaaz me sakhti thi.

Mujhe hairani hui. Bhala apni tarakki se kaun khush nahi hota?

Iqbal chacha ne dheere se sar hilaya aur dabba wahin rakh kar jaane lage, par maine unhein roka.

"Chacha ji! Ah jawakhan ch wand diyo. (Isse le jaiye aur bachon mein baant dijiye ga.)," maine kaha.

"Changa dhiye. (Theek hai beta.)," kehkar wo dabba utha kar chale gaye.

Henry, pehli baar ghar aane ke baad, mujhe bina kuch kahe seedha andar chale gaye. Mujhe thoda ajeeb laga, kyunki aadat si ho gayi thi unke sawalon par sir hilane ki ya chhota sa jawaab dene ki.

Main apni kitab uthakar andar gayi. Study mein dekha, wo apne liye ek jaam bana rahe the. Aam taur par maine unhein zyada peete nahi dekha, aur din ke is waqt toh bilkul bhi nahi.

Abhi toh sahi se din bhi nahi dhala tha.

Maine dheere se kitab apni jagah par rakhi, par abhi bhi duvidha mein thi ke badhai dun ya nahi.

Meri uljhan dekh, unhone apni nazrein meri taraf uthayi aur bade naram lehje mein pucha, "Do you need anything, little jewel?"

"Nahi, bas samajh nahi aa raha ke aapko badhai dun ya nahi, kyunki aap khush nazar nahi aa rahe," maine dheere se jawab diya.

"No one likes a promotion that comes as charity," unhone halki si dabi awaaz mein ek ghoont lete hue kaha.

Maine sun toh liya, par samajh nahi aaya.

"Kya matlab?"

"Umm… nothing," unhone baat palat di. "You should go and meet your parents."

Main hairan ho gayi.

"Kyun? Mera matlab, achanak kyun? Main kal hi toh unse mil kar aayi thi."

Unhone mujhe dekha, jaise meri pareshaani samajh rahe ho, aur bade hi sahanubhuti bhare lehje mein bole, "Actually, we’ll have to shift to Lahore after this promotion."

Aur main ek pal ke liye sunn ho gayi.

Lahore?

Ghar se itni door? Bappu ji aur Bebe se door? Sahib… sab ko chhod kar?

Nahi! Nahi jana mujhe!

Ye sochte hi mera dil thamm sa gaya. Ajeeb si bechaini uthne lagi. Henry ko meri ghabrahat saaf nazar aa rahi thi.

"We’re leaving tomorrow evening, so go and spend this time with your family. You’ll feel better," unhone kaha.

"Kal? Itni jaldi?" Akhir mere muh se awaaz nikli. "Kya hum kuch dino baad nahi ja sakte?"

"Mrs. Caldwell, this is not in my hands," unhone dheeme se kaha. "Wherever I’m ordered to go, I have to go. After all, I am a government officer and I have to join my post the day after tomorrow."

Meri ghabrahat aur badh gayi.

Main yahan se kaise ja sakti thi? Mera maqsad kaise poora hoga?

Aur sabse badi baat, mera parivaar yahan hai!

Mujhe samajh aa raha tha ki Henry bhi bebas hain, aur unke utare chehre ki wajah ab mujhe achhe se samajh aa rahi thi.

"Get ready, I’ll drop you off at your home," unhone kaha. "And before leaving, check and pack your belongings or instruct the servants on how to arrange them. Tomorrow evening, I’ll pick you up from there before we leave."

Maine muh latkaye apne kamre mein aa gayi.

Hazaaron khayal mere dil mein umad rahe the.

Bappu ji se kahun ki mujhe yahin apne paas rakh le?

Nahi… wo toh kabhi nahi manenge. Unhone toh pehle hi keh diya tha ki ab mera ghar sirf Henry ke saath hai.

Par mera maqsad? Uska kya?

Itni door chali gayi toh kaise apne saathiyon ki madad karungi?

Maine jo jo zaroori samaan tha, ek bakse mein rakh diya aur bahar aa gayi. Henry pehle hi motor gadi ke paas mera intezaar kar rahe the.

Ghar pahunche toh Bebe aur Bappu ji Henry ki padonnati ki baat sunkar bahut khush hue. Par Lahore tabadale ki baat sunte hi dono ka chehra utar gaya.

Par unhone kuch kaha nahi.

Sahib abhi ghar par nahi tha. Pata nahi, uska kaisa rawaiya hoga?

Thodi der baad jab wo khel kar ghar wapas aaya toh humein dekh uski khushi ka toh koi thikana hi nahi tha.

Bappu ji ki zid par Henry raat ka khana hamare saath kha kar wapas chale gaye.

"Udaas kyun hai mera bachha?" Bappu ji ne mere sar par haath phera.

"Main inni door nahi jana, Bappu ji," maine unke seene se lag kar kaha.

Bebe ji ne bhi aansu chhupa liye, par unka dukh unki aankhon me saaf jhalak raha tha.

“Chaliye! Laur kehda zyada durr aye? Jado dil chahega main teri maa te Sahib nu leke aa jawanga tenu milan. (Pagal ladki! Lahore kaunsa zyada dur hai? Jab bhi dil chahega main teri maa aur Sahib ko leke tujhe milne aa jaunga.)” Unhone pyar se kaha, par dukh unki awaaz mein bhi saaf jhalak raha tha.

“Main nahi jana!” Maine rote hue inkar kiya.

Inse dur jaane ka khayal bhi main tasavvur nahi karna chahti.

“Kithe chali aye, Heer bhain? (Heer didi kahan ja rahi hai?)” Sahib ne pucha.

“Lahore.” Bebe ji ne apne aansu aankhon se behne se pehle chupate hue kaha.

“Main vi chalan ghuman? (Main bhi chalun saath ghumne?)” Sahib ne utsukta se pucha.

“Ghumman nahi chali main, tera jija mainu hamesha layi le chalya. (Ghumne nahi ja rahi, tera jija mujhe hamesha ke liye le ja raha hai.)” Maine rote hue apne chhote se bhai se shikayat ki, mano wahi mujhe rok lega.

“Kyu?” Sahib ne khud rone wali shakal bana li.

Maine use koi jawab nahi diya, par rote hue Bappu ji se kaha, “Tusi una nu keh do na ke oh khud Lahore chale jaan te maine thode kol chad jaan… (Aap unse keh dijiye na ke wo khud Lahore chale jayein, par mujhe yahin aapke paas chod jayein…)”

“Chal, kamli! (Pagal!)” Bebe ji ne mujhe dantte hue toka.

“Bappu ji!” Maine Bappu ji ko masoom aankhon se dekha.

“Putter ji, viah toh baad kudi da ghar usde prahune nal hi hunda. Jithe vi Henry jawe, tenu jana paega. Te Laur kehda dur aye? (Beta ji, shaadi ke baad ladki ka ghar uske pati ke saath hi hota hai. Jahan bhi Henry jaye, tujhe jaana padega. Aur Lahore kaunsa zyada dur hai?)” Bappu ji ne mujhe pyar se samjhane ki koshish ki, par main to kuch bhi samajhne ki haalat mein nahi thi.

Mujhe bas nahi jana.

“Oh khud kehda iss parmotion ton khush ne. Main keh diyan gii ke oh inkar kar den… (Woh khud kaunsa is promotion se khush hai? Main keh dungi ke woh inkaar kar de…)”

“Nahi kar sakda, dhee rani. (Nahi kar sakta, beta.)” Bappu ji ne mujhe tokte hue kaha. “Eh tarrakki usnu usde piyo de yudh ch yogdan de inam ch mili hai. Usnu jana hi paega. (Yeh padonnati usse uske pita ke yudh mein yogdan ke inam ke taur par mili hai. Woh inkaar nahi kar sakta, usse jaana hi padega.)”

Kya?

Ye unhe uske pita ki shaheedi par mili hai?

Kya isi liye unhone ise khairat kaha tha?

“Dhiye, meri gal sun. (Beta, meri baat suno.)” Bebe ji ne bade pyar se mera sar sehlate hue mere aansu pochhte hue mujhe samjhane ki koshish ki. “Viah ke kudi nu ghar to bahut dur jana painda. Dekh main vi ta apne maa-pe chhad pindo ini dur ure aae saan. Te Lahore ta zyada dur vi nahi hai Amritsar taun. Asi har hafte tenu milan awange. Haina ji? (Shaadi ke baad ladki ko ghar se bahut dur jaana padta hai. Dekho, main bhi toh apne maa-baap ko chhod kar gaon se yahan aayi thi. Aur Lahore kaunsa zyada dur hai Amritsar se? Hum har hafte tujhe milne aayenge. Haina ji?)”

Bebe ji ne Bappu ji ki taraf dekha.

“Haan, bilkul.” Bappu ji ne haami bhari. “Te mera ta Laur auna-jauna lagya hi rehnda. (Aur mera to Lahore aana-jana laga hi rehta hai.)”

Mere lakhon inkaar par bhi wo dono apne aansu chhupa gaye, par mujhe yahan rokne par razi na hue.

Akhir hum ladkiyon ki kismat aisi kyun hoti hai? Saari zindagi jo hume nazon se palte hain, humare saare naaz-nakhre uthate hain, wo shaadi hote hi itne majboor kyun ho jaate hain ke apni hi beti ko apne ghar tak nahi rakh sakte?

Yahi sab sochte-sochte saari raat mujhe neend nahi aayi. Apne purane kamre ki deewaron ko dekh mujhe mere naye kamre ki wo deewarein yaad aa rahi thi jo ke paraayi hai, aur ab wo bilkul paraayi ho jayegi.

Reh reh kar mujhe unka khayal aa raha hai. Kya aaj bhi wo usi kursi par so rahe honge?

Arre! Kahin bhi soye tujhe kya, Heer?

Insaniyat?

Shayad!

Lekin ek baat main ab tak nahi samajh payi ke wo aakhir khush kyun nahi hain is promotion se?

In angrezon ko toh tarakki karne ka bahut shauq hai, toh ye aadmi khush kyun nahi hai aur is promotion ko khairat kyun bol raha hai?

Haan theek hai, unhe ye unke pita ki shahadat par mili, par… Agh! Main pagal ho jaungi.

Ye aadmi kya sach mein itna achha hai?

Kya ye sach mein itna sochta hai?

Subah itni jaldi ho gayi. Ye waqt aaj itni jaldi kyun guzar raha hai aakhir?

Maine suraj ugte hi Sahib ko Nooran ko bulane bheja. Wo turant hi ghar aa gayi aur maine use sab kuch bataya.

“Nooran, mujhe kahin nahi jana. Kya karun ke yahin ruk jaun? Agar chali gayi toh sena ke bhed kaise bataungi tum logon ko? Hum kaise apne maqsad mein kamyab honge…?”

“Heer! Heer!” Nooran ne meri baaton par rok lagayi. “Meri baat sun, meri jaan. Tum inkaar nahi kar sakti. Shohar hai wo tumhara. Aur rahi baat humare maqsad ki, toh kya hua? Humare krantikari bhai-behen toh tumhe Lahore mein bhi mil jaenge. Humara maqsad toh wahan reh kar bhi pura ho sakta hai. Aakhir azaad toh hume apne saare Hindustan ko hi karwana hai na.”

Usne mujhe samjhane ki koshish ki, aur uski baatein mere zehan mein bhi kuch-kuch baith gayi.

Lekin…

“Par Bebe-Bappu ji toh yahan hain. Sahib yahan hai. Unhe chhod kar kaise jaun?” Maine kanpati awaaz mein pucha. “Tu yahan hai…”

“Par tera shohar nahi.” Nooran ne mujhe dheemi si awaaz mein tokte hue kaha. “Tu chinta mat kar. Main Shafaq se baat karungi. Koi na koi zariya nikal jaega. Bas tum Henry ka aitbaar hasil karo, baaki sab kuch theek ho jaega. Hum kuch rasta nikal lenge.”

Nooran ki kahi baatein mere zehan mein ghoomti rahi, saara waqt yahan Lahore aane tak.

Haan, wo dopahar ke baad ghar aa gaye the mujhe lene, aur railgadi se kuch hi ghanton mein hum Lahore pahunch gaye the.

Iqbal chacha bhi humare saath aaye hain. Unka pariwar abhi nahi aaya, par wo keh rahe the ki jald hi jab unhe quarter mil jayega toh wo apne pariwar ko yahan le aayenge.

Ghar pehle wale ghar se bhi zyada bada hai— aakhir ab Henry, Colonel Henry Caldwell jo ban gaye hain.

Hume yahan aaye hue do hafte ho chuke hain, aur mera yahan dil nahi lagta.

Aakhir lagega bhi kaise? Mere paas yahan karne ko kuch hai hi nahi.

Kaam ke baad unhone kai baar mujhe bahar le jaana chaha taaki main naye jagah se waqif ho jaun, par mera mann hi nahi karta.

Ab bas isi ghar mein ek insaan ke saath bandh kar reh gayi hoon. Inke alawa aur koi bhi nahi hai yahan.

Wo hamesha pehal karte hain mujhse baat karni ki, par mujhe hi samajh nahi aata ke aakhir kya baat karun, kya nahi?

Dheere-dheere agar kuch baat-cheet ho bhi jaati hai, toh wo bas badh rahi sargarmiyon par hi hoti hai, aur hukumat ke zulmo par kase gaye mere tanz— jaise ki saari hukumat mere hi pati ke haath mein ho, aur unse behas karke main azaadi le lungi.

Par ye aadmi itna ziddi hai, kabhi palat kar mujhe galat sabit karne ki koshish bhi nahi karta.

Inki zid ke aage toh ab mujhe mera apna aap kam ziddi lagne laga hai.

Doctor ki lakh hidayaton ke baad bhi ye aadmi abhi tak kursi par hi so raha hai aur apni takleef badhata jaa raha hai.

Aakhir mujhe hi kuch karna padega.

Isi soch mein doobi main apne liye khana bana rahi thi. Yahaan ke khansame utna accha desi khana nahi banate, toh ab se dupehr ka khana main khud banati hoon—chhupke, taki Henry ko na pata chale aur na hi woh bina wajah naukaron ko daante.

Khud ke liye thali paros ke main wahi chulhe ke paas zameen par baith gayi. Bebe bhi aise hi garam-garam khana bana ke khilati thi. Bohot yaad aati hain unki par kuch kar bhi toh nahi sakti, toh bas yaadon mein jee leti hoon. Aur sabse badi baat—kursi mez par baith ke khane se tasalli nahi hoti. Mujhe yun zameen par baith kar khana hi achha lagta hai.

Henry ke samne toh kursi par baithna padta hai, chhuri-kaante se khana padta hai. Bas dupehr ka ek waqt hai jab main apni marzi se jee sakti hoon.

Maine pehla niwala todne ke liye haath badhaya hi tha ki koi mere paas aakar zameen par baith gaya.

"Why are you eating while sitting on the kitchen floor, little jewel?"

Hayee Rabba!
Yeh itni jaldi kyun aa gaye?

Main dheere se mudhi aur aitraaf kar liya, “Mujhe aise hi khana pasand hai. Kursi par baith kar khana ajeeb lagta hai.”

"Then why didn’t you tell me all this time? You should have told me."

Matlab hadh hai!

"Toh kya kar lete aap? Mujhe zameen par baithne dete? Nahi! Ye toh aapki shaan ke khilaaf na ho jata, Colonel Sahab! Ki aapki biwi zameen par baith kar kha rahi hai?" Maine tanz kiya, par woh sirf muskuraye.

Is admi par kisi baat ka koi asar nahi hai.

"Then I would have sat and eaten with my wife. What would have been the big deal? I wouldn’t have let you feel awkward. I know this way of living is new for you, and it will take time to adjust."

Aur jaise hamesha hota hai, woh mujhe fir se nishabdh kar gaye.

Kabhi-kabhi toh mujhe yakeen hi nahi hota—ye insaan aakhir hai kya?

"Khansame ko main dupehr mein ghar bhej deti hoon. Mujhe nahi pata tha aap aaj jaldi aane wale hain, toh kuch bana du kya aapke liye?" Maine poocha.

Jo bhi ho, jaise bhi ho, kisi insaan ko bhookha main nahi dekh sakti.

"Do you know how to cook English food?" Unhone hasta hua poocha, aur main chup ho gayi.

Aata toh nahi tha. Par aise kaise maan leti?

"Aata hai."

"But I want to eat what you have cooked." Unhone meri thali ki taraf dekhte hue kaha.

"Aapko kaise pata?" Maine shaqi nazron se dekha, par woh aur zor se hasne lage.

Yeh aadmi itna kyun hasta hai meri baaton par? Koi chutkule suna rahi hoon kya?

"You yourself said that you sent the cook home in the afternoon, so obviously, you must have cooked the meal. Common sense!"

Agh!

Aakhir kyun main hamesha khud ko bewakoof sabit karti hun is aadmi ke saamne?

Maine bina kuch kahe ek aur thali mein daal, chawal aur roti parosi. Bas table par rakhne ja rahi thi ki unhone mujhe rok diya.

"Where are you going?"

"Khana daal diya hai, mez par rakhne ja rahi hoon……"

Par unhone tok diya.

"No, my wife likes to sit on the floor and eat, so today I will also eat the food she made in the same way she likes. Aakhir parivartan hi toh sansaar ka niyam hai."

Itni saaf Hindi? Main toh hairan hi reh gayi!

Yeh sirf hamari bhaasha samajhte hi nahi, bol bhi sakte hai?

Bina kuch kahe maine unke aage thali rakh di aur khud thoda door, samne baith gayi.

Jaise hi maine apni thali apni taraf kheechi, maine dekha—unke chehre par ek chhoti si mayusi chaa gayi.

Woh chah rahe tha ki main unke paas baithu.

Par mujhe koi shauk nahi hai nazdikiyan badhane ka. Main chup chaap apna khana khane lagi.

Mera bohot maan tha haath se chawal khane ka. Pehle thodi hichkichahat hui, par phir Henry ke kahe alfaz yaad aa gaye—   "I wouldn’t have let you feel awkward."

Toh maine bina soch-vichar daal-chawal haath se khane shuru kar diye.

Main itni masroof thi ki dhyaan hi nahi diya ke wo bhi mere jaisa karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Bechare se khaya hi nahi jaa raha tha. Chawal idhar-udhar gir rahe the, haath galat jagah lag raha tha—ekdum anadi lag rahe the.

Mujhe hasi toh bohot aayi, par maine kisi tarah khud ko roka. Lekin jaise hi unhone chonki hui mirchi daal ki khai, unki toh siti-biti gul ho gayi!

Ek dum se khansne lage, paani lene ke liye idhar-udhar dekhne lage. Main pehle toh muskurayi, par phir achanak fikr hui.

Mere pair bas apne aap uth gaye. Pata hi nahi chala kab main apne doosre haath se unki kamar sehlane lagi.

Aankhon se pani, naak se pani.

Zyada teekha ye insaan bardaasht nahi kar sakta, toh phir zaroorat kya thi?

Maine turant dibiya se gudh nikala aur unke samne rak diya.

"Ki lodh si khaan di jado mirchan khai ni jandi? Dikh vi riha ke mirch hai fer vi khaa li! Banda inna annah vi ni hunda! Inna taan pata hi hunda ke ki khaya janda te ki nahi! (Kya zaroorat thi khane ki jab mirchi khaayi nahi jaati? Dikh bhi raha tha ki mirchi hai, phir bhi kha li! Insaan itna andha bhi nahi hota! Itna toh pata hi hota hai kya khaya ja sakta hai aur kya nahi!)”

Maine bina soche samjhe daant diya. Par woh aadmi?

Ek tak mujhe dekh raha tha.

Mujhe aur gussa aa gaya.

"Hun bittar-bittar ki chanki jaane ho? Bolde kyun nahi? (Ab kya tukur-tukur dekh rahe hain aap? Kuch bolte kyun nahi?)”

Aur jaise hi unhone bola, main sunn si pad gayi— "If I had known earlier that eating just one chili would make you talk to me with so much right, I would have eaten so many chilies long ago."

Main fauran door ho gayi.

Mera dil zor-zor se dhadakne laga.

Yeh aadmi aisa kyun hai, Rabba mereya?

Pata nahi ye aadmi kaunsa roop badal kar samne aata hai. Kabhi toh lagta hai, aaj bas, ab bardasht nahi hoga. Aur kabhi… kabhi lagta hai jaise, bas dekhte hi jao.

Sari dopeher kaam karta raha aur Iqbal chaha uska dimag khate rahe. Chehre se saaf jhalak raha hai ke unhe itni batein pasand nahi phir bhi ek pal ke liye bhi Iqbal chacha ko chup hone ke liye nahi kaha.

Pagal ajeeb admi.

Lekin jitna bhi ajeeb ho, ek baat toh tay hai—ziddi bohot hai!

Aur yeh baat mujhe abhi, is waqt, ek baar phir samajh aa rahi thi wo kursi aur uske paas rakha shawl dekh.

Doctor ne mana bhi Kiya lekin nahi apni zid puri karni hai.

Main chup-chaap apna bistar zameen par laga rahi thi. Dheere se gadda bichaya, uspe chaadar daali, ek chhoti si razai uthai aur apne liye rakh di. Sir ke neeche ek takiya bhi rakh diya. Sab kuch shanti se, bina kisi shor ke.

Sirf ek hi wajah thi—Henry ke liye.

Woh pichle kayi hafton se wahi kursi par so rahe the, gardan tedhi kar ke. Aaj doctor ne bhi kaha tha ke use puri tarah aram ki zaroorat hai. Toh kya mujhe itna bhi nahi karna chahiye?

Aur vaise bhi, mujhe koi dikkat nahi thi. Main toh aksar hi zameen par ya charpai par sotey aaye hain hum. Yeh bed par sone ki aadat toh shaadi ke baad hi lagi hai, warna mujhe toh zameen hi pasand hai.

Par yeh insaan?

Jaise hi main razai theek kar rahi thi, ek dum se awaaz aayi— "What are you doing?"

Maine sirf ek baar nazar uthakar dekha. Woh palang ke paas khade the, baahu baandh ke mujhe dekh rahe the.

"So rahi hoon. Aur kya?" Maine seedha jawab diya, phir apna kaam karne lagi.

"On the floor?"

"Haan toh?"

"Why?"

"Kyunki aap palang par soenge. Isliye."

Unke chehre ka rang ek dum badla. Mujhe dekha, phir us gadday ko, phir firse mujhe. Jaise koi ajeeb baat keh di ho maine.

"I’m not taking the bed. You sleep there."

"Nahi."

"Yes."

"Maine keh diya na? Aap bistar par soyenge!" Maine thoda zor de diya.

"And I have said no."

Ye aadmi, Rabba ji!

Maine hath jod diye kudhte hue. “Colonel Saab, bohot ho gaya! Itne din se gardan tod tod ke so rahe ho. Maine suna hai firangi bade practical hote hain. Toh yeh zid kyun? Thoda toh socho! Doctor ne sakhti se aram karne ko kaha tha."

Par woh wahi khade rahe. Ek bhi baat ka asar nahi hua.

"Princess, I am not letting you sleep on the floor while I take the bed."

Agh!

Ek to ye ajeeb ajeeb se naam. Mera aur dimag kharab ho gaya aur maine khijte hue keh diya.

"Ajeeb aadmi ho! Apko takleef kya hai? Palang khaali hai, jaake so jao!"

"No."

"Mujhe ghussa aa raha hai." Maine aankhen dikayi.

"I am getting angry too." Unhone haath baandh liye.

Ye toh hadh ho gayi!

Ek to fikar karo aur upar se suno bhi!

Maine unki taraf ek tez nazar daali aur gusse se apna gadda utha ke ek taraf ghaseet diya. Ab na main palang par so rahi thi, na woh. Bas dono alag-alag taraf zameen par baithe the.

Woh mujhe ghoor rahe the.

Main unko.

"Little Jewel…."

"Nahi. Bilkul nahi. Jo karna hai karo, mujhe farq nahi padta! Aur haan! Heer naam hai mera ye ajeeb namon se pukarna band karo!"

“But…..”

“Kehta na. Na matlab na. (Keh diya na.)”

Bas. Ab main unki taraf dekhoongi bhi nahi. Main pagal hun? Ek to dushman ki bhalai sochu aur wo mujhe hi akhein dikhae?

Mere walon tathe khu ch jaye!                     (Meri taraf se bhadh mein jaye!)

Aur sach mein, nahi dekha. Par kuch der baad jab aankh lagne lagi thi, tab mehsoos hua…

Palang khaali hai.

Aur palang ki dusri aur koi ziddi admi bina kisi bistar ke niche zameen par leta hua tha.

Yeh aadmi aisa kyun hai, mere Rabba?

"Hayee Rabba! Yeh aadmi mujhe pagal karke chhodega!" Main abhi theek se soyi bhi nahi thi ki palat kar dekha—aur phir se gussa aa gaya!

Mera aur matha ghum gaya.

"Colonel Saab, aapko dimaag hai ya bas angrezi akad lekar ghoomte hain?" Main jhat se uth baithi aur gusse se unki taraf ghoor kar dekha. "Sardi ke mahine mein bina bistar ke zameen par let gaye? Kya gardan ke dard ke saath-saath zukhaam bhi lagwana hai?"

Woh apne haath sir ke neeche tikaye, aise baithe the jaise unka koi kasoor hi nahi. Ekdum shaant. Jaise maine unhe daanta hi na ho.

"I didn’t know my wife cared so much about my well-being," unhone dheeme se kaha, aur main ek pal ke liye ruk gayi.

"Ajeeb aadmi ho aap!" Main phir gussa hone lagi. "Jidhar dekho zid! Pehle kursi par soti raho, ab zameen par! Koi kaise samjhaye aapko? Naak ke sidhe chalna kab seekhoge?"

Woh ab bhi chup the, bas mujhe dekh rahe the. Mujhe bilkul pasand nahi tha yeh tarika, jaise kisi bachhe ki baat sun rahe ho.

"Mujhe ghoorna band karo!" Maine aankhen dikha di.

"I am waiting," unhone simply kaha.

"Kis cheez ka intezaar hai ab?" Maine gusse mein pucha.

"So that you forcibly pick me up and put me on the bed?"

Main ek pal ke liye hil gayi. "Chichore kahi ke!" Main dante hue kaha. “Zabardasti apko main ghar se ghaseet kar bahr na nikal dun.”

Woh hilaye tak nahi. Bas muskura diye. “Go ahead.”

Main bas unhe ghoorti rahi, aur phir ek gahri saans li. "Agar zukhaam ho gaya na, toh main nahi dekhungi! Phir doctor ke injections bhi khud hi lagwa lena!"

Aur phir ek gadha unki taraf rkha ke wo use bicha kar hi do jaye.

Aur apne bistar par let gayi, lekin peeth unki taraf kar ke. Par mujhe halchal mehsoos hui. Wo apna bistar laga rahe the.

Yeh aadmi sach mein mujhe pagal kar dega! Kyu ke agli subha wahi hua jiska mujhe darr tha.

"Main keh rahi thi na!"

Main gusse mein hath mein belan liye khadi thi , aur woh? Woh toh ek haath se apni naak poch rahe the, doosre se apni gardan daba rahe the. Chehra laal, aankhen pani se bhari hui, aur aawaz—bas mat poochho!

"Haah… haaah… haaachiii!"

Ek aur chheenk!

"Bas! Ab aur nahi sunna mujhe!" Main haath me tulsi adrak ka kadha liye aur ek garam shawl lekar unki taraf badhi. "Badi zid thi na? Ab bhugto! Gardan ke dard ke saath zukhaam bhi muft mein mil gaya!"

Woh mujhe ek bechare wale nazar se dekhne lage. "Little Jewel…"

Par mujh par koi asar toh kya hona tha upar se gussa aur badh gaya.

"Bilkul nahi! Mujhe yeh ajeeb naam nahi sunna!" Maine ek haath utha diya. "Aur jo bhi kehna hai, pehle yeh shawl odho!"

Woh ab bhi baithe the, lekin jaise hi maine ghoor ke dekha, dheere se shawl le li. Par kadhe ka glass lete hue shakk bhari nazar se dekhne lage aur uski mehak se gndi so shakal bana li wo alag.

"What’s in this?"

"Aapko zeher dene ka mann toh bohot hai, par filhal sirf tulsi, adrak aur shahad hai." Maine aankhen dikha kar kaha. "Ek baar mein pi jao!"

Woh chup chaap glass uthakar pee gaye ek hi saans mein. Ha! Ab pata chala? Mere bina sunaye sone ka anjaam?

"But Heer, why are you scolding me as if I have committed a sin?"

Main ek pal ke liye ruk gayi. "Paap hi toh kiya hai! Apni sehat ki itni beizzati karna paap nahi toh aur kya hai? Gardan pehle se hi dukh rahi thi, aur aapne socha, chalo, zameen pe bina kambal ke let ke aur takleef badha lein! Wah, colonel Sahab, wah!"

Maine tanz kaste hue kaha.

Woh dheere se muskurane lage. "You care about me this much?"

Main ek dum se chup ho gayi.

Phikar?

Bhala kyun hone lagi mujhe inki phikar?

"If you didn't, then why are you up early in the morning making this herbal water?" Unhone bola, ek ajeeb si masti bhari muskurahat ke saath.

"Kyunki mujhe koi bhookha ya bimar nahi dekhna pasand!" Maine zor diya.

"Hmmm…" Woh dheere se bole. "Or is it because you care about your husband?"

Meri saari shakti wahin khatam ho gayi. Mujhe nahi pata tha is aadmi ka kya karun!

Maine jaldi se thoda halka garam tel le kar gayi aur unki taraf badhi. "Gardann aage karo!"

Woh chup chaap meri taraf dekhte rahe, jaise unki tabiyat kharab hone ka asli maqsad yeh tha ki main unka khayal rakho.

"Jaldi!" Maine besabri se kaha.

Unhone sirf muskurakar apni gardan aage ki, aur maine garam tel hatho mein le kar unki gardan ki halke hathon se malish karne lagi.

Par andar hi andar ek aur cheez mehsoos ho rahi thi—woh mujhe pareshaan karte hain, mujhe gussa dilate hain, par pata nahi kyun, jab woh bimaar hote hain, mujhe achha nahi lagta.

Yeh aadmi sach mein mujhe pagal kar dega, Rabba ji!

Main malish kar rahi thi aur, par yeh aadmi… mujhe hi ghoore ja raha tha samne Lage sheeshe mein!

 Maine unki taraf dekha, par unki muskurahat kam hone ka naam hi nahi le rahi thi.

"Ab kya hua?" Maine aankhen choti karte hue pucha.

"Nothing," unhone dheere se kaha, "Just thinking… if you take care of me like this every time I fall sick, I might just catch a cold every day."

Main ek pal ke liye bilkul nishabd reh gayi. Yeh aadmi…!

"Mujhe aapki bewakoofi pe taali bajani chahiye ya sir patak lena chahiye?" Maine gusse se kaha.

"Don't bang your head, Little Jewel, it'll hurt."

"Stop calling me that!"sine gusse mein chidhte hue kaha.

Unhone haath utha diye, jaise ki keh rahe ho, ‘Theek hai baba, jo tum chaho!’

Maine unka shawl aur zyada theek se lapet diya, phir aage badhne lagi, par tabhi peeche se unki aawaz aayi…

"Heer…"

Main ruki, lekin mudkar nahi dekha.

“Shukriya!” Unhone pyar se kaha.

Meri aankhein badi ho gayi, par maine ek second bhi wahan rukna theek nahi samjha. Jaldi se nikal gayi, jaise kuch suna hi nahi!

Par andar hi andar ek ajeeb si ghabrahat thi.

Woh bimaar the, sardi se pareshaan the, aur mujhe kyun bura mehsoos ho raha tha?

Raat ko maine bahut zid ki, lekin phir bhi wo palang par sone ko tayyar nahi the. Toh haar kar maine hi ghutne tek diye.

“Acha, agar main bhi bistar par so jaun toh kya aap bistar par lait jayenge?” Maine pucha, aur unke chehre par hairani saaf jhalak rahi thi.

Haan theek hai, itne waqt se is aadmi ke saath ek hi kamre mein so rahi hoon aur isne kabhi apni hadh paar karne ki koshish nahi ki—mera pati hone ke bawjood bhi.
Toh bimari mein main itna bharosa toh kar hi sakti hoon na?

Wo hairani mein aankhein badi karke mujhe aise dekh rahe the jaise maine na jaane kya keh diya ho.

“No, you sleep on the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor where you slept last night.” Unhone jawab diya.

“Main na Amritsar wapas chali jaungi!” Maine turant gusse mein kaha.

“No, no, Little Jewel, don’t go anywhere.” Unhone mera haath thaam liya jaise mujhe jaane se rok rahe ho, aur jaise main abhi isi waqt jaane wali hoon. “Whatever you say, however you say it, I’ll do it.”

Meri nazrein mere haath par gayi jo unhone thaam rakha tha. Jaise hi unhe ehsaas hua ke unhone kya kiya, unhone turant meri kalai chhod di.

“I apologise.” Unhone nazrein jhukaye hue kaha.

Ab kaise na main is aadmi par aitbaar karu?

“Toh chaliye, us taraf lait jaiye aur aaraam kijiye.” Maine sakhti se kaha, jaise kisi chhote bachhe ko daant rahi hoon.

“Aur aap?” Unhone halke se palkein utha kar pucha, aur unke uss naram lehze ne jaise meri saansein hi rok di.

Par maine khud par kabu karte hue jawab diya, “Ye palang bahut bada hai. Dono aaraam se so sakte hain bina kisi dikkat ke.”

Maine jawab diya aur doosri taraf baith gayi taki wo mujhe dekh kar hi bistar par aa jaye.

Aur aisa hua bhi.

Saari raat palang ke ek kinare par lete rahe, meri taraf peeth karke— kahin mujhe asukhad mehsoos na ho.

Mere chehre par khud-b-khud ek halki si muskaan aa gayi.

He is truly a gentleman.

Yunhi waqt beetta raha aur ab gardan ka dard bhi kaafi had tak sahi ho chuka hai, aur mera pachtawa bhi kuch had tak khatam ho chuka hai.

Ab maine ghar se baahar aana-jana bhi shuru kar diya hai, kyunki Henry ek din mujhe zabardasti library jo le gaye— taki mera dhyaan kuch bhatak sake, aur main kitabon ke liye hi sahi, ghar se baahar nikla karun.

Aaj library ke baad mujhe raaste mein Elizabeth mil gayi, aur wo mujhe zabardasti apne saath kheench bazaar le gayi.

Ab aap soch rahe honge ke aakhir ye Elizabeth kaun hai, hai na?

Toh Elizabeth, Captain Arthur ki biwi hai— jo ki Henry ke junior hain. Arthur Henry ka bahut samman karta hai, toh ek baar usne hume apne ghar khane par bulaya tha, aur tab meri uski biwi se achi dosti ho gayi.

Humari do alag-alag sanskritiyan hone ke bawjood bhi meri aur Elizabeth ki achi dosti ho gayi hai.

Ab yahan waqt guzarne ke liye ek saheli mil gayi Elizabeth ke roop mein.

Bahut achi hai, aur magroor bilkul bhi nahi. Hamesha bade satkaar se mujhe milti hai.

Ab ye toh upar wala hi jaane ke ye satkaar sach mein mere liye hai, ya phir sirf Colonel ki biwi ki chaplusi ke liye.

Par wo aisi lagti toh nahi.

Humne bazaar se kuch samaan liya aur baatein karte-karte ghar wapas aa gaye. Elizabeth ka ghar hamare ghar se alag raaste par tha, toh beech raaste wo mudh gayi aur main apne ghar ki aur chal padi.

Kaafi der ho gayi thi, aur sardi ki shaamon mein toh aksar hi sab jaldi apne-apne ghar chale jaate hain, toh galiyan kaafi sunsaan si thi.

Main ghar pahunchnay hi wali thi ke kisi ne meri kalai pakad mujhe kheench liya.

Main sehm gayi.

Isse pehle ki shor macha sakti ya khud ko bachane ke liye apne haath-pair chala sakti, ek awaaz aayi jo aisa laga jaise main arson baad sun rahi hoon.

“Heer!”

Maine mudh kar dekha— Gurbaksh Singh!

Ye yahan kya kar raha hai? Aur agar kisi ne ise dekh liya toh main kya karungi?

Issi khauf mein meri dhadkane tez ho gayi. Par isse pehle main kuch bol ya puch paati, mera darr sach sabit ho gaya.

“Princess!”

Henry!

Wo Gurbaksh ke thoda peeche khade the, aur unki nazrein sirf meri kalai par thi— jo ke abhi bhi Gurbaksh ke haath mein thi.

Maine apna haath ek jhatke se Gurbaksh ke haath se chhudwa toh liya, par mera dil zoron se dhadak raha tha.

Zindagi mein pehli baar mujhe darr lag raha tha.

Kyunki fark nahi padta aadmi kitna bhi achha kyun na ho, wo apni biwi ka haath kisi gair aadmi ke haath mein nahi dekh sakta— chahe wajah jo bhi ho.

Aur waqt chahe jo bhi ho, ek aurat ko hi apne charitra ke liye agni pariksha deni padti hai.