diraf dy pfxI ƒ cwt ky afeI sIq pOx
iswDI myry hwzF ivwc Dws rhI hY. vjdy dµdoiVwky nfl kFby dI iqwKI lihr
myrf sfrf vjUd kµbf rhI hY. myry isr dy iksy koxy ivwc ijvyN kuJ inrµqr
DuÉ irhf hY qy DUµaF ijhf aµdr iekwTf hoeI jf irhf hY. mYN ÈIÈy vflI
bfrI df pwlf KolH sµGxy hnyHry dIaF prqF Prol irhf hF. sÌYidaF dy AuWcy
AuWcy ruwKF dy isafh afkfr JUmdy ieEN lwg rhy ny ijvyN byzOl qy pl pl
rUp vtfAuNdy dYNq asmfn ƒ isr `qy cuwkI iKwlI pf rhy hox. bfhrly gyt
lfgy tfeIgr bdhvfsI ivwc BONkI jf irhf hY. myrf mn bycYn hY qy awKF qoN
nINd kohF dUr hY. iksy kÈmkÈ ivwc mYN ikµnf hI icr Cwq `qy tihldf irhF
qy hux dyr qoN ies kmry ivwc AUTk bYTk ivwc hF. kIrqI lfgy hI suwqI peI
hY. Auh suwqI hovy qF GurfVy suxdy hn. mYN aµdfËf lfAuNdf hF ik Auh ies
vyly hr qxfE qoN mukq hY qF hI Auh afpxy duafly rjfeI lpytI pµcm sur
ivwc GurfVy Cwz rhI hY. mYN cuwp hF qy hnyry dy moty iglfÌ ivwc iGiraf
mihsUs kr irhf hF. mYN cfnx krnf cfhuµdf hF pr myry hwQ bwqI dy sivwc
vwl jFdy jFdy ruk jFdy hn.
sVk AUWqy bfhr koeI vfhn guËrdf hY qF mYN dyr qwk hnyry dI qih ivwc
grkdI AuhdI roÈnI ƒ qwkI jFdf hF. zyry dy gyt `qy sfrI rfq jgx vflf blb
ies vyly lkÈmI iblizµg dy ipwCy hY. sqvIN mµËl qwk phuµcx vflI ieh
iemfrq hfly vI bx rhI hY. dsdy ny ik ieQy keI dÌqr dukfnF KuwlH jfxIaF
ny. ieQy dunIaF Br dy vµn suvµny pdfrQ imilaf krngy qy ieQoN nvyN rµgIn
sµsfr dy drÈn kIqy jf skxgy. gyt vflf blb ies iblizµg dy ipwCy afAux
krky hux nËrIN nhIN pYNdf. ieh blb hmyÈf jgdf irhf, gyt Aupr vI qy lokF
dy idlF ivwc vI. suµn, iekwlIaF qy TrIaF rfqF `c iesdf hmyÈf afsrf irhf
sI. myrI ijAUNdI jfgdI hXfqI ivwc ieh zyrf ieEN rimaf hoieaf sI ijvyN
myry nfl myry sfh pRfx. myry nfl hI ikAuN pihlF ipqf jI qy AuhnF qoN
pihlF bfpU jI nfl zyry df ies qoN vI vwD pIzf irÈqf sI.
bfbf ibÈn dfs qy myry dfdf jI, ijnHF ƒ sfry bfpU jI afKdy, ivcfly qF
koeI lkIr nhIN sI iKwc skdf. myry aµdr nf koeI qsvIr bfpU jI dI hY nf
bfbf jI dI pr AuhnF dIaF ismrqIaF dI BrI pUrI pµz hY. jdoN bfbf jI ny
suafs iqafgy AudoN mYN bflpn dI Aus avsQf ivwc sF jdoN kuJ vI vyiKaf
suixaf cyqy nhIN rihµdf qy bfpU jI dy guËrn vyly qF Éud ipqf jI hOlLI
Aumr dy sn, msF cOdF pµdrF virHaF dy. pr Auh isafxy Zyr sn. AuhnF ƒ iek
iek mµËr cyqy sI, huxy GVI pl pihlF GtI GtnF vFg. AuhnF dIaF dwsIaF gwlF
myry leI ieµj sn ijvyN mYN Kud vyKIaF hox.
bfAulI inrµjn dfs dy nF nfl vwjdf qy muwdqF qoN amn cYn nfl vwsdf ieh
inwkf ijhf awzy numf ipµz AudoN acfnk bdamnI nfl iGr igaf sI. ipµz dy
mohrI hox nfqy bfbf jI dI nINd AuWz geI sI. AuhnF hr hIlf vriqaf sI ik
ihµdUaF, iswKF qy muslmfnF ivwc koeI pftk nf pey. Auh vfr vfr ÈihrF
vwloN afAuNdIaF zrf dyx vflIaF ÉbrF df asr GtfAuNdy qy zyry dy spIkr qoN
bcn krdy, ‘sfD sµgq jI, ieh aÌvfhF ny ik ÈihrF ivwc dµgy ho rhy ny, awgF
lwg rhIaF ny, ikqy vI kuJ nhIN ho irhf. sB slfmqI hY. rwb quhfzy sBnF dy
nfl hY. amn cYn bxfeI rwKo. iml jul ky rho, ijvyN sdIaF qoN rihµdy afey
E.’ pr Éqry dy bwdl qF Aumzdy afAuNdy sn. afsy pfsy PYldf DUµaF ipµz dI
iPËf ƒ Gyrn lwgf sI. bfbf jI icµqq sn, bycYn sn ijvyN kuJ hwQoN Kuwsdf
jf irhf hovy. AuhnF zyry dI cfr dIvfrI ivwc ipµz dy vIh dy vIh muslmfn
GrF ƒ pnfh dy idqI. AuhnF afpxy sB qoN nËdIkI ivÈvfspfqr myry bfpU jI ƒ
kol swd ky ikhf sI, ‘srdfr virafm isaF, swc qF ieh aY ik aYs vyly kuJ vI
mihÌUË nhIN. sfƒ pqf hY afsy pfsy bhuq iËafdqIaF hox zhIaF ny. pqf lwgf
hY ihµdUaF iswKF dIaF loQF nfl BrI gwzI lhOroN aµbrsr afeI af qy sfizaF
Auhdy juafb `c do gwzIaF vwZ ky AuDr qorIaF ny. qUµ pwk kr ik afpxy ipµz
aijhf koeI vfikaf nf hovy. lfTIaF sotIaF jo vI lwBx lY ky ipµz duafly
kµD bx jfE. afpxy nfl ijµny vI ho skx bµdy iqafr kro, pr koeI hoxI nf
vfpry.’
ipµz dI lihµdI guwT nfl lwgdI msIq keI idnF qoN cuwp sI. mOlvI rihmfn
cfcf dI ‘awlHf hU akbr’ dI bFg hnyiraF dy ploplI vDry ÉOÌ pfroN ismtdI
ismtdI guµm hAuikaF ivwc jf zuwbI sI. msIq dy roÈndfnF qy Cwq dy GurinaF
ivwc gutkdy kbUqr acfnk afeI vIrfnI qoN ÉOÌËdf hoey bnyiraF qy dubky
bYTy horUµ horUµ Jfk rhy sn. rfq dy hnyiraF ivwc dirafEN pfr vfly ksibEN
cIkF kurlfhtF dy Èor nfl ‘boly so inhfl’ qy ‘hr hr mhfdyv’ dy nfary suxn
`c afAuNdy qF lokF dy sfh sUqy jFdy. inwky inafxy mfvF dIaF ihwkF nfl
hor juV jFdy. juafn kuVIaF dy mfipaF dI jfn inklI peI sI. vyly df pl pl
AuhnF ƒ burI knsoa dy irhf sI. Auh aµdrKfqy sfmfn bµnHI jfx leI iqafr
bYTy sn. iek dUjy vwl byXkInI nfl qwkdy qy iek dUjy ƒ EprI EprI DIrj
idµdy.
iPr hyT Aupr ipµz ivwc iqµn kql hoeyy. pihlf ielmdIn htvfxIey df sI. Auh
pfroN hwtI df sOdf pwqf lY ky afieaf sI. byVIEN Auqr Auh moiZaF qy
bugcIaF cuwkI pwqxoN phy phy quiraf afAuNdf sI ik DfVvIaF dy iek toly ny
AuhdI ihwk ivwcoN nyËf lµGf mfr suwitaf qy sfmfn cuwk ky lY gey. AuhdI
imwtI ivwc ruÜI lfÈ vyKky sB dy ichiraF dIaF hvfeIaF AuWz geIaF. AuhdIaF
aµqm rsmF leI iksy muslmfn sfhs nf kIqf. bfbf jI ny Éud hornF dI mdd nfl
AuhdI dyh kbrsqfn ivwc dÌnfeI.
aglf kql bfAU lfl mlfh df hoieaf. rfq lutyiraF df iek jQf AuhdI Cµn ivwc
afieaf qy Ausy vyly Auhƒ pwqx qy jf ky byVI pfAux leI mjbUr krn lwgf.
bypCfx bµidaF dy ieEN kuvyly afAux qy zrI hoeI mlfh dI GrvflI sµqI ny
hfVy kwZy ik mfhOl mfVf hY qy Auh afpxy Grvfly ƒ ies vyly bfhr nhIN jfx
deygI. AuhnF coN iek ny iek ny mlfh dy isr ivwc bFs dI motI bwlI mfr ky
afiKaf sI, ‘lY iPr rwK lY Gry eI, pwky qOr `qy.’ sµqI dy ivrlfpF ny kµDF
vI ruaf idqIaF. iek vfr iPr ipµz qRfs qRfs kr AuiTaf.
Audx df pwqx suµnf ipaf sI. ipµz ivwc sµnftf vD igaf sI. bfbf jI Drvfs
qF bµnfHAuNdy pr bcn iblfsF ivwcoN dm tuwtx lwgf sI. zyry ivwc lµgr cwl
irhf sI. bfpU jI qy AuhnF dy sfQI zyry dy cubfry ivwc Kloqy sfrI sfrI
rfq pihrf idµdy. dUjy ipµzF QfvF qoN afey DfVvIaF dy toly AurHF prHF Klo
ky hokry mfrdy, ‘kwZo bfhr musilaF ƒ, nhIN qy sfrf ipµz PUk idaFgy.’
Èfied bfbf jI df pRBfv sI AudoN qwk iksy ny zyry vwl hwlf bolx dI juarq
nhIN sI kIqI. aÌvfhF sn ik mulk df vµz vµzfrf ho cuikaf ey qy afAuNdy
kuJ idnF qwk ieQoN dI musilm afbfdI kfÌly bx ky inklygI qy ibafs styÈn
qoN ihµdusqfn dI pulIs AuhnF ƒ afpxI dyK ryK ivwc gwzI ivwc ibTf ky
lfhOr vwl rvfnf kr deygI. DfVvIaF dy hmly hor qyË ho gey sn. AuhnF luwtx
mfrn qy Ëbr ijnfhF ivwc ieËfÌf kr idwqf sI.
Aus idn pwqx ‘qy iek byVI af ky lwgI sI. ies ivwcoN cµgy hwty kwty pµj
swq bµidaF ny zµgrF vFg bµnIHaF ds bfrF juafn kuVIaF ƒ Auqfiraf. iehnF
dy gÜI kwpVy nhIN sn qy aµgF qy ËKmF dy inÈfn sn. Auh kuVIaF Èrm nfl
dUhrIaF ho rhIaF sn pr Auh bµdy AuhnF ƒ iswiDaF qurn leI mjbUr kr rhy
sn. AuhnF bµidaF ipµz dI jUh ivwc af ky llkfry mfry, ‘ipµz dIaF muslIaF
sfzy hvfly kro, asIN ipµz ipµz iehnF df jlUs kwZ ky lfhOr ivwc hoey sfky
df bdlf lYxf. iehnF sfzIaF DIaF BYxF ƒ nµigaF kr ky jlUs kwZy. sfzI axK
ƒ vµgfiraf, asIN iksy ƒ nI Cwzxf.’ plF iCxF ivwc hI zyry ivwcoN bfpU jI
dI agvfeI ivwc hiQafrbµd dsqf iqafr ho ky vwzy phy vwl viDaf. DfVvIaF
nyËy brCy ilÈkfey. sfhmxy jf ky bfpU jI grjy, ‘Auey eyho sI gurU dI
iswiKaf? Auey pfglo ieh vI sfzIaF DIaF BYxF, Auey gAU ÊrIb nfl eyh Dwkf?
Auey Èrm kro. zuwb mro Auey vfhXfqo….’
Auh sB qoN awgy sn. lok dwsdy ny, Auh tuwt ky AuhnF DfVvIaF `qy ieµj pey
sn ik AuhnF dy pYr AuWKV gey. buÉlfht ivwc kuVIaF dy rwsy CwzidaF
DfVvIaF coN iksy df brCf bfpU jI dy iZwz ivwc Dws igaf sI. ijµny icr ƒ
dsqy dy bµdy bfpU jI dy iZwz ivwcoN brCf iKcdy DfVvI ieDr AuDr dOV gey
sn. bfpU jI ny tutdy bolIN ikhf sI, ‘mYƒ Cwzo, iehnF DIaF dI pwq Zwko
pihlF. ijµny icr ƒ ipµzoN cfdrF lIVy afAuNdy bfpU jI dI sµGxI rwq vwzy
phy nfl lwgdI zyry dI crFd ivwc jIr geI sI qy Auh aYn iswDf asmfn vwl
ibnF awK Jmwky itk itkI bµnH ky vyK rhy sn.
ieh qIjf kql sI pr lokF iesƒ Èhfdq df drjf idwqf. bfbf ibÈn dfs ny icwtI
bydfÊ loeI nfl AuhnF df srIr kwjidaF ‘gurmuK jnm svfr drgfh cwilaf’ dy
bol Aucfry sn. lokF pihlI vfr AuhnF dy nYxF `coN izwgdy hµJU vyKy. bfbf
jI dy kihx `qy bfpU jI dy lhU nfl sUhI hoeI crFd dI Esy QF AuhnF dI icKf
icxI geI. ipqf jI ny prfÜI dy buwQy ƒ lFbU lf ky lwkVF ƒ awg idKfeI.
sfrf ipµz iek vfr iPr jV ho igaf. pr byby jI bVI sfbq surq ivwc sn.
AuhnF dIaF awKF ivwc cmk sI. Auh afpxy koÜ KloqIaF ËnfnIaF ƒ kih rhy sn,
‘iehnF qF gurU goibµd isµG df hukm vjfieaf. ijhVf gurU dI khI nhIN
mµndf, Auh kfhdf iswK? mYƒ ÌÉr aY ik myrf pqI swcf iswK sI.’ awg dy bldy
BFbV ivwc bfpU jI df srIr pµj qwqF ivwc ivlIn ho igaf .
ÉUnI hnyrI vÊ ky atk geI. zyry dy pnfhgIrF ƒ hr Éqry qoN surwiKaq bfbf
jI afp puils dIaF gwzIaF ivwc bhfieaf qy iPr ibafs dy styÈn qy lfhOr jf
rhI spYÈl gwzI ivwc bhf ky afey. ipµz dy lokF dI vwzI vfhr AuhnF dy nfl
geI. AuhnF ro ro ky iek dUjy ƒ ividaf kIqf. afpxy hmsfieaF ƒ bygfny
rfhIN pf ky lok inµmoJUxy hoey ipµz prq afey sn. iPr hOÜI hOÜI ipµz
afpxy ËÉmF qoN AuWBrn lwgf. lokF kOVf Guwt aµdr lµGfieaf qy pihlF vFg
jIx dI koiÈÈ ivwc ruJ gey.
vyKIaF axvyKIaF GtnfvF dy nkÈ eyny gUVHy ny ik smyN dI gridsL dy bfvjUd
mwDm nhIN pey. mYN bcpn qoN iehnF qoN eynf vfkÌ hF ik pCfx hI nhIN kr
skdf ik ikhVy mµËr mYN vyKy ny qy ikhVy nhIN. ipqf jI ny sB kuJ ievyN
suxfieaf ik hr Gtnf bVI sjIv ho geI. awj acfnk myry qy Eprypn df aihsfs
BfrU ho igaf hY. ijvyN suÌnf vyK irhf hovF jF lµmy suÌny ipCoN jfigaf
hovF.
nonI hyTF afpxy kmry ivwc tI[vI[ vyK irhf ey. Èfied koeI gfxf cwl irhf
ey. mYƒ mwDm mwDm bol sux rhy ny. kIrqI dy GurfiVaF ivwc gIq df sµgIq
Élq mlq ho irhf hY. sqfrF sflF dy ivafhuqf jIvn ny mYƒ iehnF GurfiVaF df
afdI hoxf isKf idqf hY. nonI myrf ieklOqf puwqr hY qy hux dsHvIN jmfq
ivwc pVH irhf hY. iehƒ tI[vI[ qy iPlmF vyKx df byEVk ÈOk hY. mYƒ ies gwl
dI qswlI hY ik ieh pVHfeI ivwc PfzI nhIN. afpxy motr sfiekl qy Èihr
aµgryËI mIzIam vfly pbilk skUl jFdf hY. kIrqI kihµdI hY ik iehƒ plws tU
qoN bfad ieµglYNz Byj dyxf. Auh nonI dy cµgy BivwK bfry socdI rihµdI hY
qy mYN AuhdI hF ivwc hF imlfAuNdf rihµdf hF. ÈurU qoN hI iesdy PYsilaF ƒ
siqkfrdf afieaf hF. myry nfl iehdI pwkI zor iehdI hF ivwc hF imlfAux nfl
eI bwJI hoeI hY.
tfeIgr BONkdf BONkdf hux cuwp kr igaf ey. myry pYr cubfry dIaF pOVIaF
cVHdy mYƒ Dur AuprlI Cwq `qy lY jFdy ny. ipµz pqf nhIN suwqf ipaf ey jF
iksy sihm ivwc dm GuwtI ipaf ey. zyry dy gyt dI bwqI eyQoN vI nhIN
idsdI. bcpn qoN myrf irsLqf ies zyry dIaF kµDF kOiÜaF nfl bVf pIzf irhf
ey. bfpU jI dI Èhfdq qoN ipwCoN bfbf jI ny bVI akIdq nfl AuQy smfD dI
AusfrI krvf ky Aupr icwty sµg-mrmr dI Cwq puaf idqI sI qy iswl Aupr sfry
vikaf dI qÌsIl vI Kuxvf idqI sI. byÈk zyry dI mflkI, ies crFd df zyZ
ikwlf rkbf bfbf jI ny ipqf jI dy nF ilKvf idqf sI pr rhI ieh sFJI QF hI.
zyry dy mfl zµgr dy nfl hor lokF df gF vwCf vI eyDr crn afAuNdf sI. vwzI
byby ijµnf icr ijAUNdI rhI nym nfl hr mwisaf puµinaf smfD qy dIvf jgfAux
jFdI rhI. Auh hr sfl srfD vI krdI qy zyry dy lµgr ivwc rsd dI syvf pf ky
afAuNdI. ipqf jI df jdoN ivafh hoieaf qF ieh nym byby jI ny myrI mfqf dy
spurd kr idqf. mfqf ny ies Drm ƒ vwzI byby vFg qF BfvyN nf inBfieaf pr
iPr vI hr dIvflI dI rfq Auh smfD qy dIvf vI jgf afAuNdI qy mwQf vI tyk
afAuNdI.
jdoN bfbf ibÈn dfs jI ny coÜf Cwizaf qF AuhnF dy vwzy spuwqr jgn nfQ jI
zyry dy muKI bxy. Auh vI bVy pRbIn qy iqwKI buwDI dy mflk sn. iehnF dI
ipqf jI nfl bcpn qoN cµgI sFJ sI. ipqf jI bVI mhIn soc vfly kfrIgr
sn—rfj imsqrI qy joVI pwly dy kµm ivwc ieko ijhy inpuµn. iehnF dy kr pYr
ijµnf icr slfmq rhy Auh pUrI qndyhI nfl afpxy ihwsy afeI syvf inBfAuNdy
rhy. myrI hoÈ ivwc Auh iek idn leI vI ikDry hor kµm krn nhIN gey. zyry
dI kdy koeI srF bxdI qy ikqy nvyN drvfËy bfrIaF dI bxfeI jVfeI ho rhI
huµdI. ipqf jI isrÌ iek mwisaf dI CuwtI krdy qy mzgfrzF qoN bgYr sfiekl
qy bfT sfihb mwQf tykx qy ieÈnfn krn jFdy. bfkI idn svyr qoN Èfm qwk kµm
ivwc msrUÌ huµdy. bfbf jgn nfQ icwty mÉmlI kwpVy pihndy qy moiZaF qy
pÈmIny dI loeI leI zyry dy drimafn `c bxy ivÈfl pfrk dI sYr krdy. AuhnF
dI Ëubfn imwTI qy lihËf DImf sI. mYN skUloN af jdoN kdI zyry afAuNdf qF
AuhnF koÜ byKtky clf jFdf. BfvyN AuhnF kdI iksy ƒ roikaf nhIN sI pr ieEN
sfry AuhnF lfgy jfx df hIaf nhIN sn krdy. Auh myry isr qy hwQ Pyrdy qF
mYƒ zfZf skUn imldf. ipqf jI zyry dI iksy guwT ivwc afpxI klfkfrI idKf
rhy huµdy. lwkVI `qy kIqI nwkfÈI mUµhoN boldI qy sImµt ivwc kwZy mor
kbUqr asl df JOÜf idµdy. zyry dIaF almfrIaF `qy pey Puwl bUty mUµhoN
boldy qy afeI sµgq vyK ky bxfAux vfly kfrIgr dy hwQF ƒ slfhuµdI. bfbf jI
ipqf jI ƒ bVI iewËq nfl srdfr iJrml isaF afK ky swddy sn. AuhnF ƒ lfgy
bhf ky kfgËF qy nvIN bx rhI iemfrq dI zrfieµg bxf ky smJfAuNdy, ‘ieh
dyKo, ieDroN ieµj zftF bxngIaF, ies guµbd dI Èyp ieEN hovygI, eyDr iplrF
nfl ies izËfien ivwc vylF bxngIaF qy ÌrÈ qy ies Zµg dy lihrIey hoxgy.’
qyË buwDI vfly ipqf jI ieko vfr ivwc hI pUrI Xojnf smJ lYNdy sn. Auh siq
bcn kih ky afKdy, ‘eyvyN hI hovygf mhFpurKo.’
‘qUµ myrf inafxpuxy df afVI aYN iJrml isaF, iek qUµ eI aYN ijhVf mYƒ jgn
kih skdY. qUµ nf ikhf kr ieEN.’
‘nhIN hËUr mhfrfj, ikQy mYN ikQy qusIN. ieh quhfzf vwzfpn aY ik qusIN
mYƒ ikrqI ƒ ieEN invfjdy E.’ ipqf jI isr invf ky afKdy sn. bfbf jI gd gd
ho jFdy. bVI ÌrfÉidlI nfl modIKfny dy bUhy KulHvf ky kihµdy, ‘Gr vfsqy
jo KVnf lY jf iJrml isaF, hor vI iksy ÈY dI loV hovy qF sµÕIN nf. afpxy
puwqr ƒ pVHf ijµnf pVHdf. PIsF ikqfbF dy Krcy df nf socIN.’
‘jo bcn hËUr mhfrfj.’ ipqf jI afKdy. mYƒ pqf sI Auh myry qoN vwzIaF dohF
BYxF dy kfj rcfAux leI iPkrmµd sn. Auh bfbf jI ƒ afpxI ies smwisaf bfry
dwsxf cfhuµdy sn pr suuBfa kfrn cuwp sn. rfq mfqf jI qy ipqf jI afpxI
kbIldfrI df lyKf joKf krdy qy iPkrF ivwc iGrdy. mfqf kihµdI, ‘jdoN smfD
vflf Kwqf vwzy bfbf jI ny sfzy nfEN kIqf hoieaf qF ikAuN nhIN AuhdI
ibjfeI asIN afp krdy jF Gwto Gwt awD hI mµgdy.’ ipqf jI dI Ëubfn nhIN sI
KuwlHdI, Auh Jwkdy sn. pr jfxI jfx bfbf jI ny iek idn Éud hI kih idqf
sI, ‘srdfr iJrml isaF, vwzy mhfrfj jI ny ikhf sI ik smfD vfly zyZ ikwly
dI iek kOzI vI koÜ nI rwKxI. myrf iÉafl aY, ieho vyÜf ey. qUµ DIaF dy
irÈqy lwB mn mrËI dy qy ivafhF df Ércf qyrf jmHF ey zyry koÜ.’ Gr af ky
ipqf jI ny dwisaf qF iek vfr mfqf jI ny vI mihsUs kIqf ik Auh ÉfhmÉfh
kfhÜy pY rhy sn jd ik bfbf jI Auhnf dI muÈkl bfry BlI BFq jfxU sn. AuhnF
vyly isr bFh vI PVI. dohF BYxF dy cµgy GrIN irÈqy lwB gey qy bVI sucwjqf
nfl dohF df ieko vyÜy sFJf sfrQ Bugq igaf. ivafhF dy kµm inptf jdoN ipqf
jI zyry kµm leI gey qF bfbf jI ny smfD vflI zyZ pYÜI dy kfÊË idµidaF
AuhnF ƒ ikhf sI, ‘lY iJrml isaF, iehnF ƒ sFB. mYN hËUr dy PYsly df pflx
kr irhF afpxy jINdy jIa. bfad df pqf nhIN.’
mYN vyiKaf sI, ipqf jI dIaF awKF nm sn. AuhnF bfbf jI dy crn Cohx dI
koiÈÈ kIqI sI pr AuhnF dy bol sn, ‘qUµ myrf afVI aYN bcpn df srdfr iJrml
isaF, qYƒ nI ÈoBdf ieh. jfh Gr jfh.’
nvIN srF dI qIjI mµËl bx rhI sI jdoN ipqf jI df pYr go qoN iqlikaf qy
Auh ipwT prny BuµÖNy af izwgy sn. AuhnF dy cUÜy dI hwzI ivwc qRyV pY geI
sI. Auh iqµn mhIny isvl hspqfl dfKl rhy. dovyN BYxF afpxIaF kbIldfrIaF
coN inkl hÌqf hÌqf Gr ƒ sFBdIaF rhIaF. ipwCoN CIinaF vflI mfsI dI kuVI
mIqF Gr df kµm Dµdf sµBflx leI mhIny Br leI sfzy rhI sI. mYN sfiekl qy
kdI Gr afAuNdf kdI hspqfl jFdf. grmIaF dy idnF ivwc mIqF cONky lfgy KVI
mµjI dI CF Qwly sbËI irµndI rotI pkfAuNdI. Auhdf rµg sFvlf pr nkÈ iqwKy
sn. AuhdIaF awKF c gihrfeI sI qy afvfË koiel vrgI sI. mYN Auhdy lfgy bih
ky rotI KFdf iksy ajIb ijhy hulfs ivwc iGr jFdf sF. Auh myry nfloN do
vrHy vwzI sI qy mYN Auhƒ BYx kihky bulfAuNdf sF. Auh mYƒ nF lY ky swdx
leI kihµdI. myry mUµh Auhdf nF nhIN sI cVHdf pr ipwCoN CyqI hI Auhƒ mIqF
kihx lwgf sF. Auh ipqf jI qy mfqf leI rotI vflf zwbf Joly ivwc pf mYƒ
idµidaF qy qoridaF afKdI, ‘CyqI afvIN, mYƒ kwlI ƒ zr lwgdf.’ Auh mYƒ
qfVdI vI, ‘aYvyN nf muµizaF ivwc bYTf rvHIN, nwk dI syDy Gr afeIN, Ptf
Pt.’ Auh ijs moh iBwjI nËry mYƒ qwkdI AusqoN mYN iksy ivsmfd ivwc iBwj
jFdf qy dbf db pYzl mfrdf qyrF iklomItr pYNzf qih kr hspqfl phuµcdf qy
rotI dy ky vfps Esy iqwKI cfly Gr awpVdf. mIqF isroN dupwtf lfh kdI
ivhVy ivwc gohf-imwtI Pyr rhI huµdI, kdI BFzy sfÌ kr rhI huµdI qy kdI
QfpI PV ky kwpiVaF duafly hoeI huµdI. nf cfhuµidaF vI pqly mlml dy kuVqy
ivwcoN Auhdy gory ipµzy nfl myrI nËr Kih jFdI qy mYN Èrm nfl iDafn prqf
lYNdf. myrf idl Ëor Ëor dI DVkx lwgdf qy mYN ieDr AuDr iKskx dI krdf.
Auh byiDafny afvfË idµdI, ‘vy inµdr, afeIN Ërf, iek bfltI PVfeIN pfxI
dI, afh do kwpVy suwtIN rwsI qy, afh BFzy rwKI pVCwqI qy.’ mYN cfbI
idwqy iKzfAuxy vFg Auhdf hukm vjfAuNdf Bwjf iPrdf. Auh inwkI inwkI gwl
qy iKViKVf ky hwsdI qF Auhdy icwty dµdF dI kqfr vyK myrI surq guµm ho
jFdI. Auh mYƒ AuKiVaf vyK iek DwPf myry ipµzy qy jVdI qy mYN sIa sIa
krdf kwcI ijhI hfsI hwsdf. Aus idn rsoeI `c Auhdy sfhmxy KloiqaF mYN
Auhdy Grkdy sfhF dI afvfË suxI sI. AuhdIaF awKF ivwc ijvyN koeI hnyrI
Juwl rhI sI. Auhny myrf hwQ PV afpxI ihwk qy rwK ikhf sI, ‘eyQy pIV ho
rhI af inµdrf, Ërf Guwt….’ myrf sfrf ijsm muVko muVkI ho igaf sI. Ëbfn
qflUey nfl jf lwgI sI. ikµnf icr kuJ bol hI nhIN sI hoieaf. mIqF myry
hwQF ivwc izgUµ izgUµ krdI Zih hI peI sI. Auhƒ Cwz mYN vfhodfhI bfhr
nwisaf qy guaFZoN qfrI cfcI ƒ bulf ilafieaf. AudoN ƒ mIqF cµgI BlI bYTI
sI. cfcI puwiCaf qF bolI, ‘aYvyN grmI nfl nyrHnI jHI af gI sI.’ Aus rfq
jdoN mfqf afeI qF cfcI ny Auhƒ kuJ smJfieaf qy agly idn svyry sfJry mYƒ
mfqf ny afiKaf, ‘jfh BYx ƒ CIny Cwz af. qyry ipqf jI vwl ny hux. CYq
kwlH prsoN Gr af eI jfx.’ pqf nhIN ikAuN mYN cfihaf ik mIqF hfly nf
jfvy. mYN rsoeI vflI Gtnf df bfr bfr qswvr krdf. koeI Cwl myry vjUd ƒ
roVH ky lY jFdI. koeI byvwsI myrI soc ƒ Gyr lYNdI. aglI svry mYN mIqF ƒ
sfiekl dy kYrIar qy bhf CIny mfsI kol Cwzx jf irhf sF. Auh rsqy ivwc keI
gwlF krdI geI. keI cµgIaF keI AUt ptFg, pr AuhdIaF sfrIaF gwlF coN mYƒ
iBµnI iBµnI ÉuÈbo af rhI sI. aijhI ÉuÈbo mYN pihlF kdy mihsUs nhIN sI
kIqI. Gr awpVy qF mYN muVnf cfihaf pr mfsI nfloN vwD mIqF ny iËd kIqI ik
mYN rfq rih ky agly idn jfvF. mYN mIqF df ikhf tfl hI nf sikaf. mfqf dI
qfkId ik vyly isr muV afvF, ibµd Jwt `c ivsr geI. Aus Èfm qy iPr rfq mYN
mOkf Bfldf irhf ik mIqF dy lfgy Klo ky gwlF krF pr ieµj ho hI nf sikaf.
ipqf jI Gr af gey. byÈk zyry ny Gr df qy hspqfl df sfrf Ércf cuwikaf sI
iPr vI ies Gtnf nfl Gr dI sfvIN pwDrI cl rhI gwzI lIhoN lwQ geI. bfrHvIN
dI pVHfeI ivwcy Cwz ky mYƒ kµm `qy pYxf pY igaf. ipqf jI sotf PV ky hOlI
hOlI qurdy zyry phuµcdy qy mYƒ kµm smJfAuNdy. iqwKV dupihry mYN hfloN
byhfl ho jFdf. ipµzy dI ipwq sUeIaF vFÕUµ cuBdI qy myrf dm Gutx lwgdf.
hwQ PVI qysI kFzI ruk jFdI. aijhy vyly mYN mIqF bfry socdf qF ijvyN Tµzy
pfxI dy iCwty myrIaF awKF qy pYNdy. ivwc kosy kosy awQrU vI af rÜdy.
dupihry zyry dy lµgroN prÈfdf CkidaF, kVy vfly iglfs ivwc lwsI qy ipwql
dI bftI ivwc cfh pINidaF mYN mIqF dI soc ƒ afpxy nfloN judf nf kr
pfAuNdf. jIa krdf CuwtI krF qy AuWz ky CIny phuµc jfvF.
iek idn myrI buÉlfeI hflq qy bfbf jI ƒ zfZf qrs afieaf sI. AuhnF mµjy qy
bYTy ipqf jI ƒ ikhf sI, ‘srdfr iJrml isaF, mYƒ lwgdf, puwqr koloN ieh
kiTn jog Dfrn nhIN kr hoxf. qUµ iehƒ pVHn ilKx idµdf. iksy klm GsfeI dy
kµm qy jf lwgdf. nhIN qy iehƒ koeI hor eI kµm nf KolH deIeyy?’
‘qusIN hI dwso hËUr mhfrfj, quhfzf hukm isr mwQy.’ ipqf jI ny afËËI nfl
hwQ joV ky AuTx dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘qYƒ pqY, sfƒ eyQy zyry dI lwkV icrfeI dI idwkq afAuNdI aY. ÈihroN mfl
icrfeIdf. ikAuN nf iehƒ quhfzy vfly QF qy afrf lf deIey?’
ikQoN Purnf Puiraf sI bfbf jI ƒ? mYN mn hI mn KuÈ hoieaf. Gwto Gwt ies
Duwp CF dy Jµjt qoN qF bcFgf hI.
bfbf jI ny ipwCy vfhy hoey cmkdfr ryÈmI vflF qy hwQ PyridaF ikhf, ‘myrI
jfcy eyhI TIk rhygf, ikAuN?’
‘hËUr, eyny aihsfnF dy nfl iek ieh vI shI.’ ipqf jI dIaF awKF Clk peIaF.
‘nhIN iJrml isaF, qUµ myrf pihlI Aumr df Xfr aYN qy ieEN inµdr myrf vI
bwcf aY, myrf vI koeI ÌrË af, ik nhIN?’
‘mYN kI afKF hËUr? qusIN jo kihµdy E, Auh rwb dI afvfË af.’ ipqf jI df
qF isr hI inEN igaf.
AuhI afKrI iewt lfeI ijhVI lf ky go qoN Qwly Auqiraf sF. smfD vfly Kwqy
dI zrfieµg bfbf jI ny afp bxfeI. cfÜI bfeI nwby dy ÈYWz ƒ izËfien kIqf
qy zyry dy Pon qoN afp iewtF, gfrzrF qy bfilaF dy afrzr kIqy. sImµt,
ryqf, bjrI vfilaF ƒ ikhf. afrf mÈIn vfly qy ibjlI mihkmy vfilaF ƒ
swidaf. hr kµm ivwc afp idlcspI leI qy mhInf muwkx qoN pihlF mhUrq krvf
idqf. mYƒ koÜ ibTf ky kµm dIaF rmËF dwsIaF. imsqrI Bjn ishuµ df qjrbf
myry leI ies gwloN lfhyvµd hoieaf ik mYN kuJ hI idnF ivwc aYn iswDy cIr
pfAux lwg ipaf. CfqI qy cmVy df aYprn pf CqIrI ƒ hµZy hoey imsqrI vFg
Dwkx lwgf. mYƒ kµm ivwc idlcspI jfg peI. lwkV dIaF gylIaF qy ÈqIrIaF dy
trwk pTfnkotoN afAuNdy. afry qy gihmf gihm rihµdI. imltrI vwloN bxfey
byVIaF dy puÜ rfhIN afeI sµgq afry dy agfVIEN lµGdI qy koeI icrfeI
bxvfeI df Bfa puwCx ruk jFdf. ies rOxk ƒ vyK ky nwQy hlvfeI ny afpxy
muµzy pRIqy ƒ sfhmxy cfh df KoKf pf idwqf qy iCwbU mihry ny sfieklF ƒ
pYNcr lfAux df sfmfn ilaf rwiKaf. iek do hor dukfnF KuwlH geIaF qy vfhvf
rOxk bwJ geI. zyry qy lokF dI afvfjfeI vD geI. ipqf jI kursI zfh ky bYTy
kµm dI ingrfnI krdy jF QoVHf eyDr EDr qur iPr afAuNdy. myrI nws Bj vD
geI. kdI Pursq ivwc bYTf huµdf qF mIqF df cyqf afAuNdf qF imwTf ijhf
aihsfs jfgdf. idl locdf Auh myry nyVy afvy qy asIN keI gwlF krIey. iek
idn zyry dy skUtr qy Èihr kµm igaf mYN vfpsI qy aYvyN CIny mfsI ƒ imlx
jf inkilaf sF. mIqF Dryk dI CfvyN bYTI afpxy dfj dI cfdr ‘qy Puwl kwZ
rhI sI. mYƒ Auh cuwp qy Audfs ijhI lwgI. mfsI ny dwisaf ik iehdy irÈqy
dI gwl cwldI peI aY qy mYN jf ky afpxI mfqf ƒ iksy idn ByjF ik Auh jf ky
muµzf vyK afvy. muµzf ÌOjI sI qy AunHI idnIN CuwtI afieaf hoieaf sI. mYN
mihsUs kIqf mIqF KuÈ nhIN sI. mYƒ vI qF bhuqf cµgf nhIN sI lwgf pr
isafixaF dI gwl ivwc dÉl dyxf vI mYƒ nf ÈoiBaf. mfsI rqf aµdr bfhr geI
qF mYN mIqF ƒ puwiCaf ik Auh Audfs ikAuN hY qF Auh Auqr ivwc cuµnI dI
kµnI icwQdI myry lfgoN clI geI. myrf vI gwc Br afieaf. mYƒ lwgf sfzy
drimafn ikDry mUk ijhI muhwbq pÜ rhI sI. mYN AuhdI jFdI dI ipwT qwkdf
roxhfkf ho igaf. mfsI dy afAux qoN pihlF mYN cuwpcfp AuQoN qur afieaf.
keI idn myrf mn msqk boJl hoieaf irhf.
iek idn bfbf jI df bulfvf afieaf qF mYN ipqf jI ƒ lY ky zyry igaf. bfbf
jI qÉqpoÈ qy afsx lfeI bYTy sn qy hyTF iek cµgy bxdy Pwbdy srdfr jI
afpxy pirvfr smyq bYTy sn. bfbf jI ny sfƒ ibTf ky gwl CohI, ‘ieh pnysr
sfihb ny iJrml isµG jI, eyDr ienHF dI Drm pqnI qy ieh bIbI iehnF dI DI
af.’ iPr Auh Aus srdfr jI ƒ muKfqb hoey, ‘eyh af kfkf, vyK ky afpxI
qswlI kr lE.’
srdfr jI ny isr invf ky ikhf, ‘sB kuJ prvfn aY hËUr mhfrfj.’
mYN AUNDI pfeI bYTI kuVI ƒ iek iCx leI vyiKaf. bfbf jI boly, ‘pnysr
sfihb luiDafxy dy cµgy kfrobfrI swjx ny. bIbI iehnF dI kwlI kfrI DI af.
ieh mddgfr qy vDIaf iensfn ny. mYƒ lwgf hY ik ies bwcI qy afpxy inµdr dy
sµjog ÈuB hoxgy.’
‘jI hËUr mhfrfj.’ ipqf jI qF ijvyN Dµn Dµn ho gey sn. AuhnF dI soc DrqI
qoN Aupr AuT ky aµbrF ƒ Cohx lwgI sI. bfbf jI ny afpxy lfgy pey lwzUaF
dy zwby ivwcoN pRÈfd dy ky mUµh imwTf krfieaf qy sfzy irÈqy qy afpxI
mohr lf idqI. mhIny ipwCoN myrf qy kIrqI df bVIaF sfdf rsmF nfl afnµd
kfrj ho igaf. mYN kIrqI ƒ pf ky ÉuÈ sF. mfqf dI awzI Boieµ qy nhIN sI
lwgdI. AuhdI afmd nfl Gr mihk igaf. nvyN ivafhuqf jIvn dy cfa ivwc mYƒ
hor sB kuJ ivsr igaf. ipqf jI soty qoN bÊYr cwlx lwgy. mF cfeIN cfeIN Gr
ƒ suµbrdI svfrdI. idn cµgy guËrn lwgy. kIrqI ƒ afs qy vyK mfqf Auhƒ kµm
ƒ hwQ nf lfAux idµdI. pnysr sfihb qy bIbI jI afAuNdy qy vµn suvµny kwpVy
cIËF dy jFdy. AunHF dy ivhfr ivwc ikqy boa mËfË nf huµdI. Auh sfzy Gr
dIaF sfdIaF kursIaF qy bih jFdy qy cONky lfgy bih ky sfd murfdI rotI Kf
lYNdy. mfqf jI AunHF dy Aucy pwDr qy isafxI soc Auqy rÈk krdy. Auh huwb
ky guaFZxF ƒ afpxy sfkF dy vwzypn qy sfdf qbIaq bfry dwsdy.
nonI dy jxypy qy kIrqI luiDafxy, afpxy pyky geI sI. AudoN hI hVHF ny
ipµz ivwc BfrI qbfhI mcfeI sI. diraf acfnk ijvyN afPr hI igaf sI qy dUr
mIlF qwk pfxI hI pfxI sI. puÜ dIaF byVIaF KOry ikDr vih geIaF sn. lokF
dy Gr Zih gey qy pÈU zµgr ruVH gey sn. PslF df nF inÈfn nf irhf. zyrf
rqf AuWcI QF sI qF vI ivhVy ivwc iqµn iqµn Puwt pfxI sI. keI idn lokF
zyry dIaF srfvF ivwc pnfh lY CwzI. bIbIaF lµgr pkfAuNdIaF qy bµdy ipµz
dy izwgdy GrF ƒ TuµmHxyN idµdy gfry icwkV ivwc Cwp Cwp krdy qury iPrdy.
sfzy afry ivwc lwgIaF zyry dIaF gylIaF bwlIaF pfxI dy vhfa ivwc vih
geIaF. aOËfr Kurd burd ho gey. mYN do rfqF bcdy sfmfn ƒ sFBx leI jUJdf
irhf. keI idnF ipwCoN diraf qy ËmIn awz awz hoey. bfpU jI dI smfD df iek
pfsf Zih ky ruVH igaf sI. ipµz dI awDI vsoN bicaf Kuicaf sFB ky ihjrq kr
geI. bfkI Zhy aflHxy QF isr krn leI qIlf qIlf joVn dy afhr ivwc jut gey.
nonI ƒ lY ky afeI kIrqI df Gr dI hflq vyK ijvyN hAukf eI inkl igaf. Aus
pYNdI swty rt lf idwqI ik asIN eyQy hux nhIN rihxf qy luiDafxy cly jfxf
hY. Auh nµnHy bwcy ƒ aijhy mfhOl qoN dUr rwKxf cfhuµdI sI. Auh ÈurU qoN
hI bwcy dy BivwK bfry icµqq ho geI sI. mYN ipqf jI qy mfqf ƒ ieµj Cwzky
jfx bfry soc vI nhIN sF skdf. AunHIN idnIN AuNj vI ipqf jI dI ipwT vDyry
drd krn lwgI sI. aYks-ry qy hor tYstF ipwCoN zfktr ny drd df kfrn rIVH
dI hwzI ivwc pws pY jfxf dwisaf sI ijsdf ielfj lgfqfr dvfeI qy inrµqr
afrfm hI sI. kµm dI mwTI cfl qy nvyN KricaF dI afmd kfrn myry leI
aOiKafeI ho rhI sI. kIrqI afpxy mfipaF dI mdd lY ky kµm sfr rhI sI. ieEN
krnf mYƒ cµgf nhIN sI lwgdf pr mYN vI mjbUr sF.
ipqf jI dI lgfqfr qy mihµgI dvfeI Gr ivwc iKJ df mfhOl pYdf krn lwgI sI.
Auh lfcfr qy duiKafrI avsQf ivwc ivhVy dI iek guwTy pey rihµdy. kIrqI dy
suBfa ivwc vI pihlF vflI sihjqf nhIN sI. Auh gwl gwl qy iKJ jFdI qy
‘musIbq myry Bf dI, myry gÜ pey isafpy, vfDU dy jµjfl’ ijhy jumly vrqxo
ÊuryË nf krdI. mfqf nfl Auhdf klfm nf mfqr sI. Auh nonI ƒ mfqf qoN dUr
rwKdI qy iÈkfieq krdI ik AuhnF dy hwQF ivwc kfky dI ishq ivgV jfeygI.
mYN keI vfr zfZI musIbq ivwc iGr jFdf. mYN ipqf jI dI syvf krn df mnoN
ieCuwk sF pr bdly hflfq myry hwQ rok idµdy. mYƒ Auh idn vI Xfd sn jdoN
hfeI skUly pVHidaF mYN qpidk vrgI nfmrfd qy jfnlyvf bImfrI df iÈkfr
hoieaf sF qy ikvyN ipqf jI mYƒ sfiekl qy bhf kihr dIaF TµZF ivwc Kys df
Juµglmftf mfr keI mIl dUr zfktr kol iljFdy huµdy sn. AuhnF keI rfqF
jfgidaF qy myrI tihl ivwc guËfrIaF qF jf ky iCaF mhIinaF ipwCoN mYN qurn
iPrn jogf hoieaf sF. mfqf afiKaf, ‘puwq, qUµ afpxy ipE df dyxf nI dy
skdf, qyrf qF jfx nvF jnm hoieaf.’ socidaF myry isr ƒ pIV hox lwgdI.
idmfg dIaF kwsIaF nfVF ƒ iZwilaF krn leI golIaF Kf ky sONdf. ies boJl
avsQf coN inklx leI hmyÈf myry leI suKd aihsfs dyx vflf mIqF df cyqf vI
koeI asr nf ivKfAuNdf. ipqf jI rt lfAuNdyy ik myrI dvfeI bµd kr dy qy
mYƒ mr jfx dy. iesy dOrfn do hÌiqaF leI mYN vI Èihr nf jf sikaf qy ipqf
jI dI dvfeI dy keI nfgy pY gey. mYN vI socdf, hux bQyrf ho igaf. rwb ƒ
cfhIdf ik Auh ipqf jI ƒ prdf dy dey qy sfƒ vwsx dey. pqf nhIN ieh myrI
idl dI afvfË sI jF ipqf jI dI vDI bImfrI df kfrn ik iek svyr Auh afpxy
ibsqry ivwcoN jfgy eI nf. AuhnF df srIr ÈFq ipaf sI. Gr ivwc sB ny
cuwpcfp AuhnF dy jfx ƒ jiraf. mfqf ny awKF ivwc hµJU Br ky AuhnF ƒ
qoiraf. dsvyN idn Bog ipwCoN BYxF qy hor irÈqydfrF ƒ qor ky asIN ijvyN
suK df sfh ilaf. ipqf jI myrI ismrqI ivwc iek Xfd bx ky rih gey.
smyN ny bfbf jgn nfQ jI df jlO vI kuJ mwDm pf idqf. aÌvfh sI ik bfbf jI
dy puwqr dIpk dIaF gqIivDIaF AuhnF dI soc muqfibk nhIN sn cl rhIaF. Auh
zyry dI eyDr AuDr idqI ËmIn vI vfps lYx dy hwk ivwc sI qy iehdy leI ijQy
srkfry drbfry quiraf iPrdf sI qy bdnfm bµidaF nfl gµZ qruwp vI krdf ipaf
sI. Auh sfrI jfiedfd vyc vwt ky ipµz dI qµg i˵dgI ivwcoN inkl iksy cµgy
Èihr vwzf kfrobfr lfAux dy hwk ivwc vI sI. lok dwsdy Auh bfbf jI nfl
vyÜy kuvyly bol kubol boldf sI qy AuhnF dy lwK-luwt qy BoÜy suBfa dI
nukqfcInI vI krdf sI. Auh AuhnF dI hyTI vI krdf sI. bfbf jI zfZI ihrfsI
avsQf ivwc sn. sµgq df afAuxf vI Gwt sI qy aYqvfrF ƒ lwgx vfly pRvcnF
ivwc vI AuqÈfh nhIN sI.
ijs rfq golIaF dI vfCV nfl bfbf jgn nfQ jI df kql iksy axpCfqy toly ny
kIqf Aus idn df qF ijvyN bfkI bcdy ipµz df vI lwk tuwt igaf sI. puils
dIaF kfrvfeIaF, post mfrtm qy sLkfr qwk sµGxI cuwp vrqI rhI sI. iksy kol
kihx bolx leI kuJ vI nhIN sI. sqfrHvIN qy AuhnF dI aµqm ikiraf hoeI qF
pRbµDkF i˵myvfrI dI pwg dIpk isr rwK Auhƒ zyry df aglf jfnÈIn Qfipaf.
lok jfxdy sn ik Auhdy ivwc vwzy bfibaF ijhf kuJ vI nhIN sI. Auh kfhÜf qy
ruwKf sI. lokF nfl hmdrdI ipafr nfl pyÈ nhIN sI afAuNdf. hr iek ƒ Èwk dI
nËry ivhµdf sI. zyry dy pwky syvfdfrF ivwcoN kuJ ikr gey qy kuJ bYTy
rhy. purfxy pwky ÈrDflU afAuNdy rhy. mwisaf sµgrFd kuJ lok iekwTy ho
jFdy.
vwzy hËUr mhfrfj qoN ibnF ieh zyrf ikµnf Audfs hY, iesdf aµdfËf mYN hI
lf skdf hF ikAuNik iesdf iek lµmf ieiqhfs myry sfhmixEN guËiraf hY. chuµ
ikwilaF ivwc iesdI ivÈfl cfr dIvfrI df koeI ihwsf myrI nËry nhIN pY
irhf. mYN awKF sukyV ky vyKx dI koiÈÈ krdf hF. rfq df gUVHf hnyrf qy
afsy pfsy Ausr rhIaF iemfrqF afVy af rhIaF ny. diraf dy pfxI ƒ cwt ky af
rhI hvf kfrn myry dµd iPr vwjx lwgy ny qy mYN hwQ kwCF ivwc dy ky inwG
iekwTf krn df Xqn krdf hF.
bfAulI inrµjn dfs Auqy iek vfr iPr hulfrf afieaf jdoN diraf Aupr puÜ ƒ
mnËUrI imlI. afry df ruikaf kµm kuJ iriVHaf. iek vfr iPr bµd pey KoKy
dukfnF qy bµidaF dI afmd vDI. XU[pI[ ibhfr dy mjdUr isrF qy pIÜy top
pfeI ieDr AuDr BOx lwgy. pVHy ilKy ap-tU-zyt ieµjnIar ingrfnI krdy. ryqy
srIey sImµt dy ZyrF dy Zyr afAuNdy qy mÈInF GoÜ GoÜ ky ipwlrF ivwc
sutdIaF jFdIaF. idn rfq kµm cldf qy rOxk bxI rihµdI. knsoa sI ik eyQoN
cfr sVkF df hfeIvy bxygf qy iswDf rfjDfnI nfl juV jfeygf. ies ielfky dI
imwtI rfqo rfq sonf ho jfeygI. bfAulI inrµjn dfs nF dy aigafq ijhy ipµz
dI QF cµzIgVH vrgf Èihr Ausr jfeygf. afsy pfsy lihrfAuNdIaF ÌslF df
Éfqmf ho jfAU qy dUr qwk ÌYly ivÈfl jµgl byly muwk jfxgy. pwqx qy tUirst
spft bxfieaf jfeygf ijQy dyÈ ivdyÈ qoN sYlfnI afieaf krngy. srkfr kroVF
dy Pµz jutf rhI sI. pRfeIvyt kµpnIaF eyQy aflIÈfn hotl bxfAuxgIaF ijQy
dysF pRdysF qoN afeIaF lyzI vytrF gfhkF ƒ Èrfb qy Èbfb vrqfieaf krngIaF.
ieQy cµgy moty pYsy vfly srmfeydfr imwlF lgfAuxgy qy lokF ƒ ruËgfr vI
dyxgy. ies cuµJ crcf ivwc sfrf ielfkf Èfml sI qy Auh BFq suBFq dIaF
ikafsrfeIaF lfAuNdy afAux vfly vyly dI AuzIk krdy.
dIpk mhfrfj jI vI AuqÈfh ivwc sn. Auh zyry dy qIh eykV vfly nfKF amrUdF
dy rkby dI klonI kwtx dy afhr ivwc sn. AuhnF idwlI vwloN mfhrF ƒ swd ky
klonI df nkÈf bxvf ky srkfr koloN mnËUrI lY leI sI. suxn ivwc afieaf ik
Auh zyry ƒ vI nvIN idwK dyx bfry soc rhy sn qy prcfr dy nvyN Zµg qrIikaF
bfry vI ivwcfr kr rhy sn. AuhnF df iKafl sI ik purfxy grIb gurby lµgr
Kfxy ÈrDflUaF dI QF nvyN lokF nfl rfbqf vDfieaf jfey qy nfl joiVaf jfey.
crFd vflf zyZ ikwlf puÜ qoN Auqrn vfly hfeIvya dy moV ƒ sfhmxf ho igaf
sI. myry afry dy ÈYWz dI kImq vI keI guxF vD geI sI. dIpk mhfrfj Kud iek
kihµdy khfAuNdy iblzr ƒ lY ky myry kol afey sn, Aus rkby ƒ vfps lYx ijQy
bfpU jI dI smfD sI qy myrf afrf, iksy vI kImq `qy, bYg ivwc notF dIaF
QwbIaF leI. AuhnF pYsy myry awgy ieEN suwty ik myrI akl hI bEN ho geI.
mYN ikhf, ‘dIpk mhfrfj, quhfƒ qF pqf eI aY, Auh bfpU jI dI Xfd nfl juVI
QF aY. vwzy hËUr mhfrfj ny Éud qfmIr krfeI sI. AunHF dI Èhfdq, Xfdgfr
vflI QF ikvyN vycI jf skdI aY?’
dIpk mhfrfj mYƒ AuTf ky iek pfsy lY gey qy bVy qyh nfl smJfAux lwgy,
‘Auh quhfzy pirvfr dI eI nhIN sfry ipµz dI sFJI QF aY, vwzy hËUr mhfrfj
ny pqf nI ikvyN quhfzy nF cVHf idqI?’ iPr AuhnF dI afvfË ivwc ros qy iKJ
sI, ‘pqf nhIN iks iksm df aihmkpuxf sI ieh vwzy mhfrfj jI df.’ iPr AuhnF
smJOqI dyx dy lihËy nfl ikhf, ‘KYr, Aus gwl vwl afpF kfhƒ jfxf? auh qF
jo hoxf sI ho igaf. qUµ ies Bfvkqf df iKafl Cwz, pYisaF dI gwl kr. myry
nfl afeI sfmI qkVI aY. qUµ Ëubfn KolH qy gwl mukf.’
‘mYƒ iek do cfr idnF dI mohlq idE dIpk mhfrfj. mYN Gr slfh mÈvrf kr
lvF.’ mYN ijvyN cfry pfisEN iGr igaf sF qy juafb vjoN lÌË muk gey sn.
‘koeI nI. iek do dI QF iqµn cfr lY lf. slfh mÈvry ivwc kI hrj aY.’
asIN iPr vfps kursIaF qy af bYTy. AuhnF bYg dI iËp KolH ky notF dIaF
dwQIaF kwZIaF qy myrI ipwT Qpkf ky ikhf, ‘qUµ ieh kuJ pYsy rwK, muµzy ƒ
kfr Èfr kZf ky dyh, iehƒ bdl purfxy Gr ƒ, aYvyN lwkVF cIrI jfnF aYny
sflF qoN, bdl afpxI i˵dgI df qOr qrIkf.’
qurn lwigaF Auhny nonI ƒ puwiCaf, ‘ikhVI klfs c pVHdYN puwqr?’
‘aµkl dsvIN c.’
‘puwqr! hËUr mhfrfj ny, aµkl nhIN.’ mYN nonI ƒ smJfieaf.
‘ieh nvIN pIVHI aY inµdr isaF, isafxI aY, smJdfr aY.’ iPr nonI ƒ kihx
lwgy, ‘pfpf ƒ kih Ërf huiÈafr hox, stYNzrz myntyn krn. qUµ vI vDIaf jIn
ÈIn pfieaf kr. kfr dI isÌfrÈ mYN kr idqI af. aYÈ lY puwqr.’
nonI dy ichry qy ajIb inÉfr af igaf.
iPr Auh mfqf jI ƒ imilaf, ‘byby jI TIk E nf? lkÈmI Gr af rhI aY, iehƒ
smJfE srdfr nirµdr isµG ƒ, Cwzy purfxIaF gwlF qy agFh qury.’
‘hwCf hËUr mhfrfj, quhfzf eI aY sB kuJ. jo krnY qusIN hI krnf.’
kIrqI dIaF awKF ivwc supinaF ny Jurmt pfieaf hoieaf sI. dIpk horF dI qyË
qrfr nËr iesdI toh lY rhI sI. AuhnF supinaF ƒ Kyzx idqf qy hwQ ihlf ky
vDx Puwlx dI asIs dy ky afpxy sfQI nfl kfr ivwc bih ky cly gey.
do idn Gr ivwc bihs mubfhsf cldf irhf. myry aµdr iek hI gwl GuµmdI, bfpU
jI dI afqmf kI khU? AuhnF dI smfD, byÈk vDIaf hflq ivwc nhIN sI, pr QF
qF kfiem sI. soicaf ik smfD vflf ds ku mrly QF rwK ky bfkI afry smyq QF
Cwz idµdy aF. mfqf vI ievyN sihmq sI. kIrqI ivwc ivwcfly sI pr nonI dµd
krIc irhf sI, ‘kI zYzI qusIN anpVHF vflIaF gwlF krdy E, kI ipaf hY ies
gwl ivwc, afcfr pfvFgy bfpU jI dI smfD df? kI krFgy Auhdf?
‘Auh sfzI pCfx hY puwqr, sfzI jVH, sfzf ipCokV. ieEN nf kih. pYsf sB kuJ
nI huµdf. hor vI bVf kuJ huµdf ijhVf ËrUrI huµdf i˵dgI leI.’
‘bfhr inklo hux ies coN.’ kIrqI bolI, ‘mYN qF kihµnI aF ies ipµz coN vI
inklo. bfpU jI dI qsvIr lwgI hY kmry ivwc, Auh qF asIN roË sfÌ kr nhIN
skdy, iPr smfD ƒ sFBx dI kfhdI iËd?’
nonI kihx lwgf, ‘pfpf qusIN aµkl, myrf mqlb, hËUr mhfrfj nfl afZf qF lf
nhIN skdy, iPr AuhnF dy PYsly ƒ tfl skdy E?’
‘hux qF Auh Zyr lf rhy ny pYisaF df. jy AueIN lY jfx qF Pyr?’ kIrqI
bolI.
mfqf jI cuwp sn, nf eyDr nf EDr.
qIjy idn dIpk mhfrfj Esy iblzr nfl myry Gr bYTy sn. kIrqI dI bxfeI cfh
dy Guwt BridaF gwlF kridaF dIpk horF ny ibafny df cYWk myry boJy ivwc
quµinaf qy iekrfrnfmy qy myry dsqÉq lY kfr ivwc rvfnf ho gey. awDy Gµty
dy vkÌy mgroN bulzoËr ny myry afry dy ÈYWz smyq bfpU jI dI smfD ƒ ËmIn
dy brfbr kr idqf.
kbfVIey gfrzr, afrf mÈIn, aOËfr, sfbq iewtF qy hor ink suk trflI ivwc
suwt cldy bxy. ieµjInIar pihlF hI bxfey nkÈy KolH ky bih gey qy nvIN
AusfrI dIaF hdfieqF dyx lwgy. myrI ihµmq hI nf peI AuDr gyVf vI mfr skF.
cubfry dI Cwq qy Kloqf mYN pwCm idÈf vwl iKskdIaF iKqIaF ƒ vyK irhf hF.
srd sIq hvf myry juwsy ƒ cIrdI jf rhI hY pr knptIaF coN syk inkl irhf
ey. srGI df qfrf hfly nhIN ciVHaf. tfeIgr hux cuwp hY, Èfied sON igaf jF
Qwk igaf hY. acfnk asmfn coN iek iqwKI cmkdI lkIr inkl ky dUjy pfsy jf
alop huµdI ey, pl dI pl cfnx huµdf ey qy Ausy vyly mYN iPr Guwp hnyry
ivwc iGr jFdf hF. |