ihMdI nfvl df anuvfd - iksLq 8
DrqI Dn nf afpxf
jgdIsL cMdr
 

(‘DrqI Dn nf afpxf’ pMjfb dy iek ipMz bfry ihMdI ivwc iliKaf igaf nfvl hY. ieh nfvl pMjfb dy ipMzF bfry ilKy bhuqy nfvlF qoN ies leI vwKrf hY ik ies ivwc pMjfb dy pyNzU dilqF dI ijs dsLf df vrxn hY, Auh hux qwk bhuq Gwt pMjfbI nfvlF ivwc pRgt hoeI hY. bysLwk ieh nfvl 1970ivaF ivwc Cipaf sI, pr pMjfb dy sfihqk jgq ivwc ies dI koeI bhuqI crcf nhIN hoeI. asIN ies nfvl nUM vqn ivwc lVIvfr Cfpx df PYslf kIqf hY. pysL hY ies dI awTvIN iksLq. pihlIaF iksLqF pVHn leI ipCly aMk dyKo. jy quhfzy kol ipCly aMk sFBy hoey nhIN hn qF sfnUM eI-myl Byjo. quhfnUM Auh aMk Byj ky sfnUM KusLI hovygI -sMpfdk)

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sfrf idn kflI Gr ivwc mMjy AuWqy ipaf irhf. igafno ny idn ivwc keI cwkr lfey qF ik Kud kflI df hfl puwC sky, pr Auh jdoN vI afAuNdI muhwly df koeI nf koeI mrd jF aOrq Auhdy kol bYTf huMdf. kflI qF hfl puwCx vfilaF nUM koeI jvfb nf idMdf pr cfcI swt df pUrf vyrvf dy prmfqmf awgy ardfs krdI ik cODrI hrdyv dI vDIkI df bdlf Aus koloN Auh afp lvy.
sfrf idn hfl puwCx vfilaF dI BIV lwgI rihx kfrn kflI df mn Audfs nhIN hoieaf pr qrkflF nUM Gr lMmy ipaF Auhdf idl GbrfAux lwgf. Auhdf idl bfhr KyqF ivwc KuwlHI hvf ivwc jfx nUM kIqf. Auh kuJ icr cfcI qoN zrdf mMjy AuWqy ipaf irhf pr jIqU dy afAux `qy Auh AuWT KVHf hoieaf.
kflI ny jIqU dy kMn ivwc kuJ ikhf aqy Auhny KUMjy ivwc peI lfTI cuwk ky Auhdy hwQ PVf idwqI. cfcI AuhnUM bfhr jfx leI iqafr dyK hYrfnI nfl bolI, “qUM ikwQy cwilaF? qurn nfl suwzf pY igaf qF gwl idnF `qy jf pAU. mMjy `qy pY. mYN roVf grm kr idMdI aF, Auhdy nfl swt nUM syk dy.”
“cfcI, lflU Blvfn ny ikhf sI ik qkflF nUM QoVHf bhuq GuMmIN iPrIN, nhIN qF qklIP vD jfAU,” kflI ny ikhf. jIqU ny vI AuhdI hF ivwc hF rlfeI qF cfcI cuwp ho geI aqy Auh donoN glI ivwc af gey.
kflI lMg mfrdf sotI dy afsry qur irhf sI. Auh mMgU dy Gr awgy phuMicaf qF sfhmxy igafno KVHI sI. Auh bhuq iDafn nfl kflI vl dyKx lwgI ijvyN Auhdy aMg aMg df inrIKx kr rhI hovy. kflI ny vI AuhdI vl njLr Br ky dyiKaf pr jIqU nUM muskrfAuNdf dyK Auhny nIvIN pf leI. igafno ny mn hI mn ivwc soicaf ik kflI dy swcIN hI bhuq swt lwgI hY. mMgU JUT nhIN sI boldf ik Auhdy cUly aqy moZy dI hwzI iqVk geI hY.
ipMz qoN bfhr jf ky Auh coa dy bMn AuWqy cly gey. AuWQoN Auh kMDfly nUM jfx vflI zMzI AuWqr gey aqy coa dy pfr tfhlIaF dy drKqF dy JuMz ivwc jf bYTy. jdoN hnHyrf ho igaf qF ipMz vl qur pey. coa pfr krn bfad AuhnF nUM kuJ avfjLF suxIaF. dUr hox krky AuhnF qoN avfjLF pihcfx nhIN sI ho rhIaF. avfjLF sux ky jIqU dI jigafsf jfg peI aqy Auh AuhnF avfjLF qwk phuMcx leI qyjL-qyjL pYr puwtx lwgf aqy kflI nUM ipwCy Cwz igaf.
coa dy bMn AuWqy idlsuwK, blvMq aqy mMgU jf rhy sn aqy iqMnF ny sLrfb pIqI hoeI sI. Auh lVKVfAuNdy aqy iek dUjy ivwc vjdy hOlI hOlI awgy vD rhy sn. jIqU AuhnF dy kol phuMicaf qF idlsuwK llkfr ky boilaf:
“ikhVf aF Auey qUM?”
“cODrI, mY aF[[[ jIqU.”
“suxf cmfrf, qUM awDI rfq nUM ieQy ikwdF GuMmdF? kI iksy msLUk dI Bfl `c afieaf sI?”
jIqU vloN juafb dyx qoN pihlF hI mMgU bol ipaf:
“awjkwlH ieh cmHfrlI df Cotf pMc af. vwzf pMc kflI af.”
“iPr qF inwkU dI CokrI iehdy vI vws `c hoAU.” idlsuwK hsdf hoieaf boilaf.
“cODrI Auh qF afpxI Xrfnydfr af. iehdy mUMh `qy qF Auh QuwkdI vI nhIN.” mMgU ny hMkfr BrI avfjL ivwc ikhf.
“Auey mMgU, qyrf kI mukfblf, qUM qF cmHfrlI df rFJf. pwTy ny AuhnUM pUrI qrHF jvfn vI nhIN hox idwqf. pihlF hI Auhdy AuWqy kfTI pf leI.”
blvMq ny mMgU nUM QfpI idMidaF ikhf aqy iPr Auh idlsuwK df moZf PVdf hoieaf boilaf:
“idlsuK, ijhVI kuVI cfcy munsLI dI hvylI `c kMm krdI af nf, Auh iekdm pwTI af. iblkul jMglI mornI vrgI. rMg qF pwkf pr nYx-nksL bhuq sohxy af. jdoN Auh isr `qy tokrf cuwkI qurdI af nf qF AuhdIaF kwcy KrbUjLy vrgIaF CfqIaF kOlI `c pey pfxI vFg ihlkory KFdIaF. iek vfr hwQ iPr jfey qF jvfn srON dy PuwlF vFgU iKV AuWTy.”
“mMgU kOx aF Auey Auh? ikhdI kuVI af?”
idlsuwK ny bycYnI nfl puwiCaf. mMgU ny koeI juafb nf idwqf qF Auh Auhdy moZy nUM JMjoVdf boilaf:
“sfilaf boldf ikAuN nhIN! qUM qF eydF cuwp ho igaf, ijvyN qyrI skI BYx lwgdI hovy.”
“BYx hI lgdI af cODrI.”
mMgU ny afpxI iJjLk htfAuNidaF ikhf. blvMq iKViKVf ky hws ipaf aqy AuhnUM Dwkf mfrdf hoieaf boilaf:
“sfilaf, qyrI sLkl qF njLrbwtU vrgI hY.”
AuhnF dIaF gwlF sux ky kflI dy idmfg ivwc qUPfn ijhf AuWTx lwgf. Auhdf jIa kIqf ik blvMq aqy idlsuwK nUM pIh suwty. Auh cODrI hn qF AuhnF df mqlb ieh qF nhIN ik Auh dUijaF dIaF nhuMaF-DIaF bfry eynIaF bysLrm gwlF krn. AuhnUM mMgU AuWqy bhuq guwsf af irhf sI ik Auh eynf bygYrq ho igaf hY ik afpxI BYx bfry eynIaF burIaF burIaF gwlF sux ky hI-hI hws irhf.
kflI AuhnF dy brfbr phuMicaf qF idlsuwK ny puwiCaf:
“kOx aF?”
“mYN hF.” kflI ny lfTI KVkfAuNidaF ikhf.
“Auey kflI, kI qUM ajy ijAuNdF? mYN qF suixaf sI ik hrdyv ny qyrIaF hwzIaF df surmf bxf idwqf. cmfrf, kI guV vwty jfn leI af, jo iek hI vfrI hwzIaF quVvf leIaF.” blvMq ny hwsidaF ikhf.
“qYnUM afpxy jLor `qy GmMz hY qF qUM vI do hwQ kr ky dyK lY.” kflI ny lfTI suwt idwqI aqy bfhF AuWqy hwQ Pyrn lwgf.
“bwly Auey sUrimaF! kI dUjI lwq quVvfAux df vI ierfdf.?” blvMq ny kflI vl vDidaF ikhf.
“bs-bs.[[[” kihMidaF jIqU ny blvMq nUM PVn dI koisLsL kIqI. blvMq AuhnUM Dwkf dy ky kflI vl viDaf pr idlsuwK ny PV ilaf.
“ies vyly nhIN. quhfzf Gol kwlH dyKFgy. [[[ eynIaF cMgIaF gwlF kr rhy sF, ivwc lVfeI JgVf sLurU kr idwqf.”
“cODrI, kuafrIaF kuVIaF bfry eydF dIaF gwlF kridaF qYnUM sLrm nhIN afAuNdI?” kflI ny guwsy BrI avfjL ivwc ikhf.
“qYnUM sLrm afAuNdI af qF qU clf jf. ijhdI BYx af, Auh cuwp af pr qyry iZwz `c Kfh mKfh mroV AuWTdy af. ikAuN mMgU?” idlsuwK ny ikhf. mMgU ny koeI jvfb nf idwqf qF kflI nUM swcmuwc sLrm mihsUs hox lwgI aqy swt dy bfvjUd Auh qyjL qyjL kdm cuwkdf AuhnF qoN awgy inkl igaf.
“sfly ny sfrf mjLf Krfb kr idwqf.” aqy iPr Auh mMgU vl muVdf hoieaf boilaf:
“iehdI vI pRIqo dI CokrI nfl XfrI hY jF nhIN. iehnF df qF AuhnF nfl bnyrf sFJf.”
“sfzI msLUk eydF dI nhIN ik hr aYry-gYry dy kfbU af jfey. Auh qF iehdI vl awK cuwk ky vI nhIN dyKdI.” mMgU ny KusLI BrI avfjL ivwc ikhf.
“jf Auey mMgU eynf JUT nf bol. Auh qF rfm gAU af. pwTy idKf ky AuhnUM ijhVf mrjLI co lvy.”
ieh sux ky kflI iek vfr iPr ruk igaf qF ik AuhnF nUM koeI jvfb dyvy. pr iPr ieh socdf hoieaf awgy vD igaf ik jdoN muhwly dy lok hI ies qrHF dIaF gwlF krdy hn qF dUsiraF df mUMh ikvyN bMd kIqf jf skdf.
kflI Gr phuMicaf qF cfcI mMjy AuWqy lMmI peI sI. Auhdy kol koeI bYTf sI. kflI AuhnUM hnHyry ivwc pCfx nf sikaf aqy nyVy af ky AuhnUM dyKdf hoieaf boilaf:
“cfcI.”
“af igaf kfkf! myrf qF iPkr nfl idl zuwb irhf sI. koeI cMgI gwl mn `c afAuNdI hI nhIN sI.”
cfcI prmfqmf nMU Xfd krdI hoeI AuWT peI. kflI Auhdy sfhmxy dUsrI mMjI AuWqy bihx lwgf qF igafno AuWT ky KVHI ho geI.
“igafno puwq, qUM ikAuN KVI ho geI?” iPr Auh kflI nUM kihx lwgI:
“ivcfrI idn zuwbx qoN bfad ds cwkr lf cuwkI af. ieh kuVI nf huMdI qF mYN qF hOl nfl hI mr jFdI.”
kflI ny igafno vl dyiKaf qF AuhnUM blvMq aqy idlsuwK dIaF sfrIaF gwlF Xfd af geIaF. Auh dUsry mMjy AuWqy lMmf pYNdf boilaf:
“cfcI qUM hnHyrf ikAuN kr rwiKaf?”
“kfkf, jdoN qUM iewQy nhIN huMdf qF myry leI qF idn ivwc vI hnyHrf hI rihMdf.” cfcI dIvf jgfAux leI AuWTI qF kflI ny igafno nUM bhuq hI DImI avfjL ivwc ikhf:
“qUM Gr cly jf, mMgU af irhf. Auhny sLrfb pIqI hoeI af.”
igafno ny AuhdI gwl axsuxI kridaF ikhf:
“kI bhuq swt lwgI af?”
“nhIN.” Auhny gwusy BrI avfjL ivwc igafno nUM ikhf:
“clI jf nf, nhIN qF mMgU kuwtUgf.”
igafno nUM kflI dy lihjy qoN sLwk ho igaf ik Auhdy bhuq swt lwgI hY. kflI ny AuhnUM bfhoN PV ky drvfjLy vl DkidaF ikhf:
“clI jf. mMgU nUM pqf lwg igaf qF Auh qyrI hwzI-pslI iek kr dAU.”
“nhIN jFdI. kuwtUgf qF mYnUM, qYnUM kI?”
igafno muskrfeI qF kflI nUM hnHyry ivwc vI Auhdy icwty dMd idKfeI idwqy. cfcI ny dIvf jgfieaf qF AuhdI hlkI rOsLnI ivwc kflI nUM igafno bhuq sohxI lwgI aqy Auh mn hI mn ivwc socx lwgf ik idlsuwK aqy blvMq jo kuJ kih rhy sn Auh iblkul TIk sI.
igafno nUM glI ivwc af ky aihsfs hoieaf ik swcIN hI bhuq dyr ho cuwkI hY. Auh dwby pYrIN Gr phMucI qF jwso dIvy dI mwDm rOsLnI ivwc QMmI dy shfry bYTI AUNG rhI sI. afpxI mF nUM ies qrHF Zfsnf lfeI bYTI dyK igafno df mn hmdrdI nfl Br igaf aqy Auh bhuq hI ipafr BrI avfjL ivwc bolI:
“mF.”
“af geI qUM isrmuMnIey!” jwso ny awKF KolHidaF ikhf, “ikwQy mr geI sI qUM? avfjLF mfr mfr myrf gl bYT igaf.”
igafno ny afpxI mF dI gwl axsuxI kridaF ikhf:
“mF, kflI dy bhuq swt lwgI hY. hux Auh dIny Guimafr dy bwuZy gDy vFg lMgVf ky qurdf.”
“cODrIaF nfl mwQf lfAuNdf, swt nf lwgU qF hor kI hoAU.”
afpxI mF dI gwl sux ky igafno nUM ivsLvfs ho igaf ik kflI dy swcIN hI ijLafdf swt lwgI hY. ieh soc ky Auh prysLfn ho geI. Auh mMjy AuWqy bYTI pfsy bdldI rhI. ipMz ivwc pihrf sLurU ho igaf. “nwQf ishF [[[ jfg beI! [[[ bKqfvr ishF jfg beI! [[[ sLfh jI [[[ hoisLafr beI! [[[ ” ieh avfjLF Guwp rfq dI sLFqI nUM kuJ plF leI BMg kr idMdIaF pr bfad ivwc rfq iPr itk jFdI. igafno soc rhI sI ik kflI dy ijLafdf swt lwgI hY, qF hI qF Auh eynf icVicVf ho igaf hY. iPr AuhnUM mihsUs hoieaf ik rfq itk geI hY. kuwqy vI BONk BONk ky sON gey hn. isrP rfq dI sF sF aqy mF dy GurfiVaF dI avfjL af rhI sI. igafno ny pfsf bdl ky mF vl dyiKaf. Auh zUMGI nINd ivwc sI. Auhdy GurfiVaF dI avfjL ijvyN AuhnUM DmkIaF dy rhI sI. igafno ny soicaf ikAuN nf jf ky kflI nUM dyK afvy. AuhdIaF awKF awgy rOsLnI psr geI. iPr AuhnUM iKafl afieaf ik jy mF jfg peI jF iksy ny dyK ilaf qF iPr kI hoAU. ieh soc ky AuhdIaF awKF ivwc rOsLnI dI QF iPr hnHyrf ho igaf.
Auh kuJ dyr mMjy AuWqy pfsy bdldI rhI. iPr Auh AuWT KVI hoeI. Auhny Juk ky afpxI mF vl dyiKaf aqy hOlI hOlI lwkVI dI pOVI AuWqr ky hyTF af geI. Auhny drvfjLy dI sMglI lfhI aqy iek dr KoilHaf qF icr-icr dI avfjL ies qrHF afeI ijvyN AuhnUM icqfvnI dy rhI hovy. Auhny bfhr inkl ky drvfjLy bMd krn leI sMglI vl hwQ vDfieaf pr iPr vfps iKwc ilaf.
lok afpxy ivhiVaF ivwc suwqy pey sn. Auh afpxy afp nUM smytdI hoeI dwby pYrIN hnHyrI gwlI ivwc awgy vDdI geI. jdoN Auh kflI dy Gr nyVy phuMcI qF Auhdy mn ivwc iKafl afieaf ik jy cfcI dI awK KulH geI qF iPr kI hoAU. pr jdoN Auh kflI dy Gr dy sfhmxy phuMcI qF sB kuJ Buwl geI aqy iekdm aMdr vV geI.
iek pfsy mMjy AuWqy kwCf pfeI kflI suwqf ipaf sI. Aus qoN QoVHI dUr cfcI gTVI bxI hoeI lMmI peI sI. Auhdy ipliply mUMh ivwc sfh ajIb ijhI avfj krdf af jf irhf sI. kflI dy srfhxy bYT ky Auh Auhdy moiZaF AuWqy hwQ Pyr kr dyKx lwgI ik ikwQy swt lwgI hY. kflI hVbVf ky AuWiTaf qF igafno ny Auhdy mUMh AuWqy hwQ rwK idwqf aqy bhuq DImI avfjL ivwc bolI:
“mYN aF.”
kflI ny cfcI dI mMjI vl dyiKaf aqy ieh dyK ky Auh suwqI hoeI hY, Auhny igafno df hwQ PiVaf aqy AuhnUM iewtF dy cwky ipwCy lY igaf. kflI dy kuJ kihx qoN pihlF igafno ny Auhdy kMn ivwc ikhf:
“kI bhuq swt lwgI hY?”
“nhIN.”
“swc.”
“qyrI shuM.”
igafno ny byiPkr ho lMmf sfh Cwizaf aqy afpxI qswlI krn leI kflI dIaF bfhF, pwtF, CfqI aqy ipwT AuWqy hwQ Pyrn lwgI. kflI dy srIr ivwc snsnI ijhI hox lwgI aqy Auhny igafno nUM afpxIaF bfhF ivwc lY ilaf.
“swt lwgI ikwQy hY?”
“cUly ‘c”.
“plyg pvy moey hrdyv nUM.” igafno ny AuhdI CfqI nfl lgidaF ikhf.
kflI nUM blvMq aqy idlsuwK dIaF gwlF iPr Xfd af geIaF. [[[ kwcy KrbUjy vrgIaF CfqIaF. kflI df sfh AuKVn lwgf aqy Auhdy srIr df akVyvF vDx lwgf. Auhny igafno nUM Guwt ilaf. iPr AuhdI ipwT nUM afpxI CfqI nfl lf ilaf aqy Auhdy hwQ AuhdI CfqIaF AuWqy jf ky kOlIaF bx gey. igafno ny kuJ plF leI kflI dI jkV CuzfAux df Xqn kIqf pr CyqI hI Auhdy hwQ iZwly pY gey.
kuJ plF leI Auh Aus qrHF hI KVy rhy. kflI sfrI dunIaF nUM Bwul igaf aqy Auhdy hwQ hyTF iKskx lwgy. igafno ny iek vfr iPr AuhnUM rokx df asPl Xqn kIqf. Auhdf srIr iZwlf pY igaf aqy kflI dy sFcy ivwc Zldf igaf.
jdoN kflI ny afpxI pkV iZwlI kIqI qF igafno nUM lwgf ik Auh izg pAUgI. Auhny bhuq musLikl nfl afpxy afp nUM sMBfilaf. AuhnUM iekdm zr aqy sLrm mihsUs hox lwgI. Auh kflI dy ivhVy ivwcoN inkl ky glI ivwc af geI. Auhny Gr af ky aMdroN drvfjLy nUM sMglI cfVH idwqI. Auhny afpxI slvfr lfh idwqI aqy AuhnUM pfxI ivwc cMgI qrHF incoV ky pOVI dy zMzy nfl ltkf idwqf. Auh lwk duafly dupwtf lpyt ky Cwq AuWqy clI geI aqy afpxI mMjI AuWqy eydF izwgI ijvyN Aus df sfh swq iekdm Kqm ho igaf hovy. Auh mUMh ivwc kwpVf quMn ky rox lwgI.

23

sMqf isMG ny borI ivwcly sfry sMd jLmIn AuWqy Aultf idwqy aqy AuhnF nUM CFtdf hoieaf boilaf:
“awj sLrq lf ky kMm krFgy. kwlH qkflF qwk ieh kMD pUrI krnI hY.”
“mYN iqafr hF.”
kflI hwQ JfVdf hoieaf AuWT KVf hoieaf aqy gfry dI kVfhI kMD nfl lwgy Pwty AuWqy rwK ky CyqI CyqI iewtF PVfAux lwgf. imsqrI sMqf isMG dy hwQ bhuq qyjL cwl rhy sn. Auh hwQ ivwc iewt nUM AuCfl ky cfrF pfisaF qoN iDafn nfl dyKdf aqy Auhdy hyTF gfrf lf ky kMD AuWqy rwK idMdf. Auh hr iewt bfry itwpxI krdf ik ieh ijLafdf pwk geI hY, ieh kwcI rih geI hY, ieh iblkul TIk pwkI hY. gfry ivwc kdy pwQr af jFdf qF Auh AuhnUM kFzI nfl bfhr suwtdf hoieaf kihMdf ik gfrf mwKx vFg nrm aqy sfP hovy qF iewt Jwt jMm jFdI hY aqy kMD dI Aumr lMmI huMdI hY.
Duwp vDx dy nfl nfl imsqrI sMqf isMG dy hwQ susq huMdy gey aqy pfrf cVHdf igaf. qyh lwgI qF pfxI pIx leI AuhnUM mhfsLy dI dukfn `qy jfxf ipaf. Auh vfps af ky bhuq qlK avfjL ivwc boilaf:
“mYN cmfrF df kMm ies duwK df mfiraf nhIN lYNdf. huxy pfxI pI ky afieaF, iPr iQaf lwgx lwgI hY.”
“nMd isMG dy GroN pfxI ilaf dyvF, Auh qF qyrf iswK Brf hY.”
“hOlI bol, myrf Auhdf kI irsLqf. Auh mjbHI iswK hY.” sMqf isMG ny nMd isMG nUM gflH kwZidaF ikhf.
“pr gurU df iswK qF hY.”
“iswK bx jfx df ieh mqlb qF nhIN ik Auh cmfr nhIN irhf. Drm bdlx nfl jfq qF nhIN bdl jFdI.” sMqf isMG ny iek iewt nUM do ihwisaF ivwc qoVidaF ikhf.
jdoN sUrj isr `qy af igaf aqy lUM cwlx lwgI qF sMqf isMG Pwty qoN hyTF AuWqr afieaf. Auh bfltI ivwc hwQ Do ky kMD vl dyKdf hoieaf boilaf:
“awj Duwp bhuq qyjL hY. mYN idn Zly hI afAUNgf.”
“TIk hY. mYN vI skUl dy munsLI kol jfxf. kwlH Auhdf swdf afieaf sI.”
“mMgU dI BYx vloN vI swdf afieaf ik nhIN?”
sMqf isMG ny sLrfrq BrIaF njLrF nfl kflI vl dyiKaf aqy iKViKVf ky hsdf hoieaf boilaf:
“puwqrf, qUM iksmq df DnI aF. mOj kr irhYN, mOj kridaF sfnUM vI Xfd kr ilaf kr.”
sMqf isMG glI ivwc af igaf qf kflI sfmfn smyt ky koTVI ivwc jf viVaf aqy donoN dr Zoa ky mMjy AuWqy pY igaf. cfcI dI gYrhfjLrI ivwc AuhnUM cYn ijihaf imilaf.
kflI nhf hitaf qF cfcI ny Auhdy hwQ `qy mwkI dIaF cfr rotIaF rwK idwqIaF. Auh AuhnF nUM GUrdf hoieaf boilaf:
“mwkI dIaF rotIaF pkfeIaF, kI kxk df aftf muwk igaf?”
“muwikaf qF nhIN kfkf. rojL kxk dI rotI KFvFgy qF gujLfrf ikwdF cwlU. sfzy GrF `c qF kxk dI rotI sugfq smJI jFdI af. muhwly `c jf ky dyK lY, lok afm qOr `qy mwkI aqy bfjrf hI KFdy af.”
cfcI ny kflI nMU smJfieaf.
rotI Kfx bfad kflI ny gfry `qy pfxI iCVikaf aqy koTVI ivwc af ky mMjy AuWqy lMmf pYNdf boilaf:
“awj bhuq grmI hY.”
“kfkf hfV bIqdf.”
cfcI ny rotI KFidaF poply mUMh nfl ikhf. Auh hOlI hOlI rotI icwQdI afpxy buZfpy nUM kos rhI sI. kflI nUM mMjy AuWqy pfsy bdldf dyK Auh bolI:
“jf, qkIey `c clf jf, AuWQy hvf vgdI hoAU.”
“mYnUM bVy munsLI ny swidaf. skUl jfxf.”
“Auhny ikAuN swidaf?”
cfcI ny grfhI nUM afpxy mUMh nyVy rokidaF ikhf.
“pqf nhIN, kwlH nMd isMG df vwzf muMzf kih igaf sI.”
“koeI nvIN musIbq nf pY jfvy. srkfrI hfikm bulfvy qF zr lgdf. pr munsLI ivcfrf qF muMzy pVHfAuNdf. kfkf AuhnUM qyry nfl kI kMm ho skdf?”
“koeI icwTI vgYrf afeI hoxI aF. sLihr `c myry kuJ pYsy rih gey sI, sLfied Auh afey hox.”
cfcI dI icMqf iekdm dUr ho geI aqy Auh kflI nUM smJfAuNdI hoeI bolI:
“iksy dy sfhmxy pYsy nf leIN. gMZ bMn ky iswDf Gr afvIN.”
kflI hwsdf hoieaf pfsf bdl ky sOx dI koisLsL krn lwgf.
idn Zly kflI skUl clf igaf. vwzf munsLI afpxy kmry ivwc QVHy AuWqy bYTf sI. bfhr skUl dy bwcy bYTy zfk vMzx dI AuzIk kr rhy sn. munsLI ny hr ipMz dI zfk dI vwK vwK ZyrI bxf rwKI sI. Auh hr icwTI `qy iliKaf pqf iDafn nfl pVHdf aqy sfvDfnI nfl muhr lf ky AuhnUM sMbMDq ZyrI AuWqy rwK idMdf. kflI ny munsLI nUM bMdgI kIqI qF Auhny isr AuWpr cuwikaf aqy svflIaf njLr nfl Auhdy vl dyKx lwgf. kflI boilaf:
“munsLI jI myrf nF kflIdfs hY. kwlH qusIN nMd isMG dy muMzy kol .[[[”
kflI hfly gwl vI pUrI nhIN sI kr sikaf ik munsLI KusLI ivwc boilaf:
“awCf-awCf, Xfd af igaf. qyrf mnIafrzr afieaf. mnIafrzr `qy ieh nF pVH ky mYN sLsLopMj `c pY igaf. mYN hYrfn sF ik ies nF df ies ipMz `c kdy Kwq nhIN afieaf, awj mnIafrzr ikwQoN af igaf. iPr mYN sfry inafixaF nUM puwiCaf qF nMd isMG dy muMzy ny ikhf Auhdy muhwly `c ies nF df iek afdmI rihMdf.” munsLI kflI nUM iek vfr iPr iDafn nfl dyK ky boilaf: “awgy leI myrI gwl pwly bMn lY. afpxy nF nfl ipAu df nF jF jfq jF donoN jLrUr iliKaf kr. Auhdy nfl iksy gVbV df mOkf nhIN rihMdf. jy ies ipMz `c qyry nF df koeI hor bMdf huMdf qy ieh mnIafrzr lY jFdf qF qyry pYsy jFdy, Aus afdmI nUM hwQkVI lwg jFdI aqy mYN nOkrI qoN brKfsq ho jFdf.”
Auh sfhmxy peIaF icwTIaF `qy Jukdf hoieaf kflI nUM kihx lwgf:
“mYN zfk vMz idaF, qUM eyny icr `c do gvfh lY af.”
gvfh df nF sux ky kflI cONk ipaf.
“gvfh iks leI?”
“ieh qsdIk krn leI ik qYnUM qyrI rkm iml geI hY. gvfh nUM pVHnf qy dsKq krny afAuNdy hox qF cMgI gwl hY. hF, AuhnF df bflg hoxf jLrUrI hY.”
kflI ies soc `c zuwibaf ik gvfhI dyx nUM iks nUM khy, zfktr ibsLndfs dI dukfn AuWqy af igaf. zfktr kMD nfl Zoa lfeI koeI ikqfb pVH irhf sI. kflI bMdgI kr dihlIjL dy nfl bYTdf hoieaf boilaf:
“zfktr jI, kI pVH rhy ho?”
“ieh sovIaq XUnIan qoN nvIN ikqfb afeI hY. ies ivwc klfs strgl aqy ivroDI jmfqF dy krYktr df ivsLlysLx kIqf hoieaf.”
zfktr ny iswDf bYTidaF ikhf. kflI dI smJ `c kuJ nf afieaf. Aus dy ichry AuWqy hYrfnI dy prCfvyN pY gey qF zfktr muskrfAuNdf hoieaf boilaf:
“ies ivwc smfj dy vwK vwK qbikaF dIaF KfsIaqF dwsIaF geIaF. aqy ieh dwisaf igaf ik iehnF qbikaF ivwc tkrfa ikAuN jLrUrI hY.”
zfktr dI gwl lMmI hox lwgI qF kflI AuhnUM tokdf hoieaf boilaf:
“zfktr jI, mYN quhfzy kol iek kMm afieaf sI.”
“kI?”
“myrf mnIafrzr afieaf. quhfzI gvfhI cfhIdI hY. quhfnUM zfkKfny jfxf hoAU.”
“mnIafrzr ikwQoN af igaf?”
“kfnHpur qoN imwl vfilaF ny myrI mjUrI df ihsfb kr ky Byijaf hoxF.”
zfktr ny kuVI nUM swd ky dukfn AuWqy ibTf idwqf aqy kflI nfl qur ipaf. jdoN Auh glI ivwc af gey qF kflI boilaf:
“zfktr jI, iek gvfh hor cfhIdf.”
“koeI gwl nhIN. dukfnF vl dI cldy aF. hkImF df Emf iml igaf qF AuhnUM lY cwlFgy. jy Auh nf imilaf qF iksy hor nUM PV lvFgy.”
kflI df dukfnF vl dI jfx nUM jIa nhIN cfhuMdf sI aqy jdoN zfktr ny Qfxy dI gwl sLurU kr idwqI qF Auhdf ierfdf hor vI pwkf ho igaf pr Aus pfisEN dI jfx qoN ibnF koeI cfrf nhIN sI.
Emy nUM nfl lY ky Auh zfkKfny phuMc gey. munsLI bwicaF nUM zfk dy ky Byj cuwikaf sI. Auhny zfktr aqy Emy nfl ieWDr AuWDr dIaF gwlF krn qoN bfad iPr Auh hI nsIaq duhrfeI ijhVI Auh pihlF hI kflI nUM kr cuwikaf sI. Auhny afpxy sfhmxy peI sMdUkVI df qflf KoilHaf. Auhdy iek Kfny ivwc cfr qihaF lf ky rwiKaf mnIafrzr kwiZaf aqy Aus AuWqy iliKaf pqf pVH ky kflI vl vDfAuNdf boilaf:
“aMgUTf lfAUNgf jF [[[”
“dsKq krUMgf. mYN ies hI skUl ivwcoN cfr jmfqF pfs kIqIaF sn. AuhnF vyilaF `c KrlF dy pMizq isLvrfm munsLI huMdy sn.”
kflI ny mnIafrzr lY ky rkm dyKI aqy munsLI qoN klm lY ky do jgHf ‘mublg awsI rupey vsUl pfey’ ilK ky hyTF dsKq kr ky mnIafrzr munsLI vl vDf idwqf. munsLI ny pVH ky AuhnUM mnIafrzr vfps kridaF ikhf:
“nF dy nfl bklm Kud vI ilK.”
kflI ny bklm Kud vI ilK idwqf qF munsLI ny vfrI vfrI zfktr aqy Emy dy dsKq krvfey aqy AuhnF df cMgI qrHF inrIKx kr ky Auhny mnIafrzr df hyTlf iek ihwsf qih krky pfiVaf aqy kflI dy hwQ ivwc PVf idwqf. iPr Auhny mnIafrzr sMdUkVI ivwc rwK ky cmVy df iek Cotf ijhf bsqf kwiZaf aqy Aus AuWqy lwigaf Cotf ijhf qflf KolH ky bhuq sfvDfnI nfl Aus ivwcoN dsF-dsF dy not kwZy aqy AuhnF nUM iqMn cfr vfr igixaf. dsF-dsF dy swq not, iek pMjF df not, cfr iewk iewk rupeIey dy not aqy iek cvfnI kwZ ky kflI dy hwQ AuWqy rwK idwqI. kflI ny hYrfnI nfl munsLI vl dyKidaF ikhf:
“munsLI jI, mnIafrzr qF awsIaF rupeIaF df aqy qusIN mYnUM svf AunfsI rupeIey dy rhy aF.”
“bfrHF afny mihsUl vI qF lwgU.” munsLI ny Auhdy vl GUr ky dyKidaF ikhf.
“mihsUl qf mnIafrzr Byjx vfly ny pihlF hI dy idwqf hY.”
munsLI ny kflI dy hwQ ivwcoN cvfnI cuwk leI aqy iek rupeIey df not Auhdy vl suwtdf hoieaf boilaf:
“bihs qF eydF krdf, ijvyN vkflq pfs hovy.”
“munsLI jI, qusIN EdF bfrF afny rwK lAu pr ieh kfiedf nhIN.” kflI ny iek rupeIaf munsLI dy pYr kol rwKidaF ikhf.
“mYN mMgqf nhIN jo qyry qoN iBiKaf lvF. jy mYN hwQ awzxf hI hoieaf qF iksy mhfjn jF cODrI awgy awzUM, cmfr awgy nhIN awzdf”
zfktr ibsLndfs, munsLI df guwsf TMZf krn leI boilaf:
“clo Cwzo munsLI jI.”
“zfktr, jy iehdy kol cfr pYsy af gey af qF iehdf mqlb ieh qF nhIN ik cmfr sLfhUkfr bx igaf.”
kflI ny pYsy jyb ivwc pfey aqy zfktr aqy Emy dy awgy-awgy bfhr af igaf. Emy dy buwlF `qy sLYqfnI Biraf hfsf sI. jdoN Auh skUl qoN bfhr af gey qF Emf iKViKVf ky hwisaf aqy zfktr nUM awgy Dkdf hoieaf boilaf:
“awj kflI ny munsLI dI cMgI qrHF Kfqr kr idwqI. munsLI vI Xfd rwKU.”
kflI cuwp irhf pr zfktr ibsLndfs bhuq gMBIr avfjL ivwc boilaf:
“ijs qrHF vwzI mwCI CotI mwCI nUM KFdI hY Ausy qrHF vwzf qbkf Coty qbky nUM aYksplfiet krdf, XfnIN AuhdI imhnq df Pl AuhnUM nhIN Kfx idMdf sgoN Kud Kf jFdf. iesy nfl klfs strgl pYdf huMdI hY. pr mfrksvfdI ienklfb nfl ieh qbkf Kqm ho jfAUgf aqy pRolyqfrIaF df bolbflf hoAUgf.”
Emf zfktr dI hr gwl AuWqy isr ihlf irhf sI pr kflI afpxy hI iKaflF ivwc gvfcf hoieaf AuhnF qoN do kdm awgy cwl irhf sI.
jdoN kflI cmHfrlI vl jfx lwgf qF zfktr AuhnUM rokdf hoieaf boilaf:
“kflI, af dukfn `qy cldy aF. qYnUM Gr jfx dI kfhdI kfhlI hY?”
“zfktr jI, awj iPr mkfn bxfAuxf sLurU kr idwqf hY. imsqrI sMqf isMG myrI AuzIk kr irhY hoxf.”
“awCf. svyry sLfm iksy vkq myry kol afieaf kr. qyry nfl gwlF krn df mjLf afAuNdf. iek-do afdmIaF nUM Cwz ky bfkI ipMz vfilaF dy isr qoN myrIaF gwlF eydF lMG jFdIaF ijwdF mom AuWqoN pfxI.”
“jLrUr afAUNgf.” kihMdf kflI awgy vwD igaf.
Auh Gr phuMicaf qF imsqrI sMqf isMG vfps jfx leI iqafr ho irhf sI. kflI nUM dyKidaF hI boilaf:
“kI munsLI qyry mUMh nUM Cuafrf lfAuNdf sI, jo qUM eynI dyr krqI?”
“mnIafrzr afieaf sI, Auhdy leI do gvfh cfhIdy sn. zfktr ibsLndfs aqy Emy nUM gvfhI leI lY ky igaf sI. qUM zfktr dI afdq nUM qF jfxdF eI aYN.“
imsqrI sMqf isMG iKViKVf ky hsdf hoieaf boilaf:
“Auh vI koeI afdmI af. nYx dy isafpy vFg AuhdI gwl Kqm hox `c hI nhIN afAuNdI. eydF df JwlU afdmI mYN kdy nhIN dyiKaf. nwk sfP krn bYTU qF awDI idhfVI sLUM-sLVfp `c lMGf dyAU. iksy vfihgurU, Bgvfn nUM Auh nhIN mMndf. iksy dyvI-dyvqy ivwc Auhdf ivsLvfs nhIN. ipMz df hr ivhlf nOjvfn Auhdf Xfr af. Cwz, afpF AuhqoN kI lYxf. gfrf aqy iewtF rwK, kMm sLurU krF.”
cfcI koTrI ivwc sON rhI sI. kflI dI avfjL sux ky Auh bfhr inkl afeI aqy icMqf BrI avfjL ivwc bolI:
“puwqrf, kI ikhf munsLI ny? ikAuN swidaf sI Auhny?”
“cfcI, mnIafrzr afieaf sI. ies leI swidaf sI.”
“Auh kI huMdf?”
“zfk rfhIN rupeIey afey hn. mYN sLihr `c ijwQy kMm krdf sI, AuWQoN pYsy afey hn.”
cfcI df mn KusL ho igaf. kflI nUM afpxI hI njLr qoN bcfAux leI Auhny jIB dMdF hyT lY leI aqy atyrn aqy sUq dIaF awtIaF cuwk ky bfhr clI geI.
sMqf isMG aqy kflI sUrj iCpx bfad vI kMm krdy rhy. jdoN hnHyrf zUMGf ho igaf qF imsqrI Pwty qoN hyTF AuWqr afieaf aqy kMD vl pRsLMsf BrIaF njLrF nfl dyKdf hoieaf boilaf:
“kflI, mYnUM qUM awj ds rupeIey dy dy. iksy qoN hwQ AuDfr ley sI. pqf nhIN myrf kI bxUgf. suixaf ipMz vfly nvF qKfx ilafAux nUM iPrdy af.”
sMqf isMG kuJ pl cuwp rih ky boilaf:
“qUM sLihr rih afieaF. AuWQy rfj-qrKfx df kMm iml hI jFdf hoxf.”
“hF, imhnq krn vflf bMdf sLihr `c ivhlf nhIN rihMdf. AuWQy kmfeI af. pr Krcy vI Aus qrHF dy hI hn. imsqrI jI prdys, prdys hI hY. AuWQy qF iksy nUM vwZI AuNgl AuWqy ipsLfb krn leI kho qF Auh ies kMm dy pYsy mMgU. pr ieh nhIN ik Auh cmfr af, Auh GuMimafr af. AuWQy vI jfq pfq hYgI, pr kol pYsf hovy qF cmfr vI bfhmx dy brfbr bYT skdf.”
imsqrI dsF df not jyb ivwc rKdf boilaf:
“awCf, kdy Pursq `c bih ky socFgy.”
sMqf isMG dy jfx qoN bfad kflI cfcI dy kol af bYiTaf aqy mUMh ltkf ky boilaf:
“cfcI, ipMz `c sfnUM qF hr afdmI psU aqy mUrK smJdf. awj munsLI ny mYnUM mUrK smJ ky myry koloN bfrF afny Tgny cfhy.”
“pwuqrf, qUM eydF dIaF gwlF nf soicaf kr. rwb jI ny ijhnUM cmfr pYdf kIqf, Auh cmfr hI rhU, cODrI nhIN bxU. sB krmF df Pl hY.”
cfcI AuhnUM smJfAuNdI hoeI bolI.
“kfkf, qyry ipAu-dfdf vI ies ipMz `c rhy. Auh qF kdy vI eydF dIaF gwlF nhIN socdy sn. hwQ Do ky rotI Kf aqy sON jf. svyr df kMm AuWqy lwgf hoieaF.”
kflI nhf-Do ky mMjy AuWqy bYTdf hoieaf boilaf:
“ilaf cfcI rotI dy dy.”
cfcI AuWTI qF Auhdf dupwtf DV qoN hyTF iKsk igaf. kflI ny sLrm dy mfry mUMh dUjy pfsy kr ilaf aqy iKwJ ky boilaf:
“cfcI, qUM kmIjL ikAuN nhIN pfAuNdI?”
“kfkf, grmI nfl myrf srIr bl irhf sI, ies leI lfh idwqI. hux rfq ho geI af, svyr nUM pf lAUN.”
kflI rotI Kfx lwgf qF cfcI Auhdy kol af bYTI aqy icMqf BrI avfjL ivwc bolI:
“kfkf, igafno awj vI nhIN afeI.”
cfcI soc ivwc zuwb geI aqy kflI jLmIn vl GUrdf hoieaf ies qrHF rotI Kfx lwgf ijvyN jLihr ingl irhf hovy.

24

cfcI koTVI df sfrf sfmfn izAuZI ivwc dyK ky hYrfn rih geI aqy GbrfeI hoeI bolI:
“kfkf, qUM ieh kI kIqf? koTVI df sfmfn izAuZI ivwc ikAuN rwK idwqf?”
“cfcI soc irhf sF ik lwgy hwQIN koTVI nMU vI kwcf-pwkf bxf idaF?”
“puwq, myrI mMny qF koTVI nUM ies qrHF hI rihx dy. izAuZI pwkI bx geI af. ieh bhuq af. hux ivafh dI iPkr kr. sO zyZ sO rupeIaf qF hwQ rokidaF rokidaF vI lwg jfxf.[[[ asIN koeI KwqrI mhfjn qF hY nhIN jo sonf pfvFgy. cFdI dy do cfr gihxy aqy sLgn leI sony dIaF bflIaF jF nwk df kokf bxf lvFgy. hux qF qYnUM ds irsLqy iml jfxgy. mYN mr geI qF iPr sfrI Aumr dUsiraF dIaF bhUaF dyK CfqI ipwtygF.”
cfcI kuJ pl ruk ky bolI:
“hux qUM Cotf nhIN. qyrI Aumr dy muMizaF dy cfr-cfr inafxy aF. dfsU nUM dyK lY. Auhdy iqMn inafxy aF, cOQf iqafr hY. dlIpf qyry nfl iek sfl Cotf, Auhdy vI iqMn inafxy aF.”
“awCf-awCf, qYnUM hmysLF ivafh dI hI suJdI hY? mOkf afAux `qy ivafh vI krf lAUN.”
cfcI ny kflI df korf jvfb sux ky mUMh dUsry pfsy Pyr ilaf qF Auh Auhdy kol bYTdf hoieaf boilaf:
“cfcI mYN soc irhF ik koTVI pwkI bxfAux dI QF hfly isrP pwky Qmly hI bxf lvF. kMDF kwcIaF vI rih geIaF qF koeI hrjL nhIN. iehqoN bfad myrf ivafh hoieaf qF kuVI vfly socxgy ik AuhnF dI kuVI cMgy Gr af geI hY.” kflI cfcI dI ipwT QfpVdf boilaf:
“pMdrF idnF df kMm hY. Aus qoN bfad qUM myry iek Cwz ds ivafh kr dyeIN.”
“qUM qF hr gwl TwTy `c lY jFdf. kfkf, mYN swc kihMdI aF, ijs muMzy dy isr `qy koeI nf bYTf hovy, Auhdy kol sony dI iewt vI hovy qF AuhnUM koeI kuVI nhIN idMdf.”
“cfcI mYN qyrI gwl mMndF. pr pMdrF idnF `c koeI Prk nhIN pAU, mYN buwZf nhIN ho jfxf. glI ivwc myrI Aumr dy ijLafdf nhIN qF do muMzy kuMvfry hYgy, mMgU aqy jIqU.”
“qUM AuhnF dI gwl Cwz. inhflI dy pwly pYsy huMdy qF Auh jIqU df ivafh keI sfl pihlF kr idMdI. bfkI rhI mMgU dI gwl, AuhdIaF do kuVmfeIaF Cuwt cuwkIaF. sLrfbI nUM awKF nfl dyK ky koeI kuVI nhIN idMdf.”
cfcI josL BrI avfjL ivwc bolI:
“sfzy simaF `c Cy sfl hwd ds-igafrF sfl dI Aumr `c ivafh ho jFdf sI. keI muMzy kuVIaF dy ivafh qF ies qoN vI CotI Aumr `c ho jFdy sn. mYN awTvyN sfl ivwc sF jdoN myrf ivafh ho igaf sI. qyrI mF mYqoN CotI Aumr ivwc ivafhI geI sI. muMzf-kuVI ds sflF qoN AuWpr ho jFdy qF lok AuNglF cuwkx lwgdy sI ik koeI aYb hoAU ijhVf ivafh nhIN huMdf.” kflI cuwp irhf qF cfcI gwl awgy vDfAuNdI bolI:
“pRisMnI iek kuVI bfry dws rhI sI. Auhdy Brf dy sfly dI kuVI af. Aumr pMdrF sfl dsdI af. Auhdf py gVHI ivwc juwqIaF bxfAuNdf. kihMdI sI kuVI df aMg-rMg sB TIk af. qUM hF kih dyvyN qF mYN Auhdy nfl awgy gwl krF.”
“awCf, koTVI bx jfvy qF ijs idn qyrI mrjLI myrf ivafh kr dyeIN. hux qUM koTVI `c jf ky dyK lY koeI cIjL qF nhIN rih geI.”
kflI ny gwl Kqm kridaF ikhf.
cfcI zUMGI soc ivwc bYTI rhI. kflI ny afpxI gwl duhrfeI qF Auhny izAuZI df drvfjLf aMdroN bMd kr ilaf. dIvf bfl ky hwQ ivwc lY ilaf aqy kflI nUM afpxy ipwCy afAux df iesLfrf krdI hoeI koTVI vl vD geI.
Auhny koTVI dy donoN dr bMd kr ley aqy iek KUMjy ivwc bYT ky jLmIn nUM tohx lwgI. kflI Auhdy isr AuWqy KVf hYrfnI nfl dyK irhf sI. cfcI AuWT KVI hoeI aqy iek QF vl iesLfrf krdI hoeI bolI:
“afh dyK, pwkI iewt af nf.” kflI ny QF nUM toihaf aqy jLor lf ky iewt bfhr kwZ leI aqy AuhnUM pry rwKdf hoieaf boilaf:
“afh lY iewt.”
cfcI ny AuhnUM ipwCy htf iPr Aus QF nUM toihaf. hwQF nfl imwtI puwtx lwgI. kflI df jdoN grmI aqy Gutx nfl sfh rukx lwgf qF Auh Auh cfcI nfl kuJ guwsy BrI avfjL ivwc boilaf:
“cfcI kI hY, ht pfsy, imwtI mYN puwt idMdF.”
“Tihr kfkf.”
aqy iPr Auh Aus QF vl iesLfrf krdI hoeI bolI:
“eyQoN imwtI pfsy kr dy.”
kflI bfhroN rMbf lY afieaf aqy imwtI puwtx lwgf qF cfcI bhuq hOlI avfjL ivwc bolI.
“hOlI hOlI puwt. rMby dI avfjL pRIqo dy Gr qwk suxfeI dAU.”
kflI hYrfnI ivwc zuwibaf hoieaf cfcI dy kihx anusfr imwtI puwtdf irhf. awDy GMty dI putfeI bfad kflI ny jLmIn ivwcoN iek GVf kwiZaf. cfcI ny GVf kflI dy hwQoN lY ilaf aqy afpxf dupwtf jLmIn AuWqy ivCf ky GVf Auhdy AuWpr Ault idwqf. Auhdy ivwcoN cFdI dy kuC rupeIey Cx-Cx krdy hyTF af izwgy. AuhnF dy nfl cFdI dI JFjr, do kFty, cONk aqy Puwl vI inkly. cfcI ny gihxy vwK kr idwqy aqy bolI:
“ieh gihxy qyrI mF aqy myry dohF dy hn. pyikaF aqy shuiraF idAuN sfnUM dohF nUM ieh hI imilaf sI. ieh rupeIey igx. pMj Gwt cflI hoxy cfhIdy af. ieh sfrIaF cIjLF qyry ivafh leI dwb ky rwK idwqIaF sn. ies nfl iek qF corI-ckfrI df iPkr nhIN rihMdf, dUjf pYsf hwQ ivwc hovy qF Krc ho jFdf.”
cfcI dIaF gwlF sux aqy afpxy sfhmxy peIaF cIjLF dyK pihlF qF kflI df mn KusL ho igaf aqy iPr iekdm hI bhuq Audfs ho igaf. Auhdf jIa kIqf ik cfcI dy gl lwg Puwt-Puwt ky rovy. cfcI ny sfrIaF cIjLF nUM smytidaF ikhf:
“qyry ipAu-dfdy ny qyry leI ieh hI jfiedfd CwzI hY. hux qUM ies df mflk aF. bs mYN eynf hI cfhuMdI aF ik qUM myry ijAuNdy jIa ivafh krf lvyN. mYN afpxy ivhVy ivwc CMm-CMm krdI vhutI dyK lvF. kfkf, kI pqf sfh dI zorI kdoN Cuwt jfvy.”
ieh kihMidaF cfcI dIaF awKF ivwc hMJU af gey.
kflI cfcI nUM koeI juafb idwqy ibnF hI bfhr af igaf aqy izAuZI ivwc cwkr kwZdf irhf. QoVHI dyr bfad cfcI dupwty ivwc sfrIaF cIjLF smyt afpxI CfqI nfl lfeI izAuZI ivwc lY afeI aqy dupwty nUM AuhdI vl kridaF bolI:
“lY, iehnF nUM sMBfl lY. hux qUM jfxy qyrf kMm jfxy.”
kflI ny dupwtf lY ky afpxy mwQy nUM lfieaf aqy KfmosLI ivwc roNdf hoieaf AuhnF cIjLF nUM iek kwpVy ivwc bMn afpxy trMk ivwc rwK ilaf.
kuJ dyr donoN cuwp rhy. kflI cfcI dI mMjI kol iKaflF ivwc guafcf bYTf irhf. AuhnUM afpxy dfdy, ipAu aqy cfcy ivwcoN iksy dI sLkl Xfd nhIN sI. Auh koisLsL kr irhf sI ik AuhnF dI koeI qsvIr afpxy ijLhn ivwc bxf sky. AuhdI AudfsI bhuq zUMGI ho geI qF Auh bfhr clf igaf.
kflI dy jfx bfad cfcI ny afpxf atyrn aqy sUq cuwikaf aqy izAuZI nUM ijLMdf lf ky cOgfn vl clI geI.
cOgfn ivwc jwso, pRIqo, pRisMnI, bMqo, pfsLo, inhflI, byby hukmI aqy igafno byrI dy hyTF bYTIaF sn. cfcI nUM dyKidaF hI igafno AuWT KVI hoeI aqy afpxI mF jwso nUM kihx lwgI:
“mF, mYN mwJ nUM pwTy pfAux cwlI aF.”
cfcI ny AuhnUM jFidaF dyiKaf qF pRisMnI nUM puwiCaf:
“kOx geI af AuWT ky?”
“igafno.”
“awCf, awg lg jfvy iehnF awKF nUM. mYnUM qF cfry pfsIN prCFvyN hI prCFvyN idsdy af.”
iPr Auh ipwCy muV ky dyKdI bolI:
“nI igafno puwq! puwq, myrI gwl qF sux.”
“cfcI mwJ nUM pwTy pf afvF.”
cfcI atyrn nfl sUq dIaF awtIaF bxfAux lwgI.
“cfcI, qyrf sUq qF bhuq brIk af.” pRisMnI ny ikhf jo afpxy Puwly hoey iZwz kfrn vfr vfr pfsy bdl rhI sI.
“kwq ilaf sUq. hux qF qwklI vI njLr nhIN afAuNdI.” cfcI ny awKF qoN pfxI pUMJidaF ikhf.
“cfcI, izEZI qF bhuq sohxI bx geI af.”
“hF puwq, kflI dI ijLwd sI. AuhdI mrjLI.”
“hux qUM Auhdf ivafh kr dy. qyrI Aumr hux kMm krn dI nhIN.”
“puwq, myrI kOx suxdf. mYN qF kih-kih ky hfr geI hF. awj kihMdf sI ik koTVI pwkI kr lvF. AuhqoN bfad ivafh kr lAUN. qUM koeI irsLqf ilaf nf.”
“irsLqy qF pMjfh iml skdy af pr pqf nhIN kflI nUM koeI psMd afvy jF nf. AuhnUM qF afpxI hYsIaq df Gr cfhIdf.”
bMqo dI gwl sux pRIqo iqnk ky bolI:
“murwibaF dy mflk Gr qF imlxo rhy, ikAuNik hjLfrF `c iek cmfr hI eydF df hoAU ijhdy kol jLmIn hoAUgI. hF, imhnq-mjLdUrI krn vflf Gr iml skdf.”
“murwibaF vflf Gr kOx lwBdf. hF, iksy mMgqy-PkIr dI kuVI nhIN hoxI cfhIdI. bfkI sB rwb jI dy hwQ af. ijwQy sMjog hoxgy, AuWQy hI ivafh hoAU.” cfcI zwtvIN avfjL `c ikhf.
“cfcI, iek kuVI hYgI af - myrI mfsI dI BqIjI pr rMg Auhdf pwkf.” bMqo ny ikhf.
“kflI ikhVf aMgryjL af.” pRIqo bolI. ieh sux ky cfcI BVk AuWTI.
“pRIqo, qUM sdf lf ky gwl krdI aF. cmfr df puwq qF kflf hI hoAU.”
cfcI dI gwl sux ky sfrIaF hws peIaF. pRisMnI aqy bMqo qF hfsy nfl lot pot ho rhIaF sn. pRIqo vI BVk peI:
“cfcI, qUM sdf dUsry dy isr qoN cfdr iKwcdI aYN. ijhVf qUM afpxy afp nUM dfdI siqafvqI smJdI aYN nf Auh vI jfxdI aF.”
pRIqo gwl awgy vDfAux lwgI qF byby hukmI AuhnUM tokdI hoeI bolI:
“pRIqo, qUM qF jhfn Br dI bysLrm aYN.”
“byby bysLrm aF jF .[[[ ” aqy iPr pRIqo gwl bdldI hoeI bolI:
“mYN qF TwTy nfl ikhf sI. rwb rfjLI-KusLI rwKy kflI nUM [[[ lwKF `coN iek af. pr bMqo, qUM iks iks leI sfk ilafAUNgI. huxyy ijhy jIqU dI kuVmfeI krfAuNdI sI. hux kflI dI gwl krdI aYN. kI iek hI kuVI nUM sfrI QFeIN GuMmfeI-iPrfeI jFdI aYN.”
“jIqU dI kuVmfeI dI gwl qF pwkI af; ikAuN qfeI?” bMqo ny jIqU dI mF inhflI vl dyKidaF ikhf.
“hF, bIbf. pwkI hI smJ. jdoN Auhdy mUMh nUM Cuafrf lwg jfAU qF hI smJUMgI gwl pwkI hY.”
“muhwly `c ivafh lfiek muMzy aqy kuVIaF bhuq ny.” pRIqo igxdI hoeI bolI.
“kflI, jIqU, mMgU, bwgf, nwQU aqy kuVIaF `c igafno, cmylI, bydo, nsIbo aqy [[[”
“qUM afpxI lwCo aqy amrU df nF ikAuN nhIN lYNdI.”
jwso ny afpxy muMzy aqy kuVI df nF sux ky ikhf:
“Auh hfly Coty af. amrU df qF BfbI ny hfly prUM hI duwD Cuzvfieaf.” pRisMnI ny hsidaF ikhf.
byby hukmI rwb nUM Xfd krdI hoeI bolI:
“hux muMzy kuVIaF nUM awDy buwZy kr ky ivafhux df irvfjL ho igaf. [[[ ajy qwk qF sfry cMgy af pr duwD aqy buwD nUM BrsLt huMidaF bhuqf icr nhIN lwgdf.”
pRIqo pRisMnI dy Puwly hoey iZz vwl dyKdI hoeI bolI:
“aYqkIN qF muhwly `c puafrf pYx vflf. awsU dy mhIny `c bMqo, pRisMnI, DMno aqy krmI dy Gr inafxy hoxgy.”
“qUM afpxy afp nUM ikAuN Buwl rhIN aYN! iZwz qF qyrf vI sLihd dy Cwqy vFg viDaf hoieaf.”
pRisMnI ny ieh kih ky bMqo dy kMn ivwc kuJ ikhf aqy donoN hfsy nfl lot-pot hox lwgIaF. byby hukmI ny AuhnF nUM tokidaF ikhf:
“ikAuN ihV-ihV lf rwKI af nI.”
“BfeI iehnF dy idn af hwsx dy. afpxI jvfnI `c qUM vI ies qrHF hsdI hoxI aYN.”
“nf bIbf, AuhnIN idnIN hr Gr `c sws df pihrf huMdf sI. hux qF sws Gr `c iksy igxqI `c nhIN. AuhnIN idnIN Cy Cy mhIny afpxy mrd nfl gwl krn df mOkf nhIN sI imldf. awjkwlH qF AuTdy-bYTdy afpxy mrdF dy kMnF `c PUkF mfrdIaF rihMdIaF.” byby hukmI ny ikhf.
“byby, suixaf jdoN qUM jvfn huMdI sI qF qyry afdmI dIaF lwqF `c rojL rfq nUM drd huMdf sI aqy jdoN qUM GuwtdI sI qF AuhnUM afrfm afAuNdf sI.”
pRIqo dI ieh gwl sux ky sfrIaF hwsx lwgIaF. byby hukmI gflHF kwZdI hoeI afpxI lfTI tohx lwgI qF qfeI inhflI pRIqo nUM iJVkdI hoeI bolI:
“pRIqo, qyry argI bysLrm mYN awj qwk nhIN dyKI.”
sfrIaF ajy hws hI rhIaF sn ik kflI af igaf. Auh cfcI dy kol af ky boilaf:
“cfcI, izAuZI dI cfbI deIN.”
“kflI, vDfeI hovy, qyrI izAuZI qF hvylI dI izAuZI lwgdI hY.”
qfeI ny ikhf. kflI juafb ivwc muskrfAuNdf hoieaf muV igaf.
kflI dy jfx bfad cfcI vI AuWT KVI hoeI qF pRIqo bolI:
“BfbI, kI aMdr sony dIaF iewtF dwbIaF hoeIaF ijhVf idny vI ijLMdf lf ky rwKdI aYN.”
“hF, pRIqo, cor-AucwikaF qoN ijLMdf lfAuxf hI pYNdf.”
cfcI clI geI, qF pRIqo nwk cVHf ky bolI:
“cfcI-BqIjy dohF df idmfg Krfb ho igaf hY.” (cldf)

(anuvfd suKvMq huMdl)