Qaasid Ki Talash

Sitaar baj raha tha.....Rushy ka fevorite music instrument. Uske anusar eastern music
me sitaar se

badhiya aur koi nahin hai. Lekin wo iss samay buraa sa muhh banaaye baithi
thi.......jaise usay kisi

prakar ki sazaa mili ho.

Bajaane waala koi airaa-giraa nahin tha......balki wo vyakti tha jo bajaane ke sath sath
nachaana bhi

jaanta tha. Tigni ka naach. Lekin iss samay wo kewal bajaa raha tha aur Rushy baithi
khisiyaa rahi

thi.

Ye Imran tha........sitaar par uski ungliyaan bijli ki tarah kondti phir rahi thin.........lekin
wo sangeet

jo uske taaron se phoot rahi thi uss se ya to bhains anand le sakti thi ya mendhakon
ko uss se masti

chadh sakti thi. Ho sakta tha ki batakhen bhi usay pasand kar letin. Lekin Rushy na to
bhainson ki

tarah jugaali kar sakti thi aur na mendhakon ki tarah barsaat ki raaton me sona
haraam kar sakti

thi.......aur na battakhon(ducks) ki tarah ande de sakti thi.......haan.....ye avashya kar

sakti thi ki

Imran se sitaar chheen kar usi ke sar par tod deti.

"Aray band karo........warna main tumhaara galaa ghont dungi." wo donon kaanon
me ungaliyaan

thoons kar cheekhi.

Imran ne bokhlaaye huye dhang se sitaar rakh diya.......aur dawaaze ki taraf

chhalaang lagaayi.
Darwaaz itni bad-hawaasi me band kiya jaise jaanwaron ka jhund ke bhitar ghus aane
ka bhay raha

ho.

"Thik hai?" Usne dari dari aawaz me Rushy se puchha.

"Kya thik hai?"

"Band kar diya..."

"Maine sitaar band karne ko kaha tha."

"Is me darwaaze nahin hain...." Bahut bholepan se uttar mila.

"Kya main yahaan nahin aaya karun?" Rushy ne jhalla kar puchha.

"Aaya karo...." Imran sar hila kar bola.

"Ye tum sitaar kyon khareed laaye ho?"

"Suleman..." Imran ne haank lagaayi....aur Suleman pahli hi aawaz par kamre me tha.

"Abbe......main ye sitaar kyon khareed laaya hun?" Imran ne aankhen nikaal kar uss
se puchha.

"Main kya jaanu sahab..."

"haayeennn.....phir kon jaanega? Ab main kya raahgiron se puchhta phirun.....ki

sitaar ne mujhe kyon

khareeda...."

"Mem sahab ko sunaane keliye khareede the...." Suleman ne Rushy ki taraf dekh kar
kaha.

"Kya baktaa hai....?" Rushy dahaadi.

"Mar gaya...." Suleman honton hi honton me barbaraaya.......phir achanak uchhal kar

bola...."Aaha.....sahab....ab yahaan makkhiyaan nahin hain..."

"Kya matlab...?" Imran ne usay ghoorte huye puchha.

"Jab yahaan makkhiyaan thin to aap sitaar nahin bajaate the...."

"Pata nahin kya bak raha hai...." Imran ne Rushy ki taraf dekh kar hairat se kaha.

Itne me phone ki ghanti baji.....aur Imran ne jhapat kar phone utha liya. Sulemaan to
ghanti bajte hi

khisak gaya tha.......aur Rushy sitaar ke taar dheele karne lagi thi.

"Black-zero sir...." dusri taraf se aawaz aayi.

"Kya khabar hai?"

"Bahut buri khabar sir.......suitcase me se papers ki jagah navjaat shishu ki lash thi."

"Suit case kisne khola tha...?"

"Videsh mantralay ke office me khola gaya tha."

"Main puchh raha hun kisne khola tha aur jab khola gaya tha to wahaan kon kon
present tha?"

"Astt secretary Mr Siddiqi ne khola tha. Unke alawa wahaan aur koi nahin tha."

"Lekin tumhen iski suchna kaise mili?"

"Videsh mantralay me har ek ke muhh par ye kahani hai."

"Hmm.....ok....ab tum kisi tarah wo suitcase praapt karne ki koshish karo.....Lekin

dekho.....agar ye

kahani media me na jaane paaye to achha hai."

"Koshish karunga sir..."

"Tum kya koshish karoge......thahro....ye bataao ye ghatna kitni der pahle ki hai?"

"Mere vichar se 5-6 ghante ho chuke hain."

"Bahut der ho chuki hai......achha dekho sabhi news papers ke evening edition jis
stage me bhi hon

unhen wahin rukwa do. Lekin aisa karne se pahle ye zaroor pata kar lena ki ye news
un me aa gayi
hai ya nahin."

"All right sir...."

Imran ne phone kaat kar foreign secretary Sir Sultan ke number dial kiye.

"Hello..." dusri taraf se aawaz aayi.

"Sir Sultan se connect karo..." Imran ne kaha.

"Hold on kijiye sir...."

Imran receiver liye raha. Kuchh der baad Sir Sultan ki aawaz aayi....."Hello..."

"Imran hun sir...."

"Ohh.....kyon.....haan bhai....kya ye usi suit ki baat?"

"Ji haan.....main ye puchhna chaahta hun ki aakhir ye baat mash'hoor kyon ki gayi?"

"Siddiqi ki murkhta.....aur kya kahun?"

"Ab aap please iss news keliye press ko sensor kijiye. Evening edition me agar ye
news aane waali ho

to unhen press se baahar hi nahin nikalne dijiye."

"Achhi baat hai........lekin iss news ko phailne se roka hi kyon jaaye?"

"Main iss case par kaam kar raha hun.....isliye iska prachaar pasand nahin
karunga.....kyon ki aksar

aise me khel bigad jaata hai."

"Achhi baat hai.....ye news papers me nahin aa paayegi.......main abhi orders nikaal
deta hun."

"Aadesh....?" Imran ne hairat se kaha.

"Haan bhai....kya iske alawa aur koi tareeka ho sakta hai?"

"Aadesh to kewal yahi hoga naa ki videsh mantralay se sambandhit koi samachar
nahin chhaapi
jaaye..."

"Haan...."

"Nahin balki department ka ek pratinidhi vishesh roop se iss ko note kare ki ke

samachar local

reporters ke dwaara samachar patron ko pahuchi hai ya koi badi news agency iska
zimmedar hai..."

"Magar tum chahte kya ho?"

"Kayi baaten.....phir aaram se bataaunga.....abhi aap itna karaa dijiye."

"Ok..."

Dusri taraf se phone kat gaya tha. Imran receiver rakh kar hat aaya.

"Kya kahani hai?" Rushy ne puchha.

"Kahani wahi hai jo Hatim Taai ne Shahzadi Nooruzzamaan ko sunaayi thi.......aur

kahani ki manhoosiyat

ne Nooruzzaman ki Shahzada Zahar Mohra Khitaai se talaaq dilwa di....atah tum na hi

suno to achha

hai."
(Ye Alif Laila ki kahaniyon k eek ansh ko Imran ne tod marod kar sunaaya tha. Aap log
iss bare me adhik dimaag mat lagaaiyega…. )

(........Jaari)
Qaasid Ki Talash

"Bataao.....warna main ye sitaar tumhaare sar par patak dungi."

"Pahli patake me table ki awaaz aayegi.....aur uske baad vidhiwat gaana bhi shuru kar
doonga......chalo shuru ho jaao..."

"Achhi baat hai......ab mujh se koi kaam lena...."

"Hmm.....thahro.....main kya bataaun....sun kar dukh hoga......anyway suno....Foreign

ministry ke daftar me ek suit case se navjaat shishu ki lash nikli hai...."

"Kya bakwaas hai...."

"Achha bas ab chup raho......kahani sunaata hun to bakwaas ho jaati hai. Thoda
mujhe ye to bataao ki ek aurat kam se kam kitne bachche deti hogi?"

"Kisi bachce paida karne waali aurat se puchho..."

"Mere vichar se duniya ki har aurat minimum aath bachche avashya deti hogi..."

"Khatam karo.....main kuchh nahin sunna chaahti."

"Main vastav me ek business ki sambhaavana par gaur kar raha hun.....ye atom bomb
aur hydrogen bomb bekaar banaaye jaate hain. Unka uddeshya yahi hai ki duniya ki
aabadi ko kam ki jaaye......main kahta hun ki agar aabadi kam hi karni hai to koi
aurat-maad DDT kyon na aavishkaar ki jaaye."

"Chup raho..."

"Nahin mujhe kahne do......main iss samay bahut udaas hun. Mujhe apne ek dost ki
pareshaniyaan yaad aa rahi hain. Us bechaare ka kahna hai ki jab raat ko bistar par
let'ta hun to ek taraf mujhe machchar kaan khaate hain aur dusri taraf se
wife......machcharon ko pichkaari maar kar bhagaata hun......lekin wife ka kya karun.
Mujhe teen din ke bhitar uske liye bhi koi upaaye bataao.......warna main tumhari bhi
shadi kara dunga.

Rushy dear.......thik usi samay maine socha tha ki koi aurat-maar liquid ya spray kyon
na aawishkaar ki jaaye. Dukaan aisi chalegi ki kya bataaun......tumhara kya khayaal
hai?"

Rushy koi uttar diye bina uthi aur dusre room me chali gayi.

Imran apna gaal khujaata hua kuchh soch raha tha.......kuchh der baad usne phir
receiver uthaaya aur Juliana Fitzwater ke number dial kiye.

"Hello...." Dusri taraf se aawaz aayi......bolne waali Julia hi thi.

"X2...."

"Yes sir...."

"Saint Lawrence colony me ek building hai....Deccan Lodge....usme rahne waalon ki

detail chaahiye...."

"Ok sir......kya ye koi case hai?"

"Nahin..." Imran ne vyang se kaha..."Main ugly ladies ki jangan'na karaa raha hun...."

"Sorry sir...." Julia ne sahmi huyi awaaz me kaha.

"Do ghante baad mujhe informations milni chahiye."

"Ok sir..."

Imran ne receiver rakh kar hanger se coat utaara aur phir paanch minut ke bhitar hi
wo baahar jaane keliye taiyar ho gaya. Usi bich Rushy bhi andar se aa gayi thi.

"Tum aaj office kyon nahin gayi?"

"Kya tumhen nahi pata ki maine isteefa de diya hai..."

"Haayenn......ye kab aur kyon?"

"Parson..." Rushy ne laparwahi se kaha. "Ek officer sahab mujh par bahut adhik
meharbaan ho gaye the. Parson kahne lage main aksar tumhen sapne me dekhta
hun...."

"Chch....chch..." Imran ne sar hila kar dukh prakat karte huye kaha..."Ab tum.....logon
ke sapne me bhi dikh jaana pasand nahin karti. Mujhe dekho.....main aaj kal kaajal
laga kar sota hun ki kabhi to saaf dikhaai do..."

"Tum kahaan jaa rahe ho...?"

"Main......pata nahin..."
"Mujhe bhi pata nahin hai ki iss samay kahaan jaaun.....isliye kyon na ham sath hi
chalen?"

"Tum ne istifa dekar bahut hi bura kiya..."

"Chalo....niklo...." (Aage......)

Ek jagah usne car rok di. Bayin taraf ek darwaaze par ek budhi si aurat khadi thi.
Imran ne ishaare se usay kareeb bulaaya aur dhire se puchha. "Maaii Jaggu hai?"

"Jee sahab hai..." wo Rushy ko ghoorti huyi boli.

"Zara usay turant bhejo...." Imran ne aurat ke hath par 500 ka note rakhte huye kaha.
"Ye tumhaara inaam hai....usay majboor karna ki wo mere sath chali jaaye....ye ek
bahut bade gharaane ki ladki hai."

"Nishchint raho sahab..." Aurat sar hila kar boli...."Main usay abhi bhejti hun....magar
jaana kahan hoga?"

"Aray....jagah bhi wahi bataayegi......agar main jagah ki vyawastha kar sakta to isay
aisi haalat me sath liye kyon phirta...mujhe yahi bataaya gaya hai ki maaii Jaggu jagah
ki bhi vyavastha kar deti hai..."

"Tab to bahut kharcha hoga sahab."

"Kitna.....10 hazar.....20 hazaar....50 hazaar....?"

"Bass bass thik hai......sab ho jaayega.....main Jaggu ko abhi bhejti hun..."

Imran kankhiyon se Rushy ki taraf dekha. Uski position me koi antar nahin aaya tha.
Wo unghti huyi si lag rahi thi.

Thodi der baad budhi aurat ek dusri aurat ke sath waapas aayi. Dusri aurat bhi aged
hi thi. Lekin uska swaasth bahut achha tha. Uske shareer par halke neele rang ki saari
aur peele rang ka blouse tha. Aankhon par mote frame ka chashma. Wo shakal se
padhi likhi aur samajhdar lag rahi thi.
"Ohh.....bahut bahut shukriya..." Imran ne murkhon ki tarah kaha "Pichhli seat par
baith jaaiye.....bahut aabhari hun main...."

Aane waali aurat ne ek uchat'ti huyi nazar Rushy par daali aur pichhla gate khol kar
andar baith gayi.

Phir car chal padi thi ki baahar khadi aurat ne daant nikaal kar kaha..."Mera inaam na
bhuliyega sahab..."

"Ohh.....kabhi nahin..." Imran ne sar hila kar kaha.

"Thirty sixth colony le chaliye sir...." Pichhli seat par baithi aurat ne kaha.

"Achha..." Imran ne uttar diya.

Achanak Rushy dhire se karaahi.....aur Imran bokhlaaye huye dhang se

kaha...."Ye....ye...karaah rahi hai..."

"Chinta mat kijiye..." aurat ne uttar diya.

Aur Imran ne dil hi dil me dua maangi...."Aye saare jagat ke paalne waale.....mujhe
aisi chintaaon se mukt hi rakhna..."

Thirty sixth colony me pahuch kar aurat ne ek taraf car modne ko kaha.....phir shayad
2 ya 3 minut baad car ek chhote se sundar imaarat ke saamne ruk gayi. Main gate
locked tha. Aurat ne taala khola aur unko kuchh kahe bina ab=ndar chali gayi.

"Utariye shreemati jee..." Imran ne dukhi swar me Rushy se kaha...."Agar aap iss
yogya hon..."

"Tum ye kya kar rahe ho?"

"Bass dekhti jaao.....utro jaldi karo. Agar uss ne baahar hi iss frod ka anumaan kar liya
to kathinaayi ho jaayegi."

Rushy car me hi shawl phek kar baahar aa gayi....aur donon tezi se imaarat me
ghuste chale gaye. Imran ne gate band kar diya tha. Raahdari me hi the ki aurat se
muthbher ho gayi......aur aurat Rushy ko ghoore jaa rahi thi. Uska muhh hairat se
khul gaya tha.....aur aankhen phail gayi thin.

"Haan....maaii Jagu.." Imran dhire se bola...."To isi tarah log tum se milte hain aur
tum unhen yahaan laati ho. Aur phir shahar ke vibhinna bhaagon me jivit ye mrit
navjaat bachche paaye jaate hain......chalo kahin aaram se baith kar baaten hongi."

"Aurat ka chehra dhuwaan dhuwaan ho gaya tha.....us ne khud par niyantran karne
keliye nichla hont daanton me daba liya.

"Chalo....chalo....yahaan baithne ki bhi jagah hogi..." Imran bola....lekin aurat waise hi

khadi rahi.

"Chalo..." Rushy ne aage badh kar usay dhakka diya.

Aurat unhen ek kamre me laayi. Yahan dhool se bhari kuchh kursiyaan thin......aur
kamre me halki raushni thi. Imran ne switch on kar ke ek bulb jala diya.

"Baitho maaii jagu..." aurat kisi lash ki tarah kursi me dher ho gayi.

"Ab bataao....tum ne pichhli raat kahaan aur kon sa kaarnaama anjaam diya tha?"

"Aap....aapko galat-fahmi huyi hai sir.....main kabhi koi gair-kanooni kaam nahin leti.
Ye prasav kendra to un logon ke liye hai jo zachha ki dekh bhaal ki vyavastha nahin
kar sakte...."

"Chalo thik hai.....lekin pichhli raat tum ne kahaan kaam kiya tha?"

"Kahin nahin sir....vishvaas kijiye ki pichhle hafte se bekaar hun. Waise main logon ke
gharon par bhi jaati hun."

"Magar pichhli raat ko......nahin tum jhoot bol rahi ho..."

"Aap vishwaas kijiye."

"Suno..." Imran kathor lahje me kaha..."Ham log kewal puchh tachh karte
hain.....agar safalta nahin milti to maamla police ke hathon me chala jaata hai.....aur
ye to tum jaanti hi hogi ki police waale kis prakar pesh aate hain. Tum to aurat ho.
Bade bade tees maar khan bhi thaane pahuch kar hath pair daal dete hain."

Aurat usi tarah padi haanfti rahi.

"Tum bolti kyun nahin?" Rushy ne kade swar me kaha...."Muhh se phooto....warna

main tumhaare sath wahi salook karungi jo police karti hai."

"Bhagwaan keliye mera pichha chhodiye.....main kuchh nahin jaanti."

"Ho sakta hai tumhaare sweekar kar lene ke baad main iss maamle ko aage na
badhaaun..." Imran ne dhire se kaha.

"D..dd...dekhiye..." Wo haklaayi..."Ye mera pesha hai. Main kya jaanu ki bachcha

kanooni hai ya gair kanooni...ab aap hi....dd...dekhiye aapke maathe par to kuchh
likha hai nahin..."

Wo saans lene ko ruki.

"Main kab kahta hun ki tum jaan bujh kar koi awaidh kaam karti hogi."

"Main aap ke baare me bhi yahi samjhi thi ki aap donon pati-patni hain.....yahaan
akele hain aur dekh bhaal ki vyavastha nahin hai...."

"Bilkul....bilkul..." Imran sar hila kar bola..."swabhavik baat hai..."

(........Jaari.)

Next

"Isi tarah pichhli raat ek sahab aaye the aur mujhe apne sath apne ghar le gaye the.
Delivery karaane ke baad main waapas aa gayi thi. Main nahin jaanti ki maamla kya
tha."

"Bachcha jeevit tha?"

"Ji haan..."
"Uske baal brown the?"

"Jee haan brown the."

"Kya wo aurat anglo Indian thi?"

"Jee nahin desi....lekin rahan sahan pashchimi tha..."

"Address..."

"Highway 11 pe ek gali hai.....main uska naam nahin jaanti. Makan ka number bhi
nahin bata sakungi. Lekin agar aap mujhe sath le chalen to dikha zaroor sakungi."

"Kitna paisa mila tha?"

"5 hazar sir..."

"Ohh....aur tab bhi tumhen samajh me nahin aaya tha ki wo koi awaidh case ho sakta
hai. Agar unhen itna hi kharch karna tha to koi lady doctor kyon nahin bulaayi gayi?"

"Main iska kya uttar de sakti hun..."

"khair....Chalo mujhe ghar dikhao jahaan....."

"Magar......mera anjaam kya hoga.....kya un logon ne bachche ko khatam kar diyaa?"

"Pata nahin.....tum uski chinta me na pado. Tumhara anjaam bura na hoga.....yadi

soojh bujh se kaam lo."

"Main samjhi nahin sir..."

"Very simple....matlab tumm apna muhh band rakhogi.....agar kisi se bhi iss ghatana
ki charcha karogi to ek hi ghanta baad tumhen bure parinaam ka saamna karna
padega."

Wo baahar nikal kar phir car me baith gaye. Aurat pichhli hi seat par thi.

"Tum apna chashma utaar kar ye shawl odh lo.....is tarah ki kewal tumhari aankhen
hi khuli rahen.....thand adhik hai..." Imran ne aurat se kahte huye shawl us par phenk
di.

Kuchh der baad car highway 11 par pahuch gayi. Imran ne raftaar kam kar di.

"Wo gali sir..." Aurat bharrayi huyi aawaz me boli. "Jiske sire par neela board dikhayi
de raha hai"

"Hmm....ok.." Imran ne car usi gali me mod di.

Speed kuchh aur kam ho gayi thi.

"Baayen taraf waala makan sir...jiski khidkiyon par peele parde hain..." Aurat boli.

"Thik..." Imran barbadaaya.....aur car ki speed lagataar tez hoti gayi.

Gali se nikal kar usne car phir thirty sixth colony ki taraf mod di.

Aurat khamosh thi. Achanak Imran ne puchha..."Us makan me kitne log the?"

"3 sir.....ek mard, pregnant lady aur ek budhi aurat."

"Bachche waali ki umar kya thi?"

"20 saal se adhik nahin."

"Shayad teesra bachcha hoga...( ) khair....tum yahaan utar jaao....lekin main ek

baar phir yaad dilaata hun ki tumhen apna muhh band rakhna hai."

********************
**************

Waapsi par Imran ne Julia ko phone kiya.....lekin uttar nahin mila. 2 ghante se adhik
samay beet chuka tha......lekin abhi tak Julia ki taraf se koi suchna nahin mili thi. Usne
Suleman se puchha ki uski anupasthiti me private phone ki ghanti to nahin baji thi.
Lekin Suleman ne inkar me uttar diya. Hamesha ke anusar ye asambhav tha ki Julia 2
ghante baad usay phone na karti......agar 2 ghante me usay safalta na mili hoti to wo
apni nakaami ki hi suchna dekar aur samay ki maang karti.

Uss samay Imran apne flat me akela tha. Rushy ko wo usi makaan ke niwasiyon ke
baare me jaankari lene keliye highway11 par hi chhod aaya tha.

Kuchh der wo sochta raha phir Tanwir ke number dial kiye.

"Hello..." dusri taraf se awaaz aayi.

"X2..."

"Yes sir..."
"Saint Lawrance colony me ek building hai Deccan lodge.....tum sab uske aas paas
phail jaao...jitni jaldi sambhav ho..."

"Kya Imran ko bhi suchna di jaaye sir...?"

"Nahin.....kewal apne sathiyon ko le jaao..."

"All right sir..."

Imran ne phone kaat diya. Usne abhi tak kapde change nahin kiye the. Mez ki daraaz
khol kar usne revolver nikaala aur usay jeb me daalta hua flat se nikal aaya. Aur phir
thodi hi der baad uski car saint Lawrance colony ki taraf jaa rahi thi.

Deccan Lodge is colony ki ek famous building thi. Buiding ke location ke anusar usay
colony se baahar hi samajhna chaahiye kyonki uske aas paas aur koi imaarat nahin
thi. Colony ki ghani aabadi se uska koi sambandh nahin tha lekin shayad daak ki
sahulat ke kaaran usay bhi colony ka hi ek bhavan ghoshit kar diya gaya tha. Deccan
Lodge ke aas paas vibhinn prakar ke phalon ke bagiche the......aur unka sambandh
usi imarat se tha.

Imran ne thik imaarat hi ke saamne car rok di aur door hi se dekh liya tha ki main
gate par ek bada sa taala latak raha tha. Imran ne chaaron taraf dekh kar ek lambi
saans li......shayad abhi tak Tanwir aadi wahaan nahin pahuche the.
(........Jaari)
Next

Wo car se utar kar imaarat ki taraf badha. Compound ke gate par ek chhota sa board
laga hua tha jise Imran ne door se name plate samjha tha. Lekin nikat pahuchne par
us par ye likha paaya...

"Kiraaye keliye khali"

Imran ne bura sa muhh bana kar sar ko jhatka.....3 din pahle to ye buiding aabad thi.
Khud usne iski khidkiyon me kuchh videshiyon ko dekha tha.

Compound ka gate bhi band tha....lekin wahaan taala ki jagah mota sa taar lapet diya
gaya tha. Imran ne taar ko khol kar gate ko dhakka diya.

Baahari gate se Bhawaan ke main gate ki doori adhik nahin thi. Wo baraamde me
aaya......aur jhuk kar taala dekhne laga......jiski satah ekdam saaf thi......dhool gard
bikul nahin pade huye the.
Usne khidkiyon ke sheeshon par bhi nazar daali.....wo bhi saaf suthre the.

"Duffer..." wo muskuraata hua barbadaaya. Phir usne bade aaram se ek khidki ka

sheesha toda......aur hath bhitar daal kar bolt niche gira diya. Dono palle khul gaye.
Khidki me salaakhen nahin thi. Isliye bhitar pahuchne me koi kathinaayi nahin huyi.

Wo ek bade kamre me tha. Ye shayad drawing-room tha. Yahaan bhi kisi chiz par
Imran ko dust dikhayi nahin diya. Aisa lagta tha jaise aaj hi sab jagah achhi tarah
safaayi ki gayi ho.

Wo aage badha. Raahdari bahut lambi thi. Donon taraf darwaaze the jo sabhi band
the.

Imran ka vichar tha ki ek baar poori imaarat ka sarsari nirikshan kar le phir ek ek
room ko dekhega.

Achanak kahin se kisi bhaari vastu ke girne ki aawaz aayi......aur sath hi usne halki si
karaah bhi suni. Wo chalte chalte ruk gaya. Nishchit roop se wo kisi ke karaahne ki
aawaz thi.

Imran aage badha. Aawaz phir aayi.....aur wo usi disha me chalta raha. Raahdari right
side mud gayi thi. 3-4 kadam chalne ke baad usne khud ko ek bade se aangan me
paaya.....jiske dusri taraf lagbhag 20 feet unchi diwaar thi.

Ek taraf ek shade tha.....jiske niche ek aurat kursi se bandhi huyi dikhayi di. Shayad
aazad hone ke sangharsh me kursi ulat gayi thi. Aurat ka chehra dusri taraf tha......aur
baar baar uske kanth se ghuti ghuti karaah nikal jaati thi.

Imran tezi se aage badha aur kursi utha kar sidhi kar di.

"Haayennn.....tummmm??" Usne hairat se kaha. Kyonki ye Juliana Fitzwater

thi.....jiska muhh rumaal se jakad diya gaya tha.

"Ye kya hua?"

"Aaghh...ghaa.." Julia tezi se gardan jhatakni shuru kar di. Uski aankhon se gussa
jhaank raha tha.

"Nahin bataao to....!" Imran ne murkhon ki tarah kaha. Julia ke muhh se phir ghuti
ghti aawaz nikalne lagi.
"Ohh.....tauba taubaa....tum bataaogi bhi kaise.....tumhaare to muhh par patti bandhi
huyi hai.......kaash sabhi auraton ke muhh par aise hi pattiyaan rahta...." Usne bokhla
kar kaha aur rumaal ki girah kholne laga.

"Tumhen sharam nahin aati.....aise awasaron par bhi..." wo gusse se aage bol nahin
pa rahi thi. Pata nahin aur bhi kya kya usko bakti rahi......aur Imran kisi aagyakari
baalak ki tarah sar jhukaaye rassi ke bal kholta raha. Julia ki aankhen laal thin aur un
me aansu bhi the.....aur gusse ki chingaariyaan bhi.

"Kis bedard ne tumhen yahaan bheja tha?" Imran ne thandi saans lekar kaha.

"Chalo....bekaar bakwaas na karo....yahaan se nikalna bhi aasan kaam na hoga. Wo

baahar bagiche me maujood honge..."

"Kk....kon....arre baap re....main to yahaan apni bakri ka bachcha khojta hua aaya
tha."

"Julia uski baat par dhyaan diye bina kahti rahi...."Yahaan aayi thi lekin unhone
mujhe pakad kar rassi se baandh diya......aur aapas me baat karne lage ki ab kya
karna chaahiye. Ek ne kaha ki abhi aur bhi aayenge......isliye makaan ko lock kar ke
ham log baagh me chhup jaayen.....phir jab sab aa jaayen tab silencer yukt rifle se
sab ko thikaane laga denge."

"Very good...." Imran sar hila kar bola...."Tum yahan aayi kyon thi?"

"Tum kyon aaye ho?" Julia chadh daudi.

"Main to is liye aaya tha ki imaarat ko kiraaya par le sakun.....baahar kiraaye par diye
jaane keliye board laga hua hai."

"Mujhe X2 ne bheja tha aur mujhe vishwaas hai ki tum bhi uske aadesh par hi yahaan
aaye hoge."

"Kya tum meri hi tarah yahaan prawesh ki thi?"

"Tum kaise aaye ho?"

"Kewal ek khidki ko thoda sa damage kar ke..."

"Main chechak ke teeke lagaane aayi thi."

"Really...?" Imran ne khush hokar kaha....."Ek mere bhi laga do......warna agar mere
daddy ko chechak nikal aaye to main bemaut mar jaaunga......magar tum se kis ulloo
ke chacha ne kaha tha ki tum chechak ke teeke lagaane chali aana. Yahaan ke
muncipal hospitals me ek bhi videshi mahila nahin hai."

"Ab to galti ho hi gayi...."

"Agar un logon se bhi galti ho jaati.....to kya hota...." Imran dardnaak aawaz me
bola.....phir gambhir swar me kaha..."Tum dino din adhik se adhik akalmand hoti jaa
rahi ho.....anyway unki sankhya kitni thi?"

"Char aadmi the...." Julia bura sa muhh bana kar boli...."Lekin tum apna lahja thik
karo.....kya main tumhari naukar hun....?"

"Nahin tum to lady Mcbeth ho....." Imran chidh kar bola..."Agar main X2 hota to...."

"Tum to bade genius ho..." Julia hath nacha kar boli...."Main kah rahi hun ki wo
chaaron baagh me hi honge.....lekin tum samay barbad kar rahe ho..."

"Main iss samay walking ke mood me nahin hun....warna tumhen bhi baagh ki sair
kara deta......ab chup raho.....chup chap baahar niklo. Meri car baahar khadi hai."

"Kya matlab?"

"Matlab ye ki wo car tab tak prize me nahin mil sakegi jab tak ki tum formally teeke
lagaane ki training na le lo...."

"Main akeli nahin niklungi..."

"Kyon...?"

"Chalo..." Julia usay dhakelne lagi.

"Mera khayal hai ki secret service ke dusre rangroot bhi iss building baahar maujood
honge. Tumhare choohe X2 ne mujh se yahi kaha tha......daro nahin......jaao.....meri
gaadi le jaao......kya tumhen Shukraal ka Imran yaad nahin?"

Lekin Julia uski baaton par dhyan diye bina usay dhakelti huyi baahar le aayi.

"Kyon.....wo silence lagi rifles kahaan gayi?" Imran ne muskura kar puchha.

"Shukraal waale Imran ke kadam jahaan padte hain....."

Wo sentence poora nahin kar saki kyonki usne Tanwir aur dusre sathiyon ko pedon
ke jhund se nikalte dekh liya tha. Wo tezi se uski taraf aa rahe the......jaise hi wo nikat
aaye Julia ne puchha....

"Kya tum ne un chaaron ko dekha tha?"

"Kon?" Tanwir ne teekhe swar me puchha.....wo usay Imran ke sath dekh

kar jhallaa gaya tha.

(........Jaari)
(Aage.....)

"Wahi chaar aadmi jo iss imaarat se nikle the."

"Ho sakta hai hamaari aankhen itni kamzor ho gayi hon ki chaar ke do dikhayi de rahe
hon..." Tanwir ke swar me vyangya tha.

"Ek aur ek hamesha teen hote hain...." Imran shoonya me ghoorta hua barbaraaya.
"Isay hamesha yaad rakhna."

Phir Julia se aadeshaatmak swar me bola...."Maine tum se kya kaha tha?"

Julia chup chaap baahari gate se nikal kar car me ja baithi.

"Ye car tumhari hai?" Captain Khawir ne Imran se puchha.

"Haan.....meri hai hai.....kyon?"

"Kahaan hath saaf kiya?"

"Towel me......waise mere hath har samay saaf rahte hain......aur daanton ki safaayi
par bhi poora dhyan deta hun."

Julia car start kar ke dusri taraf mud gayi. Imran kah raha tha....."Khair...ab aao
dekhen iss makaan ka kiraaya zyada to nahin hai?"

"Kya matlab?" Khawir aankhen nikaal kar bola..."Tum donon yahaan kya kar rahe
the?"

"Santosh kar rahe the....waise hamaara vichaar tha ki agar yahaan is samay ham
donon ke mummy aur papa bhi maujood rahte to kitna maza aata....." Imran ne kaha
aur building ki taraf mud gaya.

*******************
**********

Rushy aankhen nikaale khadi thi......aur Imran iss tarah sar jhukaaye baitha tha jaise
palken uthaate hi tadaak se ek thappad gaal par padega.

"Kya ye case tumhaare level ka hai?" Rushy gurraayi.

"Mere level ka to kuchh bhi nahin.....isi liye to aaj tak daddy ki chhat ke niche panaah
na mil saki." Imran ne bharraayi huyi aawaz me kaha. Rushy aur adhik biphar gayi.

"Bekaar mujhe pareshan kiya.....daily na jaane kitne bachche idhar udhar paaye jaate
hain. Kya unke liye police kaafi nahin hain?" usne kaha.

"Aray.....aray....ye tum kahaan ki baaten nikaal baithin? Report please....."

"Report.....? Report ye hai ki wo ek shareef family hai. Kisi ne uss bechari ko dhoka
diya. Daily anginat auraten dhoke khaati rahti hain......mujhe vishwaas hai ki un
donon me se kisi ne bhi bache ka gala na ghonta hoga. Ye kaam usi mard ki ho saka
hai......jo midwife ko delivery karaane keliye le gaya tha...."

"Kya wo mard bhi wahaan tha?"

"Nahin.....wahaan koi mard permanent nahin rahta. Wo maa beti akeli hain."

"Mujhe bachche ya uski lash se koi matlab nahin hai...." Imran ne kaha....."Agar us
suit-case se kutte ke pille ki lash bhi nikalti to main ye pata karne ka prayas zaroor
karta ki iss pille ki maa kahaan paayi jayegi."

"Kya matlab?"

"Khopadi istemaal karo......aakhir wo suit-case videsh martalay ke office tak kaise jaa
pahucha? Usay to kisi police station hi tak seemit rahna chaahiye tha. Pahle wo
thaane pahucha tha......lekin wahaan kisi ne bhi usay kholne ki himmat nahin
ki......phir wo videsh mantralay ke hawaale kar diya gaya."

"Ohh.....to wo suit-case..."

"Bahut importance rakhta hai.......lekin samajh me nahin aata ki in harkaton ka

matlab kya hai."

"Main tum se puchhti hun ki iss bakwas ka kya matlab hai?"

"Suno.......really ye harkaten bahut vichitra hain...ki pichhle dinon ki baat hai.......ek

aadmi Saint Lawrance colony ki ek building Deccan Lodge ke niche se guzar raha tha.
Achanak koi chiz uske sar se takra kar door jaa giri.....ye kaagaz ki ek chhoti si pudiya
thi. Swabhavik si baat thi....wo upar ki taraf dekhta. Usay sandeh hua ki wo pudiyaa
Deccan Lodge ki kisi khidki se aayi thi. Usne pudiya uthaayi.....usay khol kar
dekha......aur uski aankhen hairat se phail gayin. Ye ek anguthi thi jisne bada sa heera
jhilmilaa raha tha. Aadmi imaandar tha. Usne uske liye Deccan Lodge ke niwaasiyon
se sampark kiya. Lekin unhone uss anguthi ke baare me anbhigyata prakat ki. Us
bechaare ka shak badhne laga. Usne socha ho sakta hai ki wo log usay kisi prakar ke
jaal me phasaana chaahte hon......kyon ki us building ke nikat koi dusri building bhi
nahin thi. Usne iss samassya par un logon se bahas karni chaahi. Lekin unhone usay
dhakke dekar nikaal diya. Uski hairat badhti hi rahi. Usay poora vishwas tha ki
anguthi Deccan Lodge se hi phenki gayi thi......is liye ab usne thaane ki raah li. Lekin
tumhen ye sun kar aashcharya hoga ki wo anguthi bhi thaane se Videsh mantralay
bhejwaa di gayi."

"Ohh......yaad aaya. Tum ne Julia ko us imaarat ki nigrani keliye phone kiya tha."

"Haan......uss se pahle hi police ne us building par chhaapa maara.......lekin koi safalta

nahin mili. Kyonki buiding uss samay khaali thi......aur baahri gate par ek board laga
hua tha jis par likha hua tha 'Kiraaye keliye khaali'. Police nakaam waapas aayi. Phir
mujhe suchna mili ki building me koi kiraayadar aa gaya hai. Maine Julia ko inquiry
keliye bheja."

"Aakhir tum apne mard staff se kaam kyon nahin lete?"

"Main vastav me un se badla leta hun. Kya wo pade pade mote aur aalsi nahin ho
jaayenge? Agar wo mote aur aalasi huye to samajh lo unka future dark ho gaya...."

"Befizool bakwaas mat karo.....haan to jab tumne Julia ko bheja....."

"Haan.....to phir...." Imran ne ek lambi saans li aur wo sab kuchh bataane laga jo uski
adheen staff Julia par beeti thi. Rushy hairat se sunti rahi. Imran chup hokar ek lambi
saans li aur phir kahne laga.

"Lekin......khuda keliye abhi mujh se ye mat puchhna ki wo anguthi aur wo suit-case

thaane se videsh mantralay me kyon bheje gaye....."

"Ye to tumhen bataana hi padega."

"Kabhi nahin.....tum khud pata karne ki koshish karo...."

"Achhi baat hai....." Rushy gusse me boli. "Kya tum mujhe gaaudi samajhte ho?"

"Ladki aur gaaudiiii?" Imran aankhen phaad kar bola....."Duniya ki har aurat gaaudii
hone ke siwaa sab kuchh ho sakti hai. Aurat se adhik chalaak praani prithwi par dusra
nahin. Arre yahi kya kam hai.....ki usne bade bade buddhimaanon ko apne
gaaudii(Moorkh) hone ka vishwaas dilaaya. Kewal isliye ki zimmedariyon se
chhutkaara mila rahe. Aurat uss samay bhi buddhimaan thi jab aadmi ped-podhon ki
jaden khod kar apna pet bharta tha. Sau mard me kam se kam das mard stupid hote
hain. Lekin agar tum 500 auraton me se aadhi moorkh aurat bhi nikaal sako to Ali
Imran M Sc, Ph D. Gurdaspuri uss se shadi kar lega......aadhi hi sahi aur kya?"

"Samaapt huyi bakwaas ya abhi aur hai?"

"Kyon?"

"Agar wo suit-case aur anguthi aise hi hangaamedaar saabit hone waale the to iss
tarah pheke kyon gaye?"

"Good...! Aur tab bhi tum kahti ho ki main tum se shadi kar lun?"

"Kab kaha maine....?" Rushy mez se rool utha kar uski taraf jhapti.

"Arrrrr....hupppp.....ss...suno to sahi.....kisi aur ne kaha hoga....main bhul bhi to jaata

hun...." Imran ne mez ki dusri taraf chhalaang lagaayi.

Rool mez par pada. Imran door khada muhh bana raha tha. Rushy jahaan thi wahin
rahi lekin usko kahar barsaane waali nigaahon se ghoorti rahi.

"Ab dekho na...." Wo dukhi swar me bola...."Aisi hi ghatnaayen mujhe udaas kar deti
hain aur main udaasi ki haalat me sitaar bajaana shuru kar deta hun."

"Hath laga kar dekho sitaar ko.....kya hashar karti hun...."

"Agar ye baat hai to main koshish karunga ki udaas na hone paaun." Imran ne thandi
saans lekar kaha.
Next

"Aadmi bano.....warna main tumhaara jeewan nark kar doongi."

"Nahin......tum mera jeewan nark nahin kar sakti......waise bahut jaldi ye filmi geet
mujhe nishchit roop se maut ke ghat utaar dega........
"Mera naam Abdul rahman,
Piste waala main hun pathaan...."

Rushy kuchh kahne waali thi ki phone jaag utha....Imran ne receiver uthaya. Dusri
taraf se Juliana Fitzwater hello hello kar rahi thi.

"Hello......main hi hun."

"Imran...kya main tumhari gaadi police ke hawaale kar dun?"

"Kyon kya wo tum se tumhaare khandan ke baare me puchhne lagi hai?"

"Nahin.......ab tum se puchhegi aur tum apne baap ka naam bhi nahin bata sakoge."

"Chalo jaldi kaho.....kya kahna hai........mere paas abhi tame nahin hai...."

"Achha to suno....tumhari gaadi me plastic ka ek bada sa thaila pada hua hai."

"Haaiinnn.....tum meri saari moong-phaliyaan to nahin kha gayi?"

"Ghabraao nahin......abhi tumhari akal apni satah par aa jaayegi." Julia ne tez lahje
me kaha. "Uss thaile me se aadmi ka sar mila hai...."

"Main uss gadhe ko goli maarrrr......aann.....kyaaa??? Kya kaha tumne?"

"Ek aadmi ka sar jiss se taaza taaza khoon tapak raha hai."

"Khuda raham kare......kya tum sach kah rahi ho?"

"Kya tum aa rahe ho?" Julia ne shushk lahje me kaha.

"Agar tum ek murkh ko aur adhik murkh banaane ka iraada nahin rakhtin to aana hi
padega...."

"Tumhen vishwaas nahin hua? OK.....to ab tumhen police station se hi sushna

milegi."

"Ruko......mere khayal se tum iss baare me X2 se bhi baat kar lo....Julia....paristhiti aisi
ban gayi hai ki meri car se gadhe ka sar bhi nikal sakta hai."

"Achha.....main usay phone karti hun...."

Dusri taraf se phone kat gaya aur jaldi hi Suleman ne suchna diya ki private phone ki
ghanti baj rahi hai.

Ek baar phir Julia ki aawaz sunaayi di. Usne apni poori kahani sunaane ke baad
kaha...."Jab main ghar pahuch kar car se utar hi rahi thi tab pichhli seat par ek poly
bag dikhayi diya......mujhe kuchh ajeeb sa laga isliye maine usay utha kar dekha. Us
me kisi aadmi ka sar tha aur kuchh khoon. Aisa lag raha hai ki sar ko dhad se alag
huye adhik der nahin guzri...."

"Achha.....uss sar ki tasweer lekar usay secret service ki taraf se police ke hawaale kar
do..."

"Kya Imran ko iss case ke baare me adhik jaankari hai?"

"Nishchit hai.....agar ye baat na hoti to wo tumhari sahayata ko kaise

pahuchta.......tum uski chinta mat karo......abhi jo kuchh kaha jaaye karti raho...."

"All right sir...."

Phone kat gaya. Rushy jo iss se pahle bhi iss baat chit ka kuchh bhag sun chuki thi
Imran ke sar par sawaar ho gayi. Imran jaldi me tha......isliye bataana hi pada. Lekin
wo is par taiyar nahin hua ki Rushy bhi uske sath jaayegi. (Aage.........)

"Stove me tel nahin hai."

"Main jhapat kar tel le aaunga."

"Chai ki pattiyaan bhi na hongi.....aaj tees tarikh hai."

"Tel ke sath chaipatti bhi le aaunga."

"Ohho....main bhool hi gayi....stove bhi kharab ho gaya hai."

"Main chai ki pattiyaan chaba kar upar se doodh ka glass chadha lunga......tum
bekaar chinta karti ho."

"Chai nahin milegi." Julia jhunjlaa gayi.

"Tum koshish to karo....awashya milegi.....Nepolian ki maa ne kaha tha ki duniya me

koi baat asambhav nahin...."

"Nepolian ki maa hi tumhen chai bhi pilaayegi."

"Haayenn....nahiiinnn...." Imran harsh mishrit chakit swar me kaha...."Ye to very good

news hai.....kya Nepolian hi naam rakhogi...?"

Julia jhenp gayi aur paper weight utha kar khadi hoti huyi boli..."Bas chale hi jaao
yahaan se warna achha nahin hoga..."

"Aray.....aray.....kya matlab?"

"Matlab ye ki tumhaara sar phaad dungi. Jaao yahaan se."

Imran achanak gambheer ho gaya aur rundhe huye swar me bola..."Main chai nahin
piyunga....mummy kahti hain ki chai peene se pet kharab ho jaata hai. Aur kahin se
vida hone me jaldi karne se kabhi kabhi hath pair toot jaate hain."

"Nahin.....tumhen jaana padega."

"Ye bhi sambhav hai...." Imran ne gambhirta se kaha..."Lekin isi shart pe ki tum har
daswen minut par Chauhan ko print keliye phone karo. Main un tasweeron ke print
liye bina nahin jaaunga. Agar adhik bore karogi to main tumhare choohe X2 ko bore
karunga..."

Julia baith gayi lekin aankhon me gussa ab bhi dikhayi de raha tha. Imran ko aise
ghoor rahi thi jaise kachcha hi chaba jaayegi. Imran chewingum ka packet phaadne
laga aur uske chahre par murkhta ke bhav paida ho chuke the. Next

"Uski har chiz par isi tarah ki tasweer ho thi sirjee..."

"Ohh....kya aap mujhe uski koi aisi chiz dikha sakti hain jis par naag ka chitra
ho......matlab iss suit case ke alaawa....."

"Sorry.....main aisi koi chiz na dikha sakungi......kyonki wo apni ek ek chiz samet kar le
gaya hai."

"Waise do ek chiz ka naam to bata hi sakti hain jin par aisi tasweer thin..."

Aurat kuchh der sochti rahi phir boli...."Ek to anguthi thi.....wo bhi naag ki shakal ki
thi. Matlab aisa lagta tha jaise naag ne apni puchh ko mod kar muhh me daba liya
ho....uss naag ke sar par ek bada sa heera tha."

"Hunnn....." Imran jeb me hath daalta hua bola "Mere paas bhi ek aisi hi anguthi
hai.......kahin wo aapke damaad ki to nahin....?"

"Laaiye dekhun..." Aurat bechaini bhare andaz me boli. Imran ne anguthi uski taraf
badha di.

"Ekdam......bilkul...." Aurat joshile swar me boli. "Ye anguthi usi ki hai.....kya aapke
paas platinum ka wo cigerette-case bhi hai......jis par naag ka chitra hai?"

"Dhiraj....dhiraj..." Imran uth kar bola. "Laaiye anguthi mujhe dijiye.....haan

thik.....thanks. Ab ye bataaiye aapki ladki ka marriage certificate kahaan hai?"

"cc....certificate....!" aurat haklaayi.

"Nahin hai....." Imran dhire se bola. "Phir iss murkhta ki kya zarurat thi? Tum ne
bachche ki gumshudgi ki report kyon darj karaayi?"

Aurat ka chehra peela pad gaya tha.....aur wo buri tarah haanf rahi thi. Uske hont hile
zaroor lekin aawaz nahin nikli.

"Bolo.....jawaab do....iski kya zaroorat thi......tumhare padosiyon tak ko tumhare kisi

damaad ke baare me pata nahin...."

Aurat thodi der chup rahi phir boli..."Majburiyaan sab kuchh kara deti hai sir..."
"Chalo....main maanta hun iss baat ko...."

"Lekin shadi huyi thi sir..."

"Certificate..."

"Certificate bhi usi ke paas hai."

"Lekin tumhare padosi ko pata nahin ki tumhari beti shadi shuda hai..."

"Haann....sach much sab anbhigya honge..." aurat ne bharraaye huye swar me kaha.

"Phir kya baat hai....baat ko badhaaye bina kam se kam shabdon me bayaan
karo....police ko shak hai ki tum unhen dhoka dene ki koshish kar rahi ho..."

"Ye shadi ek majboori ke kaaran huyi thi." Aurat ne thandi saans lekar kaha. "Donon
kewal dost the. Ek din mujhe pata chala ki meri beti kewal usi haalat me izzat ke sath
zinda rah sakti hai agar dono shadi kar len......warna kuchh hi dinon me unki galti sab
ke saamne ujaagar ho jaati. Maine badi mushkilon se Arther ko shadi ke liye raazi
kiya. Lekin wo yahaan hamaare sath nahin rahta tha. Marriage certificate bhi usne
apne paas hi rakha. Aur shadi se pahle usne ye shart rakhi thi ki atyant aawashyak
hone par hi wo shadi ko open karega. Warna hamen iss sambandh me khamosh hi
rahna hoga. Ladki shadi ke 3 mahine baad se hi kahin aana jaana aur kisi se bhi milna
band kar di. Aisi haalat me usay yahi karna tha. Arther kahta tha ki ek majboori ke
kaaran apni shadi ko gupt rakh raha hai. Majboori ye bataayi ki iss shadi se ek aise
wsiyat-naama par bura prabhav pad sakta hai jis se wo do saal baad ek bahut badi
sampatti ka maalik ho jaayega. Lekin......" wo thandi saans lekar chup ho gayi.

"Yess.....bayaan jaari rakho..." Imran ne ghadi ki taraf dekhte huye kaha.

"Bachche ke janm waali raat wo bachcha samet gayab ho gaya. Uska ye suit case bhi
yahin tha.....lekin dusri subah nahin mila...."

"Kya delivery waali raat wo yahin soya tha?"

"Jee haan....pahli baar.....aur apne sath ye suit case bhi laaya tha. Us par bhi naag ka
chitra dekh kar mujhe badi hairat huyi thi."
"Waise to kabhi kabhi wo yahaan aata hi raha hoga.."

"Ji haan....aata tha. Aur ladki ke liye jo paise deta tha wo bade logon jaise the...."

"Khud wo kahaan rahta tha?"

"wo hamesha yahi kahta tha ki uska jahaan bhi niwaas hota hai.....temporary hota
hai. Waise do saal baad wo shahar ki kayi badi badi buildings ka maalik ho jaayega.
Lekin sir aap iss tarah uske baare me chhan been kar rahe hain jaise uske baare me
pahle hi se bahut kuchh jaante hain.."

"Anawashyak baato se parhez karo....main tumhari ladki se bhi milna chaahta hun...."

"Usay bahut tez bukhaar hai aur uski maansik sthiti par bharosa
nahin kiya jaa sakta."

(.........Jaari.)

Next:

"Main usay dekhna chaahta hun." Imran ne dhire se kaha. "Rahi baat maansik sthiti
ki to mujhe tumhaari maansik sthiti bhi bharosemand nahin lagti..."

"Na ho..." Aurat jhunjlaa gayi. "Ab to jo kuchh hua hai....bhugatna hi padega. Lekin
wo kamina iss layak hai ki bich chauraahe par goli maar di jaaye. Ek din ke bachche
ko iss tarah utha le gaya. Chaliye uss abhaagin ko bhi dekh lijiye.....jiske kaaran ye din
dekhna par raha hai."

Imran uth gaya....Wo usay ek kamre me laayi. Uski ladki bekhabar so rahi thi......aur
uska chehra tamtamaaya hua tha. Tez fever ke lakshan the. Imran usay kuchh der
dekhta raha.....phir kamre par sarsari nigaah daalta hua baahar nikal gaya. Donon
phir drawing room me aaye.

Ishwar ke liye mujhe bataaiye.....kya bachche ka suraag mil gaya hai?" Aurat ne
vyakulta se puchha. "Agar bachcha na mila to wo mar jaayegi."

"Baith jaaiye..." Imran hath utha kar bola. "Kya aap uski koi tasweer de sakti hain?"
"Tasweer...? Uss kambakht ne aaj tak meri beti ki ye ichha poori nahin ki. Wo chaahti
thi ki kam se kam ek photo uske saath khichwaaye......lekin wo hamesha taalta raha.
Ab mahsoos ho raha hai ki wo pakka frod tha. Aap kisi bhi tarah uss bachche ko
talash kijiye sir."

"Tasweer bhi nahin mil sakegi..." Imran ne nirasha vyakt karte huye kaha.
"Achha....kewal uska huliya hi bata do. Naam kya tha? Aur uske kisi dost ko to zaroor
jaanti hogi."

"Usne apna naam Mac Arther bataya tha. Ham uske kisi dost ko nahin jaante. Wo
madhyam kad aur mazboot shareer ka aadmi hai. Rangat gori aur muchhen brown
rang ki.....baayen gaal par laal rang ka bada sa til."

"Ohh...." Imran ne apni hairat par kaabu paane ki koshish ki.....phir jaldi se
bola....."Uske niwas ka pata bataao. Main koshish karunga ki bachcha waapas aa
sake."

"Kya wo abhi tak aapke hath nahin laga? Phir ye suit case?"

"Meri baat ka jawaab dijiye....main uska pata chaahta hun. Aap kisi aise aadmi se
apni beti shadi nahin kar sakti jiska pata maloom nahin ho. Duniya ki koi ladki bhi is
par taiyar nahin hogi."

"Main kab kahti hun ki mujhe uske thikaane ka pata nahin maloom. Sab se pahle
main wahin gayi thi. Lekin jab wahaan taala laga dekha to iske alawa aur koi upaaye
samajh me nahin aaya ki police ko iski suchna de dun."

"Lekin........thahariye......kya yahi bayan aap ne police ko bhi diya hai?"

"Nahin.......main bahut adhik gusse me thi......aur mujhe apne upar kaabu paana
mushkil ho raha tha. Isliye maine bahut hi galat salat baaten report me likhwa di hai.
Lekin ab majburi-wash usi par kayam hun......bayan kaise badal sakti hun."

"Phir mujh se sachi baat kaise kah di?"

"Kisi na kisi se sach bolna hi padta hai.......aur na jaane kyon mujhe mahsoos hota hai
ki aap aam police waalon ki tarah rude nahin hain."

"Main unse bhi adhik rude hun. Haan wo kon si baaten tum ne report me galat darj
karaayi hai?"
"Yahi ki wo mere sath hi rahta tha. Maine ye nahin bataaya ki shadi kin paristhiti me
huyi."

"Lekin agar police padosiyon se puchh taachh kar baithi to?"

"Kah to rahi hun ki uss samay mera dimaag lagbhag aape se baahar tha. Main kewal
ye chaahti thi ki iss apradh ki usay adhik se adhik saza mil sake. Maine to apni report
me ye bhi likhwaaya hai ki wo mere ghar se pachaas hazaar rupiye bhi chura kar le
gaya hai.......Ab aap mujhe bataaiye ki main iss baare me aur kya karun?"

"Main bataaunga.....lekin tumhen sab se pahle apni ladki ki khabar leni

chaahiye.....wo bahut adhik beemar lag rahi hai."

"Arthik sthiti aisi nahin ki main usay kisi hospital me bharti karaa sakun."

"Aarthik shrot kya hai tumhaara?" Imran usay ghoorta hua bola.

"Kuchh paitrik makaanon ka kiraaya......jo itna adhik nahin hota ki ham vastav me
khush-haal zindagi guzaar saken."

"Chinta mat karo...." Imran sar hila kar bola. "Main uski dekh bhaal keliye ek anglo-
indian nurse bhej dunga.......wo tum se kuchh nahin maangegi. Usay samaaj sewa ka
shauk hai."

"Arre......aap kahan kasht karenge."

"Nahin.....mujhe tum logon se sahanubhuti hai. Lekin tum ab apna muhh band hi
rakhna. Iss suit case ya un chizon ki charcha to bilkul nahin hone paaye jin par tum ne
naag ki tasweer dekhi hai."

"Police waale agar puchhen?"

"Main police hi ke baare me kah raha hun."

"Kyon? Aapka sambandh police se nahin hai?" Aurat ne hairat se kaha.

"Khufiya police....kya tum ne nahin dekha ki wo sub inspector mujh se baaten kar
raha tha?"

"Ji haan.....ji haan..."

"Bas ab uske thikaane ka pata bataao." Imran wrist watch dekhta hua bola.
"5-Gresham street...."

Imran ne naam aur pata note kar liya.

"Achha....nurse do ghante ke bhitar hi pahuch jaayegi." Usne kaha aur waapasi ke

liye uth gaya. Aurat uske sath darwaaze tak aayi.

Phir Imran ne pahle milne waale telephone booth se apne flat ke number dial kiye.
Rushy maujood thi. Usne kaha....."Kyon Rushy.....tumhen us pariwar se hamdardi hai
naa?"

"Haan....bilkul."

"Achha to suno. Wo donon auraten ya to pakki frod hain ya 100% innocent. Agar wo
masoom hain to samajh lo ki unki zindagiyaan bhi khatre me hain."

"Main samjhi nahin."

"Samjhaane ke liye samay nahin hai. Tum wahaan turant pahuch jaao. Tumhen ek
nurse ki haisiyat se us ladki ki dekh bhal karni hai......lekin apna pistal sath me rakhna
mat bhoolna."

"Kya unhen pata hai ki main nurse ki haisiyat se wahaan thahrungi?"

"Haan....unhen maloom hai. Bas tum itna hi kah dena ki jachcha ki dekh bhaal keliye
aayi ho.....lekin tum kewal nurse hi rahogi......kuchh puchh tachh nahin karogi......bas
apni aankhen khuli rakhna."

Imran ne aage ki bahas aur takraar se bachne keliye jaldi se phone kaat diya. Ab uski
car usi mid wife ke makaan ki taraf jaa rahi thi jisne delivery karaayi thi.
(...........Jaari.)

(Aage........)

Wo ghar par hi mili aur Imran ki shakal dekhte hi uska rang peela pad gaya. Imran ne
jeb se wo tasweer nikaali jiske liye wo Julia ko kaafi der tak bore karta raha tha. Usi
kate huye sar ki tasweer jo uski car me mila tha.

"Ohh......ji haan..." Maai Jagu sar hila kar boli. "Ye wahi aadmi hai jo delivery karaane
keliye mujhe le gaya tha."
"Pahchaanne me dhoka to nahin kha rahi?" Imran ne puchha.

"Nahin sahab......yehi tha."

"Uski muchhen kis rang ki thin?"

"Waisi hi jaisi angrezon ki hoti hain.....halka baadami....."

"Aur koi khas baat?"

"Khaas baat kya?"

"Chehre par koi aisa nishaan jo alag se hi dikhta ho"

"Nishan to nahin tha.....haan.....laal rang ka ek ubhra hua til tha....bada sa."

"Achha.....shukriya.....ho sakta hai ki mujhe phir tumhari zarurat pade."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kuchh der baad Imran Gesham street me ghus raha tha. Car usne bahut door hi
chhod di thi aur paidal chal raha tha. Pachwen makaan ki diwaar par Mc Arther ke
naam ka name-plate laga hua tha. Lekin makaan me taala laga hua tha. Imran ne
apni chaal tez kar di. Wo jaldi se jaldi kisi aisi jagah pahuch jaana chaahta tha jahaan
telephone mil sake.

Usne ek medicene store se black zero ko call kiya.

"Black zero......tum X2 ki haisiyat se mere adheen sathiyon ko nirdesh do ki wo

Gresham street ke pachwen makaan ki nigraani karen. Makaan par Mac Arther ka
name plate laga hua hai......aur makaan me taala laga hua hai. Agar koi aadmi us
makaan me ghusne ki koshish kare to uski bhi nigraani ki jaaye."

"All right sir........kitne aadmiyon ko is kaam par lagaaya jaaye?"

"Meri samajh se teen kaafi honge.....tum Safdar, Nomani aur Chauhan ko is kaam par
laga sakte ho........haan koi nayi khabar?"

"No sir......abhi to koi nayi suchna nahin hai."

Imran ne phone d/c kar diya.

Suraj doob chuka tha. Imran apne flat me waapas aa gaya. Uske dimaag me ek saath
kayi baaten chakra rahi thin. Ab ye maamla achha khaasa puzzle ban gaya tha.

"Wo victim jis ka sar uski car me paaya gaya tha, ab clear tha ki wo budhi aurat ka
damaad tha. Shadi rahassmayi dhang se huyi thi. Delivery waali raat ko wo pahli baar
budhi ke ghar me thahra tha......aur apne sath ek suit case laaya tha jis par naag ka
chitra bana hua tha. Subah budhi ne usko suit case aur bachcha samet gayab paya.
Usi din usi suit case me bachche ki lash mili. Arthaat wo suit case budhi ke ghar isi
liye laaya gaya tha ki bachche ki lash usme rakh kar kisi public place par daal di jaaye.

Budhi ka statement tha ki uske paas ek aisi anguthi bhi thi jiski banawat naag ki si thi.
Usne aise hi ek cigerette case ki bhi charcha kiya jis par naag ka chitra bana hua tha.
Anguthi aur suit case rahassyamayi dhang se police tak pahuch chuke the lekin cig
case baaki tha.

Ye sab kya tha? Phir wo aadmi bhi maar daala gaya jiske kabze me ye teenon chizen
thin. Shayad wo un chizon se chhutkaara paana chaahta tha. Warna wo aise vichitra
paristhitiyon me police tak kaise pahuchtin? Lekin uski hatya kisne kar diya......hatya
ka kaaran???

Achanak private phone ki ghanti baji. Imran dusre kamre me aaya.

"Hello..."

"Julia sir...."

"Yes....?"

"Shahar ke vibhinn bhagon se teen sar aur mile hain."

"Kya tum ne unhen dekha hai?"

"Ji haan..........aur ye sar unhin chaar aadmiyon me se teen ke hainjinhone mujhe uss
building ke qaid kiya tha."

"Ek aur pechidgi...."

"Kyaa.....?"

"Kuchh nahin..." Imran ne kaha aur phone kaat diya.Phir Sir Sultan ke number dial
kiye aur unhen un teen saron ke baare me suchit karte huye kaha ki usay un ke
photographs chaahiye.
'Wo chaar aadmi' Imran sochne laga. Jinhone Julia ko uss imaarat me baandha
tha......aur usay wahin chhod kar bhaag gaye the. Kya wo bhi usi aadmi se sambandh
rakhte the jiska sar us car me paaya gaya tha.......aur us aadmi ka sambandh to us
imaarat se saaf prakat tha kyonki wo anguthi usi imaarat se pheki gayi thi. Lekin uska
sar uski car me kyon daal diya gaya? Kya uske hatyaare wahi chaaro aadmi the
jinhone Julia ko qaid kiya tha. Magar un me se teen aadmiyon ka hatyaara kon hai
tha?

Imran ne jaeb se chewingum ka packet nikaala aur usay phaadne hi jaa raha tha ki
uska naukar Suleman aakar uske saamne khada ho gaya.

"Kya baat hai?" Imran ne daant kar puchha.

"Mangal ki aath tareekh ko maine aap se jo 500 rupiye karz liye the wo waapas kar
dijiye...."

"Abhi kuchh nahin milega.....dafa ho jaao..."

"Nahin sahab.....main to le kar rahunga. Aaj mausam bahut suhaana hai. Aap hi ki
izzat badhti hai. Pichhli raat main aapka dinner suit pahan kar chandu-khaana gaya
tha. Jisne dekha bas dekhta hi rah gaya. Phir sab ne thandi saansen li.......aur
kaha.....haan bhai. Bade aadmi ke naukar bhi bade hi hote hain."

"Mera dinner suit pahan kar chandu-khana gaya tha?" Imran ne hairat se aankhen
phaad kar kaha.

"Ji haan......aur aaj kisi bar me jaaunga. Dinner suit pahan kar mujh se to desi nahin pi
jaayegi."

"Abbe hosh me hai yaa nahin?"

"Ji haan.....abhi to hosh hi me hun......aaj cream colour waala suit pahnunga."

"Aye Suleman ke bachche.....maarte maarte khaal gira doonga. Tu mere suit pahna
karta hai....."

"Kya karun sarkar.......majburi hai. Agar na pahnu to ye kaise pata chalga ki main
Imran sahab ka naukar hun?"

"Chaahe Imran sahab langoti hi kyon na lagaaye phiren...."

"Ye to aur bhi tareef ki baat hai. Log kahenge......ye wo bada aadmi hai....jo khud to
langoti lagaaye phirta hai......lekin uske naukar governer general lagte hain."

"Sach much?" Imran ne khush ho kar kaha.

"Ji haan..."

"Achha.....tab tu langoti laga kar phira kar.......main khud ko tera naukar ghoshit kar
doonga." Imran ne sar hila kar kaha.

"500 rupiye sahab.....chaahe kuchh ho jaaye."

"Haaiinnn......abhi tune kya kaha tha......bar me jaaunga. Abbe kya sharab peene laga
hai?"

"Sharab nahin to kya charas pitunga sahab? Aap jaise bade aadmi ka naukar aur
charas?" "eek"

"Suleman..."

"Ji sahab...."

"Ek taang par..."

"Arre baap re...." Suleman ek taang par khada hota hua karaaha.

"Ek ghante ki...."

"Aray mar gayaaaa...."

"Suleman...."

"Ji sahab...."

"Agar ek ghanta se pahle dusri taang zameen par rakhi to saari zindagi ek hi taang
par khada rahna padega."

"Maine aap se jo 500 rupiye karz liye the......kal waapas kar dunga."

"Kal nahin abhi....isi samay.....abbe o kabutar ke patthe.....hamen koi marwaadi seth

samjha hai?"

"Nahin saahab.....aap to din raat bhooke rahte hain..."

"Taang giraao...."

Suleman ne dusri taang bhi zameen par rakh di. Phir turant bola..."Sahab 500."
(...........jaari)
Next

"Abbe.....aadmi hai ya bater...abhi tu ne kaha tha ki aap din raat bhooke marte hain."

"Ab ye to aap ki aadat thahri.....jeb me hazaar hazaar ke note thoonse rah kar
bhooke marte hain......to main kya kar sakta hun......bass kabhi 500 maang liye kabhi
hazaar....."

"Shaam ke khaane me kya hai?"

"Nargisi kofte...."

"Khamosh......khamosh......agar tu ne koi she'r padha to sar tod dunga.......namak

haraam. Mujhe ulloo samajhta hai......sher sunaata hai."

"Sher kab suna raha tha sahab?"

"Phir ye nargisi wargisi kya tha?"

"Nargisi kofte...."

"Oh my god...." Imran aankhen phaad kar bola. "Ye haandiyon me kab se shayari chal
padi hai? Abbe dekh........agar tu ne mujhe kabhi nargisi kofte ya bulbul ke pankh ki
tarkaari khilaayi to turant dismiss kar ke Tandola paar bhijwaa dunga. Kya samjhe?"

"Kuchh nahin samjha......ab aap mujhe phaansi de dijiye."

"Abbe.....kabhi 500 rupiye maangta hai kabhi phaansi.....tera wo to nahin chal

gaya......kya kahte hain usay bol...."

"Khota sikkaa......ji haan chal gaya tha.....lekin sahab 500 rupiye...."

"Tu bahut bada kharcheela ho gaya hai......main teri shadi kara dunga."

"Nahin....aap kewal 500 de dijiye.....shadi par iss se adhik laagat aayegi."

"Dafa ho jaao...." Imran ne jeb se 500 ke do note nikaal kar uske muhh par phekte
huye kaha.
"Bass ek kaafi hai."

"Nahin.......donon...." Imran aankhen nikaal kar bola.

"Badi musibat hai. Kis janjaal me phans gaya...." Suleman bura sa muhh bana kar
bola...."Maangunga ek to milenge do......mujh se aap ki naukari nahin ho sakegi
sahab."

"Sirf ek saal aur nikaal de Suleman pyare.....agar ek ke chaar milen tab bhi santosh
kar aur ek ke aath mile tab bhi khoon ke ghoont pi kar sabar kar......upar waala sab
dekh raha hai. Shayad uske baad mujhe hi teri naukari karni pade."

Suleman thandi saans lekar chala gaya.

Thodi der baad private phone ki ghanti baji. Imran ne uth kar receiver uthaaya.
"Hello."

"Black zero sir.........us makaan ki nigraani ho rahi hai. Abhi tak kisi ne bhi usme
ghusne ki koshish nahin ki hai. Taala waise hi latak raha hai."

"Very good. Main thik 11 baje usme prawesh karunga."

"Kya main bhi rahun sath?"

"Sirf tum.....11 baje se 15 minut pahle unhen wahaan se hata dena."

"Ok sir...."

Imran ne phone kaat kar receiver rakh diya.

*********************

Gresham street sunsaan ho gayi thi. Imran tahalta hua 5th makaan ke nikat aaya.
Black zero pahle hi se wahaan tha. Imran ne jeb se patla se koi auzaar nikaala aur
taala par jhuk pada. Taala kholne me usne kuchh second se adhik samay nahin liya.

"Aao..." Wo dhire se bola aur black zero ne uske baad imaarat me prawesh kiya aur
darwaaza ko dhire se band kar ke bolt laga diya.

Lekin Imran iss prakaar thithak gaya jaise kisi jaanwar ki tarah khatre ki mahak
soongh liya ho.

"Kya baat hai?" Black zero ne dhire se puchha.

"Iss andhere kamre me kisi kaali billi ki talash hai."

Black zero iss par kuchh nahin bola. Lekin wo Imran ki yogyataaon se achhi tarah
awagat tha......aur phir achanak uske bhi kaan khade ho gaye. Usne bhi yahi mahsoos
kiya ki wahaan un donon ke alaawa bhi koi maujood hai. Imran ne uska hath pakad
kar khicha.........aur wo donon diwaar se jaa sate.

"Chik.....chik...." Awaaz phir aayi.

Lekin iss baar uski disha badli huyi thi. Balck zero ne bhi mahsus kiya. Jeb me pade
huye revolver ke daste par uski pakad mazbut hoti rahi. Imran ka hath uske kandhe
par tha. Achanak aisa laga jaise koi bhaari wastu zamin par giri ho. Uske baad hi ek
halki si cheekh bhi kisi band kamre me ghut kar rah gayi.

"Aao..." Imran dhire se bola. Usne ek chhoti si torch nikaal li thi......jiski seemit
raushni me wo aage badhe. Imran ne darwaaze ka handle ghumaaya. Ye darwaaz
locked nahin tha. Ek jhatke ke sath usay khol kar wo aage hi badhta raha. Raahdari
chhoti si thi. Jisme donon taraf chaar kamre the. Unke darwaaze khule huye the. Wo
un me torch ki raushni daalta jaa raha tha. Raahdari ki samaapti ek darwaaze par
huyi thi aur ye darwaaza bhi band tha. Imran ruk gaya. Darwaaze ki jhiri se raushni
dikhayi de rahi thi. Imran ne torch bujha di thi. Uski aankh darwaaze ki jhiri se jaa
lagi. Bhitar do aadmi dikhayi diye. Ek farsh par chit pada dusre ko bebasi se dekh raha
tha......aur dusra aadmi jo uske sameep hi kursi par baitha usay ghoor raha tha. Kursi
par baitha vyakti aadmi se adhik koi gorilla lag raha tha. Uska kad mushkil se 5 feet
raha hoga. Lekin phailaao bahut adhik tha. Sar se pair tak kaale rang ke chust kapdon
me tha. Aisa lag raha tha jaise poore shareer par kaala kapda mandh diya gaya ho.
Chehra bhi usi me chhup kar rah gaya tha. Kewal aankhon ki jagah do chhed the.
Kamre me dusri taraf ek khidki thi......jo khuli huyi thi......aur prakat tha ki uski
salaakhen nikaal kar bhitar aane ka raasta banaaya gaya hoga. Kayi mudi tudi
salaakhen kamre ke farsh par padi huyi thin.

"Utho...." Achanak gorilla jaisa aadmi gurraaya.

Wo aadmi chup chaap farsh se uth gaya.

"Darwaza kholo..." Gorille ne kaha. "Dusre kamre me chalo.......tum se bahut si

baaten karni hain. Lekin itna samajh lo ki tum yahaan se uss samay tak nahin nikal
sakoge jab tak main na chaahun...."

Imran ne black zero ka hath pakd kar kheecha aur donon badi tezi se chalte huye
dusre sire ke kamre me chale gaye. Imran uski khidki ke paas hi ruk kar raahdari ke
andhere me aankh phaadta raha.

Tabhi darwaaza khulne ki aawaz aayi lekin us kamre ki raushni bujha di gayi thi.
Imran kewal kadmon ki aawazen sunta raha. Phir shayad usi kamre ke barabar waale
kamre hi me un aawazon ki samaapti ho gayi. Raushni ka ek bada sa dhabba raahdari
me dikhayi dene laga. Us kamre ka bulb jalaaya gaya tha.

Imran aur black zero dabe paaon kamre se nikle. Raushni waale kamre ki khidki band
hi thi. Imran ek baar phir uski jhiri se jhaank raha tha.

Gorilla jaisa aadmi chair par baitha hua tha. "Haan....tum yahaan is samay kya kar
rahe the?"

"Ch....ch....chori karne aaya tha." Dusra aadmi haklaaya.

"Aaye kidhar se the.....gate to locked tha."

"Barabar waale makaan ki chhat se..."

"Chori karne aaye the to karo chori......main bhi tumhaara hath bataaunga." Gorilla
bola.

"Mm....maaf kar dijiye sahab....dubaara aisi galati nahin hogi."

"Tum gadhe ho..." Gorilla hans pada. "Main bhi chor hun aur khidki tod kar bhitar
aaya hun."

Dusra aadmi kuchh na bola. Achanak gorilla krodh bhare swar me gurraya..."Agar
tum apna muhh na khologe to tumhaara bhi wahi anjaam hoga jo tumhaare chaar
sathiyon ka ho chuka hai."

"Main nahin samjha..."

"Kya tum Arther ke saathiyon me se nahin ho?"

"Nahin sir......main kisi Arther ko nahin jaanta hun..."

"Achhi baat hai to ab tum chori shuru kar do. Main dekhunga ki tum kya churaane
aaye ho."

"Mujhe jaane dijiye..." Usne bhaybheet swar me kaha.

"Nahin.....achha hoga ki tumhaara sar bhi....."

"Nahiiiinnn....." Wo aadmi dono hath phaila kar cheekha.

"Naqaab..." Imran ne ekdam dhimi aawaz me kaha. Black zero ne jeb se naqaab
nikaal kar chehre par chadha li. Imran bhi naqaab laga chuka tha.

Kamre ke bhitar dari dari si cheekhen goonjne lagin. Gorilla jaisa aadmi apne dono
hath phailaaye dhire dhire dusre aadmi ki taraf badh raha tha......aur dusra aadmi
cheekhta hua darwaaze ki taraf khisak raha tha.

"Bataao.......mujhe apne aur saathiyon ke naam aur pate bataao." Gurilla jaisa vyakti
kah raha tha. Dusre hi pal Imran bhitar tha. Black zero ne revolver nikaal liya tha.
(...........Jaari.)

(Aage.......)

Dusre hi pal Imran bhitar tha. Black zero ne revolver nikaal liya tha.

"Tum log cheekh cheekh kar dusron ki neend kyon barbaad kar rahe ho?" Imran ne
kaha.

Gorilla jaisa vyakti ruk gaya.

"Bahut khoob.....mere vichar se ab tum teen hi bache ho....anyway....main baari baari

se tum teenon ke gale ghont dunga.....maar daalne ke baad gardan alag karne me
aasani hoti hai." Gorilla gurraaya.

"Apne hath upar uthaao..." Black zero lalkaara.

"Tum shauk se fire kar do." Uttar mila.

"Ye revolver soundless hai." Black zero ne kaha.

"Parwaah na karo.....main bhi khamoshi se mar jaaunga."

"Bekar goliyaan nasht mat karna.....isne bullet proof pahan rakha hai." Imran bola.

"Bade chalaak lagte ho...." Gorilla hans pada.

"Khud ko hamaare hawaale kar do.....bakwaas mat karo." Imran bola.

"Aao pakad lo mujhe............main kahin bhaag nahin raha..."

Imran aage badha. Lekin dusre hi pal use phurti se ek taraf hat jaana pada......aur
gorilla apne hi zor me saamne waali deewar se jaa takraaya. Phir palatne bhi nahin
paaya tha ki black zero ne uske sar par revolver ka dasta de maara. Khataak ki aawaz
huyi bilkul aise jaise dasta patthar se takraaya ho.

"Kyon murkhta dikha rahe ho......" Imran bola. "sar par bhi bullet proof hai."

Gorilla black zero par jhapta lekin Imran donon ke bich me aa gaya. Gorilla ki baahen
usay jakadne keliye aage badhe.....lekin iss se pahle ki wo apne maksad me safal hota
Imran ki laat uske pet par padi.......aur wo ek baar phir deewar se jaa takraaya. Phir
sach much wo kisi gorille ki hi tarah gurraane laga. Is baar ka hamla prachand tha.
Lekin Imran ne phir jhukaayi di aur baayen taraf se ek laat phir jamaaya.

Wo vaastav me usay thaka kar bebas kar dena chaahta tha. Achanak usay dusre
aadmi ka khayal aaya......aur usne black zero se kaha.

"O....gadhe.....wo kahaan gaya...."

"Ohh.....wo nikal gaya shayad....." Black zero ne chaaron taraf dekhte huye kaha.

"Dekho..." Imran dahaada..."Wo jaane na paaye."

Black zero raahdari ki taraf jhapta. Vastav me usi ki gaflat ke kaaran wo nikal jaane
me safal hua tha. Galati uski bhi nahin thi. Gorille aur Imran ka sangharsh kuchh aisa
hi rochak tha ki wo kisi chauthe ki upasthiti ko bhool baitha tha.

Gorilla pichhe hata. Ab shayad usay bhi apni murkhta ka ahsaas ho gaya tha. Diwaar
ke sahaare tik kar wo haanfne laga......aur phir Imran ko aisa laga jaise wo khade
hone me kathinaayi mahsoos kar raha ho. Wo baayen taraf jhuktaa jaa raha tha.
Imran khamosh khada dekhta raha. Lekin dusre hi pal uski akal thikaane lag gayi
kyonki usne bhi Imran ko dhoka hi diya tha. Gash aane ka naatak kar ke usne vaastav
me revolver niaal lene ka safal prayas kiya tha.
"Apne hath upar uthaao..." Wo kisi bhediye ki tarah gurraaya.

"Main bhi hath uthaane ka aadi nahin hun." Imran ne uttar diya. "Tum shauk se fire
kar sakte ho."

"Mujhe bhi iss ka dar nahin ki raat ke sannaate me fire ki aawaz logon ko chaunkaa
degi." Gorilla krodh bhare swar me kaha. Phir achanak uske swar ki katutaa door ho
gayi aur wo hansmukh andaaz me bola..."Lekin thahro.....tum kon ho.....kya uss
aadmi se tumhaara koi sambandh nahin hai?"

"Tum fire karo.....mera aur apna samay nasht mat karo......main bullet proof ke bina
hi kaam chala leta hun."

"Nahin......main fire nahin karunga..."

"Lekin main tumhari shakal awashya dekhunga...." Imran ne kaha. "Pichhle saal mera
ek mendhak faraar ho gaya tha. Uske gam me aaj bhi rone ki koshish karta hun.
Magar aansu nahin nikalte. Wo ekdam tumhari hi tarah dheeth tha."

"Ohh..." Gorilla phir gusse me aa gaya...."Tum mera mazaak udaa rahe ho......ye lo..."

Usne fire jhonk diya. Imran chaukas tha hi. Sang art kaam aaya. Goli saamne diwaar
se jaa takraayi. Usne phir fire kiya......lekin uska bhi yahi anjaam hua. Phir
teesra.....lekin chauthe fire ne Imran ki buddhi ko chakra diya. Kyonki wo Imran ki
bajaaye bulb par kiya gaya tha. Kamra andhera ho gaya.

Imran ne mez ulatne ki aawaz suni......aur phir iss se pahle ki wo koi upaaye
karta.....bhaagte huye kadmon ki aawaz raahdari me pahuch gayi. Imran ne bhi
darwaaze me chhalaang lagaayi. Ye ek dilchasp situation tha. Goli maar dene ki
dhamki bhi kaargar saabit na hoti.....kyonki bhaagne waale ke shareer par bullet
proof maujood tha. Tabhi Imran ne black zero ki aawaz suni jo shayad bokhlaahat me
goli maar dene ki dhamki de raha tha. Phir saamne waale kamre me torch ki raushni
dikhayi di......aur koi bhaagta hua Imran se takraaya.

"Bhaagiye..." Takraane waale ne dhimi aawaz me kaha...."Police."

Imran main gate ki taraf jhapta.......aur wo donon bade aaram se sadak par aa
gaye......kyonki udhar sannaata tha. Shayad police waalon ko tooti huyi khidki ne apni
taraf aakarshit kiya tha.

Ab unke chehron par naqaab nahin the......aur donon iss dhang se chalne lage jaise
chahal-kadmi ke liye nikle hon.

"Kuchh bhi nahin hua sir...." Black zero ne dukhi swar me kaha.

"Bahut kuchh hua..." Imran ne laparwaahi se kaha. "Jo kuchh beet jaaye us ke baare
me kabhi na socho."

"No sir....main bahut sharminda hun. Wo pahla aadmi to 100% meri galti ke kaaran
nikal gaya."

"Aur dusra aadmi mujhe ulloo bana gaya..." Imran hans kar bola. "Usne jab dekha ki
teen fire karne ke baad bhi mera kuchh na bigdaa......to chautha fire bulb par kar ke
andhere me bhaag niklaa. Anyway....lekin iss se ek laabh hua.....matlab ye baat clear
huyi ki iss case me do vibhinna giroh ek dusre ke viruddh shakti laga rahe hain.
Uddeshya chaahe jo bhi ho. Wo dusra aadmi jo gorille ka shikaar hone waala
tha.....shayad unhin logon me se tha......jinke sar shahar ke different bhagon me
paaye gaye hain."

"Lekin un saron ke pradarshan ka kya uddeshya ho sakta hai?"

"Mere vichar se dusre giroh ko prabhaawit karna. Abhi main iss se aage kisi parinaam
par nahin pahucha hun."

"Matlab wo gorilla unhin logon me se tha jinhone chaar logon ke sar kaat kar shahar
me jahaan tahaan daal diye the."

"Un donon ki baat se to yahi lag raha tha."

"Lekin aap iss samay yahaan aaye kis liye the?"

"Kisi aisi wastu ki khoj me jiss se Mac Arther ke vyaktitva par prakash par sake."
"Lekin khel khatam ho gaya."

"Nahin khel to shayad ab shuru hua hai." Imran ne kuchh sochte huye kaha. Next:

Dusri subah Imran ne phone par Rushy ki aawaz suni. Wo kah rahi thi.

"Zacha(Jis ladki ne baby deliver kiya ) ki haalat ab kuchh thik hai lekin wo bachche
keliye bahut bechain hai. Imran ye donon maa beti bahut shareef hain. Lekin duniya
me aise shareef kahaan milenge jo kisi dusre ki sharafat se najayaz faaida na
uthaayen...."

"Haayeenn...." Imran bokhlaa kar bola...."Tum shishtachaar par lecture de rahi ho ya

report?"

"Tum kya jaanna chaahte ho?"

"Unke rishtedaaron par is ka kya reaction hua hai?"

"Jab main inke kisi rishtedar ko jaanti hi nahin to is ka uttar kya de sakti hun..."

"Un se milne keliye koi nahin aaya?"

"Nahin.....abhi tak to koi nahin aaya."

"Ladki ko apne bharose me lene ka prayas karo. Uski maa ka bayaan hai ki bachcha
gair-kanooni nahin hai.....balki donon ki shadi huyi thi. Lekin iss shadi ka vidhiwat
ghoshna nahin ki gayi. Aur haan....wo mard jo uss mid-wife ko wahaan le gaya tha
uska pati tha."

Phir Imran ne suit case aur bachche ki kahani Rushy ko sunaayi.

"Ohh.....Imran....tum ne ab tak mujhe andhere me kyon rakha?"

"Itna moka hi nahin mila tha ki tumhen bata sakta. Aur suno.....meri car me Julia ko
jo sar mila tha wo usi aadmi ka tha."

"My Goddd...." Rushy ki aawaz kaanp gayi thi. "Itna sansani bhara case aur tumne
mujhe andhere me rakha. Achha ab dekhna main kya karti hun."

"Kya matlab?"

"Bass......dekh lena."

"Aye Rushy.....tum koi gair-zimmedari bhari harkat nahin karogi."

"Tum gadhe ho.....bass chup chaap dekhte jaao. Kya tumhen vishwaas hai ki budhi
aurat ka statement sahi hoga?"

"Ohho...kyon? Abhi to tum uski sharafat ke gunn gaa rahi thi."

"Puri ghatna ka pata hota to parinaam nikaalne me itni jaldibaazi nahin karti."

"Lekin budhi aurat ke bayaan par vishwaas kyon na kiya jaaye?"

"Duniya ki koi maa itni buddhu nahin hoti..."

"Ach.....chha....kaash main bhi maaon ko samajh sakta."

"Nahin samajh sakte.....jabtak maa banne ki yogyata na paida karo..."

"Achhi baat hai......main aaj hi se Multaani mitti khaana shuru kar doonga...." Imran
ne kaha aur phone kaat diya. Wo kuchh chintit sa lagne laga tha. Usne Suleman ko
aawaz di.

"Ji saahab?" wo kitchen se hi bola.

"Yahaan aao..." Imran dahaada.

"Chai me abhi kuchh der hai sahab."

"Sahab ke bachche.....yahaan aao."

Suleman bura sa muhh banaaye huye kamre me aaya.

"Main naashte me Multani mitti ka halwa khaaunga."

"Multani mitti ka halwa...." Suleman ne hairat se duhraaya.

"Haan.....abhi fauran taiyar karo."

"Aap kuchh bhool to nahin rahe sahab?"

"Pata nahin......agar bhool hi raha hun to yaad dilaao."

"Shayad aap chane ka halwa khana chaahte hain.....lekin chane ki jagah aap ko
Multani yaad aa rahi hai."

"Abbe....mujhe ulloo samajhta hai. Chane ka halwa kaise ban sakta?"

"Ban sakta hai sahab.....Upar waala bahut kripaalu hai."

Imran kuchh kahne hi waala tha ki Private phone ki ghanti baji. Wo uth kar dusre
kamre me aaya......aur phone ka receiver utha liya. Dusri taraf se black zero bol raha
tha.

"Badi kathinaayi aa rahi hai sir..."

"Kyon.....kya baat hai?"

"Maine uss aadmi ka pata laga liya hai sir.....jo pichhli raat ko gorille ka shikaar hone
se bacha tha."

"Detail....."

"Aaj sanyog se subah hi subah wo mujhe ek taxi me dikhayi diya. Maine pichha shuru
kar diya. Lekin pata nahin wo aadmi usi building me rahta hai ya kewal kuchh der
keliye wahaan gaya tha."

"Building kahaan hai?"

"Gresham street me hi hai..." Uttar mila...."Aur uska number 13 hai.....buiding bahut

shandar hai."

"Ye imaarat kya usi line me hai jisme jisne 5th buiding hai?"
"Ji nahin dusri line me..."

"Ok.....to iss pichha ka koi parinaam nahin niklaa?"

"Ji nahin.....koi parinaam nikla bhi to main usay koi mahattva dene keliye taiyar nahin
hun...."

"Hmm.....kya parinaam tha?"

"Wo 13, Gresham street me ghusa aur dhkke dekar nikalwaa diya gaya."

"Ohh..."

"Ji haan....do khunkhaar chaukidar wahaan the.....unhone usay badi nirdayata se

utha kar compound ke baahar phek diya."

"Phir usne kya kiya?"

"Kuchh nahin.....sadak par khada dhamkaata raha.....ki wo iss building ke niwaasiyon

par maan-haani ka daawa karega..."

"Aur tum iss ghatna ko koi mahattva nahin dete..."

"Ji nahin......agar ye ghatna kisi shreef aadmi ke sath hota to nishchit....."

"Khamoshhh..." Imran gurraaya...."Pata nahin mere sathiyon ko aaj kal sharafat ka

haiza kyon ho gaya hai..."

"Mm....matlab ye ki....'

"Kuchh nahin.....khamosh raho.....agar aage maine iss prakar ki baat tumhare muhh
se suni to bahut buri tarah pesh aaunga." Imran ne phone rakh diya.
(Aage.....)

Rushy ne ladki ko lita diya. Wo halke halke karaah rahi thi. Rushy ne pyar se uske sar
par hath pherte huye kaha...."Main nahin bata sakti ki mujhe tum se kitna prem ho
gaya hai. Main yahaan aksar aaya karungi."

"Ab tum so jaao sister." Ladki ne kamzor aawaz me kaha...."Tum saari raat jaagti rahi
ho."

"Mujhe nind nahin aayegi......uss samay tak aa hi nahin sakti jab tak ki main tumhari
taraf se nishchint na ho jaaun."

Ladki Rushi ka hath pakar kar apne hoton se laga li. Uski aankhon me aansu tairne
lage the.

"Pagli...." Rushy uske gaal par halki si chapat laga kar muskuraayi...."Main ye kah rahi
thi ki jab tak tumhaara temp. kam nahin hota mujhe nind nahin aayegi."

Ladki kuch na boli. Uske gaalon pe aansu dhalakne lage the.

"Meri samajh me nahin aata.....tumhaara gam kaise baantun...kya wo paagal tha

baby?"

Ladki sirf roti rahi. Budhi aurat ne Rushy ko bhi bachche ke gayab hone ki kahani
sunaayi thi. Lekin uska bayaan uss report se alag nahin tha jo usne police ko di thi.

Rushy chup chaap usay hairat bhari nigaahon se dekhti rahi.

"Tumhen rona nahin chaahiye. Sabar karo.....agar duniya ke saare aadmi farishte ho
jaayen to duniya hi swarg ban sakti hai."

"Khuda ke liye chup raho..." Ladki boli.

"Ohh.....sorry.....maaf karna agar meri iss baat se tumhen kasht pahucha ho to."

"Nahin..." Wo uska hath daba kar boli...."Tum bahut achhi ho. bahut hi achhi. Main
apne dil ka bojh halka karna chaahti hun. Mummy jhoot bol rahi hain. Wo bhi pagal
ho gayi hain. Wo mera husband nahin tha. Usne mujh se shadi nahin ki thi. Wo ek
bahut bada black mailer aur kameena tha. Mummy ko black mail kar raha tha. Main
nahin jaanti ki mummy uski baat nahin maan'ne se kangaal kaise ho jaatin. Wo sab
kuchh dekhti rahin. Un me itni himmat nahin thi ki uss se shadi keliye kah saktin.
Pahle pahal wo sharif aadmi ki tarah yahaan aaya tha.....aur main usay ek imandar
dost samajhti rahi. Phirrrr.......main khud ko hi ilzaam dungi.....mujh se bhool ho gayi.
Mummy ko iska pata chala. Lekin wo roti aur cheekhti rahin. Unka dimaag us samay
bilkul out ho gaya jab wo bachche ko utha kar le gaya. Phir wo ye bhi bhool gayin ki
wo unhen black mail kar raha tha.....aur ab bhi wo unhen haani pahucha sakta tha.
Unhone ek kahani garhi......aur police ko report de di. Lekin ab wo pareshan hain ki
unki banaayi huyi kahani bahut hi kamzor hai."

Ladki khamosh ho gayi. Rushy ne uske sar par hath pherte huye
kaha...."Haan....tumhari mummy se galti huyi. Unhen khamosh hi rahna chaahiye
tha. Kyonki wo infact wahi chiz le gaya jo tumhari badnami ka kaaran ban sakta tha.
Wo to koi black mailer tha. Lekin tumhari mummy kangaal kaise ho jaatin?"

"Main nahin jaanti. waise hamaara aarthik shrot un teen makaano ka kiraya hai jo
mummy ko apne pita se mila tha...."

"Aur unka vichar hai ki wo Arther ke viruddh aawaz uthaane par kangaal ho jaatin?"

"Haan.....wo yahi kahti thin."

"Lekin unhone ye bahut bura kiya. Unhen police ko galat bayaan nahin dena
chaahiye tha."

"Sab se adhik chinta mujhe isi baat ki hai. Mujhe raat ko neend nahin aati. Main ye
sochti hun ki agar police ko vaastavikta ka pata chal gaya to kaisi pareshaniyaan aa
padengi....uff...."

Usne apna chahra chhupa liya......aur Rushy uska kandha thapakne lagi.

"Ghabraao nahin..."Usne dhire se kaha...."Ho sakta hai ki main tumhare kisi kaam aa
sakun. Nishchint raho. Police ab idhar ka rukh bhi nah kar paayegi."

"Ye kaise sambhav hai?"

"Sab kuchh ho sakta hai. Tum iss baat me apna dimaag uljhane ki bajaaye sone ki
koshish karo. Jeewan me aise utaar chadhaao bahut aate hain. Parwaah mat karo. Ab
phir tum yahi socho ki tumhara maamla abhi tak dhaka chhupa hai."

"Kahaan.......police usay kahani bana degi.....padosiyon ko bhi pata chal jaayega."

"Main kahti hun police ko iss se roka jaayega. Tum sone ki koshish karo.....main abhi
aayi."

Rushy uth gayi. Wo soch rahi thi ki Imran ko turant suchna deni chaahiye......taaki wo
maamle ko control kar sake aur police ko idhar na aane de. Next

Gresham street ki 13th building kaafi shandar thi. Imran uske baayen taraf waali gali
men khada khidki ki taraf dekh raha tha......jo usi gali me khulti thi. Aaj teesra din tha
ki wo uss khidki ke niche lafangon ki tarah seetiyaan baja raha tha. Pichhle do dinon
se usne ye rawaiya apnaya hua tha.

Vastav me baat ye thi ki usne pahle din iss makaan ke niwaasiyon se milne ki koshish
ki thi......lekin main gate par khade do pathaan chaukidaron ne rasta rok liya tha.
Usne apna card nikal kar unhen dena chaaha lekin unhone usay utha kar sadak par
phek dene ki dhamki di thi. Wo chup chap waapas chala aaya tha. Lekin phir us khidki
par nigaah padte hi dusra upaaye soojh gaya. Halaaki ye upaaye bahut khatarnaak
thi. Lekin Imran hi thahraa. Uske bheje me jo sama jaaye.

Waise wo Imran itna gaya guzra bhi nahin tha ki akaaran kisi shareef aadmi ki pagdi
uchhaalne ki koshish karta. Usne pahle hi pata kar liya tha ki iss imaarat ke log kiss
prakar ke hain. Wahaan ek budhi anglo Indian aurat rahti thi. Jiske sath do-teen
ladkiyaan bhi thin.......aur shahar ke kuchh pratishthit dhani log unke "guardian" the.

Un teen dinon me budhi kayi baar khidki khol kar Imran ko gaaliyaan de chuki thi. Aaj
bhi usne khidki khol kar tooti phooti Hindi me kaha...."O.....haramjaada....tom kyo
hamara pichhe pada hai?"

"Tom haramjada ka beloved hai darling......" Imran ro dene waali aawaz me bola.
"Tum uska khabar nahin lega......to wo mar jaayega.. Pathaano ko bolo ki haramjada
hamara lover hai......usay aane do."

"Bhag jiyaao......kutte ka pillaa..."

"Ham nahin.......hamaara chhota bhai hai kutte ka pillaa. Wo bhi aayega. Ham sach
bolta hai......mar jaayega ham.....ham ko apna paas bulaao."

"Achha....ruko.....ham pathan ko bulaata hai."

"Bulaao.....bulaao......ham yahin tumhari gali me mar jaayega......abi marega....."

Aurat ne khataak se khidki band kar di aur Imran phir se seeti bajaane laga. Thodi hi
der baad aura baahar aati dikhaayi di. Imran sambhal kar khada ho gaya. Ye bhi to
sambhav tha ki wo khud bhi us par hath chhod deti.

"Bulaaun pathaan ko?" Aurat uske nikat aa kar boli. Lekin uski jhallaahat me halki si
muskuraahat bhi jhalak rahi thi.

"Bula lo..." Imran ne angrezi me kaha. "Main marne se nahin darta......magar main tu
se.......baat ye hai ki....."

Imran khamosh ho gaya. Bilkul aisa lag raha tha ki uske chehre par sharam ki laali
bikhar gayi ho.

"Tum pagal ho kya?" aurat dhire se boli. "Tum kisi achhi family ke ladke lagte ho.
Lekin tum nahin jaante ki anglo Indian ladkiyon ke kharche bahut adhik hote hain."

Imran ne apne coat ki jeben dikhayi jo noton ki gaddiyon se bhari huyi thin.

"Kya naam hai tumhara?" aurat ne komal swar me puchha.

"Mannaan......Abdul Mannaan...." Imran ne sharmaate huye uttar diya.

"Main Ronny Gressia....yahaan sab mujhe Ronny hi kahte hain."

"Aao....aao mere sath.....ulloo kahin ke......warna koi tumhari hatya kar dega."

Imran uske pichhe pichhe chalne laga. Is baar pathanon ne kuchh nahin kaha lekin
usay ghoorte rahe.

"Baith jaao." budhi Ronny drawing room me aakar ek sofe ki taraf ishara karti huyi
boli.

Imran ke chehre par hamesha ki murkhta chhaa chuki thi.

"Tum kahaan rahte ho?"

"Oscar street me..."

"Ohh.....wahaan to crorepati hi rahte hain...." Ronny usay dekhti rahi. Imran kuchh na
bola. Wo sar jhukaaye baitha tha.

Yahaan mere paas ek bahut achhi ladki hai. Lekin tumhen yahaan ka pata kisne
bataaya tha?"

"Main ek saal se tumhen.....mm....matlab.....ek.....ek..."

"Ohh......ab yahaan aakar tumhara dam kyon nikalne laga hai.....gali me to bahut
chahak rahe the." Ronny muskuraayi.

(...........Jaari)

Next:

"Mm.....mai ladki keliye yahaan nahin aaya....mujhe to.....tt....tum se......."

"Kya bakte ho...." Budhi jhalla gayi. Lekin dusre hi pal uski aankhon se hairat
jhaankne lagi......kyonki Imran ki aankhon se Sawan Bhado ki jhadi lag gayi thi. Aansu
bahut tezi se uske gaalon par bahte rahe.

"Arre.....arre.....ye kya ho gaya tumhen.....thahro main ladki ko bulaati hun."

"Nahin main bada badnaseeb aadmi hun...." Imran dukhi swar me hichkiyaan leta
hua bola. "Mujhe ladkiyaan bilkul achhi nahin lagtin..."

"Phir tum yahaan kyon aaye ho?"

"Tumhaare liye.......main ek saal se tumhen dekh raha hun......ab.....ab mujhe se

bardaasht nahin hota."

"Tum ajeeb aadmi ho."

"Ye mera durbhaagya hai.....main kya karun. Main shayad paagal ho gaya hun. Main
jaanta tha ki tum bhi mera mazaak udaaogi.....wahi hua.....ab main aatmhatya kar
loonga."

Budhiya kuchh na boli. Uski aankhon me uljhan ke bhaav the.

"Tum bhi mera mazaak uda rahi ho." Imran uthta hua bola..."Mujhe bahut maayusi
huyi hai...."

"Aray......baitho baitho...."

"Nahin......aaj tak kisi ne bhi mera dil iss tarah nahin toda...."

"Baith jaao.....tum iss tarah nahin jaa sakte. Pathaan tumhen uss samay tak baahar
nahin nikalne denge jab tak ki main un se na kahun."

"Wo mujhe nahin rok sakenge......main khoon kharaabe se nahin darta."

"Baith jaao ladke......main request karti hun...." Ronny ne bahut hi komal swar me
kaha. Imran baith gaya. Lekin uske chehre par krodh ke bhav the.

"Sach sach bataao.....tum kya chaahte ho?"

"Ohh......main kya bataaun.....magar nahin.....thahro.....apne daddy se puchh kar bata

sakta hun....."

"Tum mera mazaak udaa rahe ho...." Budhi Ronny achanak biphar gayi.

"Agar tum yahi samajh rahi ho to yahi sahi....." Imran ne lapawaahi se kaha. Ab uske
chehre par murkhta ke bhaav nahin the.

Ronny gusse se laal peeli ho gayi. Uske hont kaanp rahe the......aisa lag raha tha jaise
wo bhooki sherni ki tarah Imran ko phaad khaayegi. Achanak usne table par rakhe
call bell ki taraf hath badhaya.

"Kyon...? Kya mujhe nikalwaane keliye kisi ko bulaaogi?" Imran ne vyang se puchha.

"Haan.....tum koi lafange ho..."

"Ohho......to kya yahaan shreef aadmi bhi aate hain...?" Imran ne muskura kar kaha.
"Magar dekho....main us gadhe ki tarah gaya guzraa nahin hun jise teen din pahle
tumhare pathaano ne utha kar sadak par phek diya tha...."
"Ohh...." Aurat ke hont sikud gaye......aur aankhen phail gayin. Lekin dusre hi pal uski
ungli bell par thi. Imran chup chaap baitha raha. Magar jaise hi wo donon pathan
kamre me aaye Imran ne turant Pashto bhasha me puchha..."Kya tum pathan hi ho?"

"Haan......ham pathan hain...." ek ne kaha.

"Lekin pathan to bade gairat waale hote hain....."

"Haan......to?"

"Lekin tum to gairat waale nahin ho...."

"Kyon...?" Donon ko ek sath gussa aa gaya.

"Gairat waale mar jaate hain lekin kisi jism bechne waali ki naukari nahin karte......ye
randiyaan hain....inka pesha haraam hai. Kya tumhen pata hai ki ye tawayaf paise kis
tarah kamaati hain? Tum jaante ho........aur wahi paise tumhen bhi milte hain....."
Donon ne ek dusre ki taraf dekha.

"Iss aadmi ko yahan se nikaalo...." Budhi ne Imran ki taraf ishara kar ke kaha.

"Am tumaraa naukari nai karega.....tum randi hai...." uttar mila.

Budhi Ronny sannaate me aa gayi. Pathan darwaaze ki taraf mud gaye. Budhi ke
muhh se ek shabd bhi nahin nikla.

"Ab bulaao.....kise bulaati ho..." Imran ne hans kar kaha...."Aise achanak kism ke
inkalaab meri jeb me pade rahte hain."

"Ab main police ko bulaaungi..."

"Mujhe badi khushi hogi jab main tumhari dastaan police se sununga......tum police
ko bhi bula sakti ho lekin police in pathaanon ki tarah aasani se nahin talegi. Mujhe
bataao ki tum mere ek sathi ko in pathanon ke hath se kyon phekwaaya tha?"

Aurat kuchh na boli.

"Jawaab do...."

"Wo ek bura aadmi tha aur achhi niyat se nahin aaya tha...."

"Ohh......to yahaan kewal nek-niyat aadmi hi prawesh kar sakte hain?"

"Main nahin jaanti ki tum kya chaahte ho......warna main itni der tak tumhari
bakwaas nahin sunti...."

"Kuchh nahin......main kewal ye bataane aaya tha ki kewal chaar aadmiyon ke mar
jaane se giroh ka kuchh nahin bigad sakta.....Mac Arther aadi giroh me bahut
mamooli haisiyat rakhte the......achha tata...."

Aurat sofe pe adhleti hi rahi......aisa lag raha tha jaise uske hath pair dheele pad gaye
hon.

Imran badi shaan se chalta hua building ke baahar nikal aaya. Lagbhag 20 minut baad
wo ek public telephone booth se black zero ko phone kar raha tha.

"Hello...." dusri taraf se kaha gaya.

"X2..."

"Ye sir...."

"Gresham street ki 13th building ki nigraani zaroori hai. Mark karo ki wahaan kis
prakar ke logon ka aana jaana rahta hai."

"All right sir.......lekin meri ek uljhan hai sir...."

"Kya baat hai?"

"Mac Arther ke makaan me un donon ki maujoodgi ka kya matlab tha? Kya wo donon
kisi chiz ki talash me wahaan gaye the?"

"Nishchit roop se....unhen kisi chiz ki talash thi. Anyway ab is kahani ko dafan
karo......kyonki dusri hi raat ko mujhe wahaan kayi kaam ki chizen mili thin."

"Ohh......to aap dusri raat bhi wahaan gaye the?"

"Haann......jab main kisi kaam me hath daalta hun to koshish yahi rahti hai ki wo
adhura na rahne paaye."

"Sir.....kya main puchh sakta hun ki wo chizen kya thin?"

"San se important ek letter tha jisme 13th building ke kisi aadmi ne Mac arther ko
sambodhit kar ke likha tha ki wo apni harkaten chhod de warna ho sakta hai usay
pachhtaana padega...."
"Ohh.....tab to vastav me wo khat bahut important hai...." Black zero ne kaha. Imran
phone rakh kar baahar nikal gaya.
(........jaari)

Next

Julia iss soch se bechain thi ki X2 ki nigaah me uska value ab nahin rah gaya. Ek samay
tha jab wo apne sabhi sandesh aur suchnaayen usi ke dwara apne aadmiyon tak
pahuchaaya karta tha. Lekin ab wahaan Imran ki tooti bol rahi thi. Uske vichar se
Imran jo kuchh bhi karna chaahta tha kar guzarta tha.......aur X2 ke kaan par ju nahin
rengti thi. Usay ye dekh kar aur adhik gussa aata tha ki Imran ke sath hi Rushy ki bhi
ban aayi hai.

Wo inhin sochon me gum thi ki Imran aa gaya. Sab se pahle usne hamesha ki tarah
chhed chhaad ki baaten shuru ki.....lekin Julia ka mood bahut adhik kharab dekh kar
wo chup ho gaya.

Achanak Julia ne Imran se puchha.."Kya X2 ne Rushy ki sewaayen bhi le rakhi hain?"

"Nahin......wo to meri private secretary hai."

"Aur kisi zamaane me wo ek dhanda karne waali ladki thi." Julia ne zahreele lahje me
kaha.

"Ye bhi durust hai..." Imran ne laparwaahi se uttar diya.

"Lekin tumhen kya adhikar haasil hai ki tum sarkaari raazon me usko bhi shamil
rakho...."

"Wo khud hi ek bahut badi sarkar hai..........Miss Fitzwater,....."

Julia kuchh na boli. Usay Imran ki baaton par gussa aa raha tha. Wo nahin chaahti thi
ki Imran Rushy ke baare me iss andaaz me baaten karen. Imran uth kar tarrace par
chala gaya......aur Julia usay ghoorti rahi. Wo phir kamre me waapas aa gaya.

"Bahar road par do aise aadmi hain jo Gresham street se mera pichha karte huye
yahaan tak aaye hain. Tum apne sathiyon ko phone karo ki wo yahaan pahuch jaayen
aur uss samay tak un donon aadmiyon ka pichha karen jab tak ki wo mera pichha kar
rahe hon."

"Main kuchh bhi nahin kar sakti...."

"Go to hell..." Imran bura sa muhh bana kar bola..."Tum aise awasaron par Shukraal
ke Imran ko bhool jaati ho..."

"Thahro....."Julia bhi uthti huyi boli..."Tumhen kya haq hai ki mujh se aise lahje me
baat karo?"

Imran uski baat ka uttar diye bina aage badh gaya.

Wo niche aaya.....aur kankhiyon se un aadmiyon ki taraf dekhta hua jo usi ki

pratiksha me wahaan maujood the ek gali me mud gaya. Donon ne phir uska pichha
shuru kar diya. Julia ne bhi mahsoos kiya ki Imran ne galat nahin kaha tha. Wo donon
uska pichha kar hi rahe the. Julia ne gusse me Imran ka suggestion radd to kar diya
tha lekin phir uss se sabar nahin ho saka aur wo khud hi uske pichhe daud gayi.

Ab Imran sab se aage tha........aur uske pichhe wo donon aadmi the jinka pichha Julia
kar rahi thi.

Gali se nikal kar Imran apni car me jaa baitha. Shayad wo usay wahin chhod kar Julia
ke flat tak paidal aaya tha. Pichha karne waalon ne ek motorcycle sambhaali. Julia
idhar udhar dekh rahi thi. Uski samajh me nahin aa raha tha ki wo kya kare. Nazdik
aur door usay koi taxi bhi dikhayi nahin de rahi thi. Imran ki car chal padi thi.......aur
motorcycle bhi start ho gayi thi. Sanyog se Julia ko ek auto rickshaw mil gaya.

"Chalo......uss motorcycle ke pichhe chalo...." Usne auto me baithte huye kaha.

"Bahot achha saab..." Auto waale ne uttar diya.

Kuchh der baad Imran ne apni car Saint Lawrance colony ki usi imaarat ke saamne
rok di jahaan pichhle dinon Julia ko ek katu anubhav se saamna karna pada tha.

Motorcycle ek dusri sadak par mud gayi aur Julia ka auto aage badhta chala gaya.

Imaarat par ab bhi "To Let" ka board laga hua tha. Lekin aaj Imran ne na to kisi khidki
ka sheesha toda aur na kisi auzaar ki madad se taale par zor lagaya. Balki jeb se kunji
nikaal kar taala khola aur apne pichhe darwaaza bhedta hua aage badh gaya. Lekin
abhi wo andar waale aangan tak bhi nahin pahucha tha ki kisi ne usay lalkaara.....

"Khabardar......ruk jaao..."

Imran chaunk kar muda. Pichha karne waalon me se ek ke hath me revolver tha.
Dusre ne ek bada sa khanjar nikaal liya tha.......aur dhire dhire Imran ki taraf badh
raha tha. Imran samajh gaya ki maksad iske alaawa kuchh nahin hai ki paanchwen sar
ka jugaad kiya jaaye.

Wo sambhal kar khada ho gaya.

"Kyon? Kya iraada hai?" usne mazaaq udaane waale andaaz me kaha. "Ek hath me
revolver aur dusre me khanjar......tum log to urdu shayari ke premiyon se bhi das
joote aage lagte ho..."

Khanjar waala ruk gaya. Shayad usay iss aadmi se aisi nirbheekta ki aasha nahin thi.

"Aao naa.....tum goli chalaao aur tum khanjar se hamla karo......jo bhi pahle kaamyab
hua usay Victoria Cross dilwa dunga."

"Gira kar gardan kaatunga...." Achanak revolver waale ne kaha aur revolver jeb me
rakh liya. Phir iss tarah aage badha jaise Imran sach much koi chhota sa bachcha ho
jise giraa lene me koi kathinaayi nahin hogi.

Imran chup chaap khada raha aur us aadmi ne lagbhag 4ya 5 feet ki doori se us par
chhalaang lagaayi.......lekin khud hi aundhe muhh zameen par gira. Imran uske sar
par thokar lagaata hua khanjar waale ki taraf jhapta. Khanjar waale ne badi phurti se
us par hamla kiya. Lekin khanjar diwaar par laga aur Imran ka hath uski gardan par.
Dusre hi pal Imran ne usay sar se upar utha kar zameen par de maara. Thik usi samay
Julia bhi coridoor me prawesh ki.

"Ohh..." wo jahaan thi wahin ruk gayi. Pahle aadmi ko sar par padne waali thokar ne
bekaar kar diya tha aur dusre keliye itni zabardast dhobi paat kya kam thi? Donon
achet pade the.

Ab Imran Julia ki taraf jhapta aur wo uske tewar dekh kar ghabraa gayi. Bilkul aisa hi
laga tha jaise wo usay bhi utha kar patak dega.

"Aray.....aray...." Julia bokhla kar pichhe hati.....aur Imran iss tarah chaunk pada jaise
usne ye sap nind me kiya ho.

"O....teri....Lahol walaa......" Uske honton par ek jhenpi huyi si muskuraahat phail

gayi.

"Mm....matlab ki tum hosh me nahin the?" Julia haklaayi.

"Pata nahin.....aise awasaron par kisi buldog ki tarah meri aankhen band ho jaati
hain."
"Ye kon hain?"

"Wahi.....jinhone chaar aadmiyon ki gardanen kaati thin...achha ab tum chup chaap

yahaan se khisak jaao. Kyonki ab yahaan ek atyant bhayanak khel shuru hone waala
hai."

"Main nahin jaaungi..."

"Kya tum ne apne dusre saathiyon ko bhi suchna de di thi?"

"Nahin..."

"Kyon?" Imran ki aawaz krodh bhari thi. Julia ne uski taraf dekha aur bokhla kar nazar
dusri taraf mod li. Wo iss samay murkh Imran nahin lag raha tha. Uski aankhon se
kroorta jhaank rahi thi.

"Jaao...." Wo gurraaya.

Julia mudi aur larkharaate huye kadmon se chalti huyi corridoor ke sire tak aayi phir
Imran ki taraf dekha jo behosh aadmiyon ko pith par laad kar ek kamre me daal raha
tha. Julia saansen roke khadi rahi. Imran kamre ka darwaaza band kar ke aangan ki
taraf chala gaya. Julia kuchh der khadi rahi aur phir bahar chali gayi.
(...........Jaari)
(Aage......)

Wo bahut pareshan thi. Uski samajh me nahin aa raha tha ki usay kya karna
chaahiye. Saint lawrance colony ki Deccan lodge se waapas aaye do ghante ho chuke
the.......aur wo lagataar dil ki dhadkan ka shikaar bani huyi thi.

Imran uss building me akela tha aur jin logon se khud Julia ka saamna ho chuka tha
wahi usay bahut khatarnaak lage the. Aur ab to baat shayad un logon tak jaa pahuchi
thi jinhone un khatarnak logon ke sar kaat kar idhar udhar phek diye the.

Usne kayi baar X2 se phone par sampark karna chaaha......lekin wo nahin mila. Phir
usne transmeter ko bhi try kar liya. Wo bina X2 ke nirdesh liye secret service ke
aadmiyon ko uski madad keliye nahin bhej sakti thi. Kyonki idhar kuchh dinon se X2
ke andaz se lag raha tha jaise Imran ab vidhiwat secret service ka member nahin ho.

Wo ulajhti rahi. Kabhi uth kar tahalne lagti aur kabhi baith jaati. Uske dil ke kone me
kahin na kahin Imran ke sambandh me koi girah zaroor maujood thi. Kabhi wo uss se
itni adhik nafrat karne lagti ki uski soorat dekhne ko bhi dil nahin chaahta tha aur
kabhi wo uske liye bechain ho jaati thi.

Aksar aisa hota ki wo bahut hi bemurauwati se usay apne flat se nikaal deti aur aksar
khud uski talash me maari maari phirti.

Usne ek baar phir X2 ke number dial kiye aur uttar na milne par iss tarah receiver
patak diya jaise saara dosh phone ka hi raha ho. Lekin phir usi samay phone ki ghanti
baj uthi.

"Hello...." Usne receiver utha kar mouth piece me kaha.

"Miss Fitzwater...." Dusri taraf se kisi aurat ki aawaz aayi.

"Yes......Fitzwater speaking...."

"Main Rushy bol rahi hun...."

"Ohh......kyon...." Julia ke maathe par bal pad gaye.

"Main jaanna chaahti hun ki Mr Imran kahaan mil sakenge...."

"Main kya bata sakti hun.....tum ne galat jagah phone kiya hai."

"Maine socha mumkin hai tumhen pata ho...."

"Ruko.....ye batao....." Julia kuchh sochti huyi boli....."Kya tum gusse ki haalat me us
ka saamna kar sakti ho?"

"Main samjhi nahin...."

"Matlab ye hai ki jab wo gusse me ho tab kya tum uska saamna kar sakti ho?"

"Main uske gaalon par tamaache bhi laga sakti hun chaahe wo uss samay kisi
zahreele naag ki tarah kyon na phuphkaar raha ho...."

"To main tumhen suchit kar rahi hun ki wo paagal ho gaya hai..."

"Main nahin samjhi.....saaf batao..."

"Wo khatre me hai lekin uski haalat uss paagal ki tarah hai jo girte huye makaanon ke
bich khada thahaake laga raha ho. Us par khoon sawaar hai. Mujhe dar hai ki kahin
wo........."

"Ruko.....ruko......kam se kam shabdon me mujhe bataao ki wo kahaan hai aur kya

kar raha hai....."

"Ohh....ohh.....kya tum uski madad karogi?"

"Julia.....samay mat barbaad karo......agar uska baal bhi baaka hua to............"

"Tum yahin aa jaao.......mere flat par. Ham donon sath chalenge. Usne mujhe
wahaan nahin thaharne diya tha. Sambhav hai tumhare kaaran.......'

"Achha main aa rahi hun...." Rushy ne uski baat kaat'te huye kaha aur phone
disconnect kar diya.

Phir das pandrah minut baad wo Julia ke flat par thi aur Julia kah rahi thi....

"Wo iss samay saint Lawrance colony ki ek imaarat Deccan Lodge me koi khatarnak
khel shuru kar chuka hai. Waise shuruwaat to meri maujoodgi me hi ho chuki thi."

Julia ne wo sab duhra diya jo jo aaj uss imaarat me dekha tha aur ye bhi bataaya ki
"Imran uss samay Imran nahin lag raha tha...."

"Wo girgit ki tarah rang badalne ka maahir hai." Rushy muskura kar boli. "Mera khaya
hai ki aaj ki raat nirnaayak hogi. Lekin kya wo vaastav me akela hai?"

"Akela......bilkul akela...."

"Kya secret service ke member uska back-up nahin kar rahe?"

"Nahin.....koi bhi nahin."

"Halaaki ye case secret service ka hai.....pata nahin tum log kis tarah ke aadmi ho...."

"Lekin tum secret service waalon ke baare me kya jaano.....?"

"Main kya nahin jaanti.........."

Julia ko ye baat bahut buri lagi. Lekin wo chup rahi. Phir thodi der ke baad wo donon
saint Lawrance colony ki taraf jaa rahi thin. Julia bahut tez car drive kar rahi thi.

"Lekin tum khali hath hogi...."

"Nahin.......mere purse me point three eight maujood hai." Rushy ne laparwaahi se

uttar diya.

Julia aise hans padi jaise usay vishwaas nahin hua ho. Lekin jab Rushy ne purse se
revolver nikaal kar usay dikhaaya to Julia ne hairat se puchha.....

"Tum ise chala bhi sakogi?"

"Kyon nahin.......main do-do aur do-paanch ke khilaune pasand nahi karti. Fire karte
samay jab tak iska ehsaas nahin ho ki hath me kuchh hai.......nishaana thik nahin
lagta." Rushy ne laparwaahi se kaha.

"Lekin iski haisiyat gair-kanooni hi hogi...."

"Bilkul nahin......main licence rakhti hun."

Julia ko shayad vishwaas nahin hua tha lekin wo khamosh hi rahi.

Saint Lawrance colony me pahuch kar Julia ne car ki speed kam kar di. Aur phir kuchh
der baad wo Deccan Lodge ke saamne se guzrin.

"Yahi Deccan lodge hai...." Julia ne kaha.

"To rokti kyon nahin....?"

"Aage.......yahaan rokna thik nahin hoga. Kya tumhen kisi khidki me raushni bhi nazar
aayi thi?" Julia ne kaha.

"Maine dhyan nahin diya tha." Rushy ne uttar diya. Kuchh door jaane ke baad Julia
ne car rok di aur wo donon yahaan se paidal Deccan lodge ki taraf badh gayin.

Building, uska compound aur us se jude bagichon par andhere aur sannaate ka
saamraajya tha. Donon baahri gate tak aayin aur phir ruk gayin. Sab se pahle Julia hi
ne kadam uthaaya kyonki usay wo sar yaad aa gaya tha jo Imran ki car me shayad
thik isi jagah rakha gaya tha.

Rushy ne usay toka aur phir aage badhi.

"Lekin kya ye zaroori hai ki wo ab bhi yahin ho?" Rushy ne puchha.

"Nishchit roop se...........mujhe vishwaas hai ki usne iss makaan me apradhiyon keliye
kisi prakar ka jaal phailaaya hai. Kyonki wo khud hi un donon aadmiyon ko apne
pichhe laga kar yahaan laaya tha."

Rushy khamoshi se aage badhti rahi. Wo donon portico me pahuchin......aur ek khidki

se unhen corridoor me raushni dikhayi di. Magar saare darwaaze bhitar se band the.
Achanak Julia ne Rushy ka hath pakar kar ek taraf khicha......aur phir dusre hi pal wo
farsh par thi. Julia bhi badi phurti se farsh par let gayi. Compound me unhen dhundli
se parchhaayin dikhayi di jo dhire dhire usi taraf badh raha tha. Lekin phir baayen
taraf mud kar ek ped par chadhne laga. Phir to ek nahin........na jaane kitne
saaye(Parchhaiyaan) compound me dikhayi dene lage aur wo sab usi ped ki taraf
badh rahe the.

Itne me andar se sitaar ki aawaz aayi....aur Rushy ne ek lambi saans khichi. Sitar bajta
raha.......aur saaye ek ek kar ke ped par chadhte rahe. Ped ki daaliyaan chhat par
jhuki huyi thin.

"Ye kisi din badi musibat me phansne waala hai." Rushy ne dhire se kaha.

"Sitaar kaun baja raha hai?" Julia dhire se boli.

"Usi deewane ke alawa aur kon ho sakta hai....."

(......jaari.)
(Aage......)

"Wo akela hai......" Julia vyakulta bhare swar me boli. "Ab kya karen.....wo log ek
darzan se kam nahin lagte...."

"Maine to ye building pahli baar dekhi hai."Rushy ne kaha. "Kya uss ped ke alaawa
koi dusra upaaye nahin hai?"

"Upaaye.....kya bataaun. Maine bhi iss building ko achhi tarah nahin dekha. Waise
bhitari aangan ke pichhe ki diwaar bhi kam se kam bees feet unchi hogi.

"Tab to majboori-wash iss ped ka hi prayog karna padega...." Rushy ne kaha.

"Tum ped par chadh sakogi?" Julia ne hairat se kaha.

"Kyon nahin?"

Tabhi unhen aisa mahsoos hua ki kisi ne darwaaza khola ho. Aur phir unhen apne
sameep hi ek parchhaayi dikhayi diya. Ye koi aadmi tha.......aur shayad mukhya
darwaaza khol kar baahar aaya tha.

Wo donon chup chaap leti rahin. Rushy ka vichar tha ki ho sakta hai ki wo Imran hi
ho. Lekin wo ab bhi waise hi farsh par leti rahin......bina hile dule.

Wo parchhayi wahan par aise jam kar khada ho gaya tha jaise usay wahin khade
rahne ki duty ho. Achanak andar se fire ki aawaz aayi. Phir lagatar teen aur fire
huye......lekin wo parchhayi jahaan tha wahin raha. Iss kaaran Rushy ko vishwaas ho
gaya ki wo Imran nahin ho sakta. Sambhav hai ye unhin logon me se ho jo ped par
chadh kar andar gaye the. Imran se to aisi aasha nahin ki jaa sakti ki wo andar se
firon ki aawaz sune aur moorat ki tarah khada rahe. Ho sakta hai ki ye aadmi isliye
baahar khada ho ki andar waalon ko baahar ke situation ki suchna deta rahe.

Rushy ne Julia ka hath dabaate huye aage sarakna shuru kiya. Wo deewar se lag kar
seene ke bal khisak rahi thi.....aur wo parchhayi diwaar se lagbhag 5-6 feet aage tha.
Rushy purse se apna revolver nikal chuki thi......lekin dasta ki jagah naal ki taraf se
pakde huyi thi. Thik parchhayi ke paas pahuch kar wo ruki aur phir deewar se lage
lage hi uthna shuru kiya.

Uska revolver waala hath utha aur poori shakti se parchhayi ke sar par pada.
Parchhayi halki si aawaz ke sath farsh par dher ho gaya. Girte girte bhi Rushy ne yske
sar par do chaar prahar aur kar diya. Parchhayi behosh ho chuka tha. Bhitar se ab bhi
fire ki aawazen aa rahi thin.......aur ye itni halki thin ki unke door tak phailne ki
sambhavana nahin thi.

Rushy ne palat kar Julia ko bataaya ki wo uss aadmi ko bekaar kar chuki hai....jo
kuchh der pahle saamne khada tha. Julia ne vichar prakat kiya ki kahin uss aadmi ka
sambandh Imran se hi na raha ho. Is par Rushy ne ek bahut bada khatra mol liya. Wo
seemit raushni ki torch ki madad se behosh aadmi ko dekhne lagi.

"Nahin......ye mere liye ajnabi hai." Usne dhire se kaha.

"Tum bahut phurteeli ho....." Julia ne kaha.

"Ye sab Imran ki di huyi training hai. Chalo aao....." Rushy ne uska hath pakad kar
khicha. Kuchh hi pal me wo andar thin. Corridoor me andhkaar tha. Rushy usay usi
tarah kheechti rahi. Donon ke pairon me rubber sole ke joote the.....isliye wo be-
awaaz chalti huyi aage badh rahi thin.

Corridoor ke mod par bade kamre ki khidki ke nikat hi unhen ruk jaana pada. Kyonki
khidki ke shishe se roshni dikhayi de rahi thi aur kuchh logon ke wahan hone ka
ehsaas bhi ho raha tha. Tabhi kisi ne gurra kar kaha.

"Tum donon itne duffer the ki ek aadmi ke hathon pit gaye. Tumne suchna di thi ki
wo yahin maujood hai....."

"Sir.....jis samay main faraar hone me safal hua tha tab wo yahin tha...."
"kahaan tha wo....?"

"Upper floor ki ek khidki me....."

"Kya tum ne uska chehra dekha tha?"

"Nahin.....khidki ke sheehson se uski parchhayi dikh rahi thi."

"O gadhe...." Dusre ne aur adhik krodhit swar me kaha....."Wo to dummy tha....ek
lambe se pillow par felt-hat rakh diya gaya tha. Tum dhoka kha gaye the. Lekin iska
yahi matlab ho sakta hai ki..........."

Wo eka-ek khamosh ho gaya. Kuchh der baad phir uski aawaz sunaayi di. Wo kah
raha tha...."Murkh.....phir yahaan andar aakar fire karne ki kya zaroorat thi?"

"Yahaan khidkiyon me aise kayi saaye dikhayi diye the shrimaan......aur wo sab waise
hi pillow aur felt hat hi nikle."

"Aur tum gadhon ki tarah un par goliyaan barbaad karte rahe. Ye bhi nahin socha ki
iss se baahar waale aakrisht ho jaayenge. Ab chalo yahaan se. Waise mujhe ummid
nahin hai ki ab ham kathinaaiyon ke bina yahaan se nikal saken. Ye imaarat hamaare
liye pinjada banaayi gayi hai.

Thik usi samay kisi ne pichhe se Rushy aur Julia ki gardanen pakad li aur ab unhen
apne saamne bhi naqaab-posh dikhayi diye jo dhire dhire aage badhte aa rahe the.
Rushy ne revolver ki naal pichhe khade huye aadmi ke pet se laga di lekin fire karne
ki naubat nahin aayi. Kyonki uss se pahle hi revolver chheen liye gaya tha.

Phir jaise hi kamre ke andar se kuchh logon ne baahar nikalna chaaha.....naqaab-

poshon ke revolver unki taraf uth gaye. Rushy aur Julia ki gardanen chhod di gayin
aur unhone Imran ki aawaz saaf pahchaani jo kah raha tha......

"Julia.....tum se achhi tarah samjhunga. Maine tum se kaha tha dafaa ho

jaao.....magar ab tum meri aunty ko bhi sath le aayi......"
(..........jaari.)

(Aage....)

Aur phir donon ko pichhe dhakel diya gaya.

Rushy ka kad Julia se nikalta hua tha. Isliye wo pichhe khadi rah kar bhi sab kuchh
dekh sakti thi. Warna uske aage chaar aadmi khade the jinke kaaran corridoor ki
poori chaudaayi cover ho gayi thi. Un charon me se ek nishchit roop se Imran tha.

Jo log kamre se baahar corridoor me aaye the wo phir ulte paaon kamre me chale
gaye. Unke pichhe hi Imran ke sathi bhi ghuse. Julia to pichhe hi rahi lekin Rushy kab
maanne waali thi. Imran ke sathiyon ke sath hi wo bhi kamre me ghusi.

Un logon ne hath upar utha diye the......jo pahle hi se iss kamre me maujood the.
Lekin ab bhi ek laparwaahi se khada tha. Usne apne hath upar nahin uthaaye the. Un
me se kewal yahi aadmi aisa tha jisne apni shakal chhipaane ki koshish ki thi. Uske sar
se pair tak kisi prakar ka chust libaas tha.....aur aankhon ki jagah do chhed the......jin
se aankhen bhi saaf nahin dikhayi de rahi thin.

"Tum to hath uthaane se rahe...." Imran ne usay sambodhit kiya.

"Aakhir tum log chaahte kya ho?"

"Haha......kya ye baat ab tak tum par clear nahin ho saki?"

"Nahin...."

"Hamara demand..."

"Kya demand?"

"Kya ab tum sach much isi baat par majboor karna chaahte ho ki tumhaara bhaanda
phod diya jaaye?"

"Pata nahin tum kya bak rahe ho?"

"Leonard Gasker..." Imran muskura kar bola.

"Tum paagal ho shayad?"

"In logon ko baandh lo..." Imran ne apne sathiyon se kaha.

Lekin thik usi samay gorilla jaisa wo nakaab-posh aadmi ne Imran par chhalaang
lagaayi......aur wo donon guth gaye. Imran ke dusre sathi un aadmiyon ko baandh
rahe the jo apne hath upar uthaaye kahde the?

"Kambakhto....." gorilla Imran se gutha hua dahaada...."Lad kar mar jaao....ye log wo
nahin lag rahe hain jinki hamen talash thi.......ye dhoka hai....."

Lekin kambakhton ne ek na suni. Haan un me se ek ne bahut bure lahje me

kaha...."Agar hamaare shariron par bhi bullet proof hote to ham bhi lad kar mar
jaate...."

"Bahi waahh..." Imran ne hans kar kaha..."Badi pyari baat kahi hai tum ne..."

Gorilla iss taak me tha ki kisi tarah uske hath Imran ki gardan tak pahuch
jaayen.....aur Imran koshish kar raha tha ki usay sar se uncha kar ke patak de. Usi
bich gorilla usay dhoka dene me safal ho gaya. Matlab ki Imran is dhoke me raha ki
wo uss par jhapat padne ki taiyari kar raha hai lekin usne darwaaze ki taraf
chhhalaang lagayi aur corridoor me bhaga. Imran uske pichhe jhapta. Rushy uske
pichhe daudi.

Bhitari aangan me pahuch kar ek baar phir Imran par jhapat pada. Imran ne uska war
khali kar ke kalaayi par hath daal diya. Aangan me andhera tha. Rushi ko kewal
dhundle dhundle saaye dikhayi de rahe the. Achanak usay apni torch yaad aayi. Purse
se torch nikaal kar usne un donon par raushni daali.

"Ahhaa.....ye kon akalmand hai?" Imran cheekha.

Lekin Rushy kuchh na boli. Wo soch rahi thi ki aakhir iss sangharsh ka faisla kya hoga.
Agar uske paas uska revolver hota to wo gorille par andhadhund fire kar deti.

Ek baar gorilla Imran ko le dauda. Pata nahin vastav me Imran ke paaon ukhad gaye
the ya wo kisi chakkar me tha. Gorilla usay relta hua deewar ki taraf le jaa raha tha.

Achanak Rushy cheekhi...."Police..." aur gorille ke pair ladkhada gaye. Bas itni si hi
galati kaafi thi. Imran usay zameen se ukhaadne me kaamyab ho gaya. Gorille ko
smabhalne ka awasar hi nahin mil saka. Halaaki usne langhi maarne ki koshish ki
thi.....lekin Imran ab usay kahaan sambhalne deta. Pahle jhatke me usay seene tak
uthaya.....phir dusre zor me sar se uncha kar ke zameen par patak diya. Gorille ki
cheekh sannaate me door tak lahraati chali gayi. Usne uthne ki koshish ki lekin Imran
itni der me uske seene par sawaar ho chuka tha. Usne nakaab ke chhedon me apni
ungaliyaan thooste huye kaha.

"Chup chaap pade raho.....warna tumhari aankhen to aasani se phodi ja sakengi..."

Imran ne iske chehre par bhi bullet proof ki kathorta mahsoos ki......arthaat wo sar se
pair tak lohe se dhaka hua tha. Phir Imran ne Rushy ki madad se usay be-nakaab kar
diya. Gorilla buri tarah haanf raha tha. Ab usme shayad mukaabale ki shakti nahin
rah gayi thi.

Rushy ke liye ye pahla awasar tha ki ek poora case uski aankhon ke saamne nibat
gaya tha. Lekin asli baaton se wo bekhabar thi. Imran ne abhi tak usay kuchh nahin
bataaya tha.

Imran teen din tak gayab raha......ek baar bhi uski shakal flat me nahin dikhayi di. Sab
se adhik uljhan Rushy ko iss baat par thi ki itne dhoom dhadaake ka case itni
khamoshi se nibat gaya ki kisi news paper ne iske baare me koi chhoti si khabar bhi
nahin chhapi thi. Wo sochti ki aakhir wo suit case aur wo angoothi kaisi thi? Imran ke
kahne ke anusar bhaag daud tabhi shuru huyi thi jab anguthi waali ghatna prakash
me aayi thi.

Chauthe din Imran iss haal me flat me prawesh kiya ki shev badha hua tha aur pants
aise choor ho gaye the ki pajaama lag raha tha.

Wo chair par baith kar joote kholta hua bola...."Rushy....! kya hua hai tumhen. Ye
tumhare chehre par hawaaiyan kyon udd rahi hain? Aahaa....main samjha....shayad
iss case ki uljhan ne tumhara pet kharab kar diya hai."

"Tum kahaan the?" Rushy ne aankhen nikaal kar puchha.

(........Jaari)
Qaasid ki Talash

Last Update:

"Main jahaan tha galat tha.......mera sahi masraf(Use) yahi ho sakta hai ki kisi mazaar
par baith kar logon ko taaweezen baantun...."

"Kyon.....kya hua?"

Agar wo chutha aadmi na mil jaata to main kahin ka na rah jaata.....kyonki wo

gorilla.....mardood to sach much gorilla hi saabit hua. Us ne abhi tak muhh nahin
khola. Halaaki uske khilaaf kaafi saboot ikatthe ho chuke hain."

"Iss case ka sar pair bhi hai kahin?"

"Ye case............achha to suno. Pichhle saal ek mitra desh ka ek qaasid(Messenger)

kuchh bahut hi important papers lekar yahaan aane keliye apne desh se chala tha.
Wo vaastav me uss desh ke sarkari khufiya agency ka bahut famous officer Leonard
Gasker tha. Jo papers wo laa raha tha wo agar kisi dushman desh ke hath lag jaate to
kayi desh tabaah ho sakte the. Ye bhi sambhav tha ki yuddh ke sholay bhadak uthte.
Anyway........wo messenger rahassyamayi dhang se laapata ho gaya. Uske desh se
kewal itna pata chala tha ki uske kuchh samaan par cobra ki tasweer bani huyi
thi.......aur anguthi bhi cobra ki shakal ki thi. Spasht hai ki jab aisi vastuen achanak
saamne aayengi to kya hoga.....Tum jaanti hi ho ki suit case aur angoothi kis prakar
saamne aaye. Kya ye nahin pata chalta tha ki wo chizen jaan bujh kar saamne laayi
jaa rahi hain? Ye baat sach much chakraa dene waali thi. Phir jab tum ne phone par
ladki ka statement duhraaya tab mera drishtikon bilkul badal gaya. Mujhe sochna
pada ki sambhav hai Arther aur uske sathi asli apradhiyon ko bhi black-mail karne ke
chakkar me rahe hon.......chunki unka kaam hi black mailing tha.

Yahi vaastavikta bhi thi. Asli mujrim jo Leonard Gasker ko pakad kar qaid kar ke rakhe
huye the.....Gresham street ki uss budhi aurat se bhi sambandh rakhte the.....jiske
baare me maine tumhen phone par bataaya tha.

Un apradhiyon ne wo suit-case, anguthi aur ek cigerette case budhi ke yahaan rakh

chhoda tha. Tum kahogi ki unhen wo chizen nasht kar deni chahiye thi. Lekin ye
kahna galat hoga. Kyonki unhone uss qaasid ko entertainment keliye to nahin pakda
tha. Wo iss chakkar me the ki usay un sabhi samaanon aur papers ke sath kisi
dushman desh ke hath bech den. Clear baat hai ki iske liye unhen bahut badi raashi
milti.

Ab suno.......kisi prakar budhiya ke yahan rakhi wo wastuen Arther aur uske sathiyon
ke hath lag gayin.......aur unhone asli mujrimon ko black mail karna shuru kar diya.
Lekin shayad mujrimon ne iska notice hi nahin liya. Issliye unhone unhen daraane
keliye nit nayi chaalen chalin. Suit case public place par paaya gaya aur usme bache ki
lash mili. Maksad kewal yahi tha ki lash ke dwaara uss suit case ko charcha me la
den......aur mujrim bhaybheet hokar unke demand poore karne lagen.

Wo black mailers ye bhi jaante the ki CIB harkat me aa gayi hai. Atah unhone Saint
Lawrance colony ke Deccan lodge me Julia ko yahi samajh kar qaid kar diya tha ki
uska sambandh CIB se hai. Wo na to usay qaid rakhna chaahte the aur na hatya karna
chaahte the. Uddeshya ye tha ki CIB bhi apni chhaan-been tez kar de.

Lekin dusri taraf apradhi bhi kam nahin the. Unhone Arther ka sar kaat kar meri car
me daal diya......aur uske teen sathiyon ka bhi yahi haal kiya. Wo bhi un black mailers
par apni dhaak jamaana chaahte the. Lekin shayad unko black mailers ki sankhya ka
pata nahin tha.

Main ek raat Arther ke ghar talashi lene ke khayal se gaya. Wahaan jo kuchh bhi hua
uska detail main tumhen bata chuka hun. Wahaan mujhe ek aisa khat mila.....jisne
Gresham street ki terahwin building tak raasta dikhaya. Aur phir us budhi aurat se
milne ke baad maine andaaz lagaya ki wo imaarat un apradhiyon ka adda hai. Budhi
par maine prakat kiya ki main bhi Arther ke giroh se sambandh rakhta hun. Uske
baad mera ye sandeh vishwaas me badal gaya ki apradhi uss makaan se kuchh na
kuchh sambandh zaroor rakhte hain. Wahin se wo log mere pichhe lag gaye. Main ne
kaafi der unhen idhar udhar ghumaaya.

Anyway......wo mere pichhe lage rahe aur maine unhen jaal me phaasne keliye wahi
imaarat Deccan Lodge istemaal kiya.......jisay black mailer istemaal kar chuke the.

Apradhiyon ke giroh ke do aadmi mera pichha karte huye building me ghuse aur
maine donon ki marammat kar di. Un me se ek ko aise kamre me band kiya jahaan se
wo saralta se faraar ho sake. Yahi hua. Usne wahaan se faraar hokar gorille ko
situation se awagat karaaya. Aur phir wo sab Deccan Lodge par chadh daude.

Julia bechari ye samjhi ki main akela hun. Usay nahin pata tha ki mere dusre sathi bhi
iss khel me mere sath ho gaye the.

"Lekin Leonard Gasker ka kya hua? Tum kahte ho gorille ne zubaan nahin kholi..."
Rushy ne usay rok kar sawaal kiya.

"Arther ka wo sathi jo bach gaya tha......iss sambandh me bahut kaam ka saabit hua.
Usi se to ye kahani pata chali. Pichhle dinon se main uski talash me bhatakta phira
hun. Usay wo jagah maloom thi jahaan Leonard qaid tha. Lekin wo log kewal
mujrimom ko black mail kar ke un se lambi lambi rashiyaan ainthna chaahte the.
Khud Leonard ka unke liye koi value nahin tha."
"Arther uss budhi aurat ko kyon black mail kar raha tha?"

"Ye main nahin bata sakta. Bas wo usay black mail kar raha tha. Lekin kewal uss ladki
keliye. Ladki bhi khamoshi se barbaad hoti rahi......kyonki wo gareebi se darti thi. Wo
jaanti thi ki agar property hath se nikal gayi to unhen bhookon marna hoga. Lekin ye
kahani isliye nahin uthaya gaya tha ki wo najaayaz ladka kisi awasar par istemaal kiya
ja sake. Ye kewal sanyog tha ki Arther sansani phailaane keliye usi ko istemaal kar
baitha. Warna jab ladki se uske sambandh bane the uss samay Leonard ki kahani
uske sapne me bhi nahin tha."

"Thahro.." Rushy hath utha kar boli. "Agar apradhiyon ne Arther ka sar tumhari car
me daala tha to wo tumhen pahchaante bhi rahe honge....."

"Ye kaise sambhav hai. Agar ye baat hoti to baad me wo mere jaal me kaise phass
jaate? Jabki main uss budhi aurat se make-up me nahin mila tha. Agar uss din
unhone mujhe uss imaarat me dekh liya hota......jab Arther ka sar car me daala tha
tab wo kabhi mere jaal me nahin phaste."

Rushy kuchh sochne lagi aur Imran ne sitaar utha liya. Lekin dusre hi pal Rushy ne
usay chheen kar khidki se baahar phek diya.

Basssssssssssssss

http://www.exbii.com/showthread.php?t=1198699

Update10 --------- Page No-27

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