Ajnabi Parivaar
Update: 04
Ghar mein teen din guzar chuke thay.
Teen din pehle, Shahnaz ne faisla kiya tha ke woh khana khana band kar dein gi. Sab ne suna tha. Sab ne maana tha. Unhein lagta tha ke agar woh khana nahi khayein ge, to unke jismon ki aag bujh jaaye gi. Jo bechaini hai, jo bhookh hai, jo garmi hai — sab khatam ho jaaye gi.
"Khana band karne se hamare jism shaant ho jayenge," Shahnaz ne kaha tha. "Phir humein ek doosre ki zaroorat nahi padegi. Phir hum yeh sab ghalat kaam nahi karein ge."
Aur sab ne maan liya tha. Ummeed thi. Lekin ummeed galat sabit hui.
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Pehla Din:
Subah hui to sab ne nashta nahi kiya. Shahnaz kitchen mein gayi hi nahi. Gulnaz ne chai nahi banayi. Mehreen ne bread nahi nikali. Tabassum ne ande nahi tode. Mahpara ne table nahi lagayi. Sameer ne kuch nahi kaha.
Dopahar tak sab theek tha. Lekin shaam hote hote haalat badalne lagi. Sab se pehle Mehreen ko chakkar aaya. Woh apne bistar se uthi aur use laga ke poora kamra ghoom raha hai. Uski aankhon ke saamne andhera sa chha gaya.
"Mehreen!" Tabassum ne use pakad liya. "Tum theek ho?"
"Pani..." Mehreen ne kaha. Uski awaaz dheemi thi.
Tabassum ne use pani diya. Mehreen ne piya, lekin uska chakkar nahi gaya. Woh phir se bistar par let gayi. Uski saans dheemi thi, uske haath thande thay. Lekin ek baat theek thi — uski chhati ke siray sakht nahi thay, uski tangon ke darmiyan nami nahi thi. Aag nahi thi.
"Achha hai," Tabassum ne kaha. "Kam az kam jism ki aag to band hui."
Lekin Tabassum khud bhi kamzor mehsoos kar rahi thi. Uski saans dheemi thi. Uske haath kaanp rahe thay. Uski aankhon ke neeche halkay neele nishaan pad gaye thay. Lekin aag nahi thi.
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Doosra Din:
Doosre din haalat aur kharab ho gayi. Mahpara apne bistar se uth hi nahi payi. Uski taangein jawab de rahi theen. Uski aankhein andar ki taraf dhaans gayi theen. Uske honth sookh gaye thay. Uski jild par jhurriyaan si padne lagi theen.
"Mujhe... mujhe kuch khaane ko do..." usne phusphusa kar kaha. Uski awaaz itni dheemi thi ke sunayi mushkil se de rahi thi.
Gulnaz uske paas thi. Usne Mahpara ka haath apne haathon mein liya. Woh thanda tha — bohat thanda. Jaise zindagi usmein se nikal rahi ho.
"Nahi, Mahpara," Gulnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein aansoo thay. "Hum ne faisla kiya tha. Khana nahi khana. Hum is aag ko haraana chahte hain."
"Lekin... lekin main bohat kamzor mehsoos kar rahi hoon... mujhe lagta hai... main mar jaaongi..."
"Tum nahi marogi," Gulnaz ne kaha. Lekin uski awaaz mein yakeen nahi tha.
Shahnaz ne doosre din sabko ikattha karne ki koshish ki. Lekin tab tak sirf Sameer, Gulnaz, aur Tabassum hi chal phir sakte thay. Mehreen aur Mahpara apne bistar se uth nahi sakti theen. Mahpara to aankhein bhi mushkil se khol pa rahi thi.
"Hum ne ghalat faisla kiya," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski khud ki aankhein andar dhans gayi theen. Uski jism ki chamak chali gayi thi. Uske baal rookhe ho gaye thay. "Hum is tarah nahi reh sakte."
"Lekin ammi," Tabassum ne kaha. "Kya hum khana shuru kar dein? Phir wohi aag lag jaaye gi. Phir wohi bechaini hogi. Phir wohi sab hoga."
"Main jaanti hoon," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Lekin humein zinda bhi rehna hai."
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Teesra Din — Subah:
Teesre din subah, Mahpara ki saans rukne lagi. Woh itni kamzor ho gayi thi ke uski aankhein nahi khul rahi theen. Uski nabz bohat halki thi. Uski saans ruk ruk kar chal rahi thi.
"Ammi!" Gulnaz cheekhi. "Mahpara... Mahpara ki saans ruk rahi hai!"
Shahnaz daudi hui aayi. Usne Mahpara ko dekha. Uski saans dheemi thi, bohat dheemi. Uski nabz kamzor thi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya tha. Uske honth sookh kar phat gaye thay.
"Ise khana chahiye," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski awaaz mein ghabrahat thi. "Abhi. Foran. Warna yeh mar jaaye gi."
Woh kitchen mein gayi. Teeno din pehle jo khana rakha tha, woh abhi tak wahin tha. Usne jaldi se bread nikali, doodh nikala. Mahpara ke munh mein dheere dheere doodh dala. Pehle ek boond, phir doosri. Mahpara ke galay se doodh utra.
Kuch der baad, Mahpara ki aankhein khuleen. Uski saans tez hui. Uski nabz mazboot hui.
"Ammi..." usne phusphusa kar kaha.
"Main yahan hoon, beti," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein aansoo thay.
Sab ne dekha ke Mahpara ki jaan mein jaan aayi. Aur sab ne ek hi cheez sochi — khana zaroori hai. Chahe woh kitna hi zehreela kyun na ho.
"Hum ne ghalat kiya," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Khana band karna ghalat tha. Hamare jismon ko khane ki zaroorat hai. Hum is tarah nahi mar sakte."
Sab ne sar hilaya. Sab jaante thay ke ab kya hoga. Khana shuru hoga. Aur khane ke saath woh aag bhi wapas aaye gi. Lekin koi raasta nahi tha. Zinda rehna zaroori tha.
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Khane Ki Wapsi:
Shahnaz ne teeno din baad khana banaya. Ande, bread, chaay. Sab kuch taaza. Sab kuch garam. Aur sab kuch usi cheez se mila hua jiska use ilm nahi tha. Viagra. Rozana. Har waqt.
Nashte ki maiz par chhe log jama hue. Shahnaz, Gulnaz, Mahpara, Tabassum, Mehreen, aur Sameer. Mahpara ko Gulnaz ne sahara de kar table tak pahunchaya.
Pehle to sab ne dheere dheere khaya. Phir bhookh badh gayi. Sab ne zyada khaya. Teen din ki bhookh thi. Sab ne teen din ka khana ek waqt mein kha liya.
Aur jaise hi khana unke pet mein gaya, unke jismon mein woh aag phir se bhadak uthi. Is baar pehle se bhi zyada. Teen din ki ruki hui aag — aaj ek saath bhadak rahi thi.
Shahnaz ne mehsoos kiya. Uski chhati ke siray sakht ho rahe thay. Uski tangon ke darmiyan wohi garmi phir se jaag uthi thi — is baar pehle se kai gunah zyada.
"Yeh... yeh phir se..." usne phusphusa kar kaha. "Pehle se bhi zyada."
Gulnaz, Mahpara, Tabassum, Mehreen — sab ke jismon mein wohi aag thi. Sab ki chhatiyon ke siray sakht thay. Sab ki tangon ke darmiyan nami thi.
Aur Sameer — uski mardangi sakht thi. Lambi, moti, taqatwar. Chadar ke neeche uska ubhaar itna bada tha ke saaf dikhai de raha tha. Uski nas nas phail gayi thi. Uske siray se pani ki boond tapak rahi thi.
Shahnaz ne sab ki taraf dekha aur kaha: "Aaj hum apne aap ko rok nahi payein ge. Aaj jo hona hai, hone do. Bas had mein raho. Aur ek doosre ka khayal rakho."
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Gulnaz Aur Mahpara Ka Kamra — Sham Ka Waqt
Gulnaz aur Mahpara ek saath Gulnaz ke kamre mein thay. Dono ki aag bohat zyada thi. Dono ki narmiyan bheegi hui theen. Dono ki saansein tez theen.
"Main Sameer ke paas nahi jaana chahti," Gulnaz ne kaha. "Woh mera bhai hai. Kam az kam mujhe yahi yaad hai."
"Main bhi nahi," Mahpara ne kaha. "Lekin meri aag... bohat zyada hai. Subah to main mar rahi thi, aur ab... ab mera jism jal raha hai."
Gulnaz ne apne kamre mein charon taraf dekha. Uski nazar kitchen se laye gaye kuch fruits aur sabziyon par padi. Kheera. Gajar. Mooli. Baingan.
"Mahpara," Gulnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein ek chamak thi. "Hum... hum ek doosre ki madad kar sakte hain. Aur in cheezon ki bhi."
Mahpara ne Gulnaz ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhon mein wohi bhookh thi. "Kaise?"
Gulnaz ne do lambay kheeray uthaye. Woh thande thay, sakht thay. Usne ek kheera Mahpara ko diya aur ek khud rakha.
"Hum ek doosre ki narmi mein dalte hain," Gulnaz ne kaha. "Ek doosre ke saath. Ek doosre ke liye."
Mahpara ki saans tez ho gayi. "Yeh... yeh theek rahega?"
"Ghalat to woh hai jo hum apne bhai ke saath karte hain," Gulnaz ne kaha. "Yeh to sirf hum dono hain. Do behnein. Aur yeh sirf sabzi hai."
Dono ne apne kapde utaar diye. Dono ke jism jal rahe thay. Gulnaz ki chhati bhaari thi, Mahpara ki chhati bhi bhaari thi. Dono ki narmiyan bheegi hui theen.
Woh bistar par aamnay saamnay let gayin. Dono ne apni taangein khol deen. Dono ki narmiyan saamne theen — bheegi hui, tayyar.
"Pehle main karta hoon," Gulnaz ne kaha.
Usne apna kheera Mahpara ki narmi ki pankhudiyon par rakha. Mahpara ki saans ruk gayi. Kheera thanda tha.
"Aah... Gulnaz... thanda hai..."
"Dheere dheere," Gulnaz ne kaha. Usne kheere ko Mahpara ki narmi mein andar dhakelna shuru kiya. Dheere dheere. Ek inch, phir do inch, phir teen inch. Mahpara ki narmi kheere ke gird lipat gayi.
"Aah... Gulnaz... yeh... yeh bohat achha lag raha hai..." Mahpara ki aankhein band ho gayin.
"Ab tum," Gulnaz ne kaha. Uski saans tez thi. "Mujhe bhi."
Mahpara ne apna kheera Gulnaz ki narmi ki pankhudiyon par rakha. Gulnaz ki saans ruk gayi. Mahpara ne kheere ko Gulnaz ki narmi mein andar dhakelna shuru kiya. Dheere dheere.
"Aah... Mahpara... tumhari baari..." Gulnaz ki aankhein band ho gayin.
Ab dono ek doosre ki narmi mein kheere andar bahar kar rahi theen. Gulnaz Mahpara ki narmi mein, Mahpara Gulnaz ki narmi mein. Dono ki saansein tez theen. Dono ki aankhein band theen. Dono ke jism kaanp rahe thay.
"Aur... Gulnaz... aur tez..." Mahpara cheekh uthi.
Gulnaz ne apna haath tez kar diya. Kheera Mahpara ki narmi mein zor zor se andar bahar hone laga. Mahpara ka jism upar neeche ho raha tha.
"Aah... Mahpara... main... main bhi..." Gulnaz cheekh uthi.
Mahpara ne bhi apna haath tez kar diya. Kheera Gulnaz ki narmi mein zor zor se andar bahar hone laga.
"Aur... aur... ek saath..." Gulnaz cheekhi.
Dono ke jism ek saath akad gaye. Dono ki narmiyan kheeray ke gird baar baar sikud gayin. Dono ek saath cheekh maar kar bikhar gayin — poori tarah.
Dono thak kar bistar par let gayin. Dono ki saansein tez theen. Dono ke jism pasine se bheeg chuke thay. Dono ke haathon mein kheeray thay — geelay, unki narmiyon ke ras se bheegay hue.
"Shukriya," Mahpara ne kaha. "Mujhe iski bohat zaroorat thi."
"Mujhe bhi," Gulnaz ne kaha. "Aur kisi bhai ki zaroorat nahi padi."
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Sameer, Mehreen Aur Tabassum Ka Kamra — Raat Ka Waqt
Mehreen aur Tabassum apne kamron se nikli to unhein Gulnaz aur Mahpara ke kamre se cheekhein sunayi deen. Dono jaanti theen ke wahan kya ho raha hai. Lekin unki apni aag bohat zyada thi. Itni zyada ke sirf sabziyaan kaafi nahi theen.
"Mehreen," Tabassum ne kaha. Uski aankhein jhuki hui nahi theen — uthi hui theen, bhookh se bhari hui. "Main... main Sameer ke paas jaana chahti hoon."
"Main bhi," Mehreen ne kaha. "Teen din ki aag. Sirf sabziyon se kaam nahi chalega."
Dono Sameer ke kamre ki taraf chal padeen. Darwaze par dastak di. Sameer ne darwaza khola. Uski mardangi sakht thi — lambi, moti, taqatwar. Uski nas nas ubhri hui thi. Uske siray se pani tapak raha tha.
"Mehreen... Tabassum..." Sameer ne kaha. "Tum dono..."
"Haan," Mehreen ne kaha. "Hum dono. Aaj aag bohat zyada hai. Akelay nahi bujhegi."
"Lekin ammi ne kaha tha ke do se zyada nahi..." Sameer ne kaha.
"Ammi ne yeh bhi kaha tha ke aaj jo hona hai hone do," Tabassum ne kaha. "Aur aaj hum dono ko tumhari zaroorat hai. Ek saath."
Dono Sameer ke kamre mein andar aa gayin. Darwaza band ho gaya.
Mehreen ne pehle apne kapde utaar diye. Uska jism jal raha tha. Uski chhati ubhri hui thi, uske siray sakht thay. Uski tangon ke darmiyan uski narmi thi — bheegi hui, tayyar.
Tabassum ne bhi apne kapde utaar diye. Uski chhati bhi ubhri hui thi. Uski narmi bhi bheegi hui thi.
Sameer ne dono ko dekha. Uski mardangi aur sakht ho gayi.
"Kaun pehle?" Sameer ne poocha.
"Main," Mehreen ne kaha. "Main intezaar nahi kar sakti."
Woh bistar par let gayi. Usne apni taangein khol deen. Uski narmi saaf dikhai de rahi thi — bheegi hui, tayyar.
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko Mehreen ki narmi ke qareeb le jaya. Uska sira Mehreen ki pankhudiyon ko chhoo raha tha.
"Bhai... jaldi..." Mehreen ne kaha.
Sameer ne apni mardangi Mehreen ki narmi mein daal di — poori tarah, jad tak. Mehreen cheekh uthi.
"Aah... bhai... yehi chahiye tha..."
Sameer ne andar bahar karna shuru kiya. Zor zor se. Tez tez. Mehreen ki narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird sikud rahi thi.
Is dauran Tabassum bistar par Mehreen ke paas aa kar baith gayi. Usne apni taangein khol deen aur Mehreen ke chehre ke paas apni narmi le gayi.
"Mehreen," Tabassum ne kaha. "Mujhe bhi."
Mehreen ne apna chehra upar uthaya. Tabassum ki narmi uske chehre ke saamne thi — bheegi hui. Mehreen ne apni zubaan Tabassum ki narmi ki pankhudiyon par rakh di. Tabassum ki saans ruk gayi.
"Aah... Mehreen... tumhari zubaan..."
Mehreen ne Tabassum ki narmi ko choosna shuru kar diya — apni zubaan se andar bahar, andar bahar. Tabassum ka jism kaanp raha tha. Uski taangein Mehreen ke sar ke gird jakad gayin.
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko aur tez kar diya. Mehreen ki narmi uski mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud rahi thi. Aur Mehreen ki zubaan Tabassum ki narmi ke andar thi.
"Aur... bhai... aur... aur Tabo... main... main..." Mehreen cheekh uthi.
Uska jism akad gaya. Uski narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud gayi. Woh cheekh maar kar bikhar gayi. Sameer ne apna pani Mehreen ke andar chhod diya.
Lekin Mehreen ka munh abhi bhi Tabassum ki narmi par tha. Usne apni zubaan aur tez kar di. Tabassum cheekh uthi.
"Mehreen... main... main bhi..."
Tabassum ka jism akad gaya. Uski narmi Mehreen ki zubaan ke gird baar baar sikud gayi. Woh cheekh maar kar bikhar gayi. Mehreen ne Tabassum ka saara ras pee liya.
Mehreen bistar se uthi. Ab Tabassum let gayi. Uski narmi abhi bhi bheegi hui thi — Mehreen ki zubaan ke bawajood, aag nahi bujhi thi.
"Bhai..." Tabassum ne kaha. "Ab meri baari. Mujhe bhi poori tarah."
Sameer ki mardangi phir se sakht thi — pehle se bhi zyada. Usne apni mardangi Tabassum ki narmi ke qareeb le jaya.
"Tabo," Sameer ne kaha. "Main..."
"Karo," Tabassum ne kaha. "Mujhe bhi wohi chahiye jo Mehreen ko mila."
Sameer ne apni mardangi Tabassum ki narmi mein daal di — poori tarah, jad tak. Tabassum cheekh uthi.
"Aah... bhai... tum mere andar ho..."
Mehreen ab Tabassum ke chehre ke paas aa gayi. Usne apni narmi Tabassum ke chehre ke saamne rakhi.
"Tabo, meri baari," Mehreen ne kaha.
Tabassum ne apna chehra upar uthaya aur apni zubaan Mehreen ki narmi mein daal di. Mehreen ki saans ruk gayi.
"Aah... Tabo... tumhari zubaan..."
Ab Sameer Tabassum ki narmi mein andar bahar kar raha tha — zor zor se. Aur Tabassum Mehreen ki narmi ko choos rahi thi. Ek zanjeer si ban gayi thi.
"Aur... bhai... aur..." Tabassum cheekh uthi.
Uska jism akad gaya. Uski narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud gayi. Woh cheekh maar kar bikhar gayi. Sameer ne apna pani Tabassum ke andar chhod diya.
Aur Tabassum ki zubaan abhi bhi Mehreen ki narmi mein thi. Mehreen cheekh uthi.
"Tabo... main... main phir se..."
Mehreen ka jism akad gaya. Uski narmi Tabassum ki zubaan ke gird baar baar sikud gayi. Woh phir se bikhar gayi. Tabassum ne Mehreen ka saara ras pee liya.
Teeno thak kar bistar par let gaye. Teeno ki saansein tez theen. Teeno ke jism pasine se bheeg chuke thay.
"Aaj ki aag bujhi," Mehreen ne kaha.
"Lekin teen din ki wajah se bohat zyada thi," Tabassum ne kaha.
Sameer kuch nahi bola. Uski aankhein band theen. Woh apne aap se nafrat kar raha tha — lekin aag bujh chuki thi. Kam az kam ab dard nahi tha.
---
Shahnaz Ka Aakhri Faisla — Raat Ka Aakhri Pehar
Shahnaz apne kamre mein akeli thi. Usne Gulnaz aur Mahpara ki cheekhein suni theen. Mehreen, Tabassum, aur Sameer ki cheekhein bhi suni theen. Woh sab jaanti thi. Uski apni aag bohat zyada thi — itni zyada ke sirf sabziyaan kaafi nahi theen.
Usne kheera uthaya. Gajar uthayi. Dono ko apni narmi mein daal kar dekha. Aag thodi kam hui, lekin bujhi nahi.
"Yeh kaafi nahi hai," usne apne aap se kaha. "Teen din ki aag hai. Sirf cheezein kaafi nahi hain. Mujhe... mujhe Sameer ke paas jaana hoga."
Woh uthi. Apne kapde pehne. Kamre se bahar nikli. Uski taangein kaanp rahi theen. Uski narmi bheegi hui thi. Uski saans tez thi.
Woh Sameer ke darwaze par pahunchi. Darwaza band tha. Usne dastak di.
"Sameer... main hoon. Ammi."
Andar se halki awaazein aayin — Mehreen aur Tabassum ki. Darwaza khula. Sameer khada tha. Uski mardangi abhi bhi sakht thi. Mehreen aur Tabassum bistar par leti theen — thaki hui, lekin unki aankhon mein abhi bhi aag thi.
"Ammi," Sameer ne kaha.
"Mehreen, Tabassum," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Tum dono apne kamron mein jao. Abhi."
Mehreen aur Tabassum uth gayin. Bina kuch kahe, kapde pehne aur kamre se bahar nikal gayin. Darwaza band ho gaya.
Shahnaz aur Sameer akele thay.
"Ammi," Sameer ne kaha. Uski awaaz mein sharam thi. "Aap... aap yahan..."
"Beta," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein aansoo thay. "Main ne bohat koshish ki. Kheera, gajar — sab kuch istemal kiya. Lekin teen din ki aag hai. Kuch kaam nahi kar raha. Mujhe... mujhe tumhari zaroorat hai."
"Ammi, main abhi abhi Mehreen aur Tabassum ke saath..."
"Main jaanti hoon," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Lekin meri aag bohat zyada hai. Main bardasht nahi kar sakti."
Usne apne kapde utaar diye. Uska jism chaand ki roshni mein chamak raha tha — artais saal ki aurat ka jism, lekin abhi bhi jawaan, abhi bhi bhara hua, abhi bhi garam. Uski chhati bhaari thi — gol, ubhri hui. Uske siray sakht thay — pathar ki tarah. Uski tangon ke darmiyan uski narmi thi — bheegi hui, tayyar.
Woh bistar par let gayi. Usne apni taangein khol deen — poori tarah.
"Aao, beta," usne kaha. "Mere andar aao. Pehle se bhi zyada. Aaj bohat zaroorat hai. Aaj teen din ki pyaas hai."
Sameer ne apni maa ki taraf dekha. Woh uski maa thi — kam az kam use yahi yaad tha. Lekin is waqt, woh sirf ek aurat thi. Ek aisi aurat jiska jism jal raha tha. Ek aisi aurat jise uski zaroorat thi.
"Ammi," Sameer ne kaha. "Main... main khud se nafrat karta hoon. Lekin main aapko is haalat mein nahi dekh sakta."
"Phir karo," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Jo karna hai karo. Apni mardangi meri narmi mein dalo. Mujhe poora karo."
Sameer bistar par chadh gaya. Usne apni mardangi ko Shahnaz ki narmi ke qareeb le jaya. Uska sira Shahnaz ki pankhudiyon ko chhoo raha tha. Woh bohat garam theen, bohat bheegi hui theen.
"Beta... jaldi..." Shahnaz ne kaha. "Main intezaar nahi kar sakti."
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko Shahnaz ki narmi mein daal diya — poori tarah, jad tak, ek hi jhatke mein. Shahnaz cheekh uthi. Uski aankhon se aansoo tapak pade. Uski taangein Sameer ke gird jakad gayin.
"Aah... beta... yeh... yehi chahiye tha mujhe..."
Sameer ne andar bahar karna shuru kiya. Zor zor se. Tez tez. Uski mardangi Shahnaz ki narmi ke andar aage peeche ho rahi thi. Shahnaz ki narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud rahi thi.
"Aur... beta... aur... aaj bohat tez... teen din ki aag..." Shahnaz cheekh rahi thi.
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko aur tez kar diya. Woh poori taqat se Shahnaz ki narmi ke andar bahar ho raha tha. Bistar hichkole kha raha tha. Shahnaz ki cheekhein kamre mein goonj rahi theen.
"Ammi... aap... aap bohat garam hain..."
"Haan beta... haan... mere andar... aur tez..."
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko had se zyada tez kar diya. Shahnaz ka jism akad gaya. Uski kamar upar uth gayi. Uski narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud gayi — zor zor se. Woh cheekh maar kar bikhar gayi.
"BETAAA..."
Sameer ne apna pani Shahnaz ke andar chhod diya — is baar bohat zyada. Teen din ka ruka hua — aaj ek saath. Qatra qatra. Bohat saara. Shahnaz ki narmi ne sab kuch apne andar le liya.
Dono thak kar bistar par let gaye. Dono ki saansein tez theen. Dono ke jism pasine se bheeg chuke thay. Shahnaz ki narmi se Sameer ka pani tapak raha tha.
"Ammi," Sameer ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein aansoo thay. "Main bohat sharminda hoon."
"Main bhi, beta," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein bhi aansoo thay. "Main bhi. Lekin hum ne aaj ek baat seekh li hai — hum khana band nahi kar sakte. Zinda rehna hai to khana padega. Aur khane ke saath yeh aag bhi bardasht karni padegi. Chahe hum kitna hi apne aap se nafrat karein."
Woh kuch der khamosh rahe. Phir Shahnaz ne kaha: "Aur beta, ek baat aur. Yeh sab... yeh group... yeh sab kuch... main nahi chahti k
e roz roz ho. Kabhi kabhi majboori mein karna padta hai. Lekin humein koshish karni chahiye ke hum apni aag khud bujha sakein. Ghar ki cheezon se. Ya kam az kam ek ek karke. Samjhe?"
"Samjha, ammi," Sameer ne kaha. "Main bhi yehi chahta hoon."
Shahnaz ne Sameer ka maatha chooma. "Ab so ja, beta. Kal phir aag lagegi. Kal phir ladhna padega."
---
Agli Subah
Agli subah, nashte ki maiz par chhe log jama hue. Sab ke chehre thake hue thay, lekin un par sukoon bhi tha. Kal raat ki aag bujh chuki thi — kam az kam kuch waqt ke liye.
Shahnaz ne sab ki taraf dekha aur kaha: "Hum ne teen din ka tajurba kar liya. Ab humein pata hai ke khana band nahi kar sakte. Lekin ek baat aur bhi seekhi hai — hum apni aag ko bujhane ke liye ghar ki cheezein bhi istemal kar sakte hain. Sirf ek doosre ke jism hi nahi. Yeh bohat zaroori hai. Is se hum apne rishton ko kuch had tak bacha sakte hain."
Sab ne sar hilaya.
"Lekin kabhi kabhi," Shahnaz ne aage kaha, "aag itni badh jaati hai ke sirf cheezein kaafi nahi hotin. Tab... tab humein ek doosre ki zaroorat padti hai. Aur tab hum ek doosre ke paas jayenge. Lekin had mein. Ek ek karke. Group nahi. Yeh ghalat hai. Yeh main bardasht nahi kar sakti."
Sab ne sar hilaya. Sab jaante thay ke Shahnaz theek keh rahi hai.
"Ab khao," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Aur kal ke liye tayyar raho."
Sab ne khana khaya. Jaante hue ke khane mein kya hai. Jaante hue ke aaj phir aag lagegi. Lekin ab unke paas raaste thay. Cheezein bhi. Aur ek doosre bhi — jab bohat zyada zaroorat ho.
Update: 04
Ghar mein teen din guzar chuke thay.
Teen din pehle, Shahnaz ne faisla kiya tha ke woh khana khana band kar dein gi. Sab ne suna tha. Sab ne maana tha. Unhein lagta tha ke agar woh khana nahi khayein ge, to unke jismon ki aag bujh jaaye gi. Jo bechaini hai, jo bhookh hai, jo garmi hai — sab khatam ho jaaye gi.
"Khana band karne se hamare jism shaant ho jayenge," Shahnaz ne kaha tha. "Phir humein ek doosre ki zaroorat nahi padegi. Phir hum yeh sab ghalat kaam nahi karein ge."
Aur sab ne maan liya tha. Ummeed thi. Lekin ummeed galat sabit hui.
---
Pehla Din:
Subah hui to sab ne nashta nahi kiya. Shahnaz kitchen mein gayi hi nahi. Gulnaz ne chai nahi banayi. Mehreen ne bread nahi nikali. Tabassum ne ande nahi tode. Mahpara ne table nahi lagayi. Sameer ne kuch nahi kaha.
Dopahar tak sab theek tha. Lekin shaam hote hote haalat badalne lagi. Sab se pehle Mehreen ko chakkar aaya. Woh apne bistar se uthi aur use laga ke poora kamra ghoom raha hai. Uski aankhon ke saamne andhera sa chha gaya.
"Mehreen!" Tabassum ne use pakad liya. "Tum theek ho?"
"Pani..." Mehreen ne kaha. Uski awaaz dheemi thi.
Tabassum ne use pani diya. Mehreen ne piya, lekin uska chakkar nahi gaya. Woh phir se bistar par let gayi. Uski saans dheemi thi, uske haath thande thay. Lekin ek baat theek thi — uski chhati ke siray sakht nahi thay, uski tangon ke darmiyan nami nahi thi. Aag nahi thi.
"Achha hai," Tabassum ne kaha. "Kam az kam jism ki aag to band hui."
Lekin Tabassum khud bhi kamzor mehsoos kar rahi thi. Uski saans dheemi thi. Uske haath kaanp rahe thay. Uski aankhon ke neeche halkay neele nishaan pad gaye thay. Lekin aag nahi thi.
---
Doosra Din:
Doosre din haalat aur kharab ho gayi. Mahpara apne bistar se uth hi nahi payi. Uski taangein jawab de rahi theen. Uski aankhein andar ki taraf dhaans gayi theen. Uske honth sookh gaye thay. Uski jild par jhurriyaan si padne lagi theen.
"Mujhe... mujhe kuch khaane ko do..." usne phusphusa kar kaha. Uski awaaz itni dheemi thi ke sunayi mushkil se de rahi thi.
Gulnaz uske paas thi. Usne Mahpara ka haath apne haathon mein liya. Woh thanda tha — bohat thanda. Jaise zindagi usmein se nikal rahi ho.
"Nahi, Mahpara," Gulnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein aansoo thay. "Hum ne faisla kiya tha. Khana nahi khana. Hum is aag ko haraana chahte hain."
"Lekin... lekin main bohat kamzor mehsoos kar rahi hoon... mujhe lagta hai... main mar jaaongi..."
"Tum nahi marogi," Gulnaz ne kaha. Lekin uski awaaz mein yakeen nahi tha.
Shahnaz ne doosre din sabko ikattha karne ki koshish ki. Lekin tab tak sirf Sameer, Gulnaz, aur Tabassum hi chal phir sakte thay. Mehreen aur Mahpara apne bistar se uth nahi sakti theen. Mahpara to aankhein bhi mushkil se khol pa rahi thi.
"Hum ne ghalat faisla kiya," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski khud ki aankhein andar dhans gayi theen. Uski jism ki chamak chali gayi thi. Uske baal rookhe ho gaye thay. "Hum is tarah nahi reh sakte."
"Lekin ammi," Tabassum ne kaha. "Kya hum khana shuru kar dein? Phir wohi aag lag jaaye gi. Phir wohi bechaini hogi. Phir wohi sab hoga."
"Main jaanti hoon," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Lekin humein zinda bhi rehna hai."
---
Teesra Din — Subah:
Teesre din subah, Mahpara ki saans rukne lagi. Woh itni kamzor ho gayi thi ke uski aankhein nahi khul rahi theen. Uski nabz bohat halki thi. Uski saans ruk ruk kar chal rahi thi.
"Ammi!" Gulnaz cheekhi. "Mahpara... Mahpara ki saans ruk rahi hai!"
Shahnaz daudi hui aayi. Usne Mahpara ko dekha. Uski saans dheemi thi, bohat dheemi. Uski nabz kamzor thi. Uska chehra peela pad gaya tha. Uske honth sookh kar phat gaye thay.
"Ise khana chahiye," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski awaaz mein ghabrahat thi. "Abhi. Foran. Warna yeh mar jaaye gi."
Woh kitchen mein gayi. Teeno din pehle jo khana rakha tha, woh abhi tak wahin tha. Usne jaldi se bread nikali, doodh nikala. Mahpara ke munh mein dheere dheere doodh dala. Pehle ek boond, phir doosri. Mahpara ke galay se doodh utra.
Kuch der baad, Mahpara ki aankhein khuleen. Uski saans tez hui. Uski nabz mazboot hui.
"Ammi..." usne phusphusa kar kaha.
"Main yahan hoon, beti," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein aansoo thay.
Sab ne dekha ke Mahpara ki jaan mein jaan aayi. Aur sab ne ek hi cheez sochi — khana zaroori hai. Chahe woh kitna hi zehreela kyun na ho.
"Hum ne ghalat kiya," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Khana band karna ghalat tha. Hamare jismon ko khane ki zaroorat hai. Hum is tarah nahi mar sakte."
Sab ne sar hilaya. Sab jaante thay ke ab kya hoga. Khana shuru hoga. Aur khane ke saath woh aag bhi wapas aaye gi. Lekin koi raasta nahi tha. Zinda rehna zaroori tha.
---
Khane Ki Wapsi:
Shahnaz ne teeno din baad khana banaya. Ande, bread, chaay. Sab kuch taaza. Sab kuch garam. Aur sab kuch usi cheez se mila hua jiska use ilm nahi tha. Viagra. Rozana. Har waqt.
Nashte ki maiz par chhe log jama hue. Shahnaz, Gulnaz, Mahpara, Tabassum, Mehreen, aur Sameer. Mahpara ko Gulnaz ne sahara de kar table tak pahunchaya.
Pehle to sab ne dheere dheere khaya. Phir bhookh badh gayi. Sab ne zyada khaya. Teen din ki bhookh thi. Sab ne teen din ka khana ek waqt mein kha liya.
Aur jaise hi khana unke pet mein gaya, unke jismon mein woh aag phir se bhadak uthi. Is baar pehle se bhi zyada. Teen din ki ruki hui aag — aaj ek saath bhadak rahi thi.
Shahnaz ne mehsoos kiya. Uski chhati ke siray sakht ho rahe thay. Uski tangon ke darmiyan wohi garmi phir se jaag uthi thi — is baar pehle se kai gunah zyada.
"Yeh... yeh phir se..." usne phusphusa kar kaha. "Pehle se bhi zyada."
Gulnaz, Mahpara, Tabassum, Mehreen — sab ke jismon mein wohi aag thi. Sab ki chhatiyon ke siray sakht thay. Sab ki tangon ke darmiyan nami thi.
Aur Sameer — uski mardangi sakht thi. Lambi, moti, taqatwar. Chadar ke neeche uska ubhaar itna bada tha ke saaf dikhai de raha tha. Uski nas nas phail gayi thi. Uske siray se pani ki boond tapak rahi thi.
Shahnaz ne sab ki taraf dekha aur kaha: "Aaj hum apne aap ko rok nahi payein ge. Aaj jo hona hai, hone do. Bas had mein raho. Aur ek doosre ka khayal rakho."
---
Gulnaz Aur Mahpara Ka Kamra — Sham Ka Waqt
Gulnaz aur Mahpara ek saath Gulnaz ke kamre mein thay. Dono ki aag bohat zyada thi. Dono ki narmiyan bheegi hui theen. Dono ki saansein tez theen.
"Main Sameer ke paas nahi jaana chahti," Gulnaz ne kaha. "Woh mera bhai hai. Kam az kam mujhe yahi yaad hai."
"Main bhi nahi," Mahpara ne kaha. "Lekin meri aag... bohat zyada hai. Subah to main mar rahi thi, aur ab... ab mera jism jal raha hai."
Gulnaz ne apne kamre mein charon taraf dekha. Uski nazar kitchen se laye gaye kuch fruits aur sabziyon par padi. Kheera. Gajar. Mooli. Baingan.
"Mahpara," Gulnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein ek chamak thi. "Hum... hum ek doosre ki madad kar sakte hain. Aur in cheezon ki bhi."
Mahpara ne Gulnaz ki taraf dekha. Uski aankhon mein wohi bhookh thi. "Kaise?"
Gulnaz ne do lambay kheeray uthaye. Woh thande thay, sakht thay. Usne ek kheera Mahpara ko diya aur ek khud rakha.
"Hum ek doosre ki narmi mein dalte hain," Gulnaz ne kaha. "Ek doosre ke saath. Ek doosre ke liye."
Mahpara ki saans tez ho gayi. "Yeh... yeh theek rahega?"
"Ghalat to woh hai jo hum apne bhai ke saath karte hain," Gulnaz ne kaha. "Yeh to sirf hum dono hain. Do behnein. Aur yeh sirf sabzi hai."
Dono ne apne kapde utaar diye. Dono ke jism jal rahe thay. Gulnaz ki chhati bhaari thi, Mahpara ki chhati bhi bhaari thi. Dono ki narmiyan bheegi hui theen.
Woh bistar par aamnay saamnay let gayin. Dono ne apni taangein khol deen. Dono ki narmiyan saamne theen — bheegi hui, tayyar.
"Pehle main karta hoon," Gulnaz ne kaha.
Usne apna kheera Mahpara ki narmi ki pankhudiyon par rakha. Mahpara ki saans ruk gayi. Kheera thanda tha.
"Aah... Gulnaz... thanda hai..."
"Dheere dheere," Gulnaz ne kaha. Usne kheere ko Mahpara ki narmi mein andar dhakelna shuru kiya. Dheere dheere. Ek inch, phir do inch, phir teen inch. Mahpara ki narmi kheere ke gird lipat gayi.
"Aah... Gulnaz... yeh... yeh bohat achha lag raha hai..." Mahpara ki aankhein band ho gayin.
"Ab tum," Gulnaz ne kaha. Uski saans tez thi. "Mujhe bhi."
Mahpara ne apna kheera Gulnaz ki narmi ki pankhudiyon par rakha. Gulnaz ki saans ruk gayi. Mahpara ne kheere ko Gulnaz ki narmi mein andar dhakelna shuru kiya. Dheere dheere.
"Aah... Mahpara... tumhari baari..." Gulnaz ki aankhein band ho gayin.
Ab dono ek doosre ki narmi mein kheere andar bahar kar rahi theen. Gulnaz Mahpara ki narmi mein, Mahpara Gulnaz ki narmi mein. Dono ki saansein tez theen. Dono ki aankhein band theen. Dono ke jism kaanp rahe thay.
"Aur... Gulnaz... aur tez..." Mahpara cheekh uthi.
Gulnaz ne apna haath tez kar diya. Kheera Mahpara ki narmi mein zor zor se andar bahar hone laga. Mahpara ka jism upar neeche ho raha tha.
"Aah... Mahpara... main... main bhi..." Gulnaz cheekh uthi.
Mahpara ne bhi apna haath tez kar diya. Kheera Gulnaz ki narmi mein zor zor se andar bahar hone laga.
"Aur... aur... ek saath..." Gulnaz cheekhi.
Dono ke jism ek saath akad gaye. Dono ki narmiyan kheeray ke gird baar baar sikud gayin. Dono ek saath cheekh maar kar bikhar gayin — poori tarah.
Dono thak kar bistar par let gayin. Dono ki saansein tez theen. Dono ke jism pasine se bheeg chuke thay. Dono ke haathon mein kheeray thay — geelay, unki narmiyon ke ras se bheegay hue.
"Shukriya," Mahpara ne kaha. "Mujhe iski bohat zaroorat thi."
"Mujhe bhi," Gulnaz ne kaha. "Aur kisi bhai ki zaroorat nahi padi."
---
Sameer, Mehreen Aur Tabassum Ka Kamra — Raat Ka Waqt
Mehreen aur Tabassum apne kamron se nikli to unhein Gulnaz aur Mahpara ke kamre se cheekhein sunayi deen. Dono jaanti theen ke wahan kya ho raha hai. Lekin unki apni aag bohat zyada thi. Itni zyada ke sirf sabziyaan kaafi nahi theen.
"Mehreen," Tabassum ne kaha. Uski aankhein jhuki hui nahi theen — uthi hui theen, bhookh se bhari hui. "Main... main Sameer ke paas jaana chahti hoon."
"Main bhi," Mehreen ne kaha. "Teen din ki aag. Sirf sabziyon se kaam nahi chalega."
Dono Sameer ke kamre ki taraf chal padeen. Darwaze par dastak di. Sameer ne darwaza khola. Uski mardangi sakht thi — lambi, moti, taqatwar. Uski nas nas ubhri hui thi. Uske siray se pani tapak raha tha.
"Mehreen... Tabassum..." Sameer ne kaha. "Tum dono..."
"Haan," Mehreen ne kaha. "Hum dono. Aaj aag bohat zyada hai. Akelay nahi bujhegi."
"Lekin ammi ne kaha tha ke do se zyada nahi..." Sameer ne kaha.
"Ammi ne yeh bhi kaha tha ke aaj jo hona hai hone do," Tabassum ne kaha. "Aur aaj hum dono ko tumhari zaroorat hai. Ek saath."
Dono Sameer ke kamre mein andar aa gayin. Darwaza band ho gaya.
Mehreen ne pehle apne kapde utaar diye. Uska jism jal raha tha. Uski chhati ubhri hui thi, uske siray sakht thay. Uski tangon ke darmiyan uski narmi thi — bheegi hui, tayyar.
Tabassum ne bhi apne kapde utaar diye. Uski chhati bhi ubhri hui thi. Uski narmi bhi bheegi hui thi.
Sameer ne dono ko dekha. Uski mardangi aur sakht ho gayi.
"Kaun pehle?" Sameer ne poocha.
"Main," Mehreen ne kaha. "Main intezaar nahi kar sakti."
Woh bistar par let gayi. Usne apni taangein khol deen. Uski narmi saaf dikhai de rahi thi — bheegi hui, tayyar.
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko Mehreen ki narmi ke qareeb le jaya. Uska sira Mehreen ki pankhudiyon ko chhoo raha tha.
"Bhai... jaldi..." Mehreen ne kaha.
Sameer ne apni mardangi Mehreen ki narmi mein daal di — poori tarah, jad tak. Mehreen cheekh uthi.
"Aah... bhai... yehi chahiye tha..."
Sameer ne andar bahar karna shuru kiya. Zor zor se. Tez tez. Mehreen ki narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird sikud rahi thi.
Is dauran Tabassum bistar par Mehreen ke paas aa kar baith gayi. Usne apni taangein khol deen aur Mehreen ke chehre ke paas apni narmi le gayi.
"Mehreen," Tabassum ne kaha. "Mujhe bhi."
Mehreen ne apna chehra upar uthaya. Tabassum ki narmi uske chehre ke saamne thi — bheegi hui. Mehreen ne apni zubaan Tabassum ki narmi ki pankhudiyon par rakh di. Tabassum ki saans ruk gayi.
"Aah... Mehreen... tumhari zubaan..."
Mehreen ne Tabassum ki narmi ko choosna shuru kar diya — apni zubaan se andar bahar, andar bahar. Tabassum ka jism kaanp raha tha. Uski taangein Mehreen ke sar ke gird jakad gayin.
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko aur tez kar diya. Mehreen ki narmi uski mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud rahi thi. Aur Mehreen ki zubaan Tabassum ki narmi ke andar thi.
"Aur... bhai... aur... aur Tabo... main... main..." Mehreen cheekh uthi.
Uska jism akad gaya. Uski narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud gayi. Woh cheekh maar kar bikhar gayi. Sameer ne apna pani Mehreen ke andar chhod diya.
Lekin Mehreen ka munh abhi bhi Tabassum ki narmi par tha. Usne apni zubaan aur tez kar di. Tabassum cheekh uthi.
"Mehreen... main... main bhi..."
Tabassum ka jism akad gaya. Uski narmi Mehreen ki zubaan ke gird baar baar sikud gayi. Woh cheekh maar kar bikhar gayi. Mehreen ne Tabassum ka saara ras pee liya.
Mehreen bistar se uthi. Ab Tabassum let gayi. Uski narmi abhi bhi bheegi hui thi — Mehreen ki zubaan ke bawajood, aag nahi bujhi thi.
"Bhai..." Tabassum ne kaha. "Ab meri baari. Mujhe bhi poori tarah."
Sameer ki mardangi phir se sakht thi — pehle se bhi zyada. Usne apni mardangi Tabassum ki narmi ke qareeb le jaya.
"Tabo," Sameer ne kaha. "Main..."
"Karo," Tabassum ne kaha. "Mujhe bhi wohi chahiye jo Mehreen ko mila."
Sameer ne apni mardangi Tabassum ki narmi mein daal di — poori tarah, jad tak. Tabassum cheekh uthi.
"Aah... bhai... tum mere andar ho..."
Mehreen ab Tabassum ke chehre ke paas aa gayi. Usne apni narmi Tabassum ke chehre ke saamne rakhi.
"Tabo, meri baari," Mehreen ne kaha.
Tabassum ne apna chehra upar uthaya aur apni zubaan Mehreen ki narmi mein daal di. Mehreen ki saans ruk gayi.
"Aah... Tabo... tumhari zubaan..."
Ab Sameer Tabassum ki narmi mein andar bahar kar raha tha — zor zor se. Aur Tabassum Mehreen ki narmi ko choos rahi thi. Ek zanjeer si ban gayi thi.
"Aur... bhai... aur..." Tabassum cheekh uthi.
Uska jism akad gaya. Uski narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud gayi. Woh cheekh maar kar bikhar gayi. Sameer ne apna pani Tabassum ke andar chhod diya.
Aur Tabassum ki zubaan abhi bhi Mehreen ki narmi mein thi. Mehreen cheekh uthi.
"Tabo... main... main phir se..."
Mehreen ka jism akad gaya. Uski narmi Tabassum ki zubaan ke gird baar baar sikud gayi. Woh phir se bikhar gayi. Tabassum ne Mehreen ka saara ras pee liya.
Teeno thak kar bistar par let gaye. Teeno ki saansein tez theen. Teeno ke jism pasine se bheeg chuke thay.
"Aaj ki aag bujhi," Mehreen ne kaha.
"Lekin teen din ki wajah se bohat zyada thi," Tabassum ne kaha.
Sameer kuch nahi bola. Uski aankhein band theen. Woh apne aap se nafrat kar raha tha — lekin aag bujh chuki thi. Kam az kam ab dard nahi tha.
---
Shahnaz Ka Aakhri Faisla — Raat Ka Aakhri Pehar
Shahnaz apne kamre mein akeli thi. Usne Gulnaz aur Mahpara ki cheekhein suni theen. Mehreen, Tabassum, aur Sameer ki cheekhein bhi suni theen. Woh sab jaanti thi. Uski apni aag bohat zyada thi — itni zyada ke sirf sabziyaan kaafi nahi theen.
Usne kheera uthaya. Gajar uthayi. Dono ko apni narmi mein daal kar dekha. Aag thodi kam hui, lekin bujhi nahi.
"Yeh kaafi nahi hai," usne apne aap se kaha. "Teen din ki aag hai. Sirf cheezein kaafi nahi hain. Mujhe... mujhe Sameer ke paas jaana hoga."
Woh uthi. Apne kapde pehne. Kamre se bahar nikli. Uski taangein kaanp rahi theen. Uski narmi bheegi hui thi. Uski saans tez thi.
Woh Sameer ke darwaze par pahunchi. Darwaza band tha. Usne dastak di.
"Sameer... main hoon. Ammi."
Andar se halki awaazein aayin — Mehreen aur Tabassum ki. Darwaza khula. Sameer khada tha. Uski mardangi abhi bhi sakht thi. Mehreen aur Tabassum bistar par leti theen — thaki hui, lekin unki aankhon mein abhi bhi aag thi.
"Ammi," Sameer ne kaha.
"Mehreen, Tabassum," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Tum dono apne kamron mein jao. Abhi."
Mehreen aur Tabassum uth gayin. Bina kuch kahe, kapde pehne aur kamre se bahar nikal gayin. Darwaza band ho gaya.
Shahnaz aur Sameer akele thay.
"Ammi," Sameer ne kaha. Uski awaaz mein sharam thi. "Aap... aap yahan..."
"Beta," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein aansoo thay. "Main ne bohat koshish ki. Kheera, gajar — sab kuch istemal kiya. Lekin teen din ki aag hai. Kuch kaam nahi kar raha. Mujhe... mujhe tumhari zaroorat hai."
"Ammi, main abhi abhi Mehreen aur Tabassum ke saath..."
"Main jaanti hoon," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Lekin meri aag bohat zyada hai. Main bardasht nahi kar sakti."
Usne apne kapde utaar diye. Uska jism chaand ki roshni mein chamak raha tha — artais saal ki aurat ka jism, lekin abhi bhi jawaan, abhi bhi bhara hua, abhi bhi garam. Uski chhati bhaari thi — gol, ubhri hui. Uske siray sakht thay — pathar ki tarah. Uski tangon ke darmiyan uski narmi thi — bheegi hui, tayyar.
Woh bistar par let gayi. Usne apni taangein khol deen — poori tarah.
"Aao, beta," usne kaha. "Mere andar aao. Pehle se bhi zyada. Aaj bohat zaroorat hai. Aaj teen din ki pyaas hai."
Sameer ne apni maa ki taraf dekha. Woh uski maa thi — kam az kam use yahi yaad tha. Lekin is waqt, woh sirf ek aurat thi. Ek aisi aurat jiska jism jal raha tha. Ek aisi aurat jise uski zaroorat thi.
"Ammi," Sameer ne kaha. "Main... main khud se nafrat karta hoon. Lekin main aapko is haalat mein nahi dekh sakta."
"Phir karo," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Jo karna hai karo. Apni mardangi meri narmi mein dalo. Mujhe poora karo."
Sameer bistar par chadh gaya. Usne apni mardangi ko Shahnaz ki narmi ke qareeb le jaya. Uska sira Shahnaz ki pankhudiyon ko chhoo raha tha. Woh bohat garam theen, bohat bheegi hui theen.
"Beta... jaldi..." Shahnaz ne kaha. "Main intezaar nahi kar sakti."
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko Shahnaz ki narmi mein daal diya — poori tarah, jad tak, ek hi jhatke mein. Shahnaz cheekh uthi. Uski aankhon se aansoo tapak pade. Uski taangein Sameer ke gird jakad gayin.
"Aah... beta... yeh... yehi chahiye tha mujhe..."
Sameer ne andar bahar karna shuru kiya. Zor zor se. Tez tez. Uski mardangi Shahnaz ki narmi ke andar aage peeche ho rahi thi. Shahnaz ki narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud rahi thi.
"Aur... beta... aur... aaj bohat tez... teen din ki aag..." Shahnaz cheekh rahi thi.
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko aur tez kar diya. Woh poori taqat se Shahnaz ki narmi ke andar bahar ho raha tha. Bistar hichkole kha raha tha. Shahnaz ki cheekhein kamre mein goonj rahi theen.
"Ammi... aap... aap bohat garam hain..."
"Haan beta... haan... mere andar... aur tez..."
Sameer ne apni mardangi ko had se zyada tez kar diya. Shahnaz ka jism akad gaya. Uski kamar upar uth gayi. Uski narmi Sameer ki mardangi ke gird baar baar sikud gayi — zor zor se. Woh cheekh maar kar bikhar gayi.
"BETAAA..."
Sameer ne apna pani Shahnaz ke andar chhod diya — is baar bohat zyada. Teen din ka ruka hua — aaj ek saath. Qatra qatra. Bohat saara. Shahnaz ki narmi ne sab kuch apne andar le liya.
Dono thak kar bistar par let gaye. Dono ki saansein tez theen. Dono ke jism pasine se bheeg chuke thay. Shahnaz ki narmi se Sameer ka pani tapak raha tha.
"Ammi," Sameer ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein aansoo thay. "Main bohat sharminda hoon."
"Main bhi, beta," Shahnaz ne kaha. Uski aankhon mein bhi aansoo thay. "Main bhi. Lekin hum ne aaj ek baat seekh li hai — hum khana band nahi kar sakte. Zinda rehna hai to khana padega. Aur khane ke saath yeh aag bhi bardasht karni padegi. Chahe hum kitna hi apne aap se nafrat karein."
Woh kuch der khamosh rahe. Phir Shahnaz ne kaha: "Aur beta, ek baat aur. Yeh sab... yeh group... yeh sab kuch... main nahi chahti k
e roz roz ho. Kabhi kabhi majboori mein karna padta hai. Lekin humein koshish karni chahiye ke hum apni aag khud bujha sakein. Ghar ki cheezon se. Ya kam az kam ek ek karke. Samjhe?"
"Samjha, ammi," Sameer ne kaha. "Main bhi yehi chahta hoon."
Shahnaz ne Sameer ka maatha chooma. "Ab so ja, beta. Kal phir aag lagegi. Kal phir ladhna padega."
---
Agli Subah
Agli subah, nashte ki maiz par chhe log jama hue. Sab ke chehre thake hue thay, lekin un par sukoon bhi tha. Kal raat ki aag bujh chuki thi — kam az kam kuch waqt ke liye.
Shahnaz ne sab ki taraf dekha aur kaha: "Hum ne teen din ka tajurba kar liya. Ab humein pata hai ke khana band nahi kar sakte. Lekin ek baat aur bhi seekhi hai — hum apni aag ko bujhane ke liye ghar ki cheezein bhi istemal kar sakte hain. Sirf ek doosre ke jism hi nahi. Yeh bohat zaroori hai. Is se hum apne rishton ko kuch had tak bacha sakte hain."
Sab ne sar hilaya.
"Lekin kabhi kabhi," Shahnaz ne aage kaha, "aag itni badh jaati hai ke sirf cheezein kaafi nahi hotin. Tab... tab humein ek doosre ki zaroorat padti hai. Aur tab hum ek doosre ke paas jayenge. Lekin had mein. Ek ek karke. Group nahi. Yeh ghalat hai. Yeh main bardasht nahi kar sakti."
Sab ne sar hilaya. Sab jaante thay ke Shahnaz theek keh rahi hai.
"Ab khao," Shahnaz ne kaha. "Aur kal ke liye tayyar raho."
Sab ne khana khaya. Jaante hue ke khane mein kya hai. Jaante hue ke aaj phir aag lagegi. Lekin ab unke paas raaste thay. Cheezein bhi. Aur ek doosre bhi — jab bohat zyada zaroorat ho.
