khfxIaF:

avqfr igwl

JwKV

mrdF vfÜI gwl

puafVy dI jVH

ptfkf

krnYl isMG igafnI

vcolx
anmol hIrf
ajLlF dy irsLqy
awj dI rwq
muswrq
imksz klcr
blFeIz zyt
bygLm
by-vqn
aihsfn
krj

mfnvI irsLqy?

lyKkf: prmjIq momI

afsyb: sRI mqI sLfihdf aihmd

bujLidl: muhsnf jYlfnI

ieh vI koeI khfxI ey? jnfb mksUd ielfhI sLyK

bfbul qyrf puMn hovy: divMdr isMG syKf

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

pfsLivk aqy hor khfxIaF
ig: rqn rIhl

KLUbsUrq--ig: rqn rIhl

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

mya grIn-- zf: gurnfm igwl

irsLiqaF dI sImf-- dljIq isMG Aupwl

The daughter of Eve-- G. S. Rai

do sfl: surjIq klpnf

AurdU inwkI khfxI:

iemiqhfn: sPIaf sdIkI (lMzn)

nI kuVIey: bfno arsLd (lMzn)

  DUV: drsLn DIr

hwvf dI DI :
zf: guridafl isMG rfey

Elz pIpljL hom:
zf: guridafl isMG rfey

“ikMny ku idn hor rhU hspqfl guwzI?” iCMdr dy imwqr aqy guaFZI, dljIq ny puwiCaf.

“aglyry somvfr KuwlHxf aY plwsqr. dyK ky zfktr dwsU.” iCMdr ny AuWqr idwqf.

“EpryÈn TIkTfk irhf?”

“lgdf qF TIk eI aY, awgy dyKo.” afKidaF iCMdr dIaF awKF ivc hMJU qYrn lwg pey. jdoN vI iCMdr nUM sImf dI hflq bfry iksy nUM kuJ dwsxf pYNdf, AusdIaF awKF awgy lhU-luhfx hoeI peI afpxI DI af jFdI. ieh hfdsf ikqy dUr-durfzy nhIN, iCMdr horF dy Gr dy iblkul njLdIk hI vfpiraf sI.

iCMdr horF nUM ies Gr afieaF ajy mhInf ku hoieaf sI. iek idn iCMdr Gr bYTf aKLbfr ProlL irhf sI. pwqry pltidaF iek pMny AuWqy phuMc ky AuhdI surqI iek dm suMn ho geI. koeI KLbr nhIN sI ieh, ijs ny AuhnUM pwQr kr idwqf sI. iek ieÈiqhfr sI, pUry sPy df. ijs jLihmq qoN Cutkfrf pfAux leI AunHF afpxf pihlf mkfn vyicaf sI, AuhI AunHF dy ipwCy-ipwCy iewQy af phuMcI sI.

iCMdr nMU ies ieÈiqhfr ny inrijMd ijhf kr idwqf. hMBlf mfr ky Auh AuWiTaf aqy dljIq nUM tYlIPon KVkfAux lwg ipaf. dljIq hmyÈf kMm ivc KuwiBaf rihx vflLf bMdf sI. aKLbfrF-rsfilaF nfl Auhdf koeI vfh-vfsqf nhIN sI. Aus nUM iCMdr dI gwl AuWqy jLrf ieqbfr nhIN afieaf. iCMdr Jtpt juwqI pYrIN Psf ky Ausdy Gr phuMc igaf. aKLbfr Auhdy awgy iljf rwKI. ieÈiqhfr pVH ky dljIq ny ihMmq mfrI. pMj-swq guaFZI iekwTy kr ley.

“hux qF agly nUM lfiesYNs iml igaf aY. hux kI ho skdf aY?” iek ny byAumIdI jLfihr kIqI.

“kONsl qIk phuMc kro `kwTy ho ky, Èfied zwkf lwg hI jfvy.” zYnI, ijsdf Gr iCMdr horF dy Gr dy iblkul njLdIk hI sI, ny afiKaf. iCMdr nUM Auh ipCly idnF ivc keI vfr iml cuwkf sI. ikhVI musIbq kfrx iCMdr horF nUM afpxf pihlf Gr ssqy Bf vycxf ipaf sI, Aus nUM kuJ-kuJ ielm sI. Auh bfkIaF nUM dwsx lwgf, “byar krIk eyrIey ivc iCMzr dy Gr kol iek pwb KuwilHaf sI ipCly sfl. lfan Biraf rihMdf sI Bwjy hoey glfsF aqy bIar dIaF boqlF dy kwc nfl. awDI-awDI rfq nUM ÈrfbIaF dIaF cIkF-cFgrF lfgy dy lokF nUM sOx nhIN sn dyNdIaF. lok Gr vyc ky Bwjx lwgy qF GrF dIaF kImqF izgx lwg peIaF. ds hjLfr zflr df Gftf Kf ky inkilaf aY iCMzr AuWQoN.”

“qF iPr afpF nUM koeI sbIl socxI pAU.”

“ptIÈn iqafr kr ky idE kONsl nUM. Èfied lfiesYNs kYNsl kr dyx.” zYnI ny suJf idwqf. sfry Auhdy nfl sihmq ho gey.

zyZ ku hPqy bfad kONsl df PYslf dwsx leI zYnI mUMh ltkfeI iCMdr dy Gr af igaf. afKx lwgf, “iCMzr, hux qF afpF kol lfan ivwcoN kwc dIaF ikrcF cugx qoN ibnF koeI cfrf hI nhIN irhf.”

“ikAuN? kI kihMdy aY kONsl vfly?”

“kihxf kI aY, afKdy aY ik sB kuJ inXmF muqfbk hI hoieaf aY. Auh rok nhIN skdy.”

“swc dwsF qYnUM zYnI? kuwqI corF nfl rlLI hoeI aY.”

“kI mqlb?”

iCMdr afpxy ietflIan guaFZI nUM pMjfbI muhfvry dy arQ smJfAux lwg ipaf.

gwl isrPL ikrcF cugx dI hI huMdI qF iCMdr horIN sbr-sMqoK kr lYxf sI. cFgrF suxn dy vI Èfied kMn afdI ho jFdy. ikRsms dIaF CuwtIaF dy idn sn. kuJ irÈqydfr iCMdr horF pfs imlx-iglx afey hoey sn. rfq awDIEN twp cuwkI sI, jdoN Auh sOx leI afpxy bYWzrUmF ivc gey sn. AudoN hI pqf lwgf, jdoN kfVH kr ky vwjI bIar dI boql nfl muhrly pfsy dI iek bfrI df ÈIÈf tuwt ky sfry bYWzrUm ivc iKMz igaf. GVIaF plF ivc sfrf Gr TMZ nfl kulPI bx igaf. puils swdI. sOx df pRbMD ilivMg rUm ivc krnf ipaf. iPkrF ivc rfq kwZI. svyry AuWTy qF pqf lwgf ik ieh Gtnf isrP AunHF nfl hI nhIN sI GtI, strIt ivc goiraF dy chuM GrF ivc vI ieho kuJ hI vfpiraf sI. sfry guaFZI iekwTy ho ky pwb qF bMd krvf nf sky, Gr ijs Bf vI ivkdy sn, vyc ky iKskx lwg pey.

“zYnI, gwl isrP kwc dIaF ikrcF dI hI nhIN, ies qoN agFh vI hY.”

“Auh kI?”

bfrIaF Bwjx vflLf ikwsf iCMdr ny suxf idwqf. iPkrmMd hoieaf zYnI boilaf, “ilbrtI hfl ivc niÈaF sbMDI koeI sYmInfr ho irhf aY, AuWQy gwl qor ky dyKFgy.”

tYlIPon KVikaf. iCMdr ny cuwikaf. Auhdf imwqr dljIq boilaf, “iCMdr, pqf aY ieh pwb KolH kOx irhf aY?”

“kOx?”

“bVUaf sfhb.”

“Auh kOx hoieaf?”

“hYgf aY afpxf iek BfeI. ajy ipCly sfl hI vlYqoN afieaf aY. kihMdf aY, vlYq hI bxf dyxI aY iewQy vI.”

“Èkl qF AuhdI dyKI nhIN kdy?”

“kwlH nUM dyK lvIN, ilbrtI hfl ivc. AuWQy duMb cuwkI iPrdf hoAU. iewdF dy mOky nhIN KuMJx idMdf Auh.”

ilbrtI hfl ivc do-ZfeI sO lok iekwTy hoey hoey sn. ikAuNik sYmInfr pwbF dy mflkF vloN krvfieaf jf irhf sI, swdy hoey bulfry ibnF Zwz-sfrMgIaF qoN mflkF df jws gfiex krI jf rhy sn. ‘ijs df idqf Kfvxf iqsu khIaY sfbfis’.

Aukqfey hoey sroqy afps ivc Gusr-musr krn lwg pey.

“aODr vI sux lE Eey, aOh BfeI kI kihMdf aY.” iksy ny afpxy nflLidaF dI qvwjo bulfry dy BfsLx vl idvfAuxI cfhI.

“kI kihMdf aY?”

“afKdf aY peI sLrfb lhU vflIaF nfVIaF KolH idMdI aY.”

“dOlqpurIey dlIpy dy hwQ kwlH ikqoN boql af geI dfrU dI. zwPx bih igaf. muMzy Auhdy ny roikaf qF Auhny Duwq hoey ny boql vgfh ky mfrI. muMzy df isr KuwlH igaf. aMdroN nfVIaF vI KuwlH hI geIaF hoxgIaF. muMzf hux hspqfl ipaf. afp Auh zfk bMgly `c bMd aY. ajy qIk jLmfnq vI nhIN hoeI.”

“dlIpy ny qF isrP afpxy iek muMzy df isr KoilHaf hoAU, BImy BONkV dy muMzy ny sfry twbr dIaF vwKIaF KolH ky rwK idwqIaF aYN.”

“Auhdf qF ielfj cwldf isgf, sLrfb CzOx leI?”

“aYh ijhVy QF pur QF pwb KuwlHI jFdy aY, ieh ielfj isry cVHn idMdy aY Blf?”

“ienHF pwbF dy mflkF nUM cfhIdf aY beI ijwQy pwb KolHx, AuWQy nfl hI nisLaF qoN injfq idvfAux vflLI klIink vI.”

“bVI vDIaf jugq dwsI aY BfeI qYN. iek pfsy lfeI jfx, dUjy pfsy buJfeI jfx.”

iCMdr afpxy lfgy bYTy dljIq nUM puwCx lwgf, “aOh ijhVf styj `qy DOx iek pfsy nUM suwtI bYTf aY, Auh BfeI kOx hoieaf?”

“AuhI qF hY bVUaf sfhb, ijsdI kwlH afpF gwl krdy sI.” afiKaf qF dljIq ny mwDm sur ivc hI sI, pr kMnIN ieh iksy hor dy vI pY igaf. avfjL afeI, “ieh bVUaf sfhb nHIN, BVUaf sfhb aY. iehdf vlYq ivc iek klwb sIgf. kihMdy aY, pihlF klwb ivc jUaf KzOx lwg ipaf, Pyr CokrIaF rwK ky hor kuwq-pO krvOx. lokF ny iehdf nF hI ‘bVUaf sfhb’ dI QF ‘BVUaf sfhb’ rwK ilaf. jdoN qohy qohy hox lwgI, AuWQoN cuwBI mfr igaf. iewQy af pRgt hoieaf. bYTf dyKo ikvyN aYN mIsxf ijhf.”

“Eey dlfvrf, qUM qF AuhdI bdKoeI nf kr. sO qyrIaF Auh loVF-QoVF pUrIaF krdf aY.” iksy ny imhxf mfiraf.

“AUN qF aMkl aY sfzf Auh. aYsI gwl nHIN.” idlfvr ny mOkf sMBfl ilaf.

kMmoN-kfroN ivhly idlfvr ivc pwilEN pYsy Krc ky dfrU pI skx dI smrwQf nhIN sI. jdoN kdy AuhnUM dfrU dI huVk huMdI, Auh bVUaf sfihb dI pYV suMGx lwg pYNdf.

bVUaf sfihb styj qoN AuWqr ky tihldf-mylHdf hfl dy ipCly ihwsy vl nUM, ijwQy ku idlfvr horIN bYTy sn, af igaf. hwQ ivclI ibjLns kfrzF dI QwbI ivwcoN iek-iek kfrz sfiraF dy hwQ PVf ky afKx lwgf, “gwBrUE, iek pwb KolH rhy aF asIN. kwlH nUM AudGftn aY. huMm-humf ky phuMco sfry. afpo-afpxI psMd dIaF ivskIaF, vfeInF, bIarF df anMd mfxo.”

“bVUaf sfhb! jy iek vfr blrfj nUM rjf dyvyN sLrfb nfl; smJ lvFgy, sfrf sLihr rwj igaf.” iksy ny tkor kIqI. blrfj, bVUaf sfihb df jvfeI, iek awDI boql nUM suVHkf mfr ky suVHfk jFdf sI.

“rjfvFgy beI rjfvFgy.” KihVf CuzfAuNdf hoieaf bVUaf sfihb agFh qur ipaf. awigAuN dljIq ny Gyr ilaf, “bVUaf sfhb, kI rwiKaf aY ienHF pwbF-CwbF ivc? koeI cwj df ibjLns [[[”

dljIq dI gwl ajy pUrI vI nhIN sI hoeI, bVUaf sfihb BuVk ipaf, “kfnUUMn dy ihsfb nfl cwl rhy aF. koeI gYrkfnUMnI kMm nhIN kr rhy.”

“dwly koisLsLF kr rhy aY. sLfied BlLk nUM kMjrKfny vI kfnUMnI ho jfx. qusIN Auh vI [[[”

bVUaf sfihb ny dljIq dI gwl suxI. DOx nUM iek quxkf ijhf vwijaf. Kwby pfsy nUM tyZI ho geI. ies qoN pihlF ik dljIq dy mUhoN kuJ hor kOVf-iPwkf inkldf, bVUaf sfihb ievyN swjy hwQ dI zugzugI ijhI vjfAuNdf hoieaf agFh lMG igaf, ijvyN Auhny kuJ suixaf hI nf hovy.

sfry guaFZIaF vloN rokx dIaF kIqIaF anykF koiÈÈF dy bfvjUd pwb KuwilHaf, qy KuwilHaf vI Zol-Zmwky nfl. guaFZI dMd pINhdyy rih gey.

jdoN iCMdr horF ny ieh mkfn KrIidaf sI, AunHF ny soicaf sI ik Gr dy lfgy hI gYs styÈn dy nfl KuwlHIaF hoeIaF zrfeIklIinMg, PuwlF, dvfeIaF aqy hor inksuk dIaF dukfnF dI bVI mOj rhygI. koeI htvfxIaF PuwlF vflLI dukfn KrId ky AuWQy pwb KolH dyvygf, AunHF dy icwq-cyqy vI nhIN sI.

“zYz! zflr kwZo iek. mYN quhfnUM iek bhuq vDIaf gwl dwsUMgI.” iCMdr afpxIaF hI socF ivc glqfn sI, jdoN AuhdI DI ny Auhdy moZy AuWqy hwQ rwK ky AuhnUM JMjoiVaf.

“vDIaf gwl dwsx dI PIs lvyNgI?”

“XYWs, zYz!”

iCMdr nUM pqf sI, sImf huxy lfglI dukfn AuWqy jfvygI, afeIskrIm lY ky tihkdI gutkdI hoeI muV afvygI. ijs idn Duwp cmkdI, sImf dI ieho iewCf huMdI.

iCMdr ny btUey ivwcoN iek zflr kwZ ky DI dy hwQ PVfieaf. tpUsIaF mfrdI hoeI sImf afeIskrIm lYx clI geI.

ijs idn qoN pwb KuwilHaf sI, Ausy idn qoN cIkF-cFgrF vwjx lwg peIaF sn. ivhVy ivwcoN bIar dIaF tuwtIaF-BwjIaF KflI boqlF cuwkx df islislf iPr qoN ÈurU ho igaf sI. ies Gr ivc koeI tuwt-Bwj hox qoN pihlF hI dIpF Gr vyc ky iKskx dIaF khfxIaF pfAux lwg peI. iCMdr afKx lwgf, “ikMny ku Gr vycI-KrIdI jfvFgy? sfrI kmfeI ienHF pwbF dy pyty pOx leI inafxy rolLI jfvFgy?”

“cMgI iksmq sI AudoN, sLIsLf iksy dy awK mUMh AuWqy nhIN lwgf.” dIpF bolI, “sfry guaFZI ies bVUey CVUey nfl bih ky gwl kro iksy idn.”

“dIpF, qYnUM nhIN pqf. ieh bMdf gwlFbfqF nfl smJx vflLf nhIN.”

“qF iPr `kwTy ho ky hwQ hOlLf kro ies itwzI muwCy jhy df. Gry GurkIaF dyx jogy EN?”

“hoeI sI gwl dljIq nfl. mYN afiKaf beI iksy rfq pwb ivwcoN inkldy bVUaf sfhb AuWproN hYNkVpuxy dI DUV JfV dyeIey. Auh knUMnI GuxqrF GVn lwg ipaf. aKy, swt vfDU-GftU lwg geI qF qrIkF Bugqdy iPrFgy.”

“Auhdf musIbq nfl vfh nhIN ipaf. sfzy nfl bIqI aY. syk sfnUM lwgf aY. ijs qn lwgy, so qn jfxy. ieh nhIN qF koeI hor Auprflf krnf pAU. hwQ AuWqy hwQ Dr ky nhIN bYT skdy afpF.”

“hor kuC Pyr krFgy; pihlF iek morcf lf ky dyK leIey.”

“morcf kyhf?”

“kMmF qoN af ky kuC bMdy PwtIaF hwQF ivc PV ky KVHy hoieaf krFgy pwb muhry.”

“Auhdf kI PYdf hoAU?”

“pwb ivc gfhk Gtxgy. bVUaf sfhb dI nINd hrfm hoAU.”

dIpF dIaF awKF ivc cmk af geI.

iCMdr GVI-muVI GVI vl dyK irhf sI. afeIskrIm lYx geI hoeI sImf ajy qIk muVI nhIN sI. iCMdr nUM iPkr hox lwigaf. kuJ ku Gr hI qF ivcflLy sn. ieMnf vkq nhIN sI lwgxf cfhIdf. Auhny dIpF nUM mgr Byijaf. izgdI-ZihMdI gÈIaF-goqy KFdI hoeI dIpF vfps prqI. bVUaf sfihb dy pwb ivwcoN guwt ho ky inkly iksy ÈrfbI dI kfr nfl sImf nUM Pyt vwj geI sI. iCMdr dy AuWQy apVn qIk aYNbUlYNs phuMc cuwkI sI. lhU-luhfx hoeI sImf nUM strYcr AuWqy pfieaf jf irhf sI.

sImf dI lwq df EpryÈn hoieaf. ipMnI dI tuwtI hoeI hwzI nUM stIl dy brIk ijhy kfbly pf ky joiVaf igaf. plwsqr doNh hPiqaF qoN bfad KuwlHxf sI.

imwqr-bylI bwcI dI KLbrsfr lYx Gr afAuNdy.

“bMdf PiVaf igaf ik … ?” dljIq ny puwiCaf.

“Auh qF Ausy idn nwp ilaf sI puils ny. Bjf ky qF dOiVaf iewQoN, agly kUhxI moV `qy gwzI Auhdy kfbU qoN bfhr ho geI. drwKqF ivc jf vVI. AuWQoN puils ny aVuMg ilaf. kihMdy aY, koeI ÈrfbI sI.” iCMdr ny dwisaf.

“BImy BONkV dy Gr kol kwlH iek ÈrfbI pwb ivwcoN inkilLaf, kfr sVk pfr kr rhI iek buVHI AuWqy cfVH idwqI.” koeI hor boilaf, “buVHI Kbry bcI, Kbry nhIN.”

cldIaF gwlF ivc acfnk bVUaf sfihb af tpikaf. guPqgU Twp ho geI. iksy ny vI bVUaf sfihb nUM mUMh nhIN lfieaf. siQqI df jfiejLf lY ky dljIq AuWiTaf. sYnq nfl bVUaf sfihb nUM afpxy kol swidaf, qy drvfijEN bfhr iljf ky rfhy pf idwqf.

bVUaf sfihb ny bhuq hwqk mihsUs kIqI. avfjLfrI qoN KihVf CuzfAux leI Auhny Gr phuMc ky boql KolH leI.

rfq nUM bfrF ku vjy Gr af vVy afpxy puwqrF, jYlI aqy kYlI vl dyK ky bVUaf sfihb BuVk ipaf, “pwb qF iek vjy bMd krnf sI, qusIN qRkflIN Gr nUM Bwj afey? iewQy aFizaF AuWqy bihxf hux?”

“BF-BF huMdI aY AuWQy zYz! iqMnF chuM GMitaF qoN iek vI gfhk nhIN afieaf. bYTy iek dUjy dy mUMh vl dyKI jFdy?” bVUaf sfihb df vwzf puwqr, jYlI boilaf.

“ikAuN, gfhkF nUM kI swp suMG igaf aY?”

“guaFZIaF vloN vfhI hoeI lkIr nUM kOx twpy?”

“Gry jrnYlIaF krnYlIaF clONx jogy EN Xwblo? cfr ku lwlU pMjU jhy quhfzy kfbU nhIN afAuNdy?”

“Auh vfrIaF bMnH ky bihMdy aY AuWQy zYz, asIN iks-iks nfl AulJdy rhFgyy?”

“Eey AuWKlLo! afp AulJx dI loV nhIN huMdI iewdF dy JyiVaF ivc; iksy DUqy dy boJy ivc sO pMjfh zflr pf ky iÈÈkfr dyeIdf aY.”

“zYz! ijs kimAUintI ivc afp vsdy hoeIey, Auhdy nfl vYr pfAuxf cMgf nhIN [[[” Coty, kYlI ny ajy ieMnf ku hI afiKaf sI, bVUaf sfihb ivc boql bolx lwg peI, “Eey mUrKo, myry hwQF ivc Kyz ky mYnUM mwqF? hYNa?”

“zYz! tyk iet eIjLI [[[” jYlI ny ipE nUM sLFq krn dI koisLsL kIqI.

bVUaf sfihb awg dI nflL bx igaf. Gr ivc agnbfx cwlx lwg pey. [[[

dUjy idn Kurf nwpdf idlfvr bVUaf sfihb dy Gr qIk phuMc igaf. typ cwl rhI sI, ‘[[[ vfjF mfrIaF bulfieaf keI vfr mYN, iksy ny myrI gwl nf suxI [[[’

“suxf aMkl, qyrI gwl suxn leI hI mYN QF-QF twkrF mfrdf afieaF.”

aMdroN qOVI vFg AuWblL rhy bVUaf sfihb nUM ies vyly koeI cwpx cuwkx vflLf cfhIdf sI, Auh phuMc igaf. idlfvr dy gON dI cIjL pihlF hI myjL AuWqy peI sI, bVUaf sfihb ny srkf ky Auhdy awgy kr idwqI qy boilaf, “jdoN afpF ieMzIaf qoN ieMglYNz afey dlfvrf, dosqF-imwqrF ny bQyrf ikhf; hor jo mrjLI kr, pr pwbF dy pMgy ivc nf pvIN. afpF ny iksy dI iek nhIN mMnI. sfilLaF-sFZUaF nfl rlL ky pihlF pwbF ivc pey, Pyr klwbF ivc. mgroN af ky qF keI kuC hor vI kIqf. [[[ Auhdy AuWqy qF jy imwtI hI peI rihx dyeIey qF cMgf aY. bMdf jdoN svfrQF dI ijwlHx ivc Ps jFdf aY dlfvrf qF inklxf bVf aOKf ho jFdf aY. Pyr knyzf af gey. slfhU iewQy vI mfVy nhIN sn. afpxf idmfg hI kuC iewdF df aY ik puwTy pfsy nUM Jwt Bwj pYNdf aY. jnfnI aqy muMizaF ny bVf jor lfieaf ik Èrfb dy gMdy DMdy ivc nhIN pYxf. mYN isr mfrdf irhf. AunHF dI iek nhIN mMnI. hux afh dyK lY [[[ ” ieh afKidaF bVUaf sfihb ny vwzy sfry, pr jIaF pwKoN swKxy Gr ivc ingfh GumfeI. idlfvr dy mn ivc keI svfl AuWBry, mUhoN isrP ieho inkilaf, “aMkl, ikwDr gey sfry? Gr ivc koeI nhIN rVkdf?”

bVUaf sfihb ijvyN sB kOVf kusYlLf AuglwLC dyxf cfhuMdf hovy, boilaf, “gwl kuC cMgI qrHF cyqy dI pkV ivc nhIN af rhI dlfvrf. sfrI Aumr dfrU AuWqy jor dyeI rwKx krky ÈUgr dI ÈkYq af mYnUM. kdy-kdy blwz pRYWÈr vI hyT-AuWqy ho jFdf aY. AUN ajkl mYN bhuqI pINdf nhIN. kwlH pqf nhIN puwTf gyV ikvyN igV igaf. koeI suwD-buwD hI nhIN rhI. AudoN hI pqf lwgf jdoN mYN aOh jf ipaf; aOh sfhmxy, ikcn vfly myjL dy hyTF. pwg myrI hdvfxy dy KwpV vFg aYDr peI, aYs kursI dy hyTF. swc jfxIN dlfvrf, mYnUM qF ieh vI pqf nhIN lwigaf ik Bbk vwzy nUM cVHI sI, jF Coty nUM.”

“hoieaf kI aMkl?”

“ijhVI gwl sfrf lfxf afKdf aY, mYnUM Auhdy AuWqy XkIn ijhf nhIN afAuNdf. AUN hoxgy Auh afpxI QF swcy. nhIN qF sfry `kwTy ho ky BolI dy Gr ikAuN jf vVdy?”

“BolI kOx, aMkl?”

“lVkI myrI. pry, bwsF dy awzy kol Gr af Auhdf.”

“E awCf, awCf!” idlfvr boilaf, “mYN vI afKF beI awj iksy ny pwb ikAuN nhIN KoilHaf? Bfxf kI vrq igaf?”

bVUaf sfihb dI DOx nUM quxkf ijhf vwijaf. Kwby pfsy nUM tyZI ho geI. Auhny Ausy vyly aDIaf dy ky idlfvr nUM qurdf kr idwqf.

suqyiswD bVUaf sfihb df hwQ Kwby kMn qoN cwpf ku ipwCy pyNdU byr ijwzI kflI ijhI igltI AuWqy cilaf igaf, ijhVI ipClI rfq Gr ivc mcy Gmsfx dOrfn bwJ geI sI. Auhdy aMdr BFq-suBFqIaF avfjLF sLor mcfAux lwg peIaF :

- dPLf kr pwb nUM, kI rwiKaf aY pwb ivc?

- kI ikhf aY? kI rwiKaf aY pwb ivc? KwtI ieMnI huMdI aY ik [[[

- KwtI ny qyrI mwq mfr idwqI aY. afpxI jyb qoN agFh qYnUM idsdf hI kuC nhIN. mfieaf df moqIaf AuWqr afieaf aY qyrIaF awKF ivc.

- cfr pYsy pwly hox qF PuwPV vFgUM imldy aY lok, nwT ky. KflI KIsy vfly nUM koeI iKwdo dy QF nhIN jfxdf.

- vwzy vwzy pYsy vfly qur gey aY ies jhfn qoN; iksy dy lUlHF nhIN lwgIaF. jy iehI lwCx rhy qyry qF qyrI afpxI aOlfd hI qyry pwly nhIN rihxI. cMgI iksmq sI, rfqIN koeI lwq bFh nhIN tuwtI. ies Aumry hwz tFizaF vFgUM tuwt jFdy aY.

- ienHF tky-tky dy bMidaF awgy gozy tyk idaF? kI ivgfV lYxgIaF myrf ieh duwkIaF iqwkIaF?

- sfry guaFZIaF ny eykf kr ilaf qF AuWgI df cwk ivKf dyxgy. ijAUxf duwBr ho jfvygf. ieMglYNz ivc ijhVI Kyh AuWzI sI, Auhdf iksy nUM pqf aY, iksy nUM nhIN. iewQoN Bwj ky ikwQy jfvyNgf? ies vyly BfeIcfry ivc qyrI mfVI-motI puwC-prqIq bxI hoeI aY. qYnUM Bwl nhIN pcdI. kuwqy nUM KIr nhIN pcdI huMdI.

bVUaf sfihb dI DOx nUM iek quxkf hor vwijaf. AuWT ky Auh kmry ivc kfhlLI-kfhlLI GuMmx lwg ipaf. ies GuMmxGyrI ivc KVoq AudoN afeI, jdoN drvfjy dI GMtI KVkI. Auhny JkidaF-JkidaF drvfjf KoilHaf. sfhmxy AuhdI DI BolI KVHI sI.

BolI bolI kuJ nhIN. cuwp cupIqI aMdr lMG afeI.

“puwq! afh qyry mwQy `qy kI hoieaf?” BolI dy mwQy AuWqy bwJI hoeI pwtI dyK ky bVUaf sfihb ny puwiCaf.

“hoxf kI af, quhfzy shyVy hoey dI krqUq af.” BolI ny afpxy aMdrlf gubfr kwZ idwqf.

“cMgf Blf sI, pqf nhIN kI ho igaf iehnUM [[[.”

“pqf qF hY zYz QuafnUM, pr qusIN hux kuC kihx jogy nhIN rhy.” BolI kuJ ruwKI ijhI sur ivc bolI.

“Quafzy Gr dIaF aMdrlIaF gwlF df dws Blf mYnUM kI pqf aY?”

“Gr dy aMdrlI gwl koeI nhIN, bfhrlI aY; sVkoN pfr vflI. ijs rfq AuWQy jf ky bih jFdf aY, kdy bfrF iek qoN pihlF AuWT ky nhIN afAuNdf. iPr Duwq ho ky afieaf sfrf Gr isr `qy cuwk lAU. inafixaF nUM KfAUN-vZUM krU. hux qF kMm qoN idhfVIaF vI BMnx lwg ipaf aY.”

“mYN puwiCaf sI, afh qyry mwQy `qy kI hoieaf?”

“eyhI qF dwsx lwgI aF beI rfqIN jdoN pwb qoN afieaf blrfj, qF mYN afK bYTI, pwb nUM jfxf bMd kr, kMm qoN idhfVIaf BMn ky gujfrf nhIN hoxf afpxf. [[[ bws, AudoN eI awg BbUkf ho igaf. ieh qF cMgI iksmq sI myrI, beI Auhdy hwQ ivc tIvI df irmot sI; mwQy ivc vwjf, KwKVIaF ho igaf. jy ikqy sLrfb dI boql huMdI, myrf isr KwKVIaF ho jfxf sI.”

bVUaf sfihb dfVHI Kurkx lwg ipaf. iPr kuJ soc ky boilaf, “DIrj rwK, mYN smJfAUN AuhnUMM iksy idn [[[”

BolI BwTI ivc Buwjdy dfixaF vFg iqVk peI, “ijsnUM sfrf twbr rfq Br smJfAuNdf irhf, afp nhIN smiJaf; Auh hor iksy nUM kI smJfAU?”

AuWKiVaf qF bVUaf sfihb pihlF hI hoieaf sI, BolI dy bolF ny AusnUM hor JMjoV idwqf. pwb Ausdy puwqrF ny nf awj KoilHaf sI aqy nf hI agFh KolHx dI koeI afs sI. svyry GroN jfx lwgy Auh afpxf do tuwk PYslf suxf gey sn: ijMnI dyr pwb bMd nhIN kIqf jFdf, Auh ies Gr ivc pYr nhIN pfAuxgy. AudoN BfvyN bVUaf sfihb nUM AunHF dI afKI ieh gwl inrI igwdV BbkI ijhI hI lwgI sI, pr hux isr ivclf DuMdlLkf Ct jfx ipwCoN qsvIr sfP idsx lwg peI. rfqIN hoey dMgl ivc jy bVUaf sfihb dI pqnI ny Ausdf sfQ idwqf huMdf, qd vI Auhny mfVf motf afpxI ihMz pugfAux jogf rih jfxf sI. hux AusnUM afpxIaF sfrIaF gotIaF iek guwTy lwgIaF hoeIaF njLr afeIaF. Auhny mn ivc kuJ igxqIaF imxqIaF kIqIaF, juwqI pYrIN pfeI aqy drvfijAuN bfhr ho igaf.

“E beI gwBrUE, vVy-ivKfivaF nUM mfro golLI. pwb awj qoN bMd aY.” bVUaf sfihb iCMdr horF dy njLdIk jf ky afKx lwgf, “afE, aMdr bih ky koeI gwl krIey.”

iCMdr horF nUM bVUaf sfihb dy bolF AuWqy XkIn nhIN afieaf. pwb dy aMdr gey qF kuJ Drvfs hoieaf.

iCMdr hYrfn, ieh BfeI qF kdy pUC AuWqy pYr nhIN sI rwKx idMdf, awj kplf gAU ikvyN bx igaf? Auh puwCx lwgf, “bVUaf sfhb, rfq ivcfly quhfzy ivc aYnf pirvrqn ikvyN af igaf?”

bVUaf sfihb afpxy gflVI ijhy gVveI, idlfvr awgy iZwz nMgf kr ky pCqf irhf sI; DOx AuWqy bwJI hoeI iglLtI nUM poitaF nfl plosidaF hoieaF afKx lwgf, “kwlH mYN zwzUaF dI pnsyrI nUM `kwTy kIqf. sfrI rfq mgjL KpfeI kIqI. smJfieaf, beI ijs kfr-ivhfr nfl BfeIcfry df nuksfn huMdf hovy, Auh kqeI nhIN krIdf huMdf. kfrobfr sLrfb dy DMdy qoN ibnF hor bQyry aY krn vfly [[[ iCMdr isaHF, Blf soc, jy afpF zflr `kwTy krn Kfqr afpxI jvfn ho rhI pIVHI nUM nisLaF ivc zob idwqf qF BlLk nUM sfzI zMgorI kOx bxUM?”

“jdoN eyhI gwl asIN afKdy sI, AudoN qF qusIN [[[”

iCMdr dI gwl ajy pUrI vI nhIN sI hoeI, bVUaf sfihb bol ipaf, “kI dwsF iCMdr isaHF, myrI gwl mUrK lfxy dy Kfny ivc vVdI hI nhIN sI.”

iCMdr aqy Auhdy sfQI bVUaf sfihb dy mUMh vl dyKx lwg pey.

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