-khfxIaF-

qy DrqI ro peI

-isLvcrn jwgI kuwsf-

-"Auey AuiTaf nHI sLyr bwigaf ajy? sUrj isr 'qy afieaf ipaY!" sYtI 'qy pey bfby mIhF isMG ny afpxy poqy ismrn nUM avfjL idwqI. pr AuproN koeI AuWqr nf afieaf.

awj aYqvfr df idn sI. bfby dI nUMh jsmyl kOr aqy puwq prmjIq vI ajy suwqy pey sn. byby (dfdI) sMq kOr rsoeI ivc bfby leI cfh bxf rhI sI. bfbf soPLy 'qy ipaf kIrqn dI kYist sux irhf sI.

-"Auey ismrn isaF! af beI sLyrf hyTF-ismrn krIey!" bfby ny iPr hfk mfrI.

-"ipaf rihx dy juafk nUM! qyrI luqro aMdr ikAuN nHI vVdI? Pyr sLlok sux ky cuwp kryNgf eI?" sMq kOr ny bfby nUM hrKL ky ikhf.

-"lY hY! luqro nHI aMdr vVdI-sMq kury jy mYN afbdy sLyr nUM imlt nf dyKF-myry hOl pYx lwg pYNdy aY-Auhdf shurI df kI aY? do imlt mUMh ihlf ky htjUgI." bfby ny bypRvfh ho ky AuWqr idwqf.

bfby dI nUMh jsmyl kOr bhuqI hI awKV suBfa dI mflk sI. aMqF dI kwbI! awK dI byeImfn! bjLurgF dI iewjLq krnI qF Aus ny iswKI hI nhIN sI. Auh hmysLf sws-shury nUM iksy nf iksy gwloN tokdI rihMdI. byiewjLqI krdI rihMdI. pr bfbf aqy byby afpxy puwq-poqy df iKafl krky afpxI hr byiewjLqI nUM awKoN-proKy kr Cwzdy. bfby aqy byby dI afpxy idlF aMdr hI iek CotI ijhI dunIaF vsfeI hoeI sI. ijqny nUMh byiewjLqI kr ky idlF 'qy jLKm krdI, AuqnI hI poqf ismrn afpxIaF inwkIaF-inwkIaF, imwTIaF-imwTIaF gwlF krky moh dI mwlHm jLKmF 'qy lf, rfjLI kr idMdf. bfbf aqy byby iPr sFavyN ijhy ho qurdy. byby sMq kOr idloN cfhuMdI hoeI vI poqy nUM bhuqf ipafr nf kr skdI.

bfby df muMzf prmjIq piVHaf iliKaf, pr iswD-pwDrf iensfn sI. afpxy mF-bfp jF iPr biGafVHI pqnI awgy Auh hux qwk nhIN boilaf sI. klysL qoN aMqF df kqrfAux vflf bMdf sI prmjIq! jdoN Aus dI pqnI byby-bfpU nUM avf-qvf boldI qF Auh AuhnF nUM hflfqF dy rihm 'qy hI Cwz idMdf, ivc kdy dKl nf idMdf. Aus nUM cuwp ijhf dyK ky byby, jsmyl kOr dy kMm 'qy jfx qoN bfad afKdI;

-"qUM pwuq koeI gwl idl 'qy nf lfieaf kr-sfnUM qF jsmyl kur dI iksy gwl df jmF eI guwsf nHI afAuNdf."

-"Pyr vI BfeI sfzI nUMh aYN-jy do afK vI jFdI aY-Pyr kI aY?" bfpU nf cfhuMdf hoieaf vI sMq kOr mgr vot pfAuNdf. Auh socdy sn ik bMdf hrKL df mfiraf nrk pY jFdY. ikqy guwsy ivc af ky prmjIq kuC kr nf lvy!

-"byby mYN qF ies buwcV qImIN nfl sLfdI krky PLs igaf-buVHfpy 'c dyxf qF mYN QonUM suK sI-pr qusIN qF myry nfloN vI ijLafdf nrk BrI jfny aYN!" prmjIq kdy-kdy mUMh KolHdf. bhuqf bolx dI Aus nUM sLurU qoN hI afdq nhIN sI. afdq anusfr Auh muwl df hI boldf.

-"kfhdf nrk? hY kmlf! asIN Kfny aYN-pIny aYN-poqy nfl prcdy aYN-aYsL krdy aYN." byby aMdroN duKI, pr bfhroN pocy mfrdI.

-"nfly sLyrf-sMjog ivjog doie kfr clfvY-lyKy afvY Bfg." bfpU gurbfxI dI Audfhrx idMdf. bfpU ny akflIaF nfl rl ky morcy lfey sn. mfstr qfrf isMG dy sMprk ivc af ky igRPLqfrIaF idwqIaF. iPr Aus qoN bfad sMq PLqih isMG dy dl ivc rl ky jylH kwtI. gwl kI? pMjfb dy hr morcy ivc Bfg ilaf. pulIs df qsLwdd sihaf. pr jwdojihd nf CwzI. pr afstrIaf af ky purfxf GulftIaf mIhF isMG nUMh awgy hiQafr suwt igaf sI.

jsmyl kOr igafrF ku sfl dI hI afpxI mF nfl afstrIaf af geI sI. bfp Aus df pihlF hI pwky qOr 'qy iewQy visaf hoieaf sI. KuwlHf-zuwlHf afpxf mkfn sI. cMgI nOkrI aqy cMgI afmdn sI. rihMdI pVHfeI jsmyl kOr ny iewQy af ky pUrI kIqI. ieMgilsL aqy jrmn BfsLvF iswKIaF. do kMipAUtr kors aqy hotl mYnyjmYNt df kors kr ky Auh iek PLfeIv-stfr hotl ivc 'PLUz aYNz bYvryjL mYnyjr' lwg geI.

prmjIq ieMzIaf ivc hI ihstrI dI aYWm ey aqy iPr bI aYWz krky iksy pRfeIvyt skUl ivc aiDafpk lwigaf hoieaf sI. afstrIaf vsdy hI iksy ivcoly ny jsmyl kOr dy mF-bfp nUM prmjIq bfry dws pfeI qF jsmyl kOr dy mF-bfp ieMzIaf phuMc, prmjIq nUM psMd krky sLgn pf afey. iqMn ku mhIny bfad hI Aus nUM afstrIaf bulf ky sDfrn ijhI sLfdI rcf idwqI. mUMh mwQy lwgdy ieMzIan BfeIbMdF nUM jsmyl kOr dy bfp ny iek hotl ivc pfrtI dy idwqI.

prmjIq nUM iek lwkV dI PLYktrI ivc kMm lY idwqf. piVHaf iliKaf prmjIq PLYktrI ivc PLwty iKcdf mwCIEN mfs hoieaf rihMdf. iewQoN dy suafrQI ijhy mfhOl ivc Aus nUM byhwd Guwtx ijhI mihsUs huMdI aqy sfh bMd huMdf lwgdf. jsmyl kOr smyq rihMdf Auh afpxy shuiraF dy Gr hI sI. ies df Aus dy mn 'qy pwQr ijMnF boJ sI. BYx Gr BfeI kuwqf-shury Gr jvfeI kuwqf, khfvq Aus nUM aMdro-aMdrI lUx vFg KordI rihMdI sI. sB qoN vwD Auh AudoN kuVHdf, jdoN Aus df shurf sLfm nUM dfrU pI ky bwkVvfh krn lwg jFdf aqy afKdf;

-"qUM myry pYr Do-Do ky pIaf kr jIiqaf! qYnUM tukVy pf idwqf-nfly kUMJ argI pVHI ilKI kuVI dy idwqI-aYQy afAux nUM qF dunIaF qrsdI aY-lok eyjMtF mgr pMj-pMj lwK rupeIaf cwkI iPrdy aY-qyrf qF Aus gwl dy afKx mFgUM BfeI cOlF 'c eI sr igaf!"

prmjIq cuwp-cfp suxdf rihMdf, iKJdf rihMdf!

-"ikvyN cuwp ijaYN?"

-"nhIN jI bws aYvyN eI."

-"lfAuxI aYN Guwt?"

-"nhIN jI."

-"jIiqaf! jIiqaf!" Auh ivskI df iglfs Brdf kihMdf, "aYQy lokI ds-ds sflF qoN aKLbfrF vycI jFdy aY-qy qUM afAux sfr eI pwkf ho igaf-hjfr XUro mqlb swT hjfr rupeIaf qYnUM mhIny df imldY-qy swT hjfr afpxy muwK mMqrI dI qnKfh nHI huMdI mwlf-qUM myry pYr Do-Do ky pIaf kr! gux gfieaf kr gux myry!" qy Auh muMinaF mUMh bok vFg KolH ky hwsdf aqy dfrU dI hvfVH prmjIq dy mgj nUM cVH jFdI. Auh sfh QF 'qy hI Guwt lYNdf.

sfl ku bfad hI jsmyl kOr nUM "mYdvfrI" ho geI. shury ny bMnH-suwb krky AuhnF nUM iksLqF 'qy mkfn lY idwqf. prmjIq nUM kuJ suK df sfh afieaf. shury GroN Cutkfrf pf ky Aus ny afpxy afp nUM iek ipMjry 'coN inkly pMCI vFg ajLfd mihsUs kIqf. shury dI bwkVvfh qoN Aus df msF hI KihVf Cuwitaf sI.

jsmyl kOr ny iek lVky nUM jnm idwqf. gorf insLoh muMzf iblkul hI prmjIq vrgf sI. shurf muMzf dyKx afieaf hspqfl ivc notF df mINh vrHf igaf sI.

-"jmF eI afpxI js argY!" Auh sLrfbI hoieaf ieko hI qoqf rt lfeI jf irhf sI. prmjIq bfhr bYTf shury dy 'dPLf hox' dI AuzIk kr irhf sI. iPr Aus dy jfx qoN bfad Auh Puwl lY ky aMdr afieaf. hspqfl dy Coty ijhy bYWz 'qy ijvyN Puwl iKiVaf ipaf sI. Aus ny PuwlF df guldsqf jsmyl kOr koly rwK ky bwcy nUM cuwk ilaf. awj Aus nUM rwb 'qy koeI igLlf nhIN irhf sI. Aus dy hwQF ivc cuwikaf muMzf Aus nUM hry kfgjL 'qy peI sony dI zlI vFg lwg irhf sI. prmjIq ny jsmyl kOr df mwQf cuMm ky vDfeI idwqI. jsmyl kOr ny hws ky kbUl kIqI.

ismrn nUM hux dUjf sfl lwgx vflf sI. do sflF bfad gOrimMt vwloN imldf Bwqf bMd ho jfxf sI aqy kfnUMnI qOr 'qy jsmyl kOr nUM kMm 'qy jfxf hI pYxf sI. prmjIq dy kMm 'qy jfx qoN bfad jsmyl kOr ny PLon krky afpxI mF nUM bulfieaf.

mF-bfp phuMc gey. jsmyl kOr ny cfh bxfeI. mF ny qF pI leI. pr bfp ny nf pIqI.

-"cfh vI koeI pIx aflI cIj aY? ijhVI pIx aflI cIj aY-Auh Qozy koeI pINdf nHI-pRFhuxf qF mUloN eI gurduafry df grMQI bixaF iPrdY-nf kuC pIxf nf Kfxf-ijhVf bMdf dfrU eI nHI pINdf-Aus ny jwg 'qy dyiKaf eI kI aY-suafh?" bfpU iKiJaf ipaf sI.

-"mYN QonUM koeI rfie krn leI bulfieaY-dfrU pIx nUM nHI bfpU jI!" jsmyl kOr ny afiKaf.

-"jy ieMjx 'c qyl nf hoAU-qF cwlU ikvyN-hYN? pIqI ibnF qF mYnUM afbdf nF Xfd nHI afAuNdf-rYa mYN kI idAUN?"

-"mYnUM QozI rfie dI loV nhIN!"

-"ajy qF myry hwQ pYr cwldy aY-qUM mYnUM huxyN eI qfVF mfrn lwgpI? nfly mYN qF qurn lwigaf afbdf pRbMD kr ky qurdYN! Kfs krky jdoN qyry Gry afAuxf hovy-sflf ikho ijaf pRfhuxF shyiVaY? jMimaF sflf jwtF dy Gry aY qy idl aY sfly df krfVF vrgf! puwCxf hovy beI sfilaf! jy qUM nHI pINdf nf pI Kf KsmF nUM! pr afey gey afsqy qF boql soLql ilaf ky rwK-jmF eI krfV aY sflf kuwqy df!"

-"qusIN hux pfT sLurU krqf?" mF ny afiKaf.

-"qy hor kI jxidaF nUM rovF? hor kI krF? puwCxf hovy beI sfilaf qYnUM tukVy pfieaY-mkfn lY ky idwqY-hor nhIN qF Gwto Gwt myry afsqy qF boql ilaf ky rwK! qUM nhIN pINdf nf pIa-pY ZwTy KUh 'c-ro jxidaF nUM."

bfpU dy rOly kfrn ismrn swuqf ipaf AuT ky hyTF af igaf.

-"lY! muMzf jgf idwqf!"

-"jgfqf qF kI lohVf af igaf? sfrI idhfVI suwqf eI qF nHI rihxf Auhny? bfrHF duiphr dy vwjy pey aY."

-"QonUM bfpU jI cOvI GMty dfrU dI llk lwgI rihMdI aY-hor koeI kMm nHI!"

-"kmfeI kIqI aY qF pInYN! iksy kMjr qoN mMg ky nHI pINdf-mYN afbdf pRbMD krky qurdYN!" qy Auh kfr dy bUt 'coN boql kwZ ilafieaf.

-"qUM luwicaf myry pYrIN hwQ nHI lfey Auey? mYN qyrf nfnf jI aYN!" qIjf pYWg aMdr suwtidaF Aus ny ismrn nUM ikhf. ismrn mF dI buwkl ivc jf viVaf.

-"js! kuVHy js! AurHy af kuVIey! hux dws kI prOblm aYN? hux zmfk ny kuC mosLn ijaf PiVaY-pihlF qF AUNeIN jfm ijaf hoieaf ipaf sI-brojy ibnf kfhnUM ptf pulI 'qy cwldY?" Aus ny cOQf iglfs KflI kridaF afiKaf.

-"js kihMdI aY beI EdUM agly mhIny iehnUM kM 'qy jfxf pYxYN qy ismrn nUM kOx sFBUM? mYN ikhf bybI istr rwK lE!" mF ny ikhf.

-"qyrI qF igwcI ipwCy mwq aY!"

-"qy hor kI kroNgy?"

-"dwsdYN!" Aus ny pMjvF iglfs dfrU nfl Br ilaf.

-"dunIaF aYmy nHI pINdI nfly pYsf KrcdI."

-"kuC dwsoNgy vI?"

-"myrI mMndf qF koeI huMdf nHI-pr Pyr vI rYa dy ky dyK lYnY-myly 'c cwkIrfhy df BfeI vwtIdf vI kI aY?"

-"bfpU jI qusIN Pyr sLrfbIaF aflIaF gwlF sLurU kr idwqIaF?"

-"qUM mYnUM sLrfbI smJdI aYN? lY sux Pyr myrI skIm! ismrn nUM sFBx afsqy ieMzIaf qoN prmjIq dy mF ipAu nUM bulf lE-Auh AuQy mwkI guwzdy aY?"

skIm sfiraF nUM TIk bYTI.

-"ijMny pYsy Cy mhIinaF 'c juafk sFBx aflI nUM idENgy-Eny pYisaF 'c qF buVHy-buVHI dI jhfj dI itgt afjU."

-"ieh vI TIk aY." jsmyl kOr ny ikhf.

-"nfly suwK nfl juafk pflI jfxgy qy nfly Es gwl dy afKx mFgUM qur iPr ky mylf dyK jfxgy." mF ny vI hfmIN Br idwqI.

-"dyiKaY? qusIN bfDU myrI dfrU mgr pey rihMny aYN? af jfh ismrn-qUM vI lYlf qolf-jfh cmcf ilaf-TfrI htjU."

-"rihx idE bfpU jI! iehnUM nf dyieE! iehnUM nf afbdy argf bxf idE!"

-"iehnUM mYN iehdy ipAu argf krfV nHI bxn dyxf-iehnUM qF GYNt bMdf bxfAuxYN GYNt! jdoN mfr PV ky quiraf krU-DrqI ihwilaf krU DrqI! lok KVH-KVH ky dyiKaf krngy beI ipsLOrf isAuN df dohqf jf irhY."

-"cwl cwlIey iPr?"

-"hux pOxI boql pI ky qusIN gwzI clfAuNgy?"

-"ikAuN mYnUM golI vwjI vI aY? pOxI boql pI ky qF mYN gwzI clfAux jogf huMnYN-qVikEN pqf nHI ikmy rwb afsry ruVHI afeI shurI?"

-"bfpU jI qusIN hmysLf pI ky gwzI clfAuNdy EN-kdy puls ny cYWk kr ilaf qF lsMs lY lYxgy-jurmfnf vfDU df qfrnf pAU-gwzI clfAux vwloN vI jfvoNgy-hux qF pI ky gwzI clfAux vfilaF leI srkfr ny kfnUMn vI bhuq sKq kr idwqy."

-"lY luwt peI aY? kr idwqy kfnUMn sKq-asIN dysI bMdy kfnUMn nUM kI gOldy aYN? ieh goiraF dI gOrimMt kfnUMn ipwCoN bxfAuNdI aY qy asIN dysI bMdy bcx leI pihlF eI hwl lwB lYny aYN!"

-"lwB lYny aYN qusIN hwl-jy kdy koeI bMdf mr igaf-puls ny kuC nHI suxnf-cwk ky aMdr dy dyxYN-Pyr vkIl krdy iPrFgy-ieh ieMzIaf nhIN!"

-"lY! myrI jMmI mYnUM mwqF idMdI aY! ieAuN bMdf ikmy mrjU-hYN? hwQ 'c styairMg aY-pYrF 'c bryk aY-aYN bMdf ikmy mrjU? irh mrsrI kfr aY-Bfg cimafr aflf ryVHf nHI beI ibn brykoN eI dbwlI iPrdYN!"

bfpU dI mgjmfrI sux ky jsmyl ny cuwp krnf hI ibhqr smiJaf. Aus nUM BlI BFq pqf sI ik pIqI ivc bfpU nUM gwlF ivc koeI nhIN ijwq skdf sI.

mF aqy bfpU iqMn ku vjy qur gey. qurdy bfpU ny ismrn nUM pMjfh XUro sLgn idwqf sI.

sLfm nUM kMm qoN afey prmjIq nfl jsmyl ny sfrI gwl kIqI. prmjIq dy idl dI ho geI sI. Auh qF kdy df byby-bfpU nUM iewQy bulfAuxf cfhuMdf sI. syvf krnI cfhuMdf sI. byby-bfpU ny sfrI Aumr qMgI kwt-kwt ky prmjIq nUM pVHfieaf sI. pr hux Auh sfrIaF afriQk qMgIaF Do dyxIaF cfhuMdf sI. Auh cfhuMdf sI ik byby aqy bfpU df buVHfpf svrg bx jfvy.

agly idn prmjIq ny iek hPLqy dI CuwtI lY leI. jsmyl aqy prmjIq ny bfpU aqy byby dI sFJI spFsriswLp iqafr krvf ky post kr idwqI aqy nfl hI itktF leI pMjfh hjLfr rupey df cYWk nwQI kr idwqf.

bjLurg hox krky byby-bfpU nUM aMbYsI ny jldI hI vIjLf dy idwqf. Auh nf cfhuMdy hoey vI nUMh, puwq aqy poqy nfl buVHfpf ibqfAux df cfa lY ky afstrIaf af gey.

bfbf poqy nfl jldI hI Gul iml igaf sI. bwcy nfl bwcf ho igaf sI. pr nUMh dI nok-Jok AuhnF nUM kfPLI rVkdI. pr jdoN poqf ismrn iek vfr 'bfbf jI' jF 'byby jI' afK buwkl ivc vV jFdf qF bfby aqy byby dy sfry duwK tuwt jFdy.

byby, jsmyl aqy prmjIq dy afAux qoN pihlF hI rotI-pfxI iqafr kr lYNdI. pr jsmyl dy kuC nKry hyT hI nhIN afAuNdf sI. kdy sbjLI ivc lUx ijLafdf aqy kdy Gwt! kdy kwcI rotI dI sLkfieq krdI. kdy cfh ivc imwTf Gwt aqy kdy ijLafdf dwsdI. pr byby df inwqnym nf bdilaf. Auh jsmyl aqy prmjIq nUM AuTx sfr hI cfh bxf ky idMdI. nfsLqy leI lUx jF aflUaF vfly prfAuNTy iqafr krdI. bws! ieh AuhnF dI hr rojL dI ijLMdgI sI, afhr sI.

* * * * *

-"Auey af beI sLyrf AuT ky hyTF-myry nfl 'mfrI' krky ihwk Tfr!" bfby mIhF isMG ny iPr hfk mfrI.

-"af jFdY! kI aYzI CyqI hyj mfr igaf? CuwtI afly idn vI sOx nHI idMdf-ikmy sMG awizaY!" AuproN jsmyl kOr dI zFg dI huwJ vrgI avfjL afeI. bolF ivc aMqF df syk sI.

bfbf afdq mUjb cuwp kr igaf. AudfsI dI plwqx Aus dy bIby ichry 'qy Cf geI.

-"lY ilaf dwKUdfxf?" sMq kOr ny ikhf.

-"koeI nf BYVHIey! aYmy nf kuVHI jfieaf kr-koeI afbdf hoAU qF eI khU?" bfby ny idl df drd jIvn sfQx koloN Cupf ilaf.

-"bfbf jI!" sfhmxy ismrn kwCy bunYx ivc hI KVHf sI.

-"Auey af igaf myrf kuwkV? af jfh-af jfh 'mfrI' krIey!"

ismrn bfby dI inwGI buwkl ivc vV igaf. bfby dI ihwk Tr geI. ismrn bfby dI ihwk nfl cfmciVwk vFg icmt igaf sI.

-"Auey kuwkVf! ieh dws beI qUM 'sLIa' krky afieaYN?"

-"nfeIN---!" Aus ny isr mfiraf.

-"jfh Pyr sLIa krky af!"

-"mYnI! qusIN krf ky ilafE!"

-"cwl Pyr!" bfbf poqf tuafielt nUM ho qury.

-"Auey kuwkVf! Auey kuwkVf!! bfhr eI mUqI krI jfnYN--?" bfby ny duhfeI ijhI dyxI sLurU kr idwqI.

ismrn iKV iKVf ky hwsI jf irhf sI.

-"vfh Auey qyry kuwkVf! Qwly eI DfrI mfrqI-iehnUM sfP kOx krU?"

-"qusIN!"

-"ikAuN? mYN qyrf nOkr aYN?"

-"hF--!"

hwsidaF-hwsidaF bfby ny ismrn df ipsLfb kwpVy nfl sfPL kr idwqf aqy iPr hwQ Do ky donoN iPr sYtI 'qy af bYTy. kMbl afpxy AuproN lfh ky Aus ny ismrn 'qy dy idwqf.

-"cMgf Pyr gwl sux-jdoN mYN mr igaf-Pyr qYnUM mUqI kOx krfieaf krU? ieh dws!"

-"byby jI."

-"qy jdoN byby jI mr geI Pyr?"

-"Pyr mYN afp kiraf krUM." Aus ny Boly-Bfa hI Auqr idwqf. ichry dI mfsUmIaq afpxI imsfl afp sI.

-"qVko qVkI juafk nfl mrn mrfAux dIaF gwlF kiraf kro! kdy rwb df nF vI lY ilaf kro? qusIN koeI alYhdy nHI mrnF-sfrI dunIaF eI mrdI afeI aY." jsmyl kOr AuT ky hyTF af geI sI. Aus dy gl pfeI hoeI pqlI ijhI, mwCrdfnI vrgI mYksI Aus df nMgyj Zkx qoN asmrwQ sI. mYksI hyToN Aus dy aMg bfhr nUM JfqIaF mfrdy sn. gwl vwloN byiDafnF ho ky bfby ny iKVkI ivcoN bfhr qwkxf sLurU kr idwqf. idl ivc Auh 'bKsL vfihgurU-bKsL vfihgurU' krI jf irhf sI.

sMq kOr dI bxfeI cfh zolH ky jsmyl kOr ny hor cfh Dr leI. sMq kOr kMn lpyt ky poqy kol af bYTI. nUMh df qfb Aus qoN Jwilaf nhIN igaf sI. kdy-kdy Aus df idl iewQoN cIkF mfr ky dOV jfx nUM krdf. pr Auh byvws sI, mjLbUr sI. poqy aqy puwq df moh Aus dy pYrF dIaF byVIaF bx igaf sI. Auh idloN cfhuMdI hoeI vI iksy pfsy Bwj nhIN skdI sI.

agly idn nUMh-puwq dy kMm 'qy jfx qoN bfad mIhF isMG aqy sMq kOr iek-dUjy nfl duK-suK krdy roNdy rhy. ismrn ajy vI suwqf ipaf sI.

-"sMq kury-chuM ipMzF 'c iksy qoN Auey nHI khfeI sI-aYQy af ky kwKoN hOly ho gey-afbdI nUMh eI shurI mUMh nHI boldI-nfly shurI nUM kdy kuC afiKaf nHI-dyK-dyK ijAuny aYN." mIhF isMG ny Biraf mn iPr hOlf krnf sLurU kr idwqf.

-"ies cMdrI DrqI df pfxI eI kuC aYho ijaY-afbdy ibgfny dI pCfx eI nHI rihx idMdf." sMq kOr vI hubkIaF Br-Br rox lwg peI.

-"bfbf jI!" ismrn pYNt dIaF jybF ivc hwQ pfeI KVHf sI.

-"Auey AuT KiVHaf myrf kuwkV?" bfby ny prdy nfl awKF sfPL kr leIaF. sMq kOr ikcn ivc clI geI.

-"bfbf jI-qusIN roNdy ikAuN aYN?"

-"Auey mYN kdoN ronYN kuwkVf? mYN qF awKF 'c duafeI pfeI aY!"

-"ismrn! duwD ilafvF ik prONTf?" byby ny ikcn ivcoN hI puwiCaf.

-"mYN aFzf KfAUNgf!" ismrn dy kihx 'qy sMq kOr cuwp kr geI. sfrI Aumr sMq kOr aqy mIhF isMG ny aFzy-mIt nUM hwQ nhIN lfieaf sI. sLrfb AuhnF dy kdy Gry nhIN vVI sI.

-"awCf! aFzf KfvyNgf?" sMq kOr nUM cuwp dyK ky mIhF isMG boilaf.

-"hF jI!"

-"vfh beI vfh! iek KfvyNgf ik do?"

-"do!"

-"lY beI mYN aFzy Aubfl ky idAUN afbdy kuwkV nUM!" bfbf ikcn ivc jf ky do aFzy Aubfl ilafieaf aqy afpxy hwQIN ismrn nUM KuafAux lwg ipaf.

-"bfbf jI-qusIN vI KfE!"

-"puwq mYnUM zfktr ny mnHF kIqf hoieaY-mYN nHI Kfxy!"

-"nhIN-KfE---!" ijLwd krky ismrn ny aMzy df iek tukVf bfby dy mUMh ivc pf idwqf. aOKy-sOKy bfby ny aMzy df tukVf aMdr lMGf ilaf. poqy 'qy Aus nUM jLrf vI guwsf nhIN afieaf sI.

sLfm nUM jsmyl dI shylI sMgIqf af geI. sMgIqf kdy jsmyl nfl 'PrMt afiPLs mYnyjr' qOr 'qy kMm krdI rhI sI. jsmyl dy ivafh dI pfrtI 'qy sMgIqf KLUb nwcI sI. hux agly hPLqy sMgIqf df ivafh sI. Auh jsmyl aqy prmjIq nUM sLfdI df kfrz dyx afeI sI. iewQy af ky sMgIqf nUM pqf cwilaf ik jsmyl dy sws-shurf vI afstrIaf afey hoey sn. sws-shury dy afAux bfry nf dwsx kfrn sMgIqf jsmyl nfl kfPLI guwsy hoeI sI aqy jfx lwgI ivafh dI pfrtI 'qy sws-shury nUM vI nfl hI ilafAux dI sKLq hdfieq kr geI sI.

KLYr! aKIr sMgIqf dy ivafh df idn af igaf. jsmyl svyr qoN hI iqafr ho rhI sI. hyTF-Aupr jFdI Auh sws-shury nUM ivafh dI pfrtI sbMDI ajIb-ajIb nsIhqF dy rhI sI. bhuqf nf bolx leI qfkId kr rhI sI.

idn dy iek ku vjy Auh sfry ivafh dI pfrtI 'qy puwj gey. iek vwzy hfl ivc ajIb ijhI pfrtI dyK ky sMq kOr aqy mIhF isMG GuwtFbftI ijhy Jfk rhy sn. ismrn bfby dI godI ciVHaf bYTf sI. aOrqF aqy afdmI sLrfb-isgrtF pI nhIN sgoN 'DUh' rhy sn.

-"bjurgo qusIN vI mfr lE Guwt!" iek nOjvfn ny bfby nUM af ky sulfh mfrI.

-"rfjI irh juafnF! asIN qF juafnI 'c nHI pIqI-hux qF kI shuM qoVnI aYN?"
nOjvfn hwsdf qur igaf.

sLfdI dIaF sDfrn ijhIaF rsmF qoN bfad igPLt dyx df dOr cwilaf. iPr sMgIq aqy iPr zFs df islslf sLurU ho igaf. jsmyl hwQ ivc vfeIn df iglfs PVI qrHF-qrHF dy goiraF, ieMzIanF nUM glvkVIaF pf rhI sI. vfeIn pINdI iksy nfl cuMmI-cwtI vI kr jFdI sI. dyK ky mIhF isMG ny awKF bMd kr leIaF.

-"afpxy aflI vI pINdI iPrdI aY?" sMq kOr ny buJIaF awKF nfl dyK ky mIhF isMG nUM puwiCaf.

-"dyKI cwl rMg krqfr dy!"

-"mYN puwCdI aYN iehnUM cuVyl nUM-sfzI qF kul nUM lfj lfeI jFdI aY hrfmdI." sMq kOr hnHyrI vFg AuTI. Aus dIaF joqhIx awKF 'coN cMigafVy Puwty sn. pr mIhF isMG ny bFh PV ky ibTf leI.

-"bihjf 'rfm nfl-ikAuN muwkIaF KfxIaYN? aYQy koeI nHI puwCdf Kfndfn nUM-kljug afieaf ipaY."

rfq dy iek vjy pfrtI Kqm hoeI. sMq kOr aqy mIhF isMG kursIaF 'qy bYTy hI keI vfr sON ky jfg cuwky sn. ismrn bfby dI buwkl ivc ipaf inwky-inwky GurfVy mfr irhf sI.

sfrI rfq hI donF bjurgF nUM nINd nf peI. Auh ijvyN pey sn, Aus qrHF hI AuT KVHy sn. svyry swq vjy hI sMq kOr ny inDVk ho ky prmjIq nUM jgf ilaf. Auh dMd sfPL krky hyTF af igaf.

-"puwq prm sfnUM awj eI itgt lY dy-asIN nHI aYQy rihxf-cfhy lwK grIbI sI-pr sfrI ijMdgI iewjq dI gujfrI aY-qy hux sfzf buVHfpf Krfb nf kr." byby puwq sfhmxy cfh df kwp rwKdI hoeI iPLws peI.

-"byby aYQoN df klcr eI ieho ijaY-kI krIey? jYsf dysL vYsf Bys-Auho ijhy bx ky rihxf pYNdY." prmjIq nUM cMgI qrHF pqf sI ik byby-bfpU rfq vflI pfrtI qoN duKI ho gey sn.

-"puwq awKoN prHy jwg mry-qusIN ijAuNdy vsdy rho-hwso Kyzo mOjF mfxoN-pr sfnUM awj eI itgt lY dy-sfnUM ipCly vKq nf rol-sfzI mOq nf Krfb kr." rOlf sux ky jsmyl hyTF Auqr afeI.

-"byby bfpU ieMzIaf jfx nUM kihMdy aY." prmjIq ny afiKaf.

-"jfx idE! afpF bybI-istr rwK lvFgy-iehnF ibnF ikqy juafk nHI plxf?" jsmyl kOr ny ajIb hI akfsLbfxI kIqI.

-"jy puwq khoN qF asIN ismrn nUM nfl lY jfny aYN-AuQy vI bQyry cMgy-cMgy skUl aY-AuQy lf idaFgy-nfly sfzI rfl bol bxI rhU."

-"asIN nHI Byjxf-AuQy Byj ky asIN iehnUM Qozy argf Aujwz nHI bxfAuxf-qusIN jfxYN qF jfE bVI KusLI nfl." qy Auh pOVIaF cVH geI.

-"sux ilaf puwq? bws hux sfzI hor nf Coq luhf-sfnUM qordy-hfVHy myrf sLyr!" byby ny hwQ bMnHy.

prmjIq ny bQyrf smJfieaf. pr byby-bfpU ny ieMzIaf jfx dI ijLd PVI rwKI. iPr hfr ky Aus ny afpxy iek trYvl-eyjMt imwqr dy Gr PLon kIqf aqy agly idn svyry itktF Gry phuMcf dyx dI qfkId kr idwqI.

sfrI rfq hI bfbf ismrn nUM ihwk 'qy pfeI ipaf roNdf irhf. iehI hflq sMq kOr dI sI. sB qoN vwD duwK AuhnF nUM ismrn qoN ivCVn df sI.

agly idn svyry do hvfeI itktF Gr phuMc geIaF. jsmyl kMm 'qy jf cuwkI sI. jFdI hoeI Aus ny sws-shury nfl jubfn vI sFJI nf kIqI. hlF ik Aus nUM pqf sI ik awj sLfm nUM AuhnF dI PLlfeIt sI.

prmjIq ny ibmfrI df bhfnf lf ky PLYktrI qoN CuwtI lY leI sI.

sLfm nUM prmjIq, ismrn, bfpU aqy byby sfljLbrg dy eyarport 'qy phuMc gey. ismrn qoN bgYr sfiraF dIaF awKF ivcoN moh df hVH vgI jf irhf sI.

-"bfbf jI-qusIN roNdy ikAuN ho?" ismrn ny acncyq puwiCaf.

-"kuwkVf awj qyrf bfbf ijMdgI dI bfjI hfr igaf." qy bfby ny AucI dyxy Dfh mfrI. pr ismrn nUM kuJ smJ nf ipaf. eyarport 'qy KVHy XfqrI iek dm iewDr nUM Jfky.

-"clo bfpU jI-PLlfeIt df tfeIm ho igaf." prmjIq ny ikhf, "jf ky icwTI pf idE!"

-"af beI kuwkVf afpF 'mfrI' krIey-hux pqf nHI afpF imlFgy pqf nHI nhIN." qy bfby ny ismrn nUM godI cuwk ky cuMmxF sLurU kr idwqf aqy iPr sMq kOr nUM PVf idwqf.

-"cMgf puwq prm-rl iml ky irhf kro-ismrn df iKafl rwiKaf kro." qy byby-bfpU gwzy vrgy Bfry pYr GVHIsdy bVI qyjI nfl cYWk-ieMn leI aMdr dfKl ho gey.

PLlfeIt shI tfeIm 'qy Auz geI.

roNdy-kurlfAuNdy ismrn nUM lY ky prmjIq vfips af igaf. Auh bfby ibnF idl nhIN lf irhf sI.

----qy iPr ds ku idnF bfad prmjIq nUM Aus dy mfmyN dy muMzy df PLYktrI PLon afieaf. prmjIq df bfpU mIhF isMG hfrt-atYk hox kfrn cwl visaf sI aqy Aus ny mrn qoN pihlF "Auey kuwkVf!" kih ky hfkF mfrIaF sn. PLon rwK ky Aus ny iKVkI rfhIN bfhr qwikaf qF PLYktrI dI pfrk ivc PLuafrf cwl irhf sI. prmjIq nUM mihsUs hoieaf ik ieh PLuafrf nhIN, DrqI ro rhI sI!

Auh lMbI CuwtI lY ky Gr af igaf. Gr af ky Aus ny trYvl-eyjMt nUM PLon kr ky itkt buwk krvfeI. rfq do vjy dI PLlfeIt sI.

sLfm nUM iPr PLon KVikaf. mfmyN df puwq sI. bfpU df sdmF nf shfrdI byby vI suafs iqafg geI sI. prmjIq nUM qurMq ieMzIaf phuMcx dI hdfieq sI. sskfr Aus dy phuMcx 'qy hI krny sn.

sLfm nUM hI prmjIq ny do-cfr kwpVy atYcI ivc pfey. jsmyl nUM dws svyry do vjy Auh ieMzIaf nUM rvfnf ho igaf. bfpU-byby dy ichry Aus dIaF awKF awgy GuMm rhy sn. Aus dIaF awKF mINh vFg vrHI jf rhIaF sn!