Update 08
Raat ka waqt tha, sab log dining table pe baithe baatein kar rahe the. Rajat ne casually baat chhedi, lekin uske shabdon ne Naina aur Reeti ke dil ki dhadkan tez kar di.
"Mujhe village jaana hai," Rajat ne ek normal tone mein kaha, lekin uski aankhon mein ek determination thi.
Naina ek second ke liye ruk gayi, uska chehra thoda stiff ho gaya. Reeti jo ab tak silent thi, usne bhi palak utha kar Rajat ki taraf dekha.
"Kyun achanak?" Naina ne casually pucha, lekin uski awaaz mein ek halki si nervousness thi.
Rajat saans andar kheench kar bola, "Bas... maa se baat nahi ho rahi. Pichle kuch dino se sirf papa hi phone uthate hain. Mujhe ajeeb lag raha hai. Woh pehle aise kabhi nahi karti thi. Mujhe check karna hai sab theek hai ya nahi."
Reeti ne andar hi andar ek tez jhatka mehsoos kiya. Uska gala ek second ke liye sukh gaya. Usne chup rehne ki koshish ki, lekin Naina uske expressions samajh rahi thi.
Naina ne Halki si hasi di aur casually kaha, "Arey, papa se baat ho rahi hai na? Sab theek hi hoga."
Rajat ne aankhein thodi narrow ki, jaise woh Naina ki tone samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho.
"Haan, par mujhe khud jaake dekhna hai. Mom ne meri ek bhi call nahi uthayi, aisa kabhi nahi hota. Kuch toh galat hai."
Reeti andar hi andar aur zyada tense ho gayi. Usne table ke neeche apni ungliyan kas ke band kar li.
"Agar Rajat village gaya, toh sab kuch samajh jayega… Woh sach jaan lega… Phir kya hoga?"
Rohan, jo ab tak chup tha, usne casually bola, "Hmm, theek hai. Short trip ka plan bana lo. Tumhe jaana hai toh ja sakte ho."
Rajat ne haan mein sir hila diya.
Naina aur Reeti ne ek doosre ko dekha.
Un dono ki aankhon mein sirf ek baat thi—agar Rajat village gaya, toh sab exposed ho jayega.
Jaise hi dinner khatam hua, Rajat apne kamre mein chala gaya, lekin Naina aur Reeti ek doosre ko dekhte hi samajh gayi ki ab baat karni zaroori hai.
Dono Naina ke kamre mein aayi, aur jaise hi darwaza band hua, Naina tez awaz mein boli, "Ab kya karna hai, Reeti?"
Reeti bed ke kone par baith gayi, uske haath thande ho rahe the. Uska dimaag ab bhi Rajat ke words repeat kar raha tha—‘Maa ne meri call kyun nahi uthai? Sab theek hai ya nahi?’
"Yeh toh maine socha bhi nahi tha… agar woh waha gaya, toh sab sach saamne aa jayega," usne halki si awaaz mein kaha.
Naina chhati pe haath bandh ke ghussay se chalne lagi.
"Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha, Rajat ko kaise rokein? Agar woh waha gaya, toh sab kuch khatam ho jayega, Reeti! Woh waha kisi se bhi baat karega, koi bhi sach bata sakta hai!"
Reeti bechain ho gayi, usne apne haath apne lap pe rakh liye.
"Mujhe toh yeh samajh nahi aa raha ki main usse kya kahun… Woh mujhe ab ek ladki ke taur pe dekh raha hai, lekin agar use pata chalega ki main uski maa hoon…"
Naina ne tez saans andar kheench ke kaha, "Toh uska poora dimaag hil jayega!"
Kamre mein ek moment ke liye silence ho gaya.
Naina ne aankhein band karke socha, "Koi toh solution hoga... Par kya?"
Reeti ne bechaini se kaha, "Kya hume use kisi aur kaam mein busy karna chahiye? Kahi aur bhejna chahiye?"
Naina sar hilati rahi, "Ho sakta hai… par agar woh zyada ziddi ho gaya toh?"
Reeti andar se sulag rahi thi. Usne Rajat ke saath guzre un palon ko yaad kiya—woh closeness, woh touch, woh moans… Aur ab, yahi Rajat uski asli pehchaan jaan’ne wala tha.
"Agar use sach ka ek pal ke liye bhi ehsaas ho gaya, toh yeh rishta toot jayega. Woh mujhe kaise dekhega phir? Uska junoon… uska pyar… sab kuch sirf ek ghin ban jayega."
Naina ne uska haath pakda, "Reeti, mujhe sach bata, tu chahti hai ki Rajat waha jaye ya nahi?"
Reeti ek second ke liye chup ho gayi.
Phir dheere se, halki awaaz mein boli, "Main nahi chahti ki woh waha jaye… Main nahi chahti ki woh sach jaane… Mujhe nahi pata ki woh sach jaan’ne ke baad kya karega…"
Naina ne gusse se kaha, "Toh phir, hume usse rokna padega!"
Reeti sirf ek pal ke liye sochti rahi, phir dheere se haan mein sir hila diya.
"Par kaise? Yeh abhi bhi ek badi problem hai…"
Naina ka dimaag ab sirf ek hi cheez soch raha tha—Rajat ko gaon jaane se rokna hoga. Aur agar koi is baat ko seriously le sakta tha, toh unke pita.
Raat ke 11 baj chuke the, ghar me sab apne apne kamron me the. Naina ne apna phone uthaya aur village ka number dial kiya. Reeti chhup chaap uske paas baithi thi, uske haath thande ho gaye the.
Tring… Tring…
Pita ji ne call uthaya.
"Naina? Itni raat ko sab theek hai na?" Unki awaaz thodi worried thi.
Naina gala saaf karke boli, "Papa, hume aapse zaroori baat karni hai… Ek bahut badi baat hai."
Pita ji thoda tense ho gaye, "Kya ho gaya? Tum dono theek ho na?"
Naina ne gudgudi si mehsoos ki, usne Reeti ki taraf dekha, jo ab bhi shock me thi.
Phir Naina ne jo kaha, usne sab kuch hila diya.
"Papa, yeh Rajat aur Reeti ke beech… ek rishta ban chuka hai…"
Ek dum silence ho gaya phone pe.
Jaise kisi ne waqt ko rok diya ho.
Fir Pita ji ki ghussay se bhari aawaz aayi, "KYA?? Yeh tu kya bol rahi hai, Naina??"
Reeti ek jhatke se uth gayi, uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha.
"Papa… Rajat ko yeh nahi pata ki Reeti maa hai… Uske liye bas ek ladki hai… aur dono ke beech… sab kuch ho chuka hai," Naina tezi se boli.
"Tera dimag kharab ho gaya hai?! Yeh maa aur beta hai, yeh sab galat hai! Yeh SAB GALAT HAI!"
Pita ji ki saans tez ho gayi thi.
"Tu mujhe bata, yeh sab kaise shuru hua? Yeh kab se chal raha hai?"
Naina ne aankhein band ki, ek gehri saans li, phir dheere se boli,
"Papa, sab kuch tab shuru hua jab Reeti yaha aayi thi… Rajat usse pehli baar dekhte hi attract ho gaya tha… Woh use ek ladki ki tarah dekhne laga… Aur phir…"
"Aur phir KYA, Naina? Saaf-saaf bol!"
Naina ne halki si lip bite ki, usse samajh nahi aa raha tha ki yeh sab kaise express kare.
"Papa, ab unke beech sab ho chuka hai. Woh dono ek couple ki tarah behave kar rahe hain. Rajat ke liye Reeti ek girlfriend ki tarah hai… aur Reeti bhi ab usse alag nahi ho pa rahi."
Pita ji ek second ke liye chup ho gaye.
Fir ek dhamakedaar awaaz me cheekh pade,
"YEH SAB BAND KARO! YEH KYA BAKWAAS SUNA RAHA HAI TU MUJHE, NAINA?! MAA-BETA EK DUSRE KO AAISE DEKH RAHE HAIN??"
Reeti ke pair kaanp rahe the.
"Papa… Rajat gaon aana chahta hai. Woh keh raha hai maa se baat nahi ho rahi, sirf aap phone uthate ho. Woh aap par shaq kar raha hai… Woh aap se sach jaan’na chahta hai!"
Pita ji ne phone zor se table par maara, Reeti ne ek jhatke se apne muh par haath rakh liya.
"Toh main usse kaise bataun yeh sach?!"
"Papa, agar woh gaon gaya, toh sab kuch khatam ho jayega. Woh sach jaan jayega, aur phir na jaane kya hoga!"
Pita ji ek second ke liye chup rahe, fir bola,
"Naina, tu mujhe bata, tu chahti hai ki Rajat kabhi sach na jaane?"
Naina thoda ruki, phir dheere se boli,
"Haan… agar woh sach jaane ka toh… woh toot jayega."
Pita ji ne gehri saans li.
"Main ise aise nahi chod sakta. Mujhe sochna padega ki yeh sab kaise thik karein… Warna sab kuch khatam ho jayega."
Phone cut ho gaya. Naina ne phone neeche rakha, Reeti aankh band karke saans lene lagi.
Ab sab kuch aur bhi zyada complicated ho chuka tha.
Raat ke 2 baje the. Naina ab bhi bed par baithi thi, uska dimaag sirf ek hi cheez soch raha tha—yeh sab kaise sambhale? Papa ko samjhana padega warna yeh sab aur bigad jayega.
Usne phone uthaya aur dobara gaon call lagaya.
Tring… Tring…
Is baar Pita ji ne gusse se phone uthaya.
"Ab kya hai, Naina?! Main keh chuka hoon, yeh sab band karo!"
Naina ne ek second ke liye apni sansen control ki, phir ekdum se chillayi,
"Aap hi the na jo maa se keh rahe the ki tum jawan ho gayi ho?! Aap hi ne kaha tha ki agar yaha rahi toh gaon ke ladke tumhe utha ke le jayenge, tumhe noch khayenge!"
Pita ji ekdum chup ho gaye.
Lekin sirf ek second ke liye.
"Haan kaha tha, toh? Maine yeh sab tumhari maa ki izzat bachane ke liye kaha tha, yeh nahi kaha tha ki apne hi bete ke saath—"
"Papa, bas! Aapko yaad hai aapne hi kaha tha ki maa ko naya parivaar basana chahiye? Naya jeevan jeena chahiye?"
"Naina, jo maine kaha tha uska yeh matlab nahi tha! Maine yeh nahi kaha tha ki woh—"
"Toh phir kya matlab tha, papa? Ki woh ek anjaane aadmi ke saath chale jaye? Ki koi bhi aakar uski zindagi ka faisla kare? Ki koi bhi use bas ek aurat samajhke apna banane ki koshish kare?"
Pita ji ekdum gusse se saans lene lage.
"Lekin woh Rajat hai, tumhara bhai hai, tumhari maa ka beta hai, tum samajhti bhi ho yeh kya keh rahi ho?"
"Haan, samajhti hoon papa! Main yeh bhi samajhti hoon ki jab maa yaha aayi toh bilkul akeli thi! Jab sabne unhe chhoda, toh sirf Rajat tha jo unke saath tha! Jab maa roti thi toh sirf Rajat tha jo unke paas aakar unhe hastaata tha! Jab maa bimaar padi toh Rajat hi tha jo unke liye dawa lekar bhaaga! Yeh sab dekha tha maine papa!"
Pita ji ekdum se chup ho gaye.
"Aur aap kya chahte hain? Ki maa kisi aur ke saath chale jaye? Kisi anjaane aadmi ke saath jo unhe sirf ek aurat ki tarah dekhega? Kya woh behtar hoga?"
Phone pe ekdum silence ho gaya.
Tabhi, Reeti ne Naina se phone liya.
"Mujhe baat karni hai."
Naina ne phone Reeti ko diya.
Reeti ke haath kaanp rahe the, lekin uski awaaz ekdum strong thi.
"Suniye..."
Pita ji chup rahe, lekin phir gusse se bole,
"Tum mujhse ab kya kehna chahti ho, Reeti? Tumhe sharam nahi aayi? Tum ek maa ho, aur tum apne hi bete ke saath yeh sab kar rahi ho?"
Reeti ek gehri saans li.
"Main yeh nahi keh rahi ki yeh sab normal hai. Par yeh bhi sach hai ki jo Rajat mere liye mehsoos karta hai, woh kisi aur ke liye nahi karta. Woh mujhe pyaar karta hai, mujhe sambhalta hai, mujhe ek insaan ki tarah dekhta hai, ek object ki tarah nahi."
"Woh tumhara beta hai, Reeti!"
"Aur yeh bhi sach hai ki woh mujhse utni hi mohabbat karta hai jitni aapne ki thi! Kya galat hai isme?"
"Galat yeh hai ki tumhari soch bik chuki hai! Tum ek maa ho, tum aise kaise soch sakti ho?"
"Toh phir mujhe bataiye, koi bhi ajnabi aadmi mujhse shaadi karega, kya woh mujhe sach mein pyaar karega? Ya sirf ek aurat samajhkar apne matlab ke liye use karega?"
Pita ji ne ekdum se phone pakad ke zor se rakha, jaise woh kuch samajh nahi pa rahe ho.
"Main yeh nahi keh rahi ki yeh sab normal hai… Par kya galat hai agar ek insaan mujhe apne dil se chahta hai? Jo mujhe janta hai, jo mujhe apni har sans se sambhalta hai? Woh mera apna beta hai… toh kya yeh behtar nahi hai kisi anjaane ke comparison mein?"
"Reeti, tum jo keh rahi ho woh duniya nahi samjhegi!"
"Mujhe duniya ki chinta nahi hai! Mujhe bas yeh pata hai ki Rajat mujhse sach mein pyaar karta hai! Woh mujhe ek object nahi samajhta, woh mujhe respect karta hai, meri fikr karta hai! Yeh sab koi aur nahi karega!"
"Reeti..."
"Aur bataiye, agar koi aur aadmi mujhe waise hi chhoota jaise Rajat mujhe chhoota hai, toh kya woh theek hoga?"
Pita ji chup ho gaye.
"Nahi. Yeh sab ajeeb lagta hai, lekin sach yeh hai ki Rajat mujhse utni hi mohabbat karta hai jitni aapne ki thi. Kya ek beta apni maa ki izzat nahi kar sakta? Kya ek beta usse sambhal nahi sakta? Bataiye?"
Lamba silence.
Phir Pita ji ne ek gehri saans li.
"Tum sure ho ki Rajat tumse sach mein pyaar karta hai? Tumhe ek aurat ki tarah dekhta hai, na ki sirf ek attraction ki tarah?"
Reeti aankhein bandh karke boli,
"Haan. Mujhe puri tarah yakin hai."
Ek aur lamba silence.
Phir Pita ji ne dheere se kaha,
"Agar yeh sach hai… toh main tum dono ko alag nahi kar sakta."
Reeti ne ek gehri saans li, uske aankhon se aansu nikal aaye.
Naina bhi shock mein thi.
Pita ji ne thoda ruk kar kaha,
"Lekin duniya se sambhal kar rehna padega. Yeh jo rishta hai, woh samajh se pare hai… Tum dono ko sambhalna padega."
Reeti ne haan mein sir hila diya, aur ek aansu uske gaal se beh gaya.
"Haan… hume sambhalna aayega."
That night, after a long silence on the call, Reeti’s husband took a deep breath and spoke in a heavy voice.
"Reeti… ek baat sach batao. Tum sach mein Rajat se shaadi karna chahti ho?"
Reeti ek jhatke se chup ho gayi. Shaadi? Yeh shabd sunte hi uske dil ki dhadkan tez ho gayi. Rajat se shaadi? Uske apne bete se?
"Yeh sab… yeh sab kaise ho sakta hai?" Uski awaaz halki aur shaky thi.
Uske husband ne thoda ghussay se kaha, "Agar tum keh rahi ho ki Rajat tumse pyaar karta hai, agar tum sach keh rahi ho ki woh tumhara khayal rakh sakta hai, toh kya tum use apna pati man’ne ke liye tayar ho?"
Reeti apne bed par girti chali gayi. Uske dimaag me ab tak jo bhi guilt, jo bhi sharam thi, sab ek pal ke liye ruk gayi.
"Agar main haa keh dungi, toh iska matlab hoga ki main ek naye rishte mein bandhne ja rahi hoon… aur woh rishta ek aise bande ke saath hai jo mera beta tha… lekin ab nahi hai…"
Uske husband ne phir se pucha, "Batao Reeti… kya tum Rajat se shaadi karna chahti ho?"
Reeti ne saans andar kheechi.
Dheere se, usne kaha, "Haan."
Ek gehri silence ho gayi. Pita ji ne ek gehri saans li aur phir dheere se bola,
"Toh phir, tumhe ek naye tareeke se zindagi jeeni padegi. Tumhe puri tarah se Garima ko mitana hoga. Tumhe ek naya jeevan shuru karna hoga."
Reeti ne apni aankhein bandh kar li.
"Lekin kaise? Pura gaon mujhe jaanta hai… pura gaon mujhe Garima ke naam se pehchanta hai…"
Tabhi uske husband ne ek plan diya.
"Tum jab yaha aayogi, toh main sabko bata dunga ki Garima Kumbh Mela gayi hai, kuch din pehle. Log poochhenge toh main kahunga ki tum wahaan shraddha se gayi thi."
Reeti ne dhyan se suna.
"Uske baad, agle kuch mahine tak tum yaha nahi aana. Phir ek din, main announce karunga ki Garima mela me kho gayi, humne use har jagah dhoondha, lekin woh nahi mili. Log pehle shock honge, lekin dheere dheere yeh baat settle ho jayegi."
Reeti ek second ke liye speechless thi.
"Aur yeh sab kaun maanega?" usne dheere se kaha.
"Garima ki behen hamare saath degi. Woh already jaanti hai ki tum badal chuki ho. Woh sabko yahi kahegi ki Garima sach me mela me kho gayi."
Reeti ne ek second ke liye socha. Yeh plan perfect tha.
"Lekin agar kisi ne mujhe dekha? Agar kisi ne Rajat ke saath mujhe dekha toh?"
Pita ji ne ek serious tone me kaha,
"Tum sirf ek ladki ban’kar wapas aaogi. Tumhare naye naam ke saath, ek naye identity ke saath. Garima ko maarna hoga, tabhi tum Rajat ke saath reh sakti ho."
Reeti ne aankhein bandh kar li.
"Garima… jo Rajat ki maa thi… ab uska koi wajood nahi hoga…"
Ek gehri saans lene ke baad, usne dheere se kaha, "Theek hai. Main yeh karne ke liye tayar hoon."
Reeti ke husband ne phone ke doosri taraf ek gehri saans li aur phir ek thandi aur mazboot awaaz mein kaha,
"Bata dena jab tum ready hogi… main tumhari Rajat se shaadi kara dunga."
Reeti ka dil ek second ke liye thamm gaya.
Uske pair halki si thartharahat mehsoos kar rahe the. Yeh baat kehna aur usse accept karna dono alag cheezein thi. Rajat se shaadi? Uske apne bete se?
Lekin ab woh beta nahi tha… ab woh ek mard tha… jo usse chahta tha… jo uske bina jeena nahi chahta tha…
Reeti ne dheere se apni saans andar kheench li.
"Theek hai… main sochungi…" usne dheere se kaha.
Phone kat gaya. Naina uske paas khadi thi, usne sab suna tha.
Naina ne shock se kaha, "Maa… tum sach me Rajat se shaadi karogi?"
Reeti ne ek pal ke liye aankhein bandh kar li… phir dheere se muskurai.
"Agar Rajat chahta hai… toh kyun nahi?"
Ab Garima ka safar khatam ho chuka tha… aur Reeti ki nayi kahani shuru hone wali thi.
Jaise hi Reeti ne apni shaadi ki baat accept ki, Naina ka chehra ekdum chamak utha.
"Oh my God!!" Naina ekdum excited ho gayi aur ek zor ka laugh maara.
Usne turant apni maa ko kas ke hug kar liya, "Meri cute si maa ab meri bhabhi banegi!!"
Reeti shock mein thi. "Naina, chup kar! Aise mat bol, mujhe sharam aa rahi hai!"
Lekin Naina toh ab full celebration mode mein thi.
"Nahi nahi, yeh toh history ban gayi hai! Mera bhai ab meri maa ka pati banega! Yaani meri maa ab officially meri bhabhi ban jayegi! Yeh toh naya rishta hai!"
Reeti ne sharmate hue uske haath thode door kare, "Aise mat bol Naina! Yeh sab… thoda ajeeb lag raha hai."
Naina bed pe uchli aur hasi, "Kya ajeeb? Mujhe toh bohot maza aa raha hai! Tum dono pehle se ek dusre ko chaahte ho, ab bas stamp lagana baaki hai!"
Reeti ne ek gehri saans li, "Naina… mazaak mat bana. Yeh sab easy nahi hai. Main abhi bhi confused hoon, society isse kabhi accept nahi karegi."
Naina ne usse softly dekha, "Maa, yeh tumhari life hai. Agar tum Rajat ke saath khush ho, toh doosron ki fikr mat karo. Yeh tumhara haq hai."
Reeti ne ek pal ke liye socha, phir dheere se muskurai.
"Pata nahi yeh sab kaha jaayega… par haan, Rajat ko dekh kar lagta hai ki shayad yehi mera future hai."
Naina ne ek pyaara sa smile diya, "Agar tum dono ek dusre se itna pyaar karte ho, toh bas shaadi ki tayyari karo. Main toh party bhi dungi!"
Reeti ne haath se uske gale ki taraf maarne ka natak kiya, "Tu bohot shaitaan ho gayi hai, Naina!"
Naina hansi, phir bed par gir gayi.
"Theek hai, ab main so rahi hoon. Kal naye plans banayenge! Ab toh celebration mode on!"
Reeti ne dheere se muskurakar light band ki.
Ab sab kuch badalne wala tha.
"Mujhe village jaana hai," Rajat ne ek normal tone mein kaha, lekin uski aankhon mein ek determination thi.
Naina ek second ke liye ruk gayi, uska chehra thoda stiff ho gaya. Reeti jo ab tak silent thi, usne bhi palak utha kar Rajat ki taraf dekha.
"Kyun achanak?" Naina ne casually pucha, lekin uski awaaz mein ek halki si nervousness thi.
Rajat saans andar kheench kar bola, "Bas... maa se baat nahi ho rahi. Pichle kuch dino se sirf papa hi phone uthate hain. Mujhe ajeeb lag raha hai. Woh pehle aise kabhi nahi karti thi. Mujhe check karna hai sab theek hai ya nahi."
Reeti ne andar hi andar ek tez jhatka mehsoos kiya. Uska gala ek second ke liye sukh gaya. Usne chup rehne ki koshish ki, lekin Naina uske expressions samajh rahi thi.
Naina ne Halki si hasi di aur casually kaha, "Arey, papa se baat ho rahi hai na? Sab theek hi hoga."
Rajat ne aankhein thodi narrow ki, jaise woh Naina ki tone samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho.
"Haan, par mujhe khud jaake dekhna hai. Mom ne meri ek bhi call nahi uthayi, aisa kabhi nahi hota. Kuch toh galat hai."
Reeti andar hi andar aur zyada tense ho gayi. Usne table ke neeche apni ungliyan kas ke band kar li.
"Agar Rajat village gaya, toh sab kuch samajh jayega… Woh sach jaan lega… Phir kya hoga?"
Rohan, jo ab tak chup tha, usne casually bola, "Hmm, theek hai. Short trip ka plan bana lo. Tumhe jaana hai toh ja sakte ho."
Rajat ne haan mein sir hila diya.
Naina aur Reeti ne ek doosre ko dekha.
Un dono ki aankhon mein sirf ek baat thi—agar Rajat village gaya, toh sab exposed ho jayega.
Jaise hi dinner khatam hua, Rajat apne kamre mein chala gaya, lekin Naina aur Reeti ek doosre ko dekhte hi samajh gayi ki ab baat karni zaroori hai.
Dono Naina ke kamre mein aayi, aur jaise hi darwaza band hua, Naina tez awaz mein boli, "Ab kya karna hai, Reeti?"
Reeti bed ke kone par baith gayi, uske haath thande ho rahe the. Uska dimaag ab bhi Rajat ke words repeat kar raha tha—‘Maa ne meri call kyun nahi uthai? Sab theek hai ya nahi?’
"Yeh toh maine socha bhi nahi tha… agar woh waha gaya, toh sab sach saamne aa jayega," usne halki si awaaz mein kaha.
Naina chhati pe haath bandh ke ghussay se chalne lagi.
"Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha, Rajat ko kaise rokein? Agar woh waha gaya, toh sab kuch khatam ho jayega, Reeti! Woh waha kisi se bhi baat karega, koi bhi sach bata sakta hai!"
Reeti bechain ho gayi, usne apne haath apne lap pe rakh liye.
"Mujhe toh yeh samajh nahi aa raha ki main usse kya kahun… Woh mujhe ab ek ladki ke taur pe dekh raha hai, lekin agar use pata chalega ki main uski maa hoon…"
Naina ne tez saans andar kheench ke kaha, "Toh uska poora dimaag hil jayega!"
Kamre mein ek moment ke liye silence ho gaya.
Naina ne aankhein band karke socha, "Koi toh solution hoga... Par kya?"
Reeti ne bechaini se kaha, "Kya hume use kisi aur kaam mein busy karna chahiye? Kahi aur bhejna chahiye?"
Naina sar hilati rahi, "Ho sakta hai… par agar woh zyada ziddi ho gaya toh?"
Reeti andar se sulag rahi thi. Usne Rajat ke saath guzre un palon ko yaad kiya—woh closeness, woh touch, woh moans… Aur ab, yahi Rajat uski asli pehchaan jaan’ne wala tha.
"Agar use sach ka ek pal ke liye bhi ehsaas ho gaya, toh yeh rishta toot jayega. Woh mujhe kaise dekhega phir? Uska junoon… uska pyar… sab kuch sirf ek ghin ban jayega."
Naina ne uska haath pakda, "Reeti, mujhe sach bata, tu chahti hai ki Rajat waha jaye ya nahi?"
Reeti ek second ke liye chup ho gayi.
Phir dheere se, halki awaaz mein boli, "Main nahi chahti ki woh waha jaye… Main nahi chahti ki woh sach jaane… Mujhe nahi pata ki woh sach jaan’ne ke baad kya karega…"
Naina ne gusse se kaha, "Toh phir, hume usse rokna padega!"
Reeti sirf ek pal ke liye sochti rahi, phir dheere se haan mein sir hila diya.
"Par kaise? Yeh abhi bhi ek badi problem hai…"
Naina ka dimaag ab sirf ek hi cheez soch raha tha—Rajat ko gaon jaane se rokna hoga. Aur agar koi is baat ko seriously le sakta tha, toh unke pita.
Raat ke 11 baj chuke the, ghar me sab apne apne kamron me the. Naina ne apna phone uthaya aur village ka number dial kiya. Reeti chhup chaap uske paas baithi thi, uske haath thande ho gaye the.
Tring… Tring…
Pita ji ne call uthaya.
"Naina? Itni raat ko sab theek hai na?" Unki awaaz thodi worried thi.
Naina gala saaf karke boli, "Papa, hume aapse zaroori baat karni hai… Ek bahut badi baat hai."
Pita ji thoda tense ho gaye, "Kya ho gaya? Tum dono theek ho na?"
Naina ne gudgudi si mehsoos ki, usne Reeti ki taraf dekha, jo ab bhi shock me thi.
Phir Naina ne jo kaha, usne sab kuch hila diya.
"Papa, yeh Rajat aur Reeti ke beech… ek rishta ban chuka hai…"
Ek dum silence ho gaya phone pe.
Jaise kisi ne waqt ko rok diya ho.
Fir Pita ji ki ghussay se bhari aawaz aayi, "KYA?? Yeh tu kya bol rahi hai, Naina??"
Reeti ek jhatke se uth gayi, uska dil zor zor se dhadak raha tha.
"Papa… Rajat ko yeh nahi pata ki Reeti maa hai… Uske liye bas ek ladki hai… aur dono ke beech… sab kuch ho chuka hai," Naina tezi se boli.
"Tera dimag kharab ho gaya hai?! Yeh maa aur beta hai, yeh sab galat hai! Yeh SAB GALAT HAI!"
Pita ji ki saans tez ho gayi thi.
"Tu mujhe bata, yeh sab kaise shuru hua? Yeh kab se chal raha hai?"
Naina ne aankhein band ki, ek gehri saans li, phir dheere se boli,
"Papa, sab kuch tab shuru hua jab Reeti yaha aayi thi… Rajat usse pehli baar dekhte hi attract ho gaya tha… Woh use ek ladki ki tarah dekhne laga… Aur phir…"
"Aur phir KYA, Naina? Saaf-saaf bol!"
Naina ne halki si lip bite ki, usse samajh nahi aa raha tha ki yeh sab kaise express kare.
"Papa, ab unke beech sab ho chuka hai. Woh dono ek couple ki tarah behave kar rahe hain. Rajat ke liye Reeti ek girlfriend ki tarah hai… aur Reeti bhi ab usse alag nahi ho pa rahi."
Pita ji ek second ke liye chup ho gaye.
Fir ek dhamakedaar awaaz me cheekh pade,
"YEH SAB BAND KARO! YEH KYA BAKWAAS SUNA RAHA HAI TU MUJHE, NAINA?! MAA-BETA EK DUSRE KO AAISE DEKH RAHE HAIN??"
Reeti ke pair kaanp rahe the.
"Papa… Rajat gaon aana chahta hai. Woh keh raha hai maa se baat nahi ho rahi, sirf aap phone uthate ho. Woh aap par shaq kar raha hai… Woh aap se sach jaan’na chahta hai!"
Pita ji ne phone zor se table par maara, Reeti ne ek jhatke se apne muh par haath rakh liya.
"Toh main usse kaise bataun yeh sach?!"
"Papa, agar woh gaon gaya, toh sab kuch khatam ho jayega. Woh sach jaan jayega, aur phir na jaane kya hoga!"
Pita ji ek second ke liye chup rahe, fir bola,
"Naina, tu mujhe bata, tu chahti hai ki Rajat kabhi sach na jaane?"
Naina thoda ruki, phir dheere se boli,
"Haan… agar woh sach jaane ka toh… woh toot jayega."
Pita ji ne gehri saans li.
"Main ise aise nahi chod sakta. Mujhe sochna padega ki yeh sab kaise thik karein… Warna sab kuch khatam ho jayega."
Phone cut ho gaya. Naina ne phone neeche rakha, Reeti aankh band karke saans lene lagi.
Ab sab kuch aur bhi zyada complicated ho chuka tha.
Raat ke 2 baje the. Naina ab bhi bed par baithi thi, uska dimaag sirf ek hi cheez soch raha tha—yeh sab kaise sambhale? Papa ko samjhana padega warna yeh sab aur bigad jayega.
Usne phone uthaya aur dobara gaon call lagaya.
Tring… Tring…
Is baar Pita ji ne gusse se phone uthaya.
"Ab kya hai, Naina?! Main keh chuka hoon, yeh sab band karo!"
Naina ne ek second ke liye apni sansen control ki, phir ekdum se chillayi,
"Aap hi the na jo maa se keh rahe the ki tum jawan ho gayi ho?! Aap hi ne kaha tha ki agar yaha rahi toh gaon ke ladke tumhe utha ke le jayenge, tumhe noch khayenge!"
Pita ji ekdum chup ho gaye.
Lekin sirf ek second ke liye.
"Haan kaha tha, toh? Maine yeh sab tumhari maa ki izzat bachane ke liye kaha tha, yeh nahi kaha tha ki apne hi bete ke saath—"
"Papa, bas! Aapko yaad hai aapne hi kaha tha ki maa ko naya parivaar basana chahiye? Naya jeevan jeena chahiye?"
"Naina, jo maine kaha tha uska yeh matlab nahi tha! Maine yeh nahi kaha tha ki woh—"
"Toh phir kya matlab tha, papa? Ki woh ek anjaane aadmi ke saath chale jaye? Ki koi bhi aakar uski zindagi ka faisla kare? Ki koi bhi use bas ek aurat samajhke apna banane ki koshish kare?"
Pita ji ekdum gusse se saans lene lage.
"Lekin woh Rajat hai, tumhara bhai hai, tumhari maa ka beta hai, tum samajhti bhi ho yeh kya keh rahi ho?"
"Haan, samajhti hoon papa! Main yeh bhi samajhti hoon ki jab maa yaha aayi toh bilkul akeli thi! Jab sabne unhe chhoda, toh sirf Rajat tha jo unke saath tha! Jab maa roti thi toh sirf Rajat tha jo unke paas aakar unhe hastaata tha! Jab maa bimaar padi toh Rajat hi tha jo unke liye dawa lekar bhaaga! Yeh sab dekha tha maine papa!"
Pita ji ekdum se chup ho gaye.
"Aur aap kya chahte hain? Ki maa kisi aur ke saath chale jaye? Kisi anjaane aadmi ke saath jo unhe sirf ek aurat ki tarah dekhega? Kya woh behtar hoga?"
Phone pe ekdum silence ho gaya.
Tabhi, Reeti ne Naina se phone liya.
"Mujhe baat karni hai."
Naina ne phone Reeti ko diya.
Reeti ke haath kaanp rahe the, lekin uski awaaz ekdum strong thi.
"Suniye..."
Pita ji chup rahe, lekin phir gusse se bole,
"Tum mujhse ab kya kehna chahti ho, Reeti? Tumhe sharam nahi aayi? Tum ek maa ho, aur tum apne hi bete ke saath yeh sab kar rahi ho?"
Reeti ek gehri saans li.
"Main yeh nahi keh rahi ki yeh sab normal hai. Par yeh bhi sach hai ki jo Rajat mere liye mehsoos karta hai, woh kisi aur ke liye nahi karta. Woh mujhe pyaar karta hai, mujhe sambhalta hai, mujhe ek insaan ki tarah dekhta hai, ek object ki tarah nahi."
"Woh tumhara beta hai, Reeti!"
"Aur yeh bhi sach hai ki woh mujhse utni hi mohabbat karta hai jitni aapne ki thi! Kya galat hai isme?"
"Galat yeh hai ki tumhari soch bik chuki hai! Tum ek maa ho, tum aise kaise soch sakti ho?"
"Toh phir mujhe bataiye, koi bhi ajnabi aadmi mujhse shaadi karega, kya woh mujhe sach mein pyaar karega? Ya sirf ek aurat samajhkar apne matlab ke liye use karega?"
Pita ji ne ekdum se phone pakad ke zor se rakha, jaise woh kuch samajh nahi pa rahe ho.
"Main yeh nahi keh rahi ki yeh sab normal hai… Par kya galat hai agar ek insaan mujhe apne dil se chahta hai? Jo mujhe janta hai, jo mujhe apni har sans se sambhalta hai? Woh mera apna beta hai… toh kya yeh behtar nahi hai kisi anjaane ke comparison mein?"
"Reeti, tum jo keh rahi ho woh duniya nahi samjhegi!"
"Mujhe duniya ki chinta nahi hai! Mujhe bas yeh pata hai ki Rajat mujhse sach mein pyaar karta hai! Woh mujhe ek object nahi samajhta, woh mujhe respect karta hai, meri fikr karta hai! Yeh sab koi aur nahi karega!"
"Reeti..."
"Aur bataiye, agar koi aur aadmi mujhe waise hi chhoota jaise Rajat mujhe chhoota hai, toh kya woh theek hoga?"
Pita ji chup ho gaye.
"Nahi. Yeh sab ajeeb lagta hai, lekin sach yeh hai ki Rajat mujhse utni hi mohabbat karta hai jitni aapne ki thi. Kya ek beta apni maa ki izzat nahi kar sakta? Kya ek beta usse sambhal nahi sakta? Bataiye?"
Lamba silence.
Phir Pita ji ne ek gehri saans li.
"Tum sure ho ki Rajat tumse sach mein pyaar karta hai? Tumhe ek aurat ki tarah dekhta hai, na ki sirf ek attraction ki tarah?"
Reeti aankhein bandh karke boli,
"Haan. Mujhe puri tarah yakin hai."
Ek aur lamba silence.
Phir Pita ji ne dheere se kaha,
"Agar yeh sach hai… toh main tum dono ko alag nahi kar sakta."
Reeti ne ek gehri saans li, uske aankhon se aansu nikal aaye.
Naina bhi shock mein thi.
Pita ji ne thoda ruk kar kaha,
"Lekin duniya se sambhal kar rehna padega. Yeh jo rishta hai, woh samajh se pare hai… Tum dono ko sambhalna padega."
Reeti ne haan mein sir hila diya, aur ek aansu uske gaal se beh gaya.
"Haan… hume sambhalna aayega."
That night, after a long silence on the call, Reeti’s husband took a deep breath and spoke in a heavy voice.
"Reeti… ek baat sach batao. Tum sach mein Rajat se shaadi karna chahti ho?"
Reeti ek jhatke se chup ho gayi. Shaadi? Yeh shabd sunte hi uske dil ki dhadkan tez ho gayi. Rajat se shaadi? Uske apne bete se?
"Yeh sab… yeh sab kaise ho sakta hai?" Uski awaaz halki aur shaky thi.
Uske husband ne thoda ghussay se kaha, "Agar tum keh rahi ho ki Rajat tumse pyaar karta hai, agar tum sach keh rahi ho ki woh tumhara khayal rakh sakta hai, toh kya tum use apna pati man’ne ke liye tayar ho?"
Reeti apne bed par girti chali gayi. Uske dimaag me ab tak jo bhi guilt, jo bhi sharam thi, sab ek pal ke liye ruk gayi.
"Agar main haa keh dungi, toh iska matlab hoga ki main ek naye rishte mein bandhne ja rahi hoon… aur woh rishta ek aise bande ke saath hai jo mera beta tha… lekin ab nahi hai…"
Uske husband ne phir se pucha, "Batao Reeti… kya tum Rajat se shaadi karna chahti ho?"
Reeti ne saans andar kheechi.
Dheere se, usne kaha, "Haan."
Ek gehri silence ho gayi. Pita ji ne ek gehri saans li aur phir dheere se bola,
"Toh phir, tumhe ek naye tareeke se zindagi jeeni padegi. Tumhe puri tarah se Garima ko mitana hoga. Tumhe ek naya jeevan shuru karna hoga."
Reeti ne apni aankhein bandh kar li.
"Lekin kaise? Pura gaon mujhe jaanta hai… pura gaon mujhe Garima ke naam se pehchanta hai…"
Tabhi uske husband ne ek plan diya.
"Tum jab yaha aayogi, toh main sabko bata dunga ki Garima Kumbh Mela gayi hai, kuch din pehle. Log poochhenge toh main kahunga ki tum wahaan shraddha se gayi thi."
Reeti ne dhyan se suna.
"Uske baad, agle kuch mahine tak tum yaha nahi aana. Phir ek din, main announce karunga ki Garima mela me kho gayi, humne use har jagah dhoondha, lekin woh nahi mili. Log pehle shock honge, lekin dheere dheere yeh baat settle ho jayegi."
Reeti ek second ke liye speechless thi.
"Aur yeh sab kaun maanega?" usne dheere se kaha.
"Garima ki behen hamare saath degi. Woh already jaanti hai ki tum badal chuki ho. Woh sabko yahi kahegi ki Garima sach me mela me kho gayi."
Reeti ne ek second ke liye socha. Yeh plan perfect tha.
"Lekin agar kisi ne mujhe dekha? Agar kisi ne Rajat ke saath mujhe dekha toh?"
Pita ji ne ek serious tone me kaha,
"Tum sirf ek ladki ban’kar wapas aaogi. Tumhare naye naam ke saath, ek naye identity ke saath. Garima ko maarna hoga, tabhi tum Rajat ke saath reh sakti ho."
Reeti ne aankhein bandh kar li.
"Garima… jo Rajat ki maa thi… ab uska koi wajood nahi hoga…"
Ek gehri saans lene ke baad, usne dheere se kaha, "Theek hai. Main yeh karne ke liye tayar hoon."
Reeti ke husband ne phone ke doosri taraf ek gehri saans li aur phir ek thandi aur mazboot awaaz mein kaha,
"Bata dena jab tum ready hogi… main tumhari Rajat se shaadi kara dunga."
Reeti ka dil ek second ke liye thamm gaya.
Uske pair halki si thartharahat mehsoos kar rahe the. Yeh baat kehna aur usse accept karna dono alag cheezein thi. Rajat se shaadi? Uske apne bete se?
Lekin ab woh beta nahi tha… ab woh ek mard tha… jo usse chahta tha… jo uske bina jeena nahi chahta tha…
Reeti ne dheere se apni saans andar kheench li.
"Theek hai… main sochungi…" usne dheere se kaha.
Phone kat gaya. Naina uske paas khadi thi, usne sab suna tha.
Naina ne shock se kaha, "Maa… tum sach me Rajat se shaadi karogi?"
Reeti ne ek pal ke liye aankhein bandh kar li… phir dheere se muskurai.
"Agar Rajat chahta hai… toh kyun nahi?"
Ab Garima ka safar khatam ho chuka tha… aur Reeti ki nayi kahani shuru hone wali thi.
Jaise hi Reeti ne apni shaadi ki baat accept ki, Naina ka chehra ekdum chamak utha.
"Oh my God!!" Naina ekdum excited ho gayi aur ek zor ka laugh maara.
Usne turant apni maa ko kas ke hug kar liya, "Meri cute si maa ab meri bhabhi banegi!!"
Reeti shock mein thi. "Naina, chup kar! Aise mat bol, mujhe sharam aa rahi hai!"
Lekin Naina toh ab full celebration mode mein thi.
"Nahi nahi, yeh toh history ban gayi hai! Mera bhai ab meri maa ka pati banega! Yaani meri maa ab officially meri bhabhi ban jayegi! Yeh toh naya rishta hai!"
Reeti ne sharmate hue uske haath thode door kare, "Aise mat bol Naina! Yeh sab… thoda ajeeb lag raha hai."
Naina bed pe uchli aur hasi, "Kya ajeeb? Mujhe toh bohot maza aa raha hai! Tum dono pehle se ek dusre ko chaahte ho, ab bas stamp lagana baaki hai!"
Reeti ne ek gehri saans li, "Naina… mazaak mat bana. Yeh sab easy nahi hai. Main abhi bhi confused hoon, society isse kabhi accept nahi karegi."
Naina ne usse softly dekha, "Maa, yeh tumhari life hai. Agar tum Rajat ke saath khush ho, toh doosron ki fikr mat karo. Yeh tumhara haq hai."
Reeti ne ek pal ke liye socha, phir dheere se muskurai.
"Pata nahi yeh sab kaha jaayega… par haan, Rajat ko dekh kar lagta hai ki shayad yehi mera future hai."
Naina ne ek pyaara sa smile diya, "Agar tum dono ek dusre se itna pyaar karte ho, toh bas shaadi ki tayyari karo. Main toh party bhi dungi!"
Reeti ne haath se uske gale ki taraf maarne ka natak kiya, "Tu bohot shaitaan ho gayi hai, Naina!"
Naina hansi, phir bed par gir gayi.
"Theek hai, ab main so rahi hoon. Kal naye plans banayenge! Ab toh celebration mode on!"
Reeti ne dheere se muskurakar light band ki.
Ab sab kuch badalne wala tha.
