Amrit's Diary

Tumhare Ghar ke Pass wala Chauraha

मेरे ऑफिस से घर को जाने वाले सड़क के बीच में एक चौराहा पड़ता है। सामने वाली सड़क मेरे घर को जाती और बाए ओर वाली किसी वीराने से रास्ते को निकलती।

दाहिनी ओर कुछ दूर करीब 5-6 मकान बाद एक अपार्टमेंट हैं। 4 मंज़िल की उस अपार्टमेंट में तीसरे तल्ले पर तुम्हारा घर था।

वो घर जिनसे कई यादें जुड़ी हुई है। तुमसे मैं पहली बार ऑफिस के बाहर उस चौराहे पर ही मिला था। सुबह सुबह हल्की बारिश में कैब का इंतज़ार करती तुम और मैं बस वही पास से अपने कार से गुज़रता हुआ । तुम्हें देख कर मैंने अपनी कार की रफ्तार काम की थी । और तुम्हें अपने साथ ही ऑफिस ले गया था।

बस उस रोज से उस चौराहे पर रुकना आदत सा हो गया था। कुछ मिनट के इंतज़ार के बाद तुम आती और फिर हम दोनों साथ मे ऑफिस की ओर जाते । बारिश का मौसम था शायद , थोड़ी थोड़ी बारिश के बीच मेरे कार के रेडियो पर पुराने गाने हल्की आवाज मे बजते।

एक रोज ऑफिस से लौटते व्यक्त तुमने मुझे अपने घर पर बुलाया था। और तुम्हारी हाथ की बनी वो गरम चाय की प्याली आज भी याद है मुझे। कई यादें बन चूकी थी तुम्हारे घर से।

वो घर कुछ दिनों से खाली खाली सा है। कई बार मैं उसके नीचे से गुजर चुका हूँ मगर सन्नाटा सा पसरा है अब। ना अब कोई उस चौराहे पर कैब के लिए खड़ा मिलता ना ही किसी के हाथों की वो गरम चाय अब मिलती है। एक रोज फोन मिलाने की भी कोशिश की थी मैंने मगर तुम अब पहुच से दूर हो।

Ek Kahani Part 8

Ek Kahani Part 8

A Story By Amrit Raj Karn

Read Part 7 here

Maa humare sath hi ruki thi kuch din, Maa ke jaane kuch kuch din baad, Main ek roz ghar par akele baitha hua tha, aur Ishani ko call lagaya “Kaha ho?”

“Ghar par hi hu Amrit, Kuch kaam tha kya?”

“Kuch khas nahi, aa jaati thise der me yaha par to sahi rehta.”

“Aacha aati hun thodi der me”

Maine phone rakh diya, aur intezar krne laga.Guzre hue 3-4 mahinon me mujhe yakin ho chuka tha ab main fir se beinteha ishq me dub chuka hun. Ek pal bhi uske bina rehna mere liye muskil tha. Shyad isliye kabhi wo mere ghar pe to kabhi main uske ghar pe rehta tha.

Kuch der me Ishani bhi ghar aa chuki thi, ab wo door bell nahi bajati, ghar ki ek chabi ab uske pass bhi thi.

“Kya hua Amrit, chehra utra utra sa lag raha tumhara?”

“Nahi, kuch nahi. Busy thi kya?”

“Nai, tum bulao aur main na aau, aisa ho sakta hai kya? Aur tumhare liye har waqt free hu.”

Bhot dinon baad aankhon me ek kaali si eyeliner lagaye hue dekha tha aaj usse. Halke gile baal, hiron se chamakti uski do aakhen. Main har roz apna dil har jata tha uske liye. Wo mere bistar par baithi hui thi. Pata nahi mujhe kya hua ek ajeeb sa dar, aur ghabrahat si lagi. Maine bs bola “Ishani” aur uski aakhin me dekhta hua uski god me ja kr apna sir rakh diya, aur apni aakhen band kr li. Ishani ne meri band aankhon ko apne hothon se chhu liya. Main ek gehri si saans li aur uski hathon ko jor se jakar liya. Kuch der aisehi rehne ke baad maine apni aakhen kholi aur Ishani ko dekhne laga.

“Ab fir se chor kr to nahi jaogi na kabhi?”

“Kabhi nahi Amrit”

“Kaal free ho? Ya office se OFF le sakti ho?”

“Haan, kuch kaam hai kya?”

“Doctor se appointment hai kaal meri, tum sath chalti to aacha rehta.”

“Tum thik to ho na? Kya hua hai?”

“Kuch ni bs regular check up hai”

“Pakka?”

Kuch pal Ishani ke aakhon me dekne ke baad maine kaha.

“Haan”

Kabhi kabhi aisa hota hai aap rone ke baad ya darr se ya fir ghabrate hue ek lambi sans tezi se lete hai, waisa hi maine us waqt liya aur fir se aankhen band kr ke uski god me let gaya.

“Aaj raat yahi ruk jao na, please.”

“Amrit, tum pakka thik ho na? Kya hua? Tumhari tybt to theek hai na.” Kuch bata bhi nahi rahe.”

“Haan bs ruk jao na”

“Aacha thik hai main aati hu thodi der me ghar se apne kuch saman le kr, tum lete raho aur aaram kro.”

Agli subha main ready tha aur apni puri medical reports le kr baitha hua tha, Ishani ka wait kr raha tha. Hum dono car me baithe aur doctor ke pass jane lage. Maine jaise hi gadi roki Ishani meri taraf dekhne lagi.

“Cardiologist? Amrit mazak nahi kro, sach sach batao kya hua hai.”

“Are baba kuch nahi hua hai, bs regular check up hai”

“Jhuth matt bolo mujhse, tumhe pata hai na tum jhuth nahi bol paate ho”

“Sach me kuch nahi hua hai, tum wait kro main aata hu.”

“Nahi main bhi chalungi”

“Are tension nahi lo kuch nahi hua hai, bharosa kro mera,I am Okay”

Aur main apna ek hath uske gaal par rakh bola.

“Wait kro main turant aaya”

Kuch der bad main wapas bahar aaya aur Ishani ko bola.

“Dekha sb kuch thik hai na”

She smiled, usse aacha laga jb pata chala meri health ek dum sahi hai

“Chalo ab tumhare liye ke surpise hai”

“Kya?”

“Are meri jaan chalo to sahi fir pata chal jayege”

Maine ek cafe me lunch ke liye table book kr ke raha tha. Aaj main usse propose krne wala tha, Shadi ke liye, haan kuch jyda jaldi tha ye magar is bar main usse khona nahi chahta tha.

Hm log waha pahuche aur maine Ishani ka hath pakad kr sath aane ko kaha, wo behad khush lag rahi thi, maine usse samne lage chair par baithaya, aaj fir se 6 saal baad main ghutno pe tha and apne pocket se ek ring ka box nikala, ek chamakti hui platinium ki Ring thi usme, aur uski taraf krte hue bola.

“Ishani, Will You marry me?”

Ishani ki aankhen khushi se nam ho chuki thi aur usne haan me sir hilaya.Main uski or badha aur Ishani ke hothon ko apne hothon se chhu liya. Aaj ka din bahut khubsurat tha mere liye, maine maa ko call kr ke bataya, maa ne bola ghar aa jao ab, kitne din dur rahoge ghar se, aur usse bhi le aana sath me.

To Be Continued…

Read Part 7 here

Ek kahani Part 7

Ek Kahani Part 7

A Story By Amrit Raj Karn

Read Part 6 here

Maine Ishani ke hath se uska saman lete hue usse apni scooty par baithne ko bola. waqt na jaane kitni karwate leta hai, kuch saal pehle beitehan ishq, fir bhot jyda duri, aur achanak se ek roz mulakat aur aaj fir se wo mere karib thi. Dil aaj bhi ghabrata hai.

“Tb, kaisa rah aaj ka din? Ghar par bore nahi hue?”

“Haan” “Nahi, kuch kuch kaam tha bs wahi kr raha tha. Tumhara din kaisa raha?”

“Sahi raha, Tumhara sir dard kaisa hai? Ab theek hai na?”

“Haan ab sahi hai”

Kuch yahi baat krte krte hm dono apne apartment pahuch gaye. Lift mere floor par aa kr ruki hui thi aur Ishani ne kaha.

“Aacha chalo main aati hu kuch der me, tumhare liye tumhara favourite chicken bana kr lati hu, aaj aunty ne banana sikhaya”

“Maa? Maa se tumhara kb baat hua?”

“Aaj Office me thi to aunty ko bhot dar dar kr call ki thi, Aunty khush thi baat kr ke”

“Maa ko batane ka kya jarurat tha itna jaldi, I am not Ready yet”

Maine ye baat apni aankhen jhukate hue bola. Mere dill me abhi bhi ek dar sa tha, meri jhuki hui aankhon ko dekh kr Ishani ko shyad bura laga, usne apna sir meri taraf kiya aur mere taraf jhukate hue mere sine par apna sir rakha aur mujhse kaha, “Amrit, ek baar mauka do mujhe, main tumse abhi bhi utna hi pyar krti hun jitna pehle krti thi Amrit. I know I had hurt you, but Amrit ab main bs tumhari hu.”

Itna Bolte bolte Ishani ke aankhen bhi nam ho chuki thi maine bhi apna hath badha kr Ishani ko apni baahon me bhar liye aur uske sir ko pyar se chuma. “Chalo jao ab aaram kro baad me milte hai” Maine usse bola.

“Mujhe mere ghar tak nahi choroge Amrit, main to tumhare ghar kai baar aa chuki hu, tum nahi aaye to mere ghar ek baar bhi” Ishani ne mera hath pakad kr bola, main uski aakhon me dekh kr muskuraya aur kaha, “Uncle se baat kr ek mere sath hi shift ho jao, fir na mujhe aane ki jarurat na tumhe”

Wo muskurai aur chali gayi apne ghar

Kuch waqt bitne ke baad karib 3 mahine

Ek sham hm sath me office se aa rahe the tb hi achanak se Ishani ne kaha “Are Amrit, tumhare liye ek surprise hai, do din baad tumse koi milne aa raha.”

“Kon aa raha?”

“Wo surprise hai, chalo ab main jaa rahi, aati hu thodi der me”

“Are batao to kon aa raha”

Maine itna pucha hi tha ki wo apna saman lete hue sidhion se upar apne floor ki taraf chali gayi, maine apne flat ka gate khola aur andar chala gaya.

Raat ko Ishani aayi aur hum sath me baith kr baatein kr rahe the maine us se fir se puchne ki kosis ki kon aa raha hai? Usne fir se batane se mana kr diya. Kuch der baad main khamosh sa baith kr uski aakhon me dekh raha tha, hum dono jamin par baith kr baatien kr rahe the main sofe ke samne jamin par tha aur Ishani mere samne deewar ke pass. Ek laal rang ki kurti, khule hue baal jo ek taraf jhuke hue the, aur uske piche deewar par tangi hui ek painting. Behad khubsurat lag rahi thi wo. Ishani ne apne unglion se apne baal ko kaanon ke piche krte hue mujhe dekh kr bola “Kya dekh rahe ho Amrit? Fir se pyar ho gaya kya?”

Usne ye bola aur main apne khayalon se bahar aate hue bola “Chalo kuch kha lete hai pehle”

“Wah! Baat ko aaj bhi badi ache se ghumane aata hai tumhe, achha chalo main rotiyan bana deti hu”

“Mere hath ki bani hui khaogi? Aaj bhi achha banata hu”

“Achha jii chaliye fir aap hi aaj banaiye”

Main kitchen ki or badha aur khana banane laga, Ishani wahi Kitchen ki gate pe khadi thi aur muskure hue mujhe dekh rahi thi. Humne thodi der me dinner kiya aur wo jane lagi, maine usse apni bahon me bharte hue bola “chalo jao ab kaal milte hai”

“Haan chalo Amrit bye ab”

Do Din Baad

Main office me baith kr kaam kr raha tha, thodi hi der me Ishani ka call aaya aur wo boli “Amrit ghar aa jao tumhare liye surprise as chuki hai”

Main kaha “Abhi? Itna urgent kya hai? Abhi office me kam me busy hu.”

“Haan its urgent, jaldi aa jao”

“Achha ruko koshish krta hu thodi der me aane ka”

Maine office se Off liya aur apni car nikal kr nikal kr ghar ki or nikla. Car se nikal kr maine Ishani ko call kiya aur pucha “Kaha aana h? Main niche aa chuka hun”

“Mere flat pe aa jao main yahi hu”

Main Ishani ke ghar ke bahar khada aur aur door bell ki switch ko press kiya. Andar se jaise hi gate khula meri aankhen khushi se num ho chuki thi, samne maa thi, main maa ko gale lagte hue piche dekha, Ishani piche khadi thi “Maa, tum yaha kaise aai”

Maa ne Ishani ko pass bula kr usse gale lagate hue bola “Ishani ne call kiya tha, usne jidd ki aur bula liya mujhe, aur bataya bhi tumlog fir se sath ho.”

Maine maa ko bola “Haan tumhe batane wala hi tha.”

“Tum log khush raho yahi meri dua hai.”

Main apni halki si nam aankhon se Ishani ko dekh rha tha, maa pichle 5 saal saalon me kabhi mere pass nahi aai thi, bs college ke suruwat ke dinon me mujhe chorne aayi thi, na maa ko waqt mila na baba ko wo dono apne kaam ke wajah se kabhi aa nahi paye milne, main job ke liye bhi khud akele hi shift hua tha.

Hm teeno Ishani ke ghar par hi baith kr khana khane lage tb hi Ishani ne bataya ki usne hi maa ka ticket kata kr bulaya tha. Aur airport bhi laane wahi gayi thi.

Main aur maa baith kr baatien kr rahe the, maa ne pucha “teri tybt kaisi hai, Ishani bata rahi thi ki tere sir me dard tha. Tune usse bataya apne baare me”

Ek gehra raaz jo bs maa aur mere bich tha, main maa ke chehre ko dekhte hue bola “Nahi maa, usse nahi bataya abhi tak, magar ab meri tybt sahi hai pehle se”

To be continued

Read Part 8 here

Ek Kahani Part 6

Ek Kahani Part 6

A Story by Amrit Raj Karn

Read Part 5 Here

Maine Ishani ko apne dil ka tukda de diya tha, wo Diary jisse main kisi ko bhi hath lagane nahi deta aaj usse de diya tha, pyar to aaj bhi tha magar bht dar lag raha tha fir se uske sath jaane rehne me. Ek bar tut chuka tha, khud ko sambhalne me bht waqt lagta hai aur uske aaye hue 3 din bhi nahi hue honge ki main fir se us se pyar krne laga tha.

Wo office jaa chuki thi aur main ghar par baith kr apna kaam krne laga tha. Thodi der bad main apne kamre me baitha hua tha aur purane dinon ko yadd kr raha tha. Sb kuch kitna hasin tha na, mujhe aaj yaad jb hm pehli bar school khtm hone ke bad pass wali coffee shop gaye the main jitna kaam bolta tha tum utna hi jyda bolti thi. Tum samne baithi hui thi aur main kabhi samne table par hi rakhi apni diary ke pannon ko palatata aur kabhi tumhe dekhta.

“Is Diary me itna kya khas hai Amrit, mere barabar haisiyat hai iski. Jitni nazre mere pe nahi us se jyda is par hai”

Main sharma gaya aur bola “Are nahi Ishani, tum se jyda is jahan me aur koi nahi hai mere liye aur ye diary tumhari hi kahani kehti hai, is me likhti har shabd bs tumhare liye hai. Padhna hai?”

Maine apni diary Ishani ke taraf badhai, wo kuch pannon ko palatne ke ek panne par ruki aur dekhne lagi,

“तुम्हारा यू आंखों पर काजल।
का पहरा लगा कर आना।।
और मेरी सांसों का यू थम सा जाना।
ये साथ साथ ही तो होता था जाना।।”

“Wah, bada acha likhte ho yarr”

“Pata hai ye kb likha tha?” Maine us se dheemi si aawaz me pucha. “Nahi, batao kb likha?”, Ishani ne coffee ke mug ko hothon se lagate hue bola, “Yaad hai mere ghar pe party thi aur maine tumhe bhi bulaya tha.”

“Haan yaad hai, tumhari behen ki birthday party thi, Ussi din likhe the ye?”

“Haan, us din pehli bar maine tumhari aakhon me kajal dekha tha, tum behad khubsurat lag rahi thi”

Ishani ke chehre pe aayi wo halki si muskan mere jeene ki wajah ban gayi thi. Na jaane kitne aise pal the jo bht aam hote hue bhi mere liye khas ban gaye the. Meri Scooty se hi ab sath me hi school jana, har sham coffee shop par humara table reserved rehna, raat ko ghanto call par baat krna.

Mere ghar par papa ko chor sb ko ye mere baare me pata chal gaya tha, maa ne thoda gussa kiya tha magar ye bharosa dilane ke bad ki meri padhai par iska asar nahi padega wo thodi shant ho gayi thi. Ek baar maa se milne ke liye Ishani ko ghar bhi bulaya tha. Maa ne Ishani ka masum sa chehra dekh kr bs usse itna hi bola tha “Ye tumse bhut pyar krta hai, khyal rakhna iska”

Yaad hai mujhe aaj bhi, jb mera admission college me apne sheher Ranchi se bhut dur Chennai ho gaya tha, aur Ishani ne Ranchi me hi admission liya tha. Mere sapne bade the isliye mujhe dur jana tha. Dar mujhe us waqt hi laga tha ki kahi long Distance ke chalte hm dur na ho jaye. Aur kuch waqt bad mera dar sahi sabit ho hi gaya tha.

Main akele baitha baitha kuch khyalon me khoya hua tha ki maa ka call aaya, maa ne haal chal pucha magar meri aawaz se usne pehchan liya tha main kuch paresahni me hu, maine usse sb kuch batla diya. Maa ne bs itna hi kaha “Tum Samjhdar ho, tumhe jo sahi lage wo krna aur main bhi Ishani se mili hu, jaha tak main usse janti hu wo aachi ladki hai, agar wo keh rahi hai ki wo tumhare sath rehna chahti hai to sach keh rahi hogi. Baki tu khud dekh le, tujhe jaisa sahi lage, tu jo bhi decision lega main tere sath hu”

Din bhar guzar chuka tha, main ghar par akela baitha hua, aaj din bhar me ek baar bhi Ishani ne na hi call nahi kiya, na message kiya. Main sham ko apni bike le kr ghumne nikal gaya, Apni society ke churahe par pahucha hi tha ki Ishani auto rickshaw se utarte hue mujhi dikhi. Main scooty uski taraf le gaya aur usse bola “Mujhe call kr liya hota, main aa jata lene”

To be Continued

Read Part 7 Here

Ek Kahani Part 5

Ek Kahani Part 5

A Story By Amrit Raj Karn

Read Part 4 here

Raat bhut ho chuki thi. Hum dono kuch der me ghar pahuch gaye, Ishani lift ki or badhne lagi. Maine kaha “Tum chalo main aa jaunga” Maine car me rakhe apne cigarette ki box se ek cigarette nikala aur car ke bonnet ke pass jaa kr khada ho gaya. Maine lighter se cigarette jalaya hi tha ki lighter ki aawaz sun kr Ishani piche mudi, Chehre par ek gussa aur aankho me ek fiqr nazar aai mujhe. Maine cigarette ko hothon se laga kr pehla kash liya hi tha ki Ishani meri taraf aayi aur mere hathon se cigarette ko chin kr jamin par fenk diya.

Chehra uska gusse se laal ho chuka tha aur meri nazre jhuki hui thi, uske jaane ke baad se hi to maine ye sb suruwat kiya tha. Jaane ke bad pehle cigarette ki lat aur fhir sharab ki aadat. Har do teen din me ek bar kuch ghunt sharab ke hothon se lagaye bina neend nahi aati thi ab to.

“Kyu khud ko barbad krne pe tule hue ho Amrit, itni aachi life hai, family hai, naukari hai, paise hai, ghar hai, aur tumhe to ghar jaa kr family business sambhalna tha na?”

Main bs dekhta raha usse aur ek gehri sans li aur lift ki or badh chala, lift me gaya aur Ishani bhi sath sath lift me aayi, maine apne floor ka button dabaya aur usme apne. Lift mere floor par pahuchi, main lift se nikla aur uski ankhon me dekh raha hi tha ki itne me hi lift ki gate band ho gayi. Main apne flat me chala gaya.

Ghar par apne kamre main jaa kr kapde badle aur fridge me rakhe beer ki can ko nikala aur puri can pi li. Can ko bahar table par hi rakh kr apne kamre ki or chal diya aur jaa kr let gaya, apna phone nikala aur Ishani ko messege kiya “Sorry 😔” aur maine apne phone ko side me rakhe table pe rakh diya. Kuch der aankhon ko band kr ke gehre se sunya me khone ke bad mujhe neend aa gayi. Main waise hi so gaya.

Subha utha to sir me kaafi dard tha, maine office se off le liya aur socha ghar par reh kr hi kuch kaam kr lunga. Ishani ka message aaya hua tha “Koi baat nahi Amrit, magar ye sb sahi nahi hai tumhare liye, tumhe bhi pata hai tumhe TB tha aur ye sb tumhare liye kitna khatarnak hai”

“Hmm”

“Uth gaye?”

“Haan, bs thodi der pehle.”

“Office kitne bje se rehti hai tumhari?”

“9;30 se rehti hai, magar aaj off le liya hai kuch kaam hai ghar se hi kr lunga aur sir me bhi halka sa dard hai.”

“Kya hua? Aacha main aati hu thode der me, Nasta matt banana main bana dungi”

“Nahi rehne do main khud kr lunga”

“Chup chap aaram kro main aa rahi thodi der me”

Kuch der baad door bell baji, maine gate khola aur hall me lage sofe par baith gaya, Ishani bhi samne baith gayi, uski nazar table par rakhe beer ke khali can par gayi aur uska chehra fir se gusse se laal ho chuka tha “Amrit, tum nahi manoge na? Kyu aisa kr rahe ho”

“Aadat, tumhare jaane ke bad se lagi thi, tum to chale gaye the magar ye nahi gayi”

“Hadd ho yarr tum, kya milega is jeher ko pi kr, Jindagi barbad kr rahe ho tum apni, aur ab kyu pi rahe ho, main to ab tumhare samne hu na”

Kuch der khamosh rehne ke baad maine bola “Dar lagta hai tumhe fir se apna kehne se, tum aana chah to rahi ho, magar ye dil dur hona chah raha hai tumse, bhut muskil se bhula tha”

Main chup ho gaya, uski aankhon me aayi nami se dar lagta tha mujhe, uski aakhen nam ho chuki thi. Waada krta tha ki kabhi aankhen nam nahi hone dunga, magar aaj mere wajah se Ishani ki aankhen nam thi. Bura lag raha tha mujhe. Uski aankhen bata rahi thi usse abhi bhi pyar tha mere se, Main us ke karib gaya aur uska hath pakad kr bola,

“Ishani, waqt lagega thoda phir se tum par bharosa krne me, dil me jagha aaj bhi hai tumhare liye magar thoda waqt do.”

“Waada kro aaj ke bad in sb chig ko hath nahi lagaoge”

Main utha aur haan me sir hilaya. Pass me hi table pe rakhe pani ke glass ko uthaya aur Ishani ki taraf badhaya. Wo pani pi kr uthi aur kitchen me jane lagi Nasta laane ke liye, main bhi piche piche gaya aur fridge khol kr beer ki sari can ko uthaya aur sb ko dust bin me fenk diya.

Ishani meri or dekh kr halki si muskurai aur kuch der me Nasta le kr aa gayi, hm dono se sath baith kr Nasta kiya.

“Tumhara Office nahi hai kya?”

“Hai, 10:30 se hai, thode der me niklungi”

“Ab kuch likhte nahi ho?” Ishani ne mujhse se pucha.

Maine pass me hi rakhe shelf se apni ek Diary nikali aur uski or badhaya aur kaha “Likhta hu, aaj bhi, har roz, kuch na kuch”

Ishani ne diary hath me lete hue kuch panne palte, maine kaha “Rakh lo, padh kr batana kaisa laga”

To Be Continued…

Read Part 6 here

Ek Kahani Part-4

EK Kahani Part 4

A Story By Amrit Raj Karn

Read part 3 here

Main Parking me apne car ke pass khade ho kr samne wali park me dekhne laga, Kuch bacche khule maidan me khel rahe the, kuchh log tehel rahe the, meri nazar ja kr ek budhe se couple par padi wo sath baith kr baatein kr rahe the. Ek dusre ko sahara dete uthne me, ek jagha se dusri jagha jane me. Bilkul aisehi sapne dekha tha maine bhi.

Main ye sb soch hi raha tha ki lift niche aa kr khulti hai, aur andar se Ishani nikalti h, Aaj bhi behad khubsurat. Main nazre churate hue usse dekhne laga. Wo aayi aur maine chup chap se car ka gate khola aur aankhon hi aankhon me isharon me usse baithne ko kaha, wo baithi main bhi baitha aur car start kr ke chalna laga.

Na wo kuchh bol rahi thi na main kuchh bol raha tha, kuchh der bad maine music player ko on kiye aur mere phone se connect hote hi ek aisa gaana play ho gaya ki hm dono bs ek dusre ko dekhte reh gaye.

“Ye dil samhal to le zara Main thorhi der jee too lun nashe
ke ghuunt pi to lun Nash eke ghunt pi to lun abhi to kuchh
kaha nahin Abhi to kuchh suna nahin Abhi na jaao chod kar ke
dil abhi bhara nahin”

Ye wahi gaana tha jo main kabhi kabhi gun guna leta tha. Kuch der bad hm cafe pahuche, maine car park kiya aur cafe ke main entarance se andar gaya, pehle Ishani fir main.

Kuch log hote hai jo alag hote hai to naftrat paida kr jate hai apne bich, magar humare bich aisa nahi hua. Ishq to khtm hua tha magar nafrat bich me nahi aayi thi. Maine mann liya tha ki kuch majbooriyan rahi hongi tb hi Ishani mere se dur gayi hogi.

Cafe ki halki halki roshni aur us roshni me uske chehre par uski wahi purani halki si muskan, pani ke glass ko jb wo hothon ko lagati thi to mujhe barish me bheege uske hoth yadd aa jate. Bht der ki khamoshi ke bad, jb waiter ne order puche to to maine Ishani ke taraf ishara kr diya. Itni der ki khamoshi to usne toda aur bola

“Amrit, aaj bhi naraz ho mujhse?”

Maine kuch jawab nahi diya bs apni nazare chura li.

“Amrit, kuch bologe nahi to kaise hoga, aise gussa matt jatao, Please kuch bolo na”

“Aakhir bolne ko kya reh gaya hai ab Ishani, bina kisi message bina koi call bina kuch bole achanak se chali gayi thi tum.”

Main tut ti hui aawaz me ek saans me ye bol gaya, “Tumhe pata bhi hai kitni muskil se khud ko sambhala tha maine, tum aise waqt me gayi thi jb main behad akela tha. Tumhe bhi pata tha main main college me bht kaam logo se baat krta tha, sirf tum mere karib thi. Sirf tumse hi baatien krta tha, aur tumne kya kiya? Bs ek din achanak se gayab ho gayi”

Meri aawaz tut kr aansuon me badalti is se pehle maine bola “Pichle 2 saal 3 mahine baad parso sham jaa kr pehli baar dekha hai tumhe, aankhen taras si gayi thi tumhe dekhne ke liye, Dimag ne to haar mann liya tha ki nahi ab nahi. Puri tarah se bhul gaya tha aur ab achanak se samne aa gayi ho”

Table pe pade mere hath par Ishani ne apna hath rakhne hue bola “Ab main wapas aa gayi hu na Amrit”

Maine apna hath piche krte hue bola, “Kash sb kuch itna hi aasan hota”

“Amrit, meri bhi majburiyan thi, maine jaan bujh kr tumhe nahi chora tha akele, tumhe pata hai tum college gaye the to mujhse kitna dur go gaye the, mana classes rehti thi tumhari, mana waqt kaam tha, magar itna bhi kaam tha ki mujhse baat krna kaam kr do? Pehle jb mere sath the to har waqt me sath khade rehte the, har waqt baatien krte, magar shayd tumhari bhi majbuariyan thi ki tum aisa kiya”

“Tumhare jaane ke baad main akeli ho chuki thi, us waqt Rahul ne mera mann behlaya tha uske sath rehti to tumhari kami puri hoti, uske sath mujhe 5 mahine rehne ke bad aihsas hua tha ki tumhare alawa mujhe aur koi itni mohobbat nahi de pata, isliye maine use bhi chor diye aur mujh me itni himmat nahi bachi thi wapas tum se baat kr sakti.”

Main khamosh ho kr uski har ek baat sun raha tha. Na jane kyu mujhe uski har ek baat sachi si lagti thi. Uski aankhon me na jaane kyu ek sachai si nazar aa rahi thi.

“Amrit, ab purani baaton ko bhul jao na fhir se ek shuruwat krte hai na”

“Itna aasan nahi hai Ishani sb kuch jitna tumhe lag raha hai”

“Dinner kr lo pehle, Aur yadd rakhna ab tum mujhe chor bhi do na to bhi main tumhe nahi chorungi”

Main bs Ishani ke chehre ko dekhta raha aur dinner khtm kr ke ghar jane ke liye car me baitha.

To be Continued…

Read Part 5 h ere

Ek Kahani Part 3

Ek Kahani Part 3

A Story By Amrit Raj Karn

Read part 2 Here

Main apne kaam me busy ho gaya, aur dheere dheere sham ho gayi. Fir se Ishani ka message aaya. “Kya decide kiya? Chalna hai na?”

Maine kuch der sochne ke baad reply de diya “Haan ready rehna 7:30 tak”

Pass ki hi ke ek cafe me table book kr liya tha, bhot se baat the dil me kehne ko magar samjh nahi aa raha tha ki kaha se surwat karu, Ishani se mera ishq dursa ishq tha aur dusra ishq insan ko bhot kuch sikhla jata hai, Wo Ishani hi thi jisne mujhe fir se jeena sikhlaya tha.

Aaj bhi yadd hai mujhe school ka annual fucntion, kuch dinon baad hm sb nayi class me chale jaane wale the, aur beete ek saal me main Ishani se bhot karib aa chuka tha, wajah thi har roz uska class me mere sath wale bench par baithna, mere hich – kichane ke bawjood bhi mujhse baatein krna.

Main uske samne to jyda kuch bol nahi pata magar chat par khub baatien hoti. Ghar par padhai se dhyan na hate is liye papa ne ek chota sa phone de rakha tha jis par bs thodi bhot net chalti thi, muskil se typing hoti, magar uske liye in hathon se roz ek chithi bhi likh kar baat kr sakta tha. Har raat padhai khtm krne ke baad karib roz 2-3 ghante baat krne ki aadat si ho gayi thi, bina Ishani se baat kiye neend nahi aati thi, main us se itna karib aa gaya tha, Agar wo ek pal bhi offline hoti bina bole hue to dil mera dhadak uth-ta tha. Ghar par akele rehti to din bhar mujhe call par sath rakhti.

Class me lagbhag lagbhag har kisi ko mere bare me pata tha ki mujhe us se beinteha ishq ho gaya hai. Shyad usse bhi pata tha. Bina Ishani ka naam liye bht sare tute fute shabdon me kavita, nazm shyari likha krta tha, aur facebook pe post karta. Usse mere likhe shabd kafi pasand aate the, aur usne mujhe naam bhi de diya tha Shayar Shahab. Mujhe ajeeb sa old fashioned sa lagta tha ye, magar magar Ishani ke muh se har ek nikle har ek labz se mujhe mohobbat thi.

Agle din annual Function thi school me, baaton baaton me Ishani ne bola “Amrit, kaal dekhna mujhe dekhte reh jaoge school me”

“Kyu kya hua?”

“Bs kaal ka intezar kro, aur apni dhadkano ko sambhal kr rakhna, kahi mujhe dekh kr tez na ho jaye.”

“Aacha aisi baat hai, fir tum bhi intezar me rehna, kaal kuch batane wala hu”

Maine soch liya tha ki ab Ishani ko dil ki baat bata kar rahunga. Agle din papa ne driver ke sath car mujhe de diya tha, main school ke samne utra aur ground ki or badha, kuch der bs aisehi tehlne laga kuch der bad meri nazrein main entarance ki or gayi, ek kesariya rang ki saree, kaano me ek lambi si baali, khule se hawaon me lehrate baal aur ek hath se apne baalon ko samet ti hui Ishani.

Kuch pal ke liye meri dil ki dhadkane tham si gayi thi. Aur uske har badhte kadam ke sath payal ki aati aawaz ke sath meri dhadkano ne bhi tal baitha liya tha.

Ek muskurate hue chehre ke sath karib aa kr Ishani ne pucha “Amrit, Kaisi lag rahi main?”

“Behad khubsurat, mere pass koi shabd nahi bache hai tumhare liye.” Itna kehne ke bad na jaane mere dimag me kya aaya, kuch pal me hi main ghutno pe tha aur ek hath uske or badhate hue bola “Ishani, bhot waqt se tumhe ye baat batana chahta tha, magar nahi bol paya, aaj batana chahta hu”

Maine ek bar apni palke niche ki aur aur ek gehri si saans li aur fir uske chehre ko dekhta hua bola

“Ishani, mujhe tumse beinteha ishq ho gaya hai, tumhare bina ek pal nahi beet ta hai, kya tum apni baki jindagi mere sath guzarogi? ”

Wo muskurai aur dheere se apni hath meri or badhate hue mere hath me de gayi. Main utha aur dheere se uske hatho ko ek bar Chuma aur uski hathon ko pakad kr uski aankhon me dekhne laga.

Meri Jindagi ka sb se hasin pal tha wo, Jindagi bhar sath nibhane ka waada kiya tha humne, Magar kise pata tha waqt aise karwat lega aur hum alag ho jayenge aur phir se aise milenge.

Sham hui maine Ishani ko call kiya “Ready ho? Parking me milte hai 10 min me”

To Be Continued….

Read Part 4 Here

Ek Kahani Part-2

Ek Kahani

A Story By Amrit Raj Karn

Read Part 1 Here

Maa ki icha thi ki jo bhi ghar lo usme subha ki roushni sidhe mere pe aaye, subha hui aur suraj ki kirne pairon ko hote hue sidhe ankhon ko chum rahi thi. Utha aur neend todte hue apne phone ko uthaya aur mobile data ko on kiya, kuch message aaye hue the, un sb me se ek message par sb se pehle nazar padi, haan tumhara hi message tha “Good morning”

Main utha aur kitchen ki taraf jaa kr coffee banane laga, coffee le kr balcony ki taraf baitha aur kuch ghunt pite pite kuch purane waqt ko yadd krne laga. Aaj se karib 6 saal pehle tumse mulakat hui thi high school ka pehla din, aur tum nayi aai thi school me. Pehle din bus se jaate hue main har roz ki tarah apne seat par chup chap baitha hua tha, aur kuch bus stop bad tum bus me chadhi thi. Kehte hai na pehli dafa dekh kr ishq hona, shyad mujhe halka halka sa ishq ho gaya tha, chehre pe pyari si muskan, kaano me ek chhoti si baali, aur behad khubsurat si aankhen. Aur in sb ke baad tumhari chulbuli ki baatein. School pahuchte pahuchte pata chala tum meri hi class me nayi aai ho. Main roz ki tarah apne fix class ke 4th bench par jaa kr baith gaya kuch der bad tum apni doston ke sath aayi aur mere bagal wale bech par baith gayi. Kuch class hone ke baad usne mujhe bola “hi main Ishani, nayi hu school me, tumhara naam?”

“Main, Amrit” maine bs itna hi jawab diya. Ki itni me wo fir bol padi, “Nice name, chalo ab to tumse baat hote hi rahegi tumhare sath hi baithna hai ab to”

Main bs chup ho gaya kuch jawab nahi diya, main jyda logon se ghulta milta nahi tha. Isliye jyda baat nahi kiya.

Kuch din guzre aur main bs chup chap kahi dur se ya us se nazre churata hua usse dekhta rehta, uske bolte ki tarike, uska muskurana aur kabhi kabhi jor se hasna, bht pyari si lagti thi tum. Kuch din guzarte guzarte ishq ho gaya us se.

Main apne yaadon ke bhawar me khoya hua hi tha ki door bell baji, main utha aur gate khole ke liye badha. Maine jaise hi Gate khola, samne fir Ishani thi, aaj itne saalon bad bhi kaha kuch badla tha, tum aaj bhi wahi khubsurat si thi, subha subha bheege baalon me mere samne khadi, hathon me ek tiffin liye hue.

“Main andar aa sakti hu?”

“Haan, aao aao baitho.”

Usne apne hathon se us tiffin ko meri or badhate hue bola “Tumhare liye nasta bana kr layi thi. Mujhe laga tum akele ho tumhari thodi help kr du.”

Maine bola “Nahi rehne do, main khud bana leta hun sb kuch, iski koi jarurat nahi”

“School me to mere sath hi baith kr lunch kiya krte the, kya ho gaya ab”

“Waqt” , “waqt bhut badal chuka hai ab, sb kuch ab pehle jaisa nahi raha hai Ishani”

Wo boli “Amrit, Khane ko mana nahi krte, rakh lo isse please, aur sham me kahi bahar chalte hai na, sb kuch baith kr suljha lenge, tumhara gussa krna jayaz hai magar mujhe mauka to do ek bar”

Kya tumne mujhe mauka diya tha? Main khud se hi ye sawal krne laga aur bola “Acha table par rakh do main kha lunga”, kuch pal ki khamoshi ke bad maine puch “Yaha akeli rehti ho?”

“Haan pichle saal job lagi to kuch din aazad reh kr jina chahti thi isliye issi sheher me reh rahi.”

“Mujhe kaise dhundha yaha par?”

“Tumhari facebook par photo dekha, photo me piche apartment jani pehchani si lagi, jara dhyan se dekha to apni hi apartment thi, aur guard uncle bata rahe the ki kisi naye ladke ne yaha shift kiya hai 20-25 din pehle mere se do manjil niche. Main samjh gayi tum hi ho, isliye kaal sham milne chali aai.” “Sham me free ho Amrit? Kahi chalte hai dinner pe?”

Main kuch der shant rehne ke bad uski aankhon me dekhta raha aur bola “Acha sham tak message krta hu.”

“Chalo bye main bhi jaati hu, kuch saaf safai krni hai ghar me”

To Be Continued…

Ek Kahani

Ek Kahani

A Story By Amrit Raj Karn

Ek roz office se ghar laut kr apne kamre ki or badha hi tha ki darwaje pe kisi ne dastak di, ghanti ek bar baji aur main darwaje ko kholne badha. Us anjane se sheher me na main kisi ko janta na mujhe koi janta, bs karib 25 din hi to hue hi the is naye makan ko liye hue. College ke bad kuch waqt akele reh kr Jindagi ko talashana chahate tha, shyad is wajah se ghar walo ne mana nahi kiya akele rehne se ya fir ghar ka sb se bada beta tha ye wajah rahi hogi. Nayi nayi naukari lagi thi sb kuch aacha chal raha tha, bs naye logon se ghulne milne me thodi pareshani hoti thi, ye kuch purani aadaten thi.

Ek aur ghanti baji hi thi maine gate khola aur jaise meri dhadkanon ne mera sath hi chor diye. Main khud ko sambhalta ke us se pehle aawaz aai, “ghar me andar nahi bulaoge”. Main kampte hui aawaz me “aao aao baitho”. Akela rehta tha 1BHK ka akela flat, sb kuch khud se sajaya hua, har ek saman apne jaghe par. Hall me lage sofe par usse baithne ko kaha.

Ek aisa chehara jise dekhne ko dil betab to tha, magar bhulne ki jidd bhi utni hi gehri thi. Na jane kb se bhulne ki jad-o-jahat kr raha tha. Shyad college ka 2nd year tha, ghar se bht dur, kaam dost, naye logon se ghulne milne me thodi pareshani aur in sb ke bich bs ek saksh, ek chehara aur uski baatein jo mujhe puri duniya se khich kr apne pass rakhti. Bada waqt ho gaya tha sath rehte hue, itne fasle magar fir bhi ye do dil kitne karib the na.

Inhi ab yaadon me samandar me dubne hi wala tha ke usne apni ussi pyari si aawaz me bola “koi ghar aata to pani ni puchte kya?” Main hadbada kr utha aur table se glass uthaya aur shishe ki jug se pani dhar kr uski or badhaya. Main khamosh baith kr uski or dekhta raha. Usne glass ko rakha aur boli “kaise ho? Bade dinon baad mile ho”… Main bol utha “Main? Main bade dinon bad dikha hun?”

Main kuch aage bolta ki wo bol uthi “Acha baba, meri galti. Subah milte hai, waise bhi kaal sunday hai aur tumhari office bhi off hogi.”

“Subha?”

“Haan main bhi issi apartment me rehti hu, tumse bs do manjil upar”

Wo uth kr jane lagi, main bhi use gate tk chorne ke liye utha aur wo pichhe mudi aur boli “Shyar Shahab, mujhe apna phone number to de dijiye”

Wo hi naam jo aaj se 2-3 saal pehle wo mujhe chidhane ke liye bola krti. “Kaha kho gaye? Aaj bhi naraz ho?”

Maine thoda shehemte hue bola “hmm, Shyad” “ye lo mera number” maine apna card badhate hue bola. Aur wo chali gayi. Maine darwaje ko band kiya aur kitchen ki or badha, fridge me rakhe khane ko nikal kr oven me daal kr fir kisi jindagi ki kitab me kho gaya. Oven ki beep-beep ki aawaz se thoda hosh aaya, main khane ko lekar table ki or badha aur khamosh sa baith gaya.

Phone ka lock khola aur Drive par pade ek purane folder ko talashane laga, na jaane kitni tashviren aur har tashvir ki ek Kahani, aur har tashvir me uski wo pyari si muskan. Unhi kuch tashviron ko dekhte dekhte khana khtm kr apne room me gaya, aur let gaya.

Kuch waqt aankhon ko band krne bad bhi jb neend nahi aai to chhat par ghumte pankhe ko dekhne laga ki achanak se phone ne vibrate kiya. Itni raat ko aksar bht kam logon ke message ya call aate the mujhe, aur beete kuchh waqt se ab apni duniya me mast ho gaye the to bht kaam hi aisa hota tha ki kisi ne raat ko message kiya ho.

Maine phone uthaya aur dekha to kisi Unknown number se message aaya hua tha, message khol kr dekha to maine kisi umeed ki wahi thi, “hey, main Ishani, ye mera number hai save kr lo”

Maine reply diya “Okay”

Kuchh hi second band fir ek message aaya “Tum soye nahi ab tak?”

“hmm, nahi”

“Kya hua sb theek to hai na? Ghar par sb kuch?”

“Haan sb thik hai. Bs aisehi neend nahi aa rahi thi. Tum batao. Tum bhi ab tak soyi nahi?”

“Nahi, maine socha tumne to number manga nahi, main khud hi msg kr ke de deti hu.”

Maine kuch reply nahi diya bs khud hi kahi kho sa gaya aur purani baaton ko yadd krne laga.

Fir kuch der baad ek aur message aaya “kaha kho gaye? Itna nazar ho ab tk mujhse? Kaal milo na kahi dher sari baatein krni hai tumse. Har baat samjhana hai.”

“Ab kya reh gaya hai bolne ko?”

“Please aise matt bolo. Please kaal milte hai na, gussa matt kro please.”

“Okay, so jao ab.”

“Good Night, subha baat krte hai.”

Main fir se kuch purani yaddon ne kho gaya aur dheere dheere nind aa gayi.

To Be Continued…

Read Part-2 Here