love

LOVE
.........

I saw blood drip from my veins, staining the milky marble floor,as I sat
panting ,by back resting against the hospital bed.As I closed my eyes my
brain was flooded with the memory of past two months .

The joy I derived from the thought of doing an mba from Harvard university
was slightly marred by the strain I had to bear making numerous rounds of the
passport office. But the job was done finally and now I had to get a visa
for States. As I entered the visa office, I was guided to a room where I had to get my
documents verified. I was greeted by a pretty girl there. She was wearing
an embroidered white top and denim blue jeans, and was looking extremely elegant.
To tell you the truth, I was floored by her beauty at the first sight.

"can I have your documents please " she said , tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Yes, of course " I replied drawing my attention back to earth.
As she was going through my documents, she suddenly looked at me
and caught me gazing at her. I felt slightly embarrassed and started pretending
that i was examining the room.
" Your photo in your passport, doesnot match your face."
"What?"
The fact was that the photograph in the passport was an old one
in which I looked different. But I had never thought even in my wierdest dreams
that this would become a cause good enough to raise an alarm in head of this pretty
looking stupid girl. But I had to get my work done. I did not want to mess
it up at the very end. I had to convince her that it was me.

" Kinndly look carefully, it is one hundred percent me in the photograph ." I tried
to be as polite as possible.
But she was not convinced.
" Must be a new recruit... that is why she is so fussy" I thought.
" Look maam, I am an ex-student of IIT Kanpur and have been working with
the firm Inductis for past three years, which is an internationally reputed firm.
You can have a look at my identity card." I said reaching for my wallet in my
back pocket.
"When I do not trust your passport, what makes you think that I will trust your
identity card."
I was really frustrated.
"What the hell is this non sense... do I look like a terrorist to you about to
create another 9/11 ?"
My tone was rude.
"Look Mr. Abhinav Sharma, I am only doing my job. I will have to talk to my boss in
this regard . Follow me."
"Please, go ahead ."

I do not know what the boss saw in me , wether he liked my face or he was
convincedby my I-card, but my job was finaally done without any more trouble.
Once the tension of the visa and passport eased off I was really annoyed at
having screwed up the conversation with this beautiful girl. I have never been
good at talking to girls and perhaps that was the reason why I had never had
a girlfriend ever in my life.

"To hell with it " I said, more to console than to convince myself.

But perhaps lady luck was more kind to me this time, and sooner than later
I again met the 'visa girl.' I could not think of any other identification
(I did not know her name till then) for her when i saw her at the Adidas
showroom checking out a pair of joggers.

"What is this charming girl doing, buying a pair of joggers intead of high heel
sandals." I contemplated. I did not want to miss out this opportunity and went
to her.

"Hi...."
As soon as she recognized me her sweet round smiling face turned flat and
and a distinct frown suggested that she had not forgotten my rudeness.

"I am profoundly sorry for my behaviour that day. And I..."

"And now you would like to make up with me. And ask me my name and ..."

" To which you would say a straight no and turn me down completely or.. since
I have already apologised to you and you seem to be a nice girl to me,
you might as well consider telling me your name which is.... "

I was waiting for her reply, holding my breath , motionless and concerned not to
send a wrong signal.On the other hand she was staring straight at me, nibbling her
lower lip, as if I was a code which she needed to decode, and that too, immediately.

"Anjali Gupta" she replied to my delight.
"Nice name ."
" Would you like to have coffee with me." I asked.
" I dont take coffee ."
" Neither do I. Come on."

Soon we were sitting at the Barista.
"What will you have ? Tea ." I guesssed.
"Yes."
" One tea for the lady and a hot chocolate for me " I ordered.

"So what do you do apart from identifying terrorists." I teased.
"To be honest you did resemble a terrorist in that photograph, with your moustache"

You might be surprised to know that I had a moustache a year ago and I shaved it off
only after I learnt from a magazine that they can act as women repeller more often
than not.

" So how do I look now , without one ."
"Hmmmmm.... very much, unlike a terrorist ."
" Oh! I am honoured. Thanks for the complement. "
"But seriously, whats your story ?"

Sipping my hot chocolate I listened to her. She belonged to Bombay,but had
done her masters from Delhi University and then had joined the visa office
two months ago. And she loved sports.

"Now that is something common between us. I love sports too. Was the captain of the
basketball team in my college. " I said.
"Impressive ."
" Thank you. Appreciations have become rare these days. What do you play ?" I asked.
" I am more into atheletics. I go for jogging every morning." she replied taking a sip.
" So thats the reason you were looking out for the joggers? "
" Yes ?"
" And that is the reason for a toned body and a fair glowing skin ?"
She smiled.
" You guys start immediately. Dont you ."
This is the problem with Indian girls. You can not even complement them.

"I believe that, beauty is meant to be apprecaited and it should be. There is no
meaning of the 'Taj' if there is no one to see and complement it. "
"You IITians have a reason for everything. Even for hitting out on pretty girls."
"Ya,that is why we are famous all over the world " I said with an artificial pride.
We ended our respective drinks.
" When will I have the pleasure of seeing you again."
"Not before the next weekend ."
That was a long duration for me.
" And when can I talk to you again? I would be glad if it is before the next weekend"
I said trying to mimic her.
" So you want my number?"
" Affirmative " I noded my head.

I called her the next day and convinced her for a date a day later.
Thus began our friendship and before we could realize, we were madly in love with
each other.

The table was set, the order had been placed and everything seemed perfect.
I was celebrating valentine's day for the first time and had made special plans.
Instead of spending the day at some other place i had invited her to my home.

"Half past six, an hour still before she would arrive."
I muttered. I rechecked my look in the mirror and as I adjusted my hair the bell rung.

I opened the door and and was stunned. She was looking awesome.
I have already told you she was beautiful but she looked really special today.
She was wearing a black dress which ended just below her knee and had matching sandals.
A silver necklace glimmered around her neck. Her hair was untied and she had put on
lipstick, not very dark but just a natural shade which made it appear extremely
kissable.

"Can I come in."
" Yes, Yes sure." I smiled at her and she smiled back.
"A little early ?"
"Just wanted to give you a small surprise ."
"Or was it that you could not wait any longer to meet me ?" I mocked.
"Shut up." she said hitting me with her purse.

"Would you also like to have champagne" I asked her putting a slice of her favourite
onion capsicum pizza on her plate.
"Yes" she replied as her face simmered in the flickering candle light.
I poured the sparkling champagne into the crystal glasses.

"Would you like to dance with me?"
I took her hand into mine and we could feel the warmth of each other's breadth as we
moved on the soft instrumental music.
"Can I kiss you? " I asked.
"No." she replied calmly.
I respected her and we continued dancing.
"Tell me , how much do you love me ?" she asked after a while.
" I dont know. The only thing I can say is that I love only you and would never ever
fall in love with anyone else."
" Really ? What if i leave you and go out with some othe guy. wont you go out with
any other girl then" she said smiling.
"No".
"Stop lying you scoundrel " she said punching me on my chest with her fist.
I firmed my grip on her back.
" I am not lying " I said drawing her closer staring straight into her clear eyes,
" I would kill myself before seeing out another girl. "
Her face suddenly became stern. There were no words exchanged for a few moments and
then she kissed me on my cheek and placed her head on my shoulders.
"I love you".
"So do I" I replied lost in the aroma of her perfume.


"It is quite late . I think I should go back home now." she said
"come. I will drop you by my car."

"Happy valentine's day" I said as I saw her adjust her hair which was flowing in
the wind.

When I opened my eyes I could see saline bolltles hanging over me againt the white
ceing walls. The last memory which I could recollect was that of a pair of headlights
heading straight towards me. It took me only a split second to comprehend what had
happened.
"Where is Anjali" I thought.
I tried to get off my bed and felt an enormous pain in my back and fell down.
A nurse came rushing in and picked me up.
"Where is Anjali" I asked. "
" She is alive ." she said.
"I want to see the doctor ."

" Mr. Abhinav , you should take rest " the doctor adviced.
" No , I want to see Anjali first"
"She is on life support system and there is one more bad news " the doctor's voice
was grave.
"What?"
"She will never be able to walk again. Her spinal cord was badly damaged in the
accident."
I felt as if some one had stabbed a chilled dagger into my heart.
"I want to see her."

As I entered her ward I saw her lying still in the bed. Her face was pale, badly
battered and bruised. There was earring in only one of her ears and the other side
was heavily bandaged. She was looking hedious and I turned my face from her as I
felt like throwing up.

" She will never be able to walk again. "
The doctor's words kept reverberating in my years as I was lying the whole day in my
sickening room. Her gruesome face was right infront of my eyes. I was restless.
"What have i done to her." I thought as i felt a vacuum consume me.
It is all because of my carelessness.
" She will never walk again."
A tear rolled down the corner of my eyes.

It was midnight and there was no sound. I got off my bed and went to Anjali's room
and bolted the door. She was the same as in the morning, lying down bereft of any
consciosness, cold and calm. I looked at her with a blank face. Then i turned over
her and kissed her with all the passion and energy our relationship shared.
With one hand I plucked off the life supporting system.
I could feel her heart beat die out.
I removed my lip from hers and fell on the floor like
tree chopped off its trunk.

I took out a knife and slit open my veins.

cricket

bahut prayas ke bawajood apne office ka kaam samay par
khatma na kar pane ke karan main thoda khinn tha.
do ghante se balance sheet mein sar khapa raha tha
lekin kafi kaam abhi baki hi tha. uspar se flatmate
ki bina silencer ke generator ki tarah karrate ki
aawaz. main apni kursi se utha aur fridge ka thanda
pani piya. ek cigarette jalayi aur apne chote se
flat ki chhoti si balcony mein chala gaya.
dasmanjili apartment ki chhathi manjil par
munder ki tek liye khada main aaj paas ke nazare
ka awlokan karne laga.

samne concrete ke kai aur bahumanjile daitya khade
the jo apne andar na jane kitne supt manushya
samaye hue the. kuch ek lighten jal rahi theen.
samne ek aur balcony mein ek aurat anpe rote hue
nanhe shishu ko chup karane ka prayas kar rahi thee.
iske alawa kisi aur manushya ke darshan nahi hue.
upar dekha to ek bhi sitara nazar nahi aaya.
yah samajh mein aate hi ki we badal ki ot mein
chupe hue hain, main kuch pareshan ho gaya.

" kal final hai, world cup cricket final. kahin
baarish na ho jaye. sara maza hi kirkira ho
jayega. 9 february, 2011 bharat ke cricket itihass
ka ek aur swarnim din ho sakta tha.bharat banam
dakshin africa. kya bharat jeet payega. aath saal
baad bharat final mein hai.teen din se mein isi
din ka intzaar kar raha hoon."
"kareeb 6 saal pehle maine pehli baar cuttak
cricket stadium mein bharat ka koi match dekha tha.
agar aapne stadium mein koi match dekha hai to aap
us anubhav ko bhool nahi sakte hain. hazaron ki
sankhya mein deewane darshak...
ek chauka ya chakka pada nahi ki sabhi apni seat
se uth khade hote hain aur paaglon ki tarah
chillate, nachte hue uska abhinandan karte hain.
koi plastic ki bolton se kursiyan peet raha hai,
koi dhol baja raha hai aur koi uspar nach rhaa
hai. wo josh, wo utsah, wo umang ,wo urja, wo
kolahal ...ek awismaraniya watawaran ko janma
deta hai.
lekin kolakata ke eden garden mein world cup
fianl dekhna kisi swapna ke kam nahi hoga.
subah nau baje match shuru hona hai. abhi lagbhag
ek baj rahe hain aur main apne office ke kaam
mein hi laga hua hoon. raviwaar ki chutti ke din
match hai, aur is chutti ko barbaad karne ke napak
mansoobe se boss ne somwaar ko hi mujhe report
jama karne ko kaha hai."

inhi khayalon mein main khoya hua tha ki achanak
dayen hath ki ungli mein tej jalan ka anubhav hua
aur jalti hui cigarette, newton ke sidhhdanta ka
palan karte hue munder se niche gir gayi.kal main
free rehna chahta tha isliye office ka kam nibtaya
aur kareeb teen baje sone chala gaya.

na chahte hue bhi mujhe uthne mein der ho gayi.
aankh khuli to mez par rakhi ghadi paune nau
ka samay dikha rahi thee. main samajh gaya ki
match ke pehle ghante ka kabada ho chuka hai.
main jaldi se tayar hokar ghar se nikal hi raha
tha ki phone ki ghanti baj uthee.

'is phone ko bhi abhi hi aana tha.'
maine socha.
'hello.'
'hello... ujjwal bol raha hoon.'
ujjwal mera karibi mitra tha jo bhuwaneshwar mein
rehta tha. wah agle hafte apne kapde ke vyapaar
ke silsile mein kolkata aa rha tha. cricket ke
diwanepan ne meri juban ko itna berukha kar diya
ki baat lambi nahi hui. mahaj do minute ke
wartalaap mein sari aupcharikta nibha kar maine
phone ka reciever patak diya aur tej kadmon se
lift ki or ruksat ho liya.

apni chamchamati hui wagaon-r par baithte hue
main aaj ke match ke bare mein soch raha tha.
sath hi main apni shart ke bare mein bhi thoda
chintit tha. hindustan mein har aadmi har doosre
aadmi se jyada cricket janta hai aur main koi
apwaad nahi tha. sabhi apne apne kayas lagate
hain aur maine bhi chati thok kar office mein
yah dawa kar diya ki is baar dhoni bharat ke
liye sabse achha khelega. mere ek punjabi mitra,
jo ki harbhajan ko lekar thoda bhawuk the, ke
gale se yah baat niche nahi utri aur unhone
mujhse paanch sau rupee ki shart laga li ki
bharat ke 'spin friendly' pitchon par harbhajan hi
bharat ka turup ka ikka saabit hoga. bharat abhi
tak aath match khel chuka tha aur shart ka faisla
is final par aa tika tha.

meri car assi km prati ghante ki raftaar se daud
rahi thee. aap kolkata mein kabhi itni tej car nahi
chala sakte hain lekin aaj baat kuch aur thee.
maine kabhi bhi kolkata ki sadken itni sunsaan nahi
dekhi thee. lagbhag ek lakh log eden garden mein
match ki lutfa utha rahe the aur baki apne apne
television screen se chipke hue bhaarat ki jeet ki
prarthna kar rahe the. aisa sannata ek vishesh
parsthiti ki yaad dilata hai. yah paristhiti shayad
pehli baar tab dekhne ko mili thee  jab raviwaar
subah nau baje ramanand sagar ki ramayan dekhte hue
poora desh apna saara kaam tyagkar bhakti bhav mein
ram jaata tha. amitabh bachchan ki kaun banega
karodpati aur baharat-pakistan cricket match bhi
kuch aisa hi prabhav paida karne mein saksham hain.

pachches minute ke safar ke baad main aakhirkaar
stadium pahoonch hi gaya. itni gadiyan maine ek
saath apne jeevan mein kabhi nahi dekhi thee.
lekin insaan ikka dukka hi najar aa rahe the.

main car park karne ki jagah dhoond hi raha tha
ki meri najar kareeb 50 gaj door ek vrididhh
'popcorn'  bechne wale par padee jo apni hi
duniya mein khoya hua, apne paise ginte hue
sadak paar kar raha tha. shayad wah itna anbhigya
tha ki use pata bhi na chala hoga ki kab ek tej
daudti hui safed ambassador car use takkar marte
hue chali gayi aur kab wah chetna ke doosre aayam
mein pahunch gaya. is dardnak hadse ne mujhe kuch
pal ke liye kinkartawyawimudh kar diya tha. hosh
sambhalte hi main apni car se nikal kar uski taraf
bhaga. uski sanse abhi chal rahi thee lekin sharrer
itna kshat vichchhat ho gaya tha ki haath lagane
mein bhi ek ghrina aur  bhaya ka aabhas ho raha tha.
uska matha phat gaya tha. badan khoon se lathpath...
dayen haath ki kuhni ulti disha mein mud gayi thee aur
raktaranjit manspeshiyan ek vibhatsa drishya paida
kar rahi thee. maine bayin hatheli ki nabja dekhi.
bahut kamzor. zindgi aur maut ke beech jyada waqt nahi
reh gaya tha.

maine idhar udhar nazar daudayi lekin madad ke liye
mujhe koi dikhayi nahi diya. meri samajh mein nahi
aa raha tha ki main kya karoon. tabhi meri  vyakul
nigahon ko ek ummed ki kiran dikhi. kuch abhage jo
meri hi tarah late ho gaye the, jaldi se jaldi
stadium mein ghusne ki koshish kar rahe the. maine
unhe aawaz lagayi lekin ya to un logon ko meri
bat samajh mein nahi aayi ya unlogon ne mujhe jan
bujh kar andekha kar diya aur andar chale gaye.
main awaak thaa. jehan mein uthe rosh ko avilamba
dafna karte hue maine us jarjar sharir ko apni god
mein uthya aur car ki taraf bhaga. kisi tarah pichli
seat ka darwaza khola aur ahiste se use wahan lita diya.

khoon se range kampte hue surkh hathon se maine car
start ki.
"shayad ye nahi bachega"
maine man hi man socha.

tabhi stadium se uthe ek ulaasporna kolahal ne
mera dhyan apni or akarshit kiya.
ek lakh log ek saath jhhom uthe the.
"shayad dhoni ne ek aur chhakka mara tha."

Waahid

'do samosse aur ek strong coffee'.

maine canteen waale se kaha. wash basin par haath par lagi
grease dhote hue main usdin ko kos raha tha jab maine
taya kiya ki mujhe engineering ki padhai karni hai.main
hamesha ek kalakaar banana chahta tha. lekin pitaji ke
bahut samjhane par ki aaj kalek kalakaar aur bekar
mein koi antar nahi hai maine apna faisla badal diya aur
gyarahveen mein taya kiya ki mujhe engineer hi baanana
hai. tabhi se kagaz par rang bharna ka silsila samapt ho
gaya aur saath hi zindagi bhi berang,bematlab aur
neeras ho gayi. khair aaj main tata motors pune mein
naukri karta hoon aur apni zindgi se khush nahi to lagbhag
santust hoon.

kursi par baithte hi ek karib das saal ke duble patle se
ladke ne samose ka plate aurcoffee se bhari kaanch ki
glass meri table pe patak di . us ladke ki baniyaan phati
hui thee,safed rang lagbhag mitti ke rang ka ho chala tha.
maine gaur kiya ki uske haath mein do aur glass the aur
uski gandi ungaliyan unme doobi hui thee. maine moonh
bichkate hue socha ki na jane kab inhe akal aayegi.
kambakhton ko ek glass pakadne ki tameez bhi nahi hai.

mujhe bhookh zoron ki lagi thee aur main samose ke thanda
hone ka intzaar nahi karsaka. yon to main roz sham ko bas
coffee hi peeta hoon par aaj ke lunch ka pehla niwaala moonh
mein dalte hi mujhe aadimanwon ki paristhiti par taras aa
gaya jo khana sirf paka kar khate the. meri biwi kofte
mein namak dalna bhool gayee thee. so tiwariji ke saath
thoda lunch share kiya aur aadha bhookha hi reh gaya.

coffee ki chuskiyan lete hue maine canteen ke bahar jhanka.
bahar halki boonda-bandi ho rahi thee. khidki teen
chauthai khuli hui thee aur baaki ek matmaile parde se dhaki
hui thee. parde se satkar ek sajjan dhumrapan kar rahe
the. mujhe cigarette se sakth nafrat hai. pata nahi aadmi
cigareete ko jyda jalata hai ya cigarette aadmi ko. phir bhi
meri nazr unhi par tiki rahee. lambai kareeb paanch foot
das inch, charhara badan, koi tees ektees ki umra, mathe
pe halki sheekan, kisi judge ki tarah gambhir chehra, ek
khinnata, ek adhoorapan unke chehre se saaf jhlak raha tha.
shayad main unhe janta tha. coffee khatma kar, cigarette ki
durgandha ki parwah kiye bagair, mian unke paas chala gaya.

"mera naam shushant kumar hai. kyaa hum dono pehle
mil chke hain ? "
sthir nigahon se kuch pal mera awlokan karne ke baad unke
adhar ke kone anayaas hi upar ki or kheech gaye-
" kendriya vidyalaya, Nagpur."
rang aur brush ke saath shayad un khooshnuma dinon ki
yaden bhi kisi thandi kabra mein dafna ho gayee teee.
lekin kendriya vidyalaya, nagpur ka naam sunte hi un
hanseen dino ki yaad taza ho gayee.
" mohammad waaheed ?"

usne sweekarokti mein sar hilaya aur barbas hi hamare
haath ek doosre ki or badh gaye.
"tum yaahn kaise " maine waahid se poocha.
"main to yahaan aath saal se kaam kar raha hoon. aur tum ?"
"mujhe yahan abhi do mahine hi hue hain. isse pehle main
dilli mein yamaha ki factory mein kaam karta thaa."

tabhi tea time khatma hone ki ghanti baj uthee.
"chalo theek hai, ab mulakat hoti rahegi."
"zaroor" kehkar waheed ne apni cigarette bujhayi aur kaam
par chala gaya.

main aur waheed kaksha mein ek saath padhte the. hum
ghanisht mitra to nahi the par achhe sahpathi zaroor the.
waaheed padhai aur khelkood donon mein awwal tha aur
imaandari se kahoon to uska loha manne ke bawzood main
kai baar usse irshya karta thaa. jab hum naveen kaksha
mein the to uske pitaji ka kahin aur tabadla ho gaya aur phir
hamari mulakat nahi hui.

" tumne parchee par chaypatti to likh dee, lekin kaun sa
brand ye nahi bataya. red label, lipton taza, ya tata
tea , kaun sa loon ?" main pansaree ki dookan par khada apne
naye motorola L-7 par biwi se pooch hi raha tha ki,
peeche se mere kandhe par kisi ne haath rakha . mudkar
dekha to waaheed mere samne muskura raha tha.
maine patni se baat khatam ki aur poocha -
" tum yaahan ?"
usne apne haath mein rakhe wills classic ka pack dikhate
hue kaha- " ye khareedne aaya tha ."
kareeb ek hafte baad main waaheed se dobara mil raha tha.
"agar free ho to ek cup chay ho jaye" usne cigarette jalate
hue kaha.
"theek hai " maine utsah rahit lahje mein jawaab diya.
"aaj kai din baad mere ghar par koi mehmaan aayega"
usne meri or ek aankh maarte hue kaha aur khud hi
hansne laga. uski hansi mein ek azeeb sa khokhlapan thaa.
shayad tambaakoo ne uske phephde ke saath saath uski
hansi ko bhi khokhla kar diya tha.

"main chay bana kar lata hoon" kehkar waaheed kitchen
mein chala gaya.
maine idhar udhar nazar ghoomayee. drawing room mein
sirf char bent ki kursiyaan thee aur ek mez jispe do din
ka akhbaar bikhra pada tha. deewaar par koi tasweer nahee
thee, sirf ek purani ajanta ki ghadi latak rahi thee to saat
bajkar chalees minat ka samay dikha rahee thee. kisi bhi
tarah ka koi show piece nahi tha. kone mein ek taperecorder
rakha thaa jispar dhool ki halki parat jami thee.
waaheed chay lekar kamre mein aaya.

" shakkar kitni? "
"ek chammach."
usne apni chay mein teen chammach shakkar dalee.
shayad wah apni zindgi ki sadgee ko chay ki mithas se
kam karna chahta tha.

" bhabhi nahi dikhai de rahee hain" maine poocha.
" maine shaadi nahi ki hai" usne muskoorate hue jawaab diya.
meri bhawen tedhee ho gayee.
"kyun?"
"tumne shaadi kyun ki ?"
main usse aise jawaab ki apeksha nahi kar raha tha.
"are ajeeb baat karte ho" maine thoda kheejkar kaha.
"har insaan ko ek saathee ki zaroorat hoti hai, jiske
saath wo saare sukh dukh banta hai, jo taumra
uska saath deta hai."

"yaani tumne apne liye, apne swartha ke liye shaadi
ki. aur maine bhi apne swartha ke liye shaadi nahi ki ."

"matlab?" maine chay ki chuski lete hue poocha.
"matlab main ek hathee aur swarthee insaan hoon.
apni zindgee apne tareeke se jeena chahta hoon.
mujhe jo achha lagta hai wo karta hoon, jo achaa
nahi lagta wo nahi karta hoon. kisi se koi matlab nahi.
apni zindgi apni sharton par jeena chahta hoon."

"agar sabhi tumhari tarah sochne lage to manushya
jatee khatre mein pad jayegi. prajnan kaise hoga"
maine tana marte hue kaha.

"kamal hai. is ek sau das karod ke mulka mein tumhe
prajnan ki padi hai."
main niruttar tha.

26 january ki chutti thee aur meri patnee mayke gayee
hue thee. main ghar mein baitha bore ho raha tha to
socha ki waaheed ke ghar ho ho aaoon. wahaan
pahooncha to dekha ki waheed darwaaje par taala
laga raha hai.
"kahin ja rahe ho kya" maine poocha.
"haan" usne jawaab diya. phir kuch pal ruk kar kaha.
"kyun nahi tum bhi mere saath chalte ho".
"par kahan?"
"pehle chalo to ."
"aaj tumhe zindagi ke ek doosre pehloo se roobroo
karaata hoon" usne apna bajaj scooter kick start karte
hue kaha.

kuch door chalne ke baad waahid ne scooter ek tang gali
mein mod lee. jhooggi jhopadiyon ke beech sankre kachche
raste se hote hue hum ek chhote se maidan mein pahoonche.
wahaan kai bachche shorgul macha rahe the. waaheed ne
bataya ki ye gareeb anath bache hain aur aaj inka ek chota
sa sanskritik karyakram hai . karyakram dekhte hue maine
waaheed se poocha-
"tum inhe kaise jaante ho ?"
"main inhe padhata hoon"
usne bachon ki taraf se bina nazar hataye jawaab diya.

karyakram khatam hone par usne ek badi ladki ko mithai
ka dabba de diya aur bachonke beech baant dene ko kaha.
usne us ladkee ko raushan naam ke ek ladke ko bulane ko
bhi kaha.
" in bachon ki dekhbhaal ke liye paisa kahan se aata hai "
maine poocha.
"kuch na kuch intzaam ho hi jata hai " waheed ne kaha.
"kya main koi madad kar sakta hoon ?" maine laacahri
mein poocha.
"inhe mere aur tumhare paise ki nahi balki waqt ki zarrorat
hai."
meri samajh mein nahi aa raha tha ki main kya jawaab doon.
isi beech wo ladki raushan ko le aayi .

"is ladke ko to tum jante hi hoge" usne raushan ki taraf
ishara karte hue kaha.
"iske mata pita teen mahien pehle gujar gaye. ab ye
apne chacha ke sath rehta hai aur hamari hi canteen
mein kaam karta hai" kehte hue usne raushan ki taraf ek
lollipop badha dee aur donon ek saath mushkurane lage.

" aaj main iske chacha se baat kar ise god le loonga."

main stabdha sa waaheed ki or dekhta reh gaya .
un donon ki muskaan ke aage main apne aap ko
kitna gaun aur naganya mehsoos kar raha tha.