1

bfbU tnI nfQ svfmI awj jd afQx vyly Gr priqaf qF Auh pihlF
nfloN kuJ iËafdf hI ÉuÈ sI. sfrf idn sfeIkl clf clf ky Auh hMiBaf
ipaf sI, pr iPr vI afpxI guMdI hoeI sfiËÈ dy cMgy nqIjy inklx dI
afs ivc Auh tihikaf, qfËf qfËf mihsUs kr irhf sI.
‘ieh vI sflf kI smJdf afpxy afp ƒ?` Aus ny mn hI mn ivc
suafl kIqf.
‘vwzf afieaY ÉYr Évfh srkfr df. kihMdf, mYN sfry kMm srkfrI nymF
nfl hI krnY. iehƒ pqf nhIN awj kwlH ‘cMm nhIN kMm imwTf` df purfxf
muhfvrf smyN dy puVF Qwly pIisaf jf cuwkf hY. awj kwlH cVHdy sUrj ƒ
slfmF huMdIaF ny qy nvyN sUrj dy AuWgx nfl ruwqF rMg Pyr jFdIaF ny,
hrÌF dy arQ bdl jFdy ny, qy ieh hr vkq afpxf kMm qy PrË isr qy
cuwkI iPrdY.`
‘hy BYro nfQ [[[[[ isr qy hfQ [[[[[[[ cl myry sfQ [[[[[[[[[`. Aus ny
donoN hwQ joV ky Aupr ƒ isjdf kIqf.
‘jy myrf ieh kMm suKIN sFdIN inrivGn nypry cVH jfeyy qF mYN svf pMjF
ruipaF df pRÈfd cVfAUN.`
Aus ny aMdr hI aMdr suwKxf suwK leI. pMnf isMG, jo dÌqr ivc tnI
nfQ df sih-krmcfrI sI, nfl svfmI dI aMdroN KuMdk sI. Auh tnI nfQ
vI ihwk df PoVf sI. hr kMm ivc dÌqr ivc sB qoN awgy sI. sfry aÌsr
Aus dI qfrIÌ krdy sn pr tnI nfQ leI ieh asih sI.
‘myry huMidaF hor koeI ikvyN cMgf ho skdY myry ibnF?` ieh svfmI df
dfavf sI, qy ies leI hux Auh pMnf isMG dI itMz PUhVI gol krfAux dy
cwkr ivc rfq idn goNdF guMddf rihMdf sI. kdy afp iÈkfieq lgf idqI,
kdy iksy koloN lgvf idqI qy kdy bynfmI hI suwt mfrI. pr ies sB kfsy
df awj qwk koeI asr nhIN sI hoieaf, ikAuNik sfry aÌsr svfmI dI ies
eIrKflU, JgVflU qy kptI bdnIqI qoN BlI BFq jfxU sn.
 hux qF svfmI dy pfÜy dI hwd hor vI Aupr cVH geI sI. ies jgHf qoN
iek asfmI PflqU ho jfx krky qy tnI nfQ df sB qoN vwD TihrfAu hox
krky, Ausy dI hI bfhr dI bdlI hox dI sMBfvnf sI. Auh hux iek soty
nfl do iÈkfr mfrn dI qfk ivc sINijs nfl Aus dI afpxI bdlI vI bc
jfey qy pMnf isMG qoN vI Cutkfrf ho jfeyy. qy ijhVy kMm Auh awj krky
afieaf sI, ies nfl pMny dy iÉlfÌ aml jF kfrvfeI hoxI ËrUrI sI. qy
ieh Gwt qo Gwt Aus dI bdlI hI qF sI.
nvF sfhb vI qF svfmI df afpxf hI bMdf sI. kwlH Aus ny ieQy dOry
`qy af ky dÌqr df inrIKx krnf sI. kflIaf sfhb tnI nfQ df purfxf
hm-ipaflf sI qy hr mfmly ivc Aus dI tnI nfQ nfl ihwsf-pwqI huMdI
sI. hr mhIny sfhb dy Gr rfÈn pfxI phuMcfAuxf iesy df hI kMm sI qy
iesy leI AuhnF df afpo ivc mwKx mDfxI df irÈqf sI.
‘iPr ieh qF Aus leI Kwby hwQ df kMm hY. ieh qF kflIaf sfihb
iewkdm pihly gyVy ivc hI kr dyvygf. msflf Aus leI mYN iqafr kr hI
idwqf hY. myry GVy bhfny qy ielËfm ƒ kflIaf sfhb Blf ikvyN nf- mnËUr
kr skdy ny? bws! ho igaY kMm smJo! pMnf isMG dI bdlI! qy afpF dIaF
pON bfrF.`
‘itwc!` dI afvfË nfl kmry ivwc cfnx ho igaf. Auh qRwBikaf. eynf
hnyrf ho igaf sI qy Auh sB kfsy qoN axiBwj iksy lMmy supny ivc ivcr
irhf sI.
‘lo zYzI cfa!` ipMkI bMtI ny acncyq aMdr dfÉl ho ky Aus dy hvfeI
mnsUby ZyrI kr idqy.
Aus ny hfbiVaF vFg cfh df kwp AuTfieaf qy grmf grm ieko zIky
aMdr suwt ky kwp ÉflI kr ipMkI dy hwQ PVf idqf.
sMiDaf df tfeIm sI, pr awj Aus df AuWkf hI mUz nhIN sI, pfT krn
df. iPr vI Ausny ivKfvy vjoN kursI `qy bYTy bYTy hI gutkf PiVaf qy pwqry
Qwldy Qwldy afpxf Jws pUrf kr ilaf. gutky dy hr pMny `qy awj idn df
sfrf zrfmf Aus dy sfhmxy sfKÈfq qfËf ho igaf. Aus dIaF awKF qF
BfvyN afpxy GrylU kmry ivc hI gutky `qy itkIaF rhIaF pr Aus dI rUh,
afqmf hor hI QfvyN kuQfvyN BtkdI rhI.
‘muwlf pVHy nmfË Zwgf nËrIN afvy.`
awj Auh nvF mkfn vyK ky afey sn ijs bfry kwlH ƒ nvyN sfhb ƒ
rIport dyxI sI ik ieh nvF mkfn dÌqr vfsqy lYx dy Xog nhIN. ikvyN
Auh afpxy bfs rfm lfl nfl nvF mkfn vyKx geyy. ikvyN AuproN bfhroN
DuKdy gohty isDy tnI nfQ dI ihwk `qy vwjy, ikvyN plfsitk dIaF tuwtIaF
ipaflIaF rfm lfl dI totx `qy lwgIaF. ikdF Auh iclFdy bfhr ƒ dOVy qy
ikvyN cIk pukfr sux ky gvFZI dOVy afey.
‘kI gwl bfbU jI!` gvFZIaF dI Èrfrq BrI puwC sI.
‘aMdroN pwQr vwjy!` bVI muÈikl nfl hiÌaf qy Gbrfieaf hoieaf
rfm lfl iQVk iQVk ky boilaf.
‘Èukr rwb df. qusIN bc geyy. ieQy qF BUqF df vfsf eyy. ieQy jo vI
aMdr jfey, Auh bc ky bfhr nhIN inkl skdf.`
aVos pVos dy lokF dy iviKafx sux ky rfm lfl dy idl dI DVkx sO
mIl dI spIz nfl vDx lwgI. Aus ny CfqI ƒ Guwt ky hwQ pfieaf qy kMD
nfl afsrf lY ky sfh sOKf krn lwgf.
‘clo jI! asI kI lYxf ieho ijhf pMgf pf ky, koeI hor mkfn dyK
lvFgy. Èukr hY rwb df! ipaflIaF plfsitk dIaF vwjIaF, ikqy kwc jF
pwQr cInI dIaF huMdIaF qF sB kuJ lhU luhfn ho jfxf sI.` svfmI ny rfm
lfl ƒ qswlI idqI.
‘ieQy qF jI! QoVHI dyr pihlF bVI iËd krky iek puls ienspYktr
ny ieh mkfn lY ilaf. kihMdf mYN vyKUM ikhVf BUq cuVyl mYƒ KFdf. qy iek
mhIny ivc hI ivcfry df ieko iek muMzf koTy qoN izwg ky cldf bixaf, bVy
Ëfhry ny ieh BUq, bVy Ëflm ny, bfbU jI ieQy nf afieAu qusI.` gvFZI ny
zOr BOry hoey rfm lfl dy zr dI qih prq hor zUMGI gUVHI kr idwqI.
tnI nfQ svfmI df iek kMm sr igaf sI. Aus dy ds hËfr rupY Kry
ho geyy sn. hux ieh mkfn qF axiPt ho igaf qy ies krky iek hor
mihMgf mkfn, ijs df ikrfieaf vIh hËfr rupY mhInf sI qy Aus mflk
mkfn ny tnI nfQ ƒ ds hËfr pyÈgI dyx df vfadf kIqf sI, ËrUr hI
mnËUr krnf pvygf. Ausy ivc hI jfxf pvygf. hor mkfn Èihr ivc lwB
hI nhIN skdf. srkfr ƒ mkfn ikrfey `qy dyx leI koeI vI rfËI nhIN.
nfc nf jfxy aFgx tyZf. tnI nfQ dI CfqI ÉuÈI nfl Puwl geI.
‘c[[[ c [[[[[ c[[[.`
rfm lfl ny zr qy hYrfnI pRgt kridaF gvFZI dI gwl sux ky
ienspYktr nfl hmdrdI drsfAux df sMkyq idqf.
‘ikvyN izwgf? ivcfry bwcy df kI ksUr? kry koeI Bry koeI? mYN
ienspYktr sfhb ƒ imlxf cfhFgf.`
rfm lfl ny swcI mucI dI aslI Dfh mfrI.
‘Cwzo jI kI krnY asIN? muMzf vI qF afvfrf hI sI Aus df. aYvyN lokF
dy kMDF koTy twpdf iPrdf sI.`
tnI nfQ rfm lfl ƒ PV ky bfhr lY quiraf.
‘ary BeI! jo logoNo ky kMDF koTy twpygf vo igrygf ËrUr, cot vI
lgvfeygf, qy mrygf vI. ies myN ies mkfn df ikaf ksUr? ies myN BUq
cVyl khF idKfeI dyqy hYN?` rfm lfl kwp ipaflIaF dI mfr Buwl ky iekyrF
iPr ipCy muV ivhVy ivc cfr cuÌyry nËrF duVfAux lwgf, ijvyN iksy BUq
pRyq dI qlfÈ kr irhf hovy, AuhnF dI lukx jgHf dI Koj kr irhf hovy.
Aus dIaF ÈwkI nËrF kdy kdy Aupr KVy gvFZI vwl vI clIaF jFdIaF.
Auh Aus idÈf vwl inÈfndyhI krn lwgf ‘ipaflIaF ieQy izwgIaF, ieh
aMdroN nhIN, AuproN afeIaF.` pr ies hoV ivc afpxy afp ƒ iekwlf vyK
ky Auh dV vwt ky aMdro aMdr jËb kr igaf qy hor kuJ kihx qoN ibnF
hI tnI nfQ dy moZy `qy hwQ Dr ky bfhr inkl igaf. ibwlI QYly qoN bfhr
afeI qF Aus ny jFc leI, pr ies hkIkq ƒ Ëbfn `qy ilafAux qoN Auh
kqrf igaf.
jd vI koeI nvF aÌsr bdl ky afAuNdf hY qF ieQy iek hlcl ijhI
mwc jFdI hY. gMDly pfxI dy CwpVF ivc suwtI iek CotI ijhI ZIm vFg kuJ
lihrF GuMmx GyrI ijhI bx ky pfsy ƒ dOVdIaF kMiZaF nfl tkrf ky
afpxf dm qoV jFdIaF hn. dÌqr dy ipCVy sfQI, ijhnF dI kdy puwC
prqIq nhIN huMdI, coxF dy idnF vFg, AuhnF dy GrIN vI tnI nfQ df Pyrf pY
jFdf. iehnF pihly idnF ivc hI svfmI sfry lokF dy Gro GrI jf ky igly
iÈkvy dUr kr afAuNdf, ikAuNik Auh afpy bxfeI ‘mUrK mMzlI` df pRDfn
sI, qy nvyN aÌsr dy afAux `qy Auh afp hI awgy awgy lwg ky, horF ƒ ipCy
lgf ky afpxI qfkq df ivKfvf krdf sI.
nvyN sfhb df afAuxf iksy vI vwzy mMqrI qoN Gwt nhIN huMdf. dÌqr dy
krmcfrIaF ivc ÉUb mukfblf huMdf, rwsf kÈI huMdI, tnI nfQ dy Gr
sBfvF huMdIaF, nvyN sfhb nfl iks pYNqVy `qy gwl krnI hY, iks df
ikhVf kMm krvfAuxf hY, iks df ikhVf ivgfVnf hY, iks dy sÌr Bwqy
pfs krfAuxy hn, iks dy zfktrI ibwl nf-mnËUr krfAuxy hn, iks ƒ
ikhVI sIt `qy lgvfAuxf hY, iks qoN ikhVI sIt KohxI hY, ieh sB kuJ
ieQy hI ÌYslf ho jFdf sI.
kflIaf sfhb bVf purfxf hMiZaf vriqaf qjrbykfr aÌsr sI.
pihlF vI Auh ieQy do cfr sfl kwt cukf sI, ies leI Auh sfry
krmcfrIaF ƒ cMgI qrHF jfxdf sI. sfry amly nfl qy bfhr dIaF sfmIaF
nfl Aus dIaF AuNglF cMgI qrHF rlIaF hoeIaf sn. mfsk lYx dyx sB
nfl bwJI hoeI sI. ies leI sB leI mOjF bx geIaF. pr mukfblf sI,
hIro bxn df. eysy leI keI idnF qoN Bwj nws qy Ëor aËmfeI cwl rhI sI,
qy Kfs krky ies vyly qF ieQy keI AulJxF pYdf ho cukIaF sn. dÌqr
bdlx df mfmlf, ÈIlf dI mOq df rhws, pMnf isMG dI bdlI df CVXMqr,
svfmI dI afpxI mnmrËI dI skIm lYxf afid. qy ieh sB svfmI dI
iËMdgI qy mOq bx ky dÌqr dy boJl iÉlfa ivc ltk rhy sn.
sB ƒ pqf sI ik kflIaf sfihb qy svfmI dI aMdroN iGAu iKcVI hY.
AuhnF dIaF iekwTIaF cugdIaF rhIaF ny. ies leI ÈfmU Èfh vI Kfs
krky aMdroN svfmI nfl Kfr KFdf sI. Auh vI cfhuMdf sI, iksy nf iksy
qrHF svfmI ƒ bdnfm krky, afp awgy jf ky sfhb ƒ glvkVI pf ley.
ipClI vyrF kuJ eyydF hI hoieaf sI. hryk cIË dI iËafdqI burI huMdI hY.
iksy ÈrIPËfdy ny iksy BuwKy kuwqy dy sfhmxy kuwjy `coN kwZ ky KIr pf idqI,
kuwqf sfrI KIr Kf ky mflk vwl GUrn lwgf, BONkx lwgf. kuwjf ÉflI ho
igaf qy aKIr kuwqy dI lgfqfr amuwk iËd vyK ky mflk ny ÉflI kuwjf
kuwqy dy awgy rwK idqf. Auh iPr kuwjy ivc isr aVfeI BONkdf irhf, pUC
ihlFdf irhf qy aÉIr kuwjf tuwt igaf. aÌsrF dI tnI nfQ vwl AudfricqI
aqy tnI nfQ vwloN dur-vrqoN nfl Auh afpxy afp hI bdnfm ho igaf.
ÈfmU, jo dUroN nyiVAuN svfmI df ccyrf Brf sI, qy Gr df gvFZI vI sI, ny
svfmI dy afphudry-pn df cMgf Ìfiedf AuTfieaf, qy kflIaf sfhb dy
nËdIk af igaf. hux iehnF dovF dI afpo ivcI vI KihbfËI sI, qy bfhr
pMnf isMG nfl vI mukfblf sI, jo dohF df sFJf duÈmx vI sI qy ÈrIk vI.

tnI nfQ ƒ iek hor zr aMdro aMdr hI Kf irhf sI. jy koeI iek do
kql krky afpxf gunfh bKÈfAux leI iek mMdr bxf dyvy qF Aus dy
kql muafÌ nhIN ho jFdy. dÌqr dI iek grIb lVkI ÈIlf, ijs ƒ
svfmI ny Aus dIaF afriQk mjbUrIaF df Ìfiedf AuTf ky, afpxI hvs
df iÈkfr bxfieaf sI, Auh kuJ mhIny pihlF afpxy klMk ƒ nfl lY ky
afqm-hwiqaf kr geI sI. tnI nfQ dI ies koJI kflI krqUq sux ky
lokF ny mUMh `c AuNglF pfeIaF sn, jd ÈIlf dy bfp ny roNdy roNdy aÌsrF
dy sfhmxy ies dirMdy dI icwtI cfdr Qwly lhU rMgy Dwbydfr kwpVy nMgy kr
suwty sn. ies dI vI mihkmfnf ienkuafierI hoxI sI, byÈwk puls ƒ qF
Auh aMdrKfqy jf ky QYlI Byt kr afieaf sI. ies dI jFc-pVqfl vI
kflIaf sfhb ny krnI sI jo svfmI leI ibgfnf nhIN, sgoN Aus df afpxf
hI qF purfxf afVI sI. qy iPr Aus dIaF AUxqfeIaF qy kmËorIaF dy
purfxy ikwsy qy pulMdy vI qF tnI nfQ kol mOjUd sn.
ÈfmU Èfh ijsmfnI qOr `qy ijMnf kmËor sI, idmfgI qOr `qy Enf hI
huiÈafr. hwd drjy df cfplUs sI qy Aus dI Ëbfn imwTI kYNcI sI, jo suxn
vfly dI jyb vI kwt jFdI qy dlIl vI kwt jFdI sI, pr dUsrf cuwp cfp
Aus dIaF imwTIaF qy guMJldfr khfxIaF df kfiel ho jFdf sI. ijs nfl
gwl krdf, Auh Aus ƒ afpxf hI smJx lwgdf, pr bfd ivc jd Aus dy
kwty hoey ËÉm irsdy qF Auh ipwt ky rih jFdf. iesy dÌqr dy mflk
mkfn nfl Aus dI dosqI sI qy Auh nhIN sI cfhuMdf ik mihMgy ryt df ieh
dÌqr Cwz ky nvyN QF ssqy Bfa df dPqr ikrfey `qy ilaf jfey. ies
leI nvyN sfhb dy afAux `qy nvyN mkfn df zrfmf pyÈ krn dI ies dI vI
iËMmyvfrI lwgI hoeI sI. ÈfmU kol bfhr PIlz df kMm hox krky hr vyly
jyb ivc cMgI rOxk rihMdI qy dÌqr dy cpVfsI qoN lY ky aiDkfrIaF qwk
sO, pMjfh, ds vIh AuDfr idqI rwKdf sI. ies leI sfry Aus ƒ Èfh kih
ky bulFdy sn. Auh hr roË bfrF vjy dÌqr afAuNdf pr hfËrI nON vjy dI
hI lgFdf. iksy dI kI mËfl Aus ƒ koeI puwC jfey. rfxI ƒ kOx khy awgf
Zwk.
tnI nfQ svfmI vI iek ienspYktr sI, cldf purËf. dÌqr df
iencfrj qF Ausdy hwQ ivc rbV dI muhr hI sI, ijQy mrËI lgvf lvy,
ijvyN Aus ny Aus `qy cfdr pfeI hovy. stfP koloN qy lokF koloN mfisk
AugrfhI krnI qy Aupr qwk phuMcfAuxI Aus df kMm sI qy eyysy df Kwitaf
hI sfrI Aumr Auh KFdf irhf . kMm kfr dI qF nf Aus ƒ Pursq sI qy nf
hI iËafdf akl. gÜ ivc mflf pfeI rwKdf, qy mwQy itwkf lgfeI rwKdf,
hwQ ivc kVf pfeI rwKdf. svyry Èfm inwq pfT krn df zrfmf krdf.
cfh, Èrfb afp Gwt hI pINdf pr aÌsrF ƒ ipaf ky bhuq KuÈ huMdf sI.
iqVky supinaF dy toBy ivc goqy KFdy tnI nfQ ny do cfr grfhIaF rotI
aMdr suwtI, qy kfhlI kfhlI afpxy sOx vfly kmry vwl viDaf. Auh jldI
jldI awj dI rfq mukfAux dy cwkr ivc sI qF jo awj Aus dy bIjy bIj
kwlH ƒ Puwl bx ky iKVdy Auh afp vyK sky. pr ieh qF Aus df BulyKf hI
irhf. smF qy rfq afpxI hI cfly cwly. Aus ƒ kRoD ijhf afieaf. Ausƒ
jfipaf ijvyN awj smyN dy pYNVIN iksy ny nON-mxIN sMgl jV idqy hox. rfq
muwkx ivc hI nhIN sI af rhI.
Aus ny awKF mIt leIaF. pr nINd! nINd qF Aus dI kohF dUr nws geI
sI. bwcy nfl dy kmry ivc Gusr musr kr rhy sn, pVH rhy hoxgy. Aus dI
pqnI isMmI Aus qoN hwQ ku prF mMjy `qy lytI peI sI, QwkI hoeI sI ivcfrI,
svyr dI. svyry AuT ky Gr df sfrf kMm krnf, bwicaF ƒ iqafr krky
skUly Byjxf qy iPr pqI dyv dI dÌqr dI iqafrI qy iPr afp iqafr ho
ky sfrf idn kfrÉfny dI Kp Kp. AuQoN af ky iPr AuhI Gr df kMm, kohlU
dy bYl vFg. Aus dy ieh ruJyvyN qVky svyr qoN lY ky zUMGI rfq qwk cwldy hI
rihMdy. ‘pqf nhIN ikhVy pfpF df lyKf dy rhI hY ivcfrI.` tnI nfQ ƒ isMmI
`qy qrs ijhf afieaf, pr Aus ƒ Aus bfry hor socx dI awj bhuqI icMqf
nhIN sI. ËIro vft dy blb nfl kmry ivc hnyrf ijhf hI sI. ies krky
ik dPqr dIaF tIAUbF qF awj dÌqr phuMc geIaF sn qy sfhb dy jfx
bfd iPr vfps af jfxgIaF.
‘isMmI [[[[!`
‘[[[` koeI huMgfrf nhIN sI
‘isMmI [[[[[[[[!` Aus ny Ërf hor AucyrI afvfË ivc ikhf.
‘[[[[[[ hF jI [[[[[[[[[.` isMmI dI afvfË sihmI hoeI sI.
‘ieDr afAu! [[[[[[ myry kol! [[[.` Aus ny bFh lMmI krky Aus dy mMjy
`qy phuMcf idqI.
‘bwcy jfg rhy ny qVÌ rhy ny, ho rhy ny quhfzI jfn ƒ[[[.` isMmI df
huMgfrf nFh vfck sI roj dy ivprIq
‘sON jfxgy pVHdy pVHdy afpy.` Aus ny Pyr bhfnf ijhf lgfieaf. isMmI
JkdI JkdI Aus kol af ky bYT geI.
‘kI gwl! awj bVy idafl jfpdy E!`
‘mYN pihlF vI qyry nfl kdoN nfrfË sF.`
‘dwso kI syvf? pYr GuwtF?` isMmI ny kft ijhI kIqI.
‘nhIN! mYƒ qF iek icMqf KfeI jf rhI hY.`
‘kI icMqf! kfhdI icMqf?` isMmI ny zrdI afvfË ivc ikhf.
‘kwl sfhb af rhy ny nvyN?`
‘ikhVy?`
‘AuhI kflIaf sfihb! AuhnF dI bdlI iPr pMjfb ho geI eyy,
cMzIgVH.` tnI nfQ ny isMmI ƒ poly ijhy klfvy ivc lYNdy ikhf. kflIaf df
nfm suxdy hI isMmI dy mwQy `qy peI iqAUVI tnI nfQ ƒ idwsI qF nhIN, pr
Aus ny ies dI kuVwqx mihsUs kr leI.
‘qYƒ pqY! sfzy `qy Auh ikMnf imhrbfn aY [[[[[[?`
‘hF! hF mYN cMgI qrHF jfxdI aF Auhƒ, kflIey kwty ƒ.` afpxy afp ƒ
tnI nfQ dy klfvy `coN CuzFdy isMmI ny kurwKq lihjy ivc Aus ƒ Jtk
idqf.
‘qYƒ iek vyrF iPr zrfmf krnf pvygf.`
‘AuhI! AuhI zrfmf Pyr!` isMmI Aus dy cuMgl `coN AuT KVI hoeI.
‘bËfr ivc vI keI zrfmy huMdy iPrdy ny[[[hY koeI soJI quhfƒ?`
‘hF! hflfq iPr Auho ijhy bx geyy ny.` tnI nfQ ny hAukf ilaf.
‘mYƒ iPr pfgl bxfAugy? myrI qy pihlF hI sfh swq muwkI peI ey.
nhIN! nhIN! mYN hux Pyr pfgl nhIN bx skdI suKIN sFdIN. lok qMdrusqI
dIaF suwKxF mMgdy ny qy qusIN! jd koeI nvF aiDkfrI afvy, quhfzf Xfr
dosq afvy, pfgl bxf ky mYƒ aMdr bMd kr Cwzdy E. AuDroN myry kMm df
vfDU nuksfn. mYQoN hr roË ieho ijhy pfpV nhIN vyly jFdy. mYN iek aOrq
hF, ÉfndfnI ieËqdfr aOrq.` isMmI df iviKafn kuJ grm ho igaf.
‘hOlI gwl kr! ÈFqI nfl, inafixaF ƒ ikAuN suxfAux lwgI eyyN.` tnI
nfQ ny isMmI dy mUMh `qy hwQ Drdy Ausƒ cuwp krfAux dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘Aus idn kflIey klUty ny mYƒ hwQ pfieaf, quhfzy sfhmxy, qusIN cuwp
krky byÈrmI dI loeI EV leI. hux mYN Pyr pfgl bx cuwkI bfËfrU aOrq
nhIN bx skdI. vwzf afieaY myrf hmdrd! Aus idn kihx lwgf, isMmI!
myry kol af, qyrf idmfg iblkul TIk ho jU gf.`
isMmI ny Aus dI sÍFg lgFdy ikhf.
‘vwzf zfktr! inKsmF! afpxIaF ihrnF ijwzIaF kuVIaF lokF dy Dwky
KFdIaF iPrdIaF glIaF bfËfrF `c, qy afp Auh myry pfglpn df ielfj
krdf iPry. Auhƒ kho pihlF afpxy Gr df ielfj kry.` isMmI dI afvfË
ivc hor roh qy qlÉI inwqr afeI.
 ‘cMgf iPr jfh cuwp krky sON jf.` tnI nfQ ny ipCf CuzfAux dI koiÈÈ
kIqI.
‘Ébrdfr. jy Aus ny hux koeI aijhI hrkq kIqI, qF mYN bMdf bxf
idaFgI, ivwcy quhfƒ qy ivcy quhfzy imhrbfn ƒ.`
‘Auey cuwp vI kr! kI ho igaY qYƒ.`
‘kMm krky aÌsrF ƒ KuÈ kro. zrfmy krky nhIN.`
‘mfÌ kr isMmI! hux bws vI kr. qUM glq smJ geI, myrf mqlb aY,
hux Pyr myry qbfdly df cwkr aY, qy jy qUM ieh aYkÈn nf kIqf qF myrI
bdlI ho jfeygI bhuq dUr. nOkrI dy mfmly ivc keI JUTy swcy zrfmy krny
pYNdy ny.` Aus ny iekyrF iPr isMmI ƒ puckfrdy hoey nyVy krn dI koiÈÈ
kIqI.
‘Èrm nhI afAuNdI quhfƒ! aijhy nIc bdmfÈF ƒ Gr ilaFdy! kuVI
jvfn hoeI hoeI eyy, qy qusIN ieh ËlIl kMm kr rhy ho.` isMmI df pfrf Qwly
Auqrn ivc nhI sI af irhf. nfl dy kmry ivcoN awKF mldy dovyN bwcy ieDr
dOVy.
‘kI krnf zYzI[[[ ? ikhVy zrfmy ?`
Aus dI lVkI ipMkI zrI GuwgI vFg sihmI mMmI zYzI dy qkrfr ivc af
KVI hoeI.
‘nhIN byty kuJ nhIN. [[[ jfAu qusIN sON jfAu [[[.`
‘quhfzI bdlI hox vflI eyy zYzI ?` ipMkI ny Boly Bfa ikhf.
‘jfE byty jfE. nhIN huMdI bdlI [[[.` aMqF dI pIV tnI nfQ dy ichry
`qy murdyhfxI Cwz geI.
‘mYƒ dwso zYzI! quhfzI bdlI rukfAux vfsqy jo mMmI nhIN krdI qF mYN
krFgI. mYƒ dwso zYzI. mYN hux sB kuJ kr skdI hF.` mfsUm bwcI dI sihj
suBf hmdrdI tnI nfQ dy isr hQOVy vFg vwjI. Auh isr Guwt ky bih
igaf.
 ‘krf lO hux iehdy koloN. Èrm kro, cwpxI `c nwk zob ky mro. hux
ieh sB kuJ afpxI kuVI koloN krfAugy,? jo mYN krdI rhI hF [[[, quhfzI
nOkrI bcfAux vfsqy [[[.` isMmI busk rhIN sI.
ies qUM-qUM mYN-mYN ny Gr dy gMBIr cOigrdy ivc axikafsI kuVwqx Br
idqI. iek aidwK pIV-BrI cuwp Gr dy ÈFq vfqfvrx ivc ltk geI.
‘zYzI! sfzf skUl bdl idE[[[. asIN AuQy eynI dUr nhIN jfieaf
krnf hux[[[.` ipMkI pUrI qrHF iPws peI.
ipMkI dI rox hfkI afvfË ny iqVky hoey vfqfvrx ƒ hor iqVkf idqf.
‘ikAuN byty! kI gwl!` tnI nfQ ƒ hor sB kuJ Buwl igaf.
‘awj pMnf aMkl sfƒ nf bcfAuNdy qF bdmfÈF ny sfƒ mfr dyxf sI.
pqf nhIN ikQy lY jFdy[[[.`
ipMkI dI lyr nfl muMzf qy Aus dI mF vI iPws-iPws rox lwgy.
‘iehnF ƒ kI! [[[ ieh qF PËUl afpxy zrfmy hI krdy rihxgy, sfrI
Aumr. inafxy pYx ZwTy KUh c.` isMmI df glf hor Bfrf ho igaf.
‘awj nkfbpoÈF vflI iek kfr sfzy kol af ky ruk geI qy bdmfÈF ny
sfƒ iKwcky kfr ivc suwt ilaf. eyny ƒ pMnf aMkl ikDroN af inkly qy vyK
ky AuhnF afpxf skUtr kfr awgy ilaf KVf kIqf. bdmfÈ Aus dy gl pY
gey. iek ny golI vI clfeI. pr aMkl AuhnF nfl guwQmguwQf ho gey.` Coty
muMzy ny zrI hoeI afvfË ivc hwQF dy GsuMn vwtdy hoey khfxI suxfeI.
‘qy iPr asIN cIkF mfrdy kfr `coN bfhr CflF mfr idqIaF[[[ Auh
‘izÈUM-izÈUM` krdy rhy. golIaF dI afvfË sux ky sfrf bfËfr, cfr cuÌyrf
iekdm KflI ho igaf. lokF Ètr suwt ley.`
‘sfbfÈ! bytf sfbfÈ. pr kOx sI Auh bdmfÈ?` tnI nfQ dI dyh kMbx
lwgI.
‘jIhdy leI qusI KUh puwt rhy E [[[ Auhny awj quhfzI iewËq bcfeI[[[.
nhI qF quhfzf Kfndfn luwt jFdf[[[. qusIN iksy pfsy jogy nf rihMdy[[[.`
isMmI ny svfmI ƒ iPtkfr pfeI.
 ‘AuhnF ny pwgF bMnIaF sI zYzI. jd pMnf aMkl ny iek ƒ PiVaf qF
Aus dI pwg qy nklI dfhVI aMkl dy hwQ af geI. nklI inhMg sI zYzI
Auh.` Coty pwpU ny ivwc-ivwc zrdy-zrdy khfxI ivc ihwsf pfieaf.
‘pMnf aMkl bVy cMgy ny zYzI. iPr Auh sfƒ afp Gr Cwz ky gey[[[.`
bwicaF dIaF zuwldIaF awKF vyK ky svfmI dIaF awKF vI ClkIaF.
Ausny dovyN bwcy qy isMmI sB ƒ ieko klfvy ivwc Guwt ilaf.
Aus df KUn KOlHx lwgf, zOly Prkx lwgy.
‘mYN huxy jfvFgf[[[ pqf krFgf AuhnF bdmfÈF df.` tnI ny JUTI mUTI
ijhI dbfkI nfl hwQF dIaF muwTIaF qx leIaF.
‘nhIN hux ikqy jfx df vylf nhIN. svyry jo mrËI kr ilE.` isMmI ny
iKwc ky Aus ƒ vfps ibTf ilaf. jfn bcI so lfKoN pfey. Auh iPr murdf
lfÈ vFg byjfn afpxy ivCfAuxy `qy ivwC igaf.
ikMnf icr Auh Auslvwty BMndf irhf. nINd iek ibMd vI Aus dy nyVy nf
afeI. bwicaF dI nvIN khfxI ny Aus dy mn df sfrf qfxf pytf iZwlf kr
idqf. Aus dy mn ivc do-icwqI ijhI pYdf ho geI. Aus ny hfiraf-hfiraf
mihsUs kIqf. pr iPr vI Auh sB kfsy qoN Aupr afpxy afAux vfly sfhb
ƒ rIJfAux leI kuJ iËafdf hI icMqfqur sI, ijs leI Aus df iek
hiQafr PylH ho cuwkf sI.
‘clo koeI nF! isMmI ƒ sfhb dy mwQy hI nf lgfvFgy. Aus ƒ ies vfrI
Gr hI nf ilafvFgy. kih idaFgy isMmI ƒ awj kwlH dOrf bhuq qyË hY qy
zfktrF ny Ausƒ iksy ƒ imlx qoN mnHf kr rwiKaf hY.`
‘ey guwz afeIzIaf!`
Ausny cuwtkI mfrI. iek cMgf bhfnf Puiraf. bhfnf GVn ivc qF Auh
pihlF hI bhuq mfihr sI. Aus ny afpxy afp ivc qswlI mihsUs kIqI.
‘pr nhIN! kflIaf sfhb qF aOrq df bVf rsIaf hY. aOrq Aus dI
kmËorI hY. iek do pYWg ivskI dy qy aOrq, Aus dy sfhmxy hovy, iPr jo
mrËI krvf lE. ieh kMm qF krnf hI hovygf. ÈIlf cMgI sI ivcfrI. vyly
kuvyly kMm af jFdI sI. pr sfƒ dgf dy geI.` svfmI dy mn ivc bfr-
bfr vfvroly AuTdy rhy, cwkr kwtdy rhy.
‘mYN krFgI zYzI Auh kuJ! jo mMmI nhIN krdI[[[ quhfzI bdlI
rukvfAux leI.` ipMkI dy mfsUm Èbd bfr-bfr Aus dy idmfg `c Kwlr
mcFdy rhy.
‘nhIN! nhIN! ieh nhIN ho skdf[[[ ieh kdy nhIN ho skdf[[[.` Ausny
afpxy aMdrly Èor qoN bcx leI kMnF `c AuNglF pf leIaF.
‘dÌqr dI sPfeI syvkf jU hY. Auh mMnI vI hoeI hY, Aus ƒ qF pYsy
cfhIdy ny. grIb df kI ey, awgy pMjfh rupY ivc Aus nfl sOdf kIqf hY,
iek iÈkfr mfrn df, qy Auh sfhb leI vI qF ienkfr nhIN krygI. pr
sfhb Aus leI nhIN mMnygf, Auh sfhb leI TIk vI nhIN. sfhb leI qF
pIs cfhIdY iek dm qfËf, ey vMn, qF iPr ipMkI vI qF TIk hY. nhIN[[[[[[
nhIN[[[[[[[[, hy Bgvfn! mYƒ bcf lY myry koloN ieh pfp nf krfeIN.`
‘hoiÈafr! Ébrdfr! afpxf Gr sFB ky rwKo! jfgdy rho.`
cOkIdfr dI afvfË ny Aus ƒ ies mfnisk ijwlHx `coN bfhr inklx df
shfrf idqf. Auh AuT ky bfhr af ky cubfry cVH igaf. GMtf Gr vfly
GiVafl ny bfrF tuxkf ky rfq dy bfrF vjy df sMkyq idqf.
gvFZIaF dy kmry dI bwqI vI ajy jg rhI sI.
‘hYNa! ÈfmU vI ajy jfgdf hI hY ?` tnI nfQ dy iKaflF ny krvt
bdlI. kMD dy lfgy jf ky kozf ho ky rOÈndfn rfhIN AuDr aMdr Jfikaf.
ÈfmU kMD nfl Zoa lf ky awD AunINdry bYTf rfq dIaF GVIaF igx-igx ky
suwt irhf sI. Aus dIaF awKF bMd sn, pr Auh suwqf nhIN sI. Auh vI iehI
socdf hovygf ik nvyN sfhb ƒ ikvyN KuÈ krnf hY, Aus koloN ikvyN afpxf
kMm kwZxf hY, ikvyN ivroDI DVy df nuksfn krfAuxf hY qy ikvyN afpxf iswkf
jmfAuxf hY.
vyKdy-vyKdy ÈfmU ny isr ihlfieaf. awKF ml ky iswDf ho ky lyt igaf.
mfnoN Auh vI iksy AulJx bfry soc irhf sI qy iekdm Aus ƒ AulJx df
hwl iml igaf hovy. Auh iPr AuiTaf qy bwqI buJ geI.
 ieh dovyN ccyry Brf iswDy jF aiswDy qrIky nfl hr afey gey aiDkfrI
`qy zory suwt lYNdy sn. jy iek PylH ho jfey qF dUjf kfmXfb ho jFdf sI. iPr
aMnHf vMzy irAuVIaF muV-muV afpixaF ƒ. ies qrHF ieh horF ƒ buwDU bxFdy
qy afpxf ryVHf ryVHI jFdy sn. vYsy dohF df afpo ivc iËmIN asmfn df
Ìrk sI. iek ijMnf gorf, dUjf EnF kflf, iek ijMnf mDrf dUjf EnF hI
lMmF, iek ijMnf pqlf dUjf EnF hI motf. dohF ivc iek dUjy qoN awgy vDx
dI iswk sI. pr iPr vI jd iek `qy BIV bxy, dUjf Aus dy nfl af rldf
sI.
Cwq `qy GuMmdy-GuMmdy svfmI df mn ikqy df ikqy AuzfrI mfr afieaf.
cyqr mhIny dI igwlI TMZI hvf Aus dy hwzF ƒ KFdI rhI qy Auh igwtIaF ƒ
qwkdf-qwkdf BMblBUsy KFdf, socF dy afkfÈ ivc mMzlfAuNdf irhf.
‘ieh qfry vI ikMny Jwly ny, rfq Br vI cYn nhI lYNdy.` qy iPr afpxI
byvkUPI `qy afp hI hwsx lwgf.
‘rfq-Br cmkxf hI qF iehnf df nym hY, qy ieh kMm ieh nyknIqI
nfl krdy ny.`
‘hUMa! nyknIqI! pMnf vI nyknIqI `qy cldf hY! mYN vyKUM Auh qrdf hY ik
zuwbdf hY. qy iPr ÈIlf! hF! ÈIlf ny kI Kwt ilaf? myry nfl rlky cldI
sI, ikMnI suKI sI, isnymy dyKdI sI, hotl jFdI sI, sYr krdI sI, sB myry
Krcy `qy mOj krdI sI, pMny koloN hI zr geI aYvyN. Aus ny vyK ky sB ƒ
dws idqf qy aKIr bdnfmI qoN zrdI ivcfrI afpxy afp qoN Cutkfrf pf
geI. hUMa, buËidl! pr clo ieh vI qF cMgf hI hoieaf jy jIAUNdI rihMdI
qF pqf nhIN myry `qy kI-kI AUjF lgfAuNdI. mYƒ kuJ nf kuJ CFdf qF ËrUr
hI idvfAuNdI. pMnf jU sfzf ipwCf krn lwg igaf sI. Aus ƒ mwqF dyx lwg
igaf sI. hf a [[[[[[[ hf af af.` Aus ny bfhF PYlf ky aMgVfeI qy nfl
AubfsI leI.
‘cMgI sI ivcfrI! jy awj Auh huMdI qF sfhb leI mYƒ Ërf vI muÈikl
nf afAuNdI. hux pqf nhI rItf kI cMd cVHfey! pYsy vI hn, ivskI vI hY,
jgHf vI hY, pr iek cIË dI Gft hY.
‘ÈIlf! ÈIlf.` Auh iPr ÈIlf dy nfm nfl hor ibhbl ho igaf.
 iPr Aus ny vyiKaf sfhmxy ÈmÈfnGft ivc ÈIlf df bldf isvf! pfsy
bYTy KVy Aus dy BYx BfeI qy ibrD mF ipE, kIrny pfAuNdy ivrlfp krdy
kMDF ƒ twkrF mfrdy.
‘qobf rwb dI! ieh kI? ieh isvf! ajy vI jl irhf hY, ieqnI dyr
qwk?` Aus ny kMnF ƒ hwQ lfey.
‘hF a[[[[[ hF a! ieh isvf hY[[[[[[[[[[, AuhI ÈIlf vflf isvf.`
suMnsfn afkfÈ ivcoN iek afvfj gUMjI.
‘kOx ey? [[[[[[kOx eyy qUM?` tnI nfQ dy lUM kMzy KVy ho gey, pqf nhI
afpxy aMdrly zr qoN, bfhrlI afvfË qoN jF TMZ krky.
‘ieh jldf rhygf[[[[ ieh isvf inrMqr jlygf. ies ivc ÈIlf hI
nhIN! isMmI, Èfmo, rfmo sB jlxgIaF. ies ivc qyrI ipMkI vI jlygI. Auh
vI qF nOkrI krygI ÈIlf vFg qy iPr qyry vrgy dirMdy Aus ƒ vI nocxgy
igrJF vFg qy iPr ieh isvf Aus ƒ afpxI buwkl ivc smyt lvygf Aus dy
sfry pfp lY ky.`
‘hf[[[[[ hf[[[[[[[[ hf[[[[[.` iek hfsf gUMjdf hY.
‘ibgfnI lVkI ƒ sqfAuxf pfp huMdf hY,
lokF dIaF ivhMdy jo pfV-pfV zyly
afpxIaF vyK mIt lYNdy ny awKF.`
iBafnk afkfÈ-bfxI bfr-bfr Aus dI mfniskqf ƒ coBF mfrdI
rhI.
dyKdy dyKdy AuhI aMgfr AuWT ky tnI nfQ dy Gr vwl izwgx lgdy ny!
Auh zOr-BOrf kMnF `c AuNglF dy ky awKF bMd kr ky iclfAuNdf hY.
‘pfxI[[[[[[ pfxI[[[[[[.`
‘bws eynI c hI pfxI! eynI iBwjI rfq c pfxI?`
bws! [[[[[[ hf[[[[[[[[[[hf [[[[[[[[hf.`
‘BUq[[[[[[ BUq[[[[[[[[[[[ BU a a q[[[[[[[[[.`
‘hF[[[[[[[! mYN AuhI BUq hF, ijs ny qYƒ pwQr mfry sI, hF, hF! tuwtIaF
ipaflIaF mfrIaF sn, afieaf Xfd ? ? Xfd hY nf??`
 ‘Auho! ikMnI iBafnk soc!` Aus df sfrf srIr psIny nfl gVuwc ho
igaf.
Auh izwgdf ZihMdf kMD dy shfry pOVIaF Auqrn lwgf.
‘nklI dfhVI vfly inhMg, nklI mKoty vfly isMG!` Aus dI afqmf
kMbx lwgI. bwicaF dy khy ibrqFq dy iek-iek pl iCx Aus dI soc `qy
BfrU hox lwgy.
‘bdmfÈF ny sfƒ iKwc ky kfr `c suwt ilaf, pMnf aMkl AuhnF dy awgy
af KVf hoieaf. iek ny golI vI clfeI, pr aMkl AuhnF nfl guwQmguwQf ho
gey.`
Aus ny iPr hwQF dI muwTI vwt ky hvf `c AulfrI.
‘golI lgI ikAuN nhIN pMny ƒ[[[[[[[[[[?
pMny ƒ golI lwgxI cfhIdI sI.
sfrf tMtf hI Kqm ho jFdf[[[ nf rhy bFs qy nf vwjy bMsrI! [[[.
Auhƒ mrnf cfhIdf sI. myry bwcy qF bc gey, pr Auh nhIN sI bcxf
cfhIdf.`
Aus dI mfrU qy AulfrU soc bfr-bfr Aus ƒ qIrF vFg, Aus dIaF
skImF dy kfljy ClxI krdI rhI. glI muwhly dy hmdrd vI qF afey Aus
nfl hmdrdI pRgtfAux leI. sB dIaF KfmoÈ ËubfnF ivc, sfry Èihr
ivc PYlIaF mnhUs KbrF, KbrF `c afAuNdy AuhnF dy mwhly dy bwcy, qy
KbrF df hIro pMnf bfr-bfr hr imMt sikMt Aus dy idl ivc sUeIaF vFg
cuwbdy rhy, idmfg ivc hQOiVaF vFg vwjdy rhy. hux Aus dy srIr df koeI
vI ihwsf aijhf nhI sI bicaf, ijsƒ Aus dIaF ingUxIaF qy inkdrIaF
socF ny Zfh nf mfrI hovy. pr ienHF sB kfsy qoN AuprMq Aus df pwQr mn
iek hI afÈy ivc atwl sI. Auh sI pMny df AujfVf, Aus dI bdlI jF Aus
dI mOq.
Aus ny hmdrdF dI BIV ƒ bfr-bfr ieh svfl kIqf.
‘pMnf ikAuN nhIN miraf[[[? Auh AuhnF koloN jIAuNdf ikwdF bc igaf?`
ies qrHF awDvirqI aDmoeI afqmf lY ky vfps Auh mMjy `qy Zih ipaf.
 FFF
2
pMny ƒ muqfVn qy Qwly lgfx dI kÈmkÈ ivc mfnisk byafrfmI qy
kuJ AunINdry nfl tnI nfQ df sfrf srIr tuwtx lwgf. pr nINd vrgI koeI
cIË Aus dy nyVy qyVy ikqy nhIN sI af rhI. Aus ny AuT ky nINd dIaF
golIaF vflI ÈIÈI cuwkI, pr iPr ruk igaf. kMm krn vfly ajy keI bfkI
ny qy jy golIaF Kf leIaF qF nON ds vjy qwk jfg nhI afAuxI! qy iPr sB
skImF DrIaF DrfeIaF rih jfxgIaF. koeI nf! awj dI qF iek rfq hY[[[
AunINdry dI hI shI. awj dI rfq sfhb dy nfm! Auh iPr idl krVf krky
lyt igaf.
‘jy eynf msflf huMdy hoey vI kflIaf sfhb ny PYslf myry iÉlfP dy idqf
qF iPr [[[[[[[? iPr kI hovygf?` Auh qRBikaf. AuWT ky almfrI ivcoN
purfxI PfeIl kwZ ilafieaf.
‘myry ivruD PYslf Auh ikvyN dy skdf hY? mYN qF tMg dyAUN Auhƒ. myry
Gr Tihrdf irhf[[[[. myry prfAuNTy KFdf irhf. myrf Krc krfAuNdf irhf.
myry sfhmxy Aus ny kI kI kmInf kMm nhI kIqf? ikMny Gfly-mfly kIqy
Ausny, sfry myry isr `qy! mYN sB df BFzf BMn suwtUM. pMjfh rupY hotl ƒ dy
ky pMj sO df JUTf ibwl hotl qoN lYdf irhf qy Tihrdf irhf myry Gr, qy
PrËI tI ey ibwl lYNdf irhf srkfr qoN. pMj lwK dy jfalI ibwl pMj hËfr
irÈvq kimÈn lY ky pfs krdf irhf! hr srkfrI Bugqfn df vIh PI
sdI ihwsf KFdf irhf. Aus qoqy dI jfn qy myrI muwTI `c hY. Aus dIaF
purfxIaF gwlF dI typ BrI mYN ajy qwk sFB rwKI hY. Aus df PYslf myry
iÉlfÌ ho hI nhIN skdf. Ausƒ AuhI ilKxf pAU jo mYN khUM! nhIN qy Auh vI
nhIN qy mYN vI nhI.`
rfq Br dy isrjy supinaF ivcoN Aus df ieh aMjfm inkilaf ik Auh
hr iswDI jF aiswDI koiÈÈ krygf afpxy hwk ivc qy pMny dy iKlfÌ! pr
iPr vI jy kflIaf nf mMinaf qF Auprly aÌsr vI qF afpxy hI hYn, Auh
Aupr jfeygf, cVHfvf cVHfeygf[[[ qy kflIaf sfhb dI pyÈI krfeygf. pYsy
nfl ikhVf kMm nhIN ho skdf?
 lfgoN bfËfr ivcoN sfeIklF dIaF GMtIaF ny tnI nfQ ƒ muV mMjy qy lY
aFdf. idn df cVHfa ho igaf sI. bfhroN doDI duwD lY ky af phuMcy sn.
tnI nfQ ny afpxI iBRÈt ho cuwkI afqmf ƒ sfbx lf ky Dox dI koiÈÈ
kIqI. sfbx lf ky Guwt-Guwt ky milaf. hry rfm! hry rfm! hy Bgvfn.`
nfm jpdf mUMh `c guxguxfAuNdf kwpVy pf ky bfQrUm `coN bfhr inkilaf.
Èyr dI mUrqI vflI ictfeI Qwly ivCfeI, joq jgfeI, DUP DuKfeI. sfrIaF
mUrqIaF ƒ pivwqr kIqf qy afsx lgf ky pfT vflI smfDI lgf bYTf. pMnf
isMG, ÈIlf, ipMkI, ÈfmU, dUlo, rfmo, kYmrf, rIlF, kflIaf sfhb qy rItf,
sfry hr pl, hr GVI Aus dy pfT ivcoN guËrdy rhy. rItf df sIn afAuNdy
hI Auh qRBikaf qy Aus df hwQ, lfgy jg rhI joq `qy vwj ky biTMzf mfrkf
crbI rilaf dysI iGAu df icrfÊ buJ igaf. icrfÊ ƒ bcfAux dI
Gbrfht nfl Aus df dUjf hwQ pfsy peI mUrqI `qy vwj ky mUrqI izwg ky
tuwtdI tuwtdI msF bcI, pr mUrqI dy ipCy peI ivskI dI boql jo Aus ny
kwlH hI nvyN sfhb leI ilaFdI sI qy bwicaF qoN lukf ky mUrqI ipCy rwKI
sI, izwg ky kVwk krdI tuwt geI.
‘hry rfm! hy mF ÈyrF vflI! bKÈ leIN.` Auh pukfr AuiTaf.
Ausny sfhmxy vyiKaf. ÈyrF vflI mfqf dy sfry hwQ qy BujfvF ihwlIaF
hn. Aus dIaF awKF `coN aMgfry Puwt qury hn. mfqf df iqRÈUl tnI nfQ dI
ihwk ivc KuwBx leI qqpr ho AuiTaf hY. iek KUMKfr grj afAuNdI hY.
mfqf df Èyr svfmI ƒ hVwp krn leI mUMh awzI vwzy-vwzy dMd kwZI KVf
hY. Auh Qwly izwg ky inAuN ky mwQf rgVn lwgf. ivskI dI gMD Gr dy sfry
vfqfvrx ivc PYl geI. isMmI dOVdI af phuMcI. ieh sB kfrf vyK ky
bolI-bdlI vFg gVHkI.
‘hy rfm! mYN mr geI! hy mF mYN luwtI geI. dInf nfQ [[[ imhr krIN!
ieh Bgq ikhVy pfsy qur ipaf. ijhVI Èrfb sfzy ipAu dfdy ny kdy hwQ
lf ky nhIN sI CUhI, ieh aONqrf mUrqIaF ƒ iplf irhY.` qy Auh buV-buV
krdI KpdI qwpdI vfps rsoeI ivwc clI geI.
tnI nfQ ny AuWT ky lIr PHVI, pfxI dI bfltI ilaFdI qy sfrf kmrf
Doqf, sfP kIqf, pocf lgfieaf qy iPr dobfrf DUP bwqI kIqI. ikafrI ivcoN
gulfb dy PulF dIaF DOxF mruMzIaF qy iPr pfT dI jgHf `qy KVHf ho igaf.
awKF mIt ky pscfqfp krn lwgf. awKF KuwlHIaF, hnUmfn Aus vwl KUMKfr
awKF nfl vyK ky iPtkfr pf irhf sI.
‘pfT pUjf sB ÈuB krmF leI huMdy ny [[[ bury kMmF leI nhIN. ieh
BlfeI leI huMdy ny, burfeI leI nhIN. jfh! inkl jf duÈtf! ieh pfpF lwdy
Puwl mYƒ nhIN cfhIdy.` qy Auh dOV ky bfhr inkl igaf.
‘PrIdf ijMnI kMmIN nfih gux qy kMmVy ivsfir[[[`
mwq ÈrimMdf QIvih sfeIN dy drbfir.
‘PrIdf bury df Blf kr guwsf mn nF hMzfie[[[.`
‘PrIdf bury df Blf kr [[[.` bfhroN spIkr `coN afvfËF afAux
lwgIaF. Aus ny AuDr kMn lfey, ‘PrIdf bury df Blf kr[[[ bury df Blf kr
[[[ PrIdf Bly df burf kr [[[ Bly df burf kr [[[ Bly df burf kr[[[ Bly
df burf kr[[[.` Auh guxguxfAux lwgf.
‘nhIN! nhIN! zYzI! Bly df burf nhIN! [[[ bury df Blf kr[[[.` Aus dy
sfhmxy KVI ipMkI Aus ƒ soD ky muskrf rhI sI.
‘zYzI sfzI ikqfb ivc iliKaf hY[[[PrIdf bury df Blf kr.`
‘hF byty jfh qUM! mYƒ sB pqf hY[[[.` Aus ny ipMkI ƒ dbkf ijhf
lgfieaf.
‘bury df Blf kr.[[[Bly df burf kr[[[Bly df burf kr[[[Bly df burf
kr[[[.` Auh bfr bfr duhrf irhf sI.
‘zYzI qusIN iPr Aultf bolx lwgy[[[.` hux Aus dy dovyNN bwcy Aus dI
svFg lgf ky hwsx lwgy.
ieDroN ivhlf ho ky Auh Èyv krn lwgf. zrYisMg tybl dy ÈIÈy ivclf
tnI nfQ hux Auh afp nhIN sI. ibwlkul bdilaf bdilaf, buiJaf
buiJaf, inafsrf ijhf, nÌrq Biraf ichrf ÈIÈy `coN bfhr Jfikaf. Aus
ny muskrfAux dI koiÈÈ kIqI, pr Aus dI afpxI muskfx ivc Aus ƒ JUTI
byivÈvfsI dI mOjUdgI dI sfP Jlk peI. Aus dy aMdr dI puwTI qsvIr
Aus dy mUMh `qy Cfey Auprypx df ivKfvf kr rhI sI.
 ‘awj suwK rhy! afsfr cMgy nhIN!` Auh ÈIÈy dy hrP pVHn lwgf. Aus dy
sfry pfqr ÈIlf qoN lY ky sfhb qwk bfr-bfr ÈIÈy ivc afqm kQf bolx
lwgy. rItf dI DuMdlI ijhI qsvIr ÈIÈy ivc af ky atk geI. rItf!
ijhVI zuwlH zuwlH pYNdf husn lY ky, hsmuwK ijhI[[[ipafrI ijhI[[cMcl suBf
vflI[[[gMBIr kuVI kuwJ icr pihlF hI AuhnF dy dPqr ivc ÈIlf dI jgHf
nOkrI `qy afeI sI, CyqI hI ieh cMclo rfxI sfry dÌqr dI rOxk qy
iÈMgfr bx geI. klrkF qo lYN ky ienspYktrF qwk sB ny Aus vwl zorI
suwtI, iksmq aËmfeI kIqI, pr Aus ny, kI mËfl, jy nwk `qy mwKI vI
bihx idqI hovy.
‘ikAuN nf blK buKfry idKf ky ies nvyN iÈkfr `qy jfl suwitaf
jfey[[[?` sohxI soc hY[[[. tnI nfQ df vihÈIpuxf iekyrF iPr Aus dI mn
avsQf `qy Cf igaf.
‘pr Aus dy Gr ikwdF jfieaf jfey? kI ikhf jfey? tfeIm vI bVf
QoVHf hY.` Aus ny GVI vwl nËr GumfeI.
‘Cy vwj cuwky ny[[[qy ajy dUjy sfQIaF vwl vI jfxf hY. sB ƒ idwqy hoey
rol bfry icqfvnI vI dyxI hY, Xfd krfAuxf hY. iehI qF iek idn hY awj
df. jy Aus dy isr klgI lwg jfey qF bws sfrI Aumr sfzf hukm qy sfhb
dy dsKq!![[[qy jy pfsf puwTf pY igaf qF iPr smJo XfrF df zyrf zMzf kUc.
hor qF sB TIk hI hY. ieko hI hY ibmfrI, myrI ihwk df syk! pMnf![[[Auhƒ
vI qF mYN icwq kr hI idaFgf. sfhb dy afAuNdy hI iÈkfieqF dI buCfr ho
jfey. Aus dI kIqI hoeI inrIKx dIaF PfeIlF ivcoN kuqfhIaF vflIaF iek
do PfeIlF qF afpxI nËr ivc hY hI hn, sfhb dy awgy rwK idqIaF jfx.
bws! iPr pihlf pRBfv hI aKIrlf ho inwbVdf hY. nfly iPr gFDI vfly do
cfr not. bfeI gfz! sfhb qF ieh not vyK ky gÈ Kf ky izwg pey, qy
iPr[[[[ ieQy hor qF sB awCf hY jI![[[pr pMnf isMG dy ieQy rihx nfl
mihkmy dI bdnfmI ho rhI hY. iehƒ ieQoN bdl idwqf jfey, qF mihkmy
leI bhuq ibhqr hovygf. do cfr hor cmcy vI qF ies dI hfmI Brngy hI.
rfq ƒ sfhb df ivskI Boj afpxy hI Gr. AuQy hI tfeIipst rItf. vfh!
ikaf mËf afeygf. ivskI df pYWg sfihb dy aMdr jfeygf, kuJ gFDI vfly
notF df syk qy kuJ rItf dy husn dI hvfV! sfhb lwtU ho jfeygf. mYN afp
hI qF mImo zrfPt krFgf. rItf itwk itwk krky kfgË df pMnf Aukr
dyvygI.
‘pMnf isMG dI bdlI! kfly pfxI.` sfhb dI lVKVFdI klm pMnf isMG
dy bdlI dy hukm `qy dsÉq kr dyvygI. kmfl ho jfey iPr.` tnI nfQ dI
mfniskqf pYro-pYr rMg bdldI rhI.
‘nfnk nfm cVHdI klf, qyry Bfxy srbwq df Blf[[[.`
spIkr dI afvfË ny iekyrF iPr Aus dy mn dy vihxF ivc zFg kwZ
mfrI. ‘Bly df burf kr[[[bury df Blf kr[[[.` Aus ƒ iPr Xfd af igaf.
Auhny iPr AuhI muhfrnI duhrfeI[[[. ‘srbwq kf Blf[[[srbwq kf Blf[[[.
ieh kI gwl hoeI Blf?[[[[ieh kI pRvcn hY[[[? mYN pihlF afpxf Blf
socFgf, iPr afpxy bwicaF df[[[iPr ÈfmU df [[[[qy iPr hor[[[.
ieh kOx hY? srbwq df Blf mMgx vflf?` mn ivc suafl krdf Auh
hwsx lwgf.
‘AuhI bury df Blf mMgx vflf[[[?` afpy juafb idMdf hY.
‘hUM a a[[[[pqf nhIN ikhVy Ëmfny dI gwl hY ieh?
rwb nyVy ik GsuMn?`
ÈIÈy awgy KVy KVy Auh keI gYr kudrqI qy afsfrn bol-kbol boldf
irhf qy afpxy aMdr dI afvfË suxdf irhf.
aÉbfr vflf aÉbfr suwt igaf. kfhlI kfhlI iqafr huMdy Aus ny
surÉIaF qy srsrI nËr GumfeI.
Èihr ivc luwt mfr qy sfV PUk[[[.
mMdr ivc gAU df mfs suwtdy do aprfDI kfbU.
Èihr ivc bwcy cuwkF df groh srgrm[[[.
inhMgF dy Bys ivc iqMn hiQafrbMd zfkUaF vwloN bwcy cuwkx df nfkfm
Xqn[[[. iek iswK nOjvfn ny bhfdrI nfl afpxI jfn Kqry c pf ky bwcy
Cuzf ley[[[puils vwloN aprfDIaF df ipwCf[[[pr koeI igRÌqfrI nhIN.
sfrf Èihr kriÌAU hvfly[[[puls cOks[[[.
 pVHdy pVHdy Aus dy ichry df rMg hr pl bdldf irhf.[[[ zfkUaF koloN
bwcy CuzfAux vfly nOjuafn df CINtkf ijhf pqlf srIr Aus dy sfhmxy pMnf
isMG dy rUp ivc af KVf hoieaf.
‘Aus ny myry Kfndfn `qy bVf aihsfn kIqf hY[[[mYƒ Aus nfl dvYq
nhIN kmfAuxI cfhIdI.` Aus dy aMdrlI afqmf dI afvfË bfhr AublI.
‘hF[[[hF jI iblkul TIk. mYƒ sfrI Aumr Aus dI kurbfnI nhIN BuwlxI
cfhIdI[[[ieh iewËq lwKIN nf hËfrIN[[[pqf nhIN jy lY jFdy, qF ikMnI iProqI
mMgdy, bwicaF nfl kI slUk krdy. Auh iPry nwk vZfAux ƒ[[[Auh iPry nwQ
GVfAux ƒ. ieh qF swcmuwc hI Êlq gwl hY. mYN pMnf isMG nfl dosqI
krFgf, duÈmxI nhIN. Aus ny myrI ieËq bcfeI hY, mYN Aus leI KUh Kfqy
Kod irhf hF.`
‘kmlf ey qUM [[[ iemiqhfn df awj df qy iek idn ey. Aus dI dosqI
qYƒ bhuq mihMgI pvygI, Aus dI imwqrqf df mqlb hovygf ik ies dÌqr
ivc Auh muwK pfqr bx jfeygf qy qUM ipClwg! qy iPr qyrI
bdlI![[[nhIN[[[nhIN hrigË nhIN, ieh qF iksy vI kImq `qy nhIN ho
skdf. muwK pfqr vI mYN hI bxFgf, sUqr-Dfr vI qy dovF sfhbF dIaF
vfgF vI myry hwQ hI hoxgIaF. mYN hI AuhnF dIaF qVfvF iKwc ky GoV dOV
krfvFgf.` Aus dy aMdrlI dUsrI kutlnIqI pihlI soc `qy hfvI ho geI.
‘vy puwq qUM rfq df imilaf hI nhIN. sfzf qF kwlH df ijvyN ÉUn hI
suwikaf ipaY, ikvyN rwb ny hwQ dy ky rwK ley myry Borf ijMny bfl bot!` Aus
dI mfsI pfrlI rsoeI-numF koTVIy `coN AuWT ky sotI KVkfAuNdI Aus df rfh
mwl bYTI.
‘mYƒ bVy ruJyvyN ny mF[[[keI kMm krn vfly ny dÌqr dy, awj
ienspYkÈn hY[[[mYN keI pRbMD krny ny[[[.` Aus ny ruwKy ijhy lihjy ivc
mfsI df mUMh bMd kr idwqf.
‘qy puwq ieh ruJyvyN kfhdy vfsqy ny?[[[ieh nOkrI kfhdy vfsqy krdy
E[[[? iehnF bwicaF leI! hYN? qy sux puwqf. jy iehnF ƒ kwlH kuJ ho jFdf,
Auh cuwk ky lY jFdy, qF qyrI nOkrI ikQy jFdI? qyry ruJyvyN iks kMm
afAuNdy[[[? jfh puwq jfh Aus pMny df DMnvfd krky af. cwl! qy mYƒ vI
nfl lY cwl. mYN Ausdy pYr cuMm ky afvF.` buwZI awKF rfhIN prl prl vih
qurI qy Auh pwQr vFg azol buwZI dy hMJU inhfrdf irhf.
pfT pUjf dy svyr dy afhr qoN ivhlf ho ky Aus ny afpxI sfrI qrkIb
dUjy sfQIaF qwk phuMcfAux leI idn cVHdy hI sfeIkl kwZ ilaf qy sB qoN
pihlF dUlo rfm dy Gr df ruK kIqf, pr nyVy jf ky Aus ny sfeIkl pMnf
isMG dy Gr vwl moV ilaf.
‘dUlo df kI ey? Auh qF afpxy hI GVy dI mwCI eyy[[[[, ijQy kho aMgUTf
lgvf lE. Aus dI kI mËfl! cUM cF kry. ipaflI rfm vI qF iek ipafly
dI mfr hY. qy dUjy pfsy pMny ƒ qF imlxf bhuq ËrUrI hY. Aus df vI qF mUMh
suMGxf cfhIdf hY. Aus ƒ ieh pqf hI nf lwgy ik Aus dy ivruD koeI ÈoÈf
cwl irhf hY.` Aus ny cldy cldy KflI suMnsfn glIaF bfËfrF qoN huMdy,
kriÌAU vfly ispfhIaF qoN luwkxmItI krdy[[[pMny dy Gr bfhrlI GMtI df
btn jf dbfieaf.
‘nmsqy pMnf sfihb!`
‘afE! nmsqy! ikwdF? suwK aY? awj kIVI dy Gr nfrfiex! ikvyN
drÈn idqy?` pMny ny hYrfnI pRgt krdy hoey sfry svfl ieky sfhy AuglwC
idqy, BfvyN Auh tnI nfQ dI afmd df aslI kfrn pihly Jtky hI BFp
igaf sI.
‘BeI quhfƒ pqY hI hY. asIN jnqf dy syvk aF. awj nvyN sfhb af rhy
ny, qusIN dÌqr dy isrkwZ bMdy E. mYN soicaf quhfzy nfl koeI ivcfr
vtFdrf, slfh mÈvrf kr ilaf jfey.`
‘afE! bYTo jI afieaF ƒ!` pMnf bVy afdr siqkfr nfl svfmI ƒ
aMdr lY igaf. Auh DYV krdf soPy `qy cuPfl izwg ipaf, ijvyN pMny ƒ ieh
Ëfhr krn dI koiÈÈ ivc hovy ik Auh bhuq Qwikaf tuwitaf ipaf hY.
‘bVI muÈikl nfl afieaYN mYN keI atkfa lMG ky, Èihr ivc ikvyN
awg lwgI peI eyy[[[cfr cuPyry sihm qy zr. mYƒ qF kriÌAU vfilaF ny Gyr
ilaf[[[bVI muÈikl nfl bc ky inkl afieaf hF.`
 ‘aYnI vI kI aYmrjYNsI sI awj svfmI jI! kdy awgy nf kdy ipCy nf?
mYƒ tYlIPUn kr idMdy, mYN afp hfËr ho jFdf.`
pMnf isMG ny vI imwTy lihjy df juafb imTfs ivc hI idwqf.
‘bVf icr hoieaf, asF kdy idl dIaF gwlF sFJIaF nhIN kIqIaF. mYN
ikhf nfly quhfzf hfl cfl puwC afvF. nfly koeI dÌqr dI duwK qklIÌ hY
qF dwso, sfhb nfl gwl kr lvFgy.`
‘qklIÌ qF koeI nIN, quhfƒ pqf hI hY, jo kirMdf afpxf kMm pUrI
lgn nfl, qn dyhI imhnq nfl qy iemfndfrI nfl krdf hY, Aus ƒ kI
qklIÌ ho skdI hY Blf?` tnI nfQ df pihlf PIlr izwg igaf.
‘Auho[[[sOrI! swc mYN qF Buwl hI igaf. quhfzf bhuq bhuq DMnvfd! mYN
quhfzf bhuq aihsfn-mMd hF, kwlH qusIN myrI lfj rwK leI.`
‘kfhdI lfj?` pMny ny aigafnqf Ëfhr kIqI.
‘qusIN myry bwcy Cuzf ley! koeI swt cot qF nhIN lwgI quhfƒ?` Ausny
pMny dy pYrF qoN lY ky isr qwk nËr GumfeI.
‘nhIN jI! ies ivc DMnvfd vflI kI gwl hoeI? mYN qF iek iensfnI
ÌrË inBfieaf hY. bwcy qF rwb ijMny pivwqr qy sB dy sFJy huMdy ny. aijhy
smyN qF duÈmx dy bwcy vI huMdy qF mYN afpxI jfn hUl ky vI AuhnF ƒ Cuzf
ilafAuNdf, ieh qF bwcy hI myry afpxy sn, myry afpxy dosq sfQI dy.` pMny
ny bVy svYmfn nfl ihwk PYlf ky afpxf vzwpx drsfieaf.
‘bVI crcf ey sfry Èihr ivc quhfzI bhfdrI dI. mYƒ koeI syvf dwso!
myrf sfrf Kfndfn jVHF qwk quhfzf irxI hY.` Aus ny bxfAutI ijhI cfplUsI
kIqI. Auh soc irhf sI, pMny nfl dPqr dI gwl ikvyN CyVI jfey. Aus ny
pihlf dfxf izwgx krky hfr ijhI mihsUs kIqI qy Auh pfgl kuwqy vFg
dMdIaF krIcx lwgf.
‘sux vy lokf[[[sux vy lokF[[[mYN dyvF hokf[[[.
glIaF ivc myrf Xfr gvfcf vyKo nf Kf jfieAu DoKf[[[.`
 bfhroN iek imwTI mDur sMgIqmeI afvfË ny dovF dy kMn KVy kr idwqy.
ikMnI imwTI afvfË sI[[[ikMnf mDur sMgIq sI. bfhr glI ivc koeI Pwkr
hrmonIam `qy gfxf gf ky iBwiKaf mMg irhf sI, gjf kr irhf sI.
pMnf isMG ny axsuxI krky duwD df kwp tnI nfQ dy hwQ PVfieaf. cfh
qF Aus ƒ pqf Auh psMd nhIN sI krdf.
‘DoKybfË jy, dgybfË jy, gwl ivc Aus dy mflf,
bfhroN bVf hI imwTf aMdroN swp kOzIaF vflf[[[.`
dovF dIaF awKF iBVIaF. tnI nfQ dIaF awKF zrI hoeI ibwlI vFg muMd
geIaF. gl ivc peI Aus dI mflf Aus ny kmIË Qwly CupfAux dI koiÈÈ
kIqI.
‘ijsƒ Kfvy Aus ƒ zMgy idl df bVf hI Kotf,
swjx Twg hY mIaF imwTU ieh Joty df Jotf[[[.`
‘kI ieh quhfƒ qy nhIN lwB irhf svfmI jI?` pMnf isMG ny hwsdy hwsdy
Aus ƒ tohx dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘nhIN jI! ieQy mYƒ lwBx vflf kOx hY? quhfzy ielfky ivc[[[.`
‘lMm slMmF kwd jy Ausdf, gogV motI BfrI,
iensfnF df duÈmx hY Aus hYvfnF sMg XfrI.`
‘hulIaf qF quhfzf hI dws irhf hY tnI nfQ jI! quhfzf hI koeI swjx
ipafrf quhfƒ toldf toldf ieQy af phuMcf, quhfzI pYV nwp ky[[[[. jfAu jf
ky pqf kro ivcfry df.` hfsy dI iek Cxkfht kmry dy gMBIr vfqfvrx
ivc ÉuÈI qy nÌrq df imlgoBf Cwz geI.
‘Cwzo jI. koeI kMm dI gwl kro! dwso quhfƒ ikhVI sIt cfhIdI hY?
ikhVI skIm cfhIdI hY? ijhVI kho idvfAUN[[[mYƒ aËmf ky vyKo[[[.`
‘buwkl dy ivc CurI lkoeI ipwT `c vfr jy krdf.
mfVy dy Auh Auqy cVHdf juwqI koloN zrdf.`
bfhr dI sMgIqk afvfË lgfqfr jfrI rhI.
‘quhfƒ pqY sfhb nfl myrI purfxI afVI hY[[[.`
 ‘mYƒ nf iPr idAu AulFBf Aus ƒ dUr BjfAu,
Auh qF miraf swp hY swjxoN Aus ƒ gly nf lfAu[[[.`
bfhr dI sMgIqk Dun lgfqfr gUMjdI rhI.
‘hF jI mYƒ sB pqY! pr mYN qF ieQy hI sMquÈt hF!
pihlF hI qusIN myry `qy bVIaF imhrbfnIaF kIqIaF ny. mYN DMnvfdI
hF quhfzf[[[.`
pMny dy mn ivc hrmonIam rly bol gUMj rhy sn, BfvyN ieh afvfË
dUr clI geI sI. Ausny imwTy ijhy ivaMg nfl tnI nfQ ƒ Jtk idqf, ijs
df mqlb sI ik Auh svfmI dIaF aijhIaF cfplUsIaF suxn dy pwK ivc
nhIN.
‘sONh rwb dI! pihlF vI mYN quhfzy nfl kuJ Êlq nhIN kIqf, pr
quhfzy mn ivc kuJ ÊlqPihmIaF ny. mYN kwZxf cfhuMdf hF ieh.` svfmI ny
illkVI ijhI kwZI.
‘koeI loV nhIN mYƒ iksy ivKfvy dI[[[qusIN mYƒ koeI syvf lfAu! mYN
hfËr hF.` pMny ny iekyrF iPr Aus ƒ iJVk idqf.
‘jy myry Xfr quhfƒ XkIn nhIN qF suxo! ipCy jo ho igaf so ho igaf[[[,
Aus `qy pfAu imwtI[[[. awj qoN mYN quhfzy iKlfÌ kuJ khF qF afpxI skI BYx
df nflf qoVF.` sONh Kfx vFg tnI nfQ ny hwly dI gfl kwZ mfrI qy Aus
dIaF suaflIaF nËrF pMnf isMG dy mUMhoN idaflqf dy ÈbdF dI AuzIk krn
lwgIaF.
‘quhfzf pRsqfv qF TIk hY, pr Ërf mYƒ smJf qF idAu ik mYN quhfzf
kI ivgfiVaf hY kdy? kI mYN quhfzI kdy cuglI lgfeI hY? iÈkfieq lgfeI
hY?`
‘nhIN! iblkul nhIN. kdy nhIN. mYƒ myry bwicaf dI ksm. qusIN myry
pVdy hI Zwkdy rhy hmyÈf.`
‘qy iPr qusIN afp hI dwso! qusIN awj qwk myry nfl kI nhIN kIqf?
krdy rho! myrf kuJ nhIN ivgiVaf qy nf hI ivgVygf, scfeI dI hmyÈf
ijwq huMdI hY! not kro plIË!
 XfrF dI Ëihr pIaFgf mYN aMimRq jfx ky,
myry ihwsy ipaflf ieh afx idAu dosqo.
scfeI Kfqr mrdy jo amr ho jFdy,
mYƒ hws hws PFsI gl pfx idAu dosqo.`
pMny ivclf kvI aMdrly bMnH qoV ky bfhr af tpikaf.
‘ijwdF vI hY kvI sfihb! mYƒ muafÌ kro qy myrI ieËq rwKo. qusIN Ërf
jldI iqafr ho ky sfZy ku awT vjy dÌqr phuMc jfAu qy jmfdfrnI koloN
sPfeI df sfrf kMm TIk Tfk afpxI hfËrI ivc krvf lYxf. sfhb TIk
TIk muV igaf qF sfzf sB df Blf. guwsy igly jy koeI hYn qF bfad ivc
nijwT lvFgy.` Aus dI muhqbrF vflI iswiKaf qoN pMnf isMG Pyr icV igaf.
‘qusIN qwqy qvy `qy GIsI kr ky mYƒ XkIn bnHfAu qF mYN Pyr vI quhfzf
ieqbfr nhIN kr skdf. ijs afdmI ny sfrI Aumr horF dI cuglI inMidaf
krky hI afpxI nOkrI bcfeI hY, roËI kmfeI hY, Auh ieh afdqF ikvyN Cwz
skdf hY. kuwqy dI pUC kdy iswDI nhIN ho skdI BfvyN bfrF sfl iÈkMjy ivc
pf rwKo.`
pMnf isMG ƒ hor qlKI af geI.
‘mYN hrfmdf hovF jy hux quhfzy nfl aijhI koeI DoKybfË hrkq krF.
mYƒ jldI hY plIË! mYƒ qswlI idAu.`
Aus ny iPr bwicaF vFg ijwd PV leI.
‘qusIN myry nfl Kfr Kfx lwgy, ies krky ik mYN quhfƒ toikaf sI ik
qusIN afpxy ssqy suafrQ dI Kfqr smfj df amn dfa `qy nf lgfE, jd
qusIN afpxy ies Coty ijhy dÌqr ivc hI ihMdU iswKF dy nfm `qy ivqkry dI
cMigafVI mGfAux dI koiÈÈ kIqI. dUjy pfsy AuWcI suwcI svrn jfqI dy ho
ky hrIjn lVkI stYno ÈIlf nfl dÌqr ivc hI byshfrf ÊrIb smJ ky
qMg krn lwgy. Aus df prK smF lMGfAux df zr dy ky blYkmyl krky
romFick KylF Kylx lwgy. Aus vyly ikQy sI quhfzI ieh iewËq? ikQy sI
quhfzI ieh mflf? nO sO cUhf Kf ky ibwlI hwj ƒ cwlI.`
 pMny dy pfry df grfÌ Aupr qoN Aupr cVHdf vyK ky tnI nfQ dy mwQy
psIny dIaF GrflF vg qurIaF. afpy PfQVIey qYƒ kOx Cuzfey?
‘kwZ lE Êubfr! awj sfry hI. jo mrËI kih lE. myry isr juwqIaF
mfro[[[, mYN pfpI hF[[[, mYN kmInf hF.` tnI nfQ roxhfkf ho ky isr hwQF `c
Guwt bYTf.
‘quhfzy ieh bwjr kpt, smfj df koeI vI eImfndfr afdmI cuwpcfp
nhIN vyK skdf, qusIN afpxf hI iZwz ivhVf kIqf hoieaY. pfp nfl Biraf
quhfzf ieh BFzf hux Puwtx hI vflf hY. awq qy Kudf df vYr huMdf hY. dunIaF
dy sB nIc kMm qusIN kIqy, pr Auprly aÌsrF dIaF nËrF qoN bcx leI,
kfƒn qoN bcx leI qusIN AUjF lgfeIaF, lgfAuNdy rhy pMnf isMG Auqy.`
pMnf isMG dy roihly bolF ny svfmI dy idl df zr hor gihrf kr idqf,
mqF ieh sB kuJ sfhb dy sfhmxy hI nf kih mfry. Gr df ByqI lMkf
Zfhy.1
‘qusIN Aus gurU dy iswK ho, ijsny afpxf sB kuJ vfr ky, iqafg ky,
sfry Byd Bfv imtf ky, ihMdU Drm dI rfKI leI srbMs kurbfn kr idwqf.
kI qusIN myrI iek dI mdd nhIN kr skdy?` sfry vfr izwgdy vyK ky
svfmI ny Dfrimk pYNqVf apnfieaf.
‘jbr Ëulm qy byiensfÌI dy iKlfÌ lVnf sfzf sB df PrË hY, pr
qusIN qF mYƒ jbr dy hwk ivc bolx leI Auksf rhy ho. nhIN! nhIN! mYN swc
dI rfKI krFgf.` pMnf isMG pwQr vFg azol biËd irhf.
‘clo quhfzI mrËI.` tnI nfQ ny qrs dy pfqr bxn ijhf mUMh
bxfieaf. Auh roieaf qF nhIN pr rox qoN Gwt vI nhIN sI.
‘pr mYƒ XkIn idvfE ik qusIN jy myry hwk ivc nhIN qF myry iKlfÌ vI
nhIN bology.` mwDm ijhf hfsf mUMh `qy ilaFdy svfmI ny iPr Ìuirafd
kIqI.
‘awCf mYN koiÈÈ krFgf[[[qklIÌ muafP. pr Xfd rwKo, mYN jo vI
krFgf, jo vI khFgf, afpxI afqmf dI aMdrlI afvfË `qy khFgf.`
‘Ërf iqafr ho ky dÌqr jldI phuMc jfE[[[mYN QoVHf lyt afvFgf.`
 jFdy jFdy svfmI ny iPr hlImI ijhI ivc apIl kIqI.
‘awgy ikhVf qUM lyt nhIN huMdf? qUM qF kdy vI lyt nhIN huMdf. lyt qF
asIN hI huMdy hF. awCf TIk af E-ky[[[dPqr qF mYN jfxf hI hY. qUM nf
kihMdf qF vI mYN jfxf hI sI[[[.` Ëor dI drvfËf bMd hox dI afvfË ikMnI
dUr qwk tnI nfQ df ipwCf krdI rhI.
pMnf isMG tnI nfQ dy sfry afzMbr jmF, GtfE, qksIm aqy guxF dy
sfry CfibaF c qolx lwgf. pYr pYr `qy pfskUM, gwl gwl ivc Kot, tnI nfQ
dy aks ƒ hor gMDlf kr gey. tnI nfQ dI ies byloVI qy by-mqlb PyrI
ny pMnf isMG ƒ hor lohy df Qx bxf idqf.
‘sflf kmËfq! Zykf rfxI KF df! kihMdf[[[[pMny ƒ ËIro kr ky mYN hIro
bxUM[[[[qy leI iPrdf afpxy ipwCy tuktyrF dI tolI. hUM[[[[[hUMa, jo mYƒ vI
dws jFdy ny af ky[[[[[roË iehdI krqUq[[[[[.`
pMnf ikMnf icr afpxy afp ivc ivws Goldf irhf.
FFF
3
awj dÌqr ivc afAux vflf pihlf afdmI cpVfsI hI sI jo svyry
awT vjy hI phuMc igaf sI qy Aus dy ipwCy dÌqr dI sÌfeI syvkf rfmo.
vwzy sfhb dy afAux krky awj Kfs sÌfeI kIqI krfeI geI sI. tnI nfQ
dy Gr igaf hoieaf dÌqr df PrnIcr vI kwlH Èfm qwk vfps phuMc cuwkf
sI, ikAuNik dÌqr dI ieMnspYkÈn smyN ies sB kuJ dI igxqI hoxI sI.
dÌqr dIaF Cy itAUbF jo ipwCly iek sfl qoN Auhdy Gr cfnx vMzdIaF
rhIaF, vfps af geIaF sn. srkfrI myË kursIaF, hItr, kUlr sB muV
afey sn. TykydfrF qy kfrKfnydfrF qoN AugrfhI krky dÌqr df Kfs qOr
`qy jlOa kIqf igaf sI qy ieh sB kuJ tnI nfQ dI hI imhnq df sdkf
sI, ijs df Aupr qy Qwly hr pwDr `qy phuMc qy asr rsUK sI. TykydfrF ƒ
jldI ibwl pfs krfAux dy JFsy dy ky qy kfrKfnydfrF ƒ jurmfny qoN rfhq
idvfAux dy lflc dy ky qy dÌqr dy keI kirMidaF koloN AuhnF dy ruky kMm
kZHfAuNx leI sfhb ƒ itwp dyx leI KfsI motI rkm nfl jyb Br leI sI.
sfhb dI afvfjfeI leI iek vwzI kfr iqafr KVI sI.
cpVfsI rfmo ƒ sfrf kMm smJf ky bfhr clf igaf. rfmo vI awj kuJ
iËafdf hI swjI cmkI hoeI sI, ijvyN awj dÌqr df nhIN Ausy df hI
mulfihjf hoxf hovy. nIly blOrI nYxF ivc kMnF qwk kjly dI Dfr, vI Èyp
kmIË kwt ivcoN zuwl zuwl pYNdy Aus dy husnF dy BMzfr Aus dy jvfn hox df
BulyKf pfAuNdy sn. iek kwpVf lY ky Ausny ieDr AuDr mfrnf ÈurU kIqf,
mfno smF lMGfAux leI hI ieh sB kuJ kr rhI hovy. sPfeI qF kwlH Èfm
dI hI ho cuwkI sI.
rfmo ny bfhr izwTf. koeI af irhf sI. Aus df idl hor qyË DVkx
lwgf. hF ieh AuhI sI ijs ƒ Auh keI vyrF vyKdI sI, hmyÈf nmwsqy krdI
sI. ibnF iJjk dÌqr dI gwl dwsdI sI, puwCdI sI. pr awj Ausƒ Aus
koloN ikAuN zr lwgx lwgf hY. Aus koloN keI vyrF pMj ds rupY AuDfr lYNdI
sI. keI vyrF jy moV idwqy qF vI TIk qy jy nf moVy qF vI Auhny kdy puwiCaf
nhIN sI. tfkI PyrdI PyrdI Aus df hwQ ruk igaf. bfbU jI bfhr hI Klo
gey sn. Aus ny iPr bfhr Jfikaf. bfbU nfl awKF tkrfeIaF. Aus dIaF
awKF ivc Èrfrq, zr qy Èrm dy rlgwz zory ltkx lwgy.
‘bfbU jI! kI tfeIm hY?` Aus ny afpxf guwt Aupr cuwkdy ieÈfrf kIqf.
‘sfZy awT vwjx vfly ny.`
‘hfey! mYN mrgI! aYnf tfeIm ho igaf?` Auh Gbrfht ijhI ivc
qRwBkI.
‘kI gwl awj! kIhƒ kql krnYN.` bfbU ny Èrfrq kIqI.
‘quhfzI syvf leI[[[[[sB kuJ[[[[[.` Aus ny muMdIaF awKF tpkFdy lwk
df mroVf Biraf qy tfkI lY ky ipCly hnyry kmry vwl qur peI. Aus ny ipwCy
muV ky dyiKaf[[[bfbU AuQy hI KVf sI. TMZ aMdr vI sI. bfhr vI sI. aMdr
Auh afp sI, qy bfhr bfbU. jUVI lgfAux ƒ Aus df AuWkf hI icwq nf kIqf.
‘jldI afE nf! bfbU jI.` Aus ny lfzI ijhI idKfeI.
 ‘ieh qfkI KolH idE nf[[[[af ky[[[[[.` Aus ny afpxy dovyN hwQ isr AuqoN
dI mOrF vwl ƒ vDFdy hoey cilwqr ijhf kIqf. bfbU GVI dyKdy aMdr
viDaf.
‘mOsm bhuq byeImfn hY, smF bhuq nfËk hY, QoVHf hY, iemfrq bhuq
aËIm hY.` Aus dy aMdr df ruwg Biraf igaf.
bfbU dy aMdr vVdy hI CfqI mtkf ky rfmo ny Aus ƒ pYrF qoN AuKfV
idwqf. Aus dI ieh nËfkq bfbU ƒ kql kr geI qy hux Auh Aus dy
sfhmxy KVI sI pUrI dI pUrI lfl prI, blOrI boql.
‘qusIN bVy cMgy E! bfbU jI.` rfmo ny bfbU ƒ klfvy ivc Br ilaf.
‘nhIN! awj nhIN! Pyr ikqy qyrf AulFBf lfhFgy. awj sfhb afAux vfly
ny.` bfbU ny Aus dy hwQ iZwly krky afpxy afp ƒ CuzfAux dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘bfbU jI! awj mYN ipafsI hF[[[[awj myrI ipafs buJf idE.` Ausny iPr
sfrf srIr CMz ky qrlf ijhf kIqf qy Aus nfl icMbV geI. bfbU dy hoÈ
hvfs guMm hox lwgy, ijvyN Aus ƒ mfrPIey df tIkf lwg igaf hovy. afsy
pfsy qoN byKbr byKOÌ bfbU jI nwQ pfeI bFdr vFg AUTk bYTk krn lwgy.
bfhr kuJ afht hoeI, kilwk dI afvfË afeI. AuhnF dI kfrj-ÈIlqf
ivc pey ivGn ny bfbU ƒ JMjoV idqf. bfbU hux afpxI hoÈ ivc af cuwkf
sI. BfvyN Aus df sfh nfl sfh nhIN sI rl irhf. Ausny izwTf rOÈndfn
ivcoN koeI AuhnF dI corI kr irhf sI. iek imMt dI imMt bfbU jI dOVdy
afpxf afp sFBdy bfhr inkly. kmry dy rOÈndfn nfl cMbiVaf tnI nfQ
CVwpf mfrky Qwly AuWqr afieaf. Auh kdy ÈfmU Èfh dy rihm mMgdy ichry
vwl qy kdy rfmo vwl vyK irhf sI.
JfVU cuwk ky kwpVy sFBdI rfmo tnI nfQ kol af KVI hoeI. tnI nfQ ny
iek nËr ÈfmU Èfh vwl vyiKaf qy pMjfh df not kwZ ky rfmo ƒ PVf idwqf.
‘qUM qF glq iÈkfr mfr idwqf rfmo[[[[!` qy Auh, aOh geI[[[aOh
geI[[[aOh geI[[[. ÈfmU ny zrdy zrdy Zyr sfrI gvfcI hoeI mfnisk
AUrjf iekwTI kIqI qy swjy hwQ df QwpV svfmI vwl vDfieaf.
‘Gr dI AuWKlI ivc hI Cyk krn lwgYN BYx dyixaf?`
 ‘nhIN Brfvf mYN qF pMny ƒ PsfAux dI qfk ivc sF.`
svfmI ny gwlH mUMh bcf ky QwpV hwQ ivc hI boc ilaf.
dovyN BfeI ies qoN vwD kuJ nf bol sky.
iek gMBIr zrI hoeI cuwp doovF dy ivcfly kMD bx geI.
Èihr ivc kriÌAU hox dy bfvjUd svyry ds vjy qwk sfrI hfËrI iek
dm pUrI ho geI. sfry kmiraF dIaF kursIaF dy Bfg jfg pey. dÌqr
af ky GMtf Br lfan ivc bfhr bYT ky qfÈ Kylx jF gwp-Cwp mfrn dI
QF sfry afpxIaF afpxIaF sItF qy swj gey. dÌqr ivc KfsI cMgI rOxk
sI. hr roË bfrF vjy dÌqr af ky nON vjy dI hfËrI lgfAux vflf ÈfmU
Èfh vI awj pUry tfeIm `qy afpxI sIt `qy ibrfjmfn sI. hr iek dy
ichry `qy Auqsuk zr dI prCfeI ltk rhI sI. hr iek ny hwQ c klm
pYn PVI afpxIaF nËrF PfeIlF `qy itkf rwKIaF sn, BfvyN iKVkIaF dy
ÈIiÈaF rfhIN hr iek df iDafn sfhmxy afAuNdI sVk vwl sI. ÈfmU ny
hmyÈf vFg hfËrI rijstr PiVaf, pMnf isMG qoN ibnF sB dIaF hfËrIaF
lwgIaF hoeIaF sn. pMny dy Kfny ivc Aus ny GroV ky kFtf lgf idwqf qy
rijstr rfm lfl aiDakÈ dy myË `qy phuMcf idwqf.
‘awj ieh Psygf.` ÈfmU pMny dI gYrhfËrI `qy bhuq KuÈ sI. Aus ƒ
cMgf mOkf iml igaf. pMnf isMG dy iKlfÌ iek hor sfbq sbUqf GiVaf
GVfieaf ielËfm afpxy afp hI AuWBr afieaf sI.
TIk svf ds vjy nIly rMg dI iek kfr dÌqr vwl muVdI vyK ky sfry
sfvDfn ho gey. ieh AuhI kfr sI jo sfhb leI iksy pfrtI qoN vgfr `qy
lY rwKI sI. sB qoN pihlF ÈfmU dOV ky bfhr gyt vwl ƒ viDaf qy kfr dy
sfhmxy jf ky hwQ joV ky nmsqy khI. sfhb ny vI iek hwQ nfl mwQy ƒ
ieÈfrf krdy muskfn Brky Aus dI nmsqy df huMgfrf idqf. aYny ivc rfm
lfl vI kflIaf sfihb dy suafgq leI bfhr inkl afey. ÈfmU ny kfr df
drvfËf KoilHaf. sfhb sfhny vFg afkiVaf, kfr ivcoN bfhr inkldf,
muCF ƒ vwt idMdf sB nfl hwQ imlfAux lwgf.
‘kfkf rfm![[[[[!` ÈfmU ny ruhb BrI afvfË mfrI.
 ‘hF jI[[[jnfb![[[.` cpVfsI dOV ky lfgy afieaf.
‘hfr![[[[[hfr ilaf jldI!`
cpVfsI hfr lY ky afieaf. AuhnF ivcoN iek afpy hI ÈfmU ny PV
ilaf. iek svfmI ƒ vgfh idwqf qy iek rfm lfl ƒ PVf idwqf. lfgy KVy
stfP dy hor vIh pwcI kirMidaF ny iehnF df ieh vrqfrf vyK ky kVvfht
mihsUs kIqI. sfhb ny iek nËry sB dy ichry pVHy qy dohF hwQF nfl ÈfmU
df hfr svIkfr kIqf. iPr lfl sfihb dy awgy afAux qoN pihlF tnI nfQ
afpxf nMbr lgf igaf. ijs dI PUk vwj jfvy pihlF, ijwq Ausy dI kihMdy.
lfl sfihb dI vfrI sB qoN ipCoN afeI. kflIaf sfhb ny pihly dovyN hfr
Auqfr ky syvfdfr ƒ PVf idwqy qy iPr rfm lfl df hfr bVy inwGy cfa nfl
isr invf ky afpxy gl puaf ilaf qy lfl sfhb dI ipwT `qy hwQ Pyrdy bVy
ipafr nfl, aMdr ƒ qur pey. dovyNN Brf ÈfmU qy svfmI kflIaf sfihb dI
ieh bygfngI vyK ky sV bl kolf ho gey.
AuhnF ƒ kflIaf sfihb dI aijhI hrkq `qy bhuq hYrfnI hoeI.
AuhnF hIxqf ijhI mihsUs kIqI. ikwQy Auh socdy sn ik sfhb koloN jo
mrËI kMm krfAuxgy qy ikQy sfhb ny AuhnF dy pihly hfr vI pfsy suwt ky
lfl sfhb df hfr hI invfijaf. gwl qF BfvyN kuJ vI nhIN sI. iek pwKoN
TIk vI sI ik dÌqr dy ieMncfrj ƒ axgOly krky CoitaF ƒ qrjIh dyxI
iksy qrHF vI Auicwq nhIN sI. pr dohF BrfvF ƒ ies ivc afpxI pihlI
hfr nËrIN afeI, BfvyN rfm lfl jF kflIaf sfihb, iksy df vI AuhnF ƒ
CuitafAux df koeI ierfdf nhIN sI.
aiDakÈ rfm lfl ny kflIaf sfhb ƒ sfry kmiraf df muafienf
krfieaf.
‘ieh hfl kmrf[[[ieh stor[[[ieh gYst rUm[[[ieh lYtrIn hY jI[[[.`
sfry AuQy af ky ruwk gey.
‘nfl dy kmry ivc sB TIk Tfk hY jI.`
‘pr![[[pr! ieh cUVIaF[[[???` kflIaf sfhb dy pYrF ƒ bryk lwg
geI.
 dovF BrfvF dIaF nËrF tkrf ky nIvIaF ho geIaF. ÈfmU ƒ kFbf ijhf
iCV igaf. ieh cUVIaF swp dy kuMzlF vFg Aus dy lwk Audfly ilptdIaF
jfpIaF.
‘sPfeI syvkf dy iksy bwcy dIaF hoxgIaF.`
ÈfmU ny byÈrmF vFg afpxf mKOtf CupfAuNdy ikhf.
‘nhINN! ieh bwcy dIaF nhIN! ieh qF vwzIaF cUVIaF hn. ieh ikvyN?`
sfhb dIaF awKF ivc Èrfrq BrI muskfn af tpkI.
‘hI[[[[[hI[[[[[hI[[[[jI ieh Èfmo dIaF hI hoxgIaF iPr!` rfm lfl ny
mfmlf hor awgy vDdf vyK ky gwl mukfeI. sfry cwkr lgf ky kflIaf sfhb
supirtYNzYNt rfm lfl dI sIt `qy jf bYTy. ÈfmU svfmI qy rfm lfl AuhnF
dy sfhmxy bYT gey.
‘kflIaf sfhb ny hfËrI rijstr PV ky srsrI nËr mfrI.
‘ieh krfs? pMnf isMG nI afieaf?` kflIaf sfhb rfm lfl ƒ
sMboDn hoieaf.
aMb vFg suwkI ÈfmU dI iZwzI Aupr bfhr vwl ƒ Puwl geI.
‘jI Auhdf qF roË df ieh hfl hY[[[afAuNdf hoAU ikqy.`
‘nhIN! nhIN! Aus dI qF awDy idn dI CuwtI hY awj.`
lfl sfhb ny ÈfmU dI ÈurlI nkfrf kr idwqI.
‘iPr ieh krfs ikAuN?` krfs sux ky rfm lfl iCwQf ijhf pY igaf.
‘mYN qF nhIN lgfieaf.` Ausny rijstr cuwk ky awKF Jmkdy dyKx dI
koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘iks ny lgfieaf ieh krfs?` Aus ny ÈfmU df iqVikaf ichrf pVH
ilaf. kflIaf sfhb ƒ vI KuVHk geI.
‘afp ko iks ny khf krfs lgfxy ky iley?` kflIey ny dbfkVI ijhI
mfr ky ÈfmU ƒ psIno psInI kr idwqf. ieh rijstr isrP dÌqr df
ieMncfrj hI cYWk kr skdf hY qy AuhI aijhy krfs lgf skdf hY. qusIN
aijhy glq kMm nf kiraf kro.` kflIaf sfhb ny ies Gtnf ƒ bhuq
gMBIrqf nfl smiJaf qy not kIqf.
 ‘nhIN sr! mYN qF lfl sfhb df hI kMm kIqf hY.` ÈfmU ny JUTy ijhy
afpxI sPfeI pyÈ kIqI.
cfh af geI. cfr kwpF ivc cfh qy cfr plytF ivc nfÈqf miTafeI
prosI geI.
‘lo sfhb! pIAu!` ÈfmU ny cfh df kwp sfhb vwl iKskfieaf.
‘bws ieqnI hI[[[[?`
‘hF jI! koeI nf!`
‘nhIN! hfl ivc clo! sfry stfP nfl iekwTI cfh pIvFgy[[[[.` sfhb
ny cfh df kwp Qwly rwKdy pMjfbI bolx dI muhfrq kIqI.
nfl dI kYibn ivc bYTI rItf zrI hoeI GuwgI vFg nuwkry lwgI kuMgVI
awgy peI tfeIp mÈIn `qy lgrF vrgIaF AuNglF PyrdI kfgË dy pMny
AuWkrdI jf rhI sI. Aus dy kMn ies cOkVI dI guPqgU vwl lwgy hoey sn.
ÈfmU ny AuWT ky afpxI almfrI KolH ky do zfierIaF qy iek pYWn sYWt
bfhr kwiZaf qy bVI inmrqf nfl nIvF ho ky sfhb ƒ Byt kr idwqy.
‘bVy pRym nfl rwiKaf hY jI! ieh sYWt, quhfzy vfsqy[[[.`
tnI nfQ svfmI jo ajy qwk cuwp cfp iksy ZuwkvyN mOky dI qfV ivc sI,
ÈfmU dI ies pihl kdmI `qy lVKVf igaf.
‘nhIN! iehnF dI nIN loV? ieh rwKo qusIN. myry kol hY zfierI vI hY,
pYWn vI hY.`
‘jnfb! ieh qF quhfzy leI myry ÈrDf pUrbk jËbfqF dI pRqIk
ny[[[[[. hor quhfƒ iehnF cIËF df kI Gftf?` Èfh ny zfierI df bfhrlf
pMnf AuWlt ky sfhb vwl awK df iek konf nwp idwqf. aMdr nIly notF dI
iek qih sfhb ƒ pYrF qoN hlUx geI. Aus ny buwlHF `qy Ëbfn PyrI qy afpxf
brIP kys KolH ky mfl aMdr suwt ilaf.
‘awCf DMnvfd.`
‘lE! qusIN qF cfh pIE. TMZI ho rhI hY[[[iPr hor af jfeygI.` ÈfmU ny
sfhb dy pihly PYsly `qy nËr sfnI kIqI. sfry mlkVy ijhy cfh dy kwp
AuTf ky srfkVn lwgy.
 ‘ieh miTafeI sfzy Èihr dI bVI spYÈl qohPf hY.`
ÈfmU ny gwl awgy vDfeI.
‘ieMnI Aucyc dI loV nhIN sI. quhfƒ pqY, mYyN qF sfdf ijhf afdmI hF.`
sfhb hwisaf.
‘hF jI! sr! sfƒ pqY! quhfzy vrgf qF awj qwk asF koeI aÌsr
vyiKaf hI nhIN. ieh qF sfzI vI qy pMjfb dI vI KuÈ-iksmqI hY ik qusIN
dubfrf ieQy afey ho.` svfmI ny vI cfplUsI df afpxf Kfqf KolH idwqf.
‘aÌsr sfry hI cMgy huMdy ny. qusIN afpxf-afpxf kMm eImfndfrI nfl
krdy rho, koeI iÈkfieq df mOkf nf idE, qusIN vI sOKy qy mYN vI suKI.`
kflIaf sfhb dI pihlF nfloN bdlI hoeI nIqI dohF BrfvF ƒ nÈqr vFg
cuwBI.
‘sfry dÌqr df amlf Gr dy mYNbrF vFg rl-iml ky rho, iek dUjy
`qy dUÈnbfjI, icwkV qy ielËfm lgfAuxy Cwz idE. cuglI inMidaf krnf
TIk nhIN[[[.`
‘hI[[[[hI[[[[hI[[[[, hF jI, quhfƒ aYsI koeI iÈkfieq nhIN imlygI[[[.
quhfƒ ieh vI pqf hY ik sfzy vrgf nyk nIqI vflf qy imhnqI vrkr
quhfƒ hor ikqy nhIN imlygf. asIN kMm vI pUrf krdy hF qy aÌsrF df
afdr siqkfr qy syvf vI pUrI krdy hF.` svfmI ny afpxy mUMhoN mIaF imwTU
bx ky dohF BrfvF dI sPYd-poÈgI df pRgtfvf kIqf.
‘pr jnfb! sfzy ivc iek mYNbr TIk nhIN! Aus krky sfzy sfry
dÌqr qy mihkmy dI bdnfmI ho rhI hY. Aus qoN sfzf Cutkfrf krf jfE
jnfb!` ÈfmU ny iPr kuwqpuxy dI hwd vwl vDdy awK df iek konf nwp idwqf.
pqf nhIN awK sI jF bMb! kflIey dI cfh zuwlHdI-zuwlHdI msF bcI. kflIaf
sfhb rfm lfl dy mwQy dIaF ryKfvF pVn lwgy, pr tnI nfQ ivcoN hI bol
ipaf.
‘ieh qF mflko! iksy dI koeI pRvfh nhIN krdf[[[[, nf sfzI qy nf iksy
aÌsr dI[[[[ies dI ieQoN bdlI ho jfey qF iPr[[[[.`
 ‘asIN Aus ƒ suDfr lvFgy[[[[jy Auh glqI krygf qF asIN Ausƒ
smJfvFgy, iehI qF sfzf kMm hY[[[[qusIN Aus dI Ërf icMqf nf kro. afpxf
kMm ÈFqI nfl kro[[[[afpxf afcfr ieKlfk sfbq sbUq rwKo qy horF ƒ
TIk rihx idAu. Aus ƒ TIk krnf lfl sfhb df kMm hY jF myrf[[[[. qusIN
ieh sfzy `qy Cwz idAu.` kflIey ny iekyrF iPr iehnF tuktyrF dI guwzI boa
kr idwqI.
‘asIN qF ÈFqI nfl rihxf cfhuMdy hF, pr ieh nhIN tldf. hr roË
ies df koeI nf koeI AulFBf, hr roË koeI nvIN iÈkfieq. ieh ivcfry lfl
sfhb vI isr qoV bYTy ny. pr Auh nhIN mMndf iksy ƒ.` svfmI ny iPr
afpxy ZITpuxy dI bVHk mfrI qy nfl lfl sfihb ƒ vI afpxy nfl pMjflI
joVn dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘ÈIlf dI mOq df kfrn vI iehI pMnf hI sI. ieho hI Aus ÈrIP lVkI
nfl Kyh KrfbIaF krdf irhf. sfry dÌqr ƒ pqf hY[[[[qy aÉIr ivcfrI
inmoÈI dI mfrI ivwcy ivwc Guwt ky mr geI.`
‘hF ies bfry vI qF mYN puwC pVHqfl krnI hI hY.` cfrF dy kMn lfglI
kYibn vwl muVy. AuQy bYTI rItf ny awKrF qy KflI AuNglF Pyrdy afpxI hoNd
df aihsfs krfieaf.
‘ieh ivcfrI nvIN afeI kuVI rItf ƒ kihx lwgf! af rItf! qYƒ
isnymF idKfvF! nfly qyry nfl mYN bVIaF ËrUrI gwlF krnIaF ny[[[[.` pr
ieh nhIN geI. jy nfl qur jFdI qF Auhny iehƒ vI bihkfa ky keI Aulty
iswDy pfT pVHfAuxy sn.`
rItf dy aMdr BFbV mwc AuiTaf. Aus df jIa kIqf, Auh AuWT ky jf
ky, ies svfmI qy ÈfmU dy bUiQaF `qy Ëor dI QwpV lgf dyvy jo afpxy
suafrQ leI, afpxI ikV kwZx leI, rItf df nfm mwlo mwlI ivc GsoV
rhy ny. Auh ivcfrf qy kdy BYx jI qoN ibnF gwl nhIN krdf qy ieh klXuwgI
iqwkVI ikwdF ipCy peI hoeI aY Aus ivcfry dy, hwQ Do ky. mYƒ kI loV! iksy
bfry aYvyN JUTf kuPr qolx dI? mYN qF kih idaFgI, ieh sB iehnF kMjrF
dy mnGVq ikwsy ny. Ébrdfr! jy myrf iksy ny aYvyN nfm bwdU kIqf qF.` Aus
ny afpxy mn ivc icqfvnI BrI.
 cpVfsI zfk df Qwbf myË `qy rwK igaf. lfl sfihb KolHx lwgy. sB
icwTIaF vfrI-vfrI KolHI gey, pVHI geyy. kuwJ icwTIaF PV ky tnI nfQ ny
kflIaf sfhb awgy kr idwqIaF.
‘nhIN vyKx idAu[[[[lfl sfhb df kMm hY ieh!` kflIey ny iPr isr
Pyr idwqf.
lfl sfhb ny ieh dovyNN icwTIaF KolHIaF[[[[tnI nfQ AuVk ky pVHn dI
koiÈÈ krn lgf. rfm lfl df mwQf hYrfnI qy Gbrfht nfl murJf igaf.
‘kI gwl af[[[[?` icwTI `qy icMqfqur nËr gwzI vyK ky kflIaf sfihb
ny rfm lfl df iDafn afpxy vwl iKwicaf
‘lAu sr! iek nvF pMgf!`
ÈfmU ivcoN bol ky KcrI ijhI hfsI hwisaf. dovF icwTIaF ivc iÈkfieqF
pVH ky lfl sfhb dy ichry df lfl rMg muÈkpUr vFg AuWz igaf. Auh bVy
duKI hoey qy icMqfqur vI.
‘kI pMgf?`
kflIaf sfhb vI afpxy mn dI Gbrfht CupfAuNdy hoey pMgf jfnx
leI qqpr hoey. AuhnF dy mn ivc hor ÈMkf pYdf hoeI.
‘kI pMgf hY ieh? quhfƒ kI pqY? ikdF pqY quhfƒ?`
‘pMny dI hI koeI krqUq hoAU sr!` tnI nfQ dy kihx `qy sfhb df Èwk
aslIaq ivc bdl igaf.
‘kI Aus dI pihlF vI kdy koeI aijhI iÈkfieq afeI ey?`
kflIaf sfhb ny iqMnF df mKOtf pVHn dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘hF jI! afeIaF qF keI ny[[[[pr mYN kdy iDafn nhIN idwqf[[[[.` lfl
jI ny tnI svfmI nfl nËrF imlf ky Aus dI rtfeI hoeI BfÈf bolI.
‘idKfE Ërf. ipClIaF iÈkfieqF vI.` kflIaf sfhb pMnf isMG bfry
awg-bgolf ho gey.
‘aijhy afdmI ƒ mihkmyN ivc rihx df koeI hwk nhIN. mYN iehƒ huxy
cfrj-ÈIt krFgF.` kflIey dI aMdrlI ihwljul nfl ies tukV-boc
iqwkVI dIaF nhuMdrF hor iqwKIaF ho geIaF.
 lfl, Èfh qy tnI nfQ AuWT ky PfeIlF Polx lwgy. ÈfmU vI AuWT ky hfl
kmry ivc clf igaf. pr ipClI koeI imsl nhIN imlI. iqMnoN inMmoJUxy
ijhy ho ky vfps af gey.
‘sr! ipClI qF Aus dI koeI iÈkfieq sFB ny nhIN rwKI. jy rwKI vI
hovygI qF imldI nhIN. ho skdY Auhny afp hI Kurd burd kr idqI hovy.`
ieh iqMny GVMm-cODrI afpxy ivgVy hoey muridhfxI Bry ichry ltkf ky
vfps af gey. kflIaf sfhb ƒ dfl ivc kflf kflf sB kuJ spwÈt ho
igaf.
myË `qy peIaF hor PfeIlF Prolx lwgf. pMny dy hI sB kfgË Ausdy
awgy afey.
‘ikaf bfq hY? afj pMnf hI myry sfhmxy bfr bfr ikAuN af irhf
hY[[[[?` Aus ny ieh imslF ibn dyKy hI pry iKskF idqIaF.
‘koeI aOr BI qo idKfE. ikaf iXhI eyyk vrkr hY afp ky dÌqr
myN[[[[?` kflIaf sfhb ny lfl sfhb vwl zFt mfrI .
‘ien myN bhuq GplybfËI ho gI.` kflIey ny itckr vjoN bulHF qy jbfn
PyrI.
‘hF jI sr! hF dyKo qF shI!` dohF ny iekwTy hI juafb idqf.` eyysy dI
AumId sI.
‘koeI bfq nhIN, jo afdmI kfm krygf, ÊlqI BI qo vuhI krygf.`
kflIey dI ivlwKx qy invyklI soc ny AuhnF dI ZfhU soc dy KMB Koh suwty.
‘afp jfeIey! apxI sIt pr. afpxf kfm kIjIey`
ÈfmU qy svfmI iZwly ijhy ichry lY ky afpxIaF kursIaF `qy jf bYTy.
kflIaf sfhb hux lfl Èfh ƒ invykly ho ky afpxy Brosy ivc lY ky
aslIaq jfnxf cfhuMdy sn.
‘muJy qo Xh sB mfmlf gVbV idKfeI pVHqf hY lfl jI. afp kf ikaf
iÉafl hY?`
kflIaf sfhb ny ies sfry bqMgV ipCy XQfrQ qy aslIaq dI
axhoNd mihsUs kIqI. rfm lfl dy juafb dyx qoN pihlF hI rfmo af DmkI.
ibnF puwCy Duws idwqI, sfhb dy sfhmxy jf KVI hoeI. Aus dy vfl iKlry,
kwpVy pfty, iek vIxI ivcoN lhU isMm isMm ky jMimaf hoieaf qy Aus df rox
hfkf ichrf! qrs-Xog hflq sI AusdI.
‘myrI vI Puirafd suxo sfhb jI! ieh myrf kI hfl eyy. mYN ieQy nOkrI
nhIN krnI.` Auh sumHk rhI sI.
kflIaf sfhb ƒ ijvyN ibwj pY geI hovy, Auh pCqfAux lwgf, ikQy ikho
ijhy dÌqr dI pVcol krn af Pisaf, ijQy pYr pYr `qy lVfeI JgVy qy
iÈkfieqF.
‘ieh dÌqr dI sPfeI syvkf hY jI[[[[[ rfmo[[[[[.` rfm lfl ny Aus dI
jfx-pCfx krvfeI.
‘ikaf hUaf qumHyN[[[[[? rfmo[[[[?` sfhb ny nrm ijhf svfl kIqf.
‘mYN afpxy pyt dI Kfqr[[[[ bfl bwcy dI Kfqr nOkrI krdI hF, sfhb
jI! mYN grIb ËrUr hF, pr mYN afpxf afp nhIN vycdI.`
‘ary bolo qo! ikaf bfq hUeI hY?` kflIaf sfhb rfmo dIaF phylIaF
dI buCfV qoN Gbrf igaf sI.
‘awj pMny ny svyry myrI byËqI kIqI aY sfhb jI, myry kwpVy pfV idqy,
myrIaF cUVIaF BMn idqIaF, afh vyKo, mYQoN CuzfAuNdI qoN cUVIaF tuwt ky lhU
inkilaf.`
‘bws! bws! bws!` tnI nfQ aMdr dOV ky afieaf.
‘hOlI gwl kr rfmo! ieh vwzy sfhb ny.`
‘mYN ieQy kMm nhIN krnf[[[ myrf ihsfb kr idE.` sfry iekdm
ckfcOND ho geyy, ijvyN dPqr ivc koeI vwzf GwlUGfrf vfpr igaf hovy.
sfhb cup cfp bYTf hwQ ivc pypr vyt PVI myË `qy GumfAuNdf irhf. Auh
soc irhf sI pMny dy iKlfÌ iks iks ielËfm ƒ JuTlfvy.
‘iks vyly imilaf sI qYƒ. pMnf ? ikQy imilaf sI?` kflIey ny gMBIr
vfqfvrx dI cuwp qoVI.
 pMny dy iKlfÌ kflIaf sfhb dy aMdr Ëihr dy lfvy Puwt AuWTy. mYN Aus
ƒ sKq sËf idaFgf[[[[[ ab voh nOkrI ky kfbl nhIN rhf.` kflIey ny
mn hI mn ivc pMny ƒ nOkrI qoN CuwtI krfAux df PYslf kr ilaf.
‘awj svyry imilaf sI jnfb. ieQy hI ipCly kmry ivc. mYN JUT nhIN
boldI, mYƒ quhfzI sNOh lwgy jy mYN JUT mfrF.` rfmo dI Ëbfn kYNcI vFg
lqr lqr cldI rhI.
kflIaf sfhb ny iPr hfËrI rijstr PV ilaf. Aus dy Kfny ivc
kFtf sI. iblkul motf krfs. nfly rfm lfl dy khy anusfr Aus dI CuwtI
sI awj dI.
rfmo ny tnI nfQ vwl Jfikaf. dovF dIaF nËrF ivc Èrfrq BrI
muskrfht sI. rfmo ny iPr tnI nfQ ƒ sYnq nfl kuJ smJfieaf. mfno
kih rhI hovy, ‘hux kI vyKdf eyyN mUrKf! kYmry vflI mUrq sfhb dy muhry
ikAuN nhIN rwKdf[[[[[.` pr tnI nfQ sB kuJ ivcy ivc jËb kr igaf.
‘ary afj qo voh afieaf hI nhIN dÌqr. kwb imlf? kYsy imlf afp
ko, khF imlf?`
‘afieaf hY jnfb. mYƒ awgy vI imldf irhf hY qy hux vI ieQy hI hY.
qusIN Auhƒ ikwdF lukf rhy E. vwzy cfqr!` rfmo afpxy aslI rUp ivc af
geI.
‘ary rfm lfl. ies ko bqfAu nf. Xh JUT bol rhI hY[[[[[.` kflIaf
sfhb iehnF sB buJfrqF qoN bhuq pRyÈfn hoey.
‘bIbI rfmo, qYƒ ÊlqI lwgI hY. pMnf isMG awj svyr df dPqr nhIN
afieaf. Ausny mYƒ tYlIPon kr idqf sI ik Auh dupihr qoN bfad
afeygf.` lfl sfhb ny rfmo dI qswlI krfAux dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
tnI nfQ svfmI CfqI ƒ hwQ pf msF izwgdf izwgdf sMBilaf, ijvyN
iksy ny Aus dy isr bMb suwt mfiraf hovy. dUjy pfsy ÈfmU ieh sB kuJ sux
sux ky byhoÈ hoeI jf irhf sI.
‘mYƒ ÊlqI nhIN lwgI sfhb jI. qusIN afp hI hux pVdf pf rhy ho.
qusIN afp hI Ausƒ AuDr lukf idqf hY. afE mYN idKfvF[[[[[[[[[.` Auh bfhF
PYlfAuNdI hfl vwl ho qurI. tnI nfQ, kflIaf sfhb qy rfm lfl Aus dy
ipwCy ipwCy ho qury. sfry krmcfrIaF dy hwQoN klmF iKsk geIaF.
‘afh vyKo. pfpI, bglf Bgq, jIhny myrI ieËq ƒ hwQ pfieaf.` Auh
ÈfmU vwl ieÈfrf krdI iclf AuWTI.
‘qUM ajy vI JUT mfr rhI hY[[[[ rfmo! ieh pMnf isMG nhIN, ieh qF ÈfmU
Èfh hY. bVf ieËqdfr! eImfndfr.` rfm lfl ny Ausƒ mnfAux dI koiÈÈ
kIqI.
‘bwly bwly[[[[[ Èfvf qyry, ieho ijhy sfhb dy, pqf lwgU qYƒ AudoN, jdoN
ies eImfndfr iewËqdfr ny momoTgxIaF gwlF bxf ky qyrIaF ƒ jf
PiVaf. iehI qF pMnf isMG hY. mYN iehƒ pMnf hI khFgI.` rfmo ny bfËI ijwq
leI, kflIaf sfhb afpxy isr ƒ dohF hwQF nfl Guwt ky vfps kursI `qy
af bYTy. svfmI qy ÈfmU dovF ƒ hwQF pYrF dI pY geI. ijhVf toaf AuhnF pMny
leI puwitaf sI, svfmI Aus ivc izwg ky grk hox jf irhf sI.
svfmI ƒ afpxI mF dI dwsI hoeI khfxI awj iekyrF iPr swcI ho
inwbVI idsI, jdoN ÈfmU dI mF jo svfmI dI mF dI skI BYx sI, ny afpxy
iek hor muMzf lYx dI Kfqr tnI ƒ dyx leI ZfeI qfvIË bxf ky mMqrfa
ky KIr ivc pf ky rwKy sn qy Auh Bul BulyKy ÈfmU dI BYx ny Kf ley sn. qy
iPr totf totf ho ky potf potf koh ky Aus KIr ny Aus dI mF dy sfhmxy
qVPVI kurlFdI Aus dI BYx ƒ pMjf pf ilaf sI. ÈfmU dI mF iek hor
muMzf lYNdI lYNdI afpxI ieko iek lVkI qoN vFJI ho geI sI. pMny ƒ
PsfAux leI rcy iek KVXMqrk jfl ivc Aus df afpxf hI sfQI aslI
aprfDI ÈfmU nMgf ho igaf sI. kYmry dI rIl qF Aus ny grk kr idqI sI,
pr rfmo ƒ Auh cMgI qrHF smJf nhIN sikaf. duwD df duwD qy pfxI df pfxI
ho inbiVaf sI.
‘clo ieh vI cMgf hI hoieaf. ieh vI qF ÈrIk hI sI, iek ÈrIk qF
tuwtf.` svfmI aMdroN KuÈ sI, BfvyN QoVHf, ies leI ik ies Gtnf nfl Aus
dI afpxI ÈfK ƒ vI qF Korf lwgf sI. ‘jf ko rfKy sfeIaF mfr sky nf
koie.` pMnf iekyrF iPr ies pfp dy cubwcy `coN sfP sfP bc inkilaf sI,
korf inkor qy inrol.
 ‘ieh qF myry qy Êlq ielËfm lwg igaf jnfb. mYƒ bcfE[[[[[ mYN
aijhf koeI Êlq kMm nhIN kIqf, ieh JUT bol rhI hY.` ÈfmU ny mgrmwC
vrgy hMJU kyrdy afpxy afp dI sPfeI pyÈ kIqI.
‘asl ivc rfmo nfl jbr ijnfh qy hoieaf hY ËrUr, pr Aus ƒ
ÈnfKq ivc glqI lwgI hY. pMnf isMG df nfm Auh lYNdI hY, AuhI ho skdf
hY. Aus dIaF pihlF vI ÈIlf nfl aijhIaF iÈkfieqF afAuNdIaF rhIaF
hn.` tnI nfQ ny rfm lfl ƒ awgy krky vfrqflfp dy vihx df ruK moVn
df Xqn kIqf.
‘ary BfeI! ikaf bfq kr rhy ho[[[ ijs ky sfQ iËafdqI hUeI hY, voh
ÈfmU ko hfQ lgf rhI hY, aOr afp pMnf pr ieh Gor aprfD Tos rhy ho.
muJy bqfE. mYN afp kI mfƒ jF rfmo kI?` kflIey df aMdr vI ies ksUqI
AulJx ivc iqVikaf igaf.
‘clo! CoVo! ies bfq ko bfad myN dyKyNgy[[[[[[[[. afp bqfeIey ney
mkfn kf ikaf hUaf ?` kflIey df mqlb dÌqr vfsqy nvyN mkfn dI
qlfÈ qoN sI. Auh ies ibKVy kFz coN pfsy inklnf cfhuMdf sI.
‘ieh qF kflIaf sfihb. sfƒ iesy mflk mkfn nfl hI gMZ-quwp
krnI pYxI hY. hor koeI mflk! srkfr ƒ mkfn ikrfey `qy dyx leI
iqafr hI nhIN. nvF mflk mkfn msIN mnfieaf sI asIN. pr Aus dy
rsqy `c keI rukfvtF af geIaF.` rfm lfl boldf igaf. svfmI, ÈfmU qy
dUlo Aus dI ÈfadI Brdy qfeId krdy rhy.
‘kI sI Auh[[[[ ikaf rukfvt sI? ikaf hY voh ?`
‘iek qF sr, Aus ny mkfn ikÈqF qy KrIidaf hoieaY qy kfƒnI qOr
`qy Auh AuqnI dyr ikrfey `qy nhIN dy skdf ijqnI dyr Aus dIaF ikÈqF
pUrIaF nf ho jfx. ieh sfƒ ngrpfilkf vwloN ieqlfh imlI sI.` iqMnF ny
iek dUjy dI hF ivc hF imlfAuNdy sPfeI pyÈ kIqI.
‘iblkul glq. aYsf koeI kfƒn mYN ny nhIN dyKf, jb mflk mkfn
dyxy ko iqafr hY, aOr hm lYxy ko iqafr hY, qo ngrpfilkf Xf aOr koeI
ies myN rukfvt nhIN bx skqf. afp Aus ko XYs kr do.` kflIey df svY-
Brosy vflf dbkf sI.
 ‘asF qy hF kr idqI sI sr. pr awgy hor aiVcx af geI.`
‘ikaf QI voh?`
kflIaf sfhb bVI Auqsukqf nfl rfm lfl df iviKafn suxdy rhy qy
bfkI iqkVI dIaF nËrF pVHdy rhy.
‘Aus mhwly dy nOjvfn sBf dy numfieMdy sfzy kol af Dmky. kihx, lwgy,
asIN AuQy dÌqr nhIN KuwlHx dyxf, sfzI mflk mkfn nfl iËwd hY.`
‘mYN afp kI Xh bfqoN ko nhIN mfnqf, hmfrf aOr iksI kI iËwd jF
duÈmxI sy koeI mqlb nhIN hY.`
‘kflIaf sfhb. asIN sB ieh mfmlf smJ geyy sI, qy eyysy leI asIN
AuQy geyy. asIN ikhf, asIN ieh mkfn dÌqr leI ËrUr lvFgy.`
ÈfmU ny iekyrF afpxI suwkI ijhI iZwzI PYlf ky rfm lfl dI gwl dI
puÈtI krn dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘pr ieh vyKo sr. myrI ihwk ivc AuproN DuwKdy gohty af ky vwjy, rfm
lfl jI dy kwc vwty peyy. asIN bVI muÈikl nfl bc ky inkly AuQoN. iPr
asIN puils kol vI geyy. Qfxydfr ny vI ikhf, ‘qusIN ieQy dÌqr nf bxfAu.
mhwly dy lok TIk nhIN. hr roË quhfƒ qMg krngy, mYN hr roË quhfzI
rfKI nhIN kr skFgf.`
sB nihly `qy dihly pfqr vyK ky kflIey ƒ Jukxf ipaf. Auh sB dI
nIXq qfV igaf sI, nfc nf jfxy aFgx tyzf. AuhnF dI gwl mMnx qoN ibnF
hor koeI cfrf nhIN sI.
‘clo eyysy mflk mkfn nfl hI gwl pwkI kr lAu.` kflIey ny qyl dI
Dfr vyK ky afpxf PYslf dy idqf.
‘mYN jfvF sfhb jI.` rfmo jo bfhr bYTI AuzIk rhI sI, ny iekyrF iPr
suwqI klf jgf idqI.
‘hF. qUM jfh rfmo. mYN iek do idn ieQy hI hF[[[[[ qUM afpxf kMm krI
jfh. awgy qoN qYƒ koeI kuJ nhIN kihMdf, qUM afpxI iÈkfieq ilK ky Cwz
jfh. mYN pUrI puwC pVqfl krky Aus ƒ ZukvIN sKq qoN sKq sËf idaFgf.`
‘cMgf jI. nmwsqy.`
 bfhr inkl ky tnI nfQ ny afp hI rfmo dI iÈkfieq df mjbUn
iliKaf. pMny dy nfm Qwly lfl isafhI nfl lkIr lgf ky, rfmo df aMgUTf
lgf ilaf, qy vfps kflIaf sfihb dy sfhmxy myË `qy itkf idqf.
rItfieirMg rUm ivcoN plytF dy KVkx dI afvfË afeI. sfrI juMzlI df
iDafn GVI vwl muiVaf. GVI dIaF sUeIaF iek dy lfgy jf ky kiVMgVI pf
rhIaf sn. dupihr dy Kfxy df smF ho igaf sI.
‘Kfxf iqafr aY sr.` svfmI ny bfhrly kmry vwl ieÈfrf kIqf.
‘clo[[[[[[.` rfm lfl qy kflIaf sfhb dI iekwTI afvfË inklI.
bfsmqI dy cOlF dI mihk, kysr dy Zfby dy mFh, murgy dI sbËI dI sugMDI
sfry vfqfvrx ƒ sugMiDq kr geI. svfmI ny myË `qy peIaF cfr QflIaF
ivcoN do ƒ smyt ky pfsy rwK idqf qy afpy hI do QflIaF bxf sMvfr ky pros
idqIaF.
‘lE! sr! bYTo.`
kflIaf sfhb qy rfm lfl nlky `coN hwQ Do ky rumfl nfl pUMJdy Kfxy
vflI myË `qy swj gey.
ÈfmU ny do iglfs bxf ky myË `qy itkf idqy.
kflIey ny BFp ilaf[[[[ rMg qF pfxI vrgf sI, pr ieh pfxI nhIN sI.
Aus ny DuVDuVI ijhI leI. cuwkx qoN vI ihcikcfAuNdf sI, pr Cwzx qNo vI
iJjkdf sI.
‘lo sr.` rfm lfl ny ÈfmU dy ieÈfry nfl kflIaf sfhb ƒ inmrqf
sihq bynqI kIqI.
rfm lfl ny Guwt Biraf, iglfs Qwly rwK idqf. kflIey ny Guwt Biraf,
qy iPr ieky zIky sfrf iglfs KflI krky rumfl nfl muwCF sfP krdf
murgy dI tMg PV ctkfry mfrn lwg ipaf. svfmI qy ÈfmUM dovF ny ieh ÈuB
afrMB bVf afsF qy ÈgnF Biraf smiJaf.
‘bYTo nF[[[[[ qusIN vI bYTo! KfE[[[[ plIË.` kflIey ny tMg dI cUsI hoeI
hwzI plyt c vfps rwKdy qfkId kIqI.` dovF BrfvF ƒ hONslf ijhf hoieaf.
 ‘bYTo BfeI[[[[[[[[[ lMc tfeIm myN qo hm BfeI BfeI hY.` kflIey dy aMdr
vodkf isr cVy jfdU vFg bol AuWTI.
‘pr srkfrI kfm myN kuqfrI krny vfly vrkr ko mYN kBI nhIN CoVUMgF.
kBI nhIN.`
kflIey dI Ërf AucyrI iQVkdI afvfË ies gwl dI prqIk sI ik Aus
ƒ kuJ kuJ cVH geI sI qy nfl hI ies df ieh mqlb ik Auh iksy df
ilhfË nhIN krn vflf.
hor Aucyc AuzIkx qoN pihlF hI svfmI ny do QflIaF jo pfsy rwKIaF
sn, myË `qy itkf ky pros idqIaF qy iek ÈfmU vwl ieÈfrf krky srkf
idqI.
ÈfmU ny mlkVHy ijhy kflIey df iglfs PV ky myË QwilAuN iek hfVf hor
pf ky kflIey vwl vDfieaf.
kflIaf Auh vI ieko zIky cfVH igaf. qy iPr hOlI-hOlI cmcy plytF
KVkx lwgIaF.
FFF
4
bfhroN GuwGU dI afvfË nfl sfiraF dy kMn KVy ho geyy. lfl bwqI vflI
iek jIp ivcoN ispfhI CflF mfr ky bfhr inkly. iek sPYdpoÈ afdmI,
aYnkF vflf, sfdI vrdI ivc dÌqr dy aMdr vwl viDaf.
‘pMnf isMG! ieQy hY jI ?` iek ispfhI dI afvfË ny sfry dÌqr ivc
BfjV pf idqI.
‘lE jI koeI hor isafpf af igaf. rfmo ny puils Byj idqI[[[[[[ pMny
vfsqy.` ÈfmU iclfieaf.
‘kflIey df iglfs hwQoN izwgdf msF bicaf` Aus ƒ huwQU af igaf. rfm
lfl dy mUMh dI burkI mUMh ivc Puwl geI. tnI nfQ dy hwQ dI burkI awD
ivc hI atk geI. sB df awD-virqf nÈf rPU-cwkr ho igaf.
‘afE jI dwso?` ÈfmU bfhr inkilaf. eyyny ƒ iek ispfhI qy iek bfbU
jI aMdr hI Duws afey.
 ‘ieh sfzy vwzy sfhb ny, cMzIgVH qoN afey ny, dÌqr dI ienspYkÈn
vfsqy.` ÈfmU ny quafrP krfieaf. kflIaf sfhb ny AuWT ky bfbU jI nfl
hwQ imlfieaf.
‘ieh zI[sI[ dPqr dy vwzy ingrfn ny.` ispfhI ny bfbU jI dI jfx
pCfx krfeI.
‘asIN pMnf isMG ƒ imlxf cfhuMdy hF[[[[[[ zI[ sI[ sfhb ny AuhnF ƒ
Xfd kIqf hY.` bfbU jldI ivc sI.
‘ikAuN kI gwl. suwK qF hY?` kflIey ny afpxI hYrfnI pRgtfeI.
‘hF jI iblkul suwK-sFd hY. quhfzy pMny isMG ƒ snmfnq krnf hY.`
Aus ny hwQ PYlf ky KuÈÉbrI idqI.
‘kfhdy leI?` kflIaf sfhb ies sB kuJ qoN anjfx sI.
‘Auhny kwlH bVI bhfdrI ivKfeI. afpxI jfn hUl ky zfkUaF koloN do bwcy
Cuzf ley. bVI crcf hY Aus dI sfry Èihr ivc.`
bfbU ny hwsdy hwsdy gwl hor ltkf ky pUrI kIqI.
‘quhfƒ bhuq bhuq mubfrk.`
‘Auh bwcy vI qF myry hI sn jI.`
tnI nfQ ny hwQ joVky bfbU jI ƒ DMnvfd krn dy lihjy ivc ikhf.
‘ieh vI cMgf kMm aY! bwcy vI quhfzy qy CuzfAux vfly vI quhfzy. sfry
Èihr ƒ pqf, pr quhfzy dÌqr ivc ies dI ibVk vI nhIN. mYƒ imlfE
Auhƒ.` bfbU ny jor dy ky ikhf.
‘quhfƒ qF sgoN afp Auhdf snmfn krnf cfhIdf sI.`
‘Auh qF awj CutI `qy hY jnfb.`
‘qF iPr prsoN aYqvfr Auhƒ zI[ sI[ dÌqr Byj dyxf. AuQy snmfn
smfroh ivc Ausƒ mfx pwqr qy snmfn idqf jfeygf. aijhy sUrbIrF dI
sfzy dyÈ ƒ bhuq loV hY.`
‘bYTo cfh mMgf lYNdy hF[[[[[[[.` kflIey ny AuDr sulfh mfrdy ÈfmU vwl
ingfh suwtI.
 ‘nhIN! mYƒ jldI hY[[[[[ awCf. DMnvfd. pMnf isMG ƒ ieh sunyhf ËrUr
phuMcf dyxf.`
‘awCf jI ËrUr. ÈukrIaf[[[[[[[[[ DMnvfd.`
kflIaf sfhb dy ichry `qy pRsMnqf dy hfv Bfv inkl ky pMny vflI
pihlI bxfeI kflI qsvIr `qy zstr Pyr geyy. ieh iqwkVI lUs ky koielf
ho geI, suMgV ky swp vFg plsyty lYNdI ivcy ivc aMdry aMdr ivws Golx
lwgI. kflIaf hwsx lwgf, ivcy ivc muskFdf irhf.
‘cOrfhy bYT ky qusF ijMnf vI Auhƒ BMizaf eyy`
cfnx vFg Auhdf nfm hor cuÌyry iKMizaf eyy.`
bfhroN typ rIkfrzr dI AuWcI ijhI afvfË dÌqr dy arD ibmfr
vfqfvrx ivc icxg ijhI suwt geI.
‘vfh beI vfh. kmfl kIaf. ikaf iÈar hY.` kflIey dI muskrfht
AuhnF `qy ibjlI vFg kVkI.
afpxI awDI CuwtI kwt ky pMnf iblkul TIk zyZ vjy dÌqr afieaf.
ÈfmU ny hmyÈf dI afdq anusfr Auhƒ gyt `qy hI af Gyiraf.
‘vDfeI hovy pMnf ishF, bhuq bhuq DMnvfd qyrf, bVI bVI vDfeI.`
Aus ny pMny ƒ klfvy ivc Guwt ilaf.
‘bVf bhfdr inkilaf qUM qF[[[[[ qUM afpxI hI nhIN sgoN sfzy sfry
dÌqr dI klgI AuWcI kr idqI.`
‘nhIN . mYN koeI alokfr kMm nhIN kIqf, mYN afpxf PrË inBfieaf hY.`
pMnf sB kuJ smJ igaf.
‘pr Xfr iek hor bVI mfVI gwl hoeI af.`
‘kI hoieaf?`
‘qyrIaF qy kflIaf sfhb awgy bVIaF iÈkfieqf lwgIaF ny, mYƒ qF
pqf nhIN sI, qyrI eyyhdy nfl eynI mfrU duÈmxI eyy.`
‘kI iÈkfieqF lgfeIaF?` pMny dI hYrfnI Ausdy ichry `qy ltk peI.
Auh mfnisk pIV nfl ivMinHaf igaf.
 ‘koeI nf. qUM iPkr nF krIN[[[[ mYN qyry nfl hF[[[[[ awj ÈfmIN sfhb ƒ
iml leIN iekwlf. iehny qF qyrf Juwgf cOV kr idqf eI, AUJF lgf lgf
ky.` ÈfmU ny afpxy sfry PIlr gwz idwqy.
pMnf isMG sB kuJ smJ igaf. ijs gwl df zr sI, Auh Bfxf vrq
cuwkf hY. Aus ny pUry afqm ivÈvfs nfl kflIaf sfhb ƒ jf swq slfm
khI.
‘sOrI sr! mYƒ bhuq ËrUrI kMm sI, ies leI mYN pihlF quhfzI
iÉdmq ivc hfËr nhIN ho sikaf.`
‘koeI nf pMnf jI. koeI bfq nI[[[[ dyr afeyy drusq afey. suxfE sB
ÉYrIaq qo hY?` kflIaf sfhb dI Èihd BrI imwTI bolI ny pMny dI pIV kuJ
Gwt kr idqI.
‘sfbfÈ! pMnf isMG. bhuq mubfrk beI afp ko.`
‘DMnvfd sr, QYNk XU[[[[.`
‘aBI hm, sB logoN ky sfQ eyyk cfeyy kf kwp pIeyNgy.` kflIaf sfhb ny
lfl jI ƒ sMboDn kIqf.
‘ab qo sBI log af geyy hYN nf?`
‘hF jI sr.`
ies gYr rsmI iekwqrqf ivc kflIaf sfhb ny vfrI-vfrI sB df
hfl cfl puwiCaf. sB ƒ TIk kMm krn leI puckfiraf qy ivÈvfs
idvfieaf ik Auh sB ƒ iek nËr nfl dyKygf qy sB ƒ iensfÌ imlygf.
lfl jI ny nvyN sfhb df DMnvfd kIqf qy dÌqr dI ibhqrI leI kuJ mMgF
rwKIaF, ijhnF dI ÈfmU svfmI qy hor sB ny qfeId kIqI. pMny vwl kuJ tyZI
awK dyK ky Auh smJ igaf ik Aus qoN ipCoN Aus dI dwb ky bdKoeI qy
inMidaF hoeI hY. Auh nhIN sI cfhuMdf afpxf Jwgf cuwk ky afpxf pyt nMgf
kry, pr jd horF ny Ausƒ hI inÈfnf bxf ky afpxf AuWlU iswDf krn dI
Tfx leI hY qF Aus leI bolx qoN ibnF hor koeI cfrf nhIN sI irhf.
ijs svY Brosy qy spwÈt inÈcy nfl pMnf isMG ny afpxf pwK pyÈ
kIqf, Aus ny dÌqr dy sfry sroiqaF dIaF AuNglF mUMh ivc puaf idqIaF.
lfl tfkI ivc bwDy iehnF kfly koilaF ƒ bfhr Kol ky nMgf kr idwqf.
eynIaF suMdr qy ilMbIaF pocIaF ishqmMd poÈfkF dy Qwly aijhy vI ikrmF
mfry bdn ho skdy ny, iksy ny ikafs vI nhIN sI kIqI. hfl dI sfrI iPËf
sihm ivc ltkx lwgI qy bfr-bfr bhuq dyr qwk cup ÈFq sihmy
vfqfvrx dI ihwk ËÉmI krdI rhI.
‘Tihro Tihro plIË[[[!` mfmlf iËafdf AulJdf vyK ky kflIaf sfhb
ny ivcoN rok idwqf.
‘sbr kr! pMnf isMG! sfry dÌqr ky log BfeIAuN dI qrh ÈFqI sy
rho. jIE aOr jIny do[[afp sB ny rl iml ky rihxf hY. aYsy dÌqr kf
mfhOl bhuq kVvf ho jfeygf. muJy Xh psMd nhIN. afp ÈFqI sy rho! mYN
afp kI hr bfq mfnxy ko iqafr hUM. mYN sB kuJ dyK ilaf hY, smJ ilaf
hY. sB TIk ho jfeygf.` kflIaf sfihb ny isafxp nfl ies klyÈ ƒ
tflx dI koiÈÈ kIqI. sBf brKfsq ho geI. sfry afpxI afpxI sItF `qy
cly gey.
iksy vI dÌqr df muKIaf BfvyN ikMnf vI suGV, huiÈafr qy inrpwK
ikAuN nf hovy, Auhƒ afpxy iek do aihlkfrF ƒ qF puCxf dwsxf bxdf hI
hY. iksy ƒ qF Brosy ivc lY ky slfh lYxI dyxI pYNdI hY. iekwly df idmfg
mfmly dI gihrfeI qwk nhIN phuMc skdf, Kfs krky aijhy dÌqr ivc
ijQy sfrf amlf keI toilaF ivc iCxI iCxI hoieaf vMizaf ipaf hovy qy
hr iek dI nIXq hr hIly dUjy ƒ CuitafAux dI bxI rihMdI hovy.
aiDakÈ rfm lfl ny ieQy af ky sB lokF ƒ inrpwK iensfÌ dyx dI
koiÈÈ kIqI, pr ieh svfmI qy ÈfmU ƒ nf suKfieaf. Auh qF afpxf
Ìfiedf cfhuMdy sn. afpxI mnmrËI dI skIm, mnmrËI df ielfkf cfhuMdy
sn. ieh rfm lfl dy inrpwK slUk qoN ienkfrI sI. AuhnF ny bVy Aulty
iswDy pfpV vyly, pr rfm lfl tws qoN mws nf hoieaf. Auh AuhnF qoN dUr hI
irhf qy aKIr iehnF ny afpxy sfQIaF nfl slfh mÈvrf krky rfm lfl
dy iÉlfÌ nf-imlvrqx df ibgl vjf idqf.
bdiksmqI ƒ, jF KuÈiksmqI smJo rfm lfl dy buwZy ipE df ieMqkfl
ho igaf. Aus dI rsm ikiraf `qy ieh tolf ikrfieaf puwt ky bhuq lMmF
sÌr qih kr ky jf hfËr hoieaf. lokF qoN iekwTy kIqy cMdy qy quhiPaF
nfl rfm lfl dI klgI Aus dy ÈrIky brfdrI ivc keI igwTF AuWcI ho
geI. Aus dy ipMz awj hI ieh pqf lwgf ik rfm lfl iewk AuWcI pdvI df
mflk hY qy lok Ausƒ ikwdF iswjdf krdy hn, pUjdy hn qy ieËq krdy
hn. Aus dy ipCy krmcfrIaF df ikMnf lfm lÈkr hr vkq Aus dy hukm
dI ieMqËfr ivc rihMdf hY. eyysy leI rfm lfl dovF BrfvF df bVf
aihsfn-mMd ho igaf. ies Gtnf ny rfm lfl df idl pUrI qrHF ijwq
ilaf. vyKo vyKI dUjf grup vI BfvyN Aus ikiraf `qy igaf sI, pr Auh
afpxf pRBfv nf pf sky. ies qoN ipCoN svfmI qy ÈfmU afny-bhfny rfm lfl
dy Gr jFdy afAuNdy rihMdy. Pl PrUt, sbËI qy hor inwkV suwkV afid Cwz
afAuNdy. bwicaF dy hwQ do cfr iCwlV dy idMdy. iekwlf rfm lfl hI nhIN Aus
dy Gr vflI qy bwcy vI AuhnF dI kdr krn lwg pey sn qy iPr rfm lfl
ipMjry pey qoqy vFg AuhI bolI bolx lwgf jo Auh bulfAuNdy.
kuJ iesy qrHF hI hoieaf sI kflIaf sfhb dI ipClyrI PyrI smyN, jd
Auh bfl bwcy smyq afpxI mfqf ƒ nfl lY ky ies phfVI Dfrmk Èihr dI
sYr krn afey sn idwlI qoN. AuhnF df Kfxf qy irhfieÈ df ÈfmU dy Gr hI
pRbMD kIqf igaf sI. qrHF qrHF dy pkvfn qy qImfrdfrI ny kflIaf sfhb
qy bwicaF ƒ bhuq pRsMn kIqf. kflIaf dI buwZI mF qy ÈfmU dI mF iek rfq
ivc hI Drm BYxF bx geIaF. bfhr bfËfr jFdy smyN, mMdrF gurduafiraF
dy drÈn smyN, phfVI JrinaF dIaF klkl krdIaF bhfrF ƒ mfnx smyN
dovyN BYxF kiVMgVI pf ky iekwTIaF nfl nfl rhIaF. ÈfmU dI mF kflIey ƒ
puwq bytf kihMdI bVf ipafr krdI. kflIaf vI Juk ky ÈfmU dI mfqf jo hux
kflIey dI mfsI bx geI sI, dy pYrIN hwQ lgFdf. dovF BYxF ny afpxIaF
mflfvF vtf leIaF inÈfnI vjoN. dovF ny afpxy sMbMD pwky krky bVI KuÈI
pRgt kIqI. Aus ipCoN kflIaf jd vI ieQy afAuNdf afpxI mfsI kol hI
Tihrdf. Aus dI mF vI Aus ƒ pwkI kiraf krdI sI.
‘bytf AuQy hI rfq rhIN[[[myrI BYx df hfl cfl puwC ky afeIN.`
pr awj qF kflIey ny pwkI Dfr leI sI ik Auh AuhnF dy Gr nhIN
jfeygf. dÌqr dy sfry Gfly mfly dI inrpwK jFc krygf qy aslI aprfDI
gunfhgfr ƒ lokF sfhmxy nMgf krygf qy sËf idvfeygf, BfvyN Auh koeI vI
hovy. huxy huxy GtI Gtnf ny kflIey dy aMdr iek bhuq zUMGf ËKm kr
idqf. Aus ƒ afpxy kMnF `qy bfrbfr bypRqIqI mihsUs ho rhI sI.
‘ieh Êlq hY[[[ieh JUT hY[[[ÈfmU aijhf nhIN[[[Auh ieh eynf igiraf
nIc kMm nhIN kr skdf[[[.`
‘afh vyKo aONqrf pfpI[[[jIhny myrI ieËq ƒ hwQ pfieaf[[[pqf lwgU
AudoN jdoN ies eImfndfr ieËqdfr ny momoTgxIaF gwlF bxf ky qyrIaF ƒ
jf PiVaf[[[.`
kflIey ny dovF DfrfvF ƒ qolx dI koiÈÈ kIqI. dUsry Cfby ivc vËn
iËafdf sI, iPr vI Auh ies ƒ apxfAux qoN asmrQ sI.
‘ieh qF kMm kuJ Êlq ho igaf sr!` ieh dUlo rfm sI.
asl ivc pMnf isMG svyry dÌqr qF afieaf sI, mYN vI Aus ƒ bfhr
inkldy vyiKaf. Auh rfh ivc tnI nfQ ƒ vI imilaf sI. ieh sB Ausy
df hI kfrf hY.` dUlo rfm ny iekyrF iPr kflIey ƒ pYVF qoN pfsy iljfx dI
koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘imstr dUlo ‘zU nft trfeI tU bIPUl mI.` kflIey ny bVI GroVvIN
afvfË qy bVI sÉq nÌrq BrI ingfh nfl dUlo rfm ƒ mUq dI Jwg vFg
ibTf idwqf.
‘no sr[[[no sr[[[[.`
‘vwt! no sr[[[no sr! aBI BI koeI Èwk hY? Èrm nhIN afqI quJy? eyk
Êlq kfm krqy ho, dUsrf JUT bolqy hY, aOr qIsrf afpxf kIaf hUaf
krfeIm iksI aOr ÈrIP iensfn pr sfeIz trYk krqy ho[[[.`
guwsy nfl kflIey dy buwlH kMbx lwgy. gwl hor vDdI vyK ky svfmI ny
dUlo ƒ ipCy iKwc ky cuwp krf idwqf.
dÌqr df mfhOl iekyrF iPr zUMGy Gxy bwdlF dIaF isafh GtfvF vFg
KOPnfk qy iBafnk bx igaf.
 ‘afp kI ies ZkONslybfËI ny myry PyQ ko hwrt kIaf hY. mYN afp sB ko
izslokyt krUMgf. mYN qoV dUMgf afp kI Xh sB gruwpbfËI.` kflIaf sfhb
kMnF qwk guwsy nfl kMb irhf sI.
‘CoVo sr muafP kro. afp ies sB kuC ko ieqnf sIrIas mwq
lIjIey.` rfm lfl ny kflIaf sfhb dy kMn kol kih ky Aus ƒ Drvfs
ijqfAux dI koiÈÈ kIqI. Aus ƒ ÈFq krn dI koiÈÈ kIqI. tuwty hoey ÈIÈy
vrgy iqVky ichry vflI ies iqkVI dI iek hor kutl cfl kflIaf dI
qyË qIKx buwDI ny mlIafmyt kr idqI. TIk iesy qrHF ijvyN gujrfq dy
BUcfl ny keI bhu mMjlI iemfrqF KKVI KKVI kr idwqIaF, Ausy qrHF
iehnF dIaF sfrIaF atklF, dUÈxbfËIaF qy JUTIaF quhmqF mUDy mUMh ho
cknf cUr ho ky izwg peIaF.
kfr dI ipClI sIt `qy bYT ky kflIaf sfhb ny bfhr vyiKaf. sfry
Aus ƒ ivdfa krn leI KVy sn.
sfry kfr ivc bYTx leI Auqfvly sn. sfry kflIaf sfhb nfl hor
ivcfr vtFdrf krn ƒ qqpr sn.
‘afE lfl jI[[[.`
lfl jI ƒ aMdr ibTf ky kflIaf sfhb ny drvfËf bMd kr ilaf.
bfhr KVy ÈuBicMqkF ƒ hwQ ihlf ky tf-tf khI qy zrfeIvr ƒ cwlx df
ieÈfrf kIqf. Aus ƒ jfipaf, ijvyN ieh dÌqr nhIN sgoN ijHlx df iek
toaf hovy[[[ijQoN bc ky lMGxf Aus leI bVI KuÈiksmqI hI hovygI, nhIN
qF eyny gMdy icwkV ivcoN iCwty pYxy suBfivk qy lfËmI hI sn.
‘lfl jI kYsy kfm clfqy ho aYsy gMDly vfqfvrx myN? aYsI Guwtx myN
kYsy kfm cwl skqf hY[[[?`
‘afp ny dyK hI lIaf hY jnfb sB kuJ! mYN qF bfhr kf afdmI hUM, Xh
sB lokl hYN, mYN qo Xh sB dyK kr apny afp ko azjst krny kI socI
hY, vrnf XhF nOkrI kI koeI ieËq nhIN. myrI XhF sy bdlI krf do.` rfm
lfl icwb KiVbf ijhf rox hfkf mUMh bxf ky stptfieaf.
 ‘sQfnk logoN ko qo rl iml ky awCf kfm krnf cfhIey, pr ieDr eyk
qMd nhIN, pUrI qfxI AulJI hUeI hY[[[muJy ies kI bhuq icMqf hUeI hY, ien
logoN kf ikaf ielfj kryN?`
‘ielfj qo afp ny pihly hI bqfieaf hY aBI! aBI! izslokyÈn[[[
bdlI! sB ko dUr durfzy inkfl do.`
‘ary BfeI! Xh BI qo mYN nhIN cfhqf[[[myry qoN Xh purfxy sfQI hYN[[[mYN
afpxy hfQ sy ienkf nuksfn nhIN krnf cfhqf[[[muJy koeI qrkIb bqfE
swp BI mr jfey aOr sotf BI nf tUty[[[.` kflIey ny slfh puwCI.
‘Xh bVf muÈikl kfm hY sr! eyk inrfrQk soc vflf tolf sfrQk
soc vfloN ko nIcy lgfxf cfhqf hY, Aun kf nuksfn krfxf cfhqf hY, afp
ky hfQoN sy[[[. sFp ky mUMh myN kohV ikrlI, Kfey qo BI mry, nf Kfey qoN BI
mry.`
‘mYN qo aYsf kBI socf BI nf Qf[[[mYN qo Brf BfeIAuN dI qrh ien ky
sfQ Tihrnf cfhqf Qf, pr ien kI Xh lwcrpuxy vflI afdq ny muJy rYst
hfAUs myN Tihrny ky iley mjbUr kIaf hY[[[[.` aMqF dI zUMGI AudfsI ny
kflIaf sfhb `qy glbf pf ilaf.
rYst hfAUs ivc Auqrn smyN syvfdfr ny rsmI slUt mfiraf. iek
kmry df drvfËf KoilHaf. myË kursIaF `qy kwpVf Pyiraf, bYWz `qy cfdrF
srHfxy sMvfry qy cfh dy do kwp ilaf ky myË `qy rwK idqy. Auh cOkIdfr vI
sI, syvfdfr vI qy vyly-kuvyly rsoeIaf vI, qy afey gey leI loV anusfr
cfh pfxI vI iqafr kr idMdf sI.
kflIaf sfhb ny kwp cuwk ky mUMh ƒ lfieaf. cfh AuWkf hI Aus dy sMGoN
Qwly nf AuWqrI. ikMnf cMgf smF sI jd sfry ds vIh afdmI aijhy dOry
smyN hr vkq Aus dy awgy ipwCy iPrdy, jI hËUrI krdy sn! iekwlpuxf Aus
ƒ kdy mihsUs nhIN sI hoieaf. awj dI rfq ikwdF bIqygI iekwly dI? rfm
lfl vI qF vfps clf jfeygf afpxy Gr. Auh soc irhf sI, pCqfa irhf
sI. cfh df kwp PVI, Auh byloVf hI AuiTaf. bfhr Jfikaf, Aus dy mUMh `qy
iPr rMg af igaf. ÈfmU qy svfmI KojI kuwiqaF vFg Aus df Kurf nwpdy ipCy
af phuMcy sn.
 ‘ikMny ZIT ny ieh lok! eynI kuwqyKfxI kIqI, iPr vI ieh nhIN hty,
iPr ipCy af phuMcy ny.` kflIey ny afpxI KuÈI CupFdy, rfm lfl ƒ nfKuÈI
df ieËhfr kIqf.
‘mYN rokUM sr?`
‘nhIN! nhIN! afxy do[[[Gr afieaf aMmF jfieaf.`
‘afE svfmI jI, Èfa jI! afE lMG afE, qusF ikAuN qklIÌ kIqI?
Qwky ho svyr dy, afrfm krdy[[[[Gr jf ky[[[.`
‘koeI Qkfvt nhIN sr! qusF sfzy kol ikhVf roË roË afAuxf, sfƒ
muafP kro! sfQoN gusqfKI hoeI hY[[[ ÊlqI hoeI hY.`
rfm lfl ƒ jfipaf[[[ieh iqwkVI aMdroN iek hI hY[[[aYvyN lok idKfvy
leI AuproN AuproN KyKxpuxf krdy iPrdy ny.
‘awCf sr! mYƒ afigaf bKÈo[[[.` rfm lfl iqMnF ƒ Cwz ky Gr clf
igaf.
‘kflIaf sfhb! sfƒ pqY quhfzf idl ikMnf koml hY. nfËk hY[[[sfƒ
swc muc bhuq aPsos hoieaf hY, quhfzy idl ƒ duKf ky.`
‘ary CoVo Xfr Xh rfm khfxI ab. dÌqr kI bfqyN AuDr hI kryNgy.
bqfE mfqf jI kf ikaf hfl hY[[[bwcoN kf ikaf hfl hY[[[BfbI jI kYsy
hY[[[?`
‘sB TIk hY[[[afp ko Xfd krqy hY sB[[[Gr mYN afp kI ieMqËfr ho
rhI hY[[[.`
‘nhIN ab Gr qo nhIN jfeyNgy[[[iPr kBI dyKygy[[[.`
‘sfƒ pqY[[[asIN quhfzf sfrf ieMqËfm kr rwiKaf[[[quhfzIaF sfrIaF
loVF qoN asIN cMgI qrHF jfxU hF.` svfmI ny bYg `coN kwZ ky boql myË `qy
rwK idqI. ÈfmU AuWT ky ikcn vwl igaf. iglfs cuwk ilafieaf[[[qy ipCy
ipwCy cOkIdfr pfxI df jwg, brÌ dI trya qy slfd ilaf ky myË `qy rwK ky
kws ky slUt mfr igaf.`
‘nmskfr Èfhb!`
 kflIey df duK, drd, icMqf imMtF ivc AuWz geI. ijMnf ku dÌqr dy
inrIKx ivc awj Aus df Borf Borf ivMinHaf igaf sI, AunI mlHm pwtI qy
dvfeI iehnF BrfvF ny kr ky ijvyN sfry ËKmF dy aMgUr Br idwqy.
pYg pfey gey iglfs tuxky cIarË hoeI.
‘Pfr dI bYswt hYlwQ afP kflIaf sfhb!`
hfsy dI Cxkfr kmry ivc AuWBrI qy iqMnF ny iglfs ieky sfhy KflI
kr ky vfps trya ivc rwK idwqy. ikcn `coN murgf gVkx dI sugMD qy
qVky dI sVUM sVUM qy kuwkr dIaF ivslF[[[iPËf ivc afpxf afpxf rMg qy
sugMD CwzdIaF rhIaF.
‘vyKo Bfa jI! sfƒ pqY, qusI sfzy ibnF nhIN rih skdy qy sfzf quhfzy
ibnF guËfrf nhIN. ieh nhuM mfs df irÈqf kdy tuwt nhIN skdf. ÈfmU ny
QoVHI ijhI lor afAux `qy sr dI QF Bf jI vrq ky dÌqr dy sfry afdrÈ
ikwlI `qy tMg idwqy.
‘ieh qF gwl iblkul TIk aY[[[bfs! pr awj mYN quhfzy ivc eynI
qbdIlI vyK ky bhuq hYrfn hoieaf hF.` kflIey ny vI bfs kih ky AuhnF dy
sfry Èwk ÈuBf qy zr BYa sB dUr kr idqy. sfhb qy mfqihq df nfmpwtf
lwQ igaf.
‘asIN hmyÈF qn mn Dn nfl quhfzI syvf kIqI hY qy krdy rhFgy.
qusIN awj sfƒ durkfiraf pr asIN iPr vI qfibafdfr hF.`
‘hF mYN quhfzI PrfKidlI ƒ jfxdf hF qy eyysy leI hI mYN quhfzf kfiel
hF. qusF mYƒ iek vfr iPr ijwq ilaf hY.`
‘keI rfqF ny rMg vtfey keI idnF dI Zl gI lflI
pr nf qyry dr ny pUrI myrI afs svflI.
cfx cwk ÈfmU dy mUhoN Ìuwty totky dy igly nfl kflIey df mUMh awizaf
igaf.
sdIaF df mYN ipafsf swjxf do ku Guwt iplf dy,
luwC luwC krdy bulHF qfeI lf ky pRym ipaflI.`
Aus ny pihlf pwqf suwt ky mihPl df rMg bdl idwqf.
 kflIaf sfhb sfvDfn ho ky bYT gey.
‘vfh beI vfh[[[kmfl kIaf. qo suxo iPr.`
‘ierÈfd[[[.`
‘ieko zIky pI lF sfrI jy qUM afp iplfvyN,
qyry nYxF vflI boql kr idaF Éflm ÉflI`
kflIaf sfhb df brfbr df sfvF huMgfrf sux ky svfmI TTMbr ijhf
igaf. Aus dy pwly aijhI koeI ivdvqf nhIN sI, ik Auh kfivk iÌqrq ƒ
apnf ky AuhnF df sfQ dy sky qy awgy qor sky.
‘ieh qF gmgInIaF BulfAux df mOsm hY,
ieh qF ivwCVy imlfAux df mOsm hY.
ieh mOsm hY ipafrF df, bhfrF df,
ieh ruwisaF ƒ mnfAux df mOsm hY.
pwqJV dy pwqy vfkr tuwitaf jo tuwt igaf
tuwty hoey ƒ AuTfAux df mOsm hY.
ËKmF qy mrhm lgfAux df mOsm hY.`
kflIaf sfhb dy kwsvyN qIr df koeI juafb nf dy sikaf. kivqf ÈurU
qF kr bYTy, pr ies dy aMjfm qoN dovyN anjfx sn. kflIaf sfihb ny dovF
ƒ mUq dI Jwg vFg ÈFq kr idwqf. dUjy pYWg nfl murgy dIaF tMgF vI af
phuMcIaF. srUr cVHdy cVHdy iqMnF dIaF ËbfnF lVKVfAux lwgIaF. AUt
ptFg bolx lwgy.
‘ary ÈfmU. Aus kf ikaf huaf BeI iPr rfmo kf[[? Aus kI bfq sxfAu
Xfr[[[[[[.`
hfsy df iek Thfkf kmry ivc gVikaf qy hwsdy hwsdy kflIey ny
sbËI df ilwbiVaf hwQ ÈfmU dy moZo `qy QwpQpfieaf.
‘ÈfbfÈ[[[beI[[[bhuq cMgf kIqf.`
‘nhIN Bfa jI, mYN qF quhfƒ pqY aijhf afdmI nhIN, pr pqf nhIN
ikvyN afp hI Ausny af ny Psf ilaf mYƒ.` lVKVFdI Ëbfn ivc ÈfmU ny
afp hI iekbfl krky afpxy vloN bVf swcf suwcf bhfdr hox df sbUq
idwqf.
‘kflIaf sfhb! mYN qF ikhf sI rfmo ƒ, rYst hfAUs ivwc sfhb ƒ iml
lvIN rfq ƒ[[[pr Auh mMnI nhIN. mYN iek hor ƒ vI ikhf hY[[[Èfied[[[.`
svfmI ny kflIey dI dUsrI rg CyVn dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
ÈfmU ny sbËI df ilbiVaf kmIË lfh ky CMizaf, sbËI dy iCwty iqMnF
dy kwpiVaF `qy PulbihrI Cfp gey.
‘afp kI mrËI hY BfeI! ab qo afp ky hI mihmfn hYN, jo mrËI kro.`
kflIey dI Ëbfn QQlfAux lwgI.
‘Auh af geI[[[Auh af geI[[[.` iqMny sfvDfn ho gey.
‘afE! rItf! afE[[[aMdr lMG afE!` rItf ƒ dyK ky sfry cihk pey.
tnI nfQ ny drvfËf Kol ky Aus ƒ cuwpky nfl aMdr lMGf ilaf.
‘afAu[[[[bYTo! bolo ivskI pIEgy ik kolz zirMk?`
‘nhIN mYN pIxf qy kuJ nhIN mYN qF dwsx afeI sI ik myrI qbIaq awj
TIk nhIN[[[koeI hor afeygI.`
iPr drvfËf KuwilHaf. ipMkI aMdr afeI. iqMnF dIaF iglfsIaF hwQF `c
zgmgf geIaF, mfno Bucfl af igaf hovy.
‘iBRÈt buwDI vfly iensfn dI KfsIaq huMdI hY ik Auh afpxI DI BYx ƒ
DOx qoN Aupr dyKdf hY[[[[[ pivqr qy inrCl nËrF nfl, jdik horF dIaF
DIaF BYxF ƒ Aupr mUMh qoN lY ky CfqI qwk, Kfs krky glfvyN qwk,
biGafVF vflI qwkxI nfl qwkdf lfrF kyrdf hY.` ipCly idnIN hI tnI nfQ
ny iksy mMdr dy pujfrI qoN suxy pRvcn iekdm Aus dI mfnisk rIl ivcoN
bfhr Jlk pey.
‘qUM ikdF afeI byty[[[ies vyly[[[?` tnI nfQ ny afpxy mUMh dI bdbU
rumfl nfl CupFdy, AuWTdy hoey puwiCaf.
‘mYN afeI hF pfpf Auh kMm krn, ijs leI qusI rItf ƒ sO rupY idqy
sn. Auh ivcfrI nOkrI krdI hY nf srkfrI! Auhƒ nOkrI `coN nf kZfieAu,
Auhdy vMzy dI awj dI izAUtI mYN krFgI.`
 bfhr dy hnyry ivc vI kuJ ihwljul sI, svfmI qy mgry ÈfmU bfhr
inkly.
svfmI dI pqnI, Aus df lVkf, ÈfmU dI pqnI qy Aus df lVkf, rItf
dI mF qy Brf hnyry `c KVy aMdr df sfrf sIn dyK rhy sn.
‘jfE byty jfE, rItf ƒ qF bulfieaf sI, sfhb df koeI ËrUrI kMm
tfeIp krnf sI, pr hux Auh Qwky hoey ny[[[afrfm krnf cfhuMdy ny[[[jfE
hux[[[ieh kMm svyry kr lvFgy.` svfmI dy pYrF QwilAuN DrqI iqlkx
lwgI. dovF BrfvF dI kutl-cfl iekyrF iPr inrvsqr ho geI.
‘zuwb ky mro iksy KUh toBHy ivc[[[aijhI nOkrI krn dI QF[[[.`
tnI nfQ dI isMmI dI agnbfx vrgI BfÈf ny Aus ƒ pfxI pfxI kr
idwqf. Aus ƒ BMbr qfry idKf idqy.
aMdr bYTf kflIaf qy svfmI mOky dI nËfkq ƒ smJdy Qr-Qr kMb
rhy sn. Auh aMdr bYTy XrgmflIaF vFg Xrkx lwgy.
‘ary khIN pulIs qo nhIN af jfeygI ieDr?` kflIaf sfhb ny afpxf
afp sFBdy mn dI Gbrfht pRgt kIqI.
‘nhIN sr koeI bfq nhIN[[[cly gey ny sB[[[afp Kfxf KfAu[[[aOr sON
jfE afrfm sy.`
‘ab kOx Kfxf Kfeygf? iksky aMdr Kfxf jfeygf, iks ko nINd afeygI
rfq ko?` ÈrimMidaF vFg hwsx lwgy.
‘Xh dyKo bfs! Xh!` ÈfmU ny iek hor boql hvf ivc AulfridaF
ikhf.
‘ieh quhfƒ Kfxf iKlfeygI, iehI quhfƒ lorIaF dy ky sulfeygI rfq ƒ,
iehI afp ky supny myN afeygI rfq ko.` kflIey ƒ mMjy qy tyZf ijhf krky
Auh cly geyy.
FFF
5
 qVky dI isr drd ny kflIaf sfhb ƒ agyqy jgf idwqf. Aus df isr
hI nhIN, sfrf bdn hI drd kr irhf sI, mfno iksy ny bVI burI qrHF
kuwitaf mfiraf hovy. cOkIdfr cfh df kwp lfgy pey stUl `qy rwK igaf.
Auh zOr BOrf ijhf AuiTaf. cfr cuPyry dyKdf irhf. ikMnI dyr Auhƒ ieh
pqf hI nf lwgf ik Auh ikQy ipaf hY. rfq dI khfxI[[[ eynI qF Auhƒ Xfd
sI ik ÈfmU qy svfmI rfq afey sn. AuhnF mihÌl jmfeI sI[[[iÈaro
iÈarI ÈurU hoeI sI. pr Aus qoN bfd kI hoieaf, afpxy mn `qy pUrf Bfr
pf ky vI Aus ƒ kuJ vI Xfd nf afieaf. iek supnf ijhf hOlI hOlI sfkfr
hox lwgf. iek kuVI afeI sI. iPr kuVIaF qy iPr keI kuJ hor jfxy
axjfxy ichry[[[. tuwty hoey supny dy toty iekwTy krn leI Aus ny pUrf qfx
lfieaf, pr ieh Aus dy hwQ nf afey.
Ausny bYWz qoN AuWTx dI koiÈÈ kIqI. afpxf afp Aus ƒ bhuq inrbl
qy kmËor jfipaf. isr ƒ cwkr af rhy sn. QoVHf ijhf AuiTaf qy iPr
qurn df, bfQrUm jfx df Auh jyrf nf kr sikaf. cfh df kwp TMZf ho
cuwkf sI.
‘cOkIdfr!`
‘jI sr!` cOkIdfr dOVdf afieaf.
‘isr duwK rhf hY[[[.`
‘hF sr! isr qoN duwKygf ËrUr,[[[[[[duwKqf hogf[[[.`
Aus ny kozf ho ky bYWz QwilAuN boql kwZI.
‘lo sfhb! Xh dvfeI isr drd kI[[[.`
boql vyK ky kflIaf ƒ ijvyN cfa cVH igaf.
‘bws bx igaf kMm[[[[bVf isafxf ey qUM cOkIdfrf.`
‘hm qo aYsy jlvy hr roË dyKqf hY Èfhb! hmyN pqf hY kOx sI mrË
kI kOx sI dvf hY[[[aOr afp ky sfQI BI muJy rfq bqf gey Qy[[[.`
‘hF qo Xh bqf! rfq kOx kOx afieaf Qf ieDr?`
 ‘voh qoN mfmlf gVbV hI Qf Èfhb. pihly qo do hI afey, iPr do
afeI, aOr iPr keI log aOr.` cOkIdfr ny pYWg pfAuNdy pfAuNdy mÈkUlf
ijhf kIqf.
‘bws! bws!` Aus ƒ pYWg hor vwzf bxfAux qoN sfhb ny toikaf.
‘sr nfÈqy myN ikaf logy?` cOkIdfr ny Aus dI psMd puwCI.
‘koeI lfeIt sf[[[afmlyt brYWz[[[.`
pYg aMdr jfx `qy sfhb ƒ kuJ cuwsqI PurqI mihsUs hoeI. [rfq dI
tot qy hwz BMnxI Aus dy iek pYWg ny mwDm kr idwqI. Auh AuT ky bfQrUm
igaf. hux Aus ivc socx dI qy kMm krn dI ÈkqI kuJ kuJ muV afeI sI.
‘ieh vI sfly kI cIË ny dovyN Brf! Clyzy vFg ikwdF rMg bdldy ny hr
pl! kdy qolf kdy mfsf[[[bVy kMm vI afAuNdy ny smyN isr. huxy jy Auh ieh
boql Cwz ky nf jFdy qF mYN mMjy jogf hI rih jFdf.`
iekyrF iPr kflIaf, ÈfmU qy svfmI dy aihsfn nfl rMigaf igaf.
‘cMgy ny ivcfry guwsf vI nhIN krdy, mYN aYvyN ikdF iPtkfiraf kwl df,
qy Auh iPr vI lsUVy dI igtk vFg myry nfl nfl hI cMbVy rhy ny.`
‘aPsrF df kMm GUrnf[[[qy mfqihqF df kMm[[[JUrnf.` AuhnF dI cMgI
smJ hY.
‘awgy pey ƒ qy Èyr vI nhIN KFdf.` Aus ny iPr AuhnF dy kIqy Êlq
krqv qy aihsfnF ƒ qolx dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
burÈ krdy krdy Aus df nhfAux df mUz bx igaf. Aupr df Puhfrf
Cwz ky isr ivc bfr-bfr Puhfr pfeI, pFdf irhf qy nfl nfl rfq dy
iKMzry supinaF ƒ iekwTy krn dI koiÈÈ krdf irhf. supny ivc Aus ƒ
iek krmMzl vflf bfbf vI imilaf sI. hF Xfd afieaf. iek hwQ ivc
krmMzl qy iek hwQ ivc atYcI kys.
mMg irhf sI kuJ?[[[hF kihMdf krmMzl ivc kuJ pfE[[[qF ieh atYcI
kys idaFgf.
mYN puCdf hF, kI hY ies atYcI ivc[[[swp cUhy jF kohV ikrlIaF?
 ‘nhIN Bgqf ies ivc mfieaf hY[[[mfieaf[[[qyrI jnm jnmFqrf dI
BuwK dUr kr deygI.`
‘nhIN[[[pihlF mYƒ ieh atYcI PVf[[[.`
‘nf BfeI nf [[[iek hwQ dy iek hwQ lY[[[.`
iPr isr dI drd ny ieh sfrI pRikiraf BMg kr idqI. atYcI bMd df
bMd hI rih igaf. krmMzl c pfAux vfly iswky myry hwQF `c hI PVy rih
gey, bfbf alop ho igaf. kOx bfbf sI ieh atYcI vflf? Aus ny afpxy
duinafvI cuigrdy ivc Auh bfbf lwBx dI koiÈÈ kIqI. Aus ƒ kuJ kuJ
pCqfvf vI ho irhf sI.
‘ikMnf cMgf huMdf, jy iek do iswky zolU c pf ky atYcI qF dyK
lYNdf[[[[[[ieh aMnHf atYcI! KOry kI mfl sI Auhdy ivc. isr ivc pfxI pYx
nfl Aus dI hoÈ prqx lwgI. ieh nhfAux df smF jd Auh do cfr
pfAuVIaF pfT dIaF krdf huMdf sI, duhrfAuNdf sI, awj rfq dy supny ny Kf
ilaf.
bfhr inkl ky bYWz vflI cfdr PrÈ `qy Qwly ivCf ky Auh awKF mUMd ky
bYT igaf qy pfT krn lwgf. pfT krdy krdy vI AuhI rfq vfly pfqr qy
krmMzl vflf qy iPr KUMzy vflf bfbf Aus dI iekfgrqf ivc Kwlr mcFdy
rhy. aKIrlI pOVI pVI[[[ ardfs kIqI. gozy Qwly invF ky DrqI ƒ mwQf
tyikaf, iek vfr, do vfr, iqMn cfr, pMj vfr[[[Èfied Auh ies qrHF Aucf
nIvF ho ky ikMnf icr mwQf rgVdf rihMdf, jy drvfËy dI GMtI dI trn
trn nf vwjdI. Ausny drvfËy vwl nËrF GumfeIaF. drvfËf bMd sI. pr
aMdroN ictkxI nhIN sI lwgI. rfq ies qrHF hI bIqgI? ies df iKafl hI
nhIN irhf.
‘lMG afE! KuwlHf hI hY drvfËf[[[.`
‘nmskfr sr!` drvfËf KolH ky svfmI aMdr dfKl hoieaf. iek hwQ
ivc Qrmos[[[qy iek hwQ ivc itwPn sI Ausdy.
‘nmskfr![[[afE! vYl km[[[.` sfhb ny AuT ky bVy siqkfr nfl hwQ
imlfieaf.
 ‘beI afp Xh kÈt ikAuN kr rhy hYN, jb Xh smfn qo sB ieDr
kYNtIn my iml jfqf hY, aOr ieDr kf cOkIdfr BI awCf syvfdfr hY.`
‘sr afp hmyN ies ingUxI sI syvf sy vFjf ikAuN krnf cfhqy hYN? Xh
qo hmfrI KuÈiksmqI hY[[[ hmyN afp kI syvf kf mOkf imlf hY?`
svfmI dy ÈbdF ivc ihrK Biraf lihjf vyK ky kflIaf cuwp kr
igaf. Aus ny Aus dIaF awKF c nËrF gwz ky rfq vfly bfby nfl imlfAux
dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘awCf peI Xh bqfAu [[[ rfq vfly krmMzl qo afp ly afey, iek nhIN
do, pr voh atYcI khF hY?`
kflIaf sfhb ny aiqaMq mÈkUly dy mUz ivc svfmI ƒ pYrF qoN ihlf
idqf.
‘ikhVf krmMzl? qy ikhVf atYcI sr! ‘koeI vI qF nhIN sI rfq ƒ.`
Auh smJx qoN asmrwQ sI.
‘rfq supnf afieaf. koeI krmMzl vflf bfbf sI. kihMdf iehdy ivc
do iswky pf qYƒ atYcI idaFgf[[[ mfieaf nfl Biraf hoieaf.`
‘E sr! supny-supny hI huMdy ny [[[ iehnF `qy XkIn nf kro, nf hI
qusIN ies leI apxy idmfg `qy vfDU boJ pfAu[[[ ieh aslIaq qoN dUr
huMdy ny.`
‘nhIN! pr iËMdgI dy bhuq nyVy vI huMdy ny.`
‘qF iPr TIk hY sr! krmMzl qF swc muwc hI AuhI hY.` Ausny Qrmos
vrgy brqn df Zwkx KoilHaf. Aus ivc qyl sI [[[ ieh dyKo afpxf mUMh
[[[ qy ies ivc pfE iswky [[[ Auh mfqf jI ny Byijaf hY. ies ivc iswky pf
ky iksy ipwpl dIaF jVHF `qy zolH idAu. quhfƒ nËr kunËr nhIN lwgy gI.
BuwlF cuwkF sB muafP.`
‘qF iPr ieh myrI mfsI df kMm hY [[[ ikMnf iPkr hY Ausƒ myrf, ikMnI
ÈuBicMqk hY myrI Auh[[[.`
kflIey ny kuJ iswky jyb `coN kwZy, qyl ivc afpxf mUMh vyiKaf qy Aus
ivc suwt idqy.`
 ‘ies nfl keI blfvF tl jFdIaF ny.` Aus ny afpxI mF qoN vI suixaf
sI.
‘pr Auh! KUMzy vflf bfbf kOx sI? jo pry KVf krmMzl qy atYcI vwl
vyK-vyK ky GUrIaF pf irhf sI?`
‘CoVo sr, supny dI dunIaF CoVo, aOr XQfriQk dunIaF ivc afAu.
supny sfzy cyq jF acyq, jfgdy jF suwqy jF arD suwqy mnF dIaF qrMgF
df pRgtfvf hn. sfzI Kurfk qy sfzI socxI nfl ienHF df bVf nyVlf sMbMD
hY. cMgf sfP suQrf hlkf Kfxf KfEgy, suhfvxy supny afAuxgy. cMgI
kuafiltI vflI ivskI nfl husIn supny afAuxgy. BfrI Kurfk Kfx nfl
BYVy supny afAuxgy. Krfb mfVI nIXq vfly ƒ corF zfkUaF qy jylHF dy supny
afAuxgy.`
‘bws bws! Xfr qyry nfloN supinaF dI QIAUrI mYN bhuq cMgI qrHF
jfxdf hF, mYN siÌaF dy sÌy Bry ny afpxI zfierI dy. hr supny ƒ mYN
zfierI ivc not kIqf hY qy iPr Aus df ivÈlyÈx kIqf hY. aKIr iehI
pRmfx kIqf hY ik supinaF dI dunIaF ivarQ iblkul nhIN, ieh iksy ho
cuwky jF hox vfly kfrj nfl iswDf jF aiswDf sMbMD rwKdy hn qy jy koeI
smJy qF iswDy jF aiswDy rUp ivc ieh kuJ nf kuJ sunyhf ËrUr idMdy hn,
icqfvnI idMdy hn, pr sfzy anfVI mn iehnF dI aslIaq qoN dUr dOVdy
hn. qYƒ mYN iek CotI ijhI Audfhrx idMdf hF, koeI Cy ku mhIny pihlF mYN
iek supnf dyiKaf, bVf hI zrfAuxf supnf. ikMny sfry swp[[[[cfr cuPyry
iek iBafnk KfeI ivc myry cOigrdy rINgdy mMzrfAuNdy idsdy hn, mYN zrdf
hF. pr Auh mYƒ kuJ nhIN kihMdy. iek hor bVI ipafrI ijhI bwcf kih
lAu jF spxI kih lAu[[[[myry lfgy af ky PumxIaF pf rhI hY. Aus dI
nËfkq dyKky mYN kudrq dI suMdrqf qoN bilhfry jFdf hF, hry rg dI
CINtkI ijhI!
‘Auh jnfb iehI qF Kqry df sMkyq hY[[quhfzy cfr cuPyry duÈmx hn
bc ky rho[[[.`
svfmI ny Aus dy zr dI prq hor gfVHI kr idwqI.
 ‘pr iPr myrI jfÊ KuwlH geI. dÌqr jfx qwk mYN afpxy afp ivc
zrdf irhf. supny dI iBafnkqf myrI mfniskqf ƒ zMgx lwgI,
‘guwz mfrinMg sr[[[.`
iek mdIn nfËk ijhI afvfË ny mYƒ myry arD jfgdy socF ivc zuwby
mn ƒ jgfieaf[[[.
‘guz mfrinMg[[.` mYN awbVvfhf ijhf ho igaf.
‘afE bYTo[[[.` pqlI ijhI CINtkI ijhI ÈflInI hry sUt ivc PwbI
muskrfht vMzdI myry sfhmxy bYT geI.
‘iehI hY[[[hF iehI hY, ieh spxI rfq vflI!`
myry mn ny iekdm qfVH ilaf. Aus qoN mYƒ bhuq zr lwgf. Aus bfry
ipCly smyNy dIaF lokF qoN suxIaF khfxIaF qoN mYN pihlF hI zrdf sF, pr
awj! hF! awj ieh AuhI sI iblkul AuhI.` kihdy kihMdy suxfAuNdy suxfAuNdy
kflIaf sfhb df sfh Puwlx lwgf, mwQy `qy psIny dIaF bUMdf ltk peIaF.
‘nhIN sr! nhIN, Auh qF bhuq ÈrIP lVkI hY.` tnI nfQ ny Aus dI
qfrIÌ kr idwqI.
‘qy iPr ieh gwl sux lY, mYN Aus ƒ iPr kdy afpxy kmry ivc nhIN
vVn idwqf, nf hI kdy bulfieaf. spxI qF spxI hI hY.[[[hF qy iPr QoVI
dyr pihly mYN afpxy mkfn dy bfhr glI ivc dyiKaf iek CotI ijhI swp
jF spxI hry rMg dI, iblkul hry rMg dI, ijs ƒ nflI ivc bwcy BjfeI
iPrdy sn mYƒ Aus `qy qrs af igaf, [mYN bwicaf ƒ iJVk idwqf. Auh iPr
nflI nflI qYr ky myry brfbr af geI. Aus ny isr AuWcf cuwk ky ijvyN mYƒ
kuJ kihxf cfihaf qy iPr QoVf ijhf isr bfhr kwZ ky susqfAux lwgI.
mfsUm ijhIaF Aus dIaF nËrF myrIaF nËrF nfl tkrfeIaF. Ausny myry
vwl vyK ky mfsUm ijhIaF awKF JpkIaF.
‘ieh AuhI hY! pCfx rhI hY mYƒ. ieh AuhI hY[[[mfro iesƒ.`
mYN iclfieaf[[[.
‘pihlF supny ivc imlI sI, hux swcI muwcI myrf ipwCf krn lwgI hY.`
 ‘nhIN nhIN[[[[nf mfro ieh afpxy afp clI jfeygI[[[jfE bfbf
jI[[[jfE[[[asI quhfƒ kuJ nhIN kihMdy, qusIN sfƒ kuJ nf kho.`
myry gvFZI pMzq pRymI nfQ ieh kihky sfeIkl `qy svfr ho ky cldy
bxy. qmfÈbInF dI BIV ivcoN sfry hI zr rhy sn. mYN vI zihl igaf sF.
‘swp qF swp hI hY[[[duwD iplfE qF vI zMg mfrygf. swp dy bwcy iksy dy
imwq nhIN huMdy.` mfro iesƒ[[[.`
BIV ivcoN hwlfÈyrI vflI afvfË sI.
mYN iek iewt cuwkI qy susqf rhy jIa vwl vgfh mfrI[[. Auh iek pl
stptfieaf qy iPr puwTf ho ky pfxI ivc qYrdf vihxI dy vhf ivc vih
igaf. hF iehI sI iblkul AuhI, jo mYƒ supny ivwc imlI sI qy ijs krky
mYN iek ÈrIP lVkI nfl Aus df hulIaf imlf ky kI kUV quPfn afpxy mn
ivc Aus kuVI bfry bxf rwKy sn.`
kihMdy kihMdy kflIaf sfhb ny iek TMzf hAukf ilaf, ijvyN Aus dy
isr qoN mxf mUMhI Bfr lwQ igaf hovy.
‘quhfzy cfr cuPyry duÈmx hn[[[quhfzy cfr cuØPyry swp hn[[[.` Auh
tnI nfQ vwl qwkdf irhf, ijvyN Èkl imlf irhf hovy.
‘ieQy sB afvf hI AUiqaf ipaf hY. quhfƒ sÉqI krnI pYxI hY. ieQy
lolo popo nfl gwl nhIN bxnI. iehnF lokF ny quhfzI Audfricq nIqI df
ÈoÈx krnf hY. ieh quhfzIaF smfjvfdI socF df mUMh icVHfAuxgy. ieh
swpF dI nsl quhfzy imwq nhIN afAuxI.` pMny dy Èbd Aus dy mn ivc bfr
bfr GuMmx GyrI mcfAuNdy rhy.
‘swc sOrI sr! afp ny muJy supny myN hI AulJf lIaf. mYN puwCxf Buwl
igaf, rfq kYsy bIqI? kuJ qklIÌ qo nhI hUeI? vYsy hm cOkIdfr ko sB
bqf gey sI, smJf gey sI[[[.`
‘beI rfq kYsy bIqI! muJy Ërf ijMnf BI pqf nhI, Kfxf kwb Kfieaf,
Kfieaf ik nhIN, muJy kuwJ BI Xfd nhI. pqf nhIN afp kI ivskI ny ikaf
jfdU kr dIaf, ikqnf mwDm-mwDm nÈf Qf ipafrf ipafrf! husIn husIn.
suBh QoVHI sI isr drd hUeI, vh BI afp kI zoË ny TIk krdI!` kflIey
ny iek hwQ gogV `qy Pyiraf qy dUsrf isr `qy, ijvyN kih irhf hovy, sB
TIk irhf, sB awCf hI qo hY.
cOkIdfr bfhroN aÉbfr ilaf ky myË `qy rwK igaf. kflIaf sfhb ny
kMGI pwtI Èyv df sfmfn kwZ ilaf. svfmI aÉbfr PV ky pMny pltx
lwgf. Aus dy dMd juV gey, Aus ny Ëor dI kcIcI vwtI. pihly sÌy `qy pMnf
isMG dI Poto sI.
‘snmfnq sUrbIr, ijs ƒ ipCly idnIN agvfkfrF koloN Coty bwcy
CuzfAux Kfqr nkd ienfm qy snmfn pwqr aYqvfr ƒ idqf jfeygf. zI[
sI[ vwloN Aus ƒ mihkmy ivc vI pd-Aunq krn dI isPfrÈ.`
svfmI dI afqmf awzIaF qwk BVQf ho geI.
‘hux kI hovygf[[[? asIN ijMnf Ausƒ ZwTy KUh ivc suwtx leI qrlo
mwCI ho rhy hF, Aus dI iksmq AuqnI hI hor dI hor pRcMz ho rhI hY.`
Aus ny iek bVf syk Biraf hAukf ilaf.
‘ikaf hY BfeI! ikaf Ébr hY?`
‘lo sr[[ afp kf pMnf.`
Aus ny axsrdy ijhy, aÉbfr AuDr srkfeI. kflIaf sfhb pVHdy-
pVRdy KuÈ hoeI jf rhy sn. Auh bhuq ÉuÈ hoey.
‘mubfrk hovy [[ afp ko[[[ afp ky eyk sfQI ko ieqnf bVf snmfn iml
irhf hY, Aus ko qrwkI iml rhI hY.`
‘Xh qo sB Êlq hY jnfb! asl myN Xh qo sfrf Aus kf apxf hI
afzMbr Qf, bwcoN ko AuTfxy vfly BI Aus ky sfQI hI Qy, aOr CuVfxy vflf BI
Auh afp hI Qf.` svfmI ny kflIaf dI soc ƒ dUjy pfsy moVn dI hor koJI
cfl cwlI.
svfmI ny itPn dy cfry zwby KolH ky myË `qy rwK idqy.
‘cOkIdfr! plytF! cfr! jldI[[[.`
Aus ny cOkIdfr ƒ afvfË lgfeI.
dysI iGAu dIaF hQylI vrgIaF CotIaF-CotIaF KuÈbU CwzdIaF
pRfAuNTIaF iek zwbI ivc, dhIN rfieqf dUjI zwbI ivc, suwky tINzy, kryly,
qIsrI zwbI ivc qy afcfr ipafË, cOQI zwbI ivwcoN kwZ ky plyt ivc pros
idqy.
kflIaf sfhb dy mUMh pihlF hI pfxI af irhf sI.
‘lo afp BI KfAu.`
iek pRfAuNTI cuwkdy Aus ny suafmI ƒ sulh mfrI. qy afp ctkfry mfrn
lwgf.
‘nhI sr! ieh quhfzy leI hI hn.`
svfmI ny awDy ijhy mn nfl juafb idqf. Aus ny soicaf sI, pRfAuNTI dI
grfhI KFdy smyN pMny dI iPr gwl CyVI jfeygI, pr hux Aus kol kihx leI
kuJ vI bfkI nhIN sI bicaf. kflIey ƒ ctkfry mfrdy rfm lfl dI khI
purfxI gwl Xfd afeI.
‘ieh dovyN Brf pRfAuNTy Kuaf ky iPr gl `c rwsI pfAuNdy hn[[[ jfieË
nfËfiej kMm krfAuNdy hn. jwt ipafeI lwsI, gl `c pfeI rwsI.`
Xfd afAuNdy-afAuNdy burkI Aus dy mUMh ivwc Puwl geI. Aus ƒ ihwckI
afAux lwgI. burkI hwQ c rok ky Aus ny jldI-jldI pfxI df Guwt Br ky
afpxf sfh sfvF kIqf.
cfh df kwp KflI krky tnI nfQ ny GVI vwl nËr mfrI. itPn vfly
KflI BFzy smyty qy zolU ƒ hwQ pfieaf.
‘cMgf jI[[[ mYƒ afigaf[[? mYN vI nhfxf hY jf ky[[[ iqafr hoxf[[[.`
‘TIk aY[[[ DMnvfd[[[.` kflIey ny hwQ AuWpr AuTFdy hF BrI.
‘awj df koeI pRogrfm sr! myry lfiek koeI syvf[[[?`
svfmI ikafsdf sI peI sfhb khygf[[[[,
‘jldI dÌqr af jfE, iPr Plfxy-Plfxy kMm krny.`
pr ieh Aus dI KuÈPihmI hI rhI, sfhb ny Aus dI aijhI koeI hoNd
dI loV nf smJI ikAuNik hr kMm Aus qoN ibnF hI sr skdf sI. lokF leI
irskPfhIaF qy jfl ivCfAux vflf svfmI awj afpxy afp ƒ kwKF qoN
hOlf-hOlf mihsUs krn lwgf. Aus ƒ jfipaf ijvyN Auh hI ies dunIaF df
sB qoN vwD nIc inkMmf qy axcfihaf ivakqI hovy. iek KOÌnfk dihÈq
qy vihÈI soc ny Aus dy pYr pwQrF vFg boJl kr idqy. nmfË bKÈfAux
igaf sI, roËy gl pY gey. eynI cfplUsI, syvf Bfv qy eImfndfrI dI Bfvnf
smJdy hoey vI kflIaf sfihb pMnf isMG dy mfmly ivc iksy qrHF dI nËr-
sfnI krn ƒ iqafr nf hoey. sgoN AuhnF dy idl ivc Aus bfry hmdrdI qy
siqkfr vDdf hI igaf.
tnI nfQ qoN nËfq pf ky Aus ƒ qor ky, kflIey sfhb ny surÉrU ijhf
mihsUs kIqf.
‘ieh pRfAuNTy Kuaf ky iPr gl c rwsI pfAuNdy hn qy bFdr vFg
tpfAuNdy hn.`
lfl sfihb dI suBfivk icqfvnI kflIey sfihb ƒ iekyrF iPr mruMz
geI. Aus df jIa kIqf, mUMh `c AuNglF pf ky sB kuJ AuglwC dyvy. qyl qy
iswikaF dI khfxI vI BfvyN koeI jfdUmeI ikRÈmF hI hovy. kI lYxf iehoN ijhy
suafrQI lokF df, ieh afpxy suafrQ dI pUrqI dI Kfqr aKIrlI hwd qwk
vI jf skdy ny. jfdU tUxy vI kr skdy ny. vsIkrn XMqr vI Kuaf skdy ny.
Aus ƒ afpxy mihkmy dI Auh ÈfK TIk iksy icwkV toBy vflI glI jfpI,
ijQoN bVf soc-soc ky lMGxf pYNdf hY qF jo apxy afp ƒ iCwitaF qy DwibaF
qoN bcf ky vfps lY jfey.
qYÈ dI pihlI lihr ajy ijAuN dI iqAuN kfiem sI jd ik iek hor
dUsrI juafrBfty dI Cwl vFg hor AucyrI AuBr ky afAuNdI kFgF CwzdI CUM-
CUM krdI kflIaf sfhb ƒ suMn kr geI. ÈfmU dUlo qy iek hor nvF
axpCfqf afdmI Èfh dI AuNgl PVI bVI inwzrqf qy idRVHqf nfl bfhrlf
gyt twp ky aMdr af vVy sn. AuhnF dIaF nËrF bUlHI kuiqaF vFg afsy-
pfsy GuMmIaf, mfno kflIaf sfhb dI hoNd bfry suMG ky pqf lgf rhy hox ik
Auh ikDr hY qy iPr aMdrly brFzy df drvfËf lMG ky kmry ivc dfKl ho
gey.
‘nmskfr sr[[[.` iqMnF ny ieky vyrF isr invF ky, hwQ Aupr mwQy ƒ
iljFdy Pqih bulfeI.
‘nmskfr[[[ hF dwso[[[.` kflIey ny mwQy `qy kuJ GUrIaF vwt ky Krvf
ijhf juafb dy ky AuhnF dy pYr AuKfV idqy.
 ‘jI[[[ jI[[[ ieh pop aYNz kMpnI dy aYm zI hn[[[[[ijly sfihb.` ÈfmU
ny iCwQy ijhy huMdy KVy-KVy sfhb ƒ nrm krn dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘hF[[[ hukm kro [[[ dwso.` sfhb ny byiDafny ijhy puwiCaf.
‘jI ieh quhfƒ imlxf cfhuMdy ny.`
‘hF! ËrUr imlo[[[ dÌqr clo[[[ AuDr bYTyNgy.`
kflIey ny KVy-KVy AuhnF dI CuwtI kr idqI. AuhnF vwloN aijhI
bygfngI dI iksy ƒ vI qvwko nhI sI. Kfs krky ÈfmU ƒ qF sfihb dy Auh
Èbd brCI vFg Dur aMdr qwk ClxI-ClxI kr gey.
‘awCf sr.` ÈfmU ny inrfÈf Biraf vwzf sfrf hAukf ilaf. iqMny BwjI
qOVI vrgf mUMh ltkf ky vfps muVy. kflIey ny suwK df sfh ilaf. nhIN,
suwK df qF nhI! pr Aus ny AuhnF ƒ Tukrf ky kuJ rfhq mihsUs kIqI[[[
pIV BrI rfhq. aijhf qoVvF juafb dyxf qF Ausdy suBfa ivc hI nhIN
sI, pr iPr vI Aus ny aijhf kr mfiraf.
QoVHI dUr jf ky ÈfmU iPr muV afieaf.
‘sr qusIN pCfixaf nhIN Auhƒ? Auh qF quhfzf purfxf afVI hY [[[ hm
ipaflf.`
kflIey sfhb ny mwQf Guwt ky kuJ Xfd krn dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘Auey [[[ jYlf sI ieh?`
‘hF jI kflIaf sfihb! bVI motI sfmI hY ieh awj kwlH!`
‘ilaf[[[ ilaf[[[ ilaf Xfr iPr moV ilaf iesƒ.`
ÈfmU dy ichry `qy iPr rOxk prq afeI. Aus ƒ jfipaf ajy zuwlHy byrF
df kuJ nIN ivgiVaf. ajy bfl myry hwQ ivc hI hY.
muVdy smyN ÈfmU nfl isrP jYlf hI sI. dUlo ny qF ieqnI kuwqyKfxI krf
ky ipwCy muVnf munfsb nf smiJaf jF Èfied ÈfmU ny hI Ausƒ tplf
mfiraf hoAU.
‘qUM cwl Xfr[[[ sfhb bVy nfrfË lgdy ny awj.`
‘Auey af peI ijly isMG! qUM qF bVf motf qfËf ho igaf, pUry df pUrf
ËYldfr?` sfhb ny Aus vwl lMbf hwQ vDFdy Aus dI PuwlI gogV Guwt idwqI.
 sfhb ƒ hwsdy vyK ky AuhnF ƒ hOslf hoieaf. sfry iKV-iKVf ky hwsy,
BfvyN ieMnI jor dI hwsx df koeI kfrn nhIN sI.
‘mYN ikhf jnfb! mYQoN ikhVI Buwl ho geI? ijhVI sfzy nfl klfm
krn qoN vI kqrfx lwgy.` jYly ny ihrK ijhf kIqf.
‘nhIN! nhIN! sOrI! Xfr ! iglf nf krIN, mYN pCfixaf hI nhIN qYƒ.`
jYly ƒ iPr Aus ny afpxy nfl Guwt ilaf.
‘mYƒ qF rfq hI ÈfmU jI df Pon igaf sI. mYƒ bhuq KuÈI hoeI. mYN
ikhf Èukr aY, sfzy afpxy aPsr afey ny[[[ sfzy ielfky ivc. koeI munfÌy
dI gwl krFgy, pYsf kmfvFgy, afp KfvFgy nfly quhfƒ KuafvFgy.` iqMny
hwsx lwgy.
‘sr asIN awj kwlH kMipAUtr, PYks, Pon qy Poto mÈInF dI eyjMsI lY
rwKI hY. sfry pMjfb ivc asIN splfeI krdy hF. suwK nfl cMgf kfrobfr hY,
cfr cuPyry bwly-bwly ho rhI hY.` jYly ny apxI jyb `coN ikMny sfry pCfx
pwqr kwZ ky kflIey sfhb dy awgy rwK idqy.
‘bVI cMgI gwl aY peI ÈfmU jI! ieh qF sfzIaF vI loVF ny, awj kwlH
dIaF, asIN vI qF KrIdFgy ieh mfl.` kflIaf sfhb ÈfmU ƒ rUbrU hoey.
‘hF jI jnfb! hor bhuq sfry dÌqrF ivc ieh cIËF qF pihlF hI af
cuwkIaF hn, asIN hI ipCy hF. bfkI awj kwl qF kMipAUtr Xug hY.`
‘clo Xh qo awCf hUaf, afp ny Xfd krf dIaf. peI cfey qo iplfAu
ies ko.` kflIaf sfhb iPr afpxy aslI rUp ivc af gey.
jYlf AuT ky bfhr clf igaf. muVdy smyN Aus dy kol iek atYcI sI
vwzf sfrf. sfhb dy stUl `qy rwK ky cfbI lf ky KoilHaf. atYcI Biraf
ipaf sI, ielYktroink vsqF nfl, GVIaF kYlkUlytr qoN lY ky imwnI
kMipAUtr qwk, ijvyN pUrf Èo rUm ies ivc bMd hovy. kflIey ƒ iPr Xfd
afieaf rfq vflf atYcI.
Aus ny krmMzl vfly bfby nfl jYly df muhFdrf imlfAux dI koiÈÈ
kIqI [[[ hF AuhI sI [[[ iblkul AuhI.
 AuhI atYcI jo rfq Auh vyK nhIN sI sikaf, Aus dy sfhmxy KuwlHf ipaf
sI, pUry dI pUrI numfieÈ lgfeI. kflIaf mn hI mn ivc hwisaf.
‘lo jnfb! ieh myry vwloN ipafr Biraf qohPf.`
jYly ny iek kYlkUlYtr, GVI, iek pYWn qy iek imwnI kMipAUtr sfhb
vwl vDfey. AuhnF bVy inwGy iÈRÈtfcfr nfl dohF hwQF nfl svIkfr kIqy.
‘sr Xh kYlkUlytr hI nhIN iewklf, Xh afrgynfeIËr hY. ies ivc
pUry kMipAUtr vFg, afp afpxIaF inwjI XfddfÈq dIaF gwlF rIkfrz kr
skdy ho. ieh iek iksm dI zfierI hY.` jYly ny kYlkUlytr vwl Kfs qOr
`qy Ëor dy ky ikhf.
‘hF[[[ hF muJy pqf hY [[[ afeI no [[[ ids.`
ÈfmU ny vI AukV ky AuDr Jfq lgfeI.
‘ary ÈfmU jI! hmyN BI qo Xh kfm krnf hogf.
afj hI ien kI kotyÈn lo aOr afgy kI kfgËI kfrvfeI ÈurU kro.`
‘awCf sr! bhuq awCf[[[.`
‘idwlI vfly vI bhuq Auqfvly hYN, aYsy Aupr sy BI mnËUrI lYxI
muÈikl nhIN rhygI. qo TIk hY[[[ afp dÌqr clo[[[.`
FFF
ö
kflIaf sfhb ny ipCly eyny lMmy arsy ivc keI QF-QF qy Gft-Gft
df pfxI pIqf. vMn suvMny qy vwKo-vwK imËfj vfly bMidaF nfl Aus df
vfsqf ipaf. keI QfeIN pRbMDkI kfrnF krky hyTilaF nfl jF AuprilaF
nfl vI krVy hwQIN iswJxf ipaf. ies leI hux Auh pwQr vFg azol ÈFq
mn KVf sI. pwQr `qy pfxI pY ky ijvyN iqlk jFdf hY AuvyN hI ieh sB
zrfmf Aus dy msqk ivcoN iKsk igaf qy Auh AuvyN df AuvyN hI irhf. cVHdy
sUrj ƒ slfmF krn vfly jF lihMdy sUrj vwl ipwT krn vfilaF vwl hux
Auh bhuqf iDafn nhI sI idMdf. koeI gwzI, kfr afvy jF nf, koeI skUtr,
motr sfeIkl qy Aus ƒ ilPt dyvy jF nf, Aus leI koeI nvIN acMBy vflI
gwl nhIN sI. Auh hr glI, bfËfr, hr rsqy df vfkÌ sI qy hr QF
iekwlf hI jf skdf sI.
nON vjy dPqr phuMc ky Ausny vyiKaf, dovF BrfvF qoN ibnF sfry
krmcfrI afpxI-afpxI sIt `qy AupsiQq sn.
‘nmskfr sr! vYlkm.`
lfl jI ny AuT ky kflIaf sfhb ƒ ÈuB afgmn ikhf qy afpxI kursI
KflI krky AuhnF ƒ pyÈkÈ kIqI. kflIaf sfhb bYg `coN aYnk dI zwbI coN
aYnk kwZ ky lgfx lwgy. lfl jI ny hfËrI rijstr AuhnF awgy
srkfieaf.
‘nhIN[[[ nhIN [[[ CoVo[[[ ikaf krnf ies ko [[[afp kf kfm hY Xh.`
iPr ds imMt bfd iek qy agly ds imMt bfd dUsrf, Auh dovyNN ÈfmU
qy svfmI af phuMcy. AuhnF dy ipCy nfl hI ijly isMG, ijvyN ipCoN qF Auh
iqMny iekwTy afey hox qy ieQy dÌqr vVn lwgy vkPf pf ky vVy qF jo iksy
ƒ hox vfly sOdy ivc qrÌdfrI df KdÈf nf rhy.
‘guz mfrinMg sr.` ijly isMG isw Df hI prdf cuk ky aMdr Gus
afieaf jd ik bfkI dovyNN afpxIaF-afpxIaF sItF vwl cly gey.
‘vYrI guwz mfrinMg.`
kflIaf sfhb ny isr AuWpr cuwk ky byiDafny ijhy duafb idqf.
‘afE[[[[[afE[[[[[[ijly isMG?`
iPr ijvyN Aus ƒ pCfx ky hwQ imlf ky kursI `qy bYTx df ieÈfrf
kIqf.
‘sr mYN awj kwl kMipAUtr qy hor sfrIaF ielYktrfink vsqF dI sfry
Ëon dI zIlriÈp lY rwKI hY. mYƒ quhfzy afgmn bfry pqf lwgf. mYN ikhf
quhfzy drÈn kr afvF nfly puMn nfly PlIaF.` dovyNN imMnHf imMnHf muskfey
ijvyN pihlI vfr hI imly hox.
‘iehnF cIËF dI qF sfƒ pihlF hI loV sI, qusIN lfl jI nfl gwl kr
lYNdy.`
‘mYN qF zrdf hI irhf sr! [[[Jkdf irhf.`
 ‘ary BfeI ibjnYs vfly log Jkqy nhIN.`
‘Xh bfq qo TIk hY jnfb. ab afp afey hYN qo muJy afrzr dy do[[[
sr!` Aus ny nKrf ijhf kIqf.
‘lfl jI ko idKfE [[[ sfrf mfl sYNpl[[[qy afpxI kotyÈn dy do.`
‘lo sr.`
iek-iek krky sfrIaF cIËF myË `qy itkfx lwgf. kMipAUtr, PYks,
kYlkUlytr[[[.`
‘bws! bws! aBI qo hmyN kMipAUtr aOr PYWks kI iËafdf ËrUrq hY.`
‘mfl qo awCf hY sr! kMpnI vI TIk hY.` lfl jI ny vI Aus dI
isPfirÈ kr idqI.
‘pr ies iley hmyN qIn cfr kotyÈnoN kI ËrUrq hY.`
‘sB bx jfeygf-jnfb! afp hukm kro.`
Ausny atYcI ivcoN vwK-vwK iqMn PrmF dy lYtr pYz kwZ ky vwK-vwK
ryt ilK ky lfl jI vwl vDfey.
‘trn, trn [[[.` GMtI df btn dwibaf.
‘hF jI sr[[[[[.` cpVfsI ny slUt mfiraf.
‘ÈfmU[[[ svfmI[[[ qy pMnf[[[ qIno ko bulfAu.`
‘XYs sr.`
ÈfmU qy svfmI iek dm aMdr dfKl hoey. kuJ dyr ht ky pMnf vI af
phuMcf, vyK ky dovF dy mwQy `qy iqAUVIaF AuWBr afeIaF.
‘awj ieh vI nvF slfhkfr bx igaY[[[?`
‘Xh dyKo beI! hm afp ky lIey Xhf kMipAUtr aOr PYks KrIdxf
cfhqy hYN. Xh sfhb afey bYTy hYN. mfl afp psMd krogy, ryt afp iPks
krogy, mnËUrI mYN aBI afp ko dy dUMgf.`
‘QYNk XU sr! Xh qoN afp ny hmfry idl dI bfq bUJ lI, hm qoN pihly
hI afp ko Xh iÈkfieq krny vfly Qy ik ies kMipAUtr Xug myN hm aOroN
sy pICy ikAuN hY.`
 ‘TIk hY sr! mfl BI awCf hY, kuafiltI BI awCI hY, aOr pop aYNz
kMpnI df ryt BI dUsroN sy km hY.`
‘ikAuN peI pMnf sfihb. afp BI bqfeIey nf.`
‘TIk hY sr! jo ienho ny ikhf hY TIk hI qo hY.` pMny dy mUMh qoN vI
ËbrdsqI khfAux vflI gwl hooeI.
‘ikqny cfhIey sr?` ijly isMG bhuq KuÈ sI.
‘aBI qo afp qIn sYWt splfeI kro, bfkI bfd myN dyKyNgy. eyk ieDr
aOr do hmfry bfhr ky dÌqroN ky iley.`
‘DMnvfd hËUr! afp ko iksI iksm kI iÈkfieq nhI afeygI [[[ afp
ky XUËr hmyN hmyÈf Xfd kryNgy.`
‘rItf!`
rfm lfl dI afvfË ny rItf ƒ cyqMn kr idqf. not buk qy pYnisl lY
ky Auh aMdr afeI. ÈfmU svfmI qy kflIaf iqMnF ny awKF nIvIaF krky myË
`qy gwz idqIaF. Auh hux Aus nfl awKF nf imlf sky.
‘XYs sr!`
Auh gutkdI gutkdI aMdr afeI. AuhnF ÈrimMidaF dIaF DOxF nIvIaF
vyK ky smJ geI. rfq dy zrfmy ny kuJ krfmfq kr idKfeI hY. Auh afpxy
afp jyqUaF vFg afkV ky Klo geI. Aus df jIa kIqf rfqy dy zrfmy bfry
afpxf ieqrfË ieËhfr kry, pr Auh ibnF kuJ khy suxy KVI rhI.
‘Xh pop aYNz kMpnI ko afrzr bxf do.`
afpxy hQly kfgË PVFdy rfm lfl ny rItf ƒ hdfieq kIqI.
‘E[ ky[ sr[[[.`
kih ky bfhr inkl geI qy svfmI, Èfh qy ijly isMG vI Aus dy ipCy
cly gey qF jo inXm anusfr mËmUn ilKf skx. pMnf, rfm lfl qy kflIaf
sfhb ivckfr iek zUMGI cuwp psr geI. iqMnF ny iek dUsry nfl srsrI
nËrF imlfeIaF.
‘sr mYN iek bynqI krnI hY,` pMnf isMG ny ies cuwp df sInf coiBaf.
‘hF[[[ hF[[[ kho[[[ ËrUr kro[[[.`
 kflIaf sfhb df huMgfrf sux ky rfm lfl afpxy afp AuWT ky bfhr
clf igaf. Auh vI pMnf isMG ƒ alwg smF dyxf cfhuMdf sI qF jo Auh sfhb
nfl KuwlH ky idl dI gwl kr sky.
‘sr mYN iksy dI iÈkfieq nhI krnI, nf hI mYƒ iksy cuglI inMidaf
krn dI gMdI afdq hY.`
‘hF[[[ mYƒ pqY peI [[[ iehI qF mYN dyK irhf hF.`
‘pr mYN iek gwl ËrUr khFgf[[[ ik qusIN iehnF jI-hËUrIaF qy
cfplUsF qoN bc ky rihxf, nhIN qF iehnF ny quhfzy gozy igwitaF ƒ hwQ lf-
lf ky iehnF dy pyc cUlF iZwlIaF kr dyxIaF ny.` pMny dy ivÈyÈxF ny ies
gMBIr vfqfvrx ivc kflIey dy bulHF `qy muskrfht gwz idqI.
‘zoNt vrI pMnf isMG! mYN sB kuJ smJ irhf hF. iek qMd iZwlf hovy qF
mYN ies dm kws idaF, pr ieQy qF pUrI qfxI hI AuWlJI peI hY qy mYƒ ies
bfry icMqf hY.`
‘sr kwl ƒ mYƒ zI[ sI[ sfhb ny bulfieaf hY, imhrbfnI krky qusIN
vI smF kwZ ky AuDr afieAu. kho qF mYN quhfƒ afp af ky lY jfvFgf.`
‘mYƒ pqY peI. qyrI bhfdrI ny qyrI hI nhIN, myrI hI nhIN, pUry
mihkmy dI klgI AuWcI kIqI hY, mYN ËrUr afvFgf. ÈfbfÈ! ieho ijhy puwq
mfvF Gr-Gr jMmx.` kflIey ny pMnf isMG dI ipwT QfpVI.
‘cfh afvy sr?`
svfmI ny af ky iPr tfipk bdl idqf. Aus df mUMh kuJ icMqf ivc sI.
‘cor dI dfVHI ivc iqxkf.`
Aus ny smiJaf pqf nhIN pMnf[[[[[sfhb ƒ kI-kI dws dyvy. cfh df qF
Aus df bhfnf hI sI. aslI Aus df mnorQ qF iehI sI ik pMny ƒ sfhb dy
lfgy nf ÌVHkx idqf jfey. AuhnF dI guPqgU ivc ivGn pfieaf jfey.
‘ary BfeI, mrËI hY afp kI[[[ eyk idn aOr afp ky mihmfn hYN. jo
mrËI lY afE[[[. XfrF dI Ëihr pIvFgf mYN aMimRq jfx ky myry ihwsy
ipaflf ieh afx idE dosqoN.`
 kflIey ny iPr afpxy rMgly aMdfË ivc svfmI dy Brm BulyKy dUr kr
ky AumIdF dI iCwt iKMzf idqI. sB nihly dy dihly pfqr Aus dy sfhmxy
bfr-bfr rMg bdldy gey Clyzy vFg.
kflIaf sfihb dI dUr aMdyÈI ny Kfs krky rItf dI mfnisk siQqI df
cMgI qrHF aiDan kr ilaf. Auh ies lfhnq qoN afpxy afp ƒ alwg
rwKxf cfhuMdf sI.
‘ikAuN nf ies ƒ iswDy hI Puslf ky afpxy idl dI sPfeI pyÈ krky
rfq df sfrf Brm jfl AuhnF `qy suwitaf jfey qF jo ieh gwl hor awgy nf
vDy qy Aus df afpxf aks sfÌ-sfÌ bc jfey. rItf dIaF nËrF `c Auh
swc muwc dfnf pRDfnf sfÌ suwcy idl vflf ÈKs AuWGV afey.
‘svfmI jI! Xh lo pYsy! cfey sB ky lIey.`
‘sr jI ieh vI qF pYsy quhfzy hI hYn.` Èfh ny jyb ƒ hwQ mfrdy notF
dIaF QwbIaF kwZ ky hvf `c lihrfeIaf. iek not kwZ ky cpVfsI ƒ PVf
idwqf.
‘lY pMJI kwp cfh qy bfkI jo bcy koeI svIt pIs lY afvIN.`
tfeIp kIqy kfgËF df plMdf lY ky rItf aMdr dfKl hoeI.
‘afE byty! afAu bYTo.` kflIey ny hwQ awgy vDf ky kfgË PVy. aYnk
PV ky kmIË dI kMnI nfl sfP kIqI qy awKF ƒ lf ky nIJ nfl pVHn lwgf.
‘ÈfbfÈ! bhuq awCf. byty! afp ko kMipAUtr kI jfxkfrI hY?`
‘hF jI sr! kuJ kuJ.`
‘ab qoN Xh sfrf kfm afpko kMipAUtr pr krnf hogf, afp ko ies
kI tRyinMg vI idlf dyNgy.`
‘ikAuN BeI! ijly isMG. afp Xh ieMnstrUmYNt BI do, aOr sfQ ien kf
AupryÈn BI bqfAugy, ien ko tRyinMg kf pRbMD BI kr do gy.`
‘hF jI sr! ËrUr kryNgy. jo hukm!` ijly isMG ny qurMq huMgfrf
Biraf.`
 ‘qo rfm lfl jI! ies sy tRyinMg df BI ihsfb ikqfb pUC lo, aOr afj
hI pMdrF idn kI tRyinMg iPks kr lo. XhI afp ko iksI kMipAUtr kflj
kf pRbMD kr dyNgy.`
‘XYs sr! bhuq awCf.`
‘kXf lyqy hYN vuh! ikaf ihsfb hY?`
‘afp icMqf mwq kIjIey sr, ab Xh myrI isr drdI hY, sB ho
jfeygf. vYsy qo eyk kors kf, eyk bYc kf, eyk sYÈn kf, ryt pcfs hËfr
hoqf hY, pr kr lyNgy, jo afp khogy ly lyNgy.`
ijly isMG bhuq KuÈ sI. kflIaf vI KuÈ sI, aMdry aMdr jrb-qksIm
kr irhf sIy. pcfs hËfr df mqlb! Gwt qoN Gwt sfZy bfrF hËfr. pwcI
PIsdI qF srkfrI KrId ivcoN hoxI hI cfhIdI hY. Xh BI awCf kIaf afp
ny hmfrI mdd kr dI[[[. hmfry pfs qo bhuq PMz bc rhf Qf, ab TIk
kfm af jfeygf iekwqI mfrc qwk, nhIN qo ies ko surYNzr krnf pVqf aOr
sfQ Aupr sy zFt KfxI pVqI.` kflIey ny KuÈI mihsUs kIqI.
‘sr gwlF coN gwlF inkldIaF hn. rsqy quro qF keI rsqy iml jFdy
hn qy jy Gr bYTy hI socdy rho qF rsqy ikQoN imlxgyy.` ijly isMG vI vwzf
prAupkfrI bx igaf sI awj. Auh ibwlkul iesy dPqr df hI mYNbr bx
igaf lgdf sI, pUrf vwzf ihsydfr qy hmdrd.
‘bolo sr! hukm kro. tRyinMg dI ikqnI kotyÈn ilKyN?`
‘ilK do Xfr pUrI. qIn kutyÈny bxf lo, eyk sfT hËfr, dUsrI pcpn
hËfr aOr qIsrI bfvn hËfr.`
kflIey ny afpy mUMh mMgI murfd hI pUrI nhIN kIqI ijly isMG dI, sgo
do hËfr hor vDf idwqf.
‘cfh af geI sr!`
bfhr hfl ivc kwp ipafly tuxkx dI afvfË afeI.
cfh pINdy pINdy srkfrI kfgËF dI lokfcfrI CfxbIx kflIaf sfhb
nfl nfl krdy rhy qy dsKq krdy rhy. awj kflIey dy ichry `qy rOxk sI,
rfm lfl vI KuÈ sI, tnI nfQ svfmI qy Èfh vI pRsMn sn, stfP dy hor
mYNbr vI do cfr idn dI Gutx qoN njfq imlx krky iKVy hoey jfpdy sn.
rItf vI sfhb dy bdly cirqr qy vqIry qoN Kfs krky Aus dy ‘bytf` Èbd
dy sMboDn qoN qF byhwd KIvI ho rhI sI. lfeI-lwg dUlo rfm qF svfmI qy
Èfh dIaF hrkqF hI dyKI jf irhf sI qy AuhnF `coN koeI guwJf Byd lwBx dI
afV ivc sI.
‘dyKo beI dosqo!` kflIey dy sMboDn qoN sfry sfvDfn ho ky bYT gey.
‘afp sB bhuq awCy hY. afp ky dPqr mYN kfm bhuq inXmq aOr nym
bwD qrIky sy ho rhf hY. kuJ kuJ qrutIaF kmIaF hYn, Auh hoqI hI hY, vuh
BI TIk ho jfeyNgI. afdmI glqI krqf hY ‘tU arr ieË ihAumn,` iensfn
glqI kf puqlf hY, nIXq burI nhIN hoxI cfhIdI, mfVI nhIN hoxI cfhIdI.
bfkI afp ky aOrq mYNbr vI hYn, afp ky sfQ, ies iley afp ko hr hflq
myN, bolcfl myN, cirqwr myN, izispiln hoxf cfhIey. dyK prfeIaF cMgIaF
mfvF DIaF BYxF jfxyy. agr afp Xh bfq mn myN bsf logy qoN afp ky hI
nhIN smfj ky bhuq sfry JgVy bKyVy Kqm ho jfeyNgy, rhyNgy hI nhIN.`
kflIaf sfhb dy pRvcn ny sroiqaF ƒ JMjoV idwqf. ‘kudrq dI suMdr mUrq
ieh gurU nfnk df Purmfn, mMdf koeI nf afKy Ausƒ ijs jMmy rfjfn. kwlH
ieDr afp ky kMipAUtr lg jfeyNgy mnjUrI Aupr sy mYN lyqf rhUMgf.`
kflIaf sfhb ny BfÈx bMd kIqf qy AuWT ky afpxy kmry vwl cly gey.
kflIey dy ies bdly hoey qOr qrIikaF ny ijwQy kuJ lokF ƒ KuÈ kIqf AuQy
dUjI iqwkVI ƒ iekyrF iPr Jwtkf dy idwqf. rItf df ichrf iKV AuiTaf.
Aus ny kflIey dy mKOty ivcoN afpxy bfpU ƒ qlfÈ krn df Xqn kIqf. Aus
df jIa kIqf, kflIaf Aus ƒ iPr bytf khy, bfr bfr bytf khy.
‘sr! Xh tRyinMg khF hogI?` Auh AuWT ky aMdr afeI.
BfvyN Aus df ieh byloVf svfl Aus dy hdUd qoN bfhr df sI qy isrP
rfm lfl aiDakÈ df hI sI, pr iPr vI Aus ny ieh KuwlH ky lfhf lY
ilaf.
‘hF byyty! afE bYTo! Xh qoN afp ky supirtYNzYNt sfhb hI PYslf kr
lyNgy.`
 Auh hux insMg bYTI Aupr dyK rhI sI. Auh soc rhI sI, kflIaf
sfhb ijMnI vyrF Auhƒ bytf kihx, Auh AuhnF qoN keI guxf vwD KuÈIaF
vfrn ƒ iqafr sI. ieh Èbd keI sflF qoN suxn leI Auh qrs rhI sI,
Kfs krky dÌqr dy aijhy mfhOl ivc Aus ƒ ieh Èbd bIafbfn ivc
koiel dI imwTI kU kU vFg jfpy. CotI huMdI qoN hI bytf kihx vflf Aus df
bfpU Aus ƒ Aus dI mF dy shfry Cwz igaf sI, dUr cly igaf sI, AuQy ijwQoN
koeI vfps nhIN afAuNdf nf hI Aus ny afAux sI qy nf hI Auh afieaf. Aus
ny iPr kflIey dy ichry `qy nËrF gwz ky kuJ kuJ pVHn dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
aslI qy nklI mKOty qrHF qrHF dy rMg Aus dI klpnf `coN guËr gey. iPr
vI Aus ƒ skUn sI ik Auh Aus df vwzf aÌsr sI qy awj qoN Auh Aus df
bfp sI, bfpU smfn sI. Aus dy nyVy hox krky hor kuJ nhIN qF Auh dUsrI
iqwkVI dIaF mfVIaF irsk PfhIaF qoN qF bcI rhygI. Aus df inDVk ibnF
vjHf bYTxf rfm lfl ƒ kYVf kYVf Bfisaf. pr ieh rItf ƒ vI suhfvxf
lwg irhf sI qy kflIaf vI ivcy ivc afnMdq ho irhf sI. rItf ƒ rIJfAux
df ieh hMBlf kfrgr sfbq ho irhf sI.
‘sr quhfzIaF ikMnIaF bytIaF ny?` rItf ny nvF suafl kIqf.
‘hF! myrIaf bytIaF? byty! iqMn bytIaF ny myrIaF, do plws iek.`
kflIey ny atk atk ky vfk pUrf kIqf qy Auh sfry hws pey.
‘kI mqlb ies df sr! do plws iek ? Auh byiJjk bolI.
‘do qF myry Gr hn, qy iek! hF, iek myry sfhmxy bYTI hY ieh.`
kflIey dy spÈtIkrn nfl rItf ivsmfdq ho geI.`
‘pr sr! qusIN iqMn hI ikAuN nhIN ikhf? kuJ Prk qF iPr vI rwK
ilaY qusIN?` rItf hfvI ho geI. kflIaF iekyrF iPr cwkr Kf igaf.
‘byty gwl smJo cMgI qrHF, bytI bytI hI huMdI hY, ipAu ipAu hI huMdf hY,
Brf Brf hI huMdf hY, koeI bytI kihx nfl bytI nhIN bx jFdI, bfp kihx
nfl bfp nhIN bx jFdf, vIr kihx nfl vIr nhIN bx jFdf.` rfm lfl ny
ruwKy ijhy lihjy ivc ieh byloVI bihs Kqm krn dI koiÈÈ kIqI. Aus ny
vI bytf kihky rItf ƒ sMboDn kIqf, pr nfl hI iesdy mhwqv ƒ svflIaf
icMnH lgf idwqf.
 hux iPr rItf AuQy hI KVI sI, Ausy moV qy, ijQoN Auh bfpU dI qlfÈ
ivc inklI sI. Aus ƒ rfm lfl dIaF byQvIaF gwlF df iÈkvf ijhf
hoieaf. Auh ihrKI ijhI geI suMn muMn, Aus dI Ëbfn bMd ho geI. awKF
nIvIaF ho geIaF.
‘jfE byty! jfE. kMm kro sB TIk ho jfeygf.`
kflIey ny iekyrF iPr imwTI ijhI cft iKlfr idwqI. hux Aus ƒ afpxy
afp qy qswlI sI, ik Aus dy ies Coty ijhy PIlr ny iekyrF rItf df mn
ËrUr psIj idwqf sI qy Auh Aus rfq dy svFg qoN brI ho igaf sI. Ausny
ieh vI jfx ilaf sI ik rItf Aus dy nyVy afAux leI iqafr sI. Auh Aus
nfl hor gwlF krnf cfhuMdf sI. pr rfm lfl dI dKl aMdfjI ny Aus dy
iKafl iksy hor smyN dI qfk c suriKaq rwKx leI mjbUr kr idwqf.

FFF
7
ivAuNqI hoeI Xojnf anusfr agly idn srkfrI CuwtI hox dy bfvjUd
dÌqr dy drvfËy KuwlH gey. iek jIp ivc sfrIaF ielYktroink vsqF
ijhnF df afrzr idwqf igaf sI, lY ky ijly isMG af hfËr hoieaf. rfm
lfl qy kflIaf sfihb ny bVI grm joÈI nfl Aus df qy iehnF nvIaF
rihmqF df svfgq kIqf. nfl hI iPitMg krn vfly ieMjInIar vI af
phuMcy. cpVfsI bfhroN kuJ idhfVIdfr mËdUr lY afieaf. AuhnF vwzIaF
almfrIaF dI iKwc DUh krky, pfsy KVIaF krky nvyN myËF dy lfAux dI QF
bxf idqI. rfm lfl dy kmry ivc ivÈyÈ qOr `qy ieh cIËF iPwt krn leI
AuQl puQlI krnI peI. rItf hwQ ivc not-buwk qy pYnsl PVI kdy rfm
lfl qy kdy kflIaf sfihb qoN hdfieqF suxdI rhI, ilKdI rhI. Aus dIaF
cUVIaF dI imMnI-imMnI Cxkfht vfqfvrx ivc QrQrfht pYdf krdI rhI.
svfmI pRÈfid vjoN lwzUaF df zwbf lY afieaf. ieMjInIar ny PYks qy
kMipAUtr iPwt krky cflU kr idqy. btn dbfx aqy mfAUs dI ihwljul
nfl kMipAUtr dI skrIn `qy rMg ibrMgy awKr AuWBry. rfm lfl ƒ mubfrk
hoeI. pRÈfid vMizaf igaf. sB ny KuÈI nfl qfVIaF mfrIaF.
awj sfiraF dI hfËrI ËrUrI nhI sI. rItf qF ivÈyÈ qOr `qy bulfeI
geI sI qy svfmI afpxI afdq anusfr afp hI af igaf sI. Kyz myly
ivc lfkVI vFg ijly isMG qF awj dy sfry kfrjF df Durf sI. Puwtbfl vFg
hr pl jgHf bdldf ÈfmU, Èfied pMny nfl clf igaf sI, Aus df mUMh
rwKx leI, Aus ƒ snmfnq huMdf vyKx leI zI[ sI[ dy dPqr vwl.
kflIey dy ÈuB hwQF nfl kMipAUtr df AudGftn krfAux qoN bfad ijly
isMG ny jIp ivcoN kuJ pYkt Pfst PUz qy hor pYk ilaf ky gYst rUm dy
mfeIkrovyv hftkys ivc rwK idqy. kflIey ny DuV-DVI ijhI leI. ijly
isMG dy ieÈfry nfl AuWT ky AuWDr cly gey. Auh afpy sfkI bixaf. icwty
rMg dI skfc mfrkf dfrU, pfxI vFg iglfs df cOQf ku ihwsf Zwk geI.
icwty soZy dI kmfl! sUM[[[ sUM[[[ krdf pOxf iglfs Jwg nfl Br igaf.
‘bws! bws!` kflIey ny Aus ƒ hor pfAux qoN mnHf kIqf.
‘cIarË!` Auhnf iglfs iBVfey, AuWpr ƒ AuTfey qy iPr gt-gt
krky cfVH gey. rfm lfl bfhr KVf dyKdf irhf. svfmI ny vI kuJ aOKf-
aOKf mihsUs kIqf.
‘ieh vI qF sirÈtfcfr dI hwd huMdI hY. aglf pIvy jF nf, pr sulfh
mfrnI jF agly df mUMh rwKxf vI qF smfjk kdrF kImqF dI loV hY.` pr
Auh ieh Gutx ivcy ivc npIV gey qy iPwt hoey nvyN sYtF df inrIKx krdy
rhy.
‘swc jfixAuN kflIaf sfhb! quhfzf ieh bwcf ijsƒ qusIN cuMGxI nfl
duwD iplf-iplf ky KVf kIqf, quhfzI dXf-idRÈtI nfl qy quhfzy mfrg
drÈn qy cwl ky afpxy mËbUq pYrF qy KVf hY. awj kwl vwzf Tykydfr hY
sVkF df, iemfrqF df qy hor keI vwzy srkfrI pRojYktF df.` ijly isMG ny
iek hwQ afpxI ihwk `qy mfiraf, iek Aus dI ihwk qy, qy iPr dovyN hwQ
joV ky Aupr ƒ iswjdf kIqf, nmskfr kIqI qy iPr Aus dy gozIN hwQ
lfieaf.
‘ary Xh qo afpkI imhnq kf hI Pl hY, hm ikaf krny vfly hY?`
 ‘pr mYN qjrbf kIqf hY sr! ik jo kMm pYsf nhI kr skdf, vfkPI
nhI kr skdI, Auh ieh Èrfb kr idMdI hY. mYN XfrIaF bxfeIaf hn,
dosqIaF hMzfeIaF hn qy keI vwzy-vwzy kMm krfey hn, ies Èrfb dy
ipafly nfl.` ijly isMG df iviKafx inrMqr cwldf irhf. kflIaf isr
ihlFdf Aus df huMgfrf Brdf irhf. bfhr KVI joVI vyK-vyK ky sVdI rhI.
‘pr jnfb! quhfzy nfl qF mYN purfxI sFJ hI pugfeI hY. bfkI ies Coty
ijhy sOdy `coN sfzy pwly kI pYNdf hY. mËf qF hY sVkf dy Tyky df, srkfrI
iemfrqF df, ijQy keI-keI vfrI qF trwkF dy trwk imwtI, ryqf qy sImyNt
bwËrI hËm kr leIdf hY qy ieh sB kuJ kfgËF ivc hI huMdf hY qy nfl
hI kfgËF ivc hI mINh pY ky sB kuJ iekyrF hV jFdf hY qy iPr dobfrf
ikqy jf ky hyTF qoN lY ky Aupr dy aÌsrF df iZwz Br ky msIN jf ky sVk
iqafr huMdI hY [[[ iemfrq KVI huMdI hY.`
‘ary BeI Auqnf KfAu ijqnf pc jfey.` kflIaf Ausƒ iswiKaf dyx
lwgf.
‘sr myrf hfËmF bhuq qyË hY. sB kuJ bVI jldI hËm kr jFdf hY,
dysI cUrn vFg, lwkV hËm pwQr hËm.`
‘ary afAu BfeI [[[ lfl jI! svfmI jI!
ary sOrI BeI! afp bfhr ikAuN KVy ho [[[ aMdr afE nf.` kflIaf
sfhb ƒ ijvyN iek dm iKafl afieaf hovy.
‘koeI nf sr! go afn! ieMjfey XUar sYlP, ieh qF sfzy krmF c
nhI[[[.` hfsy dI imnI ijhI Jlk iKlr geI.
rItf hukm anusfr ieMjInIar koloN kMipAUtr bfry iswKdI rhI,
jfxkfrI hfsl krdI rhI. Aus ny loVINdI muZlI jfxkfrI btn dbf ky,
bMd krky, iPr KolH ky bfr bfr rItf ƒ pRdfn kIqI. rItf ny aiBafs
kIqf. ijQoN nf smJ afeI, Auh iPr Aus Ausqfd qoN puwC lYNdI, BfvyN keI
vyrF btn dbfx lwgf jF mfAUs ƒ clfAux lwgf kdy kdy jfx buwJky Aus
dIaF AuglF ƒ qy kory bdn ƒ CUh jFdf. kMipAUtr qy nvyN nvyN rMgF dy
AuBfr dy nfl rItf dy aMdr vI qrHF qrHF dIaF lihrF AuWBr jFdIaF. Auh
tyZI awK nfl Aus dy ichry ƒ pVHn dI koiÈÈ krdI. Aus df Bolf mfsUm
ijhf ichrf Aus ƒ iksy mYl qoN sfP sfP pivqr nËr afAuNdf. nIly
asmfnI rMg dI Aus df kmIË qy Aus dy nfl rldI imldI pYNt qy pgVI
Aus dy ivakiqqv ƒ hor inKfr rhI sI.
‘nhIN nhIN aYsy nhIN.` Aus ny rItf df hwQ PVky AuglF kI borz `qy
itkf idwqIaF qy rItf ƒ kfljy qwk DUh pf idwqI. Aus ny iPr Aupr nËrF
cuwkIaF. cfr awKF tkrfeIaF, rItf dy aMdr ibjlI dOV peI. aijhf nvF
qjrbf Aus ƒ pihlI vfr hoieaf sI. pihlI vfr iksy hfxI ny Aus nfl
aijhI hrkq krn dI koiÈÈ kIqI sI. Auh pihlF vI qF keI vyrF Auhƒ
imlI sI, pr awj dI mulfkfq qF kuJ alokfr ijhI sI.
‘eIlU[[[[[[eIlU[[[[[[? dyKo[[[[[[!`
iek lVkI hwQ ivc Puwl leI iek nOjvfn suMdr lVky ƒ Byt kr rhI
sI. Ausqfd ny ieh qsvIr skrIn `qy ilaf ky isKFdrU qoN ies df
pRqIkrm jfnxf cfihaf. rItf ny skrIn vwl nIJ lfeI qy iPr muskrf ky
Ausqfd vwl nËrF imlf ky ÈrmFdI hoeI nIvIN pf leI. iswky vrgf iswky-
bMd Aus df qRImqpn eynI jldI ipGl jfeygf Aus ƒ icwq cyqf vI nhIN
sI. Aus ny bfhr dyiKaf. Auh sfry afpxI gwp Èwp ivc msq sn.
‘myry koloN nhIN isiKaf jfxf ieho ijhf Jwl-vlwl.`
‘nhIN! nhIN! bhuq suKflf hY ieh! bws QoVHI ijhI ihMmq dI loV hY,
pRkYits dI loV hY, QoVHI ijhI idlcspI dI loV hY. iesdI pRYkits kro qy
jy koeI muÈikl afvy qF mYƒ kntYkt kr lYxf.` Ausqfd ny jyb `coN kwZ
ky iek ivijitMg kfrz rItf ƒ PVfieaf. Aus ny JkdI JkdI PV ky
afpxy prs ivc pf ilaf. dovyNN AuT ky bfhr hfl vwl cly gey. gYst rUm
`coN ivhly ho ky kflIaf aqy hm ipafly vI AuhnF vwl af gey.
‘ikAuN byty! afeI smJ kuJ?` kflIaf ny AuNgl Aulfrdy puwC kIqI. ‘hF
jI! kuJ hwd qwk.` rItf ny afpxy Ausqfd vwl Jfkdy ikhf.
‘sB TIk ho jfeygf sr! cMgI huiÈafr sUJvfn lVkI hY, jldI iswK
jfeygI.` ieMjInIar ny Aus dI qfrIÌ krky Aus ƒ hor aMdroN ijwq ilaf.
rItf afpxI isÌq sux ky nOjvfn qoN aÈ aÈ ho AuWTI.
 bfhrly gyt qoN pMnf qy ÈfmU skUtr `qy aMdr dfKl huMdy vyK ky
kflIaf sfhb qyË kdmF nfl bfhr inkly.
‘hYlo! mubfrk! myry byty! bhfdr pMnf!`
Aus ny glvwkVI pf ky pMny ƒ Aupr cuwk ilaf.
‘muafP krnF asIN af nIN sky! ieDr vI koeI bhuq ËrUrI kMm krnf
sI quhfzy dÌqr df.` kflIey ny afpxI gYrhfËrI df spwÈtIkrn idwqf.
‘koeI nf sr! quhfzf bhuq bhuq DMnvfd. quhfzI hlfÈyrI qy QpfkI leI
bhuq ÈukrIaf.` pMny ny afpxy skUtr `coN kwZ ky hfr kflIaf sfhb dy
gHl pf idwqf qy Auh sfry hwsdy hwsdy aMdr cly gey.
iewkI hËfr rupY df cYWk, snmfn pwqr qy momYNto pMny ny ilaf ky sfhb
dy myË `qy itkf idwqy.
‘ieh pMny dI hI nhIN! sfzy dÌqr dI, mihkmy dI, sfzy pUry twbr dI
ÈlfGf hoeI hY, ies snmfn nfl! sfzf mihkmf ies pMny krky hI
aÉbfrF dIaF motIaF surKIaF bixaf hY.` ÈfmU ny ihwk cOVI krky awj dy
hoey snmfn smfroh df sfrf hfl ibafn kIqf. lfl sfhb ny pMny ƒ ÈfbfÈ
idwqI. ijly isMG ny pMny ƒ bfhvF c Guwt ky mubfrk khI. svfmI ny vI
ÈrimMdy ijhy mn nfl lMmF hwQ pMny vwl vDfieaf qy vDfeI khI.
snmfn icMnH qy mfx pwqr dy iek iek Èbd kflIaf sfhb qy lfl
sfhb ƒ aQfh pRsMsf dy rhy sn.
‘lfl sfhb! afp ky dPqr mYN ieqnf bVf hIrf hY jo sfrI dunIaf myN
jgmgf AuTf hY aOr afp aBI BI aMDyry myN hYN.`
‘hm BI kwl ies kf snmfn kryNgy.`
‘hF hF. iblkul drusq, iblkul TIk socf afpny dyr afey drusq
afey.` kflIaf iKViKVf ky hws ipaf qy pMny dy moZy `qy QpfkI idwqI.
pMny dy mn dI AudyV bux iek supny vFg Aus dy sfhmxy iPr guËr
geI.
bVy vwzy sfry iÈMgfry hoey pMzfl ivc pMny ny qfVIaF dy svfgq nfl
pRvyÈ kIqf. Èihr dy mMny pRmMny pqvMqy vI[ afeI[ pIË[ ny AuT ky Aus ƒ
jI afieaF ikhf. ey[ zI[ sI[ ny pMny dy gl hfr pfieaf. kYmrf qy vIzIAu
vfly Aus dy awgy ipCy ho ky, iswDy puwTy kozy ho ky Poto lYx ivc ivasQ sn.
ey[ zI[ sI[ ny bVy afdr mfx nfl pMny ƒ styj qy iljf ky ivckfrlI
kursI `qy ibTf idwqf. styj sYktrI ny pMny dI afmd qy Aus dI Ausqq dy
pul bMnH idwqy. sfrf hfl qfVIaF nfl gUMj AuiTaf.
pMny ny vyiKaf sfhmxy pihlI lfeIn ivc smfj dy hr vrg dy
numfieMdy Aus vwl ingfh itkfeI bYTy sn. moty pqly, kfly, gory, pgVI
vfly, topI vfly, kuwly vfly qy hor amn kmytI dy sfry mYNbr Aus smfgm
ivc AupsiQq sn.
‘pMnf isMG jo iek srkfrI mihkmy df iËMmyvfr aiDkfrI hY, ƒ afpxI
izAUtI qoN vfps afAuNdy rsqy ivc smfj duÈmx bwcy cuwk groh df
sfhmxf krnf ipaf. Aus ny afpxI jfn dI pRvfh nf krdy hoey AuhnF
agvfkfrF koloN dovyNN bwcy Cuzf ley qy AuhnF ƒ dOVn leI mjbUr kr
idwqf. AuhnF dI clfeI golI Aus qoN pfsy inkl geI. sfzI srkfr Aus dy
ies bhfdr kfrnfmy qoN bhuq afBfrI hY qy Aus ƒ snmfn krn df mfx
hfsl kr rhI hY. Ausƒ ies qoN hor Aucyrf ienfm dyx leI Bfrq dy
rfÈtrpqI ƒ vI isÌfrÈ kIqI jFdI hY.`
styj skwqr ny snmfn pwqr piVaf. zI[ sI[ sfihb qy hor AuWGy
smfj syvk hsqIaF dy ÈuB hwQF nfl pMny ƒ Byt kIqf. bfr bfr pMzfl
qfVIaF nfl gUMjdf irhf. zfkUaF qoN Cuty hoey bwcy styj qy af ky pMny dy
afsy pfsy bYT gey. bwicaF dI mF ny styj qy af ky pMny df bhuq bhuq
DMnvfd kIqf. bwicaF dy bfp dI gYrhfËrI sfry pMzfl ivc rVkdI rhI.
‘pr Auh koeI hor bhuq ËrUrI kMm krky nhIN af sky.` bwicaF dI mF dy
ies suny hy ny kMm sfr idwqf. hor sfry smfj syvkF qy amn kmytI dy
mYNbrF ny smfj dy hr nOjvfn ƒ pMny dy pYr icMnHF `qy cwlx `qy Ëor idwqf.
pMny dy sfry kfrnfmy df vDf cVHf ky pRcfr krn dI loV mihsUs kIqI geI.
‘sr! khIN mujy aOr KulHf smF do, hm khIN bfhr ipkink py jfeyNgy
aOr KuwlH ky guPqgU kryNgy.` kflIaf sfhb ƒ muKfqb ijly isMG dI cUMzI ny
pMny ƒ iPr vfps dPqr dy cOigrdy ivc lY aFdf.
 ‘TIk hY, mYN hI nhIN! sfrf stfÌ clygf. AuDr bfhr jf ky nfly sB
kI Êlq ÌihmIaF dUr hogI, KuÈgvfr mfhOl ivc qy hor sB ieMjfey
kryNgy, gYt tU-gYdr myN.` kflIaf sfihb dI hrI zMzI nfl sB dy ichry qy
nvIN rOxk inwqr afeI. svfmI ny vI kuJ kuJ afrfm mihsUs kIqf.
‘nMgl clyNgy sr! bVI awCI sYr spfty vflI jgHf hY, rmxIk sQfn
hY, kudrq dI god ivc kuJ pl gujfryNgy.`
‘TIk hY jnfb! aOr AusI jgf hm apny pMny dy gly myN BI pRym mflf-
zflyNgy, Byt kryNgy.` lfl sfihb ny nMbr bxfn dI TfxI. Aus ny pMny ƒ bVy
hI pRym iBwjy lihjy ivc Aus dI bhfdrI df ievjfnf dyx df sMkyq idwqf.
bfhr iPr ihlwjul hoeI! sfry sfh sUq ky bfhr dyKx lwgy. topI rfm,
pgVI rfm qy kuwly Èfh bfhvF iKlfrdy afx pDfry.
‘pMny isMG jI huxF ƒ imlnF.` topI rfm kwcI ijhI hfsI hwsdy awgy
afieaf.
‘hF jI!N pRDfn jI. nmsqy! DMnvfd quhfzf. afE, jI afieaF ƒ. qusIN
eyzI qklIÌ kIqI, mYƒ Pon krdy mYN afp hI hfËr ho jFdf.` pMny ny afE
Bgq kIqI.
‘nhIN jnfb! pMnf jI! sfzI qF klgI AuWz ky phfV cVH geI. asIN
isPfrÈ krdy krdy awzIaF Gsf leIaF qy qusIN! ienfm lY ky iekwly
zkfr gey.`
‘afE vYl km.` pMnf topI rfm ƒ dUjY pfsy lY quiraf.
‘sr syvf dwso. mYN hfËr hF, pr mYN ieh ienfm koeI BIK mMg ky nhIN
ilaf, nf hI mYN quhfzI isPfrÈ puafeI hY, iPr vI mYN qfibafdfr hF.
kfkf rfm!` Aus ny cpVfsI ƒ bulfieaf.
‘jfh dOV ky kok lY af jldI ieh ivÈyÈ mihmfn ny.`
‘nhIN kfkf! nhIN! ieh snmfn qF asIN isPfrÈ kIqf bytf! iewkI
hËfr ieh! iek qrwkI. qy iPr rfÈtrpqI df purskfr! hI hI hI.` Aus
ny ÈYqfnF vflI hfsI hwsdy khI.
 ‘mYN hfËr hF, jnfb! mYN iekyrF glqI kr bYTf. iPr nhIN krFgf.
pihlF Cy GMty mYƒ puils ny pRyÈfn kIqf. aprfDIaF df ipwCf krn dI QF
myrI Cfx bIx krdy rhy. pqf nhIN ikMnf icr hor myrf ipwCf krdy rihxgy
qy pwqrkfrF df qF koeI aMq hI nhIN.`
‘nhIN byty nhIN qyry iewkI hËfr df awDf ihwsf myrf bxdf hY. ijs ivcoN
Auprly aiDkfrIaF dy dPqr dy klrk qoN lY ky Aupr qwk sB ƒ pRsYNtyj
jFdI hY. ieho ijhy srkfrI Bugqfn df dsvMD kwZxf hI pYNdf hY. bfkI mYN
qyrI ipwT qy hF. qyrI vfa vwl koeI nhIN vyK skdf.` topI rfm dy iviKafx
nfl Aus df psInf coa ipaf.
‘awCf jnfb! mYN idaFgf, jo kho mYN idaFgf.` Ausny afpxf ipwCf
Cuzfxf cfihaf.
‘pr cYWk qF kYÈ hox idAu, myrf KihVf Cwzo.` iKwJdy hoey pMny ny jyb ƒ
hwQ mfiraf.
‘nhIN byty cYWk qF srkfrI hY, kYÈ qF ho hI jfeygf[[[[[ sfƒ?` hwsdy
hn.
‘myrI jyb ivc qF kyvl do sO hI hn. kI krogy iesdf?` Auhny iPr
iCwQf ijhf ho ky AuhnF df pRqIkrm AuzIikaf.
‘koeI nI, ieh hI dy idAu, bfkI Pyr dyK lvFgy. asIN afp qyry Gr af
jfvFgy. qyry vfldF ƒ mubfrk dy afvFgy.` AuhnF dy ZITpuxy vflI iËd vyK
ky Ausny do sO rupY AuhnF ƒ PVf ky jyb KflI kr leI.
‘awCf DMnvfd ÈukrIaf.` kihMdy Auh cly gey.
Ausƒ iKafl afieaf ikdF sVk `qy durGtnF hox smyN, pfsy lMGx
vfly lok iehnF kirMidaF qoN zrdy hI ËKmI bMidaF ƒ hspqfl phuMcfAux
qy mdd krn qoN kqrFdy hn. lok qF iekwlI puls ƒ bdnfm krdy hn,
pr ieQy qF afvf hI AUiqaf ipaf hY. jy mYN AuhnF dI golI nfl mr jFdf
qF myrI sfr iks ny lYxI sI? myry vfrsF nfl vI iehI slUk hoxf sI.`
pMnf mn hI mn ivc bhuq klp AuiTaf. Aus ƒ snmfn dy ieh hfr gl
pfey PnIar swp jfpx lwgy. Aus ƒ ies gwl df hux Ërf ijMnf vI Èwk
ÈuBf nhIN sI jo Aus ny ipClyry idnF ivc suixaf sI ik awqvfd dy ÈhIdF
dy vfrsF qy ivDvfvF nfl jF Bfrq dI srhwd dI rfKI krdy AuhnF ÈhIdF
dy vfrsF qy ivDvfvF qy bwicaF nfl vI ieh dirMdy qy smfjk Tykydfr
iehI ivvhfr krdy rhy hn, pRsYNtyË mMgdy rhy hn. Kwjl KrfbI krdy
rhy hn.` Aus dy srIr df aMg aMg qVP AuiTaf.
‘mYN kI gunfh kIqf hY? ieh lok mYƒ snmfn kr rhy ny jF blYkmyl
kr rhy ny? pr ngfrKfny ivc qUqI dI afvfË kOx suxygf? pihlF qF Auh
afpxy hI Coty ijhy dÌqr ivc isafsq df iÈkfr hoieaf qy iPr jd
bfhr inklx df mOkf imilaf qF hr moV qy hr pYr `qy smfj dy KUn pIx
vfly icwty mKOty vfly topIDfrI Aus ƒ icVfAux lwgy, Aus dI rfh AuzIkx
lwgy. Aus ƒ rfh qoN BtkfAux lwgy.` aMqF dI aMdrIvI pIVf Aus dIaF nfVF
df Ërf Ërf nocdI rhI, pwCdI rhI.
dÌqr ivc aMdro aMdrI kuJ kfnf PUsI hoeI. aMdrly kmry `coN bfhr
qy iPr hfl ivc KuÈI dI lihr dOV geI. ipkink dI skIm ny dÌqr dy
KuÈk vfqfvrx dI sfVHsqI Auqy armfn qy muskfn dI Puhfr iCVk idqI.
ijhnF nMgl dyiKaf sI Auh mfnisk AuzfrI nfl phfVF dI god ivc phuMc
gey qy ijs ny nhIN sI vyiKaf Auh aÉbfrF `coN pVy goibMd sfgr dy nËfry,
BfKVf zYm dy mnmohk idRÈ kudrq dIaF rMgInIaF qy phfVF dIaF rihmqF
nfl myl krdy AuQy phuMcx dy iCxF df bVI bysbrI nfl ieMqËfr krn
lwgy. dÌqr df sfrf sfmfn smyt ky kuMzy ijMdy lgf ky agly idn imln dy
iekrfr krdy nvIaF-nvIaF AumMgF lY ky sfry iek dUjy ƒ alivdf kih
ky GrF ƒ prq gey.
pMnf cfhuMdf sI, Auh awj Èfm dy kuJ pl kflIaf sfhb nfl sFJy kry.
pr pry KVI iqkVI ny Aus dI ieh dfl nf gln idqI.
‘clo kwl shI! AuQy KulHf smF imlygf[[[.` afpxIaF BfvnfvF kwl dy
imlx leI rfKvIaF rwK ky pMnf vI Gr muV igaf.

FFF
8
 TIk pMj vjy drvfËy dI GMtI vwjI, qy nfl hI gwzI df hfrn. Auh
ckfcOND ho igaf, ‘hYN TIk tfeIm `qy af gey! aYnI jldI?`
nfÈqy dI afKrI grfhI jldI jldI aMdr suwt ky pfxI df iglfs mUMh
ƒ cVHf ky Auh AuiTaf. kfhlI kfhlI tfeI PVH ky tohI. ÈIÈy sfhmxy Klo
ky imMt dI imMt pwg dy pycF dy hwQ Pyiraf qy svfry. GMtI iPr KVkI.
‘afieaf[[[[[[afieaf[[[[[[E ky bfeI[[[[[[.` kihMdf kihMdf Auh bfhr
drvfËy vwl dOiVaf.
Aus dy drvfËy qoN bfhr inkldy hI kfr df aglf drvfËf KuwlHf.
Ausny Jtpt aMdr bYT ky kfr df drvfËf bMd kIqf. ipCy Aus dI pqnI qy
CotI bytI ƒ tf-tf krn qoN pihlF hI kfr cwl peI. imMt dI imMt Aus df
isr ckrf igaf. hoÈ hvfs juafb dy gey. kfr ivc Auh koeI vI nhIN sI,
ijhnF dI Aus ƒ AuzIk sI. Auh qF sfry ichry nvyN qy anjfx sn nf
vfikP sn. pr iek dy prny QwilAuN Aus dI lfl pgVI qy lfl PIqIaF
Aus dy sfry svflF dy juafb dy geIaF.
‘ikwQy iljf rhy ho mYƒ[[[[[[?` Auh icwlfieaf.
kfly ÈIiÈaF vflI kfr ivc kYd hoieaf Auh zfZf hI avfËfr sI. dOVI
jFdI kfr ivcoN Auh hux bfhr Cfl mfrn dy smrwQ vI nhIN sI. iek prnf
Aus dy isr `qy ipaf qy awKF df KVHbfnf bx igaf.
‘GbrfE mwq! asIN quhfƒ glq jgf nhIN iljf rhy. cMgI srkfrI
jgHf hI iljfvFgy.` iek aPsr lgdy afdmI ny hlImI nfl Aus ƒ TMZf
krn df Xqn kIqf. pr horF dy ichiraF `qy muskVIaF Aus df aMdr
cIQVy cIQVy kr geIaF. mwQy `qy psIny dIaF GrflF Aus dy gl qwk Qwly
vg qurIaF.
‘kOx ho qusIN? Bf jI? mYƒ dwso qF shI[[[[[[.`
hux Aus ny qrly ijhI afvfË ivc bynqI kIqI.
‘qusIN puls vfly ho[[[[[[jF[[[[[[isMG[[[[[[jF iPr kflIaF iblIaF?`
Aus dI mfniskqf qVPx lwgI.
 ‘iPkr nf kr nOjvfn! asIN jo vI hF qyyry hmdrd hF[[[[[[qyry
ÈuBicMqk hF[[[[[[sfƒ qyrI loV hY[[[[[[qyrI mdd dI loV hY sfƒ[[[[[[. qusIN
sfzI mdd kro asIN quhfzI krFgy[[[[[.`
awKF dy KVbfny `coN pwtI QoVI ijhI iKsk geI sI, Auh kuJ kuJ bfhr
dyK skdf sI.
‘hukm kro[[[[[[mYN quhfzI kI qy ikwdF mdd kr skdf hF. myry pwly qF
kuJ pfE mYN iksy df vI kI ivgfiVaf hY? kI jurm kIqf hY? mYƒ ibn dwsy
iks mVHI msfx vwl iljf rhy ho?` pr Aus dIaF illkVIaF inrAuqr
ÉfmoÈ ho geIaf.
kfr cldI cldI ÈihroN bfhr inkl ky iek vwzI hvylI numF koTI
ivc dfKl ho geI. ieQy afpxy afp ƒ vyK ky Aus dy lUM kMzy KVy ho gey.
Auh Dur aMdr qwk kMb igaf. ieh qF qsIhf Kfnf hY, kihMdy ieh JtkeI
Kfnf hY. ieQy bMdy Jtkfey jFdy hn, qVPfey jFdy hn, hlfl kIqy jFdy hn.
ieQoN lMGdy smyN Aus ny keI vyrF rfq hnyry vyly PVfk! PVfk! iCqrF dy
Èor qy hfl pfhiraf dIaF afvfËF suxIaF sn. kfr df ÈIÈf bMd sI. kfly
ÈIiÈaF vflI kfr! Auh bfhr dyK skdf sI, pr bfhroN Aus ƒ koeI nhIN
sI dyK skdf.
aMdr kfr rukx nfl hI iek ispfhI ny Aus ƒ moZy qoN PV ky bfhr
kwiZaf qy aMdr lY jf ky iek guslKfny vrgy Coty ijhy kmry ivc jf KVf
kIqf. isr df prnf KVbfnf Auqfr idwqf. jfmf qlfÈI lY ky Aus dI jyb
KflI kr idwqI. pMj sO sqfrF rupY ispfhI ny afpxI jyb ivc pf ley. Aus
dI pgVI nfl bfhF nrV idwqIaF qy drvfËf bMd kr idwqf. bdbU qy gMdgI
dI siVhFd Aus dy idmfg ƒ cVHn lwgI. tYNkI ivcoN pRYÈr cwilaf qy Cotf
ijhf aOlU sfrf gMdy pfxI nfl Br igaf. Auh bYTxf cfhuMdf sI, pr hux
Auh bYTx dy vI asmrQ sI. mYly Biraf gMdf pfxI Aus dy goizaF qwk cVH
igaf. iek qUs ijhI Aus dy idmfg ƒ cVHn lwgI. Auh kI icwlfvy iksƒ kI
khy? rwb dI rËf ivc KVf irhf qy iPr byhoÈ ijhf ho ky izwgx lwgf, ‘E
bcfE mYN mr cwilaf, mYƒ pfxI iplfE.` jI iBafxy ijhy Aus ny cIkxf ÈurU
kIqf.
 ‘lY afE Auey bfhr! ieh qF pihly Gwsy hI Zih ipaf. kwcf hI cor hY
ieh.` ieh Bfry ijhy bol Ausdy kMnf qwk phuMcy. btn dwbx dI afvfË
afeI qy gMdf pfxI gtr gtr krky gtr ivc clf igaf. drvfËf KulHf,
Auh bfhr inkilaf, qÈwdd dy cubwcy ivcoN.
‘lwqF Do lY.` ispfhI ny Aus df jkVbwD Kohldy dUjy pfsy ieÈfrf
kIqf.
nuwkr dI tUtI ivco lwqF Do ky, sfP krky, lfgy ipaf dysI sfbx lf ky,
Aus ny pMj ieÈnfnf kIqf. qy ispfhI dy ieÈfry nfl aMdr sfhb dy kol jf
KVf hoieaf.
‘af jf ieDr. af qyrI syvf krIey.`
‘sfƒ bVI pwkI BrosyXog ieqlfh imlI hY ik ieh sfrf zrfmf qUM afp
hI rcfieaf. qusF afp hI Auh inafxy agvf krky vfirsF qoN mfl btorn
leI ivAuNq bxfeI. mksd ivc nfkfmXfb rihx krky qy rOlf pYx krky
qUM AuhnF ƒ iKskf idwqf qy afp hIro bx igaf. dws! kOx sI Auh bfkI qyry
sfQI? ijhnF ƒ duVf idwqf qUM?`
pulIs aPsr df dbkf eynF Ëor dI grijaf ik rOÈndfnF `c bYTy
kbUqr PVPVf ky AuzfrIaF mfr gey qy aMdrlIaF keI kMDF cIr ky Auh
afvfË bfhr hvf dy gMDly vfqfvrx ƒ hor gMDlf kr geI. Auh Qr Qr
kMbx lwgf. hy rwbf hy DrqI mF! mYƒ ivhl dy dy. mYN grk ho jfvF. aijhI
iËMdgI nfloN ijQy nyknIqI df ieh ievjfnf, ies jlflq dy rUp ivc Aus
dy mwQy qy klMikq kIqf jf irhf hY. ies nfloN mrnf ibhqr hY.
‘nhIN mfeI bfp! quhfƒ Êlq ieqlfh imlI hY, mYN aijhf afdmI
nhIN.`
‘mYƒ AumId hY myry dosq! myry vIr! myry byty! qUM sfƒ dUsrf GtIaf
drjy vflf qPqIÈI rsqf aKiqafr krn leI nhIN AuksfeyNgf qy pihly
pVf ivc hI sB kuJ swc swc bk pvyNgf. qYƒ pqY swc kwZx leI asIN sB
kuJ kr skdYN hF. aOh bfhr vyK! drKq nfl puwTf ltkdf hrfmËfdf!
pYrF qy pfxI nhIN sI pYx idMdf, kihMdf mYN lokF df syvk hF qy aKIr mMn
igaf.
 ‘mYN smYk vI vycdf hF, aPIm vI vycdf hF. skUl, kfljF ivc sfrI
splfeI myrI hI sI qy ies dy afdI sfry muMzy kuVIaf gulfmF vFg jI hËUrI
krdy myry ipCy iPrdy hn. ivwgVy iqwgVy df mOlf-bKÈ Xfr.. ies iCwqr
pryz ny ds imMt ivc hI bkf ilaf.
kihMdf bYNk vI mYN luwty Èihr dy qy PlF PlF zfktr vI mYN mfiraf.`
Aus ny DmkI Bry ÈbdF dy nfl lfgy ipaf cmVy df lMmf iCwqr vrgf
ptf ijhf PVky hwQ c ploisaf, ‘ilaf Auey muxÈI! pihlF iplf iesƒ
pfxI qy iPr[[[, guwsy BrI nklI ijhI nrfËgI pRgtfAuNdy Aus ny myË `qy
Tkoiraf.
‘nhIN jnfb! nhIN! sr! myrf kfljf cIr ky dyK lE. mYN koeI bdnIqI
nI kIqI. mYN BlfeI kIqI hY qy jy qusIN mYƒ ies BlfeI df ienfm ieh dyxf
cfhuMdy ho qF idE. mfro mYƒ golI, idE mYƒ Ëihr df ipaflf.`
‘nhIN! nhIN! qYƒ eynI jldI nhIN mfrFgy. qYƒ eynI jldI mrn vI
nhIN idaFgy. qyry vrgf ibn bFgF murgf qF asIN Jtkf Jtkf ky KfvFgy.
qyrf murgf bxfvFgy, qYƒ GotxF cVHfvFgy.` pulsIaF vflf kuwqpuxf Aus
dIaF awKF `c Auqr afieaf.
‘awCf jnfb kro, iPr kro jo mrËI kro.`
‘inafixaF dy bfp nfl qyrI kI sFJ hY? kI duÈmxI hY? qyrI Aus nfl
kI jfx pCfx hY?`
‘myrf kulIg hY Auh sr.`
Aus df inÈMg AuWqr sI.
‘qy kuwqy idaf bIaf! Aus nfl jy qyrI koeI ikV hY qF ieh mfsUm
inafixaF `qy hI kwZxI sI? Èrm nf afeI qYƒ?`
DYV krdf iek pihlf DwPf Aus dIaF mOrF `qy vwjf. awDf ku Aupr vwj
ky Aus dI pgVI ƒ pry suwt igaf.
‘pfE Auey lMmy iehƒ dwsdY nËfrf.`
Auh aPsr AuT ky dUsry kmry ivc cly igaf.
‘ieh qF koeI hwQ pwlf nhIN PVfAuNdf, kI krIey iehdf ielfj?`
 ‘mfr idE iehƒ golI! ijQy hor cfr lfÈF roVHn leI peIaF ny, AuQy
ieh pMjvIN vI AuhnF nfl diraf dy Byt cVH jfeygI.`
Aus dy kMnF ny ieh Èbd bhuq sfP sfP nyVy ho ky suxy . Auh afAux
vflI hoxI dI bVI byqfbI nfl ieMqËfr krn lwgf.
kuJ dyr bfad iek ispfhI lgdf afdmI iglfs PVI aMdr viVaf.
‘lY! pfxI pI lY.`
Aus df lihjf hmdrdI Biraf sI.
‘ilaf-ilaf Ëihr hY ies ivc? ilaf jldI kr.`
pMny ny gt gt kr ky pI ilaf. pfxI svfd sI. Pirwj vflf TMZf.
‘dyKI jfeygI.`
‘qy cl AuWT bfhr, qYƒ tMgIey puwTf!`
Auh cuwp cupIqf bfhr ho quiraf. AuhI kfr. ÈIiÈaF vflI kfr Ausdf
ieMqËfr kr rhI sI. Aus ny PYslf kIqf, hux Auh bolygf nhIN, iclfeygf
nhIN. jo mrËI hovy duhfeI nhIN pfeygf qy jo hovygI Jwlygf, sIa nhIN
krygf.`
‘dyK sfƒ pqf lwgY ik qyry nfl dy Auh agvfkfr ajy iesy hI Èihr
ivc hn. AuhnF awj bws rfhIN bfhr jfxf hY. qUM AuhnF ƒ pCfx ky sfƒ
dws dyvIN, iPr qyrf Cutkfrf.` aÌsr nyy iPr Aus vwl PlfAuxI ijhI suwtI.
kfr iek cOk ivc jf ky sVk dy iek pfsy lwg ky Klo geI. kfr ivc bYTf
Auh dUr qwk dyK skdf sI.
cOk ivc bVf Ëbrdsq nfkf sI. hr afAuNdI jFdI gwzI ƒ rok ky
puils vfly sfrIaF svfrIaF ƒ iek PrlFg qwk pYdl qurfAuNdy qy iPr
ies df ieh juMmf sI ik AuhnF bMidaF ƒ pCfxy qy hor vI mfVy ansr jo
Aus dI nËrF ivc mfVy hn, ƒ pCfx ky dwsy.
‘qyrIaF nËrF ivc koeI hor vI KFdf pINdf rwjy puwjy Gr df jvfn muMzf
idisaf qF vI dws dyeIN. sfƒ koeI murgI PVf, qy iPr qyrf bcfa hY, nfly
ienfm vI.`
 ‘aOh hY sr. aOh hY roko ies ƒ.` iek jIp `coN Auqry do nOjvfnF vwl
Aus ny ieÈfrf kIqf.
‘aYh kflI aYnkF vflf.` Aus ny qfkI KolHx dI koiÈÈ kIqI, pr qflf
bMd sI.
‘bYTo koeI nf.` AuhnF rok idqf. aMdr bYTy mulfËmF dI vfkI tfkI dy
sunyhy muqfibk aYnkF vflf nOjvfn puils iÈkMjy ivc af igaf. Aus ƒ
roikaf igaf qy Auh dOVn lwgf. dOVdy-dOVdy Aus dI pgVI lwQ geI. isroN
nMgf Auh monf Tyzf Kf ky DVMm mUDy mUMh izwg ipaf. iPr Auh dOV nf
sikaf. Aus ƒ PVn vfly ispfhI dyK ky TTMbr gey.
‘ieh qF AuhI hY sr! AuhI hiQafrF vfly sr!` ispfhI ny Qfxydfr dy
kMn `c ikhf.
Qfxydfr dI hdfieq muqfbk Aus ƒ AuTf ky bVy prym nfl kfr dy awgy
lY afey.
‘hF eyyhI hY iblkul AuhI, aYh vyKo Aus dI KwbI awK dy Aupr myry hUry
dI swt df inÈfn. iehI. iblkul AuhI.` pMny ny muwTI mIcdy bfhF PYlf
idqIaF.
bfhr KVy KVy kuJ kfgËI ilKf pVI hoeI qy Auh muV AuhnF nfl hwsdf
hwQ imlf ky jIp ivc jf bYTf. hor sfrIaF svfrIaF dI pYdl mfrc
durdÈf jfrI rhI. bwcy aOrqF qy ibrD afdmI ËnfnIaF puils dy ies
vrqfry qNo qrfh qrfh krdy qurdy jFdy. koeI vI bolx df hIaf nf krdf.
Auh afpxy afp KuÈ sI, afKr iek iemiqhfn ivcoN qF Auh pfs ho igaY.
Aus ny puls ƒ AuhI mulËm pkVf idqy ny aslI. pr KUh ivc izwgI iewt
kdy suwkI nhIN inkldI. puls qoN Cuwtx leI iehI kfPI nhIN sI.
sVkF qy Ërf Ërf hnyrf qYrn lwgf. ikqy ikqy bwqIaF cmkx lwgIaF.
kfr iPr vfps sVkF qy dOVn lwgI. Auh cup cupIqy Biraf pIqf rwb dI
rËf ivc AuhnF dI cutkI ipCy cldf irhf. Auhdy nfl bYTy pulsIaF df
vqIrf Aus pRqI hux kuJ hmdrdI vflf jfp irhf sI. AuhnF dIaF awKF
ivc ÈrimMdgI BrI hmdrdI sI.
 ‘ÈfbfÈ[[[[ vYl zwn[[[[.`
Aus puls aPsr df Bfrf hwQ moiZaF qy mihsUs ky Auh pIicaf igaf.
Aus ny sI[ afeI[ eyy[ ijs ƒ lok bucVKfnf kihMdy sn, dy ahfqy ivc phuMc
ky izwTf! svyr qoN cmgfDV vFg drKq nfl ltkdf mnuwKI afkfr hux
gfieb sI. Aus dy nfl dy hnyry kmry coN hfeyy eyy hUMgF dIaF afvfËF alop
sn. ÈFq ijhf sI vfqfvrx! ijvyN qUPfn afAux ho pihlF huMdf hY. hF swc
Xfd afieaf ieh qF smF sI pulsIaF dy rfÈx pfxI Ckx df, pYg ipaflf
pIx df qy iPr Kfxf Kfx qoN pihlF ijvyN sUp pINdy hn, BuK qyË krn leI
ievyN iCqr pryz krn qoN pihlF, Gotxf lgfx qoN pihlf, jlfdF vFg aHMny
pYWg pIqy jFdy hn qF jo sfhmxy cMgf mfVf, buwZf jvfn vwzf Cotf jF ksUr
byksUr nf idws sky. qy hF iCwqr mfrn vfly ny iCwqr hI mfrny hn, bYNq
vfly ny bYNq hI mfrny hn, awKF mIt ky lwqF cOVIaF krnIaF hn, cwzy
pfVny hn, ibnF iksy Byd Bfv dy AuhnF afpxf PrË inBfAuxf hY.
Aus dIaF socF ƒ bryk lwgI jd ieMspYktr bqn isMG dobfrf kmry
ivc dfKl hoieaf. Aus dy nfl AuhI jlfd lgdy Aus dy kfmy nfl sn.
ieh bqn isMG bMdy kuwtx qy mfrn df bVf kfsb sI qy eyysy krky Aus ƒ
bucV isMG dy nfm nfl jfixaf jFdf sI. eyysy leI Aus ƒ bucV Kfny df
ieMcfrj bxfieaf igaf sI. Auh bMdy ƒ kuwtI jFdf, kutfeI jFdf qy afp
lfgy bYT ky Guwt Guwt cVHfeI jFdf, mIt murgf lgfeI jFdf, ijMnf icr kuwt
Kfx vfly dI Ëubfn bMd ho ky Auh byhoÈ nf ho jFdf. qy iPr Aus dy mUMh qy
pfxI dy iCwty mfrdy, mUMh ivc pfxI pfAuNdy, Èrfb dy iCwty Aus dy mUMh qy
mfrdy. jd Auh qUM hF krdf hoÈ ivc afAuNdf, Auh iCwqr vfly iPr iqafr
ho jFdy.
lokF koloN suxI Aus dI qfrIP pMny ƒ aDmoieaf kr geI. Auh qF
aijhy Ëflm afdmI df iek iCwqr vI nhIN Kf skdf. kihMdy, ieh Auh
afdmI sI, jo iek sfDfrn ispfhI qoN AuT ky sfhbF dIaF juwqIaF pflÈ
krky, jI hËUrI krky, bMdy kuwt ky, mfr ky, awqvfdIaF df nuksfn krky,
ies ahudy qwk phuMcaf hY. hux ies sB kuJ df ievjfnF lokF ƒ kuwt ky
mfr ky, pYsy btor ky pUrf kr irhf hY.
 ‘bKÈ leIN klgI vfilaf[[[nyVy ho ky bhuVIN bfbf byrF
vfilaF[[[imhr krI bfbf buwZf sfihb jI[[[ies nrk Bry Bvsfgr qoN pfr
lMGfeIN, Aucy itwly vfilaf.[[[qyry dr phuMc ky isjdf krUM, awzIaF
GsfAUN[[[aKMz pfT krfAUN[[[mYƒ awj bwcf lY.`
‘af BeI nOjvfnf! af myry kol af jfh.`
ieMspYktr bqn isMG ny kuJ awKF nfl qy kuJ hwQ `c PVy bYNq nfl
ieÈfrf krdy Aus ƒ afvfË lgfeI. Aus dy kol jf ky KVf ho igaf. bqn
isMG dy mUMh `coN imwTI imwTI msflydfr ivskI dI KuÈbU Aus ƒ kuVwqx cVHf
geI.
‘af bYT byty![[[bYTo kursI qy.` Aus ny kursI iKwc ky afpxy nfl bVy
pRym nfl pMny ƒ ibTf ilaf. Aus dI ipwT `qy hwQ Pyiraf.
ijvyN bwkry ƒ JtkfAux qoN pihlF Aus dI kMz `qy hwQ Pyiraf jFdf hY,
Aus qy pfxI dy iCwty mfry jFdy hn, aijhy hI iCwty Aus ny afpxI ipwT `qy
pYNdyy mihsUs kIqy qy nfl hI ktr dI qvwky, Aus ƒ ijMdf lfÈ bxf geI.
‘hux zro nf puwq. hux qUM myrf Xfr hYN, sfQI hY. myrf mulËm nhIN. lY!
ieh vI Guwt pI lY, asF qYƒ sfrf idn pRyÈfn kIqf.` bqn isMG dy mUMhoN
AuWcry ieh imwTy bol PihaF vFg Aus df sInf TMzf kr gey.
ispfhI koloN puafieaf KuÈbU dfr pYWg PV ky Aus ny pMny vwl
vDfieaf. ‘muafP krnf, ieh sfzI mjbUrI sI, sfzI nOkrI hI aijhI
kuwqI hY, sfƒ keI vyrF jfx buJ ky glq kMm krny pYNdy ny.`
pMny ny kuJ rfhq mihsUs kIqI. pr Aus ƒ ieMspYktr dI Ëubfn qy
ajy qwk vI XkIn nhIN sI af irhf. ies bfbl df kI Brvfsf BfvyN zolI
pf ky kwZ lvy. pr swcy idl nfl aMqr iDafn ho ky suwKI Aus dI suwKxf df
ieh pRwqK Pl vI ho skdf hY, AusdI aMdrlI afvfË sI.
‘nhIN sr! nhIN! mYN Èrfb nhIN pINdf.`
‘E nhIN byty ieh Èrfb nhIN, ieh aMimRq hY aMimRq, Èrfb qF ieh
AudoN huMdI hY, jd TyikaF qy ivkdI hY, jF jwt iËmINdfrF dy mwtF ivc
AubldI hY, qy jd ieh Qfxy phuMc jFdI hY, qF ieh aMimRq bx jFdI hY.
PV, jldI kr. qyry Gr dy ieMqËfr krdy hoxgy.` jfn KlfsI huMdI ikafs
ky Aus ny glfs PiVaf qy gt gt krdf awlfhI crnfmq smJ ky cVHf
igaf.
‘vf a! sfbfÈ.
qy hux dws! afpy cly jfeyNgf ik sfzy mulfËm Cwz afAux?`
‘nhIN sr. mYN afpy hI clf jfvFgf.`
‘qy hF swc! iek gwl Xfd rwKIN, ik ieh awj dI sfrI khfxI iksy
qIsry dy kMnI nf pvy. jy qUM ieh Ërf ijMnI vI ikqy iBxk kwZI qF iPr
dobfrf hwQ af jfeyNgf puls dy.`
‘nhIN sr. mYN iblkul nhIN krFgf, mYN khFgf mYN nfnikaF qoN afieaF
hF.`
Aus dIaF suwkIaF crypV BrIaF buwlHIaF qy QoVHI QoVHI muskfn AuWgI.
‘qy jfh iPr[[[[[[ QYNk XU[[[[[[[[[.
Auey sMqrI[[[[ aYh lY pMj rupY[[[[[ iehƒ irkÈy qy cVHf af[[[[[[[[[[.
qy Tihr BfeI. mYN qF qYƒ vDfeI dyxI hI Bul igaf sI.`
ieMspYktr ny ipCoN afvfË mfr ky bVI muÈkl nfl qurn jogI jutfeI
Aus dI qfkq Pyr qihÈ-nihÈ kr idqI.
‘sfzI pfltI iPr ieQy af ky dyvyNgf ik asI qyry Gr afeIey? qYƒ
bhfdrI df ienfm imilaf. Èfvf BeI, bwly-bwly mubfrkF.`
Aus ny mrfsIaF vflI hyk lfeI.
‘nhIN jnfb mYN ieQy af ky afpy hI dyy jfvFgf, qusI Kycl nf kirE.`
idn dIaF XfqnfvF df BMinaf Auh AuQoN dOVnf cfhuMdf sI.
‘kI dyvyNgf[[[[[[? iewkI hËfr ivcoN awDf?[[[ isrP awDf[[[bfkI qUM
Krc lvIN qy hor bcdf mYN afpy pf lvFgf[[[[. qUM vyK hI ilaY[[[[. ieh
qÈdd Gr! jdoN qUM dUjI vyrF ieQy afieaf, qYƒ pwiKaF Qwly ibTfvFgy.`
‘awCf jnfb, jo hukm.`
 ‘qy hF nOjvfn. mYN, qYƒ dwsxf cfhuMdf hF, mYƒ qyry ivc koeI kfx nhIN
lwBI. qyry qy iksy ny mUMh mfiraf sI. Auh glq sfbq hoieaf hY. qYƒ
sfvDfn rihx dI loV hY. ijs df qUM Blf krdf hY, Auh qyry awgy KUh Kfqy
Kod rhy ny. JUTy tfAutF ƒ qF mYN vI nhIN Czxf.` afKrI aBuwl Èbd Aus
df ipwCf krdy rhy.
sfrf idn pulsIaF dy nfl rih ky Aus df sfrf srIr tuwitaf-BMinaF
jfp irhf sI. BfvyN Auh DOl DwPy qy iCwqr pryz qoN qF bicaf irhf, pr
ijvyN hr pl qsIihaF qy qÈwdd BrI hr GVI Aus ny sfhF dI igxqI nfl
lMGfeI, Aus ny Aus dI mnodÈf arD pfglF vrgI kr idqI. pqf nhIN
ikwdF qy ikhVy vyly Auh Gr dy sfhmxy af phuMcf. aMdr vV ky cuwp cupIqf
Auh cOPfl mMjy qy Zih ipaf. Aus dy ichry dI muridhfxI, pgVI dy AugV-
dugVy lVF dI bxqr qy aMdr DsIaF awKF ivc dihÈq df sMnftf qy gwlHF
qy vgIaF hMJUaF dIaF pYVF qoN Aus dI pqnI ny pihly Jtky hI BFp ilaf
ik kuJ gVbV hY.
‘kI hoieaf ? ikQoN afey ?`
pfxI df iglfs PVfAuNidaF Auh iek dm icMqf ivc zuwb geI.
bysbiraF vFg pfxI df iglfs cVHf ky Auh kfljy ƒ PV bYTf. svyr df
BuwKx Bfxf. pfxI dy Guwt Aus dy kfljy brCI vFg jf cuBy. Ausl-vwty
BMndy ivMgy tyzy ho ky Aus ny bVI miuÈkl afpxy afp ƒ sfvF kIqf.
‘koeI gwl nhIN[[[ rotI jldI lY af.` Aus ny Aupry ijhy lihËy ivc
pqnI ƒ Jtk idqf.
‘quhfzy ipCoN svyry dÌqr vfilaf df vI Pon afieaf sI. mYN ikhf cly
gey ny[[[, pr jnfb! ipkink pfrtI coN BuwKy hI muV afey [[[.` pqnI ny
itwckr ijhI kIqI, pr Aus dI kruxfmeI hflq dyK ky kuJ hor awgy bolx
df jyrf nf joV skI.
iPr drvfËy dI dsqk ny pMny ƒ pfxI-pfxI kr idqf.
‘kOx hY? vyK!` pMny ny hOlI ijhI pqnI ƒ afvfË mfrI.
 ‘drvfËf nf KolIN[[[ pihlF cMgI qrHF puwC lvIN[[.` Auh bhuq ziraf
ipaf sI.
Auh AuT ky mMjy dy Qwly PrÈ `qy lMmF pY ky luk igaf.
‘pRYs vfly ny jI bfhr. svyr dy AuhnF iqMn cwkr lgfey ny, kihMdy
asIN quhfzf kys bVI cMgI qrF kvr kIqf, quhfzIaF Poto CfpIaF, quhfƒ
ienfm dvfieaf, sfzf vI kuJ iKafl rwKo. kihMdy quhfzI ieMtrivAU CfpxI
hY.`
‘AuhnF ƒ kho Auh Gr nhIN. jd afAux gy afpy iml lYx gy.` Gwtf
JfVdf pMnf bfhr inkl ky hfiraf hMiBaf mMjy `qy ivC igaf.
hmyÈf vFg smFbwD Kfxy df vylf, sYr df smF qy iPr Gr ivc idn dI
sfrI kfrguËfrI df Kulfsf lYxf dyxf qy sFJf krnf, ies sB kuJ qoN
Ault awj Auh jldI-jldI nINd rfxI dI god ivc jfx leI kfhlf sI.
Aus dI nËrvwtU vrgI ltkdI bUQI ny Aus dI pqnI ƒ gihrI AudfsI ivc
grws ilaf.
‘cMgy ipkink qoN afey[[[ sfrf hfsf hlUs AuQy hI Cwz afey[[[qy jnfb
koeI nvIN pRymkf qy nhIN bxf afey? ijs dI Xfd ivc Guwty ijhy lwg rhy
ho. idl dI bfq bqf dyqf hY aslI nklI ichrf.` pqnI ny ipafrf ijhf
bosf bIj ky Aus dy ËKmI mn qy ipafr dI mwlHm lfAux dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘suwK qF rhI? kI hoieaf? koeI hfdsf jF durGtnf qF nhI hoeI?
iksy nfl lVfeI JgVf kr ky afey?` pqnI ny ichry dy rMg bdl ky keI
hor svfl ZyrI kr idqy.
‘nhIN kuJ nhIN hoieaf. ieh qF iksmq dI hI Kyz hY. af bYT sIqo[[[.`
Aus ny sIqo dI ipwT qy hwQ Dr kol iKwc ilaf.
‘lVfeI qF koeI nhIN kIqI. hfdsf vI koeI nhIN hoieaf. pr hF [[[
iksmq sfzy nfl aTKylIaF Kyz rhI hY. ieh vI cMgf hoieaf, mYN ieh
agn pRIiKaf vI pfs kr leI hY. hF! sIqo! hF[[[ awj mYN ipkink qoN nhIN
afieaf[[[ mYN iek iemiqhfn qoN afieaf hF[[[.`
kOVy DUMeyN dy moqI Aus dIaF awKF coN zlHk pey.
 ‘nhIN [[[ nhIN aYsf nhI, sfrf idn idl nhI zulHfieaf[[[ awK nhIN
zlHkI qy hux ieh buËidlI pqnI dy sfhmxy ! ieh ikAuN .` Aus ny afpxy
afp ƒ iPtkfr pfeI. qy JUTI ijhI bnfAutI hfsI buwlHF qy ilaf ky pqnI ƒ
nfl Guwt ilaf.
‘kwl aKMz pfT krf! myrI rfxI! mYN awg df sfgr qr ky afieaf
hF[[[ vyK ijAuNdf jfgdf [[[ sfbq sbUqf pUry df pUrf.`
‘mYN bhuq duKI hF, quhfzI ieh qrl hflq mYQoN jr nhIN huMdI! mYƒ
buJfrqF pf ky hor qMg nf kro. sfP-sfP gwl kro[[[.` pqnI iPwsdI-
iPwsdI ruk geI. ‘awj Qfxf vyiKaf mYN [[[ bqn isMG df buwcV-Kfnf[[[.`
pqnI dIaF awKF awzIaF geIaF.
‘kI corI zfkf mfr afey jy [[[ ikhƒ kql kr afeyy jy?`
Auh icwlfAux lwgI.
‘icwlfE mwq! ihlo mwq! bygm sfihbf! hoÈ kro[[[qy sON jfE[[[ smJo
iek supnf sI[[[ bws supnf[[[.` pMny ny mIqo ƒ vrcfAux dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘qYƒ pqf nhI? kihMdy KoqI Qfxy `coN ho afey qF iksy nfl nhI imldI,
GumMzI jFdI hY qy mYN qF vwzy buwcVKfny `coN afieaf hF, bqn isMG dy
buwcVKfny qoN[[[.` pMny ny DuaFKy mfhOl ƒ hfsy nfl suKfvF krn dI koiÈÈ
kIqI.
‘mYN nhIN bolxf quhfzy nfl! ikvyN nvIN qoN nvIN ÈurlI Cwz ky mYƒ hor
dI hor ËKmI krI jFdy ny.` pqnI ny vI nKrf ijhf kIqf.
‘nhIN myrI jfn! koeI icMqf iPkr vflI koeI gwl nhI! rwb sfzy `qy
bVf idafl hoieaY[[[ vyK sfƒ ieqnF vwzf ienfm imilaf[[[ snmfn
imilaf[[[ qrwkI imlI[[[ qy vwzy Gr ijQy koeI krmF vflf hI jFdf hY[[[ qy
jy jFdf hY qF sbUqf vfps nhI muVdf [[[ qy vyK! hY nf krfmfq. mYN ies
qUPfn ivcoN dUxf ho ky inkilaf hF. sfƒ Aupr vfly ny bhuq rihmqF
bKÈIaF ny, qy sfzf vI qF kMm hY, iehnF rihmqF ivcoN Aus df vI dsvMD
kwZ ky DMnvfd krIeyy.`
 ‘hF[[[hF[[[kro, ËrUr kro. mYN qF Aus idn hI pMj sO rupY kwZ ky judf
rwK ley sn[[[bfby byrF vfly dI suwKxF leI[[[.`
‘bhuq hwCf! qF iPr hux sOvoN! rwj ky sOvoN[[[sfrI rfq sOvoN qy svyry
AuT ky ieÈnfn krky iqafr ho ky jfvFgy, bfby byrF vfly kol DMnvfd
krn vfsqy.`
‘awCf jI bfbf suwK rwKy[[[srbwq df Blf kry[[[.`
‘qy hF! qUM vI Aus kolo mMg leI kuJ! koeI cMgI cIË! swcy idl nfl
mMgI murfd AuQoN pUrI ho jFdI ey[[[.`
sIqo dIaF hwsdIaF hwsdIaF awKF qoN sMg Èrm dy zory kMnF qk ltk
gey.
‘qy qusIN vI qF myrI mdd kro nf! quhfzI mdd ibnF myrI ieh murfd
pUrI nIN hoxI.` Aus dIaF gwlHF gulfb vFg iKV geIaF.
‘hF hF, mYN ËrUr ardfs krFgf[,[[bfbf jI ies bIbI dI JolI vI
murfdF nfl Br idE[[[.`
‘clo ÈrfrqI khIN ky[[[.`

FFF
9
svyry pihlF nfloN kuJ svwKqy AuWT ky ieÈnfn pfxI krky dovyN qIvIN
afdmI afpxI suwKxf lfhux leI qy Aus pRmfqmf df Èukrfnf krn leI
gurduafry ƒ cwl pey. dovF dy mn ivc bVf cfa, hulfs qy ÈrDf sI. dovyN
KuÈI nfl md-msq hoey pey sn. vwzy drÈnI duafr `qy inÈfn sfhb dy
drÈn huMdy hI pMny ny QoVf ijhf skUtr hOlI krky bryk lgf ky bfibaF ƒ
isjdf kIqf, isr invfieaf.
‘DMnvfd, DMn bfbf byrF vfilaf[[[bfbf buZf sfihb, vwzy bfbf
jI[[[Coty bfbf jI, ÈRI gurU gRMQ sfihb! DMnvfd! bhuq DMnvfd.`
 ‘imhr krIN bfbf jI[[[suwK rwKIN, ÈyrF vflI meIaf`. Aus dI pqnI ny
Aus dI rihMd pUrI kr idwqI.
gurduafry dy gyt nyVy affAux qwk AuhnF df ipClf tfier sUM sUM krky
KVkx lwgf.
‘ieh vI cMgf hoieaf[[[bfby ikMny jfhry ny. vyiKaf! jy rfh ivc hvf
inkl jFdI qF kI bIqdI?` pMny ny aMdr hI aMdr afpxy ieÈt df DMnvfd
kIqf. gyt dy sfhmxy hI murMmq dI dukfn kol jf skUtr KVf kIqf.
‘iehƒ pMcr lgf dy Ausqfd[[[. pr dyr nf lfeIN, asIN pMj imMt c
afey.`
gyt dy bfhr juwqIaF Auqfr ky aMdr vVdy pfxI vfly cubwcy crn gMgf
`coN dohF qIvIN afdmI ny crnfmq lY ky buwlHF ƒ lfeI, mUMh ƒ iCwty mfry qy
isr Aupr dI iCwitaF df vfrnf kIqf.
aMdr vVdy swjy pfsy pIr dI kbr, hrI cfdr nfl ZwkI[[[AuhnF df
iDafn kyNdrq kr geI. Auh afp muhfry Aus dI prdwKxf krn lwgy, lwqF
bfhF Guwtx lwgy. afpxy mn dI mnokfmnf dI pUrqI leI ardfs krn
lwgy. srdf bxdf qfly lwgy golk ivc pf ky Auh awgy qury. swjy hwQ mfqf
df mMdr, ieh vI KflI nf jfey. AuhnF twlIaF KVkf ky AUNG rhy pujfrI ƒ
somn kIqf. isjdf kIqf, mwQf tyikaf[[[aqy pRÈfd leI hwQ KolH idqy.
‘dwCxF qF pfAu! mwQf tyko Bgqo! aYsy PrI myN pRsfid nhIN imldf.`
pMzq ny PuwlIaF ttoldy AuhnF ƒ iswiKaf idwqI.
‘sOrI pMzq jI[[[.`
Auhny ds ds dy not kwZ ky pMzq dy pYrF `c rwK idwqy. PuwlIaF df
pRsfid lY ky mwQy ƒ lgfieaf. rsqy `c bYTy mMgqy qy hor qUMby qoVdIaF
kMjkF AuhnF dy mn dI ÈFqI df ÈoÈx krdIaF rhIaF. gurduafry dy
duafr lfgy phuMcx qwk AuhnF df sbr Kqm hox dy kMZy phuMicaf ipaf
sI. iekfgrqf BMg ho rhI sI.
gurduafry dy vwzy hfl c sÈoiBq gurU gRMQ sfihb dI qfibaf qy bYTf
BfeI sMqf isMG cOr Julf irhf sI. AuhnF ƒ vyK ky guxguxfAux lwgf qy iPr
Aus dy mUMho boly ÈbdF dI kuJ kuJ sur AuhnF dy kMnf qwk awpVI, ijvyN Auh
aKMz pfT kr irhf hovy.
afpxf srdf bxdf golk c pf ky mwQf Gsf ky pRkrmf krky Auh
pRÈfid vfly kol af atky.
‘bfbf jI asF aKMz pfT krfAuxf hY[[[suwKxf df.`
‘krfE[[[jMm jMm krfE[[[ieh vI iksy krmF vfly dy hI nsIb `c huMdf
hY[[[sMq jI.`
BfeI ny pRÈfid dI cuwtkI AusdI hQylI qy Drdy khI. nfl hI vhI qy
kfpI pYnsl PV bYTf.
‘kdoN krfAuxf hY?`
‘agly hPqy kr idE[[[.` AuhnF hwQ joVy.
‘agly hPqy nhIN[[[sfzy qF iqMn mhIny pihlF hI buwk ny[[[cOQy
mhIny[[[[.` BfeI ny zfierI dy pMny pltdy ikhf.
‘clo TIk hY[[[.`
‘ilafE[[[pMj hËfr[[[.`
Aus ny mlkVy ijhy pMj hËfr dI QwbI jyb `coN kwZ ky bfbf jI ƒ
PVfeI.
‘cMgf jI DMnvfd[[[[.`
‘qy nfly Aus idn iek iklo iGAu dysI[[[bdfm[[[nfrIal llyr qy
rumflf sfihb, ieh vI lY afAuxf qy jy qusIN ieh afp nhIN ilaf skdy qF
1100 rupY hor dy jfE[[[[.` BfeI df KuwlHf zuwlHf svfl sI qy juafb vI nfl
hI.
‘bfbf jI asIN lY afvFgy[[[. ieh asIN afp hI lY ilafvFgy[[[.` dohF
jIaF ny Èbd duhrfey.
vfps gyt qwk phuMcdy phuMcdy pMny dy mn ivwc keI qrHF dy vlvly
krvt lYNdy rhy. ieh vI kYsf cMgf adBuq vlgx hY, ijQy iek qrHF
svrg hI svrg hY. ijs ivc, ijQy sfry pIr PkIr BfeI qy mfeIaF,
Dfrmk ÈkqIaF iekwTIaF kol kol smfDI lgfeI bYTIaF hoeIaF hn. pr
afpxy mn df ieh ivaMg Auh ivwcy ivwc jËb kr igaf, ikqy nmfË
bÉÈfAux gey roËy hI nf gl pY jfx. koeI guwsf hI nf kr bYTy.
‘BfeI jI qusIN aKMz pfT suwK ky afey jy?`
iek krmcfrI lgdy afdmI ny ipCy af ky AuhnF ƒ rok ilaf.
‘hF jI[[[Bf jI[[[. asIN afpxf nfm pqf ilKf afey hF.
suwK ky hI nhIN, asIN buwk krf ky afey hF.`
‘qy rfq dI syvf?[[[myrf mqlb hY rfq ƒ qusIN hfËrI Brogy[[[?`
‘hF jI[[[hF asIN afp hfËrI BrFgy[[[syvf krFgy qy pfT
suxFgy[[[afpxy kMnF nfl[[[.` pqnI ny bVy svY Brosy nfl Aus df Auqr
idwqf.
‘clo TIk hY[[[nhIN qF mYN ikhf, jy qusIN afp nf afxf cfho qF
asIN quhfzf ieh kMm kr idaFgy[[[.` BfeI ny gogV `qy hwQ Pyrdy gwl
jfrI rwKI.
‘Auh ikvyN?` dovyNN jIa hYrfn sn.
‘qusIN afrfm kirE[[[afpxy Gr, qy AuprlI syvf asIN kr idaFgy
[[[quhfzf isrP ZfeI sO rupY lwgygf, iek rfq df qy do rfqF dy isrP pMj
sO[[[.` awj kwl qF aKMz pfT kry krfey iml jFdy ny. qusIN afrfm nfl
Bog vfly idn af jfieAu qy afpxf isropf lY jfieAu[[[[.` BfeI ny afpxy
afp bVI hmdrdF vflI slfh idqI.
‘nf BfeI jI[[[nf[[[asIN afp syvf krFgy[[[ afp gurbfxI suxfgy
afpxy kMnf nfl qy ihrdy ƒ ÈuD krFgy, pivqr krFgy[[[.` mIqo ny afpxI
ÈrDf ijqlfeI.
AuhnF dI ÈrDf sux ky BfeI lgdf krmcfrI inrfÈ ijhf ho ky ipwCy
muV ipaf.
jldI jldI qyË kdm puwtdf pMnf bfhr juqIaF vwl ƒ ahuilaf.
afpxI juwqI gfieb dyK ky Auh BmMqr igaf qy isr ƒ hwQ pf ky Klo
igaf.
‘kI hoieaf[[[eydF KV gey?` pqnI vI hYrfn ho geI.
 ‘juwqI qF geI, mYN ikhf pgVI vI nf AuWz jfey.`
Auh aMdroN aiqaMq duKI huMdf hoieaf vI pRmfqmf df lwK lwK vfr
Èukr guËfr sI.
AuhnF ƒ dyK ky skUtr murMmq krn vflf vI AuhnF kol af igaf.
‘bfbU jI! itAUb qF sfrI vwZI peI hY, ieh TIk nhIN hox vflI[[. keI
pMcr hoey pey ny[[[.`
‘awCf BfeI[[[qyrf kI mqlb [[[qUM nvI pfAuxI cfhuMdY?`
‘hF jI[[[ieh nhIN cwlxI[[[.`
‘cwl qUM KuÈ rih[[[nvIN hI pf dyh[[[pr jldI kr.`
Auh pqnI sfhmxy afpxf hONslf ijAuN df iqAuN kfiem rwKdf irhf.
iksmq hr pl Aus nfl mKOl krdI rhI. pfrlI dukfn qoN hor nvIN
cpl lY ky Aus ny skUtr ƒ ikwk mfrI.
‘awCf mYzm[[[qUM irkÈf lY lY hux[[[mYN qF lyt ho igaf[[[.`
‘E[[[ky[[[bfeI[[[. qusIN jfAu[[[TIk smyN vfps af jfieAu.` pqnI ny
Aus dI hF ivc hF imlfeI.
cldy cldy Ausny jyb tohI. bryk lgf ky Kwby pYr dy shfry skUtr
KVf krky jyb dy sfry kfgË kwZy.
‘hF[[[hF[[hY[[[.`
srkfrI cYk ƒ ttoldy Aus dIaF iekyrF iPr BvF iKV peIaF.
isr invf ky jflI vflf gyt twp ky aMdrly drvfËy rfhIN bYNk iKVkI
qy phuMicaf. bYNk dy bfAU dy sfhmxy ihwk PYlf ky jf KVf hoieaf. jyb coN
kwZ ky cYWk dy ipwCy afpxf Kfqf nMbr ilK ky bfbU ƒ pyÈ kIqf. bfbU cYWk
vwl vyiKaf, Aus vwl vyiKaf, iPr lYWjr Poilaf, QoVHf ijhf muskrf ky
iPr Aus vwl ingfh mfrI.
‘mYnyjr sfhb ƒ iml lE.` Aus ny ieÈfrf kIqf.
‘sr myrf cYWk hY iek, iewkI hËfr.` mYnyjr dy sfhmxy phuMc ky Auhny
bVI inmrqf nfl bynqI kIqI.
 ‘hF[[[hF[[ ilafE [[.`
mYnyjr sfhb ny bVy inwGy slIky nfl hwQ vDfieaf qy AusdIaF nËrF
ny pMnHy ƒ cwplF qoN lY ky pgVI qwk hfiVHaf.
‘bfbU ƒ idqf sI sr[[[kfAuNtr qy[[[.` mYnyjr dIaF nËrF dy
suaflIey-pn dI pUrqI kr idqI.
‘qy jfE [[lY lE iPr[[[.` mYnyjr ny cYWk qy GuwgI ijhI mfrdy cYWk pMny
vwl vDfieaf.
‘sr Kfqy ivc bYlYNs nhIN hY[[.` AuDroN bfbU dI AuWcI afvfË dy nfl hI
cYWk mYnyjr ny iPr vfps moV ilaf.
‘kfhdf cYWk hY ieh?` mYnyjr ny hwQ `c ttoldy Aupr JfqI mfrI.
‘ieh jI ienfm hY[[[srkfr qoN imilaf. jd mYN afpxI jfn qlI qy Dr
ky agvfkfrF koloN do bwcy Cuzfey sn.`
‘sfbfÈ bhuq awCf! ieh qF mYN vI piVHaf suixaf sI, qyry bfry, pr
srkfr cYWk qF dy idMdI hY, ipCy Kfqy ivc pYsy hI nhIN.`
mYnyjr ny hwQ GumfAuNdy isr Pyiraf. Auh JUTf ijhf ho igaf.
‘cMgf hI hY jy qyrf kMm jldI ho jfey, sfƒ vI qF kuJ Bfa BfVf
hoAU.` mYnyjr ny Aus df mn rwKx leI hmdrdI dy Èbd khy.
‘hF jI sr! ikAuN nhIN[[ golI kIhdI qy gihxy kIhdy[[[?`
‘koeI nIN. sOrI jYNtlmYn[[[iPr trfeI krnf[[[.` mYnyjr ny bybsI
jfhr krdy kfgË df Auh tukVf vfps Aus dy hwQ PVf idwqf.
‘kIp ien twc ivwd mI. jd rokV afeygI, mYN dws idaFgf.`
‘E ky sr[[[QYNk XU[[[.`
QoVHI dyr cldy cldy TMZI hvf dy buwlHy ÈurU ho gey. asmfn ivc icty-
kfly iqwqr-KMBy bwdl qrn lwgy qy iPr hOlI-hOlI asmfn kfly bwdlF dy
Jurmt ny Zwk ilaf. afkfÈ grijaf, ibjlI ilÈkI, bUMdf bFdI ÈurU ho
geI. pMny ny swjy hwQ dI skUtr dI hwQI ƒ hor Ëor nfl Gumf ky cfl qyË
kIqI. pr iekdm mUslfDfr bfirÈ ny Aus dy skUtr ƒ bryk lgf idwqI qy
iek dukfn dy brFzy ivc Klo igaf. QoVHI bhuq afvfjfeI jo keI idnF
bfad kriÌAU iZwlf hox krky sVk `qy inklI sI, ivrlI ho geI. pFDI
afsy pfsy dIaF dukfnF, ZfibaF jF ijQy iksy ƒ jgHf imlI, qyË motIaF
kxIaF dI mfr qoN bcx leI afsrf Bfldy KVy ho gey. kuJ hor jo afpxy
ËrUrI ruJyivaF dI iKwc kfrn ijwd krdy krdy cwl rhy sn, AuhnF ƒ
puils dI gÈqI jIp ny rok idwqf.
‘iËlHf mYijstryt dy hukm anusfr igafrF vjy qoN Èfm cfr vjy qwk
kriÌAU lgf idwqf igaf hY. AulMGxf krn vfly ƒ golI mfr idwqI jfeygI.`
iPr puils jIpF qoN ibnF sfrI sVk KflI ho geI qy iekdm Aus AuWqy
mINh ivc iBwj rhIaF munfdI krdIaF qyË qrfr puils jIpF dI gÈq hor
vD geI. ijQy srd hvfvF ny mOsm afnMdmeI qy suhfvxf bxf idwqf, AuWQy
jIpF dI Ëordfr GoÈxfvF rfhgIrF dy ichry qy icMqf qy gm bx ky icpk
geIaF. awgy dÌqr df idRÈ, AuWQy krn vfly kMm, imlx vfly imwqr
snyhI, ipCly idnF dI kfrguËfrI df lyKf joKf, kwl ipkink nf jfx df
bhfnf mjbUrI, sB GVy GVfey pMny dy mn ivc AulJ gey. Aus ny cfihaf
kriPAU dI avwigaf krky afpxy itkfxy phuMc jfey[[[pr! pr! puls dI
golI! nhIN! nhIN[[[puls dI golI Kfky aprfDIaF vFg mrn nfloN qF
KfVkUaf dI golI nfl mrnf cMgf hY. Aus yn PYslf mulqvI kr idwqf.
hOslf ijhf krky Aus ny motI gwdydfr kursI qy pfn cbFdy dukfn mflk ƒ
tYlIPon vwl ieÈfrf krky awKF nfl suafl kIqf.
‘zYWz[[[aY BeIaf[[[Érfb hY ieh[[[.` mflk dy Ërf ku ruk ky pfn dI
pckfrI bfhr inkfldy GVy GVfey juafb ny pMny dy hwQ iZwly kr idwqy.
Aus dy sfry armfn hAukf bx ky aMdr ivws Golx lwgy. bfhr isr Gumf
ky pI sI E[[dI hoNd bfry Aus ny toh lfAux dI koiÈÈ kIqI, pr ikqy nyVy
qyVy afsy pfsy pI[ sI[ E df pIlf borz Aus ƒ idKfeI nf idqf.
‘kfÌI df kwp![[[.` Aus ny afrzr dy ky afpxf afp sFBdy hoey Ërf ku
aMdr jf ky kursI mwl leI. kfÌI df hukm dy ky kursI qy bYTx df hwk
Aus ny hfsl kr ilaf sI, nhIN qy kI pqf Auho ijhf Kr-idmfg kursI qy
vI bYTx qoN nFh kr dyvy.
kfÌI df kwp pINdy pINdy tYlIPon dI GMtI vwjI.
 mflk ny iek dm AuTfieaf. Aus ny pMny nfl nËrF imlfeIaF.
mfno corI PVI jfx dy zroN kuJ sPfeI dyxf cfhuMdf hovy.
‘BYx mrfAuxF! hrfmI! mYN ikhVf muÌq krnf sI! pYsy qF mYN vI dyxy hI
sn.` mn hI mn ivc pMny ny Aus ƒ srfp dyx vrgI gflH kwZI.
‘syT jI! mYN tYlIPon krnf hY ËrUrI. mYN pYsy idaFgf[[[zbl dy
idaFgf.` hOslf ijhf krky Ausny syT ƒ nËrsfnI leI bynqI kIqI.
Ausdy mn imhr pY geI. Aus ny tYlIPon pMny vwl srkf idwqf.
‘cfr[[[do[[[do[[[pwj[[[swq[[[iek` Aus ny nMbr Gumfey. GMtI KVkx
nfl Aus df mn iKV ipaf. pr tUM a a dI afvfË nfl tYlIPon dy bMd hox
dI hrkq ny pMny dy mn dI Auqyjnf hor qyË kr idwqI.
Aus ny rIpIt df btn dbfieaf. iPr GMtI KVkI, iksy ny AuTfieaf.
‘[[[` koeI afvfË nhIN sI
‘hYlo[[[hYlo[[[[.` pMny ny AucI dyxI ikhf.
pr awgoN koeI juafb nhIN sI. ijvyN afvfË pCfx ky iksy ny tYlIPon df
cogf pfsy rwK idwqf hovy.
‘qUM kI cIË huMdI aYN? mYN qF vwzy vwzy jogIaF dy kMn pVHvf idqy, AuhnF
ƒ pVHny pf Cwizaf, pfxI iplf Cwizaf[[[AuhnF dy Cwky Cuzf idwqy[[[qYƒ mYN
huxyN cfrjÈIt qoN ibnF hI Gr Byj skdF, rUl ÌfeIv dy aMzr. ijs dy
ipCy qUM pUC cwkI iPrdI eyy aOr ijhVf qYƒ AuNglF qy ncf irhf hY, mYN
Ausƒ vI sbk isKfvFgf sbk! cMgI qrHF[[[.` tYlIPon df cogf pMny dy hwQ
c kMb AuiTaf. ieh kflIey dI afvfË sI. iks ƒ kih irhf hY ieh?
isrP iek hI qF ho skdI hY[[[rItf[[[rItf. Aus ny cogf rwKdy afpxy mn
dy AuKVy hfv Bfv CupFdy dukfn mflk df ichrf pVHn dI koiÈÈ kIqI.
‘[[afT rupY[[[`[[Aus df Kurdrf ijhf juafb sI.
koeI gwl nf krn dy vI Aus ny awT rupY kwZ ky KuÈI KuÈI syT ƒ PVf
idwqy.
‘DMnvfd. ieh vI mihMgf sOdf nhIN. bhuq kuJ imilaf hY awT rupY
ivc. prsUq dIaF pIVF vFg kflIey dy Èbd bfr bfr pMny dIaF aFdrF c
KOrU pOx lwgy. Aus ny bfhr dyiKaf. asmfn ajy AuvyN hI krop sI, kihr
Zfh irhf sI. hux Auh jldI qoN jldI dÌqr phuMcx dI kfhl ivc sI,
pqf nhIN rItf ivcfrI nfl dI bIqdI hovygI, pr awgy kriÌAU vflI
dIvfr! Aus ny jyb ƒ hwQ mfiraf[[[‘hF[[[hY[[[ieh.` kriÌAU df afrËI
pfs Aus kol sI. Ausny iPr nMbr Gumfieaf. koeI afvfË nhIN sI.
[[[tUMa[[[tUMa[[[cogf ijvyN ajy vI pfsy ipaf hovy. Auh bhuq pCqfx lwgf.
Ausny tYlIPUn bMd ikAuN kIqf. pqf nhIN kI kuJ hor Auh sux skdf sI.
dobfrf Aus dI koiÈÈ dy bfvjUd tYlIPUn sMprk nf ho sikaf. sfrf idn
eyNdf hI bIq igaf. lgfqfr bfirÈ qy qUPfn ny iek imMt vI sfh nhIN
ilaf. sfry glIaF bfËfr jl Ql kr idwqy. Èihr df pfxI nihr vFg
sfhmxI sVk qy vgx lwgf. Aus df hOslf Zih igaf. kudrq bfr-bfr
Aus dy rsqy ivc rukfvt bx rhI sI. kdy blK buKfry idKf rhI sI, kdy
ZihMdy KMzrF dy drÈn krf rhI sI.
‘ËrUr koeI kudrq dI kropI hY. sfzy koloN ËrUr koeI KnfmI hoeI hY.
ieh BYVy BYVy ZfhU atkfa qy AulJxF bfr bfr mYƒ ikAuN Jtkf rhIaF
ny.` Aus dy jIvn df hOslf ijvyN psq huMdf jf irhf sI. kriÌAU qF Auh
qoV skdf sI pr mUMhËor CrHftydfr mINh awgy Aus df koeI Ëor nf cwilaf.
‘jy mYN ËbrdsqI krky, mINh vfly idn kriÌAU ƒ qoV ky cwl vI pvF,
qF ieh skUtr nfl byiensfPI hovygI. bfirÈ ny qy sVkF qy vgdI pfxI
dI nihr ny skUtr ƒ kiVMgVI pf lYxI hY.` Auh iekyrf iPr hiQafr suwt
bYTf.
‘nhIN! nhIN! musIbqF nfl jUJxf qy mukfblf krnf hI qF iensfn df
kMm hY qy iehnF qoN zr ky Bwjxf buËidlF dI inÈfnI hY, mYN buËidl nhIN
khf skdf. pr iPr[[[pqf nhIN dÌqr jf ky vI kI kI kuJ suxn ƒ imly
awj leI eynf hI kfÌI, bfkI iPr svyry, hor kuJ pcfAux leI Aus df
hfËmf bfkI nhIN sI bicaf. hux Auh mINh Éqm hox dI AuzIk krn lwgf,
qF jo vfps afpxy Gr jf sky.
‘jo suK CwjU dy cubfry Auh blK nf buKfry`.
 Aus df idl kIqf awj Auh vI Gr jf ky DMny Bgq vFg koeI Tfkr jF
pwQr[[[awgy rwK ky duK-invfrn icMqfmxI dI pRfpqI leI BgqI kry qF jo
EprIaF ksrF qy hor bd-duafvF dI mfr qoN Auh bicaf rhy, Aus df
twbr bicaf rhy, jo bfr bfr Aus df rsqf kwt rhIaF hn.
bdiksmqIaF qy bdÈgnIaF df BMinaf hoieaf iËMdgI dy hr moV qy
boc boc pYr Drdf, Auh Gr vwl cwl ipaf. iËMdgI df hr moV Aus leI
aMnHf moV sI. pqf nhIN awgy kI kuJ axsvfdf, axikafsf Aus nfl Gtx
vflf sI. Gr dI GMtI vjfx dI loV nhIN peI. drvfËf pihlF hI KulHf
ipaf sI. dihlIj twpdy twpdy Aus ny sfh sUq ky mihsUs kIqf. Aus dI
pqnI dI isskIaF dI afvfË! Auh pytI qy mUDy mUMh Bfr peI BubIN BubIN
hoeI peI sI. Aus ny Aus dI ipwT `qy hwQ Pyiraf. awKF kihr nfl BrIaF
roihly sunyhy dy rhIaF sn, hfloN byhfl, ro ro ky burf hfl kIqf ipaf sI.
CotI nMnHI ijhI Aus dI bytI lfgy peI awKF sujfeI boJl ijhI hoeI htkory
lY rhI sI, ijvyN iksy ny bVy inrdeIpuxy nfl kuwtI hovy. pMny ny bwcy ƒ cuwk
ky moZy nfl lf ilaf. bwcf zizaf ky cIkF cFgrF mfrdf pfpf dy nfl zwzI
vFg icMbV igaf.
‘kI hoieaf myry suhxy ijhy byty ƒ[[[? afAu[[[mYƒ dwso.` pMny ny bwcy dy
isr ƒ ploisaf, ipafr kIqf.
bwcI ny isr AuWpr cuikaf qy, ‘mMmI ny[[[.` AuDr AuNgl kIqI.
‘ilaf KF, mYN mfrdF iehƒ[[[hYNa[[[hYNa[[[.` Aus ny JUTI mUTI df vfr
pqnI vwl kIqf. bwcI hws ky cusq huiÈafr ho ky AuWT KVI hoeI.
‘kI ivgfiVaf iehny qyrf? ikAuN kuwitaf iehƒ byËubfn ƒ?` Aus df
glf Br afieaf.
‘iehny nhIN! qUM ivgfiVaf myrf! myrf sB kuJ[[[.` Auh Aus qoN vI vwD
BrI pIqI peI sI.
‘sFBo ieh afpxf Gr! mYN cwlI.` pMny dy hwQF dIaF Cuwt geIaF.
‘kI hoieaf[[[?` Auh vI rox hfkf ho igaf.
 ‘quhfƒ nI pqf? ipkinkF dyKdy iPrdy E [[Aus hrfmx ƒ ikQy Cwz
afey jy?[[[kdy kihMdy ipkink jfxf[[[kdy kihMdy qsIhf Gr dyK ky
afieaf,[[[qy iPrdy ny rMg rlIaF mnfAuNdy Aus pMjPUlf rfxI nfl, Kyh
KFdy iPrdy[[[.`
‘E sr jI! kI ho igaY quhfƒ! ikdF dIaF XblIaF mfr rhy E[[[.`
Auh iqlimlf AuiTaf.
‘dÌqroN cfr tYlIPon af cuwky ny quhfzy svyr dy[[[rItf qy pMnf donoN
dÌqroN gYr hfËr ny kwlH dy[[.` Auh ÈIhxI vFg grj rhI sI.
pMny ƒ iekyrF iPr smyN df Aultf gyV cwldf idisaf.
‘myry qy eynf kuÌr ielËfm nf lgf ipafrI[[[mYN aijhf nIc kmInf
kMm nhIN kr skdf.` hor keI kuJ axkihaf Aus dy sMG `c hI aV
igaf.
‘dÌqr dy ByV hux Gr phuMcf idqy ny vYrIaF ny, ikMny kMbKq ny
ieh[[[.` Aus dy mn coN hUk AuTI.
‘mYƒ pqY sB quhfzy dÌqr dy icwTy Bry pey ny. pihlF vI kihMdy, qyrf
hI pfp lY ky mrI sI Auh ÈIlf vI[[[.` mIqo qoqy vFg ijvyN rtI rtfeI
muhfrnI bol rhI sI.
‘mYƒ pqf huMdf, mYN vI kwlH dI hI pwqrf vfc jFdI. mYN hux ies Gr
ivc nhIN rih skdI, ijQy qyry kwpiVaF ivcoN ibgfnIaF dI bdbU afAux
lwgI hY, qUM afpxy cfa pUry kr lY. mYN vI ieh ÈOk pUry kr ky vyK lvF.`
kwpiVaF dI sMdUkVI sMBflx lwgI. Auh iek pl dOV ky rsoeI ivc
jFdI, BFzy BMndI qy agly pl iPr af ky kwpiVaF ƒ BuaF BuaF ky suwtdI,
kdy atYcI c pfAuNdI kdy bfhr kwZ ky iKlfr idMdI. ikMny sfry kwp plytF
apMg kr idwqy Ausny.
‘mIqo plIË! myry pihlF hI kfljy pwCy hoey `ny[[[iehnF qy lUx nf
iCVk. qUM myrI jIvn sfQx hY. mYƒ smJx dI koiÈÈ kr. jd iksmq df
puwTf gyV cldf hY, jd iensfn dy bury idn afAuNdy ny, QflI `c peI rotI
hwQoN inkl jFdI hY . BuwjI mClI BuVk ky pfxI ivc jf izwgdI hY, ikwlI qy
ipaf rfxI hfr ikwlI Kf lYNdI hY. hoÈ kr. ieh vI koeI mfieaf jfl hY,
kudrq ny ivCfieaf hY jF myry duÈmxF ny[[[.`
‘mYƒ eyho ijhIaf isplIaF suxf ky myrf ivÈvfs qusIN nhIN qoV skdy.
myrI ieh Êlq PihmI nhIN.` mIqo ajy vI aVIal GoVy vFg afpxI aVI
qy kfiem sI. Auh lohy dI lwT vFg azol KVI sI.
‘qUM hOslf kr! hmyÈF ieh BYVy idn nhIN rihxy. mYN XkIn idvFdf hF
qYƒ. idn iPrn vfly ny, cMgy idn afAux vfly ny, jd Auho BuwjI mClI pfxI
`coN inkl qy quhfzI pyt pUjf krn leI qrlo mwCI hovygI, jd prosI hoeI
rotI dI burkI afpxy afp qyry mUMh ƒ afeygI. ikwlI KfDf hoieaf rfxI hfr
vfps dy dyvygI. mYƒ XkIn hY mIqo! XkIn hY. hoÈ kr[[[.` mIqo kuJ kuJ
afpxy afp c prqx lwgI.
‘tYlIPon imlf rItf ƒ[[[Auhƒ puwCF mYN, ikAuN hrfmdI horF ƒ lbyVdI
iPrdI hY. nhIN[[[nhIN pr Auh aYsI lVkI nhIN. Auh ikqy nhIN jf skdI.
iksy nfl nhIN jf skdI. Auh bhuq ÈrIÌ lVkI hY. ikQy geI Auh?`
‘qusIN vI bVy Boly bxdy AN-lVkI hoxf iek alwg cIË hY[[[nOjvfn
hoxf alwg qy ÈrIP hoxf iblkul hI alwg. iehnF df afpo ivc koeI myl
nhIN. jvfnI ivc awg mwcdI hY, cfhy Auh ÈrIP hovy jF nf[[[ ÊrIb hovy jF
amIr, ieh awg ieko ijhI huMdI hY.` mIqo guwsf Cwz ky iviKafx qy Auqr
afeI sI.
‘cwl! afrfm kr! aYvyN iksy dI DI BYx bfry aijhf nhIN socIdf[[[.`
‘ieh awg suwqI rihMdI hY[[[GUk sONdI hY[[[qy jd koeI PUk vwj
jfvy[[[ieh DuKdI hY, qy kdy BVfkf bx jFdI hY. bws iek PUk df bhfnf
toldI hY.` mIqo dyvIaF vFg pRvcn krdI rhI.
‘pr kwlH qF Auh quhfzy nfl hI sI, qusIN myrI ÈrfPq df njfieË
Pfiedf AuTfieaf.` mIqo atfkUt iehI rwt lgf rhI sI.
‘mYƒ qyrI sONh mIqo! mYƒ myrI bytI dI ksm! jy myry nfl qF kI mYƒ
Aus dI hrkqF bfry koeI sUh vI hovy qF.`
 ‘huxy puls afeygI[[[quhfƒ pkVygI. sfry dÌqr vfly quhfzy vwl
AuNglF AuTf rhy ny[[[. bfr-bfr tYlIPon myrI jfn qoV rhy ny.`
puls df nfm suxky iekyrF iPr Aus dy sfhmxy ipCly idnIN lMGy
cmgfDVF vrgy zrfAuxy sIn Aus dy sfhmxy ltkx lwgy.
‘ikMnf anrQ hovygf ieh. mIqo rok lY. kI puls mYƒ iek nOjvfn
lVkI ƒ agvf krn dy Ëurm ivc pkVn leI afeygI?
nhIN[[[nhIN[[[mIqo[[[mYN hor eynF kuJ shfr ilaf[[[ieh eyynf vwzf JUTf pfp
mYN moiZaF qy nhIN cuk skdf[[[mYN grk ho jfvFgf[[[.` Aus dI hflq hor
dI hor nfËk qy pqlI huMdI vyK ky mIqo Gbrf geI.
‘do[[[cfr[[[iqMn[[[do[[[pMj[[[ hYlo[[[hYlo[[[, lAu[[[iml igaf nMbr rItf
df[[[.` pMny ny zrdy zrdy kMbdy hwQF nfl tYlIPon PiVaf.
‘hYlo[[[hYlo[[[Bf jI quhfzy lfgy rItf mYzm hY[[[.`
‘ [[[ `
‘Ërf Aus ƒ imlf idAu[[[.`
‘ [[[ `
‘kI ikhf Auh kwlH dI dyKI nhIN[[[? nhIN nhIN awj qF Auh hY[[[Ërf
dyKxf plIË! ËrUrI kMm hY.`
‘ [[[ `
‘jI hF![[[ Gr hI hY[[[? DMnvfd.` pMny df sfh sOKf hoieaf. DrqI qy
lMmf pY ky zMzAuq bMdnf krn vFg pRmfqmf df lwK lwK vfr Èukr kIqf.
Auh af qF geI hY, ikQoN afeI hY, ieh vI pqf cwl jfeygf. nf
afAuNdI qF ieh myry nfm hI lwg jfxI sI. burfeI qF Auz ky cMbVdI hY
mYƒ swqf kohF qoN.` msIN msIN Aus dI mfniskqf sMquilq hoeI.
‘clo mIqF[[[clo Aus dy Gr[[[.`
‘nhIN. asIN kI krnY Aus dy Gr! aYs vyly?`
‘nhIN clo, jfxf pvygf[[[.`
CotIaF BIVIaF glIaF df icwkV gfrf lMGdy Auh iek slm vrgy
mhwly ivc aD-pwky mkfn ivc phuMcy. mINh nfl iBwjy bflx nfl, rsoeI
ivcoN DUaF inkl ky sfrf ivhVf DUMaF Dfr hoieaf ipaf sI. jhflq Biraf
slHfiBaf vfqfvrx vyK ky pihlF qF Auh zr igaf.
pr rItf ƒ sfhmxy dyK ky Aus dy sfry duwK dUr ho gey.
‘eIdF KUb mnfAuNdy ny Auh mYQoN corI corI.` Auh guxguxfAux lwgf.
‘lY puwC lY iehƒ hux ikwQy geI sI, kIhdy nfl geI sI, ikwQy rhI
sI[[[.` Aus ny mIqo df hwQ Guwt ky afpxy idwqy hoey ibafnF dI qsdIk
krn leI jor pfieaf.
‘mYN nhIN kihxf kuJ vIN.` pqnI suMgV ijhI geI.
‘nmsqy[[[.` JkdI sMgdI rItf sfhmxy afeI.
‘afE[[[DMnBfg[[[jI afieaF ƒ[[[.`
nvyN pfey gjry qy cUVIaF ƒ dupwty nfl CupfAux dI Gbrfht ivc Aus
ny ikhf.
Auh ieÈfrf krky iek vwzy suÌy ivc lY geI.
‘bYTo[[[afE BfbI jI! qusIN ieDr bYTo.`
bybI ƒ afpxy kuwCV cuwk ky Aus ny afE Bgq kIqI.
‘ipkink KUb mnfeI ikQy rItf ny ? sfrI rfq ibqfeI ikQy rItf ny?`
pMny ny tuwtI PuwtI qukbMdI krky cuwp qoVI.
‘[[[[[[[[[[`
rItf sumk sumk krdI iPws peI.
‘kI dyiKaf iPr rItf[[[qUM qF cMgI CupI rusqm inklI[[[jFdI jFdI,
hor iksy ƒ nhIN, qF mYƒ hI dws jFdI[[[tYlIPon kr jFdI.` Èrm qy hIx-
Bfvnf dI gRwsI rItf awKF AuWpr nhIN sI cuwk rhI.
‘BfjI mYN koiÈÈ kIqI sI. pr Auhny ikhf jldI kro, lyt ho rhy hF.
sfry AuQy hI iml jfxgy.` Auh zuskx lwgI.
‘qy iPr awgy[[[[?` qPqIÈI hOldfr vFg pMny ny rohb ijhf JfiVaf.
‘mYƒ qF pqf nhIN vIr jI![[[kfr ikMnI dUr dOVdI rhI, cldI rhI[[[.
mYN hr pl Aus smyN dI AuzIk krdI rhI, jdoN kfr ruky gI, Auh dUsry
stfP kol phuMc jfeygf qy mYƒ sB ƒ imlf dyvygf, pr Auh Aucy ijhy
phfVI ielfky dy hotl ivc lY igaf[[[.`
‘qUM pVHI ilKI byvkUP bx geI[[[.` pMnf guwsy ivc sI.
‘rItf qYƒ afpxI mF `qy qrs nf afieaf? Aus ƒ hI dws idMdI. Auhny
ikdF rfq idn qYƒ lwBdy AuzIkdy afpxy dIdy gfl ley ny[[[. ro ky swicaF
hoxf lVkIaF kol ieko hI hiQafr huMdf hY[[[hux qUM roeI jf[[[pr mYN swco
swc puwC lYxf hY[[[afpy hI dws dyh.`
‘nhIN vIr jI! mYN swc kihMdI hF, pfl bVf DoKybfË inkilaf. kihMdf
dUsry sfQI vI AuQy hI phuMcx vfly ny.
jFdI sfr cfh mMgfeI. afpxI atYcI coN kwZ ky tI[ vI[ lf ilaf.
‘CI[[[CI[[[gMdy gMdy sIn[[[. mYN bVf pCqfeI, bVf roeI[[[. kihMdf nhf
lY[[[[[[[ mYN ikhf, mYN Tihr ky nhfvFgI[[[. kihMdf cMgf mOj lY, dyK ikMny
suhxy suhxy suMdr iPlmI nËfry[[[. qUM vyK, mYN nhf lvF. Auh aMdr viVaf
qy mYN mOkf qfV ky bfhroN kuMzf lgf ky sVk qy dOV peI. kihMdf sI qyrf
sfhb, kflIaf myrf dosq hY[[[qyrI qrwkI krf idaFgf.`
‘hUMa[[[qF ieh gwl hY[[[myry iswJx vfly qF awgy hI keI hor hn, ieh
iek hor AuhnF ivc jmHf ho igaf[[[.` pMny ny kmIË dIaF bfhF Aupr tMgdy
kcIcI ijhI vwtI.
‘mYN Kf jfvFgf, aijhy bdmfÈF ƒ, jo lokF dIaF DIaF BYxF dI iewËq
df iKlvfV krdy ny.`
‘nf vy nf puuwq. qUM eynf roh nf cVHf. vwizaF df kuJ ivgVnf nhIN, qy
sfzf kuJ rihxf nhIN. mrd qy GoVf qF Doqy df Doqf, Auho ijhf duwD Doqf.
sfzI kuVI qF bwjI ho jU sfrI Aumr leI.` rItf dI mF hwQ joVdI pMny dy
awgy af KVI hoeI.
‘sux DIey[[[. sux puwq! sgoN ies gwl ƒ ieQy hI imwtI pfE[[[. myrI
kuVI ƒ qF lokF AuNglF vfilaF ny hI nhIN Cwzxf[[[.` buVI mF buws buws
krdI glyzU pUMJdI aMdr clI geI.
 rsoeI `coN DUMaF Ërf mwDm hoieaf. cfh pwqI ielYcI dI KuÈbU PYlI, qy
QoVHI dyr ivc mF cfh df pqIlf dupwty dIaF dovF kMnIaF nfl cuwkI aMdr
lY afeI.
‘vy puwq Auh qF bhuq vwzf afdmI hY qy asI ÊrIb Ëfq. Auhdf sfzf
kI myl[[?` zohrI nfl cfh kwpF `c pFdy buVI ny gwl jfrI rwKI.
‘pr mfqf jI Ausny eynf vwzf Pryb kIqf[[[mYN smJfAUN Aus ƒ ik ieh
myl ikwdF ho skdf hY. qusIN kfiem rihE hux. dysI lfVI, vlYqI dulhf[[[.
vfh ikMnf myl sjygf.`
‘vy nf puwq! kuJ nI bxnI[[[sfzI rihMdI KUMhdI vI pwtI jfAU[[[.`
buVI mF dI ÊrIbI qy iPr ÊrIbI qoN inklI mjbUrI, eynf vwzf anrQ!
gunfh pI jfx leI qrly kr rhIaF sn. cfh pMny ƒ bVI svfd lwgI,
bVI sMGxI, bVI krfrI, kfny-gwz cfh, ijvyN guV dI bxfeI hovy. pr
iek eynf vwzf ielËfm isr qoN pfsy lwQx krky Auh afpxy afp ivc hOlf
Puwl hoieaf ipaf sI qy Kfs krky Gr vflI dy sfhmxy vI ieh Èryafm
swcf-suwcf pRqwK hox krky hor dUxf cOxf ho igaf sI.
Gr afAux qwk dovyN qIvIN afdmI nfkfrimk ÈkqIaF qoN bcx dy iswty
vjoN iek juwt suriKaq mihsUs kr rhy sn.
‘hfey mYN mr jF[[[mYN aYvyN afpxy cMn vrgy sfQI nfl PonF dy khy
khfey qy suxy suxfey eyyny apÈbd kwZ bYTI. mfP krIN cMnf[[[.` Aus ny pMny
dy mwQy qy bVf ipafrf ijhf iBwjf ijhf bosf bIj ky muafÌI mMgI.
‘pr quhfzI Auh mClI dI qy hfr dI gwl myry pwly nhIN peI. mYN ikhf
aYvyN myrf iDafn pfsy moVn leI mYƒ buwDU bxf rhy ny.` mIqo hws rhI sI.
‘ieh vI qF gfQf hY[[[iksmq dy BMny, sqfey, durkfry, iksy rfjy rfxI
dI, ijs dy rfj ivc kfl pY igaf. njUmIaF ny ikhf, ijMnf icr ieh rfjf
rfxI rfj dI hdUd qoN bfhr nhIN jFdy, bfirÈ nhIN hovygI. Auh prjf dy
Bly dI Kfqr bfhr inkl qury. rsqy ivc iksy dosq dy Gr Tihry. ikwlI
qy tMigaf myËbfn df nO lwKf hfr gfieb vyK ky myjbfn ny iehnF ƒ BuKy
iqhfey GroN kwZ idqf. ndI iknfry mClI PV ky BuMnI, Kfx lwgy qF BuMnI
mwCI BuVk ky pfxI ivc jf izwgI.[[[qy iPr jd idn pwDry hoey, iksmq
iPrI, idn iPry, Aus dI irafieaf ny Auhnf ƒ vfps bulfvf Byijaf.
vfpsI qy AuhI BuwjI mwCI iPr AuhnF dy awgy af izwgI. Ausy dosq dy Gr
vfps Tihry qy AuhnF dy dyKdy dyKdy hfr ikwlI ivcoN bfhr lmkx lwg
ipaf. lokF ny jI afieaf ikhf. AuhnF ƒ bVy afdr mfx nfl rfj gwdI
dobfrf sONpI. idn hox pwDry qF Buwjy Augx moT. ieh khfxI sI, jo Coty huMdy
myrI dfdI mYƒ suxfieaf krdI sI[[[.`
pMny ny awKF ivcoN ipafrF dy somy brsfAuNdy mIqo ƒ ivsmfd ivsmfd
kr idqf. mIqo ny Aus dI CfqI qy isr rwiKaf qy iPr Guwt ky nfl lwg
peI. dovyN sfrI rfq ibniPkrI nINd suwqy iek dUsry df srhfxf bxf ky.
kuwkV dI bFg, morF dIaF kUkF qy iPr BfeI dy Aucy spIkr ny idn dy
cVHf df sunyhf dy idwqf. Auh AuiTaf, asmfn sfÌ sI. ikMny idnF dI BVfs
qy bwdlvfeI qoN bfd mOsm inrml qy inwqiraf hoieaf vyK ky Aus df mn
qroqfËf Aumfh nfl Br igaf. afpy rsoeI ivc jf ky cfh dy do kwp
bxfey. iek polI ijhI QpkI dy ky mIqF ƒ jgfieaf, somn kIqf, qy
AuTfieaf. cfh df kwp Aus dy bulHF ƒ Cuhfieaf. iekwTy bYT ky dovF bVy
ipafr nfl tuwtIaF zMzIaF vfly kwpF ivc cfh dIaF cuskIaF Brdy kwlH dy
mnhUs anhoxy vfrqflfp[[[ qUM qUM mYN mYN df iËkr CyiVaf qy pÈcfqfp
kIqf.
‘ho gey suhxy dy hux drÈn qy idn cMgf lMGygf[[[.`
Aus ny mIqo ƒ jlUx ijhI kIqI. Auh ÈrmFdI hoeI cfh dy KflI kwp lY
ky rsoeI vwl clI geI. Auh AuT ky bfQrUm ivc vV igaf. nhfieaf, pfT
guxguxfieaf qy kMGI pwtI krky iqafr ho igaf. sfÌ AunfbI pycF vflI
pgVI, icwtI AunfbI qy slytI rMgI tfeI bMn ky Auh awj bhuq hI afkRÈk
cusq clfk qy mnmohxI ÈKÈIaq lwg irhf sI. mwKxI nfl kuwtI prfAuNTI
dI burkI mIqo ny Aus dy mUMh ƒ CuhfAuNdy, Aus dy nfÈqy df AudGftn kIqf
qy sfry idn dI suK slfmq vfsqy pRfrQnf kIqI.

FFF
 10
kflIaf sfhb df awj afKrI idn sI, qy pMnf Aus idn qoN bfad
AuhnF ƒ iml nhIN sI sikaf.
‘awj qF ËrUr hI imlxf cfhIdf hY. dUjI iDr dy kIqy krfey `qy suhfgf
Pyiraf jfey[[[.` ieh gMBIr msly Aus ny sihj suBf srsrI ijhy afpxy
mn `coN guËfry qy rYst hfAUs df drvfËf jf KVkfieaf.
‘guz mfrinMg sr.`
‘afE! vYrI guwz mfrinMg, vYlwkm.` kflIey ny bVI grmjoÈI nfl pMny
ƒ CfqI nfl Guwt ky Aus dy sdIaF qoN bldy aMdrly BfbV ÈFq kr idwqy.
kflIaf sfhb dy mwQy qy hMsU hMsU krdf jlOa dyK ky pMnf bhuq AuqÈfhq
hoieaf.
‘sOrI sr! mYN quhfƒ atYNz nhIN kr sikaf. myrI bdiksmqI hY, mYN
quhfzI syvf krn df mOkf KuMJf idwqf.`
‘no mYtr, jYNtlmYn! qUM myrI nhIN qF koeI gwl nhIN, pr pUrI mnuwKqf
dI syvf qUM kr irhY, kuwl dunIaF dy duwK qklIÌ qUM apuxI JolI `c puaf
irhYN. afeI aYm vYrI prfAUz afP XU mfeI zIar. Aus idn ipkink df
afnMd afp ky bgYr PIkf PIkf rhf. koeI nf, hm ny khf koeI awCf kfm
hI krqf hogf.` kflIey ny bVy inwGy ipafr nfl Aus dI Éfnf-pUrqI kr
idqI.
‘qYƒ mubfrk! myry byty![[[mYƒ rfqIN hI Ébr afeI hY idwlI qoN, ik qyrI
pd-AunqI ho geI hY qy qYƒ eyyQy hI lgfieaf igaf hY[[[ lfl jI dI bdlI
AuhnF dy Gr ho geI hY jMmU[[.`
‘DMnvfd sr! QYNk XU[[. jd afp jYsy imhrbfn smfjvfdI soc vfly
aPsr hox qF cMgy vrkrF dI kdr qF hI huMdI hY, nhIN qF mfVy qy kmËor
aPsrF dy sfhmxy qF aijhI cMzfl cOkVI AuhnF dy sfhmxy hfQI ƒ cUhf
dws ky mUrK bxfeI rwKdI hY, pqf jy khfxI df[[[[?`
‘hF[[[hF[[[mYƒ sB pqY, pr hfQI qF hfQI hI rihxY.` dovF df kihkhf
suxfeI idMdf hY.
 ‘cMgf kro, cMgf soco, cMgy dI AumId rwKo[[[. Aupr vfly dy Gr dyr hY,
aMDyr nhIN[[[afKrkfr swc ny swc hI rihxf hY. swcy ny swc hI kihxf hY,
cfhy iksy dy gozy lwgy cfhy igwty[[[.`
‘pr sr! mYƒ afpxI iksmq qy bVf iglf hY. mYN iËMdgI ivc iksy
nfl burf nhIN kIqf, burf nhIN soicaf, pr myry pwly hr pfisAuN burfeI hI
peI hY, Bly kMm leI vI AUJF hI lwgIaF hn. ieh do cfr bMdy iewkTy ho ky
hwQ Do ky myry ipwCy pey hoey hn.`
‘pr Auh qyrf kuJ nhIN ivgfV sky[[[nf hI ivgfV skdy hn. mYƒ qyry
XkIn leI iek purfxI khfxI Xfd afAuNdI hY, jo qyry leI bVI ZukvIN hY.`
‘hF jI sr! mYƒ pqY, quhfzI myry pRqI vI hmdrdI hY qy AuhnF nfl
vI idlI ipafr. rwKo! pr myrI kImq qy nhIN[[[ eynI ku imhrbfnI rwiKAu
myry qy[[[.`
‘hFa qy sux[[[ Auh khfxI kuJ ies qrHF hY[[[.
iksy nwgr dy cfr BrfvF ivcoN iek dI rg dUijaF qoN kuJ-kuJ vwKrI
sI. Auh kuJ krdf, dUsry kuJ hor. Auh kuJ hor kihMdy Auh kuJ hor. iek
idn qMg af ky AunHF Aus ƒ iek kfxI KoqI dy ky iek kwcy koTy ivc awz
kr idqf. jd Aus dy afpxy isr peI qF Auh bfhr inkilaf, ruËgfr dI
qlfÈ ivc. cldf-cldf dUr iksy vwzy sfry mhwl ivc awpV igaf. nOkrI
leI phuMc kIqI qy Aus df kMm bx igaf. Auh idny rfq imhnq krky
afpxy mflk df kMm krdf nyk nIqI nfl qy afsy pfsy ivc vI Auh cMgf
krky jfixaf jfx lwgf. afpxI qnKfh dy nfl kuJ nf kuJ hor iswky
iekwTy krdf qy bcf ky afty dy pyVy ivc afpxI KoqI ƒ Kuaf idMdf. ies
qrHF keI mhIny lMG gey. Ausƒ afpxy ipCly aikRqGx qy Ëflm BrfvF
dI Xfd afx lwgI. Auh Aucft ho igaf qy aKIr KoqI `qy plfkI mfr ky
iksy rfq brfqy vfps Gr phuMc igaf. idny Aus dy afpxy Brf iekwTy ho
gey. Auh iek lohy dI mUMglI nfl KoqI ƒ kuwtx lwgf. ijMnI vyrF mfry KoqI
dI pUC ivcoN iswky ikr-ikr jfx. ies qrHF Aus dy Brf Aus nfl hor
eIrKf krn lwgy. AuhnF Aus dI muMglI corI kr leI qy apxy zMgrF qy
aËmf ky afpxy pÈU awDvirqy bwjI kr ley. iksy dI kMz qoV idqI, iksy
dy ËKm kr idqy, pr AuhnF ƒ iswky nf imly.
guwsy ivc af ky AuhnF Aus dy koTy ƒ awg lgf idwqI. jI-iBafxy ny
iPr Auh lwkVF dI svfh iekwTI kIqI qy Cwt ivc pf ky, KoqI qy lwd ky
bfhr lY quiraf. QoVI dUr jFdy iek buwZI mfeI jo afpxy dohqry qy poqry
ƒ pYdl iljf rhI sI, imlI.
‘vy puwqr! myry bwicaF ƒ cVHf lY cwl! rwb qyrf Blf kry.`
‘mfeI cVHf qF lvF, pr ies ivc myrf kImqI mfl hYa.`
‘koeI nf puwq! bwicaF qoN kImqI kuJ nhIN huMdf, mYN qyrf nuksfn Br dUM
gI [[[.` Aus ny bwcy cVHf ley.
QoVI dUr jf ky bwicaF ny pwd mfry, [[[ iek ny twtI kr idqI[[[.
‘hfey Auey mYN luwitaf igaf, myrf sB kuJ svfh ho igaf [[[.` bwicaF
ƒ Auqfr ky Auh hfl pfhiraf krn lwgf. mfeI ny dyiKaf, sfry svfh BrI
peI sI.
‘vy cuwp kr puwq hONslf kr! kI sI iehdy ivc ?`
Aus ny svfh pfsy htf ky nuwkrF qwk hwQ mfry. cfry nuwkrF ivc Auh
KoqI vfly iswky qy muhrF sfbq pUrIaF iml geIaF.
‘dyK lY mfeI qyry inafixaf ny PUsI mfr ky myrI sfrI pUMjI svfh kr
idqI. ijQy syk nhIN igaf, AuQy ieh iswky bcy rih gey.`
‘cl puwq ro nf [[[ myry nfl cwl, mYN qyrf Gr pUrf kr idaFgI [[[.`
Auh mfqf dy nfl jf ky awDI pcwDI Cwt iswikaF dI Br ky vfps ipMz prq
afieaf qy QoVHy hI idnF ivc Ausny iek vwzI koTI Ausfr leI. Ègn vjoN
miTafeI dy zwby BrfvF dy GrIN phuMcf ky Aus ny AuhnF df DMnvfd kIqf.
‘imhrbfnI Brf jI! vIr jI! quhfzf bhuq bhuq ÈukrIaf! qusIN myrf
mkfn sfV ky myry qy bhuq vwzf pRAupkfr kIqf hY[[[nF qusI myrf koTf
sfVdy, nF mYN Aus dI svfh vyc ky eynI vwzI koTI Ausfr skdf[[[.`
 Aus dI gwl sux ky BrfvF dy mUMh awzy gey, Auh hwky bwky ho gey. AuhnF
rfqoN rfq afpxy afpxy mkfnF ƒ muafqy lf idwqy[[[qy agly idnIN svfh
zMgrf Auqy lwd ky vycx lY qury.
‘lY lAu[[[[bfeI jI suafh[[[[.`
‘lY lAu[[[sVy mkfnF dI vDIaf suvfh[[[.`
Auh bVIaF AumIdf lY ky vwK-vwK ipMzF ÈihrF vwl gey qy glI glI
hokf idMdy rhy.
‘lY lAu[[[vDIaf sVHy mkfnF dI KuÈbUdfr svfh.`
‘pfAu afpxy jxidaF dy isr[[[` lokF vwloN gflF dI buCfV qy keIN
QfeIN iCwqr pryz krf ky Auh aMqF dI AudfsI ivwc zuwby BuwKx-Bfxy vfps
muV afey. AuhnF ƒ iPr Aus nfl hor nÌrq qy jln pYdf ho geI. hux
Auh Aus ƒ jfno mfrn dy mnsUby bxfAux lwgy.
‘sfƒ bVI KuÈI hY[[[; sfzf iek Brf bVf amIr ho igaY[[[. asIN iesy
KuÈI ivc bVI vwzI pfrtI krFgy. dfrU, kuwkV qy hor sB Érc asIN
krFgy.` Aus ƒ Brmf ky, dfrU ipaf ky, mdhoÈ krky, bfhr AujfV ivc lY
gey. arD-hoÈ pMz diraf dy Auqy ryl dy pul Qwly ltkf ky bMnH afey ik
jd gwzI afeygI, rwsy vwZy jfxgy qy ieh izwg ky zuwb ky mr jfeygf.
Ausƒ vyK ky lfgy zMgr cfr rhy afjVI, zFgrI, crvfhy Ausdy kol
afey. Aus df hfl cfl puwCx lwgy. eyny c Aus dI surq prq cuwkI sI, Auh
sB kuJ smJ igaf sI.
‘BfeIE ieh myry sky Brf sn. mYƒ kihMdy ivafh krf. mYN nhIN mMndf.
qF hI ieh ieQy bMnH gey ny ik ijMnf icr qUM mMndf nhI, asIN qYƒ ieQy
ltkfeI rwKxf.`
‘lY! qy jy qUM ivafh nhIN, krfAuxf qF mYN krvf lYNdf hF, qUM bfhr af
jf.` iek CVy ny afpxy afp ƒ pyÈ kIqf. AuhnF Aus dIaF muÈkF KolH ky
CVy ƒ AuQy bMnH idqf. Auh CVy dy zMgr ByzF bkrIaF lY ky afpxy Gr
vfps muV afieaf, vyK ky Brf hor Audfs qy icMqfqur ho ky Aus dy Audfly
Jurmt pf bYTy.
 ‘E BilE loko qusF ÊlqI kIqI! mYƒ pul dy nyVy suwt idqf, ijQy pfxI
Gwt zUMGf sI. AuQy qF mYƒ isrP ieh ByzF bwkrIaF hI imlIaF. jy hor zUMGy
QF suwtdy qF mYƒ mwJF gfvF GoVy AUT iml jFdy. jd dUjI vyrF kdy, suwitaf
qF hor agyry zUMGy pfxI ivc suitE.` BrfvF ny iPr sYnqF hI sYnqF ivc
iek dUjy dy ichry pVHy.
‘cl sfƒ vI dws! asIN zUMGy pfxI ivcoN cMgf mfl lY ky afvFgy, asIN
vI qF qyry Brf hI hF. sfƒ vI smJf Ërf.` BrfvF ny Aus ƒ qrly kIqy.
mUMh muMnHyry Auh sfry Ausy pul qy phuMc gey.
‘aYQy sI aYQy! qUM ieQy Cfl mfr.` brsfqI pfxI dy qyË vhfa vwl
AuNgl krdy Aus ny afpxy iek BfeI ƒ iswKxf idqI. Aus ny kwpVy Auqfr
ky Cfl mfr idqI. qyË vhf Aus ƒ vhfeI jf irhf sI, Auh kdy Aupr af ky
hwQ ijhf mfrdf rOlf pFdf qy kdy goqy KFqf Qwly alop ho jFdf.
‘Eey jldI kro! Auh kihMdf jy, mYQoN eyny iËafdf AUT GoVy nhI ihwky
jfxy, qusIN sfry af jfE [[[.` Aus ny dUijaF ƒ hor Brmfieaf. AuhnF bfkI
dovF ny vI CflF mfr idqIaF qy sfry pfxI dI lpyt ivc roVHy pY gey. Auh
iPr hwsdf gfAuNdf, vMJlI vjfAuNdf afpxy Gr af igaf.`
‘QYNk XU sr. bhuq-bhuq DMnvfd pr sr! myry kys ivc qF ieh sB
kuJ iek pfsV hY, AuhI kr rhy ny, mYN qF afpxf bcfa hI kr irhf hF.
mYN iksy ƒ kurfhy nhI pf irhf, nf hI iksy ƒ gumrfh kr irhf hF. mYN
AuhnF ƒ kdy vI roVHn dI koiÈs nhIN kIqI.` pMnf jor dI hwisaf.
‘ruVH jfxgy[[[afpy ruVH jfxgy[[[afpy zuwb jfxgy[[.` kflIaf vI
iKViKVf ky hwisaf. dovF dy sFJy hfsy df Cxkftf sux ky siVHaf bilHaf
tnI nfQ aMdr dfKl hoieaf. aOV mfry Jony dy pfty Kyq vFg Aus dI Èkl
iqVkI peI sI.
‘pqf nhI ikMnI dyr bfhr KVf sB kuJ sux irhf hovy`. kflIaf sfhb
kuJ JyNp gey.
‘nmsqy jnfb.` Aus ny afAuNdy hI kflIaf sfihb qy pMny nfl hwQ
imlfieaf.
 ‘nmsqy svfmI jI. afE! quhfzI bVI vwzI Aumr hY, pMnf jI vI huxy
quhfzI hI qfrIÌ kr rhy sn [[[.`
‘hI [[[ hI[[[ asIN qfrIÌ dy kfibl ikwQy jnfb. pMnf isMG dy sfhmxy
qF asI pfskU vI nhI [[[. ieh qF bVf bhfdr qy hr idl ajIË hY. hI[[[
hI[[[ mYƒ vI huxy ies dIaF aMdrlIaF KUbIaF df pqf lwgf hY[[[.`
‘clo Èukr hY, dyr afey drusq afey[[[. pqf qF lwg igaf.
awj dÌqr myN sB kI sFJI mIitMg hogI. bfrF bjy ky iley sB ko bol
do [[[.`
‘cOkIdfr [[[! ikcn `coN BFzy KVkx dI afvfË sux ky kflIaf sfhb
ny afvfË mfrI.
‘hF jI Èfhb.` topI vflf BeIaf qOlIey nfl hwQ pUMJdf dOVdf
afieaf.
‘ary BeIaf ikMnI dyr ho gI, hmfry mihmfn afey bYTy hYN, qy qUM! nf
cfh nf pfxI! ikaf bfq hY dosq, khIN nrfË qo nhI ho gy hm sy?`
‘nhIN Èfhb! [[[ mYN nfÈqf iqafr kr rhf Qf.`
‘qo lfE! jldI[[[ qIn jgHf.`
‘nhIN sr [[[ mYN qo Kf ky afieaf hF.` dovF dIaF iekwTIaF afvfËF
afeIaF.
pMny ƒ kuJ acMBf ijhf hoieaf. awj tnI nfQ pRfAuNTy lY ky ikAuN nhIN
afieaf. pr ho skdY suwkf msflf dy idqf hovy. Auh mn ivc hI ËËb kr
igaf.
iqMnF ny iewkTf nfÈqf kIqf. kflIaf aMdroN, Dur aMdroN klvl ho irhf
sI, awj Ausny AuqrI qy dwKxI Druv dovyN iewkTy kr idqy sn. awgy rwb
ÉYr kry, Auh ÉuÈ sI.
‘awCf DMnvfd! eydF hI KuÈI-KuÈI rho. nÌrq qy kuwVqx ƒ iqlFjlI
idAu. iËMdgI bhuq CotI hY! clo! dÌqr clo. mYN Ërf Tihr ky afvFgf.`
AuhnF GVI vyKI, ajy awT hI qF vwjy sn.
 ‘awCf sr! DMnvfd.` dovyN hwQ joVdy bfhr inkl afey qy afpxy-afpxy
rsqy pY gey. QoVHI dUr agly moV qy pMny ƒ rItf df JAulf ipaf.
‘hYN! ieh ies vyly ikDr? eynI gYWt ap! eynf tOhr! mwQy qy ibMdI
lgfeI hoeI, isr qy pwÌ sjfieaf hoieaf, bfhIN gjry pfey hoey, ihwk qy
lfikt sjfey hoey[[[ eynI inwKrI jobnvMqI qy ÈYl ÈbIlI nfr!` pMny ƒ
afpxy afp qy bypRqIqI ijhI hoeI.
Aus df JAulf swcf ho AuWqiraf. rItf ny Jwkdy-Jwkdy sfeIkl Aus dy
awgy ilaf KVHf kIqf. pMnf afcMiBq hoieaf, rItf GbrfeI hoeI lgdI sI.
‘ikdF, aYs vyly ikDr?`
‘sfhb ny bulfieaf awT vjy[[[.` Auh msosHI jfpdI sI.
‘jfE [[[ koeI nf [[[ pr vyKIN! kfiem rhIN.` suwqy iswD pMny dy mUMhoN ieh
Èbd bol ho gey. ikMnI dyr pMny df mn ies nvIN AulJx ivc AulJdf
irhf. rItf dy mn ivc vI Èfied cMgy-cMgy, suMdr-suMdr lwgx dI
jigafsf pRbl ho geI sI.
afdq anusfr pihlF Aus df jIa kIqf ik Auh rItf df Kurf nwpy qy
kflIaf df BFzf PoVy, qy rMg ivc BMg pfvy, pr clo! afpF kI lYxf, aYvyN
KfhmKfh tMg aVf ky [[[, ieh qF mnmrËI df mylf hY`. Aus ny vyiKaf
suixaf sB kuJ ivsfr idqf. Aus ƒ BYmsf sI peI Auh kuVI lohy df Qx
hY, sOKy kfbU afAux vflI nhIN.
‘kflIey dI inhMgqf `qy pfkIËgI vI huxy jwg Ëfhr ho jU, iek awD
GMty ivc.` Auh vwKIaF ivc hwisaf.
kflj cOk `c phuMc ky, ijvyN srpt dOVdy GoVy dy awgy PnIar af
igaf hovy, skUtr iekdm iZwlf ho igaf. kriÌAU qF nhIN sI pr iPr vI
afvfjfeI ivrlI tfvIN hI sI. cOk ivc isvl lokF qoN iËafdf puils dI
BIV bVIaF cOksI nËrF nfl afAuNdy jFdy vfhn vwl GoK kr rhI sI. cOk
qoN dÌqr qwk df iek mIl df sÌr, sfrI sVk lfl pgVIaF qy KfKI
vrdIaF nfl rl gwz hoeI peI sI. dÌqr vwl dI sfrI tRYiPk Pokl
puafieMt dy rsqy moVI geI sI.
 ‘kI hoieaY srkfr jI!` hOslf iewkTf kr ky Aus ny iek qfry vfly
vrdI-DfrI ƒ puwiCaf.
Aus ny awKF cOVIaF krky hYrfnI ijhI mwQy `qy ilaFdy, pMny ƒ
piVHaf[[[.
‘kI kryNgf puwC ky! zfkf ipaY[[[, kql hoey ny luwtmfr hoeI hY.` Aus
df KrHvf ijhf AuWqr suxky hor awgy puwCx df Aus ivc hOslf nf irhf.
QoVHf awgy hor quiraf zrdf zrdf, ispfhI ny dUjI sVk vwl hwQ df
ieÈfrf kr idqf.
‘srkfr jI! mYN qF srkfrI afdmI qF [[[ ieDr myrf dÌqr hY [[[ mYN
ieDr hI jfxf hY [[[ AuDr nhI.` Aus ny jyb `coN afpxf pCfx pwqr kwZ ky
idKfieaf.
‘bc ky jfieE [[[ bqn isMG ƒ gwzI cVHfgy [[[.` ispfhI ny slUt
mfrdy jfxkfrI idqI.
‘hux qF mYN ËrUr jfvFgf! [[[ mYN ËrUr vyKFgf [[[ lokF ƒ mfrn vflf
afp ikdF mr skdf hY [[[.`
Aus ny skUtr qyË kIqf. KojI kuwqy rsqy ivc QF-QF hrl-hrl krdy
hr afAuNdy jFdy ƒ vyK ky lMmI Ëbfn kwZdy. Auh iekdm dihl igaf [[[
aYvyN ieh vfDU klyÈ shyV bYTf, iehnF df kI lYxf, aYvyN ipCy dOV ky BONkx
lwg jfx, lwq PV bYTx.` iewk kuwqf dOVdf afieaf qy Aus ipCy sMglI nfl
bwDf iek ispfhI vyK ky Aus ny bryk lgf idqI. kuwqy ny skUtr dy cfr
cuPyry GumyrI kwZI, pMny ƒ suMiGaf, iek imMt kuJ soicaf qy iPr isr Pyrdf
pry clf igaf.
awgy hwspqfl dy sfhmxy BIV BwVky vflf ielfkf awj ÉflI qy
byrOxkf sI. sfhmxy vflI glI muVdy vyK ky Aus ƒ ijvyN zr sI, iksy ny
nhIN roikaf. buwcVKfny dy mflk bqn isMG dI irhfieÈ gfh bVf ihrdy
vydn idRÈ! pyÈ kr rhI sI. Aus df lVkf, iek lVkI, GrvflI qy nfl
hI KulHy hwQIN bqn isMG dI lfÈ! ÉUn nfl lwQ-pwQ ivhVy dy PrÈ qy peI
sI[[[. mUMh Aus df pUrf KuwlHf hoieaf, dMd bfhr Jfkdy, awKF ijvyN Èrfb dI
mdhoÈ KumfrI, dovyN hwQ Aupr ƒ Kuwly spft, DV dy dovyN pfsy, ijvyN idKf
irhf hovy KflI hwQ [[[. aOh, Aus df iek hwQ, ies ivc kdy-kdy hiQafr
PVdf sI, inhfrdf sI, afpxy iÈkfr ƒ ivKf ky qrsFdf sI, qVPFdf sI,
qy dUjy hwQ nfl rIvflvr, bYNq, jF koeI zFg soty df vfr krdf sI, qy
kdy-kdy ivskI dy kwp iglfs[[[ awj kuJ vI nhIN sI [[[ nf hI Ausƒ
iehnF dI koeI qlb sI, nf hI qVPxf, nF hI qFG. asmfn ƒ isr
lgfAuNdI Aus dI pMj qfrf hotl jfpdI koTI asmfn vwl hI dyK rhI sI,
ijvyN eynf kuJ ho ky vI kuJ nf Gitaf hovy. Gr df koeI vI jIa nhIN
bicaf jo iehnF ƒ cuwk ky ikqy iljf sky. sMqrI qy pihrydfr ispfhI mUMh
qy rumfl rwK ky pihrf dy rhy sn.
‘bhuq mfVf hoieaY [[[ ieh ivcfrf [[[!` pMny dy mUMhoN hmdrdI dy bol
inkly.
‘cMgf hoieaf srdfrf [[[! pqf nhIN iehny hor ikMny ku Gr AujfVny
sI.` ispfhI ny pMny vwl GUrI ijhI vwtI. Auhny Aus nfl hor bihsx jF
KihbVx dI loV nf smJI qy iek zUMGf hAukf cfr mnuwKI jfnF dy ajfeIN
jfx krky Aus dy hlk coN Qwly lih igaf. cfr hMJU inkly qy gwlHF qwk
ltk gey.
pMny df dÌqr bqn isMG dy Gr dy nyVy hox krky sfrf hI ielfkf
svyr dy ptfikaF krky dihÈq ivwc zuwbf ipaf sI. hr glI dy moV qy hr
bMdy dy ichry `qy sihm ltk irhf sI.
‘ZyrF dy Zyr asly, kfrbfeInf qy stynF df mflk eyny ihÌfËqI amly
vflf aÌsr, afpxf afp nhI bcf sikaf qy jn sfDfrn ivakqI df kOx
rfKf [[[?` qrHF-qrHF dy sog iBwjy svfl lokF dIaF ËbfnF `qy sn.
ipCly keI idnF dI huMms qy GoV dOV qoN bfad awj df idn sBnF leI
bVf mhwqqf pUrn qy inrnYdfiek sI. vfps jfx lwgy kflIaf sfhb ny
afpxI PyrI dy idRÈtIgocr afpxI kfrj Xojnf dI GoÈxf krnI sI. ies
dÌqr dy Gutfly bfry afpxI itwpxI dwsxI sI. iksy ƒ cfrjÈIt imlxI
sI, iksy dI hor puwC pVqfl leI hukm hoxy sn, keIaF ƒ gvfhF dy rUp
ivc inrDfrq krnf sI [[[ keIaF ƒ gwPy imlxy sn, keIaF dy Kuwsxy sn.
keIaF dI bdlI hoxI sI, iksy dI qrwkI hoxI sI.
 ivq mMqrI ijvyN bwjt pyÈ krn smy sfrIaF PfeIlF lY ky sMsd Bvn
afAuNdf hY. iesy qrHF kwisaf qixaf, Biraf Brfieaf kflIaf do iqMn
atYcI kys smyq dÌqr dfKl hoieaf. Aus dy nfl ijly isMG qy nvF
ieMjInIar, moZy nfl moZf joV ky dÌqr dy hfl ivc qy iPr rfm lfl dy
kmry ivc jf bYTy. sfiraF ny AuWT ky kflIaf sfhb ƒ qF afdr siqkfr
kIqf, krnf hI sI, pr AuhnF dy nfl ijvyN nvyN bxy cmicaF ƒ vI AuhI
siqkfr imilaf, Aus nfl stfP dy keI mYNbrF ivc cuMJ-crcf hoeI.
AuhnF dI loV qoN vwD dKl aMdfËI aqy Auhnf pRqI kflIaf sfhb dI loV
qoN vwD nyVqf qy mwhqqf, dPqr ivc icMqf dI sUl bx ky cuwB geI. ijvyN
Auh Aus dy vwzy slfhkfr hox, PfeIlF kwZ ky kdy Aus dy awgy rwKdy, kMnF
`c kfnfPUsI krdy, kflIaf sfhb dsKq krI jFdy qy Auh imslF smytI
jFdy. cpVfsI pfxI dIaF iqMn boqlF qy iqMn glfs ilaf ky myË qy rwK
igaf.
tnI nfQ df ichrf BUqrI mwJ vFgU qixaf ipaf sI. eydF lgdf sI,
ijvyN Auh vI awj pUrI iqafrI krky afieaf hovy. dUlo rfm qy ipaflI rfm
ƒ Aus ny sYnq nfl afpxI sIt `qy bulfieaf qy hOlI ijhI kuJ AuhnF ƒ
hdfieq kIqI jF slfh puwCI. bYg ivcoN kwZ ky CotI ijhI typ rIkfrz myË
`qy rwK idqI.
‘jy PYslf myry Ault hoieaf [[[ qF afh vyK! mYN iehdI skIm dy pVHCy
ieQy hI hvf ivc PYlf dUM [[[, idwlI phuMcf dUM [[[.` qy dUsry Aus dI pfeydfr
qrkIb qoN kfiel ho ky, hF dI hwlfÈyrI dy rhy sn. rItf vI roË qoN Ault
mUMh ltkfeI bhuq hI kruxfmeI aMdfË ivc bYTI iksy supinaF ivc guMm
sI. Auh sihjy ijhy AuT ky pMny kol afeI qy afpxy mn df qOKlf pRgt
kIqf ijvyN sfhb nfl Aus dI rusvfeI isry nf cVHI hovy.
‘no! no[[[ icMqf nf kr. qyry qy rUl PfeIv nhIN lgf skdf [[[ mrnf
iesny? ijhVf afp kfxf hY Auh qyry `qy qF kI, iksy dy iKlfÌ vI aYkÈn
nhIN lY skdf.` pMny ny idlfsf dy ky Auhƒ vfps moV idqf.
 iek mfeI lgdI, acncyq JuMglmftf ijhf mfrI, hwQ c sotI PVI,
mMgiqaF vFg iek hor afdmI dy shfry bfhrlf drvfËf twp ky aMdr
dfKl ho geI, vyK ky sB qoN pihlF ijly isMG ny iswty dI gfl kwZ mfrI.
‘Èihr `c ikwdf kohrfm mwicaf ipaf [[[ qy ieh sfry ZkONsly-bfË,
ikwdf afzMbr bxfeI iPrdy ny, sfly hrfmI mMgqy [[[.` sotI TkordI-
TkordI Auh pihlF bfhr ivhVy qy Pyr hfl ivc JfqI mfr ky lMG ky rfm
lfl dy kmry `c jf dfKl hoeI, ijQy kflIaf ijly isMG rfm lfl qy cOQf
sfQI afpxf kMm bVf aMqr iDafn ho ky nbyV rhy sn.
‘muafP kro bfbf[[[.` kflIey dI afvfË sI.
‘nhIN Tihro [[[.` ijly isMG ny jyb `coN kwZ ky ds df not AuDr
vDfieaf. AuhnF not vyK ky isr Pyr idqf. isr df mVfsf lfh ky hwQ `c
PV ilaf [[[. kuwbI hoeI ieh buwZVI [[[ bVf cMgf AuWcf lMmF qkVf nOjvfn
bx igaf[[[. mfVI ijhI sotI [[[ bVf vwzf sfrf KUMzf bx ky KVikaf. dUjy
sfQI ny rIvflvr kwZ ky qfx ilaf.
‘hYNzË ap[[[.` iqMny iek dm hwQ KVy krky KVo gey. AuhnF dy awKF
awgy srHoN Pulx lwgI. ijvyN iek dm asmfnoN ibwj pY geI hovy.
‘rfm lfl! [[[.` psqOl- DfrI ny bVHk mfrI.
‘j[[[j[[[.` rfm lfl ƒ ijvyN qMdvf pY igaf hovy, Aus dI Ëbfn bMd ho
geI[[[.
‘hF jI srkfr! rfm lfl, hF iehI ny[[.` ijly isMG ny hOslf iewkTf
krky juafb idqf.
‘qy qUM [[[? AuhnF kflIey dy mwQy ƒ hiQafr Cuhfieaf.
‘jI sr! sr! mYN kflIaf [[[ mYN qF bfhroN afieaf hF [[[.`
‘awCf! qF qUM hYN kflIaf sfhb! [[[ smJ gey [[[.
[[[ qy kflIaf sfhb! asIN smfj suDfrk jQybMdI dy ispfhI hF. asIN
quhfzy sfry stfP nfl kuJ guPqgU, slfh mÈvrf krnf cfhuMdy hF.`
‘TIk sr! [[[.`
 ‘clo bfhr vwzy hfl ivc [[[.` ipsqOl Aus dI puVpVI qy rwK ky bfkI
iqMnF ƒ hwQ KVy krky bfhr afAuNdy vyK ky sfry stfÌ dy hwQF dy qoqy AuWz
gey. sB ny afpxy afp hwQ AuWpr cuwk ley.
‘sfry afpxI-afpxI QF `qy KVy ho jfE [[[ iksy ny ihwlx dI koiÈÈ
kIqI qF golI mfr idaFgf [[[.` sfry acfnk peI ies asmfnI ibpqf
nfl susrI vFg suMn ho gey.
‘suxo! kMn KolH ky suxo! [[[ sfry suxo afrfm nfl.
asIN kI hF, qusIN jfxdy hI ho [[[.`
sfry hOslf krky zrdy-zrdy cOkMny ho gey.
‘jdoN pRÈfsn afpxy krqv inBfAux qoN avyslf ho jfey, srkfrF
Ëulm awgy hiQafr suwt dyx. jd prjf df pflk prjf df KUn pIxf ÈurU
kr dyvy, Kyq dI vfV Kyq ƒ Kfx lwgy qF lok iksy hor ÊYbI ÈkqI dI loV
mihsUs krdy hn jo AuhnF ƒ ies sB kuJ qoN Cutkfrf idvf sky. ipCly
kuJ sflF ivc sfzy smfjk qfxy bfxy ivc ikMnf inGfr afieaf hY, qusIN
sB jfxdy ho. hr pfsy hr pwDr `qy iBRÈtfcfr df bolbflf. pMjfb dIaF
jvfnIaF kuJ niÈaF ny Kf leIaF, kuJ puils ny AuTf leIaF. skUlF
kfljF dy muMzy kuVIaF pCmI siBaqf dI mfr Qwly afpxf ivrsf Buwl gey,
pVHn dI QF nkl df shfrf, smYk dy syvn df ruJfn, srkfrI mÈInrI
ivc QF QF `qy pfVy sMnHF. kuVI mfr qy nVI mfr dndnf rhy ny kuVIaF dI
nPrI Gtf rhy ny. ies sB kuJ ny sfzy afriQk qy smfijk ivkfs ivwc
KVoq dI ipAuNd lgf idqI hY.
sfzy kuJ sfQI inwqry, iek smfj suDfr aYkÈn kmytI bxI[[[ ijhVI
Èrfb srkfr jF puls dy kfƒn bMd nhIN krf sky, Auh hux kMnF `c
pfAux leI qUMbf nhIN imldI. dfj dhyj dIaF keI sqfeIaF hoeIaF
lVkIaF ies jQybMdI ny bf-adb vsfeIaF. hotlF mhwlF ivc jMjF df
hoV! ieh vI roikaf sfzI jQybMdI ny. igafrF qoN vwD koeI jnyq nhIN
iljfeygf qy jy iljfeygf byrMg vfps afeygI brfq. ieh byloVI PjUl
KrcI vI qF klMk hY, sfzy smfjk mwQy `qy, ijhVI htI hY, hux kuJ kuJ,
qy bfkI ht jfeygI. quhfzy dÌqr bfry vI sfzy kol bhuq iÈkfieqF
puwjdIaF rhIaF ny, ies leI sfƒ quhfzy kol phuMc krnI peI. sfzf
asUl hY, asIN pihlF rfxI ƒ kihMdy hF afpxf awgf Zwk lY, ies ƒ sFB
lY, qy jy Auh mMn jFdI hY qF TIk, nhIN qF sfzI jQybMdI Aus ƒ soD idMdI
hY qF jo horF ƒ ies bfry kuJ nsIhq iml sky, agvfeI iml sky.
‘hF peI dUlo rfm! qUM dws! ipCly mhIny ikMny kfmy mËdUr BrqI
kIqy[[[?`
‘jI jI [[[ qIh [[[ nhIN nhIN [[[ pwcI! [[[ nhIN nhIN pYNqI[[[.`
‘myry vwzy bËurgo! TIk-TIk dwso [[[ Ërf iPr igxqI kr lE.`
‘pwcI jnfb [[[ nhIN nhIN [[[ pYNqI [[[.`
‘iehdf kI mqlb!`
KUMzf KVikaf.
‘jnfb bfhr qF pwcI rwKy ny qy rijstr ivc pYNqI [[[ hI [[[ hI [[[ hI
[[[. jy qusIN puwC hI ilaY qy quhfQoN kI lukfa? dfeIaF kolo pyt ikQy guwJf
rihMdf.`
‘ajy vI Êlq hY [[[ mYN dwsdf hF [[[ ieh qyrI pwkI bd-idafnqdfrI
hY, iehI qyrf ikrdfr hY. qUM srkfrI Kfqy qF pYNqI vrkr cVHfey, asl
ivc pMJI rwKy qy pYsy idqy aTfrF ƒ, bfkI swq ajy qwk qyry ipwCy roNdy
kurlFdy gyVy mfr rhy ny, [[[ qUM pwlf nI PVfAuNdf [[[ srkfr ƒ qF cUnf qUM
lfAuNdf hI hYN.`
‘swq aY jnfb swq bcn![[[ mYN sfry doÈ qslIm krdf hF qy muafPI
mMgdf hF.`
‘qy jfh bfhr, huxy AuhnF df ihsfb cukf ky af, aYh bfhr KVy ny
bfl bwcy lY ky qyrI jfn ƒ roNdy[[[.`
KUMzf KVikaf.
‘qy hF beI pMnf isMG! [[[ qUM isMGF nfl pMgf lY ky kI Kwt ilaf? [[[
qYƒ pqf! ieh bVI kuwqI kOm aY [[[ agly df Gr Gft qbfh kr idMdI aY
[[[?`
 ‘hF jI srkfr! mYƒ pqY [[[ pr mYƒ ieh vI pqY ik isMG iksy ibdoÈy
ƒ nfËfieË qMg pRyÈfn nhI krdy.`
‘TIk hY. ieh qF qUM cMgI pCfx kIqI, pr Aus idn qYƒ mOq qoN zr nf
lwgf [[[?`
‘scfeI Kfqr mrdy jo amr ho jFdy, mYƒ hws-hws PFsI gl pfx idE
dosqo [[[.
mrnf qF iek vfrI hI hY qy jy iksy cMgy nyk kfrj leI jfn kurbfn
ho jfey qF ies qoN suMdr mOq hor ikhVI ho skdI hY [[[.`
‘sfbfÈ! [[[ mYN qyry drÈn krn leI afieaf hF [[[ sfbfÈ [[[. qyry
ijhy inwzrF dI sfƒ vI loV hY [[[. pr bfhr qF qUM prAupkfr krdf
iPrdYN qy qyry afpxy dÌqr ivc qF siVHhFd Bry kIiVaF dI kurbl-
kurbl hoeI peI hY [[[ ies ƒ nhIN suDfr skdf? bol. jy qyry vws nhIN qF
asIN iqafr hF [[[. sfzy kol quhfzy dÌqr dI vI sfrI irport phuMc rhI
hY hr roË [[[ sfzy kol vI cOksI hY. ikMnI dyr qoN sfzI quhfzy dÌqr vwl
awK hY[[[.`
‘mYN koiÈÈ krFgf bfibE, qusIN mYƒ QoVHf smF idAu.`
KUMzf KVikaf.
‘qy bIbI rItf! [[[ qUM ikvyN ?
mYQoN CupfeIN nf, sfƒ vI jldI hY. pqf nhIN ikhVy vyly smyN dI srkfr
sfƒ af ky Gyrf pf lvy[[[.`
‘mYN qy TIk aF sr! [[[ mYƒ koeI iÈkfieq nhIN [[[.`
‘qUM ajy vI Cupf rhI hYN [[[ qUM Aus nfl afp geI sI, jF [[[ ?`
‘nhIN [[[ nhIN! jI jI ! [[[.` Auh Qr-Qr kMbx lwgI.
‘BeI dosq! suwK-pfl! ipafr krnf qoN zrnf ikaf. ipafr krnf
gunfh nhIN, ËbrdsqI krnf jurm hY [[[ ipafr ƒ DoKf dyxf pfp hY,
ipafr ƒ isry cVHfxf puMn hY [[[. bol [[[ ikvyN ierfdf?` hux KUMzy df
ieÈfrf ieMjInIar vwl sI.
‘bIbI qUM myry kMn ivc af ky dws dyh[[[.`
 ‘[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[`
bIbI af ky Aus dy kMn ivc Gusr musr krdI kdy muskrFdI hY kdy
roxhfkI ho jFdI hY.
‘TIk hY [[[ BfeI jI! hux qF gl ipaf Zol vjfAuxf pYxf hY [[[ qUM
iehƒ ikhf sI, cwl sYr krFgy, mOj krFgy qy bfad ivc ÈfdI krFgy [[[
hux jfE [[[ sfrI Aumr mOj kro [[[ ies nfl ivafh krf lY. cwl BfeI
bIbf. dws dyvIN afpxI mF ƒ. aYqvfr agly ieh igafrF brfqI nfl lY ky
afeygf [[[ ivafh rcfeygf [[[ cfh pfxI pIeygf [[[ qy qYƒ dulhn bxf ky
lY jfeygf [[[.`
‘mYƒ mnËUr hY jnfb [[[.` ieMjInIar ƒ hux kuJ hOslf ho igaf[[[.
nyVy hI Cutkfrf ho igaf sI.
‘iksy dI DI BYx ƒ CyVn dI qy qMg krn dI sËf sfzy gRMQ ivc qF
bhuq vwzI hY, kYpItl dMz hY [[[ cMgf kIqf qusIN, afpy sulh sPfeI nfl
mrËI nfl ivafh df ieh pRsqfv mnËUr kr ilaf [[[ vDfeI [[[.`
KUMzf KVikaf.
‘TIk aY [[[ TIk aY.`
‘tnI nfQ jI vI qF myry bVy dosq ny, bVy huiÈafr ny [[[ pr afpxy
sfry gux inkfry kMmF vwl lgf rhy ny, Zfh rhy ny bxfey hoey QMm. Cwz idE
ieh kMm [[[. ieh sfry advYq-vfd vfly avgux azMbr Cwz ky mflf Pyro.
aslI aMqr iDafn ho ky pRmfqmf dy nfm dI mflf Pyro.`
‘jo hukm srkfr! [[[ mYN qfibafdfr hF.`
‘mYN kI hukm kr skdf hF [[[ aOlfd, DIaF puwq, dunIaF ivc sB qoN
kImqI dfq hY pRBU dI [[[ qy qusI afpxy bwicaF ƒ CuzfAux vfly dy hI KUn
dy ipafsy ho gey [[[?`
‘ÊlqI hoeI hY bfibAu [[[ muafÌ kro [[[.` Auh kozf ho ky zMzfAuq
krn lwgf. DrqI qy nwk nfl lkIrF kwZx lwgf.
‘nhIN ies azMbr dI loV nhI [[[ snmfn idAu ies ƒ hws ky, mfnqf
idAu Aus dI kurbfnI vfsqy, afpxIaF BuwlF cuwkF muafP krfE [[[ qy iPr
aijhy kfrnfmy nf krn df hlÌnfmf lY ky kmrf nMbr 423! qy nfl
dsvMD!`
‘jI hËUr [[[ mnËUr aY [[[.`
‘hF BeI lfl sfhb! qYƒ pqY srkfr dy afdyÈ anusfr dPqrF ivc qy
pbilk QfvF `qy Èrfb isgrt nÈf afid mnfhI hY [[[?`
‘hF jI [[[ hF [[[.`
‘qy iPr quhfzy dÌqr ieh Èryafm cldf hY. [[[ qusIN dÌqr ƒ hI
hotl bxf rwiKaY [[[. jy kfrjkfrI hI kfƒn GVnI df soÈx krygI qF
pbilk df hI hfl [[[?`
‘nhIN jI nhIN. [[[ aijhI kuqfhI iPr nhIN huMdI [[[.`
mYN sfry sfQIaF ƒ smJf idaFgf.`
‘clo peI ijly isMG kol cwlIey [[[ jIhny ikMnf sfrf lwkV pwQr bwjrI
luwk sImyNt qy bhuq sfrf hfrz vyar Kf Cwizaf. srkfr ƒ lwKF df rgVf
lgfieaf, kroVF rupY hVwp kr ley. bol peI bol! [[[ ieh afp qF gMdf hY
hI sI. ies dÌqr ƒ vI gMdf kr idqf.` bVy ieksfr lihjy ivc bfby ny
hF dI AuzIk kIqI.
‘mYN iekbfl krdf hF bfbf jI! [[[ afpxy sfry ielËfmF df[[[.` hor
slok suxn qoN pihlF hI Ausny eIn mMn leI.
‘KfE [[[ pr iksy df hwk nf KfE . quhfzy Kfx nfl hor iksy iDr df
nuksfn nf hovy.
qy ies df jurmfnf [[[ bfibaF df dsvMD [[[?`
‘mYN hfËr hF [[[ jnfb! jo hukm[[[.`
‘TIk aY kwlH kmrf nMbr 423 [[[.`
‘TIk aY hËUr [[[ mYN afp hfËr ho ky quhfzy drÈn krFgf [[[.`
KUMzf KVikaf.
‘ÈfmU [[[ afE jI! ÈfmU Èfh jI [[[ bVy vwzy Èfh jI ho ky aijhy Coty
nIc kMm krdy E [[[ afpy hI dwso kI qfvfn lfeIey [[[.`
 ‘lfE myry pRBU jI jo mrËI lfAu [[[.` ÈfmU hwQ joV ky awgy ho igaf.
‘ds hËfr rupY rfmo ƒ idE [[[ Aus dy pYrIN hwQ lfE [[[ BYx jI kho
[[[ Aus qoN muafÌI nfmF mnËUr krfky nfl ds hËfr bfibaF dI Byt lY ky
kmrf nMbr 423[[[.`
KUMzf KVikaf.
‘qy dosqo[[[ asIN koeI ËbrdsqI nhIN krdy qy nf hI awj mYN quhfzy
`qy koeI PYslf Toisaf hY. qusIN afp hI ies bxI BrI smUihk iekwqrqf
ivc gunfhF df iekbfl kIqf hY [[[ PYsilaF ƒ kbUilaf hY, mMinaf hY qy
smrQn idqf hY. quhfzf DMnvfd! pr Xfd rwKxf, jy iehnF qoN iksy ny
munkr hoxf hY qF huxy dws dyvo[[[.`
‘nhI jnfb! sB TIk hY [[[.` keI iekwTIaF afvfËF afeIaF.
‘qy jy bfad ivc iksy ny ies dI hukm adUlI krn dI koiÈÈ kIqI qF
sfzI jQybMdI dy numfieMdy ies dI, sUh rwKxgy, pYrvfeI krngy, ipCy
afAuxgy [[[ Xfd rwKxf.`
KUMzf KVikaf.
iPr Aus leI sfzy kol dUsrf XMqr vI hY.` Aus ny zwb vwl hwQ iljFdy
ieÈfrf kIqf.
‘nhIN bfbf jI! quhfƒ ieh XMqr vrqx dI loV nhIN pvygI.`
‘qy hF! mYN Buwl hI igaf, qyrI vwzI krfmfq! svfmI jI[[[!
Aus ÈIlf dI ikdF bIqI iPr! afÈk sfihb!`
‘jI jI. nhIN jnfb.` svfmI iPr zgmgf igaf.
‘aYdF nhI, swpÈt sfP-sfP bolo [[[swco swc.`
‘hI jI sr! mYN hI iek bjr KnfmI kIqI sI. mYN hI gunfhgfr hF [[[
mYƒ muafPI dy idE [[[.` Auh mok mfrn lwgf.
‘Aus dy Gr jfAu, Buwl bKÈfE [[[ muafPI mMgo[[[ vIh hËfr rupY nkd
dy ky afE [[[ awgy qoN ivafh ÈfdI gmI mOky AuhnF dI qn mn Dn nfl
mdd kro[[[. buDvfr ies sB kuJ df hlÌnfmf qy mfÌInfmf! ilKfE.
Auhnf ƒ nfl lY ky ardfs krfE [[[ kmrf nMbr 423 [[[.`
 ‘bhuq ibhqr jnfb!` Auh kMn PVI AUTk bYTk krI jf irhf sI.
KUMzf KVikaf.
‘qy kflIaf sfhb!`
‘hF jI jnfb!` kflIaf jI hwQ joV awgy afey.
‘qusIN vI kMnIaF JfV idE[[[ vMz idE ÊrIbF ƒ vfDU mfl [[[KolH idAu
trMkF dy bUhy bfrIaF.`
‘DMnvfd sr! [[[ jo hukm EdF hI hovygf[[[.`
kflIaf vI kMnF ƒ PV bYTf. Aus dy goizaF ƒ hwQ lgfAux lwgf. mYN
quhfzf aMdrUnI qOr `qy mÈkUr hF, bhuq kfiel hF ik qusF myry bhuq hI
guMJldfr msly hwl kr idqy ny, ijhnF vfsqy pqf nhIN mYƒ ikMnIaF ku
ienkuafrIaF krfAuxIaF pYxIaF sn, dÌqr dI CFgf CFgI krnI pYxI sI.
quhfzy ies KUMzy ny jfdU df kMm kIqf hY. [[[bhuq-bhuq DMnvfd[[[.`
‘qy jy qusIN ies KUMzy dy kfiel ho qF lY lE, ies ƒ sFBo [[[ ieh
quhfzy sfry msly hwl kr dyvygf [[[.
ivgVy iqgVy df zMzf pIr, lfqoN ky BUq bfqoN sy nhI mfnqy.`
kflIaf sfhb ny llcfeI nËrF nfl AuDr dyiKaf.
‘hF [[[ hF, mYN TIk kihMdf hF [[[ lE, lY lE [[[ ieh KUMzf!`
kflIaf sfihb ny awgy ho ky bVI aDIngI nfl nIvyN ho ky KUMzf dovF
hwQF nfl PV ilaf qy mwQy ƒ Cuhfieaf.
‘mYN iehI KUMzf sfhb pMnf isMG ƒ Byt krdf hF [[[ hux ieh pMny dy hI
kMm afeygf[[[.`
pMny ny awgy ho ky bVy adb nfl KUMzf PiVaf, isr `qy itkfieaf qy
cfr cuPyry Gumfieaf.
‘DMnvfd bfibE. bhuq-bhuq DMnvfd.`
FFF