Adhoori Mohabbat

 

Chapter 1 — Judaai Ka Pehla Dukh

Shaam ke chhay baje the. Peshawar ki ek choti si cafe mein Fahad aur Areeba ek kone wali table par baithe the. Areeba ke haath mein chai ka cup tha, lekin uski nigahein bahar girti hui barish ko dekh rahi thin. Fahad usay ghour se dekh raha tha, jaise usne aaj tak kisi larki ko itna khoobsurat na dekha ho.

Areeba ne achanak mud kar uski taraf dekha aur muskura kar boli, "Kya dekh rahe ho?"

Fahad bhi muskura diya aur bola, "Apni zindagi ki sab se khoobsurat tasveer dekh raha hoon."

Areeba sharma kar nigahein jhuka kar chai ki chuski lene lagi. Fahad ne haath barha kar uski taraf kiya, aur usne Areeba ka haath apne haathon mein le liya. Areeba ne koi mukhalifat nahi ki, kyunki woh janti thi ke Fahad ke haath mein usay ek ajeeb sa sukoon milta hai. Unki mohabbat Peshawar ke ek aam college se shuru hui thi, magar aaj woh ek aisi manzil par thi jahan se wapas lautna mushkil tha.

"Fahad, tumhare ghar walon ko humari baat ka pata chal gaya hai na?" Areeba ne dheeme se poocha.

Fahad ka chehra utar gaya. Usne Areeba ka haath thora sa daba kar kaha, "Haan, kal raat meri ammi ne mujhe bulaya tha. Unhein humari dosti ke baare mein kisi ne bata diya hai."

"Dosti?" Areeba ne talkh muskura kar kaha, "Fahad, hum dono jante hain ke yeh sirf dosti nahi hai. Hum ek doosre se mohabbat karte hain. Main tumhare baghair ek din nahi reh sakti."

Fahad ne gehri saans li. Usay andaza tha ke aage kya hone wala hai, magar woh Areeba ko himmat dena chahta tha. "Main janta hoon Areeba. Aur maine ammi ko saaf saaf bata diya hai ke main tumse shadi karna chahta hoon. Tumhare siwa kisi aur larki se nahi. Bhale mujhe ghar chhor dena parh jaye."

Areeba ki aankhon mein aansu aa gaye. Woh janti thi ke Fahad ka khandan Peshawar ke sab se ameer gharon mein se ek hai. Fahad ke walid ek bare karobari hain. Aur Areeba ka baap ek choti si kapron ki dukan chalata hai. Dono khandanon mein zameen aasman ka farq tha.

"Aur ammi ne kya kaha?" Areeba ne kaanpti awaz mein poocha.

Fahad kuch dair khamosh raha. Uske chehre par ek ajeeb si bechaini thi. "Ammi ne sakht mukhalifat ki hai. Abbu toh ghussay mein aag bagola hain. Woh kehte hain ke main apne khandan ki izzat mitti mein mila raha hoon. Kehte hain ke main apne baron ka naam doobaa raha hoon."

Areeba ka haath kaanpne laga. Usne Fahad ka haath chura liya aur apne dono haathon mein chai ka cup pakar liya. "Fahad, shayad humein yeh rishta chhor dena chahiye. Main tumhari zindagi kharab nahi karna chahti. Main tumhein apne khandan se door nahi kar sakti."

Fahad ne table par zor se haath mara. Cafe mein baithe kuch logon ne hairat se unki taraf dekha. "Areeba, tum kya keh rahi ho? Kya tum mujhse pyar nahi karti? Kya humari mohabbat itni kamzor hai ke tum itni asani se haar maan rahi ho?"

Areeba ki aankhon se aansu bahe ja rahe the. "Main tumse jaan se zyada mohabbat karti hoon Fahad, isi liye keh rahi hoon ke tum mujhe bhool jao. Tumhari maa tumse bohot pyar karti hain. Main tumhare aur tumhari maa ke darmiyan kabhi nahi aaungi."

Fahad ne apni kursi peeche ki aur Areeba ke paas wali kursi par aa kar baith gaya. Usne uske kandhon ko pakar kar usay apni taraf ghuma. "Areeba, suno meri baat. Main tumhein kisi haal mein nahi chhorunga. Main Abbu aur Ammi ko mana lunga. Unhein samjha dunga ke tum kitni achi ho. Main unhein bataunga ke main tumhare baghair nahi reh sakta."

Areeba ne uski aankhon mein dekha. Un aankhon mein jhoot nahi tha. Un aankhon mein sirf sachi mohabbat thi. Magar Areeba ke dil mein yeh baat ghar kar rahi thi ke Fahad ke ghar walay nahi manenge. Areeba ne apne aansu ponchhe aur dheere se kaha, "Theek hai Fahad. Main tumhare sath hoon. Chahe jo bhi ho jaye."

Agle din Areeba apne ghar pahunchi toh uski maa ne bataya ke kuch mehman aaye hain. Areeba jab andar gayi toh dekha ke Fahad ki walida, Begum Sahiba, unke ghar baithe hain. Begum Sahiba ke chehre par ghuroor tha. Areeba ka baap, jo ek sharmile aur shareef insaan the, Begum Sahiba ke saamne haath bandhe khare the.

Begum Sahiba ne Areeba ko dekha toh unke chehre par ek nafrat bhari muskurahat aayi. "Toh yeh hai Areeba?"

Areeba ne salam kiya, lekin Begum Sahiba ne koi jawab nahi diya. Woh Areeba ke baap ki taraf mudi aur boli, "Mian, yeh shadi ki baat bilkul nahi ho sakti. Aap ki beti ne mere bete ko apne jaal mein phansa liya hai. Mera beta itna bara naam hai, aur aapki beti... aap khud jante hain ke aap kya hain. Aapki auqaat kya hai."

Areeba ka baap kuch nahi bola, bas uski aankhon se aansu behte rahe. Usne apni beti ki khushi ke liye apni izzat qurban kar di, magar woh zaleel honay se khud ko rok nahi paya.

Areeba ne aage barh kar kaha, "Begum Sahiba, main aapse sirf yeh kehna chahti hoon ke Fahad se meri sachi mohabbat hai. Main uski daulat ki bhookhi nahi hoon."

Begum Sahiba ne ghussay se kaha, "Yeh jhoot hai. Tum aur tumhara baap sirf paisa chahte ho. Main apne bete ki zindagi tabah nahi hone dungi."

Itne mein Areeba ka baap aage aaye aur unhon ne Areeba ko peeche kar diya. Unki awaz bhari hui thi magar unmein ek ghairat thi. "Begum Sahiba, main aapko poora yaqeen dilata hoon ke meri beti kabhi aapke ghar ki taraf aankh utha kar bhi nahi dekhegi. Main aaj hi uski shadi kisi aur se tay karunga. Aap apne bete ko samjha lein ke woh mere ghar ka rasta bhool jaye."

Areeba ne hairat se apne baap ki taraf dekha. "Abbu, aap kya keh rahe hain? Main Fahad se shadi karna chahti hoon!"

Begum Sahiba ko yeh sun kar sukoon mila. Woh khari hui aur boli, "Yeh behtar hai aapke liye aur aapki beti ke liye." Woh apna dupatta theek karti hui ghar se chal di gayin.

Begum Sahiba ke jaane ke baad Areeba ro ro kar apne baap se lipat gayi. "Abbu, aapne aisa kyun kaha? Main uski mohabbat ke baghair mar jaungi."

Areeba ke baap ne uske sar par haath rakha aur kaanpti awaz mein bole, "Beti, izzat se barh kar kuch nahi hota. In logon ne aaj humein zaleel kar ke humari izzat chheen li hai. Ab main kabhi tumhein us ghar mein nahi bhejunga. Salman ek shareef larka hai, uske ghar walay humari izzat karenge. Woh tumhein izzat dega."

Areeba ki duniya ujar gayi. Usay samajh nahi aa raha tha ke woh kya kare. Usne Fahad ko phone kiya, lekin Fahad ka phone band tha. Woh apne kamre mein band ho gayi aur khud ko itna roya ke uski aankhein sooj gayin.

Usay nahi pata tha ke Fahad us waqt apne ghar mein apne walid ke saath behas kar raha tha. Fahad ke walid ne usay dhamki di thi ke agar usne Areeba se shadi ki toh woh usay jaydad se mahroom kar denge. Fahad ne ghussay mein kaha, "Mujhe aapki jaydad nahi chahiye. Mujhe sirf Areeba chahiye."

Fahad ki ammi ne ro ro kar kaha, "Fahad, agar tumne us larki se shadi ki toh main tumhara chehra dekhne ko tars jaungi. Tum mujhe kho doge. Kya tum apni maa ko is boorhay pan mein akela chhor doge?"

Fahad apni maa ki baaton mein aa gaya. Usay samajh nahi aa raha tha ke woh kya kare. Areeba ko bachane ke liye usay apni maa ko chhorna parh raha tha, aur maa ke paas rehne ke liye usay Areeba ko. Yeh faisla bohot mushkil tha, aur usay lag raha tha jaise uski saans ruk rahi hai.

Aadhi raat ko Fahad ne Areeba ko message kiya, "Areeba, main tumse kal milna chahta hoon. Kisi bhi haal mein aana."

Agle din dono ek purane park mein mile. Areeba ne rote hue Fahad ko apne baap ka faisla sunaya. Fahad ka chehra safaid pad gaya. Usne Areeba ka haath pakara aur kaha, "Areeba, main tumhein kisi aur ka nahi hone dunga. Main apni maa ko mana lunga, bhale hi mujhe ghar chhorna parh jaye."

Areeba ne uski aankhon mein dekha aur kaha, "Fahad, main tumhari maa aur tumhare baap ke darmiyan nahi aana chahti. Tumhari maa tumse bohot pyar karti hain. Main tumhein unse door nahi kar sakti. Main apni qismat se shadi kar lungi, magar tumhein apne ghar walon se door nahi karungi."

Fahad rota hua apni zindagi ki sab se badi mohabbat se alvida keh raha tha. Usay pata tha ke Areeba sahi keh rahi hai, lekin uske dil ko kisi tarah sukoon nahi mil raha tha. Yeh dukh usay andar se kha raha tha.

Dono ne ek doosre ko aakhri baar gale lagaya. Areeba ki saansain ruk rahi thin. Fahad ne Areeba ke kaan mein kaha, "Main tumhein hamesha yaad rakhunga, Areeba."

Areeba boli, "Aur main tumhein, Fahad. Khuda hafiz."

Yeh unki pehli aur aakhri mulaqat thi. Areeba agli hafte Salman se shadi karne wali thi, aur Fahad apni mohabbat ko hamesha ke liye dil mein dafan kar ke sheher chhor raha tha.

Chapter 2 — Adhoora Rishta, Nayi Zindagi

Areeba ki shadi ki rasmein bohot saadgi se adaa hui. Ghar mein koi khushiyan nahi thin, sirf Areeba ki maa ke rone ki awaz sunai de rahi thi. Areeba ne laal jora pehna tha, magar uske chehre par koi rang nahi tha. Woh aaine mein khud ko dekh rahi thi aur usay apna chehra kisi murday jaisa lag raha tha. Uske dil mein sirf Fahad ka chehra tha, aur uski aankhon mein sirf aansu the.

Salman ek shareef, seedha aur sada insaan tha. Usne apni taraf se koi shor sharaba nahi kiya tha. Barri ki rasmein bhi khud usne bohot saadgi se nibhayi thin. Jab rukhsati ka waqt aaya, toh Areeba ki maa ne usay seenay se lagaya aur phoot kar royi.

"Areeba meri bachi, apna khayal rakhna. Allah tumhein khushiyan de."

Areeba ne apni maa ke aansu ponchhe aur apne baap ke qadmon mein gir gayi. Uske baap ne uske sar par haath rakha aur bina kuch bole bas dua di. Unki aankhon mein ek ajeeb sa dukh tha, jo unhone apni beti ki izzat bachane ke liye chupaya hua tha. Areeba apne baap ki majboori samajh rahi thi, is liye usne koi shikayat nahi ki.

Salman ke saath gaari mein baith kar jab woh naye ghar ki taraf ja rahi thi, toh uski nigahein sadak ke kinare khare darakhton par thin. Usay lag raha tha jaise woh apni zindagi, apni mohabbat, aur apna sab kuch peeche chhor aayi hai.

Salman ka ghar ek aam se mohalle mein tha. Ghar bara nahi tha, magar saaf aur pur-sukoon tha. Salman ne gaari roki aur Areeba ke liye darwaza khola.

"Areeba, ghar aa gaye. Andar chalain."

Areeba ne dheere se qadam barhaye aur ghar ke andar qadam rakha. Ghar ki saari khawateen usay dekhne ke liye ikathi thin. Unhon ne usay bohot pyar se welcome kiya. Areeba ne sab ko salam kiya aur chup chap ek kone mein baith gayi. Salman ki walida, jo ek bohot narm dil khawateen thin, unhon ne Areeba ko dekh kar kaha, "Ghabrao mat beti, ab yeh tumhara ghar hai."

Areeba ne bas haan mein sar hila diya, magar uske andar ek dar tha.

Raat ka waqt aaya. Areeba apne kamre mein akeli baithi thi. Kamre ko phoolon aur roshni se sajaya gaya tha, magar Areeba ka dil weeran tha. Woh apne haathon ko dekh rahi thi aur Fahad ke saath guzre hue lamhon ko yaad kar ke dheere dheere rone lagi. Usay samajh nahi aa raha tha ke woh is naye rishtay ke saath insaaf kaise karegi. Uska dil uske saath nahi tha.

Tabhi darwaza khula aur Salman andar aaya. Areeba ne foran apne aansu ponchhe aur chadar mein apna chehra chhupa liya. Salman ne dheere se qadam barhaye aur uske qareeb aaya. Usne dekha ke Areeba kaanp rahi hai.

Salman ne koi zyadti nahi ki. Woh dheere se bed ke kinare baithe hue ek kursi par baith gaya. Kamre mein ajeeb si khamoshi thi. Areeba ko laga ke ab woh uske qareeb aayega, magar Salman ne waisa kuch nahi kiya.

Salman ne ek gehra saans liya aur kaha, "Areeba, main janta hoon ke yeh shadi tumhari marzi se nahi hui hai. Aur main yeh bhi janta hoon ke tum kisi aur se mohabbat karti ho."

Areeba ne kaanpti awaz mein chadar se bahar jhaanka. Usay hairat hui ke Salman ko kaise pata chala. Usne kuch nahi kaha.

Salman ne dheere se kaha, "Tumhein kisi cheez ka dar nahi hona chahiye. Main tumhari izzat karta hoon. Agar tum kisi ke saath khush nahi ho sakti, toh main tumhein majboor nahi karunga. Main tumhein waqt dunga. Jab tak tum khud tayyar na ho, main tumhare liye sirf ek dost aur ek khayal rakhne wala insaan rahunga."

Areeba ne chadar se apna chehra bahar nikala aur Salman ko dekha. Uski aankhon mein lalach, ghussa ya hawas nahi thi. Un aankhon mein sirf ek shanti aur izzat thi. Areeba ki aankhon se aansu behne lage.

"Salman, mujhe maaf kar do. Main tumhare saath insaaf nahi kar paungi. Mera dil kisi aur ka hai."

Salman ne dheere se muskura kar kaha, "Main janta hoon Areeba. Is mein tumhari koi ghalti nahi hai. Mohabbat kisi ke kehne se nahi hoti. Tum bas meri izzat ka khayal rakhna, main tumhari khushi ka khayal rakhunga. Ab so jao, bohat thakan hai tumhein."

Yeh keh kar Salman kamre se bahar chala gaya aur darwaza band kar diya. Areeba bed par akeli baithi rahi. Usay yaqeen nahi aa raha tha ke jis rishtay se woh itna darti thi, woh itna asaan aur shareef nikla. Usay apne baap ki baat yaad aayi, "Salman shareef larka hai, woh tumhein izzat dega." Aaj Areeba ko us baat ka yaqeen ho gaya tha.

Kuch din aise hi guzar gaye. Areeba apne ghar ke kaam kaj mein lag gayi. Woh subah jaldi uthti, nasta tayyar karti aur ghar ki safai karti. Salman subah office jata aur shaam ko wapas aata. Woh Areeba se hamesha narmi se baat karta. Areeba ke liye market se cheezein le kar aata. Aksar woh Areeba ke liye woh cheezein le kar aata jo usay pasand thin.

Ek din Areeba apne kamre ki safai kar rahi thi ke usay Fahad ka diya hua ek purana gift mila. Woh ek choti si diary thi jo Fahad ne usay college ke aakhri din di thi. Areeba ne diary kholi. Us mein Fahad ki likhawat thi. "Areeba, tum meri zindagi ki sab se khoobsurat cheez ho. Main tumse hamesha mohabbat karunga."

Areeba ki aankhon se aansu behne lage. Usne diary ko seenay se lagaya aur bed par let kar phoot kar rone lagi. Tabhi darwaza khula aur Salman andar aaya. Usne Areeba ko rote hue dekha. Salman kuch der tak darwazay par khara raha. Phir woh dheere se andar aaya aur usne Areeba ko kuch nahi kaha. Woh uske paas aaya, uske sar par dheere se haath rakha aur ek glass pani uski taraf barha diya.

"Pani pi lo Areeba, gala sookh jayega."

Areeba ne pani ka glass pakra aur usne Salman ki taraf dekha. Usne diary foran apne takiye ke neechay chhupa di. Salman ne uski laali churane ki koshish nahi ki. Woh bas wahan kursi par baith gaya.

"Salman, kya tumhein mujh se nafrat nahi hoti? Main tumhari biwi hoon, magar aaj bhi kisi aur ke baare mein sochti hoon." Areeba ne rote hue kaha.

Salman ne ek lambi saans li. "Areeba, nafrat karna asaan hota hai, magar samajhna mushkil. Main tumhare jazbaat samajhta hoon. Tumhein zabardasti badalne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Main bas yeh chahta hoon ke tum khush raho. Agar tumhein apni yaadein sambhalni hain, toh sambhalo. Main tumhein nahi rokoonga."

Yeh keh kar Salman utha aur usne apna haath barha kar uski peeth thap thapayi. "Ab aankhein ponchho aur neechay aao. Maa ne khana lagaya hai. Sab tumhara intezaar kar rahe hain."

Salman bahar chala gaya. Areeba kuch der wahan baithe rahi. Usay samajh nahi aa raha tha ke woh itna acha insaan kaise hai. Usne apne aansu ponchhe aur apna dupatta theek kiya. Woh neechay khane ki mez par pahunchi toh sab log uske aane ka intezaar kar rahe the. Salman ne usay apne paas baithaya aur uski plate mein khana dala.

Is din Areeba ko ehsaas hua ke mohabbat sirf khoobsurat lafzon se nahi hoti, kabhi kabhi mohabbat kisi ki khamosh aur bezarar nigahon mein bhi hoti hai. Usay Fahad se door honay ka dukh toh tha, magar Salman ki izzat aur samajh ne usay ek naya sahara de diya tha.

Usay khabar mili ke Fahad sheher chhor kar kisi doosre mulk chala gaya hai. Yeh sun kar Areeba ka dil bhar aaya, magar usne khud ko sambhal liya. Usne dil mein Fahad ke liye dua ki. Usay yaqeen tha ke Fahad apni zindagi mein khush hoga. Aur woh khud ab Salman ki biwi thi, aur usay apni nayi zindagi ke saath insaaf karna tha.

Chapter 3 — Qismat Ka Ajeeb Khel

Paanch saal ka waqt bohot tezi se guzar gaya. Waqt apni raftaar se chalta rehta hai, chahe insaan ki zindagi mein dukh ho ya sukoon. Areeba ab Salman ki wafadar biwi thi, aur log uski misaal dete the ke ek biwi apne shohar ki kitni khidmat kar sakti hai. Magar Areeba ke dil ke kisi kone mein Fahad ki yaadein aaj bhi zinda thin. Woh un yaadon ko sambhaal kar rakhi hui thi, jaise koi qeemti cheez apne seenay se laga kar rakhta hai.

Salman ke saath guzray paanch saal bohot pur-sukoon the. Salman ne hamesha uska khayal rakha. Usne kabhi Areeba ko uski marzi ke khilaf kisi cheez par majboor nahi kiya. Areeba ne bhi apne ghar aur rishton ki izzat ka poora khayal rakha. Woh Salman ko ek achay dost ki tarah maanti thi. Woh dono ek sath baith kar chai peete, aam zindagi ki baaton par hanste, aur Salman ki walida ki khushi ka khayal rakhte. Areeba ke liye ab Salman ki walida uski apni maa jaisi thin.

Mager qismat ko kisi aur hi baat ka faisla manzoor tha. 

Is saal ki sardiyon mein achanak Salman ki tabiyat kharab hona shuru hui. Pehle usay halki khansi hui, phir bukhar reh reh kar aata raha. Areeba ne usay bohot aaram kiya, usay garam pani aur khansi ki dawai di, magar Salman ki tabiyat din ba din kharab hoti chali gayi. Uska chehra peela padne laga aur woh bohot kamzor ho gaya. Ek din jab Salman office jane ki tayyari kar raha tha, toh usay chakar aa gaye aur woh kamre ke farsh par gir gaye.

Areeba ne cheekh marte hue usay sambhala. "Salman! Salman utho! Kya hua tumhein?" 

Salman ki walida bhi wahan aayin aur darwaze par dekh kar kaanpne lagin. Areeba ne foran ambulance bulwayi aur usay hospital le kar gayi. 

Hospital ke emergency ward mein doctor ne Salman ka check-up kiya aur kuch khoon ke tests likhwaye. Areeba aur Salman ki walida bohot pareshan the. Ghanton tak woh wahan intezaar karte rahe. Shaam ko doctor ne Areeba ko apne cabin mein bulaya. 

Areeba ka dil zor zor se dharak raha tha. Woh doctor ke samne kursi par baithi. Doctor ke chehre par ajeeb si sanjeedgi thi. 

"Doctor sahab, Salman ko kya hua hai? Woh achanak kyun gir gaye?" Areeba ne kaanpti awaz mein poocha.

Doctor sahab ne lambe saans li aur apne samne rakhi reports ki taraf dekhne lage. "Areeba bibi, aap himmat se kaam lein. Aap ke shohar ke phephron mein ek rasoli hai. Aur yeh rasoli ab phail chuki hai. Unhein aakhri stage ka cancer hai."

Areeba ke sar se pairo tak khoon sookh gaya. Usay lag raha tha jaise kisi ne uske dil par ek bara pathar rakh diya ho. Uske kaanon mein bas doctor ki awaz goonj rahi thi. Cancer. Yeh lafz sun kar uski duniya ujar gayi. 

"Doctor sahab, aap kya keh rahe hain? Unhein koi bimari nahi thi. Woh bilkul theek the. Kya koi ilaaj nahi hai? Kitna waqt hai unke paas?" Areeba ki awaz bhari hui thi.

Doctor ne dheere se kaha, "Aap unhein kisi tarah himmat dein. Unki himmat aap hi se hai. Hum dawaiyan shuru kar rahe hain, magar sach yeh hai ke unka bachna mushkil hai. Hum bas unke dard ko kam kar sakte hain."

Areeba cabin se bahar nikli toh uske aansu ruk hi nahi rahe the. Woh hospital ke corridor mein ek deewar ke sahare baith gayi. Usay yaad aaya ke kaise 5 saal pehle Salman ne usay apne ghar mein panah di thi. Usne kabhi usay mehsoos nahi hone diya ke usay apna dil kisi aur ke paas diya hua hai. Usne usay ek izzat wali zindagi di, usay sab kuch diya. Aur aaj jab waqt aaya ke Areeba usay kuch wapas de, toh woh bebas thi. Usay Salman se mohabbat toh nahi thi, magar uske liye ek gehri izzat, ek apnayat aur ek bhai/baap jaisi mohabbat zaroor ho gayi thi.

Areeba ne apne aansu ponchhe. Usne apne dil mein thaan liya ke ab woh Salman ko akela nahi chhoregi. Woh uski aakhri sans tak uski khidmat karegi. 

Woh ward mein wapas aayi. Salman bed par lethe hue the aur woh jag chuke the. Salman ki walida unke sar par haath pher rahi thin. Salman ne Areeba ko rote hue dekha toh usne dheere se apna haath barhaya. Areeba ne foran apna haath uske haath mein de diya aur bed ke kinare baith gayi.

"Salman, aap pareshan mat hon. Doctor ne kaha hai ke yeh koi bara masla nahi hai. Aap theek ho jayenge. Main hoon na aapke sath." Areeba ne apne aansu chupate hue kaha.

Salman ne Areeba ki aankhon mein dekha. Usay sach pata tha. Doctor ne Salman ko pehle hi report dikha di thi. Woh janta tha ke uske paas zyada waqt nahi hai. Usne Areeba ke aansu ponchhe aur dheere se muskura kar kaha, "Areeba, mujhe pata hai. Tum jhoot bol rahi ho. Main theek nahi hone wala. Magar tum meri fikar mat karo. Main toh chala jaunga, tumhara kya hoga?"

Areeba ki saans ruk gayi. Usne foran Salman ke honton par haath rakha. "Aap aisa mat bolein Salman! Main aapko is bimari se bacha kar rahungi. Main aapse koi door nahi jaungi. Aap bas meri taraf dekhein aur himmat rakhein."

Salman ne dheere se kaha, "Areeba, maine tumhein hamesha khush dekhna chaha tha. Magar main yeh nahi chahta ke tum apni sari zindagi mere dard mein guzar do. Tumhari zindagi abhi baqi hai."

Areeba ne uske haath ko apne seenay se lagaya. "Aap meri zindagi hain Salman. Aap ne mujhe woh izzat di hai jo shayad meri apni qismat ne bhi nahi di thi. Ab aap bas meri baat maanein aur apna ilaaj karwayein. Main aapke sath hoon."

Agle dinon mein Salman ka ilaaj shuru ho gaya. Areeba din raat hospital mein uske paas rehti. Woh Salman ko khud khana khilati, usay apne haathon se dawai deti, aur jab Salman ko dard hota toh woh dheere se uske sar par haath pher kar usay sambhalati.

Salman ko dheere dheere ehsaas hone laga ke Areeba ab uski sirf ek farz shanas biwi nahi, balke uski sab se bari sahara ban chuki hai. Areeba ne apni neendein qurban kar di thin. Uske chehre ki raunaq ud gayi thi, magar uske hausle aaj bhi buland the.

Ek raat jab Salman ko dard bohot tha, Areeba ne doctor ko bulaya. Doctor ne dawai di aur Salman kuch der baad so gaye. Areeba uske paas baithi thi. Usne apne dil mein dua ki. "Ya Allah, agar Salman ki zindagi mein koi khushi baqi hai, toh usay shifa de. Main usay kho nahi sakti." Usne rote hue apne Rab se iltija ki.

Tabhi achanak Salman ki saans phoolne lagi aur uski machine ne beep bajana shuru kar diya. Areeba ghabra gayi. Usne doctor ko awaz di. Nurse aur doctor daudte hue aaye. Areeba ko bahar nikalne ko kaha gaya. Woh corridor mein khari kaanpti rahi. Usay Fahad ki yaad aayi. Usay yaad aaya ke jab woh Fahad se door hui thi tab bhi kitni bebas thi. Aaj phir uski duniya ujar rahi thi. 

Der tak doctor andar the. Areeba ne apna sar deewar par rakh kar royi. Usay samajh nahi aa raha tha ke woh kya kare. Usay lag raha tha ke ab Salman bhi usay chhor kar chala jayega. 

Aadhe ghante baad doctor ne darwaza khola. Doctor ke chehre par paseena tha. Salman ki halat abhi bhi naazuk thi. Doctor ne Areeba ko bataya ke unhein oxygen par rakha gaya hai. Woh abhi khatray se bahar nahi hain. 

Areeba bed ke paas gayi. Salman ki aankhein band thin. Areeba ne dheere se uski peshani choomi. "Salman, aap bas theek ho jayen. Main ab kuch nahi chahti. Main aapki hifazat karna chahti hoon."

Hospital ke bahar subah ki roushni phail rahi thi, magar Areeba ki duniya mein aaj phir andhera tha. Usay yaqeen tha ke Salman jald hi theek ho jayega, magar qismat ka ajeeb khel usay ek aur imtihan ki taraf le jaa raha tha.

Chapter 4 — Purani Yaadein, Naya Dukh

Teen din guzar chuke the. Salman abhi bhi ICU mein the aur unki halat naazuk thi. Areeba teen raat se hospital ke bahar wali kursi par baithi hui thi. Usne na theek se khaya tha aur na hi soya tha. Uske chehre ki raunaq khatam ho chuki thi aur aankhon ke neechay gehre haleqay ban gaye the. Salman ki walida ko ghar bhej diya gaya tha kyunki unki tabiyat bhi girne lag gayi thi. Ab Areeba akeli hospital mein Salman ka sahara bani hui thi.

Us din subah doctor ne Areeba ko bataya ke Salman ko dawaiyan lag rahi hain, magar unhein behad zaroorat hai achi dekh bhaal aur himmat ki. Areeba ne apne aansu ponchhe aur Allah ka shukar ada kiya ke Salman abhi zinda hai. 

Dopahar ke waqt Areeba ko bhook lag rahi thi. Woh hospital ke cafeteria mein gayi taake apne liye ek cup chai aur kuch khane ko le sake. Cafeteria mein zyada rush nahi tha. Areeba counter par gayi aur ek cup chai aur ek biscuit ka packet lene ko kaha. 

Woh apna order le kar ek kone wali table ki taraf mudi hi thi ke achanak uski takkar ek shakhs se ho gayi. Areeba ke haath se chai ka cup choot gaya aur garam chai uske kurte par gir gayi.

"Sorry! Mujhe maaf kijiye, maine dhyan nahi diya," us shakhs ne foran kaha.

Areeba ne apne kapron ko theek kiya aur jab usne sar utha kar us shakhs ko dekha, toh uski saans ruk gayi. 

Samen Fahad khara tha. Paanch saal baad. Fahad bhi wahan pathar ban kar khara tha. Usne Areeba ko dekha aur uski aankhon mein hairat, dukh aur ek ajeeb si bechaini ubhar aayi.

"Areeba?" Fahad ne kaanpti awaz mein kaha.

Areeba ke haath kaanpne lage. Usay laga jaise zameen uske pairon ke neechay se khisak gayi ho. Paanch saal ki judaai, paanch saal ka dard, aur aaj yeh achanak mulaqat. Woh kuch nahi bol payi. Sirf uski aankhon se aansu behne lage. 

"Fahad... tum? Tum kab aaye?" Areeba ne aakhir kaar khud ko sambhalte hue kaha. Usne foran apne chehre par haath phera taake Fahad uske aansu na dekh sake.

Fahad ne aage barh kar uski chai uthane mein madad ki. Uska chehra bhi utra hua tha. "Main do maheene pehle sheher wapas aaya hoon. Meri walida ki tabiyat kharab thi, is liye main unhein yahan dawai ke liye le kar aaya tha. Lekin tum... tum yahan kyun ho? Kya tum theek ho?"

Areeba ki aankhein bhar aayin. Usne dheere se kaha, "Salman yahan bharti hain. Unhein cancer hai. Unki halat bohot kharab hai."

Fahad ke chehre par shadeed dukh ke aasaar numayan huye. Woh janta tha Salman kaun hai. Usay yaad aaya ke kaise Areeba ne apne baap ki izzat bachane ke liye us se shadi ki thi. Woh kuch der khamosh raha. Phir usne dheere se kaha, "Areeba, main bohot sharminda hoon. Mujhe nahi pata tha ke tumhare saath aisa ho raha hai. Main tumhari koi madad kar sakta hoon?"

Areeba ne foran inkar kar diya. "Nahi Fahad, main kisi ki madad nahi chahti. Main Salman ki biwi hoon aur main unki khidmat khud karungi."

Fahad ne uski aankhon mein dekha aur ek gehra saans liya. Usne kaha, "Areeba, maine paanch saal tumhare baghair guzar diye. Jab main yahan se gaya tha, toh maine socha tha ke waqt sab kuch theek kar dega. Magar aisa nahi hua. Maine shadi nahi ki. Main aaj bhi akela hoon."

Areeba ne hairat se uski taraf dekha. Uske dil par ek aur chot lagi. Fahad ne aage kaha, "Main tumhein bhoolane ki bohot koshish ki, magar main na kar saka. Aaj jab maine tumhein yahan dekha hai, toh mujhe ehsaas hua ke main aaj bhi tumse utni hi mohabbat karta hoon."

Areeba ki aankhon se aansu ruk hi nahi rahe the. Woh janti thi ke Fahad sach keh raha hai. Usay bhi Fahad se wohi mohabbat thi, magar ab uski zindagi ka rasta badal chuka tha. Woh Salman ki biwi thi, aur Salman ki wafadar thi. 

"Fahad, ab is baat ka koi faida nahi. Main Salman ki biwi hoon aur mujhe unke saath insaaf karna hai. Main unhein is mushkil waqt mein akela nahi chhor sakti. Meri zindagi ab unke naam ho chuki hai."

Fahad ka chehra utar gaya. Usay ehsaas tha ke Areeba apne farz par kaayam hai. Woh apni table se utha aur Areeba ke paas aaya. Usne apne bag se ek cheque nikala aur uski taraf barha diya.

"Areeba, main janta hoon ke tum meri madad nahi chahti. Magar main ek dost ki tarah keh raha hoon. Salman ka ilaaj bohot mehnga hoga. Main unki koi madad karna chahta hoon. Is mein koi ahsaan nahi hai. Main sirf yeh chahta hoon ke tumhein kisi pareshani ka samna na karna pade."

Areeba ne cheque ki taraf dekha. Woh paanch saal se apni izzat aur khudari se jeenay ki aadi thi. Usne apna sar uthaya aur Fahad ki aankhon mein dekha. "Fahad, tum bohot ache ho. Magar main yeh paise nahi le sakti. Salman ki izzat meri izzat hai. Agar maine unki bimari mein tumse paise liye, toh woh khud ko kaise dekhenge? Main unki biwi hoon, main unka har dukh apne sar par uthaungi."

Fahad ne woh cheque wapas apni jeb mein rakha. Usay Areeba ki zidd par ghussa nahi aaya, balke uski izzat aur bhi barh gayi. Woh janta tha ke jis larki se woh mohabbat karta hai, woh apne usoolon par kaayam hai. 

Areeba chai ka naya cup le kar wapas Salman ke ward ki taraf mudi. Fahad bhi uske peeche peeche chal diya. "Areeba, main tumhare saath chalta hoon. Main Salman ko dekhna chahta hoon."

Areeba ne kuch nahi kaha. Woh dono khamoshi se corridor se guzarne lage. Fahad ne ICU ke bahar khare hokar Salman ko dekha. Salman oxygen par the aur unka chehra peela pad gaya tha. Fahad ka dil bhar aaya. Usne Areeba ki taraf dekha jo ICU ki khirki se apne shohar ko dekh rahi thi. Us aankhon mein ek gehri fikar thi. 

Fahad ne apni jeb se rumaal nikala aur Areeba ki taraf barha diya. "Areeba, tum bohot thak chuki ho. Tum ghar jao, main yahan rukta hoon. Main doctor se baat karunga. Jab tum wapas aao, main chala jaunga."

Areeba ne inkar kiya. "Nahi Fahad, main unhein akela nahi chhor sakti."

Fahad ne dheere se kaha, "Theek hai. Phir tum yahan baith jao. Main tumhare liye thora khana lene jata hoon. Tum teen din se kuch kha nahi rahi ho."

Areeba kuch kehna chahti thi magar Fahad wahan se chal diya. Kuch dair baad woh sandwich aur juice le kar wapas aaya. Usne woh cheezein Areeba ke haath mein thama di. "Yeh kha lo Areeba. Salman ko tumhari zaroorat hai. Agar tum bimar parh gayi, toh unka khayal kaun rakhega?"

Areeba ki aankhon se aansu behne lage. Usne dheere se sandwich pakra. Fahad uske paas wali kursi par baith gaya. Uska dil chahta tha ke woh Areeba ko apni bahon mein le kar uske saare dukh baant le, magar woh janta tha ke Areeba ab kisi aur ki amanat hai. 

"Fahad, tum bohot ache ho. Magar mujhe ab apni zindagi mein kisi ahsaan ki aadat nahi hai." Areeba ne dheere se kaha.

Fahad ne kuch jawab nahi diya. Woh bas uske paas baith kar khamosh raha. Usay pata tha ke Areeba ka dil ab bhi uske liye dharakta hai, magar uski majboori usay us se door kar rahi hai.

Kuch dair baad doctor wahan aaye. Unhon ne bataya ke Salman ki tabiyat mein thora sa izafa hua hai aur unhein ICU se general ward mein shift kiya ja raha hai. Areeba ne Allah ka shukar ada kiya aur Fahad ne bhi rahat ka saans liya. 

Jab Salman ko general ward mein shift kiya gaya, toh Areeba unke paas gayi. Fahad darwaze par khara tha. Usne dekha ke Areeba Salman ke sar par haath pher rahi thi aur unhein pani pila rahi thi. Usay apni jagah par Areeba ka khayal aaya. Woh janta tha ke Areeba jis insaan ke saath reh rahi hai, woh usay bohot izzat deti hai. 

Fahad ne apne dil mein socha, "Areeba, tum sach mein bohot badnaseeb ho. Tumhein ek insaan se sachi mohabbat mili, magar qismat ne usay tumse juda kar diya. Aur main? Main tumse mohabbat karta hoon, magar tum kisi aur ki ho."

Fahad wahan se chala gaya. Woh janta tha ke Areeba ko abhi apne shohar ki zaroorat hai. Usay apne jazbaat ko dabana tha. Usne hospital ke bahar khare hokar aasman ki taraf dekha aur apne dil mein dua ki, "Ya Allah, Salman ko shifa de. Agar yeh unke liye behtar hai, toh unhein zindagi de."

Woh apni gaari ki taraf barh gaya. Magar woh janta tha ke ab woh har roz hospital aayega. Woh Areeba ko is mushkil mein akela nahi chhor sakta. Woh ab apni mohabbat ko farz mein badal kar Areeba ka sahara banega.

Chapter 5 — Adhoori Mohabbat

Agle do hafte Salman ki zindagi aur maut ke darmiyan ek lambi jung jari rahi. Areeba ne apni saari neendein aur aaram uske qadmon mein luta diye. Woh din raat Salman ke sarahanay baithi rehti. Uske haath se khana khilati, usay apne haathon se pani pilati, aur jab Salman ko shadeed dard hota toh woh apne aansu chupate hue uske sar par haath pherti rehti. 

Fahad roz hospital aata. Woh kisi ko bataye baghair Areeba ke liye khana le kar aata aur chup chaap uske paas rakha kar chala jata. Woh janta tha ke Areeba us se koi madad nahi maangegi, is liye woh chupke se aisi intezamat karta jo Areeba ko mehsoos bhi na ho. Fahad ne hospital ke staff ko khaas hidayat de rakhi thi ke Salman ka poora khayal rakha jaye, aur Areeba ko kisi cheez ki kami na hone di jaye. 

Salman ki halat din ba din kharab hoti ja rahi thi. Doctor ne saaf keh diya tha ke ab koi dawa kaam nahi karegi. Ab sirf unka dard kam kiya ja sakta hai. Salman ko khud apni maut ka yaqeen ho chuka tha. Ek din jab Areeba uske paas baithi uske haath sehla rahi thi, toh Salman ne dheere se apni aankhein kholi.

"Areeba..." Salman ki awaz bohot kamzor thi, jaise kisi door se aa rahi ho.

Areeba foran uske qareeb hui aur usne Salman ka haath apne haathon mein le liya. "Haan Salman, main yahan hoon. Kya keh rahe hain aap?"

Salman ne ek lambi saans li aur uski aankhon mein dekha. Uski aankhon mein ek ajeeb sa sukoon tha. "Areeba, main janta hoon ke mera waqt aa gaya hai. Main tumhein akela chhor kar ja raha hoon."

Areeba ki aankhon se aansu bahe ja rahe the. Usne Salman ke honton par haath rakha aur kaha, "Aap aisa mat bolein. Main aapko nahi jaane dungi. Aap meri zindagi hain, main aapke baghair kaise rahungi?"

Salman ne dheere se muskura kar kaha, "Areeba, paanch saal pehle jab tum mere ghar aayi thi, toh tumhari aankhon mein sirf ek darr tha. Ek dukh tha. Main janta tha ke tum kisi aur se mohabbat karti ho. Magar maine tumhein kabhi us baat ka ehsaas nahi hone diya kyunki main tumhari izzat karta tha. Aaj bhi karta hoon."

Areeba ka gala bhar aaya. "Aap ne mujhe woh izzat di hai jo shayad meri apni qismat ne bhi nahi di thi. Main aapki zindagi bhar ahsaan mand rahungi."

Salman ki aankhon se ek aansu beh gaya. "Areeba, maine tumhein kabhi apni biwi ki tarah nahi dekha, maine hamesha tumhein ek amanat ki tarah dekha hai. Aur ab jab main ja raha hoon, toh main chahta hoon ke tum khush raho. Main jaanta hoon Fahad aaj bhi tumse mohabbat karta hai. Main usay roz yahan aate dekhta hoon. Usne tumhare liye itna kuch kiya hai."

Areeba ne kaanpti awaz mein kaha, "Salman, aap aisa mat bolein. Main ab kisi aur ki nahi ho sakti. Main aapki biwi hoon aur hamesha rahungi. Aap ke baad main kisi aur ke saath nahi rahungi."

Salman ne dheere se kaha, "Areeba, agar maine tumhare liye koi haq jata rakha hai, toh main tumhein aakhri baar keh raha hoon ke apni zindagi ko Fahad ke sath basao. Usay kho mat do. Woh tumse sachi mohabbat karta hai. Mujhe khushi hogi ke tum Fahad ke sath khush ho."

Areeba ro ro kar uske seenay se lipat gayi. Usay yaqeen nahi aa raha tha ke Salman marne se pehle bhi uski khushi ke baare mein soch raha tha. "Salman, mujhe maaf kar do. Main tumhari biwi hoon, main tumhare siwa kisi aur ki nahi ho sakti."

Salman ne apni aakhri saans li. Usne Areeba ke sar par haath pher kar kaha, "Meri choti si bachi, hamesha khush rehna. Khuda hafiz."

Yeh keh kar Salman ki aankhein hamesha ke liye band ho gayin. Uske haath se Areeba ka haath choot gaya. Areeba ne usay hila kar dekha, magar Salman ab wahan nahi the. Woh us duniya se rukhsat ho chuke the. 

Areeba ki cheekh pooray hospital mein goonj gayi. Woh Salman ke seenay par gir kar phoot phoot kar rone lagi. Uske rone ki awaz sun kar hospital ke bahar khare Fahad ka dil bhi toot gaya. Woh daudta hua andar aaya aur usne dekha ke Areeba apne shohar ke murda jism se lipat kar ro rahi hai. Fahad ke aankhon se bhi aansu bahe ja rahe the. Usne dheere se Areeba ke kandhe par haath rakha aur usay uthane ki koshish ki, magar Areeba kisi tarah usay chhor nahi rahi thi. 

Salman ki tadfeen ke baad Areeba ki zindagi ek ajeeb se khamoshi ka shikaar ho gayi. Woh Salman ke ghar mein akeli rehne lagi. Usne apna sara waqt Salman ki walida ki khidmat aur apne kaam mein lagana shuru kar diya. Usne apne dil mein Salman ki yaadon ko ek alag maqam de diya. Woh apne aap ko Salman ki bewa (widow) keh kar bulwati aur uski izzat karti.

Chhay maheenay guzar gaye. Fahad ab bhi usi sheher mein tha. Woh Areeba se milne aata, magar Areeba hamesha us se door bhagti. Areeba janti thi ke Fahad us se mohabbat karta hai, magar usay lagta tha ke Salman ki wafat ke baad usay kisi aur ke baare mein sochna bhi Salman ki izzat ke khilaf hai. Usay apne aap par sharam aati thi ke Salman ke marne ke baad usay ek aur shakhs ke baare mein sochna chahiye.

Ek din Fahad Areeba ke ghar aaya. Woh Areeba ke samne baith gaya aur Areeba ki aankhon mein dekha. Usne dheere se kaha, "Areeba, main janta hoon ke Salman ke jaane ke baad tumhari zindagi mein bohot bara khala hai. Main tumhein woh khala nahi bhar sakta, magar main tumhare sath rehna chahta hoon. Main aaj bhi tumse utni hi mohabbat karta hoon jitni paanch saal pehle karta tha. Kya tum mujhse shadi karogi?"

Areeba ne uski aankhon mein dekha. Usay Salman ki aakhri baat yaad aayi ke woh Fahad ke sath khush ho jaye. Magar uske dil ne jawab diya. Woh kaanpti awaz mein boli, "Fahad, main tumhari mohabbat ki qadar karti hoon. Magar main ab shadi nahi kar sakti. Meri zindagi ab Salman ki yaadon aur unki izzat ke naam ho chuki hai. Main Salman ki bewa hoon. Main unki khidmat karna chahti hoon aur unki yaad mein apni zindagi guzarna chahti hoon."

Fahad ne kuch der uski taraf dekha. Usay koi ghussa nahi aaya. Usne dheere se apna sar jhuka liya. "Areeba, main tumhari izzat karta hoon. Agar tumhara faisla yahi hai, toh main tumhein kabhi majboor nahi karunga. Main hamesha tumhare liye dua karunga ke tum khush raho."

Areeba ki aankhon se aansu behne lage. "Fahad, tum bohot ache ho. Main tumhein hamesha apne dil mein rakhoongi."

Fahad utha aur usne Areeba ke sar par dheere se haath rakha. Usne apni jeb se ek chota sa gift nikala aur uski taraf barha diya. "Yeh maine tumhare liye liya tha. Ise rakh lo, yeh meri yaad hogi."

Areeba ne gift liya aur usne Fahad ko aakhri baar dekha. Fahad ghar se bahar chala gaya. Areeba darwaze par khari usay jaate hue dekhti rahi. Usay samajh nahi aa raha tha ke woh khush honi chahiye ya dukhi. Usne apna darwaza band kiya aur Salman ki tasveer ke paas gayi. Usne us tasveer ko dekha aur dheere se boli, "Salman, maine apna wada nibha diya. Main aapki izzat par koi aanch nahi aane di. Aap jahan bhi hain, khush rahein."

Uske baad Areeba ne apna sara waqt Salman ki yaad mein guzarna shuru kar diya. Woh Fahad ke diye hue gift ko sambhal kar rakhti thi, magar usne kabhi usay khola nahi. Usay pata tha ke us gift mein Fahad ki mohabbat hai, magar ab uski mohabbat ka haq daar sirf Salman tha. Usne apne dil mein Fahad ke liye dua ki aur apni zindagi Salman ki yaadon ke sath guzarne lagi.

Adhoori mohabbat hamesha adhoori hi rehti hai. Kabhi waqt use mukammal nahi kar pata. Areeba aur Fahad ki mohabbat bhi adhoori reh gayi. Magar ek baat zaroor thi, Salman ki mohabbat aur uski izzat ne Areeba ko ek nayi zindagi di thi. Areeba ne apni zindagi mein ek sabaq seekha tha ke mohabbat sirf panay ka naam nahi hota, kabhi kabhi mohabbat tyaag dene aur doosron ki khushi ke liye jee lene ka naam bhi hota hai.

Areeba apne kamre ki khirki se bahar dekhti thi. Aasman par badal chhay hue the aur halki halki barish ho rahi thi. Usay Fahad ki yaad aayi, usay Salman ki yaad aayi. Usne apne aansu ponchhe aur apni izzat aur wafadari ke sath apni zindagi ke safar par chal di.

The End