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mYN apxy kmry ivwc bYTI ibwt-ibwt Gr ivwc afey Bucfl ƒ vyK rhI sI. mF ny bfAU jI mUhry rotI rwK idwqI. bfAU jI ny plyt prHF clf ky mfrI, ''Eey[[[ BYx[[[ co[[[ qYƒ rotI ilafAux ƒ kIhny ikhY?`` ''qusIN rotI qF Kf lvo[[[ svyr df kuJ vI nhIN KfDf`` mF Pyr vfsqf pfAux lwg peI. bfAU jI ny mF dy mUMh `qy cpyV kwZ mfrI. lwkI ny af ky nÈy ivwc Duwq bfAU jI ƒ rokx dI koiÈÈ kIqI, ''bfAU jI, cwlo[[[ cwl ky aMdr pvo.`` ''Eey kuwØiqaf[[[! Eey hux ieh bnyiraF `qy lftU kfhdy vfsqy ltkfey ny[[[sfilaf! lfh iehnF ƒ[[[ mYN kihnF lfh suwt iehnF ƒ! Eey BYx[[[ co. [[[ hux eys Gry kIhny ZuwkxYN? dwso mYƒ ? [[[ kIhny ZuwkxYN, eys Gry ?`` DVMm krky bfAU jI Pyr kursI `qy izwg pey.

hr pfsy gflHF qy rox dIaF avfËF[[[ imMtoN imMtIN bnyiraF qy ruwKF qoN DrUh ky roÈnI guwl kr idwqI. sfrI rOxk ikDry guafc geI. Gr ivwc msfnF vrgI cuwp vrq geI. irÈqydfr mihË qmfÈbIn lwg rhy sI qy mYN Qr-Qr kMb rhI sI[[[ sihmI ijhI[[[ sfh kwZx qoN vI zrdI. awj myrf vjUd ijvyN arQhIx ho igaf[[[ kcry dy Zyr vFg. myry aMdr KfihÈ pYdf hoeI[[[ awj ieh ËmIn Pt jfvy[[[mYƒ ingl jfvy. socdI sI, mF afvygI. [[[ nmr afvygI. [[[ mYƒ gl nfl lfAuxgy. [[[ mYN rwj ky roAuNgI[[[, BubF mfr-mfr ky roAuNgI pr sfry myry vwl nÌrq nfl qwkdy hn. [[[ ijvyN mYƒ kohV hoieaf hovy.

tYlIPon dI irMg vwj rhI sI. koeI nhIN cuwk irhY. irMg qy irMg vwjdI rhI. [[[ ijvyN sogI ijhI rfq ivwc koeI suMJ pfVvIN cIK mfrdf hovy. mYQoN brdfÈq nhIN ho rhI. mYN lwqF GVIsdI lObI ivwc af geI. Pon cuwikaf, ''hYlo``! ''hYlo koml.`` awgoN cyqnf dI CxkdI afvfË suxfeI idwqI, ''koml, qYƒ bhuq-bhuq mubfrkF! [[[ mYƒ kfrz phuMc igaf[[[ pr vYrI sOrI Xfr[[[ myrf kMpnI vwloN mdrfs df tUr hY[[[ ËrUrI mIitMg leI jfxf pvygf. mYN idwlI vfips Gr af ky quhfƒ dohF ƒ ienvfeIt krFgI. awCf dws. Auh ikho ijhf aY? [[[kI krdY ? [[[ qUM qF apxy Èihr ivwc hI lwB ilaf[[[ lv mYirj hY ik aryNjz ?`` myry ichry `qy qrylI af geI. lwqF kMb rhIaF sn. ''cyqnf, jdoN imlFgy[[[ Pyr sfrI gwl dwsFgI.`` ''nhIN huxy dws[[[ mYƒ bhuq krIEstI aY.`` 'drasl cyqnf Gr bhuq gYst afey hoey ny[[[ Èor bhuq hY[[[ qyrI avfË vI TIk nhIN sux rhI[[[ mYN qYƒ afp hI Pon krFgI[[[ E ky.`` mYN Jwt dyxy hwQØoN Pon ptk idwqf, ijvyN krMt lwg igaf hovy[[[ mYƒ aMdr qFeI keI Jtky lwgy.

''kIhdf Pon sI?`` nmr dIdI ny myry vwl GUr ky puwiCaf. mYN ipwT Buaf ky ikhf, ''cyqnf df``. nmr jfxdI sI, mYN qy cyqnf ny bI.tYWk iekwiTaF kIqI sI. cyqnf ny agFh idwlI qoN aYm[bI[ ey[ kr leI. idwlI hI sYtl ho geI. awjklH Auh mltInYÈnl kMpnI ivwc kOrporyt mYnyjr sI[[[ qy mYN[[[ mYN qF Gr qwk hI sImq rih geI. nmr dIdI dy ivafh ipwCoN hI Gr dy myry leI cMgy KfndfnI vr dI qlfÈ krn lwg pey. agFh pVHxf cfhuMdI sI[[[ pr nhIN[[[ ÈihroN bfhr asIN Byj nhIN skdy. bI[ tYWk dI aYzimÈn vyly vI ieho Èrq sI. jy sIt lokl kflj ivwc iml geI qF TIk hY[[[ pr asIN bfhr nhIN Byjxf. myry cMgy krm sI jo lokl ieMjInIirMg kflj ivwc aYzimÈn iml geI[[[ nhIN qF nmr vFg mYƒ vI CyqI ivafh ky qor idMdy.

vwzI BUaf dI avfË mYƒ sux rhI sI. ''bIr. qUM rotI Kf lY[[[ dws ikMny ku idn nf KfeyNgf ? hux jo hoxf sI, Auh qF ho igaY.`` bfAU jI Pyr gflHF kwZx lwg pey. lwzUaF vflf tokrf cwuk ky lObI ivwc Ault idwqf. lwkI qy mF lwzU iekwTy kr-kr ky tokry ivwc pf rhy sn. mYN apxy kmry ivwc iKlHry kwpVy smyt rhI sI. ÈgnF vflI lfl cuMnI hwQ af geI[[[ Ausqy jVHy isqfry hux myrIaF awKF ƒ cuBdy sn[[[ ieh isqfry[[[ mYN apxy hwQIN lfey[[[ Èfied myry ihwsy ivwc nhIN sn. myry qF ihwØsy dy suÌny vI hMJUaF nfl hOlI-hOlI iqlk ky ikDry guafc gey. mYN qF ijvyN apxy afp qoN ivCV geI.

mYN lwkI ƒ avfË idwqI. ''vIry mYƒ koeI nINd dI golI dy dy``. Ausny golIaF df pUrf pwqf hI myry vwl vgfh mfiraf. mYN iekwTIaF hI do golIaF Pwk leIaF. myrf nfVI qMqr susq huMdf jf irhf sI[[[ nIm byhoÈI Cf geI[[[ iksy hnHyry ivwc guafcdI jf rhI sI. iewk avfË hfly vI myrf ipwCf nhIN sI Cwz rhI[[[ gUMj rhI sI myry afly duafly[[[ hux kIhnyN ZuwkxY eys Gry ? [[[ hux kIhny[[[ ? mYƒ ijvyN icKf qy rwK idwqf hovy[[[ mwc rhI sI mYN. ijhVf nyVy afAuNdf, hor lwkVF Dr jFdf[[[ ikDry mYN awD mwcI nf rih jfvF. lilqf BfbI kol KVHI grUr nfl muskrf rhI sI. dkÈ AuWcI-AuWcI hwsdf hoieaf[[[ mYƒ cMzfl lwg irhf sI. eysy qrHF hI hwisaf sI, Es idn, ijs idn lilqf BfbI df Pon afieaf, ''koml bËfr af jf[[[ vrI KrIdxI aY[[[ qyrI qy dkÈ dI psMd dI ÈfipMg ho jfvy qF cMgY.`` awj mYN dkÈ ƒ imlFgI. iehI soc ky aMdroN-aMdrIN iksy avwly aihsfs ƒ mihsUs kr rhI sI. vfr-vfr GVI dIaF sUeIaF vyNhdI. ÈIÈy mUhry keI vfr apxy afp ƒ qwØikaf[[[ Aus nfl mulfkfq bfry soc ky swcmuwc mYN gulËfr ho rhI sI.

myry sfhmxy rMg ibrMgIaF sfVIaF qy sUt iKlHry pey sn. lilqf BfbI myry qy dkÈ ivcfly bYTI hoeI. mYN cor awK nfl dkÈ ƒ vyK lYNdI. Auh hr rMg vyKdf qy lilqf BfbI ƒ puwCdf, ''BfbI jfn ieh sfVI ikho ijhI hY ?`` ''bhuq sohxI! pr dkÈ, rMg iËafdf zfrk aY[[[ koml ƒ sUt nhIN krygf.`` ''BfbI jfn, quhfƒ qy krygf ? [[[ myrI KuMB vrgI BfbI[[[ qy Ausdy ieh sfVI pfeI hovy[[[ aoho! ikafmq lwgyNgI BfbI, ikafmq!`` lilqf ny dkÈ dy lfz nfl muwkf mfiraf. ''vyK lY koml[[[ myrf lfzlf idEr[[[ bhuq ÈrfrqI aY.`` dkÈ ny BfbI vfsqy sfVI pYk krvf ky pfsy rKvf idwqI. mYN sfhmxy lwgy ÈIÈy ivwc kdy apxy afp ƒ qwkdI, kdy lilqf BfbI ƒ. swcmuwc Auh bhuq gorI sI[[[ qy mYN Èfied Ausdy ijMnI KUbsUrq nhIN. aMdroN kmqrI df aihsfs ho irhf sI. ''koml qUM sobr ijhy klr psMd kr lY.`` BfbI ny myry moZy `qy hwQ rwK ky mYƒ hlUx idwqf. ''BfbI jo qusIN psMd krogy TIk hY.`` ''lY ieh kI gwl hoeI ? hr iewk dI apxI apxI psMd huMdI hY[[[ awjklH kI PYÈn cwl irhY, qyry vrgIaF kuVIaF ƒ iËafdf pqY.`` ''kdy bfpU ny GroN bfhr kwZI hovy qF hI pqf hovy.`` dkÈ kih ky hws ipaf. mYƒ AusdI gwl krn df aMdfË iblkul psMd nhIN afieaf, pr Auh TIk hI kihMdf sI. pMj sfl eysy Èihr ivwc izgrI krdI rhI. bfAU jI ny irkÈf lvf idwqf sI. Gr qoN kflj qy kflj qoN Gr. iekwlI bËfr jfxf... shylIaF nfl GuMmxf iPrnf, iehnF gwlF dI sfƒ iejfËq nhIN sI. jdoN ikDry jfxf qF mF qy nmr dIdI nfl.

''qusIN bYTo[[[ mYN huxy afieaf.`` kih ky dkÈ clf igaf. BfbI ny keI sUt sfVIaF pYk krvf leIaF. GMty qoN vI iËafdf smF ho igaf. dkÈ hfly vI nhIN afieaf. BfbI ny Pon kIqf, ''hfly qyry pMj imMt nhIN hoey ? [[[ sfƒ bhuq BuwK lwgI hY[[[ qUM ieMJ kr PtfPt sfhmxy rYstorYNt ivwc af jf.``

dkÈ af igaf. afAuNdf hI kursI ivwc vwijaf. mYN AuWT ky kursI iswDI kIqI. mYN puwC bYTI, ''qusIN zirMk krky afey E ?`` Ausny mUMh Kohl ky myry vwl sfh CwØizaf. ''iblkul vI nhIN.`` pr Auh zol irhf sI. sihj nhIN sI. mYN pryÈfn ho geI. lilqf BfbI PtfPt bolI ''koml jy zirMk vI kIqI hovy, qF kI hoieaf[[[ muMzy df ivafh aY[[[QoVHf Pwn-Èwn qF cldf eI aY. dws qUM kI KfxYN ?`` mYN cuwp sI. ''qUM iJjk ikAuN rhI eyN[[[ kfnPIzYNs nfl gwl kr.`` ''nhIN BfbI jI[[[ mYN soc rhI sI, kfÌI dyr ho geI. hfly qwk qF kOÌI vI nhIN afeI.`` ''mYN pqf krky afAunF.`` Auh AuWTky kfAUNtr vwl clf igaf. lVKVfAuNdf hoieaf. kdI iksy myË ivwc vwjdf qy kdy iksy kursI ivwc. AudoN hI pqf lwØigaf jdoN kfAUNtr duafly BIV iekwTI ho geI. dkÈ burI qrHF gflHF kwZ irhf sI. BfbI Ausƒ BIV ivwcoN DrUh ilafeI. Ausdy hwQ kMb rhy sn. ichrf lfl[[[ awKF cVHIaF hoeIaF. lilqf BfbI ny kfr dI cfbI Aus dy hwQoN PV leI. Ausƒ sIt qy ibTfieaf. BfbI afp hI kfr zrfeIv krn lwg peI qy Auh iewk pfsy grdn tyZI krI hfly vI gflHF kwZ irhf sI. mYƒ Gr dy moV `qy hI Auqfr ky Auh cly gey. sB df mUz apsYWt ho igaf. mYN ajIb AulJx ivwc sI. dkÈ df eynf Eprf ivhfr. mYN aMdr qFeI tuwt geI. mYN Ausdy ikMny krIb bYTI rhI pr Aus ƒ ies gwl df koeI aihsfs nhIN sI.

''dIdI, dkÈ dy kwpVy KrIdxy ny[[[ ikAuN nf afpF vI dkÈ ƒ mfrikt bulf leIey. afpy apxI psMd nfl ÈfipMg kr lvygf.`` dIdI hws peI. ''TIk hY[[[qUM Pon kr.`` mYN Pon kIqf, ''dkÈ qusIN bËfr af skdy E ? quhfzy kwpVy KrIdxy ny[[[ mYN cfhuMdI hF afpF dohy[[[ isrÌ dohyN quhfzI ÈfipMg krIey[[[ QoVHI dyr iekwly bYTFgy[[[ apxIaF gwlF krFgy.``

''hux qF mYN dosqF nfl bfhr bYTf hF. cfr ku vjy phuMc jfvFgf.`` awj mYN KuÈ sI. dIdI ƒ ikhf sI, ''kuJ dyr sfƒ dohF ƒ iekwly Cwz dyxf.”

nmr qy mYN Èoa-rUm dy aMdr KVHy ieMqËfr kr rhy sI. Auh motr sfiekl `qy af igaf. lilqf BfbI vI ipwCy bYTI hoeI. pqf nhIN ikAuN myry idmfg `qy boJ pY igaf. buwlHF `qy cuwp cVH geI. mYN dkÈ vwl vyiKaf[[[ Auh nINdry ivwc lwØigaf[[[ cMgI qrHF vfl vI nhIN vfhy hoey[[[ awKF lfl surK. ''quhfzI qbIaq qF TIk aY ?`` mYN nyVy ho ky puwØØiCaf. ''mYƒ kI hoieaY ?`` Ausdy jvfb ivwc ruwKfpx sI. ''svyr df suwqf ipaY, msF AuTf ky ilafeIN hF.`` BfbI ny lVKVf ky jvfb idwqf. mYN BfbI dy ichry vwl gOr nfl qwØikaf[[[ sfÌ JUT df prdf pf rhI sI. dIdI ny dkÈ ƒ pYNtF, ÈrtF dy rMg psMd krn ƒ ikhf, pr Auh qF ijvyN ikDry guaficaf hoieaf[[[hwQ ivwc kwpVf PVHdf qF Ausdy hwQ kMbdy[[[ awKF dIaF puqlIaF Éqrnfk qrIky nfl hrkq kr rhIaF sn. ''BfbI, Xfr. qusIN afp hI islYkt kr lE.`` lilqf BfbI ny Ausƒ ipafr nfl ploisaf. ''TIk aY[[[ qUM jfh, rYst kr[[[ mYƒ pqY qUM bhuq Qwikaf hoieaYN.`` dkÈ PtfPt AuWT ky clf igaf.

asIN dohyN BYxF vfips af geIaF. nmr dIdI qF ijvyN gUMgI ho ky bYTI sI. Èfied Auh vI EhI soc rhI sI, jo mYN. mYN Ausdy ichry `qy Auprfmqf vyK leI. Gr phuMcy qF bnyiraF `qy lVIaF qy lftU jgmgf rhy sn. ivhVy ivwc cfnxI qfx idwqI geI[[[ irÈqydfrF df iekwT... hlvfeI dI BwTI ivwcoN AuWTdI imwTI ijhI KuÈbo. mF ny vI awj isr 'qy svfr ky cuMnI leI hoeI sI. afp qoN vwzy irÈqydfrF ƒ Auh eysy qrHF mfx idMdI. apxy kmry ivwc af ky mYN lyt geI. mYƒ ivafh dI ieh rOxk koeI KuÈI nhIN dy rhI sI.

''kuVIey, qyrI mF ikwQy aY ?`` bfAU jI ny myry kmry df bUhf Ëor dI KoilHaf. ''pqf nI bfAU jI[[[ bfhr hI hoxgy.`` ''BYx[[[ co[[[ pqf nIN ikwQy BoNkdI iPrdI aY[[[ afh hvn dI smwgrI sFB lYNdI[[[ Pyr tfeIm `qy kuJ lwBxf nhIN.`` buVbuV kridaF AuhnF myry kmry df bUhf Tfh krky bMd kr idwqf. mYN qRbk geI. pihlF hI aMdroN zfvFzol sI. dUr qwk jgmgfAuNdI roÈnI pr myry aMdr hnHyrf psrdf jf irhf sI. mYN hor swc lwBxf cfhuMdI sI. myrf klfsPYlo jgdIp [[[ Ausƒ ieh izAUtI sONpxf cfhuMdI sI. mYƒ pqf sI jgdIp jo Ébr ilafeygf, glq nhIN hovygI. kMbdy hwQF nfl mYN jgdIp df nMbr imlfAux lwg peI.

dIdI ny svyry-svyry nhfAux dI hdfieq kr idwqI. mihMdI lfAux vflI ny afAuxYN. dIdI mihMdI vflf kOlf PVI aMdr afeI. ''vyK koml. mihMdI ikMnI rMglI aY[[[ qyrI sws qYƒ bhuq ipafr krygI.`` Auh hws peI. ''dIdI iewk gwl afKF ?`` ''kI ?`` ''qusIN dkÈ dI hflq vyKI sI[[[ Ausny ËrUr koeI qyË nÈf kIqf hoieaf sI.`` ''hY pfgl! Auh kI nÈy krdY ? [[[ lilqf ny dwisaf qF sI, bhuq QwØikaf hoieaf sI.`` ''dIdI qUM vI lilqf vFg Auhdy nfl rl geI[[[ ikAuN prdy pfAunIN aY ?`` ''koml qyrf vihm hY[[[ hfly nvF-nvF irÈqf aY [[[ qUM jfeyNgI nf, Pyr vyKIN qyrf ikvyN pfxI BrdY.`` dIdI ny gwl hI bdl idwqI. myrIaF awKF ivwc hMJU sn. kIhdy nfl gwl krF ? [[[ koeI vI mYƒ sunx leI iqafr nhIN hovygf[[[ ieh myry apxy hI mYƒ duÈmx lwgx lwg pey[[[ dfdI qF roË kihMdI aY[[[ cwl myry puwq df boJ lhUgf[[[ DIaF Gro GrI jfxgIaF qF suwK nfl bhU ilafvFgy[[[ jy mYN mF nfl gwl kIqI qF Ausny myry buwlHF 'qy AuNgl hI Dr dyxI aY[[[ bws[[[! bolIdf nhIN[[[ ieMJ hI Guwt vwt jf[[[ vyKIN myrI DI[[[ sfzI iewËq df iKafl rwK. mF dwsdI huMdI aY, jdoN mYN jMmI sI qF dfdI vYx pfAux lwg peI sI[[[ dUjf vI pwQr jMm idwqf. pr mYN jfxdI aF jdoN mYN jMmI hovFgI qF mF ny vI awKF `qy bfhF rwK ky lMmf hAukf ilaf hovygf[[[ hOlI-hOlI ËrUr roeI hoAUgI. myry kol mF df idwqf ijsm sI[[[ EhI muhFdrf[[[pr kuJ ËrUr vwKrf sI[[[qF hI mYN CyqI bgfvq kr idMdI[[[smJOqf nhIN krdI sI[[[eysy krky dfdI qy bfAU jI dIaF nËrF ivwc aksr rVkdI.

mihMdI vflI myry hwQF `qy lkIrF vfhuMdI rhI. mYN iehnF lkIrF dy jfl ivwc hor vI AulJdI geI. iksy gihry smuMdr ivwc goqy Kf rhI sI[[[ muhwbq dI qlfÈ ivwc[[[ kuwJ nf lwBdf[[[ muV iknfry af bihMdI.

''dkÈ df nFa ilK dyvF ?`` mihMdI vflI ny cUMzI vwZ ky puwØiCaf. mYN apxIaF socF ivwcoN bfhr af geI. ''hF.`` mYN rqf ku Èrmf ky ikhf. Auh pYrF qoN hwQF qwk qy hwQF qoN kUhxIaF qwk rMgIn lIkF vfhuMdI rhI[[[ mornIaF pfAuNdI rhI. ''dkÈ df Pon aY koml[[[ gwl kr lY.`` dIdI ny Pon myry kMn nfl lf idwqf. ''hF jI mYzm [[[ kI kr rhy E ?`` Ausny ny bVy ipafr nfl puwiCaf. myrI koeI suwqI rg Pyr jfg peI. ''mihMdI lgvf rhI hF[[[ quhfzf nFa vI hQylIaF `qy puvfieaf aY.`` mYN bVy lfz nfl Ausƒ dwØØisaf. Ausny gwl hI bdl idwqI. ''awCf mYƒ dws[[[ bfAU jI awj luiDafxy gwzI lYx jfxgy ?`` ''hF jI, ikAuN ?`` ''Xfr myrf mUV cyNj ho igaf[[[ bfAU jI ƒ khI sivPt nf lY ky afAux.`` ''Pyr ?`` ''istI hONzf.`` ''pr bfAU jI ny qF kMpnI vfilaF nfl gwl vI kr leI.`` ''nhIN Xfr myry dosq kihMdy, istI hONzf dI tOhr eI vwKrI aY.`` ''pihlF hI dkÈ quhfzy kol vwzI gwzI hYgI qF hY.`` ''kI gwl jy dkÈ kol do gYs eyjMsIaF ho skdIaF ny qF do vwzIaF gwzIaF nhIN ho skdIaF ?`` AusdI avfË ivwc qlÉI sI. ''qUM mihMdI mUMhdI Cwz[[[ bfAU jI nfl gwl kr[[[ mYN qYƒ pMdrF imMtF bfad Pon krUMgf.`` ''mihMdI mUMhdI df kI mqlb[[[ ieh sB quhfzy leI h[[[mYN ikMny cfa nfl lvfeI hY[[[ kI gwl quhfƒ koeI cfa nhIN ?`` ''Xfr ieh jnfnIaF vflIaF gwlF nf kr[[[ Auh qF mYN vyK eI lYxI hY[[[ pihlF qUM bfAU jI nfl gwl kr.`` myry hwQoN Pon izwg ipaf. mYN hwQF pYrF `qy AuWkry Puwl, bUty ibwt-ibwt vyK rhI sI. awKF ivwcoN hMJU isMm ky hQylIaF `qy izwgdy rhy. myry aMdr afAux vflI iËMdgI dy mfsUm klIaF vrgy aihsfs hOlI-hOlI kqÜ huMdy gey. myrI qy AusdI KfihÈ ivwc ikMnf Ìrk sI. mYƒ isrÌ qy isrÌ Auh cfhIdf sI pr AusdI KfihÈ[[[ Èfied bhuq iËafdf vwzI sI.

jgdIp df Pon af igaf. myry pYrF hyToN ËmIn iKsk geI. jo mYN socdI sI, jgdIp ny vI EhI kuJ dwisaf. mYNQoN iËafdf gwl nf ho skI. mYN kMbdI-kMbdI ny Pon bMd kIqf. myrf hsIn suÌnf awD ivcfly hI tuwt igaf. ijvyN DVMm krky hnHyry KUh ivwc izwg peI hovF.

mYN dIdI ƒ aMdr bulfieaf. ''dIdI, bUhf Zoa dy[[[ qyry nfl ËrUrI gwl krnI hY.`` myry ichry `qy qxfa vyK ky Ausny kuMzI cVHf idwqI. ''kI gwl koml ?`` mYN kuwJ dyr cuwp rhI. myrIaF awKF ivwc[[[ nÌrq sI[[[ aMdr iewk qUÌfn[[[ zfhZI ihMmq dI loV sI. pqf nhIN ikwDroN af geI. ''dIdI, dkÈ ies bUhy `qy brfq lY ky nhIN afeygf.`` dIdI dy hoÈ AuWz gey. ''qUM pfgÜ ho geI ?`` mYN scmuwc pfgl ho geI. ''dIdI myrf afKrI qy pwkf PYslf hY.`` dIdI ny myry mUMh `qy Ëor dI cpyV mfrI. myrI puVpuVI suMn ho geI. myry aMdr ijvyN cMzI pRvyÈ kr geI. mYN AuWT ky bfQrUm ivwc clI geI. sfrI mihMdI Doh suwtI. dIdI myry kol KVHI kMb rhI sI, ''koml! koml! [[[ jy qUM ieMj kIqf qF mYN huxy koTy qoN Cfl mfr dyxI aY[[[qUM hoÈ ivwc afjf, myrI BYx.`` ''jI sdky mfr Cfl myrI BYx[[[ pr pihloN mYƒ Dwkf dy. cwl myry nfl.`` mYN nmr df hwQ PVH ilaf. Aus ny hwQ Cuzf ky dohy hwQ joV ley. myry pYr PVH ley. ''sfzI ieËq rwK lY koml[[[ qYƒ vfsqf pfAunI aF[[[ iewk idn sMnH ivcfly rih igaf[[[lok kI afKxgy? [[[ koml, bfAU jI qF mr eI jfxgy[[[ ieh PYslf bdl dy[[[ qyry jIjy ny mYƒ imhxy dy dy ky mfr dyxYN[[[ Auh qF ivcolf aY[[[ AusdI iewËq df iÉafl rwK[[[ sfƒ dunIaF `c KVHx jogf Cwz dy.`` nmr dIdI hwQ bMnHI KVHI sI. ''ikhVy jIjy dI iewËq dI gwl krdI aYN dIdI[[[ EhI jIjf[[[ bfhlIaF iewËqF vflf[[[pr gMdIaF nËrF vflf[[[ jvfn huMdI sflI dy aMgF ƒ jwPI dy bhfny toh-toh vyNhdf sI[[[myrf mUMh nf KulHvf[[[ qYƒ jIjy dI iewËq df iÌkr hY[[[ bfAU jI dI iewËq df iÌkr hY[[[ qy myrf?? [[[ myrf kI BivwK aY[[[ dws mYƒ ? mYƒ ikAuN blI df bwkrf bxfAuNdy E ?``

dIdI ro rhI sI. ''koml[[[ afpxy bfAU jI ijAuNdy jI mr jfxgy[[[ myrI BYx, kuJ qF hoÈ kr.`` ''ikAuN mYN iksy nfl Bwj cwlI aF?? myry iksy nfl njfieË sbMD ny ? [[[ kI kIqf mYN, kI kIqf mYN ?? dws mYƒ dIdI.`` mYN Ëor dI cIKI sI.

Pon dI irMg vwj AuWTI. ''koml! [[[ koml! [[[ lY myrI BYx dkÈ df Pon hY[[[ TIk ho ky gwl kr[[[ apxy afp ƒ sihj kr.`` nmr ny myry hwQ ivwc Pon PVHf idwqf.

''hF, dkÈ ?`` ''koml, gwzI bfry gwl hoeI ?`` mYN guwsy nfl lrj AuWTI, ''nf qYƒ gwzI imly qy nf koml[[[ mYN awj qoN ieh irÈqf afp qoV rhI hF[[[ qUM sfzy bUhy `qy brfq lY ky nhIN afvyNgf.`` Ausny ny awgoN mfvF, BYxF dIaF gflHF kwZxIaF ÈurU kr idwqIaF. mYN Pon clf ky mfiraf. ro-ro ky nmr ƒ dkÈ bfry iek-iek gwl dwsI[[[ jgdIp vwloN imlI sfrI jfxkfrI iblkul swc hY. dkÈ smYk pINdY[[[ afpxy dosq dy ÈYlr 'qy ipaf cOvIN GMty nÈy ivwc gVUMd rihMdY.`` dIdI cIkF mfr ky rox lwg peI. mYN Ausƒ JMjoVdI rhI. ''dws dIdI myrf PYslf glq hY ? [[[ dws dIdI ? [[[ mYN kI glq kIqf ?`` nmr bfhr clI geI. mYN bUhf bMd kr ilaf. bfhr mwcdI awg df syk myry qFeI phuMc irhf sI. dfdI BuwbF mfr AuWTI. ''lCmx dfsf, ieh kI ho igaf ? [[[ kilhxI aY ieh kuVI[[[ jMmdI mr jFdI[[[ Kfndfn ƒ dfgI krqf[[[`` bfAU jI BuwbF mfrn lwg pey. gflHF kwZ rhy sI. mYN kMnF `qy hwQ Dr ley. sfry Gr dI rOxk imMtNo imMtIN mfqm ivwc bdl geI.

mF ny bUhf KoilHaf. kVCI ivwc guwgl dI DUÌ DuKf ky ilafeI sI. aksr hI eysy qrHF bury vkq ƒ tflx df Brm pflI bYTI sI. myry vwl ivcfrIaF ijhIaF nËrF nfl vyK ky kihMdI, ''koml apxf PYslf bdl dy[[[ hfly vI kuJ nhIN ivgiVaf[[[ lokF dI nËr lwg geI, eynf cMgf Gr iml igaf[[[ awjkwlH kOx aMdroN KuÈ hY. lokF dy ipwCy nhIN lwgIdf huMdf.``

mYN hYrfn sI, mF hfly vI[[[ ''aoho! mF qUM nhIN jfxdI. qUM ieh DUÌF DuKfAux qoN vwD kuJ vI nhIN soc skdI[[[ mYN qyry nfVUey nfl bwJI nhIN rihxf cfhuMdI[[[ mYƒ vwK krdy apxy afp qoN[[[ mF vwK krdy[[[`` mF awKF pUMJdI bfhr clI geI.

dfdI ny ijvyN swQr hI ivCf ilaf. ijhVf afAuNdf vYx pf-pf roNdI. myrf puwq mrjUgf[[[ boql qy boql cVHfeI jFdY[[[ sfzy Gr ivwcoN koeI nf koeI mrjUgf[[[`` irÈqydfr vI muVny ÈurU ho gey. jIjy ny vI dIdI ƒ hukm suxf idwqf, ''cwl CyqI sfmfn bMnH[[[ lwqF BMndU jy muV ky ies Gry pYr pfey.`` mYƒ sB ny gunfhgfr sfbq kr idwqf. mYN aMdroN aMdrIN aprfD boD df iÈkfr huMdI geI. apxy kmry ivwc hI kYd ho geI[[[ kmry ivwc koeI nhIN afAuxf cfhuMdf[[[ iewk bdhvfs AudfsI sI[[[ ÈmÈfn vrgf iekwlfpx[[[ isrÌ myrI rUh BktdI sI[[[ mYN ijvyN koeI hfdsf kr bYTI hovF[[[ koeI sMgIn Ëurm[[[ ieh aihsfs myry leI PMdf bx igaf, ijsƒ dunIaF vfly[[[ myry Gr dy[[[ myry apxy[[[ hr roË QoVHf-QoVHf kws idMdy. mYƒ Gutx mihsUs huMdI. pl-pl iËbh huMdI jFdI. zr lwgdf sI, jy bfhr geI qF koeI mYƒ dboc leygf. hr roË myrIaF awKF hyTF hI hyTF JukdIaF geIaF. mYN iehnF ƒ cuwkxf hI bMd kr idwqf. keI vfrI apxy afp ƒ XkIn idvfAuNdI ik mYN ijAuNdI hF?

cyqnf df Pon afieaf sI, ''koml, qUM Audfs nf ho. mMmI ny mYƒ sfrI gwl dws idwqI[[[ qUM jo PYslf kIqf, TIk hI kIqf hovygf.`` mYN Puwt-Puwt ky ro peI. ''cyqnf ieQy mYƒ sfh nhIN afAuNdf[[[ mYƒ qyrI loV hY[[[ mYN bhuq tuwt cuwkI aF.`` ''koml qUM myry kol idwlI af jf[[[ QoVHy idn mfhOl bdl ky vyK[[[ tfeIm nfl sB kuJ nfrml ho jfeygf[[[ hONsly nfl apxf PYslf kr.`` mYN hAuky lY rhI sI. ''cyqnf mYN[[[ mYN jldI af rhI hF.``

mF ƒ mYN apxy kmry aMdr bulfieaf. ''mYN cyqnf kol idwlI jf rhI hF.`` ''ikAuN hux kI hoieaf?`` mF ny myry hwQoN bYg PVH ilaf. ''mF qUM hfly vI nhIN jfx skI , ik myry nfl kI hoieaf ?`` ''afpxy bfAU jI qoN puwC lYNdI.`` mF dy ichry `qy zr PYl igaf. mYƒ Pyr guwsf af igaf, ''mF mYN puwC nhIN rhI[[[ mYN isrÌ dws rhI hF ik mYN idwlI jf rhI hF.`` kih ky mYN bYg mF dy hwQoN Koh ilaf qy ivhVy ivwc af geI. bfhr dfdI mflf PyrdI-PyrdI ruk geI. isr qoN pYrF qFeI GUrdI hoeI, ''hux ikwDr AuWDl cwlI aYN ? [[[afh vyK lCmx dfsf[[[ afh hux koeI nvF cMn cVHfAugI ?`` ''bIbI, iehƒ jfx dy[[[rokIN nf.`` mF ny dfdI ƒ cuwp krf idwqf[[[ pqf nhIN hux mF 'qy kI kihr tuwtØygf. mYN srdlF ivwc af KloqI. lMmI sVk myry sfhmxy sI[[[ dUr qwk jFdI hoeI. mYN kfhlI nfl kdm puwt ley.

cyqnf dy gl lwg ky mYN rwj ky roeI. Ausny cuwp nhIN krfieaf, ''ro lY[[[hlkI ho jf[[[ apxI Gutx dUr kr lY.`` mYƒ godI ivwc lY ky plosdI rhI. ''koml apxy idmfg ivwcoN kMplYks kwZ dy... mYN jfxdI hF qYƒ vI[[[ qyry pirvfr ƒ vI. qyry Gr dy hr kuVI ivwc qyrI mF ijhI aOrq vyKxf cfhuMdy ny.`` ''hF, cyqnf[[[ myrI mF ivcfrI[[[ ikwly bwDI gF vrgI[[[ nmr vI Auho ijhI[[[ ieh dohyN PrmfbrdfrI dy do crKy ny[[[ pr mYN ikAuN AuhnF vrgI nhIN bx skI?``

''koml, qUM iewk bOiDk kuVI eyN. aijhIaF kuVIaF vfsqy gulfmI sB qoN vwzI pIVf hY.``

''cyqnf, mYN ieh sB kuJ qoN mukq hoxf cfhuMdI hF[[[ jF Pyr mr jfxf cfhuMdI hF.`` cyqnf hws peI. ''koml aOrq df mukq hoxf koeI sOKI gwl nhIN[[[ qUM Gr qy smfj nfl lVfeI lY qF bYTI[[[ pr ies hfdsy nfl iËMdgI dy qOr qrIky Buwl geI[[[ ienHIN CyqI ÈkqIhIx ho geI[[[ pihly pVfa 'qy hI mrn dI gwl kr rhI eyN[[[ byvkUP lVkI ! [[[ iËMdgI ienHIN ssqI nhIN[[[AuWT ky bYT, PrYÈ ho[[[ cfh pI lY[[[ sB TIk ho jfeygf[[[ no tYnÈn[[[ E.ky..`` kih ky Ausny hfsy nfl myrI gwlH `qy hlkf ijhf QwpV mfiraf. cyqnf dI sKÈIaq ivwc scmuwc ikMnI KulH qy ikMnf PYlfa sI. mYN swcIN aMdroN hlkI huMdI jf rhI sI.

''mYzm kOÌI.`` mInf trya ivwc do kwp rwKI sfzy kol af geI. mInf, cyqnf dI nypflx nOkrfxI sI. icwtf rMg, gol ichrf, mwDrf kwd qy inwkIaF-inwkIaF cmkdfr awKF. kflI lMmI skrt qy icwtI kmIË pfeI Auh guwzI ijhI jfpdI sI. ''koml ieh myrI mInf[[[myrf sfrf Gr sMBfldI hYY. hY nf, bhuq ipafrI ? myry kol ipCly iqMn sflF qoN rih rhI hY.`` mInf muskrf peI. ''cyqnf, mInf nypfl qoN iekwlI afeI hY ?`` ies qoN pihlF cyqnf jvfb idMdI, mInf hws peI. ''nhIN mYzm[[[ akylI qoN nhIN afeI QI[[[ pr ab akylI hUM.`` ''kI mqlb ?`` mYN hYrfnI nfl puwØiCaf.

''ÈfdI krky afeI QI. ab voh myry sfQ nhIN rihqf.``

''qYƒ Cwz igaf ?`` mYN Ausdy iekwlypx ƒ Prolx dI koisLÈ kIqI. ''nhIN[[[ mYny Ausy CoV dIaf.`` kih ky Auh hws peI. inwky-inwky kdm puwtdI hoeI rsoeI vwl ƒ clI geI.

''koml[[[ ieh TIk hI kihMdI hY[[[ iesny afp hI apxy pqI ƒ Cwz idwqf. nÈy df afdI sI[[[ sfrI kmfeI Koh ky lY jFdf. iewk rfq qF kuwt mfr krky GroN kwZ idwqf.`` ''ikAuN[[[?``

''mYzm muJy DMdy py ibTfxf cfhqf Qf" mInf ny kwp cuwkidaF ikhf - jb mYny Kud hI kmf ky Kfxf hY qoN aYsy gMdy afdmI ky sfQ ikAuN rhUM. muJy aYsI ijMdgI nhIN mMjUr[[[ iesI lIey mYny Kud hI Ausy CoV idaf.`` mInf gwl krdI hoeI eynI sihj sI ijvyN Ausƒ apxy kIqy PYsly `qy koeI iglf nf hovy.

zor bYWl vwjI. mInf ny bUhf KoilHaf. ''af jf kFqI.`` iewk pqlI ijhI lVkI aMdr dfKl hoeI. isr `qy kwpiVaF dI gwTVI cuwkI hoeI. gwTVI hyTF rwK ky PrÈ `qy lwqF insfr ky bih geI. AusdI sfVHI goizaF qFeI srk geI. bVI lfpRvfhI nfl kwpVy igx-igx ky myË `qy rwKdI geI. mYN Ausƒ qwkdI rhI. bVI mlUk ijhI, sFvly rMg dI kFqI[[[ gly ivwc pfieaf mMglsUqr[[[ isr dy ivcfly cIr ivwc lMmI iqwKy lfl sMDUr dI DfrI, Ausdy ivafhuqf hox df pRmfx dy rhI sI. pqly ijhy srIr `qy kwØØisaf hoieaf inwkf ijhf blfAUj qy PuwlF vflI GsmYlI ijhI sfVHI ivwc vI Auh bVI KUbsUrq jfpdI sI. ''mYzm kI shylI ho ?`` kuJ iËafdf hI vwzIaF gËflF vrgIaF awKF AuqFh cuwk ky Ausny mYƒ puwØØiCaf.

''hF.`` kih ky myrf iDafn Ausdy pYrF vwl clf igaf. ''ikaf dyKqI ho ?`` Ausny apxI AuqFh hoeI sfVHI ƒ hyTF krky lwqF kwj leIaF. mYN hws peI. ''kuJ nhIN dyKdI[[[ mYN qF qyry pYrF dI pfjyb qy ibCUey[[[`` ''Xy ibCUey[[[ Xy qo ÈfdI ky bfad hmfry myN pihnxy ËrUrI hoqy hYN.`` kih ky Auh pYrF ivwc pfey ibCUey AuNglIaF nfl GuMmfAux lwg peI. ''ksqy bhuq hYN[[[ dyKo pYroN kI AuNglIE pr inÈfn pV gey.`` ''kFqI kwpVy aOr ly jfxf.`` mInf kwpiVaF df Zyr cuwk ilafeI. ''kwl ly ky jfAUNgI[[[ afj sO rupey cfhIey[[[ myry ko jfxf hY.`` kih ky Èrmf geI. AuNglF nfl pfjybF dy GuMgrU TuxkfAux lwg peI. mYƒ inwkI ijhI bflVI jfpI[[[klolF krdI hoeI[[[ lfpRvfh awKF[[[ qy buwlHF `qy ÈrfrqI ijhI muskfn.

cyqnf prs ProldI bfhr af geI. Ausƒ sO rupey PVfey. PtfPt PVH ky Ausny apxy blfAUj aMdr quMn ley. ''afj kwpVy qo prYs ho nhIN skqy[[[ hY nf kFqI.`` cyqnf ny hws ky ikhf. ''ikÈorI ny iksI idn iesI ko prYs kr dynf hY[[[ikAuN kFqI ?`` mInf ny Èrfrq nfl ikhf.

''hfQ qoN lgf ky dyKy[[[ hrfmI.`` Auh qlÉI nfl bolI. ''awCf-awCf qUM jf ipkink mnf[[[ jldI afnf.`` mInf ny ikhf. ''jldI afAUNgI`` kih ky Auh kfhly kdmF nfl muskrfAuNdI hoeI bfhr clI geI.

cyqnf afiPs jf rhI sI. ''koml iksy vI cIË dI ËrUrq hovy, mInf qyry kol hY[[[ mYƒ dyr vI ho skdI hY, E.ky[[[`` kih ky Auh clI geI.

mYN bfhr tYirs `qy af ky Klo geI. sfhmxy gulmohrF dI CF hyTF kFqI kwpVy prYs kr rhI sI. kol mrIal ijhf buwZf pYrF Bfr bYTf hoieaf, bIVI pI irhf sI. Cotf ijhf tIn df Cwpr. kwpiVaF dIaF gMZF df vwzf sfrf Zyr.

''mYzm nfÈqf ?`` mInf myry kol af geI.

''hfly nhIN[[[ mInf, Auh kFqI df shurf aY. mYN Aus buwZy vwl ieÈfrf kIqf. mInf hws peI.

''nhIN ieskf mrd hY[[[ sfrf idn qMbfkU pIqf hY[[[rfq ko dfrU[[[ bycfrI kI ieqnI iptfeI krqf hY[[[ bws puwCo mq.`` ''ikAuN ?`` ''buwZf hY nf[[[ jvfn bIvI pr Èwk krqf hY[[[ sfry kwpVy kFqI ko prYs krny pVqy hY[[[ mYny iesy kBI prYs krqy nhIN dyKf[[[ bws ies ky isrhfxy bYTf rihqf hY[[[ Xf iPr idn myN BI dfrU cVHf ky soqf rihqf hY.`` mYN kFqI vwl vyK rhI sI. apxy kMm ivwc msq[[[ suÌny lYx dI Aumr ivwc Auh ikho ijhf kÈt Bog rhI sI.

Èfm dy swq vwj gey. zor bYWl hoeI. mYN drvfËf KoilHaf. kFqI df pqI KVHf sI. ''mInf hY jI ?`` ''hF``. mInf bfhr af geI. ''kFqI khF geI ? [[[ qyry ko kuC bqf ky geI ikaf ?`` ''hF, Ausky pyt myN bhuq drd Qf[[[ zfktr ky pfs geI hY. mYzm sy pYsy BI lY ky geI.`` ''kb kI geI hUeI hY[[[ cfr pFc GMty ho gey ?`` ikÈor ny ÈwkI ijhy aMdfË nfl puwØiCaf.

''lMbI lfien hoqI hY zfktr ky pfs[[[ jldI nMbr nhIN lgf hogf[[[ iPr dvfeI lyny clI geI hogI[[[ iÌkr nf kr[[[ mYzm ny hI cYWk krvfny Byjf Qf[[[ drd sy ibcfrI mrI jf rhI QI.`` mInf ny bVy slIky nfl JUT ƒ swc bxf idwqf. mYN kdy mInf ƒ qwkdI qy kdy ikÈor ƒ.

mYN bVI bycYn ho rhI sI. mInf ny iewzf vwzf JUT ikAuN boilaf? aKIr mYN rsoeI ivwc mInf kol clI geI. ''mInf, qUM JUT ikAuN boilaf ?`` ''iksko ? awCf[[[ awCf[[[ voh ikÈor ko`` mInf ivaMg nfl hwsI. ''mYzm agr swc bqfqI qo voh mfr nf dygf kFqI ko.``

''swc kI hY mInf ?`` ''mYzm[[[afpny kFqI ko dyKf hY nf ? [[[ ikÈor ko BI dyKf hY nf[[[ hY koeI myl ? ijs Aumr myN ikÈor buwZf ho igaf, Aus Aumr myN kFqI jvfn hUeI. mfsUm sI, aTfrF sfl kI bwcI ko Aus ky cfcy ny grIbI ky kfrn ies buwZy ky KuMty bFD dIaf. ibn mF bfp kI bwcI kf koeI afsrf BI nhIN.`` ''mInf qUM JUT ikAuN boilaf ?`` mYN Pyr afpxf pRÈn duhrfieaf. ''JUT mYny nhIN bolf mYzm[[[ JUT ikÈorI ny bolf Qf kFqI ko. do ÈfdIaF ieskI pihly ho cuwkI QI. donoN GrvflIaF mr geI[[[ pihlI Gr vflI ky bwcy qoN kFqI sy BI bVy hYN. bdly myN ikaf dyqf hY, Ausy Zyr sfrf kfm[[[ iptfeI[[[ipafr qo ies ko kBI nsIb hI nhIN hUaf.`` mInf kihMdI-kihMdI Bfvuk ho geI.

zor bYWl vwjI. kFqI afeI sI. mInf Bwj ky bfhr afeI. ''ab qUM PtfPt Gr jf[[[ikÈorI afieaf Qf pUCnyN.`` ''awCf jfqI hUM[[[ Xy dyK, Xy buMdy idKfny afeI QI quJy.`` kihMdI hoeI kFqI ny sfVI dy pwly bwJI gMZ PtfPt KolHI. iProËI moqIaF vfly buMdy kwZ ky mInf dI hQylI `qy rwK idqy. ''hY nf suMdr ?`` kih ky Ausny PtfPt Pyr sfVI ivwc lkoa ley. AusdIaF gwlF cmk rhIaF sn. JfjrF df Cxkftf pfAuNdI hoeI Bwj geI.

''mYzm, dyKf ikqnI KuÈ QI. ies kf eyk dosq hY, rfmf[[[ iesI ky dys kf[[[iesI kf hmAumr[[[ donoN eyk dUsry ko bhuq ipafr krqy hY[[[ mhIny my eyk do bfr Ausky sfQ ipkcr dyK lyqI hY[[[ cft pkoVI Kf lyqI hY[[[ Xy cfr pFc GMty myN rfmf ky sfQ apnI iËMdgI jI lyqI hY[[[ sB mfr, iptfeI kfm kf boJ BUl jfqI hY[[[ cfhy kuJ dyr ky lIey hI shI[[[ ikqny idn iPr iesI KuÈI myN jIqI rihqI hY.``

''mInf, pr hY qF ieh sB glq ?``

''vfh mYzm, jo Aus ky sfQ hUaf[[[ jo ho rhf hY[[[ ikaf voh TIk hY ?`` Ausny myrIaF awKF `c awKF pf ky puWiCaf. mYN inrAuWqr ho geI.

cyqnf af geI. ''ikvyN irhf idn ?`` ''bhuq vDIaf [[[ qyrI mInf ny idl lvfeI rwiKaf.`` ''hF, myrI mInf bVI ijLMdf idl kuVI hY.`` asIN gwl kr hI rhy sI ik cyqnf dy mMmI df Pon af igaf. cyqnf ƒ smJf rhy sI. ijMnI dyr qwk koml nfrml nhIN huMdI, AudoN qwk afpxy kol rwKIN.`` ''afh qusIN afp hI gwl kr lvo.`` kih ky cyqnf ny Pon mYƒ PVHf idwqf. aFtI lMmI gwl krI gey. mYN ikhf sI, ''aFtI kI krF? [[[ koeI rsqf vI idKfeI nhIN idMdf. lwgdY ijvyN hux nf Gr dI rhI nf bfhr dI.`` aFtI hws pey. ''ieMJ qF iblkul vI nhIN socxf[[[ jdoN aOrq iekwlI sÌr 'qy inkldI hY qF Ausƒ koeI rfh nhIN idMdf[[[ apxf rfh afp bxfAuxf pYNdf hY[[[ qUM ihMmq rwK[[[ E[ ky[.`` aFtI ny Pon rwK idwqf. cyqnf ny apxy kmry ivwcoN mYƒ avfjL mfrI. ''koml, af jf[[[ kI kih rhI sI myrI mF ? [[[ ËrUr koeI Éqrnfk ijhf sMdyÈ idwqf hoxYN. [[[`` cyqnf ny hws ky mYƒ apxy nfl bYWz `qy bYTx df ieÈfrf kIqf.

''swcmuwc cyqnf aFtI ivc ikMnI aYnrjI hY[[[iblkul vI nhIN GbrfAuNdy[[[AuhnF nfl gwl krky hI hONslf iml igaf.`` ''koml qUM myrI mMmI ƒ isrÌ imAuNspl kmytI dI pRDfn dy qOr `qy hI dyiKaf hY[[[qUM nhIN jfxdI Auh ikMnI smrwQfvfx qy dlyr aOrq hY[[[ mYN vI AuWcI sÌlqf dy suÌny lYxy apxI mMmI qoN hI iswKy[[[ mMmI ny iËMdgI nfl jMg lVI hY[[[ mYN Ausƒ keI vfr awg ivwcoN lMGidaF dyiKaf[[[ Pyr vI hr vfr Auh isAuxy vFg awgy nfloN vDyry inwKr afAuNdI.``

''cyqnf, qyrI mMmI ƒ sfry Gr dy sfQ idMdy hoxgy[[[ afpixaF df hONslf vI bhuq vwzI cIË huMdI hY.``

''kIhdf hONslf koml[[[ myrI mMmI ny qF kdI iksy df moZf qwØikaf eI nhIN[[[ rhI GridaF dy sfQ dI gwl[[[ Auh sB qF Kud mMmI AuWqy inrBr sI. mMmI dy ivafh qoN bfad pfpf df ibjnYs iblkul PylH ho igaf[[[ pfpf ƒ aDrMg ho igaf[[[ kmfeI df kI sfDn sI[[[dfdf jI ny bfhrlI bYTk ivwc prcUx dI dukfn kIqI[[[ dukfn vI kfhdI cfr ku zwby, ijMnHF ivwc isrÌ lUx, qyl qy KMz. mMmI Gry do mwJF sFBdI[[[ dfdI sfrf duwD doDIaF ƒ pf idMdI[[[ mMmI ny iek idn dfdI ƒ dwØisaf vI[[[ doDI ihsfb ivwc gVbV krdy ny, ikAuN nf afpF duwD iswDf dukfn `qy eI vyc ilaf krIey. mMmI dy do hwQ[[[ kdy vI ivhly nf huMdy. kdy gohy kUVy ivc ilbVy huMdy[[[ kdy afty nfl[[[ kdy duwD vycdy[[[ kdy bImfr pfpf ƒ sFBdy[[[ bVI ÈkqI aY myrI mMmI dy dohF hwQF ivwc. asIN dovyN BYxF skUl qoN afAuNdIaF qF mMmI dukfn `qy hI ibTf lYNdy[[[nfl hor bwicaF ƒ itAUÈn vI pVHfAuNdy. mMmI ƒ iÌkr sI[[[ myrI iek BUaf kuafrI sI. eynI kmfeI nfl qF Gr msF cwldf. pfpf hOlI hOlI qurx jogy ho gey[[[ kihMdy sI hux mYN dukfn `qy bYT jfieaf krMU. mMmI nhIN mMny[[[pfpf ƒ kihMdy, ''ikAuN nf afpF coxIaF qoN nrmf iswDf afpxI dukfn `qy sutvf ilaf krIey[[[ qusIN irkÈf 'qy mMzI jf ky bYiTaf kro[[[ agFh mMzI dy Bfa nrmf vycqf. mMmI hux eysy qrHF krdI[[[ mMzI nfloN Gwt Bfa 'qy coxIaF pMzF dIaF pMzF nrmf sfzI dukfn `qy suwt jFdIaF[[[ qy pfpf hr roË pMj sO df not jyb ivwc pf ky Gr afAuNdy. EhnI idnIN srkfr ny pI[sI[E[ alft kIqy[[[mMmI ny dukfn ivwc hI pI[sI[E[ vI Kohl ilaf. dukfn ivwc hI hux vfDU rfÈn huMdf. Gr qrwkI vwl ƒ jfx lwg ipaf. mMmI ny BUaf df ivafh kIqf[[[ sfƒ pVHfieaf[[[ hor qF hor lokF dy kMm vI krvfey[[[ iksy df rfÈn kfrz bxvf idwqf[[[ iksy ƒ hspqfl BrqI krvfAuxf[[[ iksy dI dvfeIaF dI mdd krnI[[[ ieh sB kMm vI mMmI krdI. lok inwky moty GrylU JgVy lY ky vI mMmI kol afAuNdy[[[ pqf nhIN ikvyN imMtoN imMtIN sulJf idMdI. jdoN aYm.sI. dIaF votF afeIaF qF lokF ny mMmI ƒ hI shI kYNzIzyt smiJaf[[[ Ausƒ votF ivwc KVHf kIqf.

''cyqnf aFtI vfkeI ikwQoN ikwQy phuMcy[[[ ikMnI jdojihd kIqI.``

''nhIN koml[[[ ieh jdo-jihd Aus ny apxI iËMdgI nfl kIqI[[[ apxy pirvfr vfsqy kIqI[[[ pr jdoN mMmI ƒ smfj nfl jdo-jihd krnI peI qF AusdI hflq Ausy qrHF sI ijvyN koeI inwky qlfa ivwc rihx vflI mwCI smuMdr ivwc af geI hovy. vwzIaF mwCIaF Ausdy iÈkfr leI jugqF lVfAuNdIaF. ivroDI iDrF ny mMmI qy gMdIaF qohmqF lfeIaF, lUx qyl vycx vflI kih ky pRcfr kIqf. [[[ keI vwzy ahudydfrF lIzrF nfl Ausdf nFa joiVaf. mYN kdy-kdy Bfvuk ho jFdI, ''mMmI ieh lok ieMny mfVy ikAuN ny[[[ ikAuN quhfzy cirwqr 'qy AuNglI cuwkdy ny ?`` myrI mMmI hws pYNdI, ''kfmXfb aOrq df Ëmfnf sdf hI duÈmx irh[[[mYN iksy dI koeI pRvfh nhIN krdI[[[ ieh sÌydpoÈF ƒ mYN cMgI qrHF jfxdI aF[[[ aOrq dI qrwkI vyK ky aMdroN-aMdrIN sulgdy ny[[[ ieh nhIN jfxdy, mYN eysy syk qoN hI ikMnI AUrjf lY lYnI hF.`` mMmI dIaF gwlF sux ky myry aMdr ajIb ÈkqI df sMcfr huMdf. mMmI byprvfh ho ky apxf kMm krdI rhI. iqMn vfr aYm[sI[ ijwqI. Pyr pRDfn dI kursI `qy bYTI. ikMnHF qklIÌF Biraf sÌr Ausny qih kIqf[[[ Auh aksr kihMdI[[[ iksy nf iksy ƒ eys irlya rys df moZI bxnf hI pYNdf hY[[[ qy mYN vI apxI mMmI dI irlya rys df ihwsf bx geI.``

''cyqnf qyrf PIlz qF iblkul vwKrY[[[ korporyt dI dunIaF[[[ sB lok pVHy ilKy[[[ sB afpo apxy kMm nfl juVy hoey[[[progrYisv soc vfly[[[ qUM kI mihsUs krdI ey.``

''koml korporyt dI dunIaF[[[ idmfgI lokF dI Kyz hY. kMm kfj ËrUr huMdy ny[[[ pr rfjnIqI ieQy vI blvfn hY. cOvIN GMty apxy kMm pRqI alrt[[[ bËfr dI hr Ébr nfl juVy rihxf pYNdY[[[ QoVHf ijhf avysly hoey nhIN[[[ iksy ny vI quhfzy pYrF hyToN pOVI hI iKwc dyxI hY[[[progrYisv ËrUr ny[[[pr jy aOrq progrYisv hoxf cfhy[[[ AuQy vwKrIaF aOkVF afAuNdIaF ny.``

''qyry vrgI kuVI vfsqy vI aOkVF afAuNdIaF ny cyqnf?``

''aOkVF afAuNdIaF hI myry vrgI kuVI ƒ ny. ijhVI kMm qoN ibnF hor smJOqy nhIN krdI[[[sB qoN pihlF qF sfzy hfeI-PfeI bfws lok hI iksy vI smfrt kuVI ƒ apxI prsnl lfeIÌ df ihwsf bxfAuxf cfhuMdy ny[[[bQyrIaF aOrqF blYkmyl vI huMdIaF ny[[[bQyrIaF aMdr CyqI agFh vDx dI lflsf huMdI hY[[[ aijhIaF aOrqF CyqI qrwkIaF pfAuNdIaF n[[[AuhnF ƒ cMgI afÌr imldI hY[[[ cMgy pYsy imldy ny. koml mYN apxI qrwkI, apxy kMm aqy apxy kfnPIzYNs nfl KohI hY[[[ mYN vI kdy iksy df moZf nhIN qwØikaf[[[mYN kdy mfVI nIaq vfly lokF nfl smJOqf nhIN krdI. cfhy apxf nuksfn hI ikAuN nf ho jfvy[[[ iewk vfrI eysy krky mYƒ vwzI kMpnI dI aihm kursI CwzxI peI.``

''ikAuN ?`` ''mYN afiPs dy iewk mYnyjr dy mUMh `qy QwpV mfiraf sI.`` ''kfrx ?`` mYN AusdI gwl AuWpr bVI hYrfn ho ky puwiCaf. ''AusdI gMdI iqRÈnF[[[ DmkIaF idMdf sI[[[ qyrf kYrIar qbfh kr dUMgf[[[ Pyr Ausƒ sËf qF imlxI sI[[[ cfhy kMpnI CwzxI peI[[[ mYƒ vwzI kMpnI qoN CotI kMpnI ivwc afAuxf ipaf[[[ pr koeI gwl nhIN[[[ myrf kYrIar sgoN iËafdf jfndfr qy Èfndfr hovygf[[[mYƒ apxy kMm `qy pUrf XkIn hY.``

''cyqnf, ibg bfws dy QwpV.`` aYzf vwzf hONslf ikwQoN afieaf.`` mYN hws ky puwiCaf.

''mMmI koloN ieh QwpV vI iswiKaf.`` kih ky koml ny isrhfxf cuwk ky godI ivwc rwØiKaf. TIk ho ky bYT geI. ijvyN koeI mËydfr khfxI suxfAuNdI hovy[[[ AusdIaF awKF hws rhIaF sn.

''iewk mËydfr gwl suxfvF, koml ?`` jdoN mYN dsvIN ivwc sI nf[[[ mMmI iksy PMkÈn 'qy cIÌ gYst ienvfeItz sI[[[ styj AuWqy mMmI aqy hor mohqbr bMdy bYTy sn. krIb swT sfl df jwQydfr[[[mMmI dy sfhmxy kursI `qy bYTf[[[ jdoN mMmI AuDr Jfky qF Ausny awK dwb idwqI. mMmI ny axgOilaf kr idwqf. jdoN Kfxf Kfx lwgy qF Auh Pyr plyt PVH ky mMmI dy sfhmxy Klo igaf. Ausny Pyr awK dwbI. mMmI ny plyt pfsy rwK ky ctfKydfr QwpV Ausdy mUMh `qy mfiraf. lok iekwTy ho gey.

''mYzm jI kI hoieaf ?`` hr koeI iehI svfl kr irhf sI. mMmI ny ikhf, ''eysy ƒ puwC lvo, kI hoieaf ?`` kih ky mMmI kfr ivwc bYT gey. asIN dohyN AuWcI-AuWcI hws peIaF.

awj cyqnf ny mInf ƒ Gr dI sÌfeI leI Kfs qfkId kIqI. pnIr dI Kfs izÈ bxfAux leI ikhf. hor kI-kI bxfAuxYN, mInf sB jfxdI sI. cyqnf afiPs clI geI.

''mInf awj koeI Kfs gwl hY[[[ qUM svyry-svyry eI sÌfeI kr leI.``

''hF jI, krn sfhb ny afnf hY[[[ eyk mhIny sy amrIkf gey hUey Qy.``

''kOx krn ?`` ''mYzm cyqnf ky PrYNz[[[bhuq ipafry iensfn hYN.`` mYƒ cyqnf ny ies bfry kuJ nhIN dwØisaf. mYN mn hI mn muskrf peI. ËrUr srprfeIË rwKxf cfhuMdI hovygI. mYN jfxdI hF AusdIaF inwkIaF-inwkIaF ÈrfrqF ƒ.

cyqnf awj jldI af geI. iewk sohxf nOjvfn Ausdy nfl aMdr dfÉl hoieaf. mYN nmsqy kIqI. jvfb ivwc Auh hws ipaf. ''koml! [[[ shI pihcfixaf nf mYN ? [[[ mYN krn... krn kpUr[[[ qyrI ies pfgl shylI df dosq.`` Ausny CfqI `qy hwQ rwK ky Juk ky ikhf. myrf hfsf inkl igaf. ''koml, ieh pfgl kuVI df pfgl dosq.`` cyqnf ny Ausdy mUMh `qy hlkI ijhI cpq mfr ky ikhf. ''awCf pihlF cfh iplf dy cyqnf.`` cyqnf rsoeI aMdr clI geI. krn mInf dy bYzrUm ivwc clf igaf. ikho ijhf iensfn[[[ ijvyN iekdm koeI qfËI hvf df buwlf af igaf hovy[[[ mYƒ virHaF qoN jfxdf hovy. Ausny almfrI Kohl ky afpy qOlIaf kwØiZaf. hyTlI drfj ivwcoN mrdfnf cwplF kwZ ky pihn leIaF. bfQrUm aMdr clf igaf. Èfied ies Gr df koeI vI ihwsf Aus leI Eprf nhIN sI. cyqnf myry kol af geI. mYN Aus ƒ AulFBf idwqf, ''cyqnf qUM mYƒ kuJ vI nhIN dwisaf.`` Auh hws peI, ''srprfeIË myrI jfn, srprfeIË df vI apxf mËf huMdY.``

''krn qyrI kMpnI ivc kMm krdY ?``

''nhIN, Auh bhuq vwzI mltInYÈnl kMpnI ivwc hY[[[ asIN aYm.tYWk iekwiTaf kIqI sI. AudoN qoN sfzI dosqI hY.``

''isrÌ dosq ?`` mYN hws ky puwiCaf. ''nhIN, ipafr vI ho igaf. Auh hY hI bhuq ipafrf[[[ Aus df ivhfr, Aus dy ivcfr, Ausdy suÌny iblkul myry hfx dy.``

''krn eysy PlYt ivwc rihMdY ?`` ''nhIN, Auh apxy PlYt ivwc hI rihMdY[[[ keI vfr myry kol vI rih pYNdY.``

''qUM ivafh krvf lY[[[ ikAuN dUr-dUr rihMdy E ?``

''hfly nhIN koml[[[ mYN qF isrÌ AusdI pRyimkf bx ky rihxf cfhuMdI hF[[[ pqnI nhIN[[[ pqf nhIN ikAuN pqnI Èbd ivwc mYƒ gulfmI nËr afAuNdI hY. rhI gwl dUr-dUr rihx dI[[[ ivafh krvf ky[[[ ieko Cwq hyTF rihMdy mIaF-bIvI vI qF aksr iewk dUjy qoN dUr-dUr huMdy ny.``

krn PrYÈ ho ky af igaf. cyqnf cfh lYx clI geI. AusdI gwl qoN mYƒ mF cyqy af geI. bfAU jI nfl ivafhI hoeI AuhnF dI pqnI[[[ pqnI nhIN Èfied nOkrfxI[[[ svyry-svyry bfAU jI dy bUt pfilÈ krygI[[[nfÈqf prosygI[[[ nfÈqy ivwc lUx Gwt jF imrcF iËafdf kih ky bfAU jI cfr gflHF kwZxgy. gulfm ijhI aOrq myrI mF[[[ eysy qrHF hI KuÈ sI[[[ aËfdI dy aihsfs qoN kohF dUr. Xfd krky myrIaF awKF nm ho geIaF.

''hYlo[[[ iltl isstr kYsI ho ?`` ''nmsqy sfhb[[[ iblkul TIk hUM.`` mInf ny muskrfAuNidaF kyqlI qy kwp myË AuWqy rwK idwqy. cyqnf grm kyk trya ivwc rwK ky lY afeI. ''vYrI guwz[[[ mfeI Pyvryt.`` krn PtfPt CurI nfl kyk dy tukVy krn lwg ipaf. afp hI plytF ivwc rwK irhf sI. Ausny sB qoN pihlF plyt myry vwl vDfeI. Pyr iek tukVf kyk df cuwk ky cyqnf dy mUMh ivwc pfieaf. krn ƒ cfh PVfAuNidaF cyqnf ny ikhf, ''krn, koml ny vI kMipAUtr strIm ivwc bI.tYWk kIqI hY[[[ pqY ieh sfzy bYc dI tfwpr hY.``

''vYrI guwz! koml[[[ kI qusIN job kr rhy ho ?`` Ausdy kIqy svfl ny mYƒ AUxf ijhf kr idwqf.

''nhIN.`` ''ikAuN ?`` Ausny hYrfnI nfl pRÈn kIqf .

''bws kuJ GrylU mËbUrIaF[[[" ''aoho! apxf tylYNt ikAuN vyst kr rhy E ? [[[ cyqnf qUM apxy pRfjYkt iqafr kridaF koml ƒ nfl ibTfieaf kr[[[ Pyr iehdI hYlp lYxI ÈurU kr[[[ afpy krygI[[[ iesdf ieMtrwst dobfrf jfgygf[[[apxy afp trYk `qy af jfeygI.``

''trYk `qy af ky kI krFgI ?`` mYN pqf nhIN ikAuN duKI ho ky ieh kih bYTI.

krn ny myrf ichrf pVH ilaf. AuWcI-AuWcI hws ipaf. myrf hwQ PVH ky kihMdf, ''koml qUM trYk 'qy ËrUr afeyNgI, Pyr quryNgI[[[ Pyr iek idn dOVyNgI[[[ mYƒ XkIn hY.``

mYN apxy kmry ivwc af geI. nINd nhIN sI af rhI. kdy Cwq qy kdy kMDF ƒ ikMnI dyr GUrdI rhI. sfhmxI dIvfr `qy lwgI pyNitMg ny myrf iDafn atkf ilaf. iek ntnI, lMmI qy pqlI ijhI rwsI `qy pYr DrI KVHI. dohF hwQF ivwc lMmf sfrf bFs! [[[ ikho ijhf qmfÈf! [[[ ieh pqlI rwsI qy boc-boc ky qurxf, pr izwgxf nhIN, ikho ijhf sMqulx! [[[ ikho ijhf aiBafs! myrIaF awKF Ausdy nfËuk rwsI `qy itky pYrF Aupr kyNdrq ho geIaF. mInf dI avfË ny myrf iDafn qoiVaf.

''mYzm afp kOÌI logy ?``

''ies vyly[[[ bfrHF vwj cuwky ny[[[ qUM jfg rhI eyN ?``

''cyqnf aOr krn sfhb kfm kr rhy hY. Aunky lIey bnfny jf rhI QI.``
''hF, kOÌI pI lvFgI[[[ mYƒ vI nINd nhIN af rhI.`` mYN lObI ivwc af geI. cyqnf kuJ PfeIlF Prol rhI sI.

''koml, kI gwl hfly suwqI nhIN ?``

''nINd nhIN afeI.`` ''qUM ieDr af jf[[[ iekwTy kOÌI pIvFgy.``

krn kMipAUtr ivwc gvficaf hoieaf. cyqnf PfeIlF ivwc kuJ lwB rhI sI. ''afh dyK cyqnf[[[ies pRfjYkt ivwc mYN kfÌI cyijMs kIqIaF hn[[[ hux qUM stwzI kr.`` plIË krn qusIN kOÌI pINdy pINdy myrI PfeIl ivcoN go-QrU ho jfE[[[ Pyr afpF dohF ƒ tYlI krFgy.``

''hF, afeI iQMk[[[ ieh awj dI apxI bYst afAut puwt hovygI.`` krn df ichrf cmk AuWiTaf.

''QYNk gOz.`` krn mYN qF hux irlYks hoeI aF. mYƒ ieh pRfjYkt bVf cylYNijMg lwg irhf sI.``
''krn ny Ausdy isr `qy hwQ rwK ky ikhf, ''mfeI zIar, cYlYNË ƒ aYksYpt krnf isKo.``

''E[ky[`` kih ky cyqnf kMipAUtr qy AuNglF GuMmfAux lwg peI.

mYN vyK rhI sI, AuhnF df hwsØxf[[[kdy iewk dUjy ƒ glq iswD krnf[[[ kdy iewk dUjy nfl sihmq hoxf[[[ iewk dUjy qoN vDIaf krky idKfAux df jjLbf[[[iewk dUjy nfl rl ky kMm krnf. ieh sB ikMnf sukUn dfiek sI. kmfl dI AUrjf sI AuhnF ivwc. cyqnf qoN krn qwk jFdI[[[ krn qoN cyqnf qwk[[[ Pyr sfry mfhOl ivwc PYldI AUrjf.

svyry-svyry mF df Pon afieaf sI. puwC rhI sI ''muV ky kdoN afvyNgI.`` ''hfly kuJ idn Tihr ky.`` mYN AudfsI nfl Br geI. Pon bMd kr idwqf. mF vfps afAux ƒ kih rhI sI. muVn dy iKafl nfl myrf idl zuwbx lwg ipaf. mYN awKF mIc ky tYirs Aupr peI afrfm kursI `qy lyt geI. bycYnI nfl kursI ƒ ihlf rhI sI. kursI zol rhI sI[[[ kdy agFh qy kdy ipCFh[[[ iblkul myry vFg. mYN vfips prq rhI sI[[[ pqf nhIN kIhny ies rfh `qy kMZy ivCf idwqy[[[ kdm puwtdI qF cIkF inkldIaF[[[ pYr lhU-luhfn huMdy gey[[[ Gr dy bUhy mUhry kIhny ikwkrF dI vfV rwK idwqI[[[ pfsy kridaF myry hwQ vI ËÉmI ho gey[[[ mF idws peI[[[ Bwj ky af geI[[[ apxy hwQF nfl vfV pfsy htf rhI sI[[[ AusdI cuMnI vI kMiZaF ivwc atk geI[[[ Ausdy hwQ vI ËÉmI ho gey[[[ mYƒ Guwt ky kfljy nfl lf ilaf[[[ dfdI qy bfAU jI ny mF ƒ myry qoN vwK kr idwqf[[[ DrUh ky aMdr lY gey[[[ bUhf KVHfk dyxy bMd kr idwqf[[[ mYN Ëor-Ëor dI bUhf KVkf rhI sI. iek gVgVfht AuBrI[[[ qyË ibjlI dI ilÈk myry mUMh `qy vwjI[[[ mYN awKF KohlIaF. mInf myry kol KVHI sI. ''mYzm dyKo mOsm eykdm bdl igaf.`` mYN AuqFh ingfh mfrI, kfly bwdlF ny hnHyrf kr idwqf. ieh mOsm ijvyN myry aMdroN inkl ky asmfnI PYl igaf. mINh pYx lwg ipaf. mInf twp-twp krdIaF bUMdF ƒ hQylI nfl rok lYNdI. Ausdy ichry `qy mfsUimXq sI[[[ cihk rhI sI[[[ phfVF dI avfrf hvf jfp rhI sI. hvf nfl gulmohr dy ruwK JUm rhy sn. ''voh dyKo mYzm kFqI pfgl ho geI.`` kFqI dIvfinaF vFg bfhF PYlfeI mINh ivwc nhf rhI sI. GuMmx GyrIaF lY rhI sI[[[ Ausƒ nhIN pqf lwg irhf Auh ikwQy pYr DrdI qy ikwQØy rwiKaf jFdf[[[ Ausdf sfrf ijsm iksy surqfl `qy nwc irhf sI. ''afjf mInf[[[bhuq mjLf af rhf hY.``

''mYzm afp clogy ?`` ''nhIN mInf mYƒ brsfq qoN zr lwgdY.``

''qo mYN jfAUN[[[ QoVHI dyr myN afqI hUM.`` kih ky mInf vI kFqI nfl jf rlI. dohyN ivÈfl asmfn hyT afpxI hoNd ƒ mfx rhIaF sn. pYrF hyTF pfxI ƒ Cwp-Cwp AuCfldIaF. iek pl leI myrf jIa kIqf mYN vI Bwj ky AuhnF nfl bfirÈ df mËf lvF. mYƒ pqf nhIN ikAuN zr lwgdf sI. mYƒ apxf bcpn cyqy af igaf. mYN Èfied bfrHF-qyrHF sflF dI hovFgI. qyË bfirÈ ivc lwkI inwkr pfeI nhf irhf sI. mYN vI mINh ivwc iBwjx lwg peI. asIN AuWcI-AuWcI iklkfrIaF mfrdy nhf rhy sI. dfdI ny mYƒ avfË mfrI, ''kuVIey cwl aMdr.`` ''ikAuN ? [[[ mYN nhIN jfxf[[[ mYN nhfAuxY.`` ''mYN ikhf cwl aMdr.`` ''kI gwl aY[[[mYN nhIN jfxf.`` mYN aksr dfdI nfl keI vfr twkr lY lYNdI. mF vI af geI. ''koml cwl kwpVy bdl.`` ''kI gwl ? lwkI vI qF nhfeI jFdY[[[ Auhƒ ikAuN nhIN kuwJ kihMdy.`` ''lwkI ƒ nhfAux dy[[[ kuVIaF nhIN ieMJ nhfAuNdIaF.`` dfdI ny GUr ky ikhf. ''mYN qF kwpVy vI pfey hoey ny.`` kih ky mYN Pyr pfxI ivwc Cwp-Cwp pYr mfrn lwgI. ''pfey nf pfey iewk brfbr[[[ vyK ikvyN kmIË ipMzy nfl cuMbV geI[[[ BYVI lwgdI ey.`` dfdI ny Pyr ikhf, ''koml qyry bfAU jI iJVkxgy[[[ cwl myrI isafxI DI[[[ gwl mMn lY.`` mF ny jdoN ikhf qF myrf rox inkl igaf. mYN Aus Aumry aMdroN ijvyN suMgV geI[[[ ijAuN ijAuN vwzI huMdI geI, hor suMgVdI geI.

kFqI kwpVy lYx afeI sI. gUVHI gulfbI sfVI, kilwp lf ky vfl KuwlHy Cwzy hoey. awj sMDUr dI lkIr pihlF nfloN vI gUVHI sI. kMnF ivwc EhI iProËI buMdy pfey hoey. mwQy `qy vwzI sfrI ibMdI. Auh gwl krdI qF grdn iËafdf mtkfAuNdI[[[ lMmy-lMmy buMidaF ƒ iËafdf ihlfAuNdI[[[ nËfkq nfl gwl krdI qy ÈrmfAuNdI.

''kYsI ho ?`` mInf ny Èrfrq nfl Ausdy kMnIN pfey buMdy ƒ Tumxf idMidaF ikhf.

''ikaf bqfAUN[[[ Xy ikÈorI[[[ hrfmI[[[ sfrI rfq AultIaF krqf rhf[[[ gMdI dfrU cVHf ky afieaf Qf[[[koeI hoÈ nhIN Ausy[[[ mry kuwqy kI qrHF pVf hY. dyK mInf myrI qoN bfjU BI PUlI pVI hY. pr afj mYN kwpVy prYs nhIN krUMgI.``

''iPr ikaf krogI ?`` ''mYny afj jfnf hY. qUM sMBfl lYnf[[[ bolnf qyrI AultI kI dvfeI lyny geI hY.``

''ikaf swcI myN dvfeI lyny jfeygI.`` ''hF lfAuNgI do cfr puVIaF cUrn kI[[[ aOr ikaf.`` kih ky kFqI muskrf peI. isr Aupr do gwTVIaF cuwkI Auh qur peI. mYN Ausƒ jFdI ƒ qwkdI rhI. Auh pUry sMquln ivwc[[[gwTVIaF ƒ ibnF hwQ pfeI isDI qurI jf rhI sI[[[iblkul ntnI vFg. jIvn zor `qy boc-boc ky pwb DrdI hoeI.

bfirÈ bMd ho geI. mOsm bhuq sohxf sI. mInf ny ikhf, ''mYzm clo mfrikt clyN[[[ myry ko sbËI lyny jfnf hY.`` ''TIk hY mInf mYN vI Gr bYTI bYTI bor ho geI.``

mInf inwky-inwky kdm puwtdI myry nfl qurI jf rhI sI. QoVHI dUr jf ky pI[ sI[ E[ vwl ieÈfrf kIqf, ''mYzm mYN Pon krlMu ?`` ''hF, mYN pfrk ivwc bYTFgI.`` mInf krIb awDy GMty bfad afeI. ''mYzm sOrI, afp ko akylI CoV geI.``

''koeI gwl nhIN mInf[[[ mYƒ pfrk ivwc bYTxf bVf cMgf lwigaf [[[ pqf nhIN ikMny icrF bfad mYN bfhrlI dunIaF dy rMg vyKy. pr qUM kfÌI tfeIm lgf afeI ?``

''hF jI[[[ kyÈv sy bfq krnI QI[[[ krIb mhInf ho igaf Qf bfq hUey.``

''kyÈv kOx ?`` mInf myry svfl 'qy muskrf peI. ''mYN ÈfdI sy pihly kyÈv sy ipafr krqI QI[[[ dyKo mYzm, Ausny aBI qwk ÈfdI nhIN kI[[[ Ausy aB BI myrf ieMqjfr hY.``

''kyÈv qYƒ hux vI ipafr krdY ?``

''hF mYzm, voh sB jfnqf hY ik myrI ÈfdI kYsy hUeI. rfmf qo eyk vsqU kI qrHF muJy KrId ky lfieaf Qf[[[ aOr vsqU kI qrHF iesqymfl kIaf. iesI lIey mYny BI Ausy vsqU smJ kr CoV idaf.``

''mInf qUM eynHI ipafrI kuVI[[[ koeI vycx KrIdx vflI vsqU qF nhIN.``

''grIbI bhuq burI cIË hY mYzm. mF bfp qo myry hY nhIN. bVf BfeI aOr BfbI hYN. BfeI idhfVIdfr[[[ idhfVI lgI qoN dfl cfvl bn gey[[[ nhIN lgI qoN BuwKy pyt so jfE. aYsy hI ijMdgI ktqI QI. kyÈv apny mfmf kI cfey kI dukfn pr bYTqf Qf. afqy jfqy aksr hm eyk dUsry ko dyKqy... iPr eyk dUsry ko cfhny lgy[[[ bhuq awCf lVkf hY kyÈv[[[ nf koeI nÈy kI lq[[[ eyk dm myhnqI lVkf. hm ÈfdI krnf cfhqy Qy[[[ pr.``

''pr kI mInf ?`` ''mYzm aOrq hI aOrq kI sB sy bVI duÈmn bx jfqI hY. eyk idn BfbI ny muJy kyÈv ky sfQ dyK ilaf[[[ bws Ausny BfeI ny kfn Br dIe[[[BfeI ny myrI KUb iptfeI kI[[[ bhuq gflHIaF bkI. mYN keI idn guwsf mn my lIey BuwKI ipafsI rhI. eyk idn BfbI dUD ly ky afeI, bolI ''pI ly[[[ hmfry sr cVH ky mrygI ikaf ? [[[ byieËq krvfeygI hmyN ?``

''mYN nhIN pIAuNgI[[[ qyyry mnsf rfm ky hfqy kf dUD.`` BfbI ky qo mfno hoÈ Auz gey. Aus kf rfj myry idl my dbf Qf, guwsy my myrI Ëubfn pr af igaf. BfbI cuwp ho geI[[[ afqy jfqy muJy GUrqI[[[ AuskI aFKoN myN jYsy afg brsqI QI. muJy pqf Qf BfbI aksr mnsf rfm ky bfgoN myN jfqI QI[[[ voh mnsf rfm Tihrf ËmInoN aOr bfgoN kf mfilk[[[ aOrqoN kf rsIaf Qf. muJy bhuq duwK Qf[[[ BfbI khF Ps geI, pr iPr vhI grIbI aOr BUK[[[ ikaf ikaf nhIN krvfqI. jb Gr myN Kfny ko nf hoqf qo BfbI mnsf rfm ky XhF sy cfvl ly afqI[[[kBI gVvf Br ky dUD. jb pyt Br jfqf qo myrI jubfn BI bMd ho jfqI. myrf BfeI qo eyk nMbr kf inkMmf[[[muJy BfbI pr qrs afqf Qf. ijs idn mYny mnsf rfm kf nfm mUMh sy inkflf, Aus idn sy voh myrI duÈmx bx geI. eyk idn donoN muJy bUaf ky gFv lY afey[[[ eyk hI idn myN rfmf ky sfQ myrI ÈfdI kr dI[[[asl myN muJy myry BfeI ny dws hËfr myN byc idaf Qf.`` mInf dIaF awKF ivwc hMJU af gey. ''ÈfdI sy agly idn mYN rfmf ky sfQ idwlI af geI[[[cfr sfl ho gey iPr vfips nhIN geI.`` Ausny awKF pUMJidaF ikhf.

''mInf jI nhIN krdf jfx ƒ ?`

''nhIN[[[ ab nhIN jfAuNgI[[[ ibkI hUeI cIË vfips nhIN hoqI[[[jo ibk igaf so ibk igaf. ab kyÈv myry sfQ ÈfdI krnf cfhqf hY[[[ muJy vfips bulf rhf hY. mYny sfÌ-sfÌ kh idaf[[[myry sMg rhnf hY qo idwlI af jf[[[cfey ky KoKy sy qo iËafdf hI kmf lygf.``

''Pyr kyÈv kI kihMdf ?``

''afj hI bfq hUeI, voh bIs idn bfad af rhf hY.`` kih ky Auh muskrf peI.

Èfm ƒ krn qy cyqnf iekwTy af gey. dohyN bhuq KuÈ. cyqnf ny mYƒ jwPI ivwc lY ilaf.

''koml[[[ myrf pRojYkt pfs ho igaf[[[ pfs nhIN blik aYksylYNt sI.``

''vYrI guwz.`` mYN Ausƒ QfpI idwqI.

''afeI aYm rIalI sYtysPfeIz.`` cyqnf dohyN bfhF PYlf ky soPy `qy izwg peI. krn hws ipaf. ''TIk aY mYzm[[[ myrf koeI rol nhIN ?`` cyqnf Pyr AuWTI. krn ƒ jwPI pf leI, ''krn qyry ibnF qF ieh pfsIbl hI nhIN sI.`` krn ny cyqnf dy isr `qy ipafr nfl hwQ Pyiraf. ''nhIN cyqnf[[[ qUM afp hI bhuq ieMtYlIjYNt hY[[[ afeI rIalI aYprIÈIeyt XU.`` ''QYNk XU sr.`` cyqnf ny isr Jukf ky ikhf. cyqnf iqafr ho ky krn nfl cwlI sI. awj krn dy PlYt `qy pfrtI rwKI hoeI hY. Auh kihMdI, ''jdoN asIN koeI vwzf kMm nypry cfVHdy hF[[[ qF iesy qrHF sYlIbryt krdy hF. mYN qYƒ kwlH imlFgI.`` kih ky Auh krn nfl clI geI.

mYN qy mInf awj iekwlIaF sI. mInf lObI ivwc tI. vI. dyK rhI sI qy mYN kmry ivwc iekwlypx nfl KihMdI hoeI. “mYzm afp kf Pon.” mInf ny mYnUM avfjL mfrI. nmr df Pon sI. “koml qyrf vfpsI df kI pRogrfm hY? qYnUM kI pqf lok iewQy kI-kI gwlF krdy ny[[[ asIN sO-sO bhfny lfAuNdy hF[[[ kdI khIdY ik mfmI kol geI aY[[[ kdI khIdY ik BUaf kol[[[ qUM TMZy idmfg nfl soc[[[ vfips af jf.” nmr dI gwl sux ky mYN BVk AuWTI, “dIdI, jy mYN muV afeI qF kI lokF dI jLbfn bMd ho jfeygI?[[[ Pyr mYnUM quhfzI dunIaF vYlkm krn afAUgI, hwQF ivwc guldsqy PVHky[[[mYnUM dunIaf df vfsqf nf idaf kro.” kih ky mYN Pon bMd kr idwqf. qVp AuWTI sI mYN. iek moh dI qMd ijhVI mYnUM iKwcdI sI, awj mYN Auh vI qoV idwqI. mYN Gr Cwz afeI[[[ kIhdy afsry[[[ pr Gr qF iek idn Cwzxf hI pYxf sI. AuhnF Kfqr CwzdI qF sB nUM cMgf lwgdf[[[ hux afpxI Kfqr Cwizaf qF kul dunIaf hI dusLmx ho geI. mYQoN bynfm iewjLq nUM Zoh ky axcfhI ijLMdgI nhIN ijAUeIN jFdI. myrIaF awKF awj Pyr ntnI ny pYrF `qy Klo geIaF. mYnUM lwigaf jy rwsI awD ivckfroN tuwt geI qF Auh burI qrHF izwgygI[[[ toto-toty ho jfeygI[[[ pr Aus dy pYrF hyTlI rwsI qF hor lMmI[[[ hor lMmI huMdI geI. myry afly duafly vldI geI. myrI grdn qy kwsdI geI[[[ hwQ pYr sB rwsI ivc bwJdy gey[[[ mYnUM sfh nhIN af irhf[[[ mYN cIkF vI nhIN mfr skdI[[[ Bwj vI nhIN skdI. cyqnf nUM avfjL mfrI sI, “cyqnf mYnUM ajLfd krdy[[[cyqnf mYN mr rhI hF[[[ pr cyqnf afpxy guafcy[[[ myrI avfjL nhIN sux rhI[[[ mInf. mInf[[[ mYnUM Kohl dy[[[” “mYzm Kud hI koisLsL kro.” kih ky mInf vI rsoeI ivwc vVH geI. myrI mdd nUM koeI iqafr nhIN. mYN afpxy aMdr sfrI sLkqI iekwTI kIqI[[[ jdojihd krdI rhI[[[ hwQ pYr mfrdI rhI[[[ aQfh sLkqI myry aMdr af geI[[[ bMDn iZwly hox lwg pey[[[ mYN ajLfd hox ivwc kfmXfb ho geI. mYN Bwj ky cyqnf kol af geI[[[“cyqnf Bwj cwl[[[ mYnUM dUr lY cwl[[[ mYnMU Pyr rwsIaF ivwc jkV dyxgy[[[ cyqnf mYnUM lY cwl.” cyqnf ny muskrfAuNidaF hoieaF awKF mUMd leIaF. mYnUM ieMj jfipaf ijvyN mYN Aus dI afgosL ivwc smfa geI.
(‘hux’ ivcoN DMnvfd sihq)