Disclaimer
This book is transliteration of Umera Ahmed’s masterpiece Peer-e-Kaamil WITHOUT HER PERMISSION.
This is only for those readers who understand Urdu but can’t read it. On Goodreads, some people asked meabout Roman transliteration of Peer-e-Kamil. I couldn’t find it, so I made a mental note to try and make it available to others for free when I get time. Then I forgot about it because I never get time.
And this morning, I got this book. Some kind soul had enough time to transliterate, print, and spiral bind and bring it home.
Anyone interested in reading the roman version can borrow from me.
And those online can read it here.
P.S. This is NOT English translation. If you want that, it’s available on Amazon.
Wo un dinon United Nations ke zair-e-ehtemaam hone wali kisi regional conference ke silsiley mein Pakistan aaya hua tha. Wo Pearl Continental mein thehra hua tha. Use wahan ek business management ke adaarey mein lectures dene the aur Furqan ke sath apne school ke silsiley mein kuch umoor ko bhi tay karna tha.
Wo Lahore mein uske qayaam ka teesra din tha. Us ne raat ka khana kuch jaldi kha liya aur uske baad wo kisi zaruri kaam se hotel se bahar nikal aaya. Shaam ke 7:30 ho rahe the. Mall road par jaate hue achanak uski gaadi ka tyre puncture ho gaya. Driver gaadi se utar kar tyre ko dekhne laga. Chand minton baad us ne Salar ki khidki ke paas aa kar kaha.
“Sar! Gaadi mein dusra tyre maujood nahin hai. Main aap ke liye koi taxi lata hoon, aap us par chale jayein.” Salar ne hath ke ishaarey se use rok diya.
“Nahin, main khud taxi rok leta hoon.” Wo kehta hua utar gaya. Kuch door ek parking mein kuch taxies nazar aa rahi thin. Salar ka rukh usi taraf tha jab ek car ne ek dam uske paas aa kar break lagayi. Gaadi saamne se aayi thi aur uske rukne par Salar ne footpath par chalte hue us mein baithe shakhs ko ek nazar mein hi pehchan liya.
Wo Aakif tha. Wo ab gaadi ki driving seat se utar raha tha. Lahore mein kuch saal uski sargarmiyon ka wo ek markazi kirdaar tha. Aakif aur Akmal. Wo un hi donon ke sath apna zyada waqt guzaara karta tha aur usse Salar ki dobara mulaqaat kai saalon ke baad ho rahi thi. Wo un sab ko chhod chuka tha. Pakistan ya Lahore aane par bhi us ne kabhi un ke sath raabta karne ki koshish nahin ki thi. Un logon ne pichley kai saalon me baar baar usse raabta karne ki koshish ki thi magar unki in koshishon ke bawajood Salar unse bachne ki koshishon mein kaamyaab raha tha.
Aur ab itne saalon ke baad wo ek dam is tarah achanak uske saamne aa gaya tha. Salar ke aasaab ek dam tan gaye the. Aakif bade josh-o-kharosh ke aalam mein uski taraf badha.
“Salar! Mujhe yaqeen nahin aa raha ke ye tum ho………. Kahan ghayab the itne saalon se? tum to gadhey ke sair se seeng ki tarah ghayab ho gaye the. Kahan the yaar! Aur ab yahan kya kar rahe ho. Huliya hi badal liya hai, kahan gaye wo baal, Lahore mein kab aaye ho, aane ki ittelaa kyun nahin di?”
Usne yake-baad-deegrey sawaalat ki bauchhaad kar di. Usne Salar ke andaaz mein jhalakney wali sard mohri par ghaur nahin kiya tha. Salar ke jawaab dene se pehle hi Aakif ne dobara pucha.
“Yahan maal par kya kar rahe ho?”
“Gaadi kharaab ho gayi thi, main taxi ki taraf jaa raha tha.” Salar ne kaha.
“Kahan jaa rahe ho, main drop kar deta hoon.” Aakif ne bey takallufi se kaha.
“Nahin, main chala jaata hoon. Taxi paas hi hai.” Salar ne tezi se kaha.
Aakif ne uski baat suni an suni kar di.
“Chalo andar baitho.” Une baazu pakad kar kheench liya. Salar sutputaaya laikin uski gaadi ki taraf badh gaya. Usk mood bahot kharaab hone laga tha.
“Tum to status padhne chale gaye the aur phir mujhe pata chala ke tum ne wahan job kar li hai phir achanak Pakistan kaise?” Aakif ne gaadi start karte hue pucha. “Kya chhuttiyaan guzaarne aaye ho?”
“Haan!” Salar ne mukhtasaran kaha, wo is tarah se jaan chhuda sakta tha.
“Kya kar rahe ho aaj kal?” Aakif ne gaadi chalate hue pucha.
“United Nations ke ek agency mein kaam karta hoon.”
“Yahan Lahore mein kahan thehrey ho?”
“PC mein.”
“Arey PC mein kyun thehrey ho, mere paas aate ya mujhe phone karte. Kab aaye yahan?” Aakif ne kaha.
“Kal.”
“Bas to phir tum mere sath, mere ghar rahoge. Zarurat nahin hai hotel mein rehne ki.”
“Nahin, main kal subah Islamabad wapas jaa raha hoon.” Salar ne rawani se jhoot bola. Wo Aakif se har qeemat par jaan chhuda lena chahta tha. Use us se uljhan ho rahi thi ya phir ye shayad uske sath guzara jaane wala maazi tha jo use takleef mein mubtala kar raha tha.
“Agar kal Islamabad wapas jaa rahe ho to phir aaj mere sath raho. Khana khao mere sath ghar chal kar.” Aakif ne offer ki.
“Khana main 10 minute pehle hi kha ka nikla hoon.”
“Phir bhi mere sath ghar chalo. Tumhein apni biwi se milwaunga.”
“Shadi ho gayi tumhari?”
“Haan, 3 saal hue.” Aakif ne kaha, phir pucha.
“Aur tum…………tum ne shadi kar li?”
“Nahin.”
“Kyun?”
“Bas kuch marufiyat thi is liye.” Salar ne kaha.
“Good! Abhi aazad phir rahe ho.” Aakif ne ek gehra saans liya. “Khush qismat ho.” Salar ne jawaab mein kuch nahin kaha. Aakif ne usse baat karte hue glove compartment khol kar andar se k casette nikaalni chahi. Uska dhyaan zara bhatka aur casette nikaalte nikaalte glove compartment se bahot si cheezein Salar ki god aur niche uske pairon mein gir padin.
“Too bad” Aakif ne be ikhteyaar kaha. Salar jhuk kar cheezein uthaane laga. Aakif ne gaadi ke andar ki light jala di. Wo un cheezon ko samet kar glove compartment ke ek koney mein rakhne laga tha jab to thithak gaya. Kisi ne uske jism mein jaise current sa dauda diya. Glove compartment ke ek kone mein earrings pad the. Salar ke hathon mein be ikhteyaar larzish aa gayi. Bayan hath badha kar usne un earrings ko bahar nikaal liya. Wo ab uske hath ki hatheli par gaadi ke andar jalti hui raushni mein chamak rahe the. Wo be ikhteyaari ke aalam mein use dekh raha tha.
Bahot saal pehle usne un earrings ko kisi ke kaanon mein dekha tha. Ek baar………. Do baar………… teen baar…….. chauthi baar wo unhein ab dekh raha tha. Use koi shubah nahin tha. Wo Imama Hashim ke earrings the. Wo aankhein band kar ke kaghaz par unka design utaar sakta tha. Har pech-o-kham ko………. Aakif n uski hatheli se wo earrings utha liye. Kisi ne jaise Salar ka sakta tod diya tha. Aakif un earrings ko ek baar phir glove compartment mein rakh raha tha.
“Ye earrings………” Wo ataktey hue bola. “Ye tumhari biwi ke hain?” Salar ne apne sawaal ko mukammal kiya.
“Biwi ke?” Aakif hansa. “Come on yaar! Biwi ke hote to main yahan rakhta.” Salar palkein jhapkaaye baghair use dekhta raha.
“Phir?” Usne sarsaraati hui aawaz mein kaha.
“Yaar hai ek girlfriend meri, pichhli raat mere sath thi. Ye earrings mere bedroom mein chhod gayi. Kuch emergency mein jaana pada use kyun ke Roha wapas aa gayi thi. Main ne ye earrings la kar gaadi mein rakh diye kyun ke aaj mera uski taraf jaane ka iraada hai.” Aakif badi bey takallufi se use bata raha tha.
“Girlfriend?” Salar ke halaq mein jaise phanda laga.
“Haan, girlfriend. Red light area hi ki ek ladki hai. Ab idhar defence mein shift ho gayi hai.”
“Kya…….. Kya naam hai uska?”Imama redlight area ki ladki to kabhi nahin ho sakti. Yaqeenan mujhe ghalat fehmi hui hai. Usne Aakif ko dekhte hue socha.
“Sanobar.” Aakif ne uska naam bataya. Salar ne chehra mod kar hath mein padki hui cheezein glove compartment mein rakh kar use band kar diya. Use waqai ghalat fehmi thi. Aakif gaadi ki light off kar chuka tha. Seat ki pusht se tek laga kar Salar ne gehra saans liya.
“Magar ye uska asli naam nahin hai.” Aakif ne baat jaari rakhi. “Asli naam uska Imama hai.” Salar ke kaanon mein koi dhamaaka hua tha ya phir pighla hua seesa tha jo kisi ne uske kaanon mein undel diya tha.
Aakif ab steering par thoda aage jhuke honton mein daba cigarette lighter se jala raha tha.
“Tum ne……….tum ne…………kya kaha?” Salar ki aawaz mein larzish thi.
“Kya kaha?” Aakif ne cigarette ka kash leta hue use dekha.
“Naam bata rahe the tum us ka?”
“Haan, Imama………. Tum jaante ho use?” Aakif ne ajeeb si muskurahat ke sath Salar ko dekha.
Khidki ka sheesha ab usne khol diya tha. Salar yak-tuk use dekhta raha yun jaise wo Aakif ko pehli baar dekh raha tha. Earrings ab uski mutthi ki giraft mein the.
“Main kya puch raha hoon yaar! Tum jaante ho use?”
Aakif ne honton se cigarette ungliyon mein muntaqil karte hue kaha.
“Main…….Main………” Salar ne kuch bolne ki koshish i. apni aawaz use kisi khaayi se aati hui mehsoos hui. Redlight area wo aakhri jagah thi jahan usne kabhi Imama ke hone ka tasawwur kiya tha.
Gaadi ke andar jalne wali raushni mein Aakif ne bahot ghaur se dekha. Us ke zard padte hue chehre ko, us ke hath ki band mutthi ko, uske kapkapate honton ko, uske bey rabt bey maani lafzon ko. Aakif muskuraya. Usne ne us ke kandhey par tasalli aamez andaaz mein thapki di.
“Don’t worry yaar! Kyun ghabra rahe ho, wo sirf girlfriend hai meri. Agar tumhare aur uske darmiyaan bhi kuch hai to koi baat nahin, ham to pehle bhi bahot kuch share karte the, yaad hain tumhein.” Aakif ne qehqaha lagaya phir usne barood mein teeli phenki.
“Ye to phir ladki hai.”
Mall road par kitna rush tha. Aakif kitni raftaar se gaadi chala raha tha. Un do sawaalon ke sath sath Salar ne ye bhi nahin socha ke steering par maujood shakhs par jhapatey ki surat mein khud uske sath kya ho sakta tha. Usne ek palak jhapaktey mein Aakif ko galey se pakad liya. Aakif ka paon be ikhteyaar break par aaya. Gaadi ek jhatkey se ruki. Wo donon puri quwwat se dashboard se takraye. Salar ne uske collar ko nahin chhoda. Aakif hawaas baakhtagi ki haaat mein chillaya.
“Kya kar rahe ho tum?” usne Salar ke hathon se apna gala chhudaney ki koshish mein use door hataney ki koshish ki. “Pagal ho gaye ho?”
“How dare you talk like that?”
Salar jawaaban ghurraya. Uske hath ek baar phir Aakif ki gardan par the. Aakif ka saans rukne laga. Usne kuch ghussey aur kuch hawaas baakhtagi ke aalam mein Salar ke munh par mukka maara. Salar be ikhteyaar jhatka kha kar pichey hata. Uske donon hath ab apne munh par the. Aakif ki gaadi ke peechey maujood gaadiyan horn par horn der rahi thin. Wo sadak ke wast mein khade the aur ye un donon ki khush qismati thi ke is tarah achanak gaadi rukney par peechey aane wali gaadi un se nahin takraayi.
Salar donon hathon se apna jabda pakde hue apni seat par dohra hua tha. Aakif ne apne hosh-o-hawaas ko qaabu mein rakhte hue gaadi ko kuch aage ek sunsaan zaili sadak par modte hi ek taraf rok liya. Salar tab tak seedha ho chuka tha aur apne hath ki hatheli se honton aur jabdey ko dabaye wind screen se bahar dekh raha tha. Kuch der pehle ka iste’aal ab ghayab ho chuka tha.
Aakif ne gaadi roki. Seat par baithe baithe uski taraf muda aur kaha. “Kya mas’ala hai tumhare sath. Mere galey kyun pad rahe the, main ne kya kiya hai?”
Buland aawaz mein baat karte karte usne dash board se tissue box utha kar Salar ki taraf badhaya. Usne Salar ki shirt par khoon ke chand qatrey dekh liye the. Salar ne yake-baad-deegrey 2 tissue nikaal liye aur hont ke us koney ko saaf karne laga jis se khoon ris raha tha.
“Gaadi ka accident ho jata abhi.” Aakif ne kaha. Salar ko hath saaf karte hue dobara earrings ka khayal aaya. Usne ek dam jhuk kar paaidaan mein earrings dhundna shuru kar diya.
“Footpath par gaadi chadh jaati ya……..” Aakif baat adhuri chhod kar use dekhne laga.
“Kya dhund rahe ho?”
“Wo earrings.” Salar ne mukhtasaran kaha.
Aakif be ikhteyaar jhallaya.
“Kya problem hai Salar! Meri girlfriend hai, uske earrings hain, mera problem hai ye earrings ya uska problem hai tumhara nahin.” Salar ek dam ruk gaya. Use apni naa maaqul harkat ka ehsaas hua. Wo seedha ho kar baith gaya. Tissue ko khidki se bahar phenkte hue use dam ghut’ta hua mehsoos ho raha tha.
Aakif maathey par bal liye usko dekh raha tha.
“Tumhara aur Sanobar ka koi……” Aakif baat karte karte mohtaat andaaz mein ruk gaya. Wo anddaz nahin kar paa raha ke pichhli baar uske jumley mein aisa kaun sa lafz tha jis ne use mushtail kiya tha. Wo dobara ghalti dohrana nahin chahta tha.
“I am sorry.” Salar ne uske rukne par kaha.
“Okay fine.” Aakif kuch mutmayin hua. “Tum aur Sanobar………” Wo phir ruk gaya.
“Tum ne kaha tha uska naam Imama hai.” Salar ne gardan mod kar uska chehra dekha. Aakif ko be ikhteyaar uski aankhon se khauf aaya. Wo kisi normal insan ki aankhein nahin thin. Wehshat………. Bechaargi……..khauf……….wo har ta’assur liye hue thin.
“Haan, usne ek baar mujhe bataya tha. Shuru mein, ek baar apne barey mein bata rahi thi, tab usne mujhe bataya.”
“Uska huliya bata sakte ho mujhe?” Salar ne mauhoom si ummid ke sath kaha.
“Haan kyun nahin.” Aakif gadbadaya. “Bahot khoobsurat hai. Tall, fair, kaali aankhein hain, baal bhi kaale the ab dye kiye hue hain usne aur kya bataun.” Wo zich hua.
Salar ne aankhein band kar ke wind screen ki taraf chehra kar liya. Ghutan kuch aur badh gayi thi.
“Imama Hashim hai uska naam?”Wo wind screen se bahar dekhte hue badbadaya.
“Pata nahin, baap ka naam to nahin bataya usne. Naa hi main ne pucha.” Aakif ne kaha.
“Imama Hashim hi hai wo.” Wo badbadaya. Uska chehra dhuvan dhuvan ho raha tha. “Ye sab meri wajah se hua……….sab………. main zimmedaar hoon is sab kuch ka.”
“Kis cheez ke zimmedar ho tum?” Aakif ko tajassus hua. Salar khamushi se wind screen se bahar dekhta raha. Aakif jawaab ka intezaar karta raha. Chand minute ki khamushi ke baad Salar ne gardan mod kar usse kaha.
“Main usse milna chahta hoon. Abhi aur isi waqt.”
Aakif kuch der use dekhta raha aur phir wo dashboard se mobile utha kar ek call milane laga. Kuch der tak wo koshish karta raha phir usne kandhe uchkaate hue kaha.
“Uska mobile off hai. Pata nahin wo ghar par mile ya na mile kyun ke ab raat ho rahi hai aur wo……..” Aakif chup ho kar gaadi start karne laga. “Laikin main tumhein ley jaata hoon uske ghar.”
Aadhe ghante ke baad wo dono defence ke ek bangley ke bahar khade the. Wahan pahonchne tak un dono mein koi baat nahin hui. Aakif ab us waqt to kos raha tha jab usne Salar ko lift di thi.
Chand baar horn dene par andar se ek aadmi bahar nikal aaya, wo chaukidaar tha.
“Sanobar ghar par hai?” Aakif ne use dekhte hi pucha.
“Nahin, bibi saheba to nahin hain.”
“Kahan hain?”
“Mujhe pata nahin.” Aakif ne Salar ko dekha aur phir gaadi ka darwaza kholte hue kaha.
“Tum baitho, main thodi der mein aata hoon.” Aakif us aadmi ke sath andar chala gaya. Uski wapsi 10 minute baad hui.
“Tum ko usse baat karni hai?” usne andar baithtey hi pucha.
“Mujhe usse milna hai.” Aakif dobara gaadi start karne laga.
Safar phir khamushi se tay hone laga. 9 baj rahe the jab wo redlight area mein pahonche the. Salar ke liye wo jagah nayi nahin thi. Sirf us takleef ka ehsaas naya tha jo use is baar ho raha tha.
“Aaj yahan hi hai wo…….. Kisi aadmi ne yahan ki kuch ladkiyon ko book karwaya hai kisi function ke liye. Wo bhi un hi ke saath jaa rahi hai.” Aakif ne gaadi se utartey hue kaha.
“Tum bhi to utro, bahot andar jaana hai. Ab Sanobar ko to main tum se milane ke liye yahan nahin laa sakta.” Salar bahar nikal aaya.
Wo Aakif ke sath ek baar phir un galiyon mein jaane laga. Use achi tarah yaad the wo is tarah ki jagah mein aakhri baar wahan kab aaya tha, wahan kuch bhi nahin badla tha. Insaani gosht ki tijaarat ab bhi usi “dhakey-chhupe” andaaz mein ho rahi thi.
Use bahot achi tarah yaad the wo pehli baar 18 saal ki umr mein wahan aaya tha phir wo kai baar wahan aata raha tha, kai baar. Baaz dafa raqs dekhne, baaz dafa kisi mashhoor actress ki kisi mehfil mein shirkat ke liye, baaz dafa un galiyon ke darwazon, khidkiyon, chaubaaron se latakti jhaankti neem uriyaan barhana aurton ko dekhne. Use ajeeb si khushi milti thi un galiyon se guzartey hue. Wo wahan khadi kisi bhi umr ki kisi bhi shakl ki aurat ko chand ghanton ke liye khareed sakta tha. Wallet se nikalne wale chand note wahan khadi kisi bhi ladki ko sar se pair tak uska kar dete. Duniya pairon ke niche aur kaainaat mutthi mein hona kis kehte the, use sarshaari ka ehsaas hota. Aur wo baaz dafa wahan raat guzaarney ke liye, un aurton ke sath jin se wo nafrat karta tha, chand rupyon ki khaatir jism farokht karne waliyon ke liye wo uske alawa kya jazbaat rakh sakta thaaur nafrat ke bawajood wo unhein khareedta tha kyun ke wo khareed sakta tha. 18-19 saal ki umr mein use yaqeen tha ke un aurton mein kabhi koi aisi aurat nahin ho sakti thi jis se uska koi talluq hota, khooni rishta hota ya mohabbat hoti.
Uski maan bahen ek elite class ki fard thin. Uski biwi ko bhi usi class ke kisi ghar se aana tha. Uski beti bhi usi class ki hoti. Jab ke Red light area ki aurtein……….. unhein isi kaam ke liye paida kiya gaya hai, use yaqeen tha. Akdi gardan, uthi hui thoodi aur taney hue abruon ke sath to is makhlooq se jitni nafrat karta, kam thi. Jitni tazleel karta naa kaafi thi.
Aur ab……….. Ab qismat ne kya kiya tha. 7 pardon mein rehne wali us aurat ko jis ke jism par wo kisi ki ungli ke lams tak ko bardaasht nahin kar sakta tha, use is bazar mein phenk diya tha. Usse chand qadam aagey wo shakhs chal raha tha jo uska gahak tha aur Salar Sikandar zabaan kholne ke qaabil tak nahin tha. Aawaz buland nahin kar sakta tha. Shikwa nahin kar sakta tha. Wo kisi se kya kehta. Kya wo Allah se keh sakta tha ke uske saath aisa kyun hua? Aakhir usne aisa kya kiya tha? Usne apne hont bheench liye. Uski kapkapahat ko kaise rokta? In galiyon mein aane wala koi shakhs kabhi daawey ke sath ye keh sakta hai ke uske apne ghar, apne khaandaan ki aurat kabhi is bazar mein nahin aayegi? Kisi dusrey mard ki jeb mein padey hue noton ke ewaz nahin bik sakegi? Maan nahin………. Bahen……….?ya biwi………?beti……….?poti…………?nawaasi………..? Aane wali naslon mein se koi?
Salar Sikandar ki zaban halaq se kheench li gayi thi. Imama Hashim uski biwi thi, uski mankooha. Elite class ki wo aurat jis ka is bazar se kabhi waasta nahin padta. Salar Sikandar ne ek baar phir khud ko Margalla ki pahadiyon par raat ki taariki mein darakht ke sath banda paaya. Bey basi ki intehaa thi.
“Sahab! Mere sath chalo, har umr ki ladki hai mere paas. Is ilaaqey ki sab se achi ladkiyan, qeemat bhi zyada nahin hai.” Uske sath ek aadmi chalne laga.
“Main us liye nahin aaya hoon.” Salar ne maddham aawaz mein us par nazar daaley baghair kaha.
“Koi drink chahiye, koi drug main sab supply kar sakta hoon.”
Aakif ne ek dam qadam rok kar qadrey ukhdey hue andaaz mein us aadmi se kaha. “Tumhein ek baar kaha hai na ke zarurat nahin hai phir peechey kyun pad gaye ho.”
Us aadmi ke qadam tham gaye. Salar khamushi se chalta raha. Uska zahen kisi aandhi ki zad mein aaya hua tha. Imama Hashim wahan, kab, kyun, kaise aa gayi thi? Maazi ek film ki tarah uski nazron ke saamne aaya tha.
“Please, tum ek baar……… ek baar usko jaa kar mere barey mein sab kuch batao, usse kaho mujh se shadi kar le. Usse kaho, mujhe kisi cheez ki zarurat nahin hai, sirf ek naam hai. Usko tum Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ ka waasta doge to wo inkaar nahin karega. Wo itni mohabbat karta hai Un ﷺ se.” Usne bahot saal pehle apne bed par neem daraaz chips khate hue mobile phone par bade itmenaan ke sath usko bilaktey suna tha.
“By the way! Tum Imama ke kya lagte ho?”
“Main………..? Main aur Imama bahot gehrey aur puraane friends hain.” Jalaal Ansar ke maathey par bal pad gaye the. Salar ne ajeeb si sarshaari mehsoos ki thi. Jalaal us waqt Imama aur uske barey mein kya soch raha hoga, wo achi tarah andaza kar sakta tha.
“Usse jaa kar saaf saaf keh do ke main usse shadi nahin karunga.”
Wo Jalaal Ansar ka ye paighaam sunatey hue Imama ka chehra dekhna chahta tha. Usne chewing gum ke bubble banate h Imama ko mobile par khabar di thi.
“Tum ne mujh par itne ehsaan kiye hain, ek ehsaan aur karo. Mujhe talaaq de do.” Wo phone par gidgidayi thi.
“Nahin, main tum par ehsaan karte karte thak gaya hoon, ab aur ehsaan nahin karna chahta aur ye wala ehsaan…….. ye to naa mumkin hai.” Us ne jawaban kaha tha.
“Tum talaaq chahti ho, court mein jaa kar le lo magar main to tumhein talaaq nahin dunga.”
Salar ke halaq mein phandey lagne lage.
“Haan, main ne ye sab kuch kiya tha laikin main ne, Jalaal Ansar ki ghalat fehmi ko door kar diya tha. Main ne use sab kuch bata diya tha, kuch bhi chhupaya nahin tha. Main ne sirf ek mazaaq kiya tha, ek practical joke. Main to ye nahin chahta tha ke Imama ke sath kuch bhi ho.” Wo jaise kisi adaalat mein aan khada hua tha.
“Theek hai main ne uske saath zyadati ki use talaaq na de kar……. Magar……….magar………… main ne phir bhi ye khwahish to nahin ki thi ke wo yahan aa phansey. Main ne ………… main ne use ghar chhodney se roka tha, main ne mazaaq mein hi sahi magar use madad ki offer bhi ki thi. Main to use yahan le kar nahin aaya tha. Koi mujhe zimmey daaar nahin thehra sakta is sab ka.”
Wo bey rabt jumlon mein wazahatein de raha tha. Uske sar mein sansanaahat hone lagi. Dard ki ek tez magar maanus si laher, migrane ka ek aur attack. Wo chalte chalte ruka, hont bheenchtey hue usne bey ikhteyaar apni kanpati ko masla, dard ke laher guzar gayi thi. Aankhein khol kar usne gali ke pech-o-kham ko dekha. Wo andhi gali thi, kam az kam uske liye aur Imama Hashim ke liye. Usne qadam aage badhaye. Aakif ek chaubarey numa ghar ke saamne ruk gaya tha. Usne mud kar Salar ko dekha.
“Yahi ghar hai.” Salar ka chehra kuch aur zard pad gaya. Qayamat ab aur kitni door reh gayi thi.
“Upar ki manzil par jaana hai, Sanobar upar hi hogi.” Aakif kehte hue ek taraf maujood tang aur taarik si seedhiyan chadhne laga. Salar ko pehli hi seedhi par thokar lagi. Wo bey ikhteyaar jhuka, Aakif ne mud kar use dekha aur ruk gaya.
“Ehteyaat se aao, seedhiyon ki haalat zyada achi nahin hai. Upar se ye log bulb lagwane ke bhi rawadaar nahin.” Salar seedha ho gaya. Usne Aakif ka sahara le kar upar wali seedhi par qadam rakha. Seedhiyan bal kha kar golaai ki surat mein upar jaa rahi thin aur itni tang thin ke sirf ek waq mein ek hi aadmi guzar sakta tha. Unki cement bhi ukhdi hui thi. Wo boot pahenne ke bawajood unki khasta haalat ko jaanch sakta tha jis diwar ka sahara le kar wo seedhiyan chadh raha tha. Us diwar ki cement bhi ukhdi hui thi. Salar andhon ki tarah diwar tatoltey hue seedhiyan chadhne laga.
Pehli manzil ke ek darwazey ke khuley hue pat se aane wali raushni ne Salar ki rehnumayi ki thi. Aakif wahan kahin nahin tha. Yaqeenan wo darwaza paar kar ke aagey chala gaya tha. Salar chand lamhon ke liye wahan ruka phir us ne dahleez ke paar qadam rakha. Wo ab ek baar chaubarey mein tha. Ek taraf bahot se kamron ke darwazey the. Dusri taraf niche gali nazar aa rahi thi. Bar aamdey numa lamba chaubarah bilkul khali tha. Tamaam kamron ke darwazey use wahan khade band hi lag rahe the. Aalif kahan gaya tha wo nahin jaanta tha. Usne bahot mohtaat andaaz mein apne qadam aagey badhaye. Yun jaise wo kisi bhoot bangley mein aa gaya tha. Abhi koi darwaza khulta aur Imama Hashim uske saamne aa kar khadi ho jaati.
“Mera khuda……..Main………..Main uska saamna yahan kaise karunga.” Uska dil dooba.
Wo un band darwazon par nazar daaltey hue chalta jaa raha tha. Jab us bar aamdey ke aakhri sirey par ek darwaze mein se Aakif nikla.
“Tum yahan reh gaye ho.” Wo wahi se buland aawaz mein bola. “Yahan aao.”
Salar ke qadmon ki raftaar tez ho gayi. Salar darwazey tak pahonchne se pehle chand lamhey ke liye ruk gaya. Wo apne dil ki dhadkan ki aawaz bahar tak sun raha tha phir aankhein band kiye sard haathon ki mutthiyaan bheenchtey wo kamrey mein daakhil ho gaya. Wahan Aakif ek kursi par baitha hua tha jab ke ek ladki apne baalon par brush karte hue Aakif se baatein kar rahi thi.
“Ye Imama nahin hai.” Bey ikhteyaar Salar ke munh se nikla.
“Haan ye Imama nahin hai. Wo andar hai, aao.” Aakif ne uthtey hue ek aur kamrey ka darwaza khola. Salar hamwaar qadmon se uske peechey gaya. Aakif agley kamrey ko bhi paar kar gaya aur ek aur darwaza khol kar ek dusrey kamrey mein daakhil ho gaya.
“Hello Sanobar!” Salar ne dur se Aakif ke ehte suna. Uska din uchhal kar halaq mein aa gaya. Ek lamhein ke liye uski jee chaha wo wahan se bhaag jaaye…………abhi isi waqt………sarpat………idhar udhar dekhe baghair……….is ghar se………..is ilaaqey se………is shaher se…………is mulk se…………..dobara kabhi wahan ka rukh tak naa karey…………..usne gardan mod kar apne aqab mein maujood darwazey ko dekha.
“Aao Salar!” Aakif ne use mukhaatib kiya. Wo ab gardan modey andar kisi ladki se masroof-e-guftgu tha. Salar ne thook nigla. Uska halaq kaanton ka jungle ban gaya tha. Wo aagey badha. Aakif ne apni pusht par us ke qadmon ki aawaz suni to darwazey se hat gaya. Salar darwazey mein tha. Wo kamrey ke wast mein khadi thi.
“Ye hai Sanobar.” Aakif ne taaruf karwaya. Salar usse nazrein nahin hata saka. Wo bhi us par nazrein jamaye hue thi.
“Imama?” Wo bey his-o-harkat use dekhte hue badbadaya.
“Haan Imama!” Aakif ne tasdeeq ki.
Salar ghutnon ke bal zameen par gir pada. Aakif ghabra gaya.
“Kya hua, kya hua?” wo donon haathon se apna sar pakdey hue sajdey mein tha. Wo ek tawaaif me kothey par sajdey mein girne wala pehla mard tha.
Aakif panjon ke bal baitha use kandhey se pakdey hila raha tha. Salar sajdey mein bachchon ki tarah ro raha tha.
“Pani……..Pani laaun?” Sanobar ghabratey hue tezi se bed ke sirhaaney padey jug aur glass ki taraf gayi aur glass mein le kar Salar ke paas aa kar baith gayi.
“Salar sahab! Aap paani piyein.”
Salar ek jhatkey se uth baitha. Yun jaise use current laga ho. Uska chehra aansuon se bheega hua tha. Kuch kahe baghair us usne apni jeans ki jeb se wallet nikaala aur paagalon ki tarah us mein se currency note nikaal kar Sanobar ke saamne rakhta gaya usne wallet chand second mein khaali kar diya. Us mein credit cards ke alawa kuch bhi nahin bacha tha. Phir wo kuch kahe baghair uth khada hua aur ultey qadmon darwazey ki dehleez se thokar khata hua bahar nikal gaya. Aakif hakka bakka uske peeche aaya.
“Salar……..Salar………! kya hua hai? Kahan jaa rahe ho?”
Usne Salar ko kandhey se pakad kar rokney ki koshish ki. Salar wehshat zada usse apne aap ko chudaaney laga.
“Chodo mujhe. Haath na lagao. Mujhe jaane do.” Wo buland aawaz mein rotey hue hizyaani andaaz mein chillaya.
“Imama se milna tha tumhein?” Aakif ne use yaad dilaya.
“Ye Imama nahin hai. Ye nahin hai Imama Hashim…………”
“To theek hai. Magar mere saath jaana hai tumhein.”
“Main chala jaunga. Main chala jaunga. Mujhe tumhari zarurat nahin.” Wo ultey qadmon apna kandha chhudata hua kamrey se nikal gaya. Aakif zair-e-lab kuch badbadaya. Uska mood off ho gaya tha mud kar wo Sanobar ke kamrey mein ghus gaya jo abhi bhi hairaani se noton ke dher ko dekh rahi thi.”
Next episode:
https://theothermeunfolded.com/blog/peer-e-kaamil-roman-urdu-umera-ahmed-episode-127/
Prev episode:
https://theothermeunfolded.com/blog/peer-e-kaamil-roman-urdu-umera-ahmed-episode-125/
Stay tuned for more book reviews.
Until next time, happy reading!
~~~
Want more of my trademark philosophy daily? Do three things, not necessarily in that order.
Subscribe to my blog.
Find my books on Amazon.
Show some love!
Shabana Mukhtar