Surat ka Athwagate signal, shaam ke 7 baje ka waqt tha.
Sadkon par rush tha, log apne-apne kaam se ghar laut rahe the. Garmi thodi kam ho chuki thi, aur hawa mein baarish ke baad wali khushbu thi ,
'kabir' ek 30 saal ka ladka, ek chhota sa lingerie manufacturing business chalata tha kabir ke liye yeh sirf ek business nahi, ek art tha, delicate designs, fine fabric, aur women's comfort ko samajhne ka kaam.
Woh roz ki tarah athwagate pe ek tapri par rukta tha chai aur cigarette ke liye,
Chai peete peete uski nazar ek ladki par padhi.
Woh ladki ek rickshaw mein baithi thi, chehre par gussa, aankhon mein thodi si pareshani, jaise late ho rahi ho. Lekin uski simplicity mein kuch alag hi baat thi. Brown kurta, jeans, aur ek cotton bag kandhe par. Kabir usse bas dekhta hi raha....
Signal green hua, aur wo ladki ka rickshaw aage badh gaya,
lekin dimaag usi ladki ke chehre par atka raha. "Kaun thi woh? "usne apne aap se pucha.
Agle kuch din woh har shaam ab 1 ghanta jyada tapri par rukta, umeed mein ki shayad woh ladki dobara dikh jaaye. Aur phir, ek shaam, woh phir wahi thi is baar ek ice cream cart ke paas, apni friend ke saath hans rahi thi. Kabir bas dekhta raha, lekin paas nahi gaya. Naam bhi nahi jaanta tha, bas uske chehre ka noor yaad tha.
Usi raat kabir ne apne best friend, sameer, ko phone kiya
Kabir: "Yaar, ek ladki dekhi hai Athwagate par… do baar mil chuki hai aankhon se, par ab usse sach mein milna hai…but yaar mai uska naam bhi nahi jaanta."
Sameer (hans ke): "sale tu waha boutique ke liye jaga dhundh ne gaya tha ya ladki? Pagal ho gaya hai kya, tu kaam pe dhyaan de in sab ke liye waqt nahi tere paas"
Kabir: "Tu chup kar jalta hai sale tu mere se."
Kabir apne dosto mein bada muh fat tha jisko jo bolna chahta tha muh pe bol deta tha....
Kuchh hafte baad kabir ne ek boutique shuru ki thi Athwaline ke paas ek chhoti si designer lingeries ki boutique, apne brand ke naam se: "JUST LADY"
Idea simple tha logon ka attention lena, din normal beet rahe the but Teen din baad, dusre pehar, jab dhup dhal rahi thi, woh ladki aayi. Is baar boutique ke saamne se guzri, ruk kar dekha, aur muskuraayi aur boli
Ladki:"nice collection….but iss area mein ye boutique? Thoda unexpected hai."
Kabir: "Unexpected cheezein hi yaad reh jaati hain madam."
Woh thoda hansi, aur usne kaha "kaafi din se dekh rahi hun aap meri taraf dekh kar muskurate rehte ho kahi pagal wagal to nahi ho na?"
Kabir: "Nahi madam pagal nahi hun bas aap mujhe khoobsurat lagi isliye dekhta hun."
Boutique ke baahar woh chhoti si mulaqat,
ek nayi kahaani ka aaghaz thi.
Kabir us din kuch zyada hi shaant tha, jaise sab kuch ekdum slow motion mein ho raha ho.
Us ladki ki muskurahat ab bhi kabir ki aankhon ke samne ghoom rahi thi.
Naam ab bhi nahi pata tha, lekin uski awaaz, aankhon ka sparkle, aur woh thoda uska sarcastic andaz sab kuch yaad reh gaya.
Agle din,
subah 11 baje jab kabir boutique pohcha to usne dekha ki door ke handle par ek chhoti si sticky note chipki thi. Us par ek sketch bana tha boutique ka front view, aur neeche likha tha:
“Art meets lingerie. Interesting.”
Aur sign ki jagah sirf ek naam likha tha - Fiza patel
Kabir ke chehre pe ek muskaan thi. Ab uske paas naam tha. Aur muskaan ka reason bhi.
Do din baad, Fiza fir boutique ke saamne dikhi is baar sketchbook haath mein thi. Kabir ne turant boutique ka gate khola aur kaha:
Kabir: "Coffee ya Chai? Dono milti hai yahan paas mein."
Fiza (hans kar): "Chai chalegi, par flirt zyada mat daalna.... Btw i like your collection, waise mai bhi ek freelance illustrator hoon, har gesture detail mein sketch karti hoon."
Kabir: "Tab to aur khatarnak ho tum…
main to seedha design karta hoon aur wahi factory mein banwa leta hu."
Us din dono ne chai pi, aur Fiza ne us boutique ke andar ka ek sketch banana shuru kiya mannequins, lace ke patterns, aur Kabir ki table par bikhre hue fabric ke samples. Conversation sketch se zyada personal hoti gayi.
Fiza ne bataya ki uske liye art sirf kaam nahi, ek therapy hai. Aur NGO ke liye woh menstrual health awareness par illustrations banati hai, women empowerment projects mein participate karti hai, aur apne kharche khud uthati hai.
Fiza strong thi, lekin emotional bhi.
Kabir ko aisi ladki kabhi nahi mili thi jo itni “real” ho.
Kuch Mahine Beete…
Fiza ab boutique mein regular aane lagi thi kabhi sketches ke liye, kabhi bas chai peene ke liye. Kabir ke designs pe Fiza ki detailing ka asar saaf dikhne laga. Us boutique mein ab ek naya section bhi tha “DRAW by FIZA” jisme lingeries ke saath hand-drawn comfort messages hote the. Fiza aur Kabir ab unofficially ek team ban chuke the.
Kabir ne Fiza ko kabhi propose nahi kiya. Usse laga Fiza jaisi ladki ko zabaan se nahi, gestures se express kiya jaye.
Fiza bhi kabir ki simplicity aur respect ke tareeqe se impress thi.
Phir ek din, Fiza gayab ho gayi. Na call, na message. Kabir har jagah dhoondhta raha — NGOs, Instagram DMs, mutual friends but sab silence.
Teen mahine 23 din beet gaye iss baat ko....
Kabir dheere dheere fir se apne routine mein jeene laga, apne kaam mein jyaada busy hone laga,
lekin ek khaali pan sa rehta tha uska mann.
Tabhi ek shaam, jab baarish ho kar abhi-abhi ruki thi Kabir boutique band kar ke ghar ki taraf jane ke liye bike par baitha hi tha Ke Tabhi uske pichhe se ek awaaz aayi:
Fiza: "Unexpected cheezein yaad hain... ya bhool gaye mujhe?"
Kabir ne palat ke dekha Fiza saamne khadi thi, aankhon mein guilt aur muskurahat dono saath liye.
Kabir: "Main kabhi kuchh bhoolta to nahi hun... par haan baar baar yaad karne se dard hota tha."
Fiza ne bataaya ki woh ahmadabad apne kisi ristedar ke yaha gayi thi shadi mein aur usse kabir ko batane ka waqt nhi mila
But Haqeeqat mein wo janna chahti thi Ke uske dil mein kya Kabir ke liye feelings thi?
Fiza: "Main bhag nahi rahi thi, main bas taiyaar nahi thi... par ab hoon."
Kabir ne kuch nahi kaha, bas Fiza ko "ok" kaha aur bike start kar ke waha se chala gaya Fiza ko bada ajeeb laga ke kaisa banda hai, aur wo bas use dekhti reh gayi.....!
Agli subah 11.20 ko Fiza boutique wapas gayi
Waha Kabir nahi tha koi aur ladka baitha tha Fiza ne us ladke se puchha Kabir ke barem mein
Ladka bola: "bhai ab factory par milege ye boutique mujhe sambhal ne bola hai.. magar aap kon?"
Fiza ne apna intro diya magar use kuchh samjh nahi aa raha tha usne ladke se puchha
Fiza: "Tum kon ho? Aur kya tum mujhe factory ka adress de sakte ho?"
Ladka: "Ji mera name Fahaad hai kabir ka cousin hun,"
Usne Fiza ko kabir ka adress diya, adress leke fiza waha se chali gayi..
Fiza Kabir se milne gayi thi but Kabir use nahi mila kaam mein busy hone ki wajaah se wo Fiza se milta hi nahi tha, aise hi waqt beet ta jaa raha tha
Isi beech Fiza apne NGO ke sath busy ho gayi,
NGO ki director Sneha ke sath wo mumbai ek event attand kar e gayi thi,
'Mumbai, Juhu Convention Centre'
_______
Wahi center mein ek grand Lingerie Fashion Show ho raha tha all elite names, but sabse nayi entry thi:
"THE MADAM LINGERIE - A BOLD TAKE ON SOFTNESS "
Fiza apne NGO ke menstrual health awareness stall ke silsile mein wahan gayi thi. uska mann thoda nervous tha,
Kyunki wahi back stage Kabir apne collection ke sath khada tha. aur uske saath khadi thi ek ladki Tall, confident, sharp features mein model jaisi Vibe
Usne Kabir ka collar theek kiya… aur Kabir ne uske shoulder par haath rakha. Fiza ka dil do pal ke liye ruk gaya......
_______
Backstage, Fahad bhi tha. Fiza ne casually usse pucha:
"Kabir ne boutique kyun chhoda?"
Fahad: "Boutique uske liye emotion tha. but pata nahi ek dam se kya huwa usne decide kiya design par focus karega and ab wo sare manufacturing and sales wo sambhalega so Ab sirf wo factory se operate karta hai."
Fiza chup ho gayi.
Usne poocha: "Aur yeh ladki…?"
Fahad (hans ke): "Aarushi shrma hai Kabir ki runway model aur brand face. Sirf professional. But intense kaam karte hain dono so dikhte close hai."
Raat 9:30 – Fashion Show ka grand finale.
Kabir ke design ka model stage pe chali gayi, red velvet lingerie set, sheer cape, aur backdrop pe bold text: "Designed to empower. Not to impress." – Kabir
Audience clapped. Media flashed. Fiza bas dekhti rahi.
Kabir Aarushi ke sath stage pe aaya, halka sa bow kiya. Tabhi uski nazar padhi — VIP row mein baithi Fiza par padi
Dono ki aankhen mili. Ek second ke liye sab slow ho gaya.
---------
After Show Outside the hall
Fiza uske samne aayi.
Fiza: "Boutique chhod diya... aur mujhe bhi."
Kabir (thoda thake hue): "Tune pehle chhoda tha, maine sirf react kiya."
Fiza: "Wapas aayi thi… par tum chhup gaye."
Kabir: "Main chhupta nahi hoon, bas jahan respect kam ho wahan rukta nahi hoon."
Pause.
Kabir: "Main ladna nahi chahta. Agar tu waapis aayi hai, toh is baar confusion nahi — commitment leke aana."
Fiza ne dheere se kaha:
“Main tumhare factory wale world ka hissa banna chahti hoon. Boutique pe pehle bhi main thi… ab design tumhare saath reh kar bana na chahiyi hun."
Kabir: “Theek hai. Par ek condition hai.”
Fiza (hairaan): “Kya?”
Kabir; “Is baar jaane se pehle bata dena.”
Wo dono baat kar hi rahe the tabhi aarushi aayi aur kabir ko apne saath lekar chali gay.......
Kabir ke liye din ab sirf ek routine ban chuke the factory jaana, designs dekhna, staff ko manage karna aur raat ko ek cigarette ke saath khaamoshi mein kuchh purani baatein sochna.
Fiza wapas aayi thi Yeh sach tha. Uski aankhon mein guilt tha, lekin Kabir ke dil mein khud ke liye jo disappointment tha woh us guilt se zyada gehra tha.
Jab Fiza ne pichli baar kaha tha "Main ab taiyaar hoon", Kabir ne usme wo khudgarzi mehsoos ki thi jise wo kabhi kisi rishte mein nahi chahta tha.
“Jab tum gayi thi, us waqt main sabse zyada kamzor tha. Tab tum nahi thi. Ab jab main sab kuch manage kar gaya hoon, toh kyun?” — Kabir har raat yeh sawaal cigarette ke saath phoonkta tha.
---------
Fiza ke taraf
Fiza bhi khush nahi thi. Surat wapas aane ke baad usne boutique ke aaspaas kaafi dino tak chakkar lagaye, lekin har baar ya toh Kabir factory mein hota, ya fir busy.
Ek din, Fiza ne ek last effort lene ka socha. Kabir se milne ka, usse sab kuch keh dene ka. She wasn’t expecting a proposal, just closure. Ya ho sake toh… ek nayi shuruaat.
Kabir ke factory ke gate pe —
Fiza ne security se kaha: "Kabir se milna hai, urgent hai."
Security ne andar call kiya. Kabir ne sirf ek line boli: “Meeting mein hoon.”
45 minutes tak Fiza baithi rahi — ek bench pe, bina phone check kiye, bina idhar-udhar dekhe.
Akhir Kabir aaya. Uske haath mein file thi, phone shoulder aur cheek ke beech daba rakha tha. Usne aankhon ke kone se Fiza ko dekha, ek halki si acknowledgment di — jaise kisi regular visitor ko dekh kar diya jata hai.
Fiza ne uska rasta roka.
"Ek baat poochhun?"
Kabir ne thoda sa sir jhukaya. "Poocho."
Fiza: "Main agar kisi aur ke saath chali gayi toh... kya rokoge?"
Kabir ne uski aankhon mein dekha. Do pal ki khaamoshi. Sirf do pal, lekin usmein pichhle saal bhar ka dard tha.
Kabir ne finally kaha:
"Rishte roke nahi jaate, chune jaate hain. Tumne mujhe nahi chuna tha, Fiza. Main sirf ek option tha. Aur jab kisi ko hum sirf ‘option’ banate hain, toh woh kabhi aapka nahi hota."
Fiza ki aankhon mein aansu nahi the, par uski rooh ka ek tukda kahin chhil gaya tha.
Kabir andar chala gaya, aur peeche ek udaas si hawa Fiza ke dupatte ko sambhalti chali gayi.
Usi raat
Sneha ke terrace pe chai peete hue Fiza ne ek final faisla kiya.
"Maa baba jo keh rahe hain, shayad woh sahi hain. Shayad pyar sirf ek dard tha mere liye Shayad mujhe ab aage badhna chahiye."
Sneha ne Fiza ka haath pakad ke itna kaha:
"Bas ek kaam kar faisla karne se pehle, usse dil se alag kar lena. Warna shaadi sirf ek sauda ban jaayegi."
Do din baad
Fiza ne Danish pathan ke gharwalon se milna accept kiya.
Danish ek well-settled, Canada rehne wala ladka tha. Uski family yahi surat ki hi thi but last 5year se wo canada mein settle tha, Uski baatein polite thi, outlook modern, aur family well-respected.
Fiza ne ek khokhla smile di. Uske andar ek awaaz chillayi — "Yeh vo nahi hai jise main chaahti thi."
Lekin usne us awaaz ko daba diya.
Fiza ke haath mein us raat ek diary thi. Usne likha:
"Mujhe uss pal se darr lagta hai
Jab main ek naam rodu jo mera kabhi tha hi nahi
Par usse chhod bhi na saku... kyunki har khushi usi ke saath thi."
-------------------------------
Shaadi ka card haath mein tha. Golden print, cream color, aur ek finely embossed border. Beech mein likha tha:
Fiza & Danish
Together with their families, request your presence on…
Kabir ne card ki taraf kuch seconds dekha, phir usse table par ulta rakh diya.
Usne Sameer se sirf itna kaha, “Shaadi ke card mein sab kuch hota hai… bas pyar ka zikr nahi.”
---
Flashback — 10 din pehle
Fiza ne rishta accept kar liya tha. Us raat ghar mein sab khush the. Maa roti jaa rahi thi — khushi ke aansu. Papa ne pehli baar Fiza ke sir pe haath rakha aur kaha,
“Beta, ab mujhe darr nahi lagta. Tu safe haathon mein jaa rahi hai.”
Fiza ne chup chap sir hila diya.
Us raat usne apne room mein diary kholi.
Wahi diary jisme Kabir ke boutique ke sketches rakhe the, unke beech mein ek sticky note mila:
*"Agar kabhi kisi aur ki ho jaaun, toh bata dena.
Par dil mera wahi rahega jahan tum ho, Kabir."*
Us note ko usne fadh kar dustbin mein fenk diya. Par dil ka ek tukda us note ke saath tut gaya.
Kabir ki taraf
Ek thandi raat
Kabir factory se der se nikla. Clock mein 12:47 AM ho raha tha.
Phone par ek notification tha
Fahaad ka message:
“Fiza ki engagement Sunday ko hai. Tu aayega kya?”
Kabir ne message ko padh kar screen lock kar diya.
Aasman mein badal ghanere the, aur Kabir ki aankhon ke neeche dark circles aur gehre lagne lage the. Smoking badh gayi thi, aur neend kam ho gayi thi.
Usne apne wall pe ek purana sketch dekha boutique ka layout jo Fiza ne banaya tha. Niche chhoti si signature thi: "Draw by Fiza".
Usne woh paper utara, jala diya.
Jamin par paper ke tukde dhuaan ban gaye, jaise Kabir ke andar sab kuchh slowly jal raha ho.
Engagement Day – Shaam 6 baje
Surat Marriott Hall
Hall roshan tha, sab kuch themed — ivory & blush pink décor, live shehnai band, aur soft lights.
Danish ek dark blue sherwani mein tha, poised, composed. Fiza ne pastel lehenga pehna tha, makeup minimal. Chehra beautiful, par aankhon mein woh chamak nahi thi jo Kabir ke saath hone par hoti thi.
Kabir nahi aaya tha.
Fiza ne baar baar entrance ki taraf dekha. Ek baar Sameer aaya, usne aankh milayi.
Fiza ne uske paas jaake softly kaha,
“Woh nahi aaya?”
Sameer ne kaha,
“Tumne use bulaya hi kab tha?”
Pause.
Sameer ne ek aur line chhodi:
"Tu jaanti hai na usne kabhi pyaar ko shabdon mein nahi kiya, gestures mein kiya.
Aur gestures uske khatam ho gaye jab tumne kisi aur ke naam ki haathon mein ring pehn li."
Fiza chup ho gayi.
Sameer ne fir kaha:
“Uski aankhon mein ab bhi tum ho. Par uska zubaan par kabhi naam nahi leta.”
Raat 10 baje – Kabir ke ghar par
Fahaad andar aaya slightly tipsy.
"Engagement ho gayi. Pretty couple. Perfect match. Congrats bolna tha... par tu aaya hi nahi."
Kabir apne design board ke saamne tha.
Table par ek nayi lingerie line ka sketch bana raha tha sirf outlines. Complete nahi kiya tha.
Fahaad ne dekha, sketch ke neeche likha tha:
"Unfinished."
Kabir bola:
"Design complete ho jaye, toh feelings khatam lagti hai. Main adhoore chehron ko design karta hoon. Perfect log ab pasand nahi."
Fahaad: “Bro, she was crying jab ring pehnayi thi. Shayad kuch kehna chahti thi…”
Kabir: “Phir kaha kyu nahi?”
Silence.
Kabir ne lighter nikala Cigarette jalayi.
“Log jab chhod ke jaate hain, toh khud ko justify karte hain. Main bas chup rehta hoon. Isse main villain lagta hoon. Aur main ready hoon villain banne ko... par beggar nahi.”
Fiza
Engagement ke baad ghar pe
Room mein sab log so gaye the.
Fiza ne makeup hata diya tha, lekin aankhon mein kajal reh gaya tha halka sa, smudged. Jaise kisi ne aansuon ke saath mix kar diya ho.
Usne apna phone uthaya. Kabir ke naam pe 8 baar message likha... fir delete kar diye.
Last mein usne sirf ek photo bheja wo photo uska khudka tha jub wo ready huwi thi tab ka
Send kiya... but “Message not delivered.”
Kabir ne uska number block kar diya tha.
Next Morning
Kabir ne Fiza ka photo kal engagement wala dekha, Fahaad ke phone mein,
Kabir ne sirf ek line boli:
"Meri pasand hamesha se best thi"
Subah 5 baje ka waqt tha. aasman mein halki si roshni aane lagi thi, jaise shaadi ke din suraj bhi thoda sajdhaj ke nika ho.
Fiza ne apni aankhein kholi. Aaj uski shaadi thi.
Mirror ke samne baith kar usne sabse pehla kaam kiya diary band ki, aur uspar ek red ribbon baandha. Wahi diary, jisme Kabir ka naam tha, aur uske baare mein likhi huwi kuchh baatein. Usne us diary ko apne suitcase ke neeche sabse nichi wali shelf mein chhupa diya jaise dil ke kisi kone mein uss aadmi ko band kar diya ho jiske saath kabhi jeena chahti thi.
“Aaj se sab kuch naye naam ke saath.”
Apne aap se kaha, lekin aankhon mein woh bharosa nahi tha, jo har dulhan ke chehre pe hota hai.
8:45 AM Kabir’s Home
Kabir ne aaj ka day off liya tha. Phone airplane mode par tha. Kuch bhi sunne, dekhne, mehsoos karne ka mann nahi tha uska.
Subah se wahi cigarette wohi jale se fingers aur wohi aankhon mein aansun aur dil mein uska naam.
Sameer uske paas aaya:
"Fiza ki baraat 3 baje niklegi. Tujhe jaana hai toh main le chalta hoon."
Kabir ne ghoor ke dekha.
“Baraat? Kis cheez ki? Jo rishta kab ka tod diya gaya ho, uska celebration dekhne jaaun main?”
Sameer ne ek thandi saans li,
“Jaise tu keh raha hai, waise kabhi usne nahi kaha. Shayad tu kabhi usse samajh hi nahi paya.”
Kabir: “Nahi yaar. Sab kuch samajh gaya hoon. Pyar, sacrifice nahi maangta. Bas timing sahi honi chahiye. Aur hum dono hamesha galat waqt pe milte the.”
11:30 AM – Fiza’s Makeup Room
Makeup artist uska face ready kar rahi thi. Heavy bridal base, smoky eyes, aur maroon lipstick. Fiza sirf mirror dekh rahi thi, par khud ko nahi us ladki ko dekh rahi thi jo ek saal pehle Kabir ke boutique ke mannequins ke beech chai peeti thi, sketches banati thi, aur uski aankhon mein chamak hoti thi.
Maa aayi aur uske paas baith gayi.
“Beta, nervous ho?”
Fiza ne sir hilaya, “Thoda sa.”
Maa ne uska haath pakad ke bola,
“Achha ladka hai Danish. Tumhaare liye sab kuch karega. Aur ek baat yaad rakhna shaadi ke baad pichhle naam sirf yaadon mein rakhne chahiye, zindagi mein nahi.”
Fiza ne aankh jhapkayi, ek aansu gira, par usne turant tissue se pocha.
“Makeup kharab nahi hona chahiye,” usne muskara ke kaha.
3:00 PM – Baraat pohchi
Band baja, dhol, firecrackers sab kuch tha.
Danish white sherwani mein handsome lag raha tha. Friends dance kar rahe the, aur Fiza ke cousins baar baar uska naam leke chillaa rahe the.
Fiza ghar ke andar ek kamre mein chhupi thi, dupatta sir pe tha, haathon mein mehendi, par aankhon mein ek tanha samundar.
Sneha uske paas aayi. Usne dekha Fiza bahut chup hai.
“Sab theek?” Sneha ne pucha.
Fiza ne muskurate hue kaha, “Kuch baatein hamesha apne andar rakhni padti hai Sneha. Nahi toh jo chehra duniya ko dikhate hain, woh bhi hil jaata hai.”
Sneha: “Kabir?”
Fiza ne aankhon se hi haan keh diya.
Sneha ne uske haath thaame “Jo bhi ho, aaj ke baad tumhare paas ek naya rishta hoga. Uss purane ke liye roti rahi toh naye wale ke saath insaaf nahi kar paogi.”
Fiza: “Main ro rahi hoon? Nahi na? Toh bas… main tayyar hoon.”
5:45 PM – Mandap
Shaadi ki rasmein shuru ho gayi thi.
Kaazi saab hamd padh rahe the
Fiza aur Danish ek amne samne baithe the dono ke bich ek patla parda sa laga huwa tha.
Danish usse dekh ke halka sa muskaraaya. Fiza ne bhi jawab mein ek muskaan di bas thodi si aadhi jhoothi.
Kabir apne ghar ki chhat pe cigarette pi raha tha.
Ek pal ke liye usne socha
“Jaake usse le aata hoon. Bata deta hoon sab kuch.”
Par phir uske mann se ek awaaz aayi
“Woh ab kisi aur ki ho gayi hai. Aur tumhare paas sirf ek naam bacha hai ex.”
Kabir ne sirf itna kaha:
“Shayad kuch log sirf chhod jaane ke liye hi milte hain.”
Wahi Fiza ke ghar ke baahar mandap mein Nikaah ho raha tha
Hamd aur maher ka puchh ne me baad Kaazi saab ne daanish se puchha :
"Kya tumhe Fiza hameed pathan apne nikaah me qabool hai?"
Danish ne dheere se kaha: "ji mujhe qabool hai"
Kaazi saab ne yahi sawaal Fiza se kiya:
"Kya tumhe daanish ibn anwar apne nikaah mein qabool hai?"
Fiza ki aankhon se ek aansu gira.
Aur usne mann mein kaha: "ji qabool hai"
*Fiza apne mann mein "Main tumse door ja rahi hoon, Kabir.
Par dil se kabhi ja nahi paungi."*
Shaadi Complete Hui
Sab log Fiza ko badhai de rahe the. Danish ke parents, uske friends, Sneha sab khush the. Sabko lag raha tha ki ek sundar, perfect jodi bani hai.
Sirf ek dil tha jo is perfection ke beech mar gaya tha.
Fiza ne apna phone khola. Gallery mein Kabir ke photos the
Usne use delete karne ke liye finger scroll kiya…Phir ruk gayi.
Delete nahi kiya. Sirf album ka naam badal diya – "Used to be."
Raat 10 baje
Shaadi khatam ho gayi.
Fiza ek nayi zindagi ki suruwat ka pehla kadam le chuki thi,
Kabir apne kamre mein usi cigarette ke saath... aur usi khaali tanha dil ke sath baitha huwa tha,
Dono ek doosre ke bagair jee rahe the jise zinda hona kehte hain, jeena nahi.
Shaadi ke baad ke kuch din Fiza Danish ke saath honeymoon par Mauritius gayi thi. Instagram pe uske doston ne photos tag kiye:
“Perfect Couple”
“New beginnings”
“Queen & her King”
Lekin har photo mein Fiza ki aankhon ke neeche thoda sa shadow tha jaise aankhen roti rahi ho, lekin aansu nahi dikh rahe.
Beach pe Danish ne uska haath pakad ke kaha:
“Fiza, mujhe pata hai... shaadi tumne pressure mein ki. Par main tumhare saath patience se chalunga.”
Fiza ne uski taraf dekha. Danish bura insaan nahi tha, sachmuch caring tha.
Par uske saath baithkar bhi, Kabir ki yaad aa rahi thi,
kyun ke danish mein wo quality nahi thi jo kabir mein thi kabir akdu tha feeling express nahi karta tha but Fiza janti thi wo use pyar karta tha khayal rakhta tha,
Kabir Surat mein tha.
Shaadi ke baad Kabir ne sirf ek baar Fiza ki tasveer dekhi thi dulhan ke jode mein. Usne screen par sirf 2 seconds dekha, fir phone rakh diya.
Sameer ne bola:
“Tu kuch kar kyu nahi leta? kahi ghoom aa, usiness bada kar, ya kisi aur ladki se mil…kab tak ye majnu jaisa banke ghoomta rahega”
Kabir:
“Pyaar koi joota nahi jo purana ho to naya le lu.
Aur woh koi memory card bhi nahi jise delete karke dusri file daal doon.”
Usne cigarette jalayi aur kaha:
“Main sirf kaam karunga.
Ab pyar se koi lena dena nahi.”
Fiza – Canada Mein (Danish ke ghar pe)
Shaadi ke 2 mahine baad, Danish Fiza ko Canada le gaya.
Wahan ek alag duniya thi sophisticated, stable, cultured.
Par raat ko jab Danish so jaata, Fiza ek corner mein diary likhti thi:
*"Mujhe lagta hai maine jise chaha, use kabhi poori tarah khoya hi nahi hai Aur jise paaya, usse kabhi poori tarah apna bana bhi nahi paa rahi hun."*
Ek baar Danish ne diary pakad li.
“Yeh kis ke liye likhti ho?”
Fiza ne chup rehkar sirf itna kaha:
“Apne liye.”
Danish ne kuch nahi kaha kyub ke honeymoon se aane ke baad wo canada shif huwe uske baad se danish ke behaviour mein bahot change aane laga tha Fiza uske liye sirf ek ghar par rakhi trophy jaisi ho gayi thi dono ke bich doori badhne lagi thi, kuchh to tha jo Fiza ko samjh nahi aaraha tha.
8 Mahine Baad
Raat ko Fiza room ki balcony pe khadi thi. Uske haathon mein chai thi, aur aankhon mein yaadein aur dard
Usne ek message likha: "Main Surat mein hoon Miloge mujhse."
Send karne wali thi… par ruk gayi. Reason?
Uske haath mein ab bhi shaadi ki ring thi.
Next Day – Kabir's Factory
Kabir waha kaam mein busy tha
Fahaad aaya, bola:
“Fiza Surat mein hai. Ek baar mill le jaa kar"
Kabir ne fahaad ki taraf dekha aur kaha: “Main usse mill bhi loon, toh bhi kya badal jaayega? Woh married hai.
Main toh sirf ek yaad hoon... jo kabhi zubaan tak nahi aayi.”
Fahaad: “Kabhi kabhi yaad bahaar nikalne ke bhool jaane ke liye hoti hai.”
Kabir ne sirf ek line boli: “Main usse bhoolne ki koshish nahi karta…Main usse jeeta hoon… har din, bina kisi haq ke.”
Fiza ek chai ki tapri ke saamne khadi thi wahi Athwagate wala signal, jahan Kabir ne usse pehli baar dekha tha.
Usne ek ladki ko dekha brown kurta, jeans, cotton bag. Usne socha:
“Wahi to thi mai. Kabir ki duniya ki ek simple tasveer.”
Usne
tapri wale se ek chai mangayi. Aur fir diary khol ke likha:
*"Main us se pyaar karti thi…Par waqt ne hamesha humein do alag mod par khada kar diya. Aur ab main usi mod par aayi hoon par wo yahaan nahi hai"*
Surat ke ek art café mein shaam ka waqt tha. Halka jazz music, yellow lights, aur diwaron par art exhibitions ka showcase.
Café ke corner table pe Kabir baitha tha, laptop ke saamne. Uske haath sketchpad par the, par aankhen bahar ke raaste pe.
Woh zyada baatein nahi karta tha ab. Na staff se, na doston se. Sirf apne kaam se kaam rakhta.
Par aaj uski aankhon mein kuch uljhan thi. Kyun ki entrance se ek chehra andar aaya tha.
Halki white kurti, straight hair, aur aankhon mein wahi purani shanti... ya shayad dard woh fiza thi.
Kabir aur fiza Dono ne ek dusre ko dekha.
2 seconds ke liye Phir nazar hata li.
Jaise kuch tha, par kehne layak kuch bhi nahi.
Flashback – 1 hour pehle
Fiza café ke paas se guzar rahi thi. NGO wale campus tour kar rahe the. Sneha ne kaha,
“Let’s have a tea break here.”
Fiza ruki. Café ka naam tha: "Chaap. Stories in a Cup."
Woh andar gayi toh pehli nazar Kabir pe padhi. Ek pal ke liye laga jaise sans leni bhool gayi ho.
Dil ne kaha — "Chali jaa uske paas."
Par dimaag ne kaha — "Ab tu kisi aur ki hai."
Present – Café ke andar
Sneha ne dekha ki Fiza ka chehra badal gaya hai. Usne poocha:
“Are you okay?”
Fiza ne muskurane ki koshish ki:
“Bas thoda tired hoon.”
Café ke dusre kone mein Kabir ki coffee thandi ho rahi thi.
Lekin woh cup nahi, apne dil ke aansun ko pee raha tha.
Woh chahta tha ki Fiza aaye. Fiza chahti thi Kabir bulaaye.
Dono ne kuch nahi kiya.
5 Minutes Baad
Sneha kisi se milne lobby tak gayi. Fiza ne moka dekha. Woh dheere se uth kar Kabir ke table ki taraf badhi.
Kabir ne sketchpad band kiya. Fiza saamne ki chair par chup rehkar baith gayi Dono ne ek dusre ki aankhon mein dekha.
Kabir: “Bohot waqt ho gaya na?”
Fiza: “Waqt nahi… waqt to ruka hua tha. Sirf hum badal gaye.”
Pause.
Kabir: “Kaisi ho tum?”
Fiza: “mai theek hoon,,,aur tum?
Kabir: “Mai bhi achha hoon… aur kaam mein khud ko busy karliya hai ab.”
Ek lamha silence.
Fiza: “Mujhe laga tum mujhse milne aaoge?.”
Kabir: “Main milta... par kis naam se? Dost? Ex? Ya ek yaad ban kar?”
Fiza ne aankhen jhuka li.
Fiza: “Main maafi maangne nahi aayi. Na justification dene. Bas yeh kehne ki... aaj bhi tum meri zindagi ka woh hissa ho, jisse kabhi delete nahi kar paayi.”
Kabir ne aankhon mein aansu nahi laye. Lekin andar sab kuch hil gaya....
Tabhi Aarushi café mein aayi.
Haan, wahi model. Kabir ke saath campaigns karti thi.
Usne Kabir ko wave kiya, aur casually pucha:
Aarushi: “Hey! Tum aaj yahaan?”
Fiza ne Aarushi ki awaaz suni, aur palat ke dekha. Aarushi Kabir ke paas aayi, aur shoulder touch kiya normal sa gesture tha, par Fiza ke dil mein kuch toot gaya.
Fiza: “Main chalti hoon.”
Kabir: “Ruko.”
Fiza ne nahi suna. Uth kar chali gayi.
Aarushi ne dekha, samjha. Usne Kabir se kaha:
“Woh Fiza thi, right? Tumhare ex?”
Kabir ne sirf haan mein sir hilaaya.
Aarushi ne ek line boli:
“Main tumhare saath shoots ke baad late nights bitati hoon, par aaj samjhi… tumhare andar koi aur rehta hai.”
Kabir ne kaha:
“Rehta nahi, main khud hi usmein rehta hoon.”
Aarushi: “tumne usko jaane nahi dena chahiye tha kabir is bar tumne bahot badi galati kardi hai"
Itna keh kar Aarushi wahase chali gayi wo kisi friend ke sath aayi thi..
Next Day – NGO art Centre
Fiza apna final workshop le rahi thi. Paint brushes, sketches, bachche… sab ready the.
Tabhi ek chhoti ladki aayi, haath mein ek box tha.
“Didi, yeh aapke liye kisi ne diya hai.”
Fiza ne box khola.
usmein ek dimond ring thi aur ek paper jismein likha tha
*“Pyar ke liye shabd nahi chahiye hote.
Jo mil ke bhi adhoore rahe jaate hain, woh zyada yaad aate hain.
Tum meri adhuri kahaani ho, Fiza.
Aur main... uska woh kirdar jo kabhi naam nahi paa saka.
Yeh ring maine bahot pehle li thi tumhare liye aaj bhej raha hu"*
Fiza jaanti thi yeh box kisne bheja hai wo sirf fusfusayi
"kabir tum jaldi nahi bol sakte the yeh"
That Night
Kabir cigarette jalaye balcony mein khada tha itne mein room ka door khula aur sameer aaya tha..
Sameer aate hi bola:
“Tu usse milke bhi kuch nahi bola?”
Kabir: “Kya bolta? Tu janta hai Woh ab bhi meri hai, par sirf meri yaadon mein Zindagi mein nahi.”
Sameer: “Kabir… tu ek emotional fool ban gaya hai.”
Kabir: “Nahi. Main woh insaan hoon jiske liye pyaar sacrifice nahi, sajda tha. Aur main sajda kabhi aadhe dil se nahi karta.”
Sameer: "Tujhe samjhana matlab bhais ke aage been bajana"
Sameer waha se gusse mein chala gaya magar kabir abhi bhi cigarette ke kash leta balcony mein hi khada raha
*8 Mahine Baad*
Toronto ka December thanda tha, par Fiza ki zindagi us thand se zyada thandi thi. Ek badi building ke corner flat mein, woh akele rehti thi Danish se alag.
Ek waqt tha jab usne socha tha Danish ek achha insaan hai. Shayad Kabir ke baad, zindagi ne use ek achha life partner diya hai. Par wo kaha janti thi danish ke uss achha hone ke peeche Danish ki asli zindagi chhupi thi.
FLASHBACK — 2 MONTHS AGO
Fiza raat
Raat ke 3.15am ko Danish ke phone mei ek msg pop-up huwa
Fiza ne check kiya to wo whatsaap msg tha kisi maya naam ki ladki ka msg open kiya to likha tha
“Maya - hi baby"
Ek click, aur duniya palat gayi fiza ne scroll karna suru kiya uske liye ye dhoka bardast ke bahar tha..
Photos, video messages:
Danish :“Tum hi meri asli zindagi ho.”
“Fiza se sirf ghar walo ke kehne par shaadi ki hai.”
Aur bhi bahot kuchh...
Fiza ke haath kaanp gaye. Usne mobile side mein kiya, aankhon mein aansu bhar aa gaye the.
Raat 3.30 usne danish ko uthaya fiza ne mobile ki taraf unhli dikha kar sirf itna pucha:
“Ye sab kya hai?”
Danish ne pehle jhoot bola.
Phir jab fiza ne sare msg open kar ke uske saamne dikhaye
Danish ne gusse mein kaha: "Main tumse kabhi pyaar nahi karta tha, Fiza. Par duniya aur gharwalon ko dikhane ke liye‘perfect husband banna padta tha.
Fiza ne us raat sirf ek line boli thi:
“Tumhaari wafa ka mask mere pyaar par bhaari pad gaya.”
Ye sab hone ke baad 15 din mein fiza wapas india aagayi uske maa baap ussi ko baatein suna ne lage tha but wo ab man bana chuki thi danish se divorce lene ka....
Present day
Surat Family Court
Fiza talaq ke final process ke liye. 8 mahine mein usne woh sab jhela jo kisi ne bhi expect nahi kiya tha dikhawa, jhooth, aur ek rishta jo sirf naam ka tha.
Court ke waiting room mein uske saath uske maa-baap bhi the dono gusse mein baithe the
Maa ne kaha: “Log kya kahenge Fiza? Ek saal bhi nahi nibha paayi?”
Papa: “Tere us boutique wale Kabir se hi toh koi chakkar nahi chalu tha, tabhi Danish se zyada attachment nahi ho paayi.”
Fiza chup thi. Uske paas kehne ko kuch nahi tha.
Na apne haq mein, na apne dard mein.
Wahi Danish aaya aankhon mein nafrat aur gussa liye
Usne kaha ".
“Fiza, meri image kharab kar rahi ho tum mehnga padega yeh sab tumhe.
Fiza: “Image nahi, tumhaara asli chehra aur tum insaan bhi kharab ho.”
Danish: “Main tumse better deserve karta hoon. Tum bas ek mamooli ladki ho. Tumhare andar charm nahi hai, attraction nahi hai. Tum boring ho.”
Ye line sunte hi, fiza gusse mein danish ko thappad marne hi wali thi ke tabhi Fiza ki maa ne uska haath kas ke pakda.
Papa ne aankhon mein disappointment leke usse dekha.
Tabhi Court ke corridor mein ek aur insaan tha 'Kabir.'
Woh kisi aur legal paperwork ke silsile mein aaya tha apne brand ka trademark case chal raha tha. Courtroom se nikalte hi usne dur se ek awaaz suni “Tum boring ho.”
Woh ruka.
Usne dekha ek banch par Fiza baithi thi lekin aankhon mein thakaan thi, mascara beh chuka tha, dupatta sambhalti ja rahi thi.
Uske paas Danish khada tha lekin Kabir samajh gaya ki yeh rishta ab sirf kagazon tak ka tha.
Uske maa-baap the lekin unko aankhon mein gussa tha, apni ladki ke liye support nahi tha.
Us pal, Kabir ka dil hil gaya.
Jo ladki hasti khilkhilati thi, woh aaj apne astitva ke liye lad rahi thi.
Kabir uske paas nahi gaya. Bas door se sab dekhta raha.
Usne dekha Fiza ki aankhon mein ek lamha tha, jab uski nazar uthti hai… aur door se Kabir ko dekh leti hai.
Do aankhen mili Waqt ruk gaya.
Fiza ne bas dekha ek lamha, ek silsila, ek fariyaad.
Fiza ab akeli thi Danish aur fiza ke maa - baap andar lawyer ke saath discussion mein the
Kabir dheere se uske paas aaya Chup khada raha.
Fiza ne pucha: “Tum yahaan?”
Kabir: “Ek case ke liye. Par lagta hai… tumhara dard mujhse pehle court aa gaya.”
Fiza ne aankhen jhuka li. Aankhon mein aansu the, lekin wo apne aap se lad rahi thi.
Kabir: “Main us pal tak jeeta raha jo tumhare saath guzra tha. Mujhe kabhi maloom nahi tha… ki tumhari shaadi ek jhoot thi.”
Fiza ke aansu tapak gaye.
“Kabir… mai ab thak chuki hoon insab ki wajaah se tut chuki hoon
Kabir ne dheere se uska haath pakda pehli baar, saalon baad.
“Fiza Main sirf tumse door gaya, taaki tum jee sako mujhe kya pata tha tumhari zindagi mein itni takleef wali ho jayegi."
Fiza: “Aur kya mai jee paayi?”
Kabir: “Tum batao.”
Fiza: “Maine kaha na mai tut gayi hoon, Kabir.
Mere andar sirf ek hi cheez bachi hai… aur wo tum ho.”
Us pal, dono chhup ho gaye.
Peeche Danish court se bahar aaya. Usne Kabir ko Fiza ke paas dekha.
Danish: “Oh great. Ab scene complete ho gaya. shadi se pehle wala chakkar ab divorce ke baad reunion? Wah!”
Kabir ne uski aankhon mein dekha kaha: "muh sambhal ke baat kar kahi aisa na ho ghar jane ke bajaye hospital jana pade"
Danish kuch kehne ja raha tha ke tabhi fiza bol padi
Fiza: “Ab tumhe koi haq nahi banta tum humare bich mein bolo tum ab mere koi nahi ho"
Kabir yeh dekh kar khush tha kyu ki pehli baar Fiza ne khud ke liye stand liya tha
Court ke samne ek neem ka ped tha.
Kabir aur Fiza uske neeche aa kar khade huwe.
Fiza: “Main divorce ke baad Canada nahi jaa rahi.”
Kabir: “Achha hai yaha raho life fa ya pehlu naye se start karo”
Fiza: “Haan main wapas jeena seekhna chahti hoon… us jagah se jahan meri kahaani chhuti thi.”
Kabir: “Jahan kahaani chhuti thi, shayad wahi se shuru bhi ho sakti hai…”
Fiza ne kabir ke gale lag kar aankhen band ki Pal bhar ke liye laga jaise sab kuch theek ho gaya hai.
Par phir usne kaha: “Kabir… abhi nahi.
Mujhse pyar mat karo abhi. Main khud se bhi pyar nahi kar paa rahi.”
Kabir ne sir hilaaya. “Main kahaan tumse dobara pyar kar raha hoon? Main toh sirf us Fiza ke paas hoon… jise maine kabhi chhoda hi nahi.”
Fiza jaane ke liye apni car mai baithi hi thi ke tabhi Kabir ne uske peechhe sirf ek line boli:
“Jab kabhi zindagi se thak jao, toh tumhe pata hai kaha aana hai mai…chai ab bhi achhi banata hoon thodi si mere jaisi kadak, tumhare jaisi meethi”
Fiza muskurai aur car start kar ke waha se chali gayi
Kabir khada raha neem ke ped ke neeche. Aankhon mein ek shanti thi, lekin dil mein sukoon.......
Court ka final judgment aane mein abhi teen mahine baaki the. Legal terms mein, Fiza ab bhi Danish ki biwi thi. But asal mein, unka rishta kab ka mar chuka tha.
Un teen mahino mein na koi ummeed thi, na koi intezaar.
Sirf ek khali pan tha, ek aisa khaali pan jisme kai awaazein ghoomti rehti thi rishtedaar ke taane, apne hi maa-baap ki khamoshi, aur ek dil jisme ab khud se bhi baat karne ka hausla nahi tha.
Par sabse bada dard? Apne hi ghar mein paraaya ban jaana.
Us raat Fiza der se ghar aayi thi. Ek NGO project ka kaam tha jo late ho gaya. Ghar ka darwaza khula, lekin ghar ka mahaul pehle se thanda tha.
Drawing room mein papa TV dekh rahe the. Lekin aankhon mein TV nahi, intezaar tha. Kitchen se mummy ne cheekh ke poocha:
Mummy: “Ab NGO ka kaam itna zaroori ho gaya hai? Din bhar bhaagti rehti ho. Aur ghar? Maa-baap ki koi value hai ya nahi aur kitni badnaami karwaogi humari?”
Fiza chup thi. Aankhon mein thakan thi, aur dil mein sirf thoda sa sukoon dhoondhne ki koshish.
Papa (TV band karke): “Shaadi tod rahi ho toh wajah bhi tu hi hai Kabir naam ka bhoot sir pe sawaar jo rehta hai tumhare. Danish kuch bhi kar raha ho, lekin tune bhi kabhi ghar basaane ki koshish nahi ki.”
Fiza ne ek saans li. Bahut kuch kehna chahti thi, par har lafz se pehle guilt ka ek naya teer chubhta tha.
Fiza (shaant lekin thaki awaaz mein): “Kabir ki wajaah se nahi le rahi divorce aap ke Danish ne galti ki, main uske saath aur nahi reh sakti thi"
Mummy (gusse mein): “Hamesha doosron ko dosh dena aasan hota hai. Ab tu akeli reh jaayegi toh duniya badal jaayegi? Toh jaa... jahan chain mile, wahin jaa.”
Papa: “Tere liye sab kuch kiya… aur tune sirf sharmindagi di. Ab hum aur nahi jhel sakte.”
Fiza chup thi, lekin andar se phat chuki thi.
Us raat usne decide kar liya tha
"Ab kisi ke saaye mein nahi rahna... ab khud ka asmaan chahiye."
Usi raat usne sneha ko call ki sari baatein share ki kareeb raat ke 12.30 baje sneha fiza ke ghar aayi thi, fiza apni begs leke seediyon se niche aa rahi thi tabhi uski mummy ne chilla ke kaha:
"Agar gayi to kabhi humein tumhari shakal mat dikhana"
Fiza sunne ke ya sunane ke koi mood mein nahi thi wo sneha ke sath car mein baith kar chali gayi...
Sneha ke ghar
Sneha ne fiza ko pani ka glaas dete huwe kaha:
"Ab kya karna hai?"
Fiza: "kal sabse pehle ek flat dekhna padega rehne ke liye mai yaha tujhpar boj nahi banna chahti"
Sneha: "jub tak mann kare yaha reh sakti hai tu tum meri sirf dost nahi tum meri bahen ho samjhi"
Fiza ne sneha aur sameer ki madad se ek mahine ke andar ek chhota sa 1BHK flat rant par leke waha shift ho gayi.
Ghar chhota tha, lekin khud ka tha.
Andar koi luxury nahi thi, par har ek cheez mein ek azaadi ki khushboo thi.
Us ghar ki badi si khidki Tapi river ki taraf khulti thi. Fiza har shaam ek cup chai leke wahin baith jaati river dekhte hue, behta huwa waqt mehsoos karte rehti.
Wahin kabhi-kabhi Kabir ka message aa jaya karta
Jaise: “Aaj ka din kaise guzra?khane mein kya banaya? Khaana time pe khaya? Tum theek ho ya nahi?"
Kabhi fiza bhi reply karti, kabhi phone dekhti aur band kar deti. Kabhi ek emoji bhejti, kabhi ek blank message.
Kabir samajhta tha…isliye kabhi gila nahi karta tha nahi kabhi force karta tha baat karne ya milne ke liya..
Kabhi kabhi dono phone pe hotey, lekin bolte nahi. Sirf ek dusre ki saans sunte rehte.
Door the, par sabse kareeb.
Ek shaam
Sneha ne insist kiya: “Bas ho gaya rona-dhona. Chal coffee peete hain.”
Dumas Road business hub centre mein ke corner par ek chhoti si café thi Café Xpress.
Cosy, light jazz music, aur bahot sare log kaafi chahel pahel rehti thi waha
Sneha ne 2 coffee order ki aur pass hi ke table par baith gaye
Waiter dono ke samne coffee ke do cup rakh kar gaya karin 10minute mein,
Fiza ne coffee sip ki, Sneha ne casually poocha:
Sneha: “Kabir se baat hoti hai?”
Fiza (nazar cup mein): “Hoti hai... par pyaar ab dard jaisa lagta hai. Mujhe lagta hai main use deserve nahi karti.”
Tabhi itefaaq se danish wahi hu. Ke paas tha apne kuchh dosto ke sath usne dekha cafe mein fiza baithi hai wo gusse me fusfusata aage badha: "mujhe badnaam karne nikli thi aaj iski ko sab ke samne beizzat karta hoon." Bolte huwe usne café ka darwaza zor se khola.
Danish gusse mein andar aaya
Danish (tez awaaz mein): “Wah! Mujhe aur meri family ko nicha dikha kr yaha coffee peene aayi ho?lagta hai tumhare ashiq Kabir ke paise se life chill ho gayi hai?”
Fiza: “Danish, stop. Yeh public place hai yaha tamasha mat karo."
Danish: “Are mujhe koi fark nahi padta tum ab bhi meri wife ho samjhi jaha marji mai tumhe jo chahu bol sakta hoon aur tum jaisi ladkiyan sirf sympathy dhundhti ho Itni asani se mai chhodne waala nahi hu samji."
Sneha: “Bas kar Danish, warna café waale security bulaenge.”
Danish (chillata hua): “Tum bich mein mat bolo ye humare apas ka mamla hai aur tum fiza tum boring ladki ho maya ke sath mai bahot pehle se tha magar mere ghar walo ne tumhe mere gale bandh diyaz magar tumne baat ko kaha se kaha pohcha diya meri badnaami ki meri family ki badnaami ki ab dekh tujhe dikhata hu danish kon hai...."
Log dekh rahe the. Phone cameras nikal rahe the. Fiza ka sabr tootta. Aankhon mein aansu bhar aaye.
Ittefaq bola ya karishma
Sameer wahi paas hi mein apni girlfriend ke saath tha. Sab dekh raha tha. Fiza ki aankhon se bepanah dard behta dekh raha tha.
Usne Phone nikala aur kabir ko call milaya
Sameer: “Kabir. Business hub centre Café Xpress Danish tamasha kar raha hai. Jaldi aa.”
Dus Minute Baad
Café ka darwaza dhak se khula.
Danish ab bhi bol raha tha “Tum boring ho. Isiliye main gaya tumse door.”
Tabhi kisi ne uske collar ko pakda… aur zor se peeche khinch kar patka.
Danish neeche gira.
Kabir ka chehra gusse se laal Aankhon mein gussa.
Kabir: “Ek lafz aur bola… toh zindagi bhar apne daant haathon se ginte ginte thak jaayega.”
Danish kuch kehne hi wala tha, lekin pehle ek mukka pada. Phir doosra. Log rok rahe the par Kabir rukne ke mood mein nahi tha.
Kabir (chillakar): “Yeh ladki teri trophy nahi hai. Yeh meri zimmedari hai. Ab isse choone ka bhi haq nahi raha tera.”
Danish: “Shaadi karega isse?”
Kabir (aankhon mein aag): “karuga bhi toh tujhe bataane nahi aayega ye ab teri koi nahi lagti iske baad agar tujhe iske aas paas bhi dekha to yaad rakh tera wo haal karuga jo tu sapne mein bhi nhi soch sakta."
Security ne Danish ko bahar nikaala. Fiza ka haath thama… aur nikal gaya café se.
Kabir ka Ghar
Kabir ne Sneha aur Fiza ko apne ghar le aaya. Sneha ne chai banayi. Fiza chup thi, aankhon mein guilt aur thakan ka ek saagar wo kabir ke maa ke kandhon par sar rakh kar bas roye jaa rahi thi Kabir ne saamne baith kar uska haath pakda.
Kabir: “Kab tak sehogi, Fiza? Danish ka humiliation, maa-baap ke taane aur khud se bhagti zindagi?”
Fiza (aankhon se aansu girte hue): “Main strong nahi hoon Kabir… sirf ek normal si insaan hoon… jise sirf khushi chahiye thi ye sab nahi.”
Kabir: “To kyu gayi thi dur kisne kaha tha ye sab karne ke liye ruk nahi sakti thi tum kuchh waqt."
Tabhi kabir ki maa ne ek thappad lagaya kabir ko aur boli:
Sab teri wajaah se ho raha he ghade, wo bichari to tere paas aayi thi tuhi muh fulaye ghoom raha tha ghada kahi ka."
Itna keh kar unhone fiza ko kas ke gale laga liya
Gaal sehlate Kabir bola: “Ek sawaal poochun? Tum kab tak alag rehna chahti ho? Tumhaare paas ghar hai, space hai… par kya dil mein bhi sukoon hai?”
Fiza ne aankhon mein aankhon daali. Saal bhar se chhupa pyaar, guilt, dard sab ek pal mein behta chala gaya aankhon se.
Fiza: “Main tumhare saath rehna chahti hoon. Shaayad bina label ke. Bina kisi pressure ke. Bas ek azaad aurat ke roop mein…mujhe tumse mohabbat karni hai.”
Kabir ne uska haath pakad kar sirf ek line boli:
“Toh phir ab se, yeh ghar bhi tumhara hai… aur yeh zindagi bhi.”
Teen Mahine Baad
Court se official papers aaye. Talaaq finally ho gaya,
Fiza ab Danish ki zindagi se poori tarah azaad thi.
Dono jub court se wapas aaye fiza ke chehre pe ek sukoon tha ghar mein aate hi usne apni nayi maa ko gale lagaya kabir ki mane bhi uske sar par hath phera aur boli:
"Beta ab sukoon se raho aur is ghade ko sudharne ki zimmedari uthao ab mai thak chuki hu"
Itna keh kar fiza ki hasi pure ghar mein fail gayi.
Tabhi kabir fiza ke kareeb aa kar uske kaan ke paas fusfusaya
Kabir (dheere se): “Tum meri zindagi ki sabse khoobsurat drawing ho, Fiza. Main tumhe diary mein band nahi karoonga... main tumhe har subah jeeyoonga.”
1 saal 3 mahine 15 din ke baad
Terrace pe Fiza aur sneha chair par baithi thi. Kabir kitchen mein chai bana raha tha. Sameer aur aarushi bhi living room ke sofa par baithe baatein kar rahe the.
weekend ki late night party ke baad sab wahi kabir ke ghar par ruk gaye the kabir ki mom out of town the to sone ki dikkat kisi ko huwi bhi nhi thi.
Kabir ne do cup chai sameer aur aarushi ko diye aur do cup chai leke terrace pe aaya.
Kabir: “ye lijiye malkin aapki masala chai?”
Fiza (muskurate hue): “Thank you love"
Kabir: “Toh ab kahin bhaagne ka iraada toh nahi?”
Fiza ne chai ka cup liya, Kabir ke kandhe se lag gayi.
Fiza: “Nahi. Ab kabhi akeli nahi hoon... Kyuki tum mere saath nahi, mere andar ho.”
Tabhi sneha bolo: aye ye sab room mein jaa kar karo mujhe jalan hoti hai
Ye sunke teeno hasne lage
har raat terrace pe chai ke do cups… ek khula aasman…fiza ke liye kabir ka sukoon wala kandha aur bahot sara pyaar ab har roz milne laga dono khush hai aaj bhi saath hai...aur har kadam ek sath chalte hai ek dusre ko sambhale..
Bas itni si thi ye kahani
~ THE END ~